HEADLINES

Month: January 2025

49ers Sign CB Asa Jackson

August 8th, 2017 at 12:17pm CST by Zachary Links

The 49ers have signed cornerback Asa Jackson, according to a team announcement. To make room, the team waived/injured fellow corner Zach Franklin.

Jackson, 27, is best known for his four seasons spent with the Ravens. The former fifth round pick was cycled through Baltimore’s roster last year before being plucked from the practice squad by the Lions. Upon being reunited with Teryl Austin, Jackson appeared in four games with two starts.

Franklin joined San Francisco as an undrafted rookie free agent in May out of Washburn University. In his college career, he appeared in 45 games (34 starts) and recorded 109 tackles, 32 passes defensed, six tackles for loss, two fumble recoveries, and one forced fumble.

Fun fact: Jackson is the fifth Sacramento native on the Niners’ roster, according to Matt Barrows of The Sacramento Bee (on Twitter). If you include DeAndre Carter’s college days at Sacramento State, the count is actually up to six.

Johnny Manziel Pondering Coaching Career

August 8th, 2017 at 10:35am CST by Zachary Links

Johnny Manziel still wants to return to the NFL, but he’s starting to consider some alternatives in case that doesn’t come to fruition. The former Browns quarterback would like to coach, “probably” at the college level. Johnny Manziel (vertical)

“I’d do something involved with sports. I can’t get away from it,” Manziel said (via ESPN.com). “I’ve had to ask myself that a little bit as of late over the past year, but at the same time I’d want to be involved in sports in some way, whether it’s coaching, whether it’s doing something like that. So I think that’d be my route.”

Manziel, 24, has no formal coaching experience, though he did serve as a coach at an Elite 11 quarterback camp in February. Despite all of his star power, Manziel’s bad behavior over the years might make it hard for him to get a foot in the door in the coaching world.

At the same time, it doesn’t appear that he has any real interest from NFL teams. The Cowboys did not give any thought to signing Manziel when mulling quarterback options in July and we haven’t gotten a whiff of any concrete interest in the QB since his Super Bowl week meeting with Saints coach Sean Payton. Meanwhile, Manziel personally said that he has only had “a couple of discussions” with teams about a potential return.

Lions’ Matthew Stafford Hasn’t Set Deadline

August 8th, 2017 at 10:07am CST by Zachary Links

There’s still a big gap between the Lions and Matthew Stafford in contract talks, but the quarterback is staying patient for now. Stafford says that he has not imposed a deadline for extension talks.Matthew Stafford (vertical)

[RELATED: Lions Notes: LTs, Tabor, Quin]

“As far as the deadline goes, it’s something I’ll talk to my agent about,” Stafford told Alex Marvez of SiriusXM. “I’m not worried about it at the moment. The contract, it’s really not too difficult for me to not think about. The only time I really talk about it is with [the media]. Guys in the locker room know it’s all about football. They’ve all been through these situations before. I’m just trying to do everything I possibly can to be as good a football player as I can be and lead our team.”

Sometimes, players will ask that extension talks cease before Week 1 in order to avoid distractions during the season. It’s also a smart way to hurry things along when talks stall. Stafford didn’t guarantee that he won’t set a deadline, but it’s noteworthy that he has not done that yet.

Stafford, 29, is coming off of the best season of his career. An extension with the Lions would likely make him the highest-paid player in the NFL. And, when all is said and done, he could wind up as the league’s top earner of all-time.

Jaguars Put Branden Albert On Retired List

August 8th, 2017 at 9:32am CST by Zachary Links

The Jaguars are placing offensive tackle Branden Albert on the reserve/retired list. Albert, who flip-flopped on retiring this week, was previously on the “left team” list. Branden Albert (vertical)

[RELATED: Branden Albert To Un-Retire, Report To Jaguars]

The change in designation theoretically allows Albert to play for the Jaguars, but that’s not what the team has in mind. The move essentially means that the Jaguars are not interested in his services right now and, barring something unforeseen, we won’t see him suit up for Jacksonville.

After Albert informed the Jaguars of his retirement on July 31st and had a change of heart on August 7th, there was some question as to whether he would be welcomed back. It seems that the Jags are moving on rather than carrying out a deal that had non-guaranteed base salaries of $8.9MM in 2017 and $9.6MM in 2018.

If Albert stayed retired, the Jaguars reserved the right to recoup $3.4MM in signing bonus money from him. It’s not immediately clear what the Jaguars can do in that regard or whether they’ll come after those dollars.

In 2016, Albert registered a career-worst 42.2 overall score on Pro Football Focus. He also missed four games due to injury. In his healthier years, however, he vacillated between above average to very good.

If Albert is out of the picture, we’re likely to see rookie Cam Robinson at left tackle.

Vikings Notes: Joseph, Griffen, Spielman

August 8th, 2017 at 8:55am CST by Zachary Links

The Vikings have shifted their approach to the salary cap in order to preserve their core, ESPN.com’s Kevin Seifert writes. Like most teams, the Vikings previously refused to extend players when they had more than one year to go on a deal. This year, they actually went to defensive end Everson Griffen and nose tackle Linval Joseph with early offers.

By changing up their philosophy, the Vikings got cost certainty on two key defensive linemen who were poised to eventually cash in on the open market. Meanwhile, Joseph was happy to trade in some potential financial upside for security.

“This game doesn’t last forever, at the end of the day,” Joseph said. “It was a great opportunity. I felt like I had outplayed my contract. For the Vikings to come to me and try to get something done, I was happy with that.”

Here’s more from Minnesota:

  • We have details on Joseph’s four-year, $50MM extension, via Mike Florio of PFT. The deal gives Joseph $11.15MM fully guaranteed at signing with $31.5MM guaranteed for injury at signing. The cash flow of the deal (including the previously standing seasons) has Joseph making $26.9MM through 2019, $38.65MM through 2020, $49.9MM through 2021, and $62.4MM through 2022. In terms of “new money” – which is always a tricky metric – Joseph’s $12.5MM annual average makes him the league’s eighth highest-paid defensive tackle.
  • More teams should look into extending contracts ahead of time like the Vikings did, Jason Fitzgerald of Over The Cap writes. Meanwhile, he feels that players and agents should be demanding more in scenarios like this. In the case of Joseph, he went from being virtually assured $15.5MM in 2017 and 2018 to getting $19MM, with $15MM of that being fully guaranteed. In essence, Joseph traded in his chance at a free agency payday for a $3.5MM pay bump and no significant guarantees for when the extension actually kicks in.
  • Linebacker Eric Kendricks, defensive end Danielle Hunter, and wide receiver Stefon Diggs could be next in line for deals since they have 19 months remaining on their current deals, Ben Goessling of the Star Tribune writes. Linebacker Anthony Barr could also be in line for a new deal after the 2018 season, depending on what happens with his $12.3MM fifth-year option. Vikings GM Rick Spielman won’t get into specifics, but it sounds like more extensions could be on the way. “We still have a lot of work ahead of us. There are still some guys that we will be looking at to extend,” Spielman said Sunday. “I don’t know when or where those will take place, but we do have a strategic plan in place.”

South Notes: Falcons, Saints, Colts, Titans

August 7th, 2017 at 9:59pm CST by Dallas Robinson

The Falcons don’t intend to waive recently suspended cornerback Jalen Collins in the very near future, but it appears the club is still assessing its options, as D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution writes. “The disappointment for having a second, repeat offense is stronger,” head coach Dan Quinn said Monday. “This just came through yesterday. Some trust has been broken. We’ll take all the time that we need to make the best decision for the team.” Atlanta now has the secondary depth to withstand a Collins release, per Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com, who identifies C.J. Goodwin and Deji Olatoye as valuable reserve pieces. Collins is suspended through late November, so the Falcons don’t have to make a decision on his status for some time.

Let’s check in on the latest from the NFL’s two South divisions:

  • Chase Daniel will almost assuredly serve as the Saints‘ backup quarterback during the upcoming season, meaning the battle for New Orleans’ third signal-caller job will come down to Garrett Grayson and Ryan Nassib, as Nick Underhill of the Advocate details. Grayson, a third-round pick just two years ago, currently has the upper hand, per Underhill, as Nassib — a free agent addition who spent his first four NFL seasons with the Giants — is considered a “long shot” to earn a roster spot. Of course, the Saints could opt to keep only two quarterbacks, at which the team would likely attempt to sneak Grayson onto their practice squad.
  • Colts wide receiver Chester Rogers has changed representation, hiring Rosenhaus Sports to replace Warren and Simpson, tweets Liz Mullen of SportsBusiness Journal. As a former undrafted free agent, Rogers is eligible to renegotiate his contract after only two seasons (in his case, following the 2017 season). Thus far, Rogers hasn’t done enough to earn an extension, as he managed only 19 receptions for 273 yards during his rookie campaign. However, the 23-year-old Rogers has been working as the Colts’ No. 3 receiver during training camp, ahead of Kamar Aiken and Phillip Dorsett, reports Zak Keefer of the Indianapolis Star (Twitter link).
  • If the stress fracture in his right foot continues to act up, Titans wide receiver Tajae Sharpe could begin the season on the physically unable to perform list, which would force him to miss the first six games of the year, Cameron Wolfe of ESPN.com writes. Sharpe, a fifth-round selection in 2016, reportedly has a tenuous grasp on a roster spot, but placing him on PUP could give Tennessee more time to make a decision on his fate. Currently being sued after an alleged assault, Sharpe is countersuing his accuser.

Minor NFL Transactions: 8/7/17

August 7th, 2017 at 9:40pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Today’s minor moves:

Buffalo Bills

Chicago Bears

Houston Texans

  • Waived: TE Zach Conque

Kansas City Chiefs

Los Angeles Chargers

Los Angeles Rams

Miami Dolphins

  • Waived: DE Arthur Miley

Pittsburgh Steelers

Seattle Seahawks

Washington Redskins

NFC West Rumors: Hawks, Lacy, 49ers, Cards

August 7th, 2017 at 9:19pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Speaking to the media today, Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll said today that rookie defensive tackle Malik McDowell is going to be sidelined “quite a while” after suffering injuries in an ATV accident last week, according to Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times (Twitter link). Initial reports indicated McDowell could be in danger of missing the 2017 campaign, and Carroll confirmed “it might be a lot to ask” McDowell to play during the upcoming season, tweets Dave Mahler of 950 KJR. Seattle has already placed McDowell on the non-football injury list, meaning he isn’t currently counting against the club’s roster count.

Here’s more from the NFC West:

  • While he could still return in time for the start of the regular season, 49ers guard Joshua Garnett will be hard-pressed to do so as he’s expected to miss one month after suffering a knee injury over the weekend, reports Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (Twitter link). As Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com reported Saturday, veterans Brandon Fusco and Zane Beadles are now working as San Francisco’s starting guards. Garnett, the 49ers’ first-round pick in 2016, started 11 games during his rookie season, but graded near the bottom of Pro Football Focus‘ guard rankings.
  • For the third time this year, Seahawks running back Eddie Lacy has met a weight requirement that will net him $55K, per Sheil Kapadia of ESPN.com. Lacy earned $55K in May for weighing in below 255 pounds, while his two most recent thresholds were 250 pounds. Signed to a one-year deal in March, Lacy’s contract has a base value of $4.25MM, which includes $385K in weight bonuses. An additional $1.3MM is available via incentives.
  • Cardinals offensive tackle Jared Veldheer took a personal day away from the club last month to contemplate retirement after chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) was found in 99 percent of deceased NFL players’ brains that were donated to scientific research, as Bob McManaman and Andrew Vailliencourt of the Arizona Republic write. “It wasn’t really like, ‘Oh my gosh! This is scary.’ I wasn’t going to … It was more complicated than that,” Veldheer said. “Everyone kind of would like to know more about (CTE) just because that kind of stuff has only been brought up in the last five years or so really and there’s just a lot of stuff they need to do research-wise.” Veldheer, 30, will shift to right tackle in 2017 in order to allow former first-round selection D.J. Humphries to take over on the blindside.

Brandon Flowers To Retire

August 7th, 2017 at 8:58pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Veteran cornerback Brandon Flowers will formally announce his retirement from the NFL on Tuesday, according to Steve Wyche of NFL.com (Twitter link).Brandon Flowers (vertical)

Flowers, 31, is currently a free agent and had drawn interest since being released by the Chargers earlier this year. He met with the Cardinals last month, but Arizona chose another experienced defensive back — former Brown Tramon Williams — over Flowers. Additionally, the Steelers and Patriots both put in calls to Flowers and his representation, but neither team ever set up a (known) visit.

Originally selected by the Chiefs in the second round of the 2008 draft, Flowers became an instant starter for Kansas City, teaming with fellow 2008 draftee Brandon Carr to give the Chiefs one of the league’s more underrated corner duos. Flowers started 87 games for Kansas City over the course of six years, posting 17 interceptions during that time. A scheme change in 2013 led to a down season for Flowers, and he was subsequently released.

Flowers stayed in the AFC West, inking a one-year deal with the division rival Chargers. After an excellent San Diego debut in 2014, Flowers signed a new four-year, $36MM pact to stay with the Chargers. Injuries began to take their toll the following season, however, as Flowers missed five games in 2015 before concussions limited him to six contests in 2016. The Chargers cut ties this spring, and Flowers had sat on the open market since.

While he may have never been a household name, Flowers was an outstanding defensive back for nearly a decade. From 2008-15, Flowers was the NFL’s 21st most valuable cornerback in terms of weighted approximate value, Pro Football Reference’s catch-call metric. PFR extends Flowers all the best in retirement and congratulates him on a superb career.

Branden Albert To Un-Retire, Report To Jags

August 7th, 2017 at 8:32pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Offensive tackle Branden Albert has informed the Jaguars he will reverse his decision to retire and instead report to camp, a source tells Adam Caplan of ESPN.com (Twitter link). However, there are many “moving parts,” and Albert is not yet officially a member of Jacksonville’s roster, per Mike Garafolo of NFL.com (Twitter link). It’s unclear if the Jaguars are interested in welcoming Albert back to the club, tweets Ian Rapoport of NFL.com.Branden Albert (vertical)

Albert, 32, originally announced his retirement a week ago today, a decision that leave Jacksonville with something of a void at left tackle. Second-round rookie Cam Robinson had been set to protect quarterback Blake Bortles‘ blindside, but he now figures to shift back to left guard, with Albert taking over tackle once again. Overall, it’s a marked improvement for a Jaguars offensive line that will be essential to the club’s success in 2016.

Jacksonville acquired Albert from the Dolphins in exchange for a 2018 seventh-round pick earlier this year, and the veteran offensive lineman requested a new contract almost immediately upon becoming a Jaguar. General manager Dave Caldwell & Co. refused to rework Albert’s pact, and could have sought to recoup $3.4MM in signing bonus money had Albert stayed retired. While entirely speculative, its possible the idea of losing those funds led Albert to report to camp.

Albert, who met with the Jaguars over the weekend (Twitter link via Garafolo), will enter his 10th NFL campaign if his decision to return sticks. Miami will also see a small benefit from Albert’s resolution, as the club should acquire that aforementioned 2018 draft choice if Albert says on Jacksonville’s roster for at least three games.

At present, Albert is scheduled to earn non-guaranteed base salaries of $8.9MM in 2017 and $9.6MM in 2018.

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