NFL On The Fringe

Foley goes back to CFL

nfldotcom — Tue, 14 Sep 2010 20:48:31 +0000

After his NFL journey ended sooner than he would have liked, LB Ricky Foley is back in the Canadian Football League.

While earlier reports had Foley landing with his former CFL team, the BC Lions, his agent, Paul Sheehy, tweeted Tuesday that the linebacker signed with the Toronto Argonauts. Foley had preseason stints with the Seahawks and Jets, but ultimately failed to make a 53-man roster or practice squad.

Foley had 12 sacks for the Lions last season and won the 2009 CFL Most Outstanding Canadian award.

Memorable journey for five players

Jason Klabacha — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 00:25:44 +0000

While some were able to fulfill their life-long goals of making an NFL roster, others are left to ponder if they have a future in the game.

Steve Wyche looks back at this year’s “On the Fringe” journey and what’s ahead for Alex Boone, LeGarrette Blount, Cody Grimm, Ricky Foley and Gary Banks.

Boone always thought he’d make 49ers

nfldotcom — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 00:07:56 +0000

Despite having to earn a spot with the 49ers in training camp, a confident Alex Boone admitted that he always saw himself making the team.

With the start of the season closing fast, Boone discusses the outlook for the 49ers, the advantages of playing right tackle as opposed to being on the left side and much more.

Fisher explains decision to cut Blount

nfldotcom — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 23:58:26 +0000

The Titans didn’t have an easy decision when they released RB LeGarrette Blount after initially putting the undrafted free agent on the 53-man roster. Coach Jeff Fisher explained the call Tuesday.

Tennessee wanted to add special teams depth and, in order to do so, added LBs Tim Shaw and Patrick Bailey to boost the unit. The roster crunch left Blount on the outside looking in.

“That was an emphasis for us when we started camp, and we made the commitment that we were going to do whatever we could, and I think both Tim and Patrick are certainly going to help in that area,” Fisher said.

Blount landed on the Buccaneers’ 53-man roster, which had some Titans fans upset. It also leaves Tennessee with just two running backs (Chris Johnson and backup Javon Ringer) on the roster.

Foley left looking for next NFL shot

nfldotcom — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 23:46:19 +0000

Ricky Foley is once again looking to for a way to keep his NFL dream alive. After getting cut by two different teams in less than a week, Foley looked like he at least would get a chance to work on his game as a member of the Jets’ practice squad.

However, the Jets released Foley on Tuesday in a series of moves to make room on their eight-man practice squad for RB Chauncey Washington, DT Jarron Gilbert and LB Cody Brown.

The Jets originally cut Foley last week en route to trimming their roster to 53 players, then added him to their practice squad. He started training camp with the Seahawks before being released.

Blount’s journey takes him to Tampa

Jason Klabacha — Mon, 06 Sep 2010 20:59:59 +0000

Former Oregon running back LeGarrette Blount was claimed off waivers by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Monday. Since Blount was claimed, he will be on Tampa Bay’s 53-man roster.

Blount, who went undrafted, was released by Tennessee on Sunday with the Titans hoping to re-sign him to their practice squad.

Tampa Bay has had its eye on Blount for some time and brought him in for a pre-draft workout. Blount now joins fellow “On the Fringe” participant Cody Grimm as a member of the Buccaneers.

– Steve Wyche

Foley lands on Jets’ practice squad

nfldotcom — Mon, 06 Sep 2010 16:31:55 +0000

While disappointed by not making a 53-man roster, Ricky Foley is getting another chance to show an NFL team what he can do.

The linebacker has landed on the New York Jets’ practice squad, according to The Star Ledger. The Jets originally claimed Foley last week after he was released by the Seattle Seahawks, but then cut the former Canadian Football League star when they trimmed the roster to 53.

Being on the Jets’ practice squad, is the next best alternative, a source told NFL.com’s Steve Wyche on Saturday. Foley views the situation as a positive because he will get to play in a 3-4 scheme and work with Jets coach Rex Ryan.

Blount waived; practice squad next?

nfldotcom — Sun, 05 Sep 2010 20:40:45 +0000

LeGarrette Blount‘s time on the Tennessee Titans’ 53-man roster was short lived.

Blount was waived by the team on Sunday to help make room for players who were claimed off waivers. Blount, along with linebacker Stanford Keglar, were waived when the Titans were awarded linebackers Tim Shaw and Patrick Bailey off waivers.

The Titans still have two spots available on the eight-man practice squad, which could be a landing spot for Blount with the Titans if he clears waivers. The Titans currently have six players on the 2010 practice squad: defensive lineman Hall Davis, wide receiver Dominique Edison, cornerback Pete Ittersagen, center Kevin Matthews, safety Myron Rolle and linebacker Patrick Trahan.

Grimm survives ‘crazy day’ to earn spot

nfldotcom — Sat, 04 Sep 2010 23:33:03 +0000

Going through a job interview is tough enough, but having to watch your competitors slowly leave the room until you get the gig has to be excruciating.

Buccaneers safety Cody Grimm explains the process of how he found out he made the 53-man roster, calling Saturday a “crazy day” in his life.

Grimm part of Bucs’ 53-man roster

nfldotcom — Sat, 04 Sep 2010 15:54:16 +0000

From a seventh-round draft pick to a fringe player to a Tampa Bay Buccaneer.

Rookie safety Cody Grimm has made the Buccaneers, continuing an NFL legacy highlighted by his father Russ’ Hall of Fame tenure as a lineman with the Washington Redskins. Grimm’s retention with Tampa Bay had nothing to do with his bloodlines, though.

The former walk-on at Virginia Tech overcame the odds once again, this time, moving from collegiate outside linebacker to NFL safety and making the transition well enough to be listed as the team’s No. 2 free safety behind Tanard Jackson. Grimm emerged as a solid special teams player in preseason, but he really made his mark on defense, with his sure, open-field tackling and coverage ability.

Coach Raheem Morris said during OTAs that Grimm would make the team if his progression on the field matched his work ethic — and the rookie delivered. From here, Grimm figures to be a special teams’ fixture and possibly work his way onto the defense in certain sub-packages.

– Steve Wyche