NFL Practice Squad Updates: 12/17/15
Here are Thursday’s practice squad signings and cuts from around the NFL:
Oakland Raiders
- Signed: DE Josh Shirley (Twitter links via Scott Bair of CSNCalifornia.com)
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: CB Stanley Jean-Baptiste (Twitter link via Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times)
- Signed: QB B.J. Daniels (Twitter link via Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle)
Baltimore Ravens
- Signed: RB DuJuan Harris (Twitter link via team)
Miami Dolphins
- Signed: CB Tyler Patmon, DE Julius Warmsley, RB Trey Williams (Twitter links via Omar Kelly of the South Florida Sun Sentinel)
North Notes: Gordon, Mallett, Megatron
Browns wideout Josh Gordon will be eligible to apply for reinstatement from his suspension in February, and if Gordon gets the go-ahead from the NFL to return to action, head coach Mike Pettine would welcome him back with open arms, tweets Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com. “Absolutely we would,” Pettine said. “He’s a Cleveland Brown.”
Of course, given the way the Browns have played this season, it’s fair to be skeptical that Pettine will even be around to make that decision in February — it’s possible Cleveland will have hired a new head coach by then.
As we wait to see what the future holds for Pettine and Gordon, let’s check in on a few more items from around the NFL’s North divisions….
- The two-year deal Ryan Mallett signed with the Ravens is basically a $1.6MM pact, says Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun (Twitter links). Of course, most of that money will be due next season, and the quarterback’s 2016 salary (about $1.5MM) is non-guaranteed. If Mallett does make the team, he can earn an extra $500K for playing just 1% of Baltimore’s regular snaps, and $1MM if he plays 10% of the snaps, maxing out the year at $2.5MM, tweets Field Yates of ESPN.com.
- “Lovely” isn’t a word that makes its way into NFL interviews too often, but that was the adjective Calvin Johnson used today to describe the possibility of finishing his career with the Lions, as Michael Rothstein of ESPN.com details.
- Willie Young‘s transition from defensive end to outside linebacker hasn’t always been smooth, but it has gone better than expected, and it looks like Young could have a future with the Bears, writes Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 12/16/15
Here are Wednesday’s practice squad signings and cuts from around the NFL, with the latest moves added to the list throughout the day:
Baltimore Ravens
- Signed: G Eric Herman (Twitter link via team)
Cincinnati Bengals
- Signed: WR Michael Bennett (Twitter link via team)
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed: RB LaDarius Perkins (press release via team), LB Amarlo Herrera (Twitter link via Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle)
New England Patriots
- Signed: LB Kevin Snyder (link via Dan Duggan of NJ.com)
- Cut: WR Austin Hill, DT Kelcy Quarles (Twitter link via Doug Kyed of NESN.com)
New Orleans Saints
- Signed: WR Shane Wynn (Twitter link via Evan Woodbery of NOLA.com)
Philadelphia Eagles
- Signed: CB Mike Lee (Twitter link via team)
- Cut: S Craig Bills (failed physical)
San Diego Chargers
- Signed: S Matt Daniels, CB Keith Lewis (press release via team)
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: WR B.J. Daniels, DT Justin Hamilton (Twitter links via Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times)
Tennessee Titans
- Signed: WR Nick Harwell, QB Mike Kafka (Twitter link via Jim Wyatt of TitansOnline.com)
Washington
- Signed: TE Ray Hamilton (Twitter link via Mike Jones of The Washington Post)
Practice Squad Updates: 12/15/15
Here are today’s practice squad signings and cuts from across the league:
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed: LB Curtis Grant, WR R.J. Harris, WR Jordan Leslie, DE Dontay Moch (press release)
- Cut: WR Devon Wylie
Baltimore Ravens
- Signed: T Marcel Jones (Twitter link via Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun)
Buffalo Bills
- Signed: TE Blake Annen (Twitter link via Joe Buscaglia of WKBW)
Chicago Bears
- Signed: DL Toby Johnson, WR/TE Marcus Lucas (Twitter link via team)
Dallas Cowboys
- Cut: LB Darius Eubanks (Twitter link via Charean Williams of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram)
Detroit Lions
- Signed: CB Kendall James (press release)
- Cut: CB Stanley Jean-Baptiste
Indianapolis Colts
- Placed on PS-IR: RB Josh Robinson (press release)
New England Patriots
- Signed: RB Montee Ball (story), WR DeAndre Carter (link via Tom Curran of CSNNE.com)
Philadelphia Eagles
- Signed: S Craig Bills (Twitter link via team)
- Cut: CB Mike Lee
St. Louis Rams
- Signed: LB Matthew Wells
Washington
- Cut: RB Christine Michael (press release)
North Notes: Ravens, Barnidge, Daniels, Packers
The five-year, $37.5MM contract the Ravens gave to left tackle Eugene Monroe in 2014 looks like an obvious mistake now, but it was applauded at the time, writes Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun. After missing just three games due to injury in his first four seasons, Monroe hasn’t been able to stay on the field during the last two years, and now the team will face a tough offseason decision.
While cutting Monroe in the offseason is one option, the Ravens wouldn’t clear much cap room by doing so, since the lineman’s deal still includes $6.6MM in dead money. It seems to me that a more logical solution would be to rework Monroe’s deal to convert a chunk of his $6.5MM salary for 2016 into per-game roster bonuses. That would allow Monroe to keep his spot on the roster and give him an opportunity to earn his full salary, while also alleviating the risk for the Ravens — if the veteran tackle gets hurt again, Baltimore won’t be on the hook for his entire salary.
As we wait to see what the Ravens decide on Monroe, let’s round up some other items from around the AFC North, including a couple more out of Baltimore….
- Within the above-linked piece, Zrebiec also notes that if Kelechi Osemele holds up well at left tackle over the final three games of the season, it could change the lineman’s outlook for free agency. The Ravens likely can’t afford to sign another guard to a lucrative contract after extending Marshal Yanda, but if Osemele can play left tackle, that’s a position the team would be willing to spend on — of course, so would many other rival clubs.
- Before the Ravens decided to sign Ryan Mallett, the quarterback assured the team that he has received professional help for personal issues that led to his ouster in Houston, a league source tells Ed Werder of ESPN.com. Having been signed for the 2016 season, Mallett could serve as Joe Flacco‘s backup next year if the Ravens like what they see from him.
- Adam Caplan of ESPN.com (Twitter links) passes along a few more details on Gary Barnidge‘s new contract with the Browns, reporting that the three-year, $12.3MM pact features $5.73MM in guaranteed money, though not all of that money is fully guaranteed yet. Barnidge’s $1.5MM salary for 2016 becomes fully guaranteed in March.
- Speaking of contract details, Joel Corry of CBSSports.com (Twitter links) has a few for Packers defensive lineman Mike Daniels, providing the year-by-year cap breakdown for Daniels’ extension. Daniels will count against the cap for $7.4MM in 2016, with his hits jumping to the $10-11MM range for the final three years of the deal.
- Now that the Packers have extended Daniels, who’s next in line for a new contract in Green Bay? Rob Demovksy of ESPN.com takes a closer look at some possibilities.
Ravens Announce Several Roster Moves
In addition to formally confirming the signing of quarterback Ryan Mallett, the Ravens have announced several other roster moves today, removing three players from their 53-man roster and filling those openings by signing Mallett and promoting two practice squad players.
Here’s the full breakdown of the Ravens’ transactions:
Signed:
- QB Ryan Mallett
Promoted from practice squad:
- RB Terrence Magee
- CB Jumal Rolle
Waived:
- RB/KR Raheem Mostert
- QB Bryn Renner
Placed on injured reserve:
- DE Chris Canty
With Renner cut, the Ravens are back down to three quarterbacks – Mallett, Matt Schaub, and Jimmy Clausen – on their active roster. I would expect the team to attempt to re-add Renner to its practice squad if he clears waivers.
Canty, meanwhile, is perhaps the most notable veteran featured in today’s moves, and he technically remains under contract with the Ravens for the 2016 season. However, ’16 is an option year for the veteran defensive end, whose 2015 season is over due to a torn pectoral. Baltimore could decide to cut him before the end of the ’15 league year, avoiding paying him a $2MM base salary and a $150K roster bonus for next season.
Ravens Sign Ryan Mallett
10:51am: The Ravens have officially signed Mallett, the team announced (via Twitter).
8:30am: Per Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle (Twitter link), the Ravens are expected to cut Renner to make room on the roster for Mallett.
TUESDAY, 7:39am: According to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter), Mallett’s deal with the Ravens keeps him under contract for 2016. If Baltimore hangs onto him through the offseason, Mallett can earn up to about $2.5MM next year.
MONDAY, 2:26pm: The Ravens are set to sign quarterback Ryan Mallett, per Dianna Marie Russini of ESPN.com (on Twitter). Mallett was released on Oct. 28 by the Texans, days after he missed a team flight for a road trip against the Dolphins.
The Ravens lost starting quarterback Joe Flacco to a season-ending knee injury and injuries to Matt Schaub led them all the way down to Jimmy Clausen. Mallett will likely be No. 3 on the depth chart behind Clausen and Bryn Renner, but we’ll have to wait for word from head coach John Harbaugh to find out for certain.
A 2011 third-round pick of the Patriots, Mallett started six games in Houston over the last two years but slowly found his way into Bill O’Brien‘s doghouse. Mallett completed 53.1 percent of his throws this year for 770 yards, three touchdowns, and four interceptions for a 63.6 passer rating.
AFC North Notes: Pettine, Manziel, Haden, Ravens
Browns head coach Mike Pettine has been reluctant to trust quarterback Johnny Manziel during their two years together, but whether the coach returns for a third season could be determined by Manziel’s performance over the next three weeks, Tom Reed of Cleveland.com writes. If Manziel plays well and convinces ownership his development is on the right track, Reed believes it could save Pettine’s job. That’s probably going to be too much to ask, though, as the 3-10 Browns’ last three opponents – Seattle, Kansas City and Pittsburgh – are a combined 24-15 and could all end up in the playoffs.
Regardless of what ultimately happens to Pettine, he gave a very positive assessment of Manziel on Monday, per Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com.
“He puts in his preparation so he grinds in the meeting room. He asks great questions. He brings up good points. Guys respect that. They can tell when he talks that he’s getting into that information when he’s out of the building and it carries over onto the practice field.”
More on the Browns and a division rival:
- Despite Manziel’s improvement this year, there’s still a strong chance he’ll be in another uniform next season. The Browns are likely to have a new regime and will have a high pick in the 2016 draft, which could put them in position to select a big-time QB prospect. “Johnny clouds the issue if he is there,” an anonymous executive told ESPN’s Mike Sando (Insider required). “You want it to be the new kid’s team.” For what it’s worth, Sando expects teams to be interested if the Browns do shop Manziel in the offseason. Sando names Dallas, St. Louis and Philadelphia as clubs that might be willing to trade a mid-round pick to Cleveland to acquire Manziel.
- Star Browns cornerback Joe Haden landed on injured reserve Monday after concussion issues cost him the lion’s share of the 2015 season, but he expects to be his normal self by next year. “Although I haven’t been able to clear protocol, the specialists I have met with have told me they expect a full recovery. I’m looking forward to that, returning to form, having a good offseason and an even better 2016 season,” Haden said in a statement, per Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal.
- The Ravens’ chances of returning to contention in 2016 look bleak, Mike Preston of the Baltimore Sun opines. As Preston points out, the Ravens have a less-than-ideal cap situation and plenty of important areas to address – left tackle, cornerback and pass rusher among them.
Ravens’ Chris Canty Done For Season
Ravens defensive end Chris Canty will miss the rest of the season after suffering a torn pectoral muscle in the team’s 35-6 loss to the Seahawks on Sunday, Jon Meoli of the Baltimore Sun reports.
Canty, 32, is an 11-year veteran who has spent the past three seasons with the Ravens. He added 19 tackles and a sack in parts of nine games this year. The numbers aren’t gaudy, but Canty’s leadership has made him a favorite of head coach John Harbaugh.
“He’s been a standup guy,” Harbaugh said, per Meoli. “He’s led the way with a bunch of young guys on defense, especially the young front seven guys. I have nothing but the utmost respect for Chris Canty and what he’s done this year.”
Canty has one year left on the two-year pact he signed with the Ravens last offseason, but it’s possible he has played his last down in Baltimore. If the Ravens cut Canty before June 1, they’ll save $2.15MM on their 2016 salary cap.
AFC Notes: Parker, Osemele, Bengals, Bills
Continuing a trend that the Miami Herald’s Armando Salguero’s observed throughout this decade, a disconnect between the Dolphins‘ front office and coaching staff’s formed based on the usage of the team’s draft picks.
This season, Miami’s front office wanted first-round pick DeVante Parker to play more often than he did prior to becoming a regular down the stretch, Salguero reports.
Previous philosophical differences involved 2013 first-rounder Dion Jordan and 2013 fourth-round selection Dion Sims, whom then-GM Jeff Ireland wanted Joe Philbin to play more than he was, with a similar disconnect occurring two years prior in the form of Tony Sparano and Ireland disagreeing on which players the team would cut prior to the start of the 2011 season.
Such disharmony has been new to the Dolphins, with previous coaches Don Shula, Jimmy Johnson or Nick Saban having full decision-making autonomy. Salguero adds that new personnel man Mike Tannenbaum did not escalate this push for Parker to see the field sooner as Ireland did with Sparano and Philbin regarding former prospects.
Let’s look at some more AFC items as Week 14 shifts into its night-game sector.
- Kelechi Osemele ventured back to tackle Sunday in place of the underwhelming James Hurst and wants to stay there, Jon Meoli of the Baltimore Sun reports. Osemele, who began his career at the Ravens‘ right tackle before becoming one of the NFL’s premier left guards over the past two-plus seasons, moved to left tackle in a Ravens effort to increase their line’s overall talent level. This is significant because the former second-round pick will be one of the top offensive linemen available in free agency if he does not reach an accord with the Ravens before the new league year begins. The former Iowa State cog started 38 games at left tackle for the Cyclones. Osemele expressed desire to be Baltimore’s left tackle of the future. “I sure hope so,” Osemele told media about a desire to stay on the edge. “I would definitely love to be the guy for the Ravens into the future, as long as I can keep performing at a high level.” Baltimore placed high-priced, but injury-prone left tackle Eugene Monroe on IR on Saturday. Signed to a five-year, $37.5MM contract in 2014, Monroe has $6.6MM worth of dead money left on his deal.
- If Andy Dalton misses the rest of the season as he’s expected to, it will cost him a chance at a $5MM escalator in his contract, according to CBS Sports’ Joel Corry (on Twitter). The Bengals‘ starting quarterback needs to play at least 80% of the snaps, which he’s done for four straight seasons, to earn this bonus.
- Conversely, Michael Crabtree‘s enjoying a better week financially. The Raiders‘ newly extended wideout earned an additional $400K by catching four passes Sunday, ESPN.com’s Field Yates reports (via Twitter), giving him 70 for the season.
- An unpenalized threat resided at the root of the Bengals-Steelers pregame fight, Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk reports. After Vontaze Burfict‘s tackle of Le’Veon Bell resulted in the star Pittsburgh runner’s season-ending knee injury in the teams’ previous meeting, Steelers linebacker Vince Williams sent out a tweet that Burfict and other Bengals regarded as a death threat, Florio writes. Burfict confronted Williams, who previously deleted the tweet and apologized, before the game and took action because the NFL didn’t, Andrew Whitworth told PFT. Florio writes that Williams’ social media threat violates the NFL’s Personal Conduct Policy.
- The 15 penalties whistled against the Bills in their loss to the Eagles riled up the coaching staff to the point that one of them can be heard screaming at the officials while walking to the locker room that the 15 infractions — for 101 yards — were a “disgrace to the NFL,” Joe Buscaglia of WKBW reports (on Twitter). Josh Alper of Pro Football Talk points out Bills first-year defensive coordinator Dennis Thurman as the likely culprit.