Month: July 2012

49ers’ Dashon Goldson admits he may have to play season under franchise tag

stevenlourie 49ers, News

With just 5 days left for him to sign a long term deal before the deadline for franchise players to do so, San Francisco 49ers safety Dashon Goldson admitted today that he may have to play out next season under the 6.2 million dollar franchise tag. Earlier this offseason, it appeared that a deal would get done as Goldson reportedly wanted 8 million yearly and the 49ers were willing to offer 7, not a huge difference to make up. On top of that, there were no shortage of deals being signed by safeties in the past calendar year for the two sides to use as reference as Michael Huff, Michael Griffin, and Eric Weedle have all signed deals in the range of 4-5 years, 7-8 million yearly, and 15-19 million guaranteed.

However, things no longer look so optimistic after Goldson’s comments, which were reported first on foxsports.com. It’s possible the 49ers just don’t see Goldson as that caliber of player even though they used their franchise tag on him. Last offseason, they let him explore the open market as much as he wanted before he settled on a cheap one year deal back with the 49ers.

Though he made the Pro Bowl last season, the 49ers may want him to prove it again in 2012 as he had done nothing substantial until 2011. On top of that, they may feel his strong season in 2011 was the result of incredible play upfront from the front 7. The fact that he was actually one of the most frequently beaten safeties in the league last year (4th most yards surrendered with 458, and 5th most touchdowns surrendered with 4) despite his 6 interceptions supports this. ProFootballFocus graded him 71st among 84 safeties in coverage, though he was above average against the run.

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Robert Griffin wants Redskins to select Josh Gordon

stevenlourie Commanders, News

Tomorrow is the NFL’s supplemental draft. Players who missed the deadline to declare for April’s draft, but have since decided they want to go to the NFL, almost always for off the field reasons, are eligible to be selected. Teams essentially bid on the players and lose a corresponding pick in the 2013 NFL Draft. Tiebreakers are decided by April’s draft order. The most prominent example is Terrelle Pryor, who did not declare for the 2011 NFL Draft, but went in the 3rd round to the Oakland Raiders in the supplemental draft after the events that followed with the Ohio State scandal and Jim Tressel’s termination.

One of the biggest names in this year’s draft class is former Baylor wide receiver Josh Gordon. While no supplemental draft pick has had a significant impact in the NFL since the Ravens used a 5th round selection on Jared Gaither in 2007, expectations are high for Gordon with some even speculating that a team could use a 2nd round pick on him.

Gordon hasn’t played in 2 years, missing the 2010 season with a drug related suspension and missing the 2011 season while transferring to Utah, where he never suited up. However, in 2009, he caught 42 passes for 714 yards and 7 touchdowns and the athletic receiver was once viewed as a superior player to former teammate Kendall Wright, who went 20th overall to the Tennessee Titans in the 2012 NFL Draft.

The 6-3 224 pounder ran a 4.52 at his Pro Day earlier this week, passed a drug test, scored well on the Wonderlic, and wowed in his workout in front of representatives from 21 NFL teams. Among the favorites to select him include the Dallas Cowboys, the Cleveland Browns, the Miami Dolphins, the Buffalo Bills, and the Indianapolis Colts. I expect him to go in the 3rd or 4th round.

Robert Griffin, the 2nd overall pick in this past 2012 NFL Draft, is a former teammate of Gordon’s at Baylor and he is reportedly pushing the Redskins to draft Gordon, this according to NFL Network’s Jason La Canfora. While Griffin may have some say in Washington already, it’s doubtful they fulfill his request simply because of the depth they already have at receiver. After signing Josh Morgan and Pierre Garcon this offseason, the Redskins had to cut their leading returning receiver, Jabar Gaffney and now still have their top-4 receivers, Garcon, Morgan, Santana Moss, and Leonard Hankerson, in some order, established. A more receiver needy need like Cleveland or Miami is a more likely destination for Gordon.

Gordon is the biggest name available in tomorrow’s supplemental draft, but he might not be the only one who gets drafted. TCU Running Back Ed Wesley and Carson-Newman linebacker Larry Lumpkin could also be drafted in the late rounds and if not, they figure to catch on somewhere as undrafted free agents. The other players who have declared include Boise State defensive back Quaylon Ewing, Syracuse fullback Adam Harris, Iowa State offensive lineman Adrian Haughton, Georgia defensive end Montez Robinson, and McMurray wide receiver Houston Tuminello.

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Kevin Williams wants an extension from Vikings

stevenlourie News, Vikings

Heading into the final year of a 5 year, 33.2 million dollar contract, Kevin Williams wants an extension from the Vikings. Williams is still one of the league’s premier defensive tackles, ranking 8th among all defensive tackles on ProFootballFocus last year, and he has been a premier defensive tackle since the Vikings used the 9th overall selection on him in 2003, but he’s heading into his age 32 season so the Vikings may be hesitant to give significant money to a player in an extension that will kick in when he’s 33. More likely, the Vikings let Williams play out the final year of his deal.

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Patriots could use preseason to showcase Brian Hoyer, Ryan Mallett

stevenlourie News, Patriots

According to ESPN Boston’s Mike Reiss, the Patriots may be using their 2nd preseason game, a national televised one against the Eagles, to showcase Brian Hoyer and/or Ryan Mallett for trade purposes. The Patriots don’t need both behind Tom Brady, which is why ESPN Boston, the Boston Herald, and many others have speculated that the Patriots could be shopping both of them.

Ideally, the Patriots would prefer to trade Brian Hoyer because he is entering a contract year, while Mallett is signed for 3 more years, but Hoyer, a restricted free agent earlier this offseason, reportedly tried to shop himself around the league earlier this offseason and found no takers as teams would have had to give up a 2nd rounder for his services.

Mallett, meanwhile, was a 3rd round pick in 2011 so the Patriots would be unlikely to take anything less than a 2nd rounder back for him, something that simply is unlikely to happen this close to the start of the season. Reiss also goes to say that he doesn’t expect there to be any legitimate suitors for the pair out there this offseason and that “expectations of getting something meaningful in return are a bit higher than the reality.”

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Brandon Boykin expected to be Eagles’ slot cornerback

stevenlourie Eagles, News

According to Sporting News, Brandon Boykin is expected to open the season ahead of Joselio Hanson as the team’s slot cornerback. Boykin was a steal in the 4th round this past April and could have gone in the 1st or 2nd round if he wasn’t 5-9. His lack of height won’t be nearly as big of a deal in the slot and he has very good pure coverage abilities.

With Boykin playing on the slot, the Eagles could have an improved pass defense this year, despite jettisoning one of the league’s top cornerbacks, Asante Samuel, for financial reasons. Dominique Rodgers Cromartie, who struggled mightily on the slot last year, will move outside where he’s a much better fit. The 2009 Pro Bowler will also be motivated in a contract year. Meanwhile, #1 cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha will play significantly less zone coverage than he did last year, thanks to schematic changes by defensive coordinator Juan Castillo. Zone coverage was a huge part of the reason why the man who was once the league’s top cornerback struggled last year.

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Maurice Jones Drew could report to Jaguars before Training Camp

stevenlourie Jaguars, News

Maurice Jones Drew was one of only a few players to skip his team’s mandatory minicamp last month, but ESPN’s John Clayton believes that MJD could report to Training Camp on time because “he now realizes the team is going to do nothing as far as giving him anything on a contract.” The Jaguars have said that they will not even talk contract with MJD and that they want him to fulfill his commitment, even though he has exceeded his contract and they would have cut him had he not, like they did with former teammate Aaron Kampman, along countless others.

Early speculation was that MJD would be angered by that and could have a holdout that rivaled the one that Chris Johnson had last year, but that doesn’t seem to be the case anymore as MJD appears to be putting this season above his own finances. If he is there for the start as Training Camp, it’ll be a boost for his fantasy value as he’d no longer run the risk out getting out of shape like Chris Johnson did. He’s still hurt by the offense he’s on and the fact that he led the league in carries last year. If he doesn’t get a deal this offseason, he’ll likely to try again next offseason as he heads into a contract year in 2013. He’s owed a mere 4.45 million this year.

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Matt Forte unlikely to sign extension with Bears before deadline

stevenlourie Bears, News

According to NFL.com’s Jason La Canfora, Matt Forte is unlikely to sign an extension with the Bears before next Monday’s deadline. La Canfora describes talks between the two parties as “fruitless” and says that the chances a deal is reached in time are “weak.” This makes sense, given everything that’s happened this offseason, including the Bears pissing off Matt Forte by signing Michael Bush to a 4 year deal to be a potential replacement, the Bears saying that they’re unsure of Matt Forte’s health even though he had never missed a game before last year, and Forte laughing at the notion that his health is a problem.

Forte has already given assurances that he won’t miss any regular season games, but he could skip some of Training Camp in protest. This season might be his final with the Bears as they’re unlikely to franchise him again next offseason at a 20% increased price and Forte might not be inclined to resign with the team after how they’ve treated him this offseason.

That being said, he’ll continue to be the lead back for the Bears, with Bush being a pure backup like he was in Oakland before last year behind Darren McFadden. With a healthy Cutler and Forte, along with the addition of Brandon Marshall, and the removal of Mike Martz, who never fit, as offensive coordinator, the Bears should be one of the better teams in the league this year.

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Redskins, Fred Davis working on an extension

stevenlourie Commanders, News

According to Pro Football Talk, talks have picked up recently between the Redskins and Fred Davis as the deadline for franchise players to sign extensions looms next Monday. Davis is set to make 5.446 million next season under the franchise tag. He caught 59 passes for 796 yards and 3 touchdowns in just 12 games last year with Rex Grossman throwing to him.

The 2008 2nd round pick could have a breakout year in 2012 with Robert Griffin throwing to him. Given that, he might be smart to not sign an extension now and hold out for more money next offseason. The one issue with him is that he’s a failed drug test away from a year long suspension, but, for what it’s worth, Davis says that’s past him and blames the lockout for it.

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Seahawks’ Chris Clemons expected to attend Training Camp

stevenlourie News, Seahawks

Chris Clemons was one of only a few players to hold out of his team’s mandatory minicamp last month and he was fined for doing so. He did so because he wanted a new contract, as he heads into a contract year, but, even though he has yet to receive one, a Seahawks insider talks Pro Football Weekly that Clemons will be there for the start of Training Camp with or without a new deal.

This might sound a little surprising, but perhaps Clemons has realized that the Seahawks won’t be giving him an extension or he’s decided to put this season ahead of his own financial interests. Since arriving to the Seahawks as a nondescript player before the 2010 season, Clemons has been one of the best defensive ends in the league, Clemons had 24 sacks, 18 quarterback hits, and 97 quarterback pressures over the last 2 seasons.

However, heading into his age 31 season and with no success outside of Seattle’s system, they are not interested in giving Clemons the Cameron Wake money (4 year, 49 million), he’s looking for, especially not after using a 1st round pick on Bruce Irvin, a similar player and a potential replacement for Clemons long term. Clemons reportedly rejected a 3 year, 18 million dollar offer earlier this offseason.

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Cowboys not expected to extend Anthony Spencer

stevenlourie Cowboys, News

With just 6 days remaining for franchise players to agree to long term deals, it’s more of the same coming out of Dallas. The news continues to be that the Cowboys are not expected to sign franchise player Anthony Spencer to a long term deal. Spencer was one of the first players to sign his tender, worth 8.856 million, after the Cowboys made the surprising decision to tag him, but all of the news out of Dallas was that he would not be given an extension as the Cowboys wanted the former 1st round pick to prove himself in 2012. This latest report comes courtesy of DallasCowboys.com.

Spencer takes a lot of heat for never exceeding 6 sacks in a season despite being a 1st round pick in 2007 and having DeMarcus Ware opposite him, taking away the defensive pressure. However, that number doesn’t tell the whole story. Spencer also had 9 quarterback hits and 35 quarterback pressures last year and leads all edge rushers in tackles over the last 3 seasons. For his efforts last year, he was a top-10 player at his position on ProFootballFocus and only James Harrison graded out better against the run. I don’t know if he was worth the franchise tag, but he’s a valuable member of the Cowboys’ defense.

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