HEADLINES

Ryan Tannehill

AFC Notes: Titans, Dolphins, Ravens, Steelers

March 27th, 2014 at 10:18pm CST by Ben Levine

Let’s take a look at some rumblings from around the AFC to wrap up this Thursday night…

  • The Titans hope to keep linebacker Kamerion Wimbley but are apprehensive about his high salary, tweets Paul Kuharsky of ESPN.com.
  • The current quandary between the Titans and Chris Johnson is similar to what the team went through with Steve McNair in 2006, writes Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. That offseason, the team attempted to trade their quarterback but couldn’t find any suitors. McNair “forced” the issue by showing up for offseason workouts, which the Titans prevented him from attending. McNair filed a grievance, which he eventually won.
  • Since the Dolphins don’t have to pay a franchise quarterback, the team is currently in “the golden years” with their cap, tweets James Walker of ESPN. As Walker points out, they’ll eventually have to pay someone at the position (whether it’s Ryan Tannehill or somebody else). As a result, this is the time to take advantage of the flexibility (via Twitter).
  • If the Ravens were to address two more positions in free agency, it would likely be tight end and a backup defensive lineman, writes Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com. Hensley suggests that the tight end could be Ed Dickson on a cheap deal.
  • Wide receiver is one of the Steelers‘ biggest needs, opines Scott Brown of ESPN.com, and the team will likely add to their depth via the draft. Brown adds that the team could consider reuniting with Plaxico Burress, but also adds that he can’t see the team adding another veteran wideout after inking Lance Moore to a deal.

Combine Updates: Boldin, Jags, Dolphins

February 20th, 2014 at 2:53pm CST by Luke Adams

“It’s not just me who wants Anquan Boldin back,” 49ers head coach Jim Harbaugh said today of the team’s No. 1 receiver in 2013, according to Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com. Suggesting that the San Francisco decision-makers are unanimous in wanting to re-sign Boldin, Harbaugh added that negotiations are heading in a “positive direction.” The Niners coach wasn’t the only one providing noteworthy quotes this afternoon at the combine. Here are several more notable updates from Indianapolis:

  • The Jaguars intend to meet with the top three quarterback prospects – Johnny Manziel, Teddy Bridgewater, and Blake Bortles – this weekend, according to GM Dave Caldwell (Twitter link via Ryan O’Hallaran of the Florida Times-Union). However, Caldwell also suggested it would be beneficial for the team to trade down from No. 3 overall, since the draft is so deep (Twitter link via Hays Carlyon of the Times-Union).
  • Asked if he expected prospective free agent Chad Henne to hit the open market, Caldwell replied, “I don’t think so,” suggesting that the Jaguars could reach an agreement with their incumbent starter prior to March 11 (Twitter link via O’Hallaran).
  • Broncos head coach John Fox is comfortable with the idea of moving forward with running Montee Ball if Knowshon Moreno leaves Denver in free agency, writes Mike Klis of the Denver Post.
  • Responding to a report that suggested the Dolphins might bench Ryan Tannehill for Matt Moore at some point in 2014, new Miami GM Dennis Hickey expressed confidence in Tannehill. Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald has that quote and several more from Hickey, who insisted that free agents will be attracted to the organization despite the recent controversy surrounding the team.
  • The Bears head into the 2014 season carrying three punters on their roster, meaning veteran Adam Podlesh will have to fight for the job, according to GM Phil Emery. Drew Butler and Tress Way will also be in the mix, as Jeff Dickerson of ESPN Chicago details.
  • Projected first-round tight end Eric Ebron confirmed to reporters, including Matt Zenitz of the Carroll County Times (Twitter link), that the Ravens and Packers are among the teams with whom he’ll interview today. Tight end Jace Amaro will also meet with the Ravens, according to Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (Twitter link), while ESPN.com’s Rob Demovsky writes that Wisconsin offensive lineman Ryan Groy met with the Packers.

Dolphins Rumors: Grimes, Patterson, Tannehill

February 7th, 2014 at 10:31am CST by Luke Adams

Rookie general manager Dennis Hickey will have his work cut out for him in Miami, according to Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com, who takes a detailed look at the offseason decisions facing the Dolphins. La Canfora’s piece is filled with notable tidbits, so let’s dive and round up some of the highlights….

  • Several team and league sources tell La Canfora that bringing back cornerback Brent Grimes is a top priority for the Dolphins. Grimes will be eligible for free agency next month, and could earn the franchise tag if he and the team can’t work out a long-term deal.
  • It’s “virtually certain” that Dimitri Patterson won’t be back at his current salary ($5.4MM), though he could return to the Dolphins at a lesser figure.
  • Defensive tackles Randy Starks and Paul Soliai are both free-agents-to-be, and the Dolphins will likely only keep one of the two, sources tell La Canfora.
  • Pro Bowl center Mike Pouncey “might not be inclined” to play for his current 2014 salary of $1.7MM, and figures to seek an extension that will put him among the highest-paid players at his position, says La Canfora.
  • Said one person who interviewed for the Dolphins’ GM job: “It’s a total rebuild on the offensive line. They seemed to understand that there. Total rebuild. I’m not sure exactly how much of their budget they were planning to put into the line, but it had better be substantial.”
  • Dolphins head coach Joe Philbin “definitely wants to push [Ryan] Tannehill more,” according to one source, who adds that the club could turn to highly-paid backup Matt Moore if Tannehill doesn’t show noticeable improvement.
  • According to La Canfora, Hickey’s contract with the Dolphins is for two years, with a team option for year three, as I speculated earlier in the week.
  • If 2014 doesn’t go well for the Dolphins, there’s a possibility that the team could jettison Philbin and renew its pursuit of an A-list coach, such as Jim Harbaugh, Bill Cowher, or Jon Gruden, writes La Canfora.

Miami GM Job Risky Proposition

January 25th, 2014 at 12:01pm CST by Matt Feminis

There is certainly something to be said for the fact that only 32 NFL general manager positions exist, but potential candidates for the open GM chair in Miami might be reticent because of the uncertainty and risk attached. The Dolphins are offering interviewees no power beyond roster construction, according to a mailbag piece from ESPN’s James Walker.

Walker highlights the inherent instability a prospective hire would inherit, including the fact he would not have contractual power to make a coaching change. What’s more, in the event Joe Philbin is let go, it’s unclear how much influence the GM would have in selecting a successor. Potential candidates undoubtedly know and understand the importance of a well-oiled power structure, and the Dolphins do not appear to have a solid infrastructure in place for sustained success.

Such an unstable environment could be scaring away candidates unwilling to risk their reputation on a job that could be two or three years and done. This does not even take into consideration the state of the roster going forward. If, for example, a potential candidate is not sold on Ryan Tannehill as a franchise quarterback, it’s easy to understand how an ascending executive would bypass the opportunity, opting not to jump on board a rudderless, sinking ship so as not to jeopardize his industry standing.