National Football League roundup

[March 06, 2017]  March 5 (The Sports Xchange) - Former Alabama linebacker Reuben Foster will be available this week to meet with NFL coaches and scouts to explain his early dismissal from the Scouting Combine in Indianapolis.

Foster, a consensus first-round projection in the 2017 NFL Draft next month, sent a letter to NFL teams apologizing for an incident that led to his ouster from the combine, according to NFL Network and confirmed by ESPN on Sunday.

Foster was sent home on Friday prior to team interviews and testing after what was described as a "heated argument" with a hospital worker. He reportedly grew tired of a wait at the hospital during his medical examination.

In a letter his agent sent to all 32 NFL clubs, Foster said he understands combine participation is a "privilege and an honor," and invited coaches and scouts to speak with him at the Alabama football building the day before the Crimson Tide's Pro Day in Tuscaloosa.

Foster is recovering from recent rotator cuff surgery in his right shoulder and was not scheduled to participate in drills at the combine.

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There's still 53 days until the NFL draft begins on April 27 in Philadelphia, but defensive end Myles Garrett might have solidified his status as the first overall selection with his performance at the Scouting Combine this weekend.

The 6-foot-4 1/2, 272-pound Texas A&M standout registered 33 reps in the bench press on Saturday, then ran the 40-yard dash Sunday in 4.64 seconds with a 1.63 10-yard split, and did a vertical jump of 41 inches. He also was measured with 35 1/4-inch arms.

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The New England Patriots reportedly offered their number 32 overall pick in this year's NFL Draft to New Orleans for wide receiver Brandin Cooks, but the Saints rejected the proposal.

The Saints felt the offer wasn't enough for the 23-year-old Cooks, sources told the New Orleans Times-Picayune. The proposal also included New Orleans sending a later-round pick to New England, according to the report.

The Times-Picayune reported at least five teams have made overtures toward the Cooks, who recorded at least 1,100 receiving yards and eight touchdowns each of the past two seasons.

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The Washington Redskins and head coach Jay Gruden agreed to a two-year contract extension through the 2020 season, according to multiple reports.

Gruden, who turned 50 on Saturday, had two years left on the five-year contract signed in January 2014. He led the team to back-to-back winning seasons for the first time since 1996-97.

Gruden has a regular-season record of 21-26-1 in three seasons with the Redskins, including winning the NFC East title in 2015. (Editing by Gene Cherry)

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