By National Football Post McIlroy, Dahmen share lead at Wells Fargo
Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy shot a 5-under-par round of 66 on Thursday to share the first-round lead with Joel Dahmen at the Wells Fargo Championship in Charlotte, N.C.
After shooting even par on the front nine, McIlroy blistered the back side of the Quail Hollow Club in 5-under 31 thanks to five birdies over a seven-hole stretch.He was the first to get into the clubhouse at 5 under, with Dahmen birdieing the 18th hole several groups later to match McIlroy.
McIlroy earned his first career PGA Tour victory at Quail Hollow in 2010, and is the only two-time winner of the event.However, there is still a stacked leaderboard behind him.
“(The golf course) went through different iterations since we started coming here, but every time they tweak something here or there, you know, it’s still sort of the same place and it really fits my eye,” McIlroy said, according to golfchannel.com.“I think it’s the purest golf course we play all year in terms of preparation and how manicured it is.
“It just has a really nice feel about it.I’ve always felt comfortable here.I’ve obviously got good memories.”
Five players only one shot off the pace include 2018 Masters champion Patrick Reed, Adam Schenk, Scotland’s Marin Laird, Canada’s Nick Taylor and South Africa’s Dylan Frittelli.
Another shot back at 3 under is Australia’s Jason Day, who is attempting to defend a title on the PGA Tour for the first time.He had five birdies against two bogeys in posting 68.
“It was good today,” Day told reporters after the round.
“You had to be careful with that wind today, because it is moving around a little bit, but overall very pleased with the opening.”
Day was paired with Phil Mickelson, who is tied for 47th after an even-par round of 71, same as previous event champion Rickie Fowler.After carding a pair of birdies and bogeys through the first eight holes while starting on the back nine, Mickelson reeled off 10 consecutive pars to close his round.
“My game feels a lot better than my score today,” Mickelson said.“It was kind of a lethargic, lazy, unexciting round.Hit a lot of greens and didn’t make any putts.
I came in here fresh, and I think the next three days it’s going to get better.”
Webb Simpson, whose home is located on the course, is within striking distance at 2 under and said being at his home course no longer presents distractions in trying to compete.
“This week has been pretty laid back.We did all of our busy stuff already,” he told the Golf Channel.
“Saw a lot of people early in the week, but now it’s time to focus on golf.I feel like I’ve learned how to just enjoy it and use it to my advantage.”
NOTES: Tiger Woods, the 2008 event winner, is not in the field and is not expected to play until the PGA Championship in two weeks.… McIlroy will turn 30 on Saturday and has seven top-10 finishes in nine starts this year.… The Wells Fargo Championship is one of seven Tour events Mickelson has played at least 15 times without posting a victory.
–Field Level Media Testaverde’s son invited to Bucs’ rookie minicamp
Vincent Testaverde, the Testaverde’s son invited to Bucs’ rookie minicamp
Vincent Testaverde, the son of former Tampa Bay quarterback Vinny Testaverde, will try out for the Buccaneers during the team’s rookie minicamp.
His college coach at Albany, Greg Gattuso, made the announcement on Twitter.
The minicamp will be held May 10-11.Testaverde also took part in the Buccaneers’ local pro day workout.
The elder Testaverde, now 55, played at Miami, where he won the Heisman Trophy in 1986.He was the No.1 overall selection in the 1987 draft.
His son didn’t have the same collegiate success after leaving Jesuit High School in Tampa.
He played the 2014 season as a walk-on at Texas Tech, appearing in one game, then transferred to Miami.He sat out a year and didn’t play the following season, then transferred to Albany.
At Albany, transfer rules forced him to sit out the 2017 season, and in his one season for the Great Danes, he threw for 1,714 yards and 11 touchdowns.
–Field Level Media Cards GM Keim on QB Murray: ‘Wow’ Cards GM Keim on QB Murray: ‘Wow’
Arizona general manager Steve Keim said he remembers the moment he decided the Cardinals would make former Oklahoma quarterback Kyler Murray the first pick of the 2019 NFL Draft.
“When I closed my eyes and I visualized Kyler Murray running around State Farm Stadium in red and white, for whatever reason, all I saw was just fireworks, excitement, a must-see [environment] where fans have to go and show up and see this thing.Him being the architect was a phenomenal fit for me,” Keim told NBC’s Peter King.
That makes two seasons in a row that Keim has picked a quarterback in the first round, trading up in 2018 to draft UCLA’s Josh Rosen, who was dispatched to the Miami Dolphins in a trade on Friday night.
New coach Kliff Kingsbury recruited Murray, a Texas native, when he was a college coach recruiting in the state.
But Keim and Kingsbury both said the coach didn’t insist on the selection.
“The thing I respect the most about Kliff is he never once interrupted the process,” Keim said, with Kingsbury sitting at the table with him and King.
“He never once came down and put his fist on the table and said, ‘I want Kyler Murray.I have to have him.’ I knew that he loved him as a player, but he allowed the process to take care of itself.To me, that was the only way we were going to get it right.”
Keim said he put off watching tape of Murray until just six weeks ago.And when he did watch, he was mesmerized by the quarterback, who measured 5-foot-10 1/8 at the NFL Scouting Combine.
“I was reluctant to study him because I knew what we had in Josh Rosen,” Keim said.“As I watched the first game, I watched the second game, I couldn’t put down the controller.All I wanted to do was keep watching this kid on tape.I don’t know if I wrote down ‘wow’ 100 times, or 500 times, but my hand got tired of writing it.
In the time I’ve been doing this, I haven’t seen a guy who could throw like him and run like him.I’ve seen guys who could do one of each, but I’ve never evaluated a guy who possesses the skill set to do both things at such a high level.”
–Field Level Media NFL draft drew record attendance, TV ratings
The 2019 NFL Draft was the best-attended and most-watched NFL draft drew record attendance, TV ratings
The 2019 NFL Draft was the best-attended and most-watched draft in league history.
The NFL said Monday that more than 600,000 fans gathered in Nashville during the three-day event to soak in the draft atmosphere.The previous record was set in 2017, when 250,000 fans flocked to the streets of Philadelphia.
The draft, which aired on NFL Network, ESPN, ABC and affiliated digital channels, drew more than 47.5 million viewers on channels measured by Nielsen, an increase of 5 percent from 2018, and a draft record.
“The 2019 NFL Draft was a tremendous continuation of the celebration of the NFL’s 100th season and an opportunity to welcome the next generation of stars,” NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said in a statement.
The 2020 draft will be held in Las Vegas, making it the first big event in what will be the NFL’s next destination.The Oakland Raiders are scheduled to begin play in Las Vegas in the 2020 season.
–Field Level Media Saints decline CB Apple’s fifth-year option Saints decline CB Apple’s fifth-year option
Eli Apple will be a free agent at the end of the 2019 season after the New Orleans Saints declined the cornerback’s fifth-year option.
Apple was drafted 10th overall in 2016 by the New York Giants and acquired by the Saints at the trade deadline in 2018.
Thursday is the deadline for teams to pick up fifth-year options for 2016 first-round picks.All draft picks sign four-year deals, and first-round draft picks have a fifth-year team option.Apple’s fifth season in 2020 would have been worth $13.7 million, which ranks among the highest-paid cornerbacks in the NFL.
To acquire Apple from the Giants, the Saints gave up fourth- and seventh-round draft picks.Apple had two interceptions in 10 games for the Saints after intercepting one pass in 30 career games with the Giants.He also had nine passes defended with the Saints, more than in any single season with the Giants.
The Saints did pick up the fifth-year option for their own 2016 draft pick, defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins.
–Field Level Media Understated QB Jones welcomes ‘huge opportunity’ with Giants
Daniel Understated QB Jones welcomes ‘huge opportunity’ with Giants
Daniel Jones, drafted sixth overall in the 2019 NFL Draft, was on the field with the New York Giants eight days after the Duke quarterback was selected into a precarious position.
Jones, 22, will be the backup to Super Bowl-winning franchise quarterback Eli Manning, a player no longer universally endorsed in New York.
But the heir, based on rabid reaction since Jones was drafted last Thursday, has taken plenty of criticism himself.Jones tuned out those who are slow to buy into his potential and summed up his reaction as “thrilled.”
“This is a huge opportunity for someone like me.This was the place I wanted to be,” Jones said Friday as the Giants began rookie minicamp.“To get the call, it was thrilling and I am happy to be here.”
Jones got his hands on the voluminous playbook of head coach Pat Shurmur and briefly chatted last Friday with Manning, who is entrenched as the starting quarterback for 2019, general manager Dave Gettleman said.
In the days between, headlines and hot takes from sports talk radio and television talking heads have been unkind to Jones and Gettleman.The universal opinion seems to go something like this: No harm in drafting Jones, but he could’ve been available 11 picks later at No.17.And maybe even at 30, where the Giants traded back into Round One on draft night.
“It would be hard to be completely unaware of a lot of that stuff and the way it works.I don’t focus on it,” Jones said with an unassuming grin.
“There is a lot to focus on and a lot to learn right now.Being here, learning the offense and trying to pick up a bunch of stuff.
I am not sure I can really afford to focus on a lot of that stuff.”
With the 17th pick, the Giants drafted Clemson nose tackle Dexter Lawrence.Lawrence and Jones squared off as opponents in the Atlantic Coast Conference.
“That’s my guy,” Lawrence said Friday.“Going to the game, watching film, obviously he is very talented.So that gave me a little more motivation to kind of go get him.He a great player, I think he deserved to go sixth, so that’s what happened.”
Jones did not take the bait when asked if he would try to win the starting job away from Manning, who along with Peyton Manning have served as mentors and sounding boards for Jones.Both Manning Brothers have worked with Duke coach David Cutcliffe.
“I think the first thing that I have thought is to understand how awesome it is to have a guy like Eli,” Jones said.
“Keeping that in mind and making sure that every day I am learning from him.Also, focusing on improving myself, which is a big part of that process as well.It is a huge opportunity to learn and I am certainly mindful of that.I am looking forward to learning.”
The media throng gathered to grill Jones on Friday was unlike anything he’s experienced at Duke, ACC Media Days or bowl game press conferences.As one of the fresh centers of attention in one of the world’s most aggressive media markets, Jones said he’s not overwhelmed by the novelty or significance of this big new world.
“I think anyone that comes into New York, you can see that there is more attention than they have had previously.It is all part of it,” Jones said.“It is my job to make people believe in me and I understand that.
There is a lot of work to do and I am excited to do that.”
–Field Level Media 49ers OT Davis seeks reinstatement from retirement 49ers OT Davis seeks reinstatement from retirement
Nearly three years after he retired from the NFL over concussion concerns, San Francisco 49ers offensive tackle Anthony Davis has requested reinstatement to the league in a letter to commissioner Roger Goodell, Pro Football Talk reported.
Davis, 29, played 72 games with the 49ers from 2010-16, but saw action in just one contest in his final season.The former first-round draft pick (11th overall) out of Rutgers missed the entire 2015 season after sustaining a concussion in 2014.
Davis had three plays on offense and four plays on special teams during his one game in 2016 and then elected to retire, posting on Twitter at the time that he was concerned over head injuries wanting his “time and mind intact.”
Davis, whose rights are still owned by the 49ers, said in his letter to Goodell that he is pleased with the efforts the NFL has made regarding concussions.
Davis noted that he read three separate articles earlier this year from different sources with his biggest takeaway that concussions were “down by 29 percent in the 2018 season.”
Davis started every game for the 49ers in his first four years with the team but had lost his job at right tackle to Trent Brown when he returned to the team in 2016.
–Field Level Media Giants draft pick Ballentine won’t be at minicamp
The New York Giants said Wednesday they have Giants draft pick Ballentine won’t be at minicamp
The New York Giants said Wednesday they have advised sixth-round draft pick Corey Ballentine to stay home in Kansas to continue to recover from his gunshot wound and not attend this weekend’s rookie minicamp.
Ballentine, a 23-year-old cornerback, and Washburn University teammate Dwane Simmons were shot early Sunday near the school’s campus in Topeka, Kan.Simmons was killed and Ballentine was shot in his gluteal muscle.
“We have been in communication with Corey since Sunday,” the team said in a statement.“We have encouraged Corey to stay in Kansas this week to be with his family and friends as they mourn the loss and celebrate the life of his good friend and teammate Dwane Simmons.
“Corey will be with us when it’s appropriate.”
General manager Dave Gettleman previously said Ballentine would arrive in the New York area on Thursday.
Simmons was remembered at a candlelight vigil Tuesday night on the Washburn campus.
–Field Level Media Theismann passes on No.7 to Redskins rookie Haskins
Retired Washington Redskins quarterback Joe Theismann Theismann passes on No.7 to Redskins rookie Haskins
Retired Washington Redskins quarterback Joe Theismann has given his blessing for rookie Dwayne Haskins to wear his No.
7.
The number hasn’t been worn since 1985 and is unofficially retired.The Redskins have retired just one number – Sammy Baugh’s No.33 – but have kept several others out of circulation.
Theismann told 106.7 The Fan on Wednesday that he and Haskins talked about the number.Haskins, the former Ohio State quarterback, was selected by the Redskins at No.15 overall last week in the NFL draft.
“I told him it was OK to wear No.
7,” Theismann told the radio station.“Given him permission.Not that I felt like I needed to, but he was respectful enough to ask.
“We had a really nice conversation.
It’s important to him.And hey, I want the kid to be successful.
He doesn’t need to worry about, ‘Well, I wish I could’ve worn a different jersey.I wish I could’ve worn a number.’ If this is one less thing that puts any problems out there or issues out there for him or statements or comments, let’s make his life as easy as possible, so that we can get the success from him that we’re hoping and expecting.”
The Redskins still must give final approval to the jersey number.
–Field Level Media Original AAF lead investor Fowler charged with bank fraud
Reggie Fowler — the original lead investor in the Alliance of American Original AAF lead investor Fowler charged with bank fraud
Reggie Fowler — the original lead investor in the Alliance of American Football, which folded during its debut season earlier this spring — is facing federal charges of bank fraud unrelated to the belly-up league, according to a Sports Illustrated report.
Fowler reportedly has been charged with bank fraud this week by the Department of Justice, related to services provided for an unlicensed crypto-currency exchange company.
According to the report, the money-transmitting company misrepresented money transfers and avoided international services designed to detect money laundering.Fowler, a former minority owner of the Minnesota Vikings, had invested just shy of $25 million into the league, but his finances were reportedly frozen around the end of 2018.
Tom Dundon moved in as the league’s primary investor in February, but he decided to suspend operations in early April after the AAF completed eight weeks of play.
The AAF, which was headquartered in San Francisco, had eight franchises with teams in Atlanta, Birmingham, Ala., Memphis, Orlando, Tempe, Ariz., Salt Lake City, San Antonio, Texas and San Diego.
–Field Level Media Option notebook: Titans decline Conklin, Bills decline Lawson Option notebook: Titans decline Conklin, Bills decline Lawson
The Tennessee Titans will not pick up the fifth-year option of former All-Pro right tackle Jack Conklin, multiple outlets reported Wednesday.
The option would have been worth nearly $13 million in 2020.Thursday is the deadline for teams to pick up fifth-year options — which are guaranteed only in the event of injury — for 2016 first-round picks.
Conklin, 24, was named first-team All-Pro as a rookie in 2016 after starting all 16 games and allowing just one sack, and he started all 16 while allowing 1.5 sacks in 2017.But he tore his ACL in the playoffs after the 2017 season and was limited to nine games in 2018, allowing five sacks.
The Titans traded up seven spots to take Conklin eighth overall in the 2016 draft.
He is now set to hit free agency after the 2019 season, barring an extension.
–The Buffalo Bills will decline defensive end Shaq Lawson’s fifth-year option, according to multiple reports, which would have been worth around $10 million.
Lawson, 24, had four sacks and a career-high 12 QB hits while playing 14 games (six starts) in 2018, bringing his career totals to 10 sacks and 20 QB hits in 35 games (17 starts).
The Bills took Lawson 19th overall in 2016.
–The New Orleans Saints declined cornerback Eli Apple’s fifth-year option, which would have been worth nearly $14 million.
Apple, 23, was drafted 10th overall in 2016 by the New York Giants and acquired by the Saints for fourth- and seventh-round picks at the 2018 trade deadline.
He had two interceptions and nine passes defensed in 10 games for the Saints, after posting one interception and 20 passes defensed in 30 games with the Giants.
–The Chicago Bears picked up outside linebacker Leonard Floyd’s fifth-year option, which will pay him around $13 million in 2020.
Floyd, 26, had a career-low four sacks along with 11 QB hits in 2018.He played with a cast on his hand early in the season but did not miss any time, playing in all 16 games for the first time in his career.
The Bears traded up two spots to take Floyd ninth overall in 2016.
–As expected, the Green Bay Packers exercised defensive tackle Kenny Clark’s fifth-year option, according to multiple reports, which will pay him around $8 million in 2020.
General manager Brian Gutekunst had previously told reporters the team planned to pick up the option.
Clark, 23, is coming off a career year with six sacks and nine QB hits in 13 games.He was drafted 27th overall in 2016.
–The Minnesota Vikings officially declined wideout Laquon Treadwell’s fifth-year option, which would have been worth just over $10 million.
Treadwell, 23, had career highs of 35 catches for 302 yards and one touchdown in 15 games (seven starts) last season but has not been able to earn a major role in the offense.
Minnesota took him 23rd overall in 2016.
–The Washington Redskins have informed wideout Josh Doctson they will decline his fifth-year option, NBC Sports Washington reported.
Doctson, 26, had 44 catches for 532 yards and two scores in 2018, bringing his career totals to 81 catches for 1,100 yards and eight scores in 33 games (26 starts).
He missed all but two games as a rookie due to injury.
Taken one pick ahead of Treadwell in 2016, Doctson’s option would have been worth just over $10 million.
–Field Level Media Bears announce hiring of Childress
The Chicago Bears announce hiring of Childress
The Chicago Bears officially announced the hiring of Brad Childress as senior offensive assistant on Wednesday.
Childress, 62, spent the 2018 season with Chicago as a senior offensive consultant before leaving to coach the Atlanta Legends in the Alliance of American Football.He resigned from leading the Legends a month before their first game, and reports in March said he would return to join the Bears.
A former head coach of the Minnesota Vikings, Childress worked with Bears head coach Matt Nagy on the Kansas City Chiefs’ staff from 2013-17.Both held the offensive coordinator title for stretches, with Childress also serving as spread game analyst and assistant head coach during his K.C.
tenure.
The Vikings were 39-35 under Childress from 2006-10, reaching the playoffs twice and losing to the New Orleans Saints in the NFC Championship Game after the 2009 season.
When he stepped down in January from the job in the fledgling AAF — which has since folded — Childress indicated he wanted to spend more time with his family.
“For now, I need to refocus,” he said in a statement.“I’m looking forward to spending time with them and supporting them as they’ve done so for me.”
–Field Level Media NFL notebook: Lynch eyes possible return after Crowell injury
Oakland Raiders NFL notebook: Lynch eyes possible return after Crowell injury
Oakland Raiders running back Isaiah Crowell suffered a torn Achilles tendon on Tuesday and is out for the season, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported on Wednesday.
Crowell, who signed a one-year contract valued up to $2.5 million in late March, will have surgery next week, Schefter said.
Meanwhile, NFL Network reports running back Marshawn Lynch is open to a return to the Raiders, if they’re interested.ESPN reported last week that the 33-year-old Lynch planned to retire for the second time in his career, after sitting out 2016 and returning for the last two seasons with Oakland, his hometown team.
It appears Oakland has already responded to Crowell’s injury by going with someone else, as NFL Network reports the Raiders will re-sign free agent running Doug Martin, their leading rusher in 2018.
–Retired Washington Redskins quarterback Joe Theismann has given his blessing for rookie Dwayne Haskins to wear his No.7.
The number hasn’t been worn since 1985 and is unofficially retired.The Redskins have retired just one number — Sammy Baugh’s No.
33 — but have kept several others out of circulation.
Theismann told 106.7 The Fan on Wednesday that he and Haskins talked about the number.Haskins, the former Ohio State quarterback, was selected by the Redskins at No.
15 overall last week in the NFL draft.
–Play-by-play man Joe Tessitore and analyst Booger McFarland will make up the two-person booth for “Monday Night Football” in 2019 — the 50th season for the television institution.
Lisa Salters will continue as the sideline reporter, and recently retired NFL referee John Parry will serve as officiating analyst.McFarland was an analyst on the field level in 2018.
The network will not replace Jason Witten, who took over Jon Gruden’s role as the primary analyst in the booth for the 2018 season.Witten quit to return to play for the Dallas Cowboys in 2019.
–The New York Giants said they have advised sixth-round draft pick Corey Ballentine to stay home in Kansas to continue to recover from his gunshot wound and not attend this weekend’s rookie minicamp.
Ballentine, a 23-year-old cornerback, and Washburn University teammate Dwane Simmons were shot early Sunday near the school’s campus in Topeka, Kan.Simmons was killed, and Ballentine was shot in his gluteal muscle.
“We have been in communication with Corey since Sunday,” the team said in a statement.“We have encouraged Corey to stay in Kansas this week to be with his family and friends as they mourn the loss and celebrate the life of his good friend and teammate Dwane Simmons.Corey will be with us when it’s appropriate.”
–The Chicago Bears officially announced the hiring of Brad Childress as senior offensive assistant.
Childress, 62, spent the 2018 season with Chicago as a senior offensive consultant before leaving to coach the Atlanta Legends in the Alliance of American Football.He resigned from leading the Legends a month before their first game, and reports in March said he would return to join the Bears.
A former head coach of the Minnesota Vikings, Childress worked with Bears head coach Matt Nagy on the Kansas City Chiefs’ staff from 2013-17.
Both held the offensive coordinator title for stretches, with Childress also serving as spread game analyst and assistant head coach during his K.C.tenure.
–The Jacksonville Jaguars signed free agent linebackers Ramik Wilson, Najee Goode and D.J.Alexander.
Wilson was the only one of the group to start in 2018, starting four of 16 games for the Los Angeles Rams.Goode and Alexander combined to play 28 games for the Indianapolis Colts and Philadelphia Eagles, respectively, with most of their contributions on special teams.
–The Miami Dolphins waived quarterback Luke Falk, cornerback Dee Delaney and defensive end Jeremiah Valoaga.
None of the three played during the 2018 regular season.Falk was a sixth-round pick by the Tennessee Titans in 2018 whom the Dolphins claimed off waivers after the Titans released him during final cuts.
–Field Level Media Texans sign ex-Chargers S Addae Texans sign ex-Chargers S Addae
Former Los Angeles Chargers safety Jahleel Addae signed with the Houston Texans on Wednesday.
The team has yet to announce the signing, but Addae posted on Instagram with an image of him signing at the Texans’ facility.
Addae, 29, started all 32 games over the last two seasons for the Chargers, making 171 tackles (10 for loss) and 10 pass breakups, but he was released in March.Head coach Anthony Lynn praised Addae’s performance, noting that his release was a result of the emergence of Derwin James, whom the Chargers plan to play at strong safety full time in 2019.
Addae is predominantly a strong safety and often played linebacker in Los Angeles’ six- and seven-DB packages.He started 59 of 80 games played in six seasons with the Chargers.
The Texans added former Jacksonville Jaguars safety Tashaun Gipson earlier this offseason while watching safety Tyrann Mathieu walk in free agency, signing with the Kansas City Chiefs.
Reserve safety Andre Hal retired.
Houston did not take a safety during last weekend’s draft.
–Field Level Media Tiger Woods to visit Trump at White House Tiger Woods to visit Trump at White House
Tiger Woods is scheduled to visit the White House on Monday.
According to multiple reports, Woods was invited to celebrate his Masters victory with President Donald Trump in a special ceremony.
Woods played a round with President Trump in Jupiter, Fla., in February.
The day after the Masters, President Trump announced Woods would be honored with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest honor for a civilian.However, that presentation is expected to take place later in the year.
Woods has 15 major victories, three shy of Jack Nicklaus’ record, and went more than a decade without winning a major while battling personal issues and injuries.
–Field Level Media Report: LB Johnson to retire as member of Chiefs Report: LB Johnson to retire as member of Chiefs
All-Pro linebacker Derrick Johnson will sign a one-day contract with the Kansas City Chiefs, then retire, 610 Sports Radio reported Thursday.
Johnson is expected to sign the contract next week.
Now 36, he was the Chiefs’ first-round draft pick, No.15 overall, in 2005.He played 13 seasons for Kansas City, and in 182 games (169 starts), he had 1,151 tackles, 14 interceptions, 27.5 sacks and 40 quarterback hits.
He played in six games for Oakland last season after the Chiefs released him and started in one.He had 17 tackles with the Raiders.
On Wednesday, former Chiefs running back Jamaal Charles signed a one-day contract with the team and retired after 11 NFL seasons.
–Field Level Media Packers’ Gary, Savage are first first-round picks to sign
The Green Packers’ Gary, Savage are first first-round picks to sign
The Green Bay Packers had two first round picks in last week’s NFL Draft and on Friday revealed that both have agreed to their rookie contracts.
Defensive end Rashan Gary, taken 12th overall, and safety Darnell Savage, taken 21st, are also the first two players taken in the first round to sign.
Savage was the first to sign, with his agents tweeting the news on Thursday.Both players received the customary four-year deals allotted first-round picks, with a fifth-year team option that must be exercised before the start of the players’ fourth seasons.
According to Spotrac.com, Savage’s contract is worth $12.48 million over four years, while Gary is projected to receive $15.83 million over the same span.
The Packers announced the moves, along with the signing of 11 rookie free agents, as rookie orientation was set to begin.
Of Green Bay’s eight draft picks, only guard Elgton Jenkins (second round) and tight end Jace Sternberger (third round) remain unsigned.
–Field Level Media Attorney for Hill denies client abused child in letter to NFL
The attorney for Kansas City Chiefs Attorney for Hill denies client abused child in letter to NFL
The attorney for Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Tyreek Hill sent the NFL a four-page letter Thursday, a detailed denial of child abuse allegations made against his client.
In the letter obtained by ESPN, attorney N.Trey Pettlon accused Hill’s fiancée, Crystal Espinal, of abusing the couple’s 3-year-old son.
Espinal secretly recorded a conversation she had with Hill that was broadcast last week by Kansas City station KCTV.
Espinal said in the recording, “He kept saying ‘Daddy punches me,’ which you do when he starts crying.
What do you do? You make him open up his arms, and you punch him in the chest.”
Pettlon wrote in the letter, “He (Hill) categorically denies he has ever ‘punched’ his son in the chest or anywhere on his body, or otherwise touched him in the chest in a mean-spirited manner or as a form of discipline.”
Pettlon explained there have been times when Hill has tapped his son on the chest and told him to “man up, buddy” or “don’t cry, my man,” but denied Hill has grabbed his son’s arms as part of any discipline and further denied Hill played any part in their son suffering a broken arm.
He noted the records at the hospital where the child was treated labeled the broken arm an accident.
The attorney does not deny the audio in question is of Hill and Espinal, but does challenge Espinal’s assertion on the recording that the child in question is “terrified” of Hill.Pettlon also called a comment Hill made on the recording, “You need to be terrified of me, too, b—-,” inexcusable.
The child is not living with either parent after being removed by the Kansas Department for Children and Families last month.
Authorities have been investigating incidents — one on March 5 for alleged child abuse and neglect, and one on March 14 for alleged battery — at Hill’s home in Overland Park, Kan.Both police reports indicated a juvenile was involved.
Kansas City Chiefs chairman and CEO Clark Hunt said Saturday that he and the front office were “deeply disturbed” by the audio, but offered no explanation as to why the team has not released him.
Speaking briefly at the team’s annual draft party, Hunt said he couldn’t elaborate further because of the ongoing investigation.
In November, the Chiefs moved swiftly to release running back Kareem Hunt after TMZ posted a video showing him kicking and shoving a woman in a Cleveland hotel.
The Chiefs banned Hill from participating in team activities but have not cut ties with him.
“I’d just point out that Tyreek is not with the franchise right now and we’re going to go through the process,” Hunt told reporters.“We’ll make the right decision about Tyreek at the right time.”
The NFL is said to be considering putting Hill on the commissioner’s exempt list amid the ongoing criminal investigation, according to multiple reports.
The commissioner’s exempt list typically isn’t used during the offseason, but the league is considering making an exception in this case, per reports, which added that the NFL has the full audiotape.
–Field Level Media Option notebook: Lee, Nkemdiche, Ifedi to free agency after 2019 Option notebook: Lee, Nkemdiche, Ifedi to free agency after 2019
The New York Jets will not pick up linebacker Darron Lee’s fifth-year option before Friday’s deadline, according to multiple reports Thursday.
Lee, 24, has reportedly been shopped in trade talks for much of the offseason, but he remained on the team’s roster through last weekend’s draft.
His fifth-year option would have been worth about $9.5 million in 2020 and guaranteed only for injury.Instead, he is set to become a free agent after the 2019 season, unless the Jets release him before then.
Lee was drafted 20th overall in 2016.
He had 74 tackles, three interceptions and five passes defensed last season while starting 12 games.
–NFL Network reported that the Arizona Cardinals will decline defensive tackle Robert Nkemdiche’s fifth-year option, which would have been worth $7.7 million.
Nkemdiche, 24, had 4.5 sacks, seven quarterback hits and nine tackles for loss last season while missing six games due to injury.He had no sacks, three QB hits and one tackle for loss across 17 games in his first two seasons, missing time in each to injury.
Once pegged as a potential top-10 prospect, Nkemdiche slid to 29th overall in 2016 due to concerns about his work ethic and personality.
–The Seattle Seahawks will decline right tackle Germain Ifedi’s fifth-year option, according to multiple reports.The option would have been worth $10.4 million.
Ifedi, who turns 25 on June 2, has allowed 19 sacks — according to STATS LLC.— and committed 32 penalties through 44 games (all starts) across three seasons.He drew praise for improved play in 2018 but was still credited with a career-high seven sacks surrendered in 15 games.
The Seahawks took Ifedi 31st overall in 2016 after trading down five spots.
–The Carolina Panthers declined defensive tackle Vernon Butler’s fifth-year option, which would have been worth $7.7 million.
Butler, who turns 25 on June 14, has yet to start a game through three seasons, playing in 38 as a reserve.
He has 45 career tackles (three for loss), two sacks and 10 QB hits.
The Panthers took Butler 30th overall in 2016.
–The San Francisco 49ers will decline the $10.4 million fifth-year option for guard Joshua Garnett, according to multiple reports.
Garnett, 25, played just 59 offensive snaps in seven games as a reserve last season after missing the whole 2017 campaign after knee surgery.He started 11 of 15 games as a rookie, giving up three sacks and committing four penalties.
The 49ers traded up nine spots to take Garnett 28th overall in 2016.
–Field Level Media Raiders release TE Smith, officially re-sign RB Martin Raiders release TE Smith, officially re-sign RB Martin
The Oakland Raiders released veteran tight end Lee Smith and officially re-signed running back Doug Martin on Thursday.
Smith, 31, had two years remaining on a three-year, $9 million extension signed last March.
Considered one of the league’s best blocking tight ends, he spent the last four years with the Raiders, catching 36 passes for 248 yards and four touchdowns, including three TDs in 2018.Smith spent his first four seasons with the Buffalo Bills.
The Raiders drafted tight end Foster Moreau out of LSU in the fourth round last weekend, after signing former Lions tight end Luke Willson in free agency.
Martin’s re-signing was reported on Wednesday, following the news of Isaiah Crowell’s torn Achilles.
Martin led the Raiders with 172 carries for 723 yards and four scores last season.
NFL Network reported Wednesday that Marshawn Lynch, who reportedly planned to retire, would be interested in playing in 2019 for the Raiders if the feeling is mutual.It’s unclear if Martin’s re-signing would preclude that.
Meanwhile, Oakland announced the signings of four draft picks to rookie deals: fourth-round picks Maxx Crosby and Isaiah Johnson, fifth-rounder Hunter Renfrow and seventh-rounder Quinton Bell.
–Field Level Media NFL notebook: Chiefs’ Hill denies accusations in attorney’s letter NFL notebook: Chiefs’ Hill denies accusations in attorney’s letter
The attorney for Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Tyreek Hill sent the NFL a four-page letter Thursday, a detailed denial of child abuse allegations made against his client.
In the letter obtained by ESPN, attorney N.
Trey Pettlon accused Hill’s fiancee, Crystal Espinal, of abusing the couple’s 3-year-old son.Espinal secretly recorded a conversation she had with Hill that was broadcast last week by Kansas City station KCTV.
Pettlon wrote in the letter, “He (Hill) categorically denies he has ever ‘punched’ his son in the chest or anywhere on his body, or otherwise touched him in the chest in a mean-spirited manner or as a form of discipline.”
The attorney does not deny the audio in question is of Hill and Espinal, but does challenge Espinal’s assertion on the recording that the child in question is “terrified” of Hill.Pettlon also called a comment Hill made on the recording, “You need to be terrified of me, too, b–,” inexcusable.
–All-Pro linebacker Derrick Johnson will sign a one-day contract with the Chiefs next week, then retire, 610 Sports Radio reported.
Now 36, Johnson was the Chiefs’ first-round draft pick, No.15 overall, in 2005.He played 13 seasons for Kansas City, and in 182 games (169 starts), he had 1,151 tackles, 14 interceptions, 27.5 sacks and 40 quarterback hits.
He played in six games for the Oakland Raiders last season, after the Chiefs released him, and started in one.
He had 17 tackles with the Raiders.
–The Raiders released veteran tight end Lee Smith and officially re-signed running back Doug Martin.
Smith, 31, had two years remaining on a three-year, $9 million extension signed last March.Considered one of the league’s best blocking tight ends, he spent the last four years with the Raiders, catching 36 passes for 248 yards and four touchdowns, including three TDs in 2018.
Martin’s re-signing was reported Wednesday.He led the Raiders with 172 carries for 723 yards and four scores last season.
–Free agent edge rusher Shane Ray will visit the Seattle Seahawks on Friday, NFL Network reported.
Ray, who turns 26 on May 18, remains unsigned after playing out his rookie contract with the Denver Broncos, who last spring declined the former first-rounder’s fifth-year option for 2019.
Ray had eight sacks and 21 quarterback hits as a rotational rusher in 2016, but he has just two sacks and five QB hits since while battling injuries and missing 13 games.
–Green Bay Packers safety Darnell Savage became the first of the 2019 first-round draft picks to sign his rookie contract.
Like all first-round picks, Savage received a four-year deal with a fifth-year option for 2023, his agent announced.
The Packers traded up from No.30 to No.21 to take Savage last Thursday, swapping first-round picks and giving Seattle two fourth-round picks in the deal.The Maryland product was Green Bay’s second first-round pick, after Rashan Gary at No.12.
–The Los Angeles Rams waived safety Blake Countess, though they have interest in potentially bringing him back, according to the team’s website.
NFL Network reports Countess declined to take a pay cut from his $2 million restricted free agent tender, leading to his release.
Los Angeles drafted safeties Taylor Rapp and Nick Scott this weekend.
Countess, 25, has 44 tackles, two interceptions and three pass breakups across 37 games (four starts) in three seasons with the Rams, playing primarily special teams.
–The Minnesota Vikings signed eight of their 12 draft picks, including second-round tight end Irv Smith, to four-year rookie contracts.
Others signed are running back Alexander Mattison (third round), offensive linemen Dru Samia (fourth) and Oli Udoh (sixth), linebacker Cameron Smith (fifth), safety Marcus Epps (sixth), and wide receivers Dillon Mitchell (seventh) and Olabisi Johnson (seventh).
–Free agent tight end Maxx Williams will join the Arizona Cardinals, he announced on Twitter.
Williams, 25, was a second-round pick of the Baltimore Ravens in 2015 but never emerged as much of a receiving threat, finishing his tenure with 63 catches for 497 yards and three touchdowns.
–The New York Jets claimed quarterback Luke Falk off waivers from the Miami Dolphins, according to multiple reports.
Considered a likely mid-round pick in 2018, Falk slipped to the Tennessee Titans in Round 6 and was waived during final cuts.The Dolphins claimed him and kept him through 2018 before waiving him Wednesday.
–The New England Patriots signed linebacker Shilique Calhoun and defensive lineman Nick Thurman, in addition to 10 undrafted rookies.
Calhoun, 27, was a third-round pick of the Oakland Raiders in 2016 but has just a half-sack and seven QB hits through 26 career games.
–Field Level Media.