HEADLINES

Month: April 2018

Steelers Sign S Nat Berhe

April 4th, 2018 at 9:00pm CST by Zachary Links

Nat Berhe announced on Twitter that he has signed with the Steelers. It took Berhe a little while to find his new NFL home, but he’s hardly the only safety in that predicament this offseason. 

Here in April, the free agent safety market is still rife with big names including Eric Reid, Kenny Vaccaro, Tre Boston, T.J. Ward, Tyvon Branch, Darius Butler, and former Steeler Mike Mitchell. Plenty of top cornerbacks cashed in this year, but big name safeties are struggling to find suitable deals.

Berhe is not of the same caliber as Reid, Vaccaro, and others, but he did provide depth and solid special teams play for the Giants in 2017. The 26-year-old (27 in July) led the G-Men with ten special teams tackles in 2017 and only two Steelers totaled more last season.

49ers To Sign Korey Toomer

April 4th, 2018 at 8:51pm CST by Zachary Links

The 49ers have signed linebacker Korey Toomer, as Field Yates of ESPN.com tweets. Toomer met with the Niners on Tuesday and agreed to a deal soon after. 

Toomer hooked on with the Chargers early in the 2016 season and he worked his way into the team’s rotation. He earned positive marks from Pro Football Rumors for his performance as a part-timer. It sound be noted that he has only a limited sample to offer from last season as he appeared in just 266 snaps.

Niners defensive coordinator Robert Saleh was a defensive quality control coach in Seattle when the Seahawks drafted Toomer six years ago, so he could be in line for a decent role in SF. Toomer, 29, had a pick six against the Bills Week 11 of the 2017 season and had a career-high 71 tackles in ’16.

Toomer will help to fortify a linebacker group fraught with question marks. Malcolm Smith is coming off an injury that wiped out his first season with the Niners and Reuben Foster is under investigation for an alleged domestic violence incident.

Colts Sign LB Najee Goode

April 4th, 2018 at 8:36pm CST by Zachary Links

The Colts announced that they have signed linebacker Najee Goode. Goode spent the last five years with the Eagles. 

Goode has 64 career appearances to his credit, not counting four postseason games, but only four starts. He also projects to serve in a reserve role for the Colts.

Goode saw the most snaps of his career in 2017 as he registered 19 tackles (12 solo) and three tackles for loss. He also started in the NFC Championship Game for the eventual world champs.

The Colts saw linebackers Jonathan Bostic and Barkevous Mingo leave in free agency, so Goode will help to fill one of those holes. John Simon and Antonio Morrison figure to start at two of the three LB spots in the Colts’ 4-3 scheme and they’re expected to look at outside linebackers in this month’s draft.

Donnie Jones Wants To Continue Playing

April 4th, 2018 at 6:03pm CST by Zachary Links

The Eagles released punter Donnie Jones from the reserve/retired list on Wednesday for a reason. The veteran requested his release in order to continue his playing career, agent Ken Harris tells Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter).

A few weeks after the Eagles’ Super Bowl win, Jones announced that he would retire after 14 seasons in the NFL. The Eagles seem prepared to move forward with Cameron Johnston, so Jones will explore his opportunities elsewhere.

Jones, who will turn 38 in July, was solid in 2017 as he ranked 15th in yards per punt average and 16th in net average. He also placed 35.1% of his punts inside of the 20-yard line.

NFL Draft Rumors: Vander Esch, Steelers, Bills

April 4th, 2018 at 5:40pm CST by Zachary Links

The latest NFL Draft news:

  • Linked to Leighton Vander Esch for several weeks this offseason, the Steelers met with the Boise State outside linebacker on Monday night, Tony Pauline of Draft Analyst reports. Pittsburgh has used first-round picks on either inside or outside ‘backers in four of its past five drafts. Three of those players remain on the team, but only two will be able to play this season. Ryan Shazier has been declared out as he attempts to recover from his frightening spine injury. Pauline wrote in March that Vander Esch won’t get past Pittsburgh at No. 28.
  • Next up for Vander Esch met the Cowboys on Wednesday morning, James Palmer of NFL.com tweets. After that, he has the Cardinals and every team picking between No. 12 to No. 24, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. Aside from the aforementioned clubs, the teams picking from No. 12-24 are the Bills (twice), Redskins, Packers, Ravens, Chargers, Seahawks, Lions, Bengals, Bills, Patriots, and Panthers.
  • LSU pass-rusher Arden Key met with the Saints and Lions before his pro day on Wednesday and will visit with the Bengals on Thursday, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. Due to injuries, key only started in eight games last year, but he still finished out with 33 tackles, 5.5 for loss, four sacks, and a forced fumble. He is widely projected to be a first round pick later this month.

Eagles Release Punter Donnie Jones From Reserve/Retired List

April 4th, 2018 at 4:24pm CST by Zachary Links

[UPDATE: Jones wants to continue his career.]

The Eagles have released punter Donnie Jones from the reserve/retired list, according to the NFL’s transactions wire. Jones decided to walk away from football following the Eagles’ Super Bowl victory, but it’s worth noting that he is technically a free agent if he decides to play again. 

“After 14 seasons in the NFL, I have decided to retire so that I can spend more time with my family,” Jones said in a statement this winter. “I am grateful for all those who have supported me throughout the years. Specifically, I would like to thank Jeffrey Lurie, Howie Roseman, Doug Pederson, and the entire Eagles organization for allowing me to be a part of their family for the past five seasons. I will truly miss my teammates, coaches, friends, and the best fans in the NFL. Although I am retiring, I will always be an Eagle and will forever have a special place in my heart for the City of Philadelphia. It is a great honor to be a part of the first Super Bowl championship team in Eagles history and there is no better way to finish my career.”

Jones moved around the league since being drafted by the Seahawks late in the 2004 draft, but he had a strong career overall. After two seasons with the Dolphins, five seasons with the Rams, and one year with the Texans, he hooked on with the Eagles in 2013 and found his place in the franchise’s record books over the course of five seasons. Jones stands as the Eagles’ all-time leader in gross punting average (45.37 yards) and net average (40.5). He also owns team records for most punts inside the 20 (138), most punts inside the 20 in a single season (34, 2014), and best net punting average in a season (41.6, 2015).

With Jones out of the picture, Cameron Johnston projects to be the Eagles’ punter in 2018.

Minor NFL Transactions: 4/4/18

April 4th, 2018 at 4:17pm CST by Zachary Links

We’ll keep track of today’s minor moves here:

Chicago Bears

Dallas Cowboys

  • Signed: K/P Brett Maher
  • Waived: WR Brian Brown

Detroit Lions

  • Waived: QB Alek Torgersen

Indianapolis Colts

Miami Dolphins

Eagles Sign TE Richard Rodgers

April 4th, 2018 at 4:00pm CST by Sam Robinson

Richard Rodgers will be heading east, agreeing to a deal with the Eagles. Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets this is a one-year agreement between the defending Super Bowl champions and the former Packers tight end. The team has since confirmed the deal via press release.

Rodgers will join Zach Ertz in Philadelphia and, for now, is in line to replace Brent Celek, whom the Eagles released last month. Celek could still be brought back at a cheaper rate after the loss of Trey Burton in free agency.

Rodgers, 26, put himself on the map in 2015 when he caught 58 passes from Aaron Rodgers. His role in the Packers’ offense waned over the next couple of years, however. In 2016, he had just 30 catches for 271 yards. Last year, he had just 12 grabs for 160 yards. Depending on how the rest of the offseason shakes out, he may get an opportunity to shine in two tight end sets along with Ertz.

Billy Brown, Joshua Perkins, and Adam Zaruba are also fighting to make the Eagles’ final cut at tight end, but they could be facing long odds between the addition of Rodgers and the likely selection of a rookie tight end in this month’s draft.

Bennie Logan Visits Titans

April 4th, 2018 at 3:54pm CST by Sam Robinson

Bennie Logan logged his second visit of this free agency period, this one involving a trip to Tennessee.

The Titans hosted the nose tackle recently, Field Yates of ESPN.com tweets. Logan also met with the Seahawks last month, and the Redskins were believed to be in the mix at one point.

Spending 2017 as the Chiefs’ starting nose, Logan took over for Dontari Poe after signing a one-year deal. His run-stop percentage rated as the seventh-best among defensive tackles last season, according to Pro Football Focus. While that was a tick down from his best Eagles work, Logan remains a proven NFL starter. The 28-year-old interior defender made 52 tackles with the Chiefs in 2017 and inflated his career start total to 63.

The Titans cut Sylvester Williams after one season. He’s now with the Lions. Logan would be a natural replacement, should this visit end up leading to a deal.

 

Patriots To Sign OL Luke Bowanko

April 4th, 2018 at 3:32pm CST by Sam Robinson

Luke Bowanko will make his way to New England, moving to a new team for a third straight season. The Patriots agreed to terms with the free agent offensive lineman, Field Yates of ESPN.com tweets.

A former sixth-round Jaguars pick in 2014, Bowanko figures to compete for a depth spot as part of the Pats’ interior line behind the Joe Thuney/David Andrews/Shaq Mason trio. Bowanko has been a backup for the past three years but was a full-season starter at center as a rookie.

The Jags traded Bowanko to the Ravens just prior to last season, and he played in 16 games (with one start) during the 2017 slate.

New England re-signed LaAdrian Waddle and added Matt Tobin this offseason. Bowanko, 26, will join them in competing for a spot on the 53-man roster.

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