NFL Notes: Falcons, Jets, Titans

Falcons

The NFL allowed each of the four NFC South team to sign an international player (NFLTR) who can be stashed on their practice squad for the 2017 season.

The Falcons elected to sign rugby star Alex Gray a few months ago to a one-year deal.

“It’s an amazing opportunity and one I’m determined to take,” Gray said, via the Daily Mail. “Everyone has been great with me and have been very welcoming. After meeting everyone it was then into my first NFL practice and that was like something I’ve never experienced before. 

“It’s been good though, amazing, and hopefully just the start. There has been loads more meetings than I imagined, certainly more than in my rugby days, and the facilities are amazing. All the clubs I played for and with England, the facilities were first class, with the England Sevens side they were first class, but this is something else.“

Gray mentioned that doesn’t think he’ll ever close the door on his rugby career, but he’s focused on getting the most out of the opportunity with the Falcons.

“In terms of my rugby career I don’t think I can ever really close off on that, it’s been my life, but you find out that you are in a real rugby bubble. There are some wonderful people in the game that have done so much for me, but everything about the last few months has probably helped me appreciate what I have achieved. I’m so proud of what I have done so far and I might come back, you never know. That’s just life.

“Did I think I was ever going to give the NFL a serious go? Absolutely not, but this isn’t too bad for a kid from the north.

“The big thing for me now is to make sure I get as much out of this as I possibly can because it really is a once in a lifetime opportunity. I just need to put myself in as good a position as I can, learn as much as I can and give it everything I’ve got.”

Jets

According to ESPN analyst Damien Woody, Jets HC Todd Bowles wasn’t in favor of their recent decision to release LB David Harris.

“Todd Bowles was not in favor of letting David Harris go, I know that for a fact,” Woodly told Mike Reiss of ESPN. “So when that whole thing went down, he was not a happy camper. But just talking to guys and their overall feeling, they are happy for David, because he’s that likable of a guy. He’s never been a big talker. He’s always come to practice, always come to work. So guys in the locker room are saying, ‘Good for him. He deserves an opportunity to play for a championship.’”

Titans

• Newly signed WR Eric Decker said he is “good to go” from hip and shoulder injuries and expects to practice at the start of training camp. (Jim Wyatt)
• Wyatt believes Decker gives a veteran presence, while also providing more depth in case of injuries.
• Wyatt expects the Titans to keep 5-6 receivers and believes Rishard Matthews, Corey Davis, Taywan Taylor, Eric Decker and Tajae Sharpe are in the best position to make the 53-man roster.
• At the quarterback position, Wyatt thinks that Alex Tanney is valuable enough for the Titans to keep around as their No. 3 quarterback.
• Wyatt could see the Titans grabbing some more players off the waiver wire when teams begin making roster cuts after training camp.