As the regular season inches closer, teams are getting a better sense of what their final rosters will look like. However, there have been some moves of late that most people would have bet against just a few weeks ago. The old adage of “one man’s trash is another man’s treasure” is very accurate in the late stages of the NFL preseason. Veteran cuts at this time are usually quick to find a new team. One can assume that will be the same this year.
On Monday, the Seattle Seahawks announced they were releasing veteran punter Jon Ryan. Ryan noted through Twitter that the release is of his own doing, that he in-fact requested the release from the team. Ryan has already found a new team, heading to the other side of the country to compete for the starting job with the Buffalo Bills. Prior to the signing, the Bills had no competition for Colton Schmidt for the starting punting job, but now Ryan will compete for that designation. Ryan finishes his Seahawks career with almost every franchise punting record on the books.
The New Orleans Saints have released five-year veteran Terrance West. West seemed to be in a position for a minor career resurrection with the Saints, as early-down back Mark Ingram will be serving a suspension to start the season. However, it appears that West fell out of favor with the Saints coaching staff in lieu of Johnathan Williams, Boston Scott, and Shane Vereen. The Saints are expected to use a high dosage of dynamic running back Alvin Kamara while Ingram is out, so there are just not that many carries to be handed out. A team needing running back depth may snag West due to his recent production in meaningful games as well as his veteran presence.
The Daily News is reporting that the New York Jets have reached out to the Jacksonville Jaguars about the availability of Dante Fowler Jr. The Jaguars have already declined the fifth-year option on the former first-round pick, so they may be willing to part from the pass rusher. Fowler had eight sacks for the Jaguars last year, but his on the field production has largely been overshadowed by his off the field behavior. Fowler is suspended for the first game of the 2018 season for a 2017 arrest and he also was suspended earlier this off-season for fighting and conduct detrimental to the team. The Jets could certainly use some pass rushing help, but it will be interesting to see what the asking price for Fowler could be. Also, would the Jets meet the asking price with the thought that Fowler may be available at the conclusion of this season? Do the Jaguars truly believe in Blake Bortles or is this a chance to perhaps snag Teddy Bridgewater? Stay tuned.
The oft-injured and former star wide receiver Victor Cruz has officially retired from football.
The Tennessee Titans and wide receiver Rishard Matthews have agreed to an extension. The Titans tacked on a team option for 2019 with a base value of $7.75M. Earlier this year, Matthews fired his agent and negotiated this deal himself. One must wonder why Matthews forfeited his right to enter free agency a year earlier. Perhaps someone should ask his agent.
