Ty Sambrailo

AFC Rumors: Steelers, Broncos, Titans

June 23rd, 2017 at 5:11pm CST by Connor J. Byrne

Steelers center Maurkice Pouncey‘s career could end when quarterback Ben Roethlisberger‘s does, relays Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com. Pouncey’s still young (he’ll turn 28 in July), but it’s possible the seventh-year man and five-time Pro Bowler would rather hang it up than continue with someone other than Roethlisberger, who mulled retirement after last season and is entering his age-35 campaign. “It will be hard for me to come back if he’s not here,” Pouncey said of Roethlisberger. “Whenever you’re playing with that level of quarterback, to try to switch that up would be a different mojo for everybody on the team. … I’m glad he came back. We need him to win a championship around here.”

More on Pittsburgh and two other AFC clubs:

Three Broncos who have gone high in recent drafts, wide receiver Cody Latimer, offensive tackle Ty Sambrailo and tight end Jeff Heuerman, will have to fight for their roster spots in training camp, observes Cameron Wolfe of the Denver Post. Latimer, a second-rounder in 2014, hasn’t made much of an impact as a receiver (16 career catches), and he’s not in position to change that with Demaryius Thomas, Emmanuel Sanders, Carlos Henderson and Isaiah McKenzie ahead of him on the depth chart. As such, his best hope is to make the Broncos as a special teamer, posits Wolfe, who expects that to happen. Sambrailo, meanwhile, went in the second round a year later and has only totaled 13 appearances and seven starts. Even if he cracks the Broncos’ roster, Sambrailo seems likely to serve as primarily a backup again, as the team spent a first-rounder on tackle Garett Bolles this year after adding fellow bookend Menelik Watson on a three-year, $18.3MM deal in free agency. And then there’s Heuerman, a 2015 third-rounder who missed his entire rookie year with a torn ACL and then caught nine passes in 12 games last season. He’ll have to fend off Henry Krieger-Coble to make the team, notes Wolfe. Denver’s other tight end options include Virgil Green, A.J. Derby and fifth-rounder Jake Butt, a former Michigan standout who’s working back from the torn ACL he suffered in his final college game last December.
As a rookie last season, fifth-rounder Tajae Sharpe finished second among Titans wide receivers in catches (41), targets (83) and yards (522) in 2016. Nevertheless, it seems he’ll enter camp with a weak hold on a roster spot, writes Jason Wolf of the Tennesseean. The Titans used two valuable picks on receivers – Corey Davis in the first round and Taywan Taylor in the third – in the spring and then signed established veteran Eric Decker last week. Those additions combined with Sharpe’s questionable health (he recently underwent surgery for a stress fracture in his right foot) and a police investigation over an alleged assault have the 22-year-old in limbo, according to Wolf.
The fact that the Steelers have a deep receiving corps means third-year man Sammie Coates will have to battle for a spot in camp, suggests Fowler. Coates was a relatively high selection in 2015, when he went in Round 3 of the draft, but the ex-Auburn star has totaled just 22 receptions in 21 games as a Steeler. A broken finger and a groin injury likely contributed to Coates’ underwhelming output last season (21 catches on 49 targets, two touchdowns), and he indicated that he’s nearing full health with camp approaching. “I’m getting there. It’s a process,” said Coates, who underwent sports hernia surgery over the winter. “That’s what this process is for, to get your body back so you can compete during camp.”

AFC West Notes: Chiefs, Bosa, Sanchez

August 10th, 2016 at 6:37pm CST by Sam Robinson

John Dorsey is confident Eric Berry will show up at some point for the Chiefs‘ training camp in St. Joseph, Mo., which runs through August 18, Adam Teicher of ESPN.com reports.

“The agent has said … at some juncture during this course he will show up here,” Dorsey said. “I haven’t talked to Eric one on one about when he’s going to show up. Knowing what a prideful professional he is, I think he will show up at the appropriate time.”

Dorsey and the Chiefs weren’t able to work out an extension with the two-time All-Pro safety, and Berry is among a few high-profile Chiefs not participating in training camp. Berry’s absence leaves the Chiefs with only Ron Parker back from their strong core of safeties from 2015, a group that included since-retired Husain Abdullah and current Cardinal Tyvon Branch.

Berry has yet to sign his $10.86MM franchise tender and as late as July 26, the 27-year-old defender was not expected to report to camp. Since he hasn’t signed the tender, he’s not obligated to do so, leaving the Chiefs thin at safety.

Here’s more from the Chiefs and their division rivals.

Dorsey, though, was confident that Jamaal Charles would be ready by Week 1, with the fourth-year GM’s stance on Justin Houston was much murkier, according to Blair Kerkhoff of the Kansas City Star. Dorsey referred to Charles as “ahead of schedule” despite the running back undergoing knee surgery last October, and he sees the eighth-year starter practicing within a couple of weeks. As for Houston, Dorsey did not want to offer a prospective return date like he did with Charles. After undergoing knee surgery in February, Houston is expected to miss the start of the season.
Nick Foles‘ deal is worth $1.25MM this season, with no signing bonus included, Terez Paylor of the Star reports. However, the fifth-year quarterback will earn a $200K roster bonus if he makes the 53-man team, as he’s expected to. The Chiefs hold a team option for Foles, who would see his price rise significantly if the Chiefs pick it up. At a $10.4MM base, Foles’ 2017 salary seems contingent on him becoming the starter. Since that’s not in the Chiefs’ plans as of now, with Alex Smith signed through 2018, it’s unlikely Kansas City picks up that option.
Joey Bosa‘s camp made the last offer in the edge defender’s impasse with the Chargers, putting the ball in San Diego’s court, Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk tweets. The sides are still believed to be haggling over offset language and the structure of Bosa’s signing bonus.
Trevor Siemian has looked the best this offseason for the Broncos, per Jason Cole of Bleacher Report (video link). But sources within the organization informed him the team will likely start Mark Sanchez in Week 1 due to his experience. However, the Broncos won’t be afraid to make a switch to Siemian if he continues to show them more than seventh-round picks typically do. Siemian is slated to play the second quarter of the Broncos’ preseason opener on Thursday.
Projected to be the Broncos’ right guard starter after moving from right to left tackle last year, Ty Sambrailo is now expected to miss the preseason due to an elbow injury he sustained in late July, according to Nicki Jhabvala of the Denver Post. The Broncos are thin behind Sambrailo after losing starters Evan Mathis (in free agency) and Louis Vasquez (cut) from their Super Bowl championship lineup, placing Sambrailo and Max Garcia in at guard. But the team is now using Darrion Weems, a fifth-year player but one who hasn’t suited up for a game since doing so with the 2013 Cowboys, in relief. Swing tackle Michael Schofield is also working sporadically at right guard in Sambrailo’s stead.

West Rumors: Browner, Broncos, Cards, Allen

April 17th, 2016 at 8:41pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Seahawks and the newly reacquired Brandon Browner set in motion Sunday’s signing with a back-and-forth negotiation that lasted “a while,” Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times reports.

Seattle entered Sunday with $5.6MM in cap space, although terms of Browner’s deal with the Seahawks haven’t been disclosed. Browner’s agent tells Condotta the Seahawks were priced out of Browner’s negotiations after their Super Bowl XLVIII victory, and the veteran went on to spend 2014 with the Patriots and 2015 with the Saints.

“That was more of a (salary) cap issue,” Peter Schaffer told Condotta. “Brandon was going to get more money then they had. … it wasn’t like ‘we don’t want him back’ but like ‘shoot, if you are going to get that kind of money there’s no way we can afford him.”

The Pats ended up signing Browner, who will turn 32 in August, to a three-year, $12.35MM contract. This one-year pact with the Seahawks won’t be as pricey, especially after the Saints released Browner earlier this offseason. Pro Football Focus’ worst full-time corner in 2015, Browner revealed last month he’d played last season on a torn meniscus. Schaffer said Browner will be healthy for the ’16 season, and the Seahawks saw value in a healthy Browner coming off a down year.

Here’s some more from the teams out west, beginning with an unlikely pre-draft visit.

The Cardinals recently met with University of Calgary cornerback Elie Bouka, Terez Paylor of the Kansas City Star reports. Chiefs officials also contacted the corner, who plans to work out for other teams as the draft approaches. The 6-foot-1 Bouka missed the 2015 season with a torn left Achilles. Bouka initially signed with Weber State on 2011 national signing day but backed out after a coaching change.
Duke wideout Max McCaffrey worked out for the Broncos on Tuesday at the team’s local pro day, as did Colorado State receiver Joe Hansley, Nicki Jhabvala of the Denver Post reports. McCaffrey was eligible for the Super Bowl champions’ showcase for local prospects due to residing in the Denver area. The son of former Broncos wideout Ed McCaffrey and older brother of Heisman Trophy finalist and likely 2017 draft prospect Christian McCaffrey, Max ran a 4.36-second 40-yard dash at the Blue Devils’ pro day last month.
Denver plans to give 2015 second-round pick Ty Sambrailo a long look at guard, Troy Renck of the Denver Post reports. Sambrailo started three games as the Broncos’ left tackle last season after moving from the right-edge post he was supposed to occupy just after Ryan Clady was lost for the season. Pro Football Focus tabbed Sambrailo as a low-end tackle in his three starts, but the Super Bowl champions have an opening at guard after losing Evan Mathis to the Cardinals and cutting Louis Vasquez.
Russell Okung won’t participate in these workouts, per Renck, as he rehabs from offseason shoulder surgery. Okung signed a nonguaranteed contract with the Broncos in March, a deal that includes a $1MM workout bonus. Okung doesn’t have to participate fully in the Broncos’ workouts to collect that sum, only do report and do what he’s able to.
Keenan Allen will be full-go when the Chargers open their offseason workouts Monday after missing eight games last season with a lacerated kidney, Michael Gehlken of the San Diego Union-Tribune reports. The fourth-year player also plans to shed some weight coming into the season, hoping to move down to around 200 pounds.

Broncos’ Ty Sambrailo Out For Season

November 2nd, 2015 at 4:01pm CST by Luke Adams

4:01pm: Sambrailo revealed today that he sustained a torn labrum, according to Nicki Jhabvala of the Denver Post (Twitter link).

2:58pm: After battling with a shoulder injury for several weeks, offensive tackle Ty Sambrailo will be shut down for the season and will land on injured reserve, Broncos head coach Gary Kubiak said today (Twitter link via Troy Renck of the Denver Post). Sambrailo, who began his rookie season as the team’s left tackle, will undergo surgery on the troublesome shoulder, per Kubiak.

While Sambrailo’s absence will hurt the Broncos’ offensive line depth, the group has managed to do a decent job keeping Peyton Manning upright since the rookie first went down. Over the last several weeks, Ryan Harris has slid over to the left side to protect Manning’s blind side, with Michael Schofield stepping into the starting lineup as Denver’s right tackle.

With Sambrailo heading to IR, the Broncos will open up a roster spot and could use that opening on an offensive lineman. Asked today if his club would pursue external help at left tackle, Kubiak said the Broncos are still considering their options (Twitter links via Renck).

Browns left tackle Joe Thomas would appear to be a logical trade target for Denver, but the Broncos aren’t considered one of the teams with interest in the Pro Bowler, according to Renck (via Twitter). It’s also not clear yet if Cleveland would seriously consider moving Thomas.

Broncos Sign Ty Sambrailo

May 15th, 2015 at 1:49pm CST by Luke Adams

The Broncos have secured four of their draft picks today, signing them to rookie contracts. The most notable of those players to sign is second-round tackle Ty Sambrailo, per Troy Renck of the Denver Post (Twitter link).

In addition to locking up Sambrailo, the Broncos have also signed seventh-round picks Trevor Siemian (QB), Taurean Nixon (CB), and Josh Furman (S), the team announced today in a press release. The series of moves leaves only two Denver picks unsigned — first-rounder Shane Ray and third-round tight end Jeff Heuerman.

Sambrailo, the 59th overall pick out of Colorado State, should get an opportunity this summer to earn playing time on an offensive line that has undergone some changes this offseason. Within the last couple months, the Broncos have seen Orlando Franklin and Will Montgomery depart via free agency, and traded Manuel Ramirez to the Lions. The team brought in Gino Gradkowski in a trade, and signed Shelley Smith as a free agent.

Per Over The Cap, Sambrailo will be in line for a signing bonus of about $1.057MM, with a four-year value of approximately $3.846MM on his rookie contract.

AFC Links: Collins, Dorsett, Timmons

May 3rd, 2015 at 10:32pm CST by Sam Robinson

One of the highest-regarded undrafted free agents in history, La’el Collins figures to be a premier topic in May as he attempts to begin a now-unorthodox career.

The Titans, however, won’t be among the teams pursuing the ex-LSU lineman that was a surefire first-round pick as recently as earlier this week, according to The Tennesseean’s Jim Wyatt on Twitter. The team remains in need of a right tackle but did add two interior linemen in the draft — guard Jeremiah Poutasi and center Andy Gallik in the third and sixth rounds, respectively.

Here is some additional news from around the AFC.

The Colts‘ draft puzzled Indianapolis Star columnist Gregg Doyel, with the team adding players in key spots that may not be able to contribute much this season — one with immense expectations. Doyel argues the team did not address needs of defensive tackle and safety early enough, with one of each added on Day 3. Indianapolis ranked 18th in run defense last season. Part-time players last year, Josh Chapman and Montori Hughes, are the Colts’ top two nose tackle options.
The crux of Doyel’s argument, first-round pick Phillip Dorsett, could also find himself a key player in the Colts’ offense from the start, writes the Indianapolis Star’s Stephen Holder. Dorsett, CFL import Duron Carter and former All-Pro Andre Johnson add to a loaded wideout corps that was at times slowed by descending veterans Reggie Wayne and Hakeem Nicks last year. Holder wonders if the 34-year-old Johnson will give way to Dorsett in some three-wide sets or when the Colts deploy the two-tight end look they often do.
One of now four linebackers with first-round pedigrees in Pittsburgh, Lawrence Timmons is in line for a contract extension come 2016, reports Mark Kaboly of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. The Steelers’ second-highest-paid player and NFL’s best-compensated inside linebacker’s current deal that pays him $12.6MM this season and $11.8MM next year runs through ’16.
With just two starters locked in for this season up front, the Broncos are positioning their offensive line youngsters less than three days after acquiring them. Second-round choice Ty Sambrailo will open his career at right tackle, where the Broncos have a glaring need after using three players there last year, while versatile fourth-rounder Max Garcia will begin work behind Louis Vasquez at right guard, according to Troy Renck of the Denver Post. Last year’s third-rounder, Michael Schofield, didn’t suit up for a game as a rookie despite the Broncos’ right tackle issues and is now playing behind Ryan Clady at left tackle.
Mel Kiper Jr. envisions Ravens second-round pick Maxx Williams as an offensive rookie of the year candidate, writes Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun. The ESPN draft veteran also opined Breshad Perriman will be a better player than Torrey Smith.

AFC East Notes: Mariota, Gurley, Patriots

April 25th, 2015 at 10:51am CST by Rob DiRe

There has been a lot of talk about the Jets making a move to go up at get Marcus Mariota, but Mark Cannizzaro of the New York Daily News gives one big reason why the team shouldn’t trade up for the Heisman-trophy winner.

New general manager Mike Maccagnan was hired because of his track record as an evaluator who will build through the draft, and Cannizzaro wants him to trust his abilities and not give up future picks to move up in the draft. If Mariota should fall that would be different, but believes Maccagnan should give himself as many chances as possible to draft players and worry about the franchise quarterback another time without mortgaging multiple picks for one player.

Here are some more notes from around the AFC East:

The Dolphins seem to be very high on Todd Gurley, but that doesn’t mean they are planning on targeting the Georgia running back in the first-round, writes James Walker of ESPN.com. The Dolphins got a great season out of Lamar Miller in 2014, and Gurley’s injury history is a red flag that high in the draft for a team with so many needs.
The Patriots could go a number of ways in the draft, returning a solid roster from their Super Bowl team despite losing a few big names on the defensive side of the ball. Judy Cohen of WEEI.com picks out a player who could come in and help on that side in Arizona State defensive tackle Marcus Hardison. Hardison could be a day two pick, and could even fall to round four it the Patriots wait on him.
Another player Cohen takes a close look at is offensive tackle Ty Sambrailo. He could be a great pick as a swing tackle for the Patriots, with the physical tools to handle either side of the line. He played quarterback and tight end in the eighth grade and high school before moving to the defensive and offensive lines. Sambrailo is expected to be a day two pick.

West Notes: Wilson, McGrath, Rams, Broncos

April 16th, 2015 at 9:04am CST by Luke Adams

Asked on KIRO 97.3 FM about contract negotiations with quarterback Russell Wilson, whose rookie contract expires after the 2015 season, Seahawks general manager John Schneider predictably didn’t offer up many details. As Terry Blount of ESPN.com details, Schneider alluded to the challenges of balancing the roster and the salary cap as he expressed how much the club wants to keep Wilson in the mix for years to come.

“Every negotiation is unique in and of itself and this is no different,” Schneider said. “He’s our quarterback. We’d love him to be our quarterback. But the thing is we need to keep as many of these guys together as we possibly can. What I can tell you is that this is the ultimate team sport. We have a track record of rewarding our players that we recognize as core players.”

Yesterday, we heard that the Seahawks and Wilson had begun extension discussions, but hadn’t made much progress. As we wait to see if the two sides move forward on a new deal, let’s check in on a few more notes out of the NFL’s two West divisions….

Former Chiefs tight end Sean McGrath, who retired last summer, has decided to make an NFL comeback, his agent tells Terez A. Paylor of the Kansas City Star (Twitter link). However, he won’t return to Kansas City — the team reinstated him from the reserve/retired list yesterday, then immediately waived him.
The Rams‘ private workout with quarterback Marcus Mariota is happening today, and Albert Breer of the NFL Network tweets that head coach Jeff Fisher, GM Les Snead, executive VP of football operations Kevin Demoff, offensive coordinator Frank Cignetti, and quarterbacks coach Chris Weinke will all be in Eugene to meet with the Oregon signal-caller.
Per Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post, the Seahawks have hosted Tennessee State guard Robert Myers for a pre-draft visit, and are also hosting West Georgia defensive lineman Tory Slater. Slater previously visited the Falcons as well.
Pittsburgh tackle T.J. Clemmings visited the Broncos earlier this week, according to Mike Klis of the Denver Post, who adds that the club also held a private workout for Colorado State offensive lineman Ty Sambrailo.

NFC Links: Cowboys, AP, Saints, Bears, 49ers

March 27th, 2015 at 8:13pm CST by Connor J. Byrne

The Cowboys seemingly downgraded significantly at running back this offseason in replacing reigning rushing champ DeMarco Murray, who signed with the NFC East rival Eagles, with Darren McFadden. Given that and Adrian Peterson‘s unhappiness with the Vikings, Jason Fitzgerald of OverTheCap.com took a look at whether Dallas should attempt to acquire the former NFL MVP.

Peterson, 30, has three years left on his current contract, and missed all of last season because of domestic violence issues. His off-field problems aside, Fitzgerald opines that Dallas would be better off steering clear of Peterson because of the difficulty that would come with fitting him under the team’s salary cap. The Cowboys have worked hard in recent years to better their long-term cap situation and they still have to find a way to retain wide receiver Dez Bryant beyond the 2015 season. Adding Peterson, although enticing, would be imprudent.

Here’s a look at some other NFC clubs currently in the news:

The Saints need an edge rusher and could take one with their first-round pick, the 13th overall selection, writes Larry Holder of NOLA.com. “I think we’ll have to draft at least one if not two defensive linemen and or outside linebacker pass rushers,” head coach Sean Payton said. The Saints must generate a better pass rush going forward after finishing an underwhelming 21st in the league in sacks last year.
The staff at CSNChicago.com is analyzing possible draft prospects the Bears could target. The site examined Colorado State offensive tackle Ty Sambrailo, whom it sees as a fit for the Bears in the second or third round.
The 49ers waived cornerback Cameron Fuller on Friday, according to the team’s website. San Francisco signed Fuller to its practice squad late last season and activated him for one game, in which he didn’t play.