HEADLINES

Month: November 2024

49ers Release DE Cassius Marsh

March 15th, 2019 at 3:34pm CST by Sam Robinson

Cassius Marsh‘s 1 1/2-season run with the 49ers appears to be over. The team will release the five-year defensive end, Matt Barrows of The Athletic tweets. Marsh confirmed he is on the way out (via Twitter).

This comes after Marsh’s 5.5 sacks were second on the team last season (and first among 49er edge rushers). The 49ers, though, added a higher-profile defensive end this week in Dee Ford. That move likely prompted the team to move on from Marsh — a player the 49ers extended barely a year ago.

Marsh, who had one season and a $3.8MM salary left on that contract, joined the 49ers via November 2017 waiver claim. He finished his 49er tenure with 7.5 sacks in 22 games.

In addition to Ford, San Francisco has been closely linked to adding yet another pass rusher with its upcoming No. 2 overall pick. The 49ers still have Arik Armstead, DeForest Buckner and Solomon Thomas in the fold — each first-round picks since 2015 — but still need help on the edge. With this draft featuring one of the better defensive line classes in memory, and a potential Kyler Murray No. 1 overall pick in line to push Nick Bosa off the top spot, the 49ers are expected to add a younger player to complement Ford next month.

Extra Points: Jets, Ravens, Draft

March 15th, 2019 at 3:17pm CST by Zachary Links

Some assorted notes from around the NFL…

  • The Jets were reportedly interested in free agent centers Mitch Morse and Matt Paradis, tweets Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News. However, the team never made an offer to either player. Morse ultimately signed with the Bills, while Paradis ended up inking a deal with the Panthers. With the Jets unable to secure either of the top two free agent centers, the front office continues to reach out to other veterans to gauge the market. Mehta notes that the draft could be another way of acquiring a center.
  • Ravens special teams coordinator Jerry Rosburg is retiring, the team announced. The 63-year-old had been with the organization since 2008, winning one Super Bowl championship along the way. Rosburg previously served in the same role with both the Falcons and Browns. Assistant Special Teams coach Chris Horton is expected to take over, with Rosburg briefly sticking around as a consultant. “I will stay on for a period of time to be a resource for Chris and anyone else during that transition,” said Rosburg. “I have a lot of plans. Me and my plans center around my family. I don’t want to miss as many hockey games and volleyball games as I have. Our days are limited on this earth, and there are some things that I’m missing I don’t want to miss anymore.”
  • Rashan Gary wasn’t active in Michigan’s pro day. According to NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero (on Twitter), the potential top-five pick only weighed in and didn’t participate in any drills or testing. Instead, the running back stuck around to support his teammates. As Pelissero notes, the defensive tackle “crushed the combine,” and he didn’t want to risk his draft stock with a lackluster outing today.

Bears Sign WR Marvin Hall

March 15th, 2019 at 3:08pm CST by Ben Levine

The Bears have added another wideout. The team announced that they’ve inked receiver Marvin Hall to a deal.

The 25-year-old appeared in all 16 games for the Falcons last season. In only 185 offensive snaps, Hall hauled in 10 receptions for 149 yards and one score. He also served as Atlanta’s primary kick return, compiling 616 yards on 26 returns (good for a 23.7-yard average). The former undrafted free agent also put in some work on special teams, compiling four tackles.

The Bears have already added Cordarrelle Patterson, but they’ve lost Josh Bellamy and Kevin White. The team’s two free agent additions will be joining a receivers corps that already includes Allen Robinson, Taylor Gabriel, and Anthony Miller.

Chargers To Bring Back Adrian Phillips

March 15th, 2019 at 3:06pm CST by Sam Robinson

Adrian Phillips enjoyed a promising contract year, and the Chargers want to see if can build further on it. The Bolts and Williams agreed to a new contract Friday, the team announced.

The sixth-year safety played extensively as a hybrid linebacker last season, being one of the linchpins of the Chargers’ defensive back-heavy alignment that keyed their first-round win over the Ravens.

Prior to his tour de force playoff game — six tackles, three passes defensed, an interception and a fumble recovery — Phillips earned first-team All-Pro honors for his special teams work. Working as a part-time starter last season, Phillips made 94 tackles. He has played with the Chargers throughout his career.

The Bolts evidently liked what they had at linebacker, having re-signed both Phillips and Denzel Perryman. Tom Telesco identified linebacker as a place the Bolts would target for upgrades this offseason. The Bolts also signed Thomas Davis, further fortifying that unit.

With Perryman and Davis in the fold, and Kyzir White due back from injury, it’s not certain if Phillips will continue to work on the defensive second level. But it would make sense to continue the linebacker experiment — given how well it went in key spots last season. If nothing else, the Chargers have their top special-teamer back.

Contract Details: Williams, Webb, Verrett

March 15th, 2019 at 2:47pm CST by Sam Robinson

Here are the latest particulars in recently agreed-upon contracts, courtesy of the Houston Chronicle’s Aaron Wilson (unless otherwise noted).

Vikings Make Offer To OL Nick Easton

March 15th, 2019 at 2:19pm CST by Ben Levine

The Vikings are looking to retain one of their former starting offensive guards. Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press tweets that the organization made an offer to free agent Nick Easton.

Tomasson notes that Easton met with the Saints yesterday, and there are several other teams currently in the mix for the lineman. The 26-year-old may take several additional visits before making a decision at some point over the next week.

The former undrafted free agent out of Harvard bounced between the Ravens and 49ers as a rookie before landing in Minnesota, where he’s spent the past three years. The offensive guard emerged in 2016 by starting five of his 11 appearances, and he proceeded to start all 12 of his games during the 2017 campaign. However, a fractured right ankle ended his season early, while a neck injury forced him to miss the entirety of the 2018 campaign.

Still, considering his starting experience and versatility (he’s also played some center), it isn’t surprising that several teams are eyeing Easton. Danny Isidora and Aviante Collins are currently slotted in as the Vikings’ starting guards, and Easton could realistically beat out either of the two for a starting nod.

Raiders To Sign DL Josh Mauro

March 15th, 2019 at 2:17pm CST by Sam Robinson

Former Cardinals and Giants defensive lineman Josh Mauro will head to Oakland. The Raiders are expected to sign the fifth-year defender, per Michael Gehlken of the Las Vegas Review-Journal (on Twitter).

Mauro’s contract is set to be a one-year, $1.4MM pact, Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle tweets. He will earn $900K in base salary. The Giants were interested in bringing Mauro back, Ryan Dunleavy of NJ.com tweets. New York lost both Mauro and Mario Edwards, once a Raiders Round 2 pick, this afternoon.

Although Mauro is not coming off a particularly strong contract year, one that began with a suspension, he has a backer in new Raiders defensive line coach Brentson Buckner. Mauro’s Cardinals tenure overlapped with Buckner’s.

Mauro has just three sacks in five seasons but could offer the Raiders the ability to work as a defensive end or defensive tackle, having been a 3-4 end throughout his career. He graded as one of the better players against the run, among interior defenders, during his lone Giants season.

Dolphins Trade Ryan Tannehill To Titans

March 15th, 2019 at 1:43pm CST by Zachary Links

The Titans have a new quarterback. On Friday, the Titans acquired Ryan Tannehill in a trade with the Dolphins, according to a tweet from Tannehill’s agents. ESPN’s Cameron Wolfe tweets that Miami will be receiving a 2019 seventh-rounder (presumably No. 233) and a 2020 fourth-rounder. Meanwhile, the Titans will be getting Tannehill and a 2019 sixth-rounder (presumably No. 188).

As a part of the deal, the Titans have also restructured Tannehill’s contract for the 2019 season. NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport tweets that it’s effectively a one-year deal worth $7MM guaranteed. There are playing-time incentives that could boost that total to $12MM. Either way, Tannehill will be one of the highest-paid backup quarterbacks in the NFL. Furthermore, it’s not as significant of an investment for the Titans thanks to the Dolphins; Miami ultimately paid $5MM of that $7MM guarantee via a signing bonus, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter (on Twitter).

With Marcus Mariota under center in Tennessee, Tannehill will be eyeing a backup role from the onset. However, the veteran could end up working his way into the lineup; Mariota has missed at least one regular season game in each of his four seasons, including two in 2018. With Tannehill, the Titans at least have reliable insurance in case their starter does go down.

The 30-year-old finished last season having completed 64.2-percent of his passes for 1,979 yards, 17 touchdowns, and nine interceptions in 11 starts. He led the Dolphins to a 5-6 record during his outings. While these numbers aren’t outstanding, they’re probably significantly better than what the Titans incumbent backup, Blaine Gabbert, would be able to put up.

The Dolphins have been dangling Tannehill for some time and had little interest in keeping him under the terms of his contract. Tannehill was scheduled to carry a $26.6MM cap hit for Miami in 2019 with a roughly even split in dead money and cap savings in the event of a release.

This week, the Dolphins tried – and failed – to land Tyrod Taylor and Teddy Bridgewater. With few free agent difference-makers remaining, the organization may be forced to shift their focus to the draft. At the very least, it’s unlikely the Dolphins roll into the regular season with their current quarterbacks depth chart, a grouping that consists of Luke Falk and Jake Rudock.

Lions To Host TE Daniel Brown

March 15th, 2019 at 1:26pm CST by Ben Levine

Tight end Daniel Brown is set to visit with the Lions today, reports Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press (via Twitter). The reporter notes that the free agent has four teams interested in his services.

After a two-year stint with the Ravens, the former undrafted free agent out of James Madison has spent the past three seasons with the Bears. He was relatively productive offensive;ly between 2016 and 2017, hauling in 29 total receptions. However, he went without a catch in 2018 despite appearing in 14 games (he also contributed on special teams). Pro Football Focus ultimately gave him adequate grades despite his low snap count.

The Lions have already added one tight end in Jesse James, and they’re also rostering former fourth-rounder Michael Roberts. Detroit has a trio of free agent tight ends in Levine Toilolo, Luke Willson, and Jerome Cunningham.

Contract Details: Funchess, LaCosse, Golden

March 15th, 2019 at 1:09pm CST by Ben Levine

Some assorted contract notes from around the NFL:

  • Devin Funchess, WR (Colts): One year, $10MM. $7MM guaranteed via roster bonus. $3MM base salary. $3MM in incentives for receptions, receiving yards, TDs, Pro Bowl, All-Pro. Twitter link via Joel A. Erickson of the Indy Star.
  • Tyrann Mathieu, S (Chiefs): Three years, $42MM. $26.8MM guaranteed, $14.8MM signing bonus. Base salaries: $850K (2019), $1.15MM (2020), $14.5MM (2021, nonguaranteed). Details via Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle.
  • K.J. Wright, LB (Seahawks): Two years, up to $15MM (original story). $8MM in 2019, including $5MM signing bonus, $1.5MM base salary, $1.5MM roster bonus. Second year isn’t guaranteed. Twitter link via ESPN’s Brady Henderson.
  • Matt LaCosse, TE (Patriots): Two years, $2MM, $500K guaranteed for 2019 (original story). Base salaries: $700K (2019), $1MM (2020). $300K signing bonus, $25K per-game bonus. $500K in playing time/receptions incentives. Twitter link via Nick Underhill of The New Orleans Advocate.
  • Markus Golden, LB (Giants): One year. Worth up to $4.75MM, $2.225MM guaranteed. Twitter link via ESPN’s Jordan Raanan.
  • Cameron Fleming, OT (Cowboys): Two years, $8.5MM. 2019: $1MM base salary, $1.5MM signing bonus, $2.25MM cap number. $300K for 60-percent playing time, $600K for 70-percent. Twitter link via ESPN’s Todd Archer.
  • Bruce Ellington, WR (Patriots): One year, $25K guaranteed. Twitter link via Ben Volin of the Boston Globe.
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