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Jeron Johnson

NFC Notes: 49ers, Housler, Peterson, Johnson

March 15th, 2015 at 10:44pm CST by Rob DiRe

The 49ers came into the offseason with holes at wide receiver, running back, and defensive line. General manager Trent Baalke filled each one of those holes during the first week of free agency, and will now be able to go into the NFL draft with his options open, writes Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee.

“When you get pigeonholed like that, other teams can maneuver, if they need to, to get ahead of you,” Baalke said last week. “So you’re always trying to get into that draft with the mindset that nobody can lock you in and say, ‘Boy, they’ve got to take this (position).’ Or, ‘They’ve got to take this position.’ You’re trying to get into it with the idea of we can go wherever we want to go and feel pretty good about it.”

  • The Falcons will be on the board with the eighth pick in this year’s NFL Draft, and former NFL executive Bill Polian expects the team to select a pass rusher, writes D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “It’s probably the strength of this draft,” Polian said Wednesday. “So, it is a good time to be in that market. The odds are pretty good, I think, that somebody good in that position is going to be there for (the Falcons). That’s what you like to have. You like for the need line and the talent line to cross.”
  • Former Cardinals tight end Rob Housler had a visit with the Falcons, but nothing has come of it so far. The team has not yet agreed to terms with the 6’5″ pass catcher, reports Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun.
  • As the Cardinals remain a logical trade partner with the Vikings for Adrian Peterson, Jordan Schultz of the Huffington Post writes that the two sides have been informally chatting about potential deals (via Twitter). Schultz writes that the parameters currently involve Peterson and a seventh-round pick for the Cardinals second-round pick. He also notes that the Cardinals, not the often linked Cowboys, are Peterson’s team of choice.
  • Safety Jeron Johnson is visiting with Washington tomorrow, reports Adam Caplan of ESPN (via Twitter). Caplan expects the former Seahawks safety to start if he signs there. After backing up Earl Thomas and Kam Chancellor for 46 games over the past four years, both Caplan and Matt Williamson agree that Johnson could be a great value in free agency (via Twitter).

FA Rumors: J. Johnson, Parker, Falcons, 49ers

March 13th, 2015 at 12:39pm CST by Luke Adams

Free agent safety Jeron Johnson is generating some interest around the league, and will pay a visit to Washington, according to Mike Garafolo of Fox Sports (via Twitter). Johnson, a Boise State product, never saw any real significant playing time on defense for a Seahawks team that featured Earl Thomas and Kam Chancellor, but he was a solid backup and excelled on special teams.

Let’s round up a few more Friday free agent news items and rumors from around the NFL….

  • The Bears would like to sign safety Ron Parker, but he left Chicago last night without a deal, a source confirms to Ralph Vacchiano of the New York Daily News, who tweets that the former Chief appears to be in no rush to sign.
  • Having already met with the Seahawks and Broncos, Shelley Smith will make his next visit to Atlanta to meet with the Falcons, a source tells Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com (Twitter link). The free agent offensive lineman is scheduled to arrive tonight and have his official visit tomorrow.
  • The 49ers saw one of their free agent cornerbacks, Chris Culliver, find a deal in Washington today, but according to Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com, they’ve spoken to another – Chris Cook – about returning (Twitter link). Still, Maiocco’s source says there have been no recent conversations between the two sides.
  • Free agent center Stefen Wisniewski remains in Seattle for now, but a visit to the Rams is “very possible,” tweets Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. In addition to visiting the Seahawks, Wisniewski also met with the Bucs earlier this week.
  • Offensive lineman Erik Pears, who visited the 49ers this week, is also receiving interest from the Jets and Broncos, tweets Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee. Pears started all 16 games for the Bills at right guard last season.
  • The Chargers are continuing to eye the free agent market in search of upgrades at wide receiver, after having lost Eddie Royal to Chicago, writes Michael Gehlken of the San Diego Union-Tribune.
  • Former Giants guard John Jerry is making a free agent visit to Tennessee today to meet with the Titans, according to Jim Wyatt of the Tennessean (via Twitter). Having waited out the first wave of free agency, the Titans have been very active today, locking up Brian Orakpo, Derrick Morgan, Ryan Succop, and Karl Klug to new contracts.

NFC Notes: Bucs, Vikings, Redskins, Seahawks

April 11th, 2014 at 4:55pm CST by Luke Adams

A total of 26 local prospects from 11 schools worked out for the Buccaneers today, tweets Scott Smith of Buccaneers.com. Greg Auman of the Tampa Bay Times identifies a handful of them in a series of Twitter links, including Florida offensive lineman Jon Halapio, Boston College offensive lineman Matt Patchan, USF defensive end Ryne Giddins, USF defensive back Fidel Montgomery, Toledo receiver Bernard Reedy, and Rutgers safety Jeremy Deering.

  • The Vikings will work out Teddy Bridgewater on Saturday, according to ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter (via Twitter).
  • It was reported yesterday that the Redskins brought in free agent receivers Austin Collie and Anthony Armstrong for visits, and Mike Jones of the Washington Post adds another name to that list, tweeting that the club also worked out Brian Hernandez. Hernandez has signed with the Eagles and Redskins, though he has never appeared in a regular-season NFL game.
  • Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun provides the breakdown on Jeron Johnson’s reworked deal with the Seahawks (via Twitter). Rather than earning a $2.187MM base salary in 2014, Johnson will now have a $1MM base, a $250K signing bonus, up to $250K in per-game roster bonuses, and up to $500K in playing-time incentives. As John Clayton reported yesterday, the one-year pact can be worth up to $2MM in total.
  • Calvin Watkins of ESPNDallas.com discusses whether the Cowboys will add a quarterback in this year’s draft or wait another year to address the situation.

Minor Moves: Dolphins, Jaguars, Seahawks

April 10th, 2014 at 4:29pm CST by Luke Adams

Here are today’s minor moves, a list which encompasses signings and cuts involving little-known players, contract restructures, and accepted contract tenders:

  • Jonathan Freeny of the Dolphins also re-signed as an exclusive rights free agent today, according to Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (via Twitter). Freeny, a key contributor on special teams for Miami, will be in line for a $570K salary.

Earlier updates:

  • Offensive lineman Austin Pasztor has re-signed with the Jaguars, according to agent Sunny Shah (via Twitter). Pasztor had been an exclusive rights free agent, so if he wanted to play in the NFL in 2014, he had no choice but to accept the ERFA tender he received from the club earlier in the offseason. The 23-year-old tackle will be in line for a $570K salary this year.
  • The Bills have cut defensive end Kourtnei Brown, tweets Tim Graham of the Buffalo News. Brown, 25, had been on a futures contract with the club, and has yet to appear in a regular-season NFL game.
  • According to ESPN.com’s John Clayton (Twitter link), Seahawks safety Jeron Johnson, who accepted a second-round RFA tender from the team last month has since restructured his contract. Johnson’s one-year deal can now be worth up to $2MM, says Clayton. Johnson originally signed a $2.187MM tender from the team, but it wasn’t guaranteed, so it didn’t offer much security.

NFC Notes: Clark, Seahawks, Culliver

March 29th, 2014 at 8:50am CST by Peter Sowards

Could Ryan Clark be the newest member of the “Legion of Boom”? The former Steelers safety recently visited the Seahawks, a league source told National Football Post’s Aaron Wilson, then tweeted how impressed he was with the city and the organization. Clark, who played the last eight of 12 seasons with the Steelers, has also received interest from the Redskins, Ravens and Jets. Seattle Times beat writer Bob Condotta chimed in on the report, saying that the Seahawks need a backup free safety with Chris Maragos departing for the Eagles. Jeron Johnson, who signed a second-round tender earlier this offseason, is better suited at strong safety, Condotta notes.

Other news and notes from the NFC this Saturday morning…

  • 49ers cornerback Chris Culliver is out of jail following his arrest last night for felony hit-and-run and weapons possession, KTVU.com reports. The team released a subsequent statement indicating its awareness of the incident: “The 49ers organization is aware of the recent matter involving Chris Culliver. We will remain in contact with Chris and the local authorities as we continue to gather the facts regarding this situation. As this is an ongoing legal matter, we will reserve further comment at this time.” Culliver was last in hot water during the run up to Super Bowl XLVII in February 2013, when he said he wouldn’t welcome a gay player in the locker room.
  • Buccaneers GM Jason Licht and coach Lovie Smith weighed in on recently released receiver DeSean Jackson, writes Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times. “He’d have to be the right fit on and off the field,” Licht said. “I don’t want to dismiss him right away but we’re looking at a bunch of other players, too.” Smith was more complimentary of the three-time Pro Bowler, calling him a great football player and saying the team will look at everyone they think can help them win.
  • Further down in Stroud’s piece, Smith says the team “might move up” from the No. 7 pick, and that he and Licht have talked about that possibility, as well as the possibility of moving back.

Seahawks Re-Sign Jeanpierre, Johnson

March 7th, 2014 at 5:35pm CST by Luke Adams

5:35pm: The Seahawks put a second-round tender on Johnson, who accepted it, locking in a $2.187MM base salary for 2014, according to Tom Pelissero of USA Today (via Twitter). That salary isn’t guaranteed, but the team can’t rescind the offer now that Johnson has accepted it.

3:05pm: The Seahawks have inked a pair of restricted free agents to one-year contract extensions, the team announced today (via Twitter). Offensive lineman Lemuel Jeanpierre and safety Jeron Johnson will be returning to Seattle for the 2014 season, according to the club.

Both Jeanpierre and Johnson have been with the Seahawks for three seasons, playing almost exclusively off the bench. Jeanpierre started three games and saw a career-high 291 snaps during the 2013 season, primarily at center. Johnson, meanwhile, appeared in just four contests for the club after seeing action in every game of the 2012 season.

Extra Points: Suh, Johnson, McClain, Smith

March 4th, 2014 at 9:26pm CST by Zachary Links

Ndamukong Suh has long been linked to Jay-Z’s Roc Nation, but it sounds like the Lions star might actually opt to represent himself in his contract negotiations, tweets Mike Garafolo of FOX Sports. While he’d consult with others, including Roc Nation, it sounds like the defensive tackle is giving real thought to sitting across the table from the Lions without a formal agent at his side. An extension would be very complex for Suh if he wants to maximize his value and Ian Rapoport of NFL Network (on Twitter) hears that even the Lions don’t want him to enter negotiations on his own. More from around the league..

  • The Seahawks gave safety Jeron Johnson a second-round tender as a restricted free agent, Garafolo tweets. Johnson, 26 in June, could garner interest elsewhere, so it’ll be interesting to see how things to this offseason.
  • Former Ravens linebacker Jameel McClain is scheduled to take a free agent visit with the Bills tomorrow, Rapoport tweets. The LB has a few more visits with other clubs on his docket as well.
  • Panthers wide receiver Steve Smith met with general manager Dave Gettleman earlier today to try and clear the air, a league source tells Joseph Person of the Charlotte Observer. Gettleman was non-committal about Smith’s future with the team when asked about him at the scouting combine last month which didn’t sit well with the veteran.
  • 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh personally scouted Eastern Illinois quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo at his pro day, writes Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle. The Texans also came to watch the signal caller throw.
  • The Giants will be on the hunt for running backs once free agency officially opens, explains Ebenezer Samuel of the New York Daily News.
  • Andrew Brandt of Sports Illustrated examined the nuances of the franchise tag, the transition tag, and the ripple effects they’ll have on free agency.