2016 November - Pro Football Rumors

Robert Griffin III Cleared For Contact

November 29th, 2016 at 8:29pm CST by Dallas Robinson

The Browns could soon turn to quarterback Robert Griffin III, as the embattled signal-caller is now fully cleared for contact, tweets Ed Werder of ESPN.com. Per Werder, Cleveland will let RG3, Josh McCown, and Cody Kessler compete for the starting quarterback job, but Mike Garafolo of NFL.com reports (video link) that once Griffin takes hold of the No. 1 job, he’s likely to hang onto it for the remainder of the season.

That the Browns are eager to see what Griffin can offer as the 2016 campaign concludes comes as no surprise, especially given that the winless club is squarely focused on the future. Griffin is signed through the 2017 season, during which he’s set to earn a base salary of $7MM, and Browns exec Sashi Brown said earlier this year (notably, before RG3 suffered a shoulder injury) that Cleveland doesn’t view Griffin as simply a short-term investment.

“To be fair to Robert, he’s young in his career in terms of his development as a quarterback,” Brown said in September. “We will develop him over time. He’s under contract here two years, but we don’t look at it as certainly just a two-year venture or a week-to-week venture. This is something we’re going to have to stick by him, put the right pieces around him and help him learn how to play that position as well. So it’s not a short-term kind of look at him.”

Griffin is still only 26 years old, and though injuries have slowed his once-promising career, the Browns likely feel that enough upside remains that it makes sense to take another look at RG3 before making their decision on his 2017 fate. Still, that probably won’t stop Cleveland from investing more resources at the quarterback position next year, and the club has already been rumored to have shown interest in UNC QB Mitch Trubisky.

AFC East Notes: Pats, Cannon, Revis, Dolphins

November 29th, 2016 at 8:06pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Under the terms of his extension with the Patriots, right tackle Marcus Cannon will earn $19.8MM in cash over the first three years of the deal, which, as Mike Reiss of ESPN.com notes (Twitter link), is often a key metric in contract analysis. So while Cannon’s new pact won’t approach that of Lane Johnson, who remains the highest-paid right tackle in the NFL, Cannon is still earning a top-tier RT contract through the three-year cash lens. Recent right tackles that have signed comparable deals include Mitchell Schwartz ($19.56MM in the first three years), Bryan Bulaga ($18.96MM), and Joe Barksdale ($16.5MM).

Here’s more from the AFC East, including another look at the Cannon extension:

Negotiations between the Patriots and Cannon could have been greased by the recent agreement between the Falcons and fellow right tackle Ryan Schraeder, tweets Jason Fitzgerald of Over the Cap. Schraeder reached a five-year, $31.5MM deal with Atlanta last week that included $7.5MM in full guarantees. Cannon, meanwhile, scored $1MM more in total value, and while initial reports peg his guarantee at $14.5MM, that figure almost certainly refers to injury-only guarantees. As Fitzgerald notes (Twitter link), the Schraeder/Cannon extensions could place a cap on the right tackle market, and it will likely be up to a free agent to break through that barrier. Upcoming free agent right tackles include Riley Reiff, Ricky Wagner, and Sebastion Vollmer.
The Jets have mismanaged the late-career struggles of cornerback Darrelle Revis, argues Fitzgerald in a full article for OTC. Because Revis’ 2017 guarantee is in the form of base salary (not prorated signing bonus), New York can’t cut him before the first day of free agency without the dead money accelerating onto the 2016 cap. As such, the club has little option than to carry his full cap charge until the 2017 league year begins, and then release him in order to save cap space.
The Patriots‘ recent move to claim defensive tackle Darius Kilgo off waivers could indicate that the verdict of Alan Branch’s appeal of his four-game suspension is coming soon, Ryan Hannable of WEEI.com writes. Kilgo is a run stopper in the middle, which is Branch’s strong suit, so New England could be bracing for the impending loss of Branch.
Dolphins tight end Jordan Cameron is uncertain about his football future, as he tells Joe Schad of the Palm Beach Post that his status is “up in the air right now.” Cameron, 28, was ruled out for the year after suffering the fourth reported concussion of his career. Those repeated brain injuries could force Cameron to hang up his cleats after a six-year career.
The Dolphins worked out wide receivers Da’Ron Brown, Marcus Johnson, Jay Lee, and Corey Washington today, according to Howard Balzer of BalzerFootball.com (Twitter link). Miami pass-catcher DeVante Parker is day-to-day with a back injury, so the club is likely just looking for depth.

Minor NFL Transactions: 11/29/16

November 29th, 2016 at 7:00pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Today’s minor moves:

The Buccaneers have waived wide receiver Louis Murphy from the Reserve/PUP list, the club announced today. Murphy is recovering from an ACL tear suffered in October 2015, and wasn’t going to get on the field for Tampa Bay after being kept on PUP. However, the fact that he’s been released likely indicates that the two sides have agreed to some sort of settlement, allowing Murphy to hit the open market. He had been scheduled to earn a $2MM base salary in 2017.
The Redskins announced that they have promoted defensive tackle A.J. Francis from the practice squad. To create a roster spot, long snapper Rick Lovato was waived, likely signalling that fellow LS Nick Sundberg is once again healthy.

Packers DL Mike Pennel Facing 10-Game Ban

November 29th, 2016 at 6:40pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Packers defensive lineman Mike Pennel has filed suit against the NFL and the NFLPA as he faces punishment for a violation of the league’s substance abuse policy, according to Eric Heisig of Cleveland.com. Pennel has already served a four-game ban this season as a result of a failed drug test, so a second positive test would equal a 10-game suspension, as Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com notes.

Pennel received notice of a second failed drug test earlier this month, and appealed his punishment three days later — that appeal is currently set for the beginning of December. But Pennel isn’t content with the appeal process, as his filing contends that the league only intends on providing two neutral arbitrators instead of the standard three-to-five. In his complaint, Pennel also asks that the entire appeal hearing is put on hold until the NFL appoints a third arbitrator.

Pennel, 25, has played in seven games since returning from the suspended list. He’s notched 95 defensive snaps as a rotational lineman behind starters Mike Daniels, Letroy Guion, and Datone Jones. Pennel is signed through 2016 at the minimum salary, and would stand to lose quite a bit of income if the 10-game ban is upheld.

Pennel becomes the second NFL player in recent days to file a lawsuit against both the NFL and the NFLPA, joining Eagles offensive lineman Lane Johnson, who is complaining of “unfair labor practices” while serving his own 10-game suspension.

Cowboys Expect Claiborne To Return This Year

November 29th, 2016 at 6:03pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Appearing on 105.3 The Fan today, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said that he “absolutely” expects cornerback Morris Claiborne to return to the field during the 2016 regular season, as Todd Archer of ESPN.com tweets. Jones said he wasn’t sure if Claiborne would be able to play in Dallas’ December 11 game against the Giants, but cautioned that the scenario shouldn’t be ruled out, according to Drew Davison of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.

Disparate reports emerged last week regarding Claiborne’s status, as some information indicated that Claiborne was ahead of schedule in his recovery from a strained groin, while other sources relayed that Claiborne was “nowhere close to returning” given that he reportedly tore the bone off his pelvis. It’s possible — and perhaps likely — that Claiborne is awaiting the results of another MRI that will help gauge his progress, but Jones, for one, seems to believe that the veteran defensive back is somewhat close to playing again.

Claiborne, 26, has transformed from a former draft bust to a legitimate top corner in his fifth NFL season, ranking as PFF’s ninth-best corner on the year. Re-signed to a one-year deal worth only $3MM, Claiborne has seven games thus far in 2016 and posted one interception. He’s scheduled for unrestricted free agency after the season, so his ability to return to the field is critical not only for the Cowboys’ secondary, but for Claiborne’s bottom line.

With Clairborne sidelined, Dallas has turned to Orlando Scandrick — who recently returned from his own injury — and rookie Anthony Brown to take more playing time. And while the Cowboys will be without Claiborne for a few more weeks at minimum, they are expected to see the return of safety Barry Church, who fractured his right forearm last month, on Thursday night against the Vikings.

NFL Practice Squad Updates: 11/29/16

November 29th, 2016 at 5:17pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Today’s practice squad moves:

Atlanta Falcons

Signed: OL Kevin Graf

Arizona Cardinals

Signed: WR Chris Hubert

Baltimore Ravens

Signed: CB Asa Jackson
Cut: LB James Burgess

Carolina Panthers

Signed: T Jake Rodgers, T Tyrus Thompson

Cincinnati Bengals

Signed: CB Tony McRae

New England Patriots

Signed: TE Kennard Backman, RB D.J. Foster

New York Jets

Cut: OL Zach Sterup

San Francisco 49ers

Signed: LB Wynton McManis

Seattle Seahawks

Signed: WR Kevin Smith
Cut: RB Zac Brooks, RB Malcolm Johnson

Tennessee Titans

Signed: CB D’Joun Smith

Sammie Lee Hill Banned For At Least One Year

November 29th, 2016 at 4:50pm CST by Zachary Links

Free agent defensive tackle Sammie Lee Hill, has been suspended for a period of at least a year, a league source tells Field Yates of ESPN.com (on Twitter). Hill last played for the Titans.

Hill, 30, served a four-game suspension as a free agent earlier this season for violating the league’s substance abuse policy. It’s not clear what led to today’s ban, but his history played a role in the lengthy ban.

An MCL injury limited Hill to only ten games (five starts) with the Titans in 2015, and Tennessee expressed no interest in re-signing him during free agency. No other clubs were knocking down Hill’s door, either, as his only known visit came with the Seahawks in March. The Jets took a look at Hill earlier this month, but they did not sign him. It’s possible that we won’t see Hill in the NFL again.

Giants Place Orleans Darkwa On IR

November 29th, 2016 at 4:32pm CST by Zachary Links

Orleans Darkwa headed to the injured reserve list, Jordan Raanan of ESPN.com tweets. The running back has been dealing with a leg injury and he’ll need to take some time off to recover. To take his place, linebacker/safety Eric Pinkins has been promoted from the practice squad.

Darkwa entered the league as an undrafted free agent out of Tulane in 2014. After spending time on the Dolphins’ active roster and practice squad, he found his way to the Giants. He has been a low-cost rotational piece for the G-Men ever since. Darkwa’s season ends with 30 carries for 111 yards and two touchdowns..

As Darkwa exits, fellow running back Shane Vereen is getting ready to make his return. The veteran probably won’t suit up this week, but we may see him on the field in December. For now, the Giants have Rashad Jennings, Bobby Rainey, and rookie Paul Perkins at running back. Right now, Jennings is seeing the most action of any Giants back, but the share of carries could tilt towards Perkins down the stretch of the season.

Buccaneers Waive RB Mike James

November 29th, 2016 at 3:25pm CST by Zachary Links

The Buccaneers have waived running back Mike James, as Greg Auman of the Tampa Bay Times tweets. By releasing James, the Bucs will clear a spot for newly-signed safety Major Wright.

James joined the Buccaneers at a time when they could not keep their running backs on the field. First, Doug Martin and Charles Sims went down. Then, fill-in Jacquizz Rodgers suffered a sprained foot. On Halloween, the Bucs welcomed back James, who had some history with the team.

James, 25, managed 79 carries with Tampa from 2013-14, but missed the entire 2015 campaign due to injury. He didn’t make the Buccaneers’ 53-man roster this year, and was waived in the offseason with a settlement. In his most recent stint with the Bucs, James had just four carries for 19 yards. He also added four catches for 22 yards.

The release of James could be a sign that Rodgers will be back this weekend.

49ers Place LB Shayne Skov On IR

November 29th, 2016 at 3:21pm CST by Zachary Links

The 49ers have placed linebacker Shayne Skov on injured reserve with a knee injury. To take his place on the roster, defensive back Marcus Ball has been bumped up from the practice squad.

Skov was injured on Sunday as the Niners lost to the Dolphins. The good news is that the linebacker did not tear his ACL and he will not require surgery. Skov suited up for 15 of the 49ers’ 16 regular-season games last year. This year, he appeared in nine of eleven possible games for SF. Playing mostly on special teams, he did not record an official statistic this year.

Ball, 29, spent 12 games with the Saints in 2014, which makes up most of his NFL experience. This year, he briefly hooked on with the Panthers and appeared in one contest. He signed on with San Francisco’s practice squad one week ago and today he gets a crack at the main roster.

The 1-10 Niners travel to Chicago on Sunday to face the Bears.