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Antoine Cason

Antoine Cason Out For 2015 Season

June 24th, 2015 at 8:50am CST by Luke Adams

Veteran cornerback Antoine Cason is one of the more notable defensive backs left on the free agent market, but he won’t be joining an NFL team for the 2015 season. In an Instagram post, Cason revealed last night that he underwent surgery on Tuesday morning, and will be out for the year. The exact nature of the procedure is unknown, but Cason’s photo appears to show his right foot in heavy bandages.

“Had surgery this morning to fix an ongoing problem,” Cason wrote on Instagram. “Due to the surgery I will miss the 2015 season. … Tough decision but it was one that needed to be made and I am home and well!”

Cason, 28, started 11 of the Panthers’ first 12 games in 2014, but had plenty of ups and downs throughout the year. The former first-round pick was benched in Week 13 after allowing a touchdown to Vikings wideout Greg Jennings, and had an overall grade of -10.2 in Carolina, according to Pro Football Focus’ metrics (subscription required). Although he grabbed a pair of interceptions, Cason also allowed six touchdowns, a 122.2 passer rating, and an 80.3% completion rate on passes thrown into his coverage, per PFF.

The Panthers opted to part ways with Cason in early December, and a week later he was scooped up by the Ravens, whose secondary had been ravaged by injuries. Cason, who will turn 29 in July, only briefly saw the field for Baltimore, during the team’s Wild Card game in Pittsburgh.

Despite a down year, the Arizona product has 110 career NFL games, including 60 starts, on his NFL résumé, so he could draw some interest around the league in 2016, assuming he gets fully healthy.

AFC North Notes: McPhee, Ravens, Browns

December 12th, 2014 at 4:04pm CST by Luke Adams

With Ravens outside linebacker Pernell McPhee approaching the end of his rookie contract, he’ll be a hot item if he hits the open market this winter. However, as he tells Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun, the pass rusher would like to work out a long-term deal that keeps him in Baltimore.

“I would love to be here,” McPhee said. “It’s a business. I hope they’ll want me back. I hope so, man. I don’t know if they’re talking, but I hope so. This is where I was born in the NFL, and I wouldn’t mind continuing to live here and keep it going.”

Here’s more on the Ravens and one of their AFC North rivals:

  • Ravens wide receiver Aldrick Robinson is being paid an upgraded practice squad salary of $10K per week, above the usual rate of $6,300 per week, according to Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post (on Twitter).
  • Wilson (via Twitter) also has the goods on the Ravens‘ deal with defensive back Antoine Cason. The deal is worth the veteran’s minimum of $730K and he’ll earn the prorated portion of that for the last three games (~$129K). Cason, a former first-round pick, signed with Baltimore earlier this week to help provide depth in a secondary that has been hit hard by injuries.
  • There was some speculation earlier in the week, particularly after the club worked out multiple kickers, that the Browns would replace kicker Billy Cundiff, who has been inconsistent this season. While Cleveland initially elected not to sign another kicker due to Cundiff’s performance, the team may have to do so anyway, with the veteran listed as questionable on this week’s injury report due to a knee injury, writes Tony Grossi of ESPNCleveland.com. The Browns took a look at Garrett Hartley, Zach Hocker, and Nate Freese this week.

Zach Links contributed to this post.

 

Ravens Sign Antoine Cason

December 9th, 2014 at 12:15pm CST by Luke Adams

12:15pm: The Ravens have confirmed in a press release that they’ve signed Cason and placed Gorrer on IR. The team added that wide receiver Aldrick Robinson has been added to the practice squad, replacing fellow wideout LaQuan Williams.

8:51am: A week after being released by the Panthers, Antoine Cason has found a new home, according to Rand Getlin of Yahoo! Sports, who reports (via Twitter) that the Ravens are signing the veteran cornerback.

Cason, a former first-round pick, started 11 of the Panthers’ first 12 games, but had plenty of ups and downs throughout the year. The 28-year-old was benched in Week 13 after allowing a touchdown to Vikings wideout Greg Jennings, and has a grade of -10.2 on the season, according to Pro Football Focus’ metrics (subscription required). Although he has grabbed a pair of interceptions, Cason has also allowed six touchdowns, a 122.2 passer rating, and an 80.3% completion rate on passes thrown into his coverage, per PFF.

Despite Cason’s struggles in 2014, he could help provide some depth in a Ravens’ secondary that has been ravaged by injuries this season. Top cornerback Jimmy Smith landed on injured reserve earlier in the year, and Danny Gorrer is headed there as well, in what will be the corresponding move to accommodate the signing of Cason, tweets Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun.

According to Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (via Twitter), Cason worked out for the Bears this week before landing with the Ravens.

Panthers Waive Antoine Cason

December 2nd, 2014 at 12:08pm CST by Luke Adams

12:08pm: The Panthers have confirmed Cason’s release and Byndom’s promotion in a press release, announcing two more moves as well. The club has also cut veteran linebacker Jason Williams and elevated linebacker Horace Miller from the taxi squad.

10:53am: The Panthers will promote cornerback Carrington Byndom from their practice squad to take Cason’s spot on the roster, tweets Joseph Person of the Charlotte Observer.

10:15am: Another shake-up is coming in the Panthers’ secondary, according to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk (via Twitter), who reports that Carolina has waived cornerback Antoine Cason. While no corresponding move has been announced yet, I expect the club will fill the newly-created opening on the 53-man roster shortly.

Cason, a former first-round pick, had started 11 of the Panthers’ 12 games this season, but had plenty of ups and downs throughout the year. The 28-year-old was benched on Sunday after allowing a touchdown to Vikings wideout Greg Jennings, and has a grade of -10.2 on the season, according to Pro Football Focus’ metrics (subscription required). Although he has grabbed a pair of interceptions, Cason has also allowed six touchdowns, a 122.2 passer rating, and an 80.3% completion rate on passes thrown into his coverage, per PFF.

The Panthers’ secondary has been inconsistent for most of the season, and Cason’s release marks the second time a notable veteran defensive back has been cut within the last few weeks — Carolina also parted ways with safety Charles Godfrey, who subsequently signed with the division-rival Falcons. Presumably, even in the NFC South, the Panthers are focused less on competing for the postseason and more on taking a look at younger players for the last few weeks of the year.

Assuming Cason isn’t claimed on waivers, he’ll clear tomorrow and will become an unrestricted free agent, able to sign with any team.

Panthers Notes: Cason, Hardy, Alexander

September 13th, 2014 at 11:54am CST by Ben Levine

Panthers coach Ron Rivera has given cornerback Antoine Cason a number of second chances. It started when the talented defensive back was taken in the first round of the 2008 draft by the Chargers. Cason faced some early adversity, and Rivera, the team’s defensive coordinator at the time, was forced to make a tough decision.

“Quite honestly, I had to bench him,” Rivera told David Newton of ESPN.com.

Cason worked his way up the depth chart and ultimately started 15 games in 2010, Rivera’s last season in San Diego. The 28-year-old played in a backup role with the Cardinals last season, and Rivera inked him to a one-year deal this offseason.

Cason rewarded his coach’s faith. He finished with an interception and a team-high nine tackles in the team’s opening-day victory.

“When I watched tape on him from the [Tampa] game I saw things I really liked and remembered,” Rivera said. “Just the way he was playing with vision, the position he put himself in on a couple of his snaps.”

Cason will have his work cut out for him this weekend against Lions wideout Calvin Johnson.

“He’s definitely one of the best receivers in this league,” Cason said. “You bring your A game, play physical at the point of attack and get after it.

“That’s every time out for me, something to prove, something to prove. Never get comfortable and never get satisfied with where I am.”

Let’s take a look at some more notes out of Charlotte…

  • Newton opines that the Panthers will not miss Steve Smith, even if the wideout continues to put up big numbers.
  • Newton also thinks that defensive end Greg Hardy will not return to the team if he is found guilty in his domestic violence case. Even if he’s cleared, Newton puts the odds of a return at 50-50. Room for Cam Newton and Luke Kuechly extensions would have to be taken into consideration, as well as Hardy’s expected monetary demands (the writer suggests $15MM).
  • With all the scrutiny surrounding Ray Rice, Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com writes that the Panthers need to make a decision on Hardy. The writer ultimately believes that Rivera should deactivate the player for this weekend’s game and then study all of the information available.
  • Based on the reported changes to the league drug policy, defensive end Frank Alexander will not have his four-game suspension reduced, tweets Joe Person of The Charlotte Observer.

Extra Points: Roby, Knott, Freeman, Jones

April 4th, 2014 at 11:05pm CST by Peter Sowards

In this thorough write-up, the San Diego Union-Tribune’s Michael Gehlken looks at Ohio State cornerback Bradley Roby‘s upcoming visit with the Chargers, scheduled for later this month. Roby’s collegiate career featured a plethora of ups and downs, the majority of a non-positive nature.

“I think I had obvious shortcomings, on and off the field,” Roby told Gehlken in a phone interview. “It’s not about what happens to you. It’s all about how you respond and if you really learned. If you don’t learn, then it’s going to keep happening over and over again. I believe in karma. I believe in learning from mistakes; that’s what they’re there for.”

Roby is projected by some experts as a first-round pick. The Chargers own the No. 25 overall pick and last selected a defensive back in the first round in 2008, when they drafted Arizona’s Antoine Cason 27th overall.

Other news and notes from Friday night…

  • Eagles linebacker Jake Knott has been suspended without pay for the first four games of the 2014 season, the team announced today. Knott violated the NFL policy on performance enhancing substances and is eligible to participate in all offseason and preseason practices and games. “We’re very disappointed to learn of his suspension,” the team said in a statement. “We have spoken to Jake and he is fully aware of the mistake he made and owned it. The key for him, however, is to learn from that mistake and move forward with his preparation for the 2014 season.”
  • Receiver James Jones moved on from the Packers earlier this offseason, signing a three-year, $11.3MM deal with the Raiders. Another former Packers receiver, Antonio Freeman, shared his thoughts with Tyler Dunne of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, saying he wasn’t surprised with the move: “This game is about dollars and cents,” Freeman said. “It’s about cap value. That’s what these decisions come down to. It doesn’t come down to if James was a nice guy or a great locker room guy. He was a great guy. I met him a few times. I’ve heard great things about him. But it doesn’t come down to how nice of a guy you are. This is a business. This is Wall Street. This is Saks Fifth Avenue.”

Contract Details: Fitzpatrick, Wootton, Melton

March 21st, 2014 at 6:21pm CST by Rob DiRe

Ryan Fitzpatrick‘s contract details with the Texans have been reported by Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (via Twitter). Fitzpatrick’s deal is worth $7.2MM with $4MM guaranteed, and included $2.25MM in bonus money. Next year’s 3.25MM base salary is not guaranteed.

Here are some other contract details from around the NFL:

  • Corey Wootton‘s deal with the Vikings carries $1MM in salary, with $500,000 in bonus money and an additional $500,000 in potential incentives, reports Wilson (via Twitter).
  • Henry Melton will have the opportunity to make up to $5MM in the first year of his deal with the Cowboys, writes Todd Archer of ESPN.com. This includes $1.25MM in base salary and up to $2.25MM in potential bonus money. Melton will have the ability to earn an additional $1.5MM in incentives, based on playing time and how many times he can take down the quarterback.
  • Calvin Pace re-signed with the Jets on a two-year deal worth $5MM earlier this week. The deal includes base salaries of $1.375MM in 2014 and $2.375MM in 2015, reports Manish Mehta (via Twitter).
  • Kendrick Lewis‘ one year deal with the Texans will be worth $795,000 with $100,000 guaranteed (via Twitter).
  • Antoine Cason‘s one-year deal with the Panthers is for the veteran minimum, reports Joe Person of the Charlotte Observer (via Twitter). The $730,000 deal includes a $65,000 signing bonus.
  • New Giant offensive lineman John Jerry‘s one-year deal is worth $770,000 with $25,000 in guaranteed money, reports Adam Caplan of ESPN (via Twitter).

Panthers, Cason Agree To One-Year Deal

March 21st, 2014 at 1:33pm CST by Luke Adams

1:33pm: The Panthers have officially signed Cason, according to the team (Twitter link).

1:04pm: The Panthers have agreed to terms with cornerback Antoine Cason on a one-year contract, according to Pro Football Talk (via Twitter). Kent Somers of the Arizona Republic (Twitter link) first reported earlier this week that Cason was expected to ink a deal with the Panthers soon.

Cason, a former first-round pick, saw just 169 defensive snaps for Arizona last season after playing as a full-time starter for the Chargers from 2010 to 2012. Even in limited action for the Cardinals though, the 27-year-old made a number of big plays, recovering three fumbles and grabbing a pair of interceptions, including one for a touchdown.

According to Adam Caplan of ESPN.com (via Twitter), Cason has been on the Panthers’ radar “for weeks” and is a good fit for their defensive scheme. The two sides were scheduled to meet earlier this week, but the visit had to be rescheduled amid Cason’s decision to switch to agent Drew Rosenhaus. The 27-year-old eventually met with the team last night.

The Panthers had been eyeing free agent cornerbacks to help replace two of their top three players at the position in 2013. Captain Munnerlyn agreed to sign with the Vikings last week, while Drayton Florence isn’t expected to return to Carolina.

Panthers Expected To Sign Antoine Cason

March 20th, 2014 at 1:57pm CST by Luke Adams

THURSDAY, 1:57pm: Cason’s visit with the Panthers is now scheduled for tonight, according to Pro Football Talk (via Twitter).

WEDNESDAY, 3:49pm: According to Joseph Person of the Charlotte Observer, Cason was scheduled to visit with the Panthers today, but the meeting was canceled amid Cason’s decision to switch to agent Drew Rosenhaus. It’s unclear whether the switch to Rosenhaus affects the seemingly impending deal between Cason and the Panthers, but both sides appear to have interest in rescheduling the visit, tweets Person.

1:10pm: Free agent defensive back Antoine Cason will sign with the Panthers soon, according to Kent Somers of the Arizona Republic (via Twitter). Mike Garafolo of FOX Sports (Twitter link) confirms that the two sides are finalizing a contract that will be signed within the next few days.

Cason, a former first-round pick, saw just 169 defensive snaps for Arizona last season after playing as a full-time starter for the Chargers from 2010 to 2012. Even in limited action for the Cardinals though, the 27-year-old made a number of big plays, recovering three fumbles and grabbing a pair of interceptions, including one for a touchdown. According to Adam Caplan of ESPN.com (via Twitter), Cason has been on the Panthers’ radar “for weeks” and is a good fit for their defensive scheme.

The Panthers have been seeking help at cornerback, having already lost a 2013 starter (Captain Munnerlyn) to Minnesota, and with another of 2013’s key contributors (Drayton Florence) no longer under contract. A report from Garafolo last night indicated that the team was eyeing Cason and Terrell Thomas, and could ultimately sign one or both.

Extra Points: Cason, Allen, Mariani, Hester

March 18th, 2014 at 9:18pm CST by Zachary Links

Three candidates have emerged to succeed Domonique Foxworth as NFLPA president, according to Tom Pelissero of USA Today. Saints tight end Ben Watson, free-agent tackle Eric Winston, and free-agent safety Ryan Clark will make their speeches Wednesday before the 32 team representatives vote for a new president. More from around the NFL..

  • In addition to cornerback Terrell Thomas, who was in for a visit today, the Panthers are also looking at corner Antoine Cason, tweets Mike Garafolo of FOX Sports. Garafolo figures that Carolina could sign one or both cornerbacks to boost their secondary.
  • Defensive end Jared Allen is unlikely to sign with the Cowboys after visiting today, a source tells Mike Garafolo of FOX Sports (on Twitter). Dallas became less likely for the veteran when the Cowboys agreed to sign fellow defensive lineman Henry Melton earlier this evening.
  • The Chargers worked out former Titans wide receiver/kick returner/punter Marc Mariani, tweets Adam Caplan of ESPN. Mariani has struggled to stay healthy in the past. The 26-year-old missed the entire 2012 season after snapping the tibula and fibula in his left leg and spent the entire 2013 season on Tennessee’s injured reserve after suffering a shoulder injury in training camp.
  • Top draft prospect Teddy Bridgewater met with the Texans, Jaguars, and Raiders after his pro-day workout at Louisville, tweets Brian Smith of the Houston Chronicle.
  • In a conference call with reporters, Chiefs GM John Dorsey said contract extension talks with Alex Smith are ongoing, tweets Herbie Teope of the Associated Press. Dorsey did not offer a timetable for a resolution with his starting quarterback. On the call, Dorsey went on to discuss the club’s near deal with wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders who wound up signing with the Broncos, writes Terez A. Paylor of The Kansas City Star.
  • Rex Ryan and Jets GM John Idzik were at Florida State Pro Day to check out 6’5″, 240-pound wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin today, tweets Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News.
  • Safety Craig Steltz‘s one-year deal with the Bears is for the veteran’s minimum of $730K, according to Jeff Dickerson of ESPNChicago.com (on Twitter). Steltz can also earn another $65K in roster bonuses.
  • A source close to free agent return man Devin Hester tells Vaughn McClure of ESPN (on Twitter) that the former Bears standout is still in Atlanta and very much in the picture for the Falcons.
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