HEADLINES

Nick Barnett

Audition Notes: Patriots, Cardinals, Chiefs

September 11th, 2014 at 10:23pm CST by Dallas Robinson

We passed along the latest tryout updates from the East and South divisons earlier today, and we’ll close out the night updating workout lists from around the league:

  • After allowing 191 rushing yards to the Dolphins on Sunday, the Patriots might be looking to beef up their defensive line by taking a look at veteran tackle Fred Evans. The 30-year-old ex-Viking, who started three games last season, worked out for New England today, tweets Rand Getlin of Yahoo! Sports. The Pats play Minnesota on Sunday, so Bill Belichick might be trying to glean some inside information on the Vikings’ scheme from Evans.
  • The Cardinals tried out offensive tackles Winston Justice, Martin Wallace, and Edawn Coughman, according to Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (on Twitter). Justice has the highest pedigree of the three — he was a second-round pick in 2006. Arizona’s offensive line came out of Monday’s win unscathed, so the Cards are probably just updating their emergency list.
  • After losing Derrick Johnson to a season-ending injury, the Chiefs are looking to upgrade their linebacking unit, trying out Nick Barnett, Desmond Bishop, and Marvin Mitchell. Barnett, a veteran of 11 NFL seasons, spent 2013 with Buffalo, but is most known for his time in Green Bay. Bishop is also an ex-Packer, but was with the Vikings last year. Kansas City also auditioned offensive tackles Jason Weaver and Curtis Feigt, per Wilson (Twitter link).

Player Auditions: Tuesday

September 9th, 2014 at 11:00pm CST by Zachary Links

The Chiefs had inside linebackers Desmond Bishop, Marvin Mitchell, and Nick Barnett in for workouts, a source tells Adam Caplan of ESPN.com (on Twitter). Here’s the latest news on player workouts from around the NFL..

  • The Redskins worked out former Patriots wide receiver Mark Harrison today, according to Wilson (on Twitter).
  • The Patriots tried out former Falcons linebacker Yawin Smallwood today, a source tells Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (on Twitter).
  • Former Rams safety Matt Daniels visited the Dolphins yesterday, according to Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post Dispatch (on Twitter).
  • In the wake of an injury that starting tight end Jordan Cameron suffered in the season opener, the Browns brought in tight end Kellen Davis for a workout on Tuesday, a league source told Rand Getlin of Yahoo Sports. Last season, Davis played in 15 games for the Seahawks in a No. 3 tight end role. He finished with three receptions for 32 yards and, most importantly, a Super Bowl ring.
  • The Browns also worked out tight end Chase Coffman today, according to Mary Kay Cabot of the Plain Dealer (on Twitter).
  • The Jets worked out several players, including guards Doug Legursky and Jeff Baca, a source tells Brian Costello of the New York Post (on Twitter). They also worked out some punters and a long snapper.
  • The Bills worked out former Cumberlands running back Terrance Cobb, who was among their 29 pre-draft visits this spring, according to Mike Rodak of ESPN.com (on Twitter). In total, the Bills worked out 14 players (link).
  • The Redskins auditioned quarterbacks Pat Devlin, B.J. Coleman, and Ricky Stanzi, according to John Keim of ESPN.com (on Twitter). They also auditioned four tight ends in total.
  • Tight end Chase Harper worked out for the Titans today, Jim Wyatt of The Tennesseean tweets.
  • The Buccaneers worked out long snapper Brandon Hartson today, a source tells Wilson (on Twitter).

NFC Notes: Falcons, Bryant, Finley, Nelson

July 31st, 2014 at 9:23am CST by Luke Adams

In the wake of Sean Weatherspoon‘s season-ending Achilles injury, the Falcons added a pair of veteran free agent linebackers, signing Pat Angerer and Tim Dobbins to minimum salary contracts. However, the team hasn’t ruled the possibility of making further changes, according to Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com, who reports that former Packer Nick Barnett remains on Atlanta’s radar.

Per McClure, the Falcons were impressed with Barnett’s workout earlier in the offseason, but opted to sign Angerer and Dobbins instead. After Angerer left Tuesday’s practice complaining of headaches though, there was concern he may have sustained a concussion, which may prompt the Falcons to turn to Barnett.

As we wait to see whether the Falcons make any roster moves, let’s check in on a few other NFC teams….

  • Having extended Tyron Smith, the Cowboys will now have the franchise tag available next year for Dez Bryant, but team executive vice president Stephen Jones said today that Dallas is “totally committed” to locking up the star receiver for the long term (Twitter link via ESPN.com’s Ed Werder).
  • After Anthony McCoy suffered an apparent torn Achilles tendon in practice earlier this week, the Seahawks may be looking for some tight end depth, but the team won’t be revisiting the possibility of signing Jermichael Finley, a source tells Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk (link via PFT’s Curtis Crabtree).
  • Florio also has the full breakdown of Jordy Nelson’s new extension with the Packers, suggesting that the deal should secure the wideout’s place on the roster through at least 2016.
  • Insider linebacker will be a position to watch for the Eagles this year, after the club didn’t really address the position in free agency or the draft, writes Zach Berman of the Philadelphia Inquirer.
  • A federal court hearing will take place in California this Monday to determine whether Redskins wideout DeSean Jackson will have to repay agent Drew Rosenhaus $516K+, as an NFLPA arbitrator previously ruled, reports Alex Marvez of FOX Sports.

Free Agent Notes: Holmes, Houston, Barnett

June 13th, 2014 at 6:35pm CST by Ben Levine

We haven’t heard much about Santonio Holmes since he was released by the Jets in March. That doesn’t mean those around him aren’t confident. His camp believes the veteran will be signed by a “receiver-needy” team during training camp, writes Brian Costello of the New York Post.

“He’ll definitely be on a team,” said Holmes’ personal trainer Tom Shaw. “Just like James Harrison will be on a team. As long as teams don’t think he’ll be a distraction, he’s going to get picked up.

“I think that’s the big thing. Teams are interested in him. They want to see him work out to check his injury. He hasn’t had any problems with his injury, which is a good thing.”

Teams are certainly wary of the injuries that have limited the 30-year-old to only 15 games the past two seasons. They’re also concerned about his reputation as a poor locker room presence, but Shaw doesn’t think that will a problem.

“I think Santonio Holmes has grown up,” Shaw said. “He’s grown up more than I’ve seen any player I’ve worked with over the years. That’s a big plus…I really think he’ll be a model citizen on any team he goes to.”

According to Costello, Holmes has been working out in Florida since the winter.

Let’s see what else is going on with some notable free agents…