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East Notes: Cowboys, Callahan, Tannehill

February 19th, 2015 at 7:59am CST by Luke Adams

Speaking to the media in Indianapolis on Wednesday, Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett referred to Dez Bryant and DeMarco Murray as “cornerstone players,” and said he loves them and wants both players back in Dallas. Addressing Murray specifically, Garrett added that “both sides are talking.” However, he also cautioned that “the business of the NFL is real” (three Twitter links via Ralph Vacchiano of the New York Daily News, Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun, and ESPN’s Josina Anderson).

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

  • New Washington offensive line coach Bill Callahan tells Todd Archer of ESPNDallas.com (Twitter link) that there were offensive coordinator opportunities available for him last month, but he opted for the job in D.C. instead. I would guess that either Callahan didn’t think he’d be a frontrunner for those offensive coordinator positions, or Washington just made it very much worth his while not to explore those opportunities.
  • Restructuring Tony Romo’s contract will backfire at some point, but it’s a worthwhile gamble for Cowboys, Bob Sturm of The Dallas Morning News opines. There’s “no doubt” in Sturm’s mind that they will push a lot of the quarterback’s 2015 money into 2016.
  • Quarterback salaries are what they are, Dolphins GM Dennis Hickey acknowledged on Wednesday while speaking to reporters, including Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald, adding that his team feels comfortable investing in Ryan Tannehill as its QB of the future.

Zach Links contributed to this post.

Dolphins, Ryan Tannehill Talking Extension?

February 9th, 2015 at 8:15pm CST by Zachary Links

8:15pm: Negotiations have not yet commenced, according to multiple sources who spoke with Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. One source said that, while the situation could change, discussions aren’t happening. Another source said that talks haven’t started, but the source expressed optimism that discussions will occur, at the Scouting Combine in Indianapolis.

6:32pm: The Dolphins are discussing a lucrative contract extension with quarterback Ryan Tannehill, a source tells Dave Hyde of the Sun Sentinel. The framework is seven-year contract worth about $105MM, depending on incentives.

The numbers and details are still being ironed out, but the idea is a contract worth about $15MM per season that guarantees the first two years, gives a team option in the third year, and a player option in the final two seasons. The relevant comps in the discussions are Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton and 49ers signal caller Colin Kaepernick. Dalton signed a six-year, $98MM deal that had only $17MM in guaranteed money, making it effectively a three-year, $42MM pact. Kaepernick, meanwhile, had a typical NFL deal: seemingly large on the outside, but not as lucrative in actuality. His deal was believed to be $114MM over six years but with only $12MM guaranteed, he’s effectively playing for his job each year.

Tannehill is currently entering his walk year, worth $2.1MM. The Dolphins can let him play that out or they can guarantee him a $15MM salary to keep him through 2016 if they can’t hammer out an extension. Ultimately, Hyde feels that the active conversations are a promising sign towards a new deal being worked out.

Last year, Tannehill completed 66.4% of his passes for 4,045 yards, 27 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions. On Sunday, our own Dallas Robinson examined a possible extension for Tannehill in his offseason outlook for the Dolphins.

 

AFC Notes: Peyton, Dolphins, Chargers, Titans

January 30th, 2015 at 9:36pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Ever since the Broncos’ divisional round loss to the Colts, Peyton Manning‘s NFL future has been a hot-button topic, but the future Hall of Fame quarterback doesn’t plan to make everyone wait for his decision on retirement. “I’m not interested in making this a lingering thing,” said Manning, via Mike Klis of the Denver Post. “I’d like to make a decision soon. At the same time, both coach [Gary Kubiak] and [team president] Joe [Ellis] and [general manager] John [Elway] have instructed me to take some time, so I’m kind of following their orders.” Manning is required to take a physical between February 23 and March 5, but unlike last season, this examination isn’t tied to money, tweets Jeff Legwold of ESPN.com. As Klis writes, however, Manning’s 2015 base salary of $19MM becomes fully guaranteed on March 9, so a decision — from either Manning or the team — needs to be solidified by then.

Here’s more from the AFC:

  • Entering his first offseason as the Dolphins’ executive vice president of football operations, Mike Tannenbaum has several challenges ahead, writes Adam Beasley of the Miami Herald. Primarily, the former Jets GM must decide how to approach contract talks with quarterback Ryan Tannehill — if an extension isn’t worked out by May, Beasley projects Miami will exercise its fifth-year option on Tannehill. Beasley’s colleague Armando Salguero spoke with Tannenbaum today, and in turn believes (via Twitter) the club will work out a long-term deal with offensive lineman Mike Pouncey, who is entering the final year of his rookie contract.
  • The city of San Diego announced it has formed a nine-person committee to not only find a new venue for the Chargers, but figure out how to pay for it, according to David Garrick of U-T San Diego. In a somewhat snarky response, the Chargers reminded the city of nine previous proposals put forth by the team, as well as the failure of a similar committee, but still pledged cooperation.
  • Firing executive Lake Dawson was probably the right move for the Titans, writes Paul Kuharsky of ESPN.com. Labeling Dawson a “middle man,” Kuharsky argues that Tennessee’s front office is now more streamlined, with the heads of the college scouting and pro scouting departments reporting directly to GM Ruston Webster.

AFC East Notes: Tannehill, Dolphins, Jets, Bills

January 21st, 2015 at 3:03pm CST by Luke Adams

Speaking today to reporters, including Adam Beasley of the Miami Herald, Dolphins general manager Dennis Hickey had nothing but praise for quarterback Ryan Tannehill. While Hickey didn’t commit to picking up Tannehill’s fifth-year option for 2016, Beasley views that as a lock at this point, and suggests that the two sides could even work out a longer-term agreement this offseason.

Let’s round up a few more items on the Dolphins and some of their AFC East rivals…

  • Asked about the future of wide receiver Mike Wallace with the Dolphins, Hickey was noncommittal, and certainly wasn’t as effusive with his praise for Wallace as he was for Tannehill, writes Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald. The GM made it clear that the decision on Wallace would be a collaborative effort that would involve head coach Joe Philbin and new executive VP of football operations Mike Tannenbaum.
  • Vanderbilt offensive coordinator Karl Dorrell, who worked with Todd Bowles in Miami, is expected to join the Jets‘ staff, per Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News (via Twitter). It’s not yet clear what Dorrell’s role in New York would be, but he has worked as a quarterbacks coach and a receivers coach in the past.
  • Charley Casserly and Ron Wolf, who advised the Jets during the team’s search for a general manager and head coach, are done with the club for now, but aren’t ruling out potentially continuing the relationship in the future, tweets Rich Cimini of ESPNNewYork.com.
  • The Bills‘ front office continues to undergo some changes under new ownership, according to John Kryk of the Toronto Sun, who reports (via Twitter) that the team has fired director of pro personnel Tom Gibbons. Gibbons’ contract had been set to expire in June, after this year’s draft.

AFC East Notes: Spikes, Ryan, Tannehill

December 25th, 2014 at 1:02pm CST by Ben Levine

Brandon Spikes‘ four-year tenure with the Patriots came to an end this past offseason, and the linebacker ended up joining the division-rival Bills. Besides his production (Pro Football Focus’ advanced metrics rank him as the 12-best inside linebacker), coach Doug Marrone has also been happy with Spikes’ “positive influence.”

“He’s really done a great job for us,” Marrone said (via Tom E. Curran of CSNNE.com). “In the locker room, on the field. Helped some of our younger linebackers with Preston Brown and Nigel Bradham playing with Kiko (Alonso) being out. Just helping them, learning how to be a pro, watching film doing those things. He had an outstanding offseason, he was here throughout the whole offseason I think that was important. He was everything we expected him to be.”

Let’s take a look at some more notes from the AFC East…

  • Rex Ryan’s tenure with the Jets is likely coming to a close, and Kevin Kernan of the New York Post says the next organization to sign the coach will not be making a mistake. Ryan talked to the media yesterday, revealing the lessons he learned from this season. “That I pretty much can handle anything,’’ he said. “I’m proud of the fact that our guys stayed the course. But it’s been a little humbling to say the least, only winning three games. That’s never happened to me before.”
  • We learned yesterday that Jets quarterback Geno Smith intended to be his team’s leader for “a long time.” Of course, the second-year pro wasn’t done there. “I see myself helping this team turn things around,” Smith said (via ESPN.com’s Rich Cimini). “Obviously, I’m part of the reason why we’re in this position, so I’d love to be part of the solution.”
  • While we’ve heard plenty of quotes to suggest Smith is confident, Brian Costello of the New York Post had a quote that suggested the Jets quarterback is also accountable. “I underachieved this year,” Smith told the reporter.
  • The Dolphins will soon need to make a decision on quarterback Ryan Tannehill‘s 2016 option, and the decision will likely show whether the Dolphins believe in the former first-rounder as their future signal-caller. For what it’s worth, Tannehill thought he had one of his best seasons in 2014. “I feel like I’m better all-around,” Tannehill said (via ESPN.com’s James Walker). “I think I’ve grown throughout the season and gotten better each week. The guys around me have been playing well at the same time. When the whole offense elevates its play, it’s easy to get better.”

AFC Notes: Jets, Philbin, Tannehill, Sparano

December 22nd, 2014 at 1:38pm CST by Rob DiRe

The Jets have hired NFL Network analyst and former general manager Charlie Casserly as a consultant, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN (via Twitter). Owner Woody Johnson brought in Casserly as a football mind as an offseason approaches that could see the team potentially firing head coach Rex Ryan as well as general manager John Idzik.

Casserly has previous experience as the general manager in Washington and for the Houston Texans.

Here are some other notes from around the AFC:

  • Dolphins‘ head coach Joe Philbin got the vote of confidence from owner Stephen Ross yesterday, and will be returning to the team in 2015. At the same time, Philbin has declined to offer the same guarantee to his coaching staff, reports Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald (via Twitter). Philbin did not say whether or not he planned on bringing back his coordinators for another season. It does appear that general manager Dennis Hickey will be back with the team though, reports Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter).
  • At one point early this season, Ryan Tannehill‘s future with the Dolphins was uncertain. Things have changed since then, and Tannehill has solidified himself as the franchise quarterback in Miami, write James Walker of ESPN.com. The team will now likely exercise his fifth-year option, which was not a given before the season.
  • Raiders‘ interim head coach Tony Sparano would like the word “interim” removed from his title, writes Scott Bair of CSNBayArea.com. Many of his players agree that he has earned a chance at the job for real. Defensive end Antonio Smith, quarterback Derek Carr, and safety Charles Woodson all came out in support of their current leader. The Raiders are rumored to be interested in Jim Harbaugh for their head coaching job next season.

Sunday Roundup: Suh, Tannehill, Manning

December 14th, 2014 at 12:41pm CST by Rory Parks

With Ndamukong Suh‘s free agency rapidly approaching, there is a general belief that he could be playing his last games in a Lions uniform. Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press, though, believes that Detroit would be foolish to let Suh leave. Birkett writes that although J.J. Watt is clearly the best defensive player in the game, Suh is not far behind him, and the Lions should pay him accordingly.

Birkett goes on to note that the Lions want to pay Suh like a dominant defensive tackle, whereas Suh’s camp believes Suh’s talent transcends positional descriptions and is therefore worthy of its own spot on the pay scale. The Lions chose to table extension discussions earlier this year, and although there was a wide gap between what Suh was demanding and what Detroit was offering at that time, Birkett believes it is not a gap that cannot be bridged (which is especially true given what Suh means to this talented Lions defense). If the Lions have to pony up a deal resembling Watt’s six-year, $100MM extension, Birkett believes the Lions should pull the trigger. Even if Detroit has to slap a $26.9MM franchise tag on Suh to preserve its exclusive negotiating rights until July 2015, he believes the team should not hesitate to do so.

With a salary cap that many project to increase by leaps and bounds in the near future, Birkett tweets that there will be room for mega-deals for both Suh and Calvin Johnson, and he adds (via Twitter) that the Lions not only should re-sign Suh, but that they will re-sign him. For what it’s worth, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets that he is not convinced Suh will leave in free agency. He adds that the Lions are “very much in the mix.”

Now let’s look at a few more notes from around the league:

  • Citing an AFC source, Adam Beasley of the Miami Herald tweets that the Dolphins have no choice but to pick up Ryan Tannehill‘s fifth-year option for about $15MM. Former NFL agent Joel Corry adds (via Twitter) that there is very little risk in exercising that option, as it does not become fully guaranteed until the first day of the 2016 league year.
  • Adam Caplan of ESPN.com (subscription required) provides a list of the top 10 front office executives most likely to be promoted to general manager, and current Eagles VP of Player Personnel Tom Gamble is at the top of the list.
  • Citing ESPN’s draft guru Mel Kiper, Jr., Adam Teicher of ESPN.com writes that the Chiefs should draft at least three wide receivers in the 2015 draft. Given that the team has several receivers near or at the end of their careers and a few unproven younger players on the roster, it is difficult to argue with Kiper’s assessment, though Teicher himself believes Kansas City should have addressed that void this year.
  • In a mailbag piece, Teicher writes that the Chiefs also need to address the offensive line, but unlike the wide receiver position, Kansas City has some internal options to improve the O-line.
  • We learned earlier today that the Broncos, even after the recent extension handed out to Chris Harris, will have enough cap room to retain both Demaryius Thomas and Julius Thomas.
  • Darren Wolfson of KSTP.com tweets that Vikings running back Adrian Peterson is expected to file a federal lawsuit against the NFL tomorrow.

AFC Mailbags: Tannehill, Bowe, Richardson

December 6th, 2014 at 8:50am CST by Ben Levine

It’s Saturday morning, and ESPN.com’s NFL writers are opening their mailbags and answering questions from readers. Let’s take a look at some of the interesting notes from the AFC…

  • Ryan Tannehill‘s fifth-year option is worth $15MM, and James Walker believes the hefty price could prompt the Dolphins to start extension talks with their quarterback this offseason.
  • Walker can’t envision the Dolphins retaining the same linebacker core next season, and he guesses that either Philip Wheeler or Dannell Ellerbe will be a cap casualty.
  • Looking towards the draft, Rich Cimini thinks there’s a possibility that Marcus Mariota and Jameis Winston will be off the board when it’s the Jets time to pick. The writer suggests the team could instead focus on drafting a wide receiver or cornerback with their first-rounder.
  • Adam Teicher opines that Chiefs wideout Dwayne Bowe is likely playing his final four games with the team. Reversely, he believes linebacker Tamba Hali will ultimately stick around.
  • Mike Wells writes that the Colts will pursue a free agent running back, regardless of how Trent Richardson finishes the season.
  • Michael DiRocco is under the impression that the Jaguars will focus on drafting a pass-rusher with their first-round pick. While some may be hoping for an offensive lineman, the writer says the team could select a solid prospect in the middle rounds.

AFC Mailbags: Tannehill, Landry, Forsett, Shorts

November 15th, 2014 at 9:36am CST by Ben Levine

It’s Saturday, and that means a fresh batch of NFL mailbags from ESPN.com’s writers. Let’s start with some interesting notes out of the AFC…

Dolphins’ Internal Strife Continues

September 28th, 2014 at 8:38am CST by Rory Parks

Dolphins head coach Joe Philbin was at the source of some mild team controversy earlier this week, when he was asked about the job security of starting quarterback Ryan Tannehill but gave an ambivalent response. Philbin later expressed regret that his noncommittal approach to the question created a distraction for the club, which has fallen to 1-2 after a promising opening week win against the Patriots.

According to Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports, however, a deeper and more troubling internal struggle may be brewing in Miami. La Canfora writes that Dolphins players have expressed concerns with Philbin and his coordinators, and the relationship between Philbin and team executive Dawn Aponte has become frayed. Aponte hired former Jets GM Mike Tannenbaum as a team consultant, but since Tannenbaum’s primary job is as an agent representing coaches–like Seahawks defensive coordinator Dan Quinn, who will likely be on the list of top head coaching candidates after the season–it is fair to wonder how much longer Philbin will be roaming the Dolphins’ sidelines.

La Canfora adds that owner Stephen Ross has not, as he promised after the Richie Incognito/Jonathan Martin debacle, taken a more active role in the guidance of his team, but he is said to be covertly trying to lay the foundation to trade for current 49ers head coach Jim Harbaugh. Between those rumors and Philbin’s apparent wish to play backup signal-caller Matt Moore–which has displeased the front office, who have committed to Tannehill–the Dolphins may soon be in for a second front office overhaul in as many years.

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