HEADLINES

Randy Gregory

NFC East Links: Romo, Peterson, Gregory

February 14th, 2015 at 3:12pm CST by Rob DiRe

It will be a big offseason for some NFC East teams, as the division has seen a lot of turnover the past few years. With all four teams competitive, it wouldn’t be totally surprising to see the Cowboys going from first to worst or Washington to achieve the reverse. While both teams are setting themselves up for successful 2015 seasons, here are some links from around the NFC East:

  • Cowboys‘ starting quarterback Tony Romo turns 35 this April, and there may be some concerns about the signal-caller’s age, writes Jean-Jacques Taylor of ESPN.com. Taylor notes that since Jim Plunkett won Super Bowl XVIII, only two quarterbacks have led their team’s to hoist the Lombardi Trophy at age 35 or older. John Elway did it twice during the twilight of his career, and Tom Brady just a few weeks ago. Brady’s remarkable performance gives Taylor hope for Romo, showing that in the right offense and with the right coach, quarterbacks can continue to achieve into their late thirties. Romo has the benefit of a great offensive line and a consistent running game, and after being asked to throw the ball fewer than 30 times per game for the first time in his NFL career, the Cowboys might have the recipe for success with the old passer at the helm.
  • Dallas has big decisions to make regarding Dez Bryant and DeMarco Murray, and those two have both been story lines followed closely at PFR. ESPN’s NFL Front Office takes a look at the conversations that could be going on in the Cowboys‘ headquarters. They note that giving Bryant a long-term extension is a general manager’s nightmare but a coach’s dream. The group also writes that re-signing Murray would be nice, but Adrian Peterson would be the home run choice.
  • ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. put together his second mock draft of the offseason this week, projecting Nebraska pass rusher Randy Gregory to be selected by Washington fifth overall. With Mariota currently falling to sixth, the best case scenario could be another quarterback-needy team moving heaven and earth to jump ahead of the Jets to select him, giving Washington leverage to make a big trade to move down in the draft, writes John Keim of ESPN.com. Keim also notes that while the team has needs at safety, corner, and along the offensive line, none currently look to be worthy of a top-five pick. If Washington targets wide receiver Amari Cooper, the team would have to hope he falls past Oakland at fourth overall.

NFL Draft Updates: Sunday

January 4th, 2015 at 9:09pm CST by Rob DiRe

We have collected a number of stories regarding NFL Draft prospects entering the 2015 NFL Draft and hiring agents. They will be updated here, with newest stories added to the top.

For a list of all underclassmen who have already declared for early entry into the 2015 NFL Draft, click here.

  • Boise State junior running back Jay Ajayi has already declared for the NFL Draft, and has now signed with Select Sports, reports Liz Mullen of the Sports Business Journal (via Twitter). He will be represented by Erik Burkhardt and Sean Kiernan.
  • Iowa senior defensive tackle Carl Davis has signed with Sports Stars NYC, reports Rand Getlin of Yahoo Sports (via Twitter). He will be represented by Jonathan Perzley and Brian Mackler.
  • LSU senior offensive tackle La’el Collins has hired Deryk Gilmore to represent him in his professional career, according to Getlin (via Twitter).
  • Michigan State cornerback Trae Waynes declared for the 2015 NFL Draft earlier, and has now signed with Athletes First, reports Getlin (via Twitter).
  • Nebraska defensive end Randy Gregory has also declared early, and will be represented by Deryk Gilmore, according to Getlin (via Twitter).

Randy Gregory To Enter Draft

December 30th, 2014 at 7:40am CST by Luke Adams

Nebraska defensive end Randy Gregory has formally announced his plans to enter the 2015 NFL draft, according to Josina Anderson of ESPN.com (TwitLonger link). In a statement declaring his intent, Gregory thanked his coaches at Nebraska for helping him take his game to “another level.”

“As I declare for this year’s NFL draft, I’m ready for the next challenge in my life,” Gregory said. “I look forward to the coaching I will receive and the chance to push myself alongside the best players in the world. Thank you to my coaches from all levels, the Nebraska fans, my teammates, and my family who have supported me from the start.”

A junior with the Cornhuskers, Gregory recorded 54 tackles and seven sacks in 10 games for the club in 2014, a year after logging 9.5 sacks as a sophomore. The 22-year-old is viewed as one of the best pass-rushing prospects in the nation, ranking behind only USC’s Leonard Williams among defensive linemen on CBSSports.com’s big board. In Todd McShay’s first mock draft at ESPN.com, McShay had Gregory going fourth overall to the Raiders.

You can find our full list of early entrants for the 2015 draft right here.

Draft Notes: Wednesday

December 17th, 2014 at 10:10pm CST by Zachary Links

It’s about that time of year when NCAA underclassmen decide whether they’re in or out with regards to the draft. We’ll keep track of the latest news here. All news comes from Rand Getlin of Yahoo Sports, unless otherwise noted:

  • Boise State running back Jay Ajayi is heavily leaning toward entering the 2015 NFL Draft, a source close to the situation tells Getlin (on Twitter).
  • Nebraska defensive lineman Randy Gregory is preparing to enter draft, sources tell Getlin (link). The 6’6″ prospect is widely considered to be a top five candidate.
  • Though it’s unclear who Georgia running back Todd Gurley will ultimately sign with, multiple sources have indicated to Getlin (link) that Jay Z’s Roc Nation is in the mix.
  • Washington’s Shaq Thompson is leaning toward declaring for the 2015 NFL Draft, multiple sources tell the Yahoo scribe (link). “I’d say it’s 60/40“, said one source of the all-purpose star’s chances of going pro.
  • Oregon defensive lineman DeForest Buckner is leaning toward staying in school, multiple sources tell Getlin. Buckner is a highly rated prospect who figured to hear his name called early in the spring. Getlin hears from one source (via Twitter) that it’s 80/20 towards staying at Oregon.
  • South Carolina tailback Mike Davis is considered to be a lock to enter the 2015 NFL Draft, multiple sources tell Getlin (link). Davis declaring himself eligible for the draft has been widely expected for some time.
  • Mississippi State linebacker Benardrick McKinney is considered a lock to enter the draft, Getlin writes. The camp of the 6-foot-5, 245-pound inside linebacker has started vetting potential representatives.
  • Florida State junior Eddie Goldman is leaning heavily toward entering the 2015 NFL draft, multiple sources familiar with his thinking tell Getlin.
  • Michigan State defensive back Trae Waynes is considered to be a lock to enter the 2015 NFL draft, multiple sources tell Getlin. Waynes had three interceptions this season as Michigan State’s top cornerback. Last season, teamed opposite first-round pick Darqueze Dennard, Waynes also notched three interceptions. Waynes has started meeting with potential reps (Twitter link).
  • USC tailback Javorius “Buck” Allen is considering entering the NFL Draft, Getlin hears (link). He has had lengthy discussions with potential representatives.

NFC Notes: Bears, Saints, Giants

December 13th, 2014 at 6:25pm CST by Ben Levine

The Aaron Kromer saga continues in Chicago. It was revealed yesterday that the Bears offensive coordinator was the anonymous source who claimed the organization had doubts about Jay Cutler as their quarterback. Kromer eventually addressed those comments (via ESPN.com’s Michael C. Wright):

“I made a very poor decision of talking about things outside the building and I admit that, can’t take that back. But I recognize I made a mistake. When I did, [I] instantly went right to the offensive unit and apologized as well as apologized to Jay in front of the offense that he was singled out in the situation. I wish I wouldn’t have made that mistake. It’s happened, and we’re a group and a unit. We worked it out together. The rest will be handled internally, and we’ll work through that.”

Meanwhile, head coach Marc Trestman gave a brief opinion on the situation:

“I was clearly disappointed with Aaron. He clearly knows what he did was wrong.”

Let’s take a look at some other assorted notes from around the NFC…

  • A couple of teams had their eye on Bears quarterback David Fales prior to his promotion from the practice squad. Adam Jahns of the Chicago Sun-Times says (via Twitter) that the Patriots and Chargers had interest in the sixth-round pick.
  • Aaron Wilson of The Baltimore Sun tweeted a list of players who tried out for the Saints: kicker Dustin Hopkins and wide receivers Michael Campbell, Danny Coale, Willie Snead and Ifeanyi Momah.
  • Saints coach Sean Payton dismissed reports that he’d be a candidate for the open Michigan job, stating he has “no interest in any other job but this one” (via team’s Twitter).
  • Ralph Vacchiano of the New York Daily News explored the Giants draft options outside of the quarterback position. The writer mentioned Nebraska defensive lineman Randy Gregory, Iowa offensive lineman Brandon Scherff, Alabama wideout Amari Cooper, and Alabama safety Landon Collins.

AFC Mailbags: Colts, Jags, Bengals, Jets

November 22nd, 2014 at 10:11am CST by Ben Levine

We took a look at ESPN’s NFC mailbags earlier this morning. Let’s now check out some notes from the AFC…

  • If Mike Wells were a member of the Colts front office, he wouldn’t sign Ray Rice to a contract. The writer notes that the running back must be out of shape, and he also notes the difficulties in learning a new scheme.
  • Michael DiRocco believes the Jaguars biggest offseason needs will be a pass-rusher and a linebacker. As a result, the writer targets Nebraska’s Randy Gregory and Missouri’s Shane Ray.
  • Switching to the offense, DiRocco could see the Jaguars drafting a running back late in the draft. Regardless, he doesn’t think the team should part ways with Toby Gerhart, especially since Denard Robinson hasn’t proven he can be a featured back.
  • A.J. McCarron is clearly the Bengals backup plan at quarterback, so he won’t be traded or released any time soon, writes Coley Harvey.
  • If the Jets move on from Rex Ryan, the Jets owe it to their fans to pursue 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh, opines Rich Cimini.
  • Meanwhile, Cimini doesn’t believe the Jets will pursue Darrelle Revis this offseason (if the cornerback becomes a free agent). The writer believes a Revis-Rex Ryan reunion is inevitable, but not in New York.

Extra Points: Williams, Sheard, Quessenberry

June 10th, 2014 at 2:07pm CST by Luke Adams

While the free agent market has thinned out considerably over the last several months, there are still players capable of providing value to NFL teams, and one such free agent is veteran defensive tackle Kevin Williams. Appearing on SiriusXM NFL Radio, Williams suggested talks have been “picking up” for him lately and that he anticipates signing somewhere in time for training camp. As the longtime Viking confirmed, he has visited the Patriots, Giants, and Seahawks, and has also spoken recently to Minnesota.

Let’s check in on a few more items from around the league….

  • Browns outside linebacker Jabaal Sheard said today that he and the club have had some preliminary talks about a contract extension and that he hopes something can be worked out, tweets Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal.
  • Texans offensive lineman David Quessenberry has been placed on the NFL’s non-football illness list after being diagnosed with lymphoma, the club announced today in a press release. In a statement, GM Rick Smith expressed confidence in the care Quessenberry would receive. “We look forward to his full and complete recovery,” Smith said. “We will continue to support him and his family and look forward to his return to the team.” Our thoughts and well-wishes go out to Quessenberry and his family as he battles the disease.
  • Asked about Colin Kaepernick‘s new contract extension, Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton said his biggest takeaway from the agreement was simply the fact that Kaepernick and the 49ers were able to get something done (link via Kevin Patra of NFL.com). Dalton, of course, will be looking for an extension of his own very soon.
  • Taking an early look ahead to the 2015 NFL draft, Mel Kiper discusses the top senior and underclassmen defensive ends in an Insider-only piece for ESPN.com. Texas’ Cedric Reed and Nebraska’s Randy Gregory top Kiper’s lists.
  • The Dolphins‘ willingness to shift Jason Fox to left tackle behind Branden Albert in OTAs suggests the club has confidence in rookie Ju’Wuan James‘ ability to hang onto the right tackle job, writes Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald.