Cody Hoffman

Bills Notes: Spiller, Jackson, Hoffman

While it looks like running back C.J. Spiller will be sidelined for the rest of the season after breaking his collarbone on Sunday, the team is holding off on any injured reserve decision until after his surgery, head coach Doug Marrone indicated today (Twitter link via Joe Buscaglia of WGR 550). Buffalo has yet to use its designated to return slot, so that could be an option for Spiller if the club feels as if he has a a chance to return by December, though placing him on season-ending IR appears more likely.

Here’s more on the Bills:

  • Spiller earns a spot on Jason Fitzgerald’s weekly “Stock Down” list at OverTheCap.com, since his injury will likely result in a one-year, prove-it type contract for 2015.
  • The Bills are still working through their options when it comes to adding a running back to the roster in the wake of injuries to Spiller and Fred Jackson, tweets Mike Rodak of ESPN.com.
  • Jackson confirmed today that the recovery timetable for his injury is typically four weeks, though he won’t require surgery and hopes to return sooner than that (Twitter links).
  • The Bills are working out former BYU wideout Cody Hoffman today, according to Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (via Twitter).
  • As Rodak tweets, the Bills will soon have to start considering contract extensions for Jerry Hughes and Marcell Dareus, who have combined for 12.5 sacks so far this year. Hughes is eligible for free agency at season’s end, while Dareus had his fifth-year option for 2015 exercised.

Redskins Release 10 Players

12:50pm: In addition to Gettis, the Redskins announced (via Twitter) that they have cut CB Bryan Shepherd.

MONDAY, 12:43pm: The Redskins have also cut offensive lineman Adam Gettis, reports Zac Boyer of the Washington Times.

SUNDAY, 4:27pm: In addition to linebacker Rob Jackson, the Redskins have released eight more players, the team announced on Twitter:

Washington will need to release another four players by 3pm on Tuesday in order to be in compliance with the league’s 75-man roster limit.

Redskins Notes: Allen, Moss, Helu

The Redskins have promoted general manager Bruce Allen to the role of team president, the team announced today (via Twitter). Allen will remain in his previous role, as well.

The 57-year-old was hired in late 2009 after spending 13 years with the Buccaneers and Raiders. According to Zac Boyer of the Washington Times, it is unclear how much his role will change, but a team spokesman said that he “oversees the organization.”

Let’s take a look at some more Redskins notes…

Extra Points: Mathieu, Strozier, Ravens

Cardinals GM Steve Keim says that he has not ruled out a Week 1 return for injured defensive back Tyrann Mathieu, according to Brent Sobleski of USA Today. After having an impactful start to his rookie campaign last season, Mathieu tore both his ACL and LCL in his left knee in a Week 14 matchup against the Rams. Lets look at a few other news bits from around the league:

  • In a mailbag post, John Clayton of ESPN wrote that rookie wide receivers were impressive around the league during rookie mini-camps. He noted that Sammy Watkins of the Bills and John Brown of the Cardinals shined particularly brightly.
  • The Ravens gave UDFA Jerry Rice Jr. good feedback following his workout with the team, according to Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (via Twitter). Although the UNLV product was not offered a deal, he is on the Ravens’ emergency list should they look further for additional receiving options.
  • The Ravens also are impressed with former North Carolina tackle James Hurst. Matt Zenitz of the Carroll County Times, points out that Hurst, who plays left tackle, would join the likes of Justin Tucker and Priest Holmes if he were to catch on as a major contributor with the Ravens as an UDFA.
  • Former BYU standout receiver Cody Hoffman is hoping to catch on with the Redskins, according to Tarik El-Bashir of CSNWashington.

Sunday Roundup: Garoppolo, Steelers, Boyd

It’s been a fairly slow Sunday morning as beat writers continue to evaluate how new draftees are faring in rookie minicamps, but let’s take a look at some other noteworthy tidbits from around the league:

  • Mike Jones of the Washington Post writes that, of all the undrafted rookies the Redskins signed, BYU WR Cody Hoffman might be the one to watch.
  • Dave Spadaro of PhiladelphiaEagles.com looks at the Eagles‘ depth chart at wide receiver behind the top four of Jeremy Maclin, Riley Cooper, Jordan Matthews, and Josh Huff. Spadaro also notes that there is no news on potential roster additions at this time.
  • John Glennon of The Tennessean looks at four undrafted wide receivers that could make an impact on the Titans this season.
  • The Jaguars are the only team that has just one quarterback with regular season experience on its roster, but Ryan O’Halloran of the Florida Times-Union expects the club to add a quarterback with some such experience before the end of offseason workouts.
  • Although Mike Reiss of ESPN.com believes the Patriots drafted Jimmy Garoppolo as a possible successor to Tom Brady down the road, he believes “Garoppolo’s presence is closer to 80 percent about filling the No. 2 role set to be vacated by Ryan Mallett (likely in 2015) at more manageable rookie financial rates, with the other 20 percent or so tied to possible succession plans.
  • Ben Volin of The Boston Globe, meanwhile, thinks the Patriots definitely had Brady’s heir apparent in mind when they drafted Garoppolo, and Volin examines the similarities in the skillsets of the two quarterbacks.
  • Alan Robinson of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review writes that, although it wasn’t that along ago that even top draft picks were not expected to make an immediate impact on the Steelers‘ defense, new draftees Ryan Shazier and Stephon Tuitt might be expected to inject their blend of speed and athleticism on the team’s defensive unit right away.
  • Bart Hubbuch of the New York Post writes that the Jets may use newly-drafted Tajh Boyd as a running back or in the Wildcat, a prospect that does not enthuse Boyd. However, Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk writes that rumors concerning Boyd’s move to another position is “premature.”

Redskins Sign Four More Free Agents

SATURDAY, 6:09pm: The team announced the signings of four free agents today:

  • Frank Kearse, DE, Alabama A&M
  • Courtney Bridget, CB, Hampton
  • Ross Madison, S, Toledo
  • Blake Sailors, CB, Georgia

Kearse was a seventh-round pick by the Dolphins in 2011, and most recently spent time with the Panthers in 2013. The latter three players attended rookie minicamp practices on a tryout basis.

In corresponding moves, the team also announced the release of four players: Rees, Davenport, Perry and FS Jose Gumbs.

THURSDAY, 11:03am: Notre Dame quarterback Tommy Rees rounds out the Redskins’ list of undrafted free agent signings, according to the team.

WEDNESDAY, 4:10pm: Coming into today, the Redskins were one of just three teams that had yet to formally announce their class of rookie free agents. The league has remedied that, officially revealing that Washington has added nine UDFAs to the roster. Courtesy of Zac Boyer of the Washington Times (all Twitter links), here’s the list:

  • Chris Davenport, DT, Tulane
  • Lee Doss, WR, Southern
  • Kofi Hughes, WR, Indiana
  • Cody Hoffman, WR, BYU ($7.5K bonus, per Aaron Wilson)
  • Rashad Lawrence, WR, Northwestern
  • Kevin Perry, TE, UTEP
  • Silas Redd, RB, USC
  • Bryan Shepherd, CB, North Dakota State
  • Robert Thomas, DT, Arkansas

Draft Notes: Landry, Reilly, Thomas, Hoffman

With 18 days until the 2014 NFL Draft kicks off at Radio City Music Hall in New York City, draft-eligible prospects are flying all over the country to meet with teams, and vice-versa. Here are the latest notes and rumors with regard to the upcoming NFL Players Selection Meeting, as it is officially called:

  • LSU wide receiver Jarvis Landry will visit the Jets and Falcons this week, per Rand Getlin of Yahoo Sports (via Twitter). Landry has previously worked out for the Patriots, Panthers and 49ers.
  • The Jaguars and Panthers have met with Utah outside linebacker Trevor Reilly, writes Aaron Wilson of National Football Post. Reilly, a first-team All-Pac-12 selection, underwent knee surgery in January but healed up well enough to run a 4.66 second 40-yard dash at his pro day March 19.
  • Rich Tander of CSN Washington looks at the potential fit between the Redskins and Oregon running back De’Anthony Thomas.
  • Finding starters every spring in the NFL Draft is the key for teams hoping to be competitive each season, writes Mark Kaboly of The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.
  • A scouting report of BYU wide receiver Cody Hoffman and his potential fit with the Bears, by the staff at CSN Chicago.
  • A poll by the Minneapolis Star Tribune asking which quarterback is the best in the NFL draft.
  • Looking at size, accuracy, arm strength, mobility, decision making, leadership, level of competition and experience, Ryan O’Halloran of The Florida Times-Union breaks down Blake Bortles, Teddy Bridgewater, Johnny Manziel and Derek Carr.
  • Also by the Times-Union, a mock draft of the first two rounds.