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Jimmy Graham to get tag if no long-term deal

Saints GM Mickey Loomis confirmed impending free agent Jimmy Graham will be franchise-tagged if the two sides can't agree to a long-term contract.

As expected. Graham isn't going anywhere. In addition to saying Graham will be tagged if need be, Loomis said the Saints will tag him as a tight end because "that's where he was drafted and that's what he is." Graham's camp may beg to differ. He played just one-third of his snaps as a traditional tight end in 2013. The difference between the tight-end tag and the receiver tag was $4.5 million last year. We could have a real contract dispute on our hands.

Source: WWL-TV Sports

Jan 21 - 11:34 AM

'Good vibes all around' for CJ2K/Jets visit

The New York Daily News reports there were "good vibes all around" for free Chris Johnson's Tuesday visit with the Jets.

According to reporter Manish Mehta, it was a "productive" day. It's unclear if the visit will extend into Wednesday, but the Jets remain the odds-on favorite to land the ex-Titan. If Johnson escapes the Big Apple without a deal, it's unknown where he'd head next.

Source: Manish Mehta on Twitter

Apr 15 - 6:59 PM

Report: Aldon Smith's roster spot in danger

After speaking with "several sources involved with the (team's) decision-making," San Jose Mercury News columnist Tim Kawakami believes embattled OLB Aldon Smith "probably won’t play for the 49ers in 2014."

According to Kawakami, there is a "weariness and frustration over Smith’s behavior that I’ve never heard involving any recent 49ers player." Smith has yet to officially be charged with a crime after allegedly making a false bomb threat at LAX, but that should soon change. Kawakami reports the 49ers do plan to let the legal process play out before making a decision on Smith's future. His next hearing is scheduled for April 29.

Source: San Jose Mercury News

Apr 15 - 6:14 PM

49ers do one-year deal with WR Brandon Lloyd

49ers signed WR Brandon Lloyd to a one-year contract.

Lloyd's name surfaced again last week after he hadn't been in the news since September. He was released by the Patriots in a salary-slashing move last offseason and spent the 2013 season on the street. The soon-to-be 33-year-old was described as a bit of a locker-room lawyer in New England then went on to "star" in a direct-to-DVD zombie movie during his time away from the game. Lloyd will compete for a roster spot behind Michael Crabtree and Anquan Boldin.

Apr 15 - 1:18 PM

Free agent DT Kevin Williams visiting Giants

Free agent DT Kevin Williams is visiting the Giants.

Williams flew into New York on Monday night and had dinner with the Giants' defensive line coach. He'll continue his visit, his first of free agency, on Tuesday. Williams spent the first 11 seasons of his career with the Vikings and was once considered one of the top three-techniques in the game. Our top free-agent defensive tackle left, Williams would give the G-Men another veteran presence.

Source: Minneapolis Star Tribune

Apr 15 - 9:08 AM

Lions OC confirms Bell, Bush to 'split' work

New Lions OC Joe Lombardi confirmed Joique Bell and Reggie Bush will "kind of have a split role."

"I see these guys kind of having a split role and both being very productive," Lombardi said. We figured as much when the Lions signed Bell to a three-year, $9.3 million deal and hired new coach Jim Caldwell, who likes to run a more traditional offense than shotgun-obsessed Scott Linehan. The Detroit backfield is shaping up as a true 50:50 timeshare. We wouldn't be surprised at all if Bell led the team in 2014 carries, with Bush in a "space back" role.

Source: Dave Birkett on Twitter

Apr 15 - 8:47 AM

Free agent Sidney Rice gets medical clearance

A league source tells Profootballtalk.com free agent Sidney Rice (ACL surgery) has been cleared for football activities.

He got cleared by Dr. James Andrews. PFT's Mike Florio reports the Seahawks, Giants, Saints, and Panthers all have "interest of some degree" in Rice, who has been incredibly injury prone in recent seasons but is still only 27 years old. He played college football at South Carolina and would be an excellent fit with the Panthers. Long-armed Rice has always possessed a large catch radius, which would complement Cam Newton's somewhat erratic ball placement.

Source: Profootballtalk on NBC Sports

Apr 14 - 2:39 PM

Draft stock of top QB prospects is 'dropping'

Profootballtalk's Mike Florio is "hearing more talk" in league circles that the draft stock of this year's top-rated quarterbacks is "dropping."

SI's Peter King added fuel to this fire in his MMQB column, stating the Texans, Browns, Jaguars, and Raiders are all "strongly considering" passing on signal callers at the top of the draft, "and waiting until their second or third selections." Both Florio and King are anticipating a second-day run on quarterbacks. We still expect Blake Bortles and Johnny Manziel to be first-round picks, but Teddy Bridgewater is a candidate to slide to day two, where Derek Carr, Zach Mettenberger, Tom Savage, Jimmy Garoppolo, and A.J. McCarron may also go.

Source: Profootballtalk on NBC Sports

Apr 14 - 2:05 PM

Report: Eagles wanted to acquire C.J. Spiller

Sources tell CSN Philly that the Eagles tried to trade for C.J. Spiller before dealing for Darren Sproles.

The Bills said they weren't interested in moving Spiller, so the Eagles never even made an offer. Chip Kelly then settled for Sproles, a player four years older and far inferior in the run game. It's another sign that the Eagles knew they'd be moving on from DeSean Jackson well before March 28, and also an indication that the Bills remain committed to Spiller despite last year's injury-marred disaster. Now that Buffalo has retained the explosive 26-year-old, hopefully Doug Marrone will utilize Spiller correctly with more touches in space, less banging between the tackles, and better injury management.

Source: CSN Philly

Apr 14 - 12:49 PM

Lions re-sign CB Rashean Mathis for one year

Lions agreed to terms with CB Rashean Mathis on a one-year contract.

Mathis was surprisingly the Lions' best corner last year, grading out 27th among 110 qualifiers per Pro Football Focus. But as he enters his age-34 season, he'll ideally be a stopgap No. 3 or 4 behind starters Chris Houston and Darius Slay. This signing shouldn't prevent the Lions from using a high draft pick on a cornerback, though we suspect they'll avoid one at No. 10 overall. There isn't a top-ten cornerback talent in this particular draft.

Source: Adam Schefter on Twitter

Apr 14 - 11:20 AM

Report: Jags 'really like' QB Jimmy Garoppolo

According to SI's Peter King, the Jaguars "really like" Eastern Illinois QB Jimmy Garoppolo.

King is hearing that four QB-needy teams (Houston, Jacksonville, Cleveland, Oakland) are "strongly considering" passing on the position with their first picks and waiting for round two. Perhaps that's why there's so much buzz around guys like Garoppolo and Pittsburgh's Tom Savage right now. Garoppolo, from the same college as Tony Romo, has a lightning-quick release but gets noticeably rattled in the pocket and has some arm strength questions at 6'2/219.

Source: SI.com

Apr 14 - 9:11 AM

49ers LB Aldon Smith detained at L.A. airport

49ers OLB Aldon Smith was detained at the Los Angeles Airport (LAX) on Sunday after allegedly yelling "bomb" in the airport terminal.

Smith was reportedly selected for a random screening at the security gate, at which point he became "belligerent and uncooperative." Smith reportedly made "a comment indicating that he was in possession of a bomb before proceeding toward the gate area." The incident comes just two weeks after a "suspicious incident" involving 49ers QB Colin Kaepernick in Miami, where a woman with whom he allegedly had a previous sexual relationship turned up in a hospital bed after a night "partying" with Kaepernick and two other NFL players. As for Smith, he was arrested in 2012 for DUI and in 2013 was charged with illegal possession of an assault weapon. GM Trent Baalke issued a statement Sunday saying the Niners are "disappointed" in Smith's latest run-in with the law.

Source: TMZ.com

Apr 13 - 8:04 PM