Tag: Tommy Kraemer

Saints waive backup OL Tommy Kraemer despite thin depth chart

The Saints were already thin along the offensive line, but on Wednesday they opted to waive backup guard/tackle Tommy Kraemer:

What’s the move here? The New Orleans Saints were already thin along the offensive line, but on Wednesday they opted to waive backup blocker Tommy Kraemer, per ESPN’s Field Yates. It’s a bit of a surprise after Kraemer played an important role last season, backing up both Cesar Ruiz (at right guard) and Ryan Ramczyk (at right tackle).

But the team’s new coaching staff must feel differently about him, or at least see better options available in free agency. The Saints now have an open spot on the 90-man roster after waiving both Kraemer and quarterback Kellen Mond, so another addition should be on the way. We’ve identified some possible fits given their experience in Klint Kubiak’s system or other connections to the coaching staff.

Here’s the state of the offensive line after waiving Kraemer, with rookies’ names underlined for emphasis:

  • Tackle: Ryan Ramczyk (injury), Trevor Penning, Landon Young, Justin Herron, Taliese Fuaga, Josiah Ezirim
  • Guard: Cesar Ruiz, Nick Saldiveri, Oli Udoh, Shane Lemieux, Mark Evans II, Nouri Nouili, Kyle Hergel
  • Center: Erik McCoy, Since Haynesworth

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Saints complete several last-second roster moves before Week 18 vs. Falcons

The Saints completed several last-second roster moves to prepare for Week 18’s game against the Falcons:

We’re hours away from what may be the last New Orleans Saints game of the year. A loss in Sunday’s matchup with the Atlanta Falcons would end the Saints’ season, while a win could only extend it by a few more minutes, depending on how the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ contest with the Carolina Panthers goes, or hours, with a couple of different late-afternoon matchups factoring into the playoff picture.

But it all starts with a win on Sunday. And to that end, the Saints processed a series of last-minute roster moves to bring up reinforcements from their practice squad and the injured reserve list. Here’s what you need to know about each of them:

Saints add several familiar faces to their practice squad ahead of Week 6 Texans game

The New Orleans Saints added several familiar faces to their practice squad ahead of Week 6’s road game with the Houston Texans:

The New Orleans Saints brought back several familiar faces to their practice squad ahead of Week 6’s road game with the Houston Texans — adding depth at the skills positions and maintaining structure along the offensive line in the wake of some injuries.

Here’s what you need to know about each pickup:

Saints waive backup OL Tommy Kraemer to open a roster spot for Marcus Maye

The Saints waived backup offensive lineman Tommy Kraemer to open a roster spot for starting safety Marcus Maye, returning from suspension:

Someone had to leave the 53-man roster for the New Orleans Saints to reinstate starting free safety Marcus Maye, and they’re betting that backup offensive lineman Tommy Kraemer can clear the waiver wire and return to the practice squad. Kraemer was waived Monday upon Maye’s reinstatement from a three-game suspension, having been signed to the 53-man roster just a few days earlier.

Kraemer, who logged seven snaps at right tackle during Sunday’s blowout win over the New England Patriots in relief of Ryan Ramczyk, has spent most of his NFL career at guard. The Saints tried him out at both guard spots during training camp and preseason before re-signing him to their practice squad after final roster cuts. If he clears waivers, there’s a good chance he’ll return to the practice squad and be activated for future games.

Because Kraemer was signed to the active roster rather than activated as a game-day promotion, he still has three games of eligibility to be elevated later this season. That could prove important as the Saints continue to tweak their depth chart. But the first thing they need to worry about is seeing whether any other team claims him now that they have the opportunity.

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Saints waive running back Tony Jones Jr. to make room for another offensive lineman

The Saints waived running back Tony Jones Jr. to make room on the 53-man roster for another offensive lineman, promoting Tommy Kraemer from their practice squad:

The New Orleans Saints waived running back Tony Jones Jr. to make room on the 53-man roster for another offensive lineman, promoting Tommy Kraemer from their practice squad — meaning they’ll go into Week 5’s matchup with the New England Patriots while dangerously thin at running back.

Now that Jones (whose pair of touchdown runs in Week 2 make up half of the Saints’ offensive touchdowns scored this season) is off the roster, New Orleans is left with just two running backs available to play Sunday at New England: Alvin Kamara (49 snaps last week) and Kendre Miller (5 snaps in Week 4). Jones was limited to just 11 snaps on offense last Sunday once Kamara returned from suspension. It’ll be a few more weeks until Jamaal Williams is eligible to return from injured reserve.

As for Kraemer: the former Detroit Lions backup worked at both guard spots for the Saints this summer, primarily on the right side. He was quickly re-signed to the practice squad after roster cuts in August and has hung around ever since. The Saints could be thin at guard with Andrus Peat (concussion) and James Hurst (hip) both questionable to play tomorrow due to injuries, so Kraemer’s services may be needed. Their only other healthy guards are Cesar Ruiz, part-time center Max Garcia, and rookie draft pick Nick Saldiveri.

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Saints sign former Lions, Notre Dame OL Tommy Kraemer

The New Orleans Saints signed former Detroit Lions and Notre Dame guard Tommy Kraemer, waiving backup right tackle Scott Lashley with an injury designation:

There’s a new face at New Orleans Saints training camp: Tommy Kraemer, a former guard for the Detroit Lions who played college football at Notre Dame. A college teammate of former Saints backup quarterback Ian Book, Kraemer signed with the Lions as an undrafted free agent in 2021 but lost the 2022 season recovering from a back injury. He was part of a group tryout in New Orleans before the Saints kicked off training camp and recently worked out for the New York Giants.

The Saints were at their 90-man roster limit prior to signing Kraemer, so backup right tackle Scott Lashley was waived with an injury designation.

Kraemer played both guard spots for Detroit, though he was primarily a right guard in college (occasionally lining up at right tackle in a pinch). That versatility could give him an edge at Saints camp while competing for a roster spot. It helps his case that Kraemer only allowed 4 sacks on more than 1,200 snaps in pass protection in college. He totaled 2,352 reps at Notre Dame and was penalized just 9 times.

Starting left guard Andrus Peat is currently healing up from a quadriceps muscle strain and a couple of backups have been lost to injuries (Trai Turner and Billy Price), so Kraemer needs to show he can stay healthy and withstand that attrition so he can put in quality reps against guys like Lewis Kidd, Mark Evans II, and Calvin Throckmorton.

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4 free agents the Saints could sign to replace Trai Turner

The Saints will be without a key depth piece after Trai Turner’s season-ending injury. Here are four free agents they could sign to replace him | @DillySanders

Everyone in New Orleans was excited earlier this week when the Saints decided to bring Trai Turner back to his hometown. The veteran offensive guard was supposed to be a key depth piece for this season, but unfortunately has already been lost for the year due to an injury. Training camp injuries are the worst for many reasons, but this one hurts even more due to the excitement around the signing.

This injury opens up another spot on the roster and depth chart, so the Saints will need to dip back into the free agent pool once again. Here are the four best options available at the guard spot for the Saints to consider:

NFL free agency: Rumors and reports on the remaining Lions on the market

NFL free agency: Rumors and reports concerning the Lions from 2022 who remain available in free agency

The Detroit Lions currently have 13 unrestricted free agents that are free to sign with other teams.

As news floods in about all of the trades, signings, and visits around the league, it’s hard to keep track of where these former Lions are headed next.

EDGE Austin Bryant‘s name has not appeared in any headlines as of yet. The 2019 fourth-round pick was benched last season in favor of Julian Okwara and rookie James Houston.

Wide receiver DJ Chark has drawn interest from several teams, including the Cleveland Browns, New York Giants and Carolina Panthers. While he is still expected to test the market, Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press reported that there is a chance that Chark returns as a Lion in 2023.

Cornerback Mike Hughes is reported to have a visit scheduled with the Atlanta Falcons. The versatile cornerback had six starts for the Lions at both the outside and nickel positions.

Running back Justin Jackson has not garnered any interest so far in free agency. He did well as Detroit’s third running back last season.

Offensive lineman Tommy Kraemer is another exclusive-rights free agent who the Lions opted not to bring back. He was sidelined with a back injury for the entirety of the 2022 season, so his health may be a factor into why he has not re-signed. As an undrafted rookie in 2021, he provided reliable depth for the interior offensive line.

Safety C.J. Moore excitedly rejoined the Lions mid-season after spending some time with the Houston Texans. He was the heart and soul of Detroit’s special teams unit and will likely be looking for that role elsewhere. He recently met with the New England Patriots, who recent signed fellow former Lions special teamer Chris Board.

Cornerback Amani Oruwariye was once thought to be a sure starter for the Lions. Instead, he rode the bench for most of 2022 and entered free agency without any suitors. He has not been linked to any teams yet in free agency.

Cornerback Bobby Price was not tendered as a restricted free agent and is now free to sign with any team. He suffered a knee injury in 2022 and will likely need to wait until he’s cleared before signing with a team. Birkett also reported that Price will be in the Detroit area for a checkup on his knee.

Quarterback Nate Sudfeld was the lone backup for Jared Goff last season and now will test the free agent market. He also has no noteworthy news so far in free agency.

Offensive lineman Dan Skipper was a feel-good story for the Lions as he performed well as a starter in place of the injured Jonah Jackson. He is yet another free agent in Detroit who has not met with any teams in the past few days.

Linebacker Josh Woods was a team captain and special teams ace last season. He has no ties to any other teams at this time.

 

 

Tommy Kraemer and Bobby Price not tendered contracts by the Lions

Tommy Kraemer and Bobby Price were not tendered contracts by the Lions and are now unrestricted free agents

When the new league year started at 4 p.m., two more Detroit Lions players became free agents. The Lions did not issue the restricted free agency tender offers to OL Tommy Kraemer or CB Bobby Price, making them unrestricted free agents.

Price was a restricted free agent, while Kraemer was an exclusive rights free agent. It only would have taken a one-year contract for the NFL minimum to lock up Kraemer for 2023, but the Lions opted against that course of action.

Price played three seasons in Detroit, beginning in 2020 as an undrafted safety out of Norfolk State. He transitioned to cornerback in 2021 and played 15 games that year, mostly on special teams. Price played in five games in 2022, with just 38 defensive snaps.

Kraemer showed some promise in 2021 as an undrafted rookie out of Notre Dame. But he missed the 2022 season with a back injury and fell out of the Lions’ plans.

Kraemer and Price are now free to sign with any other team without any remaining ties for the Lions.

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The Lions bring back 5 exclusive rights free agents including TE Brock Wright

The Lions bring back 5 exclusive rights free agents including TE Brock Wright

The Detroit Lions announced they have made the required contract tender offers to five exclusive rights free agents, including starting TE Brock Wright.

The quintet includes Wright, fellow TE Shane Zylstra, long snapper Scott Daly, DT Benito Jones and LB Anthony Pittman.

The move is more procedural than anything. Exclusive rights free agents, or ERFAs, are a cut-and-dry situation. If the team wants to keep them, they offer a 1-year deal worth the league minimum. If no such tender offer is made, the player becomes an unrestricted free agent.

The Lions had two other ERFAs, OG Tommy Kraemer and RB Craig Reynolds. Detroit re-signed Reynolds separately, which leaves Kraemer, who missed the 2022 season with a back injury.

One potential free agent for every position on the Lions offense

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