HEADLINES

Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie

FA Rumors: Vikings, 49ers, DRC, Cowboys

March 14th, 2014 at 2:48pm CST by Luke Adams

Vikings GM Rick Spielman spoke to reporters on a conference call today, and indicated that his team is “not by any means finished” in free agency, and will continue to be aggressive in exploring potential upgrades (Twitter links via Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press). According to Spielman, the Vikings still have interest in free agents Charlie Johnson and Kevin Williams, and have spoken to Williams’ agent recently (Twitter links via Tomasson).

Here are plenty more afternoon free agent rumors from around the NFL:

  • After meeting with the Chiefs today, Emmanuel Sanders‘ next visit will be with the 49ers, according to ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter (via Twitter). The free agent wide receiver, who has also visited the Jaguars and Buccaneers this week, will be staying in Kansas City overnight, so the Chiefs still have a chance to lock him up before he reaches San Francisco, tweets Terez A. Paylor of the Kansas City Star.
  • Ian Rapoport of NFL.com gets the sense that Julian Edelman‘s visit with the 49ers is more a feeling out process for both sides than an indication anything is imminent (Twitter link).
  • Cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie is heading to New York tonight to meet with the Jets, reports Schefter (via Twitter).
  • The Seahawks have expressed interest in bringing back wide receiver Sidney Rice, who was released by the club earlier in the offseason, writes Jayson Jenks of the Seattle Times.
  • In addition to having some interest in Julius Peppers, as we heard earlier, the Cowboys are keeping an eye on Jared Allen and would be interested if his price falls, writes Charean Williams of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.
  • Free agent tight ends Jermichael Finley and Ed Dickson don’t appear to be in the Giants‘ plans for now, says Jordan Raanan of NJ.com (via Twitter).
  • Free agent guard Daryn Colledge met with the Rams today, and is now off to meet with the Raiders, tweets Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
  • The Bengals have confirmed that two offensive linemen, Vlad Ducasse and Uche Nwaneri, both visited the team today, tweets Paul Dehner Jr. of the Cincinnati Enquirer.

Broncos Offered DRC Six-Year Deal, Made Run At Revis

March 13th, 2014 at 2:45pm CST by Luke Adams

According to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk, before the Broncos signed Aqib Talib, they approached Darrelle Revis‘ camp with a similar six-year, $54MM proposal. However, Revis declined, sticking to his demand for $12MM per year. The timeline of events isn’t entirely clear, since the Broncos reached their agreement with Talib on Tuesday night, while Revis wasn’t officially released until Wednesday.

Perhaps even more interestingly, Florio hears that before pursing Talib or Revis, the Broncos also made a six-year, $54MM offer to Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, who didn’t accept it. It’s possible that Denver’s offer to DRC didn’t include as much guaranteed money as the team’s agreement with Talib. Still, it’s a surprise that Rodgers-Cromartie would turn down such a seemingly lucrative deal unless the specific terms were very unfavorable

Florio also passes along the financial details on Talib’s contract with the Broncos, which will pay him $12MM in 2014 if he stays healthy, and has base salaries guaranteed for injury only in 2015 and 2016. The contract is more like a three-year, $27MM deal, even though it has the potential to max out at around $57MM.

FA Rumors: DRC, Ginn, Whitehurst, Burleson

March 13th, 2014 at 11:21am CST by Luke Adams

As one of the few notable cornerbacks remaining on the market, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie is still searching for a deal. According to Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News (via Twitter), the Jets are one team that has been in touch with DRC’s camp about the free agent, as New York remains in the market for cornerback help. Here are a few more Thursday free agent updates:

  • After missing out on receiver and return specialist Jacoby Jones, the Giants are eyeing Ted Ginn Jr., a player capable of filling a similar role, writes Jordan Raanan of NJ.com.
  • Jim Wyatt of the Tennessean thinks there’s a reasonable chance the Titans and quarterback Charlie Whitehurst will work something out (Twitter link). Wyatt reported earlier today that Whitehurst was visiting with the club.
  • The Titans are also exhibiting interest in wide receiver Nate Burleson, who was released by the Lions before the start of the free agent period, tweets Paul Kuharsky of ESPN.com.
  • The Steelers are “really interested” in defensive end Alex Carrington, and will host him for a visit tonight, reports Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter). Pittsburgh has already lost Ziggy Hood in free agency and may part ways with Brett Keisel as well.
  • Linebacker Darryl Tapp is among the players visiting the Lions today, reports Tim Twentyman of DetroitLions.com (via Twitter).
  • Free agent center Phil Costa is visiting the Colts today and Bengals tomorrow, tweets Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun.

Remaining Options At Cornerback

March 11th, 2014 at 11:18pm CST by Rob DiRe

The Aqib Talib contract is the latest free agent signing that has shaken up the NFL landscape, leaving few options at cornerback and many teams with a need at the position. There are still some very productive players, and even a few big names on the market that could fill those needs. Here’s a brief roundup:

  • Assuming Darrelle Revis gets cut by the Buccaneers, an assumption that seems safe at this point, he will become the top free agent left on the market. He could have many potential landing spots, and will most likely draw interest from the Patriots to replace Talib.
  • Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie was in negotiations to return to the Broncos, but the team has reportedly pulled their offer after signing Talib, according to Mike Klis of the Denver Post (via Twitter).
  • Tracy Porter is visiting with the Giants, reports Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter). Porter was one of the few bright spots for the Raiders in 2013.
  • Charles Tillman and Cortland Finnegan are both veterans that could be available for small money on short term deals. Tillman was thought to be a fit with the Buccaneers before Verner signed there. Finnegan has not drawn much interest so far.
  • The Jets and Lions are both still in need of help at corner, and it would be risky to go into the draft without adding anything at the position.

King On Albert, Monroe, Raiders, Byrd, Vick

March 10th, 2014 at 7:28am CST by Luke Adams

In his latest Monday Morning Quarterback column at TheMMQB.com, Peter King tackles free agency, writing that cornerbacks and offensive tackles look poised to become the biggest beneficiaries of the extra cap space around the NFL. As King writes, Sam Shields‘ four-year deal from the Packers improves the negotiating positions of the top corners on the market, meaning Alterraun Verner, Vontae Davis, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, and Aqib Talib should all get $8MM+ per year. Here’s more from King on free agency:

  • While the Giants are pursuing Verner, King is skeptical they’d pay the free agent cornerback $10MM per year, which is what he may cost.
  • The Dolphins look ready to “blow the opposition out of the water” for offensive tackle Branden Albert, perhaps with a long-term offer worth $10-11MM year. In that event, the Cardinals would strongly pursue Jared Veldheer, and the Raiders would likely shift their attention to Rodger Saffold, according to King, who adds that the tackles will likely be the first free agent dominoes to fall.
  • The offensive tackle shuffle could leave the Ravens with the player they’ve wanted all along: Incumbent starter Eugene Monroe. Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun reported last night that the Ravens remain in contact with Monroe and are still hopeful they can re-sign him.
  • King hears that Veldheer and fellow Raiders free agent Lamarr Houston are very interested in testing the free agent market and “getting a golden parachute out of Oakland.”
  • Jairus Byrd is seeking $9MM per year, but King can’t figure out which team will be willing to pay him that.
  • King identifies the 49ers as a dark horse candidate for Michael Vick, if Vick doesn’t find an opportunity to start.
  • Discussing receivers, King writes that the Browns should be in the mix for Eric Decker and also could be a good landing spot for Julian Edelman. He adds that Golden Tate will likely “get more action” than expected.

Broncos Rumors: DRC, Holliday, Decker

March 7th, 2014 at 10:12am CST by Luke Adams

The Broncos made their first major roster move of the offseason yesterday, finalizing the release of cornerback Champ Bailey. Our latest round of Broncos links includes a look at what Bailey’s departure could mean for the team’s pursuit of secondary help, so let’s check out Friday’s updates….

  • With Bailey already gone and several other players eligible for free agency, the Broncos figure to add at least two cornerbacks to their roster for 2014, and one will be signed in free agency, according to Mike Klis of the Denver Post. Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie is among the Denver corners eligible for free agency, and the Broncos will make “a serious attempt” to re-sign him, says Klis.
  • Return specialist Trindon Holliday isn’t expected to return to the Broncos next season, writes Klis in a separate Post piece. While Holliday could still return to Denver if he doesn’t garner much interest on the open market, the Broncos have informed the 27-year-old that they won’t offer him a contract tender. As a restricted free agent, Holliday’s tender would’ve been worth $1.431MM for one year, and would’ve given Denver the right of first refusal if the return man signed an offer sheet with another club.
  • Joel Corry of CBSSports.com takes an excellent in-depth look at Eric Decker’s looming free agency, concluding that it would be a surprise if the wide receiver didn’t sign a deal worth more than Mike Williams’ contract with the Bucs, perhaps with a per-year value of $8MM and $15MM+ in guaranteed money. However, if Decker encounters a soft market, the Broncos could benefit, since the 26-year-old may prefer to remain in Denver if no big-money offer is available. When I examined Decker’s free agent stock last month, I predicted a deal worth close to $10MM annually with $15-20MM in guaranteed money.

Broncos Links: RBs, Decker, DRC, Miller

March 5th, 2014 at 8:35am CST by Luke Adams

The Broncos signed eight practice squad players to futures contracts and extended the contract of GM John Elway last month, but otherwise the team has been fairly quiet since the Super Bowl. With several prospective free agents seemingly on their way to the open market, let’s check in on the latest Broncos updates….

  • The Broncos appear likely to let Knowshon Moreno walk in free agency, and while the team plans to sign a free agent running back for depth purposes, Denver wants to give Montee Ball a chance to earn the No. 1 job, says Mike Klis of the Denver Post. Klis names Donald Brown and James Starks as a couple free agents who the Broncos could target as Ball’s backup.
  • Some people in league circles believe the Broncos are hoping to see Eric Decker get a lucrative offer from another team, according to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. That way, the Broncos won’t have to decide between making Decker a below-market offer or “politely telling him they’re not interested.” As we wrote yesterday, the team will be wary about investing in Decker with long-term extensions for Demaryius Thomas and Julius Thomas due soon.
  • In a mailbag for the Post, Klis writes that he thinks the Broncos would bring Decker back if his price doesn’t exceed $7MM. Klis also addresses the team’s top free agent priority (re-signing Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie) and says Denver should be patient with Von Miller rather than considering trading him.

Broncos Links: Moreno, DRC, Salary Cap

February 5th, 2014 at 10:01am CST by Luke Adams

While Sunday’s 43-8 drubbing at the hands of the Seahawks is still fresh in the Broncos’ minds, the team is now looking forward to the coming offseason rather than dwelling on its Super Bowl XLVIII loss. Let’s round up the latest links on Denver’s upcoming winter and spring:

  • Speaking to reporters (video link via NFL.com), running back Knowshon Moreno said “hopefully” he’d re-sign with the Broncos and return to Denver for the 2014 season. As Josh Alper of Pro Football Talk notes, executive VP of football operations John Elway pointed out on Tuesday that Denver has plenty of running back depth, though Elway said the club will wait to see how things “flesh out” with Moreno. A recent report indicated that the Broncos don’t expect to re-sign 2013’s starting running back.
  • Irv Moss of the Denver Post spoke to impending free agent Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie about his next contract, with DRC indicating that he’s “not worried about the money,” but rather will prioritizing signing with a team in position to win — like the Broncos.
  • Because of Russell Wilson‘s small cap number, the Seahawks’ front office had plenty of flexibility to add complementary players around the club’s quarterback. The Broncos are in the opposite situation, prompting Mike Klis of the Denver Post to explore whether Peyton Manning‘s $20MM+ cap hit will prevent Denver from building a sustainable Super Bowl contender.

Rodgers-Cromartie “Definitely Not Retiring”

January 29th, 2014 at 9:44am CST by Luke Adams

WEDNESDAY, 9:44am: Rodgers-Cromartie completed a 180-degree turn on Monday’s comments today, telling Mike Klis of the Denver Post that he’s “definitely not retiring.” According to DRC, he simply meant that he has to start thinking about his post-playing career, since there are no guarantees.

TUESDAY, 10:05am: At Tuesday’s Media Day, Rodgers-Cromartie told reporters, including Gregg Rosenthal of NFL.com (Twitter links) that his retirement talk was misunderstood, adding that if he receives a long-term contract offer this offseason, he’ll take it.

MONDAY, 12:54pm: It doesn’t sound like Peyton Manning has any plans to retire whether or not the Broncos win this weekend’s Super Bowl, but the outcome of the game could affect one of his teammates’ futures. Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie told reporters today that he may retire if Denver beats Seattle on Sunday. “I set a goal of five years. I’ve played six,” Rodgers-Cromartie said, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport (via Twitter).

While Mike Garafalo of FOX Sports 1 tweets that Rodgers-Cromartie sounded almost positive about his intentions to retire, and Lindsay Jones of USA Today (Twitter link) stressed that the Broncos cornerback was definitely serious, the 28-year-old added that his plans aren’t “set in stone” yet, according to Alex Marvez of FOX Sports 1 (Twitter link).

As Rodgers-Cromartie himself noted, he has only played six NFL seasons, so he’ll be hitting unrestricted free agency this winter as a 27-year-old. Coming off a season in which he started 13 games for the AFC champions, he should draw plenty of interest on the open market, so we’ll have to wait and see if he sticks to his retirement plan when teams start calling in March.