Cardinals resign P Butler; Other Monday transactions

"The 100 Yards" Staff Report

The Arizona Cardinals on Monday announced they had re-signed Drew Butler, who was due to be a restricted free agent on March 9.

the NFL Network reported that the contract is a two-year deal worth an average of $1.2 million per year.

Other roster moves from Monday include the Jets releasing CB Antonio Cromartie, The Colts waiving LB Jonathan Newsome and releasing LB Andy Studebaker, the Eagles agreeing to terms with S Malcolm Jenkins on a five-year, $40.5 million contract, and the Broncos signing TE Richard Gordon and DL Phil Taylor.

Jets Release Cornerback Antonio Cromartie

Statement from the Jets website.

Antonio Cromartie (USA TODAY Sports)

The Jets have released cornerback Antonio Cromartie.

Cromartie, the 10-year pro, finished his second tour of duty with the Green & White this past season. The Jets traded with San Diego for him in 2010 and he was a Jet for four seasons, from 2010-13. He was released in 2014 and spent that season as a starter with Arizona under then-defensive coordinator Todd Bowles. He was signed by the Jets as an unrestricted free agent last March 12.

This past season "Cro" had 33 tackles, two tackles for loss, both against Jacksonville, a fumble recovery in the season opener against Cleveland, and a team-leading 16 pass defenses, three coming against Tennessee. "Cro" also had the most kickoff returns for the Jets, 15 in all for a 25.1-yard return average.

Cromartie, who began his NFL career as the Chargers' first-round choice, 19th overall, in '06, has 34 career interceptions in the regular season and playoffs, 13 of them coming as a member of the Jets. He made 78 regular-season and three postseason starts for the Jets.

Steelers TE Heath Miller retires from NFL

"The 100 Yards" Staff Report

Heath Miller

Pittsburgh Steelers TE Heath Miller announced his retirement from the NFL today after 11 seasons.

Statement from the Steelers website:

Miller played 11 seasons for the Steelers (2005-15) after originally being selected by Pittsburgh in the first round (30thoverall) of the 2005 NFL Draft. He started 167-of-168 games played during the regular season, and he started all 15 postseason contests that he played in. Miller’s 168 regular-season games played are the most by a tight end in Steelers’ history. 

In team history, Miller is the all-time leader in receptions (592), receiving yards (6,569) and receiving touchdowns (45) by a tight end. Overall, he ranks second in career receptions, fourth in receiving yards and receiving touchdowns, and sixth in scrimmage yards (6,577) in Steelers’ annals. Miller is one of four players to record 500 receptions, one of five players to record 6,000 receiving yards and one of five players to record 40 receiving touchdowns in team history. 

Miller is one of 12 tight ends in NFL history to reach 6,000 career receiving yards, and at the conclusion of the 2015 season, his 592 receptions are the sixth-most in NFL history by a tight end, and his 6,569 career receiving yards are the ninth-most in NFL history by a tight end.

In 2015, Miller recorded 500 receiving yards for the ninth straight season to become just the second player in team history to accomplish that feat (Hines Ward). Also in 2015, he became just the second player in team history (Ward) to record at least one reception in 100 straight regular-season games played (Miller, 103). 

A two-time Super Bowl Champion (XL and XLIII), Miller was also a two-time Pro Bowler (2009 and 2012). He earned Steelers’ MVP honors for the 2012 season, as he led Pittsburgh with 71 receptions, while registering single-season career-highs in receiving yards (816) and receiving touchdowns (8). Miller was also named to USA Today’s All-Joe Team following the 2008 season for his unsung efforts. As a rookie, he was the recipient of the 2005 Joe Greene Great Performance Award, given annually to the top Steelers’ rookie.

Panthers DE Jared Allen announces retirement from Football

Carolina Panthers defensive end Jared Allen announced his retirement from the NFL on Thursday.

I want to take this time to thank my family, friends, fans and teammates who have given their continued support...
Posted by Jared Allen on Thursday, February 18, 2016

"I just want to say thank you for an amazing 12-year career,'' Allen said in the video above. "This is the part where I was going to ride off into the sunset, but seeing how there is no sunset, I'm just going to ride off."

Allen played in Super Bowl 50 against the Denver Broncos with a broken right foot suffered in a divisional playoff win against the Seattle Seahawks.

Allen's retirement means Kony Ealy likely will get the starting right end position for the Panthers.

Cardinals Sign Aussie Rules Player Joel Wilkinson

From the Arizona Cardinals website.

Joel Wilkinson

The Cardinals signed a pair of defensive backs Tuesday, including extending veteran safety Chris Clemons before he hit free agency in March.

The other pickup comes from the other side of the world.

The Cardinals have signed former Australian Rules Football player Joel Wilkinson, a 6-foot, 190-pound cornerback hopeful who is trying to make it in the NFL after a career in the Australian game.

Wilkinson is the second Australian athlete to come to the NFC West in the past year. The 49ers signed running back Jarryd Hayne last year. Hayne made the 49ers out of training camp before eventually 

finishing the season on the practice squad.

Wilkinson said he has followed the NFL since he was a young boy growing up in Australia and playing in the league is "something I have always aspired to be."

Wilkinson, 24, retired from the Australian Rules game play to pursue an NFL career. He first was with the Gold Coast Suns of the AFL, before moving on to the Northern Blues of the VFL. He played in 53 total contests for the two teams. His brief time as a pro – he debuted in 2011 – was marked most famously by enduring racial remarks from an opposing player.

He's been working out in the Phoenix-area for five months, trying to line up an NFL opportunity. The Cardinals were his main focus, and the team signed Wilkinson after a pair of tryouts.

Wilkinson isn’t the first Australian Rules Football player to come to the Cardinals. Ben Graham, who punted for the team for four years including the Super Bowl season, was an AFL veteran before coming to the NFL. Wilkinson said he had some "brief discussions" with Graham about the league and the Cardinals.

"Naturally people are going to assume I’m a punter coming from my sport," Wilkinson said. "But cornerback is a position very similar to what I played in Australia."

Wilkinson said he played "tagging defender," shadowing the opposition's top player, much like a cornerback. "There is much more I need to improve on and prepare for, but I’m committed," he said.

The Cardinals were also the first team to draft an Australian player when they took defensive end Colin Scotts in the third round in 1987. Scotts, who played in college at the University of Hawaii, played one season with the team.

Clemons played in the first five games of the season before hurting his groin and going on injured reserve. He was given an injury settlement, and re-signed late in the season, playing in the final two games plus both playoff games. 

Jets should go after Bears RB Matt Forte, but not the Giants

"The 100 Yards" Staff Report

After eight seasons with the Chicago Bears, running back Matt Forte will become a free agent next month.

The Bears announced Friday that Forte would not resign with the team and that he will become a free agent in March

Bart Hubbuch the New York Post said that Forte may be a good fit for the New York Jets, but not so much for the Giants.

Hubbuch says that the Jets may only have $11 million to $13 million in cap space under the projected $155 million salary cap, and that may hurt them from getting Forte unless the "demand is low" for him.

Forte was a second round draft pick out of Tulane in 2008, and the Bears drafting him was truly not a mistake because he turned out to be a very versatile RB, and Hubbuch thinks that the Jets placing Forte with Bilal Powell would be the "framework of an impressive backfield by committee."

Meanwhile the Giants are expected to have approximately $60 million in cap space, but Hubbuch still feels that Forte will not end up being a New York Giant. Hubbuch says that the Giants already have 30-year-old Rashad Jennings signed up, and have two young runners in Andre Williams and Orleans Darkwa.

PODCAST: "Two Minute Warning: Signings/Waivings From the Past Week"

"The 100 Yards" Podcast Report

Do you need a catch-up on some of the noticable signings and waiving in the NFL from the past week? Don't worry, Joey Gucciardo has you covered in the latest podcast installment of the "Two Minute Warning"!

Packers, Letroy Guion reach 3-year, $11.25 Million contract

"The 100 Yards" Staff Report

The Green Bay Packers re-signed veteran defensive tackle Letroy Guion, the team annonced Friday. The signing is a three-year, $11.25 million contract, with $500,000 in escalators.

Guion came close to reaching a year-long deal last year, but was arrested last February on a marijuana charge. Now, he has that long-term contract.

After six seasons with the Minnesota Vikings, Guion had 53 tackles and 3.5 sacks in two seasons with the Packers.

Giants release Beatty, Schwartz

"The 100 Yards" Staff Report

On Wednesday, the New York Giants released two players from their roster.

Those two players were starting left tackle Will Beatty and starting guard Geoff Schwartz.

Beatty missed all of the 2015 season with a torn pectoral. He signed a five-year, $37.5 million contract with the Giants after a breakout 2012 season.

Saints' Evans, Falcons' Moore and Durant placed on waivers

"The 100 Yards" Staff Report

Justin Durant was one of three noticeable NFL players
to be placed on waivers on Monday. 

(PHOTO: David Rosenblum/Icon Sportswire)

Veteran guard Jahri Evans was released by the New Orleans on Monday. The six-time Pro Bowler was due $3 million if he was still on the roster on Wednesday. 

The guard signed a seven-year, $56.7 million contract with New Orleans in 2010.

The Saints also cut linebackers David Hawthorne and Ramon Humber.

Other noticeable players who were waived on Monday were Atlanta Falcons safety William Moore and line backer Justin Durant, and Eagles wideout Riler Cooper.

Cooper, 28, was the Eagles' fifth-round draft choice in 2010. In his first three seasons under coach Andy Reid, Cooper caught a total of 46 passes for 679 yards and five touchdowns.

"We want to thank both of these guys for their commitment and work ethic," Falcons coach Dan Quinn said on Moore and Durant. "They battled through injuries to give everything they had for their teammates this season, and I will always be appreciative of that."

Broncos defense leads team to victory

SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- Von Miller forced two fumbles to set up Denver's two touchdowns and the Broncos defense frustrated Cam Newton all game to carry Peyton Manning to his second Super Bowl title with a 24-10 victory over the Carolina Panthers on Sunday.

Manning threw for just 141 yards and committed two turnovers in one of the least productive games of his brilliant career that could be coming to an end.

But with Miller leading a defense that recorded a Super Bowl record-tying seven sacks and forced four turnovers for the Broncos (15-4), Manning ended an up-and-down, injury-riddled season with another title to go with the one he won with Indianapolis nine years ago.

Newton's MVP season ended in disappointment for the Panthers (17-2). He lost two fumbles, threw an interception and failed to produce a touchdown for the only time this season.

Copyright 2016 by The Associated Press

Did Marshawn Lynch retire during Super Bowl 50?

"The 100 Yards" Staff Report

Check out this interesting tweet from Marshawn Lynch:

✌🏿 pic.twitter.com/wesip4IhOR

— Shawn Lynch (@MoneyLynch) February 8, 2016

Has Marshawn Lynch just announced his retirement from the NFL?

Panthers RB Jonathan Stewart's returns after 1st quarter injury in Super Bowl 50

"The 100 Yards" Injury Report

Jonathan Stewart

Panthers running back Jonathan Stewart was injured in the first quarter of Super Bowl 50 against the Denver Broncos on Sunday.

However, Stewart returned in the final few minutes of the first quarter.

The loss of Stewart in the game would have been huge, and would definitely have hurt the Panthers.

Stewart has been a key player in Carolina's offense this season. He rushed for 989 yards and six touchdowns on 242 carries in the regular season, but injuries slowed him down in the second half. Stewart missed the final two games with injuries.

Cam Newton named NFL's Most Valuable Player

"The 100 Yards" Staff Report

Cam Newton

Cam Newton is having a season for the ages.

Newton was named the league's Most Valuable Player at NFL Honors on Saturday night, winning 48 of the 50 possible votes from The Associated Press. Tom Brady and Carson Palmer each earned one vote. 

Newton closed out his 2015 regular season with 26 total touchdowns and one interception in his last eight regular season games.

All Newton needs is a Super Bowl victory on Sunday and he will reach an amazing status as an NFL quarterback.

JJ Watt wins third Defensive Player of Year award

"The 100 Yards" Staff Report

JJ Watt

Houston Texans defensive end JJ Watt beat out St. Louis Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald and Carolina Panthers players Luke Kuechly and Josh Norman to win the 2015 Defensive Player of the Year award at Saturday's NFL Honors ceremony.

"I was a 2-star recruit coming out and now I have three (Defensive Player of the Year) awards," Watt said after accepting the award. "So ... screw all of you guys for doubting me."

Watt joined former New York Giants pass rusher Lawrence Taylor as the only players ever to win three Defensive Player of the Year awards.

Todd Gurley named Offensive Rookie of the Year

"The 100 Yards" Staff Report

Todd Gurley

Todd Gurley had an amazing rookie season in the NFL, and it continued on Saturday at the "NFL Honors" awards.

It was Rams tailback Todd Gurley who won the award with 27 votes, edging out Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston, who had 17. Amari Cooper (4), Tyler Lockett (1) and David Johnson (1) rounded out voting.

"Missing three games and then putting up the performances he did ... There are other good players, but Gurley was a dominant player," NFL Media's Maurice Jones-Drew said.

Eric Berry named NFL's Comeback Player of the Year

Eric Berry

"The 100 Yards" Staff Report


Eric Berry's return to the NFL this season after beating cancer is a very inspirational story.

The Associated Press named Berry the Comeback Player of the Year at the "NFL Honors" award ceremony on Saturday.

"Oh man, it was terrifying at first," Berry told NFL Media's Alex Flanagan on Thursday. "Just hearing 'You have cancer' -- it was tough. But I had a great support system."

Comeback Player of Year voting
Player - Position - No. of votes

Eric Berry, Kansas City Chiefs - S - 38
Carson Palmer, Arizona Cardinals - QB - 6
Adrian Peterson, Minnesota Vikings - RB - 4
NaVorro Bowman, San Francisco 49ers - LB - 1
Doug Martin, Tampa Bay Buccaneers - RB - 1

Browns release statement on Johnny Manziel

"The 100 Yards" Staff Report

The Cleveland Browns released a statement regarding Johnny Manziel on Tuesday.

The statement reads:

"We've been clear about expectations for our players on and off the field. Johnny's continual involvement in incidents that run counter to those expectations undermines the hard work of his teammates and the reputation of our organization. His status with our team will be addressed when permitted by league rules. We will have no further comment at this time."

Justin Tuck announces retirement from NFL

"The 100 Yards" Staff Report

NFL player Justin Tuck has announced his retirement from the game of football. Tuck made the announcement in a Facebook post that we have shared below.

After months of praying and careful consideration, I have decided to retire from the game of football. I've had 11 great...
Posted by Justin Tuck on Monday, February 1, 2016

We wish Justin Tuck the best wherever his life takes him, and wherever the future leads.

Pro Bowl: Team Irvin defeats Team Rice

HONOLULU, HAWAII –  Team Irvin cruised over Team Rice 49-27 in the 2016 Pro Bowl on Sunday.

Russell Wilson threw three first-half touchdown passes to lead Team Irvin to a 49-27 victory over Team Rice in the Pro Bowl on Sunday.

The Seattle Seahawks quarterback led scoring drives on three of Team Irvin's first four possessions at Aloha Stadium. He threw touchdown passes to Atlanta Falcons teammates Julio Jones and Devonta Freeman in the opening quarter.