HEADLINES

Month: November 2024

South Notes: Jaguars, Thompson, Saints, Bucs

April 5th, 2016 at 4:04pm CST by Zachary Links

Ohio State edge rusher Joey Bosa is among the players visiting the Jaguars today, according to John Oehser of Jaguars.com (via Twitter). However, Bosa is far from the only marquee prospect in town to meet with the Jags.

Mark Long of The Associated Press tweets that Florida cornerback Vernon Hargreaves III is also making a visit to Jacksonville, while Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link) adds several more names to the team’s list of pre-draft visitors. Some of the prospects listed by Rapoport were previously reported, but it’s an impressive group, one that includes Notre Dame tackle Ronnie Stanley and Ohio State cornerback Eli Apple.

As Jacksonville mulls its draft options, let’s round up a few more items from out of the NFL’s South divisions…

  • The Colts and Falcons are taking a long look at Boise State safety Darian Thompson, Rand Getlin of NFL.com tweets. As previously reported, Atlanta had multiple members of its front office out at Thompson’s Pro Day.
  • Utah State linebacker Nick Vigil will visit the Saints, a source tells Nick Underhill of The Advocate (on Twitter).
  • Former University of Miami cornerback Artie Burns is in Tampa today visiting the Buccaneers, Jenna Laine of Sports Talk 1040 The Team tweets.

Luke Adams contributed to this post.

Minor NFL Transactions: 4/5/16

April 5th, 2016 at 3:39pm CST by Zachary Links

Today’s minor moves from around the NFL:

  • The Dolphins have claimed defensive back Ifo Ekpre-Olomu off waivers from the Browns, a source tells Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (Twitter link). The Oregon product suffered a major knee injury before the 2015 Rose Bowl, tearing his ACL and dislocating a bone in his right knee. Although the injury dropped him to the seventh round in last year’s draft, Ekpre-Olomu possesses plenty of upside if he can get healthy.

Earlier updates:

  • Dillon Farrell has signed with the Giants, according to his reps at Tier 1 Sports Management (on Twitter). The signing reunites Farrell with new offensive line coach Mike Solari, who held the same position in San Francisco from 2010-14. The UDFA out of New Mexico also spent some time on Tennessee’s taxi squad last year.
  • The Raiders announced that they have signed long snapper Andrew East. The Vanderbilt product first came into the NFL as a UDFA in 2015 and spent training camp with Kansas City. In February of this year, he inked a deal with Seattle, only to be waived in March.
  • Buccaneers safety Bradley McDougald has signed his one-year restricted free agent tender, according to Adam Caplan of ESPN.com (via Twitter). McDougald started 15 games for the Bucs in 2015.
  • The Buccaneers also announced that ERFA long snapper Andrew DePaola has inked his tender. DePaola has been Tampa Bay’s full-time long snapper since the start of the 2014 season.

Bills Sign Sterling Moore

April 5th, 2016 at 2:12pm CST by Zachary Links

The Bills announced that they have signed Sterling Moore. With Moore in the fold, the Bills have now signed their third defensive free agent in two days. It’s a one-year deal, per Adam Caplan of ESPN.com (via Twitter). Sterling Moore (vertical)

Moore, 26, starting nine games at nickel for the Buccaneers in 2015. In total, Moore racked up 45 tackles, six pass breakups, an interception and three forced fumbles. Moore first broke into the league as a UDFA out of SMU in 2011 with the Raiders. However, he did not see regular burn until the 2014 season. In 2014, Moore ranked 22nd out of 108 qualified cornerbacks during his time at the position, per Pro Football Focus. Last year, Moore placed 64th out of 111 qualified corners, per PFF (sub. req’d).

Now, Moore will aim to see even more time on the field in Buffalo, though it’s currently a crowded group. The Bills have nine cornerbacks under contract as of this writing.

This week, the Bills also inked cornerback Corey White as well as linebacker Zach Brown.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Lions Sign Stevan Ridley

April 5th, 2016 at 1:33pm CST by Luke Adams

TUESDAY, 1:33pm: Ridley’s deal is now official, as Tim Twentyman of DetroitLions.com tweets.

FRIDAY, 12:46pm: After visiting Detroit this week, free agent running back Stevan Ridley will sign with the Lions, as he announced himself today on Instagram. Michael Rothstein of ESPN.com (Twitter link) confirms the agreement, reporting that it will be a one-year contract for Ridley, who thanked the Jets and their fans in his Instagram statement.Stevan Ridley

“To the Organization and city of NEW YORK I truly thank you for all the love,” Ridley wrote. “But now it’s on to Detroit for me! I can’t be happier for another shot to tote this pill and showcase the gifts I’ve been truly blessed with! Detroit, I’ve got a surprise for you this year, I promise. I’m ready to get to work with my new family, so April 18th can’t come soon enough!”

A former third-round pick, Ridley averaged 5.1 yards per carry in limited action during his rookie season in 2011, then exploded for 1,263 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns in 2012. However, fumbling issues landed him on the bench in New England, and a devastating ACL/MCL injury limited him in both 2014 and 2015.

After spending his first four years in the NFL with the Patriots, Ridley signed with the Jets last season, but didn’t see the field all that much after coming off the PUP list. With Chris Ivory and Bilal Powell handling the majority of the workload out of the backfield, Ridley took over for Zac Stacy as the No. 3 back and earned just 36 carries, totaling only 90 yards for a career-worst 2.5 yards per attempt.

For the Lions, Ameer Abdullah figures to head into the 2016 season as the No. 1 option on the depth chart, and Theo Riddick should get plenty of work too, but the club was in need of some veteran depth after releasing Joique Bell earlier in the offseason.

Depending on the price, which shouldn’t be exorbitant, taking a flier on Ridley to see if the 27-year-old can come close to regaining his old form is a worthwhile roll of the dice for GM Bob Quinn, who was in New England’s front office when the Pats drafted the running back.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Tyler Polumbus Announces Retirement

April 5th, 2016 at 12:24pm CST by Zachary Links

Everyone wants to leave the game of football on a high note and Tyler Polumbus is doing just that. On Tuesday, the veteran offensive lineman took to Facebook to announce his retirement from the NFL: Tyler Polumbus (vertical)

“In 2008 Liz and I began the journey of a lifetime,” he wrote. “8 years and 4 teams later we feel that it is time to call it a career in the NFL. When this journey began I was just hoping that I could make the team with extremely long odds in front of me as an undrafted rookie. I thought it would be amazing to say that I played a season or two with the Denver Broncos. I never imagined that God would keep opening door after door for me to continue in this game. I am incredibly grateful for His mercy, grace, and blessings He has given my family.”

Polumbus, a University of Colorado product, broke into the league with the Broncos as a UDFA in 2008. The tackle’s journey took him to the Seahawks, Falcons, and Washington before he came full circle and signed with Denver in the 2015 season. Now that he has a Super Bowl win and plenty of cash in the bank for his family, Polumbus is calling it a career.

Over the course of nine NFL seasons, Polumbus appeared in 112 games and made 57 starts.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

NFC Rumors: Cowboys, Giants, Lions

April 5th, 2016 at 11:02am CST by Zachary Links

The latest out of the NFC:

  • Defensive end Jason Jones is still in play for the Cowboys, a source tells David Moore of the Dallas Morning News (on Twitter). However, the deal would have to be similar to the one-year, $1.1MM deal that Jack Crawford agreed to with Dallas on Monday.
  • Former Dolphins linebacker Kelvin Sheppard visited the Giants on Monday, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (on Twitter).
  • The Giants brought in offensive linemen Ben Ijalana and Byron Stingily for a visit on Monday, as Mike Garafolo of FOX Sports tweets.
  • The Lions‘ pre-draft visits are underway, and the team looked at offensive line prospects on Monday, according to Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press, who tweets that tackles Jerald Hawkins (LSU), Shon Coleman (Auburn), Caleb Benenoch (UCLA), and Jason Spriggs (Indiana) are meeting with the Lions.
  • Bowling Green center-guard Alex Huettel worked out for the Lions, a source tells Wilson (on Twitter).
  • Ohio State safety Vonn Bell has (or has had) meetings, workouts, or visits with the Cardinals and Vikings as well as the Jaguars, as Rand Getlin of NFL.com tweets.
  • The Saints conducted private workout for Cal wide receiver Darius Powe on Monday, a source tells Aaron Wilson of The Houston Chronicle (on Twitter). Powe didn’t have any drops, according to a source, and drew praise from New Orleans brass.
  • The Eagles are hosting Florida wide receiver DeMarcus Robinson on a visit, a source tells Geoff Mosher of 97.5 The Fanatic (on Twitter).

Luke Adams contributed to this post.

AFC Rumors: Nelson, Raiders, Chiefs, Bowers

April 5th, 2016 at 9:31am CST by Zachary Links

Vic Tafur of The San Francisco Chronicle (on Twitter) expects the Raiders to get a deal done with free agent safety Reggie Nelson, who is in Oakland tonight to meet with team brass and will continue his visit with the team on Tuesday. After Nelson is wined and dined and briefed on the team’s plans for him, Tafur is expecting the Raiders to ink the veteran defender, who stands as one of the best available free agents still on the board.

Here’s more from the AFC:

  • The Chiefs worked out defensive end Da’Quan Bowers and cornerback Phillip Adams yesterday, according to Adam Caplan of ESPN.com (on Twitter). Bowers, a former second-round pick of the Buccaneers, returned to Tampa Bay late last season. Adams has been with six NFL teams and could be on his way to joining his seventh.
  • Linebacker Myles Jack is among the players visiting the Jaguars today, as Michael DiRocco of ESPN.com tweets. The 6’1”, 225-pounder saw time at both inside and outside linebacker, safety, nickel corner, and running back, and even returned the occasional kick for UCLA. He’s widely regarded as one of the best players in this year’s class.
  • Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle has the details on Darryl Morris‘ one-year deal with the Jets, tweeting that the cornerback signed a minimum salary contract with a $75K signing bonus.
  • Jarvis Jenkins‘ two-year contract with the Jets calls for him to earn $6MM with $3MM ($1.5MM signing bonus + $1.5MM base) guaranteed, according to Rich Cimini of ESPN.com. Jenkins will carry a cap charge of $2.25MM in year one and $3.75MM in year two of the deal.
  • Oregon State defensive tackle Kyle Peko is visiting with the Chiefs today, according to Terez A. Paylor of the Kansas City Star (on Twitter).
  • Clemson safety Jayron Kearse is visiting the Jaguars today, Getlin tweets.

Draft Rumors: Stanley, Nkemdiche, Cowboys, Bills, Bucs, Bills

April 5th, 2016 at 9:08am CST by Zachary Links

Ronnie Stanley of Notre Dame is considered by most as a top 10 lock, but not all teams agree, Tony Pauline of DraftInsider.net writes (for PhiladelphiaEagles.com). Some scouts are worried about the left tackle’s athleticism and others just see him as flat out overrated, and that’s causing his stock to drop. It’s possible then that Stanley will go from the top 10 to somewhere in the middle of the first round.

Here are the latest draft rumors from around the NFL:

  • Ole Miss defensive end Robert Nkemdiche will meet with the Jaguars on Wednesday and the Ravens on Thursday, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). Nkemdiche met with Arizona on Monday and will check in with Oakland today.
  • Louisville defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins is visiting the Bills, Buccaneers, and Cowboys this week, as Mike Garafolo of FOX Sports tweets. Garafolo wonders if Dallas might be considering a trade back from No. 4 to take Rankins.
  • Indiana left tackle Jason Spriggs is gaining momentum and “several personnel people believe he’s a lock to be selected in the bottom third of round one,” Pauline writes.
  • Rees Odhiambo will take visits with the Buccaneers, Seahawks, and Dolphins and has a workout with the Saints, per Rapoport (on Twitter).
  • Former Michigan quarterback Jake Rudock has worked out for Patriots, Lions, Ravens and Vikings, as Michael Rothstein of ESPN.com writes. He’s also scheduled to meet with the Dolphins this week.
  • Middle Tennessee State defensive back Kevin Byard will work out for the Panthers on Tuesday, visit the Falcons on Wednesday, visit the Chiefs on Thursday, and visit the Packers on Friday, as Wilson tweets.
  • Texas-El Paso defensive end Roy Robertson-Harris will visit the Raiders and Chiefs and work out for the Bears and Vikings, Wilson tweets.
  • Southern Mississippi offensive lineman Norman Price is generating some buzz as of late, Pauline writes.
  • Western Kentucky cornerback Prince Charles Iworah is vaulting up draft boards and could land in the fourth round, Pauline writes.

West Rumors: 49ers, Raiders, Las Vegas

April 4th, 2016 at 8:12pm CST by Zachary Links

The 49ers spoke with the Titans about moving up to the No. 1 pick in the draft, according to Jason Cole of Bleacher Report (video link). Still, the 49ers are trying to assess exactly what a move from No. 7 to No. 1 would cost them and they’re also unsure of whether they really need to move up in the draft. San Francisco is believed to be targeting a quarterback and it’s possible that either Jared Goff or Carson Wentz will be there at No. 7.

Here’s more from the West divisions:

Luke Adams contributed to this post.

Chargers Sign Jeff Cumberland

April 4th, 2016 at 7:04pm CST by Zachary Links

7:04pm: The Chargers formally announced the deal.

6:10pm: The Chargers are expected to sign tight end Jeff Cumberland, Adam Caplan of ESPN.com tweets. Cumberland also drew interest from the Patriots before signing with San Diego. "<strong

Cumberland, 29 in May, was released by the Jets prior to the start of free agency in an effort to free up cap space. As a vested veteran, Cumberland immediately became a free agent upon his release and did not have to go through waivers. The tight end caught a total of 78 passes for the Jets from 2012 to 2014, starting 38 games for the team during that stretch and racking up 10 touchdowns. However, he saw his number called a whole lot less in 2015, as Ryan Fitzpatrick didn’t use his tight ends much. Cumberland had just five receptions on 14 targets in 2015.

Now, Cumberland will likely serve as a run-blocking complement to star tight end Antonio Gates. The Chargers currently have five tight ends under contract with Gates, Cumberland, Sean McGrath, Tim Semisch, and Asante Cleveland.

In other Chargers news, the Bolts and the city of San Diego are reportedly butting heads over where the team’s new stadium should be situated.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

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