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Pat Angerer

Pat Angerer Announces Retirement

October 14th, 2014 at 10:34am CST by Luke Adams

Veteran linebacker Pat Angerer has decided to end his NFL playing career, announcing his decision this morning via Twitter. In his statement, Angerer indicates that he wants to be able to “walk away while [he’s] still able to give [his] wife and kids the man they deserve.”

“I have given this sport all I got,” Angerer said. “It wouldn’t be fair to the game, the team, my family, and my name to continue along this path any longer. It’s time to get healthy. … I had a lot of fun and I’ve been extremely fortunate. I’m excited about whatever the future entails.”

Angerer, 27, was selected in the second round of the 2010 draft by the Colts, and spent four seasons in Indianapolis. During that stretch, he appeared in 54 games for the team, starting 39. In total, Angerer accumulated 317 tackles, four forced fumbles, a pair of interceptions, and 2.5 sacks.

The Iowa alum signed with the Falcons this past summer, but failed to earn a spot on the club’s 53-man roster, becoming a roster casualty during cutdowns at the end of August. Since then, Angerer has worked out for the Rams, Jets, Saints, and Lions, but didn’t sign another contract, and has now opted to end his NFL career rather than continuing to look for a new team.

Workout Notes: Chargers, Texans, Lions, Jets

September 23rd, 2014 at 3:52pm CST by Luke Adams

The Chargers are on the lookout for a running back after losing Danny Woodhead to a season-ending injury, and it looks like the team is close to adding one. A number of free agents auditioned for the club today, according to Michael Gehlken of the San Diego Union-Tribune (via Twitter), while Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (Twitter link) identifies D.J. Adams as one of the participants. Adams, who was most recently with the Cowboys, spent a month with the Chargers earlier in the offseason.

As we wait to see which player takes Woodhead’s roster spot in San Diego, let’s round up a few more updates on workouts around the league….

  • As first reported by Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter), the Texans took a look at a handful of free agent punters today in case Shane Lechler misses any time. Lechler is day to day with a hip flexor, per John McClain of the Houston Chronicle (via Twitter), who also has the list of players who worked out for the club. According to McClain, the Texans brought in Mat McBriar, Zoltan Mesko, Brian Moorman, and Kasey Redfern.
  • Wilson reports (via Twitter) that veteran linebacker Pat Angerer auditioned today for the Lions, who are eyeing linebacker help after losing Stephen Tulloch for the season. Angerer has worked out for the Jets, Saints, and Rams since being released at the end of August by the Falcons.
  • Safety Jamarca Sanford, who was placed on injured reserve and then cut by the Vikings earlier this month, worked out today for the Jets, according to Wilson (via Twitter).
  • The Giants tried out about six players today, including safety Jawanza Starling, tweets Ralph Vacchiano of the New York Daily News.

NFC Notes: Hester, Sproles, Graham, Bears

September 19th, 2014 at 12:57pm CST by Luke Adams

Devin Hester was one of many Falcons to reach the end zone last night, scoring on a record-setting punt return and a running play. However, it’s his role as a wide receiver that has him more happy with the Falcons than he was in his last few seasons with the Bears.

“I wasn’t happy the last three or four years in Chicago because things wasn’t going the way I expect,” Hester said yesterday, according to Adam Hoge of WGN Radio (Twitter link). “I would always have a great camp, have all the receivers saying and coaches saying I had the best camp of all the receivers. And once the season start off, I’m not there.”

As Ed Werder of ESPN.com tweets, there were a few teams eyeing Hester in free agency that felt the veteran wasn’t worth the $10MM contract he signed with Atlanta, but it’s looking like a good investment for the Falcons so far. Here’s more from around the NFC:

  • So far, the deal that saw Darren Sproles land with Philadelphia in exchange for a fifth-round pick looks like a steal for the Eagles, and the veteran running back is happy with his situation. As he told reporters on Thursday, including Tim McManus of PhillyMag.com, Sproles wasn’t initially informed of his impending release by the Saints, but when it turned out that the Eagles were one of a handful of teams interested in trading for him, he told his agent to “make that happen.” Per Sproles, five teams explored acquiring him, and the Eagles were one of the three with serious interest.
  • Within the same piece, McManus takes a look at the unusual case of Eagles linebacker Brandon Graham, who has a chance to make $2.5MM in not likely to be earned incentives, but will need to see a few more snaps to have a chance at that money.
  • The Bears worked out a long list of free agents this week, and Jeff Dickerson of ESPNChicago.com passes along the names in a pair of tweets: Blake Annen (TE), Derek Cox (CB), Brandon Ghee (CB), Mike Harris (CB), Lavelle Hawkins (WR), Kendall James (CB), Derrick Martin (S), David Paulson (TE), Brad Sorensen (QB), Jordan Sullen (CB), Asa Watson (TE), Damian Williams (WR), and Kyle Williams (WR).
  • Linebacker Jamar Chaney tried out for the Saints this week, according to Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (via Twitter). We heard yesterday that New Orleans also took a look at veteran linebacker Pat Angerer.

NFC South Notes: McCoy, Angerer, Hardy

September 18th, 2014 at 9:00pm CST by Zachary Links

Falcons linebacker Paul Worrilow has missed a combined four tackles in the first two games of the season and while some have been critical of the Delaware product, defensive coordinator Mike Nolan refuses to put all of the blame on him, writes D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “Sure there is [room for him to play better]. But we don’t have anybody on defense at this point that is playing at a high level. I think they all would say that they want to play better than they’ve played. Some have played better than others, don’t get me wrong. But I think to a man, they want to play better.” More from the NFC South..

  • The season is underway, but the Buccaneers and Gerald McCoy are still discussing a contract extension, according to Jason La Canfora (on Twitter), who says that there’s a healthy dialogue going between the two sides. Buccaneers GM Jason Licht reached out to agent Ben Dogra in late May and, months later, a deal is still in the works. Our own Rory Parks wrote back in May that McCoy can reasonably expect an extension in the five-year, $55-60MM range. 
  • Free agent linebacker Pat Angerer worked out for the Saints this week, a source tells Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post (on Twitter). Angerer, a 2010 second-round pick, was cut by the Falcons in late August as a part of their first wave of cuts. Angerer racked up 226 tackles in his first two NFL seasons but has played more sparsely over the last two years, in part due to foot and knee injuries. He also worked out for the Jets recently.
  • For Panthers defensive end Greg Hardy to play in 2014, he’ll need his November 17th trial to go forward, writes Joseph Person of the Charlotte Observer. Hardy’s attorney was initially pushing to get the trial delayed until 2015, but he’ll now have to get his legal situation settled before he’s welcomed back on the field.

AFC East Notes: Jets, Dolphins, James

September 16th, 2014 at 5:46pm CST by Zachary Links

The Jets were busy working out a number of players today, according to Brian Costello of the New York Post (on Twitter). Rex Ryan & Co. auditioned linebackers Pat Angerer and Desmond Bishop, wide receivers Tiquan Underwood and David Gettis, and quarterback Pat Devlin. Here’s more out of the AFC East…

  • The Dolphins worked out former 49ers running back LaMichael James, a league source tells Field Yates of ESPN.com (on Twitter). James was unhappy with his situation in San Francisco, asked for his release, and secured it earlier this month. Miami, obviously, could use some help at RB. The former Oregon star wasn’t signed after the workout but it’s still a possibility and the sides have discussed a deal, tweets Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald.
  • Former Mizzou tight end Eric Waters also worked out for the Dolphins today, tweets Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post Dispatch (on Twitter). The 6’5″, 245 pound tight end was cut loose by the Steelers in advance of their cutdown to a 75-man roster.
  • The Dolphins may not benefit from the new drug policy, writes Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald. Safety Reshad Jones and defensive end Dion Jordan are both suspended, but multiple sources say the new rules won’t get Jordan’s suspension revoked. The same sources were not in agreement whether Jones would be returned to the Dolphins’ active roster.

East Links: Cowboys, Redskins, Jets

September 13th, 2014 at 11:09am CST by Ben Levine

Orlando Scandrick is currently serving a four-game suspension, but the Cowboys cornerback will likely be back soon. Clarence E. Hill Jr. of the Star-Telegram writes that the 27-year-old will be eligible to play this weekend if a new league drug policy is agreed upon.

The former fifth-round pick expressed his beliefs that a suspension wasn’t necessary, but he’s still happy that the ordeal will soon be behind him.

“I’m relieved,” Scandrick said. “It feels good to be able to join back and play with my teammates and do what I love. It was the toughest two weeks of my life. It truly allowed me to appreciate the NFL, the game of football, my job and my career. I want to thank the Jones family, coach Jason Garrett and my teammates for their support. I want to assure everybody that this will never happen again. I will take the extra step so this never happens again. I’m just thankful the NFL and the union were able to reach a resolution. I’m speechless.

I got to realize I caught a break. When you catch a break you have to learn from it. It’s an eye opener to be banned from something you have done your whole life. I’m thankful and appreciative.”

Let’s take a look at some more notes from the NFL’s east divisions…
  • Unless something happens to linebacker Rolando McClain, the Cowboys wouldn’t have a reason to add free agent Pat Angerer, writes ESPN.com’s Todd Archer. However, the writer guesses that the former second-rounder is on the team’s “emergency board.”
  • Archer also makes it clear that Jerry Jones will not be relinquishing his control of the Cowboys. “It’s his team, his money,” Archer writes. “He can do with it what he wants. He will not sell the team. He will not give up the general manager title.”
  • In regards to the Redskins‘ linebacker depth, ESPN.com’s John Keim says the “best-case” scenario would involve Brian Orakpo having a big season and re-signing.
  • Jets defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson could have commanded a huge contract following his dominant 2013 season. The 24-year-old will be making $1.2MM this year, and Mark Canizzaro of the New York Post writes that a holdout was never in the picture. “If people treat me with respect and I treat them with respect then I guess my time will come,” Wilkerson said. “I’ve got to wait. If they respect me and they feel highly of me, then I guess they’ll take care of me, right? Time will tell…I guess I’m just different. I look at things differently. That’s how I was bought up. I’m a patient person. I’m going to just wait. I’ve just got to wait.”

NFC Notes: Bulaga, Winston, Rams, Panthers

September 5th, 2014 at 8:05pm CST by Dallas Robinson

The Packers’ offensive line didn’t fare too well after right tackle Bryan Bulaga went down last night, and Green Bay’s front five will be without the 2010 first-rounder for a while longer. According to Adam Schefter of ESPN (via Twitter), Bulaga has suffered a torn MCL. While the Packers are lucky Bulaga didn’t re-tear his ACL, Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com tweets that the 25-year-old will miss two-to-four weeks while recovering from the injury. Derek Sherrod, whom Pro Football Focus (subscription required) handed a -6.4 grade on just 42 snaps in last night’s contest, will fill in at RT.

Meanwhile, Demovsky adds (on Twitter) that while Green Bay might consider adding free agent tackle Eric Winston, there’s “nothing concrete” on that front as of yet. Winston, 30, signed with the Seahawks on July 29 but was released just a month later.

Let’s look at some more news items from the NFC:

  • The Rams tried out veteran linebackers Pat Angerer and Kelvin Sheppard today, according to Field Yates of ESPN (Twitter link). Angerer spent most of his career with the Colts before latching on with the Falcons for the summer, while Sheppard was cut by Indianapolis last week.
  • Panthers tight end D.C. Jefferson, a second-year player out of Rutgers, has been suspended four games for violating the league’s substance abuse policy, writes Joseph Person of the Charlotte Observer. Jefferson is currently on Carolina’s injured reserve after being waived-injured late last month.
  • Jason Fitzgerald of Over the Cap breaks down the details of Junior Galette‘s extension with the Saints, which includes a roster bonus and escalators which come into play if Galette notches 12 sacks in 2014. Fitzgerald also notes that New Orleans will likely have to restructure the pass-rusher’s deal as soon as next offseason due to its cap management woes.
  • Most teams carry only one fullback and some don’t even bother to have one at all. So why do the Vikings have two in Jerome Felton and Zach Line? “In college, no one has them anymore. They don’t have any fullbacks in college football,” coach Mike Zimmer said, according to Matt Vensel of the Star Tribune. “So typically you’re taking a tight end — if they have those. There’s hardly any blocking tight ends anymore. So you’re taking them and making them fullbacks or taking linebackers and making them fullbacks. When you find one, if you have a fullback offense, you keep them.”

Zach Links contributed to this post.

Falcons Release Pat Angerer, Others

August 29th, 2014 at 3:17pm CST by Zachary Links

3:17pm: The Falcons have issued a press release announcing their first wave of final cuts. In addition to confirming the cuts noted below, the team also parted ways with the following players:

  • Nosa Eguae (DE)
  • Jordan Mabin (CB)
  • Freddie Martino (WR)
  • Kimario McFadden (S)
  • Jacob Pedersen (TE)
  • Adam Replogle (OL)
  • Donte Rumph (DT)
  • Josh Vaughan (RB)

1:27pm: Fullback Maurice Hagens is the Falcons’ latest roster casualty, per McClure (via Twitter).

12:51pm: The Falcons have also released offensive lineman Pat McQuistan, according to ESPN.com’s Vaughn McClure (on Twitter).

12:09pm: The Falcons are set to release linebacker Pat Angerer, according to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network (on Twitter). Fellow linebacker Yawin Smallwood, who was taken in the seventh-round of this year’s draft, will also get cut.

Angerer, a 2010 second-round pick, underwent microfracture surgery in December. At the time, the veteran was told that his chances of returning were slim, but he was healthy enough to be a consideration for the Falcons this offseason.

“It was about 50-50 but more like 20 percent chance of coming back (with) the way my knee was,” Angerer told Michael Cunningham of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “It was pretty beat up. To come back and to even be on the field, that’s a pretty big accomplishment and something I’m really proud of. I’m looking forward to taking advantage of the opportunity.”

Angerer, 27, racked up 226 tackles in his first two NFL seasons but has played more sparsely over the last two years, in part due to foot and knee injuries. Many expected Angerer to be a shoe-in for the Falcons after they lost Sean Weatherspoon for the year, but it was not meant to be.

NFC Notes: English, Beckham Jr., Redskins, Vikings

July 25th, 2014 at 9:04pm CST by Ben Levine

Selected in the second round of the 2010 draft, linebacker Pat Angerer made an immediate impact on the Colts defense. It seemed like the Iowa product would have a successful NFL career, but injuries derailed his plans. In December, Angerer underwent microfracture surgery, a procedure seen in the NBA but rarely in the NFL.

Less than a year later, the 27-year-old is playing with the Falcons, competing for a roster spot. Even if he doesn’t ultimately make the squad, Angerer is still thrilled with the opportunity to even play football again.

“It was about 50-50 but more like 20 percent chance of coming back (with) the way my knee was,” Angerer told Michael Cunningham of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “It was pretty beat up. To come back and to even be on the field, that’s a pretty big accomplishment and something I’m really proud of. I’m looking forward to taking advantage of the opportunity.”

The player is also optimistic about his surgically-repaired knee.

“You definitely see the durability,” he said. “It feels better than it did the last two years. Today it felt good. This is the first time I’ve played football since December. Definitely rusty, got to get a little bit more strength in there, but I feel decent.”

Let’s see what else is going on around the NFC…

  • The Cowboys are taking a look at former first-rounder Larry English, a source told Rainer Sabin of The Dallas Morning News. The linebacker was cut by the Chargers earlier this week.
  • There is no word on when rookie Odell Beckham Jr. and his injured hamstring will be allowed to practice. As a result, ESPN.com’s Dan Graziano writes that the Giants are “frustrated that their first-round pick is not on the field.”
  • The first day of the Redskins‘ kicker competition was a “draw,” writes ESPN.com’s John Keim. Rookie Zach Hocker had longer kickoffs than Kai Forbath, but the two were perfect on their field goal attempts.
  • Wide receiver Adam Thielen was on the Vikings practice squad last season and may be in line for a larger role in 2014. “He works his rear end off, he runs his routes real hard, he catches the ball good,” coach Mike Zimmer told ESPN.com’s Ben Goessling. “He’s got an opportunity to make this football team.”

Falcons To Sign Pat Angerer

July 22nd, 2014 at 3:21pm CST by Luke Adams

The Falcons have reached an agreement with free agent linebacker Pat Angerer, a source tells Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (via Twitter). Wilson had reported earlier today that Angerer auditioned for Atlanta, and it didn’t take long for the team to extend a contract offer to the former Colt.

Angerer, 27, racked up 226 tackles in his first two NFL seasons but has played more sparsely over the last two years, in part due to foot and knee injuries. Back in April it was reported that the 27-year-old had received interest from multiple clubs but wanted to make sure he was back to 100% health before working out for anyone. The audition for the Falcons was believed to be Angerer’s first of the offseason.

Atlanta has been on the lookout for veteran help at the linebacker spot since receiving word that Sean Weatherspoon ruptured his Achilles tendon and will miss the 2014 season. The Falcons signed former Texan Tim Dobbins to compete for a roster spot and were said to be considering Angerer several weeks ago, before agreeing to terms with him.

In addition to Angerer, wide receiver Jeremy Ebert will also sign with the Falcons, according to agent Mike McCartney (via Twitter). By our count, the team two open roster spots heading into today, so no corresponding moves should be necessary to make room.

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