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Already Thursday!
NFL free agency -- Pot of gold remains elusive - ESPN
A quick survey of NFL executives and agents late last week revealed a level of uncertainty about the new cap's impact. One administrator said the inherent competitiveness of owners left open the possibility of a more active market, but the general consensus fell in line with a supplemental philosophy advanced by John Elway, the Denver Broncos' executive vice president/general manager, at last month's scouting combine.
Let the Games Begin: The NFL Front Office Lying Season Is Just Getting Started
For years I have said to people in the media during draft season that the first thing I have to do when the draft is over is go to confession.
3 Major emerging trends | National Football Post
In working day to day in the trenches of the NFL, I’ve noticed the evolution of the business of the game in several areas. Here are three of the more obvious ones.
Seahawks' Jermaine Kearse among potential 'step-up' players for 2014 - NFL - ESPN
Jermaine Kearse | WR | Seattle Seahawks As the confetti swirled through MetLife Stadium following the Seahawks' Super Bowl triumph, we wrote that one of the team's positions of need was wide receiver, as both Golden Tate and Doug Baldwin are set to be free agents (Baldwin is restricted). And, though he wasn't a big part of their 2013 season, Sidney Rice was released. While the receiver position is an area of focus this offseason, the Seahawks don't have to add a full new cast of wideouts, as Kearse, who scored a brilliant touchdown in the Super Bowl, has a chance to evolve into a starting target. He has very good run-after-catch ability and toughness to couple with his 210-pound frame.
The Money Pit «
Who wins, who loses, and who’s gonna get rich thanks to an unexpected bump to the NFL salary cap
Colin Kaepernick will get $20M deal whether 49ers pay now or later - CBSSports.com
Colin Kaepernick wants to be paid like a top-five QB, and the numbers back him up. The Niners' two options? Pay up before the 2014 season -- or risk paying even more later.
FOOTBALL OUTSIDERS: Innovative Statistics, Intelligent Analysis | Scouting QB: Separating the Dark From the Dark
After spending an insane amount of time during the last decade studying players, talking with scouts, and paying attention to history, I have learned three things about evaluating football talent:
Sherman returns to Stanford as role model | CSN Bay Area
The offseason is the time for NFL players to recover and, at the same time, build the foundation of strength and stamina they’ll need to help get through a grueling season. Many of them head to big name training centers in Florida, Atlanta, Arizona or Southern California. It makes sense. A big name pro player needs a big name performance center, right?
NFL free agency is about being cautions of risks and red flags | The MMQB with Peter King
Fans love the flurry of free agency. Unfortunately, so do some teams. But if you think that shiny free agent signing is too good to be true, it's because it probably is
Jared Allen looking for “chance to win” and “fair contract” | ProFootballTalk
“I think for my next team it will come down to a chance to win, a good organization, as well as getting a fair contract,” Allen said.
Jaguars free agency 2014: O'Brien Schofield profile - Big Cat Country
The Jacksonville Jaguars will be looking for help with their pass rush in free agency and O'Brien Schofield is someone who could help them.
Updated mock draft: 5th March | Seahawks Draft Blog
Scroll to the bottom for a few notes on this week's projection... #1 Blake Bortles (QB, UCF) He's elusive for a 4.93 runner. He extends plays.
Browner is reinstated with four-game suspension | ProFootballTalk
As Seahawks cornerback Brandon Browner announced last night, he has been reinstated by the NFL. But he left out one fairly significant caveat. He'll be suspended for the first four games of the 2014 regular season, and he'll pay a four-game fine on top of that.
How will four-game suspension affect Brandon Browner in free agency? - Seattle Seattle Seahawks | Examiner.com
Brandon Browner's back in the NFL, but will he get back on the field?
Mike Freeman's Insider Buzz: Could the Seahawks Pay Up for Jimmy Graham?
Bleacher Report NFL Insider Mike Freeman always has a finger on the pulse of the league.
Would the Seahawks bring back Brandon Browner? | Seahawks Blog | Seattle Times
In the wake of the news late yesterday that Brandon Browner had been reinstated, the obvious local question was whether the Seahawks would have any interest in bringing him back. My take? No.
Browner's reinstatement includes four-game ban - 710sports.com
Brandon Browner's reinstatement comes with some conditions, including a four-game suspension to begin the 2014 season.
Golden Tate states his case for a nice contract - 710sports.com
"I've kind of just been trusting in my agent and him being good at his work," Tate said. "I know Todd's had some great deals in the past, so I'm kind of just letting him handle it and just trying to stay stress-free and really just enjoy being a Super Bowl champ. Being a champion, not many people can say that.
Nine biggest wild cards in free agency - NFL.com
There are a lot of slightly above average starters in free agency this offseason. Many of them will get paid like superstars, which is how NFL teams get into salary cap trouble.
Nine biggest wild cards in free agency - NFL.com
There are a lot of slightly above average starters in free agency this offseason. Many of them will get paid like superstars, which is how NFL teams get into salary cap trouble.
Cortland Finnegan tweets St. Louis Rams release - NFL.com
Former All-Pro Cortland Finnegan and Rams coach Jeff Fisher reunited in St. Louis after years in Tennessee, but the cornerback tweeted Wednesday that he's done in the Show-Me State.
Free agency primer: Top 25 defensive backs - NFL.com
Looking for secondary help? You're in luck -- this year's crop of free-agent cornerbacks and safeties includes proven starters like Alterraun Verner. Marc Sessler examines.
Aaron Williams, Buffalo Bills strike 4-year, $26M deal - NFL.com
The Buffalo Bills signed safety Aaron Williams to a four-year, $26 million contract Wednesday. Does that deal shut the door on the possibility of Jairus Byrd re-signing?
John Carlson released by Minnesota Vikings - NFL.com
The Minnesota Vikings released tight end John Carlson. Might the Seattle Seahawks be interested in a reunion with the free-agent bust?
2014 NFL Mock Drafts : Mock draft 3.0: No QB picked in top four
Put him with Percy Harvin and the reliable Doug Baldwin, and watch him make plays. Russell Wilson needs that big red-zone target desperately.
Colin Kaepernick will get $20M deal whether 49ers pay now or later - CBSSports.com
Colin Kaepernick wants to be paid like a top-five QB, and the numbers back him up. The Niners' two options? Pay up before the 2014 season -- or risk paying even more later.
2014 NFL free agents: How I handed out my free-agency grades - CBSSports.com
When you rank players 1-150 on a free-agency list, there has to be a criteria. In addition to play, age played a huge role for me.
Brock and Danny - Podcasts - MyNorthwest.com
The NFL Network's Charles Davis joins "Brock and Danny" to discuss the upcoming NFL draft and says that many teams do not realize how hard it will be to replicate Seattle's winning formula. Davis adds that the draft is deep for defensive backs and thinks that the Jacksonville Jaguars could be a good fit for former Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel.
Oregon fans petition Gov. to bring NFL team (Raiders?) to Portland - CBSSports.com
A group of Oregon fans have petitioned Gov. John Kitzhaber via Change.org to bring an NFL team to Portland, and the Oakland Raiders appear to be on the short list.
Is DeSean Jackson in danger of being released by the Eagles? - CBSSports.com
Despite coming off a career year, Eagles receiver DeSean Jackson might be in danger of losing his job.
2014 NFL mock draft: Five wide receivers figure in mock first round - CBSSports.com
Led by Sammy Watkins in a receiver-deep draft, five WRs are first-rounders, including Odell Beckham, who pairs nicely with fellow ex-Tiger Dwayne Bowe in KC.
Getting some free agency perspective: 2013 review | National Football Post
Looking back for a preview of what's to come.
NFL prospect focus: Demarcus Lawrence | National Football Post
Boise State's defensive end is among the most versatile you'll find.
2014 NFL Mock Draft: Jadeveon Clowney goes No. 1 to Houston Texans | Audibles - SI.com
Some writers and broadcasters may demean the scouting combine as the "underwear Olympics," insisting that you can't tell much from watching a bunch of guys run around against no competition on a quiet field in Indianapolis.
NFL draft: Teams are willing to wait longer to pick running backs | Shutdown Corner - Yahoo Sports
Trent Richardson has become the cautionary tale for NFL teams using first-round picks on running backs. The days of the first-round running back aren't dead, but 2014 could be the second straight year no backs are selected in Round 1 after at least one had been taken in the first round in the previous 50 years.
Vinatieri: “They’re trying to minimize the importance of kickers” | ProFootballTalk
“This just seems like a proposal by a couple of people trying to pound their chest a little saying, ‘Let’s change it up because kickers are too good,’” Vinatieri said. “They’re trying to downgrade our value versus continuing to put an emphasis on kicking. They’re trying to minimize the importance of kickers. I’m a traditionalist. If it’s not broke, don’t fix it.”
PFT ranks the top 100 free agents of 2014 | ProFootballTalk
With the new league year beginning in just six days, PFT has posted its ranking of the top 100 free agents in the Class of 2014.
Advisor hopes to get counseling for Adam Muema | ProFootballTalk
An advisor to Adam Muema, the former San Diego State running back who abruptly left the Scouting Combine and explained that God had told him to do so, is hoping to arrange counseling for him.
Dallas Cowboys, St. Louis Rams facing pressure this offseason - NFL - Don Banks - SI.com
As my colleague Andrew Brandt has often pointed out, the NFL's long offseason is when a team's players and even coaches step to the background and the front office takes center stage, attempting to distinguish itself in the business of football. The multifaceted roster-building portion of the NFL year is upon us, and it will hit high gear starting next Tuesday afternoon, when the league's free agency period opens and the wheeling and dealing commences. A little less than two months later, the NFL draft will complete the majority of the annual assembly project for most teams.
Top 20 Cap Increases from 2013 to 2014 | The Daily Spot
While NFL franchise continue to trim, poke, prod, restructure, and re-sign their roster during the short waiver period leading up to March 11th free agency season, we’ll revisit a look at the Top 20 NFL Cap Increases from 2013 to 2014. These are generally players who signed a maximum contract prior to the 2013 season, with minimal salary and cap in the first year, that comes full circle in year two or three by way of roster/option bonuses, or just a general spike in salary.
Film Room: Free Agents On The O-Line
NFL Films Senior Producer Greg Cosell joins Bo Wulf to continue our 'Film Room' series chronicling the top free agents set to hit the market at every position and today they evaluate the top offensive linemen ...
Scout's Notebook: Scouting Safeties
Our panel of NFL Draft talent evaluators tell you exactly what goes into the art of scouting the safety position as we continue our 'Scouts Notebook' series ...
Film Room: Free Agent Pass Rushers
NFL Films Senior Producer and our very own Bo Wulf break down the top free agent edge rushers in our newest installment of our 'Film Room' series highlighting the top free agents for 2014 ...
2014 NFL free agency - Michael Bennett among best available free agents - ESPN
Who are the best-available unrestricted free agents in this year's class? We graded every player this offseason and have compiled below our list of guys who earned grades of A, A-minus and B-plus -- 14 in total. The grading scale translates as follows:
NFL - Landing page for all 32 Offseason Blueprints - ESPN
With the 2014 NFL scouting combine in the rearview mirror and free agency about to begin, ESPN Insider's experts have produced an Offseason Blueprint for all 32 NFL teams. Included are each team's front-office priorities, projected 2014 lineups, draft and free-agency targets, cap situation and much more. Here are links for every NFL team:
The Jimmy Graham Equation | The Tailgater
The Saints applied the tight end franchise tag to Jimmy Graham late last week. Graham wanted the team to apply the wide receiver franchise tag, which would drop about $5-million more into his checkbook in 2014. The Saints did not do so because: a) they consider Graham a tight end; b) they are too cap-strapped to be generous; and c) even if they felt generous, you don’t run around setting precedents that can ripple across the entire NFL salary structure on a whim. Graham’s agents are likely to file a grievance over the matter. You probably knew all of this already. If not, you are now caught up.
Breaking Down the Perfect Trade Scenario for the St. Louis Rams | Pre Snap Reads
Here we go again.
Greg Robinson wants Houston Texans to make him No. 1 pick - NFL.com
Count Auburn's Greg Robinson among a handful of prospects, along with Johnny Manziel and Jadeveon Clowney, making a public case for himself to be the No. 1 overall pick of the Houston Texans in the NFL Draft.
Podcast: Johnny Manziel not right for Raiders, Brooks says - NFL.com
"Why Russell Wilson was able to be successful, it's because Pete Carroll has built a system where Russell Wilson is basically the point guard. Some nights he needs to look for his shot and be the guy that is driving that offense. Other nights, he plays the role of being the distributor. I believe Johnny Manziel can play a role very similar for a team, but he needs to have the pieces around him," Brooks said. "Right now if he goes to Oakland, Oakland doesn't have a No. 1 receiver, they don't have a talented tight end in place, and their offensive line is still in flux. I don't know if they have enough to allow Johnny Manziel to be the guy that he can be at the next level."
Chris Borland, Jared Abbrederis continue to impress at pro day - NFL.com
Linebacker Chris Borland and wide receiver Jared Abbrederis aren’t among the prospects projected to be selected in the first round of the 2014 NFL Draft, but their intrigue as NFL prospects in the buildup to the draft continued at Wisconsin’s pro day Wednesday.
Alabama team doctor stands by Cyrus Kouandjio's knee health - NFL.com
Alabama team doctor Lyle Cain clarified reports of failed combine physical exams for former Crimson Tide offensive lineman Cyrus Kouandjio.
2014 Pro Days: Jake Matthews draws crowd at Texas A&M workout - CBSSports.com
Auburn redshirt sophomore Greg Robinson's smooth athleticism and immense potential at 6-5, 327, might push Texas A&M left tackle Jake Matthews down a peg in the 2014 NFL Draft, but Matthews isn't sliding without a fight.
Peshek: RB Metrics 1.0 - Out Of The Box - Rotoworld.com
Greg Peshek unveils is first set of running back metrics, featuring Ohio State's Carlos Hyde and four other ball carriers.