HEADLINES

Peyton Manning

Broncos Expect Manning To Play In 2015

November 16th, 2014 at 4:47pm CST by Dallas Robinson

The Broncos expect quarterback Peyton Manning to hold off on retiring for at least one more season, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (link via Rapoport’s colleague Connor Orr), who says that Denver thinks the future Hall of Famer will play in 2015. Manning, who will be 39 when next season gets underway, could hang it up if the Broncos win the Super Bowl, however.

Per Rapoport, Manning is intent on holding all of the NFL’s passing records before he retires. He recently broke the Brett Favre’s mark for career touchdown passes, but he’s still second to Favre in career passing yards. Manning needs roughly 4,000 more yards to pass the ex-Packer, meaning he could likely break the record at some point in 2015. He also trails Favre in completions, and would need to complete in excess of 500 more passes to surpass Favre. Additionally, Manning isn’t No. 1 in marks like quarterback rating or completion percentage, but he’s probably more interested in accruing counting totals than rate stats.

Manning’s decision will obviously impact the Broncos’ offseason plans — the club attacked free agency earlier this year, adding veterans such as DeMarcus Ware, Aqib Talib, T.J. Ward, and Emmanuel Sanders as it geared up for at least one more Super Bowl with Manning at the helm. With more than $31MM available in 2015 cap space, Denver would likely take a similar approach next March if Manning decides to play. Of course, Denver will need to retain two of Mannings’ top weapons, Demaryius Thomas and Julius Thomas, but the team would probably use free agency to bolster its roster, especially its linebacking unit and its offensive line.

Manning is in the third year of a five-year, $96MM contract he signed with the Broncos prior to the 2012 season. Neither his ’15 or ’16 base salary is guaranteed, but he’ll obviously earn those salaries as long as he opts to keep playing.

AFC Notes: Hoyer, Oher, Broncos

November 16th, 2014 at 11:04am CST by Rory Parks

Much has been made of Brian Hoyer‘s future as the impending free agent continues to inch the Browns closer to an improbable playoff berth, and ESPN’s Adam Schefter writes that, if Hoyer does leave Cleveland after 2014–which would “shock” at least one prominent talking head–the Texans would be a likely destination. As Schefter writes, “Hoyer trusts [Texans head coach Bill] O’Brien as much as any coach in the league from their time together in New England, per sources, and would welcome a reunion.” Titans head coach Ken Whisenhunt, who was the Cardinals‘ head coach during Hoyer’s one season in Arizona, would also have interest in bringing Hoyer to Tennessee. Schefter writes that a long-term deal between Hoyer and Cleveland will “get done only as soon as the Browns truly are ready to make Hoyer, not Johnny Manziel, their long-term quarterback.”

Now for some more links from the AFC (an NFC Notes post from this busy Sunday can be found here):

49ers Notes: Manning, Harbaugh, Smith, Baalke

October 19th, 2014 at 8:51pm CST by Rob DiRe

As the Broncos and 49ers are battling on Sunday Night Football, it is a time to think about what could have been for both franchises. After being cut from the Colts, Peyton Manning considered the 49ers as a potential suitor, at least for a brief amount of time. Manning eventually decided not to include the team on his list of finalists, and one major reason for that was a concern about his inability to coexist with head coach Jim Harbaugh, reports Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk.

Harbaugh, who is known to be a control freak on offense, likely would not have given Manning the freedom he desired and ultimately received with head coach John Fox in Denver.

Here are some other notes from around the 49ers:

  • Florio also said that outside linebacker Aldon Smith could return from his nine-game suspension one or two weeks early, reports Kevin Lynch of SFGate.com (via Twitter).
  • There are a few possible reasons that Smith could return early, including the fact that he waived his right to appeal the suspension, and possible side deals he could have made with the league, reports Florio.
  • General manager Trent Baalke says he has no knowledge of any reduction in suspension for Smith, reports Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com. Maiocco also notes that the NFL has maintained that there is no update on his status going forward.
  • Former NFL receiver and NFL broadcaster Cris Collinsworth addressed the ongoing drama between Harbaugh and the 49ers, noting that the team should just pay him like a top quality coach, reports Jason Cole of Bleacher Report.

Coaching Notes: Harbaugh, Raiders, Holmgren

October 5th, 2014 at 12:15pm CST by Ben Levine

Jim Harbaugh‘s pursuit of a future Hall of Famer didn’t sit well with some of his players. The 49ers attempt to sign Peyton Manning in 2012 (and their subsequent dishonestly with then-quarterback Alex Smith) led to Harbaugh “losing” some of his players, team sources told ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

When Smith specifically asked his former coach about the team’s interest in Manning, Harbaugh was reportedly dishonest about the team’s intent. As the source told Schefter, “that was the first big sign to the players that they couldn’t trust Jim.”

Last week, NFL Network analyst Deion Sanders said that 49ers players “want [Harbaugh] out. They’re not on the same page.” Harbaugh responded, saying “that’s a bunch of crap.”

It’s uncertain who to believe right now, but one thing can be assured… this storyline will not be going away anytime soon.

Let’s check out some more notes pertaining to Harbaugh and potential coaching vacancies…

  • Appearing on Fox’s NFL pregame, reporter Jay Glazer said there is “no way” Harbaugh will be back with the 49ers next season (video link via TheBigLead.com).
  • ESPN reports that a potential Harbaugh destination could be The University of Kansas (via Twitter of New York Post’s Bart Hubbuch).
  • NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport said Harbaugh is a “name to watch” in regards to the Raiders opening (via Twitter).
  • Speaking of the Raiders, ProFootballTalk.com’s Mike Florio reports that Mike Holmgren‘s name has quietly been emerging as a contender for the eventual opening (assuming Tony Sparano‘s “interim” tag is sincere). The connection makes plenty of sense; Holmgren and Raiders general manager Reggie McKenzie previously worked together with the Packers. To add additional fuel to the fire, multiple sources tell PFT that Holmgren was actually spotted visiting the Raiders’ facilities earlier this week.

Cap Work Remaining For Broncos

July 5th, 2014 at 8:59am CST by Matt Feminis

Until rosters are cut down to 53 players, teams are required to be under the $133MM salary cap with their top 51 salaries. In the wake of an aggressive offseason which included signing big-ticket free agents Aqib Talib, T.J. Ward, DeMarcus Ware and Emmanuel Sanders, the Broncos’ top 51 costs $132MM, meaning John Elway and Co. have some bookkeeping to do between now and the end of training camp, explains ESPN’s Jeff Legwold.

Key points:

  • The team is trying to lock up free agents-to-be Demaryius Thomas and Julius Thomas long-term.
  • Including rollover, the team has about $4.6MM of workable cap space.
  • “Quarterback Peyton Manning has the team’s highest cap figure, at $17.5 million and the Broncos have the biggest cap gap of any position between starter and backup with No. 2 Brock Osweiler, still on his rookie deal, coming in at $959,094 against the cap.”
  • The team has seven tight ends on the roster, five of which — including Thomas, Jacob Tamme and Joel Dreessen — are scheduled to be unrestricted free agents in 2015.
  • “Dead money” hits include Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie ($2.1MM), Chris Kuper ($1.83MM) and Willis McGahee ($500k).
  • Terrance Knighton‘s representatives were seeking a renegotiation of his contract which calls for him to make $2.75MM in 2014 before the big defensive lineman hits free agency, but the team did not acquiesce.
  • Kicker Matt Prater and punter Britton Colquitt will cost a combined $7.4MM against the cap this season.

AFC Notes: Manning, Flowers, Steelers, Bills

June 20th, 2014 at 3:36pm CST by Luke Adams

When I examined Broncos wide receiver Demaryius Thomas as an extension candidate earlier today, I pointed out that the timeline for Peyton Manning‘s retirement could play a role in when Thomas signs his next contract and the amount of that deal. For now though, it doesn’t appear that retirement is in the star quarterback’s immediate plans. As Arnie Stapleton of The Associated Press writes, while the reigning MVP has considered the possibility of ending his career, Manning’s current goal is to play out his current contract, which runs through 2016.

Here’s more from around the AFC:

  • Brandon Flowers is reportedly visiting another team after his trip to San Diego, but that mystery club isn’t the Steelers, reports ESPN.com’s Scott Brown. Pittsburgh is one of the clubs that has been linked to the free agent cornerback, though as today’s PFR poll shows, only about 12% of you feel that Flowers will land with the Steelers.
  • Jon Bon Jovi, who is interested in buying the Bills, had a two-hour lunch with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell in New York this week, write Ian Mohr and Stephanie Smith of the New York Post. The New Jersey native has joined Toronto-based investment group Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment in a bid to purchase the franchise.
  • Meanwhile, more potential bidders for the Bills – Buffalo Sabres owners Terry and Kim Pegula – have acknowledged they’re keeping tabs on the sale of the team, as Robert J. McCarthy of the Buffalo News details. The Pegulas’ statement, which came via Sabres VP of public and community relations Michael Gilbert, said that “out of respect for the process being conducted by representatives of the Wilson estate and the Bills, they will not be making any additional comments about the sale process.”
  • Although the Ravens made a flurry of moves today, signing five players that they tried out this week, cornerback Kevin Thomas didn’t receive a contract from the club. Still, according to Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (via Twitter), Thomas is on the team’s “standby list” and could receive an offer during training camp.

Zach Links contributed to this post.

Sunday Roundup: AFC North, Broncos, Lions

June 1st, 2014 at 12:50pm CST by Rory Parks

Let’s have a look at some notes from around the league as we head into the afternoon of this ever-important June 1:

  • Greg Gabriel of the National Football Post identifies a few second-year players in the AFC North that might break out in 2014.
  • Matt Zenitz of the Carroll County Times identifies a few free agents the Ravens could target to address their biggest needs, right tackle and cornerback.
  • Mark Kaboly of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review writes that the Steelers are working hard to reestablish their identity has a running team, and Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette similarly notes that LeGarrette Blount hopes to provide a strong complement to Le’Veon Bell.
  • In his weekly mailbag, Tony Grossi of ESPNCleveland.com notes that although Browns coaches are excited about the potential of the team’s offensive line, they are reserving judgment until they see how the unit adapts to offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan‘s zone-blocking scheme.
  • Mike Klis of the Denver Post notes that the Broncos are currently carrying seven running backs on their roster, none of whom have a regular season start. Klis believes the team should not go after one of the remaining veteran free agents–Felix Jones, Michael Bush, and Ronnie Brown, for instance–to take reps away from Denver’s stable of young-but-intriguing RBs, but he concedes that it will be a tough call.
  • In a separate piece, Klis writes that Broncos‘ QB Peyton Manning intends to play out his contract with Denver, which runs through 2016 (Manning will turn 40 in March of that year).
  • In two separate pieces, Ryan O’Halloran of the Florida Times-Union discusses how a healthy Roy Miller will impact the Jaguars‘ defense and Gus Bradley’s creation of the “Otto” linebacker, who will replace the traditional “Sam” linebacker and serve as a “physical/athletic/versatile player who will be positioned along the line of scrimmage.” Dekoda Watson will enter the season as the team’s “Otto.”
  • Brian T. Smith of the Houston Chronicle writes that second-year wideout DeAndre Hopkins surprisingly became one of the few holdovers from the Texans‘ tumultuous 2013 season, and he is essentially a rookie again in 2014. Smith notes, however, that Hopkins has prepared himself well for the challenge.
  • Kevin Meinke of MLive.com writes that Lions‘ defensive end Devin Taylor is an integral component of new defensive coordinator Teryl Austin‘s desire to bring pressure from all three levels of the defense, and, in a similar vein, Josh Katzenstein of the Detroit News writes that players believe aggressiveness will be a hallmark of the Lions’ defense in 2014.

Broncos Expected To Sign Emmanuel Sanders

March 16th, 2014 at 10:48am CST by Peter Sowards

SUNDAY, 10:48am: The Broncos intend to proceed with the Sanders deal, according to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. Mike Klis of the Denver Post tweeted that Sanders will take his physical at Dove Valley this morning and is expected to sign a three-year deal.

SUNDAY, 9:08am: In an interesting twist to the Sanders saga, NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport writes that Sanders’ agent, Steve Weinberg, had originally accepted a deal with the Chiefs on his client’s behalf. However, Weinberg then shopped Kansas City’s offer to Tampa Bay without telling the Buccaneers that the offer had already been accepted. Ultimately, of course, Sanders agreed to sign with Denver.

Weinberg declined to comment, but there will undoubtedly be more fallout from this development in the coming days. For instance, Terez Paylor of the Kansas City Star wonders (via Twitter) who the Chiefs might have missed out on because they thought they had Sanders locked up. Paylor notes that Julian Edelman and Brandon LaFell both signed with New England on Saturday.

SATURDAY, 8:34pm: A source has confirmed to FOX Sports 1 that the Broncos agreed to contract terms with Sanders, Alex Marvez reports (via Twitter).

SATURDAY, 8:18pm: After losing Eric Decker to the Jets in free agency, the Broncos are expected to fill the void by signing former Steelers receiver Emmanuel Sanders, league sources tell ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter. The ESPN article notes that Sanders is looking for a contract similar to the one Golden Tate signed with the Lions (five years, $31.5MM, $13.25MM guaranteed).

Denver has been the biggest newsmaker in free agency thus far, with high-profile signings of Aqib Talib, DeMarcus Ware and T.J. Ward. Now it seems that general manager John Elway is setting his sights on the offense, and Sanders brings a skill set that figures to be well-utilized by Peyton Manning. The fourth-year receiver from Southern Methodist set career highs in receptions (67), yards (740) and touchdowns (six) in 2013 with the Steelers, starting 11 games.

Sanders’ name had been associated with a multitude of teams since free agency began. Schefter reported that the 49ers were to host Sanders today after being hosted by the Chiefs yesterday. Before that, he’d been linked to or visited with the Jets, Jaguars, Buccaneers, Ravens and Browns.

The Broncos appear to have just under $12MM in cap room before the Sanders signing, according to Jason Fitzgerald of Over The Cap.

Extra Points: Manning, Vikings, Browns, FAs

March 3rd, 2014 at 3:50pm CST by Luke Adams

It’s been another busy day for the NFL hot stove, with the franchise tag deadline having passed by earlier this afternoon. You can check out our recap of 2014’s franchise and transition tags right here, but for now, let’s round up a few items that may have otherwise fallen through the cracks….

  • While the Broncos haven’t approached Peyton Manning about restructuring his contract yet, Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk writes that the team has “a few million reasons” to do so at some point this offseason.
  • Free agent linebacker D’Qwell Jackson won’t visit with the Vikings, so he’s unlikely to sign with the team, tweets Darren Wolfson of 1500 ESPN Twin Cities. However, Wolfson also adds in a separate tweet that free agent defensive end Everson Griffen “badly” wants to return to Minnesota, and talks are ongoing between the Vikings and his reps.
  • Even if they’re able to bring back center Alex Mack and safety T.J. Ward, the Browns will still have plenty positions of need when free agency begins, as Tony Grossi of ESPNCleveland.com details. After using their transition tag on Mack, the Browns appear likely to keep the standout center, but perhaps not their safety.
  • Brian Orakpo, who was franchised today by the Redskins, tells Mike Jones of the Washington Post that while he still hopes to get a long-term deal done, he’s happy to take a step forward rather than remaining in a stalemate with the team.
  • Michael Vick, Eric Decker, and Aqib Talib are among this offseason’s most notable “buyer beware” free agents, opines K.C. Joyner of ESPN.com (Insider link).

Extra Points: Manning, Draft, Steelers

March 2nd, 2014 at 4:50pm CST by Dallas Robinson

An assortment of news items from around the NFL:

  • Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning will have his long-awaited physical on Monday, and it could determine his future, writes Jeff Legwold of ESPN.com. He has undergone four surgeries on his neck, and if the examination shows any risk of further damage, the future Hall-of-Famer could be forced to retire. A physical at the same time last year guaranteed his $20MM salary for both 2013 and 2014, but negative results now would void his 2014 salary. All parties involve believe the tests will be reveal that Manning is good-to-go for next season.
  • Mike Reiss of ESPNBoston.com looks at whether it makes sense to trade a first-round-pick for a head coach. This article comes in the wake of the Jim Harbaugh-to-Cleveland rumors, and is buttressed by comments from Patriots president Jonathan Kraft. The Patriots, notably, traded their 2000 first-round-pick for Bill Belichick.
  • Football Outsiders pioneered the “speed score,” which uses a running back’s forty-yard-dash time and his physical size to assess his explosiveness, and they take a look at the top four backs in this year’s class by said metric.
  • The Steelers will have to make some tough decisions to emerge from their current cycle of mediocrity, writes Greg Bedeard of TheMMQB.com.
  • Grantland.com’s Bill Barnwell examines the rise of analytics in sports, and how they could be useful in both play-calling and roster construction.
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