Arab Times

Pats sign undrafted rookies ahead of offseason program

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FOXBOROUGH, Mass., May 10, (AP): The New England Patriots again added to their growing pipeline of former Alabama players, including defensive lineman LaBryan Ray among eight players signed Monday as undrafted free agents.

With Ray the Patriots currently have six former Crimson Tide players on their roster. Ray joins quarterbac­k Mac Jones, running back Damien Harris, defensive tackle Christian Barmore, linebacker Anfernee Jennings and linebacker Mack Wilson

The seven other rookies signed Monday were defensive back Devin Hafford (Tarleton State), punter Jake Julien (Eastern Michigan), quarterbac­k D’Eriq King (Miami), defensive lineman DaMarcus Mitchell (Purdue), offensive lineman Kody Russey (Houston), defensive back Brenden Schooler

FOOTBALL

(Texas) and offensive lineman Liam Shanahan (LSU).

The Patriots continuall­y have found impact players in the undrafted rookie pool during coach Bill Belichick’s tenure, including 2015 Super Bowl hero Malcolm Butler, cornerback J.C. Jackson and center David Andrews.

New England has had at least one undrafted rookie make its initial 53-man roster for 18 straight seasons. Kicker Quinn Nordin kept the streak alive last season.

Rookie minicamp begins May 13.

The New York Giants have released veteran cornerback

James Bradberry.

A starter for the team the past two seasons, including making the Pro Bowl in 2020, Bradberry is a salary cap casualty. He would have been a $21.9 million cap hit, so cutting him Monday will save about $10 million. The team can designate him a post-June 1 release and save another $1.5 million on the cap for 2022.

Bradberry was signed as a free agent two years ago after a solid four seasons in Carolina. He started 31 games the past two seasons and was particular­ly dependable in 2020 with his pass coverage. He had three intercepti­ons that season.

Overall, he made 100 tackles, 80 solo, with four intercepti­ons and 35 passes defensed. Bradberry recovered three fumbles for New York.

The Giants attempted to trade the 28-year-old Bradberry, but his salary was an obstacle they couldn’t overcome.

Washington Commanders coach Ron Rivera, who had cancer and made a full recovery, has been selected as the 2022 George Halas Award recipient by the Profession­al Football Writers of America.

The Halas Award is given to an

NFL player, coach or staff member who overcomes adversity to succeed. The award is named for Halas, a charter member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, who was associated with the Chicago Bears and NFL from their inception in 1920 until his death in 1983 as an owner, manager, player and promoter.

Rivera, who has battled squamous cell carcinoma, is the fourth member of the Washington franchise to receive the honor from the PFWA and the second in as many years, joining Billy Kilmer (1976), Pat Fischer (1978) and Alex Smith (2021).

Other 2022 nominees were Cincinnati Bengals quarterbac­k Joe Burrow, Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby, Philadelph­ia Eagles tackle Lane Johnson and Dallas Cowboys quarterbac­k Dak Prescott.

Rivera, a finalist for the Halas Award for the second time in as many years, was diagnosed with cancer in his neck in August 2020.

Over seven weeks during the 2020 season, he received 35 proton therapy treatments and three chemothera­py cycles. Rivera lost more than 30 pounds and had to receive IV treatments at halftime of games.

But he never missed a game while leading his team to the playoffs in his first year as head coach in Washington. Rivera made a full recovery, and he announced in January 2021 he was cancer free.

The award dates back to 1969, when Joe Namath won it. Such Pro Football Hall of Famers as Gale Sayers, Dick Butkus, Roger Staubach, Ted Hendricks, John Stallworth, Joe Montana, Dan Hampton, Dan Marino and Tony Dungy have been honored.

 ?? ?? Kansas City Chiefs Mark Vital throws a ball during rookie mini camp NFL football practice in Kansas City, Mo. (AP)
Kansas City Chiefs Mark Vital throws a ball during rookie mini camp NFL football practice in Kansas City, Mo. (AP)

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