2015 Free Agency: The Waiver Wire Watch

[jsinger121]

Adam Schefter ‏@AdamSchefter  3m3 minutes ago
Recently-released Bucs DE Michael Johnson's first visit will be with the Minnesota Vikings, per source.

 

[Stitch01]

Apparantly Mark Davis went a little overboard with the Hooters and strip club visits and can't escrow big guaranteed contracts leaving the Raiders somewhat functionally unable to spend their cap space.

 

[PedroKsBambino]

Is he buying what he is selling? I mean this sounds like someone lying to himself about how it went.
 
Oh yah he loves us and wants to sign, but refused to sign right away because he just wants to think about it for a second, but he is so going to sign.

 
It seems like Harvin needs a team who'll say 'yes' to him at decent money in order to have any leverage with the teams he actually wants to go to.  Isn't that why he starts with Buffalo rather than Pats, Eagles, etc.?

 

[dcmissle]

What is up with that this year? Don't ever recall guys backing out in years past like Gore did. But in Mathews' case it actually makes some sense if Philly signs Murray. That said I don't think Mathews will get 3 / $10.5 elsewhere.

Well the Philly part is easy, right? Chip is in the middle of sausage making, which is never pretty. Players leaving the team are crushing him, in some cases, Foles, without apparent personal vindictiveness but just relief, which makes it worse. Any player Chip brings in is presumptively a "chip guy", of course, but it appears that Chip, with as free a rein as BB, is capable of turning on a dime.

 

[Silverdude2167]

 
It seems like Harvin needs a team who'll say 'yes' to him at decent money in order to have any leverage with the teams he actually wants to go to.  Isn't that why he starts with Buffalo rather than Pats, Eagles, etc.?

That would make alot of sense.

 

[Corsi]

Spotrac ‏@spotrac  6s6 seconds ago
The #Jaguars clear another $4.5M in space by releasing DE Red Bryant.
 
Pats have had interest in the past.

 

[jsinger121]

Some of these teams are so fucking dumb when they make free agent signings and then dump them the following year. Now you know why teams like Jacksonville, Tampa and others are in the dumpster every year.

 

[Corsi]

John McClain ‏@McClain_on_NFL  1m1 minute ago
Looks like Texans are closing in on deal with FS Rahim Moore. Stay tuned.

 

[bagwell1]

Some of these teams are so fucking dumb when they make free agent signings and then dump them the following year. Now you know why teams like Jacksonville, Tampa and others are in the dumpster every year.

 
Or, Another way to look at the Jags releasing Bryant is that they signed a much better player to start at his position, resigned the younger/more flexible player for less money as back up and decided to save 4.5 mil with zero cap hit.

 

[ivanvamp]

 
Spotrac ‏@spotrac  6s6 seconds ago
The #Jaguars clear another $4.5M in space by releasing DE Red Bryant.
 
Pats have had interest in the past.
 

 
If he can still play, I'd absolutely take a look.  If we can't have Revis and Browner, then I want as good a front 7 as possible.

 

[jsinger121]

Adam Schefter ‏@AdamSchefter  now8 seconds ago
Filed to ESPN: DeMarco Murray, en route now to Philly, is expected to sign with Eagles, per source.

 

[jsinger121]

Adam Schefter ‏@AdamSchefter  1m1 minute ago
Dallas now calling around for other RBs. Cowboys know they've lost DeMarco Murray to the Eagles.

 

[koufax32]

If he can still play, I'd absolutely take a look.  If we can't have Revis and Browner, then I want as good a front 7 as possible.

He played very well for JAX last year. I think this is a BB type move for them where they drop someone one year too early rather than too late. It also might signify what direction they are looking in the draft.

 

[MillarTime]

Yep. Get him.

 

[jsinger121]

Adam Schefter ‏@AdamSchefter  15s15 seconds ago
Chiefs traded this year's 5th-round pick to Saints for two-time Pro Bowl guard Ben Grubbs, per league source.

 

[wibi]

 
Adam Schefter ‏@AdamSchefter  15s15 seconds ago
Chiefs traded this year's 5th-round pick to Saints for two-time Pro Bowl guard Ben Grubbs, per league source.
 

 
The Saints are clearing money off the books left and right this off season.  Moving Grubbs saves them 3M this year and 7.3M next year. 

 

[MillarTime]

All the more reason to call on Keenan Lewis....

 

[jsinger121]

Adam Schefter ‏@AdamSchefter  13s14 seconds ago
DeMarco Murray's deal with Eagles is expected to be 5 years, $42 million, including $21 million guaranteed, per @mortreport and I.

 

[Super Nomario]

 
The Saints are clearing money off the books left and right this off season.  Moving Grubbs saves them 3M this year and 7.3M next year. 

They need to: they've been running the cap to its limits. Even after the Grubbs and Graham moves they have the third-least cap space for 2016, and Brees has cap hits of ~$27 MM each of the next two seasons. They also have frequently traded up in the draft, costing them picks, so the extra selections help.

 

[RedOctober3829]

 

Dianna Marie Russini ‏@NBCdianna  5m5 minutes ago
Reggie Bush already met with 49ers. New Orleans next, then Patriots.
 

 

[Corsi]

Dianna Marie Russini ‏@NBCdianna  2m2 minutes ago
A head coach texted me in regards to Terrance "Pot Roast" Knighton. "Teams afraid to sign him because he's out of shape" So, there's that.

 

[RedOctober3829]

 

Adam Beasley ‏@AdamHBeasley  29s29 seconds ago
NEWS: The Dolphins are one of the teams that have contact the Eagles about Evan Mathis. Tannenbaum is not messing around.
 

 

[soxhop411]

Adam Schefter ‏@AdamSchefter  8s8 seconds ago
Ravens reached agreement with RB Justin Forsett, per source. RB market heating up.

 

[jsinger121]

Adam Schefter ‏@AdamSchefter  33s33 seconds ago
Ravens reached agreement with RB Justin Forsett, per source. RB market heating up.

 

[DennyDoyle'sBoil]

What are the Saints going to do with Reggie Bush?  They just released him, except they called him "Pierre Thomas."
 
So, it's going to go something like this, isn't it?  
 
Detroit releases Bush.
Saints sign Bush after releasing Thomas.
Patriots sign Thomas after releasing Vereen.
Giants sign Vereen.
 
And they are all going to make around $3 million next year with 4 to 6 TDs and 600 to 1000 all purpose yards.

 

[RedOctober3829]

 

Jeff Howe ‏@jeffphowe  12s13 seconds ago
The Patriots have expressed interest in acquiring guard Evan Mathis from the Eagles in a trade, according to a source.

 
BOO YA

 

[MillarTime]

Don't know a lot about Mathis. Starter or depth guy?

 

[Kenny F'ing Powers]

Don't know a lot about Mathis. Starter or depth guy?

 
If he can stay healthy, he's a starter. He's Connolly's age, but a significantly better lineman.

 

[DaughtersofDougMirabelli]

If he can stay healthy, he's a starter. He's Connolly's age, but a significantly better lineman.

 
I'd say even better than starter. Pro Bowler last two years, All-Pro 2013. Missed about half of last season (first half).

 

[RedOctober3829]

 
If he can stay healthy, he's a starter. He's Connolly's age, but a significantly better lineman.

He'd be this year's version of Brian Waters.

 

[MillarTime]

Ok thanks. Giddy up.

 

[DaughtersofDougMirabelli]

Looks like Mathis would be about a $4.5 million cap hit this year, $6 million 2016. 

 

[tims4wins]

Connolly had a $4.1M hit this year per miguel, so $4.5 wouldn't be bad

 

[Ed Hillel]

Looks like Mathis would be about a $4.5 million cap hit this year, $6 million 2016. 

I think 5.5 this year, 6 next, right? I think I prefer the draft, given his age and recent injury.

 

[Kenny F'ing Powers]

 
I'd say even better than starter. Pro Bowler last two years, All-Pro 2013. Missed about half of last season (first half).

 
He's two years removed from being an all-pro, with an MCL injury following it and his 34th birthday on the horizon. He strung 2 full seasons together in 2012 and 2013, but he's far from reliable. If we can get "starter level" from him for a whole season, I'll be over the moon.

 

[Ed Hillel]

 
He's two years removed from being an all-pro, with an MCL injury following it and his 34th birthday on the horizon. He strung 2 full seasons together in 2012 and 2013, but he's far from reliable. If we can get "starter level" from him for a whole season, I'll be over the moon.

Yeah, this seems like a bad move for the money, unless there's a reworking of the deal.

 

[tims4wins]

I think 5.5 this year, 6 next, right? I almost prefer the draft, given his age and recent injury.

 
Yeah those are his base salaries

 

[theapportioner]

Kind of interesting - Mathis didn't really become an elite guard (or was not recognized as one) until he reached his 30s and joined the Eagles.

 

[tims4wins]

Yeah, this seems like a bad move for the money, unless there's a reworking of the deal.

 
They could convert the $5.5 for 2015 to bonus and maybe add a 3rd year to the deal, but then 2016 would go up by roughly $1.8M and make his cap figure $7.8M next year, which would not be ideal. They would likely need to completely re-vamp the contract to make it work.

 

[DaughtersofDougMirabelli]

He's two years removed from being an all-pro, with an MCL injury following it and his 34th birthday on the horizon. He strung 2 full seasons together in 2012 and 2013, but he's far from reliable. If we can get "starter level" from him for a whole season, I'll be over the moon.

 
I'd argue that after his MCL injury he was All-Pro worthy last year too. Though guys don't usually get an All-Pro if they play half the season. 
 
His age an injury are both concerns, but if he's playing he'll be "starter level."
 

Yeah those are his base salaries

 
Yeah my bad. I read it as 2 million in dead money this year for the Eagles. Took 2 off of this year and the one off of next too. Ed is correct. 

 

[Ferm Sheller]

Any guesses on the value of Mathis in terms of draft picks?  I note that the Pats have two picks in the 4th (one high and one low) and none in the 5th.

 

[Kenny F'ing Powers]

 
I'd argue that after his MCL injury he was All-Pro worthy last year too. Though guys don't usually get an All-Pro if they play half the season. 
 
His age an injury are both concerns, but if he's playing he'll be "starter level."
 

 
So...what I already said?
 

 
If he can stay healthy, he's a starter. He's Connolly's age, but a significantly better lineman.

 

[RedOctober3829]

Isn't Connolly a similar injury issue with his concussions?  If you are going to pay an older, injury-prone guy in that range I'll take the risk on the one who has the highest upside.

 

[soxhop411]

Albert Breer ‏@AlbertBreer  now
Alright, there are MULTIPLE news choppers following DeMarco Murray from the airport. This is officially the dumbest thing I've seen in 2015.

 

[Kenny F'ing Powers]

Isn't Connolly a similar injury issue with his concussions?  If you are going to pay an older, injury-prone guy in that range I'll take the risk on the one who has the highest upside.

 
Mathis' cap hit is $6.5M this year and $7M next year. That's $13.5M for two years of Mathis. You could probably get Connolly for the next two years at $2.5-3M.
 
Maybe he's worth it, maybe he isn't. 

 

[jsinger121]

Manish Mehta ‏@MMehtaNYDN  5m5 minutes ago
Source: Antonio Cromartie's 4-year deal with the Jets: Base value of $32 million. #nyj

 

[Super Nomario]

Mathis is really good and probably worth it at that price, but I was kinda hoping they'd take the opportunity to go younger. Probably need to draft an interior OL whether they trade for Mathis, sign Connolly, or just ride with what they have.

 

[tims4wins]

 
Mathis' cap hit is $6.5M this year and $7M next year. That's $13.5M for two years of Mathis. You could probably get Connolly for the next two years at $2.5-3M.
 
Maybe he's worth it, maybe he isn't. 

 
Connolly played for this year at $3M base + $1M in bonus, you really think he would take a 2 year deal for $2.5-$3M total?

 

[Phragle]

Of course he's a fucking starter on a team that is currently starting Wendell and Kline. I like it, but I wonder why Chip doesn't like him.

 

[Morgan's Magic Snowplow]

 
Mathis' cap hit is $6.5M this year and $7M next year. That's $13.5M for two years of Mathis. You could probably get Connolly for the next two years at $2.5-3M.
 
Maybe he's worth it, maybe he isn't. 

 
It would only be $5.5 and $6M to the Patriots if we traded for him.  I'm not fully sold though.
 

 
Manish Mehta ‏@MMehtaNYDN  5m5 minutes ago
Source: Antonio Cromartie's 4-year deal with the Jets: Base value of $32 million. #nyj
 

 
Interestingly, 4/32 is also what they signed him at four years ago.