2016 November - Pro Football Rumors

Poll: Should Jets Give Todd Bowles A Third Year?

November 28th, 2016 at 9:34pm CST by Sam Robinson

Although the Panthers are Cardinals are the leaders in the disappointing-season clubhouse, the Jets have obviously endured a noticeable regression for a variety of reasons.

Despite housing veterans at numerous key spots, the Jets are 3-8 and boast the third-worst record in the AFC — ahead of only the Browns and Jaguars. This becomes a referendum on second-year coach Todd Bowles, but to what degree? Bowles’ 10-win debut in 2015 gave Gang Green its first since 2010, but the subsequent freefall has one of the league’s older rosters at a strange point.

The obvious issue lies at quarterback, where Ryan Fitzpatrick has joined Carson Palmer and Cam Newton as being unable to replicate a career year in 2015. Fitzpatrick’s level of play wasn’t on the level of those passers, but his Jets-record 31 touchdown passes helped the team contend until Week 17. That career year — and the team’s lack of other options — induced Mike Maccagnan to cave and pay the now-34-year-old quarterback $12MM this season. With Fitz and Geno Smith on expiring deals, and Bryce Petty and Christian Hackenberg being deemed unfit — per Bowles — at this point to be a viable option, the Jets are essentially a rudderless ship offensively despite employing 30-somethings Brandon Marshall and Matt Forte.

Bowles’ defense ranks 12th, though, and still carries one of the best defensive fronts in the game. However, New York’s seen Muhammad Wilkerson take a big step back from his usual All-Pro level, with the broken leg that ended his 2015 campaign clearly impacting his ’16 season, one that comes after his long-sought-after contract extension.

The former Cardinals defensive coordinator’s secondary has failed to live up to the dollars poured into it as well, with a 31-year-old Darrelle Revis not close to the level he was at with the Patriots and initial Jets stint. The 2015 Revis-Buster Skrine–Antonio Cromartie splurge has failed spectacularly. This hits closer to home for the 53-year-old head coach, whose main NFL area of expertise is in the secondary.

However, Maccagnan should probably shoulder a considerable amount of blame for what’s ensued as well. Gang Green boasting incoherent futures at quarterback, cornerback and on the offensive line — and being projected to be over the cap come ’17 — are more on the GM than coach.

But the on-field result has been ugly, with four double-digit losses. So, how much of that blame do you think the organization should place on Bowles? Does he deserve a third year to prove that 10-6 season wasn’t a fluke, or should the Jets blow this up and attempt a full-scale rebuild. Vote below, and leave your thoughts in the comments section!

NFL Practice Squad Updates: 11/28/16

November 28th, 2016 at 9:19pm CST by Zachary Links

Here are today’s practice squad moves.

Chicago Bears

Signed: TE Justin Perillo (Twitter link via Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune)

Houston Texans

Signed: DL Brandon Dunn

Pittsburgh Steelers

Signed: RB Dreamius Smith

San Francisco 49ers

Signed: RB Raheem Mostert
Cut: RB Kelvin Taylor

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Signed: DT Rodney Coe (Twitter link via Greg Auman of the Tampa Bay Times)
Cut: DE Kourtnei Brown (Twitter link via Auman)

Colts To Bring Trent Cole Off IR

November 28th, 2016 at 7:37pm CST by Sam Robinson

Trent Cole returned to practice today, and the Colts are paving a path for the veteran pass-rusher to return from IR. The team designated Cole as its IR-return candidate, Howard Balzer of All22.com reports (via Twitter).

The Colts placed Cole on IR in September with a back injury, and he underwent surgery soon after. Indianapolis will have 21 days to determine whether or not Cole will return to game action after using him in practice Monday. That puts his return in the early- to mid-December range, should this process unfold to the organization’s liking.

Cole is in the second season of a two-year, $14MM deal. Although, he accepted a significant pay cut to reduce his 2016 salary to $7.125MM to $4.875MM. At 34, the former Eagles stalwart end’s career is coming to a close. However, the Colts do not have a plethora of edge-rushing contributors.

Erik Walden leads the team with eight sacks, with 35-year-old veteran Robert Mathis having recorded three — second on the team. Indianapolis also lost Kendall Langford for the season earlier this month. The Colts sit 20th in the league with 22 sacks.

However, no other prominent Colts reside on the team’s IR, so a Cole return is logical. He’s yet to notch a sack this season and matched his career low with three in 2015, but the 12th-year player has 88.5 in his career.

Minor NFL Transactions: 11/28/16

November 28th, 2016 at 6:38pm CST by Sam Robinson

Here are today’s minor moves.

Defensive tackle Darius Kilgo fell out of the Broncos’ rotation this season but will have a chance to crack the Patriots‘ after the AFC East-leading team claimed the second-year player off waivers, Doug Kyed of NESN.com reports. To make room for Kilgo, the Patriots waived running back D.J. Foster, whom Mike Reiss of ESPN.com (Twitter link) notes could be bound for the practice squad if he clears waivers. Kilgo did not make it far into waivers, going to a contending team shorthanded due to Alan Branch‘s suspension. The 24-year-old interior lineman played in nine games for the Broncos this season, while Foster represented a superfluous fifth active running back for the Pats once Dion Lewis returned. Kilgo’s arrival in New England will give the Patriots the Broncos’ 2015 sixth-round pick after trading their own 2015 fifth-rounder to Denver in A.J. Derby.
The Bengals signed defensive tackle DeShawn Williams two days after waiving him, Jim Owczarski of the Cincinnati Enquirer tweets. In turn, the team placed cornerback Chykie Brown on IR, per Owczarski (on Twitter). The 30-year-old Brown played in five games for Cincinnati this season, doing so after playing four years with the Ravens and Giants.
Joe Callahan could venture to another city after the Browns became the third team to waive the rookie quarterback this season, doing so to clear a path for a Robert Griffin III return, Mike Garafolo of NFL.com reports (on Twitter). Both the Packers and Saints waived the UDFA earlier this season. Each expressed interest in moving Callahan to their practice squad for further development, so the Division III product could have a landing spot with one of his former organizations.
The Cardinals announced that they have waived safety Christian Bryant, whom they promoted from their practice squad earlier this month. A 2014 UDFA, Bryant vacillated between the Rams’ active roster and practice squad in 2015 before catching on with the Cardinals this year.

Brandon Brooks Hospitalized, To Miss Game

November 28th, 2016 at 6:10pm CST by Sam Robinson

Brandon Brooks has enjoyed a bounce-back season for the Eagles, but the guard won’t have a chance to play in a nationally televised spot for his team tonight.

The mammoth lineman was hospitalized with an illness earlier today and will be out, leaving Philadelphia shorthanded up front.

Rated as Pro Football Focus’ No. 5 overall guard, Brooks has been one of the team’s best players this season after signing a lucrative free agent deal to come over from the Texans. The 343-pound right guard started all 10 of the Eagles’ games this season and has suited up for at least 14 contests during his time as a starter, which has consisted of the past three campaigns.

Philadelphia is already down Lane Johnson and replacement Halapoulivaati Vaitai, so the Eagles will go with a makeshift offensive line against the Packers. Stefen Wisniewski will start at left guard, Isaac Seumalo will go to right guard, per Tim McManus of ESPN.com (on Twitter) and Allen Barbre will play right tackle for Philly tonight.

Josh Andrews will be active for the first time this season, serving as the backup guard, with Matt Tobin suiting up as the backup tackle after being a healthy scratch last week, Zach Berman of the Philadelphia Inquirer tweets.

The Eagles are already without starting running back Ryan Mathews, so this rearranged blocking quintet will likely make ground advancement more difficult on the fourth-place team fighting to remain in the wild-card race.

Steve Keim Not Ready For Cardinals Rebuild

November 28th, 2016 at 5:45pm CST by Sam Robinson

Viewed as one of the NFC favorites after ascending to the NFC West title and the franchise’s second conference championship game since the merger last season, the Cardinals have joined the Panthers in putting together an underwhelming follow-up effort.

But GM Steve Keim does not see this as a sign to blow up the team and orchestrate a rebuilding process. Keim said during a radio appearance Monday he sees the potential for this group to make another run in 2017.

“I really do feel like there are enough good quality core pieces in place, not only contractually, but with age,” the fourth-year GM said on Arizona Sports 98.7 FM (via Bob McManamon of the Arizona Daily Republic). “We have a nice core of defenders, and I think we have some talent on offense. So whatever happens after the season, whether it’s players moving on or continuing to stay on or whatever it may be, I don’t think it’s a situation where it’s a complete revamp of this team to make it better.”

Arizona slunk to 4-6-1 after the loss in Atlanta. It’s not necessarily out of the realm of possibility the Cardinals make a last-ditch playoff push, as they sit less than two games out of the wild card, but it’s looking unlikely. And major offensive pieces are in or nearing the twilight of their careers. Carson Palmer will turn 37 next month and has not come close to resembling his 2015 version, and Larry Fitzgerald — who will be 34 in 2017 — has been linked to retirement rumors. His supporting-cast wideouts are mostly off their 2015 respective paces as well. Starting linemen Mike Iupati and A.Q. Shipley will also be over 30 next season.

However, the Cardinals’ defense ranked third in Football Outsiders’ DVOA entering Week 11, when it surrendered 38 points. Plenty of young talent remains there, although some starters are impending free agents.

“I think it’s going to be just some different pieces and we’ll continue to stay aggressive and I can tell you, as disappointing as things are, I’ve never been more excited to continue to try and improve this team and put this organization in a good position to succeed,” Keim said.

The Cardinals have the expiring contracts of Chandler Jones, Tony Jefferson, Calais Campbell and Michael Floyd to deal with after the season but stand to possess upwards of $37MM in cap space in 2017. Keim will need to make some key decisions since some key members of that talented defense are coming off the books soon.

Chargers Lose Jerry Attaochu For Season

November 28th, 2016 at 4:40pm CST by Sam Robinson

Another Chargers season largely defined by injuries saw another player set to venture toward IR. Jerry Attaochu broke his foot in the Bolts’ victory over the Texans and will miss the rest of the season, Michael Gehlken of the San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

The third-year outside linebacker broke his right foot when it was caught in the turf at NRG Stadium during San Diego’s 21-13 road win. He joins a sizable contingent of Chargers who have been ruled out for the season. It’s the ninth game during which an injury sufficient enough for a Charger to be declared done for 2016 occurred.

Keenan Allen, Danny Woodhead, Jason Verrett, Manti Te’o, Dexter McCluster and Brandon Mebane highlight this list, which makes for the second straight year of rampant injuries for the Chargers, who have battled to a 5-6 record despite the throng of unavailable key talent.

Attaochu did not build on a successful 2015 campaign, though, and already missed three games with a high-ankle sprain. The former second-round pick notched six sacks last season but came up with only two this fall. The Georgia Tech product served as a near-full-time starter for the ’15 Bolts, breaking with the first unit in 12 games. This season, Kyle Emanuel usurped him in the lineup, relegating Attaochu to an off-the-bench role save for one game. Attaochu’s recorded just two sacks and saw action in just 178 snaps.

Emanuel profiles as a run-stopper and does not have a sack this season. Fourth-year player Tourek Williams figures to see more work as a result of this latest setback.

Falcons’ Adrian Clayborn Tears MCL

November 28th, 2016 at 4:26pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Falcons are expected to be without defensive end Adrian Clayborn for upwards of a month, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets. A torn MCL and partially torn meniscus will shelve the edge starter, per Schefter, with surgery being a likely course of action.

Clayborn has started five games for the Falcons this season, his second with the team. He re-signed with Atlanta this offseason on a two-year deal worth approximately $9MM.

The sixth-year veteran has been fairly productive this season, recording 4.5 sacks — an improvement from the three he registered in Atlanta in 2015 — and rating as Pro Football Focus’ No. 45 edge defender. Those 4.5 sacks are second only to Vic Beasley‘s 9.5 on the NFC South-leading Falcons. Clayborn also notched his first NFL touchdown this season, returning an interception five yards for a score against the Chargers last month.

Without Clayborn for possibly the remainder of the regular season, the Falcons have some experienced options to plug in as a starter. Tyson Jackson, Courtney Upshaw and Dwight Freeney each reside as depth pieces, although Jackson profiles more as an interior defender. Freeney (three sacks) has played 274 snaps to Clayborn’s 484 but was a starter as recently as two years ago.

Browns Place John Greco On Injured Reserve

November 28th, 2016 at 3:31pm CST by Zachary Links

John Greco‘s season is over. The Browns announced that they are putting the offensive lineman on injured reserve with a foot injury.

Greco injured his foot during the third quarter of Sunday’s loss to the Giants. The 31-year-old was spotted leaving the game with crutches and a protective boot, so today’s news doesn’t come as a huge surprise. Without Greco, the Browns are down yet another key offensive lineman. Cleveland is already without guard Joel Bitonio and center Austin Reiter and interior lineman Cameron Erving also missed significant time this year. Now at 0-12, the Browns’ bid to avoid a winless season just got even harder.

In a trying year, Greco has been a bright spot for the Browns. The right guard ranks as Pro Football Focus’ 19th ranked guard with roughly even grades for his run blocking and pass blocking. His overall grade puts him ahead of guys like Allen Barbre, Jack Mewhort, and Alex Boone.

The Browns are on their bye this week. Next up for Cleveland is a Dec. 11 date against the Bengals.

Jets Keep Ryan Fitzpatrick As Starting QB

November 28th, 2016 at 2:48pm CST by Zachary Links

Jets fans hoping for a quarterback change will have to keep on hoping. Today, coach Todd Bowles told reporters that Ryan Fitzpatrick will continue to start under center. When asked about the possibility of starting Bryce Petty or Christian Hackenberg, Bowles declined to give that any sort of timetable.

“There’ll be a time and place for those guys to play. It just won’t be next week,” Bowles said (Twitter link via Ralph Vacchiano of SNY).

On Sunday, the Jets suffered a heartbreaking loss to the Patriots. Many things went wrong for the Jets late in that contest, but Fitzpatrick turned in a solid effort overall. Gang Green is obviously out of the playoff hunt, but the Jets are apparently still focused on being competitive this season. Many have called for the Jets to turn things over to Petty, but veterans are said to be adamant about Fitzpatrick remaining in the starting role. Bowles, according to one report, was worried that the team would quit on him if he installed the 26-year-old as the starter. Fitzpatrick has not looked as sharp as he did last year, but he is still said to be a much better option than Petty. Reportedly, Petty’s lack of polish makes Fitzpatrick look like the second coming of Johnny Unitas in practice.

The Jets could theoretically keep Fitzpatrick around next year, but it’s much more likely that they’ll instead cut him loose and absorb a $5MM cap charge. It’s understandable that the Jets do not want to quit on the 2016 season, but they’re potentially hurting themselves in 2017 and beyond by not evaluating their younger options.