Vick Ballard - Pro Football Rumors

AFC Mailbags: Dolphins, Ravens, Jags, Colts

May 23rd, 2015 at 10:39am CST by Ben Levine

It’s Saturday, and that means ESPN.com’s NFL writers are opening their mailbags and answering questions from readers. Let’s start off with notes from the AFC…

James Walker believes Dolphins coach Joe Philbin‘s job could be in jeopardy if his team doesn’t succeed this season. The team spent money to improve their roster during the offseason, and the writer believes owner Stephen Ross won’t have much patience for another subpar season.
The Ravens certainly have the money to add another veteran to their squad, and Jamison Hensley thinks that’s a realistic possibility. The team will likely depend on their young players to compete for jobs, but the team could pursue an established player if any of those young players struggle. The writer points to wideout James Jones, running back Pierre Thomas, tight end Jermaine Gresham, defensive lineman Osi Umenyiora and defensive tackle Kevin Williams as the top available free agents.
When asked which undrafted rookies could make the Jaguars 53-man roster, Michael DiRocco focuses on the team’s group of young linebackers (Thurston Armbrister, Matt Robinson and Todd Thomas). The writer cites the lack of depth at that position, nothing that one of the rookies could contribute as a backup linebacker/special teamer.
If the Colts decide to keep four running backs, Mike Wells says the final spot will likely be between Vick Ballard and Zurlon Tipton. Frank Gore and Boom Herron have their spots locked down, and Wells believes sixth-round pick Josh Robinson has a good chance of sticking.
When it comes to the Colts‘ wideouts, Wells says Griff Whalen is likely the odd man out. The team seemingly has six receivers ahead of Whalen on the depth chart, so Wells believes it’s a “long shot” for the former undrafted free agent to make the roster.

AFC Mailbags: Chiefs, Raiders, Colts, Jags

February 14th, 2015 at 8:55am CST by Ben Levine

It’s Saturday morning, and that means ESPN.com’s NFL writers are opening their mailbags and answering questions from readers. Let’s start off the day with some whispers from the AFC…

Looking at the list of Chiefs free agents, Adam Teicher believes the team should prioritize re-signing linebacker Justin Houston, followed by guard Rodney Hudson. When it comes to linebacker Josh Mauga and defensive back Ron Parker, the writer says the two players are replaceable.
Adrian Peterson would make some sense for the Raiders should be become a free agent, says Bill Williamson. Meanwhile, a reunion with linebacker Rolando McClain seems less reasonable to the writer.
Mike Wells expects Vick Ballard, Dan Herron and Zurlon Tipton to be at Colts training camp, and he wouldn’t be surprised if the team re-signs Ahmad Bradshaw. However, the writer has little faith in the team bringing back embattled running back Trent Richardson.
Michael DiRocco is of the opinion that it would be a waste of money for the Jaguars to pursue defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh in free agency. After all, the team has “more pressing needs,” and the money the team would have to invest in the All-Pro defender could instead be used on multiple players.

Colts Place Ballard, John, Karim On IR

August 26th, 2014 at 2:12pm CST by Luke Adams

The Colts have reduced their roster count from 79 players to 75 without waiving or releasing anyone, according to Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun, who reports (via Twitter) that Indianapolis has made the following roster moves:

Placed on injured reserve list:

Vick Ballard, RB
Ulrick John, OT
Deji Karim, RB

Placed on reserve/PUP list:

Stanley Havili, RB

The three players placed on IR won’t have to pass through waivers, since the Colts waited until the first roster cutdown date to move them to the injured reserve list. As for Havili, he’ll be eligible to return to the team’s active list after the season’s first six weeks.

Colts Waive Chris Rainey

July 28th, 2014 at 8:17am CST by Luke Adams

8:17am: The Colts’ decision to cut Rainey wasn’t performance-based, according to ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter (Twitter link), who says the running back was waived for violating team rules.

8:05am: The Colts have parted ways with running back Chris Rainey, waiving him this morning, according to Craig Kelley of Colts.com (via Twitter). As several Indianapolis beat writers pointed out on Twitter, the timing of the move is unusual, since head coach Chuck Pagano raved about Rainey’s play just days ago.

Besides the fact that Rainey seemed to be impressing Pagano and the staff in the early stages of training camp, the Colts are also down a running back after losing Vick Ballard to a season-ending injury. As Stephen Holder of the Indianapolis Star tweets, the team intends to eventually place Ballard on injured reserve, but can’t do so until later in the summer due to a CBA technicality. Indianapolis recently signed Davin Meggett to help provide backfield depth, but it’s still surprising that the team would cut one of its incumbent backs at this point.

Rainey, 26, is a former Steelers fifth-round pick who joined the Colts last season and appeared in two games for the club, exclusively as a kick and punt returner. He’ll have to clear waivers before getting a chance to become an unrestricted free agent and sign with any team,

AFC Notes: Bengals, Ballard, Manziel, Raiders

July 25th, 2014 at 5:56pm CST by Ben Levine

Linebacker J.K. Schaffer played in nine games for the Bengals in 2013, making most of his impact on special teams. However, the former undrafted rookie understands that a roster spot is not guaranteed, and he explained to Bill Koch of Cincinnati.com that the situation isn’t too different from last year…

“The only difference now is that I’ve done it,” Schaffer said. “I’ve been there. I’ve played in games, so that’s a good feeling, knowing that I’m not just trying to get to the point where I do play in a game.

“With this league, you’ve always got to fight to keep your job no matter who you are.”

Schaffer would be vying for the third middle linebacker spot behind Rey Maualuga and Vincent Rey and will likely be competing with fellow special team’s ace Jayson DiManche.

Let’s check out some more notes from the AFC…

Colts running back Vick Ballard was carted off the field this afternoon, and sources tell ESPN’s Chris Mortensen that the player has a torn ACL (via Twitter). Ballard missed last season with the same injury.
Johnny Manziel‘s off-the-field antics have “alarmed” some within the Browns organization, reports Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com. The writer notes that some feel that the rookie quarterback has “lost ground” to Brian Hoyer heading into camp.
Meanwhile, Browns head coach Mike Pettine said that Manziel came to camp “focused” and called the quarterback competition “open,” tweets the Akron Beacon Journal’s Nate Ulrich.
Projected starting cornerback D.J. Hayden is still recovering from foot surgery and could miss several more weeks, but Raiders GM Reggie McKenzie explains to Vic Tafur of the San Francisco Chronicle that his club doesn’t “want to push the panic button yet” and sign another corner.

Luke Adams contributed to this post.

AFC South Notes: Locker, Draft, Nicks, Jags

March 30th, 2014 at 4:49pm CST by Dallas Robinson

The Titans are unlikely to pick up their 2015 option on quarterback Jake Locker, reports Jim Wyatt of the Tennessean. As a first-round-pick under the new CBA, Locker would be entitled to a one-year salary at the average of the top-ten highest-paid quarterbacks, which would amount to roughly $14MM. If Locker performs well this season, the Titans could look to sign him to an extension, but if not, the team needs more insurance than the recently-signed Charlie Whitehurst. Wyatt argues the team should draft Georgia quarterback Aaron Murray in the 4th-5th round of the draft, and ESPN.com’s Paul Kuharsky agrees, noting the team should select “one of the injured SEC guys.”