HEADLINES

Kyle Rudolph

NFC Notes: Wharton, Rudolph, Lions, Bowman

April 2nd, 2014 at 4:01pm CST by Luke Adams

Let’s check in on a few afternoon items from around the NFC….

  • The Panthers‘ offseason offensive line exodus may not be done yet. Veteran free agent guard Travelle Wharton suggests to Joseph Person of the Charlotte Observer (Twitter link) that he’s leaning toward retirement, though he hasn’t made a final decision yet. Over the last few weeks, Jordan Gross and Geoff Hangartner have also decided to retire, leaving the Panthers with some holes in their line.
  • We heard last month that locking up Kyle Rudolph long-term is a “big priority” for the Vikings, and it sounds like the tight end is fully on board with the idea too. “I want to stay here,” Rudolph told Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press (Twitter link). “Hopefully, [an extension] is something we can get done this offseason.”
  • With less than $2MM in cap space remaining even before today’s deal with Dan Orlovsky, the Lions may have to restructure multiple contracts in order to fill out their roster, writes Chris McCosky of the Detroit News.
  • According to Jeff Dickerson of ESPN Chicago (via Twitter), Zackary Bowman‘s new minimum-salary contract with the Giants includes a $65K signing bonus.

Vikings Rumors: Melton, Rudolph, Simpson

March 12th, 2014 at 2:09pm CST by Luke Adams

Let’s round up a few Vikings rumors as the 24-hour mark of free agency approaches….

  • Free agent defensive tackle Henry Melton is drawing interest from several teams, including the Cowboys, but he’ll visit with the Vikings tomorrow, reports Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter).
  • Although it probably won’t happen anytime soon, the Vikings are expected to extend tight end Kyle Rudolph‘s contract, perhaps this summer or during the 2014 season, tweets Darren Wolfson of 1500 ESPN Twin Cities. Rudolph is a “big priority” among the team’s players eligible for 2015 free agency.
  • Wide receiver Jerome Simpson may still re-sign with the Vikings, a source tells Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press (Twitter link).
  • Chris Cook tells Tomasson (Twitter link) that there’s still a possibility he re-signs with Minnesota, and adds that he doesn’t know anything about reported interest from the 49ers.
  • Tomasson also provides the financial details on Larry Dean‘s one-year contract with the Vikings (Twitter link).

NFC Notes: Umenyiora, Sproles, Smith, Rudolph, Dietrich-Smith

March 8th, 2014 at 8:51am CST by Matt Feminis

A handful of Saturday morning notes from around the NFC leading up to the opening of free agency:

      • If Osi Umenyiora declines to accept a pay cut in Atlanta, a Giants reunion would be a possibility, writes Conor Orr of the New Jersey Star Ledger.
      • Darren Sproles would be an “outstanding fit for the Bears,” writes Dan Pompei, who says the former Saint could replace Devin Hester and be a dynamic change-of-pace back the team has been unable to field behind Matt Forte. Additionally, Pompei notes the connection between Sproles and offensive coordinator Aaron Kromer, who was with Sproles in New Orleans.
      • “Financially, it makes little sense” for the Panthers to release Steve Smith because the team would take a financial hit in each of the next two seasons, says ESPN.com’s David Newton. The writer thinks the decision isn’t so much about money as it is the effect in the locker room. If the veteran’s role is reduced, would he turn sour?
      • The Vikings have $41MM worth of cap space to play with, and ESPN.com’s Ben Goessling thinks a chunk of it will go to Kyle Rudolph, who is scheduled to hit free agency next year but has said he wants to remain in Minnesota long-term. It could behoove the team to act now, as Rudolph could see his production (read: value) increase under new offensive coordinator Norv Turner.
      • The Packers have expressed their desire to bring back center Evan Dietrich-Smith, says the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel’s Tom Silverstein, who compares Dietrich-Smith’s free agent situation to Scott Wells‘ in 2012. Back then, the team thought they could let Wells negotiate with other teams and still retain his services, but they miscalculated and lost him to the Rams. The Packers are taking the same approach with Dietrich-Smith, who, coincidentally, has the same agent as Wells.