HEADLINES

Eric Weddle

AFC West Notes: Houston, Thomas, Weddle, L.A.

June 12th, 2015 at 8:30pm CST by Rob DiRe

The Chiefs will open their three-day mandatory minicamp on Tuesday, but will likely do so without star pass rusher Justin Houston, writes Terez Paylor of the Kansas City Star. Head coach Andy Reid was asked whether he expected to see Houston next week. “He probably won’t be,” said Reid. “We just move on. I don’t really get caught up in all that stuff.”

Here are some other notes from around the AFC West:

  • Peyton Manning lost tight end Julius Thomas and slot receiver Wes Welker, but is still looking to make another deep playoff run this season. However, he is unhappy that Demaryius Thomas has not received a new deal yet, writes Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. While installing a new offense under Gary Kubiak and Rick Dennison, every day Thomas misses he falls behind on learning the offense.
  • Eric Weddle is another player who hasn’t been at team facilities amidst a contract dispute, and general manager Tom Telesco offered his thoughts on The Mighty 1090 in San Diego. Eric D. Williams of ESPN.com transcribed part of the conversation. “We said before the draft that we would talk after the draft. And we did. And we talked multiple times. We listened to their concerns about his current contract. We listened to their complaints about playing too much. And we read through their statistical analysis and their financial comparisons,” said Telesco. “We went through all of that stuff. We just decided that we’re just not at their numbers right now. It’s really as simple as that. There’s no sinister agenda there, nothing like that. Just right now it’s not there.”
  • The Rose Bowl and Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum have both emerged as possibilities to become temporary homes for any NFL team that agrees to move to Los Angeles, writes Brent Schrotenboer of USA Today. The league will soon discuss plans for temporary housing for teams to move to City of Angels ahead of a new stadium being built, and both the Chargers and Raiders are top candidates to relocate.

West Notes: Weddle, Rucker, Cards, Dawson

June 2nd, 2015 at 12:45pm CST by Luke Adams

Longtime Chargers safety Eric Weddle “seems destined to depart San Diego as a free agent” when his contract expires after the 2015 season, says Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune. Acee, who reported on Monday that the team has told Weddle and agent David Canter that they won’t negotiate a new contract this year, says the bridge between the two sides may not be irreparable. However, head coach Mike McCoy is believed to be siding with management in Weddle’s contract dispute – reportedly rubbing some veteran players the wrong way in the process – and Canter describes the Chargers’ current stance as “disgusting.”

“It’s blatantly obvious after me asking the team time and again to extend us that Eric isn’t wanted,” Canter said. “So it’s time for Eric to move on [to] where he can win and is wanted.”

Weddle is still expected to play out the 2015 season in San Diego, and anything could happen between now and March, when he’s slated to hit the open market. But at this point, the two-time All-Pro appears to be preparing to play his last 16 games with the Chargers.

Here’s more from out of the NFL’s two West divisions:

  • Field Yates of ESPN.com has the details on Frostee Rucker‘s new deal with the Cardinals, tweeting that the extension includes $500K guaranteed, a $1MM base salary for 2016, and $2MM in total new money. Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post provides a few more specifics on Rucker’s contract, which includes bonuses and incentives as well.
  • Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians thinks his team is set at the quarterback position, but Bob McManamon of AZCentral.com makes a case for why the club should consider bringing in another veteran signal-caller.
  • $500K of Phil Dawson‘s $3.134MM base salary for 2015 became fully guaranteed this week, according to Adam Caplan of ESPN.com (via Twitter). The veteran 49ers kicker is eligible for free agency after the coming season.
  • While Floyd Kephart is expected to propose a financing plan for a stadium in Oakland, the executive director of the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Authority, Scott McKibben, says his group is prepared to move on to “other options” quickly if a deal with Kephart doesn’t happen, writes Bill Williamson of ESPN.com. “We need to get something done sooner than later,” McKibben said, addressing the possibility of the Raiders remaining in Oakland.

Chargers Not Talking Contract With Weddle

June 1st, 2015 at 3:57pm CST by Luke Adams

The Chargers have informed Eric Weddle‘s agent David Canter that they won’t be engaging in extension talks this year, according to Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune. The veteran safety didn’t report to the team’s OTAs, in the hopes of negotiating a new contract, but it doesn’t appear that will happen.

“He’ll be excited about playing this year and then hit free agency,” Canter said of his client, adding: “We’re disappointed and will continue to be disappointed. But Eric will go balls-out this season.”

Weddle is scheduled to make $7.5MM in base salary in the final year of a five-year, $40MM deal, making him the fourth-highest paid safety in terms of total compensation in 2015. In late April, GM Tom Telesco indicated that, while he was focused on the draft at that point, he eventually wanted to discuss Weddle’s contract, so the new stance is a little surprising. It’s possible that the team will revisit negotiations following the season, before the 30-year-old reaches free agency.

Weddle has been the Chargers’ starting safety since 2008 and he has not missed a regular season start since the 2009 season. In 2014, Weddle racked up 114 total tackles to go along with eight pass deflections and an interception. Pro Football Focus (subscription required) rated the three-time Pro Bowler as the best overall safety in the NFL last season with a +18.9 overall grade.

Here are a couple other notes on Chargers’ extension candidates:

  • While they may not be negotiating with Weddle, the Chargers are “quietly working on an extension” for defensive lineman Corey Liuget, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com, who tweets that Liuget is a “priority” for the club. The 25-year-old is currently on track to play the 2015 season on his fifth-year option salary of $5.477MM.
  • John Clayton of ESPN.com examines the Philip Rivers contract situation, concluding that it’s “highly unlikely” that the quarterback plays for anyone but the Chargers in 2016. If the franchise moves to Los Angeles, however, it may take a little extra money to convince Rivers to re-up.

Eric Weddle Won’t Attend OTAs

May 25th, 2015 at 5:31pm CST by Zachary Links

Chargers safety Eric Weddle won’t be in attendance for OTAs on Tuesday as he pushes for an extension, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. The Pro Bowl safety aired his frustrations with the team earlier this month and it sounds like there hasn’t been much progress made, if any.

“I’m not coming in anytime soon until something on their side is said,” Weddle told 1090 AM a few weeks ago. “They know where we’re at, and they obviously know their stance, so we’ll see what happens from there.”

Weddle is scheduled to make $7.5MM in base salary in the final year of a five-year, $40MM deal, making him the fourth-highest paid safety in terms of total compensation in 2015. In late April, GM Tom Telesco indicated that he wanted to work out a new deal with the veteran, though his full attention was turned towards the draft at the time.

Weddle, 30, has been the Chargers’ starting safety since 2008 and he has not missed a regular season start since the 2009 season. In 2014, Weddle racked up 114 total tackles with eight pass deflections and one interception. Pro Football Focus (subscription required) rated Weddle as the best overall safety in the NFL last season with a 18.9 overall score.

On Sunday night we learned that another NFL notable, Vikings running back Adrian Peterson, will not be in attendance for the start of his team’s OTAs.

West Notes: 49ers, Bennett, Weddle

May 7th, 2015 at 8:37pm CST by Zachary Links

49ers CEO Jed York says that GM Trent Baalke has no problem making draft-day deals for the future because he figures to be around awhile, Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com writes. “You have to make sure your guys feel like they’re going to be a part of it for a while,” York said. “And with Trent, I watch it when we draft. Trent will always trade for next year’s picks because he feels comfortable that he’s going to be here.” Here’s a look at the AFC and NFC West..

  • Michael Bennett said during a TV appearance that he doesn’t want to be traded, but he wouldn’t mind a salary increase, Bob Condotta of The Seattle Times writes. Reports have indicated that he would like the Seahawks to renegotiate his contract and today’s comments seem to confirm that. “People assume when you ask for a little more money, they assume that you want to be traded or something like that,” he said. “But that’s not what I’m trying to go for.”
  • Eric Weddle wants a new deal and he won’t be in attendance for workouts until he gets what he wants from the Chargers, as Eric D. Williams of ESPN.com writes. “I’m not coming in anytime soon until something on their side is said,” Weddle told 1090 AM. “They know where we’re at, and they obviously know their stance, so we’ll see what happens from there.” Weddle is scheduled to make $7.5MM in base salary in the final year of a five-year, $40MM deal, making him the fourth-highest paid safety in terms of total compensation in 2015.
  • Broncos defensive ends Derek Wolfe and Malik Jackson are already in their walk years, Mike Klis of 9NEWS writes. Both players say they’re determined to earn contract extensions this year.

Sunday Roundup: Draft, Weddle, J. Houston

April 26th, 2015 at 12:48pm CST by Rory Parks

Let’s take a look at some notes from around the league on this Sunday afternoon, including one note on the first overall pick in Thursday’s first round:

  • Multiple teams have reached out to the Buccaneers recently to determine what it would take to move up to the No. 1 overall pick, according to Rand Getlin of Yahoo! Sports (via Twitter). However, Getlin adds in a second tweet that although the Bucs have listened, no offer has been strong enough for the team to seriously consider trading down just yet.
  • Similarly, Conor Orr of NFL.com writes that Raiders GM Reggie McKenzie has fielded calls on Oakland’s No. 4 overall selection.
  • In a separate piece, Orr writes that the Chiefs are keeping the lines of communication open with star outside linebacker Justin Houston, who was slapped with the franchise tag in March. Kansas City has a little under three months to work out a long-term deal with Houston, and the fact that talks are still ongoing and are still progressing is a good sign that something will get done.
  • Paola Boivin of The Arizona Republic believes Wisconsin RB Melvin Gordon would be the perfect first-round choice for the Cardinals, who hold the No. 24 overall pick.
  • Troy E. Renck of The Denver Post feels the Broncos should take an offensive tackle in the first round, even if they have to trade up a couple of spots to do it. Renck goes on to examine some of the prospects that could be available when Denver is on the board.
  • Chargers safety Eric Weddle feels “highly disrespected” by the team’s refusal to engage in contract talks despite his desire to retire with the organization, but Matt Calkins of U-T San Diego believes the Chargers are taking the right approach.
  • Given that the Jaguars feel better about their roster than they have in the past two seasons, Ryan O’Halloran of The Florida Times-Union would not be surprised if the team traded a couple of picks to move into the back of round 1 or up in rounds 2-3.
  • Continuing a theme among NFL beat writers, Jim Wyatt of The Tennessean looks at the offensive side of the Titans‘ roster heading into the draft and offers his predictions as to what the team will do to address its deficiencies on that side of the ball during draft weekend.
  • Washington GM Scot McCloughan‘s history suggests he will select an edge rusher with his top pick in this year’s draft, writes Rich Tandler of CSNWashington.com. Although Tandler says Randy Gregory‘s red flags will probably keep him off McCloughan’s board, Vic Beasley and Dante Fowler, Jr. would both be good bets.

Chargers GM On Rivers, Mariota, Stadium

April 22nd, 2015 at 2:00pm CST by Zachary Links

Minutes ago, Chargers GM Tom Telesco addressed reporters and took questions on a wide range of topics, including the uncertainty surrounding quarterback Philip Rivers. Here’s a look at the highlights with all links going to Twitter..

  • Telesco says that Rivers is the Chargers’ quarterback and his “intent” is to keep it that way, tweets Michael Gehlken of U-T San Diego. That statement probably won’t stop the chatter, and neither will this one: “I figure at least half of you are here for a Philip Rivers update. … There really is no update,” the GM said (link).
  • Still, Telesco told reporters (including Gehlken) that he’d be as honest as possible about Rivers and other matters, explaining, “I’m Cathlolic. I tell the truth.“
  • The GM dodged a question about whether he’s spoken to the Titans about Rivers (via Gehlken).
  • Telesco said the Chargers are evaluating Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota because “it’s what we do,” Jim Wyatt of The Tennessean tweets.
  • Like Rivers, Telesco said he wants safety Eric Weddle with the Chargers long-term, Eric Williams of ESPN.com tweets. Weddle, of course, is absent from camp as he pushes for a contract extension. Even though the interest is mutual, the two sides probably won’t hammer out a new deal in the next eight days. “Right now, we’re focused on the draft,” Telesco said (via Gehlken).
  • When asked about Weddle’s no-show, Telesco emphasized that they are voluntary (via Williams).
  • Telesco said the stadium issue has not affected day-to-day football operations, but he’s not naive about what is going on, Williams tweets.
  • Telesco says he’s pleased with what the organization has got done so far this offseason (via Williams).

Philip Rivers Declines Extension Talks

April 20th, 2015 at 10:21pm CST by Zachary Links

The Chargers recently approached star quarterback Philip Rivers with an extension offer, but he declined, according to Michael Gehlken of U-T San Diego. Rivers, 33, has expressed intention to play out the deal without an extension. Meanwhile, trade speculation continues to swirl around him.

As Gehlken notes, uncertainty looms over the franchise when considering the players they have in contract years and the possible relocation of the team to Los Angeles which could take place as soon as 2016. Tight end Antonio Gates, tight end Ladarius Green, wide receiver Malcom Floyd and guard Johnnie Troutman are also entering their walk years and, along with Rivers, they represent the only holdovers from when GM Tom Telesco and coach Mike McCoy first arrived in 2013.

While Rivers turned down the Bolts’ overtures, safety Eric Weddle is still waiting to have substantive talks about a new deal. Last month, he made his desire publicly known.

“I think I’ve earned [a new deal],” Weddle said. “But it has to work both ways. They have to want it, too. And if they don’t, then we will play it out and I’ll be a free agent next year “I want to be here, but I understand the situation and what they want to do. If I’m a part of it — great. If not, then I plan on making this season a memorable one and we’ll see what happens from there.”

Weddle is currently holding out of camp, while Rivers is in attendance. Both players find themselves in uncomfortable situations with their club and uncertain futures, though for different reasons.

Thursday Roundup: Weddle, Peterson, Harvin

March 12th, 2015 at 10:08pm CST by Rob DiRe

The Chargers still have over $21MM in cap space, and could look to spend that money to add to the team this offseason. Meanwhile, star safety Eric Weddle is coming into the last year of his contract and is unsure of his future with the team, writes Eric D. Williams of ESPN.com.

“I think I’ve earned [a new deal],” Weddle said. “But it has to work both ways. They have to want it, too. And if they don’t, then we will play it out and I’ll be a free agent next year “I want to be here, but I understand the situation and what they want to do. If I’m a part of it — great. If not, then I plan on making this season a memorable one and we’ll see what happens from there.”

  • The Vikings are focused on keeping Adrian Peterson, not trading him, writes Matt Vensel of the Star Tribune. But Vensel’s colleague at the Star Tribune, Michael Rand, believes the stars are aligning for the Cowboys to make a trade for Peterson.
  • Percy Harvin has finished his visit with the Bills, and he is mulling other possible visits, according to Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports (via Twitter). La Canfora adds that the Harvin situation could begin to wrap itself up as early as this weekend.
  • Brian Orakpo is in Tennessee on a visit and is planning to meet with the Cardinals next. However, he might not make it to Arizona if the Titans can get a deal in place before he leaves tonight, writes John Keim of ESPN.com (via Twitter).
  • Shelley Smith has left Seattle without a deal and will now visit the Broncos, tweets Mike Klis of the Denver Post.
  • Stephen Holder of the Indianapolis Star looks ahead to the rest of the Colts‘ offseason, noting that the team has already made its big splashes with the additions of Andre Johnson, Trent Cole, and Frank Gore. However, Holder expects Indianapolis to perhaps add a safety like Louis Delmas or Kendrick Lewis and/or an offensive lineman in the second wave of free agency, when better bargains can be had. The Colts currently have around $15-16MM in available cap space.
  • 49ers GM Trent Baalke does not appear especially concerned about losing last year’s starting cornerbacks Chris Culliver and Perrish Cox should those two players sign elsewhere in free agency. As Cam Inman of the San Jose Mercury News writes, Baalke is confident that the team has capable internal options to fill the void.

Rory Parks contributed to this post.

West Notes: Davis, 49ers, Knighton, Chargers

February 19th, 2015 at 8:30am CST by Luke Adams

Vernon Davis is coming off his worst season as a pro, and will count for nearly $7MM against the cap in 2015, but he’ll “absolutely” be returning to the 49ers, general manager Trent Baalke said on Wednesday at the combine, according to Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee. Referring to Davis’ contract and cap hit, Baalke suggested that the numbers are “not as daunting as you may think.”

Let’s round up a few more notes on the Niners and a handful of other West clubs….

  • The 49ers‘ wide receiver coaches are among the few San Francisco assistants in Indianapolis, which presumably indicates where the team’s offseason priority lies, tweets Barrows.
  • Broncos defensive tackle Terrance Knighton has “made it very clear” to team management that he wants to return to Denver and would be willing to take something of a hometown discount to make it happen. However, as he tells Josina Anderson of ESPN, Knighton doesn’t feel as if that interest is totally mutual. “To be quite honest with you, it’s frustrating and it’s somewhat disrespectful just knowing how important I was to the team and what the defense could’ve been without somebody like me,” Knighton said. “It’s almost like, the longer they wait, the worse it is going to be.”
  • Broncos GM John Elway hasn’t heard back from Peyton Manning on his decision for 2015 but he “had a good talk” with the quarterback and said that he’s feeling better, says Mike Klis of The Denver Post.
  • The Chargers intend to have extension discussions with quarterback Philip Rivers and safety Eric Weddle at the “appropriate time,” according to GM Tom Telesco, but those negotiations aren’t on the team’s agenda for this week, per Michael Gehlken of the San Diego Union-Tribune.
  • With a new contract from the Cardinals in hand, Larry Fitzgerald will almost assuredly start and end his career in the same place, a rarity for NFL legends, as Dan Bickley of The Arizona Republic writes. The new deal is quite fair to Fitzgerald, Bickley opines, as the $22MM guaranteed for the next two seasons was arguably $6MM more than he would have found on the open market.

Zach Links contributed to this post.