Seahawks acknowledge Sherman trade rumorsAll-Pro cornerback Richard Sherman could be traded by the Seahawks before the start of the 2017 season.Several teams showed interest in Sherman, according to Seattle Head Coach Pete Carroll and general manager John Schneider, but the Seahawks are currently inclined to keep the shutdown left cornerback on the roster.Sherman, 28, appeared on ESPN and said he laughs off the idea of being traded. “It’s funny to me. But sometimes people need to see you gone to realize what you had,” Sherman said.One of the league’s top defenders in pass coverage, Sherman is guaranteed $22.4 million over the next two seasons. He has played in every game each of his six years in the NFL.Carroll says Lynch thinking about returning to NFLCarroll also said Wednesday that retired running back Marshawn Lynch is considering a return to the NFL.Carroll said he talked to Lynch, who retired from the NFL and Seahawks after the 2015 season, about 10 days ago.”He came through the office and had a good visit,” Carroll told reporters at the NFL meetings in Phoenix. “I know that he is somewhat entertaining the thought of it. I can’t tell you how strong it is. You’ve got to talk to him. And that chance isn’t happening.”ESPN and NFL Network reported earlier this month that the Oakland Raiders would be interested in Lynch should he decide to make a comeback and come out of retirement. Lynch’s playing rights are owned by the Seahawks as he has two years remaining on his contract. He has been on the reserve/retired list since May 2016.Bengals defend CB Jones’ actionsCincinnati Bengals owner Mike Brown and coach Marvin Lewis came to the defense of cornerback Adam “Pacman” Jones.Jones was arrested Jan. 3 on a felony charge of harassment with a bodily substance and misdemeanor charges of assault, disorderly conduct and obstructing official business as a result of an altercation with a security guard at a Cincinnati hotel. The Cincinnati prosecutor dropped the felony charge last week, and Jones’ lawyer said he will plead not guilty to the remaining charges.”He knows full well what he has done to himself,” Brown said at the NFL owners’ meetings in Phoenix. “He regrets it. But it’s been made into a public issue and maybe I am overly tolerant. If so, so be it.”Lewis also defended Jones, who was shown on video using profane language toward police officers and telling them he wished they would die. Jones’ lawyers have since released a statement saying that their client has apologized for what he said and is seeing counseling for anger management as a result of the incident.Daniel to Saints â¨as backup QBThe New Orleans Saints agreed to a deal with veteran quarterback Chase Daniel, who will return to the team as the backup to Drew Brees.Daniel, who was with the Saints from 2009-12, will sign a one-year deal, ESPN reported. Daniel, 30, served as the primary backup to Brees from 2010-12 before joining the Kansas City Chiefs as a backup for Alex Smith from 2013-15.Daniel signed a three-year, $21 million contract with $12 million guaranteed with the Philadelphia Eagles last season. The Eagles released Daniel at his own request on March 13 in a move that freed up $6 million of available cap space. He played in just one game in 2016, completing his only pass for 16 yards.For his career, Daniel has completed 51 of his 78 career pass attempts for 480 yards with one touchdown and an interception.Cards moving Ellington â¨from RB to WRThe Arizona Cardinals are shuffling the deck in regard to Andre Ellington, coach Bruce Arians said.Arians told reporters that Ellington will be a wide receiver this season as opposed to a running back.Signed to a one-year deal earlier this month, Ellington has proven to be better in the passing game during his four seasons in Arizona and struggled in his lone campaign as the team’s featured back. The 5-foot-9, 199-pound Ellington saw his carries dwindle from 201 in 2014 to a total of 79 over the last two seasons, including 34 for just 96 yards in 2016.Running back David Johnson has taken over the every-down role for the Cardinals, who look to utilize the shifty Ellington as a wideout. The 28-year-old Ellington has reeled in 112 receptions for 999 yards and three touchdowns in four seasons.Vikings S Smith has â¨ankle surgeryMinnesota Vikings safety Harrison Smith underwent offseason surgery on an ankle injury that caused him to miss two games at the end of the 2016 campaign, ESPN reported.Smith initially sustained the injury in Minnesota’s 17-15 loss to Dallas on Dec. 1 and missed the next two contests. The 28-year-old returned to play the Vikings’ final two games of the season and was credited with five tackles while participating in his second Pro Bowl on Jan. 30.The procedure is expected to “clean up” the ankle and allow Smith to head into the 2017 season without any lingering issues.Smith collected 91 tackles, two sacks and a fumble recovery in 14 games last season. He has recorded 412 tackles, 7.5 sacks and recovered three fumbles in 67 career contests since being selected by Minnesota with the 29th overall pick in the 2012 draft.
