Broncos sign ex-Lions RB Riddick for one year
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. – Blindsided by the Lions , running back Theo Riddick became an unexpected free agent just as training camps were opening across the NFL.
He landed in Denver and signed a one-year, $2.5 million contract with the Broncos on Sunday, eight days after his surprising release from Detroit.
A valuable pass catcher with 285 career receptions, Riddick drew interest from several teams and met with the Saints. But he chose the Broncos “because they’re going to utilize my talents and my strengths” and experience, Riddick said.
“We’ve got a young room, very talented, but hopefully I can help them out,” said Riddick, who spent part of his first practice Sunday doling out tips to second-year running backs Phillip Lindsay and Royce Freeman.
He also flashed some of those great hands that have allowed him to top 50 receptions four years in a row .
“Oh yeah, he looked real smooth today,” cornerback Chris Harris Jr. said. “I didn’t see him run the ball more than (just) catching the rock out of the backfield and running routes. But he’s definitely going to be another threat at running back that we need.”
Riddick said he’s thrilled to team up with Vic Fangio after facing him the last four years in the NFC North when the Broncos’ rookie head coach was directing Chicago’s stingy defense.
“It’s awesome, man, because that defense there, especially as of late, has been pretty darn dominant,” Riddick said.
Brady signs 2-year, $70M extension with Patriots: A person with knowledge of the deal tells The Associated Press that New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady is signing a twoyear, $70 million contract extension that runs through 2021 and includes a hefty raise this season.
The person, speaking to the AP on condition of anonymity Sunday because the Patriots hadn’t announced the extension, confirmed the NFL Network’s report of Brady’s extension.
Brady, who has never played out the final season of a contract in his 20year NFL career in New England, will get an $8 million raise in 2019, when he’ll make $23 million.
The extension also calls for him to make $30 million in 2020 and $32 million in 2021, when he would be 44.
Brady and the Patriots open defense of their latest Super Bowl title against Pittsburgh on Sept. 8. Usually, the champion kicks off the season but that honor goes to Green Bay and Chicago this year as the NFL celebrates its 100th season.
Jaguars sign ex-Vikings RB Thomas, who is suspended 3 games: The Jacksonville Jaguars have signed former Minnesota Vikings running back Roc Thomas, who is suspended for the first three games of the regular season for violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy.
The Jaguars are down two running backs – rookie Ryquell Armstead (quadriceps) and veteran Thomas Rawls (hamstring) – heading into joint practices and their preseason opener in Baltimore. Current Jaguars offensive coordinator John DeFilippo coached Thomas in Minnesota.
Thomas was sentenced to three years of probation in May after pleading guilty to felony marijuana possession. He was arrested in January after police found 143 grams of the drug in his apartment. Officers also confiscated $15,802 and a .45-caliber handgun, according to a criminal complaint.
Thomas appeared in five games for the Vikings last year as an undrafted rookie from Jacksonville State, where he finished his college career after playing two seasons at Auburn.
Redskins’ Alexander sees specialist, out 2 weeks with injury: Washington Redskins cornerback Adonis Alexander is expected to miss at least two weeks with a right quadriceps injury. Alexander hasn’t practiced since Tuesday, when he left the field during the team’s afternoon walkthrough.