Extra Points: JPP, Cameron, Gruden, Locker
Jason Pierre-Paul’s walk year spike may cost the Giants, writes Paul Schwartz of the New York Post. After performing solidly but not spectacularly for the bulk of the season, Pierre-Paul is putting on a great show down the home stretch, just in time to increase his worth. “That’s one of those things that go unnoticed, but I think people are starting to realize he gets tremendous sack numbers but his sack numbers, just because they went down, they don’t realize how much of a hustle player he is,’’ said second-year defensive end Damontre Moore. More from around the NFL..
- Not everyone is looking strong heading into free agency. Jason Fitzgerald of Over The Cap looked at three players who hurt their stock with their play on Sunday, including Browns tight end Jordan Cameron and Ravens running back Justin Forsett.
- Jon Gruden openly wonders if the Bears should have kept Josh McCown and ditched Jay Cutler, as Mike Sando of ESPN.com (Insider sub. req’d) writes. While Cutler has struggled, I would note that McCown hasn’t exactly shined in Tampa Bay.
- Given his issues with durability as well as the fundamentals of the position, Jake Locker will have to settle for a backup job as a potential reclamation project in 2015, writes Chris Wesseling of NFL.com. The Titans quarterback was placed on IR earlier today.
- With many issues still to be settled, it sounds unlikely that the league will put a team in Los Angeles in time to play in 2015, writes Peter King of The MMQB.
- In an interview on WBBM-AM 780, Bears GM Phil Emery spoke about last week’s controversy involving offensive coordinator Aaron Kromer. Rich Campbell of the Chicago Tribune has the goods.
- In case you were worried, the Super Bowl will go on, despite the failure of Congress to renew the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act, as Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk writes.
Titans Sign Jordan Palmer; Locker To IR
Like the division-rival Texans, the Titans are cycling through quarterbacks as injuries pile up, and have added a veteran free agent to the mix, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link), who reports that Jordan Palmer is signing with the club. To accommodate the new addition to the 53-man roster, Tennessee is moving Jake Locker to the injured reserve list, tweets Jim Wyatt of the Tennessean.
Palmer, the younger brother of Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer, spent last season with the Bears as the No. 3 QB, behind Jay Cutler and Josh McCown, but was cut by the team during the 2014 preseason. The 30-year-old Palmer has also spent time with the Bengals and the Jaguars, and had a brief stint with the Bills prior to the regular season. He has logged just 15 pass attempts in his career.
The other half of the quarterback shake-up is perhaps of greater interest to Titans fans — with Locker heading to the IR list, his season is officially over, and his career in Tennessee appears to be coming to an end as well. The former first-round pick is eligible for unrestricted free agency in March, and new head coach Ken Whisenhunt hasn’t shown much interest in keeping or developing the 26-year-old. Locker likely won’t draw much interest in the offseason as a starter after a subpar, injury-plagued 2014 season. But in the right situation, he could become a solid backup with upside.
With Zach Mettenberger also sidelined, Charlie Whitehurst looks like the probable starter for the Titans’ Thursday night game against Jacksonville.
Injury Updates: Sunday
We’ll keep track of the latest injury news here, with the newest updates added to the top of the list…
- Lions‘ right tackle LaAdrian Waddle left today’s game with a right knee injury, according to Josh Katzenstein of DetroitNews.com. Waddle’s teammates were not optimistic about the injury, writes Michael Rothstein of ESPN (via Twitter).
- Seahawks‘ left tackle Russell Okung was forced out of the matchup with the 49ers before halftime with a chest injury, reports Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times (via Twitter).
- The 49ers were eliminated from playoff contention earlier today, and were down to their third string running back at times. We heard that Frank Gore was knocked out of the game with a head injury, which was diagnosed as a concussion, according to Cam Inman of the San Jose Mercury News (via Twitter).
- Buccaneers defensive tackle Gerald McCoy hyperextended his knee, an injury that could end his season, according to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. With no chance of playoffs and the 2015 top pick in their grasp, keeping McCoy on the sidelines for the final two games could be the smart long-term decision for the team.
- Washington lost two starters earlier today, with left tackle Trent Williams and quarterback Colt McCoy both leaving the game and not returning, reports Tarik-El Bashir of CSNWashington.com. Williams suffered a shoulder injury, while McCoy aggravated his neck during the game.
Earlier updates:
- After having his right ankle taped during the first half of today’s game against the Broncos, Chargers receiver Keenan Allen had to be carted off the field during the second half, tweets Michael Gehlken of U-T San Diego. It’s unclear whether Allen re-aggravated his ankle ailment, or suffered a new injury.
- Texans quarterback Tom Savage was limping after today’s game against the Colts, and will have an MRI tomorrow, tweets John McClain of the Houston Chronicle. Savage, selected in the fourth round of this year’s draft, was filling in for Ryan Fitzpatrick, who is likely lost for the year. If Savage can’t go next week, Houston would presumably turn to journeyman Thad Lewis, who was signed less than a month ago.
- 49ers running back Frank Gore is headed to the locker room after suffering an head injury while blocking in today’s game against the Seahawks, according to Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com (Twitter link).
- The Ravens’ secondary has been ravaged by injuries this season, and it appears as though they’ve lost a few more key defenders. Rookie safety Terrence Brooks‘ season is over after he suffered damage to his PCL and possibly his MCL on a kickoff today, while cornberback Asa Jackson‘s status is unclear after he injured his PCL, writes Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun.
- Another AFC North team is down several players in its defensive backfield, as Browns corners Joe Haden (shoulder) and Joe Haden (concussion) were forced from today’s game against the Bengals, according to Tony Grossi of ESPN.com (Twitter link).
- Starting in the absence of an injured Zach Mettenberger, Titans quarterback Jake Locker suffered what appears to a shoulder injury after taking a hit from the Jets’ Quinton Coples, per Paul Kuharsky of ESPN.com (Twitter link). Charlie Whitehurst has taken over at QB for Tennessee.
Update On Race For 2015 No. 1 Pick
Not much has changed in a week regarding the number one overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft. Four out of the five two-win temas projected to select in the top five next offseason going into Week 15 lost again today, with the lone winners being the New York Jets.
The Jets of course defeated the Titans, who themselves are vying for the number one pick. The Jets now have three wins and will probably miss out on a top-five pick, due to a difficult strength of schedule that had them choosing after the Buccaneers, Titans, and Jaguars despite finishing with the same win total.
With two games left, the draft order among non-playoff teams is beginning to take shape, and the top four selections are comprised of the two win teams currently sit as follows, according to Ryan O’Halloran of the Florida Times-Union (via Twitter):
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers; vs. GB, vs. NO
- Tennessee Titans; @ JAX, vs. IND
- Jacksonville Jaguars; vs. TEN, @ HOU
- Oakland Raiders; vs. BUF, @ DEN
One of those four is guaranteed to improve to 3-12 next week barring any ties, as the Titans will travel to Jacksonville to play the Jaguars on Thursday Night Football.
Washington is sitting at 3-11 much like the Jets, with Washington currently slotted to pick fifth overall. They could still jump the Jaguars, should Jacksonville beat the Titans at home on Thursday, according to Jason Fitzgerald of OverTheCap.com.
Even if the Jets lose out, the only way they can jump back into the top five is with a win from Washington or the Raiders in these last two weeks.
Latest On Titans Ownership; Manning Interested?
Following the Bills sale earlier this year, the Titans could be the next team to hit the market, writes Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com. Bud Adams, who had owned the Houston/Tennessee franchise since 1960, passed away in October, leaving his son-in-law Tommie Smith to serve as majority owner. However, not every member of the family is inclined to retain the club for the long-term, especially after the Buffalo franchise was sold for $1.4 billion. Insiders believe the Titans could be worth as much as $2 billion, and Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning is being floated as a potential leader of an ownership group.
For that possibility to occur, obviously, Manning would have to retire in the near future — those close to the future Hall of Famer tell La Canfora that there’s been no movement either way regarding his retirement, with one source saying that “I don’t even think [Manning] knows.” Still, the CBS scribe allows that it “wouldn’t be a shock” to see Manning hang it up in 2015, which would pave the way for him to move into an owner/executive career, a path he has long been interested in pursuing.
Indeed, one reason Manning nearly opted to sign with the Titans in 2012 was that he wanted to become involved with the team’s front office structure once his playing days ended — at the time, Manning’s friend (and current Browns owner) Jimmy Haslam was considering purchasing the Tennessee franchise. Manning, a University of Tennessee alum, might still be intrigued by joining the Titans in some manner, and undertaking a post-playing career similar to that of Broncos general manager John Elway.
Manning wouldn’t be the only suitor interested in controlling the Titans, continues La Canfora. FedEx CEO and Washington minority owner Fred Smith is based in Memphis, and the Titans have appealed to him for some time. Sources also say that Steelers minority owner David Tepper could be a strong contender to vie for the club. Manning, obviously, would be the most high-profile suitor, and join the Panthers’ Jerry Richardson as the only current owners to have previously played in the NFL.
AFC South Links: Jaguars, Wayne, Titans
Jaguars rookie Storm Johnson is finally going to get an opportunity to be the team’s featured running back. The seventh-rounder has been inactive for the past six weeks, but an injury to Denard Robinson has forced the 22-year-old into the lineup. Even without the injuries, the coaching staff was trying to find a way to promote their talented young player. Via Hays Carlyon of The Florida Times-Union:
“We were trying to find a way, regardless of the injury to D-Rob, to get Storm up,” said coach Gus Bradley. “I think it’s been based on the last couple weeks of practice. That’s what I’ve been talking to him about. It wasn’t because of injury that you’re getting this opportunity. We were talking to him about it anyway. He’s earned it.”
Johnson, who has compiled 64 rushing yards and two touchdowns this season, appreciated the recognition:
“It meant a lot that my hard work has been noticed. People have been watching me. It makes me want to work harder and do what I’ve been doing.”
Let’s see what else is happening in the AFC South…
- ESPN.com’s Mike Wells can’t envision the Colts letting go of Reggie Wayne at the conclusion of the season. Instead, he suggests the team should let the veteran make his own decision, since he’ll likely retire when his tenure with the Colts is finished. “This is what I am. This is what I believe in,” Wayne told Wells. “I’ve been here this long, I just don’t see myself anywhere else. This is where I want to finish. At the end of the day, when it’s all said and done, whenever that day is, I just want to be wearing blue and white. That’s just what I want to do.”
- Paul Kuharsky of ESPN.com previews the Titans‘ tops needs in free agency, focusing on a pass-rushing linebacker and help on the offensive line. The writer adds that the team will not be afraid to spend.
- John Glennon of The Tennessean collects the opinions of various NFL pundits regarding the future of Zach Mettenberger. All of the analysts believe the rookie will certainly be in the running to be the Titans quarterback of the future. However, none would be surprised if the team pursued a veteran in free agency or another young player in the draft.
- Following news that offensive lineman Michael Oher was placed on the injured reserve, Jim Wyatt of The Tennessean tweets his belief that the tackle’s tenure with the Titans is over.
Titans Place Michael Oher On IR
Michael Oher‘s first season with the Titans is over, as ESPN.com’s Paul Kuharsky tweets that the team has placed the offensive tackle on the injured reserve. To take his space on the roster, the team has promoted defensive back Khalid Wooten (via Kuharsky).
The Titans haven’t received the type of production they were likely hoping for when the inked Oher to a four-year deal worth $20MM in March. The former first-rounder had previously started every game of his career since entering with the Ravens in 2009. He was on track to continue that this season until a toe injury prevented him from playing the last two weeks.
Despite playing the third-most snaps for the Titans this season, Pro Football Focus’ advanced metrics (subscription required) rank Oher as the team’s worst offensive player. The same metrics also rank the former first-rounder as the fifth-worst qualifying tackle in the league. The last time those statistics rated Oher above league-average was his rookie season in 2009.
Wooten, a cornerback out of Nevada, was the Titans’ sixth-round pick in 2013. He has spent the last season-plus on Tennessee’s practice squad.
AFC South Notes: Wayne, Jaguars, Titans
As the Colts prepare to try to lock up the AFC South by defeating the Texans this coming Sunday, let’s round up a few Friday notes from out of the division….
- If Reggie Wayne retires after this season, he’ll stay retired, as Zak Keefer of the Indy Star writes. “Whatever the decision is, that will be the decision,” the Colts wide receiver said. “I won’t do the whole Brett Favre thing.“
- The Jaguars are in no rush to move running back Denard Robinson to injured reserve, even though his season is over, since any call-up would be inactive this Sunday anyway, says Ryan O’Halloran of the Florida Times-Union (Twitter links). Robinson will likely be placed on IR before next week’s game against the Titans, allowing Jacksonville to see if there are any positions requiring additions following Week 15’s game against the Ravens.
- There are no easy answers for the Titans, but declaring Zach Mettenberger the Titans’ No. 1 quarterback for 2015 based on his body of work would be foolish, opines David Climer of The Tennessean. Climer would rather see the Titans be open to the draft or the free agent pool, even if the offseason’s crop of available QBs is not all that appealing.
- With injuries to their top two right tackles, the Titans could wind up starting Terren Jones, who was signed last week off the Ravens’ practice squad, or Jamon Meredith, who signed as a free agent earlier this week, writes John Glennon of The Tennessean.
Zach Links contributed to this post.
Extra Points: Stanton, Titans, Harvin
The NFL invited the NFLPA to continue discussions on the personal conduct policy and the hiring of the person who will oversee the discipline, according to Mike Garafolo of FOX Sports (on Twitter). The union, he adds, might take them up on the offer. More from around the NFL..
- Cardinals quarterback Drew Stanton was forced out of tonight’s game after being sacked by Aaron Donald, as Curtis Crabtree of Pro Football Talk writes. How severe the injury is and whether it will cost him further time remains to be seen, however.
- If the season ended today, the Titans would have the No. 2 overall pick and an opportunity to be in the mix for quarterbacks like Oregon’s Marcus Mariota and Florida State’s Jameis Winston. Still, Zach Mettenberger feels that he’s shown the team that he deserves to be their starter, writes Jim Wyatt of The Tennessean. “I believe I have shown them enough, I just hope I’ve shown y’all enough to write good columns from here until next season,” Mettenberger said yesterday. “But I am confident in my abilities and what I have put on the field and what I have put on tape, and I think I have shown ownership, Ruston and the (coaching) staff that I can play at a high level and I am going to continue to get better.”
- It may not be enough to save his job, but Jets GM John Idzik deserves credit for his gamble on Percy Harvin, writes George Willis of the New York Post. Time will tell if the talk of bad behavior in Seattle was overblown, but as of now, Harvin is someone that the Jets need to keep for the future. The Jets could cut Harvin without cap implications and he’s owed quite a bit, but the Jets can’t let a playmaker of his caliber go elsewhere.
- Josh McCown probably isn’t the Buccaneers‘ quarterback of the future, but “the future is not right here right now,” says head coach Lovie Smith, explaining why he’s sticking with the veteran McCown as the team’s starter down the stretch (link via Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times).
- Alabama wide receiver Amari Cooper could be an intriguing pick for the Titans, opines Paul Kuharsky of ESPN.com (on Twitter). Cooper is widely expected to be a top-five pick.
- The Texans tried out defensive back Delvin Breaux, according to Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post (via Twitter).
- The Titans worked out Mitchell Van Dyk, according to Wilson (via Twitter).
Luke Adams contributed to this post.
South Notes: Clowney, Newton, Locker
After undergoing microfracture surgery on his right knee today, Texans linebacker Jadeveon Clowney is expected to miss nine months as he recovers from the procedure, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (Twitter link). That timeline could prove problematic, as John McClain of the Houston Chronicle writes, because it could mean that Clowney will be still be sidelined when the 2015 season begins. Clowney, the No. 1 overall pick in this year’s draft, was placed on injured reserve last week after playing in only four games, registering just seven tackles. Here’s more from the South divsions…
- Cam Newton is unlikely to play this weekend after being injured in a car accident earlier today, reports Joseph Person of the Charlotte Observer. Newton suffered two transverse process fractures in his lower back, the same injury that forced Tony Romo to miss one game earlier this season. The Panthers, who at 4-8-1 are still in NFC South hunt, will turn to backup Derek Anderson against the Buccaneers.
- While one quarterback in a contract year – Browns signal-caller Brian Hoyer – has been benched as he nears free agency, another will get an opportunity to showcase his skills before he hits the open market. Former first-round pick Jake Locker will start the Titans’ final three games with Zach Mettenberger out, as John Glennon of the Tennessean details.
- Two days after he made several errors in the Saints’ loss to the Panthers, second-year safety Kenny Vaccaro has been benched, tweets Ian Rapoport of NFL.com. Vaccaro, the fifteenth overall pick in the 2013 draft, recorded an outstanding rookie season, and was expected to form an excellent defensive backfield duo with free agent signee Jairus Byrd. Now, Byrd is on injured reserve, while Vaccaro, who rates as the third-worst safety in the league per Pro Football Focus (subscription required), will watch from the sideline.
Luke Adams contributed to this post.