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Ryan Fitzpatrick

FA Notes: Winslow, Hali, Evans, Fitzpatrick

March 5th, 2016 at 11:38am CST by Ben Levine

In January, former first-round pick Kellen Winslow tweeted that he was focused on an NFL comeback. The 32-year-old confirmed this sentiment when he appeared on SiriusXM NFL Radio this week.

“My body feels good enough to come back and play at a high level, even better I think because I’m just a little wiser,” Winslow said (via Michael David Smith of ProFootballTalk.com). “It was good to get away from the game just to work on me. I want to be a better player than I was before. I think I can.”

Winslow has caught 469 passes for 5,236 yards and 25 touchdowns during his ten-year career, but he hasn’t played an NFL game since 2013. Let’s check out some more notes regarding some of the league’s notable free agents…

  • The Chiefs didn’t ink impending free agent Tamba Hali prior to the March 4th deadline, meaning the outside linebacker’s contract was automatically voided. According to Terez A. Paylor of KansasCity.com, the Chiefs will be charged $4MM against the cap, even if the 32-year-old ends up returning.
  • Jerrold Colton, the agent for former Saints guard Jahri Evans, told 97.5 The Fanatic in Philadelphia (including Geoff Mosher) that his client “has [a] good chance” to sign a contract prior to the start of free agency.
  • Sam Bradford‘s new deal with the Eagles could have an impact on Ryan Fitzpatrick‘s future contract, writes ESPN’s Rich Cimini. Since the Jets presumably wouldn’t want to commit to the 33-year-old longterm, the writer wonders if the quarterback could secure a similar two-year deal.
  • ESPN’s James Walker mentions three potential destinations for free agent defensive end Olivier Vernon: the Jaguars, Giants, and Cowboys.

AFC East Rumors: Fitzpatrick, Dolphins, Bills

March 3rd, 2016 at 11:43am CST by Luke Adams

As negotiations between the two sides continue, the Jets have made it clear to Ryan Fitzpatrick and his representatives that they want Fitzpatrick to be their starting quarterback in 2016, says Jason Cole of Bleacher Report (video link). However, according to Cole, the Jets’ offers to Fitzpatrick so far don’t necessarily reflect the going rate for starting quarterbacks.

Cole adds that while the Jets players like Fitzpatrick, there are some that wouldn’t mind seeing the team bring in another viable option at the position to challenge the incumbent veteran.

As we wait to see whether the Jets can lock up Fitzpatrick to a new deal before free agency gets underway next week, let’s check in on several other items from out of the AFC East….

  • The Dolphins have reportedly identified five or six defensive ends in free agency and the draft that they’ll go after if Olivier Vernon signs elsewhere, writes Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald. Salguero explores some of the possibilities, suggesting that even if the team brings back Vernon and Derrick Shelby, another addition at the position may be necessary.
  • With the outcome of the Philadelphia D.A.’s investigation into LeSean McCoy still unresolved,the Bills have some uncertainty at the running back position as the new league year approaches. However, as Mike Rodak of ESPN.com outlines, McCoy isn’t the only player whose future with the team remains somewhat up in the air to some extent.
  • The Bills would like to bring back as many of their restricted free agents as possible, according to general manager Doug Whaley, who says the club is “working on it” (Twitter link via Rodak). That may be easier said than done, since low-end RFA tenders will cost $1.6MM+ each, and Buffalo doesn’t have a ton of cap room to work with.
  • After their tight ends combined for just eight receptions in 2015, the Jets could be in the market for a free agent TE this offseason. Rich Cimini of ESPN.com explores that possibility.
  • With the NFL and the NFLPA set to return to court to revisit the Deflategate saga and the vacated suspension for Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, SI.com’s Michael McCann provides a primer on what to expect.

East Notes: Eagles, Cousins, Jets

February 28th, 2016 at 11:17am CST by Rory Parks

We recently rounded up the latest reports concerning Sam Bradford‘s status with the Eagles, so let’s dive into some more notes from the league’s east divisions, starting with more out of Philadelphia:

  • The Eagles were the only team to avoid drafting an offensive lineman in the 2014 and 2015 drafts, but Zach Berman of The Philadelphia Inquirer expects that to change in 2016. Head coach Doug Pederson has spoken highly of this draft’s class of offensive linemen, and although the team could address its deficiencies along the O-line in free agency, Philadelphia is likely to use at least one of its nine draft choices on a guard or a tackle who could begin his career on the interior of the line.
  • Jason Fitzgerald of OverTheCap.com examines the risks involved for Washington if the team were to offer a long-term deal to Kirk Cousins. Fitzgerald does not believe Washington should go higher than $15MM per year for Cousins, and he says that if the two sides cannot come to an agreement on a multi-year deal, the team should place the transition tag on its quarterback.
  • Former Jets GM Mike Tannenbaum is now the Dolphins‘ executive vice president of football operations, and former Jets head coach Rex Ryan is now the Bills‘ head coach. As Brian Costello of The New York Post writes, that situation may be creating some additional leverage for impending Jets free agents like Damon Harrison who have ties to Ryan and Tannenbaum and who might have a landing spot in Buffalo or Miami if they do not get paid by New York.
  • The Jets‘ plan remains to continue negotiating with Ryan Fitzpatrick, and the team is not interested in trading for Colin Kaepernick, according to Rich Cimini of ESPNNewYork.com.
  • The Patriots are looking hard at running backs, both in the draft and in free agency, per Ben Volin of The Boston Globe. New England is typically loathe to spend more than $1MM on a running back, but Volin believes the team may splurge a bit on a veteran this year, considering how badly the Pats were handicapped by the lack of a running game in their loss to Denver in the AFC Championship Game.
  • However, the Patriots will not dramatically alter their usual low-key approach to the offseason just because they do not have a first-round pick, according to Christopher Price of WEEI.com.

East Notes: Wilkerson, Eagles, Cousins, Jets

February 18th, 2016 at 3:53pm CST by Luke Adams

The Jets reportedly intend to use their franchise tag on Muhammad Wilkerson within the next couple weeks, but that doesn’t mean Wilkerson won’t have suitors this offseason. Given the Jets’ depth at defensive end, the team is expected to at least listen to trade offers for Wilkerson, and it sounds like the standout defender wants to make it clear that he’s recovering from well from the broken leg that ended his season last month.

“Great visit w/ Dr. Anderson 2day in NC,” Wilkerson tweeted today. “Leg responded gr8, starting rehab ahead of schedule. Anxious to get to work. Thx for all the support!”

Wilkerson’s leg injury was never expected to sideline him for any of the 2016 season, but the fact that he’s ahead of schedule in the rehab process is a good sign for the Jets and for any teams that may be considering making a play for him in the coming weeks.

Let’s check in on several more updates from out of the NFL’s East divisions…

  • Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets that Chase Daniel will be a “name to watch” this offseason for the Eagles. Daniel, a free-agent-to-be, has been previously linked to Philadelphia, due to the team’s hiring of former Chiefs offensive coordinator Doug Pederson. Rapoport suggests the Eagles’ new head coach views Daniels as “more than a backup.”
  • John Keim of ESPN.com and Mike Garafolo of FOX Sports each examine the Kirk Cousins contract situation in Washington, with Keim suggesting the team must maintain future cap flexibility, with many other extension candidates on deck in a year or two. As for Garafolo, he still sees the franchise tag as the most likely outcome for Cousins, since the quarterback has far more leverage at this point than Washington does.
  • Ryan Fitzpatrick isn’t a franchise quarterback, but he’s a great bridge option for the Jets, who must re-sign him, writes Rich Cimini of ESPN.com. Cimini projects a three-year, $24MM pact, including $12MM guaranteed, for Fitzpatrick, whom the ESPN scribe expects to be back in New York next season.
  • Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald expects the Dolphins to either lock up Olivier Vernon to a multiyear contract or use their franchise tag on him, since “it makes no sense” to allow a young pass rusher like Vernon to reach the open market.
  • Although Mel Kiper’s latest mock draft has the Cowboys selecting Jared Goff with the No. 4 overall selection, Todd Archer of ESPN.com remains skeptical that Dallas will use that pick on a quarterback.

East Notes: Jets, Curry, Cox, Deflategate

February 3rd, 2016 at 11:32am CST by Luke Adams

As first reported on Tuesday night by Adam Caplan of ESPN.com (Twitter link), the Jets have hired Brant Boyer as their new special teams coordinator, the team announced today in a press release. Boyer arrives in New York from Indianapolis, where he has served as the Colts’ assistant special teams coach for the last four seasons, working with Pro Bowlers Adam Vinatieri, Pat McAfee, and Matt Overton.

The Jets took their time finding a new special teams coordinator, after parting ways with Bobby April nearly a month ago. As Todd Bowles and the Jets considered their options, April found a new home in Tennessee, where he’ll serve as the Titans’ special teams coach.

Let’s round up a few more Wednesday notes from around the NFL’s East divisions….

  • Appearing today on ESPN’s First Take (video link), Jets wide receiver Brandon Marshall was asked about the latest Colin Kaepernick rumors, and replied that he’d prefer the team to bring back Ryan Fitzpatrick rather than going after Kaepernick.
  • Having signed a lucrative new long-term deal with the Eagles, Vinny Curry said that it wouldn’t have happened if not for the team’s scheme change, per Zach Berman of the Philadelphia Inquirer (via Twitter). With Jim Schwartz replacing Billy Davis as Philadelphia’s defensive coordinator, the club will be shifting from a 3-4 look to a 4-3 base, which should better suit Curry.
  • Curry added that he has been in constant contact with Fletcher Cox, and he thinks his fellow defensive lineman will get a contract extension done with the Eagles (Twitter link via Martin Frank of the Delaware News Journal).
  • More than a year after the NFL began looking into the Patriots for what became known as Deflategate, the league is still mishandling the situation, writes Dan Wetzel of Yahoo! Sports. As Wetzel notes, Roger Goodell‘s assertion that the NFL didn’t keep any of the information logged during the 2015 season on the air pressure of game-day footballs creates more questions than answers.
  • Eagles fans will see some familiar faces in this week’s Super Bowl, writes Paul Domowitch of the Philadelphia Daily News, who points to Panthers defensive coordinator Sean McDermott and safety Kurt Coleman as “Eagles discards” who are thriving in Carolina.

AFC Mailbags: Jets, Patriots, Ravens

January 30th, 2016 at 9:45am CST by Ben Levine

It’s Saturday morning, and that means ESPN.com’s NFL writers are opening their mailbags and answering questions from readers. We’ve compiled some of the more notable answers below…

Jets, Ryan Fitzpatrick To Begin Extension Talks Soon

January 23rd, 2016 at 7:00pm CST by Dallas Robinson

After giving up just a sixth-round pick in order to acquire Ryan Fitzpatrick from the Texans prior to last season, the Jets were undoubtedly pleased with the veteran quarterback’s production as he lead the club to a 10-6 record. Appearing on WFAN Friday, general manager Mike Maccagnan said that the two sides are primed to enter contract discussions soon.Ryan Fitzpatrick (Vertical)

“We’re going to talk to Ryan’s people here in the very near future,” said Maccagnan, per Dom Cosentino of NJ.com. “We have time, obviously, before free agency, and we really would like to get Ryan back in the fold. [Head coach] Todd [Bowles] has said that. Obviously, myself and the rest of the organization feel very strongly about this.

“I think it’s a good situation for all of us, and we just have to go through this process, and hopefully we can come to an agreement where it’s fair and everybody’s happy with it going forward.”

As Maccagnan expressed, Bowles has stated a desire to retain Fitzpatrick, and confirmed that the 33-year-old would enter the 2016 season as the club’s starter if re-signed. Free agency doesn’t begun until March 15, and while the Jets can obviously negotiate with their own players up to and after that date, Albert Breer of NFL.com reported last month that New York would probably try to work on re-signing other free agents before Fitzpatrick, because each side has a good handle on the quarterback’s value.

In his first season in New York, Fitzpatrick posted the best season his career, passing for nearly 4,000 yards and 31 touchdowns against just 15 interceptions. After earning just $3.25MM last season, the 11-year veteran should be in line for a healthy raise, and could garner $10-15MM per season.

Front Office Notes: Jets, Giants, Titans, Lions

January 16th, 2016 at 12:29pm CST by Ben Levine

Jets general manager Mike Maccagnan filled his season-ending press conference with “generalities and overall nothingness,” writes Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News. Still, the executive did elaborate on several topics, including free agent quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick.

“We’d like very much to get him back… We’ll see how this thing works out.”

“Bryce [Petty] has made a lot of progress. We’re kind of excited to have another offseason with him… With Geno [Smith], he’s under contract. We like the progress he’s made.”

Maccagnan also noted that “it’s not impossible” to keep all of their top defensive linemen, including Muhammad Wilkerson, Sheldon Richardson, Damon Harrison and Leonard Williams.

Let’s check out some more notes from the league’s front offices…

  • Giants general manager Jerry Reese understands that it’s his job to improve the roster, and he said he puts it on himself if the team doesn’t perform well. “At the end of the day, it’s my responsibility,” he said (via Ebenezer Samuel of the New York Daily News). “If somebody doesn’t get it right, if somebody doesn’t pan out, it’s the GM’s responsibility.”
  • While candidates have been interviewing for the Titans head coach vacancy, ownership has made it clear that they have no desire to sell the team, tweets ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
  • The Lions have fired senior personnel executive Scott McEwen, according to Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press (via Twitter). The former Director of College Scouting was the longest tenured scout in the organization.
  • According to Schefter (on Twitter), the Lions have hired Kyle O’Brien as their Director of Player Personnel.

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.

East Notes: Giants, Harrison, Eagles

December 27th, 2015 at 11:16am CST by Rory Parks

The Giants were officially eliminated from playoff contention last night by virtue of Washington’s victory over the Eagles, which has led ESPN’s Dan Graziano to wonder where Big Blue goes from here. He lays out the three biggest questions facing the team this offseason, including, of course, the fates of head coach Tom Coughlin and former first-round draft picks Prince Amukamara and Jason Pierre-Paul. Although it has been widely reported that Coughlin would be fired if his team failed to reach the playoffs this season, Graziano writes that a decision on Coughlin’s future has not yet been made.

Let’s take a look at a few more links from the league’s east divisions, beginning with more out of New York:

  • Ralph Vacchiano of The New York Daily News suggests that there will be pressure from within the Giants‘ organization to make a coaching change, but Vacchiano says it would be unwise to underestimate how much team president John Mara likes Coughlin, and if Mara wants to stick with the coach that has delivered two Super Bowl titles to his club, Vacchiano lays out five reasons that would justify such a decision.
  • If the Giants do decide to part ways with Coughlin, Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports says offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo is highly thought of within the organization and would become a strong candidate to become the team’s next head coach.
  • If he stays with the Jets, Ryan Fitzpatrick could land a contract that will pay him between $10-12MM annually, according to Rich Cimini of ESPNNewYork.com (citing a prominent NFL agent).
  • Damon Harrison, one of the unsung heroes of the Jets defensive line, will be a free agent at year’s end, and during a recent Q&A with Steve Serby of The New York Post, Harrison expressed his desire to remain with the Jets for the foreseeable future.
  • Armando Salguero of The Miami Herald looks back at the disastrous 2013 offseason that saw the Dolphins make enormous mistakes in both the draft and free agency, mistakes that will continue to haunt the team in 2016 and beyond.
  • After the Eagles‘ loss to Washington last night, quarterback Sam Bradford said he would like to remain in Philadelphia going forward, per Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk. Although Bradford has had an up-and-down season in his first year with the club, Bob Brookover of The Philadelphia Inquirer believes the impending free agent did enough last night to prove to the Eagles that he is worthy of a new contract.
  • As Les Bowen of The Philadelphia Daily News notes, the question of who will make the decision on Bradford’s future with the Eagles is still very much up in the air. Although Bowen still believes owner Jeffrey Lurie is “in too deep” with Chip Kelly to pull the plug on his embattled head coach so soon after handing him control of the team’s personnel decisions, the Eagles loss last night and the manner in which they lost may force Lurie’s hand.
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