The Tiger Report: 09/03/11

Saturday, September 3, 2011

Tony Moeaki's season is over

Posted by Mike Florio on September 3, 2011, 6:50 PM EDT

Wild Card Playoffs - Baltimore Ravens v Kansas City Chiefs

Getty Images

The Chiefs are at 53 players. And they got there by putting tight end Tony Moeaki on injured reserve.

As a rookie in 2010, Moeaki caught 47 passes for 556 yards and three touchdowns.

Also on IR is rookie linebacker Gabe Miller.

The Chiefs cut the following players: defensive lineman Harold Ayodele, fullback Shane Bannon, linebacker Justin Cole, fullback Mike Cox, defensive lineman Dion Gales, tight end Charlie Gantt, tackle Bobby Greenwood, offensive lineman Chris Harr, guard Darryl Harris, receiver Jeremy Horne, offensive lineman Mike Ingersoll, linebacker Micah Johnson, linebacker Amara Kamara, safety Reshard Langford, defensive back Quinten Lawrence, offensive lineman Butch Lewis, receiver Zeke Markshausen, offensive lineman David Mims, offensive lineman Lucas Patterson, safety Ricky Price, tight end Cody Slate, defensive tackle Anthony Toribio, receiver Verran Tucker, linebacker Pierre Walters, and defensive back Demond Washington.

It appears the injury was a torn ACL.

Jets trade Dwight Lower to Jaguars

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal on September 3, 2011, 6:49 PM EDT

The Jets’ roster cuts on Saturday eveningincluded a pair of trades.

New York sent Dwight Lowery to Jacksonville for a conditional pick. (He’ll join former Jet Drew Coleman there.)

The Jets also acquired G Caleb Schlauderaff from Green Bay.

The cuts, many of which we mentioned earlier, did not contain any huge surprises.

Here goes: Quarterback Drew Willy, running back Chris Jennings, wideouts Michael Campbell, Dan DePalma, Scotty McKnight, Patrick Turner, tight ends Josh Baker and Keith Zinger, offensive linemen Trevor Canfield, Pete Clifford, Matt Kroul, Dennis Landolt, Nevin McCaskill, Zane Taylor, defensive linemen Jarron Gilbert and Lorenzo Washingon, linebackers Matt Berning, Eddie Jones, Joey LaRocque, Brashton Satele, defensive backs Byron Landor, Ellis Lankster, Davon Morgan, Julian Posey, and Tracy Wilson.

Former Bills first-round pick Aaron Maybin has made the team, at least for now.

Drew Brees and Saints contract talks could take a while

Posted by Mike Florio on September 3, 2011, 10:53 AM EDT

As Saints quarterback Drew Brees pointed out earlier this week, Brees and the team havelaunched contract talks.

But those talks could take a while.

Per a source with knowledge of the situation, a “huge gap” exists between what Brees wants and what the Saints will pay. As a result, nothing is imminent.

That said, the Chris Johnson contract talks demonstrate how quickly things can turn around. But before Brees can push the needle toward his best-case scenario, he may need to get through the 2011 season unscathed, which would give him maximum leverage as of February 2012, once the Saints apply a franchise tag that will put him in line for a one-year guaranteed salary that likely will exceed $17 million. Both Peyton Manning and Mike Vick had to do just that before they could land their new deals.

On the other hand, Patriots quarterback Tom Brady finagled an annual average of $18 million without having to complete his contract year of 2010.

Still, if Brees wants to do a deal now, he’ll necessarily get less than he’d get if he lets the 2011 season play out. The ultimate question for Brees is whether and to what extent he’s willing to shoulder the burden of that ever-present injury risk.

3 things learned about the Seahawks this weekend

Mike Sando - ESPN

1. Pass protection: The Seahawks made clear progress in this area against a Raiders defense that finished the preseason without a first-

quarter sack. Right tackleJames Carpenter played the first two series, then came back into the game to clear the way for a short scoring run. Carpenter played extensively in the second half as well. His power was apparent on the touchdown run, a play Carpenter punctuated by standing over his fallen opponent. A false-start penalty was the only glaring negative for Carpenter, who should gain confidence from this game. Backup Breno Giacomini also appeared to play well. I'd expect Carpenter to open the season as the starter and hit stride somewhere around midseason. Seattle can help him with a tight end or running back in protection as needed, particularly if left tackle Russell Okung returns from injury, as expected.

2. Golden opportunity: Second-year receiver Golden Tate needed and got a confidence boost with easily his best performance of the 2011 preseason. Tate caught five passes for 79 yards, including a 43-yarder from Tarvaris Jackson. He had a 34-yard kickoff return and a 43-yard punt return. The Seahawks wanted to get Tate going in this game with an eye toward speeding his development, which suffered from a coaching change and lockout. With Tate involved early, Jackson and the first-team offense moved the ball effectively. Tate did not appear at fault on the intercepted pass Jackson threw for him in the end zone on the Seahawks' opening drive.

3. Young defensive players: It's looking like first-year cornerback Brandon Browner, a 27-year-old prospect from the CFL, could be the best option at right cornerback heading into the regular season. Second-year corner Walter Thurmond has made strides physically since last season, but he's still shaking off rust after missing stretches due to an injury during camp. He even muffed a punt Friday night. Browner continues to cover well despite his 6-foot-4 frame. Thurmond is the better nickel option and would move inside on passing downs even if he were starting. Safety Mark LeGree, possibly battling fellow rookie Jeron Johnson for a roster spot, might have scored had he held onto a near-interception late in the game. Johnson showed up with a tackle for loss and pass breakup. Seattle could have at least three undrafted free agents earn spots on the initial 53-man roster (Johnson, receiver Doug Baldwin and quarterback Josh Portis).

Titans Jason Jones to play week 1

Jason Jones - DL - Titans

Titans coach Mike Munchak confirmed Friday that he anticipates LE Jason Jones (knee) returning for Week 1.

Jones has been out since August 20, but it sounds like he'll be able to resume practicing next week. Previously a dominant defensive tackle, Jones switched to end in training camp and will be used ala Justin Tuck, kicking inside on nickel downs. He's a good bet to set a career high for sacks this season.

Source: Nashville Tennessean