Jerome Felton - Pro Football Rumors

Bills Preparing For Run At Charles Clay

March 10th, 2015 at 4:26pm CST by Luke Adams

4:26pm: Clay will in fact be visiting the Bills, according to Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald (via Twitter). Buffalo will attempt to structure its offer sheet to Clay so that it’s difficult for the Dolphins to match, adds Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link). In fact, the Bills value Clay so highly that they’d be happy with landing him and little else, tweets Tim Graham of the Buffalo News.

2:14pm: The Bills plan to prepare the strongest possible offer sheet for Clay, tweets Vic Carucci of the Buffalo News, adding that the Browns are also interested in Clay.

7:20am: The transition tag isn’t expected to stop the Bills from making a run at tight end Charles Clay, says Mike Garafolo of Fox Sports (via Twitter). Clay, who received the one-year transition tender worth $7.071MM from the Dolphins last week, is still free to negotiate with other teams starting this afternoon, and according to Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com (via Twitter), Buffalo is preparing to make the tight end an offer.

While that offer could come as soon as today, Garafolo (via Twitter) cautions that things may not play out quite that quickly. For an unrestricted free agent, teams will race to get him to put pen to paper to finalize a deal, but for a transition player, the Dolphins will have five days to match any offer sheet, so there’s no rush to get anything done immediately. Garafolo expects the Bills to try to bring Clay in for a visit later this week.

In other Bills-related news, La Canfora notes that the team also hopes to sign former Vikings fullback Jerome Felton, who is a free agent this winter. With former Niners offensive coordinator Greg Roman ready to take over control of Buffalo’s offense, the Bills are expected to add some sort of fullback this offseason, whether it’s Felton or someone else.

Finally, speaking of San Francisco, Vic Carucci of the Buffalo News adds (via Twitter) that – despite multiple reports to the contrary – the Bills weren’t actually among the teams pursuing former Niners guard Mike Iupati, who is expected to sign with the Cardinals.

AFC East Rumors: Jets, Vereen, Hoyer, Suh

March 10th, 2015 at 10:17am CST by Zachary Links

The latest from the AFC East..

The Jets are showing interest in Patriots running back Shane Vereen, a source tells Rich Cimini of ESPNNewYork.com (via Twitter). Their level of interest, predictably, hinges on the outcome of their talks with Bilal Powell. There are other suitors for the 26-year-old as well.
The Jets will have interest in Brian Hoyer if the price is right, but they won’t go out of their way to target him, a source tells Josina Anderson of ESPN.com (via Twitter). There are other, cheaper options for the Jets and the source says the team won’t be “losing sleep” over which veteran signal caller they wind up with.
The Dolphins are worried about the NFL investigating them for tampering when it comes to the Ndamukong Suh pact, as Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald explains.
Alex Marvez of FOX Sports (on Twitter) hears that the Bills‘ offer to Jerome Felton is a nice contract for a fullback. Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com first reported Buffalo’s interest in the veteran.
Dolphins wide receiver Mike Wallace explained to Anderson (on Twitter) that he’s not concerned about the terms of his pay cut because any deal he strikes would be one where there are ways where he can earn his money back. The implication there, we can infer, is that Wallace is targeting easily attainable incentives in the deal that will bring him back to what he was scheduled to earn. He went on to explain that he’s happy “for the most part” in Miami (link). Any restructuring deal he takes would have to be “reasonable” and he refuses to do anything “crazy” since he has a family to take care of (link).

AFC FA Rumors: Hawk, Cole, Hartline, Chiefs

March 6th, 2015 at 4:23pm CST by Luke Adams

After rounding up several free agent rumors from around the NFC earlier this afternoon, it’s time for a look at the AFC. Here’s the latest:

Former Packers linebacker A.J. Hawk is set to visit with the Bengals next week, according to Geoff Hobson of Bengals.com (via Twitter). Cincinnati re-signed linebacker Rey Maualuga this week, but with Vontaze Burfict‘s recovery timetable still uncertain following microfracture surgery, the team could use some more depth at the position.
Assuming Trent Cole leaves Tampa Bay without a deal from the Buccaneers, he’ll head to Indianapolis next week to meet with the Colts, reports Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee (Twitter link). Like the 49ers, who also have interest in Cole, the Colts are a 3-4 team, so it’ll be interesting to see if the veteran edge defender views the club as a good fit.
According to Jason Walker of ESPN.com (via Twitter), agent Drew Rosenhaus said today that the Chiefs are in the mix for wide receiver Brian Hartline, adding them to a group of suitors that includes the Dolphins, Browns, and Texans. Meanwhile, the Browns have about a “50/50” chance of landing Hartline, according to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com, who says Cleveland could balk at the wideout’s asking price.
We can also add the Chiefs to the list of teams interested in free agency safety Tyvon Branch, tweets Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com. Kansas City is on Branch’s list of scheduled meetings, following his visit to Washington.
The Jaguars are expected to have a look at fullback Jerome Felton once free agency begins, says Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter). The team decided not to tender a contract offer to restricted free agent fullback Will Ta’ufo’ou, and could be on the lookout for a replacement.

North Notes: Felton, Peterson, Canty, Suh

February 27th, 2015 at 2:36pm CST by Luke Adams

Appearing on SiriusXM NFL Radio today, former Vikings fullback Jerome Felton, who opted out of his contract at season’s end, said he has talked to his old team about the possibility of a reunion (Twitter link). Felton went on to say he wouldn’t close the door on re-signing with the Vikings, though it sounds as if a possible return for the veteran fullback may hinge on whether or not Adrian Peterson stays with the team. Felton has, of course, been Peterson’s lead blocker since 2012, earning a Pro Bowl nod during the season in which the MVP ran for nearly 2,100 yards.

Here’s more on Peterson, along with a few more items from out of the NFL’s two North divisions:

Barring something unexpected, Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk (Twitter link) expects Peterson to ultimately end up with the Vikings, Cowboys, Colts, or Cardinals for the 2015 season.
Although the Ravens released veteran defensive lineman Chris Canty today, he expects to continue playing in 2015, and Baltimore hasn’t ruled out the possibility of bringing him back at a lesser salary, according to GM Ozzie Newsome. “We certainly would not close the door to Chris coming back to us,” Newsome said (Twitter link via Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com).
If the Lions shell out the money necessary to keep Ndamukong Suh locked up for multiple seasons, it may be a big gamble for the franchise, writes Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press. As Birkett outlines, teams in similar situations in the past have had mixed results when making a big investment in a star player.
Birkett has a second piece on Suh today for the Free Press, identifying the Raiders, Jaguars, Colts, and Jets as the likeliest suitors for the star defensive linemen if he doesn’t return to the Lions.

North Notes: Felton, Webb, Branch

February 3rd, 2015 at 9:10pm CST by Zachary Links

Mike Zimmer led the Vikings to a 7-9 record in his first season despite a long list of personnel issues, including the loss of Adrian Peterson. Some folks might have been surprised, but not Bengals coach Marvin Lewis. “I thought he did an outstanding job, a fine job,” Lewis said of his longtime defensive coordinator, according to Chris Tomasson of the Pioneer Press. “I know they’re excited for next year (in Minnesota).” More from the North divisions..

Fullback Jerome Felton, who has decided to opt out of the final year of his deal with the Vikings, told Ben Goessling of ESPN.com that he was frustrated by the absence of Peterson in 2014. “Once Adrian went down, it changed things,” Felton said. “For a while there, my numbers went back up and I started playing well. But when you have the best running back in the world, that changes the offense. (Offensive coordinator) Norv (Turner) and (running backs coach) Kirby (Wilson) were always great communicating with me. The team supported me in what I was doing. It was a tough year from the standpoint of wanting to do more, but I felt like I grew as a leader this year. I didn’t let those things turn me into a negative influence in the locker room. I tried to keep supporting my guys.”
Lardarius Webb’s contract is an offseason issue the Ravens will likely have to address, Clifton Brown of CSNBaltimore.com writes. Webb still has three years remaining on a contract due to pay him $8MM in base salary next season. The Ravens could use a more cap-friendly deal, because even if they cut him, they would only save $2MM in cap room. Webb should be open to some sort of adjustment because he probably wouldn’t get more than $8MM on the open market.
Patriots defensive tackle Alan Branch told Alex Marvez of FOX Sports (Twitter link) that the Browns expressed interest in signing him in October. However, he liked the defense in New England and wanted to play alongside Vince Wilfork.

Jerome Felton Opts Out Of Contract

February 3rd, 2015 at 4:52pm CST by Rob DiRe

FEBRUARY 3: Felton confirmed to Ben Goessling of ESPN.com (Twitter link) that he has officially opted out of his contract with the Vikings, which will make him a free agent.

DECEMBER 26: Vikings fullback Jerome Felton said he has decided to opt out of his contract at season’s end and become a free agent this offseason, reports Chris Tomasson of the Pioneer Press.

“The economics of my thing is they’re not going to pay me $2.5 million,’’ said Felton. “You wouldn’t just stay in a contract knowing your salary is that high. There’s no guarantee in the contract, so it wouldn’t make sense for me to opt in. So I’m a free agent after this season. If they wanted, they could re-sign me (at a lesser amount).’’

Felton has been considering opting out for a while now, despite having his base salary reduced this past offseason. A number of factors have contributed to his decision, including a heavy snap reduction under offensive coordinator Norv Turner.

Part of that could be the presence of Zach Line on the roster, and also the lack of commitment to the running game without Adrian Peterson in 2014.

Felton has not ruled out the possibility of returning to the Vikings despite opting out. “You never say never,’’ Felton said. “I like the coaching staff and I appreciate the organization. We’ll see what the future holds.’’

Jerome Felton Signs With Relativity Sports

January 24th, 2015 at 1:53pm CST by Rob DiRe

Vikings fullback Jerome Felton has officially hired new representation, signing with Relativity Sports, reports Liz Mullen of the Sports Business Journal (via Twitter).

Felton’s new agents at the firm will be C.J. LaBoy, Doug Hendrickson, and Eugene Parker. They will negotiate the terms of his next contract, as Felton is expected to opt out of his deal with the Vikings.

Felton’s former agent Sean Howard released a statement on his time with the Pro Bowl player, through Mullen (via Twitter). “For 7 years I’ve successfully assisted Jerome off the field, as well as guided his NFL career to Pro Bowl status,” said Howard. “I wish him continued success.”

Felton saw his snaps reduced heavily with the team in 2014, although the reason is unclear. It could certainly be due to changes in the coaching staff, with new offensive coordinator Norv Turner preferring a one back system.

It may not have been Turner’s true intention, however, as the team could not commit as much energy to the running game after Adrian Peterson was suspended, which could have also effected his playing time. The team also has fullback Zach Line on the roster, and he could serve as a replacement should the team move on from Felton.

NFC Links: Cutler, Fitzgerald, Giants

December 20th, 2014 at 12:47pm CST by Ben Levine

We heard about a month ago that Vikings fullback Jerome Felton was considering opting out of his restructured contract. The 28-year-old can accept a 2015 deal worth $2.45MM (plus a $50K workout bonus), but a reduced role may force him to pursue other opportunities.

The former fifth-round pick addressed the subject on Friday (via Mark Craig of the Star Tribune):

“I’d like to come back, but I know the reality. I know they have Zach [Line] on the roster, even though I’m not getting many snaps. My salary, the number of reps I’ve gotten this year, all of that plays into it. But I’ve taken advantage of every opportunity, and I know there is a lot of good film on me out there.”

After having played at least 400 snaps the previous two seasons, the veteran has only seen the field on 148 snaps in 2014, according to Pro Football Focus (subscription required). Understandably, Felton isn’t happy about the lighter workload:

“I’m not happy about it, but I refuse to be a negative person. I’ve stayed positive and kept working hard. It’s frustrating because I do feel I’ve played at a high level. I thought there would be a good role for me on the team, but obviously it was impacted by Adrian’s situation.”

Let’s take a look at some more notes from the NFC…

ESPN’s Adam Schefter suggests that the Bears could make history if they decide to trade Jay Cutler. According to Schefter, a team has never had to give up extra compensation to get rid of a player, but plenty of league executives believe that will be Chicago’s only hope of ridding themselves of the embattled quarterback.
Kent Somers of AZCentral.com says there’s a 50-50 chances that wideout Larry Fitzgerald will be with the Cardinals next season. Meanwhile, the writer believes quarterback Carson Palmer will return.
If the Cardinals don’t keep Palmer, they may be seeking a veteran quarterback. However, Somers can’t imagine the team pursuing Jay Cutler.
The Giants could undergo some drastic change this offseason, but ESPN.com’s Dan Graziano believes at least two members of the organization will be back: wideout Rueben Randle and head coach Tom Coughlin. The writer mentions that defensive coordinator Perry Fewell could potentially be on his way out.

Jerome Felton Considering Opting Out

November 25th, 2014 at 10:07am CST by Luke Adams

During the 2014 offseason, Vikings fullback Jerome Felton agreed to restructure his contract, and while it reduced his ’14 base salary by $500K, the move also provided Felton with the opportunity to opt out of his deal following the season. Considering his role has been reduced under new offensive coordinator Norv Turner, the veteran fullback tells Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press that he’ll take the lack of snaps into account when deciding whether or not to opt out.

“Of course, that will be a factor,” Felton said. “But I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my time this year because I like our coaching staff and I really think this team is heading in the right direction. All of that is going to be in play.“

Felton, who made the Pro Bowl in 2012, can earn back that $500K this season if he earns another Pro Bowl nod, and Pro Football Focus (subscription required) rates him as the league’s second-best player at his position. For what it’s worth, Felton says he thinks he’s “the best fullback in the NFL” and believes he’s playing better this year than he did in 2012, but given the Vikings’ 4-7 record and the fact that the 28-year-old has played just 122 snaps, his strong play may not be recognized.

Assuming Felton opts into his contract for next year, he’d be owed a base salary of $2.45MM, along with a workout bonus of $50K, but none of that money is guaranteed, so Minnesota wouldn’t be obliged to keep him on the roster. As a point of comparison, the Buccaneers recently extended Anthony Sherman – the one fullback ahead of Felton in PFF’s rankings – to a three-year deal worth up to $7MM, so Felton may prefer to hit the open market and look for a team willing to commit that sort of money to a multiyear pact rather than playing out one more season with the Vikes.

NFC Notes: Hester, Felton, Bailey, Cards

August 11th, 2014 at 12:23pm CST by Luke Adams

Longtime Bear Devin Hester would have liked to continue – and eventually end – his career in Chicago, but when he became a free agent earlier this year, the team didn’t have much interest in re-signing him, as he tells Patrick Finley of the Chicago Tribune.

“It’s not like I had a choice to sign with them again,” Hester said. “They didn’t even call me to let me know they were willing to bring me back. I didn’t hear from them at all. It made it a lot easier for me to say, ‘OK,’ and then go look for another team.”

When he hit the open market, Hester considered the Cardinals and Lovie Smith’s Buccaneers, but ultimately landed with the Falcons. Here’s more from around the NFC:

Like Hester, wide receiver Stevie Johnson expected to eventually finish his career with the team he started with, but the Bills opted to trade him to the 49ers in May. Johnson spoke to Don Banks of SI.com about his offseason and about playing for the team he grew up rooting for in San Francisco.
With new offensive coordinator Norv Turner now leading the offense in Minnesota, the Vikings aren’t expected to utilize a fullback as often, meaning Jerome Felton‘s roster spot could be in jeopardy just two years after he made the Pro Bowl. Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press has the details, including quotes from the veteran fullback, who expressed confidence in his place on the team’s 53-man roster.
Veteran cornerback Champ Bailey appears to have suffered some sort of injury in training camp, but the Saints haven’t indicated whether or not it’s serious, writes Larry Holder of the New Orleans Times-Picayune, who wonders if the team will strongly consider cutting ties with Bailey.
Darren Urban of AZCardinals.com rounds up a few notable comments from Cardinals GM Steve Keim‘s latest appearance on 98.7 FM in Arizona.