Titans Release LB Kevin Dodd
The Titans have released outside linebacker Kevin Dodd, according to an announcement from the team. Dodd did not report to the team on Sunday for training camp and the Titans have decided that they’re better off without him. 
A second-round draft pick by the Titans in the 2016 NFL Draft, Dodd appeared in 18 games for the Titans over the past two seasons. Between 2016 and 2017, Dodd recorded just 20 tackles and only started in one game.
Dodd’s pro career got off on the wrong foot (no pun intended) when he injured his foot during the offseason prior to his rookie year. The injury required Dodd to undergo two surgeries, which may explain why he hasn’t done much in the NFL. In college, Dodd was a force to be reckoned with as he recorded 12 sacks and 26.5 tackles for a loss at Clemson.
The release wasn’t totally unexpected given Dodd’s lack of production and the team’s edge rushing depth. This year, the Titans drafted Boston College’s Harold Landry in the second round to play behind edge rushers Derrick Morgan and Brian Orakpo. Besides them, outside ‘backers such as Aaron Wallace, Josh Carraway, and Gimel President are on hand and fighting for roster spots.
Rams, Todd Gurley Agree To Extension
Todd Gurley isn’t going anywhere. The Rams agreed to a four-year extension with their prized running back that can be worth up to $60MM, according to ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter (Twitter link). Gurley was set to hit the open market after the 2019 season, but he’s now under club control through 2023.
[RELATED: Rams Sign Brandin Cooks To Extension]
The deal includes $45MM guaranteed, according to Schefter, which is the largest guarantee ever given to a running back. We’ll have to wait for final word on whether that’s $45MM guaranteed at signing or just $45MM guaranteed for injury, but it’s a substantial commitment either way. The contract also gives Gurley a new money average of $15MM/year, which tops all running backs. It’s a new benchmark for David Johnson and Ezekiel Elliott to shoot for in their forthcoming extension talks, and a target for free-agent-to-be Le’Veon Bell as well.
The running back market has been stagnant for a long time in the NFL, but this is a contract that truly moves the needle. Prior to Gurley’s deal, Bell had the largest annual average value of RBs with his franchise tag of $14.54MM. For multi-year deals, Devonta Freeman was the kingpin with an average of $8.25MM per year. In terms of total guarantees, rookie Saquon Barkley had the crown with $31.2MM secured, followed by fellow youngsters Leonard Fournette and Elliott.
It remains to be seen how teammate Aaron Donald will react to the news of Gurley’s new deal. While Donald has been staying away from the team in an effort to get an extension, the Rams have given Gurley and wide receiver Brandin Cooks contracts to reset the market at their respective positions. Cooks and Gurley showed up for team activities this offseason, so it’s possible the Rams are sending a message by completing their deals first.
Last year, Gurley finished second in MVP voting as he ran for 1,305 yards and a league-leading 13 touchdowns. With an average of 4.7 yards per carry as well as 64 catches for 788 yards and six receiving touchdowns, he was a no-brainer choice for the Pro Bowl and a First-Team All-Pro selection. Not too shabby for a running back who celebrates his 24th birthday next week.
Julio Jones Won’t Report To Camp
Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones does not plan to report to camp and he is comfortable sitting out the entire time, sources tell Ian Rapoport of NFL>com (on Twitter). Jones, of course, wants an improved contract, even though the Falcons have told him that he will not be getting one. 
The Falcons have told Jones taht they would be willing to re-work his contract next year, but Jones wants it done right now, even though he has three years to go on his current pact. In years past, stars such as Antonio Brown, Marshawn Lynch, and Rob Gronkowski have been in similar positions. In those cases, their respective teams moved money from a future season to the current year in order to satisfy the player. That could be the solution here for the Falcons to get Jones back in the fold.
Jones skipped the Falcons’ voluntary offseason program and mandatory minicamp, so it’s not a shock to see him stay away during training camp. He’ll face hefty fines for holding out, but it could be worthwhile in the long run if he gets what he wants.
Jones is earning $14.25MM per year on his contract, but doesn’t have much left in guarantees. As he enters his final season in his 20s, it makes some sense for Jones to push for the best deal that he can get and holding out is the only way to make that happen since he has three years to go on the deal. Jones has been working out with Terrell Owens as of late, and it’s possible that he has influenced Jones’ thinking.
The Falcons star is coming off his fourth straight season with at least 1,400 yards, as he finished with 88 receptions for 1,444 yards and three scores. He’s made the Pro Bowl in each of his last five healthy seasons, positioning himself as one of the very best wide receivers in the game.
Bashaud Breeland To Visit Colts, Browns
Bashaud Breeland recently left his Raiders visit without a contract, and it’s becoming clearer why he’s interested in seeing what else is out there.
Because in addition to a Chiefs visit scheduled for Tuesday, both the Colts and Browns have scheduled meetings with the free agent cornerback for this week, Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com tweets.
Should the four-year veteran indeed take all of these visits, it will add up to a six-city tour over a five-month period this offseason. He agreed to a deal with the Panthers for three years and $24MM, but a foot injury nixed that. The Cardinals then went in a different direction, a Jamar Taylor trade, following their meeting with Breeland.
This, however, would mark the second time Breeland will have met with the Colts this year. Indianapolis brought him in for a May meeting, but that appeared to be more of an exploratory powwow. Now, it would seem the Colts would be more interested in an agreement. The Colts have kept tabs on Breeland since, Stephen Holder of the Indianapolis Star reports (on Twitter), but he still doesn’t envision a signing.
The Colts lost Rashaan Melvin to the Raiders in free agency and did not make a notable investment at this position this offseason. They have second-year second-rounder Quincy Wilson tabbed to start on one side. Former UDFA Kenny Moore made five starts last season as well. A 2017 fifth-rounder, Nate Hairston is in the mix, and Indy also has veteran Pierre Desir coming to camp. Breeland has started more games (58) than the Colts’ current corners have combined.
Cleveland, meanwhile, has overhauled its cornerback contingent this year. Denzel Ward, T.J. Carrie, E.J. Gaines and Terrance Mitchell join incumbents Briean Boddy-Calhoun and Mike Jordan. Howard Wilson, a fourth-rounder last year, is set to miss another full season due to injury. The Browns also drafted Louisiana-Lafayette’s Simeon Thomas in Round 6.
The Browns, however, were interested in Breeland prior to his foot injury in March. And with the former second-rounder still being available as training camps commence, he probably won’t cost as much as he would have then. However, the latest entrants into the Breeland derby have money to spend. The Browns (with an NFL-most $69MM in cap space) obviously don’t lack for available funds. The Colts sit second with $50MM-plus.
Patriots Looking To Trade Malcolm Mitchell
Malcolm Mitchell is on the trade block. The Patriots have been shopping the wide receiver this summer, sources tell Tom Pelissero of NFL.com (on Twitter). 
Mitchell has shown potential in the Patriots’ offense, including the 2016 season in which he had 32 catches. However, he has been held back by injuries and he may be on the wrong side of a numbers crunch this offseason, even when factoring in Julian Edelman’s four-game suspension.
The Patriots hope they’ll be able to turn back the clock and get bounce-back seasons out of Kenny Britt and Jordan Matthews. Beyond that, they also have Chris Hogan, Cordarrelle Patterson, Braxton Berrios, and special teams ace Matt Slater in the mix. It’s likely that they could move forward with those six WRs for Week 1, which would allow them to perhaps net a draft pick for Mitchell.
Mitchell — who missed all of the 2017 campaign with a knee injury – had 32 catches for 401 yards and four touchdowns as a rookie. Then, in the Super Bowl, Mitchell caught six passes for 70 yards as the Patriots defeated the Falcons.
Browns Place Josh Gordon On NFI List
Josh Gordon will not be with the Browns as training camp gets underway. Details are murky at this time, but what we do know is that Gordon has not been suspended by the NFL – at least not yet.
There is currently “no timetable for his return,” NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy told Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com. McCarthy added that the league will “address the matter at the appropriate time.”
For now, Gordon will be placed on the non-football illness reserve list until he is ready to return, GM John Dorsey announced. For his part, Gordon released a statement indicating that the camp absence is a part of his treatment program:
To my Cleveland Browns and NFL Family,
I am reaching out to you all personally and letting you know that I am not only doing great physically but mentally as well. You will notice that I will not be in Cleveland for the start of training camp. Rest assured, this, too, is a part of my overall health and treatment plan. I appreciate the awesome support I have received from teammates, friends, fans, and the Browns organization. Just like you, I am excited to start the season and I have every intention of being ready and available to join my teammates soon to help bring winning football to our fans.
With the help of the NFL, NFLPA, and the Browns’ organization, I have been able to utilize the resources available to me that will ensure my well-being on and off the field. By continuing to follow the plan set up by our medical director and his team and taking this time before this season starts, we believe it will help me maintain the progress I’ve made for not only today but for many years to come.
Thank you all for your patience, love, and support! Go Browns!
Sincerely,
Josh Gordon
Gordon first joined the Browns as a second-round pick in the 2012 supplemental draft. All in all, he has appeared in 40 games and recorded 179 receptions for 3,089 yards and 15 touchdowns. In 2013, he led the league with 1,646 receiving yards.
When he’s on the field, he’s one of the best wide receivers in the game. However, off-the-field troubles have kept him off the gridiron for much of his career. If Gordon violated the league’s substance abuse policy again, there could be a lengthy suspension coming his way.
Tony Sparano Passes Away
Vikings offensive line coach Tony Sparano, who previously served as the head coach of the Dolphins and the interim head coach of the Raiders, in addition to a number of other coaching positions in the NFL and collegiate ranks, has passed away, per KSTP.com (the Vikings have since confirmed the news). He was just 56.
Sparano complained of chest pains on Thursday and was admitted to a hospital, but was released on Friday following tests, according to Chris Mortensen of ESPN.com (Twitter links). Sparano’s wife then found him unconscious Sunday morning as his family was attempting to leave for church.
Sparano’s coaching career began as the offensive line coach at the University of New Haven in 1984, and after working on the offensive coaching staff at Boston University from 1988-93, he rejoined New Haven as head coach in 1994. He moved to the NFL as an offensive quality control coach for the expansion Browns in 1999, which marked the beginning of a 19-year career in the pros.
He is, of course, best known for his time as Miami’s head coach and his innovative Wildcat offense that became an NFL sensation in 2008, his first year at the helm for the Dolphins. Miami would go 11-5 that season en route to an AFC East title, the only time since 2003 that a team other than the Patriots has won that division (although Tom Brady was lost for the season during Week 1 of that campaign). The Dolphins, though, lost to the Ravens during the wildcard round of the 2008 playoffs, and they would not return to the postseason under Sparano’s watch.
Miami fired Sparano towards the end of the 2011 season, and he became the offensive coordinator of the division-rival Jets the following year. He moved on to the Raiders in 2013 and he took over as Oakland’s interim head coach upon Dennis Allen‘s dismissal following Week 4 of the 2014 campaign. The Raiders went just 3-9 under his command, however, and he would not get another shot as head coach, so he finished his NFL head coaching career with a 32-42 overall record.
Nonetheless, the 49ers hired him to be their tight ends coach in 2015, and he signed on with the Vikings in 2016. He may have moved around a lot, but he was clearly a respected coach with an offensive mind that NFL teams appreciated.
He leaves behind his wife, Jeannette, three children (one of whom, Tony Sparano Jr., is currently an assistant offensive line coach for the Jaguars), and four grandchildren.
Vikings owners Mark and Zygi Wilf issued the following statement:
“Our hearts go out to Jeanette and the entire Sparano family as we all mourn the loss of Tony. Tony was a passionate and driven individual who cared deeply about his family, and especially enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren. Tony’s presence within the Vikings organization will be deeply missed. We are only thinking of Tony’s family during this incredibly difficult time. We ask that the entire NFL and Vikings family keep the Sparanos in their thoughts.”
We here at PFR offer our condolences and best wishes to Sparano’s family and friends.
Bashaud Breeland To Visit Raiders, Chiefs
Four-year Redskins starter Bashaud Breeland remains on the market, despite having agreed to an $8MM-per-year deal with the Panthers months ago. But the fifth-year cornerback has surmounted the foot injury that scuttled that agreement and is going to see what the pre-training camp market looks like.
Breeland will visit the Raiders and Chiefs next week, Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com tweets. He’ll head to Oakland on Sunday, with Demovsky adding that visit is slated to go into Monday as well, and is scheduled to trek to Kansas City on Tuesday.
Following his recovery from an offseason foot injury, Breeland also visited the Cardinals. But Arizona subsequently traded for Jamar Taylor, who is now in line to start opposite Patrick Peterson. The parties moved on, but the 26-year-old defender has an obvious connection in Oakland.
With Breeland (Pro Football Focus’ No. 54 corner in 2017) having played for Jay Gruden for four seasons, it’s likely Jon Gruden will have good information about the corner. The former Washington second-round pick started 58 games during his Redskins run. The Raiders moved on from their Sean Smith/David Amerson tandem this offseason but have Gareon Conley now healthy and added veterans Rashaan Melvin, Shareece Wright and Leon Hall. Breeland is younger than each of those offseason signees and would add to a crowded competition of experienced performers.
Kansas City signed Amerson but has a glaring vacancy at outside corner. The Chiefs traded Marcus Peters for what was not considered to be strong value and doesn’t have an obvious replacement for the All-Pro. Former Breeland teammate Kendall Fuller is now expected to start as one of the Chiefs’ outside corners, but he thrived in 2017 as a slot stopper. It’s possible Kansas City uses Fuller like Denver deploys Chris Harris — as an outside man in base sets and in the slot in sub-packages — but it remains to be seen how the Chiefs will use Fuller.
The team is also moving Steven Nelson from the slot spot to an outside role as well, but Breeland would look to have a better shot at surefire playing time in western Missouri than in the Bay Area due to Peters’ departure.
Interestingly, the AFC West rivals also could be battling for another notable UFA, with each slated to meet with former Steelers wideout Eli Rogers.
Andrew Luck “Good To Go” For Camp
Colts quarterback Andrew Luck is “good to go” for training camp, Colts GM Chris Ballard tells reporters (Twitter link via Stephen Holder of the Indy Star). That means Luck won’t have to begin next week on the PUP list, which is a very positive sign for his progress. 
[RELATED: Looking Back On Luck’s Massive Contract Extension]
Luck will still take some days off, but there won’t be any limitations while he’s on the field. Before Ballard’s announcement today, no one was quite sure of Luck’s status for camp.
The QB missed all of 2017 with a shoulder issue and was finally able to throw a regulation-sized football in June. The Colts have been extremely cautious with Luck this offseason as the quarterback admitted that he attempted a 2017 return too quickly. Last season, the Colts were insistent that Luck would eventually return to the field, but they had to throw in the towel in November by placing him on IR.
Luck’s shoulder was largely a non-issue in 2016 as he threw for 4,240 yards and 31 touchdowns with a career-high 63.5 completion percentage. After months of surgeries, procedures, and grueling rehab, the Colts are hoping that Luck will be able to reprise that performance in 2018.
When healthy, Luck is one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL. The Stanford product posted more than 70 combined touchdowns in 2014 and 2016, and the 28-year-old (29 in September) is a three-time Pro Bowler.
NFL, NFLPA Issue Statement On National Anthem
The NFL and the NFL Players Association have issued a joint statement indicating the league will no longer enforce the national anthem protest policy introduced in May. which required all league personnel to “stand and show respect for the flag and the Anthem.”
“The NFL and NFLPA, through recent discussions, have been working on a resolution to the anthem issue. In order to allow this constructive dialogue to continue, we have come to a standstill on the NFLPA’s grievance and on the NFL’s anthem policy. No new rules relating to the anthem will be issued or enforced for the next several weeks while the confidential discussions are ongoing.
The NFL and NFLPA reflect the great values of America, which are repeatedly demonstrated by the many players doing extraordinary work in communities across to promote equality, fairness and justice.
Our shared focus will remain on finding a solution to the anthem issue through mutual, good faith commitments, outside of litigation.”
The NFL announced its aforementioned anthem policy earlier this year, and it indicated players would longer be required on the field while the anthem was performed. If a player failed to stand for the anthem, his team would then be fined. The new rule also gave commissioner Roger Goodell the power to impose “appropriate discipline” on personnel who violated the stipulations.
The NFLPA subsequently filed a grievance, arguing that the rights of players were being violated, but that suit is now also on hold. The national anthem protests, which have ignited nationwide discussion as well as comments from President Donald Trump, were in the news earlier this week on two occasions. First, Titans defensive tackle Jurrell Casey said he would kneel for the anthem and accept any subsequent fines. And today, the Dolphins caused a fervor after classifying anthem protests under a “conduct detrimental to the club” umbrella.