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Deon Cain Jersey

Colts rookie receiver Deon Cain is out for the season after tearing his ACL in Thursday’s preseason opener against the Seattle Seahawks, coach Frank Reich said.

Reich said he believes Cain suffered the injury when he was running a vertical route down the field and tried to stop and come back.

Cain, taken in the sixth round of the draft at No. 185 overall out of Clemson, had stood out during training camp by showing his athletic ability to go up and get the ball.

“One of the traits Deon was flashing with some consistency was an ability to really win versus press coverage,” Reich said. “So that’s good news for him going forward. We know we have something special in Deon Cain. He’s a young guy who can develop into a great player. This is obviously a big setback, but you find [out] in this league that’s not uncommon and good players find a way of overcoming those obstacles. We’re counting on Deon to overcome this one as well.”

Receiver was a position of unknowns beyond Pro Bowler T.Y. Hilton coming into training camp for the Colts. Ryan Grant has emerged to take the lead to be the team’s No. 2 receiver, but the third and fourth receiver spots, where Cain was definitely in the mix, are wide open.

Reich didn’t rule out the possibility of looking outside the team for help at receiver. That might only happen if the receivers currently on the roster struggle. Second-year player K.J. Brent is another receiver who has been impressive so far in training camp and will get a shot at moving up the depth chart.

“We’re always evaluating, but right now we’re happy with the receivers we have,” Reich said. “We’re showing good progress. These guys have been working hard, they’ve earned the right to have their opportunity to step up and fill the gap. It’s next man up, as unfortunate as Deon’s injury is. We have to maintain that mentality and these young [receivers] have an opportunity to do that. But as the case with every team, you’re always evaluating. At the end of the day, you always have to do what’s best for the team.”

The Colts are also dealing with injuries at running back. Second-year player Marlon Mack, who has been the front-runner to start, is “week-to-week” with a hamstring injury.

Veteran Robert Turbin is also “week-to-week” with an ankle injury. Rookies Nyheim Hines and Jordan Wilkins and veteran Christine Michael will get a lot of the snaps for the time being.

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Carolina Panthers Jersey

The sale of the Carolina Panthers to hedge fund billionaire David Tepper for an NFL record $2.275 billion is official, it was announced Monday.

Tepper purchased the team from Panthers founder Jerry Richardson, who was fined $2.75 million by the NFL for sexual and racial workplace misconduct on June 28.

“I am thrilled to begin this new era of Carolina Panthers football and am humbled by the overwhelming excitement and support for the team,” Tepper said in a statement. “On behalf of the fans and myself, I thank Jerry Richardson for bringing the team to the Carolinas and for entrusting me with its future.

“Winning is the most important thing both on the field and in the community, and I am committed to winning a Super Bowl championship together. I look forward to being part of the Panthers’ family and to supporting this flourishing region.”

Richardson issued a statement saying he and his wife Rosalind “are grateful to the Carolina community for the love and support you have shown your Panthers. Your enthusiasm for football and devotion to the team has been a source of strength for us and for everyone who calls the Carolinas home.”

He also thanked the players, saying he has “the highest respect for the men who wear the Panthers jersey.”

Finally, he wished Tepper “all the best,” adding that “the team is in good hands.”

Tepper now officially takes over the day-to-day operations of the team. Since being unanimously approved by the NFL’s owners during the May spring meetings in Atlanta, Tepper has met with team captains and other veteran players, as well as Bank of America Stadium employees on the business side.

He also has completed the paperwork, which included removing himself from his 5 percent ownership stake in the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Tepper has been limited in what he could say about the sale, which shatters the league’s previous record purchase price of $1.4 billion for the Buffalo Bills in 2014. But judging by his business moves in the past, he won’t be afraid to make changes.

“David will be a good owner,” Steelers owner Art Rooney II told ESPN at the league meetings. “I’m excited for him to be a part of the league. He has great passion for the game of football … loves the game. He came from Pittsburgh, what else can you ask for?”

Asked why he decided to purchase the Panthers, Tepper reminded he’s been “hanging around” the league for nine years with the Steelers.

“This opportunity came up,” he said. “It’s a fantastic place with a fantastic football team. It’s a great football area. Good people.

“People make fun of me for saying this, but it’s very comfortable down there. For me, we do a lot of charity around the country, so it’s a fantastic platform.”

Tepper re-emphasized what he’s said all along — that the team will remain in Charlotte and there are no plans to build a new stadium outside the city.

“What’s the name of the team?” he asked. “It’s gonna stay the Carolina Panthers. Charlotte is a logical place for a stadium. As far as a new stadium, you’re asking me too much. The only thing I have a market on right now is a lack of knowledge. I’ll call it stupidity.”

Now the question is how Tepper will change the culture that led to the investigation into Richardson, who purchased the team for $140 million in 1993. The new owner was briefed separately by independent investigator Mary Jo White prior to Richardson’s fine being announced.

“I’ve had a business for 25 years. I’m a person that believes in equality for everybody, including men and women,” Tepper said shortly after being introduced by commissioner Roger Goodell at the spring meetings in May. “… Anything that comes out of [the NFL investigation into Richardson] is the past. The past is the past. The future will be that.”

As for the on-the-field product, Tepper said there are no plans to make changes to a team that has made the playoffs in four of the past five seasons, including the Super Bowl in 2015, under coach Ron Rivera.

“There’s a great team down there right now,” Tepper said. “Sometimes it’s better to do nothing than something. You want to be very careful when you do anything.

“The first thing I care about is winning. The second thing I care about is winning. The third thing I care about is?”

Tepper, the founder of global hedge fund Appaloosa Management, has a net worth of $11 billion, according to Forbes.

His ability to write a check for the purchase put him ahead of other candidates in the process that began in February. That the league, according to sources, encouraged Richardson to complete the sale in time for a vote at the spring meetings also worked to Tepper’s favor.

For Tepper, this was the culmination of a dream for somebody who couldn’t afford to go to an NFL game as a kid. He was almost giddy after the owners’ vote.

“Listen, I’m thrilled about this,” he said. “It’s more than fantastic.”

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Wholesale Minnesota Vikings Jersey

The late Dennis Green will be inducted into the Vikings’ Ring of Honor at halftime of Minnesota’s game against the Bills on Sept. 23 at U.S. Bank Stadium.

Green coached the Vikings from 1992 through 2001. He coached 171 games in 10 seasons with a 101-70 record, including playoffs, and finished with the second-most victories in franchise history behind Bud Grant (178).

Green, who died in July 2016, led Minnesota to four NFC Central Division titles and two appearances in the NFC Championship Game. His 1998 team featured one of the best offenses in league history; that group scored 556 points for an average of 34.8 per game, an NFL record that has since been broken.

Green was named NFL Coach of the Year in 1992 by the Washington Touchdown Club and in 1998 by Sports Illustrated and the Maxwell Club. His ties to the community were cemented during his time in Minnesota. Green initiated “Community Tuesdays,” which had players active in the Twin Cities on their day off, a concept that other teams in the league began to implement within their own clubs.

“Dennis Green’s impact on the Minnesota Vikings, and really the entire NFL, is still felt to this day,” Vikings co-owner Mark Wilf said in a statement. “In addition to being widely regarded as one of the NFL’s top coaches, Denny was also known as a great mentor and leader by all who had the fortune of being in his presence. We’re extremely honored to forever memorialize Denny and his family in the Vikings Ring of Honor and we’re looking forward to the induction in September.”

Mark, Zygi and Lenny Wilf, along with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, informed Green’s wife, Marie, of the upcoming honor at team headquarters last Friday. Goodell was in the Twin Cities or the official ribbon cutting ceremony at the Vikings’ new team headquarters, the Twin Cities Orthopedics Performance Center in Eagan.

Green is the sole inductee in 2018, a year after Minnesota brought former receivers Randy Moss and Ahmad Rashad into the Ring of Honor. The prestigious group will soon stand at 24 members, including Fran Tarkenton, Alan Page, Jim Finks, Grant, Paul Krause, Fred Zamberletti, Jim Marshall, Ron Yary, Korey Stringer, Mick Tingelhoff, Carl Eller, Cris Carter, Bill Brown, Jerry Burns, Randall McDaniel, Chuck Foreman, John Randle, Scott Studwell, Chris Doleman, Matt Blair, Joey Browner, Rashad and Moss.

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Cheap Carson Wentz Jersey

Teams have spent months addressing their weaknesses, but they each still face daunting questions that need to be answered. Can Carson Wentz regain the MVP form he displayed before a knee injury ended his season? Is Dak Prescott the seemingly surefire future star who took the league by storm in 2016 or the interception-prone QB who faded down the stretch in 2017? Our NFL Nation reporters identify the story that could define the season for all 32 teams.

AFC EAST

Buffalo Bills

Showing that making the playoffs last season was not a fluke

The Bills snapped a 17-year postseason drought last season, but they were a flawed team that finished near the bottom of the league in both passing offense and rushing defense. They tried to address those areas by trading QB Tyrod Taylor and signing DT Star Lotulelei to a $50 million contract this offseason, but the offense remains a concern. The unexpected retirements of center Eric Wood and guard Richie Incognito could hurt the offensive line, while nobody knows what Buffalo will get this season at quarterback. Whether it is AJ McCarron, Nathan Peterman or rookie Josh Allen under center, the Bills could struggle to meet the high bar they set last season. — Mike Rodak

Miami Dolphins

Is Ryan Tannehill still the quarterback of the Dolphins’ future?

Miami seems to be at a crossroads, teetering on the brink of another rebuild. In what will be his sixth season, Tannehill must not only show that he is recovered from an ACL injury that wiped out his 2017 season, but also prove he can take another step forward after posting a 93.5 passer rating and making the playoffs for the first time in 2016. If Tannehill and the Dolphins regress, it might be time for a new direction for the Dolphins. — Mike Rodak

New England Patriots

Tom Brady and Bill Belichick’s relationship

The most successful quarterback/coach partnership in the NFL hasn’t been together this offseason as Brady has remained away from voluntary work, sparking questions about whether all is well between Brady and Belichick after a season in which Brady’s personal trainer, Alex Guerrero, had his access curbed at Gillette Stadium. Brady has said he is taking the time to be with his family and three children, while Belichick said he is talking only about the players who are present at OTAs. How big of a deal will this ultimately be to the team’s success? — Mike Reiss

New York Jets

Sam Darnold’s development

It will be a huge factor in determining whether the season is a success. His bid for the starting job will be an ongoing theme, from the first day of training camp to his inevitable promotion. People in the organization believe he has the goods to be the Week 1 starter, but coach Todd Bowles won’t rush him. How quickly they elevate him to the starting lineup will say a lot about where the Jets believe they are as an organization. — Rich Cimini

AFC NORTH

Baltimore Ravens

Will this be the end of the John Harbaugh-Joe Flacco era?

Over the past 10 years, Harbaugh and Flacco have combined for 92 regular-season wins, six playoff seasons and one Super Bowl title. But the pressure is on for both to get back to their winning ways. Owner Steve Bisciotti said he considered firing Harbaugh after the Ravens failed to reach the postseason for a third straight year, and Baltimore drafted potential Flacco heir apparent Lamar Jackson in the first round this year. Given that this is already the final season for general manager Ozzie Newsome, the Ravens could undergo a major transformation if they’re sitting at home in January again. — Jamison Hensley

Cincinnati Bengals

Were the Bengals right to bring back head coach Marvin Lewis?

The Bengals’ 0-7 playoff record under Lewis looms large after two non-winning seasons, especially after the team decided in January to bring Lewis back for a 16th and 17th season. The Bengals instead made changes to the rest of the coaching staff and have two new coordinators this year. But if they can’t get back to the playoffs in 2018, that decision will be questioned. — Katherine Terrell

Cleveland Browns

Winning games

The most fundamental achievement of an NFL team has been lost on the Browns the past two seasons. This team needs to win a game, and it needs to happen as soon as possible. — Pat McManamon

Pittsburgh Steelers

The defense going from good to great

Ben Roethlisberger in Year 15 is a massive storyline, but the defense will define the season. It struggled late in the year without Ryan Shazier, who must be replaced. Incremental improvements each year haven’t resulted in playoff glory. If the Steelers are to add a seventh Super Bowl title, now is the time to make a stand and contain offenses in December and January. Mike Tomlin is betting big on a revised, speed-first attack filled with versatile safeties. — Jeremy Fowler

AFC SOUTH

Houston Texans

Can a healthy Deshaun Watson lead the Texans to the playoffs?

For most teams, success starts and ends with the quarterback, and Houston saw last season the importance of Watson. The Texans’ defense is improved, but the additions of Tyrann Mathieu and Aaron Colvin, as well as the returns of J.J. Watt and Whitney Mercilus from injury, won’t be enough to be the sole difference in Houston returning to the playoffs. If Watson can stay healthy and play near the level he did in his rookie season, the Texans should be talented enough to make the playoffs for the fourth time in Bill O’Brien’s first five years. — Sarah Barshop

Indianapolis Colts

Andrew Luck’s health

The quarterback hasn’t played in a game since Week 17 of the 2016 season due to a shoulder injury. The Colts are working under the impression that Luck will play this season, which is why they felt comfortable not taking a quarterback in the April draft despite Luck not having thrown a regulation football since October 2017. A healthy Luck will speed up the Colts’ rebuilding process because he proved during his first three seasons — all playoff appearances — that he’s capable of covering up many of the team’s flaws.The Colts will be in a tough position if Luck isn’t able to regain his form after being out for more than a year. — Mike Wells

Jacksonville Jaguars

Can the offense and QB Blake Bortles become more consistent?

The offense led the league in rushing but dropped off over the season’s final six weeks. The Jags weren’t effective rushing in the fourth quarter of the AFC title game, and that is what they want to do: run the ball even when opposing defenses know they want to run it. That’s why they signed All-Pro G Andrew Norwell, but it will take more consistency along the offensive line for the running game to be at the level coach Doug Marrone wants. Bortles cut his interceptions (from 16 in 2016 to 13 last year) but needs to bring that total to single digits. He’s in the second full season with OC Nathaniel Hackett and says he is more comfortable. That should mean better results. If the offense makes those strides, the Jags should contend for a first-round playoff bye. — Mike DiRocco

Tennessee Titans

Marcus Mariota in a critical Year 4 under a new offense

There aren’t many holes keeping this Titans team from becoming championship contenders, but the big one is maximizing the skill set of Mariota — who is coming off his worst season as a pro (13 TDs, 15 INTs). Previous head coach Mike Mularkey was fired due to his inability to maximize Mariota. Enter Matt LaFleur, the new, exciting offensive coordinator with the keys to the Titans’ offense, who may be even more important than new head coach Mike Vrabel. Mariota’s comfort, success and health will determine how far the Titans go in 2018 and the long-term trajectory of this franchise. — Cameron Wolfe

AFC WEST

Denver Broncos

How Case Keenum plays

Keenum was the centerpiece of the Broncos’ offseason and the guy selected to pull the Broncos out of the 5-11 mess of the 2017 season. President of football operations/general manager John Elway said in March that the Broncos picked Keenum over Kirk Cousins in free agency because in his mind Keenum had a better year in 2017 — 3,547 passing yards and 22 touchdowns after Keenum replaced an injured Sam Bradford in the Minnesota Vikings’ lineup. The Broncos’ defense should be its usual disruptive self to opposing quarterbacks, so the Broncos’ postseason chances will rest largely on three things: (1) how well the Broncos tailor an offense to Keenum, (2) how Keenum builds off his career year, and (3) how well the Broncos solve their ever-thorny offensive line issues. — Jeff Legwold

Kansas City Chiefs

The transition to QB Patrick Mahomes

The Chiefs could be confident in winning at least 10 games and making the playoffs with Alex Smith. They did that in four of his five seasons as QB. So if the Chiefs fail this season in either of those endeavors, it’s an indictment of their move to Mahomes. Smith had one more season remaining on his contract, so the Chiefs could have waited another year to turn their offense over to Mahomes. — Adam Teicher

Los Angeles Chargers

Can the Chargers win the AFC West?

The Bolts return most of their front-line players from a 9-7 team that just missed the playoffs last season. With the rest of the division going through changes at either head coach or the all-important quarterback position, the Chargers have been anointed the favorites to win the AFC West. However, they already lost tight end Hunter Henry for the season with a knee injury and will need to find a way to keep the rest of the team’s playmakers healthy to win the division for the first time since 2009. — Eric D. Williams

Oakland Raiders

Jon Gruden’s return

Jon Gruden last coached in the NFL in 2008 and last coached for the Raiders in 2002. Has the NFL passed him by, or did nine years in ESPN’s Monday Night Football booth actually make him extremely well-prepared for a return to the sideline — with his behind-the-scenes access to all 32 teams and voracious appetite for game film? Gruden is now an old-school coach with old-school values — even if his passion and energy match anything these young players summon. How will his in-your-face personality mesh not only with the younglings, but with a veteran like Marshawn Lynch, who marches to the beat of his own drum? Then there is Derek Carr, who was one of Gruden’s top “pupils” on his QB Camp show in 2014. He played at a league-MVP-type level in 2016 but dropped off significantly in 2017. Now healthy, and with the purported QB whisperer that is Gruden in his ear as his coach, how will Carr react? — Paul Gutierrez

NFC EAST

Dallas Cowboys

Is Dak Prescott a franchise QB?

There are plenty of storylines — Jason Garrett’s future, a team in transition without Jason Witten and Dez Bryant, Ezekiel Elliott’s rebound — but Prescott tops the list based on the importance of his position. In 2016, he was named the NFL’s Offensive Rookie of the Year after leading the Cowboys to a 13-3 record with 23 touchdown passes and four interceptions. In 2017, the Cowboys finished 9-7 and Prescott had 22 TD passes and 13 INTs. The passing game lagged in the second half of last season, with Prescott failing to throw for at least 200 yards in six games. The Cowboys can sign Prescott to an extension after the 2018 season. Should he be paid like a franchise quarterback? If he is more the 2016 version in 2018 and the Cowboys get back to the playoffs, then they have their answer. If he is more middle of the road, they might want to wait on a deal, or they could do one through gritted teeth. — Todd Archer

New York Giants

Is Eli Manning done?

Or was he a victim of the previous regime’s shortcomings? Manning is out of excuses. The Giants added even more weapons and improved the offensive line. This team is going to be as good as the quarterback allows. Manning is looking to bounce back from a pair of disappointing seasons. — Jordan Raanan

Philadelphia Eagles

Carson Wentz’s comeback

A torn ACL and LCL kept him from being on the field for Super Bowl LII. All eyes will be on Wentz and that left knee to see if he’s able to round back into MVP form and lead the Eagles to their second championship in as many seasons. — Tim McManus

Washington Redskins

The Alex Smith era begins

And it’s an important one because it could well be that the head coach’s job security depends on how well Smith performs. Smith is 69-31-1 as a starter since 2011, but, of course, he has received a lot of help. If he continues to win, then Jay Gruden’s security will be fine, but if not? Then Gruden will be on a hot seat; the Redskins haven’t made the playoffs in two straight seasons and a third consecutive miss would not please owner Dan Snyder. It all starts with Smith, and his performance will help dictate a lot of the Redskins’ success. — John Keim

NFC NORTH

Chicago Bears

Will Mitchell Trubisky play well enough for Bears to be NFC North contenders?

Chicago believes it already has a top-10 defense in place, but the Bears’ playoff hopes rest on Trubisky’s ability to measure up with fellow division quarterbacks Aaron Rodgers, Matthew Stafford and Kirk Cousins. The Bears had one of the NFL’s worst scoring offenses in 2017. That must change for Chicago to be relevant in the treacherous NFC North. — Jeff Dickerson

Detroit Lions

Is the new regime better than the old one?

The Lions fired Jim Caldwell after back-to-back 9-7 seasons, in part because general manager Bob Quinn thought his team was better than that. He then went out and hired Matt Patricia, the former New England Patriots defensive coordinator, to try to take Detroit from a team always in the middle of the pack to an actual contender. How much difference there is in Year 1 under the Patricia/Quinn leadership duo could tell whether this franchise is on the right path. — Michael Rothstein

Green Bay Packers

Bye-bye Ted and Dom

For years, Packers fans loved to hate GM Ted Thompson (for his lack of activity in free agency) and defensive coordinator Dom Capers (for underperforming units). New GM Brian Gutekunst has shown early on that he’s a tad more aggressive than his old boss, and new defensive coordinator Mike Pettine promises the same. This season should show whether Thompson and Capers were what has held the Packers back from getting to another Super Bowl. If they’re not, then perhaps more changes could come next offseason. — Rob Demovsky

Minnesota Vikings

Is Kirk Cousins worth the $84 million the Vikings guaranteed to him in free agency?

Minnesota has been searching for stability at quarterback for more than a decade and believes it secured its next franchise QB this offseason. The investment in Cousins for the next three seasons points to a Super Bowl-or-bust mentality, and given that quarterbacks of Cousins’ caliber don’t often become available on the open market, Minnesota had to go all-in and move on from the three QBs it had on its roster a year ago. The Vikings are putting a lot of faith into Cousins as the missing piece between this team and a championship, and the last thing the Vikings want to experience is buyer’s remorse. Whether Cousins can outperform the quarterbacks he replaced (especially those who are starting on other teams) is the storyline of the Vikings’ 2018 season. — Courtney Cronin

NFC SOUTH

Atlanta Falcons

Can the offense regain its 2016 dominance?

The Falcons averaged a league-best 33.8 points per game en route to Super Bowl LI but then dipped to 22.1 points per game last season. The second year under offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian is expected to be much better, especially with one-time MVP Matt Ryan surrounded by Julio Jones, Devonta Freeman, rookie Calvin Ridley and a host of other offensive weapons. — Vaughn McClure

Carolina Panthers

Can Norv Turner help Cam Newton return to his 2015 NFL MVP form?

Things will be different for Newton. Turner, the Panthers’ new offensive coordinator, is implementing more high-percentage passes and ideally would like Newton to pass more frequently instead of keeping the ball and running himself. With Carolina’s defense expected to remain at a top-10 level, how well Newton and the offense perform will determine how far this team goes, because NFC South rivals Atlanta and New Orleans surely will be explosive once again. — David Newton

New Orleans Saints

Can the Saints’ young breakout stars of 2017 lead them to the Super Bowl in 2018?

That’s how high expectations are in New Orleans after last year’s draft class produced the NFL’s Offensive Rookie of the Year in Alvin Kamara, the Defensive Rookie of the Year in Marshon Lattimore and five starters total. The Saints were one play away from the NFC Championship Game last season. They’re healthier now and deeper after adding several reinforcements in free agency. And they still have Drew Brees and Sean Payton, making them as legit as any contender in the crowded NFC field. — Mike Triplett

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Can they prove that their 9-7 season two years ago under head coach Dirk Koetter was no fluke?

Was hanging on to Koetter and the rest of the coaching staff after they fell to 5-11 last season the right call? Previous Bucs coaching staffs under Greg Schiano and Lovie Smith weren’t afforded the luxury of a third year, but neither of those teams had the benefit of a winning season in Year 1. — Jenna Laine

NFC WEST

Arizona Cardinals

Sam Bradford’s health

When he’s healthy, Bradford is one of the most efficient quarterbacks in the NFL, but his injury history doesn’t suggest he’ll stay healthy for long. As Bradford’s health goes, so go the Cardinals. If he stays on the field, the Cardinals could see their first winning season since 2015. If he doesn’t, Arizona may be in for a third straight year of .500 or worse. And whether Josh Rosen, Arizona’s first-round pick, plays this season could also depend on whether Bradford gets hurt. — Josh Weinfuss

Los Angeles Rams

Managing expectations

For the 2017 Rams under first-year coach Sean McVay, the bar was low — they simply needed to improve on the previous four-win season. After winning 11 games, finishing atop the NFC West and making their first playoff appearance in 12 years — not to mention acquiring All-Pro cornerbacks Aqib Talib and Marcus Peters and All-Pro defensive lineman Ndamukong Suh this offseason — the 2018 Rams are early favorites to again win the division and make a playoff run. Can they perform under the pressure of higher expectations? — Lindsey Thiry

San Francisco 49ers

Will Jimmy Garoppolo seize the opportunity?

For the Niners, this season is all about Garoppolo and his first opportunity to be a starter for an entire season. Garoppolo has heard the questions about his performance based on a small sample size, and now he’s getting the chance to prove he can be the franchise quarterback the 49ers believe he can be. With question marks at all levels of the defense, the Niners’ chances to become playoff contenders amid higher expectations will come down to whether Garoppolo can deliver on his immense promise. — Nick Wagoner

Seattle Seahawks

Seahawks’ defense in transition

Technically, two of the founding members of the Legion of Boom are still with the team. But Earl Thomas is entering the last year of his contract, with no indication that an extension is coming anytime soon, and Kam Chancellor may never play again because of a neck injury. Richard Sherman is gone, as are two other longtime stalwarts in Michael Bennett and Cliff Avril. What has been a historically excellent defense driven by its secondary will now revolve around linebackers Bobby Wagner and K.J. Wright. And after losing so many key pieces on that side of the ball, Pete Carroll’s team needs another wave of stars to emerge. Cornerback Shaquill Griffin and defensive end Frank Clark are two possibilities. — Brady Henderson

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Cheap Cordarrelle Patterson Jersey Sale

Quick-hit thoughts and notes around the New England Patriots and NFL:

1. Although nothing is official until owners officially vote for it later this month, it seemed like a good week for the short-term future of the kickoff. And, in turn, it was a great week for Cordarrelle Patterson, whose impact as the Patriots’ new kickoff returner could now be even greater than anticipated.

Here’s why:

As part of the proposed changes to the kickoff — designed to make the play safer by eliminating the 5-yard head start for the coverage team, as well as all wedge and two-man double-team blocks — the expectation among some special-teams coaches is that it will open up the field more.

Because of that, returns would have more time to develop.

Also, some expect there to be more levels in the coverage as a result of eight of the 11 return-team members being required to initially line up within 15 yards of the restraining line, with blocking prohibited within those 15 yards.

Simply put, there should be more space on the field. And more space for a player such as Patterson, who has 153 career kickoff returns for 4,613 yards (30.2 average) and five touchdowns and holds the NFL record for the longest kickoff return for a touchdown (109 yards). It is a positive development for him and the team he plays for. It means more potential for explosive plays anytime the kicking team doesn’t boot the football through the end zone for a touchback.

2. A follow-up on the Patriots’ pre-draft interest in quarterback Baker Mayfield: When agent Jack Mills relayed on Andrew Brandt’s podcast what the Patriots told him — “You may get a big surprise on draft day, at No. 2, if he’s available” — it highlighted how the team was selling Mills that New England was a legitimate landing spot for Mayfield. The key context, to me, is that the team had to sell it hard. Otherwise, there was no motivation for Mayfield to meet with them before the draft, and the Patriots coveted that meeting as part of their thorough scouting process. I don’t doubt the Patriots liked Mayfield as a prospect. But I seriously doubt they ever strongly considered a move up to No. 2.

3. It is three weeks into the Patriots’ voluntary offseason program and quarterback Tom Brady still hasn’t shown up. That is within his contractual rights, as it is with every player. But if I am holding myself accountable, it is only fair to mention that in recent years, I often highlighted how Brady was usually the first one through the door and used that as a reflection of his tone-setting leadership to teammates and relentless drive. As for this year, it’s obviously hard to be a tone-setting leader inside the building when not being present. On ESPN’s NFL Live on Tuesday, analyst Ryan Clark respectfully shared his view that my praise of Brady was misguided in the first place, as he doesn’t see Brady’s current absence for a voluntary program as a big deal. The discussion was sparked when the question was asked, “What is different around the Patriots this offseason?”

4. Part of what appealed to the Patriots about drafting Georgia running back Sony Michel in the first round (No. 31 overall) was his versatility and how putting him on the field gives the offense flexibility to do anything from between-the-tackles, traditional running plays to splitting him out wide in spread formations and throwing the ball. That naturally can create stress for an opposing defense, and it’s similar to the approach the team took with running back Dion Lewis (now in Tennessee) in 2017. Count Bengals receiver A.J. Green among the believers in Michel making a big impact because of this. On Adam Schefter’s ESPN podcast, Green — who also starred at Georgia — predicted Michel would win NFL Rookie of the Year honors.

5. The Patriots annually have at least one undrafted rookie make their initial 53-man roster out of training camp, and Vanderbilt running back Ralph Webb is one candidate as a “priority” signing (he received $70,000 in guaranteed money). It is often said that football is a business, but seeing players like Webb celebrate an opportunity with the Patriots is still refreshing, grass-roots type of stuff.

The Patriots have yet to formally announce their undrafted free-agent class, but here’s a quick snapshot of some of them based on reports, the players themselves and confirmation from colleges:

DT John Atkins (Georgia)

DE Trent Harris (Miami)

DT Frank Herron (LSU)

CB J.C. Jackson (Maryland)

WR Chris Lacy (Oklahoma State)

CB A.J. Moore (Mississippi)

RB Ralph Webb (Vanderbilt)

TE Shane Wimann (Northern Illinois)

The Patriots are also bringing punters Ryan Anderson (Rutgers) and Corey Bojorquez (New Mexico) to rookie minicamp, where several players will be on hand on a tryout basis.

6. Unlike some other teams around the NFL, who have held their rookie minicamps this weekend, the Patriots are waiting until the end of this week (May 11-13) to bring all of their rookies to town. The team flew in top picks Isaiah Wynn, Michel and Duke Dawson the weekend of the draft, but this will be the first time the entire draft class, including undrafted players, is together. In addition to taking their first steps of learning the team’s football system, players get a wide-ranging orientation — including media training — that is aimed at helping them make a significant transition in their lives from college student to professional football player.

7. Two entries for the “I was wrong” file:

In recent weeks, I wrote multiple times that it was a “no-brainer” the Patriots would pick up the fifth-year options of defensive tackles Danny Shelton and Malcom Brown for 2019. The thought process was that they would want to protect their leverage to retain Shelton and Brown, and picking up the option was low-risk because they could always back away from it at a later date (the option would be paid only in the event of injury). Well, the Patriots didn’t pick up either option, probably because they view $7.1 million as too rich for interior defensive tackles who project to come off the field in obvious passing situations. I was way off the mark there.

Leading up to the draft, I wrote that Alabama linebacker Rashaan Evans would be a good fit for the Patriots, but I’ve since learned that he wasn’t a serious consideration for them in the first round. Once Leighton Vander Esch was off the board in the first round (No. 19, Cowboys), the Patriots knew they weren’t going with a linebacker with their No. 23 pick.

8. The retirement of Dallas Cowboys tight end Jason Witten didn’t register much in New England, in part because the Patriots hardly saw Witten over his remarkably durable 15-year career. Of his 239 career regular-season games, Witten played just four against the Patriots, totaling a modest 13 catches for 134 yards with one touchdown. The Patriots were 4-0 in those games. Nonetheless, if you love football, Witten’s classy retirement news conference Friday was not to be missed. The five words from him that resonated most with me: “The journey is the reward.”

9. Three nuggets from wide receiver Chris Hogan’s appearance on the “What Got You There with Sean Delaney” podcast:

A Brady story: “When I first met him and he knew my name, I was pretty blown away by that.”

Playing with Brady: “His routine and work ethic is just amazing. I thought I was a hard worker, but watching how he really takes everything so seriously; you want to talk about a competitor? No matter what it is, he gets fired up. Pingpong, I’ve seen this guy almost break a pingpong paddle because he was losing. It’s fun playing with a guy like that [who] works so hard and cares so much about his profession. And just seeing how he balances life and family. It’s been a rewarding experience.”

A player who had great influence him: “Fred Jackson, when I was in Buffalo. I still talk to Fred today. He was a guy that had to make it in the league like me [as an undrafted player]. He found his way. I learned a lot from him.”

10. It doesn’t always work out for them, but the Patriots have capitalized in some years by identifying players from other teams who are no longer a scheme fit because of a coaching change. I count offensive tackle Trent Brown, who was acquired in a trade from the 49ers on April 27, in that category. Brown would be a top pass protector in any system, but he wasn’t a great fit in 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan’s run-blocking scheme, which features plenty of outside-zone plays. That seemed to lessen Brown’s value to the 49ers, and the Patriots are projecting he’s a better fit as a run-blocker with them.

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The Cleveland Browns and wide receiver Jarvis Landry are close to finalizing a long-term deal that would average more than $15 million per year, a source told ESPN’s Josina Anderson.

The Browns acquired Landry in a trade last month with the Dolphins, sending a fourth-round pick this year (123rd overall) and seventh-round pick in 2019 to Miami in the swap.

Without a new contract, Landry would play the 2018 season on the franchise tag, which the Dolphins used on him before the trade. That would have paid him $16 million this season.

Landry will look to boost a Browns wide receiver group that scored seven touchdowns in 2017; Landry had nine for the Dolphins. Kenny Britt, who was released in December, tied for the team lead in touchdowns for wide receivers with two (with Rashard Higgins and Corey Coleman).

A three-time Pro Bowl selection, Landry is a sure-handed receiver who led the league in catches in 2017 with 112; all Browns receivers had 134, led by Higgins and Ricardo Louis with 27 each. ESPN Stats & Information reports that the Browns have never had a 100-catch receiver.

Landry missed 1,000 yards by 13, but had 1,136 and 1,157 yards the previous two seasons.

Only Antonio Brown (471) and Julio Jones (411) have more receptions than Landry’s 400 since he debuted in the NFL in 2014. Last season, Browns receivers caught 57 percent of the passes thrown to them; Landry has caught 71 percent in his career.

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The Los Angeles Chargers agreed to terms on a three-year extension with cornerback Casey Hayward on Sunday.

Hayward’s extension is worth $36 million, including $20 million in guaranteed money, his agent, David Mulugheta, told The Associated Press. The deal keeps him with the Chargers through the 2021 season.

The Vanderbilt product was heading into the final year of a three-year, $15.3 million agreement that he signed with the Chargers two years ago, when he joined the organization in free agency after four years with the Green Bay Packers.

Hayward earned invitations to the Pro Bowl the past two years, developing into one of the best cornerbacks in the game and earning a pay raise.

Hayward thanked the Chargers for his new deal and for believing he was more than just a slot cornerback in a tweet Sunday evening.

Hayward’s 11 interceptions since 2016 tie him with Marcus Peters for the most in the NFL over that time, while his 53 pass breakups lead the league in that period.

Hayward was voted second-team All-Pro last season, when he finished with four interceptions and 26 pass breakups.

The 28-year-old cornerback helped the Chargers finish with 18 interceptions as a team in 2017 (tied for sixth in the NFL) and allow just 197 passing yards per contest (No. 3 in the league).

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If you want the Baltimore Ravens to take a wide receiver at the No. 16 overall pick, you’ll likely be disappointed.

ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr., whose second mock draft came out Wednesday, believes there is only one guaranteed first-round wide receiver in this year’s draft, and Alabama’s Calvin Ridley is expected to be taken before the Ravens go on the clock in the middle of the first round.

“It’s a bad year for receivers in the first round,” Kiper said in Wednesday’s conference call, “and a really good for receivers in the second through fifth round.”

Based on that assessment, the Ravens have to either trade up to get Ridley or take a wide receiver in the second and third rounds. Ridley has projected to go as high as No. 8 to the Chicago Bears, but Baltimore could jump up a few spots if he gets out of the top 10.

The other option is waiting and taking a receiver in the second or third rounds. The Ravens have a pick in each of those rounds, and they should get a compensatory third-rounder for losing offensive tackle Rick Wagner last offseason.

Kiper mentioned Maryland’s D.J. Moore, Washington’s Dante Pettis, Oklahoma State’s James Washington and Colorado State’s Michael Gallup as receivers who could go to the Ravens in the second round.

This could be the best route to go if last year is any indication. The three rookie wide receivers who totaled more than 700 yards receiving last season were not drafted in the first round: Pittsburgh’s JuJu Smith-Schuster (second round), L.A. Rams’ Cooper Kupp (third round) and Jacksonville’s Keelan Cole (undrafted).

Kiper said UCLA’s Jordan Lasley is the receiver who can improve his stock the most in next week’s combine. Lasley tied a school record with seven 100-yard receiving games, but he’s considered a character risk.

Lasley was suspended for four games this season for unspecified reasons, fought with a teammate in practice in 2015 and missed a team bus before a game in 2016. He also was arrested twice in 2016 (once for possession of alcohol as a minor and another time for using a fake ID), according to the Los Angeles city attorney’s office.

“If he interviews well and they do their due diligence and they can reconcile all that, then Jordan Lalasley from UCLA could be a first-round pick,” Kiper said. “He’s a first-round talent now. The combine for him will be very important.”

Wide receiver is among the top priorities for the Ravens in the draft. Baltimore could be without its top two receivers from last year because Mike Wallace is a free agent and Jeremy Maclin could get cut. Breshad Perriman, the team’s 2015 first-round pick, has failed to live up to expectations.

Since 2008, the Ravens have only taken a wide receiver in the first three rounds twice: Torrey Smith in 2011 and Perriman in 2015.

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The Oakland Raiders released veteran cornerback David Amerson on Monday, saving some $6 million against the salary cap with no dead money involved.

Amerson, 26, played in just six games (all starts) last season and missed the final eight because of a foot injury. He made 33 starts in all for the Raiders in three seasons, intercepting six passes with 46 passes defensed.

He had signed a four-year contract extension before the 2016 season. Amerson’s $5.5 million base salary for 2018 would have become guaranteed if he were on the team’s roster Wednesday.

Monday was the first day teams could begin releasing veterans ahead of the 2018 season.

A prime candidate to be cut this offseason, Amerson was asked before the season finale if he expected to return to Oakland in 2018.

“I don’t know, man,” Amerson told ESPN on Dec. 27. “You never know with this league. You never know. It’s all about: What have you done for me lately?”

And with how poorly his season went in Oakland?

“That’s what I’m saying,” he said.

Still, Amerson, a former second-round pick of Washington who was claimed off waivers by the Raiders in 2015, hoped to return.

But after missing two total games in his first three NFL seasons, concussion, shoulder and foot injuries wreaked havoc with his 2017 campaign. In fact, it was against the Kansas City Chiefs on Oct. 19 when Amerson was in the locker room, getting his upper body checked out by team staff, that he noticed his lower body was hurting.

“Right before halftime, they were shooting up my shoulder and I told the trainers, ‘Yo, something’s wrong with my foot,'” Amerson recalled. “It felt like a burning sensation and it felt weak.”

Amerson would not take the field again.

And while he said he was not diagnosed with a Lisfranc fracture, nor could he recall a specific play in which the foot was injured, Amerson said he did have ligament damage.

“It couldn’t take the impact,” Amerson said. “I couldn’t push or cut.”

Per Pro Football Focus, Amerson allowed a 156.3 passer rating, ranking last in the NFL among 159 cornerbacks with at least 40 coverage snaps.

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The transition of the Detroit Lions coaching staff appears to be continuing, even as the franchise must wait until after the Super Bowl to officially hire New England Patriots defensive coordinator Matt Patricia as its new head coach.

The Detroit Free Press and Detroit News reported Tuesday that linebackers coach Bill Sheridan and safeties coach Alan Williams will not be retained by the new staff, essentially continuing the overhaul of coaches on the defensive side of the ball.

Only cornerbacks coach Tony Oden, viewed as an up-and-coming coach around the league, remains with the Lions as far as position coaches on the defensive side. Former defensive coordinator Teryl Austin left for the Cincinnati Bengals, as did assistant defensive line coach Matt Raich. Defensive line coach Kris Kocurek departed for Miami — and a reunion with Ndamukong Suh — last week.

Most of Detroit’s offensive coaches are still under contract. The Lions fired offensive line coach Ron Prince along with head coach Jim Caldwell on Jan. 1. The MMQB is reporting that quarterbacks coach Brian Callahan is also leaving the Lions.

Callahan’s departure is a bit of a surprise. He had a good relationship with starting quarterback Matthew Stafford and a strong connection with offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter, who at least for now remains under contract with Detroit. Cooter and Callahan had worked together since their mutual time in Denver, where they shared an intern office. When Cooter was promoted to offensive coordinator with the Lions in 2015, Callahan was hired the following offseason as the team’s quarterbacks coach.

“We communicate well. I think we understand each other,” Callahan told ESPN in 2016 about the relationship with Cooter and the quarterbacks. “I think I understand what he wants from me, and I think that allows us to have a real good kind of energy between us, and then you put us with the quarterbacks and I think it all fits really, really well.”

The Detroit Free Press and Detroit News also reported that five assistants were among the group of Lions coaches and front-office personnel in Alabama for the Senior Bowl on Tuesday: receivers coach Robert Prince, tight ends coach Al Golden, offensive assistant Evan Rothstein, assistant special-teams coach Devin Fitzsimmons and coaching assistant Payton McCollum.