NFL news: Around the league in 32 plays
By Ben Almquist
Kansas City Chiefs: Chiefs cornerback Sean Smith was suspended by the NFL for three weeks due to his DUI arrest last year. The normal penalty is two games, but because there was damage to public property, the league tacked on another game. The Chiefs do not seem inclined to challenge this. The Chiefs will also be without Dontari Poe at least through Training Camp as he recovers from a July back surgery. Poe is expected back early in the season. The Chiefs also cut running back Cyrus Gray who had been a notable special teams player for the past couple of years.
Miami Dolphins: The Dolphins have cut and re-signed quarterback Josh Freeman. The purpose of the move was to put language into a new deal that protects the club in case of injury. Freeman has bounced around since losing the starting job in Tampa Bay. Rookie wide receiver DeVante Parker will start Training Camp on the PUP list, and is not expected to be back until the start of the season. He is still recovering from surgery.
The Vikings are investing quite a bit in the return of Adrian Peterson, but are also leaving themselves the option to cut ties after this year. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports
Minnesota Vikings: Adrian Peterson has been signed to a new contract. The new deal gives Peterson more money up front, but allows the Vikings to move on after this season. There were strong rumors earlier in the offseason that Minnesota was trying to shop Peterson to the Cowboys.
New England Patriots: The NFL has rejected any deal with Tom Brady in regards to his suspension. This means there are legal battles to come, with the NFLPA already taking up for Brady. In personnel moves, the Patriots added veteran cornerback Tarell Brown. Brown certainly doesn’t make up for the loss of either Brandon Browner or Darrelle Revis, but he helps…I guess. The Patriots also signed punter Ryan Allen to a three year extension, locking up both of their specialists for a few years.
New Orleans Saints: The Saints have finally released linebacker Junior Gallette. In a statement to the media, Sean Peyton specifically cited Gallette’s multiple off-the-field issues. This has been coming for a while, but it causes more problems for the Saints salary cap by creating even more dead money next year. The Saints also released defensive lineman Brodrick Bunkley for a failed physical. While that was the official reason given, I see this as a salary cap move. Bunkley gives them an additional $1 million in space this year and helps relieve $4 million against the cap in 2016.
- Chiefs’ take: We should definitely be kicking the tires on Bunkley, especially with the news about Dontari Poe. As I said, I’m not buying the “failed physical”. This move screams “cap casualty” to me. No different than trading Ben Grubbs or Jimmy Graham.
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