Cowboys exploring trade value for Felix Jones

Posted by Josh Alper on April 11, 2012, 4:07 PM EDT

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The emergence of DeMarco Murray last season could spell the end of Felix Jones‘ run in Dallas.

Calvin Watkins of ESPNDallas.com reports that the Cowboys have had internal discussionsabout trading Jones and that it “wouldn’t surprise anyone” if he’s let go should the Cowboys take a runner in the middle rounds of the draft to serve as Murray’s complement next season. Jones entered last season with hopes of being the Cowboys’ featured runner, but injuries limited him to 12 games and 575 yards.

Bengals exploring Rivers to Giants trade

Terry McCormick - National Football Post

The Cincinnati Bengals could be looking to trade veteran linebacker Keith Rivers to the New York Giants, according to reports.

Joe Reedy of the Cincinnati Enquirer says via Twitter that the "wheels are turning" on a possible trade that could send the former first-round pick to the Super Bowl champs.

Briggs signs 3-year extension

Posted by Mike Florio on April 11, 2012, 2:12 PM EDT

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Linebacker Lance Briggs wasn’t happy with his prior contract.  He now has a new contract.  Presumably, he’s happy with his new contract.

In light of the veteran linebacker market, he should be.

Per a league source, Briggs’ new deal pays $17.5 million over three years, $5 million of which is fully guaranteed.  (As a practical matter, another $3.25 million is guaranteed, given that it’s highly unlikely the Bears will cut him this year.)

Irsay calls Tannehill draft's hidden gem

Posted by Michael David Smith on April 11, 2012, 1:23 PM EDT

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Colts owner Jim Irsay has already tweeted that Andrew Luck is the Colts’ likely selection with the first overall pick in the NFL draft, but that isn’t stopping him from talking up another quarterback, Texas A&M’s Ryan Tannehill.

Irsay is not, however, suggesting that there’s any chance the Colts will take Tannehill. Instead, he’s saying that after the Colts take Luck and the Redskins take Robert Griffin III, some team will trade up with the Vikings and take Tannehill third overall.

Terence Newman joins the Bengals

Posted by Michael David Smith on April 11, 2012, 11:53 AM EDT

AP

The Cincinnati Bengals are saying hello toTerence Newman.

Newman, a free agent cornerback who was released by the Cowboys this year, has signed with the Bengals, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

The Cowboys took Newman with the fifth overall pick in the 2003 NFL draft, and he’s been a starter for them ever since. But Newman struggled in 2011, and the Cowboys decided they needed to upgrade at the position by signing free agent cornerback Brandon Carr.

Wednesday morning one-liners

Posted by Michael David Smith on April 11, 2012, 7:53 AM EDT

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Cowboys QB Tony Romo and his wife, Candice Crawford, had their first child this week, a boy named Hawkins Crawford Romo.

At a time when many newspaper staffs are overextended, it’s good to see that theWashington Post can still dedicate a reporter to the important task of carefully scrutinizing every available picture of Redskins owner Dan Snyder and coach Mike Shanahan standing next to each other.

The Giants would like to bring back free agent LB Jonathan Goff if they can do it at the right price, but Goff has drawn interest from the Dolphins.

Eagles CB Nnamdi Asomugha is making a difference in the lives of young people.

Report: Knighton threatened to shoot people

Terry McCormick - National Football Post

A police report surfaced on Tuesday in the incident that involves Jacksonville defensive tackle Terrance Knighton, and it does not cast the Jaguars star in the best of lights.

Wake a no-show in Miami

Terry McCormick - National Football Post

The Miami Dolphins' off-season program began on Tuesday, and linebacker Cameron Wake was a no-show.

Urlacher: Bears making moves like never before

Posted by Michael David Smith on April 11, 2012, 6:52 AM EDT

AP

Brian Urlacher has given his seal of approval to new Bears General Manager Phil Emery, saying that unlike past years, the Bears have taken a step forward this offseason.

“On paper we’re a better football team than we were last year at the end of the season, so I’m excited about that,” Urlacher told the Chicago Tribune. “Phil Emery knows what he’s doing, obviously; Brandon Marshall, Michael Bush, Matt [Forte] coming back, that was a big deal. Tim Jennings, Israel [Idonije], [Eric] Weems, I know I’m leaving some guys out, I don’t mean to, but we’ve done a lot.”

Brees disputes bounty allegations

Posted by Mike Florio on April 10, 2012, 8:46 PM EDT

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When Saints quarterback Drew Brees first addressed his team’s three-year bounty program, Brees claimed that he wasn’t aware of the system’s “real existence.”  In his most recent remarks on the subject, Brees said that it didn’t exist at all.

“I would say what we’ve been accused of in regards to pay for injury is not the case,” Brees said at the Tuesday press conference regarding his upcoming golf tournament.

Brees offered no specifics to contradict the NFL’s findings, which have resulted in a one-year suspension for coach Sean Payton, an eight-game suspension for G.M. Mickey Loomis, a six-game suspension for assistant head coach/linebackers coach Joe Vitt, an indefinite suspension for former Saints defensive coordinator Gregg Williams, and a $500,000 fine and the loss of two second-round pick for the Saints.  (All suspensions have been upheld on appeal; Williams did not file an appeal.)