AFC East Notes: Dolphins, Payton, Pats
After losing Julian Edelman for several weeks, the Patriots appear to have dodged a bullet with fellow receiver Danny Amendola. Tom E. Curran of CSNNE.com writes that Amendola has a knee sprain that will limit his ability to practice this week, but he’s not expected to miss much action, and could play in Week 12 vs. the Broncos. The same can’t be said for Aaron Dobson, who is expected to miss that Denver game, and perhaps more than that, so the Pats will be hoping for a quick recovery from Amendola.
Here’s more from around the AFC East:
- There will be a wide field of worthy candidates for the Dolphins to consider when they search for a permanent head coach this winter, but “none look as attractive or experienced” as Sean Payton, according to Charles Robinson of Yahoo! Sports, who says Dolphins owner Stephen Ross needs to go hard after the Saints’ head coach.
- Ryan Fitzpatrick is the best option right now for a Jets organization that has been searching for a strong young quarterback for years, Manish Mehta of the Daily News writes. Fitzpatrick might be flawed, but he gives Gang Green the best chance to make the postseason. Geno Smith, he feels, is is a far inferior option.
- The Patriots opted to keep defensive tackle Chris Jones and linebacker Dane Fletcher on the PUP list rather than activating them, as Rich Garven of The Providence Journal writes. The two veterans both seem to be healthy, but the Pats just couldn’t carve out space for them.
- The Dolphins worked out defensive backs Dax Swanson, Brandon McGee, Dewey McDonald, and Jeremy Harris, Aaron Wilson of The Houston Chronicle tweets.
AFC East Notes: Brady, Pats, Jets
As the Bills and Patriots do battle, here’s a look at the AFC East:
- The NFL’s appeal on the Tom Brady ruling will take place on March 3rd, as Jonathan Stempel and Joseph Ax of Reuters write. The court date comes weeks after Super Bowl 50 (Feb. 7th), so the outcome will not affect Brady’s current season or the Patriots no matter what.
- On Monday, Jets coach Todd Bowles said that he is sticking with Ryan Fitzpatrick as his starting quarterback, as Brian Costello of the New York Post writes. Despite Fitzpatrick’s rough outing against the Texans, the coach said there was “not much” discussion about making a switch to Geno Smith. “We went over the film like we always do and we judge everybody and we graded every player,” Bowles said. “He missed some throws, but like everybody else he did a lot of things … and we did a lot of things as a group that we’ve got to correct. But we’re fine with Ryan.”
- Fitzpatrick has been struggling for sure, but the Jets‘ offensive problems go deeper than that, and Bowles is right to stick with him at quarterback, opines Rich Cimini of ESPN.com. For what it’s worth, the locker room still has Fitzpatrick’s back, including left tackle D’Brickashaw Ferguson.
AFC East Notes: Taylor, Edelman, Dolphins
Assuming he plays the entire game against the Patriots tonight, Bills quarterback Tyrod Taylor should ensure that he plays at least 50% of Buffalo’s offensive snaps this season, notes Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (via Twitter). And if Taylor meets that 50% threshold this season, it means he could end up spending one less year in Buffalo.
When Taylor signed a three-year contract with the Bills in the offseason, the pact included a clause that allowed it to void after two years if the ex-Raven played at least half of the club’s snaps this season. At the time, with Taylor projected to be a backup, those terms didn’t appear significant, but they certainly do now. Barring an injury tonight, Taylor will now likely be eligible for unrestricted free agency following the 2016 season.
Let’s round up a few more items from around the AFC East….
- Schefter also examines another notable contract, tweeting that Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman will lose about $47K each week in per-game roster bonuses while his foot injury keeps him out of action. If he misses the rest of the season, Edelman will lose out on about $328K, so the injury is a costly one for both the player and the team.
- After falling to 4-6 on Sunday, the Dolphins need to start looking ahead to 2016, writes James Walker of ESPN.com. While players and coaches still insist the club is capable of running the table and vying for a playoff spot, the franchise needs to start considering who the head coach will be in 2016, and what personnel changes must be made in the offseason.
- Dan Campbell‘s performance in relief of Joe Philbin is “obviously enough to earn him a legitimate interview” when the Dolphins hunt for a permanent head coach after the season, says Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald. However, Salguero believes Miami needs to target someone with more extensive head coaching experience, identifying Sean Payton and Chuck Pagano as potential candidates, if they’re available.
East Notes: Williams, Collins, Cowboys, Eagles
Here are some rumors coming out of the Eastern time zone as those squads prepare for Week 11, or in the Giants’ case, Week 12.
- Rex Ryan admits there’s a 50-50 chance the Bills‘ wild card push won’t include Kyle Williams, the Associated Press reports. The 10th-year Buffalo starter and four-time Pro Bowler’s been out since Week 7 with a left knee injury. A setback in the defensive tackle’s recovery caused his season to be in jeopardy.
- Jamie Collins will miss his third straight game with an undisclosed illness, but the Patriots‘ standout linebacker doesn’t have MRSA, according to Jeff Howe of the Boston Herald. Unlike recent scenarios where the Giants and Buccaneers had to disinfect their facilities for MRSA, the Patriots have not had to do this, Howe reports.
- Greg Hardy‘s recent tardiness issues stemmed from being “humiliated” by a Twitter mishap and the embattled Cowboys defensive end needing time to regroup before facing his teammates, Jeremy Mincey conveyed to Albert Breer of NFL.com.
- Jerry Jones admits the Cowboys have tried to get “cute” at the quarterback spot in his tenure, bringing in players like Quincy Carter and Brandon Weeden, the Dallas owner said on 105.3 The Fan (as relayed by Michael David Smith of Pro Football Talk). “I’ve tried to get cute — and I don’t mind saying tried to be cute — at the quarterback spot,” Jones said. “I tried to get us what I thought was the equivalent of a Romo with Quincy Carter in the (second) round (in 2001). We tried to get one that was drafted high, obviously in somebody’s eyes had high potential, in this case Mike Holmgren thought Weeden was certainly a first-round pick.” Jones also lamented not trading for Matt Cassel prior to the season, believing the Cowboys would not be 2-7 had they given Cassel more time to learn the system.
- With the Eagles moving to Mark Sanchez after Sam Bradford‘s latest injury, Breer writes of the lose-lose trade that now has both one-time starters — Bradford and Nick Foles — on the bench in their new locales. But Sanchez being a superior runner to Bradford at least makes teams account for another dimension in a disappointing Philadelphia attack. “If they just use the zone-read and run the ball, yes. Otherwise, he’ll throw the ball to the other team in crucial situations,” an NFC executive told Breer when asked if the Eagles are better off with Sanchez. Technically, Sanchez is a better runner than Bradford, but he’s never gained more than 110 yards in a season, so it’s a limited upgrade.
- Washington cornerback DeAngelo Hall is transitioning to safety, playing on the back line on passing downs as free agent signing Jeron Johnson lined up there in run situations last week, the Washington Post’s Mike Jones reports. A starter at corner for the Falcons, Raiders and Washington from 2004-15, the 32-year-old Hall’s been supplanted at his natural position this season.
- In an itinerary of how the Giants can book their first playoff berth since their latest Super Bowl year, 2011, Ebenezer Samuel of the New York Daily News suggests Orleans Darkwa be given a bigger role in Big Blue’s muddled running back corps. The second-year UDFA sports a team-best 4.7 yards per carry but on just 23 totes. Top ball-carriers Rashad Jennings and Andre Williams‘ per-carry figures sit under 4.0, with Williams’ sitting at 2.8.
AFC Notes: Palmer, McCluster, Hunter, Jackson
Carson Palmer threatening to retire if the Bengals didn’t trade him would have been one of the top stories on Pro Football Rumors in 2010, but it hasn’t been more relevant to look back on than it is now that the 8-1 Bengals are hosting the 7-2 Cardinals, with both teams in prime position to earn first-round byes in their respective conferences. As a lead up to the event, Jim Owczarski, Paul Dehner Jr. and C. Trent Rosecrans of Cincinnati.com have put together an oral history of the saga that led to Palmer leaving the team, and the Bengals to draft Andy Dalton and A.J. Green.
Here are some other notes from around the AFC:
- According to GM Ruston Webster, Titans running back and return man Dexter McCluster sprained his MCL in last night’s loss to the Jaguars (Twitter link via Terry McCormick of TitanInsider.com). Head coach Mike Mularkey confirmed to reporters that McCluster will be sidelined for the next two or three weeks (Twitter link via Jim Wyatt of TitansOnline.com).
- Running back Kendall Hunter, who has worked out for the Jaguars and Seahawks within the last week or so, had another audition this week, earning a look from the Patriots, writes Mike Reiss of ESPN.com. New England has tried out a handful of free agent backs, including Pierre Thomas, Robert Turbin, and Daryl Richardson, since Dion Lewis suffered a season-ending ACL injury, but the club appears content to stand pat for now.
- The Ravens removed Asa Jackson from injured reserve with an injury settlement yesterday, and he has since gone unclaimed off waivers, according to Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle (via Twitter).
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 11/19/15
Earlier today, Washington made an attention-grabbing move when they signed ex-Cowboys running back Christine Michael to the taxi squad.
Michael, who turned 25 last Monday, was acquired by the Cowboys from the Seahawks in a trade earlier this year, and had been expected to get an increased workload after Joseph Randle was demoted and then released. However, it was the veteran, Darren McFadden, who ended up taking many of those carries, prompting Dallas to waive Michael and take a flier on Robert Turbin this week. In five games with the Cowboys, Michael ran for just 51 yards on 15 attempts, adding a single reception for two yards.
Here are the rest of Thursday’s practice squad moves from around the NFL:
Baltimore Ravens
- Signed: CB Jumal Rolle (Twitter link via Aaron Wilson of The Houston Chronicle)
New England Patriots
- Signed: Chris Barker (Twitter link via Jeff Howe of the Boston Herald)
- Cut: T/G Blaine Clausell (Twitter link via agent Brett Tessler)
New York Giants
- Signed: LB James Morris (Twitter link via James Kratch of The Star-Ledger)
New York Jets
- Signed: DB Kevin Short (Twitter link via Rich Cimini of ESPN.com)
- Cut: DE Quanterus Smith
Oakland Raiders
- Signed: WR Jeremy Ross (Twitter link via Adam Caplan of ESPN.com)
Washington
- Cut: RB Mack Brown (Twitter link via Tarik El-Bashir of CSNWashington.com)
Extra Points: 49ers, Bush, Edelman
Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman had surgery on Monday to repair a broken bone in his foot. He’ll projected to be out for 6-8 weeks, which would have him back roughly in time for the start of the playoffs. Teammate Danny Amendola is confident that we’ll see Edelman back on the field this season, as Ryan Hannable of WEEI.com writes.
“Dealing with adversity is huge, not only during the season, but during a game, during a drive, everything,” Amendola said. “It’s no different. It’s no question that Julian was a great football player. He’ll be back and he’s going to work his tail off, just like he always does, to get back and play.”
Here’s more from around the NFL:
- 49ers running back Reggie Bush told reporters, including Joe Fann of 49ers.com (on Twitter), that he had surgery to repair a torn meniscus and not his ACL or MCL as previously believed by some. That’s good news for the veteran’s rehab timeline. Bush had only eight carries for 28 yards this season but prior to his injury he was in line for a bigger role with starter Carlos Hyde dealing with his own injury issues.
- With Andrew Luck on the sidelines, Colts coach Chuck Pagano says that he’s very happy to have battle-tested veteran Matt Hasselbeck on the roster. “It’s very comforting to know that you’ve got a guy in your building who’s won ball games for you, can operate at a high, high level,” Pagano said per D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “He’s been great for Andrew and for everybody else on the offensive side. He just brings a wealth of knowledge, experience and wisdom to our football team and to that position. It’s great having him. I feel awesome that we have Matt.” The veteran said that he wasn’t thinking about retirement prior to the 2015 season, but his plans for 2016 are not yet clear.
- Robert Klemko of The MMQB (on Twitter) is surprised as to why Brandon Weeden continues to get work despite his lack of achievement at the NFL level. He opines that those in the league that are complaining about an NCAA quarterback drought are the same folks refusing to give young QBs an opportunity to succeed in the league. On Wednesday, the Texans claimed Weeden off waivers from the Cowboys.
Workout Notes: Jets, Giants, Pats, Colts
Wednesday’s workouts from around the NFL:
- The Jets worked out kickers Corey Acosta, Michael Barnard, Tommy Frevert, Andrew Furney, Zach Hocker, Marvin Kloss, and Giorgio Tavecchio as well as wide receiver/kick returners Trindon Holliday and Damaris Johnson, Aaron Wilson of The Houston Chronicle tweets.
- The Giants worked out running back Robert Turbin (now with the Cowboys), tackle Jake Rodgers, guard Jared Smith, linebacker Kevin Snyder, guard Anthony Steen, guard Donald Thomas, quarterback Dustin Vaughan, tight end Connor Hamlett, defensive lineman Toby Johnson, linebacker Jeff Luc, linebacker Mike Mohamed, and defensive back Floyd Raven, according to Wilson (Twitter links).
- The Patriots worked out running backs Dominique Brown and Marion Grice, wide receivers Andre Davis and Antwan Goodley, defensive end Glenn Foster, defensive backs Jonathon Mincy, and tight end Justin Tukes, per Wilson (Twitter links).
- The Colts auditioned defensive tackle Christo Bilukidi and tackle John Wetzel, Wilson tweets.
- The Dolphins auditioned tackel Cameron Clear, tight end Blake Annen, and linebacker Curtis Grant, Wilson tweets.
- The Seahawks worked out running back DuJuan Harris, Wilson tweets.
- The Rams worked out tackle James Brewer, Wilson tweets.
- With issues at long snapper, the Eagles worked out Tyler Ott and Patrick Scales, Wilson tweets.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 11/18/15
Here are Wednesday’s practice squad signings and cuts, with any additional moves added to the list throughout the day:
Baltimore Ravens
- Signed: TE Konrad Reuland (Twitter link via Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun)
Chicago Bears
- Signed: CB Terrance Mitchell (Twitter link via Rich Campbell of ESPN.com)
Dallas Cowboys
- Signed: DB Tim Scott, LB Keith Smith (Twitter link via David Helman of DallasCowboys.com)
New England Patriots
- Signed: TE Joseph Fauria, CB Chris Greenwood, S Brock Vereen (Twitter links via Field Yates of ESPN.com and Doug Kyed of NESN.com)
- Cut: S Dewey McDonald, S Ross Ventrone (Twitter link via Mike Reiss of ESPN.com)
New York Giants
- Signed: WR Ben Edwards, C Shane McDermott (link via Jordan Raanan of NJ.com)
San Diego Chargers
- Signed: WR Donte Foster (Twitter link via Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post)
Seattle Seahawks
- To be signed: WR/CB Douglas McNeil (Twitter link via Adam Caplan of ESPN.com)
- Cut: DL Julius Warmsley (Twitter link via Bob Condotta of The Seattle Times)
St. Louis Rams
- Signed: DT Doug Worthington (Twitter link via Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Signed: G Josh Allen, LB Josh Keyes (press release via team)
Community Tailgate: Undefeated NFL Teams
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One of the NFL’s three remaining undefeated teams was unable to make it through Week 10 unscathed, as the Bengals dropped a shocker in Cincinnati to the Texans on Monday night to fall to 8-1. The Bengals’ loss leaves the 9-0 Patriots and Panthers as the league’s only teams without a loss, with just seven weeks remaining in the regular season.
Despite being hit hard by injuries, the Patriots have looked like the NFL’s best team for most of the season, and will host the Bills this Monday night as they look to push their record to 10-0. The team’s schedule the rest of the way looks like this:
- vs. Bills
- at Broncos
- vs. Eagles
- at Texans
- vs. Titans
- at Jets
- at Dolphins
As for the Panthers, impressive wins against the Seahawks, Eagles, Packers, and Colts in recent weeks have gone a long way to proving they’re no fluke. Carolina’s schedule the rest of the way is as follows:
- vs. Washington
- at Cowboys
- at Saints
- vs. Falcons
- at Giants
- at Falcons
- vs. Buccaneers
Neither team’s schedule features a real murderer’s row of opponents, but there are potential pitfalls for both clubs. Even without Peyton Manning, the Broncos have a strong enough team to give the Pats some trouble, and those divisional games, particularly on the road, won’t be easy.
As for the Panthers, the Cowboys may be 2-7 now, but they’re a different team with Tony Romo in the mix. Road games against the Saints and Giants won’t be a cakewalk either, and the Falcons will look to avoid being swept against their division rivals.
What do you think? When will the Patriots and Panthers lose next? Does either team have a real chance to go undefeated? If not, how many wins do you think they’ll finish with, and will that regular season success translate to postseason wins? Will we see these two teams meet in the postseason?
Weigh in below in the comments section to let us know your thoughts on the NFL’s last two undefeated clubs!