NFC South Notes: Bowers, Falcons, Saints
Despite having already had their bye week, the Buccaneers have given up more points than any other team in the NFL — in six contests, Tampa Bay has surrendered 204 points, good for an average of 34 per game. Today, the Bucs’ defense took another hit when the league announced that defensive end Da’Quan Bowers has been suspended two games for violating the NFL’s policy on performance-enhancing drugs (Twitter link via Mike Garafolo of FOX Sports).
The league’s new policy on PEDs calls for suspensions of up to six games for first-time violations, but the use of a diuretic or masking agent results in just a two-game ban. And Ian Rapoport of NFL.com confirms (via Twitter) that Bowers’ failed test came as the result of a diuretic, which explains the relatively modest penalty.
Let’s check in on the Bucs’ rivals, and round up the news from elsewhere in the NFC South…
- Following the season-ending injury suffered by center Peter Konz, the Falcons signed offensive lineman Jonathan Scott, but the team also auditioned fellow lineman Thomas Austin, per Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (via Twitter).
- The Saints just got Mark Ingram back this past week, but now they’ll be without another running back, according to Rapoport, who tweets that Pierre Thomas is expected to miss two or three weeks with a shoulder injury.
- Offensive tackle Bruce Campbell worked out today for the Panthers, a league source tells Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk (Twitter link).
Giants Worked Out Felix Jones, 14 Others
4:31pm: The Giants worked out 15 players in total, according to Jordan Raanan of NJ.com, who provides the full list of participants. Here are the 11 new names:
- Jonathan Baldwin, WR
- Ted Bolser, TE
- Travis Coons, K
- Jack Cornell
- Jake Dombrowski, P
- Nate Freese, K
- Dion Lewis, RB
- Robert Malone, P
- Antoine McClain, G
- Tyler Ott, LS
- D.J. Williams, TE
12:00pm: After losing back-to-back divisional matchups against the NFC-leading Cowboys and Eagles, the Giants are entering their bye week, and are taking the opportunity to look at a handful of free agents. According to Mike Garafolo of FOX Sports (Twitter link), running backs Felix Jones and Alex Green are working out for the team.
Green, a former third-round pick who started his career with the Packers, was cut by the Jets in August and has auditioned for the Lions and Panthers since then. As for Jones, there haven’t been many reports on the former Cowboy this year, which is somewhat surprising — while he didn’t do much in limited action for the Steelers last season, he had recorded over 100 carries in each of his previous four seasons in Dallas, and is still just 27 years old.
The fact that the Giants are working out running backs shouldn’t necessarily be viewed as a sign that Rashad Jennings‘ recovery is moving slowly, or that the team is looking to add a player at the position. It’s more likely that New York is simply gauging the options in the market at several spots in case the club needs to dip into free agency later in the season.
In fact, Josina Anderson of ESPN reports (via Twitter) that quarterback Terrelle Pryor is also visiting the club today, while Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post adds tight end Tony Moeaki to the list of players auditioning. The Giants’ workout group this work is expected to be large, as Jordan Raanan of NJ.com tweets, so several more participants will likely be reported soon.
Redskins Place Orakpo On IR, Sign Brown
TUESDAY, 3:02pm: Orakpo has officially been placed on IR by Washington, with the team signing outside linebacker Everette Brown to replace him. Brown spent the preseason with the club but was cut at the end of August.
MONDAY, 11:41am: Brian Orakpo‘s contract year has come to an early end, according to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk, who reports (via Twitter) that the Washington linebacker suffered a torn pectoral muscle. Ian Rapoport of NFL.com initially reported that the team feared Orakpo would be lost for the season, and points out that the linebacker previously tore his left pectoral muscle — this time, it’s his right one (Twitter links).
After notching 10 sacks a year ago, Orakpo was off to a much slower start in 2014, having only picked up 0.5 sacks through the season’s first seven weeks. However, according to Pro Football Focus’ data (subscription required), Orakpo had totaled 18 combined quarterback hits and hurries, and had played well against the run, grading as the 11th-best 3-4 outside linebacker in the NFL.
Because he’d been playing on the franchise tag, Orakpo will be eligible for free agency in March, and it’s fair to wonder if he has played his last game in Washington. Fellow starting outside linebacker Ryan Kerrigan is having a big year, having already racked up 6.5 sacks, and rookie Trent Murphy has played well when he’s seen the field as well. With Kerrigan potentially still a year away from a big payday and Murphy on an inexpensive rookie deal, the team may pass on Orakpo, using that cap space elsewhere after committing $11MM+ to him for this season.
When Orakpo is officially placed on injured reserve this week, Washington will have the opportunity to add another player using the newly-opened spot on the 53-man roster.
North Notes: Rice, McPhee, Vikings, Lions
A date has been set for Ray Rice‘s appeal hearing, which will get underway on November 5 and conclude the following day, a source tells Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun. The investigations being conducted by Robert Mueller and the NFLPA into the league’s and the Ravens‘ handling of the Rice incident almost certainly won’t have concluded in time for the hearing. Still, Rice’s camp is expected to argue that the running back was punished twice for the same infraction, and that the league’s decision to increase Rice’s punishment was based on a video that was edited by TMZ.
Here’s more from around the NFL’s two North divisions:
- Ravens defender Pernell McPhee may be in the process of pricing himself out of the team’s plans beyond this season, says Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun. Although Zrebiec expects the Ravens to try to bring McPhee back when his contract expires, he figures the 25-year-old will have plenty of suitors.
- Free agent cornerback DeMarcus Van Dyke, who auditioned for the Dolphins earlier this week, worked out for the Vikings today, according to Rand Getlin of Yahoo! Sports (via Twitter).
- Lions head coach Jim Caldwell didn’t shoot down the idea that the team might be interested in Australian rugby star Jarryd Hayne, but was noncommittal when asked about the possibility. “Obviously, there are a lot of good athletes around this country, and there are a bunch of them playing other sports,” Caldwell said, per The Detroit Free Press. “Basketball, baseball, rugby, which is similar to our sport, and there is a lot of carryover. So, we’ll see.”
Panthers Release Charles Godfrey
2:12pm: The Panthers have formally confirmed Godfrey’s release, signing offensive lineman Chris Scott of their practice squad to take his roster spot (Twitter link via ESPN.com’s Adam Caplan).
2:10pm: The Panthers have informed agent Doug Hendrickson that they’re releasing veteran defensive back Charles Godfrey, Hendrickson announced today (via Twitter). The move will open up a spot on Carolina’s 53-man roster, though neither Godfrey’s release nor a corresponding signing has been announced so far.
Godfrey, 28, was sidelined for most of the 2013 season after tearing his Achilles early in the year. While the Panthers elected to keep him on the roster through the offseason and for the start of the 2014 campaign, the team reworked his contract significantly, reducing his base salary by more than $4MM and converting some of that money to per-game roster bonuses.
After starting all but one of his 73 games for Carolina during his first five years with the team, Godfrey began this season playing a lesser role, appearing in just 84 defensive snaps through four games. However, he was forced into more frequent action in recent weeks and struggled with the increased workload, according to Pro Football Focus (subscription required). PFF’s data gave Godfrey a -0.5 grade for his play through the first four weeks, and a -9.9 mark for the last three weeks.
Because Godfrey is a vested veteran, he won’t have to pass through waivers, so other teams are free to bring him in for a workout or offer him a contract immediately after the move becomes official.
Jets Sign Jeremy Kerley To Extension
2:00pm: The Jets have officially confirmed that they’ve signed Kerley to a four-year extension (Twitter link). Per Caplan (via Twitter), it’s worth $16MM, with $5.4MM in guaranteed money.
1:42pm: The future of Percy Harvin in New York beyond this season remains up in the air, but the Jets appear set to lock up another member of their receiving corps. According to Adam Caplan of ESPN.com (via Twitter), the team is expected to sign wideout Jeremy Kerley to a four-year contract extension sometime today.
Kerley, who turns 26 next month, has been a Jet since being selected in the fifth round of the 2011 draft. Since then, he has appeared in 49 games for the team, starting 20, and has hauled in 150 balls for 1,865 yards, and seven touchdowns. While the TCU product may see his role reduced somewhat with Harvin now in the mix, the Jets are apparently happy enough with Kerley’s play that they’re interested in keeping him under team control through 2018.
It’s hard to imagine a huge payday for Kerley, who has career highs of just 56 receptions, 827 yards, and three TDs. Still, considering the total value of his rookie contract was about $2.224MM for four years, he should be in line for a decent raise. A new deal for Kerley also gives the Jets some insurance at wide receiver if the Harvin experiment doesn’t work out — offseason signee Eric Decker is also under contract through the 2018 season, so he and Kerley likely aren’t going anywhere anytime soon.
Bills Sign Phillip Tanner; Spiller To IR-DTR
1:58pm: The Bills have officially signed Tanner, announcing that Spiller has been placed on injured reserve with the designation to return, meaning his season isn’t necessarily over yet.
1:06pm: With C.J. Spiller and Fred Jackson sidelined due to injuries, the Bills will sign running back Phillip Tanner to help fortify their banged-up backfield, reports Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (Twitter link). The team has yet to announce the signing or the corresponding move, but Spiller looks like a candidate for the injured reserve list, assuming Buffalo doesn’t expect him to return this season.
Tanner, 26, recorded 149 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 56 carries during three years with the Cowboys, along with 93 receiving yards on nine catches. The Middle Tennessee State product, who also contributed on special teams in 2013, spent time with the Colts and Cowboys this summer, but was ultimately waived by Dallas during roster cutdowns at the end of the preseason.
For the Bills, Spiller is expected to miss most or all of the season, while Jackson will likely be sidelined for the next three or four weeks. In their absence, Anthony Dixon and Bryce Brown figure to carry the majority of the load for the team, but perhaps Tanner can insert himself into that mix as well if he looks good in practice.
As Jim Wyatt of the Tennessean tweets, the Bills had interest in signing running back Antonio Andrews off the Titans’ practice squad. However, Andrews wanted to remain in Tennessee and the team decided to promote him to its active roster to avoid letting him get away, forcing the Bills to look elsewhere.
AFC East Notes: Jets, Bills, Dolphins
Through seven weeks, the Patriots have assumed their usual spot at the top of the AFC East standings, but the Bills and Dolphins remain within striking distance of Bill Belichick, Tom Brady, and company. This weekend, both East runners-up will visit 1-6 teams, with the Bills facing the Jets and the Dolphins traveling to Jacksonville. As we look forward to seeing if they can keep pace with the Pats, let’s check in on a few Tuesday notes from around the division….
- While the financial burden the Jets are assuming by acquiring Percy Harvin may not be exorbitant, the team is risking stunting Geno Smith‘s development, writes Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News. If Harvin’s transition is smooth, he’ll act as another playmaker for Smith to utilize, but Mehta hears from multiple sources that Harvin resented Russell Wilson for “myriad reasons” in Seattle, and believes that the wideout could do more harm than good for Smith.
- Ian Connor of ESPNNewYork.com takes Jets general manager John Idzik to task for his roster decisions over the last couple years, arguing that the GM is in over his head and overmatched in his current role.
- According to reports from Adam Caplan of ESPN.com and Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (Twitter links), the Jets recently worked out fullback Tony Fiammetta, safety Chris Prosinski, and cornerbacks Johnny Adams and Marcus Cromartie.
- In addition to the auditions reported yesterday, the Dolphins also tried out defensive backs Tommie Campbell and T.J. Heath, as well as wide receiver Derek Moye, tweets Wilson.
- Former Troy wide receiver Eric Thomas is working out for the Bills today, according to Wilson, who adds (via Twitter) that the team also recently tried out punter Michael Palardy.
Minor Moves: Monday
We’ll keep tabs on today’s minor transactions from around the NFL right here, with the latest moves added to the top of the list throughout the day:
- The Seahawks have signed former Northern Iowa linebacker L.J. Fort to their practice squad, according to NFL Draft Diamonds. The signing has been confirmed by Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post (on Twitter). Fort, who has spent time with the Browns, auditioned for the Jaguars and Titans this offseason after missing the Broncos’ final cut.
- Dolphins defensive end Dion Jordan has been reinstated from his six-game suspension, according to Howard Balzer (Twitter link). Jordan, the third overall pick in the 2013 draft, will have a one-week roster exemption.
Earlier updates:
- The Broncos have promoted running back Kapri Bibbs to the active roster, tweets Jeff Legwold of ESPN.com. As Legwold adds (via Twitter), several teams were interested in signing away Bibbs. Denver now has five RBs on its 53-man roster.
- The following players have been cut by their respective teams, according to Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun: Broncos linebacker Shaquil Barrett (Twitter link), Browns defensive lineman Jacobbi McDaniel (Twitter link), Saints linebacker Todd Davis (Twitter link), and Titans tight end Brett Brackett (Twitter link).
- The Jaguars have promoted defensive end Chris Smith from their practice squad to their 53-man roster, says Wilson (via Twitter). Moving Paul Posluszny to injured reserve opened up a spot for Smith.
- Wilson also tweets that the Saints have signed tight end Tom Crabtree, placing defensive end Glenn Foster on injured reserve in order to make room on the roster.
- The Rams have released wideout Emory Blake from their practice squad, tweets Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com.
- The Dolphins are signing wideout LaRon Byrd to their practice squad, per Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (via Twitter). Miami had been carrying nine players on its unit, so no corresponding move will be required.
- Ravens head coach John Harbaugh confirmed today that long snapper Morgan Cox has been placed on injured reserve after tearing his ACL during yesterday’s game, tweets Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun. As first reported by Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (via Twitter), the club has signed long snapper Kevin McDermott to replace Cox. Earlier today, Wilson had tweeted that the Ravens were working out McDermott and fellow long snapper Patrick Scales.
- On the heels of a loss in which they failed to run the ball effectively, the Browns have waived fullback Ray Agnew, the team announced today (Twitter link). An undrafted free agent, Agnew signed with the team in May and had two carries and two catches in his six games as a Brown. Fellow fullback Kiero Small has been promoted from Cleveland’s practice squad to take Agnew’s place on the roster.
East Notes: Cowboys, Jets, Dolphins
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones recently said he’s not interested in discussing the possibility of a contract extension for Jason Garrett at this point, and the head coach agreed with that assessment. When Garrett was asked about his contract situation, he shifted the focus back to his team’s play on the field, as Todd Archer of ESPNDallas.com details.
“I just know where I need to focus, where our team needs to focus and it needs to focus on playing our best football,” Garrett said. “The way we do that is we focus on being our best today, do a great job evaluating that game, get ready for the players coming in, let’s go to work. That’s really what I think about.”
Let’s round up a few more items from around the AFC East….
- After coming under criticism for his lack of offseason maneuvers, Jets general manager John Idzik is surely hoping his acquisition of Percy Harvin works out, and he sounds confident that the move will reap benefits. “This could be a potential coup for the New York Jets,” Idzik told reporters, including Rich Cimini of ESPN.com. Idzik, a former Seahawks executive, also noted that his Seattle background allowed him to perform an extensive background check on Harvin.
- Wide receiver Dez Bryant boosted his stock once again this weekend as he nears free agency, and Jason Fitzgerald of Over the Cap thinks the Cowboys receiver may be the best player at his position in the NFL. While DeMarco Murray and his looming free agency has been a hot topic given the running back’s huge first half, Bryant appears to be in line for a mammoth new deal of his own.
- Free agent cornerback Curtis Marsh worked out for the Dolphins today, a league source tells Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (Twitter link). Marsh, a former Eagle, has also auditioned for the Titans and Lions recently.
- Rand Getlin of Yahoo! Sports adds (via Twitter) that cornerback DeMarcus Van Dyke also tried out for the Dolphins today.