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JC

Ward will probably command 5-7 mil per year which will put him in the top 5-8 range for safeties. Mack will command 6+ mil making him the highest paid center.

I'd pay them both. They both deserve it a lot and have been real solid for us everywhere.

May I ask how you know what their salary demands will be?

Okay............I guess I will take your word for it. As I said before, I know very little about salaries.

http://www.spotrac.com/rankings/nfl/2014/center/limit-100/

That makes it extremely helpful.

I hope we keep Mack. He's worth it.

However, I almost think Mack will walk and we will keep Ward.

I have been backing this FO, but those two moves will upset me, even if I don't complain too much due to the overwhelming disparity of things around here.

I don't think Mack wants to be on this roster anymore. I'd even go as far to say... I think he'd take less money from another team and not even look back. And truthfully, as I've said before - I cannot blame the man if that is his mindset.

It's nothing against Mack and I don't think he hates it, just the competitor in him probably wants more than a team that can't even break even in the win/loss column since he's been here. A team where there isn't new faces in the coaching staff every year to other year and just everything that makes the Browns, the Browns.

I doubt these players play the sport just for the money. There is a passion and a desire/will to win. Getting spanked year after year has to weigh in on these guys who have been on this team for years.

Hope I am wrong and hope he is one of those "stay here until it gets turned around" type of mindsets. I'll be honest, I was shocked we signed Joe Thomas long term. I figured he too would rather move on to more stable, better-chance-of-winning environments.

I know they play for money. The guys who are on NFL Network and ESPN admit to it all the time.

However, playing on a team that gets their brains kicked in game after game and year after year has to suck. They have pride. They want to win. It has to be a factor.

Put it this way....if the money is equal or very close, would you rather play for a losing team like the Browns who also play in a crap city or for a team like San Fransisco who is going to win and resides in one of the most exciting cities on the planet?

you pick the team destined for greatness.

look at what dawson is doing. kicking FG in the playoffs. must be nice.

Browncos are at it again...

http://www.spotrac.com/transactions/nfl/denver-broncos/

Donks signed OL Ryan Miller, S Eric Hagg, LB LJ Fort, and WR Jordan Norwood to futures contracts. Guess Heckert really liked those guys.

Didn't care for Miller or Hagg, but Fort was a better LB then anything on our bench at ILB and Norwood was better than Cooper and ultimately Bess and Little….you know, the kind of depth we were missing down the stretch.

j/k


Question :

Why are people down on Cooper, Just my opinon but he's got pretty good hands, I really dont see him drop many passes, Seems to me he might be a good person to have as a slot or line up in the two TE formation.

I know he's slow, but his routes are desent would get better with more playing time,

Just seems to me we all complain about dropped passes and heres a guy who has better than average hands, young will get better at routes, drops few passes and with more playing time would only get better at that to.

I like Cooper and feel better with him in the line-up than Little or Bess, at least he gets open he's gonna catch the ball and for the most times, copper knows to get on the other side of the first down marker not 1 yard infront.

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Nothing in the way of a major surprise here, but the New York Giants are not expected to re-sign impending free agent wide receiver Hakeem Nicks, the NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported Sunday. According to Rapoport, Nicks was fined “repeatedly” for being late to mandatory team activities and for missing treatments with the team’s medical staff.

The 26-year-old Nicks could pose a difficult case on the free-agent market alongside names like Eric Decker, Anquan Boldin, Jeremy Maclin and Emmanuel Sanders. After averaging 77.5 catches, 1,122 yards and nine touchdowns over the 2010 and ’11 seasons, Nicks’ production plummeted in 2012 and ’13 as he struggled to stay healthy. He caught just 53 passes last year and finished with 56 in 2013; he also failed to score a touchdown during this past campaign.


“I still think (Nicks) can be a good player,” Giants GM Jerry Reese told the New York Daily News’ Ralph Vacchiano. “He has to stay healthy and focus more on what he’s doing.”

Those reported team-imposed fines could make Nicks a tougher sell to a receiver-needy team. Same goes for a relatively loaded WR class in the 2014 draft — teams may hold off chasing Nicks or other free agents in hopes of upgrading with cheaper, younger options come May.

“We all know this is where I want to be,” Nicks said earlier in January, per The Star-Ledger’s Conor Orr. “[But] I understand the business side.”

The Giants seem prepared for Nicks’ possible departure thanks to the presences of Victor Cruz and Rueben Randle. That duo likely would be the Giants’ 1-2 combo next season, should Nicks leave. Cruz has led the team in receptions each of the past three seasons, while Randle delivered 41 grabs in 2013.

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Link

Quarterbacks

Derek Anderson, Carolina Panthers
Jimmy Clausen, Carolina Panthers
Kellen Clemens, St. Louis Rams
Matt Flynn, Green Bay Packers
Josh Freeman, Minnesota Vikings
David Garrard, New York Jets
Rex Grossman, Washington Redskins
Chad Henne, Jacksonville Jaguars
Shaun Hill, Detroit Lions
Tarvaris Jackson, Seattle Seahawks
Jon Kitna, Dallas Cowboys
Josh McCown, Chicago Bears
Luke McCown, New Orleans Saints
Colt McCoy, San Francisco 49ers
Dan Orlovsky, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Curtis Painter, New York Giants
Jordan Palmer, Chicago Bears
Brady Quinn, St. Louis Rams
Rusty Smith, Tennessee Titans
Michael Vick, Philadelphia Eagles
Charlie Whitehurst, San Diego Chargers

Running backs

Jackie Battle, Tennessee Titans
Kahlil Bell, Green Bay Packers
LeGarrette Blount, New England Patriots
Ahmad Bradshaw, Indianapolis Colts
Andre Brown, New York Giants
Donald Brown, Indianapolis Colts
Ronnie Brown, San Diego Chargers
Delone Carter, Jacksonville Jaguars
Tashard Choice, Indianapolis Colts
Anthony Dixon, San Francisco 49ers
Jonathan Dwyer, Pittsburgh Steelers
Toby Gerhart, Minnesota Vikings
Ray Graham, Houston Texans
Jonathan Grimes, Houston Texans
Peyton Hillis, New York Giants
Rashad Jennings, Oakland Raiders
Felix Jones, Pittsburgh Steelers
Maurice Jones-Drew, Jacksonville Jaguars
Deji Karim, Houston Texans
Spencer Larsen, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Brian Leonard, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Darren McFadden, Oakland Raiders
Willis McGahee, Cleveland Browns
Rashard Mendenhall, Arizona Cardinals
Knowshon Moreno, Denver Broncos
Tauren Poole, Indianapolis Colts
Darius Reynaud, New York Jets
Bernard Scott, Baltimore Ravens
Chad Spann, Houston Texans
James Starks, Green Bay Packers
La'Rod Stephens-Howling, Pittsburgh Steelers
Ben Tate, Houston Texans
Leon Washington, Tennessee Titans
George Winn, Dallas Cowboys

Fullbacks

Chris Gronkowski, San Diego Chargers
Lex Hilliard, New York Jets
Greg Jones, Tennessee Titans
John Kuhn, Green Bay Packers
Erik Lorig, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Michael Robinson, Seattle Seahawks

Wide receivers

Seyi Ajirotutu, San Diego Chargers
Danario Alexander, San Diego Chargers
Anquan Boldin, San Francisco 49ers
Deion Branch, Indianapolis Colts
Dezmon Briscoe, Washington Redskins
Kenny Britt, Tennessee Titans
Plaxico Burress, Pittsburgh Steelers
Andre Caldwell, Denver Broncos
Arceto Clark, Seattle Seahawks
Riley Cooper, Philadelphia Eagles
Terrance Cooper, Kansas City Chiefs
Austin Collie, New England Patriots
Jerricho Cotchery, New York Jets
Josh Cribbs, New York Jets
Eric Decker, Denver Broncos
Julian Edelman, New England Patriots
Jacoby Ford, Oakland Raiders
Ted Ginn, Carolina Panthers
Chad Hall, Kansas City Chiefs
Lavelle Hawkins, San Diego Chargers
Adam Henry, St. Louis Rams
Devin Hester, Chicago Bears
Darrius Heyward-Bey, Indianapolis Colts
Domenik Hixon, Carolina Panthers
Jerrell Jackson, Kansas City Chiefs
Jacoby Jones, Baltimore Ravens
James Jones, Green Bay Packers
Brandon Kaufman, Buffalo Bills
Brandon LaFell, Carolina Panthers
Josh Lenz, Indianapolis Colts
Jeremy Maclin, Philadelphia Eagles
Mario Manningham, San Francisco 49ers
Marc Mariani, Tennessee Titans
Dexter McCluster, Kansas City Chiefs
Robert Meachem, New Orleans Saints
Marlon Moore, Miami Dolphins
Josh Morgan, Washington Redskins
Santana Moss, Washington Redskins
Louis Murphy, New York Giants
Hakeem Nicks, New York Giants
Kevin Ogletree, Detroit Lions
Kassim Osgood, San Francisco 49ers
Taylor Price, Jacksonville Jaguars
Andre Roberts, Arizona Cardinals
Emmanuel Sanders, Pittsburgh Steelers
Jerome Simpson, Minnesota Vikings
Micheal Spurlock, Detroit Lions
Brandon Stokley, Baltimore Ravens
Julian Talley, New York Giants
Brandon Tate, Cincinnati Bengals
Golden Tate, Seattle Seahawks
Tiquan Underwood, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Kevin Walter, Tennessee Titans
Bryan Walters, Seattle Seahawks
Joe Webb, Minnesota Vikings
Damian Williams, Tennessee Titans
Kyle Williams, Kansas City Chiefs

Tight ends

Kyle Adams, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Jake Ballard, Arizona Cardinals
Nate Byham, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Scott Chandler, Buffalo Bills
Dallas Clark, Baltimore Ravens
Chase Coffman, Atlanta Falcons
Jeff Cumberland, New York Jets
Fred Davis, Washington Redskins
Kellen Davis, Seattle Seahawks
Ed Dickson, Baltimore Ravens
Jim Dray, Arizona Cardinals
Jermichael Finley, Green Bay Packers
Tony Gonzalez, Atlanta Falcons
Garrett Graham, Houston Texans
Jimmy Graham, New Orleans Saints
Clay Harbor, Jacksonville Jaguars
Ben Hartsock, Carolina Panthers
Michael Hoomanawanui, New England Patriots
David Johnson, Pittsburgh Steelers
Dustin Keller, Miami Dolphins
Jeff King, Arizona Cardinals
Jeron Mastrud, Oakland Raiders
Anthony McCoy, Seattle Seahawks
Matthew Mulligan, New England Patriots
Brandon Myers, New York Giants
Michael Palmer, Pittsburgh Steelers
Bear Pascoe, New York Giants
Brandon Pettigrew, Detroit Lions
Dennis Pitta, Baltimore Ravens
Andrew Quarless, Green Bay Packers
Dante Rosario, Chicago Bears
Tony Scheffler, Denver Broncos
Alex Smith, Cincinnati Bengals
Kory Sperry, Arizona Cardinals
D.J. Williams, New England Patriots
Kellen Winslow, New York Jets

Offensive tackles

Branden Albert, Kansas City Chiefs
Khalif Barnes, Oakland Raiders
Charles Brown, New Orleans Saints
Rashad Butler, Pittsburgh Steelers
Tyson Clabo, Miami Dolphins
Anthony Collins, Cincinnati Bengals
David Diehl, New York Giants
Jason Fox, Detroit Lions
Andrew Gardner, Houston Texans
Breno Giacomini, Seattle Seahawks
Jordan Gross, Carolina Panthers
Ryan Harris, Houston Texans
Austin Howard, New York Jets
Winston Justice, Denver Broncos
Jeff Linkenbach, Indianapolis Colts
Sean Locklear, Atlanta Falcons
Bryant McKinnie, Miami Dolphins
Eugene Monroe, Baltimore Ravens
Marshall Newhouse, Green Bay Packers
Michael Oher, Baltimore Ravens
Mike Otto, Tennessee Titans
Tony Pashos, Oakland Raiders
Dennis Roland, Cincinnati Bengals
Rodger Saffold, St. Louis Rams
Jonathan Scott, Chicago Bears
Zach Strief, New Orleans Saints
Will Svitek, New England Patriots
Jeremy Trueblood, Atlanta Falcons
Jared Veldheer, Oakland Raiders
J'Marcus Webb, Minnesota Vikings
Guy Whimper, Pittsburgh Steelers
Eric Winston, Arizona Cardinals
Sam Young, Jacksonville Jaguars

Guards

Jon Asamoah, Kansas City Chiefs
Zane Beadles, Denver Broncos
Kevin Boothe, New York Giants
Eben Britton, Chicago Bears
Bruce Campbell, Carolina Panthers
Willie Colon, New York Jets
Oniel Cousins, Cleveland Browns
Vlad Ducasse, New York Jets
Mike Gibson, Arizona Cardinals
Geoff Hangartner, Carolina Panthers
Richie Incognito, Miami Dolphins
John Jerry, Miami Dolphins
Charlie Johnson, Minnesota Vikings
Mike Johnson, Indianapolis Colts
Shawn Lauvao, Cleveland Browns
Jamon Meredith, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Paul McQuistan, Seattle Seahawks
Rich Ohrnberger, San Diego Chargers
Seth Olsen, Minnesota Vikings
Chad Rinehart, San Diego Chargers
Mike Pollak, Cincinnati Bengals
Geoff Schwartz, Kansas City Chiefs
Chris Scott, Carolina Panthers
Jason Spitz, Seattle Seahawks
Wade Smith, Houston Texans
Brian Waters, Dallas Cowboys
Travelle Wharton, Carolina Panthers
Chris Williams, Chicago Bears
Garry Williams, Carolina Panthers

Centers

Joe Berger, Minnesota Vikings
Ryan Cook, Dallas Cowboys
Brian De La Puente, New Orleans Saints
Evan Dietrich-Smith, Green Bay Packers
Dylan Gandy, Detroit Lions
Roberto Garza, Chicago Bears
Jonathan Goodwin, San Francisco 49ers
Andre Gurode, Oakland Raiders
Joe Hawley, Atlanta Falcons
Dan Koppen, Denver Broncos
Ted Larsen, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Alex Mack, Cleveland Browns
Kevin Matthews, Tennessee Titans
Mike McGlynn, Indianapolis Colts
Brad Meester, Jacksonville Jaguars
Dominic Raiola, Detroit Lions
Chris Spencer, Tennessee Titans
Rob Turner, Tennessee Titans
Fernando Velasco, Pittsburgh Steelers
Cody Wallace, Pittsburgh Steelers
J.D. Walton, Washington Redskins
Ryan Wendell, New England Patriots

Defensive ends

Jared Allen, Minnesota Vikings
Robert Ayers, Denver Broncos
Marcus Benard, Arizona Cardinals
Michael Bennett, Seattle Seahawks
Andre Carter, New England Patriots
Kenyon Coleman, New Orleans Saints
Keyunta Dawson, New Orleans Saints
Everson Griffen, Minnesota Vikings
Greg Hardy, Carolina Panthers
Lamarr Houston, Oakland Raiders
Jason Hunter, Oakland Raiders
Israel Idonije, Detroit Lions
Tyson Jackson, Kansas City Chiefs
Arthur Jones, Baltimore Ravens
Michael Johnson, Cincinnati Bengals
Brett Keisel, Pittsburgh Steelers
Ricardo Mathews, Indianapolis Colts
Jeremy Mincey, Denver Broncos
Mike Neal, Green Bay Packers
Frostee Rucker, Arizona Cardinals
Matt Shaughnessy, Arizona Cardinals
Lawrence Sidbury, Indianapolis Colts
Antonio Smith, Houston Texans
Anthony Spencer, Dallas Cowboys
Daniel Te'o-Nesheim, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Justin Tuck, New York Giants
Corey Wootton, Chicago Bears
C.J. Wilson, Green Bay Packers
Jarius Wynn, Dallas Cowboys
Willie Young, Detroit Lions

Defensive tackles

Jonathan Babineaux, Atlanta Falcons
Chris Baker, Seattle Seahawks
Alex Carrington, Buffalo Bills
Terrence Cody, Baltimore Ravens
Landon Cohen, Chicago Bears
Colin Cole, Carolina Panthers
Nate Collins, Chicago Bears
Brandon Deaderick, Jacksonville Jaguars
Leger Douzable, New York Jets
Fred Evans, Minnesota Vikings
Andre Fluellen, Detroit Lions
Aubrayo Franklin, Indianapolis Colts
Clifton Geathers, Philadelphia Eagles
Gary Gibson, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Jason Hatcher, Dallas Cowboys
Ziggy Hood, Pittsburgh Steelers
Peria Jerry, Atlanta Falcons
Antonio Johnson, Tennessee Titans
Johnny Jolly, Green Bay Packers
Linval Joseph, New York Giants
Kyle Love, Jacksonville Jaguars
Tony McDaniel, Seattle Seahawks
Clinton McDonald, Seattle Seahawks
Henry Melton, Chicago Bears
Earl Mitchell, Houston Texans
Fili Moala, Indianapolis Colts
Daniel Muir, Oakland Raiders
Mike Patterson, New York Giants
Corey Peters, Atlanta Falcons
Ryan Pickett, Green Bay Packers
Ropati Pitoitua, Tennessee Titans
B.J. Raji, Green Bay Packers
Jay Ratliff, Chicago Bears
Shaun Rogers, New York Giants
Pat Sims, Oakland Raiders
Paul Soliai, Miami Dolphins
Randy Starks, Miami Dolphins
Cam Thomas, San Diego Chargers
Vance Walker, Oakland Raiders
Kevin Williams, Minnesota Vikings
Al Woods, Pittsburgh Steelers

Outside linebackers

James Anderson, Chicago Bears
Michael Boley, Cincinnati Bengals
Jonathan Casillas, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Jo-Lonn Dunbar, St. Louis Rams
Larry English, San Diego Chargers
Omar Gaither, Atlanta Falcons
Parys Haralson, New Orleans Saints
Adam Hayward, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Will Herring, New Orleans Saints
Rob Jackson, Washington Redskins
Edgar Jones, Dallas Cowboys
Rocky McIntosh, Detroit Lions
Marvin Mitchell, Minnesota Vikings
Brian Orakpo, Washington Redskins
Calvin Pace, New York Jets
Shaun Phillips, Denver Broncos
Keith Rivers, New York Giants
Jordan Senn, Carolina Panthers
O'Brien Schofield, Seattle Seahawks
Ernie Sims, Dallas Cowboys
Darryl Tapp, Washington Redskins
Reggie Walker, San Diego Chargers
Dekoda Watson, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Jamaal Westerman, Pittsburgh Steelers
Jason Worilds, Pittsburgh Steelers
Frank Zombo, Kansas City Chiefs

Inside linebackers

Pat Angerer, Indianapolis Colts
Nick Barnett, Washington Redskins
Jon Beason, New York Giants
Desmond Bishop, Minnesota Vikings
Stewart Bradley, Denver Broncos
Donald Butler, San Diego Chargers
Kavell Conner, Indianapolis Colts
Dan Connor, Carolina Panthers
Blake Costanzo, Chicago Bears
Jacob Cutrera, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Karlos Dansby, Arizona Cardinals
Zac Diles, Tennessee Titans
Dane Fletcher, New England Patriots
London Fletcher, Washington Redskins
Rob Francois, Green Bay Packers
Ramon Humber, New Orleans Saints
Akeem Jordan, Kansas City Chiefs
Bryan Kehl, Washington Redskins
Paris Lenon, Denver Broncos
Josh Mauga, New York Jets
Joe Mays, Houston Texans
Arthur Moats, Buffalo Bills
Perry Riley, Washington Redskins
Darryl Sharpton, Houston Texans
Brandon Spikes, New England Patriots
Austin Spitler, Miami Dolphins
Daryl Smith, Baltimore Ravens
Stevenson Sylvester, Pittsburgh Steelers
Jonathan Vilma, New Orleans Saints
D.J. Williams, Chicago Bears
Jason Williams, Carolina Panthers
Will Witherspoon, St. Louis Rams
Wesley Woodyard, Denver Broncos

Cornerbacks

Michael Adams, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Phillip Adams, Oakland Raiders
Javier Arenas, Arizona Cardinals
Aaron Berry, New York Jets
E.J. Biggers, Washington Redskins
Will Blackmon, Jacksonville Jaguars
Zack Bowman, Chicago Bears
Tarell Brown, San Francisco 49ers
Nolan Carroll, Miami Dolphins
Antoine Cason, Arizona Cardinals
Chris Cook, Minnesota Vikings
Vontae Davis, Indianapolis Colts
Drayton Florence, Carolina Panthers
Dominique Franks, Atlanta Falcons
Brandon Ghee, Cincinnati Bengals
Danny Gorrer, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Corey Graham, Philadelphia Eagles
Brent Grimes, Miami Dolphins
DeAngelo Hall, Washington Redskins
Kelvin Hayden, Chicago Bears
Quentin Jammer, Denver Broncos
Mike Jenkins, Oakland Raiders
Elbert Mack, Houston Texans
Richard Marshall, San Diego Chargers
Rashean Mathis, Detroit Lions
Bryan McCann, Arizona Cardinals
Captain Munnerlyn, Carolina Panthers
William Middleton, San Diego Chargers
Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, Denver Broncos
Trumaine McBride, New York Giants
Sherrick McManis, Chicago Bears
Chris Owens, Miami Dolphins
Tracy Porter, Oakland Raiders
Aaron Ross, New York Giants
Sam Shields, Green Bay Packers
Aqib Talib, New England Patriots
Walter Thurmond III, Seattle Seahawks
Terrell Thomas, New York Giants
Charles Tillman, Chicago Bears
Steve Vallos, Denver Broncos
Cassius Vaughn, Indianapolis Colts
Alterraun Verner, Tennessee Titans
Josh Wilson, Washington Redskins
Eric Wright, San Francisco 49ers

Safeties

Husain Abdullah, Kansas City Chiefs
Mike Adams, Denver Broncos
Nate Allen, Philadelphia Eagles
Colt Anderson, Philadelphia Eagles
Yeremiah Bell, Arizona Cardinals
Antoine Bethea, Indianapolis Colts
Sergio Brown, Indianapolis Colts
Stevie Brown, New York Giants
Jairus Byrd, Buffalo Bills
Ryan Clark, Pittsburgh Steelers
Chris Clemons, Seattle Seahawks
Kurt Coleman, Philadelphia Eagles
Chris Crocker, Cincinnati Bengals
Quintin Demps, Kansas City Chiefs
Reed Doughty, Washington Redskins
Matt Giordano, St. Louis Rams
Jose Gumbs, Washington Redskins
Michael Huff, Denver Broncos
James Ihedigbo, Baltimore Ravens
Malcolm Jenkins, New Orleans Saints
Jim Leonhard, Buffalo Bills
Kendrick Lewis, Kansas City Chiefs
Chris Maragos, Seattle Seahawks
Taylor Mays, Cincinnati Bengals
Danny McCray, Dallas Cowboys
Brandon Meriweather, Washington Redskins
Quintin Mikell, Carolina Panthers
Jeromy Miles, Baltimore Ravens
Mike Mitchell, Carolina Panthers
Ryan Mundy, New York Giants
Bernard Pollard, Tennessee Titans
Ed Reed, New York Jets
Craig Steltz, Chicago Bears
Darian Stewart, St. Louis Rams
Darrell Stuckey, San Diego Chargers
T.J. Ward, Cleveland Browns
John Wendling, Detroit Lions
Donte Whitner, San Francisco 49ers
Charles Woodson, Oakland Raiders
Major Wright, Chicago Bears
Usama Young, Oakland Raiders

Kickers

David Akers, Detroit Lions
Josh Brown, New York Giants
Dan Carpenter, Buffalo Bills
Billy Cundiff, Cleveland Browns
Phil Dawson, San Francisco 49ers
Jay Feely, Arizona Cardinals
Nick Folk, New York Jets
Graham Gano, Carolina Panthers
Shayne Graham, New Orleans Saints
Steven Hauschka, Seattle Seahawks
Rian Lindell, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Adam Vinatieri, Indianapolis Colts

Punters

Donnie Jones, Philadelphia Eagles
Pat McAfee, Indianapolis Colts
Mat McBriar, Pittsburgh Steelers
Zoltan Mesko, Cincinnati Bengals

Link

Chris Johnson played pretty much the whole season with a torn meniscus:

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Titans running back Chris Johnson will have surgery this week for a torn meniscus.

Johnson told Jim Wyatt ‏of the Tennessean that the procedure is “minor” and will repair an issue that he played through for almost all of the 2013 season.

“It’s nothing major. A lot of people don’t know I been playing with it since week 3 of the season,” Johnson told Wyatt.

Johnson started all 16 games but averaged a career-low 3.9 yards a carry last season. Based on that disappointing season, and his 2014 salary of $8 million, the Titans are expected to ask Johnson to take a pay cut, and release him if he refuses. Jason La Canfora of CBS reports that Johnson isn’t inclined to take a pay cut and will therefore almost certainly get cut.

That would make Johnson one of the most interesting free agents in the NFL this year. It’s highly unlikely that he’ll make the kind of money that he’s been making the last three years, and if teams believe that 3.9 yards per carry average is an indication that Johnson is in decline, he’s not going to make anything even close to that. On the other hand, all it takes is one team to think Johnson still has a lot left at age 28, and he could earn himself another big contract. Probably somewhere other than Tennessee.

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If fully healthy and properly motivated I would take Chris Johnson over any running back that is available in the draft or free agency.

It'd have to come with a very thorough physical exam.

The surgery is nothing, but if they have to remove cartilage as part of the procedure, he could easily be in a bone-on-bone situation with that knee going forward, which would mean that his effectiveness will be GREATLY diminished.

What is everyone's thoughts on Taylor Mays? He's played pretty well this year and has all the physical abilities to play the game. I wouldn't mind overpaying him to play as a backup.

Kind of a wasted career out in Tennessee.

Could you imagine Chris Johnson on the Saints?

Put him on the Panthers and they could run a legit college option and be a playoff team.

Here's the thing, going somewhere else where they are merely a piece of the puzzle is grand and all, but around here, these guys are cornerstones. they know that and if this turns around they will be thought of in that light for the balance of their careers.

I think it's something they'd all like. Kinda like Joe Thomas did a couple of year ago. I think they follow Joes example.

I think they want to be here, they've both said so, so for the moment anyway, I'll just accept them at their word.

I also believe that if Ward stays (this assumes the FO wants him) Joe Haden makes the commitment as well.

The guy I'm most worried about is Josh Gordon. I just don't know what makes that young man tick.

The above is JMO,, I have no back up, I can't explain it any better than I just did.

Taylor Mays weakness has always been pass cover, and I have yet to see anything that says that this isn't still the case. His ball skills are largely non-existent.

If we signed him to be a backup nickel LB or something ..... then maybe ..... but I just don't see the need to spend much on him.

Taylor Mays was vastly overrated in college. I kept hearing how great he was and so I sat down and watched some video of him. Terrible.

He is worse than Ward in regards to coverage. He is an even worse open field tackler. Yes, he is big and fast, but he can't change directions and only runs in straight lines.

No way should we go after that guy.

He's not a FA and he's a bit kooky but I bet the Chiefs might come off Dwayne Bowe. A strong coach might get him back to his former self.

Didn't they just give him a new contract last year? And didn't he have a pretty good season this year? Or, am I mistaken?

Okay, thanks.

Eric Decker is the guy I want. The Broncos are not going to attempt to re-sign him and he is pretty stinking good.

money is DEFINITELY gonna talk with him.

going from a SB contender to a bottom feeder team. a lot of convincing, and money.

I didn't mention Decker earlier because I incorrectly assumed that Denver would make resigning Decker a priority.

He's a pretty good receiver that should do well when paired w/Gordon.

I could see Decker getting something to what Greg Jennings got from the Vikings; $18 million guaranteed over five years. I would be willing to pay that for him. Dwayne Bowe got $26 million guaranteed. Mike Wallace got $27 guaranteed. I don't see Decker getting that much.

JC:

The more I think about it, the more intrigued I get about getting someone like Jairus Byrd on our roster. And I think it is a real possibility with Pettine and some former Buffalo defensive staff here in Cleveland. When healthy (the key factor w/ Bryd), he is a beast. I think he could certainly elevate our performance in the red zone and on third downs. However, it will probably require s paying him as THE top FS in the NFL.

Did he play alongside TJ Ward at Oregon too?

Quote:

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Cleveland Browns Free Agency: Could Jairus Byrd Follow Mike Pettine Out of Buffalo?
By Bob Evans
Updated: January 27, 2014

After weeks of searching, the Cleveland Browns have finally found their new head coach in former Buffalo Bills defensive coordinator Mike Pettine. While Pettine focuses on filling out his coaching staff over the next couple of weeks, the rest of Browns nation has already started looking to which players the team can add in free agency and the 2014 NFL Draft to right this ship.

The NFL Draft will dominate the majority of talk, but fans should not forget about the number of quality free agents on the market. With teams permitted to reach out to free agents beginning on March 8th and begin signing them on March 11th, the Browns could shore up many needs nearly two months before the draft even begins with a big name or two in free agency.

One of the biggest names, coincidently enough, served under Pettine last season—Buffalo Bills free safety, Jairus Byrd.

Byrd has made quite the impact on the NFL since being drafted No. 42 overall in the 2009 NFL Draft by the Bills. Living up to his playmaker name from college (17 interceptions in three seasons at Oregon), Byrd has intercepted 22 passes in his five seasons in the NFL—including an impressive nine in his rookie season. He has also only missed seven games in those five seasons, with five of those coming at the beginning of the 2013 season with a foot injury.

The 27-year old has already created quite the resume for himself in just five seasons. He is a three-time Pro Bowler, three-time All-Pro, has led the AFC in interceptions twice and was also the recipient of the Ed Block Courage Award in 2010. Despite all of this, the Bills have yet to lock him up to a long-term contract—instead opting to use the franchise tag last season to hang onto an important part of their defense for one more season.

Using the franchise tag on Byrd made headlines last season, as the Bills had initially made it known they were going to let him hit the free agent market. After placing the tag on him in March, Byrd waited until the end of August to actually sign the tender. Reports surfaced that Byrd was not happy about signing the tender, and Marc Sessler of the NFL Network even reported he wanted the Bills to trade him.

As we all know that trade never happened, and there were even reports of some who thought Byrd was missing games though being ready to play. Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports reported, “Some within the Bills organization believe he (Byrd) could have already played this season, and that growing disconnect is creating mounting tension between the sides.”

This report came out on September 29th, and Byrd would return to action on October 13th against the Cincinnati Bengals. Despite the foot injury, Byrd would rebound to rack up four interceptions, 48 tackles, one sack, one forced fumble and six passes defended over the final 11 games of the season.

With Byrd finally set to hit the free agent market—barring the Bills using the franchise tag on him again and giving him a raise to $8.2 million this year (according to La Canfora)—do not be surprised if the Cleveland Browns are a suitor for the former Oregon Duck this offseason. While free safety isn’t a dire position of need with the emergence of Tashaun Gipson and his five interceptions last season, the connection with Pettine from a year ago and the opportunity to play next to his former college teammate, T.J. Ward, could be an intriguing option.

The addition of Byrd to the secondary would give the Browns a proven ball-hawk to play next to Ward (if they retain him in free agency)—something the team has lacked for a long time. The Browns secondary—one burned time and time again last season—would finally be one to fear with the trio of Byrd, Ward and Joe Haden.

For those wondering what type of relationship Byrd and Pettine have, he did have some nice comments about him after getting the head coach job with the Browns this week in an interview with Tim Graham of The Buffalo News. Byrd stated, “The ability to be a head coach in this league is hard to come by. It’s a special opportunity, a big opportunity. Congratulations to him.”

Graham attempted to dig deeper into Byrd’s thoughts about his defensive coordinator leaving, but Byrd would not take the bait. When asked about his gut reaction to Pettine leaving, Byrd stated, “I’d really rather not answer that.” He also took the same route when asked his feelings about the Bills going on to their fifth defensive coordinator in six seasons and the impact that Pettine leaving the team would have on him returning to the Bills in free agency.

As we inch closer and closer to the beginning of free agency in a little over a month, Byrd would be a player to keep an eye on in connection to the Browns. It is obvious from his comments—or lack thereof—he wasn’t all too happy about his franchise tag situation and his defensive coordinator no longer being with the team. And with Jimmy Haslam’s wallet full of cash, the Browns could give Byrd the contract his play has demanded for the past five seasons.

http://www.buckeyestatesports.com/clevel...out-of-buffalo/

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j/c

Byrd would be a significant upgrade over Gipson. Do it...