Ice Bucket Challenge: Eli Manning
Manning accepts the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge from Abby and Steve Ross, who has ALS. Abby:
I just think it’s so great, that through his challenge that people are starting to realize how horrible ALS is.
Steve:
It’s important to beat this disease
Manning:
Steve, I’m doing this for you.
Ice Bucket Challenge: Denver Broncos
The team accepts the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge and donates money to the local Denver ALS office. The players that accept the challenge are: Peyton Manning, Demarcus Ware, and Von Miller.
Reconsiders combine drills
During the offseason, the NFL will consider tweaking its timing and testing drills at the scouting combine. The NFL has used a standard set of drills at its scouting combine for several decades. The NFL’s Matt Birk:
That’s a project we’ll be working on this offseason. Once we look at the data that was gathered in-game this year, it may be important to know how fast a wide receiver or defensive back can go 60 yards. Maybe for an offensive lineman it’s only 20 yards. We can actually see that in-game: How far are these guys running? What are the real or improved measures of importance and value as it relates to evaluating players and whether or not they should be drafted in the first round or the sixth round? We run the 40-yard dash in Indianapolis. Why? The only reason anyone can ever give you is, that’s how it’s always been done.
New Orleans Saints coach Payton:
I think we’re in the midst of seeing some of these measurables change. I know we are. We’re going to look at position-specific and be willing to start with a certain year and build from that point forward. There’s been a ton of studies being done now on your bone length as it pertains to your chances of playing a receiver position, chances of playing a defensive back position. How is your chassis basically made up of? Now when you’re actually putting it to movements other than a cone drill, I think that’s in the long term going to show up in a player evaluation. I think you’ll gradually see position-specific change where it won’t be just one whole new set of drills. It will gradually phase itself in as we know more and more what we’re looking for for an offensive lineman, compared to a running back.
Announces retirement
Jones-Drew announces his retirement from the NFL via Twitter.
All good things come to an end!!! pic.twitter.com/zl6EJQ5SAE
— Maurice Jones-Drew (@MJD) March 5, 2015
Signs two-year deal
The Chargers sign Jones to a two-year deal worth up to $5.5 million. Although he dropped five passes and muffed two punts last season, he ranked in the top ten in both kickoff and punt returns.
Jacoby Jones’ new 2-year deal with the #Chargers is worth up to $5.5M, source says.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 6, 2015
Signs five-year deal
Hudson signs five-year, $44.5 million contract with the Raiders. The deal makes Hudson the NFL’s highest-paid center.
Re-signs
McCourty re-signs with the Patriots. The deal is for five years and $47.5 million, with $28.5 million guaranteed.
I’m blessed to say we had other teams that were interested, but I said all along that I knew in my heart that I wanted to be back in New England. But I also knew the business side of football, and I had to do what I had to do. I’m back, but I’d be lying if I said there wasn’t possibilities over the last two days that I was going to be somewhere else. I’m happy it all worked out.
Announces departure from team
In a blog post, Smith announces that he will not be playing for the Ravens in 2015.
Although I may no longer be a member of the Baltimore Ravens, at heart, I will always be a Raven. What we accomplished together is timeless…This isn’t a goodbye because I will still be around, and Baltimore will continue to be my home in the offseason and when my career is done. I’m on to the next chapter of my life and football career, but I will see you guys later…I literally dreamed of playing for the Baltimore Ravens, not just because it is a great organization with an amazing fan base, but because of the foundation of the team and the principles that the men who run it stand by and for.
Retires after eight seasons
After eight seasons with the 49ers, Willis retires from the NFL.
In my head, I’m already a Hall of Famer. I am leaving this with closure, saying that I am happy today, more happy today than I was the day I was drafted. That says something to me…I have no regrets. I’ve had the most amazing eight years of football of my life. I am so humbled to have had this opportunity. I’ve been so humbled to have played this game…I would love nothing more than to be able to lace up them cleats and not worry, ‘Are my feet going to be all right today just to practice so I don’t look old at 30?’
Trade
The Texans trade Fitzpatrick to the Jets for a conditional seventh-round draft pick that can become a sixth-round pick depending on how much playing time Fitzpatrick gets with the Jets.
Trade
The Eagles trade Foles to the Rams in exchange for Bradford. From the Eagles, the Rams also get a couple of draft picks: a 2015 fourth-round pick and a 2016 second-round pick. The Eagles receive St. Louis’s 2015 fifth-round draft pick. Depending on how much Bradford plays, the Eagles may also pick up a conditional 2016 pick: if Bradford plays less than fifty percent, the Eagles will get a fourth-round pick; if he does not play at all, it becomes a third-rounder; if Bradford takes more than fifty percent of snaps, the Eagles will not receive the pick.
Signs five-year, $70m deal
The Jets sign Revis to a five-year deal worth $70 million. The money is guaranteed during the first two years: $16 million and $17 million, respectively. In 2017, $6 million of Revis’s $17 million salary is guaranteed. The deal came about after the Patriots declined to exercise Revis’s $20 million option for 2015.
I want to thank the Pats and Pats Nation for an unbelievable year. NEW YORK I’m coming home.
Agrees to one-year extension
The Giants announce that Coughlin has agreed to a one-year extension of his contract. This deal was done because the Giants have a policy of not letting their coaches operate with only one year left on their contracts.
Released
The Jaguars release Bryant two days before he was to be paid a $500,000 roster bonus. In his only season playing for the Jaguars, Bryant started 16 games, where he had 22 tackles, one sack, and one forced fumble.
Re-signed
The Jets re-sign Colon to a one-year deal worth $870,000.
I am so happy to be back wearing the Green&White. Thank you to all who prayed for me and my family.
Superbowl seat judgement
A federal jury orders the NFL to pay about $76,000 to some of the seven fans who sued over the seating issue at the 2011 Super Bowl. The jury says the NFL breached its contract with some ticket holders, but the NFL did not commit fraud. The plaintiffs complained that they had tickets to the game, but they either ended up without seats or they had seats with obstructed views. Hours before kickoff, around 1,250 temporary seats were declared unsafe, forcing about 850 ticket holders to move to new seats and 400 others to standing-room areas. The NFL says it fully compensated these displaced attendees.
Signs three-year deal
The Bears sign Rolle to a three-year, $11.25 million deal. $5 million is guaranteed.
It’s official…. Today was a long, painful, and exhausting day! But in the end we both get what we want…… A Team that wants to win and a player that would give them everything he got to win! Thank you to the Chicago Organization for making this day possible once again.
Signs three-year deal
The Bears sign Royal to a three-year contract. Financial terms are not disclosed.
Check out highlights of the #Bears newest wide receiver Eddie Royal.
WATCH: http://t.co/Zehu8VDqvW pic.twitter.com/JjNoBfrtkR
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) March 12, 2015
Signs four-year deal
The Redskins sign Culliver to a four-year, $32 million deal. Culliver’s coverage grade for the 2014 season ranked fifth-best among cornerbacks. He allowed one catch per 13.3 coverage snaps, which ranks him sixth among cornerbacks.
Signs two-year deal
The Cowboys sign McFadden to a two-year, $5.85 million deal that includes a $200,000 bonus. In seven seasons, he has run for 4,247 yards on 1,038 carries and 25 touchdowns; he has also caught 211 passes for 1,769 yards and five touchdowns.