This Date In Transactions History: Jim Brown Retires
On this date in 1966, one of the game’s all-time great rushers called it a career. Jim Brown walked away from football at the age of 30, citing a desire to be a civil rights advocate, a better family man, and a star of the silver screen. 
In today’s NFL, 30-year-old running backs are usually in the twilight of their careers. That was hardly the case with Brown, who ran for a league-leading 1,544 yards while averaging 5.3 yards a carry in 1965.
As good as Brown was, he had other interests, and those interests did not necessarily align with football. When the filming schedule for “The Dirty Dozen” conflicted with training camp, Brown chose the former. Browns owner Art Modell was furious at his decision and vowed to fine him $100 for every day he was not at practice.
So, on July 13, 1966, it was revealed that Brown would retire from the NFL. He formally announced the decision in a press conference on the set of “The Dirty Dozen” that week, but days earlier, he penned the following letter to Modell:
Dear Art:
I am writing to inform you that in the next few days I will be announcing my retirement from football. This decision is final and is made only because of the future that I desire for myself, my family and, if not to sound corny, my race. I am very sorry that I did not have the information to give you at some earlier date, for one of my great concerns was to try in every way to work things out so that I could play an additional year.
I was very sorry to see you make the statements that you did, because it was not a victory for you or I but for the newspaper men. Fortunately, I seem to have a little more faith in you than you have in me. I honestly like you and will be willing to help you in any way I can, but I feel you must realize that both of us are men and that my manhood is just as important to me as yours is to you.
It was indicated in the papers out of Cleveland that you tried to reach me by phone. Well, I hope you realize that when I am in my apartment I never refuse to answer my phone. The only reason that I did not contact you before I knew the completion date of the movie is that the date was the one important factor. You must realize that your organization will make money and will remain successful whether I am there or not. The Cleveland Browns are an institution that will stand for a long, long time.
I am taking on a few projects that are very interesting to me. I have many problems to solve at this time and I am sure you know a lot of them, so if we weigh the situation properly the ‘Browns’ have really nothing to lose, but Jim Brown has a lot to lose. I am taking it for granted that I have your understanding and best wishes, for in my public approach to this matter this will be the attitude that will prevail.
The business matters that we will have to work out we could do when I return to Cleveland. I will give you any assistance I can and hope your operation will be a success. You know the areas that I can be helpful and, even if you do not ask this help, my attitude will be one that I will do only the things that will contribute to the success of the ‘Cleveland Browns.’
Your friend,
Jim Brown
With that, Brown walked away from football and a yearly salary of about $60K. Brown undoubtedly still had gas in the tank, but he also had little left to prove on an individual level.
In nine years of pro football, Brown won the rushing crown eight times and retired as the league’s all-time leading rusher. Even today, the Hall of Famer is tenth on the NFL rushing yards list, which is extra impressive when considering that the regular season was shorter during his time in the league. And, decades later, Brown stands as the franchise’s all-time leading rusher with 12,312 yards on the ground.
Extra Points: Giants, Eli, Chiefs, Cowboys
To the dismay of many analysts, the Giants didn’t use the second overall pick on a franchise quarterback, instead opting to select running back Saquon Barkley, who figures to make a more immediate impact. Incumbent signal-caller Eli Manning, however, was — perhaps obviously — pleased with New York’s decision not to draft his successor. “It was kind of a vote of confidence in that they trusted in me that I can play at a high level, can win games, take us deep in playoffs and win championships and win championships still,” Manning said, per SiriusXM NFL Radio. “And you know what? I want to prove them right and I want to make them look smart and make them to have made the right decision in doing that.” The Giants are going all-in with Manning under center, and are hoping new head coach Pat Shurmur can do for Manning what he did for journeyman Case Keenum in Minnesota in 2017. Last year, the 37-year-old Manning finished just 23rd in both adjusted net yards per attempt and passer rating.
Here’s more from around the league:
- Chiefs second-round defensive end Breeland Speaks had been on Kansas City’s radar for awhile, as general manager Brett Veach explained (link via Josh Norris of Rotoworld). After initially grading Speaks as a third-round pick, the Chiefs quickly realized that not only would Speaks likely be off the board by the time their third-rounder came up, but he might not even be available when Kansas City selected at No. 54 in the second round. Therefore, the Chiefs sent a third-round pick to the Bengals for the right to move up to No. 46, and took Speaks — an Ole Miss product — there instead. Speaks, whom Veach characterized as a “high-motor, intense player,” will vie for rotational snaps in Kansas City’s 3-4 scheme behind starters Chris Jones and Allen Bailey.
- Defensive tackle Maliek Collins isn’t a lock to return for the Cowboys‘ Week 1 contest after breaking his foot in May, and if the third-year interior defender doesn’t recover quickly, he could lose his starting job to trade acquisition Jihad Ward, according to Jori Epstein of the Dallas Morning News. Collins underwent a similar foot operation in January and underwent a foot procedure in the 2016 offseason as well, so he’s no stranger to lower extremity issues. Collins, who was selected in the third round of the 2016 draft, is even more critical given that fellow defensive tackle David Irving is suspended for the first four games of the season. Ward, meanwhile, managed to play in only five games a season ago before being shipped to Dallas in exchange for wideout Ryan Switzer.
- The Alliance of American Football will offer players non-guaranteed three-year, $225K contracts, which puts them in line with the XFL’s pay scale, writes Mike Rodak of ESPN.com. Additionally, AAF players will be allowed to leave their contracts in order to join the NFL, indicating a policy which differs from that of the Canadian Football League. The AAF will allocate players to rosters based on where they attended college, which should help draw fans. “If the Birmingham teams has [former Alabama running back] Trent Richardson, we think that will be something that would be a significant gate attraction,” league co-founder Bill Polian said.
AFC East Notes: Pats, Jets, Crowell, Dolphins
Defensive end Trey Flowers has been a solid contributor for the Patriots for the past three seasons, but as he enters his contract year, Flowers isn’t guaranteed to land an extension from New England, as Tom Curran of NBC Sports Boston writes. The Patriots, historically, haven’t been willing to invest much cap space in their defensive line, preferring to plug in low-cost veterans or rookies who excel at stopping the run. Chandler Jones, New England’s best edge rusher in recent memory, was traded to the Cardinals in exchange for a second-round pick, as the Patriots presumably had no interest in paying Jones market value. Flowers, 25 next month, played in roughly three-quarters of New England’s defensive snaps a season ago, far-and-away the most among Patriots’ defensive lineman. In that time, Flowers posted 45 tackles, 6.5 sacks, and graded as the league’s No. 14 edge defender, per Pro Football Focus.
Here’s more from the AFC East:
- Even after inking a three-year, $12MM contract, Isaiah Crowell is not expected to become an every-down back with the Jets, according to Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News. The 25-year-old Crowell handled a career-high 206 carries in 2017, but New York has other running backs on its roster that are more capable in the passing game. Bilal Powell and Elijah McGuire will likely handle most of Gang Green’s passing work, leaving Crowell early downs. The Jets figure to trail in many of their games during the upcoming season, meaning Powell and/or McGuire may very well see the lion’s share of the offensive snaps as New York throws the ball in attempts to catch up. Former Seahawks running back Thomas Rawls is also on the Jets’ roster, and could conceivably soak up carries if Crowell falters.
- Frank Gore turned 35 years old in May, but he’s hoping the move to a grass field with the Dolphins could help prolong his career, as he tells Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald. “Turf is tough on your body and it’ll have you swollen,” said Gore, who played on turf for the past three seasons with Indianapolis. “Playing on turf, I wouldn’t get my body back until that Friday. But when I’m playing on grass, I’m good after the game. I’m happy that I’m on grass.” Gore isn’t expected to be the lead back in Miami, as he’ll compete with Kenyan Drake and rookie Kalen Ballage for carries. But he’ll conceivably serve as something of a mentor to both of those young players, each of whom is under the age of 25. Gore managed 3.7 yards per carry on 261 totes for the Colts in 2017.
- In case you missed it, the Jets are expected to sign former Mississippi State defensive back Brandon Bryant, who was not selected in Wednesday’s supplemental draft.
- Here’s the latest on Bills running back LeSean McCoy, who is facing domestic violence accusations from his ex-girlfriend.
Minor NFL Transactions: 7/12/18
Today’s minor moves:
Baltimore Ravens
- Placed on reserve/did not report list: C Alex Thompson
New York Giants
- Signed: G Zac Kerin
- Waived: OL Ethan Cooper
Poll: Which 2017 Last Place Team Is Likeliest To Make Playoffs In 2018?
Turnarounds in the NFL often don’t take long. Unlike Major League Baseball, where prospects usually face a minimum promotion time of two years, new NFL players can make an impact during their respective rookie season. With more teams embracing the use of free agency and trades as avenues of player acquisition, it’s possible to improve a club year-over-year.
Worst-to-playoffs revamps happen nearly every season, and 2017 was no exception. Most famously, the Eagles used the progression of sophomore quarterback Carson Wentz and a few deft free agent signings to navigate a Super Bowl campaign only a year after finishing last in the NFC East. The Panthers, too, rebounded from a down 2016 to earn a postseason berth last season, and the Jaguars improved from 3-13 in 2016 to AFC runners-up in 2017.
So, which last place team from 2017 will make the leap into a playoff team during the upcoming season? Let’s take a look at the candidates:
New York Jets
While the Jets certainly look poised to contend in the future after adding quarterback Sam Darnold with the third overall pick, it seems unlikely they’ll come anywhere near first place in the AFC East in 2018. The Patriots, as ever, are considered the far-and-away favorites, and it’s not clear New York can even compete with the Dolphins for second place in the division. General manager Mike Maccagnan added a long-term building block in cornerback Trumaine Johnson, and solidified the Jets’ backfield signing both Isaiah Crowell and Thomas Rawls, but contention in 2018 probably isn’t in the cards.
Cleveland Browns
Going from a winless season to a postseason berth would certainly make for an excellent story, and some analysts have pegged Cleveland as a dark-horse candidate for a wild card spot in 2018. The Browns are dealing with new faces at nearly every level of their offense and defense, and players such as Tyrod Taylor, Baker Mayfield, Carlos Hyde, Nick Chubb, Jarvis Landry, and Chris Hubbard should help on offense while linebacker Mychal Kendricks and defensive backs Denzel Ward, T.J. Carrie, E.J. Gaines, and Terrance Mitchell are fresh on defense. Still, the AFC North should be a tough division once again, making a Browns 2018 postseason run unlikely.
Houston Texans
Is there a more difficult division to figure out than the AFC South? The Jaguars return much of their core after reaching the AFC Championship Game in 2017, the Titans will add a new offensive philosophy to a roster than earned a Wild Card berth last season, and the Colts (fingers crossed) will see the return of Andrew Luck. The Texans could be the best team, however, especially if quarterback Deshaun Watson and defensive lineman J.J. Watt can stay healthy for the entire year. The major worry for Houston? It’s offensive line, which again looks to be one of the worst in the NFL.
Denver Broncos
The Broncos won the Super Bowl 29 months ago, but their title seems much farther in the rear-view mirror. Following Peyton Manning‘s retirement, Denver has failed to launch on offense while deploying quarterbacks Trevor Siemian, Paxton Lynch, and Brock Osweiler. Case Keenum is now under center and will try to replicate his outstanding 2017 performance, but he won’t have the benefit of C.J. Anderson in the backfield. The Broncos’ defense is still their strength, but the club is now without corner Aqib Talib, who was traded to the Rams during the offseason.
New York Giants
Instead of opting for a rebuild, the Giants appear to be going all-in for one more run with Eli Manning at quarterback. New York could’ve used the second overall selection on a franchise quarterback, but instead opted for running back Saquon Barkley that may not have set up the club for the long haul (even if it does pay dividends in 2017). Additionally, the Giants are shifting to a 3-4 scheme under new defensive coordinator James Bettcher, and with three other strong teams residing in the NFC East, it’s unclear if New York is a serious contender.
Chicago Bears
The Bears already seem to be everyone’s favorite 2018 sleeper, and they certainly have an exciting roster. Chicago is just the latest team to leverage a rookie quarterback contract, taking the savings on Mitch Trubisky‘s below-market deal to add weapons such as Allen Robinson, Trey Burton, and Taylor Gabriel. Plus, the Bears’ defense remains underrated under longtime DC Vic Fangio. But the NFC North remains one of the NFL’s stronger divisions, and even an improvement from Chicago could keep them in the cellar behind Minnesota, Green Bay, and Detroit.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
After opting for continuity by surprisingly retaining head coach Dirk Koetter, the Buccaneers are already facing an early-season challenge after learning starting quarterback Jameis Winston will be suspended three games following the results of a sexual assault investigation. Tampa Bay certainly improved parts of its roster this offseason (its defensive line added Jason Pierre-Paul, Vinny Curry, Beau Allen, and Vita Vea), but as we’ve noted for other clubs above, even a robust free agent period won’t help if the team’s divisional opponents are difficult. The NFC South is perhaps the league’s most talented division, and it’s hard to see the Bucs placing above the Saints, Panthers, or Falcons.
San Francisco 49ers
Jimmy Garoppolo has yet to lose a game during his NFL career, but we’ll hold on off on projecting a 16-0 record for the 49ers. Still, San Francisco looks poised to compete for at least a Wild Card spot after inking free agents like Jerick McKinnon, Weston Richburg, and Richard Sherman, plus a draft class that included Mike McGlinchey and Dante Pettis. The Seahawks are no longer the force they once were, while the Cardinals are entering a mini-rebuild, so the Rams are the clear hurdle for the 49ers in the NFC West.
So what do you think? Which of these last place teams is likeliest to earn a postseason berth — either as a division winner or a wild card club — in 2018?
NFC Notes: Cardinals, D. Johnson, Vikings
After losing the majority of the 2017 season to injury, extension talks between David Johnson and the Cardinals could prove to be tricky. When healthy in 2016, Johnson was one of the very best running backs in the NFL. The Cardinals understand Johnson’s importance to the team, but there could be a divide between the two sides when it comes to money.
With that in mind, Hardik Sanghavi of Over The Cap took a stab at estimating a proper extension for Johnson. He believes a five-year extension with $48.75MM in new money ($9.75MM/year) and $19.5MM in full guarantees would get the job done. That deal would allow Johnson to top Devonta Freeman‘s annual average and three-year cash flow, while giving the Cardinals a lengthy period of control.
Johnson, in theory, could play out his final year under contract and push for more money down the road, but he’d lose the security of an extension and be subject to two consecutive franchise tags, which would preclude him from free agency until after the 2020 season.
For more on Johnson’s potential deal, check out Ben Levine’s recent look at the running back as an extension candidate.
Here’s more from the NFC:
- Tackle Riley Reiff, who signed a five-year, $58.75MM free agent deal with the Vikings last year, is among the players in Minnesota who must live up to his contract this year, Andrew Krammer of the Star Tribune writes. Last year, Case Keenum was the third-most pressured quarterback in the NFL (39.3%), and part of that blame falls on the shoulders of Reiff, who is the leader of the offensive line. Reiff started the year strong, but his performance tailed off in the second half of the season, so he’ll look to get back on track this September. Reiff, the eighth-highest paid left tackle in the NFL, graded out as Pro Football Focus’ No. 59 ranked tackle in 2017.
- Both Buccaneers head coach Dirk Koetter and GM Jason Licht are on the hot seat this year, ESPN.com’s Mike Triplett opines. The Bucs were the only NFC South team to miss the playoffs last year and that was a disappointment considering their abundance of young talent. The Bucs did manage to win nine games in an injury-plagued 2016 season, but patience could quickly wear out if the team falters this year. Of course, Jameis Winston‘s three-game suspension to start the year won’t help matters.
- Linebacker Junior Galette seems to think that he could potentially re-sign with the Redskins.
Latest On Bills RB LeSean McCoy
The ex-girlfriend of Bills running back LeSean McCoy told police she believed McCoy “set her up” for the home invasion that left her bloodied and beaten this week, ESPN.com’s Mike Rodak writes. Police have yet to identify a suspect, but Delicia Cordon described the attacker as a black male who was wearing a mask. This person is wanted for armed robbery, aggravated assault with a firearm, residential burglary without force, and aggravated battery. 
The suspect in question is definitely not McCoy, who was in a different state at the time of the assault. But after the person demanded “specific items of jewelry” that Cordon received from McCoy, she believes that he had a hand in the incident.
Cordon’s attorneys say their client was beaten in the head with a firearm and also suffered wrist injuries as the suspect tried to remove her jewelry by force. Later, photos of Cordon posted on social media showed the brutal aftermath of the disturbing event.
Shortly after the allegations surfaced, McCoy issued a statement denying the “totally baseless and offensive claims” made against him. He has also hired high-profile defense attorney Don Samuel to represent him in the matter.
Police were also called to McCoy’s home in July of last year and April of this year for domestic disputes between McCoy and Cordon, Rodak writes. Last July, McCoy wanted Cordon evicted, citing a fear that she would make “false accusations” about him after they broke up. McCoy also told police that Cordon refused to return expensive jewelry that was loaned to him by jewelers.
The NFL is aware of the accusations against McCoy and is conducting an investigation of its own. While things play out, the league reserves the right to place McCoy on the commissioner’s exempt list. If the NFL takes that step, McCoy would be temporarily barred from participating in either practice or games.
In addition to McCoy, the Bills also have running backs Chris Ivory, Travaris Cadet, Taiwan Jones, Marcus Murphy, and Keith Ford under contract. If McCoy is taken out of the equation, it stands to reason that the Bills could consider free agents such as DeMarco Murray and Adrian Peterson to fill the void.
If McCoy is not fully cleared of the allegations between now and September, it seems unlikely that he will be in uniform for Week 1. And, if the allegations prove to be true, then McCoy has almost certainly played his final down in the NFL.
26 NFL Players Suspended To Start Season
Football gets underway in September, but not for these 26 players. Here’s a rundown of the players who have been suspended to start the 2018 season:
- Vadal Alexander, OT (Raiders) – Four games, PEDs
- Akeem Ayers, LB (Free Agent) – Four games, reason not disclosed
- Victor Bolden, WR (49ers) – Four games, PEDs
- Nigel Bradham, LB (Eagles) – One game, conduct violation
- Kentrell Brothers, LB (Vikings) – Four games, PEDs
- Jamon Brown, OT (Rams) – Two games, substance abuse
- Vontaze Burfict, LB (Bengals) – Four games, PEDs
- Jalen Collins, CB (Free Agent) – Ten games, PEDs
- Thomas Davis, LB (Panthers) – Four games, PEDs
- Julian Edelman, WR (Patriots) – Four games, PEDs
- Reuben Foster (49ers) – Two games, substance abuse and conduct violations
- Jerrell Freeman, LB (Free Agent/Retired) – Two years, likely for PED violation
- Demetrius Harris, TE (Chiefs) – One game, substance abuse
- Josh Huff, WR (Saints) – Two games, substance abuse and conduct violations
- Mark Ingram, RB (Saints) – Four games, PEDs
- David Irving, DT (Cowboys) – Four games, substance abuse
- Aaron Jones, RB (Packers) – Two games, substance abuse
- Cayleb Jones, WR (Vikings) – Four games, PEDs
- Corey Liuget, DT (Chargers) – Four games, PEDs
- Josh Mauro, DT (Giants) – Four games, PEDs
- Roy Miller, DT (Free Agent/Retired) – Six games, reason not disclosed
- Mark Sanchez, QB (Free Agent) – Four games, PEDs
- Donald Stephenson, OT (Browns/Retired) – Two games, substance abuse
- Kent Taylor, TE (Free Agent) – Four games, PEDs
- Robert Turbin, RB (Colts) – Four games, PEDs
- Jameis Winston, QB (Buccaneers) – Three games, conduct violation
AFC North Notes: Steelers, Ravens, Browns
Here’s a look at the AFC North:
- Guard Ramon Foster is entering his tenth season with the Steelers, but it could be his last, Joe Rutter of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review writes. Foster’s contract expires after the season, and the Steelers might prefer to go with a younger option next year, such as backup B.J. Finney. Finney, who will be a 27-year-old restricted free agent in March, has filled in capably for Foster in four games over the last two seasons.
- The Ravens kept four tight ends last season, but there is no assurance that will be the plan this year, Edward Lee of The Baltimore Sun writes. First-round pick Hayden Hurst and third-round pick Mark Andrews are locks for the roster, leaving returning veterans Nick Boyle and Maxx Williams on the bubble. Boyle and Williams offer blocking prowess, but they combined for just 289 receiving yards last year. That was barely more than half of the yards compiled by Benjamin Watson, who left in the offseason to sign with the Saints.
- The Browns are so bullish on their defensive ends that they passed on Bradley Chubb at No. 4 overall in order to select Ohio State cornerback Denzel Ward. That decision rankled some fans, but the Browns still have solid depth at the position. That depth could leave former second-round pick Nate Orchard without a job, Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com writes. Orchard second in the nation with 18.5 sacks as a college senior at Utah, but he has yet to produce at the pro level. He saw time in all 16 games in 2017, but started only one and finished out with 25 tackles, two sacks, one forced fumble and one recovery.
Redskins Notes: Alexander, Kelley, Perine
On Wednesday, the Redskins selected cornerback Adonis Alexander in the sixth round of the NFL’s supplemental draft. Terez A. Paylor of Yahoo Sports gives the Redskins a “B” grade for the pick, noting his size (6’2″, 194 pounds), ball skills, and potential as a development press corner. However, there are concerns about his maturity and a slow 40-yard-dash time (4.64 seconds) at his pro day earlier this year.
The Redskins have reason to believe that Alexander can shine, warts and all, thanks to the presence of defensive backs coach Torrian Gray. Gray coached Alexander during his freshman All-American season at Virginia Tech in 2015 and has seen what he can do at his best. Paylor also has some optimism about Alexander thanks to the veteran leadership of D.J. Swearinger. If Alexander can contribute in 2018, he’ll help to offset the loss of corners Kendall Fuller and Bashaud Breeland this offseason.
Here’s more out of D.C.:
- Alexander’s potential upside outweighed the risk for the Redskins, Rich Tandler of CSNWashington.com writes. The Redskins tend to steer away from red flags, but Alexander has been honest about his academic troubles at Virginia Tech. It’s also worth noting that the Redskins had three sixth-round picks heading into the supplemental draft, so they still have plenty of late-round ammo for 2019.
- Derrius Guice and Chris Thompson are the only running backs that are locks for the Redskins’ roster, Tandler writes. After that, he classifies Samaje Perine and Rob Kelley as being “on the bubble.” It would be a surprise to see Perine, a 2017 fourth-round pick, on the outs, but Tandler says he must learn to follow his blocks in order to be a contributor for the club. Kelley, meanwhile, is a favorite of coach Jay Gruden, but injuries limited him to just seven games and 194 yards last year. If Kelley doesn’t look strong this summer, it’s possible that he could be leapfrogged by Byron Marshall or Kapri Bibbs as the fourth RB on the roster.