Tag: Clay Matthews

Which veteran OLBs could the Bucs have interest in?

Greg Auman of The Athletic gives the names of a few OLBs the Bucs might have interest in signing as training camp approaches.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ offense is shaping up to be one of the most exciting units in the NFL heading into 2020. But with the New Orleans Saints the defending champs of the NFC South, the Bucs will have their work cut out for them as they seek a return to the postseason for the first time in over a decade.

While Tom Brady will take care of the offense, the six-time Super Bowl champion can’t do much to help out the Bucs on defense. But after a solid 2019 under defensive coordinator Todd Bowles, and the re-signing of key players like Ndamukong Suh and Jason Pierre-Paul, Tampa Bay’s defense is sitting pretty right now, too.

But, with training camp approaching, could the Bucs be in the market for some veteran insurance at outside linebacker? And if so, who are some of the names we might see suiting up for Tampa Bay?

Here is Bucs writer Greg Auman of The Athletic with his thoughts.

Matthews would be a nice signing, but his price tag may be steeper than what the Bucs are willing to dish out. Golden would be a good pick up, considering he’s coming off a 10.0 sack season with the New York Giants. His biggest year came in 2016, when he had a career-high 12.5 sacks with the Arizona Cardinals.

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5 free agents the Patriots could target with NFL facilities reopening

Looking at 5 possible free agents the Patriots could sign as they approach the July 28 start date of training camp for the 2020 season.

Amid the current pandemic, the NFL has changed some of the guidelines surrounding training camp. In the past, teams were required to report to training camp 15 days before their preseason opener.

This season however, 28 teams now must report July 28, which is 47 or 48 days before the opening week of the regular season. Teams playing Sunday, September 13, are required to report to camp 47 days before their opener, while teams scheduled to play Monday, September 14, are required to report 48 days beforehand. With almost every team set to report to camp at the end of July – including the Patriots – many hot ticket free agents still remain on the market and could possibly find themselves at 1 Patriot Place by August.

And with NFL facilities beginning to reopen, the Patriots might be able to bring in these players for workouts or physicals, a piece that has been missing during this free agency process. Keep in mind that these are high-budget options, and that the Patriots would have to tweak their salary cap space to add these veterans.

DL Damon “Snacks” Harrison

Harrison is a mammoth of a human. Standing at 6 foot 3 inches, and weighing in at 350 pounds, Harrison is the ultimate nose guard. For comparison, Vince Wilfork was an inch shorter, and weighed 25 pounds less. Harrison spent four years with the Jets after going undrafted in 2012. He signed with the Giants before the 2016 season and would finish as an All-Pro that season. After two and a half seasons with the Giants, Harrison was shipped to the Lions where he played under former Patriots defensive coordinator Matt Patricia. Unfortunately for Harrison, the Patriots defensive line is already big – both in terms of depth at the position and physical size. Beau Allen, Adam Butler, and Byron Cowart currently sit on the depth chart for the nose tackle spot. Harrison is 31-years old.

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Seahawks seem content not making a big free agent signing

Despite clearing cap space, the Seattle Seahawks seem content to avoid making any big time free agent signings this offseason.

The first seven weeks of free agency have come and gone, with the 2020 NFL draft sprinkled in between, and while a handful of top-tier pass rushers remain available on the open market the Seattle Seahawks seem perfectly content to roll into the 2020 season with few, if any, more additions.

The recent release of Justin Britt and D.J. Fluker seemed to indicate a move was on the horizon, but those decisions appear to have been made to help the two veterans find a new job (which already happened for Fluker) rather than an immediate need to clear cap space.

With Jadeveon Clowney, Everson Griffen and Clay Matthews still available via free agency, and Matthew Judon and Yannick Ngakoue reportedly still available via trade, it looks more and more likely that Seattle will instead use their additional cap space as insurance during the season, something general manager John Schneider has repeatedly indicated is a priority for them.

“We have to be careful with our budget and our salary cap because as you guys have seen, we take pride in our ability to work with the coaches and try to build our team throughout the season,” Schneider said in a radio interview shortly after the draft. “This thing doesn’t stop when you get to 53. It doesn’t stop after the draft. There will be cap casualty guys out there throughout the offseason. What you don’t want to do is bring yourself right to the point where you’re not able to add players that are all of the sudden available on the market that you didn’t see coming.”

Another wrinkle is the recent report that Bruce Irvin will get paid a base value of $5.5 million in 2020, according to ESPN’s Brady Henderson. That figure is higher than many expected, and gives the Seahawks considerably less financial flexibility to pursue a big name pass rusher this offseason.

The team will head into training camp with returners Rasheem Green, L.J. Collier, and Branden Jackson as well as Irvin and fellow free agent signing Benson Mayowa, and the two draft picks: Darrell Taylor and Alton Robinson, all fighting for spots on the defensive line.

Whether that is enough talent to piece together an effective pass rush remains to be seen, but those holding their breath for another big addition may want to let go, at least for now.

Of course, this team has also proven time and time again they are willing to make big moves right before, or even during the season, so the door will never be fully closed.

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The 5 best available free agents for the Browns still on the market

The 5 best available free agents for the Browns still on the market after the 2020 NFL Draft

The draft is over and the free agent market is slowing down to a trickle. But there are still some veterans out there who can help the Cleveland Browns, if the price and fit are right.

Note that this is not a general “best free agents” list, because the Browns are not in the market for some of those players. These are realistic options the Browns could sign, not a dream list without context.

Everson Griffen

Griffen made the Pro Bowl in 2019, bagging eight sacks and 24 QB hits for the Vikings. That’s where coach Kevin Stefanski hails, of course, and Browns defensive coordinator Joe Woods was on the defensive staff in Minnesota for the first few years of Griffen’s long and fantastic career, too.

Griffen is 32 but he’s still got “it”. The combination of get-off at the snap, bend around the edge, power to attack inside is all still there. The Browns are deep at EDGE with Myles Garrett, Olivier Vernon and Adrian Clayborn, but Griffen would take it to another level. His familiarity in the defensive scheme is a definite plus.

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Falcons RB Todd Gurley not planning on filing grievance against Rams

Atlanta Falcons RB Todd Gurley, previously of the LA Rams & Georgia football, doesn’t plan on filling grievance against Rams for money owed.

Outside linebacker Clay Matthews is filing a grievance against the Rams over $2 million in guaranteed money that he’s apparently owed.

Former Georgia running back Todd Gurley, who has spent his entire career with the Rams before recently signing with the Falcons, does not have the same intentions as his former teammate, per ESPN’s Vaughn McClure.

Both Matthews and Gurley have been public with their frustration over the Rams and their non-payments, but Gurley has signed with a team while Matthews still has not. Both were released by the Rams on March 19th.

 

From RamsWire: 

Both players had offset language in their contracts with the Rams, which has likely caused the discrepancy between them and the team. However, unlike Matthews, Gurley has already signed with another team.

Because of that, the Rams owe him $2.5 million less than the $7.55 million he was originally scheduled to receive, because his contract with Atlanta is worth at least $2.5 million. As McClure points out, though, Gurley’s contract is still pending a physical even though he’s already signed on the dotted line.

“They’re definitely owed money. That money is guaranteed. We’re going to pay them,” Rams general manager Les Snead told NFL Network before the NFL draft. “There’s some language in the contract of exactly when you pay them, and that’s what we’re adhering by. What I do know is both Clay and Todd earned that money, and they’re going to get that money.”

Rams GM: Gurley and Matthews ‘are definitely owed money’

Les Snead said both players will get their money, but the team is still in compliance and abiding by the contracts’ language.

After Todd Gurley and Clay Matthews were released, both players took to Twitter to call out the Rams about the money they’re owed. The Rams cut them with guaranteed money still remaining on their contracts, which they have yet to receive.

Gurley was owed a $7.55 million roster bonus, while Matthews is also due a fully guaranteed $2 million roster bonus himself. Neither player has received that money, but the Rams are within compliance of each contract.

General manager Les Snead addressed the situation on NFL Network Wednesday, saying the team does owe both players money and they will get their checks, but they’re still abiding by the language written in their contracts.

“Here’s what I do know: They’re definitely owed money. That money is guaranteed, we’re going to pay them,” Snead said. “There’s some language in the contract of exactly when you pay them and that’s what we’re adhering by. But what I do know is both Clay and Todd earned that money and they’re going to get that money.”

It’s likely that Snead is referring to the offset language in both contracts. Because Gurley signed with the Falcons for more than $2.5 million, the Rams will save $2.5 million in cap space, which they no longer owe the running back. The same will apply for Matthews if he signs with another team for at least $2 million, allowing the Rams to save $2 million in cap space.

That’s probably the holdup when it comes to paying Gurley and Matthews, but Snead made it clear that they’ll both get their money when the time comes.

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Both Todd Gurley, Clay Matthews claim the Rams are ‘past due’ and owe them money

What’s up here?

New Atlanta Falcons running back Todd Gurley isn’t quite done with the Los Angeles Rams yet.

On Wednesday, Gurley tweeted a very public message to the Rams Twitter account, claiming they were “past due” and that they needed to “send me money ASAP.”

But then free-agent linebacker Clay Matthews — who spent last season with the Rams — chimed in as well: “You and me both TG!”

Hmmm. Strange.

The Rams didn’t comment when ESPN reached out, and there was this: “The Rams believe they are in full compliance with the language in the players’ contracts, a source told ESPN.”

So what gives? Here’s Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio:

Per a source with knowledge of the situation, Matthews believes that the Rams owe him a fully-guaranteed roster bonus that became due on the third day of the league year, and that per his contract the Rams must pay the amount on or before March 30, 2020. Matthews hasn’t gotten that money, yet.

There’s an argument to be made that the money isn’t strictly due on March 30, 2020 because was released before the date on which the bonus was earned, and because the Rams have the right to offset the liability based on whatever Matthews earns elsewhere in 2020. But the Rams still owe the money, and they’ve yet to pay it — and Matthews isn’t happy about it.

Going public on Twitter with all this is one way to go about it.

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Clay Matthews says Rams are past due on his bonus, too

Clay Matthews and Todd Gurley say the Rams owe them money.

It seems Todd Gurley isn’t the only former Rams player who says the team is past due on his payment. After Gurley tweeted at the Rams to “send me money ASAP” on Wednesday night, Clay Matthews piled on with a claim of his own.

Matthews quoted Gurley’s tweet and said “You and me both TG,” adding that he should collect interest due to the supposedly late payment.

Gurley was still owed a $7.55 million bonus after he was cut, which he apparently hasn’t gotten yet. Thanks to offset language and him signing with the Falcons, the Rams don’t have to pay $2.5 million of that.

As for Matthews, his roster bonus was worth $2 million when he was cut, but he too has offset language in his deal like Gurley. That means if Matthews signs a deal worth at least $2 million with another team, the Rams won’t owe him anything.

According to ESPN, a team source said the Rams are not past due and are still in compliance with the contracts signed by Gurley and Matthews. Both players will get the money they’re owed – or in Matthews’ case, if he’s owed anything.

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Wisconsin LB Zack Baun interviews with Cowboys ahead of 2020 NFL Draft

Jerry Jones, Mike McCarthy, and other Cowboys staffers have interviewed Zack Baun, a linebacker prospect from Wisconsin with big potential.

The Cowboys have pulled back the curtain just a bit further on their 2020 draft preparations. On Tuesday, the team’s social media department released a highlight package from their recent virtual interview with Wisconsin’s Zack Baun.

The outside linebacker was a first-team All-American and first-team All-Big Ten selection in 2019. It was the Wisconsin native’s senior season as a Badger after a high school career that saw him excel at basketball and track as well as several positions on the football field.

The athletically-gifted Baun may not even remain at linebacker, according to some. It’s thought that with some added bulk, the 6-foot-2-inch Baun could become a nasty edge rusher. Whatever position he lines up at, Baun is, in the parlance of new Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy, a football player. Perhaps that versatility helped convince owner Jerry Jones, defensive coordinator Mike Nolan, linebacker coach Scott McCurley, Klein Kubiak from the scouting department, and others to also jump on the group Webex with the talented Butkus Award finalist.

Baun’s stock has been on the rise with draft experts. John Owning of The Dallas Morning News called him “the best pass rusher in this class outside of Ohio State’s Chase Young, displaying great burst, bend, hand technique, footwork and rush IQ.”

But it’s that motor Baun references that he prides himself on. To many, his high-energy play is reminiscent of Clay Matthews, a 2009 draft pick that McCarthy’s Packers traded up to acquire in the first round.

Any comparison at all to a six-time Pro Bowler is enough to sit up and take notice. Baun’s state pedigree almost certainly carries some weight with McCarthy, and at the very least, provides a degree of familiarity. And the fact that he hails from the same college program that produced the Watt brothers is an encouraging bonus. (One has to wonder if Jones still smarts over not drafting T.J. back in 2017.)

But Dallas sits at 17 on opening day of 2020’s draft. Is that too soon? “Some may lament that taking Wisconsin’s Zack Baun this early is a reach,” Owning writes, “but they’re wrong — oh-so wrong.”

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Scouting report from Lance Zierlein, NFL.com:

“Ascending prospect whose explosive production on the field has begun to mirror his explosive athletic traits. Baun’s twitchy get-off and deep bend at the edge is nightmare fuel for Big Ten tackles and he’s still at the early stages of pass rush development. He is aggressive to flow downhill in run support, has sideline-to-sideline range and is fluid dropping into coverage. He’s strong but a little light as an edge-setter so teams will need to figure out how best to align him. Baun is a scheme-diverse linebacker with high-impact potential whose best days are ahead of him.”

Scouting report from Kyle Crabbs, The Draft Network:

“Zack Baun will excel in a defensive system that capitalizes on his versatility and football IQ to place him in various roles in the defensive front seven. Baun has the quickness, burst and hand usage to win as a pressure player but early downs will serve him best working off the football to take advantage of his quick processor and short area quickness to step into gaps and fill versus the run. He can be a critical starter for a defense but needs to be moved around to play his best football.”

It is tantalizing to think about a Cowboys linebacker corps that starts with Jaylon Smith, Leighton Vander Esch, and Sean Lee, and then adds a player of Zack Baun’s potential. Knowing he has the skills to step up and also wreak havoc from the defensive line makes Baun an even juicier proposition that could well be worth the team’s 17th pick.

4 veteran free agents that could help the Falcons in 2020

Here are four remaining free agents that the Falcons could consider.

As the NFL’s free agency period continues, it’s safe to say the Atlanta Falcons have already gotten most of their shopping done. After signing Dante Fowler Jr. and Todd Gurley, the team used most of what little cap space it had.

While the Falcons likely won’t be bringing in someone like Jadeveon Clowney, there are still some affordable options available that could help add depth and leadership.

Here are four remaining free agents that the Falcons could consider.

LB Clay Matthews

Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

2019 Stats: 37 tackles (27 solo), 8 sacks, 2 forced fumbles

Matthews is past his prime, but showed last season that he can still be a productive player in a smaller role. He racked up eight sacks and two forced fumbles for Los Angeles in 2019. The Falcons already signed defensive end Dante Fowler to a three-year, $48 million contract, but don’t have much depth behind him.  With Atlanta losing Adrian Clayborn, a veteran presence like Matthews could be an affordable option as a situational pass-rusher.

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