HEADLINES

Month: November 2024

Panthers Place Greg Hardy On Exempt List

September 17th, 2014 at 3:27pm CST by Luke Adams

3:27pm: Adam Schefter of ESPN.com and Albert Breer of the NFL Network (Twitter links) now each have a source saying that the decision has officially been made, with Hardy heading to the exempt/commissioner’s permission list. Like Peterson, Hardy will be on leave with pay until his legal proceedings have been resolved.

1:33pm: A source tells Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk (Twitter link) that Hardy has not yet agreed to be placed on the exempt list. I would guess that information is coming from the defensive end’s agent, Drew Rosenhaus, so perhaps all the involved parties are still working something out.

1:25pm: Hardy has agreed to go on the exempt/commissioner’s permission list, reports Cole (via Twitter). According to Person (via Twitter), the Panthers and the NFL discussed several possible options for Hardy, but it appears they landed on the same solution that the Vikings did for Peterson. While there has been no official announcement yet on Hardy, he’ll likely remain on the exempt list until his legal process plays out.

9:39am: The Panthers took a cue from the Vikings last week, deactivating Greg Hardy for Sunday’s game after the Vikings did the same thing for Adrian Peterson. And now, it appears Carolina will follow Minnesota’s lead once again. According to Jason Cole of Bleacher Report (video link), the Panthers are meeting with Hardy this morning and are expected to soon put him on the same exempt/commissioner’s permission list on which Peterson was placed.

Joseph Person of the Charlotte Observer confirms (via Twitter) that the Panthers are in discussions with the league about placing Hardy on that exempt list. Of course, it’s worth noting that Hardy himself would have to accept the decision. The NFLPA issued a statement this morning classifying Peterson’s move to the exempt list as the running back taking “voluntarily leave” to take care of his personal and legal issues.

There’s some incentive for all involved parties to opt for this route. From the player’s perspective, he’ll still receive his full salary while he’s on the exempt list, which is preferable to being suspended without pay. From the league’s and teams’ perspectives, it allows them to remove the player from the field and the public spotlight immediately, while postponing further discipline until after the legal process plays out.

Extra Points: Green-Ellis, Rice, Bengals, Bucs

September 17th, 2014 at 1:51pm CST by Luke Adams

A few NFL teams are starting to see their backfields thin out a little as the season progresses, whether due to suspensions (Ray Rice, Adrian Peterson) or injuries (Mark Ingram, Jamaal Charles, Knowshon Moreno, and others). While most of those clubs have relied on in-house replacements so far, veteran free agent BenJarvus Green-Ellis has received some inquiries from teams, reports Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com (via Twitter).

According to La Canfora (via Twitter), the former Bengal, who is coming off a preseason hip injury, continues to rehab and work toward full health. When he’s ready to play, Green-Ellis should be able to find a job, since there are plenty of potential suitors monitoring him now.

Here are a few more Wednesday odds and ends from around the NFL:

NFL Finance Committee Approves Pegulas

September 17th, 2014 at 12:25pm CST by Luke Adams

Prospective Bills owners Terry Pegula and Kim Pegula received unanimous approval from the NFL’s finance committee, the league’s executive VP Eric Grubman announced today, according to Tim Graham of the Buffalo News (via Twitter). The Pegulas and the Bills reached an agreement last week for the owners of the NHL’s Buffalo Sabres to become the new owners of the city’s NFL franchise.

Being approved by the league’s finance committee was the next step for the Pegulas in the process of formally becoming the new owners of the Bills. After receiving approval today, Terry Pegula delivered a brief statement indicating that until the NFL’s 31 other owners give final approval next month, he doesn’t consider himself an NFL owner, according to Graham (via Twitter).

Still, while the other owners will be tasked with taking that vote at the league meetings on October 8, it’s viewed as a mere formality at this point. The Pegulas have been considered the best choice for the Bills throughout the process, and it would take a drastic development at this point to derail them from officially taking over ownership of the franchise next month.

NFC North Notes: Vikings, Lions, Packers

September 17th, 2014 at 11:31am CST by Luke Adams

For now, the Vikings have placed Adrian Peterson on the exempt list, continuing to pay him while he stays away from the club and doesn’t count against the 53-man roster. However, sooner or later, Minnesota will have to make a more permanent decision on the running back, and Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com thinks terminating his contract – either later this year or next year – is the only route that really makes sense for the team.

Multiple sources who spoke to La Canfora believe the idea of a trade is a non-starter, and Peterson’s salaries and cap numbers are on the rise in coming seasons, making it unpalatable to keep him for the duration of his contract even if there were no off-field factors to consider.

Let’s check in on a few more updates from across the NFC North….

  • Don’t expect the Vikings to make a move to add a running back to their roster, tweets Alex Marvez of FOX Sports. According to Marvez, the team is comfortable moving forward with Matt Asiata, Jerick McKinnon, and Joe Banyard.
  • We’ve heard word of several players auditioning for the Lions in the past few days, and Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun adds a couple more. Per Wilson (via Twitter), offensive lineman Reid Fragel and defensive back Justin Rogers auditioned for the club.
  • The Packers tried out guard James Brown, defensive back Tay Glover-Wright, and defensive tackle Greg Hickman, according to Wilson (Twitter links).
  • Packers linebacker and special-teams ace Andy Mulumba confirmed today on Twitter that he has suffered a torn ACL. While Green Bay has yet to make an official announcement, it appears likely that Mulumba will land on the injured reserve list, ending his season.

Cowboy Activate Scandrick; Weems To IR

September 17th, 2014 at 10:38am CST by Luke Adams

One of three players to be officially reinstated from suspension this morning, cornerback Orlando Scandrick has been re-added to the Cowboys’ 53-man roster today, according to Todd Archer of ESPNDallas.com (Twitter link). Archer reports the team has placed offensive tackle Darrion Weems on IR with a shoulder injury to clear a spot for Scandrick.

Scandrick, 27, was initially suspended four games after a positive drug test, but because that test came during the current league year and because it was related to amphetamines, he will no longer have to serve the final two games of the ban, after the NFL and NFLPA announced changes to the league’s PED policy. The Cowboys’ secondary has held up reasonably well in Scandrick’s absence, particularly against Jake Locker and the Titans in Week 2, but the team will still very much welcome his return.

As for Weems, he was buried on the team’s depth chart behind swing tackle Jermey Parnell, and hadn’t seen a regular-season snap yet for the club. His season will likely be over, unless he’s eventually cut from injured reserve with a settlement.

NFC East Notes: Jackson, Giants, Cowboys

September 17th, 2014 at 10:30am CST by Luke Adams

With the Eagles and Redskins set to meet for the first time this season in Week 3, Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer revisits the Eagles’ decision to cut wideout DeSean Jackson in the offseason. As McLane writes, Jackson’s former Philadelphia teammates still aren’t entirely sure why the explosive receiver was cut.

“I didn’t see it coming at all,” linebacker Mychal Kendricks said last week. “It’s really none of my business, but I still ask the same question a lot – ‘Why? Why would that happen?'”

Here’s more from around the NFC East:

  • Several linebackers auditioned for the Giants this week, according to Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (Twitter link), who identifies Stephen Nicholas, Kion Wilson, Moise Fokou, and James Davidson as free agents to work out for the club.
  • The Cowboys are also eyeing free agent options on the defensive side of the ball, having worked out linebacker Paul Hazel this week, along with defensive ends Steven Means and T.J. Fatinikun, tweets Wilson.
  • Offensive tackle Chris Faulk tried out for the Redskins this week, per Wilson (via Twitter).

Raiders Sign Vincent Brown

September 17th, 2014 at 8:17am CST by Luke Adams

WEDNESDAY, 8:17am: According to Field Yates of ESPN.com (via Twitter), Brown’s one-year pact with the Raiders features an $850K base salary, a $25K signing bonus, and an additional $125K is the wideout hauls in 42 passes, which would be a new career high.

MONDAY, 4:37pm: A little over two weeks after being cut by one AFC West team, wide receiver Vincent Brown has signed with another. Per Adam Caplan of ESPN.com (via Twitter), the former Chargers wideout has agreed to a one-year deal with the Raiders. Brown had worked out for Oakland earlier today, says Caplan (Twitter link).

Brown, 25, spent three seasons in San Diego after being selected in the third round of the 2014 draft, and had a nice season in 2013. The San Diego State product set career-highs in receptions (41) and receiving yards (472), but lost his grip on a roster spot during the preseason this year, ultimately receiving an injury settlement from the Chargers. Brown drew interest from multiple teams last week, and according to Caplan, the Chiefs and Jets were among a group of teams that wanted to work out the receiver this week.

In a related move, according to Caplan (via Twitter), Oakland has waived linebacker Bojay Filimoeatu, who had been added to the roster in advance of this weekend’s game against the Texans. The Raiders had been carrying the maximum 53 players, so a corresponding roster move was necessary to open up a spot for Brown.

Falcons Extend Matt Bosher, Josh Harris

September 17th, 2014 at 8:11am CST by Luke Adams

The Falcons have locked up a pair of key pieces on their special teams unit to long-term contracts, according to Field Yates of ESPN.com (Twitter links), who reports that the team has inked punter Matt Bosher to an extension through the 2019 season and long snapper Josh Harris to a contract through 2018.

Bosher, who turns 27 next month, has been the Falcons’ full-time punter since being selected by the team in the sixth round of the 2011 draft. According to Pro Football Focus’ advanced grades (subscription required), he has steadily improved in each of his first three NFL seasons, ranking 25th in his rookie season, 16th in 2012, and fifth last year. Yates reports that Bosher’s new deal, which keeps him under team control for the next five seasons after this one, includes a $2.5MM signing bonus and $5.95MM in total guaranteed money.

As for Harris, this is his third season as Atlanta’s regular long snapper. Terms of his new deal aren’t known, but I’d imagine he’ll be earning something close to the minimum salary, perhaps with a modest signing bonus on his four-year contract extension.

Adrian Peterson Placed On Exempt List

September 17th, 2014 at 7:52am CST by Luke Adams

Late last night, Vikings ownership released a statement indicating that the team has changed course on its decision to activate running back Adrian Peterson for this weekend’s game against the Saints. Peterson, who is facing a charge of injuring a child, will be placed on the exempt/commissioner’s permission list until the legal process plays out, according to club owners Zygi Wilf and Mark Wilf. Here’s their statement in full:

“This has been an ongoing and deliberate process since last Friday’s news. In conversations with the NFL over the last two days, the Vikings advised the League of the team’s decision to revisit the situation regarding Adrian Peterson. In response, the League informed the team of the option to place Adrian on the Exempt/Commissioner’s Permission list, which will require that Adrian remain away from all team activities while allowing him to take care of his personal situation until the legal proceedings are resolved. After giving the situation additional thought, we have decided this is the appropriate course of action for the organization and for Adrian.

“We are always focused on trying to make the right decision as an organization. We embrace our role – and the responsibilities that go with it – as a leader in the community, as a business partner and as an organization that can build bridges with our fans and positively impact this great region. We appreciate and value the input we have received from our fans, our partners and the community.

“While we were trying to make a balanced decision yesterday, after further reflection we have concluded that this resolution is best for the Vikings and for Adrian. We want to be clear: we have a strong stance regarding the protection and welfare of children, and we want to be sure we get this right. At the same time we want to express our support for Adrian and acknowledge his seven-plus years of outstanding commitment to this organization and this community. Adrian emphasized his desire to avoid further distraction to his teammates and coaches while focusing on his current situation; this resolution accomplishes these objectives as well.

“We will support Adrian during this legal and personal process, but we firmly believe and realize this is the right decision. We hope that all of our fans can respect the process that we have gone through to reach this final decision.”

With Peterson set to sit out until the legal process concludes, the longtime Viking figures to have more incentive to reach some sort of resolution in his case sooner rather than later, writes Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk, pointing out that Peterson’s status will give leverage to prosecutors. As Ben Goessling of ESPN.com notes (via Twitter), currently, Peterson isn’t due in court for the first time until October 8, and there’s a possibility a trial wouldn’t happen until 2015, meaning the Pro Bowler could miss the entire season.

Although Peterson’s season appears to be in jeopardy, this is a decision he’s on board with, according to Ed Werder of ESPN.com, who tweets that the NFLPA consulted with the running back about the move and Peterson decided to accept it rather than challenge it. Per Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter), the Vikings will still be paying Peterson during his time on the exempt list — he won’t earn an accrued season if he isn’t on the 53-man roster for six games, but that’s not as crucial at this stage of Peterson’s career as it would be for a younger player.

Now that the Vikings have made this drastic a move with Peterson, it could provide a road map for the Panthers as they decide how to handle their own situation with Greg Hardy. A Panthers source tells Werder (Twitter link) that Carolina now has “more to consider” as the club weighs what to do with Hardy.

Extra Points: Jets, Bush, Idonije, Hill

September 16th, 2014 at 10:01pm CST by Zachary Links

The Jets‘ erratic play is sending mixed signals, writes Brian Costello of the New York Post. Gang Green looked great in the first 20 minutes against the Packers and produced more than 400 yards of offense against the Raiders in their opener. However, they blew an 18-point lead against Green Bay and their mistakes allowed the Raiders to stay in the game for longer than they should have. Here’s more from around the league..

Load More Posts