Canadian Football League - Pro Football Rumors

Minor Moves: Friday

February 6th, 2015 at 3:57pm CST by Luke Adams

Here are today’s minor moves around football, including multiple back-of-the-roster NFL transactions as well as a one-time starting quarterback heading north to the CFL….

Center Darren Keyton, who was cut by the Lions before the team’s Wild Card game, has re-signed with the club, according to Tim Twentyman of DetroitLions.com (via Twitter).

Earlier updates:

Quarterback John Skelton, who started 17 games for the Cardinals from 2010 to 2012, has signed a two-year pact with the CFL’s Montreal Alouettes, tweets Ian Rapoport of NFL.com. Skelton’s stint in Arizona wasn’t particularly effective — he finished with 15 touchdowns to 25 interceptions, completing just 53.2% of his passes and posting a 63.0 QB rating. The 26-year-old spent time most recently with the Bengals in 2013.
Former University of Miami center Jared Wheeler signed with the Seahawks today, according to agent Brett Tessler (via Twitter). Wheeler, who was cut by the Bills prior to the 2014 regular season, is the latest signee for Seattle, after the team added 11 players on reserve/futures contracts earlier this week.
The Patriots also made several reserve/futures signings yesterday, and completed a few more today, according to a team release. Defensive lineman Antonio Johnson, linebacker Rufus Johnson, and running back Dion Lewis have new contracts with the Pats.

Minor Moves: Wednesday

January 28th, 2015 at 4:07pm CST by Luke Adams

Here are Wednesday’s minor transactions, including not just NFL moves but an update on a former NFL player who is headed north….

Former Colts wide receiver Austin Collie, who averaged over 57 receptions during three seasons in Indianapolis from 2009 to 2011, has agreed to terms with the CFL’s Montreal Alouettes, according to Arash Madani of Sportsnet.ca. Because Collie was born in Hamilton, Ontario and spent enough time in Canada, he’ll be classified as a Canadian player on Montreal’s roster rather than as an import. For the Alouettes, it’s a solid addition to a receiving corps that is on the verge of losing Duron Carter to the Colts.
The Broncos have agreed to sign former Monmouth cornerback Tevrin Brandon, tweets Jeff Legwold of ESPN.com. We heard back in early December that Denver had brought in Brandon for a workout with an eye toward the offseason.

Josh Gordon Has Explored Playing In CFL

August 28th, 2014 at 10:08am CST by Luke Adams

10:08am: According to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk (via Twitter), the Calgary Stampeders hold Gordon’s CFL rights and “want him badly.” That may not matter much though, since it seems as if the Browns and the CFL itself will dictate whether Gordon gets an opportunity to play in the league.

9:26am: Now that his appeal has officially been denied, Josh Gordon won’t be playing a game in the NFL during the 2014 season, but it sounds as if he and his camp are mulling other possible scenarios. According to Chris Mortensen of ESPN.com (via Twitter), the Browns wideout has explored the possibility of playing in the Canadian Football League for the rest of the CFL’s season.

Considering Gordon is still under contract with the Browns through 2015, it would be nearly impossible for the 23-year-old to actually land with a CFL team. As Ian Rapoport of NFL.com points out (Twitter link), the league’s rules wouldn’t allow Gordon to sign with a team unless the Browns were to cut him (and even then he’d have to pass through NFL waivers). Cleveland could potentially ask the CFL to make an exception to that rule to allow Gordon to play up north, but Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer says (via Twitter) that the team isn’t interested in granting him permission to pursue that opportunity.

Now that Gordon is not permitted to practice with the Browns or attend team meetings, getting him under the support system of another professional coaching staff may have been in his best interests, so it’s not surprising that his camp has looked into the possibility. However, we shouldn’t expect to see the star wideout wearing a Toronto Argonauts or Montreal Alouettes uniform anytime soon.

Extra Points: Manziel, Sam, Gilbert, Crabtree

August 21st, 2014 at 9:51pm CST by Zachary Links

There are story lines abound in the NFL, but which division is the league’s most compelling? NFL.com asked a roundtable of analysts that very question and there’s a wide range of answers. Charley Casserly likes the sardine-packed NFC West. Bucky Brooks likes the electrifying offenses of the NFC East. Dave Dameshek, meanwhile, picks the AFC North simply for Browns quarterbacks Johnny Manziel. More from around the league..

if Michael Sam can show some versatility over the next two games and an ability to hang on special teams, he can make the Rams‘ final cut on August 30th, writes Tom Pelissero of USA Today Sports. “Michael Sam has shown enough rushing the passer – and that’s what he is, he’s a DPR, he’s a designated pass rusher – that he can get off and beat a tackle on the upfield shoulder. He can spin and come underneath,” former Rams vice president of player personnel Tony Softli said. “He’s got to prove he can do it on special teams, and I think that’s going to be his (way) to make this team.”
Jason Fitzgerald of Over The Cap takes a closer look at the contract extension the Steelers gave to Marcus Gilbert. Despite what others have said, the average annual value of the five new years ($6MM) isn’t too high in Fitzgerald’s estimation.
In a piece for the Sporting News, Fitzgerald looks at ways the 49ers and Michael Crabtree can come to terms on a deal in the next two weeks.
CFL commissioner Mark Cohon will not return for a third term when his contract expires next year, according to The Associated Press. Cohon, whose contract ends in April, wants to give the board of governors time to find a successor. The 48-year-old commissioner says this is the “right time” to leave.
The NFL needs to have a developmental league like the NBA, writes Andrew Brandt of The MMQB. In the next two weeks, many players will lose their jobs, and it would make sense for them to have a place to go. NFL Europe didn’t pan out as planned, but a league with teams in Florida, Texas or, Southern California would have players ready to hit the ground running nearby.

Browns Notes: Hoyer, Cameron, Farmer, WRs

July 29th, 2014 at 10:52am CST by Luke Adams

Jason La Canfora’s latest dispatch for CBSSports.com as he tours various training camps comes from out of Berea, Ohio, after his trip to Browns camp. Leading off his column, La Canfora explores the competition between Brian Hoyer and Johnny Manziel, writing that Hoyer has surprisingly looked faster and more nimble than the highly-touted rookie. While Manziel still has time to make up ground, everything that La Canfora has seen and heard so far suggests to him that Hoyer should keep his job as the starter heading into the regular season.

Let’s dive into the rest of La Canfora’s piece and round up the highlights….

There have been extension talks between Jordan Cameron and the Browns, but the two sides aren’t close to anything. La Canfora hears that the Browns’ offers were in the $5-6MM per year range, so it’s possible Kyle Rudolph signing a deal worth about $7MM annually with the Vikings will help boost the team’s offer and accelerate discussions. According to La Canfora, Cameron admitted that he’d had a look at the numbers on Rudolph’s deal.
La Canfora praised general manager Ray Farmer, who has installed a diverse collection of front office executives around him since being promoted to GM earlier this year. “We definitely made some changes,” Farmer said. “I think we have a good mix now. We added some folks – older guys who have a depth of experience – and guys that have a lot of history in this league. Those guys will be beneficial, as well as the young guys who are eager to grow and learn. So we are in a position where we can share ideas and learn together and hopefully improve the Browns.”
Expect the Browns to be as active as any team exploring wide receiving options on the waiver wire this years, according to La Canfora, who adds that he wouldn’t be surprised if the team pursues Montreal Alouettes standout Duron Carter (the son of Cris Carter) once the CFL season is complete.
In La Canfora’s view, the battle in the backfield between free agent signee Ben Tate and rookie third-rounder Terrance West will be much more competitive than the QB competition. If West continues to make strides in pass protection, he has the ability to make an impact immediately.

NFC North Notes: Bell, Raji, Rudolph

July 8th, 2014 at 2:57pm CST by Luke Adams

After rounding up several items out of the NFC East this morning, we’ll turn our attention to the North this afternoon. Here’s the latest:

Running back Joique Bell, who received a three-year contract extension from the Lions this offseason, is coming off a knee injury and will report to training camp a few days before the rest of his teammates in order to test out his body, writes Justin Rogers of MLive.com.
After reportedly turning down a longer and larger contract extension a year ago, B.J. Raji settled for a one-year, $4MM deal with the Packers this offseason. However, if his return to his old nose tackle position is successful, he could parlay that into a significant raise when he hits free agency again in 2015. Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com has the details.
Kyle Rudolph, an extension candidate for the Vikings, has been studying tape of tight ends Norv Turner has worked with in the past, and is looking for a big year under the team’s new offensive coordinator, as he tells Tom Pelissero of USA Today.
Tyler Dunne of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel catches up with former Packers second-rounder Brian Brohm, who is now a backup quarterback for the CFL’s Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

Minor Moves: Cowboys, Falcons, Pats, Colts

June 11th, 2014 at 4:54pm CST by Luke Adams

Today’s minor moves include a veteran defender heading to IR, a CFL signing, and other smaller signings and cuts from around the NFL. Let’s dive in and round up Wednesday’s minor transactions, with additional moves added to the top of the list throughout the day:

Former Bethel cornerback Jocquel Skinner, who signed with the Cowboys as an undrafted free agent in May, has been waived-injured by the club, tweets Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun. Per Wilson, the Cowboys have also removed Marvin Robinson from their IR with an injury settlement.

Earlier updates:

Tight end Andrew Szczerba and punter Matt Yoklic have been cut by the Falcons, according to a team release. Szczerba spent last season on injured reserve, while Yoklic was signed by Atlanta a month ago as a rookie free agent.
The Patriots have waived offensive lineman R.J. Mattes, the team announced today in a press release. It’s the third time since last May that the former North Carolina State lineman has been cut by New England.
The Colts have placed defensive end Fili Moala on injured reserve, tweets Craig Kelley of Colts.com. Moala, who missed half of the 2012 season with a torn ACL, has suffered a similar injury, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link). Per Rapoport, the 28-year-old’s ACL is only partially torn, but it’s enough to sideline him for the 2014 season. To replace Moala, the Colts have signed former Arizona State defensive end Gannon Conway, who was waived by the Dolphins last month.
A former Valdosa State wideout with a presidential name has signed with the Dolphins, according the team, who announced today (via Twitter) that Gerald Ford has been added to the roster. Tight end Emmanuel Ogbuehi has been cut to clear space on the roster for Ford.
Offensive lineman Mike Golic Jr. was cut by the Saints recently, has signed with the CFL’s Montreal Alouettes, according to ESPN.com’s Adam Caplan (Twitter link).

Extra Points: Incognito, FAs, Finley, Patriots

May 28th, 2014 at 11:11am CST by Luke Adams

In the wake of last year’s bullying scandal, Richie Incognito has predictably had trouble finding NFL work. As Mike Freeman of Bleacher Report writes, the offensive lineman’s reps have been contacting teams over the last few weeks and months, but there has been virtually no interest. Said one general manager: “He’s trying to get back in the game, but the door remains shut. No one trusts him.”

Here’s more from around the NFL:

A pair of veteran free agents, offensive tackle Eric Winston and cornerback Drayton Florence, are expected to make visits next week to unidentified clubs with interest, reports Alex Marvez of Fox Sports. As Marvez notes, interest in unsigned veterans should pick up around the league next week, when June 1 passes and free agents are no longer linked to compensatory draft picks.
A source tells Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com that Jermichael Finley‘s meeting with the Packers is a “formality.” The free agent tight end had previous plans to travel to Green Bay with his family, so he’ll check in with team doctors, but no medical clearance, contract signing, or even testing is anticipated, according to Demovsky’s source.
The Patriots and the representatives for Aaron Hernandez have a June hearing scheduled to go before an arbitrator as the team attempts to recoup the former tight end’s signing bonus money, tweets Albert Breer of the NFL Network.
General manager Jim Popp of the CFL’s Montreal Alouettes confirmed today to Eric Edholm of Yahoo! Sports that former Bengals star Chad Johnson has received his work permit to play in Canada and is “at camp as we speak.”
Following up on Chris Johnson‘s Twitter plea for the Jets to acquire Andre Johnson, Brian Costello of the New York Post takes a look at a few reasons why trading for the Texans wideout could make sense for the Jets, as well as several reasons why it may not work.

Minor Moves: Ravens, Williams, Slaton

April 24th, 2014 at 3:00pm CST by Luke Adams

We’ll keep tabs on Thursday’s minor transactions right here — that includes free agents accepting contract tenders, notable CFL signings, and signings and cuts involving players who haven’t seen much or any NFL action lately. Here are the day’s minor moves, with any new transactions added to the top of the page throughout the afternoon and evening:

The Ravens have re-signed free agent wide receiver LaQuan Williams. The team announced the move today in a press release after Williams himself broke word (via Twitter) that he’d be returning to Baltimore. The 25-year-old spent the first two years of his NFL career with the Ravens before being cut prior to the 2013 regular season. Baltimore has plenty of receiving depth already, but Williams is more likely to contribute on special teams if he makes the regular season roster.
Former Texans running back Steve Slaton, who was drafted in the third round in 2008 and piled up 1,282 rushing yards and nine rushing touchdowns that season, has signed with the CFL’s Toronto Argonauts, the club announced today. Slaton’s last NFL regular-season action came with the Dolphins during the 2011 season.

Minor Moves: Panthers, Rams, Heyer

April 23rd, 2014 at 4:44pm CST by Luke Adams

Here are today’s minor transactions from around the NFL, with any further Wednesday moves added to the top of the list throughout the evening:

Panthers offensive lineman Chris Scott has signed his exclusive rights free agent tender from the team that will keep him under contract for 2014, tweets Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun. Scott started eight games for Carolina last season and could be leaned upon more significantly this year with longtime tackle Jordan Gross having retired and guard Travelle Wharton no longer under contract.
Wilson also reports (via Twitter) that wide receiver Justin Veltung has accepted and signed his ERFA tender from the Rams. Veltung didn’t see much action for St. Louis last season, but did return seven punts for the club near the end of the year.
Former Redskins and Raiders offensive lineman Stephon Heyer has signed with the CFL’s British Columbia Lions, tweets Alex Marvez of FOX Sports 1.

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