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Latest On Colin Kaepernick Workout

November 16th, 2019 at 6:34pm CST by Marc Delucchi

Free agent quarterback Colin Kaepernick completed one of the most unique workouts in NFL history this afternoon. The NFL offered to stage a workout for the quarterback earlier this week. However, Kaepernick’s team became weary of the league’s intentions when his representatives were refused in their requests to open the event to the public. In a last minute decision, Kaepernick’s representation moved the event from the Falcons facility to a public location on their own.

Here’s the latest on the workout and its aftermath:

  • When the venue was changed, the NFL released a public statement on NFL.com that expressed they were “disappointed” with Kaepernick’s choice not to participate in the workout they had organized. They claimed “Twenty-five (25) clubs were present for the workout, and all 32 clubs, their head coaches, general managers, and other personnel executives would have received video footage of the interview and workout.” The league also felt the need to note they “made considerable effort to work cooperatively with Colin’s representatives,” among a list of other points that attempted to counter some narratives that the league had been purposely opaque in their negotiations.
  • The league also tweeted out from the league’s official account a thread reiterating some main points from the press release. One key point from the league’s perspective, “Colin moved his workout to a facility an hour from Atlanta Falcons Flowery Branch facility. No one got a heads up until NFL saw the Twitter statement.”
  • Former Raiders and Browns head coach Hue Jackson was scheduled to run the workout orchestrated by the NFL. However, while Kaepernick’s team invited Jackson to run the workout at the new venue, Jackson returned to the airport, according to Michael Silver of NFL.com.
  • WR Bruce Ellington, WR Brice Butler, WR Jordan Veasy, TE/WR Ari Werts, and Panthers S Eric Reid were on the field with Kaepernick for the workout, according to Kaylee Harung of ABC News. The free-agent receivers were likely hoping to catch the eyes of scouts present to view Kaepernick, while Reid has been one of the most consistent advocated for Kaepernick in the league.
  • One claim in the announcement made by Kaepernick’s representatives was that the league required he sign an agreement that included language to limit his ability to bring claims against the league. Of course, given Kaepernick’s previous collusion lawsuit against the league, Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk argues the workout was a ploy by the league to put Kaepernick “in legal checkmate.”
  • In the end, there were not nearly as many teams present at Kaepernick’s workout as the NFL claimed would have been present for the workout they had planned. The Washington football team, Eagles, 49ers, Chiefs, Jets, Titans, and Lions were the teams present for his workout, according to Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports.
  • The 2-hour workout was streamed on YouTube and consistently maintained roughly 45,000 viewers. On the field, one NFL executive described Kaepernick’s arm talent as “elite” and on the same level as “when he came out of college,” according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.
  • Teams that had personnel present for the workout noted that the workout consisted of 60 throws and “Basically showed he’s the same guy he was,” according to Albert Breer of MMQB. After the workout, Kaepernick did not hold any formal interviews, but in his closing remarks said he would hold an interview with any team. He also thanked his fans for their support and reiterated, “I’ve been ready. I’m staying ready. And I’ll continue to be ready….The ball’s in their court. We’re ready to go.”

Raiders Worked Out WR Brice Butler

September 21st, 2019 at 9:20am CST by Ben Levine

Brice Butler is eyeing his next NFL gig. The free agent wideout told Jane Slater of the NFL Network that he worked out for the Raiders yesterday (Twitter link). The 29-year-old added that he’d love to return to the organization, and he’d be interested in playing alongside quarterback Derek Carr.

The Raiders selected Butler in the seventh round of the 2013 draft, and the receiver proceeded to spend his first two-plus seasons in Oakland. One of his best seasons came with the Raiders in 2014, when Butler finished with a career-high 21 receptions. The veteran later moved on to Dallas, where he spent several years as a depth piece. He actually had his best season with the Cowboys in 2017, when he hauled in 15 receptions for 317 yards and three scores.

The San Diego State product signed a two-year deal with the Cardinals during the 2018 offseason, but he was released by the team before seeing the field. He re-signed with the Cowboys but was released after a pair of appearances, and he appeared in six games for the Dolphins down the stretch. Butler was cut by Miami at the end of this past preseason.

Tyrell Williams, Ryan Grant. and JJ Nelson currently lead the Raiders depth chart, but Butler could push Hunter Renfrow, Keelan Doss, and Dwayne Harris for playing time.

Dolphins Cut Kiko Alonso

August 31st, 2019 at 4:33pm CST by Zachary Links

The Dolphins cut Kiko Alonso en route to reaching the 53-man max. Both moves were rumored this week, but the Fins were waiting to see if they could arrange a trade for the linebackers before letting them go.

Alonso requested a trade during training camp when he realized that he would be squeezed out of the Dolphins’ plans in one fashion or another. New coach Brian Flores is overseeing a defensive overhaul and he didn’t have much use for the veteran, despite his three years of starting experience in Miami. Originally drafted by the Bills in the second-round back in 2013, Alonso won’t play out the two years left on his four-year, $28.9MM deal.

Here are the other moves made by Miami to make their roster kosher by Week 1:

Dolphins Sign WR Brice Butler

November 14th, 2018 at 3:43pm CST by Zachary Links

The Dolphins signed Brice Butler to fill their open roster spot, according to a team announcement. At minimum, the wide receiver should help to replenish a group that has been dinged by injuries.

[RELATED: Dolphins Promote OL Isaac Asiata]

With DeVante Parker and Jakeem Grant sidelined, Butler may be one of four healthy receivers heading into Nov. 25th’s game against the Colts. On the plus side, the Dolphins can use their bye week to heal up.

Butler rejoined the Cowboys this year after his signing with the Cardinals did not work out. He talked a big game in free agency, but he’s appeared in just one game through ten weeks of the season.

To his credit, the well-traveled pass-catcher averaged 21.1 yards per catch last season with Dallas. That season also marked a new career high in yards (317) and matched his previous watermark for touchdowns (3).

NFL Workout Updates: 11/6/18

November 6th, 2018 at 8:48pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Today’s workout updates, with all links going to veteran NFL reporter Howard Balzer’s Twitter account unless otherwise noted:

Arizona Cardinals

Cleveland Browns

Denver Broncos

  • LB Christian Kuntz

Green Bay Packers

Indianapolis Colts

Miami Dolphins

New England Patriots

Oakland Raiders

  • T Roubbens Joseph (Twitter link via Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle)

San Francisco 49ers

Seattle Seahawks

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Washington Redskins

NFL Workout Updates: 11/5/18

November 5th, 2018 at 8:52pm CST by Sam Robinson

Here’s the latest from the workout circuit. All links go to Sirius XM Radio’s Adam Caplan Twitter account, unless otherwise noted.

Cleveland Browns

Cincinnati Bengals

Houston Texans

Indianapolis Colts

Jacksonville Jaguars

Oakland Raiders

Philadelphia Eagles

AFC Notes: Gordon, Melvin, Marshall, Bosa

October 29th, 2018 at 5:48pm CST by Sam Robinson

Josh Gordon has run afoul with a new team. The Patriots plan to discipline the oft-embattled wide receiver during tonight’s Bills game, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com reports (on Twitter), with tardiness at the root of the trade acquisition’s latest issue. New England will play without Gordon for a period of time tonight, around a quarter or “several series,” per Rapoport. Gordon showed up late to the Patriots’ facility on Sunday before the team left for Buffalo, Jeff Howe of The Athletic tweets. After Gordon rides the bench to start the game, Rapoport adds he’ll return to his normal workload tonight. This benching is part of the team’s effort to manage and work with the 27-year-old wideout, one who had rampant trouble in Cleveland on this and other off-field fronts. If Gordon was on a low-tolerance policy with the Patriots, this doesn’t help his cause.

Here’s the latest from the AFC on trade deadline eve:

  • Bruce Irvin and Karl Joseph are believed to be on the trade block during the Raiders‘ rebuild, and, perhaps unsurprisingly based on the way his season’s gone, so is cornerback Rashaan Melvin. The recently signed corner was a healthy scratch against the Colts on Sunday, and Tom Pelissero of NFL.com notes (video link) Melvin is available for a trade. Melvin signed a one-year, $5.5MM deal but drew Jon Gruden‘s public scrutiny after complaining about his role on the Raiders and the coaching staff’s style earlier this season. Melvin, 29, was a well-regarded Colts starter at this point last season and almost certainly will not be part of the 2019 Raiders.
  • Broncos plans to trade Brandon Marshall, if that was ever the case, look to have hit a snag. The longtime Denver starting linebacker now has a bone bruise in one of his knees and will likely miss time because of it, Denver7’s Troy Renck tweets. Marshall, whose contract makes him far from a lock he’ll be on next year’s Broncos, surfaced in trade rumors over the weekend. One of the handful of Denver starting defenders left over from Super Bowl 50, Marshall has been a full-time starter since 2014. He signed an extension in 2016, but that deal includes a $9MM cap number next year. Rookie Josey Jewell has played well in part-time duty as well, and the Broncos could get an early look at the fifth-round pick as a starter if Marshall is forced to miss time.
  • Joey Bosa could make his season debut on Sunday. At least, the Chargers haven’t ruled it out. Anthony Lynn said it was possible Bosa plays in Week 9, per Eric Williams of ESPN.com. Lynn said Bosa was getting closer. He’s missed seven Bolts games this season because of a bruised left foot, an injury he aggravated before Week 1. Lynn added he’s not ruling Melvin Gordon out, either.
  • The Texans followed through with their scheduled Brice Butler workout on Monday, Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle tweets. In addition, Houston auditioned quarterback Brogan Roback, cornerback Craig Mager and wide receivers Amba Etta-Tawo and Steven Mitchell.

Texans To Work Out WR Brice Butler

October 26th, 2018 at 2:20pm CST by Zachary Links

The Texans will work out former Cowboys wide receiver Brice Butler on Friday, a league source tells Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle (on Twitter). This marks Butler’s second audition of the week after working out for the Jets on Wednesday. 

[RELATED: Texans’ Will Fuller Done For Year]

Butler talked a big game heading into free agency and insisted on becoming a starter with his next team. He inked a two-year deal with the Cardinals in April, but did not make their initial cut in early September.

Last year, Butler showed flashes of being a strong deep threat. The 6-foot-3 target averaged 21.1 yards per catch in 2017, posting 317 air yards and three touchdowns on just 15 receptions. He averaged 21.5 yards per grab in 2015, his first year in Dallas, while working with various backups while Tony Romo was on the shelf.

If signed, Butler could help fill the void left by Will Fuller‘s season-ending ACL tear. He couldn’t ask for a much better opportunity to rebuild his value, especially as Keke Coutee also continues to work his way back from injury.

Jets Meet With WR Brice Butler

October 24th, 2018 at 3:53pm CST by Zachary Links

Wide receiver Brice Butler visited the Jets on Wednesday, Field Yates of ESPN.com tweets. As Quincy Enunwa and Robby Anderson deal with injuries, Butler may help fill the void.

Butler averaged 21.1 yards per catch last season with the Cowboys and parlayed that work into a two-year Arizona deal. He did not end up making the Cardinals’ 53-man roster, though, and returned to the Cowboys as roster depth for a shaky receiving corps. Earlier this week, the Cowboys put him back on the curb after trading for Amari Cooper.

The Jets recently brought Rishard Matthews into the fold and he could serve as one of their top three receivers when they face the Bears on Sunday. Jermaine Kearse, Andre Roberts, Charone Peake, and Deontay Burnett round out the WR depth chart, but one of the latter two could be displaced in favor of Butler.

Cowboys To Cut Brice Butler

October 22nd, 2018 at 4:29pm CST by Sam Robinson

Brice Butler‘s latest Cowboys stint will end as a result of the franchise’s Amari Cooper acquisition. The Cowboys informed Butler they intend to release him, Jane Slater of NFL.com tweets.

The veteran wide receiver rejoined the Cowboys this year after a Cardinals signing did not work out. He played in one game thus far this season and did not catch a pass.

The well-traveled pass-catcher averaged 21.1 yards per catch last season and parlayed that work into a two-year Arizona deal. He did not end up making the Cardinals’ 53-man roster, though, and returned to the Cowboys as roster depth for a shaky receiving corps.

Having begun his career with the Raiders as a seventh-round pick, Reggie McKenzie traded Butler to the Cowboys prior to the 2015 season. He played three seasons in Dallas.

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