HEADLINES

Ryan Mallett

Texans Interested In Ryan Mallett

March 9th, 2014 at 10:15am CST by Peter Sowards

SUNDAY, 10:15am: The Texans won’t be trading for Mallett, John McClain of the Houston Chronicle definitively states (via Twitter).

SATURDAY, 10:25pm: Entering the final year of his rookie deal, it might be time for the Patriots to finally see what backup quarterback Ryan Mallett is worth.

According to Nick Underhill of masslive.com, the chance to gauge Mallett’s worth could come soon, as the Texans have expressed interest in the former Arkansas quarterback, a third-round pick in 2011. However, Underhill’s source said the current level of involvement was just talk between the two clubs and that nothing was definite.

A trade to Houston would reunite Mallett with Texans coach Bill O’Brien, Underhill notes, who worked as New England’s offensive coordinator for Mallett’s rookie season.

Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio opines that a fair trade between the two clubs would include picks in the next two drafts, with conditions tied to Mallett’s play and/or team.

AFC East Notes: Mallett, Byrd, Howard, Trades

March 2nd, 2014 at 10:51am CST by Rory Parks

Tom Brady is signed through the 2017 season, and the Patriots will be facing the same series of questions until that contract is up: should we draft his eventual replacement? Is the replacement already on the roster? Should we sign a veteran backup? Within the framework of those questions, Karen Guregian of the Boston Herald examines the status of current backup Ryan Mallett, who will be a free agent after the 2014 season.

There have been rumors that the Texans may be interested in Mallett, given his familiarity with the offense that Houston’s new head coach Bill O’Brien plans to install, and the Vikings might also have some interest. But despite Mallett’s potential and the fact that he has been mentored by Brady and Bill Belichick, his impending free agency might reduce the the return the Patriots could expect in a trade.

Further complicating the situation is the fact that, if New England were to take a QB in this year’s draft, that player’s rookie deal would expire at the same time as Brady’s. But with Mallett unlikely willing to wait until Brady plays out his contract before finally getting a shot, the Patriots probably have no choice but to trade him now or let him walk after this season. As such, the Pats will keep their eyes peeled for the next young quarterback to impress them the way Mallett did in 2011.

Some more notes from the AFC East:

  • The Bills have nearly $25MM in cap space, and Mark Gaughan of the Buffalo News examines how the team might utilize that flexibility. Most notably, Gaughan writes that Buffalo has enough space to retain Jairus Byrd, whether they bring him back on a long-term deal or put the franchise tag on him. GM Doug Whaley said the team will “go after” all of its own free agents, and Gaughan observes that the most significant of those free agents beyond Byrd are Scott Chandler and Dan Carpenter. The team could create even more cap space–about $3.1MM– with the expected release of backup quarterback Kevin Kolb. Right tackle Erik Pears is also in danger of being cut, and his release would save about $2.9MM.
  • Rich Cimini of ESPNNewYork.com expects the Jets to re-sign tackle Austin Howard before free agency opens on March 11. He also notes that, with all their cap space–which will increase following the expected release of Santonio Holmes–the Jets will also attack the free agent market for quarterbacks and wide receivers. Cimini expects the team to pursue quarterbacks Michael Vick and Josh McCown and wideouts Golden Tate, Emmanuel Sanders, and Hakeem Nicks.
  • James Walker of ESPN.com says it is “difficult to believe” that the Dolphins are seeking to trade Dion Jordan, Cameron Wake, and Mike Wallace, particularly since the team is in “win now” mode. We heard several days ago that Miami was shopping those players, rumors that the team quickly denied. Walker thinks the most “tradeable” of that group is Jordan, who had a difficult time finding a good fit on the Dolphins defense last year. However, Walker adds that Miami is not likely to give up on such a special talent after just one season.

 

 

 

Vikings Notes: Mallett, Hoyer, Freeman, Verner

February 1st, 2014 at 9:12pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Ryan Mallett could present an interesting answer to the Vikings’ quarterback woes, writes ESPN.com’s Ben Goessling in a recent mailbag. Mallett, a third-round pick of the Patriots in 2011, has thrown all of four passes while acting as Tom Brady‘s backup, but is noted for his tremendous arm strength. New Vikings coach Mike Zimmer’s former team, the Bengals, were linked to Mallett leading up to the 2011 draft. New offensive coordinator Norv Turner’s former employer, the Browns, reportedly kicked the tires on acquiring Mallett before the 2013 season. Additionally, Patriots coach Bill Belichick has been down this road before, having turned former backup quarterback Matt Cassel (interestingly, now a Viking) into a Chiefs second-round pick before the 2009 season. Unlike Mallett however, Cassel had a season’s worth of experience, having lead the Patriots to a 10-5 record in 2008.

Some other Vikings tidbits from Goessling’s mailbag:

  • Brian Hoyer is another quarterback who could be linked to the Vikings, due to his success with the Browns last season under Turner’s tutelage. However, the Vikings are likely to look for a younger option at the position to pair with Cassel.
  • The relationship between the Vikings and quarterback Josh Freeman was contentious enough that it is doubtful he will return next season. Signed after his release from the Buccaneers, Freeman struggled mightily in his only start. His accuracy and footwork remained a problem throughout practices, and Freeman was also confused by his lack of opportunity.
  • Goessling expects the Vikings to make a run at cornerback Alterraun Verner, who has experience with new Vikings defensive backs coach Jerry Gray (who previously served as Titans defensive coordinator). The Vikings are expected to have over $20MM in cap space, so they afford to make a big move in free agency.

Pats Notes: Blount, Wilfork, Mallett

January 25th, 2014 at 8:26am CST by Matt Feminis

The Patriots fell in the AFC Championship Game for the second year in a row, in part because the offense was outgunned, as evidenced by the targeting of the likes of Austin Collie, Matt Slater and Matthew Mulligan. An NFC scout gave his take on the Pats’ anticipated plan of action when he spoke with Christopher Price of WEEI.com. The highlights:

  • The scout credited the offense’s adaptability, but questioned its sustainability, citing a lack of high-caliber talent at the skill positions.
  • The team would like LeGarrette Blount back, but will not overpay.
  • When healthy, the offense has versatile, productive elements with the glaring exception of an outside speed threat to stretch the field vertically.
  • The time is now to begin preparing for life without Vince Wilfork, who is 32 and ended the season on IR. Price posits the team could seek young, versatile interior players to facilitate hybrid flexibility.
  • A “joker” type, pass-catching tight end could be sought in the draft.
  • Backup QB Ryan Mallett is a wild card. Aside from his inexperience, it’s unknown to what extent the team trusts him, though he could hold trade value.