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Indianapolis Colts News & Rumors

Minor Moves: Friday

May 29th, 2015 at 6:25pm CST by Luke Adams

Here are today’s minor transactions from around the NFL:

  • The Browns have cut long snapper Christian Yount, the team confirmed today in a press release. Yount has acted as Cleveland’s regular long snapper since 2011, and his release leaves the team with just one LS, inexperienced Charley Hughlett, on its roster. Adam Caplan of ESPN.com first reported (via Twitter) that the Browns were expected to part ways with Yount.
  • The Colts have waived linebacker Shawn Loiseau, the team announced today in a press release. Loiseau, who has yet to appear in an NFL regular season game, spent the entire 2014 campaign on the injured reserve list due to a torn ACL.
  • After being waived with an injury designation by the Ravens on Thursday, cornerback Julian Wilson cleared waivers today and was placed on Baltimore’s IR, tweets Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun.
  • Wilson also passes along an update on the Falcons, tweeting that the team waived linebacker Derrick Malone. Malone, who joined the club as an undrafted rookie earlier this month, wasn’t the only Atlanta linebacker to be waived today — the team also cut ties with Prince Shembo.

Minor Moves: Wednesday

May 27th, 2015 at 6:03pm CST by Zachary Links

Today’s minor moves..

  • The Ravens cut Trey DePriest and re-signed linebacker Andrew Bose, Aaron Wilson of The Baltimore Sun writes. Both players were UDFAs from this year’s class. DePriest, who got a $5K signing bonus from Baltimore earlier this month, was a starter at Alabama who registered 87 total tackles and five tackles for loss last season. Bose, meanwhile, tried out at the Ravens’ rookie minicamp and was a roster casualty after the signing of veteran cornerback Kyle Arrington.
  • The Raiders signed linebacker Horace Miller and wide receiver Milton Williams III, according to Wilson (on Twitter). The Panthers waived Miller in April.
  • Browns linebacker Keith Pough reverted to the team’s injured reserve after going unclaimed off waivers, Wilson tweets. Cowboys wide receiver Chris Boyd (link) and Colts defensive back Josh Mitchell (link) also went back to their team’s respective IRs after going unclaimed.
  • The Raiders cut Travell Dixon and Austin Hill, Wilson tweets. Oakland signed Hill after the wide receiver did not pass a physical to sign with Seahawks.

Colts Sign Phillip Dorsett

May 27th, 2015 at 12:55pm CST by Luke Adams

The Colts have signed wide receiver Phillip Dorsett to his rookie contract, the team announced today in a press release. The signing leaves Indianapolis with two draft picks still to sign.

Dorsett, who was selected 29th overall in the first round of the draft a few weeks ago, will get a signing bonus of $4.177MM, per Over The Cap. His four-year rookie contract will be worth approximately $8.135MM in total, and will include a fifth-year option allowing the Colts to keep the wideout under contract through 2019.

While Dorsett will give Andrew Luck another weapon in the passing game, and should immediately take over as the team’s primary return man, the pick was questioned by many observers, and reportedly even some Colts players themselves. The 2014 Colts had a dynamic passing attack, featuring T.Y. Hilton and Donte Moncrief, and while the club moved on from Reggie Wayne and Hakeem Nicks this offseason, Andre Johnson was brought in as a veteran replacement, so wideout wasn’t necessarily a position of need.

With Dorsett under contract, the Colts just need to sign a pair of third-rounders – cornerback D’Joun Smith and defensive end Henry Anderson – to finish locking up their draft class.

Minor Moves: Tuesday

May 26th, 2015 at 4:03pm CST by Luke Adams

Here are Tuesday’s minor transactions from around the NFL, with any additional moves added to the top of the list throughout the evening:

  • The Colts announced a series of roster moves today, adding free agent cornerback Chance Casey and undrafted guard Will Corbin. In a corresponding transaction, the club waived-injured cornerback Joshua Mitchell, who will revert to IR if he clears waivers. Casey saw some regular season action over the last two years with the Raiders, and also spent time with the Niners.
  • Undrafted rookie free agent Zach D’Orazio signed with the Patriots today, a league source tells Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post. The former Akron wideout informed Cleveland broadcaster John Telich (Twitter link) yesterday that he’d be signing with New England.
  • The Browns have waived a pair of players who spent time on the team’s practice squad in 2014, according to a team release. Linebacker Keith Pough and defensive lineman Calvin Barnett were both cut, with Pough receiving an injury designation (hamstring).
  • Defensive lineman Daryl Waud, who signed with Washington last week following a tryout, has been waived with a left squad designation, the club announced today (Twitter link). Waud is expected to join the CFL’s Toronto Argonauts after clearing waivers.

AFC Notes: Brady, Smith, Thomas, Heyward

May 23rd, 2015 at 2:12pm CST by Sam Robinson

Here are some items from around the AFC on Saturday with teams set to begin OTA sessions.

  • The Broncos added two defensive linemen to push Derek Wolfe and Malik Jackson in training camp and to likely spell the incumbents off the bench this season. But that depth could be in jeopardy after word surfaced of an investigation into Antonio Smith‘s alleged child abuse, writes longtime Broncos reporter Mike Klis of 9News. With the NFL showing it does not need the justice system to dole out significant punishment, Klis points out Smith now faces a battle to wear a Broncos uniform. Of the one-year, $2MM contract Smith signed in April, only his $500K signing bonus is guaranteed. Smith, 33, and Vance Walker are the only Broncos with NFL experience as 3-4 defensive ends.
  • Facebook-frequenting Patriots fans have organized a “Free Tom Brady” rally set for Sunday at Gillette Stadium, according to CSNNE.com. The quarterback’s quest to not miss all of September due to his Deflategate-induced suspension endured a blow Friday when Roger Goodell refused to recuse himself from the future hall of famer’s appeal.
  • After right quadricep tears forced season-ending surgeries for Colts guard Donald Thomas the past two years, his status is murky going into a third year of a four-year, $14MM contract. The soon-to-be-30-year-old cog’s inability to resume football activities yet, per Stephen Holder of the Indianapolis Star, do not help his push to regain the starting left guard spot. Missing 30 of a possible 32 games since signing with the Colts in 2013, Thomas re-tore his quad last July and counts $3.75MM against the team’s cap this year. 2014 second-rounder Jack Mewhort manned the position last season.
  • New Steelers defensive coordinator Keith Butler doesn’t figure to tinker too much with a successful blueprint, according to Teresa Varley of Steelers.com. “I don’t think there are going to be too many changes,” Cameron Heyward told Varley. “It’s going to be the same details. We will have a couple of new wrinkles, but we won’t share them now.” 
  • The 2011 first-round defensive end also iterated a desire to play his entire career in Pittsburgh to Varley. A soon-to-be third-year starter, Heyward is set to be a free agent after the season, which will be played under the fifth-year option the team picked up in April. “The Steelers greats don’t go anywhere else. James (Harrison) did for a little bit, but he is already back. That is what I want to be, a Steelers great, and that means being here the rest of my life, football included and after,” Heyward said.

AFC Quotes: Hickey, Chudzinski, Richardson

May 23rd, 2015 at 12:25pm CST by Ben Levine
There were plenty of storylines in the NFL this past week. Quarterback Ryan Tannehill inked an extension with the Dolphins, just another big deal handed out by the franchise. Colts associate head coach Rob Chudzinski started his new job, adapting to the peculiar role. Jets defensive lineman Sheldon Richardson hasn’t shown up to voluntary OTAs, prompting some to question the player’s motives.
We’ve collected some interesting quotes regarding these three stories, which you can find below:
Dolphins general manager Dennis Hickey on the team’s longterm planning for this offseason spending spree (appearing on 104.3 The Ticket, via Adam H. Beasley of the Miami Herald):
“As you put together a strategic plan, even going back to when I first interviewed for the job, you look ahead and you try to be strategic with how you try to allocate your resources. What are next year’s decisions? What are the following year’s decisions? And so we went through that.”
Dennis Hickey on the Ryan Tannehill extension:
“Having stability in the quarterback position. Our philosophy is we want to have sustained success and a quality quarterback and a proven quarterback that you believe in that’s also young and improves every year, and even within the year.
“Compare the first four games [of 2014] to the last 12 games and the growth that we saw in Ryan. Having all the tools and all the things that he brings, he’s definitely someone we believe in and want to commit to.”
Rob Chudzinski on his new role with the franchise (via Steve Andress of Colts.com):
“It’s a little bit different role than I’m used to. I’m usually out front of everything, but again, whatever I can do to help in any way. Support, be a resource for, do work for, whatever it is around the building, I can do. That’s what I want to do to help us win.
“There’s a lot that goes into it, and a lot of different things I do around the building. It’s the type of role that if everybody doesn’t know what you do, then you’re probably doing a good job.”
Sheldon Richardson on his absence from OTAs (via Twitter):
“I have a life outside of football n I chose to enjoy my family a little longer so to u fans that know everything please worry bout yourself.”
“All I’m hearing from ppl is get to OTA’s etc. like I jus wasn’t at practice yesterday putting in wrk tho.”

AFC Mailbags: Dolphins, Ravens, Jags, Colts

May 23rd, 2015 at 10:39am CST by Ben Levine

It’s Saturday, and that means ESPN.com’s NFL writers are opening their mailbags and answering questions from readers. Let’s start off with notes from the AFC…

  • James Walker believes Dolphins coach Joe Philbin‘s job could be in jeopardy if his team doesn’t succeed this season. The team spent money to improve their roster during the offseason, and the writer believes owner Stephen Ross won’t have much patience for another subpar season.
  • The Ravens certainly have the money to add another veteran to their squad, and Jamison Hensley thinks that’s a realistic possibility. The team will likely depend on their young players to compete for jobs, but the team could pursue an established player if any of those young players struggle. The writer points to wideout James Jones, running back Pierre Thomas, tight end Jermaine Gresham, defensive lineman Osi Umenyiora and defensive tackle Kevin Williams as the top available free agents.
  • When asked which undrafted rookies could make the Jaguars 53-man roster, Michael DiRocco focuses on the team’s group of young linebackers (Thurston Armbrister, Matt Robinson and Todd Thomas). The writer cites the lack of depth at that position, nothing that one of the rookies could contribute as a backup linebacker/special teamer.
  • If the Colts decide to keep four running backs, Mike Wells says the final spot will likely be between Vick Ballard and Zurlon Tipton. Frank Gore and Boom Herron have their spots locked down, and Wells believes sixth-round pick Josh Robinson has a good chance of sticking.
  • When it comes to the Colts‘ wideouts, Wells says Griff Whalen is likely the odd man out. The team seemingly has six receivers ahead of Whalen on the depth chart, so Wells believes it’s a “long shot” for the former undrafted free agent to make the roster.

Minor Moves: Thursday

May 21st, 2015 at 8:30pm CST by Zachary Links

Today’s minor moves..

  • The Raiders announced that they have signed fifth-round draft pick Neiron Ball, as the staff at CSNBayArea.com writes. The linebacker was selected 161st overall by the Raiders after starting four seasons at Florida.
  • The Chiefs released Ricky Henry and signed tight end Ryan Taylor, according to the league’s transaction report, Terez A. Paylor of the Kansas City Star tweets. Taylor, 28 in November, appeared in 45 games for the Packers from 2011 through 2013.
  • The Colts announced that they have waived tackle Demarco Cox. Cox, who four years of college basketball at Ole Miss (2010-14) before transferring to Georgia Tech (2014-15) for his final season of eligibility, just signed with the club on Tuesday.
  • The Packers announced that they have signed cornerback Travis Manning. Manning, 24, was a standout at Division II Northwest Missouri State. He previously participated in camps with the Cowboys and Chiefs.
  • The Saints placed wide receiver Andy Tanner on the IR after he cleared waivers today, Evan Woodbery of The Times-Picayune tweets.

Minor Moves: Wednesday

May 20th, 2015 at 11:45pm CST by Luke Adams

Here are Wednesday’s minor moves from around the NFL, with the latest transactions added to the top of the page throughout the day:

  • The Raiders waived safety Terrell Pinson to make room for cornerback Chimdi Chekwa on the team’s 90-man roster, according to Steve Corkran (on Twitter). Pinson, a Louisiana Tech product, was signed as a UDFA earlier this month.
  • The Raiders announced that they have signed fifth-round linebacker Ben Heeney, according to Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post (on Twitter).

Earlier updates:

  • The Browns have signed fourth-round defensive back Ibraheim Campbell to his rookie deal, the club announced today in a press release. No team selected more players than Cleveland in the 2015 draft, and the Browns now have 11 of their 12 picks under contract.
  • The Chargers swapped one signal-caller for another at the back of their roster today, officially signing former Boston College quarterback Chase Rettig and cutting quarterback Cole Stoudt.
  • The Packers have moved one step closer to locking up their draft class by signing third-round receiver Ty Montgomery, per Rob Demovksy of ESPN.com (via Twitter). After locking up Montgomery, the 205th draft pick to reach a deal with his team, Green Bay only has first-rounder Damarious Randall left to sign.
  • Former Chargers defensive tackle Chas Alecxih has signed with the Panthers, the team announced today (via Twitter). To make room for Alecxih, Carolina has parted ways with offensive lineman Edmund Kugbila. Kugbila, who will have to pass through waivers before hitting the open market, was a fourth-round pick back in 2013.
  • After inviting him to their rookie minicamp as a tryout player, the Colts have signed kicker Taylor Pontius to a contract, the team announced today (Twitter link). Pontius almost certainly won’t displace incumbent kicker Adam Vinatieri, but as Mike Wilkering of Pro Football Talk observes, a couple Vinatieri understudies have found starting jobs elsewhere in recent years.

Zach Links contributed to this post.

Minor Moves: Tuesday

May 19th, 2015 at 8:06pm CST by Luke Adams

Here are Tuesday’s minor transactions from around the NFL, with any additional moves added to the top of the list throughout the day:

  • The Colts have waived wide receiver Josh Lenz, who has spent a good chunk of the last two seasons on Indianapolis’ practice squad, the team announced today in a press release. Lenz had signed a reserve/futures contract with the Colts following the club’s elimination from the postseason back in January.
  • The Steelers have claimed former Michigan quarterback Devin Gardner, according to Field Yates of ESPN.com (on Twitter). Gardner was previously attempting to hook on with the Pats as a wide receiver before his release on Monday. To make room, the Steelers waived wide receiver L’Damian Washington, according to Steelers PR man Burt Lauten (on Twitter).
  • The Chargers waived tackle Bryce Quigley, a San Diego State product, to create roster room for Joe Barksdale, Michael Gehlken of U-T San Diego tweets.
  • Another player who signed a reserve/futures deal with his team this past winter, running back Demitrius Bronson has been waived by the Seahawks with an injured designation, writes Curtis Crabtree of Pro Football Talk. Bronson, who was on Seattle’s taxi squad for most of the 2014 campaign, suffered a hamstring injury earlier in the offseason.
  • The Buccaneers have signed UDFA Antoine Everett, according to Scott Smith of Buccaneers.com (on Twitter). To make room for the former McNeese St. guard, tight end Emmanuel Ogbuehi was waived with an injured designation.
  • Wide receiver Malcome Kennedy cleared waivers and was placed on the Saints‘ IR, Evan Woodbery of The Times Picayune tweets.
  • The Chiefs signed running back Keshawn Hill, guard Melvin Meggs, center Dan Munye, and tackle Kelvin Palmer, Terez A. Paylor of the Kansas City Star tweets. To make room, KC cut fullback Manasseh Garner, tight end Earnest Pettway, and tackle Charles Sweeton.
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