HEADLINES

Patrick Murray

North Notes: Bears, Steelers, Browns, Gordon

August 23rd, 2016 at 8:29pm CST by Zachary Links

Bears guard Kyle Long‘s status for Week 1 is entirely unclear as he deals with a labrum issue, writes Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune. While one source tells Biggs that Long is sure to be ready in time for the season opener, another source “isn’t optimistic” on Long’s outlook. Long is universally regarded as Chicago’s best offensive lineman, so if he is absent, the club will have some shuffling to do. For the time being, the Bears have moved free agent signing Ted Larsen from center to right guard, while installing Cornelius Edison at the pivot.

Here’s more from the NFL’s two North divisions:

  • The Steelers extended linebacker Vince Williams through 2018 earlier today, and that deal could have an impact on veteran defender Lawrence Timmons, according to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com. Timmons, 30, is entering the final season of his current contract, and recent reports have indicated that he isn’t close to a long-term extension with Pittsburgh. If the two sides can’t hammer anything out before next spring, the Steelers now have a ready-made replacement in the form of Williams.
  • Teams are calling the Browns about Josh Gordon‘s availability but, for what it’s worth, he doesn’t want to be traded, as Tony Grossi of ESPN.com writes. “I haven’t heard too much about it,” Gordon said. “Cleveland is my team. That’s where I want to be, everything like that. That’s not even in the ballpark for me. I’m not sure how that works.” Gordon went on to express his gratitude towards owner Jimmy Haslam and coach Hue Jackson and said that he is excited about making his comeback in Cleveland.
  • Patrick Murray seems to be separating himself in Browns‘ kicking duel, Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon-Journal tweets. Today, he went 4-for-4 on field goals while Travis Coons went 2-for-3. Coons made 87.5% of his attempts with Cleveland last season, but the Browns’ new regime added Murray on a cheap one-year deal earlier this summer.
  • As part of its PED investigation, the NFL will interview Steelers linebacker James Harrison on Thursday, not Tuesday the 30th as originally reported.

Browns Sign Patrick Murray

June 9th, 2016 at 1:13pm CST by Zachary Links

The Browns have signed kicker Patrick Murray, according to his agents at Schwartz and Feinsod (Twitter link). Murray was with the Buccaneers until he was waived in May. "<strong

[RELATED: Browns Coach Hue Jackson On RGIII]

Murray spent last season on IR after the Bucs waived him with an injury designation. In his only year of action, 2014, Murray converted 20 of 24 field goals. Murray will now presumably enter into a kicking competition with Travis Coons. Cleveland has been looking into kickers this offseason following a year in which Coons saw four of his kicks blocked. Last month, the Browns claimed kicker Jaden Oberkrom off waivers from the Jaguars only to see the TCU product retire days later.

In other Browns news, former GM Ray Farmer recently opened about what he thinks went wrong with Johnny Manziel. Farmer placed a fair amount of blame on the former Texas A&M star for his actions but also said that the team was not prepared to deal with his level of celebrity.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Minor NFL Transactions: 5/19/16

May 19th, 2016 at 5:34pm CST by Zachary Links

Today’s minor moves:

  • The Falcons announced the signing of offensive lineman Laurence Gibson, a former seventh-round pick by Dallas, as Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com tweets. Gibson, who was on the KC’s practice squad last year, can play both tackle and guard.
  • The Buccaneers have waived kicker Patrick Murray, reports Jenna Laine (Twitter link). Murray spent last season on IR after the Bucs waived him with an injury designation, as Laine notes. In his only year of action, 2014, Murray converted 20 of 24 field goals.

Buccaneers Waive Patrick Omameh, Eight Others

September 5th, 2015 at 9:42am CST by Ben Levine

9:42am: The Buccaneers have made another notable cut, parting ways with cornerback Isaiah Frey, per Josina Anderson of ESPN.com (Twitter link). Frey started six games for the Bears in 2013 and saw part-time action for Chicago and Tampa Bay in 2014.

9:22am: The Buccaneers were busy yesterday, parting ways with kicker Connor Barth and defensive lineman Da’Quan Bowers. They also added cornerback Tim Jennings, but they lost wideout Kenny Bell for the season.

The organization continued being active today, as Josh Alper of ProFootballTalk.com passes along some other cuts by Tampa Bay:

Omameh may be the most notable name on this list, as the former Michigan standout started all 16 games for the Bucs in 2014. Greene started six games for Tampa Bay during his two-year career, compiling 44 tackles and an interception.