AFC Notes: Raiders, Mosley, Gordon
The Raiders are looking to turnaround their fortunes as part of their rebuilding process, and Vic Tafur of SFGate.com has picked out five positions that could be up for grabs this offseason. The team will have competition at tight end, left guard, running back, second receiver, and defensive tackle, according to Tafur. They have a mix of veterans and young players who will be in the mix for those spots, more than one of which will most likely be platooned during the season anyway.
Here are some other notes from around the AFC:
- Ravens‘ first-round pick C.J. Mosley has been trying to assimilate to the NFL life, writes Preston Brown of the Baltimore Sun. “The biggest adjustment is adjusting to football all day,” Mosley said. “You’re here at 6 in the morning. Back in college, I was just getting ready for class at 8 or doing a workout or something. But now, it’s all football from 6 to 6.”
- Browns‘ star receiver Josh Gordon has added to his infamy this offseason, writes Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com. Gordon reportedly was pulled over by the police for speeding with four people in the car, one of which was cited for a marijuana-related offense.
- Former basketball player Demetrius Harris is looking to land a spot on the Chiefs‘ roster, writes Terez Paylor of KansasCity.com. Harris was a 6’7″ power forward for the University of Milwaukee-Wisconsin, and is trying to catch on at tight end in the NFL.
NFC North Notes: Finley, Allen, Greenway
It was reported earlier that former Packers‘ Jermichael Finley was cleared medically by his personal doctor, but that does not mean that he will be cleared by team doctors anytime soon, writes Louis Bien of SBNation.com. With Finley in in free agent limbo after his injury, Bien notes that it could make sense for Finley to pursue the $10MM insurance policy that would go into effect if his injuries were too sever to allow him to return to the field.
Here are some other notes from around the NFC North:
- If Finley does prove himself healthy, he should have a number of options in terms of teams looking for playmaking tight ends. A healthy Finley would rank among the top remaining free agents. Additionally, he could be a fit with the Patriots according to Isaac Moore of Patriots.com, Brad Gagnon of Bleacher Report sees the Giants as a potential landing spot, and Nick Silverman of Rant Sports throws out the Raiders as a good match for his talents.
- New Bears‘ pass rusher Jared Allen is focused on proving he’s worth taking a chance on, writes Michael C. Wright of ESPN.com. “My motivation to be the best at what I do is a self-motivation,” Allen said. “It’s probably more of a fear of failing than it is necessarily thriving to be the best. I just want guys, when I leave this league, I want them to say, ‘He did it the right way, he gave everything he had, and not one day he was stealing checks.'”
- Vikings‘ star linebacker Chad Greenway is adjusting to new head coach Mike Zimmer’s defense, writes Brian Hall of Fox Sports North. Greenway was used primarily as a strong side linebacker under Leslie Frazier, but is practicing across all three linebacker spots under Zimmer. “This is the first chance, really, for me to learn something completely new,” said Greenway. “It’s been good. I go through the same growing pains as the young guys, as far as learning new stuff. Sometimes it’s even harder for me, because I have everything so ingrained over the years. It’s been great. It’s been a fun defense to start to learn, and we’ve just got to get good at it now.”
AFC Notes: Titans, Ravens, Browns, Revis
Let’s take a Memorial Day look around the AFC:
- There a number of Titans who may see their starting jobs, and even roster spots in general, in jeopardy come training camp, writes Jim Wyatt of the Tennessean. Shonn Greene, Michael Oher, and Jake Locker are among the notable names who may not see as much action as expected for the Titans in 2014.
- The Ravens selected quarterback Keith Wenning in this month’s draft to compete with Tyrod Taylor to be the backup to Joe Flacco, writes Clifton Brown of CSNBaltimore,com. However, Brown writes that he is unsure if the Ravens will devote three roster spots to the position, meaning the two might not only be battling for a backup job, but a spot on the roster.
- Ravens defensive lineman Brandon Williams is determined to come back in 2014 with more success after a toe injury kept him out of nine games as a rookie, writes Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun. Williams, a third-round pick in 2013, has dedicated himself to being in better shape this season. “I’ve had a good offseason, I’ve been working out doing cardio and a bunch of other stuff,” Williams said. “I’m lighter and leaner. I’ve gotten a little stronger.”
- Tom Reed of the Cleveland Plain-Dealer speculates that neither Brian Hoyer nor Johnny Manziel will win the Browns‘ quarterback job until later this summer. Reed thinks that while Hoyer is perhaps the favorite to start to open the 2014 season, if Manziel performs like he did at Texas A&M during the preseason, it will put significant pressure on the Browns’ organization to start the former Heisman Trophy winner.
- Darrelle Revis will have a positive impact on the Patriots‘ offense this upcoming season, writes Brent Sobleski of USA Today. Tom Brady told Peter King of The Monday Morning Quarterback that he’s already tired of throwing against Revis in practice everyday. The former first-round pick out of Pittsburgh has been described by former teammate Jim Leonard as “the best practice player” he’s ever seen. Sobleski thinks that having such a worthy practice adversary will only serve to improve Brady’s game.
David Kipke contributed to this post.
NFC Notes: Bucs, Bucannon, Receivers
Mike Glennon is the Buccaneers‘ quarterback of the future, despite the arrival of Josh McCown via free agency. After McCown was announced as the starter, trade rumors began to circulate concerning Glennon, but head coach Lovie Smith and general manager Jason Licht have come to the decision to support the quarterback they inherited, writes Roy Cummings of the Tampa Tribune. They believe Glennon possesses the most important traits needed for a successful quarterback.
“The three things — and Lovie and I were in complete agreement on this — are toughness, intelligence and accuracy,’’ said Licht. “And then arm strength is a distant fourth. Mike showed during this process that he has those three things and he scored very high on those three things.”
Here are some other notes from around the NFC:
- Although the Buccaneers have had a thin roster the past few seasons, Smith says that one of the most important aspects of winning is depth at multiple positions, writes Cummings. Specifically, Smith spoke about the team’s depth at safety and how impressed he is with the players they have.
- Cardinals‘ first-round pick Deone Bucannon hasn’t provoked many negative statements from the organization, but head coach Bruce Arians tried to come up with one, writes Darren Urban of AZCardinals.com. “(Deone has) only got one problem — He is so much a perfectionist,” said Arians. “It is paralysis by analysis right now because he wants to do everything just perfect.”
- Lions‘ receiver Ryan Broyles is committed to returning from a ruptured achilles tendon that sidelined him in 2013, writes of Kyle Meinke of MLive.com. “I’m looking forward to the competition. It’s never scared me away,” said Broyles. “But at the end of the day, we’re here to win. They’re going to put guys in place to help us win.”
- Saints‘ receiver Kenny Stills is looking to get better in his second season with the team, writes Mike Triplett of ESPN.com. Stills could have an increased role in the offense after finishing 2013 strong, but has new competition as the team traded up to draft Oregon State receiver Brandin Cooks.
Patriots’ Quarterback Depth Chart
One of the bigger surprises of the NFL Draft was the Patriots using their second-round pick on quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo of Eastern Illinois. With Tom Brady still leading the charge on a team that was only one game short of a sixth Super Bowl appearance under the current regime, it was a bold choice to use such a valuable pick planning for the future.
While the team is still in a position to win now, Brady was not surprised the team selected a quarterback in the draft, writes Peter King of Monday Morning Quarterback.
“I felt like I had a pretty good idea we’d take a quarterback,” Brady said. “Coach Belichick doesn’t care who the quarterback is here. He’s always going to play the guy who he thinks gives him the best chance to win.”
It was not too long ago that the team used a third-round pick on former Arkansas quarterback Ryan Mallett. Mallett, drafted in 2011, is now coming to the end of his rookie contract, and will be a free agent after this coming season.
Mallett was involved in trade rumors during the NFL Draft, most notably with the Texans to reunite with his old offensive coordinator, Texans’ head coach Bill O’Brien.
Of course, no deal was agreed to, and Mallett was announced as not available by the Patriots, meaning the team will enter the season with a crowd at the quarterback position.
Since 2009, the Patriots have only carried more than two quarterbacks on the roster once, in 2011 during Mallett’s rookie year, according to Mike Reiss of ESPNBoston.com. Brian Hoyer was the main backup for the Patriots that year, in his third year with the team. Mallett was the third-string string quarterback as a rookie, before earning full backup duties in his second year with the team, as Hoyer was let walk.
The Patriots might elect to bring Garoppolo along in a similar fashion, letting him take his rookie year to learn as the third option, but it would be surprising for the team to bring back Mallett in 2015 after using such a high pick on Garoppolo.
Bengals Sign Second-Rounder Jeremy Hill
Former LSU running back Jeremy Hill announced via Twitter that he has officially signed with the Bengals.
The second-round pick will join Giovani Bernard and BenJarvus Green-Ellis in the Cincinnati backfield. Hill had over 1,400 yards and 16 touchdowns last year for LSU.
Hill’s signing leaves only two members of the Bengals’ rookie class left to be signed, in first-round pick Darqueze Dennard and third-rounder Will Clarke.
Extra Points: Irsay, Super Bowl, Minor Moves
Colts’ owner Jim Irsay spoke publicly for the first time since being entered into rehab, and Stephen Holder of the Indianapolis Star noted some of the highlights in a series of tweets. Holder writes that Irsay has been aware of the Colts dealings, and has been following the team through the offseason. This includes conversations with head coach Chuck Pagano and general manager Ryan Grigson.
Here are some other notes from around the NFL:
- Former Colts’ center Jeff Saturday is prepared to make a pitch for Indianapolis to host the Super Bowl in 2018, writes Mike Wells of ESPN.com. “I’m excited to get in front of the owners and present for our city,” Saturday said. “It’s not about what we did in 2012. I look forward to Super Bowl 52 being in Indianapolis. I think it’ll be a great day for all of us.”
- The Saints are also vying for the 2018 Super Bowl, led by Jay Cicero of the Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation, writes Larry Holder of NOLA.com. “I just know from the 20-something years we’ve been doing this, this is the most creative, thorough (bid). … We’ve put everything on the table. Everything. It’s the most use of our resources,” Cicero said. “Things we’ve never done and things the NFL has never seen before.”
- The Saints have signed fourth-round pick Khairi Fortt, the team announced on their website NewOrleansSaints.com. Fortt, an outside linebacker out of California, is the final draft pick to sign with the team.
- The Panthers have signed linebacker Billy Boyko to a two-year deal, reports Joe Person of the Charlotte Observer (via Twitter). Boyko was made available after being cut by the Raiders.
- The Titans have signed five players from their rookie minicamp, reports Jim Wyatt of the Tennessean. The team signed running Waymon James of TCU, receiver Julian Horton of Arkansas, offensive lineman Viondy Merisma, cornerback Winston Wright and linebacker David Gilbert. The Titans released fullback Quinn Johnson, cornerback George Baker, linebacker Jamal Merrell and receiver Eric Ward (who was waived/injured) to make room on the roster.
NFC East Notes: Cowboys, Eagles, Giants
Cowboys’ owner and general manager Jerry Jones spoke to Kimberly Jones of the NFL Network about the possibility of the NFL expanding their playoff format, and he liked the idea of more playoff teams, reports Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network (via Twitter). Jones noted that it would help his team get into the tournament, as the Cowboys have barely missed the playoffs in each of the past three seasons.
Here are some other notes from around the NFC East:
- The Eagles have signed fourth-round pick Jaylen Watkins, fifth-round pick Taylor Hart, and undrafted free agent Devan Morgan, reports Jeff McClane of the Philadelphia Inquirer (via Twitter). Hart is a defensive end out of Oregon, while Watkins and Morgan are both defensive backs. The team released defensive back John Fulton to make room on the roster.
- Eagles’ head coach Chip Kelly drafted two Oregon players this year, and both have found the transition from college to the pros smooth because of the connection, writes Zach Berman of the Philadelphia Inquirer.
“There’s things in the offense I know already,” receiver Josh Huff said. “It’s just getting things separated from the Oregon offense to the Philly offense. The play calls are different. The hand signals are different. So I have to reboot my whole system and get it in order.”
Hart also has some familiarity with the system.
- The Giants have just enough cap room to sign all their draft picks without making any roster move, writes Jordan Ranaan of NJ.com (via Twitter). Ranaan still expects the team to free up about $5MM by cutting David Baas in the near future..
West Minor Moves: Seahawks, Cardinals, Chiefs
The Seahawks have signed fourth-round pick Cassius Marsh to a rookie deal, reports Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times (via Twitter). The UCLA pass rusher will provide depth at defensive end.
Here are some other roster moves from across the NFC and AFC West:
- The Seahawks have also signed tight end Rashaun Allen and offensive tackle Nate Isles out of their rookie minicamp, reports Condotta (via Twitter). The team has released cornerback Jimmy Legree and tight end Travis Beckum to make room for the signings.
- The Cardinals have signed fifth-round pick Ed Stinson to a rookie contract, reports Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (via Twitter). The defensive end out of Alabama will earn $2.406MM over four years, with a signing bonus of $186,740.
- Defensive lineman Kyle Love has agreed to return to the Chiefs, reports Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter). Love has formerly enjoyed stints with the Patriots and Jaguars.
Patriots Sign Two Picks, Three UDFAs
The Patriots have made a handful of moves, most notably signing two more of their draft picks, writes Mike Reiss of ESPNBoston.com (via Twitter). They selected a pair of interior offensive lineman from the Sunshine State in the draft, and today have officially signed center Bryan Stork of Florida State and guard Jon Halapio of Florida. Stork was a fourth-round pick coming off his national championship season, and Halapio was a sixth-rounder.
These signings leave only two Patriots’ draft picks without contracts, the team’s top two picks Dominique Easley of Florida and Jimmy Garoppolo of Eastern Illinois. However, there is no reason to worry, as Jeff Howe expects both players to sign soon (via Twitter).
Howe also reports that the team has signed three undrafted rookie free agents, cornerback Malcolm Butler of West Alabama, receiver Derrick Johnson of Maine, and linebacker Taylor McCuller of West Texas A&M (via Twitter).