HEADLINES

Stevan Ridley

AFC Notes: Chiefs, Ridley, Ravens, Yanda

October 20th, 2015 at 10:16am CST by Luke Adams

In spite of the Chiefs‘ slow start to the 2015 season, which has included some offensive struggles, head coach Andy Reid isn’t considering giving up play-calling duties on offense, writes Terez A. Paylor of the Kansas City Star. As Paylor observes, there would be precedent for such a decision, since Reid ceded the Eagles’ offensive play-calling duties to offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg in 2006, and the move led to a five-game winning streak.

Here’s more from around the AFC:

  • Jets running back Stevan Ridley, who is eligible to begin practicing this week, is nearing a return, writes Newsday’s Kimberley A. Martin. Coming off a major knee injury, Ridley started the year on the PUP list, which means he can play as early as Week 7, though he’ll have to be moved to the 53-man roster before he can be active.
  • Back in August, Ravens wide receiver Steve Smith announced that he’ll retire at the end of the 2015 season. However, given how poorly the year is playing out for Smith and his team, Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com wonders if the veteran wideout will reconsider that stance, adding that Baltimore would “certainly welcome him back.”
  • Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post has the breakdown on Marshal Yanda‘s new contract with the Ravens, which features a $9MM signing bonus and about $15.8MM in fully guaranteed money (plus another $2MM guaranteed for injury only).
  • The fact that the Colts‘ botched fake punt on Sunday night made Indianapolis a national punchline likely won’t help Chuck Pagano‘s job security going forward, says Mike Wells of ESPN.com.

PUP, NFI Players Soon Eligible To Practice

October 19th, 2015 at 10:30am CST by Luke Adams

Week 6 of the NFL season will come to an end after Monday night’s game between the Giants and Eagles, and when teams begin preparing for Week 7, many clubs could be welcoming injured players back to practice. Six weeks into the NFL season, players who were placed on the physically unable to perform list or the non-football injury list prior to Week 1’s games will be eligible to return to the practice field.

Of course, just because those players are able to return to practice doesn’t necessarily mean they’ll be healthy enough to do so. Players on the PUP list have a five-week window to begin practicing. Once they return to practice, they have three weeks to be added to their respective teams’ active rosters. In other words, a player currently on the PUP list could return to the field for his team’s Week 7 game, or could return as late as for his team’s Week 15 contest.

The rules for NFI players are similar to those for PUP players. If a player on either reserve list doesn’t return to practice or game action in time, his 2015 season will officially be over.

Here are the players currently on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list who can begin practicing as soon as this Tuesday:

And here are the players currently on their teams’ non-football injury or illness lists, who are also eligible to begin practicing this Tuesday:

  • Arizona Cardinals: WR Damond Powell
  • Buffalo Bills: CB Leodis McKelvin
  • Cincinnati Bengals: T Cedric Ogbuehi
  • Cleveland Browns: DB Ifo Ekpre-Olomu, TE Randall Telfer, RB Glenn Winston
  • Dallas Cowboys: LB Mark Nzeocha
  • Houston Texans: T David Quessenberry
  • Kansas City Chiefs: QB Tyler Bray
  • San Francisco 49ers: WR DeAndre Smelter
  • Seattle Seahawks: DT Jesse Williams

In addition to monitoring players on the PUP and NFI lists, it’s worth keeping an eye on players who have been placed on the injured reserve list with the designation to return. Teams can use this IR-DTR spot on one player per season, placing him on the injured reserve list without necessarily ruling him out for the season. As we explained in an earlier post, players given this designation can begin practicing after six weeks and can return after eight weeks.

That means that a player who was placed on IR-DTR prior to Week 1 can begin practicing on Tuesday, though he won’t be eligible to return to game action until Week 9. A player who was placed on IR-DTR after Week 1 will have to wait until next Tuesday – October 27 – to return to practice, while other IR-DTR players will have to wait until November to practice.

Here’s the list of players currently on IR-DTR who can begin practicing as soon as Tuesday:

Stevan Ridley To Start Season On Reserve/PUP

September 5th, 2015 at 1:12pm CST by Luke Adams

As expected, the Jets will place running back Stevan Ridley on the reserve/physically unable to perform list to start the season, tweets Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News. The move ensures that the club doesn’t have to use an active roster spot on Ridley, who will be sidelined for at least the first six weeks of the season.

Ridley’s 2014 season with the Patriots was cut short, as an ACL and MCL injury suffered in Week 6 ended the running back’s year. In six games, Ridley compiled 340 yards and two touchdowns on 94 attempts, and his upside earned him a one-year contract with the Jets. However, he’s still recovering from that severe knee injury.

Ridley is the latest notable player to be removed from the Jets’ active roster today. The team has also cut defenders Jason Babin and Joe Mays, and quarterbacks Matt Flynn and Josh Johnson.

Extra Points: Bucs, F. Jackson, Brady, Ridley

September 1st, 2015 at 11:32am CST by Luke Adams

The Buccaneers had a slew of problems on their offensive line last year, and even after addressing the position multiple times in the draft, the club isn’t totally satisfied with its line play. According to Jenna Laine of SportsTalkFlorida.com (via Twitter), the Bucs are looking for interior offensive line help, and are shopping for possible trades. The club could also look to claim a player off waivers or sign a free agent, as more cuts are made this week.

Here are a few more odds and ends from around the NFL, as teams reduce their rosters to 75 players:

  • Fred Jackson appears likely to land with the Seahawks, but the Ravens have also expressed interest in the veteran running back, says Vic Carucci of The Buffalo News (via Twitter). According to Carucci, there’s been no indication that the Patriots, Cowboys, or Browns have shown interest in Jackson.
  • When Judge Richard Berman announces his decision on Tom Brady‘s case this week, he’ll either uphold or vacate the four-game suspension for the Patriots quarterback. However, as Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk explains, Berman has a handful of different options available to him when he makes that ruling.
  • All signs are pointing to Jets running back Stevan Ridley, who is returning from an ACL injury, starting the regular season on the club’s reserve/PUP list, tweets Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News.
  • David Newton of ESPN.com conducted a Q&A with Panthers GM Dave Gettleman, who addressed the play of new left tackle Michael Oher, the team’s acquisition of wideout Kevin Norwood, and the areas of the roster that may still need an upgrade.
  • Jaguars GM Dave Caldwell also discussed a Monday trade, indicating that the decision to move kicker Josh Scobee was the “toughest decision we’ve had to make.” John Oehser of Jaguars.com has the details.
  • Jason Fitzgerald of Over the Cap examines the cap ramifications of some of the more notable veteran cuts made over thee weekend and on Monday.

Contract Details: Crabtree, Ridley, Casey

April 15th, 2015 at 9:31am CST by Luke Adams

The details for a few of the more notable recent free agent signings are in, so let’s take a look at some specifics, starting with the newest wide receiver in Oakland….

  • Michael Crabtree, WR (Raiders): One year, $3.2MM base value. $1.4MM base salary. $1.3Mm signing bonus. $250K workout bonus. $250K in per-game roster bonuses. $1.8MM in not-likely-to-be-earned incentives — $400K for Pro Bowl and $1.4MM based on catches or receiving yards. Lowest incentive threshold is $400K for 70 catches or 900 yards. Can max out at $1.4MM by exceeding 100 catches or 1,400 yards (three Twitter links via Joel Corry of CBSSports.com).
  • Stevan Ridley, RB (Jets): One year, $1.25MM base value. $750K base salary. $80K signing bonus. $50K workout bonus. $20K first-game roster bonus. $350K in per-game roster bonuses. Has injury waiver, which voids if he’s on 53-man roster in Week 1 (Twitter links via Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun).
  • James Casey, TE (Broncos): One year, $1.25MM base value. $750K base salary. $500K roster bonus. Has injury waiver, split salary (Twitter link via Wilson).
  • Joe Mays, LB (Jets): One year, minimum salary benefit. $870K base salary. $20K first-game roster bonus. $60K signing bonus (Twitter link via Wilson).
  • John Kuhn, FB (Packers): One year, minimum salary benefit. $870K base salary. $25K workout bonus. $25K Pro Bowl incentive (Twitter link via Wilson).
  • Zackary Bowman, CB (Dolphins): One year, minimum salary benefit. $745K base salary. $80K signing bonus. Has injury waiver (Twitter link via Wilson).

AFC Links: Ravens, Welker, Raiders, Patriots

April 8th, 2015 at 8:15pm CST by Ben Levine

Eric DeCosta is one of the hottest up-and-coming general manager candidates in the league. The Ravens assistant GM was asked to interview with the Jets and Bears this offseason, but the 43-year-old declined, just as he had previously with the Seahawks and Raiders. Why refuse an opportunity to become a general manager just to remain an assistant? DeCosta answered that question earlier today (via Aaron Wilson of The Baltimore Sun):

“I get a chance to work with my friends. Every day, I come in and work with my friends. I think it’s a relationship business. In the end, personal ambitions aside, all you have is really your reputation and your friends and your enjoyment in life. And I love Baltimore, the community.

“My wife is from Baltimore. I’ve been here 20 years, my kids go to school here. It’s great. I sit with these guys every day and give everybody a hard time, get a chance to play jokes on everybody every day, and it’s just fun. I enjoy work. I enjoy coming in here. We have a great owner, awesome stadium and best fan base in the country. So, what more do you want?”

There may be another reason for DeCosta to stay put, as Wilson says the executive is “[d]esignated contractually as the Ravens’ general-manager-in-waiting behind Ozzie Newsome.”

Let’s take a look at some more notes out of the AFC…

  • Wes Welker‘s visit with the Dolphins ended without a deal, reports Adam Beasley of the Miami Herald (via Twitter). The 33-year-old spent three seasons in Miami prior to his tenure with the Patriots. He finished last season with 49 catches for 464 yards and two touchdowns, the lowest totals since his rookie campaign.
  • While it doesn’t come as much of a surprise, the San Francisco Chronicle’s Vic Tafur confirms (via Twitter) that Michael Crabtree wrapped up his visit with the Raiders without a contract. The former first-round pick met with the organization on Monday.
  • Stevan Ridley spurned the Dolphins and Washington to sign with the Jets earlier this evening. As the Boston Herald’s Jeff Howe notes on Twitter, the Patriots didn’t make “a significant enough push” to retain their free agent running back.

Jets Sign Stevan Ridley

April 8th, 2015 at 6:30pm CST by Ben Levine

The Jets continue their offseason makeover, as they’ve reportedly added another piece this evening. NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport tweets that the Jets will sign free agent running back Stevan Ridley. Jeff Howe of the Boston Herald reports (via Twitter) that it’s a one-year deal.

The former Patriots’ season was cut short in 2014, as an ACL and MCL injury suffered in Week 6 ended the running back’s year. In six games, Ridley compiled 340 yards and two touchdowns on 94 attempts. The 26-year-old was attempting to boost his value after a dreadful 2013 campaign, when his role was diminished following continuous fumbling issues.

However, prior to that, Ridley was one of the brightest young running backs in the league. He rushed for 1,263 yards and 12 touchdowns during his sophomore campaign, earning him the 25th-best ranking among running backs from Pro Football Focus (subscription required). In his brief career, Ridley has averaged 4.3 yards per carry, which would place him 16th among active running backs.

Ridley was among the more intriguing offensive weapons still available via free agency, and interest in the former LSU standout had started to heat up recently. Besides meeting with the Jets, Ridley had also met with Washington and the Dolphins, and Rapoport confirms (via Twitter) that both teams had offered the running back a contract. According to Rapoport (on Twitter), the presence of offensive coordinator Chan Gailey certainly impacted Ridley’s decision. Furthermore, the player may have been enticed by the opportunity to compete for carries with the Jets, as neither Chris Ivory or Bilal Powell have ever topped 850 yards in a season.

Stevan Ridley Visiting Washington

April 7th, 2015 at 8:45am CST by Luke Adams

As I noted last week when I examined the most notable free agents still available on the offensive side of the ball, former Patriots running back Stevan Ridley is one of the more intriguing players remaining on the market. While Ridley remains unsigned, he’s set to visit another potential suitor today, according to Mike Reiss of ESPN.com, who reports (via Twitter) that the back is meeting with Washington.

Ridley, 26, is returning from a season-ending knee injury and appears unlikely to sign with the Patriots, with whom he has spent his first four NFL seasons. His best season in New England came in 2012, when he rushed for 1,263 yards and 12 touchdowns as the team’€™s feature back. Fumbling problems, injuries, and Bill Belichick‘s habit of rotating running backs limited Ridley’€™s production over the last two seasons.

As he continues to recover from last year’s knee injury, Ridley appears to be taking his time in deciding on a new team, paying visits last week to the Dolphins and Jets. Potential suitors for the former third-round pick are likely using these visits as an opportunity to get a closer look at how that knee is healing.

While Alfred Morris is the clear-cut starter in Washington, and is one of the more productive running backs in the league, the club is in the market for some depth at the position after seeing Roy Helu depart in free agency last month. Helu was an effective pass-catcher and a solid third-down back, and Ridley doesn’t exactly fit that bill, having totaled just 23 career receptions. If Washington is seeking a third-down back, a player like Pierre Thomas, who has drawn interest from the club, might be a better fit.

Dolphins Notes: Crabtree, Ridley, Gore, Skrine

April 5th, 2015 at 11:01am CST by Dallas Robinson

Free agent receiver Michael Crabtree turned down approximately $3MM from the Dolphins, according to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald, who adds that Crabtree is seeking at least $4.5MM. We had heard that Miami was interested in the former 49er, and it appears as though they had serious enough interest to offer a contract. The 27-year-old Crabtree is reportedly in no rush to sign, but he will head to Oakland this week to meet with the Raiders.

Let’s check out some more Dolphins notes, all courtesy of Jackson…

  • Running back Stevan Ridley‘s visit with the Dolphins was simply “exploratory,” writes Jackson, but Miami has not ruled out signing the free agent. Ridley is coming off a torn ACL, so the club was presumably checking out his medicals.
  • Oklahoma defensive tackle prospect Jordan Phillips met with the Dolphins last week, reports Jackson, who points out that Miami probably isn’t in need on interior defensive line help given the presence of Ndamukong Suh and Earl Mitchell, among others. Phillips ranks as the fifth-best available defensive tackle according to the NFL Network’s Mike Mayock.
  • Miami showed “some interest” in running back Frank Gore, but not as much as some other clubs, Gore told Jackson. The 31-year-old Gore added that he would have liked to team with current Fin running back Lamar Miller, who like Gore is a University of Miami product.
  • One of the Dolphins’ top targets on defense was cornerback Buster Skrine, but the defensive back ultimately chose the Jets over Miami.

Extra Points: Crabtree, Ridley, Bears

April 4th, 2015 at 11:09pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Dolphins were willing to pay Michael Crabtree close to $3MM to suit up in aqua this season, but the longtime 49ers receiver sought “at least” $4.5MM per year, reports Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald.

After seeking more than $9MM per campaign, Crabtree’s visiting the Raiders in hopes of salvaging some kind of value from what’s been an anti-climactic offseason from the inconsistent wideout. Crabtree earned at least $4.5MM in salary and bonuses the past five seasons.

Some additional news from Miami and the rest of the NFL on Saturday night …

  • Although the Dolphins’ summit with Stevan Ridley was merely exploratory, the team hasn’t ruled out signing the ex-Patriots running back, reports Jackson. Ridley, who is recovering from knee surgery and is one of many starting-caliber backs still in free agency, is reported to be down to the Jets and Fins for his next destination.
  • The Dolphins also showed “some interest” in bringing Colts signee Frank Gore back to Miami, but the longtime 49ers bruiser told Jackson multiple teams beat out the Dolphins’ pursuit level.
  • Jackson lists Buster Skrine, a Jets acquisition on a relatively big contract, as a player who the Dolphins coveted but one who declined their offer.
  • Oklahoma defensive tackle Jordan Phillips visited Miami last week, adds Jackson. The Dolphins are intrigued by the Sooner talent’s potential despite landing Ndamukong Suh and housing several young players who are currently in their good graces.
  • With starter-level safeties Antrel Rolle and Ryan Mundy among the three back-line defenders on the Bears‘ roster, the team plans to address the position after the early rounds of the draft, writes Adam Jahns of the Chicago Sun-Times. Jahns mentioned Cody Prewitt (Ole Miss), Nick Perry (Alabama) and Northwestern’s Ibraheim Campbell as players the Bears have studied as possible fits.
  • Interior defensive line help also intrigues the Bears, reports Jahns, as they lost Stephen Paea to Washington. As they transition to the 3-4, the Bears are chock full of size outside, with Ray McDonald recently added as a five-technique end and Pernell McPhee arriving as a 280-pound linebacker. Interestingly, Jahns includes 300-pound Lamarr Houston, signed to a lucrative deal last year as a 4-3 run-stopping end, as an outside backer, which would be a unique experiment.
  • The Ravens will host Kansas free safety Cassius Sendish on a visit April 21, reports Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun. A Waldorf, Md., native and potential late-round draft pick, Sendish will visit his hometown team’s facilities during the team’s day designated for local prospect meetings.
Load More Posts