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Brent Grimes

AFC East Links: Jets, Dolphins, Albert

February 24th, 2014 at 10:08pm CST by Ben Levine

While various reports may claim the contrary, the Jets are a “realistic possible landing spot” for quarterback Michael Vick, Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network reports (video link). Rapoport cites the team’s desire for a veteran alternative to Geno Smith, as well as Vick’s connection to offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg. 

A few other notes from one of the Jets’ rivals in the AFC East…

  • The Dolphins and Brent Grimes continue to make progress, and the cornerback is “pretty optimistic” about returning to Miami, writes Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald. Grimes also said that the franchise tag has not been brought up in negotiations.
  • In the same article, Jackson mentions that the Dolphins have not yet made offers to impending free agents Randy Starks or Paul Soliai. The team has expressed interest in bringing back both players, though.
  • The Dolphins have made signing offensive tackle Branden Albert a “high priority,” league sources told Ian Rapoport (via NFL.com’s Gregg Rosenthal). The Cardinals are also zeroing in on Albert.
  • Dolphins’ Philip Wheeler isn’t likely to be a casualty of the June 1st cut day, writes Ryan Feder of OverTheCap.com.

AFC East Rumors: Vick, Jets, Grimes, Bills

February 24th, 2014 at 9:27am CST by Luke Adams

On Sunday morning, we passed along word that the Jets are eyeing Josh McCown as a potential quarterback option in free agency. Today’s first round of rumors out of the AFC East includes a couple more updates on potential QB targets for the Jets, so let’s dive right in….

  • A reunion between free-agent-to-be Michael Vick and Jets offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg is not likely, reports Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News. The two men spent several years together in Philadelphia, when Vick was the Eagles‘ quarterback and Mornhinweg was the club’s offensive coordinator.
  • According to Mehta, Matt Schaub is also an unlikely target for the Jets. The Texans are expected to release their longtime starter, but if he hits free agency, Schaub won’t be interested in backing up Geno Smith, sources tell the Daily News.
  • Dolphins cornerback Brent Grimes is “cautiously optimistic” he’ll sign a long-term contract with the team this offseason rather than receiving the franchise tag, tweets Chris Perkins of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel. Grimes expressed his desire for a multiyear deal earlier this month, suggesting that being franchised “is not what anybody wants.”
  • There’s a disconnect between the younger members of the Bills‘ front office and the so-called “lifers,” writes Tim Graham of the Buffalo News. According to Graham, head coach Doug Marrone and GM Doug Whaley are looking to shift the team’s “this-is-the-way-we’ve-always-done-it culture” and want more say in personnel decisions, but are facing pushback from execs like CFO Jeffrey C. Littmann, senior VP of football administration Jim Overdorf, and senior VP of communications Scott Berchtold.

AFC Notes: Dolphins, Colts, Chargers

February 21st, 2014 at 10:03pm CST by Ben Levine

Some information from around the American Football Conference…

  • The Dolphins are unlikely to offer the franchise tag to cornerback Brent Grimes, tweets Ian Rapoport of NFL.com. While many, including NFL.com’s Gregg Rosenthal, thought it was a given that Grimes would receive the tag, it appears the Dolphins don’t want to commit the $11.3MM figure it would take to automatically bring the 30-year-old back.
  • Colts general manager Ryan Grigson responded “yes” when asked if he would repeat the Trent Richardson deal, writes Nate Ulrich of Ohio.com. The Colts surrendered the 26th pick for Richardson, who ran for only 458 yards in 14 games for Indy.
  • The Chargers are still awaiting decisions from center Nick Hardwick and receiver Malcolm Floyd on whether the players will retire, writes Michael Gehlkin of the U-T San Diego. Hardwick just finished his tenth NFL campaign while Floyd’s season ended in September when he suffered a neck injury.
  • The Ravens met with a variety of offensive prospects at the NFL Combine. The team was scheduled to meet with running back Terrance West on Friday night, according to Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun. The Ravens’ running back depth may be in a bit of a bind, and there’s no denying West’s talent after he ran for 2,509 yards and 42 total touchdowns last season. Wilson also says that the Ravens met with running backs Carlos Hyde (Ohio State), Andre Williams (Boston College) and Ka’Deem Carey (Arizona).
  • The Ravens also met with receiver Kelvin Benjamin, says Wilson. The six-foot-five wideout from Florida State caught 15 touchdowns last season.

Extra Points: Wheeler, Grimes, Chargers, Gore

February 21st, 2014 at 10:47am CST by Luke Adams

There have been some rumblings at the combine that the Dolphins could cut linebacker Philip Wheeler, according to Vic Tafur of the San Francisco Chronicle, who adds (via Twitter) that the Raiders would be “very interested” in bringing Wheeler back to Oakland if he were available. Still, I’d be pretty surprised if Miami decided to part ways with Wheeler. With several years of prorated bonus money still left on his deal, the Dolphins wouldn’t create any cap savings by releasing the 29-year-old this offseason.

As the Dolphins weigh that decision, let’s check out a handful of other updates from across the NFL….

  • Cornerback Brent Grimes had been viewed as a candidate to be designated as the Dolphins’ franchise player this offseason. However, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com now hears that tagging Grimes may not be a realistic solution for Miami at a cost of about $11.3MM (Twitter link).
  • Eric D. Williams of ESPN.com provides a few of the notable quotes from Chargers GM Tom Telesco during his Thurday sesssion with reporters. Telesco acknowledged that the team isn’t exactly “flush with cap space,” suggesting there will be some tough decisions to make in the next several weeks.
  • In his comments to the media today, there were no indications that GM Trent Baalke and the 49ers will ask Frank Gore to take a pay cut for 2014, according to Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee.
  • After spending big in free agency a year ago, the Colts plan to be more judicious with their spending this offseason, writes Stephen Holder of the Indianapolis Star.
  • According to ESPN.com’s David Newton, the time may be right for the Panthers to draft a QB to back up Cam Newton.
  • The Ravens met with a pair of top-five OT draft prospects – Zack Martin and Taylor Lewan – at the combine, sources tell Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun.
  • In an interview with Rob Maaddi of The Associated Press, former All-Pro receiver Terrell Owens suggested he still thinks he’s capable of playing in the NFL at age 40. In spite of T.O.’s confidence, I wouldn’t expect to see him sign with an NFL team anytime soon.

Brent Grimes Seeking Multiyear Contract

February 11th, 2014 at 8:30am CST by Luke Adams

Brent Grimes is scheduled to hit the open market one month from today, but the Dolphins may use their franchise tag on the cornerback well before the free agent period begins. As Grimes tells Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald though, he’s hoping to sign a multiyear deal to remain with the Dolphins, since that franchise tag “is not what anybody wants.”

A report last week suggested that re-signing Grimes will be a top priority for Miami this offseason, and based on Jackson’s latest story, it sounds as if the All-Pro defensive back is interested in continuing his career a Dolphin. At age 30, Grimes likely recognizes that his window to secure one last long-term contract is closing, meaning this offseason may represent his best chance at one last lucrative deal.

It may also be in Miami’s best interest to work out a long-term agreement with Grimes, as Jackson notes. With the franchise tag value for cornerbacks expected to exceed $11MM, using the tag on Grimes would severely cut into the club’s 2014 cap space. Although a multiyear deal might leave the Dolphins on the hook for more guaranteed salary, that money would be stretched over multiple seasons, and Grimes’ cap number for ’14 would almost certainly be smaller than $11MM.

As our list of notable offseason dates shows, NFL teams can begin designation franchise players next Monday.

Dolphins Rumors: Grimes, Patterson, Tannehill

February 7th, 2014 at 10:31am CST by Luke Adams

Rookie general manager Dennis Hickey will have his work cut out for him in Miami, according to Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com, who takes a detailed look at the offseason decisions facing the Dolphins. La Canfora’s piece is filled with notable tidbits, so let’s dive and round up some of the highlights….

  • Several team and league sources tell La Canfora that bringing back cornerback Brent Grimes is a top priority for the Dolphins. Grimes will be eligible for free agency next month, and could earn the franchise tag if he and the team can’t work out a long-term deal.
  • It’s “virtually certain” that Dimitri Patterson won’t be back at his current salary ($5.4MM), though he could return to the Dolphins at a lesser figure.
  • Defensive tackles Randy Starks and Paul Soliai are both free-agents-to-be, and the Dolphins will likely only keep one of the two, sources tell La Canfora.
  • Pro Bowl center Mike Pouncey “might not be inclined” to play for his current 2014 salary of $1.7MM, and figures to seek an extension that will put him among the highest-paid players at his position, says La Canfora.
  • Said one person who interviewed for the Dolphins’ GM job: “It’s a total rebuild on the offensive line. They seemed to understand that there. Total rebuild. I’m not sure exactly how much of their budget they were planning to put into the line, but it had better be substantial.”
  • Dolphins head coach Joe Philbin “definitely wants to push [Ryan] Tannehill more,” according to one source, who adds that the club could turn to highly-paid backup Matt Moore if Tannehill doesn’t show noticeable improvement.
  • According to La Canfora, Hickey’s contract with the Dolphins is for two years, with a team option for year three, as I speculated earlier in the week.
  • If 2014 doesn’t go well for the Dolphins, there’s a possibility that the team could jettison Philbin and renew its pursuit of an A-list coach, such as Jim Harbaugh, Bill Cowher, or Jon Gruden, writes La Canfora.