HEADLINES

Month: November 2024

Cowboys Negotiating With Terrell McClain

May 10th, 2018 at 6:20pm CST by Sam Robinson

Terrell McClain‘s generated widespread interest since the Redskins made him a post-draft release, and the latest from the defensive tackle’s eventful free agency stay is a possible reunion is in the works.

The Cowboys hosted McClain for a visit on Thursday, and Ian Rapoport of NFL.com reports (via Twitter) contract talks between McClain and his former team are progressing.

Some of the coaches McClain auditioned for on Thursday included ones he worked with during his time in Dallas, which ran from 2014-16. He started 15 games for the NFC’s No. 1 seed in 2016 and parlayed that into a multiyear deal with the Redskins, who proceeded to jettison McClain after just one season.

McClain also visited the 49ers and Dolphins and has drawn interest from the Eagles and Falcons. However, the Cowboys have shown interest for a bit now and may well be the clubhouse leader to land the soon-to-be 30-year-old defensive lineman. Dallas is not particularly deep at defensive tackle, with its only notable offseason addition coming via trade. And Jihad Ward has yet to show he was worthy of the second-round pick the Raiders used on him in 2016.

Dolphins Add 13 UDFAs

May 10th, 2018 at 6:05pm CST by Sam Robinson

With several teams yet to hold their rookie minicamps, more undrafted free agent classes are being finalized. Here is the latest one, coming out of Miami:

Davis earned All-American acclaim for his 2017 season — five interceptions and 20 passes defensed — and set the Aggies’ school record with 48 passes defensed. In addition to the two Florida Atlantic-honed talents, the Dolphins brought in two players from Division II’s Mountain East Conference in Mathieu and Redmon.

Joseph and Gravelle figure to be competition for seventh-round rookie kicker Jason Sanders and longtime long snapper John Denney, respectively. Denney has been Miami’s specialty snapper for 13 seasons. Joseph has more experience kicking in higher-stakes games than Sanders, with the UDFA being a four-year kicker for the Owls. Sanders was New Mexico’s kicker for two seasons, so this could be a fairly even competition at its outset. Joseph finished as Florida Atlantic’s all-time scoring leader.

Latest On Adrian Peterson

May 10th, 2018 at 5:29pm CST by Sam Robinson

Nearly two months after the Cardinals released Adrian Peterson, the 11-year veteran has experienced an off-the-radar free agency stay. Unlike last offseason, he hasn’t been connected to any teams since being released. But he’s not planning to retire.

Peterson wants to continue to play and said, per Tom Pelissero of NFL.com, multiple teams have reached out to him. However, the 33-year-old back adds that nothing is imminent regarding a landing spot. Although, at this juncture of his career, Peterson may not need an extensive offseason with a team.

“I’m healthy and I’m ready to roll,” Peterson said, via Pelissero. “If you want someone to help you win a championship and be productive — be very productive — you know how to contact me.”

Peterson finished last season on IR with a neck injury, one that didn’t require surgery. The future Hall of Famer said three doctors in Houston and Los Angeles have cleared him. The three-time rushing champion also would be open to returning to the Saints, who suddenly have some uncertainty in their backfield with Mark Ingram being suspended for four games and skipping offseason workouts. Pelissero reports the Saints viewed Peterson, his apparent ill-fitting style in New Orleans’ offense notwithstanding, as a positive influence on Alvin Kamara.

“For whatever reason, it just didn’t work out (in New Orleans), but when I got my shot in Arizona, I showed what I was able to do,” said Peterson, who posted two 100-plus-yard games with the Cardinals after arriving via midseason trade. “I know once I get back out there, I’ll be blessed with a healthy season and show people I’m still the best in the league.”

The Saints didn’t sign Peterson until late April of last year, and as Pelissero notes (video link), he’s back to his high-intensity workout regimen in hopes for a mid-offseason signing somewhere this year. He’s been training in his native Houston and said in March he would like to join the Texans. While a suitor is unknown at this point, Peterson appears intent on showing he’s still worth a roster spot.

Broncos Agree To Terms With 7 Draftees

May 10th, 2018 at 4:49pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Broncos made 10 picks in this past draft, and seven of those have agreed to terms on their four-year rookie contracts, Mike Klis of 9News tweets. While Bradley Chubb is not among this group, Denver has the majority of its 2018 class locked in. Here’s the full rundown:

Sutton, though, is under contract now. He’s the most notable draft investment the Broncos have made at wide receiver since Demaryius Thomas in 2010, profiling as a slightly higher-regarded second-round pick than Cody Latimer four years ago. The SMU product is expected to develop behind Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders while potentially working in as a No. 3 wideout this season. Hamilton will attempt to do the same, and the former Nittany Lions standout could well compete with 2017 draftee Carlos Henderson for the Broncos’ slot job — one the franchise has struggled to fill since Wes Welker departed.

Fumagalli will compete for time in an uncertain tight end group, an all-Big Ten-produced contingent featuring intriguing second-year player Jake Butt and thus-far-underwhelming fourth-year man Jeff Heuerman. This shapes up to be an interesting competition. Fellow Big Ten alum Jewell will likely be thrust into work as a special-teamer and reserve behind inside linebackers Brandon Marshall and Todd Davis.

The only Broncos picks still unsigned are Chubb and third-rounders Royce Freeman and Isaac Yiadom.

Redskins Sign 6 Draft Choices

May 10th, 2018 at 4:36pm CST by Sam Robinson

Shortly after the Redskins’ agreement with first-round defensive lineman Da’Ron Payne was announced, Washington came to terms with six more of its 2018 draft picks, per John Keim of ESPN.com. Here’s the full rundown:

Only one of the Redskins’ draft picks remains unsigned — third-round offensive lineman Geron Christian — and that’s not exactly surprising given this CBA’s interesting lack of clarity regarding third-round contracts. But Washington has the rest of its group in tow as the team moves further into its OTAs.

Guice is the most notable of this sextet, falling extensively during draft weekend and having reported issues before the draft. The LSU product plummeted to Washington near the end of the second round, and he’s in position to compete for the team’s starting job. He joins Samaje Perine and Rob Kelley as Washington’s primary backs set to complement passing-down specialist Chris Thompson.

Settle figures to compete for depth on a defensive front that may well have Payne included among its starters this season. And Hamilton joins Payne and 2017 first-round pick Jonathan Allen as former Crimson Tide cogs to be part of the Redskins’ front seven.

Mark Ingram To Skip Saints’ OTAs

May 10th, 2018 at 4:20pm CST by Sam Robinson

Mark Ingram‘s been a key name in this week’s NFL news cycle. From being potentially on the trade block, to being suspended for four games and seeing his appeal denied, the eighth-year Saints running back has enjoyed an eventful few days.

Now, Sean Payton is confirming the 28-year-old back will not be training with the Saints during the voluntary portion of their offseason. Ingram will skip OTAs and train on his own in Florida, a decision his head coach is questioning.

“He and I spoke, so it wasn’t a surprise to us that he’s not here,” Payton said, via Mike Triplett of ESPN.com. “I don’t agree with it. But it is optional, and that’s his choice.”

Triplett adds this does not appear to be related to Ingram’s suspension, which would not prohibit him working out with the Saints until the regular season begins.

Ingram is entering a contract year but will miss the first four games of it. The presence of Alvin Kamara, Ingram’s age and this suspension will make the prospect of an extension more difficult to envision this offseason. Ingram signed a four-year, $16MM deal in 2015.

Coming off the best two seasons of his career, each featuring 1,000-plus rushing yards, Ingram changed agents last month. And for the better part of the next month, he won’t be working out with Kamara and the other Saints running backs.

Raiders Cut QB Josh Johnson

May 10th, 2018 at 3:51pm CST by Zachary Links

The Raiders have cut veteran quarterback Josh Johnson, a league source tells Field Yates of ESPN.com (on Twitter). It was a short stay in Oakland for the veteran as he was signed less than two months ago.

[RELATED: Latest On Raiders’ Donald Penn]

Johnson was one of Jon Gruden‘s final draft picks as the Buccaneers’ head coach. Despite Gruden’s nostalgic streak, there apparently wasn’t room for Johnson on the roster moving forward.

The Raiders’ QB depth chart is headlined by starter Derek Carr followed by E.J. Manuel and Connor Cook. It stands to reason that the Raiders will look into adding a fourth QB as a camp arm. It’s not yet clear who the Raiders are looking to sign, but 46-year-old Kurt Warner is down to play if Gruden wants to continue adding veterans (we’re kidding…we think).

Johnson has not thrown a pass in a game since 2011, but he’s remained on rosters as a backup. Most recently, the Texans added him after Deshaun Watson‘s injury.

Redskins Sign Da’Ron Payne

May 10th, 2018 at 3:46pm CST by Zachary Links

The Redskins have signed first-round pick Da’Ron Payne, according to Field Yates of ESPN.com (on Twitter). The defensive tackle has become the first Round 1 pick from the 2018 NFL Draft to ink his rookie deal. 

[RELATED: 2018 NFL Draft Results By Team]

Payne, an Alabama product, vaulted up the draft boards this year thanks to his run-stuffing ability. The Redskins pounced on him at No. 13 overall with the belief that he can also develop into a strong defender on passing downs.

“I think [fellow Alabama alum] A’Shawn Robinson was more talented than Da’Ron and I know Robinson had better (tackle-for-loss) and sack production than him, but Payne plays harder and I think he’ll be the better NFL player,” one NFC executive told NFL.com prior to the draft. “He’s thick and strong, but he’s also a really good athlete and I see his best football in front of him.”

Last year, Payne had 53 total tackles, a sack, and an interception as Alabama captured yet another National Championship.

Payne projects to be the Redskins’ starting nose tackle this year with defensive ends Matthew Ioannidis and Jonathan Allen on either side of him. Between Payne, Allen, and outside linebacker Ryan Kerrigan, the Redskins’ starting front seven boasts three former first-round picks.

Panthers Place Fozzy Whittaker On IR

May 10th, 2018 at 2:22pm CST by Zachary Links

Fozzy Whittaker‘s season has ended before it could even begin. The Panthers announced the running back has been placed on injured reserve with a non-contact ACL tear. 

[RELATED: Panthers Bidder Wants To Involve Peyton Manning]

Whittaker, 29, has spent the last four seasons with the Panthers. For the most part, he’s been used as a reserve option and a third-down running back. He saw the most usage of his career in 2016 when he carried the ball 57 times and averaged an impressive 4.6 yards per try in that limited sample. Last year, however, he had just seven carries in 12 games.

The Whittaker injury is bad news for Carolina, but they are not lacking options in the backfield. The Panthers will start Christian McCaffrey with 1,000-yard rusher C.J. Anderson getting a fair amount of work as well. Cameron Artis-Payne is also on hand for backup work and newcomer Elijah Hood figures to have a better chance at making the roster now that a spot has opened up.

Giants Waive RB Paul Perkins

May 10th, 2018 at 1:35pm CST by Zachary Links

The Giants are moving on from Paul Perkins. The running back was waived on Thursday morning with a non-football injury designation, according to a press release from the team. 

[RELATED: Giants Free Agent RB Orleans Darkwa Has Surgery]

Perkins suffered a pectoral injury prior to the start of this year’s offseason conditioning program and underwent surgery. Apparently, the Giants did not want to wait to check on Perkins’ status after his recovery.

Perkins was a fifth-round pick of the Giants’ old regime in 2016. The UCLA product went on to appear in 25 games but averaged just 3.6 yards per carry on 153 attempts.

Two years ago, some believed that Perkins would emerge as the leading ball carrier in the Giants’ backfield. That never came to pass as Rashad Jennings led the way in 2016, albeit with subpar results, and Orleans Darkwa served as the No. 1 RB last year. This year, the Giants have a new look backfield with rookie Saquon Barkley as the starter and veteran Jonathan Stewart in support.

Further down the depth chart, 2017 fourth-round pick Wayne Gallman, Terrell Watson, and Jalen Simmons are among those fighting for roster spots.

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