NFL Notes: Buccaneers, Dolphins, Patriots, & Steelers

Buccaneers

• Field Yates reports that the Buccaneers have agreed to pay RB Mike James $34,412 per week while he remains on their practice squad.

Dolphins

• Adam Beasley reports that it cost the Dolphins a signing bonus of $125,000 to promote QB Logan Thomas, and prevent him from signing with the Bengals.

Patriots

Newly signed Patriots RB Montee Ball explained that he was shocked by the Broncos’ decision to release him at the start of the season.

“It was shocking when the Broncos let me go, but I believe everything happens for a reason,” Ball said Thursday, via Mike Reiss of ESPN. “Given the opportunities I was given there in Denver, I can only look back on them and get better from them and move on. I think it’s time to move on, and being a Patriot, you cannot complain at all.”

Ball’s clearly thankful for his opportunity with the Patriots and says he’ll do whatever they want him to do moving forward.

“Wherever they want me, wherever they need me; I’m not in a position anymore to where I can say where I want to do, or what I want to do, or where I want to be,” Ball said. “It’s wherever they want to put me. Whenever my number is called, I’m going to do what I can.”

Steelers

• Field Yates reports that the Steelers have agreed to pay DL Cashaud Lyons $25,588 per week while he remains on their practice squad.