AFC Links: Raiders, Colts, Ravens
Following a 2-10 start to the season, Titans CEO Tommy Smith guaranteed that roster changes would be coming. Smith is hoping to acquire as many “tough guys” as possible, recreating the success the team had a decade ago. Via Jim Wyatt of The Tennessean…
“The game has changed, I know it has,” Smith said. “But guys like Eddie George never backed down from anybody. Steve McNair, he was the heart and soul of this organization. We need more guys like that, guys who are good people, but when they get in between the stripes, they play hard and they play tough.
“Guys who are tough and play hard and committed to doing things right, that is what we are looking for around here. We need more of that. You can always use more guys like that.”
Let’s check out some more notes out of the AFC…
- Mary Purdy of the Mercury News reports that Raiders team officials met with Floyd Kephart, the man responsible for “assembling a development proposal on the Coliseum property” that would make both the Raiders and/or A’s content.
- Colts running back Trent Richardson will face off against his former team this weekend. Despite his subpar play since being traded by the Browns, the former first-rounder still has plenty of confidence. “When I hear people talk down about me, I just laugh at them and I say, ‘God bless you,’” Richardson said (via Brian Dulik of The Chronicle-Telegram). “I want everybody to see and know that I’m still that running back, I’m still that guy that Cleveland chose with the third pick. A lot of people are saying Trent is a mistake and he was bad and he was that, but I’m telling you folks now, watch these next four weeks and see what happens.”
- ESPN.com’s Jamison Hensley believes it’s still too early to label Ravens safety Matt Elam a bust. The writer warns that the 23-year-old could be developing slowly, similar to Jimmy Smith and Paul Kruger.
Extra Points: Peterson, Rice, Bears, Cowboys
As of this morning, the NFL had not offered a settlement proposal to embattled Vikings running back Adrian Peterson, according to Tom Pelissero of USA Today, who also confirms Peter King of Sports Illustrated’s earlier report that a ruling in Peterson’s appeal case could come next week. Arbitrator Harold Henderson has encouraged the two parties to reach an agreement that would preclude the need for him to issue a formal decision, but it sounds like that hasn’t happened yet. Here’s more from around the league…
- More from Pelissero, who tweets the league and the union are working to schedule the grievance hearing between Ray Rice and the Ravens. Rice, of course, already won his reinstatement to the NFL after appealing his suspension. Succeeding against the Ravens would entitle him to roughly $3.5MM in lost salary.
- After suffering a 41-28 loss at the hands of the Cowboys on Thursday night, Bears head coach Marc Trestman told reporters, including Michael C. Wright of ESPN.com, that the club won’t make any coaching changes at this time. Trestman mad a similar declaration in November after the Bears were dominated by the Packers. Defensive coordinator Mel Tucker is taking the brunt of the criticism in Chicago, as his defense ranks dead last in point per game allowed and 27th in DVOA.
- The Cowboys will be up against the cap again in 2015 — currently, they have just over $1.2MM available in cap space for next season. As Rick Gosselin of the the Dallas Morning News writes, the club has several decisions to make regarding its offensive stars — namely Dez Bryant and DeMarco Murray — but it will need cap relief in order to fix its defense. Dallas’ only impact defender, per Gosselin, is linebacker Rolando McClain, also a free agent this offseason. I would guess that Jerry Jones & Co. will attempt to restructure Tony Romo‘s contract in order to create the cap room needed to retain at least a few free agents.
- Amid reports of turmoil along the Jets’ coaching staff, Rex Ryan denied that he considered firing offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg, according to Michael David Smith of Pro Football Talk. As Smith writes, the point is probably moot, as Ryan and the rest of the coaching staff will likely be let go at the end of the season.
AFC North Notes: Ngata, Jernigan, Browns
Let’s take a look at the latest from the AFC North, where each of the four teams has a winning record heading into this weekend’s action…
- The Ravens had been interested in signing Haloti Ngata to an extension after the season, and though the veteran defensive tackle was recently suspended for four games for failing a drug test, it’s possible that the club will still attempt to start negotiations this offseason, a source tells Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun. Ngata, 30, is due a $8.5MM base salary in 2015, and will count $16MM against Baltimore’s cap — his cap figure is the highest among all defensive tackles. The team would likely want to tack on a few years to Ngata’s deal in the interests of prorating his bonus over more seasons, thus lowering his cap number.
- In Ngata’s absence, the Ravens are expected to use a rotation of players to fill the middle of their defensive line, but rookie lineman Timmy Jernigan will see his role increase the most, writes Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com. Jernigan, a second-round pick in this year’s draft, has yet to exceed 29 defensive snaps in a game this year.
- Browns left tackle Joe Thomas was among those who believed Brian Hoyer should remain the club’s starting quarterback in lieu of Johnny Manziel, and the team considered his opinion when making its decision, according to Mary Cay Kabot of the Cleveland Plain-Dealer. Thomas thought that turning to a rookie in Manziel would imply that the Browns weren’t all-in on 2014. “Certainly, when you start throwing guys out there and seeing what they can do, the message is, ‘We’re already playing for next year. We don’t think necessarily that we can get to the playoffs this year anymore,'” said Thomas, who noted that most Browns players felt the same way.
- As the Browns prepare to play the Colts on Sunday, Pat McManamon of ESPN.com looks back at ex-team president Mike Holmgren’s claim that he offered Cleveland’s entire slew of 2012 draft picks in order to acquire the No. 1 overall selection and draft Andrew Luck. Needless to say, the non-trade has worked out well for Indianapolis.
Minor Moves: Friday
Here are Friday’s minor moves from around the NFL, including practice squad signings and cuts. We’ll add the rest of the day’s minor transactions to the top of this list as they’re reported or announced:
- The Raiders are promoting rookie tight end Scott Simonson from the practice squad to their active roster, reports Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (via Twitter). Since Oakland has a full 53-man squad, a corresponding move will be necessary to accommodate the official signing of Simonson, who signed with the Raiders as an undrafted free agent out of Assumption College in May.
Earlier updates:
- Just two days after re-adding tight end Phillip Supernaw back to their practice squad, the Ravens have promoted him to the active roster, the team announced today in a press release. Supernaw takes the roster spot vacated by Haloti Ngata, who was suspended four games by the NFL for violating the league’s policy on performance-enhancing substances and placed on the reserve/suspended list. If the Ravens hope to activate cornerback Asa Jackson to the 53-man squad from IR-DTR in time for this weekend’s contest against the Dolphins, another roster move will be required.
Schefter On Coughlin, Hoyer, Payton, Rams
We all love a good storyline and Week 14 is chock full of them, as ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter explains. This week, the Rams take on Washington and the Browns face the Colts, bringing back memories of two of the biggest trades to take place in the last few years. In 2012, the Rams traded the rights to draft Robert Griffin III to Washington and in 2013, Cleveland sent former first-round choice Trent Richardson to Indianapolis. Those deals involved four teams initially, but as Schefter explains in detail, they affected at least nine teams in a significant fashion. More from Schefter’s latest columns..
- Some around the league believe that Giants coach Tom Coughlin could be coaching his final four games, though he will have plenty of say on whether this is the end for him. It won’t be necessarily easy for Big Blue to finish strong given their massive rash of injuries, but they’ve got a good chance. Over the next four games, they’re playing a quartet of quarterbacks who were backups at some point in 2014. The Giants get Jake Locker or an injured Zach Mettenberger on Sunday, Washington’s Colt McCoy the following week, then Shaun Hill‘s Rams, followed by a home tilt against Mark Sanchez and the Eagles.
- Chances are that Browns quarterback Brian Hoyer will move on and out of Johnny Manziel’s shadow this offseason, writes Schefter in a different column. If that happens, the Texans would make some sense for Hoyer. There’s a huge mutual respect between Hoyer and Texans coach Bill O’Brien, as the pair worked together in New England. If they have a chance to work together, they would welcome it, according to Schefter.
- Even if the Saints miss the playoffs, Sean Payton won’t be on the hot seat in New Orleans. Besides, Schefter rightly notes that the team’s remaining schedule is rather favorable and should result in an NFC South title.
- The Rams’ entire offseason will be devoted to getting a quarterback, whether it’s through a trade, the draft or free agency. They will add at least one QB, and maybe even two, depending on whether Hill returns.
- Torrey Smith played college ball in Maryland and might not want to leave the area, but there’s a chance that the Ravens let him walk in free agency. At the same time, there could be a lot of desirable free agent wide receivers this offseason, so he might not have a great market waiting for him.
Haloti Ngata Suspended For Four Games
Ravens defensive lineman Haloti Ngata will miss the rest of the regular season after violating the NFL’s policy on performance-enhancing substances, the Ravens announced today (via Twitter). The league has suspended Ngata four games for failing a drug test.
“I made a mistake, and I own this,” Ngata said in a statement, according to the team (Twitter links). “I took Adderall and take full responsibility for doing this. I am deeply sorry and broken up over this. I let down my family, my teammates, Ravens fans, and myself.”
Losing Ngata, who has been a Pro Bowler for five consecutive season, is a significant blow for a Ravens defense that has ranked ninth in DVOA this year, per Football Outsiders. As Pro Football Focus’ grades show (subscription required), Ngata has been his usual effective self on defense this season, playing well against both the run and the pass. The longtime Raven has even grabbed a couple interceptions this season, as well as defending a career-high seven passes.
At 7-5, the Ravens are tied with several other AFC clubs, and will likely have to win at least three of their final four games to have a shot at a playoff berth. If they do sneak into the postseason, the Ravens would be able to activate Ngata, whose four-game suspension expires at the end of the regular season.
Assuming Baltimore doesn’t earn a playoff berth, there’s a possibility – albeit a slim one – that Ngata has played his last game with the club. 2015 is the final year of his contract, and the former first-round pick, who turns 31 in January, is on the books for a $16MM cap hit. Reworking or extending Ngata’s deal to reduce the impact on next year’s cap seems like a realistic scenario.
AFC North Notes: Rice, Bishop, Cribbs, Ravens
Earlier this week, Janay Rice told NBC that she was following a suggested script from the Ravens at her May 23 press conference alongisde Ray Rice. Tonight, the Ravens issued a statement denying the accusation, as Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk writes. “At no time prior to the May 23 session did we provide talking points, a script or suggested script to Janay or speak with her about the press event. We did not recommend or suggest to Ray or Janay that she apologize in any way,” Ravens senior V.P. of public and community relations Kevin Byrne said in the release. More from the AFC North..
- The Bengals signed linebacker Chris Carter after auditioning both Carter and fellow linebacker Desmond Bishop, a league source tells Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk (via Twitter). Arizona released the veteran on Monday afternoon in anticipation of Matt Shaughnessy‘s return. Bishop’s best years were with the Packers in 2010 and 2011 when he recorded more than 100 tackles in each of those seasons, totaling eight sacks, 10 passes defended, and four forced fumbles in those two combined years.
- Colts returner Josh Cribbs said it definitely bothered him that the Browns, despite struggling so much on punt returns, would not sign him, tweets Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon-journal. “It ate me up,” the veteran said.
- Ravens cornerback Asa Jackson is hopeful that he’ll be able to return from the IR-DTR in time for Sunday’s tilt against the Dolphins, writes Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun. “I’ve been working so long to get this foot back right,” Jackson said. “Hopefully, it will be good the rest of the week and I don’t have any setbacks and then it will be up to the coaches at the end of the week. Everything is directed toward Sunday. That’s what I’m working for.“
Practice Squad Updates: Wednesday
We’ll use this space to round up Wednesday’s practice squad signings and cuts from around the league. Here’s the latest:
- Confirming the previously-reported signing of linebacker Jake Knott to their practice squad, the Dolphins also added wide receiver L’Damian Washington, parting ways with safety Ahmad Dixon and tight end Jake Stoneburner to make room, tweets Adam Beasley of the Miami Herald.
Earlier updates:
- The Ravens‘ practice squad underwent some turnover today, with the team cutting tight end Allen Reisner and signing tight end Phillip Supernaw and wide receiver LaQuan Williams, tweets Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun.
- With three spots open on their practice squad, the Patriots got the unit back up to 10 players by signing defensive back Justin Green, linebacker Deontae Skinner, and defensive back Daxton Swanson, the team announced today in a press release.
- Tight end Kevin Greene, who worked out for the Panthers several weeks ago, has now signed with the team’s practice squad, according to Joseph Person of the Charlotte Observer (via Twitter).
- Having promoted tight end Anthony Denham from their practice squad to their 53-man roster, the Texans quickly filled the open spot on their taxi squad by adding wide receiver Jace Davis, tweets Mark Berman of FOX 26 Houston.
- Former Notre Dame defensive lineman Kona Schwenke has signed with the Jets‘ practice squad, per Rich Cimini of ESPNNewYork.com (via Twitter). No corresponding move was necessary, since New York had been carrying nine players.
Extra Points: Rice, Smith, Manziel, Panthers
No one worked out former Ravens running back Ray Rice today, according to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk (via Twitter). There are a handful of teams with running back needs at the moment, but it would appear that there is little to no interest in the embattled running back. Lions coach Jim Caldwell recently said that the team hasn’t considered Rice while the Cardinals reportedly aren’t interested, despite the hip pointer injury suffered by starter Andre Ellington.
- In an interview on SiriusXM, Cardinals coach Bruce Arians said that Arizona called the 49ers to try and acquire quarterback Alex Smith after he was hired in 2013, according to Alex Marvez of FOX Sports (via Twitter). The talks of a potential intra-divisional trade went nowhere, however.
- Peter King of TheMMQB.com lays out why the Browns ought to start Johnny Manziel over Brian Hoyer this weekend against the Colts, making the case that it’s about not just this season, but about 2015 and beyond.
- The Panthers did little to improve their roster during the offseason and look nothing like the team that made a tremendous run last season, writes Terrance Harris of The Times-Picayune. Among the changes was overhauling their receiving core and bidding farewell to Steve Smith over the offseason.
- The Broncos, in addition to recently working out punter Chase Tenpenny, brought in several defensive players today for auditions, including FXFL linebacker Quandon Christian and former Monmouth cornerback Tevrin Brandon, per Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (all Twitter links). Wilson adds (via Twitter) that the team has an eye toward end-of-season reserve/futures contracts.
- Ultimately signing Garrison Smith to their practice squad, the Saints also recently tried out several other defensive tackles, according to Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun, who tweets that the club took a look at Michael Brooks, Jermelle Cudjo, and Kyle Love.
Titans Place Justin Hunter On IR
3:16pm: Confirming that Hunter has been moved to IR, the Titans also announced that they’ve signed offensive tackle Terren Jones from the Ravens’ practice squad (Twitter link).
3:12pm: While quarterback Zach Mettenberger hopes to return to the field soon, one of his top targets will miss the rest of the season. According to Jim Wyatt of the Tennessean (via Twitter), the Titans intend to place wide receiver Justin Hunter on injured reserve, with the transaction likely becoming official today.
Hunter, 23, was viewed as a potential breakout candidate entering the season, but struggled to put up big numbers in part due to the Titans’ revolving door at quarterback. Catching balls from Mettenberger, Jake Locker, and Charlie Whitehurst this season, Hunter recorded 28 receptions for 498 yards and three touchdowns. He left Sunday’s contest against the Texans due to a lacerated spleen, spending some time in a Houston hospital after the game. While he’s expected to make a full recovery, Hunter will see his sophomore season come to an early end.
Putting Hunter on IR will open up a roster spot for Tennessee, so we’ll have to see if the team decides to add a receiver or to bolster another spot. If the Titans were to promote a player from the practice squad, wideouts Derek Moye and Rico Richardson would be prime candidates.