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Greg Jennings

Greg Jennings To Retire

July 25th, 2016 at 9:21am CST by Zachary Links

Wide receiver Greg Jennings has announced his retirement from the NFL after 10 seasons. Greg Jennings

[RELATED: Vikings’ Phil Loadholt To Retire]

Jennings became a free agent in March when he was cut loose by the Dolphins. The 32-year-old Jennings was widely expected to be a cap casualty this offseason, as the results of his first season with the Dolphins was wholly uninspiring. He posted career-lows in nearly every statistical category, catching just 19 passes for 208 yards and one touchdown. After terminating the final year of Jennings’ two-year contract, Miami saved $4MM on its salary cap while incurring $1.5MM in dead money.

The Kalamazoo, Michigan native appeared in all 16 regular season games for the Dolphins last season but it was clear that he was not as sharp as he had been in previous years. Jennings saw a career low in targets (36) and receptions (19), totaling just 208 yards and one touchdown.

While things didn’t go as planned in Miami, Jennings will be remembered for the quality seasons that he enjoyed in his prime, particularly with the Packers. From 2007 through 2011, Jennings averaged 1,108 yards and nine touchdown grabs per season for Green Bay. In 2010 and 2011, Jennings earned Pro Bowl nods for his exceptional play. More importantly, Jennings helped the Packers capture a championship ring in 2010. After the 2012 season in Green Bay, Jennings joined up with the rival Vikings and delivered two productive seasons.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

NFC Notes: Falcons, Jennings, Giants, Draft

April 8th, 2016 at 12:26pm CST by Luke Adams

Could the Falcons be considering a local standout with their first-round pick? D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution writes that pass rusher Leonard Floyd, who was born in Atlanta and played his college ball at Georgia, is paying a visit to the Falcons on Friday. Tony Pauline of DraftInsider.net (Twitter link) reports that the Falcons also hosted Indiana tackle Jason Spriggs on a visit this week, while Jordan Raanan of NJ.com tweets that Stony Brook defensive end Victor Ochi is in Atlanta today to meet with the team.

Let’s round up a few more updates from across the NFC….

  • During an interview with KFAN earlier this week, free agent wide receiver Greg Jennings admitted that he missed playing in Minnesota, and left a voicemail for Vikings GM Rick Spielman expressing interest in a reunion. Aj Mansour of KFAN.com has the details and the quotes from Jennings.
  • Southeastern Louisiana defensive back Harlan Miller had a private workout with the Panthers on Thursday, tweets Rand Getlin of the NFL Network. Meanwhile, Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle tweets that Tennessee wideout Marquez North is among the players working out for Carolina at the team’s local prospect day.
  • According to Aaron Wilson (Twitter link), the Giants recently tried out a handful of veteran free agents, including running back Bobby Rainey and defensive back Jaiquawn Jarrett.
  • Indiana quarterback Nate Sudfeld has privately worked out for the Cardinals twice, according to Adam Caplan of ESPN.com (Twitter link). Caplan suggests Sudfeld projects to come off the board on day two of the draft, or early on day three, though that could be an optimistic forecast.
  • University of Minnesota cornerback Eric Murray recently met with the local NFL team, paying a visit to the Vikings, and has a visit on tap with the 49ers next week, tweets Darren Wolfson of 5 Eyewitness News.

Dolphins Cut Greg Jennings, Restructure Suh

March 5th, 2016 at 7:38pm CST by Dallas Robinson

7:38pm: Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald reports that the Suh restructure saves the Dolphins $18.18MM in 2016, while reworking Misi’s contract created another $1.7MM. Add in the $4MM saved by the release of Jennings, and Miami should now have ~$14.9MM in cap room (though, by using Over the Cap‘s figures, that number is closer to $20MM).

6:06pm: The Dolphins have created some extra cap space heading into free agency, announcing today that they’ve released receiver Greg Jennings and restructured the contract of defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh. Miami also confirmed the previously-reported restructuring of linebacker Koa Misi‘s deal.Greg Jennings (Vertical)

[RELATED: DE Mario Williams visits Dolphins]

The 32-year-old Jennings was widely expected to be a cap casualty this offseason, as the results of his first season with the Dolphins was wholly uninspiring. He posted career-lows in nearly every statistical category, catching just 19 passes for 208 yards and one touchdown. Jennings signed a two-year contract prior to the 2015 season that did contain some signing bonus money, so while Miami will save $4MM on its salary cap, it will also incur $1.5MM in dead money.

That $4MM savings is a relative pittance compared to what the Dolphins figure to save by restructuring the contract of Suh, however. Suh, entering the second year of his deal with Miami, was set to count $28.6MM against the cap in 2016, the second-highest cap figure in the NFL behind only Drew Brees. But Suh’s pact contains a built-in restructure option for the Dolphins, and as we learned in January, the club had been fully expected to exercise that clause.

The Dolphins didn’t announce the exact terms of the Suh restructure, but as Jason Fitzgerald of Over the Cap noted in that link above, Miami could create about $18MM worth of cap space by doing a full restructure — converting most Suh’s base salary into a signing bonus and spreading that hit over the course of the next several seasons. Such a drastic move is obviously kicking the can down the road, but if the Dolphins want the cap room necessary to be aggressive in free agency, it may have been their only option.Ndamukong Suh (Vertical)

Misi had reportedly agreed to rework his deal earlier in the week, and while no specific terms of the new deal have been announced, previous reports indicated that no additional years would be added to Misi’s contract, which runs through 2017. As such, Misi has likely agreed to a simple paycut that will lower his cap charge from its current $4.88MM, perhaps in exchange for some increased guarantees.

As a result of these three moves, the Dolphins should now have around $20MM to work with when free agency begins on March 9.

Photos courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Extra Points: Lions, Dolphins, Broncos

February 13th, 2016 at 12:11pm CST by Ben Levine

Some assorted notes from around the NFL on this Saturday afternoon…

East Rumors: Tannehill, Patriots, Kap

February 8th, 2016 at 9:51pm CST by Sam Robinson

Ryan Tannehill asked former Dolphins offensive coordinator Bill Lazor for more audible latitude last season prior to Lazor’s dismissal, but the then-OC dismissed the notion, according to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald.

In Adam Gase, Tannehill will find a more innovative offensive coach, at least judging by his 2010s work in Denver and Chicago, but may not enjoy the kind of freedom he covets, Jackson notes. Gase’s work with Peyton Manning in 2013-14 notwithstanding, the Bears, per CSNChicago.com, were not an audible-heavy team under his direction last season, even as Jay Cutler progressed.

“I’m going to speak for Ryan right now, which I typically don’t do,” Greg Jennings told Finsiders.com. “He wants some more freedom. … He’s been hand-held his entire career.”

Here’s the latest from the NFL’s Eastern divisions on Day 1 of the offseason.

  • Jennings is no lock to be employed by the Dolphins next season after he caught just 19 passes for 208 yards — both well below his previous career-low marks. The 32-year-old wideout’s entering the second season of a two-year, $8MM contract, and the Dolphins, per Pro Football Talk (via Jackson), haven’t told him he’ll be back. Jennings is due to occupy a $5.5MM cap number for the currently over-the-cap Fins, who can save $4MM by cutting the backup target. Jennings is currently Miami’s highest-paid receiver.
  • The Patriots are in discussions with retired coach Dante Scarnecchia about a return to the coaching staff to fix their ailing offensive line, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com writes. Scarnecchia retired after the 2013 season but he has remained around the Pats, particularly to help with evaluating offensive line prospects in the draft. One source told Reiss that it would be a surprise if the coach wasn’t back on the sidelines for the Pats in 2016. Scarnecchia had retired after 32 seasons in the NFL, 30 of which came in New England.
  • There has been a lot of debate as to whether the Jets should pursue 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick and, over the weekend, Hall of Famer Joe Namath weighed in. “I think he should consider that a little more,” Namath told ESPN radio (via Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News) when asked about Brandon Marshall‘s opposition to the idea. “I know that [Ryan] Fitzpatrick did a wonderful job this year. Whenever I’m asked to critique what I’ve seen and what I feel, I know that he would like to throw the ball more accurately given the chance. You need more than one quarterback on a team. If Kaepernick were available, I’d certainly consider bringing him in, yes.“
  • During an appearance on the Fox News show Fox & Friends, Tom Coughlin reiterated he has no plans to retire, via Tom Rock of Newsday. “I’m not. … I don’t like that word, you know, the retired word,” Coughlin said. “I’m way too young for that, you know what I mean?” Coughlin will also discuss a potential advisory role with the Giants with John Mara soon, Rock reports. Coughlin’s coached in the NFL for 20 of the past 21 seasons, eight with the Jaguars before sitting out 2003.

Zach Links contributed to this report

Extra Points: Bradshaw, QBs, Jennings

June 23rd, 2015 at 11:40am CST by Luke Adams

A day after word broke that free agent running back Ahmad Bradshaw will face a one-game suspension to open the 2015 season, agent Drew Rosenhaus tweets that his client is “back to full health and totally cleared” after fracturing his ankle last season. Bradshaw’s injury history and his suspension will diminish his market, but he has continued to be effective when he’s played, averaging 4.6 yards per rush on 352 carries from 2012 to 2014.

Here are a few more odds and ends from around the NFL:

  • It’s no surprise that Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers show up in Jason Fitzgerald’s piece at OverTheCap.com identifying the three most team-friendly veteran quarterback contracts in the NFL. However, Fitzgerald’s third choice, a certain Bengals signal-caller, is somewhat unexpected.
  • Getting a headstart on 2016’s draft, Mel Kiper of ESPN.com (Insider-only link) identifies his top 10 quarterback prospects for next year. Kiper names Michigan State’s Connor Cook as the top senior QB and California’s Jared Goff as the No. 1 underclassman.
  • Admitting that the comments he made after leaving the Packers for Minnesota were “very unprofessional,” veteran wideout Greg Jennings suggests to Ben Goessling of ESPN.com that that experience helped him better deal with being released by the Vikings this offseason.
  • Former National Sports Agency rep Kevin Omell is headed to Relativity Sports to work with his longtime friend Ben Dogra, according to a SportsBusiness Journal report.

AFC Notes: Gipson, Jennings, Titans

June 22nd, 2015 at 8:56pm CST by Luke Adams

Tashaun Gipson, the last of this year’s restricted free agents to sign his contract for the 2015 season, wasn’t pleased about receiving a second-round tender instead of a first-round tender, but he’s happy to play on the one-year deal if he and the Browns don’t reach a longer-term arrangement, writes Matthew Florjancic of WKYC. However, while he says he’s “perfectly fine” with his current contract, he’s also looking ahead to the possibility of a larger payday in free agency, as he suggests to Florjancic.

“At the end of the day, my rookie contract was less than this tender. So on the bright side about it, I’m going to make more money than I’ve ever made, so I can’t complain about that,” Gipson said. “But, yeah, absolutely, I would say, ‘Hey, man. You see the way that guys are getting paid. The safety position, it’s changing drastically. The top five guys are all getting paid $9MM+.’ That type of stuff, it entices you and it says, ‘Hey, man. There’s light at the end of the tunnel.'”

Florjancic passes along a handful of comments from Gipson, who continues to say that he’d like to stay in Cleveland, if possible. But it sounds as if the young safety won’t necessarily be accepting a hometown discount to remain with the Browns. Gipson, 24, pointed to former Browns defensive backs like T.J. Ward and Buster Skrine, suggesting that he recognizes the business side of the game can often result in players changing teams.

Here’s more from around the AFC:

  • Greg Jennings made several visits and took his time deciding where to sign when he became a free agent earlier this offseason, but a phone conversation with Dolphins GM Mike Tannenbaum eventually convinced the veteran wideout to head to Miami, says Ben Goessling of ESPN.com.
  • Tight end Taylor Thompson was cut last week by the Titans without any sort of injury designation, but Thompson claims that he requires knee surgery due to a lingering issue from last season. As Adam Caplan of ESPN.com writes, the NFLPA is looking into Thompson’s release, and the difference of opinions between player and team.
  • Josh McCown is already displaying the attributes that drew the Browns to him this offseason, Pat McManamon of ESPN.com writes.

Zach Links contributed to this post.

Jaguars GM On Jennings, Blackmon, Draft

April 24th, 2015 at 5:45pm CST by Zachary Links

Jaguars GM David Caldwell isn’t opposed to trading a draft pick for a veteran player. “Depends on the player,” he told Ryan O’Halloran (on Twitter) and the rest of the Jaguars’ beat writers. But how about Vikings running back Adrian Peterson?

“He’s on the Vikings,” the GM said flatly.

Caldwell declined to really comment on AD, but he had plenty more to tell the group of local reporters. Here’s a look at the highlights of his presser..

  • The GM said he never made an offer to wide receiver Greg Jennings before he signed with the Dolphins, O’Halloran tweets. The Jags were among the teams interested in the veteran, along with the Panthers and Saints. The 31-year-old ultimately got a two-year, $8MM deal from Miami.
  • Caldwell says he’s not disappointed that the team hasn’t heard anything regarding wide receiver Justin Blackmon‘s status, Michael DiRocco of ESPN.com tweets. For now, the Jaguars will be going forward as planned without him.
  • The Jaguars have narrowed their choice at to three-to-five players if they stay put at No. 3, O’Halloran tweets. So far, he says he has yet to receive a call on the pick (link).
  • Caldwell said about 200 players are on the Jaguars’ board, O’Halloran tweets.
  • Caldwell emphasized the need for a difference-maker rather than two solid players, John Oehser of Jaguars.com tweets.

East Notes: Jennings, Eagles, Cowboys

April 24th, 2015 at 8:54am CST by Luke Adams

When Greg Jennings reached a contract agreement with the Dolphins earlier this week, we learned almost immediately that it was a two-year, $8MM pact. Now, Alex Marvez of Fox Sports has a breakdown of the specifics. Per Marvez (Twitter link), the wideout’s deal features a $3MM signing bonus, base salaries of $900K (2015) and $3.9MM (2016), and annual workout bonuses of $100K. That means Jennings’ cap hit for this season should be $2.5MM before jumping to $5.5MM in ’15.

According to Tom Pelissero of USA Today (via Twitter), before the Vikings released Jennings, they offered him a pay cut to $4MM, plus $3MM in incentives. However, that offer didn’t include any guarantees, so it makes sense that the veteran would elect to hit the open market instead.

Here are a few more Friday morning items out of the NFL’s East divisions:

  • UConn cornerback Byron Jones, who has already visited the Eagles and has been cited as a potential target for the club, is working out for Philadelphia’s brain trust this morning, tweets Tony Pauline of DraftInsider.net. According to Pauline, Huskies wideout Geremy Davis and defensive tackle B.J. McBryde are also participating in the Eagles’ workout.
  • The Cowboys are working out Mississippi State linebacker Benardrick McKinney today, per Pauline, who notes (via Twitter) that the club is sending a defensive line coach to attend the workout.
  • Even if they expect Greg Hardy to have to serve his full 10-game suspension, the Cowboys aren’t likely to elevate pass rusher above running back or cornerback when it comes to their draft needs, writes David Moore of the Dallas Morning News.
  • Washington is sending its defensive staff to Macon, Georgia to meet with University of Kentucky edge rusher Bud Dupree on Monday, a source tells Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post (Twitter link).
  • Florida defensive end Dante Fowler Jr. told Alex Marvez of SiriusXM NFL Radio (on Twitter) that the Giants called him Thursday night to chat as a part of their pre-draft process. The Giants pick at No. 9, but Fowler could very well be gone by that point.
  • In an Insider-only piece for ESPN.com, Field Yates identifies five general managers who need a strong draft in 2015, lest they find themselves in hot water after the season. Bills GM Doug Whaley tops Yates’ list.

Zach Links contributed to this post.

Dolphins Sign Greg Jennings

April 23rd, 2015 at 11:39am CST by Zachary Links

THURSDAY, 11:39am: The Dolphins have officially signed Jennings, the team announced today (via Twitter).

WEDNESDAY, 4:50pm: The Dolphins will sign wide receiver Greg Jennings, according to Rand Getlin of Yahoo Sports (on Twitter). It’s a two-year, $8MM deal, according to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk.

In Jennings, the Dolphins have added a veteran receiver to take the lace of Mike Wallace, who was traded to Minnesota earlier this offseason. The veteran will join fellow receivers Jarvis Landry and Kenny Stills in Miami and figures to serve in a mentor/mentee role with them. Miami has moved on from Wallace, Brandon Gibson, and Brian Hartline, so he will be very much needed in Miami, even though he won’t be the No. 1 or No. 2 target.

Jennings was catching passes from a combination of Matt Cassel, Christian Ponder, and even Josh Freeman during his first year with the Vikes, and never appeared to be an ideal fit. Even after Teddy Bridgewater emerged as the starter in 2014, Jennings’ production was unspectacular — he recorded just 59 receptions for 742 yards last season. That’s a far cry from his best work. During the three seasons in which he played all 16 games, from 2008 to 2010, Jennings posted three straight 1,100-yard seasons, averaging about 75 receptions, 1,223 yards, and eight touchdowns per year.

Within the last few weeks, the 31-year-old was also linked to a number of other receiver-needy teams, including the Panthers, Jaguars, and Saints. Recently, PFR’s Luke Adams examined Jennings’ free agent stock and noted that the Dolphins were a logical fit.

Jennings indicated on March 31st that he was close to wrapping up the free agency process and on April Fools Day he teased that he would announce his decision. Things may have taken longer than expected to materialize, but Jennings has found a home in South Florida.

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