Cowboys Down To 75-Man Roster
The Cowboys made a number of moves on Tuesday afternoon to get down to a 75-man roster. The full list is presented below, courtesy of DallasCowboys.com’s David Helman (Twitter links):
Waived:
- Brandon Barden, TE
- Jonathan Brown, LB
- Antwan Goodley, WR
- David Porter, WR
Waived/Injured:
- Ken Boatright, DE
- R.J Dill, OT
- Michael Hill, RB
Placed on IR:
- Orlando Scandrick, CB
NFI List:
- Mark Nzeocha, LB
Scandrick tore his ACL in late August, ruling him out for the 2015 season. It was a big loss for Dallas as he ranked as the 10th-best cornerback in the NFL in 2014 out of 108 qualified players, according to Pro Football Focus’ advanced metrics (subscription required). According to PFF’s data, quarterbacks completed 74.3% of their passes into Scandrick’s coverage, but those completions averaged just 9.9 yards, and the Cowboys’ corner didn’t allow a touchdown in his 14 games. For the year, he recorded 63 tackles and grabbed a pair of interceptions.
Extra Points: Bucs, F. Jackson, Brady, Ridley
The Buccaneers had a slew of problems on their offensive line last year, and even after addressing the position multiple times in the draft, the club isn’t totally satisfied with its line play. According to Jenna Laine of SportsTalkFlorida.com (via Twitter), the Bucs are looking for interior offensive line help, and are shopping for possible trades. The club could also look to claim a player off waivers or sign a free agent, as more cuts are made this week.
Here are a few more odds and ends from around the NFL, as teams reduce their rosters to 75 players:
- Fred Jackson appears likely to land with the Seahawks, but the Ravens have also expressed interest in the veteran running back, says Vic Carucci of The Buffalo News (via Twitter). According to Carucci, there’s been no indication that the Patriots, Cowboys, or Browns have shown interest in Jackson.
- When Judge Richard Berman announces his decision on Tom Brady‘s case this week, he’ll either uphold or vacate the four-game suspension for the Patriots quarterback. However, as Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk explains, Berman has a handful of different options available to him when he makes that ruling.
- All signs are pointing to Jets running back Stevan Ridley, who is returning from an ACL injury, starting the regular season on the club’s reserve/PUP list, tweets Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News.
- David Newton of ESPN.com conducted a Q&A with Panthers GM Dave Gettleman, who addressed the play of new left tackle Michael Oher, the team’s acquisition of wideout Kevin Norwood, and the areas of the roster that may still need an upgrade.
- Jaguars GM Dave Caldwell also discussed a Monday trade, indicating that the decision to move kicker Josh Scobee was the “toughest decision we’ve had to make.” John Oehser of Jaguars.com has the details.
- Jason Fitzgerald of Over the Cap examines the cap ramifications of some of the more notable veteran cuts made over thee weekend and on Monday.
NFC Notes: FJax, Cowboys, Mathis, Long
The Cowboys have no interest in Fred Jackson at this time, sources tell David Moore of The Dallas Morning News. For now, they plan on going into season with a committee of Joseph Randle, Darren McFadden, and Lance Dunbar, but they haven’t closed the door on adding a tailback either. Jackson, of course, is on the open market after getting cut by the Bills on Monday.
Here’s more from the NFC..
- Cowboys COO Stephen Jones admitted that he would pursue a talented tailback if there was a fit, though he said that age is a factor. “If we saw a young running back to add to the mix, we’d certainly look at it,” Jones said, according to Jon Machota of The Dallas Morning News (on Twitter).
- Evan Mathis is now a Bronco, but he received interest from the Seahawks before he landed in Denver, and according to Adam Caplan of ESPN.com (Twitter link), Seattle wanted to know if the veteran guard could play center. The Seahawks moved Max Unger in the Jimmy Graham trade with New Orleans back in March, and will likely roll with the inexperienced Drew Nowak at center to start the season.
- Falcons head coach Dan Quinn confirmed that he has not ruled out signing veteran offensive tackle Jake Long, as Andrew Hirsh of AtlantaFalcons.com writes. “He’s somebody we’ve still talked about for sure,” Quinn said of Long, who auditioned for Atlanta earlier this summer. “(He’s) a guy we have lots of regard for.”
Cowboys Cut Phil Bates, 4 Others
The Cowboys are on their way to a 75-man roster. As Todd Archer of ESPNDallas.com tweets, Dallas has dropped five players:
- Phil Bates, WR
- Tom Hornsey, P
- Robert Steeples, CB
- Casey Kreiter, LS
- Carlif Taylor, DT
The Cowboys signed Bates less than two weeks ago. The 25-year-old (26 in September) was a longtime Seahawks practice squad player and also spent some time with the Browns. Seattle thought highly of Bates, making him one of just a few NFL taxi squad players to earn more than the minimum.
NFC Notes: Dill, Brown, Bell, Saints
Backup Cowboys offensive tackle R.J. Dill has been suspended for the first four games of the regular season for violating the policy on performance-enhancing substances, reports Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter).
Charean Williams of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram passed on a statement from Dill regarding the suspension (via Twitter). “My doctor suggested that I undergo testosterone replacement therapy, and I accepted the recommended treatment.”
Charles Robinson of Yahoo! notes that needing testosterone replacement for a 24-year-old professional athlete like Dill would be a rarity (via Twitter).
Here are some other notes from around the NFC:
- The Texans just released Stevie Brown, and the Giants could be interested in bringing him back, given their current situation at safety, according to Dan Graziano of ESPN (via Twitter). Graziano adds that injury concerns led to the Giants passing on him in the spring, but as they have been saddled with injuries at safety (via Twitter).
- Speaking of injured Giants safety, Jordan Raanan of NJ.com is skeptical the Giants will keep Nat Berhe on the roster this season if he will miss the first four games of the season, maybe more (via Twitter). It could be way more, as surgery could end his season.
- Buccaneers’ fifth-round pick Kenny Bell will sit out of tomorrow’s preseason game against the Browns with a hamstring injury, and could miss the rest of the preseason, writes Roy Cummings of the Tampa Tribune. If he does miss the rest of the preseason, it could effect whether or not he makes the 53-man roster come Week 1.
- As the regular season comes closer, the Evan Woodbery of NOLA.com opens his mailbag to discuss what the final roster will look like after the team is forced to cut it down first to 75 players and then 53 before Week 1. He is skeptical the Saints will keep more than four or five receivers, leaving Seantavious Jones and Willie Snead IV on the outside looking in. He also opines on which running back and defensive linemen on the bubble will find their way onto the roster for the regular season.
East Notes: Eli, Hester, Kendricks, Cowboys
Let’s round up a few Friday odds and ends from out of the NFL’s two East divisions….
- In a Q&A with Justin Terranova of the New York Post, former NFL quarterback Boomer Esiason addressed Eli Manning‘s contract situation, suggesting that he believes Manning and the Giants will ultimately get an extension done. Still, Esiason acknowledges that if the club postpones talks until after the season and misses the playoffs again, the idea of retooling the roster – starting with the quarterback – may have to at least be considered.
- Wide receiver and kick returner Devin Hester is heading into the second season of his three-year contract with Atlanta. However, as Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com details, Hester nearly landed with the Dolphins rather than the Falcons when he hit free agency in 2014.
- Comparing Mychal Kendricks‘ new contract to past deals signed by Sean Lee (Cowboys) and Donald Butler (Chargers), Jason Fitzgerald of Over the Cap suggests that the Eagles‘ pact is the strongest of the three, from a team’s perspective.
- Brian Costello of the New York Post examines the unique journey to the 2015 Jets taken by safety Rontez Miles, who is battling for a roster spot on this year’s squad.
- The Cowboys have some tough calls to make on their defensive line, which could be the deepest position group on the team, as Jon Machota of the Dallas Morning News discusses in a chat with readers.
East Notes: T. Williams, Jets, Cowboys, Wayne
Washington offensive tackle Trent Williams isn’t worrying about his contract situation, focusing instead on giving Washington “one of the best years of my career” in the final season of his current deal, as he tells John Keim of ESPN.com.
Keim suggests that if the two sides don’t reach an agreement on an extension, the franchise tag will be an option for Washington, but Williams’ cap hit this year is $14.23MM, so franchising him would mean committing to a salary north of $17MM for 2016. As such, it’s in Washington’s best interest to work out a longer-term arrangement, and Williams should have plenty of leverage in those negotiations.
Let’s round up a few more notes from out of the NFL’s East divisions…
- Speaking today to reporters, including Mike Garafolo of FOX Sports (Twitter links), Osi Umenyiora said he got an offer from a team yesterday, but didn’t want to continue his career if he wasn’t playing for the Giants. According to Garafolo, the Jets contacted Umenyiora yesterday, but didn’t make a formal contract offer — they were just checking to see whether he was really retiring. The veteran pass rusher paid an informal visit to the Jets earlier this year.
- Although an earlier report suggested the Cowboys were poking around for cornerback help, Clarence Hill of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram tweets that the team has no plans to add a corner in the wake of Orlando Scandrick‘s ACL injury. I’d expect the Cowboys to keep an eye on defensive backs who are cut next week, but it doesn’t sound like the club is in the market for a starter at all.
- Field Yates of ESPN.com passes along some specific details on Reggie Wayne‘s one-year contract with the Patriots, tweeting that the wideout will earn a base salary of $1.1MM to go along with a $450K signing bonus. The pact also features $750K in per-game roster bonuses, plus additional bonuses if Wayne reaches 55 receptions ($250K) and 65 receptions (another $250K).
NFC Notes: Giants, Cowboys, Lions, Saints
The Giants were the NFL’s most-injured team in 2013 and 2014, and the club has already had 22 players sidelined by injury this summer, according to Bart Hubbuch of the New York Post, who suggests Tom Coughlin‘s job could ultimately be in jeopardy if the team’s health issues lead to another underwhelming season.
One key Giants player who missed most of last season due to injury is currently on the shelf this year as well, and Coughlin acknowledges that he’s starting to worry about Victor Cruz‘s availability for Week 1. The receiver is battling a calf issue.
“I’m concerned, yeah, I am” Coughlin said, per Ralph Vacchiano of the New York Daily News. “But I would like to see him get out there, and be able to stay out there. That’s what our real intent is. As soon as that can be done, that’s possible, then that’s what will happen.”
Here’s more from around the NFC:
- Following Orlando Scandrick‘s season-ending ACL injury, the Cowboys are in the market for cornerbacks, says Jason Cole of Bleacher Report (video link). Per Cole, the team isn’t necessarily looking for a starter, but would like to add depth to an increasingly thin position.
- Before trading him to the Patriots, the Lions actually heard from four teams that were interested in offensive tackle Michael Williams, tweets Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press. As Michael Rothstein of ESPN.com observes, the Williams deal continues a trend for GM Martin Mayhew, who has acquired late-round draft compensation for a handful of players within the last few months.
- The Saints will have some decisions to make when it comes to their defensive line, and Evan Woodbery of the Times-Picayune examines some of the players who are on the roster bubble and who could hit waivers next week.
Zach Links contributed to this post.
Orlando Scandrick Tears ACL, Out For Year
11:22pm: Scandrick did, in fact tear his ACL, which will sideline him for the entire 2015 season, tweets Garafolo. Ed Werder of ESPN.com adds (via Twitter) that Scandrick also tore his MCL.
It’s a significant loss for the Cowboys’ secondary, which has some question marks at the cornerback position behind Scandrick. The team will now be leaning heavily on Brandon Carr, who hasn’t lived up to his lucrative contract, Morris Claiborne, who missed most of the 2014 season, and Byron Jones, who has yet to play an NFL regular season snap.
7:57pm: Early fears are that Cowboys cornerback Orlando Scandrick tore his ACL during practice today, Mike Garafolo of FOX Sports tweets. If Scandrick has in fact torn his ACL, he would be ruled out for the upcoming season.
Scandrick ranked as the 10th-best cornerback in the NFL in 2014 out of 108 qualified players, according to Pro Football Focus’ advanced metrics (subscription required). According to PFF’s data, quarterbacks completed 74.3% of their passes into Scandrick’s coverage, but those completions averaged just 9.9 yards, and the Cowboys’ corner didn’t allow a touchdown in his 14 games. For the year, he recorded 63 tackles and grabbed a pair of interceptions.
The 28-year-old was the Cowboys’ top cornerback in 2014. This offseason, Scandrick demanded a new contract and the Cowboys obliged, giving him an additional year that will pay him big bucks in 2019. For this season, the cornerback is fully guaranteed $4MM.
Minor NFL Transactions: 8/25/15
Today’s minor signings, cuts, and other moves..
- The Dolphins announced (via Twitter) that they have placed safety Louis Delmas on the Reserve/Injured list.
- The Patriots announced that they have released fullback Eric Kettani. Kettani, 28, originally signed with New England as a rookie free agent out of Navy in 2009 and after spending time on the Reserve Military list, he went to training camp with the Patriots in 2011 and spent part of the 2011 and 2012 seasons on the team’s practice squad. Kettani also spent time on the practice squad with Washington (2012), Kansas City (2013) and Jacksonville (2014).
- The Cowboys cut Will Smith from injured reserve with an injury settlement, Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle tweets.
- The Jets signed linebacker Bryan Johnson and waived tight end Steve Maneri, Brian Costello of The Post tweets.