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New Orleans Saints News & Rumors

NFC Notes: Saints, Novak, Bowers, Panthers

By | at September 7, 2015 9:45 pm

The Saints are set to audition former Chargers kicker Nick Novak, according to Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com (on Twitter). As La Canfora notes, the Saints could use a veteran kicker and the 34-year-old would fit the bill for them. Novak made 22-of-26 field goals last year and is only two years removed from his best campaign, making 34-of-37 kicks in 2013. He also hasn’t missed more than four kicks in a season since his first in San Diego.

  • Former Buccaneers defensive lineman Da’Quan Bowers will work out for the Panthers, according to a source who spoke with Jonathan Jones of the Charlotte Observer. Bowers, a second-round pick in the 2010 NFL draft, was released by the Buccaneers over the weekend. In his four seasons with the Bucs, Bowers has totaled just seven sacks. Last year he had one sack in 11 games, including two starts.
  • In order for the Seahawks to get the Cowboys’ seventh-round pick in 2016, Christine Michael will have to be on the 46-man gameday roster three times this season, Todd Archer of ESPN.com writes. Michael came to the Cowboys over the weekend in a deal that will help strengthen up a group of running backs that includes Joseph Randle, Darren McFadden, and Lance Dunbar.
  • If quarterback Ryan Griffin wasn’t claimed by the Buccaneers this week, he would have wound up joining the Browns, Field Yates of ESPN.com tweets. The Browns were the only other team to put a claim in on Griffin.
  • Lions GM Martin Mayhew said that he plans on signing a quarterback to the practice squad, Tim Twentyman of DetroitLions.com tweets. A signing could happen as soon as Tuesday.
0 comments Carolina Panthers Cleveland Browns Dallas Cowboys Detroit Lions New Orleans Saints Seattle Seahawks Tampa Bay Buccaneers Uncategorized

NFC Notes: Washington, Powell, Jones

By | at September 6, 2015 9:53 pm

Despite a need at both tight end and outside linebacker, Washington has elected to remain patient with their roster. The team only kept two tight ends and four outside linebackers on the current version of their 53-man roster, and did not put a waiver claim in on any of the many players on the wire today at either position, writes Mike Jones of the Washington Post. However, Jones does expect the team to add to the position in the coming days if the opportunity arises.

Here are some more stories from around the NFL this Sunday:

  • Receiver Corey Washington has received an injury settlement with the Giants, who therefore released him from the injured reserve, reports Ralph Vacchiano of the New York Daily News (via Twitter). Washington is now free to sign with any team.
  • The Saints have waived linebacker Ronald Powell with an injury settlement, according to Evan Woodbery of NOLA.com (via Twitter). Powell is only eligible to re-sign with the Saints after Week 6 plus the length of the settlement (via Twitter).
  • After signing James Jones, the Packers will have to cut a player to make room, writes Jason Wilde of ESPN.com (via Twitter). That player will not be Datone Jones, he adds, despite the rumors that Jones was on the chopping block. Jones is not on the current 53-man roster, because he is suspended for Week 1 (via Twitter). Wilde does mention Myles White as a possible candidate to be cut (via Twitter).
0 comments Green Bay Packers New Orleans Saints New York Giants Washington Commanders

Sunday NFL Transactions: NFC South

By | at September 6, 2015 5:52 pm

Listed below are the Sunday roster moves for the four NFC South 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 for the Falcons, Panthers, Saints, and Buccaneers are noted below.

Additionally, as of 11:00am 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 NFC South transactions, which will continue to be updated throughout the day:

Atlanta Falcons

Carolina Panthers

New Orleans Saints

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

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NFC Notes: Bucs, Byrd, Brooks

By | at September 6, 2015 10:07 am

After taking a peek at a few AFC notes this morning, let’s have a look at some NFC links in advance of today’s flurry of waiver claims and practice squad news:

  • The Buccaneers are first in line to claim players waived by the 31 other teams in the league, and Greg Auman of The Tampa Bay Times says one position where the Bucs will likely add a player is defensive end. After placing Larry English on injured reserve and cutting backups Lawrence Sidbury and rookie Ryan Delaire, Tampa Bay currently has only three defensive ends on its roster.
  • We learned yesterday that Saints safety Jairus Byrd had avoided the regular season PUP list, meaning that he is eligible to play immediately when he is medically ready. As Katherine Terrell of The Times-Picayune observes, it is still unclear as to exactly when Byrd will be back, but the fact that he is on the 53-man roster indicates that he could be ready to go soon.
  • Ahmad Brooks will remain on the 49ers‘ 53-man roster as the league continues to monitor his criminal case, per Eric Branch of The San Francisco Chronicle. Head coach Jim Tomsula said he expects Brooks to play next week’s season opener, and the NFL issued a statement stating that it was not appropriate to place Brooks on the Commissioner’s Exempt List at this time.
  • John Keim of ESPN.com takes a closer look at some of the fallout from the Robert Griffin III drama in Washington. Keim notes that not everyone in the organization believes in Kirk Cousins, and Griffin’s biggest fan is team owner Dan Snyder. If Cousins gives Snyder a reason to believe in him, then Griffin may be traded or released. But if Cousins struggles, and there is plenty of reason to believe he will, the possible tension between ownership and the rest of Washington’s brass may be further illuminated.
  • Rich Tandler of CSNWashington.com looks at five Washington starting jobs that could change hands this season, including quarterback (obviously), left guard, and strong safety.
  • If he goes unclaimed on waivers, the Eagles will definitely sign RB Raheem Mostert to their practice squad, according to Les Bowen of The Philadelphia Daily News (Twitter link).
  • The Lions, meanwhile, plan to sign Andrew Peacock to their practice squad today, according to a tweet from Dave Birkett of The Detroit Free Press. Peacock cleared waivers last week.
0 comments Detroit Lions New Orleans Saints Philadelphia Eagles San Francisco 49ers Tampa Bay Buccaneers Washington Commanders

Saints Slim Down Roster To 53

By | at September 5, 2015 7:32 pm

One season and two training camps proved sufficient for the Saints to determine whether Stanley Jean-Baptiste was capable of making an impact for them.

They determined the 2014 second-round pick wasn’t good enough for their roster, notes Katherine Terrell of NOLA.com. Jean-Baptiste only played eight snaps last year and as a result of this move, Brandin Cooks is the only player remaining on the team from last year’s draft class.

The Saints instead kept 2014 undrafted free agent Brian Dixon, who played 166 snaps as a rookie, among their seven-cornerback contingent.

New Orleans did not keep veteran receiver Josh Morgan, either, and will go with a mostly young receiving stable, excepting Marques Colston.

Jairus Byrd also avoided having to start the season on the PUP list, per Terrell.

The Saints’ other cuts are as follows:

  • Justin Anderson, LB
  • Edwin Baker, RB
  • Nick Becton, OL
  • Orson Charles, TE
  • Henry Coley, LB
  • Jerry Franklin, LB
  • Mike Golic Jr., OL
  • Ryan Griffin, QB
  • Bryce Harris, T
  • Sean Hickey, OL
  • Seantavius Jones, WR
  • Dustin Hopkins, K
  • Cyril Lemon, OL
  • Chris Manhertz, TE
  • Joseph Morgan, WR
  • Toben Opurum, FB
  • Sammy Seamster, CB
  • Alex Smith, TE
  • Pierre Warren, S
0 comments New Orleans Saints Transactions

Saints Cut Parys Haralson

By | at September 5, 2015 1:39 pm

The Saints’ linebacking corps continues to fluctuate, with the team now deciding to cut veteran linebacker Parys Haralson, according to NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport (on Twitter).

Haralson was a part-time starter in New Orleans the past two seasons, starting 20 games but appearing in all 32 since joining the team in 2013.

Prior to that, the 31-year-old linebacker was a fixture on the 49ers, starting from 2007-11 after being a fifth-round pick of the team’s in 2006.

Already out Curtis Lofton in free agency, the Saints earlier this summer cut Junior Galette and Anthony Spencer, the latter moving to injured reserve, so a lesser-known linebacking corps will man the second level for the team this season.

Haralson should attract interest, earning positive marks from Pro Football Focus the past two years for his work at outside backer.

 

0 comments New Orleans Saints Newsstand Transactions

Bears’ Willie Young On Trade Block

By | at September 5, 2015 11:12 am

Bears edge defender Willie Young is on the trade block, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter). It’s not clear whether teams are calling Chicago about Young, or whether the Bears are shopping him, but perhaps it’s some combination of the two.

Young, who will turn 30 later this month, had a career year in 2014, his first with the Bears. After arriving in Chicago following four seasons with the Lions, Young racked up 10 sacks, recording 40 tackles and forcing a fumble as well.

However, Young’s season ended with a torn Achilles in December, an injury that isn’t easy to come back from. While the veteran pass rusher avoided the PUP list this summer, he’s had some trouble adjusting to the Bears’ 3-4 scheme under new defensive coordinator Vic Fangio. Young is lining up as an outside linebacker, rather than a defensive end, in the new look.

The Saints “may be looking in [the] direction” of Young, according to Larry Holder of the New Orleans Times-Picayune (via Twitter). The Saints, of course, lost their top pass rusher when they cut Junior Galette.

1 comment Chicago Bears New Orleans Saints Newsstand

South Notes: K. Lewis, Jennings, J. Jones, Jags

By | at September 2, 2015 1:54 pm

The Saints made the cornerback position a priority this offseason when they added former Patriot Brandon Browner and CFLer Delvin Breaux as free agents, but the team’s top corner won’t be available to start the regular season. According to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter), Keenan Lewis underwent hip surgery yesterday and will miss about four to six weeks of action.

Landing on the IR with the designation to return doesn’t appear likely for Lewis, since that would sideline him for the entire first half, but the Saints will have to make do without him for at least the next month.

Let’s check in on a few other items from out of the league’s two South divisions….

  • Speaking to Josina Anderson of ESPN.com (Facebook link), free agent cornerback Tim Jennings said a visit with to Tampa Bay “went well,” but he hasn’t made a decision yet on whether he’ll sign with the Buccaneers. “I do want to take this time to see what other opportunities may materialize, if possible,” Jennings said. “Some teams may have some things come up with more roster cuts. Obviously, I also have a strong connection to Tampa too. So we will see.”
  • Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com has the full year-by-year breakdown for Julio Jones‘ extension with the Falcons, which includes a $12MM signing bonus and $35.5MM in fully guaranteed money.
  • Echoing many of the same points made by Jason La Canfora in a recent CBSSports.com column, Bob Kravitz of WTHR Sports writes that Chuck Pagano‘s future as the Colts head coach is uncertain, given his expiring contract and possible tension with GM Ryan Grigson.
  • The Jaguars would “most likely not” let Justin Blackmon out of his NFL contract to pursue a contract in the CFL, writes Alex Marvez of FOX Sports. Of course, Blackmon would also have to be reinstated by the NFL before he could even consider playing in Canada, and that doesn’t appear imminent either.
  • A housekeeping detail on the Steelers‘ acquisition of Josh Scobee, per Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com (Twitter links): The Jaguars converted $925K of Scobee’s base salary into a signing bonus before completing the deal, meaning they pay that amount, leaving the Steelers with just a $2.5MM tab for 2015.
1 comment Atlanta Falcons Canadian Football League Indianapolis Colts Jacksonville Jaguars New Orleans Saints Pittsburgh Steelers Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Patriots To Acquire Jalen Saunders From Saints

By | at September 1, 2015 5:20 pm

5:20pm: The Pats will send the Saints a conditional 2018 seventh-round choice, Field Yates of ESPN.com tweets.

8:22am: Bill Belichick and the Patriots have pulled off another trade, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com, who reports (via Twitter) that the team is acquiring wide receiver and return specialist Jalen Saunders from the Saints for a conditional draft pick. It’ll be the fourth trade New England has made since August 10.

Saunders, who turns 23 later this month, was selected by the Jets in the fourth round (104th overall) in the 2014 draft. The Oklahoma product was cut in September by New York, then spent time on the Cardinals’ and Seahawks’ practice squads before catching on with the Saints. However, he became expendable this summer, when seventh-round rookie Marcus Murphy beat him out for New Orleans’ return job.

The exact details on the conditional pick going to the Saints in the swap aren’t known, but I wouldn’t be surprised if New Orleans only gets the pick if Saunders makes the Patriots’ roster, or plays in a certain number of games for New England.

The Patriots have also made small deals for offensive lineman Ryan Groy, tight end Asante Cleveland, and OL/TE Michael Williams over the last month.

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Saints Claim Sammy Seamster Off Waivers

By | at September 1, 2015 3:32 pm

5:35pm: After trading Jalen Saunders to the Patriots, the Saints had 14 players to shed prior to today’s deadline. They got the job done and we have the full list of moves, courtesy of The Times-Picayune’s Evan Woodbery.

Claimed Off Waivers:

  • Sammy Seamster, CB (waived by Dolphins)

Released:

  • Erik Lorig, FB

Waived:

  • Antonio Johnson, OL
  • Lance Lewis, WR
  • Ronald Powell, LB
  • Markus Pierce-Brewster, DE
  • Nick Toon, WR
  • Terrence Frederick, CB
  • R.J. Harris, WR
  • Chris Young, LB
  • David Hunter, DT
  • Cole Manhart, OL

Waived/Injured:

  • Vinnie Sunseri, S

Placed on IR:

  • Anthony Spencer, OLB
  • P.J. Williams, CB

3:32pm: The Saints have waived defensive tackle David Hunter and linebacker Chris Young, according to Evan Woodbery of The Times-Picayune (Twitter links). In addition to those moves, New Orleans has waived wide receiver Nick Toon, undrafted rookie receiver R.J. Harris, cornerback Terrence Frederick, (via Twitter links).

Hunter and Young were brought in as a camp fill-ins after the Saints suffered multiple injuries in their first preseason game. Weeks later, it’s not a huge surprise to see both players let go.

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