Fernando Velasco

Bills Trim Roster To 53

The Bills announced that they’ve moved their roster to 53 players by cutting 21 players. That list of cuts includes notable names like fullback Jerome Felton, linebacker Manny Lawson, versatile cornerback Sterling Moore, and linebacker Randell Johnson."<strong

The Bills will save $2.35MM against the cap by releasing Lawson and $1.55MM by cutting Felton. By freeing up that cash, the Bills will have a little more room to work with as they negotiate a new deal with cornerback Stephon Gilmore.

Felton was signed as a free agent last offseason to a four-year pact worth $9.2MM, with $4MM guaranteed. Considering how the fullback position has been phased out by many NFL teams, that was a steep price to pay for the former Viking. With Minnesota, Felton acted as the lead blocker for Adrian Peterson‘s 2012 MVP campaign, paving the way for Peterson to nearly break the all-time rushing record. Felton himself went to the Pro Bowl that season, and was named second-team All Pro. The team is saving money by dropping the 30-year-old, but his release is also a sign of their confidence in Glenn Gronkowski.

Over the last three seasons, Lawson has appeared in all but one regular season game for the Bills. In 2015, Lawson appeared in every contest and started 14 games, racking up 45 tackles, 1 sack, and 5 pass deflections. Lawson is facing a one-game ban as a result of a domestic violence incident and that was thought to be a big blow in the season opener considering that the team will also be without top rookies Reggie Ragland and Shaq Lawson plus reserve linebacker IK Enemkpali. For one reason or another, the Bills have decided that they are better off without him.

Moore, 26, came over from Tampa Bay during the offseason, and has also spent time with the Patriots, Cowboys, and Raiders. Johnson, meanwhile, has been with Buffalo for the past two seasons, starting one game during that time.

Here is the complete list of cuts:

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

AFC Contract Details: Crick, Kuhn, Velasco

Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle has the details on a few of the latest contracts to be agreed upon or signed from around the NFL. Here are the specifics:

  • Jared Crick, DE (Broncos): Two years, $4MM. $1MM signing bonus. Annual $250K workout bonus (Twitter link).
  • Markus Kuhn, DT (Patriots): One year, $1.2MM. $140K bonus. Bonus of $18,750 for each game Kuhn is active. $300K in playing-time incentives. $428K preseason split (Twitter link).
  • Fernando Velasco, OL (Bills): One year, $965K. $80K signing bonus. $453K preseason split (Twitter link).

Bills Sign Fernando Velasco

After hosting him for a visit today, the Bills have signed free agent offensive lineman Fernando Velasco to a contract, the team announced today in a press release.Fernando Velasco

Velasco, 31, was one of the Titans’ final cuts prior to the 2015 season and he circled back to Carolina in September. While the veteran is usually listed as a center, he has also spent a good deal of time at guard, and the Bills didn’t specify a position in their press release today, so Velasco could move around on the line depending on where he’s needed.

When he was with the Steelers in 2013, Velasco filled in for injured center Maurkice Pouncey and Pro Football Focus ranked him as the team’s fourth-best lineman. In 2015, Velasco appeared in 12 games, though he started just one. For his career, he has totaled 38 regular-season starts.

Terms of the deal aren’t yet known, but a one-year, minimum salary benefit deal with a modest bonus appears likely.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Panthers To Sign Fernando Velasco

9:32am: In a related move, the Panthers replaced offensive lineman Nate Chandler (knee) on IR, as Joe Person of the Charlotte Observer tweets.

8:29am: The Panthers will sign center Fernando Velasco, a source tells Rand Getlin of NFL.com (via Twitter). Velasco recently became a free agent when he was among the Titans’ final cuts before dropping down to a 53-man roster. The veteran will provide depth in Carolina as rookie Daryl Williams is sidelined for 2-to-4 weeks with a sprained knee.

Velasco came to the Panthers as a free agent prior to the 2014 season and while he’s listed as a center, he spent the bulk of 2014 as a guard, playing 407 overall offensive snaps. The 30-year-old wasn’t a core piece of Carolina’s offensive line, but he was a useful part-time player, appearing in multiple games at both right guard and left guard, and not allowing a quarterback sack all year.

In Tennessee, Velasco was expected to challenge for playing time at center, where Brian Schwenke was the favorite to start, but things didn’t work out that way. Velasco, who began his career with the Titans and started all 16 games at center in 2012, boasts 37 starts overall for his career. In 2013 with the Steelers he filled in for injured center Maurkice Pouncey and Pro Football Focus (subscription required) ranked him as the team’s fourth-best lineman.

Titans Cut 10 Players

The Titans announced that they’ve waived 10 players in advance of Tuesday’s roster cutdown deadline:

  • Nate Askew, LB
  • Will Brown, CB
  • Dezmond Johnson, LB
  • Tebucky Jones, WR
  • Deon Long, WR
  • Derrick Lott, DE
  • Justin McCray, G
  • Mike Meyer, K
  • Chaz Sutton, LB
  • Fernando Velasco, C

The 30-year-old Velasco is the most notable name here, as he boasts 37 career starts. He began his career with the Titans, starting all 16 games at center during the 2012 season.

Titans Sign Fernando Velasco

The Titans have added some veteran depth to their offensive line, announcing today (via Twitter) that they’ve signed free agent center Fernando Velasco to a contract. To make room on the roster, the Titans placed cornerback Brandon Harris, who tore his ACL last week, on injured reserve.

While the Titans list Velasco as a center, he spent most of last season at guard for the Panthers, playing 407 overall offensive snaps. The 30-year-old wasn’t a core piece of Carolina’s offensive line, but he was a useful part-time player, appearing in multiple games at both right guard and left guard, and not allowing a quarterback sack all year.

In Tennessee, Velasco may challenge for playing time at center, where Brian Schwenke is the favorite to start. Schenke, a 2013 fourth-round pick, has started 20 games at the position for the Titans over the last two seasons, but has ranked among the bottom 10 players at the position in each of those years, per Pro Football Focus (subscription required). He and backup center Andy Gallik are also both dealing with hamstring injuries, so Velasco may ultimately just provide offseason depth.

Terms of the agreement aren’t yet known, but I’d anticipate a minimum salary pact for Velasco, who won’t be guaranteed a regular season roster spot. As for Harris, he had been playing out the final year of his contract with the Titans, so he appears likely to spend the season on IR, then become a free agent next winter.

Panthers Sign Fernando Velasco

The Panthers have signed veteran offensive lineman Fernando Velasco, according to Bill Voth of the Black and Blue Review. Current Panthers defensive end Charles Johnson welcomed (and ultimately reported the signing of) his former Georgia teammate by posting a picture to Instagram.

Velasco spent 2013 with the Steelers, filling in for injured center Maurkice Pouncey. The 29-year-old was solid with Pittsburgh, as Pro Football Focus (subscription required) ranked him as the team’s fourth-best lineman. The lineman also spent four seasons with the Titans, where he consistently ranked among the team’s best linemen.

While the Panthers lack some depth at left tackle, the team instead added some depth up the middle. Velasco will back up starter Ryan Kalil, and he should also be able to adequately spot both guards positions.