HEADLINES

Josh Mauro

Raiders To Release DL Josh Mauro

September 1st, 2019 at 3:57pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Raiders’ corresponding roster move for their DeShone Kizer waiver claim will not be a quarterback cut. Instead, Oakland will part ways with defensive lineman Josh Mauro, Vic Tafur of The Athletic tweets.

Both of Derek Carr‘s featured-on-Hard Knocks backups, Mike Glennon and Nathan Peterman, remain on the Raiders’ roster. Mauro joined the Raiders earlier this year as a free agent and may well be back.

The team plans to re-sign the veteran defender, per Greg Auman of The Athletic (on Twitter). Teams often make pre-Week 1 cuts of lower-profile vested veterans for contract guarantee purposes, and moving Mauro off the roster will enable the Raiders to avoid having to expose a non-vested vet to the waiver process.

Mauro spent the 2018 season with the Giants, going to New York after four years with Arizona. Known mostly for his run-stopping acumen, Mauro came into the NFL as a UDFA. He played 270 snaps with the Giants in 2018.

AFC Notes: Raiders, Jets, McSorley

June 25th, 2019 at 8:06pm CST by Ben Levine

We previously heard that the Ravens were envisioning a role for rookie Trace McSorley that was similar to Taysom Hill‘s role on the Saints. However, the sixth-rounder is already experimenting with a position that isn’t played by Hill. Talking with “The Lounge” podcast on the Ravens’ website, McSorley said that he took reps as a punt returner during OTAs.

“It’s something that’s a new challenge for me, something that I hadn’t really had never done,” McSorley said (via NFL.com’s Logan Reardon). “So it’s just something interesting to be able to come in and learn and try and prove myself in a different way that I can be able to get on the field and make an impact.

“It’s been interesting. It’s had its ups and downs, obviously the first couple times doing it, but it’s going well. I’m looking forward to be able to come out and do anything that I can, especially in the special teams aspect for the team. I want to prove myself there.”

While the former Penn State quarterback is unlikely to supplant Lamar Jackson under center, he’ll have an opportunity to contribute elsewhere. McSorley already displayed this versatility during his collegiate career, as he rushed for 1,697 yards and 30 touchdowns through three seasons.

Let’s check out some more notes from around the AFC…

  • Could a pair of Jets third-rounders already be on the hot seat? Albert Breer of SI.com writes that “it’s worth keeping an eye” on Florida defensive end Jachai Polite (No. 68) and USC offensive tackle Chuma Edoga (N0. 92). Considering their “character and makeup,” Breer opines that neither players are Joe Douglas– or Adam Gase-types. Of course, Breer also notes that the duo have “a boatload of talent,” which makes their future even more intriguing.
  • While the Raiders have done a whole lot to revamp their roster this offseason, the team still has some major holes. As Scott Bair of NBC Sports Bay Area writes, the team’s defensive line is accompanied by a long list of question marks. Part of the unit’s success will naturally depend on first-rounder Clelin Ferrell, who is expected to play a three-down role for the Raiders. Bair also points to former Giants and Cardinals defensive end Josh Mauro as someone who could play a relatively important role on the front-seven.
  • We learned earlier today that Bengals first-round offensive tackle Jonah Williams is likely to miss the entire season after undergoing surgery on his left shoulder.

Raiders To Sign DL Josh Mauro

March 15th, 2019 at 2:17pm CST by Sam Robinson

Former Cardinals and Giants defensive lineman Josh Mauro will head to Oakland. The Raiders are expected to sign the fifth-year defender, per Michael Gehlken of the Las Vegas Review-Journal (on Twitter).

Mauro’s contract is set to be a one-year, $1.4MM pact, Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle tweets. He will earn $900K in base salary. The Giants were interested in bringing Mauro back, Ryan Dunleavy of NJ.com tweets. New York lost both Mauro and Mario Edwards, once a Raiders Round 2 pick, this afternoon.

Although Mauro is not coming off a particularly strong contract year, one that began with a suspension, he has a backer in new Raiders defensive line coach Brentson Buckner. Mauro’s Cardinals tenure overlapped with Buckner’s.

Mauro has just three sacks in five seasons but could offer the Raiders the ability to work as a defensive end or defensive tackle, having been a 3-4 end throughout his career. He graded as one of the better players against the run, among interior defenders, during his lone Giants season.

Giants Activate DE Josh Mauro

October 6th, 2018 at 2:18pm CST by Sam Robinson

A familiar staple of James Bettcher‘s recent defenses will make his Giants debut on Sunday. The team activated defensive end Josh Mauro on Saturday.

To make room on their 53-man roster, the Giants waived wide receiver Stacy Coley. Jawill Davis is expected to return kicks for the Giants, Jordan Raanan of ESPN.com tweets.

Mauro played on each of Bettcher’s three Cardinals defenses, starting 24 games during Bettcher’s stay as Arizona’s DC. Although Mauro is more of a run-stopping presence at end (two career sacks), any additional qualified personnel being available stands to help a Giants team that’s again going to be without Olivier Vernon. Afflicted with a troublesome high ankle sprain, Big Blue’s top pass rusher will miss a fifth straight game.

The NFL suspended Mauro four games for violating its policy on performance-enhancing drugs.

New York claimed Coley earlier this year after Minnesota waived the second-year wideout. He returned two kicks and two punts against the Texans in Week 3, but Davis served as the Giants’ kick-return man against the Saints.

Giants Lock In 53-Man Roster

September 1st, 2018 at 3:17pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Giants will head into the 2018 season without one of their longest-tenured players and one of their 2017 starting safeties, with both Mark Herzlich and Darian Thompson failing to make the team.

A 2017 fifth-round pick, edge defender Avery Moss missed out as well. As did Roger Lewis, a wideout who became needed when the Giants became decimated at receiver last season.

The Giants also released recently signed cornerback Leonard Johnson, who was trying to make a fifth NFL franchise’s 53-man roster. The former Buccaneer, Patriot, Panther and Bill started seven games with Buffalo last season.

Here’s the full list of Giants cuts:

Released:

Waived:

Waived with an injury designation

Placed on IR:

Placed on Reserve/NFI list:

  • DL R.J. McIntosh

Suspended:

Giants’ Josh Mauro Suspended Four Games

March 23rd, 2018 at 2:47pm CST by Dallas Robinson

The NFL has suspended new Giants defensive lineman Josh Mauro four games for violating the league’s performance-enhancing substance policy, New York announced today.

Mauro, of course, inked a one-year deal with the Giants just this week. New York was aware of Mauro’s upcoming ban before it signed the former Cardinals end, per Jordan Raanan of ESPN.com (Twitter link). Mauro’s pact comes with a $790K base salary, tweets Raanan, so he’ll lose out on roughly $198K as a result of his suspension.

Mauro, 27, spent the better part of four seasons in Arizona, and started 13 games as recently as 2016. Last year, however, Mauro played on just 31.5% of the Cardinals’ defensive snaps, fourth-most among Arizona’s defensive linemen. Pro Football Focus wasn’t impressed with his effort, grading Mauro as a bottom-10 interior defender among 122 qualifiers.

Giants To Sign DL Josh Mauro

March 19th, 2018 at 2:07pm CST by Sam Robinson

James Bettcher‘s presence as the Giants’ new defensive coordinator will help bring another former Cardinals defender to the Big Apple.

Having hosted Josh Mauro on a recent visit, the Giants have agreed to terms with the free agent defensive lineman, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. Mauro follows outside linebacker Kareem Martin in agreeing to trek to New York after playing for Bettcher in Arizona.

Mauro, 27, started 20 games over the past two seasons. He’ll bring experience as a 3-4 defensive end to a team that’s used a 4-3 defense for many years. Now expected to switch to Bettcher’s preferred 3-4, the Giants are adding a player who knows the responsibilities that come with a five-technique job.

The former UDFA started seven games last season and recorded a sack. He may end up serving as rotational depth. The Giants played second-round pick Dalvin Tomlinson at defensive tackle last season, but with Damon Harrison likely being the nose tackle in 2018, Tomlinson could slide over to end. Big Blue also has Kerry Wynn and Avery Moss as potential ends, although they were brought in to play a different end role.

Giants To Host DE Josh Mauro

March 18th, 2018 at 3:34pm CST by Dallas Robinson

The Giants plan to meet with free agent defensive end Josh Mauro, who was waived by the Cardinals last week, according to Jordan Raanan of ESPN.com (Twitter link).

Mauro would offer scheme familiarity for new Giants defensive coordinator James Bettcher, who held the same title in Arizona from 2015-17. That level of comfort would be extremely important in New York, where the club is switching from a 4-3 front to Bettcher’s preferred 3-4 look. Mauro would be the second former Cardinal to sign with the Giants since the market opened last week, joining outside linebacker Kareem Martin, who inked a three-year, $21MM deal with Big Blue.

Mauro, 27, spent the better parts of four seasons in the desert, and started 13 games as recently as 2016. Last year, however, Mauro played on just 31.5% of the Cardinals’ defensive snaps, fourth-most among Arizona’s defensive linemen. Pro Football Focus wasn’t impressed with his effort, grading Mauro as a bottom-10 interior defender among 122 qualifiers.

Minor NFL Transactions: 3/16/18

March 16th, 2018 at 9:39pm CST by Micah Powell

Here are today’s minor moves:

Arizona Cardinals

Carolina Panthers

Chicago Bears

Jacksonville Jaguars

Minnesota Vikings

  • Re-signed: DT Dylan Bradley

Oakland Raiders

  • Signed: P Colby Wadman

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

NFC Notes: 49ers, Panthers, Cardinals

January 18th, 2017 at 9:48am CST by Connor J. Byrne

Packers director of football operations Eliot Wolf is among the general manager candidates the 49ers and soon-to-be head coach Kyle Shanahan will invite to Atlanta for an interview next week, according to Tom Pelissero of USA Today (Twitter link). The team will also conduct second meetings with one of Wolf’s Packers colleagues, Brian Gutekunst, and Vikings assistant GM George Paton, tweets Ian Rapoport of NFL.com.

More from San Francisco and a couple other NFC cities:

  • Falcons secondary coach Marquand Manuel could become the 49ers’ defensive coordinator under Shanahan, Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com hears (Twitter link). The two are on the same staff now, of course, and Manuel garnered prior coaching experience in Seattle from 2012-15. The 37-year-old was an NFL safety from 2002-09.
  • The Panthers worked out free agent quarterback Aaron Murray on Tuesday, reports Joseph Person of the Charlotte Observer. Murray spent 2016 on the Eagles’ practice squad, but he has been available since they elected against signing him to a reserve/futures deal earlier this month. The 26-year-old was a star at Georgia, where he became the SEC’s all-time leader in passing yards, completions and touchdowns, but he hasn’t recorded an NFL statistic since the Chiefs took him in Round 5 of the 2014 draft. With Panthers QBs Cam Newton, Derek Anderson and Joe Webb under contract next year, there’s no clear fit for Murray in Carolina.
  • Cardinals defensive lineman Josh Mauro‘s recently signed two-year contract is worth just over $2MM total, per Mike Jurecki of FOX Sports (Twitter link). Mauro will make $750K next season and $1.3MM in 2018.
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