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Cody Fajardo

Chargers Rumors: Stadium, Draft, Buckner

March 30th, 2016 at 10:00pm CST by Zachary Links

The Chargers’ plan for a new stadium in San Diego calls for the team (and the NFL) to pay $650MM while a 4% hike in the local hotel tax would provide an additional $350MM, Kevin Acee of U-T San Diego writes. In total, that would add up to the $1 billion needed to construct a new stadium. All in all, the plan is asking less of the city than most stadium proposals do, but it remains to be seen whether San Diego will greenlight the pitch.

Here’s more on the Chargers’ stadium situation as well as draft news:

  • It’s not immediately clear what percentage of the electorate would be required for passage, Dan McSwain and Lori Weisberg of U-T San Diego write. Recently, a California appellate court ruled that a motion to tax marijuana dispensaries needed only a simple majority (50% plus one vote) to pass, but the old rules require two-thirds of a vote. “We’re operating as if it’s two-thirds,” Fred Maas, a development consultant to the Chargers, said Tuesday.
  • The Chargers released a comprehensive FAQ regarding the Citizens’ Initiative. Within the FAQ, the Chargers acknowledge that there will still be logistical hurdles to deal with if the initiative passes.
  • Oregon defensive lineman DeForest Buckner visited the Chargers on Wednesday, per Rand Getlin of NFL Network (on Twitter). Buckner is regarded as one of the top prospects in the draft and could be in the mix for San Diego at No. 3.
  • The Chargers worked out former Nevada quarterback Cody Fajardo, Michael Gehlken of U-T San Diego tweets. Fajardo spent training camp with Oakland in 2015 as a UDFA.
  • UCLA product Myles Jack expects to play safety if he’s drafted by the Chargers, as Gehlken writes. “They feel like I can fill that spot Eric Weddle was at,” Jack said.

AFC North Notes: Gaddis, Pitta, Bengals

November 12th, 2015 at 9:52pm CST by Zachary Links

Former Towson linebacker Monte Gaddis wants to play for the Browns and he has taken some unusual steps to get their attention, as Zack Meisel of The Plain Dealer writes. Gaddis has been standing outside of the Browns’ complex with a sign with messages such as “Overlooked Cleveland native,” “Starving for my first shot,” and “Why not?” On Wednesday, GM Ray Farmer came outside, speaking with Gaddis and requesting some game film. Now, Gaddis is waiting at home to see if his phone rings with an opportunity to audition for the Browns.

As we look forward to seeing if Gaddis’ unusual job application pays dividends, let’s check out some more items from out of the AFC North….

  • Ravens tight end Dennis Pitta should retire, but his determination won’t let him, writes Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com. Pitta was placed on IR Wednesday, meaning that he will not play a snap in 2015. Still, Pitta is dead set on returning to the field next year, despite his constant hip problems. “I’m a football player and that’s what I’ve always wanted to do,” said Pitta. “I have a sense of duty to my teammates, the team and to this organization. This organization has given me a lot over the last few years.” The tight end has played in only three games since receiving a five-year deal with $16MM guaranteed in February 2014.
  • Despite Pitta’s perseverance, Rob Carlin and Brian Mitchell of CSNMidAtlantic.com (video link) are concerned that the Ravens tight end’s playing days are through.
  • The Bengals worked out quarterback Cody Fajardo, along with wide receivers Donte Foster, Colin Lockett, and DeVier Posey this week, tweets Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle.

Workout Notes: Bears, Broncos, Packers

October 7th, 2015 at 9:00pm CST by Zachary Links

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..

Workout Notes: 9/9/15

September 9th, 2015 at 8:17pm CST by Zachary Links

Former Falcons center Joe Hawley is visiting the Buccaneers today, according to Adam Caplan of ESPN.com (on Twitter). Hawley could be a fit with Tampa Bay as he has a history with offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter from their time together in Atlanta. Hawley, 27 in October, was on his way to returning from the ACL surgery that ended his 2014 season prematurely when he was cut loose by the Falcons earlier this week.

Here are more of the latest workouts and free agent meetings (All links are from Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle via Twitter, unless noted otherwise)..

  • The Vikings auditioned defensive backs Ri’Shard Anderson and C.J. Roberts, tight end Brian Leonhardt, and linebacker Jordan Tripp, according to Field Yates of ESPN.com (Twitter link).
  • The Cowboys tried out offensive tackle Charles Brown today, according to ESPN.com’s Field Yates (on Twitter). Current Cowboys tackle Tyron Smith backed up Brown when both players attended USC.
  • The Titans worked out safety Shaquille Richardson (link).
  • Keavon Milton visited the Panthers (link). The offensive lineman spent time on the Seahawks’ taxi squad in 2014 before being promoted to the 53-man roster in December.
  • Former Arena Football League wide receiver Lonnie Outlaw visited the Lions (link).
  • The Buccaneers worked out linebacker Julian Stanford and linebacker Tyrell Adams (link).
  • The Giants auditioned safety Shiloh Keo, linebacker Nico Johnson, cornerback Tramain Jacobs, ex-Jets wide receiver Shaq Evans, safety Durell Eskridge, and cornerback Dwight Bentley (link). The Giants also tried out Joe Looney, Nick Moody, Henoc Muamba, Quayshawn Nealy, Xavier Proctor, and Alameda Ta’amu (link).
  • The Colts tried out offensive lineman Travis Bond, wide receiver Marquez Clark, linebacker Edwin Jackson, and defensive tackle Derrick Lott (link).
  • The Jaguars tried out Rasheed Bailey, Matt Blanchard, and Cody Fajardo (link).

Raiders Down To 75-Man Limit

September 1st, 2015 at 4:31pm CST by Zachary Links

The Raiders announced a ton of moves on Tuesday to get down to the 75-man roster maximum. Some of the moves, like the release of running back Trent Richardson and wide receiver Kenbrell Thompkins, were previously announced. The full list is below:

Waived:

  • Steven Clark, P
  • Rob Daniel, CB
  • Cody Fajardo, QB
  • Josh Jarper, WR
  • Lamar Mady, G
  • Trent Richardson, RB
  • Kenbrell Thompkins, WR
  • Milton Williams III, WR

Released:

  • James Dockery, CB
  • Ras-I Dowling, CB
  • Trindon Holliday, WR/RS

Waived/Injured:

  • Jimmy Hall, S

Placed on IR:

  •  Menelik Watson, OT

Holliday, 29, was a dynamic return man for Denver in 2012 and 2013, bringing back a total of four kicks and punts for touchdowns over the course of those two regular seasons. As a member of the Broncos in the 2012 postseason, Holliday became the first player to return a punt and a kickoff for a touchdown in the same playoff game. The Broncos decided not to tender a contract to Holliday when he was eligible for restricted free agency a year ago, leading to a 2014 campaign in which the former sixth-round pick bounced around from team to team and battled injuries along the way. Holliday had stints with the Giants, Buccaneers, and 49ers in 2014, and was ultimately cut by San Francisco in April. In June, he landed with Oakland, but his time there has ended as well.

 

Raiders Waive Kenbrell Thompkins

August 31st, 2015 at 6:42pm CST by Zachary Links

The Raiders waived wide receiver Kenbrell Thompkins, according to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk (on Twitter). The move will go on tomorrow’s transactions, meaning that he could be claimed on Wednesday at 3pm CT.

Thompkins, 26, stuck with the Patriots in 2013 after being signed as an undrafted free agent, impressing at times during his rookie campaign. He caught 32 passes for 466 yards and four touchdowns in eight starts last season, but wasn’t a major part of New England’s passing attack in early 2014, and was cut just a few weeks into the season. The Raiders then acted quickly to claim him. In 12 games for Oakland, Thompkins caught 15 passes for 209 yards.

The Raiders will also waive UDFA quarterback Cody Fajardo, a source tells ESPN.com’s Adam Caplan (on Twitter).

Raiders Sign 14 Undrafted FAs

May 8th, 2015 at 2:02pm CST by Luke Adams

The Raiders have signed 14 undrafted free agents to their roster, adding them in time for rookie minicamp, the team announced today in a press release. Here’s the complete list, via the team:

  • Rob Daniel, CB, BYU
  • Quinterrius Eatmon, OL, South Florida
  • Cody Fajardo, QB, Nevada
  • Jacoby Hale, LB, Utah
  • Jimmy Hall, S, Northwestern
  • Josh Harper, WR, Fresno State
  • Gabe Holmes, TE, Purdue
  • Gus Johnson, RB, Stephen F. Austin
  • Tevin McDonald, S, Eastern Washington
  • Braylon Mitchell, LB, Arkansas
  • Leon Orr, DT, Florida
  • Terrell Pinson, S, Louisiana Tech
  • Josh Shirley, LB, UNLV ($5K bonus, per Aaron Wilson)
  • Milton Williams, WR, Delaware State