East Notes: Dolphins, Pats, Giants, Redskins
While most teams around the NFL have set their 53-man rosters and 10-man practice squads for the season, we shouldn’t expect those clubs to just sit on their hands going forward. Many clubs have been auditioning players this week for potential spots on the active roster or practice squad, including several teams from the NFL’s two East divisions. Via Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun, who passes along the latest updates in a series of tweets, here are the latest items out of the AFC and NFC East:
- The Dolphins tried out a handful of pass-catchers, including wide receivers Lamaar Thomas, L’Damian Washington, Travis Harvey, Michael Preston, and tight ends Jake Murphy, Michael Higgins, and David Paulson. The team also brought in quarterbacks Chase Rettig and Brad Sorensen.
- Maurice Hagans (RB), Evan Rodriguez (FB/TE), Derrell Johnson (LB), Josh Kaddu (LB), Allen Reisner (TE), Weslye Saunders (TE), Kion Wilson (LB), and Martez Wilson (DE/OLB) are among the players who auditioned for the Patriots. Wilson also lists Colin Underwood among the players working out for the Pats, but I would guess that’s ex-Chargers edge defender Colton Underwood.
- A few players who worked out for the Giants this week have been previously reported, but Wilson also adds several new names: Deveron Carr (CB), Emmett Cleary (T), Patrick Edwards (WR), Dominique Hamilton (DT), Chris Harper (WR), Will Simmons (OL), Rod Sweeting (DB), Trevardo Williams (LB), and Brian Wozniak (TE).
- In addition to offensive lineman Braxston Cave and linebacker Jackson Jeffcoat, who signed to the team’s practice squad, the Redskins also tried out defensive linemen Calvin Barnett, Derrick Hopkins, Quinn Pitcock, and Ryan Robinson.
- Wide receiver Teddy Williams visited the Eagles, but the team didn’t end up signing him to its practice squad, as had been previously reported, according to Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer (via Twitter).
East Notes: Wilkerson, Giants, Pats, Dolphins
If J.J. Watt is the standard for the defensive line market, averaging about $16MM per year, Wilkerson should come in somewhere around $13MM or $14MM a year, writes Rich Cimini of ESPNNewYork.com. Wilkerson is in the same boat as Watt was – he’s under contract through 2015. There isn’t a ton of pressure on the Jets to get something done, but they may want to lock up their stud for the long haul before it could cost them even more money. Here’s more out of the AFC and NFC East..
- Linebacker Steve Beauharnais was among the notable names auditioning for the Giants today, tweets Dan Graziano of ESPN.com. Other names from today’s Giants workout include quarterbacks Matt Scott and Tyler Wilson, and wide receiver Juron Criner. As was previously reported, offensive lineman Adam Gettis and former Ball State wideout Willie Snead were also among the players in attendance.
- The Giants are working to sign former 49ers guard Adam Snyder, according to Mike Garafolo of FOX Sports (on Twitter). The Giants are looking for help on the offensive line with Geoff Schwartz out of action.
- The Patriots worked out long snapper Kevin McDermott, according to Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (on Twitter).
- Former Patriot wide receiver Jeremy Gallon had a try out for the Dolphins today, according to Field Yates of ESPN.com (on Twitter).
Tom Brady Talks Mankins, Pats, Future
A report last week suggested that Patriots quarterback Tom Brady wasn’t too happy with the team’s decision to trade Pro Bowl guard Logan Mankins to the Buccaneers with less than two weeks until the regular season got underway. Appearing on WEEI this morning, Brady didn’t deny being upset, though his comments indicated that he has already moved past it. Here are the highlights from Brady’s radio appearance (links via ESPN.com):
On Mankins’ departure:
“I love Logan. Logan was a great friend of mine. Nobody stood for Patriots football more than him. … I dealt with whatever feelings I had last week, but I’ve moved on. I have to move on, because that’s what this team expects me to do.”
On whether it has gotten any easier to rationalize how the business side of the NFL works:
“Absolutely not. I’m a very person-to-person type of person, a very emotional person. I don’t think those things have ever gotten easier for me. I don’t think they ever will. But you have to come to grips with it also, and learn to deal with things in a mature way. We, as players, it’s the business side of things. We’re out there to play, we’re not out there to run businesses. We’re there to enjoy the camaraderie with our teammates, enjoy the playing experience with our teammates, and play for one another. And you deal with whatever comes up and then you move forward. I think that’s part of the sport. … I know it’s going to happen next year too, I know it’s going to happen the year after that, the year after that. For as long as you continue playing, you’re going to be dealing with this.”
On the possibility of staying with the Patriots for the rest of his career:
“There’s nowhere I’d rather play, I know that. I love playing for this team and I love representing this team and hopefully I can do that for as long as I can. When I suck, I’ll retire, but I don’t plan on sucking for a long time. So hopefully that leads me to being here and there’s no place I’d rather be.”
On considering retirement and weighing how long to continue his career:
“You know, you’re expected in this business to perform. That’s what football is about. This is not a personality contest. This is a very highly competitive game where your physical skill set and what it means to the team, they place a value on that. If that value fits within the range, then great. If it doesn’t, they don’t want you and then you go somewhere else to play. Once no one else wants you, or you don’t want to play anymore, that’s when you retire. Some guys make the decision to retire early. So I like working hard at it and I’m going to try to be the best I can be for as long as I can be that. Hopefully the team values that and if they don’t, then I’ll probably have a tough day at some point. But that’s what football is all about.”
Minor Moves: Monday
We’ll keep track of today’s minor transactions here, with any updates being added to the top of the post:
- After cutting one linebacker earlier today, the Jets have signed another, adding A.J. Edds, according to Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News (via Twitter). Edds, 26, was selected in the fourth round of the 2010 draft by the Patriots. To clear a roster spot, New York released cornerback Ellis Lankster.
Earlier Updates:
- The Seahawks have swapped out a pair of receivers by signing Bryan Walters while waiving Phil Bates, per Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times (Twitter link). Walters, 26, had been waived Saturday as Seattle trimmed their roster to 53, but he’s now back with the team.
- The Cowboys officially announced the signing of linebacker Korey Toomer, and in order to clear a roster spot, waived safety Jemea Thomas, tweets Brian McIntyre. Dallas claimed Thomas, a 2014 sixth-round pick, off waivers from New England just five days ago.
- Receiver Kyle Williams was released from the Chiefs’ injured reserve list with an injury settlement, according to Adam Teicher of ESPN.com (via Twitter). Williams, whose most notable playing time came with the 49ers, suffered a shoulder injury in Kansas City’s final preseason game.
- The Jets claimed receiver Walter Powell off waivers from the Cardinals, tweets Symmetry Reps, his agency. To make room for Powell, the Jets cut Jeremiah George, per Brian Costello of the New York Post (on Twitter).
- The Patriots were awarded safety Don Jones off waivers from the Dolphins, reports Field Yates of ESPN (Twitter link). Jones was in the news during the offseason after making inflammatory comments about Michael Sam. New England waived guard Chris Barker to clear a roster spot.
- The Raiders have placed linebacker Kaelin Burnett on injured reserve, tweets Adam Caplan of ESPN; the 24-year-old Nevada product had been dealing with a knee injury.
- The following players were released from their teams’ respective IR lists with injury settlements, according to Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (series of Twitter links): offensive tackle Matt Patchan (Buccaneers); cornerback Justin Green, defensive tackle Zach Minter, and defensive back Johnny Thomas (Cowboys); linebacker Tim Fugger (Jets); defensive tackle Michael Brooks and linebacker Horace Miller (Seahawks).
AFC Notes: Jones, Carr, Tannehill
The Patriots’ waiver claim of ex-Dolphin safety Don Jones might be more intriguing that it seems, writes Mike Reiss of ESPN.com. New England plays Miami Week 1, leading Reiss to surmise that Bill Belichick is attempting his patented move of bringing in an upcoming opponent’s castoff in order to glean inside information. Rules prevent practice squad players from signing with his ex-team’s next opponent, but per my reading of the CBA, there is no such restriction on waiver claims. Therefore, as Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald argues, the Dolphins essentially enabled Belichick’s strategy by cutting a competent player the week before they play the Pats. Salguero believes Miami should claim offensive lineman Chris Barker (who New England waived to facilitate Jones’ addition) as retaliation of sorts, though I’m not sure engaging in back-end roster shuffling with Belichick is the best of ideas.
More from the AFC:
- In a separate piece, Reiss reports the Patriots worked out long-snapper Kevin McDermott earlier today. New England cut incumbent LS Danny Aiken on Saturday, leaving linebacker Rob Ninkovich as the the top snapping option on the 53-man roster.
- Following the news that rookie Derek Carr will be the Raiders’ starting quarterback (in lieu of Matt Schaub), Ian Rapoport of NFL.com opines that Schaub’s injury “[gave] the Raiders cover” for doing what they always wanted to do — name Carr the starter (Twitter link via Chris Wesseling of NFL.com).
- Jerry McDonald of the Oakland Tribune agrees with Rapoport, observing (on Twitter) that it will be difficult for the Raiders to sell the QB switch as “anything but performance-based” given that Schaub has returned to practice (and is presumably somewhat healthy).
- More on the Raiders: Jason Fitzgerald of Over the Cap notes (via Twitter) that Oakland has spent a first-, second-, fourth-, fifth-, and sixth-round pick on quarterback trades since 2012. Those QBs — Jason Campbell, Carson Palmer, Matt Flynn, and Schaub — will have started 45 combined games if Carr doesn’t relinquish the No. 1 role, tweets Fitzgerald.
- Alex Smith‘s contract extension with the Chiefs may have set the bar for the upper-middle-class of quarterbacks, and James Walker of ESPN.com wonders if Smith’s deal will affect future negotiations between Ryan Tannehill and the Dolphins.
Patriots Add Seven To Practice Squad
11:52am: The Pats have officially announced their full practice squad in a press release, and the following players are the three that had yet to be reported:
- Kanorris Davis, S
- Chris Martin, OL
- Deontae Skinner, DL
11:00am: The Patriots have added four players to their practice squad, according to Mike Reiss of ESPNBoston.com (via a series of Twitter posts). The following players joined the practice squad today:
- Jake Bequette, linebacker
- Charley Hughlett, long snapper
- Daxton Swanson, cornerback
- Josh Boyce, wide receiver
Sunday/Monday Transactions: AFC East
Listed below are the Sunday roster moves for the four AFC East teams. Following the 53-man roster cutdown deadline yesterday, many teams will make slight tweaks to their rosters, claiming players off waivers or signing guys who clear waivers. Those transactions are noted below.
Additionally, as of 11:00am CT today, teams can begin constructing their 10-man practice squads. For the 2014 and 2015 seasons, changes were made to practice squad rules that allow teams to carry eight players instead of 10, and the eligibility requirements for those extra two spots were also loosened. You can check out our glossary entry on practice squads to brush up on those changes, as well as all the other guidelines that govern the 10-man units, whose players practice with the team but aren’t eligible to suit up on Sundays.
Here are Sunday’s AFC East transactions, which will continue to be updated throughout the day:
Buffalo Bills:
- Signed to practice squad (officially announced): Deon Broomfield, S (via Mike Rodak on Twitter); Jimmy Gaines, LB (via Rodak on Twitter); Caleb Holley, WR (via Rodak on Twitter); Ike Igbinosun, DE (via Aaron Wilson on Twitter); Bryan Johnson, DE (via Rodak on Twitter); Kenny Ladler, DB (via Rodak on Twitter); Jeff Tuel, QB (via Rodak on Twitter); D.J. Morrell, G and Lonnie Pryor, FB (via Rodak on Twitter)
Miami Dolphins:
- Claimed off waivers (officially announced): Brandian Ross, S (via Adam Beasley on Twitter); Sammy Seamster, CB (via Aaron Wilson on Twitter)
- Cut: Don Jones, S (via Beasley on Twitter); Damian Williams, WR (via Beasley on Twitter)
- Signed to practice squad (officially announced): Sam Brenner, C (via Wilson on Twitter); Jacob Maxwell, TE (via Dave Birkett on Twitter); Tommy Streeter, WR (via Armando Salguero on Twitter), Matt Hazel, WR; Tony Hills, OT; David Hinds, LB; Seth Lobato, QB, D’Aundre Reed, DE; Lowell Rose, CB; Garrison Smith, DT
New England Patriots:
- Traded: Ryan Mallett, QB (link)
- Claimed off waivers (officially announced): Bruce Gaston, DT; Kelcy Quarles, DT
- Cut (officially announced): Chris White, LB
- Signed to practice squad: McLeod Bethel-Thompson, QB (Adam Caplan on Twitter); Ja’Gared Davis, OLB (via Doug Kyed on Twitter); Jonas Gray, RB (via Mark Daniels on Twitter)
New York Jets:
- Claimed off waivers: Leon McFadden, CB (via Rand Getlin on Twitter)
- Cut: LeQuan Lewis, CB (via Manish Mehta on Twitter)
- Signed to practice squad (officially announced): Matt Simms, QB (via Seth Walder on Twitter), Daryl Richardson, RB; Chris Pantale, TE; Brent Qvale, OT; Tevita Finau, DL; Kerry Hyder, DL; Rontez Miles, S.
AFC Links: Manning, Mallett, Houston, Clary
Danieal Manning was cut by the Bengals yesterday, but he caught on with a familiar team this afternoon. The former All-Pro safety signed with the Texans, the team he played with the past three seasons. The 32-year-old talked about his return to Houston (all via tweets from Mark Berman of KRIV):
“Rick (Smith) kept his word, that if I ever have an opportunity to come back, he’ll talk to me about it. He did and we came back…It feels really good. I’m excited. I’m thankful. I’m grateful. This business is really funny… It seems like I took a little short vacation. This just feels right coming back home.”
Let’s take a look at some more notes out of the AFC…
- The Houston Chronicle’s Brian T. Smith has more details on the Texans–Patriots trade (via Twitter): New England will receive a conditional seventh-rounder than could improve to a sixth-round pick based on Ryan Mallett‘s snap count.
- Alex Smith‘s new extension will allow the Chiefs to franchise linebacker Justin Houston if the sides don’t come to an agreement, notes Terez A. Paylor of The Kansas City Star (via Twitter).
- Chargers guard Jeromey Clary underwent hip surgery about a week ago, and Michael Gehlkin of U-T San Diego writes that the 30-year-old could miss the entire season.
Texans Acquire Ryan Mallett From Pats
1:27pm: Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link) is now reporting that the Texans are sending a conditional seventh-round pick for 2016 to New England in the deal. It appears as if that may be the lone pick involved in the swap, rather than it being in addition to the previously-reported 2015 sixth-rounder.
12:46pm: The Pats will receive a sixth-round pick in exchange for Mallett, according to Tania Ganguli of ESPN.com (Twitter links). Ganguli also reported that Keenum is indeed the roster casualty involved in the move.
12:35pm: Ryan Mallett may have earned a spot on the Patriots’ initial 53-man roster, but he didn’t stick around long. According to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter), New England has traded its backup quarterback to the Texans.
Mallett, who has been Tom Brady’s backup in New England for multiple seasons, has drawn trade interest during the past couple years, and became more expendable after the club drafted Jimmy Garoppolo this past May. The Pats weren’t looking to just give him away, but as Albert Breer of the NFL Network tweeted during the preseason, Mallett “might as well be wearing a For Sale sign around his neck” this summer.
The Texans had frequently been cited as the most likely destination for Mallett this offseason, given the presence of former Patriots quarterback coach Bill O’Brien in Houston. A report back in March suggested that the Texans had inquired on Mallett and had some interest in the former third-round pick, though at the time John McClain of the Houston Chronicle shot down the idea that Houston would acquire the Pats’ backup. Rumors resurfaced during draft week, but were again shot down shortly thereafter.
Houston is heading into the season with Ryan Fitzpatrick as its starter, and also drafted Tom Savage back in May. Case Keenum was the third signal-caller to earn a spot on the Texans’ initial 53-man roster, but his time in Houston seems to be nearing an end now that Mallett is in the mix.
Before sending him to the Texans, the Pats also discussed a Mallett trade with the Bills and Cowboys, per Jeff Howe of the Boston Herald (via Twitter).
Patriots Notes: FA Tryouts, Worthy, Mallett
The Patriots were busy today trimming their roster down to 53 players. However, the team was still actively scouting the free agent market, and ESPN.com’s Mike Reiss reports that 12 players were actually in for tryouts:
- Armon Binns, WR
- Omar Brown, S
- Deveron Carr, CB
- Jermelle Cudjo, DT
- Hebron Fangupo, DT
- Cam Henderson, DE
- Aaron Hester, CB
- Rashad Lawrence, WR
- Jeff Matthews, QB
- Kevin Reddick, LB
- Jerome Smith, RB
- McLeod Bethel-Thompson, QB
Let’s check out some more notes out of New England…
- Since Jerel Worthy failed to make the Patriots roster, the team doesn’t owe the Packers a draft pick, explains ESPN.com’s Rob Demovsky. The Patriots acquired Worthy from the Packers earlier this month for a conditional seventh-rounder.
- The Boston Herald’s Jeff Howe tweets that the Cowboys could be a landing spot for quarterback Ryan Mallett. The writer also suggests that the Texans and Rams could get involved.
- The Patriots won’t be provided with any additional cap relief since Isaac Sopoaga failed to make the Cardinals roster, tweets Howe.
- Following the release of Danny Aiken, the Patriots don’t have a long snapper on the roster. As the Boston Globe’s Shalise Manza Young notes (via Twitter), if the team doesn’t carry a long snapper, it would be the first time they’ve gone without one during Bill Belichick‘s tenure.