National Football League roundup

[February 18, 2015]  Feb 17 (The Sports Xchange) - Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota, No. 5 in the NFLDraftScout.com top 64, could pull a minor surprise this weekend at the Scouting Combine by participating in on-field throwing drills.

Mariota is the second-ranked quarterback in the 2015 draft behind Florida State's Jameis Winston. He was not expected to participate -- and it would still be a mild upset if he chooses to throw Saturday at Lucas Oil Stadium -- because of a shoulder injury suffered five weeks ago against Ohio State in the Ducks' loss in the national title game.

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Philadelphia Eagles safety Nate Allen spent more than five hours Monday night in a holding cell at the Fort Myers (Fla.) Police Department after being accused of performing a lewd act at a red light.

Allen, who went to high school in Fort Myers, said he didn't even find out until around 9:30 p.m. why he was pulled over and detained.

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Much of the talk of the Dallas Cowboys offseason has focused on what the team will do with wide receiver Dez Bryant and running back DeMarco Murray. Both players are impending free agents.

The Dallas Morning News reported Tuesday that Stephen Jones, executive vice president, will meet with Murray's representative this week. Whether Jones will meet with Tom Condon, one of Bryant's agents remains uncertain.

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The NFL Players Association has filed a grievance against the Cleveland Browns for imposing a one-game suspension on troubled wide receiver Josh Gordon.

Gordon was suspended for the final game of the 2014 season for missing a special teams meeting. The suspension delays his ability to become a free agent. The NFLPA, according to ESPN, will argue that missing that meeting should not have resulted in a one-game suspension.

If he wins the grievance, Gordon will receive credit for playing in six games in 2014 and be eligible for free agency after the 2016 season. If his grievance is denied, he will not be a free agent until after the 2017 season.

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The Kansas City Chiefs on Tuesday waived wide receivers Donnie Avery and A.J. Jenkins.

Avery, who signed a three-year, $8.55 million contract before the 2013 season, compiled 772 yards and two touchdowns on 55 receptions last season.

Jenkins, who was acquired before the 2013 season from the San Francisco 49ers, saw action in only nine games last year and had nine receptions before a shoulder injury curtailed his season.

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Safety Thomas DeCoud was released by the Carolina Panthers on Tuesday.

The move saved the team $1.9 million against the 2015 salary cap.

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Indianapolis Colts running back Ahmad Bradshaw pleaded not guilty to two counts of drug possession in an Ohio court on Tuesday.

Bradshaw was stopped Thursday and charged with following too closely behind another vehicle. He could have paid the citation without appearing in court and entering a plea. A pretrial hearing is scheduled for Feb. 25.

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Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Doug Baldwin has apologized for his crude Super Bowl touchdown celebration. He also revealed the celebration was directed at New England Patriots cornerback Darrelle Revis.

After a 3-yard touchdown pass in the third quarter to give the Seahawks a 24-14 lead, Baldwin dropped the ball, squatted and appeared to simulate sitting over a toilet. (Editing by Andrew Both)

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