HEADLINES

Month: November 2024

NFC East Rumors: Witten, Cowboys, Eagles

May 1st, 2018 at 9:31pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Although Cowboys owner Jerry Jones doesn’t seem ready to admit it, tight end Jason Witten is fully expected to follow through on retirement and become an analyst for ESPN’s Monday Night Football, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (video link), who called Witten’s shift to the Worldwide Leader a “done deal.” If Witten does indeed hang up his cleats, he could be stuck in a thorny contractual issue with Dallas. The Cowboys converted $4.7MM of Witten’s base salary into a signing bonus earlier this year, but could now ask for that money back, as Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk writes. Dallas released quarterback Tony Romo last summer, allowing him to retain all of his bonus money in the process, and it’s fair to wonder if the club will do the same for Witten, who is expected to command a salary of $4-4.5MM at ESPN.

Here’s more from the NFC East:

  • Despite not adding a single defensive back in last weekend’s draft, the Cowboys are not expected to have interest in free agent safeties Eric Reid, Kenny Vaccaro, or Tre Boston, reports Todd Archer of ESPN.com. Dallas did’t have any interest in either of the three veterans pre-draft and doesn’t believe any would fit its defensive scheme. For what’s it worth, the Cowboys reportedly tried to acquire Vaccaro at the 2017 trade deadline. Safeties in general have had a hard time generating buzz this offseason, with one agent telling Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com that defensive backs aren’t getting offers of even “one year, $3MM.” For now, Dallas will likely roll with Xavier Woods and Jeff Heath at safety after moving former first-round pick Byron Jones to cornerback.
  • If the Redskins had released defensive tackle Terrell McClain earlier this year (instead of on Monday), he’d likely already be back on the Cowboys roster, tweets David Moore of the Dallas Morning News (Twitter link). Dallas picked up former second-round interior defender Jihad Ward from the Raiders in a draft-day exchange that sent wideout Ryan Switzer to Oakland, but they’re still expected to express interest in McClain. The 29-year-old McClain spent the 2014-16 campaigns in Dallas, and was a 15-game starter during his final season with the Cowboys.
  • Eagles defensive tackle Timmy Jernigan recently underwent surgery for a herniated disc, per Howard Eskin of WIP-FM (link via Les Bowen of the Philadelphia Inquirer). As such, Jernigan won’t participate in spring workouts but is fully expected to be ready for 2018 regular season. Philadelphia acquired Jernigan from the Ravens last April, sacrificing just a 25-slot drop in the third round in order to land the now-25-year-old. After a productive debut year with the Eagles, Jernigan inked a four-year, $48MM extension that should keep him in town through 2021.

Broncos Sign Eight Undrafted Free Agents

May 1st, 2018 at 8:40pm CST by Dallas Robinson

The Broncos have become the latest team to bring in post-draft players, as they’ve announced the signing of the following eight undrafted college free agents:

Holland and Lindsay were Denver’s big gets, according to Mike Klis of 9News (Twitter link), as each received a signing bonus of $15K. Holland, who won’t turn 21 years old until September, put up 12.5 tackles for loss and 9.5 sacks during his final season with the tigers. Lindsay, meanwhile, topped 1,000 yards rushing in each of the last two campaigns, and will get an opportunity as a returner, per Klis.

Broncos Unlikely To Exercise Shane Ray’s Option

May 1st, 2018 at 7:37pm CST by Dallas Robinson

The Broncos are not planning to exercise edge rusher Shane Ray‘s 2019 fifth-year option, according to Mike Klis of 9News. James Palmer of NFL.com recently reported that it was “far from a certainty” that Denver would pick up Ray’s option.

Ray hasn’t delivered on his first-round draft billing since entering the league in 2015, and the Broncos also re-invested in their pass rush by selecting edge defender Bradley Chubb with the fifth overall pick in the weekend’s draft. With Chubb now in tow, Denver is now four-deep at outside linebacker, with superstar Von Miller and restricted free agent Shaquil Barrett joining Ray and Chubb on the club’s defense.

Ray, who will turn 25 years old this month, posted 12 sacks during his first two years with the Broncos, but missed eight games with a hand injury in 2017. He managed only a single sack and graded as a bottom-10 edge rusher, per Pro Football Focus. Ray would earn more than $9MM in 2019 if his option were exercised, and while that figure is guaranteed for injury only, Ray’s recent health issues could give Denver pause.

While purely speculative, it’s fair to wonder if the Broncos will consider a trade of Ray (or Barrett) in the coming months. While Ray wasn’t effective last season, a 24-year-old former first-round pass rusher would certainly fetch a fair price on the trade market. Ray is also eminently affordable for the 2018 campaign, as an acquiring team would take on just $1.678MM in base salary.

Giants Not Planning To Cut Ereck Flowers

May 1st, 2018 at 7:15pm CST by Dallas Robinson

While former first-round pick Ereck Flowers has started to wear out his welcome in New York, the Giants don’t have any intention of waiving him in the near future, according to Paul Schwartz of the New York Post.

The Giants — who will bump Flowers from left to right tackle following their offseason acquisition of veteran Nate Solder — shopped the 24-year-old during the draft, and despite asking for only a mid-round pick in talks, were unable to find any club willing to meet their price tag. In fact, one team told New York that their ask was “significantly” too steep for its liking.

Flowers, who failed to show up for voluntary workouts last month, has never lived up to expectations after being selected ninth overall in 2015. While he does come with plenty of experience (46 starts over the past three seasons), Flowers has never been effective. 2017 marked his best campaign to date, but that only resulted in Flowers grading as the league’s No. 54 tackle among 81 qualifiers, per Pro Football Focus.

The Giants almost certainly won’t pick up Flowers’ 2019 fifth-year option, as it would be worth $12.525MM if exercised. Flowers today hired Drew Rosenhaus as his new agent, but Rosenhaus is more likely to negotiate Flowers’ next contract with a new team than an extension with New York. If the Giants cut ties with Flowers, they’d take on more than $4.5MM in dead money without realizing any cap savings.

49ers Sign 13 Undrafted Free Agents

May 1st, 2018 at 6:15pm CST by Dallas Robinson

The 49ers have announced the signing of the following 13 undrafted college free agents:

McFadden was clearly a high post-draft priority for the 49ers, as the club handed the ex-Seminole largest known guarantee among undrafted free agents league-wide. He’ll receive a $20K signing bonus and a $70K base salary guarantee, according to Tom Pelissero of NFL.com (Twitter link). While each NFL team is allowed to distribute roughly $100K in signing bonus to UDFAs, there is no limit as on base salary guarantees.

McFadden played in 13 games for Florida State in both 2016 and 2017, and earned All-ACC honors during his sophomore campaign. A former five-star recruit, McFadden has a long frame that helps him excel in press coverage, per Lance Zierlein of NFL.com.

Minor NFL Transactions: 5/1/18

May 1st, 2018 at 4:54pm CST by Zachary Links

Todays minor moves:

Arizona Cardinals 

Baltimore Ravens

  • Claimed off waivers: DB Kai Nacua (from Browns)

Carolina Panthers

  • Signed: OT Korren Kirven
  • Waived: TE Kent Taylor

Houston Texans

  • Waived : OL Jake Rodgers

Kansas City Chiefs

Oakland Raiders

Tennessee Titans

Russ Brandon Steps Down As Bills’ Prez

May 1st, 2018 at 4:15pm CST by Zachary Links

Russ Brandon is out as the Bills’ president. Brandon has resigned his post as the managing partner and president Pegula Sports and Entertainment following an internal investigation into his workplace behavior, two sources tell Tim Graham of The Buffalo News. 

Kim Pegula will take over the the Bills’ new president in what seems to be a permanent role, tweets Graham. The club is not planning to open a search for external candidates.

“I have been contemplating transitioning out of my role for some time,” said Brandon, who is in his early 50s. “My goal when the Pegula’s purchased the franchise was to reach 20 years with the Bills in which I achieved this past November. Given where we are from a timing standpoint, particularly with the conclusion of the NFL Draft, now seems like the time to make that transition. As grateful as I am for the amazing experience and the incredible people I’ve had the privilege to work with the past two decades, I am just as anxious for the professional opportunities that lie ahead.”

Brandon has been with the Bills since 1997 serving in a variety of high-ranking roles, including GM. After last year’s offseason shakeup which included the hiring of coach Sean McDermott and GM Brandon Beane, Brandon lost much of his control in the front office.

Two sources with knowledge of the investigation tell Graham that Brandon has been accused of inappropriate relationships with female employees. When confronted by owner Pegula, the sources said, Brandon denied the allegations. However, the investigation found that Brandon was less than truthful about what transpired and uncovered other issues.

Redskins’ Bruce Allen Won’t Join Raiders

May 1st, 2018 at 3:31pm CST by Zachary Links

There’s a belief in league circles that Redskins president Bruce Allen hopes to eventually return to the Raiders, Mike Florio of PFT reports. However, Allen tells SiriusXM (audio link) that he’s not leaving for Oakland. 

“Well, first of all, I do like the Silver and Black, and I think Mark Davis, [GM] Reggie [McKenzie] and Jon [Gruden] are going to do great. And I’m so excited for them to go to Vegas,” Allen said. “But I’m not going there. And I’m not going to play shortstop for the Nationals either tonight…I have a job to do, and we’re really looking forward to this season, and what we’re going to be doing off the field here, and future stadiums in Washington.”

Allen worked with Gruden while with the Raiders and Buccaneers, so the rumblings are only logical. If the Redskins struggle badly this year and Allen finds himself out of a job, it’s a situation worth keeping an eye on.

Last year, the Redskins finished 7-9 and missed the playoffs for a second straight year. This year, they’ll try to right the ship with Alex Smith replacing Kirk Cousins under center.

Colts Sign 10 UDFAs

May 1st, 2018 at 2:59pm CST by Zachary Links

The Colts announced the signing of the following ten undrafted free agents:

  • Michael Badgley, K (Miami)
  • Chris Cooper, S (Stony Brook)
  • Lashard Durr, CB (Mississippi State)
  • Steve Ishmael, WR (Syracuse)
  • Robert Jackson, CB (UNLV)
  • Tomasi Laulile, DT (BYU)
  • Skai Moore, LB (South Carolina)
  • George Odum, S (Central Arkansas)
  • William Ossai, LB (San Jose State)
  • Henre’ Toliver, CB (Arkansas)

Moore, who seemed likely to be taken during Day 3 of the draft, is the biggest name in this group. Moore led his team in tackles in all four of his seasons (interrupted by a medical redshirt year to rehab from a herniated disk in 2016), but evaluators worried about his lack of size and speed. The slim 6’2″ linebacker will now try to catch on as a reserve behind starters John Simon, Antonio Morrison, and Najee Goode.

The Colts seem well set at kicker with Adam Vinatieri under contract for another season, but Badgley will try to give him a run for his money. At The U, Badgley connected on 79.4% of his field goal tries, including a career-long 57-yarder in 2015.

To help make room for the UDFAs, the Colts released a number of players on Tuesday morning, including running back Matt Jones.

Terence Newman To Retire After Season

May 1st, 2018 at 1:53pm CST by Zachary Links

Terence Newman will return for his age-40 season, but he’s not planning on going much further. The veteran says that he has no designs on extending his career beyond 2018.

[RELATED: Vikings Re-Sign CB Terence Newman]

“I think this will be my last year no matter what happens,’’ Newman said (Twitter link via Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press). “After 15 years, I’ve soaked as much as I can in. It’s been a heck of a ride. I understand when it’s time for me. I’m not going to put an onus on doing anything special.”

Newman entered the league as the No. 5 overall pick of the 2003 NFL Draft. He is one of three active players remaining from that class and that number will be reduced to two if Cowboys tight end Jason Witten retires to begin his broadcasting career. Ravens linebacker Terrell Suggs is the only other player from the ’03 class still hanging on.

This year will mark Newman’s fourth year with the Vikings. Before that, Newman spent nine years with the Cowboys and three years with the Bengals.

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