HEADLINES

Eugene Monroe

NFC East Notes: Cowboys, Giants, Monroe

June 16th, 2016 at 4:30pm CST by Zachary Links

Is Cowboys owner Jerry Jones undermining coach Jason Garrett? There’s a pattern of Jones making Garrett look bad and the latest example is the team’s handling of linebacker Rolando McClain, ESPN.com’s Jean-Jacques Taylor opines. Jerry Jones/Jason Garrett (featured)

When asked about McClain’s absence from practice, Garrett seemed annoyed as he explained that McClain was dealing with a family matter for the third consecutive week. Jones, meanwhile, gave some the impression that McClain is getting preferential treatment from ownership:

“It’s fair to everybody to understand that Rolando’s boys — his family lives in Alabama and he doesn’t live with them. His former significant other is where they are. His offseason is spent with those boys, and that’s an understanding we have when he came through the door,” Jones said recently. “He has to be there to spend time with them, and we expect him to compensate for that. If you look at how his impact when he’s there with us on the field, what he can do for our team. If you look at his background in the NFL, how he’s evolved, I’m glad he’s a Cowboy.”

While you mull that over, here’s more from the NFC East:

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Latest On Eugene Monroe

June 16th, 2016 at 11:59am CST by Zachary Links

This week, the Ravens parted ways with tackle Eugene Monroe after watching him miss a full season’s worth of games over the past two years. Now, as he looks for his next NFL home, the veteran insists that he is healthy. He’s also not backing down from his campaign to get medical marijuana removed from the league’s list of banned substances, which may have been an ancillary factor in his release. Eugene Monroe (vertical)

[RELATED: 8 Teams That Could Sign Eugene Monroe]

“I will not be returning to the Ravens this season. It’s never easy moving on – I love Baltimore and its fans – but this is all part of the game. Despite the current uncertainties, one thing is for sure: whatever happens in terms of my professional football career, I will never stop pushing for the League to accept medical cannabis as a viable option for pain management,” Monroe said in a statement (Twitter link). “I will do everything I can to ensure the generations of NFL players after me won’t have to resort to harmful and addictive opioids as their only option for pain management. I’ve been working hard this offseason to recover from my injuries. I am cleared to play and excited to get back on the field and compete.”

Even though the Ravens reportedly weren’t wild about Monroe’s cause, it’s hard to imagine that it was a driving factor in him being placed on the trading block and subsequently released. By the same token, it’s unlikely that any interested team will write him off based solely on that. However, if a team assumes that Monroe is a frequent marijuana user, he then might appear to be at risk of league suspension. Of course, there are plenty of NFL players who enjoy weed and have never failed an NFL-administered drug test.

To gauge public opinion, we polled PFR readers on Twitter earlier today to ask whether Monroe’s advocacy for medical marijuana should be a deterrent for interested teams. So far, 75% of you have said that his pro-pot stance should not cause any team to shy away from him.

Photo via Pro Football Rumors on Instagram.

8 Teams That Could Sign Eugene Monroe

June 15th, 2016 at 9:47pm CST by Dallas Robinson

After selecting Notre Dame’s Ronnie Stanley in the first round of the April’s draft, the Ravens tried to trade veteran left tackle Eugene Monroe. However, Baltimore was unable to find a taker on the trade market and on Wednesday the team cut him loose.

Yes, there are some red flags for Monroe. For starters, the tackle has missed 16 games with injury over the past two years. Monroe has also been a vocal advocate for marijuana to be removed from the league’s banned substance list and Baltimore officials apparently took umbrage with his focus in that area.

However, there’s also a lot to like. When healthy, Monroe can be an impact player and can slide into the starting lineup for several NFL teams. Where could Monroe wind up? Here’s our list of the eight teams who could make a play for him:

[RELATED: Ravens Sign Bronson Kaufusi, Wrap Up Draft Class]

Arizona Cardinals — Left tackle isn’t a concern in the desert, as Jared Veldheer will continue to handle Carson Palmer‘s blindside, but right tackle is a bit more murky. After losing both Bobby Massie and Bradley Sowell to free agency, the Cardinals are counting on 2015 first-round pick D.J. Humphries to take on a starting role. Humphries didn’t play a single snap during his rookie season, and frustrated Arizona management to the point that head coach Bruce Arians began referring to him as “knee deep” (re: Arians’ knee vs. Humphries’ posterior). If Humphries has matured over the past year or so, adding Monroe to play on the right side wouldn’t make much sense. But if the Cardinals still have questions about their talented yet raw sophomore tackle, Monroe could be a welcome veteran addition.

Chicago Bears — Finding a starting left tackle in the seventh round — as the Bears did with Charles Leno in 2014 — is certainly an accomplishment, but it doesn’t excuse the fact that Leno simply wasn’t that productive during the 2015 campaign. In 16 games (13 starts), Leno graded out as just the 55th-best tackle in the NFL among 77 qualifiers, according to Pro Football Focus. If Chicago wants to contend in 2016, it will need better play on the blindside, and Monroe would almost certainly represent an upgrade, acting as a finishing touch to an offensive line that’s already seen additions such as Bobby Massie, Nate Chandler, and Cody Whitehair over the past several months.

Indianapolis Colts — The Colts are clearly intent on keeping Andrew Luck upright in 2016, having spent three draft picks on offensive linemen in April. While some of the spots along Indy’s front five are settled, right tackle could be up for grabs (although general manager Ryan Grigson had said he’d like to see Joe Reitz win the job). The Colts haven’t been shy about acquiring veterans in the past, having sacrificed draft pick compensation for Vontae Davis, Trent Richardson, Billy Winn, and others in recent years. If the club wants a solid veteran to lock down the right side, instead of relying on a cavalcade of mid-tier options, Monroe could be on their radar.

New England Patriots — Like the Colts, the Patriots have utilized trades to augment their roster — in 2015, they made a league-leading nine deals with other clubs, and they’ve acquired veterans such as Akeem Ayers, Keshawn Martin, Jonathan Casillas, Jonathan Bostic, and Akiem Hicks via the trade route over the past several years. In a trade, Monroe would have been a different animal, as he’s a more high-profile name and costs more than any of the players brought in by New England via swap recently. Now, he holds even more appeal as a free agent. If the Pats did sign Monroe to man right tackle, they’d likely release fellow offensive lineman Sebastian Vollmer or Marcus Cannon (or both). On the surface, Monroe doesn’t seem like a Bill Belichick-esque addition, but New England has made surprising moves in the past.

New York Giants — Many draft observers believed Giants 2015 first-round pick Ereck Flowers was best-suited to play guard or right tackle out of the gate. Instead, New York plugged him in on the left side following an injury to Will Beatty, and Flowers proceeded to grade out as one of the four worst blindside protectors in the league, per PFF. Veteran Marshall Newhouse, the club’s projected right tackle, also ranked as a bottom-10 option at the position. The Giants need help up front, perhaps more so than any team in the NFL outside of Seattle, so it was no surprise to learn that they were talking trade with Baltimore prior to Monroe’s release and have already started courting him since he became a free agent.

San Diego Chargers — Shortly after word leaked out regarding Monroe’s release, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com listed the Chargers as a potential suitor along with the Seahawks and Giants. On the surface, the Chargers seem adequately set at tackle with King Dunlap covering Philip Rivers‘ blindside and Joe Barksdale at right tackle. Still, while Barksdale graded out as the No. 21 overall tackle in the NFL last year according to Pro Football Focus’ metrics, Dunlap has been injury prone in the past.

San Francisco 49ers — By almost any metric, San Francisco’s offensive line was among the worst in the NFL last season. The unit ranked second with 53 sacks allowed, and placed 31st in pass protection and 32nd in run blocking according to Football Outsiders’ data. All-Pro Joe Staley clearly isn’t a problem at left tackle, but uninspiring options such as Erik Pears and Trent Brown are among the candidates to start opposite him on the right side. The 49ers are in the midst of a complete rebuild, so perhaps adding a veteran like Monroe doesn’t make sense given their current roster makeup. But keeping Blaine Gabbert or Colin Kaepernick (or whomever else starts at quarterback in 2016) off the ground should still be a goal, and Monroe would signify an improvement.

Seattle Seahawks — The Seahawks are mentioned in connection with nearly every available offensive lineman, but the club simply hasn’t shown any willingness to invest in its front five. After losing Russell Okung and J.R. Sweezy in free agency, Seattle will rely on the likes of Garry Gilliam, Bradley Sowell, J’Marcus Webb, and Mark Glowinski up front. Offensive line coach Tom Cable is regarded as a masterful teacher, and he can probably turn some of those unheralded options into contributors. But it’s hard to imagine that the Seahawks would turn down an opportunity to add an immediate starter like Monroe, especially if the asking price is minimal.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Ravens Cut Eugene Monroe; Giants In Pursuit

June 15th, 2016 at 8:41pm CST by Zachary Links

8:41pm: The Giants began pursuing Monroe as soon as the Ravens released him, and there’s a “decent chance” New York will land the lineman, reports Ralph Vacchiano of the New York Daily News.

4:33pm: Monroe is in no hurry to find his next team, a source told Paul Schwartz of the New York Post. He is fully healthy, according to the source, who confirmed to Schwartz that the Giants did try to trade for him (Twitter links).

3:20pm: The Ravens officially announced Monroe’s release.

2:30pm: After trade talks with Giants fell through, the Ravens have elected to release offensive tackle Eugene Monroe, sources tell Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (on Twitter). He’s now a free agent and the Giants, Chargers, and Seahawks are among the teams that could have interest. Eugene Monroe (vertical)

[RELATED: 8 NFL Teams That Could Sign Eugene Monroe]

This week, the Ravens decided to shop veteran the left tackle after watching him miss a great deal of games in recent years. Monroe has also been extremely vocal about his pro-medical marijuana stance and his efforts to have marijuana removed from the league’s list of banned substances did not sit well with team ownership. The 29-year-old Monroe has missed 16 games with injury over the past two years and had cap charges approaching $9MM in each of the next three years.

By releasing Monroe, the Ravens will be left with $2.2MM in dead money while realizing $6.5MM in cap savings this year. They’ll also be on the hook for a combined $4.4MM in dead cash the next two seasons, though they’d save $13.5MM in that time. Prior to releasing Monroe, the Ravens attempted to get Monroe to accept a salary cut, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets.

Monroe has obviously not lived up to the expectations set for him when he inked a five-year, $37.5MM contract with Baltimore prior to the 2014 season, but he could be an impact addition for another club if he can stay healthy. One also has to imagine that other clubs could be more accepting of Monroe’s pro-pot crusade.

Earlier today, PFR’s Dallas Robinson ran down the most logical fits for Monroe.

Photo courtesy of Pro Football Rumors on Instagram.

North Notes: Ravens, Jeffery, Harrison, Lions

June 15th, 2016 at 5:51pm CST by Connor J. Byrne

The five-year, $37.5MM deal offensive tackle Eugene Monroe signed in 2014 is the worst contract the Ravens have ever given out, opines Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com. Monroe – whom the Ravens released earlier today – received $17.5MM in guaranteed money and, because of injuries, ultimately made just 17 starts after inking the contract. Hensley adds that the Ravens began souring on Monroe when he didn’t start their 2014 AFC divisional playoff game in New England because of an ankle injury. Monroe was healthy enough to be active for that contest, leading the Ravens to wonder about his toughness.

More from the NFL’s two North divisions:

  • Franchise-tagged Bears receiver Alshon Jeffery wants a long-term contract, but he’s content to play 2016 without one if an agreement isn’t reached by the July 15 deadline (via Jeff Dickerson of ESPN.com). “It really doesn’t matter to me. Like I said, that situation will take care of itself. I’m here to play football and to focus on football,” said Jeffery, who’s currently slated to rake in $14.599MM under the tag.
  • Steelers linebacker James Harrison is 38, but he hopes to play for another two years, as ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler writes. “If you ask me that now, yeah [I can]. But that’s something I’ll deal with. I don’t know if I want to go that far, even though it’s only a couple of years away,” he said. Harrison also discussed his role with the team in 2016 and indicated that he is willing to do whatever is asked of him. The five-time Pro Bowler will surely play a smaller role this year than he did in his heyday.
  • Ravens LB Elvis Dumervil told reporters – including Clifton Brown of CSN Mid-Atlantic, via Twitter – that he underwent a preventative procedure on his foot and is unable to participate in minicamp as a result, though he should be ready by training camp. Teammate Steve Smith, who missed most of last year with a torn Achilles, is expected to sit out the entire preseason; however, he’ll be ready in time for Week 1, tweets Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun.
  • It appears that Lions receiver Corey Fuller had surgery on his injured right foot, per Michael Rothstein of ESPN.com. That would help explain the Lions’ decision to sign Andre Roberts last week and also why the team hosted Anquan Boldin on a visit.

Zach Links contributed to this post.

Latest On Eugene Monroe, Ravens

June 15th, 2016 at 8:53am CST by Zachary Links

On Tuesday, Ravens head coach John Harbaugh told reporters that he was holding tackle Eugene Monroe out of practice because the team was trying trade him. Now, it sounds like we’ll have a resolution in short order, one way or another. The expectation is that Monroe won’t be on the team by the end of Thursday, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. In fact, Monroe could even be traded or released by the end of today. Eugene Monroe (vertical)

[RELATED: Ravens Notes: Weddle, RBs]

In the first half of the offseason, the Ravens operated as though Monroe would be their starting left tackle in 2016. However, that all changed in the first round of the draft when they tapped Notre Dame left tackle Ronnie Stanley with the No. 6 overall pick. Monroe held a great deal of promise when the team signed him to a five-year, $37.5MM contract prior to the 2014 season, but ever since then he has struggled to stay healthy, appearing in only 17 regular season games.

The Ravens also aren’t thrilled about Monroe’s off-the-field efforts to push the legalization of medical marijuana. However, it’s Monroe’s lack of durability and the presence of Stanley that are really driving the team’s efforts to move him. The Ravens would have tried to trade Monroe sooner, but the team first had to wait for him to get medical clearance and that did not happen until recently.

If the Ravens are forced to cut Monroe, it will leave them with $2.2MM in dead money with $6.5MM in cap savings this year. They’d also be on the hook for a combined $4.4MM in dead cash the next two seasons, though they’d save $13.5MM in that time. It might not come to that for Baltimore, though, as teams reportedly have inquired about Monroe. If healthy, the 90-start veteran should be able to improve someone’s offensive line.

With Monroe likely on the outs, the Ravens auditioned free agent O-lineman Todd Herremans yesterday.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Ravens Shopping Eugene Monroe

June 14th, 2016 at 7:58pm CST by Connor J. Byrne

7:58pm: Along with Monroe’s inability to stay on the field lately and Stanley’s presence, Monroe’s campaign to remove marijuana from the league’s banned substances list is part of the reason the Ravens are set to move on from him, according to Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com. Hensley adds that it took until the middle of June for the Ravens to shop Monroe because they had to wait for him to get medical clearance, which he received Wednesday.

5:21pm: The Ravens are holding seventh-year offensive tackle Eugene Monroe out of practice because they’re trying to trade him, head coach John Harbaugh told reporters – including Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun – on Tuesday. Harbaugh went on to state that Monroe’s status is in the hands of general manager Ozzie Newsome, with Zrebiec inferring from the coach’s comments that Monroe will not be a Raven this season (Twitter links).

Eugene Monroe

Monroe, 29, entered the NFL as the Jaguars’ first-round pick (eighth overall) in 2010 and established himself as a durable starter in Jacksonville. The Jags then traded Monroe to the Ravens early in the 2013 season for multiple late-round picks, and Baltimore was impressed enough to award the 6-foot-5, 300-pounder a five-year, $37.5MM contract the ensuing offseason.

Injuries have become an issue for Monroe, though, as he has played in just 17 of a possible 32 regular-season games since inking his big-money deal. Monroe missed a career-high 10 games in 2015 and landed on season-ending injured reserve in December with a shoulder issue. Both Monroe’s lack of durability and the Ravens’ decision to use the sixth overall pick in this year’s draft on Notre Dame left tackle Ronnie Stanley will now combine to push Monroe out of Baltimore, it seems.

If the Ravens are unable to find a taker for the ex-Virginia standout via trade and then elect to cut him, it will cost them $6.6MM in dead money versus $2.1MM in cap savings this year. They’d also be on the hook for a combined $6.6MM in dead cash the next two seasons, though they’d save $11.3MM. It might not come to that for Baltimore, though, as teams have inquired about Monroe, per Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link). If healthy, the 90-start veteran should be able to improve someone’s offensive line.

With Monroe likely on the outs, the Ravens auditioned free agent O-lineman Todd Herremans earlier today.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Ravens Not Expected To Cut Eugene Monroe

April 29th, 2016 at 1:31pm CST by Zachary Links

One might think that the Ravens’ drafting of Ronnie Stanley could spell the end of Eugene Monroe in Baltimore, but that is apparently not the case. Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets that Monroe is likely to stay put since he could be a starter on the interior line and also provide general depth along the offensive line. Eugene Monroe (featured)

Monroe is currently recovering from the shoulder injury which landed him on IR last season. The 29-year-old is making good progress in rehabilitating that injury, according to recent comments made by GM Ozzie Newsome. For much of the offseason, there has been speculation about the veteran’s future in Baltimore. Monroe has missed 15 of 32 games since joining the team and is set to carry a hefty $8.7MM cap number in 2016.

The Ravens’ offensive line was drastically altered on the first day of free agency when Kelechi Osemele shook hands with the Raiders on a five-year deal that could be worth as much as $60MM. Baltimore lost one long-time starter in the 6’5″ Osemele, but it sounds like they’re planning on keeping another O-Line notable in Monroe, despite his difficulty in staying healthy.

After 2016, Monroe’s contract calls for him to carry an $8.95MM cap number in 2017 and 2018.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

AFC North Notes: Harrison, Steelers, Ravens

April 5th, 2016 at 5:26pm CST by Luke Adams

Veteran outside linebacker James Harrison remains under contract with the Steelers for another season, and is due a $1.25MM base salary for 2016. However, it remains to be seen whether Harrison, who would be the NFL’s oldest defensive player, will return for one more year. Among those interested in Harrison’s decision on his future? His teammates in Pittsburgh.

Steelers guard Ramon Foster tweeted to Harrison today, asking whether he’s coming back for 2016, to which Harrison replied, “I can’t say for sure but it’s looking good for the home team!” Agent Bill Parise tells Ed Bouchette of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (Twitter link) that his client has yet to make a final decision, suggesting that may not happen until camp, but it sounds like Harrison may not be ready for retirement quite yet.

Here are a few more items from out of the AFC North:

  • Alabama defensive tackle A’Shawn Robinson is visiting Pittsburgh and meeting with the Steelers today, per Mark Kaboly of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review (Twitter link). Even in a strong draft class for interior defensive linemen, Robinson projects as a probable first-round pick.
  • Ravens GM Ozzie Newsome says wide receiver Breshad Perriman and left tackle Eugene Monroe making good progress from their respective injuries, as Garrett Downing of BaltimoreRavens.com writes. Perriman, a 2015 first-round pick, has resumed running but is still working to get back to full strength.
  • Ravens assistant general manager Eric DeCosta says the team has talked extensively with Eastern Kentucky outside linebacker Noah Spence, as Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com writes. “We’ve studied him at length and we’ll make the best decision for the team,” DeCosta said.
  • As we detailed earlier, free agent wideouts Hakeem Nicks and Mike Williams worked out today for the Bengals.

Zach Links contributed to this post.

AFC Notes: Browns, Pats, Raiders, Ravens

March 22nd, 2016 at 6:19pm CST by Connor J. Byrne

There was speculation late last season that Peyton Manning would retire and take a prominent front office position, perhaps in Cleveland. Manning has since retired and the Browns’ presidency is currently vacant, but it doesn’t sound as if the 39-year-old will end up with them.

“Whatever Peyton decides to do, and I have no idea what that is, I have not literally talked to him since wishing him good luck before the Super Bowl,” owner Jimmy Haslam, a friend of Manning’s, said (link via Nate Ulrich of Ohio.com). “Whatever organization gets him will be fortunate whether it’s a pro organization, a business, media, but I think we’ve got a great organization in place in Cleveland and we’re excited to go forward.”

Here’s more form the AFC:

  • Even though Patriots owner Robert Kraft has made an effort to persuade the NFL into giving back the first-round pick it took from the team as a result of the Deflategate scandal, club president Jonathan Kraft told Tom Curran of CSNNE.com that it’s a losing battle. On why the Pats haven’t sued the league in an effort to recoup the pick, Jonathan Kraft said, “It’ll take longer than the time before the draft happens and the money isn’t the issue here, the issue is getting your draft pick back and at some point you have to realize it’s not gonna happen and the best revenge will be putting the best team on the field next year and hopefully having a very successful season.”
  • The Raiders have made some major additions in free agency this year, but they swung and missed on landing safety Eric Weddle – who signed with the Ravens. Not surprisingly, then, head coach Jack Del Rio acknowledged Tuesday that safety is an area of concern for the club, saying, “[W]e need to acquire some people” (Twitter link via Vic Tafur of the San Francisco Chronicle).
  • Safety issues aside, the Raiders’ roster looks more impressive on paper than it has in years. However, the organization’s future in Oakland remains uncertain. When asked to update the Raiders’ situation there, owner Mark Davis said, “There’s nothing … I’m still trying to get something with the stadium” (link via Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com). Davis also spoke highly of Los Angeles and Las Vegas as potential homes for the Raiders, as Maiocco writes, but he shot down the notion of relocating the franchise to St. Louis. “The Raiders brand is a different brand, I believe,” he said. “I just don’t believe St. Louis would maximize it.”
  • Ravens head coach John Harbaugh suggested Tuesday that there would be competition at the left tackle spot going into next season, implying that Eugene Monroe isn’t locked in as the starter, but owner Steve Bisciotti sang a different tune. Bisciotti said “without hesitation” that the job is Monroe’s, Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun reports (on Twitter).
  • In Ravens-related draft news, Bisciotti stated that he doesn’t expect the club to trade up from the sixth pick and into the top five, but he wouldn’t be averse to moving back (Twitter link via Zrebiec).
Load More Posts