Rob Gronkowski - Pro Football Rumors

AFC East Notes: Pats, Rice, Wilkerson

May 31st, 2015 at 12:15pm CST by Rory Parks

After checking in on the status of two embattled running backs earlier today, let’s have a look at a few links from the AFC East:

With the mass exodus that the Patriots have experienced at cornerback this offseason, Karen Guregian of the Boston Herald writes that Devin McCourty could shift from his safety position to corner, where he played reasonably well during his first several seasons in the league. But given how good of a safety he has become, such a move would not be optimal for New England.
Ben Volin of the Boston Globe writes that Brandon LaFell, who is under contract with the Patriots for two more years and $5.3MM, changed agents recently to Neil Schwartz and Jonathan Feinsod, the same agents who represent Darrelle Revis. Volin wonders if LaFell, after an excellent 2014 season, is preparing to ask for a new contract.
In the same piece, Volin writes that the Patriots will likely enter into contract negotiations with Rob Gronkowski in the near future. Gronkowski has a $10MM option bonus due next March that would trigger another four years and $37MM total.
We learned earlier today that the Bills might be a good landing spot for Ray Rice, but Mike Rodak of ESPN.com tweets that Buffalo is not interested in the former Ravens star.
Rich Cimini of ESPNNewYork.com writes that the Jets are “spitting out cash like an ATM” when it comes to imported players, citing Brandon Marshall‘s restructure as the most recent example. Cimini believes it’s now time for the team’s best homegrown talent, Muhammad Wilkerson, to get a new deal.
In the same piece, Cimini writes that the Jets have an unusually large amount of money tied up in players 30 years old or older, and he passes along details of Leonard Williams‘ rookie contract.

2015 Salaries Guaranteed For Gronk, Others

February 6th, 2015 at 9:55am CST by Luke Adams

In a week that has already featured a Super Bowl win and several days of celebrating that win, Rob Gronkowski gets some more good news today. As Joel Corry of CBSSports.com outlines, by remaining on the Patriots’ roster, the star tight end has his 2015 base salary ($4.75MM), along with his ’15 workout bonus ($250K), become fully guaranteed. When combined with the prorated portion of his signing bonus, the newly-guaranteed salary puts Gronk on the books for an $8.65MM cap hit for the coming season.

Gronkowski isn’t the only player whose 2015 salary becomes guaranteed today, as Corry writes. A pair of Cardinals have also locked in a 2015 pay day, as cornerback Patrick Peterson will have his $11.62MM base salary become fully guaranteed, while quarterback Carson Palmer will have his $1MM base salary and $9.5MM roster bonus (due March 12) become guaranteed. The duo will count for over $29MM on Arizona’s cap in 2015, assuming the team doesn’t rework either contract in the offseason.

Gronkowski, Peterson, and Palmer are the latest noteworthy players to have their salaries fully guaranteed for the 2015 season. Earlier this week, Drew Brees, Jimmy Graham, Joe Haden, and Gerald McCoy had their ’15 salaries guaranteed as well.

Pats Notes: Brady, Gronk, O-Line

September 28th, 2014 at 10:12am CST by Rory Parks

Ben Volin of the Boston Globe writes that, although the league’s quarterbacks have seen a general uptick in overall statistical performance through the first three weeks of the 2014 season–standard small sample size disclaimers apply–those numbers are not being driven by the traditionally elite signal-callers. Among the under-performing big names is the Patriots’ Tom Brady, who as Volin notes, has produced “head-scratchingly bad” statistics.

Those stats include a 58.8 completion percentage, 5.5 yards per attempt, and 210.7 passing yards per game. There are, of course, reasons for those numbers: Brady is clearly uncomfortable throwing the ball downfield and has little faith in his receivers and his offensive line. Nonetheless, Brady will, as Volin points out, have to pick up the slack if the team is to make its yearly run to the playoffs, even though the AFC East is shaping up to be just as weak as it always is.

Here are a few more Patriots tidbits to pass along this morning:

Speaking of Brady’s struggles, Karen Guregian of the Boston Herald writes that analysts like Trent Dilfer and Matt Hasselbeck point out the flaws in the Patriots’ roster to explain some of Brady’s problems, along with Brady’s increasing penchant to take the safe throw rather than force the issue. Nonetheless, both believe that Brady will be able to overcome his early-season woes and put up solid numbers yet again.
One thing that would certainly help a Brady resurgence is the continued good health of Rob Gronkowski. Phil Perry of CSNNewEngland.com observes that Gronkowski should be able to become the middle-of-the-field threat that the team needs him to be sooner rather than later, which would open up the passing game for the rest of the team’s receiving corps.
As noted above, the offensive line has been a big problem for New England. Adam Kurkjian of the Boston Herald writes that the Pats will go into Monday’s game against Kansas City with Nate Solder at left tackle, Bryan Stork at center, Dan Connolly at right guard and Sebastian Vollmer at right tackle. Kurkjian notes that left guard remains unsettled, with Marcus Cannon and Ryan Wendell as possibilities. Perry has the same suggestion in a video post.

AFC East Notes: Patriots, Jets, Wilson

August 10th, 2014 at 6:11pm CST by David Kipke

The Patriots should be happy with rookie quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo‘s performance in his preseason debut against the Redskins, writes ESPNBoston.com’s Mike Reiss. Reiss believes the Eastern Illinois product could have already surpassed Ryan Mallett to become Tom Brady‘s backup. Let’s look at some other news from around the AFC East:

The Patriots remain uncertain regarding a return date for All-Pro tight end Rob Gronkowski, according to Michael David Smith of Pro Football Talk. Although his once-torn ACL was medically cleared for practice before the start of camp, the University of Arizona product has yet to participate in any full-contact work.
Jets cornerback Dee Milliner has suffered a high ankle sprain, according to Rich Cimini of ESPN.com. As we reported earlier, Milliner, who was the ninth overall pick in the 2013 draft, was one of two Jets corners to be cut down by injury today. Rookie corner Dexter McDougle left practice to discover that he had torn the ACL in his left knee.
Elsewhere in the Jets‘ secondary , rookie safety Calvin Pryor is planning on making his NFL debut on Saturday against the Bengals, after being held out of the first preseason game due to a concussion.
As our own Rory Parks surmised earlier today, Jimmy Wilson will likely be the Dolphins‘ starting safety heading into September following incumbent starter Reshad Jones‘ four-game suspension. An AP report stated that Wilson took most of the snaps with the first team during today’s practice.

AFC East Links: Babin, Bills, Gronk, Dolphins

July 25th, 2014 at 8:10pm CST by Ben Levine

The Jets inked Jason Babin to a two-year deal on Wednesday, but the veteran defensive end wasn’t around the team’s facilities until the next day. So what was with the delay? ESPNNewYork.com’s Jane McManus found out…

“It was probably more my fault in signing,” Babin said. “I had to clean up some things back home.”

General manager John Idzik also addressed the delay…

“We just wanted to make sure it was right from both ends, to bring Jason in, get a nice full day so he can gain a feel for us our staff, our approach, and talk it through for a day,” Idzik said. “And sometimes it’s good for the player to go home, stew on it, talk to his family back in Jacksonville, and then if it’s a fit then you go forward and that’s what happened.”

With Babin now at practice, everyone is happy. That includes Rex Ryan, who likes what he’s seen from Babin…

“I think the first things that jumps out about Babin is the production he has as a pass-rusher,” Ryan said. “[He] has a relentless motor, so that part of it we’re excited about. The way he’ll fit in with the guys we already have is going to give us great depth. We brought him in to play.”

Let’s check out some more notes from the AFC East…

There has been “no movement” towards a new deal for Jets defensive Muhammad Wilkerson, writes CBSSports.com Jason La Canfora. Still, an extension isn’t on the former first-rounder’s mind. “I don’t worry about it,” he said. “That’s what I have an agent for. I let him handle the business side of it and I just try to focus on being a leader of this team and try to better myself as a player.”
It’s not often that you’ll hear a coach gush about a seventh-round pick. However, NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport tweets that Bills offensive tackle Seantrel Henderson has really impressed, with one coach saying that “he can be special.”
Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski told reporters that he may have been cleared medically, but he is still not 100 percent. Nonetheless, ESPNBoston.com’s Mike Reiss writes that Gronk isn’t intending on changing his playing style, with the tight end saying that he’ll “keep smashing and dashing.”
Even though the Dolphins could be playing without Pro Bowl center Mike Pouncey for half the season, his teammates aren’t too worried. As ESPN.com’s James Walker writes, Pouncey’s probable replacement, Shelley Smith, is confident in his teammates’ talent. “I think we have a lot of potential and we’ve got a good group of guys in the room,” Smith said “We have a good coaching staff and I feel like we’re working our butts off to fulfill our potential.”

AFC Notes: Bills, Patriots, Broncos, Texans

July 19th, 2014 at 9:41pm CST by Ben Levine

Let’s see what’s going on around the AFC on this Saturday evening…

The Bills have activated cornerback Leodis McKelvin from the physically unable to perform list, the team announced today. The former first-round pick was recovering from offseason hip surgery. The team also placed defensive lineman Marcell Dareus and offensive lineman J.J. Unga on the active/non-football injury list.
Rob Gronkowski is expecting to be ready for the Patriots season opener, telling ESPN.com’s Mike Reiss that he hopes to play all 16 games. “I’m planning on playing the whole season this year,” he said. “I just want to play football. I love playing the game.”
Mike Klis of The Denver Post could envision the Broncos adding a veteran running back. The writer isn’t concerned about Montee Ball, but he is skeptical of backups Ronnie Hillman and C.J. Anderson.
Arian Foster‘s “future with the Texans and career arc are on the line in 2014,” writes the Houston Chronicle’s Brian T. Smith.

AFC East Links: Gronk, Dolphins, Saunders

June 28th, 2014 at 9:15am CST by Matt Feminis

Rob Gronkowski‘s impact on the Patriots’ offense is undeniable, but ESPN’s Kevin Seifert wonders, “Are we obsessing over the right issue? Rather than trying to pinpoint Gronkowski’s return to full strength, perhaps it would be more productive (and realistic) to gauge whether the Patriots are any better equipped to play without him than they were last season.” Seifert spoke to colleague Matt Williamson, who is optimistic the Pats are better prepared this year if/when they’re without a healthy Gronk.

Here’s a handful more AFC East links:

Dolphins defensive tackle Jared Odrick is a bargain, says ESPN’s James Wilder, but it doesn’t appear the fifth-year defensive tackle should expect a contract extension this season.
Rookie defensive tackle Anthony Johnson hopes to be a teammate of Odrick. While the undrafted free agent faces an uphill battle to secure a roster spot, MiamiDolphins.com’s Alain Poupart profiles Johnson and calls him one of team’s most intriguing rookies. A highly coveted recruit out of high school, Johnson looked like a budding star as a sophomore at LSU, but he did not have a strong junior season. Additionally, concerns about his character and work ethic contributed to him tumbling out of the draft despite being considered a second- or third-round talent by some evaluators. If there’s a silver lining for Johnson’s outlook, by virtue of his status as an undrafted free agent, the “boom-or-bust” prospect now becomes a low-risk, high-reward proposition for the Dolphins.
The Jets are hoping fourth-round receiver Jalen Saunders establishes himself as a dangerous punt returner, writes ESPN’s Rich Cimini. A smallish, underpowered slot receiver/punt returner, Saunders flashed speed and quickness to flip the field in college. However, Cimini cautions fans there’s no guarantee Saunders’ skills will translate: “I remember when Aaron Glenn came out in 1994 and everybody was raving about his punt-returning prowess in college. Well, he was a bust as a returner.” While Glenn, a first-round pick, was a much more ballyhooed draftee, the Jets will be satisfied if Saunders can provide a spark on special teams and allow Jeremy Kerley to focus on his slot receiver duties.
On the Bills website, A.J. Devine looks at five training camp position battles to watch, including the offensive line, where “An influx of young, powerful linemen was one of the highlights of the Bills offseason. It seems as though head coach Doug Marrone has left every position along the line open for competition and will give everyone the opportunity to fight for a starting spot.”

Patriots Notes: Connolly, Ridley, Aiken

June 26th, 2014 at 5:51pm CST by Ben Levine

It’s tough for athletes to find work once their playing days are over. However, former Patriots offensive lineman Quinn Ojinnaka is proving otherwise. Earlier this week, Ring of Honor Wrestling (a second-tier pro wrestling promotion similar to WWE) announced that they have signed the 30-year-old.

Ojinnaka, or “Moose” as he’s known in the ring, was drafted in the fifth-round of the 2006 draft by the Falcons. He stuck around Atlanta for four seasons, appearing in 39 games. He spent 2010 with the Patriots before bouncing around to the Colts and Rams.

At the very least, we can be assured that the group of players still seeking a job for 2014 have a fallback plan.

Let’s take a look at some more Patriots notes from ESPN.com’s Mike Reiss…

If the team were to release a veteran, Reiss thinks it would be offensive lineman Dan Connolly. The 31-year-old is set to earn $3MM next season, and the writer thinks the team could turn to cheaper, younger players.
In regards to a “surprise” release, the writer points to Stevan Ridley. Reiss ultimately believes that Ridley will make the team, but things could get interesting if undrafted running back Stephen Houston impresses.
If Rob Gronkowski misses time, Reiss thinks we’ll see “a de-emphasis on the tight end position” in New England. However, the writer could still see the team making a move for a veteran such as Dustin Keller.
When asked which undrafted rookie could stick around, Reiss said long snapper Tyler Ott has the best shot. The player’s cheap, three-year commitment would allow the Patriots to move on from the more expensive Danny Aiken.

AFC Notes: Vilma, Gronkowski, Manziel, Bills

June 1st, 2014 at 2:59pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Joe Philbin and Dennis Allen are among several coaches who have a lot riding on the 2014 season, writes Lorenzo Reyes of USA Today. While the “hot seat” label may be premature, the Dolphins would surely like to see improvement both off-the-field (in the wake of the Jonathan Martin scandal) and on it, with quarterback Ryan Tannehill potentially taking another step forward. The Raiders, meanwhile, used their ample cap space to infuse their roster with veterans, and the team’s leadership obviously hopes Allen can improve upon 2013’s 4-12 record.

AFC Notes: Beckham, Dolphins, Chiefs

April 19th, 2014 at 8:45pm CST by Peter Sowards

A source confirmed to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald today that the Dolphins will host LSU wide receiver Odell Beckham, using one one of the team’s 30 allotted non-local visits.

Beckham caught 59 passes for 1,152 yards and eight touchdowns in 2013 for the Tigers and is projected as a first-round pick.

Does Beckham’s visit mean Miami is souring on Mike Wallace just one year into his contract? That’s the logic argued by Pro Football Talk’s Michael David Smith, noting that Wallace wasn’t signed by current GM Dennis Hickey and that Hickey “probably” doesn’t have any intentions with Wallace beyond this season. Or, the Dolphins are just doing their due diligence and trying to find out as much about as many worthy draft-eligible prospects as possible.

More news and notes from the American Football Conference…

A position-by-position look at the Chiefs‘ cap situation by Terez A. Paylor of The Kansas City Star, as well as each player’s base salary, cap number, Pro Football Focus grade and contract expiration date.
The Chiefs may need to be prepared to draft a quarterback with the No. 23 pick, Paylor writes.
Four Patriots — Brandon Browner, Rob Gronkowski, Logan Mankins and Jerod Mayo — have an offseason workout bonus of $250K, and the team begins its offseason workouts on Monday, writes Field Yates of ESPNBoston.com. 15 players are eligible to receive offseason workout bonuses if they participate in at least 80-90% of the workouts with a total possible payout of $1.74MM.