Extra Points: Palmer, Lions, Raiders
Let’s close out Saturday night by taking one final look around the NFL…
- The Lions are still sorting our their right tackle situation, as neither LaAdrian Waddle nor Cornelius Lucas has emerged as a solid starting option, writes Justin Rogers of MLive.com. Lucas started the first three games of the season while Waddle recovered from an injury; Waddle took the lead during Week 4, but the two rotated in something of a platoon during Week 5. The club hasn’t announced the plan for tomorrow’s contest, but the lack of continuity can only be seen as a detriment for the winless Lions.
- Carson Palmer is playing some of the best football of his career, and Chris Wesseling of NFL.com looks at how much Palmer has meant to the Cardinals — enough, in fact, to warrant general manager Steve Keim labeling Palmer as a “godsend” to the organization. Arizona ranks third in Football Outsiders’ offensive DVOA metric, while Palmer is tied for first with 13 touchdown passes.
- Despite rumors to the contrary, the Raiders will not sign a two-year lease to remain in Oakland, a team source tells Jason Cole of Bleacher Report (Twitter link). Additionally, the concept of signing a short-term agreement doesn’t make much sense, per Cole.
Workout Updates: 10/16/15
We’ve passed along a few of the more notable updates from the last few days on workouts and free agent visits, including the Giants trying out wide receivers like Terrelle Pryor and the Cowboys bringing in running back LaMike James. However, there are plenty more tryout updates from this week to round up, and we’ve got them all below. All links point to the Twitter account of Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post, unless otherwise indicated.
Arizona Cardinals
- Sean Baker, S (link)
Dallas Cowboys
- Kenrick Ellis, DT (link)
- Darius Eubanks, LB
- Zaviar Gooden, LB
- Chuka Ndulue, DT
- Isaiah Pead, RB
- Casey Walker, DL
- Jerel Worthy, DL (link)
Detroit Lions
- David Arkin, OL (link)
- Connor Hamlett, TE
- Eric Herman, G
- Eric Hipolito
- Rich Ohrnberger, C
Indianapolis Colts
- Michael Palardy, P (Twitter link via Stephen Holder of the Indianapolis Star)
- Byron Stingily, T (link)
- Colton Underwood, LB
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Marion Grice, RB (link)
Kansas City Chiefs
- George Atkinson III, RB (link)
- Bryce Brown, RB
- Bronson Hill, RB
- Brandon McGee, DB
- Steven Means, LB (link)
- Isaiah Pead, RB
- Greg Scruggs, DE
- Quanterus Smith, DE
Miami Dolphins
- Devin Gardner, WR (link)
- Josh Harper, WR
New England Patriots
- Bill Bentley, DB (link)
- Matt Daniels, DB
New Orleans Saints
- Vaughn Martin, DT (link)
- Matt Shaughnessy, OLB
- Quanterus Smith, DE
- Kevin Vickerson, DT
New York Giants
- Devin Gardner, WR (link)
- Bryn Renner, QB
- Mike Williams, WR (link)
New York Jets
- Jordan Dewalt-Ondijo, LB (link)
Philadelphia Eagles
- Steven Means, DE (link)
San Francisco 49ers
- Martin Wallace, T (link)
Tennessee Titans
- Josh Keyes, LB (link)
- Michael McAdoo, OLB (link)
- Markus Pierce-Brewster, LB
- Mike Reilly, LB
- Julian Stanford, LB
- Jeff Tarpinian, LB
NFC West Notes: Coleman, Davis, Rams
Seahawks fullback Derrick Coleman was arrested this week for his alleged involvement in a hit-and-run incident, and has been suspended by Seattle as the investigation plays out. According to Coleman’s attorney, Stephen Hayne, he’s looking into whether a concussion may have played a role in why Coleman left the scene, adding that the fact that the fullback is legally deaf may have caused police to believe he was inebriated (link via Travis Pittman of KING 5 News).
“He was clearly not in his right mind after the accident, and that would probably be due to a concussion, but that’s speculation as well. We don’t know,” Hayne said. “But his walking away from the accident is absolutely out of character for who he is and how he would normally respond to a situation like that.”
As we wait to see how the investigation into the incident plays out, let’s round up a few more notes from out of the NFC West….
- A trade involving 49ers tight end Vernon Davis isn’t currently viewed as likely, but it’s possible that will change if a contending team loses a tight end due to an injury within the next couple weeks, writes Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. If San Francisco decides to explore a potential Davis trade, the team would have until November 3 to get something done.
- St. Louis city comptroller Darlene Green said this week that she has concerns about the city’s new Rams stadium proposal, which could create a roadblock for the plan, according to a CBS St. Louis report. “They need my approval,” Green said. “They need my approval and my signature to move forward, and if there’s parameters that have been disregarded – like if there’s any tax increase – I can’t abide by that. That would jeopardize the city’s credit and I would have to say no.”
- The Cardinals‘ newest pass rusher, Dwight Freeney, admits to Mike Freeman of Bleacher Report that playing football “becomes really addictive,” and he decided to sign continue his career with Arizona because he couldn’t “turn off” his desire to keep playing. The former Colt and Charger added that he believes he’s in “great shape” and still has plenty left in the tank.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 10/14/15
Here are Wednesday’s practice squad signings and cuts from around the NFL:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed: S Durell Eskridge (Twitter link via Darren Urban of AZCardinals.com)
Chicago Bears
- Signed: QB David Fales (Twitter link via Brad Biggs of The Chicago Tribune)
Houston Texans
- Cut: WR Alan Bonner (Twitter link via John McClain of the Houston Chronicle)
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Signed: RB Joe Banyard (Twitter link)
- Cut: S Craig Loston
Miami Dolphins
- Cut: WR Damarr Aultman (Twitter link via Adam Beasley of the Miami Herald)
New York Jets
- Signed: TE Wes Saxton (press release)
- Cut: WR Titus Davis
San Diego Chargers
- Signed: S Adrian Phillips (Twitter link via U-T San Diego’s Michael Gehlken)
- Cut: WR Donatella Luckett
NFC Notes: Cowboys, Giants, Pryor, Cards
The Cowboys are making a quarterback change for Week 7, giving the nod to Matt Cassel, and that’s not the only starting lineup move they’re considering on offense. As Ed Werder of ESPN.com reported this morning (via Twitter), Dallas may also start recently acquired running back Christine Michael over Joseph Randle, and rookie guard La’el Collins over Ronald Leary.
Head coach Jason Garrett has since confirmed that Collins will indeed start at left guard in place of Leary, though it’s not clear yet what the team’s running back rotation will look like. Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link) hears from a Cowboys source that the team definitely plans on using Michael more, though Randle may still get the start.
Here’s more from around the NFC:
- The Giants are the latest team to work out at Terrelle Pryor as a wide receiver, according to Pro Football Talk (via Twitter). While several clubs that have auditioned Pryor are likely just seeing what the former quarterback looks like in his new position, New York might require some additional depth at WR, with Odell Beckham Jr. and Rueben Randle banged up, and Victor Cruz‘s availability going forward still up in the air. The Giants also tried out wideouts T.J. Graham and A.J. Jenkins, writes Jordan Raanan of NJ.com.
- Former Buccaneers defensive lineman Da’Quan Bowers is among the players working out for the Cowboys this week, according to Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle (via Twitter).
- Free agent cornerback Robert McClain has been busy over the last month and a half, working out for a handful of teams — Wilson tweets that McClain auditioned for the Cardinals this week, the veteran’s fifth tryout since the start of September.
- In an appearance on SiriusXM NFL Radio (SoundCloud link), Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians explained his team’s decision to sign veteran pass rusher Dwight Freeney, suggesting that the club had been in touch with Freeney multiple times since June.
Cards Place Clemons On IR, Promote Brooks
The Cardinals have made a roster change on the defensive side of the ball, placing veteran safety Chris Clemons on the injured reserve list and promoting cornerback Cariel Brooks to their 53-man roster, per Darren Urban of AZCardinals.com (Twitter link).
Clemons, 30, started every game in the Dolphins’ secondary during the 2012 and 2013 seasons, but hasn’t seen much action since then. After being signed by the Cardinals last December, Clemons acted as a backup safety in Arizona for the first five weeks of 2015. However, a hamstring injury resulted in his being moved to IR.
While the Cardinals were forced to place Clemons on their IR, the team got some good news on linebacker Alex Okafor, who is only expected to be sidelined for two to four weeks. That was the first recovery timeline we heard this week, though a subsequent report suggested the injury could be worse, with Okafor potentially missing about six weeks.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 10/13/15
Here are Tuesday’s practice squad signings and cuts from around the NFL:
Arizona Cardinals
- Cut from PS-IR: TE Joseph Fauria (Twitter link via ESPN.com’s Adam Caplan)
Baltimore Ravens
- Signed: WR Daniel Brown, RB Akeem Hunt, TE Konrad Reuland (Twitter link)
Chicago Bears
- To be signed: WR Nathan Palmer (Twitter link via Adam Jahns of the Chicago Sun-Times), DT D’Anthony Smith (Twitter link via Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune)
- Released: C Ryan Seymour (Twitter link via Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune)
Houston Texans
- To be signed: WR Chandler Worthy (Twitter link via Mark Berman of FOX 26)
- Cut: T Edawn Coughman (Twitter link via Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle)
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Signed: QB Jeff Tuel (Twitter link)
Kansas City Chiefs
- Signed: LB Jayson DiManche, CB Saalim Hakim, OL Mike Liedtke, RB Darrin Reaves (Twitter link)
- Cut: LB Tyrell Adams, CB Jeremy Harris, OL Daniel Munyer
Miami Dolphins
- Signed: WR Robert Herron (Twitter link via Adam Caplan of ESPN.com)
San Francisco 49ers
- Signed: WR Andrew Turzilli, C Brian Folkerts (Twitter link via Matt Barrows of The Sacramento Bee)
St. Louis Rams
- Signed: RB Trey Watts (Twitter link via USA Today’s Howard Balzer)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Cut: CB Isaiah Frey (Twitter link)
Cardinals Sign Dwight Freeney
TUESDAY, 10:52am: The Cardinals have officially signed Freeney and – as expected – placed linebacker and special teamer Kenny Demens on the injured reserve list, per Darren Urban of AZCardinals.com (Twitter link).
MONDAY, 1:21pm: Freeney’s deal is a minimum salary pact that includes some sack incentives, according to Kent Somers of the Arizona Republic (via Twitter). Meanwhile, Getlin adds (via Twitter) that Okafor is expected to miss two to four weeks with his calf injury, so Freeney figures to see some action right away.
1:01pm: The NFL’s highest-scoring team has made an addition on the defensive side of the ball today, according to Rand Getlin of the NFL Network, who reports (via Twitter) that the Cardinals are signing veteran pass rusher Dwight Freeney to a one-year contract.
Freeney, 35, spent most of his NFL career in Indianapolis, but played 20 games for the Chargers in 2013 and 2014. While his sack numbers weren’t particularly impressive in San Diego – he recorded four in total – he continued to put pressure on quarterbacks.
As our Dallas Robinson noted when he examined Freeney’s free agent stock earlier this year, the Syracuse alum played on approximately 55% of San Diego’s defensive snaps last year, rushing the passer or defending the run on nearly every play (he saw just 14 coverage snaps). Freeney accrued just 3.5 sacks, but placed third among qualifying 3-4 OLBs with 40 quarterback hurries, and 14th with nine QB hits.
Playing in San Diego also provided Freeney with some more experience playing as an outside linebacker in a 3-4 system, something he figures to do in Arizona as well. According to Getlin (via Twitter), Freeney will serve as a designated pass rusher for the Cardinals, who lose John Abraham in a similar role last year.
Assuming he still has something left in the tank, Freeney should help bolster a pass rush that also features Alex Okafor, LaMarr Woodley, and Calais Campbell. Freeney may also be required to take a chunk of Okafor’s snaps if a calf injury the 24-year-old suffered in yesterday’s win over the Lions sidelines him at all going forward.
NFC Notes: Cards, Payton, Giants, Lions
While initial estimates suggested Cardinals outside linebacker Alex Okafor would miss two to four weeks, it’s now believed his calf injury will sideline him for up to six weeks, tweets Rand Getlin of the NFL Network.
Okafor’s extended recovery timetable, along with Kenny Demens‘ season-ending ACL injury, makes Arizona’s signing of Dwight Freeney even more important. And speaking of Freeney, Ed Werder of ESPN.com provides a few more details on his contract with the Cards, tweeting that the veteran pass rusher can earn up to $1MM in sack incentives — $200K for four sacks, then another $100K for each one after that, up to 12 ($1MM).
Here’s more from around the NFC:
- As Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk writes, Saints head coach Sean Payton addressed the annual rumors about his potential departure from New Orleans on Monday, suggesting that he has no plans to go anywhere in the near future: “I’ll say what I said before. This is where I see myself. And I’ve said that now, for however many years.” Larry Holder of the Times-Picayune noted (via Twitter) that he can’t picture the Saints firing Payton.
- After Odell Beckham Jr. and Rueben Randle got banged up in Sunday night’s game against the Niners, Giants head coach Tom Coughlin acknowledged that the team may have to look at adding a receiver this week, though he’s optimistic his players will be ready to go next week (Twitter link via Kimberly Jones of the NFL Network). Jordan Raanan of NJ.com examines some potential outside options for the team in the event that a free agent signing becomes necessary.
- Lions head coach Jim Caldwell admitted on Monday that team owner Martha Firestone Ford isn’t happy with Detroit’s play so far this season, per Michael Rothstein of ESPN.com. For now, the Lions don’t intend to make any coaching changes, but we’ll see if that changes in the coming weeks.
- Eagles head coach Chip Kelly praised the job Caleb Sturgis did for the team on Sunday, telling reporters on Monday that Philadelphia won’t have any kicker tryouts this week (Twitter link via Les Bowen of the Philadelphia Daily News). Sturgis missed another extra point in his second game for the Eagles, but made seven other kicks, including four field goals.
- Although Sunday’s loss was a tough one for Washington, there have been signs that the team’s culture is changing, according to Tarik El-Bashir of CSNMidAtlantic.com, who identifies Terrance Knighton, Chris Culliver, and Dashon Goldson as newcomers who are helping to change the attitude in the locker room.
Extra Points: Freeney, Dolphins, Harbaugh
The Cardinals had interest in Dwight Freeney since late July, a source tells Kent Somers of The Arizona Republic (on Twitter). However, Freeney was looking for too much money. Needless to say, the price has come down. Arizona reportedly has agreed to sign Freeney, though head coach Bruce Arians claimed that there is no deal yet, as Darren Urban of AZCardinals.com tweets.
Here’s more from around the league..
- The Dolphins won’t make another run at coach Jim Harbaugh, according to Peter King of The MMQB.com (via PFT). Harbaugh, now the head coach at Michigan, was a target for the Dolphins years ago, but the club apparently isn’t interested in circling back. There’s a connection between the ex-49ers coach and Dolphins owner Stephen Ross because Ross is a Michigan alum and has been a major booster for the school. However, for that exact reason, Ross might be hesitant to take the coach away from Ann Arbor.
- Saints wide receiver Marques Colston suffered a separated shoulder on Sunday at the least, a source tells Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). There could also be some structural damage for the veteran receiver.
- By trading Gerald Hodges to the 49ers, the Vikings changed everything for their linebackers, Chris Tomasson of the Pioneer Press writes.