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Extra Points: Murray, Gresham, Mays

September 11th, 2014 at 8:05pm CST by Zachary Links

Cowboys star running back DeMarco Murray continues to say that he’s not worried about his next contract, as Jon Machota of The Dallas Morning News writes. “It is a business, so you can’t get [upset] over things like that,” Murray said. “You got to have thick skin, I would say. Like I’ve said before, I love being here. I love playing with 9, 82 and 88. I love playing for Coach Garrett and this organization as a whole, so it’s something I’ll continue to strive for, continue to work hard for. Hopefully it happens. We’ll see.” More from around the NFL..

  • Bengals tight end Jermaine Gresham said that he likes it in Cincy and while he wants to stay long term, he’s not worried at all about being in his contract year, tweets Paul Dehner Jr. of The Cincinnati Enquirer. The tight end says he’s focused only on getting better and making his coaches happy (link). “[We] never got into a contract thing, really. I don’t know how things go. Right now they got me signed so I’m happy.”
  • The recovery time for Chiefs inside linebacker Joe Mays is eight to ten weeks, tweets Adam Caplan of ESPN.com. Mays, who will undergo wrist surgery and has been placed on the IR with a designation to return, should be able to begin practicing in mid-to-late October.
  • Former Dolphins offensive line coach Jim Turner is anxious to get back into the NFL and has launched his own investigation to counter the Wells report, writes Adam Schefter of ESPN.com. “Coach Turner is a good man and a great coach with an excellent reputation among his players,” the report states in its conclusion. “It would be wrong for that reputation to be unfairly tarnished by the events leading up to and following Martin’s departure from the Dolphins. During those difficult times Coach Turner was, as he has been throughout his career, a caring and supportive colleague to the people with whom he worked.”
  • Before cutting Leon McFadden this afternoon, Jets coach Rex Ryan told reporters that he was “disappointed” that there were practice squad and lower-end players blowing assignments in practice, tweets Rich Cimini of ESPNNewYork.com.

NFC Links: Sam, Scandrick, Hill

September 6th, 2014 at 11:48am CST by Ben Levine

The Vikings finished the 2013 season as the second-worst pass defense in the league. Injuries to Xavier Rhodes and Harrison Smith certainly didn’t help, and the healthy, matured group is expected to take a big step forward in 2014… even with their daunting schedule, which includes games against Tom Brady, Drew Brees, Matt Ryan, Aaron Rodgers and Matthew Stafford in consecutive weeks.

“That’s okay, you want to play the best,” Rhodes said (via Mark Craig of the Star Tribune). “To me, staying healthy is the key. Last year, DBs were going down left and right. We have the weapons. We just need to be healthier.”

Head coach Mike Zimmer has been seeing improvements from his secondary, and he’s thrilled with the presence of veteran defensive coordinator Jerry Gray:

“I’m pretty involved with the defensive backs, so I step in there quite a bit and I tell him exactly what I want because that’s kind of my baby,” Zimmer said. “By about the third day, Jerry was saying things to the players before I could say it. And it was the exact same thing I was going to say, so that made me feel really good.”

Let’s check out some more rumblings from the NFC…

  • Todd Archer of ESPNDallas.com predicts that it will be at least a month until the Cowboys would potentially promote Michael Sam to the active roster.
  • There have been plenty of rumors over the past couple of days that recently-suspended Orlando Scandrick could be reinstated if the NFL and the players’ association agree to a new drug policy. Cowboys owner Jerry Jones isn’t counting on Scandrick to be available on opening day, however. “I’m not planning on it, let’s put it like that,” Jones said on KRLD-FM/105.3 (via Drew Davison of the Star-Telegram). “The quicker we can get him back, the better our team would be because he arguably did have … a great training camp.”
  • Since it will take him at least a couple of weeks to learn the playbook, Stephen Hill likely won’t be on the Panthers active roster any time soon, writes ESPN.com’s David Newton. The writer believes that Hill ultimately will make the team, writing that organizations “don’t keep second-round picks on the practice squad.”

Extra Points: Watt, Galette, Lions, Dez

September 3rd, 2014 at 10:21pm CST by Zachary Links

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.

Extra Points: Vickerson, Cardinals, Bengals

September 2nd, 2014 at 9:31pm CST by Zachary Links

Former Broncos defensive tackle Kevin Vickerson was brought into Cincy to take a physical for the Bengals but he won’t be signing with them this week, a source tells Mike Klis of the Denver Post (on Twitter). Here’s more from around the league..

  • The Cardinals were busy looking at linebackers today, a source tells Field Yates of ESPN.com (on Twitter): James Anderson, Zac Diles, Moise Fokou, and Yawin Smallwood all worked out for them, according to the source.
  • The Bengals worked out tight ends Kevin Greene and Ryan Otten this week, according to Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (on Twitter).
  • The Redskins worked out Chaz Sutton and Derrell Johnson, according to Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (on Twitter).
  • In addition to signing Colton Schmidt, the Bills also worked out fellow punters Bobby Cowan and Drew Butler, tweets Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun.

South Notes: Texans, Jags, Falcons, Saints

August 29th, 2014 at 10:18am CST by Zachary Links

The Texans won’t keep us waiting in suspense. Most of the cuts that have to be made by tomorrow afternoon will actually take place today, a team source tells James Palmer of CSNHouston.com (on Twitter). The latest from the AFC and NFC South..

NFC North Notes: Lions, Peterson, Raji

August 28th, 2014 at 9:59pm CST by Zachary Links

In the Lions‘ shutout of the Bills tonight, quarterback Kellen Moore made a strong case for sticking with the Lions, writes Josh Katzenstein of The Detroit News. After completing 17 of 28 passes for 172 yards and two touchdowns, Moore could be the third QB on the depth chart or perhaps overtake Dan Orlovsky as the No. 2 signal caller in Detroit. Here’s more from the NFC North..

  • Vikings star Adrian Peterson would be wise to start thinking about his future, writes ESPN.com’s Kevin Seifert. Peterson downplayed a report indicating that he told Jerry Jones he’d like to join the Cowboys someday and said that he’d like to retire with the Vikings, but that may not be an option if he doesn’t perform at an elite level this season. AD is currently set to earn $13MM in 2015.
  • In a piece for the National Football Post, Joel Corry looked at injuries and other situations that could have financial implications, including Packers defensive lineman B.J. Raji. Raji’s torn right biceps means that he’ll likely be signing another one-year prove-it deal in 2015, whether it’s with Green Bay or elsewhere.
  • The Lions are one of three teams that are tight against the cap as the season approaches, writes Jason Fitzgerald of The Sporting News. Fitzgerald expects to see some low level veteran cuts to help their cap situation since there aren’t many options for negotiations on their roster.

North Notes: Ponder, Browns, Lions, Blount

August 27th, 2014 at 8:17pm CST by Zachary Links

Vikings quarterback Christian Ponder has fallen behind Matt Cassel and rookie Teddy Bridgewater on the depth chart, leading to some speculation that he could be trade bait for another team in search of an experienced backup QB. Still, the former first-round pick doesn’t feel as though tomorrow night’s game is an audition, writes Chris Tomasson of the Pioneer Press. “I just want to go out and have a good game, not for an audition for another team or anything, but for myself and this team,” Ponder said. “Right now, my thoughts are securing a spot on this roster.”

  • With the cutdown to a 53 man roster looming, Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal looks at who’s safe, who’s on the bubble, and who is a long shot to make the cut for the Browns. Wide receivers Nate Burleson and Charles Johnson are on the bubble, but no matter who survives Saturday’s cuts, Ulrich expects the team to scope out the waiver wire and perhaps trades to bolster their WR core.
  • The Lions axed coach Jim Schwartz, but there are plenty in Detroit who are still grateful for what he did during his tenure there, writes Kyle Meinke of MLive.com. “I know I’m going to get a hold of him prior to the game and just show gratitude and thank him for the opportunity of bringing me in,” linebacker Tahir Whitehead said. “Because I haven’t had the opportunity to do that since he left.” Schwartz is now the defensive coordinator for the Bills.
  • Steelers free agent addition LeGarrette Blount is refusing to talk about his incident last week and says that he’s focused solely on football, writes Ralph N. Paul of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.

AFC Notes: Hill, Burleson, Flowers, CJ2K

August 21st, 2014 at 8:01pm CST by Zachary Links

The Jets don’t sound like they’re ready to give up on 2012 second round pick Stephen Hill and cut him, writes Brian Costello of the New York Post. “I was pleased with his progress [last year] up until he got nicked and then he got nicked again,” Mornhinweg said. “This year he was even more impressive in the offseason and through training camp, with a few exceptions. There were a couple of days there. So, he’s coming along. And in many cases, this is what happens, at all positions, but especially at the receiver position, that third year they make a pretty good jump. That’s what we’re looking for there.” More out of the AFC..

  • Browns free agent addition Nate Burleson hopes that his strained hamstring won’t keep him off the final roster, writes George M. Thomas of the Akron Beacon Journal. Burleson was held out of Monday’s tilt against Washington and the plan now is for him to play Saturday against the Rams. Meanwhile, Burleson says he’s anxious to learn the outcome of Josh Gordon‘s case.
  • There were rumblings that cornerback Brandon Flowers didn’t want to play on the inside in Kansas City, but he’s playing inside and out without complaint for the Chargers, tweets Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.
  • Some may be questioning how much new Jets running back Chris Johnson has in the tank, but you won’t find any of those skeptics in green and white. “Oh yeah, he still has it,’’ linebacker David Harris said, according to Mark Cannizzaro of the New York Post. “We noticed it the first day when we were in Cortland. He’s still the fastest guy on the field. He’s still got a lot of juice in those legs.’’

AFC North Notes: Burfict, Bengals, Keisel

August 20th, 2014 at 8:30pm CST by Zachary Links

Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton took to Twitter to congratulate teammate Vontaze Burfict on his new contract. “Congrats to @King55Tez on the extension! Well deserved! #whodey #letsroar.” The linebacker tacked another three years on his contract, keeping him in Cincy through 2017. Here’s more from the #AFCNorth..

  • Burfict is now in the “show me” phase of his career after agreeing to a four-year, $20MM extension earlier today with the Bengals, writes Coley Harvey of ESPN.com. Once this deal ends for Burfict at the ripe age of 28, he’ll have more leverage when negotiating his third contract. Combine that with the steady increase in salary-cap money teams will soon have, and Burfict could really cash in on his next pact.
  • In a piece for ESPN Insider (subscription required), Aaron Schatz of Football Outsiders turned in his top ten impact rookies for 2014. While big names like Johnny Manziel and Jadeveon Clowney are on the list, day three offensive lineman Russell Bodine of the Bengals also made the cut. The former UNC center will be starting and must learn the intricate system of audible calls and line checks in Hue Jackson’s offense.
  • Mark Kaboly of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review looks at what the signing of Brett Keisel really means for the Steelers.

AFC Notes: Steelers, Jets, Patriots, Jaguars

August 17th, 2014 at 3:12pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Let’s round up some links from the AFC…

  • The Steelers should consider keeping two quarterbacks on their 53-man roster, opines Ed Bouchette of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. With Bruce Gradkowski locked in as the backup to Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh could save a roster spot by moving Landry Jones to the practice squad. Jones, a 2013 fourth-round pick, would have to be exposed to waivers before being sent to the practice squad, a transaction Bouchette allows is unlikely.
  • In a report labeling the Jets’ risers and fallers, Rich Cimini of ESPN.com lauds the progress of general manager John Idzik’s 2014 draft class, noting that both Calvin Pryor and Jace Amaro, New York’s top two picks, fared well against the Bengals on Saturday.
  • Brian Tyms hasn’t wanted for media attention lately, and Jeremy Gottlieb of Boston.com lists the receiver among four surprising Patriots roster locks, noting that Tyms’ upcoming suspension will actually help him make New England’s squad because management won’t be forced to make a decision on his status until after Week 4.
  • An interesting note from ESPN’s Field Yates, who tweets that Patriots offensive lineman Jordan Devey is the only NFL player to play every snap this preseason; he’s lined up at every O-line position save for center. Devey, a 2013 undrafted free agent, wasn’t listed on Mike Reiss of ESPN.com’s most recent New England roster projection, but perhaps the coaching staff has been quietly impressed with the 26-year-old’s versatility.
  • Some have labeled the Jaguars’ plan to slowly develop rookie quarterback Blake Bortles a response to the failure of former Jag Blaine Gabbert, who was almost immediately thrown into the fire. In his latest chat at ESPN.com, however, Michael DiRocco disputes that argument, noting that general manager David Caldwell & Co. were not involved in the Gabbert flameout.
  • More Jaguars: Ryan O’Halloran of the Florida Times-Union offers his latest roster projection, which includes a few updates in the secondary.
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