HEADLINES

Month: November 2015

49ers Claim Ray-Ray Armstrong; Dorsey To IR

November 25th, 2015 at 3:22pm CST by Luke Adams

WEDNESDAY, 3:22pm: The 49ers have officially placed Dorsey on season-ending IR, using the newly-opened roster spot to claim former Raiders linebacker Ray-Ray Armstrong off waivers, the team announced today in a press release.

Armstrong, who illegally taunted a police dog before a game against the Steelers earlier this month, served as a backup linebacker and special-teamer for Oakland. The 24-year-old played under current 49ers linebackers coach Jason Tarver last year, when Tarver was the Raiders’ defensive coordinator.

MONDAY, 3:20pm: It’s been a disappointing year for the 49ers, and that trend continued today, as the team received another piece of bad injury news. According to Rand Getlin of the NFL Network (Twitter link), defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey suffered a torn ACL on Sunday and will miss the rest of the season.

Dorsey, 30, joined the Niners prior to the 2013 season, and had a very strong first year with the club, totaling 50 tackles and a pair of sacks as the starting nose tackle. After missing 2014 with a biceps injury, the former first-round pick hasn’t had quite the same impact for San Francisco this year, with 18 tackles and no sacks in 10 games (seven starts).

Still, Dorsey’s absence will be felt by a squad that has seen plenty of departures on its defensive line within the last calendar year. With Dorsey out of action for most of Sunday’s game, Thomas Rawls ran wild on the Niners, piling up more than 200 yards on the ground for the Seahawks.

With Dorsey headed to IR, players like Tony Jerod-Eddie, Tank Carradine, and rookie Arik Armstead are candidates to take on increased roles.

Extra Points: Rams, Randle, Mexico City

November 25th, 2015 at 2:54pm CST by Luke Adams

The NFL announced its 2016 lineup of London games today, and the Rams are one of three teams giving up a home game to play overseas. However, as Jacob Kirn of the St. Louis Business Journal writes, that would seem to violate the terms of the team’s lease with the Edward Jones Dome. Of course, the franchise’s future in St. Louis beyond this year remains up in the air, so it’s possible there will be no lease with dome in 2016 to violate.

For what it’s worth, the St. Louis stadium task force issued a statement today indicating that if the Rams were to enter discussions with the task force about the riverfront stadium proposal, then “we’re certain accommodations can be made for the Rams to play one game in London next season.” As is, this looks like just another small piece in a complicated Los Angeles puzzle.

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

  • Just three weeks after he was waived, former Cowboys running back Joseph Randle was arrested on Tuesday after an incident at the Kansas Star Casino in Mulvane, Kansas. Randle, who had already been suspended by the NFL for a previous arrest, was charged with one felony and five misdemeanors, further reducing the possibility of him signing with a new team anytime soon. Robert Wilonsky of the Dallas Morning News has the details on the incident, including the specific charges Randle is facing.
  • The NFL’s three London games may not be the league’s only international contests during the 2016 regular season. Per Albert Breer of the NFL Network (Twitter link), the league is working on a logistics issue relating to a possible Mexico City game, but is “well along” in the process, and there’s a good chance a November ’16 game will be scheduled at Azteca Stadium.
  • While there have been proposals to push the NFL vote on Los Angeles further back, Sam Farmer of the Los Angeles Times (Twitter links) says that’s unlikely to happen due to the league’s schedule release. As Farmer explains, forcing a late vote would risk get the moving team(s) off on the wrong foot in a challenging market.
  • The Steelers didn’t open the 21-day practice window for tackle Mike Adams prior to Tuesday’s deadline, so his 2015 campaign is over before it began, tweets Mark Kaboly of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Adams started the year on the PUP list and would have had to begin practicing yesterday to have a chance at being activated this season. Instead, his contract is expected to toll, meaning he won’t reach unrestricted free agency.

Ernie Accorsi To Consult On Lions’ GM Search

November 25th, 2015 at 1:49pm CST by Luke Adams

The Lions have selected former NFL general manager Ernie Accorsi to help guide them through the process of finding a new GM of their own, the team announced today in a press release. Accorsi, who previously served as the general manager of the Colts, Browns, Giants, will act as a consultant for Detroit as the team attempts to identify a permanent GM to replace Martin Mayhew.

“We are most pleased that Ernie Accorsi will serve as consultant for our GM search,” new Lions president Rod Wood said in a statement. “Ernie’s reputation is impeccable. Not only did he succeed as a general manager in the NFL, but his work as a consultant with teams like Chicago and Carolina is well documented.”

Less than a year ago, Accorsi acted as a consultant when the Bears were looking to replace former GM Phil Emery, eventually helping to identify Saints executive Ryan Pace as the man for the job. As Wood notes, Accorsi also took part in the Panthers’ search for a GM, which saw the team land on Dave Gettleman.

Per Albert Breer of the NFL Network (via Twitter), Wood said today that Accorsi has pledged exclusivity to the Lions during this winter’s hiring cycle, meaning he won’t be consulting for any other teams that may have a position open up in the front office in the coming weeks or months.

Wood reiterated today that interim general manager Sheldon White remains a candidate for the permanent job in Detroit. When asked if the coach and the GM could end up being the same person, Wood said that’s not the team’s plan at the moment (Twitter links via Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press).

Broncos Sign Christian Ponder

November 25th, 2015 at 12:36pm CST by Luke Adams

12:36pm: The Broncos have placed edge defender Kenny Anunike on injured reserve, ending his season, in order to clear a spot on the roster for Ponder, tweets Mike Klis of 9News.

11:30am: After hosting him for a visit, the Broncos will sign quarterback Christian Ponder to a contract, reports Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter). With Peyton Manning injured, but still on the active roster, the Ponder signing will give Denver four quarterbacks on its 53-man squad.

Ponder, 27, started 36 games during his four years with the Vikings, though he was essentially the team’s No. 3 signal-caller in 2014, behind Teddy Bridgewater and Matt Cassel on the depth chart. With a career 59.8% completion rate and 75.9 passer rating, Ponder didn’t find a very active market when he hit free agency this offseason — he ultimately signed with the Raiders, but was released by Oakland prior to the regular season.

With Manning sidelined in Denver for at least a couple more weeks, the Broncos will lean on Brock Osweiler as the starter and seventh-round rookie Trevor Siemian as the backup for now. As Rapoport explains (via Twitter), Ponder will start as No. 3 on the depth chart while he learns the offense, and could eventually move up to No. 2, but that’s not a given, since the Broncos like Siemian.

The Broncos put in a waiver claim on Jimmy Clausen this week, after the signal-caller was cut by the Bears. While the Ravens ended up landing Clausen, the fact that Denver submitted a claim suggested that the team wanted to add another veteran to the mix, with its only two healthy quarterbacks having combined for a single NFL start.

AFC East Notes: Bills, Coples, Dolphins, Jets

November 25th, 2015 at 12:17pm CST by Luke Adams

It’ll be a big weekend in the AFC East, with the Bills in Kansas City fighting for Wild Card positioning, as the Jets and the Dolphins square off, looking to keep their playoff hopes alive. The Patriots, of course, will be in Denver as they try to run their undefeated record to 11-0.

As we look forward to what should be an entertaining slate of games, let’s round up the latest out of the division….

  • The Bills were the only team besides the Dolphins to put in a waiver claim for Quinton Coples when he was cut by the Jets, and head coach Rex Ryan admitted today that he was upset not to land the edge defender (Twitter link via Mike Rodak of ESPN.com). “I wanted him,” Ryan said.
  • Meanwhile, in Miami, head coach Dan Campbell said today that the Dolphins feel like Coples’ best football is ahead of him (Twitter link via Brian Costello of the New York Post). The former Jets linebacker will play defensive end in Miami’s 4-3 system.
  • With Ryan Tannehill struggling, a Dolphins official “privately questioned” whether offensive coordinator Bill Lazor‘s system is suited for the quarterback, according to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald. The club has already replaced its head coach and defensive coordinator this season, so an OC change at season’s end wouldn’t surprise anyone, as Jackson notes.
  • Jason Fitzgerald of Over the Cap examines the Jets‘ present and future, suggesting that the team should look to trade Muhammad Wilkerson next year and needs to prioritize the offensive line in the offseason.

Bills Sign Marcus Thigpen, Cut Boom Herron

November 25th, 2015 at 11:22am CST by Luke Adams

The Bills have made a series of roster moves today, announcing in a press release that they’ve re-signed wide receiver and kick returner Marcus Thigpen, as well as offensive lineman Ryan Groy. To make room on the 53-man roster for the two new additions, Buffalo has waived running back Boom Herron and wide receiver Denarius Moore.

Thigpen, 29, started the season with the Bills, but was cut to create an opening for Moore back in early October. Since then, the return specialist has spent some time with the Colts and the Raiders, but was let go by Oakland earlier this month. Thipgen figures to take over return duties for the Bills, after Leodis McKelvin fumbled one away on Monday night, and muffed another.

Herron and Moore, meanwhile, are recognizable names, but their brief stints in Buffalo didn’t result in many memorable moments. Herron, a former Colt, totaled 37 yards on 11 carries in his four games for Buffalo, adding another 20 yards on three receptions. Moore didn’t have a single reception during his time with the Bills.

Herron and Moore will have to pass through waivers before reaching free agency.

Latest On Marshawn Lynch

November 25th, 2015 at 10:51am CST by Luke Adams

10:51am: La Canfora confirms (via Twitter) that Lynch underwent a procedure for his sports hernia today, adding that the Seahawks will reevaluate him in three or four weeks.

10:43am: Coming off a 200-yard rushing game, Thomas Rawls appears poised to continue carrying the load in the Seahawks’ backfield, with Marshawn Lynch‘s abdominal injury is expected to sideline him for multiple weeks. Various reports have suggested that Lynch will be out anywhere from two to five weeks, putting him on track to return in December.

Adam Schefter of ESPN.com initially reported that Lynch would need “a couple weeks” to see how he does in his recovery from his abdominal injury, though subsequent reports have suggested the running back will miss more time. According to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter), Lynch will undergo sports hernia surgery today, and is expected to be out for about a month.

Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com passes along similar info to Rapoport’s, tweeting that the Seahawks will likely wait about three or four weeks to see how Lynch responds to surgery. Meanwhile, Mike Garafolo of FOX Sports doesn’t specifically mention surgery, but tweets that Lynch will miss about four or five weeks.

While we may have to wait for the Seahawks to issue a statement to get the official word on Lynch, it seems clear that Rawls will be the top back on the club’s depth chart for at least the next couple games, and Lynch won’t be placed on injured reserve. At 5-5, Seattle is still very much in the Wild Card hunt in the NFC, so it sounds like Lynch would be back in time for the playoffs if the team were to earn a postseason berth.

Rawls’ performance over the next few weeks could also have an impact on Lynch’s long-term future in Seattle. The veteran is set to earn a base salary of $9MM in 2016, the highest amount in the NFL for a running back. If Rawls proves capable of being the No. 1 option in the Seahawks’ backfield, the team could conceivably consider releasing Lynch – or at least asking him to rework his contract – in the offseason.

Broncos Notes: Manning, Clausen, McDaniels

November 25th, 2015 at 9:44am CST by Zachary Links

As we heard on Tuesday, Peyton Manning is expected to be sidelined for at least the next two weeks as he continues his recovery from a plantar fascia tear, and if Brock Osweiler plays well in Manning’s absence, it seems likely that the future Hall-of-Famer will get even more time to recover. As Osweiler gets set for a Week 12 showdown with the Patriots, let’s check out the latest out of Denver….

  • A source close to Manning told Mike Klis of 9NEWS this week that the Broncos quarterback was “incensed” by a report claiming that he is making plans for 2016, with the Broncos or otherwise (all Twitter links). Klis notes that the 39-year-old did give some thought to retirement after last year, so historically he doesn’t consider his future plans during the season. Head coach Gary Kubiak was also dismissive of reports that Manning plans on playing in 2016, calling them “totally false.” Presumably that means the veteran quarterback simply hasn’t made a decision yet, and Kubiak’s not suggesting Manning has decided not to play in ’16.
  • Before making arrangements to work out Christian Ponder, the Broncos put a waiver claim in on Jimmy Clausen, according to Mike Klis of 9NEWS. However, the former Bears backup was instead awarded to the Ravens. Baltimore, of course, also had a need at quarterback after Joe Flacco went down with a season-ending ACL injury.
  • With a game in Denver coming up this Sunday night, Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels reflected back on his time as the Broncos’ head coach, indicating that he’s thankful to the club for giving him that opportunity, as Jimmy Toscano of CSNNE.com details. “[I] wish we’d have done better,” McDaniels said. “But again I’ve learned a lot of different things after that experience, looking back on it, and hopefully it’s made me a better person and a better coach at the same time.”

Luke Adams contributed to this post.

Bills Put In Claim For Quinton Coples

November 25th, 2015 at 8:21am CST by Luke Adams

After edge defender Quinton Coples was cut by one AFC East team – the Jets – earlier this week, another AFC team – the Dolphins – plucked him off waivers, while a third AFC East team was the only other club to submit a waiver claim for him. According to Field Yates of ESPN.com (via Twitter), the Bills also placed a claim on Coples, but had a lower waiver priority than the division-rival Dolphins due to their slightly better record.

The news doesn’t come as a real surprise. I noted when the Jets released Coples and when the Dolphins claimed him that the Bills would’ve been a logical suitor, given the connection to head coach Rex Ryan, who had the 25-year-old on his defense in New York from 2012 to 2014. However, the Dolphins had a Coples connection of their own — executive VP of football operations Mike Tannenbaum was in New York’s front office when the Jets drafted the North Carolina product in 2012.

When Coples was waived by the Jets, I questioned whether any team would be willing to absorb his contract, which includes a $7.751MM salary for 2016, since New York exercised his fifth-year option. That figure is guaranteed for injury only, so the Dolphins won’t have to pay it unless the edge defender suffers a significant injury and can’t pass a physical in March, and it seems as if Miami wasn’t the only team open to taking that risk.

By claiming Coples, the Dolphins will also take on the remaining $535K on his 2015 salary, which is fully guaranteed, so the Jets are off the hook for that amount.

AFC East Notes: Dolphins, Payton, Pats

November 24th, 2015 at 9:54pm CST by Luke Adams

After losing Julian Edelman for several weeks, the Patriots appear to have dodged a bullet with fellow receiver Danny Amendola. Tom E. Curran of CSNNE.com writes that Amendola has a knee sprain that will limit his ability to practice this week, but he’s not expected to miss much action, and could play in Week 12 vs. the Broncos. The same can’t be said for Aaron Dobson, who is expected to miss that Denver game, and perhaps more than that, so the Pats will be hoping for a quick recovery from Amendola.

Here’s more from around the AFC East:

  • There will be a wide field of worthy candidates for the Dolphins to consider when they search for a permanent head coach this winter, but “none look as attractive or experienced” as Sean Payton, according to Charles Robinson of Yahoo! Sports, who says Dolphins owner Stephen Ross needs to go hard after the Saints’ head coach.
  • Ryan Fitzpatrick is the best option right now for a Jets organization that has been searching for a strong young quarterback for years, Manish Mehta of the Daily News writes. Fitzpatrick might be flawed, but he gives Gang Green the best chance to make the postseason. Geno Smith, he feels, is is a far inferior option.
  • The Patriots opted to keep defensive tackle Chris Jones and linebacker Dane Fletcher on the PUP list rather than activating them, as Rich Garven of The Providence Journal writes. The two veterans both seem to be healthy, but the Pats just couldn’t carve out space for them.
  • The Dolphins worked out defensive backs Dax Swanson, Brandon McGee, Dewey McDonald, and Jeremy Harris, Aaron Wilson of The Houston Chronicle tweets.
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