HEADLINES

Caleb Sturgis

Eagles Notes: Sturgis, Bradford, Sanchez

October 5th, 2015 at 7:15pm CST by Zachary Links

Caleb Sturgis, whom the Eagles signed to replace the injured Cody Parkey, had an rough debut Sunday in the team’s 23-20 loss to Washington. Sturgis missed a 33-yard field goal and an extra point and coach Chip Kelly sounds open to finding a replacement.

“You always have to [consider your options],” Kelly said, per Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer (on Twitter). “The state of kicking in the NFL is not good.”

Still, for the time being, Kelly says that Sturgis will remain the team’s place kicker (per PhiladelphiaEagles.com via Twitter). While we wait to see if Philly will move on to kicker No. 3 this season, here’s more on the Eagles..

  • Kelly has taken the Eagles from pretty good to pretty awful, Mark Maske of the Washington Post writes. In the offseason, Kelly wrestled roster control away from exec Howie Roseman and therefore the blame has to lie with him, Maske writes. The Eagles stand at 1-3, putting them in last place in the division.
  • Through four games, Sam Bradford is 35-for-66 for just 309 yards in the first half with a paltry 4.7 yards per attempt, one touchdown, and one pick. Given his struggles, it’s time for Kelly to bench the former No. 1 pick and replace him with Mark Sanchez, Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com opines.
  • Kelly is confident that he has the guys he needs to win games, as Les Bowen of the Daily News writes.

Kicker Notes: Scobee, Brindza, Sturgis

October 4th, 2015 at 8:15pm CST by Connor J. Byrne

Some nuggets regarding three kickers who had terrible showings in Week 4 of the NFL season:

  • Although recently released Josh Scobee missed four kicks in four games with Pittsburgh – including two in its 23-20 loss to Baltimore on Thursday – he’s drawing interest from around the league. Three teams have reached out to him, tweets CBS Sports’ Jason La Canfora, who notes that Scobee will need a few weeks to recover from a quad strain.
  • Buccaneers kicker Kyle Brindza has missed seven kicks (five field goals, two extra points) over the last two weeks, and ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports (via Twitter) that he’s likely to find himself on the unemployment line in the coming days.
  • Like Brindza, Eagles kicker Caleb Sturgis could also be looking for work soon. Sturgis, whom the Eagles signed this week to replace the injured Cody Parkey, had an ignominious debut Sunday in the team’s 23-20 loss to Washington. Sturgis missed a pair of 33-yarders (including a point after) and might not be in an Eagles uniform come next Sunday, per Marc Narducci of the Philadelphia Inquirer.

Eagles Sign Caleb Sturgis, Place Cody Parkey On IR

September 29th, 2015 at 7:51am CST by Luke Adams

TUESDAY, 7:51am: The Eagles have made the pair of kicker moves official, announcing in a press release that they’ve signed Sturgis and placed Parkey on IR. Within the announcement, the club notes that Parkey’s groin injury was separate from the one he dealt with during the preseason.

MONDAY, 4:16pm: After bringing in several kickers for tryouts today, the Eagles have decided to place injured kicker Cody Parkey on injured reserve, and will sign free agent Caleb Sturgis, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter).

Sturgis, 26, was the Dolphins’ kicker in 2013 and 2014, but was a little shaky for Miami, missing eight field goals in each of his first two seasons, and recording an overall conversion percentage of just 77.5%. Sturgis lost his job to Andrew Franks this year, but has found a new gig just several weeks later, taking over in Philadelphia for Parkey.

Parkey, who earned a Pro Bowl nod in his rookie season last year, re-aggravated a preseason groin injury during Sunday’s game, raising doubts about his availability going forward. It’s not clear yet whether he’ll miss the entire season — the Eagles will work out an injury settlement and release him from their IR list if and when he gets healthy in the coming weeks.

Nick Novak, Billy Cundiff, Shayne Graham, Kai Forbath, and Carey Spear joined Sturgis at today’s audition in Philadelphia, and the Eagles ultimately opted for the ex-Dolphin over Forbath, who was the other finalist, per Mike Garafolo of FOX Sports (Twitter link).

Nick Novak, Others Auditioning For Eagles

September 28th, 2015 at 12:07pm CST by Luke Adams

12:07pm: Today’s tryouts are simply precautionary, according to head coach Chip Kelly (Twitter link). I speculated as much below, noting that the team could simply be attempting to identify a Plan B in case Parkey has to miss a game or two.

10:31am: Kai Forbath, Shayne Graham, and Carey Spear are also part of today’s workout for the Eagles, per Albert Breer of the NFL Network (Twitter link).

10:13am: Alex Marvez of FOX Sports reported earlier today that the Eagles would be auditioning kickers today after Cody Parkey re-aggravated a preseason groin injury during Sunday’s game, and Ian Rapoport of NFL.com has provided some additional details, tweeting that ex-Changers kicker Nick Novak is working out for Philadelphia.

After Marvez tweeted that there are at least two other free agents in attendance, Rapoport reported those names as well, tweeting that Caleb Sturgis and Billy Cundiff are getting a look from the Eagles. Connor Barth, Jay Feely, and ex-Eagle Alex Henery are among the other notable veteran kickers who are currently without NFL jobs, but it doesn’t sound like they’re being considered by Philadelphia.

Novak, 34, had been the Chargers’ full-time kicker from 2011 to 2014, making 101 of his 117 field goal attempts (86.3%) during his time in San Diego, including 11 of 17 from 50+ yards. However, he was beaten out in camp this year by the younger, cheaper Josh Lambo, and was released by the Chargers earlier this month.

Sturgis, meanwhile, was the Dolphins’ kicker for the last two seasons, but his performance was a little shakier, as he missed eight field goal attempts in each of his two seasons with the team, for an overall mark of 77.5%. He lost his job to Andrew Franks this year. As for Cundiff, he kicked for the Browns in 2013 and 2014, converting 78.2% of his field goal tries.

If Novak, Sturgis, or Cundiff impresses the Eagles, it won’t necessarily result in a deal — according to Marvez, it’s unclear whether Parkey will be healthy enough to kick for Philadelphia in the club’s Week 4 game against Washington. Today’s workout may just be a fact-finding mission to identify the best alternative in case Parkey’s groin ultimately keeps him out of action.

NFC East Notes: Dez, Washington, Eagles

September 15th, 2015 at 8:57am CST by Luke Adams

The Cowboys are hoping Dez Bryant returns in four to six week after undergoing foot surgery, but ESPN’s Dr. Mark Adickes thinks eight to 12 weeks might be a more realistic recovery time frame for the star wideout (Twitter link via Adam Schefter of ESPN.com). For now, the Cowboys have no plans to use their IR/designated to return slot on Bryant — such a move would sideline him for at least eight weeks.

Let’s round up a few more items from around the NFC East….

  • With starting cornerback Chris Culliver set to miss Washington‘s Week 2 contest due to a one-game suspension, the club is bringing in free agent corner Will Blackmon for a visit today, according to Mike Garafolo of FOX Sports (Twitter link). Blackmon, who was cut by the Jaguars earlier in 2015, signed with the Seahawks in March but was released by Seattle during the cutdown to 53 players.
  • Before Washington signed free agent kicker Dustin Hopkins yesterday, the team also worked out former Dolphins kicker Caleb Sturgis, along with punter Brandon Fields, tweets Adam Caplan of ESPN.com.
  • The Eagles auditioned tight ends Connor Hamlett, Brian Leonhardt, and Jacob Maxwell, per Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post (via Twitter). Presumably, those workouts took place before the club was certain that Zach Ertz – coming off groin surgery – would be ready for such a significant role on Monday night.
  • Cornerback Byron Maxwell, the Eagles‘ biggest free agent addition of the winter, was also the team’s biggest disappointment in Week 1, writes Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer. McLane also notes that the offensive line – featuring Allen Barbre and Andrew Gardner in starting roles – was overmatched by Atlanta’s defensive front, which could raise questions about Philadelphia’s decision to cut both Evan Mathis and Todd Herremans in the offseason.

Extra Points: JPP, Chancellor, Colts, Saints

September 8th, 2015 at 2:33pm CST by Luke Adams

In the wake of Judge Richard Berman’s Deflategate ruling, Steelers linebacker James Harrison suggested he might try to recoup the salary he lost in fines over the years, and his agent, William Parise, tells Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com that his client wasn’t joking.

“Certainly there’s an open door because of the courts overturning the commissioner’s ability to hear his own appeals,” Parise said, adding that he has discussed the issue with Harrison and with the NFLPA.

Of course, it’s not likely that Harrison gets that fine money back, but as Fowler notes, the fact that anyone’s even talking about such a possibility is a signal of what a big impact Judge Berman’s decision could have on the league going forward.

Here are a few more odds and ends from around the NFL:

  • While Jason Pierre-Paul‘s camp has been optimistic about the Giants defensive end getting back on the field soon, a league source tells Tom Rock and Bob Glauber of Newsday that it’s unlikely to happen right away. Pierre-Paul and the Giants still need to work out a contract agreement before JPP can play in a game for the team.
  • Seahawks players are planning for Week 1 as if safety Kam Chancellor will continue his holdout and won’t play in the game, with one telling Ed Werder of ESPN.com (Twitter link), “I don’t think we’re going to have him at all this season.”
  • In the wake of recent reports about tension between the Colts‘ head coach and GM, Chuck Pagano and Ryan Grigson predictably dismissed the idea of a rift, suggesting that they’ll work together and always do what’s best for the team. However, Stephen Holder of the Indianapolis Star hears that Grigson has a tendency to make decisions that run counter to Pagano’s wishes, including lineup decisions. While Holder stops short of calling it a “rift” between the two decision-makers, he acknowledges that there are issues.
  • In addition to working out Nick Novak today, the Saints are also bringing in Caleb Sturgis for a look, says Mike Triplett of ESPN.com. However, Triplett and Evan Woodbery of the Times-Picayune (Twitter link) both agree that Zach Hocker‘s job is probably safe for now, with New Orleans simply building a list of potential options.
  • Despite being demoted to third on the Bills‘ quarterback depth chart, E.J. Manuel isn’t seeking a release or trade, sources close to the QB tell Vic Carucci of The Buffalo News (Twitter link).

Dolphins Pare Roster Down To 53

September 5th, 2015 at 5:18pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Dolphins removed 20 players from their roster in order to reach the mandated 53-man limit, with the most notable of the team’s releases coming at kicker.

Caleb Sturgis will not begin a third season as the Dolphins’ kicker, as Andrew Franks won competition for the spot, according to the team’s website.

In going with rookie undrafted free agent Franks over Sturgis, a third-year veteran, it marks the first time in eight years Miami will deploy two new specialists. Rookie Matt Darr supplanted eight-year punter Brandon Fields, a 2013 Pro Bowler, earlier this week.

Sturgis missed eight kicks in each of his two campaigns.

Miami’s additional cuts are as follows:

  • Damarr Aultman, WR
  • McLeod Bethel-Thompson, QB
  • Sam Brenner, C
  • Deandre Coleman, DT
  • James Davidson, LB
  • Emmanuel Dieke, DE
  • Mike Gillislee, RB
  • Cobi Hamilton, WR
  • Donald Hawkins, T
  • Mike Hull, LB
  • Anthony Johnson, DT
  • Christion Jones, WR (Waived/injured)
  • Don Jones, S
  • Mike Liedtke, G/T
  • Jeff Luc, LB
  • Jordan Tripp, LB
  • Cedric Thompson, S
  • Jake Stoneburner, TE
  • Tim Semisch, TE
  • Aundrey Walker, T

Dolphins To Sign Jake Rogers

August 25th, 2014 at 11:17am CST by Rob DiRe

Monday, 11:17am: In addition to confirming the signing of Rogers, the Dolphins announced (via Twitter) that they had added defensive tackle Cory Grissom.

Sunday, 6:32pm: The Dolphins are planning to sign kicker Jake Rogers, formerly of the Redskins, according to Alex Marvez of Fox Sports 1 (via Twitter). The team is in need of kicking help after the recent injuries to Caleb Sturgis and John Potter.

Sturgis, the team’s projected starter, has struggled with a groin injury that will keep him out of practice for the time being. He was selected in the fifth round of the 2013 NFL Draft, out of the University of Florida.

As we learned when the Redskins signed Rogers earlier this offseason, he has yet to attempt a kick in an NFL game. He has competed for spots on multiple NFL teams, since signing with the Saints as an undrafted free agent in 2011.

Rogers is the University of Cincinnati’s all-time leading scorer.