HEADLINES

Month: April 2024

Texans Acquire Ryan Mallett From Pats

August 31st, 2014 at 1:27pm CST by Luke Adams

1:27pm: Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link) is now reporting that the Texans are sending a conditional seventh-round pick for 2016 to New England in the deal. It appears as if that may be the lone pick involved in the swap, rather than it being in addition to the previously-reported 2015 sixth-rounder.

12:46pm: The Pats will receive a sixth-round pick in exchange for Mallett, according to Tania Ganguli of ESPN.com (Twitter links). Ganguli also reported that Keenum is indeed the roster casualty involved in the move.

12:35pm: Ryan Mallett may have earned a spot on the Patriots’ initial 53-man roster, but he didn’t stick around long. According to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter), New England has traded its backup quarterback to the Texans.

Mallett, who has been Tom Brady’s backup in New England for multiple seasons, has drawn trade interest during the past couple years, and became more expendable after the club drafted Jimmy Garoppolo this past May. The Pats weren’t looking to just give him away, but as Albert Breer of the NFL Network tweeted during the preseason, Mallett “might as well be wearing a For Sale sign around his neck” this summer.

The Texans had frequently been cited as the most likely destination for Mallett this offseason, given the presence of former Patriots quarterback coach Bill O’Brien in Houston. A report back in March suggested that the Texans had inquired on Mallett and had some interest in the former third-round pick, though at the time John McClain of the Houston Chronicle shot down the idea that Houston would acquire the Pats’ backup. Rumors resurfaced during draft week, but were again shot down shortly thereafter.

Houston is heading into the season with Ryan Fitzpatrick as its starter, and also drafted Tom Savage back in May. Case Keenum was the third signal-caller to earn a spot on the Texans’ initial 53-man roster, but his time in Houston seems to be nearing an end now that Mallett is in the mix.

Before sending him to the Texans, the Pats also discussed a Mallett trade with the Bills and Cowboys, per Jeff Howe of the Boston Herald (via Twitter).

Ray McDonald Arrested For Domestic Violence

August 31st, 2014 at 10:38am CST by Rob DiRe

49ers’ defensive tackle Ray McDonald has been arrested on charges of domestic violence, reports Damon Trujillo of NBC Bay Area (via Twitter).

Trujillo described the scene through a series of tweets. The San Jose Police Department confirmed that the arrest was for felony domestic violence. His sources say that his alleged victim was pregnant.

Coincidentally, McDonald was arrested on the same street that outside linebacker Aldon Smith was in an accident in relation to his DUI. Trujillo also posted McDonald‘s mug shot.

Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee reports that McDonald was booked at 5:30 A.M. this morning (via Twitter). He was arrested for “inflicting injury on a spouse or cohabitant” and no bail has been set. Barrows also reports that the incident happened at a party for McDonald’s birthday, and that many 49ers’ players were in attendance (via Twitter).

The NFL recently announced a new policy for dealing with domestic violence charges in the wake of the Ray Rice two-game suspension. Under the new rules, a first offense will warrant a six-game suspension, and a second offense will result in a lifetime ban from the NFL. McDonald is the first case that will be eligible under this policy.

Panthers Links: Benjamin, Gettleman, Cuts

August 31st, 2014 at 10:09am CST by Rob DiRe

Two of the three position groups on the Panthers that were the most uncertain heading into the offseason remain that way as the regular season is only a week away. The offensive line and the secondary could struggle in 2014, but the team had questions at those spots last year and found ways to patch up the holes, writes David Newton of ESPN.com. Hopefully rookie first-round pick Kelvin Benjamin can do his part to sure up the lack of receiving threats on the team.

Here are some other links from around the Panthers as the season draws near:

  • General manager David Gettleman made a few gambles this offseason, and the future of the team depends on how these moves pay off, writes Joseph Person of the Charlotte Observer. Gettleman completely revamped the secondary and the receivers, and also franchising Greg Hardy will go a long way to determining his legacy as a general manager.
  • Person also breaks down the team’s final roster, going through all the cuts and surprising keepers, as the team looks to build on a strong 2013.
  • The Panthers have not repeated as division champions in the NFC South since the NFL realigned divisions in 2002, but has high hopes to do so for the first time in 2014, after going from worst-to-first in 2013, according to Person.
  • While Person is optimistic, his colleague Tom Sorensen notes that it will be hard to replicate their success in 2013. He sees their records in close games will be hard to keep up, and it would be unlikely to see them go 5-1 in the division again.
  • Part of the reason the Panthers are optimistic about making it back to the playoffs is their impressive draft record as of late. Jonathan Jones of the Charlotte Observer notes that the team believes it has hit big on their last four first-round picks, with Cam Newton, Luke Kuechly, Star Lotulelei and Benjamin.
  • Jones also writes that no matter what problems the team has on offense and in the secondary, the team is built with the front seven. He compares the team to a bucket of rocks, while they fill it with the pebble at receiver and corner, with free agents, the team has drafted big rocks and boulders along their defensive line and with their linebackers.
  • Two surprises to make the team were Andrew Norwell and David Focault, offensive linemen who were on the outside looking in a few months ago, writes Bill Voth of the BlackAndBlueReview.com. Norwell is a former Ohio State Buckeye who played well in the preseason. Focault comes from the University of Montreal, and while he was outmatched at times in the NFL, the team was worried he would not clear waivers.

Jets Notes: Cuts, Joseph, Bailey, Hill

August 31st, 2014 at 8:57am CST by Rob DiRe

Jets’ general manager John Idzik is putting his stamp on the team, as 32 players on the final 53-man roster were Idzik acquisitions, writes Brian Costello of the New York Post (via Twitter). That leaves only 21 players left from former general manager Mike Tannenbaum’s time with the team,

Here are some other notes surrounding Gang Green after final cuts:

  • The team will be looking hard at the waiver wire for cornerbacks, and will also consider trading to bring someone in, writes Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News (via Twitter). One name Mehta brings up as a player to look out for is Texans’ cornerback Johnathan Joseph. Joseph was a Pro Bowler in 2011 and 2012, but struggled with injuries last year.
  • Another name the Jets may be interested is recently released veteran cornerback Champ Bailey, according to Dan Graziano of ESPN.com (via Twitter). Bailey claims to be fully healthy and ready to play, and despite his age, the Jets are looking for upgrades in the secondary.
  • While Bailey looks like an obvious choice, Rich Cimini of ESPNNewYork.com does not see the fit happening. The 36-year-old former All Pro player was just cut by the Saints, and if defensive coordinator Rob Ryan had no use for him on the team, then Rex Ryan knows exactly where he has lost a step.
  • After Stephen Hill was cut by the team, his agent Alan Herman criticized the Jets for how they handled Hill’s early seasons, writes Cimini. “The quarterback situation with [Mark] Sanchez and [Tim] Tebow was obviously a disaster; it wasn’t right for a young player,” Herman said. “Last year, Geno [Smith] was thrown into a difficult situation and the offense was limited. Stephen’s bread-and-butter is the deep ball, which we rarely saw. Stephen needs an established quarterback situation to help him realize his potential.”

Free Agent Notes: Patterson, Bailey, Kafka, Painter

August 30th, 2014 at 10:18pm CST by Ben Levine

It was a busy day in the NFL, and plenty of free agents are now looking for a new home. Let’s see where some of them could be heading…

  • The Texans have already expressed interest in former Jets cornerback Dimitri Patterson, tweets ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
  • The Saints don’t have a kicker on their roster, but they shouldn’t be worried. Bleacher Report’s Jason Cole tweets that there are plenty of options in free agency, including Ryan Succop, Connor Barth and Jay Feely.
  • NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport spoke to Champ Bailey‘s agent, Jack Reale, who indicated that the veteran “definitely” still wants to play and is completely healthy. “He had a plantar problem which is resolved. He just missed too much time for the coach’s evaluation to be complete,” Reale said (via Rapoport’s Twitter).
  • The Buccaneers will look to bring back quarterback Mike Kafka to their practice squad, tweets the Tampa Tribune’s Roy Cummings.
  • Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com wonders if the 49ers could have interest in offensive lineman Vinston Painter. Florio refers to the 49ers attempt to sign Painter away from the Broncos prior to the conference championship games.
  • If Joe Banyard clears waivers, he will end up on the Vikings practice squad, tweets Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press.
  • The Bills aren’t expected to add another quarterback, tweets ESPN’s Adam Caplan.

AFC West Links: Broncos, Dysert, Raiders

August 30th, 2014 at 9:50pm CST by Ben Levine

There were a lot of changes in the AFC West today, as Vincent Brown, Duke Ihenacho, Ryan Succop and Greg Little are now all seeking employment. Not much has changed in the AFC West front offices, however, as the general managers are actively trying to improve their squads.

Let’s take a look at some of the rumblings from the division…

  • The Broncos auditioned young kickers this afternoon, reports the Denver Post’s Mike Klis (via Twitter). The writer adds that Andrew Furney was among the group trying out.
  • Broncos general manager John Elway told reporters that the team wants to bring back Zac Dysert for their practice squad, tweets Lindsay Jones of USA Today.
  • The Raiders will remain active, as Vic Tafur of The San Francisco Chronicle tweets that general manager Reggie McKenzie will be seeking help at tight end, linebacker and in the secondary.
  • ESPN.com’s Bill Williamson writes that safety Brandian Ross was the Raiders “surprise cut.”

NFC West Links: Smith, Rams, Cardinals

August 30th, 2014 at 9:24pm CST by Ben Levine

We learned yesterday that 49ers linebacker Aldon Smith will be suspended for the first nine games of the 2014 season for violating the league’s policies for substances of abuse and personal conduct.

Today, a statement was released on behalf of the former Pro Bowler (via the NFL Network’s Albert Breer):

“I apologize to my teammates, coaches, the entire 49ers organization and 49ers fans for not being able to contribute on the field for the next several weeks. Over the last year, I have learned a lot and I’m working hard to grow from my experiences. I want to thank my family and friends, my teammates, my union and the 49ers for supporting me during this process. I will be at work daily to participate in all permitted work activities, and to support my teammates, just as they have supported me.”

Let’s check out some more notes from the NFC West…

  • The Rams will “take a look” at free agent quarterback Terrelle Pryor, tweets ESPN’s Nick Wagoner. Pryor was released by the Seahawks earlier today.
  • Rams coach Jeff Fisher indicated that there might not be a spot on the practice squad for recently released rookie Michael Sam. “The practice squad is heavily dependent on what you do in other positions…We may have to go heavy in the other positions,” Fisher said (via Wagoner’s Twitter).
  • The Cardinals currently have six wide receivers on their roster, but Darren Urban of AZCardinals.com warns that players like Walt Powell could easily be moved to the practice squad.

AFC North Notes: Ravens, Bengals, Browns

August 30th, 2014 at 8:48pm CST by Ben Levine

Some notable names were cut from their respective AFC North teams today, including Danieal Manning (Bengals), Nate Burleson (Browns), Derek Cox (Ravens) and fifth-rounder Shaquille Richardson (Steelers).

One of those players will likely return to their former team as soon as tomorrow. Who is it? Keep reading for the answer, as well as some more notes from the division…

  • A.Q. Shipley couldn’t crack the Ravens roster, but he may have an opportunity elsewhere. The Baltimore Sun’s Aaron Wilson tweets that “several” teams have already expressed interest in the center.
  • It shouldn’t be long before Derek Cox is back on the Ravens. Wilson tweets that the release was purely “procedural” and the team is expected to re-sign the cornerback on Sunday.
  • The Ravens have reached an injury settlement with Shaun Chapas, tweets Wilson. The team cut the fullback last week.
  • The Bengals worked out free agent wideout Jacoby Ford, according to USA Today’s Tom Pelissero (via Twitter).
  • If Donald Hawkins clears waivers, the Browns will place the offensive lineman on their practice squad, tweets Alex Dunlap.

Patriots Notes: FA Tryouts, Worthy, Mallett

August 30th, 2014 at 8:03pm CST by Ben Levine

The Patriots were busy today trimming their roster down to 53 players. However, the team was still actively scouting the free agent market, and ESPN.com’s Mike Reiss reports that 12 players were actually in for tryouts:

Let’s check out some more notes out of New England…

  • Since Jerel Worthy failed to make the Patriots roster, the team doesn’t owe the Packers a draft pick, explains ESPN.com’s Rob Demovsky. The Patriots acquired Worthy from the Packers earlier this month for a conditional seventh-rounder.
  • The Boston Herald’s Jeff Howe tweets that the Cowboys could be a landing spot for quarterback Ryan Mallett. The writer also suggests that the Texans and Rams could get involved.
  • The Patriots won’t be provided with any additional cap relief since Isaac Sopoaga failed to make the Cardinals roster, tweets Howe.
  • Following the release of Danny Aiken, the Patriots don’t have a long snapper on the roster. As the Boston Globe’s Shalise Manza Young notes (via Twitter), if the team doesn’t carry a long snapper, it would be the first time they’ve gone without one during Bill Belichick‘s tenure.

Raiders Release Greg Little, 21 Others

August 30th, 2014 at 7:22pm CST by Ben Levine

Two (now) former Raiders, defensive end Jack Crawford and tight end Jake Murphy, revealed last night that they didn’t make the 53-man roster. It took up until now to discover the rest of the team’s moves, as the Raiders officially announced their transactions in a press release this evening.

Perhaps the most surprising move was the release of wide receiver Greg Little. The 25-year-old was claimed from the Browns, where he spent his first three seasons, in May. The former second-rounder has seen at least 90 targets per season since entering the league, but has never finished with more than 61 receptions.

The rest of the team’s moves are below:

Released:

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