Ladarius Green - Pro Football Rumors

Steelers Place Ladarius Green On PUP

August 30th, 2016 at 3:15pm CST by Zachary Links

Ladarius Green has been placed on the PUP list by the Steelers, according to a team announcement. He will be ineligible to practice with the team or join the active roster until after Week 6.

Green was intended to give the Steelers a major offensive weapon at tight end. Instead, it sounds like the Steelers will have to wait a while before they see their free agent splash take the field. Early on this offseason, Green was sidelined as his surgically-repaired ankle healed up. His absence dragged on into August and it was later reported that the tight end has been dealing with crippling headaches. That’s a big deal for Green who has a history with concussions.

Depending on who you ask, Green may or may not be considering retirement as a result. Both the Steelers and Green have denied reports of his headaches, but today’s news more or less confirms it.

Steelers Notes: Bell, Green, Jones, Vaughan

August 20th, 2016 at 7:21pm CST by Dallas Robinson

The Steelers don’t have many reasons to trust Le’Veon Bell at the moment, argues Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com, and it’s possible that sentiment infects contract talks with the pending free agent. Earlier this week, Bell saw his suspension reduced from four games to three, but that doesn’t excuse the missed drug tests, DUI, and marijuana busts, as Fowler writes, adding that Pittsburgh “probably won’t know what to expect from him off the field until he proves it over time.” On the flip side, the Steelers laud Bell for his work ethic and his interactions with fans, so he’s clearly not a character problem in the traditional sense of the term. How exactly Pittsburgh views Bell and his off-field questions could affect his future with the club and any negotiations the two sides might have over the next seven months or so.

Ladarius Green Not Considering Retirement

August 18th, 2016 at 5:34pm CST by Connor J. Byrne

While a report last week suggested that the Steelers’ Ladarius Green was mulling retirement, the banged-up tight end has no intention of walking away from the sport, according to Jason Cole of Bleacher Report (video link). Headaches and an ankle injury have reportedly prevented Green from practicing with the Steelers during training camp, but he expects to regain health sometime this year. In doing so, Green would avoid landing on injured reserve. For their part, the Steelers are exercising patience with Green in the hopes that he’ll come back to serve as an integral piece of their offense, says Cole.

Over the weekend, head coach Mike Tomlin shot down the notion that headaches have kept Green on the physically unable to perform list.

“He’s on PUP because of his ankle. We stated that,” said Tomlin. “He’s rehabbing nice. He’s gotten better in that area, but he’s not ready to go. I’m not going to respond to reports from unnamed sources.”

Not to suggest that Tomlin is covering up concussion-related issues, but head injuries have been a problem for Green in recent years. The former Charger suffered two apparent concussions in as many weeks last September and then complained of headaches, but he told Mark Kaboly of the Pittsburgh-Tribune Review in March that those were merely misdiagnosed sinus issues. Green also missed a game in 2014 because of a concussion.

Regardless of what’s preventing Green from playing, the Steelers are counting on him to eventually aid their Ben Roethlisberger-led passing attack. Pittsburgh inked Green to a four-year, $20MM deal in free agency after the 6-foot-6, 240-pounder showed promise behind Antonio Gates in San Diego. Although the 26-year-old has a difficult act to follow in the retired Heath Miller, an all-time great Steelers tight end, he’s clearly Pittsburgh’s best option at the position.

As Roster Resource shows, the Steelers’ non-Green tight end choices are 2015 fifth-round pick Jesse James (eight career receptions), 2014 undrafted free agent Xavier Grimble (zero appearances) and another former Charger, David Johnson (24 catches in 82 games). Green is easily more accomplished than each of them, having hauled in career highs in catches (37) and touchdowns (four) last season.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Ladarius Green Mulling Retirement?

August 14th, 2016 at 10:45am CST by Connor J. Byrne

SUNDAY, August 14: Head coach Mike Tomlin insists that it is Green’s ankle problems, and not his headaches, that have kept him on the PUP list, as Chris Adamski of The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review writes. Tomlin would not confirm reports that Green is experiencing lingering headaches and is considering retirement. Said Tomlin, “He’s on PUP because of his ankle. We stated that. He’s rehabbing nice. He’s gotten better in that area, but he’s not ready to go. I’m not going to respond to reports from unnamed sources.” It may be that Tomlin is engaging in a little misdirection here, as the reports concerning Green’s headaches appear to be well-substantiated.

THURSDAY, August 11: Thanks to the headaches that have kept him sidelined this summer, Steelers tight end Ladarius Green is considering retirement, a source suggested to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. Retiring would be a costly decision for Green, notes Florio, who writes that the 26-year-old would have to return the $4.75MM signing bonus the Steelers gave the ex-Charger upon inking him to a four-year, $20MM deal in free agency.

Even if Green doesn’t walk away from football, he isn’t a lock to make the Steelers. In fact, the source informed Florio that they might cut him. If that happens, there’s a chance the Steelers could still pursue his signing bonus. Pittsburgh would likely cite the case of free agent defensive end Jonathan Fanene, whom the Patriots handed a $3.85MM signing bonus in 2013 before eventually cutting him on account of a knee injury that they argued came from a condition he failed to disclose. New England didn’t recoup the entire bonus from Fanene, but it did recover $1.35MM.

Green suffered two apparent concussions in as many weeks last September and then complained of headaches, but he told Mark Kaboly of the Pittsburgh-Tribune Review in March that those were merely misdiagnosed sinus issues. Green, who also missed a game in 2014 because of a concussion, went on to indicate to Kaboly that those troubles were behind him. However, Green clearly has an unfortunate history of head injuries, and if the Steelers don’t feel he was honest about his headaches when they signed him (if he was dealing with them at the time), they’ll have a case to take back at least some of the $4.75MM bonus.

Putting finances aside, not having a healthy Green would be a blow to a Pittsburgh team that is still counting on him to serve as its No. 1 tight end. As Roster Resource shows, Pittsburgh’s primary non-Green options are 2015 fifth-round pick Jesse James and 2014 undrafted free agent Xavier Grimble. James has eight career receptions, while Grimble hasn’t yet appeared in an NFL game.

The Steelers brought in Green to replace the retired Heath Miller, who amassed 592 catches – including 60 last season- in his 11-year career. The 6-foot-6, 240-pound Green wasn’t quite that prolific in San Diego, where he lost targets to fellow tight end Antonio Gates, but he set multiple career highs last season and, if he regains health, has a chance to break out in the Steelers’ Ben Roethlisberger-led passing attack.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Steelers’ Green Sidelined By Headaches

August 11th, 2016 at 1:15pm CST by Zachary Links

It might be time for the Steelers to worry about their prized free agent pickup. Tight end Ladarius Green has been sidelined so far this summer and the culprit is not his surgically-repaired ankle, as once thought. Instead, painful chronic headaches are keeping the former Charger out of action, says Aditi Kinkhabwala of NFL.com.

Green’s agent, Adisi Bakara, declined to comment on his client, saying only that his ankle is “fine.” The tight end complained of headaches after suffering two concussions in two weeks last September, and one has to wonder if his current issue is related. Green sat out one game last season due to a concussion and one game during the 2014 season. He also missed two games in 2015 due to his ankle ailment.

This spring, the Steelers inked Green to a four-year, $20MM deal, expecting him to provide the team with a talented playmaker at the tight end position. Instead, the fleet-footed athlete hasn’t been able to get on the field this offseason.

Green has long been viewed as a potential star in the game thanks to the athleticism he provides coupled with his 6-foot-6, 237-pound frame. Many expected 2015 to be the year that Antonio Gates would cede the torch to Green, particularly given Gates’ suspension to start the season, but that was simply not the case. Now, the Steelers may be doubting whether Green will ever fulfill his potential. Concussion headaches are not easily treated and it may prove difficult for Green to perform if they linger.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

AFC North Notes: RGIII, Browns, Ray Rice

August 11th, 2016 at 10:35am CST by Zachary Links

Will RGIII succeed in Cleveland? Mike Freeman of Bleacher Report asked around about the free agent acquisition and league execs were not optimistic about how the QB will perform.

“RG3 is going to bury Hue [Jackson] ,” one GM said.

“Hue is going to find out that RG3 isn’t coachable,” another front-office executive said.

“RG3 is going to drag Hue down with him,” one scout said.

Griffin was a superstar early on with the Redskins, but things fizzled out for him in a hurry as his relationship with coach Mike Shanahan also went south. Under coach Jay Gruden, he watched Kirk Cousins go from understudy to undisputed starter, ending his D.C. run in bizarre fashion. Still, the Browns see something in the former Baylor star and their commitment to him this offseason clearly demonstrates that. In the spring, the Browns inked him to a two-year pact worth $15MM, with a signing bonus of $3.5MM and $6.75MM in total guarantees.

Here’s more from the AFC North:

Will former Ravens running back Ray Rice get another chance in the NFL? Many are skeptical of that, but Rice is staying optimistic. “In my heart of hearts,” Rice told ESPN’s Mike & Mike (video link), “it will happen.” Of course, teams are wary of taking on the PR hell storm that would come with signing Rice and it also doesn’t help that his last season played in the NFL was lackluster. For what it’s worth, Rice blames his 2013 struggles on a torn muscle which has since healed up.
Ladarius Green signed a four-year, $20MM contract with the Steelers but has not practiced a down with them yet after January ankle surgery. With that in mind, Ed Bouchette of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette wonders if the Steelers made a mistake with their major free agent signing. As shown on Roster Resource, the Steelers’ TE depth chart beyond Green leaves a lot to be desired. Jesse James has minimal game experience, Xavier Grimble never has played an NFL game, and Michael Cooper and Paul Lang are undrafted rookies. H-back David Johnson has experience, but mostly as a blocker. If Green is going to miss significant time, one has to wonder if the Steelers will be in the market for a tight end addition.
Will Desmond Bryant receive his $6MM base salary for the 2016 season? He may have to battle it out with the Browns.

Photo courtesy of PFR on Instagram.

Steelers Notes: Bryant, Green, Allen, Draft

March 20th, 2016 at 1:40pm CST by Dallas Robinson

The Steelers never thought about releasing wide receiver Martavis Bryant, even as he’s set to miss the 2016 as a result of a yearlong suspension, general manager Kevin Colbert told reporters, including Mark Kaboly of the Pittsburgh Tribune, at a press conference today. Bryant’s absence also won’t overly affect the club’s draft plans, per Colbert, who says Pittsburgh won’t feel the need to draft a replacement pass-catcher.

Let’s dive into the other highlights from Colbert’s presser…

The Steelers would not have pursued free agent tight Ladarius Green had Heath Miller not retired, according to Colbert, and Kaboly adds (via Twitter) that the team targeted offensive free agents because of the deep defensive draft class. Pittsburgh will “hammer” the defensive side of the ball in the draft, per Colbert.
Cornerback, specifically, is one area that the Steelers could address through the draft. “We can’t say we’ll take a cornerback first, second or third,” Colbert said, according to Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. “But there are enough that we should be able to get one.” Pittsburgh will visit with Houston’s William Jackson III this week, tweets Dulac.
One reason the Steelers will target corners is the underwhelming play of Cortez Allen, who is presumably on the roster bubble — Colbert says the club is still trying to ascertain where Allen is health-wise, per Dulac (Twitter link). Head coach Mike Tomlin said last month that he’s not convinced Allen is an impact player.
Free agent signee Ryan Harris will battle with incumbent Alejandro Villanueva to act as the Steelers’ starting left tackle, writes Kaboly.
The Steelers might not be done in free agency, and could still add another player via the open market, per Kaboly.

Steelers Sign Ladarius Green

March 10th, 2016 at 2:03pm CST by Zachary Links

THURSDAY, 2:03pm: The Steelers officially announced the signing.

WEDNESDAY, 8:30pm: Green is in line for a $20MM deal across four years, according to Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle (on Twitter). When he signs, Green will receive a signing bonus of $4.75MM. As presently structured, Green’s contract will pay out base salaries $1.25MM, $5MM, $4.5MM and $4.5MM, respectively, the next four seasons.

11:47am: Tight end Ladarius Green is expected to sign with the Steelers, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (on Twitter). Green is set to visit Pittsburgh on Thursday, according to Albert Breer of NFL.com (on Twitter).

The Chargers have re-signed Antonio Gates, but they apparently will not retain their other primary tight end. Green is viewed as the superior run-blocker to the 35-year-old Gates (36 in June), but Gates proved last season that he is still an effective pass catcher. Gates, an eight-time Pro Bowler, racked up 56 receptions for 630 yards and five touchdowns in just 11 games last season. Green, meanwhile, caught 37 passes for 429 yards and four touchdowns in 13 games (11 starts).

Green has long been viewed as a potential star in the game thanks to the athleticism he provides coupled with his 6-foot-6, 237-pound frame. Many expected 2015 to be the year that Gates would cede the torch to Green, particularly given Gates’ suspension to start the season, but that was simply not the case. Now, if he signs with Pittsburgh, Green could very well break out as one of the better pass-catching tight ends in the game.

Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger was always been fond of feeding tight end Heath Miller and he’ll need a new target underneath now that the 33-year-old has retired. Green could also see additional looks with so much attention devoted to Antonio Brown by opposing defenses.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Free Agent Rumors: Saints, Fleener, Falcons

March 9th, 2016 at 3:02pm CST by Luke Adams

A deal between tight end Ladarius Green and the Steelers remains imminent, Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com tweets. The Saints were looking at the athletic tight end as well, but they’ll now turn their attention to Coby Fleener. Fleener is available and less likely to be retained by the Colts after they signed Dwayne Allen to a hefty new contract.

Here are the latest free agent rumors on what has been a crazy day:

After adding one of the league’s top centers in Alex Mack, Gino Gradkowski is not expected to be retained by the Falcons, according to a source who spoke with Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com (on Twitter).
The Jets are exploring the market for offensive lineman, according to Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News (Twitter link). Mehta reports that New York did its homework on tackle Donald Stephenson before he agreed to terms with the Broncos, and adds that J.R. Sweezy is worth keeping an eye on as a Jets target.
Jenna Laine of SportsTalkFlorida confirms (via Twitter) that the Buccaneers are likely moving on from cornerback Sterling Moore, as first reported by JoeBucsFan.com.
After receiving a low-end tender from the Broncos, RFA running back C.J. Anderson has generated interest from “multiple” teams, tweets Nicki Jhabvala of the Denver Post. Denver has the right to match any offer sheet Anderson signs, but won’t receive compensation if he leaves.
The market for Ravens outside linebacker Courtney Upshaw is “not exactly wild,” tweets Charles Robinson of Yahoo! Sports. Upshaw may ultimately return to Baltimore, though the Colts are worth monitoring — Indianapolis’ new defensive coordinator is Upshaw’s former linebackers coach, Ted Monachino.

FA Rumors: McLeod, Vernon, Steelers, Sweezy

March 9th, 2016 at 8:22am CST by Luke Adams

Safety Rodney McLeod is one of the top young safeties set to hit the market today, and Jason Cole of Bleacher Report (Twitter link) hears that the Ravens are a “strong contender” for the Rams’ free-agent-to-be.

While the Ravens could use some help at free safety, since Kendrick Lewis didn’t prove in 2015 that he’s the long-term answer and Lardarius Webb doesn’t have much experience at safety. But the idea that Baltimore would make a play for someone like McLeod is surprising, since the team typically doesn’t foray too aggressively into free agency, and doesn’t have a ton of cap flexibility.

As we wait to see if anything comes of the Ravens’ apparent interest in McLeod, let’s check in on a few other free agent rumors….

In an interesting piece for TheMMQB.com, defensive end Olivier Vernon, one of the top free agents available, acknowledges that he “probably” won’t be back with the Dolphins in 2016.
With Heath Miller having retired, the Steelers are exploring the tight end free agent market, says Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter). According to Rapoport, Coby Fleener, Ladarius Green, and Jared Cook are names worth monitoring for Pittsburgh.
Over a half-dozen teams remain in the mix for offensive lineman J.R. Sweezy, according to Rand Getlin of the NFL Network, who tweets that the Broncos are worth keeping an eye on.
Offensive tackle Bobby Massie has received interest from the Bears and Giants, but his market isn’t up to $8MM per year yet, tweets Josh Weinfuss of ESPN.com. A Monday report indicated that Massie could end up landing a deal in that range.
The Rams are intent on trying to re-sign defensive end William Hayes, tweets Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com. Per La Canfora, Hayes has a “nice market,” but wouldn’t rule out a return to the Rams.
The Bears resumed negotiations on Tuesday with tight end Zach Miller, per Jeff Dickerson of ESPN.com (Twitter link). Miller’s reported asking price of $5MM per year, which seemed outrageous a few weeks ago, doesn’t look quite as far-fetched after Dwayne Allen got $7MM+ annually from the Colts.