Lions release another player with an off-season arrest

Posted by Michael David Smith on July 24, 2012, 4:06 PM EDT

For the second day in a row, the Lions have released one of their players who was arrested this offseason.

Yesterday cornerback Aaron Berry was given the old heave-ho, and today offensive tackle Johnny Culbreath has been released. Culbreath, a 2011 seventh-round draft pick, was arrested in January for marijuana possession.

To fill Culbreath’s spot on the offensive line, the Lions have picked up offensive tackle Jonathan Scott, who was released by the Steelers five days ago.

This will be Scott’s second stint with the Lions, who took him out of Texas in the fifth round of the 2006 NFL Draft. After two years with the Lions he spent two years with the Bills and then two years with the Steelers. It’s unlikely that Scott can compete for a starting job in Detroit, but he may earn a spot on the 53-man roster as the No. 4 tackle behind last year’s starters Jeff Backus and Gosder Cherilus, and this year’s first-round draft pick Riley Reiff.

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Browns get Weeden deal done

Posted by Josh Alper on July 24, 2012, 2:38 PM EDT

Getty Images

The day started with news that the Browns were on the verge of a deal with quarterback Brandon Weeden.

The news proved to be correct. According to Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer, the 22nd pick of the 2012 Draft signed a four-year deal worth about $8.1 million. Cabot reports that Weeden received a partial guarantee in the fourth year of the deal.

That means Weeden will be able to join the rest of the Browns rookies in reporting to camp and starting work on Wednesday. He’ll be joined by running back Trent Richardson, who signed his own contract on Monday.

Now that Weeden’s signed, the waiting game shifts to the field. How long will it take for the Browns to go ahead and name the 28-year-old their starting quarterback?

The Browns don’t seem to have their heart in putting up much of a front about a competition for the job with Colt McCoy. They’ve talked openly about seeing Weeden, Richardson and wide receiver Josh Gordon, selected in the second round of the Supplemental Draft, playing leading roles in the offense for years to come, something that might as well start as soon as possible.

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Rams working to sign Steven Jackson for life

Posted by Mike Florio on July 24, 2012, 1:03 PM EDT

AP

Yes, Rams running back Steven Jackson admits that at times over the last five years he wanted to be traded to a contender.

But, no, he’s currently not thinking about playing for any other team.

Jackson said on Tuesday’s PFT Live that he’s currently talking to the Rams about a contract that would allow him to retire as a member of the only team with which he has played.

Kendall Wright still unsigned

Posted by Michael David Smith on July 24, 2012, 10:28 AM EDT

AP

The rookie salary structure in the new Collective Bargaining Agreement has eliminated the lengthy contract negotiations that used to result in first-round draft picks routinely missing some or even all of training camp. But that doesn’t mean every rookie will report to camp on time.

Titans first-round draft pick Kendall Wright, a wide receiver selected 20th overall from Baylor, remains unsigned today as the Titans’ rookies report to training camp, and the Tennesseanreports that the Titans aren’t expecting to get Wright’s contract done today.

Although the CBA dictates that Wright’s contract will be in the range of a four-year, $8.2 million deal, the two sides may continue to haggle over how much of that money is fully guaranteed.

Every day Wright misses of camp is a day when he’ll be missing out on time to learn the offense and work with quarterbacks Matt Hasselbeck and Jake Locker, who are reporting early along with the rookies. Wright is expected to start for the Titans, and with No. 1 receiver Kenny Britt recovering from a knee injury and possibly facing a suspension after his recent drunk driving arrest, the Titans want Wright to be ready to go from Day One. For that to happen, he needs to sign soon.

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Panthers are not completely shifting to the 3-4

Posted by Darin Gantt on July 24, 2012, 10:22 AM EDT

Reuters

It’s easy to see why some might think the Panthers are switching things up on defense.

But they’re not changing it to the extent some might suggest.

In an item at NFL.com yesterday, former NFL personnel man Mike Lombardi made reference to the Panthers switching to a 3-4 system. The item was later edited to read: “mixing in elements of the 3-4.”