Notable NFL News (cuts, signings, injuries, etc.)

[Funkytown]

ESPN - Jury finds Jason Mitchell guilty of 1st-degree murder, armed burglary in fatal shooting of Sean Taylor

[Funkytown]

ESPN - Falcons LB Sean Weatherspoon ruptured his Achilles tendon Tuesday, will miss the 2014 season

[Funkytown]

ESPN - Former Broncos-Lions TE Tony Scheffler retires from NFL, tells AP he's had 3 concussions in last 4 years

[Funkytown]

ESPN - Seahawks Pro Bowl RB Marshawn Lynch expected to skip minicamp next week due to contract issues - Sources

[Funkytown]

ESPN - Steelers' Maurkice Pouncey signs 5-year, $44M extension, making him NFL's highest-paid center - Schefter

[S197]

ESPN - Former Broncos-Lions TE Tony Scheffler retires from NFL, tells AP he's had 3 concussions in last 4 years

I read that too fast, thought it said AP had 3 concussions in the last 4 years. Time for some coffee.

[Funkytown]

ESPN - Browns turn down opportunity to appear on HBO sports documentary series "Hard Knocks"

ESPN - Falcons to be featured on HBO's "Hard Knocks" documentary series during training camp this summer

[Funkytown]

ESPN - Seahawks Pro Bowl RB Marshawn Lynch expected to skip minicamp next week due to contract issues - Sources

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports a source close to Marshawn Lynch said, "I could see him walking away."

Rapoport added Lynch told two teammates he would consider retirement if the Seahwaks won the Super Bowl, which they did. Despite Rapoport's stellar reputation, it is hard not to take this report with a huge grain of salt. Lynch is currently angling for a contract extension and raise, so it is certainly possible his camp floated the retirement story to gain leverage in those negotiations. Then again, Lynch has consistently been one of the more unique stars in the NFL. If any current player would make the decision to walk away at only 28-years-old, Lynch would probably be the one. Still, we expect Lynch to be the starting running back for Seattle when Week 1 rolls around.
--Ian Rapoport on Twitter

[Funkytown]

ESPN - Lions release CB Chris Houston; signed 5-year, $25M deal with Detroit last season

[Eli]

ESPN - Lions release CB Chris Houston; signed 5-year, $25M deal with Detroit last season

Well, he's not an ex-Packer, but he's the next best thing. The Vikings love those NFC North castoffs.

[Funkytown]

ESPN - Chiefs release Pro Bowl CB Brandon Flowers; 6-year starter, was drafted by Kansas City in 2nd rd in 2008

[Funkytown]

Colts claimed CB Brandon Burton off waivers from the Bengals.

The Vikings' fifth-round pick in the 2011 draft, 24-year-old Burton is now with his fourth organization after previously spending time in Minnesota, Cincinnati, and Buffalo. He's appeared in 19 career games with one start.

[HardcoreVikesFan]

ESPN - Chiefs release Pro Bowl CB Brandon Flowers; 6-year starter, was drafted by Kansas City in 2nd rd in 2008

I know Flowers is basically another Munnerlyn, but damn, I would love to have him on the team.

Also, I forgot to add that, that KC is really putting a lot of faith into Marcus Cooper. We all know Sean Smith can play and Cooper can too. However, Cooper kind of struggled down the stretch last season and wasn't a full time starter. Also, Kansas City's CB depth is not very good. Chiefs might be taking a step back this year.

[HornedMessiah]

I know Flowers is basically another Munnerlyn, but damn, I would love to have him on the team.

Has he always been a slot CB? From what I've read, seems like he just didn't fit with the new DC last year and was maybe miscast as a slot guy. I have a hazy recollection of him being a CB1 or CB2 years ago...but he's listed at 5'9" so maybe not...

In a way, Flowers is a similar player to Derek Cox: good numbers in the past but one bad year has knocked down their value. I hope the Vikings go after him but I've seen that people have already made the connection to the Texans with Romeo Crennel as DC. Seems like a strong likelihood.

[Funkytown]

ESPN - Hall of Fame coach Chuck Noll dies at age 82; Noll coached Pittsburgh Steelers to 4 Super Bowl titles