Baltimore Ravens Rumors & News - Pro Football Rumors

AFC North Notes: Ravens, Dennard, Vick

By Luke Adams | at November 23, 2015 1:23 pm

With Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco out for the rest of the 2015 season due to an ACL injury, veteran backup Matt Schaub will get an opportunity to add an extra $1MM to his season’s earnings. As Joel Corry of CBSSports.com explains (via Twitter), Schaub’s deal includes a $500K incentive for playing 5% of Baltimore’s offensive snaps, and another $500K if he reaches 10%. With six games still left on the schedule, Schaub should have no trouble hitting those benchmarks unless he suffers an injury of his own.

Here’s more on the Ravens and a couple of their AFC North rivals:

In the view of Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com, losing Flacco makes the Ravens the favorite to land the first overall pick for the 2016 draft. Currently, Baltimore is 3-7, a game ahead of the Browns, Titans, and Chargers, who have two wins apiece, so I’m not sure I’d call the Ravens the frontrunner for that first overall pick. Still, it certainly looks like the team is on track for its highest selection since 2000, when Jamal Lewis went fifth overall. The Ravens have never had a top-three pick.
The Bengals are fearing the worst for second-year cornerback Darqueze Dennard, who was injured in Sunday’s loss to the Cardinals, tweets Ian Rapoport of NFL.com. According to Rapoport, Dennard dislocated his shoulder, and will undergo an MRI today to see if he suffered a tear as well. There’s a chance he’ll land on the injured reserve list later this week.
Steelers quarterback Michael Vick said today that he’d like to play for another season, and wouldn’t mind returning to Pittsburgh in 2016, even if Landry Jones is the No. 2 quarterback heading into the summer (Twitter link via Ed Bouchette of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette). In previous offseason, Vick has prioritized an opportunity at a starting job, so this would be a much different approach to free agency for him.

Extra Points: Manning, Goodell, Hardy, Flacco

By Sam Robinson | at November 22, 2015 10:03 pm

As Week 11 winds down, here’s the latest news from around the league.

Peyton Manning‘s acceptance of a potential front office position could have to wait, with both Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer and Florio (on NBC’s telecast) hearing the 39-year-old quarterback may want to play one more season. It’s doubtful the Broncos keep Manning around at a figure close to the $21.5MM he’s set to earn in 2016 during the fifth year of his five-year contract, but Florio reported Manning would consider continuing his career on another team. Cabot reports Manning might be hesitant to join the Browns‘ front office since his wife Ashley, a part owner of the Memphis Grizzlies, would prefer to stay in the south.
An old topic appears to be regaining some steam, with Roger Goodell telling Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press (on Twitter) a move to expand the regular season is on the table. This would apparently involve reducing the preseason, per Tomasson, who didn’t specify whether this means the 18-game figure that caused so much contention between the NFL and NFLPA years ago. NFLPA president Eric Winston recently didn’t rule out an expansion to 18 games, but Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk views this subject’s resurfacing centering on the growing number of international games aligning schedules and some teams’ reluctance to give up home contests.
The Cowboys‘ patience with Greg Hardy is waning, per Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (as relayed by NFL.com’s Conor Orr). In addition to the on-field blowups and photos of Nicole Holder emerging recently, Hardy’s late nights are a concern to the team despite the defensive end being on a one-year deal. Hardy also showed up late for a meeting last Saturday night before the Cowboys’ game against the Buccaneers. This has induced dialogue between Hardy and Jason Garrett, Jerry Jones and various team veterans.
As he’s done throughout the season, though, Jones came to Hardy’s aid. “He is aware that everything he does — his personality, his style, his enthusiasm — it’s all going to be interpreted negatively,” Jones told ESPN.com’s Jean-Jacque Taylor. “If he’s not aware of that, then he’s hurting a lot of people. I think he really gets that. We certainly feel that way. He understands it, and he has agreed to really work on it.” This seems to contradict the above report, but it’s in line with Jones’ comments on the embattled defender throughout the season.
The Ravens will bring in another quarterback (Twitter link via Jeff Zreibec of the Baltimore Sun) after Joe Flacco‘s torn ACL injury, which Zreibec notes (on Twitter) the Ravens are confident is a torn ACL and MCL. Zreibec tweets Jason Campbell, Rex Grossman and Bengals practice squad member Keith Wenning are options. Wenning spent time on the Ravens’ roster last season.
Brian Hoyer will stay as the Texans‘ starter when he returns from a concussion, Bill O’Brien informed the Houston Chronicle’s Aaron Wilson. T.J. Yates has helped the Texans to back-to-back wins, while Hoyer sports a 13-to-4 touchdown pass-to-interception ratio.

2 comments Baltimore Ravens Cleveland Browns Dallas Cowboys Denver Broncos Houston Texans Brian Hoyer Greg Hardy Jerry Jones Peyton Manning

Joe Flacco Tears ACL, Done For Season

By Dallas Robinson | at November 22, 2015 3:59 pm

The Ravens’ nightmare season continues — after losing running back Justin Forsett to a fractured arm earlier today, quarterback Joe Flacco will miss the remainder of the season after tearing his ACL, and perhaps his MCL, according to Jeff Zreibec of the Baltimore Sun (Twitter links).

Baltimore beat the Rams today to improve to 3-7 on the season, but they still trail both the Bengals and the Steelers in the AFC North, and a multitude of teams in the AFC Wild Card race. Based on the standings alone, a playoff berth for the Ravens was an extreme longshot, and given the wave of injuries that have hit the club, the postseason can all but be ruled out. Baltimore will now have placed four of its key players — Flacco, Forsett, Steve Smith, and Terrell Suggs — on season-ending injured reserve.

Flacco had never missed a game during his eight-year career, an impressive run of durability that will now come to an end. Record-wise, 2015 has been the worst season of Flacco’s career, but he was completing passes at a career-high rate of 64.8% while averaging more than 275 yards per game, and posted a 13-10 touchdown-to-interception ratio.

Flacco’s injury has presents a new concern for the Ravens regarding his contract situation — Flacco’s cap number will jump to more than $28MM in 2016, and as Jason Fitzgerald of Over the Cap notes (via Twitter), that’s a cap charge that will inevitably need to be addressed. An extension would seem to be the obvious method to bring that figure down, but with Flacco now having suffered a major injury, the Ravens could be wary of such a financial remedy.

The Ravens will turn to backup quarterback Matt Schaub for the remainder of the season. Schaub, of course, has a wealth of starting experience, and did have some success during his run with the Texans. Baltimore doesn’t currently have another quarterback on either its active roster or on the practice squad, so the club will need to act quickly to bring in another signal-caller. The trade deadline has passed, so the Ravens will need to look to the free agent ranks to find a replacement. Jordan Palmer, for one, has experience with Baltimore offensive coordinator Marc Trestman, as the two worked together in Chicago.

Getting through the rest of the season without Flacco isn’t the only concern for the Ravens, however. The timetable of Flacco’s injury and recovery period could put his availability for beginning of the 2016 season in question, meaning Baltimore might need to heavily in the backup QB position (Schaub is only signed through 2015). Simply completing offseason work could also be a struggle for the Ravens, as Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com notes (via Twitter), as they’ll need to bring in an arm or two for minicamps, OTAs, and training camp.

3 comments Baltimore Ravens Newsstand Joe Flacco

Justin Forsett Breaks Right Arm

By Rory Parks | at November 22, 2015 3:58 pm

3:58pm: Head coach John Harbaugh confirmed that Forsett broke two bones in his right arm and will miss the remainder of the season, tweets Jeff Zriebec of the Baltimore Sun.

1:07pm: Ravens running back Justin Forsett suffered a broken right arm in the first quarter of today’s matchup with the Rams, according to a tweet from the team’s official website. This represents yet another major blow for Baltimore as it limps through a lost season. Handicapped by season-ending injuries to players like Steve Smith, Sr., Terrell Suggs, and Breshad Perriman, in addition to a slew of less recognizable but similarly important contributors, the Ravens have managed to stay close in virtually every game they have played this season, but their 2-7 record suggests how miserable 2015 has been for a club that had playoff aspirations when the season began.

Forsett, a former journeyman who turned a one-year minimum deal with the Ravens in 2014 into a spectacular Pro Bowl campaign and a three-year extension this offseason, has not enjoyed the same type of success in 2015 that he did a year ago, though he still managed a respectable 4.2 yards per carry average and represented something of a receiving threat out of the backfield. His season is likely over, and rookie Buck Allen will see an increased workload in his absence. The newly-signed Terrance West, a Baltimore native who attended college at nearby Towson University, could also see an opportunity with his hometown club.

0 comments Baltimore Ravens Newsstand Buck Allen Justin Forsett Terrance West

AFC Notes: Palmer, McCluster, Hunter, Jackson

By Rob DiRe | at November 20, 2015 9:08 pm

Carson Palmer threatening to retire if the Bengals didn’t trade him would have been one of the top stories on Pro Football Rumors in 2010, but it hasn’t been more relevant to look back on than it is now that the 8-1 Bengals are hosting the 7-2 Cardinals, with both teams in prime position to earn first-round byes in their respective conferences. As a lead up to the event, Jim Owczarski, Paul Dehner Jr. and C. Trent Rosecrans of Cincinnati.com have put together an oral history of the saga that led to Palmer leaving the team, and the Bengals to draft Andy Dalton and A.J. Green.

Here are some other notes from around the AFC:

According to GM Ruston Webster, Titans running back and return man Dexter McCluster sprained his MCL in last night’s loss to the Jaguars (Twitter link via Terry McCormick of TitanInsider.com). Head coach Mike Mularkey confirmed to reporters that McCluster will be sidelined for the next two or three weeks (Twitter link via Jim Wyatt of TitansOnline.com).
Running back Kendall Hunter, who has worked out for the Jaguars and Seahawks within the last week or so, had another audition this week, earning a look from the Patriots, writes Mike Reiss of ESPN.com. New England has tried out a handful of free agent backs, including Pierre Thomas, Robert Turbin, and Daryl Richardson, since Dion Lewis suffered a season-ending ACL injury, but the club appears content to stand pat for now.
The Ravens removed Asa Jackson from injured reserve with an injury settlement yesterday, and he has since gone unclaimed off waivers, according to Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle (via Twitter).

1 comment Arizona Cardinals Baltimore Ravens Cincinnati Bengals New England Patriots Tennessee Titans Asa Jackson Carson Palmer Dexter McCluster Kendall Hunter

NFL Practice Squad Updates: 11/20/15

By Rob DiRe | at November 20, 2015 8:07 pm

Here are Friday’s practice squad signings and cuts, with any additional moves added to the list throughout the day:

Baltimore Ravens

Yesterday the Ravens announced that they would add cornerback Jumal Rolle to the practice squad, and today we learn that he will be taking former Alabama safety Nick Perry‘s spot, according Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun (via Twitter). Head coach John Harbaugh did say the team still has plans for Perry in their future (via Twitter).
The Ravens also announced they have signed offensive tackle Blaine Clausell to the practice squad, according to Zrebiec (via Twitter). The team cut offensive tackle Marcel Jones to make room.

0 comments Baltimore Ravens Transactions Blaine Clausell Jumal Rolle Marcel Jones Nick Perry (S)

Extra Points: Ravens, Cutler, Gase

By Zachary Links | at November 19, 2015 9:48 pm

Ravens GM Ozzie Newsome was among NFL execs who were targeting Rams wide receiver Tavon Austin in the 2013 draft, as Mike Preston of The Baltimore Sun writes.

“They definitely brought me in on a visit,” Austin said. “I met with the GM, a great guy. He had a plan for me, that they were going to draft me. They had a plan for me, for my whereabouts when I was in Baltimore and things like that. He’s a great guy, but coach ‘Fish’ pulled the trigger on me. That’s the guy I’m rolling with now.”

The Ravens never got the opportunity to take the explosive wide receiver, who was drafted No. 8 overall by St. Louis. Drafting at No. 32, the Ravens would go on to select Florida safety Matt Elam instead.

Latest On Lions’ GM Search

By Zachary Links | at November 19, 2015 8:07 pm

The Lions announced on Thursday that they’ve established an advisory board to lead the search for a new general manager, while continuing to consult with the league’s career development advisory panel. That panel has met twice already and will meet twice more before the end of the season, but Tom Pelissero of USA Today has already learned the identities of five of the leading candidates.

According to Pelissero, some of the early frontrunners are Chiefs director of football operations Chris Ballard, Ravens assistant GM Eric DeCosta, Vikings assistant GM George Paton, Jaguars director of player personnel Chris Polian, and Packers director of player personnel Eliot Wolf. All five executives have been linked to the job in one fashion or another, though many have speculated that the Lions will not be able to lure Wolf away from Green Bay, where he is thought to be the heir apparent to the GM job. Ballard and DeCosta, two highly-respected NFL execs, were on last year’s list cultivated by the panel. The Jets used the panel last year to make their hire of Mike Maccagnan, who was then the Texans’ director of college scouting.

On Thursday afternoon, the Lions hired Rod Wood as the team’s new president, taking over the position previously held by Tom Lewand. Wood, of course, will be an integral part of the team’s advisory board to find its next GM. That group also includes owner Martha Firestone Ford and the team’s board of directors and vice chairmen, all of whom are members of the Ford family.

1 comment Baltimore Ravens Detroit Lions Green Bay Packers Jacksonville Jaguars Kansas City Chiefs Minnesota Vikings Chris Ballard Chris Polian Eliot Wolf Eric DeCosta George Paton Tom Lewand

Minor NFL Transactions: 11/19/15

By Zachary Links | at November 19, 2015 5:51 pm

Today’s minor signings, cuts, and other moves from around the league:

The Raiders announced that they have signed defensive end Shelby Harris to the active roster off of the practice squad. Harris, a seventh-round choice in the 2014 draft, spent most of 2014 on the Raiders’ taxi squad and he was previously active for one 2015 regular season game. Harris played in 33 games at Illinois State over three years, posting 173 tackles, 14 sacks, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, and four passes defensed.
The Ravens removed Asa Jackson from injured reserve with an injury settlement, according to Aaron Wilson of The Houston Chronicle (on Twitter).

0 comments Baltimore Ravens Las Vegas Raiders Transactions Asa Jackson Shelby Harris

NFL Practice Squad Updates: 11/19/15

By Zachary Links | at November 19, 2015 4:54 pm

Earlier today, Washington made an attention-grabbing move when they signed ex-Cowboys running back Christine Michael to the taxi squad.

Michael, who turned 25 last Monday, was acquired by the Cowboys from the Seahawks in a trade earlier this year, and had been expected to get an increased workload after Joseph Randle was demoted and then released. However, it was the veteran, Darren McFadden, who ended up taking many of those carries, prompting Dallas to waive Michael and take a flier on Robert Turbin this week. In five games with the Cowboys, Michael ran for just 51 yards on 15 attempts, adding a single reception for two yards.

Here are the rest of Thursday’s practice squad moves from around the NFL: