AFC Notes: Pagano, Jags, Titans, Broncos
Rumors have persisted that Colts coach Chuck Pagano is fighting to keep his job. While the rumors seemingly haven’t fazed the team, the players certainly recognize their coach’s questionable job security.
“Every team has adversity,” cornerback Vontae Davis told Stephen Holder of IndyStar.com. “If the job was easy, then everybody could be a head coach. I think he’s the man for the job.”
Offensive tackle Anthony Castonzo echoed that sentiment.
“He doesn’t bring any of that in here,” he said. “I actually don’t even know what you’re talking about.”
Let’s check out some more notes from around the AFC…
- Michael DiRocco reports that Jaguars wideout Marqise Lee is one setback away from landing on the injured reserve. The second-year player has only played in two games this season, but the organization isn’t ready to just cut bate from the former second-rounder.
- With Titans running back David Cobb set to return from injury, Jim Wyatt of TitansOnline.com wonders if Terrance West could be the odd man out. The team swapped a conditional draft pick for the former Browns running back, but West still hasn’t appeared in enough games for that to matter.
- Peyton Manning and the Broncos are struggling offensively, finding it difficult to run the football and getting little production from their tight ends. Owen Daniels should have a chance to get healthy during the bye week and be more productive coming out of it, but if he’s not, Troy Renck of the Denver Post suggests the team seriously consider trading for Vernon Davis, Jared Cook, or Martellus Bennett.
Rob DiRe contributed to this post.
AFC South Notes: Grigson, Mariota, Titans
Colts GM Ryan Grigson could be on the hot seat alongside coach Chuck Pagano, according to Jason Cole of Bleacher Report (video link). The criticism for Grigson, Cole says, has been primarily about player acquisitions, including the trade for Trent Richardson and the selection of first-round pick Bjoern Werner.
There have also been grumbling within the organization about Grigson’s meddling in the team’s day-to-day operations, according to Cole, who wonders whether Grigson could get pushed aside or pushed out altogether if Colts owner Jim Irsay goes after a high-end coach like a Nick Saban or a Sean Payton.
Here’s more from around the AFC South:
- The Titans announced today that Marcus Mariota is making some progress, but isn’t ready to start on Sunday, meaning Zach Mettenberger will get the call against Atlanta (all Twitter links via Jim Wyatt of TitansOnline.com). As Joel Corry of CBSSports.com observes (via Twitter), a strong showing in Mariota’s absence could give Mettenberger a better chance to play for another team in 2016, since it would boost his trade value.
- Free agent defensive lineman Christo Bilukidi has a workout lined up with the Titans next Tuesday, according to Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle (via Twitter). Bilukidi, who worked out for the Vikings earlier this week, was drafted by the Raiders in 2012 and has seen action for Oakland, Cincinnati, and Baltimore since then.
- One more Titans note: Terry McCormick of TitanInsider.com (Twitter link) expects wide receiver Rico Richardson to be promoted from the team’s practice squad, with Harry Douglas out this week. Paul Kuharsky of ESPN.com agrees, tweeting that tight end Chase Coffman and running back Terrance West are candidates to be cut.
Zach Links contributed to this post.
South Notes: Jags, Brooks, Saints, Mariota
Through at least the 2020 season, EverBank Field will continue to host seven Jaguars regular season games annually, rather than eight, as we learned earlier today. With Jacksonville having extended its relationship with Wembley Stadium through 2020, with an option for five additional years, the Jags will play at least one home game per year overseas for the foreseeable future.
While that announcement wasn’t a surprise, it’s worth keeping an eye on the Jags’ schedule over the next few years to see if they spend even more time in the United Kingdom. The team is a good candidate to become the first to play two consecutive games in London — likely one as a home team and one as a road team. Additionally, once Tottenham’s new stadium opens in 2018, the Jags would look like a prime candidate to play games there as well, given owner Shad Khan’s fondness for the market.
Here’s more on Khan, the Jaguars, and some other teams from the NFL’s two South divisions:
- While Khan is disappointed with the Jaguars‘ 1-5 record to open the 2015 season, he said today that he still has “a huge amount of confidence” in GM Dave Caldwell and head coach Gus Bradley, writes Ryan O’Halloran of the Florida Times-Union.
- Texans guard Brandon Brooks, who figures to be one of the more intriguing free agents at his position in 2016, was impressed by Marshal Yanda‘s new contract with the Ravens, tweets Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle. “Not bad at all,” Brooks said. “He deserves it.” For his part, Brooks could end up seeking a similar deal this winter.
- Drew Brees is 36, and it’s time for the Saints to face reality and think about the future of the position, writes Pat Yasinskas of WalterFootball.com. Although Brees is coming off his best game of the season against Atlanta, Yasinskas rightly notes that there have been some signs that the veteran signal-caller is slowing down. If the Saints finish near the bottom of the league this year, they may have a chance to draft California quarterback Jared Goff, and that’s a pick that Yasinskas endorses.
- Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota didn’t take part in practice today, and head coach Ken Whisenhunt said that tomorrow’s practice will reveal a lot about the QB’s availability for Week 7 (Twitter links via Jim Wyatt of TitansOnline.com). Reports on the severity of Mariota’s injury have varied, with some suggesting he could be sidelined for multiple weeks, while others have indicated he should play this weekend.
Zach Links contributed to this post.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 10/21/15
Here are Wednesday’s practice squad signings and cuts from across the league:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed: CB Carrington Byndom, DT Olsen Pierre (Twitter link via Darren Urban of AZCardinals.com)
Chicago Bears
- Signed: S Demontre Hurst (Twitter link via Jeff Dickerson of ESPN.com)
Denver Broncos
- Signed: RB Kapri Bibbs (via Nicki Jhabvala of The Denver Post)
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed: TE Sean McGrath (press release), LB Amarlo Herrera (Twitter link via Aaron Wilson of The Houston Chronicle)
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Signed: WR Jordan Leslie, QB Jeff Tuel (Twitter link via John Oehser of Jaguars.com)
- Cut: S Craig Loston
Miami Dolphins
- Signed: S Jonathan Dowling (Twitter link via Adam Beasley of the Miami Herald)
- Cut: RB Bronson Hill
New England Patriots
- Signed: FB Joey Iosefa (Twitter link via Jeff Howe of the Boston Herald); OL Brennan Williams (Twitter link via team)
New York Giants
- Signed: OL Adam Gettis (press release)
- Cut: T Xavier Proctor
San Diego Chargers
- Signed: G Michael Huey, T Andrew McDonald (Twitter link via Eric Williams of ESPN.com)
- Cut: QB Brad Sorensen
Tennessee Titans
- Signed: OLB Markus Pierce-Brewster (Twitter link via Jim Wyatt of TitansOnline.com)
Workout Notes: Titans, Brown, Johnson, Dixon
Just over seven months after he announced his retirement from the NFL, cornerback Cortland Finnegan had a workout today with the Patriots. Finnegan, 31, was one of the league’s worst cornerbacks in 2013, according to Pro Football Focus’ advanced metrics. PFF ranked Finnegan 109th out of 110 qualified corners, with a grade of -19.7 in just seven games. As such, it came as a bit of a surprise when Miami inked the former Ram to a two-year, $11MM deal in 2014. He might not be worthy of that kind of pay, but he could make for an intriguing depth option for the Pats or another team.
Here’s a rundown of today’s other workouts from around the NFL, with all links going to Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post on Twitter, unless noted otherwise..
- The Titans worked out running backs Bryce Brown, Storm Johnson, George Arkinson and quarterback Michael German (link).
- Safety Ahmad Dixon worked out for the Bengals today, Adam Caplan of ESPN.com tweets.
- The Falcons worked out linebackers Emmanuel Acho, Carlos Fields, Khaseem Greene, and Ronald Powell (link).
- The Panthers tried out Nate Askew, Chykie Brown, Bradley Fletcher, Connor Hamlett, Douglas McNeil, Bear Pascoe, and cornerback Cassius Vaughn (Twitter links).
- The Bears worked out defensive backs Ri’Shard Anderson, Robert McClain, Brandian Ross, and Pierre Warren (link).
- The Broncos worked out Harold Spears, Paul Browning, DaVaris Daniels, Sage Harold, John Lowdermilk, Andrew McDonald, and Ryan Murphy (Twitter links).
- The Lions worked out Desmond Martin and Corey Washington (link).
- The Colts worked out Carrington Byndom and Jeromy Miles (link).
- The Dolphins worked out defensive backs Garry Peters and Kevin White (link).
- The Jaguars worked out wide receivers Jordan Leslie, Uzoma Nwachukwu, and L’Damian Washington (link).
- The Vikings worked out defensive lineman Chigbo Anunoby (link).
- The Patriots worked out center Jared Smith (link).
- The Jets worked out Greg Scruggs and Marcus Lucas (link).
- The Seahawks worked out Darius Eubanks, Danny Gorrer, Damaris Johnson, Nick Kasa, Horace Miller, Dontay Moch, Tyler Slavin, Matthew Wells (link). They also hosted Harold Spears and Dax Swanson (link).
- Washington worked out Tommy Streeter, Nick Harwell, Anthony Johnson, Toby Johnson, Ronald Powell, Kelcy Quarles, and Julius Warmsley (link).
AFC Notes: Broncos, Mariota, Yanda
In case you were too busy watching playoff baseball, here are a few AFC stories you might have missed this Tuesday:
- The Broncos are being held back by more than quarterback Peyton Manning, and people around the league tell Jason Cole of Bleacher Report (video link) that they believe Denver should trade for a tight end. Cole has heard the name of Rams tight end Jared Cook mentioned as someone who would be a good fit, but it’s unknown whether St. Louis would entertain trade offers. 49ers tight end Vernon Davis could be another player that would make sense for Denver.
- The Titans are willing to give quarterback Marcus Mariota extra time to heal up, since they feel comfortable with using Zach Mettenberger as a fill-in, according to Cole (video link). Not only do the Titans feel that Mettenberger can be a capable quarterback in the short-term, but they are also eager to get him out there so that he can show his stuff to other teams in need of a quarterback. If Mettenberger looks good under center, he’ll increase his trade value and Tennessee could get something of worth in return for him.
- Marshal Yanda‘s contract extension is a win-win for the Ravens and the Pro Bowl guard, Jeff Zrebiec of The Baltimore Sun writes. Yanda inked a four-year, $37.4MM extension late last week, giving him $17.8MM in guaranteed cash. The deal doesn’t make him the highest-paid guard in the league, but it did give him additional financial security. As for the Ravens, they were able to lock up a four-time Pro Bowl selection and prevent him from hitting the open market. Yanda was due to become a free agent following the season.
Minor NFL Transactions: 10/20/15
Today’s minor NFL signings, cuts, and other moves..
- The Colts have signed free agent cornerback Tony Carter, reports Rand Getlin of the NFL Network (via Twitter). Carter had previous experience with the Broncos.
- The Saints released Anthony Spencer from IR, reports Eric Woodbery of the Times-Picayune (via Twitter).
- The Chiefs have re-signed receiver Fred Williams, according to Terez Paylor of the Kansas City Star (via Twitter). The team has also released receiver Kenny Cook.
- The Jaguars have cut Ziggy Hood from IR, per Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle (via Twitter). The team has also placed Tony Washington and Corey Grant on IR (via Twitter).
- The Titans have signed former 49ers offensive lineman Joe Looney, per Wilson (via Twitter). The team also cut Connor Neighbors from IR (via Twitter).
- The Eagles have cut B.J. McBryde from IR with a non-football injury designation, according to Wilson (via Twitter).
- The Giants have cut safety Cooper Taylor, per Wilson (via Twitter).
- The Lions cut Taylor Boggs, writes Wilson (via Twitter).
Earlier today:
- The Browns are signing linebacker Jayson DiManche off the Chiefs‘ taxi squad, Adam Caplan of ESPN.com tweets. DiManche will take the roster spot previously filled by running back Shaun Draughn, who has been waived, as Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon-Journal writes. The 6-foot-1, 245-pound DiManche has appeared in 28 regular-season games with one start, all with the Bengals. Draughn appeared in five games this season for Cleveland with two carries for 10 yards.
- The Falcons signed linebacker Philip Wheeler and released safety Charles Godfrey, as Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com tweets.
- The Lions have claimed guard/tackle Michael Ola off waivers from the Chargers, as Michael Gehlken of U-T San Diego tweets. Ola has yo-yo’d between the Chargers’ 53-man roster and the taxi squad all season long.
- The Colts promoted safety Dewey McDonald from the practice squad, as Stephen Holder of the Indy Star tweets. The Colts also cut Amarlo Herrera and cornerback Shaun Prater, Wilson tweets.
- The Seahawks signed Lemuel Jeanpierre and cut Crezdon Butler, as Bob Condotta of The Seattle Times tweets.
- The Seahawks also placed linebacker Brock Coyle on IR-DTR, Gregg Bell of The News Tribune tweets.
- The Chargers will sign safety Adrian Phillips from the practice squad as early as today, Michael Gehlken of U-T San Diego tweets.
- The Raiders re-signed strong safety Taylor Mays, according to Vic Tafur of the San Francisco Chronicle (on Twitter).
- The Saints have signed wide receiver T.J. Graham, according to a source who spoke with Wilson (Twitter link).
- The Vikings signed Kenrick Ellis and placed Shamar Stephen on IR, Wilson tweets.
- The Jaguars moved wide receiver Neal Sterling to the active roster and signed safety Craig Loston, John Oehser of Jaguars.com tweets.
Workout Updates: 10/20/15
Today’s workouts and visits from around the NFL..
- The Texans have worked out a pair of pass rushers in Steven Means and Gerald Rivers, reports Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle. Means was previously cut by the Buccaneers, and recently worked out with the Chiefs. Rivers has had tryouts with the Eagles and Jets this month.
- The Jets worked out former Rams running back Isaiah Pead, Rich Cimini of ESPN.com (via Twitter).
- The Broncos worked out quarterback Seth Lobato in addition to tight end LaCosse, who both played for Northern Colorado, according to Troy Renck of the Denver Post (via Twitter).
- Field Yates of ESPN added a few familiar names who had workouts on Tuesday, such as cornerback Bradley Fletcher with the Panthers, running back Travaris Cadet with the Colts, and defensive lineman Da’Quan Bowers with the Vikings (via Twitter).
Earlier today:
- The Panthers are working out tight end/fullback James Casey today, according to Mike Garafolo of FOX Sports (on Twitter).
- The Saints tried out defensive backs Akeem Davis and Robert McClain, wide receiver T.J. Graham, guard David Arkin, and center Ryan Seymour, according to ESPN.com’s Field Yates (on Twitter). Seymour was ultimately signed to New Orleans’ practice squad.
- The Jets worked out cornerback Jeremy Harris on Monday, according to Rich Cimini of ESPN.com (on Twitter). Buster Skrine and Marcus Williams are both uncertain for this week, so Gang Green is likely looking at Harris as possible insurance.
- The Vikings worked out former Ravens defensive tackle Christo Bilukidi on Tuesday, a source tells Aaron Wilson of The Houston Chronicle (on Twitter).
- The Panthers worked out former Ravens quarterback Bryn Renner according to a source who spoke with Wilson (Twitter link).
- The Broncos are working out former Titans linebacker J.R. Tavai, according to a source who spoke with Wilson (Twitter link).
- The Titans will try out ex-Ravens fullback Kiero Small, Wilson tweets.
- The Ravens tried out a trio of defensive backs: Jonte Green, Sheldon Price, and Cornelius Brown, Wilson tweets.
- The Chiefs tried out defensive back Trovon Reed, Wilson tweets.
- The Steelers worked out tackle James Brewer, Wilson tweets.
- Former Seahawks wide receiver Douglas McNeil is working out for the Panthers today, according to a source who spoke with Wilson (link).
- The Broncos working out tight end Matt LaCosse today, according to a source who spoke with Wilson (link).
Extra Points: Relocation, Mariota, Hartley
With the race to Los Angeles heating up, the NFL announced today that the league will conduct public hearings later this month in St. Louis, San Diego, and Oakland to discuss possible relocation (Twitter link via Ian Rapoport of NFL.com). The town hall meetings are meant to provide fans and community members in those cities an opportunity to ask questions and express views directly to the NFL before any decisions on relocation are made, according to the league’s press release.
As we wait to see how those meetings play out, let’s round up a few Monday odds and ends from across the NFL….
- Speaking to reporters, Titans head coach Ken Whisenhunt confirmed today that quarterback Marcus Mariota suffered a sprained MCL on Sunday. However, Whisenhunt said that Mariota is walking fine, and the team will determine later this week whether or not he’ll have to miss any games (Twitter links via Terry McCormick of TitanInsider.com).
- Former Saints and Steelers kicker Garrett Hartley is fully recovered from his hamstring injury and is receiving some interest, tweets Adam Schefter of ESPN.com. New Orleans made a kicking change, but the team opted for another free agent – Kai Forbath – rather than Hartley.
- If Colts owner Jim Irsay decides he wants to replace head coach Chuck Pagano, Peter King of TheMMQB.com expects Irsay to have interest in Sean Payton in the offseason, and adds that it wouldn’t be a bad idea to get in touch with Jim Harbaugh as well. King doesn’t expect Harbaugh to leave Michigan, but thinks it would be worth seeing what his price would be.
- Per ESPN’s Darren Rovell, Browns cornerback Ifo Ekpre-Olomu received $3MM today from his loss-of-value insurance policy. It’s the largest amount of money that a player has ever been paid on such a policy, which the former Oregon defensive back was able to collect because his draft stock was significantly hurt by an ACL injury he suffered in college.
South Notes: Mariota, Texans, Bucs, Titans
After taking a low hit to his knee on Sunday, Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota continued to play, so the Tennessee coaching staff is “cautiously optimistic” about the status of that knee, says Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. According to Florio, Mariota is undergoing an MRI today to determine the extent of the injury, and the club is hoping that it’s just an MCL issue, which can heal with rest.
Here’s more from out of the NFL’s South divisions:
- Texans safety Lonnie Ballentine will undergo surgery after dislocating his left knee and suffering significant ligament damage, reports Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle. Ballentine’s 2015 season will be over, and he figures to land on injured reserve within the next few days.
- Two free agent fullbacks are auditioning for the Buccaneers today, according to Mike Garafolo of Fox Sports, who tweets that ex-Giant Henry Hynoski and Emil Igwenagu are in town for the tryout.
- After being traded by the Titans prior to the season, Falcons guard Andy Levitre is hoping to show his old team that it “made a bad decision” in getting rid of him, as Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com writes. A source tells McClure that Titans head coach Ken Whisenhunt was never really a fan of Levitre in Tennessee, but Falcons head coach says the veteran guard has been a “great addition” for Atlanta.
- Don’t expect the Titans to make a change at head coach or general manager during the season, says Paul Kuharsky of ESPN.com.
- After head coach Gus Bradley said that his Jaguars need to “learn how to finish” games when they have a lead, one player tells Ryan O’Halloran of the Florida Times-Union that “a lot of people will be looking for a job” if the club can’t figure that out. Jacksonville lost its fourth straight game on Sunday, falling to 1-5 on the season.