MISSOULA -- Former Montana Grizzly standout Scott Gragg, who
was released by the San Francisco 49ers in June, has become a
last-minute addition to the New York Jets.
"As of 4 p.m. Eastern time, I'm a New York Jet," the 6-foot-8,
315-pound tackle said Tuesday. "I signed a one-year deal with them
today, I start practice tomorrow, and I'm trying to drink the
playbook like water through a fire hose."
Gragg, an NCAA Division I-AA All-American in 1993-94, was a
starter the past nine seasons in the NFL, the most recent five with
San Francisco. The 49ers released him in June as part of a salary
cap move.
He heard from several teams before the Jets came calling.
"They had called late last week, and Ken (Staninger, his agent)
had talked with them on Saturday," Gragg said. "I said I'd go out
on Monday, and at least let them see that I'm healthy and ready to
play."
Apparently he was.
The news came just after three former Griz All-American
offensive linemen, Thatcher Szalay, Dylan McFarland and Cory
Procter, were signed to practice squads.
Szalay, who was cut by Baltimore on Saturday, was signed by the
Seahawks.
McFarland, a 2004 seventh-round pick of Buffalo who played two
games last season, was signed to the Bills' practice squad on
Monday. He was among their final cuts on Saturday.
Procter, cut on Aug. 30 by Detroit, was added to the Lions'
practice squad on Sunday. The NFL expanded the practice squads from
five players to eight this season.
Also on Saturday, Washington cut receiver Jimmy Farris, two days
after the Griz All-American hauled in two touchdown passes in a
26-20 preseason loss to the Baltimore Ravens.
Farris caught six balls this preseason for 106 yards, and he
drew praise from Washington coach Joe Gibbs after Thursday's game.
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Information from: Missoulian, http://www.missoulian.com