2016 August - Pro Football Rumors

Latest On DeMeco Ryans

August 22nd, 2016 at 8:53pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Free agent linebacker DeMeco Ryans has made it clear that he’d like to continue his career in 2016, but appearing on SiriusXM NFL Radio earlier today, the veteran defender also put forth a laundry list of requirements for any club that might express interest in him.

“At the end of the day, I would definitely like to play for a team that’s a contender, a team that really has a shot, a team that has good leadership at the top, good quarterback, there’s a good nucleus and it’s a team I can just come in and add some veteran leadership to,” said Ryans, who would be entering his age-32 season.

Ryans, released by the Eagles earlier this year, spent the last four seasons in Philadelphia after playing for the Texans for his first six years in the NFL. A two-time Pro Bowler in Houston, Ryans had two strong seasons with the Eagles before an Achilles injury and a reduced role slowed him down a little over the past two years. In 2015, he recorded 49 tackles to go along with an interception, a forced fumble, and five passes defended.

Ryans also said that he wouldn’t be picky about scheme, as he’s played in both 4-3 and 3-4 looks. But he also intimated that although a few teams have reached out to him over the past several months, he may not have a proposal thus far. “To me, there’s no interest until there’s an actual contract offer or something on the table,” Ryans said. “I haven’t had that yet.”

In June, Ryans sounded extremely comfortable with the idea that his career might be over. “Either way, I’m happy spending time with the family,” the veteran ‘backer said. “It’s just a blessing for me to be able to play 10 years in the NFL and have a great career. I have no regrets about it, so it’s great either way. If I could play again, that’ll be great. If not, that’s great as well.”

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

AFC South Notes: Texans, Savage, Jaguars

August 22nd, 2016 at 8:24pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Third-year pro Tom Savage is the Texans’ backup quarterback, head coach Bill O’Brien told reporters, including Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle. “I think [Savage] is No. 2 right now, but that’s not to say that [Brandon] Weeden hasn’t done a good job,” said O’Brien. “I think Weeden has really improved. Tom has been in our system for three years, Weeden’s only been in it for about eight months or close to a year.” Weeden signed a two-year deal with Houston this offseason that includes $450K guaranteed, so it seems unlikely that they’d part ways this soon.

Here’s more from the AFC South:

While Chris Ivory and T.J. Yeldon are atop the Jaguars‘ running back depth chart, the club has several interesting players competing for time — or a roster spot — at the end of the backfield list, as Phillip Heilman of the Florida Times-Union writes. Denard Robinson, Joe Banyard, and Corey Grant are all vying for action at the end of the roster, and because Jacksonville doesn’t plan to carry a fullback, it’s possible all three could make the squad. But which of the trio is active on gamedays could come down to special teams, where Grant and Banyard excel. Robinson, on the other hand, played on only 20% of the Jaguars’ ST snaps a year ago.
As they prepare to block for those running backs, the Jaguars‘ offensive line is still not set, as Hays Carlyon of the Florida Times-Union details. Free agent signee Kelvin Beachum was supposed to be slotted in as the club’s left tackle, but he’s been slow to recover from a torn ACL and hasn’t taken many live reps. Former No. 2 overall pick Luke Joeckel, meanwhile, was scheduled to transition from left tackle to guard, but given Beachum’s condition, Joeckel hasn’t had much practice on the interior. Jacksonville’s coaching staff is still hopeful that the situation can be ironed before Week 1, however.
The Texans‘ injury settlement with cornerback Richard Leonard is worth $176,294, according to Wilson. That’s nine weeks salary at a rate of $330K.
Earlier tonight, the Colts signed veteran cornerback Antonio Cromartie to a one-year deal after learning that fellow defensive back Vontae Davis will be sidelined for at least the first month of the season.

NFL Sets Dates For PED Interviews

August 22nd, 2016 at 7:59pm CST by Dallas Robinson

The NFL will meet with Clay Matthews and Julius Peppers in Green Bay on Wednesday to discuss the league’s ongoing PED investigation, a source tells Albert Breer of TheMMQB.com (Twitter links). Steelers linebacker James Harrison‘s interview will take place on August 30 in Pittsburgh, while free agent Mike Neal will sit down with the league this Thursday in Chicago.

Last week, the NFL stated that the four players involved in the PED scandal — which was spurred by an Al-Jazeera documentary that aired earlier this year — would be required to submit to interviews by August 25 or face suspension. The NFL received written statements from the four players in question at the end of last month, and the NFLPA is of the opinion that those affadavits qualify as “cooperation.” The league disagrees, and is still requiring the individuals to partake in in-person interviews.

Harrison, for his part, has said he never denied any interview, but claimed he’d like like for the meeting to be televised (and also referred to commissioner Roger Goodell as a “crook”). He, Matthews, and Peppers agreed to sit-downs, but Neal was of a different mind, at least originally. One report indicated that Neal had no intention of meeting with the NFL given that he’s considering retirement, but that notion was quickly disputed, and Neal will interview with the league.

“We’ve spent the last few days advising our players and letting them know in a completely honest and open way exactly what their options are, what they want to do,” NFLPA president Eric Winston said last week. “Each case is different, each guy is different. Each guy might want to do different things so no matter what we’re going fight for them like crazy like we always do, and we’re going go and have our players’ backs. That’s what we’re all about and that’s all we can do and that’s what we’re going to continue to do.”

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Vontae Davis To Miss First Month Of Season

August 22nd, 2016 at 7:33pm CST by Dallas Robinson

The Colts brought in defensive back help earlier tonight, agreeing to terms with veteran corner Antonio Cromartie, and the reason for the signing is now readily apparent. Indianapolis cornerback Vontae Davis has suffered ligament damage in his ankle and is now expected to miss at least the first month of the regular season, tweets Adam Schefter of ESPN.com.

Head coach Chuck Pagano had been designating Davis “week-to-week,” but as Mike Wells of ESPN.com noted earlier today, Pagano had used that terminology before, only to see players significantly more time. That seems to be the case in this instance, as Davis is now set to miss at least six weeks of action from today’s date. If Davis is sidelined for only the first four games of the regular season, he’d miss contests against the Lions, Broncos, Chargers, and Jaguars.

Aside from Cromartie, the Colts do have other options in their secondary, but no one that rivals the singular talent of Davis. Indy signed former Chargers cornerback Patrick Robinson to a three-year deal this offseason, and though he’s currently dealing with a groin injury, he’s expected to be ready for Week 1. Darius Butler, Jalil Brown, 2015 third-rounder D’Joun Smith, and others make up the rest of the Colts’ back end.

Davis, 28, has become one of the league’s best corners since being traded to Indianapolis in 2012, as he’s been selected to the Pro Bowl in each of the last two seasons, and was named an All Pro in 2014. He started all 16 games last season, posting four interceptions, 16 passes defensed, and graded as the NFL’s No. 29 CB, according to Pro Football Focus.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Colts Sign Antonio Cromartie

August 22nd, 2016 at 7:05pm CST by Dallas Robinson

The Colts announced that they’ve reached agreement with free agent cornerback Antonio Cromartie. It’s a one-year deal, tweets Tom Pelissero of USA Today. Indianapolis worked out Cromartie, along with some other unknown defensive backs, earlier today.

Indianapolis is looking for corner help as Pro Bowler Vontae Davis deals with a rolled ankle, and although head coach Chuck Pagano said Davis is “week-to-week,” Pagano has used that terminology before, only to see a player miss extended time, writes Mike Wells of ESPN.com. The Colts signed former Chargers cornerback Patrick Robinson this offseason, and as Roster Resource details, also boast Darius Butler, Jalil Brown, and 2015 third-rounder D’Joun Smith in the secondary.

While Davis is on currently on the mend, Cromartie has also dealt with his own health concerns recently. A report earlier this year indicated that Cromartie’s career could end prematurely due to a hip condition, but the veteran corner strongly denied that story to Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News. “Hell, no. I’m not done,” Cromartie said last month. “My hip wasn’t the problem last year.”

Cromartie, a 10-year veteran and four-time Pro Bowler, has been on the open market since the Jets released him in February. That was the end of Cromartie’s second stint with New York, which lasted only one season. Pro Football Focus ranked him just 86th out of 111 qualified cornerbacks in 2015.

Cromartie, who is entering his age-32 season, earned an honorable mention on PFR’s recent list of the best available defensive free agents.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Mark Sanchez Not A Lock For Broncos’ Roster?

August 22nd, 2016 at 6:15pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Broncos head coach Gary Kubiak announced that Trevor Siemian will start the club’s third preseason game against the Rams, and that decision could have implications for veteran quarterback Mark Sanchez, as Mike Klis of 9NEWS writes. First-round rookie Paxton Lynch could leap Sanchez to become Denver’s backup signal-caller, and if that happens, Sanchez may not have a spot on the roster, Klis suggests.

“I expected [uncertainty at QB],’’ said Kubiak. “We’ve got three quarterbacks, two of which weren’t on this team last year. One has one regular-season snap. So I knew this was going to take some time and I think it’s a credit to them in how well they’ve battled and pushed each other. It’s down to the nitty gritty here – I don’t have to but I’m going to make a decision next week.’’

Sanchez, whom the Broncos acquired from the Eagles earlier this year in exchange for a conditional seventh-round pick, has completed 66% of his passes during the preseason but struggled otherwise, as he’s tossed an interception, lost two fumbles, and been sacked three times. Siemian hasn’t been great either (17-of-23 for 163 yards and a pick-six), but if the competition is considered close between him and Sanchez, salaries could come into play.

As a former seventh-round pick, Siemian is only due to earn a minimum salary during the upcoming, but Sanchez is scheduled to earn $4.5MM, $1MM of which is guaranteed. Sanchez can also earn another $3MM through incentives, but the Broncos could clear $3.5MM off their books by releasing him before the start of the season. If Sanchez is going to be the No. 2 quarterback, his salary is manageable — but if he falls to No. 3, there’s a decent chance Denver isn’t willing to pay the price to keep him around.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Giants Sign K Randy Bullock

August 22nd, 2016 at 5:43pm CST by Zachary Links

5:43pm: Bullock actually is a vested veteran and can collect termination pay, according to Garafolo (Twitter link), so the Giants will have a decision to make come Week 1. Unless New York wants to pay Bullock $760K for one game’s worth of work, they will have to release Brown or find a non-vested veteran to replace Bullock.

4:02pm: The Giants have themselves a kicker for the first game of the season. Randy Bullock and the Giants agreed to a one-year deal today, as Mike Garafolo of NFL.com tweets. The team has since confirmed the deal via press release. To make room, the Giants waived kicker Tom Obarski.

Of course, kicker Josh Brown was handed a one-game suspension last week for an alleged domestic violence incident, so Bullock will serve as the team’s place kicker for the season opener against the Cowboys. Now that word of additional incidents are coming to light, it’s possible that Bullock’s stay could last longer than early September.

Assuming Bullock’s services are only needed for one week, however, he won’t cost the Giants a whole lot. Since Bullock is not a vested veteran, the Giants will not be on the hook for his full one-year salary if they opt to release him after Week 1.

Bullock, 26, was inconsistent early on in the 2015 season, leading to his release from the Texans. In November 2015, he hooked on with the Jets. In total, Bullock connected on 82.6% of his field goals in 2015 while going 22-for-25 on extra points.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Minor NFL Transactions: 8/22/16

August 22nd, 2016 at 5:23pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Today’s minor moves:

The Chargers have officially placed tight end Jeff Cumberland on injured reserve after he tore his Achilles last week, the club announced today. To fill out their roster, San Diego agreed to sign defensive back Michael Lee.
The Jets have moved wide receiver Titus Davis from the exempt/left squad list to the reserve/retired list, according to Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle (Twitter link). Jets head coach Todd Bowles said earlier this month that Davis had opted to retire.
The Broncos have waived former Colorado State guard Sam Carlson, Mike Klis of 9NEWS tweets. Carlson was removevd from the roster in order to create a spot for Henry Melton, who was signed yesterday.
The Buccaneers announced that they have signed tackle Kyler Kerbyson and waived/injured tackle Kelby Johnson. Kerbyson, an undrafted free agent out of Tennessee, was waived by the Patriots earlier this month. The Buccaneers also waived linebacker Cassanova McKinzy.
The Eagles have waived linebacker Deontae Skinner, the club announced. Skinner appeared in seven games for Philadelphia last year, but his roster spot will now go to veteran ‘backer Stephen Tulloch.
The Patriots have waived rookie cornerback V’Angelo Bentley, per a team announcement.
The Packers announced that they’ve released offensive lineman Matt Rotheram and long snapper Jesse Schmitt from their injured reserve list.
The Colts have signed wide receiver Justin Berger and waived fellow pass-catchers Andrew Opoku and Marcus Leak, the team announced.

Karlos Williams Goes Unclaimed

August 22nd, 2016 at 3:49pm CST by Zachary Links

Karlos Williams is now a free agent. The deadline for him to be claimed off waivers has come and gone and all 31 teams have declined to take the running back at his scheduled salary, as Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets.

As a rookie in 2015, Williams ran for 517 yards off of 93 carries, good for an eye-popping 5.6 yards-per-carry average. He also added seven rushing touchdowns. This year, the Bills were banking on Williams to serve as a quality complement to lead rusher LeSean McCoy, but things didn’t pan out that way.

In July, the Bills learned that Williams would have to serve a four-game suspension for a violation of the league’s substance abuse policy.

“As an organization, we are disappointed that Karlos has put himself in this situation,” the Bills said in a statement at the time. “Poor decisions such as this affect not only the individual, but the entire Bills organization. We will continue to work with Karlos through the various player programs we provide to assist him in making better decisions moving forward.”

The issues with Williams didn’t stop there. The tailback reported to minicamp overweight, and, according to one report, porked all the way up to 261 pounds after being listed at 229 last year. Given his off-the-field and conditioning issues, it seems that the rest of the league isn’t all that crazy about him either.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Lions Release Andre Caldwell

August 22nd, 2016 at 3:31pm CST by Zachary Links

The Lions announced that they have released wide receiver Andre Caldwell from injured reserve. Caldwell, signed by Detroit this offseason, suffered a season-ending hand injury last week.

Caldwell, 31, appeared in 14 games for the Broncos last season, catching 10 passes (22 targets) for 72 yards. While he wasn’t one of the primary targets in Denver, he did also have two touchdowns on the year. Before joining the Broncos in 2012, Caldwell enjoyed a more active role on offense with the Bengals. In his three full seasons there – discounting his seven-game rookie season – Caldwell averaged 38 receptions, 365 yards, and two touchdowns per campaign.

In Detroit, Caldwell was initially slated to compete for time in a group headlined by Golden Tate and offseason pickups Marvin Jones and Jeremy Kerley. Since then, however, the Lions added Anquan Boldin and Andre Roberts to the depth chart, meaning that Caldwell’s chances of making the cut weren’t great even if he stayed healthy.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.