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Mark Sanchez

Eagles Sign Mark Sanchez

March 28th, 2014 at 8:04am CST by Luke Adams

FRIDAY, 8:04am: The Eagles have officially signed Sanchez to a one-year deal, according to the team. As Mike Garafolo first reported (via Twitter), the contract will be worth up to a max of $4MM, with a base value of about half that amount. Rich Cimini tweets that the base value is $2.25MM.

THURSDAY, 6:50pm: The deal is done, league sources tell Rich Cimini of ESPN.com (via Twitter). Brian Costello of the New York Post tweets that the quarterback passed his physical. It should only be a matter of time until we learn the contract details.

12:13pm: The Eagles and Sanchez have now agreed to terms, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter), so it should just be a matter of time before the deal is official.

11:21am: After several reports earlier this week indicated the Eagles were strong frontrunners to land Mark Sanchez, the ex-Jet will indeed sign with Philadelphia today, according to Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com (via Twitter). Mike Garafolo of FOX Sports confirms (via Twitter) that “everything has checked out” for Sanchez, who is recovering from shoulder surgery. While Garafolo clarifies that the deal isn’t finalized yet, he says it’s just a matter of time (Twitter link).Mark Sanchez

Sanchez, a former fifth overall pick, spent four seasons as the Jets’ full-time starter before giving way to Geno Smith in 2013. While he set career-highs with a 56.7% completion percentage, 3,474 passing yards, and 26 passing TDs in 2011, Sanchez regressed in 2012, with those numbers dipping to 54.3%, 2,883, and 13, respectively. After missing the 2013 season with a shoulder injury, the 27-year-old was released by the Jets before receiving an offseason roster bonus.

Once news broke that the Jets would be cutting Sanchez, reports linked a handful of teams to the veteran signal-caller, with the Giants, Rams, Browns, and Titans among the clubs said to have some interest. However, subsequent reports downplayed the interest from many of those teams, leaving Philadelphia as the only clear-cut suitor for the former USC Trojan.

By signing with the Eagles, Sanchez will be replacing the man that replaced him in New York, taking over Michael Vick‘s role as Philadelphia’s No. 2 quarterback behind Nick Foles. Fellow USC product Matt Barkley will also be in the QB mix for the Eagles.

With Sanchez off the market, the list of quarterbacks still on the market looks fairly sparse. Josh Freeman is the most notable name in a group that also includes Matt Flynn, Rex Grossman, David Carr, and Dan Orlovsky.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Eagles Favorites To Sign Mark Sanchez

March 26th, 2014 at 9:20pm CST by Luke Adams

WEDNESDAY, 9:20pm: Sanchez is in Philadelphia to meet with the Eagles and a deal could be done soon, tweets Brian Costello of the New York Post. The Eagles are putting the quartberack through a physical with an eye on his injured shoulder.

MONDAY, 4:23pm: While the Eagles are in the lead to sign Sanchez, it’s “not a lock,” a source tells Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News. Mehta adds the Browns and Titans to the list of teams that have expressed some interest, and says the Giants probably aren’t a serious candidate for Sanchez, despite having some interest.

4:05pm: As expected, Mortensen clarifies (via Twitter) that the Eagles will at least have to do their own medical evaluation of Sanchez before signing him. As Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer tweets, the Eagles look like the frontrunners for the ex-Jet, but there are still a few hurdles to clear.

3:59pm: Mark Sanchez received a “failed physical” designation when he was officially released by the Jets, but his recovery from shoulder surgery is going well, and it won’t stop him from signing with a new team, according to ESPN’s Chris Mortensen. While it’s not entirely clear if he’s reporting that Sanchez already has an agreement in place, Mortensen at least suggests (via Twitter) that the veteran quarterback figures to land with the Eagles now that he’s a free agent.

Ian Rapoport of NFL.com indicates (via Twitter) that it’s not quite a done deal yet, writing that the Eagles will take a “hard look” at Sanchez and his medicals, and may sign him. In a second tweet, Rapoport adds that the Giants and other teams should join the Eagles in the hunt for Sanchez. Earlier today, we heard that the Rams also have some interest in the 27-year-old.

Sanchez, a former fifth overall pick, spent four seasons as the Jets’ full-time starter before giving way to Geno Smith in 2013. After setting career-highs with a 56.7% completion percentage, 3,474 passing yards, and 26 passing TDs in 2011, Sanchez regressed in 2012, with those numbers dipping to 54.3%, 2,883, and 13, respectively.

If he officially signs in Philadelphia, Sanchez would be replacing the man that replaced him in New York, taking over Michael Vick‘s role as the Eagles’ No. 2 quarterback behind Nick Foles.

Lions Notes: Orlovsky, Sanchez, Suh

March 26th, 2014 at 6:01pm CST by Zachary Links

The latest out of Detroit, courtesy of the Detroit Free Press’ Dave Birkett..

  • The Lions are in the market for a backup quarterback after losing Shaun Hill to the Rams and are now expected to turn their sights to Dan Orlovsky, writes Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press. Orlovsky played four seasons for the Lions from 2005-08 and made seven starts. He spent the 2011 season with the Colts playing for new Lions coach Jim Caldwell and was with the Buccaneers the last two years.
  • The Lions picked Matthew Stafford over Mark Sanchez when they were looking for a quarterback at the top of the 2009 NFL draft and now that Sanchez is a free agent, they don’t have any interest in bringing him to Detroit, Birkett writes. “We have not entertained it, in that regard,” Caldwell said. “But talented guy who’s got experience in the league, and I’m sure there are a lot of teams who are looking at him closely.” It goes without saying that Orlovsky is much more likely than the USC product.
  • Caldwell and Lions president Tom Lewand say they’re not concerned about Ndamukong Suh‘s contract situation becoming a distraction for the team, Birkett writes.

AFC Notes: Titans, Browner, Clowney, Chiefs

March 25th, 2014 at 4:10pm CST by Luke Adams

The Eagles are considered the favorites to land Mark Sanchez, and it’s hard to determine which other teams may be a threat to Philadelphia for the signal-caller. The Seahawks have been ruled out as a destination, and reported interest from the Rams and Giants has been significantly downplayed. Now, Terry McCormick of TitanInsider.com suggests that another rumored suitor isn’t seriously in the mix, tweeting that the Titans don’t have interest in bringing Sanchez aboard. As we wait to see where the former Jet lands, let’s check out a few more notes from around the AFC….

  • Chris Johnson‘s future with the Titans remains in limbo, as Jim Wyatt of the Tennessean writes.
  • In a series of four tweets, Tom Pelissero of USA Today explains how Brandon Browner‘s contract with the Patriots works, complete with financial specifics.
  • Field Yates of ESPN Boston (Twitter link) has the details on the playing-time incentives in Michael Vick‘s new deal with the Jets. As Yates outlines, Vick can earn bonuses up to $1MM depending on whether he appears in 50% ($100K), 60% ($300K), 70% ($550K), 80% ($900K), or 90% ($1MM) of the Jets’ snaps.
  • Texans head coach Bill O’Brien plans to attend Jadeveon Clowney‘s Pro Day next week, and is looking forward to continuing the “good talk” he had with Clowney at the combine, tweets James Palmer of CSNHouston.com.
  • Chiefs head coach Andy Reid confirmed that he spoke to free agent receiver Jason Avant, but suggested there’s nothing there when it comes to the team’s interest in the former Eagle. Reid instead hinted that he and Avant may work together down the road, according to Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer (Twitter links).
  • Chris Owens‘ one-year contract with the Chiefs is worth $800K, which includes a $730K base salary and a $70K workout bonus, tweets Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun. $80K of Owens’ base salary is guaranteed.
  • Fullback Jamize Olawale has signed his exclusive rights tender to remain with the Raiders, the team announced today (Twitter link).

NFC Notes: Newton, Cowboys, Suh, Rams

March 25th, 2014 at 1:09pm CST by Luke Adams

Although the Panthers would like to eventually reach an agreement with quarterback Cam Newton that keeps him in Carolina for several years, for now the club expects to take advantage of its fifth-year option for 2015, GM Dave Gettleman confirmed today. As a top-10 pick in 2011, Newton will be in line for a fifth-year salary worth the amount of the quarterback transition tag. Here are a few more updates from across the NFC:

  • Like the Panthers, the Cowboys hope to lock up their own 2011 first-rounder, Tyron Smith, for the long-term, but in the meantime, “all signs point to” the club exercising its fifth-year option for 2015 on Smith, according to Brandon George of the Dallas Morning News.
  • Cowboys owner Jerry Jones dismissed the idea that his team is in rebuilding mode, as Calvin Watkins of ESPNDallas.com details.
  • Lions president Tom Lewand confirmed today that he has been in contact with Jimmy Sexton, the agent for Ndamukong Suh. However, the two sides won’t meet in Orlando to discuss an extension for Suh, since Lewand doesn’t believe it’s an ideal setting to do business (Twitter links via Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press).
  • Jimmy Graham of the Saints and Greg Hardy of the Panthers are still on the franchise tag for now, but Saints owner Tom Benson is very confident New Orleans will work out a multiyear deal with Graham sooner or later, writes Larry Holder of the Times-Picayune. As for Hardy, Gettleman says the Panthers are letting the smoke clear before revisiting a potential long-term contract for the star defensive end, tweets David Newton of ESPN.com.
  • Although the Rams may have some interest in Mark Sanchez, Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch believes that interest is tepid at best.
  • Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun reports (via Twitter) that both players the Rams signed on Monday received minimum-salary deals, with Greg Reid inking a three-year contract and Etienne Sabino signing for one year. Neither pact included a bonus.

Browns Notes: QBs, Carrington, Revis, LBs

March 25th, 2014 at 9:15am CST by Luke Adams

Like fellow AFC North coach John Harbaugh, the Browns’ Mike Pettine was one of a handful of AFC head coaches who made a handful of interesting comments during this morning’s breakfast interview session with reporters in Orlando. Let’s check out a few of the Browns updates from Pettine….

  • Drafting two quarterbacks, like the Redskins did in 2012, isn’t out of the question for the Browns, according to Pettine: “I don’t think [GM] Ray [Farmer] would be adverse to that at all.” (Twitter link via Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal). The Browns are scouting a “big list” of QB prospects, as Lindsay Jones of USA Today details.
  • Pettine “really likes” free agent quarterback Mark Sanchez, and will look into any addition that could help the team, tweets Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer.
  • Defensive end Alex Carrington remains in play for the Browns, and signing him wouldn’t necessarily result in a roster move involving Ahtyba Rubin, tweets Ulrich.
  • Cleveland “kicked around” the idea of acquiring Darrelle Revis when the Buccaneers were shopping him, but with no guarantee the cornerback would rework his contract, it was hard to take on that $16MM salary, tweets Ian Rapoport of NFL.com.
  • The Browns landed two of their top free agent targets, according to Pettine, who says Karlos Dansby was the team’s No. 1 free agent inside linebacker, while Donte Whitner was the team’s No. 1 safety (Twitter link via Ulrich).
  • Having landed Dansby, Pettine doesn’t view the inside linebacker position as a glaring need, tweets Ulrich. Craig Robertson is currently penciled in alongside Dansby, and Pettine likes him, though he pointed out that it’s a deep draft for linebackers.

NFC Notes: Sanchez, Cutler, Kaepernick, Kuhn

March 24th, 2014 at 4:46pm CST by Luke Adams

The Eagles appear to be the frontrunners to sign Mark Sanchez, but the quarterback doesn’t have an agreement in place with any team yet. As Sanchez and his suitors weigh the decision, we can rule out Seattle as a potential landing spot. Rich Cimini of ESPNNewYork.com tweets that the Seahawks, who had been mentioned because of the connection to former USC coach Pete Carroll, aren’t in the mix for the former Jet.

Here’s more from around the NFC:

  • According to Brian McIntyre (via Twitter), the Bears have created a little 2014 cap space by converting $5MM of Jay Cutler‘s $22.5MM base salary into a signing bonus. That allows the team to spread the bonus out in even $1MM hits over the next five seasons, creating $4MM in cap savings for ’14.
  • Working out a deal that will keep Colin Kaepernick in San Francisco long-term is a “priority” for the 49ers, head coach Jim Harbaugh said today. Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com has the details and quotes from Harbaugh.
  • Free agent fullback John Kuhn continues to talk to the Packers and other teams, according to Tyler Dunne of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
  • Saints GM Mickey Loomis spoke at length to Larry Holder of the New Orleans Times-Picayune about his team’s offseason so far, including New Orleans’ additions and subtractions. Discussing the Darren Sproles trade with the Eagles, Loomis suggested that he hopes the move doesn’t come back to “bite” the Saints.
  • Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (Twitter links) passes along some specific details on J.D. Walton‘s two-year contract with the Giants. With an overall base value of $6MM, the deal includes annual base salaries of $1.25MM (2014) and $2.25MM (2015), a $1.25MM signing bonus, a $250K roster bonus due on the fifth day of the 2015 league year, and $50K each season in per-game roster bonuses.

Browns GM Talks Haden, QBs, FAs, Mack

March 24th, 2014 at 9:48am CST by Luke Adams

Appearing at the NFL’s owner meetings in Orlando, Browns GM Ray Farmer answered several questions from reporters today, including Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal and Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer. Here’s a round-up of some of the highlights, with Twitter links via Ulrich and Cabot:

  • After cornerback Joe Haden fueled speculation by tweeting “It’s a crazy business” last night, Farmer insisted that the team has no interest in trading Haden, and would like to keep him in Cleveland for a long time.
  • Farmer defended the team’s decision not to attend the Pro Days of top quarterback prospects like Blake Bortles, Teddy Bridgewater, and Johnny Manziel by arguing that those days are “scripted” and saying that the Browns’ absence keeps teams guessing about Cleveland’s intentions. The general manager added that he’s “not leaning in any direction” with the No. 4 pick in the draft.
  • Farmer believes Cleveland will have opportunities to trade up or down in the draft, and confirmed that discussions about those possibilities are already underway.
  • Asked if the Browns have interest in Mark Sanchez, Farmer said the team would be interested in “anyone who can help us win,” though he didn’t say whether Sanchez was one such player. For now, the GM says he’s comfortable with Brian Hoyer, and that Hoyer’s competition could come from anywhere, including a player in the draft.
  • Farmer confirmed that the Browns had interest in Matt Schaub before Houston sent him to the Raiders.
  • According to Ulrich, Farmer paused for a few seconds when asked where the Browns stood with offensive lineman Paul McQuistan and defensive end Alex Carrington, before replying, “We’ll see.” Both free agents visited the team last week.
  • Cleveland investigated many options for a No. 2 wide receiver and No. 2 cornerback in free agency, but nothing worked out, according to Farmer.
  • The Browns are still focused on working out a long-term deal with Alex Mack, who received the transition tag from the club this offseason.

Rams Interested In Mark Sanchez

March 24th, 2014 at 9:10am CST by Luke Adams

The NFL’s quarterback carousel has been busy this offseason, with Mark Sanchez representing the latest roster casualty, when the Jets replaced him with Michael Vick on Friday. However, Sanchez is drawing interest from at least one NFL team. Rams head coach Jeff Fisher tells Jim Corbett of USA Today that his team will at least kick the tires on the former Jet.

“I’d say that there is interest. I can’t say how much. But there certainly would be interest,” Fisher said. “I don’t have a backup with experience on the roster right now.”

Rams starter Sam Bradford is coming off an ACL injury, and his 2013 backup, Kellen Clemens, has signed with the Chargers in free agency. The current No. 2 in St. Louis, Austin Davis, has yet taken a snap in an NFL regular season game. As Rich Cimini of ESPNNewYork.com noted in a weekend piece in which he identified the Rams as a top possibility for Sanchez, the ex-Jets signal-caller also has a connection to Rams offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer, who was previously the OC in New York for several seasons.

According to Ed Werder of ESPN.com (via Twitter), Rams GM Les Snead also has interest in Sanchez, so Fisher isn’t on his own. However, if Sanchez plans to sign within the next day or two, it likely won’t be with the Rams, says Werder.

NFL Notes: Smith, Vick, Jones-Drew

March 22nd, 2014 at 8:44pm CST by Peter Sowards

In his first public comments since the team signed Michael Vick, Jets quarterback and second-year pro Geno Smith was unabashed in his praise of the move and the man himself.

“Awesome, man. Vick’s my guy,” Smith said Saturday, according to the Associated Press. “We needed to find a guy that was legitimately a guy that could come in and play. I think that’s what we did.”

Signing just a one-year deal for $5MM, Vick figures to compete with Smith for the starting job.

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