AFC West Notes: Lynch, Hillman, Childress
The quarterback battle rages on in Denver, as Broncos head coach Gary Kubiak hasn’t yet named a starter for the club’s third preseason game, tweets James Palmer of NFL.com. And while Mark Sanchez and Trevor Siemian have been viewed as the only competitors for the No. 1 job, Paxton Lynch is still a candidate for the starting role. “He’s always been in the mix,” Kubiak told the media, according to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. “I just told you guys that he’s behind the other two from a knowledge standpoint, but we’ve been out there competing every day. Everybody is in competition to play.”
Let’s take a look at more out the Mile High City and the rest of the AFC West:
- Kubiak said last week that running back Ronnie Hillman is in a “hell of a battle” with Devontae Booker and Kapri Bibbs and intimated that Hillman might not make the Broncos‘ roster, and Mike Klis of 9NEWS has taken that sentiment a step further, writing that it’d be a “surprise” if Hillman is with Denver come Week 1. Denver has already handed Hillman $600K through a signing bonus and workout bonuses, but Hillman’s $1.4MM base salary is non-guaranteed, and it doesn’t appear the Broncos are likely to pay it.
- The Broncos may need to scour the free agent market for an addition at offensive guard, according to Klis. Darron Weems looked like he was going to be the club’s starter on the right side, but he suffered a concussion during Saturday’s preseason game. Ty Sambrailo is also dealing with an injury of his own, while rookie Connor McGovern isn’t ready to play immediately. One option for Denver might be Ravens lineman Ryan Jensen, per Klis, though it’s unclear whether the 9NEWS scribe is reporting or simply speculating.
- Veteran wide receiver James Jones is likely to make the Chargers‘ final roster thanks to his ability to play both in the slot and outside, writes Eric D. Williams of ESPN.com. San Diego is dealing with several minor injuries among its receiving corps, so the club might be forced to keep more pass-catchers on its roster than it normally would. The only downside with Jones is that he doesn’t play on special teams, which could force to keep another receiver active on gamedays simply to play teams.
- Brad Childress was ready to retire after last season, but the longtime NFL coach had a change of heart after being promoted to Chiefs co-offensive coordinator, per Tom Pelissero of USA Today. Childress was also a candidate to join former Kansas City coach Doug Pederson as the Eagles’ play-caller, but Andy Reid bumped Childress up to OC, where he’ll team with Matt Nagy and run the Chiefs’ offense.
10 Teams That Could Claim RB Karlos Williams
After waiving him yesterday, the Bills “fully expect” another NFL club to land running back Karlos Williams, and we’ll find out tomorrow if any other team decided to place a claim (the waiver period is typically 24 hours, but rolls over until Monday on weekends). If no one else is interested, Williams will become a free agent. But given that Williams’ (minimal) signing bonus will accelerate onto Buffalo’s cap –meaning that any acquiring team would only be on the hook for minimum salaries for the next three years — it seems likely that Williams will get claimed.
Clearly, there are reasons to be concerned about Williams’ future. He’ll be suspended for the first four games of the 2016 season after violating the league’s substance abuse policy, and he’s struggled with his weight throughout the offseason. At one point, Williams was up 261 pounds, and after losing some of that heft, he’d reportedly begun to balloon once again, leaving the Bills to wonder if he was serious about football.
But Williams also flashed dynamic ability during his rookie season, finishing with 613 yards from scrimmage and nine TDs on just 104 touches while averaging 5.6 yards per carry. The 23-year-old also became one of just two players in NFL history to score a touchdown in each of his first six games in the league. All in all, Williams seemingly defines an old adage: high risk, high reward.
Let’s take a look at several teams that could be interested in Williams, listed in order of their waiver priority:
Cleveland Browns — New head coach Hue Jackson is trying to foster a new culture with the Browns, but he’s also shown a willingness to give players a second chance. He’s embraced wide receiver Josh Gordon, who was recently reinstated from a season-long suspension, and he stood by running back Isaiah Crowell after the latter posted a disturbing image online. Crowell and Duke Johnson figure to get most of the run for Cleveland during the upcoming season, but the club should be stockpiling talent during its rebuild, and Williams would be a cheap upgrade.
San Diego Chargers — San Diego had high hopes for its rushing attack after trading up to select Melvin Gordon in the first round of last year’s draft, but offensive line injuries and Gordon’s own poor play led to the Chargers finishing 31st in rushing DVOA. Gordon then had microfracture surgery in January, and while his long-term prognosis is positive, serious knee injuries are always unwelcome news for young running backs. It looks like Gordon is already losing work to Danny Woodhead during the preseason, and if the Chargers think Gordon is in for another sub-par season, they could take a risk on Williams.
Baltimore Ravens — This is only my speculation, but given that he’s on the wrong side of 30, coming off injury, and due a non-guaranteed $3MM base salary, veteran running back Justin Forsett could be a surprise cut as roster cutdowns approach. Such a move would be made much easier if the Ravens were able to acquire a talent like Williams, who could slot in the backfield after his suspension, teaming with Javorius Allen, Terrance West, Kenneth Dixon, and perhaps Lorenzo Taliaferro. Baltimore has taken chances on character risks in the past, though the club was burned by safety Will Hill, with whom they cut ties after he was handed a 10-game suspension.
Philadelphia Eagles — Like the Browns, the Eagles haven’t been afraid to collect players who are considered character risks, as evidenced by their trade for receiver Dorial Green-Beckham last week. Philadelphia is hoping it can turn around the career of DGB, who struggled with both motivation and learning the Titans’ playbook, and they could place a similar bet on Williams. Like DGB, Williams clearly has talent, and the Eagles could use another option alongside Ryan Mathews, Kenjon Barner, Darren Sproles, and Wendell Smallwood. Turron Davenport of USA Today recently looked at how Williams could succeed in the type of outside zone runs employed by the Eagles.
Broncos Sign Henry Melton
After working him out earlier today, the Broncos have agreed to sign defensive tackle Henry Melton, as the veteran posted a picture of himself signing a contract at Denver’s facility. There’s no word on the length or financial terms of the deal.
[RELATED: Police still investigating Aqib Talib incident]
Denver had already been reeling from the offseason loss of Malik Jackson, and the man set to replace him, Vance Walker, suffered a torn ACL last week and was subsequently placed on injured reserve. Starting defensive end Derek Wolfe recently rolled his ankle, but apparently not seriously enough to cause any major absence, as he played in last night’s preseason contest against the 49ers. Free agent signee Jared Crick is now set to start opposite Wolfe, but Melton could offer a reserve pass-rushing presence at both end and tackle if signed.
Melton, 29, has settled into more of a rotational role in recent years, and is no longer the dominant interior presence he was during his early career with the Bears. But he still appeared in all 16 games for Tampa Bay last season, playing on roughly half of the Bucs’ defensive snaps. In that time, Melton picked up two sacks, 18 tackles, and recovered two fumbles, but only graded as the league’s No. 101 interior defender among 123 qualifiers, per Pro Football Focus. The former Texas Longhorn earned an honorable mention on PFR’s May list of the best remaining free agent defenders.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Giants Don’t Rule Out Signing Another Kicker
Although Giants brass last night declined to comment on the domestic violence allegations against kicker Josh Brown or the club’s kicking situation as a whole, head coach Ben McAdoo did speak on the circumstances today. “Never say never,” said McAdoo, when asked about New York adding another kicker, tweets Paul Schwartz of the New York Post.
[RELATED: Impact Rookies — New York Giants]
As Schwartz wrote last night, Giants co-owner John Mara told reporters, “I know what you’re going to ask me about. Check with me again next week, but I don’t have anything to say about it.” General manager Jerry Reese declined to comment at all about Brown (“Nope, nothing.”), while McAdoo said, “I’ve said everything I have to say on that situation.” Brown himself also declined to comment.
The NFL suspended Brown one game for a 2015 arrest on a domestic violence charge, but later details painted a much more disturbing picture. Brown’s ex-wife told police that Brown had been physically violent with her over 20 times and that she had previously had a protection order against him. However, the league later issued a statement saying that Brown’s ex-wife, as well as local investigators, had declined to offer further information on the situation, hence the seemingly light suspension.
Tom Obarski, a 2015 undrafted free agent who is the only other kicker on the Giants’ roster, was handed a “golden opportunity” — McAdoo’s words — to stay on the roster, but failed to convert a 28-yard field goal in New York’s preseason game against the Bills last night. Veteran kickers currently available on the free agent market include Josh Scobee, who was released after a two-month offseason stay on the Saints’ roster, and former Texan/Jet Randy Bullock.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Dolphins’ Mike Pouncey Could Miss Week One
Dolphins center Mike Pouncey is unlikely to play in any more preseason contests and could potentially miss Week One with a hip injury, head coach Adam Gase told reporters, including Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald and James Walker of ESPN.com (Twitter links). Pouncey had offseason surgery on his right hip, but this injury is on his left side, tweets Salguero.
[RELATED: Dolphins Eyeing Stephen Tulloch]
Miami’s offensive line is undergoing a wave of change along its interior, so losing Pouncey as the anchor, for any amount of time, is all the more troubling. First-round pick Laremy Tunsil is competing with Dallas Thomas to start at left guard, while free agent signee Jermon Bushrod is pushing against Billy Turner for playing time on the right side. Anthony Steen, a former undrafted free agent who spent 2015 on Miami’s practice squad, appears to be the next man up at center.
Pouncey, 27, had hip surgery back in 2014, and ultimately missed four games to begin that campaign. He rebounded, however, starting 12 games while appearing mostly at guard, and ended up making the Pro Bowl. In 2015, Pouncey once again made the Pro Bowl after returning to center and starting 14 games, though he was derailed by a late-season ankle injury. The sixth-year pro graded as the league’s No. 11 center last year, according to Pro Football Focus’ metrics.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
PFR Originals: 8/14/16 – 8/21/16
The original content and analysis produced by the PFR staff during the past week:
- In PFR’s new series The Beat, Zach is conducting interviews with beat writers, columnists, and TV personalities about the team that they cover. This week, Zach spoke with Terry McCormick of TitansInsider.com, and discussed the Titans, DeMarco Murray, Andre Johnson, Dorial Green-Beckham, and Jack Conklin.
- PFR has continued to go over each team’s rookie class with the assistance of scouting guru Dave-Te Thomas, who has served as a consultant to NFL teams for multiple decades. Dave covered four clubs last week:
- PFR has also continued to look back at the offseasons for all 32 clubs, examining the major signings, departures, trades, and other notable offseason events for each team. We covered three clubs over the past week:
- Zach rounded up the best of the football blogs in the latest edition of Pigskin Links.
Broncos Work Out Henry Melton
In need of some reinforcements along their defensive line, the Broncos today worked out free agent tackle Henry Melton, according to Jenna Laine of ESPN.com. Melton hasn’t drawn any other known interest since his contract with the Buccaneers expired in March.
[RELATED: Ronnie Hillman on Broncos’ roster bubble]
Denver was already reeling from the offseason loss of Malik Jackson, and the man set to replace him, Vance Walker, suffered a torn ACL last week and was subsequently placed on injured reserve. Starting defensive end Derek Wolfe recently rolled his ankle, but apparently not seriously enough to cause any major absence, as he played in last night’s preseason contest against the 49ers. Free agent signee Jared Crick is now set to start opposite Wolfe, but Melton could offer a reserve pass-rushing presence at both end and tackle if signed.
Melton, 29, has settled into more of a rotational role in recent years, and is no longer the dominant interior presence he was during his early career with the Bears. But he still appeared in all 16 games for Tampa Bay last season, playing on roughly half of the Bucs’ defensive snaps. In that time, Melton picked up two sacks, 18 tackles, and recovered two fumbles, but only graded as the league’s No. 101 interior defender among 123 qualifiers, per Pro Football Focus. The former Texas Longhorn earned an honorable mention on PFR’s May list of the best remaining free agent defenders.
While Melton is auditioning for a spot on Denver’s roster, fellow defensive lineman Billy Winn already has one, and he could end up making the team due to the club’s injuries up front, as Cameron Wolfe of the Denver Post tweets. Winn was signed last month after the Broncos released Phil Taylor from IR, and he played early in Friday’s preseason contest.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
5 Key Stories: 8/14/16 – 8/21/16
DGB to PHI. The Eagles and Titans consummated the first NFL trade in more than three months, as Tennessee shipped 2015 second-rounder Dorial Green-Beckham to Philadelphia in exchange for offensive lineman Dennis Kelly. DGB had yet to master the Titans’ offense, and the
club was concerned about his lack of work ethic over the offseason, although Green-Beckham himself said he’s “not necessarily sure” why Tennessee dealt him. The trade sent a message to Titans receiver Justin Hunter, who considers himself on the roster bubble, while the Eagles are still looking for more pass-catchers.
The league’s threat spurs action. The NFL took a hardline stance in its PED investigation, announcing that Clay Matthews, Julius Peppers, James Harrison, and Mike Neal would be suspended if they did not meet with the league by August 25. Despite some protestations from Harrison, he, Matthews, and Peppers quickly agreed to interviews with the NFL. Neal, however, was thought to be considering retirement and therefore uninterested in sitting down with the league, but apparently had a change of heart and later agreed to a meeting.
The hits keep coming in Buffalo. Rex Ryan‘s assertion that the Bills “won the offseason” appears to have incited a karmic reaction, as his club received more bad news last week. Star defensive tackle Marcell Dareus will be suspended four games for violating the league’s substance abuse policy, and is planning to enter a rehab facility. Moreover, Dareus’ 
contract is structured in such a way that only his 2016 guarantees will void — none of his future guaranteed money will be affected. Manny Lawson is also facing a suspension (although he isn’t sure why), and the Bills parted ways with promising second-year running back Karlos Williams.
Domestic violence rears its head. The NFL suspended Giants kicker Josh Brown one game for a 2015 arrest on a domestic violence charge, but later details painted a much more disturbing picture. Brown’s ex-wife told police that Brown had been physically violent with her over 20 times and that she had previously had a protection order against him. However, the league later issued a statement saying that Brown’s ex-wife, as well as local investigators, had declined to offer further information on the situation, hence the seemingly light suspension.
No interest in Hardy. Speaking of domestic violence, several teams have publicly ruled out any pursuit of free agent defensive end Greg Hardy. The Jaguars, the only team to meet with Hardy this offseason, won’t be signing Hardy any time soon, says owner Shad Kahn, who stated his club isn’t “even close to a decision like that.” Meanwhile, the Cowboys, who employed Hardy in 2015, won’t be taking a look at a possible reunion, says executive Stephen Jones. “I don’t see that happening,” said Jones. “We certainly had that experiment, and unfortunately it didn’t work out,”
Photos courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Seahawks Re-Sign FB Will Tukuafu
SUNDAY: Seattle has announced the transaction.
SATURDAY: The Seahawks appear to have re-signed Will Tukuafu, as the veteran fullback posted an Instagram picture of himself signing a contract while at the Seahawks’ facility, tweets Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times. Tukuafu worked out for Seattle roughly a week ago, according to Condotta (Twitter link).
[RELATED: Q&A with Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times]
Tukuafu, 32, spent the past two seasons with the Seahawks after playing for the divisional rival 49ers from 2011-13. He played on approximately 20% of Seattle’s offensive plays last year, blocking for breakout rookie Thomas Rawls and toting the ball four times himself, accruing a grand total of one yard (but also one touchdown!). Tukuafu can also help out a bit on special teams, as he averaged ~14% playtime on the Seahawks’ ST snaps over the past two seasons.
Clearly, given that he’s being signed this late into the year, Tukuafu is not guaranteed to make Seattle’s opening day roster, especially because the Seahawks are already certain to keep at least four running backs. In his most recent roster projection (obviously composed before Tukuafu’s signing), Condotta wrote that Seattle “hadn’t seen enough of the fullback contenders” to make the club keep one on the roster, but given that the coaching staff is familiar with Tukuafu, perhaps he’ll have a leg up.
In order to create a roster spot for Tukuafu, the Seahawks have waived fellow fullback Jonathan Amosa, reports Condotta (Twitter link). Seattle had just signed Amosa roughly two weeks ago.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Latest On Karlos Williams, Bills
After waiving him earlier today, the Bills “fully expect” another club to land running back Karlos Williams, according to Vic Carucci of the Buffalo News (Twitter link). Because he’s not a vested veteran, Williams will be placed on waivers, meaning every team — beginning with the Titans and continuing in reverse order of the 2015 standings — will have the opportunity to claim him and his contract. If Williams goes unclaimed, he’ll become a free agent.
[RELATED: Marcell Dareus To Enter Rehab]
Buffalo’s decision to cut Williams doesn’t have anything to do with his talent, per Carucci, who adds the Bills had simply “soured” on Williams’ attitude problems. As we heard earlier today, Williams weighed 261 pounds at one point during this offseason, up from his 2015 playing weight of 229, a gain Williams had attributed to his wife’s pregnancy. And after losing some of that weight, Williams had once again began to balloon, tweets Carucci, leading Buffalo to believe that he was “not serious about football.”
Meanwhile, the newly-signed Reggie Bush is in line to be the Bills’ No. 2 running back behind LeSean McCoy, and had been considered the top backup even before Williams was waived, according to Mike Rodak of ESPN.com (Twitter links). Bush will also serve as the club’s primary punt returner, and received the opening kickoff in today’s preseason contest against the Giants.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.