We take a break from the grades series and revive Scooped for all your news and notes.
Franchise Tags
Kawann Short with Carolina (DT at 13.468 million), Jason Pierre Paul with the Giants (DE at 16.955 million), Chandler Jones for Arizaon (DE/DT at 16.955 million), Le’Veon Bell at Pittsburgh (RB at 12.377 milion), Melvin Ingram for the Los Angeles Chargers (OLB at 14.754 million) and Kirk Cousins for Washington (23.94 million) have all been given the franchise tag. Trumaine Johnson was tagged for the second year in a row by the Rams. A lot of pass rushers are off the market now. This is the second year in a row Cousins has been tagged and JPP was tagged in 2014 before his explosive holiday celebration.
Cuts
Adrian Peterson option was not picked up by the Vikings clearing 18 million in cap space. Peterson was injured almost all last year and played poorly when healthy. The 32 year old will play for a new team for the first time in his career. I’m very happy I won’t have to see him running wild in the North anymore. He is free at last.
Nick Mangold and Darelle Revis were cut by the Jets clearing 9 million and 9.3 million off the Jets books. There are big changes for Gang Green.
Jarius Byrd was cut clearing only 3.7 million in room for New Orleans. This was a terrible FA signing by Micky Loomis and it is finally over.
Jammal Charles was cut removing 6.1 million for the Chiefs. Peterson and Charles are interesting free agents but may not have anything left. Charles’ injuries were just too much.
Kelvin Beachum (Jax), Ryan Clady (Jets) and Russel Okung (Den) did not receive their options, which floods the left tackle market.
Brandon Albert was traded from Miami to Jacksonville for a 2018 7th round pick. Tunsil will take over at left tackle for Miami if he avoids more gas masks.
The 49ers and Colin Kaepernick opted out of his contract clearing 14.4 million in space for San Francisco. New GM John Lynch is making moves already for the 49ers. They also signed slot CB K’Waun Williams to a one year deal. Earl Mitchell was quickly picked up by the 49ers on a 4 year 16 million dollar deal after being cut by the Dolphins.
Re-Signings and Signings
Antonio Brown signed a 4 year 68 million extension shattering the all-time WR contract given to Calvin Johnson in 2012.
Mario Addison was given a three year 22.5 million dollar deal as a DE and Wes Horton signed for two years with the Panthers as well. They kept their line in tact along with tagging Short.
Eric Berry avoided the tag and signed a massive 6 year 78 million deal. The free safety earned that contract after beating cancer and playing well.
Guard Laurent Duverynay-Tardif earned 5 year 42.5 million to be the Chiefs starting guard. This sets the market for TJ Lang and Larry Warford.
Isiah Crowell was given a 2nd round tender at 2.81 million by Cleveland. If a team wants Crowell at RB, they need to give up a 2nd round pick if the Browns don’t match. The Browns cut Andrew Hawkins at slot WR.
Former Saint Bobby Richardson signed with Denver and another former Saint CJ Spiller signed with Kansas City.
North
The NFC North has been quiet so far other than the Peterson move. We’ll see if things heat up this week. Free agency begins March 9th with negotiation with other teams set for March 7th. The combine is this week in Indianapolis to focus on the draft prospects.