HEADLINES

Month: November 2024

AFC Notes: Bengals, Iloka, Kaepernick

August 21st, 2018 at 2:13pm CST by Zachary Links

The Bengals surprised many with their release of safety George Iloka, but it has been in discussion ever since the drafting of Jessie Bates III in the second round, according to Kat Terrell of ESPN.com (Twitter links). Despite Iloka’s past performance, the Bengals are ready to move ahead with the rookie and give him the playing time he needs to develop. The Bengals were also wary of using a roster spot on a veteran who doesn’t fit on special teams.

Iloka wasn’t a fit for the 2018 Bengals, but there are plenty of other teams who are interested in his services. He’s already on the radar of the Raiders and Cowboys, and it stands to reason that other teams will get on the horn with him in the coming days.

Here’s more from the AFC:

  • Broncos GM John Elway violated the gag order issued in Colin Kaepernick‘s collusion case when he spoke about the quarterback last week, his agent alleges. “Mr. Elway, clearly he violated the protective order that the NFL has been wielding like a club at me,” attorney Mark Geragos said on his podcast (via Charles Robinson of Yahoo Sports). “And he’s apparently suffering from some real brain trauma.”
  • It was widely reported that Jon Gruden‘s deal with the Raiders will pay him a guaranteed $100MM over ten years, but Gruden says that’s not true (via Mike Florio of PFT). The truth may be somewhere in between. It’s believed that Gruden’s $100MM is not fully guaranteed, Florio hears. The structure of the contract is believed to be more along the lines of $25MM over the first five years, and $75MM over the final five years. If that’s the setup of the deal, then it’s possible that the final five years are not fully guaranteed or even largely guaranteed.
  • Former Texans offensive tackle Derek Newton filed a grievance seeking payment of a $500K roster bonus, according Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle. Newton was officially released in April 12 with a failed physical designation, but his roster bonus was due April 1. The Texans held Newton on the roster past the bonus date, but he didn’t pass the physical. Therefore, Newton is seeking $200K from the team. For now, that number is held against the Texans’ cap.

Minor NFL Transactions: 8/21/18

August 21st, 2018 at 1:47pm CST by Zachary Links

We’ll keep track of today’s minor moves here:

Carolina Panthers

Denver Broncos

  • Re-signed: T Leon Johnson

Houston Texans

  • Signed: CB Bryce Jones
  • Waived/injured: CB Josh Thornton

Jacksonville Jaguars

Minnesota Vikings

  • Signed: C Jacob Judd
  • Claimed off waivers: RB Luke McNitt

New Orleans Saints

New York Jets

Oakland Raiders

  • Claimed off waivers: CB Antwuan Davis (Lions)
  • Waived/injured: CB Tevin Mitchel

San Francisco 49ers

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

  • Signed: TE Matt Weiser
  • Waived/injured: TE Colin Jeter

Tennessee Titans

 

Rams Notes: Donald, McVay, Havenstein

August 21st, 2018 at 11:48am CST by Zachary Links

The Rams and Aaron Donald would like to get an extension done before the start of the season, but that’s there’s no deadline in negotiations, according to head coach Sean McVay.

“I don’t think so,” McVay said when asked whether there’s a deadline (via Mike Florio of PFT), “but I think for us ideally you’d like to be able to see a guy get in here a couple weeks before the season starts but in terms of a stern deadline we don’t have that. We’ve been in this situation before. Everybody knows how important Aaron is to us and how much we want to be able to get this thing done. In the meantime we’re appreciative of the guys that are here that are working but to say that there’s a stern deadline I wouldn’t say that but I think there is an ideal time where you’d like to get him in here to get him in football shape and feel confident that he’ll be ready to go and be healthy enough to participate just based on the things we’ve gotten exposed to before that first game.”

There has been talk of a deal coming together soon, but McVay has cautioned that nothing is imminent.

Here’s more out of L.A.:

Free Agent OL Richie Incognito Arrested

August 21st, 2018 at 11:02am CST by Zachary Links

Richie Incognito has been arrested in Arizona for disorderly conduct and making threats, according to Mike Florio of PFT (on Twitter). The incident took place at a Scottsdale funeral home, where Incognito was making arrangements for his father’s funeral.

[RELATED: Vikings Deny Interest In Incognito]

Incognito allegedly created a disturbance by “acting erratically and making the employees feel incredibly uncomfortable” at the funeral home, a source tells Florio. Incognito, the source says, made a gun gesture toward one of the employees, and said that he has guns in his truck. When cops arrived, they found weapons in Incognito’s vehicle.

“On 8/20/18 at 3:30pm, Scottsdale patrol officers responded to Messinger Pinnacle Peak Mortuary at 8555 E Pinnacle Peak Road, Scottsdale reference a Disorderly Conduct call,” the Scottsdale police department said in a statement. “Initial reports advised that a male, later identified as 35-year-old Richard Incognito, was at the mortuary reference funeral arrangements for his father. Incognito reportedly was upset with staff and began to damage property inside the business and shout at employees. At several points during his contact with staff, Incognito threatened to retrieve guns from his vehicle and return to shoot the employees. Once on scene, officers detained him as the incident was investigated. Based on the investigation, Incognito was arrested and held on misdemeanor charges of Threats and Disorderly Conduct.”

This year, Incognito agreed to a pay cut with the Bills only to “retire” for a short time and force his release from Buffalo. Days after his release, Florida cops placed Incognito in a mental hospital after he hurled weights at a gym and told officers that the government is spying on him. Incognito claims that he has drawn interest since then, but it’s hard to imagine a club gambling on him given all of his issues. This latest arrest surely won’t help matters.

Last year, Incognito graded out as the 12th best guard in the NFL, per Pro Football Focus. He ranked seventh amongst all guards in 2016 and second in ’15, making him the Bills’ top-rated offensive lineman of the last three years.

Adrian Peterson’s Redskins Deal Is For League Minimum

August 21st, 2018 at 10:54am CST by Zachary Links

Adrian Peterson has earned a boatload of money over the years, but his 2018 season won’t be all that lucrative. Peterson’s one-year deal with the Redskins is for the veteran’s minimum of $1.015MM, Field Yates of ESPN.com tweets. Per the terms of the CBA, that deal will count for just $630K against the cap.

Peterson’s deal also comes without guarantees, so he’ll have to make the Week 1 roster in order to earn his salary. With three weeks to go before the regular season, that’s not exactly a sure thing either. The Redskins say Peterson was not signed as a reaction to lead rusher Derrius Guice‘s injury, but rather because of recent injuries to Samaje Perine and Byron Marshall. If both players are ready in time for the season opener and Peterson does not impress, there might not be a place for him in D.C.

In addition to Perine and Marshall, the Redskins also have lead rusher Robert Kelley, pass-catching specialist Chris Thompson, and Kapri Bibbs under contract.

Jets Inquire On Jaguars’ Dante Fowler

August 21st, 2018 at 10:39am CST by Zachary Links

The Jets reached out to the Jaguars to gauge their interest level in trading defensive end Dante Fowler., sources tell Manish Mehta of the Daily News. It’s not immediately clear whether the Jaguars are interested in such a deal. 

Fowler, the former No. 3 overall pick in the NFL draft, has immense talent, but also comes with baggage. The pass rusher has a history of off-the-field missteps and will be sidelined for the first game of the season after racking up three misdemeanor charges in a 2017 arrest. Fowler was also hit with an unusual preseason suspension this year for “fighting and violation of team rules.”

Jaguars boss Tom Coughlin isn’t one to tolerate such behavior, and that likely factored into the team’s decision to decline Fowler’s fifth-year option for 2019. Still, even as they declined the option, it was reported that the Jaguars had not ruled out a long-term deal with Fowler down the road. And the Jaguars could get a compensatory pick for Fowler if he leaves in free agency, so they won’t be giving him away to the Jets or any other team.

Fowler managed eight sacks last year, but the Jaguars were wary of committing to him after he missed all of his would-be rookie season and was a bit inconsistent in 2016.

The Jets could certainly use a talented pass rusher, and they haven’t shied away from problematic personalities over the last few years, so Fowler could be a logical fit.

Victor Cruz Announces Retirement

August 21st, 2018 at 10:28am CST by Zachary Links

Victor Cruz is officially hanging up his cleats. On Tuesday, Cruz announced that he is retiring from the NFL in order to begin his broadcasting career. 

“I’m excited to close down and open a new chapter and join the media world at ESPN,” Cruz said (video link). “I’m excited for the future, I’m excited for the next chapter, I’m excited for you all to be a part of this with me, and here we go.”

Cruz, 32 in November, inked a one-year, $2MM deal with the Bears last offseason. The deal included a a $500K signing bonus, but that guarantee didn’t stop the Bears from cutting him just before the start of the season. Cruz later lobbied the Giants to re-sign him after they lost Odell Beckham Jr., Brandon Marshall, Dwayne Harris, and Sterling Shepard to injury, but the G-Men never reciprocated interest in a reunion. As recently as May, Cruz expressed interest in continuing his NFL career.

Cruz will be fondly remembered for his best years with the Giants. From 2011 through 2013, Cruz averaged 80 receptions 1,209 yards, and averaged eight end zone salsa dances per season. Unfortunately, injuries hampered and ultimately ended his career, but Cruz’s bold personality should suit him well on the airwaves.

Bills To Sign Punter Jon Ryan

August 21st, 2018 at 10:22am CST by Zachary Links

Former Seahawks punter Jon Ryan en route to Buffalo and will sign with the Bills when he lands, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. Ryan was released by Seattle on Monday, but it didn’t take long for him to find a new gig. 

[RELATED: Seahawks Release Jon Ryan]

Ryan technically requested his release from Seattle, though it was more of a preemptive measure than anything else. Ryan was very fond of the organization and the city after ten years with the club, but he was inevitably going to lose the punting competition to fifth-round pick Michael Dickson.

Ryan isn’t assured anything with the Bills, either. Ryan will compete with Colton Schmidt for the punting job, meaning that he has a few weeks to unseat someone who has spent the last four seasons in that post.

Saints Release RB Terrance West

August 21st, 2018 at 9:53am CST by Zachary Links

The Saints released running back Terrance West, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). West hoped to stick after a few years in Baltimore, but he finds himself looking for work once again in late August. 

West was signed in June to help to fill the void left by Mark Ingram‘s four-game suspension. He was the Saints’ pick over other running backs that auditioned around the same time, including Tim Hightower and Jamaal Charles.

West is looking to rebound from an injury-shortened campaign in 2017. In 2016, West paced the Ravens’ ball carriers in attempts (193), yards (774) and touchdowns (five). The 26-year-old also added 34 catches for 236 yards and a receiving TD.

Without West, the Saints still have a formidable group at running back. Ingram, when he plays, will serve as the team’s pass-catching specialist while young star Alvin Kamara handles most of the carries. Beyond that, there’s also Jonathan Williams, veteran Shane Vereen, promising rookie Boston Scott, and Trey Edmunds. Of course, at least one of those reserve RBs will also have to be shown the door between now and September 1.

Seahawks Meet With Junior Galette

August 21st, 2018 at 9:48am CST by Zachary Links

Free agent pass-rusher Junior Galette will visit the Seahawks on Tuesday, a source tells Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). The Seahawks have been looking for edge help, and Galette might fit the bill. 

Galette didn’t light up the stat sheet, but he did play in all 16 games after missing the previous two years with injuries. It’s also worth noting that he graded as the league’s No. 30 edge defender, per Pro Football Focus, and finished with 25 pressures.

Despite early interest from the Browns, Raiders, and other clubs, Galette’s market has been slow to develop this offseason. Perhaps after Monday’s meeting with the Rams and the latest powwow with the Seahawks, the veteran will finally be able to find a home for the 2018 season.

Before off-the-field issues and injuries sidetracked his career, Galette was one of the league’s most fearsome pass rushers. He was New Orleans’ best pass rusher in two consecutive years, recording 12 sacks in 2013 and picking up another 10 – along with three forced fumbles – in 2014.

If he has some of that fire left in the tank – and last year indicates that he might – then he could be a low-cost impact addition for the Seahawks.

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