Pro Football RumorsMatthew Wells – Pro Football Rumors

Falcons Down To 63

Zachary Links — Fri, 02 Sep 2016 20:54:22 +0000

The Falcons announced that they have cut a number of players. Between the announced moves plus the additional reports below, they are now down to 63. The team still has many moves to make between now and tomorrow’s 53-man deadline. The full list (so far) is below.

Released:

K Shayne Graham (story)
OT Bryce Harris

Waived:

DE Nordly Capi
OT Laurence Gibson
DE Malliciah Goodman
DT Cory Johnson
CB Devonte Johnson
S Damian Parms
OL Collin Rahrig
WR Corey Washington
LB Matthew Wells
OLB Tyler Starr (Twitter link via Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com)

In between previous stints with the Falcons, Harris previously spent three seasons with New Orleans, seeing action in 34 games with four starts.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Minor NFL Transactions: 6/24/16

Dallas Robinson — Sat, 25 Jun 2016 01:50:41 +0000

Today’s minor moves:

The Browns announced that they have signed outside linebacker Joe Schobert, a fourth-round draft pick. As shown on our running list, third-round defensive end Carl Nassib stands as Cleveland’s only unsigned draft choice from this year’s class of 14 picks. According to Over the Cap, Schobert, a Wisconsin product, is in line for a four-year deal worth roughly $2.974MM, including a signing bonus of about $634K.
The Rams have waived wide receiver J.J. Worton, according to Greg Auman of the Tampa Tribune (Twitter link). Worton was an undrafted free agent out of UCF, and signed with Los Angeles at the beginning of May. The club has also waived linebacker Matthew Wells, per Jenna Laine of ESPN.com (Twitter link). Wells originally inked a futures deal back in January.

NFL Reserve/Futures Contracts: 1/5/16

Luke Adams — Tue, 05 Jan 2016 23:33:44 +0000

Here are today’s reserve/futures contract signings from around the league. These deals will go into effect on the first day of the 2016 league year, with players joining their respective clubs’ 90-man rosters.

Arizona Cardinals

Taylor Boggs, C (Twitter link via Darren Urban of AZCardinals.com)
Valerian Ume-Ezeoke, C
Mike Reilly, OLB
Tyrequek Zimmerman, S

Baltimore Ravens

Jerod Johnson, QB (Twitter link via Aaron Wilson of The Houston Chronicle)

Cincinnati Bengals

Zach Hocker, K (Twitter link via team)
Dezmond Johnson, DE
Floyd Raven, S

Green Bay Packers

QB Ryan Williams (Twitter link via Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com)

Indianapolis Colts

Burton Pierce, OT
Ben Heenan, G
Edwin Jackson, LB
Kitt O’Brien, G
Dezmen Southward, DB
Joshua Stangby. WR

Jacksonville Jaguars

Quanterus Smith, DE (Twitter link via Aaron Wilson of The Houston Chronicle)

Kansas City Chiefs

Kenny Cook, WR
Dominique Davis, DE
Cameron Gordon, LB
Jordan Kovacs, DB
Trey Millard, RB
Alameda Ta’amu, DT

Miami Dolphins

Jahwan Edwards, RB
Robert Herron, WR
Terrell Manning, LB
Vinston Painter, G
Anthony Steen, G
Dax Swanson, DB
Julius Warmsley, DE
Jordan Williams, DE

New Orleans Saints

Ashaad Mabry, DT (Twitter link via Evan Woodbery of the Times-Picayune)
Chris Manhertz, TE (Twitter link via Nick Underhill of The Advocate)

New York Jets

Joe Anderson, WR (link via Rich Cimini of ESPN.com)
Deion Barnes, LB
Brandon Bostick, TE
Jarvis Harrison, OL
Julian Howsare, FB
Wes Saxton, TE
Kevin Short, DB
Deon Simon, DL
Julian Stanford, LB

Oakland Raiders

Garrett Gilbert, QB (Twitter link via Aaron Wilson of The Houston Chronicle)
Giorgio Tavecchio, K

San Diego Chargers

Kasey Redfern, P (Twitter link via Michael Gehlken of U-T San Diego)
Torrence Allen, WR
Michael Huey, G

San Francisco 49ers

Corey Acosta, K (link via Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle)

St. Louis Rams

David Arkin, OL (Twitter link via Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com)
Justice Cunningham, TE
Zack Hodges, LB
Zach Laskey, RB
Deon Long, WR
Matthew Wells, LB

Practice Squad Updates: 12/15/15

Luke Adams — Wed, 16 Dec 2015 00:11:38 +0000

Here are today’s practice squad signings and cuts from across the league:

Atlanta Falcons

Signed: LB Curtis Grant, WR R.J. Harris, WR Jordan Leslie, DE Dontay Moch (press release)
Cut: WR Devon Wylie

Baltimore Ravens

Signed: T Marcel Jones (Twitter link via Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun)

Buffalo Bills

Signed: TE Blake Annen (Twitter link via Joe Buscaglia of WKBW)

Chicago Bears

Signed: DL Toby Johnson, WR/TE Marcus Lucas (Twitter link via team)

Dallas Cowboys

Cut: LB Darius Eubanks (Twitter link via Charean Williams of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram)

Detroit Lions

Signed: CB Kendall James (press release)
Cut: CB Stanley Jean-Baptiste

Indianapolis Colts

Placed on PS-IR: RB Josh Robinson (press release)

New England Patriots

Signed: RB Montee Ball (story), WR DeAndre Carter (link via Tom Curran of CSNNE.com)

Philadelphia Eagles

Signed: S Craig Bills (Twitter link via team)
Cut: CB Mike Lee

St. Louis Rams

Signed: LB Matthew Wells

Washington

Cut: RB Christine Michael (press release)

Practice Squad Updates: 12/1/15

Zachary Links — Tue, 01 Dec 2015 22:30:00 +0000

Today’s practice squad updates from around the NFL:

Arizona Cardinals

Signed: S D.J. Swearinger (Twitter link via Field Yates of ESPN.com)

Buffalo Bills

Signed: LB A.J. Tarpley (Twitter link via Joe Buscaglia of WKBW)

Carolina Panthers

Signed: LB Brian Blechen (Twitter link via Joe Person of the Charlotte Observer)

Indianapolis Colts

Signed: OT Pierce Burton (Twitter link via Mike Chappell of CBS4)
Cut: OT John Wetzel

Miami Dolphins

Signed: LB Mike Hull and DT Deandre Coleman (Twitter link via Aaron Wilson of The Houston Chronicle)

Minnesota Vikings

Signed: S John Lowdermilk (Twitter link via Matt Vensel of The Star-Tribune)
Cut: LB Terrance Plummer

New England Patriots

Signed: WR Austin Hill (Twitter link via Aaron Wilson of The Houston Chronicle)

New York Jets

Signed: LB Julian Stanford (Twitter link)

Oakland Raiders

Signed: LB Colton Underwood, DB Chris Hackett (Twitter link via Scott Bair of CSNBayArea.com)

Pittsburgh Steelers

Signed: RB Rajion Neal (Twitter link)

San Francisco 49ers

Signed: TE Jamie Childers (Twitter link via Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com)
Cut: LB Kevin Snyder

Seattle Seahawks

Cut: WR Tyler Slavin, DL Julius Warmsley (Twitter link via Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle)

St. Louis Rams

Signed: TE Justice Cunningham (Twitter link via Howard Balzer of USA Today)
Cut: LB Matthew Wells

NFL Practice Squad Updates: 11/10/15

Luke Adams — Tue, 10 Nov 2015 22:05:52 +0000

Earlier today, we learned that the Ravens had signed running back Terrance West to their practice squad, cutting defensive end Nordly Capi to make room. That’s one of a handful of practice squad changes around the league today, so let’s round up the rest….

Chicago Bears

To be signed: G/T Martin Wallace (Twitter link via Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune)

Detroit Lions

To be signed: T Tyrus Thompson (Twitter link via Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press)
Cut: RB Marion Grice (via Michael Rothstein of ESPN.com)

Green Bay Packers

Signed: DT Eric Crume (press release via team)
Cut: DT Justin Hamilton

Indianapolis Colts

Signed: S Dezmen Southward, QB Alex Tanney (press release via team)
Cut: QB Matt Blanchard, G Kitt O’Brien

New England Patriots

Signed: OL Keavon Milton, OL Torrian Wilson (press release via team)
Cut: WR Austin Hill, DB Floyd Raven

New Orleans Saints

Signed: TE Rashaun Allen (Twitter link via Evan Woodbery of The Times-Picayune)
Cut: LB Henry Coley

New York Giants

Signed: LB Nico Johnson, DT Louis Nix (press release via team)

St. Louis Rams

Signed: LB Matthew Wells (Twitter link via Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com)

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Signed: S Akeem Davis, DE Martin Ifedi (press release via team)
Cut: WR Andre Davis
Placed on PS-IR: DE Ronald Powell

Workout Notes: Titans, Brown, Johnson, Dixon

Zachary Links — Wed, 21 Oct 2015 21:46:32 +0000

Just over seven months after he announced his retirement from the NFL, cornerback Cortland Finnegan had a workout today with the Patriots. Finnegan, 31, was one of the league’s worst cornerbacks in 2013, according to Pro Football Focus’ advanced metrics. PFF ranked Finnegan 109th out of 110 qualified corners, with a grade of -19.7 in just seven games. As such, it came as a bit of a surprise when Miami inked the former Ram to a two-year, $11MM deal in 2014. He might not be worthy of that kind of pay, but he could make for an intriguing depth option for the Pats or another team.

Here’s a rundown of today’s other workouts from around the NFL, with all links going to Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post on Twitter, unless noted otherwise..

The Titans worked out running backs Bryce Brown, Storm Johnson, George Arkinson and quarterback Michael German (link).
Safety Ahmad Dixon worked out for the Bengals today, Adam Caplan of ESPN.com tweets.
The Falcons worked out linebackers Emmanuel Acho, Carlos Fields, Khaseem Greene, and Ronald Powell (link).
The Panthers tried out Nate Askew, Chykie Brown, Bradley Fletcher, Connor Hamlett, Douglas McNeil, Bear Pascoe, and cornerback Cassius Vaughn (Twitter links).
The Bears worked out defensive backs Ri’Shard Anderson, Robert McClain, Brandian Ross, and Pierre Warren (link).
The Broncos worked out Harold Spears, Paul Browning, DaVaris Daniels, Sage Harold, John Lowdermilk, Andrew McDonald, and Ryan Murphy (Twitter links).
The Lions worked out Desmond Martin and Corey Washington (link).
The Colts worked out Carrington Byndom and Jeromy Miles (link).
The Dolphins worked out defensive backs Garry Peters and Kevin White (link).
The Jaguars worked out wide receivers Jordan Leslie, Uzoma Nwachukwu, and L’Damian Washington (link).
The Vikings worked out defensive lineman Chigbo Anunoby (link).
The Patriots worked out center Jared Smith (link).
The Jets worked out Greg Scruggs and Marcus Lucas (link).
The Seahawks worked out Darius Eubanks, Danny Gorrer, Damaris Johnson, Nick Kasa, Horace Miller, Dontay Moch, Tyler Slavin, Matthew Wells (link). They also hosted Harold Spears and Dax Swanson (link).
Washington worked out Tommy Streeter, Nick Harwell, Anthony Johnson, Toby Johnson, Ronald Powell, Kelcy Quarles, and Julius Warmsley (link).

Workout Notes: Bears, Broncos, Packers

Zachary Links — Thu, 08 Oct 2015 02:00:41 +0000

Here’s a roundup of today’s auditions from around the NFL. All links go to Aaron Wilson of The Houston Chronicle on Twitter), unless noted otherwise..

The Lions worked out nose tackle Kenrick Ellis, nose tackle Ishmaa’ily Kitchen, and defensive end Jerel Worthy, Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk writes.
The Seahawks worked out cornerbacks Crezdon Butler and Chimdi Chekwa, Rand Getlin of NFL.com tweets.
The Bears worked out wide receivers Marcus Lucas and Nathan Palmer, guard Cole Manhart, and tackles Tyler Moore and Byron Stingily (link).
The Broncos worked out punter Kasey Redfern (link).
The Packers worked out running back Akeem Hunt, wide receiver Donatella Luckett, quarterback Phillip Sims, wide receiver Tyler Slavin, running back Dreamius Smith, linebacker Colton Underwood, and linebacker Matthew Wells (link).
The Dolphins worked out wide receivers Isaiah Burse and Rannell Hall, defensive tackle Jacobbi McDaniel, guards Vinston Painter and Anthony Steen, defensive tackle Olsen Pierre, linebacker Mike Reilly, strong safety Brandian Ross, and defensive end Quanterus Smith (link + link).
The Saints worked out punter Steven Clark, guard Travis Bond, punter Robert Malone, guard Jacques McClendon, and punter Brian Moorman (link).
The Giants worked out defensive end Jake Bequette, tight end Cameron Clear, quarterback Cody Fajardo, and tight end Brian Leonhardt (link).
The Jets worked out defensive end DeAngelo Tyson (link).
The Bucs worked out linebacker Ronald Powell (link).
The Titans worked out David Arkin, James Brewer, Lemuel Jeanpierre, Alex Kupper, Joe Looney, and Cody White (link).
Defensive tackle Joe Vellano worked out for the Lions today (link).

Bears Set 53-Man Roster

Sam Robinson — Sun, 06 Sep 2015 02:14:54 +0000

John Fox‘s first roster with the Bears will include three quarterbacks, but the third isn’t the one he oversaw in Denver. The Bears sent Zac Dysert back to waivers after picking up the ex-Broncos quarterback last week.

Instead, David Fales will back up Jay Cutler and Jimmy Clausen, as the Bears made their cuts to slash their roster to 53 players, per Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune.

Also among the cuts was third-year defensive end/linebacker David Bass, who played in 20 games the past two seasons. A former seventh-round pick of the Raiders in 2013 with a pick-six to his credit as a rookie in Chicago, Bass has interested suitors and will land somewhere soon, per Bleacher Report’s Dan Pompei (on Twitter).

Here are the rest of Chicago’s final cuts:

Jonathan Anderson, ILB
Qumain Black, WR
Conor Boffeli, OL
A.J. Cruz, WR (Waived/injured)
Jacoby Glenn, CB
Anthony Jefferson, DB (Injured reserve)
Rashad Lawrence, WR
Tyler Moore, OL
Michael Ola, OL
Ify Umodu, WR
Gannon Sinclair, TE
Matthew Wells, ILB
Terry Williams, DT
Kyle Woestmann, OLB

Patriots Acquire Ryan Groy From Bears

Zachary Links — Mon, 10 Aug 2015 17:23:58 +0000

12:23pm: The Patriots traded linebacker Matthew Wells to Chicago to acquire Groy, a source tells Field Yates of ESPN.com (on Twitter). Wells was a 2015 sixth-round selection by New England.

11:32am: The Patriots have acquired guard Ryan Groy from the Bears, a source tells Rand Getlin of NFL.com (on Twitter). The exact return is not known at this time, but the Patriots likely didn’t give up much to acquire the offensive lineman.

Groy was a member of the Bears’ practice squad to start the 2014 season but was promoted to the 53-man roster when right tackle Jordan Mills went down with a rib injury. Groy, 25 in September, saw time in four games for Chicago last season, including three starts. He entered the league as a UDFA last offseason after going undrafted out of Wisconsin.

The acquisition of the Wisconsin product marks the Patriots’ second transaction so far on Monday. Earlier today, the Pats cut quarterback Matt Flynn in order to sign Ryan Lindley.

Pats Sign Seven Draftees, Seven UDFAs

Luke Adams — Fri, 08 May 2015 19:22:17 +0000

The Patriots announced the signings of a number of rookies today, announcing in a press release that they’ve signed eight of their 11 draft picks, and another seven undrafted free agents. Two of those draft picks – fourth-rounder Tre’ Jackson and seventh-rounder Xzavier Dickson – had their deals previously reported, but six of the names are new, and Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun tweets that a ninth draftee has signed his contract as well.

The following picks have signed their contracts, per the team and Wilson:

Jordan Richards, DB (second round)
Geneo Grissom, DE (third round)
Trey Flowers, DE (fourth round)
Shaq Mason, OL (fourth round)
Matthew Wells, OLB (sixth round)
A.J. Derby, TE (sixth round)
Darryl Roberts, CB (seventh round)

Of New England’s 11 draft picks, only first-rounder Malcom Brown and fifth-round long snapper Joe Cardona remain unsigned. In addition to locking up most of their draft class, the Pats have formally inked seven undrafted free agents to deals. Here are those players:

David Andrews, C, Georgia
Devin Gardner, WR, Michigan ($5K bonus, plus $10K guaranteed salary, per Dave Birkett)
Chris Harper, WR, California ($15K bonus, plus $5K guaranteed salary, per Aaron Wilson)
Jimmy Jean, DB, Alabama-Birmingham
Brandon King, DB, Auburn
Eric Patterson, DB, Ball State
Vince Taylor, DL, Vanderbilt ($2.5K bonus, per Jeff Howe)