HEADLINES

Month: September 2024

Saints Sign S Sharrod Neasman

May 31st, 2018 at 11:33am CST by Zachary Links

The Saints have signed safety Sharrod Neasman, according to Herbie Teope of NFL.com (on Twitter). To make room, the team cut fellow safety Mykkele Thompson, who signed a reserve/futures deal with the team in January. 

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Neasman worked out with the Saints during their rookie camp in May. The 26-year-old has been on the Saints’ radar for a while and New Orleans even tried to sign him off of the Falcons’ practice squad in the last two years. If Neasman continues to perform in practice, he could have a real chance at sticking on the roster.

Neasman saw time in 14 games for the Falcons from 2016-17 but was non-tendered this offseason. An April audition with the Chiefs didn’t yield a deal, but he has found a home with the Saints.

As shown on Roster Resource, Neasman will be competing with Kurt Coleman, Chris Banjo, and fifth-round pick Natrell Jamerson for playing time and a place on the final roster this offseason. The Saints will return Marcus Williams and Vonn Bell as their starters in 2018.

55 NFL Draft Picks Remain Unsigned

May 31st, 2018 at 10:43am CST by Zachary Links

As shown in PFR’s tracker for NFL rookie contracts, 201 of this year’s 256 draft picks have signed. That leaves 55 drafted players without formalized contracts as of this writing. 

Thanks to the collective bargaining agreement of 2011, rookie contract negotiations are not as arduous as they were in years past. Rookies, generally, will agree to terms in accordance with their slots, though there is some wiggle room when it comes to issues such as offset language. If a player is cut within his first four years and does not have offset language in his deal, he can effectively double dip by collecting on the remaining guaranteed portion of his rookie contract while earning pay from another club. With offset language, the player’s earnings will be capped as the former team can deduct the amount of his new contract from their payout.

Unsurprisingly, 13 of this year’s unsigned players are from the third round of the draft. Third round picks, historically, have been tricky for teams, even under the simplified rules of the latest CBA. Third rounders have a slotted signing bonus – like every other pick – but their base salaries can be negotiated. If a player at a premium position is selected between, say, a guard and a center, he may push for a higher base than each player, rather than using their contracts as a guide.

The bulk of the stragglers come from the first round, where 20 of this year’s 32 selections are unsigned. Players chosen within the top 32 selections, and especially those selected in the top 10, can often exert more leverage in negotiations in order to get more favorable terms from clubs. In 2016, Joey Bosa‘s talks dragged for months over the timing of his signing bonus payment. Ultimately, Bosa’s reps did not get everything they wanted, but they were able to get the Bolts to meet them in the middle.

Right now, Colts guard Quenton Nelson (No. 6 overall) and Cardinals QB Josh Rosen (No. 10 overall) are the only two players in the top ten that have signed their rookie contracts. That number will increase in the coming days, though it wouldn’t be a surprise if some of this year’s top selections do not sign until late June or July.

No Contract Talks Between Titans, Taylor Lewan

May 30th, 2018 at 10:02pm CST by Andrew Ortenberg

Nate Solder recently re-set the market for top left tackles when he signed a four-year $62MM deal with the Giants back in March. The next player to threaten Solder’s spot as the highest paid tackle in the game might be the Titans’ Taylor Lewan, set to be a free agent after this season.

Lewan is playing 2018 in the final year of his rookie deal after the Titans exercised his fifth-year option. He’ll earn a $9.34MM salary this year which is most likely well below what he’ll command on the open market.

Lewan spoke with the media recently, and gave an update on talks, or lack thereof, with Titans management regarding a new contract, via Terry McCormick of Titaninsider.com. Lewan said there was “nothing worth talking about” when asked about the status of any negotiations.

While Lewan said there hasn’t been much progress recently, he isn’t sweating it, and is instead staying focuses on football. He has no plans to holdout or miss any time due to contract concerns, saying “When it comes to this kind of stuff, that’s why I have an agent. I don’t give them three percent to sit on their (expletive). I’m being serious.”

Lewan also said he’d be willing to negotiate during the season if nothing gets done this offseason. He even specifically referenced Solder, making it clear he knows his own worth, saying “I’m a professional athlete. Obviously you’re going to see those things. I see Nate Solder getting the contract he did. That’s awesome.”

Whether or not an extension gets done this summer, Lewan will sooner or later be one of the highest paid linemen in football. He’s racked up accolades since entering the league as the 11th pick in the 2014 draft, earning two Pro Bowl selections. Whether it’s by the Titans or someone else, Lewan will be getting paid next year, and he could very well best Solder’s $15.5MM per year salary.

Former Patriots/Bears LB Shea McClellin Leaning Towards Retirement

May 30th, 2018 at 8:54pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Former NFL linebacker Shea McClellin has accepted a high school coaching position in Idaho and is leaning towards retirement, according to Mike Reiss of ESPN.com.

“I’m still staying ready, still working out. I’ve learned to never say never, there’s always a chance that I could still play again, but for now all my focus is on coaching high school,” said McClellin, who didn’t appear in a game last season while spending the entire campaign on injured reserve.

“I was feeling good [in 2017], but unfortunately had more residual effects from concussions,” said McClellin. “It’s something they can’t clear you for. That’s the way it is nowadays, they’re tough on concussion things. It’s difficult, but I got through it. One thing I’d say, [the Patriots] handled it like they should have. I’m not upset with them, they’re not upset with me, it’s just the way it is. They handled it perfectly.”

A first-round pick out of Boise State in 2012, McClellin spent the first four years of his career with the Bears. Although he appeared in 38 games and made 31 starts during that time, McClellin never lived up his to his draft stock. Billed as an edge rusher, McClellin managed only four sacks in Chicago before inking a three-year deal with New England.

With the Patriots, McClellin played more off-ball linebacker and also saw more action on special teams. In 2016 (ultimately the only season during which he saw the field in New England), McClellin played on 41.7% of the Pats’ defensive snaps and posted 16 tackles, one sack, and two fumble recoveries. He was released in March after being dogged by his aforementioned concussion issues.

North Notes: Steelers, Packers, Vikings

May 30th, 2018 at 8:25pm CST by Andrew Ortenberg

When the Packers signed Byron Bell earlier today, most assumed it was for a reserve, depth role. But now Ryan Wood of the Green Bay Press Gazette writes that Bell may end up starting for the Packers. Wood notes that there is concern in the organization about longtime right tackle Bryan Bulaga‘s recovery from his ACL tear.

Bulaga, the Packers’ first-round pick back in 2010, tore his left ACL in week nine of last season. According to Wood, Bulaga is unlikely to be ready for week one, and there’s no real timetable for when he might be ready. Wood thinks placing Bulaga on the PUP list and holding him out at least the first six weeks of the season is a real possibility.

The good news for the Packers is that Bell has plenty of starting experience. He’s started 74 games since entering the league as an undrafted free agent in 2011. There was some talk earlier this offseason that the team could move on from Bulaga after he refused to take a pay cut, but the Packers seem committed to his return for now.

Here’s more from around the league’s northern divisions:

  • It’s yet to be officially diagnosed by team doctors, but Steelers tight end Jake McGee appears to have suffered a torn Achilles in practice, according to Mike Garafalo of NFL Network (Twitter link). McGee spent last year on the practice squad but Garafalo notes that some thought he could make the 53-man roster this year. If it is confirmed to be a torn Achilles, his season will be over.
  • The Steelers suffered another injury during Wednesday’s workout when backup offensive tackle Jerald Hawkins went down with a torn quad (Twitter link via Jeremy Fowler of ESPN). Fowler notes that Hawkins could go on injured reserve, but if he follows the normal timeline for a torn quad, he could be back in time for the regular season.
  • It was reported yesterday that Vikings linebacker Anthony Barr had reported to OTAs after skipping the first few sessions. Now, Ben Goessling of the Star Tribune says that he “wouldn’t be surprised if there were some candid talks in the last week” and adds that the Vikings have a “long and productive” relationship with Barr’s agent (Twitter link). It’s nothing concrete, but it’s another sign that Barr and the Vikings could be inching closer to working something out.

East Notes: Pats, Marsh, Fins, Carroo, Eagles

May 30th, 2018 at 7:02pm CST by Andrew Ortenberg

Former Patriots defensive end Cassius Marsh recently trashed the legendary “Patriot way,” saying the Patriots’ uptight nature didn’t allow him to have any fun and that his time in New England almost caused him to walk away from the game.

Now a member of the 49ers, Marsh provided details on his experience with the Patriots in an interview with Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle. Marsh revealed that he “wanted to get waived” and facilitated a meeting with Bill Belichick with that goal in mind. He said the Patriots misused him, asking him to do things he had never done before, saying they had him “covering running backs and receivers and basically almost never rushing the passer” which is what he was used to.

Marsh ultimately got what he wanted, and was claimed off waivers by the 49ers. He’ll be playing on the opposite side of the country now for a team with a much different culture. It’s very rare for a player to openly criticize Belichick and the Patriots like this, and whatever you think of Marsh’s comments, it’s refreshing to see a player speak this honestly.

Here are more notes from the league’s eastern divisions:

  • Dolphins receiver Leonte Carroo will undergo “minor knee surgery” according to Armando Salguero of The Miami Herald (Twitter link). Salguero adds that Carroo is expected to miss the rest of OTAs and minicamp, but should be back on the field by the time training camp starts in July. Carroo was a third-round pick in 2016, but has done little his first two years in the league. Dolphins beat reporters have already predicted he won’t make the team this year without a strong offseason, and this injury definitely doesn’t help his chances of making the team’s 53-man roster.
  • Eagles general manager Howie Roseman is always active in the trade market during the summer months, and The Philly Voice’s Jimmy Kempski expects that to continue this year. Kempski speculates that several players could be on the move, including cornerback Ronald Darby. Kempski notes that Darby is heading into the final year of his contract, whereas all the Eagles’ other corners are locked up for multiple years. Kempski speculates that the Eagles may let Darby walk in free agency anyway, so they might try to trade him now and get something for him, perhaps a third-round pick.
  • In case you missed it, Cowboys defensive end Randy Gregory is still going through the reinstatement process. Read all the latest here.

Vikings OL Nick Easton Pushing For Extension

May 30th, 2018 at 5:54pm CST by Andrew Ortenberg

When talking to the media at OTAs, Vikings guard Nick Easton made it clear he’d like to stay in Minnesota longterm and would like an extension sooner rather than later. He told The St. Paul Pioneer Press’ Chris Tomasson that he’d “love to be here long-term” and answered “I hope so” when asked about the possibility of the Vikings giving him an extension soon (Twitter link).

Easton is playing under a one-year $2.9MM restricted free agent tender after he was tendered at the second-round level by the Vikings. Easton signed the tender back in April and will be a free agent after the season.

While Easton has now made his preference publicly known, he may have to wait a while. After giving Kirk Cousins a historic fully guaranteed contract, the Vikings currently don’t have a ton of cap space with which to sign their impending free agents, and will have to allocate their limited resources wisely. They have a slew of young players all set to be free agents at the end of the year. Young defensive studs Anthony Barr, Danielle Hunter, and Eric Kendricks are all heading into the final year of their contracts, as is star wide receiver Stefon Diggs.

The Vikings may decide to let Easton walk in favor of signing some of their other young guys. What they decide to do will likely depend on how they feel about the rest of their interior linemen. Easton is locked in as the starting left guard, and the other guards on the roster are underwhelming and not realistic options to replace him. If the Vikings don’t add more guard help between now and next offseason, there’s a good chance Easton will get the extension he’s looking for.

Charges Dropped For Christian Kirk

May 30th, 2018 at 4:36pm CST by Zachary Links

Cardinals rookie wide receiver Christian Kirk is no longer in trouble – legally speaking – for an alleged incident in February (via WHAS11). Kirk agreed to pay for damages to a van window that police claimed was destroyed by Kirk and a friend. 

The Cardinals knew about Kirk’s arrest before the draft, but selected him with the No. 47 overall pick after interviewing him about the incident. The legal issues tied to the case are now behind him and Kirk is unlikely to face league discipline since the alleged incident took place before he was in the league.

Kirk, who had no known off-the-field issues in high school or college, excelled at Texas A&M. In three seasons, he amassed nearly 3,000 all-purpose yards and cemented himself as one of the best receivers in his class.

The Cardinals project to use Kirk as a supporting piece behind No. 1 wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald this year. J.J. Nelson and free agent addition Brice Butler also figure to see a significant number of targets, though it remains to be seen whether it will be Sam Bradford or Josh Rosen throwing the passes.

Minor NFL Transactions: 5/30/18

May 30th, 2018 at 4:14pm CST by Zachary Links

Today’s minor moves:

Dallas Cowboys

Green Bay Packers

  • Waived: T/G Jacob Alsadek

Jacksonville Jaguars

Seattle Seahawks

Washington Redskins

Bills Sign Rookie DT Harrison Phillips

May 30th, 2018 at 3:25pm CST by Zachary Links

On Wednesday, the Bills announced the signing of third-round defensive tackle Harrison Phillips. With Phillips in the fold, the Bills have just one draft pick left to sign. 

Phillips should see time right off the bat as a top substitute for Star Lotulelei at nose tackle. The Bills believe that he’ll be able to hit the ground running, thanks in part to his work ethic.

“I expect to work my tail off and do everything they ask me to do as best I can,” he said. “I’m just going to work through everything. I know that that whole defensive front has a whole wealth of knowledge and if I could just try and pick all their brains, I hope I can just come in and contribute.”

As shown in PFR’s draft signing tracker, first-round quarterback Josh Allen stands as the Bills’ only unsigned pick:

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