Owner: Giants ready to talk deal with Beckham Jr.
The long-awaited contract talks between star receiver Odell Beckham Jr. and the New York Giants are going to start relatively soon.
After months of waiting to see how Beckham recovered from a broken left ankle and how the 25-year-old mended his ways, Giants co-owner John Mara said Thursday the talks with player and his representatives will take place sooner rather than later.
“I think this was the time that we always had in mind,” Mara said. “But I think Odell personally is moving in the right direction. He has come in here with a good attitude. ... He’s worked hard. I think he’s ready to go. He’s ready for a great season.”
The 25-year-old Beckham is entering the fifth and final season of his rookie contract. He is to earn $8.5 million this season, but the three-time Pro Bowler whose career has been tarnished by offthe-field issues, wants to be among the NFL’s highest-paid players, certainly the highest-paid receiver.
Falcons: Coach Dan Quinn had good reason not to worry about Julio Jones showing up for training camp. Jones told Quinn weeks ago he’d report on time, even as the wide receiver sought to have his contract renegotiated.
Finally, the Falcons announced close to midnight Wednesday they’d reached an agreement to renegotiate Jones’ deal next year. The news came about 16 hours before Thursday’s deadline for players to report.
“I probably didn’t feel the same stress that you and the fan base had,” Quinn said. “I’d known he was coming to camp for a while.”
Bills: Running back LeSean McCoy deflected questions regarding allegations of being involved in bloodying his ex-girlfriend, and said he was focused solely on being ready for training camp and the upcoming season.
McCoy addressed the police investigation directly just once by saying “it’s an active investigation and I’ll leave it at that.”
Colts: After more than 19 months of answering questions about his surgically repaired throwing shoulder, quarterback Andrew Luck finally got a chance to show everyone exactly what he could do during the team’s first training camp workout.
“It was a good day, a solid day in windy conditions,” new coach Frank Reich said following a two-hour workout in shorts. “I thought he looked strong, consistent, a good first day for him.”
Bucs: Jameis Winston’s first order of business in training camp was apologizing to teammates. Now, he’s appealing for support from unhappy fans who think he no longer deserves to be Tampa Bay’s quarterback.
“I understand the disappointment. I’m disappointed,” the fourth-year pro said, speaking publicly for the first time since being suspended three games for violating the NFL’s personal conduct policy by allegedly groping a female Uber driver after his rookie season.
“I should never have put myself in that situation,” Winston added. “All I can do is grow and learn from that.”
Seahawks: Released defensive lineman Malik McDowell, the 2017 second-round pick who never played a down for the team following an ATV accident.