Coaching update: Source: Reggie Barlow to coach XFL’s San Antonio franchise
Former Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver and Virginia State coach Reggie Barlow has been hire to coach the XFL’s San Antonio franchise, according to a source not authorized to speak publicly.
He led the NFL in punt return yards with 555 yards on 43 returns in 1998. He still ranks among the Jaguars’ career leaders for most punt returns (79), most punt return yards (967), and average per return (12.2).
He went 34-16 at Virginia State, including a 10-1 year in 2017 and winning a CIAA title. He has also coached at Alabama State, going 49-42.
Barlow was selected in the fourth round of the Jaguars and also played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Raiders.
Barlow finished with 39 career receptions for 522 yards and one touchdown. Barlow returned 80 career kickoffs for 1,855 yards and 1 touchdown, and 158 punts for 1,639 yards and 2 touchdowns.
NFL News and Rumors: Jaguars signed Brandon Murphy
The Jacksonville Jaguars have signed offensive lineman Brandon Murphy. Murphy worked extensively with HUB Football offensive line coach and former NFL player Eugene Chung, including drill work and film sessions in advance of his successful tryout.
Murphy (6-foot-6, 330 pounds) played in the Spring League. He played football at Memphis after playing basketball at Indiana State where he averaged 7.6 points and 5.0 rebounds as a senior.
NFL News and Rumors: Giants cut Riley Dixon
The New York Giants cut punter Riley Dixon and created $2.8 million in salary cap space.
Dixon has been the punter for the past four seasons. He had a 45.2 gross average and a 40.6 net average for the Giants. He placed 101 kicks inside the 20-yard line and had three punts blocked. Dixon had a 44.4 gross average and a 39.5 net average.
Dixon was acquired by the Giants from the Denver Broncos in a trade for a conditional seventh-round draft choice in 2019.
The Giants recently signed punter Jamie Gillan, who had a 40.0-yard net average the previous three seasons with the Cleveland Browns. He is nicknamed the Scottish Hammer for the country of his birth and his strong leg.
NFL News and Rumors: Jets re-sign Lamarcus Joyner
The New York Jets are re-signing safety Lamarcus Joyner to a one-year contract, per his agent, Sunny Shah.
Joyner signed a one-year contract last year but was placed on injured reserve with an elbow injury. He was signed to a four-year, $42 million contract with the Raiders in 2019.
Joyner is a former Rams’ second-round draft pick. Joyner has 421 career tackles and four interceptions.
NFL News and Rumors: Raiders cutting Cory Littleton
The Las Vegas Raiders are cutting veteran linebacker Cory Littleton. Signed to a three-year, $35.25 million contract, Littleton’s release creates $1 million in savings and $14 million in dead money. His contract was reworked several times.
Littleton played 57 percent of the defensive snaps last season after appearing in 90 percent in 2020. The Raiders signed K.J. Wright and Denzel Perryman at linebacker as well.
Former Vikings first-round pick Jeff Gladney acquitted of felony assault charge
Former Minnesota Vikings cornerback Jeff Gladney has been acquitted by a jury in Dallas, Texas on a felony charge of assault. A jury deliberated for less than two hours before unanimously rendering a not guilty verdict.
Gladney’s agents issue a statement
Brian E. Overstreet and Rodney Williams, Gladney’s agents at Houston-based United Sports Group, issued the following statement:
“First and foremost, this has had a real impact on Jeff Gladney as a person. These situations have very real consequences for the young men involved. This has been a challenging time for Jeff mentally, spiritually and athletically. So, we applaud Jeff for having the courage to stand and fight for his freedom versus these false allegations. We further hope this will encourage other athletes in the future who have been falsely accused, blackmailed or persuaded to provide hush money to make these type of situations go away, to now take a stand and defend themselves as well. As I stated previously at the beginning of this case, we have always believed in Jeff Gladney’s innocence. We sincerely thank and appreciate the jurors of Dallas County for their open minds, service and taking their time to see justice instead of a professional athlete. We thank Jeff’s lawyers, former Judge Morris L. Overstreet and Ezekiel Tyson.
“Unfortunately, Jeff has lost a year of his career. We sincerely hope that the NFL will take a page from the criminal justice system going forward and truly believe these guys are innocent until proven guilty. Today, Jeff is in a good place and we look forward to engaging with NFL teams about furthering his career at the appropriate time. Out of respect for the process, we will have no further comments at this time.”
Initial indictment in April 2021
The former first-round draft pick and TCU football standout was indicted by a grand jury last year and released by the Vikings after allegations that he choked, punched, and shoved a woman during an incident in April of 2021.
At the time, Overstreet released the following statement:
“It’s a good thing that innocent until proven guilty still exists in this country. Unfortunately, the Vikings don’t view it the same way. Today, Jeff was indicted which is simply a normal step in the judicial process. It means the case is going to trial and nothing more. It does not speak to his guilt or innocence. We received information that the complaining witness in this case came forward and requested the case not be prosecuted.
“The Vikings did what they thought was best for their organization which we respect, but we still strongly believe in Jeff Gladney’s innocence. We look forward to his day in court so that he can clear his name. At this time, out of respect for the legal process and all parties involved, Jeff and his representatives will have no further comments.”
NFL News: Washington Commanders’ Daniel Snyder and Tonya Snyder donate $300,000 in support of Ukrainian crisis relief efforts.
Washington Commanders CEOs and owner Daniel Snyder and his wife, Tonya Snyder, donated $300,000 to four nonprofit organizations, including the USO, in support of Ukrainian crisis relief efforts.
“As we watch the events unfold in Ukraine, it is important to us to continue supporting response efforts in as many ways as possible,” the Snyders said in a statement. “Today we partnered with USO to pack 4,000 Care Packages which include essential goods troops receive as they begin their deployment overseas. We hope that these USO Care Packages bring much needed support and encouragement to the brave soldiers who are risking their lives to help those in need.”
The USO held a special event Thursday in support of US troops in Eastern Europe.
The Commanders and USO staff teamed up to pack 4,000 care packages of more than 24,000 items for troops deployed to Eastern Europe.
That included combs, razors, shaving cream, toothbrushes and toothpaste, as well as team merchandise and snacks. The donations support:
- USO Support our Troops, which has mobilized to support service members who have been deployed to Ukraine and the surrounding areas as well as their families, through care packages, USO2GO, and boxed snack programs.
- DC-based World Central Kitchen, which is providing nourishing, hot meals through distribution points across six countries to refugees, in addition to partnering with local restaurants in Ukraine to support local needs for those who are staying in their cities.
- International Rescue Committee, which is working to rush critical aid and direct support to displaced families through locally-based organizations.
- Save the Children, which is working with Ukraine’s most at-risk population, children, to address physical harm, severe emotional distress and mass displacement by coordinating efforts to provide immediate aid, supplies, psychosocial support and cash assistance.
NFL News and Rumors: Giants restructure Sterling Shepard’s contract
The New York Giants have restructured veteran wide receiver Sterling Shepard’s contract and he returns for his seventh NFL season. Shepard has 3,518 receiving yards for his career with 20 touchdowns.
He was due $12.49 million and has now accepted a cut to his $8.475 million salary and the final year of his contract has been erased.
The former second-round draft pick caught 36 passes for 366 yards and a touchdown in seven games after tearing his Achilles. He could be back by training camp.
NFL News and Rumors: Jets re-signing Will Parks
The New York Jets are re-signing safety Will Parks. Parks played in three games with two starts last season and had 9 tackles. For his career, Parks has 189 tackles, four interceptions, and eight tackles for losses. Parks has also played for the Denver Broncos, Philadelphia Eagles, and Miami Dolphins.
49ers signed quarterback Nate Sudfeld
The San Francisco 49ers signed quarterback Nate Sudfeld. Sudfeld is a former Washington sixth-round draft pick from Indiana. With the Philadelphia Eagles, he played in four games and completed 25 of 37 passes for 188 yards and a touchdown.
In college, Sudfeld finished his career as the school’s all-time leader in passing touchdowns (61), passing yards (7,879), 350-yard games (six), 300-yard games (11), 4-touchdown games (five), and 3-touchdown games (10). He also ranked second in school history in completion percentage (60.3) and completions (593) while ranking fourth in attempts (983).
Texans sign Carson Green
The Texans signed offensive tackle Carson Green. Green was on the Texans’ practice squad last season after going undrafted. He is a former undrafted free agent from Texas A&M who played in 48 games for the Aggies.
Green started 40 career games, primarily playing right tackle. He was a second-team All-Southeastern Conference selection as a senior and was invited to the Senior Bowl all-star game.
NFL News and Rumors: Titans cut Darryton Evans
The Tennessee Titans have been busy with roster cuts Thursday. In addition to releasing offensive linemen Rodger Saffold and Kendall Lamm, the AFC South franchise also released running back Darrynton Evans.
Evans is a former Titans third-round draft pick. He had a lot of injuries over the past two seasons, appearing in only six games. Evans rushed for 61 yards on 16 carries and caught 4 passes for 38 yards and a touchdown.
Commanders cutting Landon Collins
The Washington Commanders are cutting veteran safety Landon Collins after an attempt to restructure his contract was unsuccessful, according to a league source. The move creates $6.5 million in salary cap space after the Commanders traded for quarterback Carson Wentz.
Collins was due an $11.5 million base salary in 2022 under his six-year, $84 million contract that included $45 million guaranteed. He played in 13 games last season and had 81 tackles, 3 sacks, 2 interceptions, 1 forced fumble, 2 fumble recoveries, and 2 pass deflections.
Titans extend Morgan Cox
The Tennessee Titans have agreed to terms on a one-year contract extension with four-time Pro Bowl long snapper Morgan Cox.
Cox played for the Baltimore Ravens for 11 seasons. He is a former undrafted free agent from Tennessee who walked on and earned a scholarship and was an academic All-Southeastern Conference selection.
Titans cutting Rodger Saffold
The Tennessee Titans are cutting veteran Pro Bowl offensive guard Rodger Saffold, according to a league source.
Saffold, 33, was entering the final year of a four-year, $44 million contract and was due a $1 million roster bonus. The Titans, who also cut offensive tackle Kendall Lamm, are creating salary cap space to account for a blockbuster deal for defensive end Harold Landry III.
Saffold is a former Rams second-round draft pick from Indiana. The former second-team All-Pro has started 157 of 160 career games played, including 15 starts last season for the Titans.
Bills bring back WR Jake Kumerow
The Buffalo Bills are re-signing wide receiver Jake Kumerow to a one-year contract, per a league source. The 30-year-old is a former Wisconsin-Whitewater and Illinois player who has also played for the New England Patriots, Green Bay Packers, and New Orleans Saints.
Kumerow (6-foot-4, 209 pounds) has 23 career receptions for 372 yards and 3 touchdowns. He caught two passes for 28 yards in 15 games and two starts last season. The Bills signed Kumerow, a native of Bartlett, Illinois, to a reserve/futures deal last year and now he’s back for another season with the AFC East champions.
Raiders restructure Kolton Miller, Kenyan Drake deals
The Las Vegas Raiders restructured the contracts of left offensive tackle Kolton Miller and running back Kenyan Drake to create $14.525 million in salary cap space, according to a league source. Miller is being paid $18 million annually.
Drake signed with the Raiders last year on a two-year, $11 million deal. He rushed for 254 yards and averaged 4.3 yards per carry — adding 29 receptions for 283 yards and one touchdown catch — before breaking his ankle in December.
The Raiders are working on a contract extension for defensive end Maxx Crosby and are also expected to be active in free agency. They have $34 million in salary cap space.
Titans cutting Kendall Lamm
The Tennessee Titans are cutting veteran offensive tackle Kendall Lamm, according to a league source not authorized to speak publicly.
A former undrafted free agent from Appalachian State who has also started for the Houston Texans and Cleveland Browns, Lamm has started 28 of 86 career games.
Lamm signed a two-year contract last season and was scheduled to make $3.3 million this season. Now, Lamm heads to free agency.
Stay up to date with free agency
As the league transitions into free agency, there will be plenty of news and rumors from around the NFL regarding your favorite team. That includes chatter about players who will be on the move (or not) in free agency. Stay updated and keep track of Pro Football Network’s Top 75 Free Agent Rankings to better understand the free agent market.
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