Cowboys Release QB Kellen Moore
The Cowboys have waived quarterback Kellen Moore, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (on Twitter). If the QB clears waivers, Dallas would like to re-sign him to the practice squad, according to David Moore of the Dallas Morning News (on Twitter).
Moore, 25, re-signed with the Lions for two years this past offseason before being released in early September. Later on, Dallas inked Moore to the taxi squad before eventually promoting him to the 53-man roster. Still, the three-year veteran has yet to make an appearance in the NFL. With Tony Romo scheduled to return in Week 11, the Cowboys are prepared to roll with only two quarterbacks on the main roster – Matt Cassel and Brandon Weeden.
East Notes: Hardy, Folk, Patriots, JPP
With the Cowboys‘ decision to carry Greg Hardy on their roster still under scrutiny, head coach Jason Garrett offered a statement to reporters on Sunday, including Todd Archer of ESPNDallas.com, explaining why the club was willing to sign Hardy.
“We as an organization, we don’t condone domestic violence. We take the issue very, very seriously,” Garrett said. “We knew when we signed Greg Hardy there would be some criticism that came with that. We laid out expectations for him right from the start. We decided that we were going to give him a second chance but in doing so the expectations and standards would be very clear to him, how he and really everybody else is supposed to conduct themselves on the football and off the football field. … He knows what the expectations and standards are and we’re going to hold him accountable to those.”
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones also reiterated his support for Hardy, repeatedly stressing – as Garrett did – that the team wanted to give the former Panthers defensive end “a second chance” (video link via the Fort Worth Star-Telegram). While Dallas may be willing to provide Hardy that second chance because of his ability on the field, the team lost again on Sunday night, falling to 0-4 with Hardy in the lineup.
Here’s more from around the NFL’s East divisions:
- Jets kicker Nick Folk is set to undergo an MRI on Monday afternoon to determine the severity of his quad injury, which kept him from attempting extra points or field goals on Sunday, writes Ohm Youngmisuk of ESPN.com. If Folk is unable to play this Thursday, New York figures to sign a new kicker within the next couple days.
- Jim McBride and Michael Whitmer of the Boston Globe round up several key Patriots-related news items from Sunday, touching on injuries sustained by running back Dion Lewis and tackle Sebastian Vollmer. Within the piece, the duo also notes that Patriots president Jonathan Kraft believes that the idea of expanding the IR-DTR rules to accommodate more than one player per team “may not be a bad idea.”
- Following his first game back since injuring his hand in an offseason fireworks accident, Giants defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul admitted that he was “a little rusty.” However, as Dan Graziano of ESPN.com notes, JPP injected some life into the team’s pass rush, particularly in the fourth quarter.
Latest On Greg Hardy, Cowboys
7:42pm: Jerry Jones has issued a statement in light of today’s events (Twitter link via ESPN’s Todd Archer):
“While we did not have access to the photos that became public today, we were and are aware of the serious nature of this incident. We as an organization take very this seriously. We do not condone domestic violence. We entered into the agreement with Greg fully understanding that there would be scrutiny and criticism. We have given Greg a second chance. He is a member of our team and someone who is grateful for the opportunity he has been given to move forward with his life and his career.”
4:09pm: Sources tell David Moore of the Dallas Morning News that the photos published today by Deadspin were not made available to the Cowboys. However, those sources stressed that the team was aware of those photos and “had an understanding of what they showed.”
2:34pm: Approximately a year and a half after Greg Hardy was arrested on misdemeanor charges of assault and communicating threats in Charlotte, Deadspin’s Diana Moskovitz has an in-depth report on the events of that night, citing police reports and photos that had not previously been made public. The details – and the photos – are ugly, and raise more questions about how much Jerry Jones and the Cowboys knew before signing Hardy to a one-year contract this offseason.
According to David Moore of the Dallas Morning News (via Twitter), Cowboys officials are aware of the photos that have surfaced of Nicole Holder’s injuries, and have no comment. Given how often Jerry and Stephen Jones speak publicly about the Cowboys, it should only be a matter of time until they have to address the latest Hardy report in some form or another, but there has been no statement from the club yet.
Although they haven’t spoken yet today, both Jerry and Stephen Jones have publicly voiced a desire in recent weeks to extend Hardy beyond the 2015 season, despite his continued questionable behavior both on and off the field. It’s hard to imagine the Joneses doubling down on that sentiment now, but they’ve given no indication yet that their stance on Hardy has changed.
As a result of the NFL’s own investigation into the Hardy situation, the league had access to all the photos of Holder’s injuries published today by Deadspin, and viewed seven additional photos, according to Joseph Person of the Charlotte Observer (Twitter links). The NFL took that evidence into consideration when making the decision to suspend Hardy for 10 games, though that penalty was reduced to four games after the defensive end appealed it.
As for the Cowboys, they signed Hardy before the NFL announced a suspension, and it’s not clear whether or not they’d seen the same photos the league did. Of course, as Ed Werder of ESPN.com tweets, if the Joneses hadn’t been aware of the extent of the evidence against Hardy before today, it’s likely because they chose not to look too closely.
NFC Notes: Kaepernick, JPP, Hardy
For the first time since 2012, the 49ers will have someone other than Colin Kaepernick under center this Sunday when they face the Falcons. After the Kaepernick-led 49ers stumbled to a 2-6 start, head coach Jim Tomsula elected to make a change at quarterback and turn to backup Blaine Gabbert. Tomsula said that sitting will enable Kaepernick to take a breath and refocus.
“I’m not out of breath, so I don’t understand that reference,” Kaepernick said Friday, according to the Mercury News’ Cam Inman.
In response to offensive coordinator Geep Chryst‘s assessment that Kaepernick has been more focused on avoiding mistakes than making plays this season, the 28-year-old stated, “I don’t believe that’s accurate. Every time I step on the field, I step on the field to make plays. That’s just a matter of opinion.”
While Kaepernick may not agree with Tomsula or Chryst, he added that he’s respectful of the coaches’ authority (Twitter link via ESPN’s Paul Gutierrez) and won’t be a distraction to either Gabbert or the rest of the 49ers.
“I’ll support my teammates and support Blaine in everything they do, because they’ve been good to me,” Kaepernick stated.
More from around the NFC:
- Giants defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul, who lost his right index finger in a devastating July 4 fireworks accident, could make his long-awaited season debut this week. Linebacker Devon Kennard said Pierre-Paul has been “very good” in practice, while head coach Tom Coughlin added that Pierre-Paul has “done everything we’ve asked him to do and we’re very positive about it.” Coughlin will decide by 4 p.m. Saturday whether to activate Pierre-Paul for the Giants’ game in Tampa (story via Brian Heyman of Newsday).
- The Cowboys and Greg Hardy are facing further backlash from media and fans after Deadspin released horrifying photos and details of the defensive end’s 2014 domestic violence arrest Friday. In light of Deadspin’s report, Christine Brennan of USA Today writes that Hardy should be banished from the league.
- Contrary to the wishes of Brennan and many others, the Cowboys won’t send Hardy packing, according to The Dallas Morning News’ Rick Gosselin. The organization is unfazed by the Deadspin report and believes that Hardy has been suitably punished for his past misdeeds (which came when was a Panther). Further, considering the franchise is in the business of winning games, its thinking is that having Hardy around is more beneficial than detrimental. Hardy has indeed been an asset on the field for Dallas, racking up three sacks, an interception and a forced fumble in three games, but his presence hasn’t yet led to any victories.
NFC Notes: Cowboys, Stafford, Cardinals
With the work week winding down, let’s round up some Friday news items and notes from around the NFC….
- Appearing on 105.3 FM in Dallas this morning, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said that Tony Romo has offered to help identify his own eventual replacement, adding that Romo has put in time studying what he’d look for in a college quarterback. Clarence Hill of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram has the story, with the quotes from Jones.
- Examining Matthew Stafford‘s future in Detroit, Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press makes the case that the only way it makes sense for the Lions to part with their quarterback after the 2015 season is if they end up with the first – or perhaps second – overall pick, to give a new coach and GM a chance to groom a new QB. A Thursday report suggested that Stafford’s future beyond 2015 with the Lions is uncertain, with GM Martin Mayhew out of the picture and head coach Jim Caldwell a good bet to follow him out the door.
- In addition to the kickers and punters we heard about yesterday, the Cardinals also worked out several other players, including defensive backs Shaun Prater and Cassius Vaughn and long snappers Brandon Hartson and Andrew East, per Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post (Twitter link).
- The Bears also brought in a few players for tryouts today, auditioning offensive linemen Aaron Adams, James Brewer, and Martin Wallace, according to Jeff Dickerson of ESPN.com (via Twitter).
- Within his latest NFL.com column, Albert Breer of the NFL Network touches on several topics of notes, exploring the Lions‘ organizational changes, Geep Chryst‘s job status with the 49ers, and the Rams‘ decision to draft Todd Gurley with the 10th overall pick in the spring.
Extra Points: Pead, Collins, Murray, Saints
Running back Isaiah Pead is confident that he’ll regain his footing with the Steelers after three unproductive seasons with the Rams, as Ralph N. Paulk of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review writes. Pead, along with Jordan Todman, is expected to back up DeAngelo Williams during the second half of the regular season. To date, Pead hasn’t looked like the explosive athlete who helped Cincinnati capture the 2009 Big East championship, but he believes that he is about to turn a corner.
- Despite their shortcomings on the offensive line coming into the 2015 season, the Eagles didn’t explore signing undrafted free agent La’el Collins, as Dave Zangaro of CSNPhilly.com writes. “We didn’t have any interest,” head coach Chip Kelly said Thursday. Collins went on to sign a three-year deal with the Cowboys worth $1.6MM guaranteed.
- Tom Pelissero of USA Today wonders if having DeMarco Murray would change the Cowboys‘ season. While Darren McFadden has been just OK for Dallas, the club’s offensive line continues to be strong. Behind the power running of Murray, the Cowboys boasted one of the league’s best offenses and the top rushing attack. There’s no way to tell if this would be a totally different season with Murray in the backfield, but it certainly wouldn’t have hurt, Pelissero writes.
- Saints defensive tackle Kevin Williams was non-committal when asked about his future beyond this season. “This is a fun thing. You get to be around your teammates, and if you can’t have fun with them, you know you’re not a close group,” the 35-year-old said, according to Katherine Terrell of The Times-Picayune. “So we joke and have fun. I think that’s what makes the game fun—the friendships you have.”
East Notes: Bradford, Randle, Fitzpatrick
One report claimed that the Eagles offered Sam Bradford a four-year, $72MM deal before the start of the season. When asked about that story today, Philly’s starting quarterback shot it down.
“That offer must have gotten lost in the mail,” Bradford said, according to Reuben Frank of CSNPhilly.com. “I never saw that one. … I think those thoughts are a long way down the road. Obviously we have a big game against Dallas this week. Last week was more about stepping away and getting my mind right and getting ready for this week.”
Here’s more from the East divisions:
- Talent was never the question with Joseph Randle and some within the Cowboys organization felt that his running style was actually a better fit for the team than DeMarco Murray‘s, David Moore of The Dallas Morning News writes. No one was foolish enough to suggest he would challenge Murray’s franchise record of 1,845 yards from last season, but they certainly hoped things would work out better than this. Randle was released by Dallas on Tuesday.
- Ryan Fitzpatrick will be the starter for the Jets on Sunday, coach Todd Bowles told reporters, including Manish Mehta of the Daily News (on Twitter).
- Rex Ryan told reporters, including Adam Beasley of the Miami Herald (on Twitter), that he tried to hire Dan Campbell at one point while he was the head coach of the Jets. However, he says that the Dolphins wouldn’t allow the Jets to interview Campbell, Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald tweets. Campbell, who began the year as the team’s tight ends coach, is now serving as Miami’s interim coach. At the midway point, it seems possible that he could keep the job beyond 2015.
Joseph Randle Hits Free Agency
Former Cowboys running back Joseph Randle went unclaimed off waivers on Wednesday and is now free to sign with any NFL team. Randle was jettisoned from Dallas on Tuesday.
Shortly after word broke last month that Randle left the team facility and missed a treatment session on his injured oblique, we learned that the back is facing discipline from the NFL for an offseason incident. At that time, the Cowboys excused Randle to deal with what they termed as a “personal issue.”
Randle was arrested in February in Wichita, Kansas for unlawful possession of marijuana after police received a call for an alleged domestic incident involving Randle and the mother of his son. Charges against the 23-year-old were dropped in April, but the NFL continued its own investigation, meeting with Randle over the summer, and within recent days.
It’s not known yet if Randle will receive a suspension or merely a fine for the incident, but it appears he’ll be disciplined by the league in some form. Ian Rapoport of NFL.com – who notes that the NFL is applying the personal conduct policy, rather than the domestic conduct policy, in its investigation – tweeted recently that Randle will likely face a one- or two-game suspension. Any team with interest in Randle will have to not only take his off-the-field issues into consideration, but also the fact that he could be sidelined for a couple of games.
Randle, 24 in December, was expected by many to emerge as the leader in the Cowboys’ fractured backfield this season. After chiding ex-teammate DeMarco Murray for leaving a lot of “meat on the bone,” Randle has taken only a couple bites so far this season. In six games, Randle has rushed for 313 yards off of 76 carries.
Minor NFL Transactions: 11/4/15
With the 2015 trade deadline now behind us, NFL teams will have one less tool at their disposal to try to upgrade their rosters. We can expect plenty more signings and cuts in the coming weeks though. Here are today’s minor transactions from across the league:
- The Raiders have signed receiver and return man Marcus Thigpen, according to Bill Williamson of ESPN.com (via Twitter). Thigpen, who has already spent time with the Bills and Colts this season, will get a chance to take over return duties in Oakland.
- The Browns have placed tight end Rob Housler on injured reserve, promoting defensive back De’Ante Saunders from the practice squad to replace him on the roster, per Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal (Twitter link). Housler caught just one pass for the club before seeing his season derailed by a hamstring issue.
- After moving Clinton McDonald to their injured reserve list on Tuesday, the Buccaneers have added another defensive lineman, announcing in a press release that they’ve signed Lawrence Sidbury. Sidbury, who initially joined the Bucs last December, has never been an NFL starter, but appeared in 48 games for the Falcons in the first four years of his career.
- The Chargers announced a slew of roster moves on Tuesday, and they capped that series of transactions today by promoting defensive lineman Damion Square to their 53-man roster, tweets Ian Rapoport of NFL.com. Square is one of four new players on San Diego’s roster this week.
- Having cut running back Joseph Randle on Tuesday, the Cowboys signed running back Trey Williams off Washington‘s practice squad to fill the hole in the backfield, according to Rapoport (via Twitter). Williams, who has yet to see a regular-season snap, figures to fight Rod Smith for the No. 3 role behind Darren McFadden and Christine Michael.
- The Steelers have elevated cornerback Doran Grant from their practice squad to the active roster, waiving QB/WR Tyler Murphy in a corresponding move, the team announced today.
NFC East Notes: Cowboys, Giants, Curry
Having waived running back Joseph Randle this week, the Cowboys parted ways with a player who had been expected to pick up a good chunk of DeMarco Murray‘s carries this season. Still, as Schuyler Dixon of The Associated Press details, Randle’s disappointing 2015 campaign isn’t making Jerry Jones and Stephen Jones second-guess the decision to let Murray walk in free agency back in March.
“That ship’s sailed,” Stephen Jones said. “We’d make that decision over, same decision, we’d make it again. We have to develop, structure a football team with the salary cap. You can’t pay a top receiver, a top quarterback, a top pass rusher, a top left tackle. You’ve got to make hard decisions.”
As the Cowboys prepare to move on with Darren McFadden and Christine Michael leading their rushing attack, let’s check in on a few more items from around the NFC East….
- With the Cowboys‘ top decision-makers insisting they have genuine interest in locking up Greg Hardy to a extension, former agent Joel Corry of CBSSports.com breaks down three possible contract structures that would somewhat limit the risk for the team.
- Like every other team in the NFL, the Giants ultimately stood pat on Tuesday as the trade deadline came and went. According to Dan Graziano of ESPN.com, that was the right call for the club, which he feels is ultimately a “rebuilding team” in the big picture. As such, it wouldn’t have made sense for New York to move future draft picks.
- Vinny Curry had his name circulated in trade rumors over the last few days, but Eagles head coach Chip Kelly said the defensive end wasn’t discussed in trade talks. As Zach Berman of the Philadelphia Inquirer writes, Curry is used to the trade speculation surrounding him, and was unfazed by it this week.