NFL: CHECK THE LINES
Buoniconti, who helped Miami get to 17-0, dies
Not the betting lines, but the offensive lines in tonight’s Hall of Fame Game. Denver and Atlanta are likely to play presumed starters.
CANTON, Ohio — It’s the first preseason NFL game, which means most starters get to visit the Pro Football Hall of Fame, then watch the youngsters go at it.
So if you’re looking for any likely regulars on the field tonight for the Falcons and Broncos, focus on the offensive lines.
Denver’s new coach, Vic Fangio, will start three O-linemen who could be in the opening-day lineup: left tackle Garett Bolles, rookie left guard Dalton Risner and center Connor McGovern. All need work on cohesion, a must for any blocking unit, but particularly when the quarterback is more stationary than most. That’s what the Broncos have in veteran Joe Flacco, acquired from Baltimore.
Flacco won’t play against Atlanta.
McGovern’s low snaps out of the shotgun have been a problem this summer, just as they were last season when he took over for an injured Matt Paradis, who left in free agency in the offseason.
Offensive coordinator Rich Scangarello hopes the blockers get tested.
“Yeah, let’s see who can block a good pass rusher without chipping them,” Fangio said. “Even though they’ve got the box loaded, let’s see if we can run the ball up the middle.”
Atlanta’s front-line battles have first-round picks Chris Lindstrom and Kaleb McGary competing for starting jobs at right guard and right tackle, respectively. Lindstrom was listed as the starter on the team’s first depth chart, while McCary is behind veteran Ty Sambrailo.
The Falcons have the weapons to be dynamic on offense, but not if Matt Ryan (who also will sit tonight) doesn’t get protection and Devonta Freeman doesn’t have room to run.
BUONICONTI: Pro Football Hall of Fame middle linebacker Nick Buoniconti, an undersized overachiever who helped lead the Miami Dolphins to the NFL’s only perfect season and became a leader in the effort to cure paralysis, has died. He was 78.
Buoniconti, who died Tuesday in Bridgehampton, N.Y., struggled in recent years with symptoms of CTE, a degenerative brain disease associated with repeated blows to the head. He had recently battled pneumonia, Dolphins senior vice president Nat Moore said.
The 5-foot-11, 220-pound Buoniconti was bypassed in the NFL draft but went on to a 15-year career. He was captain of the Dolphins’ back-to-back Super Bowl champions, including the 1972 team that finished 17-0.
Following retirement, Buoniconti and his son, Marc, worked to raise more than a half-billion dollars for paralysis research. The younger Buoniconti was paralyzed from the shoulders down making a tackle for The Citadel in 1985.
SAINTS: The team and leading receiver Michael Thomas have agreed to a new five-year, $100 million contract, his agent said Wednesday.
Andrew Kessler of the agency Athletes First, who joined colleague David Mulugheta in negotiating the deal with the Saints, said the contract pays Thomas about $61 million in guaranteed salary and bonuses.
The agreement, first reported by NFL Network, brings to an end Thomas’ training camp holdout that spanned five practices.
The Saints had a scheduled day off Wednesday and Thomas was expected to join practice today.
Currently, Thomas’ average annual pay of $20 million represents a new high for NFL receivers.
COWBOYS: Dashcam video from Frisco, Texas, police at the scene of Ezekiel Elliott’s car wreck in January 2017 shows no one reported injuries at the time of the crash, which has since led to a lawsuit against the Dallas Cowboys and Elliott.
Ronnie Hill, who is suing the Cowboys and Elliott for $20 million, alleges there was a conspiracy to cover up the severity of the crash between Frisco police and the Cowboys. Hill was driving a BMW southbound on Dallas Parkway. Elliott was driving his GMC Yukon SUV.
The city of Frisco released a statement denying the allegations of a cover-up and saying Frisco police responded and investigated the accident according to department policies and procedures.
“This allegation is false,” the release said. “Both parties to the crash were offered medical attention and both refused. Emergency medical services were not requested by either party. Neither party was treated or transported.”
The accident occurred four days before the Cowboys’ playoff game against the Green Bay Packers. According to the suit, Elliott was headed to Cowboys’ practice and was running late. Hill alleges Elliott ran a red light.
“If anyone had actually reported the impact of the accident and had Elliott been examined he would have most likely been placed in concussion protocol and out for the Dallas Cowboys upcoming playoff game,” Hill alleges in the suit.
Elliott “barreled through a red light,” causing more than $33,000 in damage to Hill’s vehicle. Hill claims he suffered “serious and permanent” injuries in the wreck. MORE COWBOYS: Dallas released offensive lineman Larry Allen Jr., the son of Hall of Fame guard Larry Allen, to make room for linebacker Justin Phillips.
The younger Allen joined his dad’s former team as an undrafted free agent in May but ended up being the first cut of training camp in California, his home state. Allen played at Harvard. His father was a six-time All-Pro in 11 seasons with the Cowboys.
REDSKINS: Donald Penn reached out to good friend Trent Williams before deciding to sign with Washington.
“We had a good conversation,” Penn said regarding Williams. “We’re on the same page.”
Penn said he chose Washington over other teams for the chance to start at left tackle. Given that interest and his friendship with Williams, bringing in Penn looks like the strongest sign yet that the Redskins’ regular starting left tackle’s holdout won’t be ending any time soon.
Penn said he’s open to being the Redskins’ primary backup tackle if Williams returns.
BILLS: Starting center Mitch Morse is out indefinitely after being placed in the NFL’s concussion protocol.
Coach Sean McDermott provided no details on how Morse was hurt.
JAGUARS: Jacksonville waived injured running back Taj McGowan after he tore a ligament in his right knee during training camp.
MCCOY: Ex-Eagles RB back LeSean McCoy has paid $55,000 to a Philadelphia police officer following an arbitrator’s ruling that the player and another man injured the officer during a nightclub brawl more than three years ago.