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LaQuan Williams

West Notes: Rivers, Cardinals, Seahawks

August 17th, 2015 at 2:21pm CST by Luke Adams

One of the factors that was considered a potential roadblocks when the Chargers and Philip Rivers begun discussing a new contract for the star quarterback was Rivers’ aversion to playing in Los Angeles. With the Chargers’ future up in the air, there was some uncertainty about whether Rivers would want to risk leaving San Diego a year after signing a new deal.

Having officially signed his extension though, Rivers told reporters today, “I’m going to be a Charger, wherever we are.” The veteran signal-caller added that he doesn’t have any sort of “disdain” or “hatred” for Los Angeles, and that comments he has made in the past reflect his attachment to San Diego more than an aversion to L.A. (Twitter links via Michael Gehlken of the San Diego Union-Tribune).

Here’s more on Rivers, along with a handful of other notes from out of the NFL’s two West divisions….

  • According to Ed Werder of ESPN.com, Rivers’ new contract features a no-trade clause, which means Rivers and the Chargers are unlikely to have a repeat of the situation that occurred earlier this year, when the QB was the subject of trade rumors and speculation.
  • Since a report last week indicated that free agent running back Chris Johnson would visit and take a physical for the Cardinals, we haven’t heard any real updates. According to Darren Urban of AZCardinals.com (Twitter link), Cards GM Steve Keim acknowledged today that the team has talked to Johnson, but said there’s “nothing on the horizon.” Meanwhile, ESPN’s Josina Anderson (Twitter link) says Johnson passed his physical with the team.
  • Josh Weinfuss of ESPN.com passes along another comment from Keim, tweeting that the GM believes there will be four to six Cardinals players picked up by other teams after Arizona cuts them in a couple weeks.
  • Wide receiver LaQuan Williams, who has spent parts of the last few seasons with Baltimore, is working out today for the Seahawks, tweets Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle. Williams also tried out for the Cowboys over the weekend.

East Notes: Jets, Cowboys

August 16th, 2015 at 9:04pm CST by Connor J. Byrne

A look at the latest goings-on concerning a couple teams from the NFL’s two East-based divisions:

  • Jets head coach Todd Bowles had a talk with Geno Smith after the New York Post photographed the injured quarterback playing catch with a friend outside his apartment Saturday. “He shouldn’t be doing it right now,” Bowles said Sunday, according to the Associated Press. “We handled that internally. We had that discussion.” Smith had surgery Thursday on his broken jaw, which came from a punch by then-teammate IK Enemkpali on Tuesday. He’s expected to miss 6-10 weeks.
  • In better Jets news, rookie wide receiver Devin Smith is “very confident” he’ll be ready for Week 1, Newsday’s Kimberley A. Martin tweeted Sunday. Smith, a second-round pick from Ohio State, suffered broken ribs and punctured lungs early in training camp.
  • Cowboys tight end Gavin Escobar has just 18 receptions since the team used a second-round pick on him in 2013, but head coach Jason Garrett spoke glowingly about the 24-year-old on Sunday. “He’s the right kind of guy, he works really hard at getting better every day and we’ve seen that progress,” Garrett said, per David Moore of the Dallas Morning News. “When he gets an opportunity, he’ll be ready for it.”  Garrett went on to point to future Hall of Fame tight end Jason Witten’s presence as a reason for Escobar’s lack of productivity thus far.
  • The Cowboys worked out free agent receiver LaQuan Williams on Sunday, reports Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post. Williams, who has four career catches, was previously with Baltimore.

Ravens Sign Antoine Cason

December 9th, 2014 at 12:15pm CST by Luke Adams

12:15pm: The Ravens have confirmed in a press release that they’ve signed Cason and placed Gorrer on IR. The team added that wide receiver Aldrick Robinson has been added to the practice squad, replacing fellow wideout LaQuan Williams.

8:51am: A week after being released by the Panthers, Antoine Cason has found a new home, according to Rand Getlin of Yahoo! Sports, who reports (via Twitter) that the Ravens are signing the veteran cornerback.

Cason, a former first-round pick, started 11 of the Panthers’ first 12 games, but had plenty of ups and downs throughout the year. The 28-year-old was benched in Week 13 after allowing a touchdown to Vikings wideout Greg Jennings, and has a grade of -10.2 on the season, according to Pro Football Focus’ metrics (subscription required). Although he has grabbed a pair of interceptions, Cason has also allowed six touchdowns, a 122.2 passer rating, and an 80.3% completion rate on passes thrown into his coverage, per PFF.

Despite Cason’s struggles in 2014, he could help provide some depth in a Ravens’ secondary that has been ravaged by injuries this season. Top cornerback Jimmy Smith landed on injured reserve earlier in the year, and Danny Gorrer is headed there as well, in what will be the corresponding move to accommodate the signing of Cason, tweets Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun.

According to Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (via Twitter), Cason worked out for the Bears this week before landing with the Ravens.

Practice Squad Updates: Wednesday

December 3rd, 2014 at 3:07pm CST by Luke Adams

We’ll use this space to round up Wednesday’s practice squad signings and cuts from around the league. Here’s the latest:

  • Confirming the previously-reported signing of linebacker Jake Knott to their practice squad, the Dolphins also added wide receiver L’Damian Washington, parting ways with safety Ahmad Dixon and tight end Jake Stoneburner to make room, tweets Adam Beasley of the Miami Herald.

Earlier updates:

  • The Ravens‘ practice squad underwent some turnover today, with the team cutting tight end Allen Reisner and signing tight end Phillip Supernaw and wide receiver LaQuan Williams, tweets Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun.
  • With three spots open on their practice squad, the Patriots got the unit back up to 10 players by signing defensive back Justin Green, linebacker Deontae Skinner, and defensive back Daxton Swanson, the team announced today in a press release.
  • Tight end Kevin Greene, who worked out for the Panthers several weeks ago, has now signed with the team’s practice squad, according to Joseph Person of the Charlotte Observer (via Twitter).
  • Having promoted tight end Anthony Denham from their practice squad to their 53-man roster, the Texans quickly filled the open spot on their taxi squad by adding wide receiver Jace Davis, tweets Mark Berman of FOX 26 Houston.
  • Former Notre Dame defensive lineman Kona Schwenke has signed with the Jets‘ practice squad, per Rich Cimini of ESPNNewYork.com (via Twitter). No corresponding move was necessary, since New York had been carrying nine players.

West Notes: Raiders, Allen, Chiefs

September 15th, 2014 at 6:31pm CST by Zachary Links

There’s a lot to like about the 49ers‘ new stadium, but the parking lot situation has fans grumbling, writes Al Saracevic of the San Francisco Chronicle. Fans took to Twitter in droves after waiting for hours in traffic and many were suddenly nostalgic for Candlestick Park. Of course, the 28-20 loss to the Bears didn’t have them in a great mood either. Here’s a look at some items out of the AFC and NFC West..

  • On ESPN earlier today, Chris Mortensen said that there is already talk of Raiders head coach Dennis Allen losing his job, tweets Evan Silva of Rotoworld. “I know a lot of people around the league are talking about it,” Mort said, according to Silva.
  • The problems go beyond the team starting 0-2, Marcus Thompson II of the Bay Area News Group writes, and he wonders aloud how much longer the coach has in Oakland. The Raiders were blown out 30-14 in their home opener and the follow-up against the Texans was even worse. The fans aren’t the only ones that are frustrated. “That’s embarrassing. I’m embarrassed for this team. I’m embarrassed for these fans. And the thing about it is, I’m part of it. I don’t know what we need to do as a team going forward. I know something is going to have to be done,” veteran Charles Woodson said.
  • The Chiefs are scheduled to work out former Ravens wide receiver LaQuan Williams and former Patriots tight end Justin Jones, league sources tell Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post. Williams, a University of Maryland product, was cut by the Ravens in preseason. Jones is a former East Carolina standout who was with the Patriots after going undrafted. At 6’7″ and 270 pounds, Jones is an intriguing talent.

Ravens’ Roster Now At 75 Following Moves

August 25th, 2014 at 12:31pm CST by Dallas Robinson

The Ravens’ roster count now sits at 75 in advance of tomorrow’s 3pm cutdown deadline. Baltimore has waived the following players, per a press release:

Additionally, the Ravens have placed DE Kapron Lewis-Moore, G Will Rackley, and DE Brent Urban on injured reserve, ending their respective seasons.

Minor Moves: Ravens, Williams, Slaton

April 24th, 2014 at 3:00pm CST by Luke Adams

We’ll keep tabs on Thursday’s minor transactions right here — that includes free agents accepting contract tenders, notable CFL signings, and signings and cuts involving players who haven’t seen much or any NFL action lately. Here are the day’s minor moves, with any new transactions added to the top of the page throughout the afternoon and evening:

  • The Ravens have re-signed free agent wide receiver LaQuan Williams. The team announced the move today in a press release after Williams himself broke word (via Twitter) that he’d be returning to Baltimore. The 25-year-old spent the first two years of his NFL career with the Ravens before being cut prior to the 2013 regular season. Baltimore has plenty of receiving depth already, but Williams is more likely to contribute on special teams if he makes the regular season roster.
  • Former Texans running back Steve Slaton, who was drafted in the third round in 2008 and piled up 1,282 rushing yards and nine rushing touchdowns that season, has signed with the CFL’s Toronto Argonauts, the club announced today. Slaton’s last NFL regular-season action came with the Dolphins during the 2011 season.