———
Headline: Peyton Manning is training in New Orleans with "the intent to play" in 2015Date: February 9, 2015
This was the first time we got a solid report on Manning's intentions for 2015, which later became reality. In the weeks following the report, Manning made it common knowledge that he would be returning to the Broncos in 2015. Head coach Gary Kubiak reiterated that point at a press conference a week later, and then again at the NFL Combine. One of the greatest quarterbacks of all-time will give it (at least) one more run at the Lombardi Trophy. However, the team and Manning are working to bring his $19 million contract number down. The Broncos are well under the cap, but may need some space after bringing back Manning's top target Demaryius Thomas via franchise tag on Monday. That $19 million will become guaranteed on March 9, so it's imminent that the Broncos get the number down as soon as possible.
———
Date: February 10, 2015
Most know that Ndamukong Suh will become the most sought after free agent if he hits the open market, demanding likely the highest salary of any defensive tackle. But he's only the beginning of the Lions' problems. The team is also set to lose Nick Fairley, Andre Fluellen, and C.J. Mosley. As of March 2, the team hasn't re-signed any of these guys, and declined to franchise tag Suh. If they decline to re-sign Suh (which is going to be tough, after he hit the open market), they'll need to move on to signing some new defensive tackles, or retaining some of the others they'll be losing. It'll be something to certainly keep an eye when the free agency flood gates open, and during the draft process.
———
Date: February 10, 2015
This is an interesting example of how quickly the tides change in the NFL. NFL.com reports here that Browns general manager Ray Farmar has "shown a liking" for Oregon rookie QB Marcus Mariota. However, when Josh McCown was released by the Buccaneers, the Browns scurried after him, likely out-bidding other teams for him, signing him to a three-year deal, and telling other teams to go home. So, Mariota apparently wasn't too interesting to Farmar, who seemed to have to sided with McCown. With McCown now on the squad for around $5 million, it's unlikely the team chases anther QB, putting this early NFL.com noise of Mariota to the Browns to rest.
———
Date: February 12, 2015
This report actually comes directly from the general manager of the Seahawks, John Schneider. Maxwell is expected to be one of the most sought-after defensive backs who will hit the free agency market, so it's unlikely the Seahawks will be able to match the highest bidder. According to a few reports (here and here) in the past few weeks, the New York Jets and Philadelphia Eagles will be the top suitors for the cornerback, who is seeking around $10 million a year, a high-end number for a cornerback. Both teams sport struggling secondaries, and Maxwell — a major part of the Legion of Boom over the last two years with six interceptions and 27 passes defensed — would be a big-time addition for either team.
———
Date: February 14, 2015
This means that Melton suddenly will become one of the most sough after free agent defensive tackles, adding him to the mix with Suh, Fairley, Terrance Knighton, and C.J. Mosley and some others. This is a bit deeper than the Cowboys just declining to re-sign Melton, though. The Cowboys are a bit tight against the NFL cap number, and their two top priorities seem to be wide receiver Dez Bryant – who was franchise tagged by the team — and running back Demarco Murray — who seems unlikely to return. Though the Cowboys couldn't afford the number, it's likely that Melton will find a similar amount of money somewhere else on the open market, which opens on March 10.
———
Date: February 16, 2015
The report of Mariota and the possibility of not throwing at the NFL Scouting Combine got a lot of traction, but it all added up to nothing. Winston eventually threw at the combine, and threw well. He even performed better than Marcus Mariota, who also wavered a bit on whether he would throw, but ultimately did. After Winston's shoulder was evaluated, there were some whispers about the quarterback having an injury that could affect him long-term. Winston shook those off, and decided that he would throw at the combine; the whispers of his injury may have ultimately made the decision for him, so he could prove to NFL teams that he was healthy. By the end of the week at the NFL Combine, it was expected that Winston will go first overall in the NFL draft to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
———
Date: February 18, 2015
The Cardinals were considering cutting Larry Fitzgerald before he agreed to restructure his contract. The team gained around $12.6 million in cap space by making Fitzgerald's deal a two-year, $22 million deal, which includes a no-trade clause, and making his 2017 and 2018 completely voidable. By also getting rid of Darnell Dockett, the team has now gotten under the cap and can make some noise in free agency, but not a lot. They'll likely use most of their allotted cap space to sign rookies.
———
Date: February 23, 2015
This would be interesting. Thomas will be leaving Denver seeking a big pay day, as the team isn't going to give him the long-term deal worth the amount of money/guarantees he would like. According to the Denver Post, the Jaguars will be the most aggressive pursuers of Thomas. Add him to sophomore quarterback Blake Bortles, receiver Marquise Lee and Cecil Shorts (if the team re-signs him), as well as the possible return of Justin Blackmon — who has struggled with suspensions from various run-ins with the law — and the team has seemed to make a real commitment to the vertical attack. They need it, as they finished second-to-last in passing yards in 2014.
———
Date: February 23, 2015
I put little to no stock in the NFL Combine, which is why this is the only link you see on the actual event here, but Jones, a cornerback from Connecticut, earned himself a job at the event. Jones was the first player to ever broad jump over 12 feet, as he reached 12-feet, 3-inches. In fact, to anyone's knowledge, it's the best broad jump of all-time. He was also only half an inch away from this year's top vertical jump, as he tabbed in with 44.5 inches. There's no doubt that, even if he doesn't get drafted, he'll be getting a job come May.
———
Date: February 23, 2015
McPhee is going to get a nice payday after his rookie deal expires on March 10, likely seeking $8 million per year. However, he only played about half of the Ravens snaps last season and is only a situational pass rusher. He's not going to be an every down guy, but he's also versatile in that he's a big outside pass rusher who can also go inside. A price above $8 million may be too rich for any team's blood, but the Colts are in the mix, and they've been known to overpay players if they have to to get who they want. They'd be the top team to keep an eye on; after releasing DT Ricky Jean-Francois, a failed experiment after just one season, they need to make a move on the defensive line.
———
Date: February 23, 2015
Forsett is a sketchy free agent. He's going on his age 30 season, and while he doesn't have a ton of miles, an age like that is never a plus; we even saw his tired legs struggle down the stretch in 2014. However, Baltimore will try to retain Forsett this year to mentor its younger backs, but Atlanta makes sense too. The Falcons signed Kyle Shanahan to become the team's next offensive coordinator, and it's likely he installs a system similar to the one Kubiak installed in Baltimore — the same one Forsett thrived under. Plus, the Falcons have already released 2014 lead back Steven Jackson, and while they vocally support Devonta Freeman as the net workhorse, his style of play isn't the type to carry a backfield.
———
Date: February 24, 2015
The headline is referring to a quote Williams made after he was cut by the Carolina Panthers, in reference to his mother's funeral during the 2014 season. Williams essentially went on record bashing the team after they released him, though he says he wasn't upset because of the way the team treated him. Defensive end Greg Hardy was the only player who came to the funeral, and he was on the commissioner's exempt list at the time (and currently still remains there). The team will designate Williams as a post-June 1 release and save $2 million to go towards the cap, but must wait until March 10 to make the designation (when the new league year begins). The 31-year-old's career is likely coming to an end, though he could float around the league a bit longer. Jonathan Stewart should be expected to handle the full workload going forward in Carolina, as he did at the end of last season.
———
Headline: Ravens release KR/WR Jacoby Jones
Date: February 25, 2015
This is a tough blog for Jones, who signed a four-year, $12 million deal before the 2014 season, just one year after he helped the Ravens win the Super Bowl. The cut only saves about $750,000. Jones will land back on his feet somewhere, but really is exclusively a kick returner. He visited the Bengals on March 2.
———
Date: February 26, 2015
Bush is just another name on the long list of cap casualties. Bush couldn't stay healthy in 2014, and just turned 30 on March 2. The Lions saved $1.7 million by cutting the running back who only averaged 3.9 yards per carry when he played. That money will likely help re-sign some of their defensive tackles. Like Williams, he'll float around the NFL for a little longer before he completely fades out, but his career is mostly over. Theo Riddick will be the Lions passing back behind starter Joique Bell moving forward, and the Lions brass have spoken highly of him over the past few weeks.
———
Date: February 26, 2015
This is the first chapter in what will be a long and developing offseason for Peterson. Although the suspension was initially overturned, he was not reinstated and stayed put on the commissioner's exempt list. Then the NFL decided to appeal the decision on Peterson's return, for an unseen reason. The appeal then goes to Harold Henderson, who originally upheld the Peterson suspension in December. It's a labyrinth and an absolute mess of lawsuits and back-and-forth. Until it gets sorted out, it's hard to say exactly what will happen, but it's unlikely we see Peterson in a Vikings uniform again. If he is able to return to the league, the most viable teams would likely be the Cowboys or the Cardinals, both of whom have reportedly expressed interest in the former league-leading rusher. Although he is on the exempt list, he will be able to be traded or released by the Vikings after March 10, though he'll likely have to restructure his contract before he goes anywhere, as his salary ($12.75 mil this year, $14.75 mil next year, and $16.75 million in 2017) is outrageous for a running back in comparison to others in the league.
This is the first chapter in what will be a long and developing offseason for Peterson. Although the suspension was initially overturned, he was not reinstated and stayed put on the commissioner's exempt list. Then the NFL decided to appeal the decision on Peterson's return, for an unseen reason. The appeal then goes to Harold Henderson, who originally upheld the Peterson suspension in December. It's a labyrinth and an absolute mess of lawsuits and back-and-forth. Until it gets sorted out, it's hard to say exactly what will happen, but it's unlikely we see Peterson in a Vikings uniform again. If he is able to return to the league, the most viable teams would likely be the Cowboys or the Cardinals, both of whom have reportedly expressed interest in the former league-leading rusher. Although he is on the exempt list, he will be able to be traded or released by the Vikings after March 10, though he'll likely have to restructure his contract before he goes anywhere, as his salary ($12.75 mil this year, $14.75 mil next year, and $16.75 million in 2017) is outrageous for a running back in comparison to others in the league.
———
Headline: Raiders releasing safety Tyvon Branch
Date: February 26, 205
Branch was a starter in the secondary last year as a strong safety, and he's going to get back on a team after he was released, but not at a $5.5 million price tag. This is a money-making move for the Raiders, who already have plenty of it. Branch has tabbed over 100 tackles every single year he's been healthy, but in the last two season he's missed 27 games in each of his last two seasons. He's just not worth that kind of investment any longer. However, the Chiefs, Colts, and Redskins are already interested in signing Branch. If he can stay healthy, he'll be a tremendous signing at a prime age of 28.
———
Headline: Rams release Kendall Langford
Date: February 26, 2015
Langford's release makes complete sense. DT Aaron Donald emerged onto the scene after a big way when he was drafted by the team last year. That made Langford, a defensive tackle who was set to make $6 million in the final year of his contract, expendable. Langford is a very good interior lineman, and at 29 years old, there's no reason he shouldn't be able to find a starting spot somewhere, as he can play DT in a 4-3, or DE in a 3-4, and has experience with both. He currently has visits lined up with the Lions (who we mentioned are going to need some defensive lineman), the Jets, and the Saints. The Lions seem like the most likely as of now, as the 29-year-old would have the best chance to start there as their current situation stands.
———
Headline: Josh McCown inks 3-year deal
Date: February 27, 2015
Oh how quickly the tides turn in the NFL. Just 24 hours before McCown signed a three-year, $15 million deal with the Browns, he had visited buffalo and was talking about a contract with the Bills. Apparently, the Browns outbid them, and he'll now likely be Cleveland's Week 1 starter. McCown feels like a stop-gap at quarterback as they wait and see where Johnny Manziel is, though they did sign the 35-year-old for three years. Brian Hoyer was okay for the Browns last year, but sometimes struggled mightily, and was never expected to return to Cleveland after the team missed the playoffs and he was set to hit free agency. Look for Cleveland to make another move at QB (likely in the draft) in the next few years, but for now, it'll be McCown under-center. As for Buffalo, they could make a play for Brian Hoyer in free agency, or catch a QB in the draft, unless they want to continue to ride with third-year quarterback E.J. Manuel.
———
Headline: Falcons release Harry Douglas
Date: February 27, 2015
Douglas was set to make $3.5 million in the final year of his contract. His main role with the Falcons has been filling in when Julio Jones or Roddy White got banged up and had to miss time. His best year was 2013 when he topped 1,000 yards on 85 catches. He's visiting the Titans, who he would fit with well, considering he's a rather mediocre receiver and the Titans are more than mediocre team who make awful free agent decisions.
———
Headline: Dolphins to release Brian Hartline
Date: February 27, 205
While the Dolphins decide what to do with Mike Wallace, who won't take a pay cut, they decided to find money elsewhere, by cutting Brian Hartline. He was due $5.9 million this year, and teams just don't pay that much for guys who are complementary wide receivers unless they tall and big. There's already plenty of teams interested in Hartline, including the Browns, Texas, Bears, Chiefs, and Patriots. So, Hartline won't be making $5.9 million, but he'll be just fine, and likely be able to get back into a starting lineup somewhere outside of Miami. As for the Dolphins, last year's second-round pick Jarvis Landry is sure to get more snaps as Hartline descends. The team started to phase him in at the beginning of last year, and he did very well in his role, which is very similar to what Hartline was doing with the team as well.
———
Headline: Baltimore Ravens release DE Chris Canty
Date: February 27, 2015
Just another cap casualty on this Friday. The team saved $2.66 million with the move before the final year of his three-year deal that he signed in 2013. It's possible that he could be retiring at age 32 after a 10-year career. The deal was most likely to clear up space to make moves on the offensive side, where Torrey Smith is a free agent.
