HEADLINES

Kyle Orton

Cowboys Rumors: Orton, Bryant, Smith

June 20th, 2014 at 4:50pm CST by Luke Adams

Following his absence from the team’s minicamp, Kyle Orton‘s ongoing standoff with the Cowboys will be one storyline out of Dallas to watch as training camp nears, but it won’t be the only notable subplot. Here’s the latest on Orton and a few other Cowboys-related items:

  • Although Orton wasn’t in attendance at this week’s practices, his agent, David Dunn, did make an appearance, according to Calvin Watkins of ESPNDallas.com. Still, Dunn declined comment on his client, and there appears to have been no progress made between the two sides, per Watkins. The Cowboys want to continue having Orton back up starting quarterback Tony Romo this season, while Orton is leaning toward retirement.
  • Talks on new contracts for wide receiver Dez Bryant and offensive tackle Tyron Smith remain in the preliminary stages, tweets Watkins. Bryant is heading into the final year of his rookie deal, so his situation is a little more pressing than Smith’s, since the team exercised its 2015 option to keep its left tackle under contract for another season.
  • There’s no guarantee that the Cowboys’ roster when training camp gets underway will have the same 90 players that it does today, as head coach Jason Garrett suggests to Watkins that the club remains open to roster moves. “We’ll continue to make evaluations of individual guys, where they stack up, if they belong on the roster, who else is on the landscape and you’re always trying to do that,” Garrett said of his current squad.

Minicamp Updates: Jets, Jags, Dolphins, Orton

June 17th, 2014 at 10:45am CST by Luke Adams

The minicamps being held around the NFL this week are mandatory for players on rosters, but those aren’t the only guys in attendance. Many clubs are also auditioning non-roster players who are hoping to earn contracts and the opportunity to compete in training camp for a regular-season roster spot. Here are the latest updates from minicamps around the league:

Extra Points: Colts, Houston, Chiefs, Ryans

June 16th, 2014 at 7:48pm CST by Dallas Robinson

In his latest mailbag, John Clayton of ESPN.com writes that sub defensive packages are now the new normal in the NFL, as teams continue to add more versatile defenders on passing downs in an effort to stop high-powered offenses. Clayton labels the Seahawks as the “gold standard” in the sub department, pointing out that defensive linemen Cliff Avril and Michael Bennett, paid $6.5MM and $4.8MM respectively in 2013, only “started” a combined five games, yet were key cogs on the league’s most dominant defense. He lists the Buccaneers, who added Michael Johnson in free agency, and the Texans, who drafted Jadeveon Clowney, as teams who could vastly improve in nickel and dime situations in 2014.

  • Safety Jordan Pugh tried out for the Colts today, reports Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post. The 26-year-old was a 2010 sixth-round pick by the Panthers, and spent the past two seasons with the Redskins.
  • Justin Houston is looking for a contract extension with the Chiefs, and as such, head coach Andy Reid isn’t sure if the pass rusher will be attending minicamp, according to Josh Alper of Pro Football Talk. “I don’t know that,” said Reid. “I expect them all to be here and then whoever is here, we’re going to coach them. If they don’t show up, I understand the profession. I’ve been around it a long time and I just move on. That’s how it works. You coach who you have, and you coach them like crazy.”
  • Speaking of the Chiefs, Jeffri Chadiha of ESPN.com examines the team’s defense in the wake of Brandon Flowers‘ release, and writes that defensive coordinator Bob Sutton might be part of the reason for Kansas City defensive woes. Sutton, whose scheme might have expedited Flowers’ departure, seemed unwilling to make adjustments in 2013 even when it was apparent his defense was flailing.
  • Eagles middle linebacker DeMeco Ryans played 96% of the team’s defensive snaps last season, and defensive coordinator Billy Davis intends to reduce that number, writes Reuben Frank of CSNPhilly.com. “We want DeMeco for the long haul this season, and so many times when you overwork a veteran — and he takes great care of his body — but it’s a lot of games,” said Davis. “I think we have more depth than we had and more experience and more people who can play versatile roles in the defense. I think it’ll help.”
  • We learned earlier today that the Cowboys don’t expect Kyle Orton to show up for the team’s minicamp this week, and ESPN.com’s Calvin Watkins says a team source has confirmed that view (via Twitter).

Cowboys Notes: Orton, Murray, Minicamp

June 16th, 2014 at 4:36pm CST by Luke Adams

The Cowboys officially signed first-round offensive lineman Zack Martin to his rookie contract earlier today, but there have been plenty of other headlines out of Dallas. Let’s dive in and round up the latest….

  • This morning we heard that the Cowboys expected Kyle Orton to be in attendance at the team’s mandatory minicamp this week. However, that stance appears to have changed. Multiple sources informed Todd Archer of ESPNDallas.com that the quarterback didn’t show up Monday for his scheduled physical, making him subject to a fine of nearly $11K. The Cowboys now no longer anticipate that Orton, who must take a physical before practicing, will attend camp this week, according to Charean Williams of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.
  • Calvin Watkins of ESPNDallas.com believes the Cowboys ought to cut their losses with Orton and release him. That would mean making Brandon Weeden the No. 2 quarterback behind Tony Romo and giving up the opportunity to recoup part of Orton’s signing bonus, but Watkins thinks it’d be the right move since Orton clearly doesn’t want to be there.
  • While DeMarco Murray is entering the final year of his contract, the running back doesn’t sound like a man who wants to leave Dallas anytime soon. “I love Dallas. I love playing football there,” Murray said, according to Archer. “I love the fans. I love the organization. It’s great. I want to stay there as long as they will allow me.” The Cowboys aren’t currently in talks with Murray’s agent about an extension, notes Archer.
  • In a photo gallery, the Dallas Morning News provides a number of subplots worth keeping an eye on at the Cowboys’ minicamp.

Latest On Potential Holdouts

June 16th, 2014 at 10:07am CST by Luke Adams

We won’t know for sure until the Niners‘ minicamp officially gets underway tomorrow, but based on his latest comments and a report from Ian Rapoport of NFL.com, it appears that Vernon Davis won’t be present in Santa Clara. While Davis is one notable veteran who may be absent from his club’s minicamp in the hopes of negotiating a new contract, he’s not the only one. Rapoport (Twitter link) also has updates on a few more players who are believe to be unhappy with their current situations for one reason or another, so let’s round them up….

  • Marshawn Lynch still hasn’t informed the Seahawks of his plans, says Rapoport. We heard last week that the running back is seeking a new contract and that the team is at least preparing for the possibility that he won’t be in attendance this week. The prospect of retirement was even mentioned, though I’d be very surprised if that becomes a real possibility.
  • According to Rapoport, the Texans don’t expect Andre Johnson to attend the club’s minicamp. It’s not clear if Johnson wants a new contract — his frustration seems to be more a result of Houston’s poor 2013 season and concerns about the team’s direction heading into the ’14 campaign.
  • Despite persistent rumblings that he wants to retire, the Cowboys anticipate Kyle Orton will be present at their camp. Per Rapoport (Twitter link), Dallas has long been optimistic that the No. 2 quarterback will show up because the team will look to recoup a portion of his signing bonus if he opts to retire. Privately, Orton continues to weigh the decision, according to Rapoport.

East Notes: Beason, Bills, Easley, Orton

June 13th, 2014 at 2:57pm CST by Luke Adams

With linebackers like Sean Weatherspoon and Sean Lee already suffering season-ending injuries this spring, the Giants may have gotten off the hook relatively lightly on Jon Beason‘s diagnosis. As Kimberly Jones of the NFL Network first reported (via Twitter), Beason suffered a sesamoid fracture in his right foot, as well as a ligament tear, the team confirmed today in a press release. Jones hears that the recovery timetable will be about 12 weeks, which would get Beason back on the field just in time for the Giants’ opener, and the linebacker sounded today like he had a similar thought.

“The prognosis is X amount of time and it (the Sept. 8 opener) is within that timeframe,” Beason said. “I expect to be back (for that game). If not, I’ll be back as soon as I can.”

Here are a few more items from out of the NFL’s two East divisions:

  • The family of Boston Bruins owner Jeremy Jacobs is proposing to build a stadium to help secure the Bills‘ long-term future in western New York, multiple sources tell John Wawrow of The Associated Press. According to Wawrow, executives of Jacobs’ company are scheduled to meet with at least one prospective ownership group to evaluate potential sites for a new stadium in Erie and Niagara counties.
  • First-round defensive tackle Dominique Easley is one of just 17 draft picks who remains unsigned, and Ben Volin of the Boston Globe (Twitter link) hears that Easley and the Patriots are “squabbling” over injury protection. However, any sort of holdout seems very unlikely.
  • Kyle Orton counts for too much against the cap, considering his role, opines Kevin Sherrington of the Dallas Morning News. In Sherrington’s view, that’s why the quarterback doesn’t have much leverage in his ongoing staredown with the Cowboys — the team expects and wants Orton to report to camp, and will push for him to repay some of his bonus money if he decides to retire instead.
  • Sheldon Richardson hopes to see the Jets reward fellow defensive lineman Muhammad Wilkerson with a lucrative long-term contract soon, telling Brian Costello of the New York Post that Wilkerson is “due for a paycheck.”

NFC Notes: Williams, Lynch, Panthers, Orton

June 12th, 2014 at 9:36pm CST by Zachary Links

Kevin Williams signed with the Seahawks earlier today but he tells Chris Tomasson of the Pioneer Press that he turned down similar offers from the Vikings and other clubs.

“I’m not going to say they didn’t really want to, but things weren’t working out in our best interests,” Williams said. “I enjoyed my time there (in Minnesota), so I’m going to try my luck out in Seattle. … At first it was like (the Vikings said), ‘Were not going to have any money.’ But they came back (recently) in the picture.”

In addition to Seattle, Williams also visited with the Giants and Patriots, who also offered him similar deals. In 2013, Williams ranked as the 27th-best defensive tackle in the NFL among 69 qualified players at the position, according to Pro Football Focus’ advanced metrics (subscription required). He logged 29 tackles, 3.5 sacks, and an interception. Here’s more out of the NFC…

  • Jason Fitzgerald of Over The Cap explains why right now is the best time for Marshawn Lynch to seek a new contract from the Seahawks. Quarterback Russell Wilson figures to see a major pay bump in 2015 and wide receiver Percy Harvin is earning $13MM a year. There probably won’t be room to take care of Lynch next year or, worse, they could release him and go with their younger tailbacks. Meanwhile, Fitzgerald (on Twitter) doesn’t think retirement is a wise threat for Lynch since Seattle can go after $3MM in prorated money for 2014 and ’15.
  • Free agent offensive lineman Travelle Wharton appeared on SiriusXM NFL Radio today and discussed his current situation, admitting that he’s still on the fence about retirement. The longtime Panthers OL intends to make a decision and let teams know soon, and is staying in shape in the meantime. If he does return, Wharton would like to join a contending club (all Twitter links).
  • Cowboys coach Jason Garrett expects to speak with quarterback Kyle Orton soon, writes Charean Williams of the Star-Telegram. The 31-year-old has skipped the team’s voluntary offseason program and would have to repay the club $3MM of his $5MM signing bonus if he retires.

Kyle Orton Still Mulling Retirement

May 23rd, 2014 at 10:38am CST by Luke Adams

Kyle Orton has yet to participate in any of the Cowboys’ voluntary offseason workouts, and while the team has downplayed the signal-caller’s absence, Orton is still contemplating the possibility of retiring, says Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter links). According to Rapoport, the veteran quarterback has told the Cowboys he wants to call it a career, but the team wants to keep him around and would look to recoup $3MM in signing bonus money if he retired. So for now, the two sides are in a standoff.

When Orton signed for five years with the Cowboys in 2012, the deal included a $5MM signing bonus prorated over the length of the contract, which is why Dallas would be seeking $3MM from the 31-year-old. In addition to repaying that $3MM, Orton would also give up a $3.25MM base salary for 2014, so retirement would be a costly decision.

If Orton does decide to end his playing career, the Cowboys would likely move forward with Brandon Weeden as Tony Romo‘s backup, with Caleb Hanie potentially in the mix as well.

Cowboys Notes: Claiborne, Lawrence, Orton

May 17th, 2014 at 9:35pm CST by Peter Sowards

When the Cowboys traded up for LSU cornerback Morris Claiborne in the 2012 NFL Draft, high expectations landed squarely on his 5-foot-11 frame. When you go No. 6 overall — to America’s Team, no less — coaches want instant impact.

But, it’s hard to make an impact when you can’t stay on the field, as Jon Machota of The Dallas Morning News notes. Claiborne has missed seven games with a variety of knee, hamstring and shoulder injuries, and he lost his starting job last season to veteran nickel cornerback Orlando Scandrick.

“He’s played well for stretches and then he gets dinged up and then he misses a stretch and then he has to get back,” secondary coach Jerome Henderson said. “You want him to just be able to ascend from preseason and keep getting better and better and better throughout a season. He just hasn’t been able to do that thus far.” 

Dallas’ defense allowed 4,589 yards through the air and 33 passing touchdowns in 2013, so improved play from the defensive backfield is a must if the team hopes to contend for the NFC East title.

More news and notes from Big D below…

  • Second-round pick DeMarcus Lawrence has had a busy seven days, Rainer Sabin of The Dallas Morning News writes. The Boise State defensive end witnessed his son’s birth on an iPhone while in Texas on Thursday. He flew home to Boise that day to see his son, Damari, in person, then flew back to Texas on Saturday. “It motivates me a lot knowing I got a mouth to feed,” Lawrence said. “It’s not just about me anymore. I got a little son now so really it all about him, how I raise him and how I put food on the table for him.” 
  • With veteran Kyle Orton still weighing his options, quarterback coach Wade Wilson showed frustration with the indecision, telling DallasCowboys.com’s Nick Eatman he wished the backup quarterback would be at voluntary workouts. Orton has a financial decision to make — he would owe about $3MM to the Cowboys if he decides to call it a career.
  • AZcentral.com’s Paola Boivin says goodbye to former Cardinals running back Ryan Williams, signed earlier today by the Cowboys.
  • Scott Linehan, Dallas’ new offensive play-caller, said the language will pretty much stay the same way it’s been, writes Brandon George of The Dallas Morning News.
  • Defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli wants linebacker Bruce Carter to play the game the right way, said The DMN’s Jon Machota.
  • Deion Sanders was in attendance at Valley Ranch for the second day of Cowboys minicamp, George reports.

NFC East Notes: Williams, Orton, Boone

May 17th, 2014 at 3:11pm CST by Rob DiRe

The Cowboys worked out former Cardinals’ running back Ryan Williams, and are now in a position to sign the player, reports Calvin Watkins of ESPNDallas.com (via Twitter). Watkins expects that signing to become official soon, after a roster move is made to clear room for Williams.

Here are some more notes from around the NFC East:

  • Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett expects backup quarterback Kyle Orton to be back with the team this coming season, reports Charean Williams of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram (via Twitter). The team anticipates his return after having conversations with Orton.
  • Former LSU receiver Kadron Boone was buried on the depth chart in college, behind first-round pick Odell Beckham Jr. and second-round pick Jarvis Landry. Even still, he has been impressive and he has a great chance to make the Eagles according to one AFC personnel man, writes Geoff Mosher of CSNPhilly.com. “He’s gonna make that team. He’s not a bad receiver; he’s a pretty good receiver,” the scout said. “He just got caught up in a place that has two pretty good receivers. He’s going to be fine.”
  • After Beckham, the Giants drafted a lot of players who have limited ceilings in terms of potential, writes Dan Graziano of ESPNNewYork.com. He attributes this to the need for a group that needs a quick learning curve in order to make an immediate impact. The team was valuing on the short term over seeking long-term help.
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