HEADLINES

Earl Thomas

NFC Rumors: Falcons, Connor, Williams, Cards

May 1st, 2014 at 3:45pm CST by Luke Adams

While many of the rumors swirling around the Falcons and a possible move up to the No. 1 pick have been linked to the team’s interest in Jadeveon Clowney, Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com says the defensive end wouldn’t necessarily be the club’s target if Atlanta does trade up. According to La Canfora, the Falcons are “very, very high” on offensive tackle Greg Robinson, who is a candidate to be drafted second overall by the Rams, meaning Atlanta may be considering moving up for Robinson instead.

La Canfora adds that several GMs believe Clowney, Robinson, Khalil Mack, Jake Matthews, and Taylor Lewan could be the top five players selected, which would put the Falcons in a tough spot, since they seem intent on adding an impact offensive lineman or pass rusher.

While we wait to see what the Falcons decide, let’s check out a few more updates from across the NFC:

  • Longtime Carolina linebacker Dan Connor, who split time between the Giants and Panthers last season, recently worked out for the Falcons, according to Josh Alper of Pro Football Talk. Connor, an unrestricted free agent, would be competing for playing time in a reserve role if he signed with Atlanta.
  • Former Viking Kevin Williams, who has visited the Giants and Seahawks, is mulling the possibility of retiring if he doesn’t receive an offer he likes, as he tells Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press. “If it’s not worth the risk of going back out there, I can’t say I’ll do it,” Williams said. “I don’t see it at this point (taking a low-value deal), but you never know.”
  • Speaking to reporters today, including Darren Urban of AZCardinals.com, Cardinals general manager Steve Keim didn’t rule out the possibility of trading up in the first round, but made it clear that a trade down was far more likely. The GM added that the Cards have already engaged with a number of prospects they expect to go undrafted to try to sell them on signing in Arizona after the draft.
  • Jason Fitzgerald of OverTheCap.com provides a year-by-year breakdown of Earl Thomas‘ new contract with the Seahawks, which features a cap hit of about $7.373MM in 2014. According to Mike Garafolo of Fox Sports (via Twitter), the 2015 and 2016 figures become fully guaranteed after the start of those respective league years.
  • Temple defensive tackle Levi Brown paid a pre-draft visit to the Giants last month, a league source tells Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post.

Seahawks Notes: Sherman, Williams, Thomas

April 29th, 2014 at 4:08pm CST by Luke Adams

Now that the Seahawks have finalized an extension with one of the top two All-Pro players in their secondary, the team appears set to shift its focus to the other half of that duo. According to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk, after locking up safety Earl Thomas through the 2018 season, the Seahawks are expected to resume contract talks with cornerback Richard Sherman. Reports last week indicated that Seattle and Sherman had made some progress in negotiations, and while no deal is imminent yet, the two sides could get something done in time for the draft.

Let’s check out a few more Seahawks items….

  • Free agent defensive tackle Kevin Williams paid a visit to the Seahawks on Monday, according to Howard Balzer of the SportsXchange (via Twitter). The former Viking is still looking for a home, and may end up signing after the draft is over, when potential suitors have a better idea of what holes they need to fill.
  • Marshall offensive tackle Garrett Scott worked out for the Seahawks this afternoon after doing the same for the Chargers this morning, tweets Gil Brandt of NFL.com.
  • Jason Fitzgerald of OverTheCap.com takes a closer look at the Thomas extension, suggesting it’s the latest indication of the rising value of elite safeties in today’s NFL.

Earl Thomas, Seahawks Agree To Extension

April 29th, 2014 at 1:31pm CST by Luke Adams

TUESDAY, 1:31pm: Thomas, who appeared at a press conference today officially announcing the new deal, receives a $9.5MM signing bonus as part of the agreement, tweets Rapoport.

MONDAY, 4:11pm: It’s a four-year extension for Thomas, according to Alex Marvez of Fox Sports (via Twitter). Since those are four new years, that will keep the safety under contract through the 2018 season. Meanwhile, Rapoport has the salary details, tweeting that the agreement has a base value of $40MM, with $27.725MM of that money guaranteed.Earl Thomas

3:54pm: The Seahawks have reached an agreement on a long-term deal with safety Earl Thomas, reports Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter). According to Rapoport, Thomas’ extension will make him “easily the highest-paid safety,” which means it should surpass the $9MM-per-year contract signed last month by Jairus Byrd.

Thomas has spent the first four seasons of his NFL career in Seattle after being drafted by the club in the first round in 2010. The 24-year-old’s contributions have helped make the Seahawks’ secondary arguably the best in the NFL — he has earned an All-Pro spot in back-to-back years, and has made three straight Pro Bowls. According to Pro Football Focus’ advanced metrics (subscription required), Thomas has recorded a positive grade every year of his career, and ranked ninth among 86 qualified safeties in 2013. He also recorded 127 tackles and grabbed five interceptions last season.

Just before Thomas helped lead the Seahawks to a Super Bowl win in February, we heard that an extension for the standout safety would be Seattle’s top priority this offseason. The club handled plenty of other business last month, including re-signing free agent defensive end Michael Bennett, but extensions for Thomas and Richard Sherman were among Seattle’s other goals before the 2014 season gets underway. With Thomas locked up, the Seahawks will shift their focus to Sherman, with whom they’ve reportedly made some progress in extension talks.

As for the specific financial details of Thomas’ new deal, we’ll have to wait for those to be reported — on his current contract, he’s in line for a base salary of $4.625MM in 2014, with a cap hit of about $5.473MM. While Byrd’s new contract is the largest per-year value for any NFL safety, Eric Berry received a larger guarantee.

Over The Cap lists Berry’s guarantee as about $25.7MM, while Joel Corry of CBSSports.com tweets that the Chiefs safety got $34MM guaranteed. There may be some discrepancy there between fully guaranteed money, and money guaranteed for injury only. Either way, if Thomas’ new contract makes him “easily” the highest-paid safety, he’s likely looking at an eight-digit annual salary, with the overall guarantee depending on the number of years.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

NFC West Notes: Cardinals, Rams, Thomas

April 6th, 2014 at 3:04pm CST by Dallas Robinson

The latest out of the NFC West:

  • Despite his listing right tackle as the Cardinals’ biggest need, ESPN.com’s Josh Weinfuss doesn’t see the team re-signing Eric Winston. The veteran offensive lineman, who was recently elected president of the NFLPA, lacks the durability that the Cardinals need. The team will either look to the draft for an RT, or use Bobby Massie or Bradley Sowell, both of whom played left tackle last season.
  • The Cardinals signed two cornerbacks last week, but that doesn’t mean they won’t add to the position in the first round of the draft, writes Darren Urban of AZCardinals.com. Neither of the two cornerbacks (LeQuan Lewis and Eddie Whitley) were given a signing bonus, and neither is guaranteed a roster spot. The signings point to the Cardinals’ preference for, in Urban’s words, “a fluid roster.” In terms of the draft, Arizona has been linked to TCU cornerback Jason Verrett.
  • Though the upcoming draft is considered one of the deepest in recent memory, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com wonders how far the Rams can trade down from No. 2 and still land an impact player. Wagoner also notes that simply finding a trade partner could prove difficult if the quarterback-needy teams remain lukewarm on this year’s class of signal-callers.
  • Earl Thomas is still considered first-in-line to get an extension from the Seahawks, and a deal could be struck between now and the draft, writes Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times.
  • Condotta thinks the Seahawks will draft at least one defensive lineman to replenish the depth they lost during free agency, but also believes that several young players such as Greg Scruggs and Benson Mayowa could be contributors in 2014.
  • Pete Carroll’s extension probably won’t have much of an impact on contract discussions between Jim Harbaugh and the 49ers, notes Bill Williamson of ESPN.com. Carroll had only a lone season remaining on his deal and now has a Super Bowl championship on his résumé , while Harbaugh has two seasons left on his contract, and has not won a title (despite reaching the NFC Championship game in each of his three seasons at the helm).

NFC Notes: Pre-Draft Visits, Contract Updates

April 4th, 2014 at 5:50pm CST by Rob DiRe

The Rams are hosting Missouri defensive end Kony Ealy for a workout, reports Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post Dispatch (via Twitter). Because it is considered a local visit, Ealy will be allowed to work out with the team.

Here are some other notes from around the NFC:

  • The 49ers are bringing in wide receiver Albert Wilson out of Georgia State for an official visit, reports Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun. The team has been open about the possibility of using a high draft pick at the position.
  • The Seahawks have not begun talks of a contract extension with Earl Thomas yet, reports Todd Dybas of the Tacoma News Tribune (via Twitter).
  • Colt McCoy‘s deal with the Redskins is a one-year agreement and carries a $730K base salary with a $65K signing bonus, reports Wilson (via Twitter).
  • The Packers re-signed John Kuhn to a one-year deal worth $1.03MM, according to Wilson (via Twitter). The contract includes $855K in base salary, and a $100K signing bonus. Additionally, Kuhn can earn a $25K workout bonus and $3,125 in per-game active roster bonuses.
  • Details of former Toronto Argonauts safety Marcus Ball’s contract with the Saints have been reported by Wilson via Twitter. Ball’s three-year deal will be worth $1.536MM, with minimum salaries and a $6K signing bonus.

Seahawks Notes: Tate, Bennett, Salary Cap

March 1st, 2014 at 6:24pm CST by Peter Sowards

As the Seahawks said goodbye to receiver Sidney Rice and defensive lineman Red Bryant, they said hello to approximately $12.8MM in savings, freeing the defending Super Bowl champions to be active participants in upcoming free agency.

Bob Condotta of The Seattle Times reached out to cap expert Jason Fitzgerald of OvertheCap.com, and Fitzgerald offered a plethora of knowledge, shining light on the possible plans of GM John Schneider in the coming months.

  • According to Fitzgerald, the team will have about $17.8MM in cap room. He predicts a safe spending level between $10-10.5MM after setting aside $1.5MM for rookie draft picks and a minimum $6MM cushion.
  • Fitzgerald views tight end Zach Miller and defensive end Chris Clemons as “too expensive” on their current deals, set to earn $7.5MM and $6MM in 2014, respectively.
  • With a cap number hovering around $76MM in 2015, Fitzgerald does not envision Seattle having any problems taking care of quarterback Russell Wilson, left tackle Russell Okung, cornerback Richard Sherman and safety Earl Thomas going forward. With the exception of Okung, who has two years left on his current deal, each player is eligible for free agency next offseason.
  • Free agent Golden Tate should not be that expensive to re-sign, says Fitzgerald, likening him to Eagles receiver Riley Cooper, who just received a five-year, $25MM contract with $10MM guaranteed.
  • Defensive lineman Michael Bennett, however, “is a trickier one” because he excelled at a premium position last season in a contract year. Fitzgerald doesn’t know if the Seahawks can retain Bennett’s services if the former Texas A&M Aggie goes for a $9-10MM/year contract.

Schneider On Tag, Bennett, DBs, Draft

February 20th, 2014 at 6:14pm CST by Dallas Robinson

The Seahawks are unlikely to use the franchise tag on defensive end Michael Bennett, writes Todd Dybas of the News Tribune. Bennett, who was part of a formidable defensive line featuring Cliff Avril, Brandon Mebane, and Red Bryant, is a free agent after playing the 2013 season under a one-year, $4.8MM contract. Bennett has indicated he will not give the Super Bowl champions a discount in negotiations, which is understandable given his soft market after the 2012 season. That year, he finished with nine sacks and was rated the seventh-best 4-3 defensive end in football by Pro Football Focus, yet still was only able to garner the one-year deal with Seattle. Seahawks general manager John Schneider insisted Bennett will remain a priority. “He had a great season,” said Schneider. “Proved to be versatile. Is a great guy, a fun guy to be around. Hopefully we can get something worked out.”

A few more notes on the Seahawks, courtesy of Dybas’ piece:

  • The Seahawks not only won’t use the franchise tag on Bennett, but they probably will not utilize it all.
  • Schneider wouldn’t give any details on the status of coach Pete Carroll’s contract, which has one year remaining. Schneider, somewhat cryptically, stated Carroll is “doing great,” and refused to give any updates regarding tweaks in the head coach’s deal.
  • The Seahawks will try to keep the “Legion of Boom” intact, but extending both cornerback Richard Sherman and safety Earl Thomas might be tricky. “We have days ahead that are going to be hard because they are going to be tough decisions,” said Schneider. “If you want to be a championship-caliber football team, you have to make those tough decisions. You can’t keep everybody. It’s actually a sad thing.” We previously noted that Thomas is likely to be the higher priority of the two.
  • Regarding the draft, Schneider noted his aversion to need-based selections: “We’re not going to have this player, so we have to draft this position? I think that’s where you get in trouble. Any of the draft rooms I’ve ever been in, the biggest mistakes you make are when you [draft based on position scarcity].”
  • Seattle’s draft meetings began the Wednesday following their Super Bowl victory, with more work being required than usual due to the large amount of declaring underclassmen.

Poll: Who Should The Seahawks’ Top Priority Be This Offseason?

February 3rd, 2014 at 9:32pm CST by David Kipke

Yesterday, we passed along a report that suggested the Seahawks’ top priority this offseason is extending All-Pro safety Earl Thomas. However, giving Thomas a new contract would likely affect the team’s ability to negotiate a new contract with cornerback Richard Sherman this offseason. Both Thomas and Sherman are eligible for free agency a year from now, and if the Seahawks want to extend both players this offseason, they would likely have to cut receiver Sidney Rice.

Additionally, the Seahawks must decide if they want to table negotiations with the aforementioned players in order to retain receiver Golden Tate and/or defensive end Michael Bennett, who are hitting free agency this offseason. While the club may be able to re-sign or extend multiple players, it likely won’t be able to fit all of them under the cap.

Who do you think the Seahawks should prioritize this offseason?

Thomas Extension Top Priority For Seahawks

February 2nd, 2014 at 3:40pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Re-signing safety Earl Thomas will be the Seahawks’ number one priority this offseason, tweets NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport. An extension for Thomas will take precedence over re-signing cornerback Richard Sherman, with whom the Seahawks may table discussions until more cap room is available. Rapoport further noted that extending both Thomas and Sherman this offseason may require other roster machinations, such as cutting receiver Sidney Rice (Twitter link).

Thomas, 24, was selected in the first round of the 2010 NFL draft. A three time All-Pro, he finished the 2013 with five interceptions and 10 passes deflected, and was graded as the league’s ninth-best safety by Pro Football Focus (subscription required). Along with his “Legion of Boom” teammates Sherman, Brandon Browner, and Kam Chancellor, Thomas helped the Seahawks rank first in defensive DVOA.

Thomas will look for a contract similar to the one signed by Eric Weddle in 2011, who received $19MM guaranteed over the course of a five-year deal. The Seahawks face will face other decisions with regards to free agency this offseason, as receiver Golden Tate, defensive end Michael Bennett, and cornerback Walter Thurmond are all free to test the market.