HEADLINES

Month: September 2024

Cowboys To Sign George Iloka

March 23rd, 2019 at 8:19pm CST by Micah Powell

The Cowboys have agreed to a one-year deal with free agent safety George Iloka, ESPN’s Todd Archer reports [Twitter link]. 

Expected to be in on the Earl Thomas sweepstakes, the Cowboys instead opted for the versatile Iloka, who is capable of playing both safety spots. Iloka marked the third safety to visit with the team this offseason, after Clayton Geathers, who rejoined the Colts, and former Chiefs All-Pro Eric Berry.

Archer mentions the Cowboys are concerned about their depth at the position, which Iloka’s ability to play both positions will greatly impact. It remains to be seen if Iloka will wrestle a starting spot away from either Jeff Heath or Xavier Woods. Iloka also caught the Cowboys’ attention this past offseason before he decided to sign with the Vikings after beginning his career with the Bengals.

A longtime starter in Cincinnati after being tabbed with a fifth-round pick in 2012, Iloka transitioned into a reserve role in 2018 with the Vikings, where he registered 16 tackles and a forced fumble. During his run with the Bengals, the Boise State product registered nine interceptions and made 446 tackles in six seasons.

One-year deals are the theme of the offseason for the Cowboys, who have now added Iloka to Randall Cobb, Kerry Hyder, Christian Covington, Cameron Fleming, Tavon Austin and Jason Witten among players who have taken a one-year offers.

Iloka continues the Cowboys recent fixation with Boise State products. He joins defensive linemen Tyrone Crawford and Demarcus Lawrence, linebacker Leighton Vander Esch and new offensive coordinator Kellen Moore to play for the Broncos.

 

Colts GM Discusses Inactivity Early In Free Agency

March 23rd, 2019 at 8:05pm CST by Micah Powell

The Colts entered the offseason expected to make several splashes, given the team’s abundance of cap space. That so far has not happened, with the team opting to re-sign players like Adam Vinatieri and Margus Hunt rather than make a move for big names like Trey Flowers and Le’Veon Bell. 

On Thursday, general manager Chris Ballard addressed the team’s relative inactivity early in free agency in an appearance on The Jeff and Big Joe Show on 1070 WFAN in Indianapolis on Thursday.

“If we get to a point, and you can read this as you want to read it, a true difference-maker in the free agent market, I’m good paying for,” Ballard said. “But they have to be a true difference-maker, unquestionably. Not the media saying he’s a true difference-maker, the tape saying he’s a true difference-maker.”

That comment obviously means the team didn’t view the likes of Bell, Flowers and even Landon Collins as valuable upgrades over pieces already in place. With more than $70MM still available in cap space, more than $30MM more than the next closest team, the Colts still have plenty of room to make several moves to upgrade the roster with value moves at the back end of free agency.

The team has been more active recently, inking former Chiefs pass rusher Justin Houston to a two-year deal and bringing in receiver Devin Funchess as a big-bodied complement to star wideout T.Y. Hilton.

DE Michael Johnson Not Expected To Return To Bengals

March 23rd, 2019 at 7:03pm CST by Micah Powell

The Bengals are not expected to bring back longtime defensive end Michael Johnson, the Cincinnati Enquirer’s Paul Dehner Jr. writes. 

Before the start of the 2018 season, the Bengals released the veteran defensive end only to bring him back on a one-year contract the next day. Johnson filled a big role on the Cincinnati defensive line, soaking up 41 percent of the team’s defensive snaps and starting all 15 games he played in. With Carlos Dunlap, and the emergence of Sam Hubbard, Carl Lawson and Jordan Willis, Johnson was deemed as expendable.

A third-round pick in 2009, Johnson began his career with the Bengals and developed into a solid starter in a five-year run with the team that included an 11.5-sack season in 2012. He moved to Tampa Bay following the 2013 season but spent just one season with the Buccaneers before returning to the Bengals. Since rejoining the team in 2015, Johnson has started 61 of a possible 64 games.

In his 10th season, Johnson was graded as the No. 89 edge defender by Pro Football Focus, a middle-of-the-road mark. His veteran presence and proven production could make him an attractive piece for a team needing a complementary 4-3 defensive end. In 2018, Johnson registered 33 tackles and just a half-sack in 15 games. He did record an interception and his first career touchdown in Week 5 vs. the Dolphins.

Latest On Patriots Owner Robert Kraft

March 23rd, 2019 at 5:59pm CST by Micah Powell

On Saturday, Patriots owner Robert Kraft released his first statement since being charged with two misdemeanor counts of soliciting, ESPN’s Adam Schefter tweets. 

“I am truly sorry. I know I have hurt and disappointed my family, my close friends, my co-workers, our fans and many others who rightfully hold me to a higher standard. Throughout my life, I have always tried to do the right thing. The last thing I would ever want to do is disrespect another human being. I have extraordinary respect for women; my morals and my soul were shaped by the most wonderful woman, the love of my life, who I was blessed to have as my partner for 50 years.”

Documents released by the Palm Beach Attorney’s Office indicate Kraft visited the Orchids of Asia Day Spa twice in a 24-hour span, and on Jan. 20 was videotaped receiving “oral and manual sex” from a woman at the Jupiter, Fla., Spa. According to officials, Kraft gave the woman a $100 bill and another bill before leaving. He flew to Kansas City shortly after this alleged act, being in attendance for the Patriots-Chiefs game later that day.

Earlier this week, the Patriots owner rejected a plea deal that would have had Kraft admit that he would’ve been found guilty had the case gone to court. Kraft and his lawyers have denied any wrongdoing at every step so far, and his lawyer William Buck has stated that he believes the video evidence violates the fourth amendment, according to the New York Post’s Emily Smith.

“We’ve looked at…the law around the warrant for the video surveillance inside the spa, and we think it is a violation of the fourth amendment. We also believe the traffic stop [made by police as the men left the spa] was illegal and a violation of the constitution.”

Also this week, Martin County Sheriff William Snyder believes the video evidence will eventually be made public, NBC Sports’ Darren Hartwell writes.

“Once a case is over, it’s not an ongoing investigation,” Snyder said. “There has to be a specific reason not to release a public record. And the fact that there is sexual activity is not an exemption.”

Kraft’s court date is set for March 28. Before he appears, however, he is expected to be in attendance at the NFL’s owner meetings, which begin Sunday.

 

 

OLB Josh Allen To Visit 5 Teams

March 23rd, 2019 at 4:09pm CST by Sam Robinson

One of the top prospects in a draft pool chock full of front-seven talent, Josh Allen has much of his pre-draft itinerary scheduled.

The Kentucky linebacker has five visits on tap. He will meet with the 49ers, Jets, Raiders, Giants and Lions, according to Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area. While more visits could be scheduled, this quintet represents what Allen confirmed he has lined up so far. Teams can host up to 30 non-local prospects before the draft.

At this point, Allen sits behind Nick Bosa among edge rushers. But it might be difficult for a team drafting outside the top three to land the four-year Kentucky contributor.

Many evaluators at Allen’s pro day believe the Jets will draft him at No. 3 overall, Rich Cimini of ESPN.com tweets. The Jets, as expected, have been active in free agency. They authorized a massive deal for C.J. Mosley, became the Le’Veon Bell destination and added Jamison Crowder. But New York did not address its edge-rushing need, seeing potential edge convert Anthony Barr back out of an agreement to stay with the Vikings.

Allen benefited from staying in school, registering 17 sacks as a senior. He finished his Wildcats career with 31.5 sacks, improving his draft stock.

The 49ers have been linked to Bosa, in the event the Cardinals leave him on the board at No. 1 overall. While other up-front presences — like Quinnen Williams, Montez Sweat, Rashan Gary and Ed Oliver — are expected to go early in Round 1, Allen figures to be off draft boards within the event’s first few picks.

GM Change Impacted Terrell Suggs’ Decision To Leave Ravens

March 23rd, 2019 at 3:33pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Ravens’ defense will look considerably different in 2019. While C.J. Mosley and Eric Weddle helped anchor the past few units, Terrell Suggs was a cornerstone Raven for more than 15 years.

Suggs departed Baltimore for Arizona, where he grew up and played in college. But had Ozzie Newsome not followed through with the plan of stepping down as Ravens GM, Suggs said he would probably have re-signed with Baltimore.

“Through and through I’m an Ozzie Newsome guy,” Suggs said during an appearance on Fox Sports’ Skip and Shannon: Undisputed (via NBC Sports Baltimore). “Once I knew Ozzie was going to step down as GM, you know, I kind of had to question my future in a Ravens uniform.”

Newsome’s exit strategy became official in February 2018. Longtime lieutenant Eric DeCosta is now running the Ravens’ front office. New starters will take their places on the 2019 Ravens’ defense. Mosley had started on the past five Baltimore defenses, Weddle the past three.

Suggs said he had considered this move for a while and added that the Ravens’ decisions on other veteran stalwarts this offseason affected his choice. Although news of Mosley’s Jets agreement did not emerge until after Suggs decided to leave, the Ravens opted to let the off-ball linebacker test the market.

“I actually decided before — I hadn’t slept in weeks. I was going to go back to Baltimore because it was the safe thing to do,” Suggs said during Undisputed of his initial instinct, before reconsidering and opting for Arizona (via BaltimoreBeatdown.com). “I loved and respected that organization so much that I had to remove myself out of the situation.”

The 36-year-old edge defender signed a one-year, $10MM deal with the Cardinals. He initially caught Newsome’s attention while playing at Arizona State in the early 2000s.

Malcolm Mitchell Announces Retirement

March 23rd, 2019 at 2:05pm CST by Ben Levine

Malcolm Mitchell is calling it a career. The 25-year-old wideout announced atTedxUGA (via RedandBlack.com) that he’s decided to retire.

The former Georgia standout joined the Patriots as a fourth-round pick during the 2016 draft. He proceeded to appear in 14 games (six starts) that season, hauling in 32 receptions for 401 yards and four touchdowns. He was also a standout during Super Bowl LI, catching six passes for 70 yards.

During that monumental comeback victory, Mitchell snared five fourth-quarter receptions, four of which going for first downs. But injuries did not allow him to build on that standout performance.

Mitchell missed the entire 2017 season after suffering a knee injury and underwent a knee procedure last July. The Patriots ultimately waived him in August, and the receiver hadn’t generated much interest since being a free agent.

Seahawks To Re-Sign DB Neiko Thorpe

March 23rd, 2019 at 1:19pm CST by Sam Robinson

Although Neiko Thorpe trekked to Buffalo for a Bills free agency visit this week, he will opt to stay with the Seahawks.

The veteran special-teamer agreed to terms to stay in Seattle on Saturday, Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times tweets. This will mark the defensive back’s fourth season with the Seahawks.

A former Raiders contributor on defense, Thorpe has been a key presence on the Seahawks’ specialty units since joining the team in 2016. He was a Seahawks special teams captain in 2018.

There are now seven cornerbacks on the Seahawks’ roster. At 29, Thorpe is the oldest. He has made 19 tackles during his three seasons as a Seahawk, recovering a fumble in each campaign. This figures to be purely a special teams-related signing; Thorpe played 30 defensive snaps last season.

George Iloka Unlikely To Return To Vikings

March 23rd, 2019 at 12:28pm CST by Ben Levine

George Iloka has been relatively busy as a free agent, but it sounds like he won’t be returning to Minnesota. Darren Wolfson of 5 Eyewitness News in Minnesota reports (via Twitter) that while the two sides met at the combine, it’s unlikely the safety returns to the Vikings.

Iloka has met with the Cowboys and Raiders this offseason, with his ability to play both free and strong safety making him a commodity. David Moore of the Dallas Morning News writes that the 28-year-old ultimately left Dallas without a deal, and we can assume the same about his previous visit with Oakland.

Iloka was a starter for the bulk of his career with the Bengals, but played mostly in a reserve role for the Vikings last year. In 16 games (three starts), the defensive back compiled 16 tackles and one forced fumble. However, he’s only one year removed from an 80-tackle campaign.

Wolfson also notes that the Vikings have not extended an offer to free agent wideout Aldrick Robinson, and the team is looking for other options at receiver. Robinson finished last season with 17 receptions for 231 yards and five scores.

Contract Details: RG3, Glennon, McCarron

March 23rd, 2019 at 11:21am CST by Ben Levine

Some assorted contract notes from around the NFL…

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