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The Sports Xchange
    Bills replenish defensive line by signing Austin Johnson and DeShawn Williams to 1-year deals
    By JOHN WAWROW, AP Sports Writer | 
    3/27/24

    Bills replenish defensive line by signing Austin Johnson and DeShawn Williams to 1-year deals By JOHN WAWROW AP Sports Writer The Associated Press ORCHARD PARK, N.Y.

    ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) — The Buffalo Bills replenished their depleted defensive line needs by signing tackles Austin Johnson and DeShawn Williams to one-year contracts on Thursday.

    The 29-year-old Johnson has eight seasons of NFL experience, including the past two with the Los Angeles Chargers where he started all 17 games last season. He’s listed at 6-foot-4 and 314 pounds and was selected by the Tennessee Titans in the second round of the 2016 draft.

    Overall, Johnson has two forced fumbles, eight sacks and 17 tackles for a loss in 116 games, including 55 starts, which included a two-year stint with the New York Giants.

    The 31-year-old Williams spent last season getting 10 starts in 16 games with Carolina in an NFL career that’s taken a circuitous route since being signed by the Cincinnati Bengals as an undrafted free agent in 2015.

    After appearing in four games with the Bengals in 2016, Williams spent the next three years as a practice squad player with Denver, Miami and Indianapolis — plus a failed bid to play in the CFL once its 2020 season was canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic — before resuming his NFL career with the Broncos in 2020. Overall, he has nine sacks, 11 tackles for losses and an interception in 66 games, including 44 starts.

    The two begin shoring up a defensive front that lost regulars Linval Joseph, Tim Settle and Poona Ford to free agency, and with Jordan Phillips contemplating retirement.

    Both are expected to fill backup roles behind Ed Oliver and DaQuan Jones, who is being reunited with Johnson after the two played at Penn State.

    Speaking at the NFL owners meetings this week, general manager Brandon Beane re-emphasized the priority he places on his offensive and defensive fronts even it means cutting into the team’s limited salary cap space.

    “We’re going to always look there. And if we’re going to stretch ourselves financially, that’s the spot I’m always going to do it,” Beane said. “I’m not going to ever hold back if it’s something that I think can get us over the top.”

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    AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

    Packers sign former Vikings kicker Greg Joseph to provide competition for Anders Carlson
    3/27/24

    Packers sign former Vikings kicker Greg Joseph to provide competition for Anders Carlson The Associated Press GREEN BAY, Wis.

    GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) — Veteran kicker Greg Joseph has signed with the Green Bay Packers after spending the past three seasons with the Minnesota Vikings.

    The Packers announced the Joseph signing on Thursday. His arrival provides competition for Anders Carlson, who struggled with consistency as a rookie kicker last season.

    Joseph, 29, went 24 of 30 on field-goal attempts last season while going 3 of 6 from 40 to 49 yards and 4 of 7 from at least 50 yards. He was 36 of 38 on extra-point attempts.

    For his career, Joseph has made 82.6% (100 of 121) of his field-goal attempts and 90.1% of his extra-point tries (146 of 162 in 67 regular-season games. That includes a career-long field goal of 61 yards.

    Joseph played 14 games with the Cleveland Browns in 2018 and two games with the Tennessee Titans in 2019. He had been the Vikings’ main kicker since 2021.

    Now he gets to compete with Carlson, a 2023 fifth-round draft pick from Auburn.

    Carlson made 81.8% (27 of 33) of his field-goal attempts during the regular season, but was just 4 of 8 from 40 to 49 yards and 3 of 5 from at least 50 yards. He also was 34 of 39 on extra-point attempts.

    Carlson missed an extra-point attempt in the Packers’ 48-32 wild-card playoff victory at Dallas and missed a 41-yard field goal in their 24-21 NFC divisional playoff loss at San Francisco.

    The Packers also have signed kicker Jack Podlesny since the end of their season. Podlesny played college football at Georgia and hasn't appeared in an NFL game.

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    AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

    Welsh rugby star Louis Rees-Zammit agrees to a contract with the Chiefs, AP source says
    By ROB MAADDI, AP Pro Football Writer | 
    3/27/24

    Welsh rugby star Louis Rees-Zammit agrees to a contract with the Chiefs, AP source says By ROB MAADDI AP Pro Football Writer The Associated Press

    Welsh rugby star Louis Rees-Zammit has agreed to a contract with the two-time defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs, a person with knowledge of the contract told The Associated Press.

    The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the team hasn’t announced the deal.

    The 23-year-old Rees-Zammit, one of the best wingers in rugby, announced in January that he was leaving the Welsh national team to pursue a dream of playing in the NFL. He’s projected as a returner/running back/wide receiver.

    Rees-Zammit is one of 15 athletes from eight countries participating in the NFL International Player Pathway program. The prospects have spent 10 weeks training at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida, getting a crash course in practicing the fundamentals of football and learning the intricacies of a game most have never played.

    Rees-Zammit ran an official time of 4.43 in the 40-yard dash last week when the international players participated in the University of South Florida’s pro day. He drew a lot of attention from a crowd that included 51 scouts from 31 teams.

    “A bit disappointed in my 40,” Rees-Zammit told the AP afterward. “Last week, I was getting some really good times. I was getting low 4.3s, high 4.2s. So it is what it is. It’s just what happens on the day. But I know I can run that fast. I’m not trying to make excuses or anything, but I know what I can do and I’m happy with the day and how the day went."

    Rees-Zammit, whose favorite NFL player growing up was three-time Pro Bowl wide receiver DeSean Jackson, hopes to play like 49ers stars Deebo Samuel and Christian McCaffrey.

    “I watched a lot of footage of Deebo Samuel, Christian McCaffrey, players like that who’ve got that versatility because I want to be a player that can play multiple positions and I fully believe I can, so being able to play out of the backfield, being able to line up as a receiver, in the slot, wideout," Rees-Zammit said last week. “I’ve learned a lot in the past eight weeks and I’m pretty excited to see what will happen.”

    He'll get an opportunity to catch passes from three-time Super Bowl MVP Patrick Mahomes and learn from coach Andy Reid. The NFL's new kickoff rule that makes returners more relevant gives Rees-Zammit a chance to make the team as a specialist.

    For the first time this season, each team will have a 17th roster spot on the practice squad specifically available for an international player. Teams also are permitted to promote an international practice squad player to the active roster a maximum of three times throughout the season — increasing opportunities for players to develop and get a chance to play.

    Teams will also receive one training camp roster exemption for a qualifying international player.

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    AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

    The LA Rams are signing former Bills CB Tre'Davious White, continuing their secondary overhaul
    By GREG BEACHAM, AP Sports Writer | 
    3/26/24

    The LA Rams are signing former Bills CB Tre'Davious White, continuing their secondary overhaul By GREG BEACHAM AP Sports Writer The Associated Press LOS ANGELES

    LOS ANGELES (AP) — Former All-Pro cornerback Tre'Davious White is joining the Los Angeles Rams.

    White agreed to terms on a one-year, $8.5 million contract Tuesday with the Rams, who are thoroughly revamping a secondary that was likely their defense's weak spot last season. White's deal could be worth up to $10 million, ESPN reported.

    White spent his first seven NFL seasons with the Buffalo Bills, who released him earlier this month. White was an AP All-Pro in 2019 and a two-time Pro Bowl selection in Buffalo, but he played in only 10 combined games in the past two seasons due to injury.

    After tearing a knee ligament in November 2021 and not returning until November 2022, White tore his Achilles tendon in Week 4 last season and didn't play again in 2023.

    White is the third major addition to the Rams' secondary in free agency. Los Angeles also signed safety Kamren Curl from Washington and re-signed Darious Williams , who spent the past two seasons with Jacksonville after winning the Super Bowl as a starting cornerback for the Rams.

    Los Angeles hasn't signed a defensive lineman in free agency despite the loss of Aaron Donald, who retired earlier this month. The Rams did re-sign backup lineman Larrell Murchison for a defense that will be led by new defensive coordinator Chris Shula.

    White had been a starter for the Bills since his rookie season after they drafted him out of LSU in the first round in 2017. He started all 82 games during his seven seasons in Buffalo, recording 18 interceptions and recovering five fumbles.

    The Rams were less aggressive in bolstering their secondary a year ago despite trading Jalen Ramsey and losing starting safeties Taylor Rapp and Nick Scott in free agency, along with starting nickel back Troy Hill.

    Los Angeles eventually signed veteran cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon in late summer and added safety John Johnson in training camp, and both ended up being key contributors to the Rams' 10-7 season with a playoff berth. Witherspoon and Johnson haven't yet re-signed with Los Angeles.

    The Rams gave 21 combined starts last season to late-round draftee cornerbacks Derion Kendrick and Cobie Durant, but neither young player excelled. Both will likely return to depth roles behind White and Williams.

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    AP NFL: https://apnews.com/NFL

    The Denver Broncos are signing former Lions receiver Josh Reynolds to a 2-year deal, AP source says
    By ARNIE STAPLETON, AP Pro Football Writer | 
    3/26/24

    The Denver Broncos are signing former Lions receiver Josh Reynolds to a 2-year deal, AP source says By ARNIE STAPLETON AP Pro Football Writer The Associated Press ENGLEWOOD, Colo.

    ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) — The Denver Broncos are signing former Detroit Lions wide receiver Josh Reynolds to a two-year, $14 million free agent contract, a person with knowledge of the deal told The Associated Press on Wednesday.

    The person spoke anonymously to divulge the deal, which the Broncos didn't immediately announce.

    Reynolds' signing continues a makeover of the Broncos' offense that included trading away former first-round pick Jerry Jeudy to Cleveland for a pair of mid-round draft selections.

    Reynolds, who caught 40 passes for 608 yards and five touchdowns last season for the Lions, joins a receiving corps that features Marvin Mims Jr., Courtland Sutton and Tim Patrick, who has missed each of the last two seasons with injuries.

    Reynolds, 29, has 19 career touchdown receptions across seven NFL seasons with the Rams, Titans and Lions. He joined the league as a fourth-round draft pick by the Rams out of Texas A&M in 2017.

    The Broncos lost center Lloyd Cushenberry in free agency to the Titans, leaving Alex Forsyth and Luke Wattenberg to battle it out this summer as his replacement, and Denver also is in the quarterback market with increasing expectations they'll move up from the 12th overall pick in the NFL draft next month to grab one of the top QB prospects.

    “It’s hard to predict what the cost is and yet, I certainly wouldn’t say that it’s unrealistic,” said Broncos coach Sean Payton, who decided to move on from Russell Wilson after a tumultuous 2023 season together.

    Reynolds' departure from Detroit comes as a mild surprise. At the league's annual owners meetings in Orlando, Florida, this week, Lions general manager Brad Holmes indicated he hoped to re-sign Reynolds.

    “He’s one that was part of the original plans” in free agency, Holmes said then. “Still having dialogue, we’ll just kind of see where that goes. But that’s really the only one that’s still out there that we had originally planned so far.”

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    AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

    Carolina Panthers agree to terms with Jadeveon Clowney to bolster pass rush
    By STEVE REED, AP Sports Writer | 
    3/26/24

    Carolina Panthers agree to terms with Jadeveon Clowney to bolster pass rush By STEVE REED AP Sports Writer The Associated Press CHARLOTTE, N.C.

    CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — The Carolina Panthers have bolstered their pass rush, agreeing to terms on Wednesday with veteran free agent Jadeveon Clowney, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2014 draft.

    Clowney agreed to a two-year, $20 million contract worth up to $24 million with incentives, according to a person familiar with the situation. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Wednesday because the team did not release contract details.

    This will be a homecoming for Clowney, who grew up in Rock Hill, South Carolina, about 20 minutes from where the Panthers play their home games.

    The 31-year-old Clowney is coming off a strong season with the Baltimore Ravens in 2023, where he had 9 1/2 sacks and will play outside linebacker in Carolina’s 3-4 defensive scheme. Clowney spent his first five years with the Houston Texans, and has moved around quite a bit since with stops in Seattle, Tennessee, and Cleveland and Baltimore. He has 52 1/2 sacks during his career.

    Clowney helps offset the loss of outside linebacker Brian Burns, who was traded to the New York Giants earlier this offseason. Carolina managed a league-low 27 sacks last season.

    Clowney is expected to be paired opposite pass rusher D.J. Wonnum, who signed earlier this offseason from the Minnesota Vikings. The Panthers have also added free agent pass rusher K’Lavon Chaisson.

    The Panthers also announced they’ve re-signed safety Sam Franklin, who led the team in special teams tackles the past two seasons.

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    AP Pro Football Writer Rob Maaddi contributed to this report.

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    AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

    Giants hire James Ferentz as assistant offensive line coach
    3/25/24

    Giants hire James Ferentz as assistant offensive line coach The Associated Press EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J.

    EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — The New York Giants have hired recently retired James Ferentz as an assistant offensive line coach.

    Ferentz, 34, retired last month as an NFL player after an eight-year career with the Denver Broncos and New England Patriots. He will help new offensive line coach Carmen Bricillo, who was his line coach with the Patriots in 2020-21.

    Ferentz finished college at Iowa in 2013 and spent a year out of football before being signed by the Houston Texans in the 2014 offseason. He spent that season on the Texans’ practice squad.

    After being waived by Houston in September 2015, the son of Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz went to the Broncos. He appeared in 14 games for a Denver team that won Super Bowl 50 in Peyton Manning’s final season.

    Ferentz played two years in Denver before being signed by the Patriots, where he played six seasons and was on New England's Super Bowl-winning team in the 2018 season.

    New York, which was 6-11 last season, has nine new coaches for 2024, including defensive coordinator Shane Bowen and special teams coordinator Michael Ghobrial.

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    AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

    Lions President says DB Cameron Sutton was at team building when news of warrant surfaced
    3/25/24

    Lions President says DB Cameron Sutton was at team building when news of warrant surfaced The Associated Press DETROIT

    DETROIT (AP) — Cameron Sutton was in the Detroit Lions' Allen Park training facility when the team learned of a domestic violence warrant issued for the defensive back in Florida.

    Lions President Rod Wood told WJBK-TV Fox 2 on Monday that team staffers spoke to the 29-year-old Sutton, 29, at the time and advised him to turn himself into authorities.

    “We learned about the warrant at the same time everybody else did on social media,” Wood told the station. “We were able to speak to Cam because he was actually in our building. We found him. He was down with our strength staff. He kind of showed up unexpectedly to work out.”

    The Lions released Sutton on March 21 after news of the warrant surfaced.

    The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office in Florida, which includes Tampa, has asked for help in finding Sutton, a seven-year pro who just finished his first season with the Lions and helped them reach the NFC championship game for the first time in 32 years.

    The warrant is for domestic battery by strangulation, a third-degree felony punishable by up to five years in prison. Sutton may be driving a Jeep Grand Wagoneer with a Florida license plate, the sheriff’s office has said.

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    AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

    Steelers bolster return game by signing Cordarrelle Patterson to a 2-year deal, AP source says
    By WILL GRAVES, AP Sports Writer | 
    3/25/24

    Steelers bolster return game by signing Cordarrelle Patterson to a 2-year deal, AP source says By WILL GRAVES AP Sports Writer The Associated Press PITTSBURGH

    PITTSBURGH (AP) — The Pittsburgh Steelers are signing veteran running back/kickoff return specialist Cordarrelle Patterson to a two-year deal.

    The contract carries a total value of $6 million a source with knowledge of the agreement told The Associated Press. The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because it had not been announced.

    The versatile 33-year-old Patterson spent the past three seasons with the Atlanta Falcons. A four-time All-Pro, Patterson gives the Steelers a veteran to help them adjust to the league's new kickoff rules designed to produce more returns.

    Patterson has nine kickoff returns for a touchdown in his 11-year career with Minnesota, Oakland, New England, Chicago and Atlanta. Patterson has led the league in kickoff return average three times and has seven kickoff returns of 100 yards or more.

    Patterson has filled a variety of roles throughout his career. He was a wide receiver and kick returner while playing for the Vikings, Raiders and Patriots. He was used more out of the backfield during stays in Chicago and Atlanta. Patterson ran for more than 600 yards in 2021 and 2022 but saw his role with the Falcons diminish last season behind rookie Bijan Robinson.

    The Steelers have had trouble finding a difference-maker in their return game for years. Pittsburgh's longest kickoff return last season was just 37 yards and it averaged 23.5 yards per return while splitting the job between a handful of players.

    The deal reunites Patterson with former Falcons coach Arthur Smith, who is now Pittsburgh's offensive coordinator. It's unlikely the Steelers would use Patterson in the running game. Pittsburgh has one of the best one-two punches in the NFL in Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren.

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    AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

    NFL owners don't vote on Tom Brady's bid to buy a minority share of the Raiders
    By MARK ANDERSON, AP Sports Writer | 
    3/25/24

    NFL owners don't vote on Tom Brady's bid to buy a minority share of the Raiders By MARK ANDERSON AP Sports Writer The Associated Press

    NFL owners didn't vote Tuesday on Tom Brady's bid to purchase a stake in the Las Vegas Raiders, putting into question how long the transaction will take or if it will even occur at all.

    Commissioner Roger Goodell, however, said at the league meetings in Orlando, Florida, that the process is moving forward.

    “I wouldn’t say it’s a delay,” Goodell said. “We go through a thorough process. ... I think it’s making progress.”

    Owners have concerns about Raiders owner Mark Davis offering Brady a discounted price because that would potentially lower the franchise value.

    “The number just has to be a reasonable number for purchase price from Tom, is the only thing," Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay said at the league meetings in October. "If reasonable value says … that 10% should be $525 million, you can’t pay $175 million.”

    Brady's deal to become Fox's leading game-day analyst also complicates matters.

    Brady, who quarterbacked the New England Patriots to six Super Bowl titles and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to one championship, went through a much more streamlined process to become a WNBA part owner.

    WNBA owners approved his bid to buy a minority share of the Las Vegas Aces on Oct. 2. That occurred just a little more than six months after applying for the purchase of the two-time defending champions, who like the Raiders are owned by Davis.

    Brady began the process last May to acquire a stake in the Raiders.

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    AP Pro Football Writer Rob Maaddi contributed to this report.

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    AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

    Recent articles
    Bills replenish defensive line by signing Austin Johnson and DeShawn Williams to 1-year deals
    Packers sign former Vikings kicker Greg Joseph to provide competition for Anders Carlson
    Welsh rugby star Louis Rees-Zammit agrees to a contract with the Chiefs, AP source says
    The LA Rams are signing former Bills CB Tre'Davious White, continuing their secondary overhaul
    The Denver Broncos are signing former Lions receiver Josh Reynolds to a 2-year deal, AP source says
    Carolina Panthers agree to terms with Jadeveon Clowney to bolster pass rush
    Giants hire James Ferentz as assistant offensive line coach
    Lions President says DB Cameron Sutton was at team building when news of warrant surfaced
    Steelers bolster return game by signing Cordarrelle Patterson to a 2-year deal, AP source says
    NFL owners don't vote on Tom Brady's bid to buy a minority share of the Raiders
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    Chargers GM Joe Hortiz acknowledges tough salary cap decisions had to be made
    Buffalo Bills shore up interior offensive line depth by signing Will Clapp to 1-year contract
    Lions release Cameron Sutton as search for defensive back continues on domestic violence warrant
    Vikings agree to terms with 8th-year veteran CB Shaquill Griffin, who joins his 5th team
    The Titans are keeping veteran kicker Nick Folk after franchise-record season
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