HEADLINES

Month: November 2015

Eagles Notes: Kelly, Murray, Rowe

November 26th, 2015 at 2:30pm CST by Zachary Links

Well, this hasn’t been the best Thanksgiving for the Eagles. As they wrap up their worst performance of the year against the Lions, let’s take a look at some items out of Philly:

  • An anonymous agent for a starting Eagles player told Matt Lombardo of NJ.com that Chip Kelly has lost the loyalty of his players. “Chip Kelly has lost the team,” said the agent, who requested anonymity because of fear of retribution against his client. “Between the losses and his bull[bleep] methods that aren’t working, I can tell you that the players have tuned him out.” The agent also raised the possibility that at least one player was using an injury to stay off the field, because “he won’t play hurt for Chip.”
  • That agent wasn’t the only anonymous voice to speak out against the Eagles. Recently, running back DeMarco Murray raised questions when he slid for a first down rather than powering his way further down the field. One player took exception. “Well, when you see DeMarco sliding before getting hit, you tell me – was that giving full effort?” an anonymous Eagle told Bob Brookover of The Inquirer. “You see that [stuff] and it makes you wonder.”
  • With cornerback Nolan Carroll in the final year of his contract, Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer writes that the Eagles will have to get Eric Rowe up to speed quickly if he is to take over as a primary starter next year. Of course, Rowe didn’t have his best day on Thursday thanks to his matchup with Calvin Johnson.

Cardinals Sign Red Bryant, Place LaMarr Woodley On IR

November 26th, 2015 at 12:26pm CST by Zachary Links

The Cardinals are placing LaMarr Woodley on IR with a chest injury, as Josh Weinfuss of ESPN.com writes. To fill the gap, the Cards will sign defensive tackle Red Bryant.

Last season was something of a lost year for Woodley, who spent the first seven seasons of his career with the Steelers. After playing strictly as an outside linebacker in Pittsburgh’s 3-4 scheme, Woodley moved to defensive end in Oakland’s 4-3 look, and didn’t adjust particularly well, ranking 44th out of 59 qualified 4-3 DEs per Pro Football Focus. The Michigan alum played in just six games before tearing his biceps and missing the remainder of the season.

Woodley is no stranger to the disabled list as he missed a total of 14 games from 2011-2013 but still amassed 18 sacks during that span. The three years prior to that were Woodley’s absolute best as he recorded 34.5 sacks and established himself as one of the most nightmare-inducing players for NFL quarterbacks. This year, Woodley appeared in 10 games (7 starts) and totaled just 10 tackles with 1 sack. Woodley’s one-year, minimum deal lapses following the 2015 season and it remains to be seen whether the 31-year-old will stay with Arizona, sign elsewhere, or perhaps even consider retirement given his string of injuries in recent years.

Bryant saw time in all 16 games in his first and only season for the Jaguars in 2014. In total, he racked up 23 tackles to go with one pass deflection and one sack. The 31-year-old graded out as a slightly below-average contributor, according to Pro Football Focus‘ metrics, coming in with a -1.6 grade. Overall, that placed him 31st out of 59 qualified 4-3 defensive ends. Before his season in Jacksonville, Bryant spent six years with the Seahawks, starting all but one regular-season contest for the team from 2011 to 2013. This year, Bryant was set to suit up for the Bills, but he was cut loose in early September.

Falcons To Sign Shayne Graham, Cut Joplo Bartu

November 26th, 2015 at 9:50am CST by Zachary Links

9:50am: To make room for Graham, the Falcons will cut linebacker Joplo Bartu, as D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution writes.

Bartu, a former starter, has only made one start in 2015 and appeared in six games total. Between 2013 and 2014, Bartu appeared in all 32 regular season contests with 27 starts. In total, Bartu notched 167 tackles and 4.5 sacks during that span. This year, he has recorded just eleven tackles.

9:36am: The Falcons are planning to sign former Saints and Bengals kicker Shayne Graham, a source tells Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (via Twitter). Graham will give Atlanta an extra leg Matt Bryant nurses a quad injury.

Graham is a 15-year NFL veteran who first joined New Orleans as a UDFA in 2000. The 37-year-old (38 in December), who has played for nine clubs in total, ranks seventh in NFL record books in field goal accuracy (85.5%), having nailed 266-of-311 career attempts. Overall, in 173 games, he has scored 1,219 points, tied for 35th in NFL history. Last year, Graham connected on 19-of-22 field goal attempts and finished as the club’s leading scorer with 103 points.

Saints DC Dennis Allen On Rob Ryan, New Job

November 26th, 2015 at 9:19am CST by Zachary Links

Roughly two weeks ago, New Orleans opted to move on from the well-respected Rob Ryan and turn things over to ex-Raiders head coach Dennis Allen, whom many felt was the team’s DC-in-waiting all along. While the Saints’ defense was solid in Ryan’s first year with the team, the unit struggled last year, ranking 31st overall in DVOA, according to Football Outsiders, including dead last against the run. This year, the New Orleans defense was dead last in DVOA through ten weeks under Ryan and his gorgeous grey locks.

This week, Allen chatted with local media for the first time since taking over the position. Here’s a look at some of the highlights, courtesy of Christopher Dabe of The Times-Picayune.

On his overall reaction to being the new defensive coordinator in New Orleans:

Obviously, it is a difficult situation to be in, really for everybody that is involved. Obviously, I have strong feelings for Rob Ryan and the type of individual he is. I know that it is tough when you have a situation like this because families are involved. I think we all understand the business. I went through the same thing last year. It is part of this business and part of what we have to deal with, but we have to move forward. I am looking forward to the opportunity and I am excited about getting a chance to hopefully improve this defense.

On whether he expected to eventually become the Saints’ DC after joining the staff:

No, not really. It wasn’t anything that was thought about or discussed. Obviously, Sean (Payton) wanted me to come in here and I wanted to come back and be a part of it. I wanted to try to help get the defense better. All of us, players, coaches, everybody – we all have our autograph on where we are at right now as a football team, and specifically as a defense. We have gotten to work to try to change that image and that picture. I have been pleased by what the guys have done so far. We’re working hard this week and worked hard over the bye week to try to get some things corrected. Hopefully, it’ll show on Sunday.

On whether there was ever any confusion within the players of who was in charge of the defense between him and Ryan:

You’d have to ask the players that. I don’t have the answer to that question. I don’t think that was the case. I think I tried to make it as clear as possible that Rob was in charge, and Rob was in charge.

On whether he’ll be more aggressive than his predecessor:

I think we’ll play the game how we feel the game plays out. I am sure there’ll be some situations in a game that’ll call for some aggressive calls, and they’ll be some situations in a game that’ll call for a little bit more coverage or a little bit more relaxed.

NFC East Notes: Kelly, Eagles, Hardy

November 25th, 2015 at 8:09pm CST by Zachary Links

This probably isn’t how LaRon Landry figured things would wind up when Washington took him with the No. 6 overall pick in the 2007 NFL Draft. Earlier this week, the NFL suspended Landry indefinitely for what appears to be a third violation of the league’s policy on performance-enhancing drugs.

The former sixth overall pick has played in 103 career games with 97 starts over the course of eight seasons. In 2012 while with the Jets, Landry made his first (and, to date, only) Pro Bowl. Now, it’s not clear when or if Landry will play again. Here’s more from the NFC East:

  • ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter recently appeared on SiriusXM and opined that Chip Kelly’s days as the Eagles‘ head coach may be numbered. Some listeners took that to be fact rather than opinion, and Schefter took exception to that. “I was completely taken aback by the way that was portrayed,” Schefter told 97.5 The Fanatic (via Rob Tornoe of Philly.com). “I never said his days in Philadelphia are numbered. I never said he’s out after this year..I think there’s a question as to whether or not Chip will be back next year. Is that an unfair statement? That’s my belief talking to various people, and we’ll see how it plays out.”
  • Multiple sources within the Cowboys organization tell Jason Cole of Bleacher Report (video link) consider Thursday night’s contest against the Panthers to be a big test for Greg Hardy. Hardy has had trouble keeping his emotions in check on the field and Dallas has some concern about how he’ll handle himself against his former team. How Hardy handles himself in this game and for the remainder of the season will affect how the Cowboys approach contract talks to keep the defensive end beyond 2015.
  • Washington quarterback Kirk Cousins told reporters that he hasn’t spend “one second” thinking about his contract situation (video via CSNWashington.com). We learned earlier this week that Washington has had preliminary contract talks the QB. However, there is no real reason for Cousins to sign an extension anytime soon, as the rewards for not doing so outweigh the risks.

Minor NFL Transactions: 11/25/15

November 25th, 2015 at 8:00pm CST by Zachary Links

The Ravens will activate defensive end Brent Urban off of the IR-DTR list, as Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com tweets. It still hasn’t been determined whether he will play against the Browns on Monday, however. Urban, 24, was selected in the fourth round of the 2014 draft by the Ravens, but missed his entire rookie campaign with a torn ACL. The Virginia product sustained a torn bicep this year, but Baltimore liked him enough to use its only IR-DTR slot on him back in September.

Here are the rest of Wednesday’s minor signings, cuts, and other moves from around the NFL:

  • The Saints are set to sign cornerback Chris Owens to the 53-man roster, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. Owens, who turns 29 on Tuesday, played in 11 games for the Chiefs last season.
  • The Raiders will promote wide receiver/return man Jeremy Ross from the practice squad to the active roster, a source tells Scott Bair of CSNBayArea.com (on Twitter).
  • The Panthers have signed long snapper Danny Aiken, as Jonathan Jones of the Charlotte Observer tweets. Aiken will give Carolina an option as they wait to learn more about J.J. Jansen‘s availability.

NFC West Notes: Bailey, Tomsula, Kaepernick

November 25th, 2015 at 6:38pm CST by Zachary Links

Here’s a look at the NFC West:

  • Rams wide receiver Stedman Bailey is out of surgery after several hours of extensive work, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com reports (on Twitter). The wide receiver will be in the ICU for 3-5 days and doctors are hopeful about his recovery. Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (on Twitter) heard from another person that Bailey’s surgery lasted close to nine hours. Overall, the news is positive given the situation.
  • 49ers coach Jim Tomsula says that he isn’t concerned about his job security, as Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com writes. “No, we haven’t had conversations about any of that,” Tomsula said. “Just to your point right there – we’re in a performance-based business. And all of us in it get it. So I don’t think or work that way. Just keep on moving. (My) long-term goal is Sunday. That’s just where I stay.” The remaining six games of the season could have an impact on Tomsula’s future in SF, but the organization seems likely to keep him, so long as the team doesn’t totally fall apart.
  • Cardinals defensive back Tryann Mathieu strongly feels that the 49ers offense is better with Blaine Gabbert at quarterback instead of Colin Kaepernick. “Not to take anything away from Kaepernick, but it seems like Gabbert has a little better grip on what’s going on,” Mathieu said, according to Cam Inman of the Mercury News. “If he gets in a situation, he knows where the ball needs to go. He’s a hell of a passer. He’s underrated when you talk about how well he can throw the football.” Mathieu accounted for two of the four interceptions the Cardinals had against Kaepernick in a 47-7 rout back in September.

    • NFL Practice Squad Updates: 11/25/15

    November 25th, 2015 at 4:58pm CST by Zachary Links

    Wednesday’s practice squad moves from around the NFL:

    Miami Dolphins

    • Signed: CB Dax Swanson (Twitter link via Adam Beasley of the Miami Herald)
    • Cut: DT DeAndre Coleman

    Oakland Raiders

    Tampa Bay Buccaneers

    Pettine: No Discussion Of Cutting Manziel

    November 25th, 2015 at 3:58pm CST by Luke Adams

    A day after demoting Johnny Manziel from the starting quarterback role to No. 3 on the depth, Browns head coach Mike Pettine spoke to reporters, including Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com, about the decision. Pettine’s comments today came about 24 hours after he told the media he was “very” disappointed in Manziel after video footage surfaced of the 22-year-old partying at a nightclub in Austin, Texas.

    While there was plenty of speculation that this week’s decision spelled the beginning of the end of Manziel’s tenure in Cleveland, Pettine insisted that the move was “absolutely necessary to maximze his chance for future success” (Twitter link). The head coach views the demotion as a hurdle – rather than a “dead end” – for the second-year quarterback, adding that the team didn’t discuss the possibility of cutting Manziel (Twitter links).

    A primary concern about the footage that showed Manziel partying in Austin is that it comes after the QB checked himself into rehab earlier this year. However, Pettine declined to comment today on whether the team would encourage Manziel to go back to rehab, pointing out that it’s a privacy issue (Twitter link).

    A week ago, the Browns had announced that Manziel would be the team’s starting quarterback for the rest of the season, in order to evaluate how he fits into Cleveland’s plans for 2016 and beyond. That question will remain unanswered if Manziel sits on the bench down the stretch, but according to Pettine, the need to discipline Manziel was “too important,” and outweighed the need to evaluate him (Twitter link).

    Josh McCown will start for the Browns this coming Monday, with Austin Davis backing him up.

    Rams’ Stedman Bailey Shot In Head

    November 25th, 2015 at 3:28pm CST by Luke Adams

    3:28pm: According to Rapoport (via Twitter), Bailey continued to have “extensive surgery” this afternoon. The procedure was slated to be done about three hours ago, but doctors are continuing to try to help him recover.

    WEDNESDAY, 12:43am: The Rams have issued a statement on Bailey, announcing that they have spoken the wideout, who is “in the hospital in critical, but stable, condition.” The club continues to gather facts about the situation and will provide further updates as they become available.

    TUESDAY, 11:48pm: According to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter), Stedman was shot twice in the head while sitting in a car with two young relatives and his cousin. Mike Garafolo of FOX Sports adds (via Twitter) that Bailey is conscious and will undergo “what could be extensive surgery.”

    11:43pm: Rams wide receiver Stedman Bailey has been involved in a shooting incident and sustained a head wound, reports Michael Silver of NFL.com (Twitter links). According to Silver, the injury is not believed to be life-threatening, but Bailey will undergo surgery on Wednesday morning.

    Details on the incident are still unclear, but multiple players around the NFL have published tweets passing along their thoughts and prayers to Bailey, and the shooting has been confirmed by multiple outlets. Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post (Twitter links) says Bailey was shot in the hip as well as in the head, adding that the incident took place in South Florida, where the 25-year-old is from. According to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk, the Rams are expected to release a statement soon.

    Bailey, who turned 25 earlier this month, has been with the Rams since being selected in the third round of the 2013 draft. While he hasn’t played a huge role in the team’s offense, Bailey has been targeted 25 times this season, catching 12 balls for 182 yards and a touchdown. He is currently halfway through serving a four-game suspension for violating the NFL’s policy on performance-enhancing substances.

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