Tag: visit

Report: Saints host former starting CB Ken Crawley on free agent visit

The New Orleans Saints visited with free agent cornerback Ken Crawley, who started 27 games in 42 appearances with them from 2016 to 2019.

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This is something: the New Orleans Saints are hosting free agent cornerback Ken Crawley on a visit at the team facility, per ESPN’s Field Yates. Crawley spent the summer with the Arizona Cardinals after the Saints released him last year, with a four-game stint on the Miami Dolphins sandwiched in-between.

Now, it doesn’t mean the Saints are going to sign Crawley, or that he’ll be on the field any time soon. But he wouldn’t be in New Orleans if there wasn’t some level of interest.

The Saints have been churning the bottom of their depth chart at cornerback in recent weeks, waiving rookie reserve Tino Ellis and swapping out Kemon Hall for Grant Haley on the practice squad. Because of rules changes in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, someone with Crawley’s experience would be practice squad-eligible.

Crawley appeared in 42 games for the Saints from 2016 to 2019 (including the playoffs), logging 27 starts. While he initially played well in his breakout 2017 season while recording 17 passes defensed and his only career interception, his level of play was too high-variance and forced the Saints to trade for Eli Apple back in 2018.

When pressed into two games in 2019, Crawley was immediately picked on by opposing quarterbacks, and the Saints released him after failing to find a partner at the NFL trade deadline.

Still, maybe it’s worth bringing him in as the 16th member of the practice squad. There’s something to be said for stocking the team with players who have real NFL experience behind them, even if they’re unlikely to touch the field. Here’s how the depth chart shakes out:

  1. Marshon Lattimore (starter)
  2. Janoris Jenkins (starter)
  3. P.J. Williams (dime)
  4. Patrick Robinson (special teams, backup)
  5. Justin Hardee (special teams)
  6. Keith Washington Jr. (practice squad rookie)
  7. Grant Haley (practice squad)

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Defensive tackle Damon ‘Snacks’ Harrison to visit Seahawks next week

Free-agent defensive tackle Damon “Snacks” Harrison is scheduled to visit the Seattle Seahawks next week for a potential tryout.

The Seattle Seahawks are always busy trying to improve their roster, holding visits and tryouts whenever possible. Next week, Seattle will be hosting defensive tackle Damon Harrison.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported the news Thursday morning.

“Former NFL All-Pro DT Damon ‘Snacks’ Harrison, who openly contemplated retirement last year, has decided to play this season and is scheduled to visit next week with the Seahawks, per source,” Schefter tweeted. “The 31-year-old Harrison also has received interest from the Bears, Packers and Bengals.”

Harrison originally signed with the Jets as an undrafted free agent in 2012 out of William Penn University. He also spent time with the Giants and Lions.

Per Schefter, the Bears, Packers and Bengals may also be courting Harrison’s services.

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EDGE Jabaal Sheard is visiting the Detroit Lions

Adam Schefter is reporting that EDGE rusher Jabaal Sheard is visiting the Detroit Lions today.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter is reporting that EDGE rusher Jabaal Sheard is visiting the Detroit Lions today.

“Sheard, who has been waiting for the right opportunity and deal, is visiting with the Lions for a potential reunion in Detroit with HC Matt Patricia and GM Bob Quinn,” Schefter said per source. “They all won a Super Bowl together in New England.” 

Sheard (6-3, 268) was originally selected in the second round of the 2011 draft by the Browns and started all four of his years in Cleveland. He joined the Patriots for the 2015 and 2016 seasons, then went on to join the Indianapolis Colts for the next three years before entering free agency.

In 2017, Sheard played outside linebacker — similar to the Lions JACK position — and registered 5.5 sacks. In 2018, the Colts switched to a 43 scheme, and Sheard shifted to defensive end, registering 5.5 and 4.5 sacks the last two years.

If the Lions were to bring in Sheard, he would shift around different spots on the defensive front, likely ranging between JACK and the 4i-technique, in a similar way the Lions deployed Austin Bryant last season.

Saints scheduled pre-draft visit with Louisiana Tech prospect Amik Robertson

The New Orleans Saints scheduled a formal facilities visit with Louisiana Tech cornerback Amik Robertson, a prospect in the 2020 NFL Draft.

National travel restrictions and social distancing policies in response to the novel coronavirus hit the NFL hard in the weeks and months preceding its 2020 draft, with teams unable to conduct the usual visits with prospects at their home facilities. However, some of those visits were already scheduled before the NFL ordered teams to adjust to video conference interviews.

Justin Melo over at Draft Wire reports that the New Orleans Saints had arranged one such private meeting with Louisiana Tech cornerback Amik Robertson before the curtain fell. Melo added that Robertson completed one such fly-in visit with the Philadelphia Eagles before he could return to Louisiana and meet with the Saints.

Robertson is an intriguing talent in this year’s draft class, projected to be picked somewhere around the third round; the 5-foot-8, 187-pound cornerback started all 38 games he played for the Bulldogs, racking up 23 tackles for loss and intercepting 14 passes (totaling 48 passes defensed). Despite his smaller stature, he’s an instinctive playmaker who always seems to know where the ball is headed.

While he predominately played out on the boundary in college, Robertson’s path to the NFL probably lies in the slot as a nickel defender. He’ll be able to defend in-breaking routes against smaller slot specialists there than outside the numbers, mitigating some of his size deficiencies.

But the NFL’s continued trend towards lining up bigger pass-catchers in the slot (ironically something the Saints themselves played a part in with creative use of Jimmy Graham and Marques Colston back in the day) could mean the slot isn’t as safe a haven for Robertson as tradition suggests. Still, he’s never been the tallest or fastest player on the field before, and he won’t be in the NFL, either. He was productive in spite of that and it explains why the Saints and so many other teams are interested in him.

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Lions have second meeting with Utah RB Zack Moss

The Detroit Lions have had a second formal meeting with Utah RB Zack Moss, who is a prime candidate in the middle rounds

If pre-draft visits are an accurate barometer of interest in a player, consider the Lions smitten with Utah running back Zack Moss. The team has had a second formal interaction with the bruising Ute.

The Lions had a formal interview with Moss during the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine. Moss ran a 4.65 40-yard dash at 5-foot-9 and 223 pounds in Indianapolis, which was slower than how he played at Utah. He’s a powerful, low center-of-gravity grinder with quick feet but lacking long speed, but didn’t appear that lacking.

Now the Lions have had another pre-draft meeting with Moss. This one came via a teleconferencing app and follows up Moss running a laser-timed 4.52 in a private pro day, which was videotaped and sent to teams.

The Lions would have had even more time with Moss, but he pulled out of the Senior Bowl. He was slated to be on the North roster that the Lions coached in January in Mobile. Moss opted instead to train on his own.

Moss generally projects as a 3rd or 4th-round pick, which tends to be the area where the Lions are expected to have some interest in adding to a backfield that already includes Kerryon Johnson, Bo Scarbrough and Ty Johnson.

Alabama EDGE Terrell Lewis confirms he’s talked with Lions coach Matt Patricia

Alabama EDGE Terrell Lewis confirms he’s talked with Lions coach Matt Patricia to NBC’s Peter King

Alabama EDGE Terrell Lewis is the latest 2020 NFL Draft prospect to confirm he’s had a pre-draft meeting with the Detroit Lions. Lewis specifically cited the Lions and his conversation with head coach Matt Patricia, which took place remotely via teleconference.

From King’s Football Morning in America on NBC Sports,

Today, I talked to coach [Matt] Patricia and the staff with the Lions. On those calls, we talk ball, their scheme, watch film, talk about my upbringing, my journey at Alabama, how I fit in their team, what I’m doing with my money to make sure I take care of it. We get to know each other a little bit. I want to make them feel comfortable with me as a person.

Lewis is generally regarded as a Day 2 talent. He’s had a litany of injuries that include a torn ACL and another Crimson Tide season almost completely wiped out due to a serious arm injury. He was healthy in 2019 and contributed 6.5 sacks and 11 TFLs while showing enough potential to earn a Senior Bowl appearance.

Defensive end Jadeveon Clowney is USA TODAY’s top available free agent

Former Seattle Seahawks defensive end Jadeveon Clowney is USA TODAY’s top available free agent remaining after the first week of deals.

Some of the top unrestricted free agents are already off the board after the first week of the NFL’s wheeling and dealing, however, one name remains at the top of the list of the bests players yet to come to terms on a new deal – (former) Seahawks defensive end Jadeveon Clowney,.

Nate Davis of USA TODAY Sports ranks Clowney the league’s top available free agent.

“The No. 1 pick of the 2014 draft remains the clear-cut top talent without an employer, ” Davis writes. “According to multiple reports, Clowney, 27, has not received the windfall proposal he’d hoped for … despite an environment where 49ers DL Arik Armstead got a five-year, $85 million deal and his former teammate, DeForest Buckner, reeled in a four-year, $84 million extension after getting traded to the Colts.”

Clowney could very well be considering whether or not to re-sign with Seattle but could also opt to wait things out until club facilities open back up and he’s able to travel safely for physicals and visits.

Until he and his camp make a decision, he’ll stay on top as the best free agent still available.

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Lions had formal meeting with Florida EDGE Jonathan Greenard

Greenard was also at the Senior Bowl

We now know the identity of another one of the prospects who formally interviewed with the Detroit Lions at the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis last month. Florida EDGE Jonathan Greenard acknowledged to Draft Wire’s Justin Melo that he met with the Lions.

Greenard is an interesting potential fit with the Lions. At 6-3 and 263 pounds and blessed with long arms and big, strong hands, he definitely has the physical traits the Lions covet at the EDGE or JACK position. He showed some outside pass rush moves and off-ball awareness in his one season with the Gators after transferring from Louisville.

The Lions had some familiarity with Greenard from the Senior Bowl. He played on the South roster while the Lions staff coached the North. During his one year in Gainesville, Greenard racked up 9.5 sacks and 15.5 TFLs while earning first-ream All-SEC honors.

He does carry some legit knocks. Greenard suffered a major wrist injury in 2018 and did not look confident in using his right hand in 2019. He does have some twitch but is more of a power-to-speed rusher, and his long legs do leave him vulnerable to tackles with good base leverage.

Greenard is generally regarded as a third-to-fifth-round pick. He will work out at Florida’s pro day in late March.

Seahawks interested in veteran tight end Greg Olsen

Former Carolina Panthers star tight end Greg Olsen is slated to head to the Great Northwest and the Seattle Seahawks on a free-agent visit.

The Seattle Seahawks are in the full swing of the offseason and they certainly are not wasting any time moving forward in 2020. As the team plans ahead to the new season, there is an open desire from quarterback Russell Wilson to add more superstar talent to the roster.

Perhaps this could come in the form of an old rival of the Seahawks.

On Tuesday morning, ESPN’s NFL insider, Adam Schefter, reported former Panthers tight end Greg Olsen has scheduled a visit with the Seahawks.

In one of the more shocking developments this early in the offseason, the Panthers announced there was to be a mutual parting of ways between their organization and the longtime star tight end.

Olsen may not be a Panther anymore, but don’t expect him to sit idle. On Saturday before the Super Bowl during the NFL Honors, Olsen had a tweet which certainly piqued the interest of Seahawk fans everywhere.

After battling injuries in 2017 and 2018, Olsen returned to play in 14 games. His raw numbers didn’t leap off the page, but he was playing with a backup quarterback the majority of the season and watching the games showed he is still more than capable.

Seattle’s interest in Olsen is certainly understandable. Due to more season-ending injuries to Will Dissly, and nagging health concerns with Luke Willson, the Seahawks became rather thin at the position towards the end of the year. Not to mention all the years Olsen has played against the team, which has provided the Seahawks with plenty of first-hand experience as to what he can bring to the field.

The Seahawks could use a solid veteran presence at tight end, especially with Dissly coming back off yet another arduous rehab. At 34 years old, Olsen is no spring chicken. But he does seem to have some gas left in the tank, and Wilson seems to agree.

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Seahawks sign former Seattle running back Robert Turbin to the roster

The Seahawks have signed former Seattle running back Robert Turbin to the roster following the injuries to Chris Carson and C.J. Prosise.

The Seahawks could be in for more than one reunion in the running back room this week. Marshawn Lynch, who is in town for a visit with the team, is currently undergoing a physical.

In the meantime, Seattle has signed former Seahawks running back Robert Turbin back to the roster according to a number of sources, including ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

Turbin was originally selected by the Seahawks in the fourth round of the 2012 NFL draft and spent three seasons in Seattle.

He will provide much-needed depth alongside rookie Travis Homer . . .  and Lynch, if he is able to reach an agreement in the near future.

Seattle has lost three running backs this season. Rashaad Penny was the first to fall with a torn ACL, and Chris Carson and C.J. Prosise suffered season-ending hip and arm injuries, respectively, on Sunday afternoon against the Cardinals.

Although the Seahawks have yet to announce the signing, Turbin posted a photo of himself in Seattle’s locker room on his Instagram account, confirming the move first-hand.

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