HEADLINES

Month: November 2024

Pigskin Links: Janis, Cowboys, Giants, Lions

September 9th, 2014 at 9:03pm CST by Zachary Links

Here at Pro Football Rumors, we deliver up-to-the-minute news on NFL transactions and high-quality original analysis. In addition to that, we also feature some of the best blog articles from around the web in our weekly feature, Pigskin Links.

We’re looking for interesting reads on all things football from blogs of all sizes. While PFR is dedicated to player movement, Pigskin Links is open to pieces on all areas of the game. If you would like to suggest your blog post (or someone else’s) for Pigskin Links, send Zach an email with the link and a brief synopsis at PigskinLinks@gmail.com. Here’s this week’s look around the football blogosphere..

 Got a great football blog post that you want to see featured in next week’s Pigskin Links? Email it to Zach or tweet it to him: @ZachLinks.

Roger Goodell On Ray Rice Situation

September 9th, 2014 at 7:30pm CST by Zachary Links

In an interview with Norah O’Donnell of CBS, commissioner Roger Goodell gave his first interview since the new footage of the Ray Rice incident leaked to the public. Goodell, who has taken a great deal of criticism in the last couple of days over his handling of the situation, maintains that he never saw the second tape before it was released by TMZ.

“We had not seen any videotape of what occurred in the elevator. We assumed that there was a video, we asked for video, we asked for anything that was pertinent, but we were never granted that opportunity,” Goodell said.

Goodell went on to take accountability for how the situation has been handled and said that as commissioner, he is the one who is responsible for that. Meanwhile, when asked if Rice will be barred from the NFL for good, Goodell didn’t rule out an eventual return for the Rutgers product.

Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti has issued a letter to the team’s PSL holders and Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk has republished it. In the letter, the owner admits his own shortcomings.

“Seeing that video changed everything,” Bisciotti said. “We should have seen it earlier. We should have pursued our own investigation more vigorously. We didn’t and we were wrong.”

Arthur Brown Drawing Trade Interest

September 9th, 2014 at 7:20pm CST by Luke Adams

7:20pm: Brown tells Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (Twitter links) that he was aware of the rumblings and has been told by the team that he’s not on the block. “Somebody from the staff told me it’s just a rumor and there was some interest and they’d listen, but I wasn’t on the block,” Brown said. The linebacker added that he was somewhat flattered by the talk.

11:25am: Second-year linebacker Arthur Brown has been the subject of trade discussions the Ravens have been having with other teams, league sources tell ESPN.com’s Adam Caplan (Twitter link). According to Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (via Twitter), Brown isn’t likely to be moved, but is “a popular target” for other teams, given his talent and his place on Baltimore’s depth chart.

Brown, a second-round pick in 2013, played reasonably well in 211 defensive snaps in his rookie season, but has failed to take a step forward so far this year. After losing his starting job to rookie linebacker C.J. Mosley in the preseason, Brown was a healthy inactive for the Ravens’ Week 1 game against the Bengals.

While it’s not clear what sort of return Baltimore might be seeking in exchange for Brown, running back looks like it could be an area of need for the Ravens following Ray Rice‘s release. However, the team may be inclined to see how its current backs fare, and could focus on future draft picks in any discussions involving Brown.

As for possible trade partners, Brown could make sense for a handful of clubs, including the Cowboys and Chiefs, who both lost key inside linebackers – Sean Lee and Derrick Johnson, respectively – to season-ending injuries. Ian Wharton of Bleacher Report also reports (via Twitter) that the Dolphins are among the teams to inquire on the 24-year-old.

Based on Wilson’s report, it sounds like Brown won’t be going anywhere, but he’s still a player worth keeping an eye on, particularly if he continues to sit on the bench for the next few weeks.

Bengals Sign Devon Still

September 9th, 2014 at 6:53pm CST by Zachary Links

The Bengals have signed Devon Still to their active roster, according to agent Drew Rosenhaus (on Twitter). Still, a defensive lineman, was cut by the Bengals two weeks ago as they worked to get down to a 53-man roster before being asked back to the practice squad.

Still was cut because he was hampered by injuries in the preseason. The veteran’s four-year-old daughter, Leah, is currently battling Stage 4 cancer and he has obviously been going through tremendous stress and anguish.

“I wanted to make the roster, but I have a lot of stuff going on right now that I can’t give football 100 percent,” Still said to reporters, including Coley Harvey of ESPN.com last Monday. “[The team] could have just washed their hands completely of it. Said, ‘We don’t care what’s going on in his personal life, we just want people who can care 100 percent on football.’ That’s, after all, what they pay us to do.”

With the move, the Bengals have added the defensive tackle that they need and, more importantly, done right by Still and his family.

Minor Moves: Tuesday

September 9th, 2014 at 6:45pm CST by Zachary Links

Here are today’s minor moves..

  • The Redskins are planning on using the short term IR designation for Barry Cofield, which coach Jay Gruden mentioned was a possibility, according to Chris Russell of ESPN 980 (on Twitter). The Redskins have since made the move official. The Redskins promoted safety Akeem Davis to the 53-man roster to fill Cofield’s roster spot, according to Mike Jones of the Washington Post (on Twitter). The Redskins also added tight end Je’Ron Hamm and wide receiver Marvin McNutt to fill the void of their taxi squad cuts from earlier today, Jones tweets.
  • The Ravens re-signed Fitzgerald Toussaint to practice squad after he cleared waivers, according to Aaron Wilson of The Baltimore Sun (on Twitter). Toussaint was let go to make room for defensive tackle Christo Bilukidi.
  • The Patriots announced that they have signed defensive end Cam Henderson to the practice squad and released quarterback McLeod Bethel-Thompson from the practice squad to make room. Henderson, 24, originally entered the NFL as a rookie free agent out of UCF with the Falcons in April of 2013, He has since had stints with the Falcons’ and Browns’ practice squads. Bethel-Thompson, 26, is a Sacramento State product who has been with the Dolphins (2011), Vikings (2012-2013) and 49ers (2013).
  • The Panthers waived former Rutgers tight end and one-time quarterback D.C. Jefferson from injured reserve, less than a week after he was suspended four games for violating the league’s substance abuse policy, according to Joseph Person of the Charlotte Observer (on Twitter).
  • The Titans have reached an injury settlement with defensive lineman Antonio Johnson and have released him, tweets Terry McCormick of TitanInsider.com.
  • The Seahawks re-signed wide receiver Phil Bates to the practice squad and released linebacker Allen Bradford, according to Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times (on Twitter).
  • The Saints waived Ty Nsekhe from the injured reserve today, according to Kat Terrell of The Times-Picayune (on Twitter).
  • Former Bills defensive end Jacquies Smith was claimed by the Buccaneers, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network (on Twitter). Smith was let go yesterday by Buffalo.
  • The Titans have signed tight end Brett Brackett to the practice squad and released TE Orson Charles, according to McCormick (on Twitter).
  • Evan Mathis has been sent to the IR by the Eagles but is designated to return, according to Jeff McLane of The Philadelphia Inquirer (on Twitter). He’ll be eligible to face the Panthers on November 10th.

Colts Sign Dion Lewis

September 9th, 2014 at 6:04pm CST by Zachary Links

The Colts have signed running back Dion Lewis, a league source tells Rand Getlin of Yahoo Sports (via Twitter). Lewis, who last played for the Browns, gets a two-year deal with Indianapolis (link). The Colts have the powerful Trent Richardson at the top of their running back depth chart with veteran Ahmad Bradshaw in support and Lewis adds a little bit more talent and depth to the backfield.

Meanwhile, the Colts also picked up outside linebacker Chris Carter, who has played in 29 games and made four starts for the Steelers, according to Mike Chappell of ESPN.com (on Twitter). In related moves, running back Zurlon Tipton has been waived and quarterback Jeff Matthews has been dropped from the practice squad (Twitter links). Meanwhile, quarterback Dominique Davis will join the Colts’ taxi squad and linebacker Cam Johnson will head to the IR with a triceps injury.

LaMichael James Goes Unclaimed On Waivers

September 9th, 2014 at 4:41pm CST by Zachary Links

In a mild surprise, the 49ers announced that running back LaMichael James went unclaimed on waivers, as Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee writes. Now, the 2012 second-round pick is a free agent and can sign with any team in the NFL.

The Oregon product was once viewed as someone who could eventually carry the torch for Frank Gore but things did not work out that way. James’ frustrations with the team became public this offseason when word got out that he was on track to be the fourth tailback on the depth chart behind Gore, Kendall Hunter, and possibly Marcus Lattimore. Since then, Lattimore has gone down with a knee injury and Hunter was waived-injured, but talented rookie Carlos Hyde still leapfrogged him for the No. 2 job. Yesterday, James requested his release and his wish was granted by San Francisco.

Meanwhile, James sent out a tweet this afternoon that could be hinting at his football future, or perhaps his desire to move beyond the sport. “Football is a sport I love but it definitely doesn’t define me as a person I have so many things in life to be thankful for,” James wrote.

Bills Rumors: Spiller, Pegula, Bon Jovi

September 9th, 2014 at 4:18pm CST by Zachary Links

Bills GM Doug Whaley has had a sit-down meeting running back C.J. Spiller‘s representatives and he’s interested in keeping him in Buffalo long-term, according to the team’s Twitter account. “He’s a playmaker, and we’re trying to keep as many playmakers as possible,” Whaley said (link). Recently, the tailback joined up with agent Chad Speck as he looks towards his next deal. Here’s more out of Buffalo..

  • While a consultant hired by the state has been identifying potential sites – and reportedly narrowed the list to four locations in Erie County – the search for a new stadium site has been hindered by the uncertainty over who would win the bidding for the team. Things should start clearing up now that Terry Pegula is set to take over the Bills, according to David Robinson of The Buffalo News. Pegula has kept mum on the matter, but his pending purchase of the team likely gives a leg up to potential stadium sites downtown, near the First Niagara Center, where Pegula’s Buffalo Sabres play, according to sources. That would also put the stadium near the HarborCenter hotel and hockey complex that now is under construction.
  • A source close to the Jon Bon Jovi bidding group, who spoke to Tom Precious of The Buffalo News, said the group bid $1.05 billion for the Bills and could have gone higher. The source also said media reports that the New Jersey native had split apart from the two Toronto investors were incorrect. That doesn’t matter much now as the Pegulas are slated to be the new owners of the franchise.
  • Donald Trump issued a statement on the sale of the Bills to the Pegulas and Tim Graham of The Buffalo News has the goods. “It was my great honor to have the opportunity to bid on the Buffalo Bills football team. A large part of the reason for my bid was to ensure that the team remained in Buffalo. I would like to congratulate the Pegula family on what will be, I am sure, a wonderful purchase. I would also like to congratulate the fans of the Buffalo Bills in that, I have no doubt, that the team will now remain in your wonderful city,” Trump wrote, presumably on gaudy gold paper.
  • The stadium site report should be out in the next week and will recommend three sites for the new stadium, tweets Daniel Kaplan of the Sports Business Journal.

Browns Sign Gerell Robinson, Cut Two Players

September 9th, 2014 at 3:58pm CST by Luke Adams

The Browns have added a pair of players to their 53-man roster, announcing today that they’ve signed tight end Gerell Robinson and activated wideout Marlon Moore from the reserve-suspended list (Twitter link). To make room for the incoming players, Cleveland has waived offensive lineman Ryan Seymour and released cornerback Aaron Berry.

Robinson had been on the Broncos’ practice squad, making him the latest player to make the move from Denver’s practice squad to Cleveland’s active roster. Offensive lineman Vinston Painter made the same jump a week ago. As for Moore, he has served his one-game suspension, but it’s hard to tell where he’ll fit in even on a Browns receiving corps that’s missing Josh Gordon. The 27-year-old has caught just 19 passes in four NFL seasons.

In addition to the changes made to their 53-man roster, the Browns also shuffled their practice squad, according to Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal, who tweets that linebacker Justin Staples was cut to make room for wideout Ifeanyi Momah.

NFC Notes: Redskins, Lions, 49ers, Boykin

September 9th, 2014 at 3:46pm CST by Luke Adams

Following Jordan Reed‘s injury on Sunday, the Redskins auditioned a few tight ends today, including Michael Higgins, Kevin Brock, and Tony Scheffler, tweets Zac Boyer of the Washington Times. Scheffler is the most interesting name in the group — the last we heard from him, he was announcing his retirement after sustaining three concussions in the last four years. Apparently he hasn’t decided to move entirely away from the NFL quite yet though.

  • The Lions were already on the lookout for secondary help, having worked out Champ Bailey and other veteran defensive backs last week. Now, as Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press writes, the team will have to deal with a season-ending ACL injury for cornerback Bill Bentley, meaning some sort of roster addition appears likely.
  • Having recently rejoined the 49ers, special-teams ace Kassim Osgood tells Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle (Twitter link) that he hopes to play in the NFL at least another three years — that would give him 15 total seasons in the league, at age 37.
  • 49ers CEO Jed York reiterated today that he and head coach Jim Harbaugh will sit down and discuss Harbaugh’s contract, which runs through next year, at the end of the 2014 season, tweets Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee.
  • In a look at Brandon Boykin, who is playing the nickel role in Philadelphia, Tim McManus of PhillyMag.com examines the cornerback’s contract situation. Boykin is eligible for a new deal at year’s end, and McManus points out that it will be interesting to see if the 24-year-old is content with re-signing in the same role with the Eagles or wants the opportunity to be a starting outside corner elsewhere.
  • Michael Rand of the Star Tribune thinks it makes sense for the Rams to work out a trade with the Vikings for Christian Ponder.
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