NFL notebook: Lions use franchise tag on Ansah

[February 28, 2018]  The Detroit Lions designated defensive end Ezekiel Ansah as their franchise player on Tuesday.

Ansah was drafted fifth overall by the Lions in 2013 out of BYU and has 44 career sacks.

General manager Bob Quinn hinted at the possibility of using the franchise marker to prevent Ansah from fleeing in free agency but said the goal would be to progress toward a long-term deal before the July 15 deadline.

If the two sides don't reach a long-term contract agreement by July 15, Ansah would automatically make the average of the top-five defensive end salaries in 2018, which currently projects to more than $17.25 million on a one-year salary.

--Though top free agents often agree to terms with a new team during the legal tampering period prior to the opening of free agency, this spring's biggest fish is not expected to do so.

Pro Football Talk reported Tuesday that Washington Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins does not intend to agree to terms with any team before making at least one visit, which cannot happen until after free agency officially opens on March 14. The league's legal tampering window begins 48 hours prior.

Washington still could choose to franchise-tag Cousins with the intent to trade him, which would prevent other teams from bringing him in for a visit or negotiating without permission. However, Cousins reportedly would file a grievance against Washington if it tags him, on the grounds that the team has no intention of negotiating a long-term contract, which goes against the purpose of the franchise-tag provision.

--Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones will appeal the NFL's request that he repay more than $2 million in legal fees to cover costs incurred by teams when Jones tried to block an extension for NFL commissioner Roger Goodell and during the defense of Ezekiel Elliott, according to multiple reports.

Jones has requested a hearing before Goodell, but when it will take place has yet to be identified, according to a report from the Washington Post.

The justification for the monetary demand, which will be issued in the coming weeks, is reportedly that Jones' actions have been detrimental to the NFL. According to Ken Belson of the New York Times, while Goodell himself was reluctant to issue any sort of discipline toward Jones, the owners encouraged him to do so because Jones "crossed an unspoken boundary by threatening his colleagues."

--Catapulting forward on the push from Goodell to adjust the catch rule, the NFL competition committee is considering eliminating the "going to the ground" portion of the rule, according to an NFL Network report.

Goodell has made the catch rule a major focus this offseason, seeking greater clarity after opening dialogue with former and current players and coaches.

The current rule stipulates that if a player is going to the ground while making a catch, he must "maintain control of the ball until after his initial contact with the ground" in order to complete the catch. If he is going to the ground out of bounds, any loss of control results in an incomplete pass. If he is in the field of play, the ball may not touch the ground during or after a loss of control.

--The Kansas City Chiefs are expected to release veteran safety Ron Parker in a cost-cutting move, according to the Kansas City Star.

Parker, 30, is set to count nearly $7 million against the salary cap in 2018. The Chiefs can reduce that to a $2 million charge in dead money by releasing him.

A former cornerback, Parker transitioned to safety and emerged as a full-time starter in 2014, his second year with Kansas City. He has started 67 of a possible 68 games (including playoffs) over the past four seasons and led the team in defensive snaps in each of the past two campaigns.

--The Miami Dolphins continue to study their options regarding standout receiver Jarvis Landry and are slated to meet with his agent on Wednesday, according to an ESPN report.

The meeting would take place in Indianapolis, site of the NFL Scouting Combine.

 

The Dolphins placed the non-exclusive franchise tag on Landry last week, which would lead to a salary of approximately $16.2 million for the 2018 season. However, Landry can negotiate with other teams and could sign an offer sheet. The Dolphins would then have the right to match the offer or work out a trade. A team signing Landry would have to send two first-round picks to the Dolphins unless the teams agreed on lesser compensation.

--The question of service time will not block Teddy Bridgewater from becoming an unrestricted free agent in March.

According to multiple reports, Bridgewater is likely to be declared a free agent even after missing the entire 2016 season with the Minnesota Vikings while recovering from a major knee injury. Bridgewater also spent the first 10 weeks of the 2017 season on the physically unable to perform list.

General manager Rick Spielman said the Vikings would allow the NFL to determine Bridgewater's contract status.

--Southern California's Sam Darnold figures to attract a good deal of attention at the 2018 NFL Scouting Combine, but the quarterback won't be showcasing a key element to his game.

Darnold will not throw at the event, according to multiple reports. Instead, the projected early first-rounder will focus on athletic testing and interviews, as ESPN first reported.

Darnold is reportedly healthy and will throw at USC's pro day on March 21.

--Running back Chris Ivory isn't wasting any time searching for his new team after being released by the Jacksonville Jaguars on Friday.

According to NFL Network, Ivory visited the Buffalo Bills on Monday, was meeting with the Cleveland Browns on Tuesday and has a third visit planned for Wednesday.

With running backs Travaris Cadet and Taiwan Jones set to be free agents, the Bills need depth behind starter LeSean McCoy.

--UCLA quarterback Josh Rosen said he would welcome being drafted first overall by the Cleveland Browns, despite reports to the contrary.

NFL Network's Mike Silver tweeted that Rosen told him last week, "I've never said anything about not wanting to play in Cleveland. I don't know where that came from. There's absolutely no foundation in reality in that (report)."

ESPN's Adam Schefter reported in December that Rosen "would be hesitant" to declare for the 2018 draft if he knew the Browns were going to take him, citing league sources.

--Philadelphia Eagles punter Donnie Jones will walk off into the sunset after earning a Super Bowl ring in his 14th NFL season, as he announced his retirement on Tuesday.

"After 14 seasons in the NFL, I have decided to retire so that I can spend more time with my family," Jones said in a statement through the team. "I am grateful for all those who have supported me throughout the years."

--The San Francisco 49ers re-signed pending free agent offensive lineman Garry Gilliam to a two-year contract, the team announced.

Gilliam, 27, joined the Niners as a restricted free agent last offseason when his former team, the Seattle Seahawks, declined to match San Francisco's offer. He made one start in eight appearances (one start) before sustaining a season-ending knee injury in Week 8.

--Field Level Media

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