Minor Moves: Friday
Here are Friday’s minor moves from around the NFL, including practice squad signings and cuts. We’ll add the rest of the day’s minor transactions to the top of this list as they’re reported or announced:
- The Raiders are promoting rookie tight end Scott Simonson from the practice squad to their active roster, reports Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (via Twitter). Since Oakland has a full 53-man squad, a corresponding move will be necessary to accommodate the official signing of Simonson, who signed with the Raiders as an undrafted free agent out of Assumption College in May.
Earlier updates:
- Just two days after re-adding tight end Phillip Supernaw back to their practice squad, the Ravens have promoted him to the active roster, the team announced today in a press release. Supernaw takes the roster spot vacated by Haloti Ngata, who was suspended four games by the NFL for violating the league’s policy on performance-enhancing substances and placed on the reserve/suspended list. If the Ravens hope to activate cornerback Asa Jackson to the 53-man squad from IR-DTR in time for this weekend’s contest against the Dolphins, another roster move will be required.
Rams Sign Johnny Hekker To Extension
The Rams have locked up All-Pro punter Johnny Hekker for the next several seasons, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com, who reports (via Twitter) that the two sides have agreed to a new six-year, $18MM extension. The deal, which includes $9MM in guaranteed money, keeps Hekker under team control through the 2020 season.
Hekker, who had been in the final year of his rookie contract, would’ve been eligible for restricted free agency this offseason. Since he went undrafted out of Oregon State, the 24-year-old only has three years of experience under his belt, rather than four. Through his first three seasons, Hekker earned minimum base salaries and a signing bonus of just $10K, so the new contract represents a significant raise.
Hekker earns that raise after ranking second overall among punters last season, according to Pro Football Focus’ advanced grades (subscription required), and leading the league with 44.3 net yards per punt. A year later, that net average has dipped slightly to 42.1 yards, but that still puts the Rams punter among the top five in the NFL, and PFF ranks him third overall.
Although there are plenty of punters and kickers whose contracts exceed the $18MM total and $3MM annual average value on Hekker’s new deal, the $9MM guarantee is a league-high for either position. Previously, the largest guarantees on current pacts belonged to Sebastian Janikowski ($8MM) and Dustin Colquitt ($7.9MM).
Bucs Part Ways With OC Jeff Tedford
The Buccaneers have officially released offensive coordinator Jeff Tedford from his contract, allowing him to pursue other opportunities, the team announced today in a press release. Ian Rapoport of NFL.com first reported (via Twitter) that the team would be parting ways with its offensive coordinator. Tedford had been absent from the team for the majority of the 2014 season due to health issues.
“Throughout these difficult circumstances, our primary concern was for Jeff’s health and well-being,” said head coach Lovie Smith in a statement. “After speaking with Jeff in recent days, it became obvious that a mutual decision to release him from his contract was the best way forward. We wish Jeff continued success in the next phase of his career.”
Tedford, a longtime coach at Cal, is expected to explore job opportunities in the college ranks, either as a head coach or an offensive coordinator, according to Roy Cummings of the Tampa Tribune and Mike Garafolo of FOX Sports (Twitter links). As for the Bucs, quarterbacks coach Marcus Arroyo will likely continue to call plays for the rest of the 2014 season, with the team then hiring a new offensive coordinator for 2015.
AFC East Notes: Pats, Dolphins, Bargains
As the Bills and Patriots prepare for tough road tests against AFC West teams, and the Dolphins get ready to host the Ravens in a crucial game for potential Wild Card positioning, let’s check out a few Friday items out of the AFC East….
- Having placed wideout Aaron Dobson on their injured reserve list, the Patriots are currently carrying just 52 players, leaving an open spot on their active roster. While we wait to see what they do with that opening, Mike Reiss of ESPNBoston.com examines the team’s practice squad players most likely to receive a promotion, with receiver Josh Boyce and linebacker Deontae Skinner topping the list.
- The Dolphins brought in former Portland State tackle Mitchell Van Dyk for a tryout this week, according to Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (via Twitter). A seventh-round pick this past May, Van Dyk was cut by the Rams at the end of the preseason.
- Lindsay H. Jones of USA Today takes a look at the contending teams getting by without highly-paid, big-name running backs, focusing on the Patriots and their recent addition of LeGarrette Blount.
- Dolphins defensive end Olivier Vernon and Jets defensive tackle Damon Harrison are among the league’s best bargains in 2014, according to Jason Fitzgerald of The Sporting News.
- Last week, we pointed to several teams that will face offseason decisions on quarterbacks, or will look to add new signal-callers, and Field Yates of ESPN.com has made a similar list in an Insider-only piece. The Jets and Bills are among the clubs that show up in both pieces.
Adrian Peterson Likely To Be Reinstated?
The appeal hearing for Adrian Peterson came to an end yesterday when NFL executive Troy Vincent testified before hearing officer Harold Henderson, and a decision could come next week, according to Peter King of TheMMQB.com, who writes that the Vikings running back is “likely (but not certain)” to be reinstated.
The tidbit from King is somewhat buried in his preview of Week 14’s games, and doesn’t explicitly cite any sources, so it’s not clear if the SI scribe is actually reporting that Peterson’s suspension is expected to be lifted by Henderson or passing along rumors. At the very least, it seems to be informed speculation, considering King is one of the more plugged-in reporters in the industry.
If Peterson were to be reinstated next week, it would force the Vikings to make an interesting decision. At 5-7, Minnesota doesn’t have a realistic shot at the playoffs, and the team had been considered a good bet to release the Pro Bowl running back in the offseason due to an increasingly exorbitant cap hit. So it’s not clear if the team would activate Peterson for the final three games of the season, a move that could potentially rankle some sponsors and fans.
Before the Vikings face that decision though, we’ll have to get the official word on Peterson’s appeal. Based on how long Henderson and other arbitrators have taken to rule on various cases this year, it may be optimistic to expect a decision within the next few days, but perhaps with the season winding down, Henderson will move quickly to resolve the situation.
Minor Moves: Thursday
We’ll round up Thursday’s minor moves from around the NFL, including practice squad signings and cuts, in the space below, with the latest items added to the top of the page throughout the day:
- The Jets have replaced on wide receiver on their 53-man roster with another, placing Greg Salas on injured reserve today and promoting Chris Owusu from their practice squad (Twitter link). After catching eight balls for 167 yards this season, Salas sees his year come to an early end due to a hamstring injury.
- Chargers guard Ryan Miller fell victim to rainy conditions in San Diego this week, with head coach Mike McCoy indicating that Miller slipped before practice yesterday and has suffered a concussion. San Diego placed Miller on their reserve/non-football injury list, replacing him on the active roster with offensive lineman Jeff Baca, per a team release. Baca’s spot on the Chargers’ taxi squad, meanwhile, has been filled by offensive lineman Bryce Quigley.
Andre Johnson Hopes For 15 Seasons With Texans
One of the most notable stories of the 2014 NFL offseason, particularly after the initial free agent period and the draft had ended, was the fate of longtime Texans receiver Andre Johnson. The veteran wideout expressed frustration with what he perceived as a rebuilding process for the club, leading to speculation that he might hold out, and that the team may seek a trade.
Ultimately, Johnson and the Texans worked out their differences, and the 33-year-old is in the midst of playing out his 12th season with the club. With the 2014 season winding down, Johnson expressed a desire to continue his career for a few more years, telling Dale Robertson of the Houston Chronicle that he hopes to play for 15 seasons, all in a Texans uniform.
“I don’t want to play for nobody else,” Johnson said. “I’ve been here for 12 years. I don’t think it would feel right. I’ve seen everybody come and go in this locker room … I’ve seen it all. [My] locker has been here the longest. I can’t imagine how it would feel to put on someone else’s uniform so hopefully …. You always want it to turn out OK. I want things to work out here.”
While Johnson remains a very productive receiver, the former third overall pick is perhaps being surpassed by DeAndre Hopkins as Houston’s No. 1 wideout this season — Johnson has caught 65 balls to Hopkins’ 60, but trails the second-year pro by a significant margin in receiving yards (1,041 to 720) and touchdowns (six to two). Presumably, Johnson – who has nothing but praise for Hopkins – is comfortable ceding targets and catches to the 22-year-old as he approaches his mid-30s. Still, declining numbers for Johnson will likely make the Texans wary of the veteran’s big cap numbers, meaning it may be necessary to rework his contract.
A 15-year career would mean Johnson plays through the 2017 season, even though his current deal expires after 2016. With respective cap hits of $16.14MM and $14.68MM on the books for the next two years, the Texans and Johnson may end up restructuring his deal, reducing those numbers a little and tacking on some guaranteed money and an extra year.
Workout Notes: Colts, Jaguars, Browns, Broncos
In our roundup of several AFC East and NFC East items this morning, we passed along word on a handful of free agents who recently worked out for East teams. Across the rest of the league, several more auditions took place, so we’ll take a look at all those updates right here. All links are from Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun, and go to Twitter:
- The Colts brought in a few notable free agents for tryouts, taking a look at running back Mikel Leshoure, ex-Jets cornerback Ellis Lankster, and former LSU wideout Kadron Boone. Of the three players, Leshoure is the most interesting name, considering Indianapolis is believed to be considering adding running back depth.
- Linebacker A.J. Edds ultimately signed with the Jaguars, joining the team’s active roster yesterday, but Edds also worked out for the Bengals earlier in the week. Additionally, Jacksonville auditioned veteran linebacker Victor Butler before deciding on Edds.
- Browns kicker Billy Cundiff has had his ups and downs this season, missing six field goals, including three from less than 40 yards. While I don’t expect Cleveland to replace him, the team did take a look at a couple other kickers this week, bringing in Michael Barnard and Zach Hocker.
- The Broncos worked out an extensive list of players this week, and Wilson has all the previously-unreported names: Rodney Barnes (S), Deion Belue (CB), Kenny Horsley (DE), M.D. Jennings (S), Vernon Kearney (CB), Keon Lyn (CB), Leon Mackey (DL), Ross Madison (S), and Danny Mason (LB).
- In addition to trying out wideout Jace Davis, who signed with their practice squad, the Texans auditioned quarterback Brad Sorensen and several other receivers, including Rashad Ross, Willie Snead, and former Niner Kyle Williams.
- Former Cardinals defensive end Ronald Talley worked out for the Chiefs. Talley spent some time with the Buccaneers earlier this year, but was removed from the roster prior to the regular season.
- The Packers tried out cornerback Lavelle Westbrooks, a 2014 seventh-round pick waived by the Bengals during the preseason.
- Tight end Xavier Grimble, who hit the open market once again last week after a brief stint with the Patriots’ practice squad, worked out for the Panthers.
Patriots To Place Aaron Dobson On IR
After being nagged by foot issues in the preseason and early on this season, Patriots wide receiver Aaron Dobson has suffered another injury, and this one will end his season. Jeff Howe of the Boston Herald (Twitter link) reports that the Pats will place Dobson on their injured reserve list due to a hamstring injury.
Dobson, 23, was selected 59th overall by the Patriots in the second round of the 2013 draft. However, he hasn’t become a major part of New England’s offense during his two seasons with the team, partly due to injuries. After hauling in 37 receptions during his rookie season, the Marshall product saw just 57 offensive snaps this year, catching three balls for 38 yards.
Removing Dobson from the roster shouldn’t have a real impact on Tom Brady and the Pats’ passing attack, so we’ll have to wait and see if the club decides to replace him with another wide receiver or goes in another direction with the roster spot. I’d expect a corresponding move to be announced when the team officially confirms the transaction involving Dobson.
Haloti Ngata Suspended For Four Games
Ravens defensive lineman Haloti Ngata will miss the rest of the regular season after violating the NFL’s policy on performance-enhancing substances, the Ravens announced today (via Twitter). The league has suspended Ngata four games for failing a drug test.
“I made a mistake, and I own this,” Ngata said in a statement, according to the team (Twitter links). “I took Adderall and take full responsibility for doing this. I am deeply sorry and broken up over this. I let down my family, my teammates, Ravens fans, and myself.”
Losing Ngata, who has been a Pro Bowler for five consecutive season, is a significant blow for a Ravens defense that has ranked ninth in DVOA this year, per Football Outsiders. As Pro Football Focus’ grades show (subscription required), Ngata has been his usual effective self on defense this season, playing well against both the run and the pass. The longtime Raven has even grabbed a couple interceptions this season, as well as defending a career-high seven passes.
At 7-5, the Ravens are tied with several other AFC clubs, and will likely have to win at least three of their final four games to have a shot at a playoff berth. If they do sneak into the postseason, the Ravens would be able to activate Ngata, whose four-game suspension expires at the end of the regular season.
Assuming Baltimore doesn’t earn a playoff berth, there’s a possibility – albeit a slim one – that Ngata has played his last game with the club. 2015 is the final year of his contract, and the former first-round pick, who turns 31 in January, is on the books for a $16MM cap hit. Reworking or extending Ngata’s deal to reduce the impact on next year’s cap seems like a realistic scenario.