NFL CLEARS MANNING
The NFL cleared retired Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning after a seven-month investigation found no credible evidence he used human growth hormone or violated the league’s performance-enhancing drug policy.
Manning and his wife, Ashley, “were fully cooperative with the investigation and provided both interviews and access to all records sought by the investigators,” the league said Monday in a statement.
The investigation stemmed
and struggled in the second half of the season because of a lack of depth at the position. Murray had 266 carries; the next running back, had 24 carries. That could make fifthround pick as important as Murray.
The Raiders hope OT can stay healthy. He has missed time because of knee and Achilles injuries and stands a chance of beating out at right tackle if his knee is right and he doesn’t suffer any more setbacks. Howard started 13 games last season with Watson on injured reserve for the season. ...
and are set as starting cornerbacks, but there will be fierce competition for the slot spot in the nickel between
and Thorpe received a second-round tender as a restricted free agent to ensure he wouldn’t be pursued by other teams. ... QB
will be an unrestricted free agent after the season, so rookie is competing for the backup spot more for 2017 than for this season.
SAN DIEGO CHARGERS
Big question: Can RB Melvin Gordon be what the Chargers expected after trading up to select him in the first round of the 2015 draft? What could go wrong for Gordon, did go wrong for him last season. He rushed for 641 yards, averaged 3.5 per attempt, fumbled six times and from an Al-Jazeera America report, which secretly recorded a former intern named Charlie Sly at an anti-aging clinic making allegations against a variety of professional athletes.
The league continues to investigate four other NFL players named in the report: Green Bay Packers linebackers Clay Matthews and Julius Peppers, Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker James Harrison and free agent linebacker Mike Neal.
Tom Pelissero
failed to score a touchdown. An unstable offensive line contributed to his problems, but Gordon never established a rhythm and ran out of the shotgun too often.
The Chargers vow the latter will change this season, and Gordon dedicated himself during the offseason to improving himself.
Key player: In the first eight games of 2015, WR
had 67 receptions and might have shattered the team’s passcatching records. But he suffered a lacerated kidney and missed the rest of the season. Allen was back and healthy in the offseason, eager to pick up where he left off. He will be aided by the addition of
whose speed QB hasn’t often had in the offense. Allen averaged 10.8 yards per reception last season, and Benjamin averaged 14.2 yards with the Cleveland Browns.
Position battles: The Chargers had five starting centers in 2014 and two last season, with
leading the way with 13 games in 2015. Robinson’s main competition will come from free agent addition
who has mostly played guard in his career.
who had three starts last season, is back, and the Chargers selected in the third round of the draft, but he is recovering from knee surgery. ... OLB
(six sacks in 2015) could be competing for snaps in a rotation with 2015 fifth-round pick who has impressed coaches with his relentless approach.