|
 "I'm still trying to take some time to evaluate some things,"
Manning said after receiving the Bart Starr Award in Phoenix. "I'm
not interested in making this a lingering thing. I'd like to make a
decision soon."
Manning said he has met and had dinner with new Broncos coach Gary
Kubiak and will make his decision based on a number of issues,
especially whether he can "help the team" win.
Manning, who turns 39 in March, had multiple neck surgeries before
joining the Broncos three seasons ago. He has been checked every
year to ensure that his neck can still withstand the hits.
The Broncos have requested that Manning let them know his plans by
March 9 -- the day before teams must exercise their rights on
veteran players under contract. He is due $19 million next season.
- - -
The Green Bay Packers fired special-teams coordinator Shawn Slocum
on Friday.
Slocum's units played a big role in the Packers' 28-22 overtime loss
to the Seattle Seahawks in the NFC Championship Game on Jan. 18.
 The Seahawks fooled the Packers with a fake field goal in the third
quarter, with punter/holder Jon Ryan throwing a 19-yard touchdown
pass to Garry Gilliam.
After the Seahawks cut the Packers' lead to 19-14 with 2:09 left in
regulation, Green Bay was unable to corral an onside kick, and the
Seahawks quickly converted that recovery into the go-ahead
touchdown.
Slocum had been with the Packers since 2006.
- - -
The Tennessee Titans fired vice president of player personnel Lake
Dawson on Friday, and general manager Ruston Webster said they will
not replace him.
Webster said director of college scouting Blake Beddingfield and pro
scouting coordinator Brian Gardner will report directly to him.
- - -
Arizona Cardinals president Michael Bidwill said he is confident the
team will be able to work out a deal that keeps wide receiver Larry
Fitzgerald on the roster.
[to top of second column] |
"We want to see Larry retire as an Arizona Cardinal several years
from now -- it's not going to anytime happen soon, 'cause he's still
a great player on the field," Bidwill told NFL Network. "I believe
this is where he wants to be. It's where we want him."
- - -
Jacksonville Jaguars owner Shad Khan said he would welcome back
troubled wide receiver Justin Blackmon once he is reinstated by the
NFL.
Blackmon has been on an indefinite suspension since Nov. 1, 2013,
due to repeated violations of the NFL's substance-abuse policy.
- - -
The Chicago Bears reached an agreement with Mike Groh on Friday,
extending his contract to remain as the wide receivers coach.
Groh was the team's receivers coach the past two seasons under
former coach Marc Trestman.
- - -
Cincinnati Bengals defensive tackle Devon Still and his 4-year-old
daughter, Leah, who has been battling Stage 4 pediatric cancer, are
releasing an animated book called "I Am Leah Strong" that will be
available online next month.
The book intends to teach other children about the importance of
staying strong in their own fight.
- - - (Editing by Gene Cherry)
[© 2015 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.]
Copyright 2015 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published,
broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
 |
