AFC South Links: Ronnie Brown, Colts, Oher
Let’s check in on the latest items from around the AFC South….
- Although Ronnie Brown will turn 33 later this year, making him one of the league’s oldest running backs, he only has 131 more career carries than Arian Foster, the man he’s now backing up in Houston, writes Dale Robertson of the Houston Chronicle. Having signed this week with the Texans, Brown still feels as if he has “a lot” left in the tank, as he tells Robertson.
- In his latest mailbag at Colts.com, Kevin Bowen fields a handful of questions about the Colts‘ offensive line, addressing whether he thinks the club would have interest in signing Richie Incognito or trading for Alex Boone.
- With Michael Roos still the Titans‘ starter at left tackle, there may not be room for both free agent signee Michael Oher and first-round pick Taylor Lewan on the team’s offensive line, but Oher isn’t pleased with any speculation that he’ll start the year on the bench, as he tells John Glennon of the Tennessean. “I’m kind of tired of getting disrespected by a lot of people who don’t know anything about the work I put in and how hard I work, and the love and passion I have for this game,” Oher said.
- Considering Lewan has played predominantly on the Titans‘ second team at left tackle, and no one seems to be calling for him to start over Oher lately, Paul Kuharsky of ESPN.com thinks maybe the former Raven “needs to chill a little with the disrespect deal.”
Minor Moves: Tuesday
Here are Tuesday’s minor moves from around the NFL, with the latest transactions added to the top of the page throughout the day:
- The Dolphins signed tight end Evan Wilson, according to Adam Beasley of the Miami Herald (on Twitter).
- Less than two weeks after signing tight end Raymond Webber, the Dolphins have waived him, a source tells ESPN.com’s Field Yates (Twitter link).
- Tight end Dorin Dickerson has been removed from the Titans‘ injured reserve list with an injury settlement, tweets Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun.
- With the open spot on their 90-man roster, the Buccaneers have signed former Toledo defensive end T.J. Fatinikun, who participated in the club’s minicamp in June, tweets Scott Smith of Buccaneers.com.
Earlier updates:
- The Steelers placed veteran punter Adam Podlesh on their reserve/did not report list, tweets Ed Bouchette of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Podlesh isn’t in attendance at Pittsburgh’s camp after his wife underwent a complicated – but successful – delivery of their child. He can be reinstated when he reports, but for now the Steelers are also free to sign someone else to take his roster spot.
- Offensive lineman Stephen Goodin has signed with the Cowboys, taking the roster spot of guard Andre Cureton, reports Todd Archer of ESPNDallas.com (Twitter links). Goodin, a former Giant, was waived earlier in the offseason by New York with an injury settlement.
- The Jets have swapped one defender for another, according to Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News, who tweets that the club signed defensive back LeQuan Lewis and cut linebacker Tim Fugger. Per Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (via Twitter), Lewis, who ran a 4.36 40-yard dash during his tryout, received a two-year contract from the Jets.
Extra Points: Giants, Bryant, Cowboys
Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie is leading a new-look Giants secondary but he believes that the gelling process won’t be too arduous, writes George Willis of the New York Post. “When you’ve got a whole bunch of older guys, it can (come quickly) because you’ve been around the league and you understand the game,” Rodgers-Cromartie said. “When you’re young it takes time. But with Walt coming over, with me and Antrel having already been here with Prince and Steve, I think it’s been smooth.” More from around the NFL..
- Former Ravens outside linebacker D.J. Bryant tried out for the Titans today, a league source tells Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post. Bryant, who spent last season on injured reserve with a torn ACL, wasn’t immediately signed to a contract. The athletic 6’3″, 240-pound linebacker who was an All-Colonial Athletic Conference selection as a defensive end at James Madison.
- A scout who studied new Cowboys cornerback Justin Green described him as someone who is “tough, physical, and competes,” tweets Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network. Green, the source added, has above average movement skills and is a back-end guy with special teams value.” In short, Dallas will still miss Orlando Scandrick, but Green can be a solid depth pickup.
- New Browns quarterback Rex Grossman is happy to be reunited with long-time offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan, writes Tom Reed of The Plain Dealer. “I just want to help this team win, no matter if it’s going out there playing or helping or just being somebody they can rely on that can go in the game and play or whatever it is,” said Grossman, who will be charged with breaking down the offensive system to his younger teammates.
- The CFL’s Montreal Alouettes officially announced that Jeff Garcia has been named the team’s quarterbacks coach.
AFC Links: Ravens, McCarthy, Texans, Colts
The Ravens could use some cornerback help, but the free agent market is thin and Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun isn’t sure either Asante Samuel or Jabari Greer would have interest in joining the team. A preseason trade may be Baltimore’s best chance for an upgrade, says Zrebiec, though he admits the Ravens may not want to part with any more 2015 draft picks after trading a couple for Jeremy Zuttah and Michael Campanaro.
Let’s round up a few more Tuesday updates from out of the AFC….
- It sounds as if Titans linebacker Colin McCarthy will need shoulder surgery, which makes injured reserve a viable possibility for him, tweets Jim Wyatt of the Tennessean.
- Asked about the Texans’ overhaul of their backfield – which included signing Ronnie Brown and cutting Andre Brown – head coach Bill O’Brien said the Texans “had a chance to improve our team, and that’s what we did” (Twitter link via John McClain of the Houston Chronicle).
- Although he believes the Broncos have several good contracts, Jason Fitzgerald of Over the Cap picks Terrance Knighton’s deal as the most team-friendly one on Denver’s books. On the other hand, Fitzgerald wasn’t a fan of the contract the Broncos gave DeMarcus Ware this offseason, which includes $16.5MM in fully guaranteed money.
- Because the Colts only had five draft picks in May – the fewest of any NFL team – the team extensively scouted college free agents and placed a greater emphasis on those players this year, tweets Stephen Holder of the Indianapolis Star. As such, it wouldn’t be a surprise if a few earned spots on Indianapolis’ roster and/or practice squad.
- In his exploration on the positional investments successful and non-successful teams make in running backs, the Patriots and Browns are among the teams examined by Zach Moore of Over the Cap. The Pats only spent about $3.4MM on their productive group of runners last season, and Moore thinks that inexpensive rookie Terrance West should be a better value for Cleveland than free agent addition Ben Tate.
King’s Latest: Locker, Chiefs, Cousins, Mallett
Having been involved in some of the best seasons of the careers of Ben Roethlisberger, Kurt Warner and Philip Rivers, new Titans head coach Ken Whisenhunt will look to develop Jake Locker this season, as the Tennessee signal-caller enters a contract year. Asked by Peter King of TheMMQB.com if he believes Locker is the team’s quarterback of the future, Whisenhunt was cautiously optimistic.
“I hope so,” Whisenhunt said. “I feel good about what I see out here [in practice]. But you’re not getting hit out here either. The question is, can you do all the right things when you’re about to get hit?”
The Titans chose not to exercise their fifth-year option on Locker for 2015, so if he shows enough in 2014 to convince the team he’s the long-term answer, the two sides will have to negotiate a new agreement to keep him around.
Here’s more from King’s column:
- Before teams cut down their rosters for the regular season, look for Chiefs GM John Dorsey to shop one of his tight ends and one of his kickers in an effort to land a late draft pick for 2015, says King, who suggests the Giants as a potential suitor for a tight end.
- Evaluating a pair of backup quarterbacks who have been mentioned in trade rumors this year, King suggests that Kirk Cousins of the Redskins should be worth a second-round pick to a quarterback-needy team, but says Ryan Mallett may not net more than a seventh-round for the Patriots. In fact, King adds that he wouldn’t be shocked if the Pats could end up cutting Mallett.
- King passes along a Jaguars-related anecdote from last season to illustrate another reason why having an NFL franchise in London would be difficult: General manager David Caldwell wanted to claim linebacker Martez Wilson off waivers last season, but the Jags were in London, and Caldwell didn’t want to cut one of his own players and send him home from Europe before the London game. The GM also wasn’t sure what kind of game shape or mental shape Wilson would be in if he arrived in London on the Friday before Sunday’s game. The linebacker was ultimately claimed by the Raiders.
AFC South Notes: Jaguars, Colts, Titans
The Jaguars have a number of players battling for a very few roster spots, and Michael DiRocco of ESPN.com has evaluated which players he thinks the Jaguars will be putting on the field come the opener. He writes that the team is only keeping five cornerbacks, and that four spots are already taken, which leaves Rashaad Reynolds fighting five corners for the last spot. However, he does believe the team will keep four running backs and a fullback, so they will have room for Jordan Todman, Denard Robinson, and Storm Johnson on the roster.
Here are some other notes from around the AFC South:
- While first-round pick Blake Bortles is still a long way from taking over as the starter for the Jaguars, DiRocco writes that he is far ahead of expectations so far. His knowledge of the offense has impressed, and he has made improvements as a passer since coming into camp.
- The Jaguars could still use help at center, but John Oehserof the O-Zone does not seeing that happening (via Twitter). He said the issue is closed for this season, but that the team would revisit the position at some point next offseason.
- The Colts worked out two linebackers today with hopes that one could earn a spot on the team, writes Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun. Former Texan Mister Alexander and former Redskin Brandon Jenkins will both both have their chance to impress the Colts’ coaching staff.
- The Titans have an ongoing battle between two kickers trying to make the team, writes Paul Kuharsky of ESPN.com. He writes that Maikon Bonani has the stronger leg, but Travis Coons has been far more consistent and accurate during camp.
Minor Moves: Thursday
We’ll keep track of today’s minor moves here..
- Quarterback Tyler Wilson and wide receiver Jonathan Baldwin passed through waivers unclaimed, according to Adam Caplan of ESPN.com (on Twitter). Baldwin, soon-to-be 25, was waived by the Lions with a failed physical designation yesterday. Wilson, selected in the fourth round of the 2013 draft by the Raiders, was waived-injured by the Titans.
- With three tight ends unavailable to practice today, the Jaguars addressed the position by signing Fendi Onobun and waiving injured rookie Reggie Jordan, according to Ryan O’Halloran of the Florida Times-Union. Onobun, who played one game for Jacksonville in 2011, was one of three tight ends who worked out for the Jaguars after their walk-through. Jordan, an undrafted free agent from Missouri Western, was injured in practice earlier this week.
- The Raiders announced on Twitter that they have inked free agent kicker Kevin Goessling and waived punter/kicker Michael Palardy to make space. Like longtime Raiders kicker Sebastian Janikowski, Palardy is a lefty, and played as both a kicker and punter at the University of Tennessee before going undrafted last month. He won’t have an opportunity to follow in his footsteps, however.
Minor Moves: Wednesday
We’ll round up Wednesday’s minor transactions from around the NFL in this space, with the latest moves added to the top of the list throughout the day:
- The Raiders announced that they have signed journeyman safety Larry Asante and waived/injured fellow safety Shelton Johnson. Asante joins the Raiders following stops with the Browns, Buccaneers, and Colts. For his career, the 6’0″, 210-pounder has played in 17 games and totaled 12 tackles (nine solo), one interception, one pass defensed, and one forced fumble. He played in five games last season for the Colts, seeing time primarily on special teams.
- Saints defensive tackle Tyrone Ezell and linebacker Marcus Thompson have cleared waivers, tweets Larry Holder of The Times-Picayune.
- Former BYU linebacker Spencer Hadley has signed with the Raiders, according to Vic Tafur of the San Francisco Chronicle, who tweets that the club has waived-injured linebacker Marshall McFadden to make room on the roster.
- Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (Twitter link) passes along a couple new roster updates, reporting that the Cowboys have waived undrafted rookies Dashaun Phillips and Joe Windsor to make room for their defensive back signings (noted below). According to Wilson, the Lions also cut Cody Wilson from their IR with an injury settlement.
Earlier updates:
- The Vikings have cut undrafted tight end A.C. Leonard, who left practice last week with a headache, according to Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press.
- Just a day after signing him, the Seahawks have waived defensive back Trey Wolfe, replacing him with DB Michael Dobson, according to Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times (via Twitter). Dobson participated in the club’s rookie minicamp in the spring.
- In order to make room for new signee James Shaw, whose deal was reported yesterday, the Steelers have waived-injured wide receiver Danny Coale, tweets Mark Kaboly of the Pittsburgh Tribune Review.
- Another signing reported yesterday, the Titans‘ addition of defensive lineman Lanier Coleman, was finalized today, with Tennessee also agreeing to terms with tight end Chase Coffman, per Jim Wyatt of the Tennessean. To clear two spots on the roster for the new players, the Titans waived-injured tight end Dorin Dickerson and cut quarterback Tyler Wilson (Twitter links). Wilson was selected in the fourth round of the 2013 draft by the Raiders, and was signed by the Titans off Oakland’s practice squad last season.
- The Cowboys have added a pair of defensive backs to their roster to bolster a secondary that has been hit hard by injuries in training camp, signing Korey Lindsey and Johnny Thomas, tweets Charean Williams of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Clarence Hill of the Star-Telegram had indicated yesterday that Dallas was eyeing those two free agents. The club will need to cut two players to make room for Lindsey and Thomas.
Minor Moves: Tuesday
Here are the NFL’s minor transactions for Tuesday, with the latest moves added to the top of the page throughout the afternoon and evening:
- The Bears waived linebacker Conor O’Neill to make room for the addition of Greg Herd, tweets Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune.
- The Browns reached an injury settlement with James Oboh, Wilson tweets.
- The Broncos waived defensive end Hall Davis with a left squad designation, tweets Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun. Denver signed Davis to a reserve/futures contract in February.
- The Vikings waived Lestar Jean from injured reserve, tweets Wilson. The wideout has ten career receptions for 186 yards and one touchdown.
- Running back Kendall Hunter will spend the season on the 49ers’ injured reserve list after he cleared waivers on Tuesday, writes Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com.
- The Dolphins announced that they have signed kicker Danny Hrapmann and waived linebacker Ryan Rau, tweets Adam Caplan of ESPN.com. Hrapmann was one of at least three kickers Miami auditioned recently.
- The Bears added wide receiver Greg Herd today, according to Rich Campbell of the Chicago Tribune (on Twitter). Chicago must make a corresponding roster move for Herd, who had short stints with the Cowboys and Seahawks after entering the NFL in 2013.
Earlier updates:
- The Colts agreed to sign former Eagles outside linebacker Phillip Hunt, a source tells Adam Caplan of ESPN.com (on Twitter). To make room for Hunt, the Colts dropped wide receiver Nu’Keese Richardson, who signed with the club just two days ago.
- The Browns announced that they have signed tight end Martell Webb, linebacker Keith Pough, and wide receiver Tim Smith, according to Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal. Originally signed by Philadelphia as an undrafted free agent in 2011, Webb has spent time on the practice squads of the Jets (2011), Bucs (2011), Colts (2012), Titans (2012), and Lions (2013).
- The Browns waived defensive back Darwin Cook, according to Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal (via Twitter).
- The Titans will sign Lanier Coleman, a defensive lineman who has spent time with the Jets and Packers, tweets Jim Wyatt of the Tennessean. Tennessee has a full 90-man roster, so the team will need to cut someone to make it official.
- The Saints have signed former second-round tight end Richard Quinn, according to Field Yates of ESPN.com (via Twitter). In a separate tweet, Mike Triplett of ESPN.com adds a few more Saints moves courtesy of Yates: New Orleans also signed wideout Tobais Palmer, waiving receiver Steve Hull (injured designation), defensive tackle Tyrone Ezell, and linebacker Marcus Thompson.
- As first reported by NFL Draft Diamonds, the Browns have reached a deal to sign tight end Kyle Auffray, writes Mike Wilkering of Pro Football Talk. Cleveland entered the day with four open roster spots, so there’s plenty of room for Auffray, who spent some time with the Patriots in the spring.
- The Buccaneers completed a series of roster moves today, announcing in a press release that they’ve signed defensive ends Ryne Giddins and James Ruffin, and waived-injured linebacker Jeremy Grable and safety Mycal Swaim.
- The Steelers are set to sign wide receiver James Shaw, who previously played for the Arena League’s Pittsburgh Power, tweets Ian Rapoport of NFL.com. Pittsburgh has a full 90-man roster, so the club will need to make a corresponding roster move to make room for the latest signee.
- Jermaine Cunningham, who tore his Achilles tendon during training camp, has been waived-injured by the Jets, who signed offensive lineman Bruce Campbell to fill Cunningham’s roster spot, per Rich Cimini of ESPN New York (Twitter link). Campbell attended the team’s minicamp back in June on a tryout basis.
- Armed with an open spot on their 90-man roster, the Broncos have signed former Browns defensive end Brian Sanford, as Mike Klis of the Denver Post details. Sanford, who turns 27 next month, has been active for 13 career regular-season contests for Cleveland and Oakland.
- The Seahawks have waived-injured safety Dion Bailey and signed defensive back Trey Wolfe to replace him, tweets Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times.
AFC South Notes: Richardson, Moncrief, Foster
Trent Richardson is coming off a miserable season after the Colts traded a first-round pick to acquire him early last season, but he is committed to making more of an impact in 2013, writes Stephen Holder of the Indy Star. He wants to contribute as a three-down back, improve his pass protection, and has a goal in his mind in terms of rushing yards. He would not give out the number but admitted that it was higher than 1,000 yards,
Here are some other notes from around the AFC South:
- A surprise from the Colts‘ depth chart was rookie receiver Donte Moncrief being listed as the teams starting kick returner, writes Mike Wells of ESPN.com.
“We want to win,” said head coach Chuck Pagano. “If he gives us the best opportunity to win as a kick returner as well as the receiver, then we are going to put him out there.” - The Titans had a joint practice with the Falcons today, and rookie offensive tackle Taylor Lewan got his first taste against defensive lineman from an opponent. Lewan held his own, writes John Glennon of the Tennesseean, but drew one flag for holding. He is currently battling with Michael Oher to be the team’s starting right tackle.
- Texans‘ running back Arian Foster struggled with injuries in 2013, that caused him to consider leaving the game of football. He admitted so in an interview with ESPN’s Hannah Storm. Tania Ganguli, who covers the Texans for the Worldwide Leader, transcribed this part of the interview.