Von Miller - Pro Football Rumors

AFC Notes: M. Williams, Reich, Broncos, Jets

December 2nd, 2015 at 8:59am CST by Luke Adams

There are only 10 NFL players who will have higher cap hits than Mario Williams in 2016, and eight of those players are quarterbacks. As such, Mike Rodak of ESPN.com thinks it would be wise for the Bills to give serious consideration to moving on from the standout defensive end in the offseason. Buffalo could use the cap room, and simply releasing Williams would give the club much more flexibility than trying to restructure his contracts.

Here’s more from around the AFC:

Chargers offensive coordinator Frank Reich, who received consideration for a couple NFL head coaching positions last winter, interviewed this week for the head coaching job at the University of Maryland, according to Don Markus of the Baltimore Sun.
Even if Brock Osweiler continues to have success for the Broncos down the stretch, the quarterback could likely be signed on a multiyear deal worth about $10MM per year, Mike Klis of 9News suggests in his latest mailbag. In Klis’ view, there’s virtually no chance that Von Miller doesn’t get the franchise tag from the Broncos.
When Osweiler took over as the Broncos‘ starting quarterback, Troy Renck of the Denver Post thought the team may look to bring back James Casey as a fullback. However, he concedes that adding a fullback would be a luxury for Denver at this point.
With Brandon Marshall having emerged as the “go-to guy” for quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick, Brian Costello of the New York Post writes that the Jets‘ acquisition of the veteran receiver is looking like a steal for general manager Mike Maccagnan.
New Patriots slot wide receiver Damaris Johnson will probably factor into the mix in 2016 if things go well, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com tweets. Johnson inked a two-year deal with the Patriots on Tuesday and he’s ostensibly being brought aboard for his return skills.

Zach Links contributed to this post.

AFC Notes: Gronk, Hightower, Broncos, Bengals

November 30th, 2015 at 2:42pm CST by Luke Adams

After checking in on a few items from out of the NFC earlier this afternoon, let’s shift our focus to the AFC and round up the latest….

The MRI on Rob Gronkowski‘s knee revealed only a minor knee strain, according to Jeff Howe of the Boston Herald (Twitter link). The star tight end will likely be good to go in a week or two, which is great news for the Patriots.
The Patriots also got relatively good news on linebacker Dont’a Hightower, who is week to week with his knee injury, per Dianna Marie Russini of ESPN.com (Twitter link). Russini adds that Hightower will be re-evaluated within the next few days.
The Broncos suddenly have a contracts problem on their hands for 2016, according to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk, who notes that the team will only be able to rely on the franchise tag to retain one of Brock Osweiler and Von Miller. Osweiler has won his first two starts as a Bronco, but it seems a little too early to assume he’s worthy of a significant investment. After five more regular season games and at least one playoff contest, Denver should have a much better idea of Osweiler’s value.
The Bengals worked out six defensive backs today, including cornerback Bradley Fletcher, tweets Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com. According to Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post (Twitter link), cornerback Chykie Brown was also a part of that group. With Darqueze Dennard out for the season, and other members of the secondary banged up, Cincinnati seems to be keeping an eye out for possible depth additions.

AFC West Notes: Broncos, Miller, Chargers

November 19th, 2015 at 9:16pm CST by Zachary Links

Here’s a look at the AFC West:

Gil Brandt of NFL.com ran down six pending free agents who should be retained by their current teams and six who should be allowed to walk away. Both Broncos outside linebacker Von Miller and Broncos quarterback Brock Osweiler landed in the keeper pile. Miller, 26, is a cornerstone of the Broncos’ elite defense and he has compiled 54 sacks since going No. 2 overall in the 2011 draft. Osweiler, meanwhile, hasn’t really gotten to show his stuff, but Brandt writes that he is a solid athlete with a ton of potential.
Wide receiver Tyrell Williams is likely to be promoted from the Chargers‘ practice squad to the active roster by Saturday afternoon, Michael Gehlken of U-T San Diego writes. Williams is likely to get the opportunity with veteran Malcom Floyd still nursing a torn labrum. For his part, Williams is thankful for everything he has learned from Floyd. “It’s been awesome, especially on the field,” Williams said of learning behind Floyd. “I can see how to get in and out of my breaks from another guy who has long strides. I just try to copy everything that he’s been doing, whether it’s on the field or off the field. It’s been awesome.”
Both the Alleghany County sheriff and prosecutor believe that Raiders linebacker Ray-Ray Armstrong was not acting with malice when he taunted a police dog earlier this month, as The Associated Press writes. That bodes well for Armstrong, who theoretically could have been facing third-degree felony chargers. Police alleged that Armstrong lifted his shirt, pounded his chest, and barked at a police dog before telling its handler to let it off the leash. The local D.A. will consult with authorities in California, but it doesn’t sound like much will come of those talks at this point.

West Notes: Chancellor, Bennett, L.A.

September 18th, 2015 at 10:30am CST by Luke Adams

In last night’s game vs. the Chiefs, Broncos pass rusher Von Miller recorded his first sack of the 2015 season, making him the third-fastest player in NFL history to reach 50 career sacks — Miller did it in just his 58th career regular season game (Twitter link).

Under new defensive coordinator Wade Phillips, Miller looks primed for another big year, which makes Denver’s recent extension with Demaryius Thomas all the more important. By extending Thomas in July, the Broncos freed up their 2016 franchise tag to potentially use on Miller, if the two sides don’t reach a long-term extension. With his contract set to expire at season’s end, the 26-year-old looks like one of the most obvious franchise-tag candidates in the league for next offseason.

Here are a few more items from out of the league’s two West divisions:

Peter King of TheMMQB.com can’t see Seahawks GM John Schneider caving to Kam Chancellor, even if Seattle loses again in Week 2. King also thinks it’ll be a while before the club seriously consider trading its star safety, who is continuing his holdout.
Seahawks defensive end Michael Bennett told reporters on Thursday that, while he’s also unhappy with his contract, his situation is different than Chancellor’s, since he can’t afford to roll the dice on a holdout with a wife and three kids to support. As Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk observes, Bennett’s situation is also different because he has a more legitimate gripe about his contract, which was signed when he was still a part-time player. After he signed the deal, Bennett was elevated into more of a full-time role, which suggests he should be paid more.
Andy Dolich of CSNBayArea.com examines the possibility of an NFL team relocating to Los Angeles by breaking down demographics and the interest level of football fans in the L.A. market. Of course, the Raiders, Rams, and Chargers are all viewed as potential relocation candidates.

AFC Notes: Von, Texans, Browns, Pats

September 11th, 2015 at 7:45pm CST by Connor J. Byrne

Broncos linebacker Von Miller is a rarity – a star from the 2011 draft class who hasn’t yet signed a mega-extension, writes Mike Klis of 9News.

Miller, who went second overall, has piled up 49 sacks in 56 regular-season games, three Pro Bowl bids and a pair of All-Pro selections. While he’s had to watch as fellow draft class members Cam Newton, Marcell Dareus, A.J. Green and J.J. Watt have signed huge deals, Miller isn’t concerned.

“I’d like to think that the way I handle stuff, I handle stuff a whole lot different than a normal guy would. I’m good,” he said.

The Broncos are currently maxed out on their 2015 payroll and won’t be able to extend Miller until next offseason, according to Klis, so Miller will have to wait a little longer for his colossal payday. In the meantime, Miller’s in a contract year and will look to build on last season’s 14-sack output.

Here’s more from the AFC:

The Texans won’t be particularly adventurous with their two-point conversion usage this year, head coach Bill O’Brien told Jeff Adams of the Houston Chronicle. “As far as going for two, we probably don’t think much about it much until the fourth quarter unless it’s something that an oddity comes up during the game and we feel like we have to do that.”
Browns head coach Mike Pettine is confident that recently released Terrelle Pryor will turn into a quality NFL receiver, but the timing wasn’t right in Cleveland. “The fact is that [Pryor] wasn’t [healthy] and that he was not prepared at this point to be a viable productive member,” Pettine said, according to Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal. “I’m not saying that he never will be. I’m very confident that he will be knowing his work ethic. Knowing his skill set, he will be. Like I said, it’s timing and it’s circumstances.”
The Patriots worked out a linebacker, Darius Eubanks, and two defensive backs, Tay Glover-Wright and Joel Ross, on Friday (Twitter link via Mike Reiss of ESPNBoston.com).

Reactions to Aldon Smith Release

August 8th, 2015 at 11:15am CST by Ben Levine

Following linebacker Aldon Smith‘s release from the 49ers yesterday, some of his former teammates voiced their concern for the 25-year-old. Still, consider all the turnover this offseason, the players know it’s best to look forward, and they made that clear in their comments to Eric Branch of SFGate.com.

“It’s a tough loss for us,” said wideout Anquan Boldin. “Aldon’s a great football player and it’s tough to replace someone like that … As a team, we have to move forward. We have no choice. And I think we’ll get over it. We’ve got some guys behind him that are capable of getting the job done.

“I think everybody was shocked. I wasn’t here the entire offseason, but from what I’ve gathered he’s worked his butt off. And it looked that way when I got here. So I think it was just a shock to everybody.”

Let’s check out some more reactions to Smith’s arrest and subsequent release…

The 49ers deliberately protected themselves when they restructured Smith’s contract in March, writes Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com. The writer reports that the team had previously considered releasing the embattled player, and they were leaning towards not picking up his fifth-year option for 2015. When the sides restructured, Smith signed a deal that would only guarantee his salary if he was on the roster for the whole season. “It wasn’t like they said, ‘If you don’t do this, you’re cut,’” said Doug Hendrickson, one of Smith’s representatives. “The thought behind it is that Aldon realizes he’s been his own worst enemy. He has come a long way since he was suspended. Ultimately his goal, my goal, and the team’s goal is for him to sign a long-term contract with the Niners.”
Smith was “poised for a revival,” says Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee, and the writer believes coach Jim Tomsula‘s comments following the linebacker’s release echoed that sentiment. “You saw a man fighting and working and trying, and I think, to a man in this building, and you’ve been to practice to watch him, the energy about him,” Tomsula said. “Once again, real life. Everybody has struggles – they’re just in different ways.”
Despite the Raiders‘ clear need for a pass-rushing defender, Steve Corkran of Raiderbeat.com doesn’t believe the team should pursue Smith. While the team is in “dire” need of an impact defender, Corkran says the embattled linebacker “isn’t worth the trouble.”
Smith’s issues are a reminder of what Broncos linebacker Von Miller could have become, writes Mike Klis of 9News in Denver. Both players were 2011 first-round picks, and they both battled substance abuse issues earlier in their careers. However, Miller has managed to stay clean over the past couple of seasons. “He was there for me and I’m going to be there for him—wherever that may be,” Miller said. “He’s just going through a tough patch right now. We all go through a tough patch. I have full confidence that he will be able to get out of it. We’ll see the same Aldon Smith that we saw his first two years in the league. It’s just tough right now. People go through tough times. I’ll be the first one to tell you. I’ve been through a lot of stuff and I’m going to be there for him however long it is to get him back right.”

West Notes: Von, Chancellor, McDaniel, Hawks

August 2nd, 2015 at 2:56pm CST by Rory Parks

After getting drug tested multiple times a week for two years, Broncos LB Von Miller has been released from the league’s substance abuse program, according to Mike Klis of 9News.com. The news comes at a great time for Miller, who is in the final year of his contract and who now has a long track record of clean drug tests to present to teams interested in his services.

Let’s take a look at some more from the West divisions, including notes from Seattle:

Now that the Seahawks have extended both Russell Wilson and Bobby Wagner, head coach Pete Carroll says the club can turn its attention to bringing safety Kam Chancellor back in the fold (Twitter link via Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times). Chancellor, set to earn $4.55MM in 2015, is holding out while aiming for a new contract.
Former NFL receiver Tim Brown told SiriusXM NFL Radio (Twitter link) that Seattle’s decision to release Tony McDaniel in order to fit in Wilson and Wagner’s contracts could lead to a locker room problem. While that may be true, I find it hard to believe that Seahawks players wouldn’t accept the club making the moves necessary to keep two of its stars.
McDaniel might not be gone for long, as Carroll tells Condotta (via Twitter) that the Seahawks would like to re-sign the veteran defensive tackle, obviously at a lower salary.
NFL agent Brett Tessler tweets that the Seahawks are bringing in Gabe Miller for a workout tomorrow. Miller played outside linebacker for Washington last season, but he will try out for Seattle as a tight end.
The Broncos will bring in former Kansas receiver Nigel King for an audition today, according to Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (Twitter link). King went undrafted earlier this year.

Dallas Robinson contributed to this post.

AFC Notes: Miller, Rivers, Dareus, Jets

August 1st, 2015 at 9:35pm CST by Luke Adams

Two years ago, Broncos pass rusher Von Miller was suspended six games for violating the NFL’s substance abuse program, and missed nearly half the 2013 season. However, last season, he played all 16 of Denver’s regular season contests, and a source tells Mike Klis of 9NEWS that after not testing positive for two years, Miller is no longer in the league’s drug program.

Typically, multiple positive tests result in harsher and harsher penalties for players, as we’ve with someone like Josh Gordon. But a positive test for Miller at this point wouldn’t result in significant discipline, since his status has been reset, writes Klis. It’s an extremely positive development for Miller as he enters a contract year, since the Broncos will have less reason to be concerned about him missing games in the future, making the team more likely to offer him a lucrative extension.

Here’s more from around the AFC:

Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers confirmed today that there are no new developments on the contract extension front, tweets Alex Marvez of FOX Sports. According to Rivers, the two sides will likely shelve negotiations until 2016 if they don’t reach an agreement within the next 10 or 12 days.
According to Vic Carucci of The Buffalo News, Marcell Dareus seems encouraged by the progress that has been made in contract discussions between him and the Bills, joking that he owes a thank-you to Ndamukong Suh for resetting the market this offseason.
Jets GM Mike Maccagnan expressed support for Sheldon Richardson following his recent arrest, indicating that he and the Jets will devote resources to helping the standout defensive lineman, as Rich Cimini of ESPNNewYork.com outlines. However, Maccagnan was noncommittal on Richardson’s long-term future with the Jets, and acknowledged that there’s “a degree of trust that has been broken.”
Chargers defensive end Tenny Palepoi suffered a fractured foot, and will likely be sidelined for two months, a source tells Michael Gehlken of the San Diego Union-Tribune. Depending on how Palepoi’s recovery progresses, he could be a candidate for the injured reserve list with the designation to return, though the Chargers may prefer to save that one-time designation for someone else.

AFC Notes: Broncos, Colts, Raiders

July 24th, 2015 at 8:46pm CST by Connor J. Byrne

Here’s the latest from around the AFC as Friday wraps up:

Broncos defensive lineman Antonio Smith missed voluntary offseason workouts because of an ongoing investigation into criminal abuse allegations against him in Texas. However, he could be with the Broncos when veterans report to their training camp Thursday, Nicki Jhabvala and Troy Renck of the Denver Post report. The 10-year veteran spent last season with AFC West rival Oakland, racking up three sacks (giving him 44.5 for his career), before signing with Denver as a free agent.
Kansas City’s Justin Houston signed the richest deal ever for a linebacker earlier this month (six years, $101.5MM with $52.5MM guaranteed), which sets the bar for the Broncos’ Von Miller‘s next contract, writes Jhabvala. “I guarantee you Von thinks he deserves Justin Houston money,” Joel Corry of CBS Sports, an ex-agent, told Jhabvala. By career sack total alone, Miller has a case: He has 49 in four seasons, while Houston has 48.5 in the same amount of years.
It’s always risky to expect big things from a player returning from a torn Achilles’, which Colts pass rusher Robert Mathis is doing this season, but head coach Chuck Pagano has high hopes for the 34-year-old linebacker. “He will make a huge impact this season,” Pagano said, according to ESPN’s Ed Werder (via Twitter). Mathis missed all of last season after leading the league in sacks with 19.5 in 2013.
In other Colts news, Kevin Bowen of the team’s official website wrote of the concerns centering on the club’s offensive line as the season nears. Indy needs a major bounce-back season from veteran right tackle Gosder Cherilus, who struggled with injuries and poor play last year, and for newly signed Todd Herremans to be the answer at right guard.
Running back Latavius Murray was one of the Raiders’ few standouts last season, rushing for 424 yards on 82 attempts (a sterling 5.2 per-carry average) during his first year of action. Oakland is counting on him to be its No. 1 back this season, writes Scott Bair of CSNBayArea.com. That would mean a significant increase in workload for the 2013 sixth-round pick.

John Elway Discusses Thomas, Dez, Miller

July 18th, 2015 at 9:39am CST by Ben Levine

It’s been a busy couple of days for John Elway and the Broncos. The team managed to ignore a number of collusion allegations, and they ultimately re-signed star wideout Demaryius Thomas to a five-year extension.

With the hectic negotiations behind them, Denver’s General Manager and Executive Vice President of Football Operations sat down with DenverBroncos.com to discuss the entire ordeal. We’ve compiled some of the more interesting quotes, which you can find below…

On the timing of negotiations:

“It really started this morning (July 15th). I think that we had met with [Thomas’ agent] Todd France back in end of May—first of June—and both got our offers on the table. At that point in time, there wasn’t any movement until this morning. Once again, things got going this morning. That’s really when we had get a deal done.”

On how the contract will effect the team’s future cap space:

“We prepare for all of those [scenarios]. We look at what the value is to the Broncos, what we can afford, how that fits into the structure and how that fits into our football team. All of those things are going into consideration when we determine what we’re going to pay somebody. We’re well aware of the people that we have coming up. We have a lot of good football players coming up. But with Demaryius—he’s obviously a big part of that and he’s the first part of trying to keep this football team together. I think it was a very fair deal for both sides.”

On whether they referred to the Dez Bryant extension during negotiations:

“We had our numbers set up and picked out. We tried to figure out what we believed was the correct value for us and for the Broncos as well as Demaryius. I think it just took a while to get to that point. Any time you have two special football players at the same position that are going into a franchise year, there is always caution that no one jumps the gun. I think it went as long as it went to be able to make sure that everybody—especially from the agent side—that they were where they needed to be.”

On how the Thomas extension will impact talks with Von Miller:

“We are always planning for the future. Everyone talks about us winning now, and my point is that we want to win from now on. When we go through our budget meetings year in and year out, that is what we look at. We have a three-year plan and a four-year plan, and we try to look into the future to see where we are in order to budget everybody to keep all of our great football players. That is what we want to do—draft well, keep our own and fill in with free agency where we can. D.T. was the first step. We will have a plan for Von next year as well as with other players. We have several other really good football players coming into their last year. We’ll monitor as many as we can. It’s impossible to hold on to everybody in the salary cap era, but we’re going to do the very best we can to keep them all.”