NFL | Report: Saints/Graham on verge of record deal

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Report: Saints/Graham on verge of record deal

ESPN's Adam Schefter reports the Saints and franchise player Jimmy Graham are "closing in" on a deal that would make Graham the highest-paid tight end in league history.

Reports of a long-term deal have been seconded by FOX Sports and Profootballtalk. The sides have until Tuesday to finalize a long-term agreement. If talks fall apart, Graham would be forced to play out 2014 under the tight-end franchise tag (though he's appealed his tag as a tight end). Graham will blow by the $16 million guaranteed — the most for any current tight end — Dennis Pitta and Jared Cook received in their recent deals.

Source: Adam Schefter on Twitter

Mon, Jul 14, 2014 05:16:00 PM

Cowboys confirm Dez Bryant will be franchised

Cowboys VP Stephen Jones confirmed the team will use the franchise tag on free agent Dez Bryant.

"I think it would be a stretch to think we would have something done by Monday," Jones said. "Looks like we're eyeing a franchise tag on Dez, but that certainly won't stop us from working hard to get a long-term deal." This has been the expectation all along. Dallas is in talks with Bryant, but the sides aren't expected to reach an agreement before the franchise-tag deadline. Bryant will make around $13 million if the Cowboys don't extend him by July 15.

Source: FOX Sports Southwest

Feb 28 - 6:10 PM

Texans LB Cushing recovering from 3 surgeries

Texans ILB Brian Cushing is recovering from three offseason surgeries, one to his right wrist, one to his left ankle, and one to his left knee.

Add three to an already seemingly-countless number of surgeries Cushing has undergone as a pro. The ankle and knee were arthroscopic "clean-up" procedures, and the third operation repaired Cushing's fractured wrist. Cushing claims he'll be a full-go for training camp and could even participate in OTAs. Coming off his worst NFL season, Cushing could be facing a make-or-break year in Houston. He's owed $5.25 million in 2015 salary and bonuses.

Source: Houston Chronicle

Feb 28 - 4:40 PM

Browns give Josh McCown 3-year, $14M deal

Browns signed QB Josh McCown to a three-year, $14 million contract.

The Buccaneers gave McCown a two-year, $10 million contract last offseason, surrounding him with Vincent Jackson, Mike Evans, and Austin Seferian-Jenkins. He posted an 11:14 TD-to-INT ratio with a 1-10 record, and got cut. The Browns are giving McCown nearly the same annual average on a lengthier deal while surrounding him with Andrew Hawkins, Travis Benjamin, and Taylor Gabriel. It's a desperate move to say the least. The McCown signing highlights the Browns' lack of confidence in 2014 first-round pick Johnny Manziel, and confirms free agent Brian Hoyer will move on. Now entering his age-36 season, McCown has a strong connection with new Cleveland OC John DeFilippo from their Oakland days together and will be the heavy favorite to start Week 1.

Feb 27 - 6:29 PM

Cards cut Darnell Dockett, save $6.8 million

Cardinals released DE Darnell Dockett.

Dockett was not amenable to a pay cut after missing all of 2014 with a torn ACL. He recently tweeted his displeasure with renegotiation talks. Dockett turns 34 in May and has lost most of his early-career pass-rush ability, though he remained a strong run defender the last time he played. Cutting Dockett frees up $6.8 million in salary cap space. GM Steve Keim said in a statement Friday that the Cardinals want Dockett back at a cheaper price.

Source: Dianna Marie Russini on Twitter

Feb 27 - 4:02 PM

Report: Redskins interested in OG Mike Iupati

NBC Washington's Dianna Marie Russini reports the Redskins have "strong interest" in free agent OG Mike Iupati.

Redskins coach Jay Gruden has been transitioning away from smaller, athletic zone linemen to large power blockers for the last year and a half. Iupati is a 6-foot-5, 330-pound road grader whom new Redskins GM Scot McCloughan drafted in San Francisco. Iupati would be a natural fit in D.C. Per Russini, the Redskins can expect competition for Iupati's services from the Buccaneers.

Source: Dianna Marie Russini on Twitter

Feb 27 - 3:44 PM

Falcons part with longtime LG Justin Blalock

Falcons released LG Justin Blalock.

The move clears $3.8 million in cap room, but creates a need in Atlanta. The Falcons' starting left guard since he entered the NFL in 2007, Blalock was likely deemed a poor schematic fit for new OC Kyle Shanahan's zone-run game. Pro Football Focus gave Blalock above-average marks in 2014, and he just turned 31. Expect Blalock to draw interest from power-blocking teams.

Feb 27 - 2:14 PM

'Building evidence' Eagles to target Mariota

According to Philly Voice's Jimmy Kempski, "evidence continues to build" that the Eagles plan to trade up for Oregon QB Marcus Mariota.

We've followed Kempski's work for years and can't ever remember him being wrong. Most notably, he called the DeSean Jackson release well in advance. Kempski acknowledges he previously believed Philly moving up for Mariota was "unrealistic," but now "it appears the Eagles are determined to get their guy." Moving up from No. 20 into the top-two picks would likely cost Philadelphia most of its 2015 draft class, in addition to a 2016 first-round pick.

Source: Philly Voice

Feb 27 - 1:53 PM

Skins axe NT Barry Cofield, save $4 million

Redskins released NT Barry Cofield.

The move saves Washington $4 million in cap space. Cofield enters a strong interior defensive line class in free agency, but should generate a healthy amount of interest. He missed much of last season with a severe high ankle sprain, but is still only 31 years old (in mid-March), and capable as both a pocket pusher and run stopper. He can play multiple positions on the line.

Feb 27 - 1:34 PM

Dolphins throw in the towel on Brian Hartline

Dolphins released WR Brian Hartline.

A low-ceiling receiver who is allergic to the end zone, Hartline bottomed out with a miserable 2014 season (39 catches for 474 yards in 16 games). It would have been preposterous for Miami to keep him at his $5.9 million salary. Hartline has a pair of 1,000-yard seasons on his resume, but he's a complementary receiver at best. Hartline's departure makes the Dolphins more likely to keep Mike Wallace and gives another boost to second-year slot WR Jarvis Landry. Still only 28, Hartline could be a starter on a team like the Browns. He also happens to be from Canton (OH) and played college football at Ohio State.

Source: Profootballtalk on NBC Sports

Feb 27 - 10:19 AM

Falcons cut WR Harry Douglas, saving $3.5M

Falcons released WR Harry Douglas.

Douglas has been a productive wideout in Atlanta when either Julio Jones or Roddy White has been injured, but he’s going to be 31 this season and new OC Kyle Shanahan's offense is going to go through Jones even more than it has in the past. There was no reason to pay all three of Jones, White, and Douglas. The Falcons can get Douglas’ production as the No. 3 receiver at a much cheaper rate via a bargain free-agent signing or mid-round draft pick. The Falcons pick up $3.5 million in cap space by cutting Douglas, who posted a 51-556-2 line in 2014.

Source: Profootballtalk on NBC Sports

Feb 27 - 10:08 AM

Report: Mike Wallace unwilling to take pay cut

The Sun-Sentinel reports Mike Wallace has informed the Dolphins he isn't willing to restructure the final three years of his contract.

Wallace has three years and $32.9 million left on his contract, and the Dolphins would like him to take a pay cut if he's going to stick around in Miami. Wallace holds all the cards here. He's easily the team's biggest playmaker and is coming off a 10-touchdown season even with Ryan Tannehill's complete incapability of throwing any semblance of a deep ball. Wallace probably prefers to escape the dumpster fire that is the Dolphins. As our own Patrick Daugherty put it: "The same team that couldn't work with Brandon Marshall and Vontae Davis is now preparing to dump Wallace. Novel idea: Maybe just figure things out?" Brian Hartline and Brandon Gibson are barely replacement-level receivers.

Source: Sun-Sentinel

Feb 27 - 9:11 AM