The T.O. Show is coming to Cincinnati this week. Terrell Owens is looking for a new team and the Bengals came calling. He may be the first player to visit the Bengals that offseason that doesn’t have a criminal record. Owens will join Antonio Bryant on a visit today.
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It was a good run while it lasted. After three straight 1000 yard season in a Jets uniform, Thomas Jones will be released in the near future. The Jets want to avoid paying him his $3.3 million roster bonus and $2.8 million salary.
The move is bittersweet since Jones probably deserves the cash based on his previous contributions. At the same time, the Jets can get a more-than-adequate replacement for less than the $5.8 million Jones was owed for 2010. Last year, Jones earned a measly $900,000 base salary along with a $100,000 “workout bonus.” Clearly, this deal was structured in a way that was unlikely Jones would have ever been paid for the final year. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that Jones will not restructure the contract in an attempt to stay with the team.
With Jones on the way out, the Jets still need to find a third running back. A few realistic unrestricted free agent candidates include Mike Bell, Chris Brown, and Larry Johnson. Out of that group, Mike Bell seems like a good fit to me. There are also a handful of restricted free agents that could make sense for the Jets. That group includes: Le’Ron McClain, Jason Snelling, and LenDale White. LenDale would work and the Jets could get him cheaply — but he also was not a fan of backing up Chris Johnson this year. That’s not exactly the best attitude for a potential RB3.
The Jets also have a number of running back options in the draft. It might make sense to take Javarris James (6′0″ 212, 4.56 40 time) in the fourth round or Keith Toston (5′10.5″ 213, 4.65 40 time) in the late rounds. Bruising backs LeGarrette Blount of Oregon and LSU’s Charles Scott could also be decent late-round options. Both weigh close to 240 pounds and clocked 40 times around 4.7 over the weekend. Toby Gerhart may have priced himself out of the Jets’ plans by clocking a 4.53 over the weekend.
Tags: 2010 nfl draft, contracts, cut, football, free agents, new york jets, NFL, release, running backs, thomas jones
It’s not even March yet and the Yankees have been facing some prickly questions from reporters. Earlier this week, Alex Rodriguez got a bit testy when he was asked about Johnny Damon’s departure from New York. Today, Derek Jeter was asked about potentially being a free agent before next season.
The Yankees’ shortstop is in the final year of his massive 10 year, $189 million contract. At this point, there’s no way that he could command that level of compensation. Jeter’s agent had initially contacted the Yankees about negotiation a new contract but was told that wouldn’t take place until after the 2010 season. Fortunately, Derek Jeter seems to have good perspective on his situation:
“I don’t have a problem with it. That’s the new policy that they have. They have every right to do that. I signed a long deal, I’m still under contract with that deal, and they have the right to do whatever they want.
“I’ve never gone into a season focused on the next season. My approach since Day One is to do whatever you can to help the team win in that particular year. I’m not thinking about what’s going to happen next season.”
So at least The Captain can deal with the negotiations with class. But it remains to be seen how this will play out from the Yankees side of things. General manager Brian Cashman has played hardball with other players entering free agency without hesitation. At the same time, he’s also paid to get players he deems critical for success. It’s doubtful that Derek Jeter would be put into a predicament where he seriously considers joining another team.
Even if that did happen, my gut still says Jeter works out a deal with the Yankees. The value of his New York endorsements is probably worth a lot more than the marginal dollars he’d gain by signing a “better” contract elsewhere. If push comes to shove, I could see Cashman working out a one-year “rolling” contract much like Tim Wakefield has with the Red Sox. With performance and playoff incentives, the Yankees could present a competitive offer without investing a lot of money up front.
Tags: 2011, baseball, brian cashman, contracts, derek jeter, free agents, MLB, new york yankees
The Bengals haven’t had the best luck when it comes to adding players with quality character. From 2006-2007, Cincinnati players were arrested at least 13 times. At least they’re picking up guys that are used to wearing striped or orange uniforms. In fact, they may be adding up to three more individuals that have been on the wrong side of the law.
Word out of Cincy is that the Bengals have offered Matt Jones a contract. Jones is best known for his incredible physical tools and love of cocaine. The Titans have already extended an offer to the quarterback turned wide receiver. The National Football Post reports that the contract from Cincinnati is worth around $630,000 even though Jones didn’t suit up at all during the 2009 season. The Bengals are also looking at a second criminal named Jones. Adam “Pacman” Jones tried out for the Bengals on Thursday. Pacman provides some versatility since he’s also a return man, but his skills didn’t keep him from losing his job with the Cowboys and Titans. Last but not least, it’s also reported that the Bengals have interest in Donte’ Stallworth. He’s been out of the league since killing a man in a car accident.
The Bengals must really be hurting for talent if they’re looking at all of these guys. There aren’t many guys that can come back from not playing for a year and then succeed in the NFL. If the Bengals are still looking for guys, I hear that Charles Rogers is looking for work. And hey, Plaxico might be out of jail before the 2011 season!
Tags: adam pacman jones, cincinnati bengals, contracts, donte stallworth, football, free agents, marvin lewis, matt jones, NFL
Kerry Rhodes had a love/hate relationship with the media over the past year. That continued on Wednesday when the Jets’ safety was interviewed on SNY. This time around, they made him look pretty good. Rhodes went on the show “Wheelhouse” and said that he wanted to stay in New York.
The statement actually seems pretty ambiguous to me. Rhodes talks about New York far more than his contribution to the team. Here’s what he had to say:
I have to re-evaluate myself and see if I fit in here.
I like New York. The Jets drafted me. I’ve been a vital key in what we’ve done. Right now, I’m looking forward to being a Jet. … Rex Ryan is my guy. I like Rex a lot. He called me Wednesday and reiterated again that they want me here.
To be honest, I do want to be here. This is New York. This is the team that gave me my first shot. I mean, a fourth-rounder. A lot of people passed up on me but they gave me a shot. They gave me the big contract. I want to be here to end my career with the Jets. But sometimes circumstances happen.
There is going to be a little bit of talk between us (he and the Jets) in the next couple of weeks but I want to be here and the team wants me here. So we’ll see.
Those don’t really sound like the words of a changed man. Perhaps he could have mentioned his commitment to the team or even winning in general. It’s highly doubtful that he’s “bought into” the idea of doing whatever is best for the team — like sitting on the bench. In any case, his words do have some value to the Jets. It’ll be a lot easier to get value for a guy that isn’t obviously on his way out.
Tags: contracts, football, Kerry Rhodes, new york jets, NFL
Looks like Josh Johnson is staying in Miami for the time being. The Marlins agreed to a four-year deal with their top pitcher. Johnson is one of the best young aces in the game and the deal seems fair for both sides. Aside from the big-time free agents, this re-signing is one of the biggest moves of the offseason.
Johnson said that his “number one goal” was to stay with the Marlins. The terms of the deal are that he will receive $3.75 million in 2010, $7.75 million in 2011, and $13.75 million in the last two years of the deal. The value of the deal seems to be loosely based on the extension that Jon Lester received. Except Lester’s deal goes $3.75/$5.75/$7.625/$11.625 with a $13 million team option for 2014.
On the surface, it looks like the Marlins paid their best pitcher and Johnson gets his wish to stay in Miami. However, I can almost guarantee you that he’ll be dealt after year one or two of the deal. Last year, the Marlins total payroll was less than $36 million. Hanley Ramirez was the highest-paid player at $5.5 million and his extension averages $11.7 million per year. Sure, the Fish are getting a new stadium in 2012 and it’d be nice to open it with an ace. But I seriously doubt that the Marlins are willing to pay any player other than Hanley Ramirez more than $10 million per year. Don’t be surprised if the Red Sox, Yankees, and the other big boys are bidding for Johnson’s services before the 2011 season.
Tags: baseball, contracts, florida marlins, hanley ramirez, jon lester, josh johnson, marlins ballpark, MLB, payroll
The Mets made their first major move of the offseason and added a big bat in Jason Bay. The former Sox outfielder agreed to a contract that will pay him $66 million over four years and could go over $80 million in five years. It looks great on the surface since Bay gets paid and the Mets get some much-needed power. The Mets’ logic was described thusly by ESPN:
Bay has been maligned in some quarters for his subpar defense, but the Mets analyzed the metrics and found that he suffered in Boston from the “Fenway Park factor.” They believed his perceived lack of range in left field was accentuated by the minimal area of ground he had to cover in Fenway.
The Mets also believe that Bay’s ability to pull the ball will help him in pitcher-friendly Citi Field, which is spacious in the gaps but plays fairer to hitters down the lines.
We’ll probably analyze the power aspect of Bay’s game and how he’ll adapt to Citi Field later in the week. In any case, word is that Mets execs are out for the holidays and Bay’s physical will take place next week. However, it isn’t quite a done deal. SI’s Jon Heyman reports that the Red Sox had previously found “physical issues” when they examined Bay. He believes that the same ailments may lead to a “marathon” finalization process between Jason Bay and the Mets.
My gut says that the two sides will iron out the details and that the deal should end up working out for the Mets. Obviously, it works out for Bay too. Though it remains to be seen if this will actually return the Mets to relevance next year. Bay won’t be able to carry the team on his own — and Mets’ fans shouldn’t expect that out of him.
Tags: baseball, boston red sox, Citi Field, contracts, free agents, hitters, Jason Bay, MLB, new york mets, outfield
Charles Barkley likes to speak his mind. Typically, he takes a comical approach to his comments and he can be off-color. Sir Charles had some unkind words for Donnie Walsh and the Knicks. But they weren’t funny because they were offensive. They were offensive because they were ridiculously obvious.
Chuck isn’t a fan of Donnie Walsh’s plan to reload in 2010 with a new core of players. To facilitate that move, half of the fourteen players on the Knicks’ roster will be free agents next year. Here’s what the TNT analyst had to say about the Knickerbockers:
“When you set up yourself by basically saying, ‘We’re going to (stink) for the next two or three years,’ I don’t think there is any way that can be good for your team. They’re not going to win because those guys know they’re not going to be here next year. To expect them to give 110% is unrealistic.”
First of all, the Knicks are going to stink no matter what the rebuilding plan is. Second, isn’t it always unrealistic to ask somebody to give 110%? And where was Sir Charles during the whole “Isiah” era? Did he not have criticism for Team President Isiah Thomas, General Manager Isiah Thomas, or Head Coach Isiah Thomas?
Kidding aside, he does have a point. The Knicks will never be successful if half of the team knows they’re going to be wearing a different uniform the following season. Though Donnie Walsh did structure the contracts of Nate Robinson and David Lee so that they receive bonuses if the Knicks make the playoffs. There isn’t really a solution here since extending the Knicks crappy players would probably make them worse. For that reason, Walsh has opted to chase the chicken rather than the egg.
Tags: 2010, basketball, charles barkley, contracts, Donnie Walsh, free agency, free agents, NBA, new york knicks, playoffsBelow is a list of the 2009 NFL first round draft picks. At first glance, it looks like about half of the picks have signed. It’s interesting to note the premium that’s placed on quarterbacks. Sanchez and Freeman both received contracts that are likely to be much larger than any other position would receive in those slots. The Raiders also awarded $23.5 million in guaranteed money to Darrius Heyward-Bey who will have a tough time living up to his contract. Beanie Wells and Hakeem Nicks are the most recent players to sign contracts having finalized their deals on Saturday.
Via FanHouse:
| NFL Draft 1st-Round Picks | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | Team | Player | Pos. | |
| 1. | Lions | Matthew Stafford |
QB | |
| Contract: Six years, maximum $72 million. $41.7 million guaranteed |
||||
| 2. | Rams | Jason Smith |
OT | |
| Contract: Six years, reported $62 million. |
||||
| 3. | Chiefs | Tyson Jackson |
DT | |
| Contract: Unsigned |
||||
| 4. | Seahawks | Aaron Curry |
LB | |
| Contract: Unsigned |
||||
| 5. | Jets | Mark Sanchez |
QB | |
| Contract: Five years, maximum $60 million. $26 million guaranteed |
||||
| 6. | Bengals | Andre Smith | OT | |
| Contract: Unsigned |
||||
| 7. | Raiders | Darrius Heyward-Bey |
WR | |
| Contract: Five years. $23.5 million guaranteed |
||||
| 8. | Jaguars | Eugene Monroe |
OT | |
| Contract: Unsigned |
||||
| 9. | Packer | B.J. Raji |
DT | |
| Contract: Unsigned |
||||
| 10. | 49ers | Michael Crabtree |
WR | |
| Contract: Unsigned |
||||
| 11. | Bills | Aaron Maybin |
DE | |
| Contract: Unsigned |
||||
| 12. | Broncos | Knowshon Moreno |
RB | |
| Contract: Unsigned |
||||
| 13. | Redskins | Brian Orakpo |
LB | |
| Contract: Five years, maximum $20 million. $12.1 million guaranteed. |
||||
| 14. | Saints | Malcolm Jenkins |
CB | |
| Contract: Unsigned |
||||
| 15. | Texans | Brian Cushing |
LB | |
| Contract: Unsigned | ||||
| 16. | Chargers | Larry English |
LB | |
| Contract: Five years, no financial terms disclosed yet |
||||
| 17. | Buccaneers | Josh Freeman |
QB | |
| Contract: Five years, maximum $36 million. $10.3 million guaranteed. |
||||
| 18. | Broncos | Robert Ayers |
DE | |
| Contract: Unsigned | ||||
| 19. | Eagles | Jeremy Maclin |
WR | |
| Contract: Unsigned | ||||
| 20. | Lions | Brandon Pettigrew |
TE | |
| Contract: Five years, maximum $14.6 million. $9.4 million guaranteed |
||||
| 21. | Browns | Alex Mack |
C | |
| Contract: Five years, reported $11.3 million. $8.9 million guaranteed |
||||
| 22. | Vikings | Percy Harvin |
WR | |
| Contract: Unsigned | ||||
| 23. | Ravens | Michael Oher |
OT | |
| Contract: Five years, $13 million |
||||
| 24. | Falcons | Peria Jerry |
DT | |
| Contract: Five years, financial terms not disclosed yet |
||||
| 25. | Dolphins | Vontae Davis |
CB | |
| Contract: Five years, financial terms not disclosed yet |
||||
| 26. | Packers | Clay Matthews |
LB | |
| Contract: Five years, reported $10 million guaranteed |
||||
| 27. | Colts | Donald Brown |
RB | |
| Contract: Unsigned | ||||
| 28. | Bills | Eric Wood |
C | |
| Contract: Five years, maximum $13 million. $6.5 million guaranteed. |
||||
| 29. | Giants | Hakeem Nicks |
WR | |
| Contract: Five years, maximum $12.5 million. |
||||
| 30. | Titans |
Kenny Britt |
WR | |
| Contract: Unsigned | ||||
| 31. | Cardinals | Chris “Beanie” Wells |
RB | |
| Contract: Four years, no financial terms disclosed yet. |
||||
| 32. | Steelers | Ziggy Hood |
DT | |
| Contract: Five years, maximum $11.3 million. $6.1 million guaranteed. | ||||
It was totally quiet except for Cassel, who kept saying, "Ca-Ching! Ca-Ching!" Just like a cash register, you know? He was high-fiving everyone.. it was really embarrassing.
He got his money. Yesterday, Matt Cassel was awarded a six year $63 million contract with the Kansas City Chiefs. Scott Pioli, the Chiefs current GM and former Patriots head man, orchestrated the deal to get Cassel and subsequently granted him the big pay day. The contract was inevitable since Pioli was on the hook for giving up a relatively valuable second round pick for Cassel and Mike Vrabel. You can’t really blame the Chiefs for getting the deal done. But with $28 million in guaranteed money committed to a career (professional AND amateur) backup, the Chiefs could be regretting this contract before it expires. That’s why I felt the need to share my not-so-fond but hilarious memories of Scott Mitchell.
I might appreciate this rag to riches story more if Cassel's wife had a buzz cut
I applaud Matt Cassel for his efforts last year. He surpassed all expectations with numbers worthy of a number one quarterback. He was even named the VIZIO Top Value Performer for being the player whose on-field performance most exceeds the value of his contract. Cassel made only $500,000 last year and received 42% of the vote to win the award. But that was last year with a near minimum contract. ESPN’s John Clayton backed the new deal saying that the Chiefs signed him for the average market price of a starting QB. SI’s Ross Tucker was not as kind in reaction to the Cassel deal tweeting, “I am not that convinced Cassel is that much better than Thigpen. I would like to have seen them last year in reversed roles.” Note that Tucker played in the NFL and has a much more normal looking head than Clayton. Don’t worry — I’m not going to rant about how I actually think that Tyler Thigpen is solid right now. Instead, I’m going to focus on the other obstacle facing Matt Cassel: The Ghost of Scott Mitchell.
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