Team reaches deal with key free agent: The New Orleans Saints agreed to a two-year deal with offensive tackle Jermon Bushrod. Bushrod sent out a tweet today that he was happy to be staying with the Saints for the next two years. Re-signing Bushrod was one of the team’s top priorities in the lockout-shortened offseason, reports The Times-Picayune. The Saints locked up another key free agent, wide receiver Lance Moore, on Wednesday.
Coach, agent contend action eliminates penalty: The penalties the NCAA leveled against the LSU football program last week could negate the multimillion-dollar buyout provision in coach Les Miles’ contract. Louisiana Gannet News says the contract gives LSU cause to terminate the contract if Miles is found to have made major, significant or repetitive violations against NCAA rules. If Miles is fired without cause, LSU would have to pay off the remainder of his contract, which runs at $3.75 million a season. Both Miles and his agent, George Bass, say the NCAA’s action would not affect his contract, since he was not directly involved in the violations. The NCAA probe found that ex-assistant coach D.J. McCarthy improperly arranged for transportation and housing for former defensive lineman Akiem Hicks, then later tried to cover up those actions. “I don’t think Les’ role in the violations are enough for cause. His responsibility is to report the violations and act on it, and that’s what he did. He fired the coach and never played the player,” Bass told Gannett News. Miles says he doesn’t know how the one year of probation and scholarship reductions affect his contract, but he’s more concerned what it means to the Tigers. “Obviously, mistakes were made, but not by the direction of me at a time that was really hidden from my view,” Miles told the news service. Read the full story here.
Disgruntled defensive tackle leaving Washington: The Albert Haynesworth saga is finally over in Washington. A person familiar with the deal says the disgruntled defensive tackle was shipped to the New England Patriots early today. The Redskins have rid themselves of a two-time All-Pro with one of the most lucrative contracts in NFL history. Haynesworth has been a constant headache for the Redskins since signing a seven-year, $100 million contract as a free agent in 2009. The deal included a then-record $41 million in guaranteed money. Last year, Haynesworth feuded with coach Mike Shanahan and was suspended for the final four games of the season. Off the field, he has dealt with numerous legal issues.
