Sunday Transactions: NFC South
Listed below are the Sunday roster moves for the four NFC South teams. Following the 53-man roster cutdown deadline yesterday, many teams will make slight tweaks to their rosters, claiming players off waivers or signing guys who clear waivers. Those transactions are noted below.
Additionally, as of 11:00am CT today, teams can begin constructing their 10-man practice squads. For the 2014 and 2015 seasons, changes were made to practice squad rules that allow teams to carry eight players instead of 10, and the eligibility requirements for those extra two spots were also loosened. You can check out our glossary entry on practice squads to brush up on those changes, as well as all the other guidelines that govern the 10-man units, whose players practice with the team but aren’t eligible to suit up on Sundays.
Here are Sunday’s NFC South transactions, which will continue to be updated throughout the day:
Atlanta Falcons:
- Claimed off waivers: Nate Stupar, LB (via Vaughn McClure on Twitter)
- Cut: Tim Dobbins, LB (via Adam Caplan on Twitter)
- Signed to practice squad (officially announced): Ricardo Allen, CB; Sean Baker, S; Harland Gunn, G; Terren Jones, T; Bernard Reedy, WR; Travian Robertson, DT; Jacques Smith, OLB; Jerome Smith, RB
Carolina Panthers:
- Signed to practice squad (officially announced): Carrington Byndom, CB; Adarius Glanton, LB; Tavarres King, WR; Robert Lester, S; Marcus Lucas, WR; Andrew McDonald, OT; Darrin Reaves, RB; Micanor Regis, DT; D.J. Smith, LB; Casey Walker, DT
New Orleans Saints:
- Signed to practice squad: Brandon Coleman, WR (via Evan Woodbery on Twitter); Terrence Frederick, CB (via Larry Holder on Twitter); Seantavius Jones, WR (via Nick Underhill on Twitter); Tavon Rooks, T (via Woodbery on Twitter); Trevin Wade, CB (via Woodbery on Twitter); Todd Davis, LB (via Mike Triplett on Twitter)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers:
- Claimed off waivers (officially announced): Garrett Gilkey, G (via Gilkey on Twitter)
- Cut (officially announced): Josh Allen, OL
- Signed to practice squad (officially announced): Cameron Brate, TE (via Roy Cummings on Twitter); Jeff Demps, WR (via Cummings on Twitter); Mike Kafka, QB; Brandon Magee, LB (via Cummings on Twitter); Matthew Masifilo, DT (via Cummings on Twitter); Solomon Patton, WR (via Cummings on Twitter), Brandon Dixon, CB (via Rick Stroud on Twitter)
Texans Release Chris Clemons
On a day where a multitude of lesser-known players have either changed teams through the waiver process or been assigned to a practice squad, the Texans have made several higher-profile moves — after acquiring Ryan Mallett earlier today, the team has released veteran safety Chris Clemons, according to Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post.
Clemons, 28, signed a two-year deal with Houston that contained $450K in guaranteed money — the Texans will save $800K in cap space for the upcoming season. Clemons had spent the first five seasons of his career with the Dolphins after being selected in the fifth round of the 2009 draft. In five years in Miami, Clemons started 48 games, racking up 207 tackles and four interceptions. Pro Football Focus (subscription required) graded Clemons as the 19th-best safety in the league last season.
As Clemons looks to latch on with a new team before Week 1, the Texans will likely go with Kendrick Lewis as their starting free safety.
Bills Sign Colton Schmidt, Cut T.J. Graham, Others
The Bills have signed punter Colton Schmidt, reports Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (via Twitter). Schmidt, a California-Davis product, has also spent time with the 49ers. Additionally, the team announced it has trimmed its roster to 53 by cutting the following 10 players:
- Deon Broomfield (S)
- Jimmy Gaines (LB)
- T.J. Graham (WR)
- Caleb Holley (WR)
- Ike Igbinosun (DL)
- Bryan Johnson (DE)
- Kenny Ladler (S)
- Doug Legursky (OL)
- Antoine McClain (OL)
- Jeff Tuel (QB)
Panthers Cut 14, Roster Sits At 53
The Panthers have made the necessary roster moves in order to be in compliance of the NFL’s 53-man roster limit:
Waived:
- Derek Dennis (G)
- James Dockery (CB)
- Adarius Glanton (LB)
- Marcus Lucas (WR)
- Tom Nelson (S)
- Drake Nevis (DT)
- Darrin Reaves (RB)
- Micanor Reagis (DT)
- D.J. Smith (LB)
- Josh Thomas (CB)
- Michael Zordich (FB)
Waived-injured:
- Kevin Hughes (OT)
Waived with injury settlement:
- Mike McNeill (TE)
- Anderson Russell (S)
Giants Bring Roster To 53
After making several moves earlier today, the Giants have finalized their roster by cutting the following players, according to a press release:
Waived-injured:
- Rogers Gaines (OT)
Contract terminated:
- Kellen Davis (TE)
Waived:
- OT Mark Asper
- RB Michael Cox
- DB Chandler Fenner
- LB Dan Fox
- RB Kendall Gaskins
- DB Thomas Gordon
- OT Adam Gress
- DB Bennett Jackson
- G Jamaal Johnson-Webb
- LB Terrell Manning
- DT Kelcie Quarles
- DE Jordan Stanton
- WR Julian Talley
Chargers Trim Roster To 53
The Chargers have announced their 53-man roster, and in doing so, parted ways with the following 18 players (via a press release):
- Victor Aiyewa (LB)
- Chas Alecxih (DT)
- Torrence Allen (WR)
- Vincent Brown (WR) (waived-injured)
- Alden Darby (S)
- Greg Ducre (CB)
- Michael Flacco (TE)
- Mike Harris (OT)
- Javontee Herndon (WR)
- Thomas Keiser (LB)
- Cordarro Law (LB)
- Adrian Phillips (S)
- Jeremiah Sirles (OT)
- Colton Underwood (LB)
- Craig Watts (G)
- Kenny Wiggins (OT)
- Khalil Wilkes (C)
- Doug Worthington (DL)
San Diego had already cut four players yesterday.
Cowboys Acquire Lavar Edwards From Titans
As teams around the league part ways with players in advance of today’s 3pm cutdown deadline, the Cowboys have added to their roster, acquiring defensive end Lavar Edwards from the Titans in exchange for a conditional seventh-round pick, according to Todd Archer of ESPN.com (via Twitter). Adam Schefter of ESPN adds (on Twitter) that it’s a 2015 draft pick.
Edwards, 24, was selected by Tennessee in the fourth round of the 2012 draft after playing his college ball at LSU. He played in seven games last season, starting one contest, and ultimately saw time on 153 snaps. Pro Football Focus’ advanced metrics (subscription required) graded Edwards as below-average, especially in terms of pass-rushing, where he finished with a -4.1 mark.
In Dallas, Edwards will act as depth along a defensive line that, save for a recovering Henry Melton, doesn’t have many stirring options.
Fallout From Latest NFL Disciplinary Actions
There has been quite of bit of disciplinary news in the past week — Browns receiver Josh Gordon‘s one-year suspension was upheld, and the league announced a new policy directed at violent domestic offenders. Let’s take a look at some of the reaction to those maneuvers:
- The NFLPA is wary of commissioner Roger Goodell’s punitive powers, and its statement regarding the new domestic violence policy announcement reflects that sentiment, per Tom Pelissero of USA Today. “As we do in all disciplinary matters,” writes the union, “if we believe that players’ due process rights are infringed upon during the course of discipline, we will assert and defend our members’ rights.”
- Because the policy mandates a lifetime ban for a second offense, Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk thinks that many players could opt to fight legal battles regarding domestic incidents rather than accept plea agreements, as “complete exoneration” appears to be the only way to avoid such a suspension.
- In yesterday’s statement regarding domestic violence, Goodell noted that he wants a mandatory de-activation and two-game suspension for DUI offenders but says that the NFLPA has fought it, tweets Ben Volin of The Boston Globe.
- If Goodell had simply issued Ray Rice the standard four-game suspension for poor behavior following his domestic incident, this story could ended before it began, writes Jane McManus of ESPN.com while crediting Goodell for now acting decisively.
- Following Gordon’s suspension for marijuana use, the union would like to have the league’s THC threshold raised, according to Mike Garafolo of Fox Sports 1. While MLB’s standard is 50 nanograms per milliliter, and the World Anti-Doping Assocation’s is 150 ng/ml, the NFL adheres to a 15 ng/ml limit. As Florio reported in July, Gordon’s positive sample came in at 16 ng/ml, only one nanogram over the maximum.
Zach Links contributed to this post.
Bon Jovi, Toronto Group Vying For Bills Part Ways
11:02pm: Sources tell Tim Graham of the Buffalo News (via Twitter) that the group is “falling apart,” and that a cabal involving just Tanenbaum and the Rogers family is unlikely to be successful.
10:10pm: Jon Bon Jovi is no longer a part of the Toronto-based group vying for the Bills franchise, report Josh Kosman and Lois Weiss of the New York Post. Larry Tanenbaum, chairman of Maple Lead Sports and Entertainment, and the Rogers family, were apparently concerned about Bon Jovi’s lack of funds (relative to other bidders).
As the leader of the bidding group, Bon Jovi was responsible for thirty percent of the party’s total bid. Because the rocker is worth approximately $300MM, the group’s offer would have been capped at roughly $1.1 billion — this would fall in line with the numbers we heard last week. While reports have differed, Buffalo Sabres owner Terry Pegula might have bid up to $1.3 billion, leaving the Toronto group’s figure well short.
Per Kosman and Weiss, the Rogers family is “very serious” about winning the Buffalo franchise. Sources tell the duo that while reports paint the bidding group as fragmenting, it is in fact “reforming,” as evidenced by the removal of Bon Jovi. Final offers for the Bills are due on September 9. Donald Trump and former Sabres owner Tom Golisano are among the remaining contenders for the team.
NFC East Notes: Eagles, Bryant, Garrett, Giants
Although undrafted free agent Carey Spear’s performance wasn’t worthy of wresting a roster spot from incumbent Eagles kicker Alex Henery, it appears recent Philadelphia acquisition Cody Parkey has in fact unseated the veteran. Sources tell Eliot Shorr-Parks of NJ.com that Parkey has won a place on the Eagles’ 53-man roster — if confirmed, the news doesn’t bode well for Henery, as most teams don’t carry two kickers. Parkey, acquired from the Colts on August 20, made two field goals from 50-plus yards in Philadelphia’s preseason game against the Jets on Thursday. More from Philly and the rest of the NFC:
- The Eagles are trying to trade third-year receiver Damaris Johnson, according to Geoff Mosher of CSNPhilly.com (via Twitter). It sounds like the 24-year-old Johnson, who saw just 53 offensive snaps last season, will be waived if Philadelphia can’t find any takers.
- Though progress has been made towards an extension, “there’s nothing all that close” to a new deal between Dez Bryant and the Cowboys, tweets Jason Cole of Bleacher Report.
- Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett is entering the final year of his contract, and owner/GM Jerry Jones tells Rainer Sabin of the Dallas Morning News that he’s content to let Garrett lead the team as a lame duck coach. “I, in no way, have shut that door [on extending Garrett’s deal],” said Jones. “But I have already decided that we were going to operate this year with his contract status the way that it is.”
- Unsurprisingly, Garrett’s name is on Adam Caplan of ESPN.com’s list of coaches entering 2014 on the hot seat. Mike Smith and Jeff Fisher are the other NFC head men that Caplan thinks could be in trouble.
- Paul Schwartz of the New York Post looks at some Giants who could be on the roster bubble.