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Dontay Moch

Practice Squad Updates: 12/15/15

December 15th, 2015 at 6:11pm CST by Luke Adams

Here are today’s practice squad signings and cuts from across the league:

Atlanta Falcons

Baltimore Ravens

Buffalo Bills

Chicago Bears

Dallas Cowboys

Detroit Lions

Indianapolis Colts

New England Patriots

Philadelphia Eagles

  • Signed: S Craig Bills (Twitter link via team)
  • Cut: CB Mike Lee

St. Louis Rams

  • Signed: LB Matthew Wells

Washington

Workout Notes: Titans, Brown, Johnson, Dixon

October 21st, 2015 at 4:46pm CST by Zachary Links

Just over seven months after he announced his retirement from the NFL, cornerback Cortland Finnegan had a workout today with the Patriots. Finnegan, 31, was one of the league’s worst cornerbacks in 2013, according to Pro Football Focus’ advanced metrics. PFF ranked Finnegan 109th out of 110 qualified corners, with a grade of -19.7 in just seven games. As such, it came as a bit of a surprise when Miami inked the former Ram to a two-year, $11MM deal in 2014. He might not be worthy of that kind of pay, but he could make for an intriguing depth option for the Pats or another team.

Here’s a rundown of today’s other workouts from around the NFL, with all links going to Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post on Twitter, unless noted otherwise..

Minor Moves: Monday

May 18th, 2015 at 5:01pm CST by Zachary Links

Today’s minor moves..

  • The Buccaneers have signed safety Derrick Wells, according to Scott Smith of Buccaneers.com (on Twitter). The Lehigh, Florida native was one of the players in attendance for the team’s rookie mini-camp.
  • The Cowboys welcomed back fullback Tyler Clutts on a one-year deal and cut Jed Collins, as Todd Archer of ESPN.com tweets. Clutts joined the Cowboys late in 2013 and played in every game last season, helping DeMarco Murray to an NFL-high 1,845 yards.
  • The Giants removed Thomas Gordon from their injured reserve with an injury settlement, Aaron Wilson of The Baltimore Sun tweets.
  • The Patriots have said goodbye to Cameron Gordon and Devin Gardner, Wilson tweets. Gardner was a former quarterback at Michigan and was looking to transition to wide receiver in the NFL.
  • Washington signed linebacker Alonzo Highsmith while waiving Brey Cook, James Gayle, LaKendrick Ross, wide receiver Tyler Rutenbeck, and quarterback Connor Halliday, as John Keim of ESPN.com tweets. Halliday’s release was just formality after he abruptly announced his retirement from football.
  • The Saints announced the signings of linebacker Henry Coley, kicker Zach Hocker, offensive lineman Antonio Johnson, wide receiver Josh Morgan, and wide receiver Kyle Prater, as Larry Holder of The Times-Picayune tweets. To make room, offensive lineman Doniel Gambrell, guard Andrew Miller, and linebacker Stephon Sanders were shown the door while New Orleans waived/injured receiver Malcolme Kennedy (link).
  • The Titans announced (on Twitter) that they have agreed to terms with tight end Tevin Westbrook and outside linebacker Dezmond Johnson. Running back Lache Seastrunk and outside linebacker Dontay Moch were waived.
  • The Toronto Argonauts signed former NFL linebacker Brian Rolle, according to Adam Caplan of ESPN.com (on Twitter). Rolle, 27 in November, was drafted by the Eagles in the sixth round of the 2011 draft. His last NFL gig was with the Steelers, who signed him on a futures/reserve contract in 2013. Meanwhile, the Argos said goodbye to wide receiver Mike Thomas and safety David Sims, who both have had multiple stops in the NFL (link).
  • Wide receiver/kick returner DeShon Foxx has agreed to terms with the Seahawks, accoridng to Wilson (on Twitter).
  • The 49ers signed Mylan Hicks and Justin Renfrow, according to Wilson (on Twitter).
  • The Seahawks signed Earnest Pettway and Charles Tuauu, according to Wilson (on Twitter).
  • The Chiefs cut Curtis Feigt with a non-football injury designation, Wilson tweets.

Titans Release Shaun Phillips

November 25th, 2014 at 3:33pm CST by Luke Adams

3:33pm: The Titans have officially confirmed Phillips’ release, announcing that they’ve promoted outside linebacker Dontay Moch to the roster to take his spot (Twitter links).

11:50am: The Titans will release veteran outside linebacker Shaun Phillips today, according to Jim Wyatt of the Tennessean (via Twitter). Because the trade deadline has passed, Phillips, like all players, will have to pass through waivers before becoming an unrestricted free agent.

Phillips, 33, played nine seasons for the Chargers before joining the Broncos last season and then signing with the Titans this past March. The veteran inked a two-year, $5MM contract with the club, but wasn’t overly effective in a part-time role this season, recording just a pair of sacks after reaching double-digits in 2013. As Wyatt notes (via Twitter), with the club out of the playoff hunt, Ken Whisenhunt and his staff prefer to take a look at some younger defensive players down the stretch.

Because the deal included a $750K signing bonus, the Titans will carry $375K in dead money on their 2015 cap. However, removing Phillips’ base salary from their books creates more than $2.5MM in ’15 cap savings.

Tennessee will have an open roster spot once the release of Phillips becomes official, so a corresponding addition is likely.

Minor Moves: AFC South

September 1st, 2014 at 10:52am CST by Rob DiRe

Here are some minor transactions from around the AFC South this Labor Day:

 

Sunday Transactions: AFC South

August 31st, 2014 at 7:45pm CST by Luke Adams

Listed below are the Sunday roster moves for the four AFC South teams. Following the 53-man roster cutdown deadline yesterday, many teams will make slight tweaks to their rosters, claiming players off waivers or signing guys who clear waivers. Those transactions are noted below.

Additionally, as of 11:00am CT today, teams can begin constructing their 10-man practice squads. For the 2014 and 2015 seasons, changes were made to practice squad rules that allow teams to carry eight players instead of 10, and the eligibility requirements for those extra two spots were also loosened. You can check out our glossary entry on practice squads to brush up on those changes, as well as all the other guidelines that govern the 10-man units, whose players practice with the team but aren’t eligible to suit up on Sundays.

Here are Sunday’s AFC South transactions, which will continue to be updated throughout the day:

Houston Texans:

Indianapolis Colts:

Jacksonville Jaguars:

  • Claimed off waivers: Mickey Shuler, TE (via Ryan O’Halloran on Twitter)
  • Cut: Marcel Jensen, TE (via Aaron Wilson on Twitter)
  • Signed to practice squad (officially announced): Cody Booth, T; DeAndre Coleman, DT; Henry Josey, RB (via Adam Caplan on Twitter); Craig Loston, S; Stephen Morris, QB; Kerry Taylor, WR; Tony Washington, WR; Marcus Whitfield, LB. The team has also added cornerback Peyton Thompson, reports Michael DiRocco (via Twitter), although the team has not officially announced the signing.

Tennessee Titans:

Bengals Cut Danieal Manning, Down To 53

August 30th, 2014 at 2:35pm CST by Luke Adams

After parting ways with veteran running back BenJarvus Green-Ellis yesterday, the Bengals listed another familiar name among their final wave of cuts today, with safety Danieal Manning receiving his release. Per a series of tweets from the team, here’s the complete list of transactions that got the roster count down to 53 players:

Released:

Waived:

Placed on injured reserve:

  • Trey Hopkins, G

Placed on reserve/non-football injury list:

  • A.J. McCarron, QB

Waived from injured reserve:

  • Lavelle Westbrooks, CB

AFC Notes: McPhee, Hurns, Amaro, Mack

August 23rd, 2014 at 12:43pm CST by Matt Feminis

Ravens outside linebacker Pernell McPhee is a player to watch in tonight’s third preseason game against the Redskins, says Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun: “Healthy this year after having no surgeries this offseason — unlike previous years when he’s undergone groin and knee procedures — the Ravens’ outside linebacker has been one of the best pass rushers in the NFL this preseason with one sack and five quarterback hurries. McPhee appears to have recaptured his rookie form from 2011 when he finished second on the Ravens with six sacks.” Meanwhile, ESPN’s Jaymison Hensley points out that McPhee is in the final year of his rookie deal, meaning the Ravens should benefit from healthy, motivated player seeking a contract extension.

Here’s a roundup of more links from around the AFC:

  • T.J. Graham is the Bills’ top “bubble” player, says ESPN’s Mike Rodak: “With six receivers already considered locks for the 53-man roster, Graham might need an injury to make the cut. However, he can make a strong push for a job with another team with a good outing Saturday. Graham saw more time with the first-team offense as training camp progressed, and with Sammy Watkins not expected to play Saturday, Graham should have chances to catch passes from starting quarterback EJ Manuel. The Bills will need to make a decision on Graham shortly after Saturday’s game. Would they release him early and allow him time to catch on elsewhere? Or do they hold onto him and try to get him back on their practice squad, now that he is eligible under the NFL’s new rules?”
  • With Donald Stephenson facing a four-game suspension and Joe Mays injured, the competition for replacement snaps at right tackle and inside linebacker is something to watch in the Chiefs’ third preseason game, writes Terez Paylor in the KC Star.
  • The Broncos are in need of a punt returner following the torn ACL suffered by Jordan Norwood. Isaiah Burse will get the first chance to claim the role, according to an AP story.
  • The Jaguars used a pair of second-round picks on receivers, but undrafted free agent Allen Hurns has been the best rookie in camp, writes Hays Carlyon in the Florida Times-Union: “The question now isn’t if Hurns makes the 53-man roster. He’s a virtual lock, a difficult position for an undrafted rookie to work his way to after three games. . . Hurns has put himself in position to perhaps start opposite Cecil Shorts when the Jaguars open the regular season at Philadelphia on Sept. 7.”
  • Jace Amaro is impressing Rex Ryan. Speaking about the rookie tight end, Ryan told the New York Post’s Brian Costello, “I told you guys he reminds me of [Mike] Ditka the more I see him. The kid gets better and better and better. That’s the thing you love about this guy.” Amaro had four catches and a touchdown last night against the Giants.
  • Raiders outside linebacker Khalil Mack looked worthy of the No. 5 overall selection last night, according to Marcus Thompson II of the San Jose Mercury-News.
  • Raiders running back Kory Sheets (Achilles) is out for the season. Sheets broke the news himself via Twitter. As a result, Latavius Murray will begin the season as the team’s primary kick returner.
  • A pair of young veterans — Dontay Moch and Orson Charles — could be candidates for the Bengals’ practice squad, speculates ESPN’s Cole Harvey, who says “coaches have grown tired of the Charles experiment and are all-in on undrafted rookie free agent Ryan Hewitt.”

North Notes: Bears, Bengals, Browns, Lions

June 29th, 2014 at 4:34pm CST by Dallas Robinson

As part of our Offseason in Review series, we’ve been analyzing teams’ signings, trades, draft picks, and other moves that have occurred since the 2013 season concluded. Our reports on one full division — the AFC North — are complete, so check out PFR’s examinations of the Bengals, Browns, Ravens, and Steelers offseasons. Here’s more from both North divisions:

  • After signing Jared Allen, the Bears moved fellow free agent-signee Lamarr Houston to left end, where he doesn’t have much experience. But, as defensive line coach Paul Pasqualoni tells Chris Boden of CSNChicago.com, Chicago has spent the past month helping Houston with the transition, and the results are positive. “You can see the quickness, speed, and explosiveness he’s capable of playing with,” said Pasqualoni. “He’s going to give us a pretty stout guy on first and second downs, and a guy who’s capable on third down of either rushing inside or outside. He’s going to give us flexibility with what he can do.”
  • Linebacker/defensive end Dontay Moch, whom the Bengals claimed off waivers from the Cardinals, is the latest subject of ESPN.com’s Coley Harvey’s series looking at Cincinnati players on the roster bubble. Moch was with the Bengals from 2011-2012, so perhaps that experience could work in his favor, but ultimately Harvey thinks it’s a coin flip as to whether the 25-year-old makes Cincinnati’s 53-man roster.
  • The Browns were able to retain center Alex Mack, and drafted guard Joel Bitonio, adding to an already promising offensive line, writes Pat McManamon of ESPN.com. Along with All-Pro Joe Thomas, Cleveland’s front five should have no trouble keeping either Brian Hoyer or Johnny Manziel upright.
  • Safety James Ihedigbo is fitting in nicely with the Lions, and his transition to the team is helped by the fact that his new defensive coordinator, Teryl Austin, was his secondary coach while the two were in Baltimore, according to Carlos Monarrez of the Detroit Free Press. “I’m definitely doing the best I can and helping guys understand [the defensive scheme],” said Ihedigbo. “I answer any questions that guys may have. But it’s all about us getting used to it. It’s a new system. The awesome thing is that guys are learning it, they’re learning it quick and they’re being able to play at a high level. And that’s what you want to see at this time of year: guys flying around and it’s exciting.”

Bengals Claim Dontay Moch Off Waivers

March 14th, 2014 at 3:44pm CST by Zachary Links

FRIDAY, 3:44pm: The Bengals have claimed Moch off waivers from the Cardinals, according to Paul Dehner Jr. of the Cincinnati Enquirer (via Twitter).

THURSDAY, 4:21pm: The Cardinals have released Dontay Moch, according to Darren Urban of AZCardinals.com (on Twitter). The defensive lineman saw time in just five games across his three seasons in Arizona.

Moch, 26 in July, was a third round pick of the Bengals in the 2011 draft. While he impressed scouts during his time at the University of Nevada, he hasn’t made a major impact at the professional level in his young NFL career. Moch ran an eye-popping 4.44 sec 40-yard dash at the 2011 NFL Combine, ranking best among all front seven players at the event.