Carolina Panthers to be featured on Amazon series 'All or Nothing'

All or Nothing: Carolina Panthers
photo courtesy: Amazon Studios

Amazon Studios' 'All or Nothing' is back for its fourth season and is featuring another new team.

On Wednesday the streaming service announced that they would be featuring the 2018 Carolina Panthers for this year's documentary series.

'All or Nothing' is different than HBO's 'Hard Knocks' in that it follows a team through an entire NFL season instead of through training camp.

The eight part series follows the highs and lows of wins and losses both on and off the field and shows the lives of players and coaches as they try to navigate through everyday life during an NFL season.

The new season will premiere July 19 on Amazon Prime Video.

Dallas Cowboys tight end Rico Gathers suspended one-game for violation of NFL substance abuse policy

Rico Gathers
photo courtesy: Associated Press

Rico Gathers will start the season not playing for the Cowboys.

On June 14 the NFL announced that the 25-year-old tight end was being suspended without pay for the first game of the regular season for violation of the NFL's policy and program on substances of abuse. The suspension is a result of his in 2018 for marijuana possession. 

Gathers can practice and play through the preseason but will not be available to hit the field until the week of September 9th.

Gathers was drafted by Dallas in 2016 but has yet to make a significant impact amassing just three receptions for 45 yards in his three year career.

With the suspension Gathers chances of making the final 53-man roster is greatly diminished.

New Orleans Saints sign wide receiver Rishard Matthews

Rishard Matthews
photo courtesy: Associated Press

Rishard Matthews has found a new home for 2019.

On June 13th ESPN reported that the New Orleans Saints signed the 29-year-old to a deal.

The veteran wide receiver was drafted in the seventh round by the Dolphins in 2012 and spent three seasons with the team before signing with the Titans in 2016. He spent three years with the Titans before signing with the Jets and playing in just five games before landing on injured reserve.

In his seven year NFL career the 6'/207 pound veteran amassed 230 receptions for 3,160 receiving yards and 21 receiving touchdowns.

Kansas City Chiefs sign Harrison Butker to five-year contract extension

Harrison Butker
photo courtesy: Associated Press

Harrison Butker is staying with the Chiefs for several more years.

On June 13th the 23-year-old kicker agreed to a five year $20.3 million contract extension with an average annual salary of $4.06 million with the Chiefs.

Butker was drafted by the Panthers in the seventh round in 2017 where he was subsequently waived and signed to the practice squad where the Chiefs selected him.

In his two year NFL career the 6'3/205 pound veteran has completed 62 of 69 field goals and 93 of 97 extra points making him one of the better kickers in the league.

The new deal keeps him locked in Kansas City through the 2024 season.

Kenny Moore agrees to contract extension with Indianapolis Colts

Kenny Moore
photo courtesy: Associated Press

Kenny Moore will be staying put in Indianapolis.

On June 13 the 23-year-old agreed to a four-year $30 million contract extension with a max value of $36 million and $18 million in guaranteed money with the Colts.

Patriots signed Moore as an undrafted rookie in 2017 before waiving him prior to the start of the season. He was picked up by the Colts played all 16 games of his rookie season starting five and finishing with 38 tackles, five passes defended and one interception.

The slot corner improved upon his numbers in 2018 finishing with 77 tackles, 11 passes defended and three interceptions in 15 starts.

The new deal will keep the young defensive back locked in through 2023.

Mitchell Schwartz signs one-year extension with the Chiefs

Mitchell Schwartz
photo courtesy: Associated Press

Mitchell Schwartz is sticking around in Kansas City.

On June 11th the 30-year-old right tackle signed a one-year $11.255 million contract extension with the Chiefs.

The veteran lineman still had two years remaining on his previous deal that he signed in 2016. The new deal keeps him locked in Kansas City through the 2021 season.

The First Team All Pro is considered the top right tackle in the league and has never missed a game in his seven year career.

New Orleans Saints sign Cam Jordan to three-year contract extension

Cam Jordan
photo courtesy: Associated Press

Cam Jordan will be remaining with the Saints for the foreseeable future.

On June 11th Adam Schefter reported that the 29-year-old defensive end had agreed to a three-year $52.5 million contract extension witht he Saints including $42 million in guaranteed money and an average annual salary of $17.5 million.

The 6'4/287 pound veteran has spent his entire eight year career in New Orleans where he has been a 4x Pro Bowler, a First Team All Pro and a Second Team All Pro.

In his eight seasons in the league Jordan has missed just one game and has amassed 410 tackles, 71.5 sacks, 10 forced fumbles, nine fumble recoveries, two interceptions and one defensive touchdown.

The new deal keeps the veteran locked in through the 2023 season.

Denver Broncos owner Pat Bowlen passes away at age 75

Pat Bowlen
photo courtesy: Associated Press

Denver Broncos are mourning the loss of their beloved owner.

On Friday, the team announced the passing of Pat Bowlen late Thursday night at the age of 75.

Bowlen had been the majority owner of the Broncos since March 23, 1984. In his 35 years of ownership the team appeared in seven Super Bowls, winning three in 1997, 1998 and 2015. He was the first owner with over 300 wins in their first 30 years of ownership.

During Bowlen's ownership the team averaged more than 10 wins per season tying for second best winning percentage as well as a league-high 199 home wins. The team sported 21 winning seasons, 18 playoff berths and a league low seven losing seasons. The team also posted more than 300 sellout games and more than 350 nationally televised games. He was inducted into the Broncos Ring of Honor in 2015. 

On top of his contributions to the team, Bowlen helped in the growth of the NFL. He served on 15 different NFL committees including the NFL Broadcasting Committee which helped to grow the television market of the league and NFL Management Council Executive Committee where he played a role in the collective bargaining agreements in 2006 and 2011.

Bowlen was also active in the Colorado community where he donated more than $35 million to the local community and was inducted in the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame in 2007.

Bowlen was a 2019 selection for the Pro Football Hall of Fame in February and will be inducted posthumously in August.

Houston Texans' search for a general manager continues

Bill O'Brien
photo courtesy: Associated Press

The Houston Texans search for a new general manager continues.

After pursuing New England Patriots director of player personnel Nick Caserio, the Texans backed off their offer when the Patriots threatened to file a tampering charge. With Caserio off the table Houston is back to square one. With the new season fast approaching the chance of the Texans starting the season without a new GM grows.

The lack of a general manager at this point isn't fully detrimental. The team could decide to wait until next offseason to start a new round of interviews when there is more potential for a new GM to be available. This may in fact be a better option than trying to bring someone in with less than 80 days left before the start of the new season.

Caserio's contract runs through the 2020 NFL draft so if the Texans waited they could potentially get him next season without charges of tampering.

Another option is to hire Scott Pioli who recently stepped down as the Falcons assistant general manager to pursue other opportunities. Pioli has previously worked for the Chiefs and Patriots and could be a better fit with O'Brien in Houston. Time will tell what the Texans decide to do.

Oakland Raiders to be featured on Hard Knocks this season

Jon Gruden and Mike Mayock
photo courtesy: Associated Press

HBO's training camp series "Hard Knocks" has chosen the team they will feature in 2019.

On Tuesday HBO announced that the Oakland Raiders would be the that team.

Both Gruden brothers, Jay Gruden in Washington and Jon Gruden in Oakland, were available for the annual series, but ultimately the intrigue surrounding the Raiders were much more compelling to cover.

Raiders hired Mike Mayock as their general manager in December. Since that time the team has added two big personalities in linebacker Vontaze Burfict and wide receiver Antonio Brown and drafted two surprise picks in running back Josh Jacobs and defensive end Clenin Ferrell. Add to this the fact that Isaiah Crowell was lost for the season in OTAs which forced the team to bring back Doug Martin and the uncertainty of the Marshawn Lynch's intention to play for the team this season, the team has a lot of tantalizing character stories to follow on Hard Knocks.

Personalities aside, the bigger fascination is the future location of the team. Raiders came to an agreement with the city of Oakland to use the Oakland Coliseum for the 2019 and potentially the 2020 season, depending on how fast their new home in Las Vegas can be completed. The current timeline has the the new stadium opening in time for the 2020 season.

While Mark Davis and Oakland made an agreement for the current season, there is still resentment and pending litigation against the team for their move. This too should play well for a television audience depending on how far the producers are willing to delve into the story in a five episode series.

All in all this should be a very entertaining season of Hard Knocks. The new season will premiere on August 6 on HBO.

Philadelphia Eagles sign QB Carson Wentz to four-year contract

Carson Wentz
photo courtesy: Associated Press

The Eagles are all in on Carson Wentz for the foreseeable future.

On Friday Ian Rapoport reported that Philadelphia signed the 25-year-old to a four-year, $128 million contract with $107 million in guaranteed money and an average annual salary of $32 million.

The Super Bowl 52 champion is a one time Pro Bowler and a one time second team All Pro.

In his three-year NFL career the 6'5/237 pound passer has amassed 923 passes for 10,152 passing yards, and 70 passing touchdowns along with 144 rushes for 542 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns.

The new deal locks Wentz in with the Eagles through the 2024 season.

Vikings sign tight end Kyle Rudolph to four-year contract extension

Kyle Rudolph
photo courtesy: Associated Press

After weeks of trade rumors, the Vikings ended all speculation on the future of Kyle Rudolph in Minnesota.

On Monday night, Adam Schefter reported that the Vikings had signed their 29-year-old tight end to a four-year $36 million contract extension. Rudolph will sign the deal on Tuesday morning.

The two time Pro Bowler has spent his entire eight year NFL career with Minnesota and has amassed 386 receptions for 3,787 receiving yards and 41 receiving touchdowns.

Rudolph took to his Twitter to express his excitement for his new deal:

#UnfinishedBusiness #Skol pic.twitter.com/ooOXJruWFF

— Kyle Rudolph (@KyleRudolph82) June 11, 2019

Rudolph was set to become a free agent next season but now will remain with the Vikings for the foreseeable future. 

Indianapolis Colts Antonio Garcia suspended first four games of 2019

Antonio Garcia
photo courtesy: Associated Press

Antonio Garcia will start the 2019 season away from the Colts.

On Monday Ian Rapoport reported that the NFL had suspended the veteran offensive tackle for the first four games of the 2019 season for violation of the policy on performance enhancing drugs.

Garcia was drafted by the Patriots in the third round in 2017 but never played a down of football for the team. He was later diagnosed with blood clots in his lungs which led to a 40 pound weight loss. Patriots released Garcia in May 2018. He was later claimed by the Jets who released him before the start of the 2018 season.

With the four game suspension, Garcia's chances of making the Colts roster has become very limited.

New Orleans Saints sign Kayvon Webster

Kayvon Webster
photo courtesy: Associated Press

Kayvon Webster is headed west for the 2019 season.

On Monday Ian Rapoport reported that the New Orleans Saints were signing the 28-year-old.

Webster spent last season with the Texans where he spent most of the season on injured reserve.

The defensive back previously spent time with the Rams and Broncos. In his six year NFL career the cornerback amassed 122 tackles, one forced fumble, 21 pass deflections and two interceptions.

New York Jets re-sign running back Bilal Powell

Bilal Powell
photo courtesy: Associated Press

Bilal Powell is returning to the green and white next season.

On Monday the Jets announced the re-signing of running back Bilal Powell.

The 30-year-old worked out with the team on Friday and impressed the team enough to bring him back.

Powell started the first seven games of last season rushing for 343 yards on 80 carries along with 11 receptions for 110 yards and one touchdown.

In his eight year NFL career the 5'10/204 pound rusher amassed 791 rushes for 3,446 rushing yards and 75 rushing touchdowns along with 204 receptions for 1,567 receiving yards and five receiving touchdowns.

Houston Texans fire general manager Brian Gaine

Brian Gaines
photo courtesy: Associated Press

Texans made a major change in their front office.

On Friday Houston announced the firing of general manager Brian Gaine. 

Gaine was hired as the team's GM in January 2018 after the team's former general manager Rick Smith took a leave of absence to care for his ailing wife. 

Gaine began his off field career in 1999 as a scout for the New York Jets. He became the Cowboys pro scout in 2005 and followed Bill Parcels to Miami and became the director of pro personnel. He stayed with the team through 2013 rising to the position of assistant general manager in 2012. He spent time with the Texans in 2014 as the director of player personnel where he served three years before being hired by the Bills in for one season in 2017.

With Gaine out the Texans spent the weekend interviewing candidates for the open position. The team interviewed former Browns GM Ray Farmer and 49ers current vice president of player personnel Martin Mahew.

Cincinnati Bengals sign guard John Jerry

John Jerry
photo courtesy: Getty Images

John Jerry will be headed to the midwest for the 2019 season.

On Monday Ian Rapoport reported that the Cincinnati Bengals signed the 32-year-old offensive lineman.

The former third round pick was cut by the Giants last season and wasn't picked up by any other team. Jerry spent time with the Dolphins from 2010-2013 before his time with New York.

New York Jets hire Joe Douglas as new general manager

Joe Douglas
photo courtesy: Associated Press

Jets finally have filled their vacant general manager position.

On Friday New York announced the hiring of former Eagles Vice President of Player Personnel Joe Douglas as their new GM.

Douglas started his NFL career working in the personnel department with the Baltimore Ravens from 2000-2015. In 2015 he was hired as the director of college scouting by the Chicago Bears. In 2016 the Eagles hired Douglas as their VP of Player Personnel.

Douglas signed a six-year deal with the Jets.

Carolina Panthers agree to terms with defensive tackle Gerald McCoy

Gerald McCoy
photo courtesy: Associated Press

Gerald McCoy found his new home for the 2019 season.

On Tuesday ESPN reported that the 31-year-old had agreed to a one-year $7 million contract with $4 million in guaranteed money and a max value of $10.25 million including incentives.

McCoy gave himself the weekend to decide between the Ravens, Browns and Panthers. His decision to sign with Carolina keeps him in the NFC South division and facing his old team twice this season.

The 6'4/300 pound lineman is a 6x Pro Bowler, 3x First Team All Pro and 1x Second Team All Pro. In his nine year NFL career McCoy has amassed 297 tackles, 53.5 sacks, 21 pass deflections and six forced fumbles.

Steelers linebacker Ryan Shazier wins 2019 George Halas Award

Ryan Shazier
photo courtesy: Associated Press

Ryan Shazier may not have returned to the field but that hasn't stopped him from being honored for his amazing recovery.

On Monday the Pro Football Writers of America selected the 26-year-old as the winner of their 2019 George Halas Award.

The annual award is given to the player, coach or staff member who overcomes the most adversity to succeed. Previous award winners include Marquise Goodwin, Eric Berry and Steve Gleason.

Shazier suffered a catastrophic back injury in December 2017 that left many believing he would never walk let alone play again.

Since that time the two time Pro Bowler has regained his mobility and even walked down the aisle.

Shazier will not be back on the field in 2019 though he will be with the Steelers throughout the season. There is no date set for his return to play.