NFC Notes: JPP, Panthers, Maxwell, Washington
Giants defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul has been reasonably effective since returning from his hand injury, but the bulky club on his right hand has prevented him from being as sure a tackler as he once was. As Tom Rock of Newsday details, defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo is confident that JPP will make the necessary adjustments. Teams around the league will likely be keeping a close eye on the veteran pass rusher down the stretch to see how he adapts, since he’s eligible for free agency this winter.
Here’s more from across the NFC:
- With the Panthers three wins away from a 16-0 season, Joseph Person of the Charlotte Observer takes a look back at GM Dave Gettleman‘s time with the franchise, examining both his good and bad moves since taking over the job.
- Byron Maxwell‘s deal with the Eagles may have looked like a $63MM mistake earlier in the season, but the cornerback has played well in recent weeks, and is beginning to justify the club’s investment in him, says Paul Domowitch of the Philadelphia Daily News.
- With multiple players trying new positions this season, Washington has gone mad scientist on its roster, and so far many of the team’s experiments have worked out, writes Dan Steinberg of the Washington Post.
AFC East Notes: L. Thomas, Dolphins, Bills, Pats
When the Bengals expressed interest in signing quarterback Logan Thomas off the Dolphins‘ practice squad earlier this week, Miami protected its young signal-caller by promoting him to its own 53-man roster, preventing him from going to Cincinnati. However, it wasn’t quite as simple as the Dolphins telling Thomas they’d put him on their roster.
According to Adam Beasley of the Miami Herald (Twitter link), the new deal Thomas signed with Miami included a $125K signing bonus. That $125K, which is part of a two-year pact, as Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald tweets, is a coup for Thomas, since signing bonuses aren’t typically a part of contracts signed at this point in the year. It also reflects Cincinnati’s serious interest in poaching him, and the Dolphins’ unwillingness to let him get away.
Here’s more from around the AFC East:
- Despite the fact that it hasn’t particularly been an area of the strength for the team, the Dolphins‘ offensive line in 2016 will likely look pretty similar to 2015’s unit, according to Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald, who suggests that a big offseason shake-up of the line is unlikely.
- With the third year on his contract now set to void, Bills quarterback Tyrod Taylor should head into the 2016 season firmly in the driver’s seat when it comes to extension talks, writes Vic Carucci of The Buffalo News. In Carucci’s view, Taylor shouldn’t be rushing to sign a long-term deal unless the money is “staggering.”
- Offensive tackle might be the most unsettled position for the Bills as the offseason approaches, especially given the possibility of left tackle Cordy Glenn reaching free agency, says Mike Rodak of ESPN.com.
- As the Patriots consider their options at running back, with both Dion Lewis and LeGarrette Blount out for the season, CSNNE’s Marc Bertrand makes the case for why the team should sign Steven Jackson, while new practice squad back Montee Ball says he’s happy to get a fresh start in New England (link via Mike Reiss of ESPN.com).
Extra Points: Bucs, Bills, LA, Cowboys, Pryor
The latest from around the NFL as Thursday wraps up:
- Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht is enamored with rookie quarterback Jameis Winston. “I wouldn’t trade him for another quarterback in the league,” Licht said, per Jeff Darlington of NFL.com. Licht stated he expected more growing pains and perhaps as many as 30 interceptions this year from Winston, but the ex-Florida State star and No. 1 pick in this year’s draft entered Thursday with only 11 in 13 games.
- The Bills are in wait-and-see mode when it comes to the long-term status of signal caller Tyrod Taylor, but if they give him a new contract, it could end up being their most important transaction over the next several years, opines Sal Maiorana of the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle. Taylor, who has been one of the top statistical QBs in the league this year, will be a free agent after next season. If he acquits himself well again in 2016 and the Bills wait until the season’s over try to lock him up, he could either sign a sizable deal elsewhere or stay in Buffalo and take up a large portion of its cap. For his part, Taylor says he isn’t focused on anything other than this season. “I have three important games. I don’t have time to talk about contract situations.”
- With as many as two of the Rams, Raiders and Chargers potentially relocating to Los Angeles at season’s end, Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk examined where exactly the teams could call home starting next year. Multiple league sources believe the Chargers are the likeliest of the three teams to end up in LA, per Florio.
- Cowboys quarterback Kellen Moore took “a couple” first-team practice reps this week, head coach Jason Garrett said. That’s a sign his first NFL action could be approaching, Charean Williams of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram writes. With the Cowboys out of contention and Matt Cassel having performed poorly in place of the injured Tony Romo, giving Moore a shot before the year’s out would seem to make sense. Dallas signed Moore, 26, to its practice squad in November and added him to its active roster earlier this month. The fourth-year man has never taken a regular-season snap since going undrafted out of Boise State in 2012.
- Browns receiver Terrelle Pryor, formerly a quarterback, made his regular-season debut at wideout last week and played 16 snaps. Quarterback Johnny Manziel didn’t target Pryor, but that could change this week because Pryor will get more playing time, Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com reports.
- Veteran safety Brandon Meriweather, whom the Giants cut Wednesday, went through waivers unclaimed and is now a free agent, per Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle (Twitter link).
Workout Notes: 12/17/15
Thursday’s workouts from around the NFL:
- CFL receiver Eric Rogers is in high demand, tweets ESPN’s Adam Schefter, as he worked out with the Chargers and will meet with the Eagles on Friday, giving him 14 visits in all.
- In addition to Rogers, the Chargers worked out two more CFL players – punter Swayze Waters and receiver Terrell Sinkfield – according to Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle (Twitter link).
- The Saints also tried out three CFLers – linebacker Dexter McCoil, defensive back Emanuel Davis and D-lineman Cleyon Laing – as well as running back Isaiah Pead and receiver Damarr Aultman, per Wilson (Twitter link).
- The Dolphins worked out quarterbacks Zac Dysert and Dustin Vaughan, running backs Dominique Brown and Jerome Smith, and defensive linemen Joe Vellano and Julius Warmsley, Wilson reports (Twitter link).
- The Bengals gave quarterback Phillip Sims a tryout (Wilson via Twitter).
- Defensive end Tristan Okpalaugo visited the Cardinals. The team also worked out CFLers Willie Jefferson (linebacker), Aaron Grymes (defensive back) and Mitchell White (cornerback). Twitter links via Wilson.
West Notes: Rams, Manning, Scifres
The latest from the NFL’s two West divisions:
- On Friday, the Board of Aldermen in St. Louis will approve a financing package for a $1.1 billion riverfront stadium for the Rams, according to David Hunn of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.. The package counts on $300MM coming from the NFL, which is a problem: Commissioner Roger Goodell wrote in a letter to Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon and his stadium task force that the league only funds up to $200MM on new stadiums. Goodell referred to the notion of the league putting $300MM toward a stadium in St. Louis as “fundamentally inconsistent with the NFL’s program of stadium financing.” In response, downtown Alderman Jack Coatar said, “We are not changing this bill. “We are passing the bill as is tomorrow. We have the votes and we’re moving forward.” Coatar added that the proposed amount is “what we’re willing to spend.”
- Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning has been out since mid-November with a plantar fascia injury, but his father, Archie, told WDSU-TV in New Orleans that Manning has been dealing with it “for five or six months,” per Lionel Bienvenu of KMGH ABC-7 in Denver. Archie also stated that Peyton is unsure whether he’ll return in 2016, his age-40 campaign, and will decide after this season ends.
- Unlike Manning, Chargers punter Mike Scifres expects to play again next year. “Mike doesn’t plan on retiring for many more years. … I hope when he does retire, it’ll be as a Charger,” his agent, Harold Lewis, said, per Michael Gehlken of the San Diego Union-Tribune. Scifres, who currently ranks 20th in the league in yards per punt and 30th in net yardage, has been with the Chargers since they drafted him in 2003. He’s set to count over $4MM against their cap next season, though, and cutting him would save the Bolts upward of $3.5MM.
Extra Points: Coaches, Officials, Hackenberg
As several coaches are set for their final games guiding their respective teams, SI.com’s Greg Bedard tabs suitable successors, the most interesting being a potential Nick Saban return to the NFL as Chuck Pagano‘s replacement with the Colts.
Andrew Luck‘s presence and Indianapolis’ small-town feel would be draws for the Alabama architect, per Bedard, while Jim Irsay‘s visible stature wouldn’t.
Bedard also lists several retreads as viable second-chance options for franchises, connecting Josh McDaniels with the Giants, Todd Haley with the Dolphins and current UCLA coach Jim Mora with the 49ers.
McDaniels-to-New York would be an interesting fit, given Eli Manning‘s forward strides in second-year offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo‘s offense and the Patriots current OC’s play-calling penchant.
Here are some other notes from around the league with Week 15 set to commence.
- Christian Hackenberg‘s disappointing season ordinarily may have relegated the Penn State quarterback to the second round, should the junior decide to declare for the draft. But sources told ESPN.com’s Chris Mortensen that the 20-year-old Hackenberg, who had his best season as a freshman in 2013 under Bill O’Brien, will have a floor of wherever the Texans select in the first round. Houston’s first-round spot could drop into the low 20s if the Texans make the playoffs or rise toward the top 10 if the team falters.
- The NFL’s change in postseason officiating procedure, which will give officials more freedom to confer with the league, could have a negative impact, former head of officiating Mike Pereira tells Kevin Seifert of ESPN.com. “Basically, what it looks like is that the league office is making decisions on who possibly wins or loses the game,” Pereira said. “You could go back to the old theory of the conspiracy of the Raiders, that the league didn’t like [former owner] Al Davis and all the stuff that went along with it. All of a sudden, decisions that were being made on the field or in the stadium, all of a sudden are being made in the league office.” The new policy is designed to allow the league to help coordinate with officials on clock operation, penalty yardage and administrative issues.
- The NFLPA sent a proposal to the league last month calling for neutral arbitration in personal conduct appellate hearings, Tom Pelissero of USA Today reports. Under this proposal, Roger Goodell would remain responsible for levying initial rulings, as he’s permitted to do under Article 46 of the CBA, but a three-person panel would decide the players’ ultimate punishment during the appeals process. NFLPA executive director DeMaurice Smith said the league has been discussing solutions along this line for months, although the league has yet to respond to this proposal.
West Notes: Rams, Chargers, Raiders, Broncos, Chiefs
The Rams won’t fire Jeff Fisher and GM Les Snead after this season, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com and Ian Rapoport of NFL.com report (Twitter link).
Despite a 25-35-1 record in more than four seasons, Fisher and Snead won’t be discarded even as the franchise potentially relocates to Los Angeles. Fisher’s job would have been one of the key positions out there post-Black Monday, with the speculation the Rams will be moving back to the west coast.
Schefter did mention that Fisher could step away on his own accord (via Michael David Smith of Pro Football Talk), although the 57-year-old coach who has just six playoff appearances in 21 seasons with the Oilers/Titans and Rams probably wouldn’t receive a third head-coaching opportunity if he did so.
Fisher is a Los Angeles native who played at USC before being drafted by the Bears in 1981.
Here’s some more from the Los Angeles situation and additional notes from the Western divisions.
- The Rams and Chargers remain in the lead in the LA pursuit, Schefter reports, with the Raiders still in the race but lagging behind. Schefter notes the NFL shutting down the San Diego market would be hard to believe; it’s housed an NFL team since the Chargers moved from Los Angeles in 1961. Both note the NFL apparently planned ahead for a scenario in which these fanbases say goodbye to their teams prior to the end of the season, with the Rams playing their season’s final home game tonight and the Chargers doing so Sunday.
- Some coaches and executives have taken issue with John Elway‘s decision to hire Gary Kubiak, knowing what it meant for Peyton Manning‘s role with the Broncos, Chris Mortensen of ESPN.com reports. Elway initially proposed a $10MM paycut for Manning, who eventually took a $4MM reduction, but Mortensen notes that was a message to leave town, with Kubiak’s style ill-suited for the 39-year-old quarterback’s skill set. A defensive coach mentioned Denver’s once-prodigious offense is much easier to game-plan for now that Kubiak’s in charge compared to Adam Gase and his more-nuanced attack. “Kubiak is a good offensive mind, a well-respected guy, but it’s about as elementary as it gets,” this coach said. “He did a good job in Baltimore but he also had a veteran offensive line, maybe one of the three best in the NFL. I think he has to take a serious look that it’s 2015 going on 2016.” This coach also pointed out Manning supplanting Brock Osweiler might not make that much of a difference considering how many hits the Broncos’ offensive line, which houses two of Pro Football Focus’ worst tackles in Ryan Harris and Michael Schofield, are allowing Osweiler to take.
- Justin Houston received a second opinion from Dr. James Andrews today that revealed a hyperextended knee, per Chiefs trainer Rick Burkholder (via Terez A. Paylor of the Kansas City Star, on Twitter). “I don’t want anyone to be alarmed that he saw Dr. Andrews. We knew it; we’re good with it, Burkholder told Paylor (Twitter link). Houston remains without a return timetable, with reports circulating he will miss the regular season’s remainder. Andrews also told the Chiefs’ top active player the swelling in his knee has decreased.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 12/17/15
Here are Thursday’s practice squad signings and cuts from around the NFL:
Oakland Raiders
- Signed: DE Josh Shirley (Twitter links via Scott Bair of CSNCalifornia.com)
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: CB Stanley Jean-Baptiste (Twitter link via Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times)
- Signed: QB B.J. Daniels (Twitter link via Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle)
Baltimore Ravens
- Signed: RB DuJuan Harris (Twitter link via team)
Miami Dolphins
- Signed: CB Tyler Patmon, DE Julius Warmsley, RB Trey Williams (Twitter links via Omar Kelly of the South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Minor NFL Transactions: 12/17/15
As teams prepare for Week 15’s slate of games, let’s round up the latest minor transactions from around the league….
- A day after he was cut by the Patriots, wide receiver Damaris Johnson has been claimed off waivers by the Titans, tweets Adam Caplan of ESPN.com. Johnson, who previously played in the AFC South with the Texans, had inked a two-year contract with New England, so Tennessee picks up the 2016 year on that deal as well.
- The Chargers have claimed offensive lineman Jeff Linkenbach off waivers from the Dolphins, according to Michael Gehlken of the San Diego Union-Tribune (via Twitter). The team cut quarterback Brad Sorensen, whom it signed on Saturday as a result of Philip Rivers‘ illness, per Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle (on Twitter). The timing of today’s waiver claims is worth noting, since San Diego will play Miami just three days from now, while Tennessee will face New England.
- The Colts made a change to their 53-man roster today, cutting outside linebacker Daniel Adongo and replacing him by promoting cornerback Tay Glover-Wright from their practice squad, per a team release. Adongo’s release comes just a week after police were called to his house, but Stephen Holder of the Indianapolis Star hears from a source that the case is closed and no further action is expected. It’s not clear if today’s move was motivated by that incident.
Titans Place Derrick Morgan On IR
THURSDAY, 4:32pm: The team placed Morgan on injured reserve, Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle tweets.
MONDAY, 3:42pm: Titans defensive end Derrick Morgan will have shoulder surgery and miss the remainder of the year, according to Terry McCormick of TitanInsider.com (on Twitter). Ditto for Dexter McCluster, who will undergo season-ending surgery on his wrist (link).
Back in March, the Titans re-signed Morgan to a four-year, $27MM deal with $10.5MM of that fully guaranteed. Morgan’s return to Tennessee was a little surprising, since he was widely considered a better fit as a 4-3 defensive end, and has never really lived up to his first-round billing in five seasons with the Titans. However, despite modest sack totals (his 6.5 in 2014 matched a career high), Morgan graded as a top-10 outside linebacker according to PFF, which ranked him eighth in 2014 and credited him with 49 total quarterback pressures. Morgan paid visits to the Falcons and Buccaneers in the spring and was reportedly scheduled to hit Dallas for a meeting with the Cowboys. Instead, he circled back to Tennessee.
In 10 games (9 starts) in 2015, Morgan has amassed 24 tackles and 4.5 sacks with two pass deflections and one forced fumble. The versatile McCluster, meanwhile, has tallied 507 catching and receiving yards for the Titans in 2015.