NFL Notes: Tim Wright, Michael Sam, Packers, & Rams

Tim Wright

Field Yates of ESPN reports that 10 NFL teams placed waiver claims for TE Tim Wright, who was released by the Patriots last week.

According to Yates, the Buccaneers, Jets, Bears, Falcons, Browns, Saints, Dolphins, Chiefs, Steelers, and Lions were the 10 teams.

Tampa Bay has the top waiver priority, which is why Wright is returning to the Bucs in 2015.

Michael Sam

The Montreal Alouettes officially placed DE/OLB Michael Sam on the their suspended list following his decision to leave the team for personal reasons.

“He wanted to go home, and that’s what he did,” GM Jim Popp said, via ESPN.com. “I don’t know why. When a guy wants to go home, they go home. He had some personal things to take care of. I wouldn’t be surprised if he returns. I’m surprised he left. I was very surprised. If he doesn’t come back, I would think football’s over for him.”

Packers

It seemed like Packers QB Aaron Rodgers would have the ability to call some of his own plays after HC Mike McCarthy decided to give up play-calling duties.

However, Rodgers tells Rob Demovsky of ESPN that Broncos QB Peyton Manning doesn’t call his own plays, so there’s no reason to think he’ll be doing so.

“Well, Peyton doesn’t do that,” Rodgers said. “Nobody does that.”

“I think everybody would want a starting point,” Rodgers said. “We all have moments where we have [called the plays], whether it’s a no-huddle situation or two-minute. Everybody wants a starting point. It’s tough to have to call every single play, so it’s always nice when you can have a good starting point and you can make a slight adjustment if you have to.”

Rams

• According to Nick Wagoner, the Rams aren’t likely to make a run at signing free agent G Evan Mathis unless his price drops.
• Even so, Wagoner considers Mathis to be a “logical fit” for them at right guard.
• The Rams have around $7 million in available cap space to work with, but they couldn’t use all of it to lure Mathis to St. Louis.
• The other issue could be that they aren’t viewed as a top contender heading into the 2015 season, which could give other teams an advantage, assuming all things are equal.