HEADLINES

Thomas Wolfe

Extra Points: Peterson, Blackmon, Redskins

October 1st, 2014 at 9:23pm CST by Zachary Links

The NFL announced today that they have inked a new multi-year deal with DirectTV. Terms weren’t disclosed, but a source with knowledge of the deal told ESPN.com’s Darren Rovell that the pact is for eight years. The right fee was worth an average of $1.5 billion a year, up 50% from the $1 billion a year average DirecTV will pay through this season. Here’s more from around the league..

  • One of the topics on the agenda for the NFL owners meetings next week will be to discuss how teams should be financially responsible for players who are banned while being paid full salaries, sources told Ed Werder of ESPN.com. The Vikings are paying Adrian Peterson his full salary and the Panthers are doing the same with Greg Hardy per the conditions of the commissioner’s exempt list. One model that could be discussed is whether all teams should share the financial burden in such extreme situations.
  • Suspended Jaguars receiver Justin Blackmon has voluntarily checked into a treatment facility and coach Gus Bradley says he’s “doing very well,” writes Mark Long of The Associated Press. Of course, given his litany of off-the-field problems and status with the league office, we shouldn’t expect to see the former first-round pick back on the gridiron anytime soon.
  • Former Dolphins quarterback Pat Devlin worked out for the Redskins on Monday, according to Adam Caplan of ESPN.com (on Twitter).
  • In addition to safety Jamarca Sanford, who they signed earlier this week, the Redskins also worked out defensive backs Robert Steeples, Charles Mitchell, and Thomas Wolfe, guard William Campbell, wide receivers Chris Harper and Vidal Hazelton, and tackle Richard Muldrow. according to Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post (Twitter links).
  • Colts quarterback Andrew Luck is glad that his team picked up center A.Q. Shipley just before the season started, writes Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun. “A.Q. has done a great job of coming in, being a pro,” quarterback Andrew Luck said. “Came in the Monday before we played our opener, and starts that opener. Heck of a job, and I’m glad that we had history beforehand from my rookie year where we played a bunch of games together…He’s a consummate professional and the type of teammate, the type of guy you want in a locker room.” Shipley faces his former team, the Ravens, this Sunday at Lucas Oil Stadium.

Seahawks Cut Terrell Thomas, Seven Others

August 25th, 2014 at 11:54am CST by Rob DiRe

MONDAY, 11:54am: The Seahawks have cut six more players, per Brian McIntyre (Twitter link):

SUNDAY, 7:27PM: The Seahawks have cut cornerback Terrell Thomas, on their way to trimming the roster to 75 players by Tuesday, reports Tom Pellissero of USA Today (via Twitter). They also waived defensive end Jackson Jeffcoat.

Thomas was signed earlier this offseason to provide depth in the secondary. The former Giant was a second-round pick in the 2008 NFL Draft. Thomas is also a former Trojan, playing for Seahawks’ head coach Pete Carroll at USC. He suffered a torn ACL in both the 2011 and 2012 preseasons, forcing him to miss both campaigns.

The injuries proved to be too much, as the Giants elected not to retain his services. Reuniting with Carroll could have rejuvenated his career, but he joined one of the youngest and deepest secondaries in the NFL in Seattle.