Evan Rodriguez's off-the-field alcohol issues while with the Chicago Bears are what put him out of a job. His character — but more importantly his play — will decide the length of his stay in his new gig.
News of rookie E.J. Manuel's progress with his knee injury yielded the release of fill-in backup quarterback Matt Flynn, which opened up a spot on the Buffalo Bills' roster for the 25-year-old fullback Monday.
Rodriguez appeared in 12 games last year for Chicago, working out of the backfield and on special teams.
Following a pair of intoxicated run-ins with police within a two-month span, however, Rodriguez was cut prior to Bears training camp and spent the summer with the Miami Dolphins. He received his pink slip there prior to opening day.
"I think sometimes, and it’s different, people will take their views differently," Marrone said Monday, via BuffaloBills.com. "When is that time that someone has learned from that mistake? A lot of it depends on what that mistake is. When someone comes along, you know there is a short leash. They have to convince people that they’ve learned from that mistake, that they’re ready to move on, and then once they do that they have to get on the field and obviously perform.
"I think I’ll wait and see. I know he’s very athletic and can help us in the H-back mode. I think he can also help us on special teams. I think I’ll wait to see what actually happens on the field."
Rodriguez tallied four catches for 21 yards with Chicago last year and totaled 871 yards and seven touchdowns in his collegiate career. His presence will likely impede on some of the snaps that Frank Summers and Chris Gragg were seeing from the H-back position.
As far as Flynn goes, the journeyman did not see any playing time in his three weeks with the Bills and has now been cut from his third team in less than a year.
As far as Flynn goes, the journeyman did not see any playing time in his three weeks with the Bills and has now been cut from his third team in less than a year.
