Michael Smith

NFC West Links: Smith, Rams, Cardinals

We learned yesterday that 49ers linebacker Aldon Smith will be suspended for the first nine games of the 2014 season for violating the league’s policies for substances of abuse and personal conduct.

Today, a statement was released on behalf of the former Pro Bowler (via the NFL Network’s Albert Breer):

“I apologize to my teammates, coaches, the entire 49ers organization and 49ers fans for not being able to contribute on the field for the next several weeks. Over the last year, I have learned a lot and I’m working hard to grow from my experiences. I want to thank my family and friends, my teammates, my union and the 49ers for supporting me during this process. I will be at work daily to participate in all permitted work activities, and to support my teammates, just as they have supported me.”

Let’s check out some more notes from the NFC West…

  • The Rams will “take a look” at free agent quarterback Terrelle Pryor, tweets ESPN’s Nick Wagoner. Pryor was released by the Seahawks earlier today.
  • Rams coach Jeff Fisher indicated that there might not be a spot on the practice squad for recently released rookie Michael Sam“The practice squad is heavily dependent on what you do in other positions…We may have to go heavy in the other positions,” Fisher said (via Wagoner’s Twitter).
  • The Cardinals currently have six wide receivers on their roster, but Darren Urban of AZCardinals.com warns that players like Walt Powell could easily be moved to the practice squad.

Jets Cut Bruce Campbell, Six Others

The Jets have started slimming down their roster, as Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News reports that the team has cut seven players today (via Twitter):

The notable name here is Campbell, who has had a tumultuous career since entering the league in 2010. The former fourth-rounder spent two season with the Raiders before being traded to the Panthers in the Mike Goodson trade. He was waived by the team around this time last year and caught on with the Redskins in March. However, that deal was voided after he failed his physical, and he ultimately signed with the Jets earlier this month.

Also of note is the release of punter Jacob Schum. The release of Schum would lead many to assume that Ryan Quigley has won the punter job. ESPN.com’s Rich Cimini warns that it may be too early to make that assumption, saying the release doesn’t indicate that Quigley “is in the clear just yet” (via Twitter).

Minor Moves: Friday

We’ll keep track of today’s minor moves here..

  • The Seahawks removed Taylor Price from injured reserve with an injury settlement, Wilson tweets. The Seahawks put the wide receiver on the IR earlier this week.
  • The Chiefs cut linebacker Ben Johnson and the Giants waived-injured defensive back Travis Howard, Wilson tweets.
  • The Dolphins announced that they have signed linebacker Ryan Rau, tweets Adam Caplan of ESPN.com. To make room for Rau on the 90-man roster, Miami waived/injured Tariq Edwards, tweets Bryan McIntyre.
  • Former Buccaneers running back Michael Smith is signing with the Jets today, a source tells Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (on Twitter).
  • The Cardinals signed linebacker Derrell Johnson, according to Darren Urban of AZCardinals.com (on Twitter). Johnson, a UDFA out of East Carolina, was cut by the Dolphins just days ago.
  • The Giants signed cornerback Chandler Fenner, according to Paul Schwartz of the New York Post (on Twitter). Fenner was waived by the Seahawks when they signed ex-Giants corner Terrell Thomas.
  • The Cowboys signed defensive end Kenneth Boatright to a two-year contract this afternoon, according to agent Brett Tessler (on Twitter). Boatright was previously a member of the Seahawks.
  • The Falcons signed defensive tackle Theo Agnew, tweets Wilson.
  • After practice today, Texans defensive coordinator Romeo Crenell announced that the team has released Trevardo Williams, according to ESPN.com’s Tania Gangull. Williams, a fourth-round outside linebacker from last season, never saw a regular season snap.
  • The Chargers have signed cornerback Lowell Rose, tweets Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun. The Jets cut Rose late last month when they signed free agent Jason Babin.
  • The Giants signed rookie free agent Adam Gress after placing tackle Troy Kropog on injured reserve, tweets Ralph Vacchiano of the New York Daily News.
  • The Seahawks announced that they have released wide receiver Randall Carroll and signed linebacker Marcus Dowtin, according to Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times (on Twitter). Dowtin saw three games of action with the Giants in 2013 before being released in March.
  • The Cardinals announced that they have signed offensive tackle Max Starks, tweets Adam Schefter of ESPN.com. The 6’8″, 345 lineman spent time with the Rams and Chargers in 2013 after playing for Pittsburgh from 2004-2012. To make room for Starks, the Cardinals cut tackle Cory Brandon and kicker Danny Hrapmann, tweets Josh Weinfuss of ESPN.com. 
  • The Texans signed wide receiver Joe Adams and offensive tackle Brice Schwab, writes John McClain of the Houston Chronicle. Adams, 24, played at Arkansas and was drafted in the fourth round by Carolina in 2012. Schwab, 24, played at Arizona State. He signed with Tampa Bay as an undrafted free agent last year. The Texans waived-injured Bryan Witzmann to make room for Adams, Wilson tweets.

Minor Moves: Saints, Panthers, Bucs, Eagles

We’ll round up today’s minor transactions here, including mid-to-late-round draftees agreeing to contracts, players being claimed off waivers, and the retirement of a former NFLer who most recently played in the Canadian Football League…..

  • The Chiefs announced that they have sixth-round pick Zach Fulton (Twitter link). The offensive lineman out of Tennessee was taken with the No. 193 pick.
  • The 49ers announced that they have signed fifth-round outside linebacker Aaron Lynch and seventh-round defensive lineman Kaleb Ramsey, tweets Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle.
  • The Saints have signed former Notre Dame guard Mike Golic Jr. to a two-year contract, the club announced today in a press release. Golic went undrafted in 2013 and joined the Steelers for the preseason.
  • Drake Nevis, who was cut yesterday by the Jaguars, has been awarded to the Panthers on waivers, says Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (via Twitter). The defensive lineman appeared in games for the Cowboys and Jags last season.

Earlier updates:

  • The Buccaneers have waived running back Michael Smith, according to Wilson (via Twitter).
  • The Eagles have locked up one of their draft picks, signing third-round wideout Josh Huff to a four-year deal, per Zach Berman of the Philadelphia Inquirer (via Twitter).
  • After being cut by the Seahawks yesterday, long snapper Jorgen Hus has been claimed off waivers by the Rams, according to Brian McIntyre (via Twitter).
  • The Dolphins have cut punter Matt Syzmanski, tweets Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun.
  • The only NFL team to lock up any draftees so far, the Bears have agreed to terms with two more players they selected last week, according to the team (Twitter links). Fourth-round running back Ka’Deem Carey and seventh-round tackle Charles Leno Jr. have reached agreements on four-year deals with the club. At Over The Cap, Jason Fitzgerald has estimations on what sort of contracts the duo will be receiving.
  • The Jaguars have claimed linebacker Allen Bradford off waivers from the Giants, a day after he was cut, tweets Michael DiRocco of ESPN.com. Bradford, a former Seahawk like a few other players the Jags have added this offseason, fills the last spot on the team’s 90-man roster.
  • Former Bills first-round pick Aaron Maybin has officially announced his retirement as a football player, according to the CFL’s Toronto Argonauts (Twitter link). After being selected 11th overall out of Penn State, Maybin failed to make a consistent impact at the NFL level, with his best season coming in 2011 as a reserve for the Jets (six sacks).