Bryan Smith Signed by Jacksonville

Former Philadelphia Eagles third round pick, defensive Bryan Smith has been signed off the St. Louis Rams' practice squad by the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Smith was inactive for every game in 2008 while with the Eagles.

Following training camp, he was cut and joined the Rams practice squad where he stayed until today.

Smith will be shifted to outside linebacker in Jacksonville joining rookie Russell Allen and veterans Quentin Groves, Clint Ingram and Daryl Smith.

Turk McBride claimed, Quinton Culberson waived

Ex-Kansas City Chief, Turk McBride was claimed off waivers by the Detroit Lions.

McBride is a perfect fit for d. coordinator Gunther Cunningham's system as Cunningham held the same position for the Chiefs during McBride's tenure there.

Given the Lions state at defensive tackle, McBride will shift there from a defensive end/outside linebacker hybrid.

Also, in crappy team news the St. Louis Rams waived linebacker Quinton Culberson.

Culberson signed with the Rams as an undrafted free agent in 2007 and has registered 75 tackles and two pass deflections in two seasons with St. Louis.

Gartrell Johnson Claimed off Waivers

Yesterday, following the loss of Danny Ware for two weeks due to a discolated elbow suffered on the opening kickoff, the New York Giants claimed powerback Gartrell Johnson off waivers.

Johnson attended Colorado State and registered 2,776 yards with 24 touchdowns on 581 carries.

The San Diego Chargers drafted Johnson in the fourth round with the hope he can be the smash to Darren Sproles' dash.

However, despite making the final roster the Chargers opted to waive Johnson after they signed defensive end Andre Coleman off their practice squad.

Johnson has loads of potential as a Brandon Jacobs type running back but is just really slow.

It'll be interesting to see the battle in camp next year between Ware, Johnson and injured rookie Andre Brown.

Browns and Chiefs Release Linebackers

The Kansas City Chiefs and Cleveland Browns have both released a linebacker.


Kansas City released third year linebacker Turk McBride, McBride had 55 tackles and a sack at outside linebacker.

However, after not playing in week one and the addition of wide receiver Bobby Wade somebody had to go.

Interestingly, the Chiefs opted to keep second year linebacker Andy Studebaker who was active last week against Baltimore.

McBride will go through waivers, and possible suitors include the Lions (ex-Chiefs defensive coordinator Gunther Cunningham holds the same position there) and the Bears who are still looking for a replacement for Urlacher and Tinoisamoa.


Cleveland released four year man Leon Williams who was playing outside linebacker but has more experience playing inside.

Just like McBride, Williams was inactive against Minnesota but has recorded 163 tackles and five sacks for the Browns.

He'll go through waivers and should find some takers, namely the Buffalo Bills and New England Patriots who lost Paul Posluzsny and Jerod Mayo respectively for several weeks each.