Former NFL running back Jerome Harrison's football career ended in 2011 after he was diagnosed with a brain tumor. Now that he's healthy again, Harrison is using his story to inspire others."I was told I'd never walk again. I would live the rest of my life in a wheelchair. And I'm here standing up in front of you today," Harrison said in a video posted on his Twitter account.

Green Bay Packers head coach Mike McCarthy said Monday the team has no long-term concerns with linebacker Clay Matthews' nose injury, which he sustained during a charity softball game Saturday."They're talking about scheduling surgery probably midweek," McCarthy said prior to Monday's OTA workout, according to Mike Spofford of the Packers' official site. "It's unfortunate. It's for a great cause. We're just glad he's OK."Matthews went to the emergency room for a broken nose after taking a line drive off his face. He's apparently in good enough health that his head coach felt comfortable poking fun at his star pass-rusher's unfortunate injury."I think he needs to work on his off-hand, mitt-side. That's what the tape showed me," McCarthy joked, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Ex-Colts head coach Chuck Pagano lasted six seasons in Indianapolis, and while he fell out of favor toward the end of his tenure, his career record only trails Super Bowl winner Tony Dungy in post-Baltimore franchise history.Pagano won 11 games in each of his first three seasons before failing to break .500 in the subsequent three years. The biggest change from 2015 onward was the health of Andrew Luck, and Pagano admitted Monday on FS1 that the star quarterback's early-career play likely kept him employed."Everyone saw the picture of him on a bicycle from the Indy 500," Pagano said of Luck, according to the Indy Star's Matthew VanTryon. "He's strapped, he’s ripped. My wife, my three daughters, my granddaughter, they all thought he looked great. He's in a great place mentally, he's in a great place physically."I expect Andrew to be the old Andrew, to come back and play great football this season and beyond. Obviously, he's got a lot of work to do. He's got to get back on the grass, he's got to start throwing the football. He's in a great place. I love Andrew Luck. He got me more years than I probably deserved. He's a phenom."Luck missed the entire 2017 campaign due to a shoulder injury suffered under Pagano's watch in 2015. The veteran pivot played through the ailment in 2016 and underwent surgery in January 2017. He has yet to step back onto an NFL field since and only threw briefly last October before being shut down again, leading some to question his NFL future.However, the Colts share their former coach's opinion, consistently saying Luck will begin throwing during July's training camp.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Hall of Fame quarterback and Buffalo Bills legend Jim Kelly, who's battling oral cancer for the second time, will receive the Jimmy V Award for Perseverance at the ESPY Awards in July.The award is named in honor of former NC State men's basketball coach Jim Valvano, who inspired thousands with his famous "don't ever give up" speech while accepting the Arthur Ashe Courage Award in 1993 while battling his own cancer.

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz has launched a new charitable initiative to help feed people in need.Wentz announced Friday that his AO1 Foundation partnered with The Connect Church in Cherry Hill, N.J. on a food truck called "Thy Kingdom Crumb," which will distribute free food to people in the Philadelphia area. The truck is scheduled to begin operation in August."The goal is to provide something different, to provide the atmosphere to just love on people," Wentz said, according to Dave Zangaro of NBC Sports Philadelphia. "I think things that are free these days are kind of confusing. There's no strings attached with this. I think people will just see and experience something different with that."Wentz unveiled the truck during his inaugural AO1 Foundation charity softball game at Citizens Bank Park.

Before he was released by the New England Patriots last year, Cassius Marsh threw a fit over his lack of playing time, reports Albert Breer of the MMQB.Marsh's tantrum reportedly took place during halftime of New England's Week 11 game versus the Oakland Raiders in Mexico City. Marsh was waived by the Patriots two days later and was quickly scooped up by the San Francisco 49ers.About a week ago, Marsh made headlines when he ripped into the Patriots' culture, saying he "hated" playing in Foxborough and couldn't wait to get out."They don’t have fun there. There's nothing fun about it. There's nothing happy about it," he said. "I didn't enjoy any of my time there, you know what I'm saying? It made me, for the first time in my life, think about not playing football because I hated it that much."The 25-year-old also said he orchestrated his release from the team after airing his frustrations with Patriots coach Bill Belichick.Marsh tallied 30 tackles and three sacks last season over 15 contests with New England and San Francisco.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Chicago Bears showed their class Monday, re-signing tight end Zach Miller to a one-year contract.Miller's playing future is uncertain after he dislocated his left knee and tore the popliteal artery that supplies blood to the lower leg while attempting to make a diving touchdown catch last season. He needed emergency surgery to save his leg and then underwent eight subsequent procedures.The 33-year-old's contract will pay him $458,000 in 2018 if he's unable to play, and $790,000 if he overcomes the odds and makes a comeback, according to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk.Miller said in January he hopes to resume his NFL career with his knee now "stable," according to Phil Thompson of the Chicago Tribune. However, he appears at peace with his football days potentially being over, saying that if he's played his last down, "then that's just the way it goes and we got to move on and do something else."He has spent the last three seasons in Chicago, appearing in 33 games and catching 101 passes.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Mychal Kendricks' Sunday came full circle, as the linebacker agreed to a one-year contract with the Cleveland Browns, according to Yahoo Sports' Jordan Schultz.NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports Kendricks can make more than $3 million in 2018.It's been an odd day for the former Philadelphia Eagles defender. Kendricks reportedly agreed to a contract with the Browns on Sunday afternoon, but he refuted it soon after.

The Cleveland Browns are signing free-agent linebacker Mychal Kendricks to a one-year deal, sources told NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.According to Kendrick's camp, however, the signing is far from a done deal.

He missed voluntary workouts this spring, but Rob Gronkowski will participate when the New England Patriots conduct their mandatory minicamp this week.The All-Pro tight end was present for a charity event in the area on Sunday and confirmed he won't be missing workouts when they begin Tuesday."We've got mandatory minicamp this week, so I'll be there this week," Gronkowski said, as per CBS Boston. "I'll be full go. I'm looking forward to it. Can't wait to get back to work. I'm excited."Gronkowski's future with the team was a topic of much speculation throughout the offseason after he mentioned possible retirement following the club's loss in the Super Bowl. He squashed any questions in April when he committed to returning, but decided to skip the voluntary organized team activities this year.Gronkowski caught 69 balls for 1,084 yards and eight scores in 14 games last season.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Adrian Peterson spent a mere six months with the New Orleans Saints last year, but it was long enough for a teammate to make an impact.Peterson, famed for his intense workouts and chiseled physique, said the work ethic of one Saint in particular exceeded his own."It was Drew Brees," Peterson said Friday, according to Christopher Dabe of the Times-Picayune."Being up there in New Orleans just for the short period of time, and just seeing him, man, I'm talking about clockwork. You see this guy out on the field two hours before practice and he's going through his fundamentals. He's in the weight room. He's lifting. He's cut up."Brees is nearing age 40, and in his 17 years in the league, most of the talk has centered on his 6-foot stature rather than his imposing physical presence.The quarterback, who already owns a Super Bowl ring, can claim another title too."The funny thing is once we did our conditioning test, that's probably the first time I ever lost a conditioning test," Peterson said.The veteran running back played just four games with the Saints before he was traded to the Arizona Cardinals for the remainder of the 2018 season.- With h/t to NFL.comCopyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Calvin Johnson's retirement from the NFL after the 2015 season shocked the Detroit Lions, but it could have come a year sooner.The former superstar receiver revealed that he informed his father of his intention to retire before that campaign, but delayed his plans at his dad's request."I told him, I was like, 'Dad, I don't think I can do it no more.' I was like, 'I don't think I can keep coming out there running miles a day.' He was like, 'You think you can get one more?' I thought about it. ... I was like, 'All right, I can do it one more time," Johnson said Saturday at a Detroit-area football camp, according to Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press.Megatron went on to put up 1,214 yards and nine touchdowns while playing in all 16 games. He says he spent the last three weeks of the season stressed out about telling then-head coach Jim Caldwell that he was retiring. But Johnson has no regrets about deciding to end his career after nine years, and he doesn't foresee a comeback."I don't (think so), man, cause I get up from the bed sometimes in the morning, I'm just like - I shuffle across the ground cause I can't bend my ankles," Johnson said. "That was my problem when I played, just ankles always stuck or swelled up, I can't flex them. If you can't flex your ankles then you're just running flat-footed all the time."That should take care of any rumors of a return, which cropped up even last October.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

LaVar Ball has some thoughts about the new rules implemented by the NFL to help curtail players kneeling during the national anthem, and his opinions are as controversial as you would expect.Though Ball believes the league went too far in implementing a policy that requires players to stand for the anthem if on the field, he thinks NFL players should still respect the new rules."It's (the NFL's) league," Ball told TMZ Sports on Saturday. "If you don't want to do it (stand for the anthem), get out their league."Related- Trump to NFL players not standing for anthem: 'Maybe you shouldn't be in the country'Ball, the father of three athletes himself, said he created his own league, the Junior Basketball Association, to enforce rules as he see fit."I got some youngsters, man," Ball said. "They going to do the anthem. They not going to be kneeling and doing all that."Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Green Bay Packers linebacker Clay Matthews went to the emergency room Saturday after taking a line drive off his face during a charity softball game, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.

In wake of the season-ending injury to Hunter Henry, Los Angeles Chargers general manager Tom Telesco appeared receptive Friday to the possibility of re-signing tight end Antonio Gates."Would be a natural fit, right? I saw that Philip voted for it," Telesco wrote online in a chat with Chargers fans, according to Sean Wagner-McGough of CBS Sports. "When it comes to roster moves, we are not a democracy. But we are not a dictatorship either. His vote was noted and accounted for. Antonio's accomplishments and contributions to this organization are immeasurable. We will see what the future holds. I don't have an update at this time."Gates has spent the entire offseason in free-agency, seemingly failing to attract interest from teams around the NFL. The Chargers previously announced they weren't going to bring back the 37-year-old, but Henry's torn ACL has forced Los Angeles to at least reconsider that stance.Rivers, who's been teammates with Gates since 2004, recently endorsed the idea of re-signing his longtime tight end.Gates is the Chargers' all-time leader in catches, receiving yards, and receiving touchdowns.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

HAMILTON - Johnny Manziel handed the ball off with seven seconds left in the first half of his CFL preseason debut Friday, watched his tailback get immediately tackled, then jogged toward the locker room as the final seconds ticked off the clock.One problem: in the CFL, the clock must expire with a final play.Manziel retreated to the huddle, took one more snap with the clock reading 0:00, then jogged off again with his teammates in tow.“Still feeling it out. It’s a different game," Manziel said afterward of the adjustment to Canadian football's unique rules and rhythms.He learned some important lessons against live fire Friday, and finished the game a respectable 9-of-11 passing for 80 yards with another 10 yards on two carries. Manziel made plays with his legs, found open receivers on scrambles, and showed flashes of why his new head coach, June Jones, suggested last year that Manziel will become the best player in CFL history.At other times, Manziel looked very much like a player with a scant two weeks of practice under his belt, too often bailing out of the pocket by running backwards or into the arms of a waiting defender.With his personal life back on track, Manziel has merely begun the process of rehabilitating his football acumen. If he’s ever to become Johnny Football again, he must first learn to become Johnny Canadian Football.It won't happen right away. Jones has made it clear Manziel will not start when the Tiger-Cats open their regular season June 16 in Calgary. A backup role behind former Oregon passer and seven-year CFL veteran Jeremiah Masoli is the best Manziel can do for now.Indeed, it's unrealistic to expect Manziel to take the CFL by storm. Doug Flutie and Warren Moon, quarterbacks who dominated in Canada before their NFL success, each needed a full season to adjust to the CFL and its eccentricities.And Manziel has no reason to hurry. NFL teams will monitor his progress - scouts from at least two teams, including New York Jets general manager Mike Maccagnan, were scheduled to attend Friday’s game - but Manziel's deal with the Tiger-Cats ties him to the CFL for two seasons, meaning his next shot at the NFL won't come until 2020.For now, Manziel must focus on acclimating to CFL rules with the goal of eventually rediscovering the on-field magic that won him the Heisman Trophy as a freshman and made him a first-round pick in the NFL before it all came crashing down in a mess of booze, clandestine Vegas trips, and a domestic violence case.For a place to focus on football and only football, Manziel couldn’t do much better than Hamilton. An hour down the highway from Toronto and its big-city vibe and temptations, Hamilton is sort of like a quainter Canadian Pittsburgh. Tim Hortons Field, home of the Tiger-Cats, towers among the red brick homes that surround it. Smokestacks of the steel mills are visible from almost every seat in the house. For $15, you can literally park on the front lawn of a home across from the stadium’s main entrance.Hamilton's blue-collar fans will embrace a hard worker on his second (or is it third?) chance, but they won't put up with a diva. That's one lesson Manziel appears to have taken to heart. He knows he can't erase his past, and he's made peace with that. He's motivated by it.On multiple occasions Friday, Toronto Argonauts defenders reminded Manziel of his infamy - and he gave it right back."I’m not here to be pushed over," Manziel said after the game. "You can come at me because my name’s in the papers, my name’s on TV. You can come at me. I’m not backing down. I’m here for a reason. I’m here to play ball. I’m not going to be treated like s---."This is a long game for Manziel. He started at the very bottom, and he has a long way to go before he approaches anything close to the top. He's finally on the way up, though.Maybe the clock really did hit 0:00 on Manziel's career, but in Canada, you still get to run one more play.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

While it was only a brief appearance in a CFL preseason game, Johnny Manziel showed flashes of Johnny Football - his former first-round-pick self - in his debut with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.Manziel had to wait until late in the opening half to make his first appearance of the game, subbing out starter Jeremiah Masoli with under four minutes remaining, and the Toronto Argonauts holding a 13-6 lead.

Tyrod Taylor feels like he did enough in leading the Buffalo Bills to the postseason in 2017 to have stuck with the team and be head coach Sean McDermott's starting quarterback for the 2018 season."Whether I was or whether I wasn’t (McDermott's guy), I’m not there anymore," Taylor said, per Vic Carucci of the Buffalo News. "That's his decision moving forward. I still feel that I’d done more than enough to stay where I was. But at the end of the day, they made a decision to move forward, and that’s their decision."Taylor was traded to the Cleveland Browns for a third-round pick in the 2018 NFL Draft in March.He'll be attempting to hold off No. 1 pick Baker Mayfield for the Browns' starting job entering the season, while in Buffalo, No. 7 pick Josh Allen will compete with free-agent addition AJ McCarron for the starting gig.- With h/t to Pro Football TalkCopyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Defensive end Cassius Marsh predicted the San Francisco 49ers would experience a positive change soon after he joined the team, which sat 1-9 at the time.He knew it had its franchise quarterback in former New England Patriots teammate Jimmy Garoppolo."I know we can do some great things. Jimmy G came in - I already knew that was going to happen. I called it before anybody," Marsh said Thursday, according to Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle."I knew (he was going to play well) because I was with the Patriots and he would shred our defense every day. He'd shred the first team every day, and it looked no different than when Tom (Brady) was on the field. He's a much better athlete than Tom; he's super disciplined and works hard. I'm very happy to have him as my quarterback," said Marsh.The 49ers acquired Garoppolo from the Patriots on Oct. 30 ahead of their Week 9 game against the Arizona Cardinals. He spent his first two games watching from the sideline but made his debut following the 49ers' bye in relief of C.J. Beathard, in what was going to be a blowout loss to the Seahawks in Week 12.Marsh arrived in time for Garoppolo's first appearance and wondered why he had been on the bench up until that point."Nothing against C.J. because I think he did a great job for being a rookie and having very little experience. He's a great kid, and he's got a ton of potential and I think he's a hell of a quarterback, too. But I knew what kind of quarterback (Garoppolo) was, and I called it: I said as soon as he touches the field, if he touches the field, look out," Marsh said.Garoppolo started the final five games of the season and went undefeated.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Reggie Wayne is coming to the defense of the New England Patriots after multiple players bashed the team's atmosphere in recent weeks.The retired wide receiver signed with the Patriots in August 2015 but spent just two weeks with the team before walking away, having appeared in two preseason games.Philadelphia Eagles guard Brandon Brooks said this week that the Patriots' culture forced Wayne into retirement."It's been this way for like a decade," Brooks said. "You've seen - Reggie Wayne did it. He retired. He went there (to the Patriots) for a training camp and retired. S--- is not fun there."Wayne wants it known, though, that his decision to retire had nothing to do with the atmosphere."There are some reports out there that I left New England because I said it was not fun or it was too hard. Those reports are false. The fact is, I was done. It was time for me to retire. There were other teams that wanted my services but I knew it was done for me," Wayne said Thursday on NFL Network, according to Michael David Smith of Pro Football Talk."(Patriots head coach) Bill Belichick is not a party planner," Wayne added. "That is not what he is in it for. I think he's in it for winning championships, winning games for that organization."San Francisco 49ers defensive end Cassius Marsh also criticized the Patriots earlier in the week, saying, "They don't have fun there. There's nothing fun about it. There's nothing happy about it," according to Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Seattle Seahawks rookie linebacker Shaquem Griffin spent part of this week in Bellevue, Wash. testing Microsoft's new Adaptive Controller, according to ESPN's Brady Henderson.The Xbox controller is designed for gamers who have accessibility needs, making Griffin an ideal spokesperson. The rookie fifth-rounder was born with amniotic band syndrome and had his left hand amputated at age 4.Griffin, an avid gamer, spent Thursday evening playing Madden with a young Seahawks fan who also has accessibility needs using the new Adaptive Controller. Its main features are Bluetooth-connected pedals, allowing users to press buttons with their feet which would be otherwise difficult to hit."Me missing one hand, the left side of the controller, like the L-T, the L-B, the triggers and stuff, usually when I'm playing a game, it's kind of hard to get to that trigger," Griffin said. "So as I'm playing, I don't have to use this L-T button no more. I can use the pedals. So if I'm playing a game and I need to use the L-T button, I use my foot to press it and I'll still be able to move around with everything else that I have."I don't have to press it on my leg or anything. I just move around, pedal, and keep moving. I don't have to slow down and have to look and make sure I'm pressing a button."Margie Strite, a community development specialist with Microsoft, said the controller will be available for sale later this year.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The NFL and MLB will participate in the New York City Pride March for the first time on June 24, according to Cyd Zeigler of Outsports.The NBA, WNBA, and NHL are also registered for a return to the march and will have floats in the parade, while the MLS and National Women's Hockey League will have employees and players participating.The NFL's float will feature former offensive tackle Ryan O'Callaghan, who came out publicly last year. He played 51 games over four NFL seasons from 2006-10 for the New England Patriots and Kansas City Chiefs.Roughly 200 representatives of Major League Baseball will participate, including Oakland Athletics executive vice president of baseball operations Billy Beane.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

It hasn't taken long for Josh Allen, the No. 7 overall selection of the 2018 draft, to impress his teammates.Buffalo Bills sophomore cornerback Tre'Davious White believes the rookie quarterback is going to be a star."Josh Allen has been doing a great job of throwing that ball," White said during an appearance on NFL Network. "I'd say he has a great arm. He's been throwing it and throwing around. Be on the lookout for Josh Allen, he's going to be one of the best young quarterbacks in this league for a long time."White, who recorded four interceptions and 18 passes defensed in his rookie campaign, is particularly impressed with how hard Allen throws the ball."(His arm is) great. It's one of the best I've seen," he said. "At a young age, and for him just coming into the league, he's been zipping that thing. It comes with a lot of heat behind it. So, he's going to break a lot of guys' fingers this year."White ultimately said he'd support any of Allen, AJ McCarron, or Nathan Peterman as the starting quarterback for the upcoming season.- With h/t to CBS SportsCopyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Houston Texans running back Lamar Miller isn't shying away from a little extra competition in the backfield.Despite leading Texans' rushers with 888 yards and three touchdowns last season, Miller would welcome the addition of Adrian Peterson, one of the most well-known free agents remaining on the market."I used to look up to Adrian Peterson growing up," Miller admitted on the NFL Network on Friday. "He runs the ball hard. He's a great running back. He's been a great running back in this league for years. It would be good to have him join us, just his leadership, seeing the things he's done in previous years, that I feel like I could probably learn from him. It would help us out as a team."The Texans' backfield currently consists of Miller, sophomore D'Onta Foreman - who's returning from a torn Achilles - Alfred Blue, and Tyler Ervin.Peterson called the Texans "a perfect landing spot" earlier this offseason, but nothing has materialized. He's recently expressed interest in rejoining the New Orleans Saints or signing with the Los Angeles Rams.The 33-year-old Peterson played just four games with the Saints after signing last offseason, rushing for a meager 81 yards and no touchdowns on 27 attempts. His season - and career - was seemingly reborn following a trade to the Arizona Cardinals, where he rushed for 448 yards and two touchdowns in six games, but his 11th NFL campaign was cut short by injury.- With h/t to CBS SportsCopyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Joe Flacco. Andrew Luck. Alex Smith. Derek Carr. Matthew Stafford. Jimmy Garoppolo. Kirk Cousins. Matt Ryan.What do these nine quarterbacks have in common? They all earn more annually than arguably the NFL's best quarterback, and perhaps its best player, in Aaron Rodgers, who takes home an average of $8 million per year less than the league's newest highest-paid player, Ryan.Rodgers is a prime example of how quickly NFL deals become outdated. Contracts vastly favor teams over players, who soon realize all the zeroes and talk of guaranteed money - the latter of which, aside from Cousins' case, never covers 100 percent of the deal despite football's violent nature - are a mirage intended to make players feel they're being rewarded appropriately.Teams argue that these five- or six-year contracts are worth it because they give the player greater security, but for a superstar like Rodgers, who saw Garoppolo's annual salary exceed his after only playing seven career games, that benefit doesn't seem to add up.Waiting on a dealThe Packers superstar is expected to ink a record-breaking deal before the start of the 2018 campaign, and it was assumed that Ryan signing one of his own at the start of May would be the push Green Bay and Rodgers needed to get over the finish line.Alas, nearly a month since the Atlanta Falcons locked down their franchise player, the Packers don't appear to be any closer to doing the same with theirs despite new general manager Brian Gutekunst saying he anticipates both sides will "come to an agreement soon" on the day of Ryan's extension.Related: Falcons GM says Rodgers told him to finish Ryan deal 'so I can get on with my life'The holdup is partly because of the nine names mentioned previously. Mike Garafolo reported Friday on NFL Network that Rodgers apparently wants an opt-out clause in his contract that would allow him to renegotiate the deal down the line and avoid a repeat of his current situation.Furthermore, Rodgers is apparently pushing for a contract unlike any we've seen in the NFL before, added Garafolo.(Photo courtesy: Getty Images)Outside of the opt-out clause, it's unclear what exactly would make Rodgers' deal one of a kind. Cousins already became the first player to earn a fully guaranteed contract, so where is there for the two-time NFL MVP to go?Breaking the contract moldWell, if Rodgers intends to try to slow the NFL contract wheel with such a clause, we have a suggestion: he should go all-in and break said wheel - Khaleesi-style - by using his standing as arguably the only top quarterback in his prime to fight for a deal that isn't measured in dollar signs, but by a set percentage of each season's cap.The NFL's salary cap was set at $123 million when Rodgers signed his then-record five-year, $22-million-per-season extension in 2013, therefore the quarterback's money accounted for roughly 17.9 percent of it.The cap has since risen a staggering 45 percent to $177.2 million - or nine percent per year. Rodgers' $22 million has now dropped to roughly 12.4 percent of the cap, so you can understand why he's reluctant to sign another long-term deal that so heavily favors the team.Let's work under four assumptions:

A former Houston Texans cheerleader said Friday at a news conference the team treated her and her colleagues "as the lowest of the low."Hannah Turnbow is among five former Texans cheerleaders suing the organization over compensation and what they allege was a hostile work environment, The Associated Press reports.The cheerleaders claim in the suit they were not paid $7.25 per hour as promised, weren't compensated for appearances, and that their employment status was threatened for raising complaints."The Houston Texans were paid thousands of dollars to have us show up at appearances at locations all over Texas with no security, no transportation, and where our safety was not guaranteed," Turnbow said.Turnbow also said she was told "to just suck it up" after being attacked by a fan during a home game last season.Texans spokeswoman Amy Palcic responded to the accusations in a brief statement."We are proud of the cheerleader program and have had hundreds of women participate and enjoy their experience while making a positive impact in the local community," Palcic said.The lawsuit, the second recently filed against the Texans by ex-cheerleaders, seeks unspecified damages.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Former Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant is apparently drawing interest around the league, but he's taking his time.Bryant is expected to remain a free agent until the start of training camp barring a significant injury to another wide receiver, sources told NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.The 29-year-old has garnered plenty of interest, Rapoport adds, but is being selective.Bryant recorded 69 receptions, 838 yards, and six touchdowns in 16 games in 2017. He hasn't topped 1,000 yards or 10 touchdowns since 2014.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Miami Dolphins have signed cornerback Bobby McCain to a four-year contract extension worth $27 million, with $13 million in guarantees, a source told ESPN's Adam Schefter.The deal makes McCain the NFL's highest-paid nickel back.The 24-year-old has appeared in all 48 regular-season games since being selected in the fifth round of the 2015 NFL Draft.McCain has racked up 121 total tackles, two sacks, and three interceptions, cementing himself as an integral member of Miami's secondary.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Buffalo Bills are looking to trademark head coach Sean McDermott's mantra, "Respect the Process."The team submitted a trademark application for the phrase to the United States Patent and Trademark Office on May 23. They plan to use it on a number of products such as cellphone covers, posters, and drinking glasses.But as trademark attorney Josh Gerben notes, Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid could decide to block the filing.

Now that sports betting will be legalized in several U.S. states, it's a good time to look at the team win-total projections coming out of Las Vegas.Using the totals set by Westgate Las Vegas Resort and Casino, let's break down the projections for all NFC teams and forecast which are most likely to exceed or fall short of expectations.AFC I NFCArizona Cardinals (Total: 5.5)The Cardinals have all the elements of a rebuild with a new head coach (Steve Wilks), old quarterback (Sam Bradford), and rookie QB in waiting (Josh Rosen). Sure, there’s some talent on defense here, so look for the Cards to be competitive on a weekly basis. Just don’t expect many wins. Not helping their cause: road games against the Vikings, Chiefs, Chargers, Packers, and Falcons.Projection: UnderAtlanta Falcons (Total: 9)The Falcons were the toughest postseason opponent for the Super Bowl-champion Eagles when the two teams met during the divisional round. If a last-second pass from Matt Ryan settled into Julio Jones’ hands in the corner of the end zone, the Falcons might have gone on to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl. Almost all of Atlanta's 2017 roster is back, so the Falcons are poised for another deep playoff run.Projection: OverCarolina Panthers (Total: 9)From the Super Bowl in 2015 to 6-10 then 11-5, the Panthers are the NFL’s most enigmatic team. They’ve added more speed over the last two years, providing Cam Newton’s strong arm with vertical weapons. But the addition of Norv Turner as offensive coordinator doesn’t inspire confidence that the Panthers and Newton will be more consistent. Nine wins sounds about right.Projection: PushChicago Bears (Total: 6.5)The Bears made some major moves to capitalize on Mitchell Trubisky’s talent, hiring Matt Nagy as head coach and signing wide receiver Allen Robinson and tight end Trey Burton. But Chicago isn't deep, so staying healthy will be key. Getting to seven wins could prove difficult while playing six games against talented NFC North teams and navigating tough non-division contests against the Patriots and Seahawks.Projection: UnderDallas Cowboys (Total: 8.5)Theoretically, the Cowboys should be headed for double-digit wins in 2018. They won nine last year despite losing star running back Ezekiel Elliott for six games due to a suspension. But quarterback Dak Prescott could struggle after Jason Witten and Dez Bryant were subtracted from his supporting cast. Dallas also has rough non-division road games against the Seahawks, Panthers, and Falcons. Their margin for error is slim.Projection: UnderDetroit Lions (Total: 8)The Lions have won nine-plus games in three of their last four seasons. They now hope new head coach Matt Patricia brings the Patriots' winning blueprint with him. Detroit also signed Super Bowl champion running back LeGarrette Blount. Those moves should alleviate the burden on Matthew Stafford to carry the team, and also position the Lions to get back into the postseason.Projection: OverGreen Bay Packers (Total: 10)If Aaron Rodgers is healthy for most of the season, the Packers will win 10-plus games and the NFC North. If Rodgers gets hurt again, the Packers will be lucky to win 10. Moving on from defensive coordinator Dom Capers and a rare free-agent binge that brought in Muhammad Wilkerson and Jimmy Graham make Green Bay a legit Super Bowl contender – if Rodgers is in the huddle.Projection: OverLos Angeles Rams (Total: 9.5)No team made splashier moves this offseason. The Rams added Ndamukong Suh, Aqib Talib, Marcus Peters, and Brandin Cooks to a roster that already included Todd Gurley, Aaron Donald, Jared Goff, and Lamarcus Joyner. That’s some serious star power. These “dream teams” often fall short of expectations, which explains the low Vegas projection. Proceed with caution, but the Rams seem like safe bets to exceed 9.5 wins.Projection: OverMinnesota Vikings (Total: 9.5)Getting crushed in the NFC Championship Game suggested the Vikings were either an overrated Cinderella or just not good enough to compete with the eventual Super Bowl champs. It was probably a little of both. Can Kirk Cousins save them? He had some great seasons for the Redskins and still never won more than nine games. The Vikes feel safe for eight or nine wins, but 10-plus victories is dicey with gambling involved.Projection: UnderNew Orleans Saints (Total: 9.5)Their 2017 philosophy of running the ball and tightening up on defense helped take the Saints from three straight 7-9 seasons to 11 wins. They’ll need to survive Mark Ingram’s four-game suspension, but Alvin Kamara is ready for an increased role anyway. There's no reason to think New Orleans won’t notch at least 10 wins, even in a competitive NFC South. Most of their difficult non-division games will be played in the Superdome, where the Saints host the Rams, Eagles, and Steelers.Projection: OverNew York Giants (Total: 6.5)Last year’s three-win season belied the team’s overall talent level. The Giants have Pro Bowlers scattered throughout the roster, and bringing in No. 2 overall pick Saquon Barkley and free-agent left tackle Nate Solder plugged two glaring holes. This is a team that believes it's primed for another Super Bowl run. That’s doubtful, but seven-to-10 wins feels within reach.Projection: OverPhiladelphia Eagles (Total: 10.5)The Eagles will bring back nearly every starter from last year’s 13-win squad, including a slew of injured players who didn’t appear in the Super Bowl: Carson Wentz, Jason Peters, Darren Sproles, and Jordan Hicks. As long as they avoid a Super Bowl hangover, there's no reason to think the Eagles lack the talent or coaching to win 11-plus games.Projection: OverSan Francisco 49ers (Total: 9)There's been so much hype for Jimmy Garoppolo, which leads to so much opportunity for a letdown. The Niners are headed in the right direction and have their future quarterback, but you can’t ignore a tough September schedule. The 49ers travel to Minnesota, Kansas City, and Los Angeles to face the Chargers, and have a home game against the Lions. Later they also have a road game against the Packers and a Bay Area-battle against the Raiders at home. Sorry, I'm just not seeing nine wins here.Projection: UnderSeattle Seahawks (Total: 8)Although their win total has dropped in three of the past four seasons, the Seahawks haven’t won fewer than nine games since 2011. It's difficult to achieve that consistency, and they've done it while asking Russell Wilson to carry the offense because of a weak O-line and running game. There’s no reason to believe Seattle has improved in either area. They also parted with Richard Sherman, Michael Bennett, and 2017 receiving-touchdown leader Jimmy Graham. The Seahawks aren't better than last year’s nine-win squad. Reputation is all they have.Projection: PushTampa Bay Buccaneers (Total: 6.5)Don’t sleep on the Buccaneers' offseason moves, especially along the defensive line. The trade for Jason Pierre-Paul, the signing of Vinny Curry, and the first-round selection of Vita Vea give Tampa great depth up front. Jameis Winston must emerge and become a top-10 QB, and the Bucs have to withstand a brutal September that begins with showdowns against the Saints, Eagles and Steelers – all double-digit-win teams from 2017. It’s not a popular sentiment, but the suggestion here is to buy low and watch the Bucs fly past their projection.Projection: OverWashington Redskins (Total: 7)The Redskins will be competitive every week but still have a top-five pick in the 2019 NFL Draft. Decent weaponry is around veteran quarterback Alex Smith, though the team lacks Pro Bowl-level playmakers. Their defensive line has some nice, young talent, but the pass rush and secondary – outside of Josh Norman – won’t scare anyone. Washington has enough talent to win nine-to-10 games, but only if everything breaks right. How often does that happen? Nobody would be surprised if the Redskins were the NFC East’s worst team.Projection: UnderAFC I NFCGeoff Mosher is an award-winning sports reporter, radio host, and TV personality with more than 20 years of experience covering all major sports and leagues. He also hosts regularly on 97.5 The Fanatic in Philadelphia and is co-host of "The Sports Shop" on Facebook.(Photos courtesy: Getty Images)Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The NFL has received widespread backlash for its new policy, set to be enforced from the start of the 2018 season, which requires players and team personnel to stand for the national anthem if they choose to come to the sidelines.The NBA, meanwhile, has largely avoided criticism for its longstanding rule mandating that players and coaches "stand in a dignified posture" for the national anthems, and commissioner Adam Silver believes his league is in a "very different" situation than the NFL."We've had a rule on our books that precedes (former commissioner) David Stern," Silver said Thursday, according to USA TODAY Sports' Sam Amick. "It was put in place by (commissioner) Larry O'Brien in the early '80s. From my standpoint, it's been about respect - respect for the institution, respect for the fans, respect for the country that these players are playing in."Silver noted the athletes' backgrounds are different in each league, estimating that 25 percent of NBA players aren't American."It's hard to say in the case of the NBA it's about patriotism when a quarter of our players aren’t even American. But we've viewed it, and we collectively have viewed it as a moment of unity in our arenas," Silver said. "Frankly, it's been a different dialogue in the NBA than it's been in the NFL. … Our emphasis at least has been on constructive activities in our communities."Silver said there hasn't been any talk with the NBA Players Association about amending the anthem rule.The commissioner isn't the only prominent NBA figure who's pointed to the differences between the two situations. Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr called the NFL's policy "idiotic" and accused the league of using "The Star-Spangled Banner" as "fake patriotism."Some NFL players are reportedly considering a different on-field gesture in response to the new rules.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The ongoing effort to bring a Major League Baseball franchise to Portland has a prominent new booster, as Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson announced Friday that he and his wife, Ciara, have joined the Portland Diamond Project as investors.The extent of the couple's financial contributions wasn't disclosed - Wilson and Ciara each invested individually - but the one-time Super Bowl champion said they're now "part owners" of the Portland Diamond Project, the management group spearheading the drive for a big-league club in the city."It is time for MLB in Portland," Wilson said in a news release obtained by Andrew Greif of The Oregonian.The management group, formed last July by former Nike president Craig Cheek, has already made preliminary bids for two potential stadium sites in Portland, and a Port of Portland spokeswoman confirmed earlier this week that a third site is being considered as well. Wilson and Ciara will tour the first two sites Saturday.Wilson was selected by the Colorado Rockies in the fourth round of the 2010 draft and spent two seasons in the minors before electing to play professional football instead.In September, MLB commissioner Rob Manfred identified the West Coast as fertile territory for potential expansion, and specifically listed Portland - the 26th-biggest city in the United States by population - as a candidate."Portland would be on the list," he told Ryan Divish of the Seattle Times. "I think Portland is a possibility. You can think about the prospects on the West Coast probably as effectively as I can."Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The NBA can't have all the fun.LeBron James' reaction to J.R. Smith's all-time brain cramp in Game 1 of the NBA Finals Thursday sparked NFL-related memes. Here are some of the best from Twitter.

The NFL's next lucrative quarterback contract extension is likely being delayed by Aaron Rodgers' demands.It was expected the Green Bay Packers would come to terms with their franchise pivot after quarterbacks Kirk Cousins and Matt Ryan signed new deals this offseason. Cousins became the highest-paid player in the NFL per year during free agency, and Ryan surpassed him in May when he signed a deal worth $30 million annually.Now it's June and Rodgers still doesn't have a new contract yet.The hang-up is player control, according to a report from NFL Network's Mike Garafolo.Rodgers has two years remaining on his current contract. He'd like a clause written in to his next extension that allows him to opt out.Rodgers will turn 35 during the 2018 season. The six-time Pro Bowler intends to play another seven-to-10 years, and it appears he wants some say on the direction of his future.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Get ready for your season with theScore's 2018 Fantasy Football Draft Kit.The NFL's offseason coaching carousel can have a pretty serious impact on the fantasy landscape. Players on an existing roster can have their values rise under the direction of a new head coach or offensive coordinator more willing to use them to their strengths.These seven players warrant more fantasy consideration largely due to their new instructors.Derek Carr, QB, RaidersCarr's best fantasy season was in 2015, when he finished as QB14, then QB16 the following year, and QB19 while battling injuries last season. His growth - at least as it pertains to fantasy performance - seemed to have stagnated under Jack Del Rio.The expected hype of new head coach Jon Gruden has not yet had a serious effect on Carr's average draft position, as he's being selected as the 16th quarterback off the board, according to Fantasy Football Calculator.Gruden's notorious enthusiasm, that has already drawn praise from Raiders players, could provide the necessary spark with a new focus on the passing game. As too will Gruden's West Coast Offense that emphasizes shorter, quicker passes, allowing Carr to find more success after averaging just 5.9 completed air yards last season as he allows Amari Cooper, Jordy Nelson, Martavis Bryant, and the running backs to rack up yards after the catch.Josh Gordon, WR, BrownsThe Cleveland Browns chose to stand by head coach Hue Jackson and instead opted to bring Todd Haley over from the Pittsburgh Steelers to direct the offense.Haley had been with the Steelers since the beginning of the 2012 campaign, and had a big part to play in turning Antonio Brown, JuJu Smith-Schuster, and occasionally Martavis Bryant into stars.The Browns crowded their wide receiver group this offseason by bringing In Jarvis Landry, Jeff Janis, and rookie Antonio Callaway to join the pre-existing group led by Josh Gordon and Corey Coleman.Haley knows how to spread the ball around, having five Steelers players rack up more than 60 targets last season, but allowing clear No. 1 Brown to lead the team and rank second in the league with 162 looks.Gordon still carries the threat of off-field risks, but he should see the green light as the team's top downfield option as long as he can stay on the active roster.Tarik Cohen, RB, BearsNew Bears head coach Matt Nagy has already sung Cohen's praises ahead of their first season together.Cohen's expertise in the passing game - he received 71 targets and totaled 353 yards with a lone score in 2017 - better suit Nagy's system that had Kansas City Chiefs rookie Kareem Hunt catch 53 of 63 targets for 455 yards and three touchdowns last season.Nagy said the Bears may not lean as heavily on third-year rusher Jordan Howard in 2018, after he topped 250 carries in each of the past two seasons as the clear bellcow."He's proven that he's done that, so that's for sure," Nagy said Thursday, according to Adam L. Jahns of the Chicago Sun Times. "In this offense, it's more game specific, as to whether or not you need that."For a team that's had its projected win total set at 6.5 by Bovada, game flow could end up favoring Cohen and the passing game rather frequently.He should be viewed as a high-end RB2 in standard leagues with RB1 upside in PPR formats, despite the likeliness of being listed behind Howard on the depth chart.Sterling Shepard, WR, GiantsShepard's loss in fantasy value with a return to the No. 2 receiver role behind a healthy Odell Beckham Jr. could be partially mitigated by the hiring of Pat Shurmur as head coach.Shurmur led Minnesota Vikings wide receivers Stefon Diggs and Adam Thielen to more than 150 combined receptions in each of the past two seasons and more than 2,000 receiving yards in 2017 as the clear top two options in the passing game.Beckham and Shepard have similar separation on the Giants' depth chart, allowing Shepard to return excellent value at his current 10th-round ADP.Marcus Mariota, QB, TitansThough Matt LaFleur didn't call plays for the surprising Los Angeles Rams last season, he surely learned a thing or two from Sean McVay's transformation of quarterback Jared Goff. The Titans brought in LaFleur with the hope that he could have a similar influence on Mariota as a young QB struggling to take the next step to greatness.LaFleur could follow the models set for him by McVay and previous tutor Kyle Shanahan by controlling the clock and possession with shorter controlled passes, before airing it out deep for the big plays once the defense starts to lower its guard.The current QB19 could have a big breakout season if LaFleur can have the Titans emulate the Rams' 2017 season that had four players top 590 receiving yards with at least five touchdowns each.Marlon Mack, RB, ColtsA big strength of the Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles last season was how they were able to utilize a cast of versatile RBs in a wide variety of ways.The Colts' current backfield lacks the star power and experience of the Eagles, allowing new head coach - and former Eagles' OC - Frank Reich to lean on Mack as the focal point in his sophomore season.With rookies Nyheim Hines and Jordan Wilkins expected to be next on the depth chart, Mack should be able to add the bulk of Frank Gore's 261 carries in 2017 to his workload that consisted of a modest 93 rushes last season. He's already displayed abilities as a pass-catcher, averaging 10.7 yards per carry as a rookie.He's one of the last remaining options with RB1 potential at a mid-seventh-round ADP.Kenny Golladay, WR, LionsPreviously a defensive coordinator, Matt Patricia's years of learning strategy underneath head coach Bill Belichick and beside offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels could have him well prepared to use the Lions' X-factor on offense.The Patriots have routinely ranked near the top of the league in passing plays of at least 20 yards.Golladay measures in at 6-foot-4, 213 pounds and ran a 4.50 40-yard dash ahead of the 2017 draft. With both Marvin Jones and Golden Tate commanding plenty of defensive attention, Golladay could find himself with plenty of room in open field if he's able to slip past the secondary.Patricia's well versed in knowing the proper times to attack with deep shots, and Golladay represents the ideal tool.(Photos courtesy: Getty Images)Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Dennis Greene, who at one point served as Washington Redskins president of business operations and was involved in the team's ill-fated 2013 cheerleader photo shoot, has resigned, a team spokesman confirmed Thursday, per Liz Clarke of the Washington Post.A report surfaced in early May that stated some cheerleaders were required to pose topless in front of male sponsors and suite holders, and later act as escorts to a Costa Rican nightclub.While in charge of selling luxury suites at FedEx Field, Greene promised access to the team's cheerleaders as an incentive for potential buyers, according to a former Redskins official."They'd send suite owners down there, and that's how Dennis Greene got people to buy suites," the official told the Washington Post. "He'd say, 'I'm going to give you a good deal, and you can go on a trip with the cheerleaders.'"Greene had recently been named the team's president of hospitality but leaves the team after a 17-year tenure.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

New Orleans Saints cornerback Marshon Lattimore has a list.The No. 11 pick of the 2017 NFL Draft and last season's Defensive Rookie of the Year plans to continue to prove the 10 teams that passed on him, and their respective fanbases, wrong in his sophomore campaign."There's still doubters out there. Twitter people," Lattimore said, according to Nick Underhill of The Advocate. "I mean, I still have to pick some of those teams off. I (picked off) the Jets last year and the Bears, they passed on me. I have to get every team that passed on me. I have to get a pick that game."Lattimore recorded a total of five interceptions in his 13 games last season.Of the remaining eight teams left on his list, he'll get his chance against three of them during the 2018 regular season. The Saints host the Cleveland Browns in Week 2, visit the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 10, and play the Carolina Panthers in Weeks 15 and 17.Lattimore missed both of last year's regular-season matchups against the NFC South rival Panthers due to injuries.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Kansas City Chiefs special teams coach Dave Toub is preparing for the 2018 season's implementation of new kickoff rules, and he seems to have a feeling for how to handle them."I think it's going to be more like a punt (return) because there are going to be more single blocks," Toub said, according to Adam Teicher of ESPN. "You're not going to have a point of attack where you're hitting (the hole)."The new rules, approved earlier in May at the league's meetings, are geared to making kickoffs safer.

Green Bay Packers Pro Bowl safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix was not present for Thursday's session of organized team activities (OTAs), according to Ryan Wood of the Green Bay Press-Gazette.Clinton-Dix also skipped last week's voluntary open practice.While he hasn't provided a reason for the absences, he's set to enter the fifth-year option of his rookie contract with a cap hit of $5.957 million, according to Over the Cap. He's due to become a free agent at the end of the season.Passing-game coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. appeared unconcerned with his absences."It's voluntary. So the guys that are here are the guys that we're worried about," Whitt said, according to Wood.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Green Bay Packers running back Aaron Jones arrived at organized team activities (OTAs) on Thursday with a little more hype than he had expected.A photo shared Monday night of Jones pushing a fellow traveler's wheelchair at Appleton International Airport in Wisconsin had gone viral by the time he reached the team's facility, receiving more than 18,000 likes and 3,400 retweets.Related: Cardinals' Gresham helps fellow passenger avoid missed flight

The NFL's new anthem policy, set to take effect at the beginning of the 2018 season, has been met with plenty of negative feedback from players.Miami Dolphins wide receiver Kenny Stills doesn't yet know if he'll adhere to the new rule, which can subject teams, but not players, to fines from the league."We've got plenty of time," Stills said Thursday, according to Adam H. Beasley of the Miami Herald. "I think I'm gonna continue to do the work that I've been doing as far as being in the community and trying to lead and do things the right way and try to make change. When the time comes where I have to make a decision, I'll make a decision."Stills feels the league wouldn't have needed to make this rule had it supported the demonstrations for what they were: protests against police brutality and racial inequality in the justice system. Instead, the story became about the national anthem."I just feel like from the beginning, if the narrative would've been set one way and the league would've had our backs and really put the message out there the right way and tried to educate people on the work that we're doing and why we're doing it, we might be in a different place than we are right now," Stills said.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

A pair of New England Patriots veterans threw water Thursday on the idea that head coach Bill Belichick doesn't let his players have fun on their quest for championships."We've got a couple guys here who were in Cleveland and went 0-16," defensive captain Devin McCourty said, according to Jeff Howe of The Athletic. "They said that wasn't fun."Several outsiders have questioned this offseason whether Belichick's demanding ways are wearing on some of his star players.Former Patriots linebacker Cassius Marsh, now with the San Francisco 49ers, said recently he "hated" his time in New England and all but asked to be released midseason so he could find a more enjoyable work environment."I mean, to each his own," linebacker Dont'a Hightower told reporters, according to the Patriots' website. "I don't really have anything to say to them. I mean, guys here, I know - I mean, it's not for everybody. It's definitely harder than most places, but I mean, that's part of it. A lot of guys know that when they come here. But, I mean, in the locker room, it's not Bill's job to make this fun and this atmosphere fun; it's the guys around it."Every guy in that locker room, I love like a brother. We have fun, whether it's out here struggling together - blood, sweat, and tears - or we're back in the locker room or we're hanging out outside of football. So, there's a time and place for everything, but we know whenever we walk through the building, it's time to work."Fun to play for or not, Belichick has led the Patriots to the Super Bowl in three of the last four seasons, winning the Vince Lombardi Trophy twice."We feel what's important to us is to win, so that's really what we're trying to do," Belichick told reporters, according to ESPN's Mike Reiss.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The daughter of Denver Broncos owner Pat Bowlen informed the team's leadership group and the NFL she wants to take over the franchise."I know the fans have been anxious and asking quite a few questions about what's happening with the succession plan of the Denver Broncos," Beth Bowlen told Nicki Jhabvala of The Athletic. "I have completed the criteria laid out by the trustees, so I felt it was a good time to come out and express my interest and desire to be a part of the organization again."The future of the Broncos' ownership has been uncertain for some time. Pat Bowlen stepped down as controlling owner four years ago because of his battle with Alzheimer's disease. He put the club in a trust that was tasked with operating the franchise and eventually orchestrating a succession plan.Beth Bowlen's wishes to inherit her father's former responsibilities, however, have been met with resistance from those in charge of the trust."Beth Bowlen Wallace is not the only Bowlen child who is expressing interest in becoming controlling owner," The Bowlen Family Trust said in a statement. "The trustees have informed Beth of their determination that she is not capable or qualified at this time."We will continue to follow Pat Bowlen's long-standing succession plan for the future ownership of the Denver Broncos."All seven of Pat Bowlen's children will receive an equal share of the franchise once ownership is transferred from him, but only one can serve as the controlling owner.Beth Bowlen, 47, is the second-oldest child in the family. She said her long-term vision for the team includes the eventual involvement of her six siblings.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Philadelphia Eagles fan who was arrested for punching a police horse prior to the NFC Championship Game in January has filed a lawsuit against the team and police.In the lawsuit, filed Wednesday, Andrew Tornetta, 20, claims he didn't punch the horse and alleges officers beat him for no reason, according to Joseph A. Gambardello of Philly.com. The suit goes on to state that he has suffered "physical pain, discomfort, trauma, humiliation, embarrassment, emotional distress, sleeplessness, anxiety, inability to perform simple activities of daily living, depression characterized by feelings of despair, hopelessness, and despondency ..." as a result of his "false" arrest.Tornetta was being escorted away from a large crowd that had gathered in the Lincoln Financial Field parking lot for the Jan. 21 game when he allegedly punched the horse twice on the shoulder and struck a mounted police officer below his right eye. It was the second time in as many weeks that an Eagles fan was charged with punching a police horse outside the stadium.The suit alleges that officers hit Tornetta in his head and face with batons and forced him to lay face down in the parking lot while he was bleeding. The suit also says Tornetta was "demonized" by the news media and social media "reporting upon his assault on police and his cruelty towards an animal."Tornetta was initially charged with resisting arrest, disorderly conduct, and failure to disperse, but the charges were withdrawn in March after he completed 12 hours of community service and paid $222 in court fees.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Not only did the Philadelphia Eagles take down the New England Patriots in the Super Bowl, but members of the championship-winning team are also going hard at them in the press.Lane Johnson has taken shots at the Patriots throughout the offseason, and Brandon Brooks became the latest Eagles player to do so earlier this week, going after both Bill Belichick and his protege, Bill O'Brien.Prior to joining Philadelphia, Brooks spent four seasons under O'Brien in Houston, and the Pro Bowl guard admitted that playing for such hard-nosed coaches makes some question whether they want to keep going."It's crazy that people haven't known this," Brooks said, according to Brandon Lee Gowton of Bleeding Green Nation. "It's been this way for like a decade. You've seen - Reggie Wayne did it. He retired. He went there (to the Patriots) for a training camp and retired. S--- is not fun there. I was under the same regime in Houston (with O'Brien). I almost retired. S--- was miserable, every day. Every day."Brooks began his career with the Texans under Gary Kubiak, who's known as a player-friendly coach, and the move to O'Brien was a stark contrast. It's safe to say the standout offensive lineman is much happier where he is now, playing for Doug Pederson."I came in (as a rookie) under Kubiak, who was just an older version of Doug (Pederson), then I went to O'Brien, who was Belichick, and then I came back to Doug, who's like Kubes. So for me, man, s--- was great."While the Eagles aren't scheduled to face the Patriots this year, they do match up with the Texans on Dec. 23.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The NFL's offseason training sessions - better known as OTAs - serve two purposes: subjecting millionaires to potential season-ending injuries and providing the first glimpse of players in new jerseys.Via free agency and the draft, numerous players will take the field for new teams this coming season. Here's the first glimpse at some marquee faces in new places (and colors).(Photos courtesy: Action Images, unless otherwise noted)Kirk Cousins, Vikings(Photo courtesy: Getty Images)The NFL's former highest-paid player per year put on a Vikings helmet for the first time this week.Baker Mayfield, BrownsThe No. 1 overall pick in April's draft has been busy through rookie minicamp and OTAs, acclimating himself with the Browns.Case Keenum, Broncos(Photo courtesy: Getty Images)Keenum is happy to be joining his fourth team in six years.Saquon Barkley, GiantsThe No. 2 pick in the draft will rock No. 26.Jarvis Landry, BrownsLandry switched shades of orange when he was dealt from the Dolphins to the Browns.Ndamukong Suh, RamsSuh's scowl now resides on the West Coast.Marcus Peters, RamsPeters will be repping and playing in his home state for the foreseeable future.Aqib Talib, RamsAnd he has a new partner in the defensive backfield in Talib.Brandin Cooks, RamsThe Rams finished their offseason makeover by acquiring Cooks, who will wear his third new look and number in as many seasons.AJ McCarron, BillsMcCarron is back in his customary No. 10, and in a starter's role ...Josh Allen, Bills... but the Bills' first-round pick is already nipping at his heels.Carlos Hyde, BrownsAfter four years in San Fran, Hyde looks different in Cleveland brown and orange.Josh Rosen, CardinalsAs Rosen surmised on Instagram, the Cardinals' logo suits him.Sam Bradford, CardinalsThe rookie will begin his career looking over Bradford's shoulder.Jimmy Graham, PackersThe uber-athletic tight end is wearing a new shade of green after three seasons in Seattle.Tyrod Taylor, BrownsT-Mobile's already dialing up passes from a new locale.Bradley Chubb, BroncosChubb opted for a number close to that of his pass-rushing mate, Von Miller.Lamar Jackson, Ravens

Has Colin Kaepernick's legal team finally uncovered the smoking gun in his collusion case against the NFL?Lawyer Mark Geragos, who is also representing Eric Reid, slammed the league for bowing to pressure from President Donald Trump regarding the new national anthem policy Wednesday on CNN, and hinted that his clients' case could be blown wide-open soon."I would stay tuned because this case is about to take a dramatic turn," he said, according to Michael David Smith of Pro Football Talk. When pressed for details, Geragos added, "Somebody has decided they were going to dime out the NFL for what they were doing."Related: Torrey Smith: 'Reactive' NFL anthem policy casts Kaepernick as villainCommissioner Roger Goodell, Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, and the Seattle Seahawks' Pete Carroll and John Schneider are among the prominent names who have been deposed in Kaepernick's case.Prior to the announcement of the anthem policy, the Seahawks organized a visit with Kaepernick in April, but postponed the meeting after the quarterback declined to stop protesting police brutality and racial inequality during the national anthem.The policy prohibits any player or team personnel from demonstrating during "The Star-Spangled Banner"; however, it's unclear if the Seahawks will renew their interest in the veteran passer.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Not only did Damarious Randall's jersey tweet go viral, it's quickly become one of the most retweeted items ever and is now on the verge of Twitter history.On Monday night, the Cleveland Browns defensive back pledged to buy a jersey for everyone who retweeted his post if the Cleveland Cavaliers defeat the Golden State Warriors in the NBA Finals.Less than 60 hours later, the message is already among the 10-most retweeted posts of all time, and is close to becoming the ninth tweet ever to earn 1 million retweets, according to an unofficial list on Wikipedia. (Twitter doesn't display an official list of the most retweeted posts.)

Two criteria were used to assemble this list of players on the path to the Pro Football Hall of Fame: