Donatella Luckett

NFC Notes: Panthers, Vikings, Saints, Falcons

Panthers coach Ron Rivera admits that Fletcher Cox‘s massive new deal with the Eagles doesn’t help the Panthers’ cause in trying to lock up Kawann Short, Bill Voth of Black and Blue Review writes.

This is the hard part right now is what’s going on in the league,” Rivera said. “I think some of these contracts are unbelievable as far as what I’m seeing and hearing.”

Word is that the Panthers may not be willing to go above $15MM/year for their standout defensive tackle. Cox, meanwhile, will average nearly $17.2MM per season on his new deal with a great deal in the way of guarantees early on in the pact.

Here’s more from the NFC:

  • The Vikings can’t seem to find the right counterpart for Harrison Smith at safety, writes Ben Goessling of ESPN.com, who lists Michael Griffin, Andrew Sendejo, Anthony Harris, Antone Exum, and Jayron Kearse as contenders for the job. Right now, there’s no word as to whether the Vikings could look out-of-house to help bolster the group. Griffin, 31, is the most experienced of the bunch by far, and given that he excels in coverage, he might be the favorite to line up opposite Smith. “One thing I try not to do, especially in OTAs where we’re not in pads, is try to jump to some kind of conclusion of who should be the starter,” said head coach Mike Zimmer of the competition. “I’ll kind of let that play out in camp.”
  • Veteran defensive end Darryl Tapp tried out for the Saints on Tuesday, as Evan Woodbery of The Times Picayune tweets.
  • The Falcons are trying out wide receiver Donatella Luckett, according to Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com (on Twitter).
  • UDFA tight end Ben Braunecker has a real good shot to make the Bears‘ roster, Adam Caplan of ESPN.com tweets. Braunecker was seen working with Chicago’s second-team offense during OTAs.
  • The Bears are trying out tight end Ryan Taylor and defensive lineman Marquise Jackson, according to Brad Biggs of The Chicago Tribune (Twitter link).

Workout Notes: 12/16/15

It’s been a busy last couple of days around the NFL, with teams still looking to fill up their squads for the rest of the season. Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle tweeted a whole bunch of workout notes this afternoon, which we’ve compiled for you below…

Arizona Cardinals

  • CB Mitchell White (link)

Atlanta Falcons

Buffalo Bills

Carolina Panthers

Read more

NFL Practice Squad Updates: 10/14/15

Here are Wednesday’s practice squad signings and cuts from around the NFL:

Arizona Cardinals

  • Signed: S Durell Eskridge (Twitter link via Darren Urban of AZCardinals.com)

Chicago Bears

Houston Texans

Jacksonville Jaguars

Miami Dolphins

  • Cut: WR Damarr Aultman (Twitter link via Adam Beasley of the Miami Herald)

New York Jets

San Diego Chargers

Workout Notes: Bears, Broncos, Packers

Here’s a roundup of today’s auditions from around the NFL. All links go to Aaron Wilson of The Houston Chronicle on Twitter), unless noted otherwise..

NFL Practice Squad Updates: 10/7/15

Here are Wednesday’s practice squad signings and cuts from across the NFL:

Carolina Panthers

Chicago Bears

New York Giants

San Diego Chargers

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Extra Points: Jack, Johnny Football, Bucs

Two-way UCLA star Myles Jack has a $5MM insurance policy that pays out if he’s not a first-round pick, Matt Miller of Bleacher Report tweets. Jack, who is done for the season after suffering a torn meniscus, might have an easier time entering the draft this year with that financial security backing him. Prior to the injury, Jack was widely considered to be a top ten prospect. Now, his stock is very much up in the air. Here’s more from around the NFL..

  • When asked if he’s still the team’s quarterback of the future, Johnny Manziel said, “From everything I’ve heard, whether it’s our GM or owner, that’s still the case [as] far as I know,” according to Mary Kay Cabot of The Plain Dealer (on Twitter). On Wednesday, the Browns announced that Josh McCown will resume his duties as starting quarterback in Week 3 against the Raiders.
  • The Buccaneers tried out cornerback Tay Glover-Wright, wide receiver Donatella Luckett, defensive back Ryan Murphy, wide receiver Evan Spencer, and safety Pierre Warren, Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle tweets.
  • Jordan Raanan of the Star-Ledger (on Twitter) wouldn’t be surprised if cornerback Josh Gordy resurfaces with another team this year. The Giants cut the cornerback from IR with an injury settlement on Wednesday.

Chiefs Deal Kelcie McCray To Seahawks, Set Roster

The Chiefs announced 22 roster moves today, and one of them was of particular interest — according to a team release, the club sent safety Kelcie McCray to the Seahawks in a trade for an undisclosed draft pick. Adam Schefter of ESPN.com fills in the details, tweeting that Kansas City gets a fifth-rounder in the deal.

Recent reports had suggested that Seattle was seeking depth at its safety position, with Kam Chancellor still holding out and Earl Thomas returning from a serious injury. In McCray, the Seahawks get a solid backup who primarily served as a special-teamer last season for the Chiefs.

Here are Kansas City’s 21 other moves that get the tea down from a 75-man roster to just 53 players:

Cut:

  • WR Da’Ron Brown
  • DE Mike Catapano
  • S Sanders Commings
  • LB Ja’Gared Davis
  • DT Hebron Fangupo
  • C Garrett Frye
  • DL David Irving
  • LB James-Michael Johnson
  • C Eric Kush
  • WR Donatella Luckett
  • C Daniel Munyer
  • DB Deji Olatoye
  • G Jarrod Pughsley
  • RB Darrin Reaves
  • DB Kevin Short
  • T Derek Sherrod
  • TE Ryan Taylor
  • FB Spencer Ware
  • WR Fred Williams

Placed on injured reserve:

  • TE Richard Gordon

Reserve/suspended:

  • CB Sean Smith

Chiefs Sign 11 Undrafted Free Agents

9:44am: The Chiefs’ official press release on their undrafted free agent signings includes one more name in addition to the 10 listed below. The team also signed former James Madison linebacker Sage Harold.

8:34am: The Chiefs have added 10 undrafted free agents to their roster, according to Josh Alper of Pro Football Talk, who provides the full list of Kansas City’s free agent additions. All 32 teams have now officially announced their UDFA signings for 2015. Here are the Chiefs’ new rookies:

  • De’Vante Bausby, CB, Pittsburg State
  • Kenny Cook, WR, Gardner-Webb
  • Justin Cox, DB, Mississippi State ($10K bonus, per Aaron Wilson)
  • Andrew East, LS, Vanderbilt ($10K bonus, per Wilson)
  • Garrett Frye, C, Georgia Southern
  • Manasseh Garner, RB, Pittsburgh
  • David Irving, DL, Iowa State ($10K bonus, per Wilson)
  • Donatella Luckett, WR, Harding
  • Justin March-Lillard, LB, Akron
  • Charles Sweeton, T, Tennessee-Martin

Extra Points: Ryan, Hundley, Jags

While some may be questioning Rex Ryan‘s job security following the Jets loss to the Bills, the head coach is confident he’ll be sticking around. “One thing I know for a fact, unless it changes drastically, is I will be the head coach here for the next five weeks,” he told reporters after the game (via Fox Sports’ Mike Garafolo on Twitter). However, Ryan did clarify that he hasn’t spoken to owner Woody Johnson (via New York Daily News’ Manish Mehta on Twitter).

Let’s take a look at some assorted notes to wrap up this Monday evening…

Zach Links contributed to this post.