Anthony Spencer - Pro Football Rumors

New York Rumors: QBs, Barr, Draft, Spencer

April 26th, 2014 at 4:44pm CST by Rob DiRe

With the uncertainty surrounding the quarterback situation, there is a chance one of the signal callers could still be on the board when the Jets pick at 18. The most likely to free fall is Louisville’s Teddy Bridgewater, and Rich Cimini of ESPN.com believes the Jets should still pass on him. However, Cimini writes that if Johnny Manziel is the quarterback available, the team would have to think and long and hard about taking the Texas A&M star.

Here are some other notes from around the AFC:

UCLA’s Anthony Barr is another prospect who was once thought of as a sure fire top-10 pick, but who is now slipping on draft boards. Cimini also believes the Jets would be unwise to draft Barr should he be available at 18, because of his limited experience on the defensive side of the ball.
The Giants have a number of needs after a down season, with more holes to fill in any draft in recent memory. They need an upgrade at tight end, and must add depth to their defensive line if they want to return to Super Bowl form, writes Josh Alper of Pro Football Talk. The team also needs to add a center, a receiving threat on the outside to replace Hakeem Nicks, and more help at linebacker.
The Giants have a number of options with the 12th pick in the draft, and pundits are pencilling in many different players into that slot in recent mock drafts. Jordan Raanan of NJ.com collected some of the mock drafts, and Pittsburgh defensive tackle Aaron Donald has become the most popular choice for the Giants to take.
While the Cowboys just re-signed Anthony Spencer, Raanan adds that the Giants had considered Spencer as well. However, the health concerns were too high, causing the Giants to pass on offering him a contract (via Twitter).

Cowboys Rumors: Draft, Spencer, Smith

April 3rd, 2014 at 6:52pm CST by Ben Levine

Let’s take a look at a handful of notes pertaining to America’s Team…

Regardless of who may be available when it’s the Cowboys time to pick, the team has to go with a defensive player, opines Brandon George of the Dallas Morning News. Specifically, George would like to see the team add a defensive lineman.
Even with the Redskins adding DeSean Jackson, ESPN.com’s Todd Archer doesn’t envision the Cowboys drafting a cornerback to counter that move. Archer thinks the team is likely to roll with their current grouping of Brandon Carr, Morris Claiborne and Orlando Scandrick.
In the same post, Archer mentions his belief that the ‘Boys would re-sign Anthony Spencer to a one-year deal.
In a separate article, Archer discusses who the Cowboys should pay first: Dez Bryant or Tyron Smith. Archer chooses Smith due to the importance of the left tackle position and the player’s age (Smith is 24-years-old).

Extra Points: Allen, Jackson, Clowney, Spencer

March 26th, 2014 at 9:06pm CST by Zachary Links

The Jets kept an eye on the Jared Allen situation but never made a firm offer before the defensive end signed with the Bears, tweets Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. Meanwhile, Rapoport adds (link) that the Raiders actually offered more money than the Bears. Oakland was willing to give Allen a deal worth $9MM per year, but he believed Chicago was the best fit for him. What made Chicago such a good fit for the Pro Bowler? Rapoport says he chose the Bears in part because he has a great deal of faith in Jay Cutler‘s ability to win championships (link). Here’s tonight’s look around the NFL..

In an Insider-only piece for ESPN.com, Field Yates explores the trade market for Eagles receiver DeSean Jackson, identifying the Jets, Raiders, Browns, and Panthers as trade partners that could make sense.
Texans ownership, coach Bill O’Brien, and General Manager Rick Smith will be meeting and dining with Jadeveon Clowney the night before his South Carolina pro day next week, tweets Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com.
Anthony Spencer remains on the Cowboys radar, but there’s no rush on the part of Dallas or any other club to sign him as the defensive end fights his way back from microfracture surgery on his knee, writes David Moore of the Dallas Morning News. Spencer’s representative Jordan Woy says his client, who underwent the surgery last fall and missed the final 13 games of the Cowboys season, is “structurally” sound and now working on his strength and conditioning.
Bernie Miklasz of the Post-Dispatch likes the Rams‘ signing of Shaun Hill as their veteran backup quarterback for 2014. Hill, he writes, has been one of the better backup QBs in the NFL since getting his first opportunity to start in a relief role for the 49ers in 2007 and now he’ll be reunited in St. Louis with Frank Cignetti, who was the QB coach with SF during Hill’s time there.
San Jose State cornerback Bené Benwikere, who had 14 interceptions over four seasons, penned a journal entry for USA Today Sports and disclosed that he’s set to work out for the Panthers on April 1st.
Scouts Walter Juliff and Chris Hall and quarterbacks coach Wade Wilson are expected to be the Cowboys‘ representatives at Johnny Manziel‘s pro day, tweets Charean Williams of the Star-Telegram.

FA Notes: Finley, Britt, Spencer, Barkley

March 21st, 2014 at 7:55pm CST by Rob DiRe

Former Packers’ tight end Jermichael Finley failed his physical with the Seahawks, reports Pete Dougherty of the Green Bay Press-Gazette (via Twitter). He writes that Finley is only four months removed from neck surgery.

Finley could still be months away from landing with an NFL team, based on his recovery, notes Bob McGinn of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel.

Here are some other rumors from around the NFL:

While they haven’t expressed much interest in Finley, the tight end is still an option for the Giants. However it looks like the team has concluded that Anthony Spencer‘s health is not worth the risk, writes Jordan Raanan of NJ.com.
Kenny Britt had a good visit with the Patriots, writes Mike Reiss of ESPNBoston.com. Britt had a conversation with Reiss’ colleague Mike Rodak, who covers the Bills. “It was actually better than I thought it was,” said Britt, discussing the Patriots. “A lot of guys, a lot of people out there that don’t know or been on the inside or think it’s strict and things like that, but it’s laid back when I got there. They got good people there. I actually worked out for them. The workout went great. I had a good time.”
Matt Barkley will have a chance to win the number two quarterback job behind Nick Foles, reports Matt Bosher of CSNPhilly (via Twitter). Bosher writes that the Eagles will still have to bring another quarterback in this offseason.

NFC East Notes: Allen, Cowboys, Schwartz

March 19th, 2014 at 9:44am CST by Luke Adams

We heard yesterday that free agent defensive end Jared Allen was unlikely to sign with the Cowboys after visiting the team, and his asking price may be contributing to that fact. Ed Werder of ESPN.com reports (via Twitter) that Allen is seeking an annual salary close to $10MM, in the neighborhood of what DeMarcus Ware and Julius Peppers received. Of course, the guaranteed money on Ware’s and Pepper’s deals varies significantly, but either way, the Cowboys may not have the flexibility to fit Allen into their 2014 cap.

Here’s more on the Cowboys and one of their NFC East rivals:

Now that the official numbers are out on Ware’s contract with the Broncos are out, Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk wonders why the Cowboys weren’t more aggressive about trying to trade the veteran pass rusher before releasing him. Considering he didn’t end up taking a huge pay cut, Ware could have had some trade value, particularly if he’d been willing to rework his previous contract. However, a league source says the Cowboys didn’t attempt to trade Ware to Denver, and Florio suggests it doesn’t seem like Dallas tried to trade the 31-year-old to any team.
Todd Archer of ESPNDallas.com wonders if the terms agreed to by the Cowboys and Henry Melton could provide a road map for a deal for Anthony Spencer.
In an interesting piece for Bleacher Report, Geoff Schwartz shares a first-person account of his experience in free agency, which fell on the calendar during the same week as his wedding. The veteran offensive guard ultimately signed with the Giants.

NFC Rumors: Idonije, Clark, Penn, Spencer

March 17th, 2014 at 4:59pm CST by Luke Adams

Defensive lineman Israel Idonije spent the first nine years of his NFL career with the Bears before joining the Lions as a free agent a year ago. Now back on the market, Idonije appears to be considering a reunion with his old team. Albert Breer of the NFL Network reports (via Twitter) that the veteran will be visiting with the Bears tomorrow, while ESPN.com’s Michael C. Wright adds (via Twitter) that Idonije will be taking a physical in Chicago, and the club hopes to lock him up. While we wait for further developments on that front, let’s check in on a few other items from around the NFC:

Free agent safety Ryan Clark tells Tom Pelissero of USA Today that his agent continues to negotiate with the Redskins and that he has also received interest from the Ravens and Jets.
As of earlier this afternoon, free agent tackle Donald Penn was still in Washington, with the Redskins still working to sign him, says Ross Jones of FOX Sports (via Twitter).
Free agent defensive lineman Anthony Spencer left his meeting with the Giants today without reaching a deal with the team, according to Ralph Vacchiano of the New York Daily News (via Twitter).
The Lions hosted safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix for a pre-draft visit today, tweets Tim Twentyman of DetroitLions.com. Considered one of the top two safeties in this year’s draft class, Clinton-Dix could be a candidate for Detroit at No. 10.
The NFLPA will elect a new president to replace Domonique Foxworth on Wednesday, and Ben Watson of the Saints is a name to watch, tweets Albert Breer.

Extra Points: Welker, Burleson, Cromartie

March 16th, 2014 at 4:57pm CST by Dallas Robinson

A few assorted notes from around the league:

Broncos receiver Wes Welker‘s $3MM roster bonus and $3MM base salary became fully guaranteed on Wednesday, according to Mike Klis of the Denver Post (via Twitter).
Receiver Nate Burleson tweets that he is not retiring, noting that he was hampered last season by his broken arm.
The Jets remain interested in cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, tweets Rich Cimini of ESPN.com. The tweet also notes that fellow cornerback (and Rodgers-Cromartie’s cousin) Antonio Cromartie, recently released by the Jets, is interested in returning to the team.
Quarterback Shaun Hill will visit the Rams on Monday, according to Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch (Twitter link).
With reports that Anthony Spencer is set to visit the Giants, ESPN.com’s Dan Graziano writes that signing the pass-rusher only makes sense if he comes on the cheap.
The best recruiting tool for the Buccaneers, who have signed several free agents such as Michael Johnson, Anthony Collins, and Josh McCown, is new head coach Lovie Smith, opines Roy Cummings of the Tampa Tribune.

Anthony Spencer Rumors: Sunday

March 16th, 2014 at 11:41am CST by Rory Parks

We learned earlier that free agent defensive end Anthony Spencer was set to visit the Rams today. However, that report turned out to be incorrect, as Spencer is in fact scheduled to visit the Giants today, according to NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport (via Twitter). New York has already signed Quintin Demps and Walter Thurmond over the course of the past 12 hours, and they are apparently now interested in bolstering their pass rush after the departure of Justin Tuck.

Although Rapoport suggests Spencer would be an “intriguing fit” for the Giants, others seem less convinced. ESPN’s Dan Graziano tweets that Spencer is a “poor fit” in the Giants’ 4-3 defense, and he cites Spencer’s age and recent microfracture surgery to conclude that New York should only sign Spencer if the cost is very low. Jordan Raanan of NJ.com also tweets that it may take time for Spencer to fully recover from his surgery.

NFC East Rumors: Kelly, Spencer, Giants, Britt

March 16th, 2014 at 10:33am CST by Rory Parks

Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer offers an explanation as to why the Eagles, traditional big-spenders in free agency, have not splurged on outside players this offseason, despite having $24MM in salary cap space. And it’s not just because the team has been burned in the past by ill-advised, big-money deals; it’s also about scheme. Rather than pursue the premier free agents on the market, the Eagles instead “targeted specific players they thought fit their scheme, could provide in-roster competition, and were versatile enough to help on special teams.”

Furthermore, as Geoff Mosher of CSNPhilly.com writes, head coach Chip Kelly believes the team has spent heavily this offseason, but the Eagles spent the money to retain their own players and view free agents from outside teams as complements to the core of their roster. The strategy that Kelly and general manager Howie Roseman have followed adheres to the blueprint Roseman laid out last month, and it suggests the Eagles have turned a corner in the franchise’s approach to free agency.

Here are some more notes from the NFC East:

We learned earlier today that Henry Melton will still visit with the Cowboys as planned, but Brandon George of the Dallas Morning News reports that “talks have heated up” with several teams. In a separate post, George writes defensive end Anthony Spencer will be visiting the Rams on Sunday. The Cowboys remain interested in bringing Spencer back if the price is right.
Steve Serby of the New York Post believes the Giants are losing the offseason battle to their divisional rivals, but that was before the team landed Quintin Demps and signed Walter Thurmond.
The Redskins may be throwing their hat into the Kenny Britt ring, with Albert Breer of the NFL Network tweeting that the team is working on scheduling a visit with the receiver.

FA Visits: Woodley, Munnerlyn, Browner

March 13th, 2014 at 7:25am CST by Luke Adams

Raiders GM Reggie McKenzie and head coach Dennis Allen were out to dinner with edge defenders LaMarr Woodley and Justin Tuck Wednesday night with the Raiders, and things are moving in the right direction with both players, says Vic Tafur of the San Francisco Chronicle (Twitter links). Here’s more from around the NFL on free agent visits:

While it sounds as if Woodley’s meeting with the Raiders went well, the ex-Steeler is on his way to Tennessee to meet with the Titans today, tweets Terry McCormick of TitanInsider.com.
Panthers free agent cornerback Captain Munnerlyn visited the Vikings last night and also has appointments planned with the Jets and Buccaneers, tweets Joe Person of the Charlotte Observer.
After reaching an agreement yesterday with ex-Buc Darrelle Revis, the Patriots will host another free agent cornerback for a visit today, according to Mark Ockerbloom of Fox 25 Boston, who tweets that Brandon Browner will meet with the team.
Defensive lineman Anthony Spencer is visiting the Redskins, according to Brandon George of the Dallas Morning News.
The Panthers brought free agent defensive back Roman Harper in for a visit, writes Joseph Person of the Charlotte Observer.
Free agent linebacker Darryl Sharpton is meeting with the Titans today, tweets Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun.
The Lions are hosting free agent safety James Ihedigbo for a visit, according to Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press, who notes (via Twitter) that Ihedigbo has a history with new defensive coordinator Teryl Austin.