HEADLINES

Michael Vick

FA Rumors: Ihedigbo, DeCoud, Britt, Incognito

March 21st, 2014 at 9:16am CST by Luke Adams

James Ihedigbo won’t be returning to his old team, and there’s a chance he also won’t be headed to the club he looked likely to land with last week. According to Matt Zenitz of the Carroll County Times, the Ravens are no longer in the running for the free agent safety, who has narrowed his decision down to three NFC teams — one is believed to be the Lions, who appeared to be closing in on Ihedigbo last Thursday. Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun adds (via Twitter) that Baltimore wasn’t willing to match the Lions’ initial offer, but it sounds like two other clubs are at least in that ballpark.

Here are a few more Friday morning free agent updates:

  • Free agent safety Thomas DeCoud may represent a Plan B for the Lions if they can’t land Ihedigbo. DeCoud, who was released by the Falcons earlier in the offseason, is visiting Detroit today, according to ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter (via Twitter).
  • Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press (Twitter link) expects the Lions to sign a safety very soon, and says it sounds like there are three potential options on the table, which suggests the team is eyeing another player in addition to Ihedigbo and DeCoud.
  • Agent Pat Dye Jr. confirmed last night that Kenny Britt had received from the Bills, and Ian Rapoport of NFL.com says (via Twitter) the free agent receiver will be making his next visit to Buffalo.
  • Rapoport also reports (Twitter links) that while free agent guard Richie Incognito can sign with an NFL team, he can’t play or be paid until undergoing a comprehensive evaluation by medical advisors designated by the league and the NFLPA.
  • Adam Caplan of ESPN.com passes along a pair of free agent nuggets, tweeting that fullback Spencer Larsen worked out for the Bills and cornerback Elbert Mack worked out for the Bengals.
  • With Matt Schaub heading to Oakland, Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com (Twitter link) predicts that the Browns will land Rex Grossman, adding that perhaps Mark Sanchez ends up on the Bills and Michael Vick lands with the Jets. Vick is visiting with the Jets today, and the club also has to make a decision soon on Sanchez, who is owed a roster bonus on Tuesday.

Jets Notes: Jackson, Vick, Free Agency

March 20th, 2014 at 4:18pm CST by Luke Adams

With Michael Vick set to visit the Jets tomorrow, it’s worth noting that New York is among the teams that has inquired on Eagles receiver DeSean Jackson, says Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter). While landing Jackson may be a long shot even if the team does sign Vick, Rapoport notes that the two players are close from their time in Philadelphia.

That nugget on Jackson wasn’t the only Jets-related item in the news today, however. GM John Idzik and head coach Rex Ryan spoke to the media on a conference call, and Bart Hubbuch of the New York Post rounded up several of the highlights, so let’s dive in….

  • Despite the public perception that the Jets have been too cautious in free agency and have missed out on several targets, Idzik isn’t concerned: “We said all along that we would be judicious and selective in free agency. Nine days into free agency, we feel we’ve been productive.”
  • Idzik also stressed that the Jets have done well to bring back many of their own free agents, including linebacker Calvin Pace and offensive lineman Willie Colon.
  • Ryan insists he’s happy with the cornerbacks on the roster, though Idzik said there “may be trade talks” to strengthen the position (Twitter link).
  • While Idzik didn’t mention Vick by name, he hinted that the team has interest in the veteran signal-caller in part due to his connection to offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg: “Whenever you have inside knowledge on a player… that is a tremendous advantage. There is less projection, especially if you’re dealing with a position that entails a lot like quarterback.”

Michael Vick Rumors: Wednesday

March 19th, 2014 at 1:06pm CST by Luke Adams

A pair of reports shortly after free agency opened last week suggested that Michael Vick intended to be patient with the process, perhaps even waiting until after May’s draft to sign with a team. However, it appears now that the veteran signal-caller will make his decision sooner than that. Here’s the latest on Vick, arguably the top quarterback remaining on the market:

  • Jim Wyatt of the Tennessean doesn’t think Vick is an option for the Titans, as he expresses pretty strongly in a tweet.
  • Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer (Twitter link) confirms that Vick’s visit with the Jets will happen on Friday. According to Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News (via Twitter), Vick seems to fit the bill of what the Jets brass is looking for in a No. 2 quarterback: A veteran that can push Geno Smith and is capable of winning games when called upon.

Earlier updates:

  • Les Bowen of the Philadelphia Daily News (Twitter link) is getting the impression that Vick may not be exclusively seeking a starting job anymore.
  • Vick plans to visit the Jets this weekend, a source tells Eliot Shorr-Parks of NJ.com. It will be his first visit, and if all goes well, it may end up being his last, as Shorr-Parks writes. The Jets may face some pressure to land a free agent after missing out on several other targets, while Vick may not be handed the starting job he seeks in New York, but would probably have a chance to compete with Geno Smith.
  • According to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk, there are indications that Vick may be moving toward making a decision. The Vikings, Jaguars, and Buccaneers are likely no longer options for Vick, having signed veteran QBs of their own. But the Jets and Bills, as well as teams with potential injury concerns like the Panthers, could be in the mix. Florio also identifies the Titans as a potential dark horse, with Jake Locker still recovering from foot surgery.

NFC Notes: Britt, Panthers, Vick, Collins

March 17th, 2014 at 10:58pm CST by Matt Feminis

At present time, the Panthers are devoid of an NFL receiving corps, having let go their top four receivers from a year ago. Now they’re in a position of desperation, as evidenced by the team’s interest in troubled, albeit talented, free agent Kenny Britt, as reported by Adam Schefter (via Twitter) and Pro Football Talk.

  • Meanwhile, Panthers GM Dave Gettleman is starting to draw criticism over how he’s managed (or botched, according to pundits) the Panthers’ offseason. Both Eric Edholm of Yahoo and David Newton of ESPN put the magnifying glass over Gettleman’s decisions.
  • In February, free agent Michael Vick was hopeful he would be a starting quarterback in 2014. Two weeks into free agency, he has yet to visit a team, let alone land a contract, writes Anwar Richardson of Yahoo Sports.
  • Earlier this month, Bears defensive tackle Nate Collins signed a one-year deal worth $730,001, and the extra dollar is significant, writes Adam Jahns of the Chicago Sun-Times. Because Collins will make more than the minimum, the Bears will have the opportunity to extend his contract prior to next year’s free agency.

 

FA Rumors: Fletcher, Starks, Penn

March 15th, 2014 at 4:56pm CST by Rob DiRe

Linebacker Dane Fletcher is reportedly visiting with the Raiders, reports Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports (via Twitter). Mike Reiss of ESPNBoston.com reports that while Fletcher is interested in the Raiders, he will not be visiting them until tomorrow (via Twitter).

Here are some other free agent rumors from around the league:

  • James Starks will be visiting the Steelers on Monday, reports Tyler Dunne of the Milwaukee Wisconsin Journal-Sentinel. Dunne believes that while running back is not a pressing need, the Packers would be interested in bringing Starks back.
  • Donald Penn will be visiting with the Redskins on Sunday, reports John Keim of ESPN (via Twitter). The former Buccaneer was released earlier this week.
  • The Raiders quarterback situation is still in flux, and Albert Breer of the NFL Network reports that the team is interested in Josh Freeman (via Twitter). The team will also look at Matt Schaub when he is released from the Texans, as expected. In a second tweet he writes that he imagines the Raiders will make a push after those two before considering Michael Vick.

Raiders Targeting Schaub, Sanchez

March 14th, 2014 at 10:33pm CST by Peter Sowards

Matt Schaub and Mark Sanchez are still employed by the Texans and Jets, respectively, but both teams are expected to move on from the veteran quarterbacks. And once they do, a source tells ESPN Reporter Paul Gutierrez that the Raiders will have interest in both quarterbacks, as well as Josh Freeman and Michael Vick, in that order.

As Gutierrez notes, Oakland’s quarterback depth chart consists of Terrelle Pryor, Matt McGloin and Trent Edwards, so adding a well-traveled veteran would be in the team’s best interests.

The rumors swirling around Sanchez have been pretty dormant as of late, but Schaub has been linked to the Browns as recently as Monday. Cleveland recently cleaned house at quarterback, releasing Brandon Weeden and Jason Campbell on Wednesday (links here).

AFC Rumors: Griffen, Soliai, Vick, Raiders

March 12th, 2014 at 1:03pm CST by Zachary Links

The Broncos were high on Everson Griffen and dangling a deal averaging $9MM per season, tweets Alex Marvez of FOX Sports 1. That forced the Vikings to sweeten their offer to keep Griffen in house. Minnesota wound up giving the defensive end a five-year deal worth $42.5MM that includes $20MM guaranteed. More out of the AFC..

  • The Colts had interest in nose tackle Paul Soliai before he signed with the Falcons, tweets Adam Caplan of ESPN. Soliai got $33MM over five years from Atlanta with $14MM guaranteed over the life of the contract.
  • Michael Vick will likely wait until after the draft to sign with a team, tweets Vic Tafur of the San Francisco Chronicle. Meanwhile, the Raiders are waiting to see what happens with Matt Schaub and are also interested in Josh Freeman.
  • The Texans will try and trade Schaub before releasing him, writes Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com. La Canfora adds that the Raiders are after a veteran quarterback and someone like Mark Sanchez could be a fit, if he becomes available.

AFC East Rumors: Vick, Jets, Carroll

March 11th, 2014 at 7:47pm CST by Zachary Links

The Jets are very interested in Michael Vick, a source tells Rich Cimini of ESPNNewYork.com (on Twitter). They’re hoping to get something wrapped up quickly, but the veteran has other suitors. Meanwhile, Vick is content to sit back and watch everything unfold, writes Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk. A source tells Florio that Vick knows he’s going to get a starting job, so he’ll wait to find the right fit. The latest from the AFC East..

  • Brian Costello of the New York Post (on Twitter) hears nothing will happen quickly between Vick and the Jets. The Jets are interested, but it’s still too early to say how interested.
  • With Austin Howard unlikely to return to New York, the Jets have inquired on free agent right tackle Zach Strief, reports Seth Walder of the New York Daily News (via Twitter).
  • Former Dolphins cornerback Nolan Carroll is in transit to the Bills for his first visit and others are scheduled, tweets Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com. Carroll is a big, physical corner who knows the AFC East.
  • A source says linebacker Wesley Woodyard also has plans to visit the Titans after meeting with Patriots on Wednesday, tweets Josina Anderson of ESPN. 

King On Albert, Monroe, Raiders, Byrd, Vick

March 10th, 2014 at 7:28am CST by Luke Adams

In his latest Monday Morning Quarterback column at TheMMQB.com, Peter King tackles free agency, writing that cornerbacks and offensive tackles look poised to become the biggest beneficiaries of the extra cap space around the NFL. As King writes, Sam Shields‘ four-year deal from the Packers improves the negotiating positions of the top corners on the market, meaning Alterraun Verner, Vontae Davis, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, and Aqib Talib should all get $8MM+ per year. Here’s more from King on free agency:

  • While the Giants are pursuing Verner, King is skeptical they’d pay the free agent cornerback $10MM per year, which is what he may cost.
  • The Dolphins look ready to “blow the opposition out of the water” for offensive tackle Branden Albert, perhaps with a long-term offer worth $10-11MM year. In that event, the Cardinals would strongly pursue Jared Veldheer, and the Raiders would likely shift their attention to Rodger Saffold, according to King, who adds that the tackles will likely be the first free agent dominoes to fall.
  • The offensive tackle shuffle could leave the Ravens with the player they’ve wanted all along: Incumbent starter Eugene Monroe. Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun reported last night that the Ravens remain in contact with Monroe and are still hopeful they can re-sign him.
  • King hears that Veldheer and fellow Raiders free agent Lamarr Houston are very interested in testing the free agent market and “getting a golden parachute out of Oakland.”
  • Jairus Byrd is seeking $9MM per year, but King can’t figure out which team will be willing to pay him that.
  • King identifies the 49ers as a dark horse candidate for Michael Vick, if Vick doesn’t find an opportunity to start.
  • Discussing receivers, King writes that the Browns should be in the mix for Eric Decker and also could be a good landing spot for Julian Edelman. He adds that Golden Tate will likely “get more action” than expected.

Free Agency Notes: Vikings, Johnson, Gerhart

March 8th, 2014 at 5:46pm CST by Peter Sowards

With more than $40MM in cap room available, Vikings GM Rick Spielman and his staff will be busy adding talent to their roster once free agency officially opens at 3:00pm Tuesday. In addition to cornerback Alterraun Verner, Minnesota has also called to express interest in former Bengals defensive end Michael Johnson, tweets ESPN.com reporter Ben Goessling. Following up on that tweet was ESPN NFL Insider Adam Caplan, who tweeted that at least six teams should be involved for Johnson’s services.

More free agency notes from Minnesota and elsewhere around the league…

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