Cleveland Browns sign running back Kareem Hunt

Kareem Hunt
photo courtesy: USA Today

Kareem Hunt has been given a second chance at a career in the NFL.

ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that the young running back signed a one-year deal with the Cleveland Browns on Monday.

Chiefs released Hunt on November 30th. Since that time the talented back has remained on the Commissioner's Exempt list unable to practice or play for any team.

Hunt is still under investigation by the league for the February incident that was caught on video as well as two other incidents of assault. He will likely face a lengthy multi game suspension once the investigation is complete.

Hunt will be reunited with John Dorsey who drafted him to the Chiefs in 2017.

Robert Alford signs with Arizona Cardinals

Robert Alford
Photo Courtesy: Getty Images

It didn't take long for cornerback Robert Alford to find a new home.

According to Ian Rapoport, the recently released star signed a three-year $22.5 million deal on Thursday.

Cardinals defense is under the leadership of their new defensive coordinator Vance Joseph. Alford's signing will be a welcome addition to a defense that finished 20th last season.

Alford has 10 sacks and one forced fumble in his six year NFL career with the Falcons. He joins Patrick Peterson, Budda Baker, Antoine Bethea and D.J. Swearinger in a very stacked secondary.

Patriots hiring Greg Schiano as defensive coordinator

Greg Schiano
photo courtesy: Associated Press

Patriots have found their new defensive coordinator.

According to the Boston Globe, New England is hiring former Ohio State defensive coordinator Greg Schiano as their newest defensive coordinator.

Schiano does have previous NFL experience. He worked as a defensive assistant and defensive backs coach for the Chicago Bears in 1996 to 1998. He later became the head coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for two seasons in 2012 where he led the team to a 11-21 record before being fired at the end of the 2013 season.

Schiano has a long standing relationship with head coach Bill Belichick and left Ohio State after the retirement of head coach Urban Meyer to return to coaching in the NFL. He will replace Brian Flores who left to become the Miami Dolphins head coach.

Patrick Mahomes wins 2018 MVP, OPOY awards

photo courtesy: USA Today

Saturday night the NFL held their annual awards ceremony in Atlanta. While the highlight of the night was the announcement of the Pro Football Hall of Fame class of 2019, the winners of the most prestigious awards of the night didn't come as a big surprise.

Patrick Mahomes was named both the league MVP and the Offensive Player of the Year. Mahomes threw for 5,097 yards and 50 touchdowns to just 12 interceptions in 2018 making him the runaway favorite for both awards.

Chicago Bears snagged two coaching awards with Matt Nagy winning the Coach of the Year award and Vic Fangio winning Assistant Coach of the Year award.

Aaron Donald won his second consecutive Defensive Player of the Year award. He previously won the Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2014.

Saquon Barkley beat out Baker Mayfield for Offensive Rookie of the Year and Darius Leonard beat out Derwin James and Bradley Chubb for Defensive Rookie of the Year.

Andrew Luck had a great year passing for 4,953 yards and 39 touchdowns and leading his team back into the playoffs. He was awarded the Comeback Player of the Year for his effort.

Chris Long was named Walter Payton Man of the Year for his philanthropic efforts through his Chris Long Foundation.

Secondary players get recognition with Pro Football Hall of Fame 2019 inductees

photo courtesy: Pro Football Hall of Fame

Saturday the Pro Football Hall of Fame selection committee made their choices for induction into the Hall. The Class of 2019 included Broncos owner Pat Bowlen and NFL contributor Gil Brandt, but the biggest surprise came from the large number of secondary players that were included.

This year's class included four secondary players; cornerback Ty Law, safety Ed Reed, cornerback Champ Bailey and safety Johnny Robinson. Aeneas Williams was the last secondary player to get inducted in 2014.

Center Kevin Mawae and tight end Tony Gonzalez round out the list of finalists to be inducted this year. Gonzalez and Reed both made the final selection in their first year of eligibility.

The Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrinement ceremony will be held Saturday, August 3rd in Canton.

Super Bowl LIII Prediction

New England Patriots vs. Los Angeles Rams

Patriots come in off an impressive win over the Chiefs. The Pats are a different team in the postseason being nearly unstoppable. While there were lingering questions about the team's defense leading up to their matchup against the Chiefs, all of this was laid to rest within the first half of the game. While the Chiefs were able to mount a comeback, they were no match for Brady and the Pats amazing offense. This team will be hard to beat on the biggest stage.

Rams come in off a controversial yet still tremendous win over the Saints. While the defense struggled in the team's three losses this season, they were able to make key stops in the Championship. Goff stepped up and looked like a solid veteran and Todd Gurley showed why he was the offensive player of the year in 2018. Sean McVay will have this team ready to face any challenge the Pats may throw their way.

Rams had one of the top offenses in the league all season and will give the Patriots all they can handle, but the Pats will not lose back to back Super Bowls with Belichick and Brady leading the charge.

Prediction: Patriots 

Julius Peppers announces retirement from the NFL

Julius Peppers
photo courtesy: Associated Press

After 17 seasons in the league, Carolina Panthers defensive end Julius Peppers announced his retirement from the NFL on Friday.

Peppers was an All-American at UNC where he won the Chuck Bednarik Award as the top defensive player, the Lombardi Award as the best collegiate lineman and the Bill Willis Trophy as the best defensive lineman.

Peppers was drafted No. 2 overall in 2002 by the Panthers. He would spend eight seasons with the team before signing with the Chicago Bears in 2010. He would sign with the Green Bay Packers in 2014 and go on to spend three seasons with them before returning to the Panthers in 2017.

Peppers finished his career fourth overall in career sacks with 159.5. He also had 51 forced fumbles, 11 interceptions and four touchdowns.