When the Bengals played at Cleveland in December, Hue Jackson looked at Eric Winston at halftime and asked him if he was ready to go in the game.

With right tackle Andre Smith on IR and the offensive coordinator playing with combinations to replace him, he turned to the nine-year veteran who signed one week prior to see what he could do. What he did was step in and start the rest of the season.

As Smith battles a concussion and looks unlikely to play Thursday, Jackson turns to Winston again. Only, nearly a year later, the transition comes much easier.

"It helps a lot that I was here last year and played some last year," Winston said. "Then it all comes back a little faster. It's a little more muscle memory now, I'll be able to hone in on giving great effort and playing well. Not necessarily just being on the right guy."

The third-round pick of the Houston Texans also serves as the NFL Players' Association president and quickly found a connection and camaraderie within the Bengals' locker room. Cincinnati re-signed him this offseason for the reliability he brings as an insurance policy. He spent much of camp also working inside at guard for the first time in his career so he could step in at backup should an injury occur there.

The juxtaposition is interesting considering the arrival of first-round pick OL Cedric Ogbuehi and second-round pick OL Jake Fisher. Ogbuehi is done with his rehab, but still working out on the Physically Unable to Perform list, meanwhile Fisher spends most of his time working as a backup at left tackle and large tight end in specific formations.

They are next in line if an injury occurs in some spots, but Winston spent his entire career manning the right tackle spot so he's the sure choice at this point in time to step in for Smith.

"When I came into the league I started at right tackle and stayed there the whole time," Winston said. "A lot of guys have a year or two where they back up a lot of places and then get entrenched somewhere they play but always rely on that stuff. I've never played guard or really any other spots. Obviously I've played left tackle in college but, then moving to right for the last 10 years it's been right tackle."


(cincinnati.com)

CINCINNATI (AP) — Bengals offensive tackle Eric Winston heads to midfield as the game ends so he can briefly catch up with players from the other team. Every so often, one of them extends a hand and says thanks.

Winston has just spent four quarters pushing them around. Now he's back to representing them as their union president.

"I get a lot of that, which makes me feel good," Winston said. "Just guys coming up and saying thanks for everything and thanks for the work you've done. That means the most to me."

The ninth-year pro was elected president of the NFL Players Association in March 2014. He was out of the league and contemplating retirement until the Bengals signed him last December with their line depleted by injury.

His dual roles sometimes put him in unusual spots.

The team owner is not only his employer, but someone who sits on the other side of the table when the union and the league hash things out. He competes with other players for a job while also representing them as union members.

And the coaches are aware that when they say things in meeting rooms, they've got the union leader listening.

"He understands he has a huge responsibility within the NFL, but he also understands he's a teammate to these players and a participant in the organization here," Bengals offensive coordinator Hue Jackson said. "I don't go into a meeting worrying about what I can say.

"Sometimes I can get a little mouthy, and I don't look at Eric and wonder if I can say this because it might be an issue. That makes me comfortable."

That's the thing everyone notes about Winston: His personality is perfect for the job. He's a good listener, he understand complex issues, and he's passionate about helping players, some of whom aren't entirely sure of what he does as their union president.

Left tackle Andrew Whitworth accompanied Winston and other Bengals for the coin flip before the final preseason game in Indianapolis and wondered how many of the young Colts shaking their hands realize they were meeting the union president.

"Basically all these things they enjoy and think are cool about playing in the NFL, here's somebody that's working their butt off for you to have all that," Whitworth said. "So I think it's a position that you can't take lightly. It's a lot of work, and he's adamant about being good at it."

It has been a progression for Winston, who had never done anything like it. He played at Miami and has degrees in international finance and marketing as well as political science.

"I was always interested in the issues, just in how things work," Winston said. "That's kind of been with everything, not just the union. Throughout my life, I've always tried to figure things out — how do things work, how do things work well, in my opinion."

He got more deeply involved with the union during his six seasons at Houston. Much of his work lately has involved player safety and concussions — things that affect people's lives.

"You look at when I came into the league a decade ago and now, and it's night and day," he said. "The awareness, the precautions, the protocols, everything. Even five years ago it was different."

Winston is proud of the progress that's been made in protecting players' health. Part of his job is helping them understand the changes and what might be coming down the road.

"Eric's extremely thorough," said Whitworth, who has been the team's union representative for years. "It means a lot to him. He's always looking for new and inventive ways to make sure our guys understand the business of this game and all the ways they can benefit, and finding new ways to benefit from the game."

Winston spends a lot more time on union work in the offseason. During the season, he talks to the union's staff several times a week on average. He also takes a lot of questions by email, text or phone from other players, both teammates and those on other teams.

There are a lot of demands on his time during the season.

"That's kind of the interesting part of it, but I think it's good," he said. "I've always thought that it's important for the guy holding this position to be playing, just so guys in the locker room understand he's one of us and he understands what we're going through now."

Winston doesn't have a lot of dealings with team owners outside of their formal meetings. Sitting on the other side of the table was a new experience.

"The first time you step into that meeting room, it's like game day: 'Oh how is this going to go?'" he said. "But it's like anything else. You do it three or four times, and it's old hat.

"It's about building relationships. We've got to find ways to figure out our differences."


(akronlegalnews.com)

Patriots president Jonathan Kraft said in a recent radio interview that he thinks the league needs to take a look at possible changes to the way player discipline is meted out by the league office.

“There probably needs to be a rethinking so that the league office and the Commissioner aren’t put in a spotlight in a way that detracts from the league’s image and the game, even if the league office is doing the right thing, or the wrong thing, or whatever you think,” Kraft said. “It probably needs to be rethought for the modern era that we’re in and the different things that are coming up that I don’t think people anticipated and how the public wants to see them treated.”

Outside of a retweet of a story about Kraft’s comments from 49ers CEO Jed York, there hasn’t been much comment from ownership around the league about Kraft’s suggestion but NFLPA president Eric Winston liked what Kraft had to say. Winston said he’s “glad they’re coming around” and “starting to see what we’ve been seeing and what we’ve been saying” about the way NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell wields his power over player discipline.

“I don’t want to keep pointing fingers at the league office, but that’s really what it is in the sense of running these rogue investigations that are clearly against the CBA,” Winston said, via USA Today. “An ex-commissioner has said so. Federal judges have said so. Arbitrators have said so. A lot of people can say, ‘Oh, well that’s just a partisan union hack.’ But don’t take my word for it. Take their word for it. Take federal judge David Doty recently questioning whether they know what the CBA says, because it’s clear to everybody but them that they’re not following it.”

Winston says he thinks every owner would see that the current system is “detrimental” to the game, something that doesn’t seem to be the case based on sentiments they’ve shared publicly.


(profootballtalk.com)

A lot has happened in the last 48 hours in the NFL as far as Free Agent signings and our proCanes have been at the center of it all with several proCane stars joining new teams. See a recap of all the action below:

Former 49ers RB Frank Gore signed a 3-year $12 million contract with the Indianapolis Colts.

Former Texans WR Andre Johnson signed a 3-year $21 million contract with the Indianapolis Colts.

TE Jimmy Graham was traded from the New Orleans Saints to Seattle Seahawks.

Former Giants S Antrel Rolle signed a 3-year $11.25 million contract with the Chicago Bears.

Former Redskins WR Leonard Hankerson signed a 1-year $1 million contract with the Atlanta Falcons.

OT Eric Winston re-signed with the Cincinnati Bengals.

Former Broncos OL Orlando Franklin signed a 5-year $36 million contract with the San Diego Chargers.

OT Jason Fox re-signed with the Miami Dolphins.

MLB Jon Beason re-signed with the NY Giants.

Notable proCane Free Agents still available: Chris Myers, Brandon Meriweather, Santana Moss, Colin McCarthy, Reggie Wayne, Vince Wilfork, DJ Williams, Darryl Sharpton.

Eric Winston is returning to the Cincinnati Bengals, the veteran offensive tackle tweeted Tuesday.

Excited to say I'm headed back to the Bengals! #whodey

— Eric Winston (@ericwinston) March 10, 2015

Also, the Bengals are not offering defensive tackle Devon Still a tender Tuesday, but they did offer him a one-year deal for an amount less than the $1.54 million low-round tender he qualified for, a source said. Still, whose daughter, Leah, has been fighting stage 4 pediatric cancer over the past several months, is mulling the offer while he takes family matters into account, the source said.

The Bengals acquired Winston, who is the NFL Players Association president, late this past season when they had a need for a starting right tackle following Andre Smith's season-ending triceps tear at Houston in Week 12.

After getting cut by Seattle at the end of preseason camp, the 31-year-old Winston had a few tryouts with teams, but nothing materialized before the Bengals called in November.

Including the playoff game, the 31-year-old appeared in five games for Cincinnati. He started three of them, including the wild-card round loss at Indianapolis. Pro Football Focus credited him with allowing six pressures but no sacks in his brief playing time.

Cincinnati was the fourth stop in Winston's nine-year career. He expressed interest earlier this offseason in returning to the Queen City, and playing again opposite his friend, left tackle Andrew Whitworth. Smith is expected to return fully from surgery before training camp.


(espn.com)

ESPN's Coley Harvey believes "there's a good chance" free agent OT Eric Winston will be back with the Bengals.

Winston has expressed mutual interest in re-signing with the Bengals. He started the final two games of the regular season and in the playoffs, but won't be returning as more than a swing tackle. Winston didn't sign until December last year and should only require a one-year deal.


(rotoworld.com)

NFL Players Association President Eric Winston took a shot at NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell today, but it didn’t take Winston long to back down.

Shortly after Winston told Tom Curran of CSNNE.com that a 2-year-old could do Goodell’s job, Winston issued an apology.

“In a casual conversation with a reporter about the success of the NFL and how nothing seems to get in its way, I inappropriately and flippantly made a remark about the job of Commissioner Goodell,” Winston said in a statement passed along to PFT. “We often disagree on the issues but I want to apologize to Roger for being unprofessional. I am disappointed that my comment was taken out of context and inserted into a column without any knowledge that the conversation was ‘on-the-record.’ I am disappointed that this reporter chose to burn me, but this is an important lesson that I will learn going forward. This is my fault and again, I apologize.”

If Winston didn’t realize that his conversation with Curran was on the record, that’s Winston’s problem, not Curran’s. When a journalist talks to a source, the conversation is presumed on the record unless both parties explicitly agree that it’s off the record. If Winston didn’t want his comments published, he shouldn’t have said anything unless and until he and Curran agreed to keep their conversation off the record. For Winston to complain that Curran “chose to burn me” doesn’t hold much water. Curran asked a question to a source and then published the source’s answer. That’s what reporters do.

The NFLPA walks a fine line when dealing with Goodell: The league is often heavy-handed in its dealings with the players, and when that happens the players need to push back against Goodell. But antagonizing Goodell can be counterproductive for the union. Winston seems to realize that he burned himself with his comments.


(profootballtalk.com)

PHOENIX -- NFL Players Association President Eric Winston says the league's new personal conduct policy "violates the CBA in several ways and we're going to be grieving this as far as we can."

The union filed a grievance against the NFL last week over changes to the policy. NFL owners unanimously approved the changes in December.

"We have an agreement with the league and they have an agreement with us," Winston said. "We're going to hold them to that agreement. Many aspects of this policy fall outside of the CBA and we're going to continue fighting it going forward."

The union and the league have been at odds over the personal conduct policy since both groups began navigating the Ray Rice domestic violence case and later Adrian Peterson's child abuse case.

After dealing with both issues, a more extensive list of prohibited conduct will be included in the policy, as well as specific criteria for paid leave for anyone charged with a violent crime.

A suspension of six games without pay for violations involving assault, sexual assault, battery, domestic violence, child abuse and other forms of family violence will be in effect, but with consideration given to mitigating or aggravating circumstances.

"The league's revised conduct policy was the product of a tremendous amount of analysis and work and is based on input from a broad and diverse group of experts within and outside of football, including current players, former players, and the NFL Players Association," the league said in a statement last week.

"We and the public firmly believe that all NFL personnel should be held accountable to a stronger, more effective conduct policy. Clearly, the union does not share that belief."


(espn.com)

The Cincinnati Bengals and Eric Winston are mutually interested in continuing their relationship for another season, the right tackle said via Bengals.com. And, he's fine with being a backup to starting offensive tackle Andre Smith.

"It’s the circle of life in the NFL. You come in as a backup, you earn a starting spot, you go out as a backup a lot of times," Winston said via the mothership. "There’s interest on both sides. I don’t want to qualify their interest too much more than that. I think they’re definitely interested in it. I'm definitely interested in it and hopefully we’ll get something done.

Smith suffered a torn tricep against the Houston Texans and was placed on season-ending Injured Reserve on Nov. 25. His replacement, Marshall Newhouse, struggled earlier in the season when Andre Smith was recuperating from an ankle injury. Newhouse's struggled so much that Cincinnati moved offensive guard Clint Boling to right tackle.

When Smith suffered a season-ending injury, the Bengals eventually signed Eric Winston on Dec. 2 and had him start the final three games at right tackle (including the postseason loss against the Indianapolis Colts).


(cincyjungle.com)

Few teams have played musical chairs as frenetically as the Cincinnati Bengals this season.

And while they’ve hit four sharp notes comparable to the sounds of a shrieking cat, also known as blowout losses, the Bengals’ concerted effort to triumph over injuries has been impressive, and important, overall.

The latest “next man up” example is Eric Winston.

One pressing issue throughout the Bengals’ 24-3 debacle against Cleveland on Nov. 6 was Marshall Newhouse’s magnified inability to help protect quarterback Andy Dalton, partially leading to Dalton’s worst career performance. Newhouse had replaced injured right tackle Andre Smith.

The Bengals are 4-1 since then, the most recent win a 30-0 redemptive victory over the Browns.

While Newhouse has noticeably improved, he’s slid into a backup role.

Clint Boling has started at right tackle since Dec. 7, but the Bengals had also signed Winston that week.

Winston was one of several unsung MVPs, in my opinion, as the Bengals prolonged their stay atop the AFC North.

The 6-foot-7, 302-pound tackle spent six seasons in Houston before a season apiece in Kansas City and Arizona. The 31-year-old didn’t have a home in 2014 until Cincinnati came calling.


(dailyindependent.com)

When stalwart right tackle Andre Smith went down for the year with a triceps tear, fear began to cloud the Cincinnati Bengals. It wasn't the best year for Smith, but there is mounting evidence over his six years as a pro that he can be one of the best right tackles in football. And, not to single any single player out, but Marshall Newhouse's play in brief spells throughout 2014 wasn't instilling much confidence going forward.

In very un-Bengal-like fashion, the team sprung to make a somewhat splashy signing to address an important position as the push to the playoffs continued. Some were surprised that longtime veteran Eric Winston was still unemployed so late into the season, but the Bengals scooped him up and added him to the roster.

Unfortunately for Newhouse, the team started to be a bit obvious with their concerns with him as a starter as well, starting left guard Clint Boling at right tackle the past two games. With the Boling move, the team inserted Mike Pollak at left guard in an effort to try to find and play the five best linemen, somewhat disregarding position. This might be changing going forward.

On Sunday against the Browns, Bengals fans got their first extensive glimpse at Winston on the field. In fact, Winston was in on 45% of the offensive snaps, lining up for 33 plays. Most of his work was in the second half, and though the Bengals had a solid lead when he entered, the contest was far from over. There were also some "jumbo" packages with an extra tackle, where the Bengals lined Newhouse up next to Winston.

He did account for one illegal formation penalty, but Winston also helped the team's outstanding, 244-yard rushing performance. Many of Giovani Bernard's 79 rushing yards came in the second half, as well as some nice work from backup, Rex Burkhead.

Winston's play didn't go unnoticed, either, with Marvin Lewis praising him in Monday's press conference:

Obviously, it plays to Winston's work ethic and character to not only be in good shape so late in the year, but also to be able to contribute at a pretty high level. He might not be Smith, but Winston will provide veteran leadership and stability at a position that looked bleak just a few short weeks ago.


(cincyjungle.com)

CINCINNATI -- The Bengals, in dire need of help at right offensive tackle, signed veteran lineman and acting NFL Players Association president Eric Winston on Tuesday.

Winston's addition comes one week after the Bengals placed starter Andre Smith on season-ending injured reserve after he tore his left triceps while trying to block Texans defensive end J.J. Watt during a pass Watt ended up knocking down at the line.

In Smith's absence Sunday at Tampa Bay, the Bengals rotated a pair of players at the position. Backup Marshall Newhouse started at right tackle, taking 44 snaps there. Across two drives in the second quarter, he was replaced by starting left guard Clint Boling, who moved over for more than a dozen snaps on the right edge. Boling played more snaps at the position than he had in more than five years, when he was a versatile offensive lineman in college at Georgia.

Winston hasn't played in a game this season, but he was a 16-game starter last season for Arizona. He was on Seattle's roster in training camp before getting released. The 31-year-old also has played with Houston and Kansas City.

Winston took to Twitter on Tuesday and already seems familiar with the Bengals' fan base.

According to Werder, Winston had workouts this season with multiple teams, including the Eagles, Falcons and Vikings, before ultimately signing with the AFC North-leading Bengals. Winston previously told Werder he thought it was important as president of the players' union to be an active player so that he's more aware of the experiences players are having and better understands their concerns.

Who dey! who dey! who dey think goin to beat them Bengals!?!?!

— Eric Winston (@ericwinston) December 2, 2014

Winston joins an offensive line that already features Bengals player rep and left tackle Andrew Whitworth. Winston's addition gives the line another smart, high-character veteran.

In October, Winston made headlines when he posted a series of tweets reacting to comments Bengals coach Marvin Lewis made in reference to the attention concussions receive these days.

During a news conference, Lewis said concussions "linger longer" in players now because of the enhanced media attention they receive.

That prompted Winston, in his role as NFLPA head, to rattle off a series of tweets.

"Always good to see the NFL educating their HCs on health/safety. Glad they are taking the lead on serious issues like concussions. #sarcasm," Winston tweeted. "Perpetuating the idea that it's the medias fault that concussions ["linger"] longer just shows how far we still have to go in educating every1."

Lewis didn't respond to the criticism from Winston and others at the time.

Bengals offensive coordinator Hue Jackson hinted Monday that the team may explore options outside of Newhouse, Boling and backup Tanner Hawkinson. The Bengals went into Sunday's game carrying Whitworth and Newhouse as their only true tackles on the active game-day roster.

"I'm trying to find the five best guys that can play at a high level," Jackson said. "Whoever they are, we have to put them out there and play."

Along with signing Winston, the Bengals announced they waived offensive tackle Jamon Meredith, who was signed last week. Linebacker J.K. Schaffer also was waived off the IR with his rehab from a concussion complete. That leaves the Bengals with one vacancy on the 53-man roster.


(espn.com)

CINCINNATI -- Bengals coach Marvin Lewis has been criticized from the minute he made comments during his Wednesday afternoon news conference that concussions "linger longer" now because of the media attention that head injuries receive.

One of his most vocal critics was NFL Players Association president and former player Eric Winston, who expressed his thoughts on Twitter.

Winston's tweets also could be targeting Panthers coach Ron Rivera, who said wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin came in Monday complaining of a "little headache" after a receiving a hit Sunday from Bengals linebacker Vontaze Burfict. Panthers doctors determined Benjamin had a mild concussion.

Perpetuating the idea that it's the medias fault that concussions "longer" longer just shows how far we still have to go in educating every1

— Eric Winston (@ericwinston) October 15, 2014

You don't have a "mild" concussion. You either have one or you don't.

— Eric Winston (@ericwinston) October 15, 2014

Always good to see the NFL educating their HCs on health/safety. Glad they are taking the lead on serious issues like concussions. #sarcasm

— Eric Winston (@ericwinston) October 15, 2014

Lewis' comments came during a portion of his weekly news conference in which he was asked about Burfict and the intense, aggressive, emotion-filled edge he plays with. Those same traits have made Burfict one of the more penalized players in the league, and one who has started getting a negative reputation for some of his post-whistle antics.

A source told ESPN's Ed Werder that Burfict was fined $25,000 this week for twisting the ankles of Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton and tight end Greg Olsen after he had tackled both in last Sunday's 37-37 overtime tie in Cincinnati.

In a fiery interview session with Panthers reporters the day after the game, Olsen called for Burfict to be suspended for the actions and called out his style of play.

"He's a hard-nosed player," Olsen said. "His style of game is what he is. It's why he knocks himself out half the time."

The latter portion of Olsen's comment was in reference to the three concussions Burfict has had since the end of last season. He already has had two in back-to-back weeks this season. The concussions forced him out of the season opener at Baltimore and the Week 2 game against the Falcons. They also kept him sidelined for three weeks before he returned last weekend against the Panthers.

Despite leaving the game briefly for what the Bengals said was a "hit to the head," Burfict returned and finished the game.
It's the only game he has finished this season.

At one point during Lewis' news conference, a reporter asked about at what point the coach becomes concerned about Burfict not only as a player, but as a human being, given his number of concussions.

Replied Lewis: "He had a concussion against Atlanta. That's the biggest concern. You don't want him to have ... again, I coached defense and linebackers for a long time and concussions didn't linger. Now we've found that because of the media and things they seem to linger longer. There's a lot of attention paid to it. I don't know why they linger longer, but I don't remember them lingering like they do now."

The NFL in recent years has intensified its approach regarding concussions and renewed its policies related to the level of medical scrutiny players must go through before getting cleared to play again after a concussion. Many of the league's concerns stem from long-term health issues retired players have experienced, and recent research that has made some connections between former player deaths and head trauma.

Lewis was asked after Wednesday's practice if he wanted to clarify his comments. He declined, acknowledging he probably shouldn't have broached the topic in the first place.


(espn.com)

The NFL and the NFLPA finalized the updated drug-testing program two weeks ago. Among the key revisions: HGH testing was implemented immediately for the 2015 season, and testing was expected begin by the end of September.

Officially, testing will begin Monday. NFLPA president Eric Winston offered details in a letter to players.

"As you know, the new Performance Enhancing Substances Policy includes HGH testing. Testing for HGH will begin on Monday, October 6th," Winson said, via NFL.com. "Each week of the season, 5 players on 8 teams will be tested. No testing will occur on game days. We negotiated to ensure that the
methodology of testing be conducted in the most professional and safest manner for players. Importantly, after three years of negotiating, players won the right to challenge any aspect of the science behind the HGH isoforms test in an appeal of a positive test."

Other revisions to the drug-testing program include:

• Any appeal of a positive PED test (including HGH) will go in front of a third-party neutral arbitrator. "Appeals will be processed more expeditiously" under the new policy.
• Discipline for violations of the PED policy (including HGH) will be modified.
• A first violation will be up to six games depending on the nature of the violation:
â—?/span> - Using diuretics or masking agents will result in a two-game suspension.
â—?/span> - Using steroids, stimulants, HGH or other banned substances will result in a four-game suspension.
â—?/span> - Attempting to manipulate a test will result in a six-game suspension.
• A second violation will result in a 10-game suspension.
• A third violation will result in a two-year minimum banishment.
• Testing positive for off-season banned stimulants will not result in a PED suspension; instead, the player will be put into the substance abuse program.
• "In cases involving discipline for violations other than positive tests (for example, a violation of law), the Commissioner will retain his current disciplinary authority."

Comments

The tradition known as Tryout Tuesday went double digits in Atlanta this week, with 10 players coming to town for a kicking of the tires.

Only one of them got hired, so far.

With multiple injuries on the offensive line, tackles Cameron Bradfield and NFLPA president Eric Winston (pictured) had workouts, along with guards Uche Nwaneri, Leroy Harris, and Adam Replogle.  Bradfield was signed.

Also getting workouts on the defensive side of the ball were linebackers Zach Diles and Moise Fokou and defensive backs Chris Clemons, M.D. Jennings, and Kimario McFadden.  None were signed.

The Falcons put a pair of starting offensive lineman on season-ending injured reserve on Tuesday (center Joe Hawley and tackle Lamar Holmes); safety William Moore has been placed on IR with the one-per-club designation to return.


(profootballtalk.com)

NFL Players Association president Eric Winston said Tuesday that the union isn't against disciplining players who commit crimes, but he warned that the public must avoid rushing to judgment once an arrest is made.

Winston, in an appearance on ESPN Radio's "Mike & Mike" program, was asked to address the NFL's off-the-field troubles, which include the domestic violence cases against Ray Rice, Carolina Panthers defensive end Greg Hardy and San Francisco 49ers defensive tackle Ray McDonald, as well as charges of alleged child abuse against Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson.



"I'd let the court system and process run its course. I don't want to get into a world where we're snapping to judgment, and that's where we're all the sudden saying, 'Oh well, since he was arrested before, he's automatically guilty of it.' I don't think that's the right world to live in," Winston said.

"Now, who knows? There might be some crazy, outlying standard. But at the same time, I think for 99 percent of things that go on, we need to let the due process run its course."

Winston emphasized that the union isn't against disciplining players who deserve to be penalized.

"The players aren't against discipline," he said. "And the union is not against discipline. All we're for is a fair process. If a player feels like his rights have been violated under the CBA, then he's got a fair appeal process.

"I don't want anybody to think that we're trying to cover guys and make sure that they don't get disciplined in any way. We are not against discipline. We are not against it -- that if you mess up, you shouldn't have to pay the price."

Winston also addressed the league's new drug policy, which is expected to be finalized soon. He said the big takeaway for the players is that appeals now will be heard by a neutral third party instead of the NFL.


(espn.com)

In between trying to help negotiate a new drug policy with the NFL, Eric Winston’s also looking for a job.

According to Tom Pelissero of USA Today, the veteran tackle and NFLPA president visited with the Eagles today, but left without a deal.

With Lane Johnson suspended and Allen Barbre and Evan Mathis injured in the opener, the once-deep Eagles line has taken significant hits.

Winston, like many other veterans, are getting closer looks this week since their salaries wouldn’t be guaranteed for the entire season, as if they were on the Week One roster.

Winston was cut by the Seahawks, but has also received interest from the Packers, since Bryan Bulaga will miss a few weeks with a knee injury.


(profootballtalk.com)

As the NFL Players Association and the NFL continue to haggle over the league's drug policies, including trying to adopt testing for human growth hormone, there's still no deal.

And  NFLPA president Eric Winston made that clear in a statement released today.

"?Players who have been to any collective bargaining negotiation understand that we never describe them as 'very close,'" Winston said. "We look at every issue we can to improve the rights and benefits of players. This process takes time, it takes creativity and it is never easy.

"?We want to get a new agreement in place but we understand the responsibility we have to the players and to the game. It is critical that we get this right.?"


(nationalfootballpost.com)

It was one of the busiest NFL proCane roster cut weekends of all-time. See below all the action.

WR LaRon Byrd was cut by the Dallas Cowboys who signed him this offseason, but was quickly picked up by the Cleveland Browns and placed on their active roster.

DB Brandon Harris was cut by the Texans, who drafted him out of Miami 3 years ago, but was also quickly picked up and added to the Titans active roster.

Practice Squad Signings: Stephen Morris: Jags, Tommy Streeter: Dolphins, Chase Ford: Vikings, Erik Swoope: Colts, Brandon Washington: Rams, Harland Gunn: Falcons, Micanor Regis: Panthers, Asante Cleveland: 49ers.

Cuts: Maurice Hagens: Falcons, Eric Winston: Seahawks, Richard Gordon: Chiefs, Tyler Horn: Titans, Jared Wheeler: Bills.

It isn't easy making the NFL's most talent-packed roster. Just ask Eric Winston.

The Seattle Seahawks released the veteran offensive tackle -- and NFLPA president -- on Saturday.

Winston, 30, lost his battle for the team's right tackle job to second-round pick Justin Britt, who is now on tap to replace the departed Breno Giacomini as Seattle's Week 1 starter.

Britt tore his ACL in 2012 but rebounded to post a strong season last autumn at Missouri. "He is the type of guy who is going to persevere and fight his way through stuff," Seahawks coach Pete Carroll told Sports On Earth this month.

At 6-foot-6 and 325 pounds, Britt has outstanding size for the role, but his preseason was a mixed bag as the rookie allowed eight quarterback hurries -- second-most among his peers in August.

It's possible another team comes swooping in to grab Winston, but he struggled in 16 starts for the Arizona Cardinals last season and might be near the end.


(nfl.com)

RENTON — Offensive tackle Eric Winston reported to the Seattle Seahawks on Tuesday, put on his helmet and went to work.

More than most, Winston understands the importance of preseason preparation. And his methods seem to work, as he has started every game for the past seven seasons — an ongoing run of 112 consecutive NFL games.

“I’d like to think I put the work in, not just in the weight room, but the training room, staying flexible, staying healthy,” Winston said. “You’re inevitably going to get caught in a pile, and if you’re not flexible something’s going to pop. I’ve gotten into some precarious situations and (been) able to kind of shake it off and walk out of the pile in one piece. I do believe it’s not just luck.”

Winston also credited zone blocking systems, which tend to keep linemen moving in the same direction.

That’s the kind of blocking the Seahawks employ under offensive line coach Tom Cable. And that was one of several factors that led Winston to decide Seattle is the place to continue his career. But not the primary one.

“I wanted to go somewhere where I can win,” he said. “So when they called, I know they’re definitely capable of winning here, and winning big. It was exciting to think that maybe I’ll get to play in some games that I’ve never played in before.”

Winston joined the NFL in 2006 as a third-round pick of the Houston Texans. He moved to Kansas City in 2012 and then Arizona last season, where he got a couple of close looks at the Seahawks.

The Seahawks also did some looking and decided to bring him in to compete at right tackle, along with veteran Michael Bowie and rookie second-round draft pick Justin Britt.

“(We) like the fact that (Winston) has got background and experience,” coach Pete Carroll said. “We’re very young there in the backup guys. … We’d like to have another guy competing for the spot.”

Starting his ninth pro season, Winston, 30, said he’s ready to add mentoring to his job description.

“I think anytime that you become a vet in this league, you have an obligation to the young guys that come after you — to help them, to teach them and obviously to compete against them,” he said. “… If Britt wants me to do that, then I’ll do that, and if he doesn’t want to hear it, I won’t. But I’ll be here for him and always be here to help him, that’s for sure.”

That same attitude is one of Winston’s motivations as president of the NFL Players Association, a title he assumed in March and will continue despite his change of address.

“I’ve always been an advocate for the players and trying to help them out,” he said. “Make their lives a little bit better and make them understand what it means to be a pro.”


(bellinghamjournal.com)

NFL Players Association president Eric Winston has signed with the Seattle Seahawks.

Winston, a 30-year-old right tackle, signed a one-year contract, a source told ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter, confirming multiple reports.

Winston tweeted out the news that he was joining the defending Super Bowl champions on Tuesday morning.

Season finally starts for me today! Looking forward to chasing a ring with the Seahawks!! Time go to work!

— Eric Winston (@ericwinston) July 29, 2014

Winston played for the Arizona Cardinals last season. He was elected the NFLPA president earlier this year.



He said last week he didn't need to be promised a starting job but wanted the opportunity to compete for one. That's what Arizona offered last year, he said, and it worked out in his favor as Winston started all 16 games.

Winston, an eight-year veteran, has spent his offseason preparing for the right call by staying in shape. He worked out this summer with Texans receiver Andre Johnson and running back Arian Foster and former Texan Owen Daniels.

Breno Giacomini, who started at right tackle for the Seahawks last season, signed a free-agent deal with the Jets this offseason. Before Winston's addition, second-year offensive lineman Michael Bowie and rookie Justin Britt had been competing this offseason to fill the right tackle spot.

Winston played his first six NFL seasons with the Texans, joined the Chiefs in 2012 and the Cardinals last season. Winston has started 119 consecutive games, the second-longest streak for an active player. He also has played in 124 straight regular-season games, also second-most among active players.

GLENDALE, Ariz. -- A year ago to the day, Eric Winston was signed by the Arizona Cardinals as his future teammates prepared for their conditioning test.

This year, Winston is still waiting for that call. Well, more like the call.

He's been contacted and recruited by several teams since free agency began in March, Winston said Friday from Houston, but none have offered an attractive enough opportunity to convince Winston to sign.

"It's more of the right situation not presenting itself," Winston said.

"Last year, I thought Arizona was a good spot for me and I think going forward I'm looking for that same kind of opportunity."

Winston doesn't need to be promised a starting job, he said, but wants the opportunity to compete for one. That's what Arizona offered last year, he said, and it worked out in his favor as Winston started all 16 games. The eight-year veteran isn't concerning himself with why he hasn't found a job yet as training camps continue to begin across the NFL. He's just trying to stay positive.

Last offseason taught him to be patient but it's easier said than done.

"It's tough," Winston said. "It's tough on me. It's tough on the family. There's so many balls in the air right now. It's just a stressful time. But, unfortunately, sometimes when you get late in your career it's the nature of the business, as well."

Winston was able to acclimate himself with the rest of Arizona's offensive line quickly last season but he'd rather not wait until the end of training camp to join a team. There's still a playbook to learn and a bond to build, but there's only so much he can control.

The Cardinals are one team with questions at right tackle but Winston doesn't seem to be the answer for them. He made about $2 million last season and improved as the season went on. Even though Winston allowed just one of his seven sacks in the final nine games, he was still rated as one of the worst tackles in the NFL by Pro Football Focus.

Winston has spent his offseason preparing for the right call by staying in shape. He's worked out this summer with Houston Texans Andre Johnson and Arian Foster, and former Texan Owen Daniel. After a Friday morning workout, Winston said he's moving as well as he has in a while.

At 30, he's been putting in the extra work so he can make a seamless transition to anyone's training camp.

"I feel like I'm way more ready this year than last year," Winston said. "Not to say I wasn't ready last year. I just really feel like I'm in as good of shape than I've been in for a long time."


(espn.com)

Offensive tackle Eric Winston, ex-Arizona Cardinal – Winston has become a well-traveled player, having spent six years with the Saints and one each with the Chiefs and Cardinals. He is not going to win a spot in the Pro Bowl, but he is a solid and functional tackle who should be able to man a spot on the right side.

At 6-foot-6 and 305 pounds, Winston is a strong man who understands blocking tackles and can handle power rushers. He may have some problems with the speed guys, but he has the stature and experience to get the job done for one or two seasons for any team looking for consistency and depth on the offensive line.

Look for Winston to sign shortly after any team suffers a serious offensive-line injury during the early part of training camp.


(cbslocal.com)

The Arizona Cardinals still could ink free-agent OT Eric Winston for another season, but a large part of that will depend on how OT Bobby Massie and Bradley Sowell fare in training camp.




(kffl.com)

Two of the last well-known veterans remaining on the free-agent market may soon have new NFL homes.

Right tackle Eric Winston and cornerback Drayton Florence are both expected to visit with interested teams next week, a source told FOX Sports 1. The suitors’ names are being kept confidential at their request, the source said.

Winston, 30, has started 119 consecutive games dating back to his 2006 rookie season with the Houston Texans. He was Arizona’s starting right tackle in 2013 and recently was elected NFL Players Association president.

Interest in quality NFL veterans such as Winston and Florence should pick up across the league once a June 1 deadline passes pertaining to compensatory draft selections.


(foxsports.com)

I thought the chances were higher before hearing general manager Ozzie Newsome after the draft ended. He talked about the importance of letting young players fail on the field. What he means is the Ravens need to find out whether their draft picks can play before replacing them with an experienced player. Based on this, it sounds like the Ravens are giving Rick Wagner, a fifth-round pick from a year ago, a chance to win the right tackle job. The risk, of course, is losing out on a veteran free agent like Eric Winston, who played under Kubiak for six seasons and is a fit for zone-blocking schemes. Another team could sign him if the Ravens choose to wait. But the Ravens likely won't sign another significant free agent until after June 1, so it won't count them a compensatory pick.


(espn.com)

The Baltimore Ravens had a productive draft, getting several players who could be long-term starters.

They did not, however, address one of their biggest needs, the right tackle position.

According to Ryan Mink of BaltimoreRavens.com, the Ravens could sign veteran tackle Eric Winston.

Newsome pointed to the Ravens’ in-house options at right tackle with Ricky Wagner (a fifth-round pick last year) and the potential of moving Kelechi Osemele over from left guard to tackle, where he played his rookie season.

“We’ll just shake things up and see how the best thing happens,” Newsome said. “[But] if the opportunity presents itself for us to acquire a player to play tackle if we need to, we’ll be able to do it.”

Newsome seemed to point towards the possibility of signing a veteran. One player pundits point to is Eric Winston, who is still a free agent. He played six seasons under new Ravens Offensive Coordinator Gary Kubiak in Houston. Winston is just 30 years old and hasn’t missed a start since 2007. He bounced between the Kansas City Chiefs and Arizona Cardinals the past two years, however.

Winston was a third-round pick (66th-overall) of the Houston Texans in 2006 and played there until 2011. He joined the Kansas City Chiefs in 2012 and spent last season with the Arizona Cardinals.

Winston was elected President of the NFL Players Association in March.


(fansided.com)

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell discussed the issue of HGH testing recently, saying that the NFL Players Association was raising “issues that are completely unrelated” to testing that have kept it from being implemented and that the union “needs to sign off on it.”

At a meeting with reporters on Wednesday afternoon in Manhattan, NFLPA Executive Director DeMaurice Smith and NFLPA President Eric Winston had a different point of view. They both say that the league is standing in the way of implementation of testing as the sides are in agreement on everything outside of the league’s desire to avoid neutral arbitration in cases involving players adjudicated criminally or civilly of violations of the drug policy and those involving players disciplined because of evidence other than a positive test.

Winston said Goodell’s insistence on being the final voice of any disputes is the only remaining sticking point.

“If [Goodell] wanted HGH testing as bad as he wants to retain his power, then we would have had testing last year,” Winston said. “At the end of the day, that’s what this is about. He wants to hold all the cards. He wants to be the judge, jury and executioner. The players aren’t going to go for an un-American system like that and I’m not going to allow them to go for an un-American system like that.”

Both men pointed to the league’s handling of the bounty case involving the Saints as an example of why they believe neutral arbitration is so important and Smith cited baseball’s acceptance of the process that led to a neutral arbitrator’s ruling in the Alex Rodriguez case as an example of how arbitration can work in a professional sports league. Smith said the union has “tremendous resolve” on the issue, which suggests a resolution that leads to the implementation HGH testing will remain out of reach as long as the arbitrator issue is outstanding.


(nbcsports.com)

The Ravens could look at free agent RT Eric Winston if they don't select a right tackle early in the draft.

It's a logical fit that keeps coming up because Winston was Gary Kubiak's starting right tackle for five seasons in Houston. Kubiak is now Baltimore's offensive coordinator. The 30-year-old Winston would serve as competition for in-house candidate Ricky Wagner -- assuming they can't land a tackle like Notre Dame's Zack Martin or Michigan's Taylor Lewan at No. 17 overall.


(rotoworld.com)

Coach John Harbaugh confirmed the Ravens have not had any contract talks with free agent RT Eric Winston.

The Ravens have just Ricky Wagner as an in-house replacement for Michael Oher, but 30-year-old Winston wouldn't be much of an upgrade despite his ties to OC Gary Kubiak. ESPN's Jamison Hensley expects Baltimore to target a right tackle early in the draft.


(rotoworld.com)

Based on a recent interview that Winston had with Arizona Republic columnist and local radio host Dan Bickley, that train of thought isn't blind speculation.

Winston, who started all 16 games in 2013 for Arizona at right tackle and has also started 119 straight games, still is unsigned, and there appears to be little interest from the Cardinals at this point. "It doesn't seem like anything is being done," he told Bickley. "I'd still love to come back to Arizona. I love the guys in the locker room, love the city, and I think the team will be really good with or without me. They're ready to have a special run out there."

As I have written before, I think the Cardinals will have interest in him only if they don't see what they want out of Bobby Massie, Bradley Sowell, Nate Potter or whatever draft pick or undrafted rookie they bring in during offseason workouts, OTAs and mini-camps.

Winston didn't sign with the Cardinals until the beginning of training camp last year.

He doesn't want to wait that long, as he told Bickley that, despite how much he would like to return in 2014 to the Cards, he would like to be picked up by a team soon, "hopefully before the draft."

Many veterans would be content to sit tight and not have to go to OTAs or mini-camp. Winston doesn't seem eager to do that. Based on his performance last season, that actually might not be a bad idea.

Coming into a new offensive system, he struggled early, but improved later in the year.

Perhaps being with a team the entire offseason would mitigate those early struggles.

Unfortunately, there haven't even been any whisperings of interest.

That doesn't mean that he is done with football. It just means that he might have to wait until a spot opens up on some team because of injury or ineffectiveness.

Winston has a track record and a reputation in the league. He is well-respected. However, he is now going on three teams that were okay with moving on from him -- the Texans and Chiefs both having cut him the previous two offseasons. And there is something to be said about the Cardinals not wanting to bring back a player on the offensive line. Arizona historically has had bad lines. If they let a player go, that says something.

Chances are that he will land somewhere and will continue to add to his streak of starting games. He isn't the only veteran offensive lineman still available.
Will he have to just bide his time? Will he find work, and will he be a starter?


(revengeofthebirds.com)

Arizona Cardinals free agent offensive tackle Eric Winston was named the new president of the NFLPA in mid-March after being elected to the position, and it’s a job he definitely deserves. The well-spoken right tackle has been a solid player in this league for quite some time, and the 30-year-old veteran is generally regarded as a very intelligent person. Winston is an excellent NFLPA president, and he hasn’t shied away from speaking his mind in the past, as Kansas City Chiefs fans all remember his tirade against those booing for Matt Cassel (his comments created some controversy).

Winston was signed by the Cardinals last offseason, and he’s received very limited interest this offseason after a surprisingly subpar 2013 season.

According to the Arizona Republic’s Dan Bickley, Winston stated that he prefers to stay with the Cardinals and is hoping to find a team before draft day, ”It doesn’t seem like anything is being done. I’d still love to come back to Arizona. I love the guys in the locker room, love the city, and I think the team will be really good with or without me. They’re ready to have a special run out there.

“At the same time, it is what it is. I’m looking to get on a team as soon as possible, hopefully before the draft.”

It will be interesting to see if Winston gets his wish, but I wouldn’t bet on it at this point. I would be shocked if there aren’t a few teams with interest, but he isn’t exactly a hot commodity right now in late March. He’ll likely get a modest, one-year deal with some incentives, and he should bounce back and be a quality starter in 2014. But will the Cardinals keep him around? I don’t see that happening after the Jared Veldheer signing, as the Cards aren’t going to give up on Bobby Massie at RT, especially after he outplayed Winston last year.


(nflspinzone.com)

Houston (CBS HOUSTON) - The new NFLPA President Eric Winston joined In The Loop with Nick & Lopez on SportsRadio610 on Thursday to talk about expanding the playoffs and expanding the regular season in the NFL.

Winston first addressed his comments from an interview on Wednesday with The Triple Threat, Sean Pendergast, Rich Lord and Ted Johnson on the SportsRadio 610, where he said:

“I’m a big fan of radically changing a lot of the playoffs.  Take Green Bay for example. This year hosting a 12-4 San Francisco 49ers team when I think Green Bay was 9-7 or 8-8. I don’t agree with that. I’d like them to not only add a game, I’d like to see them actually take a hard look here and say ‘what are we really doing here, what are we really rewarding?”

Winston emphasized that the Players Association hasn’t seen any proposals from the NFL on expanding the playoffs and thus the Players Association can not say they are for or against it.

“We’d look at proposals, we’d look at ideas for it,” Winston said. “As far as being for or against it, nothing has come down on that yet.  I think it will be interesting to see what exactly their proposals are.”

“How they want to compensate. What kind of ideas they have.  How many more games is it really. Those kind of things I think need to be explored.  I think guys are open to listen to it.  I think anytime you can add some excitement in there  and your possibly seeing another team maybe have a chance to win the Super Bowl I think it’s something worth looking at.”

“We’ll have to see what [The NFL] actually have to say.  Up to now it’s just been a lot of rumors and what we think might happen.”

The expansion of playoffs is something that the NFLPA would be willing to discuss, but the addition of two games to the regular season to 18 is what Winston had described as a “non-starter” for the NFLPA.

“I don’t think that it’s a revolutionary statement by me,” Winston said of the ‘non-starter’ comment on an expanded 18 game season. “It’s been the stance of our Players Association for a long time.  I don’t think that is going to change.  It’s a health and safety issue and we’re not going to bargain on that.”

Winston believes that there really isn’t anything the league could do to make the idea of an 18 game season a viable option for the players.

“During the [CBA] negotiations there were all kinds of proposals,” Winston said. “There were proposals with 18 games in it.  There were proposals with 16 games in it.  There were proposals with everything.  And there were never any proposals that even broached the subject of use even seriously talking about it.”

Money shouldn’t even be a factor for the players when it comes to  an 18 game season, because there is no large financial gain that 18 games would bring.

“All of our benefits are tied to season long,” Winston said. “Your pension, you get your pension at three years and two games, active. You get 401Ks, for every season you play you get a match plus double.  So you know there’s formulas for everything.  The longer you play the less benefits you are going to reach.  So just saying ‘Hey, yeah I got an extra hundred grand in my pocket’ that is a very short sided view in my opinion.”

“And that’s just talking about benefits and money.  We’re not talking about health and safety. We’re not talking about the effects on guys long term and their healthcare after playing extra games.  You tie 18 games now over five years; now you’re running into almost an extra season. You can’t just look at it, to me, financially. You can’t look at it in the short term.  Oh if I get an extra couple bucks here maybe it will be worth it because,  I think in that case you’re doing yourself a disservice, I think we’re doing all the players a disservice.”

Eric Winston is currently a free agent, but has played eight seasons in the NFL with three teams, most recently with the Arizona Cardinals.


(houston.cbslocal.com)

TEMPE, Ariz. -- This offseason is starting off eerily similar to the last for Eric Winston.

The former Arizona Cardinals right tackle is patiently waiting for the right team to call with a job offer, one too good for him to turn down. A few teams -- Winston wouldn't say which ones -- have already came calling, but after eight seasons, he’s being selective.

At least this year, he knows what to expect. After the Kansas City Chiefs didn’t opt to re-sign him following the 2012 season, Winston entered free agency not knowing where he’d play in 2013. The Cardinals signed him on July 25, 2013, the first day of training camp. He instantly moved into a starting role and gave up just seven sacks in 16 games.

Winston was expected to be a priority for the Cardinals after the team figured out what to do with Karlos Dansby, but as of Wednesday, the team had still not re-signed Winston.

Armed with the experience from last offseason, Winston is keeping busy with his children and wife, waiting for the phone to buzz with good news from his next team.

"I’m doing fine," Winston said. “Last year it was frustrating, going on a lot of visits and not signing until camp. Now I kinda know the situation. I know that at some point there’s going to be a team that’s going to need a tackle and at that time I’ll be available to play and ready to go.”


(espn.com)

ORLANDO – Veteran tackle Eric Winston became the NFL Players Association's newest president Wednesday, elected by the board of representatives over New Orleans Saints tight end Ben Watson and free-agent safety Ryan Clark.

"Things are going to come up. We're going to have fights," Winston, who is a free agent, told USA TODAY Sports. "And (the job is) to continue to carry that torch to the next person, whoever that may be. I've got to leave this union better than I found it."

Winston, 30, has played in 124 games (119 starts) over eight NFL seasons with the Houston Texans, Kansas City Chiefs and Arizona Cardinals. He has been active with the union since 2010 and most recently served on the committee that regulates and disciplines agents.

He succeeds former NFL cornerback Domonique Foxworth, who wasn't eligible to run for a second two-year term because he wasn't on an NFL roster last season.

The board also elected seven new vice presidents to fill out the executive committee – the largest player leadership turnover the union has had. Joining holdovers Watson, Matt Hasselbeck and Brian Waters are Clark, Jay Feely, Scott Wells, Adam Vinatieri, Zak DeOssie, Lorenzo Alexander and Mark Herzlich.

"We're coming from a time of great leadership, taking us through such tumultuous time with the lockout, the new CBA," Watson said. "The guys that have been elected now: they come right behind some of these great leaders that we've had, but they're definitely ready for the challenge."

The executive committee, led by the president, have a variety of duties that include enforcing the selection bylaws in the event of a challenge to the executive director job. DeMaurice Smith is expected to have at least one challenger when he's up for re-election in March 2015.

Executive officers are elected to two-year terms in even-numbered years by the board of player representatives. Any player who has been a member in good standing for one year is eligible.


(usatoday.com)

After the world gasped at the grotesque way some members of the Miami Dolphins treated one another in the locker room, NFL players began reaching out to tell fans that those actions were isolated, not pervasive.

Offensive tackle Eric Winston has spent eight seasons in NFL locker rooms -- six with the Houston Texans and one with the Kansas City Chiefs before joining the Arizona Cardinals in 2013. The 30-year-old told NFL Network's "NFL AM" on Wednesday that he believes most locker rooms are good places to work.

"Not every locker room is like the Dolphins, that is a very big minority part of the NFL," he said. "Most locker rooms are fun to be in, are accepting of everybody, are good with young players. There are always going to be the jokes, the getting the rookies to go buy breakfast on Saturday morning, getting the rookies to dress up on Halloween, things like that. But (Miami) is just such an outlier -- so to speak -- of what really goes on in an NFL locker room."

Winston said that the light of shame needs to be shone on the Dolphins' locker room, not NFL teams in general.

"So I think the sense that 'Oh, everything needs to change, things need to change,'" he said. "Well Miami's locker room needs to change, not everybody else's. Everybody else has been doing the right thing for a long time."

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell reportedly spoke to more than 30 players in the past two months to get their opinions on how to improve the working conditions in NFL locker rooms. 

Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Jason Avant, writing for TheMMQB.com, echoed Winston's thought that most locker rooms aren't like the one in Miami. However, Avant believes the NFL still can improve the work experience.

"As for the new legislation I mentioned earlier, maybe it's harsher fines for players, or a code of conduct, or more supervision," Avant wrote. "I'm not quite sure what it will be, but I do know something is necessary ...

"With proper structure in place, the NFL can be a support system for someone in the same situation Jonathan Martin was in, and also provide a helping hand to those who hazed him. We can educate young men on the merits of tolerance, and also the value of holding ourselves to higher standards. It can help mold us into productive members of society when we leave this league. Aren't those the values we want for our kids?"


(nfl.com)

It took a few days, but I finally got around to the reader request about Eric Winston, who was the team's starting right tackle in 2013. Arizona Cardinals fans know that Winston is well thought of around the league, but he did not do well. Yes, he was the starter and was never in danger of losing it, but he was not the same player he was in previous years as a member of the Kansas City Chiefs and Houston Texans.

The question was basically this -- what happened to Winston?

I was intrigued enough to go back and look at some numbers.

The first thing I asked was if injury could have had something to do with his decline in performance. It did not. In fact, he has set the gold standard of durability. He has started every single game since 2007. He hasn't even shown up on an injury report since 2011.

Since injuries did not have anything to do with what happened in 2013.

From there, the next thing to consider was if there has been a decline in play over time. I used Pro Football Focus grades and metrics for this. We will go back to 2008. He was in Houston then, where he played through 2011. He played as a member of the Chiefs in 2012 and then in Arizona in 2013.

2008:
PFF says he allowed nine sacks and 35 other pressures in the passing game. He received a cumulative +3.7 grade for pass blocking and +4.1 for run blocking. The Texans averaged 5.2 YPC over right guard, 5.4 YPC over right tackle and 2.3 YPC over right end.

2009:
Winston gave up five sacks and 26 other pressures. His pass blocking grade skyrocketed to a +15.0, but his run blocking grade dipped to -0.5. The Houston running game averaged 3.5 YPC over right guard, 3.7 over right tackle and 4.2 YPC over right end.

2010:
Winston had a strong showing again in Houston. He allowed eight sacks, but only 22 other pressures. His pass blocking grade was +11.8 and his run blocking grade was +6.1. Houston averaged 4.2 YPC over right guard, 6.1 over right tackle and 2.5 over right end in the running game.

2011:
In his final season with the Texans, the numbers were still good. He gave up seven sacks and 25 other pressures. His grades were +14.0 for pass blocking and +8.9 in run blocking. The ran the ball consistently on the right side -- 5.5 YPC over right guard, 5.0 over right tackle and 4.6 over right end.

2012:
Now a member of the Kansas City Chiefs, he still has a solid season. He allowed four sacks and 31 other pressures. His grades were +8.0 and +8.8 in pass and run blocking. The Chiefs averaged 4.3 YPC over right guard, 5.1 over right tackle and 5.4 over right end.

This brings us to his one year (so far) in Arizona. He did not get signed right away. In fact, it wasn't until training camp began that he joined Arizona. The numbers say he struggled.

2013:
His sacks allowed were no worse than previous seasons, but he gave up a ton of pressures. He allowed seven sacks, but with 51 other pressures, The Cards averaged 3.7 YPC over right guard, 3.7 YPC over right tackle and 4.6 YPC over right end. His grades were terrible from PFF -- a -7.1 in pass blocking and a -8.4 in run blocking. The Cards averaged 3.7 TPC over right guard, 3.7 over right tackle and 4.6 over right end.

What changed?
If it wasn't injury and there was no steady decline, we can perhaps look at two areas. One, it could be that Winston simply is seeing the end of his career. The other would be offensive schemes. In the Bruce Arians offense, there are longer developing plays.

At age 30, it does not seem like his age would be a huge factor.

It must mean that his skills have simply diminished, right?

I'm not totally sold on that. You typically don't see a decline like that at age 30 unless injuries are involved. But maybe it is the case.

There is some evidence to support the idea that Winston perhaps struggled because of being in a different system. His final two games in 2013 were his best. He did not allow a sack in his final six games. He allowed only seven other pressures in his final four games. He had positive grades for the final two games.

Will he return in 2014? That we don't know. With the Arians coaching staff allegedly not being really high on Bobby Massie, they might try to bring him back. My guess is that a second year in Arizona would bring better results.

Based on the numbers above, what would you say the reason was for Winston's struggles? Do you think he will be back? Would he see a return to the average in 2014? Discuss it below.


(revengeofthebirds.com)

Offensive line woes hurt the Arizona Cardinals again in their Thursday night 34-22 loss to the Seattle Seahawks. Quarterback Carson Palmer was sacked a season-high seven times and was consistently under pressure.

"We did not play very well in this ball game and that's a very good front, but we did not play as well as we've been playing," head coach Bruce Arians said. "Bradley (Sowell) struggled, obviously, with his pressures. Paul (Fanaika) struggled with pressure. Eric (Winston) struggled. The only guy that played really well up front was Lyle (Sendlein)."

Winston, the right tackle, acknowledged his unit's lackluster performance and said the only thing they can do is to work on it in practice.

"When you're in tough situations, it's time to bring your lunch pail back to work and keep working," Winston said. "There's nothing else you can do, there's no other way to go about it. We just got to keep continuing to work hard, we've got to continue to keep trusting what the coaches are telling us, what they're coaching us to do and keep striving for that."

In 2012, the Cardinals allowed 58 sacks, the most allowed in the NFL by a significant margin. The team expected to improve in that area heading into this season, and even more so after trading left tackle Levi Brown after Week Four, but Palmer has already been taken down 20 times.

Winston said the offensive line deserves criticism for their performance, but it still takes the whole team to keep the quarterback upright.

"I've always said protection is an 11-man effort, just like running the ball is," Winston said. "Everyone's got to do their job.

"It's continuing to be an 11-man effort, we're going to take the brunt of it up front because we should and we've got to play better up front."

The first step, according to Winston, is just giving Palmer more time to make plays in the pocket.

"We've got to create a more clean pocket, more of the time, for him, where he can step up and really make some throws," Winston said. "I think for us, we've got to start striving towards that and I think if we strive towards that, the sacks will also come down because he'll be able to get rid of the ball faster."

Arians said the team will give backup linemen Bobby Massie and Earl Watford more of a look in the coming weeks as they try to find a fix to the problem that's been plaguing Arizona.


(arizonasports.com)

SARASOTA, Fla. -- Apparently an elbow swing by Lions defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh during the Arizona-Detroit game Sept. 15 slipped by everyone except Cardinals right tackle Eric Winston, who was the intended target.

A video posted at ProFootballTalk.com on Saturday clearly shows Suh throwing his right elbow at Winston's head after the play had passed the line of scrimmage. A flag was not thrown and the league office has not made any public comments about the play.

Winston downplayed the incident when asked about it Monday.

"Things happen out there," he said. "I was moving him pretty good. He was trying to get off me. I don't know if it was intentional or not. I doubt it. But I think with that guy, obviously he's probably lost the benefit of the doubt with a lot of people."

The video shows Winston, who wears No. 73, beginning the play by double-teaming Suh with right guard Paul Fanaika, who eventually peels away. Winston is left one-on-one with Suh and does a good job of keeping him out of the backfield and away from the ball carrier, running back Rashard Mendenhall. Winston appears to lose his balance after Mendenhall runs by and falls to the ground, but instead of just letting go of Winston, Suh appears to try to land an elbow to Winston's head.

"If he swings like that and hits me across the shoulder like that, it's fine," Winston said. "I'm not going to go off and say he was purposely taking a swing at my head. I think he was probably just trying to flail and get off the block.

"It's not the first time it's ever happened to me and not gotten called or not said anything and probably won't be the last. It's the way it goes," he continued. "I just move down the road."

Suh, whose appeal of a $100,000 fine for a low block on Minnesota Vikings offensive tackle John Sullivan was to be heard Tuesday, has not addressed the incident with Winston. The defensive tackle is scheduled for media availability Wednesday.

No decision was expected Tuesday in Suh's appeal, league sources told ESPN NFL Insider Ed Werder. Suh is arguing that his hit was legal and that other players have committed more egregious fouls without being suspended or fined a similar amount.

The appeal is being heard by former Vikings and Baltimore Ravens center Matt Birk -- who rescinded the one-game suspension of Tampa Bay Buccaneers safety Dashon Goldson last week while imposing a $100,000 fine.


(espn.com)

Ndamukong Suh has taken heat this season following his low-block of John Sullivan and the NFL record fine that ensued.

But that apparently hasn't tempered his aggressive style of play.

ProFootballTalk.com found video of the Detroit Lions defensive tackle delivering a blow to Arizona Cardinals offensive lineman Eric Winston.

The play in question occurs with around 9:30 remaining in the third quarter of last week's loss in Arizona. Quarterback Carson Palmer handed off to tailback Rashard Mendenhall, who cut right through the hole.

As he passed the line of scrimmage, Suh delivered the hook to the back of Winston's head.

This type of play occurs regularly, but they have a way of hitting the news cycle when they involve Suh because of his past sins. He's been fined six times in his career for questionable on-field plays, as well as suspended once.

Those fines have progressively escalated, peaking last week to a record $100,000 for the blow to Sullivan. The NFL was sending a message it won't tolerate Suh's questionable hits much longer.

But that threat doesn't appear to be slowing Suh much.


(mlive.com)

Every NFL team needs a Mr. Fix-it. He’s the new player you plug in to help strengthen a particular position or unit, the guy who’s been there, done that, and also has the personality to thrive in any locker room.

The Cardinals might have found their Mr. Fix-it in right tackle Eric Winston, the eight-year veteran who has started 105 consecutive games since his rookie season.

Signed two days before the start of training camp after failing to find big money on the free-agent market, Winston has stepped in and quickly provided stability to an offensive line that has had more than its share of critics.

Not only does he bring experience, toughness, and a passion for the game, he’s a colorful character who was immediately embraced and respected by his teammates.

“We’re happy he’s here,” starting center Lyle Sendlein said. “He’s come in and stepped up big for us right away. He’s got a great sense of humor and he’s fun to be around, but he’s pretty blunt sometimes.”

“Oh, yeah,” agreed rookie guard Jonathan Cooper. “He’s very vocal and has a huge stature. But he’s very opinionated and he’ll let you know what he thinks very quickly.”

Remind Winston that the Cardinals allowed the most sacks in the league last season (58) and the second-most each of the previous two years (54 and 56), and he’ll tell you exactly what he thinks about that, too.

It means absolutely nothing, according to Mr. Fix-it, and he should know.

The Houston Texans allowed an NFL-high 68 sacks in 2005. The next year, they drafted Winston in the third round out of Miami, plugged him in at starting right tackle halfway through the season, and cut their sacks-against total to 43.

It went down each of his next five years there, helping Houston’s offense finish in the top four in the NFL for three consecutive seasons (2009-11).

“We’re in a new system with a new coach and a lot of other brand new stuff,” Winston said, “so as far as I’m concerned ... we haven’t given up any sacks as a unit. We’re looking to keep it that way, too.”

Coach Bruce Arians hasn’t made anything official when it comes to his starters on the offensive line, though it is assumed Winston and Levin Brown will be the tackles, and Cooper and Daryn Colledge will man the guard spots next to Sendlein.

Those five are building chemistry on and off the field, and it’s essential given Arians’ love for the passing game.

“I don’t think it’s any secret. Everywhere B.A. has been, he’s looking to sling the ball,” Winston said. “Look at the Colts last year. Look at the Steelers with Ben Roethlisberger. He wants to get the ball down the field.”

One of the best ways to do that, though, is by establishing the threat of a running game. That way, they can use a passing attack through play action.

“It’s much easier to protect on play-action passes than it is sitting back and sitting back and trying to keep those poor daddies on the outside from getting to the quarterback,” Winston said.

Winston’s helped block for running backs that have produced a combined four 1,000-yard seasons in the NFL. Last season, his only year with the Kansas City Chiefs, his team led the AFC in rushing with 149.7 yards per game.

Run blocking may be his strength, but Winston has more than held his own in pass protection, Arians said. And that’s good, because competition still exists across the line.

“It happens every year,” Winston said.

“A guy is working with the threes (third string), and all of a sudden he’s making a bunch of plays and now he’s with the twos and he’s battling for a spot. Somebody’s going to step up, play well, finish plays down field, make blocks and they’re going to get a chance. You just hope it’s you.”


(azcentral.com)

Eric Winston's goal was always to start.

"I've never signed up, in any sport, to be a backup and ride the bench and be happy about not playing," he told Arizona Sports 620's Burns and Gambo Wednesday. "That's just always been me.

"When I came here I was looking to win the job. Not be given the job; but I was looking to win the job."

As of now, it would appear he's done just that. The former Houston Texan and Kansas City Chief is listed as the starting right tackle on the team's initial depth chart, and he's been getting practice reps with the first team in training camp.

That said, Winston said he knows enough about how the NFL works to understand that just because he's the starter one day does not mean he will be the next, so he has to continue to practice well and then transfer that into games.

"You're always as good as the last thing you put on tape, so if I go to Green Bay and not play well, it probably opens the door for other guys," he said. "So I've got to consistently stack good practices together and stack good games together."

Winston added that the mentality is one he's carried with him his entire career.

"No matter how much money you're making, you've got to go out there and prove to your teammates and prove to everybody else that you're worthy of your spot, you're worthy of the place on your team and you have to go out there and do it."


(arizonasports.com)

GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) -- The Arizona Cardinals concluded their first day of training camp with a flurry of personnel moves, led by the announcement that rookie wide receiver Ryan Swope is retiring because of concussion issues.

The team added two experienced players, agreeing to a one-year deal with offensive tackle Eric Winston and a two-year contract with outside linebacker John Abraham. The Cardinals also released outside linebacker O'Brien Schofield, a former starter, and signed linebacker Kenny Rowe.

Winston, a starter in all six of his NFL seasons, signed a one-year deal after failing to find a better offer. He says he knows he has to compete but expects to win the right tackle job. Abraham is a 14-year NFL veteran and the league's active sacks leader with 122.

Winston said he understands he will be competing for playing time but he expects to be a starter.

''I think it's kind of a perfect storm for me in the sense that I could come in and compete for a spot and maybe be the guy at right tackle,'' he said, ''and I feel I will be.''

Winston also talked about joining the Cardinals in a tweet to Arizona kicker Jay Feely. Winston started all 16 games for Kansas City last season but, when the team underwent a change at head coach and general manager, was released in March. He played just one season for the Chiefs after playing the first five years of his NFL career with Houston.

Winston, who has started every game of his NFL career, had to settle for a one-year deal after failing to land a better offer.

He said he hopes to show the Cardinals he deserves a longer-term contract down the road.

Before Winston's arrival, the Cardinals had gone with second-year pro Bobby Massie at right tackle and Levi Brown, coming back after missing all of last season with a torn triceps,, on the left side, although Massie worked some at left tackle late in offseason workouts. Nate Potter eventually became the starter at left tackle as a rookie last season and has practiced at both tackle spots in the offseason.

Because the acquisition of Winston had not been announced officially, new coach Bruce Arians wouldn't talk much about the big tackle when he met with reporters after the players reported to camp and went through a brief run at University of Phoenix Stadium. He wouldn't say that dissatisfaction with the tackles he had led to the team seeking another player.

''It's just a matter of if there's somebody out there to make our football team better, that's our job to go get them,'' Arians said. ''The more competition the better.''
The same could be said of Abraham, who although in the latter stages of his career, still could fill a role as a situational edge pass rusher, something Schofield had struggled with in his time on the job.


(sports.yahoo.com)

Former Kansas City Chiefs tackle Eric Winston is close to signing a one-year contract with the Arizona Cardinals, a league source told ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter.

The deal could be completed within the next 24 hours.

Winston, 29, started all 16 games at right tackle for the Chiefs last season, his only campaign in Kansas City. Expected to earn a base salary of just under $5 million in 2013, he was released in early March.

Winston made headlines in early December last season when he spoke out against home fans who cheered when quarterback Matt Cassel suffered a concussion in a game against the Baltimore Ravens.

Winston spent his first five seasons with the Houston Texans before signing with the Chiefs.


(espn.com)

Free agent offensive tackle Eric Winston, who has 103 career starts and hasn’t missed a game in six years, is getting some solid sniffs as teams prepare to go to camp. It’s been surprising that Winston, who was linked to a few teams in the offseason, remains unsigned. Money obviously is a factor, but there are several clubs with right tackle needs.


(nationalfootballpost.com)

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution suggests free agent RT Eric Winston as a fit for the Falcons.

Winston is battling a sharply deflated right tackle market, so perhaps he'll be willing to lower his contract demands soon. He's 30 years old and has been released in each of the last two offseasons. If the Falcons can get Matt Ryan a new contract and free up a little space, adding Winston would make some sense. Unproven incumbents Mike Johnson and Lamar Holmes are set to battle for the starting right tackle job in camp.


(rotoworld.com)

Given his apparent price tag, Winston may be perfectly content to wait for a team to suffer a catastrophic injury or realize that it has a performance issue at right tackle. Chances are, he'll have some choices by early August if he's still unsigned. Best fit: Lions




(freep.com)

The Jacksonville Jaguars were tied for the worst team in the NFL last season, which means they needed a major overhaul this summer after years of decline. Despite their draft picks and free agency signings so far, they’re not done with a number of positions, including offensive tackle, with Eric Winston and Winston Justice waiting for a call.

The Jags used their number 2 draft pick on Luke Joeckel of Texas A&M to become the centerpiece of their offensive line in the future, and got Johnathan Cyprien, a Safety out of FIU as their number two pick. They’ve also added nine players since March through free agency, including wide receiver Mohamed Massaquoi and cornerback Marcus Trufant.

But they’re still looking for another offensive tackle, especially looking at Eric Winston and Winston Justice, two players who have been mentioned as candidates for a number of teams so far, but haven’t been able to agree on anything, although both of them, each one in his separate time, seemed to be on his way to joining the Dallas Cowboys.

Another interesting addition for the Jags might be bringing back Daryl Smith, who has played for the team his entire career (since 2004), playing as an outside linebacker in the 4-3 system. Smith hasn’t been able to find work with anyone else, partially hoping he’d get a call back from the Jaguars, even if its for reduced money.

Another position the Jags are still looking to fill is at Tight End. While there isn’t anyone who can bring them too much to the table, veterans like Kellen Winslow, Dallas Clark, Todd Heap and Visanthe Shiancoe, who didn’t even play for anyone last season, are still available, and looking for a team in 2013.


(sportige.com)

The Redskins haven't made an effort to sign free agent RT Eric Winston this offseason.

Winston has been linked to the 'Skins in each of the last two offseasons because he played for Kyle Shanahan in Houston. Now Shanahan is running the same blocking scheme in Washington. The Washington Post says that Winston's price tag seems to have a lot to do with their lack of interest right now.


(rotoworld.com)

With a trade for Kansas City Chiefs franchise player Branden Albert on the backburner -- perhaps permanently -- the Miami Dolphins continue to explore their options at offensive tackle.

NFL.com's Albert Breer reported Tuesday that free-agent offensive tackle Eric Winston will work out for the Dolphins on Wednesday, according to a source.

Winston is just one of several possible options for the Dolphins, who have been searching for an offensive tackle since Jake Long signed with the St. Louis Rams in March.

Bryant McKinnie visited with Miami on Monday. NFL.com's Ian Rapoport reported that former Atlanta Falcons offensive tackle Tyson Clabo is scheduled to meet with the Dolphins Tuesday night. Winston Justice also is reportedly scheduled for a visit.

Given the options, Albert still is the most logical fit, especially if the Dolphins don't feel comfortable permanently moving second-year right tackle Jonathan Martin to Ryan Tannehill's blindside.

Are the Dolphins legitimately interested in outside options, or are they simply posturing in a continued dance with the Chiefs? We'll find out soon enough.


(nfl.com)

The Titans started the process of filling in some post-draft gaps by bringing in three veteran free agents.

In addition to visiting with former Bears defensive end Israel Idonije, former Bengals cornerback Jason Allen visited with the team Monday, according to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network.

Adam Schefter of ESPN followed shortly thereafter with word that former Chiefs an Texans offensive tackle Eric Winston was there also.

The Titans have moved aggressively all offseason, and adding Winston would be another big step toward fortifying their offensive line, after signing guard Andy Levitre and drafting Chance Warmack.


(profootballtalk.com)

A Miami Dolphins trade for Kansas City Chiefs offensive tackle Branden Albert never materialized, so the organization might have moved on to another tackle listed on the 2012 Chiefs roster. A source told the Miami Herald's Adam Beasley that the Dolphins have had consistent conversations with Eric Winston, and action might be taken soon.

The Dolphins still are in the market for a tackle after 2008 No. 1 overall pick Jake Long signed with the St. Louis Rams. They're happy with 2012 second-rounder Jonathan Martin, but they still need another starter. The Dolphins drafted Tennessee offensive tackle Dallas Thomas in the third round of the 2013 NFL Draft, but NFL Network draft analyst Mike Mayock called him a better prospect at guard, where he played in 2012. Thomas was the lone lineman the Dolphins picked in the draft.

The Chiefs released Winston in March and saved $3.5 million in salary cap space. The Chiefs drafted Eric Fisher with the No. 1 overall pick this year, and they plan to plug him in at left tackle. Winston signed a four-year, $22 million free-agent contract with the Chiefs before the 2012 season.


(nfl.com)

There was a recent report the Dallas Cowboys were in talks with free agent right tackle Eric Winston and then that was shot down.

But where there is smoke, well, there might just be a fire. Cowboys vice president Stephen Jones told KRLD-FM on Tuesday that the club is indeed looking at Winston, who was released by the Kansas City Chiefs and is one of several experienced and skilled right tackles on the market with Andre Smith and Tyson Clabo.

“He’s obviously somebody that we’re taking a look at,” Jones said, according to the Dallas Morning News. “We certainly haven’t dismissed Doug (Free). We really felt like when we went to rotating him and Jermey Parnell that he really picked up his game in terms of the competition, not to mention the fact that I think he got some clarity as to what (offensive line coach) Bill Callahan was after.

“I think there’s some interest and prospects there between what we have and what we could get. Obviously on the interior part of our line the same thing holds true. I think we had some injuries there. Another year under Bill and more work, and not to mention what might happen in the draft. We’ll just have to see how that goes.”

These experienced right tackles are looking for solid pay, though, and this has been primarily a buyers’ market. Winston and Co. might not find a team willing to pay $4 million or even $3 million per year. Before the Cowboys add a tackle, though, they have to figure out what they want to do with Free, who has long been rumored to be in line for a pay reduction. Free is due to earn $7 million this season coming off a rough 2012 season. This might be a situation that unfolds following the draft.


(nationalfootballpost.com)

The Dallas Cowboys could certainly afford to upgrade their offensive line and free agent right tackle Eric Winston is on their radar.

Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones talked about the team’s interest on Tuesday.

“He’s obviously somebody that we’re taking a look at,” Jones told the Elf & Slater show on 105.3 The Fan [KRLD-FM]. “We certainly haven’t dismissed Doug [Free]. We really felt like when we went to rotating him and Jermey Parnell that he really picked up his game in terms of the competition, not to mention the fact that I think he got some clarity as to what [offensive line coach] Bill Callahan was after.

“I think there’s some interest and prospects there between what we have and what we could get. Obviously on the interior part of our line the same thing holds true. I think we had some injuries there. Another year under Bill and more work, and not to mention what might happen in the draft. We’ll just have to see how that goes.”

Winston, who has played for the Houston Texans and Kansas City Chiefs, has started 103 games over his seven seasons in the NFL. That has included six consecutive seasons without missing a start. Winston, 29, is looking for a deal that will pay him between $3 and $4 million annually.

Free, the Cowboys’ current starting right tackle, is due to receive $7 million in 2013, making him the highest-paid right tackle in the NFL. The 29-year-old turned in a disappointing 2012 season and the Cowboys are likely looking for him to take a pay cut.


(dallasnews.com)

ESPN Dallas gets the sense that free agent RT Eric Winston is "too pricey" for the Cowboys.
"[His] price needs to come down," tweets beat writer Calvin Watkins. The Cowboys' interest in Winston seems genuine, but the 29-year-old is still not budging from his asking price of a multi-year deal at $3-4 million per year. Winston likely won't have a home until after the draft.


(rotoworld.com)

The Cowboys have been in contact with free agent RT Eric Winston, though no signing is imminent.

Reports that the Cowboys were in contract discussions with Winston weren't true, but the club has been in contact with the right tackle, and is using his situation as leverage in talks with current starter Doug Free. The second best tackle on the market, Winston is willing to play for $3-4 million -- half of the $7 million Free is scheduled to make. The Dolphins also remain interested, but are believed to be waiting until after the draft to make a decision.


(rotoworld.com)

Free agent right tackle Eric Winston says he just wants to be paid a fair wage for a starting offensive lineman, and he’s getting frustrated that no NFL teams are willing to pay him what he thinks he’s worth.

Winston said on Sirius XM NFL Radio that he knows he won’t get the kind of money he got last year from the Chiefs, when he signed a four-year, $22 million contract that included a $4 million signing bonus. The Chiefs cut him to avoid paying a $4.9 million base salary for 2013, and now Winston is just hoping some team will pay him more than $3 million in salary this year.

“In the $3-4 million range is something that I think is more than fair for a starter who has played pretty well throughout his career,” Winston said.

Although Winston had an offer from the Chargers and has talked to the Cowboys, his sense so far is that teams are being extremely careful with money this offseason.

“It’s also frustrating in the sense that there are still a lot of teams with money to spend, but it doesn’t seem like anyone wants to spend it,” Winston said.

The one right tackle who made good money from a new team this offseason was Gosder Cherilus, who left the Lions for the Colts on a five-year, $35 million contract with a $10 million signing bonus and a fully guaranteed $5.5 million salary this year. Winston laughed when he was asked about the huge contract that Cherilus got, although he declined to say whether he thinks he deserves more money than Cherilus.

“No comment on that one,” Winston said.

What Winston will comment on is this: If you’re a right tackle and your name is not Gosder Cherilus, the free agent market stinks.


(profootballtalk.com)

Eric Winston is looking for work, and the San Diego Chargers need to upgrade their offensive line, so it makes sense the two have spoken.

The free-agent right tackle said Monday that he discussed salary with the Chargers last month, "but things kind of fell through," Winston told SiriusXMSports, via U-T San Diego.

NFL.com's Ian Rapoport reported Monday that the Dallas Cowboys also are interested in Winston, who said he's looking to make between $3 million and $4 million annually after being released by the Kansas City Chiefs in March. The market for right tackles is soft, and finding a new home hasn't been easy.

"It's frustrating, because I've never really been in this situation," Winston said. "I try to look at myself fairly. I don't ever want to be one of those guys that looks at themselves and thinks they hung the moon. I still feel like I'm still playing at a pretty high level, and I feel I can contribute to a team."

Winston hasn't missed a start since 2006, but tackle-needy teams like the Chargers widely are expected to target answers in the deep NFL draft class. While Winston isn't a roaring upgrade over Chargers right tackle Jeromey Clary, he would, of course, help the Dallas Cowboys end the Doug Free experiment, so somebody should come calling soon enough.


(nfl.com)

Tackle Eric Winston continues to look for a job.  He could be finding one in Dallas.

Per a source with knowledge of the situation, the Cowboys and Winston currently are in talks regarding a possible contract.

If Winston joins the Cowboys, that could seal the fate of Doug Free in Dallas.  Free’s future has been the subject of much speculation, and having Winston under contract would allow the Cowboys to either dump Free or squeeze him into doing a much less favorable deal.

Winston surprisingly was released by the Chiefs, with whom he signed last year after surprisingly being released by the Texans.


(profootballtalk.com)

The Jacksonville Jaguars have expressed interest in free agent offensive tackle Eric Winston, according to his agent Drew Rosenhaus on the Joe Rose Show on 560AM WQAM (h/t @DomWorld_Peace).

Whether this is just Winston's agent drumming up interest or not, he's someone who could help the Jaguars immediately going forward. Winston, 29, was released by the Kansas City Chiefs earlier in the free agent period and has had minimal activity on the free agent market.

He's a right tackle with lots of experience in a zone blocking scheme. Originally drafted in the third round of the 2006 NFL Draft, WInston spent his first six seasons in the NFL on the Houston Texans playing right tackle in their zone blocking scheme. Winston was released in 2012 by the Texans and quickly picked up by the Chiefs.

Since the 2007 season, Winston has started 96 straight games and played all 16 games six seasons in a row.


(bigcatcountry.com)

Per the Miami Herald, the Dolphins' interest in free agent RT Eric Winston has "otherwise waned somewhat."

Beat writer Armando Salguero thinks the Dolphins are only interested in signing Winston if the 29-year-old decides he'll play for Miami "very, very cheaply." After drawing a boatload of perceived interest shortly after his release, Winston's market has gone ice cold. Salguero adds that recently released RT Tyson Clabo could be a possibility for the Fins.


(rotoworld.com)

The Miami Dolphins are not interested in giving free-agent OT Eric Winston (Chiefs) the long-term deal is he looking for this offseason. The team is also not interested in giving Winston $5 million per season.



(kffl.com)

Free agent RT Eric Winston's player rep confirms he's been in contact with the Dolphins.

"I have talked to the Dolphins, and that is a fluid situation," Winston's rep said. "I don’t really know what direction that’s going to go yet. There are a number of teams interested in Eric. I don’t think a deal is imminent." As a released player, Winston is already free to sign with any team, but it sounds like his agent is planning to slow play the market. Winston will only end up in Miami if the Dolphins are convinced a new deal with Jake Long isn't possible.


(rotoworld.com)

After dumping Jared Gaither on Wednesday, the San Diego Chargers are paper thin along the offensive line. Help might be on the way.

A team source told Michael Gehlken of U-T San Diego that the team still has interest in free agent Eric Winston, the former Kansas City Chiefs right tackle who was released earlier this month.

Winston visited the Chargers three weeks ago and has been linked to the Miami Dolphins, but the "door remains open" in San Diego, according to the source. Winston, who started 16 games with the Chiefs last season, would loom as a right-side replacement for tackle Jeromey Clary. Gaither's fill-in figures to come in the 2013 NFL Draft, possibly with the Chargers' No. 11 pick.

Winston has taken his time in free agency. His agent said this week he would "really like" to play for the Dolphins after almost signing with the team last offseason. And another report on Thursday said the Philadelphia Eagles -- one of the first teams to show interest in Winston -- recently checked back in with his agent.

ProFootballFocus ranked Winston as the ninth-best right tackle in 2012, and he won't be out of work for long.


(nfl.com)

Eric Winston is one of the best offensive tackles available in free agency, but that doesn’t mean he has teams beating down his door with big-money offers.

In fact, Winston acknowledged on NFL AM that he’s one of the many players finding this offseason a bit frustrating.

“I’m just kind of looking for the right fit right now, so hopefully that presents itself sooner than later,” Winston said. “I’m eager to get to a team and start the offseason process, but it’s been a weird market. It’s been a weird year for everybody, I think, in free agency. So now it’s just a matter of trying to find the right fit and find a home.”

Winston said there is some mutual interest with the Dolphins, but he didn’t seem to think anything is imminent in Miami. Les Bowen of the Philadelphia Daily News reported that the Eagles have some interest, and Winston has visited the Chargers, but it doesn’t sound like any team is planning to offer anything close to the contract he signed with Kansas City a year ago.

Winston is one of the many free agents finding this offseason that enormous contracts just aren’t on the table.


(profootballtalk.com)

One by one, veteran offensive tackles are disappearing from the open market. And yet the Miami Dolphins, who hope to upgrade at the position, remain patient.

With Sebastian Vollmer resigning with the Patriots, the assumption is the run on the few remaining available starters will begin shortly.

That’s the hope of Eric Winston, the one-time Miami Hurricane lineman who is firmly on the Dolphins’ radar, but as of Monday, remained unsigned.

The Dolphins are one of a handful of teams Winston has visited since being released by the Chiefs three weeks ago. And while he declined to get into contract specifics, he did say he would be open to returning to South Florida.

“Playing in the NFL is a privilege,” Winston said, who was at UM from 2003 through 2005. “Being anywhere would be nice.

“But I know South Florida well,” he added. “I have friends down there. It’s a beautiful place to live. It would be pretty awesome to go back. Not going to say it’s the end-all to be in Miami. But it would be a great place to be for my personal experience.”

After hosting Winston last week, the Dolphins remain interested – but at their price. His agent, Drew Rosenhaus, said on his weekly WSVN Channel 7 segment Sunday that the situation is “fluid.”


(miamiherald.com)

The Miami Dolphins are hosting free agent offensive tackle Eric Winston on Wednesday hoping to hammer out a deal, according to Adam Schefter. Winston was cut by the Kansas City Chiefs earlier in the offseason, marking the second time in two years he was released. He was sent packing by the Houston Texans in 2012. Miami could use the help on the offensive line after watching Jake Long walk out the door, as he signed with the St. Louis Rams a four year, $36 million contract. Second-year tackle Jonathan Martin is expected to fill Long's shoes on the left side, but things are also uncertain on the right. Last year, Martin played there, leaving the door wide open at that position.


(fannation.com)

If the 2013 season started right now, third-year tackle Marcus Cannon would be the starter on the right side for New England.

It looks like the Patriots may be interested in some competition for the TCU product. New England has shown interest in Eric Winston, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com. Winston is a seven-year veteran out of Miami. He spent the first six years of his career with the Texans before signing a four-year, $22 million deal with the Chiefs last offseason.

Kansas City released him on March 6. The 6-foot-7, 310-pounder has played on the right side of the line his whole career, and the Patriots’ starting right tackle, Sebastian Vollmer, is also a free agent. If Winston signs on with New England, it could mean the end of Vollmer’s career with the Patriots.

New England has some competition for Winston’s services. He visited the Dolphins on Wednesday, while the Eagles, Chargers and Cowboys have also shown interest.


(nesn.com)

According to Michael Gehlken of U-T San Diego, Eric Winston visited the Chargers this weekend.

The Chargers have needs across the offensive line, and Winston would be an upgrade over Jeromey Clary, the incumbent with a $5.7 million cap number.

There were reports of interest from the Eagles and Texans shortly after Winston’s release, though no other reported visits. And in a few hours, the market will be full of other starting tackle options, which might make this the time to strike.


(profootballtalk.com)

Andy Reid’s new team said goodbye to right tackle Eric Winston on Wednesday, a move that piqued the interest of Reid’s old team.

Les Bowen of the Philadelphia Daily News reports that the Eagles were one of the first two teams to reach out to Winston after his announcement of his departure from the Chiefs hit the wires. Winston’s durability is likely part of the reason for the team’s interest. Winston has started all 96 games over the last six seasons while the Eagles were playing a season-long game of musical chairs in 2012 thanks to a slew of serious injuries to their projected starting offensive linemen.

Bowen reports that the other team to show interest in speaking to Winston was the Texans, who drafted him in 2006 and employed him until his release last March. Derek Newton started at right tackle for Houston in 2012.

When Winston was released last year, he was out of work for less than a week before landing in Kansas City. Given the early interest in his services, it may be another short spell on the unemployment line for Winston again this year.


(profootballtalk.com)

When Chiefs right tackle Eric Winston recently lamented the looming departure of quarterback Matt Cassel, we suggested that Winston could still suffer the same fate.

And now he is.

Per a source with knowledge of the situation, the Chiefs are releasing Winston.  He’ll hit the free agent market immediately, a few days before it opens.
Winston was due to earn a base salary of $4.9 million in 2013.  He signed with the Chiefs after being cut last year by the Texans.

Because he received an $8.4 million signing bonus, the acceleration results in a $6.3 million cap charge.  That’s still $700,000 lower than it would have been if Winston had stayed — and also $4.9 million cheaper.

With an $8.4 million signing bonus and a $900,000 salary in 2012, Winston earned $9.3 million in one year with the Chiefs.

The move gives the Chiefs the flexibility to take Luke Joeckel with the first pick in the 2013 draft, and then to move Joeckel or Branden Albert to the right side.


(profootballtalk.com)

Last year, Chiefs tackle Eric Winston called out Chiefs fans who cheered an injury suffered by quarterback Matt Cassel.  Now, Winston is rolling out the red carpet for Cassel’s replacement.

“I know I’m going to do everything I can to help him,” Winston told USA Today on Wednesday after news broke of the Chiefs’ trade for Alex Smith.

“It’s about winning,” Winston said.  “Alex is a guy who’s been there and has what it takes.  Alex can beat you a lot of different ways.  He’s a lot more athletic than people give him credit for.  It’s an exciting time with all the new people coming in.  It was definitely a change of direction the organization felt we needed to go in.”

Winston was careful to point out that he’s not throwing his former quarterback under the proverbial bus.

“I have a friendship with Matt Cassel,” Winston said.  “Obviously, you had the sense they were probably going to go in a different direction just because of the totality of all that’s happened.  But at the same time, you realize it’s going to cost some of your friends their jobs.  Obviously, the organization wanted to bring in new blood. You know that going in.  You know everybody is up for review and that’s just how it is.  For me, it’s personally bittersweet because I believe in Matt.  I think Cassel can get it done.  Maybe it will be a great change for him and he can go somewhere else where he can get a fresh start as well.”

Of course, Winston could be in the same boat as Cassel, when the dust settles.  The former Texan has only one season in Kansas City, and the new regime could decide to go in a different direction at right tackle, too.


(profootballtalk.com)