Greg Little (WR) - Pro Football Rumors

AFC Notes: CJ2K, Steelers, Yates, Titans

June 18th, 2014 at 12:55pm CST by Luke Adams

New Jets running back Chris Johnson is now five years removed from a 2009 season in which he eclipsed 2,000 rushing yards with the Titans. He’ll turn 29 this fall, and is coming off a knee injury, but Johnson still believes he has enough left in the tank to make another run at that mark, as he tells Seth Walder of the New York Daily News.

“I’d just retire and not play anymore if I didn’t feel like I was still capable of being a 2,000-yard back,” Johnson said. “I know I have the ability.”

Another run at 2,000 yards may be aiming a little high for the former Titan, but the fact that Johnson feels as if he hasn’t lost a step should be encouraging for Jets fans hoping he’ll make an impact this season. Here’s more from around the AFC:

The Steelers have swapped one undrafted free agent for another, announcing today (via Twitter) that they’ve signed running back Jordan Hall and waived cornerback Deion Belue. Belue signed with the Dolphins as a rookie free agent last month, then was claimed off waivers by Pittsburgh after being cut by Miami.
Although the Ravens have been “monitoring” T.J. Yates‘ situation for some time, there’s no guarantee that Baltimore will pursue the quarterback now that he’s been cut by the Texans, sources tell Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun.
Of the two linebackers who worked out for the Titans earlier this week, Quentin Groves is viewed as a better fit than Marvin Mitchell, tweets Jim Wyatt of the Tennessean.
Wide receiver Greg Little, who joined the Raiders after being cut by the Browns, was surprised that Cleveland waived him, since he had a “tremendous relationship” with the new coaches, he tells Vic Tafur of the San Francisco Chronicle. Of course, as Little acknowledges, the decision ultimately wasn’t in the hands of the coaching staff (Twitter links).

AFC West Notes: Broncos, Flowers, Sherman, Chargers, Raiders

May 24th, 2014 at 11:16am CST by Matt Feminis

While the focus is on Von Miller and Chris Harris rehabbing ACL injuries, denverbroncos.com’s Andrew Mason takes a look at other defenders coming off injury who could strengthen the Broncos’ defense, including free safety Quinton Carter and pass rusher Quanterus Smith.

Carter, who has missed most of the last two seasons because of knee and hamstring problems, looked promising as a rookie in 2011, but has since been passed on the depth chart by Rahim Moore. With Moore and T.J. Ward holding down starting spots and Duke Ihenacho and special teams captain David Bruton providing depth, Omar Bolden could be on the bubble. A healthy Carter could create an interesting storyline if he’s able to push Moore, as both are free agents at year’s end.

In the case of Smith, he was one of the most productive pass rushers in college football in 2012 before a late-season torn ACL knocked him down to the fifth round. After a “redshirt” 2013, the 6-5, 255-pounder is poised to earn reps in passing situations. Said defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio: “On tape coming out, we liked [Smith’s] athleticism, his length, his ability to bend and his ability to rush the quarterback. So those are things we’re looking forward to seeing from him.”

Here’s a few more AFC West notes:

In a Chiefs mailbag, ESPN’s Adam Teicher said third-round cornerback Phillip Gaines “is insurance in 2015 for Brandon Flowers, who is also expensive and may not be a good fit for what the Chiefs are doing on defense.” Flowers has three years remaining on a six-year, $49.35MM deal ($22MM guaranteed), though he struggled adapting to defensive coordinator’s Bob Sutton’s press-man responsibilities (his -9.8 pass coverage rating was the worst on the team, according to Pro Football Focus), and his name surfaced in trade rumors around draft time.
Chiefs Rookie quarterback Aaron Murray, drafted in the fifth round after tearing his ACL in November, could be stashed on IR, says Teicher. Behind starter Alex Smith, the Chiefs have veteran backup Chase Daniel, Tyler Bray and Murray, though Teicher doesn’t see keeping all three or utilizing a practice squad spot as viable options.
Fullback Anthony Sherman has flourished in Andy Reid’s West Coast offense, writes Pro Football Focus’ Matt Claassen. According to PFF, Sherman had an outstanding season as a run blocker, was an opportunistic as a receiver and served as a productive, core special teams player.
Gregg Rosenthal of NFL.com provides a projected starting lineup for the Chargers. In his accompanying thoughts, Rosenthal calls tight end Ladarius Green a potential breakout player. Meanwhile, in a fan chat for the team’s website, GM Tom Telesco explained why less than ideal measurables didn’t prevent them from drafting cornerback Jason Verrett — who is expected to start from Day One — and nose tackle Ryan Carrethers.
In a review of the Raiders’ offseason, ESPN’s Paul Gutierrez praises GM Reggie McKenzie for not overthinking and letting the draft come to him, particularly with top picks Khalil Mack and Derek Carr. Gutierrez also credits McKenzie for not overpaying for veteran free agents while creating a “strong enough locker room to withstand a wild card or two,” i.e. the addition of Greg Little.
Accordingly, Rosenthal says, “No team had a more dramatic overhaul this offseason,” as he projects the Raiders’ starting lineup. In his supplemental notes, Rosenthal calls free agent offensive tackle Donald Penn a boom-or-bust signing and says there’s reason to worry about the secondary, particularly if 2013 first-rounder D.J. Hayden doesn’t elevate his game.

Raiders Claim Greg Little

May 19th, 2014 at 3:21pm CST by Luke Adams

Monday, 4:21pm: The Raiders have claimed Little off waivers, reports ESPN’s Adam Schefter (via Twitter). Little will join James Jones, Denarius Moore and Rod Streater on Oakland’s depth chart.

Friday, 10:01am: The Browns’ overhaul of their wide receiving corps continues, as the team has made another move just one day after bringing aboard veterans Miles Austin and Earl Bennett. According to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (via Twitter), Cleveland has cut former second-round pick Greg Little.

Little, 24, hauled in 61 passes for 709 receiving yards in his rookie season, but has seen his totals in both categories decline in each year since then. In 2013, he grabbed just 41 passes for 465 yards. The former North Carolina standout was viewed as a lock to be waived by the previous Browns regime, but when Ray Farmer took over as general manager amidst other changes to the Cleveland front office, Little’s future became more uncertain.

With just $230K in dead money on Little’s deal, the move will create more than $800K in cap savings for the Browns. Meanwhile, with Little out of the picture and Josh Gordon facing a lengthy suspension, Cleveland appears poised to go into the season with an all-new group of wideouts leading the way. In addition to Austin and Bennett, free agent additions Andrew Hawkins and Nate Burleson figure to vie for targets.

NFC South Notes: Bucs, Panthers, Saints

May 17th, 2014 at 10:35pm CST by Peter Sowards

The NFL is a grown man’s league, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have taken notice.

First-round receiver Mike Evans and second-round tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins both stand 6 feet 5, imposing figures amongst their defensive counterparts. Both players have basketball backgrounds. As the Tampa Bay Times’ Rick Stroud writes, the Bucs and coach Lovie Smith like their basketball players.

“My experience is that anybody can’t go out there and play basketball,” Smith said. “It takes a good athlete with quickness, size, vertical (jump). Normally, that translates to getting good production on the football field.”

Stroud points out a number of former hoopsters who excelled in pro football, including Tony Gonzalez, Antonio Gates and Jimmy Graham. Getting position on your defender in football is similar to boxing out for a rebound in basketball, and it looks like the Bucs are hoping to cash in on the trend.

AFC North Notes: Blount, Harrison, Extensions

March 23rd, 2014 at 11:21am CST by Rory Parks

The Ravens have interest in free agent RB LeGarrette Blount, according to Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun. Wilson writes that the Ravens do not have a visit scheduled for Blount at this time, but they will continue to monitor his market. Baltimore struggled mightily in most aspects of its offense last season, and short-yardage situations were particularly troublesome. Blount would be a boon in that regard, and he would also provide necessary depth given Ray Rice‘s struggles last season–and his legal troubles this offseason–and Bernard Pierce‘s injury concerns. As our Peter Sowards reported yesterday, Blount is scheduled to meet with the division rival Steelers later this week.

More notes from the AFC North:

Speaking of the Steelers, Joe Starkey of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review writes that a reunion with James Harrison makes a great deal of sense for a team with little defensive depth and limited salary cap space. Starkey could envision a limited role for Harrison as a situational pass-rusher and short-yardage defender. As our Luke Adams noted several days ago, there is mutual interest in Harrison’s potential return to Pittsburgh.
Tony Grossi of ESPNCleveland.com and Pat McManamon of ESPN.com offer some opinions on Browns QB Brian Hoyer and WR Greg Little. Grossi believes that Hoyer has demonstrated enough to go into the season as the starting QB, and McManamon believes the Browns may feel the same way. As for Little, despite the frustration of Browns’ fans, Grossi notes that Little’s reasonable contract, his size, and his durability are all reasons why the Browns will probably hang onto him for another season. McManamon makes a similar point, though he does point out that if the Browns were to draft someone like Clemson WR Sammy Watkins, Little could be on his way out.
Coley Harvey of ESPN.com writes that there is nothing on the horizon yet regarding contract extensions for Bengals standouts A.J. Green, Andy Dalton, and Vontaze Burfict, but that negotiations could become more serious once the current phase of free agency concludes.
Despite the signing of Marshall Newhouse, Harvey believes the Bengals would “absolutely” consider an offensive tackle in the early rounds of the draft.

North Notes: Browns, Suh, Porter, Bears

February 11th, 2014 at 2:45pm CST by Luke Adams

After announcing several front office moves earlier today, the Browns will add one more new executive, according to ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter. Schefter reports (via Twitter) that former Chiefs VP of player personnel Bill Kuharich will join the Browns to assist new GM Ray Farmer. Kuharich and Farmer worked together in Kansas City.

With a new group of decision-makers taking over football operations in Cleveland, several players’ futures could be affected. We have details on those possibilities, as well as updates on a few more AFC and NFC North teams, so let’s dive in….

The Browns have a much more realistic chance of re-signing star center Alex Mack, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com, who says (via Twitter) that Mack appeared to be a sure thing to depart in free agency under the old regime. Rapoport adds (via Twitter) that receiver Greg Little was certain to be waived by the old regime, but may be retained for another season by the new decision-makers.
After Schefter reported that Jay Z and Roc Nation Sports would advise Lions defensive lineman Ndamukong Suh in some capacity, fellow ESPN.com scribe Darren Rovell added that Roc Nation would represent Suh for both contract negotiations and marketing. We had heard back in January when Suh fired his previous agents that Jay-Z was expected to be involved in the 27-year-old’s new representation.
Longtime Steeler linebacker Joey Porter had been hired by his old team as a defensive assistant, and figures to work with the current group of linebackers in Pittsburgh, tweets Bob Labriola of Steelers Digest.
The Bears aren’t likely to use their own franchise tag this offseason, but they’ll be keeping an eye on which other teams around the league designate franchise players, since it could affect their free agent pursuits, writes John Mullin of CSNChicago.com.