HEADLINES

Viondy Merisma

Titans Sign Steve Vallos

August 13th, 2014 at 3:03pm CST by Luke Adams

The Titans completed a handful of roster moves today, announcing (via Twitter) that they’ve signed offensive lineman Steve Vallos and linebacker Kendrick Adams, cutting linebacker David Gilbert and lineman Viondy Merisma to clear spots for the newcomers. The series of transactions leaves Tennessee with a full 90-man roster.

Of the four players, Vallos is the only one with regular-season NFL experience, having been active for 59 total contests for the Seahawks, Browns, Jaguars, Eagles, and Broncos. The 30-year-old, who worked out for the Dolphins and Colts this offseason, spent the 2013 campaign with Denver, providing veteran insurance on the interior offensive line after center Dan Koppen suffered a season-ending injury. For Tennessee, he figures to compete for a roster spot, but even if he earns one, he likely won’t see much playing time if the line stays relatively healthy.

As for Adams, since going undrafted out of LSU, he has seen time on multiple clubs’ practice squads, including the Bucs’, Lions’, and Giants’. However, he was cut earlier in the month by New York when the team signed Israel Idonije.

Gilbert and Merisma will have to pass through waivers before becoming free agents.

Extra Points: Irsay, Super Bowl, Minor Moves

May 19th, 2014 at 10:43pm CST by Rob DiRe

Colts’ owner Jim Irsay spoke publicly for the first time since being entered into rehab, and Stephen Holder of the Indianapolis Star noted some of the highlights in a series of tweets. Holder writes that Irsay has been aware of the Colts dealings, and has been following the team through the offseason. This includes conversations with head coach Chuck Pagano and general manager Ryan Grigson.

Here are some other notes from around the NFL:

  • Former Colts’ center Jeff Saturday is prepared to make a pitch for Indianapolis to host the Super Bowl in 2018, writes Mike Wells of ESPN.com. “I’m excited to get in front of the owners and present for our city,” Saturday said. “It’s not about what we did in 2012. I look forward to Super Bowl 52 being in Indianapolis. I think it’ll be a great day for all of us.”
  • The Saints are also vying for the 2018 Super Bowl, led by Jay Cicero of the Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation, writes Larry Holder of NOLA.com. “I just know from the 20-something years we’ve been doing this, this is the most creative, thorough (bid). … We’ve put everything on the table. Everything. It’s the most use of our resources,” Cicero said. “Things we’ve never done and things the NFL has never seen before.”
  • The Saints have signed fourth-round pick Khairi Fortt, the team announced on their website NewOrleansSaints.com. Fortt, an outside linebacker out of California, is the final draft pick to sign with the team.
  • The Panthers have signed linebacker Billy Boyko to a two-year deal, reports Joe Person of the Charlotte Observer (via Twitter). Boyko was made available after being cut by the Raiders.
  • The Titans have signed five players from their rookie minicamp, reports Jim Wyatt of the Tennessean. The team signed running Waymon James of TCU, receiver Julian Horton of Arkansas, offensive lineman Viondy Merisma, cornerback Winston Wright and linebacker David Gilbert. The Titans released fullback Quinn Johnson, cornerback George Baker, linebacker Jamal Merrell and receiver Eric Ward (who was waived/injured) to make room on the roster.