HEADLINES

Chad Abram

Lions Cut Six Players

August 25th, 2014 at 11:47am CST by Dallas Robinson

The Lions are the latest team announce their roster machinations in advance of tomorrow’s cutdown deadline. The following players have been released, per Tim Twentyman of Lions.com (via Twitter):

Twentyman also tweets that S DeJon Gomes has been placed on injured reserve. With Tavecchio’s release, Nate Freese has won Detriot’s kicking competition.

Lions Sign 12 UDFAs, Cut Eight Players

May 16th, 2014 at 10:09am CST by Luke Adams

FRIDAY, 10:09am: The Lions have officially signed one more undrafted free agent, inking Robert Morris offensive lineman A.J. Dalton to a contract, tweets Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press. Dalton received a $2.5K signing bonus, per Birkett (via Twitter).

MONDAY, 3:45pm: The Lions have signed 11 undrafted free agents to contracts, according to Tim Twentyman of DetroitLions.com. In order to make room for the new additions, the team also cut eight players: Cornerback Nate Ness, safety Akwasi Owusu-Ansah, tight end Matt Veldman, kicker John Potter, wide receiver Carlin Isles, linebacker Jon Morgan, center Sherman Carter and wide receiver Cody Wilson.

While none of those players was expected to be a real contributor in Detroit this season, there are a couple notable names in the group. Isles is a rugby speedster who was considering coming to camp with the Lions, while Potter had been expected to compete for the kicking job vacated by David Akers.

Here’s the full list of the club’s UDFA signings:

  • Chad Abram, FB, Florida State ($7.5K bonus, per Dave Birkett)
  • Alex Bullard, G, Tennessee ($500 bonus)
  • Jerome Couplin, S, William and Mary ($6K bonus)
  • James Franklin, QB, Missouri ($2K bonus)
  • Justin Jackson, LB, Wake Forest ($2.5K bonus)
  • Cornelius Lucas, OT, Kansas State ($20K bonus)
  • Gabe Lynn, S, Oklahoma ($2.5K bonus)
  • Jacob Maxwell, TE, Louisiana Lafayette ($3K bonus)
  • D.J. Morrell, G, Old Dominion ($2.5K bonus)
  • Andrew Peacock, WR, Appalachian State ($2.5K bonus)
  • Mohammed Seisay, CB, Nebraska ($5K bonus)

AFC East Notes: Bills, Abram, Dolphins, Pats

May 2nd, 2014 at 11:08am CST by Luke Adams

A number of investors and groups have already expressed some interest in purchasing the Bills, and John Wawrow of The Associated Press adds another name to that ever-growing list. According to Wawrow, two people familiar with discussions confirmed that New York City developer Howard Milstein has interest in purchasing the franchise and keeping it in western New York.

Milstein perhaps wouldn’t be the strongest candidate among the list of prospective buyers, since he has a spotty history in sports ownership. Wawrow writes that Milstein’s previous ownership of the NHL’s New York Islanders was “filled with controversy” and adds that the developer previously tried to purchase the Redskins, but withdrew his bid after he failed to get support from a majority of NFL owners. Both of those incidents happened over a decade ago, however, so it remains to be seen how significantly they’d impact a potential run at the Bills now.

Here’s more from around the AFC East:

  • ESPN.com’s Mike Rodak doesn’t think the Bills should part with their 2015 first-rounder to move up in this year’s draft, since that pick should be earmarked for a quarterback.
  • Running back has been a position of strength for the Bills in recent years, but both C.J. Spiller and Fred Jackson are entering contract years, meaning the team will have to plan ahead for 2015 and beyond. Jay Skurski of the Buffalo News examines the situation, and talks to Spiller about approaching free agency.
  • The Dolphins and Patriots are among the teams that have worked out Florida State fullback Chad Abram, writes Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post. According to Wilson, Abram, a “versatile fullback and a bruising lead blocker,” has also has workouts with the Falcons and Chiefs.
  • A source tells Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald that the Dolphins sent linebackers coach Mark Duffner to Louisville earlier this week to work out Preston Brown, who has piqued the team’s interest. Within Jackson’s piece, he also passes along several tidbits from draft guru Mike Mayock that relate to the Dolphins.