Extra Points: Brady, Cowboys, Oliver
Even after the Patriots‘ 43-17 throttling of the previously undefeated Bengals, stories persist of the ongoing tensions between Tom Brady and the team. Kirk Minihane and Gary Tanguay joined Arbella Early Edition to discuss the chances that the recent rift will lead to a split.
They came to a surprising conclusion, both figuring that there is a more likely than not chance that Brady could finish his career with another franchise. They can see the team considering trading him if the right offer came along.
“If I’m Belichick I say… ‘Tom, thanks for the memories, swell, here’s the watch, goodbye,’” says Minihane. “You’d be insane not to do it. They’re going to at least explore trading Brady in this offseason. I’m convinced of that.”
Here are some other notes from around the NFL:
- The Cowboys are 4-1, and most of the credit has gone to the offensive line, but not forgotten are the team’s two stars, Dez Bryant and DeMarco Murray. Both players will be free agents at season’s end, but the team is not worried about getting extensions signed during the season, writes Jon Machota of DallasNews.com. The team has already targeted both players as pieces moving forward, making their pursuits known.
- Chargers‘ running back Branden Oliver had a breakout game Sunday against the Jets, racking up 182 yards and two touchdowns rushing and receiving. The electric rookie went undrafted, and considered signing with the Colts before joining the Chargers, reports Alex Marvez of Fox Sports 1 (via Twitter).
- Finally, Tyler Dunne of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel spent some time with Packers‘ first-round pick Ha Ha Clinton-Dix. Dunne got to know a lot about the future star safety and his life off-the-field.
NFC Notes: Murray, Harbaugh, House
The NFL’s leading rusher, DeMarco Murray, told Calvin Watkins of ESPNDallas.com today that he’s happy his camp has opened extension talks with the Cowboys, though he acknowledged it’s not something he’s focused on at this point. While Murray’s hot start in the final year of his rookie contract has made him a logical extension candidate, Joel Corry of the National Football Post notes that even in a career year, the running back may not receive a huge offer from the Cowboys. The team also has to address other potential free agents like wideout Dez Bryant, and if Murray’s workload continues at its current pace, the club could have concerns about his future production, particularly given his past durability issues.
As we wait to see if negotiations between Murray and the Cowboys move forward, let’s take a look at a few more notes from around the NFC….
- In the view of ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter, it would be an upset if Jim Harbaugh is still coaching the 49ers in 2015. While Schefter isn’t entirely ruling out the possibility, he says he “wouldn’t count on it right now.”
- Davon House‘s name is a little ways down on the Packers‘ depth chart, but the cornerback could be setting himself up for a nice payday in the offseason based on his performance, writes Pete Dougherty of the Green Bay Pass-Gazette. So far, the team has yet to talk to House’s agent about an extension. “If I continue what I’ve been doing, good things are to come, here or somewhere else,” House said. “Hopefully here.”
- Top draft pick Marcus Smith is itching to get on the field more, but Eagles coach Chip Kelly says he won’t rush things with the young linebacker, as Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer writes. “We don’t look at a guy and say, ‘Hey, he’s this, we have to force him in,’ ” Kelly said. “I think you’d lose the rest of the guys on your team if you say, ‘Why are you playing this guy? Just because we drafted him high.’ He has to prove that he deserves playing time.”
- Wide receiver Nick Williams, who was released from Washington’s practice squad about a month ago, tried out this week for the Falcons, according to Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (via Twitter).
Zach Links contributed to this post.
PUP, IR-DTR Players Soon Eligible To Practice
Week 6 of the NFL season will come to an end after Monday night’s game between the 49ers and Rams, and when teams begin preparing for Week 7, many of those clubs may be welcoming some players back to practice. Six weeks into the NFL season, players who were placed on the physically unable to perform list or the injured reserve list with the designation to return prior to Week 1’s games will be eligible to return to practice.
Of course, just because those players are able to return to the practice field doesn’t necessarily mean they’ll be healthy enough to do so. Players on the PUP list have a five-week window to begin practicing. Once they return to practice, they have three weeks to be added to their respective teams’ active rosters. In other words, a player on the PUP list could theoretically return for his team’s Week 7 game, or could return as late as for his team’s Week 15 contest. If the player doesn’t return to practice or game action in time, he’ll revert to season-ending injured reserve.
Here are the players currently on the physically unable to perform list who can begin practicing as soon as next week:
- 49ers: NaVorro Bowman (LB), Garrett Celek (TE), Kaleb Ramsey (DT)
- Chargers: Jeromey Clary (OL)
- Colts: Stanley Havili (FB)
- Falcons: Drew Davis (WR), Zeke Motta (S)
- Jets: Antwan Barnes (LB)
- Lions: T.J. Jones (WR)
- Panthers: De’Andre Presley (WR)
- Raiders: D.J. Hayden (CB)
- Ravens: Terrence Cody (DT)
- Redskins: Stephen Bowen (DE), Leonard Hankerson (WR)
- Saints: Cheta Ozougwu (OLB)
Players who began the season on the PUP list didn’t participate in any preseason practices, but that’s not the case for players on the injured reserve list with the designation to return. Teams can use this spot on one player per season, placing him on the injured reserve list without necessarily ruling him out for the season. As we explained in an earlier post, players given this designation can begin practicing after six weeks and can return after eight weeks.
That means that players who were placed on IR-DTR prior to Week 1 can begin practicing next week. A player who was placed on IR-DTR after – for instance – Week 2 will have to wait another two weeks to return to practice.
Here’s the list of players currently on IR-DTR who can begin practicing as soon as next week:
- 49ers: Glenn Dorsey (DT)
- Bears: Marquess Wilson (WR)
- Buccaneers: Charles Sims (RB)
- Chiefs: Joe Mays (LB)
- Colts: Xavier Nixon (T)
- Cowboys: Demarcus Lawrence (DE)
- Giants: Geoff Schwartz (G)
- Lions: Kyle Van Noy (LB)
- Packers: J.C. Tretter (C)
North Notes: Peterson, Rice, Lions, Browns
Adrian Peterson‘s trial date was set today for December 1, and could happen even sooner than that if Peterson’s camp can expedite the process. With the case likely to be resolved during the season, it could create a predicament for the Vikings and the NFL, whether or not Peterson is found guilty, writes Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. Since the use of the exempt/commissioner’s permission spot for players facing charges is a new development, there’s no blueprint for how to proceed once the legal proceedings wrap up.
If Peterson is acquitted, will the Vikings reactivate him immediately? If Peterson is found guilty, will he face an immediate suspension from the league, and will the time he missed count toward that ban? It’s new territory for the league, and as Florio points out, it will be interesting to see how cases like Peterson’s and Greg Hardy‘s play out, and when we’ll see those players back on the field.
Here’s more from around the NFL’s two North divisions:
- Having already appealed the indefinite suspension handed down by the NFL, Ray Rice also may pursue a grievance against the Ravens for terminating his contract after the public release of the elevator video, sources tell Florio. As Florio explains, Rice’s camp would make a similar argument to the one being made in the appeal of the suspension, pointing out that the running back had already been punished for the incident, and that the league and team should have already known all the relevant facts.
- While the Lions were the only team reported to have Matt Prater in for a workout, the veteran kicker tells Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press (Twitter link) that “five or six” clubs had some interest after he was released by the Broncos.
- Former Raiders linebacker Kaelin Burnett worked out for the Browns this week, reports Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (via Twitter).
- Wilson also has the details on the free agents who tried out for the Lions and have yet to be reported. We already heard about a few kickers and defensive backs to audition for the club, but Wilson adds the following names to the list of participants (via Twitter): DB Bryan McCann, DT Kheeston Randall, LB Caesar Rayford, CB R.J. Stanford, and CB Trevin Wade.
- In addition to their workouts reported yesterday, the Bengals also took a look at guard Antoine McClain and linebacker Troy Davis, according to Wilson (via Twitter).
- Former Packers safety Jerron McMillian auditioned for another NFC North team this week, visiting the Vikings, tweets Wilson.
Practice Squad Updates: Tuesday
With practices resuming following the weekend’s games, and teams having a better of idea of how serious its players’ injuries are, Tuesdays are often a busy day for practice squad transactions, as clubs replenish their rosters and swap in players at potential positions of need. As such, we expect to update this post plenty of times throughout the day, with the latest news of practice squad signings and cuts from around the NFL. Here’s the latest:
- Defensive tackle Joe Vellano, who was waived by the Patriots on Monday, has agreed to stay with New England on its practice squad, tweets Mike Reiss of ESPNBoston.com. Vellano is the beneficiary of the new practice squad rules that allow a second-year player to be eligible despite playing in 16 games in 2013.
- Defensive back Chandler Fenner and wide receiver Julian Talley, both waived by the Giants yesterday, have been re-signed to the practice squad, tweets Ralph Vacchiano of the New York Daily News.
- The Eagles re-signed linebacker Brandon Hepburn to their practice squad, according to Geoff Mosher of CSNPhilly.com (via Twitter).
- The Packers signed Joe Kruger, the brother of Paul Kruger, to their practice squad, tweets Aaron Wilson of The Baltimore Sun.
- Former Ravens defensive tackle A.J. Pataiali’i has been added to the Browns’ taxi squad, according to Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (via Twitter).
- As noted below, cornerback Mike Harris has signed with the Lions‘ practice squad, replacing fellow defensive back Josh Victorian, tweets Tim Twentyman of DetroitLions.com.
- The Jets have released cornerback LeQuan Lewis from their practice squad, signing another cornerback – Dashaun Phillips – in his place, the team announced today (via Twitter).
Earlier updates:
- One wide receiver has replaced another on the Cowboys‘ practice squad, tweets Charean Williams of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, as Tim Benford has been cut and LaRon Byrd has been signed.
- The Rams are down to nine players on their practice squad, having cut wide receiver Justin Veltung today, according to Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch (via Twitter).
- The Lions have signed defensive back Mike Harris to their taxi squad, a source tells Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (Twitter link). Detroit had a full 10-man unit, so a corresponding cut will be necessary to finalize the move.
- Offensive tackle Ryan Miller has been cut from the Broncos‘ practice squad, reports Mike Klis of the Denver Post (via Twitter).
- The Browns have cut long snapper Charley Hughlett from their practice squad, per agent Brett Tessler (via Twitter). Hughlett was brought in to provide competition for the team’s regular long snapper, Christian Yount, but Cleveland has opted to continue on with Yount.
- The 49ers have swapped one offensive lineman for another on their practice squad, cutting tackle John Fullington in order to bring aboard guard Andrew Tiller, according to the club.
- Guard William Campbell and defensive tackle Jeremy Towns are the newest members of the Bills‘ practice squad, replacing fullback Lonnie Pryor and tight end Jamie Childers, according to Mike Rodak of ESPN.com (via Twitter).
- Three days after cutting him from their active roster, the Jaguars have re-signed tight end Mickey Shuler to their practice squad, the team announced today in a press release. To make room on the squad, wide receiver Kerry Taylor has been cut.
- Last week’s promotion of quarterback Chandler Harnish to the active roster suggested the Vikings were more confident in him than McLeod Bethel-Thompson in an emergency scenario, and the team’s moves today reflected that as well. The Vikes announced in a press release that Bethel-Thompson has been let go from the practice squad, with Harnish, wideout Donte Foster, and defensive back Pierre Warren joining the unit.
- To keep tabs on all 32 practice squad rosters, be sure to check out our complete list.
North Notes: Moore, Rice, Packers
The Steelers signed Moore to a two-year, $3.5MM contract shortly after his release from the Saints but five games into the season the 5-9, 190-pounder has just two catches for 38 yards. He’s not thrilled about that, writes ESPN.com’s Scott Brown. “I came here to play football and not practice football and to get in the game and make plays and show (the coaches) I can make plays,” said Moore, who is admittedly frustrated with the limited snaps he has received. More from the AFC and NFC North..
- Robert Mueller’s investigation of the handling of Ray Rice case is expected to be completed by end of this month, a league source tells Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (on Twitter). Meanwhile, the former Ravens running back is going through the appeals process.
- The Packers hosted a number of players for tryouts today, as Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com tweets. Tight end Jacob Pedersen (Washington), defensive tackle AJ Pataiali’i (Utah State), linebacker Chris Young (Arizona State), running back Dom Williams (Wagner) and wide receivers Jeremy Gallon (Michigan), and Eric Thomas (Troy).
- The two safeties who started for the Packers Week 1 of the 2013 season are out of football. A year later, safety has become an area of strength for Green Bay, writes Tyler Dunne of the Journal Sentinel. In Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, Micah Hyde and even Sean Richardson, the Packers have solid help for veteran Morgan Burnett.
Minor Moves: Monday
We’ll keep track of today’s minor moves here….
- The Packers will welcome back offensive lineman Jordan McCray on their practice squad, according to the FXFL’s Twitter account. Wes Hodkiewicz of the Press Gazette (on Twitter) notes that the Packers had a spot open on the practice squad, so no corresponding move is necessary.
- The Giants have promoted running back Michael Cox from their practice squad to their 53-man roster, tweets Dan Graziano of ESPN.com. The move provides some backfield insurance, with Rashad Jennings expected to be sidelined through the team’s Week 8 bye.
- After seeing another center go down with an injury, the Chargers are set to sign center Trevor Robinson off the Bengals’ practice squad, according to Adam Caplan of ESPN.com (via Twitter). San Diego opened up a roster spot today by placing Doug Legursky on the injured reserve list, as noted below.
- The Rams have waived linebacker Ray Ray Armstrong, who had been a key contributor on the special teams unit, tweets Brian McIntyre.
Earlier updates:
- Wideout Kevin Dorsey has been promoted to the Packers‘ 53-man roster from their practice squad, tweets Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com. Former Utah State defensive back Tay Glover-Wright is taking Dorsey’s spot on the taxi squad, per Tyler Dunne of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (Twitter link).
- The Saints have waived 2014 fourth-round pick Khairi Fortt, a source tells Field Yates of ESPNBoston.com (Twitter link). It’s a somewhat surprising move, since Fortt hasn’t really had an opportunity to play yet, and his release won’t open up a roster spot, since the club had used its injured reserve/designated to return spot on him.
- Safety Jakar Hamilton was activated today by the Cowboys, who waived linebacker Keith Smith to make room on the 53-man roster, writes Todd Archer of ESPNDallas.com. The team previously had a roster exemption for Hamilton, who missed the season’s first four weeks due to a suspension.
- The Dolphins have made a series of moves, signing wide receiver Damian Williams to their 53-man roster and waiving running back Orleans Darkwa to make room (Twitter link). The team also announced that the roster exemption for previously-suspended safety Reshad Jones has been lifted, meaning he’s now officially a part of the 53-man roster (Twitter link).
- Linebacker Marcus Benard has re-signed with the Cardinals, per Rand Getlin of Yahoo! Sports (via Twitter). Benard was initially signed during John Abraham‘s absence from the team, and now takes the place of Matt Shaughnessy, who was placed on injured reserve with the designation to return today.
- In a surprising transaction, the Packers have parted ways with tight end Ryan Taylor, who hasn’t been a huge part of the club’s passing game since being drafted in the seventh round in 2011, but has been with the team since then and contributed on special teams. Weston Hodkiewicz of the Green Bay Press-Gazette has the details on the move, which brings the Packers’ roster count down to 52.
- The Chargers have lost another center, announcing today (via Twitter) that Doug Legursky is heading to injured reserve with a knee injury. Longtime San Diego center Nick Hardwick was previously placed on IR with an injury of his own.
- Cornerback Brandon Browner and wideout Brian Tyms are both being formally activated by the Patriots, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter links). To make room for the duo, whose roster exemptions expire today, the Pats had to cut a pair of players — Shalisa Manza Young of the Boston Globe initially reported that defensive lineman Joe Vellano would be one of the two to go (Twitter link), and the team has since announced that defensive lineman Michael Buchanan is the other. Vellano has been waived, while Buchanan was placed on IR.
- The Eagles have made a change to their practice squad, cutting wide receiver Cobi Hamilton and replacing him with safety Jordan Kovacs, the team announced today (Twitter link).
- The Giants are releasing Trindon Holliday from IR, a source tells Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk (Twitter link). The veteran kick returner was placed on IR in August with a hamstring injury.
Luke Adams contributed to this post.
Minor Moves: Thursday
Here are the latest minor transactions – including practice squad signings and cuts – from around the NFL, with any additional moves added to the top of the list throughout the day:
- The Bears re-signed wide receiver Rashad Ross to their practice squad, according to Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune (on Twitter). To make room, Chicago has released cornerback Jordan Sullen.
- The Vikings have promoted quarterback Chandler Harnish, formerly of the Colts, from the practice squad to their 53-man roster in advance of tonight’s game in Green Bay, the team announced today. Wide receiver Rodney Smith has been cut to clear room for Harnish. The move may not bode well for the odds of Teddy Bridgewater playing against the Packers, though Minnesota has yet to rule him out.
- The Packers are also signing a player to their roster from their practice squad before tonight’s contest, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com, who reports (via Twitter) that defensive lineman Luther Robinson is being elevated. The club had an open roster spot, so no corresponding move will be necessary.
- The NFC North is a busy division today, as the Bears are expected to finalize a move this afternoon as well. Adam Caplan of ESPN.com tweets that the team is set to fill the 10th and final spot on its practice squad by signing guard Conor Boffeli, who was in camp with the Texans in August.
Zach Links contributed to this post.
NFC North Notes: Olsen, Bears, Suh, Lewis
Vikings wide receiver Greg Jennings knows there’s a good chance he’ll get booed when he plays at Lambeau Field tomorrow night, writes Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com. “I can’t concern myself with that,” Jennings said. “I was on that side when Brett [Favre] came back, so I understand the reaction he got. So I don’t expect it to be anything better than that. I mean, it is what it is. I’m the opposition. I’m an opponent. I want to win.” Here’s more from the NFC North..
- Greg Olsen was Jay Cutler‘s favorite target when the two were teamed up on the Bears, but he was ultimately dealt to the Panthers after the 2010 season for a third round pick. Even though that pick wound up being turned into Brandon Marshall via another trade, then GM Jerry Angelo admitted earlier today that trading Olsen was a mistake. “He’s met [expectations],” Angelo said on the “Kap and Haugh Show” Wednesday, as CSNChicago.com’s Tony Adracki writes. “It was a mistake to trade him. I understand he wasn’t the ideal fit in the scheme, but we let our best receiver go. Obviously, it was Cutler’s favorite receiver at the time, and we let him out the door.”
- Lions defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh is refusing to talk about his 2015 plans and teammates say that the speculation hasn’t seeped into the locker room, writes Justin Rogers of MLive.com.
- It’s hard to picture Ray Lewis as anything but a Raven, but he was nearly drafted by the Packers in 1996, writes Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com. Lewis was on the phone with the Green Bay front office at the time the Ravens were selecting, one spot ahead of the Packers. The Packers had scouted Lewis, a University of Miami product, heavily, but Ozzie Newsome swooped in and got him first.
- In a speech at Marquette Law School, Packers president Mark Murphy admitted that the NFL has taken “a real hit in terms of credibility,” writes Bob Wolfley of the Journal Sentinel.
NFC North Notes: Munnerlyn, Finley, Tulloch
Vikings defensive backs Captain Munnerlyn and Robert Blanton were not fined for their hit on Saints quarterback Drew Brees last weekend. The play resulted in a 15-yard penalty and some shoving from both sides.
As ESPN.com’s Ben Goessling writes, Munnerlyn opined that he shouldn’t have been flagged for the play. Brees respectfully disagrees:
“He said that wasn’t a penalty. I said, ‘Of course it was, you suplexed me,'” Brees said. “‘But listen, I like you, I think you’re a good football player. I appreciate the 15 yards, thank you.'”
Let’s check out some more notes from the NFC North…
- Jermichael Finley still wants to play in the NFL, writes ESPN.com’s Rob Demovsky. The veteran hasn’t been cleared by the Packers medical staff and nothing has changed in his status.
- The Packers have plenty of cap space, and Bob McGinn of the Milwaukee-Wisconsin Journal Sentinel writes that the team shouldn’t have any concerns about bringing back their 13 players with expiring contracts.
- You’ve likely seen Lions linebacker Stephen Tulloch tear his ACL while celebrating a sack last week. The 29-year-old doesn’t regret the actions that led to a season-ending injury. “Hell, no,” Tulloch told Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press. “I’d do it again, brother. You do it every time. If it’s going to happen, it’s going to happen. Just a matter of time.”