HEADLINES

Month: November 2024

Bears Sign Rueben Randle To Futures Deal

January 10th, 2017 at 3:37pm CST by Zachary Links

Rueben Randle‘s inconsistent play was maddening to the Giants, but the Eagles signed him to a free agent deal last March with the belief that they could get him to fulfill his potential. They were wrong. Randle was cut in August and, despite having a couple of NFL auditions, never caught on with another team. Rueben Randle (vertical)

The Bears were one of the teams to try him out and while he did not earn an NFL deal on the spot, they are signing him to a reserve/futures deal, per a team announcement.

Randle, 26 in May, averaged 56 receptions, 782 yards, and six touchdowns over the three seasons with the Giants. At 6’4″ and 205 pounds, the former second-round pick offers solid athleticism for a receiver of his size and the Bears are willing to take a low-risk look at him.

In an offseason where they could lose pending free agent Alshon Jeffery, the Bears must explore every depth option available.

Raiders Part Ways With OC Bill Musgrave

January 10th, 2017 at 3:20pm CST by Zachary Links

Offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave will not be returning to the Raiders in 2017, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. Musgrave had an expiring contract and the team allowed it to lapse. Now, quarterbacks coach Todd Downing could be an in-house candidate to replace him. Bill Musgrave (vertical)

[RELATED: PFR’s 2017 Offensive/Defensive Coordinator Tracker]

Under Musgrave’s command this year, the Raiders had the No. 6 ranked offense in the NFL. He was recently mentioned as a candidate to take over as the Broncos’ head coach in the wake of Gary Kubiak‘s retirement, but it is not clear whether Denver has reached out to him.

As shown in PFR’s Offensive/Defensive Coordinator Tracker, the Raiders are now the second team this offseason to be in search of an offensive coordinator, joining the Jets. Former Chargers coach Mike McCoy is said to be a candidate for the Jets’ gig and it will be interesting to see if the Raiders seek out an interview with him, given his familiarity with the AFC West. Before his four-year Chargers stint, McCoy spent three years with the Broncos. Now that he’s available, Musgrave could also garner consideration from Gang Green.

Musgrave, 49, has now completed two separate stints with the Raiders, though they were nearly two decades apart. In 1997, he was Oakland’s quarterbacks coach. In 2015, he was hired as OC.

Jaguars To Retain OC Nathaniel Hackett

January 10th, 2017 at 2:34pm CST by Zachary Links

Major changes are coming to the Jaguars, but some things will stay the same. Newly promoted head coach Doug Marrone is going to keep offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett, according to Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com (on Twitter). Tight ends coach Ron Middleton will also stay in his current position. Nathaniel Hackett (vertical)

After previously serving as the team’s quarterbacks coach, Nathaniel Hackett was promoted to OC in October 2016 following the dismissal of Greg Olson. It was expected that Hackett would remain in his role once Marrone was given the job since the two have a long history together. When Marrone was the head coach at Syracuse, Hackett was on the staff as quarterbacks coach and tight ends coach before ascending to OC. When Marrone became the Bills’ head coach, he brought along Hackett, then just 33 years old, to be his OC. In fact, he was so high on the enthusiastic young coach in 2013 that he did not interview other candidates for the job.

“I’m a firm believer in doing your homework thoroughly. As I mentioned in my opening press conference, I pride myself on my work ethic and in putting my staff together, I’m looking at every variable possible. With that said, Nathaniel’s abilities and creativity arose to the forefront at a very early stage,” Marrone said. “I believe he’s going to be highly successful in our organization and our players are going to enjoy executing our offensive schemes.”

Michigan LB Jabrill Peppers To Enter NFL Draft

January 10th, 2017 at 2:04pm CST by Zachary Links

Michigan’s Jabrill Peppers has declared for the NFL draft, as Pete Thamel of Sports Illustrated writes. Peppers, a safety and return specialist, is widely projected as a first-round prospect. Jabrill Peppers (vertical)

[RELATED: UNC QB Mitch Trubisky To Enter NFL Draft]

“It’s one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do,” Peppers said of the decision. “I’m choosing between cementing my legacy as a college player and starting my pro legacy. It’s something you dream of when you were a kid. I was torn between the two.”

Peppers’ versatility should increase his stock as the draft approaches. This year, he lined up in 15 different positions on his 933 snaps, including some plays at quarterback, tailback, and receiver. On defense, he saw time at nickelback, safety, linebacker, and cornerback. Teams looking for a swiss army knife of a player similar to the Redskins’ Su’a Cravens will be salivating over the possibilities with Peppers.

Recently, two NFL teams told Matt Miller of Bleacher Report that the Wolverine will be a top-10 pick in the spring. If he can run a sub 4.4 40-yard dash as Jim Harbaugh has predicted, he’ll be an absolute lock for the top of the draft.

Ravens To Bring Terrell Suggs Back In 2017

January 10th, 2017 at 1:41pm CST by Zachary Links

Ravens linebacker Terrell Suggs is under contract through 2018, but he’s due to carry a cap number of $6.95MM in each of the next two seasons. That’s a significant amount of money for a player who turns 35 next fall and has suffered two biceps tears in four years. Still, general manager Ozzie Newsome tells reporters that he’ll be back with the next in 2017. Terrell Suggs (vertical)

[RELATED: Ravens To Keep OC Marty Mornhinweg]

This year, Suggs played through his injury and missed only one regular season game. He finished the year with strong numbers: eight sacks, 33 total tackles, and three forced fumbles. However, he appears to have lost a step in his mid-30s and the advanced numbers indicate show that he’s not the elite-level force he once was. Suggs finished the year as Pro Football Focus’ No. 40 ranked edge defender out of 109 qualified players.

Despite all of that, the Ravens intend on keeping Suggs and he has already ruled out retirement. As the Ravens’ only top-90 ranked edge rusher in 2016 (per PFF), it makes sense for Baltimore to bring him back, even if he’s no longer playing like a Pro Bowler.

Follow Your Favorite Team On PFR

January 10th, 2017 at 1:22pm CST by Zachary Links

We’ve detailed how you can follow Pro Football Rumors on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, or using an RSS reader to ensure that you receive all of our updates, 365 days a year. If you prefer to only receive news about your favorite NFL team, PFR has you covered. Below are links to our Facebook, Twitter, and RSS pages and feeds for all 32 teams.

AFC East

AFC North

AFC South

AFC West

NFC East

NFC North

NFC South

NFC West

Transactions only: Twitter / RSS

Dolphins Eyeing Matt Burke As Potential DC

January 10th, 2017 at 12:19pm CST by Zachary Links

Defensive coordinator Vance Joseph is in the mix for five different head coaching gigs and the Dolphins have a funny feeling that he might leave the nest. With that in mind, the Dolphins are likely to promote linebackers coach Matt Burke to DC, sources tell Armando Salguero of The Miami Herald. Matt Burke (vertical)

[RELATED: Dolphins Release DE Jason Jones]

Joseph is scheduled to interview with the Broncos on Tuesday and the 49ers on Thursday. The Rams, Bills, and Chargers also have been granted permission to interview Joseph. Reportedly, he is the frontrunner for the Denver gig and he already has guys in mind to serve on his staff.

The Fins hired Burke away from the Bengals roughly one year ago today for this exact reason, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. Miami won’t be left scrambling if Joseph goes and that’s a good thing, because seems more and more likely every day that he will be someone’s else head coach in 2017.

Packers’ Jordy Nelson Has Broken Ribs

January 10th, 2017 at 7:43am CST by Zachary Links

Packers coach Mike McCarthy told reporters on Monday that Jordy Nelson could suit up for Sunday’s playoff game against the Cowboys. While that could technically happen, it doesn’t sound all that likely right now. Nelson suffered “at least” two broken ribs this weekend against the Giants and it would take an “incredible effort” for the wide receiver to get on the field, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. Jordy Nelson (vertical)

[RELATED: Packers Release DT Mike Pennel]

Nelson took a big hit from cornerback Leon Hall in the first half of Green Bay’s 38-13 win over New York. That night, he was sent to the hospital to be monitored. It sounds like he may have to sit out on Sunday, but the good news is that the Packers’ other receivers did a great job of holding down the fort without him. In total, Randall Cobb and Davante Adams combined for 241 yards and four touchdowns against the G-Men. By the same token, the Cowboys’ secondary is arguably stronger than the Giants’ unit without Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie. The Packers certainly want to have Nelson on the field if at all possible.

If Nelson can’t go, the Packers’ WR unit will consist of Adams, Cobb, Geronimo Allison, Jeff Janis, and Trevor Davis. The Packers also have Antwan Goodley and Max McCaffrey on the practice squad.

Extra Points: McGloin, Boldin, Gresham

January 9th, 2017 at 9:52pm CST by Ben Levine

Let’s take a look at some assorted NFL notes as we wrap up this Monday night…

  • Raiders quarterback Matt McGloin, an impending free agent, said that he is seeking a place where he will get “a chance to compete for a starting role,” Josh Dubow of the Associated Press tweets. The 27-year-old has nine career starts under his belt, and he’s connected on 58-percent of his career passes for 1,868 yards, 11 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions.
  • It sounds like Lions wide receiver Anquan Boldin is leaning towards a return in 2017. “I haven’t sat down with my family yet, but there’s still a passion that runs in me for football,” he said (via Nate Atkins of MLive.com). Boldin, 36, caught 67 passes for 584 yards and a team-leading eight touchdowns in 2016.
  • Tight end Jermaine Gresham may have taken less money last offseason to stay with the Cardinals, but Kent Somers of AZCentral.com says we shouldn’t expect a repeat this time around. The 28-year-old impending free agent is probably eying his final chance to get paid, and he posted a solid statline of 37 receptions, 391 yards, and two touchdowns in 2016. Somers notes that the organization would like to re-sign the veteran tight end.
  • Farhan Lalji of TSN reports (via Twitter) that the Calgary Stampeders of the CFL have released outside linebacker Frank Beltre, allowing him to sign with the Jets. It was reported this weekend that the 26-year-old had signed with New York.
  • One of the more intriguing names featured on today’s reserve/futures contract signings was cornerback Mitchell White, who signed with the Eagles. The defensive back was a standout in the CFL, leading the Ottawa Redblacks to the Grey Cup. Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle tweets that the Michigan State product also worked out for the Texans, Bears, and Bengals. As Zach Berman of the Philadelphia Inquirer tweets, this is the second straight season the Eagles have added a CFL cornerback, as they inked Aaron Grymes to a contract last year.

NFL Reserve/Futures Contracts: 1/9/17

January 9th, 2017 at 8:56pm CST by Ben Levine

Here are the latest reserve/futures contract signings from around the NFL. These deals will go into effect on the first day of the 2017 league year, with players joining their respective clubs’ offseason 90-man rosters.

Detroit Lions

Indianapolis Colts

Oakland Raiders

Philadelphia Eagles

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