Tag: Jeff Smith

Cardinals make 2 receiver roster moves on Monday

Andre Baccellia was released for the fourth time this season and Jeff Smith was re-signed to the practice squad.

The Arizona Cardinals held an extra practice on Monday as they came off their bye week and made a couple of roster moves for the wide receiver position.

They announced the addition of receiver Jeff Smith to the practice squad.

Smith was signed to the squad in September, placed on the practice squad injured reserve in October and later released with an injury settlement. He now returns.

Smith is 6-foot-1 and 195 pounds. He spent the last four seasons with the New York Jets. In four seasons, he played in 36 games, starting seven, and had 34 catches for 426 yards.

He spent the offseason with the New York Giants and was waived with an injury designation in August.

The Cardinals also released receiver Andre Baccellia from the 53-man roster.

It is the fourth time this season he was released after being signed to the roster from the practice squad.

If he clears waivers, he will likely be re-signed to the practice squad on Wednesday.

Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Spotify.

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Cardinals add WR Jeff Smith to practice squad

Smith spent the last four seasons with the New York Jets.

The Arizona Cardinals announced a practice squad move on Wednesday. They signed receiver Jeff Smith to the practice squad.

Smith is 6-foot-1 and 195 pounds. He spent the last four seasons with the New York Jets. In four seasons, he played in 36 games, starting seven, and had 34 catches for 426 yards.

He spent the offseason with the New York Giants and was waived with an injury designation in August.

He replaces receiver Daniel Arias, who was cut from the practice squad earlier in the week.

Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Spotify.

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Giants waive Jeff Smith, place Evan Neal in concussion protocol

The New York Giants have waived/injured WR Jeff Smith (knee), signed NT Donovan Jeter and placed RT Evan Neal in concussion protocol.

After an impressive start to training camp, New York Giants right tackle Evan Neal was forced to leave Friday’s practice early.

It was initially unclear what forced Neal off the field but following the afternoon practice, it was revealed that the second-year player had suffered a concussion and was placed into protocol.

Earlier in the day, head coach Brian Daboll praised Neal’s progress and his improved technique.

“I think Evan’s done a good job, like I said a couple of days ago. He’s improved, he’s got the right mindset and we’ll just grinding along with him,” Daboll said.

Meanwhile, the Giants also made a series of transactions on Friday, waiving wide receiver Jeff Smith with an injury designation. The veteran had suffered a knee injury earlier in the week.

If Smith clears waivers, he will revert to injured reserve.

In a corresponding roster move, the Giants signed nose tackle Donovan Jeter, who was recently released by the Chicago Bears.

The 6-foot-3, 325-pound Jeter was originally signed by the Pittsburgh Steelers as an undrafted rookie free agent out of Michigan in 2022. He also spent some time with the Washington Commanders last season.

Jeter has appeared in one career game and recorded one tackle.

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Giants have logjam at wide receiver

The New York Giants will bring at least 15 wide receivers into training camp and half of those won’t make the 53-man roster.

The New York Giants will be taking 15 wide receivers to training camp this week, leading to the question — what is the plan?

Are they just throwing options against the wall to see what sticks? Or are they simply creating competition to see who will rise, or are they safeguarding themselves in case of a repeat of last year when they suffered an unusually high number of injuries?

It could be a little of both. The team found themselves shorthanded last season and they don’t want to get caught short again.

The unit will be run again by assistant coach Mike Groh and he will have a diverse group of players of all shapes, sizes and skill sets who possess a varied level of NFL experience.

Of the 15 players, perhaps eight of them will make the team’s final 53-man roster, and — if things go right — one or two of them could end up leading the team in targets and/or catches.

But that will be difficult. The Giants’ big move this offseason on offense was the trade for former Pro Bowl tight end Darren Waller. He is expected to be heavily involved in the passing game.

So is running back Saquon Barkley, when he returns from his ‘holdout.’ Barkley has been the Giants’ best receiver when healthy the past few years and there’s no reason to stop throwing him the football.  Between he and Waller, there will be fewer opportunities for the wideouts, unless something changes.

So, what should fans expect this summer at wide receiver?

Expect the veterans to get the benefit of the doubt, at least in the beginning. That means initial work for Sterling Shepard, who is returning from another lost season due to injury, and Darius Slayton. Toss in Isaiah Hodgins and Wan’Dale Robinson (when he’s ready), along with free agents Parris Campbell, Jamison Crowder, Jeff Smith, Cole Beasley, and rookie Jalin Hyatt.

The Giants will try to forge a serviceable unit out of those names. They are top-heavy on slot receivers it seems so they might thin the herd there in favor of some outside options.

The others will all have to have monster camps to even be considered. Collin Johnson, David Sills and rookie Bryce Ford-Wheaton are interesting names to watch but where do they fit? Jaydon Mickens, Makai Polk and Kalil Pimpleton are long shots and will have to show special teams prowess to stick.

Wide receiver will be a heavily contested unit this summer and will be a fun one to follow.

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9 Giants players who need a strong training camp

These nine New York Giants players need to shine during training camp or risk being buried on the depth chart or worse.

The New York Giants will soon return to the Quest Diagnostics Training Center in East Rutherford, New Jersey for their 2023 training camp.

For many players, the impression made on coaches and front-office executives over the summer will determine their future with the organization. Even some of the established veterans and recent signees will have something to prove as they convene to lay the foundation for the second season under general manager Joe Schoen and head coach Brian Daboll.

Some will look to prove they’ve made progress since they joined the team. Others will look to prove they’re better than the rookies brought in at their respective positions. Training camp will ultimately paint a clear picture of the best players.

Here are nine Giants players who need to have a strong training camp for one reason or another.

5 biggest moves made by Giants GM Joe Schoen this offseason

As the New York Giants prepare for training camp, here are the five biggest moves made by general manager Joe Schoen this offseason.

The New York Giants are heading into Year 2 of the Joe Schoen/Brian Daboll regimes and for the second offseason in a row, have gone through some major changes.

Schoen continued to tweak and fortify his roster, adding some much-needed speed and depth to a young roster that appears to be ready to blossom into something special.

Here are the top five moves Schoen has made this offseason (re-signing in-house free agents not included).

2023 NFL free agency: 3 underrated Giants additions

The New York Giants have been building depth this offseason and these three additions have flown a bit under the radar.

New York Giants general manager Joe Schoen has been busy this offseason, fortifying his roster with another slew of underrated free agent signings.

Many are writing off most of the moves as flyers, one-year deals on players who are with either coming off injuries or down seasons.

They’re right. But that doesn’t mean Schoen hasn’t found a few gems in those so-called mundane moves. Here are three moves that could turn out to be winners for the Giants this season.

Giants agree to terms with WR Jeff Smith

The New York Giants have agreed to terms with former New York Jets wide receiver Jeff Smith.

The New York Giants are on the hunt for wide receivers and on the same day they officially re-signed Sterling Shepard, they added another body at the position.

The Giants and former New York Jets wide receiver Jeff Smith have reportedly agreed to terms. He will sign a deal pending a routine physical.

The 25-year-old Smith originally signed with the Jets an as undrafted free agent out of Boston College in 2019. He was a restricted free agent this offseason but not tendered (and not among those on Aaron Rodgers’ wish list).

At 6-foot-1 and 195 pounds with 4.36 40-yard speed, Smith has a good combination of size and athleticism. In addition to his receiving ability, he also plays gunner on special teams, which will be a welcomed addition for Thomas McGaughey.

In 36 career games (seven starts), Smith has hauled in 34 receptions for 426 yards. He’s also recorded one special teams tackle.

Smith has struggled with drops throughout his career and dating back to college, but brings other diversity to the offense. He played three games at quarterback while attending Boston College and is capable of being involved in trick plays — assuming he makes the roster.

Smith isn’t a splash move by general manager Joe Schoen but he will provide competition this spring at the back end of the wide receiver depth chart.

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Jets not tendering WR Jeff Smith, will become free agent

Jets not tendering WR Jeff Smith, will become free agent

The Jets will not tender wide receiver Jeff Smith, per NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero. He was set to become a restricted free agent but with the Jets not offering a tender, he will become an unrestricted free agent.

Smith caught eight passes for 134 yards in 2022. He spent four seasons with the Jets, totaling 34 catches for 426 yards.

Smith tweeted a thank you to the fans.

Jets elevate Chris Streveler, activate Cedric Ogbuehi, place Jeff Smith on IR

Chris Streveler will be available Sunday

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The Jets may be continuing their run of using Chris Streveler as their own version of Taysom Hill. The Jets are elevating Streveler from the practice squad for Sunday’s game against the Seahawks.

This is the third time Streveler is being elevated. That’s the maximum a player can be elevated from the practice squad. The next call-up for Streveler would have to be adding him to the active roster.

Speaking of the active roster, the Jets returned a player to it and placed a player on injured reserve.

Offensive tackle Cedric Ogbuehi was activated Saturday after returning to practice this week. He was on injured reserve after suffering a groin injury in Week 12 against the Bears.

While Ogbuehi was taken off injured reserve, wide receiver Jeff Smith was put on injured reserve with a knee injury. That effectively ends his season, unless the Jets make a run to the AFC Championship Game.

Smith caught eight passes for 134 yards in 11 games this season and was also on special teams.