Charles Gaines Louisville vs. Notre Dame Photo by Adam Creech 11-22-2014 Fitted

Cards in the NFL: Training Camp Update

Mark BlankenbakerAugust 20, 2015

We are well underway in NFL Training Camps and with the 2nd full week of preseason games set to begin today, now is a good time to update folks on the progress of the Cards in the NFL:

Gary Barnidge: A likely starting Tight End for the Cleveland Browns this year. Barnidge has been working against the Bills this week in joint sessions. Gary is set to earn $1.2M in his 7th NFL season.

Josh Bellamy: Is running with the #2s at WR for Chicago and some inside the organization have been outspoken in their praise for Josh regarding his leadership in camp. It also hasn’t hurt Josh’s chances of making the bears with Kevin White’s recent injury and Alshon Jeffrey missing some time during camp as well. Right now, Josh should make the Bears final 53 and if he does will earn $660K.

Teddy Bridgewater– Folks are pretty well aware of Teddy’s progress. He’s already looked sharp in two pre-season games and media are already talking about the mistake scouts made when Teddy slid down to the #32 pick in the NFL Draft in 2014. Coupled with a healthy offensive line and Adrian Peterson, Teddy & the Vikings could take off in 2015. Teddy is set to earn $1.556M this year with Minnesota (all salaries listed are from NFL teams only, no endorsement $ is calculated).

Dominique Brown- Will have to do a lot to make the Bucaneers but has really done well in training camp. Dom is behind Doug Martin, Charles Sims, and Bobby Rainey on the depth chart. It is possible that Tampa Bay decides to keep 4 backs (or for Dom to move up) or even practice squad. Dominique will need to do well in preseason and if he make the final 53-man roster will earn $435K.

Jamon Brown- The Rams and Cowboys had quite the dust up this week in joint sessions and Jamon Brown was seen suplexing an unknown Cowboy. Jamon may be able to crack the starting line up as a rookie in St. Louis at Guard (rather than Tackle that he played at UofL) and is a big part of what the Rams want to do in the future with Todd Gurley at RB. Jamon will earn $623K in his rookie season.

Preston Brown- After an incredible rookie season where he led the Bills in tackles, Preston is now making the defensive calls for Buffalo in Year 1 of Rex Ryan. Brown locked up with the Browns’ Marlon Moore this week for a scuffle that made some headlines. Preston is set to take off in 2015 and will earn $702K for the effort.

Gerald Christian- Mr. Irrelevant finds himself in a crowded position group with the Arizona Cardinals in a league that is purging tight ends. If Arizona doesn’t want Gerald on its roster in 2015, he probably would get picked up on waivers by another team and would earn his $448K salary for his rookie year. Long way to go here.

Damian Copeland- Honey Mustard missed 2014 with an injury and getting onto the final 53 man roster is going to be quite the task for Damian in Jacksonville. The Jaguars have a ton of young WRs on roster and will likely only keep 6-7, which is right where the Jaguars currently list Copeland on their depth chart. Damian needs to play well this pre-season to make the team, but still does have another year of eligibility for the practice roster. Will earn $436,666 if he makes the Jaguars.

Kai De La Cruz- Kai cleared waivers after being cut early in training camp. We will monitor if another team takes a flier on him.

Harry Douglas- Now with the Tennessee Titans, is operating as the #1 WR at times as opposed to the slot where he played in Atlanta with Roddy White and Julio Jones. Harry has the fans in Nashville hopeful that they’ve landed a great weapon in Harry who has been impressive so far in camp. Harry is set to earn $2.283M this year.

BJ Dubose- Was inactive for the Vikings 1st two preseason games dealing with a leg issue, Dubose dropped 20 lbs for training camp and has been working with the #2 defense in the absence of Shamar Stephen. BJ has a decent chance of making the final roster but needs to stay healthy and play well. He’ll earn $464K in 2015 if he makes the team.

Elvis Dumervil – Set to Earn $7.375M, Elvis is a starter for Baltimore at OLB. The Ravens concluded joint practices with the Eagles today and Elvis looks sharp according to the assembled media present. Elvis is one of the best defensive players in the NFL and is one of the Ravens’ main pass rushing threats.

Brandon Dunn- Early reports out of Chicago is that Brandon Dunn is a great fit for the new defense with the Bears. Called up from Practice Squad last year to the active roster, Brandon made some nice plays in early action in last week’s game vs. the Dolphins. Expect Dunn to make the final 53 man roster along with Clint Hurtt (who is coaching OLBs in Chicago now). Dunn will earn $510K with Chicago this season.

Michael Dyer– Raider Nation has seen Michael Dyer run the football and they no longer want Trent Richardson. But there are still a number of other backs in the Oakland stable. The best thing for Dyer is that he comes cheap at $435K, but he’ll still have to earn a spot.

Terell Floyd- T Floyd was cut and cleared waivers by the Atlanta Falcons. We’ll continue to be on the lookout to see if anything picks him up.

Charles Gaines- The Browns Radio Network recently reported that Charles Gaines is “Quietly having a solid camp.” Marking the first time that Charles has ever done anything quietly. It’s too early to tell where exactly Gaines fits into the Browns’ plans, but if he makes the team he’ll earn $465K in his rookie year.

William Gay– The veteran (31 year old) nickel/corner for Pittsburgh is back again in his last year of his deal with the Steelers. He’s a starter for 2015, but his status in Pittsburgh beyond is up in the air as Pittsburgh is dealing with salary cap issues and may side with some younger secondary players after this season. Gay was the Steelers’ best secondary player a year ago, he’ll start again in 2015.

Breno Giacomini– Appears to be ready to start in his 2nd year with the Jets after winning a Super Bowl with the Seahawks. Breno recently made headlines in NYC when he got into a minor scuffle with DE Quinton Coples & when he came out in support of his QB Geno Smith saying “He’s our guy”. Breno is set to earn $5.125M this season in New York.

Jay Gruden– Head Coach of the Washington Redskins, the former Louisville QB is in his 2nd year at the helm in D.C. Gruden is a bit under the microscope in Year 2 largely due to the QB controversy with Robert Griffin III and the organization’s general frustration with its former rookie of the year.

Gerod Holliman-Hot Rod gets a lot of praise in the Pittsburgh press and in his 1st preseason game he actually got flagged for a personal foul ‘roughing’ penalty for targeting….without actually touching the player. This is the new NFL. Pittsburgh is re-tooling its defense and we don’t know for sure yet if Gerod will be a part of those plans moving forward. But it looks promising. Holliman will earn $449K if he makes the team.

Alex Kupper- Working at Center as Eric Wood’s back-up, Alex struggled with back-to-back rolling snaps to QB E.J. Manuel. Alex can not be on practice squad this year, so he will need to make the final roster in order to earn his $510K salary. Kupper can also play Guard (of course) but the competition is much stiffer there.

Lorenzo Mauldin- Few players get talked about in Jets camp (for football reasons) more than Lorenzo Mauldin. Lozo has drawn rave reviews for his intensity and works only behind Calvin Pace. He’s already becoming a fan favorite in New York and is set to make $603K in his rookie year.

John Miller- A definite starter in Buffalo, John has really impressed the Bills organization from his arrival. He’s been dominant in practices and rated the highest on the OL for the Bills in its 1st preseason game according to Pro Football Focus. John will earn $605K in 2015.

Deiontrez Mount- Will get a lot of clock in this week’s preseason game due to a myriad of injuries for the Titans. Mount is said to be playing very well in camp and should make the team with room to spare. Mount had a nice hit on the QB last week and is set to $472K this year.

DeVante Parker – DeVante was removed from the PUP (physically unable to perform list) this week and is hopefully returning from practice soon. The #11 overall selection will earn $1.9M of his $10.8M contract in 2015.

Senorise Perry– Produced the Bears two longest plays last Thursday vs. the Dolphins in Chicago’s Preseason game last week. Senorise is an excellent special teamer and finds himself in a very competitive backfield under a new coaching staff. If Senorise can make the final 53-man roster he’ll earn $510K.

Roy Philon- Working with the Detriot Lions Roy right now appears to be on the wrong side of the cut line, but is eligible for another year on the practice squad. Philon will earn $435K with the Lions this year if on the final roster.

Bilal Powell– Entering his 4th season with the Jets, Bilal is in a contract year (set to earn $2M in 2015) and has been taking full advantage. Jets media have been abuzz about Powell’s ‘extra burst’ and it is almost unanimous that Powell will see more carries than a year ago.

Calvin Pryor – Calvin Pryor left Jets camp today due to a death in his family. He was working with the 1st team at safety and his head coach Todd Bowles expects him to be gone through the weekend. Upon his return he’ll likely be back with the starters in his 2nd season. Pryor is set to earn $1.946M this year with the Jets.

Dave Ragone- Dave is in Washington with the Redskins and former Louisville QB Jay Gruden as the offensive quality control coach.

Eli Rogers- Cleared waivers after surgery on his foot. Eli was showing promise in camp and looked like he was in good position to make an impact. It appears as if Eli will continue to work and when his foot is ready give it another try.

James Sample- Back from a wrist injury James is back to practice (although in a non-contact jersey) for the Jaguars. Sample is expected to see his game action starting in Week 3 of the preseason and must work his way back up the depth chart after missing so much time. Sample will earn $572K this year.

Greg Scruggs- Was re-signed to the Seahawks after two injury shortened seasons and will need a big summer to make the team. Currently Greg is listed with the 4th unit on the depth chart. Scruggs needs to really play well in preseason. If he does make the team Greg will earn $785K this year.

Jake Smith- The Bengals currently list Jake at Center. Smith played Guard for the Cards in 2011, 2012, and 2014 but did play Center in 2013. It’s still very early on whether or not Smith will make the final roster and earn his $435K pay day, but given Cincinnati’s roster I’d expect him to at least make the practice squad.

Marcus Smith- Is currently running with the 2nd unit behind Brandon Graham. The Eagles used a 1st Round pick on Marcus a year ago and immediately said that Marcus’ development was a long term plan and he played very little with Philadelphia. That appears to be ready to change with Marcus drawing the praise of his head coach Chip Kelly after the Eagles 1st pre-season game. Marcus is set to earn $1.772M this year.

Byron Stingily- Is back on the practice fields for the past week for Tennessee Titans after missing several days with a concussion. Byron is Tennessee’s #2 LT behind Taylor Lewan signed a new deal with Tennessee this off-season and will earn $1.175M this year.

Eric Wood – Set to earn $6M with Buffalo and has the 8th richest Center contract in the NFL. The Bills have had joint sessions with the Cleveland Browns this week, and Eric Wood is a sure fire starter for Buffalo in 2015.