HEADLINES

Month: November 2024

Raiders Claim DL Gabe Wright

August 15th, 2018 at 4:19pm CST by Andrew Ortenberg

It didn’t take long for defensive tackle Gabe Wright to find a new home. Wright was waived by the Dolphins yesterday, and was claimed off waivers today by the Raiders, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network (Twitter link).

The 2015 fourth-rounder was cut by the Dolphins just hours after an incident at practice where he took a cheap-shot at running back Kenyan Drake. He wasn’t guaranteed a roster spot even before the fight, and the Dolphins wasted no time in sending him packing.

Despite the Lions using a relatively high selection on him in 2015, he lasted just one season in Detroit. He’s bounced around since then, spending time with Cleveland, Philadelphia, and Miami.

Through three seasons, Wright has made 13 career appearances. He’s notched 11 tackles and two passes defended in those appearances. The Raiders will be his fifth team in just four seasons, and he’ll be battling it out for an end-of-the roster spot on Jon Gruden’s squad.

Minor NFL Transactions: 8/15/18

August 15th, 2018 at 3:52pm CST by Zachary Links

Today’s minor moves:

Arizona Cardinals

Buffalo Bills

  • Signed: FB Sam Rogers
  • Waived/Injured: FB Zach Olstad

Carolina Panthers

Dallas Cowboys

  • Signed: WR Dres Anderson
  • Released: DE Joby Saint Fleur

Seahawks Sign LB Erik Walden

August 15th, 2018 at 2:57pm CST by Zachary Links

The Seahawks have signed linebacker Erik Walden, according to an announcement from his agents. Walden, who is pehaps best known for his time with the Colts, spent last season with the Titans.

Walden has managed to put together ten-year NFL career despite being selected in the sixth round of the 2008 draft. After serving as a starter with the Colts for four seasons (including a 2016 campaign where he compiled 11 sacks), the 32-year-old (33 later this month) spent last season as a backup with the Titans. He finished the year with 36 tackles and four sacks in 16 games.

In 2016, Walden amassed an eye-popping 11 sacks. Despite the gaudy total, he did not find an NFL home until late July of last year. His offseason took a similar trajectory this year.

The Seahawks project to start Barkevious Mingo, Bobby Wagner, and K.J. Wright at linebacker in their 4-3 scheme. D.J. Alexander, Josh Forrest, and rookies Shaquem Griffin and Jake Martin are among the reserve LBs under contract.

Jets Place OL Ben Ijalana On IR

August 15th, 2018 at 1:47pm CST by Zachary Links

The Jets have placed offensive lineman Ben Ijalana on injured reserve with a shoulder injury, according to a team announcement. To take his place on the roster, the Jets signed center Gino Gradkowski. 

Ijalana appeared in eleven games in 2017 but only played 56 offensive snaps after losing out on a starting job to Brandon Shell. However, in the previous season, he started 13 games and played 83% percent of the team’s snaps.

The injury is a tough blow, particularly when considering that left tackle Kelvin Beachum is out indefinitely with a foot injury. If Beachum misses games, the Jets will have to draw from a group of uninspiring tackles, including Brent Qvale and Antonio Garcia.

Gradkowski did not play in 2017, but he has 54 games of NFL experience under his belt with 20 starts. The bulk of his first-string experience came in 2013 when he started every game for the Ravens.

Texans Work Out Kickers Tavecchio, Rose

August 15th, 2018 at 1:26pm CST by Zachary Links

The Texans worked out kickers Giorgio Tavecchio and Nick Rose on Wednesday, sources tell Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle (on Twitter). Both players performed well, but Wilson hears that Tavecchio is the one who is under consideration to be signed. 

Tavecchio played for Texans special teams coach Brad Seely while they were both with the Raiders, so he would be a logical fit for the team. If signed, he’ll compete with incumbent kicker Kai’imi Fairbairn for the job.

Last year, Fairbairn connected on 20 of 25 field goal tries (80%) and 32 of 35 of extra point attempts (91.4%). Tavecchio, meanwhile, made 16 of his 21 field goal attempts (76%), including three-of-four tries from 50 yards or further.

Tavecchio recently auditioned for the Falcons, but left Atlanta without a deal. His next opportunity may come in Houston.

Anthony Barr Wants To Stay With Vikings

August 15th, 2018 at 1:13pm CST by Zachary Links

Anthony Barr continues to wait on an extension after watching several teammates sign lucrative new deals, but that hasn’t changed his view of the organization. Barr says he “absolutely” wants to stay with the Vikings long term, as Chris Tomasson of the Pioneer Press writes. 

Barr will earn $12.3MM this season, per the terms of his fifth-year option. After that, the Vikings could theoretically retain him via the franchise tag, but the $16MM+ cost for linebackers would likely be prohibitive. Therefore, it will take a fresh deal in order for Barr to stay with the Vikings. A player in Barr’s position might wonder whether he’s being fairly valued since he doesn’t have that contract already, but the delay hasn’t caused any animosity.

The Vikings say they have no plans to trade Barr, but the status of their negotiations are unclear. The Vikings began talks with Barr this summer, but it’s anyone’s guess as to whether a deal will come together between now and the end of the season.

Barr, a 2014 first-round pick, had a career-high 75 tackles last year to go along with one sack and six passes defended.

Jets Mulling Teddy Bridgewater Trade

August 15th, 2018 at 11:52am CST by Zachary Links

The Jets would be willing to trade Teddy Bridgewater for the right price, Manish Mehta of the Daily News hears. However, there are some executives in the Jets’ front office that aren’t sold on the idea of moving the backup quarterback. 

Sam Darnold figures to start in the Jets’ preseason game against the Redskins on Thursday night, a sign that they are confident in the rookie’s abilities. If he continues to impress, Darnold could wind up as the starter with Josh McCown on hand to serve as insurance. That leaves Bridgewater, who is on a one-year contract, without much of a role for Gang Green.

Still, the Jets face the Lions, Dolphins and Browns in the first eleven days of the season, and some believe that starting Darnold in that accelerated three-game set could be scarring for the rookie. In theory, Bridgewater could start instead, giving Darnold a chance to take over when the schedule resumes its normal pace. There’s also the fact that Bridgewater is well-liked in the Meadowlands – he has received rave reviews about his demeanor as well as his on-field performance.

If the Jets wind up dangling Bridgewater, they’ll have to find a way to get him on the field more in the preseason. Rival executives that spoke with Mehta say that they want to see more from the QB after he completed 7-of-8 passes in last week’s contest.

Seahawks’ Rashaad Penny Has Surgery

August 15th, 2018 at 11:18am CST by Zachary Links

Seahawks running back Rashaad Penny had surgery on Wednesday morning to fix a broken finger, Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times tweets. The recovery is estimated to take 3-4 weeks, which puts the Seahawks’ top running back up against the start of the season, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). 

While there is some doubt about Penny’s availability for Week 1, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (Twitter links) has received largely positive news about the rookie. One source tells Schefter that Penny “should be ready” for the season opener and another says Penny “would have played with it if this were late season/playoffs.” Schefter also notes that baseball standout Robinson Cano once had the same surgery and he was back in action within three weeks.

Penny, the No. 27 overall pick in this year’s draft, is expected to be the Seahawks’ leading rusher this season. If he misses time, the Seahawks can turn to backups Chris Carson, C.J. Prosise, and J.D. McKissic, but they have not received consistent production from those players in the past.

If Penny misses more time than expected, the Seahawks can consider a free agent running back market that still includes Orleans Darkwa, Adrian Peterson, and Jamaal Charles.

Dolphins Won’t Trade DeVante Parker

August 15th, 2018 at 9:13am CST by Zachary Links

Dolphins wide receiver DeVante Parker is not on the trade block, a source told Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald this week. The Dolphins believe that Parker is having a solid training camp, though Salguero personally disagrees with that assessment. 

Some have speculated that the Dolphins could shop Parker thanks to the presence of Kenny Stills, Danny Amendola, Albert Wilson, and Jakeem Grant. However, they won’t have an opportunity to showcase Parker to interested teams thanks to his broken finger. Even if the Dolphins wanted to explore a trade, Salguero estimates that they would not get more than a fourth or fifth-round pick in exchange for the former first-round selection.

In all likelihood, Parker will be with the Dolphins when the season starts in September. However, the same cannot be said for former third-round pick Leonte Carroo.

Parker hauled in 57 catches for 670 yards and one touchdown last season. His average of 11.8 yards per catch marked a career low.

Extra Points: Broncos, Packers, Panthers

August 14th, 2018 at 9:46pm CST by Dallas Robinson

The Broncos have a new backup quarterback, as head coach Vance Joseph told reporters Chad Kelly is now the club’s top reserve to starter Case Keenum (Twitter link via Nicki Jhabvala of The Athletic). Former first-round pick Paxton Lynch continued his abysmal NFL run by completing just 6-of-11 passes for 24 yards and one interception during Denver’s first preseason games, while Kelly — the 2017 drat’s Mr. Irrelevant — completed 14-of-21 attempts for 177 yards, two scores, and one interception. Clearly, the Broncos’ decision isn’t solely based on the results of a single exhibition contest, as Lynch also played poorly in two starts last season. Given Kelly’s inexperience, and Lynch’s lack of results, Denver could conceivably aim to acquire a veteran No. 2 signal-caller before the 2018 season gets underway.

Here’s more from around the NFL:

  • Geronimo Allison has “quietly established himself” as the Packers‘ No. 3 receiver behind Davante Adams and Randall Cobb, as Ryan Wood of the Green Bay Press-Gazette writes. Green Bay used three Day 3 draft picks on receivers, adding J’Mon Moore, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, and Equanimeous St. Brown in the process, while futures contract signee Jake Kumerow has also shined during training camp. But it’s the 24-year-old Allison, who landed with the Packers as an undrafted free agent in 2016, who is likely to play in three-wide sets. Allison, who would play on the outside and allow Cobb to move to the slot in “11” personnel, put up 23 receptions and 253 yards in 2017.
  • Panthers rookie cornerback Donte Jackson has given head coach Ron Rivera a comfort level in the secondary he hasn’t had in two-to-three years, per Joe Person of the Charlotte Observer (Twitter link). Jackson, the 55th overall selection earlier this year, stands 5’11”, 175 pounds, so he was pegged as a slot-only corner as he entered the NFL. However, Carolina has been adamant that Jackson will get an opportunity on the outside, and it’s possible the LSU product will start in Week 1. In fact, after fellow corner Ross Cockrell suffered a season-ending injury, Jackson may be the favorite to play alongside James Bradberry.
  • Free agent cornerback Julian Wilson worked out for the Titans on Sunday, tweets Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle. Wilson, 26, went undrafted out of Oklahoma in 2015 before landing a contract with the Ravens. A broken leg ended his rookie season during minicamp, and Wilson subsequently spent time on the Chiefs and Vikings practice squads during the 2016 campaign. A futures deal with the Chiefs in 2017 never led to a serious look, so Wilson signed on with the Calgary Stampeders of the Canadian Football League during the regular season. If signed by Tennessee, Wilson would compete for time on special teams.
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