Muhammad Wilkerson - Pro Football Rumors

Breer’s Latest: Dolphins, Gronk, Cowboys, Texans

December 5th, 2015 at 3:30pm CST by Sam Robinson

Dan Campbell‘s decision to jettison both his coordinators, with OC Bill Lazor being the second to go, as an interim coach likely stemmed from the tough-minded instructor’s dismay at the Dolphins being referred to as a “finesse team in a power division,” Albert Breer of NFL.com reports.

Miami ranks 27th in rushing yards per game but sixth in yards per carry at 4.6 and attempted just 23 combined runs the past two games. This led to a sense that Lazor was losing his players, per Breer.

Lazor and Ryan Tannehill began to have a less-than-ideal QB-OC relationship, and Breer now notes Campbell will take a more involved role in the Fins’ offensive approach. So, Lamar Miller will probably see more touches going forward.

Here are some more notes from the veteran NFL scribe.

Rob Gronkowski‘s league-high five offensive-pass interference penalties stem from teams alerting officials to the Patriots‘ brand of pick routes against an increasing amount of man coverage, with Gronk’s size making separation at route stems noticeable. Defensive coordinators are torn on the degree of the All-Pro tight end’s level of infraction, with one saying “He pushes off on every play” and another categorizing the physical performer’s penalties as a product of his size. “It just looks extreme with him, because of size and strength. A 180-pound dude pushing off is different [than] a 260-pound dude pushing off,” the anonymous DC told Breer. Another coordinator falls in the middle of these characterizations, noting the Patriots’ volume of pick routes makes it logical they should be on the receiving end of the most OPI flags.
With Tony Romo set for his age-36 season in 2016 and coming off more severe collarbone trouble, the Cowboys will explore taking a quarterback in the first round and signing a veteran, Breer reports. Romo being the starter for the foreseeable future gives the Cowboys some flexibility here by not having to reach for a player they don’t think can take the reins.
The Los Angeles relocation project continues to point toward the Chargers and Rams, with Breer noting Dean Spanos carries the political capital in the owners’ eyes and Stan Kroenke possessing the finances to make this transition work.
Bill O’Brien‘s cultivating a reputation as a players’ coach in leading the Texans, permitting open social media use and organizing a 12-player leadership council, Breer notes. Houston’s now tied for first in the AFC South with Indianapolis, but as far back as the Texans’ blowout loss in Miami in late October, players were behind O’Brien. “He’s not the problem. Very cool coach to play for and everyone enjoys the way he treats us,” one Texan told Breer after that 44-26 defeat.
In projecting franchise tag figures for next year, Breer also gives predictions of players potentially being tagged. Moving past long-rumored names like Von Miller and Muhammad Wilkerson, NFL executives told Breer players like Josh Norman, Janoris Jenkins, Russell Okung, Mike Daniels and Kirk Cousins are tag candidates.

AFC East Notes: Richardson, Jets, Dolphins

November 30th, 2015 at 9:21pm CST by Zachary Links

Jets defensive lineman Sheldon Richardson has been labeled a menace, but he doesn’t see himself as a villain, Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News writes.

“I want to set a good example,” Richardson said. “I made a few mistakes. I’m not a bad person. I just made two bad choices in my life.”

Richardson was clocked at 143 mph during a high-speed chase, with a legally registered handgun and a 12-year-old relative in the car. The star defensive lineman says that the incident does not define him as a person and he is working with the team psychologist to help him move beyond the arrest.

Here’s more out of the AFC East:

Richardson, 25 on Sunday, says he’s aware that both he and Muhammad Wilkerson are not going to get the paydays they seek from the Jets. “We both understand the situation,” Richardson said of the unlikelihood that he and Wilkerson will get big paydays from the Jets. “It’s his hometown. If he gets it and I don’t — I got one more year left. You never know what happens after that. I wouldn’t mind him staying in his own hometown. If I get the boot, then so (be it)… but you never know. Mo’s having a Pro Bowl season right now. His resume is going to be a little bit cleaner than mine.” Wilkerson fought for a long-term extension in the offseason but the two sides were unable to come to terms on a deal.
Dolphins wide receiver Rishard Matthews suffered multiple fractured ribs yesterday against the Jets, a source tells Rand Getlin of NFL.com (on Twitter). At this time, there’s no clear timetable for his return. Matthews, who is in a contract, has had a surprisingly strong season in Miami. The 26-year-old has hauled in 43 catches for 662 yards and 4 touchdowns across 11 games this year.
The Patriots worked out wide receiver/return specialist Damaris Johnson and running back Terrence Magee, as Mike Reiss of ESPN.com tweets.

Sheldon Richardson Talks Future With Jets

November 28th, 2015 at 3:39pm CST by Luke Adams

With Muhammad Wilkerson nearing free agency and Sheldon Richardson about to become extension-eligible, the widely-held belief around the NFL is that the Jets can’t – or won’t – lock up both players to big, long-term deals. That fact isn’t lost on Richardson himself, who acknowledged in a conversation with Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News that either he or Wilkerson could be heading out of New York within the next year or two.

“We both understand the situation,” Richardson said. “It’s his hometown. If he gets [an extension] and I don’t — I got one more year left. You never know what happens after that. I wouldn’t mind him staying in his own hometown. If I get the boot, then so [be it]… but you never know. Mo’s having a Pro Bowl season right now. His résumé is going to be a little bit cleaner than mine.”

Richardson’s reference to Wilkerson’s résumé as “cleaner” – rather than “stronger” – hints at the the off-field issues that have plagued the 2013 first-round pick, who received a four-game marijuana suspension earlier this year, and was arrested on alleged misdemeanor traffic violations. Richardson may face another suspension for that arrest, though he tells Mehta that he thinks he’ll “have a strong case” for avoiding another ban.

More importantly, Richardson is intent on making a greater effort going forward to stay out of trouble off the field. The defensive lineman, who turns 25 on Sunday, tells Mehta that he was affected by the reaction of friends and family after his arrest this year.

“I want to set a good example,” Richardson said. “I made a few mistakes. I’m not a bad person. I just made two bad choices in my life. … My little cousins, nieces and nephews are telling me, ‘Come on, Sheldon. You’re the one in the family. You’re letting us down.’ I don’t consider myself a hero, but some kids do look at me that way. It got to me a little bit.”

Even if the Jets ultimately have to decide between Wilkerson and Richardson, the team doesn’t necessarily have to make that call during the coming offseason. The franchise tag is available for Wilkerson, and if the club exercises its fifth-year option on Richardson, he’d be under contract through 2017.

AFC East Notes: Jets, Dolphins

November 21st, 2015 at 5:56pm CST by Connor J. Byrne

The latest news regarding a pair of AFC East clubs:

Fifth-year Jets defensive lineman Muhammad Wilkerson – making just under $7MM this year – is due for a new contract in the offseason, which he says has motivated him this season. “I know that I’m underpaid right now and I’m gonna play like … I’m somebody that needs to be paid,” Wilkerson told Steve Serby of the New York Post. Wilkerson has four straight seasons of at least five sacks – including seven already this year – and knows he’ll be on the receiving end of a blockbuster payday in the offseason. He just isn’t sure which team will give it to him. “[S]omebody’ll pay me if the Jets don’t,” he said. The Jets weren’t able to lock up Wilkerson during the summer, and the 26-year-old shut down negotiations entering the season because he didn’t want them to serve as a distraction.
Like Wilkerson, Jets cornerback Antonio Cromartie could also be in another uniform in 2016. As Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News writes, Cromartie has struggled this season and what’s left of the four-year, $32MM deal he signed last winter won’t be difficult for the Jets to get out of during the offseason. Unlike Wilkerson, the 31-year-old Cromartie isn’t concerned about his long-term status. “The only thing I can control is finishing this year on a high note. That’s it. I can’t put myself in a position where I’m thinking, ‘What’s going to happen after this season?’ My goal is to try to help bring a Super Bowl here.”
Dolphins interim coach Dan Campbell has gone 3-2 since taking over for the fired Joe Philbin and has his team in the playoff hunt in the AFC. While it’s unlikely that 4-5 Miami ultimately reaches the postseason, it could help Campbell’s cause that he and Dolphins football czar Mike Tannenbaum have a good relationship. “He’s really just helped me get my feet wet here,” Campbell told Adam H. Beasley of the Miami Herald. “I would say a lot of it is behind-the-scenes-type things that he’s helped me take care of, from who sits on the plane to handling things down at the stadium.” Added Tannenbaum, “Dan and I have a great partnership. We collaborate and discuss a lot of different things.”

Jets GM On Fitzpatrick, Smith, Richardson

November 18th, 2015 at 6:13pm CST by Zachary Links

On Wednesday, Jets GM Mike Maccagnan addressed reporters for the first time since training camp. Here’s a look at the highlights of the 20-minute chat, via Rich Cimini of ESPN.com:

The GM said that veteran quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick has a place in the team’s future plans. Maccagnan said he’s “very happy” with the 32-year-old, who will be a free agent after the season. He raved about Fitzpatrick’s intangibles, adding, “I think he has a lot of good football left in him.” Fitzpatrick, who is earning $3.25MM this year, is scheduled to hit free agency after this season. He’s likely due for a raise based on the way he has played this season as the Jets’ starter.
Where does that leave Geno Smith? Maccagnan was non-committal when asked about the West Virginia product and declined to say whether he considers him to be a potential starter for Gang Green. “The jury is still out, but not in a bad way,” Maccagnan said of Smith’s future. For his part, Cimini said that he isn’t buying that, and noted that Jets brass has been around Smith every day for seven months, so they likely know what they have in the QB.
When asked about defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson, the GM wasn’t willing to say much. “I’d say for the record, Mo has done a very good job and we’re very happy with what he’s done so far,” Maccagnan said. Cimini feels that all signs point to Wilkerson being slapped with the franchise tag at season’s end.
Things have “been positive” with Sheldon Richardson, the GM says, but he indicated that he still wants to see how the defensive end conducts himself going forward. Earlier today, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com reported that Richardson still may be disciplined by the NFL for his off-field behavior, but it likely won’t happen until the offseason.

East Notes: Bills, Taylor, Fells, Jets, Dolphins

October 13th, 2015 at 2:16pm CST by Luke Adams

The Bills signed quarterback Josh Johnson earlier today for depth purposes, but before they did, they looked into re-signing Matt Simms, who was with the team in camp, says Vic Carucci of the Buffalo News (Twitter links). Simms, who knows the Bills’ playbook, would’ve been Buffalo’s preferred option, but he’s currently on the Falcons’ practice squad and thinks he has a better future in Atlanta, so he turned down the opportunity, says Carucci.

Why did the Bills need another quarterback in the first place? Carucci (Twitter link) hears that Tyrod Taylor is “hurt pretty bad,” noting that the team considered the passport status of potential QB additions, in advance of a Week 7 trip to London. According to Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com (Twitter link), Taylor could miss multiple games due to a sprained MCL, which figures to open the door for EJ Manuel to start.

As the Bills wonder whether they should have kept Matt Cassel, let’s check in on several other items from out of the NFL’s East divisions….

Doctors treating Giants tight end Daniel Fells for his MRSA infection are increasinly more optimistic that Fells won’t lose his foot, sources tell Dan Graziano of ESPN.com. Fells remains hospitalized, and multiple reports have indicated that his NFL career is likely over, but it sounds as if a combination of surgical procedures and antibiotics have improved his outlook over the last few days.
The Jets almost certainly won’t be able to extend both Muhammad Wilkerson and Sheldon Richardson, and “every indication” is that the team would prefer to lock up Richardson if he stays out of further trouble, according to Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News.
Multiple people around the NFL that have spoken to Jason Cole of Bleacher Report (video link) suspect the Dolphins will pursue a high-profile head coach for the permanent job after the season. Cole identifies Mike Shanahan as one notable potential target for Miami.
Former 49ers and Dolphins running back LaMichael James – who now goes by LaMike James – is working out on Wednesday for the Cowboys, tweets Ross Jones of FOX Sports.

AFC East Notes: Brady, Campbell, Wilkerson

October 8th, 2015 at 12:43pm CST by Zachary Links

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said Wednesday he had no regrets about the way he acted throughout the Deflategate drama, as Christopher Price of WEEI.com writes. Goodell was complimentary of Brady but also made it clear that he was never interested in giving him special treatment.

“I have a lot of respect and admiration for Tom. I know him personally,” Goodell said. “As I say, I admire him tremendously. He is a future Hall of Fame player. But our rules apply to everybody. They apply to every single player. And every single player expects those rules to apply to everybody. Every coach does, every fan does, every partner, every team does.”

Here’s more from the AFC East..

It sounds like the Dolphins are going to give interim coach Dan Campbell a chance to win the permanent job in Miami, as Ed Werder of ESPN.com tweets. “That’s why we did this with 12 games left, not two,” a source told Werder. Presumably, the Dolphins will consider outside options at season’s end, but a strong finish for Campbell would give him a leg up on his competition.
New Bills kicker Billy Cundiff told reporters, including ESPN.com’s Mike Rodak (on Twitter), “I’m here to kick off. Everything else is on a need-to-know basis.” Of course, after kicker Dan Carpenter missed a 30-yard try on Sunday, many are wondering if that plan might change.
Muhammad Wilkerson has been an “absolute beast” so far this season for the Jets, and Brian Costello of the New York Post suggests that the team has to find a way to lock up one of its best defensive players to a long-term deal.

Luke Adams contributed to this post.

La Canfora’s Latest: Jets, Fins, LA

October 4th, 2015 at 9:59am CST by Rory Parks

The Dolphins and Jets are in the midst of their Wembley Stadium showdown, and Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports has been busy rounding up news from both teams. La Canfora also passes on some notes from the NFL-in-Los Angeles saga, so let’s dive right in:

The NFL has given the Jets no indication that Sheldon Richardson will be subject to any immediate discipline on top of his four-game suspension that ends today. Richardson, of course, was suspended for violations of the league’s drug policy, but while facing that suspension, he was arrested for resisting arrest, allegedly speeding at over 140 mph with a 12-year-old relative in his car, smelling of marijuana, and having a fully-loaded automatic weapon in the car. Richardson, who has a court date later this month, could of course be suspended for those alleged transgressions at some point down the line–in fact, the Jets are said to be bracing for a 10-game ban–but for now, the NFL has simply stated that the matter is “under review.” As such, Gang Green expects to have Richardson back with the team during its Week 5 bye and suited up for its next game in Week 6.
The 2016 fates of Richardson and Muhammad Wilkerson, of course, are inextricably linked, and Wilkerson’s agent, Chad Wiestling, says his client will not entertain any in-season extension talks with the Jets. Wilkerson, who is eligible for unrestricted free agency at season’s end, is off to a typically excellent start to the 2015 campaign, generating significant pass rush and excelling as a run stuffer in the middle of the Jets’ defensive line. Between his play and the exorbitant contracts handed out to fellow top defensive linemen like Marcell Dareus, Wilkerson’s value is on the rise. It is expected that the Jets will put the franchise tag on Wilkerson–at an estimated $15MM–but in this case, the tag may simply be a precursor to a trade, given the team’s pressing needs in other areas and the league-wide interest in Wilkerson. Wilkerson, for his part, hopes to stay with the Jets, but given that New York’s extension offers to this point have been more in line with contracts signed by less-accomplished players like Cam Heyward and Corey Liuget, the Jets would have to considerably up the ante if they want to retain Wilkerson’s services on a long-term basis.
Despite the swirling rumors regarding Joe Philbin‘s job security, La Canfora says Dolphins ownership is not considering any immediate changes even if the team’s disappointing start to the season continues. Owner Stephen Ross, who has been striving for continuity in the wake of the major overhauls the club has undergone in recent years, reportedly wants to see things through with Philbin. It is not inconceivable that Miami could make changes in the bye week with respect to an assistant coach, play-calling duties, etc., but for the time being, Philbin himself is safe. How much good will he has left, however, remains to be seen, particularly if today’s game in London continues on its current trajectory.
Rams owner Stan Kroenke is reportedly more willing to share his proposed Inglewood stadium with another club than originally thought. However, it remains unclear whether that other club would be Kroenke’s “tenant” or if it would have more of an “equity” stake in the stadium. Kroenke, of course, prefers the former option, but he is open to a more equitable arrangement as well, which would require a significant financial investment from the second team. At the moment, all options are on the table, and should the league approve a two-team arrangement in Inglewood, it appears as though it would be able to make the finances of such an arrangement work. But if a vote was taken today, neither the Carson project nor the Inglewood project would have enough support (24 votes) to move forward. It could be that Kroenke, who is said to have only 10-12 fellow owners in his corner at the moment–the Chargers/Raiders project in Carson has considerably more support–is becoming more receptive to compromise in order to bring his vision to fruition.

Extra Points: Pryor, Jets, Dolphins, CAA

September 28th, 2015 at 1:40pm CST by Luke Adams

Last week, Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com reported that the Seahawks would be working out quarterback-turned-wide-receiver Terrelle Pryor. We later heard word of Pryor’s tryout with the Jets, though it wasn’t clear if he ever made it to Seattle. Today, Josh Alper of Pro Football Talk writes that the ex-Raiders signal-caller is auditioning for the Seahawks as a receiver this week. While PFT’s report makes it sound like it’ll be Pryor’s first workout with the Seahawks this season, La Canfora suggests (via Twitter) that the 26-year-old is auditioning for the club “again.”

Whether it’s Pryor’s first or second tryout for Seattle, it’s clear the team is interested in seeing what he can do as a wideout. While he didn’t last long on the Browns’ roster, Pryor has enough speed and athleticism to make him an interesting – albeit raw – project, so we’ll see whether or not the Seahawks decide to take a flier on him.

In the meantime, let’s check in on some other items from around the league….

The idea that the Jets would sign both Muhammad Wilkerson and Sheldon Richardson to blockbuster deals “has always been a fairytale,” writes Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News. Although he cautions that the team hasn’t given up on the idea of negotiating a multiyear extension for Wilkerson, Mehta suggests that perhaps the standout defensive lineman could be franchised in 2016 and then used a trade chip to try to move up in the draft to land a franchise quarterback.
It’s probably too early to start talking about Dolphins head coach Joe Philbin being on the hot seat, but defensive coordinator Kevin Coyle may not last much longer in Miami if the club’s poor defensive play continues, says Jason Cole of Bleacher Report (video link).
Player agent Todd France has officially joined CAA Sports, bringing approximately 50 NFL clients with him, writes Liz Mullen of SportsBusiness Journal. Broncos wideout Demaryius Thomas and Bills defensive lineman Marcell Dareus are among France’s clients who got lucrative, long-term contracts this year.

AFC Notes: Browns, Texans, Bengals, Jets

September 26th, 2015 at 11:44am CST by Ben Levine

Browns cornerback K’Waun Williams told his team that he was experiencing headaches recently, and the second-year player was ultimately diagnosed with his third concussion in two years. As the NFL looks to fight off head injuries, Tom Reed of Cleveland.com says it’s a positive step that the youngster took the initiative to report the injury.

Many of his teammates stand by Williams’ decision, including cornerback Joe Haden:

“Yeah, definitely man, because that’s your head, and K’Waun, he’s a young dude,” Haden said. “He hasn’t been in the league that long, so if he’s messed up like that, he felt like he needed to go get himself checked out and make sure everything’s okay, then, I’m all in support for him just making sure he’s okay.”

Let’s take a look at some more notes from around the AFC…

Texans offensive lineman Jeff Adams is out for the season with a torn patellar tendon in his right knee. Still, the 26-year-old isn’t discouraged, even though he may have missed out on a payday when he reached free agency following the season. “Yeah, that’s kind of how it works,” he told Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle. “You just focus on what you can control and that’s surgery and rehab…Yeah, you just put all the effort into the season and focus on things one day at a time. It’s how I’m trying to take it right now.”
Following the extension signed by Bengals lineman Andrew Whitworth, Paul Dehner Jr. of The Cincinnati Enquirer believes (via Twitter) it’s still too early to tell whether Andre Smith will stick around. The former first-rounder will reach free agency next summer, and Dehner says he could be back for the right price.
All signs are pointing to a divorce between the Jets and Muhammad Wilkerson following this season, and Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News believes the organization could use that extra cash to pursue a veteran quarterback.