2016 October - Pro Football Rumors

East Notes: Giants, Brown, Bills, Ryan, Jets

October 21st, 2016 at 9:54pm CST by Zachary Links

The NFLPA has issued the following statement on Giants kicker Josh Brown, who was placed on the commissioner’s exempt list today following more revelations about his purported domestic abuse: “The NFL has the ability to place a player on the exempt list and the player has the right to appeal that decision, if he chooses. The League office wanted unilateral control of this process and accordingly, their system lacks transparency.” Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (Facebook link) also obtained a copy of the letter the league sent Brown today informing him that he has been placed on the exempt list.

Here’s more from the NFL’s two East divisions:

Conflicting reports emerged earlier this year as to whether Bills general manager Doug Whaley and head coach Rex Ryan faced playoffs-or-bust ultimatums — but team owner Terry Pegula says the rumors were unfounded. “No. We just hired the guys!” Pegula told Tom Pelissero of USA Today. “Doug’s a new GM basically (promoted in May 2013). And we just hired Rex. We’re talking about continuity, and the players need that.” The Bills are now 4-2 and back in the thick of the playoff race after winning four straight.
Offensive lineman Gabe Ikard was cut earlier today to make room for the return of Shaq Lawson, but the Bills plan to re-sign next week, according to Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle (Twitter link). Ikard, a two-year NFL veteran, hasn’t played an offensive role for Buffalo this season, as he’s seen zero snaps. But he had managed to see the field for 11 special teams plays.
The Jets brought defensive end/outside linebacker Sadat Sulleyman in for a workout, Wilson tweets. Sulleyman, 23, is a UDFA out of Portland State who didn’t make Denver’s initial 53-man roster. He’s also tried out for the Bengals and Chiefs this season.

AFC North Notes: Flacco, Eifert, Browns

October 21st, 2016 at 8:37pm CST by Zachary Links

The Ravens announced that quarterback Joe Flacco was back at practice today. It’s a positive step forward for the QB after he was diagnosed with irritation in the joint of his throwing shoulder and missed practice earlier in the week. Still, it’s not clear whether he will play on Sunday against the Jets. If he can’t go, Ryan Mallett will get the start and the Ravens will likely look to sign another QB to back him up. David Fales, currently on Baltimore’s practice squad, would be the obvious candidate.

Here’s more from the AFC North:

Bengals coach Marvin Lewis says that the team will soon determine whether tight end Tyler Eifert will be make his 2016 debut on Sunday, as Geoff Hobson of Bengals.com writes. Lewis doesn’t have a timetable on Eifert, but he says that it will not be a game-time decision. Eifert, of course, was scheduled to return from ankle surgery earlier this month but suffered a setback when he hurt his back.
The Browns worked out offensive tackle Darrion Weems on Friday, Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle tweets. Weems, 28, had played on roughly a third of Denver’s offensive snaps this season before being waived last week, but graded as one of the worst interior lineman in the league, according to Pro Football Focus.
Given the health issues on their roster, the Ravens should be expected to make at least one transaction before Sunday’s game against the Jets, argues Jeff Zriebec of the Baltimore Sun (Twitter links). Running back Lorenzo Taliaferro is one option to be promoted to the active roster thanks to his special teams prowess, per Zriebec, while corners Asa Jackson and Robertson Daniel also stand a chance to be signed since the Ravens are dealing injuries to their defensive backfield.

Packers Worried About Jordy Nelson?

October 21st, 2016 at 7:31pm CST by Dallas Robinson

The Packers are expressing growing concern about wide receiver Jordy Nelson as he continues his slow start after recovering from a torn ACL during the 2015 preseason, a team source tells Jason Cole of Bleacher Report (video link). Specifically, Green Bay is worried that Nelson has not regained his “speed and explosiveness” thus far this year.

As Cole’s report suggests, Nelson hasn’t been quite the offensive force in 2016 that he’s been in seasons prior. After averaging 16.1 yards per reception from 2011-14, Nelson is averaging only 11.9 yards per catch so far this year, indicating that he hasn’t yet posted the kind of chunk plays the Packers have come to expect. Nelson, 31, does the lead the league in touchdown receptions with five, but all of those have come from inside the red zone.

Green Bay’s offensive struggles since the beginning of the 2015 campaign have been well-documented, as last year marked the first time since Aaron Rodgers‘ first season as a starter that the Packers ranked outside the top-10 in offensive DVOA. Much of that dropoff was attributed to Nelson’s absence, but even with the veteran receiver back in the fold, Green Bay sits at just 14th in offensive DVOA six weeks into the 2016 season.

Chip Kelly Denies Interest In NCAA Jobs

October 21st, 2016 at 6:50pm CST by Dallas Robinson

49ers head coach Chip Kelly denied that he would entertain any notion of returning to the collegiate ranks after a report earlier this week indicated that Kelly might be interested in returning to the NCAA, as Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle details. “I’m not going anywhere,” said Kelly in response to the report.

On Wednesday, Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com reported that several college head coaches believed that Kelly would leave the Bay Area after a single season in order to jump back to the NCAA. LSU, Penn State, Texas, and Oregon — where Kelly was previously the head coach — could all be looking for new coaches in the coming months.

In four seasons with the Ducks, Kelly posted a 46-7 record and appeared in a one National Championship game, a loss to Auburn. Since joining the NFL as the Eagles’ coach in 2013, Kelly has registered a 27-26 overall record, earning one playoff appearance during that stretch.

Pigskin Links: Garrett, Browns, Titans, Hodges

October 21st, 2016 at 6:31pm CST by Zachary Links

Here at Pro Football Rumors, we deliver up-to-the-minute news on NFL transactions and high-quality original analysis. Each week, we also feature some of the best blog articles from around the web in our regular feature, Pigskin Links.

We’re looking for interesting reads on all things football from blogs of all sizes. While PFR is dedicated to player movement, Pigskin Links is open to pieces on all areas of the game. If you would like to suggest your blog post (or someone else’s) for Pigskin Links, send us an email with the link and a brief synopsis at PigskinLinks@gmail.com.

Here’s this week’s look around the football blogosphere:

Today’s Pigskin tackles Week 7 of the college football season and looks ahead to the 2017 NFL draft in their latest podcast.
NFL Draft Report examines how Virginia Tech’s Bucky Hodges has made the transition from high school quarterback to collegiate tight end.
Titans 247 previews Tennessee’s upcoming divisional matchup against the Colts.
From The Rafters argues the Browns should draft Texans A&M edge rusher Myles Garrett rather than use a high pick on a quarterback.
Cup Of Joe In The D updated its power rankings for Week 7.

Got a great football blog post that you want to see featured in next week’s Pigskin Links? Email it to Zach or tweet it to him: @ZachLinks.

NFL Practice Squad Updates: 10/21/16

October 21st, 2016 at 5:50pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Today’s practice squad moves:

Chicago Bears

Signed: FB Paul Lasike
Placed on practice squad IR: RB Raheem Mostert

Oakland Raiders

Signed: G Ian Silberman
Placed on practice squad IR: OT Takoby Cofield

Philadelphia Eagles

Signed: G Darrell Greene
Cut: CB Duke Thomas

Browns Promote DB Darius Hillary

October 21st, 2016 at 3:51pm CST by Zachary Links

The Browns signed defensive back Darius Hillary to the active roster from the practice squad. To make room on the roster, the team cut defensive lineman Gabe Wright.

Hillary was in a tight battle for the Bengals’ final cornerback spot this offseason but just missed the cut. Although he was dropped from the roster in early September, he eventually found his way to the Browns’ practice squad. Fun fact: Hillary’s father, Ira, played with the Bengals as a wide receiver.

Hillary will now join safety Ed Reynolds and cornerbacks Tramon Williams, Briean Boddy-Calhoun, and Marcus Burley as the Browns’ reserve secondary players. The Browns are starting Joe Haden and Jamar Taylor at cornerback with Derrick Kindred at free safety and Ibraheim Campbell at strong safety.

Wright has appeared in three games this season, recording two tackles and one pass defensed.

Vikings G Mike Harris Takes Pay Cut

October 21st, 2016 at 3:28pm CST by Zachary Links

The Vikings and guard Mike Harris agreed to a reworked contract today, as Ben Goessling of ESPN.com writes. Harris has been on the non-football illness list since training camp.

Minnesota had to move some money around to make room for the addition of Jake Long and Harris’ pay cut accomplishes that. Initially slated for more, Harris now only carries a cap figure of $1.5MM. When considering that Harris’ $1MM in likely-to-be-earned incentives are not at all likely-to-be-earned, that cap number will go down even further.

In total, the Vikings have cleared out $970K+ in cap space by cutting down Harris’ contract, giving them ample room to take on Long’s $423K+ cap hit. As of this writing, the Vikings have $591,491 in available cap space.

Harris, a former undrafted free agent, was an offensive tackle during his two seasons with the Chargers. Harris played 12 games at right tackle for the Vikings in 2014, and he started all 16 games at guard in 2015. He re-signed with the Vikings on a one-year, $2MM deal this past offseason.

Bills Add Shaq Lawson To Active Roster

October 21st, 2016 at 3:16pm CST by Zachary Links

The Bills announced that rookie Shaq Lawson has been activated from the PUP list to the 53-man roster. Buffalo also promoted tight end Manasseh Garner up from the practice squad. To make room, the Bills cut guard Gabe Ikard and tight end Gerald Christian.

Lawson, the No. 19 overall pick in this year’s draft, will join the team’s outside linebacker rotation behind Jerry Hughes and Lorenzo Alexander. After the Miami game, it seems possible that Lawson could be in line for a larger role. Per the team website, Lawson could also be moved to inside linebacker on passing downs.

Initially, it looked like Lawson’s shoulder surgery would keep him out for longer, but he has beaten expectations on his recovery. Many also expected the Bills’ defense to wilt without Lawson and other key players, but Buffalo has shocked everyone by winning their last four games, putting them at 4-2.

Redskins Placing WR Josh Doctson On IR

October 21st, 2016 at 2:37pm CST by Zachary Links

The Redskins are placing wide receiver Josh Doctson on injured reserve, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (via Facebook). That means Doctson will be out through at least Week 14. The team was hoping to have Doctson back for Week 10, but his Achilles pain proved to be too much.

“We saw another specialist, a couple of them now, with all the work that we’ve put in, we thought it was best to immobilize him for a little bit of time and see if that can help,” Gruden said (via Conor Orr of NFL.com). “By the time he gets out of the boot, then he’ll need time to see if he’s ready and hopefully we’ll get him back for the last, maybe, two games of the year. … He could be out for the year. He could not be. I don’t know yet, we’ll see how he is. Big thing is to just get him healthy. Based on all the research we’ve done, we thought this was best for him basically.”

Doctson appeared in two games this season and caught two passes for 66 yards. The Redskins had high hopes for Doctson this year and many believed that he would leapfrog DeSean Jackson and Pierre Garcon in the offense. In the long-term, Doctson still figures to be a focal part of Washington’s passing attack, but they may have to wait until 2017 before they can get him back on the field.

To take Doctson’s place, the Redskins promoted wide receiver Maurice Harris. The 4-2 Redskins travel to Detroit on Sunday to take on the 3-3 Lions.