HEADLINES

Scott Solomon

Extra Points: Broncos, Hillman, Solomon, Jets

September 2nd, 2016 at 2:56pm CST by Zachary Links

When asked about Ronnie Hillman‘s trade value, two NFL GMs told Jeff Legwold of ESPN.com (on Twitter) that he doesn’t have much because he doesn’t play special teams. The Broncos running back is said to be on the bubble as the 53-man deadline approaches.

Denver has already handed Hillman $600K through a signing bonus and workout bonuses, but his $1.4MM base salary is non-guaranteed. By most accounts, Devontae Booker and Kapri Bibbs have leapfrogged the one-time Broncos starter.

Here’s more from around the NFL on this busy day:

  • Former Cleveland outside linebacker Scott Solomon recently worked out for the Chiefs, as Adam Caplan of ESPN.com tweets. Solomon appeared in just two games last season before landing on injured reserve with a knee injury. He was a restricted free agent this offseason and Cleveland initially picked up his $1.671MM tender. Less than one month later, however, he was cut.
  • Jonathan Freeny‘s two-year extension with the Patriots is worth $4.1MM, including a $1.3MM signing bonus, Jeff Howe of the Boston Herald tweets. He’ll bring cap hits of $1.74MM in ’16, $1.87MM in ’17, and $2.03MM in ’18.
  • The Jets worked out former Harvard center Anthony Fabiano on Thursday, Rich Cimini of ESPN.com tweets.
  • Long snapper John DePalma is working out for the Seahawks today, according to a source who spoke with Aaron Wilson of The Houston Chronicle (on Twitter). DePalma was previously in Philly.

Minor NFL Transactions: 5/2/16

May 2nd, 2016 at 7:39pm CST by Zachary Links

Today’s minor moves:

Browns Re-Sign Pasztor, Solomon, Three ERFAs

April 4th, 2016 at 12:44pm CST by Luke Adams

The Browns didn’t re-sign many of their top unrestricted free agents when the 2016 league year opened last month, but the team has brought back several of its restricted and exclusive-rights free agents. The Browns announced today in a press release that they’ve re-signed RFA offensive lineman Austin Pasztor and linebacker Scott Solomon, along with ERFA kicker Travis Coons, wide receiver Darius Jennings, and offensive lineman Kaleb Johnson.Travis Coons (Featured)

Of the re-signed players, Pasztor and Coons had the most significant roles on the 2015 Browns. Pasztor made four starts at left guard for the club, and has now made 27 starts in his NFL career. Given his experience at multiple positions along the offensive line, Pasztor may have an opportunity to win a full-time starting job in 2016, with Mitchell Schwartz and Alex Mack no longer in the mix.

Coons, meanwhile, was Cleveland’s starting kicker in his rookie season, converting 28 of 32 field goals (87.5%) and 22 of 24 extra points (91.7%). Coons was perfect on field goal tries from inside 40 yards, but missed four attempts of 40+ yards, and didn’t make a 50-yarder.

Jennings saw action in four games for the Browns down the stretch, catching 14 balls for 117 yards and earning some reps as a kick returner. Solomon, meanwhile, appeared in just two games before landing on injured reserve with a knee injury, while Johnson was claimed off waivers from Baltimore in December and didn’t see any playing time down the stretch in Cleveland.

Pasztor and Solomon both received low-end RFA tenders, so they’ll be in line for salaries of $1.671MM if they make the team. The other three players are on minimum-salary deals, and weren’t really free agents, since their only two options were to sign their respective ERFA tenders or to sit out.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Browns Give Qualifying Offer To Terrelle Pryor

March 7th, 2016 at 2:48pm CST by Zachary Links

In a pair of announcements, the Browns disclosed that they have tendered four restricted free agents and re-signed three exclusive rights free agents. The Browns extended qualifying offers to wide receiver Terrelle Pryor, defensive back Don Jones, offensive lineman Austin Pasztor, and linebacker Scott Solomon. The Browns also re-signed linebacker Tank Carder, who was set to become an unrestricted free agent. Two Exclusive rights free agents have also been retained in defensive lineman Jamie Meder and running back Raheem Mostert.

Pryor, a quarterback-turned-wide receiver, appeared in three games with two starts in 2015, notching one reception for 42 yards. In total, for his career, he has appeared in 18 career games with 12 starts. Turning the talented Pryor into a receiver was an experiment of the old Browns regime, but it appears that the new front office and new coach Hue Jackson have some interest in continuing down that road as well.

Carder is a staple on on special teams for Cleveland and has registered 34 special-teams tackles to his credit over the course of his career. The linebacker appeared in all 16 games last season and recorded ten special-teams tackles.

Pasztor, came to the Browns off waivers from the Jaguars and appeared in all 16 games last season. Jones, who came to Cleveland via waivers after the Saints left him exposed, appeared in nine games. Solomon’s season was cut short when he was placed on injured reserve (knee) on Oct. 14.

Mostert, a UDFA, bounced around between the Ravens, Dolphins, and Browns in 2015. In total, he appeared in 11 games and logged 19 kickoff returns for 530 yards.

Minor NFL Transactions: 10/14/15

October 14th, 2015 at 6:29pm CST by Zachary Links

Today’s minor NFL signings, cuts, and other moves..

  • The Cowboys claimed running back Rod Smith off waivers from the Seahawks, according to Bryan Broaddus of 105.3 The Fan (on Twitter). After previously trading for Christine Michael, it appears that the Cowboys are fans of Seattle running backs.
  • The Broncos announced that they have signed tight end Richard Gordon while waiving fellow tight end Mitchell Henry. This will be Gordon’s third AFC West team, after stints with the Chiefs and Raiders, who selected Gordon in the sixth round (No. 181 overall) of the 2011 NFL Draft from the University of Miami.
  • The Browns have been awarded defensive back Don Jones off waivers from the Saints, as Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle tweets. In a related move, outside linebacker Scott Solomon was placed on injured reserve with a sprained knee. Solomon’s injury certainly won’t help the Browns’ poor results against the run.
  • Mike Chappell of FOX59 (on Twitter) reports that the Colts have placed Tyler Varga on IR following his concussion. That move will help make room for the newly-signed Ahmad Bradshaw.
  • The Dolphins signed safety Jonathan Dowling off the team’s practice squad, as Armando Salguero of The Miami Herald tweets. Dowling was a 2014 seventh-round pick of the Raiders.
  • The Buccaneers cut Josh Martin from injured reserve with an injury settlement, Wilson tweets.
  • The Seahawks signed linebacker Nick Moody to their active roster, Wilson tweets.
  • The Bears announced (on Twitter) that they have promoted linebacker Jonathan Anderson from the practice squad to the 53-man roster.
  • The Packers announced that they have signed tight end Justin Perillo to the active roster while placing safety Sean Richardson on IR. Coach Mike McCarthy wouldn’t comment on Richardson’s future when asked about it on Monday, but his playing career could be in jeopardy, as Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com writes. The Packers brought back Richardson this year as an restricted free agent when they matched the one-year, $2.55MM offer sheet he signed with the Raiders.

Extra Points: Pats, Cofield, Raiders, Solomon

September 16th, 2015 at 9:52pm CST by Luke Adams

Another DeflateGate loose end was tied off earlier today, when the NFL announced that Patriots employees John Jastremski and Jim McNally have been reinstated from their suspensions. As Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter links) notes, the NFL said the Pats “satisfied the league’s requirements” for the staffers’ returns, but Jastremski is prohibited from handling footballs and McNally is barred from handling equipment going forward.

Here’s more from around the NFL:

  • Defensive tackle Barry Cofield, viewed by many NFL people as the best defensive free agent available, will likely sign with a contending team in October when he recovers from hip surgery, says Jason Cole of Bleacher Report (video link). Cole cites the Colts and Packers as a couple teams that would interest Cofield and that may have a need on the defensive line.
  • The Raiders did not come close to signing safety Stevie Brown this week even though there’s a clear need at the position, Bill Williamson of ESPN.com writes.
  • Browns outside linebacker Scott Solomon will miss four to six weeks with an ankle injury suffered early in the season opener, a source told ESPN’s Adam Caplan. The Browns had high hopes for Solomon, who made his mark after being signed to the practice squad in November. Cleveland will likely add an outside linebacker to replenish its depth.
  • Eric Grubman, the NFL’s point man on Los Angeles, said this week that San Diego and St. Louis reps won’t get the opportunity to make presentations on their stadium plans at the league’s October owner meetings, according to Bernie Wilson of The Associated Press. Grubman suggested that another time and place would allow for a more in-depth presentation, since there’s already a “full agenda” for next month’s meetings.
  • As Howard Belzer of The SportsXchange tweets, many NFL team owners want to have serious discussions at those October meetings about Roger Goodell’s disciplinary power, which is one reason why there isn’t room for stadium presentations. Steelers president Art Rooney II indicated this week that “informal discussions” on that issue have already begun, per Mark Maske of the Washington Post.

Zach Links contributed to this post.

Browns Place Tashaun Gipson On IR

December 20th, 2014 at 11:11am CST by Ben Levine

The Browns have officially shut down Tashaun Gipson for the season, as ESPN’s Adam Caplan tweets that the team has placed the third-year pro on the injured reserve. Cleveland has signed linebacker Scott Solomon from the practice squad to take the open roster spot.

Gipson has missed the Browns’ last three games after suffering a knee injury in late November. The 24-year-old luckily avoided an ACL injury, instead suffering a Grade 3 MCL injury. The team was initially optimistic that he’d be able to return this season, but the organization apparently decided it was better to be cautious.

Despite missing three games, Gipson still leads the NFC with six interceptions, topping last year’s career-high of five. Pro Football Focus’ advanced statistics (subscription required) weren’t favorable of Gipson during his first two years, but he ranks as the league’s sixth-best safety in 2014. Undrafted out of Wyoming in 2012, Gipson has made 37 appearances during his three years in the league.

Solomon, a seventh-round pick in 2012, has spent time with the Titans, Jets and Buccaneers. In 20 career games, he’s compiled 12 tackles and a sack.

Browns To Sign Zac Diles

November 18th, 2014 at 5:12pm CST by Zachary Links

The Browns will sign linebacker Zac Diles, according to Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post (on Twitter). Diles was cut loose by the Texans last week.

Diles, 29, was once a regular starter for the Texans but has bounced around a bit in recent years with stints in Indianapolis, Tampa Bay, Tennessee, and finally Houston again. The Texans welcomed Diles back upon multiple injuries to their stable of linebackers but they bid him farewell today as there is no longer a need at the position. Diles has seen action in a combined nine game across the last 3 seasons.

The Browns have also added defensive end Scott Solomon to their practice squad and re-signed defensive lineman Jacobbi McDaniel (link). Solomon, who recently turned 26, played in 6 games for the Bucs this season and recorded seven tackles with one sack. McDaniel, 25, was released from Cleveland’s practice squad just a week ago. To make room, D.J. Smith has been let go. Smith, 25, was just added to the taxi squad last week, so it was a rather short stay for him. The former sixth-round pick has seen NFL action for the Packers, Texans, Panthers, and Browns over the last four years.

Audition Notes: Wednesday

October 29th, 2014 at 1:21pm CST by Zachary Links

The Cowboys scheduled a visit for linebacker Will Smith, a source tells Charean Williams of the Star-Telegram. However, there might not be a spot for Smith after Tim Dobbins was picked up earlier today. The Cowboys have needs at offensive guard and at linebacker with injuries to starting left guard Ron Leary and starting weakside linebacker Justin Durant. Durant is done for the year while Leary is out with a groin strain. A look at today’s auditions from around the NFL..

AFC East Links: Wilkerson, Dolphins, Pats

October 23rd, 2014 at 4:58pm CST by Luke Adams

As we look forward to a showdown of the AFC West’s leaders tonight, let’s shift our focus to the other side of the conference and round up a few items from out of the AFC East….

  • While the Jets recently locked up wide receiver Jeremy Kerley through 2018, defensive lineman Muhammad Wilkerson is the more notable extension candidate on the roster. However, Jason Cole of Bleacher Report suggests that because the Jets can keep Wilkerson under control at a relatively affordable price through 2016 due to his fifth-year option and the franchise tag, the team may not be willing to offer significant guaranteed money at this point.
  • The Dolphins could use a power running back, some help at linebacker, and a gunner on special teams, but it’s unclear if they’ll be buyers or sellers at the trade deadline, if they’re even active at all, writes Omar Kelly of the South Florida Sun Sentinel. If the Dolphins do decide to make a move, defensive lineman Jared Odrick looks like their most plausible trade chip, in Kelly’s view.
  • Rookie running back David Fluellen and former Tampa Bay defensive end Scott Solomon had workouts with the Patriots this week, according to Mike Reiss of ESPN.com (via Twitter).
  • Patriots director of player personnel Nick Caserio is one of five NFL executives identified by Greg Gabriel of the National Football Post as potential general manager candidates this offseason.
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