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[March 09, 2015]  The Sports Xchange

03/05/2015 NFL Note - Philadelphia Eagles Allen, Nate

S Nate Allen, unrestricted FA update, never fulfilled the expectations the Eagles had for him when they took him in the second round of the 2010 draft. He was an athletic safety with good speed and coverage skills, but lacked the instincts to play the position. He was a big reason the Eagles gave up 30 TD passes and allowed an NFL-high 71 completions of 20-plus yards last season. He is not expected back.

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NFL Note - * Free Agents Fletcher, Bradley

CB Bradley Fletcher, unrestricted FA update, is a long corner who can play press-man coverage, which is why the Eagles signed him in 2013. He played OK his first season with the Eagles, but nosedived last year, particularly down the stretch. The low point was a costly mid-December loss to the Cowboys when he gave up three touchdown passes to Dez Bryant. The Eagles have no interest in bringing him back.

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NFL Note - * Free Agents Graham, Brandon

OLB Brandon Graham, unrestricted FA update, had 5.5 sacks, 8 hits and 39 hurries in just 240 pass-rushing opportunities in 2014. The Eagles are interested in re-signing their 2010 first-round pick, but he's better suited for a 4-3 scheme where he wouldn't have to drop into coverage. He would prefer to sign with a 4-3 team. Chances of him returning don't seem very good.

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NFL Note - Philadelphia Eagles Maclin, Jeremy

WR Jeremy Maclin, unrestricted FA update, came back from a torn ACL to catch a team-high 85 passes last season. The Eagles are interested in re-signing him, but negotiations have gone slow and they appear content to let him test the market. They opted not to use the franchise tag on him. One concern: Maclin had just 16 third-down receptions last season.

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NFL Note - Chicago Bears Conte, Chris

S Chris Conte, unrestricted FA update, needed to deliver a big 2014 and only succeeded in getting trampled a lot. An inability to play physical without avoiding injury, and the lack of good closing speed make it unlikely the Bears have interest in bringing him back.

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NFL Note - Chicago Bears De La Puente, Brian

C Brian de la Puente, unrestricted FA update, proved a useful multi-purpose player who fit in at guard or center. The problem here is that New Orleans didn't bring him back and with former Saints personnel assistant Ryan Pace serving now as Bears general manager it's hard to see how he would be considered on solid ground for a return.

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NFL Note - Chicago Bears Feely, Jay

K Jay Feely, unrestricted FA update, will not be back. His comments blasting former coach Marc Trestman probably didn't endear him to ownership, which doesn't like seeing anyone -- even former coaches -- getting teed up. With Robbie Gould returning from injury, camp competition will come from young waiver-wire types and not a fading, more expensive veteran.

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NFL Note - Chicago Bears Paea, Stephen

DT Stephen Paea, unrestricted FA update, had the misfortune of making big strides with a career-high six sacks during his final contract year when the Bears decided to switch systems. Playing the nose in the 4-3 at 306 pounds doesn't qualify him to be a nose in the 3-4, but if he added weight, with his great strength he could convert to a block-eating plug for the line. Still, with other players who've done this before available now, it's more likely they'd let Paea leave for another 4-3 team.
 


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NFL Note - * Free Agents Scott, Garrett

T Garrett Scott was placed on waivers with the designation non-football illness by the Seahawks Friday (March 6).

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NFL Note - * Free Agents Williams, Jesse

DT Jesse Williams was placed on waivers by the Seahawks Friday (March 6).

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NFL Note - Seattle Seahawks Scruggs, Greg

DE Greg Scruggs, scheduled to become a restricted free agent March 10, signed a one-year contract with the Seahawks Friday (March 6). Scruggs was drafted in the seventh-round (232nd overall) of the 2012 NFL Draft. He spent 2013 on injured reserve and played in three games last season before landing on injured reserve for the season. In three seasons, he has played in 15 games with eight tackles (six solo) and 2.0 sacks.

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NFL Note - * Free Agents Miller, Zach

TE Zach Miller had his contract terminated with the designation failed physical by the Seahawks Friday (March 6). Miller signed with Seattle in 2011 after four seasons with the Oakland Raiders and played in 48 games with 46 starts, recording 102 receptions for 1,092 yards and eight touchdowns with Seattle. His 2014 season was cut short after three games and six catches for 76 yards due to an ankle injury and ending the season on injured reserve.

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NFL Note - Philadelphia Eagles Matthews, Casey

LB Casey Matthews, unrestricted FA update, has spent a good portion of his four seasons with the Eagles playing only on special teams. But because of injuries last season, he rotated at the inside WILL spot in the Eagles' 3-4. He played 440 snaps. He did OK, but doesn't project as a starter. The signing of Brad Jones probably indicates that the Eagles won't be bringing him back.

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NFL Note - New York Giants Cruz, Victor

WR Victor Cruz, in an interview with the team's in-house broadcast team, reiterated that while he wants to make sure he is not rushing himself back in his rehab from a torn patellar injury suffered in October, he still has an eye on being ready for training camp.

"I just want to take my time and continue my rehab," he said, "but training camp is definitely my goal."
 

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NFL Note - New York Giants Bowman, Zack

CB Zack Bowman, unrestricted FA update, is a solid special teams player, but when pressed into action as a starter, he was inconsistent. The Giants could potentially be looking to move on to a younger option to fill out their cornerback depth.

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NFL Note - New York Giants Brewer, James

OL James Brewer, unrestricted FA update, was given an opportunity to establish himself as a starting left guard in 2013, but was unable to hang onto it. As a result, the team addressed the position through free agency, reducing the disappointing fourth-round pick from 2011 to a healthy scratch for most of the 2014 season.

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NFL Note - Chicago Bears Rosario, Dante

TE Dante Rosario, unrestricted FA update, probably could have been used more as a receiver last year by QB Jay Cutler when the offense seemed stymied. He has displayed inconsistent hands, but fit well into an offense that let him line up in front of the running back, in the slot or on the line. Still, he wasn't particularly effective as a blocker for the running game, and with impressive Zach Miller returning following a season-ending injury suffered last preseason he's at best 50-50 for a return.

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NFL Note - Chicago Bears Scott, Trevor

DE Trevor Scott, unrestricted FA update, was a useful reserve who has played linebacker in a 3-4 defense and end in a 4-3. He was effective in a reserve role for New England's defense before and probably has more value now to the Bears as a reserve than he did last year. However, he had foot and knee injuries last year that could weigh against making him a part of the new regime.

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NFL Note - Chicago Bears Sharpton, Darryl

ILB Darryl Sharpton, unrestricted FA update, is a reserve player who has 3-4 experience in Houston, and played effectively blitzing from the inside briefly last year for the Bears. However, at 6-foot, 229 pounds he would appear more suited to a different scheme and probably won't return.

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NFL Note - Chicago Bears Tillman, Charles

CB Charles Tillman, unrestricted FA update, has had the same injury misfortune as Briggs. At the same age as Briggs, he would seem to be a part of the franchise's history now. The fact he has been a cover-2 corner almost all his career and hasn't been in a 3-4 scheme requiring extensive man-to-man or cover-3 weighs against him, as well.

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NFL Note - * Free Agents Walker, Vance

DT Vance Walker had his contract terminated by the Chiefs Friday (March 6). The release of Walker, coming a day after the team cut linebacker Joe Mays, saved the team $1.7 million against the salary cap.

Walker has played in 88 games with the Atlanta Falcons (2009-12), Oakland Raiders (2013) and Chiefs (2014). He languished at the bottom of the depth chart last season in Kansas City, finishing with 19 tackles and two sacks.

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NFL Note - Kansas City Chiefs Mauga, Josh

LB Josh Mauga, who was scheduled to become a unrestricted free agent March 10, signed a three-year contract with the Chiefs Friday (March 6).

Mauga, 27, originally signed with the Chiefs last July and tallied 103 tackles in 16 starts. An undrafted free agent out of Nevada in 2009, he played 29 games for the New York Jets from 2010 to 2012 and was on injured reserve in 2013.

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NFL Note - * Free Agents Roach, Nick

LB Nick Roach had his contract terminated with tghe designation failed physical by the Raiders Friday (March 6). Roach suffered a concussion in the third preseason game last season and spent the entire season on injured reserve,

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NFL Note - Oakland Raiders Young, Usama

S Usama Young had his contract terminated with the designation failed physical by the Raiders Friday (March 6). Young was placed on injured reserve on Oct. 25 with a knee injury.

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NFL Note - New York Giants Brown, Chykie

CB Chykie Brown, unrestricted FA update, was a nice stopgap solution when injuries began hitting the cornerback unit, but he probably won't be retained if the Giants bring back Walter Thurmond.

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NFL Note - Washington Redskins Biggers, E.J.

CB E.J. Biggers, unrestricted FA update, has plenty of speed but can't cover anyone. Even with Washington's concerns at cornerback, don't look for Biggers -- a protege of former defensive backs coach Raheem Morris -- to be back.

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NFL Note - Washington Redskins Hankerson, Leonard

WR Leonard Hankerson, unrestricted FA update, had eight catches for 106 yards in his second start as a rookie in 2011 but suffered a season-ending hip injury and was never as effective again. Although he was a rare Redskins receiver with size, he didn't catch a single ball for new coach Jay Gruden in 2014 and won't return.

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NFL Note - Washington Redskins Jenkins, Jarvis

DE Jarvis Jenkins, unrestricted FA update, was playing well when he tore his right knee in the third game of his rookie preseason in 2011. Jenkins didn't record a sack while starting 28 games in 2012 and 2014. While he wants to return, it's likely that Jenkins will be part of an overhaul of the line underway under new coordinator Joe Barry.

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NFL Note - * Retired Jones-Drew, Maurice

RB Maurice Jones-Drew, who announced his retirement March 5, had his contract terminated officially terminated by the Raiders Friday (March 6).

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NFL Note - * Free Agents Walker, Reggie

LB Reggie Walker had his contract terminated by the Chargers Friday (March 6).

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NFL Note - Carolina Panthers Oher, Michael

T Michael Oher was signed by the Panthers to a two-year contract Friday (March 6).

Oher, a first-round pick by the Baltimore Ravens in 2009, joins the Panthers after starting 11 games with the Tennessee Titans in 2014. The Titans released him Feb. 5 with the designation failed physical. He was placed on injured reserve in December because of a toe injury.

Oher will be reunited with offensive line coach John Matsko, who coached the tackle in Baltimore in 2009 and 2010. In five seasons with Baltimore (2009-13), Oher started all 80 games and helped the Ravens win Super Bowl XLVII after the 2012 season.

"We look forward to having Michael be a part of what we are building here," coach Ron Rivera said in a statement released by the team. "He's a pro who understands what it takes to win. A big part of why we pursued Michael was his relationship with offensive line coach John Matsko and the opportunity to have him work with Ray Brown. We are excited to have him."

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NFL Note - San Diego Chargers Jones, Jacoby

WR/KR Jacoby Jones was signed to a two-year contract by the Chargers Friday (March 6).

The Baltimore Ravens released the 30-year-old Jones Feb. 25. A year earlier, he had re-signed with the team on a four-year, $12 million deal.

"One of our offseason goals was to improve our special teams, specifically upgrading our return game," general manager Tom Telesco said in a statement. "We feel Jacoby brings a dynamic aspect to our kick and punt returns that we need and he also has solid experience playing wide receiver."

The 6-foot-2, 215-pound Jones was an all-star and a first-team All-Pro in 2012, capping off a season in which he helped lead the Ravens to a victory over San Francisco in Super Bowl XLVII with a historic performance. Jones set Super Bowl and postseason records for the longest play with a 108-yard kickoff return for a touchdown to start the second half. He also caught a 56-yard touchdown pass as part of a Super Bowl-record 290 all-purpose yards.

Jones played a prominent role in helping the Ravens reach the Super Bowl as he was on the receiving end of the "Mile High Miracle," catching a game-tying 70-yard touchdown pass with 31 seconds remaining in the divisional playoffs against the Denver Broncos. The Ravens went on to beat the Broncos in overtime.

Originally a third-round pick of the Houston Texans in 2007 out of Lane College, Jones ranked second in the NFL in 2014, averaging 30.6 yards per kickoff return.

Jones spent his first five seasons in Houston (2007-11) before joining the Ravens as a free agent in 2012. Jones has caught 203 passes for 2,733 yards and 14 touchdowns over eight NFL seasons, while racking up 4,527 yards and five touchdowns as a kickoff returner (27.4-yard average) and 2,673 yards and four touchdowns (10.1 average) as a punt returner.

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NFL Note - Chicago Bears Williams, D.J.

LB D.J. Williams, unrestricted FA update, was an inside linebacker in the 4-3, and did have some 3-4 experience in Denver. Although it's possible he'd be able to fit inside, he had two injury-plagued seasons and at 32 is no more likely to be back with a team looking to get younger than Briggs. The Bears will be scouring every possible 3-4 defensive team's roster for potential linebackers and aren't in need of pieces that aren't fits.

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NFL Note - Green Bay Packers Raji, B.J.

DT B.J. Raji, unrestricted FA update, is likely to get a second chance to prove his worth on a modest one-year contract after that tactic never materialized when he sustained a season-ending torn biceps late in the preseason. McCarthy recently expressed interest in having the 2009 first-round draft pick and one-time Pro Bowl selection back with the team. Depending on what the team decides with Guion in the wake of his legal issue, Raji could quickly reclaim the starting job at nose tackle as he turns 29 before the start of training camp.

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NFL Note - Green Bay Packers Tolzien, Scott

QB Scott Tolzien, unrestricted FA update, has his sights on remaining with the Packers for a third season. The four-year pro was relegated to third-string status and didn't get on the field once last season. Yet, McCarthy and other coaches have been encouraged by Tolzien's development in the offense. Getting a promotion to the No. 2 role behind Rodgers and displacing Flynn seems viable.

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NFL Note - New England Patriots Gostkowski, Stephen

K Stephen Gostkowski, who received the franchise tag from the Patriots March 6, signed the $4.56 million tender Friday (March 6). Upon signing the money is guaranteed for the 2015 season. July 15 is the deadline for an agreement on a long-term contract.

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NFL Note - Detroit Lions Prater, Matt

K Matt Prater, who was scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent March 10, signed a three-year contract with the Lions Friday (March 6).

NFL.com reported the deal is worth $9 million.

Prater landed in Detroit in October after spending the majority of his career with the Denver Broncos. He signed with the Lions after serving a four-game suspension for violation of the league's substance-abuse policy. The Broncos had released him the week before the suspension was scheduled to end.

The 30 year old holds the NFL record for longest field goal at 64 yards.

"As Matt got more acclimated with us, especially with (long snapper) Don (Muhlbach) and (holder) Sam (Martin), he really became someone we could count on and was a positive contributor to our kicking game last season," Lions head coach Jim Caldwell said in a statement. "Our field-goal unit made significant improvement with Matt as the season went on.

"Re-signing Matt was definitely a priority for us. We are excited to bring him back, and we feel that both he and Sam (also the punter) provides us with two valuable weapons in the kicking game."

In 2014, Prater made 21 of 26 field goals during the regular season and was 2-of-2 in the playoffs. He has made 163 of 200 field goals in his career (81.5 percent) and has also made 11 of 13 field goals in the playoffs.

The Lions signed kicker Matt Prater to a three-year contract extension. NFL.com reported the deal is worth $9 million.

Prater landed in Detroit in October after spending the majority of his career with the Denver Broncos. He signed with the Lions after serving a four-game suspension for violation of the league's substance-abuse policy. The Broncos had released him the week before the suspension was scheduled to end.

The 30 year old holds the NFL record for longest field goal at 64 yards.

"As Matt got more acclimated with us, especially with (long snapper) Don (Muhlbach) and (holder) Sam (Martin), he really became som

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NFL Note - Green Bay Packers Barclay, Don

OL Don Barclay, restricted FA update, went from full-time starter at right tackle in 2013 with Bryan Bulaga sidelined to spending all of last season rehabbing a torn ACL sustained early in training camp. The return of a healthy Barclay may give the Packers brain trust pause on whether to re-sign Bulaga. At the very least, Barclay provides reliable depth at tackle and guard.

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NFL Note - Green Bay Packers Boykin, Jarrett

WR Jarrett Boykin, restricted FA update, quickly became a shell of the young up-and-comer who delivered as a pass catcher in 2013. That season, the former undrafted free agent had 49 catches for 681 yards and three touchdowns. Last season, which included the arrival of second-round draft pick Davante Adams, Boykin saw the field little and finished with all of three receptions for 23 yards and zero end-zone visits.

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NFL Note - Green Bay Packers Richardson, Sean

S Sean Richardson, restricted FA update, made the most of his first full season in the NFL, completing his comeback from a severe neck injury sustained as an undrafted rookie in 2012. Richardson contributed in a situational role on defense and further earned his keep by leading the team with a career-high 17 tackles on special teams.

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NFL Note - Green Bay Packers Banjo, Chris

S Chris Banjo, exclusive-rights FA update, spent most of his second pro season on Green Bay's practice squad before getting a shot to contribute on special teams the final month of play.

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NFL Note - Chicago Bears Clausen, Jimmy

QB Jimmy Clausen, who was scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent March 10, signed a one-year contract with the Bears Friday (March 6).

Clausen joined the Bears in 2014 after spending his first four seasons with the Carolina Panthers.

Last season, he completed 26 of 48 attempts (54.2 percent) for 223 yards, two touchdowns and one interception in four appearances (one start).

In 17 games over five seasons, he has completed 52.7 percent of his passes (183 of 347) for 1,781 yards, five touchdowns and 10 interceptions.

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NFL Note - New Orleans Saints Sanford, Jamarca

S Jamarca Sanford, who was scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent March 10, signed a one-year contract with the Saints Friday (March 6).
 

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NFL Note - Atlanta Falcons Weems, Eric

WR Eric Weems, who was scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent March 10, signed a two-year contract with the Falcons Friday (March 6).

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NFL Note - New York Jets Marshall, Brandon

WR Brandon Marshall will be traded by the Bears to the Jets for what has been reported to be a fifth-round pick in this year's draft. The deal cannot be made official until the new league year begins at 4 p.m. ET on Tuesday, when free agency opens. The deal is also contingent on Marshall passing a physical.

Marshall, who turns 31 on March 23, caught 61 passes for 721 yards in 13 games last season, marking his lowest production since his rookie season in 2006. However, he did catch eight touchdowns and his 6-foot-4, 230-pound frame will be a welcome addition to the Jets' receiving corps.

The Jets signed Eric Decker last offseason, and he caught 74 passes for 962 yards and five touchdowns despite inconsistent quarterback play. Jeremy Kerley was the team's next leading receiver - with just 38 catches for 409 yards. The Jets' wideouts combined for eight total touchdown catches in 2014.

Marshall's $7.5 million salary becomes guaranteed Tuesday, and the Bears were believed to be open to dealing the 10th-year veteran as new head coach John Fox and general manager Ryan Pace evaluated the roster.

The Bears acquired Marshall from the Miami Dolphins for two third-round draft picks in 2012. Reunited with Jay Cutler, who had been his quarterback in Denver, Marshall caught 218 passes for 2,722 yards and 23 touchdowns in his first two seasons in Chicago.

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NFL Note - Green Bay Packers Harris, DuJuan

RB DuJuan Harris, exclusive-rights FA update, was hardly utilized as the team's No. 3 halfback and lost his job as kickoff returner late in the season after lackluster results.
 

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NFL Note - Carolina Panthers Bell, Byron

T Byron Bell, unrestricted FA update, has already been told by the team they won't be bringing him back next year. When he wasn't dealing with a couple midseason injuries, Bell wasn't as bad as many made him out to be. But he wasn't good, and the Panthers need to get QB Cam Newton a better blind-side blocker.

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NFL Note - Carolina Panthers Blackburn, Chase

LB Chase Blackburn, unrestricted FA update, was limited to six games by a knee injury last year. It may be tough for the Panthers to find room for the 10-year veteran, but he is great for the locker room, and the Panthers missed his contributions on special teams.

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NFL Note - Carolina Panthers Dickson, Ed

TE Ed Dickson, unrestricted FA update, finally got himself more involved in the passing game late last season. After four years in Baltimore, he set career lows in receptions (10) and receiving yards (115). It's tough to judge him for the chunk of the season he had to spend playing a hybrid tight end/fullback role while FB Mike Tolbert was out, and it's likely the Panthers will bring him back.

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NFL Note - Baltimore Ravens Cox, Morgan

LS Morgan Cox, unrestricted FA update, is coming off a torn ACL. Cox is making steady progress in his rehabilitation and could be re-signed. When healthy, Cox is a reliable long snapper.

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NFL Note - Baltimore Ravens Daniels, Owen

TE Owen Daniels, unrestricted FA update, is a reliable pass-catching tight end who became the starter when Dennis Pitta broke and dislocated his right hip. Daniels has informed the Ravens he'd like to be back. Likely to draw interest from the Denver Broncos, where he'd play for Gary Kubiak for the third time.
 

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NFL Note - Baltimore Ravens Gorrer, Danny

CB Danny Gorrer, unrestricted FA update, played solid football as an injury replacement and had one interception before tearing knee ligaments. Could be back if his knee gets healthy in time.

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NFL Note - Baltimore Ravens Guy, Lawrence

DE Lawrence Guy, unrestricted FA update, was a valuable rotational defensive lineman who provided quality snaps as a reserve presence. Guy is expected to be back, at a low price.

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NFL Note - Detroit Lions Moore, Kellen

QB Kellen Moore, who was scheduled to become a restricted free agent March 10, re-signed with the Lions Friday (March 6).

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NFL Note - Cleveland Browns Draughn, Shaun

RB Shaun Draughn, who was scheduled to become an exclusive-rights free agent March 10, re-signed with the Browns Friday (March 6).

Draughn joined the Browns late last season and appeared in four games, returning five kickoffs for 115 yards.

He also played in four games with the San Diego Chargers and two with the Chicago Bears in 2014. Draughn, who entered the league as an undrafted free agent in 2011, has also played for the Kansas City Chiefs and Baltimore Ravens.

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NFL Note - Cleveland Browns Lanning, Spencer

P Spencer Lanning, who was scheduled to become an exclusive-rights free agent March 10, re-signed with the Browns Friday (March 6).

Lanning, who was undrafted in 2011, has been the Browns' punter since 2013, and his 53 punts inside the 20-yard line are the most in franchise history over a two-year span. Last season, he averaged 44.3 yards, with a 39.2 net.
 


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NFL Note - * Free Agents Wayne, Reggie

WR Reggie Wayne, who is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent March 10, will not be re-signed by the Colts. The club made the announcement Friday (March 6).

Wayne is the franchise leader in regular-season games played (211) and wins (143) and ranks second in receptions (1,070), receiving yards (14,345), receiving touchdowns (80), 100-yard games (43) and consecutive games with a reception (134). He ranks seventh in NFL history in career receptions and eighth in receiving yards.

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