HEADLINES

Colt McCoy

Extra Points: Draft, Rolle, Cobb, McCoy

December 17th, 2014 at 4:59pm CST by Luke Adams

We’re still about four and a half months away from the 2015 NFL draft, and a week and a half from even knowing what the draft order will look like, but that didn’t stop ESPN’s Todd McShay (Insider link) from publishing his first mock draft of the season today. McShay’s first ’15 mock has the top two quarterback prospects coming off the board first, with the Buccaneers selecting Marcus Mariota at No. 1 and the Titans nabbing Jameis Winston at No. 2. The Jets, meanwhile, picking sixth overall, land standout Alabama receiver Amari Cooper in McShay’s scenario, but would still need to find a quarterback to get him the ball.

Here’s more from around the NFL:

  • Calling the Giants a “great fit” for him, safety Antrel Rolle indicated today that he’s hoping for a three-year offer from the team this offseason as he approaches free agency, writes ESPN.com’s Dan Graziano. According to Graziano, Rolle believes that if he doesn’t receive such an offer from the Giants, he could get it from another team.
  • In his weekly ESPN Milwaukee radio show, Aaron Rodgers suggested it’s “important” that the Packers lock up wide receiver – and prospective free agent – Randall Cobb (link via Chris Wesseling of NFL.com).
  • The Fritz Pollard Alliance has identified nine minority coaching candidates for NFL teams to consider this offseason, including Lions defensive coordinator Teryl Austin. Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press has the details.
  • Washington quarterback Colt McCoy says he wants to return to the team next season, but he’ll almost certainly be seeking a raise, writes Rich Tandler of CSNWashington.com. Tandler expects Washington to be McCoy’s first choice, but points out that he likely won’t give a “hometown discount” to a team he has only been with for a year.
  • The NFL has lifted the suspension of free agent fullback Nikita Whitlock, who received a four-game ban from the league last month, tweets Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun.

Washington Places Colt McCoy On IR

December 16th, 2014 at 1:29pm CST by Luke Adams

One of the three quarterbacks to start this season for Washington is headed to the injured reserve list, according to head coach Jay Gruden, who announced today that Colt McCoy‘s season is officially over (Twitter link via Mike Jones of the Washington Post). Linebacker Jackson Jeffcoat has been promoted from the team’s practice squad to the active roster to take McCoy’s spot.

McCoy, who suffered a neck injury earlier in the month, was cleared to play in Washington’s Week 15 game against the Giants, but left that contest early after aggravating the injury. In his five games (four starts) this year, McCoy posted respectable numbers, completing 71.1% of his passes for 1,057 yards, four touchdowns, and three interceptions. The 28-year-old is eligible for unrestricted free agency this offseason, so we’ll see if Washington attempts to re-sign him or if he hits the open market.

As for the NFC East’s cellar-dwellers, Gruden indicated today that his team doesn’t intend to add another quarterback to its roster this season, tweets Tom Schad of the Washington Times. It looks as if Robert Griffin III will get the opportunity to start Washington’s final two games of the season, with Kirk Cousins backing him up.

NFC East Notes: Coughlin, Gruden, McCoy

December 9th, 2014 at 10:39am CST by Luke Adams

While many observers have predicted that the Giants will replace head coach Tom Coughlin at season’s end, those who know co-owner John Mara “are convinced” he doesn’t want to fire Coughlin and is no lock to do so, writes Ralph Vacchiano of the New York Daily News. As Vacchiano points out, Mara and fellow co-owner Steve Tisch could come up with several compelling reasons to keep Coughlin around, including a desire to maintain stability and a lack of star candidates to replace him.

As we wait to see how the Giants finish the season and how that affects Coughlin’s future in New York, let’s check in on a few other items from around the NFC East….

  • As Dianna Marie Russini of NBC Washington tweets, Washington head coach Jay Gruden acknowledged to reporters yesterday that jobs will be on line for his team during the final three weeks of the season. With whispers that Gruden could be one-and-done in Washington, his own job may be one that’s on the line down the stretch.
  • According to reports from Mike Jones of the Washington Post and John Keim of ESPN.com (Twitter link), the neck injury sustained by Washington quarterback Colt McCoy on Sunday is not believed to be serious or career-threatening, and McCoy could even be healthy enough to play in Week 15.
  • After signing a contract extension with the team in the offseason, Eagles wideout Riley Cooper hasn’t provided the same sort of big plays he did a year ago, but head coach Chip Kelly is pleased with Cooper’s play, writes Zach Berman of the Philadelphia Inquirer.
  • The Giants took a look at a pair of defensive players yesterday, according to Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun, who tweets that the club brought in linebacker Victor Butler and defensive end Gerald Rivers for tryouts.
  • Having been cut by the Titans last week, cornerback Brandon Ghee was among a handful of players to work out for Washington, tweets Wilson. The club also auditioned cornerback Qua Cox, offensive lineman Ty Nsekhe, defensive back Justin Rogers, and defensive lineman Shawn Lemon, who is coming off a 13-sack season with the CFL’s Calgary Stampeders.

Monday Roundup: QB Dilemmas, Pitta, Lewis

December 8th, 2014 at 9:02pm CST by Rory Parks

After predictably non-committal responses in his post-game press conference yesterday, Browns head coach Mike Pettine said today that “it’s natural to lean the other way” when considering who his starting quarterback should be moving forward (per ESPN.com’s Pat McManamon) The “other way” in this case is, of course, Johnny Manziel, whom Dennis Manoloff of the Cleveland Plain Dealer believes will get the nod over the struggling Brian Hoyer in next week’s matchup against Cincinnati.

Now for some more links from around the league:

East Notes: Revis, Washington, Jets, Giants

December 4th, 2014 at 9:02am CST by Luke Adams

There were times last season in Tampa Bay when Darrelle Revis didn’t necessarily look like one of the league’s best cornerbacks, but the veteran corner has re-established himself this year in New England, according to ESPN.com’s Mike Sando (Insider link), who calls Revis the year’s No. 1 free agent or trade acquisition. The East’s two division leaders get nods in Sando’s piece, with the Patriots being recognized for their signing of Revis and the Eagles lauded for their trade for Darren Sproles, who ranks seventh on the list.

Here’s more from around the NFC and AFC East divisions:

  • Rich Tandler of CSNWashington.com expects quarterback Colt McCoy to return to Washington next season, but notes that McCoy is eligible for free agency, and if he reaches the open market, he’ll likely get offers from other teams after holding his own as a starter this year.
  • 35-year-old Washington safety Ryan Clark is focused on finishing this season strong, and isn’t thinking about his NFL future, writes Liz Clarke of the Washington Post. Still, while Clark stopped short of saying he’ll retire, he indicated that this season could be his last.
  • The Jets brought in several players for tryouts this week, focusing on the defensive line and special teams, according to Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (via Twitter). Wilson reports that the club worked out defensive linemen Ben Bass, Kona Schwenke, and Zach Thompson, punters Kasey Redfern and Jacob Schum, and long snapper Patrick Scales.
  • In addition to working out cornerback Keith Lewis, whose audition was previously reported, Washington also took a look at running back Terrance Cobb and offensive lineman Rishaw Johnson earlier this week, tweets Wilson. Johnson has since signed with the division-rival Giants‘ practice squad.
  • Those Giants worked out several players of their own this week, per Wilson, who provides the list of participants (Twitter link): D.J. Bryant (OLB), Mike Golic Jr. (OL), Dion Lewis (RB), Jordan McCray (OL), and Uani Unga (LB).

Extra Points: Washington, RGIII, NFLPA

November 25th, 2014 at 10:33pm CST by Zachary Links

So much for having “every intent” to keep Robert Griffin III as the starter. Washington is planning to start Colt McCoy over RGIII on Sunday at Indianapolis, a team source tells Adam Schefter of ESPN (via Facebook). While Griffin is not a part of Washington’s plan for Sunday’s game, he still appears to be a significant part of the Redskins’ long-term plan, per another source. More from around the NFL as the speculation is sure to continue in the nation’s capital..

  • The Chargers are looking for a consensus from city business and civic leaders on their proposal to build a new stadium in San Diego, writes Eric D. Williams of ESPN.com. In the interim, the Chargers are keeping their options open because of what is happening in Los Angeles. The Rams and Raiders, of course, also have an eye on L.A.
  • The NFL and the NFL Players Association met Tuesday morning in New York to continue discussions about a revised personal conduct policy, as Jim Trotter of ESPN.com writes.
  • Albert Breer of NFL Network (on Twitter) hears that the NFLPA wants the option for players facing felony charges to be put on leave with NFL/NFLPA approval. Also, the union proposal would give a neutral arbitrator power to compel testimony from league and union officials (link).
  • Nothing Rex Ryan can do in the next five weeks will save his job as Jets coach, writes Bob Glauber of Newsday.
  • Linebacker Rolando McClain has been too good and too valuable not to get an extension from the Cowboys, opines Brandon George of The Dallas Morning News.

NFC East Notes: Beckham Jr., Bryant, Mathis

June 7th, 2014 at 2:07pm CST by Peter Sowards

After receiving a $5MM cap credit on June 1 for cutting offensive lineman David Baas in March, the Giants have just over $7MM to spend on fine-tuning the roster, writes Jordan Ranaan of NJ.com. 91 players are currently under contract for the G-Men, with a team cap of $124.98MM.

As Ranaan points out, $7MM might sound like a lot of money, but 20 teams have more room to spend. All seven 2014 draftees except for third-round defensive tackle Jay Bromley have signed their rookie deals, and it’s only a matter of time before the former Syracuse Orange joins the fold.

More news and notes from the AFC East below…

  • Giants first-round wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. is being rested for precautionary reasons while recovering from a hamstring injury that sidelined him at OTAs, reports National Football Post’s Aaron Wilson. Beckham told reporters he’s also suffering from a tight back.
  • Cowboys quarterback Brandon Weeden waxed poetic about his former college and current pro teammate, Dez Bryant, per The Dallas Morning News’ Jon Machota. “He’s unbelievable at what he does,” Weeden said. “It’s the same stuff he did when he was 18 when he came in. I have said it when we came in the same year, he’s just a freak. The guy is probably the most passionate football player. He loves the game more than anyone I’ve ever been around.” Both players arrived at Oklahoma State in 2007. 
  • At a function honoring former Arkansas head football coach and athletic director Frank Broyles, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said nothing has made him prouder than to know the Arkansas Razorbacks — Jones’ Alma mater — will play at AT&T Stadium next season, tweets Robbie Neiswanger of the Arkansas News Bureau.
  • Eagles guard Evan Mathis said the team is light years ahead of where it was compared to this time last year, reports CSNPhilly.com’s Michael Barkann. “This year, you can just see so much more confidence on the field. Everybody’s executing, it’s much more crisp, and that’s what you get with a year under this system.” 
  • Michael Bamiro has been working mainly at right guard on the Eagles‘ second-team offensive line, writes CSNPhilly.com’s Geoff Mosher.
  • According to a tweet by last year’s No. 4 overall pick Lane Johnson, the Eagles‘ rookie dinner totaled nearly $18k, including a $3,495 bottle of wine.
  • Eagles first-round pick Marcus Smith, who will be outside linebacker in Philadelphia’s base 3-4, was tabbed by National Football Post’s Greg Gabriel as one of five players to keep an eye on during the 2014 NFL Season.
  • Niles Paul, the Redskins wide receiver and core special teams player, is optimistic about a potential turnout for the ST unit under Ben Kotwica, the first-year coordinator, writes CSNWashington.com’s Tarik El-Bashir.
  • Training camp practices under new Redskins head coach Jay Gruden will likely start earlier, end later and feature a longer break in between sessions, reports CSNWashington.com’s Rich Tandler.
  • Learning his fifth offensive system in five years, Redskins quarterback Colt McCoy likes the fit in Washington and is eager to learn behind Kirk Cousins and Robert Griffin III, writes ESPN.com’s John Keim.

NFC Notes: Pre-Draft Visits, Contract Updates

April 4th, 2014 at 5:50pm CST by Rob DiRe

The Rams are hosting Missouri defensive end Kony Ealy for a workout, reports Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post Dispatch (via Twitter). Because it is considered a local visit, Ealy will be allowed to work out with the team.

Here are some other notes from around the NFC:

  • The 49ers are bringing in wide receiver Albert Wilson out of Georgia State for an official visit, reports Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun. The team has been open about the possibility of using a high draft pick at the position.
  • The Seahawks have not begun talks of a contract extension with Earl Thomas yet, reports Todd Dybas of the Tacoma News Tribune (via Twitter).
  • Colt McCoy‘s deal with the Redskins is a one-year agreement and carries a $730K base salary with a $65K signing bonus, reports Wilson (via Twitter).
  • The Packers re-signed John Kuhn to a one-year deal worth $1.03MM, according to Wilson (via Twitter). The contract includes $855K in base salary, and a $100K signing bonus. Additionally, Kuhn can earn a $25K workout bonus and $3,125 in per-game active roster bonuses.
  • Details of former Toronto Argonauts safety Marcus Ball’s contract with the Saints have been reported by Wilson via Twitter. Ball’s three-year deal will be worth $1.536MM, with minimum salaries and a $6K signing bonus.

Redskins Sign Colt McCoy

April 3rd, 2014 at 10:23am CST by Luke Adams

The Redskins have added a quarterback to the roster, announcing today (via Twitter) that Colt McCoy has signed a contract with the team. McCoy had been an unrestricted free agent.

McCoy started 21 games with the Browns in 2010 and 2011 after being drafted in the third round in ’10, but has played a backup role over the last two seasons in Cleveland and San Francisco. In Washington, the 27-year-old will fall behind Robert Griffin III and Kirk Cousins on the depth chart, so he’s not likely to see any playing time barring injuries and/or a trade. The signing presumably also means free agent signal-caller Rex Grossman won’t be returning to Washington.

In 2011, a season in which he started 13 games for the Browns, McCoy threw for 2,733 yards, 14 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions, while completing 57.2% of his passes. He has attempted just 18 passes in the two years since then.