Team news: New York Giants | Page 38

Devin Singletary, who changed his number from 40 to 26, showed in training camp and the preseason games many of the traits that led the Bills to select him in the third round of the draft out of Florida Atlantic. He’s quick, he has great vision, he’s tougher up the middle than you’d think for a player who stands just 5-foot-7, and he showed an ability to catch the ball.

Related players: Frank Gore, T.J. Yeldon

GM Brandon Beane said one of the big things that led to the decision was that Beane couldn't help but notice Singletary every time he was on the field. The story added Singletary is not going to be an every down back, at least not yet. Gore is expected to play a significant role and Yeldon will see time on third down.

The LeSean McCoy move made it clear that Devin Singletary capably demonstrated in training camp and the preseason that he had a firm grasp of all the responsibilities required of a complete back.

“This allows Devin more opportunities to show what he can do for the team,” said Beane. “We believe in LeSean and still believe he can play, but you can’t look at every decision in a vaccum. After the draft Devin was a guy we were excited about, but some guys transition faster and some guys transition slower. That’s one of the decisions. Who is ready in that running back group to contribute right away? And we just felt right now that Devin would be able to help us along with the other guys that we’re keeping."

Other reports say Singletary won't take over the lead back role right away, he'll need to improve in pass protection and blitz pickup. He also wasn't asked to play much of a role in the passing game in college so that is a potential issue as well.

Broncos boss John Elway told reporters last night that rookie quarterback Drew Lock would be placed on injured reserve today because of his preseason thumb injury. That will keep him from practicing for at least six weeks and out of at least eight games, so they’ll have to find a backup for Joe Flacco since they released Kevin Hogan yesterday.

Elway also said that tight end Jake Butt and running back Theo Riddick would join Lock on injured reserve today, giving them three roster spots to add, in addition to any shuffling they may want to do with waiver claims.

The Broncos will need a backup to Flacco. Lock's season isn't lost the team said. He'll be able to do everything other than be on the football field, so the team expects him to learn the offense and understand what's going on.

The Bills are loaded at running back, with LeSean McCoy and Frank Gore leading the way. But a rookie is getting plenty of chances to show what he can do.

Via Marcel Louis-Jacques of ESPN.com, Devin Singletary got “a ton” of first-team reps at practice on Sunday.

Singletary was a third round pick this past draft, which is significant for running backs. This is likely a case of just keeping McCoy and Gore fresh, but the story mentioned McCoy's production last season and his $6-plus million salary all leading to speculation the team could ask McCoy to take a pay cut - or possibly even move on from him.

While speaking after practice Friday, Denver Broncos head coach Vic Fangio was asked about rookie quarterback Drew Lock and he was quite honest about Lock. Per Mike Klis of 9News, Fangio said of Lock "his college offense had no carryover to pro offenses. He was under duress a lot ... I don’t think he’s as far along being an NFL-ready QB as he could have been. … He’s not a QB yet. He’s a hard-throwing pitcher who doesn’t know how to pitch yet.’’

Not that there was much of a chance Lock would unseat Joe Flacco as the starting quarterback this season anyway, but this quote from Fangio shows Lock has a long way to go before becoming a starter. It speaks to why he went from a presumably top-ten pick in the draft among those in the media to the No. 42 selection. The issues with Lock's contract didn't help his cause either. Either way, there is not a lot of love, fantasy-wise, for the quarterback situation in Denver, despite the weapons on offense. Flacco is ranked No. 30 among quarterbacks, while Lock is not in the current top 41.

When the Denver Broncos open training camp Thursday, the team may do so without second-round draft picks Dalton Risner and Drew Lock, KUSA-TV’s Mike Klis first reported Tuesday. The news has since been confirmed by multiple media outlets.

Risner, who is projected to be the starting left guard this season, was selected 41st overall, one pick before Lock at No. 42. Being that he was a higher selection, Risner wants to be paid more than Lock.

Lock, a quarterback, wants more guaranteed money than his new teammate because QBs are usually among the highest-paid positions in the NFL. That’s also fair, but it’s debatable if it’s worth holding out over.

Related players: Joe Flacco

While Flacco is likely the starter, Lock will obviously miss key time in camp if he's not there. He's expected to be the backup QB this season with Kevin Hogan and Brett Rypien the only other QBs on the roster. Rookies are to report Wednesday.

Sterling Shepard and Golden Tate are set and Darius Slayton figures to find his way onto the roster. After that, jobs are up for grabs, with Cody Latimer, Corey Coleman and Bennie Fowler competing for one or possibly two spots. Coleman should have an edge, based on his talent, but he must continue to show progress and attention to detail, traits that eluded him in Cleveland.

The author said Coleman is the most intriguing, given his pedigree (2016 first-round pick of the Browns) and skill set. He showed flashes last season and if he has matured, maybe the Giants have something. Speedster Slayton, a fifth-round pick from Auburn, looked quite good in the spring but it is tough for rookies to make much of an impact. Coleman has a chance to be the teams WR3.

"I wouldn't be shocked if [Devin Singletary] emerges as the most relevant running back for fantasy owners by the end of the season." "The Bills love him"

LeSean McCoy currently owns the starting gig in the Bills backfield, but he's tough to trust heading into the 2019 season. He barely cracked 500 rushing yards last year and being on the wrong side of 30 doesn't help. Drafted in the third round, Devin Singletary is actually similar to a younger McCoy is his elusive ability and could see significant playing time in Buffalo in 2019.

The Panthers signed tight end Chris Manhertz to a two-year contract Tuesday, according to his agent, Sean Stellato, via Adam Schefter of ESPN.

Manhertz, 26, was set to become a restricted free agent in March.

He has played in all 32 games for the Panthers over the past two seasons, catching four passes for 69 yards and a touchdown.