After making his first ever NFL reception from, QB Tim Tebow, TE Dedrick Epps not only fumbled after getting hit but injured his knee as well during the Jets 34-0 loss to the San Francisco 49ers.  Epps was in the Jets training camp but released before the season began.  With TE Dustin Keller fighting a hamstring injury the Jets brought Epps back to add some depth to the TE position.

The Jets waive/injured Epps, who cleared waivers, and has been place on season ending injured reserve.


(chatsports.com)

The Jets waived/injured Dedrick Epps Monday afternoon in order to clear a roster space for Berry. Epps suffered a hyperextended knee in Sunday's 34-0 loss to San Francisco after catching Tim Tebow's only pass of the afternoon.

Analysis: Epps' departure is an encouraging sign the Jets could welcome starting tight end Dustin Keller back into the lineup for Week 5 against Houston after he missed the previous three games. He'll clear waivers and go on injured reserve. Epps, 24, made the Jets' roster as a former seventh-round pick out of Miami. He had one catch for nine yards.


(rotoworld.com)

The Jets began the day without their best tight end (injured Dustin Keller) and closed it with backup Dedrick Epps on crutches. After catching Tebow's only pass (a 9-yarder) in the second quarter, 49ers safety Dashon Goldson slammed into Epps' knee. He fumbled, one of the Jets' four turnovers. Epps wouldn't speculate on the severity of the injury before his MRI Monday.


(newsday.com)

Say this for Rex Ryan: The Jets coach has a flair for the dramatic.

Two years ago, when Jason Taylor helped the Jets beat the Dolphins, Ryan was among those dumping the Gatorade jug on the ex-Dolphin.

Sunday, after Tony Sparano's offensive calls helped the Jets to a 23-20 overtime win over the team that fired him a little over nine months ago, Ryan gave the floor to his former coaching rival in the winning locker room.

"He came in here and said it was a team thing," said Jets backup tight end Dedrick Epps, the ex-UM standout who played for Sparano with the Dolphins. "It wasn’t just him. It wasn’t just the offense, It was the special teams, the defense, the coaches. It took everybody to get this done."

While Ryan himself brushed aside suggestions of this being a special win for Sparano -- "I think Tony's a Jet. He's happy to get the victory for the team, not just himself," Ryan said -- another ex-Dolphin didn't even try to hide that aspect of the afternoon.

"I’m sure he went through a lot more [emotions] than I did," said former Dolphins safety Yeremiah Bell, who had seven tackles. "I don’t think he was too happy abaout the way he was done here. To get some revenge I’m sure was sweet for him."

More emotional than for Bell, who had spent his entire career with the Dolphins before being cut loose last offseason? The former winner of team awards for courage, leadership and cooperation with the South Florida media nodded and said that was definitely the case.

"I’m real happy for him," Bell said. "I know he wanted this one. I know it’s big for him. Just for him to come back and kind of get some revenge for the way they treated him and things, I know he’s happy."

Bell said he hadn't spoken privately to Sparano yet, but planned to talk with him on the way back to New York.

"I’m sure I’ll see him on the plane and we’ll chat it up a little bit," Bell said. 

Bell was among the Jets' pregame captains, along with Epps and another Dolphin castoff, receiver Clyde Gates. More proof of Ryan's sense of drama.
Sparano refused comment as he left the Jets locker room after Sunday's win, but Epps said that probably was for the best as well.

"He might get a little choked up in one of his interviews," Epps said. "It might bring a tear to his eye."

And what did Epps say to Sparano after this one?

"Congratulations, coach," Epps said. "Good job."

On this emotional Sunday, at least, there was no denying that.


(sun-sentinel.com)

Jets signed TE Dedrick Epps from the Bears practice squad. A seventh-round pick in the 2010 draft, Epps recently landed in Chicago after being cut by the Jets





(fantasysp.com)

(WSCR) Following the team’s 41-21 win over the Colts on Sunday, the Bears have signed tackle Jonathan Scott and waived punter Ryan Quigley.

The Bears also signed Dedrick Epps to the practice squad.

The 6-3, 250-pound Epps appeared in three games for the Miami Dolphins in 2010 and has also seen time on the practice squads of San Diego, Indianapolis and the New York Jets.


(chicago.cbslocal.com)

After getting a lot of playing time during the preseason with the NY Jets due to injuries at the TE position, proCane TE Dedrick Epps was cut by the Jets on Saturday.

Stick. With. It.

To many, the above expression is simple.

Besides simple, it’s also short in length, just three words.

But for an individual such as Jets tight end Dedrick Epps, the phrase “Stick with it” means much more.

To him, the slogan is viewed as a trademark and one that hasn’t left his side.

Epps is attempting to earn a roster spot with the Green & White this season and his journey in the NFL thus far hasn’t been the smoothest.

“I’m not going to lie,” he said. “It’s been frustrating. It’s not easy, it’s not easy. It takes a lot on your mind and it’s a large toll. And you just have to stick with it because there’s been times where I think, well, this might be the end of it, what do I do now? Then a week later, I get a phone call.”

The 6’3” 250-pounder was drafted by San Diego in the seventh round of the 2010 draft but was a final cut by the Chargers that September. Then he was signed to Miami's practice squad. Epps’ time with the Dolphins was somewhat special since he was returning to the place where he played his college ball. Yet his stay near South Beach wasn’t permanent. Almost exactly a year later he was waived by Miami and back at square one.

Yet Epps never allowed himself to fall out of shape. He thought back to his motto and one month later his phone rang once again. This time it was the Indianapolis Colts calling and inviting him to join their practice squad. Epps accepted their invitation and remained a part of their organization until the start of December 2011 when the Colts released him.

Behind strong support and encouragement from his mother, friends and former teammates, the 24-year old tried not to lose confidence. In college he was a four-year standout at Miami and played alongside two other current NFL tight ends: Richard Gordon of the Raiders and Saints Pro Bowler Jimmy Graham. The trio formed one of the top TE corps in college football.

“Before Jimmy came over, I was used as the receiving tight end and Richard Gordon was used as the blocking tight end,” Epps said. “And then Richard got injured and they used me more as the blocking tight end and Jimmy was the receiving tight end. I tried to do it both, blocking and the routes, while he did the routes so we could be more of a threat. And I think we were. I think we had a solid tight end corps with me, him and Gordon.”

Epps said he stays in contact with Graham, who has provided him advice.

“He’s just told me to keep sticking with it because unfortunately my route in the NFL isn’t like his,” Epps said. “I’ve been bouncing around.”

Just a little less than a month after Epps was released by Indianapolis, the Jets reached out to ask if he was interested in joining their practice squad. He agreed and has been with the team ever since.

“I love everything about being a Jet, man,” he said. “From the food that we get here, to the practices, to the facility.”

Sunday night against Carolina, the Richmond, Va., native, was on the field for 57 of the Jets’ 69 offensive plays (83 percent). The high percentage was partially due to TEs Dustin Keller and Josh Baker both going down with injuries earlier in the game. Regardless, Epps was productive catching two passes for 34 yards. He said the experience was fun, and honestly it should have been considering it turned out to be the most action he’s had in a game since entering the NFL.

“I think it went all right,” Epps said. “I could have done some blocking things a little better. From a mental standpoint, I think I did all of the things correct. I don’t think it was too many mental errors. It’s just technique things that I need to work on.”

As the Jets face off against Philadelphia on Thursday night in their preseason finale, Epps isn’t anticipating any additional pressure. He aspires to build off his performance last week and is excited about having another opportunity to spend a significant amount of time on the field as opposed to the sidelines.

“I mean, I’m just trying to stick with it, get better and just trying to find a team to stick with,” he said.

The expression really does define No. 83. And very shortly it will be known if the Jets choose to stick with Epps.


(newyorkjets.com)

The Jets have signed TE Dedrick Epps to the practice squad. He was originally drafted in the seventh round of the 2010 draft by the Chargers. He has previously spent time with both Miami and Indianapolis.




(cbssports.com)

On Wednesday, the Indianapolis Colts promoted Ricardo Mathews, a seventh-round draft pick in 2010, from the practice squad to the active roster. They also signed defensive tackle Kade Weston, a seventh-round pick of New England in 2010, to the practice squad. Tight end Dedrick Epps to the practice squad.


(chicagotribune.com)

The Philadelphia Eagles cut rookie running back Graig Cooper. The Eagles are deep at the running back position, so look for Cooper to sign as a free agent with another team, he looked quite good this pre-season. The Eagles also cut WR Sinorice Moss. Moss had another great training camp, but was a victim of a deep crop of WRs. Moss has the talent and has shown it when given the opportunity and when healthy. WRs go down due to injury quite often, look for a team to pick him up.

The Miami Dolphins cut TE Dedrick Epps. Epps was cut last year as well but eventually made the Dolphins practice squad. Look for him to latch onto the practice squad again considering how thin the Dolphins are at the TE position.

WR Darnell Jenkins was cut by the New England Patriots. Most scouts seem to think he will find a spot on someone’s roster.

S Jared Campbell, brother of Arizona Cardinal Calais Campbell was cut by the Cardinals. Campbell played well in limited action in the preseason. He may be able to make a practice squad.

The New England Patriots, in a surprise move, cut safety Brandon Meriweather. Meriweather who has been to two consecutive Pro Bowls reportedly freelanced too much in the Patriot backfield and was underperforming. It’s not clear as to whether it was also money issue, but Meriweather is definitely still an elite talent at safety in the NFL. Look for teams thin at that position like the Dolphins and Chiefs to go after Meriweather.

Baraka Atkins LB/DE who had been signed by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the offseason was cut as well. Atkins was one of the final cuts of the Denver Broncos last year after spending the beginning of his career with the Seahawks.

10-year veteran DL Damione Lewis was cut by the Houston Texans. Lewis was a late addition to the Texans squad last year and played very well both last year and this preseason. What didn’t help Lewis this year was the fact that the Texans changed to a 3-4 defense and Lewis is much better suite as a DL in the 4-3.

Brett Romberg who was a surprise signing by the Atlanta Falcons only a couple of days ago, after not playing at all during the 2010 season, was cut by the Falcons as concerns over their starting center’s health subsided. Don’t be surprised to see Romberg get signed if the Falcons sustain an injury there.

Running back Damien Berry was cut by the Ravens. Berry was slowed by an ankle injury that he suffered in the first game of the pre season, and as a result didn’t play until the fourth game. Berry has NFL skills. BERRY WAS SIGNED TO THE RAVENS PRACTICE SQUAD.

LB Tavares Gooden. Gooden was drafted by the Ravens to eventually replace Ray Lewis at the MLB position, but injuries have really slowed his career. Gooden, if healthy, can start for most NFL teams, but this pre season was no different as he continued to deal with injuries. THE SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS SIGNED GOODEN TO A 1-YEAR DEAL.

Rookie defensive back Ryan Hill was waived by the Minnessota Vikings. Hill didn’t play a lot this pre season but when he did, like in the final pre season game for the Vikings, he performed well leading the team in tackles. The Vikings had Hill listed as a safety. He has the size and speed to play both corner and safety which gives him the type of versatility a lot of teams look for.

Javarris James, RB who led the Indianapolis Colts last year in rushing touchdowns after playing only about half the season was cut by the Colts.

Second-year defensive lineman Dwayne Hendricks who was on the NY Giants practice squad last year and was called up and played in a regular season game last year for the Giants was cut. Giants did have a very good pre-season. THE GIANTS SIGNED HENDRICKS TO THEIR PRACTICE SQUAD.

Rookie DB Corey Nelms was cut by the 49ers. Nelms was a surprise free agent signing and did get playing time in the preseason. THE 49ERS SIGNED NELMS TO THEIR PRACTICE SQUAD.

Rookie Fullback Patrick Hill was cut by the Tennessee Titans. Hill didn’t get any carries in the preseason for the Titans.

Welcome to our 1st annual and long overdue proCane Rankings where we look back at the 2010 NFL season and rank the 43 proCanes that took snaps in 2010 (except for Sinorice Moss who was placed on IR before the start of the season).

Stay tuned as we countdown from number 43 to number 1. Our rankings are based on each player’s performance last year. In August we’ll go ahead and re-rank the player’s based on our 2011 expectations. For now read our review of each player’s 2010 season and where they rank overall. Enjoy!

43. Sinorice Moss WR NY Giants/Philadelphia Eagles: Moss, who was having another good Training Camp before injuring his groin and eventually being placed on Injured Reserve before the beginning of the 2010 season, didn’t play a down last year and was eventually released by the Giants who drafted him in the 2nd round of the 2006 Draft. Moss signed with the Philadelphia Eagles this offseason and is poised to breakout in 2011 with the Eagles who have historically filled their roster with WRs that are not necessarily superstars.

42. Dedrick Epps TE Miami Dolphins: Epps who was signed to the Dolphins practice squad in September was signed to the Active Roster in December and played in three games for the Dolphins. Though he didn’t record a reception in those three games, he did get several snaps and looks to be an active backup for the Dolphins in 2011.

41. Bruce Johnson CB NY Giants: After a very surprising 2009 season where Johnson played a significant role as the nickel corner for the Giants after being signed as an undrafted free agent, there were high expectations for him coming into 2010. Johnson lasted through Week 7 when he was placed on injured reserve following arthroscopic knee surgery. He only totaled 5 tackles and no interceptions after having 46 tackles, 1 sack, 2 forced fumbles, 2 interceptions and 1 TD in 2009. Look for him to bounce back in 2011 and help his fellow proCanes Antrel Rolle and Kenny Phillips in the Giants’ secondary.

40. Jason Fox OL Detroit Lions: The Lions drafted Fox in the 4th Round of the 2010 draft with the intention to groom his as a tackle for the future. Fox was recuperating from offseason knee surgery for most of the season, but did finally see action in the last game of the season where he didn’t give up a sack and played fairly well. Coach Linehan has been impressed with Fox’s progress since his surgery and is counting on him being an integral part of the Lions 2011 offensive line.

39. Spencer Adkins LB Atlanta Falcons: In his second year as a Falcon, Adkins doubled his tackle total posting six in 2010 while playing primarily on special teams. Adkins was on the active roster for 9 of the 16 games of 2010 and has yet to crack the starting lineup for the Falcons but is a valuable contributor on special teams.

38. Randy Phillips S Detroit Lions: Phillips signed as an undrafted free agent with the Lions and made a strong impression in Rookie Camp and Training Camp, so much so that he earned playing time for the Lions the first 3 weeks of the season. After underperforming, he was released and later placed on the practice squad and then was reinstated to the active roster in Week 16 against the Miami Dolphins where he forced 2 fumbles. Phillips was still recovering from offseason surgeries and looks to compete for a roster spot with the Lions again this season. Having his former secondary coach from “The U,” Tim Walton as the Defensive Backs coach in Detroit has helped Phillips’ progress.

37. Damione Lewis DL Houston Texans: After signing last offseason with the New England Patriots, and expected to make a big contribution to that defense, Lewis was cut before the beginning of the season after not fitting in as a DE in the Patriots’ 3-4 scheme and also having a rough offseason as he dealt with his mother’s death. He was signed by the Texans and played for them in Week 8 and became a regular contributor on defense for the rest of the season. Lewis can still be an effective DT in a 4-3 scheme and look for him to be a contributor next year after accumulating 17 tackles and one sack in only 10 games.

36. Clinton Portis RB Washington Redskins: After playing in only eights games during the 2009 Season, Portis under new head coach Mike Shanahan changed his attitude towards off-season workouts and recommitted himself to the Redskins. Most expected him to have a big year, but unfortunately again his season was cut short as he played in only 5 games and had 227 yards rushing and only two touchdowns. The Redskins have since released Portis, and until the lockout is resolved we don’t know who he will be playing for next season. Because of his recent injuries most think he is no longer a starting back in the NFL but could be a serviceable 3rd down back especially because of his solid blocking and receiving skills.

35. Leon Williams LB Dallas Cowboys: Williams played mainly special teams for the Cowboys last season as he suited up for 11 games and totaled eight tackles and one fumble recovery. Williams was key in the Cowboys’ punt and kickoff return games and did play some on defense. The Cowboys elected to not tender Williams and he is currently a free agent. Look for him to find a spot on a team in 2011 as a special teams player.

Check back tomorrow to see which proCanes were ranked 34th through 26th!