Minor Moves: Hagg, Giants, Pats, Cowboys
After a quiet few weeks, roster moves around the NFL are picking up again, with most training camps just around the corner. We’ll track today’s minor moves here, including signings and cuts of players with no or little NFL experience. Here are the latest moves, with additional transactions added to the top of the page throughout the day:
- Safety Eric Hagg has informed the Broncos he intends to retire, reports Mike Klis of the Denver Post. Hagg, who appeared in 23 total games in two season with the Browns in 2011-12, had signed a futures contract with Denver earlier this year.
- According to Field Yates of ESPN.com (via Twitter), the Giants have acted quickly to fill Chris Snee‘s roster spot, signing offensive lineman John Sullen, who auditioned for the team last month.
- Former BYU defensive tackle Eathyn Manumaleuna, who was cut by the Giants last month has signed with the Patriots, according to a team release. The club waived Seali’i Epenesa to clear room on the 90-man roster for Manumaleuna.
Earlier updates:
- Free agent wideout Dezmon Briscoe has signed with the Cowboys, according to agent Erik Burkhardt (via Twitter). Briscoe, who caught 35 passes for the Buccaneers in 2011, was waived-injured by the Redskins prior to the 2013 regular season. In order to sign Briscoe, the team waived defensive tackle Chris Whaley with a non-football injury designation, tweets Calvin Watkins of ESPNDallas.
- The Bengals have maintained an opening on their 90-man roster, waiving rookie wideout Alex Neutz today, according to Paul Dehner Jr. of the Cincinnati Enquirer (Twitter link).
- The Chargers have waived center Nick McDonald, the team announced today (via Twitter). The offensive lineman had inked a reserve/futures contract with the club back in January.
- With the newly-open roster spot, the Chargers will bring aboard Khalil Wilkes, a Stanford product who participated in the club’s minicamp in May. Michael Gehlken of the San Diego Union-Tribune reports (via Twitter) that the team has agreed to terms with the undrafted center.
- One of the players who went unselected in this month’s supplemental draft has found a home, according to Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post, who reports that defensive tackle LaKendrick Ross is signing with the Bengals. Ross, who tried out for the Bengals today, had 11 teams attend his workout prior to that supplemental draft, though Cincinnati wasn’t among that list. The Bengals had an open roster spot already, so no corresponding move will be necessary to bring Ross aboard.
Giants Not Looking To Add Veteran OL
In the wake of Chris Snee‘s retirement, the Giants find themselves a bit thinner on the interior of their offensive line, and will likely head into the season with three new starters at center, left guard, and right guard. Still, at the moment, the team isn’t looking to add any offensive linemen via free agency or trade, according to Giants president, CEO, and co-owner John Mara (Twitter link via Jordan Raanan of NJ.com).
John Jerry, Brandon Mosley, J.D. Walton, and Weston Richburg are among the candidates to take over at right guard, though all the members of that group are either inexperienced or weren’t overly effective in 2013. Either Walton or Richburg will also likely begin the season as the starting center.
The lack of experienced options at right guard prompted multiple writers to speculate earlier today that the Giants could pursue outside help. Mike Garafolo of Fox Sports (Twitter link) speculated that disgruntled 49ers guard Alex Boone could be a potential trade target, while Adam Caplan of ESPN.com (Twitter link) named veteran free agent Mike Brisiel as a possible fit. For now though, it seems the club is happy with its internal options, though of course that’s subject to change if no one stands out in training camp or if the injury bug strikes.
The Giants did replace Snee on the roster with an offensive lineman today, but guard John Sullen has no regular-season NFL experience and is a long shot to make the roster.
Chris Snee Announces Retirement
12:33pm: The Giants and Snee have officially announced his retirement in a press release.
“Chris is a pro’s pro,” general manager Jerry Reese said. “He played the game right. He was as tough and prideful as they come. We will miss him.”
11:11am: After we heard yesterday that veteran offensive lineman Chris Snee was considering the possibility of retirement, it appears he has made his decision, opting to end his playing career. A tweet from his agency and an Instagram update from teammate Antrel Rolle both indicate that Snee has decided to retire.
Snee, 32, was a second-round pick in 2004, and has spent his entire career in New York. The longtime Giant started a total of 141 games over his 10-year career, earning four Pro Bowl berths and being named an All-Pro following the 2008 season. Snee also won two Super Bowls with the club.
Hip injuries sidelined Snee for a good chunk of the 2013 season, and although he agreed to take a pay cut for the 2014 season in the hopes of returning to the field, he has been unable to get healthy. The guard has also been dealing with complications to his surgically-repaired elbow, which caused him to miss spring practices.
With Snee no longer in the mix, John Jerry and Brandon Mosley are candidates to play right guard on an offensive line that will feature multiple new starters in 2014. The club could also consider moving J.D. Walton or second-round pick Weston Richburg over from center.
Chris Snee Mulls Retirement
9:47pm: Several team sources expect Snee to make his retirement official tomorrow, writes Ralph Vacchiano of the Daily News. A source tells Vacchiano that a final decision has yet to be made, but Dan Graziano of ESPN.com hears that he’ll retire.
5:30pm: Giants guard Chris Snee will meet with the Giants’ staff tomorrow, and retirement is a possibility, tweets Mike Garafolo of Fox Sports 1. Some reports had indicated the Snee was definitely going to hang up his cleats, but apparently his consultation with team brass will help him make his decision.
Snee has been dealing with complications to his surgically-repaired elbow, which caused him to miss spring practices. According to Ralph Vacchiano of the New York Post (on Twitter), Snee’s elbow is “not good.” After undergoing hip surgery last year, he was only able to play in three games, so perhaps the continuously mounting injuries have caught up with Snee.
Snee, 32, was a second-round pick in 2004, and has spent his entire career in New York. He has started a total of 141 games over his 10-year career. If he opts to retire, the Giants would likely to turn to either veteran John Jerry (who is also injured) or 2012 fourth-rounder Brandon Mosley to man right guard.
East Notes: Bills, Coughlin, Ryan, Eagles
The Toronto-based group bidding on the Bills, which involves rocker Jon Bon Jovi, Larry Tanenbaum of Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment, and the Rogers family, would keep the team in Buffalo, sources tell John Kryk of the Toronto Sun. While neither of the parties mentioned has even publicly confirmed interest in purchasing the team, it sounds like the group is not planning on relocating the franchise to Canada. However, as Mike Rodak of ESPN.com writes, any talk of moving the team would be pointless as of right now, since the Bills can’t be relocated until at least 2020; anything potential buyers say in 2014 could just be lip service to placate Buffalo fans. More from the NFL’s two Eastern divisions:
- Giants owner John Mara on whether head coach Tom Coughlin has earned the right to leave on his own terms: “Does anybody ever earn that right? That’s just not the way this business is in this day and age. Let’s hope that it goes that way, but we haven’t even had that discussion yet,” Mara told Steve Serby of the New York Post. “We’re just looking forward to the next couple of seasons.”
- Jets head man Rex Ryan is never lacking confidence, Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News writes. “Do I think that I’m a great coach? I absolutely know I’m a great coach,” said Ryan. “But it’s not just about me. What makes a great coach is the people that surround you, the people that are with you every day.”
- Chip Kelly is more of a strict disciplinarian than previous Eagles coach Andy Reid, according to Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer, and the new team attitude is showing itself during year two of Kelly’s reign.
- As Eagles offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland tells Bob Ford of the Philadelphia Inquirer, center Jason Kelce might be the most under-appreciated player in Philadelphia.
- Zuri Berry of the Boston Globe looks at some key questions for the Patriots as they head to training camp, including Rob Gronkowski‘s health and depth at receiver.
- The New England previews continue, as Tom Curran of CSSNE.com examines the Patriots’ offensive identity.
NFC East Notes: Robinson, Sanchez, Escobar
After running through some AFC East notes this morning, let’s run down the NFC East:
- Ebenzer Samuel of The New York Daily News examines fives issues facing the Giants as training camp nears, including which of the team’s promising-but-unproven receivers will replace Hakeem Nicks and if Jason Pierre-Paul is truly healthy.
- Dan Graziano of ESPN.com projects the Giants‘ roster for 2014.
- Jordan Raanan of NJ.com writes that the Giants‘ competition at tight end will be the team’s most exciting roster battle to watch, and he believes Adrien Robinson is the early favorite.
- Andrew Kulp of CSNPhilly.com wonders if the Eagles should make a play for Andre Johnson.
- Phil Sheridan of ESPN.com looks at how the Eagles‘ roster might shake out. He writes that Mark Sanchez is the presumptive favorite to win the backup quarterback job, and that if head coach Chip Kelly utilizes Darren Sproles more as a receiver than as a traditional running back, that could open the door for backs like Matthew Tucker and Henry Josey to make the squad.
- Rainer Sabin and Brandon George of The Dallas Morning News look at five major issues facing the Cowboys this summer, including, of course, who will replace Sean Lee and when Henry Melton and Anthony Spencer will return to practice.
- Todd Archer of ESPNDallas.com contributes his projections on the Cowboys‘ 53-man roster, noting that although Gavin Escobar is entrenched behind Jason Witten as the team’s No. 2 tight end, his role figures to expand as he may be used more frequently as a No. 3 wideout.
- John Keim of ESPN.com projects the Redskins‘ 2014 roster. Keim notes that both the offensive line and defensive line will be especially fluid as training camp progresses.
NFC Mailbags: Giants, Redskins, Packers, Rams
It’s Saturday, and that means ESPN.com’s NFL writers are opening up their mailbags and answering questions from readers. Let’s check out some interesting tidbits from the NFC…
- The Giants have liked what they’ve seen from offensive tackle Brandon Mosley, writes Dan Graziano. The team hopes he can establish himself as a reliable backup or replacement for Chris Snee.
- If Redskins wideout Aldrick Robinson ultimately makes the squad, John Keim envisions some roster repercussions. Nick Williams would likely stick around on the practice squad while Leonard Hankerson could start the season on the physically unable to perform list. Keim adds that veteran Santana Moss is “in a good spot.”
- While former first-round pick Nick Perry is a “lock” to make the Packers, Rob Demovsky believes some of the team’s other early draft picks will have to prove their worth. The writer says that former first-rounder Derek Sherrod will have to use the preseason to “finally show whether he can play left tackle in the NFL.” Meanwhile, former second-rounder Jerel Worthy will have to battle off a number of worthy competitors.
- When asked which members of the 2013 Rams may not make this year’s roster, Nick Wagoner points to defensive tackle Matt Conrath and safety Matt Daniels. The writer also includes running back Isaiah Pead, quarterback Austin Davis and offensive tackle Mike Person.
East Notes: Wilkerson, Snee, Ertz
Jets defensive lineman Muhammad Wilkerson will make a “ridiculously low” $1.2MM this season, writes ESPNNewYork’s Rich Cimini: “[Wilkerson] won’t become a Darrelle Revis-type distraction — Wilkerson vowed not to stage a holdout — but the topic is bound to come up in his dealings with the media. He has two years remaining on his deal…The Jets have time (and leverage) on their side, so they won’t do a deal unless it makes sense for them. With more than $20 million in cap room, why not do it now? It would send a positive message, showing the organization is committed to keeping its own. That hasn’t always been the case. See: Revis.”
Here’s some more AFC and NFC East reading:
- Center Nick Mangold carries the second-highest cap hit on the Jets, and while his play has slipped a bit, he remains invaluable, says Brian Costello in the New York Post.
- The rookie season of Bills first-round quarterback EJ Manuel was scrutinized by Pro Football Focus’ Steve Palazzolo. The results? Manuel struggled with deep passing, but perhaps more worrisome is that Manual struggled with a clean pocket.
- The Bills are unlikely to keep two fullbacks, meaning bubble players Frank Summers and Evan Rodriguez will compete for the job. ESPN’s Mike Rodak makes the case for both players, saying Summers “contributed on both offense and special teams and remains the Bills’ best option as a lead blocker in goal line situations,” while Rodriguez “offers more of that ‘triple threat.'”
- Veteran Chris Snee will be the Giants’ right guard if he’s healthy enough to handle the job, but his elbow injury prevented him from getting through OTAs and minicamp. Accordingly, NJ.com’s Jordan Raanan views Brandon Mosely as the “healthiest and strongest candidate heading into camp.”
- The Eagles are anticipating a breakout season from second-year tight end Zach Ertz, who produced 36 receptions for 469 yards and four touchdowns in 450 snaps last season.
- Redskins safety Bacarri Rambo started three games as a rookie last season, but he sounds like a player on the bubble in the eyes of ESPN’s John Keim: “Rambo did such a poor job in this area last year and there’s no way you can be a backup safety and not contribute on special teams. He will not bump Ryan Clark from the starting job so Rambo had better improve on special teams.”
NFC Notes: Finley, Graham, Giants, Bucs
Free agent tight end Jermichael Finley met with Packers team physician Dr. Pat McKenzie today to go over his most recent MRI scans and to talk about where he stands medically as he continues his effort to resume his NFL career, writes ESPNWisconsin.com’s Jason Wilde. A source told Wilde that there was nothing imminent between Finley and the Packers, but the team continues to monitor his health situation. Another source said that the Packers will have interest in signing Finley if Dr. McKenzie gives it the green light. More from the NFC..
- Michael David Smith of Pro Football Talk has the full contract details on Jimmy Graham‘s new pact with the Saints. While many NFL contracts have inflated numbers, Graham really will earn $10MM per year over four years if he plays out the full deal. Graham’s signing bonus is $12 million and his total guarantee is $20.9MM. Graham would get $21MM if he only plays two years of the deal and $30MM if he plays three years of the deal.
- The Giants doled out more than $100MM in player contracts this offseason. Owner John Mara says we shouldn’t get used to it. “It’s not going to happen every year,” Mara said, according to Ebenezer Samuel of the Daily News. “We’re not going to have that kind of cap room every year. And listen: If you’re that aggressive every year, there’s something wrong with your organization. But you have to do it every once in awhile.”
- Pat Yasinskas of ESPN.com plays fact or fiction with the Buccaneers‘ offense. First up: Is Josh McCown a good enough quarterback to take the Bucs to the playoffs? Yasinskas says yes, but not necessarily out of confidence in the veteran. The former Bears QB doesn’t have to be spectacular for the Bucs to get to the playoffs, he argues, but merely steady.
East Links: Pats, Bills, Eagles, Giants
The NFL may have a reason to look into the reported 33 pages of text messages (via Jenny Wilson of the Hartford Courant) between Patriots coach Bill Belichick and former tight end Aaron Hernandez. As ProFootballTalk.com’s Mike Florio writes, the league’s recent labor deal limits the amount of interaction between coaches and players during the offseason. The text messages, which were sent between February and May 2013, suggests some kind of communication.
However, the rule, which states “players’ activities may not be directed or supervised by any coaches,” can be interpreted very broadly and might not suggest a violation. Furthermore, the previous Peyton Manning/Adam Gase controversy proved that the league is willing to ignore some transgressions.
Let’s see what else is happening in the NFL’s East divisions…
- ESPN.com’s Mike Rodak gives Bills linebacker Randell Johnson a 75 percent change of making the squad, adding that Kiko Alonso‘s injury certainly helped his case.
- The Eagles have plenty of options moving forward if Nick Foles struggles in 2014, writes Sheil Kapadia of PhillyMag.com. Since Foles is signed through 2015, the Eagles could delay extending the quarterback and draft a rookie to add some competition.
- Giants guard Chris Snee is “still on track” to recover from his various ailments and should be ready for the start of training camp, reports Jordan Raanan of NJ.com. The veteran’s presence would be huge for the offensive line, but there are still plenty of question marks regarding his durability.
- Prince Amukamara, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, Walter Thurmond and Zack Bowman have pretty much locked up their respective spots on the Giants cornerback depth chart. ESPN.com’s Dan Graziano discusses who will earn the final cornerback spots, siding with Trumaine McBride and Jayron Hosley, who is suspended for the first four games. The writer suggests that Charles James and Bennett Jackson could also be in the running.