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 San Diego Chargers
Floyd, Malcom WR Malcom Floyd will join the team for workouts after receiving
medical clearance for the first time since a season-ending injury at
Philadelphia in 2013.
"There wasn't a day where I considered I wouldn't be able to come
back," Floyd told the Chargers' official website. "There were
definitely a number of tough times though ... There are a number of
players in this league, and in this locker room, who persevered
through tough injuries as well. They are guys who came back and
played their hearts out, so they are all inspirations to me."
Floyd, diagnosed with a spinal disc injury last September, was
cleared for light workouts in March.
He is owed $2.75 million in 2014 and could bring a needed secondary
receiver to Keenan Allen, who emerged as a rookie as a legitimate
lead receiver for quarterback Philip Rivers in the Chargers'
pro-style offense.
The 32-year-old said he has never been more excited to start a
season.
"I missed just being able to do what a normal human being does. But
now that I'm feeling normal, I feel myself getting into beast mode.
I'm ready for the season to start," he said.
New York Giants Freeman, Josh
QB Josh Freeman agreed to a one-year deal with the New York Giants.
The quarterback gives the team a second arm in offseason workouts,
joining second-year backup Ryan Nassib. Starter Eli Manning is out
for at least six weeks after undergoing ankle surgery.
A first-round pick of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Freeman would be
joining his third team in six months, which included a start for the
Minnesota Vikings against the Giants last season.
Freeman was claimed by the Vikings after his release from the
Buccaneers. He completed 20 of 53 passes for 190 yards with an
interception Oct. 21 against theGiants but did not play the rest of
the season.
When coach Leslie Frazier was fired at the end of the season,
Freeman wasn't extended a contract offer as an unrestricted free
agent.
The Vikings held exclusive rights to negotiate with Freeman until
March 8.
New York Jets Johnson, Chris
RB Chris Johnson signed a two-year deal with the New York Jets.
Johnson, 28, was released by the Tennessee Titans after six
1,000-yard seasons in Nashville.
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The Jets envision Johnson as a big-play threat to pair with Chris
Ivory when the offense slows to coach Rex Ryan's preferred "ground
and pound" approach of relying on power running to move the chains
and wear down opponents.
The Denver Broncos and Dallas Cowboys were reportedly interested in
signing Johnson, but he would have come in as part of a timeshare
arrangement at running back.
Johnson signed a four-year, $53 million contract with the Titans in
2011 that included a base salary of $8 million for the 2014 season.
New coach Ken Whisenhunt and general manager Ruston Webster made it
clear Johnson was not part of the long-term plans. Attempts to trade
Johnson for draft pick compensation didn't materialize.
Johnson might not be the same player he was in 2009, when he rushed
for more than 2,000 yards, but he carried the ball 279 times in 2013
and could flourish as part of a rotation. With the Jets, Ivory and
Bilal Powell figure into the workload.
Johnson is also a solid short-range receiver with an average of 45
catches in Tennessee. That reliable outlet makes him the ideal
check-down read for second-year quarterback Geno Smith, competing
with Michael Vick to start for the Jets in 2014.
After agreeing to terms, Johnson said, "I have a fresh start. Now I
am going to go out there with a chip on my shoulder. I am very
excited about that. It's a team on the rise and I want to make them
better. ... I still have it."
"I think I'm going to fit in pretty well.
Johnson acknowledged that some have doubts about how much he has
left, but he said, "I know a lot of people are doubting me. I want
to prove everybody wrong who has doubts in me."
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