HEADLINES

Desmond Bishop

AFC North Notes: Rice, Bishop, Cribbs, Ravens

December 3rd, 2014 at 7:24pm CST by Zachary Links

Earlier this week, Janay Rice told NBC that she was following a suggested script from the Ravens at her May 23 press conference alongisde Ray Rice. Tonight, the Ravens issued a statement denying the accusation, as Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk writes. “At no time prior to the May 23 session did we provide talking points, a script or suggested script to Janay or speak with her about the press event. We did not recommend or suggest to Ray or Janay that she apologize in any way,” Ravens senior V.P. of public and community relations Kevin Byrne said in the release. More from the AFC North..

  • The Bengals signed linebacker Chris Carter after auditioning both Carter and fellow linebacker Desmond Bishop, a league source tells Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk (via Twitter). Arizona released the veteran on Monday afternoon in anticipation of Matt Shaughnessy‘s return. Bishop’s best years were with the Packers in 2010 and 2011 when he recorded more than 100 tackles in each of those seasons, totaling eight sacks, 10 passes defended, and four forced fumbles in those two combined years.
  • Colts returner Josh Cribbs said it definitely bothered him that the Browns, despite struggling so much on punt returns, would not sign him, tweets Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon-journal. “It ate me up,” the veteran said.
  • Ravens cornerback Asa Jackson is hopeful that he’ll be able to return from the IR-DTR in time for Sunday’s tilt against the Dolphins, writes Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun. “I’ve been working so long to get this foot back right,” Jackson said. “Hopefully, it will be good the rest of the week and I don’t have any setbacks and then it will be up to the coaches at the end of the week. Everything is directed toward Sunday. That’s what I’m working for.“

Cardinals To Release Desmond Bishop

December 1st, 2014 at 4:44pm CST by Zachary Links

4:44pm: In related moves, the Cardinals promoted offensive lineman Anthony Steen from the taxi squad and signed Kelvin Palmer back to the taxi squad, according to Darren Urban AZCardinals.com (on Twitter).

1:14pm: The Cardinals have released veteran linebacker Desmond Bishop, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (via Twitter). Bishop became expendable for Arizona with fellow linebacker Matt Shaughnessy on the mend.

The Cardinals signed Bishop to a contract in August, but they cut him just before the team’s Week 1 game. After weeks of tryouts that didn’t result in a deal, he circled back to Arizona on October 1st. The 30-year-old didn’t see much action on the field for the Cardinals, however, and he hasn’t recorded a tackle all season.

Bishop spent the first six years of his NFL career in Green Bay and established himself as a starter in 2010 and 2011. The former sixth-round pick racked up more than 100 tackles in each of those seasons, totaling eight sacks, 10 passes defended, and four forced fumbles in those two combined years. However, injuries have since derailed his career. Bishop suffered a ruptured hamstring in 2012 while with the Vikings. In 2013, his season was cut short after four games thanks to an ACL tear.

The veteran tried out for the Chiefs, Jets, and Dolphins in September, so it’s conceivable that those teams could take another look at him if there’s a need at the position.

Cardinals Re-Sign Desmond Bishop

October 1st, 2014 at 11:03am CST by Luke Adams

11:03am: The Cardinals have officially signed Bishop, according to the team (Twitter link).

10:06am: The Cardinals are set to re-sign free agent linebacker Desmond Bishop, a league source tells Rand Getlin of Yahoo! Sports (via Twitter). Agent Doug Hendrickson hinted at a new deal for his client earlier today, tweeting, “Big congrats to @Desbishop55 let’s get it!”

Bishop, 30, spent the first six years of his NFL career in Green Bay, emerging as one of the team’s starting linebackers in 2010 and 2011. The former sixth-round pick racked up more than 100 tackles in each of those seasons, totaling eight sacks, 10 passes defended, and four forced fumbles in those two combined years. However, a ruptured hamstring cost him the 2012 season, paving the way for his departure to the Vikings. After appearing in four contests for Minnesota last season, Bishop suffered another season-ending injury, tearing his ACL.

The Cardinals signed Bishop to a contract in August, but cut him last month on the Saturday before the team’s Week 1 game. He has been busy since then, trying out for the Chiefs, Jets, and Dolphins before ultimately landing back with Arizona.

Bishop’s new deal is for one year, according to Getlin (via Twitter). He’ll assume the roster spot vacated by fellow linebacker Victor Butler, who was dropped by the Cards yesterday.

Workout Notes: Jennings, Clemons, Winston

September 30th, 2014 at 7:42pm CST by Zachary Links

Earlier today, we learned that the Titans brought in cornerbacks Derek Cox, Brandon Ghee, and Curtis Marsh for auditions. Here’s a look at the latest workouts from around the NFL..

AFC East Notes: Jets, Dolphins, James

September 16th, 2014 at 5:46pm CST by Zachary Links

The Jets were busy working out a number of players today, according to Brian Costello of the New York Post (on Twitter). Rex Ryan & Co. auditioned linebackers Pat Angerer and Desmond Bishop, wide receivers Tiquan Underwood and David Gettis, and quarterback Pat Devlin. Here’s more out of the AFC East…

  • The Dolphins worked out former 49ers running back LaMichael James, a league source tells Field Yates of ESPN.com (on Twitter). James was unhappy with his situation in San Francisco, asked for his release, and secured it earlier this month. Miami, obviously, could use some help at RB. The former Oregon star wasn’t signed after the workout but it’s still a possibility and the sides have discussed a deal, tweets Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald.
  • Former Mizzou tight end Eric Waters also worked out for the Dolphins today, tweets Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post Dispatch (on Twitter). The 6’5″, 245 pound tight end was cut loose by the Steelers in advance of their cutdown to a 75-man roster.
  • The Dolphins may not benefit from the new drug policy, writes Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald. Safety Reshad Jones and defensive end Dion Jordan are both suspended, but multiple sources say the new rules won’t get Jordan’s suspension revoked. The same sources were not in agreement whether Jones would be returned to the Dolphins’ active roster.

Audition Notes: Patriots, Cardinals, Chiefs

September 11th, 2014 at 10:23pm CST by Dallas Robinson

We passed along the latest tryout updates from the East and South divisons earlier today, and we’ll close out the night updating workout lists from around the league:

  • After allowing 191 rushing yards to the Dolphins on Sunday, the Patriots might be looking to beef up their defensive line by taking a look at veteran tackle Fred Evans. The 30-year-old ex-Viking, who started three games last season, worked out for New England today, tweets Rand Getlin of Yahoo! Sports. The Pats play Minnesota on Sunday, so Bill Belichick might be trying to glean some inside information on the Vikings’ scheme from Evans.
  • The Cardinals tried out offensive tackles Winston Justice, Martin Wallace, and Edawn Coughman, according to Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (on Twitter). Justice has the highest pedigree of the three — he was a second-round pick in 2006. Arizona’s offensive line came out of Monday’s win unscathed, so the Cards are probably just updating their emergency list.
  • After losing Derrick Johnson to a season-ending injury, the Chiefs are looking to upgrade their linebacking unit, trying out Nick Barnett, Desmond Bishop, and Marvin Mitchell. Barnett, a veteran of 11 NFL seasons, spent 2013 with Buffalo, but is most known for his time in Green Bay. Bishop is also an ex-Packer, but was with the Vikings last year. Kansas City also auditioned offensive tackles Jason Weaver and Curtis Feigt, per Wilson (Twitter link).

Player Auditions: Tuesday

September 9th, 2014 at 11:00pm CST by Zachary Links

The Chiefs had inside linebackers Desmond Bishop, Marvin Mitchell, and Nick Barnett in for workouts, a source tells Adam Caplan of ESPN.com (on Twitter). Here’s the latest news on player workouts from around the NFL..

  • The Redskins worked out former Patriots wide receiver Mark Harrison today, according to Wilson (on Twitter).
  • The Patriots tried out former Falcons linebacker Yawin Smallwood today, a source tells Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (on Twitter).
  • Former Rams safety Matt Daniels visited the Dolphins yesterday, according to Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post Dispatch (on Twitter).
  • In the wake of an injury that starting tight end Jordan Cameron suffered in the season opener, the Browns brought in tight end Kellen Davis for a workout on Tuesday, a league source told Rand Getlin of Yahoo Sports. Last season, Davis played in 15 games for the Seahawks in a No. 3 tight end role. He finished with three receptions for 32 yards and, most importantly, a Super Bowl ring.
  • The Browns also worked out tight end Chase Coffman today, according to Mary Kay Cabot of the Plain Dealer (on Twitter).
  • The Jets worked out several players, including guards Doug Legursky and Jeff Baca, a source tells Brian Costello of the New York Post (on Twitter). They also worked out some punters and a long snapper.
  • The Bills worked out former Cumberlands running back Terrance Cobb, who was among their 29 pre-draft visits this spring, according to Mike Rodak of ESPN.com (on Twitter). In total, the Bills worked out 14 players (link).
  • The Redskins auditioned quarterbacks Pat Devlin, B.J. Coleman, and Ricky Stanzi, according to John Keim of ESPN.com (on Twitter). They also auditioned four tight ends in total.
  • Tight end Chase Harper worked out for the Titans today, Jim Wyatt of The Tennesseean tweets.
  • The Buccaneers worked out long snapper Brandon Hartson today, a source tells Wilson (on Twitter).

Cardinals Release Desmond Bishop

September 6th, 2014 at 3:39pm CST by Rob DiRe

The Cardinals have released veteran linebacker Desmond Bishop, reports Josh Weinfuss of ESPN (via Twitter).

The team signed him in mid-August, on a one-year deal with no guaranteed money involved.

Bishop spent six seasons with the Packers, but missed the entire 2012 season with an injury. He was signed by the Vikings, but played only four games before tearing his ACL. He was expected to compete for a roster spot with the Cardinals, who are without inside linebackers Karlos Dansby to the Browns and Daryl Washington to a year-long suspension.

Cardinals Sign Desmond Bishop

August 14th, 2014 at 10:42am CST by Luke Adams

10:42am: The Cardinals have officially announced the signing of Bishop, as Darren Urban of AZCardinals.com details.

10:05am: The Cardinals have reached an agreement to sign veteran linebacker Desmond Bishop, reports Tom Pelissero of USA Today (via Twitter). Terms of the deal aren’t yet known, but it will likely be a one-year, minimum salary pact with no guarantees for the former Packer and Viking.

Bishop, 30, spent the first six years of his NFL career in Green Bay, emerging as one of the team’s starting linebackers in 2010 and 2011. The former sixth-round pick racked up more than 100 tackles in each of those seasons, totaling eight sacks, 10 passes defended, and four forced fumbles in those two combined years. However, a ruptured hamstring cost him the 2012 season, paving the way for his departure to the Vikings. After appearing in four contests for Minnesota last season, Bishop suffered another season-ending injury, tearing his ACL.

Although that ACL injury occurred about 10 months ago, Bishop’s deal with the Cardinals seems to suggest the team believes he’s healthy enough to compete for a roster spot. Arizona is seeking linebacker depth after losing Karlos Dansby in free agency and losing Daryl Washington to a year-long suspension.

The Cardinals won’t have to waive anyone to make room for Bishop, since the team already had three openings on its roster.

NFC Links: Marshall, 49ers, Winston

March 27th, 2014 at 9:18pm CST by Ben Levine

A couple of notes from around the NFC…

  • Brandon Marshall is not worried about this future with the Bears, and he said as much on “The Waddle and Silvy Show” on ESPN Chicago 1000 (via ESPNChicago.com). “One way or another, they’re going to get the deal done,” Marshall said.
  • The 49ers have been seeking a veteran inside linebacker and Brandon Spikes was one of the players on their list, says ESPN.com’s Bill Williamson (via Twitter). The player ultimately proved to be too expensive and signed with the Bills.
  • In a separate article, Williamson gives a list of potential veteran linebackers that the 49ers could be interested in. Among them are Desmond Bishop, Dan Connor and Jonathan Vilma.
  • Offensive tackle Eric Winston still hopes to return to the Cardinals, according to a tweet from SiriusXM NFL Radio. The tweet quotes Winston: “I’ve maintained I hope I’m going back to (the Cardinals). I still think there’s a possibility for that, but have to keep looking.”
  • Prior to signing with the Saints, Ramon Humber considered signing with the Vikings and the Patriots, according to Ramon Antonio Vargas of the New Orleans Advocate.