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Darrelle Revis

AFC East Notes: Pats, Revis, Bills

January 26th, 2015 at 8:16pm CST by Zachary Links

Could the Patriots be open to picking up Darrelle Revis‘ lucrative option for 2015? The organization feels that the star cornerback is what makes the New England defense work and they want to ensure that the Super Bowl won’t be his final game in red and blue. They’ll work hard to hammer out a long-term extension with him when the offseason starts, but if that doesn’t work out, they’re not opposed to just exercising his $20MM option, according to Albert Breer of NFL.com (video link). Given the cost and the cap hit (~$25MM), however, it’s still hard to imagine New England going through with that. More from the AFC East..

  • The Bills formally announced the hiring of a number of assistant coaches today, including new senior offensive assistant Chris Palmer. Palmer comes to Buffalo with 22 years of NFL coaching experience, including a recent stint (2011-2012) as the Titans’ offensive coordinator.
  • The NFL has zeroed in on a Patriots locker room attendant in connection with the Deflategate scandal, according to Jay Glazer of FOX Sports. There is surveillance video showing the attendant taking the footballs from the official’s locker room into another room at Gillette Stadium before bringing them out to the field, according to sources. Of course, both Pats head coach Bill Belichick and quarterback Tom Brady have proclaimed their innocence in the matter.
  • Lead investigator Ted Wells says that the Patriots investigation could take “at least” several more weeks, according to Gary Myers of the Daily News (on Twitter). Wells also implored people (link) not to read into the order of the interviews. Brady will be interviewed, but that chat won’t take place this week for obvious reasons.

Tampering Charges Filed Against Jets

January 18th, 2015 at 11:53am CST by Rory Parks

At a press conference last month, during which he discussed the firing of Rex Ryan and John Idzik, Jets owner Woody Johnson also touched on former Jet and current Patriot Darrelle Revis. Johnson said simply, “I’d love for Darrelle to come back.” Since that statement was made about a player currently under contract with another club, and since the league maintains that “Any public or private statement of interest, qualified or unqualified, in another club’s player to that player’s agent or representative, or to a member of the news media, is a violation of the Anti-Tampering Policy,” tampering charges have been filed against the Jets, reports ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

As Schefter writes, “the league is trying to determine whether there was a violation and if there was, how severe of a fine should be levied against Johnson and the Jets.” Of course, New England is likely to decline Revis’ $20MM option for 2015, which would make him a free agent and which would allow the Jets to talk to him without fear of repercussions.

AFC East Notes: Spiller, Jets, Hughes, Revis

January 16th, 2015 at 8:48am CST by Luke Adams

As we look forward to seeing whether the AFC East champs will represent the conference in this year’s Super Bowl, here are a few notes from around the division, on the Patriots and their rivals:

  • Recent reports have indicated that Chan Gailey is a top contender for the Jets‘ offensive coordinator position under new head coach Todd Bowles, and if Gailey does land in New York, the possibility of heading to a divisional rival may be of interest to Bills running back C.J. Spiller, as he tells Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News. “There is that familiarity between me and him in that offense,” Spiller said. “So that would be a perfect match. Who knows what can happen, but I’d be foolish not to have those guys on my list. I had my best years in the league with Chan. So it’d be dumb not to give it serious thought.”
  • Jerry Hughes‘ value to the Bills may not be quite as high in Rex Ryan‘s system as it would have been in Jim Schwartz‘s, as Mike Rodak of ESPN.com explains. Still, Hughes has proven his worth with consecutive seasons of double-digit sacks, and general manager Doug Whaley hopes to get something done with the edge defender. “I know [primary contract negotiator Jim Overdorf] has been in contact with his representatives and started the process,” Whaley told WGR 550 on Thursday. “We’re excited and we want him back. He’s a great addition to our defense and hopefully we can get this thing done sooner than later.”
  • Cornerback Darrelle Revis hates being saddled with the “mercenary” label, according to Ben Volin of the Boston Globe, who says that two other AFC teams tried to sign Revis a year ago and were willing to offer more money than the Patriots did. With Revis expected to sign a new contract this offseason, Volin wonders if the veteran cornerback will once again accept less money to stick with the Pats.

AFC East Notes: Bills, Ryan, Revis, Dolphins

January 10th, 2015 at 8:46pm CST by Luke Adams

Today’s thrilling divisional playoff contest between the Patriots and Ravens may end up being the best game of this year’s postseason, and it also ensured that at least one coveted offensive coordinator would become available for head coaching interviews. Josh McDaniels and his New England offense will advance to the AFC championship game, but Gary Kubiak is now free to speak to teams about head coaching positions.

As our head coaching search tracker shows, reports have suggested the Bears, 49ers, and Jets have interest in Kubiak, and Ian Rapoport of NFL.com says (via Twitter) that New York still has a request in for an interview. The club is “intrigued” by the Ravens offensive coordinator, per Rapoport. However, as Brian Costello of the New York Post tweets, Kubiak didn’t say after Baltimore’s loss whether he’d interview for the Jets’ opening, indicating that he’d rather not talk about it today.

Here’s more from around the AFC East:

  • Rex Ryan is expected to be a finalist in the Falcons’ search for a head coach, and at least one report says the former Jets coach has serious interest in the 49ers. Now, it appears we can add the Bills to the list of Ryan’s legitimate suitors — Adam Schefter and Mike Rodak of ESPN.com report that Buffalo conducted a second interview with Ryan tonight in Florida. A source tells Joe Buscaglia of WGR550 (Twitter link) that the interest between Ryan and the Bills is mutual, but Buscaglia cautions that it’s too early to tell if things will move forward.
  • The Patriots and cornerback Darrelle Revis will meet to discuss a new contract once the team’s season ends, with mutual interest in continuing the relationship, according to Jeff Howe of the Boston Herald (Twitter links). Howe adds that the idea would be to rip up Revis’ current contract and work out a new agreement. The star corner didn’t have a great game against the Ravens today, but was one of the Pats’ most important contributors during the regular season.
  • After registering a complaint about Washington’s hiring of Scot McCloughan, the Fritz Pollard Alliance – which monitors the NFL’s Rooney Rule – is also concerned about the Dolphins‘ hiring of Mike Tannenbaum. “We believe the Dolphins need to clarify Tannebaum’s role such as what role he has controlling the draft board and his overall duties and responsibilities,” Fritz Pollard Alliance counsel Cyrus Mehri tells Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk.  “Further, they need to explain, given his title, why they think the Rooney Rule does not apply. It appears the Rule applies given his title, but they mistakenly thought it didn’t. If they made a mistake they should own up to it.”

AFC Mailbags: Chiefs, Revis, Raiders, Jags

January 3rd, 2015 at 9:28am CST by Ben Levine

It’s Saturday morning, and that means ESPN.com’s NFL writers have opened up their mailbags and are answering questions from readers. Let’s check out some interesting whispers from the AFC…

  • Adam Teicher wonders if Alex Smith‘s tendency to be a checkdown quarterback may hurt the Chiefs in their pursuit of free agent wideouts. The writer cites the team’s pursuit of Emmanuel Sanders last offseason, who was originally expected to sign with Kansas City.
  • Speaking of the Chiefs and wide receivers, Teicher believes the organization will part ways with veteran Dwayne Bowe if the sides can’t agree on a new contract.
  • If cornerback Darrelle Revis doesn’t end up sticking around with the Patriots, Rich Cimini basically guarantees that the Pro Bowler will eventually reunite with Rex Ryan.
  • The Raiders and free agent center Stefen Wisniewski have discussed a new deal but are not close to an agreement, writes Bill Williamson. The former second-round pick has expressed interest in staying in Oakland, but the writer believes the lineman could ultimately test free agency.
  • As long as the Broncos don’t place the franchise tag on tight end Julius Thomas, Michael DiRocco believes the Jaguars “have a chance” at signing the offensive weapon.

AFC East Notes: Brady, Jets, Bills, Polian

December 29th, 2014 at 4:57pm CST by Luke Adams

Shortly after his base salaries for the next three seasons – totaling $24MM – became guaranteed over the weekend, Patriots quarterback Tom Brady has agreed to rework his deal so that those salaries are now guaranteed for injury only, reports Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (Facebook link). While it doesn’t change Brady’s cap hit, the move allows the Pats to free up some cash, since the team no longer has to put $24MM for Brady in escrow right away, as PatsCap.com explains (via Twitter). That could allow the team to be a little more flexible this winter when discussing extensions with a handful of free-agents-to-be.

Here’s more from out of the AFC East:

  • Earlier today, Jets owner Woody Johnson told reporters that he’d “love” to have Darrelle Revis back in a Jets uniform in 2015. Considering Revis remains under contract with the Patriots, that comment could easily be viewed as tampering, which Johnson must have realized, since he has since backpedaled. Johnson’s latest statement, via the team: “I misspoke today when I commented on Darrelle Revis. I would never interfere in the contractual relationship of a player with another team and should not have used those words. I called [Patriots owner] Robert Kraft this afternoon to emphasize those points” (all Twitter links).
  • According to Tim Graham of the Buffalo News (via Twitter), the more he hears, the more he’s inclined to believe that Bill Polian will indeed return to the Bills. However, Graham cautions that there are no guarantees at this point. On Saturday, Polian refuted a report indicating that he was returning to the organization for which he was once the general manager.
  • On the heels of Kyle Orton‘s retirement announcement, Bills general manager Doug Whaley acknowledged that his team will have to add at least one quarterback, and maybe two. Whaley added that Buffalo will leave all its options open when it comes to acquiring a QB, so as not to put the team in a corner “or show our hand” (Twitter links via Mike Rodak of ESPN.com).

 

Jets Notes: GM, Coach, Revis, Paton

December 29th, 2014 at 11:21am CST by Luke Adams

After firing general manager John Idzik and head coach Rex Ryan early this morning, Jets owner Woody Johnson spoke to reporters at a press conference in New York, and touched upon a number of topics of note. Let’s check in on the highlights, via Rich Cimini of ESPNNewYork.com and Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News, with all links going to Twitter….

  • According to Johnson, the team’s next GM will have more of a scouting and personnel background than Idzik did.
  • Ideally, the Jets will first hire a general manager and then address the head coaching opening, but that order is subject to change, said Johnson.
  • Johnson admitted that he made a mistake by forcing Ryan on Idzik when he hired the GM. The comment suggests that the two men didn’t exactly make for an ideal match, with Idzik occasionally struggling to add players who fit Ryan’s system.
  • The Jets owner indicated today that if he thought he could’ve signed cornerback Darrelle Revis for the contract he agreed to with the Patriots, he would’ve done so. However, previous experiences with Revis’ agents gave him the impression that signing the standout corner wouldn’t be possible. Johnson added that he’d “love” for Revis to return to the Jets.
  • The team has already reached out to everyone on its list of general manager candidates, per Johnson. According to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter), one candidate to hear from the Jets is Vikings assistant GM George Paton, who drew interest from New York during the club’s last GM hunt as well.

Joel Corry On Worst Salary Cap Situations

December 25th, 2014 at 10:18am CST by Rob DiRe

On Christmas Eve, Joel Corry of CBS Sports took a look at a few NFL teams who have the worst salary cap situations going into 2015. He picked out the five organizations stuck deepest in salary cap hell:

  1. New Orleans Saints – $23.07MM over the cap
  2. Arizona Cardinals – $6.44MM
  3. Pittsburgh Steelers – $2.901MM
  4. New England Patriots – $1.945MM
  5. San Francisco 49ers – $928,000

Here are some of the highlights of actions Corry suggests that would help them get under the cap in order to have a successful offseason:

Saints

  • Pass rusher Junior Galette could see his contract restructured to open up $10MM, despite signing the extension this past offseason.
  • Another contract doled off last offseason that can be restructured is of prized free agent Jairus Byrd, which could open up $5.6MM in cap space.
  • A third contract from last offseason that can be restructured is that of tight end Jimmy Graham. That move could save $4.77MM in cap space.
  • Both of their Pro Bowl guards are suddenly highly paid luxuries as they have seen their performance drop, and Jahri Evans and Ben Grubbs are candidates for release. If cut, they will free up $6.6MM and $3.6MM, respectively.
  • Veteran receiver Marques Colston holds a $9.7MM cap number, and has seen a sharp decline in his play. It will be a tougher cut, but is a candidate to be released.
  • The team could restructure Drew Brees‘ contract again, although they will only push their cap problems into the future in exchange for immediate relief.
  • Releasing linebacker David Hawthorne will free up $2.99MM in cap space if he is released before his $2.5MM roster bonus on the third day of the 2015 league year.

Cardinals

Steelers

Patriots

  • The obvious move for the Patriots would be signing Darrelle Revis to a long-term deal, which would create substantial cap space. The team is unlikely to keep him in 2015 at his current number. They will open $20MM in cap space if they do not keep him on the roster.
  • The Patriots could open up $4MM in cap space by restructuring Tom Brady‘s contract.
  • The team will likely ask linebacker Jerod Mayo to take a pay cut, or they may release him. Corry writes that his $4.5MM injury guarantee will be the only thing that potentially saves him from being released.
  • Danny Amendola will be expendable, and cutting him will free up $2.1MM in cap room or $4.5MM if he is designated a post June 1st cut.
  • Vince Wilfork could also become a cap casualty, as the team will have to decide whether to guarantee his contract for 2015 and 2016. Releasing him will free up $7.566MM in cap room.
  • The team could also recoup some money from Aaron Hernandez‘ signing bonus if the grievance ruling comes back favorable for the Patriots.

49ers

  • The 49ers could restructure Colin Kaepernick‘s contract to lower his 2015 cap number.
  • Linebacker Ahmad Brooks may be released, freeing up a little over $4MM in cap room.
  • Another staple of the team, Vernon Davis, could be released as performance has dropped. The team would gain $4.95MM from releasing him.
  • If Aldon Smith‘s off-field troubles are too much for the 49ers, the team could decline his 2015 option and pick up $9.754MM in cap space.
  • The team could pass on re-signing Michael Crabtree, and will likely cut Stevie Johnson and save just over $6MM unless they lose Crabtree and replace him with Johnson.
  • The team will most likely not seek to bring Frank Gore back to the team, unless it is at an extremely reasonable number.

AFC Notes: Revis, Clay, Rubin, King, Mallett

December 19th, 2014 at 2:58pm CST by Rob DiRe

Darrelle Revis will count for $25MM against the cap in 2015, and many fans and pundits expect him to move on to free agency after his lone season with the Patriots. Even Revis himself has not committed to staying a Patriot, according to Conor Orr of NFL.com. In advance of the matchup against his former teammates for the Jets, Revis was asked about his chances of playing with the Patriots or returning to the Jets this offseason. “I don’t know what my future holds, like I said,” Revis said. “We’ll see. The future will take care of itself.”

Here are some other notes from around the AFC:

  • Chargers‘ left tackle King Dunlap has been phenomenal in the final year of his contract, and that could lead to a big raise this offseason, writes Michael Gelhken of the U-T San Diego. “I’m just trying to focus on the now,” Dunlap said. “I know it’s coming. … Time’s not going to move any faster or any slower. Just focus on the now and let the rest take care of itself. … I’m still a work in progress. I’m not even close to being finished yet. I’m still working. “
  • Dolphins‘ tight end Charles Clay has been a reliable weapon for Ryan Tannehill this season, and as he approaches free agency is focused on staying with the team, writes James Walker of ESPN.com. “Just being here and knowing the guys, knowing the coaches, the city, this is definitely somewhere I want to spend the rest of my career,” Clay said. “I was saying that the second I got drafted. Yeah, I definitely want to [re-sign].”
  • Browns‘ nose tackle Ahtyba Rubin is set to hit unrestricted free agency this March, but doesn’t plan to explore free agency. He wants to be a Brown for life, according to Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal (via Twitter).
  • Ryan Mallett of the Texans doesn’t have the long history with his franchise that Dunlap, Clay, and Rubin do, but he would also like to remain with his team, writes Brian T. Smith of the Houston Chronicle (via Twitter). He did note that the season is still in progress and that it is early to discuss his future with the team.

AFC East Notes: Ryan, Philbin, Patriots

December 19th, 2014 at 12:45pm CST by Luke Adams

As one of the AFC East’s most explosive offensive playmakers returns to active duty, let’s take a look at what else is happening around the division….

  • Sources tell Jason Cole of Bleacher Report (Twitter links) that current Jets coach Rex Ryan is viewed as a natural fit for the Falcons’ head coaching job, if the team decides to part ways with Mike Smith. Atlanta needs to upgrade its defense, and Ryan interviewed with the club in 2008.
  • Dolphins head coach Joe Philbin is on the hot seat in Miami, but Cole (Twitter link) points to one potential roadblock to the team making a change — owner Stephen Ross likes and respects Philbin a lot, and would like to establish continuity for the franchise. If the Dolphins take care of business in their final two home games against the Vikings and Jets, it seems possible that Philbin will get another year in Miami, though that’s just my speculation.
  • By playing in his 15th game for the Patriots this Sunday, cornerback Darrelle Revis will earn the remained of his $500K roster bonus, tweets Jeff Howe of the Boston Herald.
  • Mike Reiss of ESPN.com also has a Patriots-related contract note, tweeting that tight end Steve Maneri‘s deal with the club is just a one-year contract through 2014. Reiss views the signing as insurance for the postseason at an important position.
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