T.J. Graham On Bills’ Trade Block
Bills wideout T.J. Graham has been on the trade block for several months, sources tell Adam Caplan of ESPN.com (Twitter link). The timeframe provided by Caplan suggests that Buffalo has been willing to move Graham for most or all of the offseason, but has yet to find a suitor. Tonight’s preseason game may be the receiver’s last opportunity to audition for potential suitors.
Graham, a third-round pick in 2012, started 11 games for the Bills in his rookie season and caught 31 balls, but took a step backward in his sophomore year. Despite seeing more offensive snaps, Graham tallied just 23 receptions in 2013, and figures to play a reduced role in Buffalo this season if he remains on the roster, given the presence of newcomers like Sammy Watkins and Mike Williams.
Even with most teams having yet to suffer too many injuries to their receiving corps, there are a handful of clubs around the league that could use receiving help. The Browns and Panthers are among the wideout-needy teams that immediately come to mind, though it’s not clear if either club would have any interest in Graham.
Poll: Which Rookie RB Will Have Best Season?
In the weeks leading up to the 2014 season, we’ve asked Pro Football Rumors readers which rookie quarterback and which rookie wide receiver would put up the best numbers in their first year in the NFL. In both cases, there was no clear-cut winner — at the moment, Blake Bortles and Teddy Bridgewater are deadlocked with 27.64% of the vote, while for the wideouts, the Saints’ Brandin Cooks is ahead of Jordan Matthews of the Eagles by a single vote.
If we weren’t be able to establish any sort of consensus for quarterbacks or receivers, it may be even more difficult to do so for running backs. The rookie landscape is muddled by the fact that no backs were selected in the first round, and no rookies are expected to immediately step in as workhorses, or even starters. Bishop Sankey of the Titans appeared to have the best chance to earn the majority of his team’s carries, but he has yet to distinguish himself in the preseason, and will have to compete with Shonn Greene and Dexter McCluster for touches.
Other second- to fourth-round picks, including Jeremy Hill (Bengals), Carlos Hyde (49ers), Terrance West (Browns), Devonta Freeman (Falcons), and Andre Williams (Giants), have a chance at big years. But the opportunities may not be there with veterans Giovani Bernard, Frank Gore, Ben Tate, Steven Jackson, and Rashad Jennings currently penciled in as those clubs’ respective starters.
It seems likely that at least one of the aforementioned rookies – or someone I haven’t discussed yet – will ultimately earn a more significant workload and have a big year, but it’s hard to pin down which one it might be. What do you think? Which running back will have the best rookie season in 2014?
Cowboys Waive B.W. Webb
In order to clear a roster spot for incoming running back Phillip Tanner, the Cowboys have waived defensive back B.W. Webb, the team announced today (via Twitter). With the move, which was first reported by Tom Pelissero of USA Today (via Twitter), Dallas’ roster continues to sit at the maximum 75 players.
A fourth-round pick a year ago, Webb was a part-timer in the Cowboys’ secondary during his rookie season, appearing in 185 total defensive snaps, according to Pro Football Focus (subscription required). In addition to recording 12 tackles and one pass defended on defense, the 24-year-old also contributed in kick and punt coverage, logging four special teams tackles.
Although Webb had been dealing with a hip flexor earlier this summer, he’s healthy now and has a decent chance to catch on with another club, according to Pelissero (via Twitter). Webb will have to pass through waivers before becoming a free agent. Assuming he clears waivers, he’ll also be eligible for practice squad duties for the Cowboys or for any other club.
NFL Announces New Domestic Violence Policy
In the wake of Ray Rice‘s two-game suspension as a result of a domestic abuse incident with his then-fiancée, and the backlash to that decision, the NFL has announced a new policy on domestic violence, reports Jane McManus of ESPN.com. According to McManus (via Twitter), the league sent out a letter to owners today, indicating that violating the NFL’s new domestic policy would result in a six-game penalty for a first offense, with a second offense resulting in a lifetime ban.
Within the letter to owners, commissioner Roger Goodell admits that he “didn’t get it right” when he suspended Rice for just two games, tweets McManus. The disparity between Rice’s two-game ban and the year-long suspension for Josh Gordon, who failed a marijuana test, existed in large part because the NFL didn’t have a specific policy in place for incidents of domestic violence. The new measures provide a clearer guideline for what sort of punishment can be expected for players involved in domestic incidents.
The new disciplinary consequences, which apply to all league personnel rather than just players (Twitter link via Adam Schefter of ESPN.com), don’t require the NFLPA’s approval, since they fall under the personal conduct umbrella, tweets Tom Pelissero of USA Today. As our Dallas Robinson wrote earlier this month, when it was reported that the league was looking to institute harsher penalties for domestic violence, it would have been hard to imagine the NFLPA opposing a policy that increases the consequences for abusers.
According to the NFL’s announcement, the penalty for first-time offenders could be more than six games, depending on “mitigating factors.” As McManus tweets, any second-time offender who received a lifetime ban could attempt to apply for reinstatement.
We heard just a couple weeks ago that the NFL was seeking the input of outside groups with expertise on the issue of domestic violence in the hopes of unveiling a revamped program dedicated to the issue, which would focus on “everything from education, training, assistance and enhanced discipline.” The league didn’t waste much time in instituting that new program.
Adrian Peterson Expressed Interest In Playing For Cowboys
1:30pm: Peterson and the Vikings have issued an official statement on the ESPN report. Peterson’s comments read, in full:
“This was a casual conversation between NFL colleagues in which I never indicated I wanted to leave the Vikings. I have always said I understand the NFL is a business but that I would love to retire as a Viking.”
1:00pm: Star running back Adrian Peterson told Cowboys owner Jerry Jones in a June telephone call that he’d have interest in joining the Cowboys after his tenure with the Vikings comes to an end, according to an ESPN.com Outside the Lines report by Don Van Natta Jr. Van Natta recounts Jones’ side of the conversation with the Vikings running back, writing that it’s “obvious” Peterson told Jones he’d like to play for Dallas.
“Well, I understand, Adrian,” Jones said during the conversation. “I’d like that, too … Well, I love your story. I love your daddy’s story. I’ve always respected what you’ve been about. I’ve always been a fan of yours.”
The NFL’s rules related to tampering dictate that if a team is contacted by a player who is under contract with another club, that team must immediately report the contact to the club which holds the player’s rights. Jones, confirming that Peterson told him he’d like to play for the Cowboys, said he didn’t contact the Vikings about the discussion, so it’s not clear whether he’ll be subject to a penalty from the league.
Van Natta’s story also includes details on Jones’ desire to draft Johnny Manziel back in May, rather than offensive lineman Zack Martin.
“If we had picked Manziel, he’d guarantee our relevance for 10 years,” Jones said. “When we were on the clock, I said, if we pick the other guy – any other guy – it would be a ticket to parity, more 8-8 seasons. The only way to break out is to gamble — take a chance with that first pick, if you wanna dramatically improve your team. That’s why I wanted Manziel, but I was the only guy who wanted him.”
Chiefs Sign Mike McGlynn
THURSDAY, 1:04pm: Per ESPN.com’s Adam Caplan (via Twitter), McGlynn’s one-year deal is worth $1.125MM, and counts $925K against the cap. That sounds like it’s more than a minimum salary contract, so I’d guess the discrepancy between the total figure and the cap number means it includes some incentives.
WEDNESDAY, 9:58am: The Chiefs have made a move in the hopes of fortifying their offensive line, signing free agent guard Mike McGlynn to a contract, according to ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter (via Twitter). The club has waived offensive lineman Ben Gottschalk to make room on the 75-man roster for the new addition, tweets Terez A. Paylor of the Kansas City Star.
McGlynn, 29, was brought in by the Redskins as a free agent back in March and received $200K in guaranteed money on a two-year deal with the team. The former fourth-round pick, who had been the Colts’ primary right guard for the last two seasons, was expected to compete for a starting role in Washington, but struggled in training camp and the preseason and lost his grip on a roster spot. He was released yesterday.
For Kansas City, McGlynn figures to vie for playing time on an offensive line that took a significant hit in free agency — 2013 regulars Branden Albert, Geoff Schwartz, and Jon Asamoah all signed with new teams this offseason. Additionally, starting right tackle Donald Stephenson was hit with a four-game suspension and will miss the first month of the season.
Cowboys Notes: Hamilton, Brent, Bryant
Let’s round up the latest items out of Dallas, as the Cowboys gear up for their final preseason game against the Broncos….
- The Cowboys’ defense hadn’t expected to be an elite unit this season by any means, but suspensions may further diminish its effectiveness. As ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter and Todd Archer report, second-year defensive back Jakar Hamilton is facing a four-game ban for violating the league’s policy on substances of abuse. Hamilton becomes the second member of Dallas’ secondary this month to be hit with a four-game suspension, as Orlando Scandrick will also miss the season’s first month. Of course, unlike Scandrick, Hamilton isn’t necessarily guaranteed a spot on the Cowboys’ 53-man roster.
- Now that the Josh Gordon situation has been resolved, one player still awaiting a decision from the NFL is Cowboys defensive lineman Josh Brent. Brent, who was charged with intoxication manslaughter, and served a six-month jail sentence, has already voluntarily taken a full season off. So, as Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk writes, it’ll be interesting to see whether the NFL suspends him upon reinstating him or whether the league determines that by voluntarily – and temporarily – retiring, Brent has already served his penalty.
- Kevin Sherrington of The Dallas Morning News doesn’t think it’d be a bad idea for the Cowboys to let Dez Bryant play for his money. Bryant and owner Jerry Jones met yesterday to discuss a possible contract extension, but the talks did not advance.
Zach Links contributed to this post.
Latest On Dimitri Patterson
Reports over the weekend suggested that Jets cornerback Dimitri Patterson went AWOL from the team for about 48 hours, resulting in an indefinite suspension after he resurfaced. Today, Patterson issued a statement, via ESPN.com’s Josina Anderson (TwitLonger link), in which he suggested that the idea he went missing for two days is “completely false.” Here are Patterson’s comments in full:
“As it relates to my whereabouts and me missing for 48 hours without being seen or heard from me or my representative is completely false. My agent reached out to the Jets organization multiple times several hours prior to Friday night’s game. My commitment to the Jets organization and to my teammates has never been an issue and never will be an issue. As it relates to the rumors about my frustration in regards to the depth chart is totally and completely false. In nine years I have never had control over the depth chart.”
Considering both head coach Rex Ryan and general manager John Idzik said over the weekend that Patterson had gone AWOL, the cornerback’s statement is a little “stunning,” as Rich Cimini of ESPNNewYork.com tweets, since it’s essentially calling out Ryan and Idzik. In the view of Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News (Twitter link), the only sensible solution for the Jets is to cut Patterson.
The one-year deal Patterson signed with the Jets earlier this offseason included $1MM in bonus money, and the team is already thin at cornerback, so parting ways with him isn’t an ideal solution for New York. Still, it’s an unusual situation that took a stranger turn after Patterson’s public statement today, and it seems unlikely that the Jets would simply drop the issue (and the suspension). With 53-man rosters due two days from now, we’ll have to wait and see if Patterson hits the free agent market this weekend.
Josh Gordon Has Explored Playing In CFL
10:08am: According to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk (via Twitter), the Calgary Stampeders hold Gordon’s CFL rights and “want him badly.” That may not matter much though, since it seems as if the Browns and the CFL itself will dictate whether Gordon gets an opportunity to play in the league.
9:26am: Now that his appeal has officially been denied, Josh Gordon won’t be playing a game in the NFL during the 2014 season, but it sounds as if he and his camp are mulling other possible scenarios. According to Chris Mortensen of ESPN.com (via Twitter), the Browns wideout has explored the possibility of playing in the Canadian Football League for the rest of the CFL’s season.
Considering Gordon is still under contract with the Browns through 2015, it would be nearly impossible for the 23-year-old to actually land with a CFL team. As Ian Rapoport of NFL.com points out (Twitter link), the league’s rules wouldn’t allow Gordon to sign with a team unless the Browns were to cut him (and even then he’d have to pass through NFL waivers). Cleveland could potentially ask the CFL to make an exception to that rule to allow Gordon to play up north, but Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer says (via Twitter) that the team isn’t interested in granting him permission to pursue that opportunity.
Now that Gordon is not permitted to practice with the Browns or attend team meetings, getting him under the support system of another professional coaching staff may have been in his best interests, so it’s not surprising that his camp has looked into the possibility. However, we shouldn’t expect to see the star wideout wearing a Toronto Argonauts or Montreal Alouettes uniform anytime soon.
Bryant, Cowboys Making Progress On Extension
WEDNESDAY, 7:43pm: Cowboys owner Jerry Jones met with Bryant this morning and an extension was discussed, tweets Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network. However, the talk didn’t bring the two sides closer to a deal.
TUESDAY, 10:30pm: Michael Silver of the NFL Network says a deal could be struck between now and Thursday night’s preseason finale against the Broncos, writes NFL.com’s Chris Wesseling.
6:45pm: Talks between Bryant and the Cowboys have “intensified greatly,” according to Mike Silver of NFL.com (via Ian Rapoport on Twitter). He adds that it’s now clear that the team is ready to commit to Bryant as its franchise wide receiver.
9:19am: Earlier this month, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones suggested there was no need to accelerate extension talks for star wideout Dez Bryant. However, according to Charean Williams of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Bryant said yesterday that there’s a “big chance” the two sides work something out before the regular season begins, and Jones didn’t rule out that possibility.
“I wouldn’t refute that. I just wouldn’t,” Jones said. “I think that’s the best way to respond to that. He’s got a good sense of it. He obviously feels in the right circumstances he wants to get something done. We do, too. That can be good.”
Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link) also hears that Bryant and the Cowboys have been making progress on a new contract, though his source says it’s “up in the air” whether anything will get done by Week 1. As Rapoport adds in a second tweet, both sides are motivated to reach an agreement, but it remains to be seen if the Cowboys are willing to pay the 25-year-old like one of the league’s top five wideouts.
If no deal is reached within the next couple weeks, discussions will likely be tabled until after the season. Bryant is eligible for free agency in 2015, but it’s hard to imagine the club letting him hit the open market rather than signing him to an extension, or at least using its franchise tag. As Jones tells Williams, he has no problem with not negotiating during the season if the two sides don’t finalize a new deal by Week 1.
“I know Dez, know him well, and he wants to have his mind on nothing but football,” Jones said. “Obviously, he wants to be responsible as it pertains to his business, but it’s a pleasure to have someone that the only thing other than his family that matters to him is playing football for the Dallas Cowboys. I know he wants to be able to walk out there against San Francisco and not think about anything else. That’s a plus for everybody.”
Our Rob DiRe examined Bryant as an extension candidate back in June.