AFC East Notes: LaFell, Ridley, Kromer
There will be a huge game between the Patriots and Jets that will decide who is in first place in the AFC East early in the season. Here are some notes surrounding that game, and the rest of the division.
- While Brandon Marshall and Eric Decker have been battling injuries for the Jets, the Patriots also have a wide receiver trying to get healthy in time for this weekend’s AFC East matchup. Brandon LaFell has been practicing with the team, and Phil Perry of CSNNE.com believes there is a good chance the team will activate him in time for the game this Sunday. “I think he’s ready to go,” Perry said. “And I think he could be a significant piece against this Jets secondary this weekend.”
- The Jets have their own player ready to come off the PUP list, as Stevan Ridley practiced for the first time on Wednesday and is trying to get ready to be activated in time to face his former team, writes Dennis Wasak Jr. of the Associated Press. “I am ready,” Ridley said, “to get out there and see what I can do.”
- Bills offensive line coach Aaron Kromer is back following his six-week suspension, and the team is excited to get his experience and expertise back into the offensive gameplan, writes Vic Carucci of The Buffalo News. “I’ve seen every game, I’ve seen every snap,” said Kromer. “And I know where we are as a team and as a line, and I’m doing everything I can to help. We’re working on the things that we’ve seen on tape that we need to work on.”
Breer’s Latest: Panthers, Revis, Mexico City
In his latest piece for NFL.com, Albert Breer of the NFL Network examines the relationship between head coach Ron Rivera and GM Dave Gettleman, who have steered the perennially underrated Panthers to a 5-0 record early in the 2015 season. Praising the job Gettleman has done with the roster, Rivera tells Breer that he believes good things are ahead for the club.
“I think we’re gonna continue to grow,” Rivera said. “We have to keep looking to get better, and we have to keep managing the cap, because it’s set up so you lose guys you don’t want to lose, and that’s hard. Josh Norman is [a free agent] next year, and we’ll hopefully find a way to keep him. You don’t want to lose good players, and that’ll be hard on Dave and his guys. That’s the hard part.”
Here are a few more highlights from Breer’s column:
- Back in March, cornerback Darrelle Revis was “very amenable” to the idea of staying with the Patriots, according to Breer, who adds that the Jets and Pats were far and away Revis’ top two choices. However, since New England’s offer wasn’t close to New York’s, the star corner returned to the Jets.
- When the Patriots first signed Revis in 2014, the team wanted a second year for cap purposes, and Revis’ camp asked for a roster bonus in year two. According to Breer, New England countered by including an option bonus, which served a similar purpose and put the club in line to take home a compensatory pick – likely a third-rounder – in 2016.
- An NFL contingent is schedule to travel to Mexico City at the start of November to determine if a regular season can be played there, and – if so – how soon. “It’d be fantastic if we could do it next year,” said Mark Waller, the NFL’s executive vice president of international. There are still a few issues to work through though, including the technical infrastructure and broadcast accommodations at Azteca Stadium.
- Addressing the Robert Griffin III situation in Washington, Breer reiterates that the team would be risking guaranteeing RGIII’s 2016 salary if he plays this season, since that money is currently guaranteed for injury only. While Breer doesn’t explicitly say it, the Griffin situation may be a case study for future teams as they consider whether or not to exercise fifth-year option on borderline players — declining those options would allow clubs to deploy those fourth-year players without worrying about a major injury that would lock in that fifth-year salary.
Minor NFL Transactions: 10/22/15
Today’s minor NFL signings, cuts, and other moves..
- The Patriots cut defensive tackle Khyri Thornton, as Jeff Howe of the Boston Herald tweets. Thornton was inactive for all three games in which he’s been on the 53-man roster. That roster spot could be used on the activation of wide receiver Brandon LaFell.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 10/22/15
Here are Thursday’s practice squad signings and cuts from across the league:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed: RB Robert Hughes (Twitter link via Darren Urban of AZCardinals.com)
- Cut: RB Mike Gillislee
New England Patriots
- Cut: OT Brennan Williams (Twitter link via Aaron Wilson of The Houston Chronicle)
AFC Notes: Harvin, Brady, Bengals, Moore
Earlier today, we heard conflicting reports on whether Bills wide receiver Percy Harvin, who is battling hip and knee issues, is truly considering retirement. As Mike Garafolo of FOX Sports writes, the fact that Rex Ryan and the Bills have made sure to stress that Percy Harvin’s absence in London this week is “personal” and not injury-related suggests that there’s something to the retirement rumors.
If Harvin were to retire during the season, he’d risk forfeiting several million dollars in salary and signing-bonus money, as the Bills would be within their rights to try to recoup that money. For his part, the veteran wideout would probably rather avoid a contract stand-off, which would help explain why he’d want to continue his career, even if health problems had him contemplating the idea of retirement.
As we wait to see how the Harvin situation plays out in Buffalo, let’s round up a few more AFC notes….
- Tom Brady said this week that his goal is to play “maybe 10 more years,” according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (via Twitter). Pressed on whether or not he was serious, the Patriots quarterback added: “That’s what my goals are, that’s what I’m hoping.” Of course, as Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk points out, it’s not the first time Brady has repeated that “10 more years” mantra, and if he really wants to play that long, there’s no guarantee he’ll do so in New England.
- Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle (Twitter links) passes along news on a pair of Bengals workouts, reporting that quarterback Bryn Renner and linebacker Alex Singleton got a look from Cincinnati today.
- After spending the first four years of his NFL career with the Broncos, safety Rahim Moore signed with the Texans this offseason. Those teams’ respective places in the standings indicate that Moore may regret his decision, but that’s not the case, as Wilson writes for the Chronicle. “I think this is a great decision,” Moore said. “Some people can make the wrong decision in free agency and have regrets. I don’t have any”
AFC Notes: S. Smith, McClain, Revis, Manziel
There has been speculation the Ravens might try to talk wide receiver Steve Smith out of his plan to retire after the season or that Smith will change his mind. However, the veteran says that nothing has changed. “I’m on schedule for what I discussed earlier in the year,” the wide receiver said, according to Clifton Brown of CSNMidAtlantic.com.
Here’s more from the AFC..
- If Smith is still retiring, the Ravens should trade him to a contender, Mike Florio of PFT opines. The Ravens are at 1-5 and, for all intents and purposes, they’re probably done in 2015. Florio suggests that the Packers would be a great fit for a savvy veteran like Smith.
- Free agent cornerback Robert McClain has worked out or visited eight teams since being cut on September 5th, according to Field Yates of ESPN.com (on Twitter). The veteran’s latest visit was to the Steelers on Wednesday, per Yates. McClain’s recent visits have also included the Bears and Saints.
- Jets cornerback Darrelle Revis told reporters, including Brian Costello of the New York Post (on Twitter), that he never expected to return to the Patriots this past offseason. “No, the number was too high,” the corner said.
- Johnny Manziel should be on paid leave from the Browns for his recent altercation with his girlfriend, Christine Brennan of USA Today Sports writes. Manziel’s girlfriend declined to press charges over the matter and the all of the facts are still unknown, but Brennan feels that the former Texas A&M star should be sidelined until everything comes to light.
- On the Quick Slants podcast, CSNNE’s Tom E. Curran, Phil Perry, and Adam Hart discussed the Patriots secondary and the possibility of making an addition via trade.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 10/21/15
Here are Wednesday’s practice squad signings and cuts from across the league:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed: CB Carrington Byndom, DT Olsen Pierre (Twitter link via Darren Urban of AZCardinals.com)
Chicago Bears
- Signed: S Demontre Hurst (Twitter link via Jeff Dickerson of ESPN.com)
Denver Broncos
- Signed: RB Kapri Bibbs (via Nicki Jhabvala of The Denver Post)
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed: TE Sean McGrath (press release), LB Amarlo Herrera (Twitter link via Aaron Wilson of The Houston Chronicle)
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Signed: WR Jordan Leslie, QB Jeff Tuel (Twitter link via John Oehser of Jaguars.com)
- Cut: S Craig Loston
Miami Dolphins
- Signed: S Jonathan Dowling (Twitter link via Adam Beasley of the Miami Herald)
- Cut: RB Bronson Hill
New England Patriots
- Signed: FB Joey Iosefa (Twitter link via Jeff Howe of the Boston Herald); OL Brennan Williams (Twitter link via team)
New York Giants
- Signed: OL Adam Gettis (press release)
- Cut: T Xavier Proctor
San Diego Chargers
- Signed: G Michael Huey, T Andrew McDonald (Twitter link via Eric Williams of ESPN.com)
- Cut: QB Brad Sorensen
Tennessee Titans
- Signed: OLB Markus Pierce-Brewster (Twitter link via Jim Wyatt of TitansOnline.com)
Workout Notes: Titans, Brown, Johnson, Dixon
Just over seven months after he announced his retirement from the NFL, cornerback Cortland Finnegan had a workout today with the Patriots. Finnegan, 31, was one of the league’s worst cornerbacks in 2013, according to Pro Football Focus’ advanced metrics. PFF ranked Finnegan 109th out of 110 qualified corners, with a grade of -19.7 in just seven games. As such, it came as a bit of a surprise when Miami inked the former Ram to a two-year, $11MM deal in 2014. He might not be worthy of that kind of pay, but he could make for an intriguing depth option for the Pats or another team.
Here’s a rundown of today’s other workouts from around the NFL, with all links going to Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post on Twitter, unless noted otherwise..
- The Titans worked out running backs Bryce Brown, Storm Johnson, George Arkinson and quarterback Michael German (link).
- Safety Ahmad Dixon worked out for the Bengals today, Adam Caplan of ESPN.com tweets.
- The Falcons worked out linebackers Emmanuel Acho, Carlos Fields, Khaseem Greene, and Ronald Powell (link).
- The Panthers tried out Nate Askew, Chykie Brown, Bradley Fletcher, Connor Hamlett, Douglas McNeil, Bear Pascoe, and cornerback Cassius Vaughn (Twitter links).
- The Bears worked out defensive backs Ri’Shard Anderson, Robert McClain, Brandian Ross, and Pierre Warren (link).
- The Broncos worked out Harold Spears, Paul Browning, DaVaris Daniels, Sage Harold, John Lowdermilk, Andrew McDonald, and Ryan Murphy (Twitter links).
- The Lions worked out Desmond Martin and Corey Washington (link).
- The Colts worked out Carrington Byndom and Jeromy Miles (link).
- The Dolphins worked out defensive backs Garry Peters and Kevin White (link).
- The Jaguars worked out wide receivers Jordan Leslie, Uzoma Nwachukwu, and L’Damian Washington (link).
- The Vikings worked out defensive lineman Chigbo Anunoby (link).
- The Patriots worked out center Jared Smith (link).
- The Jets worked out Greg Scruggs and Marcus Lucas (link).
- The Seahawks worked out Darius Eubanks, Danny Gorrer, Damaris Johnson, Nick Kasa, Horace Miller, Dontay Moch, Tyler Slavin, Matthew Wells (link). They also hosted Harold Spears and Dax Swanson (link).
- Washington worked out Tommy Streeter, Nick Harwell, Anthony Johnson, Toby Johnson, Ronald Powell, Kelcy Quarles, and Julius Warmsley (link).
Cortland Finnegan Works Out For Patriots
Just over seven months after he announced his retirement from the NFL, cornerback Cortland Finnegan had a workout today with the Patriots, according to Rand Getlin of the NFL Network (Twitter links). New England didn’t sign Finnegan today, but the veteran defensive back remains open to opportunities and is worth monitoring, says Getlin.
Despite the fact that Finnegan announced his retirement in March, the former seventh-round pick hired Drew Rosenhaus in the summer, and suggested he was open to an NFL return. At the time, Rosenhaus said that he was “working on teams” for Finnegan, who indicated a willingness to play either cornerback or safety.
Finnegan, 31, was one of the league’s worst cornerbacks in 2013, according to Pro Football Focus’ advanced metrics. PFF ranked Finnegan 109th out of 110 qualified corners, with a grade of -19.7 in just seven games. As such, it came as a bit of a surprise when Miami inked the former Ram to a two-year, $11MM deal in 2014.
Finnegan was a little better for the Dolphins in 2014, but still placed just 74th out of 108 corners, with a -4.4 grade in 2014, per PFF. Miami released Finnegan before free agency began this year, and the former seventh-round pick retired about a week later.
Any team interested in taking a shot on Finnegan this year would probably have to overlook his 2013 and 2014 numbers, though the veteran defensive back would certainly come cheaper this time around than he has on his last couple contracts.
Community Tailgate: Undefeated NFL Teams
As the NFL season nears its halfway point, there are plenty of topics and storylines to discuss, and PFR’s Community Tailgate is designed to address those stories. What’s the Community Tailgate all about? Well, it’s pretty simple. 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.
While no NFL team is in danger of going 0-16 this season, there are a handful of teams whose hopes of a 16-0 campaign are still alive. Through six weeks, an impressive five teams remain undefeated, with three of those clubs holding a 6-0 record. The three 6-0 teams are the Broncos, the Bengals, and the Packers, while the Patriots and Panthers sit atop their respective divisions with 5-0 records.
Green Bay and Denver, typically offensive powerhouses led by Aaron Rodgers and Peyton Manning, have been buoyed by their defense in the early going, each limiting opposing teams to about 17 points per game. Cincinnati and New England, meanwhile, have dominated on the offensive side of the ball, with the Bengals averaging over 30 points per contest, while the Pats put up nearly 37 a game. The final undefeated club, Carolina, had its first statement win in Week 6, defeating the Seahawks in Seattle, thanks to an impressive showing from Cam Newton.
All five teams look very likely to make the postseason, and it’s possible that one will even make a run at an undefeated season. But not all five are created equal. What do you think? Which of the five undefeated clubs looks the strongest, or the weakest? How would you rank these five teams at this point in the season, and going forward?
Weigh in below in the comments section to let us know your thoughts!