HEADLINES

Month: November 2024

AFC East Notes: Patriots, Britt, Bridgewater

August 22nd, 2018 at 7:49pm CST by Dallas Robinson

The Patriots released wide receiver Kenny Britt earlier today, but New England actually offered the veteran pass-catcher an extension earlier this summer, per Jeff Howe of The Athletic (Twitter links). As of earlier this week, Britt was still dealing with the hamstring injury that landed him on the physically unable to perform list, so it’s possible the Patriots were attempting to use that leverage in order to re-up Britt on a cheap deal. New England originally signed Britt last December after he was cut by the Browns; his contract included a option for 2018 which the Pats exercised in March. Britt was scheduled to earn a base salary of $1.05MM this season ($150K of which was fully guaranteed), and he already collected $50K in workout bonuses. Per Howe, Britt is now nearing full recovery and is expected to find a new team in the near future.

Here’s more from the AFC East:

  • Teddy Bridgewater is reportedly on the trade block, and the Jets have already received interest from at least two clubs. With that in mind, Mike Sando and Rich Cimini of ESPN.com looked at six possible destinations for Bridgewater, who has excelled through two preseason games. Teams like the Cowboys or Panthers that currently lack an established backup quarterback certainly make sense as contenders for Bridgewater, but perhaps the most interesting team listed by the ESPN scribes is the divisional rival Dolphins. Bridgewater, 25, inked a one-year deal with a base value of $6MM, but he can earn another $9MM based on performance and playtime incentives.
  • Speaking of Bridgewater, Ian O’Connor of ESPN.com details the lengthy surgical and rehabilitation process the veteran Jets quarterback faced after dislocating his knee in 2016. “…[I]t’s certainly the worst knee dislocation in sports I’ve ever seen without having a nerve or vessel injury,” said surgeon Dan Cooper. “It’s an injury that about 20-25 percent of NFL players are able to come back from. … It’s a horrific injury. You’ve torn every single thing in your knee and it’s hanging on by one ligament on one side like a hinge.”
  • In case you missed it, the edge-rusher needy Jets have now expressed interest in both the Raiders’ Khalil Mack and the Jaguars’ Dante Fowler.

Cowboys C Travis Frederick Has Guillain Barre Syndrome

August 22nd, 2018 at 6:51pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Cowboys center Travis Frederick revealed on Twitter Wednesday night that he’s been diagnosed with Guillain Barre Syndrome, a rare auto immune disease.

“In the last 48 hours, I have received two treatments that address my condition, and I am feeling much better from an overall strength perspective. I will continue these treatments over the next few days.

I am very optimistic about my condition and the immediate future, as I have been told that the illness was detected at a fairly early stage. My doctors have told me that it is not possible to determine a time table for a return to the field right now, but I am hopeful that I will be able to play as soon as possible.”

Frederick is dealing with neck stingers, and had been searching for more recovery options, as David Moore of the Dallas Morning News recently reported. A “level of concern” reportedly existed with Dallas’ front office, but Cowboys owner Jerry Jones didn’t exhibit any unease during a Tuesday interview with 105.3 The Fan. “[Frederick] had a good day yesterday,” Jones said, per Jon Machota of the Dallas Morning News. “[The results] were positive for the future.”

Frederick is the second Cowboys offensive lineman to deal with injury this week, as All-Pro right guard Zack Martin went down during Saturday’s preseason game, but ultimately escaped with just a hyperextended left knee. Frederick’s ailment is clearly more serious nature, and it sounds as though he’ll be sidelined for the foreseeable future. For now, Dallas will turn to backup center Joe Looney, where he’ll be joined by Martin, Tyron Smith, La’el Collins, and Connor Williams on one of the league’s best front fives.

Frederick, 27, has started 80 consecutive games for the Cowboys. A four-time Pro Bowler, Frederick graded as the league’s No. 3 center in 2017, per Pro Football Focus. He inked a six-year, $56.4MM extension in 2016, a deal that now ranks fourth on an annual basis among centers behind Ryan Jensen, Brandon Linder, and Weston Richburg.

Raiders Sign CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie

August 22nd, 2018 at 6:48pm CST by Dallas Robinson

After working him out earlier today, the Raiders have signed veteran cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (Twitter link).

Oakland has added considerable depth to its cornerback room this offseason, but it’s difficult to argue the club has anything close to a No. 1 corner on its roster. Rodgers-Cromartie isn’t viewed in that light, either, but he will give the Raiders another option in the slot. Oakland ranked just 30th in pass defense DVOA in 2017, per Football Outsiders, and performed poorly against opposing slot receivers, finishing 29th in DVOA against inside options.

Currently, 2017 first-round pick Gareon Conley and free agent acquisition Rashaan Melvin are projected to start for Oakland at outside corner. DRC will now enter a battle to start in the slot, where he’ll be competing with Daryl Worley, Leon Hall, Nick Nelson, and others for playing time. As Vic Tafur of The Athletic tweets, the Raiders will likely keep six cornerbacks on their roster, especially because Worley is likely facing a league-imposed suspension.

In 2017, Rodgers-Cromartie appeared in 15 games (six starts) for the Giants, managing 31 tackles, a half-sack, and one pass defensed while grading as the NFL’s No. 58 cornerback, per Pro Football Focus. On 25 targets, DRC allowed 7.2 yards per pass, more than double his 2016 average of 3.5.

Latest On Aaron Rodgers Extension Talks

August 22nd, 2018 at 6:35pm CST by Dallas Robinson

The Packers are reportedly “creeping along towards a deal” with quarterback Aaron Rodgers, and Rodgers himself recently sounded confident an extension will get hammered out.

“I don’t think they would want to nickel and dime me, and I’m not trying to screw them,” Rodgers told Wilde and Tausch on ESPN Wisconsin (link via Michael David Smith of Pro Football Talk). “This is a partnership. That’s the only way this is going to work, and the best way things work in this situation is we’re in this together. If they make that financial commitment, that’s what they’re saying. And also there’s an expectation I’m going to play well, and that’s my side of the bargain.”

Rodgers, 34, is currently signed through the 2019 season, with cap charges north of $20MM in each of the next two campaigns. On an annual average basis, though, Rodgers’ $22MM/year now ranks just 10th among quarterbacks, behind the likes of Joe Flacco, Alex Smith, and Derek Carr, among others.

Previous reports had indicated Rodgers may prefer a contract with a complicated structure, one that perhaps contains multiple opt-outs or a salary tied to a percentage of the NFL’s salary cap. However, Rodgers told the ESPN host he doesn’t “know how feasible that is,” so a new deal may simply have a traditional construction, which the Packers reportedly prefer.

Raiders Work Out DRC

August 22nd, 2018 at 5:37pm CST by Dallas Robinson

The Raiders worked out free agent corner Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie on Wednesday, according to Josina Anderson of ESPN.com (Twitter link). Previous reports had indicated DRC earlier this month, but he’d actually only spoken with Oakland.

Rodgers-Cromartie has drawn plenty of interest this offseason after being released by the Giants in March. The Redskins were his first free agent visit, and reportedly reached out to him last week prior to cutting slot corner Orlando Scandrick. DRC has also worked out for the Seahawks while the Chargers have reportedly eyed the 32-year-old defensive back.

The Raiders brought in plenty of new faces at the corner position this offseason, adding veterans such as Rashaan Melvin, Daryl Worley, Shareece Wright, and Leon Hall, and also drafted Nick Nelson in the fourth round. Melvin is projected to start opposite 2017 first-rounder Gareon Conley, but DRC could give Oakland another option in the slot.

In 2017, Rodgers-Cromartie appeared in 15 games (six starts) for the Giants, managing 31 tackles, a half-sack, and one pass defensed while grading as the NFL’s No. 58 cornerback, per Pro Football Focus. On 25 targets, DRC allowed 7.2 yards per pass, more than double his 2016 average of 3.5.

George Iloka Signed For League Minimum

August 22nd, 2018 at 5:17pm CST by Dallas Robinson

George Iloka‘s one-year deal with the Vikings is worth the league minimum for his experience level ($790K), according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (Twitter link).

Iloka signed a minimum salary benefit contract with Minnesota, meaning the club will take advantage of the veteran safety’s deal on their salary cap. While Iloka will actually collect $880K ($790K in base salary plus a $90K signing bonus), the Vikings will see only $630K — the league minimum for a player with two years experience — on their cap.

It’s a incredible bargain for a starting-caliber safety, even one that was released at this stage of the year. Stagnant safety market aside, Iloka likely could have found a better price elsewhere, but Schefter reports Iloka wanted to play for his former Bengals defensive coordinator and current Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer.

Iloka figures to supplant Andrew Sendejo and start opposite Harrison Smith in the Vikings’ base defense, but all three safeties could conceivably see the field in sub packages.

Minor NFL Transactions: 8/22/18

August 22nd, 2018 at 4:55pm CST by Zachary Links

Today’s minor moves:

Arizona Cardinals

Indianapolis Colts

Los Angeles Chargers

Jets Express Interest In Khalil Mack

August 22nd, 2018 at 4:12pm CST by Zachary Links

The Jets reached out to the Raiders to express their interest in trading for Khalil Mack, Manish Mehta of the Daily News hears. Naturally, the Jets aren’t the only team to ask about Mack – Mehta hears that more than a dozen teams have called, and several of those clubs have reached out multiple times. 

The Jets have yet to make an offer, but it’s clear that they are being aggressive in their mission to address their pass rush. Right now, the Jets’ pass rush is arguably their biggest weakness, and Mack is one of the very best in that department.

So far, the Raiders have brushed off the army of suitors. However, as Mack’s holdout nears the 30-day mark, and the season fast approaches, nothing can be ruled out.

The Jets been in the league-wide cellar for sacks in each of the past two seasons, which explains their interest in Mack and Dante Fowler Jr. of the Jaguars. Even head coach Todd Bowles admits that it’s an area that can be improved on.

“Well, we don’t have the name guy,” Bowles said. “We don’t have the Lawrence Taylor, so to speak, but we have guys that work hard and are very tough at the point of attack. You don’t need a name guy. You just need a guy with production. And the production will make the name. Disrupting the quarterback is the big thing as well as setting the edge. We have certain guys that can do a lot of things right now. We’re mixing and matching to get a feel for what guys can and can’t do right now.”

Patriots Release WR Kenny Britt

August 22nd, 2018 at 3:41pm CST by Zachary Links

Kenny Britt‘s time with the Patriots has come to an end. On Wednesday, the Patriots released the wide receiver, according to an announcement from his agency. 

Britt was expected to take on a larger role with the Pats following the departure of Danny Amendola and the four-game suspension handed to Julian Edelman. However, he was never able get on the field during training camp with due to his hamstring, and the Pats ran out of patience.

The Pats removed Britt from the PUP list a couple of weeks ago. At the time, the soon-to-be 30-year-old indicated that he was close to being ready, though he declined to speculate on his Week 1 status.

In 2016, Britt had breakout campaign and recorded a 1,000-yard season with the Rams. He parlayed that success into a lucrative free agent deal with the Browns, but that proved to be a disaster. In his first act as the Browns’ new GM, John Dorsey axed Britt, leading him to sign with the Patriots in December.

The Patriots’ wide receiver group was thinned out even further this summer when they axed Jordan Matthews and Malcolm Mitchell. They have since signed Eric Decker, but this WR group has decidedly less star power than it did four weeks ago.

The Patriots should now have an easier time when it comes to roster cuts on Sept. 1. Chris Hogan, Phillip Dorsett, Cordarrelle Patterson, and special teams ace Matt Slater all figure to be on the 53-man roster, while sixth-round pick Braxton Berrios and Decker could convince the Pats to carry six receivers into the season opener. Of course, the math can change if the Patriots add a notable veteran such as Dez Bryant.

Britt already earned $200K in offseason roster and workout bonuses this year, so he won’t leave New England empty handed. In three games for the Patriots last year, he caught two passes for 23 yards.

49ers DT Cedric Thornton Retires

August 22nd, 2018 at 2:49pm CST by Zachary Links

49ers defensive tackle Cedric Thornton is retiring from football, the team announced. The move came without any real warning, though the team should be alright without him after signing defensive tackle Chris Jones. 

A former three-year starter for the Eagles, Thornton signed a four-year deal with the Cowboys prior to the 2016 campaign but lasted only a single season. He latched on with the Bills just before the 2017 season got underway and ultimately appeared in 15 games, playing on roughly a third of Buffalo’s defensive snaps. In late July, he signed a lost-cost deal with the Niners.

It’s not clear why Thornton is retiring, but it’s possible that he decided to quit before the Niners potentially left him off of their 53-man roster.

Load More Posts