NFL Rumors: Latest News, Updates and Buzz Around Pro Football

The NFL franchise tag deadline is quickly approaching and free agency is just around the corner. Before we know it, the 2012 NFL draft will have begun and the autumn wind will commence.

Here's the latest buzz around the world of pro football.

Ray Rice

According to Aaron Wilson of the Carroll County Times earlier this week, the Baltimore Ravens are expected to tag running back Ray Rice:

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"The meeting went fine," [Todd] France (Rice's agent) told the Times. "We obviously know the tag is coming, but we will continue to have open dialogue and see if we can come to a long-term agreement, which is the preference for both sides."

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If there's one thing the Ravens do need to get done this offseason, it's securing Ray Rice for the long-term. 

Rice is easily one of the best and most complete running backs in the NFL, but the Ravens appear to be paranoid about a long deal because of what happened with Adrian Peterson and Chris Johnson this past season.

Such a large investment does need to be approached thoroughly and with caution. In the end, however, expect Rice to be in Baltimore for quite some time as he is the main ingredient in the team's offense.

Brandon Jacobs

In an article by Paul Schwartz of the New York Post, the Giants and running back Brandon Jacobs may end up parting ways:

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“I want to stay in New York a whole lot, man, because this is where I started,” Jacobs said yesterday in an interview with Bruce Beck of WNBC-TV. “It’s a great organization. I got wonderful, great teammates. I won a second Super Bowl here with this organization. But I’m not willing to sell my soul, you know? It’s a great organization and I want to be a part of it, but if not, if they’re not feeling the same way, then so be it.”

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This is an interesting situation because Jacobs will be 30 years old before 2012 kicks off and he won't be a free agent until after next season. Big Blue is also projected to be near the bottom in terms of salary cap space, so could Jacobs be released to save some dough?

Obviously that remains to be seen, but considering Jacobs' age and lack of production in 2011 (571 rush yards, seven rushing touchdowns) compared to seasons previous, it would not be surprising.

If the running back is let go, then we would have to expect the Giants to draft a running back in the middle rounds. Not a bad idea as guys like Oregon's LaMichael James and Washington's Chris Polk could be available.

Peyton Hillis

According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, the Cleveland Browns are not slapping running back Peyton Hillis with the franchise tag:

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The Browns have decided not to use their franchise tag on running back Peyton Hillis, according to a source familiar with the situation.

Hillis told Browns coaches as recently as the end of the season that he was contemplating retirement, though it now looks as if he will continue playing, the sources said.

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The Browns do have a good amount of cap space available, so this is a little surprising. Especially after a 2010 campaign where Hillis totaled 1,654 yards and scored 13 touchdowns, which ultimately was the catalyst that got him on the cover of Madden 2012. 

But after a disappointing 2011 season where he accounted for just 717 total yards and three touchdowns in 10 games played, Cleveland has reason to be concerned. The good news is that 2012 is a new year and hopefully the Browns can remain healthy.

Losing running back Brandon Jackson and offensive lineman Eric Steinbach to injuries was tough. If Hillis can get back on track, and if the Browns can get healthy and succeed in the upcoming draft, the team will have some hope next fall.

Will Smith

According to Mike Triplett of The Times-Picayune, the New Orleans Saints and defensive end Will Smith are rearranging his contract:

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The New Orleans Saints will restructure defensive end Will Smith's contract to create salary cap relief, a league source confirmed. Much of Smith's 2012 salary is likely to be converted into a signing bonus, but he will still make the same amount of money.

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Now all that's left is to get quarterback Drew Brees officially back in the saddle.

It was a smart move to get this done with Smith because as vulnerable as the Saints defense was in 2011 (allowed 368 total yards per game, ranked No. 24), he has been their most consistent player on that side of the ball. 

New Orleans only recorded 33 sacks all season, and 6.5 were courtesy of Smith, who also forced two fumbles. Brees is the key to the franchise, but as we saw in 2011, you can't make a Super Bowl run without defense.

James Farrior

The next veteran who may not return in 2012 to the Pittsburgh Steelers: linebacker James Farrior. In an article by Scott Brown of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, Farrior's agent Ralph Cindrich stated:

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"It's not a done deal, but the percentages just aren't there. James wants to play and wants to play with the Steelers. The question is, do they have room for him?"

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Obviously the first is expected to be receiver Hines Ward, and the Steelers may also lose speedster Mike Wallace. Unfortunately, all this comes as no surprise to Pittsburgh fans since the Steelers are not in the best of positions in regards to their projected salary cap.

As for Farrior, he's 37 years old, has been with Pittsburgh since 2002 and has acted as one of their veteran leaders. Also, during each of Pittsburgh's three AFC title seasons (2005, 2008, 2010), Farrior recorded over 100 tackles each time (he has seven 100-plus seasons for his career).

The Steelers are also simply trying to get younger, and who could blame them? Professional football relies so heavily on youth, durability and speed that once a player hits their mid 30s, it's only a matter of time before they start taking a dive in production. 

Farrior can no doubt still play in a limited role, but nonetheless, it would be surprising to see the Steelers try to bring him back. 

John Rozum on Twitter.