NFL News & Rumors

Manning, Colts agree to part ways after 14 years

Chris Kolb — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 01:18:31 +0000

What has long been rumored will finally become official tomorrow: Peyton Manning’s time in Indianapolis is coming to a close.

According to ESPN’s Chris Mortensen, the Colts have decided to release the future Hall of Fame quarterback after having him under center for the past 14 seasons. The choice to move on from Manning couldn’t have come at a better time for the team, as Indianapolis is lined up perfectly to replace him in the draft by selecting Andrew Luck (Stanford) with the first overall pick.

Manning was due a $28 million bonus on Thursday and while the Colts could have elected to re-structure his deal to avoid paying out that large an amount, the expected addition of Luck as their future starter made it inevitable that Manning’s time with the team would be over eventually.

Both the Colts and Manning will hold a press conference tomorrow to announce the decision. Indianapolis has until 4:00 pm EST to submit the paperwork for Manning’s release to the league office, after which he’ll immediately be free to sign with any club of his choosing.

So far, the main suitors expected to vie for Manning’s services include Miami, New York Jets, Arizona, Washington, and Kansas City. Manning will undoubtedly command a hefty contract, but provided he can show he’s capable of regaining his previous form and is healthy, interested teams should have little trouble offering him the kind of money he’s looking for.

We’ll definitely have more on this story as it breaks so be sure to check back often for the latest news on this and everything else going on around the league.

Report: Brees angered by franchise tag, refuses to sign with Saints

Chris Kolb — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 16:29:12 +0000

The past week has been one of the more trying periods in franchise history for the Saints, which is saying quite a bit considering what they went through in the aftermath of Hurrican Katrina.

Adding insult to injury, the latest news out of New Orleans casts an even darker cloud over the team as quarterback Drew Brees is reported to be “livid” over being franchise tagged prior to Monday’s deadline, and is refusing to sign the one year tender that accompanies the designation.

The report comes from WIST-AM radio in New Orleans, and while they’re not exactly known for bringing major news to the forefront with regard to the Saints, it’s a plausible scenario, given the public comments made by Brees throughout the negotiations he’s had over the past two years with the team regarding a new contract.

Although he may be angry now over being tagged, Brees will eventually come to terms with the Saints, as neither side can afford a long and protracted holdout.

In the end, it’s likely that New Orleans may decide it’s better to overpay to keep Brees in the fold, than continue lowballing him and run the risk of having an even greater negative PR backlash against them from the fans that sellout the SuperDome every Sunday that the team is in town.

Saints bringing in Moss for workout on Tuesday

Chris Kolb — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 04:27:36 +0000

Mired in the midst of one of the worst scandals to rock an individual franchise since Spygate, it would be easy for the Saints to keep their heads down and do their best to avoid making any waves going forward.

Instead they’ve chosen an opposite tack, reportedly inviting former Patriots wide receiver Randy Moss in for a visit tomorrow to workout with the club.

More often than not, such moves don’t typically generate a ton of headlines, as they’re often more about teams doing their due diligence than anything else, but in any case, just having Moss in to visit will deflect a bit of the spotlight on their team away from Bountygate and back onto their off-season plans to upgrade the team.

Either way, the possibility of Moss lining up to catch passes from quarterback Drew Brees has many in the media salivating, and while the Saints are just as likely to take a pass on adding him to the fold for next season, Moss could be a useful weapon in an offense like New Orleans’ given his ability to make explosive plays deep down field.

Colts, Mathis finalize new four year deal

Chris Kolb — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 03:43:34 +0000

Earlier in the day, the Colts gave notice that impending free agent defensive end Robert Mathis would be designated as their franchise player, even as the two sides were deep in discussions for a new contract.

A few hours later, that new deal came together as Mathis and Indianapolis agreed to a four year, $36 million pact, with $24 million of that to be paid out over the next two seasons.

Mathis, 31, has averaged just over nine sacks and 43 tackles per year, with nine seasons under his belt as a member of the Colts. Paired with fellow defensive end Dwight Freeney, Indianapolis has had one of the league’s best pass rush duos throughout much of the last decade, as the two have racked up 186 sacks in 10 seasons.

Texans nail down five year pact with Foster

Chris Kolb — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 16:42:18 +0000

With less than 24 hours to go before the franchise tag deadline passed, the Texans finally found common ground with their most important free agent, signing running back Arian Foster to a new five year, $43.5 million deal. $20.75 million of that is fully guaranteed.

The new contract for Foster falls well short of the seven year, $100 million agreement the Vikings reached with Adrian Peterson last off-season, but compares reasonably well with the six year, $53.5 million deal Chris Johnson inked with the Titans last fall.

Houston could have used its franchise tag on Foster, guaranteeing him $7.7 million for this season, but all along they preferred to work out a long term deal instead, and while Foster will make roughly $18 million this season alone, his actual cap number will likely be less than the franchise tag amount.

With Foster in the fold, the Texans will now turn their sights on their other free agent players, most notably center Chris Myers, who could still potentially receive the franchise tag before today’s deadline is reached.

Tagging defensive end Mario Williams is highly unlikely, as it would bring a cap number of almost $23 million for next season, and while the Texans would like to get a new deal done with him prior to next week’s free agency start, Williams seems inclined to go into the open market to find the riches that almost certainly await him there.

Johnson agrees on new five year deal with Bills

Chris Kolb — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 04:29:57 +0000

Mon @ 10:15 am CST – Johnson’s new contract with the Bills will pay him an estimated $36.25 million over five seasons, according to Schefter.

Sun @ 11:30 pm CST — Just a few short weeks ago, wide receiver Stevie Johnson was seen by many as a player likely to hit the open market, as discussions with the Bills on a multi-year extension were going nowhere fast.

Tonight, that course has been reversed, as ESPN’s Adam Schefter is reporting that a new five year contract is in the works for Johnson, and should be completed sometime in the next 24 hours.

Details of the deal are not yet available, but it’s likely to be close or exceed the five year, $35 million offer that fellow wide receiver Pierre Garcon (Colts) declined earlier in the off-season.

Buffalo preferred all along to not have to use its franchise tag on Johnson, and rather sign him to a long term deal instead, keeping their payroll a bit more flexible with the hopes of luring a key free agent or two to suit up for the Bills next season.

Johnson, 25, is coming off back to back seasons in which he posted 1,000+ yards receiving, and has scored 17 touchdowns in those two years.

Seahawks, Lynch agree on four year deal

Chris Kolb — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 04:13:37 +0000

It’s raining Skittles in Seattle tonight.

At least it is at running back Marshawn Lynch’s house, as ESPN’s Adam Schefter is reporting that the Seahawks and Lynch have finalized a new four year contract, worth an estimated $31 million, with $18 million of that guaranteed.

Lynch, 25, is coming off the best season in his career, rushing for 1,204 yards and 12 touchdowns in his first full year in Seattle.

The two sides have apparently had the elements of the deal in place for close to a month but the final contract was only agreed on by Lynch today, less than 24 hours away from the franchise tag deadline.

Now the Seahawks can focus their efforts on fixing two key areas of need: along their defensive line and at quarterback, via free agency or through the draft. Signing Lynch to a long term deal likely gives Seattle much more flexibility to spend in free agency, with big names such as defensive end Mario Williams and quarterback Peyton Manning likely to be available for hire if the price is right.

Quick Hits: Campbell, Flynn, Jones, NFL Draft prospects

Chris Kolb — Sun, 04 Mar 2012 23:04:13 +0000

Here’s a few bits and pieces to run down this afternoon. We’ll be back later on tonight with an update to our Mock Draft and possibly the release of a second round to it, so be sure to check back for all the latest around the league and more.

The Jets are seriously considering signing free agent quarterback Jason Campbell to be the primary backup for Mark Sanchez, according to ESPN New York’s Rich Cimini. The addition of former Dolphins head coach Tony Sparano as the team’s new offensive coordinator may prove helpful in wooing the former Raider to New York, as he plans on having a playbook that Campbell is familiar with from his time in Oakland.
Pete Dougherty of the Green Bay Post-Gazette is reporting that it’s looking more and more unlikely that the Packers will use their franchise tag on backup quarterback Matt Flynn, prior to tomorrow’s deadline. Dougherty’s source went as far as to say he’d be “shocked” if the tag is used on Flynn.
A release of wide receiver Jacoby Jones could be in the works if the Texans are able to snag a quality receiver in the early round of the draft, according to Pro Football Weekly. Jones has been productive for Houston on special teams but offers little offensively opposite of All-Pro Andre Johnson.
Top tier cornerbacks Dre Kirkpatrick (Alabama) and Janoris Jenkins (North Alabama) both may have difficulties on draft day, with character concerns causing many teams to shy away from taking them early on. Kirkpatrick reportedly had trouble explaining his arrest for possession of marijuana earlier in the off-season to teams interviewing him at the combine. Jenkins, on the other hand, apparently didn’t see it necessary to disclose to his college coach that he fathered four children with three different women in the one year he spent at North Alabama. Talent will inevitably overcome off the field issues, but it will give interested teams pause before they draft either player.

McGahee upset with contract, wants new deal from Broncos

Chris Kolb — Sun, 04 Mar 2012 16:27:17 +0000

A year ago, running back Willis McGahee was coming off three straight injury filled seasons with the Ravens, averaging just 531.6 yards a season, and he failed to generate much interest on the open market as a result.

Lucky for him, the Broncos had a definite need for a power runner, and stepped in to give McGahee a reasonable four year deal worth an estimated $9.5 million. McGahee responded with his best season in a long while, rushing for 1,199 yards and four touchdowns while earning a trip to the Pro Bowl.

Fast forward to this off-season.

McGahee, 31, recently fired his agent, Drew Rosenhaus, and has since begun to make more than a little noise in Denver, stumping for a new contract that will pay him as the top running back on the league’s best rushing team.

So far, the Broncos have refused to even consider the request, standing pat on the agreement they reached with McGahee last year and pushing back by saying they were one of the only teams willing to take McGahee in on a multi-year deal.

It’s not likely that McGahee will hold out in an effort to receive a new contract, but such a possibility cannot be completely discounted, given McGahee’s past history in forcing his way off previous teams.

If McGahee is able to wriggle his way into a new contract, it’s doubtful that it will a long term deal, given his age and the abuse his body has taken over the years with his physical style of running the ball.

A slight increase in overall salary might be attainable if McGahee sacrifices longevity in the agreement, but at this point, I expect him to keep playing on his current deal rather than risk being released outright.

Browns, Redskins unwilling to go all out to get #2 pick from Rams?

Chris Kolb — Sun, 04 Mar 2012 16:04:31 +0000

The Rams offering up the #2 overall pick to the highest bidder has dominated the off-season discussion thus far and while other teams may have interest in moving up that high in the first round, the consensus is that the winner will ultimately be either the Redskins or the Browns, as they both have the need and wherewithal to make a trade.

That said, both Cleveland and Washington may have to part with draft picks they’d rather not give up to pry the high value selection loose from St. Louis, and in the interim, it’s possible that a dark horse candidate could sneak in and find themselves the lucky victor as a result.

According to Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, the Rams are currently asking for the Browns to part with both of their first round picks (#4 and #22 overall) and so far the answer back in return has been a solid no.

Thomas also indicates that the Redskins are willing to send their first round pick this year (#6 overall) along with their first round pick in the 2013 draft to the Rams to move up four spots, but they not budging from their refusal to include their second round pick in this year’s draft in that package.

That could open the door for one of several “mystery teams” to emerge from the pack at the end, and swoop in with a multitude of picks/players to snag the #2 selection and draft highly coveted quarterback Robert Griffin III (Baylor).

It’s pure speculation at this point, but it would seem that the most likely candidate for the mystery team role would be Kansas City, given the public comments made by head coach Romeo Crennel at the Scouting Combine with regard to Griffin, and the Chiefs definite desire to upgrade at the quarterback position.

Any deal by the Chiefs to move up into the Rams spot, would almost certainly have to bring a Ricky Williams-esque haul back to the Rams, with Kansas City sending first round picks in multiple years plus a few picks from this year’s class and likely a player or two as well. Paying such a price when they have more than a few holes to fill may not be the wisest course of action, but the temptation of getting a player like Griffin may end up being too much to resist.

In any case, a trade of the selection is not likely to happen until we’re much closer to day one of the draft, and there will undoubtedly be an epic amount of posturing on all sides along the way. As always, we’ll be here to bring you the latest breaking news on this and more.