Richie Incognito - Pro Football Rumors

Free Agent Notes: Weddle, Jeffery, Fitzpatrick

January 4th, 2016 at 2:36pm CST by Luke Adams

Based on how the season played out for safety Eric Weddle and the Chargers, there’s a general belief that Weddle won’t be back with the franchise in 2016. That appeared to be his stance when he spoke to reporters today, according to Michael Gehlken of the San Diego Union-Tribune, who tweets that Weddle seemed “resolved” that he has played his final game as a Charger. The standout safety will be looking for the “right fit” in free agency, one that gives him a chance to win a title (Twitter link via Gehlken).

Here are a few more Monday items on this winter’s potential free agents:

Asked today about whether he wants to come back to Chicago next season, free-agent-to-be Alshon Jeffery perhaps wasn’t quite as enthusiastic about the possibility of re-signing with his current team as some players are. As Rich Campbell of the Chicago Tribune writes, the Bears wideout repeatedly said he loves “the city of Chicago,” but deferred to his agent and GM Ryan Pace when asked about his contract situation, adding that “whatever happens, happens.”
With Ryan Fitzpatrick eligible for free agency this winter, re-signing the veteran quarterback is a high priority for the Jets, head coach Todd Bowles said today. Bowles added that Fitzpatrick would be the club’s starter if he returns for 2016 (Twitter links via Brian Costello of the New York Post).
Two key pieces of Buffalo’s offensive line, left tackle Cordy Glenn and left guard Richie Incognito, are potential free agents this offseason, and longtime Bills offensive lineman Eric Wood says it’s “very important” for the club to re-sign both players. Tyler Dunne of The Buffalo News provides the details and the quotes from Wood.

AFC East Notes: Incognito, Miller, Jets

January 4th, 2016 at 11:14am CST by Luke Adams

With the NFL offseason now underway for every AFC East team except the Patriots, let’s check in on those three non-playoff teams from out of the division…

Bills guard Richie Incognito, who signed a one-year deal with the team last February, called himself “a Buffalo guy,” and says he hopes to remain with the Bills in 2016 and beyond. However, as Vic Carucci of The Buffalo News details, Incognito confirmed there have been no negotiations yet between the team and agent David Dunn.
Potential free agent running back Lamar Miller told reporters today that he would like to remain with the Dolphins next season, but scheme and fit will be important for him. According to James Walker of ESPN.com (Twitter links), it sounds like Miller wants to end up somewhere where he’ll get more consistent carries than he did in 2015.
Insiders tell Tony Pauline of DraftInsider.net (Twitter link) that the Jets are expected to target a quarterback in the first two rounds of this year’s draft. New York traded up in the fourth round to snag Bryce Petty in 2015, so it’ll be interesting to see if the team decides to add another young QB this year.
Veteran guard Willie Colon said he wants to keep playing in 2016, but admits that’s his mind talking, and his body might have other ideas, tweets Rich Cimini of ESPNNewYork.com. Colon’s contract with the Jets is expiring, so he’ll have to sign a new one with New York or another club to continue his career.
Kimberley A. Martin of Newsday takes a look at the future of the Jets‘ defensive line, with Muhammad Wilkerson and Damon Harrison both eligible for free agency this winter.

East Notes: Jets, Patriots, Bills, Cowboys

December 27th, 2015 at 6:46pm CST by Sam Robinson

As the Jets’ defeat of the Patriots shakes up the AFC playoff picture, let’s look at some of the news coming out of the Eastern divisions as Week 16 shifts to its night games.

Jets players were stunned the Patriots opted to kick to start overtime, Ryan Hannable of WEEI.com reports. “My face lit up, like ‘You really want to kick the ball?’ I don’t know, but I am glad they did choose to kick,” Calvin Pryor told media, including Hannable. Bill Belichick made the same decision two years ago against the Broncos, a game that featured several overtime punts before a Patriots victory. However, receiving teams don’t have an overwhelming percentage edge since the new OT rules were implemented for the regular season. Just 50.7% of receiving teams have won in extra periods since 2012.
The player who verbalized New England’s decision to kick, Matt Slater, could not retract his call regarding which direction the Patriots wanted to defend, per the NFL rulebook. But a post-regulation conversation between Belichick and referee Clete Blakeman may have set this mistake in motion, Kevin Seifert of ESPN.com writes. Belichick told Blakeman before the coin toss he intended to have his team kick, and Blakeman worded that into his question to Slater, asking “You want to kick?” Once Slater responded, “We want to kick, that way,” Blakeman could only, by rule, follow his first command as teams that win the toss are not permitted to choose both the action that starts overtime or a half and the direction.
Bill Polian‘s recent critique of the current offensive front’s status was a point of contention among the Bills‘ line, Tyler Dunne of the Buffalo News reports. The Hall of Fame ex-Bills GM referred to the Bills’ line as “aging and unathletic,” and the line mates, most notably 29-year-old Eric Wood and 32-year-old Richie Incognito, made it known that upset them. “We were chirping about it a little bit,” Incognito told media, including Dunne. “A lot of text messages back and forth. You know, we noticed it. We’re professionals. And for a guy like Bill Polian — who’s had a lot of success in Buffalo and is a Hall of Fame (executive) — to talk bad about our group like that, it puts a little (expletive) in our grit.” Despite not having LeSean McCoy‘s services, the Bills rushed for 236 yards on 40 carries in their defeat of the Cowboys.
Should Jerry Jones decide to fire Jason Garrett after this disastrous season, he’d have to pay up to do so, Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk writes. The Cowboys‘ coach is finishing out the first season of a five-year, $30MM contract he signed. An about-face on Garrett’s future in Dallas would cost the Cowboys up to $24MM. Garrett’s passive style in terms of deferring credit works well with the attention-hungry Jones, Florio offers.
Eagles defensive coordinator Bill Davis demurred when asked about his job security, responding, “That’s for other men to decide,” according to Paul Domowitch of Philly.com. Davis’ unit has ceded 216 points the past six games. Domowitch notes Chip Kelly’s vote of confidence about Davis’ future doesn’t mean too much considering Andy Reid gave Sean McDermott the same sentiment before firing him five seasons ago. The Philadelphia writer adds Davis is the likely scapegoat for Kelly’s first-year struggles assembling a quality roster.

AFC Notes: Incognito, Manziel, Colts, Jags

December 19th, 2015 at 5:38pm CST by Sam Robinson

Bills guard Richie Incognito, who signed a one-year deal worth just $900K in base salary last offseason, has a good chance of inking a lucrative contract in the coming months, The Buffalo News’ Tyler Dunne writes. Incognito missed last season because teams shied away from the 32-year-old after the Dolphins suspended him from October 2013 to February 2014 for bullying former teammate Jonathan Martin. However, he has bounced back this year and is in the middle of his best season. The former third-round pick rates second among guards by Pro Football Focus’ metrics – with only Baltimore’s Marshal Yanda outdoing him – and could make his second Pro Bowl, Dunne offers.

AFC East Notes: Campbell, Williams, McDaniels, Incognito

December 12th, 2015 at 11:54am CST by Rob DiRe

Dolphins interim head coach Dan Campbell isn’t likely going to continue on as the team’s coach past this season, but Chris Perkins of the Miami Sun-Sentinel believes he wins three of his final four games, or even runs the table, that could give him a good shot to be hired full time by owner Stephen Ross.

Let’s take a quick look at the rest of the AFC East, with more notes on the Jets, Patriots and Bills:

The Jets were excited to draft Leonard Williams sixth overall because they felt they had gotten lucky to select the best player in the draft when he should have been taken much earlier. Williams however was upset because he thought he should have went first, or at least have been the first defensive player taken, and instead fell to the Jets where he wouldn’t have a chance to play behind Muhammad Wilkerson and Sheldon Richardson, writes Zach Braziller of the New York Post. It turned out to be the best thing, as Williams has thrived with the Jets without having the pressure to be a superstar right out of the gate as a rookie.
It isn’t hard to remember Josh McDaniels’ last turn as a head coach, where he ran Jay Cutler and Brandon Marshall out of town while hitching his wagon to Tim Tebow in the first round. However, he has proven himself again in New England, and Texans head coach Bill O’Brien–formerly of the Patriots–believes McDaniels deserves a second chance and could thrive as an NFL head coach, writes Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle.
Richie Incognito has rewarded the Bills for giving him a second chance by delivering one of the best seasons of his career. General manager Doug Whaley praised his play, saying he should be in consideration for Comeback Player of the Year and recognized as a top-five guard in the NFL, writes Dan Hanzus of NFL.com. He is the second-best guard in the league according to Pro Football Focus.

Bills GM On McCoy, Incognito, Ryan

November 23rd, 2015 at 9:21pm CST by Zachary Links

Bills General Manager Doug Whaley hasn’t been heard from much in the 2015 season, but Joe Buscaglia of WKBW got an opportunity to sit down with him prior to Buffalo’s contest against New England. The whole Q&A is worth a read, but here’s a look at the highlights:

Offseason acquisitions Richie Incognito and LeSean McCoy had issues with their previous teams. What led you to believe that they would be such a good fit in Buffalo?

Two things. Just from our ownership, and the whole construction of our organization, we knew that once we got those players in here, they know what’s expected of them, and they’re going to toe the line and be Buffalo Bills not only on the field, but off the field. And I think that’s a credit to the coaching staff, Rex Ryan, and also the Pegulas — just to set up an organization when you come in, you’ve got to buy into what a Buffalo Bills means, again, on and off the field.

The Bills have three starters headed for unrestricted free agency: Incognito, Nigel Bradham, and Cordy Glenn. Will you be able to retain all three?

Well, it’s going to be an organizational determination on who can we keep, and prioritize from top to bottom, of your free agents. And we’re a victim, unfortunately, of our scouting staff and how well — not only on the pro side — of acquiring free agents, but on the college side and our drafting. So, we’ve been drafting everybody. And you can’t keep everybody. That’s just the nature of the business. We’re going to try. We’re going to try our hardest, and we’re going to develop a plan after the season and try to implement it. Again, it’s going to be tough, but we’re going to try our hardest to keep all those guys.

Quarterback Tyrod Taylor has one year left on his deal. Will the Bills try and lock him up long-term this offseason?

Again, that’s another thing we’re going to have to talk about in the offseason. It’s a possibility that we’ll try to do that, but again, we’ve got a lot of things to work through in this offseason. It’s going to be a challenging one for us as a staff and an organization, like you said, just because of all the guys we’ve got coming up and the guys you want to lock up long-term. If Tyrod’s the guy, we’ll try to make sure we get him, and be our quarterback for a long, long time. And that’s a good problem to have. All these problems, we’re not complaining about, but they’re good problems.

On talk of not being on the same page as Ryan:

Rex and I, like I said from day one, we can complete each other’s sentences. The best thing about our business now is, when someone throws a report out there, they’re more believed than when you ask me a question and I answer it. If I answer it and say, ‘We’re great,’ people are still going to say, ‘I don’t believe him.’ So, that’s the business we’re in and that’s the business we’ve chosen… I’m fine with that. To answer your question, Rex and I are thick as thieves.

AFC Notes: Incognito, Berry, Steelers, Browns

August 9th, 2015 at 7:01pm CST by Connor J. Byrne

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell and league-appointed investigator Ted Wells are drawing plenty of criticism for how they’re handling Tom Brady‘s DeflateGate case, but Bills guard Richie Incognito tore into them Saturday for how they dealt with his own scandal a couple years ago.

The league suspended Incognito from November 2013 to February 2014 after a bullying case involving then-Dolphins teammate Jonathan Martin. Incognito, who subsequently sat out all of last season and then signed with Buffalo this past winter, told Newsday’s Bob Glauber: “Ted Wells came in slanted against me and everything in his report was slanted against me. There were some things in there that would have helped my cause that were left out.”

Incognito noted there was “teammate testimony” that would’ve helped his cause, but Wells didn’t pay it any mind. Further, Albert Breer of NFL Network tweeted that “a lot of Dolphins coaches felt their voiced weren’t heard by Wells.”

Regarding Goodell, Incognito said, “I just think it’s bogus, the whole system in how it’s set up with Roger and the complete, absolute power he has.”

“You have to get a little power out of [Goodell’s] hands and get [an independent arbitrator] to take a look at it.”

Sunday Roundup: Levy, Incognito, Fitzpatrick, Pryor, Bowers

August 2nd, 2015 at 8:43pm CST by Rob DiRe

While Lions linebacker DeAndre Levy is working on his own extension, Bobby Wagner‘s new contract has set a new bar for non-pass rushing linebackers in the NFL. Despite that big number, Levy remains focused on football, writes Justin Rogers of MLive.com.

“My agent is the negotiator, I’m the football player. I even try to stay out of it now. If something significant happens, send me a text or something,” said Levy. “My focus has never been on that, it’s about getting ready for the season, year in and year out. Whatever happens, happens.”

Here are some more notes from around the NFL this Sunday evening:

The Bills have had their share of issues along the offensive line over recent years–including this offseason–but hopefully a player with his own baggage can help solidify things as head coach Rex Ryan has announced Richie Incognito will start at left guard for the Bills, reports Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald (via Twitter).
Staying with the AFC East, Ryan Fitzpatrick is playing well despite watching as Geno Smith takes the majority of first-team reps for the Jets, writes Ohm Youngmisuk of ESPN.com. “The thing we stress every day and Coach [Todd] Bowles stresses is he going to put the best guys on the field to help the team win,” Fitzpatrick said. “That is what we are all here for, to win football games.”
One of the most interesting storylines in Browns’ camp this offseason is whether or not Terrelle Pryor can complete the position change to wide receiver. The 6’4″ former quarterback has roughly a 50/50 chance of making the team as a wideout, according to Tony Grossi of ESPN.com.
Buccaneers defensive lineman Da’Quan Bowers has played both defensive end and defensive tackle in previous years in Tampa Bay, but head coach Lovie Smith says he will be locked in as an interior lineman in 2015, writes Scott Smith of Buccaneers.com (via Twitter).

East Notes: Cowboys, Kelly, Mathis

August 2nd, 2015 at 12:37pm CST by Rory Parks

Jeremy Mincey is expected to end his holdout pending a meeting with Cowboys executive VP Stephen Jones and head coach Jason Garrett today, according to Tom Pelissero of USA Today (via Twitter). Per Brandon George of The Dallas Morning News, Mincey arrived in Oxnard on Saturday night and will discuss a new two-year deal with the club. If the two sides strike a deal, Mincey can join his teammates later today for the fourth day of training camp practices.

Now let’s take a look at some more links from the league’s east divisions:

The Cowboys will be on the lookout for more linebacker depth, as Justin Jackson tore his ACL in a special teams walkthrough (Twitter link to ESPN’s Todd Archer).
Brandon Boykin, who was dealt from the Eagles to the Steelers last night, is the latest to take a racially-related jab at Eagles head coach Chip Kelly. Per Geoff Mosher of CSNPhilly.com, Boykin said Kelly is “uncomfortable around grown men of our culture…He can’t relate and that makes him uncomfortable. Players excel when you let them naturally be who they are, and in my experience that hasn’t been important to him, but you guys have heard this before me.” Former Eagles LeSean McCoy and Tra Thomas have made similar comments about Kelly in the past, and although there is plenty of evidence to suggest that sentiments like those expressed by Boykin are a bit misguided, it will be interesting to see what, if any, impact this will have on Kelly’s control of his locker room.
Mychal Kendricks, who was rumored to be on the trading block, will likely remain with the Eagles as an insurance policy for DeMeco Ryans, according to Andy Schwartz of CSNPhilly.com.
Citing GM Jerry Reese, Ralph Vacchiano of The New York Daily News tweets that Giants left tackle Will Beatty will return at some point this season, and the team has not closed the door on free agent tackle Jake Long.
The Jets, who have a hole at right guard, have spoken with free agent Evan Mathis, per Justin Tasch of The New York Daily News. However, Mathis’ asking price appears to be out of New York’s range at the moment.
We learned several days ago that Jets rookie wideout Devin Smith suffered broken ribs in Friday’s practice, and Rich Cimini of ESPNNewYork.com reports that Smith also has a partially punctured lung. Smith will be sidelined for four to six weeks.
Joe Buscaglia of WKBW tweets that Bills head coach Rex Ryan has declared Richie Incognito the team’s starting left guard and Cordy Glenn the team’s starting left tackle.

East Notes: Bills, Landry, Eagles, Biggers

April 7th, 2015 at 10:37am CST by Luke Adams

So far this offseason, one noteworthy free agent – wide receiver Percy Harvin – has moved from the Jets to the Bills, following Rex Ryan to Buffalo. Now, Ryan and the Bills are considering bringing in another player who played in New York a year ago. According to Rand Getlin of Yahoo! Sports (via Twitter), former Jets safety Dawan Landry is paying a visit to Buffalo.

The Jets don’t appear to have any interest in retaining Landry, but Pro Football Focus (subscription required) was fond of his 2014 performance, grading him as a top-10 safety in the NFL. We’ll have to see if the Bills have a spot for him in a secondary that has lost Jairus Byrd and Da’Norris Searcy in the last two offseasons.

Here’s more from out of the NFL’s two East divisions:

As the Eagles eye potential defensive backs, they’ll bring in former Washington cornerback E.J. Biggers for a visit today, according to Pro Football Talk (via Twitter). Biggers, who spent three seasons in Tampa Bay prior to his time in D.C., also has some experience at safety, a position of need for Philadelphia.
James Walker of ESPN.com wonders if Josh Freeman has a chance to unseat Matt Moore as the Dolphins‘ No. 2 quarterback. As Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun tweeted this morning, Freeman’s deal with Miami is a minimum salary pact with no guaranteed money, so it’s not as if the team has much invested in him.
Richie Incognito is grateful to the Bills for giving him a second chance in the NFL, and told reporters on Monday that there were times when he didn’t think he’d have the opportunity to continue his playing career (Associated Press link via USA Today).
Referring to the atmosphere at the Bills‘ facility, LeSean McCoy said there’s “more of a NFL type of feel,” as opposed to the “college feel” he’d experienced in Philadelphia during the last couple seasons, writes Gregg Rosenthal of NFL.com. The veteran running back also made some comments about Eagles head coach Chip Kelly yesterday.