March 6, 2015

J302: No Offseason - March

Here's what happened during the NFL offseason in February. Now onto March, where it'll start to get a bit more busy. Players must be franchise tagged by March 2, and March 10 is the first day for teams to sign free agents. Mix that with more draft talk, and teams continuing to make moves to clear up cap space, and March, specifically the beginning of the month, will be the busiest month of the offseason.

I was planning on keeping up with what want down when free agency starts on March 10 in some type of short form, but Rotoworld already does that for us This list will be a handy tool come March 10.
———
Date: March 2, 2015
Thomas wasn't ever going to get away from the Broncos, but it's unfortunate they couldn't come to a long-term deal before the franchise tag deadline. The team will keep trying to sign their top target, who would break the bank on the free agent market, but for now, they're fine with paying him the $12.8 million owed to him via the franchise tag. When/if he is re-signed, look for a deal around $13-$14 million per year, and he'll be worth every penny.
———
Date: March 2, 2015
When news was announced that Hampton had been arrested for driving while intoxicated, it was only a matter of time before the 2014 undrafted free agent was released. Hampton jumped around from practice squad to practice squad last year, wearing three different practice jerseys by year's end, but he never cracked an active roster. He was found to have a .10 percent blood-alcohol content level, just over the .08 legal limit. It's uncertain if Hampton will ever get another chance in the NFL.
———
Date: March 2, 2015
On the last day for franchise tenders, Pierre-Paul got one. JPP returned from injury to log 12.5 sacks in 2014 on one of the worst defenses in the NFL, and showed he can still do what he did in 2011, when he tabbed 16.5 sacks before he dealt with back issues in 2013 and 2014. The franchise tag will cost the team $14.8 million as they try to agree to a long-term deal before the July 15 deadline. The one-year deal gives the Giants another year to evaluate JPP, see where he is both skill and injury-wise before they decide to break the bank for him. 
———
Date: March 2, 2015
Finnegan was very, very bad last year. He started in 12 games, the ones he was healthy for, but he ranked only 74th of 108 eligible CB's on ProFootballFocus. That's not going to cut it when a team can make $5.48 million by releasing you. He'll likely get picked up somewhere else, just but name recognition, but it won't be for a lot of money. The 31-year-old is nearing the end of his NFL career.
———
Date: March 2, 2015 
The official number is $143.8 million, up form $133 million in 2014. This is about the same jump (percent-wise) that we saw last year, when the cap rose from $123 million to $133 million. Here's the deal: the NFL is making a lot (A LOT) of money, so they can budget $10 million in extra funds to pay their players a bit more. Since the CBA was signed in 2011, the cap has risen from $120 million to $148.3 million (23.5 percent). Many teams  — including the Super Bowl-winning Patriots — will also have carry-over money from 2014, so they will be above the $148.3 million number under one of the NFL's newest rule. The Jaguars will have $168.4 million to spend. 
———
Date: March 2, 2015
This was expected all along. If the franchise tag was placed on Cobb, he would be paid $12.823 million, simply too much for a receiver who can't be a stand-alone No. 1 wide receiver. Playing on for the Packers, who haven't used one of their tags on a player since 2010, made it even less likely. Now, it's unlikely that we'll see Cobb in the green and gold again next season. He's rumored to be looking for at least $9 million on the free agent market, as a basement number, but it's likely his asking price is around $12 million, on which he'll go down to $10-11 million, which is around what Jordy Nelson received when he negotiated a new contract with the Packers. If the Packers can't pay that, another team will, as he's the best receiver available on the market after Demaryius and Dez were franchise tagged. It'll be interesting to see exactly where his price lands, but the Raiders seem like a real possibility.
———
Date: March 2, 2015
Houston is probably the league's best pure edge rusher right now, so the $13.195 million tag he'll get is a bargain for the Chiefs, but it's important that they get a long-term deal done so they aren't in this situation again next year. If Houston puts up 20+ sacks again and then hits the free agent market, he could become one of the highest paid defenders in the entire league, looking at numbers over $16 million, at least. The tag is non-exclusive, so teams can get Houston if they have the money and two first-round picks (can be 2015/2016, or 2016/2017 after the draft), and, still, the Chiefs would have the chance to match any offer brought to Houston. But he'll more than likely be in a Chiefs uniform next year.

Date: March 2, 2015
This story came as a massive surprise. The Texans gave their all-time best receiver permission to seek a trade after he was told that he will have a reduced role in the offense in 2015. Johnson said the Texans brass told him he would "only probably catch 40" passes next season, according to the Houston Chronicle. If Johnson can't be traded — he likely won't — then he will be cut by the team; he won't be in a Texans jersey next season. Since he hasn't yet been traded quickly, it's been reported that Andre Johnson has already been asked to be released by the team. Getting onto the market before March 10 would likely improve his value on the market, he would get to choose where he wants to play, and the Texans would get any compensation for the unhappy receiver, which is exactly the way Johnson wants it. A release heavily favors Johnson.
———
Date: March 2, 2015
This was expected, and it relevant to the Jerry Hughes situation, who will now become the most coveted edge rusher on the free agent market after both Pierre-Paul and Justin Houston were franchise tagged. The tag would have cost the Bills $14.8 million, all guaranteed, but the Bills will instead try to get a long-term deal done. The negotiations don't seem optimistic though, as Hughes has been in talks with the Bills for multiple months, and nothing has been close to getting finalized. He's likely to land somewhere other than Buffalo, and might be this class's highest paid free agent to sign with a different team.
———
Headline: Dolphins assign $7.07M transition tag to Clay
Date: March 2, 2015
It essentially locks up Clay to be a Dolphin next season. Technically, Clay will be ears to offers, but it's unlikely he gets an offer better than $7 million. If any team does complete an offer sheet, the Dolphins would get the chance to match it. If they decide not to match it, Clay will walk, and the Phins will be uncompensated for their loss. The Bills reportedly have interest, but the price tag is just too high. If they're going to pay over $7 million for a tight end, they'll go get Julius Thomas.
———
Headline: DeMarco Murray on radar of Colts, Cardinals, Jags?
Date: March 2, 2015
All three of those teams listed in the headline need a RB, but it's pure speculation at this point. It's just too early to decide where Murray, who led the league in rushing and was named Offensive Player of the Year in 2014, could wind up. Ian Rapoport even gives the Cowboys a "slim chance" of keeping Murray, and they hope for the chance to match any offer that Murray might get out on the open market. The Colts and Jags make sense, as they have one of the top remaining cap numbers in the league, but it doesn't necessarily mean they will choose to chase RB. The Cardinals have been rumored to possibly seek a trade for Adrian Peterson, when he becomes available, so it's likely that they are seeking a running back to join their squad during free agency. A lot of teams could be out of the running just by opting to go to the draft pool, which is filled with great running back talents this year, and keeping that decision hush-hush. It'll be fun to keep an eye on Murray's decision after his huge year in 2014.
———
Date: March 3, 2015
The Eagles saved $6.5 million by cutting Williams, so this was a no-brainer. Williams was absolutely awful last year, and simply isn't capable of covering No. 1 receivers, as seen by Dez Bryant's domination over the Eagles while Williams was on the Eagles roster. Williams will land back with some team, but he's not going to be a No. 1 corner.
———
Date: March 3, 2015
This is what happens when you're a fading star in the NFL. Cole and the Eagles couldn't agree on a new deal on Wednesday before the two sides decided to split ways. Cole has been out of place playing in the Eagles 3-4 over the last two years after they switched formations from a 4-3, where Cole played for most of his career. If he doesn't return to the Eagles, he'll finish his Philly career as the second franchise leader in sacks. There's already a lot of teams interested in Cole, including the Browns, Bucs, and Colts. 
———
Date: March 3, 2015
The Eagles were busy today. In a rare player for player deal, the Bills got their new running back, who is considered to be a top five running back in the NFL. He'll run alongside Fred Jackson in Philadelphia, while C.J. Spiller, an impending free agent, will be free to sign somewhere else. It's likely that McCoy and Jackson will eat up each other's fantasy value, though McCoy will likely carry the bulk of the load. According to reports, McCoy and the Bills are working on a restructured/new contract, and that deal is expected to be done before Tuesday when the trade become official. Alonso had a fantastic rookie year, and was regarding as one of the top inside linebackers in the league before he tore his ACL in 2014. Alonso also get a chance to reunite with his Oregon coach, Chip Kelly, who was very fond of Alonso's ability, but wasn't able to get him in the draft. Though the deal won't be done until March 10, it's expected to be a straight up, player-for-player trade.
———
Date: March 3, 2015
Beasley became Romo's favorite go-to target down the stretch of 2015, so the deal isn't a surprise. The team will pay him about $3.4 million per year for a total of $13.6 million. The receiver who almost quit football will have plenty of reason to hang around now after catch 44 passes for 521 yards and four touchdowns last season — all four touchdowns which came from Weeks 12-17. He was crucial on third downs in 2014, where he tabbed 15 of his catches. It's a solid signing at a reasonable price, and Beasley should again solidify himself as the team's starting slot guy in 2015
———
Date: March 4, 2015
Thomas was a center-piece in Super Bowl XLIV, but has since faded away a bit. The Saints are in one of the worst cap crises in the NFL, and so cutting a 30-year-old running back was a no-brainer. They also restructured the deal of Marques Colston recently as well to create a few more million dollars. The doom and gloom around the Saints leads to a bigger picture which has created the issue: the Saints can't cut ties with their veterans. Of course, Thomas is one of the few players to go against that theme, but it was only because they were forced too. The Saints are going to have to do a whole lot more cutting if they want money to spend in free agency.
———
Date: March 4, 2015
The plan is for Cassel to come in and be able to mentor E.J. Manuel, who is coming into his third year in the NFL. Cassel might start early on, as he has in the past in New England and Kansas City, but the expectation around the league is for Manuel to be able to live up to his first-round pick status. The Bills gave up a fifth-round pick for Cassel, who will have the chance to start next to LeSean McCoy. Rex Ryan's Bills have been very busy, before free agency even opens. 
———
Date: March 5, 2015
Briggs is an impending free agent, so it's just the Bears telling him they won't give the 12-year veteran another contract. Briggs tabbed the second-most tackles in Bears franchise history, and will be remembered for being a member of the rock solid defense with Brian Urlacher who made it all the way to Super Bowl XLI. Briggs just wasn't suited to be a starter in Vic Fangio's 3-4 scheme, as he's a 4-3 outside backer. However, he's not a terrible stop gap at LB if a team needs it, so he'll probably get signed somewhere before retiring.
———
Date: March 5, 2015
Jones-Drew was on his way out when he signed his new deal with the Raiders last year, so it was only a matter of time. He played most of his career with the Jaguars, where he topped out in 2011 with a 1,600-yard rushing season before a plague of injuries hit him. He finished his career with 8,167 yards on 1,847 carries. He likely would have had a hard time finding work elsewhere if the Raiders decided to cut him.
———
Date: March 5, 2015
Olsen gets a massive $12 million signing bonus on the three-year, $22.5 million real. He was set to become a free agent after next season, but he now won't hit the open market until he's 34 years old. Olsen was one of the top fantasy options at tight end last year, quietly producing consistent numbers week in and week out on a team that lacked many other targets. The deal is well deserved, and at a very fair price.

Headline: Carson Palmer restructures contract
Date: March 5, 2015
Palmer converted a $9.5 million roster bonus into a signing bonus, which can be spread over the last three years of his contract. It almost cuts his roster number in half, from $14.5 million to $7.4 million. It also said in the report linked that he will be ready for training camp after tearing his ACL in the middle of last year and killing the Cardinals' Super Bowl hopes. Although he said he's shooting for mandatory minicamp, that's unlikely, as he only had surgery just 3.5 months ago. Without a doubt, though, it sounds like he will be ready for Week 1 on the regular season, which is good news for Palmer and the Cardinals.
———
Date: March 6, 2015
The Broncos finalized Manning's return to the field by getting a new contract done. He cleared up about $4 million in cap space for the team by taking a paycut, going from $19 million to $15 million. He passed his physical, and he's now ready for his age-39 season. Expect another Super Bowl-type run from Denver, as long as Manning's arm can stay healthy.
———
The rest of the March news can be found by looking at the free agent tracker and live blog.
Posted by Unknown at 6:30 PM

No comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)