Josh Brent

NFC Notes: Cassel, Brent, Packers, Garrard

August 25th, 2014 at 2:11pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Even after the Vikings traded back into the first round of May’s draft to select Louisville product Teddy Bridgewater, the prevailing wisdom was that Matt Cassel would be the Week 1 starter at quarterback in Minnesota. Per Jay Glazer of Fox Sports 1 (Twitter link), that notion has held, as head coach Mike Zimmer has informed the Vikings’ players that Cassel will indeed open the season as the team’s No. 1 QB.

Zimmer himself confirmed the news to reporters, including Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer-Press (on Twitter), saying that Cassel was the favorite in the competition from the start. “Matt did not do anything to lose the job this preseason,” said Zimmer. “I think he’s played great. The team has a lot of confidence in him.” Through three preseason games, Cassel has completed 26 of 39 passes for 367 yards, with two touchdowns and one interception, while Bridgewater has completed 26 of 40 pass attempts for 266 yards, four scores, and no picks.

On a macro level, this news means that no rookie quarterback will be his team’s Week 1 starter (unless Matt Schaub‘s injury lingers and David Carr is forced to take the reins for the Raiders). Chad Henne was chosen to start over Blake Bortles in Jacksonville, and Johnny Manziel lost out out Brian Hoyer in Cleveland. Still, I’d be surprised if two or three (or perhaps all four) of said rookies aren’t starting games by season’s end.

More notes from the NFC:

While Cowboys owner Jerry Jones appears ready to save a roster spot for Josh Brent, the defensive tackle likely won’t require an active roster spot when the NFL reinstates him. According to Ed Werder of ESPN.com, the league is expected to suspend Brent if and when he’s reinstated. “He’s not just going to walk back onto the field,” a source tells Werder.
Even after B.J. Raji‘s season-ending biceps injury, Green Bay has enough depth along the defensive line that it won’t be signing ex-Packer Ryan Pickett, writes Bob McGinn of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel.
Unhappy with incumbent Alex Henery, the Eagles had been scouting teams with a surplus of kickers, tweets Zach Berman of the Philadelphia Inquirer. Berman points to Dustin Hopkins, released by the Bills this morning, as one option for the Birds.
It’s unclear if he was simply being humorous, but David Garrard lobbied the Rams (via Twitter) to give him a call following Sam Bradford‘s season-ending injury. Garrard is 36 and has dealt with numerous injuries in the last few years — it’s highly doubtful St. Louis would be interested.

Luke Adams contributed to this post.

East Notes: Griffin, Brent, Branch

August 24th, 2014 at 12:20pm CST by Rory Parks

Robert Griffin III struggled in the Redskins‘ third preseason game against the Ravens on Saturday night, and that has led to a great deal of chatter as to whether he or backup Kirk Cousins represents the team’s best option under center. Redskins’ legend Joe Theismann weighed in on the conversation in the fourth quarter of last night’s game (as transcribed by Dan Steinberg of the Washington Post) stating:

“Let’s stop beating around the bush. Kirk Cousins has played much better at the quarterback position than Robert Griffin III has…Now, if there was a quarterback competition, it wouldn’t be a competition. Kirk Cousins would be the man I believe [head coach Jay Gruden] would have to go to.”

Theismann continued to sing Cousins’ praises after the game ended. Former Redskin Brian Mitchell, an analyst on the team’s post game show, disagreed with Theismann’s assessment, stating that Griffin, not Cousins, gives Washington the best chance of winning. For what it’s worth, Liz Clarke of the Washington Post writes that Griffin rejects the belief that he has regressed this preseason.

Now for some more notes from the league’s east divisions:

Rich Tandler of CSNWashington.com points out the obvious flaw in Theismann’s analysis, writing that, since there never was a quarterback competition in Redskins camp–Griffin entered the offseason as the undisputed starter–there is no way to determine whether Griffin or Cousins would have won such a competition. If the starting job was up for grabs, Cousins would have had a chance to work with the first team offense against the Ravens’ first-team defense, and no one can say how that would have altered the evaluation.
Jean-Jacques Taylor of ESPNDallas.com reports that Cowboys owner Jerry Jones expects a decision from the league regarding a potential suspension for DT Josh Brent “imminently.” Jones has previously stated that the team will have a roster spot for Brent if the NFL allows him to play.
Ebenezer Samuel of the New York Daily News writes that undrafted free agent wideout Corey Washington has had a monster preseason for the Giants and has thrust himself into serious consideration for a roster spot.
Jordan Ranaan of NJ.com tweets that it will be a few days before a final diagnosis is made on Geoff Schwartz, and in a full-length piece Ranaan describes how the Giants might go about replacing him.
In a pair of articles, Paul Schwartz of the New York Post offers a little more on Schwartz, some Giants‘ roster machinations, and he describes the quality performances displayed by a few of the Giants’ younger players.
I rounded up a few Eagles links here.
In the wake of Alan Branch‘s recent arrest, Mike Rodak of ESPN.com reexamines the financial ramifications the Bills would face if they were to release Branch.
Marc Sessler of NFL.com writes that Bills coach Doug Marrone is open to shopping for a new backup quarterback. Ian Rapoport of NFL.com wonders (via Twitter) if the team would consider Luke McCown if he is cut by New Orleans, as the Saints and the Bills have a similar offensive system.
Ben Volin of the Boston Globe describes how the new practice squad rules could impact several players on the Patriots‘ roster bubble.
Shalise Manza Young of the Boston Globe provides a closer look on how the Patriots will pare their roster down to 75 players by Tuesday’s deadline.
The Jets released six players earlier today.

NFC East Links: Brent, Foles, Giants

August 14th, 2014 at 7:55pm CST by Dallas Robinson

The latest out of the NFC East..

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones “has heard nothing” from the NFL pertaining to a possible Josh Brent reinstatement, according to Charean Williams of the Fort-Worth Star Telegram (Twitter link). Brent was set to meet with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell at the beginning of August and discuss his re-entry to the league. About 65% of PFR readers believed that Brent, whose driving under the influence led to the tragic death of teammate Jerry Brown, should not be able to play in the NFL again.
Bruce Carter is the Cowboys’ presumptive starter at weakside linebacker, but as Todd Archer of ESPN.com writes, Rolando McClain is pushing for more playing time on Dallas’ front seven. McClain has been working as the starter at middle linebacker, with Justin Durant shifting to the “Will” position, meaning Carter is having to fight for snaps.
In a piece for ESPN Insider (subscription required), Steve Palazzolo of Pro Football Focus points to the Eagles as one of five teams that could contend for the Super Bowl with improved quarterback play. Despite his excellent counting stats, Nick Foles finished with just a +7.4 grade from PFF.
David Molk, a Chargers sixth-round pick in 2012, is working as the backup to Eagles center Jason Kelce, and the former Michigan Wolverine feels he’s the perfect fit for Chip Kelly’s up-tempo scheme. “Frankly, as far as this offensive line and [how] this offense is built … this is what I am made for,” Molk told Geoff Mosher of CSNPhilly.com. “Smaller, quicker, faster guy who’s strong, uses good balance. This is what my tools are made for.”
Giants general manager Jerry Reese was succinct when discussing his team’s 2014 hopes with Sports Illustrated’s Don Banks. “There are two guys on our team that have to play really well and it’s Eli Manning and Jason Pierre-Paul,” said Reese. “If those guys play well, I think we’ve got a chance to be really good.”

Extra Points: McNair, Smith, Brent, Dalton

August 7th, 2014 at 9:38pm CST by Zachary Links

After a 10-month ordeal in which he battled two forms of cancer under an assumed name at the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Texans owner Bob McNair has been given a clean bill of health by the team of doctors that treated him, writes John McClain of the Houston Chronicle. Here’s a look around the NFL as we enjoy some preseason football..

It was originally scheduled for Friday, but 49ers linebacker Aldon Smith actually met with commissioner Roger Goodell earlier today, writes Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee. Goodell is expected to discipline Smith, perhaps with a multiple-game suspension, to start the season.
Former Cowboys nose tackle Josh Brent also met with Goodell and a source tells Jean-Jacques Taylor of ESPNDallas.com that the meeting went well. Owner Jerry Jones said earlier that he’ll create a roster spot for the defensive lineman if he’s not suspended.
In a piece for CBSSports.com, former agent Joel Corry gives his take on Andy Dalton‘s new contract with the Bengals. Corry writes that the deal sets a new middle salary tier for quarterbacks, one that hasn’t been in place since Mark Sanchez was cut by the Jets and Matt Schaub took a paycut from his Texans deal upon joining the Raiders. The pact may also set a salary ceiling for teammate A.J. Green.
Packers coach Mike McCarthy believes that everything is “lined up for” his team in 2014, writes Tom Pelissero of USA Today Sports. “I feel like everything’s lined up for us, with the buildings and the upgrades and everything. It’s all about progress and growth. That’s the way we run our football operations, and I feel like we’re just getting ready to have our best run, hopefully,” the coach said. Meanwhile, quarterback Aaron Rodgers is excited about their young talent at the skill positions, Jordy Nelson‘s new contract, and the addition of Julius Peppers on the defensive line.
Bucs quarterback Mike Glennon might have been the only person in Tampa Bay who was upset to see coach Greg Schiano go, writes Tom Jones of the Tampa Bay Times. Schiano was absolutely convinced Glennon was not only the Bucs’ franchise quarterback of the future, but the present. Now that Schiano is out and Lovie Smith is in, Glennon has gone from starter to backup.
The Saints traded Darren Sproles to the Eagles this offseason but they might have a clone in UDFA Derrick Strozier, writes Jarrett Bell of USA Today. It won’t be easy landing a spot in a backfield that includes veterans Pierre Thomas, Mark Ingram, Khiry Robinson, and Travaris Cadet, but the diminutive Strozier looks good so far.

NFC Notes: Brent, Wilson, Bears, Foles

August 5th, 2014 at 2:27pm CST by Luke Adams

Former Cowboys nose tackle Josh Brent is meeting with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell this week in the hopes of being reinstated to the league after serving a 180-day prison sentence for intoxication manslaughter. And if he’s reinstated, he’ll have a roster spot available in Dallas, according to team owner Jerry Jones (link via Clarence Hill of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram).

“We will, yes we will,” Jones said, when asked if the Cowboys would create an opening for Brent. “In other words, we wouldn’t have it today, but we will make a roster spot.”

Here’s more from around the NFC:

Even with David Wilson no longer on the roster, Giants head coach Tom Coughlin thinks his team has enough running backs, tweets Paul Schwartz of the New York Post.
As for Wilson, despite his retirement due to injury, he’ll be eligible to collect his full $998K salary for 2014 while on injured reserve, as well as half of his $1.3MM salary for 2015, writes Eben Novy-Williams of Bloomberg.
It sounds as if the Bears will add a wide receiver to their roster soon after potential No. 3 wideout Marquess Wilson suffered a fractured clavicle this week. In his latest mailbag, Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune explores the possibility of the club re-signing Earl Bennett, who was cut earlier in the offseason and was subsequently signed and released by the Browns.
In a piece for The Sporting News, Jason Fitzgerald of Over The Cap breaks down how Andy Dalton‘s new contract compares to other quarterback deals, suggesting that it may represent the return of the middle class market. The Dalton extension may also provide a blueprint for Nick Foles and the Eagles, according to Fitzgerald, since Philadelphia has a similar cap situation to the Bengals and Foles, like Dalton, still has a few question marks.
Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk takes a look at perhaps the oddest detail of Colin Kaepernick‘s extension with the 49ers, which involves the disability policy the quarterback had to purchase as part of the deal.

Josh Brent To Meet With Roger Goodell

July 30th, 2014 at 8:36pm CST by Zachary Links

Former Cowboys nose tackle Josh Brent will meet with commissioner Roger Goodell by the end of next week in an effort to gain re-entry into the NFL, agent Peter Schaffer tells Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (on Twitter). Brent, of course, has been out of action since December 2012 when he drove under the influence and caused a car wreck that tragically killed teammate Jerry Brown.

Brent went to Brown’s family to get its blessing on resuming his NFL career, and Schaffer said the family extended it, Schefter tweets. Since the tragedy, Brent has failed multiple drug tests and served time in prison. For his part, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones recently told WFAA-TV’s Dale Hansen that he’s considering bringing Brent back to Dallas.

“First of all, Josh Brent before he was involved in his tragic mistake, and it was a mistake, he did some really fine things as a football player. By the way, he was a great teammate. As witnessed by the fact his teammates and many of the Brown family members have continued to support him. He is the kind of guy that you would like to see make up for his mistake and support him in a great rehab. The NFL is a great place to make up for a mistake,” Jones said.

In a recent PFR poll, 66% of readers said that Brent should not return to the Cowboys. Brent played in 39 games for the Cowboys between 2010 and 2012, recording 44 tackles and 1.5 sacks.

NFC Notes: Brent, 49ers, Foles, Bucs, Redskins

June 15th, 2014 at 3:30pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Josh Brent, who has been out of the NFL following his drunken-driving crash that resulted in the death of teammate Jerry Brown, was released from jail today, tweets Ian Rapoport of NFL.com. We learned several weeks ago that the Cowboys have not ruled out re-signing Brent, who announced his retirement last summer. Dallas would need to answer several questions about Brent, ranging from the public perception of adding him to the roster, to his fit within the team’s new defensive scheme, before bringing him aboard.

Poll: Should The Cowboys Bring Back Josh Brent?

June 8th, 2014 at 10:22am CST by Rory Parks

We learned several days ago that the Cowboys would not rule out the possibility of defensive tackle Josh Brent‘s returning to the team upon his release from jail. Brent, of course, is currently serving a six-month sentence for intoxication manslaughter for his role in a drunken car crash that killed teammate and best friend, Jerry Brown. Brent is set to be released on July 23, and the Cowboys open training camp the next day.

David Moore of the Dallas Morning News lists the pros and cons of Brent’s would-be return. Moore notes that one common refrain among Cowboys fans is that Brent is simply not a good enough player to warrant the public relations nightmare and similar off-field concerns that his comeback would entail. Although Brent started just five games for the team in his three-year career, compiling just 1.5 sacks over that time and no more than 22 tackles in any one season, the fact remains that Dallas’ defense is in dire need of any kind of help.

The Cowboys ran a 3-4 defense when Brent last played for the club, but they now operate out of a 4-3 formation. As a 1-technique lineman in a 4-3 scheme, Brent would not be expected to generate a great deal of pressure on the quarterback, and it is difficult to say if he would provide any sort of upgrade over veterans Nick Hayden and Terrell McClain or rookies Ken Bishop and Davon Coleman.

Of course, Moore writes that neither desperation nor Brent’s talent level–such as it is–should factor into the Cowboys’ decision regarding Brent. He does add, however, that Brown’s mother, Stacey Jackson, has continued to publicly support Brent and has expressed her hope that that team will do the same. Jackson’s support would be something of a crutch for the Cowboys in the court of public opinion if they wanted to bring Brent back into the fold.

In order to do that, there are a number of hurdles to clear. Before training camp began last summer, Brent sent a retirement letter to the league, so he would have to apply for reinstatement. Then there is the question of what punishment commissioner Roger Goodell would levy upon reinstatement. Putting those substantial issues aside for the time being, Moore writes, “The Cowboys appear willing to give Brent a chance to resume his career if that’s what he wants,” but nothing more than that.

So what say you, hivemind? Should the Cowboys bring back Josh Brent?

NFC East Notes: Urlacher, Cowboys, Giants

June 3rd, 2014 at 6:19pm CST by Zachary Links

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones says he won’t be signing free agent linebacker Brian Urlacher to fill the void left by Sean Lee‘s injury, writes Calvin Watkins of ESPNDallas.com. From the sound of things, Dallas won’t be doing anything right away. “We’re working through it,” said Stephen Jones, the Cowboys’ executive vice president. “I mean obviously we’re not playing football games tomorrow and we’re not going to training camp tomorrow. We’re just taking a long hard look at anything.” More out of the NFC East..

Former Cowboys defensive tackle Josh Brent is scheduled to be released from jail within the next two months and team COO Stephen Jones says he wouldn’t rule out bringing back the 26-year-old, according to a staff report from the Dallas Morning News. In January, Brent was sentenced to ten years probation for his 2012 drunken-driving crash that killed teammate, Jerry Brown Jr. Brent played in 39 games for the Cowboys between 2010 and 2012, recording 44 tackles and 1.5 sacks.
Cowboys tackle Tyron Smith will be a free agent after 2015 but he’s not focusing on an extension, writes Todd Archer of ESPNDallas.com. Smith will earn $10.039MM in ’15 after Dallas exercised his fifth-year option. Still 23, the promising tackle figures to cash in on his next deal.
The Giants signed safety Kyle Sebetic, an undrafted free agent out of Dayton, to take Will Hill‘s place on the 90-man roster, tweets Ralph Vacchiano of the New York Daily News. Speaking of Hill, Vacchiano adds (link) that he officially cleared waivers and is now a free agent.

Extra Points: Cowboys, Saints, Bills, Roster Rankings

February 1st, 2014 at 10:41pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Cowboys defensive tackle Josh Brent was sentenced to just 180 days in jail after he was found guilty of intoxication manslaughter, and Rick Gosselin of the Dallas Morning News believes the team will try to bring him back for the 2014 season. The team will push for a ruling from commissioner Roger Goodell regarding a league suspension before the draft, in the hopes that their areas of need will be more clarified. Regardless of Brent’s fate, the Cowboys will need to boost their defensive line this offseason. For his part, Gosselin opines that Brent should move on to a different team, and open a new chapter in his life.

Some more notes from around the league:

The Saints need to get younger at receiver, writes Mike Triplett of ESPN.com. Marques Colston may only have a few years left as a productive player, and Robert Meachem and Lance Moore might not return to New Orleans next season. Adding big names to the receiving core via free agency is unlikely, as the Saints have proven they can succeed by pairing lightly-regarded players with quarterback Drew Brees.
The Bills have added Pepper Johnson as defensive line coach and Fred Pagac as linebackers coach, according to a team statement. Johnson was on the Patriots coaching staff for the past 12 seasons, while Pagac spent the past seven years with the Vikings.
Evan Silva of Rotoworld ranks each franchise by roster strength and identifies the top needs of each team. The Super Bowl participant Seahawks and Broncos come in at numbers one and three, respectively, while the 49ers, Patriots, and Saints round out the top five.
Teams like the Chiefs, who will pick near the end of the first round in the upcoming draft, may benefit from the ever-rising number of declaring underclassmen, writes Terez A. Paylor of the Kansas City Star.