Raiders Sign Third-Round Pick LB Shilique Calhoun

ALAMEDA, Calif. - The Oakland Raiders have signed third-round draft pick LB Shilique Calhoun, the club announced Friday.

With Calhoun's signing, the Raiders have now signed all of their seven draft picks from the 2016 NFL Draft.

Calhoun was selected 75th overall by the Raiders in April's draft. He played in 54 games with 42 starts over four seasons at Michigan State, totaling 131 tackles (74 solo), 44 tackles for loss, 27 sacks, one interception, four forced fumbles, five fumble recoveries and five passes defensed. His 27 sacks rank second on the school's all-time sacks list.

As a senior, Calhoun started all 14 games, recording 49 tackles (22), 10.5 sacks, three passes defensed and one forced fumble. He was named second-team All-American for the third year in a row while also earning first-team All-Big Ten honors for the third consecutive year. The Middletown, N.J., native was also named a Hendricks Award Finalist in 2015 as well as a Lombardi Award Semifinalist and Bednarik Award Semifinalist for the second straight year.

Raiders Announce Four-Year Extension For General Manager Reggie McKenzie

Owner Mark Davis wanted the 100-plus Raiders' alumni gathered in Napa Valley for the team's annual "Alumni Weekend" to be the first to know that the team elected to extend the contract of General Manager Reggie McKenzie for an additional four years.

Davis made the announcement Friday night at dinner in front of the assembled former Raiders and notable sponsors, alerting them that McKenzie was now under contract through the end of the 2021 NFL Draft.

"Reggie's contract was up at the end of this year, and we felt was time to reward him for the job that he has done," said Mark Davis.

McKenzie has served as the team's general manager since January 2012, and since his tenure began, he has rebuilt the team's roster from the ground up, adding core pieces through the draft and then supplementing those pieces with smart additions through free agency.

In recent years, McKenzie has not only hit on players on the first day of the draft like defensive end Khalil Mack and Amari Cooper, but has also managed to find value on Day Two and Day Three, like quarterbackDerek Carr, defensive end Mario Edwards Jr. and Gabe Jackson to name a few.

This offseason, McKenzie also put together an impressive free agent haul that received praise across the league, as he was able to ink linebacker Bruce Irvin, guard Kelechi Osemele, and cornerback Sean Smith in the early days of free agency.

McKenzie has slowly but surely turned the Raiders into a contender, and Friday night his hard work was rewarded by the organization.

From the Raiders website.

DeAndre Hopkins walks out of Texans training camp, starts holdup

Houston Texans WR DeAndre Hopkins walked out of the team's training camp on Saturday and started a holdout.

Hopkins recently said he wanted the Texans to play him "what I'm worth."

The wide receiver now will be subject to fines of $40,000 for each day of training camp he misses.

Adam schefter of ESPN first reported the news.

Jet fans, the torture is over.

Special report by Joey Gucciardo.

Cue the Spongebob timeline joke...

For those who don't know it...

All those time cards depicting so much (fictional) time has passed.

It seems like that much time has passed between the Jets signing quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick.

But guess what Jet fans? The wait is over.

Adam Schefter of ESPN broke the news tonight that completely shocked the sports world.

Finally: Ryan Fitzpatrick and Jets reach agreement on 1-year, $12 million, fully-guaranteed contract, sources tell ESPN.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) July 27, 2016

According to the tweet, the Jets have finally signed the quarterback that almost led the Jets to the postseason in 2015. It's a one-year, $12 million deal.

Steelers RB Le'Veon Bell faces four-game suspension

Pittsburgh Steelers running back Le'Veon Bell is reportedly facing a four-game suspension for a violation of the NFL's drug policy, sources told Dan Graziano of ESPN.

The suspension is the result of a missed drug test, not a failed test.

No date for Bell's appeal has been set, should Bell be suspended.

Bell was suspended for the first three games of 2015, which was later reduced to two games, for a violation of the NFL's substance abuse policy after he was arrested on charges of marijuana possession and DUI in the summer of 2014.

Dennis Green, former Vikings and Cardinals coach, dies at age 67

Dennis Green, who coached the Minnesota Vikings and Arizona Cardinals over 13 NFL seasons, died Thursday night at the age of 67.

"Dennis passed away last night from complications of cardiac arrest," Green's family said in a statement. "His family was by his side and he fought hard."

Green's Vikings made eight playoff appearances in 10 seasons from 1992 to 2001, reaching the NFC Championship Game in 1998 and 2000. He led the Vikings to a 15-1 regular season in 1998 and ranks second in franchise history in games coached, wins and winning percentage, trailing Hall of Fame coach Bud Grant in each category.

Spaeth released; Dixon added at TE

PITTSBURGH - The Steelers have released tight end Matt Spaeth with the designation of Failed Physical, the team announced today.

"Matt never fully recovered from knee surgery that occurred this past offseason, and he will not be ready to return to football activities at this time," said General Manager Kevin Colbert. "Matt played an integral role in our Super Bowl XLIII Championship run, and we wish him the best in his future endeavors."

Spaeth was drafted by the Steelers in the third round (77th overall) of the 2007 NFL Draft. In 123 regular-season games, Spaeth totaled 55 receptions for 420 yards with 10 receiving touchdowns. He was a member of the Steelers' Super Bowl XLIII Championship team.

To take Spaeth's spot on the 90-man roster, the Steelers signed rookie free agent tight end Mandel Dixon, listed as 6-foot-2, 231 pounds during his final season at Tulsa. Dixon was undrafted in 2016 and then a tryout participant for the Dallas Cowboys' rookie minicamp. 

Following this move and the earlier retirement of Heath Miller, the Steelers will be without two of the three tight ends who were on the roster for the AFC Divisional Round Game in Denver last January. The only returning tight end is Jesse James, a second-year pro who was a fifth-round pick in the 2015 NFL Draft.

During the offseason, the Steelers signedLadarius Green as an unrestricted free agent, and they brought back David Johnson after he was released by the San Diego Chargers. Xavier Grimble, who was signed to the Steelers' practice squad on Sept. 7, 2015 and spend the season there, also qualifies as a player with some experience with the team. Paul Lang, a sixth tight end on the current roster, was signed on June 7.

Steelers Release.

Lions sign free agent T Luke Marquardt

ALLEN PARK, Mich. - The Detroit Lions announced today that they have signed free agent T Luke Marquardt. Contract terms were not disclosed.

A native of Sammamish, Wash., Marquardt joins the Lions after signing with the New York Jets earlier this season. He began his NFL career with the San Francisco 49ers in 2013 as an undrafted rookie free agent out of Azusa Pacific.

Lions Press Release.

Eugene Monroe announces retirement from NFL

"The 100 Yards" Staff Report

Free agent offensive tackle Eugene Monroe on Thursday announced his plans to retire from the NFL.

“I’m only 29 and I still have the physical ability to play at a very high level, so I know that my decision to retire may be puzzling to some. But I am thinking of my family first right now — and my health and my future,” Monroe writes in the Players’ Tribune. “The last 18 years have been full of traumatic injuries to both my head and my body. I’m not complaining, just stating a fact. Has the damage to my brain already been done? Do I have CTE? I hope I don’t, but over 90% of the brains of former NFL players that have been examined showed signs of the disease. I am terrified.”

Monroe, 29, was released by theBaltimore Ravens in June. The New York Giants reportedly showed interest in him, as did a few other teams.

Monroe started only 17 games in two seasons since receiving $17.5 million in guaranteed money as part of the five-year, $37.5 million deal he signed with the Ravens in 2014. He missed time because of four injuries since the start of the 2014 season: knee (four games), ankle (three), concussion (three) and shoulder (two).

Cardinals Sign Cornerback Mike Jenkins

The Cardinals continued their quest to upgrade at cornerback, signing Mike Jenkins on Tuesday.

Jenkins, 31, is an eight-year veteran who spent the past two seasons in Tampa Bay. He started five games last year for the Buccaneers, finishing with 14 tackles and five passes defensed. His 2014 season ended after one game because of a torn pectoral muscle, but prior to that, Jenkins -- a first-round pick in 2008 -- was a regular starter in stints with the Cowboys and Raiders.

Jenkins, listed at 5-foot-10 and 197 pounds, made the Pro Bowl for Dallas in 2009 and has 10 career interceptions. He visited the Cardinals as a free agent in March of 2014 but eventually joined the Buccaneers, and the Cardinals signed Antonio Cromartie.

Patrick Peterson will start at one outside cornerback spot for the Cardinals in 2016, but the other is in flux. While Justin Bethel is the favorite after filling in late last season for an injured Tyrann Mathieu, Jenkins joins rookies Brandon Williams and Harlan Miller and second-year man Cariel Brooks among the other options heading into training camp.

The Cardinals released cornerback Carrington Byndom in a corresponding move.

Cardinals Press Release.

Dolphins Sign Pro Bowl Running Back Foster

The Miami Dolphins today announced they have signed four-time Pro Bowl running back Arian Foster to a free agent contract.

Foster, who played the first seven seasons of his career with the Houston Texans, has seen action in 76 career games with 68 starts and totaled 6,472 rushing yards and 54 rushing touchdowns in his career. He has also caught 249 passes for 2,268 yards (9.1 avg.) and 14 receiving touchdowns. His 6,472 career rushing yards are the second-most in NFL history among undrafted running backs, trailing only the 8,172 yards by Priest Holmes (1997-2007). 

Foster was selected to the Pro Bowl following the 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2014 seasons and led the league in rushing with 1,616 yards in 2010. He was also a first-team All-Pro selection in 2010. 

A San Diego native, Foster entered the NFL as an undrafted college free agent with the Texans in 2009. He played at the University of Tennessee where he ended his collegiate career as the school’s second all-time leading rusher with 2,964 career yards.

Dolphins Press Release.

NFL Suspends Aaron Lynch Four Games

San Francisco 49ers linebacker Aaron Lynch on Friday was suspended without pay for the first four games of the 2016 regular season for violating the NFL Policy and Program for Substances of Abuse. 

Lynch will be eligible to return to the 49ers active roster on Monday, October 3 following the team’s October 2 game against the Dallas Cowboys.

Lynch is eligible to participate in all offseason and preseason practices and games.

“While disappointed to hear the news regarding Aaron today, we support and respect the league’s decision," said 49ers General Manager Trent Baalke in a statement. "We are confident that he will learn from this matter and that he understands what is expected of him moving forward."

Jets Sign Mo Wilkerson to Extension

The New York Jets announced today they have signed veteran DL Muhammad Wilkerson to a multi-year extension.

Wilkerson led the club with 12 sacks last season and was selected to his first Pro Bowl. He was a key cog up front for a defense that allowed a franchise low 83.4 yards per game on the ground.

A Temple product who joined the Jets as a first-round selection in 2011, Wilkerson has recorded 36.5 sacks and has paced the club in that category two of the past three seasons. In 2013, Wilkerson was voted the Curtis Martin Team MVP by his teammates after starting all 16 games and racking up 10.5 sacks along with a career-high 91 tackles. He started 16 games his rookie season and recorded a safety on the first sack of his career, when he got a hold of Luke McCown in Wilkerson’s second professional game.

The 6’4”, 315-pound Wilkerson has excelled over his five seasons as a 3-4 DE and has also thrived when shifting inside in sub packages.  He is an elite player on one of the most talented positional units in football as the Jets also boast a pair of first-round talents up front in Sheldon Richardson and Leonard Williams. The Jets finished No. 4 overall defensively last season while finishing No. 1 in red zone and No. 3 in third down efficiency respectively.

Wilkerson, who broke his right leg in the regular season finale vs. the Bills, has continued to rehab throughout the offseason.  After the Green & White placed the non-exclusive franchise tag on Wilkerson in March, the two sides had until today at 4:00 p.m. to hammer out a multiyear contract or extension.

In 77 career games, Wilkerson has totaled 372 tackles along with 19 PDs, seven forced fumbles and one fumble recovery.

Jets Release.

Von Miller, Broncos agree on six-year contract

"The 100 Yards" Staff Report

The Denver Broncos on Friday signed Von Miller to a contract through the 2021 season.

Miller, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft by the Broncos, recorded 11.5 sacks in his first season, earning selections as the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year and as a Pro Bowl starter, just the second player in team history to make the Pro Bowl as a rookie. In 2012, Miller set the Broncos' franchise record for sacks in a single season with 18.5, and he was a first-team All-Pro selection.

With 11 sacks in the 2015 regular season and 14 in 2014, Miller's returned to an early career form that was only momentarily derailed in 2013 when he tore his ACL on Dec. 22 against the Texans before the Broncos went on a postseason run to Super Bowl XLVIII.

Tom Brady won't appeal suspension to Supreme Court

"The 100 Yards" Staff Report

New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady announced Friday that he will not appeal his four-game Deflategate suspension to the U.S. Supreme Court.

Brady made the announcement in a Facebook post.

The 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Manhattan rejected Brady's latest appeal of the suspension Wednesday, meaning that his last hope to avoid serving the suspension would be to appeal to the Supreme Court.

"After careful consideration and discussion with Tom Brady, the NFLPA will not be seeking a stay of the four game suspension with the 2nd Circuit," said the NFLPA in a statement. "This decision was made in the interest of certainty and planning for Tom prior to the New England Patriots season. We will continue to review all of our options and we reserve our rights to petition for cert to the Supreme Court."

Brady will miss the Patriots' first four games this season against the Arizona Cardinals, Miami Dolphins, Houston Texans and Buffalo Bills. He will make his regular-season debut in Week 5 against the Cleveland Browns.

Brady received the four-game suspension on April 25.

Packers sign RB Brandon Ross

"The 100 Yards" Staff Report

The Packers on Wednesday announced the signing of
Brandon Ross.

The Green Bay Packers signed RB Brandon Ross, Ted Thompson, Executive Vice President, General Manager and Director of Football Operations for the team, announced Wednesday.

Ross (5-foot-10, 205 pounds) originally signed as an undrafted rookie free agent with the Minnesota Vikings on May 2, 2016 but was released on May 23. He played four seasons at Maryland and finished fourth in career rushing yards with 2,543.

As a senior, Ross ran for 958 yards, 10 touchdowns and led the conference with a 6.4 yards per carry average, earning honorable mention All-Big Ten. He totaled 250 rushing yards against Indiana last season, the fourth-highest single game rushing total in school history.

Browns DE Desmond Bryant out for season, had surgery on Tuesday

"The 100 Yards" Staff Report

Desmond Bryant may be out for the entirety of the
2016 NFL season after undergoing surgery on
Tuesday. (Getty Images)

Cleveland Browns defensive end Desmond Bryant underwent surgery on Tuesday to repair a torn pectoral muscle that was sustained during a workout last week.

A full recovery is expected but he will miss a significant amount of time and will unlikely be able to return during the 2016 season.

"We feel awful for Des. This is a young man that worked extremely hard this off season to prepare himself for the 2016 season," Browns head coach Hue Jackson said in a statement. "He really bought into our coaching, our team-over-self-philosophy and was intent on becoming a leader for our team. Ray (Horton) and the defensive staff were expecting a really productive season from him. We all understand that injuries are part of this profession and as a team you have to find a way to overcome them. There is no doubt that we will miss Des this season and we all wish him a speedy recovery.”

An eight-year veteran, Bryant led the Browns with a career-high six sacks and 33 tackles last season. and has started all 41 games he has appeared in over three seasons with Cleveland.

"First off, thank you to all the fans, friends, and family who have reached out expressing their well wishes in response to the news of my injury," Bryant said. "While I'm frustrated and disappointed about having to miss some time out there with my teammates, I take comfort in knowing that preparations have already begun for an epic return."