Tag: Brandon Mebane

Should the Seahawks pursue free agent DT Josh Mauro?

The Seattle Seahawks need a veteran, run-stuffing defensive tackle, and free agent Josh Mauro is a cheap, versatile option.

The Seattle Seahawks, like clockwork, always add a veteran defensive tackle to help shore up the run-defense. Guys like Al Woods, Shamar Stephen and Sheldon Richardson have been brought in over the last few years to do exactly that, filling a niche role for one season before departing.

With Jarran Reed and Poona Ford locked into starting roles, the Seahawks are left with young, unproven guys like Bryan Mone and Demarcus Christmas vying for that third tackle role – making the likelihood of another addition very high.

While they could pony up a good chunk of their remaining cap space on a guy like Damon Harrison or Mike Daniels, or a reunion with Brandon Mebane, they could also opt to go a cheaper route and look at someone like journeyman Josh Mauro.

Mauro starred at Stanford from 2010-2013, and after going undrafted he has bounced around the league quite a bit over the past six seasons, playing for the Cardinals, Steelers, Giants and the Raiders.

He’s played all across the defensive line, a versatility that coach Pete Carroll will love, although he’s primarily succeeded at plugging holes and stopping the run, only tallying three career sacks and 11 quarterback hits in 72 games.

Mauro is not one of the flashier options remaining on the open market, but he’s an upgrade over Christmas and Mone and would provide Seattle with a versatile veteran who can plug holes up the middle and line up on the outside if necessary.

In an offseason that could look quite different thanks to COVID-19, an experienced veteran might be much preferred for a key area of need for the Seahawks, and Mauro is the best remaining option that won’t break the bank.

[lawrence-related id=64435]

3 defensive tackles the Seahawks could still sign in free agency

The Seattle Seahawks need to add a defensive tackle via free agency, and here are three options they could pursue.

The Seattle Seahawks did not address the interior defensive line during the 2020 NFL draft, instead focusing on the LEO position and the offense.

That’s not too surprising, as Seattle has preferred to add veteran, run-stuffing defensive tackles via free agency the past few years, including Shamar Stephen, Tom Johnson and Al Woods.

This year’s crop still has a handful of options for the Seahawks to choose from, and it’s basically a guarantee they’ll find someone else to add to a mix that already includes starters Jarran Reed and Poona Ford as well as a trio of backup candidates: Nazair Jones, Bryan Mone and Demarcus Christmas.

Adding any of these three guys would shore up a big-time position of need for the Seahawks, and should not break the bank.

Pages: Page 1, Page 2, Page 3, Page 4

Could Brandon Mebane re-sign with Seahawks following release?

The Seahawks are looking for veteran help along the defensive line, and longtime Seattle nose tackle Brandon Mebane just became available.

With less than a week until free agency officially opens up, the Seattle Seahawks are expected to pursue upgrades along the offensive and defensive lines, while also focusing on re-signing some big name free agents, including Jadeveon Clowney and Jarran Reed.

Whether they re-sign Reed or not, this team could use more help on the interior defensive line – and an old friend reappeared on the open market on Friday after ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that the Chargers released defensive tackle Brandon Mebane.

Mebane, 35, spent the first nine years of his career in the Emerald City, racking up 349 combined tackles, 49 quarterback hits, 15.5 sacks and eight passes defended.

He was a stalwart along the defensive front during their back-to-back Super Bowl appearances, and his 131 games played is 10th all-time among defensive players in franchise history.

However, as one might expect, Mebane’s performance has waned with age. Although he started 13 games for Los Angeles last year, he racked up just 27 combined tackles, two quarterback hits and one sack, earning a lowly 48.5 grade from Pro Football Focus.

The Seahawks sign a veteran, run-stuffing defensive tackle nearly every offseason, and with Reed and Al Woods both hitting free agency a reunion with Mebane as a backup tackle would make a lot of sense.

[lawrence-related id=57478]

Report: Chargers restructuring LB Denzel Perryman’s contract

The Los Angeles Chargers continue to make moves to clear up cap space.

The Chargers have been very active on Friday leading up to free agency, which starts next week on March 18.

First, came the announcement on tight end Hunter Henry getting franchise tagged. Then, came the news of linebacker Thomas Davis and defensive tackle being released.

Now, Los Angeles and linebacker Denzel Perryman have agreed to a restructured deal, according to NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport.

Perryman signed a two-year deal before the start of the 2019 season. He was set to make $6.5 million in salary and bonuses during the upcoming season. The new compensation has not been announced, but he will have the opportunity to earn it through incentives.

In 2019, the former second-round selection appeared in 14 games, recording 68 total tackles, five tackles for loss, one interception and a forced fumble.

Los Angeles Chargers releasing former Carolina Panther Thomas Davis

The Los Angeles Chargers are releasing former Carolina Panthers linebacker Thomas Davis. Davis went to the University of Georgia.

The Los Angeles Chargers are releasing former Carolina Panthers linebacker Thomas Davis. The Panthers originally drafted Davis in the first round out of the University of Georgia.

Davis spent the first thirteen seasons of his NFL career in Carolina before the Panthers moved on from him last off-season. Davis was successful in his one year in Los Angeles en route to recording 112 total tackles.

However, Davis’s solid season wasn’t enough to vault Los Angeles into the NFL postseason. Now the Chargers, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter, have released him:

In addition to the release of outside linebacker Thomas Davis, the Chargers are also moving on from defensive tackle Brandon MeBane. Davis, who is set to be 37 later this month, will weigh retiring or coming back for another season.

[lawrence-auto-related count=1]

Chargers release LB Thomas Davis, DT Brandon Mebane

The Los Angeles Chargers are cutting ties with two veterans.

The Los Angeles Chargers are releasing linebacker Thomas Davis and defensive tackle Brandon Mebane, the team announced on Friday.

Davis signed with the Chargers last offseason after spending 14 years with the Panthers. Davis started all 16 games during his only season in Los Angeles, amassing 112 tackles and one sack.

Mebane spent the last four seasons with the Chargers. He started 13 games during the 2019 season and posted 27 tackles and a sack.

By cutting ties with Davis and Mebane, the Bolts save about $9.5 million in cap space.

Below is the official team statement:

The Los Angeles Chargers today announced the release of LB Thomas Davis Sr. and NT Brandon Mebane.

“This is a difficult time of the year due to the tough decisions we are forced to make concerning the direction of our football team in 2020 and beyond,” said General Manager Tom Telesco. “Oftentimes, these decisions hurt on a personal level. This is certainly one of those times.

“Even though Thomas only spent one year with us, he left an indelible mark on our organization. His passion, leadership, wisdom and toughness — I just can’t thank Thomas enough for his contributions to the Chargers, both on and off the field.

“Brandon has been a rock of stability on our defense and a respected team leader. I cannot overstate what he has meant to our locker room and organization, not to mention his hometown Crenshaw community. I want to thank Brandon for his consistency, on and off the field, and for always being a pro’s pro. He and his family will always be part of our Chargers family.

Ultimately, you never know what the future will hold, but making these moves right now gives us flexibility entering the new league year.”

Mebane, who signed with the Chargers in 2016 as an unrestricted free agent, played four seasons with the Bolts and was voted a captain by his teammates each year he was with the organization. In 2018, Mebane recorded his first career interception, becoming just one of three nose tackles in NFL history with a pick and at least 450 career tackles.

Davis totaled 112 tackles (65 solo) last year with the Bolts, his highest tackle total since posting 123 (85 solo) with Carolina during the 2013 season. A three-time Pro Bowler and the 2014 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year, Davis was also voted a captain by his teammates in his first year with the Chargers.

3 Chargers who could be surprise cuts this offseason

Chargers Wire’s Gavino Borquez lays out three players who could be surprise cuts this offseason.

General manager Tom Telesco and company are gearing up for what will be one of the most polarizing offseasons.

Aside from free agency and the 2020 NFL draft, the Chargers will need to decide what to do with their 15 expiring contracts. Among the group are notables like quarterback Philip Rivers, running back Melvin Gordon and tight end Hunter Henry, along with defensive end Joey Bosa who is due for a big payday.

Los Angeles’ $56.3 million in projected salary cap comes above the league average of $47 million. The front office will have to dish the majority of that available money to household names, but if they feel the need to make some signings in free agency they could elect to move on from some players that are under contract through the 2020 season.

With that, here are three Chargers who could be surprise cuts this offseason:

LB Denzel Perryman

The linebacker position was a focal point for Telesco heading into the 2019 season. One of the moves that he elected to do was bring back Perryman on a two-year deal. The former Miami product stayed relatively healthy and played well enough to remain on the team through next season, but Drue Tranquill’s emergence at the middle linebacker position has given the Chargers reason to believe that they could lean on the fourth-round selection to manage the full load moving forward. Should they move on from Perryman, Los Angeles would save $6.55 million in cap space.

C Mike Pouncey

One of the heart and souls on the offensive line and in the locker room, Pouncey didn’t have the season he was anticipating. In Week 5, Pouncey sustained a major neck injury that required surgery. The injury was so severe that there’s still a possibility that it could be career-ending. Pouncey recently appeared to be optimistic that he would be able to play, but it all depends on if the doctors clear him. If he isn’t cleared, then the Chargers will have to look elsewhere to fill the void at the center position. Scott Quessenberry would likely be the favorite when considering his strong play in the starting role this past season.

DT Brandon Mebane

Even though Mebane is coveted for his veteran and locker room presence, he didn’t flash as much as previous season and the Chargers showed that they could be set at the nose tackle position with two other players — Damion Square and Sylvester Williams, both who proved their worth this past season and could very well be re-signed. If the team elects to move on from the 34-year old, they would save $4.25 million in cap space.

Chargers’ weakness becoming a strength

There’s one area that the Los Angeles Chargers have really made strides at improving this season.

The Chargers’ strong suit hasn’t always been stopping the run. Just three weeks ago, the team ranked No. 22 in the NFL, allowing 117.1 rushing yards per game.

Since then, the unit has made strides, giving up only 95 yards per game on the ground, which ranks them as the ninth-best in this category the past three weeks. Had they not allowed a couple big carries, this number would be significantly lower.

The running backs that Los Angeles has slowed down happen to be among the best at their position in the NFL — Titans’ Derrick Henry, Packers’ Aaron Jones and Raiders’ Josh Jacobs.

Their success all starts up front in the trenches. Despite missing starting defensive tackles Justin Jones and Brandon Mebane, Damion Square and recently acquired Sylvester Williams have done a phenomenal job filling in.

Williams, the 6-foot-2 and 313 pounder, was picked up to fill the role of Mebane. Whether it’s clogging holes or forcing double teams to allow other members of the front seven to make plays, Williams has shown to be a solid acquisition.

Last year it was Darius Philon who was the unsung hero in the trenches, but this year it’s been Square, who has been a huge contributor to the defense.

Defensive ends Joey Bosa and Melvin Ingram have been a dominant force at getting to the opposing quarterback, but running backs as well.

The rest of the front seven and backend of the defense was notorious for missing their assignments and missing tackles in the open field, but the group has really come into their own in those areas.

Whether it’s diagnosing where the football is going, avoiding blocks, or tackling with sound technique, they haven’t allowed many explosive plays like they used to in the past.

The Chargers will have to keep this same energy in this department the rest of the way out, as they will face Vikings’ Dalvin Cook, Jagaurs’ Leonard Fournette and Jacobs once more.

[lawrence-related id=30516,30509,30502,30498]