East Notes: Revis, Washington, Jets, Giants
There were times last season in Tampa Bay when Darrelle Revis didn’t necessarily look like one of the league’s best cornerbacks, but the veteran corner has re-established himself this year in New England, according to ESPN.com’s Mike Sando (Insider link), who calls Revis the year’s No. 1 free agent or trade acquisition. The East’s two division leaders get nods in Sando’s piece, with the Patriots being recognized for their signing of Revis and the Eagles lauded for their trade for Darren Sproles, who ranks seventh on the list.
Here’s more from around the NFC and AFC East divisions:
- Rich Tandler of CSNWashington.com expects quarterback Colt McCoy to return to Washington next season, but notes that McCoy is eligible for free agency, and if he reaches the open market, he’ll likely get offers from other teams after holding his own as a starter this year.
- 35-year-old Washington safety Ryan Clark is focused on finishing this season strong, and isn’t thinking about his NFL future, writes Liz Clarke of the Washington Post. Still, while Clark stopped short of saying he’ll retire, he indicated that this season could be his last.
- The Jets brought in several players for tryouts this week, focusing on the defensive line and special teams, according to Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (via Twitter). Wilson reports that the club worked out defensive linemen Ben Bass, Kona Schwenke, and Zach Thompson, punters Kasey Redfern and Jacob Schum, and long snapper Patrick Scales.
- In addition to working out cornerback Keith Lewis, whose audition was previously reported, Washington also took a look at running back Terrance Cobb and offensive lineman Rishaw Johnson earlier this week, tweets Wilson. Johnson has since signed with the division-rival Giants‘ practice squad.
- Those Giants worked out several players of their own this week, per Wilson, who provides the list of participants (Twitter link): D.J. Bryant (OLB), Mike Golic Jr. (OL), Dion Lewis (RB), Jordan McCray (OL), and Uani Unga (LB).
Minor Moves: Wednesday
With just four weeks left in the NFL season, 19 of the league’s 32 teams are at least two games over .500, vying for 11 available playoff spots — the 12th will go to a team currently two games under .500, in the NFC South. With so many clubs still in the hunt, we can expect to see plenty of roster tweaks down the stretch, as coaches and front offices try to get the most out of their 53-man squads. Here are Wednesday’s minor moves from around the NFL:
- The Cowboys removed tight end Jordan Najvar from their injured reserve list with a settlement today, according to Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (via Twitter).
Earlier updates:
- Jaguars tackle Austin Pasztor, who tore his hamstring during Sunday’s win against the Giants, has been placed on injured reserve, ending his season, per Ryan O’Halloran of the Florida Times-Union (via Twitter). As O’Halloran adds, the Jags have signed linebacker A.J. Edds to replace Pasztor on the roster. Edds spent nearly two months with the Jets earlier this season, contributing on special teams and providing depth for the club’s linebacking corps.
- The Bengals have filled the open spot on their 53-man roster by signing linebacker Chris Carter, the club announced today (via Twitter). Carter, who spent three seasons with the Steelers, was cut by the Colts nearly two months ago.
- The Texans ended the season of inside linebacker Max Bullough today, placing him on injured reserve, tweets Mark Berman of FOX 26 Houston. Bullough, who had been slowed by a hamstring injury, was replaced on the roster by tight end Anthony Denham, whom the Texans promoted from their practice squad.
AFC East Links: McDaniels, Bills, Idzik
While the 9-3 Patriots look headed toward another division title, Bill Belichick‘s team doesn’t have the AFC East locked up quite yet. Having already lost to Miami earlier this season, the Pats will face the 7-5 Dolphins again later this month, following a Week 14 matchup with the Chargers in San Diego. A Pats loss this weekend, combined with a Dolphins win over the Ravens, could suddenly make Week 15’s showdown vs. the Fins awfully interesting for a New England team currently holding onto the top seed in the AFC.
As we look forward to this weekend’s action, let’s round up the latest out of the AFC East…
- There have been whispers that Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels is under consideration for the University of Florida head coaching job, but the possibility of McDaniels heading to the Gators – or another high-profile NCAA team – doesn’t look very plausible at this point, says Ben Volin of the Boston Globe.
- While most of their waiver claims have been under-the-radar moves, GM Doug Whaley and the Bills have added multiple intriguing contributors via the waiver process, writes Jay Skurski of the Buffalo News. Skurski points to punt returner Marcus Thigpen and tight end MarQueis Gray as two waiver additions who played well during the team’s win over the Browns last Sunday.
- As the 2014 season winds down, Jets general manager John Idzik may point to the team’s cap flexibility and plan for sustainable success as he attempts to keep his job, but owner Woody Johnson should recognize that many of the club’s shortcomings are Idzik’s doing, argues Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News.
Practice Squad Updates: Wednesday
We’ll use this space to round up Wednesday’s practice squad signings and cuts from around the league. Here’s the latest:
- Confirming the previously-reported signing of linebacker Jake Knott to their practice squad, the Dolphins also added wide receiver L’Damian Washington, parting ways with safety Ahmad Dixon and tight end Jake Stoneburner to make room, tweets Adam Beasley of the Miami Herald.
Earlier updates:
- The Ravens‘ practice squad underwent some turnover today, with the team cutting tight end Allen Reisner and signing tight end Phillip Supernaw and wide receiver LaQuan Williams, tweets Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun.
- With three spots open on their practice squad, the Patriots got the unit back up to 10 players by signing defensive back Justin Green, linebacker Deontae Skinner, and defensive back Daxton Swanson, the team announced today in a press release.
- Tight end Kevin Greene, who worked out for the Panthers several weeks ago, has now signed with the team’s practice squad, according to Joseph Person of the Charlotte Observer (via Twitter).
- Having promoted tight end Anthony Denham from their practice squad to their 53-man roster, the Texans quickly filled the open spot on their taxi squad by adding wide receiver Jace Davis, tweets Mark Berman of FOX 26 Houston.
- Former Notre Dame defensive lineman Kona Schwenke has signed with the Jets‘ practice squad, per Rich Cimini of ESPNNewYork.com (via Twitter). No corresponding move was necessary, since New York had been carrying nine players.
Bears Sign Jay Feely, Waive Chris Williams
In advance of tomorrow night’s game against the Cowboys, the Bears have tweaked their special teams unit, signing free agent kicker Jay Feely and waiving wide receiver and kick returner Chris Williams with an injured designation, the team announced today (Twitter link).
Feely, 38, was the Cardinals’ regular kicker from 2010 to 2013, but has remained on the open market this season, despite working out for several teams. Most recently, Feely had an impressive audition for the Broncos, making 14 of his 15 field goal tries, including a 60-yarder. However, Denver opted to sign the younger Connor Barth instead. By signing with the Bears, Feely will have an opportunity to assume kicking duties tomorrow if Robbie Gould, who is suffering from a sore quad, is unable to play.
Williams, meanwhile, returned kicks for the Bears for a good chunk of the season, but has been slowed by a hamstring injury as of late, and has been replaced by Marc Mariani in the return game.
Titans Sign Jemea Thomas, Cut Brandon Ghee
The Titans have made a change in their secondary, waiving veteran cornerback Brandon Ghee and signing rookie cornerback Jemea Thomas off the Rams’ practice squad to fill the newly-created opening on their roster, according to the club (via Twitter).
Ghee, 27, saw time in 10 games last season for the Bengals and registered five pass deflections and four tackles. The former third-round pick saw the field in just 23 contests for Cincinnati over the course of his career before spending time with the Chargers this past offseason and then landing with the Titans in October.
In six contests for Tennessee, Ghee made four tackles and grabbed his first career interception. However, he had a subpar game on Sunday against the Texans, allowing 74 yards and a touchdown on passes thrown into his coverage, despite playing just eight defensive snaps, per Pro Football Focus (subscription required).
As for Thomas, the Georgia Tech product has already bounced around the league a little since being drafted by the Patriots in the sixth round of May’s draft. Thomas was cut by New England during the preseason, caught on with the Cowboys’ practice squad, then spent most of the season with St. Louis, either on the Rams’ 53-man roster or taxi squad.
Brian Hoyer To Start For Browns
Despite speculation that rookie Johnny Manziel would get his first NFL start this weekend against the Colts, the first-round pick will enter the game as Cleveland’s backup signal-caller once again, according to Jay Glazer of FOX Sports. Glazer reports (via Twitter) that the Browns have informed Brian Hoyer he’ll get the start against the Colts this Sunday.
The decision to stick with Hoyer may surprise some, but Glazer suggests (via Twitter) that the veteran had “widespread support” inside Cleveland’s locker room, and that the decision was a “no-brainer” in the view of many players. Still, Hoyer has been erratic in recent weeks, throwing for no touchdowns and five interceptions against the Falcons and Bills, resulting in his benching in Buffalo. Manziel looked excellent in his first drive on Sunday, leading the offense down the field and running for a touchdown, but was shakier on his second series.
Despite Hoyer’s middling overall numbers (56.2% completion percentage, 11 TDs, 10 INTs), he has led the Browns to a 7-5 record this year, putting the club right in the thick of the Wild Card race in the AFC. Presumably, with a handful of rookies already manning the running back position, the team feels more comfortable that the veteran Hoyer – rather than the rookie Manziel – can keep the Browns’ playoff hopes alive on Sunday against the Colts. If Hoyer struggles again, Manziel may still get a look down the stretch — ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler tweets that Johnny Football could start the last three games for Cleveland if Hoyer loses on Sunday to Indianapolis.
Hoyer’s performance in the last quarter of the season could go a long way to determining not just his NFL future, but the future of the quarterback position in Cleveland. As Hoyer thrived in the first half, there was speculation that he could sign a long-term deal with the Browns, but if Manziel takes over the job down the stretch, it seems less likely that Cleveland will lock up Hoyer, who is in a contract year. That could ultimately open the door for another team to swoop in with an offer for Hoyer in free agency.
Browns Sign Shaun Draughn, Place Miles Austin On IR
10:34am: The Browns have officially confirmed the addition of Draughn, announcing that wideout Miles Austin has been placed on injured reserve to accommodate the signing (Twitter link). Austin sustained a kidney injury during the team’s Week 13 game in Buffalo.
10:29am: As we wait for word on which quarterback will start for the Browns against the Colts this weekend, there’s some more minor news out of Cleveland to pass along. According to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (via Twitter), the Browns have signed running back Shaun Draughn to a one-year contract.
Draughn, who turns 27 on Sunday, played for the Chargers earlier this season when San Diego’s backfield was hit hard by injuries, earning 10 carries in an October game against the Jets. However, Draughn wasn’t particularly effective in his limited action, rushing for just 19 yards on those 10 attempts, and was cut by the team about a month ago. The former Chief and Raven has accumulated 73 career carries for 254 yards and two TDs, as well as 24 receptions for 158 yards.
The Browns cut one veteran running back last month, parting ways with offseason signee Ben Tate and opening the door for rookies Isaiah Crowell and Terrance West to carry the load in Cleveland. However, neither player had a good game on Sunday in Buffalo, with Crowell totaling just 29 yards on 17 carries, while West lost a key fumble in the second half that was returned for a touchdown. Draughn is unlikely to push for a featured role in Cleveland, but his presence could help provide some stability in a backfield that features multiple rookies, including third-string back Glenn Winston.
The Browns have a full 53-man roster, so for Draughn’s signing to become official, the team will have to make a corresponding move.
NFC Notes: Briggs, Panthers, Peterson
The Bears placed veteran linebacker Lance Briggs last week, and while Briggs intends to continue his career next season, he sounds resigned to the fact that it may not happen in Chicago. The former third-round pick, who has been with the club since 2003, may become the latest longtime Bear to find work elsewhere, as he acknowledged on his Comcast SportsNet show yesterday.
“I’ve been through some nasty contract disputes,” Briggs said, per Dan Wiederer of the Chicago Tribune. “I got a chance to see a lot of guys come and go. And I got a chance to see how things were handled with players before me. So for me, it just laid the foundation for what’s to come. For me, I prepared myself for the days that are coming. So I don’t hold bitterness. There’s no bitterness. When I think of the whole situation, I think of all the great years and I’m thankful for everything that Chicago has meant to me.”
Here’s more from around the NFC:
- The Panthers‘ willingness to part with veteran players whose mental lapses cost the team is sending a strong message to the rest of the roster, writes David Newton of ESPN.com. After releasing players like Charles Godfrey and Jason Avant earlier this season, Carolina cut cornerback Antoine Cason and linebacker Jason Williams this week after Cason gave up an easy touchdown catch late in the first half and Williams missed an assignment on a blocked punt that resulted in a TD for the Vikings.
- Arbitrator Harold Henderson encouraged the NFL and NFLPA to try to reach a settlement on Adrian Peterson‘s case, but so far no offers have been exchanged between the two sides, tweets Ed Werder of ESPN.com.
- As our Offseason in Review post on the Giants shows, New York was extremely active in free agency in 2014, but the spending spree hasn’t paid off at all for the club this season, writes Paul Schwartz of the New York Post.
- The fact that Jim Harbaugh has a year remaining on his contract with the 49ers wouldn’t be an impediment if he wanted to pursue a college job, says Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. Still, if Harbaugh is coaching a team besides San Francisco in 2015, it’s likely to be an NFL franchise.
Bills Announce Termination Of Toronto Series
The Bills will no longer play regular season and preseason contests at Toronto’s Rogers Centre, the team announced today in a press release. According to the team, the Bills and Rogers Communications have agreed to terminate the Bills Toronto series, which began in 2008.
“We greatly appreciate the support we’ve received over the past seven years from all of the tremendous people at Rogers Communications,” said Bills CEO Russ Brandon. “We will continue to work hard to solidify our footprint in Southern Ontario. Our fan base in this region remains extremely important to our organization and their support has been well documented.”
The agreement between the Bills and Rogers resulted in six regular season games and two preseason games played at the Rogers Centre, the home of MLB’s Toronto Blue Jays and the CFL’s Toronto Argonauts. However, Toronto’s enthusiasm for the series appeared to have dimmed in recent years — even after the team and Rogers renewed their agreement in 2013, the 2014 Toronto regular season game was postponed.
The move out of Toronto is the first major change made by Terry Pegula and Tim Pegula, the Bills’ new owners. The Pegulas dismissed any speculation about a move to Ontario when they bought the franchise earlier this year, and the decision to terminate the Toronto series further solidifies the franchise’s place in Western New York.