East Notes: Coples, Lewis, Cruz, Alonso
Jets outside linebacker Quinton Coples played only 15 of 64 defensive snaps in the Sunday win over the Dolphins and Rich Cimini of ESPN.com wonders if that could be a bad sign for his future in New York. The Jets have exercised the fifth-year option for 2016 at $7.8MM, but the salary is guaranteed for injury only. Through four games, Coples is at 53% of the snaps, down from his 2014 share, 68%.
Here’s more from the AFC and NFC East..
- The Patriots signed Dion Lewis this offseason when few teams were even looking at him and that helps explain why he was willing to sign a contract extension this week, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com writes. Lewis, who has stepped into Shane Vereen‘s former role as the team’s top “passing” back, opted for security over a potentially larger payday in free agency. Lewis’ deal features base salaries of $800K (2016) and $1.2MM (2017) along with a signing bonus of $600K and if he continues to produce at this pace, he’ll be one heck of a bargain for New England. Through three games, Lewis has tallied 146 yards on the ground and another 179 through the air, with a pair of touchdowns.
- Giants wide receiver Victor Cruz told reporters (including Jordan Raanan of the Star-Ledger via Twitter) that he’s “thoroughly convinced” that he’ll be back on the field at some point “playing at a high level.” Dan Graziano of ESPN.com (via Twitter) says that the IR is not being discussed for Cruz, who has yet to see the field in 2015.
- Eagles linebacker Kiko Alonso confirmed that his ACL was not injured in Week 3, as Zach Berman of the Philadelphia Inquirer writes. Alonso, who has thus far avoided the IR in 2015, doesn’t have a timetable for his return just yet.
NFC Notes: Saints, 49ers, Barth, Eagles
The Saints won’t displace Zach Hocker right now, even after auditioning several kickers, as Mike Garafolo of FOX Sports tweets. Hocker missed a potential game-winning field goal on Sunday night against the Cowboys before New Orleans won in overtime, and missed a field goal and an extra point in the team’s Week 2 loss to Tampa Bay. However, he’ll get at least one more opportunity to hang onto the job going forward.
In yesterday’s workout for the Saints, Randy Bullock hit all of his field goal attempts, while Kai Forbath missed a 53-yarder but made up for it with a 55-yard make, per Garafolo. Kyle Brindza, recently released by the Bucs, also got a look from the Saints, Field Yates of ESPN.com tweets.
Here’s more from around the NFC:
- Head coach Jim Tomsula disputed the notion that the 49ers added inside linebacker Gerald Hodges because they’re unhappy with the way starter Michael Wilhoite has played. “There’s nothing there,” Tomsula said, according to Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee. Tomsula went on to explain that the 49ers have liked Hodges since he came out in the 2013 draft. On Tuesday, San Francisco sent center Nick Easton and a sixth-round draft choice to the Vikings for Hodges.
- Buccaneers kicker Connor Barth is happy to return to Tampa Bay, telling Fred Goodall of The Associated Press that the winding road he took back to the Bucs isn’t unusual for someone who plays his position. “You’ve got to look at as a business, and you’re kind of a consultant,” Barth said. “There are 32 jobs. It’s just a blessing to play and be one of 32 guys.” Barth was the club’s full-time kicker from 2009 to 2012.
- According to Eagles head coach Chip Kelly, Drew Brees was a key point of reference when Philadelphia decided this offseason to acquire Sam Bradford, an oft-injured quarterback with significant potential. Brees had been considered an injury risk due to a shoulder issue when the Saints first acquired him. Zach Berman of the Philadelphia Inquirer has the details on Kelly’s Bradford/Brees comparison, along with the quotes from the head coach.
- After signing a five-year deal worth nearly $39MM in the offseason, Bears pass rusher Pernell McPhee is off to a hot start, and joked that he wants J.J. Watt money now, as Jeff Dickerson of ESPN.com writes.
Zach Links contributed to this post.
NFC East Notes: JPP, Cowboys, Washington
When Jason Pierre-Paul reported to the Giants shortly before the regular season got underway, he and his camp expressed confidence that he’d be ready to play soon, perhaps even as early as Week 1. The Giants, of course, didn’t see it that way, and JPP returned home to work on getting his injured hand healthy enough to play before the end of 2015.
So when do the Giants expect Pierre-Paul to be ready? According to Bob Glauber of Newsday, the club is hopeful that the veteran defensive end will be back for the final four games of the season, or perhaps even longer. However, the Giants are optimistic about seeing JPP back on the field down the stretch, a source tells Glauber that it’s “still possible he doesn’t come back [this year].”
As we wait to see how Pierre-Paul’s recovery progresses, let’s round up a few more items from out of the NFC East…
- Lance Dunbar‘s season-ending injury will be a significant blow for the Cowboys‘ backfield, but Ed Werder of ESPN.com tweets that the team isn’t planning on bringing in another free agent running back. Werder hints that Christine Michael, acquired last month via trade, could take on a bigger role in Dunbar’s absence.
- Former 49ers guard Joe Looney was among the players to work out for Washington this week, according to Adam Caplan of ESPN.com (via Twitter). Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post tweets that ex-Ravens wideout Daniel Brown and tight end D.J. Williams also tried out for the team. Washington let Williams go with an injury settlement about a month ago, so he wouldn’t be eligible to rejoin the team for at least a couple more weeks.
- While Chip Kelly won’t admit it, the Eagles head coach has to recognize that the lack of talent on his offensive line is killing his run schemes, writes Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer. Having cut Evan Mathis in the offseason, Kelly insists that there’s no lesson to be learned there: “If we didn’t renegotiate [Mathis’ contract], we weren’t getting him back.” Still, it’s fair to be skeptical of that assertion, considering Mathis was under contract and likely wouldn’t have extended a holdout into the regular season like Kam Chancellor did.
Eagles Notes: Sturgis, Bradford, Sanchez
Caleb Sturgis, whom the Eagles signed to replace the injured Cody Parkey, had an rough debut Sunday in the team’s 23-20 loss to Washington. Sturgis missed a 33-yard field goal and an extra point and coach Chip Kelly sounds open to finding a replacement.
“You always have to [consider your options],” Kelly said, per Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer (on Twitter). “The state of kicking in the NFL is not good.”
Still, for the time being, Kelly says that Sturgis will remain the team’s place kicker (per PhiladelphiaEagles.com via Twitter). While we wait to see if Philly will move on to kicker No. 3 this season, here’s more on the Eagles..
- Kelly has taken the Eagles from pretty good to pretty awful, Mark Maske of the Washington Post writes. In the offseason, Kelly wrestled roster control away from exec Howie Roseman and therefore the blame has to lie with him, Maske writes. The Eagles stand at 1-3, putting them in last place in the division.
- Through four games, Sam Bradford is 35-for-66 for just 309 yards in the first half with a paltry 4.7 yards per attempt, one touchdown, and one pick. Given his struggles, it’s time for Kelly to bench the former No. 1 pick and replace him with Mark Sanchez, Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com opines.
- Kelly is confident that he has the guys he needs to win games, as Les Bowen of the Daily News writes.
Bills Notes: Enemkpali, Taylor, Gray, McCoy
Earlier today, we identified several notable players returning from four-game suspensions who could be active for their respective teams in Week 5. One player we didn’t mention? Bills edge defender IK Enemkpali, who may qualify more as “notorious” than “notable.”
Enemkpali, who was picked up by the Bills after the Jets cut him for punching Geno Smith, was briefly moved to Buffalo’s 53-man roster so that the team could store him on its reserve/suspended list while he served his four-game ban. Now that he’s eligible to return, it’ll be interesting to see whether the Bills put him on the 53-man roster or cut him and try to get him back on their practice squad, as Mike Rodak of ESPN.com details.
For now, the Bills will have a roster exemption for Enemkpali, and won’t have to make an immediate decision. As the team decides what to do with the young defensive end, let’s check in on some other Bills-related items….
- While Tyrod Taylor‘s base salary for this season is just $750K, he could earn up to another $3MM in playing-time and performance incentives if the Bills make the postseason, a source tells Ian Rapoport of NFL.com. According to Rapoport, Taylor chose the Bills’ offer over one from the Broncos during the offseason, and was hoping he’d get one from the Eagles, but Philadelphia chose not to pursue him.
- Bills head coach Rex Ryan said today that tight end MarQueis Gray may have a broken bone in his forearm, which would sideline him for a while, tweets Tyler Dunne of the Buffalo News. We’ll see what Buffalo decides to do with Gray, if anything, after the club gets an official diagnosis.
- Speaking of injuries, a weekend report indicated that running back LeSean McCoy would miss three to four weeks due to his hamstring issue. However, a source tells Vic Carucci of the Buffalo News (Twitter link) that McCoy’s recovery timetable isn’t set in stone: “[Hamstrings] are tricky. Could be less, could be more.”
Extra Points: Browns, Bears, Rex, Eagles
Browns wideout Dwayne Bowe signed for $9MM guaranteed during the offseason and was expected to upgrade a receiving corps in desperate need of help. That didn’t happen through the first three weeks of the season, though, as the former Pro Bowler went without a catch in the opener and then missed the next two games because of a strained hamstring. Nevertheless, the ninth-year man entered Sunday’s game against San Diego brimming with confidence.
“I can’t wait to go out there and showcase my talent and be a ringleader for the guys and go out there and bring home a win,” Bowe said, per Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain-Dealer.
Bowe got back on the field in Week 4, but he once again failed to catch a pass. Quarterback Josh McCown, who completed passes to eight different teammates, targeted Bowe just once. The Browns lost, 30-27.
Here’s more on the Browns and a few of their counterparts from around the NFL:
- After the Bears dealt linebacker Jared Allen to Carolina earlier this week, fellow LB Willie Young asked Chicago for a trade, according to Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio. Young played defensive end in the Bears’ 4-3 scheme last year and had 10 sacks. They switched to a 3-4 this season, forcing him to shift to linebacker, and he’s currently without a sack. Young doesn’t believe he’s a fit for the Bears’ defense anymore, and if the team agrees, Florio writes that it should grant his request and send him elsewhere.
- The Bills turned in a horrendous performance in their 24-10 loss to the Giants on Sunday, especially with respect to discipline. Their 17 penalties gives them 57 for the year, the most any team has had through the first four weeks of the season since 2005, per ESPN’s Mike Rodak. Head coach Rex Ryan wasn’t upset with his team, however. Contrarily, he said he was “proud” of how the Bills played. “Can you play a lot smarter? Absolutely,” Ryan continued. “But I’ll take a team that can fight over a team that won’t — that will sit back and take it — any day of the week. And bring on the next team.”
- Much of the dialogue regarding the Browns this year has centered on the quarterback position – whether they should start McCown or Johnny Manziel. That shouldn’t be the case after Week 4, writes Bud Shaw of the Northeast Ohio Media Group. Shaw believes McCown’s sensational Sunday output (32 of 41 for 356 yards and two touchdowns) should be enough for him to keep the No. 1 job going forward. A better performance from Cleveland’s defense, which allowed 438 total yards (358 passing), could’ve helped earn the team a win and improve to 2-2 instead of drop to 1-3.
- The Eagles’ Chip Kelly was a successful coach during his first two NFL seasons, leading the team to back-to-back double-digit-win seasons and a playoff berth. Now, after the Eagles gave him full control over their roster, Kelly looks like both a coach unable to adjust to how other clubs are game planning against Philly and a football czar who built a highly flawed team, opines Mike Freeman of Bleacher Report.
- Eagles right tackle Lane Johnson suffered a left knee injury during their 23-20 loss to Washington on Sunday and will have an MRI on Monday. Johnson said he re-injured his MCL, and Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer speculates that it’s a sprain (Twitter link).
Kicker Notes: Scobee, Brindza, Sturgis
Some nuggets regarding three kickers who had terrible showings in Week 4 of the NFL season:
- Although recently released Josh Scobee missed four kicks in four games with Pittsburgh – including two in its 23-20 loss to Baltimore on Thursday – he’s drawing interest from around the league. Three teams have reached out to him, tweets CBS Sports’ Jason La Canfora, who notes that Scobee will need a few weeks to recover from a quad strain.
- Buccaneers kicker Kyle Brindza has missed seven kicks (five field goals, two extra points) over the last two weeks, and ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports (via Twitter) that he’s likely to find himself on the unemployment line in the coming days.
- Like Brindza, Eagles kicker Caleb Sturgis could also be looking for work soon. Sturgis, whom the Eagles signed this week to replace the injured Cody Parkey, had an ignominious debut Sunday in the team’s 23-20 loss to Washington. Sturgis missed a pair of 33-yarders (including a point after) and might not be in an Eagles uniform come next Sunday, per Marc Narducci of the Philadelphia Inquirer.
East Notes: Philbin, Coyle, Murray, Patriots
Despite falling to 1-3 after today’s loss to the divisional rival Jets, Dolphins head coach Joe Philbin said he plans to retain defensive coordinator Kevin Coyle, according to Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald (Twitter link). Of course, Philbin himself might not be around for much longer, and even if does stay on, the call on Coyle’s status might not fall to Philbin.
Here’s more from Miami and the rest of the NFL’ two East divisions:
- Rumors have swirled that Philbin could be fired if the Dolphins lost in London today, but now that they have, Philbin still didn’t express any worries about his fate, writes James Walker of ESPN.com. “We still can’t panic,” Philbin said. “It all seems like the walls are closing in on you. We all realize that. So we gotta look at things and be honest about where we are, what we’re doing well and what we’re not doing well.”
- One reason that Philbin’s job might be safe is that the Dolphins lack a viable candidate to take over on a interim basis, per Salguero in a separate piece. Neither the offense nor the defense has played well enough where it would make sense to elevate Coyle or OC Bill Lazor to the top job, and no one on Miami’s staff has any head coaching experience. Linebackers coach Mark Duffner and assistant offensive line coach Jack Bicknell Jr. each have led teams at the collegiate level, however.
- DeMarco Murray ran for 36 yards against Washington today, more than tripling his season total entering the contest, but the Eagles running wants more work. “No, I’m not. I don’t think I am,” Murray told Zach Berman of the Philadelphia Inquirer (Twitter link) when asked if he was getting enough touches. Murray did allow that he knew he signed up for something of a timeshare with the Eagles, but still expects to see the ball more.
- In his latest notes piece, Ben Volin of the Boston Globe looks at how several teams — including, notably, the Patriots — have taken to trading for players rather than finding similar free agents. Since the preseason ended on September 4, notes Volin, there have been 17 NFL trades — four more than the past four years combined. We at PFR certainly won’t complain about the uptick in player movement.
Extra Points: Rams, Jenkins, Hill, Eagles
The Rams are well below .500 under the regime of GM Les Snead and head coach Jeff Fisher and Bernie Miklasz of 101Sports.com isn’t giving them a pass. In the last four years, the Cardinals have turned themselves from a cellar dweller into a playoff team and St. Louis, Miklasz argues, should have been able to accomplish something similar. He notes that the Rams have invested 21 draft choices in the offense during the last four drafts – not to mention prominent free-agent signings and the Nick Foles deal – and yet the unit is sputtering in 2015. The Rams are 1-2 heading into this weekend and with upcoming road games against the Cardinals and the Packers, they could quickly fall to 1-4.
Here’s more from around the NFL..
- It’s early but Bears defensive end Jarvis Jenkins just might proved to be the “steal” he predicted he would be in free agency, Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune writes. Jenkins thought he would join the Cardinals in free agency until they inked Cory Redding and Corey Peters. Then, he thought the Jaguars would be his landing spot before they spent big on Jared Odrick. He wound up signing a partially-guaranteed minimum salary deal with Chicago and, so far, he’s more than earning his paycheck.
- Seahawks defensive tackle Jordan Hill has been excellent so far in 2015 and Mike Florio of PFT (on Twitter) wonders if he’ll be the next guy that the Seahawks are going to have to find a way to pay. Hill, 24, has 11 tackles and one fumble recovery to his credit through three games. The advanced metrics at Pro Football Focus (subscription required) currently have him ranked as the 20th best defensive tackle in the NFL.
- Eagles defensive end/outside linebacker Vinny Curry has left CAA Sports and is currently without an agent, Liz Mullen of Sports Business Journal tweets.
Kiko Alonso Won’t Miss Entire Season
Earlier today, a Philadelphia Daily News report indicated that Eagles linebacker Kiko Alonso would have his troublesome left knee scoped to determine the extent of the damage to his ACL graft. Alonso, who tore his ACL in 2014, sustained a partial tear of the ligament this year, and if the damage was significant, season-ending surgery was a possibility.
However, according to Ian Rapoport and Dan Hanzus of NFL.com, today’s scope, performed by Dr. James Andrews, determined that the damage is minimal, and another procedure won’t be necessary. Alonso will still be sidelined for about four weeks as he rehabs the knee, but he’s expected to return to the Eagles’ lineup for the second half of the season.
The diagnosis is great news for Alonso and the Eagles, and the fact that the linebacker should only require about a month of recovery time before he returns means that he’s probably not a candidate for the injured reserve list with the designation to return. Philadelphia is one of 16 NFL teams that has yet to use its IR-DTR slot.
DeMeco Ryans, Jordan Hicks, and Mychal Kendricks, who is expected to play in Week 4, figure to share the Eagles’ snaps at inside linebacker until Alonso gets back on the field.