Adrian Clayborn - Pro Football Rumors

NFC Notes: Cousins, White, Giants, Bucs

March 6th, 2016 at 9:12pm CST by Sam Robinson

Washington and the Eagles lined up their 2016 quarterbacks within days of each other, with Kirk Cousins staying in D.C. on the franchise tag and Sam Bradford signing a two-year deal to remain in Philadelphia.

Washington, however, was concerned the Eagles were going to pursue Cousins if it didn’t apply the franchise tag or designated the fifth-year quarterback with the transition tag, Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk reports.

Florio points out Cousins’ familiarity in an offense closer to the West Coast attack Doug Pederson runs would have made the Mike Shanahan-drafted signal-caller attractive to the Eagles.

Here’s more from some NFC destinations as the 2015 league year nears its conclusion.

Roddy White‘s release from the Falcons stemmed from the receiver’s relationship with offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan, White’s agent, Jonathan Feinsod, told D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “There is one reason Roddy is no longer with the Falcons and it is Kyle Shanahan,” Feinsod told Ledbetter. “Kyle forced the Falcons to choose between him or Roddy.” White also contended Kyle Shanahan did not feature him much in the Falcons’ offense after he arrived from Cleveland in 2015, with the recently released wideout telling ESPN’s Vaughn McClure “I expected to play a bigger role in the offense, and that’s what I wanted to do. But he didn’t have that in his desires. He had other people that he wanted to play my role, so he wanted me to be out of the [offense].” White’s 43 receptions in 16 games last season were 37 fewer than he caught in 2014 in 14 contests. Falcons coach Dan Quinn denied consulting with Shanahan prior to making the decision to release the 34-year-old White, according to Ledbetter.
A source close to Calvin Johnson tells Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press there’s “nothing to report” on Megatron’s potential retirement. Birkett notes the Lions are expected to pursue receiving help. Johnson is on Detroit’s books for $24.01MM as of now.
The Giants engaged in discussions with Jason Pierre-Paul and Robert Ayers but couldn’t come to terms, Ralph Vacchiano of the New York Daily News reports. He expects both to enter unrestricted free agency and begin talking with teams Monday.
Vacchiano also notes the Cowboys are expected to have interest in former Buccaneers first-round pick Adrian Clayborn, whom the Giants are expected to pursue as well. The 27-year-old Clayborn started five games for the Falcons last season and 16 in both the 2011 and ’13 seasons with the Bucs, respectively. The Cowboys could lose Greg Hardy and will be without Randy Gregory for four games in 2016.
Georgia Southern outside linebacker Antoine Williams worked out for the Bucs, Greg Auman of the Tampa Bay Times reports. The Bucs are expected to release Bruce Carter and did not tender RFA Danny Lansanah, so they’ll likely be in the market for outside-linebacking help.

Mario Williams To Visit Giants, Jaguars?

March 6th, 2016 at 8:47pm CST by Sam Robinson

8:47pm: The Giants are hoping to finalize a Williams summit within the next few days, Ralph Vacchiano of the New York Daily News reports. It’s possible, a source tells Vacchiano, that Williams instead meets with the Jaguars first.

7:11pm: Williams may not be arriving for his Giants visit tonight after all. Williams still intends to meet with the Giants, but there are details that need to be ironed out, Rapoport tweets. The Jaguars are also in the mix for Williams, Mike Garafolo of FoxSports.com tweets.

6:23pm: Williams’ visit will begin tonight and continue through Monday, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com reports (on Twitter). Rapoport notes the Giants have a chance to keep him from visiting other teams. They carry the third-most cap space in the league, behind only the Jaguars and Raiders.

5:35pm: Needing significant help at defensive end, the Giants are set to host Mario Williams on a visit, a source told Jordan Raanan of NJ.com.

The Giants already scheduled a visit with former Panthers defensive end Charles Johnson for today and are moving aggressively to gauge the pass-rushing options before free agency opens Wednesday. They are permitted to speak with the 31-year-old Williams and 29-year-old Johnson because their respective teams released them.

The Giants are among the four or five teams with which Williams is likely to visit, Raanan reports. Johnson also plans to visit with the Buccaneers.

Raanan expects the Giants to be in the running for the other top UFA edge-rushers, a group that includes Tamba Hali, Bruce Irvin and William Hayes. Hali and Irvin, however, have played linebacker for the most part of their careers, with Hali last serving as an end in 2008.

Adrian Clayborn‘s also someone the Giants are expected to consider, Raanan tweets.

Williams wrapped up a visit with the Dolphins, according to the team’s Twitter account. His next potential employer has far more cap space and less talent at defensive end currently on its roster. The Dolphins feature Cameron Wake and transition-tagged Olivier Vernon at end, while the Giants are without both returning starters — Jason Pierre-Paul and Robert Ayers — from the end of last season. JPP and Ayers are unrestricted free agents.

The Bills released Williams on Tuesday in advance of the former No. 1 overall pick being on their books for $19.9MM in 2016. Williams did not fare well in Buffalo’s transition to a 3-4 scheme last season, recording only five sacks — his fewest since his 2006 rookie campaign.

But Williams has always performed better as a 4-3 end, recording 38 sacks from 2012-14 in Buffalo, and the Giants use that scheme. They no longer possess any of the assets from their NASCAR package halcyon days, although JPP could still be in the picture, but have more than $55.7MM worth of cap space to address the position.

Despite Pierre-Paul’s return, the Giants finished with 26 sacks, which was good enough for 30th in the league.

Photo courtesy USA Today Sports Images

NFC Notes: Cousins, Reiff, Falcons, Floyd

February 24th, 2016 at 3:49pm CST by Luke Adams

As noted earlier this afternoon, Washington‘s Scot McCloughan wasn’t on today’s schedule of general managers or head coaches to hold formal press conferences at the combine in Indianapolis. However, he did speak to the media about his team’s contract talks with quarterback Kirk Cousins.

While McCloughan didn’t go into specifics, he said that he has met with Cousins’ agent face-to-face this week, describing the sit-down as “very positive,” per Mike Jones of the Washington Post (Twitter link). According to McCloughan, conversations are going on “every day” between the two sides, and he remains optimistic that something will get done (Twitter link).

Let’s round up several more of the latest GM and head coach comments from the combine in Indianapolis, with a focus on NFC teams….

Lions tackle Riley Reiff is currently set to earn an $8.07MM salary for 2016, and while that money isn’t yet guaranteed, Reiff won’t be going anywhere, GM Bob Quinn said today (Twitter link via Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press). It’s not clear yet what position Reiff will play next season, but he’ll be a Lion.
Speaking to the media today, Falcons head coach Dan Quinn said that he’d like to see defensive free agents Adrian Clayborn and O’Brien Schofield re-signed, and added that no veterans besides Paul Soliai have been approached about restructuring their contracts (Twitter links via D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution and ESPN’s Vaughn McClure).
There’s no new deal imminent for Michael Floyd, but GM Steve Keim had plenty of praise for the Cardinals wideout, as Josh Weinfuss of ESPN.com details. Floyd is extension-eligible but still has one year left on his rookie contract, so Arizona doesn’t have to get anything done right away.
Panthers general manager Dave Gettleman confirmed today that wide receiver Kevin Norwood met the conditions of the trade Carolina made with Seattle prior to the 2015 season, so the Seahawks will receive the Panthers‘ seventh-round pick in 2017, tweets Joseph Person of the Charlotte Observer.
Despite a fairly sizable cap hit for 2016, Vikings defensive end Brian Robison sounds like a good bet to remain on Minnesota’s roster based on comments made today by GM Rick Spielman, says Matt Vensel of the Star Tribune.

Contract Details: Orakpo, D. Williams, Allen

March 13th, 2015 at 5:06pm CST by Luke Adams

Here are some key details on some of the notable contracts agreed to or signed by free agents this week:

Brian Orakpo, OLB (Titans): Four years, $31MM base value. $8.5MM fully guaranteeed. $5MM signing bonus (Twitter links via Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun).
Dan Williams, DT (Raiders): Four years, $25MM base value. $15.2MM guaranteed. $4MM roster bonus in 2015 (Twitter links via Wilson and Tom Pelissero of USA Today).
Nate Allen, S (Raiders): Four years, $23MM base value. $6.9MM fully guaranteed (Twitter links via Wilson)
Lance Kendricks, TE (Rams): Four years, $18.5MM base value. $6.75MM fully guaranteed. $4MM roster bonus in 2015 (Twitter links via Wilson).
Malcolm Smith, LB (Raiders): Two years, $7MM base value. $3.75MM fully guaranteed. $2MM signing bonus (Twitter link via Pelissero).
Blaine Gabbert, QB (49ers): Two years, $4MM base value. $500K signing bonus (Twitter link via Wilson).
Henry Melton, DT (Buccaneers): One year, $3.75MM base value. $3.25MM fully guaranteed. $1.25MM available in incentives (Twitter link via Pelissero).
Adrian Clayborn, DE (Falcons): One year, $3MM base value. $750K signing bonus. $1.25MM available in incentives (Twitter links via Wilson).

Falcons Sign Adrian Clayborn, Phillip Adams

March 12th, 2015 at 2:15pm CST by Zachary Links

2:15pm: Clayborn’s contract will have a max value of $4.5MM for one year, tweets Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com.

1:45pm: The Falcons have agreed to terms with defensive end Adrian Clayborn, according to Pat Yasinkas of ESPN.com (on Twitter). The Falcons (on Twitter) have confirmed the signing of Clayborn while also announcing that they have added cornerback Phillip Adams.

Clayborn, 27 in July, played only one game for the Bucs before being placed on IR last September. He made 16 starts in 2013 at right defensive end and tallied 43 tackles and 5.5 sacks. Clayborn was hoping to establish himself in 2014, his contract year, but he didn’t get the opportunity to show what he can do before hitting open market. The Bucs declined their fifth-year option on the former No. 20 overall pick in April of 2014. Pro Football Focus’ advanced metrics (subscription required) weren’t all that fond of Clayborn’s performance in 2013, ranking him 47th out of 52 qualified 4-3 defensive ends.

Adams, 27 in July, spent two seasons with the Raiders before hooking on with the Jets last September. Adams appeared in 12 games for Gang Green, racking up 24 total tackles, three pass deflections, one fumble recovery, and one interception. The former seventh-rounder was Oakland’s primary punt returner in 2012, when he returned 25 punts for 139 yards. He finished the Raiders’ 2013 season with 30 total tackles and a fumble recovery.

FA Rumors: Harrison, Williams, Wilson

March 11th, 2015 at 11:05am CST by Zachary Links

Many speculated that James Harrison could follow former coach Dick LeBeau to the Titans, and on Wednesday we received confirmation of that. “We are certainly interested,” agent Bill Parise said of his client’s interest in the Titans, according to Jim Wyatt of The Tennessean. “James feels very, very strongly about coach LeBeau. And I know Dick feels the same way. It’s a natural thing. I’m sure the Steelers are still in play, too. It will probably be one of those. I hope it’s one of those. We are not ruling anybody out, but the two logical fits are Tennessee and Pittsburgh. Those are the team teams that make the most sense.” More from around the league..

Former Panthers running back DeAngelo Williams is scheduled to visit the Steelers on Friday, a source tells Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (on Twitter).
Safety Jimmy Wilson told Josina Anderson of ESPN.com (on Twitter) that he will be visiting the Chargers on Friday. However, agent Drew Rosenhaus is still in talks with the Dolphins, Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald tweets.
The Rams are still working on Kenny Britt, but there are other teams interested in him as a second choice or a Plan B at wide receiver, Jim Thomas of the Post-Dispatch tweets. Meanwhile, the Rams are thinking that they could get Joe Barksdale on the rebound, Thomas tweets. The thinking there is that the offensive tackle might be over-estimating his market value.
Former Eagles free safety Nate Allen will visit the Raiders later today, John Middlekauff of 95.7 The Game tweets.
Pass rusher Adrian Clayborn is scheduled to visit the Falcons today, a league source tells Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com (on Twitter).
Seahawks free agent linebacker Heath Farwell, 33, says he plans to continue to play and he believes defensive tackle Kevin Williams, 34, feels the same way, Chris Tomasson of the Pioneer Press writes. Farwell wouldn’t name any teams except to say the Vikings aren’t one that has reached out and that the Seahawks have expressed interest in bringing him back.

Vikings FA Notes: Hill, Brinkley, Clayborn, Selvie

March 7th, 2015 at 5:06pm CST by Rob DiRe

The Vikings have a promising quarterback situation after drafting Teddy Bridgewater with the last pick of the first round last year, but lost their backup when they traded Matt Cassel to the Bills. However, they might already have their eyes on Shaun Hill as a veteran backup, writes Chris Tomasson of the Pioneer Press.

Hill played with the Vikings between 2002 and 2005, and has experience with offensive coordinator Norv Turner from their time together with the 49ers in 2006. Hill started eight games in 2014 in relief of Sam Bradford.

Here are some more notes from the Vikings as they build their roster for 2015:

One player currently on the roster who wants to be back is linebacker Jasper Brinkley, writes Tomasson. Brinkley was with the team from 2009-2012 and returned to the team in 2014. “I would love to come back,’’ Brinkley said. “They gave me an opportunity and it still feels like home for me. I would love to definitely come back. Coach Zimmer is doing great things with the team, turning the culture around there and everything is on the up and up.’’
The Vikings’ big move last season was keeping defensive end Everson Griffen with the team, and this offseason the team could look to add a pass rusher across from their young star. Ben Goessling of ESPN reports that the team has looked into the possibility of signing Adrian Clayborn (via Twitter).
Another pass rusher the Vikings may be interested in is former Cowboys defensive end George Selvie, according to Goessling (via Twitter).
One player the team has not reached out to as of yet is division-rival Packers cornerback Davon House, according to Goessling (via Twitter). They also have not expressed interest in Tramon Williams, according to Tomasson (via Twitter). That wouldn’t rule either out as a potential target.
While the team has reached out to a number of players already and has been rumored to be linked to a few more, Matt Vensel of the Star Tribune warns that rumors fly this time of the year but that does not necessarily mean the Vikings will land all or any of these players.

Buccaneers Notes: McCoy, Smith, Barron

October 29th, 2014 at 10:50pm CST by Rob DiRe

The Buccaneers signed defensive tackle Gerald McCoy to a big money extension earlier this week, with initial numbers reported to be $98MM over seven years, with $51MM guaranteed. While more information trickled out about the details of the contract, Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports has more information on the specifics, which he released in a series of tweets. He reports that $20.3MM of that total will be earned in 2014, and the rest of the money is paid out on a pay-as-you-go system. It only becomes guaranteed in the event of injury.

La Canfora gives out how much money will be owed going forward. “McCoy will make $11.5M in 2015 ($5m base/$6.5 roster bons). $12.5M in 2016 ($6M/$6.5M). $13.75M in 2017 (all base salaries), $12.75M 2018, $13M in 2019.” He also notes that McCoy will have base salaries of $10MM in 2020 and 2021, with an additional $2.5MM in roster bonuses.

Overall, after the contract guarantees kick in on the third day of the 2015 league year, the contract becomes a three year, $44.3MM deal at its minimum.

Here are some other notes from around the Buccaneers:

Head coach Lovie Smith does not believe the team is bereft of talent after deadline deals saw a few key players move to new teams, writes Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times. “The move we made gave us the best chance to win right now. … Yeah, we picked up draft picks on both of those players — moved up on one and picked up (picks) on the other,” said Smith. “But no, it’s not about the future. Yeah, it’s always about the future, but it’s about our current roster. As I said, you don’t trade players unless you feel pretty good about the other players you have.” Smith also noted that moving on from former first-round pick Mark Barron will give Major Wright and Bradley McDougald a chance to shine. Smith said Wright has been playing as well as any safety on the roster, and praised McDougald’s future as a star on the defense. He also mentioned his desire not to have any player who was one-dimensional, saying he wanted his safeties to be able to play both the pass and the run.
Speaking of Barron, the Rams should be very happy with the player they acquired, writes Bernie Miklasz of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. He considers the trade the first move of the 2015 offseason, and believes that the Rams will correctly use him as an in-the-box safety to strengthen the run defense. He writes that in 2012 Barron was the ninth ranked safety against the run in the box by Pro Football Focus.
With the exit of Barron, the Buccaneers are left with only three first round picks on the roster, the others being McCoy, this year’s pick Mike Evans, and Adrian Clayborn (who is on the IR), according to Pat Yasinskas of ESPN.com. (However, Doug Martin was also drafted in the first round, with the team trading back into the first round to grab him in 2012.) Guard Logan Mankins, defensive end Larry English, and cornerback Mike Jenkins are also first-rounders, although they were acquired via trade and free agency. Altogether, the first rounders have played 1,699 snaps, third worst in the NFL after the Jaguars and Raiders. Those three teams are a combined 2-20 this season.
The Buccaneers also made a big splash in free agency this offseason, but those investments have not paid dividends, writes Yasinskas. Anthony Collins, Evan Dietrich-Smith, Josh McCown, and Michael Johnson have all disappointed, while Alterraun Verner and Clinton McDonald have merely been solid.

Bucs Place Clayborn On IR, Re-Sign Solomon

September 12th, 2014 at 9:05am CST by Zachary Links

The Bucs announced that they have placed defensive end Adrian Clayborn on Injured Reserve and re-signed defensive end Scott Solomon, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (on Twitter).

The loss of Clayborn, 26, is a tough blow for the Buccaneers’ defensive line and the unit as a whole. Clayborn made 16 starts last season at right defensive end and tallied 43 tackles and 5.5 sacks. Clayborn was hoping to establish himself in 2014, his contract year, but now he won’t have the opportunity to show what he can do before he hits the open market. The Bucs declined their fifth-year option on the former No. 20 overall pick back in April.

Solomon, hopefully, didn’t drive too far from the Tampa Bay area when he was cut on Wednesday. The former seventh-round pick saw 31 defensive snaps in the team’s opener against the Panthers and recorded three tackles.

Bucs To Decline Option On Adrian Clayborn

April 24th, 2014 at 10:05am CST by Luke Adams

The Buccaneers will not exercise their fifth-year option on Adrian Clayborn, Clayborn’s agent confirmed to Roy Cummings of the Tampa Tribune (Twitter link). Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk had reported earlier in the week that the club wasn’t expected to pick up the defensive end’s 2015 option.

Unlike some other 2011 first-rounders, Clayborn has been a full-time starter for his club when he’s been healthy, starting all 35 games he has played for the Bucs since being drafted 20th overall. In 2013, the 25-year-old established a career high with 66 tackles, and also logged six sacks. However, while those numbers are respectable, Pro Football Focus’ advanced metrics (subscription required) weren’t all that fond of Clayborn’s performance, ranking him 47th out of 52 qualified 4-3 defensive ends.

Although the $6.969MM option for Clayborn would have been guaranteed for injury only, the Buccaneers’ decision suggests the team isn’t comfortable potentially being on the hook for that amount for the defensive end. The Iowa product will now be eligible for unrestricted free agency after the 2014 season, and the value of his next deal figures to depend in large part on his performance in his contract year.

To keep tabs on all of this year’s fifth-year option decisions as the May 3 decision deadline approaches, be sure to check out our tracker.