Here is eDraft's frequent look and take on rumors currently going on around the National Football League. We will start to make this a daily feature as free agency opens next week. While the new league year brings a lot of crazy rumors to the table, it is also one of the most exciting times on the football calendar.
Let's take a gander at some of the biggest news and rumors making waves.
Denver Broncos to Release Elvis Dumervil?
Say what? Denver has reached out to Dumervil and asked him to take a paycut. While the talented young pass rusher is open to restructuring his contract, he will not take a drop in salary to remain in Denver. The former fourth-round pick, who has recorded 64 sacks in six healthy NFL seasons, is set to count $11 million against the cap next season. As an elite pass-rush threat who is still under 30, Dumervil is definitely worth the money that he is set to earn. I am in complete and utter shock as to what the Broncos and John Elway are doing here.
Adding even more to this silly story, Denver is expressing interest in former Indianapolis Colts' defensive end Dwight Freeney, who is five years older than Dumervil and recorded just five sacks last season. Give me a freaking break. If he does hit the open market, Dumervil will have wide array of teams interested in his services.
Miami Dolphins Re-sign Brian Hartline to Long-Term Extension
We already know that general manager Jeff Ireland and head coach Joe Philbin want to get Ryan Tannehill as many solid weapons on offense as possible. In an attempt to build off the continuity we saw last season, Miami inked Hartline to a five-year, $30 million contract late Thursday night.
In my humble opinion, that was way too much for a player I perceive to be a decent No. 2 option on a good team. While Hartline did record over 1,000 yards this past season, he had only one touchdown and caught just 58 percent of the passes thrown in his direction. Most decent receivers in the NFL would put up 1,000 yards if they were targeted nearly 130 times. If Miami goes out and adds a Mike Wallace-type player on the free-agent market, Hartline will see those targets drop dramatically. As it is, the Dolphins retain their leading receiver from a year ago.
Washington Redskins to Cut DeAngelo Hall?
In a less than surprising move, the Redskins may be on the verge of parting way with veteran cornerback DeAngelo Hall. His game has regressed in each of the last two seasons after a Pro Bowl 2010 campaign and he is set to earn $8 million this upcoming season. Even with issues in the secondary, Washington shouldn't be forced to pay that amount of money when there are better options on the free agent market; options that will cost less.
For what it is worth, Hall will draw some interest as a nickel corner. He still has decent coverage ability, but struggles outside on an island. I can see him fitting with the San Francisco 49ers and Denver Broncos.
Jermichael Finley Could Remain With the Green Bay Packers
Anyone who has paid even a small amount of attention to Finley's relationship with his original team has to be a bit surprised by the news that came out on Thursday that the talented tight end may be inclined to take a cut in salary to remain with Aaron Rodgers and company.
Speaking through his agent, Finley had the following to say......
"I would never just turn my nose up at anything," Baratz told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. "I will listen and hear anybody about anything and withhold judgment until I do. I can't say today whether I would, whether I wouldn't, whether it's in Jermichael's best interest, his worst interest."
"There'd have to be a reason why he would have to take a pay cut," Baratz continued. "Maybe he would. Maybe he wouldn't. It's all hypothetical until the numbers are there."
Finley is set to make $8.5 million in '13; a salary that would force Green Bay to cut ties with it's enigmatic young play maker. It remains to be seen if numbers have been discussed, and if so, what type of salary Finley would be willing to return to the Packers for.
James Harrison to be Released by the Pittsburgh Steelers?
Roger Goodell's favorite punching bag (pun intended) may be leaving "Steeltown." Various reports seem to indicate that former Pro Bowl linebacker James Harrison could be a salary-cap casualty. The aging pass rusher has seen his sack numbers drop in each of the last two seasons; tallying just six in 2012 while earning a whopping $9 million. In addition, Harrison is set to count a stunning $10.1 million against the cap in '13, which is a higher total than such standouts as Demarcus Ware and Terrell Suggs.
Harrison could return to Pittsburgh on a restructured deal, but that seems unlikely following these recent reprots. If Harrison does hit the open market, he will draw interest as a situational pass rusher for a team that the runs a 3-4 defensive scheme.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Attempting to Trade for Darrelle Revis
While the Pro Bowl cornerback backtracked on Thursday by indicating that he doesn't want to be traded by the New York Jets, it hasn't stopped the rumor mill from heating up. The latest team in on Revis seems to be the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who are reportedly willing to offer second and fourth-rounds picks in '13 and a conditional pick in 2014 for the injured defensive back. According to these reports, the Jets may have turned down Tampa Bay's offer flatly.
This begs another question: What exactly do the Jets want for a cornerback coming off a knee surgery, expecting a ton of money on a long-term deal and about to hit the wrong side of 30 in a couple seasons? My take is that they will be sorely disappointed by offers coming in prior to the draft.
The San Diego Chargers Release Takeo Spikes
I have had the honor of chatting with Spikes in the past and he is one of the most professional athletes in the entire sports world. His passion for the game, leadership and respect he shows for others is beyond anything you will see on your favorite teams. This didn't stop San Diego from releasing the 15-year NFL veteran. Despite recording nearly 1,500 total tackles and earning two trips to the Pro Bowl, Spikes has never been to the postseason in his career.
In what seems like a bout with bad luck, Spikes left the San Francisco 49ers for San Diego prior to the start of the 2011 season after spending three years in Northern California. You don't need to be reminded of what San Francisco has accomplished since. The one year that Andy Reid's Philadelphia Eagles didn't make the playoff from 2000-2010 just so happened to be the one year that Spikes was with the team. Before that, he spent time with the Cincinnati Bengals and Buffalo Bills. I am rooting for some contender to go out there and sign Spikes, even in a reserve role. He deserves a shot at the second season.
Richard Sherman Throws Down on Skip Bayless
Sorry, but I had to include this tidbit. The always controversial Bayless started in on Sherman on ESPN's First Take by questioning his perfomance on the field. The following is a couple quotes by Sherman that were directed at Bayless.
"Skip whenever you address me, address me as 'All-Pro, Stanford grad.' Those are some accomplishments you can aspire to, but will never accomplish. You have never accomplished anything."
Bayless responded....
"Okay, I will accept that. However, I think I have accomplished more in my field than you have in yours. You are just getting started."
Sherman jumped in.....
"I am on the top of my field. I am an All-Pro, I am (among) the best 22 players(s) in the NFL.. You are going to brush it off, but I don't think you are the best 22 in anything. In sports, in media, in anything. I think you think more of yourself than you can actually prove."
Okay, that was fun. Click here for the entire "debate." While I have been harsh on Sherman in the past because of what has to be considered a big mouth, most recently his spat with Darrelle Revis, it's always nice when an accomplished young man can put Bayless in his place. Either way, smack talk (no matter how unprofessional it is on both sides) is always fun.