49ers keep DB Moseley off market with two-year deal
The 49ers cleared up a small part of their defensive secondary puzzle Friday.
Emmanuel Moseley, a three-year veteran out of Tennessee, agreed to terms on a two-year contract worth up to $10.1 million, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Moseley was scheduled to become a restricted free agent when the negotiating period begins Monday, with the 49ers retaining right of first refusal.
Moseley has played in 29 games with 17 starts over three seasons. He played 12 games with eight starts in 2020 and had one interception while being hampered by a concussion and a hamstring strain.
It was Moseley who got lost in coverage in Super Bowl LIV against Kansas City Chiefs, surrendering a 44-yard gain on thirdand-15 with 7:13 left in a play which sparked a comeback win for the Chiefs. Moseley joined the 49ers as an undrafted free agent in 2018, starting out on the practice squad and being promoted to the 53-man roster in November of his rookie season.
The 49ers still have much work to do before and after free agency. Cornerbacks scheduled for free agency include Richard Sherman, Jason Verrett, K’Waun Williams, Ahkello Witherspoon, Dontae Johnson and Jamar Taylor.
• Daniel Brunskill, a 16game starter on the offensive line, was brought back on a one-year tender as an exclusive rights free agent.
Ronald Blair III, a defensive end who last played in 2019 with a torn ACL in Week 10, was released. Blair started last season on the physically unable to perform list with complications from the injury and did not play in 2020.
— Jerry McDonald
BRADY SIGNS EXTENSION,
FREES SALARY CAP SPACE FOR BUCCANEERS >> Tom Brady has agreed to a contract extension with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers that provides the Super Bowl champions with muchneeded salary cap relief and will help the seven-time NFL champion reach a goal of playing until he’s at least 45.
The extension confirmed by the team frees about $19 million in salary cap space, a move that improves Tampa Bay’s chances of returning as much of its championship roster as possible for 2021.
Seven starters from the Super Bowl were among two dozen Buccaneers eligible to become free agents next week.
Brady’s extension adds an extra season on the twoyear, $50 million contract he signed in free agency last March following a 20-year run with the New England Patriots.
NEWTON TO RETURN TO PATRIOTS >> The New England Patriots are completing an agreement to re-sign freeagent quarterback Cam Newton, according to The Associated Press.
The one-year deal is worth close to $14 million. The deal was first reported by The Boston Globe.
Baseball
TARRARIS RETIRES AFTER
15 YEARS WITH BRAVES, ORIOLES >> After a 15-year career that came up just short of the World Series, Nick Markakis has retired.
Markakis spent his first nine years with the Baltimore Orioles before moving to his hometown Atlanta Braves for his final six seasons. A free agent after last season, Markakis, 37, told The Athletic in a story published Friday that he was done playing after accumulating 2,388 hits, earning his lone All-Star selection in 2018.
Tennis
FEDERER WITHDRAWS FROt DUBAI TOURNAtENT >> Roger Federer pulled out of next week’s tournament in Dubai to focus on his training. The 39-year-old Swiss star lost in the quarterfinals Thursday at the Qatar Open in Doha, his first action since February 2020 following two knee surgeries.
The 20-time Grand Slam winner’s 103 career titles include eight at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships, most recently in 2019.
Golf
WESTWOOD TARES SECOND-ROUND LEAD AT PLAYERS CHATPIONSHIP >> Lee Westwood shot a 6-under par 66 to take the secondround lead at 9-under 135 at The Players Championship TPC Sawgrass at Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla.
Just one stroke back was Matthew Fitzpatrick, who carded a second consecutive 68, as the two bid to become the first Englishman ever to win the event. First-day leader Sergio Garcia followed up his 65 with an even-par 72, leaving him two strokes off the pace, tied for third with Chris
Kirk at 137, whose sparkling 65 on Friday rushed him into contention.
Westwood, 47, has won tournaments in four decades on the European and PGA tours, while Fitzpatrick is just 26, and seeking his first PGA win to go with six European Tour victories. Both are playing well lately, with Westwood finishing second at last week’s Arnold Palmer Invitational, where Fitzpatrick finished tied for 10th.
Last week’s winner, Bryson DeChambeau, is tied for fifth with five other players at 138: Denny McCarthy, Brian Harman, Charley Hoffman, Doug Ghim, and Sungjae Im.
NHL
GOLDEN RNIGHTS G TARC
ANDRE FLEURY IN COVID PROTOCOL >> Goaltender MarcAndre Fleury was in isolation in a hotel room and did not play Friday night when his Vegas Golden Knights met the Blues. He went on the league’s COVID-19 protocol list on Thursday.
With fellow goalie Robin Lehner injured, Fleury has started 13 of the past 14 games for the Golden Knights, who lead the West division with 33 points.