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NFL notebook: Rams land top free agent Suh

[March 27, 2018] Ndamukong Suh, considered by many the top free agent left on the NFL market, officially has a new home.

The Los Angeles Rams announced Monday they have signed the feared defensive tackle to a one-year deal. The contract will be worth $14 million, according to multiple reports, about $5 million less than what he made annually with the Miami Dolphins, who released him two weeks ago.

"We are excited to have Ndamukong as a part of the Los Angeles Rams," general manager Les Snead said in a statement the Rams released. "He's been an outstanding player in this league and we are looking forward to him being a part of our defense."

The No. 2 overall pick of the 2010 draft by the Detroit Lions, Suh has been dominant at times, recording 51.5 sacks -- including 10 his rookie year -- across eight seasons and never missing a game due to injury. He's also been selected to five Pro Bowls.

--New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. is vowing to hold out if he doesn't receive a new contract before the season begins, according to a report by the NFL Network.

Beckham, 25, is entering the final year of his rookie deal, the fifth-year option worth $8.5 million. He is involved in ongoing talks about a contract extension with the Giants, and team co-owner John Mara had said previously he wanted Beckham to be a Giant for life. But first the team has to work on getting him onto the field in 2018.

"WR Odell Beckham Jr will not set foot on a field without a new contract extension agreed to -- with the #Giants or any team," a tweet by NFL Network reporter Ian Rapoport read in part.

--Philadelphia Eagles defensive end Michael Bennett surrendered to Houston police and appeared before a judge on a felony injury of the elderly charge.

Bail was set at $10,000 for Bennett, who is represented by Rusty Hardin. Bennett was also ordered to have no contact with the woman he is accused of injuring.

According to the Harris County district attorney's statement, Bennett injured a 66-year-old paraplegic woman while trying to push his way on to the field from the stands on Feb. 5, 2017 in Houston. Bennett was at the game as a spectator watching his brother Martellus play for the New England Patriots against the Atlanta Falcons in the Super Bowl.

--The Washington Redskins announced the signing of veteran linebacker Pernell McPhee. Terms were not disclosed.

McPhee was released by the Chicago Bears last month. He was slated to make $7.2 million prior to the transaction. The 29-year-old McPhee had 90 tackles and 14 sacks over his three seasons with the Bears. He had 21 tackles and four sacks in 13 games (five starts) last season.

The signing of McPhee comes one day after the Redskins stated they wouldn't be re-singing linebacker Junior Galette.

--The Oakland Raiders brought in high-priced linebacker Tahir Whitehead earlier this month, but that doesn't rule out a possible return for free-agent linebacker NaVorro Bowman.

General manager Reggie McKenzie told reporters he would like to re-sign the 29-year-old Bowman, who has yet to draw interest elsewhere on the market.

McKenzie told reporters the team prefers to have Whitehead, who signed a three-year, $18 million deal in the first week of free agency, at outside linebacker, even though he can play all three positions. That would leave a spot in the middle for Bowman, who started 10 games there for the Raiders last season after being released midseason by the San Francisco 49ers.

--For Jordy Nelson, his departure from the Green Bay Packers was very much a decision based on numbers, but maybe not entirely the ones preceded by a dollar sign.

The Packers and the 33-year-old Nelson parted ways after 10 seasons on March 13, and two days later the wide receiver signed with the Raiders for two years and $14.2 million. The Packers did offer Nelson a pay cut, but according to a report by ESPN, it is was what general manager Brian Gutekunst said while offering less money that cemented Nelson's decision.

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"I think the number was part of it, but also the conversation I had in the meeting," Nelson told the Wilde & Tausch Show on ESPN Radio. "I met with Brian and had a discussion because I had to get a feel for not just the pay cut but what their plans were going forward. After that meeting, there wasn't, I don't think, much desire there. I think with the combination of both, we decided what was best for myself and my family as they decided what was best for them and the Packers."

--The Pittsburgh Steelers will take LSU running back Derrius Guice to dinner before his pro day next week, according to reports.

The news came one day after Pittsburgh general manager Kevin Colbert said the team was putting negotiations with star running back Le'Veon Bell on hold while it addresses free agency and the 2018 NFL Draft.

Guice would be an intriguing prospect for the Steelers, who hold the 28th overall pick in next month's draft. In three years at LSU, Guice had 503 offensive touches for 3,324 yards (6.6-yard average) and 32 scores. Penn State's Saquon Barkley, presumed to be first running back selected this year, had 773 touches for 5,038 (6.5 avg) and 51 scores over the same span.

--Johnny Manziel will throw at Texas A&M's pro day in hopes of earning one last chance at proving himself in the NFL, FOX Sports' Bruce Feldman reported. The former Aggies star told Feldman earlier this month that he knows his past mistakes hurt his chances going forward.

"When I first got in the league, did I have some leeway? Sure I did, but I have exhausted all leeway and all second chances," Manziel said. "This isn't the second chance. This is the 35th chance. This is the last of the last chances to show people that I've made a drastic change in my life, and it's for the better and I'm happy with where I'm at."

Manziel will throw to Texas A&M receivers Tuesday, including draft hopeful Christian Kirk. The 2012 Heisman Trophy winner threw in front of scouts from 12 NFL teams on Thursday during the University of San Diego's pro day.

--Free-agent offensive tackle Cameron Fleming signed a one-year deal with the Dallas Cowboys. Multiple reports said the deal is worth up to $3.5 million.

Fleming could play right tackle in Dallas with the Cowboys sliding La'El Collins back inside to left guard, but vice president Stephen Jones said the signing took place with competition in mind.

Fleming, 25, is from Fort Hood, Texas, and spent the first four years of his career with the New England Patriots. Fleming considered returning to New England but opted for a one-year deal with the Cowboys eight days after initially visiting the team's Frisco headquarters. Dallas also re-signed Joe Looney, who plays center and guard.

--Special teams captain Michael Thomas bolted Miami to sign a two-year deal with the New York Giants.

Thomas, who started 25 games in five seasons with the Dolphins, is primarily a special teams player but can also play safety and nickel cornerback. He joins former Dolphins secondary coach Lou Anarumo with the Giants.

Thomas, 28, leads the NFL in total special teams tackles the past four seasons.

--Former Tennessee Titans All-Pro wide receiver/kick returner Derrick Mason was indicted Friday on a misdemeanor domestic assault charge.

According to the Tennessean, Mason, 44, was arrested in October after allegedly attacking a woman he had been dating. He was originally charged with felony aggravated assault involving strangulation, according to the report.

The change in charges reportedly stems from the accuser making contradicting statements from the time of the arrest to a preliminary hearing in late December. Mason is out on bond.

--Field Level Media

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