Footballguys #271 - 1/23

To unsubscribe from these mailings, click [here]. 8065187 --- [Footballguys.com] Volume 17, Issue #271 -- Monday Night, January 23rd, 2017 Note: Unsubscribe instructions are at the bottom of this email Hi Folks, Welcome to Tuesday. We've got the News and Notes you need so let's get to it. J SITE NEWS INSIDE THIS ISSUE 1. [PIT - RB Karlos Williams signs future deal with PIT] 2. [CLE - WR Terrelle Pryor may receive franchise tag] 3. [DAL - Ronald Leary may not return to Dallas] 4. [GB - WR Antwan Goodley signs Reserve/Future deal] 5. [CLE - OLB Jamie Collins signs extension] 6. [ATL - QB Matt Ryan the best without pressure] 7. [PIT - TE Ladarius Green not retiring] 8. [SF - Kyle Shanahan, 49ers to meet Saturday?] 9. [GB - TE Jared Cook big in playoffs] 10. [TEN - CB Jason McCourty nearing the end in Tennessee?] 11. [PHI - Taylor Hart moving to offensive line] 12. [MIA - OLB Koa Misi likely done in Miami] 13. [MIA - DE Mario Williams a likely salary-cap cut] 14. [GB - T.J. Lang prepping for minor surgeries] 15. [CAR - DT Kawann Short could receive franchise tag] 16. [BAL - OLB Kamalei Correa now viewed as ILB] 17. [GB - CB Sam Shields still experiencing headaches] 18. [NYJ - WR Frankie Hammond heads to Jets] 19. [WAS - Jim Tomsula hired to Redskins staff] 20. [WAS - Matt Cavanaugh promoted to OC] 21. [PIT - Le'Veon Bell had pre-existing injury] 22. [PIT - OLB James Harrison not done] --------------------------------------------------------------- 1. [PIT - RB Karlos Williams signs future deal with PIT] Source: Tampa Bay Times - Greg Auman Free-agent RB [Karlos Williams] (Steelers) signed a Reserve/Future contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Terms of the contract were not disclosed. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Dynasty owners need to keep tabs here. DeAngelo Williams is a free agent in 2017, and he may not be back with the Steelers. Le'Veon Bell is also set to hit the open market, but we think Pittsburgh finds a way to keep him around (franchise tag or long-term deal). Williams has seen his career go off track due to weight problems and a suspension (that still has four games left), but he's still a talented runner when things are aligned. We'll see if he can do anything with this chance the Steelers are giving him. [Back to Top] --------------------------------------------------------------- 2. [CLE - WR Terrelle Pryor may receive franchise tag] Source: CBSSports.com - Jason La Canfora Cleveland Browns impending free-agent WR [Terrelle Pryor] likely will receive the franchise tag this offseason after the Browns were able to sign LB Jamie Collins to a contract extension. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] The Browns don't have to do that, but they will if they can't come to a long-term agreement with Pryor. Even with Collins signed to a deal that makes him the highest-paid ILB in the NFL, the Browns still have plenty of cap space. Pryor wants to stay, and the Browns would be wise to keep him. That sounds like they can come together on a price. [Back to Top] --------------------------------------------------------------- 3. [DAL - Ronald Leary may not return to Dallas] Source: ESPNDallas.com - Todd Archer Dallas Cowboys impending free-agent OG Ronald Leary probably will not return to the Cowboys next season because he likely will receive more money in free agency than the team will be willing to pay him, in the opinion of ESPNDallas.com's Todd Archer. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Leary is one of the best guards on the open market. Expect a team like the Broncos to make a run at him when free agency kicks off. [Back to Top] --------------------------------------------------------------- 4. [GB - WR Antwan Goodley signs Reserve/Future deal] Source: ESPN.com - Rob Demovsky The Green Bay Packers signed WR Antwan Goodley to a Reserve/Future contract Monday, Jan. 23. Terms of the contract were not disclosed. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Undrafted out of Baylor in 2015, Goodley has been on three teams during his short pro career. He's got the speed to get by defenders quickly, and Goodley has the ability to help as a return man too. [Back to Top] --------------------------------------------------------------- 5. [CLE - OLB Jamie Collins signs extension] Source: CBSSports.com - Jason La Canfora Cleveland Browns LB Jamie Collins signed a four-year contract extension with the Browns Monday, Jan. 23, worth $50 million. The deal includes $26 million in guaranteed money. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] This contract has been in the works for quite some time. In the last year of his rookie deal, Collins was traded mid-season from the Patriots to the Browns. With over $100 million in cap space, the Browns had the room to pay him a price Collins wanted. This total makes him the 4th-highest paid linebacker in the NFL. [Back to Top] --------------------------------------------------------------- 6. [ATL - QB Matt Ryan the best without pressure] Source: NBC Sports - Chris Collinsworth Atlanta Falcons QB [Matt Ryan]'s passer rating is 131.1 when he's in a clean pocket. That's the best rating in the NFL by more than 10 points. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Ryan put up great numbers this year, but perhaps most impressive is that only 12.4 percent of his passes were considered "off target." That mark ranks second in the league, only behind Drew Brees (10.0 percent). [Back to Top] --------------------------------------------------------------- 7. [PIT - TE Ladarius Green not retiring] Source: ESPN.com - Jeremy Fowler Pittsburgh Steelers TE [Ladarius Green] (concussion) would like to return to the Steelers next season. He is not considering retirement despite suffering multiple concussions with multiple teams. 'Frustrating season, but everybody has one,' Green said. 'I hope it's the only one I have. I'm going to go train as soon as I get home, and hopefully next season works out a lot better.' [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Green was limited to only six games in his first season with the Steelers. An incredible receiving weapon when healthy, Green battled with this concussion since he suffered the injury in Week 15. He's under contract through 2019, and Green has a cap number of $5 million in 2017. [Back to Top] --------------------------------------------------------------- 8. [SF - Kyle Shanahan, 49ers to meet Saturday?] Source: The Atlanta Journal-Constitution - D. Orlando Ledbetter Atlanta Falcons head coach Dan Quinn said offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan will be free to meet with the San Francisco 49ers Saturday, Jan. 28. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] This meeting has to be a formality only. Shanahan is the best coaching prospect on the market...even before the other hirings across the league. The 49ers need him in a bad way, and the way Shanahan has crafted the Falcons offense it makes for an exciting future if (when) the 49ers make him their next head coach. [Back to Top] --------------------------------------------------------------- 9. [GB - TE Jared Cook big in playoffs] Source: Packers.com - Wes Hodkiewicz Green Bay Packers impending free-agent TE [Jared Cook] totaled 18 catches for 229 yards and two touchdowns in Green Bay's three playoff games this season. Cook had not made it to the postseason in his seven-year career and was content with his first season as a Packer. 'I'm just happy to be where I am,' Cook said. 'I'm happy to finally be able to get somewhere I've been searching on a journey. Not the ultimate goal, but you take the good with the bad.' [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Cook's career can always be summed up with the phrase "what might have been." Even this year, Cook had 30 catches for 377 yards but missed six games with a high-ankle sprain. He's been maddeningly inconsistent his entire pro career, and that may not change even if the Packers decide to bring him back in 2017. [Back to Top] --------------------------------------------------------------- 10. [TEN - CB Jason McCourty nearing the end in Tennessee?] Source: TitansInsider.com - Terry McCormick Tennessee Titans CB Jason McCourty is due $7 million next season and 'will have to fight to retain his starting spot if he is not released as a cap cut', according to TitanInsider.com's Terry McCormick. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] McCourty has been with the Titans since they selected him out of Rutgers in the sixth round of the 2009 NFL draft. He might be willing to take a pay cut to stay with the team. [Back to Top] --------------------------------------------------------------- 11. [PHI - Taylor Hart moving to offensive line] Source: CSNPhilly.com - Dave Zangaro Philadelphia Eagles DL Taylor Hart will make the full-time switch from defensive lineman to offensive tackle this offseason. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Hart is a high-energy player who the Eagles picked up out of Oregon in the fifth round of the 2014 NFL draft. A former basketball and volleyball player in college (in addition to football), Hart has moved from defensive tackle to defensive end to now offensive tackle. He has great size and length, but we'll have to see how he makes this transition to the other side of the ball. [Back to Top] --------------------------------------------------------------- 12. [MIA - OLB Koa Misi likely done in Miami] Source: ESPN.com - James Walker Miami Dolphins LB Koa Misi missed 13 games in 2016 with a serious neck injury, and he hasn’t played a full 16-game season since 2010, making him too injury prone to be counted on as a starter, according to ESPN.com's James Walker. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] The Dolphins are expected to overhaul their linebacking corps and cutting Misi would save the team $4.2 million. His neck injury was first thought to be career threatening, but it looks like Misi will be able to continue playing football....just not for the Dolphins most likely. [Back to Top] --------------------------------------------------------------- 13. [MIA - DE Mario Williams a likely salary-cap cut] Source: ESPN.com - James Walker Miami Dolphins DE Mario Williams is 'almost certain' to be released this offseason, a move that would save the team $8.5 million. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] A healthy scratch in Week 17, the writing was on the wall with Williams. Known motivator Vance Joseph (former DC and current head coach of the Broncos) couldn't get through to Williams in 2016. Williams has plenty of "name" value, but he may only be offered "prove it" deals for the 2017 season. [Back to Top] --------------------------------------------------------------- 14. [GB - T.J. Lang prepping for minor surgeries] Source: Packers.com - Wes Hodkiewicz Green Bay Packers OG T.J. Lang (foot, hip) will undergo foot and hip arthroscopic surgeries on Friday, Jan. 27. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Lang was carted off in the NFC Championship Game against the Falcons on Sunday. The injury was thought to be more serious than it turned out to be. Lang is a free agent in 2017, and he's one of the best guards on the market. When healthy, Lang can be a quality starter at a Pro Bowl level. [Back to Top] --------------------------------------------------------------- 15. [CAR - DT Kawann Short could receive franchise tag] Source: ESPN.com - David Newton Carolina Panthers DT Kawann Short is a 'definite possibility' to receive the franchise tag this offseason, according to ESPN.com's David Newton. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] We could see Short get a huge long-term contract from another team if the Panthers decide they can't afford him. They'll be looking at a new deal for fellow DT Star Lotulelei next offseason, and that could lead them to letting Short go. This is an incredibly deep draft class at defensive tackle, plus the team has 2016 first-round pick Vernon Butler ready to start next to Lotulelei this season. [Back to Top] --------------------------------------------------------------- 16. [BAL - OLB Kamalei Correa now viewed as ILB] Source: ESPN.com - Jamison Hensley Baltimore Ravens LB Kamalei Correa was drafted last spring to be a 3-4 edge rusher, but the organization quickly moved him inside. He ended up playing only 49 snaps as a rookie in part because the coaches wanted him to show more physicality and a better feel for the defense, but he is now the early favorite to start opposite C.J. Mosley following Zach Orr's surprising retirement. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] A second-round pick out of Boise State in 2016, Correa has "see ball, get ball" traits as a linebacker. He's a smart player who diagnoses well as the play unfolds in front of him. Correa's aggressiveness can be used against him, and he'll overrun a play here or there because of it. [Back to Top] --------------------------------------------------------------- 17. [GB - CB Sam Shields still experiencing headaches] Source: Wisconsin State Journal - Jason Wilde Green Bay Packers CB Sam Shields (concussion) still wants to play football, but told the Wisconsin State Journal recently he is still having occasional headaches. He suffered his second in a nine-month span in Week 1 and has four documented concussions during his seven-year NFL career. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Shields has a cap hit of $12.1 million in 2017, but there's only $3.1 million remaining in dead money. If he continues to play (a HUGE if), then expect the Packers to restructure his deal. There's always a possibility that the Packers look to cut the veteran corner for 2017. [Back to Top] --------------------------------------------------------------- 18. [NYJ - WR Frankie Hammond heads to Jets] Source: ESPNNewYork.com - Rich Cimini Free-agent WR [Frankie Hammond] Jr. (Chiefs) signed a future contract with the New York Jets Monday, Jan. 23. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Hammond was out of the league in 2016. He was mainly a special teams player during his time with the Chiefs, and that's how he'll have to win a spot with the Jets in 2017. [Back to Top] --------------------------------------------------------------- 19. [WAS - Jim Tomsula hired to Redskins staff] Source: The Washington Post - Master Tesfatsion Former San Francisco 49ers head coach Jim Tomsula was hired by the Washington Redskins as defensive line coach Monday, Jan. 23. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] The head coach for the 49ers in 2015, Tomsula sat back and took some time off in 2016 (and still got paid). He failed as a head coach, but Tomsula is one of the most respected defensive line coaches in the league and should thrive back at his natural spot. [Back to Top] --------------------------------------------------------------- 20. [WAS - Matt Cavanaugh promoted to OC] Source: Redskins.com Washington Redskins quarterbacks coach Matt Cavanaugh was promoted to offensive coordinator Monday, Jan. 23. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] With Sean McVay moving on to Los Angeles (Rams) to be the youngest head coach in the NFL, Washington makes a good move by promoting Cavanaugh. He was last an offensive coordinator in the NFL with the Ravens from 1999-2004. [Back to Top] --------------------------------------------------------------- 21. [PIT - Le'Veon Bell had pre-existing injury] Source: The Associated Press - Barry Wilner Updating an earlier report, Pittsburgh Steelers RB Le'Veon Bell (groin) had an injured groin before the AFC Championship game Sunday, Jan. 22. Bell said he had been managing the ailment, but he knew during warmups that he wasn't close to 100 percent. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] He left the game and returned for one play, but he knew his day was done afterwards. 'I saw the seam and couldn't hit it,' Bell said. 'It was like I was running 50 percent out there. At that point, I knew I couldn't go. I was holding the team back.' [Back to Top] --------------------------------------------------------------- 22. [PIT - OLB James Harrison not done] Source: NFL.com - Nick Shook Pittsburgh Steelers LB James Harrison said after the AFC title game loss Sunday, Jan. 22, that he intends to continue playing in 2017. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Harrison spends a few hundred thousand a year preparing his body for the rigors of the NFL. He may not quite be the player he used to be, but Harrison is essentially the Ponce De Leon of pass-rushers in the NFL. He'll be a free agent in March. [Back to Top] --------------------------------------------------------------- That'll do it for today, Folks. Thanks for reading and thanks for being part of Footballguys. We'll see you tomorrow with the Update. Peace, J --- Thank you for subscribing to our Footballguys Daily Update Email! Get your 3 Free Downloads [here]. You are currently subscribed to footballguys-public-fulltext as {EMAIL} To unsubscribe, click [here]. * Footballguys.com * PO Box 937 * Cabot, AR 72023-0937 * 8065187 [News Items Powered By:] ---