Workout Notes: Bills, Dolphins, Raiders, Bucs
With 53-man rosters set, teams around the NFL will start to frequently bring in players for workouts and auditions, keeping up-to-date on which free agents are out there, in case injury replacements or practice squad fill-ins are required.
Here are a few of the latest updates on teams working out players, or bringing them in for visits:
- The Bills, who are exploring other possible options at kicker after an underwhelming preseason from Dan Carpenter, worked out Alex Henery, according to Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post (via Twitter). Henery’s last game in the NFL, the one that cost him his job, came last October, when he missed three field goals for the Lions against Buffalo.
- Before they signed linebacker Adrian Hubbard, the Dolphins worked out Hubbard and several other players, according to Wilson (Twitter link). The players who earned an audition with Miami included former Raiders safety Jonathan Dowling, ex-Cardinals linebacker Glenn Carson, former Bengals linebacker Nico Johnson, ex-Cowboys cornerback Robert Steeples, and former Eagles safety Chris Prosinski.
- The Raiders brought in a number of players for workouts, with a focus on wide receivers, quarterbacks, and defensive backs. According to Wilson (Twitter links), wideouts Phil Bates, John Harris, DeAndre Carter, and T.J. Graham, quarterbacks Jeff Tuel and Phillip Sims, and defensive backs Tommie Campbell, Phillip Thomas, B.W. Webb, and Ty Zimmerman auditioned for the club. Offensive lineman Dillon Farrell also had a tryout with Oakland.
- Offensive lineman Austin Reiter, a 2015 seventh-rounder waived by Washington over the weekend, is working out for the Buccaneers this morning, tweets Greg Auman of the Tampa Bay Times.
- After being waived by the Chargers last week, wide receiver Titus Davis paid a visit to the Lions, tweets Wilson.
Jaguars Cut Tommie Campbell
The Jaguars have cut cornerback Tommie Campbell, reports Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle (via Twitter). The 27-year-old joined Jacksonville last October following a season-ending injury to Alan Ball.
The California University of Pennsylvania product was drafted in the seventh round of the 2011 draft by the Titans. He spent three seasons with Tennessee, compiling 24 tackles and a forced fumble in 37 games. He appeared in seven games for the Jags last season, primarily serving in a special teams role.
An assortment of teams auditioned Campbell last season, so there’s a chance that the defensive back could catch on with another team. The Seahawks, Dolphins, Lions, and Buccaneers were among the teams that had previously shown interest in Campbell.
Jaguars Sign Tommie Campbell
The Jaguars announced that they have signed former Titans cornerback Tommie Campbell, as Adam Caplan of ESPN.com tweets. In a corresponding move, the Jags placed fellow corner Alan Ball on injured reserve.
Campbell, 27, worked out for the Seahawks, Dolphins, Lions, and Bucs this fall but didn’t land a roster spot with any of them. His September audition with Jacksonville, however, clearly made an impression. Campbell has 37 games of experience across three seasons with the Titans with 28 career tackles.
Ball, 29, has been struggling with a biceps injury for the past week. He has arguably been the Jags’ best cornerback since joining the team last season, so this is a tough blow for Jacksonville. Ball made 15 starts last season and led the team with 14 pass deflections and a career-high 47 tackles to go along with two picks. This year, Ball recorded has 22 tackles, one interception, and three pass breakups in seven games.
AFC East Notes: Jets, Bills, Dolphins
Through seven weeks, the Patriots have assumed their usual spot at the top of the AFC East standings, but the Bills and Dolphins remain within striking distance of Bill Belichick, Tom Brady, and company. This weekend, both East runners-up will visit 1-6 teams, with the Bills facing the Jets and the Dolphins traveling to Jacksonville. As we look forward to seeing if they can keep pace with the Pats, let’s check in on a few Tuesday notes from around the division….
- While the financial burden the Jets are assuming by acquiring Percy Harvin may not be exorbitant, the team is risking stunting Geno Smith‘s development, writes Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News. If Harvin’s transition is smooth, he’ll act as another playmaker for Smith to utilize, but Mehta hears from multiple sources that Harvin resented Russell Wilson for “myriad reasons” in Seattle, and believes that the wideout could do more harm than good for Smith.
- Ian Connor of ESPNNewYork.com takes Jets general manager John Idzik to task for his roster decisions over the last couple years, arguing that the GM is in over his head and overmatched in his current role.
- According to reports from Adam Caplan of ESPN.com and Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (Twitter links), the Jets recently worked out fullback Tony Fiammetta, safety Chris Prosinski, and cornerbacks Johnny Adams and Marcus Cromartie.
- In addition to the auditions reported yesterday, the Dolphins also tried out defensive backs Tommie Campbell and T.J. Heath, as well as wide receiver Derek Moye, tweets Wilson.
- Former Troy wide receiver Eric Thomas is working out for the Bills today, according to Wilson, who adds (via Twitter) that the team also recently tried out punter Michael Palardy.
NFC South Notes: Bucs, Falcons, Saints
The NFC South has been one of football’s less predictable divisions so far, with the Saints – everyone’s preseason pick to win the division – sitting at 1-2, while the popular postseason sleeper Buccaneers look like the NFL’s worst team at 0-3. All four teams, including the 2-1 Panthers and Falcons, are on the road this week, as Carolina and Atlanta try to continue their winning ways in Baltimore and Minnesota respectively. Meanwhile, the Bucs will try to get in the win column in Pittsburgh, while the Saints will look to halt the Cowboys’ winning streak in Dallas.
Here’s the latest out of the NFC South:
- With offensive coordinator Jeff Tedford away from the team indefinitely for health reasons, don’t expect the Buccaneers to hire an offensive consultant to work with Marcus Arroyo, tweets Alex Marvez of FOX Sports. According to Marvez, “it’s Arroyo’s show” in Tampa Bay.
- Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (Twitter link) adds defensive backs Roc Carmichael and Tommie Campbell to the list of players to work out for the Buccaneers this week.
- Reid Fragel was the offensive lineman to ultimately sign with the Falcons‘ practice squad this week, but the club also took a look at tackles Kevin Murphy and Martin Wallace, according to Wilson (via Twitter).
- The Saints also auditioned a handful of players this week, and Wilson provides several new names (via Twitter). The team signed offensive lineman Alex Parsons to its practice squad, but also tried out linemen Lemuel Jeanpierre and Eric Olsen, as well as cornerback Brandon Ghee.
Workout Notes: Beauharnais, Brown, Lewis
With injuries piling up and rosters changing, a number of players have had workouts with various teams in anticipation of week four action.
Here are some of the players who have had workouts with teams recently:
- Free agent linebacker Steve Beauharnais worked out for the Chargers today, a source tells Field Yates of ESPN.com (on Twitter). The linebacker has worked out for six clubs since being waived by the Patriots, including an audition for the Bucs yesterday.
- The Ravens worked out cornerback Jalil Brown, reports Adam Caplan of ESPN (via Twitter). Brown has formerly played for the Dolphins and the Chiefs. They also worked out two former Bears’ tight ends, Kellen Davis and Matthew Mulligan, reports Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune (via Twitter).
- The Seahawks worked out M.D. Jennings, Tommie Campbell, R.J. Stanford and Jerome Murphy, reports Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (via Twitter).
- The Panthers worked out Marcus Davis, LaDon Hudson, and Willie Snead, reports Wilson (via Twitter).
- The Vikings worked out running back Dion Lewis, tight ends Jake Stoneburner and Ryan Otten, and quarterback McLeod Bethel-Thompson reports Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk.
South Auditions: Bucs, Titans, Jags, Panthers
Earlier today, we passed along several updates from Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun on AFC and NFC East teams working out free agents, perhaps with an eye on signing some of them later in the season. A handful of teams in the AFC and NFC South have also auditioned players this week, and Wilson has those items as well, via Twitter. Here are the highlights:
- Special teams was an area of focus for the Buccaneers this week, with the team working out long snappers Brandon Hartson and Charley Hughlett, as well as punter Kasey Redfern. Cornerback Derek Cox and running back Lache Seastrunk also tried out for the club.
- Jacob Pedersen, Brett Brackett, and Blake Annen were among the tight ends to work out this week for the Titans, who also auditioned quarterback Alex Tanney.
- In addition to conducting the previously-reported workout for tight end David Paulson, the Jaguars also took a look at tight end Jake Murphy, along with defensive backs Tommie Campbell and Brandon Ghee.
- A pair of interior offensive linemen, Philip Blake and Evan Finkenberg, tried out for the Panthers.
- We’d previously heard about the Colts hosting free agent running back Mikel Leshoure and signing outside linebacker Chris Carter, but Wilson adds one more name to the team’s list of workouts: former Saints edge defender Chidera Uzo-Diribe.
Extra Points: Watt, Galette, Lions, Dez
In a piece for the Sporting News, Jason Fitzgerald looks at the far-reaching impact of J.J. Watt‘s $100MM contract with the Texans. The large cash payouts on the front end of his contract and the virtually guaranteed nature of those payouts, despite the lack of contract leverage, should have an impact on rookie contracts of all positions going forward. So for the extensions for the 2011 class have come with minimal guarantees and protection in the contracts but this deal, which basically treated Watt as a veteran free agent, could change that. More from around the NFL..
- Mike Triplett of ESPN.com (on Twitter) confirmed with a league source that Junior Galette‘s $41.5MM deal with the Saints is all new money. That’s in addition to the $4MM he was already due in 2014 and ’15. Triplett adds that value could increase to $48MM if Galette notches 12 sacks this year (link). He got a $3.5MM signing bonus in the contract and is due a $12.5MM bonus next year.
- The Lions are worked out cornerback Roc Carmichael today, a league source tells Rand Getlin of Yahoo Sports (on Twitter). Carmichael last played for the Eagles. The Lions also tried out fellow defensive backs Tommie Campbell, Chris Clemons, and Anthony Walters, Howard Balzer of USA Today (Twitter link).
- Dez Bryant is talking about a new deal with the Cowboys, but he insists his focus in on beating the 49ers in Week 1, writes David Moore of the Dallas Morning News. “Man, look, it’s like this,’’ Bryant said. “My mind is focused on San Fran. It’s the only thing it’s focused on. All the other stuff is going to take care of itself, I promise.’’
- The Bengals worked out Brendon Kay, tweets Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun.
Titans Cut Mooney, Mariani, Others
SATURDAY, 4:29pm : In addition to trading DE Lavar Edwards to the Cowboys, the Titans have announced the following roster moves:
Waived:
- Maikon Bonani (K)
- Moise Fokou (LB)
- Will Poehls (OT)
- Rico Richardson (WR)
- Winston Wright (CB)
Placed on injured reserve:
- Antonio Johnson (DL)
FRIDAY, 3:36pm: The Titans have released fullback Collin Mooney and wide receiver Marc Mariani, according to Jim Wyatt of The Tennesseean (on Twitter). Terry McCormick of FOX 17 (on Twitter) adds defensive lineman Chigbo Anonuby to that list. As we passed along earlier today, offensive lineman Jeff Adams, defensive lineman Marcus Dixon, and offensive lineman Justin McCray were also let go. Here’s the full list of Titans cuts from today:
- Jeff Adams (OL)
- Ri’Shard Anderson (CB) (via Wyatt on Twitter, 12:49pm)
- Antonio Andrews (RB) (via John Glennon on Twitter, 2:07pm)
- Chigbo Anunoby (DL)
- Tommie Campbell (CB) (via Wyatt on Twitter, 1:00pm)
- Chase Coffman (TE) (via Wyatt on Twitter, 3:36pm)
- Brandon Copeland (LB) (via Aaron Wilson on Twitter, 2:10pm)
- Dominique Davis (QB) (via Wyatt on Twitter, 2:07pm)
- Marcus Dixon (DL)
- Marc Mariani (WR)
- Justin McCray (OL)
- Collin Mooney (FB)
- Eric Olsen (OL) (via Wyatt on Twitter, 1:24pm)
- Brian Robiskie (WR) (via Wyatt on Twitter, 2:07pm)
- Jason Schepler (TE) (via Glennon on Twitter, 1:24pm)