NFL - NEWS & NOTES

Thurmond rejected big offers as he ponders retirement

Walter Thurmond sits as one of the top remaining free agents. The defensive back could have a home already if he wanted.

Thurmond, 28, has turned down offers of $4 million-plus per year as he ponders retirement, a source told NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport on Wednesday.

That Thurmond has garnered offers of more than $4 million isn't surprising. In his first year moving to safety, Thurmond played exceptionally well for Philadelphia. He and Malcolm Jenkins formed one of the top safety duos in the NFL.

Thurmond's versatility to play safety and drop down to corner makes him a commodity plenty of teams desire.

During his six-year career, however, Thurmond has suffered several injuries, including a pectoral tear in 2014 that wiped out all but 67 snaps with the New York Giants. Last season was the first time in his career he played 16 games.

Thurmond wouldn't be the first player this season to walk away with plenty of talent left in the tank, but if he decides to play, the defensive back should have options. (NFL.com)

 

Ah.

He did well the last half or so of the season, though (incl. playoffs).

 

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/eye-on...ing-dining-and-working-out-the-drafts-top-qbs

Eagles with owner Lurie dining and working out top QBs...

NOOOOOOOOOO!

 

Redskins signing TE Vernon Davis to one-year deal

Vernon Davis has found a new NFL home.

NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport reported Thursday that the veteran tight end is signing a one-year deal with the Washington Redskins, per a source informed of the situation. Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports first reported the news.

It's not a surprising move for the 'Skins after general manager Scot McCloughan said during last week's Annual Meeting that Washington was still interested in Davis after his visit with the team earlier this month.

Entering his age-32 season, Davis appeared to be in sharp decline last season after San Francisco traded him to the Broncos. He caught just 20 passes in Denver and hurt the offense with a rash of drops. (NFL.com)

 

Bears agree to 1-year contract with offensive lineman Larsen

LAKE FOREST, Ill. (AP) ? The Chicago Bears have agreed to a one-year contract with former Tampa Bay and Arizona offensive lineman Ted Larsen.

The Bears continue to add to their line. The move announced Thursday comes one day after they agreed to a one-year deal with former Detroit Lions and Denver Broncos lineman Manny Ramirez.

The 6-foot-2, 305-pound Larsen has appeared in 86 games with 57 starts over six seasons with the Buccaneers (2010-13) and Cardinals (2014-15). He has made 34 regular-season starts at left guard, 13 at right guard and 10 at center.

 

He did it with Geno Smith that year as well. They passed on him twice.

 

Thank God for small favors...

 

Running back Isaiah Pead joins Dolphins

MIAMI (AP) ? Isaiah Pead has agreed to terms with the Miami Dolphins, who wanted to add depth at running back after Lamar Miller signed with Houston.

Pead was drafted in the second round in 2012 but has only 19 career carries for 78 yards, all with the Rams. In Miami he'll compete with second-year pro Jay Ajayi. The Dolphins might add another running back in free agency or the draft.

Former NFL rushing champion Chris Johnson visited Miami but decided to stay with Arizona. And after the Dolphins signed C.J. Anderson to an offer sheet, Denver matched.

 

I'm the 49ers in the 1-round mock on Bleeding Green Nation. I can't divulge anything but let's just say I doubt the Eagles will be taking a QB there.

 

Colin Kaepernick's $11.9M 2016 contract becomes guaranteed

SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) ? After months of trade talk and speculation, Colin Kaepernick is still on San Francisco's roster and due a hefty payday.

The quarterback's $11.9 million 2016 contract became guaranteed at 1 p.m. local time Thursday when the 49ers kept him on the roster.

While potential new teams for Kaepernick ? Denver had been considered a serious suitor given the retirement of Peyton Manning and Brock Osweiler's departure to Houston in free agency ? might ask him to restructure his current deal, Kaepernick wouldn't have to accept anything less than the $11.9 million.

Former first-round pick Blaine Gabbert took over in November for the benched Kaepernick, who has since undergone shoulder and thumb surgeries.

New coach Chip Kelly said two weeks ago he had spoken recently to Kaepernick and was hopeful the mobile quarterback would still be on San Francisco's roster when the offseason program begins this coming Monday.

 

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/eye-on...ant-colin-kaepernick-but-theres-one-big-issue

broncos want kap to take a big pay cut!

 

Elway and Kubs know a bit about the QB position. They want a QB for sure, but they want the right one AND at the right price. If they felt Kaep was anything more than a stop-gap then they would have paid up.

Word is Kaep was not excited about moving to Denver because his biological mother lives here. That's a good reason?

The Broncos are not playing hardball with Kaep. He's a first-floor apartment and they refuse to pay penthouse prices.

The Broncos are going to be a lot more successful than Kaep will be over the next few seasons.

 

Titans agree to terms with linebacker Curtis Grant

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) ? The Tennessee Titans have agreed to terms with linebacker Curtis Grant.

The Titans announced the deal Friday.

The 6-foot-2, 240-pound Grant was not drafted after being a co-captain at Ohio State and helping the Buckeyes to a national title in 2014. He joined the San Diego Chargers only to be waived at the end of training camp. Grant spent three weeks on the practice squad with Atlanta.

In college, Grant played 44 games with 131 tackles and 3 ? sacks and an interception.

 

Titans agree to terms with linebacker Curtis Grant

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) ? The Tennessee Titans have agreed to terms with linebacker Curtis Grant.

The Titans announced the deal Friday.

The 6-foot-2, 240-pound Grant was not drafted after being a co-captain at Ohio State and helping the Buckeyes to a national title in 2014. He joined the San Diego Chargers only to be waived at the end of training camp. Grant spent three weeks on the practice squad with Atlanta.

In college, Grant played 44 games with 131 tackles and 3 ? sacks and an interception.

 

Texans re-sign quarterback Weeden

HOUSTON (AP) ? The Houston Texans have re-signed quarterback Brandon Weeden.

He joined the Texans late last season after several injuries at the position. He appeared in two games with one start and helped the Texans to wins in both games. His debut with the Texans came against the Colts after T.J. Yates was injured and Weeden helped Houston to its first win at Indianapolis.

Weeden started last season as Tony Romo's backup with the Cowboys. He lost all three starts after Romo was injured, then was released.

Weeden spent five seasons playing minor league baseball before becoming Oklahoma State's quarterback. He was 28 years old when the Browns selected him with the 22nd overall pick in 2012 draft.

Weeden will remain in a backup role with the Texans after they signed Brock Osweiler to a $72 million contract earlier this month.

 

AP source: Chiefs sign safety Jimmy Wilson to 1-year deal

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) ? The Chiefs and veteran safety Jimmy Wilson have agreed to terms on a one-year deal, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press on Friday night.

The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the Chiefs had not announced the contract.

Wilson spent his first four seasons with the Miami Dolphins, starting 21 games, before spending last season with AFC West-rival San Diego. The former Montana standout started seven of 13 games he played and made 21 tackles and an interception, showing the kind of versatility the Chiefs value in their safeties.

The Chiefs also agreed to terms with former Giants safety Stevie Johnson, his agent Blake Baratz said on Twitter. Johnson had eight interceptions in 2012, but his career has been slowed by injuries.

The Chiefs had been looking for veteran help after Tyvon Branch signed with the Arizona Cardinals in free agency and Husain Abdullah announced his retirement earlier in the week.

Kansas City has already used the franchise tag on All-Pro safety Eric Berry, and general manager John Dorsey said this week he is optimistic a long-term deal can be reached. Ron Parker and Daniel Sorenson remain on the roster from last season, while Jamell Fleming is transitioning from cornerback to safety.

 

Colin Kaepernick trade to Broncos being held up by $4.9 million

San Francisco and Denver have the parameters of an agreement in principle on a trade for quarterback Colin Kaepernick, sources said.

But before a deal is completed, the 49ers, Broncos and Kaepernick have to agree on who will pay the quarterback's $11.9 million guaranteed salary for this upcoming season, according to a source.

The Broncos are willing to pay $7 million a source confirmed to ESPN. But Denver and Kaepernick would like the San Francisco to pay the remaining $4.9 million and the 49ers have been unwilling according to a source, believing they should not have to pay for a player they'd like to keep on their roster. Kaepernick has also been unwilling to forfeit the $4.9 million to make the deal work, according to a source.

A high-level source says "it would take two seconds" for the teams to finalize the proposed deal. The compensation in the trade is a non issue, per sources familiar with deal. It will be a mid-round pick and sources from both teams said that will not be any holdup and they can "finalize it with one phone call."

 

Donte Whitner released by Browns. He is upset they didn't release him at the start of free agency.