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Greg Jones

Minor Moves: Tuesday

February 3rd, 2015 at 5:47pm CST by Luke Adams

The NFL’s waiver period for 2015 officially opened this week after the Super Bowl, which means we should see an uptick in transactions over the next few weeks, even before free agency opens on March 10. Here are Tuesday’s minor moves from around the league:

  • The Colts announced today that they have agreed to terms with guard Ben Heenan. Heenan, 6’4″, 316 pounds, spent the last three seasons with the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the CFL. In 2014, he started all 21 games for the Roughriders, released Heenan from his CFL deal this week to allow him to pursue NFL opportunities. Heenan had offers from five NFL teams, according to Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (via Twitter).
  • The Bills have claimed wide receiver Justin Brown off waivers from the Steelers, according to Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post (via Twitter). The Steelers waived Brown back in December to make room for the addition of Ben Tate. Brown, a sixth-round choice in 2013, caught 12 passes for 94 yards during his time in Pittsburgh.
  • While Brown didn’t clear waivers, several other players who were cut since the end of the regular season made it through, tweets Wilson. Safety Jakar Hamilton (Cowboys), offensive lineman Darren Keyton (Lions), and tight end Steve Maneri (Patriots) all went unclaimed.
  • After signing a reserve/futures contract with the Lions at the end of the regular season, tight end Ifeanyi Momah was cut today by the team due to a failure to disclose a physical condition, tweets Michael Rothstein of ESPN.com. Momah spent time on the Lions’ and Browns’ practice squads in 2014.
  • The Saints formally terminated the contract of linebacker Cheta Ozougwu today, says Evan Woodbery of the Times-Picayune (Twitter links). Ozougwu spent the entire 2014 season on New Orleans’ reserve-PUP list.
  • Fullback Greg Jones, who announced his retirement last month, has officially been moved to the reserve/retired list by the Jaguars, per Wilson (via Twitter).

Zach Links contributed to this post.

AFC Notes: Rice, Browns, Knighton, Jets

January 15th, 2015 at 2:42pm CST by Luke Adams

A hearing had been scheduled for today for Ray Rice‘s grievance against the Ravens, which alleged that the club owed him $3.5MM for cutting him hours after in-elevator footage of him striking his then-fiancée surfaced in September. However, according to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk, the two sides have reached a settlement agreement. While the exact amount that the Ravens are paying Rice isn’t known, the settlement signals the formal end of Rice’s appeals processes and his relationship with the Ravens. The veteran running back has been paid and reinstated, so now it’s just a matter of waiting to see if any clubs will be willing to sign him to a new contract this offseason.

Here’s more from across the AFC:

  • Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer and Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal (Twitter links) have a pair of updates on the Browns‘ offensive coordinator search, reporting that Raiders senior offensive assistant Al Saunders and Bills senior offensive assistant Jim Hostler will interview for the job. Saunders will speak to the team on Tuesday, according to Cabot, while Hostler’s interview will happen this week, per Ulrich.
  • Appearing on SiriusXM NFL Radio today (Twitter link), free-agent-to-be Terrance Knighton indicated that he hasn’t gotten from the feeling from the Broncos that they’ll bring him back for next season. With Denver defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio becoming the new head coach in Oakland, the Raiders figure to be linked to the big defensive tackle as he nears free agency.
  • New Jets general manager Mike Maccaganan is “strongly considering” hiring ex-Jaguars GM Gene Smith to his front office staff, tweets ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Alex Marvez of Fox Sports has another Jets update, tweeting that Falcons defensive backs coach Joe Fanna will be joining Todd Bowles‘ staff in New York.
  • Longtime Jaguars fullback Greg Jones, who announced his retirement today, has interest in coaching and said he’d like to eventually become an offensive coordinator (Twitter link via Vito Stellino).
  • Bills president Russ Brandon spoke to Vic Carucci of the Buffalo News about the Bills’ new front office structure, which will involve GM Doug Whaley having final say on the 53-man roster, while head coach Rex Ryan decides on the coaching staff and active gameday rosters.

Greg Jones Retires As Jaguar

January 15th, 2015 at 1:06pm CST by Luke Adams

THURSDAY, 1:06pm: Jones officially signed his one-day contract with the Jags and announced his retirement today (Twitter link).

WEDNESDAY, 1:00pm: The Jaguars will hold a press conference at 2:00pm eastern time tomorrow to formally announce the retirement of fullback Greg Jones, according to Michael DiRocco of ESPN.com (via Twitter). Jones, who spent most of his 10-year career in Jacksonville, will retire as a Jaguar.

A former second-round pick, Jones spent nine seasons with the Jaguars before playing for the Texans in 2013. Primarily serving as a blocker, the 33-year-old has nonetheless accumulated 272 career carries, racking up 913 yards and 10 touchdowns on the ground. Per Pro Football Focus’ advanced metrics (subscription required), Jones was the league’s best blocking fullback in 2010, and ranked among the top 10 in that category in each of the next three seasons. For his career, he appeared in 131 total contests, starting 72.

Jones inked a deal with the Saints last summer, but was cut during roster cutdowns at the end of the preseason, and didn’t end up playing for an NFL team in 2014. The most recent update we heard on the Florida State product came in October when he auditioned for the Seahawks.

Extra Points: Bears, Rice, Sam, Rivers

October 21st, 2014 at 10:22pm CST by Zachary Links

Worried about potential unrest in Chicago? Brandon Marshall isn’t. “We’re great,” Marshall said of his relationship with quarterback Jay Cutler in an appearance on Showtime’s Inside The NFL (video link). Still, one has to wonder if the Bears offense can get back on the same page this season and make a run for the NFC North crown. More from around the NFL..

  • As expected, Ray Rice has filed a grievance against the Ravens, challenging the team’s decision to terminate his contract, according to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. If Rice is successful in his grievances against both the Ravens and the NFL, he would be eligible to receive $3.52MM from Baltimore.
  • Michael Sam figures to find another NFL opportunity thanks to his motor, writes Tom Pelissero of USA Today. The linebacker was released from the Cowboys‘ taxi squad earlier today.
  • Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers is on his way to joining the $20MM quarterback club, writes Joel Corry of CBSSports.com. Since the start of the 2013 season, Rivers has enjoyed a career revival and has arguably been the league’s second-best quarterback behind Peyton Manning.
  • A source tells Josina Anderson of ESPN.com (on Twitter) that RB Alex Green had a “good workout” with the Giants today, but the team isn’t signing him at this time. Big Blue won’t be inking Felix Jones to a contract either, but he’ll be on the team’s “short list” if and when a tailback is needed (link).
  • Former Giants center Jim Cordle worked out for the Titans recently, according to Adam Caplan of ESPN.com (on Twitter). Cordle suffered a partially torn patella but Caplan says he’s been healthy for a while.
  • With Derrick Coleman hurt, the Seahawks worked out veteran fullbacks Tony Fiammetta, Greg Jones, and Will Tukuafu, tweets Mike Garafolo of FOX Sports.
  • The Titans got something for nothing when they sent Akeem Ayers and a seventh-round choice to the Patriots earlier today for a sixth-round pick, opines Paul Kuharsky of ESPN.com. Ayers is in his contract year and wasn’t contributing much to the Titans. Of course, the Titans wish things worked out differently with their former second-round pick.
  • The NFL could wind up installing two personal conduct policies: one for players and one for all other NFL employees, including owners, writes Peter King of The MMQB. The policy for non-players could be hammered out by Thanksgiving and the players policy should be completed after that.

Saints Release Greg Jones

August 29th, 2014 at 5:12pm CST by Luke Adams

The Saints have parted ways with one of the three fullbacks on their roster, according to Rand Getlin of Yahoo! Sports, who reports (via Twitter) that the team has released veteran Greg Jones. The move leaves Erik Lorig and Austin Johnson as the two fullbacks in New Orleans.

A former second-round pick, Jones spent nine seasons with the Jaguars before playing for the Texans in 2013. Primarily serving as a blocker, the 33-year-old has nonetheless accumulated 272 career carries, racking up 913 yards and 10 touchdowns on the ground. Per Pro Football Focus’ advanced metrics (subscription required), Jones was the league’s best blocking fullback in 2010, and has ranked among the top 10 in that category in the years since.

The Saints inked Jones a deal earlier this month, presumably as an insurance policy for Lorig, who has missed the majority of training camp and preseason with an undisclosed injury. If New Orleans is willing to drop Jones, it could mean that Lorig will be healthy for the regular season or that the team is comfortable rolling with Johnson instead.

Saints Sign Greg Jones

August 6th, 2014 at 4:08pm CST by Luke Adams

The Saints have filled the open spot on their 90-man roster, announcing today in a press release that they’ve signed veteran fullback Greg Jones. The club made a series of moves yesterday that left just 89 players on the roster, creating an opening for Jones.

A former second-round pick, Jones spent nine seasons with the Jaguars before playing for the Texans in 2013. Primarily serving as a blocker, the 33-year-old has nonetheless accumulated 272 career carries, racking up 913 yards and 10 touchdowns on the ground. Per Pro Football Focus’ advanced metrics (subscription required), Jones was the league’s best blocking fullback in 2010, and has ranked among the top 10 in that category in the years since.

With Jed Collins departing in free agency, New Orleans signed fullback Erik Lorig to a four-year deal that included $1MM in fully guaranteed money earlier in the offseason. However, Lorig has not been in attendance at the Saints’ training camp for the last several days, and the team has not explained his absence or commented on any injury he may have sustained.

Jones also visited the Falcons this offseason.

NFC South Notes: Johnson, Falcons, Saints

April 8th, 2014 at 8:22pm CST by Zachary Links

Don’t expect the Falcons to bid for free agent running back Chris Johnson, tweets Alex Marvez of FOX Sports 1. The secondary was a more pressing concern for Atlanta than tailback, Marvez says. Of course, the Falcons have addressed the cornerback position by signing Josh Wilson earlier today. Here’s tonight’s look at the NFC South..

  • Meanwhile, Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com (on Twitter) adds that in addition to signing Wilson earlier today, the Falcons also auditioned tailback Greg Jones. Jones would represent a much less costly option at running back than Johnson.
  • USC wide receiver Marqise Lee is visiting the Saints, according to safety Kenny Vaccaro (on Twitter). Lee may not be on the board when New Orleans drafts at No. 27, so landing him might mean trading up.
  • The Cowboys and Saints are set to audition Baylor cornerback Demetri Goodson, according to Brian T. Smith of the Houston Chronicle (on Twitter). The former Gonzaga point guard will visit Dallas on Friday and New Orleans next week, with at least three other teams showing interest.

Josh Wilson, Greg Jones Visit Falcons

April 8th, 2014 at 12:38pm CST by Luke Adams

Having visited with the Lions on Monday, free agent cornerback Josh Wilson is on to Atlanta today to meet with the Falcons, according to John Keim of ESPN.com (via Twitter). And Wilson isn’t the only free agent in town — fullback Greg Jones also visited the club today, according to Pro Football Talk (via Twitter).

Wilson, 29, has started every game for the Redskins over the last three seasons. Although his Pro Football Focus grade (subscription required) wasn’t overly impressive in 2013, he made a number of big plays on defense, forcing a pair of fumbles and recovering three, to go along with two sacks, an interception, and 92 tackles.

Jones, meanwhile, was one of the better blocking fullbacks in the league in 2013 for the Texans. The 32-year-old spent most of his career with the Jaguars, and usually sees at least a handful of carries and receptions per season. Atlanta hasn’t used a fullback too often in recent years, but perhaps the team’s apparent interest in Jones suggests that the Falcons are keeping their options open for 2014.