2015 December - Pro Football Rumors

Extra Points: Murray, Job Openings, Jags

December 26th, 2015 at 7:51pm CST by Connor J. Byrne

There have been various reports this month centering on running back DeMarco Murray‘s apparent discontent with being a member of the Eagles. One said an “obviously upset” Murray and team owner Jeffrey Lurie had a long conversation about his lack of playing time after an upset win over New England. However, Murray’s own words this week run contrary to the idea that he’s unhappy with his role, per The Associated Press.

“I’m not worried about how many plays I am getting,” said Murray, who received just two touches in a 40-17 loss to Arizona last week. “Whenever I get in, whenever I get an opportunity, I have to make the most of it.”

Murray hasn’t made the most of his opportunities this year, amassing just 606 yards and four touchdowns through 13 games. After signing a deal worth over $40MM last offseason, Murray has averaged a mere 3.4 yards per carry in his first season in Philadelphia.

In other NFL news. . .

There will be teams looking for new head coaches and/or general managers in the coming weeks, but a dearth of enticing replacement options could preclude some clubs from making changes, according to The Buffalo News’ Vic Carucci. Even if teams are displeased with their current situations, then, they might continue with the status quo in 2016 because the market won’t exactly be packed with slam-dunk candidates next month.
Earlier this week, an independent hearing officer jointly hired by both the league and NFL Players Association upheld the one-game suspension given to Giants receiver Odell Beckham Jr. for a helmet-to-helmet in last Sunday’s loss to Carolina. The league and the union could eventually agree to handle off-field discipline the same way, reports Carucci. If so, it would remove power from commissioner Roger Goodell on violations of the league’s personal-conduct policy and give it to a neutral party.
Last May at their rookie minicamp, the Jaguars lost first-round defensive end Dante Fowler Jr. for all of 2015 because of a torn ACL. With that in mind, they’re debating whether to even have a traditional rookie camp next spring, according to Ryan O’Halloran of Florida.com. “It’s something I’ve always thought didn’t make a lot of sense, and we’re going to take a real, long, hard look at how we approach it,” said GM Dave Caldwell.

NFC East Notes: Coughlin, Bradford

December 26th, 2015 at 6:46pm CST by Connor J. Byrne

Here’s the latest from the NFC East, whose 2015 champion could be crowned tonight:

As the end of the season draws nearer, Giants owner John Mara gets closer to having to make a decision on the future of two-time Super Bowl-winning head coach Tom Coughlin. Although the Coughlin-led Giants are on the verge of missing the playoffs for the fourth straight year, their best move might be to give him another shot with a better roster, opines Newsday’s Bob Glauber – who doesn’t believe there are obvious signs that the 69-year-old is past his prime. Glauber doesn’t see any loss of passion from Coughlin or effort issues from his players, a sign they haven’t tuned him out. If the Giants disagree and do elect to fire Coughlin, anyone they hire to replace him wouldn’t be free of warts. They’d either be choosing a first-time head coach – which could work, Glauber concedes, but it’s a risky proposition – or someone who has failed at another stop.
In his own piece centering on Coughlin, the New York Daily News’ Ralph Vacchiano offers five reasons why the Giants won’t fire their head coach. Among those reasons: The Giants might not want to force 35-year-old Eli Manning to learn a third new offense in a four-year span, especially given the fact that he was played so well under current coordinator Ben McAdoo. Speaking of which, Mara’s ideal scenario – a source told Vacchiano – is for McAdoo to get further seasoning as an assistant and then have Coughlin pass him the head coaching reins after a more successful season.
Eagles quarterback and free agent-to-be Sam Bradford will have a chance over the next two weeks to show he can be a big-game player, Zach Berman of Philly.com writes. Bradford will play his first meaningful late-season game since 2010 tonight when the 6-8 Eagles take on NFC East-leading Washington (7-7). If the Eagles lose, they’re eliminated from playoff contention and Washington clinches the division. That’s likely to happen if Bradford turns in a similar performance to the last time he was in a must-win game at the end of a season. In Bradford’s rookie year, the former No. 1 overall pick and ex-Ram completed just 19 of 36 passes for a paltry 155 yards and an interception in a 16-6 loss to the Seahawks. That Week 17 defeat put the Seahawks in the playoffs and sent Bradford and the Rams home for a long offseason. Bradford is excited about the chance to atone for that showing. “It’s been a long time coming. This is why you play,” he said.

AFC Notes: Pagano, Manning, Jets

December 26th, 2015 at 5:47pm CST by Connor J. Byrne

A look around the AFC:

One of the reasons for the Colts’ offensive decline this season is head coach Chuck Pagano‘s mentality, a source told Stephen Holder of the Indianapolis Star. Pagano prefers a run-first, ball-control attack rather than a high-flying approach – a 180 in attitude for a team that led the NFL in passing yards in 2014. With Indianapolis having been without quarterback Andrew Luck for a large chunk of the year, it’s hard to fault Pagano for shying away from the passing game. However, his ground-and-pound method hasn’t worked, as Indy is tied for 30th in both rushing yards (1,211) and per-carry average (3.6). The Colts have also been dismal through the air, coming in at 31st in yards per attempt (6.4) and 29th in rating (77.6).
Broncos head coach Gary Kubiak took in Peyton Manning‘s workout Saturday and subsequently offered some encouraging words on his injured quarterback. “It went really well,” Kubiak said, per Mike Klis of 9News. “He had a good week, worked really hard this morning. Well, he worked every morning, but worked out really hard this morning conditioning-wise and throwing-wise.” Manning, who hasn’t played since mid-November because of a partially torn plantar fascia in his left foot, will miss the Broncos’ key game Monday against Cincinnati. There’s a small chance he could be healthy enough to play in Denver’s regular-season finale on Jan. 3. Of course, even if the 39-year-old is ready to come back by then or during the playoffs, there’s no guarantee he’ll take the starting job back from Brock Osweiler.
The Jets will have important decisions to make over the next couple offseasons regarding three members of their dominant defensive line. Both Muhammad Wilkerson and Damon Harrison are free agents at the end of the season, and Sheldon Richardson‘s contract is up after the 2016 campaign. Don’t be surprised if all three are Jets for at least one more year, ESPN’s Rich Cimini writes. Cimini expects Wilkerson to get the franchise tag, while he believes the team could lock up Harrison to a long-term deal worth roughly $4.5MM per annum. If the Jets enable Harrison to hit the open market, he’s likely to head elsewhere. Richardson has been mentioned in the past as a trade candidate, but the Jets are unlikely to move him because of his off-field legal issues. He could start next season suspended for as many as six games, which would significantly damage his trade value and deter the Jets from dealing him.

NFC Rumors: Packers, Falcons, Saints

December 26th, 2015 at 4:52pm CST by Sam Robinson

With playoff seeds potentially set to be finalized across the NFC this weekend, let’s look at some news coming out of some of the conference’s locales.

The Packers‘ decision to sign rookie long snapper Rick Lovato instead of a veteran special teams presence surprised some coaches, Bob McGinn of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel writes. “I want a veteran,” an NFC special teams coach told McGinn. “Try a rookie in camp, not on a playoff run.” Another coach called Lovato’s game tape “terrible” but saw marketed improvement at his pro day this past spring, and the rookie agreed with that assessment. Two AFC special teams coaches didn’t rank Lovato among their top four draft-eligible snappers, McGinn writes.
Mason Crosby could command a deal that pays him $4MM per year and guarantees him $8MM this offseason, Tom Silverstein of the Journal-Sentinel writes. The Packers’ patience with Crosby after a 2012 season where he missed 12 field goals has paid off, with the ninth-year kicker missing just 14 over the past three seasons. “Obviously, I want to be a Packer. I love playing here. This is all I know. It’s home to me,” Crosby told media, including Silverstein. “It’s a special place. I would love nothing more than to just continue my career here.”Stephen Gostkowski is the only kicker who makes more than $4MM per year. Justin Tucker and Adam Vinatieri are a couple of the notable kickers that comprise the upcoming free agent class.
Marques Colston, Jahri Evans and Zach Strief could be part of the next batch of Saints veterans cut for salary cap relief, Jeff Duncan of NOLA.com writes. The Saints are again in cap turmoil, residing $4MM+ over the 2016 cap presently. Set to play on an $8.2MM cap number, and $7.1MM worth of dead money, Evans has the best chance of sticking around, Duncan notes, due to a potential release of the perennially durable guard netting the team barely $1MM in cap savings. Cutting Colston, who’s been usurped by Brandin Cooks and Willie Snead, would save $3.2MM. A Strief release, however, would save the Saints just $1.3MM.
Embattled Falcons GM Thomas Dimitroff‘s penchant for allowing his coaches significant input in key personnel decisions has led to some slip-ups in recent years, Jeff Schultz of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution writes. Mike Smith preferred the Falcons select Ra’Shede Hageman in the second round last year, and then-defensive coordinator Mike Nolan convinced the GM to build a 3-4 defensive front around Paul Soliai and first-round bust Tyson Jackson a year earlier, Schultz writes.

Minor NFL Transactions: 12/26/15

December 26th, 2015 at 4:44pm CST by Sam Robinson

Here are today’s minor moves.

The Saints promoted offensive lineman Ryan Seymour from their practice squad and cut cornerback Tony Carter to make room, Evan Woodberry of NOLA.com reports. A 2013 seventh-round pick of the Seahawks’, Seymour has played 11 games and started three of them at center, although none have come in 2015. The 25-year-old Seymour’s career encountered turbulence when the Browns cut him in August after the NFL suspended him four games for a PED offense. New Orleans placed the interior lineman on its practice squad Oct. 20. Carter, 29, spent the past four seasons with the Broncos as a reserve corner before the team cut him after training camp this summer.
The Seahawks signed wide receiver Kasen Williams and placed tight end Anthony McCoy on injured reserve, Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times reports. A former top recruit who latched on with the Seahawks after a rookie minicamp audition, Williams represents wide receiver depth due to Doug Baldwin and Jermaine Kearse dealing with injuries, Condotta reports. Seattle lost wideout/quarterback B.J. Daniels to the Texans earlier this week. McCoy re-signed with the Seahawks, his employer from 2010-14, earlier this month after being cut by Washington in November. The 28-year-old tight end suffered a high-ankle sprain, warranting an IR stint.
The Dolphins promoted cornerback Tyler Patmon from their practice squad and cut defensive end Jordan Williams, Adam Beasley of the Miami Herald reports (on Twitter). A second-year UDFA, Patmon played in 11 games with the Cowboys last season and matched that amount, with two starts, this season. Dallas waived the 24-year-old corner last week.

Patriots Waive Leonard Hankerson

December 26th, 2015 at 4:10pm CST by Ben Levine

4:10pm: Chris Harper will again claim a spot on the Patriots’ 53-man roster, doing so in Hankerson’s stead, Ben Volin of the Boston Globe tweets.

With Julian Edelman slapped with a doubtful designation again and Danny Amendola questionable after a Week 15 injury, the Patriots needed a receiver with better knowledge of their system than Hankerson currently possesses, Volin points out (on Twitter).

The 22-year-old wideout played in three games for the Pats in November, the latest of which featuring an ill-timed fumble that contributed to his release and eventual return to the practice squad.

10:15am: NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport tweets that Hankerson is expected to rejoin the Patriots next week, assuming the wideout passes through waivers. Mike Reiss of ESPNBoston.com believes the Patriots may have just wanted a wideout who was a bit more familiar with the offensive system for this weekend’s contest against the Jets (Twitter link).

9:15am: Leonard Hankerson‘s stay in New England proved to be a short one, as Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com reports that the Patriots will waive the wideout this afternoon. The five-year veteran joined the Patriots last week after being cut from the Falcons injured reserve list. The 26-year-old was active for the team’s victory over the Titans, but he didn’t earn a single target in the contest.

In eight games for the Falcons this season, Hankerson compiled 26 catches for 327 yards and three touchdowns. The receiver’s best season came in 2012 with Washington, when he caught 38 passes for 543 yards and three touchdowns.

Hankerson will now be subject to waivers, just like he was last week. Since the Patriots managed to acquire the player despite being towards the end of the waiver order, Florio doesn’t expect the receiver to find another job this season.

Bucs Place Akeem Spence On IR

December 26th, 2015 at 3:29pm CST by Sam Robinson

Akeem Spence‘s third season will end with a trip to injured reserve, with the Buccaneers shelving one of their starting defensive tackles, Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle reports (on Twitter).

The third-year starter alongside Gerald McCoy had been ruled out for Sunday’s game due to an ankle injury. Running back Mike James will take Spence’s place on the 53-man roster.

Spence began the season on the PUP list with a back malady, but returned to play in eight games this season (seven starts). The 2013 fourth-rounder notched 11 tackles and his fifth career sack this season.

A starter for five games last year and 14 as a rookie, Spence will enter his contract year next season on the heels of a down campaign. Pro Football Focus rated the 24-year-old interior defender 92nd in that category this season, behind both McCoy and teammate Clinton McDonald, who was placed on IR earlier this season.

Tony McDaniel and Henry Melton will see more time in Tampa Bay’s remaining two games as a result.

James has played 19 games, all of which coming in the 2013-14 slates. His most extensive NFL work came as a rookie in ’13, when he took over for an injured Doug Martin and rushed for 295 yards (4.9 per carry). James also caught 10 passes for 43 yards before going down for the year himself.

The 24-year-old ex-sixth-round pick didn’t factor in much last season, gaining just 37 yards in 11 games.

49ers Send Alex Boone To IR, Sign Jarryd Hayne

December 26th, 2015 at 3:15pm CST by Sam Robinson

The 49ers placed fourth-year starter Alex Boone on injured reserve and signed Jarryd Hayne from their practice squad, Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com reports (on Twitter).

Boone missed last week’s game with a knee injury but has started 59 games since starting his career at right guard at the outset of the 2012 season.

The 28-year-old former undrafted free agent will enter unrestricted free agency this offseason.

Boone will enter that courting period, however, on the heels of an ineffective season, according to Pro Football Focus, which rates the 49ers’ starting left guard 40th among guards this season. The Ohio State product was a second-team All-Pro selection in 2012.

Hayne returns to the active roster after spending the past two months on San Francisco’s practice squad. The 27-year-old ex-rugby standout’s played six games this season, mostly as a special-teamer,

Patriots Sign Steven Jackson

December 26th, 2015 at 1:59pm CST by Luke Adams

SATURDAY, 1:59pm: Jackson’s deal does not include a signing bonus or any guaranteed money, Jeff Howe of the Boston Herald reports, and the 12th-year veteran will make just more than $114K for two regular-season games with the Patriots. Additional compensation will come Jackson’s way if he remains on New England’s playoff roster.

Jackson’s contract falls under the Minimum Salary Benefit guidelines, Howe notes, meaning the ex-Ram and Falcon runner will occupy just more than $68K of the Pats’ salary cap.

TUESDAY, 11:48am: The Patriots have made the move official, announcing in a press release that they’ve signed Jackson. To make room on the roster, New England cut defensive tackle Ishmaa’ily Kitchen, less than a week after signing him.

MONDAY, 10:07am: After featuring a three-headed rushing attack on Sunday that included Brandon Bolden, James White, and Joey Iosefa, the Patriots will add a veteran to the mix, according to Josina Anderson of ESPN.com, who reports (via Twitter) that the club will sign free agent running back Steven Jackson.

While Jackson had an excellent run in St. Louis, rushing for more than 1,000 yards in eight straight seasons and earning three Pro Bowl nods, he appeared to have lost a step during his two years with the Falcons. In 27 games with Atlanta, Jackson ran for 1,250 yards on 347 carries, an average of 3.6 yards per attempt. He was cut by the Falcons in February and there had been no reports of him working out for NFL teams since then, until he met with the Patriots last week.

With LeGarrette Blount and Dion Lewis lost for the year, the Patriots have been playing shorthanded in the backfield — White has played well, but is generally a pass-catching back, leaving Bolden and Iosefa to handle most of the carries. Iosefa hadn’t appeared in an NFL game prior to yesterday’s contest against the Titans, and Bolden is more of a special-teamer than a feature back, so Jackson will add some veteran depth to the roster.

According to Anderson (via Twitter), Jackson will be signing a one-year deal with the Pats, so he’s simply being viewed as a short-term option. The move may not bode well for Montee Ball‘s chances of reaching the active roster in the coming weeks — Ball remains on New England’s practice squad for now.

Extra Points: Texans, Browns, Prospects

December 26th, 2015 at 12:31pm CST by Ben Levine

Some assorted notes from around the NFL and NCAA…

B.J. Daniels‘ contract with the Texans is worth $660K over two seasons, according to Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle (via Twitter). The quarterback will earn $60K this season and $600K in 2016.
Terry Pluto of the Cleveland Plain Dealer expects Browns center Alex Mack to explore free agency this offseason, and the writer believes the veteran will receive some interest from other clubs. Due to the disappointment of first-round pick Cameron Erving, Pluto still thinks Cleveland could spend to keep their Pro Bowl lineman.
The Florida Gators will have a number of talented players to replace heading into 2016. Coach Jim McElwain confirmed underclassmen running back Kelvin Taylor, receiver Demarcus Robinson, and defensive end Alex McCalister will all enter the NFL Draft. All this is in addition to cornerback Vernon Hargreaves III, who is expected to be a top-10 pick this offseason.
Maryland defensive end Quinton Jefferson has also declared his intentions to enter the NFL Draft, according to the Baltimore Sun. He made the announcement via his Twitter account. He joins his opposite bookend Yannick Ngakoue in leaving the Terrapins early for the pros.

Rob DiRe contributed to this post.