Harbaugh, Kaepernick credit the 49ers’ offensive line

Reuters

Jim Harbaugh and Colin Kaepernick are getting most of the attention when the 49ers meet the media this week, but the 49ers’ coach and quarterback both say the attention should go to the offensive line.

Asked about the offensive skill position players today, Harbaugh quickly changed the subject to talk about the offensive line, and he made a point of mentioning all of his offensive linemen by name.

“I’d like to talk a little bit about our offensive line, if that’s OK,” Harbaugh said. “That’s been a phenomenal group for us, and I’d call them offensive weapons as well. Joe Staley, a very talented player. Tremendous leadership within the group. How exciting for Jonathan Goodwin, being back at the Saints facility yesterday. Memories had to be thick for him. I know he visited with Sean Payton and some of the staff there. What he’s meant to our football team when he first arrived here, we were void at the center position. Jonathan Goodwin has stepped in and started every game, been a great player for us. Anthony Davis’ emergence at right tackle from a toughness standpoint, from a strength standpoint, and just the way he continues to grow and grow and grow as a player. Also, Mike Iupati has gone to the board as one of the top guards in the National Football League. Really excited for Alex Boone as an ascending player, as a tough player, as a leader on our football team. Finally, just the way they have all stayed healthy. They’ve all played well together. It’s really been a strength and a center for our football team. Also, Leonard Davis and what he’s brought to us along with Daniel Kilgore as the sixth and seventh linemen. They’ve been instrumental all year in our extra O-Linemen packages, contributions on special teams. The way they have plugged in at guard, tight end and at the extra tight end position has been huge for us.”

Kaepernick also made a point of crediting the offensive line for his own success.

“They have been doing a phenomenal job blocking people,” Kaepernick said. “In pass protection, I’ve barely been touched. In the run game, they’re opening up huge holes for our running backs. They open up the edges for me when I’ve been running. As an offensive line, they’ve been playing lights out.”

Harbaugh said that the 49ers want to be a team known for dominating the line of scrimmage.

“That’s what our football team wants to be about,” Harbaugh said. “Talking about our offensive line, talking about our defensive line, I think on a football team that’s the character of your football team.”

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When the Vikings restructured Kevin Williams‘ contract before last season to make him a free agent this year and added Sharrif Floyd in the draft, it seemed like a sign that they were planning for an eventual parting from the veteran defensive tackle.

Williams said Monday that Vikings General Manager Rick Spielman has told him that the Vikings want him back, however, and that his agent is talking to the Vikings as well as other teams. Williams passed on the chance to put odds on his chances of returning to Minnesota, but said he’s happy to stay put.

“I wouldn’t rule it out,” Williams said, via Chris Tomasson of the Pioneer Press. “I would like to come back, but I’ll have to see if it’s a fit for both of us. I talked to Rick a couple of times and he said he wants me back. I have to see what the coaching staff is going to want.”

If Williams does return, the Vikings could take a longer look at him as a nose tackle while Floyd takes over the three-technique spot that Williams has held down for most of his tenure. Even if that’s a possibility, the Vikings may opt to go in a different direction as they did by re-signing Everson Griffen and moving on from Jared Allen at defensive end.

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Well, now we know why linebacker Karlos Dansby hasn’t accepted a two-year offer worth $10 million to $12 million to stay with the Cardinals.

Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com reports that the Browns are likely to pursue Danbsy once free agency opens at 4:00 p.m. ET on Tuesday.  Dansby, who at age 32 is nearly two years older than former Browns linebacker D’Qwell Jackson, would replace Jackson (now with the Colts) in coach Mike Pettine’s defense.

The Browns may have competition beyond the Cardinals for Danbsy.  Jim Wyatt of the Tennessean reports that the Titans also are interested in Dansby.  During his first stint in Arizona, he played for new Titans coach Ken Whisenhunt.

Dansby has enjoyed a significant career rebirth in the last year.  In 2013, the Dolphins cut Danbsy loose after signing Dannell Ellerbe away from the Ravens.

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The Bills would like to bring back TE Scott Chandler and K Dan Carpenter.

Five free agent lessons for the Dolphins to keep in mind.

A call for the Patriots to be aggressive in free agency.

There are implications for the Jets if the Buccaneers release CB Darrelle Revis, but his return probably isn’t among them.

Replacing CB Corey Graham may not be easy for the Ravens.

DE Michael Johnson and T Anthony Collins may be making a dual move from the Bengals to the Buccaneers.

The Browns have to convince C Alex Mack that things are headed in the right direction.

A look at how the Steelers could fill holes without spending a lot.

Texans TE Owen Daniels could have his contract restructured.

The Colts may have to find themselves a new kicker.

Gene Frenette of the Florida Times Union thinks the Jaguars need to be players in free agency.

LB/DE Mike Neal could be a target for the Titans.

The Broncos’ plans for free agency have come into a bit more focus.

It doesn’t look like KR Dexter McCluster will return to the Chiefs.

Raiders FB Marcel Reece was honored with the Commitment to Excellence Award.

The Chargers would like to add a veteran nose tackle.

A plea for the Cowboys to hold on to DE DeMarcus Ware.

It looks like CB Trumaine McBride will return to the Giants.

The Eagles could strike some quick deals in free agency.

Five positions to watch for the Redskins in free agency.

QB Jordan Palmer said the Bears are “where I want to be.”

Former Lions K Jason Hanson regrets not winning more games for late owner William Clay Ford.

TE Andrew Quarless and the Packers continue to talk with free agency hours away.

LB Jasper Brinkley is excited about returning to the Vikings.

It doesn’t look like the Falcons will keep DT Jonathan Babineaux from hitting the open market.

The return of OL Garry Williams gives the Panthers flexibility on the offensive line.

The Saints would like to sign FB Jed Collins and WR Joe Morgan without restricted free agent tenders.

Defensive end, quarterback and tackle are the positions the Buccaneers will focus on in free agency.

CB Mike Jenkins is thought to be of interest to the Cardinals.

G Harvey Dahl was released on Monday, but could return to the Rams down the line.

Most of the 49ers’ 2013 starting secondary will be available on the open market.

Said Seahawks DE Michael Bennett, “I love the staff, from the equipment staff to the medical staff. It just goes on and on. Everybody here, they’re good people, and I really enjoy that.”

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The Dolphins are offering a new deal for their much-discussed stadium renovations: We’ll pay for them if we don’t have to pay property taxes.

The team was rejected when it previously asked for direct public financing for Sun Life Stadium upgrades, but the Dolphins are now hoping that they’ll get more support if they offer to pay for the renovations themselves, while still getting help from the public in the form of not having to pay their property tax bill, which is currently about $3.8 million a year, according to the Miami Herald.

That $3.8 million a year goes to schools and other government services, so there will surely be some resistance to the deal among those who believe it would be a bad deal for the public and a sweetheart deal for billionaire owner Stephen Ross.

On the other hand, Ross paying the $350 million to renovate the stadium himself would be a much better deal for the public than the previous proposal, which called for $289 million in public money to pay for the stadium renovations. That deal was rejected. Ross hopes this deal can be struck, and the Dolphins can get renovations that will make Sun Life Stadium more attractive to ticket buyers, and a potential host of a future Super Bowl.

AP

When the Panthers do the thing they seem hell-bent on doing today — getting rid of the best player in franchise history — it won’t be because of money.

And it won’t be because of declining skill.

That means it can only be personal.

Wide receiver Steve Smith, for all his gifts, has the ability to aggravate. Usually opponents, as seen by the way he gets under the skin of cornerbacks.

But teammates too, sometimes.

The reason the undersized wide receiver who came out of the third round has been able to hang on this long and pile up the kind of amazing stats he has (836 catches, 12,197 yards and 67 touchdowns) is the way he worked. His practice habits are as intense as any player I’ve ever seen. I covered the guy every day for the first 10 seasons of his career, and of the 10 best catches I’ve seen him make, three or four of them were in games.

But he also has a tendency to remind people how hard he works, to try get them to raise their level. By extension, no one works as hard as he does.

Even if it’s true, and it usually is, people get sick of hearing it at a certain point. And eventually, they’re willing to ignore your positive contributions because they get tired of feeling inferior, or being told they are.

There’s a reason the Panthers had five captains to begin last year, and four of them were from the offense.

Center Ryan Kalil and quarterback Cam Newton got a C for their chest, new additions since now-retired tackle Jordan Gross and Smith had been captains for years.

Now, the way is clear for Newton in particular to take the lead.

Problem is, it’s going to be harder for him to lead much of a team in the absence of Smith.

From a cap perspective, it’s practically cheaper to keep Smith than to cut him. (ignoring the $3 million in guaranteed cash).

He’d have cost $7 million to keep on the cap this year, and they’ll carry $6 million worth of accelerations for him to be elsewhere (assuming a post-June 1 designation). That means they have to replace their best receiver with effectively $1 million worth of space. Check that, their only receiver. At a time when they needed more wideouts, they made the conscious choice to have none.

So now the way is clear for Newton to make the team his own.

How much of a team it is depends on General Manager Dave Gettleman’s ability to make something out of nothing.

AP

Fran Tarkenton is a Johnny Football fan.

The former quarterback for the Minnesota Vikings and New York Giants overcame his smaller stature to make the Hall of Fame after 18 seasons in the NFL. Tarkenton’s ability to improvise and make plays on the run were what made him a special player.

Tarkenton sees many of those same traits in Johnny Manziel, the Texas A&M quarterback that could be a Top 5 pick in May’s NFL Draft.

“Nobody really played like I played. This kid plays like I did more than anybody else,” Tarkenton said, via Jim Corbett of USA Today.

Manziel has thrown for 7,820 yards with 63 touchdowns and 22 interceptions over the last two seasons at Texas A&M. He checked in just shy of six feet tall at the NFL combine, measuring in at 5-foot-11 and 3/4 – shorter than Tarkenton (6-foot) but taller than Seattle’s Russell Wilson (5-foot-10 and 5/8).

Tarkenton downplayed any thought Manziel’s size would hinder him at the NFL level. He feels Manziel has “an instinctive vision” and proved his ability in two games against Alabama, But Tarkenton added Manziel won’t be able to run as much and will have to learn how to adjust in the NFL.

Tarkenton did say teams will have to make sure they understand the off-field exploits of Manziel and be comfortable with his prior actions. But, Tarkenton added, Manziel has “franchise qualities.”

“He’s the closest thing I’ve seen to myself,” Tarkenton said. “Russell Wilson has some of it. But Manziel has those similarities even more so than Russell.

“Manziel is a quarterback savant.”

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With one of Seattle’s top free agents signed and sealed to stay with the Seahawks, another one could have a deal soon.

Receiver Golden Tate says on Twitter that that “[t]hings are starting to heat up.”

He doesn’t specify whether that means with the Seahawks or someone else.  As to defensive end Michael Bennett, the Seahawks got serious once another suitor was seriously pursuing the player.

The No. 26 player on the PFT Free Agent Hot 100, Tate entered the league as a second-round pick of the 2010 draft.  He had a career high 898 receiving yards in 2013, on a career-high 64 catches.  Tate also returned 51 punts, generating an average of 11.5 yards per return.

Tate can sign with the Seahawks at any time.  As of 4:00 p.m. ET Tuesday, he can sign with anyone else.

Reuters

Devin Hester will call a new city home next season after spending the first eight years of his career in Chicago.

Hester is confident it won’t take long for him to find a new team to play for and art of the reason for that confidence is how highly he thinks of his abilities on the field. Hester spoke to Emerson Lotzia ESPN 106.3 FM in West Palm Beach, Fla. ahead of free agency and said he feels he’s the league’s best all-around player.

“Me,” Hester stated bluntly when asked. “I can go and play corner, I can go and play receiver, I can play running back, and I can play a little bit of safety, as well as kickoff and punt returner.”

Hester has been an outstanding kick and punt returner but has had trouble finding a consistent home on either offense or defense. He began his career as a cornerback before switching sides of the ball to play receiver as well for the Bears. His best season offensively came in 2009 when he caught 57 passes for 757 yards and three touchdowns.

However, he’s never been a top-level player as anything other than a return specialist.

Despite a somewhat overly inflated opinion of his talents, Hester is still a valuable player that can be an asset to the right team.

Hester claims he has “at least 15 teams” already interested in him and it will be a matter of finding the team that provides the best fit.

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Last week, the Browns applied the transition tag to center Alex Mack, guaranteeing him $10 million for 2014, if/when he signs the offer.  He hasn’t signed it yet.

Peter King of TheMMQB.com reported Monday that Mack’s agent is “confident” that he can structure an offer sheet with a “reasonable likelihood” the Browns won’t match.  It’s important for any team that signs Mack to an offer sheet to believe the Browns won’t match it; otherwise, the new team will have negotiated Mack’s new contract for no fee or other compensation.

With the poison pill no longer available and the Browns flush with cap space, it will be hard to get the Browns not to match the offer.  While Mack’s agent may believe that he knows the limits of the Browns’ budget on a long-term deal, the plan surely will be revisited if/when another team signs Mack to a long-term deal beyond anything the Browns previously have offered — especially since the Browns will receive no compensation if Mack leaves.

The negotiations become more interesting if the Rams have perhaps decided to move on from 33-year-old center Scott Wells.  Mack’s agent, Marvin Demoff, is the father of Rams COO Kevin Demoff.  The two of them could work together to come up with an offer that the Browns would be inclined not to match.

Or maybe the son will do the father a favor, signing Mack to an offer sheet that they both know the Browns eventually will match.  In the interim, Wells perhaps could be squeezed to reduce his $5.5 million base salary.

Regardless, the smarter play for Mack seems to be taking the guaranteed $10 million for 2014 and hitting the open market in 2015, when the salary cap reaches as high as $145 million and it would cost Cleveland $12 million to restrict him for a second straight year.

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On the first day of the legal tampering period, it appeared that there was no market for veteran running backs.  As the official start of free agency begins, one running back has apparently emerged.

Adam Schefter of ESPN reported Monday that McFadden, the eighth pick in the 2008 draft, is generating “significant interest.”

Of course, it’s one thing to generate “significant interest.”  It’s quite another to generate a significant offer.

Despite ample potential, McFadden has generated only one 1,000-yard season in his career.  Last year, he generated 379 yards, averaging 3.3 yards per carry.

That was McFadden’s average in 2012, too — 3.3 yards.

Along the way, McFadden has missed 29 games.  That’s nearly five per season.

It means that, whatever the interest in McFadden, the offers won’t be substantial.  And not nearly as substantial as the slotted pre-rookie wage scale contract he received from the Raiders — a six-year, $42 million deal.

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The Patriots’ leading rookie receiver in 2013 is on the mend after undergoing surgery on his left foot on Monday.

According to Jeff Howe of the Boston Herald, wideout Aaron Dobson faces a 2-3 month recovery after the procedure to address a stress fracture.

A second-round pick from Marshall, the 6-foot-3, 200-pound Dobson paced Patriots rookies in catches (37) and yards (519) and finished second on the club in TD catches (four). He played in 12 regular season games and one postseason contest for New England in 2013.

If the recovery period reported by the Herald is as anticipated, the 22-year-old Dobson should be ready for training camp in the summer, with his offseason workout participation in the spring a function of how quickly he heals. Considering his production, playing time earned and promise displayed in 2013, Dobson seems likely to have a regular role in the offense next season.

AP

As the Buccaneers look for a potential trade partner for cornerback Darrelle Revis, an obvious impediment comes from his $16 million cap number for 2014.

His contract provides an easy out.  As recently explained by Roy Cummings of the Tampa Tribune (as part of an item pooh-poohing the idea that Revis could be traded), the Revis contract contains a provision allowing the team to unilaterally convert his $13 million base salary into a signing bonus.

If, for example, the team shifted $12 million of the base salary to a signing bonus spread over the remaining life of the contract, the device would create $9.6 million in cap space for 2014, pushing his cap number down to $6.4 million.

Of course, having the power to restructure the deal is meaningless.  Revis, like most players, should want to do it.  If he doesn’t, then he doesn’t want to be traded.  Which creates a separate problem for the team that may be acquiring him.

That’s perhaps the biggest question mark for any team that is considering a move for Revis.  Does Revis want to be traded to the team in question?  Or does he prefer another team?

Ultimately, does he want to simply be cut so that he can start from scratch as a free agent?

If the answer to the last question is yes, it’s going to be very hard for the Buccaneers to trade him to anyone.

AP

Last week, the Steelers signed safety Troy Polamalu and tight end Heath Miller to contract extensions that gave the players no extra money.  This week, the Steelers signed cornerback Ike Taylor to a new contract that reduces sharply his $7 million base salary for 2014.

According to Ed Bouchette of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Taylor’s base salary has dropped by $4.25 million, to $2.75 million.

Because Taylor is in the final year of his contract, the Steelers have created $4.75 million in additional cap space.  Per Bouchette, the Steelers currently stand at $7 million under the cap.

It gives the Steelers some room to maneuver in free agency.  Come June, when linebacker LaMarr Woodley exits the books, the Steelers will pick up another $8 million in cap space, more than enough to sign the team’s incoming class of draft picks.

So why did Taylor agree to the pay cut?  Presumably, $2.75 million was as much or more than anyone else would have paid him, if he’d landed on the open market.

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You wanted it.  We didn’t.  You won.

We’ve cobbled together a pre-free agency mock draft.  With the help of a real NFL scout.  Not to be confused with someone who isn’t a real NFL scout but who has picked a Twitter handle that calls himself one.

(That’s one of my favorite things about Twitter.  Pick a name, and that’s what you are.  For my next Twitter account, I’ll be “SpaceShuttlePilotNinja.”)

The reaction has been predictable.  The self-styled draft experts scoff, taking way too seriously a process aimed primarily at framing discussions and thinking creatively.  The self-styled draft experts likewise ignore the massive disconnect between the pre-draft obsession and the post-draft reality of football, where most of the names over which the self-styled draft experts have been pouring for months become forgotten.  Forgotten even by the self-styled draft experts, who quickly start looking toward the next draft.

That’s the beauty of one of the NFL’s biggest cottage industries.  Everyone looks forward.  No one looks backward.

Which is good for the self-styled draft experts.  Otherwise, those who insisted for example that a fourth-round quarterback wouldn’t slide past No. 7 possibly would be exposed.

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Perry Riley has racked up 244 tackles and 6.5 sacks over the last two seasons with the Washington Redskins.

Apparently that production has made Washington want to keep him around.

According to Dianna Russini of NBC News 4 in Washington D.C., Riley has agreed to a deal to return to Redskins.

Riley has started 40 straight games for Washington since taking over as a starter midway through the 2011 season. He’s been a tackling machine for the Redskins ever since. Riley has compiled 319 tackles, 7.5 sacks, a forced fumble, an interception and 19 passes defensed over his first four seasons in D.C.

With London Fletcher heading into retirement – 99 percent of the way into retirement at least -  Riley appears poised to take the reins as the leader in the middle of Washington’s defense next season.