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The first day of permissible interference with players still under contract came and went yesterday with little in the way of tangible news. OR AT LEAST THAT’S WHAT THEY WANT YOU TO THINK.
Well, that’s not exactly true. Your Houston Texans did reach agreements to bring back Nick Novak and Shane Lechler. That’s something.
Today we can expect to be treated to more rumor, innuendo, smoke signals, and half-baked reports as we steam toward the opening of a new league year—and thus the freedom for free agents to actually sign contracts—tomorrow at 3 p.m. CST. Until then, kindly banter about what you’re reading or suspecting about NFL free agents, including but not limited to A.J. Bouye’s future. The comments are open for business.
UPDATE: Not Texans-related per se, but NFL news worth passing on.
For new #Giants WR Brandon Marshall, who is with his new team today, it’s a 2-year deal worth $12M, source says.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 8, 2017
2 teams showing strong interest in FA QB Brian Hoyer are #49ers & #Jets. ... Shanahan had him with #Browns, #Jets were in it last year, too
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 8, 2017
#Saints continuing to talk with #Eagles, #Titans & #Patriots in a potential Brandin Cooks deal. They want a picks or someone to affect QBs
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 8, 2017
"I believe @KirkCousins8 wants to be in San Francisco." https://t.co/zH3w0phlRA (via @MikeSilver) pic.twitter.com/RtQE0zaZn9
— NFL (@NFL) March 8, 2017
UPDATE II: A totally unsurprising A.J. Bouye nugget:
#Texans concerned about prospect of losing CB AJ Bouye to #Eagles, per source. #Texans to counter offer today
— Ed Werder (@Edwerderespn) March 8, 2017
As a Texans fan, if Bouye is going to leave (and I remain of the mind that it was destined to happen once the team decided not to franchise him), I suppose I’d rather see him sign with the Eagles rather than the Jaguars, Titans, or Colts.
UPDATE III: But...
Eagles are still not considered a serious player for A.J. Bouye at this time. Of course, things can always change.
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) March 8, 2017
UPDATE IV: There’s been some talk/hope about the Texans looking to strengthen their offensive line by signing Ricky Wagner. Here’s some cold water for that.
Rick Wagner on Texans' radar, but likely too expensive https://t.co/B6GuDllkff via @houstonchron
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) March 8, 2017
UPDATE V: Yeah, Ricky Wagner is definitely not coming to Houston.
The top right tackle available, Ricky Wagner, off the board and on to the #Lions per multiple reports. @RapSheet says north of $9M/year.
— Pro Football Weekly (@PFWeekly) March 8, 2017
Ricky Wagner's reported $9M APY blows away RT contract market, wouldn't rank in top dozen at LT (treating Lane Johnson as LT).
— Tom Gower (@ThomasGower) March 8, 2017
UPDATE VI: Not that Chandler Jones was ever a Texans target, but this merits mention.
Sources: The #AZCardinals and franchised tagged pass-rusher Chandler Jones are finalizing a 5-year extension. Going to be large.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 8, 2017
UPDATE VII: If you were hoping the Texans could sign Tyrod Taylor after the Bills released him, my apologies.
Source: The #Bills are keeping QB Tyrod Taylor.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 8, 2017
Can confirm #Bills have restructured Tyrod Taylor's contract to remain w team.
— Vic Carucci (@viccarucci) March 8, 2017
UPDATE VIII: Tony Romo will reportedly become a free agent tomorrow. Is he coming to Houston? Denver? Somewhere else? Ian Rapoport says we shouldn’t expect an instant resolution:
The expectation is that soon-to-be-former #Cowboys QB Tony Romo will take a Manning-style visit tour. So don’t expect a quick signing
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 8, 2017
UPDATE IX: One former Texans quarterback is headed west, but it’s not Matt Schaub who’ll be reuniting with Kyle Shanahan.
Sources: Brian Hoyer is expected to sign a multi-year deal with the #49ers once it's finalized tomorrow.
— Adam Caplan (@caplannfl) March 8, 2017
UPDATE X: Things with Mario Williams ended poorly, but that won’t prevent the Dolphins from keeping another one of their defensive linemen around.
The #Dolphins are signing pass-rusher Andre Branch to a 3-year contract worth $27M, source said. Cashes in after a resurgence.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 8, 2017
UPDATE XI: Don’t weep for Matt Schaub. Backing up Matt Ryan is a pretty sweet gig if you can get it.
Falcons and QB Matt Schaub reached agreement on a two-year, $9 million deal, per sources.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 8, 2017
UPDATE XII: The Jaguars have signed a defensive back not named A.J. Bouye.
#Jaguars agree to terms with Barry Church on four-year deal. https://t.co/Vii5P18pgT pic.twitter.com/9KH1dVmGSh
— Big Grit Country (@BigCatCountry) March 8, 2017
UPDATE XIII: Well, this is unexpected and seemingly a pretty decent replacement for Martellus Bennett. Gonna be interesting to see what the Colts get for Allen, who I suppose the team decided it could part with after they came to terms with Jack Doyle yesterday.
Source: The #Patriots are trading for #Colts TE Dwayne Allen. Wow.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 8, 2017
UPDATE XIV: I would have thought Dwayne Allen would fetch more than this.
Patriots traded a fourth-round pick to Colts for TE Dwayne Allen and a sixth-round pick, per league sources.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 8, 2017
UPDATE XV: The AFC South just got a little bit harder.
Jacksonville is expected to sign Arizona DE Calais Campbell barring any last minute negotiable snags, per @diannaESPN.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 9, 2017
UPDATE XVI: And Baltimore, not to let Jacksonville be the only one to poach a Cardinal, does this: (also, alas poor Cleveland).
The #Ravens are expected to sign safety Tony Jefferson, who leaves more money on the table from the #Browns, source said.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 9, 2017