HEADLINES

Marcus Roberson

West Notes: Broncos, Cardinals, 49ers

January 17th, 2019 at 6:45pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Von Miller, Bradley Chubb, and the rest of the Broncos‘ pass rushers will have a new coach in 2019, as Denver has announced Brandon Staley as its new outside linebackers coach. Staley had worked in the same role with the Bears for the past two years, and he’ll follow ex-Chicago defensive coordinator Vic Fangio to the Mile High City. After leading Khalil Mack and Leonard Floyd in Chicago, Staley will now be tasked with taking over a Denver pass rush that ranked ninth in adjusted sack rate a season ago. The Packers also had interest in interviewing Staley, tweets Tom Pelissero of NFL.com, but the Bears evidently didn’t want him to remain in the NFC North, so they blocked the request.

Here’s more from the NFL’s two West divisions:

  • Staley isn’t the only coach headed to Denver, as the Broncos have also hired Wade Harman as their new tight ends coach, tweets Ian Rapoport of NFL.com. Harman was Atlanta’s offensive line coach in 2014, but switched to tight ends in 2015 and remained in that role through last season. He played a role in the development of Austin Hooper, who posted career-highs in receptions (71), yards (660), and touchdowns (four) last year. Broncos tight end Jeff Heuerman is a pending free agent, but even if he doesn’t return, Harman will work with young options such as Jake Butt and Troy Fumagalli, each of whom ended the 2018 campaign on injured reserve.
  • The Broncos are interviewing former guard Chris Kuper for their assistant offensive line coach job, per Mike Klis of 9News (Twitter link). Kuper, who spent his entire playing career (2006-13) in Denver, coached in Miami for the past three seasons. He’d be working under one of the NFL’s best offensive line coaches in Mike Munchak, who was hired earlier this week. In 2018, the Broncos ranked as a top-11 club in both adjusted line yards and adjusted sack rate, according to Football Outsiders.
  • Former Broncos safety Renaldo Hill is back with the club as secondary coach, tweets Klis. Hill’s playing career actually ended after general manager John Elway cut him following the 2010 season, but he’s gone on to an impressive coaching career since, and Klis notes Hill is considered a “rising star” in the coaching ranks. After six years in the college ranks, Hill acted as the Dolphins’ assistant defensive backs coach in 2018.
  • The Denver-to-Arizona connection is still going strong: the Cardinals have hired ex-Broncos coaches Marcus Robertson (defensive backs) and Greg Williams (assistant DBs), per Rapoport and Klis (Twitter links). Robertson and Williams will continue to work under new Arizona defensive coordinator Vance Joseph, who helmed the Broncos from 2017-18. In addition to Joseph, Robertson, and Williams, the Cards also brought former Broncos offensive line coach Sean Kugler aboard.
  • After hiring a new defensive line coach in Kris Kocurek, the 49ers will retain pass-rushing specialist Chris Kiffin, reports Matt Barrows of The Athletic. The son of Monte Kiffin and brother of Lane Kiffin, Chris Kiffin joined San Francisco in 2018 after previously serving in the college ranks.

Texans Down To 53

September 2nd, 2017 at 6:05pm CST by Zachary Links

The Texans officially announced their roster cuts. Here’s a look at the moves that were not previously given full posts on PFR:

Released:

Waived:

Waived/Injured:

Minor NFL Transactions: 5/12/17

May 12th, 2017 at 7:14pm CST by Sam Robinson

Here are today’s minor moves.

  • A day after being waived by the Bills, cornerback Marcus Roberson landed with the Texans via waiver claim, Field Yates of ESPN.com reports (Twitter link, per ESPN.com’s Mike Rodak). Roberson represents another member of the Bills’ cornerback contingent to be added elsewhere, joining Stephon Gilmore and Nickell Robey-Coleman.
  • The Ravens now have all the players to whom they extended an RFA or ERFA tender to signed. ERFA inside linebacker Lamar Louis signed his tender today, Jeff Zreibec of the Baltimore Sun tweets.
  • After giving rookie UDFA Colin Buchanan a $10K signing bonus, the Saints waived him with a “left squad” designation, Nick Underhill of The Advocate reports (on Twitter). The Saints also guaranteed $10K of the Miami (Ohio) product’s rookie salary, per Underhill (on Twitter).
  • The Colts signed free agent DT Josh Boyd and waived OLB Curt Maggitt with an injury settlement.

Bills Waive Three

May 11th, 2017 at 4:18pm CST by Connor J. Byrne

The Bills have waived a pair of cornerbacks, Marcus Cromartie and Marcus Roberson, as well as wide receiver Corey Washington, a source tells ESPN.com’s Field Yates (Twitter link).

Marcus Cromartie

Both Cromartie and Washington joined the Bills earlier this offseason, but they apparently became unnecessary to the organization in the wake of the draft. The Bills used their first-round pick on ex-LSU cornerback Tre’Davious White, thus helping to push Cromartie out. The team then spent its second-rounder on former East Carolina receiver Zay Jones, which spelled the end for Washington. Neither Cromartie nor Washington has accomplished much in the NFL, with the former having started in one of 21 appearances and totaling 18 tackles as a 49er from 2014-16; meanwhile, the latter’s only action came during a 14-game, five-catch 2014 with the Giants.

Like Cromartie and Washington, Roberson also carries a fairly unimpressive pro resume (and White’s selection didn’t do him any favors, either). Roberson first signed with the Bills last year and picked up a meager two tackles in seven games. He saw more time with the Rams from 2014-15, starting in six of 25 games and picking off his lone pass in the first of those two years.

Bills Place Eric Wood On IR

November 14th, 2016 at 3:40pm CST by Zachary Links

The Bills announced that they have placed Eric Wood on injured reserve. To fill his spot, cornerback Marcus Roberson has been promoted off of the practice squad. In a related move, center Dalton Freeman has been signed to the p-squad. Eric Wood (vertical)

Wood expressed hope last week that he could return if the Bills make the playoffs, but he’s either not healthy enough to do that or the 4-5 Bills felt that they needed the help at cornerback instead. Wood suffered a broken leg earlier this month and after the injury Rex Ryan lamented the loss of “the best center in the league.” While many would disagree with Ryan’s sentiment, it’s clear that he will be missed on the O-Line. Ryan Groy will likely continue in the starting center role.

Roberson was just promoted from the Bills’ p-squad in late October but lasted only one game before reverting back to the 10-man crew. Roberson will now resume his spot on the roster behind corners Stephon Gilmore, Ronald Darby, Nickell Robey, Kevon Seymour, and Corey White.

Bills Cut CB Marcus Roberson

November 2nd, 2016 at 2:52pm CST by Zachary Links

The Bills announced that they are releasing Marcus Roberson from the active roster, Joe Buscaglia of WKBW tweets. In other moves, kicker Marshall Morgan released from the practice squad while adding long snapper Reid Ferguson. Marcus Roberson (vertical)

Roberson was just promoted from the Bills’ p-squad over the weekend in advance of Sunday’s game against the Patriots. The 24-year-old did not record an official statistic in the 41-25 defeat. If he clears waivers, it’s possible that he could circle back to Buffalo’s taxi squad. With Roberson gone, the Bills will continue ahead with corners Stephon Gilmore, Ronald Darby, Nickell Robey, Kevon Seymour, and Corey White.

In other Bills news, the team placed safety Aaron Williams on injured reserve this week. The team also welcomed back wide receiver Percy Harvin.

Bills Promote Marcus Roberson

October 29th, 2016 at 8:40am CST by Ben Levine

The Bills only filled one of their two open roster spots yesterday, and it looks like they’ll be using that final opening to add a defensive back. According to Joe Buscaglia of WKBW in Buffalo (via Twitter), the Bills have promoted cornerback Marcus Roberson from the practice squad.

Marcus Roberson

The former undrafted free agent out of Florida won’t be making his NFL debut, as the 24-year-old appeared in 25 games with the Rams between 2014 and 2015. In that time, Roberson compiled 34 tackles, seven passes defended, and one interception. Despite appearing in 16 games (with four starts) for the Rams last season, the team released the cornerback in early September. Roberson will join a deep cornerback corps that features Stephon Gilmore, Ronald Darby, Nickell Robey, Kevon Seymour, and Corey White.

Considering the injuries to the Bills’ wideouts, some believed the team would use their final roster spot on a receiver. However, Buscaglia believes top wideout Robert Woods must be healthy enough for this weekend, limiting the urgency to promote or acquire another receiver.

The Bills waived tight end Manasseh Garner and wide receiver Ed Eagan yesterday, and they also promoted tight end Gerald Christian from the practice squad.

Rams Cut Akeem Ayers, Move To 53

September 3rd, 2016 at 4:35pm CST by Dallas Robinson

The Rams have announced the following moves as part of moving their roster to 53 players:

Cut:

Placed On IR:

Ayers is perhaps the most surprising release, given that the 2015 free agent signee started 11 games for the club last season. Los Angeles will clear all $3.3MM of his cap charge by parting ways.

Rams Sign 15 Undrafted Free Agents

May 12th, 2014 at 1:22pm CST by Luke Adams

The Rams have officially announced their list of undrafted free additions, and Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch has the 15 names for us. Here are the newest Rams:

  • Alex Bayer, TE, Bowling Green
  • Jarrid Bryant, CB, South Dakota
  • Avery Cunningham, S, Central Michigan
  • Austin Franklin, WR, New Mexico
  • Deantre Harlan, DT, Bacone
  • Aaron Hill, LB, Minnesota
  • Kadeem Jones, FB, Western Kentucky
  • Emmanuel McCray, OT, Mississippi
  • Johnny Millard, LB, Cal Poly State
  • Marcus Roberson, CB, Florida
  • Abasi Salimu, OT, Nicholls State
  • Jamaine Sherman, WR, East Texas Baptist
  • Julius “Trey” Watts, RB, Tulsa
  • Ethan Westbrooks, DT, West Texas A&M ($20K bonus and $30K in other guarantees, per Aaron Wilson)
  • Tavarius Wilson, LB, North Alabama