NFL - NEWS & NOTES

i hate when athletes and celebs say or do something and 2 seconds later say how sorry they are for it and beg for forgiveness. you're an adult. you know what you did and did it anyways. either you're too stupid to see how wrong it was or you just crave the attention it got. either way you're a strapped ass!

 

Browns' Bryant expected to miss season with chest injury​

CLEVELAND (AP) ? Browns starting defensive end Desmond Bryant will miss the upcoming season with a chest injury.

Cleveland's leader in sacks last season, the 30-year-old Bryant underwent surgery on Tuesday to repair a torn pectoral muscle. The Browns said Bryant sustained the injury during a workout last week.

The team said Wednesday that Bryant is expected to make a full recovery, but "will unlikely be able to return during the 2016 season."

"We feel awful for Des," said first-year coach Hue Jackson. "This is a young man that worked extremely hard this off season to prepare himself for the 2016 season. He really bought into our coaching, our team-over-self-philosophy and was intent on becoming a leader for our team. We all understand that injuries are part of this profession and as a team you have to find a way to overcome them."

The Browns signed Bryant as a free agent in 2013 after the former Harvard player spent four seasons with the Oakland Raiders. He had six sacks in 14 games last season and has recorded 14 1/2 sacks during his three seasons with Cleveland.

Bryant had recently said he hoped to serve as a mentor to Cleveland's younger players.

Bryant expressed his gratitude for well-wishers.

"While I'm frustrated and disappointed about having to miss some time out there with my teammates, I take comfort in knowing that preparations have already begun for an epic return," he said.
-----------------------------------------------------------------

Tough break for the Browns and their fans.

 

Cowboys 1st team worth $4 billion, according to Forbes​

NEW YORK (AP) ? The Dallas Cowboys are the first sports franchise worth $4 billion, according to Forbes.

In its annual rankings, Forbes placed the Cowboys ahead of Real Madrid and Barcelona after the NFL team had a 25 percent increase in value.

Champions League winner Real dropped to the second spot at $3.65 billion, followed by its archrival Barcelona at 3.55 billion.

The rest of the top 10 has the New York Yankees ($3.4 billion) in fourth place, followed by Manchester United ($3.32 billion), the New England Patriots ($3.2 billion), New York Knicks ($3.0 billion), Washington Redskins ($2.8 billion), New York Giants ($2.8 billion), and tied for 10th, the Los Angeles Lakers and San Francisco 49ers ($2.7 billion).

The average current value of the 50 most valuable teams is $2.2 billion, the highest to date, a 25 percent increase over last year. NFL teams account for more than half the list with 27.

"Blockbuster TV contracts are fueling unprecedented increases in sports team values around the globe as the average value of a top 50 franchise has doubled over the past four years," says Forbes senior editor Kurt Badenhausen. "The NFL is still king on TV with contracts worth nearly $7 billion annually from its media partners."

Eight European soccer teams and eight NBA franchises made the list, and there were seven Major League Baseball clubs in the top 50.

 

Tom Brady's 'Deflategate' appeal rejected by federal court​

NEW YORK (AP) ? Quarterback Tom Brady's last best chance to avoid serving a four-game "Deflategate" suspension to start the new season was flatly rejected Wednesday by an appeals court.

The 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Manhattan issued a one-sentence rejection of requests by the National Football League Players Association and Tom Brady to reconsider an April decision that reinstated the suspension.

"We are disappointed," the players association said in a statement. "The track record of this league office when it comes to matters of player discipline is bad for our business and bad for our game. We have a broken system that must be fixed."

It added that it will review its options carefully.

The NFL declined comment.

 

I approve of this message.

 

Desmond Bryant tears pectoral muscle, has surgery​

The Cleveland Browns have suffered another setback less than two weeks before the start of training camp.

Browns defensive end Desmond Bryant sustained a torn pectoral muscle Tuesday, and had surgery to repair the tear, the Browns announced Wednesday. He likely will not return this season, the Browns announced.

Bryant suffered the injury while lifting weights in the gym, a source infomed of his injury told NFL Media's Ian Rapoport.

"We feel awful for Des," said Browns coach Hue Jackson said in a statement released by the team. "This is a young man that worked extremely hard this off season to prepare himself for the 2016 season. He really bought into our coaching, our team-over-self-philosophy and was intent on becoming a leader for our team.

"Ray (Horton) and the defensive staff were expecting a really productive season from him. We all understand that injuries are part of this profession and as a team you have to find a way to overcome them. There is no doubt that we will miss Des this season and we all wish him a speedy recovery." (NFL.com)

 

AP Source: Broncos now offering $70M guaranteed to Miller​

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) ? The Denver Broncos have upped their offer to Von Miller by offering to guarantee the Super Bowl MVP a record $70 million of the six-year deal, a person with knowledge of the negotiations told The Associated Press.

The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity to share candid details of the blockbuster offer that also was reported by ESPN and the NFL Network.

The sides have until 4 p.m. EDT Friday to get a signed deal into NFL headquarters.

Miller's agent, Joby Branion, and the Broncos agreed to the parameters of a six-year, $114.5 million deal last month but Miller's camp held out for more guaranteed money.

The June offer included $38.5 million in guarantees over the first two years, another $1.3 million in workout bonuses, plus the chance to earn another $19.5 million in guaranteed money in 2018.

General manager John Elway reignited talks last week when he offered to move up guaranteed money in Year 3 to next March.

This week, he upped the overall guaranteed money.

Elway's offer now far surpasses the $63 million in guarantees that Philadelphia's Fletcher Cox received last month and represents the most money ever offered a non-quarterback in the NFL.

The latest proposal checks off all the boxes for Miller ? the biggest overall contract for a non-QB in league history, most guaranteed money for an NFL defensive player and a benchmark deal that raises the bar for the next superstar.

 

So Von should be getting his contract in at any minute now?

 

As far as I know he has till 4pm to get a contract in or its a Franchise Tag situation.

 

According to the radio, it's done

 

Von Miller signs six-year, $114.5M deal with Broncos​

Von Miller is now the wealthiest defensive player in NFL history.

In the quiet days leading up to the NFL's deadline for franchise-tagged players to sign a long-term deal, a sometimes contentious battle between Miller and the Broncos' front-office went dark as both sides dug in to craft the deal that would pay Miller more in guaranteed money than team president John Elway made over a 16-year career.

NFL Media's Rand Getlin first reported Miller agreeing to a six-year contract with the Broncos on Friday, according to sources with knowledge of the deal. NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport added the deal is worth $114.5 million and it includes $70 million in guarantees by March 2018, surpassing the $59.955 million guaranteed that Dolphins defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh received in March 2015. Rapoport also reported $42 million of the deal is fully guaranteed, including a $23 million signing bonus, according to a source who has seen the deal.

The Broncos later confirmed the signing.

Miller's guarantees also beats out the deals signed by Eagles defensive end Fletcher Cox ($63 million in guarantees), Bills defensive tackle Marcell Dareus ($60 million in guarantees) and Giants defensive end Olivier Vernon ($52 million in guarantees), who round out the top five richest defensive player contracts. (NFL.com)

 

Eric Berry, Chiefs fail to reach long-term agreement​

Eric Berry will play out the season without a new long-term contract.

NFL Media's Rand Getlin reported Friday that the Chiefs and their Pro Bowl safety will not reach an agreement ahead of Friday's 4 p.m. ET deadline, per a source familiar with the negotiations.

Getlin previously reported that the sides were "miles apart," leaving Berry with just one option: playing out the year under the $10.8 million franchise tag.

Berry admitted last week that he was surprised a new contract hadn't been worked out. He was likely angling for a pact close to the five-year, $51.25 million extension that safety Harrison Smith received from the Vikings.

It's a sour turn of events for both sides after Berry roared back last season from Hodgkin's lymphoma -- which wiped out his 2014 campaign -- to earn his fourth Pro Bowl selection, looking as good as ever for a Chiefs defense that surged down the stretch.

His successful return won Berry the 2015 Comeback Player of the Year and many believed an extension would come next. Instead, Kansas City's star defender will continue to wait for his next dose of long-term job security. (NFL.com)

 

Honestly guarantees aren't a big deal if the player should be relevant and stay on your team during that time. Von needs to stay 4 years. However the NFL as the only league that doesn't pretty much guarantee an entire contract 100% from he start really loves their insurance.

 

Bills' Karlos Williams suspended four games​

Karlos Williams has more time off to get back in shape.

The Buffalo Bills running back was suspended for the first four games of the 2016 season for violating the NFL Policy and Program for Substances of Abuse, the team announced Friday.

Williams will be eligible to return to the Bills' active roster following the team's October 2 game against the New England Patriots. The running back can participate in all offseason and preseason practices and games.

"As an organization, we are disappointed that Karlos has put himself in this situation," the Bills said in a statement. "Poor decisions such as this affect not only the individual, but the entire Bills organization. We will continue to work with Karlos through the various player programs we provide to assist him in making better decisions moving forward." (NFL.com)

 

Ravens sign kicker Justin Tucker to a record-breaking four-year deal​

Less than 24 hours after the kicker threatened to leave the team following the 2016 season, the Ravens came through with a record-breaking offer, and Tucker accepted, according to CBS Sports NFL Insider Jason La Canfora.

According to ESPN.com, the two sides have agreed to a four-year, $16.8 million contract that will make Tucker the second-highest-paid kicker in the NFL. The deal also includes $10.8 million in guaranteed money, which is an NFL record for a kicker. The previous record belonged to Stephen Gostkowski, who received a $10.1 million guaranteed when he re-upped with the Patriots in July 2015.

Gostkowski, who signed a four-year, $17.2 million deal, is currently has the highest average annual deal among NFL kickers at $4.3 million per year, which his just a hair above Tucker's $4.2 million average.

 

Jets pull off shocker, strike five-year deal with Muhammad Wilkerson at deadline​

When the NFL's franchise tag deadline hit at 4 p.m. ET on Friday, it looked like Von Miller and Ravens kicker Justin Tucker were going to be the only two players to land a new deal.
That's when the Jets decided to add some drama to the deadline.
At 4:29 p.m. ET on Friday, the team announced they've reached a long-term deal with defensive lineman Muhammad Wilkerson.

You can't cut it much closer than that: The official announcement didn't come until 29 minutes after the NFL's mandated deadline.
CBS Sports NFL Insider Jason La Canfora has reported that Wilkerson has agreed to a five-year, $86 million deal that includes $37 million in fully guaranteed money and $53.5 million guaranteed for injury. Wilkerson is set to make $54 million over the first three years of the contract.

Wilkerson's new deal is worth an average of $17.2 million per year, which is the third highest average for any defensive player in the NFL. Only Ndamukong Suh ($19.06 million) and Von Miller ($19.08 million), the latter of whom signed his new deal on Friday, have a higher average salary.

 

Lynch suspended for violating substance abuse policy​

The San Francisco 49ers' defense took a hit Friday.

The team announced that linebacker Aaron Lynch is suspended for the first four games of the 2016 season for violating the NFL Policy and Program for Substances of Abuse.

Lynch is eligible to return to the 49ers' active roster following the team's October 2 game against the Dallas Cowboys. The linebacker can participate in all offseason and preseason practices and games.

"While disappointed to hear the news regarding Aaron today, we support and respect the league's decision," the Niners said in statement. "We are confident that he will learn from this matter and that he understands what is expected of him moving forward."

Lynch, entering his third season, was slated to start at outside linebacker. His absence is a blow to the 49ers' pass rush. Lynch, 23, compiled 12.5 sacks in his first two seasons with 16 starts.

 

No contract extension for Cousins...

 

on that Aaron Lynch post, hate to be a dick, but he left ND after 1 full semester and lasted till March of his second semester claiming he was homesick and missed the weather in Florida and transferred. Where do you think South Bend, Indiana is? Not the sharpest knife in the drawer. It was discovered he really left bc he couldn't handle the schoolwork and flunked out. Nice going ace.

 

Steelers planning two-back attack with Bell, Williams?​

Le'Veon Bell and DeAngelo Williams were on the field together for just six snaps last season, but the Steelers expect that to change in 2016.

"There are definitely going to be packages where me and 'D-Lo' are going to be out there at the same time," Bell recently told the team's official website. "I'm ready for that."

Bell missed the first two games of 2015 due to a suspension before a knee injury wiped out the second half of his season. In his place, Williams operated as a sensational fill-in, piling up 1,274 total yards from scrimmage with 11 rushing touchdowns and a respectable 4.5 yards per carry. Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger would love to see the duo used in more two-back sets.

"That was something that we had talked about last year," Roethlisberger said. "Unfortunately, we didn't get a chance to do it. That could be a weapon for us, some two-minute-drill stuff, some no-huddle stuff, to have both of them on the field."

Using two backs would force a pass-catcher off the field, but Big Ben doesn't see that as a problem because of Bell's extraordinary versatility.

"You could count Le'Veon as a wide receiver, the way he catches, what he can do," Roethlisberger said. "You put them both in the backfield, you split them out, you do whatever you want with them. I just think the possibilities are endless because they're very smart players and can bring a lot to the table for us." (NFL.com)
______________________________________________________________

I cant think of a better 2 back run-attack than the Steelers. Can you guys?