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Lamarr Houston

NFC North Notes: Packers, Bears, Vikings

July 19th, 2014 at 10:27am CST by Matt Feminis

The injury-related retirement of Packers running back Jonathan Franklin means there are third-down snaps to be had, writes ESPN Wisconsin’s Jason Wilde in a position preview. If/when Eddie Lacy is off the field, the leading candidates are DuJuan Harris — if he can show improvement in blitz pickup — and “old reliable” fullback John Kuhn.

Here’s a few more NFC North links:

  • The Packers’ run defense fell off significantly last season, and the team made a concerted effort to get younger and more athletic along the defensive line. In fact, 28-year-old B.J. Raji is now the “old man of the line.” In the spotlight, however, is 2013 first-rounder Datone Jones, whom Press-Gazette’s Pete Dougherty calls a “critical player for meaningful improvement.” Jones sustained a sprained ankle in the preseason opener and didn’t get healthy until the end of the season. The team expects Jones to step up his game this season, as he will have significantly more responsibility than his niche role as an inside, sub-package rusher last year.
  • The Bears, who were even worse than the Packers against the run last season, also expect to have a better defensive front in 2014. A healthy Jay Ratliff is one of the reasons why. The veteran defensive tackle is 33, but is 100 percent healthy now, according to ESPN’s Michael C. Wright, who shared a text message he received from a Bears employee: “It helps that we signed Rat. He’s a soldier if healthy!” If that’s the case, it will be a coup for the Bears, who scooped up Ratliff in November for a late-season look-see after he was released by the Cowboys. Encouraged by Ratliff’s health, the Bears retained him on a team-friendly, two-year deal, expecting him to provide disruption from the three-technique.
  • Adam Jahns of the Chicago Sun-Times identified the Bears’ 10 most important players, including defensive lineman Lamarr Houston, whom the Bears see as a “star in the making.”
  • Bears head coach Marc Trestman sat down with the Chicago Tribune’s Dan Wiederer for an extensive one-on-one interview in which Trestman touched on a variety of topics, including Jay Cutler, Jared Allen, locker-room culture and leadership, among other things.
  • Vikings fourth-year tight end Kyle Rudolph, who shed 15 pounds this offseason, believes he’s an improved route runner thanks to new offensive coordinator Norv Turner, writes ESPN’s Ben Goessling.

North Notes: Bears, Bengals, Browns, Lions

June 29th, 2014 at 4:34pm CST by Dallas Robinson

As part of our Offseason in Review series, we’ve been analyzing teams’ signings, trades, draft picks, and other moves that have occurred since the 2013 season concluded. Our reports on one full division — the AFC North — are complete, so check out PFR’s examinations of the Bengals, Browns, Ravens, and Steelers offseasons. Here’s more from both North divisions:

  • After signing Jared Allen, the Bears moved fellow free agent-signee Lamarr Houston to left end, where he doesn’t have much experience. But, as defensive line coach Paul Pasqualoni tells Chris Boden of CSNChicago.com, Chicago has spent the past month helping Houston with the transition, and the results are positive. “You can see the quickness, speed, and explosiveness he’s capable of playing with,” said Pasqualoni. “He’s going to give us a pretty stout guy on first and second downs, and a guy who’s capable on third down of either rushing inside or outside. He’s going to give us flexibility with what he can do.”
  • Linebacker/defensive end Dontay Moch, whom the Bengals claimed off waivers from the Cardinals, is the latest subject of ESPN.com’s Coley Harvey’s series looking at Cincinnati players on the roster bubble. Moch was with the Bengals from 2011-2012, so perhaps that experience could work in his favor, but ultimately Harvey thinks it’s a coin flip as to whether the 25-year-old makes Cincinnati’s 53-man roster.
  • The Browns were able to retain center Alex Mack, and drafted guard Joel Bitonio, adding to an already promising offensive line, writes Pat McManamon of ESPN.com. Along with All-Pro Joe Thomas, Cleveland’s front five should have no trouble keeping either Brian Hoyer or Johnny Manziel upright.
  • Safety James Ihedigbo is fitting in nicely with the Lions, and his transition to the team is helped by the fact that his new defensive coordinator, Teryl Austin, was his secondary coach while the two were in Baltimore, according to Carlos Monarrez of the Detroit Free Press. “I’m definitely doing the best I can and helping guys understand [the defensive scheme],” said Ihedigbo. “I answer any questions that guys may have. But it’s all about us getting used to it. It’s a new system. The awesome thing is that guys are learning it, they’re learning it quick and they’re being able to play at a high level. And that’s what you want to see at this time of year: guys flying around and it’s exciting.”

NFC North Notes: Bears, Lions, Starks

June 21st, 2014 at 10:31am CST by Matt Feminis

“The chemistry developing among the defensive linemen — especially starters Jared Allen, Lamarr Houston, Jeremiah Ratliff and Stephen Paea — might be the most exciting thing brewing for the Bears, especially after the unit was last in sacks in 2013,” writes Chicago Sun-Times staff reporter Adam Jahns, who lists 10 things gleaned during the Bears’ offseason.

Here’s some more news and notes from the NFC North:

  • Jahns also says rookie Brock Vereen, a fourth-round rookie from Minnesota, “has the lead” in the free safety competition.
  • “There should be no excuses going forward for Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford,” according to USA Today’s Tom Pelissero, who explains the team has done everything in its power to accommodate its inconsistent franchise quarterback.
  • The Lions’ cornerback situation has been a continual topic of conversation this offseason, and the chatter (concern?) isn’t slowing down yet: ESPN’s Michael Rothstein says it’s a “probability” the Lions will pursue a veteran cornerback.
  • Fox Sports Detroit’s Dave Dye has a question: “It sounds funny to say, but…where would the Lions be without [Rashean] Mathis?” Dye says Mathis established himself as the Lions most reliable cornerback, but admits that’s as much of an indictment of the secondary as it is a compliment to Mathis.
  • Meanwhile, Dye thinks Cassius Vaughn could be a sleeper.
  • And finally, Rothstein and Mlive.com’s Kyle Meinke don’t think free agent Brandon Flowers is a fit in Detroit.
  • Packers new running backs coach Sam Gash thinks improved balance and body control could help James Stark avoid nagging injuries, writes Tyler Dunne in the Journal Sentinel.
  • Vikings GM Rick Spielman says the development of receiver Adam Thielen has jumped out at him during the offseason (radio interview with 100.3 FM here). A 6-2, 195-pound undrafted free agent out of Mankato State, Thielen was on the Vikings’ practice squad last season, but Star Tribune blogger Master Tesfatsion speculates Thielen might have a shot at a roster spot if he continues to impress and show chemistry with Teddy Bridgewater.

Extra Points: Kaepernick, Jones, Houston, Wilcox

June 8th, 2014 at 11:09pm CST by David Kipke

The Boston Globe’s Ben Volin writes that Collin Kaepernick’s new contract is not nearly as large as it seems. As our own Luke Adams thoroughly outlined earlier this week, Kaepernick is only truly guaranteed the amount of his signing bonus combined with the NFL minimum that he is set to make next season: $12.973MM-a figure well short of the recent guaranteed money recently given to Aaron Rodgers ($54MM), Matt Ryan ($42MM), and Tony Romo ($40MM) . Over the next three seasons total, Kaepernick will essentially be guaranteed $44MM, a figure that falls short of future three-year earnings of both Joe Flacco ($62MM) and Jay Cutler ($47MM). Kaepernick will need to earn the vast majority of the quoted $126MM total value of the contract on the gridiron. Here are some other news bits from around the league:

  • Former Alabama star lineman Barrett Jones is ready to compete to become the primary interior swingman for the Rams after losing most of his rookie season to injury, writes Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com. Jones will figure to become the Rams‘ long-term starter at center.
  • Adam Jahns of the Chicago Sun-Times thinks that arrival of Jared Allen bodes very well for fellow recent Bears‘ free agent acquisition Lamarr Houston.
  • Brandon George from the Sports Day DFW projects that expectations will be high for second year safety J.J. Wilcox, who George has penciled in to start for the Cowboys alongside Barry Church heading into the 2014-2015 Season.
  • Eagles‘ nose tackle Bennie Logan added 10 additional pounds to his frame this offseason, bringing his playing weight to 317-319 pounds, writes Zach Berman of the Philadelphia Inquirer. While Logan is still lighter than the average NFL nose tackle’s average weight, he thinks that his size is ideal for the Eagles’ particular defensive schemes.

Brandon Marshall Announces Contract Extension

May 19th, 2014 at 7:33pm CST by Matt Feminis

7:33pm: The financials of Marshall’s extension have been released, with the big-play wideout earning $30.1MM in new money, reports Albert Breer of the NFL Network (via Twitter). Of the three year extension, $22.5MM is guaranteed, and Marshall will make $15MM in his first year of the new deal.

11:53am: Marshall’s extension has some “hidden” importance, says Dan Pompei on Sulia: “…the other aspect of [Marshall’s] value is his leadership. Marshall gets players together and runs offseason workouts both on the field and off…it would send the wrong message for the Bears to dole out all the money they have this offseason to players from other teams such as Jared Allen, Lamarr Houston, Willie Young and others, and then re-sign their own players such as Tim Jennings, Charles Tillman, Jay Ratliff, Jay Cutler and others, and then not take care of one of their foremost leaders. This contract is about rewarding a great player, but it’s also about sending a message to the entire roster.”

11:20am: Bears receiver Brandon Marshall broke news of a three-year, $30MM contract extension on the television program “The View.” Marshall, who had one year and $9.3MM remaining on his five-year, $44.8MM deal, is now locked up for four years and $40MM ($23MM guaranteed), per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport (via Twitter).

Acquired from the Dolphins in March of 2012 for a pair of third-round picks, Marshall was the first big splash of GM Phil Emery’s tenure. The 30-year-old has rewarded the team’s confidence, establishing a rapport with Jay Cutler and posting two Pro Bowl seasons in which he totaled 218 receptions for 2,803 yards and 23 touchdowns.

Mike Ditka Talks Bears, Free Agency

March 15th, 2014 at 6:48pm CST by Peter Sowards

In Mike Ditka‘s regular writing for the Chicago Sun-Times entitled “Four downs with Ditka,” the former Bears head coach and Hall of Fame tight end discussed free agency, Josh McCown, dementia and concussions. Chicago has been active in free agency with Lamarr Houston as the team’s key acquisition, along with signing lower-tiered players like Domenik Hixon, M.D. Jennings, Ryan Mundy, Dante Rosario and Willie Young. Key re-signings have included cornerback Charles Tillman linebacker D.J. Williams. Defensive end Julius Peppers was released due to his high cap number and eventually ended up with the Packers, and McCown found a starting job in Tampa Bay.

On how he likes the Bears’ moves in free agency so far:

“I do like what they have done so far. They realize they have to build on their weakness and that’s what they’ve done. They’ve addressed some needs on the defensive line and in the secondary. I think they understand that if they had any defense last year, they would have had a real good shot at winning the division.”

On if the Bears should have tried harder to re-sign McCown:

“You know, he’s a backup quarterback. It’s essential you have your starter in place. I think it came down to salary. When he saw he wasn’t going to get what he wanted, he went somewhere else. I think it’s a good move for Tampa, but also a good move by the Bears.”

On if he worries about memory loss:

“If you play football long enough, chances are you’re going to get hurt. People didn’t know about concussions long ago. They didn’t understand the ramifications or the long-term effects. They really didn’t know how serious it was.”

On if concussions could ruin football:

“You know, if you’re a parent with a young son, are you going to let him play football? No, it’s probably going to be basketball, baseball or something else. But not football. Give the kid a set of golf clubs. Basically, that’s what is happening right now.”

Bears Sign Lamarr Houston

March 11th, 2014 at 6:44pm CST by Zachary Links

6:44pm: Houston’s contract includes a $4.95MM signing bonus, and a $3MM roster bonus this year, according to Aaron Wilson (via Twitter). While he reports that the guaranteed money is at $12.9MM, other reports such as Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune have the figure at closer to $15MM guaranteed (via Twitter).

3:19pm: Lamarr Houston reached agreement with the Bears on a five-year deal, tweets Adam Schefter of ESPN. The former Raiders defensive end gets $35MM in total.

AFC Rumors: Raiders, Chargers, Haden, Edelman

March 11th, 2014 at 2:31pm CST by Luke Adams

It appears the Raiders, the team with the most cap room in the NFL, will let both of their marquee free agents walk, says Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. Florio hears from a source that Oakland believes Jared Veldheer is better suited to right tackle than left tackle, and that the team can’t justify paying $7MM annually to a defensive end (Lamarr Houston) who is more a run-stopper than a pass-rusher.

With free agency looming at the top of the hour, here’s more from around the AFC:

  • Raiders defensive tackle Vance Walker will test the market at 3:00pm CT, tweets Vic Tafur of the San Francisco Chronicle. Oakland made Walker an offer, and he likes playing for the Raiders, but he wants to take advantage of the rare opportunity to be an unrestricted free agent, says Tafur.
  • The Chargers are “very much in the mix” for free agent defensive tackle Earl Mitchell, tweets Michael Gehlken of the San Diego Union-Tribune.
  • The Colts remain in talks to bring Ahmad Bradshaw back, tweets Albert Breer of the NFL Network. The former Giants running back was an impact player last year before his injury.
  • The Browns‘ talks with Joe Haden on a long-term deal are ongoing, tweets Breer, adding that it would be interesting to see how a deal for Darrelle Revis would affect those talks.
  • Sources tell Terez A. Paylor of the Kansas City Star that the Chiefs have interest in wide receivers Jason Avant and Devin Hester.
  • Assuming the Patriots can’t re-sign Julian Edelman, Andrew Hawkins is a target to keep in mind for the team, says Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter). Hawkins received an RFA tender from the Bengals, so Cincinnati would have a chance to match any offer for the receiver.
  • Speaking of Edelman, the Ravens have interest in him, according to Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (via Twitter). Wilson also hears from a source that the Ravens will evaluate tight end Owen Daniels, who was released by the Texans (Twitter link).
  • After voiding his deal and becoming a free agent yesterday, defensive lineman Jason Babin told SiriusXM NFL Radio today that he’d like to return to the Jaguars if it’s possible. Ryan O’Halloran of the Florida Times-Union has the details and quotes.
  • Bills GM Doug Whaley told WGR 550 that “offers are on the table” for tight end Scott Chandler and kicker Dan Carpenter, tweets Mike Rodak of ESPN.

Zach Links contributed to this post.

Raiders Rumors: QBs, Revis, Jenkins, Jennings

March 11th, 2014 at 12:38pm CST by Luke Adams

The Raiders are interested in quarterback Josh McCown, but the team is also waiting to see what the Texans will do with Matt Schaub, says Vic Tafur of the San Francisco Chronicle (via Twitter). Additionally, many believe the McCown sweepstakes could be down to the Bears and Buccaneers, according to Tafur. Here’s more on the Raiders:

  • The Raiders are thought to be “strong players” in the Darrelle Revis sweepstakes, according to Tafur (via Twitter), who says the Browns are involved as well. Both clubs have a boatload of cap space available this offseason, which makes them logical destinations to either absorb Revis’ contract in a trade or outbid other teams should he reach free agency.
  • Five teams are interested in free agent cornerback Mike Jenkins, who may be harder for the Raiders to re-sign than they expected, tweets Tafur.
  • Rashad Jennings may make a decision today, and it appears the Raiders and Giants are his top two suitors, says Ralph Vacchiano of the New York Daily News (Twitter links).
  • There’s nothing new on the Raiders front when it comes to Jared Veldheer and Lamarr Houston, tweets Tafur. It continues to look like Veldheer will land in Arizona, and Houston could sign elsewhere too.

NFC Rumors: Veldheer, Houston, Byrd, Hawley

March 11th, 2014 at 9:10am CST by Luke Adams

It looks like many of the top offensive tackles will fly off the shelves early when free agency gets underway at 3:00pm central time this afternoon. Branden Albert appears to be headed to Miami, while Anthony Collins will likely sign with the Bucs, and Eugene Monroe and the Ravens should work out a new deal. That leaves the Cardinals as the logical landing spot for Jared Veldheer, and Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com says (via Twitter) GMs and agents are essentially viewing that as a done deal, turning their attention to Rodger Saffold and other players. As we wait to see if Arizona can officially lock up the Raiders’ free-agent-to-be, let’s check out a few more updates from around the NFC….

  • The Packers were “very interested” in defensive end Lamarr Houston, but appear likely to bow out of the bidding as his price tag increases, says Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
  • It doesn’t sound as if things are heating up between Jairus Byrd and the Redskins at the moment, according to Mike Jones of the Washington Post, who hears from a source that the two sides are just having “casual conversations” (Twitter link).
  • The Lions have been in recent contact with defensive end Willie Young’s agent about a new deal, but Young looks set to hit the open market and should have a handful of suitors, writes Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press.
  • The Falcons are trying to lock up center Joe Hawley to keep him from reaching the open market, but there are other teams interested in him, according to Adam Caplan of ESPN.com, who says (via Twitter) talks might go right up to 3:00pm today.
  • Tight end Garrett Graham could be a target for the Buccaneers, tweets Pat Yasinskas of ESPN.com.
  • As they did a year ago, the Eagles could strike quickly in free agency today, writes Zach Berman of the Philadelphia Inquirer.
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