Broncos court ex-Chiefs’ Charles
Could boost Broncos’ running game, which finished 27th in NFL
Jamaal Charles is scheduled to visit with the Denver Broncos on Tuesday. If his surgically repaired right knee checks out, one of the greatest players in the Kansas City Chiefs’ history could be joining their fierce divisional rival.
“He’s had a great career with some setbacks due to injury, so we’ll see where he is,” GM John Elway told KOA-News Radio in Denver.
Charles ran for 7,260 yards and 43 touchdowns in nine seasons with the Chiefs, finishing as the franchise’s career rushing leader. He also had 20 touchdown catches. But a career that looked as if it would land Charles in the Hall of Fame was derailed the last few years by injuries that cut short several seasons in his prime.
The Chiefs cut the four-time Pro Bowl running back over the winter to clear more than $6 million in salary cap space so they could focus on solidifying their O-line and keep the heart and soul of their defence — All-Pro safety Eric Berry.
The Broncos finished 27th in the league in rushing, a big reason they failed to make the playoffs a year after winning the Super Bowl.
Pentagon: Academy athletes must serve
The U.S. Defence Department has rescinded its 2016 policy allowing military service academy athletes to go straight to the pros upon graduation.
Athletes such as Air Force wide receiver Jalen Robinette, the NCAA’s leader in yards per catch in 2016, will have to serve two years of active duty before applying for reserve status to pursue a career in professional sports.
“Our military academies exist to develop future officers who enhance the readiness and the lethality of our military services. Graduates enjoy the extraordinary benefit of a military academy education at taxpayer expense. Therefore, upon graduation, officers will serve as military officers for their minimum commitment of two years,” Pentagon chief spokesman Dana W. White said Monday in a statement.
White added that the Defence Department “has a long history of officer athletes who served their nation before going to the pros including Roger Staubach, Chad Hennings and David Robinson.”
Robinette, who is on track to graduate later this month, was expected to be a mid-round selection in last weekend’s NFL draft but he wasn’t chosen after Air Force Academy officials were told Thursday night that the Air Force wouldn’t allow him to go straight to the NFL.
Robinette was the only NFL draft prospect from the service academies this year.
Bills interested in Beane for GM job
The Buffalo Bills signed veteran free agent cornerback Shareece Wright on Monday, and also began their search to replace Doug Whaley, a day after the general manager was fired.
A person familiar with the search process confirmed to The Associated Press that the Bills have sought the Carolina Panthers’ permission to interview assistant general manager Brandon Beane. The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because the Bills are not publicly discussing their search. ESPN first reported the Bills’ request.
Beane is immediately regarded as a natural fit to work with Bills rookie coach Sean McDermott because of their past ties to the Panthers. McDermott spent the previous six years as Carolina’s defensive coordinator before being hired by Buffalo to replace Rex Ryan, who was fired in the final week of last season.
The Bills completed an off-season front-office overhaul on Sunday, when Whaley and the team’s entire scouting staff was fired a day after the NFL draft.
Vikings pass on Bridgewater’s option
The Minnesota Vikings have exercised the fifth-year option on linebacker Anthony Barr, but declined to do the same with injured quarterback Teddy Bridgewater.
The Vikings announced Barr’s option on Monday. Barr was drafted ninth overall in 2014 and has started 42 games in three seasons.
Bridgewater had cemented himself the team’s offensive leader before suffering a horrific leg injury just before last season started. It is still not known when Bridgewater will be able to play again, if ever. If he spends all of next season on the physically unable to perform list, Bridgewater’s contract will roll over to 2018.
Packers release pair of running backs
The Green Bay Packers released running backs Don Jackson and Christine Michael on Monday.
Michael played in nine games for the Packers after being claimed off waivers from the Seattle Seahawks last November, including three playoff games.
Jackson was an undrafted free agent signed last May. He appeared in three games with one start before being placed on injured reserve Nov. 16.
The position is in transition for Green Bay after Eddie Lacy left for Seattle in free agency and James Starks was released.