AFC Mailbags: Chiefs, Raiders, Colts, Jags
It’s Saturday, and that means a fresh batch of mailbags from ESPN.com’s NFL writers. Let’s take a look at some of the interesting tidbits from the AFC…
- The Chiefs may have some second thoughts about releasing cornerback Brandon Flowers following his success with the Chargers, writes Adam Teicher.
- The Raiders need to either sign a top free agent wideout next offseason or use one of their top draft picks at the position, opines Bill Williamson.
- If the Colts were going to release LaRon Landry, they would have done so already, writes Mike Wells. The writer notes that cutting ties with the safety would be “admission” that the team made the wrong choice in signing him to a four-year deal.
- Michael DiRocco would be shocked if the Jaguars selected an offensive lineman with their upcoming first-rounder. Instead, the writer says the team should focus on pass-rushers, linebackers and safeties.
- Paul Kuharsky can’t envision the Titans re-signing Jake Locker to be a backup. The writer believes if the team is in fact done with the quarterback, they should completely move on.
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).
Bengals Sign Nico Johnson
The Bengals announced (via Twitter) that they have signed linebacker Nico Johnson off of the Chiefs practice squad. Johnson will join the Bengals’ 53-man roster, filling the final vacancy.
Johnson, a 2013 fourth-round pick out of Alabama, didn’t make the Chiefs’ final cut down to 53 in late August. He hooked on with KC’s practice squad soon after but as he told Terez A. Paylor of The Kansas City Star, he was surprised that he didn’t land on someone else’s active roster.
“I hate it happened, me being cut,” Johnson said. “But everything happens for a reason. I’ve had to take my game to another level on the practice squad, and coach says I’m getting better every day, so that’s all I can do, just get better at my craft and work on technique and those things.”
Johnson attributed part of his improvement this season to a weight cut which saw him trim down to around 245 pounds. In his four years at Alabama, Johnson totaled 163 tackles with 16.5 tackles for a loss.
La Canfora’s Latest: Newton, Houston, Hoyer
Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports has a number of interesting notes this morning, including several pieces on possible contract extensions for big name stars. Let’s jump right in:
- Although the Panthers have not talked with quarterback Cam Newton about a possible extension since this summer, and no such talks are imminent, La Canfora writes that Newton is not interested in a “pay as you go” contract like those signed by Colin Kaepernick and Andy Dalton. Joel Corry tweets that Newton’s agent, Bus Cook, will certainly not accept that type of deal for Newton given that he was able to procure $38MM in (virtually) guaranteed money for Jay Cutler.
- La Canfora writes that the Chiefs would like to extend outside linebacker Justin Houston during the season, but unnamed sources indicate that is unlikely. After locking up quarterback Alex Smith long term, Kansas City wants to revisit negotiations with Houston, which went nowhere in the preseason. However, the two sides do not currently appear likely to bridge that preseason gap, and Houston could be slapped with the franchise tag next year, which would be worth about $13MM. Even with Kansas City’s ample cap room, Joel Corry tweets that the mega-deals signed by J.J. Watt and Robert Quinn did not make it any easier for the Chiefs to extend Houston.
- La Canfora writes that the Browns have not yet begun contract talks with Brian Hoyer, but after his performance against the Titans last week, the time for locking him up at a reasonable rate may be running out. Joel Corry adds (via Twitter) that Cleveland may even consider an $18MM franchise tag for Hoyer for 2015, since the club has plenty of cap room to work with.
- Although new Bills owner Terry Pegula is not planning any immediate changes to his front office, La Canfora writes that Pegula ultimately wants to “bring in an experienced football man” to oversee the team’s transition. Ernie Accorsi, Mike Holmgren, and Ron Wolf have all been named as possibilities. Pegula would also like to see an organizational restructure to separate the football side and business side of the club.
- Many NFL owners, despite lauding commissioner Roger Goodell for his overall efforts, would like for him to allow others to handle disciplinary matters.
- La Canfora has the the value of 2015 franchise tags for each position.
AFC Mailbags: Titans, Chiefs, Raiders
We took a look at ESPN’s NFC mailbags earlier today. Let’s now check out notes from ESPN’s AFC mailbags…
- Even though Titans coach Ken Whisenhunt previously said that he’d make roster changes if play doesn’t improve, Paul Kuharsky doesn’t think that’s realistic. As the writer points out, roster building takes place in the spring, not in October.
- Adam Reicher writes that it may take some time, but the Chiefs will eventually look to extend linebacker Justin Houston. If that doesn’t happen, Reicher suggests that the team could franchise the 25-year-old.
- If the Raiders can’t get Jon Gruden or Jim Harbaugh as their next head coach, Texas A&M skipper Ken Sumlin could be a candidate, writes Bill Williamson.
- Michael DiRocco can’t see linebacker Dekoda Watson returning to the Jaguars after the season unless his play improves. The writer adds that Watson wasn’t signed to be a building block, and that will make it easier to cut the player.
- Jamison Hensley observes that the Ravens have historically kept the players they’ve wanted to keep. As a result, he believes that Torrey Smith will ultimately sign an extension with the team.
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)
Practice Squad Updates: Thursday
As this weekend’s slate of games nears, teams around the NFL continue to add and subtract players from their respective practice squads. Here are Thursday’s practice squad transactions:
- Using one of the openings on their practice squad, the Cowboys have signed wide receiver Kerry Taylor, who was just waived by the Jaguars this week, tweets Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun. Taylor himself tweeted earlier today that he was joining the Cowboys. Meanwhile, Wilson adds (via Twitter) that Dallas has reached an injury settlement with wideout LaRon Byrd, who had also been on the team’s practice squad.
Earlier updates:
- After waiving him from their active roster, the Redskins have brought safety Akeem Davis back into the fold on their practice squad, according to the team (via Twitter). Washington now has a full 10-man taxi squad.
- The Falcons have filled the final opening on their practice squad by signing wide receiver Ryan Spadola, the team announced today in a press release.
- According to Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (via Twitter), the Chiefs have signed former Ravens cornerback Deji Olatoye to their practice squad. Kansas City already had a full 10-man unit, so we’ll have to wait for the corresponding cut before the addition of Olatoye becomes official.
- We heard yesterday that tight end Phillip Supernaw had rejoined the Ravens‘ practice squad, and now the team has announced the corresponding move, confirming that cornerback Lou Young has been cut (Twitter link).
AFC Notes: Irsay, Titans, Chiefs, Wright
The Broncos and Patriots were widely regarded before the season as the frontrunners to come out of the AFC this season, and while both teams are off to decent starts, it’s the 4-1 Chargers that currently sit atop the conference. Not only has Philip Rivers led San Diego to a league-best record, but the team’s +70 point differential is the NFL’s best by a wide margin — the Broncos and Pats have a combined +45 margin between them.
As we look forward to see if the Chargers can continue their winning ways against the 0-4 Raiders this weekend, let’s round up a few notes from around the AFC….
- Colts owner Jim Irsay will be back working – and presumably tweeting – later this week, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com, who reports (via Twitter) that Irsay’s six-game suspension ends tomorrow, following the team’s appearance on Thursday Night Football.
- The Titans took a look at a handful of tight ends this week, working out Richard Gordon, Matthew Mulligan, Steve Maneri, and Jeron Mastrud, according to Adam Caplan of ESPN.com (via Twitter). Caplan adds that the club also auditioned quarterback Ricky Stanzi.
- The Chiefs had several players in for workouts this week, according to Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (via Twitter), who lists the following free agents as having tried out for Kansas City: Tight ends Brandon Barden and Michael Flacco, linebackers Brandon Copeland and Carlos Fields, wideout Jamar Howard, and long snappers Jorgen Hus and Tyler Ott.
- Tight end Tim Wright, who was acquired by the Patriots via trade prior to the regular season, is starting to get comfortable within New England’s offensive system, as Howard Ulman of The Associated Press writes.
AFC Mailbags: Dolphins, Ravens, Raiders, Chiefs
We took a look at ESPN’s NFC mailbags earlier today. Let’s take a look at notes from the AFC…
- LaMichael James‘ best chances of making the Dolphins 53-man roster is via a role on special teams, according to James Walker.
- The “slower-than-antcipated” development of Ravens linebacker Arthur Brown has resulted in him being labeled a disappointment, writes Jamison Hensley. However, the writer says that it’s too early to give up on the former second-rounder.
- Bill Williamson can envision the Raiders giving Charles Woodson one more season if the cornerback wants to continue playing.
- Adam Teicher says there’s a possibility the Chiefs could cut Dwayne Bowe after the season, but it’s far from a guarantee.
- The Chiefs should be in no rush to extend linebacker Justin Houston, writes Teicher. The team has until March to reach an agreement, and Teicher notes that the Chiefs have leverage with their franchise tag.
Extra Points: HGH, Cowboys, Panthers, Bortles
The NFL will begin testing for HGH on Monday, reports Albert Breer of NFL.com (via Twitter). Each week, five players from eight teams will be tested, adds Breer (Twitter link). The league and the union announced a new drug policy on September 17, which included revamped structures for drug violations and other discinplary actions. In exchange for reduced drug penalties, the NFLPA agreed for HGH testing to be implemented. More from around the league:
- The Cowboys are 3-1 behind an impressive offense through the first month of the NFL season, and a big part of their success is the dynamic duo of Dez Bryant and DeMarco Murray. Both players are in line for big time extensions, and Brandon George of DallasNews.com believes that the team will be able to keep both on the roster going forward. He notes that giving both big extensions would tie up a lot of cap space but is doable, and also writes that the team could elect to place the franchise tag on one of the player.
- The Panthers have become so thin at defensive end they’re getting outside linebacker Jason Williams and several defensive tackles ready to line up there in case of emergency Sunday against Chicago, writes Joseph Person of the Charlotte Observer. Person’s report doesn’t mention Carolina looking at out-of-house DE options, but one has to think that will be a consideration if their woes at the position continue. Greg Hardy is on the commissioner’s exempt list, Frank Alexander is suspended for a violation of the substance abuse policy, and Charles Johnson missed a second consecutive practice with a hip flexor injury. That leaves Carolina with only rookie Kony Ealy and a pair of undrafted free agents – Wes Horton and Mario Addison – at defensive end.
- Blake Bortles made his starting debut for the Jaguars last week, and at least one talent evaluator was pleased with that he saw from the rookie. “He’s a better athlete than you think,” an AFC scout told Tom Pelissero of USA Today. “He can make plays off schedule. He doesn’t have a huge arm, but he’s got a good arm, and he’s a tough guy…I think they’ve got a guy that they can settle the position for a while.”
- In a lengthy chat for the Kansas City Star, Terez A. Paylor offers several thoughts on the Chiefs, including his belief that Justin Houston will sign a contract extension at some point, as well as observing that Matt Prater could be an option in K.C. if Cairo Santos struggles.
Rob DiRe and Luke Adams contributed to this post.