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Dan Herron

Workout Updates: Seahawks, Patriots, Ravens

December 27th, 2016 at 5:52pm CST by Connor J. Byrne

The Seahawks, with a below-average rushing attack and Thomas Rawls nursing a shoulder injury, worked out five free agent running backs Tuesday, reports ESPN’s Adam Schefter (Twitter link). Stevan Ridley, Jonas Gray, Dan Herron, LaMichael James and Dominique Williams all auditioned for the club. The most established member of the group is Ridley, who has been available since Atlanta released him Nov. 23. The 27-year-old has just one appearance and three carries to his name this season and has seen his playing time sharply decline since a 1,263-yard campaign with New England in 2012. Gray, also an ex-Pat, has made little impact since averaging 4.6 yards per attempt on 89 carries in 2014, his rookie year. He hasn’t found an employer since the Jaguars waived him Aug. 17.

Along with those rushers, defensive back L.J. McCray visited the Seahawks, tweets Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times. The Seahawks agreed to acquire McCray from the 49ers back in early September, but the deal fell through after he failed his physical. San Francisco then cut McCray, who hasn’t landed anywhere since.

More workouts from Tuesday:

  • The Patriots auditioned linebacker Arthur Brown, according to Doug Kyed of NESN (Twitter link). Both the Jaguars and Jets have cut Brown this month. He entered the league in 2013 as Baltimore’s second-round pick.
  • Cornerbacks Tharold Simon and Steve Williams tried out for the Ravens, per ESPN’s Adam Caplan (via Twitter). Simon made nine appearances earlier this season with the Cardinals, who cut him last week. He’s better known for his 11-appearance, five-start tenure with Seattle from 2014-15. Williams, meanwhile, moved on and off the Rams’ roster multiple times this year. He has totaled six appearances this season (five with San Diego) after playing in 14 games with the Chargers and intercepting two passes last year.
  • The Falcons worked out three tight ends – Orson Charles, Darion Griswold and Joel Ruiz – and defensive end Martin Ifedi, reports Howard Balzer of BalzerFootball.com (Twitter link). Griswold and Ifedi ended up signing with their practice squad.
  • The Dolphins also took a look at the aforementioned Tharold Simon, who joined fellow corner Demetrius McCray and two tight ends – Gabe Hughes and Chris Pantale – tweets Caplan.
  • Tight end Rob Housler showcased himself to the Colts, relays Caplan (Twitter link). The five-year veteran has 109 catches, nearly all of which (105) came with Arizona from 2011-14.
  • The Eagles auditioned wide receiver Greg Ellingson, cornerback Tay Glover-Wright and Canadian Football League punter Richie Leone, according to Caplan (Twitter links).
  • Defensive ends Rufus Johnson and Rakim Cox worked out for the Lions (Twitter links via Caplan and Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle).
  • Linebackers Deon Lacey and Glenn Love tried out for the Cardinals, per Balzer (Twitter link).

Bills Trim Roster To 53

September 2nd, 2016 at 11:39am CST by Zachary Links

The Bills announced that they’ve moved their roster to 53 players by cutting 21 players. That list of cuts includes notable names like fullback Jerome Felton, linebacker Manny Lawson, versatile cornerback Sterling Moore, and linebacker Randell Johnson."<strong

The Bills will save $2.35MM against the cap by releasing Lawson and $1.55MM by cutting Felton. By freeing up that cash, the Bills will have a little more room to work with as they negotiate a new deal with cornerback Stephon Gilmore.

Felton was signed as a free agent last offseason to a four-year pact worth $9.2MM, with $4MM guaranteed. Considering how the fullback position has been phased out by many NFL teams, that was a steep price to pay for the former Viking. With Minnesota, Felton acted as the lead blocker for Adrian Peterson‘s 2012 MVP campaign, paving the way for Peterson to nearly break the all-time rushing record. Felton himself went to the Pro Bowl that season, and was named second-team All Pro. The team is saving money by dropping the 30-year-old, but his release is also a sign of their confidence in Glenn Gronkowski.

Over the last three seasons, Lawson has appeared in all but one regular season game for the Bills. In 2015, Lawson appeared in every contest and started 14 games, racking up 45 tackles, 1 sack, and 5 pass deflections. Lawson is facing a one-game ban as a result of a domestic violence incident and that was thought to be a big blow in the season opener considering that the team will also be without top rookies Reggie Ragland and Shaq Lawson plus reserve linebacker IK Enemkpali. For one reason or another, the Bills have decided that they are better off without him.

Moore, 26, came over from Tampa Bay during the offseason, and has also spent time with the Patriots, Cowboys, and Raiders. Johnson, meanwhile, has been with Buffalo for the past two seasons, starting one game during that time.

Here is the complete list of cuts:

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Bills Sign Boom Herron

June 9th, 2016 at 8:52am CST by Zachary Links

The Bills announced that they have signed running back Dan Herron. To make room, the Bills released cornerback Julian Whigham. Dan Herron (vertical)

Herron spent time with Buffalo during the 2015 season when the team was ravaged by injuries in the backfield. Now, he could once again provide some depth as LeSean McCoy deals with a hamstring injury. Last year was a somewhat tumultuous year for Herron, who was waived off the Colts’ injured reserve at the beginning of the season. After working out for the Patriots, Herron latched on with the Bills, appearing in four games and registering 11 rushing attempts. Buffalo cut bait with Herron relatively quickly, but Indianapolis, once again the market for a back, claimed him off waivers in order to secure a reunion with the former Ohio State Buckeye. Herron didn’t play much down the stretch, and was let go during the restricted free agent tender period.

Herron auditioned for the rival Dolphins on Monday, but he left without the team making an offer. Miami planned on keeping Herron on their “just in case” list, but Buffalo was ready to scoop him up immediately.

Whigham was struggling in OTAs, Vic Carucci of The Buffalo News tweets. Whigham, a Syracuse product, was originally signed as a UDFA on May 2nd.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Latest On Dolphins, Arian Foster

June 8th, 2016 at 9:21am CST by Zachary Links

The Dolphins have been connected to Arian Foster for much of the offseason, but it doesn’t sound like he is a priority free agent for them. The Dolphins “will consider him if they have an injury or if their young backs falter,” but they will not pursue him otherwise, according to Barry Jackson of The Miami Herald. Arian Foster (vertical)

So far, the Dolphins have been effusive in their praise for third-round running back Kenyan Drake and he figures to be the No. 2 back behind Jay Ajayi. The team’s running back depth chart also features Damien Williams (sidelined with an undisclosed injury), Daniel Thomas, and Isaiah Pead. Still, the Dolphins have kept their eyes peeled for other veteran backs like Foster and Dan Herron. Jackson says that Herron is in a similar boat as Foster – although he did not receive an offer after his Monday workout, he remains on their radar should Miami determine it needs help at the position.

Ranked as our No. 3 available offensive free agent at this stage of the offseason, Foster racked up 6,472 rushing yards during his seven years as a Texan, and earned three consecutive Pro Bowl nods from 2010 to 2012, averaging about 1,900 all purpose yards and 16 touchdowns in those seasons. However, injuries have slowed Foster down in recent years. In 2015, Foster played in just four games and ran for 163 yards off of 63 carries.

Recently, PFR’s Dallas Robinson listed the Dolphins as one of eight teams that could potentially be a fit for Foster.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Dolphins Work Out RB Boom Herron

June 6th, 2016 at 7:04pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Running back Dan “Boom” Herron hasn’t seen much action in free agency since being non-tendered by the Colts in March earlier this year, but things might be picking up for the 27-year-old. According to Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle (Twitter link), Herron worked out for the Dolphins today.Dan Boom Herron (Vertical)

2015 was a somewhat tumultuous year for Herron, who was waived off the Colts’ injured reserve at the beginning of the season. After working out for the Patriots, Herron latched on with the Bills, appearing in four games and registering 11 rushing attempts. Buffalo cut bait with Herron relatively quickly, but Indianapolis, once again the market for a back, claimed him off waivers in order to secure a reunion with the former Ohio State Buckeye. Herron didn’t play much down the stretch, and was let go during the restricted free agent tender period.

Miami could certainly use help in its backfield, having struck out in its attempts to lure C.J. Anderson, Chris Johnson, and James Starks to South Beach. Second-year man Jay Ajayi is considered the favorite to start, while rookie Kenyan Drake and backup Damien Williams could also be in the picture. Arian Foster, perhaps the best free agent runner still available, is also on the Dolphins’ radar.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

RFA Tender Decisions: 3/9/16

March 9th, 2016 at 9:10pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Unrestricted free agent news will obviously dominate the day, but several clubs also had to make decisions on whether to offer tenders to restricted free agents. We’ll round up those decisions here:

Tendered

Non-Tendered

Colts Claim Boom Herron On Waivers

November 26th, 2015 at 4:14pm CST by Sam Robinson

Boom Herron will return to Indianapolis after his former team claimed him on waivers following his departure from Buffalo, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com reports (via Twitter).

The Colts cut running back Zurlon Tipton in a corresponding move. Herron emerged on waivers Wednesday after the Bills cut him following a four-game stint.

Herron served as the Colts’ passing-down back last season following Ahmad Bradshaw‘s season-ending injury. Now, he’ll team with a healthy Bradshaw to give the team more experience behind Frank Gore, who left Sunday’s game with an injury but returned to practice today.

A fourth-year former sixth-round pick of the Bengals’, Herron carried the ball 11 times for 37 yards for the Bills and caught three passes for 20 yards. He resided as a deep backup in Buffalo, however, behind LeSean McCoy, Karlos Williams and Anthony Dixon.

The 26-year-old Herron totaled 524 yards from scrimmage on 99 touches last season, one that featured a key role for him once Bradshaw went down. He made significant postseason contributions, however, starting all three of the Colts’ games, scoring twice and gaining 298 yards from scrimmage.

With Bradshaw now active again after being re-signed midway through this season, Herron’s workload doesn’t figure to be substantial in his second stay in Indianapolis.

The 25-year-old Tipton played in 13 games for the Colts the past two seasons, filling in mostly on special teams. A former undrafted free agent, only has 12 career carries on his resume.

 

Bills Sign Marcus Thigpen, Cut Boom Herron

November 25th, 2015 at 11:22am CST by Luke Adams

The Bills have made a series of roster moves today, announcing in a press release that they’ve re-signed wide receiver and kick returner Marcus Thigpen, as well as offensive lineman Ryan Groy. To make room on the 53-man roster for the two new additions, Buffalo has waived running back Boom Herron and wide receiver Denarius Moore.

Thigpen, 29, started the season with the Bills, but was cut to create an opening for Moore back in early October. Since then, the return specialist has spent some time with the Colts and the Raiders, but was let go by Oakland earlier this month. Thipgen figures to take over return duties for the Bills, after Leodis McKelvin fumbled one away on Monday night, and muffed another.

Herron and Moore, meanwhile, are recognizable names, but their brief stints in Buffalo didn’t result in many memorable moments. Herron, a former Colt, totaled 37 yards on 11 carries in his four games for Buffalo, adding another 20 yards on three receptions. Moore didn’t have a single reception during his time with the Bills.

Herron and Moore will have to pass through waivers before reaching free agency.

Bills Sign Boom Herron

October 6th, 2015 at 1:03pm CST by Luke Adams

After working out a handful of running backs today, the Bills have signed veteran free agent Boom Herron, the team announced in a press release. Trent Richardson and Alfonso Smith were among the other backs that auditioned for Buffalo.

Herron, who suffered a sprained AC joint in the Colts’ final preseason game, was waived by the team in September. The 26-year-old had been competing for a role as one of Frank Gore‘s backups after spending the last two years with Indianapolis. Herron played in all 16 of the Colts’ regular-season contests in 2014 and rushed for 351 yards and a touchdown, adding 21 catches.

Prior to the signing of Herron, Boobie Dixon and Cierre Wood, who was recently promoted from the team’s practice squad, were the only healthy backs on the Bills’ 53-man roster. Starter LeSean McCoy is dealing with a hamstring injury and is expected to be sidelined for at least one more week, while rookie Karlos Williams suffered a concussion in Sunday’s loss to the Giants.

In order to make room on the roster for Herron, the Bills placed tight end MarQueis Gray on injured reserve. Gray sustained a fractured forearm on Sunday, which will end his season.

Bills Working Out Trent Richardson, Other RBs

October 6th, 2015 at 10:04am CST by Luke Adams

Appearing on WGR 550 in Buffalo this morning, Bills general manager Doug Whaley confirmed that running back Karlos Williams sustained a concussion this weekend, raising uncertainty about his status in Week 5 (Twitter links via Mike Rodak of ESPN.com). With LeSean McCoy also sidelined by a hamstring injury, Whaley acknowledged that the team will bring in some free agents for a workout, and will consider adding outside help.

Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter links) has now identified a couple participants in that audition, reporting that former third overall pick Trent Richardson will work out for the Bills. Ex-Colt Boom Herron, who tried out for the Patriots this week, will also be among the backs in attendance at the Buffalo workout, according to Rapoport, while John Wawrow of The Associated Press tweets that Alfonso Smith will be there as well.

As Rodak notes, recently released running back Bryce Brown could also be an option for the Bills, who will be significantly short-handed at running back if McCoy and Williams are both ruled out for this weekend’s game. Currently, Boobie Dixon and Cierre Wood, who was recently promoted from the team’s practice squad, are the only healthy backs on the 53-man roster.

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