Panthers Executive Leaving Organization
One of Matt Rhule‘s right-hand men is leaving the Panthers. Joseph Person of The Athletic reports (via Twitter) that vice president of football operations Sean Padden has left the organization “to pursue other opportunities.”
Padden had worked alongside Rhule since 1998 when the two were at Albright College (h/t to Charean Williams). The duo moved on to Temple starting in 2013, and they later joined Baylor, where Padden served as the Associate Athletic Director for Football Operations. When Rhule was hired as the Panthers new head coach in 2020, Padden soon followed.
The Panthers made another front office move today, promoting Mike Anderson to director of football operations. The executive had previously served as the Panthers assistant director of operations, and he’s been with the organization since 2010. He’ll be taking over the role previous held by Bryan Porter.
Rams Sign Fourth-Round CB Robert Rochell
The Rams are just about finished signing their draft class. The team announced this evening that they inked fourth-round cornerback Robert Rochell to his rookie pact.
The six-foot-two, 195-pound defensive back spent five seasons at Central Arkansas (including a redshirt freshman year), earning First team All-Southland honors in 2019. He ultimately finished his collegiate career having collected 77 tackles, 10 interceptions, and 25 passes defended. Despite being limited on only seven games in 2020, Rochell still participated in the 2021 Senior Bowl.
Jalen Ramsey and Darious Williams are atop the Rams depth chart, but Rochell should have an opportunity to compete with the likes of Donte Deayon and David Long for backup reps.
With the signing, the Rams have signed all but three of their rookies:
Round 2: No. 57 Tutu Atwell, WR (Louisville) (signed)
Round 3: No. 103 Ernest Jones, LB (South Carolina)
Round 4: No. 117 Bobby Brown, DT (Texas A&M)
Round 4: No.141 Jacob Harris, WR (UCF)
Round 5: No. 174 (from Bills via Texans) Earnest Brown IV, DL (Northwestern) (signed)
Round 7: No. 233 (from Bengals via Texans) Jake Funk, RB (Maryland) (signed)
Round 7: No. 249 (from Titans via Jaguars) Ben Skowonek, WR (Notre Dame) (signed)
Round 7: No. 252 Chris Garrett, LB (Concordia-St. Paul) (signed)
Panthers Waive QB Tommy Stevens
Tommy Stevens brief stint with the Panthers has come to an end. The team announced that they’ve waived the quarterback. The team signed rookie wideout C.J. Saunders to take the open roster spot.
Stevens was in and out of the lineup during his time at Penn State and Mississippi State, but he showed promise both with his arm and on the ground. Thanks to that potential, he was drafted by the Saints in the seventh round of the 2020 draft…but the team made the bold decision of switching him to tight end. He didn’t end up making New Orleans active roster, but he did stick around their practice squad for most of the campaign.
He later caught on with the Panthers (as a quarterback), and he ended up making his NFL debut in Carolina’s Week 17 loss to the Saints. Stevens got four carries in that game for 24 rushing yards.
With the move, the Panthers are now rostering three quarterbacks: Sam Darnold, P.J. Walker, and Will Grier.
Saunders was a former walk-on cornerback at Ohio State, but he ended up transforming into one of the team’s most reliable receivers. He had 27 receptions in two seasons at Ohio State, and he was named a captain in 2019 before succumbing to an injury. He spent rookie minicamp with the Falcons organization.
This Date In Transactions History: Rams Release Kurt Warner
One of the best rags-to-riches tales in NFL history (temporarily) came to an end on this date 17 years ago. While no one knew it at the time, the story still had years to go before its conclusion. On June 1, 2004, the Rams released veteran quarterback Kurt Warner.
Warner, of course, went from an undrafted free agent and Arena Football League standout to NFL MVP. By the end of the 2003 campaign, Warner had easily cemented himself as one of the top athletes in St. Louis history. After getting thrust into the Rams starting lineup in 1999, the QB would go on to win a pair of MVPs, twice lead the NFL in touchdowns, and win a Super Bowl (along with a Super Bowl MVP). However, the wheels started to come off a bit during the 2002 season. Warner was limited to only six starts that season, with the Rams going 0-6 in those contests.
Warner was the starter to begin the 2003 campaign, but it somehow got worse. During his lone start, he had six fumbles, leading to his official benching. Meanwhile, fill-in Marc Bulger guided the Rams to a 12-3 record as a starter, cementing his spot as the Rams’ QB of the future. As a result, Warner found himself on the outs in St. Louis.
The writing was on the wall during the 2004 offseason. The Rams organization continued to work on a long-term pact with Bulger, and they also signed Chris Chandler to serve as the backup play-caller. So, with the June 1 deadline officially passing, the Rams decided to move on from Warner on this date in 2004. The move saved the Rams about $4.8MM in cap room while costing them about the same amount in dead cap, and they had to eat another $6MM-plus in 2005.
While Warner was reportedly seeking a starting gig following his release, he ultimately settled into a backup role as Eli Manning‘s mentor with the Giants. Warner actually had a chance to start at the beginning of the year, and he showed some improvement from his dreadful 2002 and 2003 campaigns. Still, he only finished with six touchdowns in nine starts, and the Giants voided the second-year of the QB’s contract at the conclusion of the season.
Warner added another chapter to his story in 2005. The veteran joined the Cardinals, and while he’d eventually earn a place in Arizona lore, it took a while for him to fully secure the starting gig. Thanks in part to injuries and the team’s desire to play top draft picks (including Matt Leinart), Warner only saw time in 16 games through his first two seasons with the organization, collecting a 3-12 record.
However, Warner experienced a career turnaround in 2007; his 27 touchdowns were his highest total since 2001. Then, Warner truly put himself back on the NFL map in 2008, earning a Pro Bowl nod after completing 67.1-percent of his passes for 4,583 yards and 30 touchdowns. More importantly, he guided his team to the Super Bowl, where he eventually lost to the Steelers. 2009 was another standout season for Warner, as he tossed 26 touchdowns while leading the Cardinals to a 10-5 record. However, that iteration of the Cardinals got blown out in the Divisional Round, and Warner announced his retirement soon after the season.
While no one thought Warner’s career was finished when he was released by the Rams on this date in 2004, few pundits probably envisioned him returning to the Pro Bowl, much less the Super Bowl. Just like Warner did during the early parts of his career, the QB managed to persevere and surprise during the second-half of his storied career.
Ravens Sign DL Jovan Swann
After losing one defensive lineman to injury last week, the Ravens are adding another. The team announced today that they’ve signed defensive lineman Jovan Swann. The team also waived/injured defensive tackle Xavier Kelly and wide receiver Donte Sylencieux.
Swann had a standout career at Stanford, and he earned a handful of Pac-12 All-Academic nods during his stint with the Cardinal. He spent the 2020 campaign at Indiana, finishing the season with three QB hits. During his collegiate career, the lineman compiled 8.5 sacks and 16.5 tackles for loss.
Swann ultimately went undrafted during April’s draft, and he’s already bounced around the NFL a bit. He spent rookie camp with the Steelers before getting a workout with the Texans.
Kelly, a fellow undrafted rookie, suffered a season-ending Achilles injury last week, opening a spot for Swann. The team may not be finished adding, however; we learned earlier today that the team worked out defensive tackle Darius Kilgo.
Sylencieux joined the Ravens earlier this offseason, reuniting him with high school teammate Lamar Jackson.
Broncos, Saints Tried To Claim LB Joe Bachie
Before getting claimed by the Bengals, linebacker Joe Bachie generated interest from some additional teams. ESPN’s Field Yates reports (via Twitter) that the Broncos and Saints also tried to claim the 23-year-old. Bachie was waived by the Eagles earlier this week.
It makes sense that the Saints had interest in the linebacker. After the Michigan State product went undrafted in 2020, New Orleans made it a priority to quickly sign him. He spent much of the season on the Saints practice squad before he was snagged by Philly in December. He ultimately saw time in four games for the Eagles, appearing in 74 snaps (including 56 special teams snaps).
Bachie has a standout stint at Michigan State, finishing his career with 285 tackles, eight sacks, and five forced fumbles. He earned third-team All Big Ten honors during his senior campaign after compiling 71 tackles and 8.5 tackles for loss. However, the prospect was suspended after testing positive for performance-enhancing drugs, and that revelation also killed his draft stock.
Considering his production in college, it’s not a surprise that so many teams had their eye on Bachie, especially since the linebacker now has a year of experience on his resume. Bachie should have a chance at competing for a job in Cincinnati. Outside of Germaine Pratt, none of the Bengals linebackers have much starting experience, so it’s not like Bachie has a huge uphill battle. He’ll compete with the likes of Akeem Davis-Gaither, Logan Wilson, Markus Bailey, Jordan Evans, and Keandre Jones for snaps.
Jaguars Executive Leaves Organization
Another recent hire is leaving the Jaguars. ESPN’s Michael DiRocco writes that senior vice president of football operations and strategy Karim Kassam has left the organization.
Kassam was a bit of an unconventional hire, as he had most recently served as the Minnesota Twins’ director of baseball research. However, he did have some NFL experience on his resume, having spent half a decade as the Steelers analytics research coordinator. Kassam was hired by the Jaguars back in February, and he was expected to “oversee the team’s football technology and analytics department” while also assisting with the salary cap (per DiRocco).
The team didn’t reveal the reason for Kassam leaving the organization, but they released a statement describing the decision as mutual.
“Karim and the team have come to the conclusion that it is in our mutual best interest to move in different directions. We wish Karim nothing but the best,” said Tony Khan, the Jaguars’ chief football strategy officer.
Earlier this offseason, Chris Doyle was hired as the team’s director of sports performance, but he resigned following negative reactions to the hiring. Doyle previously worked at Iowa, where he was accused of bulling players and making racist remarks.
Former Giants RB Brandon Jacobs Eyeing Comeback As DE
Tim Tebow has inspired another former player to attempt a comeback at a new position. Former NFL running back Brandon Jacobs announced on Twitter that he’s “serious” about returning to the league as a defensive end.
[RELATED: Jaguars Sign Tim Tebow]
“I can still run, I am strong and there’s no way Tim Tebow is a better athlete than I am,” the 2005 fourth-rounder tweeted. “I just need a shot that’s it!! If I can’t cut it I’ll take it like a man. Just give me one chance that’s all!!”
The soon-to-be 39-year-old hasn’t played in an NFL game since 2013, but Jacobs claims that he’s currently in as good of shape as he was during his playing career.
“Body feels great, even at 38,” Jacobs told Josina Anderson (Twitter link). “Right now I‘m at about 260lbs—same weight I played as a RB. I’m switching positions now because it’s something I should’ve done before, and honestly a position I can play….People always said I was a running back in a D-lineman’s body. It doesn’t cost anything to bring me into training camp. It doesn’t hurt to look.”
It’s hard to envision too many teams being interested in a former running back who’s trying to transition to defensive line, especially one who’d be one of the oldest players in the league. Maybe the Giants could give him a chance; Jacobs won a pair of Super Bowls and set the franchise record for rushing touchdowns during his eight years with the organization (two stints). Jacobs was known for his ability to shake defenders and break tackles, and he’d be looking to use that unique perspective if he ends up getting a shot from a team.
TE MyCole Pruitt Drawing Interest From Ravens, 49ers
The market for MyCole Pruitt is apparently heating up. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler tweets that the veteran tight end visited with the Ravens this week and is set to meet with the 49ers next week.
After bouncing around the league a bit, Pruitt found a home in Tennessee in 2018. While the former fifth-rounder never put up big numbers during his stint with the Titans (20 receptions for 241 yards and one score), he had a consistent role as a blocking tight end, appearing in 42 games (15 starts) in three years. Pruitt also saw time in five playoff games for Tennessee, hauling in six receptions.
We learned last month that MyCole Pruitt was drawing interest from the Vikings. The tight end actually started his career with Minnesota back in 2015.
While both the 49ers (George Kittle) and Ravens (Mark Andrews) have Pro Bowl tight ends, they could still probably offer Pruitt a solid amount of playing time. In San Francisco, Ross Dwelley is the main backup behind Kittle, with 2020 sixth-round Charlie Woerner and undrafted free agent Josh Pederson rounding out the depth chart.
Baltimore’s depth chart is a bit more crowded, as the team is currently rostering seven tight ends. That includes long-time Raven Nick Boyle, veteran journeyman Eric Tomlinson, and former third-rounder Josh Oliver, who the team traded for this offseason. The team is also rostering 2020 undrafted free agents Jake Breeland and Eli Wolf, and they added 2021 undrafted free agent Tony Poljan earlier this month.
Patriots Cut LaRoy Reynolds
LaRoy Reynolds‘ tenure with the Patriots lasted a bit more than two months. The team announced that they released the veteran linebacker/special teamer today. The 30-year-old was released with an injury settlement.
Despite going undrafted out of Virginia in 2013, Reynolds has managed to put together an eight-year career. In stints with the Jaguars, Bears, Falcons (two stints), Eagles, 49ers, and Bengals, the veteran has collected 117 tackles, with most of those coming on special teams. He appeared in 315 snaps for the Falcons in 2020, including 275 on special teams. He finished the season with 12 tackles, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery.
The Patriots inked Reynolds to a one-year, $1.5MM deal back in March, and the journeyman was expected to serve as one of Bill Belichick‘s beloved special teams aces. Instead, Reynolds will be hitting free agency for the second time this offseason.
With the move, the Patriots have opened up a roster spot, and they’ll soon open another spot when they officially process Patrick Chung‘s retirement. The Patriots could use these spots to add an undrafted free agent or two, as their previous roster constraints only allowed them to add one rookie after the draft.