2019 August - Pro Football Rumors

Broncos To Sign Theo Riddick

August 1st, 2019 at 1:13pm CST by Zachary Links

Running back Theo Riddick will sign a free agent deal with the Broncos later this week, a source tells Mike Klis of 9 News (on Twitter). The Saints and other teams were also in on Riddick, but he’ll join up with Denver and Joe Flacco instead.

The Broncos already have a No. 1 running back in Phillip Lindsay, but Riddick’s soft hands could make him a strong No. 2 companion. Last year, Lindsay caught 35 passes for 241 yards and a touchdown out of the backfield. Riddick, meanwhile, has averaged a 62/474/2.5 stat line over the last four years, including a showing of 80/697/3 in 2015.

Riddick generated immediate interest, despite being a running back going into his seventh season. Despite the constantly depressed market, Riddick’s pass-catching ability stood out – his 285 catches since his 2013 slate is the third-highest of any RB in that span. Meanwhile, his 2,238 receiving yards is No. 4 among backs.

The Broncos now have some extra firepower in their artillery, while the Saints may or may not continue their search for backfield help. In the last week, they’ve lost out on both Riddick and Alfred Morris, who signed with the Cowboys.

Chargers’ Melvin Gordon Requests Trade

August 1st, 2019 at 11:59am CST by Zachary Links

Melvin Gordon wants out. The running back has asked the Chargers to trade him, agent Damarius Bilbo tells Josina Anderson of ESPN.com (on Twitter).

The request, Bilbo says, was actually made last week, after the team stuck to its guns at $10MM/year. Despite the holdup, GM Tom Telesco told Bilbo that he still considers the running back family and will not grant the agent permission to seek a deal.

At this stage, it’s hard to see a peaceful resolution to the situation. Gordon says he hopes to stay with the Bolts, but he also seems very serious about his demand for a new deal. He was also a supporter of Le’Veon Bell during his high profile holdout with the Steelers in 2018.

“Come back and get hurt?,” Gordon asked, rhetorically, when discussing the Bell situation. “Gave y’all everything he had for about five, six years. Y’all can’t pay the man?”

It may be time for the Chargers to either pay the man what he wants, or trade him to someone who will.

Jets To Stick With Chandler Catanzaro

August 1st, 2019 at 8:33am CST by Zachary Links

The Jets are sticking with kicker Chandler Catanzaro – for now. The free agent import has had a rocky training camp, but head coach Adam Gase says the team is not looking to bringing in another leg at this time (via Manish Mehta of the Daily News).

“He had a really good spring,” Gase said. “That’s a part of training camp. You start working through things. Sometimes that happens. We got an experienced guy that’s had success. So, this group feels good about what he’s done in the past and what he’s done in this organization before and what he’s done out here starting the spring. We evaluate not just training camp … We got to use all our information that we’ve gathered since the spring.”

Given Catanzaro’s struggles, it’s hard not to question the Jets’ decision to allow Pro Bowler Jason Myers to walk in free agency. Myers set an NFL record with five field goals from 55+ yards out and tied Gang Green’s all-time record with 91.7% field goal accuracy.

This year, Myers inked a four-year deal with the Seahawks, and the Jets replaced him with Catanzaro, who hasn’t been kicking at a truly elite level since his stellar 2015 season in Arizona.

Bills G Issac Asiata Retires

August 1st, 2019 at 8:19am CST by Zachary Links

Bills guard Issac Asiata has retired from the NFL, according to an announcement on Twitter. Retirement is often tough on players, but for Asiata, it’s a step towards improved mental health.

“I have lived the last two years of my NFL career waging war with myself mentally,” Asiata wrote. “With constant anxiety, persistent worry and fear of the unknown and of what comes next? If i were to be done. I also placed the unnecessary burden on my shoulders of never wanting to let people down or to disappoint those around me. Afraid of being a ‘draft bust’ or just another guy who couldn’t cut it in the league.”

Asiata was drafted by the Dolphins in the fifth round (No. 164 overall) in the 2017 NFL Draft. After appearing in just two games for the Fins, they released him this offseason. He hooked on with the Bills just over a week ago, but he has decided against pursuing one of the final spots on their 53-man roster.

To take his place, the Bills inked guard Nico Siragusa, a fourth-round pick of the Ravens in 2017. Siragusa spent his rookie season on injured reserve and most of last season on the Ravens’ taxi squad. He finished out the year on the Packers’ active roster, but did not appear in any games.

There’s a real opportunity for Siragusa to make the roster. In the last week, the Bills have lost Asiata to retirement and Jeremiah Sirles to injury (he’s since been released). Meanwhile, center Mitch Morse is in the concussion protocol and guard Spencer Long has been out this week with a knee injury.