2015 August - Pro Football Rumors

Panthers’ Frank Alexander Tears Achilles

August 22nd, 2015 at 9:48pm CST by Connor J. Byrne

Panthers defensive end Frank Alexander tore his Achilles during the team’s game against Miami on Saturday, David Newton of ESPN reports (Twitter link). Alexander will miss the 2015 campaign, tweets Joe Person of the Charlotte Observer, joining wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin as the second Panther to suffer a season-ending injury over the last week.

This news comes as Alexander was trying to bounce back from a 2014 season that saw him miss 15 games – 14 on account of two separate substance-abuse suspensions. Alexander’s second suspension last year was for 10 games, which suggested it was his fifth violation of the NFL’s substance-abuse policy.

With last year behind him, the Panthers were hoping Alexander – a 2012 fourth-round pick who has just 3.5 career sacks in 29 games – would earn a roster spot this summer and ultimately help make up for the departure of Greg Hardy.

“Frank’s doing a nice job,” head coach Ron Rivera said in May, Newton wrote . “He’s showing that he’s hungry. He’s got a lot to prove personally. He feels that way and [is] working that way. This is his make-or-break season.”

Alexander’s absence will create opportunities, Rivera told Newton (Twitter link). Rivera pointed to Wes Horton and Kony Ealy as possible replacements.

Extra Points: Brees, Mathis, Seahawks

August 22nd, 2015 at 9:29pm CST by Connor J. Byrne

Let’s take a look at the latest from around the NFL as Saturday comes to a close…

Saints quarterback Drew Brees spent two months working with coach Tom House to improve poor throwing mechanics that came as a result of an oblique injury last year, ESPN’s Ed Werder tweeted. “There was a lot I needed to fix,” said Brees (Twitter link). Despite the injury, Brees still appeared in all 16 games in 2014 and completed over 69 percent of his passes for 4,952 yards, 33 touchdowns and 17 interceptions.
Free agent guard Evan Mathis’ visit with the Seahawks on Saturday went well, according to Fox Sports’ Mike Garafolo (via Twitter). While a signing doesn’t appear imminent, Garofalo tweeted that Seattle will remain an option for the two-time Pro Bowler.
Although 49ers safety Eric Reid has suffered three concussions during his first two NFL seasons, ex-teammate Chris Borland‘s offseason decision to retire over head-trauma concerns didn’t tempt Reid to do the same. “No. Not at all,” Reid said, per Eric Branch of SFGate.com. “Football is a violent sport, but you know what you sign up for when you put those shoulder pads on. I agree with certain aspects of it. I disagree with certain aspects of it. But you have to respect his decision either way. I’ve had concussions and I’m still here. I still love the sport. I think I’m still very healthy.”
One of the main focuses of the Steelers’ Keith Butler is making sure his defense is unpredictable. Butler, who’s taking over for longtime defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau, is loath to call Pittsburgh a 4-3 or 3-4 team. “We are not strictly anything,” he said, according to Mark Kaboly of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. “We just can’t be a 3-4 team and can’t just be a 4-3 team. I don’t think you can get around that. Offenses are multiple, so you have to do what you have to do to stop them. In order to do that, you try to match up your people with their people.”

Giants’ Justin Currie Fractures Ankle

August 22nd, 2015 at 8:42pm CST by Connor J. Byrne

Giants rookie safety Justin Currie fractured his right ankle during the team’s game Saturday against Jacksonville, according to ESPN’s Dan Graziano (Twitter link). Currie will miss the season as a result, Paul Schwartz of the New York Post tweeted.

Currie signed with the Giants as an undrafted free agent out of Western Michigan in May, but the team cut him in July before signing him yet again a week later. He’s the latest first-year Giants safety to suffer an injury this summer, joining Mykkele Thompson (torn Achilles) and Landon Collins (sprained MCL).

In his first NFL action, an Aug. 14 preseason loss to Cincinnati, Currie led the Giants with 50 snaps (41 on defense, nine on special teams), according to James Kratch of NJ.com.

In addition to Currie, the Giants also lost two other defenders – linebackers Jon Beason (sprained left knee) and Mark Herzlich (concussion) – to injuries against the Jaguars. It’s currently unknown how much time, if any, the two will miss.

Browns Links: Manziel, Pryor, Johnson

August 22nd, 2015 at 6:46pm CST by Connor J. Byrne

The latest on the Browns:

While backup quarterback Johnny Manziel looked much better than starter Josh McCown during Thursday’s game against Buffalo, don’t expect the two to flip-flop on the depth chart. Bud Shaw of the Northeast Ohio Media Group writes that Manziel lost a lot of trust within the organization as a rookie last year and it’s going to take more than solid preseason work to unseat McCown.
Terrelle Pryor, who’s in the incipient stages of his career as a wide receiver after switching from quarterback in June, is far from a shoo-in to make the Browns’ roster. The hamstring injury that has bothered the fifth-year man for nearly all of August isn’t helping his cause, according to head coach Mike Pettine. “He’s not guaranteed a spot,” Pettine said Saturday, according to Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon-Journal. “He’s got to play, and that window narrows every day he’s not out there.”
Fellow Browns wideout Dwayne Bowe seems a lot more bullish about Pryor than Pettine does. “He’s a specimen,” Bowe said Saturday, according to ESPN’s Pat McManamon. “You’ve got to have a guy like that on the field.”
Like Pryor, third-round rookie Duke Johnson has also been felled by a hamstring this month. But, despite sitting out most of August and both of Cleveland’s preseason games, the ex-Miami Hurricane is still confident he can be the Browns’ starting running back as early as Week 1. “I feel like I can (start) but that’s not my decision,” he told Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer. “If I’m not that starting guy, just know whoever is that starting guy, that’s the man for the job because we came out here and competed and we push each other to be the best.” The Browns are hoping to get some Johnson on the field for their next preseason game. Pettine stated that “the next two weeks are big for Duke.”

NFC Notes: Barkley, Mays, Seahawks, Falcons

August 22nd, 2015 at 5:43pm CST by Connor J. Byrne

A look at the latest from the NFC:

Eagles quarterback Matt Barkley is available “for the right deal,” a source told ESPN’s Dianna Marie Russini (Twitter link). Barkley, a fourth-round pick out of USC in 2013, could be the odd man out in Philly with Sam Bradford, Mark Sanchez and Tim Tebow also on the team’s QB depth chart.
The Seahawks may have a hole at safety with Kam Chancellor holding out, but don’t expect them to sign free agent Taylor Mays, Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times tweeted. Mays, whom Detroit officially released earlier today, played for Seahawks coach Pete Carroll while the two were at USC. Mays’ successful college career hasn’t translated to the pros, though, as he’s already been a member of four organizations since San Francisco chose him in the second round of the 2010 draft.
Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan has started 87 straight games, the fifth-longest streak among NFL passers, and that’s especially fortunate for Atlanta, writes Michael Cunningham of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. The Falcons might have the worst No. 2 QB in the league in T.J. Yates, per Cunningham, who bolsters his opinion with some help from PredictionMachine.com. According to the website, the Falcons’ playoff chances would decrease by a league-high 85.3 percent if they played with Yates instead of Ryan for a full 16-game season.
Vikings receivers coach George Stewart offered effusive praise for veteran wideout Mike Wallace, whom the team acquired from Miami during the offseason. Wallace is the fastest receiver Stewart has coached during his 27-year career, he told Charley Walters of the St. Paul Pioneer Press. Stewart also expressed excitement over the impact Wallace will make as a blocker. “Excellent toughness,” Stewart said. “He’s not afraid of contact. He’s going to block (cornerbacks) corners, he’s going to block safeties. You have some receivers who are kind of shy when it comes down to that moment of truth hitting the defensive back. He’s not shy.

Minor NFL Transactions: 8/22/15

August 22nd, 2015 at 5:13pm CST by Ben Levine

Here are Saturday’s minor signings, cuts, and other transactions from around the NFL, which we’ll continue to update throughout the day:

The Browns made a pair of moves at tight end, signing Anthony Ezeakunne and releasing Manasseh Garner, tweets Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle. Ezeakunne is an undrafted free agent out of Chapman University, while Garner – formerly of Pitt – was briefly a member of the Chiefs in May.
After bringing him in for a workout, the Bills signed Austin Willis, according to Wilson (on Twitter). The Raiders cut the former Emporia State deep threat earlier this week. The 5-foot-9 Willis, an undrafted free agent who was one of Division II’s best receivers the past two years, has a 4.3-second 40-yard dash clocking and a 40-inch vertical to his credit. Buffalo cut defensive tackle Jeremy Towns to make room for Willis, according to Joe Buscaglia of WKBW (Twitter link).
The Lions have added former Central Michigan University tight end Deon Butler, reports Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press (via Twitter). The undrafted rookie had previously participated in the organization’s rookie camp, and he’s expected to take the spot of injured tight end Jordan Thompson.

Lions Release Taylor Mays

August 22nd, 2015 at 5:03pm CST by Luke Adams

SATURDAY, 5:03pm: The Lions have officially released Mays, according to ESPN’s Adam Caplan (via Twitter).

FRIDAY, 4:04pm: After not playing in last night’s preseason game against Washington, safety Taylor Mays has asked the Lions for his release, and it appears the team will grant his request, tweets Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press. Mays will become an unrestricted free agent when Detroit makes the move official.

It’s already the second time this year that Mays has been released by an NFC North team — the veteran safety and special-teamer signed with the Vikings earlier in the year, and was cut by Minnesota back in June. Mays signed with the Lions less than a week later, so we’ll see if he finds a new job as quickly now that he’s becoming available again.

In five NFL seasons with the 49ers and Bengals, Mays has made 84 tackles, recorded one sack, and recovered a pair of fumbles. While his numbers aren’t exceptional, Mays is a solid contributor on special teams, and drew interest from multiple teams when he hit the market this offseason. Teams hit hard by secondary injuries this preseason could be potential suitors for Mays this time around.

NFC Links: Saints, Washington, 49ers, Eagles, Lions

August 22nd, 2015 at 5:02pm CST by Sam Robinson

Here are some notes from the NFC just before Week 2 of the preseason continues.

Before Washington agreed to a trade for 49ers tight end Derek Carrier, the Saints and Bears were interested in doing the same, reports Ian Rapoport of NFL.com. The Saints, in particular, now have a need at tight end, with 34-year-old Ben Watson possibly serving as their starter while the player previously thought to be ready to replace Jimmy Graham, Josh Hill, having an uneventful camp, per Katherine Terrell of NOLA.com.
Despite Nick Toon‘s struggles in training camp, the fourth-year receiver with just 21 career catches should make the 53-man roster, Terrell opines. She views R.J. Harris as a developmental player New Orleans hopes to have on its practice squad.
The Saints scribe, however, doesn’t view Anthony Spencer as a lock to make the roster with his health again serving as a deterrent. The veteran edge presence carries a $230K dead-money charge.
Carrier’s arrival represents one of the reasons Chris Cooley‘s last-ditch attempt to return to Washington is over, writes JP Finlay of CSNMidAtlantic.com. Aside from the fact Washington GM Scot McCloughan said Cooley would not be re-signed, the veteran’s inability to play special teams would get in the way of a potential return.
In what’s become a rebuilding look in San Francisco, the 49ers are building toward the future with their two summer trades, writes Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com. A source told Maiocco they insisted on acquiring 2017 draft choices in trades of Andy Lee to Cleveland and Carrier to Washington and now have nine picks in that draft. Maiocco also posits the team could trade a defensive lineman for a pick before roster cutdown day. With three compensatory picks projected, the 49ers have 12 selections in next year’s draft, along with two fifth- and seventh-round selections in 2017.
Safety Earl Wolff‘s waived/injured distinction will likely play out with the third-year performer receiving an injury settlement rather than going through to the Eagles‘ injured reserve, offers Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer (on Twitter).
Zach Zenner is pushing George Winn for the Lions‘ fourth tailback job behind Joique Bell, Ameer Abdullah and Theo Riddick, writes Kyle Meinke of MLive.com. Winn’s special teams value could still win out after Pro Football Focus ranked him as Detroit’s third-best special-teamer last year, but Zenner has shown more upside as a runner, per Meinke.

AFC Rumors: Brady, Bills, Browns, Jaguars

August 22nd, 2015 at 2:58pm CST by Sam Robinson

In giving a figurative 50-0 lead for Tom Brady and the NFLPA in their court battle against the NFL in the latest Deflategate stage, Ben Volin of the Boston Globe posits Judge Berman appears to be siding with the quarterback.

But Volin also pumps the brakes on a victory, believing that the NFL’s reluctance to settle means the league knows a possible trump card exists in Article 46 of the CBA, the now-infamous inclusion that continues to give disciplinary power to the commissioner. The league, in also banking on judges often upholding arbitrators’ decisions, remains steadfast in its belief these factors will be enough to eke out a victory, Volin notes.

“Judges’ questions are not always predictive of how they’ll rule,” SI legal expert Michael McCann told Volin. “It is not unusual for attorneys to complain that they thought they would win a case based on the judge’s apparent sentiments during oral arguments, only to unexpectedly lose when the written order was published.”

According to Volin, only two arbitration cases have been overturned in the past 25 years by the Southern District of New York and the Second Circuit, meaning the odds still may not be with the NFLPA despite Berman appearing to agree with their arguments.

NFLPA representative Jay Feely tweeted that during the CBA negotiations in 2011 Article 46 was deemed off the table by the owners.

Percy Harvin (hip) will be back in time for the Bills‘ regular-season opener, according to Rex Ryan (via Mike Rodak of ESPN.com).
Leodis McKelvin, however, may not be ready by then, Tyler Dunne of the Buffalo News reports. The longtime return man who re-emerged in Buffalo’s starting lineup the past two seasons watched practice on a cart, still recovering from the fractured ankle he suffered last November. The Bills are prepared to start rookie Ronald Darby in his place, Dunne writes.
Contrary to a London Times report that indicated a deal to keep the Jaguars‘ annual England cameo going until 2030, no such deal has been reached, per Hays Carlyon of the Florida Times-Union. The current four-year agreement expires after next season. Jim Woodcock, a spokesman for Jags owner Shad Khan, however, said negotiations are ongoing and the team wants to continue to play a game in London each year. Woodcock also denounced a separate report, from the London Evening Standard, had Khan planning to move the team to London and play its games in Tottenham Hotspur’s new stadium.
Browns first-round pick Cameron Erving‘s long-term future looks to be at guard, according to Mike Pettine (via Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal). The versatile lineman who has experience at center, and offensive and defensive tackle didn’t play guard at Florida State but is currently listed as the Browns’ backup right guard behind John Greco.

Latest On Marcell Dareus

August 22nd, 2015 at 1:57pm CST by Sam Robinson

Seizing headlines from Deflategate and Kam Chancellor as this week winds down, Marcell Dareus may have come to grips with the fact that he’ll play for the Bills in 2016, whether it’s on his terms or not.

Dareus now indicates he will sign a franchise tag tender if it comes to that next spring, per Tyler Dunne of the Buffalo News, rather than follow the path of this summer’s tagged superstars.

“If that’s something they consider,” Dareus told Dunne after Bills practice. “There’s not really much I can do. I’ll sign the paper.”

This is a curious concession when comparing this new stance with his pointed comments after the Bills’ second preseason game Thursday night, when the fifth-year defensive tackle brushed aside word of the team’s reported six-year, $90MM offer, and the fact that things mostly worked out for this summer’s franchise-tagged contingent, unless fireworks were involved.

Dareus also backed down from his “Thank you, Suh” comment regarding that offer, which comes in more than $20MM in total dollars less than Ndamukong Suh‘s mega-pact with the Dolphins, according to ESPN.com’s Mike Rodak. Dareus now states he’s “not necessarily looking at Suh numbers, a figure he wouldn’t be able to get unless he somehow reached the market, according to Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio.

Jason Fitzgerald of OverTheCap examines why pursuing such an outlier contract is similar to Dez Bryant and Demaryius Thomas going after Calvin Johnson‘s mammoth accord, which also came when the wideout, like his larger ex-Lions teammate, had immense leverage. With the threat of a more reasonably priced franchise tender looming, Dareus does not.

Fitzgerald, nonetheless, expects the Bills to give in despite their significant investment in their defensive front.

The 25-year-old is set to earn $8.06MM this season on his fifth-year option. A 2016 franchise tag would pay him in the neighborhood of $12MM per year, which would slot behind only Suh and Gerald McCoy in terms of 2016 values. The Bills are also set to pay Mario and Kyle Williams $19.9MM and $8MM, respectively, next season.

Richie Incognito sided with Dareus following the DT’s media availability session Saturday, exclaiming “pay the man” as he walked by the media.

A 2014 All-Pro, Dareus acknowledges the tag is a serious possibility but also that his public agitation isn’t going to change the Bills’ mind when it comes to his second contract proposal.

“I want to be a part of the Buffalo Bills. I want to be a part of the history we’re going to make here. But at the same time, it’s a business and we have to go through negotiations just like anybody else in any other career. So we just try to do what we can and move forward,” Dareus said. “People feel certain ways, but at the same time, we’re going to get over that hill. We’re going to make something happen and try to get a deal done.”