NFC Notes: Giants, Peppers, Munnerlyn
Some assorted notes from around the NFC…
- Paul Schwartz of the New York Post estimates that the Giants will have around $48MM in cap room this offseason. The team can clear up additional room by parting ways with several players, including Will Beatty, Jon Beason and Geoff Schwartz. Still, former sports agent Joel Corry told Schwartz that it will be tough for the organization to completely revamp their roster in a single offseason. “It’s hard to remake a team that way,’’ Corry said. “Usually it doesn’t work out for you. You’re better off building through the draft if you can, but the Giants have so many deficiencies they’re gonna have to dip their toe into free agency, I would think.’’
- Meanwhile, Schwartz reiterates that the Giants aren’t expect to part ways with general manager Jerry Reese.
- At 36-year-old, Packers linebacker Julius Peppers still feels great, and the veteran told ESPN.com’s Rob Demovsky that he plans on playing next season. “I feel great now,” Peppers said Thursday. “If I was making the decision today, yeah, of course I can play another year. But we’ll see. We’ll see when the time comes.”
- Vikings cornerback Captain Munnerlyn isn’t a big fan of cold weather, and he admitted that he didn’t know his team would be moving to the open TCF Bank Stadium for 2014 and 2015. “I didn’t know that we were playing outside until after I signed,” he told Chris Tomasson of TwinCities.com. “Seriously, I didn’t know. … It was known then, but I didn’t know. I hate cold weather.”
NFC North Notes: Greenway, Johnson, Jeffery
Luke Adams took a look at some top stories from around the NFC North earlier today, but a few more notes come across the wire worth sharing.
- Before the season, Vikings linebacker Chad Greenway wasn’t sure whether or not 2015 would be his last season. Now he is sure of his decision, but he hasn’t told any teammates or reporters, according to Chris Tomasson of the Pioneer Press. “I’ve told a bunch of people but not (a reporter) or anybody else that’s in this locker room,” said the 10-year veteran. “I’ve decided, but you guys (the media) don’t know yet.”
- Tomasson also looked at the future of Charles Johnson in Minnesota. Johnson was a key receiver down the stretch last season, but has lost his starting spot to rookie Stefon Diggs and has only nine catches this season. Next year will be the last year of his rookie contract, and with a decreased workload he might find a better situation elsewhere if the Vikings release him this offseason.
- Bears receiver Alshon Jeffery will miss his sixth game of the season this week against the Buccaneers, according to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. He has only 54 catches for 807 yards this season, after going over 85 and 1,000 each of the past two seasons. He will be heading into free agency this offseason, seeking to be paid like a top-NFL wideout. However, a big money contract or even the franchise tag would be a lot to pay for a receiver who has struggled with injury and consistency.
NFC North Notes: Newman, Austin, Bears
With Charles Woodson set to retire, Vikings defensive back Terence Newman would be the NFL’s oldest defensive player if he decides to keep playing in 2016. However, Newman isn’t ready to say for sure whether he’ll continue his career next year, as Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press writes.
“We’ll talk about that once the season is over,” Newman said. “It’s kind of premature to talk about retirement right now. … I don’t really think anybody cares about being the youngest in the league or the oldest.”
While Newman doesn’t want to discuss his future yet, he agreed with the notion that he doesn’t look like a player ready to retire. The 37-year-old, who contemplated retiring a year ago, has played well in his first season with the Vikings, grabbing three interceptions and moving over from cornerback to safety to help out when needed.
Let’s round up a few more items from around the NFC North….
- Having slipped from third in DVOA to 17th, the Lions‘ defense certainly hasn’t been as effective as it was a year ago. Nonetheless, defensive coordinator Teryl Austin is still viewed as a strong potential head coaching candidate, at Fritz Pollard Alliance chairman John Wooten tells Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press.
- The Bears won’t be caught off guard if offensive coordinator Adam Gase leaves Chicago for a head coaching opportunity this offseason, according to quarterback Jay Cutler (link via Rich Campbell of the Chicago Tribune). “We have backup plans in place,” Cutler said. “If [Gase] does get that opportunity, I’m going to be ecstatic for him. I think it’s well-deserved. I think he’s ready for the opportunity. Whatever happens either way I think we’re going to be good and he’ll be good too.”
- Before signing long snapper Rick Lovato to replace injured starter Brett Goode, the Packers also worked out free agent LS Andrew East, tweets Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle.
Workout Notes: Bills, Boykin, Little
Here are Wednesday’s workouts from around the NFL. All links go to the Twitter feed of The Houston Chronicle’s Aaron Wilson, unless noted otherwise:
- The Bills worked out wide receivers Jarrett Boykin and Greg Little (link).
- The Jets worked out tackle Cameron Bradfield, tackle Jesse Davis, tackle Sean Donnelly, guard Matthew Masifilo, defensive tackle Ellis McCarthy, and guard Craig Watts, Wilson tweets.
- The Falcons worked out linebacker Cameron Gordon, defensive back Chris Greenwood, guard Michael Huey, and defensive back Brandon McGee (link).
- The Eagles worked out defensive lineman Freddie Bishop, wide receiver Issac Blakeney, wide receiver Jeff Fuller, linebacker Cameron Gordon, offensive lineman Colin Kelly, wide receiver Eric Rogers, and defensive back Jordan Sullen (link).
- The Titans worked out defensive tackle Davon Walls (link).
- The Falcons tried out linebacker Mike Mohamed, linebacker James-Michael Johnson, and guard Shelley Smith (link).
- The Vikings worked out wide receivers Terrell Sinkfield and Eric Rogers (link).
- The Broncos tried out cornerback Chimdi Chekwa, linebacker Thomas Keiser, and linebacker Jonathan Massaquoi, Wilson tweets.
- The Browns worked out guard Jared Smith (link).
- The Browns worked out kickers Carey Spear and Zach Hocker (link).
- The Bears worked out punter Brock Miller (link).
- The Cardinals worked out defensive backs Dexter McCoil and Joel Wilkinson (link).
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 12/22/15
Here are Tuesday’s practice squad signings and cuts from around the NFL, with new moves added to the list throughout the day:
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed: OL Collin Rahrig (press release via team)
Buffalo Bills
- Signed: QB Zac Dysert (Twitter link via Jon Scott of TWC News), TE Jacob Maxwell (Twitter link via Mike Rodak of ESPN.com)
Chicago Bears
- Signed: CB De’Vante Bausby, DL Davon Coleman (Twitter link via team)
- Cut: DL Toby Johnson
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed: LB Edwin Jackson, WR Joshua Stangby, DT Joe Vellano (press release via team)
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Signed: S Earl Wolff (Twitter link via Tad Dickman)
- Cut: CB Rashaad Reynolds
Minnesota Vikings
- Signed: LB Alex Singleton (Twitter link via Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press)
New York Jets
- Signed: WR Joe Anderson (Twitter link via Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle)
San Diego Chargers
- Signed: P Kasey Redfern (press release via team)
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: WR Deshon Foxx, WR Antwan Goodley (Twitter link via Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times)
- Cut: DT Justin Hamilton
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Signed: WR Andre Davis, LB Darius Eubanks (press release via team)
Tennessee Titans
- Signed: WR Gavin Lutman, QB Bryn Renner (Twitter link via Jim Wyatt of TitansOnline.com)
- Cut: QB Mike Kafka, WR Rico Richardson
Minor NFL Transactions: 12/19/15
Here are Saturday’s minor transactions from around the NFL, which we’ll continue to update throughout the day…
- Brad Sorensen‘s eventful week continues, with the Chargers again calling up the quarterback from their practice squad to the active roster, Michael Gehlken of the San Diego Union-Tribune reports (on Twitter). The Bolts cut guard Craig Watts to make room. The Chargers signed Sorensen from their practice squad last Saturday as a result of Philip Rivers‘ illness, waived him Monday, re-signed him Wednesday, cut him Thursday, before re-signing the 27-year-old to the taxi squad Friday. Sounds like a lot of paperwork.
- The Patriots are adding running back Joey Iosefa to their active roster from their practice squad, Doug Kyed of NESN.com reports. A seventh-round pick of the Buccaneers’ this year, Iosefa didn’t make the team in training camp and has resided on the Patriots’ practice squad since Oct. 21. Kyed notes Iosefa, listed at 6-foot and 245 pounds, has shed weight since joining the Pats’ practice squad and could be used as a fullback or running back behind James White and Brandon Bolden. The Pats waived/injured linebacker Eric Martin in a corresponding move. Martin suffered a concussion this week.
- The Vikings have put former third-round pick Scott Crichton on the season-ending injured reserve, tweets Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press. The 24-year-old defensive lineman has only compiled 10 total tackles in 21 career games. To take his spot on the roster, the team has promoted defensive end Zach Moore from the practice squad.
NFC Notes: Gabbert, Levy, Rams, Vikings
A first-round bust label notwithstanding, Blaine Gabbert will likely be the 49ers‘ starter to open the 2016 season, Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com writes.
Colin Kaepernick‘s tenure with the team will have probably concluded by then, and San Francisco will be a candidate to draft underclassmen Paxton Lynch or Jared Goff, should they decide as expected to declare, with its first-round pick. The team, however, may opt for a more pro-ready quarterback like Connor Cook soon after, Maiocco offers.
The 26-year-old Gabbert is far ahead of his former pace with the Jaguars from an accuracy standpoint, completing 63.2% of his passes. The former No. 11 overall pick finished his Jags seasons at 50, 58 and 49% connect rates from 2011-13. Kaepernick finished this season with a 59.0% completion rate.
Here are some other NFC items on the eve of Week 15 Sunday.
- Lions linebacker DeAndre Levy resumed running and lifting after undergoing hip surgery and anticipates an offseason return, Mike Rothstein of ESPN.com reports. The recently extended outside backer said being placed on injured reserve was the right thing for him after injuring his hip during the preseason and re-aggravating it in a 17-snap cameo in Week 5. Levy will be 29 in March.
- Friday’s approval of new stadium financing by the St. Louis Board of Aldermen didn’t necessarily save football in St. Louis, but the proposal not passing may have ended it, Benjamin Hochman of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch writes. The stadium financing package gives the city a boost in adding a replacement if the Rams indeed trek to Los Angeles.
- Stedman Bailey addressed the Rams before their defeat of the Bucs in what could be their St. Louis finale, the Post-Dispatch’s Joe Lyons reports. The 25-year-old receiver talked to teammates, many for the first time since being shot in the head twice Nov. 24, via FaceTime. Jeff Fisher told media, including Lyons, the team’s 2013 third-round pick is making steady progress.
- The Vikings will now contribute $50MM more to their new stadium after winning approval to do so, according to an Associated Press report. The Minnesota Sports Facilities Authority approved the new funding. An initial contribution of $477MM, with the city then tabbed for $498MM, for the $1 billion+ U.S. Bank Stadium represented the Vikings’ original cost. But since, their bill has gone up by 31%, and the Vikings portion of the cost could hit $631MM by summer, when the stadium is set for completion.
NFC Notes: Michael, Jeffery, Trattou, Cousins
The Seahawks inked running back Christine Michael to a contract earlier today, his second stint with the organization. The former second-rounder was traded prior to the season, and with all of the injuries in Seattle’s backfield, he’s hoping his second chance ends better than his first.
“I’m just here to work and give you guys all I have,” he told reporters, including Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times. “That’s all I can do. All I want to do. And I told them just like that.’’
Let’s take a look at some more notes from around the NFC…
- Alshon Jeffery ranked number two in the first installment of our 2016 free agent power rankings, but he’s not the only important Bears player on an expiring deal. Jeff Dickerson of ESPN.com takes a look at four more to go along with Jeffery.
- After re-signing with the Vikings, defensive end Justin Trattou admitted that he got an offer from another team during his brief time as a free agent, but turned it down because he wanted to remain in Minnesota. “I really didn’t want to go anywhere else,” Trattou said, according to Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press. “I’m happy where I’m at.”
- While Panthers cornerback Josh Norman is considered one of the top free-agents-to-be at any position for 2016, there are plenty of other corners who should be in line for nice deals, including Sean Smith of the Chiefs and Janoris Jenkins of the Rams. Jason Fitzgerald of Over the Cap takes a closer look at the cornerback market.
- Former sports agent (and current writer for CBSSports.com) Joel Corry examined what Washington quarterback Kirk Cousins‘ next contract will look like. Corry wonders if Cousins could receive a deal similar to the two-year, $24.5MM (worth up to $38MM) extension between the Rams and Nick Foles.
Ben Levine contributed to this post.
Workout Notes: 12/16/15
It’s been a busy last couple of days around the NFL, with teams still looking to fill up their squads for the rest of the season. Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle tweeted a whole bunch of workout notes this afternoon, which we’ve compiled for you below…
Arizona Cardinals
- CB Mitchell White (link)
Atlanta Falcons
- OT Cody Booth (link)
- DE Xzavier Dickson (link)
- OG Cole Manhart (link)
Buffalo Bills
- TE Andrew Gleichert (link)
- LB James-Michael Johnson (link)
- TE Jacob Maxwell (link)
Carolina Panthers
- OG Al Bond (link)
- DT Eric Crume (link)
- CB Travell Dixon (link)
- QB Zac Dysert (link)
- TE Joseph Fauria (link)
- NT Ishmaa’ily Kitchen (link)
- C Tyler Larsen (link)
- OG Matthew Masifilo (link)
- OG Shelley Smith (link)
- S Usama Young (link)
Vikings Notes: Taylor, Cummings, Newman
Here’s a look at the Vikings:
- Former Browns defensive tackle Phil Taylor is trying out with for the Vikings today, according to ESPN.com’s Ben Goessling (on Twitter). Taylor, a former first-round pick, hasn’t really been heard from since he auditioned for the Ravens in November. Taylor, 27, was a starter on defense for Cleveland in 2013, but only played 555 defensive snaps, serving primarily as a run stopper. While he wasn’t a full-time player, Taylor’s performance against the run still placed him a solid 26th among 69 qualified defensive tackles, according to Pro Football Focus’ advanced metrics. Then, Taylor played just 133 snaps in 2014 before being sidelined with a knee injury.
- The Vikings are also working out defensive lineman Euclid Cummings today, according to a source who spoke with Andrew Krammer of 1500 ESPN (on Twitter). Cummings most recently played in the CFL for the Toronto Argonauts.
- After putting his toe in the water last week, Vikings veteran defensive back Terence Newman could be making a more permanent move to the safety position, Jason Gonzalez of the Star Tribune writes. Newman, 37, could be called upon to play safety if regular starters Harrison Smith (hamstring/knee) and Andrew Sendejo (knee) continue to miss time. At his advanced age, Newman would welcome a move to the less strenuous position. “I think [safety is] definitely easier,” Newman said comparing it to cornerback. “You don’t have to run backwards, shift your body backwards if some dude is running full speed forwards, so in that aspect it’s definitely easier.”