Tag: B.J. Finney

Seahawks agree to terms with tackle Cedric Ogbuehi

Cedric Ogbuehi will get a fresh start in Seattle, where the Seahawks could play him in the extra tight end role vacated by George Fant.

The Seattle Seahawks indicated they hoped to keep some continuity along their offensive line heading into 2020. That appears to be out the window, however, after the team signed their third new offensive lineman in the last 24 hours, agreeing to terms with former Jacksonville tackle Cedric Ogbuehi, according to NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo.

Ogbuehi joins tackle Brandon Shell and center/guard B.J. Finney as newcomers to Seattle’s offensive line, a group that is almost certainly moving on from Germain Ifedi and Mike Iupati, and already lost George Fant to the Jets.

Ogbuehi has yet to live up to his billing as a first round pick by the Browns in 2015. He has appeared in 49 games over the last five seasons, including 25 starts – none in the past two years.

He is likely on hand as added depth at the two tackle spots, and could compete with Shell to start at right tackle. Ogbuehi also has some experience in the sixth lineman/tight end role, so perhaps Seattle views him as a replacement for Fant in that role.

Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

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A look at 4 Seattle Seahawks who could become cap casualties

The Seattle Seahawks are in the market for superstars, and acquiring any might require them to cut some players to clear cap space.

The Seattle Seahawks are in the market for superstars this offseason, and while they have more cap space than usual they are still going to have a hard time affording top-tier talent on the open market, unless they make some chances to their roster.

The signing of Greg Olsen and the re-signing of Jarran Reed sucked up a huge chunk of Seattle’s cap space, and any chance of re-signing Jadeveon Clowney or bringing in another quality free agent likely rests in the team’s ability to shed some salary.

Here are four players who could find themselves looking for a new job this offseason, starting with the most obvious candidate.

Tight End Ed Dickson

Cutting veteran tight end Ed Dickson would save the Seahawks $3.8 million dollars, and seems like a no-brainer following the team’s addition of Olsen and the reported return of both Jacob Hollister and Luke Willson.

With four tight ends already in the fold, and Dickson unable to play a single game last year thanks to injuries, it seems like a near certainty he will be released soon.

The soon-to-be 33-year-old may have a hard time finding another gig, although his experience and strength as a blocker should land him another opportunity before he has to call it a career.

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3 takeaways from the loss of B.J. Finney and Ramon Foster

Pittsburgh must scramble to replace two key offensive linemen.

In a span of 24 hours, the Pittsburgh Steelers lost their starting left guard and the guy who would have replaced him in the starting lineup. Ramon Foster’s retirement was unexpected but B.J. Finney singing with the Seattle Seahawks was not.

What do these two big moves mean for an offense trying to get back on track this season? Here are our three big takeaways.

Matt Feiler might be switching positions

The easiest fix on the roster to fill the void at left guard is Matt Feiler. He’s been the team’s starting right tackle for the last season and 10 games but is a natural guard. Just looking at veteran depth on the team, there is much more at tackle than guard so the Steelers might find it easier to slide Feiler inside and let Zach Banner and Chuks Okorafor duke it out for the starting right tackle spot.

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Seahawks agree to terms with versatile O-Lineman B.J. Finney

The Seahawks agreed to terms with their first outside free agent of the new year, giving a two-year, $8 million dollar deal to B.J. Finney.

After spending the first two days of the NFL’s legal tampering period focusing on bringing back their own free agents, the Seattle Seahawks finally decided to look for new players – coming to terms on a two-year, $8 million dollar deal with former Pittsburgh Steelers offensive lineman B.J. Finney, according to NFL Insider Tom Pelissero.

Finney has the requisite versatility the Seahawks crave in their offensive linemen, having played 427 snaps at left guard, 381 snaps at center and 139 snaps at right guard in his four-year career, all spent with Pittsburgh.

Although he’s spent most of his career as a backup, only making 13 career starts, Finney could come in and immediately compete to be the team’s starting left guard with Mike Iupati expected to sign elsewhere in free agency.

The team could also view Finney as an option at center, with many believing the team will release Justin Britt, which would free up $11.8 million dollars in cap space for Seattle and help them land Jadeveon Clowney or another big name free agent.

Finney also has some experience lining up in the sixth lineman/tight end role, a role the Seahawks utilized heavily the past two years with George Fant, who has now agreed to terms with the Jets.

Finney’s role in Seattle next year is unclear, but his versatility and experience should make him a valuable part of the team in 2020.

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Report: Former Steelers OL B.J. Finney to sign with the Seahawks

The Steelers are losing another offensive lineman.

The sudden retirement of offensive guard Ramon Foster left the Pittsburgh Steelers needing a starting at left guard. But you had to assume the position was in good hands with B.J. Finney. But now, according to NFL reporter Tom Pelissero, Finney is set to sign a two-year contract with the Seattle Seahawks.

Finney has 13 career starts at guard and center, always playing well when called upon. His absence leaves the Steelers in a position where they will be forced to shuffle lineman to get an effective starting lineup.

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2020 NFL Free Agency: Steelers options for the Saints

The New Orleans Saints should consider several pending free agents from the Pittsburgh Steelers, such as B.J. Finney and Bud Dupree.

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We continue to roll on with our team-by-team series that highlights all the possible free agents that could hit the market, and which ones could be potential fits for the New Orleans Saints.

Up next is the Pittsburgh Steelers, and with just 15 pending free agents, the pickings will be slim for the Saints. But there are a couple players who may fit well into the New Orleans culture in 2020 and beyond. Here are Pittsburgh’s free agents:

  • CB Artie Burns
  • CB Mike Hilton (RFA)
  • DE Lavon Hooks (ERFA)
  • DT Leterrius Walton (RFA)
  • DT Justin Hargrave
  • FS Sean Davis
  • FS Jordan Dangerfield (RFA)
  • LB Tyler Matakevich
  • LB Bud Dupree
  • LS Kameron Canaday
  • OG B.J. Finney
  • OT Matt Feiler (RFA)
  • OT Zach Banner (RFA)
  • TE Nick Vannett
  • TE Vance McDonald (Club Option)

Bud Dupree would fit well into the defensive scheme of the Saints, especially with a need at the linebacker position. However, there are reports of the Steelers potentially using the franchise tag on the pass-rushing linebacker.

B.J. Finney could potentially interest New Orleans, as he has proven he can stay healthy over the course of the season. However, he has never played more than 33% of the offensive snaps in a given season, and might only be a depth option for the club.

One intriguing name is tight end Vance McDonald. Over the course of the last three seasons, McDonald has only been able to produce 1,071 yards and eight touchdowns. However, he has always been surrounded by big hype due to his size, speed and athleticism. His injuries have kept him back, as he has missed 14 games over the last three seasons with Pittsburgh. McDonald is on a club option, one that very well may not get renewed if the Steelers want to create cap space and move on. If they do, McDonald may be an affordable option if not attractive option for New Orleans in order to help shore up some questions with the tight end corps.

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1 pending free agent Chargers should target: AFC North Edition

Chargers Wire lists one pending free agent on each team in the AFC North that could interest the Los Angeles Chargers.

The Los Angeles Chargers are set to enter free agency with the most salary cap available since Tom Telesco took over as general manager in 2013.

Even though the franchise has some in-house players that will need to get paid, there’s a great chance that Telesco and company will be aggressive in signing other soon-to-be free agents to bolster an already talented roster, with the hopes of making a quick turnaround after finishing 5-11 in 2019.

With that being said, we are going to list one pending free agent from each team in the NFL that could be a realistic target for L.A. Next up is the AFC North.

Cincinatti Bengals – CB Darqueze Dennard

Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports

The Chargers have one of the most talented cornerbacks in the league in Casey Hayward, who is signed through 2021. However, the depth behind him isn’t the greatest. Michael Davis produced a mixed bag of results as a starter and Brandon Facyson doesn’t have much experience in the starting role.

Dennard, who was drafted by the Bengals in 2014, could help shore up a young and talented secondary. He was limited to only 290 coverage snaps in 2019 but put up a career-high and 15th best coverage grade on those snaps. Dennard allowed only four catches of 10-plus yards, as well, per Pro Football Focus.

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4 centers the Jets should target in free agency

Jets Wire takes a look at four centers the Jets should target in free agency this offseason.

To say the Jets got next to nothing out of their centers in 2019 would be an understatement.

Ryan Kalil was a massive disappointment after coming out of retirement to join the team in August. Once he landed on season-ending injured reserve, Jonotthan Harrison took over and things did not get much better.

New York missed out on two top-notch free agent centers last offseason in Matt Paradis and Mitch Morse. Don’t expect Gang Green to miss on a top free agent center again this offseason, as first-year general manager Joe Douglas is placing a heavy emphasis on improving the offensive line.

Which centers could the Jets potentially target in free agency? Let’s take a look.

Connor McGovern

Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

McGovern did an excellent job taking over for Paradis in 2019, giving the Broncos another reliable player at the position following the veteran’s departure in free agency.

A former fifth-round pick in 2016, McGovern is only 26 and has a lot of good football ahead of him. He also has plenty of experience and positional versatility, as he was Denver’s starting right guard before shifting over to center. He should be at the top of New York’s wish list at the position come March.

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4 right guards the Jets should target in free agency

Joe Douglas needs right guard support if he decides to cut Brian Winters. Here are five solid options in free agency.

The Jets currently have Brian Winters as their starting right guard, but Joe Douglas could easily look for his replacement this offseason following another injury-plagued year. Cutting Winters would save the Jets $7.28 million this offseason, money that could be used at multiple positions or for a more consistent and durable lineman.

The market for right guards is incredibly top-heavy this offseason. There are really only two players who will command big contracts, and they’re really the only ones worth the money to upgrade over Winters. If the Jets aren’t willing to grab either of the top two right guards, they can keep Winters, downgrade for a cheaper player, trade for a replacement or look to the draft.

Here are the top five right guards in free agency the Jets should consider.

(Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports)

Brandon Scherff 

The Jets need a mauler up front and Scherff provides that both in run-blocking and pass protection. He finished 28th in pass-blocking and was top-six in run-blocking in gap and zone protections. Scherff is consistent with his ability, grading out between 75.0 and 81.4 in four out of five of his NFL seasons and at least 70.0 in all five.

When’s he’s healthy, Scherff is one of the best right guards in the league. That’s a big “if,” though, as Scherff hasn’t played a full season since 2016 and missed 13 games over the past two seasons with various injuries. Despite his injury history, his age and size – 28, 6-foot-5, 351 pounds – as well as his production make him arguably the best right guard on the market. His value is around $12.4 million per year, according to Spotrac. 

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