Lardarius Webb Wants To Keep Playing
Free agent defensive back Lardarius Webb plans to continue playing, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter) hears. Webb, who played his entire career with the Ravens to date, has a few offers and is currently weighing them. 
Webb was used mostly off the bench last season, but he’s made 85 starts with Baltimore and suited up for 127 regular-season games. The Ravens, who were up against the cap in the spring, cut Webb to save $1.75MM. The Ravens also released Webb in March of 2017, but brought him back at a reduced rate. It’s not clear if the Ravens are considering something similar this time around.
Webb, 33 in October, saw action in six playoff games for the Ravens, though an injury prevented him from suiting up during the Ravens’ four 2012 playoff contests. In Baltimore’s near-Super Bowl run during 2011, Webb intercepted eight passes with five in the regular season and three in the postseason.
The Ravens project to start Brandon Carr and Jimmy Smith at cornerback with 2017 first-round pick Marlon Humphrey as their primary backup. Rookie Anthony Averett, Maurice Canady, and Stanley Jean-Baptiste are also among the cornerbacks on the offseason roster.
Saints Waive RB Daniel Lasco
The Saints have waived running back Daniel Lasco with a failed physical designation, according to a team announcement. The move will create room for the addition of running back Shane Vereen, who was signed on Wednesday morning. 
[RELATED: Saints Sign Shane Vereen]
Lasco first entered the league as a seventh-round pick of the Saints in the 2016 draft and has largely played on special teams for New Orleans. Last year, he suffered a scary injury while making a special teams play against the Bills and had to be carted off of the field. Lasco had to be strapped to a board in order to limit his movement, but, thankfully, he was alright after the incident.
Without Lasco, the Saints still have six running backs under contract in Alvin Kamara, Mark Ingram, Vereen, Trey Edmunds, Jonathan Williams, and sixth-round pick Boston Scott. Ingram will be suspended for the first four-games of the season, which should open up an opportunity for one of the running backs on the bubble.
AFC Notes: Steelers, Bell, Jets
Steelers running back Le’Veon Bell is essentially betting that a team will to pay him at least $58MM on a four-year deal in free agency next year. However, he can’t necessarily bank on that, Joel Corry of CBSSports.com explains, citing DeMarco Murray as an example.
After being named 2014’s NFL Offensive Player of the Year, Murray didn’t find the riches he thought he would thanks to the devaluation of running backs and his mileage. If Bell plays a full season he’ll also crank up the odometer significantly, and that could negatively affect his value next March.
When Bell hits the open market, Corry suggests that the Colts, Jets, Texans, Browns, and Raiders will be among the teams with serious interest in signing him.
Here’s more from the AFC:
- The Jets have nearly $20MM in cap room to work with, but they’re unlikely to land Seahawks safety Earl Thomas, NJ.com’s Ryan Dunleavy writes. For all of the Jets question marks, safety is actually one of their bright spots thanks to the presence of Jamal Adams and Marcus Maye. Thomas would make any team better, but the Jets would be better served by putting their resources in another direction. Dunleavy also explains why New Jersey’s other favorite teams – the Giants and Eagles – aren’t likely to deal for the multiple-time Pro Bowler.
- Colts defensive end Chris McCain was arraigned this week on two misdemeanor battery charges stemming from a January incident in L.A., Stephen Holder of the Indy Star tweets. McCain pleaded not guilty and was ordered by the court to stay minimum of 100 yards away from the alleged victim. The next hearing for McCain, who was held out of Colts minicamp in June, is scheduled for Aug. 21.
- Former Jets and Patriots cornerback Darrelle Revis retired from the NFL on Wednesday.
Saints To Sign Shane Vereen
The Saints are signing former Patriots and Giants running back Shane Vereen, a source tells Mike Garafolo of NFL.com (on Twitter). Terms of the deal are not yet known, but its likely a one-year deal worth something close to the veteran’s minimum. 
Vereen, 29, made a name for himself with the Patriots and really came into his own from 2012-2014. In 2015, he hooked on with the Giants and was quietly productive. In his first season with the G-Men, Vereen averaged 4.3 yards per carry and caught 59 passes for 495 yards and four touchdowns. Unfortunately, his ’16 season was derailed by injuries and he wasn’t all that productive last year as the Giants lost their best receivers and opposing defenses stacked the box. He had 44 grabs last season, but he averaged a career-low 5.8 yards per catch.
Vereen won’t be tasked with playing as a No. 1 running back with the Saints, but he could be a difference maker in small doses. Alvin Kamara will serve as New Orleans’ top rusher and Vereen might be able to start the year as their top pass-catching RB while Mark Ingram serves his four-game suspension.
In addition to Kamara, Ingram, and Vereen, the Saints also have running backs Trey Edmunds, Jonathan Williams, and sixth-round pick Boston Scott under contract.
Darrelle Revis Retires From NFL
Darrelle Revis announced his retirement from the NFL on Wednesday. This was the expected move after an offseason in which Revis’ name has hardly been mentioned. 
“For the past eleven years, it has truly been an honor to showcase one of my greatest gifts to the world. Today, I am closing a chapter in my life that I once creamed of as a kid and I am officially retiring from the National Football League,” Revis said in a press release. “The game of football has opened doors for me I once thought were nearly impossible to get through. My passion to play the game at an elite level brought fun and excitement to the term “shutdown corner,” which was nearly on the verge of extinction. Covering some of the toughest assignments in league history was a challenge every Sunday, but also an honor within this game we all love. I would like to thank my coaches, teammates, and mentors who have made a significant impact in my life and helped to create amazing memories that my family and I will cherish for a lifetime. I’m excited as to what lies ahead as I pursue new ventures in different industries. Long live Revis Island.”
Revis, 33, was one of the league’s very best cornerbacks during his first stint with the Jets. After six seasons, four Pro Bowl nods, and three First-Team All-Pro selections, Revis was traded to the Buccaneers in 2013.
Revis was released after one season with Tampa Bay, which led him to the Patriots. Much to the chagrin of Jets fans, Revis had a stellar season and helped the Pats capture a Super Bowl win over the Seahawks.
The Jets attempted to rewrite history by signing Revis in the 2015 offseason, but the five-year, $70MM deal ($39MM guaranteed) given to him turned out to be one of the franchise’s biggest blunders in recent memory. The deal was supposed to allow Revis to retire as a Jet, but the team had no choice but to jettison him after two seasons.
Then, last year, the Chiefs signed Revis in November with the hope that he could help bolster their secondary. Unfortunately, Revis was nowhere near his 2014 form and some questioned his work ethic. After an offseason with no real chatter, Revis is calling it quits.
Revis’ second act with the Jets was a disappointment, but he will be remembered as one of the best cornerbacks of his time. The receivers who went to “Revis Island” from 2007-2014 were largely nullified, which is why Revis is a surefire bet for the Hall of Fame.
Cowboys Have Randy Gregory Through 2020
When the Cowboys drafted Randy Gregory in 2015, his four-year rookie deal had him on course for free agency after the 2019 season. However, thanks to multiple suspensions, Gregory will be under club control for longer. 
[RELATED: NFL Reinstates Cowboys’ Randy Gregory]
Gregory’s deal with the Cowboys now runs though 2020, as Todd Archer of ESPN.com (on Twitter) notes. Gregory, who was reinstated on Tuesday, will have his first opportunity to test the open market at the age of 27.
The Nebraska product was a highly-touted prospect heading into the 2015 draft, but he has compiled 15 tackles and one sack thus far in a suspension-riddled career. The length of Gregory’s contract won’t have much meaning to the Cowboys or any other team in the league unless he can perform at a high level in 2018 and stay on the right path.
The Cowboys will start DeMarcus Lawrence and Tyrone Crawford at defensive end, but Gregory could see time as a reserve along with Richard Ash and Jihad Ward. The Cowboys’ season kicks off on Sept. 9 against the Panthers.
In other Cowboys news, Lawrence reportedly does not want to play on a second franchise tag in 2019.
Cowboys’ Randy Gregory Reinstated
Cowboys defensive end Randy Gregory has been reinstated on a conditional basis, according to an announcement from the NFL. Gregory will be permitted to be with the team in training camp. After that, he’ll be able to take part in regular season practices and games if he continues to be in compliance with the NFL’s substance abuse policy. 
This marks a massive victory for Gregory, who was previously banished from the NFL. Most banished players do not earn the right to return, but Gregory has been welcomed back after going through therapy and getting clean.
The former second-round pick will be in Stage 3 of the league substance abuse program for the next two years, which means that he will be subject to frequent random testing. He’s more or less in a zero-tolerance zone at this point, so a failed or missed test could be a career-ender.
The Cowboys would love for Gregory to be a contributor right away in his return. David Irving is suspended for the first four games of the season and fellow defensive tackle Maliek Collins isn’t a lock to return for the Cowboys‘ Week 1 contest. Gregory could give the Cowboys some much-needed defensive line support off of the bench, which could help to offset their early-season losses on the interior.
Gregory was a highly-touted prospect heading into the 2015 draft, but a failed marijuana test caused his draft stock to fall. In 14 career games, the defensive end has compiled 15 tackles and one sack. The Cowboys will hope for the best when it comes to Gregory, but it’s not exactly clear what kind of player he can be for them.
Rams Sign Brandin Cooks To Extension
Brandin Cooks is set to be a member of the Rams for years to come. On Tuesday, the Rams signed Cooks to a five-year extension, according to a team announcement. Cooks is now under club control through the 2023 season. 
The five-year extension is worth $80MM, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (on Twitter). When including his pre-existing 2018 season, he’s tied to L.A. for six years at a total of $88MM. The new money average of $13.3MM per year positions Cooks as the 11th-highest paid wide receiver in the NFL, just behind Allen Robinson and ahead of notables such as T.Y. Hilton, Alshon Jeffery, and Doug Baldwin.
Cooks has four years of NFL experience and has been one of the league’s best wide receivers for the last three. While he has had the benefit of playing for two future Hall-of-Fame quarterbacks in Drew Brees and Tom Brady, there is no denying his individual talent. Many perceive him to be primarily a deep threat, but new head coach Sean McVay sees him as a well-rounded receiver.
“He’s a guy — if you just look at, really, his career — he is a really fast player, but he can do everything,” McVay said. “He plays big for a smaller-stature guy. But he’s strong. He can win short, he can win intermediate, he can go down the field. So I think you’re really not limited in any way that you can utilize him. And there’s a reason why he’s had over 1,000 yards and [at least] seven touchdowns each of the last three years. And he’s a special player for sure.”
This offseason, the Rams shipped a first- and sixth-round pick to the Patriots for Cooks. It was a considerable haul, but the deal gave L.A. the ability to franchise tag Lamarcus Joyner while allowing wide receiver Sammy Watkins to leave in free agency. Cooks also represents a younger – and arguably better – alternative to Watkins.
After giving up a first-round pick for Cooks, there was little chance that the Rams would allow him to walk in free agency next year. Indeed, the Rams moved quickly to begin talks with Cooks with the understanding that they would have to make him one of the highest-paid players at his position.
With Cooks in the books, the Rams can now focus on their other contractual priorities, including defensive tackle Aaron Donald. Joyner, defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh, and offensive linemen Rodger Saffold, Rob Havenstein, and Jamon Brown are also among those set for free agency after the 2018 season.
Terrell Owens May Return To Football
Terrell Owens is on the verge of being inducted into the Hall of Fame, but he’s not necessarily done playing. The legendary wide receiver has invoked a clause that gives the CFL’s Edmonton Eskimos a window to offer him a deal or to release his rights, according to Justin Dunk of 3 Down Nation. Owens made the request on July 14, so the Eskimos have until next Tuesday to hammer something out with T.O. 
A deal with the Eskimos wouldn’t necessarily be all that lucrative. The CFL league minimum is $54K, and Owens tends to be pretty focused on finances. However, a deal would give him an opportunity to get back on the field and show what he can do at the age of 44. And, although it may seem unlikely, a shot in the CFL could theoretically open the door to an NFL return.
Edmonton-based agent Jason Staroszik is handling the CFL negotiations for Owens and insists that his client is serious about playing.
“He still feels like he has some football years left in him,” Staroszik told Dave Naylor of TSN (on Twitter). “He just loves the game and wants to get back to playing, whether it’s the CFL or NFL.”
If Owens joins the Eskimos, he could make his debut on Thursday, August 2. The game would coincide with the league’s Hall of Fame game, giving him yet another opportunity to upstage the events in Canton.
Steelers’ Bell Unlikely To Miss Games
Rob Gronkowski will report to the Patriots for training camp, but don’t expect the same from Steelers star Le’Veon Bell. The running back’s tentative plan is to miss Steelers training camp but be ready for the regular season, a source tells Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com (on Twitter). While Bell is displeased over the team’s decision to not give him a suitable extension before the deadline, it would be a “shock” if he were to miss games and the Steelers expect him to play a full season, Fowler hears.
Of course, Bell still has time to consider all of his options. In theory, Bell could protect himself from injury by waiting to sign his tender until after the season has begun. But, by doing that, he would miss out on more than $900K for every game he doesn’t play and would risk the possibility – however slim – of the Steelers rescinding the tag. Bell would reach free agency in that scenario, but at a time when most of the league’s free agent dollars have dried up.
There’s also the possibility that Bell changes his mind, signs the tag quickly, and reports in time for training camp this month. But, right now, that seems about as unlikely as a regular season holdout. Last year, Bell took his time before signing the tag and still managed an incredibly productive season.
In 2017, Bell posted 1,946 yards from scrimmage in 15 games. His 4.0 yards per carry represented a drop from the 4.9 he’d averaged in 2015 and ’16, but that might have something to do with overuse. Last year, Bell led the league with 321 carries and had 406 touches overall.