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Greg Hardy

Breer On Cowboys, Hardy, Jordan, Manning

June 17th, 2016 at 4:40pm CST by Zachary Links

Last year, the Cowboys added Greg Hardy on a one-year, incentive laden deal. That bold move gave Dallas one of the most feared defensive linemen in the NFL, but also gave them one of the league’s biggest headaches and PR nightmares. Still, after dealing with Hardy’s down year and bad attitude, Jerry Jones says that he isn’t necessarily changing his approach going forward. Greg Hardy

“We’ve taken risks,” Jones told The MMQB’s Albert Breer. “It was a huge risk to take (Charles) Haley back (in the ’90s). Haley was a cancer on the Niners, and that’s why they gave him to us for next to nothing. Dez (Bryant) was a risk. Dez was a Top 5 pick that fell because he was a risk. And in the end, you win on some, you lose on some. That’s a little piece of how you succeed in business. You have to take chances.”

The Cowboys, of course, have publicly ruled out a Hardy reunion. Despite all of his baggage, PFR’s Dallas Robinson ranked Hardy as one of the best defensive free agents to remain on the board at this juncture of the offseason. There has been very little talk about Hardy lately, but we recently ran down some teams that could at least consider signing the defensive end.

Here’s more from Breer’s column:

  • Defensive end Dion Jordan insists that he’s drug-free as he looks to return to the Dolphins, but people who were around him over his first two years tell Breer that they’d first be looking to see what condition his shoulder is in. Prior to being taken No. 3 overall in the 2013 draft, Jordan’s shoulder was flagged, so it has been an issue for some time. If things work out well, however, Breer feels that Jordan could be a big part of the team’s future on the defensive line. Cameron Wake is 34 and Mario Williams is 31, so the team will need a youth injection in the coming years.
  • Word has it that Peyton Manning will wind up in a John Elway-type executive role at some point in the next few years. Because Manning is hoping to work in someone’s front office, Breer hears that he could be more willing to help the NFL’s investigation into the allegations levied against him in the Al Jazeera report last December. Manning said that he would sue Al Jazeera for what he deemed to be false claims against him, but he recently decided against taking action.
  • Breer believes that Von Miller and Eric Berry will wind up getting multi-year deals done with their respective teams. Unsurprisingly, he does not see a deal happening for Jets defensive lineman Muhammad Wilkerson.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Finding A Landing Spot For Greg Hardy

May 30th, 2016 at 9:24pm CST by Dallas Robinson

In PFR’s recent ranking of the best defensive free agents remaining on the board, defensive end Greg Hardy placed third, but as we noted in the post, the former Panthers and Cowboys edge rusher would probably rank first based on talent alone. We don’t intend to rehash Hardy’s off-the-field incidents, and it’s perfectly legitimate to argue that you wouldn’t want someone like Hardy on your favorite team. But the fact remains that NFL clubs will typically risk negative backlash if a player offers enough upside, and Hardy does.Greg Hardy (Vertical)

Hardy, 27, has recently been lobbying for an NFL opportunity, and his agent Drew Rosenhaus is telling teams that his client has taken the necessary steps to change his behavior. But despite his double-digit sack potential, the “prevailing opinion” around the league is that nobody wants Hardy, as Ed Werder of ESPN.com reported earlier this month — one general manager called Hardy a “very hard sell,” while another called him “toxic.”

But eventually, the price will fall enough that Hardy — who, even in a down season, graded as a top-30 edge rusher per Pro Football Focus — will find a job. Let’s take a look at a few potential destinations that could make sense for Hardy…

  • Atlanta Falcons — The Falcons finished dead last in the NFL with only 19 sacks in 2016, so Hardy would obviously represent a strong addition to the club’s pass rush. But Hardy is actually a solid run defender, as well, and Atlanta needs help on early downs — former No. 8 overall pick Vic Beasley is expected to play linebacker on running downs, while the re-signed Adrian Clayborn is more a edge rush specialist. Derrick Shelby was an underrated signing during the offseason, but veteran Tyson Jackson is getting at look at defensive tackle and could be in danger of being released. End, then, remains a position of need for the Falcons, and Hardy could be an answer.
  • Buffalo Bills — Rex Ryan has shown a penchant for two things during his time as a head coach: bravado (as evidenced by Friday’s interview with Jenny Vrentas of Sports Illustrated), and a willingness to add players with some history of off-the-field issues. In Buffalo, Ryan & Co. have added Richie Incognito, Percy Harvin, and IK Enemkpali, and while none of that trio’s troubling incidents rival Hardy’s, Ryan hasn’t been shy about signing character risks. The Bills are reportedly switching to a stricter 3-4 defense in 2016, so Hardy, who is a prototypical 4-3 end, might not be a fit. But Ryan could surely find a way to use a rusher like Hardy, perhaps in some kind of hybrid role off the edge.
  • Dallas Cowboys — Yes, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones ruled out re-signing Hardy last month, signalling that that door is officially closed. But scenarios change, and Dallas management could begin to sweat when wondering who will man defensive end while Demarcus Lawrence and Randy Gregory serve their four-game suspensions. Restricted free agent addition Benson Mayowa probably isn’t cut out for a starting role, while Jeremy Mincey who played on more than a third of the Cowboys’ snaps last season, remains unsigned. It wouldn’t be shocking for Dallas to reverse its stance on Hardy as the regular season approaches, but then again, the club reportedly isn’t interested in fellow pass rusher Dwight Freeney, so perhaps the Cowboys are simply satisfied with their internal options.
  • Detroit Lions — The Lions defense wasn’t quite as effective in 2015 after losing both Ndamukong Suh and Nick Fairley from their defensive line, falling from No. 3 to No. 18 in Football Outsider’ DVOA despite a major progression from Ezekiel Ansah, who will obviously man one defensive end spot again in 2016. On the other side, Devin Taylor is a capable player, while free agent signing Wallace Gilberry is decent in a specific, limited role. But Hardy would change things immensely, forcing opposing offenses to account for two fearsome rushers on the edges. A front four of Haloti Ngata, rookie A’Shawn Robinson, Ansah, and Hardy could help vault Detroit’s defensive unit back into the upper echelon.
  • New Orleans Saints — At 26.1% below average (per DVOA), the Saints defense ranked as the NFL’s worst unit since 2000 — only five other clubs have topped the 20% mark, and none reached New Orleans’ lows. The Saints also ranked 30th in adjusted sack rate, and though they added Sheldon Rankins and Nick Fairley to help on the interior, they could still use another edge presence opposite Cameron Jordan. Hardy would obviously fit that description, but after releasing Junior Galette (and carrying $12.1MM in dead money in 2016) because of his character questions, New Orleans might not want to take a similar risk.
  • Oakland Raiders — After ranking in the middle of the pack in most defensive statistics in 2016, the Raiders spent most of the offseason upgrading its unit, inking Bruce Irvin, Aldon Smith, Sean Smith, and Reggie Nelson while using a first-round pick on safety Karl Joseph. Hardy could be the final piece on Oakland’s front seven, helping out at end on early downs before sliding inside on passing downs. A team on the rise like the Raiders might risk the public relations backlash that will come with signing Hardy in order to add a talent that could push them over the top. However, it should be noted that owner Mark Davis has been very vocal about domestic abuse and has said that he has “zero tolerance” for it.
  • Philadelphia Eagles — The Eagles are transitioning to a 4-3 defense in 2016, and they actually have a sound pair of ends in Brandon Graham and Vinny Curry, a duo that figures to fit much better in an even front than an odd alignment (Connor Barwin, too, is projected to move to end, but there’s disagreement as to whether his conversion will be as smooth). A defensive coordinator like Jim Schwartz always want more pass rushers at his disposal, so Hardy could make some sense. But I have my doubts that owner Jeffrey Lurie and/or de facto general manager Howie Roseman would be willing to add a personality like Hardy.

Photo via Pro Football Rumors on Instagram.

Best Available NFL Free Agents: Defense

May 18th, 2016 at 9:22am CST by Dallas Robinson

The most high-profile free agent signings occurred more than two months ago, but as we near June there are still talented NFL free agents available on the open market. Most of these players (with a few exceptions) won’t command much guaranteed money, and given that we’ve passed the May 12 deadline, none will factor into the compensatory draft pick formula. After examining the offensive side of the ball yesterday, let’s take a look at the defensive players who will try to find a home as training camp approaches…Donte Whitner (Veritcal)

1. Donte Whitner, S: Despite being released by the Browns last month, Whitner is still an excellent player, having graded as the league’s No. 24 safety among 89 qualifiers in 2015, per Pro Football Focus. Remarkably durable (he’s missed only three games in the past six years), Whitner visited with the Rams in early April, and is reportedly still on Los Angeles’ radar. Elsewhere, both the Chargers and the Cowboys could make sense as potential landing spots if San Diego and Dallas want to upgrade on Jahleel Addae and Barry Church, respectively.

2. Leon Hall, CB: Hall hasn’t lacked suitors this offseason, as the Cowboys, Cardinals, Giants, and Falcons have all shown varying levels of interest in the 31-year-old cornerback over the past several months. He’s not the boundary defender that he used to be, but Hall is a productive slot corner, which essentially makes him a starter in today’s NFL. Health questions have nagged Hall throughout his entire career, and an offseason back procedure won’t quiet those concerns, but the former Bengal figures to find a new home sooner rather than later.

3. Greg Hardy, DE: Clearly the best defender on this list in terms of pure talent, Hardy’s off-the-field issues don’t need to be rehashed here. The 27-year-old edge rusher and his agent, Drew Rosenhaus, are apparently lobbying NFL clubs for an opportunity, detailing the steps Hardy has taken to correct his pattern of behavior. However, it doesn’t appear as though many teams are convinced Hardy has changed his tune, as sources told Ed Werder of ESPN.com that no one is interested in Hardy, with executives calling him — at best — a “hard sell” to ownership and — at worst — “toxic.”
Dwight Freeney (Vertical)

4. Dwight Freeney, LB/DE: Freeney spent roughly a third of the 2015 season at home, waiting until the Cardinals called in October to get back on an NFL field. Now 36 years old, Freeney has become something of a cause célèbre of mine, as I think he’s a far more valuable player than the league apparently does. I outlined Freeney’s tools in April of last year, and much of what I wrote at the time still holds — any number of clubs could benefit from allowing Freeney to get after the quarterback 20-25 times per game. A reunion with Arizona isn’t out of the question, and the Ravens, Bengals, Panthers, Jets, Patriots, Lions, Chiefs, and Bills could all use an extra edge rusher.

5. Brandon Boykin, CB: At age 25, Boykin surprisingly had to settle for a minimum salary benefit contract to join the Panthers in March — he lasted less than two months on the roster, as he was released by Carolina earlier this week. That series of events, coupled with Boykin’s relative lack of playing time after being dealt to the Steelers last year, is hard to figure, as Boykin is considered one of the premier slot corners in the game. With teams lining up in sub packages more than 60% of the time, Boykin is capable of playing a substantial role, and shouldn’t stay on the street for long.

6. Mike Neal, LB: Neal started a career-high 15 games last season, and has posted at least four sacks in each of the past four years. He’s met with both the Lions and the Seahawks this offseason, but has yet to sign a contract, and would seemingly only be in line for a one-year pact at this point. The Packers selected fellow linebacker Kyler Fackrell in the third round of last month’s draft, so Green Bay probably isn’t an option (though Neal is open to returning). It’s possible that the 2015 Al Jazeera report that linked Neal to PEDs is hindering his market, a sentiment with which Neal agrees.Chris Culliver (Vertical)

7. Chris Culliver, CB: It’s been a trying 12 months or so for Culliver, whose 2015 one-game suspension voided his 2016 $8MM guarantee, making it much easier for Washington to release him — which they did earlier this month. Culliver, 27, also tore his ACL in November, meaning his availability for the start of the season could be in doubt. But Culliver is the one true outside cornerback on this list, and he has also has youth on his side. A smart team might sign Culliver to a two-year deal with limited or no guarantees for the 2017 season, let him rehab for the first half of 2016, and then evaluate him over the course of November and December.

8. Antrel Rolle, S: Rolle isn’t going to get the same kind of offers that fellow safety Whitner will — not only is he more than three years older, but Rolle ranked a little lower among safeties than did Whitner, coming in at No. 39 in the NFL according to PFF. Rolle has expressed an interest in reuniting with the Giants, with whom he spent the 2010-14 seasons, and on paper, it’s a match that makes a lot of sense, as New York needs a rangy free safety opposite Landon Collins. The Rams, Falcons, and Buccaneers could have interest in the veteran defensive back, as could the Colts if they plan to move 2016 second-rounder T.J. Green to cornerback, as has been rumored.

9. O’Brien Schofield, LB: Schofield and the Falcons were said to be working on a deal as far back as early March, but no signing ever came to fruition. At the time, the Cowboys, Bears, and Titans were reported to have interest in Schofield, and while he’s expressed his preference to return to Atlanta, he remains a free agent. Head coach Dan Quinn has stated he hopes that Schofield is re-signed, and the Falcons have in fact made an offer. Primarily a nickel linebacker, Schofield agreed to a two-year deal with the Giants in 2014 only to see it fall apart due to medical concerns — it’s unclear whether his current disagreement with Atlanta is due to injury questions or financial disparities.

10. Jeremy Mincey, DE: At 32 years old, Mincey isn’t going to suddenly blossom into a star, but he’s more than capable of being thrown into a defensive end rotation on a team that runs a 4-3 scheme. Mincey didn’t post any sacks last season, but he registered six quarterback takedowns in 2014, which led to him holding out for an extra $500K the following offseason. The Cowboys reportedly aren’t interested in a reunion, but Mincey did generate some level of trade interest last November, so it’s likely that there are clubs who’d be willing to offer a one-year deal.

Honorable mention: Chris Canty, DL; Henry Melton, DT; Kevin Williams, DT; Cortez Allen, CB; Antonio Cromartie, CB; Cortland Finnegan, CB; Jayron Hosley, CB; Will Allen, S.

Safety Walter Thurmond was not included on this list because he’s contemplating retirement and has reportedly turned down offers of $4MM per year.

Photos courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

East Notes: Hardy, Dolphins, Cardona, Jets

May 13th, 2016 at 11:27am CST by Luke Adams

As we heard on Thursday, agent Drew Rosenhaus continues to lobby on behalf of his client Greg Hardy, who is still seeking an NFL job. Despite Rosenhaus’ insistence that the former Cowboys defensive end is working to correct his pattern of bad behavior, teams around the NFL remain skeptical, according to Ed Werder of ESPN.com, who tweets that the “prevailing opinion” among general managers is that nobody wants Hardy.

Quoting multiple general managers, Werder reports that one GM said ownership would have to be involved on any Hardy deal, and most owners would steer clear (Twitter link). Another GM said Hardy would be a “very hard sell,” while another called the veteran pass rusher “toxic.” That last GM added: “[He’s] obviously desperate and saying the right things” (Twitter links).

As we wait to see if Rosenhaus’ sales pitch lands Hardy a job anywhere, let’s round up a few more notes from around the NFL’s East divisions…

  • While defensive coordinator Vance Joseph insists the Dolphins are good to go at cornerback, the team has internally discussed adding another veteran, according to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald, who suggests that Leon Hall and Antonio Cromartie are among the possibilities. Both Jackson and Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald took a closer look at the cornerback situation in Miami, exploring whether or not another free agency addition seems likely.
  • Patriots long snapper Joe Cardona, who played his college ball at Navy, is expected to continue his NFL career in 2016. Paul Pabst of the Dan Patrick Show tweeted today that Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus announced that Cardona’s request to continue playing in the NFL has been approved. However, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com (Twitter links) cautions that one more “layer of approval” is still required — it’s looking good for Cardona, but it’s not official yet, says Reiss.
  • Brian Costello of the New York Post identifies five boom-or-bust players who will have a significant impact on the Jets‘ fortunes in 2016, including newly-signed running back Matt Forte.

Greg Hardy Lobbying For NFL Opportunity

May 12th, 2016 at 1:22pm CST by Zachary Links

It’s mid-May, and one of this offseason’s most talented free agent defensive ends remains on the open market. As Greg Hardy continues to look for work, agent Drew Rosenhaus has sent a packet to teams teams detailing the work his client is doing to improve as a person and correct his pattern of bad behavior, a source tells Mike Florio of PFT. Greg Hardy

Hardy, according to Rosenhaus’ literature, is working to fix his missteps both on and off the field. Of course, Hardy is considered bad news for his alleged domestic violence incident which sidelined him for most of the 2014 season. More practically speaking, however, teams are worried about Hardy’s bad attitude and suspect work ethic.

Hardy has been evaluated and treated by multiple NFL physicians, Rosenhaus & Co. say, and the former Pro Bowler has undergone therapy for anger management and also some evaluation for ADHD. This year, Hardy is said to have participated in at least two dozen therapy sessions.

On the field, Hardy still has plenty to offer, but the Cowboys decided after the 2016 season that they were done dealing with the off-field headaches that come with him. Last season, Hardy ranked as the league’s 28th-best edge defender out of 110 qualified players, according to Pro Football Focus (subscription required). Heading into the offseason, we here at PFR ranked Hardy No. 21 on our list of top 50 free agents.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Cowboys Notes: Hardy, QBs, Smith, Lawrence

May 5th, 2016 at 3:03pm CST by Luke Adams

According to Stephen Jones, the Cowboys were done with Greg Hardy when the 2015 season ended, despite not publicly making that stance clear until more recently, as Clarence E. Hill Jr. of the Star-Telegram writes.

“I think one of the most important things is when you take a chance with a player, if you see it’s not working, it’s time to move on,” said Jones, the Cowboys’ executive VP. “We gave it its due in terms of a year here, and we just felt like at the end of the day, it wasn’t the right fit.”

Last week, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones went on record saying that Hardy will not be back, but it appears that the decision was made months ago. On the field, Hardy still has plenty to offer, but it would seem Dallas is not interested in dealing with the off-field headaches. Last season, Hardy ranked as the league’s 28th-best edge defender out of 110 qualified players, according to Pro Football Focus (subscription required).

Let’s round up a few more Cowboys-related items:

  • The Cowboys missed out on drafting Paxton Lynch, but they’re content with their quarterback depth chart as it stands today, writes Drew Davison of the Star-Telegram. Kellen Moore will be Tony Romo‘s primary backup in 2016, per Jerry Jones. “I think Kellen Moore has shown the ‘it,'” Jones said. “He has the instincts. He has the anticipation. He knows what’s going on. He gives me and us a great feeling about basically improving. Obviously those interceptions were not something you can live with, but some of the stuff he was doing was pretty obvious that the team was responding. He was able to move the team.” Rookie Dak Prescott will likely fill the No. 3 spot behind Romo and Moore.
  • While the general consensus in the Cowboys organization seems to be that second-round pick Jaylon Smith will miss the entire 2016 season, Jerry Jones isn’t ready to commit to taking the linebacker off the regular-season roster, as Charean Williams of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram details. Appearing on 105.3 The Fan, Jones said Smith “will not be IR’d,” noting that the club hopes Smith can be available for the latter part of the season. We’ll see if Dallas sticks to that stance in September.
  • During that appearance on 105.3 The Fan, Jones also said that he’s holding out hope for Demarcus Lawrence‘s suspension to be reduced from four games to two games (link via Clarence Hill of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram). Lawrence’s four-game ban is currently under appeal.

Zach Links contributed to this post.

Cowboys Rule Out Re-Signing Greg Hardy

April 29th, 2016 at 11:34pm CST by Luke Adams

Having not seriously engaged in talks with defensive end Greg Hardy since his contract expired last month, the Cowboys have long appeared unlikely to re-sign him. Tonight, owner Jerry Jones formally confirmed that Hardy won’t be back, telling reporters – including ESPN’s Todd Archer – that door is officially closed.Greg Hardy

The Cowboys are looking thin at defensive end, and are in need of pass-rushing help, with Demarcus Lawrence and Randy Gregory facing four-game suspensions and Jeremy Mincey no longer under contract. The club also didn’t use any of its first three 2016 draft picks to select an outside pass rusher.

Hardy would certainly qualify as an upgrade for the Cowboys on the field — the former Panther had another solid season as a pass rusher in 2015, recording six sacks, a forced fumble, and an interception in 12 games. He wasn’t quite as dominant as he was during his best years in Carolina, but Hardy ranked as the league’s 28th-best edge defender, out of 110 qualified players, according to Pro Football Focus.

However, Hardy’s off-field history and his behavior during his lone season in Dallas didn’t particularly endear him to the Cowboys as the season wore on. When taking into account his questionable in-season decisions, both on and off the field, as well as his alleged domestic violence history, it makes sense that the Cowboys would consider Hardy to be too much of a liability – or at least a distraction – to invest in going forward.

Here are a few more notes from out of Dallas:

  • Jerry Jones said today that he doesn’t think it’s mandatory that the Cowboys select a quarterback on the final day of the draft. The team had interest in trading up for Paxton Lynch on Thursday, but Jones says he’s comfortable with Kellen Moore as Tony Romo‘s backup (Twitter link via David Moore of the Dallas Morning News).
  • A source tells Clarence Hill of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram (Twitter link) that the Cowboys feel better about Jaylon Smith‘s medicals than they did about Myles Jack‘s. That’s not a big surprise, since Dallas selected Smith with Jack still on the board. Even if Smith misses the entire 2016 season, as is expected, there’s a perception that his knee condition will improve, while Jack’s could deteriorate.
  • While Smith will likely miss all of 2016, Jerry Jones cautioned not to count out the former Notre Dame linebacker just yet, tweets Archer.

Extra Points: Hardy, Robison, Knighton

April 6th, 2016 at 5:34pm CST by Zachary Links

Greg Hardy is frustrated that Aldon Smith received a sizable contract from the Raiders while he continues to sit on the shelf, sources tell Jason Cole of Bleacher Report (video link).

Hardy’s camp is still expecting to land an incentive-laden deal, but interest has not been strong up until this point. According to league sources who spoke with Cole, teams are more concerned about Hardy’s attitude in Dallas last season and stories of his partying than they are about his domestic-abuse allegations.

Here’s some more news from outside the draft realm.

  • Family members are pestering Vikings defensive end Brian Robison to find out about his NFL future and while he’s not certain of what will come next, he does have an idea of what he’d like to do. Robinson says his “ultimate hope” is to play out the remaining two years on his deal, as Chris Tomasson of the Pioneer Press writes. The veteran is due to earn a base salary of $3.75MM in 2016 and $5.25MM in 2017. Robison racked up at least eight sacks per season from 2011-13. After that, he recorded 4.5 sacks in 2014 and 5.0 sacks last season. For his efforts in 2015, the advanced metrics at Pro Football Focus rated him as the 19th-best defensive end out of 48 qualified players.
  • Terrance Knighton consulted Vince Wilfork before signing his one-year deal with the Patriots, according to Mike Reiss of ESPN.com. A Windsor, Conn., native, Knighton grew up a Patriots fan and followed Wilfork’s career closely. Despite being released last year after 11 seasons in New England, Wilfork expressed consistent praise for the Patriots in a long conversation with Knighton, Reiss reports.
  • The Pats have set Knighton up with a nutritionist and included weight clauses in the defensive tackle’s contract, Reiss reports. Washington listed Knighton at 354 pounds last season, and the eighth-year veteran wouldn’t disclose if that was accurate. Although Knighton told media (including Reiss) he weighs less than that now, he doesn’t have an issue with the Patriots‘ weight clauses. “It’s something I’ve paid a lot of attention to this offseason, and it won’t be a problem,” said Knighton, whose weight has likely played a part in failing to secure a long-term deal the past two offseasons. Last year, I was obviously heavier than I am right now. Contractually, I’ll have weights that I need to hit. Whatever the coaches want me to play at, that’s what I’ll be. [Weight concerns are] something that obviously has been an attack on me my whole career.”
  • Andy Mulumba‘s one-year deal with the Chiefs is worth $620K, according to Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com. The outside linebacker’s deal is only guaranteed for $10K, however. Mulumba also gets a $10K workout bonus to go along with his $600K base. The native of the Democratic Republic of Congo became a free agent when Green Bay declined to extend him the low-round tender.
  • In a recent mailbag, a reader asked Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune whether the Bears would give up their first-round pick for Jets defensive lineman Muhammad Wilkerson. The Jets are willing to entertain trade offers from Wilkerson, but they’re not desperate enough to move him cheaply. Chicago, meanwhile, likely needs to build through the draft for a few years to put their plan in motion, and a Wilkerson deal would probably weaken its stockpile.
  • Before Ifo Ekpre-Olomu was claimed off waivers by Miami, the Saints, Bills, and Steelers all tried to claim him, a source tells Field Yates of ESPN.com (on Twitter).

Sam Robinson contributed to this report

Cowboys Rumors: Hardy, Goff, Wentz

April 4th, 2016 at 7:02pm CST by Zachary Links

The latest out of Dallas:

  • Free agent defensive end Greg Hardy sat down for an interview with Adam Schefter of ESPN (video link) and claimed that he never put his hands on his alleged domestic assault victim. Hardy had another solid season as a pass rusher in 2015, recording six sacks, a forced fumble, and an interception in 12 games for the Cowboys. However, he remains on the open market thanks to his reputation for being difficult in the locker room and the PR backlash that his signing would bring for a team.
  • The Cowboys will bring in quarterbacks Jared Goff, Carson Wentz, Paxton Lynch, Christian Hackenberg, Connor Cook, and Jacoby Brissett for visits, as Todd Archer of ESPN.com writes. Hackenberg, Cook, and Brissett could be had later in the draft while Goff, Wentz, and Lynch are likely first round picks.
  • Laquon Treadwell will visit with the Cowboys tomorrow, according to Rand Getlin of NFL.com (on Twitter).
  • Shaq Lawson‘s long anticipated visit to the Cowboys took place on Monday, as Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets.
  • Alabama running back Derrick Henry will visit the Cowboys this week, as Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets.
  • Aaron Wilson of The Houston Chronicle (Twitter links) has the details on Joe Looney‘s two-year contract with Dallas. The interior lineman will get $1.675MM with a $100K signing bonus and salaries of $775K and $800K. He’ll also get a $250K play time incentive in 2016 and a $500K playtime incentive in 2017.
  • Jack Crawford‘s one-year deal will pay him $1.1MM but he can earn up to $1.6MM through incentives, Clarence Hill of The Star-Telegram tweets.

Jets Notes: Wilkerson, Hardy, Carter

April 3rd, 2016 at 3:29pm CST by Dallas Robinson

The Jets have had a relatively quiet offseason — especially compared to their 2015 free agent haul — as they’ve added complementary pieces like Matt Forte and Steve McLendon while retaining inside linebacker Erin Henderson and running back Bilal Powell. The elephant in the room remains free agent quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick, and earlier today Rich Cimini of ESPN.com looked at how the ongoing Colin Kaepernick trade talks might affect the possibility of Fitzpatrick returning to New York.

Let’s take a look at a few more notes from the Big Apple, all courtesy of Cimini’s column…

  • Though Jets general manager Mike Maccagnan has said he is not “actively pursuing” a trade involving defensive ed Muhammad Wilkerson, Cimini says the Bears are a “team to watch” as the draft approaches, noting that New York would instantly accept an offer of the No. 11 overall pick. Wilkerson, who was designated as the Jets’ franchise player, can be assigned the franchise tag again in 2017, essentially allowing Gang Green to lock him up for $34.5MM over two years.
  • The Jets have no interest in free agent defensive end Greg Hardy, per Cimini — though the club could certainly use help at pass-rusher, Hardy simply carries too much off-the-field baggage to be worth the risk. Most of the news surrounding Hardy this offseason has been teams saying they are not interested in bringing in the mercurial defensive end, though Jason Cole of Bleacher Report said last month that several clubs are pursuing Hardy using an “under the radar” approach for fear of generating bad PR.
  • After agreeing to terms with linebacker Bruce Carter on Saturday, the Jets are expected to use something of a platoon at inside linebacker, according to Cimini. While veteran David Harris will likely remain an every-down player, Henderson will probably play on early downs before ceding to Carter on third down.
  • Just a few years ago, Mike Catapano was a defensive tackle with the Chiefs, but after slimming down to the 260-pound range, he’s getting the opportunity to act as a full-time linebacker with the Jets, per Cimini.
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