Moving things around

I'll talk today about a few minor moves and add a point or two as well on a slow day.

The Browns released long snapper Ryan Pontibriand and signed Christian Yount,a UCLA rookie that played for Tampa in seven games when the Buccaneers were having injury issues.
Pontibriand was chosen in controversy by former head coach Butch Davis in the fifth round of the 2003 draft.
Not that Pontibriand proved unworthy,but then as now-the fifth round was a bit high for a pick of a long snapper.
The Rice graduate had been to the Pro Bowl twice,but had been suffering from a "slump" as he called this season.
I understand that Pontibriand's issues had been key elements in the losses to the Rams and Bengals,but there were variables to both missed kicks other than a poor snap,so this might be a bit early to give up on a quality player in a lost season.
Pontibriand's departure eliminates the last trace of the Butch Davis regime from the roster as he was the final player drafted by Davis still on the Browns.

The Browns also lost two starters on defense for the season as defensive end Emmanuel Stephens and linebacker Scott Fujita were placed on the injured reserve with pectoral and hand injuries respectively.
Fujita will miss time for the second season in a row and will be replaced by third year man Kaluka Maiava.
Stephens had only recently been elevated to the starting lineup and will be replaced by former starter Jayme Mitchell.

The Pirates have signed former Hagerstown Suns first baseman Nick Evans from the New York Mets as a minor league free agent.
Evans split last season with the Mets and AAA Buffalo,hitting .256 with four homers with the Gothamites.
Evans will likely be the regular first sacker for the AAA Indianapolis Indians,but will have his shot to make the parent club...

The Devils activated Eric Boulton from the injured reserve and sent winger Brad Mills to Albany to make space on the roster.
Boulton had been out of the lineup since injuring his hand in a one punch knockout of Douglas Murray earlier in the season.



Mike Leach has agreed to take the usual bottom dwellers of the Pac 12 on as his next challenge.
Leach will be the new head coach at Washington State in a great hire for Washington State and a terrific chance for Leach to rehabilitate his image.
More on this as the week progresses...