The NFL Update (5-9-09)

Written by Josh Dhani

Every day, I will do The Update. If their aren't any updates, then I won't do an article for that day. Hope you enjoy it! It just talks about transactions and stuff like that from around the football world. So lets' go!

Pisa Tinoisamoa Released

Linebacker, Pisa Tinoisamoa has been released from the St. Louis Rams. What a surprise move it was! Coach, Steve Spangnulo, made a surprising announcement on Friday and called a "tough decision to make." Tinoisamoa led the Rams in tackles last year with 104. He was the 43rd overall pick by the Rams in the 2002 NFL Draft. That year, he had 121 tackles. So far, he has 445 career tackles. Tinoisamoa looks to be signed by the Bills soon, from some rumors like Scout.com.
Brian Leonard Traded to Bengals. Rams Get Orien Harris in Trade.

The Bengals have acquired running back/fullback, Brian Leonard from the Rams. The Bengals traded backup defensive tackle, Orien Harris, to the Rams in the trade.

Leonard was a 2007 second-round draft pick by the Rams in the NFL Draft. He started seven games that year and ran 303 yards and caught 30 passes for 183 yards. However, last year, Leonard was placed on injured reserve.

The Bengals will mostly use Leonard at fullback but will give him shots at the ball so they can see what he can do. He will mostly be in those third-down situations. Brian Leonard will be sharing carries with newly re-signed running back, Cedric Benson.

"I know it's a great opportunity for me to come in there and be used as a third-down back," Leonard said. "I think they want to use me as a running back, so I'm looking forward to that. I still have a lot of skills, catching the ball out of the backfield and running with it."

Brian Leonard will join Roy Williams as one of the key off-season signings.

Meanwhile, Orien Harris, a three-year veteran was waived from the New Orleans Saints a while ago, so he was signed by the Bengals. He started only one game and appeared in 13 others.
Broncos Sign Darius Walker

The Denver Broncos have been adding and adding running backs to their roster and, have yet, to even stop! On Friday, the Broncos signed their fifth running back to the roster, Darius Walker. Walker was unable to play last year but did have some shots in 2007. On the Texans in 2007, he ran for 264 yards on just 58 carries. He also caught 13 passes for 81 yards. Walker did dress in five games in 2008 for the Texans but never played in them. He later went on to the practice squad of the Rams on November 4, but later rejoined Houston on November 25th.

Now that leads to five backs on the roster: Knowshon Moreno, JJ Arrington, Correll Buckhalter, LaMont Jordan, and Darius Walker. Walker might be able to be on the practice squad, or might have shots at the end of the season for running the ball. I wish all the luck to the Notre Dame native.

Raiders Sign Lorenzo Neal and Gary Russell
The Oakland Raiders made two announcements on Friday. The signed two players to help out their rushing game.

The team added two backs, running back Gary Russell and fullback Lorenzo Neal.

The Raiders were looking for a fullback in the NFL Draft but were unable to, so they went on to sign the 16-year veteran Neal. Neal was released by the Ravens just this off-season. Russell was a key player to the Steelers but barely played because he was never really given chances to play with Pittsburgh. He has 98 career rushing yards and three touchdowns.

He was also a key player in the Super Bowl in which he scored Pittsburgh's first touchdown.


So that is the NFL Update! I hope you enjoyed it and more updates will come soon. Some sources were provided by Reservation for Six.