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Garrett Reynolds

NFC FA Rumors: Cole, Hardy, McDonald, Hawk

March 5th, 2015 at 12:46pm CST by Luke Adams

The Eagles officially announced on Wednesday that they’ve released Trent Cole from his contract, and the veteran edge defender didn’t waste much time in scheduling his first free agent visit. According to Adam Caplan of ESPN.com (via Twitter), Cole is meeting with the Buccaneers, a team that runs a 4-3 system. Having played in the Eagles’ 3-4 scheme for the last two years, Cole is viewed as a better fit as a defensive end for a 4-3 club, and Tampa Bay is certainly in need of an outside pass rusher.

As we wait to see if anything comes of Cole’s visit with the Bucs, let’s check in on a few more free agent updates from around the NFC….

  • NFL spokesman Greg Aiello says there’s nothing stopping a player on the exempt list from signing a new contract, which is good news for Panthers defensive Greg Hardy (link via ESPN.com). The league has yet to announce its decision on whether or not Hardy will face discipline for alleged off-field conduct, which could diminish enthusiasm for the defensive end on the open market, but he’ll still be able to negotiate with teams and accept an offer next week.
  • In other legal news, agent Tom Condon has informed teams that the Santa Clara District Attorney won’t be pursuing charges against free agent defensive lineman Ray McDonald, per Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter links). According to Condon, the Santa Clara DA hasn’t fully completed the release, but McDonald’s counsel has been informed of the decision. Since McDonald was cut by the Niners in December, he’s eligible to sign a new contract anytime.
  • Linebacker A.J. Hawk may not be totally out of the picture in Green Bay, according to Bob McGinn and Tyler Dunne of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, who report that the Packers left the door open for the linebacker’s possible return.
  • In addition to hosting Ted Ginn Jr. for a visit this week, the 49ers also met with former Vikings wideout Jerome Simpson, writes Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com. Simpson, who was suspended at the start of the 2014 season, was cut by Minnesota and hasn’t appeared in a regular season game since 2013. The Niners, meanwhile, are on the lookout for receivers, since they could part ways with Michael Crabtree, Brandon Lloyd, and Stevie Johnson this month.
  • Appearing on SportsCenter today, cornerback Byron Maxwell suggested he would like to sign with a team that plays a Cover 3 scheme like the Seahawks do, tweets Nick Underhill of the New Orleans Advocate. Of course, if a team running another coverage scheme makes Maxwell a big offer, I would guess he’d be willing to compromise that stance.
  • Lions offensive lineman Garrett Reynolds is expected to test the free agent market next week, tweets Adam Caplan of ESPN.com.

Lions Re-Sign Garrett Reynolds

September 10th, 2014 at 8:19am CST by Luke Adams

The Lions have re-signed offensive lineman Garrett Reynolds to the fill the final opening on their 53-man roster, according to Tim Twentyman of DetroitLions.com (via Twitter). That open spot was created when the team placed injured cornerback Bill Bentley on injured reserve. ESPN.com’s Adam Caplan first reported (via Twitter) that Reynolds would rejoin the Lions.

Reynolds, who started 10 games for the Falcons in 2013, lost his starting job late in the 2013 season, despite grading as Pro Football Focus’ 32nd overall guard (subscription required). The 27-year-old was subsequently cut by Atlanta and picked up by the Lions, but failed to earn a spot on the club’s regular season roster during the cut down to 53 players. He’ll provide depth and insurance on the interior of Detroit’s offensive line.

As for Bentley, there was speculation that his season-ending ACL injury would prompt the Lions to add more help in the secondary, and that could still happen, though for now his roster spot has been taken by an offensive lineman. The team worked out Champ Bailey, Chris Clemons, and several other veteran defensive backs last week, and could revisit those options before too long.

Lions Release Leshoure, Roster To 53

August 30th, 2014 at 2:50pm CST by Luke Adams

2:50pm: The Lions have announced their remaining cuts, per Tim Twentyman of DetroitLions.com. In addition to the players listed below, the following players have been let go:

1:45pm: The Lions have let go of one of Matthew Stafford‘s favorite targets, as Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press reports (via Twitter) that the team has released wideout Kris Durham.

The 26-year-old finished 2013 with career-highs in receptions (38) and yards (490). He also led all of the Lions offensive skill players in snaps, even topping All-Pro Calvin Johnson.

The Lions weren’t done there, as they released an additional six players:

11:40am: The Lions’ starting running back from 2012 is no longer on the roster, as the team informed Mikel Leshoure today that he’s being waived as the 53-man cutdown deadline nears, tweets Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press. While the move leaves a little dead money on Detroit’s cap, the team avoids having to pay the running back his non-guaranteed base salary for 2014.

Leshoure wasn’t the only veteran among the Lions’ cuts today. Here’s the complete running list:

Contract Details: Nelson, Reynolds, White

July 29th, 2014 at 3:00pm CST by Luke Adams

With a number of veteran free agents signing deals recently, and others being extended, the latest contract details have been a little more complicated than the usual minimum salary contracts we’d seen over the last few weeks. With that in mind, here’s a roundup of a few of the latest specific figures to surface:

Earlier updates:

  • Details of Roddy White‘s extension with the Falcons have emerged, and, unsurprisingly, the deal doesn’t look quite as lucrative as initially reported. According to Tom Pelissero of USA Today (all Twitter links), White’s new four-year contract has a base value of $23MM, which means there’s $18MM in new money on the three-year extension. The pact also features a $7.55MM signing bonus and $8.5MM in escalators which could push the overall value to as high as $31.5MM. Jason Fitzgerald of Over the Cap has all the details in chart form.
  • We heard last week that Tyson Clabo‘s new two-year deal with the Texans is worth $2.4MM, and now Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun has the breakdown of the specifics (via Twitter). Per Wilson, the contract includes annual base salaries of $900K, a $200K signing bonus, roster bonuses worth up to $80K ($5K per game) in 2014, and roster bonuses worth up to $320K ($20K per game) in 2015.
  • Joel Corry of CBSSports.com (Twitter link) clarifies that the Seahawks can now recover up to 15% of the prorated portion of Marshawn Lynch‘s signing bonus, rather than the entire thing. That means the team could go after $225K of the bonus, rather than $900K.
  • The 49ers can do the same thing with Alex Boone‘s contract, as Cam Inman of the Bay Area News Group details. 15% of Boone’s prorated signing bonus works out to $51K.

Lions To Sign Garrett Reynolds

July 17th, 2014 at 4:18pm CST by Luke Adams

4:18pm: Offensive lineman J.B. Shugarts has been waived in order to clear a roster spot for Reynolds, tweets Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press.

11:26am: The Lions are signing free agent offensive lineman Garrett Reynolds, according to agent Chad Speck of Allegiant Athletic Agency (Twitter link). Reynolds was released by the Falcons back in February, and had drawn some interest from the Titans, Bengals, and Cowboys in the months since then.

Reynolds, who started 10 games for the Falcons in 2013, signed a two-year, $2.7MM extension with the club last offseason. However, the 26-year-old lost his starting job at right guard late in the 2013 season, despite grading as Pro Football Focus’ 31st overall guard (subscription required). For the Lions, Reynolds figure to compete for a roster spot and for playing time on the offensive line.

Terms of the agreement aren’t yet known, but a minimum salary pact – perhaps with some bonus money – seems likely. The Lions currently have a full 90-man roster, so a corresponding roster move will be required when the club makes the signing official.

East Notes: Cowboys, Reynolds, Bills, Giants

June 24th, 2014 at 6:34pm CST by Luke Adams

The Cowboys appear to be on the verge of formally announcing their agreement with free agent guard Uche Nwaneri, though when the move becomes official, the team will need to cut a player, since Dallas isn’t one of seven NFL clubs with an open roster spot at the moment. Nwaneri wasn’t the only offensive lineman drawing interest from the Cowboys though, so let’s check in on that report, as well as the rest of the latest updates from around the NFL’s two East divisions….

  • The Cowboys have some interest in free agent offensive lineman Garrett Reynolds, but have no plans to sign him for now, a source tells Calvin Watkins of ESPNDallas.com (Twitter link). We heard over the weekend that Reynolds, who has spent the last several seasons with the Falcons, had paid a visit to Dallas.
  • As Tom Precious of the Buffalo News notes, Donald Trump said today on Twitter that he’s the only prospective buyer for the Bills who will keep the franchise in Buffalo. However, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo is among those skeptical of Trump’s claim, suggesting that he believes there are “a number of bidders who are seriously considering going forward are committed to keeping the team in Western New York.”
  • In a slideshow at NJ.com, Jordan Raanan identifies five veteran players whose roster spots with the Giants may be in danger this year.

Extra Points: Fitzpatrick, Hughes, Thomas, Robinson, Carr, Kennard

June 21st, 2014 at 12:57pm CST by Matt Feminis
  • With the Texans hitching their wagon to veteran quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick (known more for his intelligence than his physical ability) in 2014, Houston Chronicle beat writer Brian Smith released a few sobering tweets about Fitzpatrick’s prospects as a starter. Says Smith: “Recurring criticism of Fitzpatrick by analysts: Too much of a gunslinger with not enough of an arm.”
  • The Bills have a new defensive scheme this year under defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz, but Jerry Hughes‘ deployment won’t change. “He’s brought in his 4-3 scheme, but as far as what I’m doing it’s pretty much the same thing I did last year,” Hughes told Mark Gaughan of the Buffalo News. “My hand is in the ground and I’m coming off the edge trying to create pressure to get to the quarterback.” Drafted by the Colts in the first round in 2010, Hughes disappointed in Indianapolis. However, a trade to Buffalo last year gave Hughes new life as a pass-rush specialist, and he capitalized on the opportunity. Hughes registered 10 sacks, nine more quarterback hits and 39 quarterback hurries. In fact, he ranked first in the league in Pro Football Focus’ Pass Rush Productivity metric. Hughes will make just under $4MM this season before hitting free agency.
  • ESPN’s James Walker came up with two notable names when asked about potential surprise veteran cuts by the Dolphins: “Some veterans I think who are on the bubble include former Jeff Ireland draft picks who didn’t live up to their potential. Running back Daniel Thomas and tight end Michael Egnew come to mind. The Dolphins are no longer waiting on their potential. Both former highly-touted picks must bring it this summer or they could lose their roster spot.”
  • Julius Thomas, who emerged as a Pro Bowl tight end for the Broncos last season, could be a franchise tag candidate next year. Accordingly, he’s monitoring the Jimmy Graham situation with interest, writes the AP’s Arnie Stapleton.
  • Rams No. 2 overall pick Greg Robinson admits the mental part of the game is giving him trouble early in his NFL career (via ESPN’s Nick Wagoner): “It’s frustrating that I’m not up to pace right now because the playbook is more intense and things are changing but once I get back to where I’m comfortable, things will calm down and I can be myself out there…Right now it’s a lot of thinking going on, it causes me to move a little slower. Once I get up to speed, I can move with the snap count and stuff like that.”
  • Raiders second-round rookie Derek Carr has already ascended to No. 2 on the depth chart behind Matt Schaub, relays CSN Bay Area’s Scott Bair.
  • Giants rookie fifth-rounder Devon Kennard “impressed coaches in the spring program and could be in the mix to start on the strong side,” according to ESPN’s Dan Graziano. A 6-3, 250-pounder out of USC, Kennard, whose father was a Super Bowl winning center for the Cowboys, was viewed as a tweener prospect, albeit one with outstanding intangibles and make-it traits.
  • Free agent offensive guard Garrett Reynolds visited the Cowboys, per ESPN’s Adam Caplan (via Twitter). Reynolds started 23 games over the last three years for the Falcons, but struggled last season and was released in February.

Bengals Rumors: Dalton, Extensions, Reynolds

June 11th, 2014 at 11:20am CST by Luke Adams

Earlier today, the Bengals announced a series of roster moves, signing offensive tackle Will Svitek and cornerback Victor Hampton, and cutting cornerback Brandon Burton and linebacker Bruce Taylor. That’s not the only news coming out of Cincinnati this morning though, so let’s check in on a few other items….

  • Andy Dalton and the Bengals have made some progress in talks on a new contract, but nothing is imminent at this point, reports Ian Rapoport of NFL.com. According to Rapoport, both sides seem to have confidence that something will get done, but it looks like it will happen closer to – or during – training camp. When I asked yesterday about a possible Dalton extension, about 60% of you said Cincinnati shouldn’t hammer out an agreement with its quarterback yet.
  • Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis appeared on SiriusXM NFL Radio and addressed the team’s negotiations with Dalton. Lewis that he’s being kept apprised on the potential numbers and structure of an extension, but that his main responsibility is to ensure that his quarterback isn’t getting too caught up in contract talk.
  • Lewis also added that reaching a deal with Dalton will allow the Bengals to focus on other players who may be next in line for a new contract. The head coach specifically mentioned his tight end and linebacker, so presumably he’s referring to Jermaine Gresham and Vontaze Burfict, both of whom are entering the final year of their contracts.
  • Prior to signing Svitek, the Bengals also worked out veteran offensive lineman Garrett Reynolds, tweets ESPN.com’s Adam Caplan. It’s not clear if Cincinnati chose Svitek over Reynolds, or if the club still may have interest in the ex-Falcon.

FA Notes: DeCoud, Reynolds, Coffman, Packers

April 3rd, 2014 at 1:47pm CST by Luke Adams

A pair of notable safeties have come off the board today, with Patrick Chung heading back to New England, and Danieal Manning putting the finishing touches on a deal with Cincinnati. Like those players, Thomas DeCoud didn’t have an expiring contract, but found himself on the open market last month when his team decided to release him. And it appears a potential suitor has emerged for DeCoud as well. According to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter), the former Falcon is visiting the division-rival Panthers on Monday.

While we wait to see if DeCoud ends up reaching a deal in Carolina, let’s check out a few more free agency items:

  • Rapoport passes along a little more free agent safety news, tweeting that Kurt Coleman, who met with the Jets earlier this week, is visiting the Colts tomorrow.
  • Before the Titans signed Eric Olsen for offensive line depth, the team engaged in contract talks with free agent guard Garrett Reynolds, according to Jim Wyatt of the Tennessean (via Twitter). However, the two sides couldn’t work out an agreement.
  • Chase Coffman was already an unrestricted free agent, but now it looks like a lock that he won’t be returning to his old team. The Falcons have informed the tight end that they won’t be offering him a contract, Coffman tweeted this morning.
  • The Packers are the only team that hasn’t signed an unrestricted free agent from the 2014 class, writes Weston Hodkiewicz of the Green Bay Press-Gazette. While the team did bring players like Julius Peppers and Letroy Guion aboard, those players were released by other clubs, rather than having their contracts expire. As Hodkiewicz notes, the team’s offseason reflects GM Ted Thompson‘s philosophy, which places more value on the compensatory picks acquired by losing free agents than on signing free agents themselves.

Notes On Visits: Reynolds, Verrett, Smallwood

April 1st, 2014 at 10:47pm CST by Rory Parks

Free agent guard Garrett Reynolds is scheduled to meet with the Titans on Wednesday, according to Jim Wyatt of The Tennessean.

Reynolds, selected by the Falcons in the fifth round of the 2009 draft, appeared in 15 games for Atlanta last season and started 10 of them. He only played in seven games in 2012 (starting six of them), so he has accumulated about a full season’s worth of snaps over the course of the past two years. Over that time, however, he has earned positive grades for his play, so this would mark a quality, low-cost signing should Tennessee pull the trigger.

Our Luke Adams put Reynolds in the third tier of free agent guards last month but specifically mentioned him as a potentially valuable asset for a team not looking to pay big money at the position.

Now for some quick notes on other visits:

  • Joe Buscaglia of WGR550 has compiled a list that will continue to be updated of the prospects the Bills are bringing in to team facilities for official visits. This list might be particularly relevant for Bills fans; Buscaglia tweets that Buffalo’s first round pick in each of the last four years visited Orchard Park prior to the draft.
  • One of the top corners in this year’s draft, TCU’s Jason Verrett, will be visiting the Steelers, Jets, and Cardinals in the coming weeks, according to Alex Marvez of FOX Sports (Twitter link).
  • Although he did not play at a big-time football program, UConn linebacker Yawin Smallwood was a bit-time playmaker for the Huskies. Despite tweaking his hamstring at the combine, Smallwood has a number of visits lined up, according to Ross Jones of FOX Sports. He will meet with the Falcons later this week.
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