Late Monday night the story broke that Buffalo Bills head coach Rex Ryan traveled to Baton Rouge, La. to meet face-to-face with embattled offensive tackle La’el Collins. A source told ESPN that Ryan called Collins and asked if could have dinner with him. The meeting was not scheduled or approved by Collins’ agent or representatives.
Bills HC Rex Ryan passed through Baton Rouge, La., tonight and had an unsanctioned meeting with LSU OL La'el Collins, per @mikerodak and me.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) May 5, 2015
It was a busy and unique day for Collins who spent the morning meeting with police investigating the death of a former acquaintance. Police have stated that Collins is not a suspect in the murder, but just the association with the case of the homicide of pregnant woman scared any team off from drafting Collins.
Before news of the murder investigation broke, Collins was a probable first round pick. And considering the number of offensive tackles that went in the opening round of last Thursday’s draft, Collins could have gone early.
Because he wasn’t drafted, the former LSU star can’t re-enter next year’s draft as he planned, but will be eligible to sign with any team as an undrafted free agent. This makes him very valuable to the Bills especially since they didn’t have a first-round pick this season.
Source: Ex-#LSU OL La'el Collins has meetings planned w/ #Bills & #Dolphins, has heard from "almost every" #NFL team
— Ross Dellenger (@RossDellenger) May 5, 2015
Baton Rouge Police public information officer Don Coppola spoke to the media on Collins’ interview Monday.
“There is that possibility of more questioning of Mr. Collins,” Coppola said. “No one can be ruled out until an arrest has been made. Collins fully cooperated with investigators and is still not considered a suspect in the homicide of Brittney and Brenton Mills.”
Because of that, teams have warmed up to talking to Collins. Even though Ryan’s meeting with the tackle was private and impromptu, he’s scheduled to meet with Miami Dolphins officials Tuesday.
At 6-foot-5, 320 pounds, Collins would have been a prized pick in the draft, regardless of where he went, but as an undrafted free agent he’s even more attractive as a team could cut ties with him easily if things go sour in any investigation.
Raiders will reportedly cut James Jones and Miles Burris
James Jones led the Raiders in receptions last year, but after drafting Amari Cooper and signing free agent Michael Crabtree at a bargain rate, the Oakland Raiders are rumored to be cutting ties with the former Green Bay Packer receiver.
According to CSN Bay Area, Jones reported by text that he was being released by the Raiders. Jones caught 73 passes for 666 yards and six touchdowns last season and with $20 million in cap room, the savings in cutting Jones are negligible at just $3.4 million.
Middle linebacker Miles Burris took to social media to announce his release, posting it on Instagram. Burris was a productive linebacker for Oakland and started all 16 games in his third season, recording 110 tackles and one pass defense.
Both Jones and Burris should find willing suitors in free agency easily. Burris would be a good fit right across the Golden Gate bridge with the suddenly linebacker-poor San Francisco 49ers. Frankly they could use Jones as well.
The Raiders also cut reserve offensive lineman Kevin Boothe.
Bruce Irvin and Andrew Whitworth aren’t happy
Bruce Irvin and Andrew Whitworth are on different ends of their careers, but neither man is happy with his current team’s behavior and both men went public with their frustrations Monday.
By not choosing to pick up Irvin’s fifth-year option, the Seahawks are preparing to let him potentially walk as a free agent in 2016. The team has made it clear that it wants to sign Irvin to an extension but not picking up the option has obviously rubbed the fourth-year defensive end the wrong way.
Im a very blunt person and that won't ever change sorry if u dislike it.
Gonna teach bray to b the same way!
— Bruce Irvin (@BIrvin_WVU11) May 4, 2015
While Irvin had a productive 2014 season, he’s not been worth the first-round pick the team spent on him in 2012 and has never once recorded double-digit sacks.
Whitworth has more than proved his value anchoring the left side of the Cincinnati Bengals’ line in his 10 seasons and wants to remain with the team, but says that he feels like it’s a “one-way street.”
https://twitter.com/BigWhit77_fndn/status/595315935461900288
Whitworth has reason to be concerned as the Bengals drafted offensive tackles with their first and second round picks, selecting Cedric Ogbuehi out of Texas A&M in round one and Jake Fisher from Oregon in round two. Whitworth may not get a new contract. He may not be on the team after training camp.
