NFL Notes: Eli Manning, Reggie Wayne, Dolphins, Panthers, & Patriots

Eli Manning

• Dan Graziano of ESPN reports that the Giants’ initial offer to QB Eli Manning was around $17.5 million a year, even though they’re well aware of the fact that he won’t accept this offer.
• Graziano points out that it’s really not surprising that Manning and his agent could target a salary above Aaron Rodgers‘ record $22 million per year, given that it would run the Giants $23.7 million to franchise him next year.
• According to Graziano, the only way that a deal doesn’t get done between the Giants and Manning is if the team decided to move on from him as their quarterback.

Reggie Wayne

• Dianna Marie Russini mentions that veteran WR Reggie Wayne may have been smart to wait until later in the year for an opportunity, as this ensures he’s healthy and well rested while giving him the opportunity to choose from better options.
• Many have suggested that Wayne could be on the Panthers’ radar after they sustained some injuries at receiver.

Dolphins

• Pro Football Talk reports that an MRI has confirmed that Dolphins S Louis Delmas has a torn ACL and will miss the entire 2015 season.

Panthers

Panthers HC Ron Rivera admitted that they’ll need to find a solution at receiver, but he expects someone to step up and solidify the role.

“We’ve got to find a solution and we will,” Rivera said, via Max Henson. “Somebody is going to step up. It’s not going to change what we do.”

• Dan Hanzus of NFL.com offers some speculative options for the Panthers to replace WR Kelvin Benjamin, who was lost for the season with a torn ACL on Wednesday.
• Hanzus lists: Reggie Wayne, Wes Welker, Sanata Moss, Santonio Holmes, Brandon Lloyd, and Robert Meachem as the best available receivers.
• Adam Schefter reports that Panthers second-round pick WR Devin Funchess will not play in their second preseason game against the Dolphins due to hamstring injury.

Patriots

According to former Colts HC Tony Dungy, Peyton Manning use to go into the hallway to discuss specific plays they were running  because he feared the Patriots’ visitors locker room was bugged.

“I know that that is very true, and, you know, as Peyton talked to guys who played for the Patriots, some of the guys who came over — whether it’s true or not he treated it as true. We didn’t have a lot of strategy discussions inside the locker room there,” Dungy said, via Pro Football Talk.