HEADLINES

Will Rackley

Ravens’ Roster Now At 75 Following Moves

August 25th, 2014 at 12:31pm CST by Dallas Robinson

The Ravens’ roster count now sits at 75 in advance of tomorrow’s 3pm cutdown deadline. Baltimore has waived the following players, per a press release:

Additionally, the Ravens have placed DE Kapron Lewis-Moore, G Will Rackley, and DE Brent Urban on injured reserve, ending their respective seasons.

AFC Notes: Bills, Browns, Ravens, Rackley

May 21st, 2014 at 11:44am CST by Luke Adams

A day after Bills president and CEO Russ Brandon said an update would come soon on the investment bank and legal firm that will handle the sale of the franchise, the club has made that announcement. Per Tim Graham of the Buffalo News (via Twitter), the Bills have selected financial firm Morgan Stanley and legal firm Proskauer Rose to head up the sale process. According to ESPN.com’s Mike Rodak (via Twitter), the team added in a press release that prospective bidders for the franchise figure to be contacted “within the next 30 days.”

Here’s more from around the AFC:

  • Appearing on WKNR in Cleveland (audio link), GM Ray Farmer suggested that if the Browns hadn’t been able to trade up for Johnny Manziel, the quarterback they would’ve landed instead was “already on the roster.” The implication there is that it was Manziel or bust for the team during the draft. I’m not sure I totally buy that, but it’s a nice way to give a vote of confidence to both Manziel and Brian Hoyer.
  • Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com believes we could see some movement on the trade market involving backup quarterbacks in the near future. La Canfora points to the Ravens, Browns, Texans, and Chiefs as some situations to watch, noting that new Ravens offensive coordinator Gary Kubiak could have interest in bringing a player like Case Keenum or T.J. Yates to Baltimore.
  • General manager Dave Caldwell said last week that Jacksonville released offensive lineman Will Rackley because he didn’t fit the club’s scheme, and the Jags wanted to give him a chance to find a better situation elsewhere. It sounds like the former Jaguar appreciates that opportunity — as he tells Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun, Rackley is embracing a fresh start with the Ravens: “This could be a great fit for me. I think they’re looking mostly at me playing guard now, whatever I can do to help the team.”

Ravens Sign Will Rackley, Two Others

May 19th, 2014 at 2:06pm CST by Ben Levine

The Ravens have signed guard Will Rackley, fullback Shaun Chapas and tight end Phillip Supernaw, reports Aaron Wilson of The Baltimore Sun. The team also cut tight end Matt Furstenburg, linebacker D.J. Bryant and offensive-defensive lineman Cody Larsen.

Rackley, a third-round pick by the Jaguars in 2011, has started 25 career games, including 11 last season. He’s also missed 22 games due to injury. The 22-year-old was released by the Jaguars last week.

Chapas was drafted by the Cowboys in the seventh-round of the 2011 Draft. Chapas made a handful of starts for Dallas that season before being cut prior the 2012 season. The 26-year-old spent 2012 with the Lions before spending last season on the Jaguars’ practice squad. He was also cut by the Jaguars last week.

Supernaw spent three years with the Texans where he played under current Ravens offensive coordinator Gary Kubiak. He appeared in one game last season.

The Ravens cut Bryant with a failed physical designation, tweets Wilson. He spent 2013 on the injured reserve with a torn ACL. Furstenburg and Larsen spent last season on the team’s practice squad.

 

Jaguars Notes: Shorts, Rackley, UDFAs

May 13th, 2014 at 2:07pm CST by Luke Adams

The Jaguars held their State of the Franchise event today at EverBank Field, and while owner Shad Khan and team officials didn’t offer many noteworthy comments on the roster during that address, GM Dave Caldwell spoke to Hays Carlyon of the Florida Times-Union at the event and offered up a few interesting nuggets. Let’s dive in….

  • The team has spoken to the reps for wide receiver Cecil Shorts, who is entering the final year of his contract. “Obviously, we want him here for the long haul,” Caldwell said. “He’s a valuable part of our organization and we’d love to at some point in time take care of Cecil.”
  • Explaining the Jags’ decision to release 2013’s starting left guard, Will Rackley, Caldwell suggested that the veteran didn’t really fit the team’s scheme. The club wanted to give him an opportunity to catch on in a better situation elsewhere, per Caldwell.
  • Caldwell said Jacksonville is “not done adding talent to the roster” and will be watching closely to see how its young players develop, so it’s too early to tell which positions the club may be focusing on upgrading a year from now.
  • Caldwell is “really pleased” with the work his staff did to add the 17 undrafted free agents the team signed: “We got size on the d-line. We got some athletic offensive linemen. We got two really good receivers. We got a good safety [Craig Loston], a physical guy that played in the SEC. A good nickel cornerback in Rashaad Reynolds.”
  • The Jaguars are hoping to sign their draft picks earlier this year than they did last year.
  • Connecticut edge defender Tim Wellman is among the players invited to Jacksonville’s rookie minicamp, tweets Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun.

Jags To Sign 17 UDFAs, Cut Six Players

May 12th, 2014 at 10:46am CST by Luke Adams

10:46am: The Jaguars’ final three cuts were running back Delone Carter, defensive tackle Drake Nevis, and wideout Stephen Williams, according to O’Halloran (via Twitter).

10:02am: Fullback Shaun Chapas will also be among the Jaguars’ cuts, tweets Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun.

9:52am: The Jaguars have cut guard Will Rackley and wide receiver Jeremy Ebert, according to Ryan O’Halloran of the Florida Times-Union (via Twitter). The moves won’t be the last ones for the club today — O’Halloran notes (via Twitter) that with 17 undrafted free agents being added to the roster, six players will need to be released to make room, meaning four more cuts should be on the way.

Rackley and Ebert were both in the final year of their respective contracts, with Rackley set to earn a $1.431MM base salary, while Ebert was on a minimum salary deal. Rackley started 11 games at left guard for Jacksonville last season and his performance ranked 79th out of 81 qualified guards, according to Pro Football Focus’ advanced metrics (subscription required). Meanwhile, Ebert hauled in three passes in his time with the team.

As for the Jaguars’ undrafted free agent signings, PR coordinator Tad Dickman has the full list (via Twitter):

  • Jeff Budzien, K, Northwestern
  • Terrance Cobb, RB, Cumberland
  • Deandre Coleman, DT, California
  • Damian Copeland, WR, Louisville
  • Trevor Gillette, LS, Rice
  • Ricky Havili-Heimuli, DT, Oregon
  • Allen Hurns, WR, Miami (FL) ($5K bonus and $15K in other guarantees, per Aaron Wilson)
  • Marcel Jensen, TE, Fresno State
  • Reggie Jordan, TE, Missouri Western
  • Craig Loston, S, LSU
  • Stephen Morris, QB, Miami (FL) ($5K bonus and $30K in other guarantees, per Wilson)
  • Rashaad Reynolds, CB, Oregon State
  • Tyler Shatley, G, Clemson
  • D.J. Tialavea, TE, Utah State
  • Josh Wells, OT, James Madison
  • Marcus Whitfield, LB, Maryland
  • Chad Zinchini, P, Tennessee Tech