Extra Points: Mariota, Goodell, Peterson
Oregon head coach Mark Helfrich sees his star quarterback Marcus Mariota stealing the show at this year’s scouting combine, writes NFL.com’s Bryan Fischer. “He’s a competitive perfectionist. Every single thing he does, he wants to do great,” Helfrich said. “He competes in period four just like he does in a BCS bowl game. To him, (the combine) is right in his wheelhouse, and he’ll do great.” Helfrich might be a bit biased, but Mariota is widely projected to be a top choice in the 2015 Draft. More NFL news..
- A judge has ruled that NFL commissioner Roger Goodell will be forced to testify at the Ray Rice hearing, a source tells Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (on Twitter). The ruling was expected by many since Goodell played an active role in all facets of Rice’s suspension.
- A prosecution request to remove the judge handling the felony child abuse case against Vikings running back Adrian Peterson has been denied, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (on Twitter). The judge made some less-than-kind remarks about Peterson’s defense team earlier this month. As Rochelle Olson of the Star-Tribune writes, the trial is still on track for December 1st.
- Panthers defensive end Greg Hardy hasn’t showed up at Bank of America Stadium since being placed on the commissioner’s exempt list, but that’s not because he’s not welcome, as David Newton of ESPN.com writes. “We haven’t asked him to stay away,” coach Ron Rivera said. “At the same time, we’re letting him take care of his business.”
- Former Seahawks wide receiver Sidney Rice thinks Seattle made the right move by trading Percy Harvin, writes Terry Blount of ESPN.com. “I was surprised, but at the same time, it may have been the best thing for the team,” Rice said. “It’s tough losing a guy like Percy. He’s one of a kind. The league has never seen a player like Percy Harvin.”
- The Rams auditioned wide receivers Skye Dawson and Derek Moye yesterday, tweets Howard Balzer of USA Today Sports. Dawson, who was cut by the Bucs in late August, worked out for the Lions last week. Moye, meanwhile, was scooped up by the Titans earlier today.
Titans Sign Richard Gordon
In addition to finalizing the trade that sent linebacker Akeem Ayers to the Patriots this morning, the Titans have also completed a handful of other roster moves. The team announced today (via Twitter) that it has added tight end Richard Gordon to its 53-man roster, and signed linebacker Nate Askew and wideout Derek Moye to its practice squad.
Gordon, 27, has spent time with the Raiders, Chiefs, and Steelers, catching four passes for 14 yards and a touchdown during his three-year NFL career. The majority of his contributions have come on special teams, where he has accumulated 19 tackles in kick and punt coverage, per Pro Football Focus. Although he takes the roster spot vacated by Ayers, Gordon is essentially a replacement for tight end Brett Brackett, who was waived by Tennessee earlier this week.
Askew and Moye, meanwhile, take the two open spots on the Titans’ practice squad, so no corresponding cuts are necessary to make room for them.
AFC East Notes: Jets, Bills, Dolphins
Through seven weeks, the Patriots have assumed their usual spot at the top of the AFC East standings, but the Bills and Dolphins remain within striking distance of Bill Belichick, Tom Brady, and company. This weekend, both East runners-up will visit 1-6 teams, with the Bills facing the Jets and the Dolphins traveling to Jacksonville. As we look forward to seeing if they can keep pace with the Pats, let’s check in on a few Tuesday notes from around the division….
- While the financial burden the Jets are assuming by acquiring Percy Harvin may not be exorbitant, the team is risking stunting Geno Smith‘s development, writes Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News. If Harvin’s transition is smooth, he’ll act as another playmaker for Smith to utilize, but Mehta hears from multiple sources that Harvin resented Russell Wilson for “myriad reasons” in Seattle, and believes that the wideout could do more harm than good for Smith.
- Ian Connor of ESPNNewYork.com takes Jets general manager John Idzik to task for his roster decisions over the last couple years, arguing that the GM is in over his head and overmatched in his current role.
- According to reports from Adam Caplan of ESPN.com and Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (Twitter links), the Jets recently worked out fullback Tony Fiammetta, safety Chris Prosinski, and cornerbacks Johnny Adams and Marcus Cromartie.
- In addition to the auditions reported yesterday, the Dolphins also tried out defensive backs Tommie Campbell and T.J. Heath, as well as wide receiver Derek Moye, tweets Wilson.
- Former Troy wide receiver Eric Thomas is working out for the Bills today, according to Wilson, who adds (via Twitter) that the team also recently tried out punter Michael Palardy.
Practice Squad Updates: Wednesday
We’ll keep track of today’s practice squad signings and cuts here..
- The Seahawks announced that safety Steven Terrell has re-joined the practice squad (Twitter link via Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times). Terrell was waived yesterday when the Hawks re-signed defensive lineman Greg Scruggs. Seattle had only nine players on its taxi squad, so it won’t have to release anyone to make room for Terrell.
Earlier Updates:
- The Chiefs announced that they have signed former Oklahoma State linebacker Orie Lemon to the practice squad.
- The Broncos announced that they have added defensive end Gerald Rivers to the practice squad today, as the staff at The Denver Post writes. Rivers appear in two games for the Rams and Jaguars last season.
- The Dolphins signed quarterback McLeod Bethel-Thompson to the practice squad, tweets Adam Caplan of ESPN.com.
- The Packers signed tight end Ike Ariguzo to their practice squad and released guard Jordan McCray, according to Tom Silverstein of the Journal Sentinel. The 6’5″, 245-pound Ariguzo, a rookie who played at Eastern Kentucky, made an impression on Green Bay coaches when he auditioned for them in May.
- The Titans have signed TE Brett Brackett back to their practice squad, tweets Jim Wyatt of The Tennessean.
- The Steelers have signed defensive end Ethan Hemer, defensive back Jordan Sullen, and offensive lineman Adam Gettis to the practice squad, according to team PR director Burt Lauten (on Twitter). In related moves, the Steelers have released wide receiver Derek Moye and placed cornerback Shaq Richardson on the taxi squad’s injured reserve. Sullen recently auditioned for the Jets after he was let go in Chicago.
- The Browns announced they signed wide receiver Kevin Cone to their practice squad, according to Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon-Journal (on Twitter). Cone was previously with the Bucs’ practice squad.
- The Buccaneers added fullback Lonnie Pryor and defensive end George Uko to their taxi squad while releasing Cone, according to Scott Smith of Buccaneers.com (on Twitter).
Sunday Transactions: AFC North
Listed below are the Sunday roster moves for the four AFC North 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 are noted below.
Additionally, as of 11:00am CT 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 North transactions, which will continue to be updated throughout the day:
Baltimore Ravens:
- Signed to practice squad (officially announced): Tramain Jacobs, CB (via Aaron Wilson on Twitter); Ryan Jensen, OL (via Wilson on Twitter); Jamie Meder, DT (via Jeff Zrebiec on Twitter); Deji Olatoye, CB (via Zrebiec on Twitter); A.J. Pataiali’i, DT (via Wilson); John Simon, OLB (via Zrebiec on Twitter); Phillip Supernaw, TE (via Wilson on Twitter); Fitz Toussaint, RB (via Wilson on Twitter); Keith Wenning, QB (via Wilson)
Cincinnati Bengals:
- Signed to practice squad (officially announced): Dan France, T; Kevin Greene, TE; David King, DT; Colin Lockett, WR; Onterio McCalebb, CB; Sam Montgomery, DE; Trevor Robinson, G/C; Devon Still, DT; James Wilder, RB
Cleveland Browns:
- Claimed off waivers: LaRon Byrd, WR (via Aaron Wilson on Twitter); Caylin Hauptmann, G (via Tom Pelissero on Twitter); Ryan Seymour, T (via Ian Rapoport on Twitter); Glenn Winston, RB (via Matt Maiocco on Twitter)
- Cut: Rex Grossman, QB (via Pelissero on Twitter); Charles Johnson, WR (via Pelissero on Twitter)
- Signed to practice squad: Kiero Small, FB (via Wilson on Twitter); Connor Shaw, QB (via Mary Kay Cabot on Twitter)
Pittsburgh Steelers:
- Signed to practice squad (officially announced): Rob Blanchflower, TE; C.J. Goodwin, WR; Josh Harris, RB; Howard Jones, LB; Josh Mauro, DL; Derek Moye, WR; Shaquille Richardson, DB; Ross Ventrone, DB; Alejandro Villanueva, OL; Nick Williams, DL
Steelers Reduce Roster To 53 Players
The Steelers have become the latest team to reduce their roster count to 53 players in advance of this afternoon’s deadline. Here are the 22 players cut from the club’s active roster today, per a press release:
- Rob Blanchflower, TE
- Chris Carter, LB
- Bryce Davis, TE
- Isaiah Green, DB
- Josh Harris, RB
- Ethan Hemer, DL
- Stephen Houston, RB
- Howard Jones, LB
- Brendon Kay, QB
- Josh Mauro, DL
- Dan Molls, LB
- Derek Moye, WR
- Dayonne Nunley, DB
- David Paulson, T
- Roy Philon, DL
- Graham Pocic, OL
- Shaquille Richardson, DB
- Lanear Sampson, WR
- Will Simmons, OL
- Ross Ventrone, DB
- Guy Whimper, OL
- Nick Williams, DL
AFC Mailbags: Jags, Colts, Steelers, Ravens
It’s Saturday, and that means ESPN.com’s NFL writers open up their mailbags and answer questions from readers. Here are some interesting notes out of the AFC…
- Considering the age of Jason Babin and Chris Clemons, Michael DiRocco doesn’t see much sense in the Jaguars cutting Andre Branch.
- When asked if the Colts would add a center or safety before training camp, Mike Wells answers that the team is set at those positions. The writer believes Khaled Holmes will start at center and Delano Howell “is on track” to be the starting safety.
- Derek Moye, Darrius Heyward-Bey and Justin Brown will likely be competing for the Steelers‘ fifth receiver spot, writes Scott Brown.
- Looking at potential free agents additions for the Steelers, Brown says he would “be surprised” if the team doesn’t consider signing linebacker James Harrison. He adds that the team will “keep an eye” on Jermichael Finley but won’t have much interest in Ed Reed.
- Ravens writer Jamison Hensley expects the team to stick with their young core of cornerbacks. If the team sees a need at the position, Hensley says they won’t address it until final cuts.