Brandon Flowers - Pro Football Rumors

Brandon Flowers Rumors: Tuesday

June 17th, 2014 at 1:36pm CST by Luke Adams

Yesterday’s roundup of Brandon Flowers rumors primarily consisted of sources downplaying teams’ interest in the veteran cornerback, though several clubs still appear to be in the running. The Lions, at least, are said to be “seriously considering” making a run at the former Chief. Here are Tuesday’s updates on Flowers, with any new reports added to the top of the page throughout the afternoon and evening:

Although the Falcons, who employ former Chiefs GM Scott Pioli, were quickly identified as one of the favorites to land Flowers when he became available, an organizational source tells D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution that Atlanta doesn’t presently have interest in the corner.
Darren Wolfson of 1500 ESPN Twin Cities hears that the Vikings are still in the hunt for Flowers, though he thinks it will be a “tough battle to win,” with several other clubs also involved (Twitter link).
We heard yesterday that the Redskins don’t have interest in Flowers, and ESPN.com’s John Keim (Twitter link) confirms that Washington wasn’t even one of the 10 clubs that initially inquired on the free agent.

Brandon Flowers Rumors: Monday

June 16th, 2014 at 2:54pm CST by Luke Adams

The Chiefs‘ release of Brandon Flowers on Friday injected some life into a free agent market that has been lacking real impact players for the last few weeks. While Flowers wasn’t at his best in 2013, he’s a 28-year-old Pro Bowl cornerback free to sign with any team, so there will certainly be plenty of clubs with interest. We’ll round up Monday’s rumors on Flowers right here, with the latest updates added to the top of the page throughout the day:

Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press (Twitter link) hears that the Vikings‘ call on Flowers was just a preliminary check-in and that there’s nothing serious brewing at this point.
The 49ers aren’t one of the 10 teams that reached out to Flowers, according to Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee.

Earlier updates:

The Lions are “seriously considering” making a run at Flowers, says Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com (via Twitter).
The Vikings, Lions, and Falcons made inquiries on Flowers shortly after the Chiefs cut him, according to Chiefs Insider at Scout.com (Twitter link). Darren Wolfson of ESPN 1500 Twin Cities (Twitter link) later confirmed that the Vikes had made a call on the veteran corner.
Add the Ravens to the list of teams that have reached out to Flowers so far, tweets Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun. According to Wilson, ten clubs have called on Flowers, so there are a handful of unknown teams in the mix. Still, talks remain in the preliminary stage, per Wilson’s source.
The Titans are doing their homework on Flowers, but don’t expect him to land in Tennessee, says Jim Wyatt of the Tennessean, pointing out that the ex-Chief doesn’t seem like an ideal fit in the Titans’ system (Twitter links).
The Redskins don’t have interest in Flowers, a source tell Mike Jones of the Washington Post (Twitter link).

AFC North Notes: Gilbert, Flowers, Green-Ellis

June 15th, 2014 at 11:11am CST by Rory Parks

Steelers right tackle Marcus Gilbert will be a free agent at the end of the 2014 campaign, and, as Ray Fittipaldo of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette writes, Gilbert can expect to see a big payday in his near future. The only question is what team will be paying him.

Though the Steelers do have some cap room to work out an extension or two before the start of the season, key players like Ben Roethlisberger, Jason Worilds, and Cortez Allen are also extension candidates, and there may not be enough money to go around. Right tackles, even middle-of-the road ones, were paid pretty well this offseason, with Austin Howard setting the pace after landing a five-year, $30MM deal with the Raiders.

However, only one of the right tackles to get a lucrative free agent deal this year graded out as a better player than Gilbert, according to Pro Football Focus’ advanced metrics. Breno Giacomini, who signed a four-year, $18MM contract with the Jets, was ranked by PFF as the 41st-ranked tackle in the league, with Gilbert checking in at No. 44, Howard at No. 47, and Michael Oher at No. 68.

It would be safe, then, to assume that Gilbert is in line for a pretty nice raise, and though he would like to remain in Pittsburgh, he stated that he is not focused on his contract situation at the moment. His agent, Drew Rosenhaus, has apparently approached the Steelers about a long-term deal, but those talks are in the preliminary stages.

Now some more AFC North notes:

Undrafted rookie Brendon Kay is a long-shot to make the Steelers‘ roster, but he believes he has a chance to unseat Landry Jones as the team’s third-string quarterback, writes Sean Hammond of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
The Ravens may be a dark horse candidate for Brandon Flowers, writes Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com. Cornerback is an area of need for the club after losing the steady Corey Graham in free agency, but before Flowers was cut, Hensley believed that the team would not sign a veteran free agent until after the final major cutdown following the preseason finale. But Flowers’ release represents one of those rare opportunities that GM Ozzie Newsome loves to exploit: the chance to grab an elite talent who unexpectedly shakes loose from his former club (see: Elvis Dumervil). Although the Ravens do not have a ton of cap space, they could potentially create more room by releasing someone like Sam Koch or Chris Canty, and the thought of teaming Flowers with Lardarius Webb and Jimmy Smith might be enough to make Newsome and company pull the trigger.
Coley Harvey of ESPN.com believes that Bengals running back BenJarvus Green-Ellis will be cut before the season begins. Harvey writes that it is a “mystery” as to why Green-Ellis is still on the roster, and he notes that the club would create $2.5MM of cap space by cutting him.
In the same piece, Harvey writes that if the Bengals want to keep Jermaine Gresham on the team beyond 2014–which may or may not be the case–any contract talks will probably not take place until after the season. Harvey also writes that the Bengals are one of the seemingly few teams who will not have interest in Flowers.
Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer, in response to a reader’s question concerning the future of Browns wide receiver Josh Gordon, writes that the team will likely not release Gordon before giving him a chance to “turn things around.” Cabot also notes that the coaching staff is high on right tackle Mitchell Schwartz, who is a good fit in Kyle Shanahan‘s zone-blocking scheme.

East Notes: Flowers, Maclin, McClain

June 15th, 2014 at 10:07am CST by Rory Parks

The recent release of Brandon Flowers has triggered a predictable series of rumors and rumblings as fans and beat writers try to determine if Flowers could be a realistic fit for the teams they root for and cover. The Jets were one of the many teams named as potential landing spots for the former Chiefs’ corner, but Rich Cimini of ESPNNewYork.com would be surprised if GM John Idzik made a play for him.

Cimini believes that Flowers would make sense for the Jets, considering his talent-level, the fact that the team has $21MM of cap space, and the fact that New York paid $3MM for the less-talented and injury-prone Dimitri Patterson. However, Cimini notes that Idzik is not a “hurry-up kind of general manager,” and he goes on to point out that Flowers’ struggles in 2013 came in a similar system to the one employed by Rex Ryan.

Now for some more notes from the league’s east divisions:

In the same piece, Cimini writes that although Jets defensive lineman Muhammad Wilkerson is staying quiet about a long-term contract, teammate Sheldon Richardson is zealously advocating on Wilkerson’s behalf. Cimini does note that a deal for Wilkerson will be consummated at some point.
Mike Reiss of ESPNBoston.com writes that the Patriots actually offered Kevin Williams a contract with greater earning potential than the Seahawks, which reflects on the way New England feels about players dealing with injury concerns like Tommy Kelly, Armond Armstead, Vince Wilfork, and Dominique Easley. Of course, “earning potential” is not the same thing as real money, so it is unclear if Williams actually turned down a more lucrative deal with the Pats to sign with the defending champs.
Sheil Kapadia of PhillyMag.com writes that, given the outstanding class of wide receivers due to become free agents after the 2014 season, the Eagles could have enough leverage to sign Jeremy Maclin to a reasonable long-term deal if they like what they see from him this year.
Redskins head coach Jay Gruden is committed to developing Robert Griffin III into a more well-rounded quarterback and will use the read-option only as a change-of-pace, according to Rich Tandler of RealRedskins.com.
Rainer Sabin of the Dallas Morning News looks at five questions the Cowboys still face after OTAs, including what they will do to replace Sean Lee and whether Terrell McClain can carry over his impressive OTA performance into training camp.

Brandon Flowers Notes: Jets, Panthers

June 14th, 2014 at 2:00pm CST by Rob DiRe

Since Brandon Flowers was released by the Chiefs yesterday afternoon, rumors began to fly about what teams could be interested in the Pro Bowl cornerback. The Falcons were established as one of the frontrunners for his services, and a number of other teams have been linked to the former Chief.

The Jets, Falcons, Texans, Lions, and Eagles are all still potential landing spots for Flowers’ services, writes Lorenzo Reyes of USAToday.com. The Jets need secondary help in general, as do the Eagles. The Texans and Falcons have personnel connections with defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel and general manager Scott Pioli, respectively. The Lions make sense after the release of veteran corner Chris Houston.
The Jets certainly could use an upgrade in the secondary, but Rich Cimini has held firm that he would not expect the team to reach out to Flowers. He reports that the team has not expressed interest yet (via Twitter), and reiterated that he would be surprised if they do.
The Panthers could also be in the mix, despite signing former first-round pick Antoine Cason this offseason, writes Reid Foster of Cover32.com. The team has just over $5MM in cap space to work with, and a need in the secondary. Foster also writes that making a run at Flowers could keep him away from one of their rivals in the NFC South, the Falcons.
The Raiders have a need at corner, that has only been magnified after 2013 first-round selection D.J. Hayden went down with an ankle injury, according to Justin Smith of BleacherReport.com. With Hayden hurt, the team is looking to a pair of 49er castoffs Tarell Brown and Carlos Rogers to play big roles this upcoming season.
The Vikings corners were bad in 2013, and Flowers could provide an upgrade their as well writes Christopher Gates of DailyNorseman.com. Although Flowers measured poorly according to Pro Football Focus’ numbers last season, he still performed better than Marcus Sherels, Josh Robinson, and Chris Cook and would provide a higher upside than all three.

NFC Notes: Falcons, Redskins, Flowers

June 13th, 2014 at 10:05pm CST by Rob DiRe

The Falcons are still looking to free agency to solidify their roster, writes Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com. After losing Sean Weatherspoon for the season, the team has considered Tim Dobbins, Jonathan Vilma, and Nick Barnett as possible replacements. They have also been linked to Brandon Flowers, who was cut earlier today.

Here are some other notes from around the NFC:

Redskins‘ backup guards Josh LeRibeus and Spencer Long have been switching between left guard and right guard, writes Tarik El-Bashir of CSNWashington.com. The reason for this, according to new head coach Jay Gruden, is position flexibility. “On gameday, we usually dress seven, sometimes eight linemen. Usually seven, so your sixth guy has to play center, [right] guard and [left] guard,” said Gruden. “So it’s very important that for guys to be flexible with what they do.”
The Redskins have also been working on their no-huddle offense, writes Rich Tandler of CSNWashington.com. While the no-huddle offense was a point of frustration in 2013, Robert Griffin III is looking to lead an improved attack this season. “We did a little no huddle today, working that stuff in. We’ll be very multiple,” said Griffin. “We’ll figure out what we do best and that’s the process—continuing to do this, continuing to learn, getting the new guys and the rookies up to speed with the offense and even ourselves, continuing to master it.”
The 49ers have prioritized improving the cornerback position this offseason, but Flowers may not be the answer, writes Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com. The team has limited dollars to spend, and would have preferred a bigger player at the position.

Brandon Flowers Notes: 49ers, Titans, Chargers

June 13th, 2014 at 7:33pm CST by Ben Levine

By now, you’ve likely heard that Pro Bowl cornerback Brandon Flowers was cut by the Chiefs this afternoon. Earlier, Luke Adams compiled some rumors linking Flowers to potential new teams. Among the favorites were the Falcons and Redskins, with the Panthers, Jets, 49ers and Titans listed as having interest.

With such news, many writers were eager to give their take on whether Flowers would be a fit with their respective clubs. Let’s see what they had to say…

While the 49ers could certainly use a cornerback, ESPN.com’s Bill Williamson thinks it’s doubtful that they’ll be able to land Flowers. The writer believes the team will consider the player, but multiple factors – including the team’s need for more of a bruising, tall defensive back and the understanding that another team will be able to offer more money – may prevent the former Pro-Bowler from joining Jim Harbaugh‘s squad.
ESPN.com’s Paul Kuharsky spoke to a scout about Flowers and came away with the impression that the cornerback would not be a fit for the Titans. Flowers’ struggles playing man coverage last season may clash with the team’s desire to play more man in 2014. Furthermore, the writer believes the team would be just fine with the trio of Jason McCourty, Coty Sensabaugh and Blidi Wreh-Wilson.
When asked if the Chargers would consider Flowers, ESPN.com’s Eric D. Williams says that the team “has enough 5-10 corners on the roster” and that Flowers would not be upgrade.

Falcons, Others Eyeing Brandon Flowers

June 13th, 2014 at 4:23pm CST by Luke Adams

Scott Pioli was the Chiefs‘ general manager back in 2012 when Brandon Flowers signed a lucrative five-year extension to remain with the team. Today, Flowers is the latest veteran player to hit the free agent market, Pioli is working in Atlanta as an assistant general manager for the Falcons, and there are rumblings that the pair could be on track for a reunion.

According to Jim Trotter of SI.com (Twitter link), Atlanta and Washington are among the early potential landing spots for Flowers, and the Pioli connection is very much “in play” for the Falcons. Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link) also links the Falcons to the free agent cornerback, indicating that the club had been monitoring the Flowers situation in Kansas City and was preparing for his potential release.

Still, the Falcons and Redskins aren’t the only possible suitors for Flowers. Let’s round up the latest chatter on the 2013 Pro Bowler….

ESPN.com’s John Clayton (Twitter link) names the Panthers, Jets, and 49ers as teams he thinks could at least kick the tires on Flowers. However, Joseph Person of the Charlotte Observer (Twitter link) thinks the corner is probably too pricey for Carolina, while Rich Cimini of ESPN.com (Twitter link) would be surprised if New York pursued him.
Similarly, Stephen Holder of the Indianapolis Star (Twitter link) would be “very surprised” if the Colts got too involved for the 28-year-old.
The Titans are assessing the Flowers situation to determine whether or not he’d fit in Tennessee, tweets Paul Kuharsky of ESPN.com. According to Kuharsky (Twitter link), the opportunity may be too good for the club to pass up, if the price is right.
Trotter hears that several teams who ruled out the possibility of trading for Flowers are now circling back and considering pursuing him as a free agent (Twitter link).

Chiefs Cut Brandon Flowers

June 13th, 2014 at 2:07pm CST by Luke Adams

On the heels of Chris Houston‘s release in Detroit, another veteran cornerback has been cut. The Chiefs have parted ways with Brandon Flowers, according to Rachel Santschi of KCChiefs.com (Twitter link). Flowers himself hinted at the news earlier this afternoon on his Twitter account. NFL: Kansas City Chiefs at Philadelphia Eagles

“Just want to say thanks to the Hunt family for the six years in Kansas City,” Flowers tweeted. “Thanks to the fans and my teammates for some great years.”

While Flowers, who accrued one interception and 65 tackles in 13 games last season, was selected as a Pro Bowler, advanced metrics suggested he was anything but — his -5.9 Pro Football Focus grade (subscription required) ranked him as just the 87th-best CB in the league last year, among 110 qualified players. However, PFF rated Flowers as a top-seven corner in both 2011 and 2012, so perhaps he was a poor fit in new Chiefs defensive coordinator Bob Sutton’s scheme, as had been speculated.

Whether or not Flowers fit the team’s new defensive scheme, his release comes as a bit of a surprise. The Chiefs had reportedly been considering a trade of the veteran cornerback, as our Dallas Robinson outlined earlier this month. Given his down season and the fact that most teams have finished making major offseason moves, Kansas City would have been hard-pressed to extract a ton of value, but Flowers’ relatively modest base salary ($5.25MM in 2014) still appeared movable.

Instead, the 28-year-old will hit the unrestricted free agent market, where he’ll have the opportunity to sign with any team, and I expect he’ll draw plenty of interest. As for the Chiefs, they reduce Flowers’ $10.5MM 2014 cap hit to just $3MM. The remaining $4MM in dead money on the corner’s deal will apply to Kansas City’s 2015 cap.

Dallas Robinson contributed to this post. Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Trade Candidate: Brandon Flowers

June 2nd, 2014 at 10:42pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Days before last month’s draft, reports surfaced indicating that Chiefs cornerback Brandon Flowers was a trade possibility as Kansas City looked to acquire more picks. Such a deal never occurred, but rumors persist that Flowers is a poor fit for Chiefs defensive coordinator Bob Sutton’s scheme. Flowers wasn’t present for last week’s OTAs, leading many to wonder if he was angling for clarification regarding his role and future with the team. NFL: Kansas City Chiefs at Philadelphia Eagles

A trade of Flowers would have to clear several hurdles, first of which would be his play in 2013. Though Flowers, who accrued one interception and 65 tackles in 13 games last season, was selected as a Pro Bowler, advanced metrics show he was anything but — his -5.9 Pro Football Focus grade (subscription required) ranked him as just the 87th-best CB in the league last year. However, PFF rated Flowers as a top-10 corner in both 2011 and 2012, so perhaps the scheme concerns are valid (2013 was Sutton’s first year in Kansas City).

The Chiefs, having gone 11-5 in 2013, are a team in win-now mode, so ridding themselves of a talented player like Flowers might not be the most ideal route. Sans Flowers, Kansas City would be left with Sean Smith and Marcus Cooper as starters, with rookie Phillip Gaines manning the slot — not exactly the most exciting trifecta. Another season learning Sutton’s defense could only help, and with more experience in the system, Flowers might flourish and begin to exhibit his prowess once again.

The final, and most pressing, issue regarding a trade of Flowers is his contract, which is set to pay him base salaries totaling $18MM over the next three seasons. He is also due $4MM in roster bonuses and $500K in workout bonuses during that span. It could be tough to find a team willing to assume that responsibility, especially given Flowers’ lackluster play last year. Additionally, Flowers hasn’t been the most durable player over his career (having played the entire 16-game slate only once, in 2011), so a team probably wouldn’t feel comfortable paying for a player who can’t stay on the field.

For the Chiefs, a trade of Flowers could help alleviate their salary cap situation. Currently sitting at about $3.5MM under the cap, Kansas City could use the money saved by trading Flowers on extensions for quarterback Alex Smith or linebackers Tamba Hali and Justin Houston. While Flowers has a pretty good track record, and is still young at 28, the value of freeing up cap room cannot be overstated. While cornerback is certainly a premier position in today’s passing league, the ability to retain Smith is probably more enticing in Kansas City.

Most teams could use another talented corner on their roster, but Flowers’ salary limits his potential destinations. The Jets have the cap room to bring in Flowers, but he probably wouldn’t fit in Rex Ryan’s scheme. Two teams that pop out as fits are the Buccaneers and the Titans, each of whom lost an excellent corner during the offseason (Darrelle Revis and Alterraun Verner, respectively). Both franchises have the financial wherewithal to make such a move, and Flowers would be a welcome addition to either team’s defensive backfield.

Having said that, I still think a trade is unlikely. The salary obligations and Flowers’ subpar 2013 season make him a risky investment. If a trade were to occur, I wouldn’t expect Kansas City to receive more than a fifth-round pick, at the very best.

Data from Over The Cap was used in the creation of this post.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.