The Philadelphia Eagles finally released wide receiver DeSean Jackson on Friday. There's been talk about the team potentially looking to trade him since last season, and this offseason has been up and down with conflicting reports regarding his status and the team's opinion.
NFL news roundup: DeSean Jackson has wild day; Dan Snyder draws more criticism
DeSean Jackson was released amid reports of gang affiliation, Dan Snyder’s foundation really could have had a better start and more from Friday in the NFL.
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We’d heard they wanted to trade him, would cut him, assured him that neither of those things would happen and that both sides at one point or another wouldn’t return phone calls. But it took a much different turn on Friday, when a report came out connecting Jackson to a Los Angeles gang. There’s always been talk about potential off-the-field issues there, but this is the first real report with specifics.
For what it’s worth, the wide receiver did go on to thank the Eagles and deny the gang affiliations, saying the reports are misleading and “unfounded.” It’s unclear where he goes from here, but it’s worth noting he has already received some interest on the market. It would be shocking if most teams didn’t call about his services, but they’ll have to confirm he’s not going to hurt the team with his off-field issues and distractions.
Dan Snyder drawing more criticism
Washington Redskins owner Daniel Snyder is drawing more criticism for his new foundation, namely in the form of its leader, Gary Edwards:
Head of Snyder's new foundation bilked the Bureau of Indian Affairs out of nearly $1 million. Who's surprised? http://t.co/1YmJfjqTBv
— Tomas Rios (@TheTomasRios) March 28, 2014 To sum up, Edwards is CEO of the National Native American Law Enforcement Association, which was reportedly paid almost $1 million by the U.S. government to provide Native American candidates to work in Indian Country. While he did receive his pay, it was revealed that the work he put in led to no Native Americans getting these jobs as his organization’s work was deemed “unusable.”
The Pittsburgh Steelers agreed to terms with running back LeGarrette Blount on Friday. Blount wasn't the top running back to hit the market this year, but he was definitely the top power back. Pittsburgh already has a strong power back in Le'Veon Bell, who put up 1,255 yards from scrimmage as a rookie. Blount came into his own with the New England Patriots last season and should split carries with Bell. Then again, Blount could wind up being a true backup, according to Behind The Steel Curtain:
Blount will presumably back up second-year RB Le’Veon Bell, a player who figures to receive a high amount of touches this season. Blount is a solid between-the-tackles power runner but won’t contribute much on passing downs, leaving Bell unchallenged in that regard.
Former Denver Broncos running back Knowshon Moreno signed with the Miami Dolphins on Thursday, but the details of his contract weren't known until Friday. It looks as though Moreno, the top running back to hit the market this offseason, signed a modest one-year deal worth just $3 million. Moreno rushed for 1,038 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns last season. It was surprising to see the market so apparently lukewarm on Moreno. It seems likely he signed this deal to prove his 2013 wasn't a fluke, so he could sign a bigger contract next offseason.
The Houston Texans could be shopping the first overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft, so said at least one report on Friday. It's unclear if the Texans aren't sold on anyone as the top pick or if they're simply looking for more value in the first round, but it seems likely that a move down wouldn't drop them out of the top 10, meaning a trade partner is more likely to come from a team hoping to land one of the top defensive players or quarterbacks.
Battle Red Blog is somewhat skeptical as to whether or not a trade could be pulled off:
According to the generally acknowledged NFL points system, the first overall pick is worth 3000 points. If the Bills were to trade us all three of their first picks in the 2014 NFL Draft, the points only add up to only 2065 points. But that's a net of two Day Two picks, which ain't nothing. On the other hand, would the Bills decimate the number of their Day Two selections to move up? Might players be involved? 2015 NFL Draft picks?
I'm not saying it's not realistic, but this one might be tough to pull off. I also believe without hesitation the Texans are shopping the pick because, heck, why wouldn't they? Why wouldn't you try to maximize your day? In addition, I don't see a trade being finalized until a day or two, at earliest, ahead of the draft for the same reasons.
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Oakland signs three
The Oakland Raiders made three signings on Friday, bringing in veteran running back Maurice Jones-Drew on a three-year contract to start it all. Jones-Drew is the biggest name to hit the market at the position this offseason, but after a poor 2013 campaign, he has a lot to prove before he's expected to light things up in Oakland. The team also re-signed defensive tackle Pat Sims to a one-year contract. Sims had a solid year last season and seems in line for a starting job in 2014. Finally, the team added another defensive lineman in C.J. Wilson, who spent the last four years with the Green Bay Packers. Wilson, a former seventh-round pick, will compete to be a rotational player next season.
The Washington Redskins signed offensive lineman Mike McGlynn on Friday. He can play all three interior line positions, though he's a better center than he is a guard. Most recently though, he started 13 games at right guard and three games at center with the Indianapolis Colts in 2013. He struggled big time, but he should be returning to play center in Washington. The team will have a competition to decide the starter, and McGlynn could be the favorite to win it.
The Houston Texans signed safety Chris Clemons on Friday. Clemons signed a two-year contract worth $2.7 million with $450,000 guaranteed and a cap hit of $1.5 million for 2014. Clemons should come in and be an immediate starter, which is good for the Texans given who was in line previously, as noted by Battle Red Blog:
Your fears of Shiloh Keo returning to the starting lineup have very likely been neutralized with this exciting development! How this will affect the current negotiations of the rumored restructuring of Danieal Manning’s contract are also yet unknown. We will keep a close eye on Keo and Manning now that the Texans have signed Clemons.
Tennessee could release Johnson
The Tennessee Titans could be just a few days away from releasing running back Chris Johnson, according to Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports. Johnson is recovering from knee surgery, but is far along and is able to run and do workouts for teams at this point. Johnson is scheduled to make $8 million next season, which the Titans do not want to pay. He's not guaranteed to be released at this point, but after several disappointing seasons, it would not be at all surprising.
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