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Da’Quan Bowers

Extra Points: QBs, Bears, LA, D. Washington

May 18th, 2017 at 9:02pm CST by Connor J. Byrne

With Josh McCown, Christian Hackenberg and Bryce Petty comprising their top three signal-callers, the Jets project to have the worst quarterback situation in the NFL in 2017, opines Dan Graziano of ESPN.com. Meanwhile, the Bears also sit toward the bottom (28th) despite an offseason that has included a couple big splashes under center. Chicago added Mike Glennon in free agency and then used the second overall pick in the draft on former North Carolina QB Mitch Trubisky, though he could have a hard time getting on the field as a rookie. “Mike would have to really mess up” to lose the job to Trubisky this year, a Bears source informed Graziano, who unsurprisingly places the Patriots No. 1 in his team QB rankings. The reigning Super Bowl champions feature both the league’s premier starter (Tom Brady) and its best backup (Jimmy Garoppolo).

More from around the league:

  • The Rams announced Thursday that the Inglewood-based stadium they and the Chargers were to supposed to play in beginning in 2019 won’t be ready until 2020. Southern California experienced record-setting rainfall over the winter, leading to “significant delays” in construction, according to the Rams. Consequently, they’ll call the LA Coliseum home for an extra season, while the Chargers will play at the 30,000-seat StubHub Center through the 2019 campaign.
  • Former Cardinals linebacker Daryl Washington, who is now hoping to find work after several years away from football, says that he’s a changed man. “Obviously, from a standpoint I’ve grown and matured over the years of being able to kind of really appreciate life and appreciate the game that I took for granted at one point,” Washington said to TuneIn’s “NFL No Huddle” with Brian Webber and Kordell Stewart (transcript via PFT). “When you feel like your on top of the world. When your on that pedestal, you feel like everything is easy and nothing would happen. But once it’s taken away from you, you really feel that much more grateful for the opportunity to just say, you know what, I really took these things for granted so when I get back now it’s time to go even harder. At this point in my life, I feel much better mentally, physically, spiritually and I’m in that right mind frame.”
  • Former Buccaneers defensive lineman Da’Quan Bowers has signed with CFL’s Edmonton Eskimos, as Greg Auman of the Tampa Bay Times tweets. Bowers was out of the NFL in 2016 and we haven’t seen his name on the pages of PFR since April of last year when he auditioned for Kansas City.

Zach Links contributed to this post.

AFC Rumors: Nelson, Raiders, Chiefs, Bowers

April 5th, 2016 at 9:31am CST by Zachary Links

Vic Tafur of The San Francisco Chronicle (on Twitter) expects the Raiders to get a deal done with free agent safety Reggie Nelson, who is in Oakland tonight to meet with team brass and will continue his visit with the team on Tuesday. After Nelson is wined and dined and briefed on the team’s plans for him, Tafur is expecting the Raiders to ink the veteran defender, who stands as one of the best available free agents still on the board.

Here’s more from the AFC:

  • The Chiefs worked out defensive end Da’Quan Bowers and cornerback Phillip Adams yesterday, according to Adam Caplan of ESPN.com (on Twitter). Bowers, a former second-round pick of the Buccaneers, returned to Tampa Bay late last season. Adams has been with six NFL teams and could be on his way to joining his seventh.
  • Linebacker Myles Jack is among the players visiting the Jaguars today, as Michael DiRocco of ESPN.com tweets. The 6’1”, 225-pounder saw time at both inside and outside linebacker, safety, nickel corner, and running back, and even returned the occasional kick for UCLA. He’s widely regarded as one of the best players in this year’s class.
  • Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle has the details on Darryl Morris‘ one-year deal with the Jets, tweeting that the cornerback signed a minimum salary contract with a $75K signing bonus.
  • Jarvis Jenkins‘ two-year contract with the Jets calls for him to earn $6MM with $3MM ($1.5MM signing bonus + $1.5MM base) guaranteed, according to Rich Cimini of ESPN.com. Jenkins will carry a cap charge of $2.25MM in year one and $3.75MM in year two of the deal.
  • Oregon State defensive tackle Kyle Peko is visiting with the Chiefs today, according to Terez A. Paylor of the Kansas City Star (on Twitter).
  • Clemson safety Jayron Kearse is visiting the Jaguars today, Getlin tweets.

Minor NFL Transactions: 12/14/15

December 14th, 2015 at 8:33pm CST by Connor J. Byrne

Today’s minor moves around the NFL:

  • The Buccaneers will sign free agent defensive tackle Da’Quan Bowers on Tuesday and waive D-lineman Josh Shirley, Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times reports (via Twitter). Bowers spent 2011-14 in Tampa and totaled seven sacks after it used a second-round pick on him. Shirley, a rookie, joined the Bucs in October. He subsequently appeared in five games.
  • The Dolphins signed defensive tackle Deandre Coleman and placed tight end Brandon Williams on injured reserve, according to Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle (Twitter link). Coleman, undrafted out of Cal in 2014, appeared in one game as a rookie. Williams suited up four times for the Dolphins this year before breaking his left foot.
  • The Vikings signed defensive end Justin Trattou and waived safety Shaun Prater, according to Chris Tomasson of the Pioneer Press. Trattou has had multiple stints with the Vikings since entering the league in 2011. He appeared in two games with them earlier this season and intercepted a pass. Prater, who had been with the Vikings since 2013, garnered one appearance this year.
  • The Browns cut center Gabe Ikard, per Wilson (on Twitter). Ikard, a 25-year-old snapper, joined the Browns earlier this month.
  • The Chiefs removed safety Sanders Commings from injured reserve and reached a settlement with him, Wilson tweets. Commings’ last appearance with the Chiefs was in 2013.
  • The Chargers waived quarterback Brad Sorensen, per Eric D. Williams of ESPN (Twitter link). Sorensen, whom the Chargers chose in the seventh round of the 2013 draft, has never attempted a regular-season pass.

Extra Points: Jaguars, Broncos, Jets

November 21st, 2015 at 12:34pm CST by Ben Levine

Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com lays down a potential plan for a 17-game NFL season. Potential switches to the schedule could include:

  • 17 regular season games
  • two preseason games (instead of four)
  • a second bye week, thus pushing the Super Bowl to Presidents’ Day Weekend

There would be a possible 16 neutral-site games, allowing the NFL to expand anywhere. Florio suggest London, Mexico City, China, and Australia.

NFLPA president Eric Winston recently discussed the addition of an extra game with FOX Sports 910 Phoenix (via Florio).

“As far as expanding regular season games, I just don’t see what the use is at this point,” he said. “We’ve got a great game. 16 games is plenty. . . . I don’t think there’s a lot of guys around the league that are interested in playing more games. I don’t know how it makes sense.

“I never say never about anything. . . . To me if just doesn’t seem to make sense, but you never know what comes down in the future.”

Let’s check out some more assorted notes from around the league…

  • The Jaguars worked out a trio of defensive lineman this week (via Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle on Twitter): Da’Quan Bowers, Tim Jamison, and Ishmaa’ily Kitchen.
  • If Brock Osweiler plays well this weekend, Troy Renck of the Denver Post opines that the Broncos quarterback should start the following week against the Patriots. This would give Peyton Manning extended time to recover from any lingering injuries.
  • Jets defensive back Calvin Pryor had a tumultuous rookie campaign last season, and the second-year player has missed three games recovering from an ankle sprain. Still, the 23-year-old has seen several changes in himself, making him confident that he can transition back to the lineup. “Maturity,” he told Justin Tasch of the New York Daily News. “Not being late to meetings and not doing things the wrong way. I feel like that’s the biggest thing.”

Titans Work Out Devon Still

October 28th, 2015 at 6:33pm CST by Zachary Links

The Titans worked out several veteran defensive linemen on Wednesday, including former Bengal Devon Still, as Paul Kuharsky of ESPN.com tweets. Da’Quan Bowers, Josh Chapman, Kelcy Quarles, Terry Redden, and Christo Bilukidi rounded out the group of defensive linemen auditioning for Tennessee.

Still, who hasn’t made a start in his three-year NFL career since being selected in the second round of the 2012 draft, has nonetheless become a fan favorite in Cincinnati and around the league as his young daughter, Leah Still, has battled cancer. Leah went into remission from neuroblastoma in March, and Still said in July that she’s “almost back to her normal self.”

Still has yo-yo’d between the Bengals 53-man roster and practice squad in the past, but he is out of p-squad eligibility, so that was not an option when Cincinnati cut him loose in September. On the field, Still saw a career-high 237 defensive snaps as a part-time player for Cincinnati last season, recording 19 tackles and a pair of quarterback hurries.

Workout Updates: 10/20/15

October 20th, 2015 at 1:56pm CST by Zachary Links

Today’s workouts and visits from around the NFL..

Earlier today:

  • The Panthers are working out tight end/fullback James Casey today, according to Mike Garafolo of FOX Sports (on Twitter).
  • The Saints tried out defensive backs Akeem Davis and Robert McClain, wide receiver T.J. Graham, guard David Arkin, and center Ryan Seymour, according to ESPN.com’s Field Yates (on Twitter). Seymour was ultimately signed to New Orleans’ practice squad.
  • The Jets worked out cornerback Jeremy Harris on Monday, according to Rich Cimini of ESPN.com (on Twitter). Buster Skrine and Marcus Williams are both uncertain for this week, so Gang Green is likely looking at Harris as possible insurance.
  • The Vikings worked out former Ravens defensive tackle Christo Bilukidi on Tuesday, a source tells Aaron Wilson of The Houston Chronicle (on Twitter).
  • The Panthers worked out former Ravens quarterback Bryn Renner according to a source who spoke with Wilson (Twitter link).
  • The Broncos are working out former Titans linebacker J.R. Tavai, according to a source who spoke with Wilson (Twitter link).
  • The Titans will try out ex-Ravens fullback Kiero Small, Wilson tweets.
  • The Ravens tried out a trio of defensive backs: Jonte Green, Sheldon Price, and Cornelius Brown, Wilson tweets.
  • The Chiefs tried out defensive back Trovon Reed, Wilson tweets.
  • The Steelers worked out tackle James Brewer, Wilson tweets.
  • Former Seahawks wide receiver Douglas McNeil is working out for the Panthers today, according to a source who spoke with Wilson (link).
  • The Broncos working out tight end Matt LaCosse today, according to a source who spoke with Wilson (link).

NFC Notes: Cowboys, Giants, Pryor, Cards

October 14th, 2015 at 12:46pm CST by Luke Adams

The Cowboys are making a quarterback change for Week 7, giving the nod to Matt Cassel, and that’s not the only starting lineup move they’re considering on offense. As Ed Werder of ESPN.com reported this morning (via Twitter), Dallas may also start recently acquired running back Christine Michael over Joseph Randle, and rookie guard La’el Collins over Ronald Leary.

Head coach Jason Garrett has since confirmed that Collins will indeed start at left guard in place of Leary, though it’s not clear yet what the team’s running back rotation will look like. Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link) hears from a Cowboys source that the team definitely plans on using Michael more, though Randle may still get the start.

Here’s more from around the NFC:

  • The Giants are the latest team to work out at Terrelle Pryor as a wide receiver, according to Pro Football Talk (via Twitter). While several clubs that have auditioned Pryor are likely just seeing what the former quarterback looks like in his new position, New York might require some additional depth at WR, with Odell Beckham Jr. and Rueben Randle banged up, and Victor Cruz‘s availability going forward still up in the air. The Giants also tried out wideouts T.J. Graham and A.J. Jenkins, writes Jordan Raanan of NJ.com.
  • Former Buccaneers defensive lineman Da’Quan Bowers is among the players working out for the Cowboys this week, according to Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle (via Twitter).
  • Free agent cornerback Robert McClain has been busy over the last month and a half, working out for a handful of teams — Wilson tweets that McClain auditioned for the Cardinals this week, the veteran’s fifth tryout since the start of September.
  • In an appearance on SiriusXM NFL Radio (SoundCloud link), Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians explained his team’s decision to sign veteran pass rusher Dwight Freeney, suggesting that the club had been in touch with Freeney multiple times since June.

NFC Notes: Saints, Novak, Bowers, Panthers

September 7th, 2015 at 9:45pm CST by Zachary Links

The Saints are set to audition former Chargers kicker Nick Novak, according to Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com (on Twitter). As La Canfora notes, the Saints could use a veteran kicker and the 34-year-old would fit the bill for them. Novak made 22-of-26 field goals last year and is only two years removed from his best campaign, making 34-of-37 kicks in 2013. He also hasn’t missed more than four kicks in a season since his first in San Diego.

  • Former Buccaneers defensive lineman Da’Quan Bowers will work out for the Panthers, according to a source who spoke with Jonathan Jones of the Charlotte Observer. Bowers, a second-round pick in the 2010 NFL draft, was released by the Buccaneers over the weekend. In his four seasons with the Bucs, Bowers has totaled just seven sacks. Last year he had one sack in 11 games, including two starts.
  • In order for the Seahawks to get the Cowboys’ seventh-round pick in 2016, Christine Michael will have to be on the 46-man gameday roster three times this season, Todd Archer of ESPN.com writes. Michael came to the Cowboys over the weekend in a deal that will help strengthen up a group of running backs that includes Joseph Randle, Darren McFadden, and Lance Dunbar.
  • If quarterback Ryan Griffin wasn’t claimed by the Buccaneers this week, he would have wound up joining the Browns, Field Yates of ESPN.com tweets. The Browns were the only other team to put a claim in on Griffin.
  • Lions GM Martin Mayhew said that he plans on signing a quarterback to the practice squad, Tim Twentyman of DetroitLions.com tweets. A signing could happen as soon as Tuesday.

Buccaneers To Cut Da’Quan Bowers

September 4th, 2015 at 9:40am CST by Luke Adams

The Buccaneers re-signed defensive lineman Da’Quan Bowers in July after letting him reach the free agent market earlier in the offseason, but it doesn’t appear he’ll have a spot on the team’s regular season roster. According to Mike Garafolo of FOX Sports (Twitter link), the Bucs will cut Bowers today.

The 51st overall pick in the 2011 draft, Bowers played 50 games for the Buccaneers from 2011 to 2014, compiling just 66 total tackles and seven total sacks. The 25-year-old, a Clemson product, was plagued by injuries and never developed into the sort of productive defensive player the Bucs were hoping for, starting just 10 of those 50 games with the club.

As Garafolo notes, Bowers had a sack and five tackles in Tampa Bay’s final preseason game, but it wasn’t enough to save his job. The Bucs won’t be on the hook for any dead money for Bowers, since he was signed to a minimum salary contract with no guarantees.

Sunday Roundup: Levy, Incognito, Fitzpatrick, Pryor, Bowers

August 2nd, 2015 at 8:43pm CST by Rob DiRe

While Lions linebacker DeAndre Levy is working on his own extension, Bobby Wagner‘s new contract has set a new bar for non-pass rushing linebackers in the NFL. Despite that big number, Levy remains focused on football, writes Justin Rogers of MLive.com.

“My agent is the negotiator, I’m the football player. I even try to stay out of it now. If something significant happens, send me a text or something,” said Levy. “My focus has never been on that, it’s about getting ready for the season, year in and year out. Whatever happens, happens.”

Here are some more notes from around the NFL this Sunday evening:

  • The Bills have had their share of issues along the offensive line over recent years–including this offseason–but hopefully a player with his own baggage can help solidify things as head coach Rex Ryan has announced Richie Incognito will start at left guard for the Bills, reports Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald (via Twitter).
  • Staying with the AFC East, Ryan Fitzpatrick is playing well despite watching as Geno Smith takes the majority of first-team reps for the Jets, writes Ohm Youngmisuk of ESPN.com. “The thing we stress every day and Coach [Todd] Bowles stresses is he going to put the best guys on the field to help the team win,” Fitzpatrick said. “That is what we are all here for, to win football games.”
  • One of the most interesting storylines in Browns’ camp this offseason is whether or not Terrelle Pryor can complete the position change to wide receiver. The 6’4″ former quarterback has roughly a 50/50 chance of making the team as a wideout, according to Tony Grossi of ESPN.com.
  • Buccaneers defensive lineman Da’Quan Bowers has played both defensive end and defensive tackle in previous years in Tampa Bay, but head coach Lovie Smith says he will be locked in as an interior lineman in 2015, writes Scott Smith of Buccaneers.com (via Twitter).
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