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Jamarca Sanford

Saints Place Jamarca Sanford On Injured Reserve

June 18th, 2016 at 12:14pm CST by Ben Levine

Jamarca Sanford may have signed an extension with the Saints this past offseason, but the veteran’s tenure in New Orleans might be over. Evan Woodbery of NOLA.com reports (via Twitter) that the team has placed the veteran safety on the injured reserve. To take his roster spot, the Saints have signed nose tackle Lawrence Virgil.

The 30-year-old played in all 16 games for the Saints last season, compiling 14 tackles and one interception in 105 total defensive snaps. The former seventh-round pick has settled into a back-up/special teams role over the past several years, but the Saints thought enough of him to offer a one-year contract this past offseason. Before joining the Saints in 2014, Sanford played for the Redskins and Vikings, where he started 44 games in five seasons.

The Saints signed veteran defensive back Roman Harper earlier this month, but Woodbery isn’t sure if that addition was related to the Sanford move. Either way, the writer notes that Sanford’s roster spot was certainly in question following the acquisition of Harper.

As Woodbery tweets, Lawrence Virgil was originally signed by the Saints as an undrafted free agent in 2014. After compiling a pair of tackles as a rookie, the Valdosta State product spent 2015 on the injured reserve.

Contract Details: P. Robinson, Robertson, Cook

March 28th, 2016 at 2:10pm CST by Luke Adams

Listed below are some specific details on several of the latest contracts recently agreed upon or signed by NFL free agents. All links courtesy of Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle unless otherwise indicated.

AFC:

  • Patrick Robinson, CB (Colts): Three years, $14MM. $6MM guaranteed. $1.5MM signing bonus. $2MM roster bonus due this Tuesday. $1MM roster bonus due on fifth day of 2017 league year — becomes fully guaranteed if on roster beyond this Friday (all Twitter links).
  • Chris Hairston, OL (Chargers): Two years, $2.9MM. $550K signing bonus (Twitter link).
  • Brandon Thompson, DT (Bengals): One year, $840K. $50K signing bonus. $30K workout bonus. $150K incentive for playing time (Twitter link).
  • Leonard Hankerson, WR (Bills): One year, minimum salary benefit. $40K workout bonus. $40K first-game 53-man roster bonus (Twitter link).
  • Steven Johnson, LB (Steelers): One year, minimum salary benefit. $25K signing bonus. $55K first-game 53-man roster bonus (Twitter link).

NFC:

  • Craig Robertson, LB (Saints): Three years, $5MM. $1.965MM guaranteed. $1.2MM signing bonus. $250K roster bonus due on fifth day of 2017 league year. $275K due on fifth day of 2018 league year. Up to $1.5MM in annual incentives (Twitter links).
  • Jared Cook, TE (Packers): One year, $2.75MM. Up to $900K in incentives for catches, TDs, and Pro Bowl (Twitter link via Tom Pelissero of USA Today).
  • Courtney Upshaw, OLB (Falcons): One year, $1.25MM. $390K signing bonus. $100K in per-game active roster bonuses. Up to $250K in incentives for playing time and playoffs (Twitter links).
  • Mike Morgan, LB (Seahawks): One year, $1MM. $200K signing bonus. $150K incentive for playing time (Twitter link).
  • Jamarca Sanford, S (Saints): One year, minimum salary benefit. $80K signing bonus. $130K of $885K salary is guaranteed (Twitter link).

Saints Sign Jamarca Sanford

March 25th, 2016 at 6:02pm CST by Luke Adams

MARCH 25, 6:02pm: The Sanford signing became official today, according to Mike Triplett of ESPN.com (on Twitter).

MARCH 17, 10:53am: The Saints have struck a deal with veteran safety Jamarca Sanford, and will re-sign him to a one-year contract, according to Rand Getlin of the NFL Network (Twitter link). Sanford had been an unrestricted free agent.

Sanford, 30, was a full-time starter for the Vikings from 2011 to 2013, but has mostly settled into a special teams role since joining the Saints in 2014. Last season, he was New Orleans’ third safety behind Jairus Byrd and Kenny Vaccaro for the majority of the year, earning just over 100 defensive snaps and making one interception.

With Byrd and Vaccaro set to return for the 2016 season, Sanford doesn’t have a clear path to a starting job, but his spot on the depth chart may be a little more secure with Rafael Bush – who missed nearly the entire 2015 season with a torn pectoral muscle – having left New Orleans to sign with the Lions.

Saints Re-Sign Sanford, Retain Bunkley

March 6th, 2015 at 1:36pm CST by Luke Adams

The Saints have re-signed safety Jamarca Sanford, reports Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk, citing agent Drew Rosenhaus (via Twitter). According to the PFT report, the former Viking has agreed to a one-year deal to remain in New Orleans.

Sanford, 29, started 41 games for the Vikings from 2011 to 2013, but was cut by the team in August and had trouble finding regular work for the 2014 season. After a short stint in Washington, Sanford landed with the Saints in November, and appeared in six games down the stretch for the team, logging 14 tackles.

Financial terms of the deal aren’t yet known, but I’d expect a modest salary for Sanford, who should have the chance to compete for playing time on the Saints’ defense this summer.

Here’s more out of New Orleans:

  • A year ago, defensive tackle Brodrick Bunkley accepted a pay cut in return for a $300K roster bonus and a spot on the Saints’ roster, and it appears he has made a similar concession this time around. Mike Triplett of ESPN.com reports (via Twitter) that the team is bringing back Bunkley on a reduced salary, and Larry Holder of the Times-Picayune (Twitter link) confirms that the agreement is a “mirror image” of last year’s, and will create about $3MM in cap savings for the club.
  • The Saints have been “quietly” looking for trade partners for Junior Galette, a league source tells Rand Getlin of Yahoo! Sports. However, as Getlin notes, a deal is unlikely (Twitter links). Galette has been involved in some off-the-field legal issues recently and has a $12.5MM roster bonus on the way next Thursday, making him a pretty unappealing trade chip, despite his on-field production.
  • Head coach Sean Payton is high on Reggie Bush, who is currently a free agent, tweets Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com. La Canfora adds that the still has interest in re-signing Mark Ingram, but is keeping an eye on other running backs as well.

Saints Sign Jamarca Sanford

November 11th, 2014 at 4:40pm CST by Luke Adams

4:40pm: New Orleans has waived offensive lineman Eric Olsen to make room for Sanford, tweets Mike Triplett of ESPN.com, passing along a report from colleague Field Yates.

2:49pm: The Saints have signed safety Jamarca Sanford to their 53-man roster, reports Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. New Orleans doesn’t currently have an open spot on its roster, so a corresponding move will be required before the signing can be officially announced.

Sanford, 29, spent the first five seasons of his career with the Vikings after being chosen in the seventh round of the 2009 draft. The Mississippi product started 44 games during his time in Minnesota, averaging 34 tackles per season during that span. However, he was one of the players let go by the Vikes were rosters were cut down to 53 players in August, initially being placed on injured reserve and then released with a settlement. After signing with Washington in late September, Sanford played in three games, solely on special teams, before being released.

Saints cornerback Keenan Lewis was injured during Sunday’s loss to the 49ers, but has indicated he intends to play in Week 11, and New Orleans’ starting safeties – Rafael Bush and Kenny Vaccaro – are healthy, so I wouldn’t expect Sanford to see much action if he’s active this weekend.

Washington Signs Akeem Davis

October 26th, 2014 at 3:09pm CST by Dallas Robinson

In advance of tonight’s game against the Cowboys, Washington has made a change to its secondary by swapping one safety for another. The club promoted Akeem Davis from its practice squad while releasing Jamarca Sanford, the team announced (Twitter link via Mike Jones of the Washington Post).

Davis, 24, went undrafted last year after playing his college ball at Memphis. He did not play in the NFL in 2013, instead working as a graduate assistant as his alma mater. He eventually joined the Redskins in April, and has been active for four games this season. Davis was waived on October 7, but joined Washington’s practice squad just two days later. He will add depth to a safety group that features veterans Brandon Meriweather and Ryan Clark, neither of whom has been effective.

Sanford, 29, spent the first five seasons of his career with the Vikings after being chosen in the seventh round of the 2009 draft. The Mississippi product started 44 games during his tim in Minnesota, and averaged 34 tackles per season during that span. After signing with Washington in late September, Sanford has played in three games, solely on special teams. He should be able to latch on somewhere else as a back-of-the-roster type player.

Redskins Sign Jamarca Sanford, Richard Crawford

September 29th, 2014 at 3:09pm CST by Luke Adams

3:09pm: The Redskins have formally confirmed the signings of Sanford and Crawford, and also announced (via Twitter) the addition of tackle Terren Jones to their practice squad.

12:39pm: According to Grant Paulsen of 106.7 The Fan (via Twitter), the Redskins will also be signing cornerback Richard Crawford, who has previously spent time with the team but was cut a month ago.

12:23pm: The Redskins have filled one of the two openings on their 53-man roster by agreeing to a deal with free agent safety Jamarca Sanford, according to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk (via Twitter). The team has yet to officially confirm the move, but it wouldn’t be surprising if it’s announced soon along with another signing, to get back up to 53 players.

Sanford, 29, spent the first five years of his NFL career with the Vikings, becoming the team’s starting strong safety in 2011. He restructured his contract this past offseason, but even that lower cap hit didn’t allow him to save his job — he was one of the players removed from Minnesota’s roster when teams trimmed their rosters to 53 players, initially being placed on injured reserve and then released with a settlement. Since then, Sanford has tried out for the Jets and Bears.

With the Redskins, Sanford will join a secondary that currently sees Brandon Meriweather and Ryan Clark manning the two starting safety spots.

Extra Points: Goodell, Gordon, Streater, Bears

September 25th, 2014 at 9:35pm CST by Zachary Links

The NFLPA has the NFL in a vulnerable spot, writes Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. The union currently has no real power in personal conduct cases, but if Roger Goodell wants the NFLPA to work with him, he’ll have to give up some of that power. Right now, NFLPA executive director DeMaurice Smith appears to be playing some chess with Goodell and Florio writes that if he wants a real victory, he shouldn’t bend at all given the position Goodell is in. Here’s more from around the NFL..

  • With one more strike under the new drug program, Browns wide receiver Josh Gordon faces banishment. Some may be worried that Gordon won’t stay on the straight and narrow upon his return, but receivers coach Mike McDaniel isn’t concerned, writes Mary Kay Cabot of The Plain Dealer. “Without a doubt (he understands it),” said McDaniel. “There’s no question in my mind. Now, do I think originally he understood the ramifications of his actions before he ever had a slip-up? Probably not, but it happens as it goes. That’s one thing I’ve really been taken aback by is how much responsibility he’s definitely taking and he needs to continue to take. But he’s definitely taking (it) on himself. It doesn’t sit well with him that he’s in this situation.”
  • Rod Streater‘s agent indicated that the wide receiver will be back in a matter of weeks, but Raiders coach Dennis Allen says it’s too early to know if he’ll be back this season, tweets Vic Tafur of the San Francisco Chronicle.
  • The Bears worked out five safeties when they brought in linebacker Darryl Sharpton yesterday, tweets Brad Biggs of The Chicago Tribune. Those safeties were former Viking Jamarca Sanford, Shamiel Gary, Kimario McFadden, Pierre Warren, and Anthony Walters, who was with the team last year.
  • The Panthers tried out former Browns running back/fullback Chris Ogbonnaya, according to Howard Balzer of USA Today Sports (on Twitter). The Panthers’ backfield could use some reinforcements with Mike Tolbert on the IR-DTR and injuries to Jonathan Stewart and DeAngelo Williams.

Workout Notes: Chargers, Texans, Lions, Jets

September 23rd, 2014 at 3:52pm CST by Luke Adams

The Chargers are on the lookout for a running back after losing Danny Woodhead to a season-ending injury, and it looks like the team is close to adding one. A number of free agents auditioned for the club today, according to Michael Gehlken of the San Diego Union-Tribune (via Twitter), while Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (Twitter link) identifies D.J. Adams as one of the participants. Adams, who was most recently with the Cowboys, spent a month with the Chargers earlier in the offseason.

As we wait to see which player takes Woodhead’s roster spot in San Diego, let’s round up a few more updates on workouts around the league….

  • As first reported by Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter), the Texans took a look at a handful of free agent punters today in case Shane Lechler misses any time. Lechler is day to day with a hip flexor, per John McClain of the Houston Chronicle (via Twitter), who also has the list of players who worked out for the club. According to McClain, the Texans brought in Mat McBriar, Zoltan Mesko, Brian Moorman, and Kasey Redfern.
  • Wilson reports (via Twitter) that veteran linebacker Pat Angerer auditioned today for the Lions, who are eyeing linebacker help after losing Stephen Tulloch for the season. Angerer has worked out for the Jets, Saints, and Rams since being released at the end of August by the Falcons.
  • Safety Jamarca Sanford, who was placed on injured reserve and then cut by the Vikings earlier this month, worked out today for the Jets, according to Wilson (via Twitter).
  • The Giants tried out about six players today, including safety Jawanza Starling, tweets Ralph Vacchiano of the New York Daily News.

Minor Moves: Monday

September 8th, 2014 at 7:02pm CST by Luke Adams

With the season’s first Sunday in the books, a handful of teams are shuffling their rosters in preparation for next week’s games. Here are the latest minor transactions from around the NFL, with the latest moves added to the top of the page throughout the day:

  • The Bears have added receiver Greg Herd to the practice squad, reports Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (via Twitter). Herd spent time with the team during training camp before he was cut on August 23.
  • The Seahawks have signed cornerback Josh Thomas to take the place of the injured Jeremy Lane, reports ESPN’s Terry Blount (via Twitter). They’ve also made some changes to their practice squad, adding guard Nate Isles and safety Terrance Parks in place of guard David Arkin and safety Josh Aubrey, the club announced today (Twitter link).
  • With Dave Zastudil being bothered by a groin injury, the Cardinals have signed punter Drew Butler, according to Darren Urban of AZCardinals.com (via Twitter).
  • Defensive tackle Christo Bilukidi has been claimed off waivers by the Ravens, according to Field Yates of ESPN.com (Twitter link). Bilukidi was cut over the weekend by the Bengals.
  • When the Bengals cut Bilukidi, they signed Onterio McCalebb to their active roster, but he lasted just two days — he has been waived, according to Paul Dehner Jr. of the Cincinnati Enquirer, who adds (via Twitter) that the club has also terminated wide receiver Cobi Hamilton from the exempt list of the practice squad.
  • To make room for Bilukidi, the Ravens waived running back Fitz Toussaint, tweets Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun.
  • The Broncos have cut long snapper Kevin McDermott from their practice squad, tweets Mike Klis of the Denver Post. His spot will be taken by tight end Dominique Davis, per Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (via Twitter).
  • Tight end Emmanuel Ogbuehi has been replaced on the Browns‘ practice squad by defensive lineman Calvin Barnett, says Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal (Twitter link).

Earlier updates:

  • The Bears have signed safety Ahmad Dixon from the Vikings‘ practice squad, cutting cornerback Demontre Hurst to open up a spot on their roster, the team announced today (via Twitter). Dixon was drafted by the Cowboys but was waived by Dallas during preseason roster cutdowns.
  • Offensive tackle Andrew McDonald is also making the move from one team’s practice squad to another club’s 53-man roster, according to agent Brett Tessler, who tweets that his client has a deal with the Seahawks. McDonald had previously been one of the 10 players on the Panthers‘ practice squad.
  • The Bills have cut defensive end Jacquies Smith to make room for Nigel Bradham, who is returning this week from his one-game suspension, tweets ESPN.com’s Mike Rodak.
  • The Seahawks have placed cornerback Jeremy Lane, who is suffering from a groin injury, on their injured reserve list with the designation to return, reports Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (via Twitter).
  • Defensive back Jamarca Sanford, who had been on the Vikings‘ injured reserve list, has been released with a settlement, according to Darren Wolfson of 1500 ESPN Twin Cities (Twitter link).
  • The Chiefs have signed wideout Armon Binns to their practice squad and removed cornerback DeMarcus Van Dyke from their IR with an injury settlement, per Rand Getlin of Yahoo! Sports (Twitter links).
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