HEADLINES

Aaron Ross

Ravens Auditioning Cornerbacks

June 16th, 2014 at 2:00pm CST by Luke Adams

2:00pm: Former Jet and Patriot Marquice Cole will also be among the players auditioning for the Ravens this week, tweets Ian Rapoport of NFL.com.

1:38pm: Free agent cornerback Dominique Franks will also attend the Ravens’ minicamp this week in the hopes of earning a contract, reports Wilson (via Twitter).

12:28pm: Earlier today, we learned that the Ravens inquired on Brandon Flowers, but the former Chief isn’t the only defensive back the club is keeping an eye on. According to Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun, the Ravens are monitoring the cornerback market, with Drayton Florence among the players under consideration. In Florence’s case, there appears to be mutual interest.

“I would love to play for the purple and black!” Florence told Wilson. “I can bring leadership and experience and help the team win. The Ravens are a first-class organization, and I want to be a part of their team.”

Florence confirmed to Wilson (Twitter link) that he’s headed to the Ravens’ minicamp this week to audition for the club. Another free agent corner, Aaron Ross, tweeted today that he’ll also be in attendance on a tryout basis. Neither player is assured of a contract with the team, but I expect Baltimore to ink at least one cornerback to a deal following the minicamp, whether it’s Florence, Ross, or another participant.

The Ravens are looking to create some additional competition for the slot corner role that Corey Graham filled last season. Graham, the team’s primary nickelback, headed to Buffalo in free agency, so someone new will have to step up as the third option behind starters Lardarius Webb and Jimmy Smith. While it may ultimately be a free agent signee that earns the job, in-house options Chykie Brown and Asa Jackson will also be given the opportunity to impress the coaching staff.

NFC North Notes: Watkins, Lions, Bears, Vikes

April 8th, 2014 at 3:53pm CST by Luke Adams

The Lions, who already have the NFL’s top receiver in Calvin Johnson, have been frequently linked to the draft’s No. 1 wideout over the last several weeks and months, and today the team finally hosted Clemson’s Sammy Watkins on an official pre-draft visit, tweets Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press. Watkins is expected to be off the board by the time the Lions’ No. 10 pick arrives, so if the club really wants to land him, a trade will probably be required. Today’s visit could go a long way toward the Lions deciding whether or not to pursue such a move.

Here are several more items on the Lions and a couple of their NFC North rivals:

  • Birkett adds (via Twitter) that the Lions are also setting up a visit for Virginia Tech cornerback Kyle Fuller, who has several other meetings on his schedule, as we heard earlier in the afternoon.
  • New Detroit backup quarterback Dan Orlovsky is hoping to alleviate the concerns of Lions fans who aren’t happy to see him back on the roster after his last stint with the team included an 0-16 season. “I get the fears maybe with obviously fans and whatnot,” Orlovsky said, according to Birkett. “But the organization knows what they’re doing, and I know I’m a good player, and I certainly hope to just be part of changing some of that past, whether it’s directly or indirectly.”
  • Veteran defensive back Aaron Ross had a tryout with the Lions today, according to Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com (via Twitter).
  • The Bears‘ workout with Josh Freeman was reported yesterday, as were the auditions for running backs Nate Eachus, Javon Ringer, and Phillip Tanner but those weren’t the only players to work out for the team. As Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post details, the club also auditioned quarterback Adam Weber and tight end Matthew Mulligan.
  • If veteran long snapper Patrick Mannelly doesn’t re-sign with the Bears, he’ll likely retire, writes Jeff Dickerson of ESPNChicago.com.
  • The Vikings will meet privately with quarterback Zach Mettenberger following his Pro Day, a source tells Master Tesfatsion of the Star Tribune (Twitter link). The club was said last week to have real interest in the LSU signal-caller.
  • Cassius Vaughn‘s one-year pact with the Lions is a minimum salary benefit contract with no signing bonus, tweets Aaron Wilson.