AFC East Update
With an ailing receiving corps that includes Julian Edelman (lower leg injury; out since 8/2), Brandon LaFell (Physically Unable Perform list), and the perpetually sidelined Aaron Dobson the New England Patriots are in need of capable pass catchers outside of Rob Gronkowski. So head coach, Bill Belichick, has tapped the 36-year-old Reggie Wayne to provide an additional target for Tom Brady/Jimmy Garoppolo. The move comes as no surprise as Belichick and the Patriots have a long history of signing noteworthy veterans at the end of their careers in hopes of catching lightning in a bottle. Receivers such as Joey Galloway and Chad Johnson come to mind. Don’t expect Wayne to play in base sets once Edelman and LaFell are healthy but when the Patriots decide to go three and four wide the savy veteran could still be an effective complimentary piece of the Pats’ offense.
In other news:
- The New York Giants have signed LB Ashlee Palmer;
- DL Frank Alexander has been waived/injured by the Panthers;
- DE Osi Umenyiora has decided to retire;
- The Atlanta Falcons have waived LB Marcus Spruill;
- DL Jeremiah Ratliff of the Chicago Bears has been suspended for 3 games for violating the league’s substance abuse policy;
- OG Rob Sims has announced his retirement;
- The Miami Dolphins have waived WR Michael Preston;
- The Detroit Lions have released S Taylor Mays;
- The Philadelphia Eagles waive/injured S Earl Wolff;
- Arizona Cardinals’ DL Corey Peters has been placed on injured reserve and will miss the 2015 season after suffering a torn Achilles;
- G/C Harland Gunn has signed with the Indianapolis Colts;
- The Dallas Cowboys have waived RB Lache Seastrunk;
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ head coach, Lovie Smith, will take over defensive play call duties from defensive coordinator Leslie Fraizer;
- TE Alex Smith has been re-signed by the New Orleans Saints;
- LB Darryl Sharpton has been released by the Arizona Cardinals;
- RB Cierre Wood and DL Red Bryant have signed with the Buffalo Bills;
- S Quintin Demps and DL Fili Moala have signed with the Houston Texans;
- The Pittsburgh Steelers have released QB Tajh Boyd;
