Minor NFL Transactions: 11/12/15
Here are Thursday’s minor transactions from across the NFL:
- The Raiders have waived safety Tevin McDonald, the team announced today in a press release. Although no corresponding move was provided, it appears McDonald’s release will pave the way for safety Nate Allen to be activated off IR-DTR within the next day or two.
- The Jets added a third safety to their 53-man roster for tonight’s game by signing Ronald Martin from their practice squad, tweets Manish Mehta of the Daily News. To clear a spot for Martin, who will add a little depth to a banged-up secondary, New York has waived defensive lineman T.J. Barnes.
- The Colts promoted linebacker Daniel Adongo from the practice squad to the active roster and cut running back Josh Robinson, the team announced today in a press release. With Frank Gore and Ahmad Bradshaw carrying the load in Indianapolis’ backfield, and Zurlon Tipton also around to provide depth, Robinson became expendable for the time being.
- The Patriots made a small change to their active roster today, promoting linebacker Eric Martin from the practice squad and cutting safety Dewey McDonald to make room, tweets Jeff Howe of the Boston Herald.
- After being waived-injured by the Cardinals yesterday, cornerback Cariel Brooks cleared waivers and landed on Arizona’s injured reserve list, per Aaron Wilson of The Houston Chronicle (Twitter link).
Zach Links contributed to this post.
East Notes: Patriots, Cowboys, Jeffcoat
With running back Dion Lewis out for the season, the Patriots are on the lookout for potential additions at the position, bringing in a couple more veteran free agents for workouts this week, per Ian Rapoport of NFL.com. Rapoport tweets that Pierre Thomas and Robert Turbin, recently cut by the 49ers and Browns respectively, auditioned for the Pats.
Thomas, in particular, could be a good fit in New England, since catching passes out of the backfield is one of his strength. However, in his brief stint in San Francisco, it looked like he was still attempting to shake off some rust after sitting out most of the 2015 season. The Pats also tried out Daryl Richardson earlier this week, so it’ll be interesting to see if they add another back within the next week or two, or if they try to get by with a combination of LeGarrette Blount, James White, and Brandon Bolden for now.
Here’s more from around the NFL’s East divisions:
- As if the Cowboys‘ locker room wasn’t already a tense place to be these days, with the team having lost six straight games, and the presence of Greg Hardy drawing increased scrutiny, things got even more emotional today. As Eric Prisbell of USA Today outlines, wide receiver Dez Bryant yelled and cursed at multiple reporters today in the Dallas locker room, believing one had called teammate Devin Street a racial slur, though that charge was uncorroborated by other media members in the area.
- With a game against the Patriots looming, Giants head coach Tom Coughlin admitted that he regrets the fact that Julian Edelman isn’t wearing a Giants uniform this weekend (link via Mike Petraglia of WEEI.com). The Pats receiver visited New York as a free agent in 2013, but ultimately opted to re-sign with New England.
- Linebacker Jackson Jeffcoat showed that he could be a good reserve player for Washington, but he ultimately came up short on special teams, Rich Tandler of CSNMidAtlantic.com writes. Jeffcoat was quickly placed on IR and released from IR with a settlement this week.
- Speaking to Colin Cowherd this week, former Cowboys quarterback Troy Aikman – who hasn’t played in the NFL in 15 years – said he still has the arm strength to go out and play in the league (link via the Dallas Morning News). So if quarterbacks like Drew Brees and Tom Brady want to play well into their forties, arm strength shouldn’t be the issue — it’ll be a matter of avoiding injuries like the chronic back issue that forced Aikman into retirement.
Zach Links contributed to this post.
AFC East Notes: Rex Ryan, Bills, Jets
Here’s a look at the AFC East as the Bills and Jets get set to square off tonight:
- If the Bills stumble the rest of the way and don’t get into the playoff hunt, Rex Ryan‘s job will still probably be safe. However, GM Doug Whaley could be on the hot seat, as Mike Rodak of ESPN.com writes. Rodak argues that the possibility of hiring a “football czar” such as Bill Polian last offseason suggests that Whaley isn’t considered a central piece in the Bills’ rebuilding process. And, while Whaley has put together a talented team in his two-and-a-half years as general manager, quarterback remains an issue and the jury is still out on whether essentially spending two first-round picks on Sammy Watkins was worthwhile.
- The Patriots didn’t make headlines around the country with their extension of guard Josh Kline, but it was an interesting example of them buying out free agent years as a method of cap management, Jason Fitzgerald of Over The Cap writes. If Kline established himself as a two-year starter, he might have been able to get $3.5-$4MM per year on the open market. Instead, the Pats effectively pre-exercised their restricted free agent rights and in return bought out an additional year of free agency on a discount. On his end, Kline gave up one year of free agency for a lower cost contract plus a $750K guarantee.
- Ryan achieved cult hero status in his early years with the Jets but he ultimately failed them, Gary Myers of the Daily News opines. Myers also spoke with Darrelle Revis, who said that, ultimately, the Jets did not get to where they wanted to go under Ryan.
Extra Points: Stafford, Los Angeles, Packers
If Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford is made available, Jason Cole of Bleacher Report (video link) would expect the Texans, 49ers, Browns, and Jets to all express interest given their quarterback needs. Stafford has reasonable base salaries of $17MM and $16.5MM (both non-guaranteed) in 2016 and 2017, so he could have appeal to clubs despite his struggles. Meanwhile, teams looking at QBs feel that Stafford has more to offer than any signal caller in the draft.
Here’s more from around the NFL:
- Jets owner Woody Johnson says a decision on Los Angeles could come after January and perhaps even as late as March, Jason Cole of Bleacher Report tweets. It sounds like we’ll have to wait a while before we learn the fate of the Raiders, Rams, and Chargers.
- The Packers worked out defensive tackle Toby Johnson, according to Aaron Wilson of The Houston Chronicle (on Twitter).
- The Saints worked out wide receiver Damarr Aultman, cornerback Dwight Bentley, and fullback Trey Millard, Aaron Wilson of The Houston Chronicle (on Twitter).
- The Patriots worked out offensive tackle Reid Fragel, as Aaron Wilson of The Houston Chronicle tweets.
- Former Texans wide receiver DeVier Posey worked out for the Bengals today, according to a source who spoke with Aaron Wilson of The Houston Chronicle (on Twitter).
Workout Notes: Pats, Saints, Seahawks
Earlier tonight, we learned that the Ravens hosted former Browns first-round pick Phil Taylor for a workout on Tuesday. However, he wasn’t the only notable NFL veteran auditioning today. Here’s a roundup of today’s workouts from around the league:
- The Patriots worked out running back Daryl Richardson on Tuesday, a source tells PFT (on Twitter). Richardson, 25, was dropped from the Texans’ practice squad earlier this month. He appeared in 24 games for the Rams between the 2012 and 2013 seasons.
- The Saints worked out cornerbacks Bradley Fletcher and Chris Owens as well as wide receivers Aldrick Robinson and Greg Salas, Howard Balzer of USA Today tweets.
- Tight end Chase Coffman tried out for the Seahawks, Balzer tweets.
- The Jaguars tried out offensive linemen Kadeem Edwards and Xavier Proctor, Aaron Wilson of The Houston Chronicle tweets.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 11/10/15
Earlier today, we learned that the Ravens had signed running back Terrance West to their practice squad, cutting defensive end Nordly Capi to make room. That’s one of a handful of practice squad changes around the league today, so let’s round up the rest….
Chicago Bears
- To be signed: G/T Martin Wallace (Twitter link via Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune)
Detroit Lions
- To be signed: T Tyrus Thompson (Twitter link via Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press)
- Cut: RB Marion Grice (via Michael Rothstein of ESPN.com)
Green Bay Packers
- Signed: DT Eric Crume (press release via team)
- Cut: DT Justin Hamilton
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed: S Dezmen Southward, QB Alex Tanney (press release via team)
- Cut: QB Matt Blanchard, G Kitt O’Brien
New England Patriots
- Signed: OL Keavon Milton, OL Torrian Wilson (press release via team)
- Cut: WR Austin Hill, DB Floyd Raven
New Orleans Saints
- Signed: TE Rashaun Allen (Twitter link via Evan Woodbery of The Times-Picayune)
- Cut: LB Henry Coley
New York Giants
- Signed: LB Nico Johnson, DT Louis Nix (press release via team)
St. Louis Rams
- Signed: LB Matthew Wells (Twitter link via Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Signed: S Akeem Davis, DE Martin Ifedi (press release via team)
- Cut: WR Andre Davis
- Placed on PS-IR: DE Ronald Powell
Patriots Extend G Josh Kline Through 2017
The Patriots have reached an agreement on a contract extension for starting guard Josh Kline, reports Field Yates of ESPN.com (via Twitter). According to Yates, the two-year deal has a base value of $3.3MM, and can max out at $4.9MM.
Kline, 25, joined the Patriots in 2013 as an undrafted free agent out of Kent State. After getting four starts in his first two seasons, Kline has become a full-time starter in his third year with the Pats, appearing in more offensive snaps than any lineman on the team besides David Andrews in 2015.
Having settled in at right guard for the time being, as the Patriots deal with a handful of injuries along their offensive line, Kline has graded as the league’s 20th-best this year, according to Pro Football Focus (subscription required). PFF considers Kline a slightly better pass blocker than a run blocker, but he has been solid in both areas.
Under his previous contract, Kline would’ve been eligible for restricted free agency after this season. The new deal will keep him locked up through the 2017 campaign, at which point he’ll be eligible for unrestricted free agency. Assuming he remains in the starting lineup and continues to be effective, Kline will likely earn the majority of his bonuses and/or incentives, but even if he maxes out his deal, the Pats would only be paying him about $2.5MM annually, an excellent price for a starting offensive lineman.
Dolphins Cut Jonas Gray, Sign Sam Brenner
The Dolphins have added some additional offensive line depth to their roster, re-signing center Sam Brenner to the active squad, the team announced today (via Twitter). In order to make room for Brennet, the club has released running back Jonas Gray.
Gray, 25, wasn’t a huge part of Miami’s ground attack this season, but earned 31 carries for 122 yards, along with six receptions for another 72 yards. With rookie Jay Ajayi coming off IR-DTR in Week 9 and looking good, Gray no longer had a real place on the Dolphins’ 53-man roster, making him expendable.
Because he’ll have to pass through waivers before becoming a free agent, Gray won’t be able to sign with any team right away. But it’s possible his old team – the Patriots – will have some interest in bringing him back, now that Dion Lewis is set to miss the rest of the season due to a torn ACL.
Since they’re 8-0, the Patriots will be at or near the bottom of the league’s waiver order, but Gray has been cut already this year and didn’t attract much interest around the NFL, so it’s possible he’d make it to New England. If he goes unclaimed and the Pats don’t want to re-sign him, Gray could end up back on Miami’s practice squad, where he spent some time earlier in the season.
Patriots’ Dion Lewis Out For Season
The Patriots continued their winning ways on Sunday, moving to 8-0 with a victory over Washington. However, an offense that has been plagued by injuries this season has been dealt a serious blow. According to Jim McBride of the Boston Globe (via Twitter), running back Dion Lewis will miss the rest of the 2015 season with a torn ACL.
Lewis, 25, was in the midst of a breakout year in New England, one that earned him a contract extension and has seen him become one of Tom Brady‘s favorite targets. In addition to rushing for 234 yards and a pair of touchdowns in his seven games, Lewis added another 388 receiving yards and two TDs on 36 receptions. Those 36 catches placed the former fifth-round pick third on the team, behind Julian Edelman and Rob Gronkowski.
So far this season, the Patriots’ injuries on offense have been primarily on the offensive line, where nearly every position has been hit by health problems over the last couple months. Lewis is the first skill-position player to go down with a major injury this season, so Brady will still have plenty of weapons at his disposal. Still, New England will have to change its game plan going forward with Lewis no longer in the mix.
LeGarrette Blount figures to take over the majority of the rushing duties in Lewis’ absence, with Brandon Bolden perhaps getting more looks as a receiver out of the backfield. James White should also see a little more action, and the Patriots could explore adding another back to the roster once Lewis officially lands on the injured reserve list.
East Notes: Hardy, Folk, Patriots, JPP
With the Cowboys‘ decision to carry Greg Hardy on their roster still under scrutiny, head coach Jason Garrett offered a statement to reporters on Sunday, including Todd Archer of ESPNDallas.com, explaining why the club was willing to sign Hardy.
“We as an organization, we don’t condone domestic violence. We take the issue very, very seriously,” Garrett said. “We knew when we signed Greg Hardy there would be some criticism that came with that. We laid out expectations for him right from the start. We decided that we were going to give him a second chance but in doing so the expectations and standards would be very clear to him, how he and really everybody else is supposed to conduct themselves on the football and off the football field. … He knows what the expectations and standards are and we’re going to hold him accountable to those.”
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones also reiterated his support for Hardy, repeatedly stressing – as Garrett did – that the team wanted to give the former Panthers defensive end “a second chance” (video link via the Fort Worth Star-Telegram). While Dallas may be willing to provide Hardy that second chance because of his ability on the field, the team lost again on Sunday night, falling to 0-4 with Hardy in the lineup.
Here’s more from around the NFL’s East divisions:
- Jets kicker Nick Folk is set to undergo an MRI on Monday afternoon to determine the severity of his quad injury, which kept him from attempting extra points or field goals on Sunday, writes Ohm Youngmisuk of ESPN.com. If Folk is unable to play this Thursday, New York figures to sign a new kicker within the next couple days.
- Jim McBride and Michael Whitmer of the Boston Globe round up several key Patriots-related news items from Sunday, touching on injuries sustained by running back Dion Lewis and tackle Sebastian Vollmer. Within the piece, the duo also notes that Patriots president Jonathan Kraft believes that the idea of expanding the IR-DTR rules to accommodate more than one player per team “may not be a bad idea.”
- Following his first game back since injuring his hand in an offseason fireworks accident, Giants defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul admitted that he was “a little rusty.” However, as Dan Graziano of ESPN.com notes, JPP injected some life into the team’s pass rush, particularly in the fourth quarter.