HEADLINES

Brandon Marshall (WR)

East Notes: Romo, Cowboys, Redskins, Jets

March 3rd, 2017 at 6:57pm CST by Connor J. Byrne

The Redskins could attempt to acquire Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo in a trade also involving the 49ers, but it’s not going to happen on Jerry Jones‘ watch, tweets Clarence Hill Jr. of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Of course, it’ll be interesting to see if that will be Jones’ stance if the Redskins make the only trade offer for Romo, who’s a prime release candidate.

More from the East Coast:

  • The Jets might move on from wide receiver Eric Decker, though they won’t make a decision on his future until he has recovered from hip and shoulder surgeries, general manager Mike Maccagnan announced Friday (via Rich Cimini of ESPN.com). “Our goal is to get him healthy and then kind of evaluate how he comes off the injuries,” said Maccagnan, who believes Decker will be ready to return by Week 1 of next season. The soon-to-be 30-year-old appeared in only three games last season, and cutting him would save the Jets $5.75MM against $3MM in dead money for 2017.
  • The Jets cut their other top wideout, Brandon Marshall, on Thursday, but not before offering him an extension. That offer came “about a month ago,” a source told Josina Anderson of ESPN.com (on Twitter). Marshall wasn’t up for continuing on a rebuilding team, though, so he turned down the extension and requested his release.
  • Maccagnan would like to acquire more draft picks to go with the seven he already has, which could mean moving down in any round (via Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News). “If somebody wants to move up and we have a pick in that round, call us up. Any pick,” said Maccagnan, implying that the team would trade the sixth overall section. At the same time, Maccagnan wouldn’t mind keeping the pick. “Whether we stay at No. 6 and pick a player, we’d be perfectly happy doing that,” he declared. “Whether we decide to move back and get more picks and more opportunities, we’d be perfectly happy doing that.”
  • Despite some other chatter this week, Hill tweets that Cowboys offensive tackle Doug Free is not retiring. Head coach Jason Garrett said Wednesday he has not heard any word of the 33-year-old Free walking away.
  • The Giants have promoted Rob Leonard to assistant defensive line coach, per the Associated Press. Leonard will take over for Jeff Zgonina, who joined the 49ers’ staff. Big Blue has also hired Bobby Blick to fill Leonard’s previous job, defensive assistant.

Zach Links contributed to this post.

Jets To Release Brandon Marshall

March 2nd, 2017 at 8:56pm CST by Connor J. Byrne

The Jets intend to release wide receiver Brandon Marshall, reports Kimberley A. Martin of Newsday (Twitter link). Marshall is now in line to become the seventh veteran the Jets have moved on from since late last month. The rebuilding club previously cut ties with cornerback Darrelle Revis, center Nick Mangold, offensive tackles Ryan Clady and Breno Giacomini, kicker Nick Folk and linebacker Erin Henderson.

Brandon Marshall (Vertical)

As was the case with the other six vets, the fact that the Jets are moving on from Marshall isn’t particularly surprising. However, the Jets would have preferred to keep him, it seems, as a source told ESPN’s Adam Schefter (on Twitter) that they offered Marshall an extension. But Marshall requested his release, tweets Martin, and his exit will save Gang Green $7.5MM in 2017.

Marshall is just two years removed from a 109-catch, 1,502-yard, 14-touchdown 2015, but his numbers declined significantly last season as a member of an anemic passing attack. All told, Marshall hauled in 59 grabs on 128 targets, posted only the third sub-1,000-yard season of his career (788), and only totaled three TDs. But he did once again exhibit durability, appearing in at least 15 games for the ninth time, and notch a yards-per-catch average (13.4) better than his career total (12.8).

Now set to hit the open market, the 32-year-old Marshall should become one of the most sought-after pass catchers available, joining fellow wideouts like Alshon Jeffery, Kenny Stills and Terrelle Pryor, among others. Marshall is more established than any of them, having combined for a whopping 941 receptions, 12,061 yards and 82 touchdowns across 11 seasons with the Broncos, Bears, Dolphins and Jets. The 6-foot-4, 230-pounder hasn’t yet played with an elite quarterback, making his lifetime output all the more impressive, but that could change if he hooks on with a contender in free agency. He’ll also look to snap the league’s longest active playoff drought for an individual (167 games) with his next employer.

Jets Notes: Clady, Marshall, QB Targets

February 8th, 2017 at 7:15pm CST by Connor J. Byrne

The latest on Gang Green:

  • The Jets’ reworking of left tackle Ryan Clady‘s contract last month didn’t actually do much to change his deal, reports Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. The team still faces a mid-February deadline on a $1MM payment, which was previously an option bonus but is now a fully guaranteed roster bonus. It’s possible that the Jets will pick up that option and try to convince Clady later in the offseason to agree to a pay cut, Florio writes. Clady is currently slated to play 2017 – his age-31 campaign – on a $10MM salary, which is an unpalatable amount for an injury-prone player coming off a disappointing season.
  • While releasing Brandon Marshall would save the Jets his entire cap hit for 2017 ($7.5MM), the wide receiver expects to remain with the club, he told Darryl Slater of NJ Advance Media. “They haven’t said anything otherwise,” he stated. “There was no indication that they don’t want me back.” Marshall, who will turn 33 next month, indicated in December that he wants to stay a Jet. That came toward the end of a mediocre season for Marshall, who caught just 59 of 128 targets for 788 yards and three touchdowns after posting a 109-catch, 1,502-yard, 14-TD 2015.
  • The Jets might turn to one of Marshall’s ex-teammates, Jay Cutler, as their next starting quarterback if the Bears release him, but doing so wouldn’t make any sense, opines Brian Costello of the New York Post. Instead, of all the QBs the Jets could pursue this offseason, Buccaneers backup and pending free agent Mike Glennon is the likeliest, posits Costello. Conversely, if the 49ers’ Colin Kaepernick becomes available, it’s highly improbable the Jets would court him, per Costello. Owner Woody Johnson would have to sign off on that, and the President Donald Trump appointee’s political views don’t exactly jibe with the outspoken Kaepernick’s.

Extra Points: Marshall, Bortles, Payton

January 2nd, 2017 at 9:43pm CST by Ben Levine

Some assorted notes from around the NFL as we wrap up the night…

  • Despite a down season, Jets wideout Brandon Marshall said that he’s still planning on playing for another five years, writes ESPN.com’s Colin Stephenson. In fact, the 33-year-old suggested that he’d be willing to take a pay cut to stay in New York. “Like I said, it’s not about the money anymore; it’s all about winning,’’ he said. “But I know what I’m worth. I think this team knows what I’m worth, as far as the organization. But it’s not about the money. I’m good. I’m good with the money. I just want to win. That’s all I want to do is win. So I don’t care about anything but winning. That’s it.’’ Marshall is due $7.5MM next season, although the money isn’t guaranteed.
  • Buccaneers coach Dirk Koetter said he will bring in competition for kicker Roberto Aguayo, as Jenna Laine of ESPN.com writes. “We’ve got to have competition at every position,” Koetter said Monday. “Nothing’s given and if they’re not the best player, then I can be pretty certain in saying that they won’t be out there.” The Bucs traded back into the second round in 2016 to select the Florida State product, making him the highest-drafted kicker since Mike Nugent. Many criticized the pick but GM Jason Licht later said he assigned Aguayo a first-round grade. The rookie ultimately connected on 71-percent of his field goals this season, the lowest mark in the league.
  • Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles says he played this season with two shoulder separations and wrist tendonitis (Twitter link via Michael DiRocco of ESPN.com). The injuries likely contributed to the 24-year-old’s subpar stats this season. After a breakout campaign in 2015, Bortles threw for 3,905 yards, 23 touchdowns, and 16 interceptions this season.
  • Impending Colts free agent defensive back Darius Butler told Stephen Holder of the Indy Star (on Twitter) he’s ready to transition full time to safety. Butler finished the season with 27 tackles, three interceptions, and one forced fumble.
  • Despite rumors that may say the contrary, Saints head coach Sean Payton said that he plans on coaching the team in 2017, tweets Larry Holder of NOLA.com. Previous reports indicated that the organization would be willing to trade their long-time coach, and the Rams have been noted as a potential destination.
  • Could Cowboys DE Randy Gregory really be back for the playoffs? According to Jon Machota of the Dallas News (via Twitter), the embattled defender will have an appeal hearing in the next week or so to determine whether he’ll be eligible for the postseason. Gregory recently appealed his year-long ban.

Zach Links contributed to this post.

Jets’ Brandon Marshall Discusses His Future

December 22nd, 2016 at 5:31pm CST by Connor J. Byrne

Wide receiver Brandon Marshall hopes to return to the Jets for his age-33 season in 2017, but the feeling might not be mutual. The Jets would have dealt Marshall by the Nov. 1 trade deadline had they gotten adequate draft pick compensation in return, reports Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News. The club was 3-5 at the time, meaning its playoff chances weren’t completely dead, but it’s now 4-10 and likely at the start of a rebuild. As a result, Marshall could be an offseason cap casualty for New York, which would save $7.5MM and incur no dead money in 2017 by releasing him.

Brandon Marshall (Vertical)

If Marshall does hit the free agent market, Mehta floated the idea of the former Bronco, Bear and Dolphin joining the Patriots.

“That’s intriguing, but that wouldn’t be my team. I would be a rental player,” Marshall responded.

By signing with the Patriots, who are perennial contenders, Marshall would likely give himself an opportunity to experience postseason football for the first time. Marshall has played 166 career regular-season games without a playoff trip, which is the longest individual drought in the league, and told Mehta that making the postseason is his “top priority.”

“But there’s two things that make it really difficult,” he added. “One, I love it here. And two, I don’t want to be a rental player for anyone. So, I don’t want to jump ship and take the easy route and go somewhere where I’m just a rental cop for a year or two and I’m not a core guy. I want to do it being a big part of the puzzle.”

Given his age, it could be difficult for Marshall to end up as a long-term core piece anywhere, but he revealed that he expects to play into his “late 30s.”

After torching opposing defenses for 109 catches, 1,502 yards and 14 touchdowns last year, the 6-foot-4, 230-pound Marshall has taken steps backward this season, though quarterbacks Ryan Fitzpatrick and Bryce Petty haven’t helped his cause. Marshall has caught only 57 of 124 targets for 760 yards and three scores, and he’s tied for the NFL lead in drops (eight). That’s not a new issue, however, as Marshall ranked toward the bottom of the league in drops (10) during his excellent 2015.

Despite his less-than-stellar year, Marshall would surely end up a sought-after target on the market if the Jets were to release him. He’s just 61 catches from 1,000 and 18 touchdowns from 100 in what could be a Hall of Fame career. Along the way, Marshall has exceeded 100 catches in seven different seasons and 1,000 yards on eight occasions. Not bad for someone who hasn’t exactly played with great quarterbacks during his career, though he could have a chance to join a team with a high-end signal-caller in the offseason.

AFC East Notes: Garoppolo, Jets, Workouts

December 10th, 2016 at 9:39am CST by Ben Levine

Where will Jimmy Garoppolo be playing next season? Well, if you ask former Browns and Patriots executive Mike Lombardi, he believes the young quarterback will be playing in Cleveland.

“The next quarterback that’ll be the Cleveland Browns’ quarterback perhaps is Jimmy Garoppolo in New England,” Lombardi said on FS1’s Speak for Yourself (via Nate Ulrich of Ohio.com). “I think Cleveland understands, [coach] Hue Jackson specifically understands he needs a quarterback. I think they’ll be very aggressive. I think Jimmy Garoppolo’s on top of their list, and I think they’ll go hard after him.”

The Browns are stocked with picks for the upcoming draft, including a pair of firsts and a pair of second-rounders. Furthermore, the two teams have already made a pair of trades this year in the Barkevious Mingo deal and the Jamie Collins deal.

Assuming the Browns aren’t going to pursue some of the available veteran options, Garoppolo could be the most attractive option. In two full games this season, the former second-rounder completed 70-percent of his passes for 496 yards, four touchdowns, and no interceptions. The 25-year-old will be entering the final year of his rookie contract in 2017.

Let’s check out some more notes out of the AFC East…

  • Ben Volin of The Boston Globe suggests (via Twitter) another suitor for Garoppolo: the Bears. Volin tweets that Chicago desperately wants a young quarterback, and he also notes that the Patriots signal-caller is from Chicago and went to Eastern Illinois. Volin also suggests the 49ers and Cardinals as potential landing spots.
  • ESPN.com’s Rich Cimini details how the Jets can get under the cap and clear about $50MM worth of space. In a vacuum, the team could cut or trade several notable veterans to get to that threshold, including Brandon Marshall, Nick Mangold, David Harris, Ryan Clady, Breno Giacomini, and Sheldon Richardson (trade). Of course, as Cimini notes, cutting that many veterans would create some giant holes on the roster.
  • Wideout Quincy McDuffie worked out for the Jets yesterday, tweets agent Brett Tessler. McDuffie spent the 2016 season with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, and Tessler notes that the speedy wideout is widely regarded as the best return man in the CFL.

Jets Notes: Marshall, Whalen, Jennings

November 29th, 2016 at 10:55am CST by Zachary Links

Brandon Marshall hopes his future is with the Jets, Kimberley A. Martin of Newsday writes. The Jets are currently 3-8, but that hasn’t dampened Marshall’s spirit for the team.

“Physically I feel like I can play well into my mid-30s, so obviously no plans on retiring, no plans on switching teams,” Marshall said. “Would love to stay here and retire as a Jet. So I’ve just got to continue to focus on what I can control. Lead where I can, on and off the field.”

Marshall, 33 in March, carries a $7.5MM cap hit next season. That’s a lot of coin, particularly when considering the way his numbers have dropped this year. Right now, he’s on pact for roughly 70 catches and 975 yards. Last year, he had 109 grabs for 1,502 yards. Also, despite what Marshall says, it’s fair to wonder whether he’d want to be a part of a rebuilding team at this stage of his career. When asked if he’d be alright with returning to a rebuilding club, he didn’t give a clear answer.

Here’s more on Gang Green:

Jets Notes: Richardson, Marshall, Fitzpatrick

November 2nd, 2016 at 5:55pm CST by Sam Robinson

Despite the Jets passing on a Sheldon Richardson trade at Tuesday’s deadline, the sides’ long-term future is not stable. The team did not just talk to the Cowboys about a deal for Richardson but offered the fourth-year defensive end to several teams, Jon Machota of the Dallas Morning News reports.

While the asking price was too high for Dallas’ liking, the Jets were ready to part with the oft-suspended defender who stands to make $8.07MM next season — the last of his rookie contract with the Jets — after Gang Green triggered his fifth-year option in May.

“You can’t just overpay for something even though you may want it and it may be tempting,” Cowboys executive VP Stephen Jones said. “We just didn’t feel like the value was there in terms of the trade for us.”

Here’s more on Richardson and the latest coming out of Jets headquarters.

  • The mercurial pass-rusher would have been fine with a trade and sees himself as the odd man out amid the Jets’ defensive end glut. “Big business, bro,” Richardson said, via Darryl Slater of NJ.com. “It happens. That’s it. We’ve got three guys that play the same position. We’re all effective. It’s a surplus, so I’m the odd man out.” Muhammad Wilkerson occupied this status fairly recently, with perpetual contract talks going nowhere. But after the sixth-year veteran signed up long-term, it’s the player with off-the-field trouble who fits into the short-term fix category. Should Richardson be able to avoid more off-field issues in the next year-plus, he could be a top 2018 UFA. “I just want to play, and yeah, get paid my fair share,” he said. “You can’t do this forever. You want to win Super Bowls and win games and stuff like that. But you also want to make sure you can take care of your family when it’s all said and done and it’s over with.”
  • Richardson said he would not have wept if traded but merely gotten ready for his next game with his new team. That contrasts with Brandon Marshall, who did not want to leave the Jets. The thrice-traded wideout said, via Brian Costello of the New York Post (on Twitter), he was “literally about to cry” if he’d heard a trade was happening. So, it’s safe to say Marshall was pleased when his agent called him Tuesday afternoon (Twitter link, via Costello) to inform of a trade not occurring. Traded from the Broncos, Dolphins and Bears, the 32-year-old Marshall will finish a second season with the Jets. He has one more season (at an affordable $7.5MM in nonguaranteed money) left on his Bears-constructed contract.
  • Ryan Fitzpatrick profiles as a player who is failing in a contract year, Joel Corry of CBSSports.com writes. Geno Smith tearing his ACL and younger Jets backups’ viability not yet being known could help the 33-year-old Fitzpatrick, but he’s thrown seven touchdown passes, 11 picks and is completing barely 56% of his throws. Corry also lists Stephon Gilmore and Latavius Murray among those failing to capitalize on their earning potential this season.
  • The Jets claimed and cut Knile Davis on Tuesday, making the latter transaction because of C.J. Spiller‘s signing.

Brandon Marshall Doesn’t Want To Be Traded

October 31st, 2016 at 8:20am CST by Dallas Robinson

Brandon Marshall has no interest in being traded away by the Jets, the veteran receiver told reporters, including Connor Hughes of NJ.com, after New York’s victory over the Browns yesterday. “No…it’s not even a question,” said Marshall when asked if the club has discussed a potential trade with him. “I would be disappointed if that were to happen and that came up.”"<strong

[RELATED: Sheldon Richardson Receiving Trade Interest]

“I love the ownership,” Marshall said. “I’m about to say the opposite of what Ryan Fitzpatrick said. I love my coaches. I love my teammates. To be honest, I like [the media], which is tough. I really do. I want to finish what we started here. We’re not out of it. We’re going to continue to fight, rally the troops, and get this team on the right track.”

No reports have indicated that the Jets are in fact discussing Marshall in trade talks, but given that the club has received calls on other players — such as defensive lineman Sheldon Richardson — it would make sense that the veteran receiver could be moved. Marshall is correct in saying that New York isn’t completely out of the playoff picture, but the Jets would have to rebound just to have a shot at a wild card berth. As such, an expensive, aging pass-catcher might not fit on a roster that could be on the cusp of a rebuild.

Marshall, 32, has continued to post excellent production in his 11th NFL season, as he’s put up 34 receptions for 540 yards, though he’s not scoring at the same rate that he has in past seasons (just two touchdowns thus far). Any team that acquired Marshall would be responsible for the remaining portion of his 2016 $9.5MM base salary, and then would essentially have an option for the 2017 campaign. Marshall is under contract for $7.5MM next season, but a club wouldn’t incur any dead money by releasing him.

Trade Rumors: T. Smith, Browns, Richardson

October 30th, 2016 at 10:41am CST by Rory Parks

We heard last week that the Eagles, who are desperate for wide receiver help, were discussing a potential trade for the 49ers‘ Torrey Smith, but both Philadelphia and San Francisco refuted those reports just several days later. However, Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk said today that the Eagles are continuing to explore a trade for a receiver, and that the Smith talks are still alive. Florio added that it is unclear whether Philadelphia has its eyes on any other receiver at this point.

With Tuesday’s trade deadline fast approaching, let’s take a look at a few more trade-related notes:

  • Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports that the Browns will indeed try to trade Josh Gordon prior to the deadline. We learned earlier today that Gordon was recently released from an inpatient rehab facility and that he is eligible to be traded despite the fact that he has not been reinstated by the NFL. Even if he is dealt, of course, he would need to be reinstated before suiting up for his new club.
  • We also learned earlier today that the Browns could look to move Joe Haden, who has been generating a fair amount of interest around the league, but that Joe Thomas will likely remain in Cleveland.
  • Eliot Shorr-Parks of NJ.com says he would not be surprised if Eagles GM Howie Roseman at least made a call to the Browns to inquire about Josh Gordon.
  • Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets that teams are calling the Jets about Sheldon Richardson. Such a trade would make plenty of sense, as Gang Green could move on from Richardson next year anyway, although Rich Cimini of ESPN.com does not believe the Jets would get enough in return for Richardson or Brandon Marshall to make trading either player worthwhile.
  • Although it appears as if the Buccaneers could be in the market for a wide receiver, Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times does not believe the Bucs will swing a deal in advance of the trade deadline.
Load More Posts