HEADLINES

Month: April 2014

Josh Wilson, Greg Jones Visit Falcons

April 8th, 2014 at 12:38pm CST by Luke Adams

Having visited with the Lions on Monday, free agent cornerback Josh Wilson is on to Atlanta today to meet with the Falcons, according to John Keim of ESPN.com (via Twitter). And Wilson isn’t the only free agent in town — fullback Greg Jones also visited the club today, according to Pro Football Talk (via Twitter).

Wilson, 29, has started every game for the Redskins over the last three seasons. Although his Pro Football Focus grade (subscription required) wasn’t overly impressive in 2013, he made a number of big plays on defense, forcing a pair of fumbles and recovering three, to go along with two sacks, an interception, and 92 tackles.

Jones, meanwhile, was one of the better blocking fullbacks in the league in 2013 for the Texans. The 32-year-old spent most of his career with the Jaguars, and usually sees at least a handful of carries and receptions per season. Atlanta hasn’t used a fullback too often in recent years, but perhaps the team’s apparent interest in Jones suggests that the Falcons are keeping their options open for 2014.

Titans Re-Sign Chris Spencer

April 8th, 2014 at 12:13pm CST by Matt Feminis

APRIL 8: Spencer’s new one-year deal with the Titans is a minimum salary benefit contract that includes a $35K signing bonus, according to Jim Wyatt of the Tennessean (Twitter links).

APRIL 2: The Titans have agreed to bring back reserve offensive lineman Chris Spencer, according to Jim Wyatt of the Tennesseean (via Twitter).

Spencer, a 32-year-old veteran, played all 16 games last season, including one start. He will serve as the team’s interior backup to center Brian Schwenke, left guard Andy Levitre and right guard Chance Warmack. A first-round pick of the Seahawks in 2005, Spencer spent six seasons in Seattle and two in Chicago before joining the Titans last year.

South Notes: Bucs, Draft Visits, Jaguars

April 8th, 2014 at 11:05am CST by Luke Adams

We’ve already checked in on a pair of AFC South teams this morning, with posts on the Titans and Jaguars, but there are a few more items related to teams in that division and its NFC counterpart, so let’s dive right in….

  • As Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times details, wide receiver Mike Williams is determined to prove that the Buccaneers made a mistake by trading him to the Bills, and claims that not all of the stories about his off-field incidents are actually true.
  • The torn ACL suffered by Clemson offensive lineman Brandon Thomas occurred during a private workout with the Saints, a league source tells Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (Twitter link).
  • According to Wilson (Twitter links), Lavelle Hawkins and Major Wright both received minimum salaries from the Buccaneers, though Hawkins didn’t get a signing bonus, while Wright got one worth $65K.
  • Ball State cornerback Jeff Garrett will work out for the Colts on April 16, tweets Wilson.
  • We rounded up reports this morning of several notable prospects who are visiting the Jaguars, but we didn’t quite get them all. Ryan O’Halloran of the Florida Times-Union tweets that the team is also hosting BYU linebacker Kyle Van Noy and Notre Dame defensive lineman Stephon Tuitt while Ed Werder of ESPN.com says (via Twitter) Blake Bortles is due to visit on Thursday.

Rams Sign Kenny Britt To One-Year Deal

April 8th, 2014 at 10:31am CST by Ben Levine

APRIL 8: The Rams have made the signing of Britt official, according to a team release. Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (Twitter link) and Jason Fitzgerald of OverTheCap.com provide a financial breakdown of the deal, which has a value of $1.45MM.

MARCH 31: The Rams have signed wide receiver Kenny Britt, according to ProFootballTalk (via Twitter). ESPN’s Adam Schefter tweets that the deal is for one year and $1.4MM, including $550K guaranteed. The deal could be worth as much as $2.9MM. Britt had also visited the Patriots, Bills, and Redskins, but the Rams were rumored to be the favorite to land the 25-year-old.

Britt had his worse season as a pro in 2013, compiling only 96 yards. It wasn’t that long ago that he was a young, talented first-round pick. Following a solid rookie campaign, Britt caught 42 passes for 775 yards and nine touchdowns in 2010.

The receiver has battled injury and conduct issues over the past three years. In 2011, Britt was arrested following an alleged car chase with police. Later that year, Britt tore his ACL and MCL, limiting him to only three games that season. Since then, Britt has continued with the off-field issues and has had a reported nine “incidents with police” since entering the league.

Britt will be reuniting with Rams head coach Jeff Fisher, who coached Britt in his time with the Titans. If Britt can display the talent he showed early in his career, he will compete with youngsters Tavon Austin, Chris Givens, and Brian Quick to be one of Sam Bradford‘s primary targets.

Titans Notes: Draft Visits, Locker, RBs

April 8th, 2014 at 9:42am CST by Luke Adams

Earlier this morning, we heard that UCLA linebacker Anthony Barr has a visit scheduled this week with the Jaguars. However, before he heads to Jacksonville, Barr will visit with the Titans today, according to Jim Wyatt of the Tennessean (Twitter link). The young linebacker is one of several prospects the Titans are hosting, so let’s turn to Wyatt for a few more updates on the club….

  • Florida State defensive tackle Timmy Jernigan and Colorado State linebacker Shaquil Barrett recently paid pre-draft visits to the Titans, says Wyatt (Twitter links).
  • Tennessee offensive tackle Ja’Wuan James also has a visit lined up with the Titans this week, according to Wyatt (via Twitter).
  • As he continues to recover from foot surgery, Jake Locker recognizes that he’s entering a make-or-break season in Tennessee (link via Wyatt). The Titans have no plans to exercise Locker’s fifth-year option, so the signal-caller will have to prove with his play on the field in 2014 that the club doesn’t need to pursue potential replacements.
  • Titans coach Ken Whisenhunt confirmed that his team is still on the lookout for running back help, as Wyatt details. “We are not at our number that we’d carry into training camp,” Whisenhunt said. “So we are going to look at … having enough players at that position.” Given the lack of notable running backs left on the free agent market, it may be a position the club addresses in the draft.

Jaguars To Host Bridgewater, Carr, Others

April 8th, 2014 at 8:44am CST by Luke Adams

8:44am: Rapoport and Schefter pass along word of a few more pre-draft visits for the Jaguars, with Rapoport tweeting that linebacker Anthony Barr will be in town tomorrow, while Schefter reports (via Twitter) that quarterbacks Teddy Bridgewater and Jimmy Garoppolo are also on the schedule.

8:37am: As we noted last night, one of 2014’s top quarterback prospects, Johnny Manziel, is set to pay the Jaguars a visit this week, but he won’t be the only notable prospect in town over the next couple days. Michael DiRocco of ESPN.com reports that quarterback Derek Carr will also meet with the Jags, while Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets that linebacker Khalil Mack will visit the team, and Ian Rapoport of NFL.com says (via Twitter) offensive tackle Greg Robinson will also be in Jacksonville.

The Jaguars hold the No. 3 overall pick in next month’s draft and appear to be considering a variety of players and positions. Manziel and Robinson are perhaps the more likely members of this group to be top-three picks, but Mack is viewed as the best linebacker available, and Carr is, at worst, considered the best signal-caller available outside of the top three of Manziel, Blake Bortles, and Teddy Bridgewater.

Schefter adds that Mack will travel on to St. Louis to meet with the Rams following his visit with the Jaguars.

NFC Notes: Cowboys, Donald, Seahawks

April 7th, 2014 at 11:03pm CST by Peter Sowards

With his scintillating workout numbers and collegiate accolades, Pittsburgh’s Aaron Donald is viewed as the preeminent three-technique defensive tackle in the 2014 NFL Draft. The Cowboys seem to be a perfect landing spot for Donald’s services, argues Rainer Sabin of The Dallas Morning News.

Donald was a first-team All-America selection and garnered every award save for the Heisman Trophy. Sabin contends that Donald could pair with recently signed defensive tackle Henry Melton in 2014 — who signed a one-year deal — then take over as a cornerstone on the defensive line going forward.

More news and notes from the National Football Conference…

Pauline’s Draft Notes: Latimer, Johnson, West

April 7th, 2014 at 9:54pm CST by Peter Sowards

In this nugget-filled piece on draftinsider.net, NFL draft analyst Tony Pauline drops some knowledge on the latest workouts and visits from eligible prospects around the league. Here are a few of the notes PFR has yet to touch on:

  • The Eagles hosted Indiana receiver Cody Latimer for an official visit today in addition to Brandon Coleman, Quron Pratt and Kelvin Benjamin.
  • The Chargers and Saints will host New Mexico offensive lineman Darryl Johnson, whom Pauline describes as a practice squad developmental prospect who projects to guard in the NFL.
  • Terrance West has already worked out for the Falcons and has made an official visit to see the Titans. At least 22 teams were represented at the Towson running back’s pro-day today.
  • Georgia State offensive tackle John Ulrich has trips scheduled to visit the Falcons and Seahawks.
  • Sources tell Pauline to expect the Seahawks to target offensive tackles in the upcoming draft.
  • Pauline hears that the Buccaneers hope to draft at least one tackle and/or guard with starting potential.
  • South Carolina edge rusher Chaz Sutton recently met with the Texans and Raiders.

 

Bears Notes: Freeman, Eachus, Ringer

April 7th, 2014 at 8:55pm CST by Peter Sowards

While Kentucky and Connecticut go to battle in one of the more improbable NCAA title games, the machine that is the NFL never stops, and the rumors continue to stream in. The Bears had a busy day, hosting former Buccaneers and Vikings quarterback Josh Freeman and signing long snapper Chad Rempel.

Rounding up more of the latest Windy City news below…

Draft Notes: Manziel, Matthews, Mettenberger

April 7th, 2014 at 7:31pm CST by Ben Levine

As the NFL Draft quickly approaches, Alan Robinson of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review takes a look at five players the Steelers could draft in the first round. The list includes receivers Mike Evans and Kelvin Benjamin, cornerbacks Darqueze Dennard and Justin Gilbert and defensive lineman Louis Nix. Robinson also brings up Pittsburgh defensive lineman Aaron Donald, but believes that the defender is not a good fit for the Steelers. Pittsburgh has the 15th pick in the first-round of this year’s draft.

Here are some more prospect notes…

  • Johnny Manziel will begin meeting with the Jaguars tomorrow, reports Albert Breer of the NFL Network (via Twitter). Manziel spent that last two days with the Raiders.
  • Texas A&M offensive tackle Jake Matthews will visit with the Bills tomorrow, tweets Joe Buscaglia of WGR Sports Radio.
  • While the team will meet with the quarterback, the Titans have no intention of working out Zach Mettenberger, according to Jim Wyatt of Tennessean (via Twitter).
  • University of Tennessee offensive lineman Ja’Wuan James is scheduled to visit the Titans this week, tweets Terry McCormick of TitanInsider.com.
  • Running back De’Anthony Thomas will visit with the Bears, Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun tweets.
  • Scouts for the Bills and Saints were at Terrance West‘s pro day, Wilson tweets. The Bengals also met with the Towson running back (via Twitter). West ran for 2295 yards last season.
  • Center Bryan Stork will visit the Saints this week, according to Larry Holder of NOLA.com (via Twitter). The Florida State alumni won the Rimington Trophy as the nation’s best center.
  • Former Boise State defensive tackle Ricky Tjong-A-Tjoe met with the Chargers, reports Michael Gehlken of U-T San Diego (via Twitter). According to Gehlken, the Amsterdam-native is relatively new to the sport.
  • Eagles coach Bob Bicknell worked out Rutgers receivers Quron Pratt and Brandon Coleman, tweets Tony Pauline of DraftInsider.net.
  • The Dolphins hosted offensive tackle Garrett Scott, writes James Walker of ESPN.com. The team has already added linemen Shelley Smith, Branden Albert and Jason Fox during free agency.
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