It has been an active week around the National Football League. Some star players have been released and another star player came closer to being reinstated into the league. Here’s the winners and losers of this week’s action around the NFL.
The Winners
Adrian Peterson, Running Back, Minnesota Vikings
A step in the right direction. Peterson had his suspension overturned by the Federal Courts. However, this doesn’t mean Peterson has been reinstated. By virtue of the court ruling, he’s now back on the Commissioner’s Exempt List. Either way, it’s still a win for the future Hall of Fame running back. We can expect a lot of Peterson news in the coming days and weeks as the league appeals the ruling.
The Arizona Cardinals
They have new candidates for potential running backs to help Andre Ellington shoulder the load. A couple of llamas in Sun City, Arizona went rogue and were incredibly hard to capture. They ran amazing routes while dodging defenders left and right. Literally, no one could catch them for several minutes.
The NFL even compared the llamas to Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch.
Josh McCown, Quarterback, Cleveland Browns
What? McCown was about the only available and semi-appealing quarterback out on the open market. After speaking with the Buffalo Bills, New York Jets and Chicago Bears, he has reportedly has signed a contract with the Cleveland Browns. The simple fact that McCown had a bidding war for his services makes him a winner in my mind.
Michael Sam, Former NFL Defensive End
Not only did Sam get an invitation to join this season’s cast of Dancing with the Stars, he also received an invite to participate at the first-ever Veteran NFL Training Combine that takes place at the end of March. We wish Sam luck juggling this hectic schedule as he aims for another shot in the league.
The Losers
Old Running Backs and Wide Receivers
The Pink Slips have been flying around in full force this week. Sadly these players were a victims of their team’s cuts this week.
DeAngelo Williams
After nine seasons with the Carolina Panthers, the 31-year-old running back was cut from the team. The injury-plagued Williams only played in six games in 2014, managing just 245 rushing yards and zero touchdowns.
Peyton Hillis
Who? The 29-year-old guy that filled in over the last season and a half for the New York Giants was released. Just a few short years after gracing the cover of Madden, Hillis’ career may very well be over.
Reggie Bush
According to some, Bush is now an old man. About to turn 30 on Monday, the Lions sent him a rather mean gift earlier this week. Unfortunately, Bush’s 297 rushing yards and two touchdowns in 2014 surely made the Lions’ decision to release Bush that much easier.
Steven Jackson
At 31-years-old, Jackson was just given his walking papers on Thursday after two uneventful seasons with the Falcons. However, Jackson has stated he still has some tread on his tires and would like to play next season. It’s now up to a team to give him that shot.
Jacoby Jones
Also 30-plus, Jones has returned his last punt for the Baltimore Ravens. Without producing much on offense, Jones is strictly a return man—an older one at that. Does he have enough to make an impact moving forward?
Harry Douglas
After six seasons with the Falcons, Douglas become yet another 30-year-old veteran to receive a pink slip this week. With only one season where he achieved 1000-plus yards, Douglas took a backseat to fellow wideouts Roddy White and Julio Jones for the most of his career. He should still draw some decent interest on the open market.
Brian Hartline
At just 28, Hartline is the youngest of the bunch to get released this week. The team needed to make room in its budget for potentially continuing to overpay Mike Wallace. Unfortunately, that came at the expense of this former Ohio State standout.
Rob Gronkowski’s ex or future girlfriends
He doesn’t want anything to do with being tied down to any woman at this time. All the sad’s for the ladies out there.
The people who made death threats against former Packers’ tight end Brandon Bostick.
If you’re reading this article and are one of those people who made death threats against Bostick, we’d rather not enjoy your company.
Brian Hoyer and Johnny Manziel, Quarterbacks, Cleveland Browns
See Josh McCown in the winner’s section above.
Photo: USA Today