NFL | Fitzgerald, Mendenhall back at Cards practice

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Fitzgerald, Mendenhall back at Cards practice

Larry Fitzgerald (hamstring) and Rashard Mendenhall (toe) are both listed as questionable for Week 3, but returned to Cardinals practice Friday.

Cardinals coach Bruce Arians had to physically force Fitzgerald off the practice field early in the week, but let him back out there Friday as he prepares to start against the Saints. Despite last week's bump in the road, Fitz will be a top-15 fantasy wideout start in Week 3. Mendenhall's availability never seemed in doubt. He's squarely in the flex-start discussion in a prime matchup; New Orleans has been an early-year sieve in run defense.

Fri, Sep 20, 2013 02:44:00 PM

Jets ink Eric Decker to 5-year, $36.25M deal

Jets signed WR Eric Decker to a five-year, $36.25 million contract with $15 million guaranteed.

The $7.25M annual average is quite reasonable. Decker, 27, set career highs in catches (87) and receiving yards (1,288 yards) with Denver last season, scoring 11 touchdowns. He caught a lot of heat during the free-agent period after experiencing a colder-than-expected market, but is a much-needed addition to the Jets' otherwise barren receiver corps. Decker is a physical, largely sure-handed wideout who moves the chains and can beat defensive backs deep. Unfortunately, he's downgrading quarterbacks in spectacular fashion going from Peyton Manning to Geno Smith, and will be the focus of defensive attention in New York after serving as Manning's No. 3 or 4 option. He'd do well to get back near 1,000 yards with the Jets. Decker will be a borderline WR3 in 2014 fantasy.

Source: Adam Schefter on Twitter

Mar 12 - 11:27 PM

Report: Raiders owner called off Saffold deal

NFL.com's Mike Silver reports it was Raiders owner Mark Davis who nixed the Rodger Saffold deal.

Davis apparently had concerns about the shoulder Saffold injured last preseason. Per Silver, Saffold "could have had surgery and been ready for training camp," but Davis wouldn't have it. It's a troubling development for many reasons. It shows a lack of faith in GM Reggie McKenzie, and is an indication that, despite his protestations to the contrary, Davis has some of his father's management style to him. Davis has left egg on his GM's face, and his offensive line without a left tackle. It's a sad state of affairs in Oakland.

Source: Mike Silver on Twitter

Mar 12 - 11:26 PM

Saffold fails physical, Raiders deal voided

Ex-Rams G/T Rodger Saffold has failed his physical with the Raiders, voiding his five-year, $42.5 million contract.

He's once again a free agent. It's to the point where we just feel bad for GM Reggie McKenzie, who is simply out of his depth. Valuing Saffold more, the Raiders let perfectly fine in-house option Jared Veldheer walk. Now they have neither, and a titanic hole on Terrelle Pryor/Matt McGloin/Unsigned Free Agent's blindside. As for Saffold, it wasn't exactly a secret that his health was a question mark. He's missed 17 games over the past three seasons. More versatile than effective, he'll go back to shopping his wares as a guard who can play tackle. It's quite possible he'll end up back with the Rams on a bargain deal. The Raiders are going to be historically bad (again) in 2014.

Source: Scott Bair on Twitter

Mar 12 - 10:08 PM

Cardinals sign Jonathan Dwyer to 1-year deal

Cardinals signed RB Jonathan Dwyer to a one-year contract.

Dwyer, 24, finished 2013 in Pittsburgh with 197 yards on 49 carries (4.0 YPC) and eight receptions. He's a devastating pass protector and excels in short yardage. Although Dwyer lacks a high ceiling, he's a sensible signing in Arizona due to his familiarity with Bruce Arians' offense. He's a better talent than Stepfan Taylor. If this is all the Cards add at tailback during the offseason, it'll be good news for Andre Ellington's fantasy outlook.

Mar 12 - 9:37 PM

Report: Jets 'making push' to sign WR Decker

ESPN New York's Rich Cimini reports the Jets are "making a push" to sign free agent Eric Decker during his Wednesday visit.

The Jets may feel some urgency to make a splash after the division-rival Patriots scooped up Darrelle Revis. Decker is currently in New Jersey having dinner with Jets executives. Decker has not generated the free-agent market most anticipated, but we still expect him to sign for something in the $7-8 million per-year range. Anything less would be a coup by second-year GM John Idzik.

Source: Rich Cimini on Twitter

Mar 12 - 9:12 PM

Patriots sign Darrelle Revis for 1 year, $12M

Patriots signed CB Darrelle Revis to a one-year, $12 million contract.

Revis, 29 in July, finished his lone season in Tampa with 50 tackles, two picks, and two forced fumbles across 16 starts, making a successful recovery from his 2012 ACL tear. Despite being used improperly by since-fired Greg Schiano in zone coverage, Revis remained the top corner in the NFL. He will slide into Aqib Talib's old shadow corner role and provide an upgrade, eliminating opposing top wideouts. It's a perfect match of player and scheme. The Patriots beat out the Jets and Browns for Revis' services. In particular, look for RE Chandler Jones to benefit from Revis' lockdown back-end coverage with a breakout season.

Source: Adam Schefter on Twitter

Mar 12 - 8:27 PM

Report: Jags plan to sign DE Chris Clemons

NFL Network's Albert Breer reports that "if everything goes to plan," the Jaguars will sign DE Chris Clemons to a "multi-year" contract.

After being released by Seattle earlier Wednesday, Clemons is on his way to Jacksonville to visit his old coach Gus Bradley. The two sides should have no issues hammering out a deal, as long as Clemons' knee checks out. Bradley is the big draw for the Jaguars. Clemons has 38 sacks the past four seasons.

Source: Albert Breer on Twitter

Mar 12 - 6:17 PM

Lovie Smith: Josh McCown is my quarterback

Asked if Josh McCown would be his quarterback for the 2014 season, Bucs coach Lovie Smith replied "yes, he is."

There isn't going to be any competition with second-year pro Mike Glennon. Turning the keys over to a 34-year-old journeyman who's made seven starts since 2007 isn't exactly an orthodox move, but the Bucs are going all in on 2014. Smith has never had much patience for young players, and Glennon cratered down the stretch as a rookie after getting off to a promising start. There's still a high-percentage chance Glennon makes starts this season, however.

Source: Greg Auman on Twitter

Mar 12 - 5:08 PM

Report: Panthers view Smith as 'distraction'

Sources tell the Charlotte Observer that Panthers GM Dave Gettleman views Steve Smith as a "distraction," and wants to turn the locker room over to Cam Newton and Luke Kuechly.

Smith's agent has declared his Panthers career through, and it sounds like the feeling is very much mutual. Smith's excellent career has been fueled by one mighty chip on his shoulder, but that can be an exhausting personality trait for teammates and coaches. Some fresh air might do Smith well as he rides off into the sunset of his career.

Source: Charlotte Observer

Mar 12 - 4:51 PM

Reset: Browns cut QB Campbell after Weeden

Browns released QB Jason Campbell.

Campbell was owed a $250,000 roster bonus on Thursday, but was never expected to be retained. He joins former teammate Brandon Weeden on the unemployment line. The moves are a clear sign the Browns are targeting a quarterback in the first round of May's draft, though for now Brian Hoyer sits alone atop the depth chart. Campbell and his long release were surprisingly effective at times in 2013, but were heavily managed and manipulated by OC Norv Turner. Nevertheless, he vaults to the near the top of a pitiful quarterback market.

Mar 12 - 4:28 PM

Jaguars see Gerhart at 15-20 touches per game

Coach Gus Bradley said newly signed Toby Gerhart could regularly see 15-20 touches per game.

This is exactly what we expected after the Jags handed Gerhart a three-deal worth $10.5 million and $4.5 million guaranteed. Jordan Todman and Denard Robinson will have to battle for supporting roles. Gerhart will likely end up as a RB2 in fantasy circles thanks to 300-plus touches, but he won't have much week-to-week upside as a grinding runner playing in a low-scoring offense.

Source: Florida Times Union

Mar 12 - 4:26 PM