Chiefs give themselves options for top pick with moves

The Chiefs did a lot of business in the hours before the franchise tag deadline, signing wide receiver Dwayne Bowe and punter Dustin Colquitt to long-term deals, and tagging left tackle Branden Albert.
Now they have something even more valuable than good players — they have options.
While many will immediately assume this takes them out of the market for a left tackle (specifically Luke Joeckel) with the first pick in a quarterback-less draft, that doesn’t seem wise.
First, they should create the full impression that it’s still a possibility, if only to create a trade market that might not otherwise exist.
But the realities of their line wouldn’t preclude drafting him anyway.
Even though they just tagged Albert (keeping him there for a year, at $9.828 million), there’s no reason they can’t draft Joeckel, and have one of them play right tackle. While Eric Winson has been solid, he’s also entering his 30-year-old season, and isn’t so good that you’d bypass a potential left tackle because of him.
And Albert’s back injury, which coach Andy Reid referred to as a “fairly significant injury” at the Combine, might also give them pause. At the very least, the uncertainty over Albert’s long-term health or contract status would make it wise to keep Joeckel as an option. Many also thought Albert was better suited to play guard when he entered the league, which creates another layer of possibility.
With the chance at a solid offensive line in front of an average quarterback (the recently acquired Alex Smith), along with a good run game, a solid receiving threat in Bowe and a coaching staff that knows how to move the ball, it gives the Chiefs the chance at a new look on offense.
And it gives them more options for the first pick, which makes it more valuable by definition.

Source: PFT.com
Author: Darin Gantt

Fitzpatrick’s days in Buffalo could be down to single digits

When the Bills signed quarterback Tarvaris Jackson to a new one-year deal, new coach Doug Marrone declared that there will be an open competition at the position.
It will be hard for incumbent starter Ryan Fitzpatrick to compete if he’s not on the roster.
If Fitzpatrick remains on the roster as of March 13, he’ll earn a $3 million roster bonus.  Though the Bills haven’t said Fitzpatrick will be cut, they also haven’t declared unequivocally that he’ll stay.
And while Marrone has informed Fitzpatrick of the open competition, he made it clear during our visit at the Scouting Combine that he has no influence over the decisions made by the front office.
With the leader of the front office, G.M. Buddy Nix, declaring during the 2012 season that he wants to have a “good young quarterback” regarded as a “franchise guy for the future in place” before Nix leaves and with no quarterback currently on the team fitting that description and with Jackson signed only weeks before he could have walked, the biggest question currently confronting the Bills is whether $3 million will be paid to Fitzpatrick in the near future — chased by a $200,000 workout bonus and a $4.35 million base salary during the season.
Don’t be surprised if the answer is no.
The fact that the Bills moved with some urgency to re-sign Jackson could be regarded as a sign that they didn’t want to enter free agency with neither Fitzpatrick nor Jackson under contract.  So, if Fitzpatrick gets cut, the Bills will at least have Jackson signed and sealed as they search for other quarterbacks who can deliver.

Source: PFT.com
Author: Mike Florio
AP Photo

Chip Kelly: Nnamdi Asomugha an 'outstanding' person

 Are the Philadelphia Eagles willing to pony up $15 million for a "classy guy"? Probably not, but coach Chip Kelly made it clear Friday night that he thinks highly of cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha the person. He still won't say much about Nnamdi Asomugha the football player
"We've done film evaluation, and our staff and (general manager) Howie (Roseman) will sit down together and see where we'll move forward," Kelly told the Philadelphia Inquirer. "But as a person, I think he's outstanding."
A report this week called out Asomugha as something of an odd bird for eating lunch in his car alone instead of joining his teammates during practice breaks last season. But when Kelly huddled with Asomugha before the cornerback's recent trip to Nigeria, he walked away calling Asomugha a "classy" individual.
On the field, Asomugha disappointed in 2012, and when asked about his 31-year-old defender at the combine, Kelly was enigmatic.

"I think Nnamdi has the skill set ... that can play football," he said.

If the Eagles retain Asomugha, it reportedly will be at a massively reduced cost. With defensive tackles Mike Patterson and Cullen Jenkins sent packing this week, you have to wonder if Asomugha will be next. Kelly wouldn't say much on that front. Let's keep in mind that his entire evaluation of the team boils down to film study. Kelly is forbidden to work with his players on the field until team activities get cracking next month.

"It's the hand we're dealt, and we'll deal with it no matter how it comes out," Kelly said. "I know free agency starts on March 12, and we don't get a chance to see our guys until April 1, so we don't get to call a timeout and put everyone on hold until we can see."

Source:  Around The League/NFL.com
Author:  Marc Sessler
AP Photo

Devil will be in details of Flacco deal

It’s been more than 30 minutes since the news broke of the deal negotiated between the Ravens and quarterback Joe Flacco.  And there are no specifics yet on what Flacco will make.
Adam Schefter of ESPN says that the deal is “expected” to make Flacco the highest paid quarterback in NFL history.  The current high-water mark is the five year, $100 million contract given to Drew Brees by the Saints last year.
This means that Flacco will make more than $20 million per year, if he’s indeed the new highest-paid quarterback in NFL history.
There’s a rule of thumb in NFL circles regarding new contracts.  If the numbers aren’t leaked within the first 24 hours, the player didn’t get what the player wanted to get.
Eventually, the contract will be filed with the NFL, and the numbers will leak.  Key factors will be signing bonus, fully guaranteed money, money guaranteed for injury only, and total payout over the first three years.  (Brees will get $61 million from 2012 through 2014.)
It may take a few days to get the information, since Flacco won’t be signing the deal until Monday.
The Ravens will want him to put his name on the deal by 4:00 p.m. ET on Monday.  If he’s not under contract by then, the Ravens won’t be able to use the franchise tag on him.

Source: PFT.com
Author: Mike Florio
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