A couple of veterans found themselves new homes during the first full week of training camp, the first being running back, Reggie Bush. The tailback met with the Buffalo Bills on Monday, and left with a one-year deal. The 31-year-old is expected to compete for the backup spot with Jonathan Williams.
As last year's backup, Karlos Williams, is suspended for the first four games of the season, Bush could play a hug role in the Bills' offense early in the year. Jonathan Williams was arrested on a DWI charge earlier this month, which could hurt his case to being the team's No. 2.
Sources close to the Bills say that Bush could also be an option to return punts during the season. The former Heisman winner was recently released by the Detroit Lions after missing most of the 2014 season due to injuries. In 10 seasons, Bush has 5,493 rushing yards, as well as 3,508 receiving yards. He has reached 1,000 rush yards twice, once with Miami, and once with Detroit.
The other veteran that signed with a team comes on the other side of the ball, as defensive end Dwight Freeney agreed to a deal with the Atlanta Falcons. The seven-time Pro Bowler received a one-year deal from Atlanta. His most recent stop saw him play 11 games with the Cardinals, recording eight sacks.
The 36-year-old became a free agent in March, and visited the Falcons in May. He looks to add to what was a dismal front-line defense for Atlanta, as they ranked last with 19 sacks as a team.They have 20 fewer sacks than any other team over the last three seasons.
When Freeney visited Atlanta in May, he did not need to work out for them, because, well, 119.5 career sacks speaks for itself.
A younger defensive star got paid as well on Monday, as safety Tyrann Mathieu agreed to a five-year contract extension with the Arizona Cardinals. The extension is reportedly worth $62.5 million, and includes $40 million in guaranteed money, which is the most for any safety in the league.
The young star received this deal despite his injury past, which includes tearing his ACL with two games left last season. He also tore an ACL in 2013. Mathieu has yet to be cleared for action, but is expected to be in the next two weeks.
The injury may have costed the former LSU Tiger a Defensive Player of the Year award last year. The secondary force had five interceptions, 89 tackles, one sack, and his first career defensive touchdown. Those numbers got so high with him playing 62.3 percent of his plays at the cornerback position.
Mathieu fell to the third round of the 2013 NFL draft due to his off-the-field issues at LSU. He was kicked off the team in 2012 for failing multiple drug tests, and then arrested that October for possession of marijuana. Entering his fourth season in the NFL, Mathieu has put those troubles behind him, shifting the focus to his stellar play on the field.
As last year's backup, Karlos Williams, is suspended for the first four games of the season, Bush could play a hug role in the Bills' offense early in the year. Jonathan Williams was arrested on a DWI charge earlier this month, which could hurt his case to being the team's No. 2.
Sources close to the Bills say that Bush could also be an option to return punts during the season. The former Heisman winner was recently released by the Detroit Lions after missing most of the 2014 season due to injuries. In 10 seasons, Bush has 5,493 rushing yards, as well as 3,508 receiving yards. He has reached 1,000 rush yards twice, once with Miami, and once with Detroit.
The other veteran that signed with a team comes on the other side of the ball, as defensive end Dwight Freeney agreed to a deal with the Atlanta Falcons. The seven-time Pro Bowler received a one-year deal from Atlanta. His most recent stop saw him play 11 games with the Cardinals, recording eight sacks.
The 36-year-old became a free agent in March, and visited the Falcons in May. He looks to add to what was a dismal front-line defense for Atlanta, as they ranked last with 19 sacks as a team.They have 20 fewer sacks than any other team over the last three seasons.
When Freeney visited Atlanta in May, he did not need to work out for them, because, well, 119.5 career sacks speaks for itself.
A younger defensive star got paid as well on Monday, as safety Tyrann Mathieu agreed to a five-year contract extension with the Arizona Cardinals. The extension is reportedly worth $62.5 million, and includes $40 million in guaranteed money, which is the most for any safety in the league.
The young star received this deal despite his injury past, which includes tearing his ACL with two games left last season. He also tore an ACL in 2013. Mathieu has yet to be cleared for action, but is expected to be in the next two weeks.
The injury may have costed the former LSU Tiger a Defensive Player of the Year award last year. The secondary force had five interceptions, 89 tackles, one sack, and his first career defensive touchdown. Those numbers got so high with him playing 62.3 percent of his plays at the cornerback position.
Mathieu fell to the third round of the 2013 NFL draft due to his off-the-field issues at LSU. He was kicked off the team in 2012 for failing multiple drug tests, and then arrested that October for possession of marijuana. Entering his fourth season in the NFL, Mathieu has put those troubles behind him, shifting the focus to his stellar play on the field.
