Kenny Britt

FA Notes: Finley, Britt, Spencer, Barkley

Former Packers’ tight end Jermichael Finley failed his physical with the Seahawks, reports Pete Dougherty of the Green Bay Press-Gazette (via Twitter). He writes that Finley is only four months removed from neck surgery.

Finley could still be months away from landing with an NFL team, based on his recovery, notes Bob McGinn of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel.

Here are some other rumors from around the NFL:

  • While they haven’t expressed much interest in Finley, the tight end is still an option for the Giants. However it looks like the team has concluded that Anthony Spencer‘s health is not worth the risk, writes Jordan Raanan of NJ.com.
  • Kenny Britt had a good visit with the Patriots, writes Mike Reiss of ESPNBoston.com. Britt had a conversation with Reiss’ colleague Mike Rodak, who covers the Bills. “It was actually better than I thought it was,” said Britt, discussing the Patriots. “A lot of guys, a lot of people out there that don’t know or been on the inside or think it’s strict and things like that, but it’s laid back when I got there. They got good people there. I actually worked out for them. The workout went great. I had a good time.” 
  • Matt Barkley will have a chance to win the number two quarterback job behind Nick Foles, reports Matt Bosher of CSNPhilly (via Twitter). Bosher writes that the Eagles will still have to bring another quarterback in this offseason.

FA Rumors: Colts, Blount, Allen, Britt, Finley

While the Colts aren’t necessarily done adding free agents, the team’s major moves have likely already been made, as GM Ryan Grigson told reporters today, including Mike Chappell of the Indianapolis Star.

“You never say you’re done,” Grigson said. “We had a plan and we feel really good about it. We feel real good where we’re at right now. We’re going to look toward the draft. You never say never and we’re always trying to get better. If somebody pops up and they make sense from a roster standpoint and they kind of fit the specs – age and money, big picture – then I’ll look at it.”

As the Colts shift their free agent focus to the bargain bin, let’s check in on a few other afternoon items related to the open market:

  • Stephen Holder of the Indianapolis Star (Twitter link) doesn’t see the Colts pursuing center Alex Mack any further, suggesting it always would have been a long shot to sign him away from the Browns.
  • Free agent running back LeGarrette Blount, who continues to draw interest from the Patriots, is scheduled to visit the Steelers on Sunday night, league sources tell Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun. Pittsburgh also met with veteran running back Maurice Jones-Drew this week.
  • As Jared Allen continues to mull his options, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter links) weighs in with a couple tidbits: The veteran defensive end is considering three teams, with retirement also still an option, and should make a decision this weekend. As for Allen’s second visit with the Seahawks, it happened because key members of the organization weren’t at the first meeting, says Rapoport.
  • Wide receiver Kenny Britt has visited the Rams, Patriots, Redskins, and Bills, and has also garnered interest from the Seahawks and Panthers, writes Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. According to Florio, Britt will decide his next move this weekend, whether that means taking more visits or agreeing to sign with a team.
  • Jermichael Finley may still be a few more months from being in position to sign with an NFL club, a source tells Bob McGinn of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. The free agent tight end continues to recover from a spinal injury, and hasn’t yet received medical clearance.
  • At this point, the Panthers aren’t expected to sign Kevin Cone, Lestar Jean, or C.J. Akins, the three receivers they worked out today, tweets Joseph Person of the Charlotte Observer.

FA Rumors: Ihedigbo, DeCoud, Britt, Incognito

James Ihedigbo won’t be returning to his old team, and there’s a chance he also won’t be headed to the club he looked likely to land with last week. According to Matt Zenitz of the Carroll County Times, the Ravens are no longer in the running for the free agent safety, who has narrowed his decision down to three NFC teams — one is believed to be the Lions, who appeared to be closing in on Ihedigbo last Thursday. Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun adds (via Twitter) that Baltimore wasn’t willing to match the Lions’ initial offer, but it sounds like two other clubs are at least in that ballpark.

Here are a few more Friday morning free agent updates:

  • Free agent safety Thomas DeCoud may represent a Plan B for the Lions if they can’t land Ihedigbo. DeCoud, who was released by the Falcons earlier in the offseason, is visiting Detroit today, according to ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter (via Twitter).
  • Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press (Twitter link) expects the Lions to sign a safety very soon, and says it sounds like there are three potential options on the table, which suggests the team is eyeing another player in addition to Ihedigbo and DeCoud.
  • Agent Pat Dye Jr. confirmed last night that Kenny Britt had received from the Bills, and Ian Rapoport of NFL.com says (via Twitter) the free agent receiver will be making his next visit to Buffalo.
  • Rapoport also reports (Twitter links) that while free agent guard Richie Incognito can sign with an NFL team, he can’t play or be paid until undergoing a comprehensive evaluation by medical advisors designated by the league and the NFLPA.
  • Adam Caplan of ESPN.com passes along a pair of free agent nuggets, tweeting that fullback Spencer Larsen worked out for the Bills and cornerback Elbert Mack worked out for the Bengals.
  • With Matt Schaub heading to Oakland, Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com (Twitter link) predicts that the Browns will land Rex Grossman, adding that perhaps Mark Sanchez ends up on the Bills and Michael Vick lands with the Jets. Vick is visiting with the Jets today, and the club also has to make a decision soon on Sanchez, who is owed a roster bonus on Tuesday.

Extra Points: MJD, Britt, Smith, Jets

Maurice Jones-Drew is currently looking for about $3.5MM per year on his next deal, tweets Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com. Even though the former Jaguars star has accomplished great things throughout his career, finding big money as an older tailback in this market could prove to be tough. More from around the NFL..

  • Don’t bank on the Cowboys signing Jared Allen, says Albert Breer of the NFL Network (Twitter links). Breer’s understanding is that it was an either/or proposition when it came to Allen and Henry Melton, whom Dallas signed earlier this week. That could change if Allen’s asking price comes down, however.
  • The Bills and Panthers have expressed interest in wide receiver Kenny Britt and visits may be taking place with those teams, agent Pat Dye Jr. tells Alex Marvez of FOX Sports 1 (via Twitter). Dye says a short-term deal for Britt, who has already checked in with the Redskins, Rams, and Patriots, is likely.
  • On SNY (via Manish Mehta of the Daily News on Twitter), Jets coach Rex Ryan gave Geno Smith quite the endorsement. “Make no mistake about it: Geno Smith is going to be hard to beat out. I don’t care who we add,” Ryan said.
  • The Jets have expressed a desire to re-sign guard Vlad Ducasse, but Rich Cimini of ESPNNewYork.com (on Twitter) sees him signing with the Bengals or Vikings.
  • In addition to the Jets, the Panthers and Raiders have also called the Eagles about DeSean Jackson, tweets Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. There seems to be a healthy amount of interest in the 27-year-old.
  • Former Browns All-Pro safety T.J. Ward indicated via Twitter that Cleveland’s new brass really didn’t want him back. “Quotes get misunderstood all the time,” the new member of the Broncos wrote. “Just FYI. Cleveland offered me nothing. Boom! There u have it. #GoBroncos.
  • The Panthers are working out receivers Kevin Cone, Lestar Jean, and C.J. Akins, tweets Joe Person of the Charlotte Observer. Aikins spent time with the Rams in 2013.
  • Dolphins GM Dennis Hickey told SiriusXM NFL Radio (on Twitter) that he’s not done shopping just yet. “Free agency never closes. We’re always looking to add more players.

FA Rumors: Cromartie, Murphy, Allen, Britt

Let’s follow up this morning’s summary of the latest free agent rumors with another round for the early afternoon:

  • A league source tells Brian Costello of the New York Post (Twitter link) not to expect the Jets to re-sign Antonio Cromartie. “They’re not being very aggressive,” the source said, repeating what is becoming a common refrain in discussions on the Jets’ approach to free agency.
  • Still in the market for receiving help, the Buccaneers are hosting free agent Louis Murphy today, reports Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter).
  • Once he completes his visit with the Cowboys, Jared Allen intends to head home and weigh his options, according to Rapoport, who tweets that the veteran defensive end is unlikely to make a decision today. Allen could also decide to make more visits to teams after Dallas, Rapoport notes (via Twitter).
  • We heard on the weekend that wide receiver Kenny Britt would be meeting with the Redskins at some point this week, and that visit happened today, according to Albert Breer of the NFL Network (via Twitter).
  • After visiting the Bucs yesterday, cornerback Mike Jenkins is meeting with the Cardinals today, tweets Kent Somers of the Arizona Republic.
  • The Bears continue to have interest in re-signing cornerback and key special teams player Sherrick McManis, writes Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune. Biggs suggested last week that the Ravens, Eagles, and Falcons could be in the mix for McManis, but the Bears remain in talks to bring him back.

NFC Notes: Britt, Panthers, Vick, Collins

At present time, the Panthers are devoid of an NFL receiving corps, having let go their top four receivers from a year ago. Now they’re in a position of desperation, as evidenced by the team’s interest in troubled, albeit talented, free agent Kenny Britt, as reported by Adam Schefter (via Twitter) and Pro Football Talk.

  • Meanwhile, Panthers GM Dave Gettleman is starting to draw criticism over how he’s managed (or botched, according to pundits) the Panthers’ offseason. Both Eric Edholm of Yahoo and David Newton of ESPN put the magnifying glass over Gettleman’s decisions.
  • In February, free agent Michael Vick was hopeful he would be a starting quarterback in 2014. Two weeks into free agency, he has yet to visit a team, let alone land a contract, writes Anwar Richardson of Yahoo Sports.
  • Earlier this month, Bears defensive tackle Nate Collins signed a one-year deal worth $730,001, and the extra dollar is significant, writes Adam Jahns of the Chicago Sun-Times. Because Collins will make more than the minimum, the Bears will have the opportunity to extend his contract prior to next year’s free agency.

 

Visit Updates: Manningham, Britt, Bridgewater

Several notes on player visits:

  • Receiver Mario Manningham will meet the Giants on Monday, tweets Adam Schefter of ESPN. Manningham played for the Giants from 2008-2011 before signing with the 49ers.
  • Receiver Kenny Britt will meet with the Redskins after he visits the Patriots, according to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. We noted earlier today that Washington was attempting to schedule a visit with the free agent.
  • Linebacker Will Herring visited the Cowboys on Saturday, tweets Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun. A previous deal between the two parties fell through.
  • The Chiefs met with offensive tackle J’Marcus Webb, according to ESPN’s Adam Caplan (Twitter link).
  • Caplan also tweets that fullback Erik Lorig met the Saints, who do not have a fullback on the roster after non-tendering Jed Collins.
  • Linebacker Rob Jackson will meet with the Raiders, per Mike Jones of the Washington Post (via Twitter).
  • Quarterback Teddy Bridgewater met with the Vikings staff, tweets Ian Rapoport of NFL.com.

NFC East Rumors: Kelly, Spencer, Giants, Britt

Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer offers an explanation as to why the Eagles, traditional big-spenders in free agency, have not splurged on outside players this offseason, despite having $24MM in salary cap space. And it’s not just because the team has been burned in the past by ill-advised, big-money deals; it’s also about scheme. Rather than pursue the premier free agents on the market, the Eagles instead “targeted specific players they thought fit their scheme, could provide in-roster competition, and were versatile enough to help on special teams.”

Furthermore, as Geoff Mosher of CSNPhilly.com writes, head coach Chip Kelly believes the team has spent heavily this offseason, but the Eagles spent the money to retain their own players and view free agents from outside teams as complements to the core of their roster. The strategy that Kelly and general manager Howie Roseman have followed adheres to the blueprint Roseman laid out last month, and it suggests the Eagles have turned a corner in the franchise’s approach to free agency.

Here are some more notes from the NFC East:

FA Notes: Britt, DRC, Hester, Guion

Even after re-signing receiver Julian Edelman, the Patriots continue to explore their options at the position. Kenny Britt, who saw his fair share of peaks and valleys in five seasons with the Titans, will head to New England to visit with the Patriots tomorrow, reports Ian Rapoport of NFL Media (via Twitter). Britt had been in St. Louis visiting with the Rams today.

Other free agent notes from around the NFL…

  • Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, who met with the Jets today, will visit the Giants on Sunday, reports ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter (via Twitter).
  • Devin Hester said the Dolphins are just one of 13 teams that have expressed interest in signing him, according to Jodie Wagner of the Palm Beach Post. In his home town of Riviera Beach for a football camp, Hester said he’d like to play a bit at wide receiver if and when he finds a new home after eight seasons with the Bears, adding that he would welcome an opportunity to play for his hometown team.
  • The Packers will host former Vikings defensive tackle Letroy Guion on Sunday and Monday, per Aaron Wilson of The Baltimore Sun (via Twitter). Wilson said Guion is drawing interest from the Ravens and Patriots as well.
  • The Panthers made an offer that was ultimately turned down by Hakeem Nicks, the new Colts wide receiver told Jonathan Jones of The Charlotte Observer. Nicks said that after speaking with Carolina GM Dave Gettleman, both men agreed that Indianapolis was the best situation for the North Carolina product.

FA Rumors: 49ers, Tate, Rams, Melton, Bills

News of signings and visits is gradually slowing down as we approach the 72-hour mark of free agency, but there are plenty of players still seeking contracts, and it wouldn’t be surprising if a number of those free agents find deals today. Here’s the latest on a few available players:

  • The 49ers are comfortable heading into 2014 with Chris Culliver and Tramaine Brock as their starting cornerbacks, but are willing to offer Tarell Brown a three-year, $10MM deal to return, tweets Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com.
  • Free agent running back Ben Tate‘s visit with the Browns is continuing into today, reports Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com (Twitter link).
  • The Rams “aren’t quite done” in free agency, according to head coach Jeff Fisher (Twitter link). Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com notes that the team remains interested in free agent guards Daryn Colledge and Davin Joseph.
  • Speaking of Fisher, the Rams will host one of his former players from Tennessee, as wide receiver Kenny Britt is scheduled to visit St. Louis, tweets Ian Rapoport of NFL.com.
  • Earlier today, we heard that Henry Melton was en route to Seattle to visit the Seahawks after spending the night in Minnesota. After his Seattle meeting, Melton will visit the Cowboys, tweets Clarence Hill of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.
  • The Bills have confirmed that free agent running back Anthony Dixon and linebacker Brandon Spikes are visiting the team today, according to Chris Brown of BuffaloBills.com.
  • Chris Russell of ESPN Radio (Twitter link) hears that cornerback Walter Thurmond is no longer scheduled to visit the Redskins.
  • Stephen Holder of the Indianapolis Star explores the Colts‘ signing of Phil Costa and their rumored interest in Alex Mack, suggesting that Costa represents a solid fallback starting option at center if the team is unable to land Mack.