HEADLINES

Mike Golic Jr.

Saints Slim Down Roster To 53

September 5th, 2015 at 7:32pm CST by Sam Robinson

One season and two training camps proved sufficient for the Saints to determine whether Stanley Jean-Baptiste was capable of making an impact for them.

They determined the 2014 second-round pick wasn’t good enough for their roster, notes Katherine Terrell of NOLA.com. Jean-Baptiste only played eight snaps last year and as a result of this move, Brandin Cooks is the only player remaining on the team from last year’s draft class.

The Saints instead kept 2014 undrafted free agent Brian Dixon, who played 166 snaps as a rookie, among their seven-cornerback contingent.

New Orleans did not keep veteran receiver Josh Morgan, either, and will go with a mostly young receiving stable, excepting Marques Colston.

Jairus Byrd also avoided having to start the season on the PUP list, per Terrell.

The Saints’ other cuts are as follows:

  • Justin Anderson, LB
  • Edwin Baker, RB
  • Nick Becton, OL
  • Orson Charles, TE
  • Henry Coley, LB
  • Jerry Franklin, LB
  • Mike Golic Jr., OL
  • Ryan Griffin, QB
  • Bryce Harris, T
  • Sean Hickey, OL
  • Seantavius Jones, WR
  • Dustin Hopkins, K
  • Cyril Lemon, OL
  • Chris Manhertz, TE
  • Joseph Morgan, WR
  • Toben Opurum, FB
  • Sammy Seamster, CB
  • Alex Smith, TE
  • Pierre Warren, S

Extra Points: Wilson, Saints, Gurley

April 18th, 2015 at 12:44pm CST by Ben Levine

Appearing on HBO’s Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel, Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson discussed his passion for baseball. The host cited Wilson’s subpar minor league numbers (.227 average, five home runs, 26 RBI), but the former Super Bowl champion believes he could still make it to the majors (via Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com):

“I wouldn’t be worried about the statistics of it. I know I can play in the big leagues. With the work ethic and all that, I think I definitely could for sure. And that’s why the Texas Rangers got my rights. And they want me to play. Jon Daniels, the G.M., wants me to play. We were talking about it the other day.”

Wilson also discussed N.C. State coach Tom O’Brien’s refusal to let the quarterback play baseball, forcing the player to transfer to Wisconsin:

“I’ll never forget it. I’ll never forget the times that people have told me that I couldn’t do something.”

Let’s take a look at some more assorted notes from around the NFL…

  • Mike Golic Jr.‘s contract with the Saints is for one year at the league minimum ($435K), according to Evan Woodbery of NOLA.com (via Twitter). The writer notes that the organization’s cap space will not affected by the signing.
  • Georgia running back Todd Gurley had his injured ACL examined, and NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport says (via Twitter) the player’s knee “checked out fine.”
  • UConn cornerback Byron Jones has visited the 49ers, Bills, Bears, Cowboys, Cardinals and Eagles, tweets ESPN’s Adam Caplan. The reporter notes that Jones is expected to also meet with the Dolphins.

Minor Moves: Thursday

April 16th, 2015 at 5:09pm CST by Sam Robinson

Here are today’s minor transactions from around the NFL. As always, any additional moves will be added to the top:

  • Seahawks cornerback DeShawn Shead signed his exclusive-rights tender, per Wilson (via Twitter). The two-year veteran appeared in all 16 of Seattle’s games last season and made 14 tackles.
  • Interior offensive lineman Mike Golic Jr. signed with the Saints, notes NOLA.com’s Evan Woodberry on Twitter. The son of the former Eagles defensive lineman was in camp with the Saints briefly last summer but last played in the Arena League.
  • The Chiefs cut long snapper Brandon Hartson, reports Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun on Twitter. The 25-year-old’s only official roster time came with the Bears in 2013.
  • The Buccaneers waived punter Chase Tenpenny, according to Scott Smith of Buccaneers.com on Twitter. Tampa Bay’s roster still houses two punters: veteran Michael Koenen, who’s punted for the Bucs for the past four seasons, and Andrew Wilder.

Minor Moves: Wednesday

April 15th, 2015 at 4:42pm CST by Rob DiRe

Here are today’s minor transactions from around the NFL. As always, any additional moves will be added to the top:

Earlier Updates:

  • The Packers have taken a flyer on developmental quarterback Matt Blanchard of the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, according to Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com. Blanchard joins Scott Tolzien on the depth chart behind Aaron Rodgers.
  • The Giants have added two players, signing defensive back Josh Gordy and linebacker Ryan Jones, writes Michael Eisen of Giants.com. Gordy has played in 59 games since signing with the Jaguars as an undrafted rookie in 2010, and Jones was signed by the Ravens last June but was waived after a foot injury.
  • The Saints have signed center Mike Golic Jr., according to Adam Caplan of ESPN (via Twitter). Golic also spent time with the team last offseason.
  • The Dolphins have re-signed wide receiver LaRon Byrd, reports Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (via Twitter).

East Notes: Revis, Washington, Jets, Giants

December 4th, 2014 at 9:02am CST by Luke Adams

There were times last season in Tampa Bay when Darrelle Revis didn’t necessarily look like one of the league’s best cornerbacks, but the veteran corner has re-established himself this year in New England, according to ESPN.com’s Mike Sando (Insider link), who calls Revis the year’s No. 1 free agent or trade acquisition. The East’s two division leaders get nods in Sando’s piece, with the Patriots being recognized for their signing of Revis and the Eagles lauded for their trade for Darren Sproles, who ranks seventh on the list.

Here’s more from around the NFC and AFC East divisions:

  • Rich Tandler of CSNWashington.com expects quarterback Colt McCoy to return to Washington next season, but notes that McCoy is eligible for free agency, and if he reaches the open market, he’ll likely get offers from other teams after holding his own as a starter this year.
  • 35-year-old Washington safety Ryan Clark is focused on finishing this season strong, and isn’t thinking about his NFL future, writes Liz Clarke of the Washington Post. Still, while Clark stopped short of saying he’ll retire, he indicated that this season could be his last.
  • The Jets brought in several players for tryouts this week, focusing on the defensive line and special teams, according to Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (via Twitter). Wilson reports that the club worked out defensive linemen Ben Bass, Kona Schwenke, and Zach Thompson, punters Kasey Redfern and Jacob Schum, and long snapper Patrick Scales.
  • In addition to working out cornerback Keith Lewis, whose audition was previously reported, Washington also took a look at running back Terrance Cobb and offensive lineman Rishaw Johnson earlier this week, tweets Wilson. Johnson has since signed with the division-rival Giants‘ practice squad.
  • Those Giants worked out several players of their own this week, per Wilson, who provides the list of participants (Twitter link): D.J. Bryant (OLB), Mike Golic Jr. (OL), Dion Lewis (RB), Jordan McCray (OL), and Uani Unga (LB).

Minor Moves: Cowboys, Falcons, Pats, Colts

June 11th, 2014 at 4:54pm CST by Luke Adams

Today’s minor moves include a veteran defender heading to IR, a CFL signing, and other smaller signings and cuts from around the NFL. Let’s dive in and round up Wednesday’s minor transactions, with additional moves added to the top of the list throughout the day:

  • Former Bethel cornerback Jocquel Skinner, who signed with the Cowboys as an undrafted free agent in May, has been waived-injured by the club, tweets Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun. Per Wilson, the Cowboys have also removed Marvin Robinson from their IR with an injury settlement.

Earlier updates:

  • Tight end Andrew Szczerba and punter Matt Yoklic have been cut by the Falcons, according to a team release. Szczerba spent last season on injured reserve, while Yoklic was signed by Atlanta a month ago as a rookie free agent.
  • The Patriots have waived offensive lineman R.J. Mattes, the team announced today in a press release. It’s the third time since last May that the former North Carolina State lineman has been cut by New England.
  • The Colts have placed defensive end Fili Moala on injured reserve, tweets Craig Kelley of Colts.com. Moala, who missed half of the 2012 season with a torn ACL, has suffered a similar injury, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link). Per Rapoport, the 28-year-old’s ACL is only partially torn, but it’s enough to sideline him for the 2014 season. To replace Moala, the Colts have signed former Arizona State defensive end Gannon Conway, who was waived by the Dolphins last month.
  • A former Valdosa State wideout with a presidential name has signed with the Dolphins, according the team, who announced today (via Twitter) that Gerald Ford has been added to the roster. Tight end Emmanuel Ogbuehi has been cut to clear space on the roster for Ford.
  • Offensive lineman Mike Golic Jr. was cut by the Saints recently, has signed with the CFL’s Montreal Alouettes, according to ESPN.com’s Adam Caplan (Twitter link).

Minor Moves: Vikings, Bears, Saints, Bills

June 2nd, 2014 at 5:01pm CST by Luke Adams

A couple of more notable free agents have come off the board today, including cornerback Aaron Berry and center Jonathan Goodwin. However, there are also a handful of under-the-radar moves to round up. Here are Monday’s minor transactions from around the NFL:

  • After being cut by the Browns on Friday, defensive back Julian Posey has been claimed off waivers by the Vikings, the club announced today (Twitter link). Another defensive back, Kip Edwards, was waived to make room on Minnesota’s roster for Posey.
  • The Bears have signed undrafted free agent cornerback Al Louis-Jean, the team confirmed today (via Twitter). Louis-Jean, who played his college ball at Boston College before leaving early, auditioned for Chicago at last month’s rookie minicamp.
  • Guard Mike Golic Jr. and linebacker Spencer Hadley, who both signed with the Saints last month, have been cut, according to Larry Holder of the Times-Picayune (via Twitter).
  • Former Syracuse center Macky MacPherson has signed with the Bills, bringing the team’s roster to the maximum 90 players, tweets ESPN.com’s Mike Rodak.

Minor Moves: Saints, Panthers, Bucs, Eagles

May 13th, 2014 at 9:59pm CST by Luke Adams

We’ll round up today’s minor transactions here, including mid-to-late-round draftees agreeing to contracts, players being claimed off waivers, and the retirement of a former NFLer who most recently played in the Canadian Football League…..

  • The Chiefs announced that they have sixth-round pick Zach Fulton (Twitter link). The offensive lineman out of Tennessee was taken with the No. 193 pick.
  • The 49ers announced that they have signed fifth-round outside linebacker Aaron Lynch and seventh-round defensive lineman Kaleb Ramsey, tweets Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle.
  • The Saints have signed former Notre Dame guard Mike Golic Jr. to a two-year contract, the club announced today in a press release. Golic went undrafted in 2013 and joined the Steelers for the preseason.
  • Drake Nevis, who was cut yesterday by the Jaguars, has been awarded to the Panthers on waivers, says Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (via Twitter). The defensive lineman appeared in games for the Cowboys and Jags last season.

Earlier updates:

  • The Buccaneers have waived running back Michael Smith, according to Wilson (via Twitter).
  • The Eagles have locked up one of their draft picks, signing third-round wideout Josh Huff to a four-year deal, per Zach Berman of the Philadelphia Inquirer (via Twitter).
  • After being cut by the Seahawks yesterday, long snapper Jorgen Hus has been claimed off waivers by the Rams, according to Brian McIntyre (via Twitter).
  • The Dolphins have cut punter Matt Syzmanski, tweets Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun.
  • The only NFL team to lock up any draftees so far, the Bears have agreed to terms with two more players they selected last week, according to the team (Twitter links). Fourth-round running back Ka’Deem Carey and seventh-round tackle Charles Leno Jr. have reached agreements on four-year deals with the club. At Over The Cap, Jason Fitzgerald has estimations on what sort of contracts the duo will be receiving.
  • The Jaguars have claimed linebacker Allen Bradford off waivers from the Giants, a day after he was cut, tweets Michael DiRocco of ESPN.com. Bradford, a former Seahawk like a few other players the Jags have added this offseason, fills the last spot on the team’s 90-man roster.
  • Former Bills first-round pick Aaron Maybin has officially announced his retirement as a football player, according to the CFL’s Toronto Argonauts (Twitter link). After being selected 11th overall out of Penn State, Maybin failed to make a consistent impact at the NFL level, with his best season coming in 2011 as a reserve for the Jets (six sacks).