2016 August - Pro Football Rumors

Month: November 2024

Latest On Karlos Williams, Bills

August 20th, 2016 at 8:55pm CST by Dallas Robinson

After waiving him earlier today, the Bills “fully expect” another club to land running back Karlos Williams, according to Vic Carucci of the Buffalo News (Twitter link). Because he’s not a vested veteran, Williams will be placed on waivers, meaning every team — beginning with the Titans and continuing in reverse order of the 2015 standings — will have the opportunity to claim him and his contract. If Williams goes unclaimed, he’ll become a free agent.

Buffalo’s decision to cut Williams doesn’t have anything to do with his talent, per Carucci, who adds the Bills had simply “soured” on Williams’ attitude problems. As we heard earlier today, Williams weighed 261 pounds at one point during this offseason, up from his 2015 playing weight of 229, a gain Williams had attributed to his wife’s pregnancy. And after losing some of that weight, Williams had once again began to balloon, tweets Carucci, leading Buffalo to believe that he was “not serious about football.”

Meanwhile, the newly-signed Reggie Bush is in line to be the Bills’ No. 2 running back behind LeSean McCoy, and had been considered the top backup even before Williams was waived, according to Mike Rodak of ESPN.com (Twitter links). Bush will also serve as the club’s primary punt returner, and received the opening kickoff in today’s preseason contest against the Giants.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Minor NFL Transactions: 8/20/16

August 20th, 2016 at 7:45pm CST by Sam Robinson

Here are today’s minor moves:

With the Teddy Bridgewater sidelined by a minor shoulder issue, Shaun Hill taking a “veteran’s day” off practice, and Taylor Heinecke out for the time being with a foot injury, the Vikings were in need of another camp arm, and they’ve added one today. The club agreed to terms with Brad Sorensen, who was waived by the Chargers earlier this year, and cut running back Kevin Monangai, according to Chris Tomasson of the Pioneer Press.
The Falcons announced that they’ve waived kicker Nick Rose, clearing a roster spot after signing veterans Shayne Graham and Sergio Brown earlier today.

Earlier updates:

The Browns signed running back Jahwan Edwards, Nate Ulrich of Ohio.com reports. A second-year UDFA out of Ball State, Edwards spent time on the Dolphins, Falcons and Jaguars’ practice squads last season. Miami waived him just after the 2016 draft.
Down Bruce Gradkowski to injury, the Steelers signed Bryn Renner, the team announced. The Steelers also added guard Antoine Everett, cut Christian Powell and waived/injured center Valerian Ume-Ezeoke. Renner spent two months with the Chargers earlier this year, but the Bolts’ claim of Zach Mettenberger resulted in the former North Carolina UDFA being jettisoned. The 26-year-old Renner spent much of 2015 with the Ravens, spending the offseason in Baltimore and, after being cut, catching on with the team’s practice squad in December.

Steelers Notes: Bell, Green, Jones, Vaughan

August 20th, 2016 at 7:21pm CST by Dallas Robinson

The Steelers don’t have many reasons to trust Le’Veon Bell at the moment, argues Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com, and it’s possible that sentiment infects contract talks with the pending free agent. Earlier this week, Bell saw his suspension reduced from four games to three, but that doesn’t excuse the missed drug tests, DUI, and marijuana busts, as Fowler writes, adding that Pittsburgh “probably won’t know what to expect from him off the field until he proves it over time.” On the flip side, the Steelers laud Bell for his work ethic and his interactions with fans, so he’s clearly not a character problem in the traditional sense of the term. How exactly Pittsburgh views Bell and his off-field questions could affect his future with the club and any negotiations the two sides might have over the next seven months or so.

Chiefs Tweak WR Rod Streater’s Deal

August 20th, 2016 at 5:03pm CST by Dallas Robinson

The Chiefs have made an adjustment to wide receiver Rod Streater‘s contract, and in doing so, created nearly $4MM in cap space, according to Terez A. Paylor of the Kansas City Star. Under the terms of the restructure, Streater’s 2016 cap number dropped from $4.8MM to $810K.

While details of the reworking aren’t immediately clear, it’s very likely that the Chiefs altered some of Streater’s incentives from “likely to be earned” to “not likely to be earned,” thus lowering his cap charge while keeping the incentives intact. Such designations are based on the prior season’s performance, but because Streater caught only pass for eight yards in 2015, it’s doubtful that his amended incentives were of an individual nature. In other words, any reception-based incentive for Streater would be considered “likely to be earned,” because any total he reaches in 2016 would match or exceed last year’s production.

As such, it’s more probable that the altered incentives were team-based, such as wins, touchdowns, or offensive yards/points. As Jason Fitzgerald of Over the Cap explained on a recent podcast, the NFL contractual bargaining agreement contains a highly convoluted rule regarding team incentives, especially when a contract contains several such clauses (as Streater’s reportedly does).

It’s difficult to parse exactly how the Chiefs finagled the language in Streater’s deal without knowing the specifics of the pact, but the net effect is that that Kansas City now has more financial wiggle room with which to work. If Streater does end up meeting his “not likely to be earned” incentives, the Chiefs will see a cap adjustment for the 2017 campaign.

Streater, 28, will certainly have a chance to improve on his 2015 numbers during the upcoming season, as the Chiefs don’t have much in the way of experience in their receiving corps behind Jeremy Maclin. Streater reportedly “looked great” when filling in for an injured Albert Wilson as the club’s No. 3 option in early August, and will compete with Chris Conley, Wilson, DeMarcus Robinson, and De’Anthony Thomas for targets.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Chargers’ Jeff Cumberland Done For Season

August 20th, 2016 at 4:12pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Chargers tight end Jeff Cumberland will miss the entire 2016 season after tearing his Achilles in Friday’s night preseason game against the Cardinals, as Cumberland himself announced on Instagram (Twitter link via Michael Gehlken of the San Diego Union-Tribune).

Cumberland, 29, agreed to a one-year, minimum salary benefit deal with San Diego earlier this year after being released by the Jets in early March. The Bolts drafted tight end Hunter Henry in the second round of the draft two months after signing Cumberland, so the veteran likely would have been relegated to quite a bit of special teams duty had he made the squad. Indeed, Chargers tight end coach John McNulty said in June that Cumberland was “still carving out” his role as he competed with Sean McGrath, Asante Cleveland, and Tim Semisch.

Always viewed as more of a blocker than a receiving threat, Cumblerand 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.

Cumberland wasn’t the only Charger to go down in last night’s contest, as Gehlken also reports (Twitter link) that seventh-round rookie Donovan Clark suffered a torn ACL on Friday and will be out for the season. Clark, an offensive lineman out of Michigan State, had been expected to compete for a backup role, or perhaps spend time on the practice squad.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Jets Release Bernard Pierce From IR

August 20th, 2016 at 3:51pm CST by Dallas Robinson

The Jets have released running back Bernard Pierce, reports Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (Twitter link). New York had placed Pierce on injured reserve earlier this week, so the club clearly reached an injury settlement with the veteran back.

Pierce was signed by the Jets late last month as running back depth, but his hamstring injury kept him from getting on the field and showing what he can do. The 25-year-old appeared in seven games with the Jaguars in 2015 and totaled just six carries for 11 yards. Pierce spent the first three seasons of his career with the Ravens after they used a 2012 third-round pick on him, and he showed significant promise as a rookie. That year, the ex-Temple Owl averaged 4.9 yards per rush on 108 attempts. Pierce added a combined 802 rushing yards the next two seasons in Baltimore, but on a meager 3.3 yards per carry.

In May, the NFL handed Pierce a two-game suspension, though the reason for the ban was not disclosed. In the past, Pierce has dealt with substance abuse issues and he was arrested for a DUI charge prior to the 2015 season. If he latches on with another club, he’ll have to serve that ban with the new team, but he can also complete the suspension as a free agent.

The Jets have already found a capable replacement for Pierce, as they agreed to sign former Falcons running back Antone Smith last week.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Chargers Notes: Stadium, Bosa, Mettenberger

August 20th, 2016 at 3:38pm CST by Sam Robinson

Thought to be trailing in their hopes to receive enough votes for the downtown stadium measure to pass this November, the Chargers mounted an offensive at a city councilman who voiced opposition to the team’s plan.

The Chargers funded a Facebook ad campaign against councilman Chris Cate, who is one of the leaders of a coalition called “No Downtown Stadium – Jobs and Streets First,” David Garrick of the San Diego Union-Tribune reports. The ads posted Cate’s office phone number and urged fans to call and ask why he wants the Chargers to leave.

The team stated in these ads and through a spokesperson it would leave for Los Angeles without a downtown stadium — Dean Spanos does have an agreement in principle to join up with Stan Kroenke and the Rams in 2017 — but that hasn’t been formally announced since the Chargers are still playing at the Mission Valley site that’s housed them since 1961. So this ad campaign could be another attempt at leveraging the city. This time, that effort is directed at voters. The Chargers, as of now, need a two-thirds majority for the stadium measure to pass.

“The Chargers have spent the past 15 years and tens of millions of dollars trying to find a solution to stay here in San Diego,” team spokesman Fred Maas said, via Garrick. “It is an insult to our fans and all San Diegans to have inexperienced politicians with blind ambition use our initiative as a vehicle to pursue higher office, like mayor. If they want us to leave for L.A, folks have every right to ask why, so please call Chris and ask him.”

A coalition spokesman refuted Maas’ claims that Cate’s political agenda is driving this message.

Here’s more from San Diego.

In the weeks between now and the elections, the Chargers should be able to outmaneuver their political opposition, at least in terms of getting their message out, Tom Krasovic of the Union-Tribune writes. Four local TV stations in San Diego work under parent companies that are broadcast partners of the NFL, and the team also appears ready to outspend opponents in advertising. The Bolts improving on the field would help their cause, Krasovic notes. Despite the 4-12 record they finished with in 2015, the Chargers hadn’t lost more than 10 games in a season since 2003 and in their most recent effort lost nine games by one-score margins.
Management and Joey Bosa‘s camp breaking their weeks-long silence — and doing so without many details leaking — shows the sides are serious about finding a resolution this time, Michael Gehlken of the Union-Tribune notes. We heard on Friday the Bolts and Bosa’s agent met this week, and it’s unknown if a new offer emerged after one last went out July 28. Multiple officials involved requested the talks be kept private, per Gehlken.
Regardless of Bosa’s status come Week 1, Darius Philon will start opposite Corey Liuget at defensive end for the Chargers, Krasovic writes. While Philon saw his rookie season cut short by injury, he’s enjoyed a productive camp, per Krasovic, who adds that plugging Bosa into the Week 1 lineup after everything that’s occurred would send a bad message.
Kellen Clemens will remain Philip Rivers‘ backup, according to Krasovic, who also notes Zach Mettenberger is not a lock to make the team. Now 33, Clemens looks to have withstood the challenge of new OC Ken Whisenhunt‘s former Titans charge. Mettenberger, whom the Chargers claimed on waivers earlier this year, may now be in a battle with rookie UDFA Mike Bercovici, Krasovic writes. Rivers has not missed a start since taking over for Drew Brees to begin the 2006 season.
The Chargers claimed wideout Rasheed Bailey off waivers from the Jaguars earlier this week.

Falcons Sign Sergio Brown

August 20th, 2016 at 3:20pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Falcons ended Sergio Brown‘s lengthy offseason stay in free agency by signing the veteran safety to help an injured secondary, D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

Released by the Jaguars in April after playing just one season of a three-year contract, Brown will provide some depth for the time being after the Falcons have observed multiple safeties struggle with injuries this summer.

A shoulder malady’s sidelined Kemal Ishmael, with first-round pick Keanu Neal having been slowed by a back injury during the preseason.

Brown signed for $7MM with the Jags following an eight-game starting stint with the Colts in 2014. He’s played in 86 games during a six-year career that also featured a stop in New England before the three-year stay in Indianapolis. The 28-year-old Brown started four games for the Jaguars last season but ranked as a bottom-10 safety in the opinion of Pro Football Focus.

The former UDFA out of Notre Dame joins a Falcons secondary that also includes projected starter Ricardo Allen, but one that is thin behind its first unit.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Falcons Re-Sign Shayne Graham

August 20th, 2016 at 3:04pm CST by Sam Robinson

Brought in to kick last season due to Matt Bryant‘s injury trouble, Shayne Graham will return to the Falcons after reaching an agreement to re-sign, Darin Gantt of Pro Football Talk reports.

Bryant’s been sidelined as of late with muscle tightness, opening the door for the 38-year-old Graham to return, at least for the time being.

The Falcons cut kicker Nick Rose, who missed three kicks in the first two preseason games, D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

Graham has now been a two-time employee of the Falcons and Saints after having spent his second season (in 2002) with the Panthers. He’s most known for the seven-season stay in Cincinnati. Graham kicked for the Bengals from 2003-09 and earned his only Pro Bowl bid in southwest Ohio, booking the Hawaii trip in 2005.

The Saints re-signed Graham in February of 2015 after having deployed him as their kicker from 2013-14 but cut him last May. Graham then caught on with the Falcons in late November and played in six games, making 11-of-13 field goal tries and all eight of the extra points he attempted.

Since departing Cincinnati after 2009, Graham’s only enjoyed full-season stints in two of the past six years — with the Texans in 2012 and Saints in ’14. In between, he spent time with the Patriots, Giants, Dolphins and Ravens.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Bills Cut Karlos Williams

August 20th, 2016 at 2:46pm CST by Sam Robinson

2:46pm: Doug Whaley told media — including Rodak — the team’s decision to cut Williams was indeed performance-related. The fourth-year GM said Williams came into camp “behind the eight ball” due to being overweight.

1:43pm: The since-cut running back thanked the Bills in an Instagram post.

1:40pm: Williams’ weight looks to have been the decisive factor here, rather than Bills management wanting to send a message to the locker room. Due to his struggles to get down to his playing weight, he hovered behind both Bush and Jonathan Williams, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets.

1:10pm: The Bills have reversed course on Karlos Williams. Buffalo’s backup running back in 2015, Williams won’t receive a chance to bounce back from the offseason suspension he drew, with Adam Schefter of ESPN.com reporting (on Twitter) that the Bills cut Williams.

Williams incurred a four-game suspension for a violation of the league’s substance-abuse policy in July and wouldn’t have been eligible to play until October 9 for the Bills.

The team voiced support for the talented ball-carrier at the time but is now to be moving in a different direction as the preseason’s in full swing.

“As an organization, we are disappointed that Karlos has put himself in this situation,” the Bills said last month. “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.”

Rex Ryan himself said the Bills were not going to give up on Williams. Since this suspension was announced, the Bills have endured some misfortune despite the news LeSean McCoy wouldn’t be suspended. Shaq Lawson will miss regular-season time, and Reggie Ragland is now out for the season. Marcell Dareus also drew a four-game suspension.

Williams reported to minicamp overweight, per Mike Rodak of ESPN.com. Schefter tweets Williams at one point this offseason ballooned up to 261 pounds after being listed at 229 last year. That said, he should generate interest after a standout rookie season as a backup on a per-play basis. The 2015 fifth-round pick averaged 5.6 yards per carry and rushed for seven touchdowns, making three starts in relief of McCoy and helping out the Bills’ run-oriented attack.

The backfield depth chart for possibly the league’s most run-centric team weakens as a result of this move. But the Bills, while not adding anyone who is an obvious upgrade on Williams, did bring in fifth-rounder Jonathan Williams and also signed Reggie Bush after Karlos Williams’ suspension became known. Buffalo also brought back Dan Herron this offseason.

Williams was just one of two players in NFL history to score a touchdown in the first six games of his career. He finished with 613 yards from scrimmage and nine TDs on just 104 touches.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

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