For the first time in multiple offseasons the New York Giants will actually add a defensive lineman instead of losing one in free agency. Former Dallas Cowboys defensive end George Selvie signed a $1.4 million, one-year deal with the Cowboys Friday.
Giants sign DE George Selvie to 1-year deal. http://t.co/FrRNT67nyp pic.twitter.com/XBF8y4fy1Q
— NY Daily News Sports (@NYDNSports) March 20, 2015
Selvie was a two-year starter for the Cowboys, amassing 10 sacks over the last two seasons. Last year he had 30 tackles and three sacks. Selvie began his career as a journeyman back up with the St. Louis Rams and Carolina Panthers. His best fit for the Giants is the same, a pass rusher and reserve defensive lineman.
Colts’ Walden slashed by ex-girlfriend
In a reverse of the usual NFL related news of this type, Indianapolis Colts linebacker Erik Walden appears to be the victim of domestic violence after allegedly getting slashed across the arm by his ex-girlfriend, Erica Palmer, according to WXIA-TV in Atlanta, Ga.
Ex-girlfriend of #Colts' Erik Walden allegedly attacks Walden and his girlfriend with a bat. http://t.co/Eq9y24SRbE pic.twitter.com/mirjyLkUlN
— IndyStar (@indystar) March 20, 2015
ESPN is reporting that Walden is OK after the injury and it wasn’t severe enough to cause any major damage.
According to the report, it could have been worse for Walden, who first had to wrestle his gun out of Palmer’s hand, a gun that she seems to have stolen from Walden’s home. In her other hand, she had a baseball bat which she apparently used on Palmer’s current girlfriend.
As Walden was taking his current girlfriend to the hospital after the first attack, Palmer came back, according to the report, and slashed Walden across the arm before fleeing the seen once more.
Police tracked her down using her cellphone and she was arrested and is currently being held without bail. She’s being charged with two counts of aggravated assault, violence aggravated assault, theft by taking and first-degree burglary.
Walden is the second NFL player to be injured in a violent attack this offseason. Earlier in the month free agent running back Chris Johnson was shot in the shoulder in a drive-by shooting in Orlando, Fla.
Falcons add Tight End Jacob Tamme to offense
The Falcons have been searching for a pass-catching tight end since Tony Gonzalez retired. They finally added one this week, signing former Denver Broncos free agent Jacob Tamme to a two-year, $4 million deal.
Excited to join the Atlanta Falcons! Looking forward to meeting my teammates & starting the process of working to win a Championship.
— Jacob Tamme (@JacobTamme) March 19, 2015
Tamme came over to the Broncos from the Indianapolis Colts in part because the Broncos signed Peyton Manning and he needed reliable pass-catchers that he could trust. Tamme was overshadowed by the emergence of Julius Tomas, but still had a solid 2012, catching 52 passes for 555 yards and two touchdowns.
As Thomas continued to break out and Manning developed better relationships with his receivers, Tamme’s production and appearances dropped, but he still averaged 9.2 yards per catch in 2013 and 7.8 yards per catch in 2014.
Teams have been snapping up free agent tight ends quickly in free agency, with Rob Housler, Zach Miller and James Casey the biggest names left still on the market other than Jermain Gresham, who was diagnosed with a herniated disc two days ago and will undergo surgery to repair it, keeping him off any team’s radar until he can pass a physical.
Earlier in the week the Falcons re-signed outside linebacker/defensive end Kroy Bierman and signed wide receiver Leonard Hankerson to a one-year, $1 million contract.
Ball might join Panthers’ defensive backfield
Alan Ball missed most of last season with a bicep injury will move a few miles up the road. The former Jacksonville Jaguars safety is negotiating reportedly a one-year, $2 million contract with the Carolina Panthers. Ball and the Panthers are still working on the finer points of the contract according to ESPN.
Ball, when healthy, was the Jaguars best cornerback. In 2013 he had 47 tackles, two interceptions and 14 passes defended. By signing Ball, the Panthers can move Bene Benwikere back to his natural position as a slot corner. Ball would be the third defensive back the Panthers have added this offseason to shore up their pass defense and special teams games. Earlier they added safety Kurt Coleman and cornerback Teddy Williams.
Chargers take a chance on Patrick Robinson
Patrick Robinson was benched in New Orleans last season for inconsistent play, but San Diego saw enough from the former first round pick to give him a show-me deal, siging Robinson to a one-year, $2 million contract.
Robinson, at times, has looked exactly like the player the Saints wanted him to be when they took him with the final pick of the first round in 2010. In 2012, Robinson had 64 tackles, one forced fumble, one sack, three picks, one 99-yard defensive touchdown and 18 passes defended. Robinson’s speed and ball skills make him stand out on the field, but his discipline and coverage skills can be an issue. It’s why New Orleans sent him to the bench last season.
Even as a reserve, Robinson had a solid statistical season, recording 39 tackles, two interceptions and 11 passes defended. With some solid defensive coaching, he could still be a star corner and at 5-foot-11, 191 pounds is a good match up with most wide receivers in the league.
