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Author: Luke Adams

West Notes: Chancellor, Bennett, L.A.

By | at September 18, 2015 10:30 am

In last night’s game vs. the Chiefs, Broncos pass rusher Von Miller recorded his first sack of the 2015 season, making him the third-fastest player in NFL history to reach 50 career sacks — Miller did it in just his 58th career regular season game (Twitter link).

Under new defensive coordinator Wade Phillips, Miller looks primed for another big year, which makes Denver’s recent extension with Demaryius Thomas all the more important. By extending Thomas in July, the Broncos freed up their 2016 franchise tag to potentially use on Miller, if the two sides don’t reach a long-term extension. With his contract set to expire at season’s end, the 26-year-old looks like one of the most obvious franchise-tag candidates in the league for next offseason.

Here are a few more items from out of the league’s two West divisions:

  • Peter King of TheMMQB.com can’t see Seahawks GM John Schneider caving to Kam Chancellor, even if Seattle loses again in Week 2. King also thinks it’ll be a while before the club seriously consider trading its star safety, who is continuing his holdout.
  • Seahawks defensive end Michael Bennett told reporters on Thursday that, while he’s also unhappy with his contract, his situation is different than Chancellor’s, since he can’t afford to roll the dice on a holdout with a wife and three kids to support. As Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk observes, Bennett’s situation is also different because he has a more legitimate gripe about his contract, which was signed when he was still a part-time player. After he signed the deal, Bennett was elevated into more of a full-time role, which suggests he should be paid more.
  • Andy Dolich of CSNBayArea.com examines the possibility of an NFL team relocating to Los Angeles by breaking down demographics and the interest level of football fans in the L.A. market. Of course, the Raiders, Rams, and Chargers are all viewed as potential relocation candidates.
0 comments City Of Los Angeles Denver Broncos Seattle Seahawks

Facebook/Twitter/RSS Feeds By Team

By | at September 18, 2015 8:59 am

We’ve detailed how you can follow Pro Football Rumors on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, or using an RSS reader to ensure that you receive all of our updates, 365 days a year. If you prefer to only receive news about your favorite NFL team, PFR has you covered. Below are links to our Facebook, Twitter, and RSS pages and feeds for all 32 teams.

AFC East

AFC North

AFC South

AFC West

NFC East

NFC North

NFC South

NFC West

Transactions only: Twitter / RSS

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Texans Claim Oday Aboushi, Trade Keshawn Martin To Pats

By | at September 17, 2015 2:18 pm

THURSDAY, 2:18pm: The Texans will receive a fifth-round pick from the Patriots and the Texans gave the Patriots a sixth-round choice, Mark Berman of FOX 26 tweets.

WEDNESDAY, 4:00pm: A day after he was cut by the Jets, offensive lineman Oday Aboushi has been claimed off waivers by the Texans, according to Field Yates of ESPN.com (Twitter link). The Texans had an open roster spot after placing tight end Ryan Griffin on IR-DTR, so Aboushi slides into that opening.

Aboushi, 24, was suspended for the first game of the 2015 season for violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy, and when it came time to reinstate him this week, the Jets opted to simply waive him instead. A year ago, Aboushi started 10 games at left guard for New York and held his own — Pro Football Focus (subscription required) ranked the former fifth-round pick as the 43rd-best guard out of 78 qualified players, giving him an above-average grade as a run blocker.

In Houston, Aboushi reunites with Mike Devlin, who served as the Jets’ offensive line coach in 2013 and 2014. Devlin now holds the same position for the Texans, who could be without starting left tackle Duane Brown this Sunday.

As Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle reported earlier today (via Twitter), the Texans are also promoting WR/KR Chandler Worthy from the practice squad. In order to accommodate Worthy, Houston has traded WR/KR Keshawn Martin to the Patriots, per John McClain of the Houston Chronicle (via Twitter).

Martin, 25, acted as Houston’s primary kick and punt returner and caught 32 balls in his first two years with the Texans, but had just six receptions in 2014 and didn’t play in the team’s opener this year. It’s not clear yet what sort of compensation Houston got from New England for Martin, but I can’t imagine it was more than a late-round draft pick, perhaps a conditional one.

1 comment Houston Texans New England Patriots Newsstand Transactions

Extra Points: Pats, Cofield, Raiders, Solomon

By | at September 16, 2015 9:52 pm

Another DeflateGate loose end was tied off earlier today, when the NFL announced that Patriots employees John Jastremski and Jim McNally have been reinstated from their suspensions. As Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter links) notes, the NFL said the Pats “satisfied the league’s requirements” for the staffers’ returns, but Jastremski is prohibited from handling footballs and McNally is barred from handling equipment going forward.

Here’s more from around the NFL:

  • Defensive tackle Barry Cofield, viewed by many NFL people as the best defensive free agent available, will likely sign with a contending team in October when he recovers from hip surgery, says Jason Cole of Bleacher Report (video link). Cole cites the Colts and Packers as a couple teams that would interest Cofield and that may have a need on the defensive line.
  • The Raiders did not come close to signing safety Stevie Brown this week even though there’s a clear need at the position, Bill Williamson of ESPN.com writes.
  • Browns outside linebacker Scott Solomon will miss four to six weeks with an ankle injury suffered early in the season opener, a source told ESPN’s Adam Caplan. The Browns had high hopes for Solomon, who made his mark after being signed to the practice squad in November. Cleveland will likely add an outside linebacker to replenish its depth.
  • Eric Grubman, the NFL’s point man on Los Angeles, said this week that San Diego and St. Louis reps won’t get the opportunity to make presentations on their stadium plans at the league’s October owner meetings, according to Bernie Wilson of The Associated Press. Grubman suggested that another time and place would allow for a more in-depth presentation, since there’s already a “full agenda” for next month’s meetings.
  • As Howard Belzer of The SportsXchange tweets, many NFL team owners want to have serious discussions at those October meetings about Roger Goodell’s disciplinary power, which is one reason why there isn’t room for stadium presentations. Steelers president Art Rooney II indicated this week that “informal discussions” on that issue have already begun, per Mark Maske of the Washington Post.

Zach Links contributed to this post.

1 comment City Of Los Angeles Cleveland Browns Las Vegas Raiders New England Patriots

Community Tailgate: Week 1 Surprises

By | at September 16, 2015 6:50 pm

With the NFL season nearly underway, we’ll have a whole new series of topics to discuss in the coming weeks, and PFR’s Community Tailgate is designed to address those topics. What’s the Community Tailgate all about? Well, it’s pretty simple. Every weekday, we’ll highlight one of the top stories going on in the NFL. Then, in the comment section below, we want you to weigh in and let us know what you think.

Of course, while the debate may get spirited, we ask that it all stays respectful. If you need a reminder of our rules, please check out our commenting policy. Basically, we ask that you refrain from inappropriate language, personal insults, and attacks. Speaking of commenting: we’ve made it much easier to leave a comment here at Pro Football Rumors. You are no longer required to be a registered user – simply put in your name, email address, and comment and submit.

After months of build-up and anticipation, the NFL season got underway this past week, and seeing all 32 teams in action made us reconsider some of the some of the things we thought we knew about them. Of course, one week of regular season games is too small a sample size to prove anything definitively, but there were certainly plenty of teams and players that looked much better or worse than we expected.

Are the Bills really as good as they looked during their win over the Colts? Will Marcus Mariota turn the Titans into a competitive team? Has Dan Quinn made the Falcons‘ defense an above-average unit? Are the 49ers a better club than their disastrous offseason suggested?

There were plenty of surprises in Week 1. We want to know which ones caught your eye. Which teams and players were you most unexpectedly impressed by or disappointed in? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section!

6 comments Community Tailgate

Extra Points: Foster, Kitchen, Gregory

By | at September 16, 2015 10:03 am

Texans running back Arian Foster said Tuesday while promoting a charity fundraiser that he’d like to finish his career in Houston, according to John McClain of the Houston Chronicle (Twitter links). “I don’t want to put on another uniform,” Foster said. “It’s a business though. I’m a cog in a wheel.” The 29-year-old’s current contract expires after next season, so he’d have to re-sign with the Texans if he plans to play beyond age 30 in Houston.

Here’s more from around the NFL..

  • After bringing him in on Tuesday for a visit, the Texans aren’t immediately signing former Browns defensive tackle Ishmaa’ily Kitchen, per Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle (via Twitter). Wilson adds that Kitchen had a strong workout and that the team could always revisit the possibility of signing him.
  • While Dez Bryant‘s foot injury is dominating the headlines in Dallas this week, the Cowboys received more bad news on the injury front, according to Ed Werder of ESPN.com, who tweets that promising rookie pass rusher Randy Gregory sustained a high ankle sprain and will be sidelined for four to six weeks.
  • Former Cleveland wide receiver Josh Lenz, who was waived during the Browns’ cutdown to 53 players this month, worked out for the Giants on Tuesday, a source tells Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle (Twitter link).
  • The Cowboys liked what they saw in workouts with Nick Toon and Clyde Gates, but the staff felt better about going after Brice Butler, Clarence Hill of the Star-Telegram tweets. Dallas acquired Butler from Oakland on Tuesday.
0 comments Dallas Cowboys Houston Texans New York Giants

NFL Practice Squad Updates: 9/15/15

By | at September 15, 2015 7:08 pm

Here are Tuesday’s practice squad signings and cuts from around the NFL:

Carolina Panthers

Cleveland Browns

Indianapolis Colts

  • Signed: RB Zurlon Tipton and OL Robert Myers (via press release)

Jacksonville Jaguars

  • Signed: OT Patrick Miller (via Mike DiRocco on Twitter)
  • Cut: DT Toby Johnson (via press release)

Miami Dolphins

New England Patriots

New Orleans Saints

New York Giants

Philadelphia Eagles

    • To be signed: RB Kevin Monangai and NT Travis Raciti (via team website)
    • To be cut: TE Andrew Gleichert

St. Louis Rams

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Washington

0 comments Carolina Panthers Cleveland Browns Indianapolis Colts Jacksonville Jaguars Los Angeles Rams Miami Dolphins New England Patriots New Orleans Saints New York Giants Philadelphia Eagles Tampa Bay Buccaneers Transactions Washington Commanders

Justin Hunter Found Not Guilty Of Assault

By | at September 15, 2015 2:03 pm

Appearing in a Virginia courtroom today, Titans wide receiver Justin Hunter was found not guilty on charges of assault and battery, according to Gabriella DeLuca of NewsChannel 3 (via Twitter).

Hunter, 24, originally faced a felony charge for an incident that took place in a Virginia Beach bar on the Fourth of July weekend. During a July arraignment, prosecutors said that Hunter started a bar fight on by punching a man in the face twice. According to prosecutors, after the bar was cleared, Hunter punched the man again while he was bent over spitting out blood on the sidewalk.

The man allegedly had a broken jaw as a result of the assault, and the Titans wideout faced a felony charge of malicious wounding. However, per an AP report, there were several people involved in the brawl, and the victim said Hunter didn’t land the most serious blow. The receiver’s attorneys argued that Hunter felt threatened, which is why he began throwing punches.

That original felonious charge was reduced to a misdemeanor assault and battery charge a few weeks ago, and today Hunter was found not guilty in court. While he’s in the clear from a legal standpoint, the NFL figures to complete its own investigation, and the former 34th overall pick could still face discipline from the league. Still, Hunter’s odds of serving a multi-game suspension due to the incident appear to have been significantly reduced as a result of the not guilty ruling.

Hunter, who has continued to play for the Titans while his legal situation plays out, was targeted just twice during Sunday’s game in Tampa Bay, catching one ball for 11 yards.

0 comments Newsstand Tennessee Titans

Falcons Sign Jake Long

By | at September 15, 2015 1:34 pm

TUESDAY, 1:34pm: Head coach Dan Quinn confirmed today that the Falcons have signed Long, and Charles Godfrey is being cut to clear room on the roster, per Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com (Twitter links).

MONDAY, 7:58pm: Matt Ryan and the Falcons have had an impressive showing so far against the Eagles tonight, and the team may soon add another former first overall pick to its roster. According to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter), Atlanta is expected to sign offensive tackle Jake Long later this week.

Long, 30, saw time in just seven games for the Rams last season due to a torn ACL. The former No. 1 overall pick had been in St. Louis for the past two years after spending the first five years of his career with the Dolphins, but tore his ACL in each of those two seasons, playing in just 22 games during that stretch.

However, Long received the go-ahead for Dr. James Andrews, who medically cleared him last week, and the veteran offensive lineman paid a second visit to Atlanta upon being cleared. The Giants also had kicked the tires on Long, but it appeared there was more mutual interest between him and the Falcons.

Last season, Pro Football Focus (subscription required) ranked Long as just the No. 36 tackle out of 84 qualified players. In 2013, however, Long graded out as the seventh-best tackle in the league with a strong 22.5 overall score, based on PFF’s advanced metrics. Those numbers suggest that Long could still be a productive player if he’s back to full health.

3 comments Atlanta Falcons Newsstand Transactions

AFC Notes: Kitchen, Texans, Workouts, Fluker

By | at September 15, 2015 12:43 pm

Former Browns nose tackle Ishmaa’ily Kitchen, who was cut by Cleveland earlier this month, will pay a visit to the Texans this week, a source tells Zac Jackson of Pro Football Talk. With 2014 third-rounder Louis Nix no longer on their roster, and sixth-round rookie Christian Covington backing up Vince Wilfork, the Texans may be seeking some veteran depth to help complement J.J. Watt on their defensive line.

As we wait to see if anything materializes between Kitchen and the Texans, let’s check in on a few other items from across the AFC….

  • Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post passes along some workout updates, reporting (via Twitter) that the Jets are auditioning former Broncos defensive end Quanterus Smith today, and that linebackers Troy Davis, Quayshawn Nealy, and Nick Moody recently worked out for the Chiefs. Moody has since signed to Seattle’s practice squad.
  • Chargers offensive lineman D.J. Fluker is expected to miss “considerable time” due to an ankle injury, writes Bernie Wilson of The Associated Press. Johnnie Troutman would likely be the next man up to replace Fluker as San Diego’s right guard.
  • The trial for Titans wide receiver Justin Hunter, who was charged with assault and battery following a July bar brawl, is set to begin today in Virginia Beach, according to an Associated Press report.
  • Examining A.J. Green‘s new extension with the Bengals, Bryce Johnston of Over the Cap observes that even though Green’s second-year base salary isn’t fully guaranteed at the time of his signing and he trails other star wideouts in terms of fully guaranteed money, his contract looks just as strong as those other deals.
0 comments Cincinnati Bengals Houston Texans Kansas City Chiefs Los Angeles Chargers New York Jets Tennessee Titans
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