Bills Re-Sign Matt Cassel
Matt Cassel‘s unemployment lasted less than 72 hours. After being released by the Bills on Saturday afternoon, the veteran quarterback re-signed with the team today, according to a press release. Buffalo cut tight end Nick O’Leary to make room on the 53-man roster for Cassel.
Cassel, 33, was acquired by the Bills back in March in a trade with the Vikings, but didn’t initially survive the cutdown to 53 players over the weekend. His release left the team with a pair of young signal-callers, Tyrod Taylor and E.J. Manuel, as the only QBs on the roster, so it makes sense that he’d return to the fold to provide some veteran insurance.
Cassel’s reunion with the Bills also certainly comes with a reduced salary. He had initially been slated to make a base salary of $4.15MM in 2015, which likely contributed to his release. His new deal with the team will probably be closer to the veteran’s minimum, perhaps with some playing-time and performance bonuses attached, which would reward him if he retakes the starting job during the season.
Taylor is still penciled in as the Bills’ starter for 2015, but if he struggles or goes down with an injury, it appears Cassel will get the nod over Manuel. Head coach Rex Ryan said today that Cassel will open the year as the No. 2 QB on the depth chart (Twitter link via ESPN’s Mike Rodak).
Workout Notes: Bills, Dolphins, Raiders, Bucs
With 53-man rosters set, teams around the NFL will start to frequently bring in players for workouts and auditions, keeping up-to-date on which free agents are out there, in case injury replacements or practice squad fill-ins are required.
Here are a few of the latest updates on teams working out players, or bringing them in for visits:
- The Bills, who are exploring other possible options at kicker after an underwhelming preseason from Dan Carpenter, worked out Alex Henery, according to Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post (via Twitter). Henery’s last game in the NFL, the one that cost him his job, came last October, when he missed three field goals for the Lions against Buffalo.
- Before they signed linebacker Adrian Hubbard, the Dolphins worked out Hubbard and several other players, according to Wilson (Twitter link). The players who earned an audition with Miami included former Raiders safety Jonathan Dowling, ex-Cardinals linebacker Glenn Carson, former Bengals linebacker Nico Johnson, ex-Cowboys cornerback Robert Steeples, and former Eagles safety Chris Prosinski.
- The Raiders brought in a number of players for workouts, with a focus on wide receivers, quarterbacks, and defensive backs. According to Wilson (Twitter links), wideouts Phil Bates, John Harris, DeAndre Carter, and T.J. Graham, quarterbacks Jeff Tuel and Phillip Sims, and defensive backs Tommie Campbell, Phillip Thomas, B.W. Webb, and Ty Zimmerman auditioned for the club. Offensive lineman Dillon Farrell also had a tryout with Oakland.
- Offensive lineman Austin Reiter, a 2015 seventh-rounder waived by Washington over the weekend, is working out for the Buccaneers this morning, tweets Greg Auman of the Tampa Bay Times.
- After being waived by the Chargers last week, wide receiver Titus Davis paid a visit to the Lions, tweets Wilson.
AFC Notes: Bills, Henery, Geno Smith
Here’s a quick look at the AFC..
- Bills coach Rex Ryan has expressed frustration about kicker Dan Carpenter and it sounds like Buffalo is going to look into replacing him. The Bills auditioned both Billy Cundiff and Alex Henery on Monday, as Mike Rodak of ESPN.com writes. Carpenter missed three field goals and one extra point in three preseason games.
- Jets quarterback Geno Smith said that he will not press charges against IK Enemkpali, as Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News tweets. Smith also mentioned that the league is still looking into the incident and inferred that more details on the altercation will emerge, Rich Cimini of ESPN.com tweets. Meanwhile, coach Todd Bowles says it still looks like Smith will miss about four games, Mehta tweets.
- Former Eagles wide receiver Rasheed Bailey is scheduled to work out for the Jaguars this week, Adam Caplan of ESPN.com tweets.
AFC Practice Squad Updates: 9/7/15
While many teams filled up their 10-man practice squads on Sunday, plenty of teams didn’t confirm their moves right away, or kept a few spots open on those units. On top of that, at least one club that signed 10 players to its taxi squad on Sunday has already made several changes, bringing in new players and jettisoning players who didn’t even spend 24 hours on the squad.
We’ll have updates on Monday’s AFC practice squad signings and cuts in this space, with teams listed in alphabetical order. When new moves occur, we’ll bump this post back to the top of the page. Here’s a round-up of today’s moves:
Baltimore Ravens
- Signed (press release):
- WR Daniel Brown
- TE Dominique Jones
- WR Jeremy Ross
Buffalo Bills
- Signed (press release):
- OLB IK Enemkpali
- T Chris Martin
- DE Cedric Reed
- QB Alex Tanney
Cleveland Browns
- Signed (press release):
- OL Garth Gerhart
- DL Dylan Wynn
Denver Broncos
- Signed (press release):
- RB Kapri Bibbs
- TE Arthur Lynch
- T Kyle Roberts
- DE George Uko
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Signed:
- DL Toby Johnson (Twitter link via Ryan O’Halloran)
Kansas City Chiefs
- Signed (press release):
- DT Hebron Fangupo
- T Laurence Gibson
- CB Jeremy Harris
- DL David Irving
- TE Ross Travis
- FB Spencer Ware
Miami Dolphins
- Signed (Twitter link):
- RB Rajion Neal
- WR Uzoma Nwachukwu
New England Patriots
- Signed (Twitter links):
- OL Chris Barker
- T Blaine Clausell
- OL Cameron Fleming (Twitter link via Jeff Howe)
- LB Darius Fleming
- LB Brandon King
- WR Nathan Palmer
- DB Daxton Swanson
- DT Jimmy Staten
- Signed and subsequently released:
- LB Xzavier Dickson (Twitter link via Jeff Howe)
New York Jets
- To be signed:
- S Rontez Miles (Twitter link via Brian Costello)
Oakland Raiders
- Signed:
- George Atkinson III, RB
- Mitch Bell, G
- SaQwan Edwards, CB
- Shelby Harris, DE
- Dan Kistler, T
- Tevin McDonald, S
- Josh Shirley, LB
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Signed (Twitter link via Burt Lauten + team transactions page):
- WR Isaiah Burse
- LB Anthony Chickillo
- T Matt Feiler
- CB Doran Grant
- TE Xavier Grimble
- OL Barrett Jones
- RB Fitzgerald Toussaint
- Released:
- RB Dominique Brown
- OL Reese Dismukes
- LB Shayon Green
- DE Ethan Hemer
- OL Antonio Johnson
- TE Harold Spears
- WR Jarrod West
San Diego Chargers
- Signed:
- OL Michael Ola (link via Michael Gehlken)
Tennessee Titans
- Signed:
- LB Justin Staples (Twitter link via Aaron Wilson)
Minor NFL Transactions: 9/7/15
Here are Monday’s minor signings, cuts, and other moves that affect teams’ 53-man rosters:
- The Bills have filled the final opening on their 53-man roster by signing defensive tackle Andre Fluellen, the team announced today in a press release. Fluellen, who has been a part-time contributor for the Lions for most of his NFL career, was cut by Buffalo on Friday, so his time away from the team didn’t last long.
Earlier updates:
- A day after cutting him, the Titans have re-signed tight end Chase Coffman, per Jim Wyatt of Titans Online (Twitter link). It appears Coffman’s release was procedural, so he’s back on the team now that Tennessee has officially placed running back David Cobb on the IR with the designation to return.
- Washington has also added a tight end to its active roster, signing Anthony McCoy and waiving cornerback Deshazor Everett in a corresponding move, tweets Zac Boyer of the Washington Times.
- The Texans have removed safety Terrance Parks from their injured reserve list, giving him an injury settlement, according to Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle (Twitter link).
FA Notes: Bradshaw, Jeanpierre, Sims
Most of today’s news is related to cuts, waiver claims, and practice squad signings, but let’s take a look at a few notes concerning some unsigned free agents…
- Running back Ahmad Bradshaw‘s broken leg is completely healed, according to Mike Wells of ESPN.com, meaning that the veteran back could find work soon. The 29-year-old is suspended for the first week of the NFL season due to a marijuana arrest, but Bradshaw could still help a club in need of running back help. In 10 games with the Colts last season, Bradshaw ran for more than 400 yards and posted 38 receptions.
- After being released by the Seahawks last week, center Lemuel Jeanpierre will take a meeting with the Bills, reports ESPN.com’s Mike Rodak. Jeanpierre appeared in 53 games (11 starts) during the past four years with Seattle. Buffalo did claim center Gabe Ikard off waivers from the Titans earlier today, so its interest might have waned.
- Quarterback Phillip Sims, an undrafted free agent who was recently released by the Cardinals, will work out for both the Raiders and the Titans this week, per Adam Caplan of ESPN (Twitter links).
Sunday NFL Transactions: AFC East
Listed below are the Sunday roster moves for the four AFC East teams. Following the 53-man roster cutdown deadline yesterday, many teams will make slight tweaks to their rosters, claiming players off waivers or signing guys who clear waivers. Those transactions for the Bills, Dolphins, Patriots, and Jets are noted below.
Additionally, as of 11:00am today, teams can begin constructing their 10-man practice squads. For the 2014 and 2015 seasons, changes were made to practice squad rules that allow teams to carry eight players instead of 10, and the eligibility requirements for those extra two spots were also loosened. You can check out our glossary entry on practice squads to brush up on those changes, as well as all the other guidelines that govern the 10-man units, whose players practice with the team but aren’t eligible to suit up on Sundays.
Here are Sunday’s AFC East transactions, which will continue to be updated throughout the day:
Buffalo Bills
- Claimed off waivers:
- C Gabe Ikard (Twitter link via Aaron Wilson)
- Signed to practice squad:
- WR Dezmin Lewis (Twitter link via Mike Rodak)
- S Jonathan Meeks (Twitter link via Rodak)
- G Cyril Richardson (Twitter link via Rodak)
- LB Kevin Riddick (Twitter link via Rodak)
- CB Jaylen Watkins (Twitter link via Rodak)
- RB Cierre Wood (Twitter link via Rodak)
Miami Dolphins
- Signed:
- Claimed off waivers:
- QB Logan Thomas (link)
- Signed to practice squad:
- QB McLeod Bethel-Thompson (Twitter link via James Walker)
- C Sam Brenner (Twitter link via David Canter)
- DT Deandre Coleman (Twitter link via Adam Beasley)
- LB Mike Hull (Twitter link via Armando Salguero)
- TE Tim Semisch (Twitter link via Salguero)
- WR Jake Stoneburner (Twitter link via Barry Jackson)
- S Cedric Thompson (Twitter link via Jackson)
- OL Audrey Walker (Twitter link via Jackson)
New England Patriots
- Claimed off waivers:
- DT Khyri Thornton (Twitter link via Ian Rapoport)
- DT Khyri Thornton (Twitter link via Ian Rapoport)
- Cut:
- T Cameron Fleming (Twitter link via Mike Reiss)
- Signed to practice squad:
- TE Asante Cleveland (Twitter link via Jeff Howe)
- WR Kenbrell Thompkins (Twitter link via Rand Getlin)
New York Jets
- Signed:
- WR Chris Owusu (Twitter link via Manish Mehta)
- Claimed off waivers:
- S Ronald Martin (Twitter link via Mehta)
- Cut:
- S Rontez Miles (Twitter link via Rich Cimini)
- Signed to practice squad (press release):
- LB Deion Barnes
- FB Julian Howsare
- LB Taiwan Jones
- CB Keon Lyn
- WR Walter Powell
- TE Wes Saxton
- T Wesley Johnson (Twitter link via Adam Caplan)
- DL Jordan Williams
East Notes: Wayne, Brown, Tebow
Bill Belichick and Reggie Wayne agreed to mutually part company when the Patriots officially released the wide receiver they employed for not even two weeks, according to Ryan Hannable of WEEI.com.
Another reason for Wayne’s abrupt departure amid the Patriots’ injury struggles at the position could stem from the wideout’s lack of enjoyment in the Pats’ environment, per team radio analyst, Scott Zolak (on Twitter).
A source told Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk the the Patriots like to bring in veterans and let them learn the system to a degree, so even in the event they are cut, they could potentially fill a need later in the season if help is needed. Florio offers that Wayne might not be willing to follow in this path.
Two months shy of 37, Wayne’s beginning to sound like he’s on the way out, with a source telling Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (Twitter link) the potential Hall of Fame wideout is willing to return but only in the right situation. But then again, not many veterans this far into their careers like to join up with losing franchises, so Wayne not jumping at just any chance to play makes sense.
Here are some other notes from the Eastern divisions as cut day closes.
- Chip Kelly told Tim Tebow to hone his craft in Canada when the third-year Eagles coach cut the polarizing quarterback today, reports Zach Berman of the Philadelphia Inquirer (on Twitter). Tebow has previously rebuffed such opportunities, but Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com notes (on Twitter) the Toronto Argonauts hold Tebow’s CFL rights, have spoken with him before and happen to be on a bye week presently.
- The Bills may not be done reshuffling their backfield. They’ve had discussions of trading Bryce Brown, Albert Breer of NFL.com tweets. Buffalo GM Doug Whaley surrendered a fourth-round pick for Brown last season. The backup to the recently relocated Fred Jackson and the less-recently relocated C.J. Spiller last season, Brown, 24, didn’t receive many opportunities in his debut Bills slate. Now a two-time LeSean McCoy understudy, Brown appears to have fallen out of favor in Buffalo. He still sits behind Anthony Dixon and potentially fifth-rounder Karlos Williams. Dixon accrued 105 carries to Brown’s 36 last season despite Brown’s 5.1 yards per tote eclipsing Dixon’s tally by a full yard.
Bills Clearing Room For Marcell Dareus Deal?
Matt Cassel‘s release earlier today appears to be part of the Bills’ plan to make enough room for Marcell Dareus‘ looming contract extension, according to Vic Carucci of the Buffalo News (on Twitter).
The Bills, according to Carucci, want to extend Dareus before the season begins. If a deal cannot be completed in the next week before the regular season begins, the team will not address the fifth-year standout’s contract until the season ends, notes Carucci (on Twitter).
Buffalo also wants to extend outside linebacker Nigel Bradham, according to CBS Sports’ Jason La Canfora (via Twitter).
Like Dareus, who will earn just more than $8MM this season as part of the defensive tackle’s fifth-year option, Bradham is entering a contract year. Although since the third-year starter arrived as a fourth-round pick in 2012, he has no such fifth-year negotiation-delaying luxury, increasing the team’s incentive to lock up the underrated outside backer.
Bills Release Matt Cassel, Red Bryant
The Bills have made five more roster moves to get their roster under 53 players in advance of this afternoon’s deadline. According to a press release, quarterback Matt Cassel and defensive tackle Red Bryant are among the players who have been cut by the team. Buffalo also confirmed the release of safety Jonathan Meeks and announced that it has waived center Dalton Freeman and linebacker Kevin Reddick.
Cassel, 33, was acquired by the Bills back in March in a trade with the Vikings. His release comes as a bit of a surprise, since the club already cut Matt Simms, and the latest move leaves Buffalo with just Tyrod Taylor and E.J. Manuel at quarterback. Still, Cassel had been set to earn a base salary of $4.15MM, so cutting him will create some cap flexibility, and the Bills could put that room toward an extension for Marcell Dareus.
Speaking of Dareus, he’ll start the season on the reserve/suspended list, which should leave the Bills with two openings on their 53-man roster. That makes the club a strong candidate to add a player or two on waivers tomorrow.