RG3 Turned Down Cardinals, Ravens Offers
Apparently, Robert Griffin III turned down two separate NFL offers in 2017. In an appearance on ESPN’s SportsCenter, Griffin said that he rejected chances to join both the Cardinals and Ravens in the offseason. 
“In Arizona, the reason it wasn’t a good fit because they had already — Carson [Palmer] was there, I was willing to come in and learn behind an experienced veteran quarterback who’s done a lot of great things,” Griffin said (transcript via CBSSports.com). “They had the backup in [Drew] Stanton, they had also brought in Blaine Gabbert. Nobody lets four quarterbacks get practice time. That was the issue. It wasn’t the coach — [Bruce Arians] is a great coach, he’s a quarterback whisperer. And it’s a stable franchise.”
Griffin also explained why he passed on an opportunity to join the Ravens.
“Baltimore was just, they offered me a contract right before the first preseason game, to start against the Redskins,” RG3 said. “Selfishly I could have taken that, to go play against them, but I knew I wouldn’t have been ready with that offense, with those guys, to put my best foot forward.”
In each instance, Griffin said that he knew the risk – if he turned down the offer, he might not get another. Surprisingly, Griffin says that he hasn’t given up on the possibility that a playoff team could sign him this year. That seems pretty unlikely to us, however, particularly since the Eagles have shown no interest in signing a Carson Wentz replacement.
RG3 Claims He Nearly Signed With Ravens
Robert Griffin III wasn’t able to land an NFL contract this year, but he says he was close. In an appearance on ESPN, RG3 said that he almost wound up playing for the Ravens (Twitter link via ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter). The quarterback added that he has had “interesting offers” from other teams as well. 
It’s not clear exactly how close the Ravens were to signing Griffin, despite his claims. In July, it was reported that the Ravens considered bringing Griffin in for a workout, but those plans were said to be 86’d. At that stage of the offseason, there was some uncertainty about Joe Flacco’s health. Fortunately for Baltimore, Flacco has started all 13 games so far and Ryan Mallett – who was shaky in training camp – has remained on the bench.
Given the lack of overall interest in Griffin this past year, we’re not expecting a booming market for his services in 2018. However, a few teams will probably be willing to kick the tires on him if he can demonstrate that he is healthy.
If the NFL market lags, he could always consider a CFL stint. North of the border, his rights are owned by the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.
Devin Hester Announces Retirement
We had a feeling that Devin Hester was done with football, but we didn’t have official confirmation – until now. The legendary return man took to Twitter on Tuesday to announce that his playing days are over. 
Hester leaves the game with an unparalleled highlight reel and several records that may never be broken. Hester’s 20 combined kick return touchdowns are an NFL record, as are his 14 punt return TDs. He also holds the single-season record for most return touchdowns with six.
Hester immediately made a mark on the league when he was selected by the Bears in the second round of the 2006 NFL draft. As a rookie, Hester returned three punts and two kickoffs for touchdowns. He also returned the opening kickoff of Super Bowl XLI 92 yards for a TD, a game that the Bears would go on to lose. When hinting at retirement in January, Hester indicated that he was disappointed to be leaving the sport without a ring.
Late last year, Hester hooked on with the Seahawks to take one more shot at Super Bowl glory. Seattle came up short in the divisional round, but Hester left on a personal high note as he returned five kickoffs for 194 yards with a long of 78 yards. He also had an impressive punt return negated by a safety.
Hester might not have the championship he was after, but he leaves the game with four Pro Bowl nods and three first-team All-Pro selections. He’s also likely to become the first player enshrined in the Hall of Fame solely as a return man.
Opinion: Ravens Should Continue To Bolster CB Corps
- Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun writes that, before Jimmy Smith‘s season-ending Achilles tear last week, there was talk that the Ravens could release Brandon Carr to create cap space and rely on Smith and the team’s cadre of young and talented corners. Zrebiec, though, thought that was a bad idea before the Smith injury, and he believes it’s even worse now. Carr has played reasonably well, and Smith’s latest injury is just further proof that Baltimore cannot count on him for a full season (he may not even be ready for the start of 2018). Zrebiec thinks the Ravens should not only retain Carr, but they should also continue to bolster their CB corps.
ASU Had Interest In Greg Roman
- Before hiring Herm Edwards as their new head coach, Arizona State reached out to Ravens senior offensive assistant/tight ends coach Greg Roman, tweets Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com. Roman, who has previously served as an offensive coordinator for both the 49ers and Bills, doesn’t have any collegiate coaching experience and has no known ties to the Arizona area, but given that Edwards was their final choice, the Sun Devils clearly didn’t weight either of those factors heavily. Baltimore currently ranks 26th in offensive DVOA, but that’s certainly not an indictment on Roman, who has crafted excellent offensive schemes in his past stops.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 12/5/17
Today’s practice squad updates:
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed: RB Terrence Magee
- Waived: DB Jeremy Boykins
Baltimore Ravens
- Signed: CB Robertson Daniel
Buffalo Bills
- Signed: P Cory Carter, S Dean Marlowe
Carolina Panthers
- Signed: LB Richie Brown
Chicago Bears
- Signed: OL Will Pericak, TE Colin Thompson
Cleveland Browns
- Signed: S Justin Currie
- Waived: WR Rannell Hall
Detroit Lions
- Signed: C Leo Koloamatangi
- Waived: S Stefan McClure
Denver Broncos
- Signed: OL Jeremiah Poutasi
- Waived: OL Gabe Ikard
Green Bay Packers
- Signed: TE Robert Tonyan
Houston Texans
- Signed: WR Devin Lucien, CB Josh Thornton
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed: T Andreas Knappe
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Signed: CB Sammy Seamster
Los Angeles Chargers
- Signed: TE Braedon Bowman
New England Patriots
- Signed: OL Jason King
Oakland Raiders
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: T Isaiah Battle, WR Cyril Grayson, DT Garrison Smith
- Waived: TE Steve Donatell
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Signed: DE Sterling Bailey
Washington Redskins
- Signed: LB Pete Robertson
- Waived: S Orion Stewart
Minor NFL Transactions: 12/4/17
Here are today’s minor moves:
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed: CB Leon McFadden
- Waived: RB Terrence Magee
Baltimore Ravens
- Promoted from practice squad: CB Stanley Jean-Baptiste
Houston Texans
- Placed on injured reserve: LB Brennan Scarlett
Oakland Raiders
-
Waived: DL Darius Latham
Washington Redskins
- Claimed: G Kyle Kalis
- Promoted from practice squad: WR Robert Davis
- Waived: DL Caraun Reid, LB Pete Robertson
NFL Suspends Ravens’ Jimmy Smith
On Sunday, Ravens cornerback Jimmy Smith suffered a season-ending injury. Now, Smith has been hit with a suspension for performance enhancing drugs (Twitter link via Adam Schefter of ESPN.com). 
The good news – if there is good news in this situation – is that Smith can serve the suspension while injured. He has withdrawn his appeal of the four-game ban, so he will be able to take the field when he is healthy for Week 1 next year.
Smith, 30 this summer, tore his Achilles on a non-contact play on Sunday against the Lions. Unfortunately, the injury and the suspension will put a damper on what has been a career year for the veteran. So far this year, Pro Football Focus has Smith ranked as one of the 12 best corners in the entire NFL with a career-high overall score. We have yet to hear an explanation from Smith on his positive test, but critics will undoubtedly connect the dots between his alleged PED use and his improved play.
The playoffs are still within reach for the 7-5 Ravens, but they’ll have to find a way to get by without one of their top defenders the rest of the way.
Jimmy Smith Out For Season
The Ravens picked up a key win Sunday, keeping their wild-card hopes going strong. But their playoff push will have to unfold without a key performer the rest of the way.
Jimmy Smith will miss the rest of the season after suffering a torn Achilles’ tendon against the Lions, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets. Smith sustained the injury on a non-contact play but had been dealing with Achilles trouble prior to this unfortunate setback.
John Harbaugh confirmed the diagnosis.
The seventh-year cornerback was operating as one of the best players at his position this season, rating as Pro Football Focus’ No. 12 corner coming into Week 13. This obviously isn’t the first time Smith’s encountered injury trouble. He finished last season on IR due to ankle issues, and a foot malady ended his 2014 campaign after eight games.
The Ravens are more prepared to handle a blow like this in 2017 than they were last season, having signed Brandon Carr in March and having drafted Marlon Humphrey in the first round. But neither were having the kind of season Smith was.
NFL Workout Updates: 11/30/17
Here are the latest workout and visit updates, courtesy of veteran NFL reporter Howard Balzer unless otherwise noted.
Atlanta Falcons
Baltimore Ravens
Green Bay Packers
- TE Devon Cajuste (visit), LB Ahmad Thomas (visit)
Kansas City Chiefs
- TE Anthony Firkser, Henry Krieger-Coble (link)
Miami Dolphins
- RB Russell Hansbrough, RB Kalif Phillips, RB Brandon Radcliff (link)
New Orleans Saints
- TE Alex Ellis, TE Darion Griswold, TE Henry Krieger-Coble, TE Robert Tonyan (link)
Oakland Raiders
- WR Seantavius Jones, WR Francis Owusu, WR Tevaun Smith (link)
San Francisco 49ers
- T Reid Fragel, CB Senquez Golson, K Garrett Hartley, CB Michael Hunter (visit), CB Keith Lewis, LB Boseko Lokombo, LB John Lotulelei, CB J.R. Nelson, TE Luke Papilion, RB Jhurell Pressley, RB Khiry Robinson, CB Channing Stribling RB Jahad Thomas, WR Javon Williams, TE Travis Wilson, CB Lou Young (Twitter links via Balzer)