Chris Ivory - Pro Football Rumors

FA Rumors: Osweiler, Sean Smith, Adam Jones

March 7th, 2016 at 9:50pm CST by Connor J. Byrne

The latest rumors on a slew of free agents-to-be:

The Broncos have offered quarterback Brock Osweiler a three-year contract worth ~$39MM, according to Troy Renck of The Denver Post. That runs a bit contrary to a weekend report that stated the Broncos had offered $45MM for three years.
Seven teams have expressed interest in Jets running back Chris Ivory, per Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News (Twitter link). The Buccaneers and Raiders are among those clubs, per a report from earlier tonight.
The Raiders “have reached out” to Chiefs corner Sean Smith‘s camp, per Scott Bair CSNBayArea.com (Twitter link). Smith is the fourth high-profile pending free agent whom the Raiders have been connected to today, joining Ivory, Malik Jackson and Kelechi Osemele (links to Jackson and Osemele stories: 1, 2).
Bengals veteran corner Adam Jones has several potential suitors, according to Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio, who lists the Ravens, Browns, Dolphins, Raiders, Cowboys and Vikings as teams that could end up with the 32-year-old. The Bengals would like to retain Jones, per Florio.
The Bears are expected to go after Patriots defensive lineman Akiem Hicks, writes Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune. Bears general manager Ryan Pace and player personnel director Josh Lucas were in the Saints’ front office when they drafted Hicks in 2012, Biggs notes.
The Giants, Eagles, Dolphins and Bears are interested in Chargers corner Patrick Robinson, reports ESPN’s Josina Anderson (Twitter link).

Bucs Interested In Chris Ivory, Lamar Miller

March 7th, 2016 at 5:50pm CST by Zachary Links

5:50pm: You can count the Raiders as one of “a bunch of teams” with interest in Ivory, Adam Caplan of ESPN.com tweets.

5:26pm: The Buccaneers have expressed interest in Jets free agent running back Chris Ivory, according to Rick Stroud of The Tampa Bay Times (on Twitter). The Bucs’ want to keep Doug Martin, but if they can’t reach a deal with him, Ivory could be a potential replacement. The Bucs are also expected to make a play for Lamar Miller if they lose Martin (link).

Ivory, who will celebrate his 28th birthday in a few weeks, set career highs last season in carries (247), rushing yards (1,070), and total touchdowns (eight). If the Jets do not retain Ivory, he will stand as one of the more appealing free agent running back options of the offseason. PFR recently ranked Ivory as the fourth-best running back available this offseason, behind Martin, Miller, and Matt Forte.

Miller, 25 in April, ran for 872 yards with eight touchdowns in 2015. He is reportedly hoping to land a deal similar to DeMarco Murray‘s pact from last year, but it was reported earlier today that his market is in the $4-5MM range rather than $8MM. The Dolphins hope to re-sign Miller, but if he is insistent on Murray money, it’s not hard to envision that they will let him test the market.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

FA Rumors: Osweiler, Okung, M. Williams

March 6th, 2016 at 12:50pm CST by Rory Parks

The big news of the day, of course, was the report that Peyton Manning will officially announce his retirement tomorrow. However, offseason business in the NFL waits for no man, and to that end, here are some notes regarding some of this year’s biggest free agents:

After Manning’s decision, and with free agency set to officially open on Wednesday, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets that the Broncos‘ negotiations with Brock Osweiler will really begin to ramp up.
Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets that Osweiler may indeed re-sign with the Broncos, but that is far from a certainty at this point. As Schefter observes, other quarterback-needy clubs could make it difficult for Denver to retain the fifth-year signal-caller.
Even though the Seahawks are interested in retaining him, LT Russell Okung is intent on hitting the free agent market, per Rapoport (via Twitter).
Rapoport tweets that Mario Williams stayed the night in Miami after visiting the Dolphins, and while Williams has other visits lined up, Rapoport says that Miami could keep him from taking those visits.
Panthers GM Dave Gettleman does not spend big in free agency, but if he makes an exception this offseason, Joe Person of The Charlotte Observer identifies Eric Weddle and Bruce Irvin as two players that would make a great deal of sense for Carolina.
Aaron Wilson of The Houston Chronicle tweets that the Texans will be active in exploring the top of the free agent running back market after parting ways with Arian Foster. Wilson names Chris Ivory, Doug Martin, Lamar Miller, and Matt Forte as possibilities for Houston.
The Eagles will certainly invest free agent dollars and draft picks in their offensive line this offseason, and Jeff McLane of The Philadelphia Inquirer names Jeff Allen and Brandon Brooks as realistic targets for the club.
Free agent wide receiver Anquan Boldin, unsurprisingly, wants to continue his career with a title contender, according to Rand Getlin of the NFL Network (via Twitter).

AFC Rumors: Bolts, Reid, Miller, Jets, Titans

February 20th, 2016 at 4:30pm CST by Sam Robinson

A Chargers-led citizen’s initiative could help solve stadium cost issues at the Mission Valley, Calif., site that hovered at the center of discussions prior to the Bolts’ Carson overtures, David Garrick of the San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

This process involves the sale of 75 acres of the 166-acre Qualcomm Stadium site, a transaction that could net $225MM that would go toward funding the proposed $1.1 billion Chargers stadium, San Diego mayor Kevin Faulconer’s task force’s estimates. That would help significantly, considering the new stadium still requires $350MM in taxpayer funds to go along with $300MM from the NFL and additional money generated by personal seat licenses, among other streams of revenue.

“They did it in Carson and another group of lawyers did it in Inglewood, so it certainly could be done in San Diego in pretty much the same way,” city attorney Jerry Goldsmith told Garrick. “It would involve re-zoning; it would involve voter approval of not only a stadium but ancillary development, and it would include bypassing the California Environmental Quality Act if it’s done right.”

Garrick, however, makes it clear the Chargers haven’t committed to pursue this route, as the sides still have a long way to go before anything substantial emerges in this long-running saga.

Let’s take a look at the latest transpiring in the AFC.

Andy Reid won’t join the Chiefs‘ contingent at next week’s NFL Scouting Combine due to knee replacement surgery, Adam Teicher of ESPN.com reports. The 57-year-old coach had this surgery last year and attended the Combine, but he missed this year’s Senior Bowl and won’t trek to Indianapolis as well.
The Jets have engaged in contract talks with Chris Ivory‘s camp, but Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News believes the seventh-year running back will test the market. Ivory would join Lamar Miller, Doug Martin and Matt Forte as free agency’s top ball-carriers, should Gang Green fail to keep him off the market.
Lamar Miller‘s roots in Miami could induce the Dolphins to give him a low-ball offer in free agency and incite the fifth-year running back to bolt, Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk writes. Miller attended the University of Miami and was born in the city in which he played his first four NFL seasons. Florio also speculates DeMarco Murray‘s first-year flop with the Eagles will make it harder for this year’s crop of fifth-year runners, Miller and Martin, to receive a Murray-like deal.
The Titans will address the wide receiver position in the draft, Jim Wyatt of Titans.com writes in a mailbag. Coming off his worst season, Kendall Wright currently is set to enter his fifth-year option campaign, and Justin Hunter is also entering a contract year. Wyatt notes the team’s investment in the position will not come at No. 1 overall, given that there isn’t a wide receiver that’s projected to possess that kind of value.

AFC East Notes: Ivory, Dolphins, Pats

February 20th, 2016 at 8:34am CST by Connor J. Byrne

Let’s check in on the latest from the AFC East:

The Jets have had discussions with running back Chris Ivory‘s camp about a new contract for the free agent-to-be, but the likelihood is that he’ll hit the market and find a bigger payday elsewhere, according to the New York Daily News’ Manish Mehta. Ivory, who will turn 28 in March, set career highs last season in carries (247), rushing yards (1,070) and total touchdowns (eight).
There was a report earlier this week that the Dolphins “definitely” want to keep Lamar Miller, who could join Ivory on the free agent running back market next month. For his part, Miller told WQAM on Friday that he “would love to stay” with the club, per Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald. The soon-to-be 25-year-old added that his goal going forward is 20 touches per contest, saying, “I want to be a featured back. I want the recognition I deserve.” Miller averaged just over 15 touches a game last season and made the most of his usage, averaging 4.5 yards per rush, grabbing 47 receptions and totaling 10 TDs.
Defenders Chris Long and James Laurinaitis are available after the Rams released the pair Friday, and Mike Reiss of ESPN.com examined whether it would make sense for the Patriots to pursue them. Reiss doesn’t see a clear fit in either case. The Pats have plenty of depth at Long’s position – defensive end – while Laurinaitis would fall behind Jamie Collins and Dont’a Hightower in their linebacker pecking order, Reiss notes.
On the other hand, Long and Laurinaitis could make sense for the Dolphins, James Walker of ESPN.com writes. Laurinaitis would fill a need at linebacker for Miami, per Walker, and Long is a potential fallback option if the team is unable to retain pending free agent pass rusher Olivier Vernon.

AFC Mailbags: Jets, Patriots, Ravens

January 30th, 2016 at 9:45am CST by Ben Levine

It’s Saturday morning, and that means ESPN.com’s NFL writers are opening their mailbags and answering questions from readers. We’ve compiled some of the more notable answers below…

When it comes to the Jets own free agents, Rich Cimini believes the team should make re-signing quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick, defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson and defensive tackle Damon Harrison a priority. On the other side, the writer can’t envision linebackers Demario Davis and Calvin Pace or running back Chris Ivory returning.
With uncertainty surrounding the Patriots receiver depth, Mike Reiss explored several free agents who could help the team. The writer points to Bengals wideouts Marvin Jones and Mohamed Sanu, as well as Leonard Hankerson, Rishard Matthews, and Anquan Boldin.
While the Ravens could certainly use a playmaker on defense, Jamison Hensley doesn’t believe the team will sign Von Miller. The talented linebacker is a free agent, but Hensley is convinced he’s going to return to the Broncos.
Hensley also believes the Ravens will end up staying pat with the sixth pick of the draft, but he notes that general manager Ozzie Newsome has previously shown a willingness to trade back.

AFC Notes: Raiders, Vegas, Jets, Chiefs, Titans

January 29th, 2016 at 7:18pm CST by Connor J. Byrne

There was a report Thursday that Raiders owner Mark Davis and Las Vegas Sands Corp. Chairman and CEO Sheldon Adelson would meet Friday to potentially discuss stadium details. That meeting did indeed happen, as the company tweeted that Davis and Adelson “had a great visit.”

If Davis does try to move the Raiders to Las Vegas, he’s likely to meet resistance from the NFL because of the city’s association with sports gambling, according to Jason Cole of Bleacher Report (video link). Cole adds that the hypothetical Las Vegas Raiders would be a “windfall” for Davis because he wouldn’t have to put much money toward a stadium. Most of the funding would come from Adelson.

Here’s more from the AFC:

In November, Terez A. Paylor of the Kansas City Star reported the Chiefs and free agent-to-be Jaye Howard were discussing a long-term deal. Paylor updated the situation Friday, tweeting that the Chiefs and the defensive linemen “have maintained solid dialogue.” The talks are “fluid,” a source told Paylor. Howard, 27, set career highs in starts (14), tackles (57) and sacks (5.5) during the 2015-16 season, and Pro Football Focus (subscription required) graded him a terrific 24th among 123 qualifying interior D-linemen.
Like Howard, Jets running back Chris Ivory is also nearing free agency. The fact that the Jets are low on cap space and have higher priority free agents in Muhammad Wilkerson and Ryan Fitzpatrick could lead to Ivory’s departure, which the Pro Bowler acknowledged Friday. “They want to bring me back but like I said, I think it’s about the cap space. That’s going to be the biggest factor as to whether I’m back or not,” Ivory told Around the League, per Conor Orr of NFL.com. Ivory is coming off his first thousand-yard season (1,070), one which also saw him establish new career bests in carries (247), receptions (30) and touchdowns (eight).
The Titans have hired Keith Willis as their assistant defensive line coach, according to Fox Sports’ Alex Marvez (Twitter link). Willis, who played in the NFL from 1982-1993, had been the D-line coach for the CFL’s Montreal Alouettes since 2013.

AFC Notes: Browns, Smith, Chiefs, Ivory

November 1st, 2015 at 9:57am CST by Sam Robinson

Here are some notes from the AFC as the third London game continues on Week 8 Sunday.

With another Browns season unfolding in typical fashion since the franchise rebooted, the team has engaged in discussions to trade starting linemen Joe Thomas and Alex Mack, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. A potential Hall of Famer, Thomas has played in Cleveland since being drafted third overall in 2007. The eight-time Pro Bowler has no guaranteed money on his 2016 deal. However, the left tackle is under contract (for $9MM in ’16) until 2018 and would rocket to the top of the trade block if he’s being dangled. Mack can opt out of his Browns deal after this season, as the Jaguars intended when they designed the contract to make it difficult for Cleveland to match in 2014. The center’s deal features a no-trade clause, but he is allowed to waive it to expedite a move to a contending team, Rapoport tweets. Ohio.com reporter Nate Ulrich notes the Browns would likely have to be “blown away” by an offer to part with either of these two (Twitter link).
Browns outside linebacker Paul Kruger is also available for a trade, ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter reported on SportsCenter (as relayed by Ohio.com’s Marla Ridenour on Twitter). Kruger’s played in Cleveland for three seasons after signing a big free agent deal in 2013. At $7.7MM, Kruger has the sixth-largest cap number on the Browns (Thomas and Mack are second and fifth, respectively). He’s under contract for two more seasons and carries just $3.6MM worth of dead money. Kruger, who will make $6.5MM and $7MM in base salaries the next two years, posted 11 sacks last season, but the 29-year-old has just a half-sack this year.
Teams have called the Ravens on Steve Smith and have been told the 36-year-old wideout’s unavailable, Schefter reports (via Twitter). This approach would lend to the thinking Baltimore can convince Smith to postpone his retirement. Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk wonders if Smith will soften his stance on retiring instantly if traded if the Ravens lose today and drop to 1-7.
The Chiefs do not plan to play host in London again for a while, Terez Paylor of the Kansas City Star reports (on Twitter). Chairman Clark Hunt did say the team would consider going abroad for a road game in the coming years (Twitter link).
Paylor examines the reasoning for the Chiefs to cede a home game in favor of a London excursion. Growing the Chiefs’ brand and potentially joining the list of cities vying for a future Super Bowl are among them.
Chris Ivory would like to continue his career with the Jets despite the team’s coaching staff upheaval, the New York Post’s Steve Serby reports. Ivory, who has 501 rushing yards and is barely 300 from a single-season career high, is a free agent at season’s end.

Workout Notes: Saints, Seahawks, Jaguars

October 28th, 2015 at 5:13pm CST by Zachary Links

Today’s workouts from around the NFL..

The Jets worked out defensive end Lawrence Okoye, Rich Cimini of ESPNNewYork.com tweets. Okoye, a former University of Kentucky discus hurler, had previous stops with the 49ers and Cardinals.

Earlier updates:

The Saints tried out John Conner and Henry Hynoski, a league source tells Mike Florio of PFT. New Orleans already has a fullback on the roster in Austin Johnson, but he was a surprise scratch on Sunday and he may have fallen out of favor with coaches. Conner, nicknamed the Terminator, was a favorite of Rex Ryan while with the Jets. Conner followed Ryan to Buffalo in 2015, but he was let go before the start of the season. Hynoski, a four-year veteran, spent his full career with the Giants and appeared in every game last year.
The Seahawks had ten players in for tryouts on Monday, including running back Isaiah Pead and defensive end Lawrence Okoye, a source tells Florio. Linebacker John Lotulelei, tackle Jesse Davis, guard Taylor Boggs, defensive end Keith Browner, guard Kadeem Edwards, defensive end Efe Obada, and defensive end DeAngelo Tyson were also showing their stuff for Seattle.
The Jaguars brought in kickers Zach Hocker and Randy Bullock for a workout on Wednesday, but Josh Scobee was not among those in attendance, according to Michael DiRocco of ESPN.com (Twitter links).
In addition to their previously reported look at Jeff Demps, the Jets tried out running back Akeem Hunt on Tuesday, a league source tells Florio. Wide receiver Larry Pinkard also got a look from Gang Green. Chris Ivory is dealing with tightness in his quad, so the Jets might opt to add a running back if he needs to sit out for a while.
The Browns recently worked out cornerbacks Bill Bentley, Chase Casey, Al Louis-Jean, and Robert Steeples, Adam Caplan of ESPN.com tweets.
The Cardinals worked out Emmanuel Acho, James Anderson and Ja’Gared Davis, Aaron Wilson of The Houston Chronicle tweets.
The Falcons worked out Mike Gillislee and Devin Wylie, Wilson tweets.
The Panthers worked out Andrew Miller, Wilson tweets.
The Jets worked out wide receiver Larry Pinkard, Wilson tweets.
The Steelers worked out Dwight Bentley and Montell Garner, Wilson tweets.
The Raiders worked out Dyshawn Davis, Wilson tweets.
The Saints worked out Jeff Luc, Patrick Scales, Jason Williams, and Christian Yount, Wilson tweets.
The Packers worked out Justin Anderson, Curtis Grant, and Ronald Powell, Wilson tweets.
The Colts worked out Sean Baker, Matt Daniels, outside linebacker Mike McAdoo, and Dreamius Smith, Wilson tweets.

Extra Points: Forte, Chip, Norman, Ivory, 49ers

September 27th, 2015 at 9:45pm CST by Connor J. Byrne

The Bears’ 26-0 loss in Seattle on Sunday was their second straight blowout defeat – one that dropped them to 0-3 for the season. They’ve been outscored 105-46 this year and longtime Bears running back Matt Forte seemed to question his teammates’ commitment after their latest loss.

“It’s a question right now if everybody’s all in,” Forte said, according to Adam Jahns of the Chicago Sun-Times (Twitter link).

For his part, it looks as though Forte is “all in” this season, a rare bright spot on a lousy team. The 29-year-old added 74 rushing yards Sunday, giving him 202 on a terrific 5.2 per-carry average.