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Tyron Smith

NFC Notes: Newton, Cowboys, Suh, Rams

March 25th, 2014 at 1:09pm CST by Luke Adams

Although the Panthers would like to eventually reach an agreement with quarterback Cam Newton that keeps him in Carolina for several years, for now the club expects to take advantage of its fifth-year option for 2015, GM Dave Gettleman confirmed today. As a top-10 pick in 2011, Newton will be in line for a fifth-year salary worth the amount of the quarterback transition tag. Here are a few more updates from across the NFC:

  • Like the Panthers, the Cowboys hope to lock up their own 2011 first-rounder, Tyron Smith, for the long-term, but in the meantime, “all signs point to” the club exercising its fifth-year option for 2015 on Smith, according to Brandon George of the Dallas Morning News.
  • Cowboys owner Jerry Jones dismissed the idea that his team is in rebuilding mode, as Calvin Watkins of ESPNDallas.com details.
  • Lions president Tom Lewand confirmed today that he has been in contact with Jimmy Sexton, the agent for Ndamukong Suh. However, the two sides won’t meet in Orlando to discuss an extension for Suh, since Lewand doesn’t believe it’s an ideal setting to do business (Twitter links via Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press).
  • Jimmy Graham of the Saints and Greg Hardy of the Panthers are still on the franchise tag for now, but Saints owner Tom Benson is very confident New Orleans will work out a multiyear deal with Graham sooner or later, writes Larry Holder of the Times-Picayune. As for Hardy, Gettleman says the Panthers are letting the smoke clear before revisiting a potential long-term contract for the star defensive end, tweets David Newton of ESPN.com.
  • Although the Rams may have some interest in Mark Sanchez, Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch believes that interest is tepid at best.
  • Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun reports (via Twitter) that both players the Rams signed on Monday received minimum-salary deals, with Greg Reid inking a three-year contract and Etienne Sabino signing for one year. Neither pact included a bonus.

NFC Links: Tate, Cowboys, Wynn, Falcons

February 28th, 2014 at 4:08pm CST by Luke Adams

Free-agent-to-be Golden Tate suggested there’s mutual interest between him and the Seahawks in a new contract, but said “only time will tell” if he remains in Seattle, writes Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times. Tate added that he doesn’t consider Riley Cooper’s contract as a sign of what sort of deal he may get, since the two receivers’ situations are “very, very different.”

Here’s more from around the NFC on a busy day in the NFL:

  • In a piece for CBSSports.com, Jason La Canfora explains why offensive tackle Tyron Smith may be better off waiting on a long-term deal, whereas the Cowboys will look to lock him up as soon as possible.
  • Speaking of the Cowboys, they have interest in bringing back free agent defensive tackle Jarius Wynn, tweets Calvin Watkins of ESPNDallas.com.
  • Despite the fact that offensive lineman Joe Hawley has never had an extended run as a starter in his four years in Atlanta, ESPN.com’s Vaughn McClure thinks the Falcons will prioritize re-signing the prospective free agent.
  • McClure also reports (on Twitter) that offensive tackle Jake Matthews met with the Falcons at the combine in Indianapolis. Matthews is expected to be one of the first tackles off the board in May’s draft, and Atlanta holds the sixth overall selection.

Extra Points: Fox, Monroe, Cowboys, Cap

February 20th, 2014 at 3:28pm CST by Luke Adams

There will be plenty of meetings between teams and player agents this week, but Ian Rapoport of NFL.com notes (via Twitter) that clubs will also have the opportunity to touch base with their coaches’ agents. The Broncos have a meeting scheduled this weekend with agent Bob LaMonte to discuss a new deal for head coach John Fox, according to Rapoport. Here’s more from around the league, as updates from the Indianapolis combine dominate the NFL news wire:

  • Speaking to Matt Zenitz of the Carroll County Times, offensive tackle Eugene Monroe confirmed that he and the Ravens have entered discussions about a new contract, and said those talks in and of themselves are a positive sign. Although Monroe cautioned that it’s still early, the free-agent-to-be said it would be “awesome” to continue as a Raven.
  • While the Cowboys are expected to explore extensions for wide receiver Dez Bryant and offensive tackle Tyron Smith this offseason, those talks haven’t gotten underway yet, according to Calvin Watkins of ESPNDallas.com.
  • In the wake of the new $130MM salary cap projection put forth by Adam Schefter this morning, Jason Fitzgerald of OverTheCap.com has adjusted his estimates for 2014’s restricted free agent tenders and franchise tags.
  • New Browns GM Ray Farmer told reporters, including Tony Grossi of ESPN Cleveland, that he’s looking forward to meeting with quarterback prospect Johnny Manziel.
  • While he likely won’t have much say in the decision, Jarrett Bush tells Tyler Dunne of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (Twitter link) that he’d be “shocked” if the Packers don’t re-sign fellow defensive back Sam Shields.
  • The Seahawks aren’t expected to use the franchise tag this year, reports Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times.
  • In a piece for the National Football Post, Joel Corry identifies 10 players who are candidates to restructure their contracts this offseason.

Cowboys Links: Bryant, Smith, Austin, Ware

February 20th, 2014 at 8:28am CST by Luke Adams

With a deadline of March 11 for getting under the 2014 cap, the Cowboys don’t sound like they’re in any hurry to make roster moves quite yet, writes Todd Archer of ESPN.com. Still, there are a number of interesting decisions to be made over the next several weeks by the team which has the most 2014 cap commitments in the NFL. Let’s check in on some of them….

  • While the Cowboys intend to spend “efficiently” in free agency, that doesn’t necessarily preclude contract extensions for wide receiver Dez Bryant or offensive tackle Tyron Smith, Archer notes in a separate ESPN.com blog post. Both players are eligible for long-term deals this summer, and executive vice president Stephen Jones suggests the team will “make decisions individually” on Bryant and Smith, meaning it’s possible that just one of the two will be extended this offseason.
  • Rainer Sabin of the Dallas Morning News contextualizes some comments made by Jones in examining the team’s options with Miles Austin and DeMarcus Ware.
  • Jason Fitzgerald of OverTheCap.com takes an in-depth look at how Terrell Suggs’ new extension with the Ravens could influence Ware’s contract negotiations with the Cowboys. Dallas may not have as much leverage as Baltimore did, but the club could create significant cap savings by cutting Ware, so he figures to be open to restructuring his deal.

Young Stars In Line For Payday

February 14th, 2014 at 8:43pm CST by Matt Feminis

The NFL published its “All-Under-25” team, highlighting the league’s best players under the age of 25. From a contractual standpoint, five stand out as free agents to be at the conclusion of the 2014 season:

  • Rams defensive end Robert Quinn – Everyone knew Quinn was dripping with upside when the Rams picked him the first round of the 2011 draft, and the pass rusher extraordinaire’s third season was something to behold. Quinn was an unblockable one-man wrecking crew, garnering NFL Defensive Player of the Year honors and putting himself in position to break the bank on his second deal.
  • Cowboys left tackle Tyron Smith – Knocking on the door of elite status at a critical position, Smith is expected to get a mega contract extension to ensure the safety of Tony Romo‘s blind side.
  • Cardinals cornerback Patrick Peterson – Did not have as many impact plays in 2013, but is a three-time Pro Bowler and legitimate No. 1 coverman at a time when big cornerbacks are in high demand.
  • Bengals middle linebacker Vontaze Burfict – Pre-draft character concerns which knocked him off draft boards and seem like a distant memory now. Burfict played at an elite level, leading the league with 171 tackles. If he behaves himself for another year, he’ll receive an exponential bump from his six-figure 2014 salary.
  • Titans defensive tackle Jurrell Casey – A stout run defender, Casey’s sack production jumped from 5.5 2011-2012 to 10.5 in 2013 when he was one of the most balanced interior defenders in the league.