Today’s minor moves:
Arizona Cardinals
- Waived: WR Andre Baccellia
Denver Broncos
- Promoted: LB Ben Niemann
Detroit Lions
- Signed to active roster: RB Devine Ozigbo
- Promoted: OL Michael Niese
Las Vegas Raiders
- Promoted: K James McCourt, WR DJ Turner
- Activated from IR: LB Curtis Bolton
- Placed on IR: LB Kana’i Mauga
New York Giants
- Released: WR Gunner Olszewski
Tennessee Titans
- Designated to return: S Mike Brown
After getting cut by the Steelers earlier this month, Gunner Olszewski quickly caught on with New York’s practice squad. They Giants signed the receiver/returner to the active roster ahead of yesterday’s game against the Jets, and their decision to release him today was merely procedural. As NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero points out, all vested vets who are released following tomorrow’s trade deadline are subject to waivers. The Giants are apparently getting ahead of that deadline with this roster machination. Per Pelissero, Olszewski is expected to re-sign with the Giants and will play in Week 9.
Hmm. The Broncos promoting Niemann could possibly point to a Jewell trade after all. They seem reluctant to break up a defense that’s gotten better, but that’s an interesting promotion. If they weren’t going to trade Jewell, then you’d figure that their bases would be covered with Jewell starting and the rookie Sanders as the featured backup.
True. Who need linebacker help?
Well, the Eagles are apparently in on him. Jewell is a good linebacker, but he’s not a game changer on his own, so it’s harder to find teams that would stand out as being especially needy. He could fit on most teams, and likely wouldn’t fetch anything higher than a third-most probably lower. At that return, if I’m Denver, I’m keeping him.
If the Raiders were in another division, I’d pick them. I don’t think that New York is buying, but the Giants could use a tackler with 3-4 base experience if they were. I wouldn’t put them on the list, though. Tampa has two starting off ball linebackers in Devin White and LaVonte David who are due for free agency (along with offensive free agents to account for), but I don’t know how much they’re buying. Seattle’s going to have two in Bobby Wagner and Devin Bush, but they just spent a good pick to get Williams. Otherwise I liked them as a possibility.
If I had to bet, I’d say that the Eagles have Jewell as a fall back option if they decide to trade for a linebacker, and are talking with Tampa about White or David first. There doesn’t appear to be a burning need for an off ball backer right now on most teams. Jewell’s lower cost, however, could certainly get a deal on the table from a team looking to bolster its linebacking group.