NFL Rumors: Nigel Bradham, Bears, Browns, Dolphins, & Texans

Nigel Bradham

• Nigel Bradham told Alex Marvez that the Browns, Buccaneers and Jaguars all showed interest in him before he signed with the Eagles.
• Bradham added that the Bills elected to back out of contract talks.

Bears

• Patrick Finley of the Chicago Sun-Times is hearing that the Bears are “working toward a possible face-to-face meeting” with free agent DT Akiem Hicks.
• According to Finley, it’s possible that the meeting could take place as early as tomorrow.
• Jeff Dickerson reports that the Bears are among at least four teams that have expressed some degree of interest in KR/WR Marc Mariani.
• Aaron Leming has heard that the Bears have spoken to free agents safeties David Bruton and Walter Thurmond.

Browns

• Adam Caplan reports that the Browns were one of several teams in on WR Rishard Matthews before he signed with the Titans.

Dolphins

• Barry Jackson reports that the Dolphins “tried very hard” to sign DE William Hayes and made a “strong offer” before he returned to the Rams.
  According to Jackson, Miami “coveted” CB Adam Jones, but also couldn’t get him under contract.
• Jackson considers Geoff Schwartz and Louis Vasquez to be definite possibilities for the Dolphins.
• Miami has reportedly had some internal discussions about signing RB Alfred Morris.

Texans

• Benjamin Allbright doesn’t think the Texans decision to sign QB Brock Osweiler affects their potential plans to draft Penn State QB Christian Hackenberg.
• Allbright points out Osweiler’s contract is front loaded, which means they could move on in a few years.
• Speaking of the Texans’ draft plans, Tony Pauline mentions that HC Bill O’Brien was in attendance for Wisconsin’s Pro Day to watch QB Joel Stave.
• Pauline points out that O’Brien previously made the trip to Pittsburgh Pro Day a few years ago to watch Tom Savage, who is like Stave in that he’s a physically gifted signal-caller who needs to work on his technique and decision-making.