NFC South Notes: Bucs, Falcons, Saints
The NFC South has been one of football’s less predictable divisions so far, with the Saints – everyone’s preseason pick to win the division – sitting at 1-2, while the popular postseason sleeper Buccaneers look like the NFL’s worst team at 0-3. All four teams, including the 2-1 Panthers and Falcons, are on the road this week, as Carolina and Atlanta try to continue their winning ways in Baltimore and Minnesota respectively. Meanwhile, the Bucs will try to get in the win column in Pittsburgh, while the Saints will look to halt the Cowboys’ winning streak in Dallas.
Here’s the latest out of the NFC South:
- With offensive coordinator Jeff Tedford away from the team indefinitely for health reasons, don’t expect the Buccaneers to hire an offensive consultant to work with Marcus Arroyo, tweets Alex Marvez of FOX Sports. According to Marvez, “it’s Arroyo’s show” in Tampa Bay.
- Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (Twitter link) adds defensive backs Roc Carmichael and Tommie Campbell to the list of players to work out for the Buccaneers this week.
- Reid Fragel was the offensive lineman to ultimately sign with the Falcons‘ practice squad this week, but the club also took a look at tackles Kevin Murphy and Martin Wallace, according to Wilson (via Twitter).
- The Saints also auditioned a handful of players this week, and Wilson provides several new names (via Twitter). The team signed offensive lineman Alex Parsons to its practice squad, but also tried out linemen Lemuel Jeanpierre and Eric Olsen, as well as cornerback Brandon Ghee.
NFLPA Conducting Separate Rice Investigation
As commissioner Roger Goodell discussed at his New York press conference last Friday, the NFL has hired former FBI director Robert Mueller to lead an investigation into the handling of the Ray Rice incident and subsequent suspension(s). However, that won’t be the only investigation being conducted into the matter. The NFLPA announced today that the union has retained former federal prosecutor Richard Craig Smith to complete its own investigation into the “due process, discipline, facts and conduct” by the NFL and Ravens that resulted in Rice’s indefinite suspension.
There are a lot of moving parts when it comes to the separate investigations into the situation, as well as Rice’s appeal. According to the NFLPA’s statement, Smith’s investigation will “run parallel” to Rice’s appeal, which would typically be due for a hearing soon. However, a league source tells Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk that the NFL and NFLPA have either already agreed or will soon agree to postpone the appeal hearing beyond the September 30 deadline.
That delay on the appeal hearing should allow time for both investigations into the Rice situation to play out, and it shouldn’t have an adverse affect on the running back — even if he were to win an appeal soon, it’s extremely unlikely that he’ll be returning to an NFL field this season.
As for the NFLPA’s investigation, the union has requested the cooperation of both the NFL and the Ravens as Smith looks into the matter. Smith is part of the law firm Norton Rose Fulbright, which also worked with the union on the Dolphins’ bullying scandal and on the Saints’ “bountygate,” tweets Darren Rovell of ESPN.com.
Texans Sign Ryan Pickett; Louis Nix To IR
The Texans have replaced one defensive lineman with another, putting rookie Louis Nix on injured reserve and signing veteran free agent Ryan Pickett to take his place on the roster, according to John McClain of the Houston Chronicle (via Twitter). A report yesterday had indicated that Pickett recently worked out for the club.
Pickett, who turns 35 next month, has spent the majority of the last decade in Green Bay, where he started 113 of the 119 games he played for the Packers between 2006 and 2013, including all 16 last season. Back in July, we heard that the veteran defensive tackle was looking to continue his career and that his preference would be to continue with the Packers, but Green Bay had apparently decided to move on, electing not so sign Pickett even after B.J. Raji went down for the season.
As McClain points out (via Twitter), Nix underwent a knee scope during the preseason and never got fully healthy, so he was inactive for the Texans’ first three games. With the third-round pick heading to the injured reserve list, Pickett will push for playing time at the nose tackle spot in Houston. So far, Jerrell Powe has taken most snaps at the position, but has graded as just the 62nd-best defensive tackle out of 73 qualified players, per Pro Football Focus (subscription required).
Poll: Which Team Will Stay Unbeaten Longest?
Through three weeks, only three NFL teams remain unbeaten, and they aren’t necessarily the ones we would have predicted entering the 2014 season. The 3-0 Bengals are the AFC’s only team without a loss, while the Cardinals and Eagles sit atop the NFC at 3-0 themselves.
Although all three teams have looked impressive in their victories, most observers likely wouldn’t consider the unbeaten squads to be the class of the NFL at this point. The Cardinals have won their first three games in spite of backup Drew Stanton taking over for the injured Carson Palmer, while two of the Eagles’ three victories required significant second-half comebacks. The Bengals have looked the strongest of the three squads so far, though their schedule has yet to feature a 2013 playoff team.
The Bengals and Cardinals have byes in Week 4, so each team’s loss column will remain unblemished for at least one more week, but it won’t be easy keeping those winning streaks going starting in Week 5. Cincinnati faces a four-week stretch of games against the Patriots, Panthers, Colts, and Ravens, while the Cardinals will head to Denver to play the Broncos before facing the Redskins, Raiders, and Eagles. As for the Eagles, starting in Week 4, they’ll play in San Francisco before hosting the Rams and Giants in advance of their Week 7 bye.
What do you think? Which of these teams will stay unbeaten the longest? And is it because that club is the strongest of the bunch, or is it just a case of favorable scheduling?
Vikings Place Cassel, Fusco On IR
Quarterback Matt Cassel and guard Brandon Fusco both received new deals from the Vikings this offseason, with Cassel inking a two-year pact to avoid free agency while Fusco agreed to a four-year extension. However, just three weeks into the 2014 season, both players are done for the year. The team announced today in a press release that it has placed Cassel and Fusco on season-ending injured reserve.
Taking Cassel’s and Fusco’s spots on the roster are a pair of practice squad players, in tight end Chase Ford and offensive lineman Austin Wentworth. Their promotions opened up two new spots on the practice squad, which have been filled by quarterback McLeod Bethel-Thompson and tight end Ryan Otten.
Cassel, who suffered a broken foot in the Vikings’ Week 3 loss to the Saints, will be replaced under center by rookie Teddy Bridgewater, while Christian Ponder transitions from the league’s most notable No. 3 signal-caller to Bridgewater’s backup. Although Cassel is under contract for two years, it’s extremely difficult to imagine him returning to a starting role in Minnesota at any point, unless Bridgewater struggles mightily during his rookie year. With Ponder facing free agency in 2015, perhaps the club decides to bring Cassel back as its No. 2 option in 2015, but given his $4.15MM base salary, he may have played his last game in Minnesota.
The Vikings have yet to use their IR spot with the designation to return, so the fact that neither Cassel nor Fusco – who sustained a shoulder injury – received that designation seems to suggest the team doesn’t believe either player will be healthy enough to return this season.
Practice Squad Updates: Tuesday
We’re tracking Tuesday’s minor 53-man roster transactions around the NFL in a separate post, but we’ll use this spot to keep tabs on Tuesday’s practice squad moves. Here’s the latest:
- The Texans have signed punter Chris Boswell to their practice squad, according to James Palmer of CSNHouston.com (on Twitter).
- The Packers have signed offensive lineman Josh Walker to the practice squad, according to Rand Getlin of Yahoo Sports (on Twitter). The team released center Josh Allen to make room on the roster.
- The Chargers signed D.J. Adams and former University of Oregon tight end David Paulson to the practice squad, according to Aaron Wilson of The Baltimore Sun (on Twitter).
- The Saints signed fullback/tight end Orson Charles to their practice squad, tweets Adam Caplan of ESPN.com.
- The Bears have re-signed Josh Bellamy to their practice squad, tweets Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post.
- The Browns signed wide reciever Lee Doss to their practice squad, tweets Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal. The move fills the vacancy left by Charles Johnson leaving the Browns’ taxi squad for the Vikings.
- Brandon Smith had a successful tryout for the Jets and they’re expected to sign him to their practice squad, a league source tells Aaron Wilson of The Baltimore Sun (on Twitter).
Earlier updates:
- Defensive back Josh Victorian has filled the final opening on the Lions‘ practice squad, tweets Tim Twentyman of DetroitLions.com.
- The Redskins have finalized the addition of center Tevita Stevens to their practice squad, and also announced that offensive lineman Braxston Cave has been cut (Twitter link). That leaves the club with nine players on its taxi squad still.
- The Panthers have filled the final opening on their practice squad by bringing aboard wide receiver Willie Snead, according to David Newton of ESPN.com (via Twitter). Snead was cut by the Browns at the end of the preseason.
- After working out for the club earlier today, tight end Emmanuel Ogbuehi has signed with the Ravens‘ practice squad, tweets Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun. Ogbuehi takes the spot vacated by Phillip Supernaw, who has been promoted to the team’s active roster.
- Offensive lineman Reid Fragel, who was on Indianapolis’ practice squad earlier this season, has signed with the Falcons‘ taxi squad, replacing tackle Terren Jones on the unit, per a team release.
- As part of the flurry of transactions they made today, the Jaguars added fullback Eric Kettani to their practice squad, filling the 10th and final spot, tweets John Oehser of Jaguars.com.
- The Colts have removed defensive end Nnamdi Obukwelu from their practice squad with an injury settlement, the club announced today in a press release. Linebacker Trevardo Williams takes Obukwelu’s place on the squad.
- With outside linebacker Cordarro Law set to join the Chargers‘ 53-man roster, another outside linebacker – rookie Colton Underwood – will take Law’s spot on San Diego’s practice squad, writes Michael Gehlken of the San Diego Union-Tribune.
Zach Links contributed to this post.
Minor Moves: Tuesday
Teams around the NFL are shuffling players on and off their 53-man rosters today, and we’ll track all those minor, back-of-the-roster transactions right here, with the latest moves added to the top of the page throughout the day:
- The Chargers waived/injured cornerback Marcus Cromartie, according to Eric Williams of ESPN.com (on Twitter).
- The Titans have agreed to terms on a contract with tight end Chase Coffman, waiving wideout T.J. Graham to create space on the roster, tweets Paul Kuharsky of ESPN.com (via Twitter).
- With Dennis Pitta out for the year and heading to injured reserve, the Ravens have promoted tight end Phillip Supernaw from the practice squad to their active roster, reports Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (via Twitter).
Earlier updates:
- Ryan O’Halloran of the Florida Times-Union has the full details on the Jaguars‘ transactions (via Twitter). In addition to the two previously-reported signings – noted below – the team also added tight end Nic Jacobs, who had been on the Saints’ practice squad. To make room for the three incoming players, the club cut tight end Marcel Jensen and wideout Kerry Taylor, and waived-injured safety Chris Prosinski.
- Having cut linebacker Keith Smith from their 53-man roster yesterday, the Cowboys have an open spot, and will use it to bring back defensive end Lavar Edwards, writes Todd Archer of ESPNDallas.com. Smith had been added to the roster in Edwards’ place for this past Sunday’s game due to the absence of injured linebacker Justin Durant.
- Defensive tackle Deandre Coleman has been signed off the Jaguars‘ practice squad by the Dolphins, according to a tweet from Miami’s official account. The Dolphins cut safety Brandian Ross in a corresponding move.
- Linebacker Jeremiah George, who had been on the Jets‘ practice squad, tweeted today that he’s now a Jaguar. The move has yet to be announced by the club, but it appears George will be added to Jacksonville’s 53-man roster. Having also reportedly agreed to a deal with Sherrod Martin, the Jags will have to remove two players from their active roster to finalize the signings.
Workout Notes: Chargers, Texans, Lions, Jets
The Chargers are on the lookout for a running back after losing Danny Woodhead to a season-ending injury, and it looks like the team is close to adding one. A number of free agents auditioned for the club today, according to Michael Gehlken of the San Diego Union-Tribune (via Twitter), while Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (Twitter link) identifies D.J. Adams as one of the participants. Adams, who was most recently with the Cowboys, spent a month with the Chargers earlier in the offseason.
As we wait to see which player takes Woodhead’s roster spot in San Diego, let’s round up a few more updates on workouts around the league….
- As first reported by Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter), the Texans took a look at a handful of free agent punters today in case Shane Lechler misses any time. Lechler is day to day with a hip flexor, per John McClain of the Houston Chronicle (via Twitter), who also has the list of players who worked out for the club. According to McClain, the Texans brought in Mat McBriar, Zoltan Mesko, Brian Moorman, and Kasey Redfern.
- Wilson reports (via Twitter) that veteran linebacker Pat Angerer auditioned today for the Lions, who are eyeing linebacker help after losing Stephen Tulloch for the season. Angerer has worked out for the Jets, Saints, and Rams since being released at the end of August by the Falcons.
- Safety Jamarca Sanford, who was placed on injured reserve and then cut by the Vikings earlier this month, worked out today for the Jets, according to Wilson (via Twitter).
- The Giants tried out about six players today, including safety Jawanza Starling, tweets Ralph Vacchiano of the New York Daily News.
49ers Re-Sign Josh Johnson
The 49ers have re-added a quarterback to their roster, announcing today (via Twitter) that they’ve re-signed Josh Johnson to a one-year contract. To make room on the 53-man roster for Johnson, the club has waived tight end Asante Cleveland, meaning the team completed the opposite series of moves it made three days ago, when Cleveland was signed and Johnson was cut.
Johnson, who saw most of his NFL playing time in Tampa Bay from 2009 to 2011, currently sits third on the 49ers’ depth chart behind Colin Kaepernick and Blaine Gabbert. However, given how Gabbert looked in the preseason, there’s a real possibility that Johnson could see the field if anything were to happen to Kaepernick this year.
Cleveland will likely land back on the Niners’ practice squad if he clears waivers, but for now, with Vernon Davis on the mend, the rookie tight end isn’t needed on the active roster.
Ravens Re-Sign Deonte Thompson
Wide receiver Deonte Thompson has rejoined the Ravens’ 53-man roster, signing a new deal with the team today, according to a press release. Baltimore had cut Thompson before this past Sunday’s game, replacing him on the roster with running back Fitzgerald Toussaint as insurance for the injured Bernard Pierce. With Pierce on the mend, Toussaint has been waived to make room for Thompson.
Thompson, 25, has spent his first two NFL seasons with the Ravens, and played well during training camp and the preseason this year, so the team didn’t want to let him get away. After he was cut this weekend, we heard that Thompson would likely be returning to Baltimore as long as he cleared waivers.
The Ravens currently have an opening on their practice squad, so Toussaint looks like a candidate to fill that 10th and final spot as long as he clears waivers.