HEADLINES

Leonard Johnson

Panthers Place CB Teddy Williams On IR

October 28th, 2016 at 9:12am CST by Zachary Links

The Panthers announced that cornerback Teddy Williams has been placed on injured reserve. In a related move, fellow corner Leonard Johnson has been officially activated from the reserve/non-football injury list. Teddy Williams (vertical)

The specifics of Williams’ injury are not yet known, but we do know that he left practice with a trainer on Thursday after hurting his left knee. Williams spent last season with the Jaguars and even though he was a restricted free agent, the team declined to extend him a tender. This offseason, Carolina scooped him up on a two-year deal worth up to $2.3MM. Williams ends his season after appearing in three games for the Panthers this year. His highlight came a couple of weeks ago against the Saints when he logged his first career interception.

Johnson, meanwhile, has been working his way back from Achilles surgery.

“I think Leonard can bring a little energy to what we’re trying to do,” Rivera said in a press release. “He’s a guy that excels at playing the nickel position. That’s why we brought him here. It was just a matter of time before we had a chance to see who he is on the football field. We as coaches like what we saw. We were willing to take the chance on having this guy around on (NFI), and hopefully he can develop, as he gets more and more opportunities in our scheme.”

Johnson played in four games with three starts at nickel back for the New England in 2015.

Panthers Make Cuts, Down To 74

August 30th, 2016 at 10:55am CST by Zachary Links

The Panthers have made some roster moves on Tuesday and they are now under the 75-man limit with about four hours to go. Cornerback Leonard Johnson has been placed on the PUP list while the following players have been released:

Scifres became a likely roster casualty yesterday when the Panthers acquired fellow punter Andy Lee from the Browns. Scifres has been dealing with a knee injury this offseason, putting his status in question for the coming season.

Robinson joined Carolina on a one-year deal in March. The safety started a career-high seven games in 2015 before his season was cut short due to a hamstring injury. In December, Washington waived Robinson and later released him from IR with an injury settlement. In total, Robinson has played in 38 career games and recorded 88 tackles, two interceptions, and four passes defensed for the 49ers and Washington.

Minor NFL Transactions: 7/14/16

July 14th, 2016 at 7:57pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Today’s minor moves:

  • The Panthers have signed cornerback Leonard Johnson and waived fellow defensive back Shaq Richardson, the club announced today. The 26-year-old Johnson spent the first three seasons of his career with the Buccaneers before joining the Patriots in 2015, and has seen significant action at slot corner throughout his time in the NFL, accruing 20 starts between Tampa Bay and New England. Carolina signed nickel cornerback Brandon Boykin earlier this year, but released him after he spent only two months or so with the team, so the Panthers could use help at inside corner. Richardson, meanwhile, was selected by the Steelers in the fifth round of the 2014 draft, but has yet to appear in an NFL contest.
  • The Eagles have waived defensive tackle Derrick Lott, according to Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer (Twitter link). Lott, a Chattanooga alum, was originally signed as an undrafted free agent by the Titans in 2015. After spending the entirety of last year bouncing on and off the Buccaneers’ practice squad, he agreed to terms with the Eagles in late May.

Minor NFL Transactions: 2/17/16

February 17th, 2016 at 8:58pm CST by Zachary Links

Here are today’s minor signings, cuts, and other moves:

  • The Patriots have released defensive back Leonard Johnson, according to Field Yates of ESPN.com (on Twitter). Johnson signed with the Patriots on December 9th and went on to appear in four regular season games (three starts). Johnson made 17 starts for the Bucs from 2012-14.
  • The Giants re-signed long snapper Zak DeOssie, according to Aaron Wilson of The Houston Chronicle (on Twitter). DeOssie is one of the Giants’ longest-tenured players, having served as the team’s long snapper since being drafted in the fourth round in 2007. A two-time Pro Bowler, and one of the club’s captains, the 31-year-old never missed a game due to injury until he was placed on IR in December.

Minor NFL Transactions: 12/9/15

December 9th, 2015 at 5:49pm CST by Dallas Robinson

We’ll track the day’s minor transactions here, with the newest updates appearing at the top of the list:

  • In need of secondary help while T.J. Ward deals with a high ankle sprain, the Broncos have signed safety Shiloh Keo, reports Troy Renck of the Denver Post (Twitter link). Keo, 27, played under Denver defensive coordinator Wade Phillips when both were with the Texans, and actually contacted the coach last week via Twitter in the hopes of landing a job.
  • As expected, the Patriots have signed cornerback Leonard Johnson, tweets Mike Reiss of ESPN.com, who reported this morning that Johnson was expected to land on New England’s roster following a Monday workout. Johnson offers experience — 17 starts for the Buccaneers from 2012-14 — but he hasn’t played in 2015.
  • The Buccaneers have an open roster spot due to Kwon Alexander‘s four-game suspension, and they’ve filled by signing fellow linebacker Orie Lemon, per Greg Auman of the Tampa Bay Times (Twitter link). Lemon has had a few stints on Tampa’s roster this season, logging 100 snaps (all on special teams).
  • The Seahawks have brought back a familiar face in signing Anthony McCoy, who spent the first five seasons of his career in Seattle, according to Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times (Twitter link). McCoy, who was released by Washington earlier this year, auditioned for the Seahawks last week. Seattle also signed safety Akeem Davis, Condotta adds.

East Notes: McCoy, Murray, Tannehill, Pats

December 9th, 2015 at 8:54am CST by Luke Adams

With the Bills and Eagles set to square off this weekend, with both teams fighting to keep their playoff hopes alive, the offseason trade that sent Kiko Alonso to Philadelphia and LeSean McCoy to Buffalo has become a popular topic of discussion once again.

In a conversation with Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer, McCoy said this week that he’s no longer upset about the fact that the Eagles unexpectedly dealt him, adding that he doesn’t hold a grudge against head coach Chip Kelly. As for Alonso, he’s downplaying the storyline involving him and McCoy, telling reporters this week that “the fact that I got traded for him has no relevance at all” (link via Zach Berman of the Philadelphia Inquirer).

As we wait to see how McCoy and Alonso fare against their old teams, let’s check in on a few more items from around the NFL’s East divisions….

  • After a report surfaced suggesting he spoke to team owner Jeffrey Lurie about his role with the Eagles, running back DeMarco Murray had no interest in talking to reporters on Tuesday about the subject, as Les Bowen of the Philadelphia Daily News details.
  • Ryan Tannehill hasn’t exactly been lighting it up since signing his lucrative, long-term contract extension, but the Dolphins remain committed to him for now. However, as Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald observes, Tannehill’s base salaries beyond 2016 are non-guaranteed, so the club could have an out after next season if the quarterback doesn’t show signs of progress.
  • Former Buccaneers cornerback Leonard Johnson, who worked out for the Patriots on Monday, has stuck around the area and looks like the favorite to fill the team’s open roster spot, tweets Mike Reiss of ESPN.com. After appearing in all 48 of the Bucs’ regular season games from 2012 to 2014 starting 17 of them, Johnson was cut from the injured reserve list by Tampa Bay last week.

East Notes: Coughlin, Flowers, Jets, Patriots

December 7th, 2015 at 6:17pm CST by Sam Robinson

As the latest Giants‘ blown lead continues the latest speculation surrounding Tom Coughlin‘s job, the 12th-year Giants coach admits frustration by his critical decisions being sabotaged by on-field sequences, Tom Rock of Newsday writes.

Big Blue’s longtime leader, though, said he doesn’t pay attention to inquiries about his job being in jeopardy.

Coughlin’s led the Giants to five playoff berths — which is one shy of Bill Parcells‘ six for the most in team history since the AFL-NFL merger — three NFC East titles and two Super Bowls since taking the franchise’s reins in 2004.

Here’s some more from East Rutherford, N.J., and some of the other Eastern-division teams.

  • Coughlin’s questionable clock management this season notwithstanding, Ralph Vacchiano of the New York Daily News writes the Giants’ injuries and overall lack of talent have put the team on the verge of missing the postseason for a fourth straight year. Vacchiano sees the Eli Manning-to-Odell Beckham connection as perhaps Big Blue’s only playoff-worthy facet, with injuries to Victor Cruz, Johnathan Hankins and maladies across the offensive line have exposed a lack of depth.
  • Ereck Flowers remains on crutches after going down with an ankle injury in Sunday’s loss to the Jets, NFL.com’s Kimberly Jones reports (on Twitter). Fellow rookie Bobby Hart, a seventh-rounder, represents the Giants’ only remaining tackle depth behind Flowers and Marshall Newhouse.
  • Sidelined with a Lisfranc injury Jets defensive end Mike Catapano will be out at least a couple of games and could be an injured reserve candidate, ESPN.com Rich Cimini tweets. Serving as depth behind star defensive ends Muhammad Wilkerson and Sheldon Richardson, Catapano’s played in three games for the Jets this season after residing in Kansas City the past two years.
  • Tom Brady‘s legal team lobbed some more salvos at the NFL, when the league attempted to have the Patriots quarterback’s four-game suspension reinstated. The NFLPA argued Judge Richard Berman was not starstruck by Brady’s celebrity, according to Bob McGovern of the Boston Herald.
  • The Patriots hosted cornerback Leonard Johnson on a visit, according to ESPN.com’s Mike Reiss (via Twitter). A 25-year-old former UDFA, Johnson served as the Buccaneers’ nickel back last season and started 17 games for Tampa Bay from 2012-14. He hasn’t played in 2015.

Minor NFL Transactions: 12/3/15

December 3rd, 2015 at 6:25pm CST by Luke Adams

It’s been a fairly quiet day in the NFL when it comes to transactions, but we do have a couple minor roster moves to pass along:

  • In advance of tonight’s game against the Lions, the Packers have promoted running back John Crockett from their practice squad, waiving running back Alonzo Harris to make room on the roster, per Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com. Harris has been Green Bay’s third running back behind Eddie Lacy and James Starks for most of this season, but hasn’t seen much action, carrying the ball just four times for 19 yards.
  • Buccaneers cornerback Leonard Johnson was cut from injured reserve by Tampa Bay today, tweets Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post. Johnson, who appeared in all 48 of the Bucs’ regular season games from 2012 to 2014 (17 starts), was waived/injured by the team in September and has been on IR since then. He’ll be free to sign elsewhere if he clears waivers.

Bucs Cut Michael Koenen, Get Down To 75

September 1st, 2015 at 10:22am CST by Luke Adams

10:22am: The Bucs have confirmed Koenen’s release and announced four more roster moves, to get down to the required 75 players. Here are Tampa Bay’s other Tuesday transactions, per a team release:

Waived/injured:

  • G Josh Allen
  • WR Robert Herron
  • CB Leonard Johnson

Placed on reserve/PUP list:

  • DT Akeem Spence

8:09am: The Buccaneers have made a change on their special teams unit, according to Rick Stroud and Greg Auman of the Tampa Bay Times, who report (via Twitter) that the club has released veteran punter Michael Koenen. As a vested veteran, Koenen will avoid waivers and will become a free agent immediately.

The Bucs brought in multiple punters this offseason to challenge Koenen, and while Spencer Lanning didn’t make the cut, it appears the team likes what it has seen from newcomer Jacob Schum. Unless another move is forthcoming, Schum looks likely to open to the regular season as Tampa Bay’s punter.

Koenen, 33, had been set to earn a $3.25MM base salary in 2014 after ranking as just the 23rd-best and 24th-best punter in the NFL over the last two seasons, according to Pro Football Focus’ advanced metrics (subscription required). Because he had no prorated signing bonus money left on his deal, Koenen won’t leave any dead money on the Bucs’ books, so the team clears his entire $3.25MM cap charge for this year and for 2016.

Buccaneers Re-Sign Leonard Johnson

March 10th, 2015 at 4:52pm CST by Ben Levine

The Buccaneers will reportedly be keeping safety Major Wright, and it sounds like another member of the Tampa Bay secondary will be staying put. Scott Smith of Buccaneers.com reports (via Twitter) that the team will re-sign cornerback Leonard Johnson.

The former undrafted free agent out of Iowa State hasn’t missed a game since joining the Buccaneers in 2012. The 24-year-old started a career-low three games in 2014, but he still compiled 45 tackles, three passes defender and one interception. Pro Football Focus (subscription required) gave Johnson a negative rating for this performance this past season, but the cornerback still finished with a higher rating than some of his teammates, including defensive backs Johnthan Banks and Dashon Goldson.