Standout punter King signs with Broncos
Marquette King has found a team will allow him to keep it real, seek his revenge and maybe pursue records.
“Denver is a punter’s paradise,” King said after signing a three-year, $7 million deal with the Broncos on Thursday, less than a week after his surprising release from the Oakland Raiders.
King said he doubts his oft-flagged on-field antics is what led new Raiders coach Jon Gruden to release him. King said he never had the chance to speak with Gruden before he was jettisoned.
The sixth-year pro who had appeared in all of the Raiders’ games since 2013, was a Pro Bowl alternate last season and a second-team all-pro in 2016. He’s the only punter in NFL history to post at least a 40-yard net average in each of his first five seasons.
Barkley, Chubb to attend draft: Six first-team All-Americans, including Penn State running back Saquon Barkley and North Carolina State defensive end Bradley Chubb, are among 22 players who will attend the NFL draft.
Four of the highly-rated quarterbacks in this crop also will be at AT&T Stadium – Josh Allen, Sam Darnold, Lamar Jackson and Josh Rosen. Heisman Trophy winner Baker Mayfield has chosen not to attend.
Barkley and Chubb are projected to go in the top five picks.
Steelers keep Ridley, Hunter: Running back Stevan Ridley and wide receiver Justin Hunter are sticking with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Both players signed one-year contracts to remain with the two-time defending AFC North champions in 2018.
Hunter, 26, caught four passes for 23 yards and a touchdown in seven games with the Steelers last season after signing a free-agent deal last spring.
Pittsburgh signed Ridley last December after losing James Conner to a knee injury late in the regular season.
Ridley ran 26 times for 108 yards and a touchdown in two games with the Steelers.
Ridley’s return also gives the Steelers some experienced depth in the backfield if all-pro Le’Veon Bell opts to skip training camp or a portion of the regular season.