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(02/27/15 6:55pm)
With a superstar wide receiver of Dez Bryant's caliber, what possible reason could the Dallas Cowboys have to justify not signing him to a long-term deal?
Reports have recently surfaced of the existence of a video of an “unknown disturbance” in a Walmart parking lot near Lancaster, Texas, that may have serious legal implications. While no exact details of what is on the tape have been released, ESPN’s Adam Schefter was the first to acknowledge the validity of the story and the tape’s existence in a recent appearance on ESPN Radio’s Carmen & Jurko show. Schefter stated that he has “been working on this since September. There’s a lot involved … It’s taken up a lot of my time this season, I’ll say that.” Very rarely does a reporter make a statement about a story like that without having it secured and ready for release.
The term “trust issues” is the easiest way to explain why the two sides have been unable to reach an agreement regarding Bryant’s future as a Cowboy. Dallas’s hesitation emanates from multiple off-the-field incidents like this one, six in total, involving Bryant. While none resulted in convictions, each episode certainly raised red flags.
In November, NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport reported that these instances were “… a genuine concern. The Cowboys … do not trust Dez Bryant off the field.” Rapoport also detailed his findings after a visit to the DeSoto City Police Department in Texas, stating that there had been six separate occasions in which police had been called to Bryant’s home since 2011. Among those, Rapoport listed “a harassment incident, there was a robbery at his house, the fire department had to come and unlock his car that had a sleeping baby inside.”
With the so much uncertainty regarding Bryant’s current contract situation, it is now even more unclear what the Cowboys will do with him. At this point, all signs point to a franchise tag but, as more details of this newest development are released, it is not unimaginable to think that Dallas may just let Bryant walk. One thing that is for certain: none of this bodes well for Dez Bryant.
Follow Buck on Twitter @BuckReising
(02/20/15 4:15pm)
As we move further into the new NFL season, more and more rumors regarding this year’s free agent class abound. The most prominent gossip this week has focused on NFL teams’ use of the franchise tag on star players who are due for new lucrative deals.
This past Monday was the first day NFL teams could officially classify their imminent unrestricted free agents as “franchise players” with the franchise tag. By tagging a player, each NFL team can hold on to one player for an additional year in an attempt to bide more time to work out a long-term contract.
With no immediate changes in the status of my 2015 top 25, this week’s update will focus on my projections for where the top five players in the rankings will land this upcoming season through franchise tags or other means.
Dez Bryant (WR) – Dallas Cowboys
Dez will remain a Cowboy in 2015; the question will be whether Dallas chooses to sign the fiery wide-out to a long-term deal or use the franchise tag on him. ESPN’s Todd Archer reported today the Cowboy’s executive VP Stephen Jones told sources “the club is leaning toward using the franchise tag on wide receiver Dez Bryant, but is not in a hurry to do so.” While securing their No. 1 receiving threat should be top priority for “America’s Team,” Dallas should tread lightly it considers not giving Bryant the big-money deal he deserves. If Bryant has proven anything, it is that he is ruled by emotion, and a franchise tag may be interpreted as a lack of confidence in his enduring production.
Ndamukong Suh (DT) – Detroit Lions
Ranking a defensive tackle this high is a rarity, but Ndamukong Suh is not an everyday talent. Few interior defensive lineman possess Suh’s ability to be so disruptive and, with J.J. Watt receiving a record-breaking new deal, Suh is in line for a substantial payday. NBC Sports’ Darin Gantt reported today that Lion’s General Manager Martin Mayhew is “very optimistic we’ll get something done,” regarding contract talks between Suh and his current team when he spoke at his press conference today. Expect the four time pro-bowler to remain in Detroit unless the team low-balls him on his new deal.
Justin Houston (OLB/DE) – Kansas City Chiefs
The Kansas City Chiefs have been the beneficiary of two top-flight pass rushers on their front seven in Tamba Hali and Justin Houston. But with the Chiefs having just over one million in salary cap space for 2015, Houston will be looking to find a team who with the ability to let him cash in. That team will be the Atlanta Falcons who are in desperate need of help on defense and will be more than willing to pay top dollar to procure it. Houston’s league-leading 22 sacks matched Atlanta’s 22 total sacks last season, ranking 30th overall in the NFL. New defensive-minded head coach Dan Quinn will be looking for a player with Houston’s unique skill set and will push hard to make Atlanta Houston’s new home.
Demaryius Thomas (WR) – Denver Broncos
The Denver Broncos would love to work out a new deal for Peyton Manning’s favorite target, Demaryius Thomas. Denver has had a five-year offer on the table since this past June and Thomas recently said he would like to remain a Bronco, but it appears that the two sides have been unable to come to a compromise. This, in all likelihood, means an inevitable franchise tag for Thomas. With an aging Manning coming back for what is probably his final season, GM John Elway will want to keep as much consistency around the veteran quarterback as possible. And when you consider the impending departure of breakout tight-end Julius Thomas and implementation of a foreign offensive scheme under new head coach and offensive coordinator Gary Kubiak and Rick Dennison, tagging No. 88 may be the only chance to replicate the prolific offense we’ve seen in the Manning/Bronco era.
Randall Cobb (WR) – Green Bay Packers
The Green Bay Packers do not want to let go of Randall Cobb, and he is certainly in no hurry to leave. Pack GM Ted Thompson has given no indication that he plans to tag Cobb at this juncture after reports surfaced Cobb would seek a workable $9 million annual salary, similar to the deal teammate Jordy Nelson signed this summer, for play-making receivers of their caliber, nine million a year is an absolute steal. But if the two sides cannot find the middle ground, the Pack can still afford to tag Cobb. The current market price for a tagged wide receiver is projected at $12.7 million and with the 24-year-old coming off his best season statistically, Cobb is in a very comfortable position to cash in this off-season. But is a max contract with another team really worth losing Aaron Rodgers?
Follow Buck on Twitter @BuckReising
(02/11/15 7:49pm)
In the modern-day NFL, March 10 signifies the birth of the new season and one of the most exciting events of the off-season: free agency.
This year’s 2015 free-agent class stands apart as one of the most star-studded in recent history at every position with the exception of starting-caliber quarterbacks (Mark Sanchez is the most attractive prospect, if that gives you any indication).
As always, few of the Grade “A” prospects will almost assuredly not be on the market long enough to test their value as their current teams scramble to sign them to long-term deals. Through the coming weeks, I will rank and update the top 25 unrestricted free agents. The rankings will be based upon each player’s current value, talent ceiling and age.
Here are my top 25 NFL free agents for 2015, their positions and current teams:
1. Dez Bryant (WR) – Dallas Cowboys
2. Ndamukong Suh (DT) – Detroit Lions
3. Justin Houston (OLB/DE) – Kansas City Chiefs
4. Demaryius Thomas (WR) – Denver Broncos
5. Randall Cobb (WR) – Green Bay Packers
6. Jordan Cameron (TE) – Cleveland Browns
7. Devin McCourty (S) – New England Patriots
8. Julius Thomas (TE) – Denver Broncos
9. Jason Pierre-Paul (DE) – New York Giants
10. Jerry Hughes (OLB/DE) – Buffalo Bills
11. Mike Iupati (G) – San Francisco 49ers
12. DeMarco Murray (RB) – Dallas Cowboys
13. Terrance Knighton (DT) – Denver Broncos
14. Brandon Flowers (CB) – San Diego Chargers
15. Pernell McPhee (OLB/DE) – Baltimore Ravens
16. Jason Worilds (OLB/DE) – Pittsburgh Steelers
17. Jeremy Maclin (WR) – Philadelphia Eagles
18. Jared Odrick (DT) – Miami Dolphins
19. Mark Ingram (RB) – New Orleans Saints
20. Torrey Smith (WR) – Baltimore Ravens
21. Greg Hardy* (DE) – Carolina Panthers
22. Brandon Graham (OLB) – Philadelphia Eagles
23. Byron Maxwell (CB) – Seattle Seahawks
24. Rahim Moore (S) – Denver Broncos
25. C.J. Spiller (RB) – Buffalo Bills
*Denotes the fact that Hardy is currently on the Commissioner’s Exempt List
Follow Buck on Twitter @BuckReising
(10/02/14 5:03pm)
Week 4 of the NFL season is in the books, and it was certainly not one that many experts could have predicted. The New York Giants dismantled the Washington Redskins 45-14 as Kirk Cousins tossed up four interceptions in the second half alone. Steve Smith, Sr. fulfilled his "blood and guts" prophecy, catching seven passes for 139 yards and two touchdowns against his former team, the Carolina Panthers. Teddy Bridgewater and the Minnesota Vikings took down the Atlanta Falcons in a surprising 41-28 upset and Tony Romo and the Dallas Cowboys showed the world that they are not the 8-8 team of years past.
So as Week 5 approaches, we'll preview the most exciting match-ups of and give predictions for every game.
The Arizona Cardinals and Cincinnati Bengals remain the only two undefeated teams in the league at 3-0. Both teams will look to maintain their win streak after coming off of a bye in Week 4. Arizona will go into Denver to face Peyton Manning and a Broncos' passing attack that does not appear to have slowed down since its record-breaking season a year ago. Look for the Cardinals to take their first loss of the season as Peyton will find a way to out-smart Arizona's talented, but young secondary.
Cincinnati goes into Foxborough to take on the Patriots, who were blown out in Kansas City on Monday night. The Bengals will maintain their perfect record against the Pats' and a frustrated Tom Brady coming off an embarrassing loss last week.
The Houston Texans and Dallas Cowboys will square off for what should prove to be an interesting in-state match-up. Despite turning the ball over several times, Houston managed to pull of the win against the Buffalo Bills on the back of J.J. Watt. Dallas will get the win here if they continue to run the football effectively with DeMarco Murray and maintain possession of the football.
The Baltimore Ravens will travel to Indianapolis to take on the Colts in a contest that always promises to be highly emotional. Joe Flacco looks to be back to his Super Bowl-winning form after throwing for over three hundred yards and three touchdowns against Carolina. Andrew Luck threw for almost four hundred yards against the Titans and could have success against the Raven's cornerbacks that have been hindered by injury. Indy will get the win at home in a game that will come down to the final minutes.
Predictions:
Minnesota @ Green Bay - 14-35
Chicago @ Carolina - 24-17
Cleveland @ Tennessee - 14-9
St. Louis @ Philadelphia - 10-21
Atlanta @ NY Giants - 21-17
Tampa Bay @ New Orleans - 14-42
Houston @ Dallas - 13-35
Buffalo @ Detroit - 7-35
Baltimore @ Indianapolis - 21-24
Pittsburgh @ Jacksonville - 24-7
Arizona @ Denver - 27-10
Kansas City @ San Francisco - 26-20
NY Jets @ San Diego - 13-30
Cincinnati @ New England - 21-6
Seattle @ Washington - 41-14
Bye Weeks:
Oakland, Miami
Follow Drew on Twitter @DrewReising and listen to him on B-Side Sundays from 10-11 pm