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 "This whole thing has been very disturbing," Kraft told Sports
Illustrated. "I'm still thinking things out very carefully. But when
you work for something your whole life I just get really worked up.
To receive the harshest penalty in league history is just not fair.
The anger and frustration with this process, to me, it wasn't fair.
"If we're giving all the power to the NFL and the office of the
commissioner, this is something that can happen to all 32 teams. We
need to have fair and balanced investigating and reporting. But in
this report, every inference went against us ... inferences from
ambiguous, circumstantial evidence all went against us. That's the
thing that really bothers me."
Kraft, one of the league's most influential owners, and his peers
travel to San Francisco for the NFL owner's meetings Tuesday and
Wednesday. It will be the first contact between Kraft, whose team
was punished last week after investigator Ted Wells completed his
investigation into the Patriots' decreasing pressure of game-used
footballs, and commissioner Roger Goodell.
Instead of league business ranging from extra points to the
perceived three-team race to Los Angeles involving the Chargers,
Raiders and Rams, breaking rules is again the dominant offseason
headline at the NFL meetings.
Goodell works for the 32 owners and described Kraft as a friend and
confidant in the past.
- - -
The Miami Dolphins signed quarterback Ryan Tannehill to a contract
extension through the 2020 season.
The six-year extension is worth $96 million, which includes a
guaranteed $45 million, the Miami Herald reported.
Since joining the Dolphins, Tannehill has started 48 games and has
thrown for 11,252 yards, 63 touchdowns and 42 interceptions.
He was part of a solid quarterback class that was part of the 2012
draft. Andrew Luck, Russell Wilson, Robert Griffin III and Nick
Foles were taken early, but Tannehill is the first to sign an
extension.
- - -
San Francisco 49ers defensive end Justin Smith, a five-time Pro Bowl
selection, announced his retirement from the NFL after 14 seasons.
Smith joined the 49ers as a free agent in 2008. He was the fourth
overall pick in the 2001 NFL Draft.
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Smith started 217 games, including a streak of 185 consecutive
starts from his rookie season through December of 2012. He was twice
voted 49ers MVP by teammates.
He finished his career with 1,370 tackles, 87 sacks, 16 forced
fumbles, 10 fumble recoveries and three interceptions.
- - -
Seattle defensive tackle Jesse Williams has been diagnosed with
cancer and will undergo kidney surgery.
The 24-year-old native of Australia who played college football at
Alabama and was Seattle's fifth-round pick in 2013 was diagnosed
with papillary Type 2 cancer.
"Although disappointing, I am a fighter and will handle this,"
Williams said via a statement released by the Seahawks.
- - -
The Cleveland Browns signed two draft picks, wide receiver Vince
Mayle and linebacker Hayes Pullard.
The Browns also parted ways with player personnel associate Jon
Sandusky, the son of convicted child molester Jerry Sandusky who was
a Penn State assistant coach.
- - -
The Arizona Cardinals signed running back David Johnson, their
third-round pick in this year's draft, to a four-year contract.
(Editing by Gene Cherry)
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