Ravens [FONT="]to release WR Jeremy Maclin
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[FONT="]Cardinals releasing Tyrann Mathieu
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Joe Thomas [FONT="]is calling it a career
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Thank you Mike
Cardinals release Tyrann Mathieu after he declines pay cut.
TEMPE, Ariz. -- The Arizona Cardinals took a chance on safety Tyrann Mathieuin 2013, and on Wednesday they parted ways with the Honey Badger.
Mathieu was cut just hours before $5.75 million of his 2018 salary and $8 million of his 2019 salary were to be guaranteed Wednesday afternoon, the first day of the league year. Mathieu was also due a $5 million roster bonus on March 16.
He was asked by the Cardinals to take a pay cut on Thursday but declined.
"I've never made a secret that Tyrann has always had a special place in my heart and always will," Cardinals general manager Steve Keim said in a statement. "While we all understand this is a part of the business, that certainly doesn't make it any easier. We all wish Tyrann nothing but continued success in his career and beyond."
When healthy, Mathieu was considered one of most dynamic defenders in the NFL. He had a reputation for having a nose for the football and played with a reckless abandon that helped shape who he was as a safety. The 5-foot-9 Mathieu became known as one of the best nickel defenders in the league, preferring to play in the box, where he felt he could make an impact on every play, rather than roaming the secondary.
However, Mathieu's promising career in Arizona was marred by injuries.
Mathieu, 25, finished three of his five seasons on injured reserve thanks to two major knee injuries -- a torn ACL and LCL in 2013 and a torn ACL in 2015. Mathieu's 2015 knee injury derailed the best season of his career. When he went down in Week 15 -- the game the Cardinals clinched their most recent NFC West title -- he was in the conversation for Defensive Player of the Year. He was named a first-team All-Pro and to the Pro Bowl that season.
His 2016 season was cut short by a shoulder injury that landed him on injured reserve.
Last season was the first that Mathieu played in all 16 games as he continued to recover mentally and physically from the past injuries.
He was suspended by LSU before the 2012 season for failing drug tests and then was arrested on drug-related charges that October before leaving school to begin preparing for the NFL draft. He missed the entire 2012 season, leading to him falling to the Cardinals in the third round of the 2013 draft.
In 66 career games, Mathieu has 303 tackles, 25 pass breakups, 22 passes defensed, 11 interceptions, four sacks and four forced fumbles.
TEMPE, Ariz. -- The Arizona Cardinals took a chance on safety Tyrann Mathieuin 2013, and on Wednesday they parted ways with the Honey Badger.
Mathieu was cut just hours before $5.75 million of his 2018 salary and $8 million of his 2019 salary were to be guaranteed Wednesday afternoon, the first day of the league year. Mathieu was also due a $5 million roster bonus on March 16.
He was asked by the Cardinals to take a pay cut on Thursday but declined.
"I've never made a secret that Tyrann has always had a special place in my heart and always will," Cardinals general manager Steve Keim said in a statement. "While we all understand this is a part of the business, that certainly doesn't make it any easier. We all wish Tyrann nothing but continued success in his career and beyond."
When healthy, Mathieu was considered one of most dynamic defenders in the NFL. He had a reputation for having a nose for the football and played with a reckless abandon that helped shape who he was as a safety. The 5-foot-9 Mathieu became known as one of the best nickel defenders in the league, preferring to play in the box, where he felt he could make an impact on every play, rather than roaming the secondary.
However, Mathieu's promising career in Arizona was marred by injuries.
Mathieu, 25, finished three of his five seasons on injured reserve thanks to two major knee injuries -- a torn ACL and LCL in 2013 and a torn ACL in 2015. Mathieu's 2015 knee injury derailed the best season of his career. When he went down in Week 15 -- the game the Cardinals clinched their most recent NFC West title -- he was in the conversation for Defensive Player of the Year. He was named a first-team All-Pro and to the Pro Bowl that season.
His 2016 season was cut short by a shoulder injury that landed him on injured reserve.
Last season was the first that Mathieu played in all 16 games as he continued to recover mentally and physically from the past injuries.
He was suspended by LSU before the 2012 season for failing drug tests and then was arrested on drug-related charges that October before leaving school to begin preparing for the NFL draft. He missed the entire 2012 season, leading to him falling to the Cardinals in the third round of the 2013 draft.
In 66 career games, Mathieu has 303 tackles, 25 pass breakups, 22 passes defensed, 11 interceptions, four sacks and four forced fumbles.
[h=1]Ravens cut Jeremy Maclin after one down season.[/h]
OWINGS MILLS, Md. -- Jeremy Maclin's disappointing first season with the Baltimore Ravens proved to be his last one.
The cap-needy Ravens gained $5 million in space by cutting Maclin after he recorded career lows with 40 catches for 440 yards. He was due a $1 million roster bonus on Friday.
This move was expected after general manager Ozzie Newsome said last month that he wanted to change the look of the team's wide receiver room. Parting ways with Maclin comes one day after the Ravens reached agreements with wide receivers Ryan Grant and John Brown.
Maclin's struggles were compounded by injuries. He missed two games in October with a shoulder injury, and he was sidelined for the final two games with a knee issue. Maclin, 29, has played a full 16-game season twice in his nine-year career.
There were high expectations when Baltimore signed Maclin to a two-year, $11 million contract after he was abruptly released by the Kansas City Chiefs last offseason.
Considered the top wide receiver available at the time, Maclin had averaged 68 catches, 900-plus receiving yards and six touchdowns in the first seven seasons of his NFL career. With Baltimore, he topped 50 yards receiving in only three games.
The Ravens' four offseason departures -- Maclin, Lardarius Webb, Austin Howard and Danny Woodhead -- created $11.55 million in cap space as well as $6.8 million in dead money. These moves allowed Baltimore to nearly triple its original cap room.
OWINGS MILLS, Md. -- Jeremy Maclin's disappointing first season with the Baltimore Ravens proved to be his last one.
The cap-needy Ravens gained $5 million in space by cutting Maclin after he recorded career lows with 40 catches for 440 yards. He was due a $1 million roster bonus on Friday.
This move was expected after general manager Ozzie Newsome said last month that he wanted to change the look of the team's wide receiver room. Parting ways with Maclin comes one day after the Ravens reached agreements with wide receivers Ryan Grant and John Brown.
Maclin's struggles were compounded by injuries. He missed two games in October with a shoulder injury, and he was sidelined for the final two games with a knee issue. Maclin, 29, has played a full 16-game season twice in his nine-year career.
There were high expectations when Baltimore signed Maclin to a two-year, $11 million contract after he was abruptly released by the Kansas City Chiefs last offseason.
Considered the top wide receiver available at the time, Maclin had averaged 68 catches, 900-plus receiving yards and six touchdowns in the first seven seasons of his NFL career. With Baltimore, he topped 50 yards receiving in only three games.
The Ravens' four offseason departures -- Maclin, Lardarius Webb, Austin Howard and Danny Woodhead -- created $11.55 million in cap space as well as $6.8 million in dead money. These moves allowed Baltimore to nearly triple its original cap room.
Browns tackle Joe Thomas to retire after 11 seasons.
The Pro Football Hall of Fame might want to start preparing: Joe Thomasfigures to be arriving in five years.
Thomas, 33, announced Wednesday that he will retire after 11 standout seasons with the Cleveland Browns.
"This was an extremely difficult decision, but the right one for me and my family," Thomas said. "Playing in the NFL has taken a toll on my body and I can no longer physically compete at the level I need to.
"From the moment I was drafted, the city embraced me in a way that I could never fully describe. I am proud to call Cleveland home. The loyalty and passion of the fans is unmatched and it was an honor to play in front of them from the past 11 years. I would like to thank all of the coaches, teammates, staff, fans and everyone who has shown me support throughout my career. Even though I will be hanging up my cleats, I will always be a Cleveland Brown."
Thomas was the model of consistent excellence for the Browns, from the day they drafted him third overall out of Wisconsin in 2007 until he tore his triceps tendon on Oct. 22 of last season.
That injury snapped a streak of 10,363 consecutive snaps, believed to be the longest in NFL history. Thomas played every down of every game from the time he was drafted until that injury. And he played every play and every game at a high level.
In his 11 seasons, Thomas missed the Pro Bowl once -- last season because of the injury. Thomas' 10 Pro Bowls in 10 seasons are a Browns record, one year more than Hall of Famers Jim Brown and Lou Groza.
Only four other players in NFL history made the Pro Bowl in each of their first 10 seasons -- Merlin Olsen (14), Mel Renfro (10), Barry Sanders (10) and Lawrence Taylor (10). Thomas' feat is even more impressive given the Browns had one winning season during that span -- in his rookie season -- and he never played in a playoff game. The Browns in his tenure went 48-128, an average of 4.4 wins per season.
Yet Thomas never asked out. His attitude about playing in hopeless seasons was summed in one simple quote midway through his career: "You still have a job to do."
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</article>Because of that attitude, and because of his high standard, Thomas was embraced by Cleveland, a city he made his year-round home. Browns fans appreciated his work ethic, enjoyed his sense of humor and admired the fact Thomas never made it about him and never wanted to play for another team. Thomas is a rarity in sports -- an outstanding player who spent his entire career with the team that drafted him.
Thomas' future could be in broadcasting and media. In January he spent a day at ESPN working on various shows, and on the same day he was in Bristol, Connecticut, his first-person analysis of why it was smart for the Browns to retain Hue Jackson appeared on SI.com.
Thomas has a popular podcast with former receiver Andrew Hawkins called The ThomaHawk Show. He also hosted the Joe Thomas Hour on the team's website, a show he introduced as "the most exciting two minutes of your life."
Regardless of where his career heads, Thomas will surely be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame and he seems a likely candidate to earn entry in his first year of eligibility.
The Pro Football Hall of Fame might want to start preparing: Joe Thomasfigures to be arriving in five years.
Thomas, 33, announced Wednesday that he will retire after 11 standout seasons with the Cleveland Browns.
"This was an extremely difficult decision, but the right one for me and my family," Thomas said. "Playing in the NFL has taken a toll on my body and I can no longer physically compete at the level I need to.
"From the moment I was drafted, the city embraced me in a way that I could never fully describe. I am proud to call Cleveland home. The loyalty and passion of the fans is unmatched and it was an honor to play in front of them from the past 11 years. I would like to thank all of the coaches, teammates, staff, fans and everyone who has shown me support throughout my career. Even though I will be hanging up my cleats, I will always be a Cleveland Brown."
Thomas was the model of consistent excellence for the Browns, from the day they drafted him third overall out of Wisconsin in 2007 until he tore his triceps tendon on Oct. 22 of last season.
That injury snapped a streak of 10,363 consecutive snaps, believed to be the longest in NFL history. Thomas played every down of every game from the time he was drafted until that injury. And he played every play and every game at a high level.
In his 11 seasons, Thomas missed the Pro Bowl once -- last season because of the injury. Thomas' 10 Pro Bowls in 10 seasons are a Browns record, one year more than Hall of Famers Jim Brown and Lou Groza.
Only four other players in NFL history made the Pro Bowl in each of their first 10 seasons -- Merlin Olsen (14), Mel Renfro (10), Barry Sanders (10) and Lawrence Taylor (10). Thomas' feat is even more impressive given the Browns had one winning season during that span -- in his rookie season -- and he never played in a playoff game. The Browns in his tenure went 48-128, an average of 4.4 wins per season.
Yet Thomas never asked out. His attitude about playing in hopeless seasons was summed in one simple quote midway through his career: "You still have a job to do."
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</article>Because of that attitude, and because of his high standard, Thomas was embraced by Cleveland, a city he made his year-round home. Browns fans appreciated his work ethic, enjoyed his sense of humor and admired the fact Thomas never made it about him and never wanted to play for another team. Thomas is a rarity in sports -- an outstanding player who spent his entire career with the team that drafted him.
Thomas' future could be in broadcasting and media. In January he spent a day at ESPN working on various shows, and on the same day he was in Bristol, Connecticut, his first-person analysis of why it was smart for the Browns to retain Hue Jackson appeared on SI.com.
Thomas has a popular podcast with former receiver Andrew Hawkins called The ThomaHawk Show. He also hosted the Joe Thomas Hour on the team's website, a show he introduced as "the most exciting two minutes of your life."
Regardless of where his career heads, Thomas will surely be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame and he seems a likely candidate to earn entry in his first year of eligibility.
People should realize something from the Joe Thomas retirement.
He meant absolutely nothing to their wins and losses despite possibly being the best at his position over the last decade.
I've said it before.
1. GET THE QB ( and this is not easy but once you have him you are set)
2. Protect the QB. Imagine Joe Thomas playing in Green Bay.
3. Rush the QB. If you get pressure from 4 guys, you are golden.
The easy to do blueprint of the NFL except step 1. That is why any GM that has gotten step 1 and doesnt win year in and year out absolutely sucks.
I could have 5 Joe Thomas's and Deshon Kizer. I still will suck.
He meant absolutely nothing to their wins and losses despite possibly being the best at his position over the last decade.
I've said it before.
1. GET THE QB ( and this is not easy but once you have him you are set)
2. Protect the QB. Imagine Joe Thomas playing in Green Bay.
3. Rush the QB. If you get pressure from 4 guys, you are golden.
The easy to do blueprint of the NFL except step 1. That is why any GM that has gotten step 1 and doesnt win year in and year out absolutely sucks.
I could have 5 Joe Thomas's and Deshon Kizer. I still will suck.
[FONT="]Back for his 17th NFL season
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Lions [FONT="]announced today that they have released TE Eric Ebron
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Patrick Robinson [FONT="]rejoining the Saints[/FONT][FONT="] on four-year deal
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[h=1]<yt-formatted-string class="style-scope ytd-video-primary-info-renderer" style="--yt-endpoint-color:hsl(206.1, 79.3%, 52.7%);">Joe Thomas announces retirement on the Thoma Hawk Show</yt-formatted-string>[/h]
[FONT="]As expected, the Dolphins[/FONT][FONT="] will release Ndamukong Suh. So, with free agency about to open, another big name will hit the market.[/FONT]
[FONT="]The Broncos [/FONT][FONT="]have a few interested teams regarding a possible Trevor Siemian trade, sources say. They continue to shop him.[/FONT]
Jordy Nelson visiting Raiders,Seahawks and Saints.
Giants [FONT="]expected to sign OT Nate Solder to four-year, $62M deal
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49ers [FONT="]to sign RB Jerick McKinnon to four-year deal
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Browns [FONT="]to sign RB Carlos Hyde to three-year deal
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