Manning passes physical, signs new deal with Broncos
Quarterback Peyton Manning is officially returning to play for the Denver Broncos after passing his physical Thursday and signing a restructured contract for the 2015 season.
“We’re excited; we’re excited it’s over,” executive vice president of football operations and Manning on Wednesday agreed to accept a salary reduction from $19 million to $15 million for next season — his 18th in the NFL.
“I’ve been working real hard, and I’m excited to be back with the Denver Broncos,” Manning told the Denver Post. “Can’t wait for April 13 to get here when the team can finally come together. I’m excited to get to work and get to know the new coaches and looking forward to trying to make 2015 a special year.”
Manning, a five-time MVP, thought about retirement after the Broncos’ playoff loss to the Indianapolis Colts.
RB Jones-Drew calls it a career
Veteran running back Maurice Jones-Drew announced Thursday that he is retiring from football after nine seasons in the NFL.
The 29-year-old Jones-Drew spent the first eight seasons with the Jacksonville Jaguars before playing his final year with the Oakland Raiders in 2014.
Jones-Drew finished with 8,167 yards rushing on 1,847 carries and 68 touchdowns and added 346 receptions for 2,944 yards and 11 touchdowns through the air.
Indiana AD: Crean’s job not in jeopardy
Indiana coach Tom Crean is not in danger of being fired, his boss said Thursday.
Hoosiers athletic director Fred Glass offered his support for the embattled coach despite fans’ concerns about the progress of the storied program under Crean’s direction.
After a 77-63 loss at home to Iowa on Tuesday night, Indiana dropped to 19-11 overall and 9-8 in the Big Ten. The Hoosiers close out the regular season on Saturday at home against Michigan State.
In seven seasons at the helm, Crean has a 120-106 record but is just 49-74 in Big Ten games and has only two NCAA Tournament appearances, reaching the Sweet 16 in 2012 and 2013. Indiana failed to make the NCAA field last year.
“I’m bullish on Tom,” Glass told ESPN. “He’s done a really good job with these guys. It’s ridiculous to say that someone is coaching for his job for one game and that it would be up or down in one game.”
Defenseman Timonen to retire after season
Defenseman Kimmo Timonen confirmed Thursday that he intends to retire after the season.
The 39-year-old veteran was dealt from the Philadelphia Flyers to the Chicago Blackhawks at the trade deadline last month for two draft picks. After the season, he will become an unrestricted free agent.
Timonen had already hinted that this season would be his last after returning from blood clots. He wants to become a coach after leaving the ice.
Timonen ranks third among active NHL defensemen in points with 571 in 1,092 career games with the Flyers and Nashville Predators spanning 16 seasons.
Cardinals QB Palmer on pace for training camp
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer, recovering from a torn ACL, said Thursday that he will be ready for training camp.
Palmer, who was injured in Week 10 last season, told AZCardinals.com that his recovery is going well and he’s running and throwing five days a week.
Palmer said he hopes to practice during OTAs or minicamp, but he knows coach Bruce Arians likely will be cautious with him.
“I think I’m ready to go out and do everything. But I’m not, and I know I’m not, deep down,” Palmer said. “You just feel good and you want to do more and more.”
Palmer also said he has agreed to restructure his contract to create some salary cap room if it helps the team. The Cardinals had about $13.5 million in space under the $143.3 million cap on Thursday.