Extra Points: Locker, Jones, 49ers, Fines
Titans‘ quarterback Jake Locker has been underwhelming in his short career, and how he plays this year will determine his future with the team. If he continues to disappoint, rookie Zach Mettenberger could be an option, writes Paul Kuharsky of ESPN.com. Even still, Mettenberger will likely have to compete for the starting job going forward into 2015, even if Locker is not retained.
Here are some other notes from around the NFL:
- Titans‘ head coach Ken Whisenhunt says there is a possibility that the team only keeps four receivers on the roster. That leaves Michael Preston, Brian Robiskie, Marc Mariani, and Derek Hagan fighting for just one spot, writes Kuharsky.
- New Raiders‘ receiver James Jones is ready to step up and become the top receiver for his team, writes Scott Bair of CSNBayArea.com. “I’m trying to prove something everyday, not only to the coaching staff, but to the entire league,” Jones said. “I’ve got a little chip on my shoulder, and I’m trying to prove it to the world to the league everyday that I can be a No. 1 receiver, that I can be one of those receivers that’s talked about in the National Football League.”
- The 49ers‘ just unveiled their new football stadium, and already are being forced to pull up the turf and replace it, writes Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee. The grass proved to cause problems during the second half of their 34-0 loss to the Broncos on Sunday, but will be resodded in time for their preseason game against the Chargers this coming Sunday.
- With plenty of NFL stars still hoping for contract extensions, Ari Nissim of the National Football Post looks at ten who could be in line for new contracts sometime this season. The list is full of the league’s top receivers and pass rushers, as well as Chiefs‘ quarterback Alex Smith.
- With all the fines coming down this preseason, NFL fans can freshen up on the rules surrounding these fines thanks to Brian McCarthy of the league office (via Twitter).
Josh Gordon Ruling Not Coming This Week
The Josh Gordon saga continues on, as a decision regarding his suspension is not likely to be handed down this week as expected, reports Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter).
The All-Pro wide receiver has been in limbo since his hearing concluded way back on August 4th. At that time, a decision was expected to come between one and three weeks. However, the third week is coming to an end, and Browns’ fans are still waiting to hear if their best player will set foot on the field at all in 2014.
Hopefully for all parties, Monday the 25th will be the day that the decision comes down and all this waiting will come to an end.
There is still a chance that the suspension is reduced in some way, especially in the aftermath of Ray Rice‘s two-game suspension. The thinking is that a suspension eight times as long for substance abuse will only add to the hysteria over the brevity or Rice’s suspension.
Our readers at Pro Football Rumors overwhelmingly believe the suspension will be cut in half at least during the potential settlement.
Hearing officer Harold Henderson is thought to be the cause for the delay, according to Rapoport (via Twitter). Henderson was reported to be a reason for the delay a week ago when the transcription process was called into question.
Vikings Notes: Ponder, Turner, Greenway
While Christian Ponder is reportedly open to a trade, he has not asked the Vikings’ management or coaching staff for one, reports Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer-Press (via Twitter).
Ponder was in the running to be the team’s starter earlier this offseason, sharing first-team reps, writes Chris Wesseling of NFL.com. More recently, he has been relegated to the third string as Matt Cassel and first-round pick Teddy Bridgewater continue to compete for the starting spot.
While he would like a chance to start, he is saying the right things as he has accepted his current role with the team, according to Tomasson.
“I’m learning so much right now. I do feel like it’s beneficial for me to be right here right now,” said Ponder. “As a competitor, though, you want to be the guy that’s out there playing. But I do feel like in the situation I’m in right now, I am getting better though I’m not playing.”
Here are some other notes from around Vikings organization:
- Ponder may no longer be in contention in Minnesota, but the team has yet to announce an official depth chart at quarterback. However, offensive coordinator Norv Turner may have revealed a bit about his selection process, writes Jim Souhan of the Minnesota Star-Tribune. Cassel will start the season opener, and will remain the start if he is healthy and performing well. Bridgewater will be inserted into the lineup only when he is ready. “I know Teddy’s getting himself ready to play,” said Turner. “And he’s got to be ready to play, because this league is tough on quarterbacks. You can be in there real fast.’’
- New head coach Mike Zimmer is enjoying his new chess pieces on defense, trying to balance his versatile players while installing his fundamental system, writes Ben Goessling of ESPN.com. “It’s a little bit of, ‘What can the guy do and still be effective?'” Zimmer said. “Once I feel like we have the fundamentals down and the techniques down, then you can worry about tricking somebody else or disguising. You don’t always have guys like Everson Griffen, Anthony Barr, Brian Robison that can do a number of different things. Those three guys can stand up and drop, play outside linebacker and rush.”
- Linebacker Chad Greenway missed practice with a wrist injury, allowing second-year player Michael Mauti to get some extra reps, writes Matt Vensel of the Minnesota Star-Tribune. Mauti is still on the bubble, but a strong performance in Greenway’s absence could go a long way to help him make the team.
- While Mauti fights to make the team, and Zimmer tries to find ways to use his other defensive players, the Vikings are still looking for a third linebacker to step up and take the middle linebacker spot, writes Derek Wetmore of 1500ESPN.com. Jasper Brinkley and Audie Cole are fighting to earn that spot. “Jasper seems to be a little bit more communicative and Audie seems to have a little more range. As far as the running game they’re very close and the passing game they’re similar,” Zimmer said. “You have to look at all the different things: how it affects the rest of the guys on the team; you have to look at their blitz ability; their communication on different formations that you get. There’s so many variables with that position that goes into it that you just kind of overall look at it.”
- Griffen is not letting any of the scheme and roster uncertainty get in the way of the basics, writes Brian Murphy of the St. Paul Pioneer-Press. After signing a huge contract to remain with the team, he knows the basic philosophy of the defense will be to get after the football. “We’re going to be in attack mode and we’re going to be able to play,” Griffen said. “Just go out there and have fun. Football’s fun.”
Cardinals To Sign Isaac Sopoaga
The Cardinals are planning to sign defensive tackle Isaac Sopoaga, reports Kent Somers of AZCentral.com (via Twitter).
The team worked out Sopoaga earlier today, and could view him as a potential replacement for Darnell Dockett, who is lost for the season to a torn ACL.
Sopoaga started his career with the 49ers, before leaving in free agency to join the Eagles in 2013. Despite signing a three-year deal, he was traded to the Patriots midseason.
The Patriots released him earlier this offseason, as he failed to positively contribute to the team in limited action last year.
Buccaneers Claim Edawn Coughman
The Buccaneers have claimed offensive tackle Edawn Coughman off waivers, reports Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times (via Twitter). Coughman was waived by the Bills, after spending last season on the team’s practice squad.
Coughman went undrafted in the 2011 NFL Draft., and spent time in the CFL, appearing in nine games with the Toronto Argonauts, according to Stroud (via Twitter).
He was cut from the Argonauts in 2012, when he made the move back to the NFL. He played for the Cowboys and Seahawks, before being signed to the Bills’ practice squad last season, according to Stroud (via Twitter).
Browns Notes: Manziel, Hoyer, Gordon
Although the Browns have named Brian Hoyer as the starting quarterback to start the season, enigmatic backup Johnny Manziel has taken the news in stride. Manziel acknowledged that he is “smart enough to know” that he did not play well enough in his preseason action in order to take a lead on the starting job, according to Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain-Dealer (via Twitter).
Manziel stands by his polarizing actions off the field, saying that he would not have done anything differently this offseason, according to Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal (via Twitter).
While he doesn’t regret his transgressions this offseason, he does admit that he needs to continue to practice and prepare extremely diligently and with a purpose, while he awaits an opportunity to get on the field, writes Ulrich (via Twitter).
Here are some other notes from around the Browns:
- Hoyer “crumbled under the pressure” of the spotlight during the Browns’ preseason matchup with the Redskins on Monday, and the pressure will only increase now that he has been named the starter, writes Tom Pelissero of USA Today. He notes that even if the team’s defense exceed expectations, that Hoyer as a starter-by-default is not a recipe for success.
- Before Hoyer was named the starter, Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk assessed the media circus surrounding the team’s quarterback competition. He notes that the plan to curb his attention by not naming him the day one starter did not work, and that they were better off making an early decision on the depth chart. Florio believes they should have just named him the starter, to save him the scrutiny of the competition. They could also have relegated Manziel to the bench earlier, relieving him of the pressure to be a star in the preseason.
- While Manziel is one of the most polarizing rookie quarterbacks among fans and pundits, NFL players believe in the young gunslinger. According to an ESPN player poll, 69% of players believe Manziel will enjoy some sort of NFL success, while only 31% envision him as becoming the next bust at quarterback for the Browns. ESPN collected answers to this question from 82 anonymous NFL players.
- In a piece of non-quarterback news, Josh Gordon has still yet to hear about a ruling following his hearing after being suspended for violating the substance-abuse policy, writes Florio. If Gordon’s year-long suspension is relaxed, that will be the most significant upgrade the Browns’ offense could get, regardless of who is under center at the time the troubled wide receiver returns to the field.
Colts Acquire David Fluellen From Eagles
The Colts have traded for Eagles’ running back David Fluellen, reports Adam Schefter of ESPN (via Twitter). Fluellen became expendable after the Eagles traded for Kenjon Barner of the Panthers earlier this week.
In return, the Eagles will receive kicker Cody Parkey from the Colts.
Fluellen, who was reported as cut earlier today, ended up on the trading block as his release was not set to become official until 4 P.M. EST, according to Zach Berman of the Philadelphia Inquirer (via Twitter).
Both players were on the way out from their respective teams, therefore the swap was most likely made for each to avoid waivers, according to Geoff Mosher of CSNPhilly.com (via Twitter).
Mosher also notes that the team is unlikely to carry three kickers for very long, and expects Cary Spear to be relesed soon (via Twitter).
NFC East Notes: Coughlin, Henery, Redskins, Minter
The Giants‘ offense was sloppy in 2013, with Eli Manning struggling with turnovers early in the season. The team was unable to get on track in time to salvage a playoff run, and it ultimately cost offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride his job. The team hired Ben McAdoo to pick up the pieces and turn the offense around, but the team has been unable to do so as of yet. Head coach Tom Coughlin is unhappy with the progress being made on that side of the ball, according to Paul Schwartz of the New York Post.
“It’s obvious, I think we got to work on a lot of things,’’ Coughlin said. “We got to basically work on everything. Last night we didn’t run it, we certainly didn’t throw the ball with any consistency, we don’t have people that are definitely running open, our protection does break down from time to time and we don’t react well under pressure when we do realize there has to be a hot or a sight adjust involved and just getting the ball out of the quarterback’s hand and trying to accomplish a positive play in the face of the pressure.’’
Here are some other notes from around the NFC East:
- Eagles‘ kicker Alex Henery seems to be winning the position competition, writes Zach Berman of the Philadelphia Inquirer. Despite his struggles in 2013 and this preseason, he has been the only kicker to see action during the team’s two preseason games. Head coach Chip Kelly also noted that Henery has been very good in practice during pressure situations.
- The Eagles have a number of preseason storylines that are becoming clearer as the preseason progresses. Dave Spadaro of PhiladelphiaEagles.com updates a few storylines, including the ongoing injury situation, the progression of the offense in Kelly’s second season, and some recent roster moves.
- Final roster cuts are approaching, and the Redskins have a number of players on the bubble of making the team. Rich Tandler and Tarik El Bashir take a look at a few defensive players fighting for the last few spots. They both agree that outside linebacker Rob Jackson and safety Bacarri Rambo will both make the team, while cornerback Richard Crawford will fall short of making the team.
- Cowboys‘ defensive tackle Zach Minter made an impression in his first preseason game, writes Brandon George of DallasNews.com. Playing against the Ravens on Saturday after being signed on Thursday, Minter had four tackles, two sacks, and a forced fumble. That performance could help to earn him a spot on a defense that is in need of talent.
Poll: Best Quarterbacks Available By Trade
There always seems to be a shortage of legitimate quarterbacks to fill the needs of all 32 NFL teams. Some franchises are left searching for a starter every year, while others are left without a viable backup plan in the event that they lose their starter.
With so few quarterbacks to go around, even middling talents can become sought after every offseason. Untapped potential on one team could represent a beacon of hope to another front office or fan base. Sometimes, even the shakiest résumé could seem like an improvement.
The 49ers are having issues finding a backup quarterback at the moment, a scary proposition for any Super Bowl contender. That is only magnified by the fact that their starter, Colin Kaepernick, is known to take off with the football, exposing himself to more open field hits than a traditional pocket passer. The 49ers are built on defense and running the football, and even competent quarterback play could be able to keep them afloat in Kaepernick’s absence.
For that reason, Daniel Jeremiah of NFL.com suggested (via Twitter) that the team inquire on Vikings‘ quarterback Christian Ponder. Ponder was able to bring a defensive minded Vikings squad to the playoffs in 2012, mostly on the back of Adrian Peterson and his 2,097 rushing yards.
Another option for a team looking for a strong backup, or even a low end starter, would be Eagles‘ quarterback Mark Sanchez. Earlier today Chip Kelly admitted that he wasn’t beyond listening to trade offers for Sanchez. While the former Jets passer is generally considered to have been a disaster during his first stop, it is worth noting that he played with some of the worst offensive weapons in the league. During his rookie and sophomore campaigns, when he had slightly more to work with, Sanchez brought the Jets to the AFC Championship game in both years, making him an intriguing candidate for a trade.
Redskins‘ backup Kirk Cousins has been a leader amongst the trade rumor community, most commonly being linked with his former offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan in Cleveland. With Brian Hoyer and Johnny Manziel competing for the Browns’ job, there is no obvious need for Cousins there. Still, his body of work is good enough in a small sample size, and he has not had the time to tarnish his reputation in the same way that Ponder and Sanchez have.
The Patriots also are prepared to move on from Ryan Mallett, making it known so by drafting Jimmy Garoppolo in the second round of this past draft. Mallett had a high potential upside coming out in the 2011 draft, but never saw a meaningful snap and is now at the end of his rookie contract. The Patriots would certainly be willing to move him, but could find it difficult to get anything substantial for him.
Most would agree that none of these options represents a savior at quarterback, and all 32 teams are more or less set on their options for a starter in 2014. Even teams that have the least certain options at quarterback, such as the Vikings with Matt Cassel, the Texans with Ryan Fitzpatrick, or the Jets with Geno Smith have reason to pass on making a big move. The Vikings have hope of developing first-round pick Teddy Bridgewater. The Texans have a stopgap in Fitzpatrick, and head coach Bill O’Brien likely does not see any available options markedly better than the journeyman. The Jets have a better in-house option in Michael Vick in the event that Smith does not improve in 2014.
Even still, if a team less prepared to handle an injury to their top passer, these options could become very sought after. Other players, such as Drew Stanton of the Cardinals, Brock Osweiler of the Broncos, and Jason Campbell of the Bengals could also bring interest to a team desperate for some level of quarterback play to get through a rough patch. These players will likely not be seen as franchise quarterbacks to any team, but a front office could talk themselves into bringing one of these players in to salvage a season.
49ers’ Not Looking To Add At Quarterback
The bright spots were far and few between during the 49ers’ embarrassing 34-0 defeat to the Broncos earlier today. The team’s signal callers struggled in particular, with the four quarterbacks on the roster failing to produce even a single touchdown drive, and combining to produce three points in two preseason games thus far.
Of the four quarterbacks on the roster, only starter Colin Kaepernick‘s job is secure, and hopefully for the team he will stay healthy and his backups will never see any meaningful action. Even still, there is concern over the uncertainty of the three players vying to be the number two passer on the depth chart.
Blaine Gabbert was thought to have the inside track, after the 49ers traded a sixth round pick to the Jaguars to acquire his services. However, through two preseason games he has completed only 11/27 passes for 60 yards, throwing two interceptions in the process. His performances have left his spot on the team in doubt.
At the same time, fellow backups Josh Johnson and McLeod Bethel-Thompson have failed to impress themselves. Bethel-Thompson has thrown two interceptions himself, and while Johnson escaped the preseason opener without a turnover, he lost a fumble today against the Broncos.
Head coach Jim Harbaugh is unhappy with the amount of turnovers he is seeing from the group, noting that turnovers will be the deciding factor on who gets the nod in the event Kaepernick should need to be replaced, writes Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com.
“In terms of a backup quarterback, it’s as simple as who doesn’t turn the ball over,” Harbaugh said. “They’re turning the ball over. All of them have. There’s nobody to elevate. Whoever doesn’t turn the ball over will be the backup quarterback.”
Harbaugh still shot down the idea that the team would look outside the organization for a suitable backup.
One quarterback who could provide an upgrade over the current backups is Christian Ponder, writes Daniel Jeremiah of NFL.com (via Twitter). Ponder has fallen out of favor with the Vikings, as Matt Cassel and Teddy Bridgewater are currently battling for the starting job in Minnesota.
The team will of course like to get 16 games out of their starter, but in today’s NFL, a weak backup quarterback can take a contender to a bottom dweller in a hurry.