HEADLINES

Jeremiah Ratliff

NFC North Notes: Packers, Bears, Vikings

July 19th, 2014 at 10:27am CST by Matt Feminis

The injury-related retirement of Packers running back Jonathan Franklin means there are third-down snaps to be had, writes ESPN Wisconsin’s Jason Wilde in a position preview. If/when Eddie Lacy is off the field, the leading candidates are DuJuan Harris — if he can show improvement in blitz pickup — and “old reliable” fullback John Kuhn.

Here’s a few more NFC North links:

  • The Packers’ run defense fell off significantly last season, and the team made a concerted effort to get younger and more athletic along the defensive line. In fact, 28-year-old B.J. Raji is now the “old man of the line.” In the spotlight, however, is 2013 first-rounder Datone Jones, whom Press-Gazette’s Pete Dougherty calls a “critical player for meaningful improvement.” Jones sustained a sprained ankle in the preseason opener and didn’t get healthy until the end of the season. The team expects Jones to step up his game this season, as he will have significantly more responsibility than his niche role as an inside, sub-package rusher last year.
  • The Bears, who were even worse than the Packers against the run last season, also expect to have a better defensive front in 2014. A healthy Jay Ratliff is one of the reasons why. The veteran defensive tackle is 33, but is 100 percent healthy now, according to ESPN’s Michael C. Wright, who shared a text message he received from a Bears employee: “It helps that we signed Rat. He’s a soldier if healthy!” If that’s the case, it will be a coup for the Bears, who scooped up Ratliff in November for a late-season look-see after he was released by the Cowboys. Encouraged by Ratliff’s health, the Bears retained him on a team-friendly, two-year deal, expecting him to provide disruption from the three-technique.
  • Adam Jahns of the Chicago Sun-Times identified the Bears’ 10 most important players, including defensive lineman Lamarr Houston, whom the Bears see as a “star in the making.”
  • Bears head coach Marc Trestman sat down with the Chicago Tribune’s Dan Wiederer for an extensive one-on-one interview in which Trestman touched on a variety of topics, including Jay Cutler, Jared Allen, locker-room culture and leadership, among other things.
  • Vikings fourth-year tight end Kyle Rudolph, who shed 15 pounds this offseason, believes he’s an improved route runner thanks to new offensive coordinator Norv Turner, writes ESPN’s Ben Goessling.

NFC North Notes: Bears, Lions, Starks

June 21st, 2014 at 10:31am CST by Matt Feminis

“The chemistry developing among the defensive linemen — especially starters Jared Allen, Lamarr Houston, Jeremiah Ratliff and Stephen Paea — might be the most exciting thing brewing for the Bears, especially after the unit was last in sacks in 2013,” writes Chicago Sun-Times staff reporter Adam Jahns, who lists 10 things gleaned during the Bears’ offseason.

Here’s some more news and notes from the NFC North:

  • Jahns also says rookie Brock Vereen, a fourth-round rookie from Minnesota, “has the lead” in the free safety competition.
  • “There should be no excuses going forward for Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford,” according to USA Today’s Tom Pelissero, who explains the team has done everything in its power to accommodate its inconsistent franchise quarterback.
  • The Lions’ cornerback situation has been a continual topic of conversation this offseason, and the chatter (concern?) isn’t slowing down yet: ESPN’s Michael Rothstein says it’s a “probability” the Lions will pursue a veteran cornerback.
  • Fox Sports Detroit’s Dave Dye has a question: “It sounds funny to say, but…where would the Lions be without [Rashean] Mathis?” Dye says Mathis established himself as the Lions most reliable cornerback, but admits that’s as much of an indictment of the secondary as it is a compliment to Mathis.
  • Meanwhile, Dye thinks Cassius Vaughn could be a sleeper.
  • And finally, Rothstein and Mlive.com’s Kyle Meinke don’t think free agent Brandon Flowers is a fit in Detroit.
  • Packers new running backs coach Sam Gash thinks improved balance and body control could help James Stark avoid nagging injuries, writes Tyler Dunne in the Journal Sentinel.
  • Vikings GM Rick Spielman says the development of receiver Adam Thielen has jumped out at him during the offseason (radio interview with 100.3 FM here). A 6-2, 195-pound undrafted free agent out of Mankato State, Thielen was on the Vikings’ practice squad last season, but Star Tribune blogger Master Tesfatsion speculates Thielen might have a shot at a roster spot if he continues to impress and show chemistry with Teddy Bridgewater.

Brandon Marshall Announces Contract Extension

May 19th, 2014 at 7:33pm CST by Matt Feminis

7:33pm: The financials of Marshall’s extension have been released, with the big-play wideout earning $30.1MM in new money, reports Albert Breer of the NFL Network (via Twitter). Of the three year extension, $22.5MM is guaranteed, and Marshall will make $15MM in his first year of the new deal.

11:53am: Marshall’s extension has some “hidden” importance, says Dan Pompei on Sulia: “…the other aspect of [Marshall’s] value is his leadership. Marshall gets players together and runs offseason workouts both on the field and off…it would send the wrong message for the Bears to dole out all the money they have this offseason to players from other teams such as Jared Allen, Lamarr Houston, Willie Young and others, and then re-sign their own players such as Tim Jennings, Charles Tillman, Jay Ratliff, Jay Cutler and others, and then not take care of one of their foremost leaders. This contract is about rewarding a great player, but it’s also about sending a message to the entire roster.”

11:20am: Bears receiver Brandon Marshall broke news of a three-year, $30MM contract extension on the television program “The View.” Marshall, who had one year and $9.3MM remaining on his five-year, $44.8MM deal, is now locked up for four years and $40MM ($23MM guaranteed), per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport (via Twitter).

Acquired from the Dolphins in March of 2012 for a pair of third-round picks, Marshall was the first big splash of GM Phil Emery’s tenure. The 30-year-old has rewarded the team’s confidence, establishing a rapport with Jay Cutler and posting two Pro Bowl seasons in which he totaled 218 receptions for 2,803 yards and 23 touchdowns.

Cowboys Notes: Free Agency, Orton, Ratliff

March 24th, 2014 at 4:57pm CST by Luke Adams

Let’s round up a few Monday items related to the Cowboys….

  • Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones indicated that his team is making a concerted effort to avoid players on the wrong side of 30, who are no longer in their primes, writes David Moore of the Dallas Morning News. That helps explain why players like DeMarcus Ware, Jason Hatcher, and Miles Austin won’t be on the roster next season.
  • One over-30 player is on his way back to the Cowboys, however, as agent David Dunn confirms his client Kyle Orton will return for 2014, rather than retire (Twitter link via Calvin Watkins of ESPN Dallas). Orton should enter the season as Tony Romo‘s primary backup, though he could get a push from newly-signed Brandon Weeden.
  • The Cowboys have filed a complaint against former defensive tackle Jeremiah (Jay) Ratliff in an effort to recoup some of the money they paid him, owner Jerry Jones confirmed today (link via David Moore). “This type of conduct, unable to play for us one day and a few days later working out for another club, is undermining and needs to be addressed,” Jones said.
  • According to Calvin Watkins, the Cowboys are looking to get back a portion of Ratliff’s $10MM signing bonus, a portion of his $1.34MM 2013 base salary, and monies owed on a luxury suite at AT&T Stadium.

Contract Updates: Jets, Bills, Ratliff, Titans

March 6th, 2014 at 11:59am CST by Luke Adams

Restricted free agent cornerback Darrin Walls agreed to a new deal with the Jets last night, and agent Jordan Woy tweets that it’s a two-year contract. Ellis Lankster, who also agreed on a new deal with the Jets, will be on a two-year, $1.63MM contract, according to Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News (Twitter link). Lankster’s pact appears to be worth slightly more than the minimum.

With free agency looming and several players having already signed new contracts or reworked old ones, we have plenty more contract and cap updates to pass along, so let’s dive right in….

  • The Bills extended contract tenders to all four of their exclusive rights free agents, and cornerback Brandon Smith has accepted his, according to Joe Buscaglia of WGR550 (Twitter links). With Smith set to return to the team on a one-year, minimum-salary deal, offensive guard Antoine McClain, fullback Frank Summers, and wide receiver Chris Hogan will also be back in Buffalo if and when they sign their tenders.
  • Adam Caplan of ESPN.com (Twitter link) has the details on Jeremiah Ratliff‘s new two-year contract with the Bears. It’s worth a total of $4MM, with $600K guaranteed.
  • The cap figures on Troy Polamalu‘s new three-year contract with the Steelers are $6.387MM (2014), $8.25MM (2015), and $8MM (2016), with respective base salaries of $1.5MM, $6MM, and $5.75MM, according to Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (Twitter link).
  • The Browns have extended a contract tender to inside linebacker Craig Robertson, according to Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal. Robertson, who was an exclusive rights free agent, will be in line for a minimum salary of $570K for 2014.
  • New one-year deals for running backs Jackie Battle (Titans) and Bobby Rainey (Bucs) are both worth the minimum, according to Jim Wyatt of the Tennessean and Tom Pelissero of USA Today, respectively (Twitter links). Battle’s minimum salary ($855K) is a little more substantial than Rainey’s ($570K) due to his extra years of service time.
  • Wyatt also shares (via Twitter) a few more specifics on Bernard Pollard‘s two-year deal with the Titans, which has base salaries of $1.65MM in 2014 and $3.1MM in 2015.

Bears, Ratliff Agree To Two-Year Deal

March 5th, 2014 at 7:23pm CST by Zachary Links

The Bears announced that they have reached agreement on a two-year deal with defensive tackle Jeremiah Ratliff. The Bears have now signed ten of their own free-agents-to-be, more than any other club in the NFL.

While financial terms of the deal are not yet known, a source tells Rich Campbell of the Chicago Tribune (on Twitter) that the deal is not a bank-breaker. Ratliff apparently opted for his quality fit in Chicago over going through another round of recruiting elsewhere. It also helped Chicago’s case that new defensive line coach Paul Pasqualoni worked with Ratliff in Dallas.

The soon-to-be 33-year-old racked up 27 sacks and 317 total tackles during his time with the Cowboys but it came to an end midway through the 2013 season while he was sidelined with injury. It turns out that Ratliff was either a good actor or a quick healer as he started auditioning for teams almost immediately and suited up the Bears in Week 13.

Ratliff, along with Nate Collins and Henry Melton, was one of three Bears defensive tackles who were eligible for free agency this offseason. Chicago reportedly has interest in a new deal with Melton and it would make sense for them to explore a new pact with Collins as well.

NFC Notes: Falcons, Packers, Bears

February 24th, 2014 at 10:30pm CST by Ben Levine

It was revealed yesterday that potential number-one pick Jadeveon Clowney wants to play for the Falcons. While team general manager Thomas Dimitroff brushed off Clowney’s comments, he did reveal his willingness to wheel and deal. Dimitroff spoke to NFL Network’s Kimberly Jones and discussed the Falcons’ draft plans (via D. Orlando Ledbetter of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution):

“I’ve been very clear about this, we will always be open for business,” Dimitroff said. “We will always be open to move up and back, depends on what’s right for us.”

Based on most mock draft, Clowney won’t be around for the Falcons’ pick. Even then, Dimitroff may instead be looking to move down.

“Again, I feel really comfortable with where we are at six,” he said, “but there are opportunities on both sides of six.”

Here are a couple more notes from around the NFC…

NFC North Rumors: Bears, Ratliff, Packers

February 21st, 2014 at 9:17pm CST by Ben Levine

Over the past two days, we’ve seen some Bears updates and a handful of Packers rumors. We have a couple more tidbits to add to the list, though…

  • Bears general manager Phil Emery may be willing to deal his first-round pick, writes ESPN.com’s Michael C. Wright. While Wright acknowledges the difficulty to evaluate Emery based on the GM’s dry sense of humor, he got the impression that Emery would field calls for the 14th pick. 
  • The Bears will meet with Jay Ratliff‘s camp in Indianapolis, tweets Wright. In the same tweet, Wright also mentions the team’s interest in bringing back cornerback Kelvin Hayden
  • The Packers may be looking to beef up their quarterback depth via the draft, writes Weston Hodkiewicz of Packersnews.com.

Panthers Tops In “Dead Money”

February 18th, 2014 at 8:36pm CST by Matt Feminis

Thanks in large part to last season’s trade of Jon Beason, the Panthers have $17.8MM in “dead money,” more than any team in the league, according to ESPN.com’s Kevin Seifert (full chart here). “Dead money” is defined as cap space consumed by players no longer on the roster, whether they retired, were released or traded. The numbers will fluctuate as rosters continue to evolve, but listed below are the five teams with at least $10MM worth of “dead money” at present time, including the players accounting for most of the sunk costs:

At the other end of the spectrum, six teams have less than $1MM in “dead money”: Jets, Rams, Buccaneers, Colts, Seahawks and Bengals.

NFC Notes: Dimitroff, Shields, Orakpo, Eagles

February 15th, 2014 at 10:14am CST by Matt Feminis

Falcons GM Thomas Dimitroff was put under the microscope by the Atlanta Journal Constitution’s Dawson Devitt, who published the first part of an exhaustive retrospective analysis of the GM’s transaction history 2008-09, including free agency, cuts, trades, extensions and drafts. The verdict? More good than bad.

Other opinions from NFC writers:

  • Packers free agent cornerback Sam Shields‘ arrow is pointing up, according to ESPN.com’s Rob Demovsky, who says the 26-year-old is worth $7-8MM per year. Shields has blazing speed to run with outside burners and has improved leaps and bounds with his technique and tackling.
  • With Henry Melton, Jay Ratliff and Nate Collins set to hit free agency, defensive tackle “will have to be a top priority” for the Bears, according to ESPN Chicago’s Michael C. Wright, who believes the team will add interior defenders in the draft, via free agency and still attempt to bring back its own free agents.
  • The Redskins can re-sign both Brian Orakpo and Perry Riley provided both players don’t ask for unreasonable deals, says ESPN Washington’s John Keim.
  • Thanks to second-year head coach Chip Kelly’s familiarity with college players, Dallas Morning News writer Rick Gosselin believes the Eagles are in a window when they have a distinct draft advantage. Gosselin cites past examples of Jimmy Johnson‘s move from the University of Miami to the Cowboys, Jim Harbaugh‘s jump from Stanford to the 49ers and Pete Carroll’s escape from USC to the Seahawks when the coaches drafted players they were familiar with, creating the core of winning NFL teams. Kelly, who recruited nationally for Oregon, “spent four years with the Ducks so he has a four-year window when he’ll know the draft board better than the NFL lifers,” contends Gosselin.