Saying that “All good things come to an end,” Oakland Raiders running back Maurice Jones-Drew announced his retirement on Twitter Thursday. Drew played 10 seasons in the NFL and was one of the top running backs in the league for four of them, rushing for more than 1,300 yards three times from 2008-2011.
All good things come to an end!!! pic.twitter.com/zl6EJQ5SAE
— Maurice Jones-Drew (@MJD) March 5, 2015
Last year was Jones-Drew’s first as a member of the Raiders after spending nine seasons with the Jacksonville Jaguars. Jones-Drew and the Jags were often at odds over his contract and value, but the team got his best years and did absolutely nothing with them.
Jones’ best season was 2011 when he rushed for 1,606 yards and eight touchdowns. Jones-Drew had 12 touchdowns and 824 yards in his break-out 2008 season and 1,391 yards and 15 touchdowns in 2009.
Patriots decline to use Vince Wilfork’s contract option
In another curious move from a team you’d think would really want to keep its best players when they have salary cap money to burn and will, in fact, be fined by the NFLPA the exact amount they come up short in the salary cap over the next two seasons, the New England Patriots decided to forgo defensive tackle Vince Wilfork’s contract option and let him go as a free agent.
Wilfork broke the news himself on Twitter Thursday.
https://twitter.com/wilfork75/status/573482158439940096
Wilfork, who will begin his 12th season this fall, enters free agency at the right time with teams looking for bargain-priced defensive tackles to replace departing free agents of their own.
Wilfork recorded 47 cackles, one interception and two passes defended last season in New England’s Super Bowl-winning campaign.
Manning and Broncos make it official
Confirming reports that Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning would sign a reduced contract to free up $4 million in space for the team, the Broncos announced the deal was done and signed Tuesday.
The agreement also ends any speculation that Manning will not play in 2015.
“I’ve been working real hard, and I’m excited to be back with the Denver Broncos,” Manning said to the Denver Post. “Can’t wait for April 13 to get here when the team can finally come together. I’m excited to get to work and get to know the new coaches and looking forward to trying to make 2015 a special year.”
Raiders cut oft-injured Woodley
Defensive end LaMarr Woodley will be looking for work after being released by the Oakland Raiders Tuesday. The long-time Pittsburgh Steeler barely took the field with the Raiders last season, appearing in just six games and recording five tackles.
Woodley was a stand-out outside linebacker for the Steelers for eight years, but had similar injury issues in his final three years in Pittsburgh, missing 14 games from 2011-13.
With the ability to play both a 3-4 outside linebacker and a 4-3 defensive end, Woodley will likely get some looks in free agency and he’s still relatively young at 30, but he’ll have to pass a thorough physical before any team signs him.
49ers sign Darnell Dockett
Darnell Docket’s unemployment barley lasted a week, Dockett was snapped up by the San Francisco 49ers Tuesday, agreeing to a two-year, $7.5 million contract. Dockett never played a down last season after tearing his ACL in training camp.
Congrats to the newest Niner! pic.twitter.com/8lGnY2fwEG
— Drew Rosenhaus (@DrewJRosenhaus) March 5, 2015
Before last season Dockett rarely left the field for the Cardinals, missing just two games in 11 seasons.
Saints release running back Pierre Thomas
Pierre Thomas spent nine seasons with the New Orleans Saints and it seemed the team never stopped trying to replace him. They’ll have to now after cutting Thomas Thursday.
Thomas missed five games last season, but was still an effective ball-carrier when given the chance. Thomas averaged 4.9 yards per carry and scored two rushing touchdowns while adding 378 yards and one score as a receiver, catching 45 passes.
