NFL teams have started OTAs, as most of the non-rookies are finally back at practice. While free agency is largely quiet, there is still plenty buzz around the league. There are a few big name free agents still on the market, and teams are working on getting new deals done with players who will be free agents next year. Here are the latest and greatest of NFL rumors and news around the league.
Aqib Talib Shot Himself?
Denver Broncos CB Aqib Talib was shot in the leg Sunday morning and the Broncos are trying to figure out what exactly happened. One possible situation is that Talib pulled a Plaxico Burress and accidentally shot himself in the league. There's speculation from Yahoo! Sports that Talib shot himself, and Pro Football Talk reports the Broncos are looking into that as a possibility. The positive news for Talib is that the gunshot only required stitches and wasn't severe at all.
Marshawn Lynch Is Retired
There's been speculation in recent months that Marshawn Lynch isn't actually retired. Lynch's latest comments should put those rumors to bed once and for all.
“No I'm done. I'm done,” Lynch told Jon Wertheim of Sports Illustrated. "I enjoyed my time playing, now it's time to watch my cousins do their thing."
Lynch's agent also told SI that while Lynch returning to his hometown Oakland Raiders would be a "storybook ending," Lynch is done playing in the NFL.
Kawann Short Skipping Workouts Over Contract?
Carolina Panthers DT Kawann Short is due for a hefty new contract. It appears that contract discussions with the Panthers aren't going very well, and Short is now skipping OTAs. Bill Voth of Black and Blue Review reports Short skipped all three of the Panthers' OTA practices last week and won't be in attendance for the final week. That's a direct result of where the contract negotiations are at this point. Short is going to get paid, with Voth speculating he could get more than the six-year, $90 million deal Malik Jackson received from the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Panthers are likely hesitant to give Short that type of money, which is why
Dolphins Passing On CBs?
The Dolphins aren't going to add Leon Hall or Antonio Cromartie at this time, reports the Miami Herald. While there's a chance they could revisit adding either if injuries occur, Hall and Cromartie aren't likely to end up in Miami. The Herald reports the team is happy with what they've seen from Xavien Howard, Tony Lippett, Byron Maxwell and Bobby McCain so far.