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NFL U Free Agent Updates

Jmhcane said:
Thanks Warrior.
I thought Ray Ray was signed and played for the Rams
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Rams part ways with Ray Ray Armstrong after latest penalty on special teams
http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.co...strong-after-latest-penalty-on-special-teams/

Posted by Josh Alper on October 7, 2014, 10:44 AM EDT
St Louis Rams v San Francisco 49ers

As a rookie in 2013, Rams linebacker Ray Ray Armstrong committed nine penalties on special teams but kept his job in St. Louis into this season.

He doesn't have it any longer. Rams coach Jeff Fisher announced Monday that Armstrong was released after Sunday’s game, which saw him pick up an unnecessary roughness flag for shoving Eagles punt returner Darren Sproles at the end of a return in last Sunday’s 34-28 loss. While Fisher said that the penalty wasn't the only reason for Armstrong’s departure, he had expressed displeasure with stupid special teams penalties on Sunday and the move should serve as notice to others even if Armstrong wasn't a “scapegoat.”

“Again, it’s the body of work,” Fisher said, via the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. “It had been addressed with him numerous times, and that penalty ultimately becomes my fault because when a guy’s making mistakes over and over, and he’s allowed to play, it becomes my fault. So we’re gonna get someone else in there that understands things a little differently. And it’s not the [result of the] game. This was gonna happen win or lose. This is not a scapegoat. You guys know me, I’m not about that. But we need to make a change and go a different direction.”

Fisher said that the team has been called for 16 pre-snap and post-play penalties, which are the kinds of things that can come back to haunt a team that’s lost their last two games by a total of nine points. And also the kinds of things that can help put you out of work.


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Raiders Claim LB Ray-Ray Armstrong
Posted Oct 7, 2014

The Oakland Raiders have claimed LB Ray-Ray Armstrong via waivers from the St. Louis Rams, General Manager Reggie McKenzie announced Tuesday.

ALAMEDA, Calif. – The Oakland Raiders have claimed LB Ray-Ray Armstrong via waivers from the St. Louis Rams, General Manager Reggie McKenzie announced Tuesday.

Armstrong was originally signed by the Rams as an undrafted free agent in May 2013. He made the team out of training camp and appeared in 16 games as a rookie, playing primarily on special teams. He totaled three tackles last season on defense and led the team with 12 special teams stops. This season, Armstrong has seen action in four games. For his career, the 6-foot-3, 234-pounder has appeared in 20 contests.

To make room on the roster, the Raiders have placed LB Kaluka Maiava on the reserve/injured list.
 
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fivecent said:
1) I don't think we can claim Author Brown, or can/should claim Thomas Finnie
2) Where's Fentress.
3)The FA list at the end of OP post is a little depressing. Definitely a changing of the guards going on.

Otherwise, great post.
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1) The list includes everyone who played for the U.
2) The list does not include players who are not NFL prospects.
3) Yes, a few of those guys will be picked up before the season but definitely a few who should retire.
 
NFL Rookie Mini Camps: This weekend and next

Rookie mini-camp means NFL teams get their first look at their draft picks and newly signed undrafted rookies. Additionally, eligible first-year players who were already on the roster can participate, as permitted by the NFL’s CBA. Veterans who have one or more accrued NFL seasons are not allowed to participate in rookie mini-camps. However, players do not have to be rookies to get a tryout contract. For example, veterans of last season's inaugural season of the the NFL-sanctioned developmental league, the FXFL, are welcome.

Because there are no veterans intended to be at these workouts, to do all the drills they want to do, they bring in a slew of tryout players as well, some of whom will also be signed to the offseason roster. The coaches will be able to run more complete drills by having more bodies in camp, and simultaneously get a look at some passed-over prospects.

Most teams will have five practices, two on Friday, two Saturday and one on Sunday, before the draft choices and signed undrafted rookie free agents continue to participate in the team’s offseason program through veteran minicamp in June.

For many of those on these mini-camp practice fields, this is their final chance to impress. Their careers and futures hang in the balance on how they perform this weekend. They're just looking to catch somebody's eyes.

Former Hurricanes participating in 2015 mini camps:

Buffalo Bills - LB Jimmy Gaines and OL Jermaine Barton

Chicago Bears - DL Olsen Pierre

Cincinnati Bengals - QB Ryan Williams

Cleveland Browns - RB Duke Johnson

Dallas Cowboys - OL Shane McDermott

Indianapolis Colts - WR Phillip Dorsett and TE Erick Swoope

Green Bay - DB LaDarius Gunter

Jacksonville Jaguars - QB Steven Morris and LB Thurston Armbrister

Miami Dolphins - TE Rahael Akpejioro and DE Joe Thomas

New York Giants - OL Ereck Flowers and CB Thomas Finnie

New York Jets - QB Jake Heaps

Oakland Raiders - TE Clive Walford and OL Jon Feliciano

Philadelphia Eagles - OL Malcolm Bunch

Pittsburgh Steelers - DE Anthony Chickillo and LB Shaylon Green

San Diego Chargers - LB Denzel Perryman

San Francisco 49ers - OL Jared Wheeler and TE Asante Cleveland

Seattle Seahawks - OL Jared Wheeler , S Nantambu-Akil Fentress and OL Justin Renfrow

It appears that the Arizona Cardinals, Carolina Panthers, Denver Broncos, Detroit Lions, Kansas City Chiefs, Minnesota Vikings and New Orleans Saints will be conducting their rookie mini-camps without any former Hurricanes in attendance.

However, the Atlanta Falcons, Baltimore Ravens, Houston Texans, New England Patriots, Oakland Raiders, San Diego Chargers, St. Louis Rams, Tennessee Titans and Washington Redskins rookie mini-camp rosters have either not yet been released or are not to be found online. As such, it's possible some more ex-Canes could end up added to the above list.
 
Two ex-Canes look to make leap from hoops to football with Dolphins
http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/s...-look-to-make-leap-from-hoops-to-footb/nmCTf/

AVIE — Two Miami Hurricanes basketball players are hoping to follow in the giant footsteps of Jimmy Graham — tight end Raphael Akpejiori and defensive end Joe Thomas.

Akpejiori and Thomas were among the 26 tryout players on the field Friday for the first day of Dolphins rookie camp. Akpejiori towered over everyone at 6-foot-9, 241 pounds and Thomas (6-7, 245) was the tallest defensive lineman. Neither has much football experience, but neither did Graham when he was drafted by New Orleans in 2010 and went on to make All-Pro.

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Former University of Miami basketball player Joe Thomas (78) jokes with rookie Kendall Montgomery at Miami Dolphins rookie camp in Davie, Florida on May 8, 2015. (Allen Eyestone / The Palm Beach Post)
“(Graham is) the first guy everybody from Miami talks to when we’re trying to make that switch,” said the Nigerian-born Akpejiori, who started 10 of 85 games for the UM basketball team from 2010-14. “Everybody comes back and works out through the summer and we all worked out together. He said to just be a beast, be good and do everything you can to help your organization … He said it’s a different ballgame than basketball and just be aggressive, listen to the coaches and stay in the playbook.”

Last fall, Akpejiori did some work with the Hurricanes football team but confirmed he was ineligible for undisclosed reasons.

The Dolphins first noticed Akpejiori and Thomas at the Hurricanes’ pro day.

“There’s been a history as we all know of guys making the transition from basketball to pro football,” coach Joe Philbin said. “So it’s kind of one step at a time. We know they’re good athletes and we want to gain exposure to them here and see how they potentially could fit.”
 
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Duke Johnson wants a ton on his plate during rookie season
Posted May 8, 2015

Returning kicks, catching passes could be in the running backs future

Running back Duke Johnson showed the electricity he displayed at the University of Miami on his way to becoming the program’s all-time leading rusher early Friday during the Cleveland Browns’ rookie mini-camp.

On a flare pass from quarterback Connor Shaw, Johnson caught the spiral near the sideline, juked past two diving linebackers and bolted up the field for a significant gain. Coaches and offensive teammates were hooting and hollering as Johnson quietly went about his business.

These are the types of plays, and attitude, general manager Ray Farmer and the Browns coaching staff had in mind when they selected Johnson in the third round of the 2015 NFL draft.

“I want to give us another dimension on offense,” said Johnson, who was drenched in sweat after a sweltering May day in Cleveland. “It could help us out with mismatches, when need be. I think I came out here and showed what I can do, and I had fun with the guys.”

Johnson wants to do it all in Cleveland – return kicks and punts, carry the ball as much as possible and even split out wide as a receiver now and then. Listed at 5-foot-9 and 210 pounds, Johnson is slippery for would-be tacklers and, just as Farmer described him, he’s short, not small.

For as much as he wants on his plate as a rookie, Johnson’s also keeping his list of rookie goals short. Just one word, actually.

Win.

“There’s no better feeling,” Johnson said. “That’s why we play the game. And if that means me playing special teams punt protector, I’m all for it.”

In order to bring a winning attitude, Johnson has sought out help. Coming from such an esteemed college football program like “The U,” the Miami native has his fair share of former Hurricanes mentoring him.

Johnson has worked out with former Browns running back Willis McGahee on the Coral Gables campus, and he’s been in touch with former All-Pro Redskins running back Clinton Portis, who tweeted Cleveland got a steal in Johnson shortly after he was picked.

But the most instrumental of Miami’s famed running backs has been retired Indianapolis Colt and four-time Pro Bowler Edgerrin James.

“He told me about taking care of my body, staying healthy,” Johnson said. “But mainly, being able to take coaching and being on time.

“The things that majority of those guys did after leaving college and going to the next level; I’m really hoping I can have a career like they did.”

Johnson has also been in touch with Browns second-year running back Terrance West, who reached out to him.

“Just like myself, he’s ready to compete and fight for the starting job,” Johnson said. “We understand at the end of the day, we all are just going to come in and make each other better.”

With Johnson already aboard and busting his tail in Cleveland, the Browns’ running backs room is now oozing with young talent.
 
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Cardinals add Darryl Sharpton to linebacking corps

profootballtalk.com
May/14/15, 07:42 AM

The Cardinals met with veteran linebacker Darryl Sharpton last week, but signing him at that point would have hurt the team when it came time for the NFL to hand out compensatory draft picks next year.

That penalty disappeared on Tuesday, leaving teams free to sign unrestricted free agents without any penalty in the draft pick equation. It’s probably not a coincidence, then, that the Cardinals went ahead and signed Sharpton on Wednesday.

Sharpton signed with the Redskins before last season, but wound up on injured reserve at the end of training camp. He was eventually released and signed with the Bears, for whom he made five appearances and two starts. Sharpton’s first four NFL seasons were spent with the Texans, who drafted him in the fourth round of the 2010 draft.

Arizona signed Sean Weatherspoon as a free agent early in the offseason and he sits atop the depth chart at inside linebacker along with Kevin Minter. The Cardinals also signed several undrafted free agents with college experience at the position and could get Daryl Washington, who was suspended for the entire 2014 season, back at some point in 2015, although the team’s said that they aren’t planning on his presence.
 
Chargers Sign Denzel Perryman

proCanes.com
May/14/15 07:42 AM

Chargers signed second-round ILB Denzel Perryman , third-round CB Craig Mager, fifth-round OLB Kyle Emanuel, and sixth-round OLB Darius Philon to four-year contracts.

Perryman, the 48th pick in the draft, projects as a two-down thumper in the NFL who is strong against the run. He should compete with Manti Te'o for the starting job next to Donald Butler right from the jump in San Diego. Perryman waited longer than expected to be drafted when the Chargers pounced on the highly regarded inside linebacker with the 48th overall selection. He was excited to fly to America’s Finest City the next morning for his introductory press conference. Unfortunately, the airlines cancelled his flight at the last minute.

Still, whether it meant lasting until the second round or delaying his arrival in San Diego by one week, it’s all proven worth the wait as Perryman believes he’s landed in the ideal situation.

“This still hasn’t sunk in,” he said with a smile early Monday morning while surveying the scene at Chargers Park. “Even though I have my locker now and all that good stuff, it still hasn’t hit me yet. But this feels good. It feels right. My flight got cancelled and I was upset about that, but I’m here now and that is all that matters.”

The draft itself was a whirlwind for Perryman, who was regarded as one of the fiercest tacklers available in the draft. He believes he’s a perfect fit for Defensive Coordinator John Pagano’s scheme, and was humbled by the immediate outpouring of support from his newest teammates.

“It’s crazy how quickly they’ve (embraced me),” he said. “Manti (Te’o) texted me right after I got drafted and said congratulations. He told me if there was anything I ever needed to just let him know. Corey Liuget has the same agent as me, so he texted me as well. He told me the same thing how if I ever needed anything to let him know. Donald Butler tweeted at me and I tweeted him back, and so on. So it’s really nice to know these guys are pretty much going to take me in as a little brother. I can’t wait to get to work with them. It’s going to be great. I get to play alongside a bunch of good guys. It will be important to soak up knowledge from them and be a part of this (core) going forward.”

Perryman is also thankful for the strong fan response as well.

“It’s been all love. A lot of love. A lot of these fans have reached out to me, tweeted me and followed me. Even things like picture edits they create, it’s got me amped up. I’m excited to get rolling.”

Along with most of the rookie class, Perryman’s NFL career is now officially underway. He’ll spend this week getting acclimated to the Chargers’ program and culminating with the highly anticipated rookie minicamp this weekend.

“I can’t wait to learn the NFL practice experience. I want to start getting to know this playbook. I’m looking forward to learning from these coaches. I’m looking forward to finding my way around.”
 
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Tommy Streeter Waived

firstcoastnews.com
May/11/15, 10:52 PM

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. --- The Jacksonville Jaguars have made several moves following rookie minicamp that will impact the team's depth chart heading into OTAs.

On Monday, the team waived wide receiver Tommy Streeter , tight end Marcel Jensen, safety Jeremy Deering and kicker Derek Dimke.

The team also signed Western Michigan defensive tackle Richard Ash, Akron defensive end Cap Capi, Portland State wide receiver/return man Kasey Closs, UNC-Charlotte free safety Desmond Cooper and Northern Iowa offensive lineman Jack Rummells, according to the Jaguars.

Streeter is the likely the biggest name among the cuts. He is a former sixth round pick of the Baltimore Ravens and won a Super Bowl with the team in 2012.

The 6-foot-5 215-pound receiver has blistering speed to go with that frame as he ran a 4.37 second 40-yard dash, but injury and lack of development has kept him from making any impact in the NFL. Originally drafted in the 6th round of the 2012 NFL Draft by the Baltimore Ravens with their 198th pick, the Ravens had to place Streeter on injured reserve due to foot injury in August of 2012. A full year later, Streeter just couldn't get his act together and the Ravens waived him.

He bounced around the league a bit as a practice squad member with the Bills, Buccaneers and Dolphins before making his way to the Jacksonville Jaguars' practice squad. For the first time in his professional career, he made it to the active roster after the Jags cut wide receiver Mike Brown. However, even the wide receiver depleted Jaguars had no place for Streeter on their team and waved him Monday. Despite playing in the league for three seasons, Streeter has only appeared in two games and has yet to catch an NFL pass. Both of those appearances were made last season with the Jaguars.

Here's hoping that Tommy can catch on with a team and can turn that speed and size combination into more than just enticing potential.
 
Steelers Sign proCane Rookie Anthony Chickillo

proCanes
May/14/15

The Steelers gambled by selecting Anthony Chickillo, who spent all four years at Miami (Fla) playing defensive end. He distinguished himself as run defender instead of a pass-rushing specialist.

On Monday, the Steelers signed the 6-foot-3, 267-pound Chickillo, who is confident he will effectively transition to outside linebacker, where the Steelers were inconsistent last year.

“I'm just going to work hard every day and do whatever they asked me to do,” said Chickillo, who had 47 starts with the Hurricanes.

Chickillo is flexible, but he was clear during his workouts for NFL scouts that he aspires to play outside linebacker. The Steelers were accommodating, opting to overlook his lack of experience at the position.

Colbert said he has no reason to believe Chickillo can't adjust to the new position and the change of pace in the NFL. But several scouts were not as impressed with Chickillo's technique or skills off the line of scrimmage.

At best, Chickillo might be a capable run defender, but he “may never be a great pass rusher,” NFL Draft analyst Mike Detillier said.

Steelers linebackers coach Joey Porter thinks differently.

“I think he can fit the system with what we're going to do with him,” Porter said. “We'll find out his strengths and his weaknesses.”

The Steelers' pass rush was a weakness last season. They had only 33 sacks, and 7 1D2 came from retired outside linebacker Jason Worilds and another 5 1D2 by 37-year-old right outside linebacker James Harrison.

If numbers are telling, then Chickillo didn't impact the pass rush in Miami's 3-4 alignment. The Hurricanes were 68th nationally among FBS programs with 27 sacks, including three by Chickillo.

“In college, I didn't have a chance to rush much,” said Chickillo, who had 41 tackles. “We played a two-gap scheme, and I was more like one of the guys in the middle. But I have all the skills of a pass-rusher.”

Perhaps the biggest challenge facing Chickillo is pass coverage. He has not had to do that since playing at Alonso High School in Tampa, Fla.

“It's new for me ... but I prepared for a lot before my pro day and the (NFL) Combine,” he said. “I'm happy the Steelers have faith in me. I'm not going to let them down.”

No one seems to have more confidence in Chickillo than Porter.

“I've seen him rush from a lot of different positions, inside and out,” Porter said. “(Outside linebacker is) something that won't probably come naturally to him. But it didn't come naturally to me when I played defensive end in college.

“Whenever you're taking these type of guys, you're already hoping on the upside. I think he's going to be a guy that we're willing to take the chance to see if he can do it.”

The Steelers, though, figured they fixed their pass rush when they drafted Jarvis Jones in the first round in 2013 and defensive end Stephon Tuitt in the second round last year. Together, they have four career sacks — one more than Chickillo had last year.
 
Wheeler released by Seattle after attending Seahawks' Rookie Mini Camp

ninernation.com
May/11/15, 10:51 PM

OL Jared Wheeler signed with the Seahawks in February, but was released by Seattle on Tuesday, likely to make room for draft picks and UDFAs.

His agent tweeted out Wednesday morning that Wheeler will attend the 49ers rookie minicamp this coming weekend.

Wheeler signed with the Carolina Panthers last May as an undrafted free agent out of Miami (FL). He was waived early in training camp, and claimed by the Buffalo Bills. He was cut at the end of training camp, and it appears did not play during the season.
 
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Rams re-sign Brandon Washington

Apr/27/15, 10:46 PM

Rams re-signed exclusive rights free agent OG Brandon Washington to a one-year, $585,000 contract.

Washington was the Eagles' sixth-round pick in 2012. He was part of final cuts that year and has been with the Rams ever since. Viewed as a project with upside coming out of Miami, the time is now or never for Washington. He has a great opportunity ahead of him with the offensive line-starved Rams.
 
Hurricane Warrior said:
Jmhcane said:
Thanks Warrior.
I thought Ray Ray was signed and played for the Rams
Click to expand...

Ray+Ray+Armstrong+St+Louis+Rams+v+Arizona+pSSJSBbPRg0l.jpg

Rams part ways with Ray Ray Armstrong after latest penalty on special teams
http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.co...strong-after-latest-penalty-on-special-teams/

Posted by Josh Alper on October 7, 2014, 10:44 AM EDT
St Louis Rams v San Francisco 49ers

As a rookie in 2013, Rams linebacker Ray Ray Armstrong committed nine penalties on special teams but kept his job in St. Louis into this season.

He doesn't have it any longer. Rams coach Jeff Fisher announced Monday that Armstrong was released after Sunday’s game, which saw him pick up an unnecessary roughness flag for shoving Eagles punt returner Darren Sproles at the end of a return in last Sunday’s 34-28 loss. While Fisher said that the penalty wasn't the only reason for Armstrong’s departure, he had expressed displeasure with stupid special teams penalties on Sunday and the move should serve as notice to others even if Armstrong wasn't a “scapegoat.”

“Again, it’s the body of work,” Fisher said, via the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. “It had been addressed with him numerous times, and that penalty ultimately becomes my fault because when a guy’s making mistakes over and over, and he’s allowed to play, it becomes my fault. So we’re gonna get someone else in there that understands things a little differently. And it’s not the [result of the] game. This was gonna happen win or lose. This is not a scapegoat. You guys know me, I’m not about that. But we need to make a change and go a different direction.”

Fisher said that the team has been called for 16 pre-snap and post-play penalties, which are the kinds of things that can come back to haunt a team that’s lost their last two games by a total of nine points. And also the kinds of things that can help put you out of work.


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Raiders Claim LB Ray-Ray Armstrong
Posted Oct 7, 2014

The Oakland Raiders have claimed LB Ray-Ray Armstrong via waivers from the St. Louis Rams, General Manager Reggie McKenzie announced Tuesday.

ALAMEDA, Calif. – The Oakland Raiders have claimed LB Ray-Ray Armstrong via waivers from the St. Louis Rams, General Manager Reggie McKenzie announced Tuesday.

Armstrong was originally signed by the Rams as an undrafted free agent in May 2013. He made the team out of training camp and appeared in 16 games as a rookie, playing primarily on special teams. He totaled three tackles last season on defense and led the team with 12 special teams stops. This season, Armstrong has seen action in four games. For his career, the 6-foot-3, 234-pounder has appeared in 20 contests.

To make room on the roster, the Raiders have placed LB Kaluka Maiava on the reserve/injured list.
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I still remember the hit he put on DeMarco Murray in the Oklahoma game. That was a thing of beauty
 
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