Tag Archives: Indianapolis Colts

Bay Area Sports, Oakland Raiders

Oakland Raiders Sign WR Ryan Grant

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ALAMEDA, Calif. – The Oakland Raiders have signed unrestricted free agent WR Ryan Grant, the club announced Wednesday.

Grant, a 6-foot, 204-pound receiver originally drafted in the fifth round (142nd overall) of the 2014 NFL Draft by the Washington Redskins, spent the 2018 campaign with the Indianapolis Colts after playing his first four years (2014-17) with Washington. In five seasons, Grant has appeared in 78 career games and made 25 starts, compiling 119 receptions for 1,319 yards and seven touchdowns.

In 2018, Grant appeared in 14 contests and made a career-high 10 starts for the Colts. In the regular season, he tallied 35 receptions for 334 yards, marks that each ranked fifth on the squad, while adding one receiving touchdown. 

From 2014-17, Grant appeared in all 64 contests for the Redskins and made 15 starts. He set single-season career highs across the board in 2017, tallying 45 receptions for 573 yards and four touchdown receptions. Both his receptions and receiving scores ranked second on the club that season, while hisreceiving yards ranked third.

A native of Beaumont, Texas, Grant played at Tulane from 2009-13, appearing in 47 contests while making 31 starts. He finished his career with the Green Wave compiling 196 receptions for 2,769 yards while adding 21 touchdowns. As a senior in 2013, Grant led the school for the second consecutive season in receptions (77), yards receiving (1,039) and receiving scores (nine). In 2012, he led Conference USA in receiving yards per game with a 95.8-yard average en route to being named All-Conference USA by league coaches.

Press Release Courtesy of the Oakland Raiders Media Relations

Bay Area Sports, Oakland Raiders

Oakland Raiders Sign Johnathan Hankins to Two-Year Deal

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ALAMEDA, Calif. – The Oakland Raiders have signed DT Johnathan Hankins to a two-year contract, the club announced Thursday.

Hankins joined the Raiders in 2018 after a one-year stint with the Indianapolis Colts, having spent the previous four years (2013-16) with the New York Giants after being selected by the team in the second round (49th overall) of the 2013 NFL Draft.

In his first season with the Silver and Black, Hankins appeared in 15 contests and made 14 starts, totaling 36 tackles (21) and two fumble recoveries. Over his six-year career, the 6-foot-2, 320-pound defensive tackle has appeared in 82 contests and made 70 starts, compiling 220 tackles (134 solo), 12 sacks, seven passes defensed, three forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. Hankins has started in one postseason contest and recorded two tackles (one) and one sack. 

A native of Dearborn Heights, Mich., Hankins played three seasons at Ohio State, appearing in 38 contests and making 25 starts, totaling 138 tackles (58), five sacks, 16.5 tackles for loss and one fumble recovery. Hankins was named All-American Second Team and was an All-Big Ten Conference selection as a junior in 2013.

Press Release Courtesty of the Oakland Raiders Media Relations

Bay Area Sports, Oakland Raiders

Oakland Raiders Sign OL Ian Silberman; Place T Donald Penn on IR

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ALAMEDA, Calif. – The Oakland Raiders have signed OL Ian Silberman via the Tennessee Titans practice squad, the club announced Wednesday.

Silberman was originally drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in the sixth round (190th overall) of the 2015 NFL Draft. After a short stint on the New England Patriots practice squad in 2016, Silberman was signed to the Raiders practice squad, while also signing to the team’s 53-man roster in December of 2017 after spending a portion of the season with both the Indianapolis Colts and Cleveland Browns. 

The 6-foot-5, 305-pound offensive lineman appeared in all four preseason contests for the Silver and Black this year. Silberman has appeared in one contest in his career during his rookie campaign with the 49ers.

In a corresponding move, the Raiders have placed T Donald Penn on the Reserve/Injured List. Penn signed with the team as a free agent in 2014 and started in all 64 appearances since his arrival

Press Release Courtesy of the Oakland Raiders Media Relations

Bay Area Sports, Oakland Raiders

Oakland Raiders Sign Hankins and McDonald; Place Ellis on IR

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ALAMEDA, Calif. – The Oakland Raiders have signed free agents DT Johnathan Hankins and DT Clinton McDonald, the club announced Thursday. 

Now in his sixth year in the NFL, Hankins joins the Silver and Black after a one-year stint with the Indianapolis Colts, having spent the previous four years (2013-16) with the New York Giants after being selected by the club in the second round (49th overall) of the 2013 NFL Draft. Over his five-year career, the 6-foot-2, 325-pound defensive tackle has appeared in 67 contests and made 56 starts, compiling 184 tackles (113 solo), 12 sacks, seven passes defensed and three forced fumbles. Hankins has started in one postseason contest and recorded two tackles (one) and one sack. Last season, he started in all of his 15 appearances and recorded 44 stops (24), two sacks and three passes defensed in his lone season with the Colts.

McDonald enters his ninth season in the NFL, having spent the last four seasons (2014-17) with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. McDonald also played three seasons (2011-13) with the Seattle Seahawks after originally being drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in the seventh round (249th overall) of the 2009 NFL Draft. Over his eight seasons, the 6-foot-2, 297-pound defensive tackle has appeared in 97 contests and made 36 starts, tallying 240 tackles (157), 19 sacks, two interceptions, six passes defensed and five fumble recoveries. His postseason totals include five games played with one start, totaling five tackles and two fumble recoveries. Last season, McDonald made three starts, compiling 29 stops (18), five sacks and one pass defensed. 

In a corresponding move, the Raiders have placed DT Justin Ellis on the Reserve/Injured List.

Press Release Courtesy of the Oakland Raiders Media Relations

Bay Area Sports, Oakland Raiders

Oakland Raiders Announce Transactions

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ALAMEDA, Calif. – The Oakland Raiders have claimed T T.J. Clemmings and T Justin Murray via waivers from the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cincinnati Bengals, respectively, the club announced Sunday.

Clemmings was originally a fourth-round pick (110th overall) by the Minnesota Vikings in the 2015 NFL Draft. Over his three-year career, the 6-foot-5, 309-pound tackle has appeared in 37 games and made 32 starts, while also starting in his lone postseason appearance in 2015. Last season, Clemmings appeared in six contests and made two starts in his only season with the Washington Redskins.

Murray, originally signed by the Denver Broncos as an undrafted free agent in 2016, spent 2017 on the practice squads of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and New Orleans Saints, before being signed to the Cincinnati Bengals for the remainder of the year. Murray has not appeared in an NFL contest.

In corresponding moves, the Raiders have waived T David Sharpe and OL Ian Silberman.

Sharpe was originally drafted by the club in the fourth round (129th overall) of the 2017 NFL Draft. In his one year with the team, he appeared in five contests and made two starts.

Silberman, originally a sixth-round selection (190th overall) by the San Francisco 49ers in 2015, re-joined the team this past offseason after spending a portion of the 2016 season on the club’s practice squad. Silberman has played in one contest in his career and has also spent time with the Cleveland Browns, Indianapolis Colts and New England Patriots.

Press Release Courtesy of the Oakland Raiders Media Relations

Bay Area Sports, Oakland Raiders

Oakland Raiders Sign CB Rashaan Melvin

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ALAMEDA, Calif. – The Oakland Raiders have signed unrestricted free agentCB Rashaan Melvin, the club announced Friday.

Melvin joins the Silver and Black for his sixth NFL season in 2018. After spending his first three years with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Baltimore Ravens and New England Patriots, he joined the Indianapolis Colts in 2016 and was with Indianapolis for the past two years. Over his career, Melvin has played in 37 games with 21 starts, totaling 118 tackles (98 solo), three interceptions, 21 passes defensed, three forced fumbles and one fumble recovery.

Last season, the 6-foot-2, 196-pound cornerback started in all 10 appearances, totaling 36 tackles (30), three interceptions and 13 passes defensed.

A native of Waukegan, Ill., Melvin played in 41 games for Northern Illinois, making 27 starts and totaling 172 tackles (117), six interceptions, 35 passes defensed and one forced fumble. His 35 career passes defensed stand as the second-most in school history, while the 17 recorded during his senior year led the Mid-Atlantic Conference and set a single-season school record.

Press Release Courtesy of the Oakland Raiders Media Relations

Bay Area Sports, Oakland Raiders

Oakland Raiders Sign WR Griff Whalen

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ALAMEDA, Calif. – The Oakland Raiders have signed free agent WR Griff Whalen, the club announced Monday.

Whalen spent part of the 2017 season with the Baltimore Ravens, playing in two games for the team and tallying four receptions for 23 yards and one punt return for two yards.

Whalen was originally signed by the Indianapolis Colts as an undrafted free agent in 2012. Over his six years in the NFL, he has made stops with the Colts, Miami Dolphins, San Diego Chargers, New England Patriots and Ravens.

In 43 career games played with three starts, Whalen’s offensive totals include 51 receptions for 532 yards and three touchdowns. As a returner, the 5-foot-11, 190-pounder has posted 47 punt returns for 378 yards and 29 kickoff returns for 701 yards over his career.

Prior to signing with the Colts, Whalen played four seasons at Stanford (2008-11), seeing action in 39 games with 13 starts. The Sylvania, Ohio, native posted 80 receptions for 1,058 yards and five touchdowns over his career and was named a finalist for the Burlsworth Trophy as a senior in 2011, awarded to the top player in college football who began his career as a walk-on.

Press Release Courtesy of the  Oakland Raiders Media Relations

Bay Area Sports, Oakland Raiders

Oakland Raiders Safety Charles Woodson Named Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award Winner

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Photo by Shawn Jonas

Charles Woodson of the Oakland Raiders is the winner of the second annual Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award presented by Mcdonald’s, it was announced today. The award recognizes the NFL player who demonstrates the qualities of outstanding sportsmanship on the playing field, including fair play, respect for opponents and integrity in competition.

The announcement of the Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award Presented by McDonald’s was made at NFL Honors, a two-hour primetime awards special that will air nationally at 9 PM ET/PT tonight on CBS. The award was founded last year in honor of the late founding owner of the Pittsburgh Steelers and Pro Football Hall of Famer Art Rooney, SR.

Woodson will receive a $25,000 donation from the NFL Foundation to a charity of his choice.

To commemorate the honor, Woodson was presented on-stage “The Art Rooney Trophy,” which represents the important role that sportsmanship plays in the game and how NFL players that demonstrate integrity and honor on the field serve as role models for other players at all levels. The award design was inspired by the upward arc of a football in motion and contains a gold line embedded in glass that represents the path of sportsmanship throughout a career. Etched into the award are the words “integrity,” “honor,” “respect,” and “fairness,” the values that define excellent sportsmanship.

The winner of the Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award is determined by a vote of current NFL players. In 2014, the players chose Larry Fitzgeraldof the Arizona Cardinals as the inaugural winner of the Art Rooney Award.

Each NFL team nominated one of its players for the award, which recognizes players who exemplify outstanding sportsmanship on the field. A panel of former players from the NFL Legends Community selected eight finalists (four in the AFC; four in the NFC) from the 32 nominees. The panel of Legends Coordinators was comprised of Warrick Dunn, Curtis Martin, Karl Mecklenburg, Leonard Wheeler.

The eight finalists were listed on the Pro Bowl ballot under the Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award when players voted on December 18, 2015. From the eight finalists, each team’s players submit a consensus vote of its choice for the winner. As in Pro Bowl voting, a team could not vote for its own player.

The finalists, featuring four players from each conference, were running back JUSTIN FORSETT (Baltimore), running back MATT FORTÉ (Chicago), linebacker LUKE KUECHLY (Carolina), quarterback MATT HASSELBECK (Indianapolis), wide receiver CALVIN JOHNSON (Detroit), cornerback JASON MC COURTY (Tennessee), tackle JOE STALEY (San Francisco) and Woodson.

Press Release Courtesy of the Oakland Raiders Media Relations

Bay Area Sports, Oakland Raiders

Oakland Raiders Sign DB Dewey McDonald To Active Roster

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ALAMEDA, Calif. – The Oakland Raiders have signed DB Dewey McDonald to the active roster from the practice squad, the club announced Tuesday.

McDonald has played in 14 games over his career with the Indianapolis Colts and New England Patriots, and appeared in three postseason games with Indianapolis in 2014. He was originally signed by the Colts as an undrafted free agent in May 2014, and he appeared in 12 games with Indianapolis as a rookie and ranked second on the team with 13 special teams tackles. McDonald played in one game in 2015 for Indianapolis before being waived and claimed by the Patriots in October 2015. He made one appearance with New England before being waived and signed to the Raiders’ practice squad earlier this month.

The 6-foot, 220-pounder played one season at California University of Pennsylvania in 2013 after transferring from Fairmont State. He finished his collegiate career with 12 interceptions, including five as a freshman. As a senior captain with the Vulcans, McDonald earned first-team PSAC West honors by tallying a career-best 89 tackles, six tackles for loss, three interceptions (all returned for touchdowns) and eight passes defensed.

Additionally, the Raiders have signed DB Chris Hackett and G Cole Manhart to the practice squad.

Press Release Courtesy of the Oakland Raiders Media Relations

Bay Area Sports, Central Valley Sports, San Jose Saber Cats

San Jose SaberCats Bring Back David Hyland, Add Two Rookie Lineman

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SAN JOSE, Calif. – The San Jose SaberCats announced that they have been assigned defensive back David Hyland as well as offensive lineman Dionte Savage and Nick Embernate.

“David has been a valuable player on our team and a big part of our success last year and we are pleased to have him back,” said owner and head coach Darren Arbet. “It is also important to have depth on your offensive line and adding young talent like Dionte and Nick will help us as well.”

Hyland (6-feet, 200 pounds) started 15 games for the SaberCats last season recording 95 total tackles (76 solo), five interceptions, 12 pass breakups and five fumble recoveries. Hyland was named Defensive Player of the Game and Playmaker of the Game at ArenaBowl XXVIII with five tackles, an interception returned for a touchdown and a fumble recovery returned for a touchdown. He was also awarded the AFL Al Lucas Pulse Hero Award for his work in the community.

In 2014, Hyland recorded 36.5 total tackles three interceptions and five pass breakups in eight games as a member of SaberCats. He spend the 2012 and 2013 season as a member of the Utah Blaze.

Hyland began his AFL career with the Oklahoma City Yard Dawgz in 2010, where he had 76.5 tackles, eight interceptions and 12 pass breakups as a rookie. The Morehead State Eagle earned First Team All-PFL three times and set a FCS record with 61 pass break ups and a school record with 21 career interceptions.
Savage (6-foot-5, 335 pounds) joins the SaberCats as a rookie out of Oklahoma. Savage started at guard for the Sooners over the past two seasons, earning Big-12 Honorable Mention. Prior to Oklahoma, he played at Arizona Western College, where he earned Second Team All-American honors. Savage spend time with the Indianapolis Colts and Miami Dolphins as an undrafted free agent earlier this season.

Embernate (6-foot-4, 300 pounds) also joins the SaberCats as a rookie. A three year starter at guard for San Diego State, he earned First Team All-Mountain West Conference honors in 2012. Embernate signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers as an undrafted free agent in 2013 and spent time with the Toronto Argnoauts of the CFL earlier this year.

Press Release Courtesy of the San Jose SaberCats Media Relations