NFC Mailbags: Newton, Lions, McCarthy, Giants
We checked out ESPN.com’s AFC mailbags earlier this morning. Let’s now shift our focus to the NFC…
- If quarterbacks like Matt Ryan and Joe Flacco can average $20MM annually, David Newton believes Cam Newton could certainly be included in that group. Ultimately, the writer believes the Panthers quarterback will receive a contract totaling about $100MM.
- Kicker Matt Prater and defensive back Rashean Mathis want to return to the Lions next season, according to Michael Rothstein. There has been some contact between the organization and the agents for the team’s multiple free agents, but the writer cautions that nothing’s been “locked down.”
- Despite Mike McCarthy‘s interest in the personnel aspect of the league, the Packers head coach does not want to be the team’s general manager, writes Rob Demovsky. The writer says the coach’s recent shuffling of the coaching staff indicates that he’d like to get involved in other areas of coaching.
- Dan Graziano doesn’t see any incentive for the Giants to pursue Ray Rice over any other running back.
- Considering the linebacker’s age and injury history, John Keim can’t envision Washington investing too much money in Brian Orakpo. Meanwhile, the writer could see the team bringing back quarterback Colt McCoy, tight end Niles Paul, and “perhaps” running back Roy Helu and wideout Leonard Hankerson. Santana Moss is among the players Keim would be surprised to see return.
Minor Moves: Tuesday
We’re already tracking today’s practice squad signings and cuts in one post, and we’ll use the space below to keep tabs on Tuesday’s minor 53-man roster transactions. Here’s the latest:
- Wide receiver Bryan Walters, who was cut over the weekend by the Seahawks, is celebrating his 27th birthday by re-signing with the team, tweets Adam Caplan of ESPN.com. Seattle also made a few other roster moves, signing tight end Tony Moeaki and cutting linebacker L.J. Fort and defensive back Terrance Parks, tweets Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times, adding in a second tweet that Parks received an injury settlement.
- As expected, Washington activated wideout Leonard Hankerson off the PUP list today, cutting cornerback Chase Minnifield in order to accommodate the addition (Twitter link). Earlier today, John Keim of ESPN.com had pointed to cornerback as a position where the club had a surplus and could cut a player to make room for Hankerson.
- The Saints have signed tackle Nick Becton off the Giants’ practice squad, placing fullback Austin Johnson on injured reserve with a knee injury to create an opening on their 53-man roster, says Larry Holder of the New Orleans Times-Picayune (Twitter links).
- De’Andre Presley was activated from the reserve/PUP list just yesterday, but the Panthers have waived the receiver today, according to Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (via Twitter).
NFC Notes: Lattimore, Weeden, Newton
Let’s take a look at the latest from the NFC:
- If Marcus Lattimore retires as expected, he should be able to collect on a $1.7MM insurance policy, Lattimore’s agent tells Darren Rovell of ESPN.com. The 49ers running back took out the policy during his junior year at South Carolina. Per Rovell, a standard disability policy for an athlete allows for a player to play no more than four games before deciding whether to act on the policy. Lattimore hasn’t played a single game since being drafted in the fourth round last year.
- The Cowboys decided to release veteran Kyle Orton during the offseason and roll with Brandon Weeden as their backup quarterback, and although Weeden played poorly on Sunday against the Cardinals, owner Jerry Jones doesn’t regret his choice. “I don’t second guess that at all because we lost games with those experienced quarterbacks, with the quarterbacks that were more experienced,” Jones told Todd Archer of ESPN.com. “As a matter of fact we got knocked out of the playoffs with the more experienced quarterback (Orton) last year, and so I think it’s all relevant.”
- ESPN.com’s David Newton examines whether the Panthers should act urgently in locking up Cam Newton to a long-term deal. For his part, Newton could afford to wait until next year to begin negotiations, as his current level of play doesn’t warrant the type of contract that Colin Kaepernick or Andy Dalton received, writes Newton.
- Washington head coach Jay Gruden told reporters, including Tarik El-Bashir of CSNWashington.com, that the club intends to activate receiver Leonard Hankerson from the PUP list this week. Hankerson, who’s averaged 34 receptions and 459 yards over the past two seasons, would presumably slot in behind DeSean Jackson, Pierre Garcon, and Andre Roberts as Washington’s fourth receiver.
- The Patriots released defensive tackle Tommy Kelly just prior to the start of the season, which allowed the veteran to latch on with the Cardinals. He’s played well, and one Arizona assistant is glad New England decided to part ways with the 33-year-old. “Tell Bill (Belichick) I said, ‘Thank you,’ “ defensive line coach Brentson Buckner told Michael Silver of NFL.com. “Kelly’s been great for us. One man’s trash is another man’s treasure.”
PUP, IR-DTR Players Soon Eligible To Practice
Week 6 of the NFL season will come to an end after Monday night’s game between the 49ers and Rams, and when teams begin preparing for Week 7, many of those clubs may be welcoming some players back to practice. Six weeks into the NFL season, players who were placed on the physically unable to perform list or the injured reserve list with the designation to return prior to Week 1’s games will be eligible to return to practice.
Of course, just because those players are able to return to the practice field doesn’t necessarily mean they’ll be healthy enough to do so. Players on the PUP list have a five-week window to begin practicing. Once they return to practice, they have three weeks to be added to their respective teams’ active rosters. In other words, a player on the PUP list could theoretically return for his team’s Week 7 game, or could return as late as for his team’s Week 15 contest. If the player doesn’t return to practice or game action in time, he’ll revert to season-ending injured reserve.
Here are the players currently on the physically unable to perform list who can begin practicing as soon as next week:
- 49ers: NaVorro Bowman (LB), Garrett Celek (TE), Kaleb Ramsey (DT)
- Chargers: Jeromey Clary (OL)
- Colts: Stanley Havili (FB)
- Falcons: Drew Davis (WR), Zeke Motta (S)
- Jets: Antwan Barnes (LB)
- Lions: T.J. Jones (WR)
- Panthers: De’Andre Presley (WR)
- Raiders: D.J. Hayden (CB)
- Ravens: Terrence Cody (DT)
- Redskins: Stephen Bowen (DE), Leonard Hankerson (WR)
- Saints: Cheta Ozougwu (OLB)
Players who began the season on the PUP list didn’t participate in any preseason practices, but that’s not the case for players on the injured reserve list with the designation to return. Teams can use this spot on one player per season, placing him on the injured reserve list without necessarily ruling him out for the season. As we explained in an earlier post, players given this designation can begin practicing after six weeks and can return after eight weeks.
That means that players who were placed on IR-DTR prior to Week 1 can begin practicing next week. A player who was placed on IR-DTR after – for instance – Week 2 will have to wait another two weeks to return to practice.
Here’s the list of players currently on IR-DTR who can begin practicing as soon as next week:
- 49ers: Glenn Dorsey (DT)
- Bears: Marquess Wilson (WR)
- Buccaneers: Charles Sims (RB)
- Chiefs: Joe Mays (LB)
- Colts: Xavier Nixon (T)
- Cowboys: Demarcus Lawrence (DE)
- Giants: Geoff Schwartz (G)
- Lions: Kyle Van Noy (LB)
- Packers: J.C. Tretter (C)
Redskins Trim Roster To 53
4:54pm: The Redskins have finalized their roster, announcing the following moves via press release:
Waived:
- Maurice Hurt (OL)
Placed on injured reserve:
- Chris Neild (DT)
- Darryl Sharpton (LB)
Placed on reserve/physically unable to perform list:
- Stephen Bowen (DE)
- Leonard Hankerson (WR)
8:41am: We learned yesterday that the Redskins let go of eight players, and the team has continued to make cuts this morning. While none of the moves have been announced officially, here is a running list of the team’s reported cuts:
- Chris Thompson (RB) (via Lake Lewis Jr. on Twitter)
- Lache Seastrunk (RB) (via John Keim on Twitter)
- Evan Royster (RB) (via Tarik El-Bashir on Twitter)
- Chase Minnifield (CB) (via Mike Jones on Twitter)
- Phillip Thomas (S) (via Mike Jones on Twitter)
- Everette Brown (OLB) (via Mike Jones on Twitter)
- Zach Hocker (K) (via John Keim on Twitter)
- Nick Williams (WR) (via Mike Jones on Twitter)
NFC East Notes: Barbre, Randle, Carter
With Eagles right tackle Lane Johnson facing a four-game suspension, head coach Chip Kelly says Allen Barbre is next in next man up, per Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer (via Twitter). CSNPhilly’s Goeff Mosher (via Twitter) says Kelly likes Barbre and that the veteran would be pushing for a more prominent role independent of Johnson’s suspension. Mosher wonders aloud if that’s a veiled message to right guard Todd Herremans.
Here’s a few more NFC East links:
- Giants third-year receiver Rueben Randle is “still something of a mystery,” writes ESPN’s Dan Graziano. “He led the Giants with six touchdown catches in 2013 but got just as much attention (if not more) for mistakes and miscommunications that helped lead to Eli Manning interceptions.” Drafted to be a deep threat in then-offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride’s system, Randle faces an adjustment to Ben McAdoo’s system, which will require receivers to create separation closer to the line of scrimmage.
- Could Larry Donnell be the Giants’ starting tight end? ESPN’s Dan Graziano said the coaches “really, really like Donnell and don’t have any clearly superior options,” and noted he was listed first at the position on the team’s first unofficial depth chart. Donnell (6-5 265) went undrafted out of Grambling in 2011, but latched on and earned his way on special teams. Now, he’s in position to overtake Adrien Robinson, who GM Jerry Reese is still high on despite the fact the 2012 fourth-rounder has yet to catch an NFL pass and let his weight balloon to nearly 290 pounds last season.
- Cowboys linebacker Bruce Carter is having fun again, writes ESPNDallas.com’s Tim MacMahon, and DallasCowboys.com’s analyst Bryan Broaddus observes Carter is “playing like a player that has a much better understanding of what his responsibilities are and what technique he has to execute in order to be successful.”
- Redskins receiver Leonard Hankerson, who is recovering from a torn left ACL and MCL, has been cleared to run, reports Mike Jones of the Washington Post.
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.
NFC East Notes: Escobar, Hankerson, Logan
Cowboys‘ tight end Gavin Escobar is poised to have a big year in 2014, but not at the expense of long time star Jason Witten, writes Todd Archer of ESPN.com. Unless Witten is injured or removed from a blowout, Archer expects him to be on the field for almost every snap. Where Escobar could fit in is in a pass catching role, standing up in the slot where he can take advantage of his physical skills and is not asked to block as much in the running game.
Here are some other notes from around the NFC East:
- While Redskins‘ receiver Leonard Hankerson is recovering from knee surgery, the team is unlikely to cut him unless his injury is worse than originally thought, writes John Keim of ESPN.com. The team lacks receiver depth, and Hankerson’s size makes him a desirable asset. He replaced Josh Morgan as a starter in 2013, and was playing at a high level before his injury cost him the last six games of the season.
- Fellow Redskins‘ wideout DeSean Jackson might be happy to get out of the Philadelphia cold, as some say he failed to perform when the temperature dropped. While Keim has seen Jackson fail to perform in the playoffs, he notes that the team’s new number one receiver has only seen a slight dip in production from month to month as the season wears on.
- Eagles‘ defensive tackle Bennie Logan has come into his second season focused on getting bigger and stronger, writes Andy Jasner of ESPN.com. “It was important to add some weight and strength because of the snaps and making sure I keep my weight up and don’t wear down,” said Logan. “Our scheme requires that I get to the football and move. I can’t just dig in and stand there not go sideline to sideline. It’s been a good offseason for me. I feel like I’ve made a lot of improvement and I’m far ahead of where I was last year. Let’s get it going.”
NFC East Links: Giants, Cowboys, Hankerson
As we continue counting down the days until NFL training camps open, let’s check in on a few of the latest items out of the NFC East….
- The Giants were among the teams that passed on Johnny Manziel in this year’s draft, but even if the club needed a quarterback, it sounds as if its interest in Manziel may have been lukewarm. Co-owner Steve Tisch told TMZ (link via Cleveland.com) that the former Texas A&M star’s lifestyle would concern him if Manziel was a Giant. “I think if you sort of look at the culture and the history of the Giants, he really doesn’t fit the profile of, historically, New York Giants football players,” Tisch said.
- Jason Fitzgerald of Over The Cap continued his series on the best and worst contracts for each team today with a look at the Giants. In Fitzgerald’s opinion, New York’s offseason signing of cornerback Walter Thurmond gave the club its best contract, while offensive tackle William Beatty has the roster’s least team-friendly deal. Fitzgerald adds that another offseason signee, cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, was a close “runner-up” for the Giants’ worst contract.
- The Cowboys invested a top-10 draft pick in Morris Claiborne and $50MM in Brandon Carr, and will need both cornerbacks to be better than they were last year if they hope to contend in 2014, writes Jon Machota of the Dallas Morning News. According to Pro Football Focus’ grades (subscription required), Carr ranked 58th and Claiborne placed 88th among 110 qualified corners in 2013.
- As wide receiver Leonard Hankerson continues to recover from an ACL injury, Mike Jones of the Washington Post wonders if there will be a role on the Redskins‘ offense for him when he gets healthy.
NFC East Notes: Hitchens, Robinson, Grimble
The Cowboys have signed fourth-round pick Anthony Hitchens, writes Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post. The 6-foot, 240-pound linebacker out of Iowa has already been more heavily scrutinized than many fourth-rounders, as he has been running with Dallas’ first-team defense since Sean Lee tore his ACL. Hitchens did note just a few days ago that he may not be ready to immediately fill the void created by Lee’s injury, but he is at least getting an early chance to show what he can do.
Now for some more notes around the NFC East:
- Rich Tandler of RealRedskins.com compiles five takeaways from the Redskins‘ first week of OTAs, including his belief that Keenan Robinson has the best chance to fill the hole at inside linebacker left by London Fletcher and his observation that Leonard Hankerson appears destined for the PUP list.
- A number of Eagles notes this morning. Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer previews the battle for backup quarterback between Matt Barkley and Mark Sanchez, and Zack Berman of the Philadelphia Inquirer examines what the team saw in new safety Malcolm Jenkins.
- Tim McManus of PhillyMag.com looks at how Brandon Graham, entering his contract year, fits in the Eagles‘ defense and Graham offers his thoughts on the earlier rumors that he might be traded: “if that was something that they wanted to do, I would have been gone,” Graham said. Meanwhile, Sheil Kapadia of PhillyMag.com looks at the role that rookie Marcus Smith will play in the team’s defensive unit.
- Paul Schartz of the New York Post writes that the Giants have high hopes for undrafted TE Xavier Grimble, who was considered the top tight end prospect in the country when he was recruited out of high school.