David Cobb - Pro Football Rumors

XFL Notes: Robinson, Cook, Aguayo, Cobb, Gray, Broyles, Boyer, Locke, Novak, Ollie

October 8th, 2019 at 3:58pm CST by Andrew Ortenberg

The relaunched XFL is gearing up for its first season, and they’re starting to announce more and more of their initial player pool. There are a lot of ex-NFL guys in the mix, and we’ll get to that in just a bit, but at least one notable college player is looking to jump right in. Former West Virginia safety Kenny Robinson is entering the XFL draft pool, according to Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk. Robinson was dismissed from West Virginia for academic fraud earlier this year. Florio writes that he was “considered a likely draft choice,” but hadn’t been in school long enough to be eligible for the NFL, which requires you to be three years removed from high school graduation.

That left Robinson with the options of looking for a new school to play at, or entering an alternative pro league. “Now they can see how I hold up mentally and physically,” Robinson told Andy Staples of The Athletic. “They’ll see me playing against guys who have actually been in the NFL and done it.” Robinson will be an early test case for what the XFL is hoping more players opt to do. Ever since they announced they were coming back, the XFL has attempted to position itself as a league for talented high school and college players to consider as an alternative to the NCAA. As Florio notes, Robinson will be eligible for the 2020 NFL Draft. In 12 games for the Mountaineers last year he had 77 tackles and four interceptions, earning a first-team All-Big 12 nod.

And now, onto the NFL alums:

In the first group of players that the league announced on Twitter, a few names jumped out. Former Michigan State and Raiders quarterback Connor Cook is on the list. Cook was drafted by Oakland in the fourth-round back in 2016, and even ended up starting a playoff game for them that year after injuries to Derek Carr and Matt McGloin. He spent 2017 as a third-stringer and was released at final cuts the following year. He was briefly with the Lions earlier this offseason, but was waived back in June.
Everybody’s favorite kicker Roberto Aguayo was also on the list, as were running backs David Cobb and Jonas Gray. Aguayo, of course, was infamously drafted by the Buccaneers in the second-round back in 2016. He lasted only one year as the Bucs’ kicker despite his draft status, and has become a punchline ever since. Cobb had a brief run as the Titans’ lead back in 2015, but never did anything after that. He most recently played in the AAF with the San Antonio Commanders. Gray was with the Patriots in 2014, and won Super Bowl XLIX with the team. Gray randomly had an absurd week in November of that year, rushing for 201 yards and four touchdowns. He quickly fell out of favor, and was released by New England the following year. He hasn’t even been in a training camp since 2016.
Earlier Tuesday, the XFL posted to Twitter their second batch of players. Among the notable names was receiver Ryan Broyles, a second-round pick of the Lions back in 2012. Broyles, a legendary Oklahoma player, showed some promise as a rookie, but injuries derailed his career after that. He last appeared in a regular season game in 2014. There were also a few interesting specialists on the list in longsnapper Nate Boyer, punter Jeff Locke, and kicker Nick Novak. Boyer spent six years in the military and served in Afghanistan and Iraq before becoming a walk-on at Texas. He spent the 2015 offseason with the Seahawks, but was ultimately released. Notably, he is the player who advised Colin Kaepernick to kneel rather than sit during the national anthem. Locke spent four seasons as the Vikings’ punter. Novak is a veteran NFL kicker who spent over a decade in the league from 2005-20017. Ronald Ollie, one of the stars of the popular Netflix show ‘Last Chance U’, is also on the list.

Extra Points: Haynesworth, CBA, XFL

July 13th, 2019 at 9:12pm CST by Andrew Ortenberg

We have unfortunate news, as former NFL defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth is dealing with a serious health issue. Haynesworth is battling kidney disease, and he recently took to Instagram to announce he was in desperate need of a transplant, per Ethan Cadeaux of NBC Sports. Haynesworth posted a caption that reads as follows:

“Some of you may know I’ve been battling kidney disease for a few years now the time has come family, friends and fans I’m in dire need of a kidney mine have finally failed me on July 7 2019. It’s hard to believe from being a professional athlete to only 8 season in retirement that my body has taken another major blow. First with the brain aneurism (sic) 3 seasons out of the NFL to now my kidneys failing me. But the bright side of this latest ordeal I can ask for help by asking for someone to generously donate a kidney. If you are interested in giving this precious gift please call Vanderbilt at 615-936-0695 and hit option 2. GOD BLESS thank you for your prayers and thanks for sharing this message.”

Haynesworth entered the league as a first-round pick of the Titans back in 2002, and became one of the league’s best defensive tackles. He was a back to back first-team All-Pro in 2007 and 2008. The Tennessee product played ten seasons in the league before hanging them up following the 2011 campaign. All of us here at PFR wish Haynesworth the best and send him our thoughts.

Here’s more from around the league:

There’s been a lot of talk about a proposed 18-game schedule recently. Ever since it was leaked that owners planned to push for an extended schedule in the next round of CBA negotiations, there’s been a lot of pushback. In response to that pushback, the league is reportedly planning on pitching a plan for 18 games, but where players are only eligible for 16 of them. In order to guarantee players don’t have to play more than they currently are, each player would have to sit out at least two of his team’s games. In that hypothetical scenario players wouldn’t have to play more than they currently do, but they apparently aren’t buying it. Some people in the NFLPA are “suspicious of the idea of an 18-game schedule with only 16 games for players to be eligible, believing it will morph players playing all 18 some day,” according to veteran NFL reporter Jason Cole (Twitter link). It’s understandable why the union would be skeptical, as the idea of star quarterbacks being forced to sit out at least two of their team’s games likely wouldn’t last very long. In all likelihood, the schedule will stay the exact same in the next CBA.
The XFL held its last showcase today, and some more notable names were in attendance. In addition to the presence of Connor Cook and Trent Richardson, which was previously reported, quarterback Zach Mettenberger, running back David Cobb, tight end Clay Harbor, and defensive end Jacquies Smith were all in attendance, per Greg Auman of The Athletic (Twitter link). Mettenberger, who had a brief stint as the Titans’ starting quarterback a handful of years ago, was playing in the AAF before that upstart league folded. Cobb, Harbor, and Smith all had somewhat notable stints in the league.
In case you missed it, Dak Prescott doesn’t plan on taking a hometown discount from the Cowboys.

Vikings To Work Out David Cobb, Bronson Hill

August 12th, 2017 at 10:44am CST by Ben Levine

The Vikings lost running back Bishop Sankey yesterday after the former second-rounder tore his ACL. The team is now searching for replacements, and Chris Tomasson of TwinCities.com reports that the organization will audition a pair of running backs in David Cobb and Bronson Hill.

Signing with the Vikings would be a bit of a homecoming for Cobb, who was a standout at the University of Minnesota. The 2015 fifth-round pick hasn’t shown much consistency during his brief NFL career, compiling 146 yards and one touchdown on 52 career carries. Since being released by the Titans last August, the running back has also had brief stints with the Steelers and Bears.

“It would definitely be a dream come true,” Cobb told Tomasson. “I’m always confident, but it will be up to (the Vikings).”

Meanwhile, Hill has bounced around the NFL since going undrafted out of Eastern Michigan in 2015. He collected 11 rushing yards in three games with the Jaguars last season, and he’s also spent time with the Bills, Bears, Dolphins, Saints, and Bengals.

Of course, despite the Sankey injury, it’d still be an uphill battle for either Cobb or Hill to make the Vikings roster. The team is currently rostering four healthy running backs in Latavius Murray, Dalvin Cook, Jerick McKinnon, and Terrell Newby.

Minor NFL Transactions: 5/1/17

May 1st, 2017 at 7:22pm CST by Connor J. Byrne

Monday’s minor moves…

The Giants have waived running George Winn and quarterback Keith Wenning, per a club announcement. Winn has been a member of seven organizations since going undrafted out of Cincinnati in 2013, though he has only seen action with one (Detroit). As a Lion from 2014-15, he rushed for 74 yards on 23 attempts. Wenning, who went to Baltimore in the sixth round of the 2014 draft, signed with the Giants’ practice squad in late December. They retained him on a reserve/futures deal in January, but he’s now out of the organization roughly five months later.
The Bears have waived running backs Bralon Addison and David Cobb; cornerbacks De’Vante Bausby and Jacoby Glenn; wide receiver Dres Anderson; and tight end Justin Perillo. Of those six players, only three (Addison, Bausby and Glenn) took the field for the Bears last season. Glenn made the biggest impact, logging three starts and an interception in seven games. The biggest name of the bunch is Cobb, a fifth-round pick of the Titans in 2015 who ran for 146 yards on 52 carries as a rookie.
The Bears did make one addition to their roster Monday, signing center Taylor Boggs, according to his agency, Schwartz & Feinsod (Twitter link). Boggs was a Bear from 2013-14, appearing in five games, before moving on to the Lions and Cardinals. With Arizona last year, he picked up the first two starts of his career.
The Saints have waived defensive end D.J. Pettway with a non-football injury designation and defensive back Jimmy Pruitt with a failed physical designation, tweets Joel A. Erickson of the Advocate.
The Rams have cut offensive lineman David Arkin, per Alden Gonzalez of ESPN.com. Last season was the four-year veteran’s only campaign with the Rams. Arkin appeared in two games.

Bears Sign RB David Cobb To Practice Squad

October 25th, 2016 at 1:06pm CST by Zachary Links

The Bears have made a notable addition to the practice squad. The team announced today running back David Cobb has been signed to the p-squad. To make room, tight end Marcel Jensen has been released.

Cobb has made the rounds on workout circuit a bit this offseason but has been unable to find a 53-man spot since being cut loose by the Titans in late August. Cobb was signed to the Steelers’ practice squad in early September, but he was dropped days later. The Jaguars, Patriots, Browns, Colts, Chiefs and Jets all auditioned the young running back, but they all passed on him.

Selected in the fifth round of the 2015 draft, the Titans had high hopes for Cobb and believed that he could be a difference-maker almost immediately. The 23-year-old made seven appearances (one start) last season, compiling 146 yards and a touchdown on 52 carries (2.8 average). This offseason, GM Jon Robinson determined that he did not see the potential in Cobb that predecessor Ruston Webster saw.

Browns Work Out David Cobb, Three Others

October 22nd, 2016 at 11:10am CST by Ben Levine

The Browns have been busy this week, as Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle reports (via Twitter) that the team worked out four players, including running backs David Cobb and Terrence Magee. The team also auditioned lineman Trevor Robinson and Darrion Weems.

Cobb is the most experienced running back of the two. The 23-year-old made seven appearances (one start) for the Titans last season, compiling 146 yards and a touchdown on 52 carries (2.8 average). Despite being selected in the fifth round of the 2015 draft, the Titans released the running back in August. He briefly caught on with the Steelers practice squad, but he was cut from the team earlier this month.

Magee, an undrafted free agent out of LSU in 2015, has bounced between the Ravens, Rams, and Seahawks. The 23-year-old has appeared in five career games, collecting 17 rushing yards on five carries.

Robinson, a former undrafted free agent out of Notre Dame, has 38 career games under his belt, including 21 starts. The 26-year-old made 13 starts for the Charges in 2015, but he was ultimately cut prior to the season. Weems, 28, has been in the league since 2012, but he’s only made seven appearances in those four-plus seasons.

AFC Workout Notes: Colts, Chiefs, Ravens, Pats

October 18th, 2016 at 7:36pm CST by Connor J. Byrne

Free agent receiver Aaron Dobson visited the Colts on Tuesday, reports Adam Caplan of ESPN (Twitter link). Dobson has worked out for several teams and had multiple stints with the Lions since the Patriots cut him Sept. 3. The three-year veteran has 53 receptions and four touchdowns in 24 games (13 starts).

The Colts also worked out running back David Cobb (Twitter link). The former Titan has tried out for a bevy of clubs since Tennessee cut him in August. Cobb briefly caught on with the Steelers, who waived him from their practice squad last week.

Along with Dobson and Cobb, receiver Marcus Leak, tight ends Alex Bayer and Darion Griswold, and linebackers Trevor Reilly and James Vaughters tried out with the Colts, tweets Howard Balzer of USA Today.

More workouts from the AFC (courtesy of Caplan, unless otherwise noted):

In addition to defensive end Kendall Reyes, whom they signed, the Chiefs tried out fellow DE Lynden Trail on Tuesday, according to Nick Underhill of the Advocate (Twitter link). Joining them were linebackers Deion Barnes, Randell Johnson, and Kyle Kragen.
Veteran offensive lineman Garrett Reynolds worked out for the Ravens on Tuesday (Twitter link). Reynolds has been on the radar of a few teams since Los Angeles released him prior to Week 1. The 29-year-old has 42 appearances and 23 starts on his resume.
The Patriots tried out out two offensive tackles – Ryan Mack and Pearce Slater – as well as defensive end Jordan Williams, reports Doug Kyed of NESN (via Twitter).
Along with linebacker Quentin Gaus and tight end Steven Scheu, both of whom joined their practice squad, the Broncos worked out linebackers Lenny Jones, J.R. Tavai and Kyrie Wilson; defensive ends Deonte Gibson, Ian Seau and Josh Shirley; and safety Elijah Shumate (Twitter links via Balzer).
The Texans worked out safety Don Jones and a pair of cornerbacks, Denzel Rice and Charles Gaines (Twitter link).
Running back Mekale McKay and Jhurell Pressley tried out for the Jets, according to Balzer (Twitter link).
Three tight ends – Kivon Cartwright, Tim Semisch and Gannon Sinclair – worked out for the Titans, tweets Balzer.

Jaguars Work Out RB David Cobb

October 17th, 2016 at 4:41pm CST by Zachary Links

Running back David Cobb worked out for the Jaguars today, according to a league source who spoke with ESPN.com’s Field Yates (on Twitter). Cobb’s short stay with the Steelers’ practice squad ended last week when he was cut.

Cobb, 23, was a fifth-round pick of the Titans the 2015 draft. The ex-Minnesota Golden Gopher picked up 146 yards on 52 carries, good for a paltry 2.7 YPC, in seven games as a rookie. That output was disappointing to the Titans who saw him as a late-round steal. This offseason, he was cut by Titans GM Jon Robinson as the new regime cleaned house.

Now the Jaguars are kicking the tires on the young running back. Jacksonville expected to have a much-improved running situation this year after signing the high-priced Chris Ivory but he has not impressed since coming back from his mysterious illness earlier this year. T.J. Yeldon impressed at times as a rookie last year, but he is averaging just 3.3 yards per carry through five games this season. The Jags also have Auburn product Corey Grant and converted quarterback Denard Robinson on the RB depth chart.

Steelers Release David Cobb

October 11th, 2016 at 3:58pm CST by Zachary Links

The Steelers announced that they have cut running back David Cobb from their practice squad. Meanwhile, the team has added safety Jacob Hagen and offensive tackle Austin Shepherd to the group.

Cobb, 23, was a fifth-round pick in the 2015 draft. The ex-Minnesota Golden Gopher picked up 146 yards on 52 carries, good for a paltry 2.7 YPC, in seven games as a rookie. This offseason, he was cut by Titans GM Jon Robinson along with other notable players from ex-GM Ruston Webster‘s time in charge. In early September, the Steelers added him to their taxi squad.

The Steelers still have running back Daryl Richardson on the p-squad with running backs Le’Veon Bell, DeAngelo Williams, and Fitzgerald Toussaint on the 53-man roster. For a full rundown of Pittsburgh’s roster, check out their page on Roster Resource.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Steelers Sign David Cobb To Practice Squad

September 7th, 2016 at 9:25am CST by Dallas Robinson

WEDNESDAY, 9;25am: The Steelers officially announced that Cobb is now a member of their practice squad.

TUESDAY, 9:15pm: The Steelers plan to sign former Titans running back David Cobb to their practice squad, according to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com (Twitter link). Pittsburgh put Cobb through a workout yesterday.

Cobb, 23, was a fifth-round pick in last year’s draft. The ex-Minnesota Golden Gopher picked up 146 yards on 52 carries, good for a paltry 2.7 YPC, in seven games as a rookie.

With star Le’Veon Bell set to miss the first three games of the season because of a suspension, the Steelers are in search of backfield depth to work behind DeAngelo Williams. As of now, Fitzgerald Toussaint and former Ram Daryl Richardson are their top options behind Williams. Toussaint only has 24 carries to his name, though, and Richardson – the more experienced of the two – hasn’t appeared in a game since 2013.

Pittsburgh previously worked out Karlos Williams, though he’s suspended for the season’s first four games and wouldn’t be able to help fill Bell’s void.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.