HEADLINES

Kory Faulkner

Patriots Work Out Quarterbacks

August 13th, 2014 at 8:49am CST by Luke Adams

Although a report suggesting the Patriots will sign free agent quarterback Dominique Davis is inaccurate, the former Falcon was among the signal-callers to work out for New England yesterday, according to Ben Volin of the Boston Globe (via Twitter). Per Doug Kyed of NESN, former University of Washington QB Keith Price and Southern Illinois’ Kory Faulkner also auditioned for the Pats.

Unlike in Miami or Cleveland, where the Dolphins and Browns have recently added veteran quarterbacks Brady Quinn and Rex Grossman, respectively, it seems unlikely that the Patriots will add a QB who has a chance to earn a 53-man roster spot. Tom Brady and second-round pick Jimmy Garoppolo aren’t going anywhere, and despite Peter King’s suggestion this week that cutting Ryan Mallett is within the realm of possibility for New England, it’s hard to imagine the Pats replacing a player who has several years of experience in their system with an inexperienced newcomer halfway through August.

In all likelihood, the Pats were taking a look at the group of quarterbacks in case they’re needed later in the season or further down the road. The club could also be considering options for its practice squad.

Davis saw a little playing time for the Falcons last season, but became expendable and was cut in June following Atlanta’s acquisition of T.J. Yates. As for Price and Faukner, both players earned deals as undrafted rookies this spring, signing with the Seahawks and 49ers respectively, but they’ve since been waived.

Minor Moves: Wednesday

July 30th, 2014 at 5:45pm CST by Luke Adams

Here are today’s minor transactions from around the NFL, with the latest moves added to the top of the list throughout the day:

  • Quarterback Kory Faulkner, waived Tuesday by the 49ers, cleared waivers and is now free to sign with any team, tweets Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com. Guard Fou Fonoti cleared waivers as well and now reverts to SF’s injured reserve.
  • The Browns have signed offensive lineman Ryan Lee, the team announced today (via Twitter). By our count, Cleveland had three openings on its roster, so the club won’t need to waive anyone.
  • Wide receiver Gerrard Sheppard, who spent most of last season the Ravens’ practice squad, was claimed off waivers by the Packers today after being cut by Baltimore, tweets Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun. Green Bay had an open spot on its 90-man roster, so no corresponding move is necessary.
  • In order to make room for McDonough, whose signing is noted below, the Redskins have waived-injured former Hampton cornerback Courtney Bridget, Jay Gruden confirmed today (Twitter link via Zac Boyer of the Washington Times).

Earlier updates:

  • Defensive linemen Cody Larsen and Will Pericak have signed with the Broncos, the team announced today (link via the Denver Post). Both players’ NFL experience is limited to preseason action and time spent on practice squads. The moves increase Denver’s roster count to 89, leaving one additional opening.
  • With a couple defensive backs banged up in camp, the Buccaneers have added some depth by signing cornerback Kip Edwards, who went undrafted in 2013 and has spent time with the Browns, Bills, and Vikings (Twitter link via Scott Smith of Buccaneers.com). The club used the spot vacated by recently released guard Carl Nicks to fit Edwards onto the 90-man roster.
  • The Redskins have signed defensive tackle Jake McDonough, tweets Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun. So far, the move has been confirmed by McDonough’s agent, but not the team — when it becomes official, Washington should have to cut a player to make room.

Minor Moves: Tuesday

July 29th, 2014 at 8:46pm CST by Luke Adams

As August approaches, teams continue to shuffle around their 90-man rosters, making minor signings and cuts. We’ll round up Tuesday’s minor transactions right here, with the latest moves added to the top of the page throughout the day:

  • The Bears signed wide receiver Dale Moss to fill out their roster, according to Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune (on Twitter). Moss spent part of 2012 on the Bears’ practice squad and the early part of the 2013 offseason on Chicago’s roster.
  • Brian McIntyre (Twitter links) passes along word of a pair of waiver claims, reporting that the 49ers claimed offensive tackle Michael Philipp from the Dolphins, while the Lions were awarded wideout Quintin Payton from the Bucs. Detroit had an open roster spot, so no corresponding move was necessary to claim Payton — San Francisco has waived quarterback Kory Faulkner to make room for Philipp.
  • The Steelers have waived-injured offensive lineman David Snow, replacing him on the roster with running back Josh Harris, the team announced today (Twitter link via PR man Burt Lauten).

Earlier updates:

  • After suffering a couple injuries in the secondary recently, the Ravens have brought in a free agent defensive back, signing former Arena Leaguer Marrio Norman to a contract, the team announced today. To make room on the roster, Baltimore has cut wide receiver Gerrard Sheppard, who spent most of last season on the club’s practice squad.
  • In order to make room for the newly-signed Alfonso Smith, the 49ers have waived-injured rookie guard Fouimalo Fonoti, according to Brian McIntyre (via Twitter).
  • The Dolphins have made a series of moves this morning, signing tight end Brett Brackett, quarterback Seth Lobato and defensive end D’Aundre Reed, and waiving quarterback Brock Jensen and linebacker Derrell Johnson. Miami also waived-injured guard Davonte Wallace, according to the team (TwitLonger link). Of the six players, only Reed has seen regular-season NFL action, and his experience is limited to six active games in 2012. The release of Jensen is also notable, since he was one of the club’s more highly-touted undrafted free agents this spring.
  • Former Jets linebacker Ricky Sapp has been cut by the Texans, according to John McClain of the Houston Chronicle, who tweets that the team signed running back Tim Cornett and offensive tackle Mike Farrell. Sapp, a former fifth-round pick who was active in 10 total games last year for the Jets and Texans, will have to clear waivers before he becomes an unrestricted free agent.

49ers Sign Seven UDFAs, Cut Three Players

May 12th, 2014 at 7:33pm CST by Rob DiRe

The 49ers have signed seven rookie free agents to contracts, according to the teams official website. They released three players to make room for the additions.

The three players released were linebacker Darius Fleming, cornerback Dax Swanson, and receiver DeMarco Sampson.

Here’s the full list of the team’s UDFA signings:

  • Morgan Breslin, LB, USC ($5K bonus and $2.5K in other guarantees, per Matt Maiocco)
  • Asante Cleveland, TE, Miami
  • Dillon Farrell, C, New Mexico ($5K bonus)
  • Kory Faulkner, QB, Southern Illinois ($3K bonus)
  • Fou Fonoti, OT, Michigan State ($5K bonus)
  • L.J. McCray, S, Catawba ($6K bonus)
  • Shayne Skov, LB, Stanford ($7.5K bonus and $2.5K in other guarantees)