Extra Points: Ball, Patriots, Giants, Savage
Vic Lombardi of CBS4 and Benjamin Allbright of AM1340 in Denver (Twitter links) have heard that the Cowboys and Broncos are discussing a potential trade involving running back Montee Ball, who has slipped down the depth chart in Denver. However, Clarence Hill of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram (Twitter link) cites a Cowboys source who says no trade talks are occurring, and Star-Telegram colleague Charean Williams tweets that Dallas would likely only be interested in Ball if he’s released.
The Cowboys have been adamant throughout the offseason that they likes their running backs, though acquiring Ball on the cheap seems more like a more realistic option for the team than signing a veteran free agent.
As we wait to see if anything materializes for the Cowboys, let’s round up some odds and ends from around the NFL…
- As expected, the Patriots don’t intend to try to recoup the $1MM fine or the two draft picks they lost as a result of DeflateGate, tweets Adam Schefter of ESPN.com. Team owner Robert Kraft made the decision months ago not to fight the penalties, and even after Tom Brady‘s win in court, it would be a major uphill battle, since teams aren’t protected by the same CBA rules as players.
- The Giants will spend the next couple days looking for safeties, either via trades or waiver claims, according to Dianna Marie Russini of ESPN.com (Twitter link). That’s no surprise, considering the position looked a little thin even before the team lost several safeties to injuries.
- The Texans got some good news on quarterback Tom Savage, who left Thursday’s game with a shoulder injury. According to John McClain of the Houston Chronicle (via Twitter), Savage just sustained a severe sprain, and won’t require surgery. Houston’s third-string QB is expected to miss at least four to six weeks, and head coach Bill O’Brien indicated today that the club will consider signing another QB for the roster or practice squad (Twitter link via Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle).
- Asked if the Cardinals have any interest in their former defensive lineman Darnell Dockett, who was released today by the 49ers, head coach Bruce Arians said his club isn’t interested “at this point,” per Darren Urban of AZCardinals.com (Twitter link).
- Former Bears long snapper Rick Lovato is trying out for the Dolphins, according to Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune (Twitter link).
Bears Add Kevin White To PUP, Ryan Mundy To IR, Cut 12
The Bears have knocked down their roster to 76 players as of today, meaning they need to make only one more roster decision by the Tuesday deadline. Their most notable release was announced earlier today, with the team deciding to cut ties with veteran Tim Jennings.
The team also added rookie wide receiver Kevin White to the PUP list and safety Ryan Mundy to the IR, according to the official Twitter account.
The cuts were announced by Patrick Finley of the Chicago Sun Times.
- Malcolm Bronson, S
- Josh Chiles, WR
- Kevin Greene, TE
- Cameron Jefferson, OT
- Tim Jennings, CB
- Jeremy Kelley, WR
- Al Louis-Jean, CB
- Rick Lovato, LS
- Levi Norwood, WR
- Olsen Pierre, DE
- Chris Pantale, TE
- Daniel Thomas, RB
Along with adding White to the physically-unable-to-perform list and Mundy to the injured reserve, which leaves the teams roster at 76 players, according to Finley.
Bears To Sign 15 UDFAs
The Bears drafted just six players this weekend but agreed to terms with 15 undrafted free agents, per ESPN’s Jeff Dickerson.
- Jonathan Anderson, LB, TCU
- Qumain Black, CB, East Central (Okla.)
- Bryce Callahan, CB, Rice
- Shane Carden, QB, East Carolina
- Jeremiah Detmer, K, Toledo
- Jacoby Glenn, CB, Central Florida ($5K signing bonus, per Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune; Twitter link)
- Chad Hamilton, OL, Coastal Carolina
- Anthony Jefferson, S, UCLA ($5K signing bonus, per Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun; Twitter link)
- Cameron Jefferson, OL, Arkansas
- Rick Lovato, LS, Old Dominion
- Cameron Meredith, WR, Illinois State
- Levi Norwood, WR, Baylor ($5K signing bonus, per Biggs; Twitter link)
- Olsen Pierre, DL, Miami ($5K signing bonus, per Wilson on Twitter)
- John Timu, LB, Washington ($5K signing bonus, reports Wilson on Twitter)
- Brian Vogler, TE, Alabama ($4,500 signing bonus, according to Wilson, via Twitter)