web analytics

NFL News

NFC South Notes: Brees, Tolbert, Scobee, Bucs

NFL News
February 4, 2016

Saints quarterback Drew Brees has just one year left on his contract, and is set to count for $30MM on New Orleans’ 2016 cap, meaning it’s essentially inevitable that the two sides will discuss an extension at some point this winter. So far though, negotiations between the quarterback and the team haven’t gotten underway, Brees said today during an appearance on ESPN (link via Christopher Dabe of NOLA.com).

“If conversations are to be had, they haven’t happened yet,” Brees said. “But when they do that will be between us, and then we’ll kind of announce that, and everybody will find out at the same time.”

Brees, who said on The Dan Patrick Show today that he expects to remain in New Orleans for the rest of his career, will have $10.85MM of his base salary for 2016 become fully guaranteed next week.

Here’s more from out of the NFC South:

  • Asked this week about his pending free agency, fullback Mike Tolbert said he hopes this Sunday’s game isn’t his last with the Panthers, adding that he “absolutely” wants to re-sign with the team, per Joseph Person of the Charlotte Observer. “These guys are my brothers,” Tolbert said. “I don’t want to leave any more than the next guy. But I have to do what’s best for my family and for me. If moving is part of it, then that’s a part of it. But I don’t want to.”
  • Veteran kicker Josh Scobee had a tryout with the Saints on Wednesday, but didn’t sign a contract, a source tells Pro Football Talk (Twitter link). The longtime Jaguars kicker was acquired in a trade by the Steelers in September, but struggled during his brief stint in Pittsburgh, missing four field goals and an extra point in four games. He was cut in October.
  • The Buccaneers have plenty of cap room at their disposal this offseason, but Jason Fitzgerald of Over the Cap is skeptical that they’ll use a big chunk of it, as he explains in his preview of Tampa Bay’s offseason.

Latest On DeMarco Murray, Eagles

NFL News
February 4, 2016

The Eagles have overhauled their coaching staff and restructured their front office hierarchy in the last month, but DeMarco Murray‘s situation in Philadelphia remains relatively unchanged, says Ian Rapoport of NFL.com. According to Rapoport, the Eagles and Murray “appear headed toward a stare-down” regarding his future with the team.DeMarco Murray

Rapoport explains that there are doubts within the Eagles organization that Murray can bounce back and have a big year for the team in 2016. However, it’s not clear if the team is willing to stomach the $13MM charge on the cap that would apply if Murray is released and not designated as a post-June 1 cut.

Meanwhile, it’s probably fair to say that Murray wouldn’t strongly oppose a change of scenery after posting a career-worst 3.6 yards per carry during his first season as an Eagle. However, the former third-round pick, who will turn 28 next Friday, is saying all the right things publicly — per Jamie Apody of WPVI TV (Twitter link), Murray told ESPN today that he wants to return to Philadelphia, since last season’s performance isn’t the lasting impression he wants to leave on the city.

According to Rapoport, the former NFL rushing leader hasn’t asked to be traded or released, and so far the Eagles haven’t shown any real interest in cutting him. Some bridge-building may be necessary though, after a disastrous 2015 — if the two sides aren’t confident that the relationship can work going forward, the odds increase that the situation “could explode,” writes Rapoport.

For now, with his $7MM base salary guaranteed for 2016, Murray and his his $8MM cap number seem likely to return to Philadelphia for 2016. However, if things take a turn and Murray is cut, teams like the Seahawks, the Raiders, and – of course – the Cowboys would have interest, says Rapoport. Those clubs all had varying levels of interest in Murray a year ago when he was a free agent.

If Murray and the Eagles decide that things won’t work for the running back in Philadelphia, the two sides could also explore a potential reworking of his contract that would make a trade a more viable possibility.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

NFL To Institute Rooney Rule For Executive Positions For Women

NFL News
February 4, 2016

The NFL’s Rooney Rule, which requires teams to interview at least one minority candidate before hiring a head coach or a general manager, will be expanded in the near future, commissioner Roger Goodell announced today. According to Goodell, the NFL will institute a Rooney Rule for women for executive positions around the league.Roger Goodell

“You can see that progress is being made,” Goodell said, per Kevin Patra of NFL.com. “And our commitment is we have something called the Rooney Rule, which requires us to make sure when we have an opening, that on the team or the league level, that we are going to interview a diverse slate of candidates. Well, we’re going to make that commitment and we’re going to formalize that we, as a league, are going to do that for women as well in all of our executive positions. Again, we’re going to keep making progress here and make a difference.”

While Goodell’s announcement signals a positive step forward for diversity in the NFL, there are still a handful of unanswered questions about the initiative. For one, the commissioner’s comments don’t entirely clarify whether the NFL is simply instituting the new guidelines for league office positions, or if the league will require each of its 32 teams to follow similar guidelines. I imagine it’s the latter, but it’s not entirely clear yet.

Assuming the new rules apply to all NFL teams, the league will need to specify whether they apply to all front office positions, or only to particular jobs. The Rooney Rule, for instance, requires teams to interview a minority candidate before hiring a head coach, but doesn’t require them to do the same for offensive or defensive coordinators.

It’s also unclear when the new guidelines will officially be instituted. There are certain NFL teams that will make changes to their front office following the draft, so we’ll see if the league’s new Rooney Rule for women has been formally instituted by then, or whether the NFL intends to have it in place for the 2017 hiring cycle.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Lions Part Ways With Sheldon White

NFL News
February 4, 2016

New Lions general manager Bob Quinn continues to make changes in Detroit’s front office, and the latest executive to leave the team is the one Quinn replaced in the GM role. According to Justin Rogers of MLive.com, the Lions have parted ways with longtime director of pro personnel Sheldon White, who served as the team’s interim GM following Martin Mayhew‘s mid-season dismissal.Sheldon White

White was one of several candidates to interview for the Lions’ permanent general manager position, but when the team ultimately decided on Quinn, White’s future in Detroit became uncertain. The new GM said nearly a month ago that he wasn’t sure whether or not White would be back with the team.

At the time, I noted that White had been with the franchise for nearly two decades, in several roles and under multiple regimes, meaning it would be a bit of a surprise if he went anywhere. While White joined the Lions as a scout in 1997, he has spent most of his tenure with the club as the director of pro personnel, having been promoted to that role under former GM Matt Millen in 2000.

It’s not clear yet whether White’s departure was solely Quinn’s decision, or whether the two sides came to a more mutual agreement. Either way though, it figures to be just a matter of time before a seasoned executive like White lands with another team — that may happen sometime after this year’s draft, with teams like the Eagles looking to make front office changes at that point.

As for the Lions, they hired Jaguars director of college scouting Kyle O’Brien last month to head their pro and college scouting departments, and added former Patriots director of player development Kevin Anderson last week, to head their football operations department. The team figure to make another front office hire at some point to help replace White.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

AFC South Notes: Colts, Titans, D. Robinson

NFL News
February 4, 2016

After spending big on veteran free agents last offseason, Colts owner Jim Irsay doesn’t expect to take the same approach this time around. While Indianapolis will delve into free agency a little if there’s a good fit, Irsay wants to recommit to building the roster through the draft, as Mike Wells of ESPN.com details.

“The draft is where we’re really going to get better,” Irsay said. “I think over the next two drafts, continue to identify guys, particularly defensively, that are going to be key guys going forward.”

Let’s check in on the rest of the teams in the AFC South…

  • According to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com, NFL personnel executives say there’s a real chance that the Titans will select Ole Miss tackle Laremy Tunsil with the first overall pick in this year’s draft, assuming the team keeps the pick and doesn’t trade down. Having drafted Marcus Mariota a year ago, Tennessee doesn’t need a quarterback, so Tunsil or Ohio State defensive end Joey Bosa look like the most logical targets for the club.
  • Jaguars running back Denard Robinson is extension-eligible for the first time this offseason, and tells Michael Rothstein of ESPN.com that he “definitely” wants to stay in Jacksonville. “It’s a great place and I enjoy it, enjoy the coaches and everything,” Robinson said. Still, the former fifth-round pick acknowledged that there have been no discussions with the Jags about a new deal so far.
  • The NFL has been tentatively planning to play a game in Mexico City’s Azteca Stadium in 2016, and it appears that game will feature the Texans and Raiders, according to John McClain of the Houston Chronicle. The Raiders are a logical candidate to be the “home” team since they’re currently without a stadium lease, while the Texans have a growing fan base in Mexico and have expressed interest in being a part of the league’s international series.