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• GM: Tim Tebow is "radioactive" due to distraction

Tim Tebow clears waivers, becomes free agent

2013-04-30T22:31:23Z

As expected, former New York Jets quarterback Tim Tebow cleared waivers on Tuesday, making him an unrestricted free agent, as reported by ESPN's Adam Schefter. Tebow's $2.586 million salary ensured that no team would put in a waiver claim, but it remains to be seen what kind of interest he draws on the open market.

More: Gang Green Nation

Tebow has a winning record as a starting quarterback, but serious doubts about his ability to throw the ball or run a traditional pro-style offense remain. On ability alone he would certainly warrant a look from some teams, but the media circus that follows Tebow around will limit the interest level, with at least one general manager calling him "radioactive."

If Tebow would agree to play a position other than quarterback, specifically tight end, full back, or H-back, he would likely find several teams calling his agent, but as of now he has refused to make a position switch.

Now that Tebow has cleared waivers, the Jets owe the Denver Broncos $1.53 million for a salary advance given to Tebow in 2011.

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2013 NFL Draft: First-round pick jersey numbers

2013-04-30T22:07:50Z

The first round of the 2013 NFL Draft was all the way back on Thursday, April 25. Long enough ago to grade each team's performance, determine winners and losers, and decide you need to buy the jersey of your team's first-round draft pick.

At this point, most first-round picks have chosen their NFL jersey number and they are available for sale. Even if you aren't interested in purchasing a jersey, at the very least you will need to know what numbers to watch to find these highly-valued rookies of the field.

The jersey numbers for all first-round draft picks are listed below:

Pick	Team	Player	Position	Jersey #
1.	Kansas City Chiefs	Eric Fisher	OT	72
2.	Jacksonville Jaguars	Luke Joeckel	OT	76
3.	Miami Dolphins	Dion Jordan	DE	--
4.	Philadelphia Eagles	Lane Johnson	OT	65
5.	Detroit Lions	Ezekiel Ansah	DE	94
6.	Cleveland Browns	Barkevious Mingo	OLB	51
7.	Arizona Cardinals	Jonathan Cooper	G	61
8.	St. Louis Rams	Tavon Austin	WR	11
9.	New York Jets	Dee Milliner	CB	--
10.	Tennessee Titans	Chance Warmack	G	--
11.	San Diego Chargers	D.J. Fluker	OT	76
12.	Oakland Raiders	D.J. Hayden	CB	25
13.	New York Jets	Sheldon Richardson	DT	--
14.	Carolina Panthers	Star Lotulelei	DT	96
15.	New Orleans Saints	Kenny Vaccaro	S	32
16.	Buffalo Bills	E.J. Manuel	QB	3
17.	Pittsburgh Steelers	Jarvis Jones	OLB	91
18.	San Francisco 49ers	Eric Reid	S	--
19.	New York Giants	Justin Pugh	OT	--
20.	Chicago Bears	Kyle Long	G	75
21.	Cincinnati Bengals	Tyler Eifert	TE	85
22.	Atlanta Falcons	Desmond Trufant	CB	21
23.	Minnesota Vikings	Sharrif Floyd	DT	95
24.	Indianapolis Colts	Bjoern Werner	OLB	--
25.	Minnesota Vikings	Xavier Rhodes	CB	29
26.	Green Bay Packers	Datone Jones	DE	95
27.	Houston Texans	DeAndre Hopkins	WR	10
28.	Denver Broncos	Sylvester Williams	DT	92
29.	Minnesota Vikings	Cordarrelle Patterson	WR	84
30.	St. Louis Rams	Alec Ogletree	MLB	52
31.	Dallas Cowboys	Travis Frederick	C	70
32.	Baltimore Ravens	Matt Elam	S	31

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Justin Blackmon, Jaguars release statement on suspension

2013-04-30T21:16:39Z

Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Justin Blackmon and general manager Dave Caldwell have both released statements following the four-game suspension Blackmon received for violating the NFL Policy and Program for Substances of Abuse.

Blackmon apologized to all members of the organization and took full responsibility for his actions. His full statement is below:

"I've made a mistake and I have no excuse. I am truly sorry and disappointed in myself for putting the Jaguars in this situation, and I look forward to putting this behind me and maturing and growing as a person. I will have a productive training camp and pre-season with my team, and during the suspension I will work hard to stay in top football shape and be ready to help the Jaguars when I return. I have chosen to be accountable for my poor decision, and I sincerely apologize to my teammates, coaches, the front office and Jaguars fans for the impact of my mistake on the team."

More: Big Cat Country

Blackmon will be with the Jaguars during training camp and the preseason, but then will be suspended without pay for the first four games of the season. He is eligible to return to the team on Monday, Sept. 30, after the Jags' Week 4 game against the Indianapolis Colts.

Caldwell, the first-year general manager of the team, was disappointed in Blackmon, but promised to support the receiver through his suspension and educate players about making the proper decisions. Caldwell's full statement:

"Coach Bradley and I have spoken with Justin, and he is well aware of our disappointment. I don't think there is any question that Justin is embarrassed and remorseful, and Coach Bradley and I are both confident he understands the obligations ahead of him, to himself, the franchise and the fans. We will support him throughout the process and continue to work to educate him and all of our players on making the right decisions. The Jaguars have made a lot of progress over the past three months, and we will not allow this news to slow us down."

Blackmon totaled 64 receptions for 865 yards and five touchdowns as a rookie, coming into his own during the second half of the season. The Jaguars will struggle to replace his production during his suspension as they lack depth at the wide receiver position.

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Justin Blackmon update: Suspension could cost WR over $10 million in guaranteed money

2013-04-30T20:44:42Z

The four-game suspension for Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Justin Blackmon may cost him a substantial sum of money. Blackmon's suspension will cost him $289,754 of his $1.231 million base salary in 2013, according to Brian McIntyre, but the far larger hit could be the over $10.7 million of guarantees in his contract that may be voided, according to Joey Corry.

More: Big Cat Country

Blackmon was arrested twice for DUI prior to signing his rookie contract with the Jaguars, prompting them to include language in his contract that protected them in the case that Blackmon should do something to get suspended after signing with Jacksonville. His rookie deal guaranteed Blackmon $18.5 million over four years, but all guarantees after his $7.11 million signing bonus can now be voided if the Jaguars choose to do so.

In addition to his $1.231 million base salary in 2013, Blackmon was previously guaranteed $1.7 million in roster bonuses for the year. Those guarantees may now be voided should the Jags decide to cut him. The wide receiver was suspended for violating the NFL Policy and Program for Substances of Abuse, which requires multiple offenses for suspension.

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Derek Newton injury: Texans OT won't be healthy until training camp

2013-04-30T19:55:34Z

Houston Texans offensive tackle Derek Newton won't be healthy until training camp according to Nick Scurfield. As Newton recovers, it will give Texans third-round draft pick Brennan Williams an opportunity to establish an advantage in the battle for the starting right tackle job during OTAs.

More: Battle Red Blog

Newton started 14 regular season games at right tackle last season and both of the Texans' playoffs games, but had patellar tendon surgery after the season. Newton may have been the weakest starter on the Texans' offensive line last season, grading as the fifth worst-tackle in the league against the run according to ProFootballFocus.

Williams and Newton are the same size, but Williams is considered the better athlete. As a rookie third-round pick out of North Carolina, he might need some more experience before he is ready to take over a starting position, but he could impress coaches during offseason workouts while Newton continues to heal. The Texans selected Newton in the seventh round of the 2011 NFL Draft out of Arkansas State.

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Sebastian Janikowski: Raiders 'have a lot of holes to fill'

2013-04-30T19:24:43Z

Oakland Raiders kicker Sebastian Janikowski understands the Raiders have a long way to go before they join the NFL's elite, but likes the moves they are making. Janikowski, while promoting the American Century Championship, a celebrity golf tournament he will be participating in on July 19-21, said he likes what Oakland general manager Reggie McKenzie is doing with the team.

More: Silver and Black Pride

Janikowski said that while he expects some of the Raiders high draft picks to contribute immediately, he also knows that the Raiders "have a lot of holes to fill." Janikowski went on to say that he understands that the rebuilding process won't be "an overnight thing."

Specifically, Janikowski liked that Oakland traded down in the first round to acquire extra picks in a move to address more of their team needs. The Raiders traded the No .3 overall pick in the draft to the Miami Dolphins in exchange for the No. 12 and No. 42 picks in the draft. Oakland selected Houston cornerback D.J. Hayden and Florida State offensive tackle Menelik Watson with those picks. Prior to the trade the Raiders did not hold a pick in the second round of the 2013 draft.

Janikowski has spent his entire 13-year NFL career with the Raiders. In each of his first three seasons in the league, Oakland made the playoffs, but they have failed to make it back since 2002. Despite the Raiders' futility, Janikowski has become the highest-scoring player in franchise history with 1,389 points, over 500 more than any other Raider.

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• GM: Tim Tebow is "radioactive" due to distraction