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AFC West Notes: Thomas, Broncos, Houston

July 17th, 2015 at 5:04pm CST by Luke Adams

While the NFL Player’s Association appeared ready to drop its collusion investigation into the Cowboys and Broncos after Dez Bryant and Demaryius Thomas signed new contracts on Wednesday, the union is still considering filing a complaint, a source tells Lindsay H. Jones of USA Today Sports. Both the Cowboys and Broncos have been informed that the NFLPA has not yet lifted its request that front office officials preserve writen and digital correspondence that could be used as evidence of collusion, writes Jones.

Even if the Cowboys and Broncos did discuss Bryant’s and Thomas’ contract situations, it seems unlikely that there’s a smoking gun, and now that both wideouts have long-term deals – perhaps with the help of legal collusion by their agents – it seems unnecessary for the NFLPA to pursue another drawn-out legal battle with the league. As such, I’d guess that the union will eventually drop its investigation, but it sounds like we’ll have to wait until at least next week to know for sure.

As we await word from the NFLPA, let’s check out some more updates from out of the AFC West, with a focus on Thomas’ and Justin Houston‘s extensions….

  • A report earlier this week suggested that Thomas was prepared to skip training camp and the preseason if he didn’t get a new contract this week, but earlier today the wideout admitted, “I wasn’t going to sit out games” (Twitter link via Jeff Legwold of ESPN.com). Thomas also suggested that he “kind of knew the whole morning” on Wednesday that he and the Broncos would get something done (Twitter link via Legwold).
  • During the negotiations with Thomas, GM John Elway was mindful of how other extension-eligible players – particularly Von Miller – will fit into the team’s budget down the road, writes Nicki Jhabvala of the Denver Post.
  • At OverTheCap.com, Zack Moore dives deep into Houston’s new six-year contract with the Chiefs to determine its value, while Jason Fitzgerald lays out the year-by-year figures for the deal in chart form.
  • In explaining why he felt like it was “very important” to remain in Kansas City long-term, Houston credited Andy Reid, explaining that the Chiefs head coach pushed him to become a better player. Terez A. Paylor of the Kansas City Star has the details and quotes from the star pass rusher.

Latest On Demaryius Thomas

June 9th, 2015 at 2:08pm CST by Luke Adams

The Broncos were one of six NFL teams to open their June minicamp today, and despite the fact that these sessions are mandatory, the team wasn’t expecting Demaryius Thomas to be in attendance, tweets Albert Breer of the NFL Network. As anticipated, the standout receiver, who was franchise-tagged by the Broncos earlier this offseason, didn’t report to the camp.

Because he has yet to sign his one-year franchise tender, Thomas isn’t subject to fines for missing the mandatory sessions, as Breer observes. If he were officially under contract with the team, the 27-year-old could be fined up to about $70K for missing the June minicamp.

The Broncos have until July 15 to reach a long-term agreement with Thomas. If the two sides don’t strike a deal, the wideout’s only real option is playing the 2015 season on his one-year, $12.823MM offer, unless he wants to extend his holdout into training camp and perhaps into the regular season as well.

As Mike Klis of the Denver Post writes, it’s important that the team does everything it can to lock up Thomas this year, since Von Miller is eligible for free agency in 2016 — if both stars are unsigned next winter, the Broncos would face a very difficult decision when using its franchise tag, which can only be assigned to one player.

Head coach Gary Kubiak said today that he’s “confident” Denver will get an extension done with Thomas before training camp, tweets Jeff Legwold of ESPN.com. While that confidence may be warranted, I expect negotiations between the two sides to go right down to the wire, with resolution coming near – or on – July 15, if it comes at all.

Extension Candidate: Von Miller

November 1st, 2014 at 10:33pm CST by Luke Adams

Although they came into the season looking up at the defending-champion Seahawks, having been steamrolled by Russell Wilson and company back in February’s Super Bowl, the Broncos have since established themselves as 2014’s best team through eight weeks. At 6-1, Denver’s only loss came against those aforementioned Seahawks, and that was an overtime contest that could’ve gone either way. With solid victories against the Colts, Chiefs, Cardinals, 49ers, and Chargers also on their 2014 resumé, the Broncos head into the second half in pole position for the AFC’s top seed.NFL: Indianapolis Colts at Denver Broncos

Everything is firing on all cylinders now for the Broncos, but at season’s end, the team will have several tough decisions to make. Impact players like wideouts Demaryius Thomas and Wes Welker, tight end Julius Thomas, and cornerback Chris Harris face potential unrestricted free agency, and with about $108MM in salaries already on the books for 2015, the team may not have the flexibility to retain all its key players.

While those players whose deals expire at the end of the 2014 season will likely be Denver’s top priorities, the team also figures to address another important contract situation this offseason, with standout linebacker Von Miller eligible for an extension. Denver picked up its fifth-year option on Miller this past spring, meaning he’s under contract for a $9.754MM salary in 2015. However, it may be in both sides’ best interests to work out a longer-term agreement, one that locks up Miller for a few additional years and perhaps lowers his cap hit for ’15.

Two years ago, Miller was one of the league’s best defensive players in just his second NFL season, piling up 18.5 sacks and forcing six fumbles for the Broncos, earning himself a Pro Bowl spot and a First-Team All-Pro nod. 2013 was a struggle for Miller though, beginning with a six-game suspension for attempting to cheat a drug test and ending with a torn ACL that ended his year early. In between, the former second overall pick also recorded just five sacks in nine games and dealt with off-field legal issues.

As such, 2014 was an important year for Miller as the team assessed which soon-to-be free agents would be part of the long-term plans in Denver, and which were more expendable. So far, the 25-year-old’s play hasn’t left any doubt — the Broncos should do everything they can to lock him up. Through seven games, only Justin Houston of the divisional-rival Chiefs has more sacks (10) than Miller’s nine.

Of course, even in 2013, an apparent down year, advanced metrics suggested that Miller was far and away the best 4-3 outside linebacker in the league. Since he entered the NFL in 2011, Miller has ranked atop the list of qualified players at the position, and it hasn’t been close, according to Pro Football Focus’ data (subscription required). Miller’s grades of +48.2, +82.6, +42.8, and +26.4 have given him a double-digit margin over the runner-up in each of his four seasons, and have provided an indication of just how good he is against the run as well as the pass — his grade as a run defender has placed first among 4-3 OLBs in each of his four seasons.

There’s no question then that any team would love to have Miller on the field, and if he were a model citizen off the field, it would probably be just a matter of time until he signed one of the most lucrative contract extensions in all of football. But those off-field problems that have nagged Miller throughout his career figure to come up in contract negotiations, even if accounts out of Denver this season suggest that the Texas A&M product is developing into one of the Broncos’ leaders on defense. With the NFL facing increased public scrutiny in recent months, the league’s policies and penalties for off-field transgressions could become more punitive, and the risk of future suspensions for Miller might make the Broncos shy away from making a massive investment.

Still, it’s hard to downplay Miller’s on-field contributions. With the exception of J.J. Watt and perhaps a couple other players, no defender in the league has the sort of impact at his position that Miller does. Offseason additions like Aqib Talib, T.J. Ward, and DeMarcus Ware have played a part in the Broncos’ improved defense this season, but Miller is the unit’s most valuable piece, and I’d be shocked if the club ever let him reach the open market, even if there are lingering concerns about his off-field conduct.

In order to re-sign players like the Thomases and Harris in the offseason, the Broncos may look to reduce Miller’s $9.754MM cap hit for 2015 by signing him to an extension that pushes some of that money back to future seasons. If the two sides do try to work something out this winter, recent contracts signed by pass rushers like Tamba Hali and Trent Cole could serve as a baseline for Miller’s new deal. Given his astronomical numbers, I’d expect a deal for Miller to exceed the $11.5-12MM annual salaries secured by those players and perhaps land in the neighborhood of contracts signed by Charles Johnson, Robert Quinn, or even Mario Williams.

Those three deals range from four to six years, at a rate of $12.5-16MM per season, with between $15-32MM in guaranteed money. Based on Miller’s history and the Broncos’ typical method for structuring contracts, I could picture the two sides agreeing to a deal for something in the neighborhood of five years and $70-75MM, with a fairly modest guarantee — perhaps $15MM or so. An offer like that would give Miller the opportunity to earn significant annual salaries while giving the team some insurance in case the veteran’s off-field issues resurface.

General manager John Elway and company aren’t likely to address Miller’s contract, or any others, until after the season, but these negotiations shouldn’t be overlooked, even as the team attempts to re-sign Peyton Manning‘s top receivers (Thomas and Thomas) and the defense’s best cornerback (Harris). Playing out the 2015 season with Miller on a one-year deal is a possibility, particularly if the team wants to see him continue to mature, but this winter could be the best time to hammer out a long-term contract from a financial perspective.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

West Notes: Sherman, Miller, Harvin, 49ers

September 5th, 2014 at 9:54am CST by Zachary Links

The Packers didn’t throw the ball in Richard Sherman‘s direction last night and, after the game, the Seahawks star cornerback had a few quick words with Aaron Rodgers, writes Jason McIntyre of The Big Lead. “You avoided me, didn’t you?” Sherman appeared to ask. Pausing for a second, Rodgers responded, “Yup.” Here’s more out of the AFC and NFC West..

  • After Broncos linebacker Von Miller commented that J.J. Watt is still underpaid in his new deal with the Texans, former agent Joel Corry (on Twitter) believes that Miller will target more than $18MM per year when his contract talks begin. Watt netted a six-year extension worth $100MM with $51.876MM in guaranteed money but its hard to say what Denver will be willing to give Miller when considering his off-field trouble.
  • The Seahawks expected big things from Percy Harvin after acquiring him from the Vikings for a first-round pick and signing him to a six-year, $67MM extension. However, his hip problem limited him to playing in just two games before last year’s Super Bowl. Now, between that Super Bowl performance and last night’s romp over the Packers, Seattle is starting to get what they paid for, writes Alex Marvez of FOXSports.com.
  • The 49ers tried out punter Chase Tenpenny, tweets Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun. Tenpenny was waived by the Chargers in late August.

West Notes: Carr, Crabtree, Broncos, Rams

August 16th, 2014 at 11:01am CST by Matt Feminis

Raiders rookie quarterback Derek Carr sustained a concussion and injured ribs last night, with SI’s Austin Murphy reporting (via Twitter) Carr told a team doctor, “I just heard a crunch. I don’t know if my rib’s broken. But it hurts.”

Here’s some more links from the AFC and NFC West divisions:

  • Healed from a July hamstring pull, 49ers receiver Michael Crabtree participated in his first full practice Friday. Afterward, he told reporters to expect a more impactful version of himself in 2014. According to SFGate.com’s Eric Branch, Crabtree was a “diminished” receiver last season when he came back from a torn Achilles weighing 230 pounds. Crabtree will play at approximately 215 pounds this season.
  • Optimism is flowing in Broncos camp, particularly because defensive ends Von Miller and DeMarcus Ware look healthy and are gelling, according to the Coloradoan’s Arnie Stapleton. Additionally, Quanterus Smith‘s “ability to create pressure off the edge continues to impress coaches,” per the Denver Post’s Troy Renck, who says Smith is soaking up veteran advice from Ware.
  • Speaking of optimism. . .Rams receiver Kenny Britt, who is being given another chance by Jeff Fisher, is 100 percent and drawing praise in camp. That’s not surprising. But an article headlined “Rams hoping Kenny Britt can be a leader” is.
  • Fox Sports’ Alex Marvez paints an optimistic picture of Rams quarterback Sam Bradford, who enters a make-or-break season with a confidence boost derived from the organization’s confidence in him.
  • Although it was just a second preseason game, the Chargers were humbled by the Seahawks, writes Kevin Acee of the Union-Tribune.

Sunday Roundup: Mauga, Peppers, AFC North

July 20th, 2014 at 12:42pm CST by Rory Parks

More and more beat writers are providing season previews, roster breakdowns, position battles, etc. as training opens (for one team, at least) in just a few hours. So let’s have a look at some links from around the league:

AFC West Notes: Broncos, Flowers, Sherman, Chargers, Raiders

May 24th, 2014 at 11:16am CST by Matt Feminis

While the focus is on Von Miller and Chris Harris rehabbing ACL injuries, denverbroncos.com’s Andrew Mason takes a look at other defenders coming off injury who could strengthen the Broncos’ defense, including free safety Quinton Carter and pass rusher Quanterus Smith.

Carter, who has missed most of the last two seasons because of knee and hamstring problems, looked promising as a rookie in 2011, but has since been passed on the depth chart by Rahim Moore. With Moore and T.J. Ward holding down starting spots and Duke Ihenacho and special teams captain David Bruton providing depth, Omar Bolden could be on the bubble. A healthy Carter could create an interesting storyline if he’s able to push Moore, as both are free agents at year’s end.

In the case of Smith, he was one of the most productive pass rushers in college football in 2012 before a late-season torn ACL knocked him down to the fifth round. After a “redshirt” 2013, the 6-5, 255-pounder is poised to earn reps in passing situations. Said defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio: “On tape coming out, we liked [Smith’s] athleticism, his length, his ability to bend and his ability to rush the quarterback. So those are things we’re looking forward to seeing from him.”

Here’s a few more AFC West notes:

  • In a Chiefs mailbag, ESPN’s Adam Teicher said third-round cornerback Phillip Gaines “is insurance in 2015 for Brandon Flowers, who is also expensive and may not be a good fit for what the Chiefs are doing on defense.” Flowers has three years remaining on a six-year, $49.35MM deal ($22MM guaranteed), though he struggled adapting to defensive coordinator’s Bob Sutton’s press-man responsibilities (his -9.8 pass coverage rating was the worst on the team, according to Pro Football Focus), and his name surfaced in trade rumors around draft time.
  • Chiefs Rookie quarterback Aaron Murray, drafted in the fifth round after tearing his ACL in November, could be stashed on IR, says Teicher. Behind starter Alex Smith, the Chiefs have veteran backup Chase Daniel, Tyler Bray and Murray, though Teicher doesn’t see keeping all three or utilizing a practice squad spot as viable options.
  • Fullback Anthony Sherman has flourished in Andy Reid’s West Coast offense, writes Pro Football Focus’ Matt Claassen. According to PFF, Sherman had an outstanding season as a run blocker, was an opportunistic as a receiver and served as a productive, core special teams player.
  • Gregg Rosenthal of NFL.com provides a projected starting lineup for the Chargers. In his accompanying thoughts, Rosenthal calls tight end Ladarius Green a potential breakout player. Meanwhile, in a fan chat for the team’s website, GM Tom Telesco explained why less than ideal measurables didn’t prevent them from drafting cornerback Jason Verrett — who is expected to start from Day One — and nose tackle Ryan Carrethers.
  • In a review of the Raiders’ offseason, ESPN’s Paul Gutierrez praises GM Reggie McKenzie for not overthinking and letting the draft come to him, particularly with top picks Khalil Mack and Derek Carr. Gutierrez also credits McKenzie for not overpaying for veteran free agents while creating a “strong enough locker room to withstand a wild card or two,” i.e. the addition of Greg Little.
  • Accordingly, Rosenthal says, “No team had a more dramatic overhaul this offseason,” as he projects the Raiders’ starting lineup. In his supplemental notes, Rosenthal calls free agent offensive tackle Donald Penn a boom-or-bust signing and says there’s reason to worry about the secondary, particularly if 2013 first-rounder D.J. Hayden doesn’t elevate his game.

Broncos Pick Up 2015 Option On Von Miller

May 1st, 2014 at 1:56pm CST by Luke Adams

The Broncos have formally exercised their fifth-year option on standout pass rusher Von Miller, reports Mike Klis of the Denver Post. The decision had long been expected, having initially been reported by Klis in late March.

After earning Pro Bowl nods in each of his two NFL seasons, Miller’s 2013 campaign got off to a late start after he served a six-game suspension, and came to an early end with an ACL tear. In his last full season (2012), Miller recorded a career-high 18.5 sacks to go along with 68 tackles, ranking as the league’s best 4-3 outside linebacker by a wide margin, according to Pro Football Focus’ advanced metrics (subscription required). Even in his abridged 2013 season, the 25-year-old was PFF’s highest-graded 4-3 OLB.

By picking up the option, Denver keeps Miller under contract through the 2015 season, with that fifth-year option worth $9.754MM, as our tracker shows. The two sides can still work out a longer-term agreement at any time, but if they don’t reach a new deal, Miller’s fifth-year salary will become fully guaranteed on the first day of the ’15 league year.

AFC West Notes: Miller, Verrett, Lewan

April 23rd, 2014 at 10:22pm CST by Rob DiRe

The Broncos intend to pick up the fifth-year option for star pass rusher Von Miller, but will wait until closer to the May 3rd deadline, writes Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. By exercising that option, the Broncos would be guaranteeing that salary in case of injury, and by holding back on picking up that fifth year early, the team is protecting themselves against the (unlikely) possibility that Miller suffers a two-season injury in the next week.

Florio also notes that due to Miller’s issues with substance abuse, this also gives the team more time to evaluate his off the field decisions. His next suspension would sideline him for an entire season, and while the team would obviously not have to pay a suspended player, it could change the team’s feelings on whether to commit to Miller long term.

More from around the AFC West:

  • The Broncos could look to select a defensive back with their first-round pick, and according to ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr., TCU corner Jason Verrett could be the pick, writes Troy E. Renck of the Denver Post. The team would prefer Justin Gilbert out of Oklahoma State, or Kyle Fuller from Virginia Tech, but Gilbert will be long gone and Fuller might be already selected as well.
  • The Raiders prefer Michigan tackle Taylor Lewan to the more highly touted prospects of Auburn’s Greg Robinson and Texas A&M’s Jake Matthews, reports Jerry McDonald of the Oakland Tribune (via Twitter). Lewan was widely considered the third best offensive tackle in this draft, but has been considered a lock for the first half of round one since the end of his junior season. Lewan was named the Big Ten Offensive Lineman of the Year following his junior and senior seasons, and could be drafted anywhere in the first half of day one, potentially as high as second overall to the Rams.
  • Troy wide receiver Eric Thomas, who previously visited the Colts, worked out for the Chargers yesterday, according to Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post.

Luke Adams contributed to this post.

AFC Notes: Pryor, Hill, Bills

April 19th, 2014 at 1:05pm CST by Matt Feminis

The Raiders will cut Terrelle Pryor if they can’t find a trade partner by Monday, reports Fox Sports’ Alex Marvez (via Twitter). The news portends an inevitable conclusion to Pryor’s time in Oakland, as the writing has been on the wall since the team traded for Matt Schaub and declared confidence in Matt McGloin as the backup.

Here’s a handful more AFC notes:

  • The Broncos are nearing decision time on Von Miller, who is eligible for a fifth-year option, and ESPN.com’s Jeff Legwold details the figures, options and factors involved. Even if the team decides against the fifth-year option in the short-term, franchising Miller next year is a realistic possibility assuming he returns healthy from his ACL injury and gets back to his impact form (30 sacks between 2011 and 2012).
  • In a mailbag, ESPNNewYork.com’s Jane McManus shares her opinion that, in theory, the Jets “have already moved on” from 2012 second-rounder Stephen Hill, who has been a bust through two seasons.
  • The Bills are set at one safety spot with Aaron Williams, who is locked up until 2018. However, despite an uninspiring trio of competitors for the other starting position (Da’Norris Searcy, Duke Williams and Jonathan Meeks), the team does not seem motivated to pluck one of the top-rated safety prospects, writes Mike Rodak of ESPN.com. Rodak speculates the Bills likely won’t address safety in the draft until the middle or late rounds if at all, saying, “They could also wait another year, see what they have in those two second-year players, and re-assess the position after this season.”
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