Michael Vick - Pro Football Rumors

Jets Notes: Holmes, Amaro, Vick

September 20th, 2014 at 9:53am CST by Ben Levine

Bears wideout Santonio Holmes will be making his return to New York this weekend, but it won’t be your typical homecoming. The former Jets standout told Patrick Finley of the Chicago Sun-Times that he hasn’t heard from one of his former teammates this week, so he won’t be shaking any of their hands following the game.

Members of the Jets organization understand where Holmes is coming from. In fact, defensive coordinator Dennis Thuman expects the player to be angry.

“He probably has a little revenge on his mind,” Thuman said (via Brian Lewis of the New York Post). “We know who he is and what they’re going to come and try to do. [But] we can’t get caught up in the one-on-one part of it.”

Bears quarterback Jay Cutler is also aware of Holmes’ extra motivation:

“He doesn’t need to say much. We know what happened with him there and how important this game is to him,” said Cutler. “At the same token, it’s another game for us, and we can’t get wrapped up in that.

“He hasn’t said anything to ruffle anybody’s feathers yet [in Chicago]. He has been in early, he stays late. He has had to catch up with everybody else in learning this offense, and I thought he has done an incredible job. He communicated with me of what he likes, what he doesn’t like. He gets in games and he just does exactly what we want him to do.’’

Let’s see what else is going on in the Big Apple…

Rookie tight end Jace Amaro has only played 30 percent of his team’s snaps, and ESPN.com’s Rich Cimini speculates that the lack of use could be because Amaro doesn’t have a solid grasp on the offense. Cimini also suggest that offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg could still be trying to distinguish the rookie’s “niche.”
Cimini believes the team’s two best trade options are quarterback Michael Vick and nose tackle Damon Harrison.
When asked about the prospect of acquiring a cornerback, Cimini says the Jets would need to give up a “premium” draft pick.
According to Mike Mazzeo of ESPNNewYork.com, a pair of Jets were fined for unnecessary roughness in their loss to the Packers: Muhammad Wilkerson ($20K) and Sheldon Richardson ($8,268).

New York Notes: Richardson, Boyd, Vick

September 19th, 2014 at 9:00am CST by Zachary Links

Jets defensive lineman Sheldon Richardson isn’t happy about the fine he received for unsportsmanlike conduct, writes Jane McManus of ESPNNewYork.com. “I’ve never really agreed with the fines anyway,” Richardson said, “because it’s only really on the defensive guy to get a fine. Unless the offensive guy blatantly punches somebody in the face or something crazy. I think the fine system in strictly for the D.”

Former Jets draft pick Tajh Boyd has signed with the Florida Blacktips of the FXFL, according to Rich Cimini of ESPNNewYork.com (on Twitter). The Clemson product, who was selected in the sixth round, recently worked out for the Giants but he apparently wasn’t able to land a spot with them.
The trick plays the Jets have used Michael Vick in haven’t worked yet but the veteran quarterback is hopeful that will change soon, writes Kimberley A. Martin of Newsday. “At the end of the day, I’m a full-time quarterback. I do that because it’s football and I love to play the game and I like having success,” Vick said Thursday, referring to his roles in gadget plays designed by coordinator Marty Mornhinweg. “So hopefully, one of these days, one of those plays will work.” For all of his diplomacy, one has to imagine that the free agent addition would be happier as the No. 1 quarterback than as a wildcat QB or a decoy.
Tiki Barber isn’t ready to give up on the Giants yet, writes Justin Terranova of the New York Post. “Most importantly they finally have a run game that can be consistent and that takes so much pressure off the quarterback,” Barber said. “I think it will click I just hope that they aren’t so far out of it [by the time it does]. Last year, they started 0-6 and it was a scramble and a fight and they almost got back into it. You never want to be in that situation. This weekend’s game is paramount for that very reason, 0-3 is very difficult to rebound from.”

East Notes: Henery, Bills, Vick, Cowboys

August 22nd, 2014 at 8:58am CST by Luke Adams

After spending the last three years as the Eagles‘ kicker, Alex Henery may be losing his grip on the job this preseason, as Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer details. In last night’s preseason game against the Steelers, a day after the Eagles brought aboard another kicker (Cody Parkey), Henery missed a 31-yard attempt.

“I wish I could put my finger on that,” said head coach Chip Kelly, asked if Henery was losing his confidence. “I don’t know what he’s battling. Obviously, you got to make a field goal like that. You got to make it.”

As we wait to see what decision the Eagles make on their kicking situation, let’s round up a few more notes out of the NFL’s two East divisions….

According to Mike Ozanian of Forbes, Sabres owner Terry Pegula did indeed make the high initial bid for the Bills, but it was significantly lower than previously reported. Ozanian pegs the non-binding figure at $890MM, and says the bids by Jon Bon Jovi‘s group and Donald Trump came in at $820MM and $809MM respectively. The next round of bids could be higher, but Ozanian thinks it may be in the Wilson trust’s best interests to fire Morgan Stanley – the investment bank handling the sale – and to start over.
Meanwhile, John Kryk of the Toronto Sun writes that Maple Leafs Sports and Entertainment CEO Tim Leiweke, who is reportedly on his way out of the organization, had little to do with the Toronto group’s Bills bid, outside of introducing Bon Jovi and MLSE chairman Larry Tanenbaum.
Jenny Vrentas of TheMMQB.com takes a look at Michael Vick‘s situation in New York, where the veteran Jets quarterback seems willing to take a back seat to Geno Smith to start the season. “I’m at a very good place,” Vick said. “Very relaxed. Things are more laid back right now as far as football, and off the field. No stress, no pressure. Even though, when you play football, there is always some sort of pressure. But at this stage of my career, I’m just trying to refresh and regroup and see where it takes me.”
Referring to the Cowboys‘ linebacker corps, sans Sean Lee, as the “worst in history,” Gerry Fraley of the Dallas Morning News suggests the team will need to keep a close eye on the waiver wire next week and potentially snatch up a player dropped by another club.

East Notes: Philbin, Bills, Donnell

August 10th, 2014 at 9:00am CST by Rory Parks

Following the recent suspension of starting safety Reshad Jones–the second significant Dolphins defender to test positive for a banned substance this summer–head coach Joe Philbin broke character and was visibly frustrated with the poor choices made by certain members of his club, writes Adam H. Beasley of the Miami Herald. Philbin will now be without Jones and Dion Jordan for the first four games of the season, which thins out Philbin’s defensive rotations in the secondary and defensive line and further destabilizes a defense that looked shaky in the team’s first preseason game against Atlanta even with Jones and Jordan on the field. Look for Jimmy Wilson, who performed well as Miami’s nickel corner last season, to replace Jones and for Jamar Taylor to temporarily become the team’s No. 3 corner.

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

Despite earlier reports to the contrary, Mike Ozanian of Forbes.com writes that all bids to buy the Bills have been below $1 billion, which Ozanian calls an “embarrassment” for the NFL and the investment bank hired to sell the club.
Although Jets‘ head coach Rex Ryan did not dismiss the possibility of using Michael Vick in a change-of-pace (read: Wildcat) role, Rich Cimini of ESPNNewYork.com believes Ryan was merely engaging in some gamesmanship. The risk of injury to Vick, Cimini believes, would be too great.
After his strong performance in the Cowboys‘ first preseason game against San Diego, Kenneth Boatright might be working his way onto the team’s 53-man roster, writes Todd Archer of ESPNDallas.com.
Larry Donnell, who took was on the field for 25 of the Giants‘ 26 first-half offensive snaps in Saturday’s preseason contest against Pittsburgh, appears to be leading New York’s tight end competition, says Dan Graziano of ESPN.com.
Giants‘ quarterback Eli Manning threw just two passes in the team’s four offensive drives on Saturday–completing neither–because New York’s offensive line has not yet earned the trust of new offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo, writes Jordan Raanan of NJ.com. In a separate piece, Raanan points out that the starting offensive line, which was retooled after a disappointing 2013, stayed on the field after Manning was removed from the game.
Zach Berman of the Philadelphia Inquirer writes that Eagles‘ rookie receiver Jordan Matthews disappointed in Friday’s preseason opener against Chicago, while backup QB Mark Sanchez impressed. Sheil Kapadia of PhillyMag.com concurs and provides a position-by-position breakdown of the team’s offensive performance.

AFC East Notes: Decker, Easley, Odrick, Bills

August 3rd, 2014 at 8:42pm CST by Ben Levine

Jets wideout Eric Decker is focused on contributing to his new team and is hoping to establish himself as a bona fide number-one receiver. That may be tough without Peyton Manning throwing to him, but the 27-year-old wants to prove that his success shouldn’t be completely attributed to the future Hall of Fame quarterback.

“From Year One to Year Five now, I’ve gotten better at my craft,” Decker told Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News. “I’ve become a better receiver. I’m not going to make assumptions because assuming doesn’t really do anything. In this league, you’re only as good as your last play. That’s what people remember. Numbers and statistics come and go away. And then you start over.”

Teammate Sheldon Richardson certainly envisions Decker as a premier wide receiver.

“People want to knock him for the Super Bowl or hate on him a little bit,” Richardson said, “but truth be told, that whole offense disappeared, even Peyton Manning.

But I see a No. 1 receiver in him.”

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

ESPNNewYork.com’s Rich Cimini confirms that Jets linebacker Jermaine Cunningham has torn his ACL and is expected to miss the regular season.
Cimini also explores whether the Jets would benefit from playing both Geno Smith and Michael Vick at quarterback. He acknowledges that having the players platoon could throw Smith off of his rhythm, but he also notes that a weapon like Vick shouldn’t be warming the bench.
Patriots first-round pick Dominique Easley still hasn’t been cleared to practice and will not travel with the team to Richmond, sources tell The Boston Herald’s Jeff Howe. The defensive tackle, who is rehabbing from a torn ACL, is at least a week away from returning to practice.
Dolphins defensive end Dion Jordan will be suspended for the first four games of the upcoming season, but that hasn’t prevented the player from making an impact. In fact, ESPN.com’s James Walker says the former first-rounder has been one of the team’s best defensive players in training camp. “He’s anxious to continue to develop,” defensive coordinator Kevin Coyle said. “He knows he’s got a lot of work. He’s been getting a lot of work here. We’ll continue to try to get a lot of players in the preseason games knowing that we’re going to miss him for a bit, but we envision his role is going to be extensive when he comes back and we know he’s going to be a great player for us.”
Entering the final year of his contract, Dolphins defensive end Jared Odrick admitted that a future deal is certainly on his mind. However, he’s trying his best to focus on just football. “There’s no time where it’s (a season) not a big deal,” Odrick said (via David J. Neal of the Miami Herald). “But in terms of my situation with me being five years in, it would be a mistake if I didn’t stay focused on my duties as a football player and what I have to do physically and mentally every day. I try to focus on that more than anything else.”
The Bills are crowded at wide receiver, but NFL.com’s Gregg Rosenthal tweets that Marcus Easley “should be a lock” considering his contributions on special teams.

AFC East Notes: Jets, Bills, Jackson, Vick

August 1st, 2014 at 10:55am CST by Zachary Links

Jets offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg wants to see quarterback Geno Smith simplify things, writes George Willis of the New York Post. “He’s to the point where on occasion, he’s double looking off [defenders] and these kinds of fancy things and we just got a little too fancy [Wednesday],” Mornhinweg said today. “It’s just that simple. We were just trying to do too much and too fancy.” Here’s more from the AFC East..

There is no guaranteed money in Fred Jackson‘s one-year extension with the Bills, tweets Mike Rodak of The Buffalo News. Jackson and the Bills agreed to a deal that is worth $2.6MM, with up to $1MM in additional incentives for the 2015 season. Despite turning 33 this past winter, Jackson had one of his best seasons in 2013, compiling 1,277 total yards from scrimmage and setting a career high with 10 total touchdowns.
The Jets are trying out former Maryland linebacker Darin Drakeford today, a source tells Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (on Twitter). Drakeford has been in camp with the Colts and Chiefs since going undrafted in 2013.
Michael Vick is 34 and currently penciled in as Smith’s backup, but he says he’s far from finished in the NFL, telling Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News that he wants to play until he’s 40. The Jets veteran has played down any talk of a quarterback competition this offseason and says that he’s ready to mentor Smith, but he also says that he’ll be ready when and if he’s called upon.

AFC East Notes: Ridley, Bills, Vick

July 27th, 2014 at 7:59pm CST by Ben Levine

Patriots running back Stevan Ridley should have plenty of motivation heading into the season. After struggling with fumble issues for much of last year, the former third-rounder was replaced by veteran LeGarrette Blount towards the end of the regular season and playoffs. With Blount gone, Ridley has a great opportunity to reestablish himself as a premier back. The opportunity to regain his starting gig isn’t the 25-year-old’s only motivation, however – Ridley is also entering the final year of his contract.

The fourth-year player addressed the situation and acknowledged that a future contract is certainly on his mind (via Phil Perry of CSNNE.com)…

“I have to be honest about it, it’s there,” Ridley said. “But it’s not my first concern. My first concern is going out there and being the best player for this team. If I go out there and have a productive year and do what I need to do, the contract will take care of itself.

“I’m not really gonna put too much thought into it. As you guys know, if I start thinking about that, it can easily be a distraction. I can’t worry about that. I’m gonna have some good days, have some bad days, I’m just gonna keep working, keep grinding, keep my head in the dirt and keep grinding it out.”

As the Boston Herald’s Jeff Howe tweets, the Patriots haven’t had any discussion with Ridley’s camp regarding a new contract. Howe doesn’t expect any type of action until after the season, “if at all.”

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

The Bills lost another tight end to injury as starter Scott Chandler left the field on Sunday with a groin injury, writes Joe Buscaglia of WGR 550. The team was already without Tony Moeaki and Chris Gragg, but coach Doug Marrone indicated that the Bills would rely on their own players to fill the void. The only healthy tight ends on the roster are Lee Smith and Dominique Jones, and Buscaglia suggests that fullback Evan Rodriguez could get some reps.
Michael Vick had an impressive weekend at Jets training camp, but the veteran quarterback is aware of his position on the depth chart behind Geno Smith. “It’s a very fine line,” he said (via USA Today Sports’ Jarrett Bell). “I accept this role and I embrace it and I appreciate it. But I know this is not my football team. So that’s why I’m able to deal with it. At the same time, I feel like I’m one of the best quarterbacks in the league. That’s the way I feel.”
During the 2013 season, only one Jets starter (Demario Davis) played more than 29 percent of the team’s snaps on special teams. As Rich Cimini of ESPNNewYork.com writes, that will certainly change in 2014 as the team looks to improve a lackluster unit. “We’re going to use a bunch of those guys on all of our special teams,” said head coach Rex Ryan. “We think we have to get better on ‘teams.’ We want to be one of the best special teams units in the league. It’s really all hands on deck, especially the punt team. We want to have a great punt team.”

Poll: Will Geno Smith Finish The Year As Jets Starting QB?

July 10th, 2014 at 9:58pm CST by Zachary Links

Nothing is set in stone, but Michael Vick sounds resigned to serving as Geno Smith‘s backup for the Jets this season. Many expected the former All-Pro quarterback to immediately come to East Rutherford, New Jersey and supplant Smith as the starter, but he has said nothing but complimentary things about the rising sophomore and claims that he’s just there to be the No. 2 QB on the depth chart.

“I think it can happen this year,” Vick said last month regarding the prospect of Smith leading the Jets to a Super Bowl win, according to Rich Cimini of ESPNNewYork.com. “I think Geno can take us to where we need to go. It’ll seal my legacy — for me, myself. For the public, I don’t know.”

Strangely enough, Vick might be one of Smith’s biggest supporters out there. In a recent poll of league executives, ESPN.com (Insider subscription required) found that Smith was voted as the NFL’s worst starting quarterback. Joe Namath also isn’t a fan of Smith’s, but then again, Broadway Joe seems to enjoy criticizing any Jets team that came after the 1976 season. Smith showed flashes of last season and helped lead the Jets to an 8-8 mark, but some questionable passing decisions left many observers wondering if he’s ready to be a starter and if he’ll ever be ready, period.

Odds are, Smith will be the starter in Week 1 against the Raiders, but who do you believe will wind up as the Jets starting QB for 2014 when all is said and done?

AFC East Notes: Bills, Vick, Thomas, Pats

June 20th, 2014 at 5:58pm CST by Rob DiRe

The Bills have one month before they open up training camp on July 20th, but players are still posturing themselves to win starting jobs this summer, write Joe Buscaglia of WGR 550 SportsRadio. According to Buscaglia, the team will be having open competition at strong safety, right tackle, right guard, and fullback. The team also will be giving long looks to their tight ends, despite bringing back Scott Chandler, who led the team in receiving in 2013.

Here are some other notes from the AFC East:

As reports have been coming out of Jets‘ camp that Michael Vick is falling behind second-year quarterback Geno Smith, Vick is remaining supportive of his teammate, writes Rich Cimini of ESPNNewYork.com. Vick voiced his belief that Smith could lead the Jets to a Super Bowl. “I think it can happen this year,” said Vick. “I think Geno can take us to where we need to go.”
Another second-year player is poised to make his impact on the division is Dolphins‘ left guard Dallas Thomas, who spoke with James Walker of ESPN.com about the upcoming season. Thomas said his biggest keys to improving this offseason were mastering the playbook, finding a consistent position as left guard, and coming into the season lighter than he did as a rookie.
The Patriots got better as the season went on last season, and Mike Reiss of ESPNBoston.com highlighted a group of players that finished the season with some momentum earlier today. He also put together a list of players who need to find their momentum this offseason, so the team can begin the season with a head of steam.

AFC Notes: Titans, Vick, Ravens, Chiefs, Bills

June 17th, 2014 at 4:52pm CST by Luke Adams

According to recent reports, the Broncos may or may not have offered Demaryius Thomas a five-year contract extension, but there’s no doubt that discussions are open between the two sides, prompting Joel Corry of the National Football Post to examine what a new deal for the star wideout might look like. Corry points out that matching the massive contracts signed by Calvin Johnson and Larry Fitzgerald probably isn’t likely for Thomas and other standout receivers approaching free agency. But as I suggested last week, the five-year, $60MM+ deals signed by Mike Wallace and Percy Harvin in recent years could be used as benchmarks in negotiations between Thomas and the Broncos.

Here’s more from around the AFC:

The Titans worked out a pair of linebackers, Quentin Groves and Marvin Mitchell, on Monday, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter). Neither player received a contract from the club right away, however. Per Jim Wyatt of the Tennessean (via Twitter), the Titans are also auditioning WR/FB Dorin Dickerson this week at their minicamp.
Michael Vick is on a one-year contract with the Jets, but the signal-caller feels like he has about three years left at his “current level,” as he tells Bart Hubbuch of the New York Post (Twitter link). Although the “current level” qualifier makes it unclear whether Vick plans to continue his playing career beyond that point, it sounds like he hopes to play for at least a couple more seasons after his current deal expires.
Asked today about a potential contract extension with Baltimore, defensive tackle Haloti Ngata told reporters that he’d “love to be a Raven for life” (Twitter link).
We heard yesterday that several veteran cornerbacks would be trying out for the Ravens at their minicamp this week, and Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun adds one more name to the list of participants today: Kevin Thomas, a Colts third-round pick in 2010 who hasn’t appeared in a regular season game since 2011. Wilson adds in a pair of tweets that cornerback Bobby Felder, linebacker Austin Spitler and wide receiver Dezmon Briscoe are also trying out for the Ravens.
Former Missouri defensive back Kip Edwards was one of four non-roster players to audition for the Chiefs at the club’s minicamp today, tweets Adam Teicher of ESPN.com. Terez A. Paylor of the Kansas City Star (Twitter link) provides the other three names: Cornerback Quinton Byrd, and wide receivers Mark Harrison and Cole Stanford.
In a series of three tweets, Joe Buscaglia of WGR 550 AM and Mike Rodak of ESPN.com report that wide receiver Tori Gurley, cornerback Kamaal McIlwain, and cornerback Sam Miller are auditioning for the Bills at their minicamp.