Thread: AFC West news and notes (merged)

AFC West salary cap update

March 12, 2009 4:57 PM

Posted by ESPN.com's Bill Williamson

While there is plenty of time remaining in the offseason, much of the money-spending portion is in the books.

Free agency has slowed down and is in the second-tier mode. So much of the team's spending will be dedicated to paying draft picks and some complementary players.

So it's a perfect time to get updated on salary cap numbers for the AFC West teams. Here is the latest information:

Denver

Cap room: $16.3 million.

Note: Does not reflect the Kenny Peterson signing that will only slightly alter the number.

What's left to do: Denver would like to add some defensive help, but he team doesn't have much cash left to pay signing bonuses after adding a dozen players early in free agency. Don't expect a lot more movement other than the draft or if the Jay Cutler saga deteriorates to the point where Denver trades him. Whatever Denver needs to do, it has the cap room to do it.

Kansas City

Cap room: $36.2 million.

Note: Does not reflect the Travis Daniels contract, it will only slightly alter the Chiefs' cap situation.

What's left to do: The Chiefs have more needs than what's available on the market. The Chiefs need to add in several areas on defense and perhaps on the offensive line. The Chiefs can do whatever they want with their truck load of cap room.

Oakland

Cap room: $13 million.

What's left to do: The Raiders need a receiver and a tackle. Oakland has the cap room if it wants to sign a veteran tackle like Orlando Pace. But after last season's spending spree, will the team want to throw out another big bonus?

San Diego

Cap room: $9.1 million.

Note: Does not reflect the signing of Kevin Burnett and the new contract for LaDainian Tomlinson. The team will lose a little for Burnett and save about $2 million with the Tomlinson deal. It will have ample cap room to do what it needs to do.

What's left to do: The Chargers could still use a safety, a defensive lineman and an offensive lineman. The Chargers are usually quiet in free agency so don't expect a late splash, but they can make a couple of small moves if they wish.

http://myespn.go.com/blogs/afcwest/0...ap-update.html

Events of the day could affect Cutler pursuit

March 19, 2009 6:18 PM

Posted by ESPN.com's Bill Williamson

There were two developments Thursday that could have some bearing on the Jay Cutler situation in Denver.

First, Georgia quarterback Matthew Stafford had an excellent performance at his pro day. He displayed great accuracy and command and the showing could help him become the No. 1 pick in the draft. The Detroit Lions, who own the top pick, were, of course, present.

If the Lions were blown away by Stafford, they could decide to use their top pick on him. Detroit has been linked to talks about Cutler. It would likely take a package that included the No. 1 pick for Detroit to get the disgruntled quarterback. Perhaps Stafford's pro day performance will make Detroit decide that drafting him would be their best bet.

In Cleveland, defensive tackle Shaun Rogers has skipped the first few days of the Browns' offseason workout program. An Ohio newspaper has already suggested that perhaps the Browns will trade Rogers and quarterback Brady Quinn for Cutler. With Rogers staying away from the Browns' offseason program, which Cutler is also doing in Denver, it could make the Browns consider dealing him.

Rogers certainly fits Denver's needs. The team has long been searching for a dominant anchor for the defense. The Broncos tried to acquire Rogers from Detroit in 2008 before he was sent to Cleveland.

This development could be a step closer to putting Rogers on the trade market, along with a certain quarterback in the Rocky Mountains.

http://myespn.go.com/blogs/afcwest

The rarity of the Cutler saga

A large part of the intrigue of the Jay Cutler fiasco is that it is so rare.

Sudden divorces between young, standout quarterbacks and their teams seldom occur. When teams get ahold of young, talented quarterbacks, they usually try to hang onto them. Every team's goal is to get a franchise quarterback.

The Denver Broncos, who drafted Cutler with the No. 11 pick in 2006, clearly thought he was that player to lead them for the next decade-plus. Now, thanks to the mess that began with Denver considering trading him three weeks ago, which resulted in Cutler publicly asking for a trade, that plan is in jeopardy.

What seemed inconceivable three weeks ago could now happen. A 25-year-old Pro Bowl quarterback who isn't in his prime yet (he has started only 37 NFL games) could be traded. It just doesn't happen much.

Here is a look, going back 15 years, at some of the QBs who were traded in the middle of their careers and how it worked out for them and their new teams.

We will start with Jeff George, who is the most comparable to Cutler because of age.

Jeff George

* Year traded: 1994
* Age: 26
* From where to where: Indianapolis to Atlanta
* Cost: Two first-round picks and a third-round pick.
* How it worked: George had some success in Atlanta, but he didn't live up to the trade cost. He got his passing yards in the Falcons' run-and-shoot offense and the team made the playoffs in his second season in Atlanta. But the George-Falcons marriage fell apart in 1996, his third season with the team. He was shipped to the Raiders in 1997. It began a vagabond NFL life for George. He ended up playing for seven teams in 17 NFL seasons.
* Compared to Cutler: Cutler will be 26 next month. George was 26 when the Colts traded him. He was considered a young gun as Cutler is now.

Brad Johnson

* Year traded: 1999
* Age: 30
* From where to where: Minnesota to Washington
* Cost: First-, second- and third-round picks.
* How it worked: Johnson played well in 1999. He blossomed into a star and he had one of the best seasons ever by a Redskins quarterback, making the Pro Bowl. It seemed as if Johnson was worth the steep price, but he made a lot of mistakes in 2000 and fell out of favor. He was traded to Tampa Bay after the 2000 season and won a Super Bowl in his second season with the Buccaneers. Johnson, released in the offseason by Dallas, has had an average NFL career and he wasn't worth the bounty the Redskins gave up for him.
* Compared to Cutler: Not a very similar situation because he was already 30 and the Vikings had Randall Cunningham when Johnson was dealt.

Rick Mirer

* Year traded: 1997
* Age: 26
* From where to where: Seattle to Chicago
* Cost: Mirer and a fourth-round pick were traded for a first-round pick.
* How it worked: Mirer was a high-pick flameout in Seattle after four years and his career didn't take off after the trade to Chicago. He barely played in Chicago and was cut the following year. The Bears gave up plenty for Mirer and he never was worth the cost. Mirer flopped around the league, playing for five more teams after being cut by Chicago.
* Compared to Cutler: Yes, Mirer was young when he was traded, but he already was a failure as a starter. Cutler is establishing himself as a premier player.

Trent Green

* Year traded: 2001
* Age: 30
* From where to where: St. Louis to Kansas City
* Cost: Green and a fifth-round pick for a first-round pick.
* How it worked: Pretty well. While Green was injury-prone often in his career, he was a solid player for the Chiefs. He was a legitimate starter in his six seasons with Kansas City and the Chiefs were regular playoff contenders. Green wasn't a star, but he was a solid player and he gave the Chiefs a chance to win.
* Compared to Cutler: Not very similar. Green was older, but he wasn't as established as Cutler -- he had started only 19 games before he was traded.

Matt Schaub

* From where to where: Atlanta to Houston
* Year traded: 2007
* Age: 25
* Cost: Two second-round picks
* How it has worked: Schaub has the look of a solid player. He has been a starter since going to Houston. He has battled injuries and growing pains. But the Texans remain committed to him and he seems like he could have a good future. It appears that it was a worthwhile trade for Houston.
* Compared to Cutler: Schaub was young, but he was a backup with very little game experience when he was traded, so his situation doesn't compare as well to Cutler's as George's does.

If you want to go further back, you can look at Brett Favre and Steve Young being traded, but again they don't compare to George and Cutler.

Favre had almost no game experience when he was dealt from Atlanta to Green Bay in 1992. Young, who was 25 when he was traded from Tampa Bay to San Francisco in 1987, was a backup for several years after he was dealt. And, of course, there is Matt Cassel, who played a central role in the Cutler fiasco. He was traded to Kansas City along with linebacker Mike Vrabel from New England for a second-round pick after one effective season with the Patriots. But we have no idea how that will play out.

Quarterback trades are not completely foreign, but their success rates vary and the reasons usually have to do with age and skill level.

Cutler is young and has shown he can play at a high level. Thus, as you can see, there are few trades involving quarterbacks that compare directly to Cutler. That's why this situation is so rare.

http://myespn.go.com/blogs/afcwest/0...tler-saga.html

Around the AFC West

March 20, 2009 3:02 PM

Posted by ESPN.com's Bill Williamson

Denver

The Broncos have gotten calls from more than 10 teams about Jay Cutler.

My take: The phone is going to continue to ring. This is an unusual situation. Star 25-year-old quarterbacks aren't always available. Teams will continue to pursue Cutler. The thing is, right now, that Denver doesn't want to trade Cutler at this point. Until Denver decides it will trade Cutler he isn't going anywhere.

Kansas City

Here is a mock draft that links Michael Crabtree to Kansas City.

My take: It would be a bit of a surprise but I think it would be a good thing. If Wake Forest linebacker Aaron Curry is not on the board at No. 3, perhaps Kansas City should consider taking Crabtree. Paired with Dwayne Bowe, Crabtree would give new Kansas City quarterback Matt Cassel a dynamic pair of receivers and it would set the tone for the Todd Haley era.

Oakland

Nnamdi Asomugha: All-around good guy.

My take: Asomugha is a first-class person. First, of all, he is one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL. Most importantly, he is a terrific person off the field. Every time I've talked to Asomugha, I've been blown away with his intelligence and grace. The Raiders may be famous for their renegades of yesteryear but Asomugha is both a standout on and off the field.

http://myespn.go.com/blogs/afcwest/0...-AFC-West.html

EKUBAN VISITS RAIDERS

Posted by Aaron Wilson on March 20, 2009, 6:44 p.m. EDT

Free agent defensive end Ebenezer Ekuban has visited the Oakland Raiders, according to a league source.

In 10 starts last season with the Denver Broncos, the 32-year-old veteran pass rusher recorded five sacks and 38 tackles.

For his career, the 6-foot-4, 275-pound former University of North Carolina standout has registered 36 1/2 sacks and 224 tackles.

Over the past three seasons in Denver, Ekuban has 16 sacks. He has previous stints with the Cleveland Browns and the Dallas Cowboys.

http://www.profootballtalk.com/2009/...isits-raiders/

Chiefs, Chargers takes

March 21, 2009 1:52 PM

Posted by ESPN.com's Bill Williamson

Kansas City

The Chiefs are going to work out former Florida State defensive end Everette Brown.

My take: This is no surprise. The Chiefs need defensive players and Brown is one of the best defensive players on the board. Still, it would be a bit of a surprise if the Chiefs took Brown with the No. 3 pick. Unless he is extraordinarily impressive in his private workout, Brown likely won't be picked in the top five. Still, Kansas City could always trade down a few spots and take Brown. It's clear he will be on the team's radar as the draft approaches.

San Diego

Kassim Osgood is on the trading block.

My take: Osgood wanted this and now he could get his wish. Osgood is an excellent special teams player. He is an impact player there. Still, he wants a chance to play receiver and the Chargers clearly only see him as a special teams player. The San Diego Union Tribune reports that the team would likely low-round pick for Osgood. The Chargers would miss Osgood on special teams if he was dealt but overall it wouldn't be a huge loss.

http://myespn.go.com/blogs/afcwest/0...ers-takes.html

By JEFF DARLINGTON

In a move that confirms the Dolphins' desire to transition newly signed center Jake Grove into the starting job, Miami traded center Samson Satele to the Oakland Raiders for an undisclosed draft pick, two sources said Sunday night.

Satele, a second-round pick in 2007, started every game he played for Miami over the past two seasons since former coach Cam Cameron and former general manager Randy Mueller drafted him.

However, the team's new regime decided it was time for an upgrade after Satele struggled to deal with some of the bigger nose tackles in the AFC East, specifically the Jets' Kris Jenkins and the Patriots' Vince Wilfork.

Although Grove does not have much more size than Satele (both weigh about 300 pounds, but Grove is an inch taller at 6-4), the Dolphins believe his skill set makes him better equipped to handle the bigger players that concern Miami.

Heard it's for a 6th rounder in this year's draft, unconfirmed.

N/N:

Chargers get two fourth-round picks

March 23, 2009 8:38 PM
Posted by ESPN.com's Bill Williamson

DANA POINT, Calif. - The good news for the San Diego Chargers is they received two compensatory picks Monday in the April 25-26 draft.

The bad news is the team didn't get as high of picks as it may have hoped. The Chargers received two fourth-round picks, the 133rd and 134th overall choices. The team lost running back Michael Turner and cornerback Drayton Florence through free agency last year. Comp picks are based on the previous year's loss in free agency.

Turner, who signed a six-year, $34.5 million deal from Atlanta last season, was a star for the Falcons. He had 1,699 rushing yards and 17 rushing touchdowns for the Falcons. Florence was signed by Jacksonville and cut this offseason.

Many league observers thought the Chargers would get at least one third-round pick because of the losses. Only three third-round comp picks were awarded.

Meanwhile, Kansas City was given an extra pick as well. The Chiefs received an extra seventh-round pick, the 256th and final choice. The NFL always gives 32 comp picks but only 30 picks were earned. Thus, the league went to the top of the draft order and gave the Chiefs ended up with the last pick.

That means their pick will be forever known as Mr. Irrelevant, 2009. Mr. Irrelevant is awarded every year by a Newport Beach, California group to the player who is the final pick of the NFL draft.

None of the comp picks can be traded.

DANA POINT, Calif. - It is being reported that Kansas City will visit with Wake Forest linebacker Aaron Curry.

The Chiefs have the No. 3 pick and Curry is expected to be the first defensive player off the board. The Chiefs' primary needs are on defense. Kansas City's interest in Curry is no surprise. If he is on the board and the team doesn't want to trade down, he could be the likely selection.

The word around the lobby at the NFL owners' meeting was that the West Cost teams aren't overly thrilled with the fact that East Coast teams are getting a break coming out West. Some West Coast representatives argued that their teams are at a disadvantage because they have to travel to the East Coast and often play in games that start at 10 a.m. Pacific.

Still, don't expect any change. The NFL feels restricted enough in its scheduling and to schedule every game of a West Cost team playing on the East Cost for a 1 p.m. Pacific start is not going to happen.

With their acquisition of Miami center Samson Satele, the Raiders are no longer pursuing Buffalo center Duke Preston.

There will be some history made when Oakland and Denver play on Thanksgiving. The Raiders haven't played on Thanksgiving in 39 years and Denver hasn't hosted a Turkey Day game in 46 years.

QB Garcia negotiating with Raiders



Free-agent QB Jeff Garcia is reportedly close to signing a deal with the Oakland Raiders, according to NBC Bay Area Sports. A source close to the negotiations told the NBC affiliate a deal is close and “will probably get done.”

It would mark Garcia’s second stay in the Bay Area, as he started his NFL career with the San Francisco 49ers (1999-2003).

Garcia played in 12 games for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last season. He finished with 12 touchdowns, six interceptions and 2,712 passing yards in 11 starts.

http://www.broncosforums.com/forums/...ad.php?t=33814

Around the AFC West

April 8, 2009 2:55 PM

Posted by ESPN.com's Bill Williamson

Denver

Kyle Orton loves the idea of playing for an offensive-minded coach.

My take: A lot of folks believe Orton can thrive under new coach Josh McDaniels because of McDaniels' system which had fast success with Matt Cassel last year. Orton is a decent quarterback but he is not a special quarterback. It wouldn't be a surprise if Orton was efficient under McDaniels but it would be a huge surprise if he became a dominant, game-changing player. The Broncos need a dominant offense because of their lackluster defense.

Kansas City

The Kansas City Star believes the Chiefs need to take a pass rusher at No. 3.

My take: The Chiefs set an NFL record for the fewest sacks in a season with 10 last year. I believe the Chiefs must take Wake Forest's Aaron Curry if he is on the board at No. 3 and if the Chiefs don't trade down. He is, by far, the best defensive player available. The team can't afford to get cute with this pick. Curry has to be the guy. He'll make the entire front seven better.

Oakland

Jeff Garcia is ready for anything in Oakland.

My take: Garcia is saying the right things, but he is competitor who is used to playing. Expect him to try to impress the coaching staff enough where he can steal the starting job from JaMarcus Russell. I don't think Garcia will win the job in training camp. The only way Garcia will play is if Russell gets hurt or if he regresses badly during the season. The Raiders want Russell to succeed but Garcia is a solid insurance policy.

http://myespn.go.com/blogs/afcwest/0...-AFC-West.html

Klis: If Jaguars dance, Broncos pick No. 8
By Mike Klis
The Denver Post

Broncos coach Josh McDaniels and general manager Brian Xanders can lock themselves into secrecy from now until draft day, and it might not matter.

There is a potential trade so logical, it all but leaps off the draft value chart.

Providing the Jacksonville Jaguars are willing partners, the Broncos could easily leap from their No. 12 overall draft pick to No. 8. (Credit the Walter Camp draftniks for first pointing this out).

The No. 8 spot would be significant to the Broncos if their preference is defensive tackle B.J. Raji, quarterback Mark Sanchez or Texas defensive end/outside linebacker Brian Orakpo.

As it stands now, someone would have to lace Raji's brownies between now and April 25 for the projected 3-4 nose tackle to fall past Green Bay with the No. 9 pick.

The San Francisco 49ers, having failed with Alex Smith as their franchise quarterback, cannot allow Sanchez to drop beyond their No. 10 pick.

And Orakpo, a physical freak who possesses the greatest pass- rushing potential, probably wouldn't get past Jacksonville at No. 8 or Buffalo at No. 11.

According to the last known draft value chart, the No. 8 draft pick is worth 1,400 points while the No. 12 pick is worth 1,200. To those who had a little too much Saturday night fun, that's a difference of 200 points.

That extra third-round pick the Broncos got from the Bears in the Jay Cutler trade? It allows the Broncos to sacrifice their first third- round pick, No. 79 overall. The No. 79 pick is worth 195 points on the draft value chart.

Or close enough.

McDaniels and Xanders would never state their preference with their No. 12 pick. But it's no secret they may have to move up to get him.

Thats interesting.......

i've been saying for a while now that our 3rd is a perfect value to trade up to #8 if raji is still there. . . . but if we move up for sanchez or orakpo, i'm shooting someone's dog. . . .

Originally Posted by dogfish

i've been saying for a while now that our 3rd is a perfect value to trade up to #8 if raji is still there. . . . but if we move up for sanchez or orakpo, i'm shooting someone's dog. . . .

Damn...I'm glad I don't have a dog and I am glad we're not neighbors!

Report: Falcons Still Want Gonzalez
Posted by Mike Florio on April 13, 2009, 10:10 a.m.
Though it remains to be seen whether tight end Tony Gonzalez wants out of Kansas City, one team that tried to get him in 2008 reportedly still wants him.

Michael Lombardi of NFP reports that the Falcons are “seriously interested” in trading for the veteran Pro Bowler, and might be willing to give up their second-round pick in the draft (55th overall) to make it happen.

We see several issues with this one:

1. Do the Chiefs want to trade Gonzalez at all? For now, the answer isn’t clear.

2. Does Gonzalez want out? Again, unclear.

3. If Gonzalez wants out, would he be willing to play for the Falcons? One thing we know is that Gonzalez wanted no part of the Falcons during the 2008 season, when the Falcons made a play for acquiring his services. So has Gonzalez’s position changed?

4. With two former New England colleagues calling the shots in Kansas City and Atlanta, would this be an impediment to getting a deal done, or would it help? Chiefs G.M. Scott Pioli was able to strike a deal with Pats coach Bill Belichick for quarterback Matt Cassel, but the second-round pick the Chiefs gave up for Cassel and linebacker Mike Vrabel prompted suspicion that Belichick handed Pioli a sweetheart deal. So would Pioli and/or former Pats director of college scouting Thomas Dimitroff be leery of the aftermath of a trade for Gonzalez, and would they feel the need to drive a harder bargain in order to avoid being criticized?

We’re not saying the trade can’t happen. But several hurdles would have to be overcome in order to make it so.