LDN - Sports

NFL notebook: Steelers tag RB Bell again

[March 07, 2018] For the second straight season, the Pittsburgh Steelers have slapped the franchise tag on star running back Le'Veon Bell.

Multiple reports confirmed Bell's tag ahead of Tuesday's 4 p.m. ET deadline with a figure of $14.544 million for the 2018 season.

Bell, 26, threatened to retire in January if the Steelers applied the tag on him again. Last year, Bell was the recipient of Pittsburgh's exclusive tag at a rate of $12.12 million. The two-time first-team All-Pro and three-time Pro Bowler said he would not play under a contract averaging less than $14.5 million per season.

"We're not coming to a number we both agree on -- they are too low, or I guess they feel I'm too high," Bell told ESPN. "I'm playing for strictly my value to the team. That's what I'm asking. I don't think I should settle for anything less than what I'm valued at."

--With the franchise-tag deadline officially past, the top two available quarterbacks both remain untagged, meaning Kirk Cousins and Case Keenum will become unrestricted free agents on March 14.

Cousins, who was tagged by the Washington Redskins each of the last two offseasons, addressed the topic shortly after the deadline passed on Tuesday, tweeting a photo of his high school self and the message: "Next week is now officially the first time since 2007 that I'll be choosing where to play football. I'm open to suggestions. #freeagency."

Reports over the past week have widely considered the Minnesota Vikings the favorite to land Cousins, with the New York Jets hoping to wedge into the conversation with an overly lucrative offer. The Vikings' potential interest in Cousins might have been a factor in their decision not to tag Keenum, who is coming off of a career season after five years in the league as a backup or maligned starter.

--Miami Dolphins owner Stephen Ross clarified that he will not require players to stand for the national anthem.

Ross' statement was a correction, he said, to a comment attributed to Ross demanding Dolphins players to stand for the anthem next season.

"I have no intention of forcing our players to stand during the anthem and I regret that my comments have been misconstrued," Ross said in a statement released by the team. "I've shared my opinion with all our players: I'm passionate about the cause of social justice and I feel that kneeling is an ineffective tactic that alienates more people than it enlists. I know our players care about the military and law enforcement too because I've seen the same players who are fighting for social justice engaging positively with law enforcement and the military. I care passionately that the message of social justice resonates far and wide and I will continue to support and fund efforts for those who fight for equality for all."

The NFLPA issued a statement thanking the Dolphins for complying with the players' right to protest.

--Aldon Smith turned himself into authorities and was booked on four domestic-violence related charges.

Smith was booked in San Francisco and was being held on $30,000 bond on misdemeanor charges of willful infliction of corporal injury, assault with force likely to produce great bodily injury, false imprisonment and vandalism (less than $400).

According to records on the San Francisco Police Department web site, a warrant for Smith's arrest was issued Monday in connection with domestic violence allegations from Smith's fiancee. The woman called police Saturday night after an encounter, but Smith fled the scene before authorities arrived. Smith's fiancee told TMZ that Smith checked into a rehab facility with the help of her parents.

--Pro Bowl defensive lineman Muhammad Wilkerson will begin his free agency tour with a visit to the Green Bay Packers on Wednesday, according to a Milwaukee Journal Sentinel report.

Per the report, the 28-year-old also has other visits planned.

Wlikerson was released last week by the New York Jets in a cost-cutting move, just two years into a five-year, $86 million deal.

He collected eight sacks and 18 quarterback hits over the last two seasons after tallying 12 and 28, respectively, in 2015 en route to his first Pro Bowl nod. According to various reports, Wilkerson was punished by the Jets multiple times in 2017 -- including being held out of the team's final three games -- for repeated tardiness.

--Ed Hochuli's days as an NFL referee are over, but the Hochuli name will live on in the league.

The 67-year-old Hochuli is retiring after working as an NFL official since 1990, but his son Shawn Hochuli has been promoted from his job as a back judge to replace him.

Ed Hochuli joins Jeff Triplette, whose retirement was confirmed earlier this year, as outgoing referees. The NFL elevated side judge Alex Kemp to fill Triplette's position. Hochuli will continue to work with the NFL as an independent consultant to the league.

--The Los Angeles Rams placed their non-exclusive franchise tag on safety Lamarcus Joyner, currently worth $11.29 million for the 2018 season.

Joyner, 27, is entering his fifth NFL season, all with the Rams, after being drafted No. 41 overall in the second round in 2014. He has totaled 227 tackles, 4.0 sacks, three interceptions and a pair of forced fumbles over 52 games (27 starts).

Last season, Joyner moved to safety under new coordinator Wade Phillips and started all 12 of his games played in, recording 49 tackles with three picks and a forced fumble. The sides have until July 16 to work on a multi-year agreement. With the decision to tag Joyner, wide receiver Sammy Watkins will become a true free agent.

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--Wide receiver Allen Robinson is free to test the market next week when the 2018 league year begins.

Robinson can become a free agent next week unless he agrees to a new deal with the Jacksonville Jaguars before the legal tampering period opens at 4 p.m. ET on March 12.

"We are not expected to utilize franchise or transition tag on WR Allen Robinson ahead of 4 p.m. deadline," the Jaguars announced in a statement. "We have exclusive negotiating rights with Robinson until March 12 at 4 p.m."

--The Chicago Bears have applied the transition tag to pending free-agent cornerback Kyle Fuller.

"Kyle is a player we value," general manager Ryan Pace said in a statement. "This allows us to continue to work together on a long-term deal."

The transition tag assigns Fuller a one-year salary of about $13 million, while allowing other teams to sign him to an offer sheet once free agency officially begins March 14. The Bears, who have more than $75 million in available cap space, would have the opportunity to match any offer made to the four-year pro.

--The Carolina Panthers have re-signed kicker and pending free agent Graham Gano to a four-year contract, the team announced.

The Panthers planned to place the franchise tag on Gano if a long-term agreement couldn't be reached before Tuesday's deadline.

According to multiple reports, the deal is worth $17 million with $9 million guaranteed, putting Gano in the top three at his position for annual salary and guaranteed money next to Stephen Gostkowski and Justin Tucker.

--Free agent running back Chris Ivory agreed to terms with the Buffalo Bills to become LeSean McCoy's primary backup in 2018.

Ivory, released by the Jacksonville Jaguars on Feb. 23, adds quality depth for the Bills, who've experienced issues on the depth chart behind McCoy in recent seasons.

With running backs Travaris Cadet and Taiwan Jones set to be free agents, the Bills made a veteran presence behind McCoy a priority.

--Veteran wide receiver Kenny Britt was informed by the New England Patriots that his option for 2018 has been picked up, according to a report from NFL Network.

Britt will carry a cap hit of approximately $1.5 million next season, with the chance to earn up to $2 million in incentives.

Meanwhile, the Patriots are not expected to pick up defensive tackle Alan Branch's option for 2018, according to a NESN report, making him a free agent on March 14. Branch was set to count more than $4.5 million against the cap in 2018, which will instead drop to a $1 million charge in dead money.

--Philadelphia Eagles tight end Brent Celek plans to return for another campaign in 2018, according to multiple reports.

Some had speculated that the 33-year-old might hang up his cleats after winning a Super Bowl in his 11th NFL season, but that won't be the case.

Whether or not he will continue playing for the team that drafted him in the fifth round in 2007 remains unclear. The Eagles are currently estimated to be more than $9 million over the cap. Celek is set to count $5 million against the cap in 2018, with a savings of up to $4 million if he is let go.

--Ohio State center Billy Price underwent surgery to repair the incomplete pectoral tear he suffered during bench press drills at the NFL Scouting Combine last week, according to a report from ESPN.

Price is expected to be sidelined four months following the operation and should be ready for the start of training camp, according to the report.

Price, who is the top-rated center prospect in the 2018 NFL Draft class by most analysts, said he felt a pop on the left side of his chest during his third rep with the 225-pound bench last Thursday. He immediately set the bar and walked off the stage. Price was evaluated by the Indianapolis Colts' medical staff and said MRI results reviewed last Friday morning showed that it is not a complete tear.

--The Washington Redskins announced the signing of safety Deshazor Everett to a multiyear contract.

Terms of the deal were not disclosed. Everett was set to become a restricted free agent this offseason.

In addition, the Redskins waived tackle Kevin Bowen, running back Kenny Hilliard and running back Dare Ogunbowale.

--The Baltimore Ravens have re-signed defensive end and pending free agent Brent Urban to a one-year contract, the team announced.

Urban, 26, voiced his excitement on Twitter about staying with the team that drafted him in the fourth round in 2014.

"Beyond thankful to be given the opportunity to do what I love with the organization that gave me my start. 2018 is going to be so real," Urban said, adding the hashtag "#unrulyyear."

--Field Level Media

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