May 8, 2018
Latest:
  • NFL notebook: Panthers sign RB Anderson
  • Raiders sign three, waive three
  • Eagles sign QB Callahan
  • Browns claim P Vogel
  • Colts claim TE Telfer off waivers

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The Sports Xchange

NFL: Cincinnati Bengals at Denver Broncos: Running back C.J. Anderson (22) rushed for 1,007 yards last season with the Broncos. --Photo Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports (file photo)
NFL 

NFL notebook: Panthers sign RB Anderson

May 7, 2018May 7, 2018 TSX 6 Views notebook, The Sports Xchange

— The Sports Xchange — The Carolina Panthers signed free agent running back C.J. Anderson to a one-year contract, the

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NCAA Football: San Jose State at Texas: Running back Chris Warren III (25) is the son of former NFL running back Chris Warren II. --Photo Credit: Erich Schlegel-USA TODAY Sports (file photo)
NFL 

Raiders sign three, waive three

May 7, 2018May 7, 2018 TSX 7 Views Butler, Hood, Poggi, Raiders, Saint Fleur, Sharga, SIGNED-WAIVED, The Sports Xchange, Warren

— The Sports Xchange — The Oakland Raiders announced on Monday that they signed three free agents following their participation

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NFL: Green Bay Packers at Pittsburgh Steelers: Quarterback Joe Callahan played for the Green Bay Packers last season. --Photo Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports (file photo)
NFL 

Eagles sign QB Callahan

May 7, 2018May 7, 2018 TSX 10 Views Callahan, Eagles, Packers, The Sports Xchange

— The Sports Xchange — The Philadelphia Eagles signed quarterback Joe Callahan to a two-year contract, the team announced Monday.

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NFL: New Orleans Saints at Green Bay Packers: Justin Vogel (8) was the Green Bay Packers' punter last season. --Photo Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
NFL 

Browns claim P Vogel

May 7, 2018May 7, 2018 TSX 10 Views Browns, Packers, The Sports Xchange, Vogel

— The Sports Xchange — Former Green Bay Packers punter Justin Vogel was claimed by the Cleveland Browns, the Browns

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NFL: Cleveland Browns at Cincinnati Bengals: Tight end Randall Telfer started 14 games for the Cleveland Browns last season. --Photo Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports (file photo)
NFL 

Colts claim TE Telfer off waivers

May 7, 2018May 7, 2018 TSX 11 Views Browns, Colts, Nicolas, Telfer, The Sports Xchange

— The Sports Xchange — Former Cleveland Browns tight end Randall Telfer was claimed by the Indianapolis Colts, the team

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NFL: New York Jets at Denver Broncos: Running back C.J. Anderson (22) rushed for 1,007 yards last season with the Broncos. --Photo Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports (file photo)
NFL 

Panthers sign RB Anderson

May 7, 2018May 7, 2018 TSX 9 Views Anderson, Hurney, Panthers, The Sports Xchange

— The Sports Xchange — The Carolina Panthers signed free agent running back C.J. Anderson to a one-year contract, the

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NCAA Football: Hawaii at UNLV: Johnny Stanton (4) was a quarterback at UNLV, but is transitioning to fullback with the Vikings. --Photo Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports (file photo)
NFL 

Vikings sign four, waive four

May 7, 2018May 7, 2018 TSX 7 Views Beebe, Dooley, Foreman, James, Lyons, Pettway, SIGNED-WAIVED, Stanton, Taylor, The Sports Xchange, Vikings

— The Sports Xchange — The Minnesota Vikings signed four players who tried out with the team during its rookie

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NFL: San Francisco 49ers at Buffalo Bills: Zane Beadles (68) started five games for the San Francisco 49ers in 2017. --Photo Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports (file photo)
NFL 

49ers release OL Beadles

May 7, 2018May 7, 2018 TSX 5 Views 49ers, Beadles, Lynch, The Sports Xchange

— The Sports Xchange — Offensive lineman Zane Beadles, who has started 115 NFL games, was released by the San

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NFL: Washington Redskins at New Orleans Saints: Tight end Coby Fleener (82) caught 22 passes for the Saints last season. --Photo Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports (file photo)
NFL 

Report: Saints release TE Fleener

May 7, 2018May 7, 2018 TSX 4 Views Fleener, Saints, The Sports Xchange

— The Sports Xchange — The New Orleans Saints released tight end Coby Fleener after two seasons with the team,

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Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
NFL 

Raiders sign LB Johnson

May 7, 2018May 7, 2018 TSX 6 Views Chiefs, Johnson, JOHNSON-SIGNS, Raiders, The Sports Xchange

— The Sports Xchange — The Oakland Raiders signed free agent linebacker Derrick Johnson, the club announced Monday. Details of

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NFL News

    • NFL notebook: Panthers sign RB Anderson
      NFL notebook: Panthers sign RB AndersonMay 7, 2018— The Sports Xchange — The Carolina Panthers signed free agent running back C.J. Anderson to a one-year contract, the team announced Monday. Anderson previously played five seasons with the Denver Broncos before being released in April. Anderson rushed for a career-high 1,007 yards in 2017, when he started all 16 games for the Broncos. He also had 40 receptions for 224 yards. With the Panthers, he is expected to provides a complement to Christian McCaffrey, who has varied skills but may not be an every-down back. The Panthers released Jonathan Stewart, leaving them with Cameron Artis-Payne and Fozzy Whittaker as their other running backs. During his five-year NFL career, Anderson, 27, has 3,051 rushing yards, 20 rushing touchdowns, 103 receptions, 559 receiving yards and four touchdown catches. He was named to the Pro Bowl in 2014 when he had 849 rushing yards and 324 receiving yards. –The NFL Players Association has filed a non-injury grievance and a system arbitrator case on behalf of free agent safety Eric Reid, it announced. The non-injury grievance comes on behalf of Reid against the Cincinnati Bengals as well as other clubs with whom he has spoken. The grievance arises from questions posed to Reid by Bengals owner Mike Brown in regard to whether he intends to continue to demonstrate during the national anthem. Per the NFLPA: “At least one club owner has asked pre-employment interview questions about a player’s intent to demonstrate. We believe these questions are improper, given league policy.” The second grievance seeks a system arbitration against the NFL and its teams regarding the league’s failure to enforce the absence of a policy that mandates standing. The only rule in this regard preserves the rights of players to demonstrate during the national anthem. –The New Orleans Saints released tight end Coby Fleener after two seasons with the team, the Boston Globe reported. Fleener recorded 72 receptions for 926 yards and five touchdowns in 27 games since signing a five-year, $36 million deal with the Saints as a free agent in 2016. The 29-year-old posted a career-low single-season total in catches (22) to go along with 295 receiving yards and two scores in 11 games in 2017. He did not start any games last season, and his campaign was cut short with a trip to injured reserve due to a concussion. –Offensive lineman Zane Beadles, who has started 115 NFL games, was released by the San Francisco 49ers, the team announced. Beadles, 31, signed with the 49ers as a free agent on March 22, 2016. He started all 16 games in 2016, playing center, guard and tackle. He played in all 16 games this past season, but made only five starts, playing both guard and tackle. –The Oakland Raiders signed free agent linebacker Derrick Johnson, the club announced. Details of the contract were not disclosed, but multiple media outlets reported Johnson agreed to a one-year deal. In a corresponding move, the Raiders waived defensive back Darius Hillary, who had been signed to a futures contract by the Raiders in January after playing in one game for the Cleveland Browns in 2017. Johnson joins the Raiders after 13 seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs, a longtime archrival of the Raiders. Despite tearing his left Achilles tendon for the second time in two years late in the 2016 season, the 35-year-old Johnson came back to make 71 tackles and break up seven passes in 15 games for the Chiefs last season. –Former Cleveland Browns tight end Randall Telfer was claimed by the Indianapolis Colts, the team announced. Telfer started 14 games for the Browns last season, and last week it appeared Telfer would be headed to the Kansas City Chiefs. He was traded to the Chiefs in exchange for linebacker Dadi Nicolas. But the trade was rescinded by the teams on Friday, and both players were waived. The Browns also waived tight end Jason Vander Laan, who played in four games for the Colts last season but had no receptions. –Former Green Bay Packers punter Justin Vogel was claimed by the Cleveland Browns, the Browns announced. Vogel was the Packers’ punter last year and averaged 44.4 yards per punt. His net average of 41.6 yards was a single-season franchise record. He had 19 punts inside the 20-yard line and just two touchbacks. The Packers waived Vogel last week after they selected punter JK Scott in the fifth round of this year draft. The Browns also announced they waived quarterback Joel Stave, who had been signed a week ago. –Shaquem Griffin’s performance at weakside linebacker made a favorable impression on Seattle Seahawks coach Pete Carroll. Sure, it was just over three days of non-contact practices, but positives are important for the Seahawks’ fifth-round pick of the 2018 NFL Draft. “He looked very comfortable, very natural,” Carroll said of Griffin, via The Seattle Times. “He has a sense already for scheme and terminology. The position is the right spot for him, it looks like. We can be aggressive and use his speed.” –Defensive tackle Terrell McClain is expected to visit the San Francisco 49ers on Monday, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported. McClain visited the Miami Dolphins last week in his first meeting with an NFL club since being released by the Washington Redskins on Thursday. The 29-year-old McClain was just one season removed from signing a four-year, $21 million deal with the Redskins. –The Philadelphia Eagles signed quarterback Joe Callahan to a two-year contract, the team announced. Callahan, 24, was signed by the Green Bay Packers as an undrafted rookie out of Wesley College in Delaware in 2016. He played in one game for the Packers last season, completing 5 of 7 passes for 11 yards. –Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz is keeping the season opener as a realistic target date for his return from a torn ACL and LCL. “Rehab has been great. Obviously, it’s not fun. It’s quite the process. It can be painful some days,” Wentz said Monday on NFL Network’s Good Morning Football. “But so far everything is going well. Where I’m at I’m very confident. My goal is to be ready Week 1.” –Mason Rudolph isn’t taking Ben Roethlisberger’s recent comments personally. Roethlisberger told radio station 93.7 The Fan that he was surprised the Pittsburgh Steelers selected Rudolph in the third round of the 2018 NFL Draft. The 36-year-old Roethlisberger reasoned that the Steelers could have been better served with a player who could immediately help the team and also noted that he doesn’t expect Rudolph to see the field for a while. “If I was Ben, I’d probably say the same thing,” Rudolph said on The NFL Network’s “Path To The Draft” over the weekend. “He’s a competitor. Obviously, he has a lot of confidence in himself, like I do. And, yeah, he’s going to be a future Hall of Famer, and I would expect him to say that.” –Former Indianapolis Colts linebacker Edwin Jackson was awarded a posthumous degree from Georgia Southern over the weekend. Jackson, who was a walk-on at Georgia Southern, and Uber driver Jeffrey Monroe were killed in February when a drunk driver hit them with his black Ford F-150 pickup truck while they were standing on the side of Interstate 70. Georgia Southern Football shared an emotional two-minute video on Twitter Saturday of parents Mary and Wesley Jackson receiving his posthumous degree. Wesley Jackson shouted “Georgia” as he walked off stage, with the crowd responding “Southern” in appreciation. Jackson, 26, joined the Colts as an undrafted free agent in 2015. He collected 66 tackles and two sacks in 16 games with the Colts in 2016 before being placed on injured reserve by the team in September 2017. –Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan wasn’t so much interested in facts and figures while addressing his new blockbuster contract as he was with time. “I think it was for both sides wanting to try and get it done and be able to have the focus on football when we got to training camp, for sure. And so, I’m happy with the timing of it,” Ryan said during a Monday press conference to address his five-year, $150 million deal with $100 million guaranteed. “I think the organization is very happy with the timing of it, and certainly when we get back to training camp it’s 100 percent about football and even this morning, it’s 100 percent about football. I always felt confident that it was going to get done in a smooth way and in a timely manner, and I feel like it did.”...
    • Raiders sign three, waive three
      Raiders sign three, waive threeMay 7, 2018— The Sports Xchange — The Oakland Raiders announced on Monday that they signed three free agents following their participation in the team’s rookie minicamp on a tryout basis. The three signed by the Raiders are tight end Paul Butler of California (Pa.), fullback Henry Poggi of Michigan and running back Chris Warren III of Texas. The Raiders also waived three players: running back Elijah Hood, defensive lineman Joby Saint Fleur and fullback Nick Sharga. Warren is the son of Chris Warren II, who played 11 NFL seasons and was named to three Pro Bowls. The younger Warren had announced his decision to transfer from Texas before academic issues caused him to declare for the draft. Butler totaled 32 receptions for 381 yards and five touchdowns in his college career, while Poggi made 13 starts at fullback and four starts at tight end, collecting nine career receptions for 68 yards....
    • Eagles sign QB Callahan
      Eagles sign QB CallahanMay 7, 2018— The Sports Xchange — The Philadelphia Eagles signed quarterback Joe Callahan to a two-year contract, the team announced Monday. Callahan, 24, will be added to a Philadelphia quarterback corps that includes Carson Wentz, Nick Foles, and Nate Sudfeld. But with Wentz unable to participate in the offseason, Callahan gives the Eagles another quarterback for camp. Callahan was signed by the Green Bay Packers as an undrafted rookie out of Wesley College in Delaware in 2016. He played in one game for the Packers last season, completing 5 of 7 passes for 11 yards. Callahan was released by the Packers last week....
    • Browns claim P Vogel
      Browns claim P VogelMay 7, 2018— The Sports Xchange — Former Green Bay Packers punter Justin Vogel was claimed by the Cleveland Browns, the Browns announced Monday. The Browns also announced they waived quarterback Joel Stave, who had been signed a week ago. Vogel was the Packers’ punter last year and averaged 44.4 yards per punt. His net average of 41.6 yards was a single-season franchise record. He had 19 punts inside the 20-yard line and just two touchbacks. The Packers waived Vogel last week after they selected punter JK Scott in the fifth round of this year draft. Vogel will compete with Britton Colquitt for the punting job in Cleveland. Colquitt averaged 47.6 yards per punt last season. Vogel was originally signed by Green Bay as an undrafted free agent in 2017....
    • Colts claim TE Telfer off waivers
      Colts claim TE Telfer off waiversMay 7, 2018— The Sports Xchange — Former Cleveland Browns tight end Randall Telfer was claimed by the Indianapolis Colts, the team announced Monday. The Browns also waived tight end Jason Vander Laan, who played in four games for the Colts last season but had no receptions. Telfer started 14 games for the Browns last season, and last week it appeared Telfer would be headed to the Kansas City Chiefs. He was traded to the Chiefs in exchange for linebacker Dadi Nicolas. But the trade was rescinded by the teams on Friday, and both players were waived. Telfer played a lot of snaps for the Browns last year, but was seldom used as a receiver. He had just three receptions for 36 yards. In 2016, Telfer, 25, played in 14 games, including five starts, and had just two catches for 4 yards. He joins Jack Doyle and Eric Ebron at tight ends on the Colts’ roster....
    • Panthers sign RB Anderson
      Panthers sign RB AndersonMay 7, 2018— The Sports Xchange — The Carolina Panthers signed free agent running back C.J. Anderson to a one-year contract, the team announced Monday. Anderson previously played five seasons with the Denver Broncos before being released in April. Anderson rushed for a career-high 1,007 yards in 2017, when he started all 16 games for the Broncos. He also had 40 receptions for 224 yards. With the Panthers, he is expected to provides a complement to Christian McCaffrey, who has varied skills but may not be an every-down back. The Panthers released Jonathan Stewart, leaving them with Cameron Artis-Payne and Fozzy Whittaker as their other running backs. “As far as ground and pound, the Keep Pounding slogan that Carolina likes to (use), the ground and pound game I think fits (me) well,” Anderson said Monday, per the Charlotte Observer. “Breaking tackles and finding ways to use that to make long runs and bigger plays, also catching the ball out of the backfield, too. “But having a guy like McCaffrey, who’s super shifty and also can do some of the same things, it can be a great complementary (relationship) with each other.” Panthers general manager Marty Hurney pointed out after the draft that the team had not addresses its need for a power back. “Not so far,” Hurney said then, according to Bill Voth on the Panthers’ website. “Again, that’s something that we keep looking at and we’ll continue to look at.” During his five-year NFL career, Anderson, 27, has 3,051 rushing yards, 20 rushing touchdowns, 103 receptions, 559 receiving yards and four touchdown catches. He has also rushed for 323 yards in five postseason games. He was named to the Pro Bowl in 2014 when he had 849 rushing yards and 324 receiving yards. Anderson was signed by the Broncos as a free agent out of Cal in 2013....
    • Vikings sign four, waive four
      Vikings sign four, waive fourMay 7, 2018— The Sports Xchange — The Minnesota Vikings signed four players who tried out with the team during its rookie minicamp, and they waived four others, the team announced Monday. The Vikings signed Northern Illinois wide receiver Chad Beebe, Southern Illinois cornerback Craig James, UNLV fullback Johnny Stanton and Western Illinois linebacker Brett Taylor. The team waived UTEP long snapper Nick Dooley, Texas wide receiver Armanti Foreman, Tusculum defensive tackle Caushaud Lyons and Auburn fullback Kamryn Pettway. Beebe made 64 receptions for 930 yards and three touchdowns during his career at Northern Illinois. James had two interceptions and had a forced fumble and 37 tackles last season at Southern Illinois after starting his collegiate career at Minnesota. Stanton will be a fullback for the Vikings after playing quarterback at UNLV. He began his college career at Nebraska before transferring to Saddleback College and later to UNLV. Taylor received All-America honors at Western Carolina, an FCS school....
    • 49ers release OL Beadles
      49ers release OL BeadlesMay 7, 2018— The Sports Xchange — Offensive lineman Zane Beadles, who has started 115 NFL games, was released by the San Francisco 49ers, the team announced Monday. Beadles had one year left on the three-year, $11.75 million deal he signed in 2016. Releasing Beagles clears $3.5 million against the cap. “Zane is a consummate professional and has represented our organization with exceptional class,” said 49ers general manager John Lynch in a statement released by the team. “He is an unselfish guy who stepped up in a big way for our team last year and we can’t thank him enough for all his contributions to the organization and our community. Zane is just the kind of player and person we would always be open to welcoming back down the road, but releasing him now provides ample opportunity to find the right situation with his next team. We wish him and his family all the best as he moves forward in his career.” Beadles, 31, signed with the 49ers as a free agent on March 22, 2016. He started all 16 games in 2016, playing center, guard and tackle. He played in all 16 games this past season, but made only five starts, playing both guard and tackle. Beadles was San Francisco’s opening day starter at left guard in 2017, but he was replaced in the starting lineup after one game following the acquisition of Laken Tomlinson. Beadles then started the final four games of the season at right tackle. It was the first time in his eight-year NFL career that Beadles was not a fulltime starter. Beadles began his pro career with the Denver Broncos in 2010 and also spent time with the Jacksonville Jaguars. He was selected to the Pro Bowl in 2012....
    • Report: Saints release TE Fleener
      Report: Saints release TE FleenerMay 7, 2018— The Sports Xchange — The New Orleans Saints released tight end Coby Fleener after two seasons with the team, the Boston Globe reported on Monday. Fleener recorded 72 receptions for 926 yards and five touchdowns in 27 games since signing a five-year, $36 million deal with the Saints as a free agent in 2016. The 29-year-old posted a career-low single-season total in catches (22) to go along with 295 receiving yards and two scores in 11 games in 2017. He did not start any games last season, and his campaign was cut short with a trip to injured reserve due to a concussion. The Saints signed Benjamin Watson as a free agent this offseason to join Josh Hill and Michael Hoomanawanui among others at the tight end position....
    • Raiders sign LB Johnson
      Raiders sign LB JohnsonMay 7, 2018— The Sports Xchange — The Oakland Raiders signed free agent linebacker Derrick Johnson, the club announced Monday. Details of the contract were not disclosed, but multiple media outlets reported Johnson agreed to a one-year deal. In a corresponding move, the Raiders waived defensive back Darius Hillary, who had been signed to a futures contract by the Raiders in January after playing in one game for the Cleveland Browns in 2017. Johnson joins the Raiders after 13 seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs, a longtime archrival of the Raiders. Despite tearing his left Achilles tendon for the second time in two years late in the 2016 season, the 35-year-old Johnson came back to make 71 tackles and break up seven passes in 15 games for the Chiefs last season. Johnson, a four-time Pro Bowl selection, is expected to provide a veteran presence to the Raiders’ defense in addition to upgrading pass coverage at the second level. The signing of Johnson might indicate that the Raiders will not re-sign another veteran linebacker, NaVorro Bowman, even though general manager Reggie McKenzie has said he would like to keep the former San Francisco 49er. Kansas City selected Johnson in the first round of the 2005 NFL Draft (15th overall), and he has played in 182 NFL games with 169 starts and has totaled 1,262 tackles (993 solo), 27.5 sacks, 23 forced fumbles, eight fumble recoveries, 14 interceptions and 77 passes defensed. In the postseason, Johnson has played in six games and posted 40 tackles (26 solo) and one sack. He is the Chiefs’ all-time leader in tackles. He was named a first-team All-Pro in 2011 after setting a franchise record with 179 tackles, 4.5 sacks and two interceptions....
    • Falcons’ Ryan pleased focus on football, not contract
      Falcons’ Ryan pleased focus on football, not contractMay 7, 2018— The Sports Xchange — Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan wasn’t so much interested in facts and figures while addressing his new blockbuster contract as he was with time. “I think it was for both sides wanting to try and get it done, and be able to have the focus on football when we got to training camp, for sure. And so, I’m happy with the timing of it,” Ryan said during a Monday press conference to address his five-year, $150 million deal with $100 million guaranteed. “I think the organization is very happy with the timing of it, and certainly when we get back to training camp it’s 100 percent about football and even this morning, it’s 100 percent about football. I always felt confident that it was going to get done in a smooth way and in a timely manner, and I feel like it did.” Ryan, who turns 33 on May 17, has guided the Falcons to three NFC South division titles and six playoff appearances since being selected with the third overall pick of the 2008 NFL Draft. The 2016 NFL MVP and four-time Pro Bowl selection has completed 3,630 of 5,593 passes for 41,796 yards and 260 touchdowns with 126 interceptions. Impressive numbers to be certain, but Ryan told reporters that he is looking ahead as opposed to his rear-view mirror. “I think it’s more so than anything, I think it’s incentive,” Ryan said. “I’ve always felt like your job as a player is to go earn every dollar and have that mindset that every day you wake up it’s about working as hard as you possibly can. So, I guess it’s more incentive for me moving forward to play my best football as I continue to mature in this league.” Ryan was entering the final year of his contract, and the Falcons could not proceed with free agency moves until the deal was completed. As part of the deal, Ryan received a guaranteed signing bonus of $46.5 million along with guaranteed salaries of $6 million in 2018, $11.5 million in 2019, $20.5 million in 2020 and $23 million on 2021. He also receives a $10 million option bonus for 2019. The pact extends through the 2023 season for Ryan, who will enter his 11th NFL season in 2018. While leading the Falcons to a 10-6 regular-season record in 2017, Ryan completed 64.7 percent of his passes for 4,095 yards, 20 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. In two playoff games, he had a 65.2 completion rate with two touchdown passes and no interceptions....
    • Packers sign six draft picks, two free agents
      Packers sign six draft picks, two free agentsMay 7, 2018— The Sports Xchange — The Green Bay Packers signed six picks from their 2018 NFL Draft as well as a pair of rookie free agents, the team announced Monday. Wide receivers J’Mon Moore, Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Equanimeous St. Brown joined guard Cole Madison, defensive tackle James Looney and linebacker Kendall Donnerson in agreeing to deals with the Packers. Green Bay has signed eight members of its 11-player draft class. Cornerbacks Jaire Alexander (first round) and Josh Jackson (second round) join third-round linebacker Oren Burks as the team’s remaining unsigned picks. The Packers also announced that they have signed tight end Ryan Smith and linebacker Greer Martini after the pair tried out during rookie minicamp. Moore, who is listed at 6-foot-3 and 205 pounds, was selected in the fourth round out of Missouri. South Florida’s Valdes-Scantling (6-4, 206) was taken in the fifth round, and he, Moore and Notre Dame’s St. Brown (6-5, 214), a sixth-round pick, are expected to help Green Bay get back up to speed after it parted ways with Jordy Nelson in March. “I think you’re always looking for bigger targets,” Packers coach Mike McCarthy told the team’s website recently. “It makes sense, doesn’t it? Bigger catching radius, completion percentage. I think any quarterback would prefer to throw to a bigger target.” Madison was a fifth-round pick out of Washington State while Looney and Donnerson were taken in the seventh round out of California and Southeast Missouri, respectively. Smith recorded a career-best 35 receptions for 454 yards and four touchdowns last season with Miami (Ohio). Martini collected career highs in starts (seven), tackles (75), solo tackles (39) and forced fumbles (two) last season at Notre Dame....
    • NFLPA files grievance on behalf of Reid
      NFLPA files grievance on behalf of ReidMay 7, 2018— The Sports Xchange — The NFL Players Association has filed a non-injury grievance and a system arbitrator case on behalf of free agent safety Eric Reid, it announced on Monday. The non-injury grievance comes on behalf of Reid against the Cincinnati Bengals as well as other clubs with whom he has spoken. The grievance arises from questions posed to Reid by Bengals owner Mike Brown in regard to whether he intends to continue to demonstrate during the national anthem. Per the NFLPA: “At least one club owner has asked pre-employment interview questions about a player’s intent to demonstrate. We believe these questions are improper, given league policy.” The second grievance seeks a system arbitration against the NFL and its teams regarding the league’s failure to enforce the absence of a policy that mandates standing. The only rule in this regard preserves the rights of players to demonstrate during the national anthem. The Collective Bargaining Agreement states that NFL rules supersede any conflicting club rules, according to the grievance. “Colin (Kaepernick) and Eric have taken courageous action at the expense of their professional careers and personal lives,” attorney Mark Geragos, who represents both players in a separate collusion grievance, said in a statement. “They did these selfless acts because they wanted to shine light on inequity and oppression. Today they welcome all NFL Players who have joined in the prosecution of the NFL for their conspiracy and illegal acts. We stand shoulder to shoulder with the NFLPA in our fight for justice, equality and inalienable rights of all Americans.” Reid claimed at the beginning of the offseason that he wasn’t receiving interest from teams due to his decision to kneel during the national anthem. The 26-year-old was the first player to kneel alongside Kaepernick during the duo’s time with the San Francisco 49ers. “The notion that I can be a great signing for your team for cheap, not because of my skill set but because I’ve protested systemic oppression, is ludicrous. If you think is, then your mindset is part of the problem too,” Reid tweeted. Reid’s lone visit in free agency was with the Bengals. Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio reported that Brown asked Reid for his action after being told that the Bengals owner plans to prohibit kneeling during national anthem for the 2018 season. A Pro Bowl selection in 2013, Reid has been a starter in each of his five NFL seasons. Reid started 12 of the 13 games he played for the 49ers in 2017, when he had two interceptions, four passes defensed, one fumble recovery and 66 tackles. He has 10 interceptions, 34 passes defended, one sack and 318 tackles in his career....
    • Carroll: Shaquem Griffin looked natural at weakside LB
      Carroll: Shaquem Griffin looked natural at weakside LBMay 7, 2018— The Sports Xchange — Shaquem Griffin’s performance at weakside linebacker made a favorable impression on Seattle Seahawks coach Pete Carroll. Sure, it was just over three days of non-contact practices, but positives are important for the Seahawks’ fifth-round pick of the 2018 NFL Draft. “He looked very comfortable, very natural,” Carroll said of Griffin, via The Seattle Times. “He has a sense already for scheme and terminology. The position is the right spot for him, it looks like. We can be aggressive and use his speed.” Griffin’s speed is an asset within the Seahawks’ defensive scheme. The 6-foot, 227-pound Griffin recorded a 4.38 time in the 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine. “He’s already shown some sense in the passing game and he had a couple really good plays adjusting to zone coverage and man coverage and things we’ve already seen,” Carroll said. “So those were good things to take away. And we can’t really get a feel at all for special teams but we know that that’s going to be a factor so we’re excited about that.” Griffin, who had his left hand amputated as a child, overcame it in winning the American Athletic Conference’s Defensive Player of the Year honors. He notched 18.5 sacks in his final two seasons at Central Florida. In Seattle, Griffin will be paired with his twin brother, Shaquill, who was selected by the Seahawks in the third round a year ago. K.J. Wright currently occupies the position of weakside linebacker for the Seahawks, although the veteran is entering the final year of his contract....
    • Report: DT McClain to visit 49ers
      Report: DT McClain to visit 49ersMay 7, 2018— The Sports Xchange — Defensive tackle Terrell McClain is expected to visit the San Francisco 49ers on Monday, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported. McClain visited the Miami Dolphins last week in his first meeting with an NFL club since being released by the Washington Redskins on Thursday. The 29-year-old McClain was just one season removed from signing a four-year, $21 million deal with the Redskins. McClain, who is listed at 6-foot-2 and 300 pounds, recorded just 17 tackles and two sacks in 12 games last season. He missed Weeks 12-15 with a toe injury. McClain was originally selected by the Carolina Panthers in the third round of the 2011 NFL Draft. He also played for the New England Patriots, Houston Texans and Dallas Cowboys before playing one season with the Redskins. During his time with Houston in 2013, McClain was under the tutelage of assistant defensive line coach Jeff Zgonina. Zgonina is now the defensive line coach for the 49ers. San Francisco’s defensive tackle depth features Earl Mitchell, DeForest Buckner, D.J. Jones and Sheldon Day. The 49ers also selected Jullian Taylor in the seventh round of the 2018 NFL Draft, with Taylor already under contract after recording 52 tackles and one sack in 20 games at Temple....
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