Michael Johnson - Pro Football Rumors

NFC Notes: Brown, Mays, Lewis, Satele

March 14th, 2015 at 7:58pm CST by Rob DiRe

With Ron Parker, Kendrick Lewis, Rahim Moore, and Antrel Rolle all signing deals over the past few days, the safety market has evaporated before the Giants’ eyes, writes Jordan Raanan of NJ.com.

Without many options on the roster or left in free agency, Raanan believes the team will have to do their best to re-sign veteran Stevie Brown, who played with the team in 2012 and 2014, missing the season in between. Brown intercepted eight passes in 2012, ties for second in the NFL that season.

Here are some other notes from around the NFC:

While discussing some of Washington’s options left in free agency, John Keim of ESPN forgot to mention that the team had interest in safety Taylor Mays (via Twitter). While there was mutual interest, there has been no official visit.
Cornerback Keenan Lewis now wants to retire with the Saints despite his previous demand at a guaranteed contract or a release, NOLA.com’s Katherine Terrell reports. New Orleans’ No. 1 corner also denied an NFL.com report that indicated the Saints are re-working his contract. Lewis has three years left on his deal with base salaries totaling $10.8MM.
The Vikings hosted former Buccaneer and Bengal Michael Johnson for a visit today, according to the Vikings’ public relations and communication department (via Twitter). The team could place Johnson at defensive end opposite Everson Griffen.
The Bears could be in the market for a veteran center, and Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune suggests that Samson Satele is a name to keep an eye on (via Twitter).
The Panthers have filled a number of holes this offseason, and with draft picks, injury replacements, and contract extensions still to be accounted for, general manager Dave Gettleman will likely have to wait another year before making a huge extension, writes Joseph Person of the Charlotte Observer. He does, however, give five names to watch as possible value signings the team could target this offseason, including Osi Umenyiora, Mathias Kiwanuka and Charles Tillman.
Holding the No. 1 draft choice isn’t the only perk of finishing with the league’s worst record. The Buccaneers hold the No. 1 waiver priority thanks to their 2-14 record last year, and they intend to capitalize on it, reports the Tampa Bay Times’ Rick Stroud. “It’s a huge deal,” Bucs general manager Jason Licht told Stroud. “Bigger than people realize.” The Texans signed three players with their No. 1 position last season.

Sam Robinson contributed to this report.

Latest On Michael Johnson

March 14th, 2015 at 8:31am CST by Ben Levine

Michael Johnson entered the league as a third-round pick of the Bengals in 2009. Following a successful five-year tenure with the franchise, the defensive end inked a five-year contract worth nearly $44MM with the Buccaneers last offseason.

Tampa Bay decided to part ways with the 28-year-old earlier this week, and a reunion with Cincinnati seemed logical. Geoff Hobson of Bengals.com says Johnson is still very close with some of his former teammates, and the writer focuses on a quote by the former Bengal in November.

“They’re my brothers and going to work with them every day, it was fun. It didn’t feel like a job,” Johnson said. “We had fun every day, especially on Sundays. We had a special group there and I’ll always have very fond memories of our time there.”

More on the former Georgia Tech standout…

As expected, Johnson is choosing between the Bengals and the Vikings, tweets ESPN.com’s Ben Goessling.
Johnson had a “very good visit” with the Vikings, according to Mark Craig of the Star Tribune (via Twitter). The defensive end spent the night in Minnesota, which Craig says is a good sign for the organization.
However, Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press says nothing can be “deduced” from Johnson’s prolonged stay in Minnesota (on Twitter). The writer notes that it’s been the player’s plan all along to stay in Minnesota until Saturday.
Despite a successful meeting, Goessling warns (on Twitter) that Johnson will probably leave Minnesota today without a contract.

FA Rumors: Morgan, Orakpo, Cameron

March 12th, 2015 at 2:28pm CST by Zachary Links

Derrick Morgan won’t be signing with the Buccaneers, according to Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com (on Twitter). The Falcons are out on Morgan too after signing Adrian Clayborn, Terry McCormick of TitanInsider.com tweets. More free agent news from around the league..

The Titans are still in the hunt for both Morgan and Brian Orakpo, and their best-case scenario would be to land both edge defenders, tweets Jim Wyatt of the Tennessean.
Tight end Jordan Cameron is still in Miami and there’s a lot of mutual interest between him and the Dolphins, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. Meanwhile, his old team, the Browns, remain the mix and a third team is also in the running.
Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press (Twitter link) hears that there has been a lot of interest in free agent defensive end Michael Johnson, but it’s unclear if any team besides the Bengals or Vikings have a shot at him. Johnson, of course, played for Cincinnati prior to joining the Bucs last year, and was coached there by Mike Zimmer.
The Chiefs have had exploratory talks with former Rams center Tim Barnes, Terez A. Paylor of the Kansas City Star tweets. Paylor expects the Chiefs to sign a veteran center, whether it’s Barnes or someone else.
The Steelers are generally quiet when it comes to free agency and trades, but Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com (on Twitter) hears that they’re exploring options for a kick returner.

Michael Johnson To Visit Vikings

March 12th, 2015 at 10:04am CST by Zachary Links

Michael Johnson‘s first visit will be with the Vikings, a source tells Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (via Twitter). Nothing is finalized yet, but the powwow will probably take place on Friday (link).

Johnson, 28, was released by the Buccaneers just one year after inking a five-year, $43.75MM contract to help solidify Tampa Bay’s defensive line. Like most Bucs, Johnson had an underwhelming 2014 campaign — he logged just four sacks, and Pro Football Focus graded him as the league’s 53rd-best 4-3 defensive end, out of 59 qualified players (subscription required).

The Vikings were linked to Johnson early on in his free agent process thanks to the connection between the defensive end and head coach Mike Zimmer. On Wednesday, a source told Chris Tomasson of the Pioneer Press that the two are still close and that Johnson nearly went to Minnesota last year as a result.

The Bengals, Johnson’s old team, have also expressed interest.

Extra Points: Brooks, Johnson, Spiller

March 11th, 2015 at 10:22pm CST by Ben Levine

There have been whispers that 49ers linebacker Ahmad Brooks could be a cap casualty, but general manager Trent Baalke made it clear that the player would be back next season.

“There has never been an indication from me otherwise,” Baalke told Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com. “While all that was being written, I just sat back and looked at it because it was speculation based on our cap number and the cash flow that we had leading into free agency. A lot of assumptions were made, but wrongly.”

More notes as we wrap up this Wednesday evening…

The Buccaneers met with Stefen Wisniewski earlier today, but Roy Cummings of the Tampa Tribune tweets that the center left Tampa without a deal. In another tweet, Cummings says the team never intended to sign Wisniewski today.
In the meantime, Wisniewski will meet with the Seahawks, reports Fox Sports’ Mike Garafolo (via Twitter). Seattle would be in the market for a center after dealing Max Unger yesterday.
We heard previously that the Saints were in the mix for free agent running back C.J. Spiller. That interest is real, as ESPN’s Adam Schefter tweets that the former Bills weapon will meet with the organization in New Orleans on Thursday.
Despite the reported interest in the defensive end, Michael Johnson‘s camp won’t start talking to teams until Thursday, according to Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press (on Twitter).
Yahoo’s Rand Getlin reports (via Twitter) the former 49ers defensive back Perrish Cox will meet with the Titans on Friday. The Browns and Washington have previously shown interest.
Offensive guard Shelley Smith will visit with the Seahawks on Thursday and the Broncos on Friday, according to Mike Klis of The Denver Post. Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com says (via Twitter) the Falcons are also interested, but haven’t set up an interview.

Zach Links contributed to this post.

NFC Rumors: Johnson, Peters, Pears, Carter

March 11th, 2015 at 6:32pm CST by Zachary Links

NFL.com’s Michael Silver reports (via Twitter) that the Buccaneers had a trade lined up involving defensive Michael Johnson, but the veteran wouldn’t agree to a contract restructuring. Here’s more from the NFC…

Corey Peters, who joined up with the Cardinals today, told reporters that he had more lucrative offers elsewhere but believed that Arizona was the best fit for him, Kent Somers of The Arizona Republic tweets. Peters signed a three-year, $9MM deal with the Cards that will pay him $5.75MM guaranteed.
Bills free agent offensive lineman Erik Pears is scheduled to visit the 49ers on Thursday, a source tells Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com (on Twitter).
The Cowboys had some interest in re-signing linebacker Bruce Carter, but not at an average of $5MM per season, Charean Williams of the Star Telegram tweets. Carter got a healthy pay day when he agreed to sign with the Bucs earlier today.

Ben Levine contributed to this post.

North Rumors: Gachkar, Johnson, Taylor

March 11th, 2015 at 6:06pm CST by Ben Levine

A quick look at the AFC and NFC North…

Chargers linebacker Andrew Gachkar will not be visiting the Vikings, tweets Mark Craig of the Star Tribune. Despite previous reports linking San Diego to the 26-year-old, Craig clarifies that the team has no interest.
Following Michael Johnson‘s release from the Buccaneers earlier today, FOX Sports’ Jenna Laine tweets that the Vikings have interest in the veteran defensive end (along with the Bengals). A source tells Ben Goessling of ESPN.com (on Twitter) that Johnson has already heard from handful of teams.
The Ravens have maintained interest in bringing back backup quarterback Tyrod Taylor, sources tell Aaron Wilson of The Baltimore Sun (on Twitter). Taylor visited with the Bills on Tuesday.

North Rumors: Bradford, Browns, Johnson

March 11th, 2015 at 3:42pm CST by Zachary Links

Earlier today, Eagles coach Chip Kelly told reporters that he got offered a first-round pick for newly-acquired quarterback Sam Bradford. Speculation immediately began to bubble that the Browns were that mystery team, but Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com isn’t so sure that Cleveland’s talks with the Rams went very far. One source with knowledge of the Browns’ offseason quarterback plans said St. Louis never felt Cleveland was serious about a Bradford trade. While there were few calls back and forth, there was never much of a push because the Browns weren’t overly aggressive. There was correspondence, but the Browns probably could have had Bradford if they were willing to part with at least one second-round pick for him. Here’s more from the AFC and NFC North..

A source close to defensive end Michael Johnson said it’s early in the process but there’s a good chance the Vikings will be in the running him, according to Chris Tomasson of the Pioneer Press. “Mike Zimmer’s his guy,’’ said the source, referring to the Vikings coach. “He almost went (to Minnesota) last year.’’ Johnson was waived by the Bucs on Wednesday afternoon.
New Lions defensive tackle Haloti Ngata says he’s open to an extension, Michael Rothstein of ESPN.com tweets. “Definitely. We’re open to anything,” Ngata said. The Ravens were talking with the veteran for some time about an extension but weren’t able to get far.
Bears GM Ryan Pace made it clear that he is looking at safeties and wide receivers in free agency, but he refused to name names, Adam Jahns of the Chicago Sun-Times tweets.
The Lions are hosting quarterback Alex Carder on a visit today, Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press tweets. Carder was signed as a UDFA in 2013 by Detroit and has bounced around a bit in other football leagues ever since. He recently spent some time with the Ottawa Redblacks of the Canadian Football League.

Bucs Release Michael Johnson

March 11th, 2015 at 3:02pm CST by Luke Adams

3:02pm: The Buccaneers have officially released Johnson, the team announced in a press release.

2:31pm: The Buccaneers continue to part ways with their top pickups from 2014’s free agent period. Having already cut quarterback Josh McCown and tackle Anthony Collins, the team is releasing defensive end Michael Johnson today, reports Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times (via Twitter).

It was a year ago today that the Bucs signed Johnson to a five-year, $43.75MM contract to help solidify Tampa Bay’s defensive line. Like most Bucs, Johnson had an underwhelming 2014 campaign — he logged just four sacks, and Pro Football Focus graded him as the league’s 53rd-best 4-3 defensive end, out of 59 qualified players (subscription required).

Johnson has never been a particularly dangerous pass rusher, outside of his 11.5-sack season in 2012, but even his usually strong run defense fell off last season, per PFF. By cutting him now, the Bucs will still carry $7MM in dead money, but will avoid having additional money become guaranteed. Per Over the Cap, Johnson’s guarantee would’ve increased by a total of $7MM if he had remained on the roster beyond this week. Tampa Bay clears $2MM in cap space with the move.

The Bengals, Johnson’s old team, are expected to have interest once he officially becomes available, and I expect they’ll have plenty of company. The 28-year-old will also have the opportunity to double-dip in free agency — his contract with the Bucs, which guaranteed some of his 2015 base salary, didn’t feature offsets, so he’ll receive that money on top of whatever he gets on a new deal.

North Rumors: Forsett, Bengals, Iupati, Ravens

March 9th, 2015 at 7:24pm CST by Zachary Links

The latest out of the NFL’s North divisions:

The Falcons, Washington, and the Colts are interested in Ravens free agent running back Justin Forsett, league sources tell Aaron Wilson of The Baltimore Sun (on Twitter). Ravens GM Ozzie Newsome recently made it clear that he’d like to keep Forsett in Baltimore.
If the Buccaneers cut defensive end Michael Johnson, the Bengals are hoping to orchestrate a reunion with him, a league source tells Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk (via Twitter).
The Vikings never inquired on guard Mike Iupati, Darren Wolfson of 1500 ESPN tweets. The former 49ers standout is now reportedly headed to the Cardinals.
Instead of using a restricted tender on special-teams ace Anthony Levine, the Ravens would like to bring him back on a longer-term contract, Aaron Wilson of The Baltimore Sun tweets.