AFC Notes: Brady, Pats, Titans, Browns
Tom Brady, a Jet? It wasn’t far from happening, as a source tells Gary Myers of the New York Daily News. One scout — Jesse Kaye, now an advisor with New York — strongly argued for Gang Green to select Brady late in the 2000 draft. Even after the Jets drafted Chad Pennington in the first round, Kaye believed in Brady enough to lobby hard for head coach Bill Parcells to select the Michigan quarterback, and per Myers, almost stood on a table and yelled at Big Tuna. Ruefully, New York drafted North Carolina defensive back Tony Scott with pick No. 179; 20 picks later, the Pats selected Brady, and the rest is history. Here’s more from the AFC.
- It won’t be easy for the Patriots to replace running back Stevan Ridley, writes Ben Volin of the Boston Globe. While New England has Shane Vereen, Brandon Bolden, and James White on the roster, none is the type of power back that was Ridley. The Pats’ best bet, per Volin, might be to promote third-year running back Jonas Gray from the practice squad. At 230 pounds, Gray could act as the “thunder” to the other backs’ “lightning.”
- Before signing veteran offensive lineman Will Svitek yesterday, the Titans also worked OLs Guy Whimper and Martin Wallace, according to Jim Wyatt of the Tennessean (Twitter link). Tennessee is attempting to bolster its offensive depth following a season-ending injury to left tackle Michael Roos.
- Brandon Marshall looks back fondly at his time with the Dolphins, writes Adam L. Jahns of the Chicago Tribune. Marshall, who played in Miami from 2010-11, feels the Fins were just a solid quarterback away from being a contender. The star receiver was eventually traded to the Bears in 2012 for two third-round picks.
- In a video from the Cleveland Plain-Dealer, Browns general manager Ray Farmer discusses the differences between scouting college prospects and evaluating potential free agent fits.
Steelers Reduce Roster To 53 Players
The Steelers have become the latest team to reduce their roster count to 53 players in advance of this afternoon’s deadline. Here are the 22 players cut from the club’s active roster today, per a press release:
- Rob Blanchflower, TE
- Chris Carter, LB
- Bryce Davis, TE
- Isaiah Green, DB
- Josh Harris, RB
- Ethan Hemer, DL
- Stephen Houston, RB
- Howard Jones, LB
- Brendon Kay, QB
- Josh Mauro, DL
- Dan Molls, LB
- Derek Moye, WR
- Dayonne Nunley, DB
- David Paulson, T
- Roy Philon, DL
- Graham Pocic, OL
- Shaquille Richardson, DB
- Lanear Sampson, WR
- Will Simmons, OL
- Ross Ventrone, DB
- Guy Whimper, OL
- Nick Williams, DL
AFC North Links: Browns, Ravens, Steelers
Browns‘ head coach Mike Pettine had a lot to say about his team, and spoke with reporters after today’s final practice of training camp. Nate Ulrich of Ohio.com transcribed his thoughts about how the team has fared since training camp opened. Pettine broaches many subjects, notably the fight that occurred during practice, various injury questions, and the current quarterback situation.
Here are some other links from around the AFC North:
- In case Pettine couldn’t answer all the Browns‘ fans’ questions, Tony Grossi of ESPNCleveland.com took a stab at answering some reader e-mails. The majority of the questions dealt with the quarterback position, but were not limited to Johnny Manziel and Brian Hoyer. Third and fourth stringers Connor Shaw and Rex Grossman drew their own inquiries as well.
- The Ravens wrapped up their own training camp, and Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com gave his breakdown of the entire camp. He announced his best, most disappointing, and most improved players on each side of the ball, as well as highlighted some of the best and worst individual plays from camp.
- The Ravens have as many as seven wide receivers competing for the final spot or two on the team’s active roster, writes Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun. “Nobody has really separated themselves because nobody has fallen off right now,” head coach John Harbaugh said. “They’ve all played well. The games are going to be a big thing now. If practice doesn’t separate guys, then maybe the games will.”
- The Steelers‘ have five serious candidates competing for four roster spots at offensive tackle, writes Scott Brown of ESPN.com. While the starters are more or less in place, and Mike Adams is cemented as the backup at both spots, Guy Whimper and Wesley Johnson are battling for the final spot. Whimper has the experience, but Johnson is versatile and still has room to develop after being drafted this past May.
Steelers Re-Sign Guy Whimper
The Steelers have officially re-signed offensive tackle Guy Whimper to a one-year contract, according to the team (Twitter link via PR man Burt Lauten). Whimper had been an unrestricted free agent.
Since starting 15 games for the Jaguars in 2011, Whimper has evolved into a part-time player, appearing in 270 offensive snaps for the Steelers in 2013. The 30-year-old started a pair of games at guard last season, but with regulars Ramon Foster and David DeCastro set to return at guard, and Kelvin Beachum and Marcus Gilbert at the tackle positions, it looks like Whimper will remain in a reserve role for the foreseeable future.