NFL Notes: Los Angeles, Goodell, Rice
There are a number of notes pertaining to the league as a whole this afternoon. Let’s have a look:
- Adding to the increasing buzz surrounding the potential return of the NFL to Los Angeles, Albert Breer of the NFL Network writes that owners at the annual Fall meetings last week were presented with six potential sites for a stadium in LA. Per Breer, those sites are: “the AEG site in downtown Los Angeles, the Dodger Stadium site, a site at Hollywood Park with multiple parcels, a site that the NFL has been looking at for years in nearby Carson, a second Carson site on land that is currently home to a golf course and Ed Roski’s site in Industry.”
- Breer adds (via Twitter) that it is unlikely that the Raiders would be the first team on the list of clubs that could end up making the move to LA. He writes that many of the scenarios regarding a possible relocation involve the Raiders but also include the Rams and Chargers.
- Citing ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk writes that the NFL wants to shield commissioner Roger Goodell from testifying at the Ray Rice appeal hearing. Judge Barbara S. Jones, who will hear and decide Rice’s appeal, could compel Goodell to testify, but that is the last thing the NFL wants.
- Bleacher Report’s Jason Cole tweets that Jermichael Finley‘s disability insurance case has been an “eye-opener” for other players, as it is much more difficult to collect on such a policy than one would think.
- Mike Garafalo of FOX Sports writes that one of the issues discussed at last week’s Fall meetings was the possibility of a team being stripped of draft picks for player conduct policy violations.
- Robert Salonga and Mark Emmons of the San Jose Mercury News discuss how the circumstances surrounding 49ers‘ defensive lineman Ray McDonald demonstrate the conflicts of interest created when NFL teams hire sworn police officers as security.
- CBS Sports’ Jason La Canfora reported earlier today that many NFL owners want someone other than Roger Goodell to handle disciplinary matters, and ESPN’s Chris Mortensen expounds on the issue. As Mortensen writes, one proposed modification would make it so that “the commissioner would not decide on the initial player punishment but rather yield to a neutral arbitration panel chosen by the union and league.” However, “Goodell would be the appellate officer or appoint a designated hearing officer if a player appeals his disciplinary action administered by the panel.” Nonetheless, union sources are skeptical of that proposal and indicate that any modification to the personal conduct policy would require collective bargaining.
NFC West Notes: Davis, Kaepernick, Seahawks
Jim Harbaugh knew little about Rams quarterback Austin Davis before this week, but he regrets not getting a better look at the Southern Mississippi product during the draft process in 2012, writes Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com. “I wish I would’ve been more aware of him,” Harbaugh said of Davis, who went undrafted. “He looks like a real nice prospect.” Since taking over for the injured Shaun Hill in Week 1, Davis has thrown for more than 1,100 yards and six touchdowns while completing 67.8% of his passes. Davis and his 1-3 Rams take on Harbaugh’s 3-2 49ers on Sunday.
- A Colin Kaepernick-releated hearing will take place Tuesday morning, but there’s a dispute as to what issue the meeting will address. While a league source tells Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk the hearing will focus on Kaepernick’s alleged use of offensive language towards Bears defensive lineman Lamarr Houston, Cam Inman of the San Jose Mercury News says (via Twitter) the hearing is about Kaepernick’s wearing of Beats headphones, which are banned by the league.
- The Seahawks waived defensive lineman Greg Scruggs earlier today, but Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times thinks there’s a good chance the 24-year-old will be added to the Hawks’ practice squad if no other team claims him.
- The new field at the 49ers’ Levi Stadium drew some criticism earlier this year, but it looks like all the kinks have been worked out, writes Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee.
- After playing 109 snaps through the Rams’ first four games, rookie defensive tackle Aaron Donald is ready to handle a larger role, according to Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com.
L.A. Notes: Chargers, Sites, Stadium
The rumors of Los Angeles getting a football team have escalated over the past few days, with the Rams, Raiders, and Chargers all closely connected with a relocation to the city. The Los Angeles mayor said himself he expects a team soon. However, the Chargers might not let the Rams and Raiders move there so easy, writes Daniel Kaplan of the Sports Business Daily.
The team is arguing that even though they are located in San Diego, they collect significant business from the Los Angeles market. In that case, the Chargers would argue that the entrance of another team into that market would negatively effect business for the team.
“Over the last 20 years, there hasn’t been a team in the L.A. market. We have reached out into that market and 25 to 30 percent of our business comes from the L.A. [and] Orange County areas,” said Chargers’ owner Dean Spanos. “Putting a team in there right now, or two teams, would have a huge impact on our business going forward. So we are trying to protect our business in San Diego. … It would really be harmful to us.”
Here are some other notes about the potential of a Los Angeles franchise:
- By speaking out against the availability of the Los Angeles market, the Chargers could hope to accomplish more than just an understanding of ownership in that market, writes Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. The team could be trying to scare of the Rams and Raiders, or negotiating for a larger piece of the relocation fee. They could also be anticipating a move to Los Angeles along with one of the two former L.A. teams, and could be posturing to pay a smaller relocation fee than the other team.
- There are a number or different sites that a potential Los Angeles football team could build their stadium, reports Albert Breer of NFL.com. There are six possible locations, including an AEG site in downtown Los Angeles, a Dodger Stadium site, a site at Hollywood Park with land purchased by Rams’ owner Stan Kroenke, two different sites in Carson, and Ed Roski’s site in Industry (east of the city).
- Breer also notes that the Jaguars are another option for the move, but would have a much harder time leaving their stadium. They also would have to pay a much higher relocation fee. Breer notes that their chances are significantly below that of the other three teams.
- While many would be excited about the prospect of a Los Angeles franchise, Kerry Cavanaugh of the Los Angeles Times is not optimistic. He writes that the city has had a team dangled in front of it before, and that the believed need for a team is overstated.
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)
NFC Notes: Peterson, Osgood, Fairley, Rams
A day after Adrian Peterson‘s trial date for his child abuse charges was set for December 1, the Vikings running back is potentially facing another arrest today, according to Isiah Carey of FOX 26 Houston. Carey reports that Montgomery County prosecutors filed paperwork to have Peterson rearrested after he admitted to smoking “a little weed,” in violation of his bond conditions. There won’t be any action immediately since the judge presiding over Peterson’s case is facing a recusal hearing, which is scheduled to take place tomorrow, but the Montgomery County DA has asked the judge to set aside Peterson’s $15K bond.
Here’s more from around the NFC:
- Kassim Osgood was cut this week by the 49ers just days after head coach Jim Harbaugh called him the team’s best special teams player, and Harbaugh said today that he hopes to get Osgood back on the 53-man roster “imminently,” according to Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle (Twitter link).
- The Lions say they declined Nick Fairley‘s fifth-year option for 2015 to motivate him to have a big contract year, and so far that approach seems to be working, writes Michael Rothstein of ESPN.com. Of course, it’s fair to wonder if Fairley would have been more productive and more consistent anyway, and question whether the Lions should have given up the flexibility to bring him back in 2015 at an affordable one-year price.
- As he nears free agency, Falcons running back Antone Smith is increasing his value every time he touches the ball, says ESPN.com’s Vaughn McClure.
- Passing along news that Rams owner Stan Kroenke figures to be granted an extra year to transfer ownership of the NHL’s Colorado Avalanche and NBA’s Denver Nuggets, Nicki Jhabvala of the Denver Post suggests there’s speculation that Kroenke will push for a permanent exemption from the NFL’s cross-ownership rule if he tries to move the Rams to Los Angeles. Currently, league rules prohibit ownership of teams in other sports that are in different markets than the owner’s NFL franchise.
Practice Squad Updates: Wednesday
We’ll keep tabs on today’s practice squad signings and cuts right here, with the latest moves added to the top of the page throughout the day:
- After the Seahawks plucked offensive lineman Patrick Lewis from their taxi squad, the Browns replaced him with fellow tackle Braxston Cave, tweets Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon-Journal.
- The Bears re-signed defensive end David Bass to their practice squad, according to Adam Jahns of the Chicago Sun-Times (via Twitter). Bass was dropped yesterday to make room for cornerback Al Louis-Jean‘s promotion.
- A day after cutting tight end Phillip Supernaw to claim Ryan Taylor off waivers, the Ravens have re-signed Supernaw to their practice squad, a source tells Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (Twitter link). Baltimore will have to cut a player from its squad in order to make the move official.
- Linebacker Marshall McFadden has taken the 10th and final spot on the Rams‘ practice squad, per Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch (via Twitter).
Earlier updates:
- The Chargers have signed former Lions cornerback Aaron Hester to their practice squad, tweets Michael Gehlken of the San Diego Union-Tribune. Safety Adrian Phillips has also joined the unit, replacing injured running back D.J. Adams, says Eric D. Williams of ESPN.com (via Twitter).
- In addition to confirming the signing of defensive lineman Joe Vellano to their practice squad, which was reported yesterday, the Patriots have also announced the addition of offensive lineman Chris Martin and the release of fellow offensive lineman Caylin Hauptmann.
- While the Broncos expect to be fine on Sunday with the running backs on their current 53-man roster, the team has added Jeremy Stewart to its practice squad “just in case,” tweets Jeff Legwold of ESPN.com.
- The Buccaneers have replaced tight end Taylor Sloat on their practice squad with wideout Eric Page, according to Scott Smith of Buccaneers.com (via Twitter).
- Using the 10th and final opening on their taxi squad, the Bengals have added interior offensive lineman Jeff Baca, head coach Marvin Lewis told reporters today (Twitter link via Geoff Hobson of Bengals.com).
- The Redskins signed linebacker Steve Beauharnais to their practice squad today, according to the club (via Twitter). That leaves one spot still open on the unit.
- Tight end Jacob Maxwell has been let go from the Dolphins‘ practice squad, according to Chris Perkins of the South Florida Sun Sentinel, who tweets that running back Orleans Darkwa will fill the newly-opened spot.
- The Lions have swapped out one defensive lineman for another, with Derrick Hopkins replacing Xavier Proctor, who has been placed on the practice squad IR (Twitter link via Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press).
Zach Links contributed to this post.
Rams To Sign Will Herring
Linebacker Will Herring took to Twitter to announce that he’s joining the Rams. “Thankful to be joining the Rams Nation!! Time to work!,” tweeted the veteran.
It’s unclear if the deal is signed or simply agreed to. Herring thought he had a deal ironed out with the Cowboys back in March, only to see Dallas pull the plug before pen was put to paper. Herring also announced that deal via Twitter when he wrote: “Blessed to be playing in the Big D this year and to be a part of Cowboys organization!”
Herring, a seven-year NFL veteran, has played primarily in a reserve role as a linebacker for the Seahawks and Saints since being drafted in the fifth round in 2007. However, he has blossomed into a strong special teamer, serving as the captain of the unit for the Saints in 2013 and recording 13 special teams tackles.
We haven’t heard much from the 31-year-old since his September audition for the Titans, but it looks like he has finally found a home.
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.
Raiders Claim Ray-Ray Armstrong
The Raiders announced that they have claimed linebacker Ray Ray Armstrong off waivers from the Rams. To make room on the roster, the Raiders have placed fellow linebacker Kaluka Maiava on the reserve/injured list. The moves were first reported by Field Yates of ESPN.com (Twitter link) and Rand Getlin of Yahoo Sports (Twitter link), respectively.
Armstrong, a University of Miami product, was originally signed by the Rams as an UDFA in May of last year. The 25-year-old made the team out of training camp and appeared in 16 games as a rookie, playing primarily on special teams. He led the team with 12 special teams stops in 2013 and this season he saw action in four games before being waived.
Maiava, 27, has been hampered by a hamstring injury this season but has appeared in all four of the Raiders’ games with two starts to his credit. Over six seasons with the Browns and Raiders, Maiava has amassed 147 tackles and 4.5 sacks.
NFC West Notes: Cardinals, Harbaugh, Rams
Here’s the latest from the NFC West as the Seahawks get set to take on Washington..
- Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians says that if a quarterback is added, he wants someone familiar with his offense and protection schemes, writes Kent Somers of The Arizona Republic (via Twitter). We learned earlier today that Arizona is holding off on possibly going out-of-house for a quarterback since Drew Stanton and Carson Palmer could technically be cleared for this week.
- 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh says that he had a “good talk” with CEO Jed York this morning about the public speculation on his job security, writes Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com. Meanwhile, Harbaugh asked the media not to ask his players about him or how well he is supported, saying that it’s not the responsibility of his players to go to bat for him.
- Rams head coach Jeff Fisher said the team will work out several linebackers on Tuesday, tweets Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Fisher also noted that practice squad LB Denicos Allen is under consideration for promotion.