Minor Moves: Tuesday
As August approaches, teams continue to shuffle around their 90-man rosters, making minor signings and cuts. We’ll round up Tuesday’s minor transactions right here, with the latest moves added to the top of the page throughout the day:
- The Bears signed wide receiver Dale Moss to fill out their roster, according to Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune (on Twitter). Moss spent part of 2012 on the Bears’ practice squad and the early part of the 2013 offseason on Chicago’s roster.
- Brian McIntyre (Twitter links) passes along word of a pair of waiver claims, reporting that the 49ers claimed offensive tackle Michael Philipp from the Dolphins, while the Lions were awarded wideout Quintin Payton from the Bucs. Detroit had an open roster spot, so no corresponding move was necessary to claim Payton — San Francisco has waived quarterback Kory Faulkner to make room for Philipp.
- The Steelers have waived-injured offensive lineman David Snow, replacing him on the roster with running back Josh Harris, the team announced today (Twitter link via PR man Burt Lauten).
Earlier updates:
- After suffering a couple injuries in the secondary recently, the Ravens have brought in a free agent defensive back, signing former Arena Leaguer Marrio Norman to a contract, the team announced today. To make room on the roster, Baltimore has cut wide receiver Gerrard Sheppard, who spent most of last season on the club’s practice squad.
- In order to make room for the newly-signed Alfonso Smith, the 49ers have waived-injured rookie guard Fouimalo Fonoti, according to Brian McIntyre (via Twitter).
- The Dolphins have made a series of moves this morning, signing tight end Brett Brackett, quarterback Seth Lobato and defensive end D’Aundre Reed, and waiving quarterback Brock Jensen and linebacker Derrell Johnson. Miami also waived-injured guard Davonte Wallace, according to the team (TwitLonger link). Of the six players, only Reed has seen regular-season NFL action, and his experience is limited to six active games in 2012. The release of Jensen is also notable, since he was one of the club’s more highly-touted undrafted free agents this spring.
- Former Jets linebacker Ricky Sapp has been cut by the Texans, according to John McClain of the Houston Chronicle, who tweets that the team signed running back Tim Cornett and offensive tackle Mike Farrell. Sapp, a former fifth-round pick who was active in 10 total games last year for the Jets and Texans, will have to clear waivers before he becomes an unrestricted free agent.
North Notes: Rice, Pinkston, Suh, Steelers
In an unsurprising decision, Ravens running back Ray Rice has elected not to challenge his two-game suspension and fine, allowing the three-day window to pass without an appeal, as Jamison Hensley details at ESPN.com. Given the reaction to Rice’s two-game ban, which was widely considered a light penalty by Roger Goodell and the NFL, it makes sense that the Ravens and the running back would accept the punishment without a fight.
Here’s more from around the NFL’s two North divisions:
- The Browns issued a statement today along with the reps for Jason Pinkston announcing that the offensive lineman has not been medically cleared for football activities, which helps to explain why he has been absent from training camp thus far (link via Ohio.com).
- Although contract extension talks for Ndamukong Suh have dragged on longer than expected, Lions head coach Jim Caldwell remains confident that the two sides will reach an agreement, according to Dave Birkett and Carlos Monarrez of the Detroit Free Press.
- Steelers GM Kevin Colbert said today that his club is open to the idea of extending its four starters whose contracts will expire after the 2014 season, tweets Ed Bouchette of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
- The Steelers are only paying about $5.68MM this year to their top three cornerbacks, and the performances from those players could go a long way to determining what sort of season the team has, writes Alan Robinson of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.
- With tight end guru Norv Turner now running the offense, the Vikings expect a big year for Kyle Rudolph, which is why the team decided to lock him up to a long-term extension now, as Ben Goessling of ESPN.com explains.
AFC Links: Browns, Ravens, Titans, Broncos
Fourth-year guard Jason Pinkston has been absent from Browns training camp, and no one in the organization will say why. The 26-year-old played sparingly in 2013 but was expected to stick around for at least one more season. The guard was set to make about $1.4MM in 2014, but based on the quotes from those in the organization, money doesn’t seem to be the issue.
“Pinkston’s unavailable to practice and, due to his circumstances, I cannot comment on it any further,” coach Mike Pettine said, per NFL Media’s Aditi Kinkhabwala (via NFL.com’s Mark Sessler). “I want to give you more, but just given the circumstances, I can’t. That’s where we are with Jason.”
General manager Ray Farmer didn’t add much:
“I think coach addressed it the best way we could … right now there’s really no comment from our prospective, and when there is time to make a comment then that comment will be made.”
Finally, Pinkston weighed in on Twitter:
“I can assure you I’m in no legal trouble & retiring hasn’t came up. As far as my situation I’ll leave it to them to explain.”
While we try to figure out what’s going on in Cleveland, let’s take a look at some more notes from around the AFC…
- Former San Jose State cornerback Brandon Driver tried out for the Ravens on Sunday, tweets Aaron Wilson of The Baltimore Sun. The workout went well, but Driver was not immediately signed to a deal.
- A year ago on Sunday, Ravens tight end Dennis Pitta fractured and dislocated his right hip in practice. After a year of recovery, the veteran believes he’s back to 100 percent. “I feel good,” Pitta said (via Aaron Wilson of The Baltimore Sun). “I’m out here not thinking about it. It’s not giving me an issue at all. I feel 100 percent. I’m encouraged with where I’m at.”
- Titans safety Daimion Stafford made the majority of his impact as a rookie on special teams, but Terry McCormick 247Sports.com writes that the player will now be looking to make an impact on defense. “I just try to build every day. That’s our big message,” Stafford said. “That’s what I’m looking to do every day. I’m always trying to get better, whether it’s on special teams or moving up into a bigger role on defense.”
- Kyle Rudolph‘s new deal with the Vikings will likely affect the negotiations between the Broncos and tight end Julius Thomas, tweets Joel Corry of The National Football Post.
North Notes: Suh, Smith, Allen, Manziel, Cobb
Ndamukong Suh‘s contract has been a popular topic of discussion in Detroit for much of the offseason, but now that the Lions‘ defensive tackle has reported to camp, he has taken up a common refrain when it comes to his contract: He’s not too concerned about it.
“That’s what you’ve got agents for,” Suh told Noah Trister of The Associated Press. “They can take care of business, and just go from there. … I don’t have a timetable. That’s my agent. I don’t have to worry about it. I can focus on football, and that’s my job, and that’s what I’m going to do.”
Here’s more from around the NFL’s two North divisions:
- Torrey Smith is another player who claims not to be thinking about an extension as he enters the final year of his current deal, according to Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun. Sources tell Wilson that discussions between Smith and the Ravens aren’t heating up at this point, though that doesn’t mean progress won’t be made before the wideout is eligible for free agency.
- Dan Wiederer of the Chicago Tribune spoke at length to Jared Allen about the defensive end’s decision to sign with the Bears after leaving the Vikings this offseason. As Wiederer writes, Allen left Minnesota with no hard feelings, and the spring rumor that he was considering retiring wasn’t just an empty threat.
- Browns owner Jimmy Haslam said today that rookie quarterback Johnny Manziel has “made some mistakes” and that the team expects “better from him” (link via Mary Kay Cabot of the Northeast Ohio Media Group). While Haslam is entitled to his opinion on Manziel’s off-field behavior, the timing is interesting, considering Haslam’s Pilot Flying J company was recently fined $92MM for cheating customers out of promised rebates and discounts.
- It’s not clear yet where the Packers‘ new long-term deal with Jordy Nelson leaves Randall Cobb, but you can count quarterback Aaron Rodgers and head coach Mike McCarthy among those who would like to see Cobb sign an extension of his own, as Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com details.
Ravens Sign Will Hill
2:14pm: Hill’s one-year deal is worth the minimum salary, with no signing bonus, tweets Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun.
9:33am: Shortly after learning that cornerback Aaron Ross tore his Achilles tendon and will miss the 2014 season, the Ravens have waived-injured Ross and replaced him on the roster with another defensive back. The team has signed former Giants safety Will Hill, according to Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun (via Twitter). Per Josina Anderson of ESPN (via Twitter), it’s a one-year contract.
Hill, 24, started 10 of the 12 games he appeared in for the Giants last season, and played well, compiling 77 tackles and creating a handful of turnovers (two INTs, two forced fumbles, one recovery). Pro Football Focus’ grades ranked Hill as the league’s second-best safety in 2013, behind only Devin McCourty (subscription required), but off-field issues and character red flags have always cast a shadow over his on-field performance.
In fact, Hill is facing a six-game suspension to start the 2014 season, which makes Baltimore’s decision to sign him an interesting one. Although the ex-Giant will still be able to practice with the club and play in preseason contests, he won’t be able to play in a regular season game until mid-October. It’s Hill’s third suspension for violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy.
While Matt Elam is locked in as one of the Ravens’ starting safeties, the other spot isn’t set in stone yet, with Darian Stewart looking like the likely starter. Hill should provide more depth and experience at the position, though one could argue it’s not necessarily a good look for the Ravens to sign another player facing a suspension when the team is already under some scrutiny for having five players arrested this offseason.
North Notes: Bears, Jimmy Smith, Packers
After submitting his choices for the 50 best trade assets in the NFL earlier this week, Grantland’s Bill Barnwell shifts gears and takes a look today at the worst contracts in the league. Leading the way on offense is Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco, whose contract will be stuck on the club’s books for several more years. On the other side of the ball, Everson Griffen of the Vikings, Paul Kruger of the Browns, and Troy Polamalu of the Steelers are a few of Barnwell’s picks for players with the least team-friendly deals.
Here’s more from out of the NFL’s two North divisions:
- The Bears have twice tried to re-sign Kyle Orton since trading him away five years ago, and Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune wonders if the team could look his way once again if neither Jordan Palmer nor Jimmy Clausen steps up as the No. 2 QB behind Jay Cutler. It’s unclear at this point whether Orton intends to continue his playing career in 2014.
- Ravens cornerback Jimmy Smith doesn’t anticipate signing a contract extension anytime soon, according to Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com (via Twitter). That doesn’t mean Smith isn’t interested in a long-term stay in Baltimore, but he likely recognizes his leverage is limited with two years still left on his deal.
- Speaking to reporters today, including Tyler Dunne of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (Twitter link), Packers coach Mike McCarthy continued to leave the door open to the possibility of Jermichael Finley rejoining the team, adding that the tight end is “still a Packer” in his opinion.
- With both the team and the league enjoying “unparalleled financial prosperity” and the salary cap continuing to rise, the Packers will have plenty of money to invest both on and off the field going forward, team president Mark Murphy said yesterday (link via Bob McGinn of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel).
AFC Notes: Jets, Johnson, McGrath, Broncos
As someone who rewards loyalty and “takes care of the people who take care of his franchise,” Jets owner Woody Johnson has the perfect opportunity to send the right message to one of his players, says Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News, arguing that the Jets should extend Muhammad Wilkerson before they have to. For his part, Wilkerson is interested in a new deal but acknowledges that with two years left on his rookie contract, he doesn’t mind being patient.
“Do I feel that I’m underpaid right now? Yeah,” Wilkerson said. “But that’s part of the business. My time will come when I get a new contract. But right now I’m just worried about becoming a better player, a better teammate and a better leader.”
Here’s more from around the AFC:
- A source tells Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link) that Andre Johnson received an “understanding of where [the] Texans are going and of his own future and security” before reporting to camp. As Rapoport points out, the term “security” that perhaps Houston assured the receiver who won’t be cut next year when his cap hit increases to $16MM+.
- As Randy Covitz of the Kansas City Star tweets, Chiefs tight end Sean McGrath is seriously weighing the possibility of retiring, according to head coach Andy Reid. Per Covitz (Twitter links), McGrath has yet to report to camp as of this morning, and fellow tight end Travis Kelce is working in McGrath’s place as the club’s backup long snapper.
- Lindsay H. Jones of USA Today talks to former Broncos tight end Shannon Sharpe to get his opinion on how the current tight end in Denver – Julius Thomas – could best cash in on a contract extension. As I observed when I examined Thomas’ extension candidacy, another big season in 2014 would likely mean an even bigger payday next year, but the tight end may prefer to work something out now.
- Historically, the Steelers have locked up plenty of key players to contract extensions right around the start of training camp, but the team doesn’t seem to have any impending deals this time around, writes Ed Bouchette of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
- Andrew Whitworth and Domata Peko have the Bengals‘ best and worst contracts, respectively, according to Jason Fitzgerald of Over The Cap.
- Peter King of TheMMQB.com explains commissioner Roger Goodell’s logic for only handing down a two-game suspension to Ravens running back Ray Rice.
AFC Notes: Blackmon, Chiefs, Ross, Dalton
Wide receiver Justin Blackmon, who was already serving an indefinite suspension for violations of the league’s substance abuse policy, was arrested in Oklahoma on Wednesday night for possession of marijuana, as Ryan O’Halloran of the Florida Times-Union details. The Jaguars say they haven’t considered cutting Blackmon, but there’s no indication that he’ll be reinstated and return to the field anytime soon.
Here’s more from around the AFC:
- Via Joel Corry of CBSSports.com, Jason Fitzgerald of Over The Cap passes along the details on Jamaal Charles’ new deal with the Chiefs, which includes a roster bonus and reporting bonus for 2014, but no prorated signing bonus.
- Even after signing his extension, Charles also earned the honor of having the best contract on the Chiefs, in Fitzgerald’s view. On the other end of the spectrum, Dwayne Bowe’s deal is the least team-friendly pact on the team’s books, says Fitzgerald.
- Ravens coach John Harbaugh told reporters, including Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun (Twitter link), that cornerback Aaron Ross tore his Achilles tendon during the team’s conditioning test, and will be out for the season. The injury is an unfortunate one for the veteran defensive back, who was hoping to earn a regular-season roster spot.
- Speaking to the media today, Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton said he’s not worried about his contract situation, adding that the backing of owner Mike Smith makes him confident the two sides will work something out (Twitter links via Geoff Hobson of Bengals.com).
Ray Rice Suspended For Two Games
The NFL will hand down a two-game suspension to running back Ray Rice for violating the league’s personal conduct policy, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (via Twitter). Rand Getlin of Yahoo! Sports first reported (via Twitter) that Rice’s suspension was expected to be for two games.
Rice faced assault charges this offseason after a domestic abuse incident in an Atlantic City casino with his then-fiancée, whom he has since married. The two-game ban for the incident is a little lighter than anticipated and may result in some public relations blow-back for the NFL, particularly as players around the league face four-game or year-long suspensions for violations relating to marijuana use.
While serving the two-game suspension, Rice will miss early-season AFC North battles with the Bengals and Steelers before returning for Week 3’s game against the Browns. As Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun observes (via Twitter), the lost pay checks for the two games Rice will sit out will total about $470K.
In Rice’s absence, Bernard Pierce figures to assume the role of Baltimore’s lead running back.
AFC Links: Dareus, Ravens, Bortles, Raiders
Bills defensive tackle Marcell Dareus was placed on the active/non-football injury list yesterday, and today we have learned the reason: Dareus has yet to pass a conditioning test, per Mike Rodak of ESPN.com (via Twitter). Dareus has had a tumultuous offseason — he was arrested in both May and June, and could face an NFL suspension. His 2015 fifth-year option was exercised, but the pair of legal incidents, combined with a failure to stay in shape, could conceivably dissuade Buffalo from offering the 2011 third overall pick a contract extension. More from the AFC:
- 2013 wasn’t as kind to the Ravens as was 2012, but Lardarius Webb is more optimistic about 2014.“Oh yeah, my team is going to bounce back,” Webb told Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun. “Last year wasn’t that bad. A lot of people want to say it was bad just because we didn’t make the playoffs. We don’t usually not make the playoffs…There were a few games that left us out of the playoffs. We just have to learn from it. We have some young guys, and we just have to keep growing up with all those guys. I like where we’re at and we just have to keep on going.”
- Wilson’s colleague at the Sun, Jeff Zrebiec, previews the Ravens’ defensive line, and believes Baltimore will keep seven players at the position group.
- In an interview with Ryan O’Halloran of the Florida-Times Union, Jaguars head coach Gus Bradley allows that rookie quarterback Blake Bortles has a chance to start a preseason game. “It would be late [in the preseason] if he did, and we’ll see how things go,” said Bradley. “We’re really excited about Chad [Henne] and what he’s going to do so we’ll see how it goes with him until that fourth preseason game.”
- The Raiders want to implement a run-heavy offense in 2014, and Scott Bair of CSNBayArea.com previews an offensive line that will need to improve if Oakland is to succeed in that goal.