HEADLINES

Tyrod Taylor

Extra Points: McRath, Price, Hoyer, Taylor

March 30th, 2014 at 8:53pm CST by Peter Sowards

It’s been a relatively slow Sunday around the league, but there are still plenty of worthwhile stories to read. We’ve parsed through an assortment of them and bring you the most pertinent bits:

  • Linebacker Gerald McRath, who played 40 games for the Titans from 2009 through 2011, has been signed by the CFL’s Winnipeg Blue Bombers, the Winnipeg Free Press reports.
  • Former University of Washington quarterback Keith Price wrote in this first-person piece for USA Today Sports he will make “close to 60 throws” in his upcoming pro day on Wednesday.
  • The Titans will welcome former Vanderbilt receiver Jordan Matthews on Monday for a pre-draft visit, The Tennessean’s Jim Wyatt reports (via Twitter).
  • Brian Hoyer is eager for the upcoming quarterback competition in Browns training camp, he told Daryl Ruiter of CBS Cleveland.
  • USA Today Sports’ Jim Corbett tackles the issue of finding the right fit for a team in Los Angeles.
  • Former general manager Phil Savage, now the executive director of the Reese’s Senior Bowl, spoke with Tyler Dunne of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and talked about the evolution of the tight end position: “In the classic sense of the term ‘tight end,’ you’re not going to see as many of them in college football now as you would have 15 years ago,” Savage said. “You don’t see the Mark Bavaros in the college game as much as you did 25 years ago. But I do think that teams in the NFL are looking for these guys who can play in space and give you a threat down the middle of the field.”
  • Ravens quarterback Tyrod Taylor knows his standing on the depth chart and understands he’ll have to compete for the backup job, writes The Baltimore Sun’s Aaron Wilson.

Backup QB Notes: Browns, Eagles, Raiders, Ravens

March 22nd, 2014 at 11:20am CST by Matt Feminis

Browns veteran quarterback Brian Hoyer, rehabbing his torn ACL injury suffered in October, says his goal is to be the starter, writes Nate Ulrich of the Beacon Journal. Hoyer’s role remains to be seen, as the team is expected to draft its quarterback of the future, but who that is and when he’s drafted could dictate Hoyer’s place on the depth chart. If the Browns spend the fourth overall pick on a passer, Hoyer is likely relegated to a backup role, but if the team drafts a quarterback not quite pro-ready, Hoyer could have an opportunity as a bridge starter. Meanwhile, Ulrich speculates the Browns could sign 33-year-old Rex Grossman to serve as a No. 3 and mentor.

In other backup signal caller news:

  • With trade acquisition Matt Schaub in the fold, the Raiders are content with backup Matt McGloin, tweeted Vic Tafur of the San Francisco Chronicle.
  • Writing about the Eagles’ quarterback depth, CSNPhilly.com’s Geoff Mosher says the team is “thinner at the position than they’ve been in more than a decade.” Second-year man Matt Barkley, whom the Eagles traded up to draft in the fourth round, is in line to be the backup, and Mosher notes, “Chip Kelly touted Barkley’s progress throughout the season and seemed very enthused about the former USC star’s future.” Should the team decide to add a veteran competitor for the No. 2 job, Terrelle Pryor, expected to be squeezed out of Oakland, could be the best system fit.
  • The Ravens should be in the market for another quarterback, believes CSN Baltimore’s Ray Frager. The Ravens spoke with Brandon Weeden before he signed with the Cowboys, indicating the team is looking for a backup capable of running new offensive coordinator Gary Kubiak’s play-action passing game for an extended stretch of games in the event starter Joe Flacco goes down. Current backup Tyrod Taylor‘s inexpensive contract is up next season, and his style of play and inaccuracy make him more suited for a No. 3 job.