Cardinals To Sign Tommy Kelly
2:56pm: The Cardinals have officially announced the signing, and according to Darren Urban of Cardinals.com (Twitter link), the team will cut defensive lineman Ryan McBean to make room for Kelly.
2:28pm: It’ll be a one-year deal for Kelly with the Cardinals, tweets ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter.
2:18pm: After hosting him for a visit, the Cardinals will be signing free agent defensive lineman Tommy Kelly, reports Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com (via Twitter). Mike Garafolo of FOX Sports had indicated (via Twitter) earlier this afternoon that Kelly’s meeting with the team was going well and could result in a deal.
Kelly, 33, joined the Patriots on a two-year deal prior to last season after spending the previous nine years in Oakland. He tore his ACL in Week 8, and spent the remainder of the season on IR. In 134 career games (122 starts), Kelly has racked up 301 tackles and 37 sacks. Pro Football Focus (subscription required) has graded Kelly as relatively average over the past few years, noting that he is much better pash rusher than as a run defender. The veteran was released by the Patriots during this weekend’s roster cutdowns.
At 6″6″, 300 pounds, and capable of playing both end and tackle, Kelly should add some versatility to a Cardinals 3-4 scheme that recently lost Darnell Dockett for the year. After Brett Keisel turned down Arizona’s invitation for a free agent visit, the Cardinals ended up signing fellow veteran lineman Isaac Sopoaga to a deal. While Kelly and Sopoaga won’t necessarily replace Dockett’s production, they’ll provide some veteran depth on the line, allowing the team to avoid having to rely heavily on inexperienced alternatives.
Before they finalize the signing of Kelly, the Cardinals will have to remove a player from their active roster in order to create an opening.
Cardinals To Meet With Tommy Kelly
The Cardinals will bring in veteran defensive lineman Tommy Kelly for a visit tonight and/or tomorrow, according to Kent Somers of the Arizona Republic (via Twitter). Kelly was released by the Patriots yesterday.
Kelly, 33, joined the Patriots on a two-year deal prior to last season after spending the prior nine years in Oakland. He tore his ACL in Week 8, and spent the remainder of the season on IR. In 134 career games (122 starts), Kelly has racked 301 tackles and 37 sacks. Pro Football Focus (subscription required) has graded Kelly as relatively average over the past few years, noting that he is much better pash-rusher than run-defender.
At 6″6″, 300 pounds, and capable of playing both end and tackle, Kelly should add some versatility to a Cardinals 3-4 scheme that recently lost Darnell Dockett for the year. After Brett Keisel turned down Arizona’s offer, the Cardinals ended up signing fellow veteran lineman Isaac Sopoaga to a deal. Pairing Kelly with Sopoaga would, at least in part, help alleviate the loss of Dockett.
Cardinals Release Jay Feely, Max Starks, 11 Others
12:13pm: In addition to Feely, the Cardinals have cut 12 other players, trimming their roster to the required 75-man limit, per a press release:
- Keenan Clayton, LB
- JoJo Dickson, LB
- Tom Draheim, C
- Reggie Dunn, WR
- Derrell Johnson, LB
- Orhian Johnson, S
- Ryan Lindley, QB
- Kevin Ozier, WR
- Justin Renfrow, DT
- Max Starks, OT
- Brandon Sermons, CB
- Damien Thigpen, RB
Starks is 10-year veteran who has spent most of his career with the Steelers, while Lindley started four games for the Cards in 2012.
11:35am: The Cardinals have released veteran kicker Jay Feely, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (on Twitter). Feely, a 13-year veteran, had been with Arizona since 2010.
Feely, 38, thanked the franchise on Twitter: “It’s been an honor to play for the [Cardinals and owner] Michael Bidwill, thank you for your leadership and friendship. AZ will still be home!” The former Michigan Wolverine has lived a kicker’s nomadic life, spending time with the Falcons, Giants, Dolphins, Chiefs, and Jets. For his career, Feely has converted 82.7% of his field goals (329-for-398).
The Cardinals save $635K against the cap with this move, but money probably wasn’t Arizona’s prime motivation. 23-year-old Chandler Cantanzaro, the only other PK on the Cards’ roster, will presumably become the starting kicker. He was an undrafted free agent out of Clemson.
It’s just my speculation, but I wonder if the Broncos would be interested in bringing Feely aboard. Matt Prater was recently suspended for the first four games of the season, and Feely could add some stability to the kicking position until Prater is ready to return.
King’s Latest: Rams, Cardinals, Texans, Ravens
Despite his belief that the Seahawks remain the premier team in the NFL, Peter King of TheMMQB.com isn’t picking them to win the 2015 Super Bowl. Since the Patriots’ back-to-back titles a decade ago, no Super Bowl-winning team has garnered even a single playoff victory, writes King — history simply isn’t on Seattle’s side. Let’s sort through the most intriguing items from King’s column:
- Following Sam Bradford‘s season-ending injury, the Rams do have interest in Eagles backup Mark Sanchez, but they won’t sacrifice a second- or third-round pick to acquire a player who is playing on a one-year contract.
- The Rams will monitor the waiver wire for quarterback depth, but King’s sense is that they are comfortable will Shaun Hill as their starter, given that he has been learning St. Louis’ offense for five months.
- The Cardinals had strong interest in three players in May’s draft — Ryan Shazier, Zack Martin, and Calvin Pryor — who all went within five selections before Arizona’s pick at No. 20. Instead, the Cards traded back to pick No. 27, drafted Deone Bucannon, and used their extra third-round pick to select unheralded receiver prospect John Brown, who has been a preseason surprise.
- Because they had the worst record in the league last season, the Texans will have first priority on all waived players as cutdown dates approach, and general manager Rick Smith isn’t going to be shy about using that advantage. “Our roster is a living, breathing thing,” said Smith. “And if there’s a player we see out there who is better than what we have, we’re going to act.”
- King believes the Ravens, whose secondary is quite thin, will make a trade for a corner this week.
- It might be tough for the Rams to pass Michael Sam through waivers, as he’s shown much more quickness during the preseason than he did in college.
NFC West Links: Sam, Williams, Harvin, Brown
As the final cut from 75 to 53 is only a week away, Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch takes some time to break down where everyone on the Rams’ roster stands. Thomas divided each player on the roster into one of three categories: safe and sound, on the bubble, or probably not. The big name that is still on the bubble is rookie defensive end Michael Sam. With a crowded defensive line, Sam has only a week left to make his final impression and land on the team’s roster.
Here are some other links from around the NFC West:
- While Brian Hoyer has earned the starting job for the Browns, Rams‘ head coach Jeff Fisher is looking forward to seeing a lot of Johnny Manziel, writes Steve Korte of the Belleville News-Democrat. “I’m hoping he gets to play a lot,” Fisher said. “He’s an outstanding athlete, and he’ll test our defense if he breaks the pocket and takes off running.”
- 49ers‘ Ian Williams had won the starting nose tackle job last season before being sidelined with an injury, but he is healthy again and head coach Jim Harbaugh thinks he looks better than he did before the fractured leg, writes Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com. “Just in the movement, in the quickness, the burst of separation, driving to the ball,” Harbaugh said. “He looks better than before. That’s what I’ve seen so far.”
- Seahawks‘ receiver Percy Harvin has flashed his playmaking ability this preseason, and has fans imagining what he could do if he stays healthy for a full season, writes Dave Boling of the News Tribune. “The Seahawks finished 18th in the NFL in offensive gains last season,” writes Boling. “Harvin will get them near the top 10 with his efforts alone.”
- Harvin has drawn praise from his fellow Seahawks as well, with quarterback Russell Wilson touting his top target, writes Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times. “What Percy brings to the offense is grit, and a desire to get into the end zone, a desire to get the ball in his hands and make something happen,” said Wilson. “Every time he touches the football, he’s either going to run over you or run by you, one of the two. That’s what he brings to the table, his explosive mentality.”
- Cardinals‘ rookie receiver John Brown has taken camp by storm, and Peter King of Sports Illustrated is the latest to join the bandwagon of praising the young Division II wideout. King notes that he has had success working in a number of different packages and should be heavily involved in the offense this season.
Minor Moves: Thursday
Here are Thursday’s minor transactions from around the NFL, with the latest moves added to the top of the page throughout the day:
- According to Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (via Twitter), the following players are now on their respective teams’ injured reserve lists: Darnell Dockett (Cardinals), Greg Latta (Broncos), Fendi Onobun (Jaguars), Jeremy Deering (Raiders), and Mike Caussin (Redskins). Because he has four or more accrued seasons, Dockett can be placed on IR without passing through waivers, and we heard previously that Latta, Onobun, and Deering were waived-injured by their clubs. Caussin’s case is less clear — he doesn’t appear to have four accrued seasons, so he should have to be waived before landing on IR. For what it’s worth, the Redskins’ official site still lists him as on the team’s active roster.
Earlier updates:
- Former Falcon Eric Weems has returned to the team, according to Jay Adams of AtlantaFalcons.com, who tweets that wideout Jabin Sambrano has been cut to make room for the veteran receiver and return specialist. Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com, who reported earlier this week that Weems wanted to sign with Atlanta but appeared headed to the Titans, said today (via Twitter) that the ex-Bear took a physical in Tennessee, but it hit a snag. The Falcons, who entered the picture last night, signed Weems to a one-year, minimum-salary contract, per McClure (Twitter link).
- The Saints have begun making cuts in advance of next Tuesday’s first deadline, parting ways with four players today. As Katherine Terrell of the New Orleans Times-Picayune details, the club waived outside linebacker Chidera Uzo-Diribe, running back Tim Flanders, tight end Je’Ron Hamm and wide receiver Tobais Palmer.
- Defensive tackle Anthony McCloud has been waived by the Cardinals, opening up a second spot on the team’s 90-man roster, tweets Darren Urban of AZCardinals.com.
- The Buccaneers have swapped a pair of players at the back of their roster, announcing today in a press release that they’ve signed guard R.J. Mattes and waived defensive end James Ruffin.
- The Patriots have made two cuts, letting go of defensive lineman Marcus Forston and tight end D.J. Williams, according to a team release.
Cardinals To Sign Isaac Sopoaga
The Cardinals are planning to sign defensive tackle Isaac Sopoaga, reports Kent Somers of AZCentral.com (via Twitter).
The team worked out Sopoaga earlier today, and could view him as a potential replacement for Darnell Dockett, who is lost for the season to a torn ACL.
Sopoaga started his career with the 49ers, before leaving in free agency to join the Eagles in 2013. Despite signing a three-year deal, he was traded to the Patriots midseason.
The Patriots released him earlier this offseason, as he failed to positively contribute to the team in limited action last year.
Cardinals To Work Out Isaac Sopoaga
Following Darnell Dockett‘s season-ending ACL injury, the Cardinals attempted to bring in Brett Keisel in order to bolster their depleted defensive line. But after Keisel declined Arizona’s offer and returned to the Steelers, the Cardinals have set their sights on another veteran lineman — defensive tackle Isaac Sopoaga. According to Rand Getlin of Yahoo! Sports, Arizona has scheduled a workout for the 32-year-old, and if it goes well, plans on signing him.
Sopoaga entered the NFL as a 49ers fourth-round draft pick in 2002, and spent the next nine seasons in San Francisco. He signed a three-year, $12MM deal with the Eagles in March of 2013, but was traded to the Patriots just seven months later. New England released Sopoaga in March, and he’s been waiting for a team to express interest since.
It’s fair to wonder if Sopoaga will be able to fill the void on the Cardinals’ defensive line. Ben Volin of the Boston Globe, who covered Sopoaga during his time with the Patriots, tweets that the veteran “had nothing left last year,” a sentiment that meshes with Pro Football Focus’ advanced statistics. PFF (subscription required) gave Sopoaga a -9.4 grade on just 362 snaps in 2013, noting that he was especially poor against the run.
Still, Sopoaga could make for a nice fit along Arizona’s defensive front — he’s spent nearly all of his career working as a nose tackle in a 3-4 scheme, the role he would be expected to play with the Cardinals. Additionally, Arizona is in need of depth along it’s front three. While the triumvirate of Calais Campbell, Dan Williams, and Frostee Rucker is impressive, the options behind the Cardinals’ top three are uninspiring. If signed, Sopoaga probably wouldn’t be asked to do more than spell Williams for a handful of snaps per game.
No Deal For Brett Keisel, Cardinals
4:12pm: A source tells Somers (Twitter link) that Keisel turned down the Cardinals’ invitation to visit Arizona – and possibly sign with the team – because he didn’t want to leave his family.
3:02pm: In spite of Keisel’s reported visit to Arizona, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com hears that the Cardinals are “very unlikely” to sign the veteran lineman (Twitter link).
12:41pm: Keisel is flying to Arizona today to take a physical, according to Somers (via Twitter). As expected, it looks like the former Steeler is high on the Cardinals’ list of targets.
8:47am: In the wake of Darnell Dockett‘s season-ending ACL injury, the Cardinals are expected to add a defender to help provide depth on the line, according to Kent Somers of the Arizona Republic, who figures a move will happen soon (Twitter link). As Somers notes in a separate tweet, Frostee Rucker is expected to slide into Dockett’s role and should ensure there isn’t a huge drop-off among the starters, but depth could be an issue for the club.
Several Arizona reporters, including Somers (via Twitter), Mike Jurecki of FOX Sports 910 (via Twitter), and Darren Urban of AZCardinals.com, have pointed to veteran free agent Brett Keisel as a logical fit for the Cardinals. Keisel, a longtime Steeler, has a history with head coach Bruce Arians and defensive line coach Brentson Buckner, who both previously worked in Pittsburgh.
As our list of current veteran free agents shows, the Cardinals’ options for defensive linemen are limited. Former fourth-rounder Vaughn Martin and ex-Packers Johnny Jolly and Ryan Pickett are among the recognizable names in the bunch, but Keisel seems to be the best fit given Arizona’s needs. It’s not clear, however, what his salary demands are.
If Keisel’s asking price is too high for the Cardinals, the team could simply turn to one of its younger, cheaper, in-house options. However, considering the club is in win-now mode heading into the 2014 season, a veteran signing appears likely.
As for Dockett, since he’s a veteran player, he can be placed on injured reserve immediately without having to pass through waivers, so I’d expect the Cardinals to make that move in the near future.
Darnell Dockett Tears ACL, Out For Season
9:20pm: It is indeed a season-ending ACL tear for Dockett, writes Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. Dockett did not, contrary to some reports, tear his MCL, which will at least make his rehab for the 2015 season a bit easier.
7:41pm: Earlier tonight, Cardinals defensive tackle Darnell Dockett was carted off of the field with an apparent right knee injury. Unfortunately, it looks like Dockett’s MRI yielded some bad news. The Cards believe that the defensive tackle has a torn ACL, sources tell Mike Garafolo of FOX Sports 1 (on Twitter).
It goes without saying that losing Dockett for the year would be a major blow to the Cardinals defense. Dockett, 33, has spent his entire career with Arizona and has missed just one game in the last ten seasons. Dockett is coming off of a season in which he registered 4.5 sacks and 36 tackles as a part of a career in which he has tallied 40.5 sacks and 349 tackles.
Dockett is slated to count $8.75MM against the cap in 2014 and is scheduled to count $9.8MM against the cap in 2015. Even before today’s unfortunate development, it seemed likely that the Cards would ask Dockett to take a pay cut or release him before the start of the ’15 campaign.