Houston Texans defensive end Jadeveon Clowney completed his breakout season with J.J. Watt sidelined and now he's looking forward to wreaking havoc on the rest of the league as a tandem.Clowney earned Pro Bowl and second-team All-Pro honors last year, stabilizing the defense after Watt underwent back surgery.Watt's return makes the Texans' defense even more formidable, and Clowney believes they could be a transcendent unit."It's crazy," Clowney said to Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle. "I'm looking forward to it. When I was healthy, when I got healthy, he got hurt. When he was healthy, I was hurt. We've never really been on the field together at the same time healthy."I feel like we can all be out there together, me and him and the rest of guys and just stay healthy, we're going to be a special defense."Clowney's first two seasons were marred by injuries and some prematurely labeled him a bust, deeming him unworthy of the first overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft. Now that both players are healthy, the Texans are well positioned to win the AFC South for the third consecutive year.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Carolina Panthers owner Jerry Richardson is set to meet with Marty Hurney on Tuesday to discuss Hurney taking over as general manager on an interim basis, a league source told NFL Network's Tom Pelissero.Hurney is expected to be given the role "if all goes well."While nothing is finalized, the plan would reportedly be for Hurney - who was the Panthers' GM from 2002-12 - to run the team for 2017 while full-time candidates are vetted, adds Pellissero.The Panthers fired David Gettleman on Monday after four successful years with the team, including a Super Bowl appearance in 2015.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Dallas Cowboys linebacker Jaylon Smith reiterated that he's back to full strength after missing the entire 2016 season recuperating from a devastating knee injury.Smith suffered a torn ACL and LCL during his final collegiate game at Notre Dame, but the Cowboys drafted him in the second round of the 2016 NFL Draft based off his immense potential."Man, it's been great," Smith said via the Cowboys' official website. "Whenever I'm out there, I'm full-go. I'm full throttle, and I'm feeling like myself again. So it's a great feeling."After a year of inaction, Smith is chomping at the bit to take the field again."That's something that I'm really looking forward to, back in Oxnard, California, being able to be on the field again and running and competing with my guys is something that I'm looking forward to. I'm looking forward to being out there."Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

After the Panthers shockingly fired general manager Dave Gettleman on Monday, most of the NFL world was left to speculate the reason why Carolina made such a drastic move just days before training camp begins.One theory was that Gettleman's abrasive management style was one of the main factors - especially his treatment of popular veterans like Thomas Davis and Greg Olsen, who are both seeking contract extensions this offseason.However, Davis denied this was the case Tuesday, calling any such suggestion "unfair" and revealing he'd engaged in negotiations with the Panthers."We had actually engaged in contract talks," Davis told Kelsey Riggs of WCNC. "They presented something and we presented something back and we were just in the process of negotiating. That's what you do when you're dealing with contracts and it's really sad and disappointing when you hear all the people that's saying that the reason Mr. Gettleman was released was because of me or Greg. I think that's an unfair statement."I think that's something that you guys (the media) are giving us too much credit - we're not that important in the grand scheme of things and intimately Mr. Richardson made a decision and it's something that we're going to live with."Gettleman reportedly wasn't interested in extending Olsen with two years remaining on his deal, despite the star tight end arguably outperforming his contract by producing three straight 1,000-yard seasons.Davis is 34 years old and has a lengthy injury history, though, as he confirmed, he was reportedly expected to be rewarded with another short-term deal before the start of the campaign.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Many current and former Carolina Panthers have been open about their displeasure with how former general manager Dave Gettleman conducted business with his players. A day after Gettleman was fired, however, one Panther has lent his support to the man.Offensive tackle Michael Oher relayed a message via Instagram on Tuesday. In it, he said he "hated to hear" that Gettleman had been dismissed as he was one of the few to have kept tabs on him as he recovers from a concussion that limited him to three games in 2016.

After one season in the NFL, Ezekiel Elliott is already arguably one of the league's biggest stars - and Jerry Jones thinks he needs time to adjust.The Dallas Cowboys owner said Tuesday that the second-year running back is still learning how to best traverse the fame that comes with playing - and producing - for the league's biggest franchise."As you well know, because of his style and personality, it's like a rock star wherever he goes in terms of attention," Jones said, according to Rod Phillips of the Cowboys' official site. "Anybody that's experienced that knows that takes getting used to. You have to learn many aspects of that. Certainly, Zeke is evolving and being subject to needing to learn how to deal with the media and social media the way is it today."Jones declined to address the possibility of a suspension for Elliott following a report that the NFL could ban the runner for one or two games for domestic violence allegations, only saying he's not yet spoken to the league about the matter and didn't want to speculate, according to Phillips.The NFL says its investigation is still ongoing and no final decision has been made.Elliott's off-field issues don't end there. He was allegedly involved in an altercation at a bar Sunday night, is reportedly appealing a speeding conviction, and was criticized for pulling down a woman's shirt and exposing her bare breast during a St. Patrick's Day parade in March.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Pittsburgh Steelers offensive tackle Alejandro Villanueva may elect to skip training camp as he's yet to sign his exclusive rights free-agent tender, according to the Ray Fittipaldo of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.Villanueva received the tender from the Steelers, which would pay him $615,000 for the upcoming season.Since Villanueva has yet to sign the tender, he's not required to attend training camp. Villanueva signed a waiver, protecting him against injury, which allowed him to attend organized team activities (OTAs) and voluntary workouts."After taking orders my whole life, now I'm working with a really good agent," Villanueva told the Post-Gazette in June. "I'll do whatever he tells me to do."Villanueva's agent, Jason Bernstein, did not comment on the story when contacted by the Post-Gazette.Under terms of the tender, Villanueva would rank 109th in salary for offensive tackles this season, a figure that doesn't come close to matching his on-field value. In any event, Villanueva is under team control through the 2017 season and is a restricted free agent in 2018.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Tom Brady will have a corn maze created in his honor this fall.Sauchuk's Corn Maze and Pumpkin Patch, located in Plympton, Mass., announced Wednesday on Facebook that its latest design will feature the New England Patriots quarterback.The maze will open Sept. 16.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

After enduring the blowback from his questionable advice to Colin Kaepernick about cleaning up his image, Michael Vick attempted to set the record straight in a tweet Tuesday.Vick called Kaepernick "a great kid" and argued his suggestion that the former San Francisco 49ers pivot should get a haircut wasn't meant "in malice."

There's plenty of quarterback drama around the league as the 2017 season approaches. Here's my list of the most intriguing storylines entering fall camp:Can Matt Ryan rebound from Super Bowl meltdown?(Photo courtesy: Action Images)After coming within seconds of winning his first Super Bowl title, Matt Ryan will have his work cut out for him in 2017. The reigning NFL MVP will face multiple challenges as he attempts to return to the Big Game.First, after blowing a 28-3 lead in the Super Bowl, can Ryan and his Falcons erase those bad memories that can haunt athletes for years? It's a concern for Atlanta, as year after year the Super Bowl runner-up seems to falter and miss the playoffs the following season. But it's not my main concern.My biggest worry is the loss of Kyle Shanahan and much of the offensive coaching staff. When Shanahan left to become the 49ers' head coach, he brought multiple offensive assistants with him. Ryan, who's had a slew of coordinators during his nine NFL seasons, was a perfect fit in Shanahan’s offense and produced a career year in their second campaign together.Ryan must now start over again with a new offensive coordinator, Steve Sarkisian. Though Sarkisian is a well-respected play designer and caller, it will take time for the new OC and quarterback to be fully on the same page. Can Sarkisian be just as creative as Shanahan with the use of zone running and play action? Can he find ways to get Julio Jones the ball at a similar rate as the previous OC? Will the running game be as effective?There are a lot of questions to be answered regarding the Falcons' offense. Changing offensive coordinators is an adjustment no matter how much talent a team has on its roster, and Sarkisian will face a lot of pressure to replicate the success from 2016. It’s up to Ryan to make the transition seamless.How much will Dak Prescott improve in Year 2?(Photo courtesy: Action Images)What a difference a year makes. A season ago, the Dallas Cowboys were looking to make a playoff push with their all-time leading passer, Tony Romo, at the helm. Fast-forward a year, and Romo's in the broadcast booth while last year’s fourth-round pick is already the face of the franchise.Prescott was the NFL's biggest surprise in 2016. Nobody imagined a spread-offense quarterback drafted in the fourth round would step in and perform the way he did. Once Romo went down in the preseason, most of the NFL counted the Cowboys out. This year, Prescott won’t be surprising anybody.Offensive coordinator Scott Linehan didn't get enough praise for the spectacular job he did with the rookie last year. It’s not easy to go from one of the smartest veteran quarterbacks in the league to a freshman with no experience. Linehan’s influence on Prescott's early success shouldn’t be overlooked.The transition from college to the NFL usually takes a year or two for quarterbacks. Prescott jumped right in and looked like a ten-year vet. How much room for improvement is there this season? I can’t imagine his stats being much better than in 2016.Never has a rookie completed 68 percent of passes with 23 TDs against four INTs. The only way Prescott's stats could get better is if the Cowboys' run game somehow stalls, forcing them to throw more. I don’t think that will happen, considering the ‘Boys have the most dominant offensive line in the league, and Ezekiel Elliott.I'll be curious to see if Linehan and Jason Garret put more responsibility on Prescott this year. Now that he knows about Prescott’s capabilities as a professional quarterback, will the OC challenge his quarterback to audible at the line of scrimmage more often? Will Prescott have more discretion in what plays get changed? And how much influence will Prescott have with the game plans?Prescott is on his way to being an elite quarterback. But if he isn’t challenged with more responsibility in this offense, I'm concerned he won’t reach his maximum potential. The run game is a quarterback’s best friend, but to become elite, QBs need to have games when they completely take over and carry their team. Linehan is preparing for those times. I’m curious to see how far Prescott has come since January.Who gets the Week 1 starting job in Chicago?(Photo courtesy: Getty Images)How this mess of a quarterback situation turns out is anybody’s guess.I thought the Bears aggressively signing Mike Glennon to a three-year, $45-million contract was a smart move for both sides. The team only guaranteed the quarterback $18 million, which meant they basically took a one-year flyer on a talented quarterback entering his prime.If Glennon played well, the Bears would have a quarterback to build around. Conversely, if Glennon failed, the Bears would have a high pick in the 2018 NFL Draft - one which is supposedly loaded with talented QBs.Then the Bears did something nobody expected. They moved up a spot to draft Mitch Trubisky - a raw but talented QB from North Carolina. This was the biggest shocker of this year’s draft.I'm intrigued by how this will sort itself out. Will Glennon be named the starter because he's the veteran of the two? If so, how will he play knowing that he isn’t in the Bears' long-term plans? For a quarterback, this type of scenario makes it almost impossible not to play on egg shells. Bears fans are passionate and impatient. They will want Trubisky playing sooner rather than later, especially if the team struggles.If Trubisky starts, how will he play as a rookie? The NFC North has three good teams and the Bears aren’t one of them. If they struggle, how will the rookie respond? Will the Bears stay with him as their starter or will they give Glennon a chance at some point? Or, can the rookie be the spark plug the Bears have been looking for?The Bears will be a fun team to keep an eye on this year. There's a good possibility that it won’t go well, and the potential train wreck will be very enjoyable for non-Bears fans to watch.Will Cam Newton rebound from subpar 2016?(Photo courtesy: Action Images)After an MVP performance in 2015, Cam Newton looked like he couldn’t be stopped. Despite playing poorly in a losing effort to the Broncos in the Super Bowl, Newton’s supreme talents had some analysts talking about him being one of the greatest to ever play the game. Never before had the NFL witnessed a quarterback with his size, arm strength, accuracy, and foot speed.A year later, things have certainly changed for Newton. The 2016 Panthers did what many Super Bowl runners-up have done in recent years - their play faltered and they missed the playoffs. Head coach Ron Rivera’s defense didn’t perform nearly as well as the year before, and the Panthers' vaunted running game wasn’t as effective, either.This lead to more weight being placed on Newton’s throwing arm, and the quarterback didn’t respond like a future Hall of Famer.Nearly every passing statistic was dramatically worse for Newton in 2016. His 75.8 QB rating wouldn’t cut it as a backup for many NFL teams, while his 52.9 percent completion rate was Tebow-esque. When the Panthers needed Cam to win games with his arm, he failed miserably.Can Newton rebound and regain his MVP-level play this year? Can the Panthers get back to the playoffs in a division with three other outstanding quarterbacks (Ryan, Drew Brees, Jameis Winston)?Newton’s main throwing issue isn't his arm - it's his feet. I watched roughly half of Cam’s games last year and his lower-body was a disaster. He made throw after throw off his back foot, and with poor timing.While Newton's huge arm allowed him to get away with poor quarterback mechanics in the past, it caught up with him in 2016. If you aren’t fundamentally sound with footwork, reads, and timing, your overall quarterback play will suffer. Your team will suffer as well.Offensive coordinator Mike Shula has his work cut out for him. Sometimes it’s more challenging to get a quarterback to change his bad habits when he enjoyed MVP levels of success earlier in his career. Shula must convince Newton to be more precise with his reads and footwork. The OC must find a way to change Newton into a great thrower if he wants him to reach the next level.And as he ages, there's no way Newton can keep taking shots inside or outside the pocket. A deep knowledge of the game - combined with proper mechanics and footwork - should help eliminate his injuries going forward. Yes, Newton took a lot of illegal (and legal) hits last year, but many of those could have been avoided with more disciplined play.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Le'Veon Bell is reportedly betting big on himself in 2017.The running back is set to play this season on the $12.1-million franchise tag after the deadline passed Monday. However, the Pittsburgh Steelers apparently made a huge offer to stop that happening, proposing a contract that would pay Bell an average of $12 million per year, sources told NFL Network's Tom Pelissero.The deal would have paid Bell $30 million in the first two years and $42 million by the third year, adds Pelissero. The Steelers' offer was a five-year contract, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports.The contract would've made Bell the highest-paid running back by a wide margin, blowing past LeSean McCoy's $8 million per year.Bell said after the deadline passed that he wants to help raise the running-back market, which has taken a nosedive in recent years as teams look for more affordable options for what's perceived to be a replaceable position.The Steelers' reported offer would have significantly raised the current ceiling, but still lags far behind the seven-year, $96-million contract given to Adrian Peterson by the Minnesota Vikings in 2011.If Bell is seeking that level of compensation, it may be difficult for the Steelers to lock him down to an extension next offseason, though tagging him again would be an option - albeit an expensive one, with the price likely to be around $14.5 million.Bell more than proved himself worthy of being the NFL's best-paid back last season, averaging a league-best 157 scrimmage yards per game in 12 starts.However, his injury and suspension history may have been a factor in the Steelers' reluctance to raise their offer's average salary beyond the 2017 franchise-tag number.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Barring a dramatic drop-off in play or a significant injury, it's likely only a matter of time before Aaron Rodgers regains his title as the NFL's highest-paid player.Rodgers has seen the likes of Andrew Luck and Derek Carr surpass him, despite far inferior resumes. However, with the star quarterback contracted through the 2019 season, he said his representatives have yet to engage the Green Bay Packers in contract talks."I know what my value is and the team compensated me really, really well a few years ago," Rodgers told WTMJ TV last week, according to ESPN's Rob Demovsky. "I hope the situation in a couple of years is a no-brainer. That means I'm playing well and the team's still moving in the right direction and that's what I can control. The other stuff, I let my agent handle that. We haven't even had any conversations, so it's not something I'm even thinking about. Like I said, I've got three years left on my deal."Even with three years remaining, it would be a surprise if Rodgers isn't rewarded with an extension by this time next year. He currently ranks fifth in yearly salary - sixth if you count Kirk Cousins' franchise-tag figure - and is all but certain to be pushed further down the list when Matthew Stafford and Matt Ryan receive extensions soon.Green Bay's Super Bowl chances continue to rely on Rodgers' arm, and the Packers acknowledged they're bracing for another jump in the veteran pivot's salary."You need to plan for it," Packers president Mark Murphy told ESPN last week during an interview about the team's annual financial report.Rodgers will probably have the leverage to push the quarterback market to new heights, so he isn't sweating currently playing on a below-market deal."When it comes to setting the market values, I let that stuff take care of itself," Rodgers said in June. "I know my value in this league, and I know the team appreciates me. I'm going to continue to make myself an indispensable part of this roster. When you do that, when your time comes up to get a contract, you usually get a contract extension."Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Kirk Cousins may have been in negotiations to be one of the highest-paid players in NFL history, but Washington Redskins president Bruce Allen still can't seem to get his name right.After Allen referred to his starting quarterback as many things other than "Kirk" on Monday, Cousins was asked for his reaction."I've been called 'Kurt' my entire life ... Doesn't matter. It is what it is. It's fine. Not a big deal," Cousins said Tuesday on 106.7 The Fan, according to The MMQB's Albert Greer.After the Redskins and Cousins failed to come to terms on a long-term agreement ahead of Monday's deadline, Allen released a statement disclosing the details of the contract negotiations. Many viewed it as a tactic to win the hearts of the fan base. Cousins, again, brushed it off."I understand where he and the organization are coming from ... Doesn't rub me the wrong way at all," he said.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

On the strength of an all-world offensive line and two super rookies, the Dallas Cowboys vaulted from worst to first to win the NFC East in 2016. For the most part, the roster is intact to defend its title and attempt to improve on its divisional-round appearance in last year's playoffs.The Cowboys don't have the benefit of sneaking up on the competition this year, and rival coaches have had a full offseason to dissect Dak Prescott's and Ezekiel Elliott's game tapes. What they'll find, however, is that the pair is tough to stop.Nonetheless, Dallas will face a first-place schedule in 2017 and has significant question marks on its defense. Will rookie cornerbacks Chidobe Awuzie and Marquez White be able to contribute right away? Who will rush the passer?The Cowboys are far from perfect, but can anyone knock them off their perch? Here are the contenders for the crown in the NFC East:New York GiantsNew York proved last season it has the roster composition necessary to beat the Cowboys, handing Dallas two of its three regular-season losses.The Giants will feature much of last year's 10th-ranked defense and have loaded up for a run at a championship by adding Brandon Marshall. The veteran figures to be the secondary target necessary to open up the field for Odell Beckham Jr. to wreak havoc. Marshall will also be a welcome sight for Eli Manning, who was in dire of need of more weapons.The running game continues to be New York's Achilles' heel, but Paul Perkins needs only to be adequate to put the Giants over the top.With a balanced defense led by a number of rising stars, the offense finally has the support necessary to vault to the next level and contend for a title.Washington RedskinsAfter two successful seasons, the Redskins enter 2017 with a neutered offense. Gone are Pierre Garcon and DeSean Jackson, along with offensive wunderkind Sean McVay. Meanwhile, quarterback Kirk Cousins will lead the team after failing to receive a vote of confidence from the franchise in the form of a long-term contract for the second year running.Bad news continues to envelop the Redskins, and the schedule-makers have done them no favors. Washington will have to face the NFC West - led by the Seahawks and Cardinals - and the vaunted AFC West in 2017.Any drama surrounding the team off the field won't aid its attempt to remain competitive on it. Let's not forget that Washington's defensive coaching staff was overhauled after a porous 2016 - and with new coaches come new players.A converted quarterback (Terrelle Pryor) inherits the team's No. 1 receiver job, and someone endearingly referred to as "Fat Rob" (Rob Kelley) is the assumed lead running back. It might be a long year in D.C.Philadelphia EaglesThe Eagles said and did all the right things during the offseason. Quarterback Carson Wentz promised to be better in his sophomore year and the franchise supplied him with proven producers in the form of Alshon Jeffery, LeGarrette Blount, and Torrey Smith.The secondary is the unit with question marks, however. A number of youngsters are expected to make the leap in 2017, and they'll have to do so in a division chock-full of talent at the receiving position. Gone are Nolan Carroll and Leodis McKelvin. Enter Jalen Mills, Sidney Jones, and Rasul Douglas.For the young Eagles, it'll be sink or swim in one of the toughest divisions in football.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Kirk Cousins spoke publicly Tuesday for the first time since a league-imposed deadline passed without the quarterback netting a long-term agreement with the Washington Redskins.Speaking on 106.7 The Fan in D.C., the quarterback explained his side of the negotiations, confirming what Redskins president Bruce Allen claimed in a statement on Monday, that Cousins' camp never responded with a counter-offer after he proposed a deal that would have made Cousins the second highest-paid player by average per year in NFL history."Up until a week ago, I was praying over whether we should send them an offer," Cousins said, adding that the two sides were closer than the public would believe to reaching a deal. "I just felt peace about not making an offer and putting it in the team's court," he added.Absent a multi-year contract, Cousins will now play the 2017 season on a franchise tag that will pay him $23.9 million. The quarterback said he's comfortable betting on himself for a second year as he would like to use the next six months to "get more information about the organization."The Redskins have undergone significant changes since the close of the 2016 season. Gone are weapons DeSean Jackson and Pierre Garcon. His former offensive coordinator is now coaching the Los Angeles Rams, and general manager Scot McCloughan has since been fired and replaced with former player Doug Williams as the team's new senior vice president of player personnel.Despite the turbulence, Cousins' reiterated his intention to remain in Washington."It has always been my first choice to be with the Redskins," Cousins said.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Even after his retirement, Andre Johnson is still breaking new ground for the Houston Texans.The former wide receiver will be the first member of the Texans' ring of honor, the team announced Tuesday. His induction ceremony is set to take place during halftime of the team's Week 11 matchup with the Arizona Cardinals on Nov. 19.Johnson signed a one-day contract to officially end his career as a member of the Texans on April 19.The 36-year-old holds every nearly every significant receiving record in franchise history and made seven Pro Bowls during his 12 years in Houston.Johnson spent the 2015 season with the Indianapolis Colts and part of 2016 with the Tennessee Titans before opting to hang up his cleats this offseason.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

On Monday, Michael Vick gave Colin Kaepernick some questionable advice regarding how to end his ongoing unemployment, telling the former San Francisco 49ers quarterback to improve his image by cutting his hair.Less than a day later, Kaepernick appeared to respond to Vick's comments with a tweet about Stockholm syndrome.

New England Patriots receiver Julian Edelman is a two-time Super Bowl champion and the recent recipient of a long-overdue apology from a former teacher.Edelman tweeted out on Tuesday morning a letter written to him on June 14, 2017. It was addressed from his English teacher from the spring of 2006 and included an apology for a remark he made after Edelman confidently stated he was "going to the league." Read on.

With just 16 days before the Hall of Fame Game is set to take place, Canton is promising the stadium will be ready for the event - unlike last year.The game was canceled in 2016 due to wet paint on the field, but this year's contest between the Arizona Cardinals and the Dallas Cowboys should be good to go, with the $700 million endeavor currently on schedule."It will be done, but just don't brush up against any walls because the paint may be fresh," joked Kevin Shiplett, vice president of operations and facilities for the Hall, according to Todd Porter of the Canton Repository.The stadium will require temporary bleachers and a scoreboard, with the aim of having all work completed for the 2018 events.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

O.J. Simpson is reportedly not expected to face any opposition to his petition to be released at his parole hearing on Thursday, according to Ken Ritter of The Associated Press.Neither Simpson's victim nor the former prosecutor are expected to attend the hearing."Assuming that he's behaved himself in prison, I don't think it will be out of line for him to get parole," former Clark County attorney David Roger said.The 70-year-old former NFL star is approaching the minimum nine years in prison for a 2008 conviction for armed robbery and assault with a weapon. He will be released in October if granted parole.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Lucky Whitehead said Tuesday that his dog, Blitz, had been returned "home safely." The update came one day after Whitehead revealed that Blitz had been stolen and held for ransom, according to ESPN."Look who made it home safely!!!" Whitehead posted on Snapchat with a short video of his dog. "THANKS EVERYONE."Blitz was kidnapped while Whitehead was in Florida, and the pass-catcher subsequently received a call from unknown robbers demanding $10,000 for the return of his dog.Whitehead said he refused to pay $10,000, but that he did pay an undisclosed amount for the return of Blitz.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Aside from his reported involvement in an altercation at a Dallas bar, Ezekiel Elliott is also fighting a speeding ticket.The Dallas Cowboys running back is appealing a misdemeanor conviction for driving 30 mph over the posted speed limit in Frisco, Texas, according to Valerie Wigglesworth of The Dallas Morning News.Elliott was clocked at 100 mph in his 2016 Dodge Charger on April 4. He posted an appeal bond on Friday. The matter has been forwarded to county court Monday. Elliott was also issued a warning for a missing license plate on the front of the vehicle.The rusher was also cited for speeding in Ohio in June 2014 and was involved in a minor car accident in December 2015.This latest news comes as a nightclub incident - in which a witness claimed Elliott was not involved - became news on Monday and he awaits word from the NFL on a possible suspension stemming from a February 2016 domestic violence accusation by his ex-girlfriend.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Matt Williamson is a former scout for the Cleveland Browns and spent 10 years at ESPN as a scout and co-host of "The Football Today Podcast."The NFL season is right around the corner, and this year's Hall of Fame inductions will rightfully kick off the campaign. The 2017 class is composed of Morton Anderson, Terrell Davis, Kenny Easley, Jerry Jones, Jason Taylor, LaDainian Tomlinson, and Kurt Warner. Over the next two weeks, we'll highlight the four best-known players - Warner, Tomlinson, Davis, and Taylor - beginning with the former quarterback.Warner’s journey to the Hall of Fame was as unlikely as anyone's who has ever been enshrined. He came from nowhere to reach superstardom.Even more impressive was that he enjoyed two separate stints of greatness - with the Rams during “The Greatest Show On Turf” years and later with Arizona - despite going through a significant career hiatus in the mid-2000s.Warner played for St. Louis from 1998 until 2003, dominating the early years but then appearing in just nine games over the final two seasons. He then went to the Giants, playing 10 games there during Eli Manning’s rookie campaign.In 2005, Warner joined the Cardinals and played just 16 games across his first two seasons. He found himself in a playing-time battle with Matt Leinhart, a young, highly touted quarterback from the 2006 draft class.Warner outlasted the Leinhart threat and finally regained his status as a premier signal-caller during his final three NFL seasons.His career arc, right from the get-go, was amazing. It took an injury to Trent Green for Warner to even get his first starting opportunity. We may never have heard of him otherwise.(Photo courtesy: Action Images)What about Warner as a player? In St. Louis, he played under head coach Dick Vermeil, but the offense belonged to coordinator Mike Martz. Warner had a fantastic supporting cast around him. You know the names: Marshall Faulk, Orlando Pace, Torry Holt, and Isaac Bruce, just to name the other Hall of Fame-level talents on that legendary offense.But it was Warner who made it all go.Never an elite athlete, Warner navigated the pocket very well while always keeping his eyes downfield. In fact, over his career he often showed outstanding toughness and discipline by holding the ball until the last possible instant before firing a strike downfield and inevitably getting drilled by a fierce pass-rusher. Warner took a lot of big hits, which endeared him to his teammates and showed a great dedication to winning.But it also made him a great fit with Martz, along with Bruce Arians in Arizona. Both of those offensive minds stressed deep drops and deep shots downfield. And neither coach ever put a premium on protection. That suited Warner perfectly. He led the NFL in average gain per attempt three times, while Martz and Arians had the right quarterback for their systems.Warner also had a strong arm and a very quick release. Especially with the Rams, he excelled firing the ball into tight windows in the middle of the field on deep digs and crossers. He completed countless passes that many quarterbacks wouldn't even attempt.He had a great mind for the sport and processed information very quickly, and played some of his best games when it mattered most. In fact, Warner was the first quarterback in history to throw for 300 yards in a Super Bowl three different times, including a 414-yard effort in Super Bowl XXXIV in a winning effort over the Titans.It was an incredible journey. Warner went from being undrafted and then cut by Green Bay, to bagging groceries, playing in the Arena League, and then moving to NFL Europe before latching on with the Rams, starring briefly in New York, and finally resurrecting his career in Arizona. And now, he'll be in Canton for eternity.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Jon Beason played six seasons for the Carolina Panthers as regular Pro Bowler and a fan favorite - until Dave Gettleman arrived.The now-fired general manager of the Panthers sent Beason packing three games into his first year with the team, shipping him to the New York Giants for a measly seventh-round pick.While Beason understands the nature of business in the NFL, he was not impressed with Gettleman's people skills and shed some light on one of the reasons the GM was let go Monday."The way that the trade went down between the Giants and the Panthers when I moved on from the Carolina Panthers, it was done in a way that wasn't classy," Beason told CBS Sports on Monday. "I didn't want to be the disgruntled player who's saying this, saying that because he was traded."But at the end of the day, you're a first-round pick, you played extremely well for an organization, you're one of the key guys on the team, a new GM comes in and doesn't even give you a handshake on your way out the door."Related: Was Gettleman's reluctance to extend star veterans reason for firing?Beason came to accept his departure from Carolina, but kept in touch with players and people within the organisation. From what he's heard, Gettleman may have put a successful product on the field, but off of it, he wasn't helping things."On all accounts, from what I've been told, there's been a lot of disconnect," said Beason. "One, with the draft. There's the disconnect with the way he treats the players ..."There's guys that are on that team, in that locker room, that basically felt like this is who Gettleman was and he was almost on this ego trip."Beason also pointed to Jerry Richardson as a potential cause for Gettleman's dismissal due to the owner's dislike for people attempting to dictate him.In a separate media appearance Monday, the retired All-Pro linebacker also opened up about a disagreement between himself and Gettleman when the general manager accused Beason of faking a knee injury in 2013 after he had missed 27 games over the previous two seasons from injuries."For him not to know me and say, 'Hey, listen, you're faking this injury.' Those are harsh words," Beason told WFNZ, according to Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk. "Verbatim. 'C'mon, Jon. You know nothing's wrong with your knee'"Obviously, I didn't like that he was challenging my character, my integrity."Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

As Monday's deadline to sign franchise-tagged players came and went without Le'Veon Bell and the Pittsburgh Steelers reaching a new contract, it's hard to tell if either side won.The 2016 leader in scrimmage yards per game will now earn $12.12 million in 2017, making him the highest-paid player at his position by over $4 million in terms of average annual value. While that's a lot of money, Bell made it clear he was hoping to sign a long-term deal instead of taking the one-year agreement.

While Ezekiel Elliott is being investigated over his potential involvement in a nightclub altercation wherein a DJ was knocked unconscious, one witness has come forth to proclaim the Dallas Cowboys running back's innocence.Related - Report: Cowboys' Elliott involved in altercation at barMichael Huffman, a bouncer who was working at the nightclub at the time of the incident, told the Star-Telegram that Elliot was just in the wrong place at the wrong time. Huffman said he was close to the 21-year-old when the punch was thrown, hoping to snap a selfie with the Cowboys star."It didn't go down like that," said Huffman, referring to claims that Elliott punched out the disc jockey, DJ DTrain. "Everybody is saying that but he didn't throw the punch ..."Zeke was just standing there arms folded chilling feeling the crowd. Then I seen DJ getting loud toward the vicinity of Zeke and then I see an overhand right come over the back of Zeke shoulder that landed square in DTrain’s face and he went to sleep. He didn't even see it. Then the crowd circled and dispersed. I'm surprised a whole video hasn't been released yet."At least one other witness identified Elliott as the punch-thrower, but the victim does not know who hit him.Elliott could already be facing a short suspension due to domestic violence allegations made last summer, and would likely be subjected to league discipline if found guilty in this altercation as well.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Le'Veon Bell is taking a stand for running backs everywhere in the NFL.The Pittsburgh Steelers running back did not reach a long-term agreement with his club by Monday. While he would have liked to lock up some more job security, Bell is not going to take a deal simply because the market for running backs is low."It's a little frustrating, but it's a business," said Bell, according to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler. "I'm not in a rush to sign for something I'm not valued at, if I feel I'm worth more than what they are offering me."Related: Bell laughs off not receiving long-term deal: 'I gotta get better, apparently'Bell will make $12.12 million on the franchise tag this season, over $4 million more than the average annual salary of the next highest-paid running back, LeSean McCoy. He remains positive a deal will be reached with the Steelers though, as he's shown on the field, he's willing to be patient."The running back market definitely took a hit, and I can't be the guy who continues to let it take a hit," Bell said. "We do everything. We block, we run, we catch the ball. Our value isn't where it needs to be. I'm taking it upon myself to open up some eyes and show the position is more valuable."Bell said he wants to stay with the Steelers for his next contract, but "you never know what will happen."Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Michael Vick doesn't believe Colin Kaepernick is without an NFL job because of his political views or his on-field play. He says it's the hair.The former NFL quarterback, who knows a thing or two about rehabilitating his image, joined Fox Sports 1's "Speak for Yourself" on Monday and kicked off the Kaepernick discussion with some new - somewhat questionable - advice."First thing we’ve got to get Colin to do is cut his hair," Vick said. "Listen, I’m not up here to try to be politically correct. Even if he puts cornrows in there. I don’t think he should represent himself in that way. Just the hairstyle. Just go clean-cut. You know, why not? You're already dealing with a lot..."He's just got to be presentable."Vick believes that Kaepernick's hairstyle is separating the old Kaepernick, who went to a Super Bowl and appeared to be reinventing pro quarterbacking, with the new Kaepernick, who is believed to be more about social justice than football."I just think perception and image is everything," said Vick. "This is not the Colin Kaepernick that we've known since he entered the National Football League."I'm just going off my personal experiences. Listen, I love the guy to death. But I want him to also succeed on and off the field. This has to be a start for him."It didn't take long for several NFL players to disagree with Vick's comments.

As the most dysfunctional team in football, the Washington Redskins couldn't just let Monday's franchise-tag deadline pass without incident - they had to make a mess of it.Related: Franchise tag deadline passes with no long-term deals for Bell, CousinsAccording to reports, quarterback Kirk Cousins and the club were not expected to reach an agreement before the deadline for the second year in a row, an NFL first for quarterbacks. Cousins had played the nice guy role, claiming he wasn't going to base his life around money and that he thought everyone was on the same page during negotiations. However, that may not be as true as once thought.It's completely within Cousins' rights to want to be paid lucratively, but the Redskins went out of their way Monday to make their quarterback look greedy (just a reminder: no matter how much money players make, owners and teams make more).In a statement from team president Bruce Allen, Washington claimed to have offered Cousins a deal that would have given him the highest amount of guaranteed money at signing by a quarterback in NFL history, $53 million. It's a misleading statement, as 1) Eli Manning got $54 million guaranteed, according to Spotrac, and 2) Cousins was already in a position to get that much guaranteed, if not more.Under his 2017 franchise tag, Cousins will earn $23.94 million, fully guaranteed. If the Redskins use the franchise tag on him again in 2018 - which they are admittedly open to - Cousins would receive a total of $58.42 million between 2017 and 2018, according to MMQB's Albert Breer. If Washington uses the transition tag on Cousins in 2018, he would be guaranteed over $52.68 million over the next two years.In the statement, the team also claims the offer extended to Cousins would have given him the second-highest average annual value for quarterbacks. But that too is misleading, as the offer was made on May 2, before Derek Carr became the most recent highest-paid player in NFL history.The statement reeks of desperation and an attempt to save face for Washington, mixing in insinuations that Cousins was too greedy in negotiations with vaguely supportive phrases hoping fans won't side with the player.

Pittsburgh Steelers running back Le'Veon Bell appeared bemused after Monday's franchise tag deadline passed without him receiving a long-term contract.Bell is scheduled to play the upcoming season on a one-year, $12.12-million contract, which would make him the NFL's highest-paid running back in 2017.The Steelers' superstar took to Snapchat an hour after the deadline passed, and didn't appear thrilled about his contract status.

Stephon Gilmore is already making his presence felt on the New England Patriots and couldn't resist taking a jab at his former club.Gilmore signed a five-year, $65-million contract with the Patriots on March 9 after spending the first five seasons of his career with the Buffalo Bills.The Patriots have won the AFC East every year since Gilmore's been in the league and they are well-positioned to defend their title again after a strong offseason.New England is a fixture on the national television schedule and Gilmore remarked on his newfound opportunities, stating his friends and family will finally get to see him on the big stage.

While the Washington Redskins did not reach a long-term agreement with Kirk Cousins before Monday's deadline, they did offer him the highest amount of guaranteed salary to a quarterback at signing, according to a statement from president Bruce Allen.Allen said the Redskins offered Cousins a contract that guarantee him $53 million at the time of his signing and a total of $72 million for injury guarantees on May 2. The statement said the $53-million guarantee would be the most for a quarterback in NFL history, though according to Spotrac, Eli Manning received $54 million guaranteed at the time of his signing.As pointed out by CBS' Will Brinson, the $53 million in guarantees isn't much more than Cousins would make by playing under the franchise tag in 2017 and under the transition tag in 2018.

Le'Veon Bell, Kirk Cousins and Trumaine Johnson will all play under the stipulations of the franchise tag for the upcoming season after failing to reach long-term extensions with their clubs before Monday's 4 p.m. ET deadline.All three players are slated to become unrestricted free agents in 2018.Bell, Cousins and Johnson will earn $12.1 million, $23.93 million, and $16.74 million respectively under the terms of their franchise tags for the upcoming season.All three players now pose significant questions for their individual teams.Bell will be the highest-paid running back in the NFL next year by a wide margin, but he's a genuine superstar who can make a strong case for a more lucrative deal.Cousins faces the unfathomable proposition of being franchise tagged for the third consecutive year in 2018 and will likely be paid exorbitantly next year, barring a disaster.Meanwhile, Johnson will be the NFL's highest-paid cornerback, although many would hesitate to rank him among the top 15 players at his position.Bell earned Pro Bowl and second-team All-Pro honors despite missing four games last season, rushing for 1,268 yards and seven touchdowns while adding 75 receptions for 616 yards and two more scores for the Pittsburgh Steelers.Cousins completed 67 percent of his passes for 4,917 yards and 25 touchdowns against 12 interceptions. The 28-year-old was selected to the Pro Bowl for the first time and the Washington Redskins elected to make him the first quarterback to receive the franchise tag in consecutive years this offseason.Johnson recorded 57 tackles and an interception in 14 games with the Los Angeles Rams in 2016. The cornerback also received the franchise tag for the second consecutive year.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

NFL general managers who are just one year removed from a Super Bowl appearance rarely get fired, especially days before the start of training camp.So naturally, the football world was sent into a frenzy when the Carolina Panthers parted ways with GM Dave Gettleman on Monday. The exact reasoning behind the firing is murky, but Gettleman's treatment of certain veterans is one possible explanation that's gaining traction.Thomas Davis and Greg Olsen - two of the team's most seasoned players - had both made it publicly known that they wanted extensions, and Gettleman hadn't exactly appeared in a rush to hand them out, despite strong recent play from both.Davis and Olsen are also two of Panthers owner Jerry Richardson's favorite players, and with Gettleman and Richardson's relationship already reportedly in a bad place - due to the former's handling of the Josh Norman situation last offseason - the GM's stance on Davis and Olsen apparently may have been the straw that broke the camel's back.Gettleman wasn't interested in giving Olsen a new deal with two years remaining on his current one, a source told The Charlotte Observer's Joseph Person. And while Person noted that many believed Davis would eventually get another short-term contract, the linebacker's wife, Kelly, posted a tweet last month that hinted at the state of the franchise under Gettleman, as noted by Pro Football Talk's Darin Gantt.Kelly posted on Twitter a message reading: "Loyalty means NOTHING nowadays but I love a person who knows their worth! #BigOlFacts #KnowYourWorth #NotShockedAtAll #ItsRumbleTime."The tweet could be unrelated, but it's also possible Davis' wife was expressing frustration she knew her husband - one of the league's consummate professionals - would never publicly share.And it apparently wasn't a new issue for the Panthers - Gettleman ruling with his head and Richarson with his heart.According to Person, Gettleman's decisions to part ways with veterans such as Steve Smith Sr., DeAngelo Williams, and Norman in recent years were not popular moves - and all three players backed up that perception with their reactions to Gettleman's dismissal on Monday.All were justifiable moves - though the loss of Norman arguably hurt the Panthers in 2016 more than anything else - but if the higher-ups wanted Gettleman to reward players for loyalty, they clearly weren't even working from the same book, let alone the same page.Another source with knowledge of the situation told Person that Gettleman's "blunt management style and those aforementioned personnel moves created a divide between players and the front office."So, even if that divide didn't seal Gettleman's fate, it appears the Panthers were no longer willing to paper over the cracks for a GM that didn't follow the owner's vision for the team.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Carolina Panthers are reportedly likely to hire an interim general manager following the shocking firing of Dave Gettleman, and a familiar name has emerged as a potential candidate.Joe Person of the Charlotte Observer suggested that former GM Marty Hurney, who was fired in October 2012 and replaced by Gettleman in January 2013, could serve as interim GM.NFL Network's Ian Rapoport confirmed that hiring Hurney is being considered.Hurney left the Panthers in salary cap hell at the time of his firing, but he did hit home runs in the draft with the selection of players like Cam Newton and Luke Kuechly.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The New York Jets are undergoing a drastic overhaul and wide receiver Quincy Enunwa isn't immune to the widespread organizational changes.Many believe that the Jets are tanking in 2017, the first step in a long overhaul of the team's roster.Surprisingly, Enunwa didn't put up much opposition to that notion."It's hard to argue (with) that when everybody else sees all the stuff that's going on," Enunwa said to Zach Braziller of the New York Post.New York released several veterans this offseason, including Brandon Marshall, Nick Mangold, Darrelle Revis, Breno Giacomini, and Marcus Gilchrist among others.Despite low expectations for the Jets entering the season, Enunwa isn't approaching this year any differently."It hasn't so much changed my mindset,” Enunwa said. "A lot of the guys just want to win. Whatever it takes. I know they cut some guys obviously, but that’s the business."Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Dallas Cowboys wideout Lucky Whitehead is turning to social media for help after what he describes as a crime involving his dog.Whitehead posted to his Instagram account Sunday claiming that his dog, Blitz, was stolen from him and is being held for ransom by someone who has demanded money.

In the latest development to shock the football world at-large, the Carolina Panthers summarily dismissed general manager Dave Gettleman - a week before the team's training camp commences.During his four seasons with the franchise, the Panthers posted a cumulative 40-23-1 record, won the NFC South three times, and went 15-1 two seasons ago, only to be upset by the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl 50. Why would the Panthers allow Gettleman to conduct this spring's draft - where he reshaped the team's offensive trajectory by selecting hybrid back/receivers Christian McCaffrey and Curtis Samuel in the first two rounds - if he was a sitting duck?It's an astonishing move in every sense and begs the question: What exactly are the Panthers doing after smashing their long-term vision into smithereens with one fell swoop?Related: Panthers fire GM Dave GettlemanIf the Panthers planned on firing Gettleman all along, why didn't they make the move sooner? The Panthers held a perfectly groomed replacement for Gettleman in assistant general manager Brandon Beane, but he became the Buffalo Bills GM on May 9 without any contestation. There could've been a seamless transition of power if the Panthers elected to fire Gettleman earlier in the offseason. Now, the Panthers stumble into the abyss less than two months away from their season opener, while the rest of the league stares with their mouths agape.Panthers owner Jerry Richardson is a central figure in this conflict, admitting Monday "the timing of this decision is not ideal" in a statement. The dissolution of Richardson and Gettleman's relationship is slowly being parceled out in real-time. NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported that both parties feuded when Gettleman elected to allow Josh Norman to test free agency last summer, rescinding the franchise tag. If the Norman decision - a move made in April 2016 - was the impetus to fire Gettleman, why act now?Norman, himself, appeared to also find the decision curious:

Former Panthers running back DeAngelo Williams called David Gettleman a "snake" in a tweet minutes after news broke that Carolina fired its general manager.Williams added that he's now open to returning to the franchise since Gettleman is gone.

Tennessee Titans director of player personnel Ryan Cowden, Buffalo Bills assistant general manager Joe Schoen, and Panthers director of college scouting Jeff Morrow are all contenders for Carolina's vacant general manager position following the surprise firing of Dave Gettleman on Monday, a league source told Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio."They love these three guys," the source told Florio.The source added that Brandon Beane - the Panthers' former assistant GM who left to take the top job with the Buffalo Bills in May - would've been the odds-on favorite for the job, but his departure has caused Carolina to look elsewhere.The Panthers fired Gettleman after four successful seasons in charge, and will now have to move quickly to secure one of their top targets before the start of training camp later this month.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Carolina Panthers made the shocking decision to fire general manager Dave Gettleman on Monday, sending the NFL world into a frenzy of reactions and speculation. A few former standout Panthers players weighed in with their takes on Twitter.Washington Redskins cornerback Josh Norman, who was given the franchise tag by the Panthers last season only to later have the tag rescinded, tweeted a few emojis that hint at what he's feeling:

Carolina Panthers owner Jerry Richardson announced Monday that general manager Dave Gettleman has been fired. Gettleman had been the Panthers' GM since 2013."After much thought and a long evaluation of our football operations, I have decided to relieve Dave Gettleman of his duties as general manager," Richardson said. "I want to thank Dave for the role he played in our success over the past four seasons. While the timing of this decision is not ideal, a change is needed."As Richardson admitted, it's a surprising decision at this stage of the offseason, especially considering Gettleman built a roster that went to the Super Bowl in 2015.The Panthers did severely regress in 2016, finishing the season 6-10, but there were no signs that Gettleman's job was in danger.He inherited a roster that was hard up against the cap due to poor contract decisions by the previous regime, making the Panthers' run to the Super Bowl even more impressive, though the roster remains worryingly top heavy.NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports Gettleman's deteriorating relationship with Richardson was a factor in the decision, with the issues stemming from Gettleman's handling of the Josh Norman situation last offseason, which ended with the Panthers removing the franchise tag from the cornerback and allowing him to sign with the Washington Redskins in free agency.The timing of the firing is even worse considering that Carolina's former assistant GM who was the likely in-house favorite to replace Gettleman, Brandon Beane, left to become the Buffalo Bills' GM in May.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The end of Philip Rivers' illustrious career is looming, but the star quarterback is hoping to stick around long enough with the Chargers to play in their new stadium in Los Angeles, which is set to open in three years.Rivers told NFL Network's Rich Eisen that he has no plans to walk away from football anytime soon, despite the move away from San Diego."I hope to still be playing football in 2020, and certainly I hope I'm still playing here," Rivers said, according to ESPN's Eric D. Williams. "So yeah, I hope to get to see that stadium then. That's a long way out. I've learned to just take them one year at a time and one game at a time at this point. I'm certainly thankful I've been able to be out there for all of them since 2006."I don't take that for granted. And hopefully I'm still playing well enough and we've won enough football games that I will be able to trot out there in 2020 in that new stadium."Rivers will turn 39 near the end of the 2020 season, and while his physical skills have begun to show signs of decline, his style is suited to a career that extends into his 40s if he wishes.And while Rivers' loyalty to San Diego means the relocation to L.A. has likely been a tough adjustment, the veteran pivot is excited for a new challenge at this stage of his playing days."I really am excited about embracing this chapter, both from an organizational standpoint and then personally in my career," Rivers said. "It's a new market and new fan base. I do think over time, at least it seems like more and more of the fans that we've had that are in San Diego are kind of getting more and more warmed up and excited."I've had a bunch of people tell me, 'We're coming up and we'll be up there for a game.' I think if we can get it going we truly can be - and I know the Rams are already up there - but it's kind of Southern California's team right there in L.A."Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Philadelphia Eagles head coach Doug Pederson has a Super Bowl ring, won as a backup quarterback with the Green Bay Packers after the 1996 season. But Pederson would take the talent on his current squad over either of the Packers teams that went to the Super Bowl in the 1990s."I look back at my time in Green Bay as a player when we were making those playoff runs and those Super Bowl runs there, and do we have as much talent on this (Eagles) team than we did then? We probably have more talent, right?” Pederson said, according to ESPN's Tim McManus.Perhaps the Eagles have more talent in the sense that every NFL roster is better today than in the 1990s merely due to improved coaching and training practices, as well as the overall evolution of the sport, but it's hard to imagine the Eagles being a better overall team than Packers squads of its era that boasted NFL MVP Brett Favre on offense and Reggie White on defense.Pederson also referenced the Eagles' infamous "Dream Team" season in 2011 as an example of how talent doesn't necessarily lead to wins."But we also had a lot of talent in (2011) here and where did that get us? So there's got to be a combination of blending all this talent with the coaching staff, with my ideas and philosophy, to bring that all together, put the egos aside, put pride aside, and just go focus on winning this game that we have in front of us. I'm a big believer (that) if you do that, then you look back at the end of the season and you're probably going to be where you want to be, and that's playing in the postseason."Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Detroit Lions are apparently trying to fix their relationship with one of their all-time great players.Lions president Rod Wood said Monday on WJR-760 that his team has invited Calvin Johnson to training camp as their guest after the former wide receiver opened up recently about his ill feelings toward the organization caused by the Lions' treatment of him at the end of his career."We exchanged a few text messages. They were very cordial," said Wood, according to NFL reporter Mike O'Hara.He added, according to O'Hara: "Hopefully he shows up. We want him in the tent, not outside the tent."Johnson also recently admitted he retired in part due to the Lions' inability to build a Super Bowl contender around him. He claimed he thought about continuing his career, but said the Lions wouldn't consider releasing or trading him."I didn't see a chance for them to win a Super Bowl at the time, and for the work I was putting in, it wasn't worth my time to keep on beating my head against the wall and not going anywhere," Johnson said last week.Johnson holds nearly every significant receiving record in Lions history and was one of the team's most popular players during his nine-year career, so Detroit is smartly avoiding more bad press by inviting Johnson back into the fold.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The odds of Le'Veon Bell signing a long-term extension ahead of Monday's 4 p.m. ET franchise-tag deadline is "too close to call," NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports.The Pittsburgh Steelers running back would earn $12.1 million with the tag, and there's been little talk of the two parties coming to an agreement before the deadline, though Rapoport added that negotiations "are ongoing.""(It's) too close to call right now on whether Bell will get that blockbuster long-term extension to keep him in Pittsburgh for a long time," Rapoport said, according to NFL.com's Kevin Patra."Whether or not he's going to have to go year by year on the franchise tag, this is a tough one because the tag is $12 million, far higher than any running back on the market makes right now. So Bell (is) already the highest-paid running back, (and he) would like to be the highest-paid running back on an extension. We'll see if they get a deal done by 4 p.m. (ET). No word yet on whether it's going to happen."Bell's $12.1 million is well beyond the top average annual salary for a running back at $8 million per year, held by LeSean McCoy, so the Steelers will almost certainly have to give their star rusher a deal that far exceeds McCoy's.After sitting out three games to start the 2016 season because of a suspension, Bell re-established himself as arguably the best running back in the league. He finished the year with 1,268 rushing yards and 616 receiving yards in 12 games and averaged 157 scrimmage yards per game - tops in the league by a considerable margin.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Greg Olsen will apparently have to get in line to receive the extension the tight end publicly stated he desires.The Carolina Panthers' first priority is expected to be extending veteran linebacker Thomas Davis, sources told Joseph Person of the Charlotte Observer. The 34-year-old's current deal runs out at the end of the 2017 season. As he's shown little sign of decline, it's logical the Panthers are looking to lock him down to another short-term extension.Related - Agent: Panthers' Olsen undecided on holdout for new contractMeanwhile, despite Olsen's demand for a new contract and the possibility he could hold out from training camp, Carolina has yet to talk to the pass-catcher about reworking his contract.While this decision doesn't sit well with Olsen, adds Person, the Panthers are putting Davis first because Olsen has two years remaining on his deal - worth a total of $13 million - to Davis' one.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott was involved in an altercation at a Dallas bar Sunday, Mike Fisher of 105.3 The Fan reports.Police said in a statement they were called to the scene and discovered a 30-year-old male who claimed to have been physically assaulted but did not know who assaulted him. The victim was taken to hospital with non-life threatening injuries.According to TMZ Sports, a friend of the victim told police, "It was that Dallas Cowboys running back."No arrests were made, nor is anyone listed as a suspect on the police report for the incident. The investigation is ongoing.The incident comes amid the NFL's separate ongoing investigation into allegations of domestic violence made against Elliott. ESPN's Adam Schefter hinted that Elliott could face a short suspension after the investigation concludes.Last year's fourth overall pick was also involved in another incident of apparent off-field impropriety this offseason, when he exposed a woman's breast in public at a St. Patrick's Day parade.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.