HEADLINES

Tom Johnson

AFC Notes: Fins, Broncos, FA Targets, Ravens

March 1st, 2015 at 6:00pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Always among the biggest players in free agency, the Dolphins will look to fill several holes when the new league year begins next week. Corner, defensive tackle, and linebacker are among the positions that could use upgrades in South Beach, and Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald offers several names that could be of interest to the Fins. Per Jackson, the Dolphins have internally discussed both Kareem Jackson and Brandon Flowers at corner, and the club also wants to re-sign Jimmy Wilson.

Along the defensive line, Miami is interested in Tom Johnson, Corey Peters, and Terrance Knighton, the latter of whom, as Jackson adds, will be the most expensive. Kenrick Ellis is viewed as a “backup option,” while Haloti Ngata will be on the Dolphins’ radar if he’s released by the Ravens. At linebacker, Jackson has previously reported that Miami is intrigued by David Harris, Mason Foster, and Dan Skuta.

Here’s more from the AFC:

  • Like the Dolphins, the Broncos are expected to be heavily involved in free agency, as they have been for the duration of GM John Elway’s reign. According to Mike Klis of the Denver Post, the Broncos will target a variety of positions next week, with offensive line, safety, tight end, and defensive end among them. Center Rodney Hudson, edge defender Pernell McPhee, and and tight end Charles Clay all figure to spark Denver’s interest, per Klis, who adds that center is the one position where the Broncos will surely add a high-profile free agent.
  • Ravens cornerback Victor Hampton was arrested for DWI last night, tweets Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun. Hampton was signed to a futures deal in January, and given Baltimore’s low-tolerance for off-the-field incidents at the moment, Aaron Wilson of the Sun (via Twitter) doesn’t see Hampton ever setting foot on a field for the Ravens.
  • The Raiders haven’t officially released safety Tyvon Branch, leading Jason Fitzgerald of Over The Cap to believe (Twitter link) that Branch will be designated a post-June 1 cut. Such releases can’t be formalized until the new league year begins next week.
  • In a full-length piece, Fitzgerald takes a look at the Colts’ cap situation as they head into free agency. Check out PFR’s Connor Byrne’s Indianapolis outlook here.

NFC Mailbags: Panthers, Saints, Bears, Vikings

January 17th, 2015 at 8:43am CST by Ben Levine

It’s Saturday, and that means ESPN.com’s NFL writers are opening their mailbags and answering questions from readers. Let’s start off the morning by checking out some notes from the NFC…

Extra Points: Allen, Wayne, Eagles, Bears

December 31st, 2014 at 9:01pm CST by Zachary Links

Washington GM Bruce Allen held his year-end press conference today and was put in a position where he more or less had to defend his job, as Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk writes. At the presser, Allen defended the signing of free agent defensive end Jason Hatcher and putting the franchise tag on linebacker Brian Orakpo. Orakpo was given the franchise tag despite a serious injury history and Hatcher was given a lucrative deal despite mild production prior to his walk year. Here’s more from around the league in our New Year’s Eve edition of Extra Points..

  • If pressed for a decision, Colts wide receiver Reggie Wayne says he’d come back for 2015, ESPN.com’s Mike Wells writes. “If I had to answer that question today, I’d say I’ll be back… as long as the Colts would have me,” he said on his weekly radio show on WNDE-1260 AM in Indianapolis on Tuesday.
  • The Eagles released Tom Gamble, their vice president of player personnel, earlier today. The move adds weight to speculation that coach Chip Kelly and general manager Howie Roseman have not seen eye to eye over the last year, ESPN.com’s Phil Sheridan writes.
  • The Bears have requested to interview five GM candidates, according to ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter (on Twitter): Chris Ballard (Chiefs), Lake Dawson (Titans), Eric DeCosta (Ravens), Brian Gaine (Texans), and Ryan Pace (Saints).
  • Colts backup Matt Hasselbeck isn’t under contract for 2015, but he’s also not thinking about retirement, writes Stephen Holder of the Indianapolis Star. Neither he nor the Colts have discussed a return just yet, but he sounds very open to the idea.
  • The Buccaneers like Falcons offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter, but they could have competition for his services, according to Alex Marvez of FOX Sports. A source says that Koetter is held in high regard by two other head coaching candidates: Seattle defensive coordinator Dan Quinn and San Francisco defensive line coach Jim Tomsula.
  • Jason Fitzgerald of Over The Cap looked ahead at what’s in store for the Titans this offseason.
  • Vikings defensive tackle Tom Johnson declined a plea bargain on an October arrest, as Chris Tomasson of the Pioneer Press writes. Johnson becomes a free agent in early March and has said that he will seek a multi-year deal.

Vikings Notes: Berger, Johnson, Ponder, FAs

December 27th, 2014 at 9:37pm CST by Luke Adams

The Vikings have at least a dozen potential free agents on their roster at the moment, though not all of those players will have the opportunity to reach the open market. Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press spoke to several of those potential free-agents-to-be about their futures, so we’ll round up the notable comments right here:

  • Offensive lineman Joe Berger had been considering retirement, but may elect to continue his career after receiving plenty of playing time in the second half this season. “I’ve had fun playing and it’s been great the last eight, nine weeks, so I don’t know that [retirement] is what I’d want to do yet,” Berger said, adding that if he returns for an 11th season, he’d like to stay in Minnesota.
  • While Berger would be fine with another one-year contract, that’s not the case for defensive tackle Tom Johnson. “I’m trying to get more than a year deal somewhere,” Johnson said. “I want to go somewhere where I can pretty much end my career at. I got a couple of more years left in these legs.”
  • As Tomasson points out, Johnson may be the Vikings’ most sought-after free agent, but quarterback Christian Ponder will be the club’s biggest name available. Asked about what he’ll be looking for if he hits the open market, Ponder indicated that his top priority would be potential playing time. “Whether it’s (being with) a guy who is older and will be out of the league soon or a questionable quarterback situation where I can go in and compete,” Ponder said.
  • Linebacker Jasper Brinkley says he “definitely” wants to re-sign with the Vikings.
  • Of Minnesota’s two free agents, running back Matt Asiata is very likely to return, while tackle Mike Harris has a chance to be back, according to Tomasson.

NFC Notes: Harbaugh, Orton, Palmer, Johnson

October 5th, 2014 at 3:01pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Amid numerous reports of discontent in the 49ers locker room stemming from head coach Jim Harbaugh’s management style, the team’s owner has taken to social media to dispute the claims. “Jim is my coach,” said Jed York on Twitter. “We are trying to win a [Super Bowl], not a personality or popularity contest. Any more questions?” Jay Glazer of Fox Sports reported earlier today that there is “no way” Harbaugh returns to San Francisco in 2015, even if the team wins the Super Bowl. Until Harbaugh agrees to a contract extension, York & Co. will be forced to continue to respond to queries on their coach’s status. Let’s look at more from the NFC.

  • Among the reasons that new Bills starter Kyle Orton left the Cowboys was that his relationship with Tony Romo was “untenable,” according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link via NFL Network’s Around the League). Ed Werder of ESPN reported (via Twitter) much of the same last week, noting that Orton “hated the offensive power struggle.”
  • Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer, out since Week 1, has been working with a nerve specialist and has shown some improvement, per Glazer (on Twitter). Arizona is hopeful Palmer can return to the field by Week 6 or 7.
  • Vikings defensive tackle Tom Johnson was arrested for trespassing and disorderly conduct last night, tweets James Monical of KSTP in Minneapolis.

NFC Notes: Jackson, Saints, Ihedigbo, Vikings

March 20th, 2014 at 12:40pm CST by Luke Adams

The Eagles reportedly want at least a third round pick for DeSean Jackson via trade, but Jimmy Kempski of Philly.com believes that might actually be optimistic. This year’s draft is unusually deep, meaning that the asking price for picks will be exceptionally high. Clubs may also be concerned about how productive Jackson could be in their own offenses as opposed to Philadelphia’s system. Here’s more from around the NFC:

Zach Links contributed to this post.

Vikings Sign Tom Johnson

March 19th, 2014 at 6:40pm CST by Zachary Links

The Vikings have signed defensive tackle Tom Johnson to a one-year, $845K deal, tweets Tom Pelissero of USA Today. The former Saints notable gets $100K in bonuses and can earn another $600K in incentives. Those incentives can be earned through playing time and sacks, Pelissero adds (on Twitter).

Johnson, 29, was a restricted free agent this offseason but New Orleans opted not to tender him an offer. Johnson played in 40 games and totaled five sacks in three seasons with the Saints. After leaving Southern Mississippi in 2006, Johnson spent time in training camp with the Colts, then had various stints in NFL Europe, the AFL, and the CFL before finding a home in New Orleans. Now, he’ll look to establish himself in Minnesota, even if it’s just for the 2014 campaign.

Saints Won’t Tender Tom Johnson

February 20th, 2014 at 10:40pm CST by Peter Sowards

The Saints will not tender restricted free agent defensive tackle Tom Johnson, tweets USA Today’s Tom Pelissero. Johnson played in 40 games and totaled five sacks in three seasons with New Orleans.

After leaving Southern Mississippi in 2006, Johnson spent time in training camp with the Colts, then had various stints in NFL Europa, the AFL and the CFL before finding a home with the Saints.

Since Johnson went undrafted out of college, the Saints would not receive any draft pick compensation were they to place the lowest right of first refusal tender on him. But they would reserve to right to match any offer sheet he was offered.

The 2013 RFA original round and right of first refusal tenders amounted $1.32MM. With the 2014 salary cap projected to increase by $7MM, or 5%, one would expect a similar bump with the tenders.