ATLANTA -- The Atlanta Falcons have agreed to terms on a five-year contract extension with running back Devonta Freeman.
The deal was announced Wednesday, on the eve of the team's preseason opener at Miami.
Terms haven't been released, but the deal is expected to make Freeman one of the NFL's highest-paid running backs.
During his three seasons with the Falcons, the Miami native has racked up 2,383 rushing yards, including back-to-back 1,000-yard rushing seasons in 2015 and 2016. His 3,175 total yards over the past two seasons ranks second in the NFL, behind teammate Julio Jones.
Freeman's agent first raised the prospect of a lucrative extension before the Falcons played in the Super Bowl. While negotiations carried on, the running back said he had no intention of holding out because he didn't want to be a distraction (see full story).
Patriots: Team sends DT Vince Wilfork into retirement
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- The New England Patriots are sending former defensive tackle Vince Wilfork into retirement.
The defending NFL champions are holding a news conference to say goodbye to the player who helped them win two Super Bowls. He played in New England for 11 seasons and was named to five Pro Bowls.
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He signed with the Houston Texans in 2015 and played his last two years there. His final game came against the Patriots in the playoffs in January, when he was cheered by the New England fans as the final seconds ticked off the clock.
The 6-foot-2, 325-pound lineman announced his retirement in a barbeque commercial earlier this week. He finishes his career with 559 tackles, 26 passes defensed, 16 sacks, four forced fumbles and three interceptions (see full story).
Jets: Temple product Anderson leading WR group
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- Pop quiz: Name the New York Jets' No. 1 wide receiver.
For the casual football fan, that question might leave them a bit stumped. After all, Brandon Marshall, of course, is a member of the Giants and Eric Decker is in Tennessee with the Titans -- both offseason cuts as the Jets slashed several high-priced veterans.
Quincy Enunwa, who has all of 80 career receptions, was expected to be at the top of New York's depth chart until a neck injury last Saturday night knocked him out for the season.
Give up? Well, the answer is: Robby Anderson.
Yep, that Robby Anderson who was signed as an undrafted free agent out of Temple last year and made the Jets with an outstanding training camp. He had 42 catches for 587 yards and two TDs last season, and now suddenly finds himself the leader of a revamped and alarmingly inexperienced group of wide receivers (see full story).
