in NFL National Football League

Chiefs Cut Jeremy Maclin; Pitta Probably Done

Chiefs put Maclin in the wind.

Andy Reid made a point of bringing in wide receiver Jeremy Maclin to add a downfield target to the Kansas City Chiefs‘ offensive attack two seasons ago. While that marriage seemed to be successful, Reid and the Chiefs demanded a divorce Friday and got it, cutting Maclin right before the weekend.

“I’d like to thank Jeremy for his effort and dedication the past two seasons,” Chiefs GM John Dorsey said in a statement. “I have great respect for all players, which makes decisions like these very difficult, but we felt it was in the best interest of our club moving forward to part ways at this time. We wish Jeremy the best as he continues his career.”

Maclin played through a groin injury for most of last season and appeared in just 12 games, catching 44 passes for 536 yards and two touchdowns. In 2015, Maclin was the punch in the arm Kansas City’s offense needed, catching 87 passes for 1,088 yards and eight touchdowns.

Maclin was due to make $12.4 million this season and by cutting him the Chiefs  open up $10 million in cap space since they did it after June 1. They’ll still have to eat $7.2 million.

The move also puts a huge hit on the Chiefs’ depth chart. Kansas City drafted just one wideout, Jehu Chesson out of Michigan in the fourth round. They added nobody in free agency (so far) and Chris Conley is the only reliable receiver they have on the outside. He caught 69 passes last season for 530 yards and no touchdowns.

“These decisions are never easy, especially with a player like Jeremy who I’ve grown close with on and off the football field over the years,” Reid said. “I have a lot of respect for the way he goes about his business and how he handles himself as a professional. I wish him the best of luck moving forward.”

Tyreek Hill is a more of a slot and gadget player. Like Conley, he did pile up the catches and yards last season, but unlike Conley he actually got into the end zone. Hill had 61 catches for 593 yards and six touchdowns. After those two guys, there’s a huge drop off. Only Demarcus Robinson, a fourth-rounder from last season, seems to have the physical tools to play outside in a west coast system. He’s 6-1 and 203 pounds, but never played a down on offense in 2016.

There are free options out in the wind, but no one that can produce like Maclin with the exception of Vincent Jackson if he’s healthy. Eddie Royal would be a good bargain, as would Anquan Boldin.

Dennis Pitta re-injures hip in OTAs, will probably retire

The Baltimore Ravens just continue to take hits to their depth chart. Friday it was tight end Dennsi Pitta, who battled like crazy to get back to his playing form over the last three seasons, likely saw his career come to an end when he dislocated his hip during a non-contact drill during organized team activities.

It’s the same hip that cost him most of his 2013-2015 seasons. After such a fight to come back, Pitta is now expected to just call it a career and retire. Pitta has already been through two surgeries on the hip since 2013. After his second surgery in 2014, Pitta missed the entire 2015 season.

But last year all seemed well. Pitta led the Ravens with 86 catches and piled up 729 yards and a two touchdowns to earn an AFC Comeback Player of the Year nod.

Broncos’ Parks could face suspension

He didn’t hit anybody, but Denver Broncos safety Will Parks is facing a domestic violence charge nonetheless. Parks is set to make a court appearance on June 30 for misdemeanor harassment and non-physical domestic violence charges.

According to a Denver TV station, Parks is accused of making threatening phone calls to a former girlfriend. He’s denied it.

“We became aware of the issue involving Will Parks immediately after it occurred in March,” the Broncos said in a statement. “It was promptly reported to the league office and we are continuing to monitor this matter.”

https://twitter.com/MikeKlis/status/870010111254642688

Parks was a sixth-round draft pick out of Arizona last season for the Broncos. He appeared in all 16 games and recorded 17 tackles, one fumble recovery, three passes defended and one interception.

Wrapping up the week

The Seattle Seahawks will wear a No. 96 decal on their helmets this season to honor Cortez Kennedy. Kennedy died at the age of 48 on May 23.

The Cleveland Browns signed linebacker Christian Kirksey to a four-year, $38 million contract extension with $20 million guaranteed. Last season Kirksey recorded 143 tackles, 2.5 sacks and three passes defended.

Chicago Bears quarterback Mark Sanchez suffered a knee injury Tuesday and is expected to miss the remainder of organized team activities and Bears minicamp. Earlier that day the Bears put in a release for Connor Shaw, but rescinded the waiver wire request after Sanchez’s injury. With Mike Glennon at No. 1 and presumably rookie Mitchell Trubisky at No. 2 on the depth chart, Sanchez will probably be a free agent again after his knee heals up.

On Tuesday the Detroit Lions signed free agent running back Matt Asiata to a one-year contract. Asiata has been a solid back up for the last five seasons with the Minnesota Vikings, amassing 361 carries for 1,259 yards and 18 touchdowns.

The Los Angeles Rams added free agent quarterback Dylan Thompson. The Rams had only two quarterbacks on the roster, second-year Jared Goff and third-year Sean Mannion on the roster. Thompson has never taken a snap in the NFL. Thompson bounced between the San Francisco 49ers’ regular and practice squad rosters last season after signing as an undrafted free agent.  In his senior season at South Carolina, the 6-3, 218-pound Thompson completed 59.9 percent of his passes for 3,564 yards and 26 touchdowns with 11 interceptions.

The Pittsburgh Steelers added free agent safety Daimion Stafford and long snapper Kameron Canaday to their roster this week. Stafford was a seventh-round pick for the Tennessee Titans in 2013. He started six games for Tennnessee last season and played in 15, recording 51 tackles, one fumble recovery, two passes defended and one interception. Canaday saw action in three games with the Arizona Cardinals last year. He was an undrafted free agent out of Portland State.

To make a wager on any sport, go to the world famous Diamond Sportsbook by clicking here.

Written by Adam Greene

Adam Greene is a writer and photographer based out of East Tennessee. His work has appeared on Cracked.com, in USA Today, the Associated Press, the Chicago Cubs Vineline Magazine, AskMen.com and many other publications.

Penguins

Penguins vs Predators: SCF Game 3 Predictions

Extreme Rules 2017 Preview & Predictions