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NFL News

Chargers Pursuing Downtown Stadium

NFL News
February 23, 2016

The Chargers released a statement on their website summarizing their plan to pursue a citizens’ initiative in hopes of securing a deal for a downtown San Diego stadium instead of one in Mission Valley, Calif., where Qualcomm Stadium is located.

With the goal of placing a new stadium near the Padres’ Petco Park and a convention center downtown, the Chargers are eschewing the Mission Valley site that had been the choice of local leaders for over a year, according to Vincent Bonsignore of InsideSoCal.com.Qualcomm Stadium

We believe that a downtown multi-use facility will attract broad support from throughout our entire community. And we hope that, as our downtown proposal is developed and as the campaign for passage begins, those who have supported the Mission Valley site will keep an open mind and consider supporting what we believe is the best way to secure a permanent home for the Chargers in San Diego,” part of the statement reads.

They’ve played on that site since 1967 and will play there again in 2016 before having to make a decision on their future in San Diego or venturing to Los Angeles to join the Rams.

Further progress toward this goal is contingent on a vote involving a measure for taxpayers’ money to contribute to the new stadium passing in November.

The key figures in the sides’ effort to construct a new playing site for the Chargers met in San Diego on Monday. Dean Spanos, mayor Kevin Faulconer and several other high-ranking officials spoke for several hours, according to Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune. Per Acee, the sides have meet for the past couple of weeks to discuss the best plan for coaxing voters to approve the funds for the long-sought-after new stadium.

The citizen’s united proposal is meant to expedite the process, per Bonsignore. The Chargers and Raiders used this tactic when crafting their Carson proposal.

Bonsignore write that this plan’s approval could trigger a Raiders move back to Los Angeles. The Raiders haven’t had any substantive discussions with Oakland about replacing their 50-year-old playing site and have been connected to several cities, including San Diego. But Los Angeles remains an option, with the league designating the Raiders as the team-in-waiting while the Chargers determine their future home.

Photo courtesy USA Today Sports Images

Travis Benjamin To Test Free Agent Market

NFL News
February 23, 2016

Word from the combine is that Browns wide receiver Travis Benjamin will test the free agent market, per Tony Pauline of DraftInsider.net (on Twitter). Benjamin has “almost a handful” of meetings with other teams set up, Pauline adds. Travis Benjamin (vertical)

A report earlier this week indicated that the Browns and Benjamin were nearing a new deal, but that might not be the case. For months now, the Browns and Benjamin have been discussing a new pact. Recently, when about his pending free agency, Benjamin replied that “the ball is in my court,” suggesting that he hasn’t yet decided whether he’ll sign an extension with Cleveland or explore the open market. However, Benjamin has said multiple times that he’d like to return to the Browns. In December, Benjamin indicated that he was about 75% or 80% of the way to reaching a new deal with Cleveland. Now, he’s at least going to put his toe in the waters of free agency.

In 2015, Benjamin hauled in a career-high 68 catches for 966 yards and five touchdowns. He also served as the team’s primary punt returner, taking 28 punts back for an average of 11.6 yards per attempt. The advanced metrics at Pro Football Focus (sub. req’d) placed Benjamin in a four-way tie for the 66th best receiver amongst all qualified players. To the naked eye, however, the 26-year-old looks the part of a strong No. 2 receiving option.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

49ers Sign Garrett Celek To Extension

NFL News
February 23, 2016

FEBRUARY 23: The 49ers have finalized a four-year extension for Celek, locking him up through the 2019 season, the team confirmed today in a press release. Terms of the deal weren’t announced.Garrett Celek (vertical)

“Since Garrett entered the league as an undrafted rookie free agent in 2012, he has displayed the skill, work ethic and desire to compete at a high level in the National Football League,” 49ers GM Trent Baalke said in a statement. “His commitment and determination to succeed are reflected in the way he conducts himself as a professional on and off the field. As an organization, we would like to congratulate Garrett and look forward to his continued development as a member of this organization.”

FEBRUARY 17: The 49ers and tight end Garrett Celek are close to finalizing a long-term deal, a source tells Adam Caplan of ESPN.com (on Twitter). Celek was slated to hit free agency in early March.

[RELATED: Anquan Boldin’s Contract Has Voided]

Celek, 27, played in 11 games last year (eight starts) and hauled in 19 catches for 186 yards and three touchdowns. Celek played 39% of the 49ers’ offensive snaps and 19% of their special teams plays before suffering a high-ankle sprain late in the season. That injury caused him to miss the final five games of the year but he’ll be 100% when training camp gets underway.

Celek is the younger brother of Eagles tight end Brent Celek. Interestingly, Chip Kelly is now going from coaching one member of the Celek family to another.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Saints Likely To Release Marques Colston

NFL News
February 23, 2016

Shortly after parting ways with veteran guard Jahri Evans, the Saints appear poised to cut another one of their longtime offensive contributors. According to Mike Triplett of ESPN.com, who cites a league source, New Orleans will likely release wide receiver Marques Colston sometime in the coming days.Marques Colston (Vertical)

[RELATED: Saints cut Jahri Evans, David Hawthorne]

Colston, 32, has been with the Saints since 2006, when he was selected in the seventh round of the draft, 252nd overall. The Hofstra product has been one of the most productive receivers in the NFL – and the Saints’ all-time leading receivers since then, racking up six 1,000-yard seasons and 9,759 overall receiving yards over the last decade.

However, Colston had trouble staying healthy in 2015 and his production fell off as a result. For the season, the veteran wideout recorded career-worst marks in receptions (45), yards (520), and touchdowns (four), as he dealt with shoulder and chest injuries. Even prior to last season, Colston had seen his numbers slipping a little — he set new career lows in yards per game in both 2013 and 2014.

2016 is the final year of Colston’s contract with the Saints, and he had been scheduled to earn $3.2MM in salary and bonuses. By releasing him, New Orleans could trim his cap hit from $5.9MM to just $2.7MM, creating some additional flexibility for the team to handle its offseason business.

[RELATED: Nerdy Football previews the Saints’ offseason]

Until the move is official, there’s still a chance that the Saints reach some sort of agreement with Colston to keep him on the roster at a reduced rate, but it seems increasingly clear that he won’t return on his current contract. If the club cuts him, he’ll be immediately eligible to sign with a new team without having to pass through waivers, and if he’s on track to be healthy for the 2016 campaign, he should draw plenty of interest.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

49ers sign TE Garrett Celek

Fantasy Football, NFL News
February 23, 2016

4-year deal, $5M guaranteed

The 49ers signed TE Garrett Celek to a 4-year deal worth $14M, source said. He gets nearly $5M guaranteed. (Ian Rapoport on Twitter)

Nerdy Football Analysis: Chip Kelly likes to feature the tight end in his offense but Celek will have to battle Vance McDonald and Blake Bell for targets. McDonald is the better pass receiver of the group but Celek could see his usage increase as Kelly’s blocking tight end.