Open Thread: Legal Tampering Period Begins
Howie Roseman. (Jeff Fusco)
Before free agency kicks off on Wednesday at 4 p.m., the legal tampering period begins at noon today. This time is the negotiating period for prospective unrestricted free agents.
According to NFL.com, teams may negotiate every aspect of a contract with agents, but nothing can be agreed to before the start of free agency. Free agents are not permitted to visit with or contact any team other than their current employer.
6:43 — With Byron Maxwell likely heading to Miami, Eagles should be in play for a corner. Here’s one possible name.
Re: impending UFA #Chargers CB Patrick Robinson, I’m told the #Giants, #Eagles, #Bears, #Dolphins among teams showing preliminary interest.
— Josina Anderson (@JosinaAnderson) March 7, 2016
The Eagles have shown some interest in bringing back Nolan Carroll, per a source, but the feeling here is that they’ll have to up the ante to beat out other teams in contention.
6:00 — Some wide-receiver news:
In addition to their trade machinations, Eagles also had significant interest in WR Darrius Heyward-Bey, who ended up re-signing w/Steelers
— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) March 7, 2016
Another receiver that has likely drawn the Eagles’ interest is Miami’s Rishard Matthews, though the price may very well end up too high for their liking. — TM
3:22 — It’s a done deal, says Rapoport.
Kiko Alonso & Byron Maxwell have both been informed they are being traded to the #Dolphins, pending physicals, source said. It’s happening
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 7, 2016
2:59 — Adam Schefter has more details on the potential Maxwell trade.
Eagles-Dolphins now trying to finalize trade that will send Kiko Alonso and Byron Maxwell to MIA for draft-pick comp, per league
source.— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 7, 2016
2:47 — DeMarco Murray isn’t the only running back on the trade block.
#Eagles have made it known that it’s not just DeMarco Murray who is available, but also Ryan Mathews, as well, for the right price.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 7, 2016
2:23 — A note on the potential Sam Bradford market, or lack thereof:
This is correct. #Texans were never in the market for #Eagles Sam Bradford. Market for Bradford wasn’t very strong. https://t.co/9C4mOOMc5k
— Charles Robinson (@CharlesRobinson) March 7, 2016
1:48 — Another sign that Byron Maxwell is headed to Miami? From PFT:
According to Omar Kelly of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel, the Dolphins are expected to cut Pro Bowl cornerback Brent Grimes, after he refused a pay cut.
The Dolphins signed Grimes to a four-year, $32 million deal in 2014, and he was due $8 million this year. He’ll create $6.5 million in cap space, but leaves a big hole in the depth chart, and makes cornerback a big priority in either free agency or the draft.
The news coincides with their interest in trading for Eagles cornerback Byron Maxwell, as well.
11:42 — According to Over the Cap, the Eagles would save $4.9 million against the 2016 cap if the cornerback is traded.
The #Dolphins are in talks with the #Eagles on a trade for CB Byron Maxwell, source said. It’s in the works,
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 7, 2016
11:29 — Some relevant NFC East news to pass along:
Filed to ESPN: Chris Long’s first visit will be to Washington tomorrow..
— trey wingo (@wingoz) March 7, 2016
11:26 — Dave Spadaro throwing cold water on any thought of RGIII to Philly.
I can pretty confidently say that is not going to happen https://t.co/8xcuvT3HQx
— Dave Spadaro (@davespadaro) March 7, 2016
10:53 — Could the RGIII love extend to Andy’s former offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach?
We did a ton of studies on RG3 when he was coming out in Philly. Andy LOVED him. Be shocked if KC is not in the mix
— John Middlekauff (@JohnMiddlekauff) March 7, 2016
10:23 — Some expected news out of Washington.
The Redskins are informing RG3 today they are releasing him per sources.
— Dianna Marie Russini (@diannaESPN) March 7, 2016
10:21 — The Eagles’ official adjusted salary cap is almost $1 million less than what was originally projected.
#Eagles adjusted salary cap number, per NFLPA: $145,064,592, which gives them $16,505,770 in space, which is 23d most in the league.
— Jeff McLane (@Jeff_McLane) March 7, 2016
9:35 — An interesting note from Mike Florio to chew on as we wait for the action to start linking the Eagles and Kirk Cousins.
Per a league source, Washington was concerned that the Eagles would make a run at Cousins, if Washington either didn’t tag him at all, or if Washington applied only the transition tag.
From the perspective of the new coaching staff in Philadelphia, Bradford is as much of a stranger as Cousins would have been. However, Cousins has more experience in the West Coast offense that traces both through Eagles coach Doug Pederson and Washington coach Jay Gruden to Chiefs coach Andy Reid and former Packers and Seahawks coach Mike Holmgren. (Reid was a Holmgren assistant in Green Bay before getting the head-coaching job in Philadelphia.) Cousins was drafted by Mike Shanahan, whose own offense traces back to the common mentor of Shanahan and Holmgren: Bill Walsh.
So if the Eagles were going to give Bradford $17.5 million on a two-year deal, what would they have offered Cousins? Washington didn’t want to find out the hard way, and so Washington decided to give Cousins $19.95 million for one year. With Cousins out of play, the Eagles did a deal with Bradford.