Vikings Trim Roster To 75 Players
TUESDAY, 9:10am: The Vikings are now down to 75 players, having waived/injured quarterback Mike Kafka, according to the team (Twitter link). He’ll land on the team’s injured reserve list if he clears waivers.
MONDAY, 2:13pm: The Vikings have announced two more moves today, removing another two players from their active roster. According to a team release, Minnesota has waived/injured tackle Carter Bykowski, who will be out for the year with a pectoral injury, and placed cornerback Josh Robinson on the reserve/PUP list, meaning he’ll miss at least the first six weeks of the season.
SUNDAY, 6:30pm: The Vikings have moved closer to securing their 75-man roster, announcing that they’ve cut 11 players:
- Joe Banyard, RB
- Brandon Bostick, TE
- Jalil Carter, CB
- Justin Coleman, CB
- DaVaris Daniels, WR
- Stephen Goodin, OT
- Josh Kaddu, LB
- Jordan Leslie, WR
- Caesar Rayford, DE
- Chrishon Rose, DT
- DeMarcus Van Dyke, CB
They currently have 78 men on the roster, and will need to cut an additional three players in time for the Tuesday deadline.
Vikings Release Cullen Loeffler
The Vikings have parted ways with their longest-tenured player, the team confirmed today, announcing in a press release that veteran long snapper Cullen Loeffler has been released. Ian Rapoport of NFL.com first reported (via Twitter) that Minnesota was cutting Loeffler, who was beaten out by Kevin McDermott for the long snapper job.
“These types of decisions are the hardest part of our jobs,” Vikings GM Rick Spielman said in a statement. “Cullen was outstanding in the community and on the field for the Vikings. He handled his business with class and his impact in the locker room and on the franchise were second to none. We wish him the best in the future.”
Loeffler, 34, had served as the Vikings’ long snapper since the 2004 season, appearing in a total of 171 regular season contests for the team during that stretch. His minimum salary contract featured an $80K signing bonus and $220K in guaranteed salary, so the Vikings will eat $300K by releasing him.
Because Loeffler is a vested veteran, he’ll immediately become a free agent without having to pass through waivers, making him eligible to join a new team right away.
NFC Notes: 49ers, Walsh, Vikings, Lions
Despite suffering three concussions during his two years in the league, 49ers safety Eric Reid said he hasn’t thought about retiring. The comments come after former teammate Chris Borland hung up his cleats due to concerns over brain trauma.
“No. Not at all,” Reid told Eric Branch of SFGate.com. “Every guy has to evaluate their decision, whether it’s a concussion, whether it’s an ankle sprain, a torn ACL. With any injury, you have to evaluate yourself and make a personal decision.”
Let’s check out some more notes from the NFC…
- 49ers nose tackle Mike Purcell is set to play a bigger role this season, and Branch notes that the former undrafted rookie is going to have to adjust to the spotlight. “I just want to stay humble and keep working,” said the 24-year-old. “My goal right now is to show I can do it back-to-back.”
- Vikings kicker Blair Walsh missed three field goals during last night’s game, and Matt Vessel of the Star Tribune says the team should definitely be concerned about the position. Walsh inked a four-year extension with Minnesota in July.
- Even with the emergence of Vikings rookie receiver Stefon Diggs, Vessel believes Marcus Sherels‘ roster spot is still secure. The writer cites the player’s production on both the kick and punt return units.
- Cornerback Captain Munnerlyn could very well be a backup for the Vikings, notes Vessel. However, even with the veteran’s $3.45M salary, the writer believes the team should retain their depth.
- Jermelle Cudjo has been a revelation during Lions camp, and ESPN.com’s Michael Rothstein says the player is ready for an opportunity. “I’m just hungry, you know,” Cudjo said. “Sitting out last year, having a chip on my shoulder and I just want to come out here and blessed with the opportunity to showcase my skill.”
NFC Notes: Barkley, Mays, Seahawks, Falcons
A look at the latest from the NFC:
- Eagles quarterback Matt Barkley is available “for the right deal,” a source told ESPN’s Dianna Marie Russini (Twitter link). Barkley, a fourth-round pick out of USC in 2013, could be the odd man out in Philly with Sam Bradford, Mark Sanchez and Tim Tebow also on the team’s QB depth chart.
- The Seahawks may have a hole at safety with Kam Chancellor holding out, but don’t expect them to sign free agent Taylor Mays, Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times tweeted. Mays, whom Detroit officially released earlier today, played for Seahawks coach Pete Carroll while the two were at USC. Mays’ successful college career hasn’t translated to the pros, though, as he’s already been a member of four organizations since San Francisco chose him in the second round of the 2010 draft.
- Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan has started 87 straight games, the fifth-longest streak among NFL passers, and that’s especially fortunate for Atlanta, writes Michael Cunningham of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. The Falcons might have the worst No. 2 QB in the league in T.J. Yates, per Cunningham, who bolsters his opinion with some help from PredictionMachine.com. According to the website, the Falcons’ playoff chances would decrease by a league-high 85.3 percent if they played with Yates instead of Ryan for a full 16-game season.
- Vikings receivers coach George Stewart offered effusive praise for veteran wideout Mike Wallace, whom the team acquired from Miami during the offseason. Wallace is the fastest receiver Stewart has coached during his 27-year career, he told Charley Walters of the St. Paul Pioneer Press. Stewart also expressed excitement over the impact Wallace will make as a blocker. “Excellent toughness,” Stewart said. “He’s not afraid of contact. He’s going to block (cornerbacks) corners, he’s going to block safeties. You have some receivers who are kind of shy when it comes down to that moment of truth hitting the defensive back. He’s not shy.
Community Tailgate: Who Will Win DROY?
We’re still a few weeks away from the start of regular-season battles on the NFL gridiron, but there’s no offseason when it comes to debate amongst fans. This summer, we launched a new series here at PFR known as the Community Tailgate. What’s the Community Tailgate all about? Well, it’s pretty simple. Every weekday, we’ll highlight one of the top stories going on in the NFL. Then, in the comment section below, we want you to weigh in and let us know what you think.
Of course, while the debate may get spirited, we ask that it all stays respectful. If you need a reminder of our rules, please check out our commenting policy. Basically, we ask that you refrain from inappropriate language, personal insults, and attacks. Speaking of commenting: we’ve made it much easier to leave a comment here at Pro Football Rumors. You are no longer required to be a registered user – simply put in your name, email address, and comment and submit.
Yesterday, we asked you to take your pick on who will be this year’s Offensive Rookie of the Year. Today, in the interest of equal time, we want to know who you think will be this year’s Defensive Rookie of the Year.
Any list of DROY contenders has to have Jets rookie Leonard Williams near the top. The USC defensive lineman was touted by some as the top talent in this year’s class but thanks in part to the team needs at the top of the draft, the Jets managed to snag him with the No. 6 overall pick. At 6’5″ and 300+ pounds, Williams offers tremendous athleticism for his size and is a proven run stopper. Many wondered exactly where Leonard would fit on the Jets defensive line, which already featured stars like Sheldon Richardson and Muhammad Wilkerson, but Richardson’s suspension and subsequent run-in with the law have opened up a major opportunity for Williams to be an impact player in his rookie year.
Linebacker Vic Beasley, taken at No. 8 by the Falcons, is another strong contender for the award. Beasley has been roundly praised for his agility at the linebacker position and many feel that he’s going to be a menace for opposing quarterbacks right out of the gate. It also helps Beasley’s case that he’ll be under the tutelage of Dan Quinn, who is known for developing tough players in the front seven. For what it’s worth, the Clemson product also looked impressive in his preseason debut.
Outside of those top ten picks, other viable candidates for the trophy include a pair of “red flag” guys in Cowboys linebacker Randy Gregory and Broncos defensive end/linebacker Shane Ray. Without their respective off-the-field issues, both players would have been strong candidates to go inside of the top ten on talent alone. Staying in the front seven, there was great buzz surrounding Kentucky’s Bud Dupree in the months leading up to the draft and he now finds himself with a franchise that is historically known for it’s hard-nosed defense.
A defensive back has not won DROY since Charles Woodson did it in 1998, but early cornerbacks like Marcus Peters (Chiefs) and Trae Waynes (Vikings) could get in the mix if they get opportunities to make big plays.
Who do you think will win Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2015? Let us know in the comments below!
Bykowski Out For Year, Vikings Eyeing Tackles
Just days after placing starting right tackle Phil Loadholt on injured reserve with a season-ending Achilles injury, the Vikings confirmed that another tackle, Carter Bykowski will also miss the 2015 season. As Master Tesfatsion and Chris Miller of the Star Tribune detail, Bykowski will be out for the year after undergoing surgery for a torn pectoral muscle.
Bykowski hadn’t been expected to see significant action for the Vikings this season, with Matt Kalil and rookie T.J. Clemmings penciled in as the starters at left and right tackle respectively. However, with Loadholt sidelined, Bykowski, who was plucked from the 49ers’ practice squad by Minnesota last December, slid up a spot on the team’s depth chart, and may have been the next man up if Kalil or Clemmings had gone down.
Now, with their ranks thinning at offensive tackle, the Vikings will be on the hunt for more bodies at the position. The club signed former Giants and Cowboys tackle Stephen Goodin on Tuesday, and head coach Mike Zimmer suggests he’ll get an opportunity to earn a roster spot, but Minnesota will continue to pursue possible upgrades.
“He’s just another athlete to come in here and help,” Zimmer said of Goodin. “We’ll give him a look and see. We’re going to continue to look.”
Currently, the only tackles listed on the Vikings’ depth chart behind the starters are seventh-round rookie Austin Shepherd, raw Polish newcomer Babatunde Aiyegbusi, and Goodin.
NFC Notes: Benjamin, Falcons, AP, RGIII
The Panthers are holding their collective breath as they await the results of an MRI on Kelvin Benjamin‘s left knee. The Panthers wideout went down with an apparent non-contact injury during today’s joint practice with the Dolphins, and while head coach Ron Rivera indicated that it’s a sprained knee, there’s a chance the injury is more serious than that. If Benjamin has to miss regular-season action, it’ll be bad news for a Carolina receiving corps that’s lacking legit playmakers outside of Benjamin. Jonathan Jones and Joseph Person of the Charlotte Observer have the details.
As the Panthers and their fans wait on the results of that MRI, let’s round up a few more items from across the NFC….
- A report yesterday suggested that free agent quarterback Rex Grossman was drawing interest from the Falcons, but D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution says it’s the other way around, tweeting that Grossman is interested in the Falcons. According to Ledbetter, the team is happy with T.J. Yates and Sean Renfree behind Matt Ryan.
- Within an extensive look at Adrian Peterson‘s unusual offseason, Eli Saslow of ESPN The Magazine says that the Vikings running back wants to play another eight season in the NFL, in the hopes of breaking Emmitt Smith’s career rushing record.
- Washington would like to stick with Robert Griffin III as the team’s starting quarterback for the entire 2015 season in order to make a fully informed decision about his future, according to Jason Cole of Bleacher Report (video link). The club has already picked up RGIII’s fifth-year option for 2016, but that salary doesn’t become guaranteed until the first day of the ’16 league year, so Washington could still decide to move on from the young QB if this season doesn’t go well.
- The Cardinals‘ signing of running back Chris Johnson is a potential coup, and a move straight from the Steve Keim playbook, writes Dan Bickley of the Arizona Republic.
- Lions safety James Ihedigbo, who had been seeking a new contract earlier this year, still feels like he’s in his prime as he prepares to turn 32 years old, he tells Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press.
North Notes: Benjamin, Vikings, Packers
Browns wide receiver Travis Benjamin, who is entering the final season of his rookie contract, recognizes that it’s a “big, big year” for him, as he tells Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal. Still, he’s not looking ahead to signing an extension or a free agent contract, suggesting that if he plays well, things will take care of themselves.
“I’m playing for now. I don’t look far into the future,” Benjamin said. “I’m just playing for the Browns right now, and hopefully, if things work out, I’ll be here for another couple more years.”
As Benjamin looks to surpass his career high of 18 receptions this year, let’s check out some more notes from out of the NFL’s two Central divisions….
- Head coach Mike Zimmer said earlier in camp that it’s not essential to keep a true fullback on the Vikings‘ roster this season, but you should still bet on the club hanging onto one, says Mark Craig of the Star Tribune, suggesting that Zach Line is a strong bet to make the team.
- Jared Abbrederis, selected by the Packers in the fifth round of the 2014 draft, isn’t giving up on his NFL career, writes Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com. The former Wisconsin wideout missed his entire rookie season with a torn ACL, and has yet to be cleared this year due to a concussion, but Green Bay isn’t giving up on him, as Demovsky details.
- Yesterday, we heard that wide receiver Adrian Coxson had been cut by the Packers outright, and that Coxson would be seeking an injury settlement from the team. Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post clarifies (via Twitter) that Green Bay waived Coxson with a “failure to disclose physical condition” designation, suggesting he didn’t inform the team of concussion symptoms.
Minor NFL Transactions: 8/18/15
Here are Tuesday’s minor signings, cuts, and other transactions from around the NFL:
- Long snapper Nate Boyer, who took an unusual path to the NFL, has been waived by the Seahawks, according to Jay Glazer of FOX Sports (Twitter link). With the newly-created roster spot, the Seahawks appear to have signed quarterback Jake Waters, per Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times (Twitter links).
- The Steelers have reduced the number of quarterbacks on their roster by one, announcing today that they’ve cut Tajh Boyd, replacing him with wide receiver Jarrod West (Twitter link via Burt Lauten).
- Vikings tackle Phil Loadholt, who tore his Achilles on Saturday, has been officially placed on injured reserve, the team announced today. To replace him, Minnesota signed former Giants tackle Stephen Goodin.
- The Eagles‘ roster turnover at linebacker continues, as the team announced today (via Twitter) that it has signed former Southern Mississippi linebacker Dasman McCullum to replace Jordan Dewalt-Ondijo, who has been waived/injured due to an ankle injury.
- The Colts made a change to their wide receiver group, signing UDFA wideout L.T. Smith and waiving Tyler Rutenbeck, according to a team release.
- Former Emporia State wide receiver Austin Willis has been waived by the Raiders, tweets Herbie Teope of ChiefsDigest.com.
- The Cardinals have a new body in their secondary, according to Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post, who reports that safety Anthony Walters has signed a one-year deal with the club. Linebacker Zack Wagenmann, who broke his foot, has been waived/injured, tweets Darren Urban of AZCardinals.com.
- More updates from Wilson: The Saints have cut receiver Kyle Prater and waived/injured defensive tackle Lawrence Virgil (Twitter link), the Jets have cut punter Jacob Schum (Twitter link), the Cowboys have cut cornerback Jason Wilson from their injured reserve list with an injury settlement (Twitter link), and the Steelers have removed running back Cameron Stingily from their IR with a settlement (Twitter link).
Buccaneers Sign Gosder Cherilus
TUESDAY, 9:06am: The Buccaneers have officially confirmed the signing of Cherilus, announcing that they’ve cut FB/TE Evan Rodriguez to clear room on the roster (Twitter link). The details on Cherilus’ two-year deal can be found here.
MONDAY, 3:09pm: After hosting free agent offensive tackle Gosder Cherilus for a visit today, the Buccaneers have agreed to terms with him on a two-year contract, reports Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times (Twitter link). As Stroud adds (via Twitter), Cherilus is poised to replace injured right tackle Demar Dotson, who could be sidelined for six to eight weeks with a sprained MCL.
Cherilus, who was released by the Colts in late July, started 29 games for the club at right tackle over the past two seasons. However, after a solid first season in Indianapolis, the 31-year-old struggled last year. Pro Football Focus (subscription required) ranked Cherilus 70th out of 84 qualified tackles, and he graded particularly poorly as a pass blocker. According to PFF’s data, he allowed six quarterback sacks, another 42 hits or hurries.
Despite his down year, Cherilus appeared to draw plenty of interest when he became a free agent. The veteran tackle reportedly visited the Bills and Lions, and Stroud tweets that the Chiefs and Vikings had some interest in him as well. Per Stroud, the Colts were also interested in bringing back Cherilus at a reduced salary.
While the financial terms of Cherilus’ new two-year deal with the Bucs aren’t yet known, he’ll certainly make less than he would have in Indianapolis, had the Colts held onto him. The former first-round pick signed a five-year, $35MM contract with the Colts back in 2013, and would’ve counted for $6.9MM against the team’s cap in 2015, including a $4MM base salary, if he hadn’t been released.
In Tampa Bay, Cherilus looks like the favorite to start the season at right tackle, though it’s not clear if he’ll continue to get regular playing time after Dotson returns from his MCL injury. Currently, second-round pick Donovan Smith is penciled in as the Bucs’ starter at left tackle, so his performance early in the season could determine whether or not there’s room on the line for Cherilus throughout the year.