HEADLINES

Month: November 2024

Rams, RT Rob Havenstein Agree To Extension

August 20th, 2018 at 2:57pm CST by Zachary Links

The Rams and right tackle Rob Havenstein have agreed to a contract extension, a source tells Lindsey Thiry of ESPN.com (on Twitter). It’s a four-year deal worth $32.5MM. 

With an average annual value of just over $8MM per year, Havenstein now becomes one of the highest paid right tackles in the league in terms of new money. Currently, Redskins right tackle Morgan Moses ranks third in the NFL with his $8MM/year deal.

Havenstein, a second-round pick in the 2015 draft, has been the Rams’ starter at right tackle for the last three years. Although he is not a world-beater, he has been a consistent force on the offensive line. Last year, he graded out as Pro Football Focus’ No. 33 ranked tackle in the NFL.

In Week 1, the Rams project to start Havenstein on the right side, opposite of standout Andrew Whitworth. In between, they’ll start Rodger Saffold, John Sullivan, and Austin Blythe at the interior spots. Third-round pick Joseph Noteboom and Cornelius Lucas figure to serve as the main backups for Whitworth and Havenstein.

With Havenstein’s situation squared away, the Rams may look to address the expiring contracts of Jamon Brown and Saffold. They are also working feverishly to take care of Aaron Donald, whose expiring contract is at the forefront of everyone’s mind.

Minor NFL Transactions: 8/20/18

August 20th, 2018 at 2:30pm CST by Zachary Links

Today’s minor moves:

Atlanta Falcons

  • Signed: FB Jalston Fowler, WR Julian Williams
  • Waived: FB Luke McNitt, WR Taj Williams

Indianapolis Colts

Minnesota Vikings

New York Giants

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Tennessee Titans

Redskins To Sign Adrian Peterson

August 20th, 2018 at 1:41pm CST by Zachary Links

The Redskins have agreed to sign running back Adrian Peterson to a one-year deal, according to Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo of NFL.com (on Twitter). Peterson auditioned for the Redskins on Monday morning and it did not take long for a deal to come together. 

Peterson will provide the Redskins with another option in the wake of several running back injuries. The Redskins have lost presumptive starter Derrius Guice to a torn ACL and there are questions about the readyness of Samaje Perine and Byron Marshall for Week 1. The addition of Peterson gives the ‘Skins four healthy backs as he joins Rob Kelley, Chris Thompson, and Kapri Bibbs on the practice field.

For all of his star power and past accomplishments, it’s hard to say exactly what the Redskins are getting in Peterson. Last year, Peterson averaged just 3.4 yards per carry on 156 rushes between the Saints and Cardinals. While there were flashes of greatness, including two 130-yard games, the Redskins will look for Peterson to prove himself between now and the season opener.

It should be noted that Peterson, 33, has a track record of proving doubters wrong. After missing the majority of the 2014 season, Peterson came roaring back in 2015 to post a league-leading 1,485 yards with 11 rushing TDs.

The Redskins have now become Peterson’s fourth NFL team across 12 NFL seasons. This may be an opportunity for Peterson to further his place in the history books. With four more rushing yards, he’ll pass Marshall Faulk for eleventh on the all-time list. With 37 more, he’ll leapfrog Jim Brown, putting him in the top ten.

Before signing Peterson, the Redskins also worked out fellow running backs Orleans Darkwa and Jamaal Charles. It’s unlikely that the Redskins will sign either player, though deals have not explicitly been ruled out in either case.

NFC North Notes: Bears, Floyd, Lions, Vikings

August 20th, 2018 at 1:40pm CST by Zachary Links

Bears outside linebacker Leonard Floyd had surgery to repair a break in his right hand, as Patrick Finley of the Chicago Sun-Times writes. However, coach Matt Nagy is hopeful that he’ll be able to play Week 1.

Floyd missed six games last year after tearing the MCL and PCL in his right knee, and the Bears do not want to lose him for any amount of time this year. Before that injury, he was on track to match and possibly top the seven sacks that he collected during his rookie season.

Here’s more from the NFC North:

Latest On Jets QB Teddy Bridgewater

August 20th, 2018 at 12:53pm CST by Zachary Links

At least two teams have expressed interest in trading for Jets quarterback Teddy Bridgewater, Manish Mehta of the Daily News hears. Still, there have been no concrete offers just yet, so there’s still some work to be done before the mobile QB is potentially moved. 

[RELATED: Jets GM Open To Teddy Bridgewater Trade?]

After a devastating injury wiped out Bridgewater’s 2016 season and nearly ended his career, the QB landed with the Jets this offseason on a one-year, $6MM deal. Bridgewater has impressed and shown no ill effects from that malady, but the Jets are willing to listen to offers since rookie Sam Darnold has also performed well. Multiple teams are eyeing Bridgewater as a top flight insurance policy under center, and the Jets can afford to part with him thanks to the presence of veteran Josh McCown.

We don’t know which teams have called on Bridgewater, but there are several clubs around the league that could use a good fallback option. Two of those clubs – the Patriots and Dolphins – are in the Jets’ division, and it’s unclear whether GM Mike Maccagnan would be willing to make a deal with an AFC East rival. Speculatively, the Broncos,Jaguars, Steelers, and Panthers could also see Bridgewater as a fit.

Through two preseason games, Bridgewater has completed 17-of-23 passes for 212 yards with two touchdowns against one interception.

Seahawks To Release Punter Jon Ryan

August 20th, 2018 at 12:35pm CST by Zachary Links

Jon Ryan‘s time with the Seahawks has come to an end. On Monday, the punter took to Twitter to bid farewell to the Seahawks after spending the last ten seasons with the organization. 

“Its been an absolute honor and privilege to play in this great city of Seattle for the past ten years. I never wanted this day to come, but knew it would someday,” Ryan wrote. “Even though I’m leaving, I will always be a Seahawk…I want to thank all of my teammates over the years, Paul Allen, John Schneider, Matt Thomas, and Peter McLoughlin, the amazing coaches I’ve had here: Mike Holmgren, Jim Mora Jr., and Pete Carroll, and the entire support staff at 12 Seahawks Way. But, more than anything, I want thank the 12s. You embraced a pale-skinned, red-headed Canadian with a speech impediment and made him feel like a superstar. I will forever be grateful for each and every one of you. Thank you Seattle.”

Although Ryan is sad to leave Seattle, the writing has been on the wall for some time now. The Seahawks selected fellow punter Michael Dickson in the fifth-round of this year’s draft, so Ryan was unlikely to win the job despite his history with the club and proven abilities as a holder.

Lions Release DL Cornelius Washington

August 20th, 2018 at 12:27pm CST by Zachary Links

The Lions cut defensive lineman Cornelius Washington, according to a team announcement. Washington was set to enter the second year of a two-year, $6MM deal, so his release comes as a surprise. 

Washington played 488 snaps last season at defensive end with the Lions and registered 2.5 sacks. The Lions, though, drafted Da’Shawn Hand in the fourth round this year, which put him on the chopping block.

Prior to joining the Lions, Washington spent four years with the Bears. He has 46 career games to his credit, but he’s registered only four starts across five NFL seasons. Washington will likely find a new home before the season opener, but it will almost certainly be as a reserve.

In related moves, the Lions signed cornerbacks Dexter McDougle and Sterling Moore and offensive lineman Beau Nunn. To help make room, the Lions placed linebacker Steve Longa on IR and waived cornerback Antwuan Davis.

Raiders Eyeing S George Iloka

August 20th, 2018 at 12:01pm CST by Zachary Links

The market for George Iloka is starting to take shape. The Raiders plan to make a run at the safety, Michael Gehlken of the Review-Journal tweets. 

[RELATED: Cowboys Considering George Iloka]

Iloka spent six seasons playing under defensive coordinator Paul Guenther while with the Bengals, so he would be a natural fit for Oakland. Iloka could easily step into a starting role with the Raiders, but Gehlken cautions that finances will play a role in his fit with the team.

The Bengals stunned the league when they released Iloka on Sunday, and teams – including the Cowboys – are already considering the 28-year-old defender.

For now, the Raiders project to start fellow ex-Bengal Reggie Nelson at free safety and 2016 first-round pick Karl Joseph at strong safety. If signed, Iloka could take over for Joseph and give Guenther a solid 1-2 in the middle of the secondary.

Marcus Smith May Retire

August 20th, 2018 at 11:39am CST by Zachary Links

Former Seahawks defensive end Marcus Smith may retire after just four seasons in the NFL, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. Smith, a former first-round pick of the Eagles, was not fully committed to playing in 2018, which led to his release from Seattle. 

In three seasons with the Eagles, Smith never made a start and registered only four sacks. In 2016, the 26-year-old Smith played on only 20% of Philadelphia’s defensive snaps.

The Seahawks scooped up Smith after he was released last summer and he showed some promise in a limited role. In 252 snaps, Smith had 14 tackles and 2.5 sacks, and he was re-signed to a one-year deal that could have paid him up to $2.7MM this year.

After four total years in the league, the former first-round pick seems ready to move on to something else.

Vikings Release K Kai Forbath

August 20th, 2018 at 11:17am CST by Zachary Links

The Vikings’ kicking competition is over. The club has released Kai Forbath, according to a team announcement. The Vikings will now turn to rookie Daniel Carlson as their kicker. 

The Vikings traded up into the fifth round to draft Carlson in the spring, an indicator that a kicking change was in the cards. After months of impressive performances, the Vikings feel that the youngster is ready for the job.

Last year, Forbath converted 32 of his 38 field goal attempts and he nailed 34 of his 39 extra point tries. He was re-signed in March, but it was a low-cost deal with little or no guaranteed money, so the release won’t have any real effect on the Vikings’ cap.

Carlson, an Auburn product, converted 92 of 114 field goal tries (80.7%) over the course of his four-year collegiate career. He also nailed all 198 of his extra point tries.

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