Tyler Polumbus

AFC Notes: Lombardi, Polumbus, Ravens, Fins

Mike Lombardi‘s departure from the Patriots after two seasons could close a Cleveland-to-New England pipeline to some degree, and that particular route has been successful to the Pats recently.

The veteran front office executive helped tip Bill Belichick to Dion Lewis and assisted in paving the way for Jabaal Sheard to join the Patriots, Tom Curran of CSNNE.com notes.

Lewis spent 2013 on the Browns’ IR after breaking his leg and did not make Cleveland’s 2014 roster. But Lombardi, fired from his brief post as Browns GM in February 2014, helped bring the scatback to the Patriots, with whom Lewis proved explosive, totaling 622 yards from scrimmage in six starts in 2015.

The Patriots extended Lewis quickly last season, signing him for a minuscule two years and $3MM in October before he tore his ACL a month later.

Here’s the latest from the AFC.

  • During the Dolphins‘ stadium renovation fight, Miami Gardens mayor Oliver Gilbert feared owner Stephen Ross could move the team if he didn’t receive public money to help fund an upgrade that ended up costing approximately $500MM, Adam Beasley of the Miami Herald reports. Although Ross ended up financing the stadium with private money, Gilbert took the threat seriously, per Beasley. “I worried some, because sometime people don’t necessarily know what they have until it’s gone, and I never want that to be the case,” Gilbert said. “It’s interesting that we like to call ourselves a world-class community. To be a world-class community, you have to have the Miami Dolphins, you have to have the Miami Heat. You also have to have culture and the arts. You have to have all of those things. It’s a composite.” The project, though, only has a chance at being completed by the Sept. 1 deadline, when the Dolphins host the Titans in the teams’ preseason finale.
  • Peyton Manning wasn’t the only Broncos cog to make a mid-game entrance during the team’s seminal Week 17 victory over the Chargers last season. Tyler Polumbus replaced an ineffective Michael Schofield at right tackle when Manning entered in the third quarter. But the two-time Bronco did not keep that spot in the playoffs, with Schofield reclaiming the job; Polumbus then retired after in April. But in an expansive piece on former Broncos tight end Jeb Putzier‘s struggle stemming from the concussions he sustained while playing in Denver during the 2000s, Nicki Jhabvala of the Denver Post reports the now-31-year-old Polumbus retired because of an MRI that showed a herniated disc in his neck and four degenerated discs in his lower back that, per Polumbus, caused significant pain last season. He collected a Super Bowl ring with the Broncos after the team, which initially added him as a UDFA in 2008, brought him aboard as a waiver claim early last season.
  • Now that the Ravens cut Eugene Monroe, the only position battle on Baltimore’s offensive line figures to be at left guard between John Urschel and rookie Alex Lewis, John Eisenberg of BaltimoreRavens.com writes. Urschel stepped in at guard last season, with the Ravens moving since-departed Kelechi Osemele to tackle. A rookie fourth-round pick Lewis, per Eisenberg, turned heads at minicamp this month but adds that John Harbaugh likely won’t start two rookies on the left side. Ronnie Stanley almost certainly will begin the season as the Ravens’ left tackle.

Tyler Polumbus Announces Retirement

Everyone wants to leave the game of football on a high note and Tyler Polumbus is doing just that. On Tuesday, the veteran offensive lineman took to Facebook to announce his retirement from the NFL: Tyler Polumbus (vertical)

In 2008 Liz and I began the journey of a lifetime,” he wrote. “8 years and 4 teams later we feel that it is time to call it a career in the NFL. When this journey began I was just hoping that I could make the team with extremely long odds in front of me as an undrafted rookie. I thought it would be amazing to say that I played a season or two with the Denver Broncos. I never imagined that God would keep opening door after door for me to continue in this game. I am incredibly grateful for His mercy, grace, and blessings He has given my family.

Polumbus, a University of Colorado product, broke into the league with the Broncos as a UDFA in 2008. The tackle’s journey took him to the Seahawks, Falcons, and Washington before he came full circle and signed with Denver in the 2015 season. Now that he has a Super Bowl win and plenty of cash in the bank for his family, Polumbus is calling it a career.

Over the course of nine NFL seasons, Polumbus appeared in 112 games and made 57 starts.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Broncos Sign Tyler Polumbus

12:15pm: The Broncos have cut safety Josh Bush to make room on the roster for Polumbus, tweets Troy Renck of the Denver Post.

11:19am: Just two days after he was released by the Falcons, offensive tackle Tyler Polumbus has agreed to a one-year deal with the Broncos, pending a physical, per Mike Klis of 9 News. Before the signing becomes official, Denver will have to make a corresponding move to clear a spot on the 53-man roster.

Polumbus, who was Washington’s full-time right tackle in 2012 and 2013, began the 2014 season in the same role, but he was supplanted in Week 8 by Tom Compton. Pro Football Focus (subscription required) wasn’t crazy about his play across seven starts and 11 total games last year, giving him a -12.6 overall grade and placing him just 62nd out of 84 qualified tackles. Compton was much better in the previous season, however, earning a 14.0 overall score and ranking amongst the top 20 tackles in the NFL.

Polumbus played under offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan with Washington and the two were reunited in May when the Falcons signed the tackle to a one-year deal, but Polumbus played a grand total of just six snaps before his time with Atlanta came to an end. By joining Denver, the 30-year-old returns home — he played his college ball at Colorado and started his NFL career with the Broncos.

As Troy Recnk of the Denver Post notes (via Twitter), Ty Sambrailo‘s status for Week 4 isn’t yet known, after the rookie left tackle missed practice with a shoulder injury. While second-year tackle Michael Schofield is probably the next man up, he has yet to play in a regular season game, so Polumbus gives the club some veteran depth.

Falcons Release Tyler Polumbus

The Falcons announced that they have parted ways with tackle Tyler Polumbus. In a related move, Atlanta has signed tight end Mickey Shuler.

Polumbus played under offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan with Washington and the two were reunited in May when the Falcons signed the tackle to a one-year deal. However, Polumbus played a grand total of six snaps before his time with Atlanta came to an end. The 30-year-old was Washington’s primary right tackle for the last three seasons, but his services were no longer needed in D.C. this year with No. 5 overall pick Brandon Scherff taking over the position.

Polumbus began the 2014 season as the starting right tackle for Washington, but he was supplanted in Week 8 by Tom Compton. Pro Football Focus (subscription required) wasn’t crazy about his play across seven starts and eleven total games, giving him a -12.6 overall grade and placing him just 62nd out of 84 qualified tackles. He was much better in the previous year, however, earning a 14.0 overall score and ranking amongst the top 20 tackles in the NFL.

Shuler, 6-4, 247 pounds, was originally selected by the Vikings in the seventh round (214th overall) of the 2010 NFL Draft. He was later signed to the Falcons practice squad on September 1, 2013 where he spent the 2013 season. Now, he’ll be with Atlanta’s varsity squad.

Falcons To Sign Tyler Polumbus

Tyler Polumbus has agreed to terms on a one-year deal with the Falcons, his agent tells Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com (on Twitter). Polumbus played under offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan with Washington.

Polumbus was Washington’s primary right tackle for the last three seasons, but his services were no longer needed in D.C. this year with No. 5 overall pick Brandon Scherff taking over the position. The 30-year-old recently had a tryout with Atlanta and it didn’t take long for them to swoop him up.

Polumbus began the 2014 season as the starting right tackle for Washington, but he was supplanted in Week 8 by Tom Compton. Pro Football Focus (subscription required) wasn’t crazy about his play across seven starts and eleven total games, giving him a -12.6 overall grade and placing him just 62nd out of 84 qualified tackles. He was much better in the previous year, however, earning a 14.0 overall score and ranking amongst the top 20 tackles in the NFL.

NFC Notes: Cards, Cowboys, Washington

Claimed off waivers by the Cardinals last week, Alfonzo Dennard says he was surprised that the Patriots let him go, Darren Urban of AZCardinals.com writes. Still, he’s not upset about how things turned out.

“It was shocking, because I thought I did everything right,” Dennard said. “I guess they had other plans and I wasn’t in it. But I’m happy to be here with the Cardinals.”

Dennard, 25, was limited to just six games in 2014, having been plagued by shoulder and hamstring issues. He also saw his role reduced with the arrivals of Darrelle Revis and Brandon Browner, and played in just 241 regular season snaps before landing on injured reserve.

Here’s more from around the NFC:

  • Quarterback Phillip Sims, who was signed by the Cardinals on Monday, is there to be more than just a camp arm, Kent Somers of the Arizona Republic tweets. Cards coaches are impressed with his arm and brain and he could compete for the No. 3 job in Arizona.
  • Last week, La’el Collins got the first round draft pick treatment from the media after he was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Cowboys. That was just fine with the Cowboys’ actual first round pick, Byron Jones, who was happy to fly under the radar. “For me it didn’t really matter where I go or where anybody else goes,” Jones said, according to Todd Archer of ESPN.com.I’m just here to work, here to do my job and that’s play cornerback for the Cowboys.
  • Washington linebacker Ryan Kerrigan is taking on a larger leadership role with the team as he looks to sign an extension with the team, Mike Jones of the Washington Post writes. “I’m kind of the elder statesman in the room now, as weird as it is to say,” said the two-time Pro Bowler selection. “It’s kind of my role now. … I enjoyed that role as a senior at Purdue when we had a lot of young guys, so I kind of embrace that.” Kerrigan, who is coming off of a career-best 13.5-sack season, is entering the final year of his deal but indicated on Monday that contract talks between his agent and the team are “progressing well.” General manager Scot McCloughan also expressed optimism that a deal would get done.
  • Former Washington tackle Tyler Polumbus recently had a tryout with the Falcons, Howard Balzer of USA Today tweets. Polumbus had been Washington’s primary right tackle for the last three seasons, but his services likely won’t be required in D.C. this year with No. 5 overall pick Brandon Scherff taking over at the RT position.

NFC Notes: Bucs, Peterson, Washington

We rounded up some AFC links earlier this morning, so let’s have a look at a few notes from the NFC.

  • Although the Glazer family has never meddled in the Buccaneers‘ personnel decisions to the same degree Jerry Jones has meddled with the Cowboys, Tampa Bay’s ownership has a tradition of assuming a powerful role in the team’s football operations at key moments. According to Ira Kaufman of The Tampa Tribune, the Glazers have been very active in deciding what the Bucs should do with their No. 1 overall pick in this year’s draft.
  • The Vikings would want at least a second-rounder and a late-round pick for Adrian Peterson, writes Ben Goessling of ESPN.com, who does not expect the team to lower its asking price just to move Peterson.
  • The Lions will likely wait until after the draft to address their left guard spot, and when they do, Michael Rothstein of ESPN.com expects the team to add a veteran at the position.
  • John Mullin of CSNChicago.com writes that, with each signing the Bears make, the job security of those already on the roster becomes more uncertain. That is especially true on the defensive side of the ball, where Chicago has added two linebackers and is moving a 2014 defensive end back to outside linebacker. That means the three Game 16 starters of last season, Jonathan Bostic, Christian Jones, and Shea McClellin, are competing for one vacancy.
  • Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch wonders if the Rams will select a quarterback in this year’s draft, noting that if they do, they better strike early.
  • Rich Tandler and Tarik El-Bashir of CSNWashington.com examine Washington‘s depth chart at quarterback. El-Bashir believes the team will draft a signal-caller, which will leave Colt McCoy and Kirk Cousins fighting for one job.
  • John Keim of ESPN.com does not believe Washington will bring back Tyler Polumbus or Brandon Meriweather, and he would not be surprised if the team drafted Marcus Mariota if the former Oregon signal-caller is still available when Washington is on the clock.
  • Dan Graziano of ESPNNewYork.com writes that, in a perfect world, there would be a clear-cut option at pass-rusher for the Giants to select with their No. 9 overall pick. The problem is that most of the premium pass rushers, outside of perhaps Bud Dupree, look more like 3-4 outside linebackers than 4-3 defensive ends. As such, the team may end up with one of this year’s top offensive lineman, like Brandon Scherff or Ereck Flowers.

NFL Notes: Saints, Redskins, Vikings

Despite cutting ties with a handful of veterans earlier this offseason, the Saints hover just $3MM under the salary cap with free agent tight end Jimmy Graham‘s future still uncertain. Accordingly, Larry Holder of the Times-Picayune lists a handful of veterans who could be released in order to create more room (cap figure in parentheses): Brodrick Bunkley ($6.1MM), Lance Moore ($5.1MM), Pierre Thomas ($2.9MM), Darren Sproles ($4.25MM) and Patrick Robinson ($2.8MM).

In other NFC notes:

    • The Redskins “must devote a significant of attention and efforts to improving the offensive line,” says Mike Jones of the Washington Post. The coach and scheme will not change, and eight of the team’s top nine linemen are under contract, but personnel upgrades are needed. Aside from stalwart left tackle Trent Williams, left guard Kory Lichtensteiger (who could be tried at center) seems like the only 2013 starter whose job is safe. Whether or not the team intends to release center Will Montgomery, right guard Chris Chester and/or right tackle Tyler Polumbus is uncertain, but any of the three could be replaced via free agency or draft.
    • Vikings new head coach Mike Zimmer plans to implement a more aggressive defensive scheme, meaning the team’s scouting staff will take a longer look at prospects whose skill sets might not have fit with Leslie Frazier’s more conservative cover-2 system, writes ESPN.com’s Ben Goessling.
    • Panthers free agent Captain Munnerlyn says his agent will meet with team officials at the Combine next week, according to Charlotte Observer beat reporter Joe Person (via Twitter).

Redskins Notes: Free Agents, Polumbus, Davis

The Redskins’ plan to be active in free agency has already been chronicled, but don’t expect them to add any big name free agents, writes Rich Tandler of RealRedskins.com. While the team should have close to $30MM in cap space, the roster has many holes that need to be filled. If the Redskins re-sign Brian Orakpo, as most pundits and fans think they will, the organization will most likely not have the resources to attract another player on the level of Broncos receiver Eric Decker or Bills safety Jairus Byrd. Other notes on the Redskins:

  • We already looked at a few players who were likely to be released earlier today, but Tandler wrote that he also believes Will Montgomery, Kedric Golston, and Brandon Meriweather could find themselves looking for a new team this offseason. All three players are on the wrong side of 30 years old, and if a younger, cheaper option were to present itself, the Redskins could go in that direction.
  • Tyler Polumbus will receive a small bump in salary, from $1MM to $1.5MM, thanks to an escalator in his contract, according to Tandler, who cites Brian McIntyre (via Twitter). However, Tandler writes that this could be bittersweet news as the increase in salary also raises Polumbus’ chances of being released in favor of a cheaper draft pick.
  • While it was reported that free agent tight end Fred Davis would receive a six-game suspension in 2014 for a failed drug test, Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk hears from a source that that report isn’t “technically accurate.” According to Florio, it’s unclear exactly how the report is inaccurate. The ban could end up being longer or shorter than six games, but the idea that the suspension will be lifted entirely is unlikely. The uncertainty only makes Davis’ impending free agency more of a question mark this offseason.