The Atlanta Falcons were one of the NFL's biggest disappointments last season, finishing 4-12 and dead last in the NFC South. Part of the reason for the lack in success was the absence of star wideout Julio Jones, who injured his foot Oct. 7 on a Monday night against the New York Jets and missed the remainder of the season.
NFL roundup: Julio Jones, Mike Wallace, the Eagles and more
The Falcons’ premier receiver is ahead of schedule in his recovery. Meanwhile, trade rumors are circling the NFL landscape.
Kevin C. Cox
SB Nation NFL
There is good news finally on the Jones front, with his rehab going better than expected. Jones is back to running, something that wasn’t thought to be happening in March, according to Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Eagles rumors persisting on Jackson, Mathis
Despite consistent rumors, the Philadelphia Eagles have yet to trade or release wide receiver DeSean Jackson. It has been thought the team will have to release him unless he restructures his contract, which would have him being paid $10 million next season.
The New York Jets seem to be the team with the most buzz in regards to trading for Jackson. However, Eagles general manager Howie Roseman isn’t talking much about it, per the Newark Star-Ledger:
“I haven’t read all the speculation, all the reports about everything. I’m trying to keep my head down and, really, at this moment, trying to enjoy my family a little bit,” Roseman said. “I obviously know there is a lot of speculation going on. So I think for us, any conversation we have with teams about teams, I think it just serves our point well, with the relationships we have with them, to keep those private.”
The Eagles are also reportedly interested in trading guard Evan Mathis for a third-round pick, per Jason La Confora of CBS Sports. Mathis, 32, is coming off his first season as an All-Pro and Pro Bowler. Mathis was, far and away, graded as the best guard in football last season by Pro Football Focus.
Mathis is entering the third year of a five-year, $25 million deal that has $19.65 million remaining on it.
Raiders getting interest on Pryor
Former Ohio State star and current Oakland Raiders quarterback Terrelle Pryor made it known to general manager Reggie McKenzie he wants out of Oakland. McKenzie is looking to deal Pryor, and apparently has found some interest, according to Alex Marvez of Fox Sports.
Pryor looked like an answer to the Raiders' long-standing quarterback issues early last season, throwing four touchdowns and only two interceptions over the first four games, twice eclipsing a 100 rating. However, he was sacked nine times against the Kansas City Chiefs and went downhill from there, tossing five touchdowns against 11 picks the rest of the way, never post another QB rating of over 90.
Dolphins trying to deal Wallace
The Miami Dolphins inked receiver Mike Wallace to a five-year, $60 million deal last offseason in hopes he could revive what had become a dormant offense. Now, the Dolphins are hoping to trade him and shed his ridiculously oversized contract, per Jason La Canfora.
However, the aforementioned contract is going to be near impossible to trade. Over the next four seasons, Wallace’s cap hit is $17.25 million, $12.1M, $13.7M and $13.7M, respectively. He is still owed $8.8M guaranteed in signing bonuses, as well. Also, don’t think the Dolphins are cutting him anytime soon. Should they decide to cut bait, the Dolphins would be looking at $23.8M in dead money for 2014 alone.
Veteran backups Luke McCown, Shaun Hill signed
The New Orleans Saints picked up an insurance policy for Drew Brees, signing veteran backup Luke McCown to a one-year deal according to reporter Mike McCartney. Ditto Shaun Hill, who was signed by the St. Louis Rams according to ESPN's Adam Caplan.
The moves leave an already thin quarterback market even thinner, though there are several notable names left. Josh Freeman and Colt McCoy are relatively young and would be solid backups for needy teams like, say, the Detroit Lions, who backed up Matthew Stafford with Hill last season. Seneca Wallace has much more mileage, but he has played well when thrust into action over the last two seasons.
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