Two days after waiving defensive end Brandon Deaderick, the Patriots decided to release veteran defensive tackle Kyle Love, as well. Love’s release comes as a result of a non-football-related injury, according to his agent Richard Kopelman of KLASS Sports.

“We have been informed by the New England Patriots that Kyle Love will be released NFI (Non-Football Injury/Illness),” Kopelman told Mike Reiss of ESPN. “This comes on the heels of Kyle having been diagnosed within the past two weeks with Type-2 diabetes. Naturally, we are disappointed that the Patriots decided to part ways with Kyle, especially in light of the fact that a number of elite professional athletes with diabetes – both Type-1, which is known to be far more difficult to manage than Type-2 diabetes – have had very successful careers in professional football, hockey, baseball and basketball.”

Love, 26, had experienced recent weight loss and had to change his diet accordingly, per Kopelman, but apparently the disease did not impact his offseason work with the team.

“Prior to the diagnosis, Kyle recently experienced unexplained weight loss, but since being diagnosed and having altered his diet, Kyle has regained most of the weight he lost, is in good health, and was not limited in any way during offseason workouts in which he was engaged up until being told he would be released.

Love is expected to adjust accordingly, and his NFL career shouldn’t be impacted by the disease.

“Having consulted with leading authorities on the effects of Type-2 diabetes, we have every reason to believe that Kyle will, in the immediate future, be at 100 percent, and will be prepared to participate in training camp in a couple of months. As Kyle said, ‘there is no way something like this is going to stand between me and a long and successful NFL career.’”

Love started 11 games for the Patriots in 2012, recording 25 tackles and 1.5 sacks alongside Vince Wilfork on the Patriots’ defensive line. He was signed as an undrafted free agent out of Mississippi State after the 2010 draft. He played in nine games, recording seven tackles and one sack, during his rookie season, and followed that up with a full 16-game slate and career highs with 33 tackles and three sacks in 2011.

Love was slated to carry a $1.1 million cap hit in 2013, and the Patriots should save about $850,000 in cap space with the release.

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The Patriots announced a few roster moves on Monday, including the surprise release of veteran defensive lineman Brandon Deaderick.

Deaderick, 25, was a seventh-round pick in 2010 and has spent the past three seasons making contributions on the Patriots’ defensive line. He played in 34 games, starting 14, and managed 51 tackles and five sacks during his tenure in New England.

He played sparingly as a rookie but saw increased time in his second year, playing a significant role in the Patriots’ run to the Super Bowl in 2011. He played in 14 games in 2012, but lost playing time to Kyle Love and rookie Justin Francis as the season wore on. The additions of interior linemen Armond Armstead and veteran Tommy Kelly seem to have made Deaderick expendable, leading to his release.

The team signed two offensive lineman, adding some much-needed depth to their line, with former Chargers guard Tyronne Green, which his agent confirmed this morning, and undrafted rookie free agent R.J. Mattes.

Mattes, 6-foot-6, 313 pounds, was a four-year starter at North Carolina State, rotating his playing time between guard and tackle.

The Patriots also announced the release of wide receiver Andre Holmes.

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Buddy Nix, who has been the Bills’ general manager for three seasons, has elected to step down from that position and instead take on a role as a special assistant with the team, the Bills announced Monday.

BREAKING: #Bills GM Buddy Nix will step away from his role as GM and tradition to Special Assistant.

—
Buffalo Bills (@buffalobills) May 13, 2013

The Bills haven’t made the playoffs in 14 seasons, and they came no closer to breaking that streak during Nix’s tenure. The Bills went 16-32 during his three seasons as GM. Nix is also charged with giving quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick a six-year, $60 million extension, including $24 million guaranteed, and then releasing him one season into the new deal.

Nix’s announcement isn’t much of a surprise, as the team has been in constant transition since the end of last season, including the hiring of new head coach Doug Marrone.

Doug Whaley, who has spent the past three seasons as assistant general manager,  is expected to take over as GM for Nix, according to Tim Graham of the Buffalo News.

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Thumbnail photo via Facebook/Buddy Nix

The veteran midfielder is set to extend his Chelsea career into its 13th year. The Blues will offer him a new contract this week which he will happily sign, according to the Mail.

“And it also appears that — almost by weight of public demand — the west London club will award one of football’s nice guys with a further 12-month contract extension,” the report says.

Lampard’s good news comes just days after he broke the club’s all-time goal-scoring record. He scored twice on Saturday — his 202nd and 203rd goals in Chelsea colors — to pass Bobby Tambling‘s longstanding mark.

For much of the season, it looked like Chelsea would decline the chance to keep Lampard and let him leave as a free agent this summer. His existing contract expires in June and the L.A. Galaxy were leading the chase for Lampard, having offered him a lucrative contact to come to Major League Soccer.

Lampard considered the offer, but he always preferred to keep his family in England and finish his career at Stamford Bridge.

“I’d love to carry on as long as I feel I can do and I feel I’m fit,” Lampard told Sky Sports on Saturday. “I’d love to do that, for another three or four years. I’d love to emulate those boys.

“Ryan Giggs [has] got an aura around him. All the players at the club look up to him. He’s the mark.”

At the beginning of 2013, Chelsea was determined to move on from the era of the “Old Guard” (a group of influential veterans including Lampard, captain John Terry and Ashley Cole), but public pressure and the expected return of Jose Mourinho have made the Blues slow their revolution, according to the Star.

“Manager-in-waiting Jose Mourinho has persuaded owner Roman Abramovich to reward the club’s record scorer with a new contract, similar to the one fellow England star Ashley Cole signed earlier in the season.

“Chelsea had hoped to announce his deal prior to Wednesday’s [UEFA] Europa Cup Final against Benfica.

“But it is understood Lampard’s agent, Steve Kutner, was yesterday [Sunday] still trying to net the best possible terms.”

Lampard became a Chelsea and Premier League legend by marrying his talent with a fierce determination and commitment to professionalism. Those qualities helped him score double figures in the Premier League for ten straight seasons. His coaches, teammates and fans never lost sight of that legacy and they have seemingly made sure that Chelsea directors don’t either.

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Photo via Facebook/Chelsea Football Club

After adding a pair of wide receivers in Aaron Dobson and Josh Boyce during the draft, the Patriots agreed to a deal with veteran wideout Lavelle Hawkins on Thursday, according to Jim Wyatt of the Tennessean. His deal is for two years. He also visited with the New York Giants and Houston Texans before signing in New England.

Hawkins, 26, spent his first five seasons with the Tennessee Titans, enjoying his most productive season in 2011 — his only full 16-game season — catching 47 passes for 470 yards and a score. He also served as a great special teams player, returning kickoffs and punts at times as well as playing on coverage teams during all five seasons.

Hawkins joins a wide receiver crew that includes Danny Amendola, Donald Jones, Michael Jenkins, Julian Edelman, Matthew Slater and the two rookies. So, making the roster won’t be a cakewalk, but if he can stay healthy then Hawkins would be a good depth option for the Patriots.

Oh, and he likes to hurdle defenders occasionally during the preseason. Check that out below.

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Photo via Twitter/@Lavelle_Hawkins

The English soccer star is determined to leave Manchester United this summer, having told outgoing manager Sir Alex Ferguson in late April that he is looking for a fresh start, according to the Telegraph.

Ferguson’s response to Rooney was that United would not sell him, and on Wednesday, a United spokesperson said “Wayne Rooney is not for sale.”

Rooney reportedly did not submit a formal transfer request, but he could do so in the coming weeks or months if he chooses to.

Bayern Munich, AS Monaco and Paris Saint-Germain are closely monitoring Rooney’s situation with an eye on launching a transfer bid for him, but they face competition from one of United’s domestic rivals.

“It is understood that Rooney, 27, has no desire to move away from the Premier League and that Chelsea is his most likely destination,” the Telegraph reports.

Interested clubs are expected to bid around £25 million ($38.9 million) to £30 million ($46.7) for the United forward. Chelsea has already made contact with Rooney’s agent and Blues’ owner Roman Abramovich has personally sanctioned a £30 million transfer, according to the Mirror.

Rooney’s future has been the subject of intense speculation in recent months, as his status on the team has diminished this season. Ferguson has made Robin van Persie the focal point of the United attack, and he now uses Rooney as a support striker or attacking midfielder instead of playing him closer to the opponents’ goal as in prior campaigns.

Rooney’s role was made clear in early March when Ferguson left him out of the starting lineup in a crucial UEFA Champions League game against Real Madrid. Reports claiming Ferguson had become frustrated with Rooney’s ongoing fitness issues and was ready to sell him dominated the headlines in the days following United’s Champions League exit.

Rooney’s contract expires in 2015, but it is common for players to either sign extensions or face transfers as they approach the final year of their existing deals. He is United’s highest-paid player, reportedly earning £250,000 a week. United officials are thought to be hesitant to continue making such a financial commitment to a player whose best days might be in the past.

Rooney and Ferguson clashed in October 2010 when the star forward requested a transfer, saying United lacked ambition. Ferguson convinced Rooney to sign a new contract five days later. The two were again at odds in December 2011 when Rooney broke curfew and Ferguson benched him in United’s next game.

But Ferguson will retire at the end of May. David Moyes will succeed the legendary United manager, and one of his first tasks as manager will be to address Rooney’s situation. It’s an interesting bit of symmetry, as it was Everton manager Moyes who sold Rooney to United in  2004 for £27 ($40.7 million).

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Former Dallas Cowboys running back Felix Jones was in for a visit to Foxboro on Thursday, according to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network. The plan is for Jones to work out for the team.

Jones, who just turned 26 on Wednesday, spent five seasons with the Cowboys after being selected 22nd overall in the 2008 NFL draft. He enjoyed some early success in a shared backfield with Marion Barber, averaging better than 5.2 yards per carry during his first three seasons, but he was never able to establish himself as a primary or durable option.

His injury history, which included just two full 16 game slates in five seasons, eventually saw rookie running back DeMarco Murray overtake the starting job during the 2011 season. Jones was reinserted as the starter for seven games in 2012, but he managed just middling stats with 111 carries for 402 yards and a 3.6 yards-per-carry average — well below his career average of 4.8.

With Stevan Ridley, who gained over 1,200 yards in 2012, Shane Vereen, Brandon Bolden, Leon Washington and newly added LeGarrette Blount already in house, Jones may have a tough time even making the roster never mind competing for playing time.

Jones has worked out for a few other teams recently, including the Philadelphia Eagles, according to the league transaction wire.

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Photo via Facebook/Felix Jones

The Manchester United manager is considering retiring after this season, and he could make an announcement as early as this week, the Telegraph reports.

Ferguson, 71, has been United’s manager since 1986. The Red Devils clinched the 2012-13 Premier League title last month — their 13th under the legendary United boss.

It was thought that Ferguson would remain in charge for at least another season (perhaps grooming David Moyes to become his successor), but rumors saying he would step down immediately have gathered steam this week.

United’s press office has not commented on the reports. The club is partially listed on the New York Stock Exchange, and rules require it to promptly disclose information about changes to its management.

“With United now forced to adhere to the strict rules and regulations of the New York Stock Exchange in terms of the release of significant information relating to the running of the club following last August’s partial flotation, any change of management would fall within those requirements,” the Telegraph reports.

“As of Tuesday night, no statement over Ferguson’s future had been issued by United.

“However, with sources close to the players confirming that the squad’s golf day had been overshadowed by suggestions that the Scot would be making an announcement ahead of Sunday’s clash with Swansea at Old Trafford, any ongoing uncertainty is unlikely to be allowed to continue to the point where it would affect the confidence of investors and, in turn, United’s New York share price.”

Ferguson has been bullish about United’s future prospects in recent weeks. In his program notes ahead of last Sunday’s game against Chelsea, Ferguson said he looked forward to leading United into a new era of dominance.

“We will get better and if we apply ourselves in our normal fashion, I see our 20th league title as nothing but the start of another decade of success,” Ferguson wrote.

“Whether I will be here to oversee another decade of success remains to be seen, but I certainly don’t have any plans at the moment to walk away from what I believe will be something special and worth being around to see.”

The has often said his health would be a deciding factor in deciding when to retire. He will reportedly have an operation on his hip during the offseason, and some expect the procedure to keep him off the sidelines until September (next season starts in mid-August).

Few would have foreseen Ferguson walking away after winning the title in such emphatic fashion, but that appears to be a possibility.

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In recent days, British oddskmakers have drastically lowered the odds of Moyes becoming United’s next manager, the Mail reports.

Moyes has served as Everton’s manager with great distinction over the last 11 years, but his contract expires this summer and he has yet sign a new deal. He says he will decide his future after the current campaign, but it is thought that he is considering leaving the club in search of greener pastures.

United would offer Moyes the chance to manage a leading club but not right away. The Mail report says Moyes would join United this summer and serve as Ferguson’s assistant for one season while he learns the ins and outs of the club. Moyes would then replace Ferguson on the Old Trafford bench, when the legendary United manager retires after the 2013-14 season.

The Mirror reports Moyes’ rumored move to United have prompted British oddsmakers to slash the odds of him taking over for Ferguson. He started the season as the favorite with 6-1 odds, but those have been lowered to 1-2. The Mirror concludes with the most important piece of information regarding the Moyes to United rumor.

“Punters be warned though: If they really knew you wouldn’t be able to bet on it.”

That about says it all.

Have a question for Marcus Kwesi O’Mard? Send it to him via Twitter at @NESNsoccer, NESN Soccer’s Facebook page or send it here. He will pick a few questions to answer every week for his mailbag.

The Titans decision makers are discussing signing veteran pass rusher John Abraham to a contract this week, according to ESPN’s Adam schefter.

Abraham has visited with a handful of NFL teams already this offseason, making his rounds but unable to find a deal suitable for both sides. He stopped in for a visit with the Titans last week and it sounds like that could be his final stop altogether.

While teams like the Broncos, Seahawks and Patriots all wait to see if his price will drop, the Titans are taking action and appear to have the inside track on signing Abraham.

There were rumors that Abraham was considering retirement, and a cryptic tweet he sent out last weekend only added fuel to that fire, but it seems he is still planning to take the field next season.

The Patriots were suspected to be the front runners for Abraham’s services, but if Abraham signs with the Titans, they may have to readjust their priority list.

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Photo via Facebook/John Abraham

Terrell Owens

Owens caught some passes from Brady at USC in early April and, like almost any intelligent NFL player, would want to play with Brady and the Patriots full time, according to BlindsideFootball.com.

“I think that’s a no-brainer,” Owens said. “You look at what they’ve done over the years. Under the tutelage of Tom and Coach [Bill] Belichick, I think the sky would be the limit in terms of what I’d be able to do. Considering my body of work and my history of playing the game.”

Owens also revealed that his training session with Brady was more of a coincidence rather than the well-thought-out plan it appeared to be.

“We happened to be on the same field at the same time and it obviously created a big buzz with the two of us being on the field throwing the football around,” Owens said. “There was really nothing organized about it as far as me trying to get with the Patriots or him pursuing me or anything like that. It just happened to be us being out there on the same field at the same time.”

The six-time Pro Bowl receiver has not played a game in the NFL for two seasons now, but he does still believe he can play at the highest level. The Patriots did have a glaring need at wide receiver earlier this offseason, but a strong draft at the position seems to have solved that issue. So, even if Owens is capable of returning to that All-Pro form, it’s unlikely Belichick is looking to add another receiver to the mix right now.

Plus, Owens has a newly established pro bowling career to attend to — and with scores like this, he’ll need to give it his undivided attention.

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According to WEEI.com’s Rob Bradford, the Red Sox had conversations with the Marlins about acquiring both shortstop Jose Reyes and pitcher Josh Johnson — and were also willing to take on utilityman Emilio Bonifacio if necessary. However, the Sox reportedly were unwilling to talk further because of the likelihood that top prospect Xander Bogaerts would need to be included in such a deal.

The rest is history. Reyes, Johnson and Bonifacio were dealt — along with Mark Buehrle and John Buck — to the Blue Jays in what was a huge offseason overhaul for both Miami and Toronto. The Red Sox, meanwhile, brought in a number of mid-tier free agents.

Johnson told WEEI.com that he had his wife on high alert during the 2012 season, sensing that a trade was possible. Once the trade deadline passed and the season eventually ended, though, Johnson didn’t hear trade rumors, so he was caught off guard a bit by the news that he was headed to Toronto.

Johnson admitted that he did ask around in 2012 about what it would be like to play in Boston. The man he turned to was old friend Cody Ross, who spent the 2012 season with the Red Sox before signing with the Diamondbacks in the offseason.

“I had a good buddy on the team, Cody Ross. Just talking to him, he said I would love it,” Johnson reportedly said. “We went to dinner when [Boston] was in Miami. There was just small talk, joking around, like, ‘You would like it here.’ Stuff like that.”

The Red Sox and Blue Jays obviously find themselves on complete opposite ends of the spectrum to begin this season. The Sox enter Thursday’s game with a 19-8 record, while the Jays are in the basement of the American League East with a 10-18 mark. Johnson has struggled mightily in four starts and Reyes has been on the disabled list.

Surely, the Red Sox have no regrets with their decision to hang up the phone.

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Photo via Facebook/Jose Reyes

The former Falcons defensive end is visiting with the Tennessee Titans on Wednesday, according to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network.

The Titans are in need of a veteran pass rusher to help bolster their defensive line, and Abraham likely isn’t asking for quite as much money as fellow free agent Dwight Freeney.

Abraham has visited with other teams over the past few months, including the Denver Broncos, Seattle Seahawks and, of course, the Patriots. But he has yet to find a deal intriguing enough to sign on the dotted line. So, a reasonable offer from the Titans could change his mind.

The Patriots still appear to be the front runners for his services, but it’s unlikely they would sign him until sometime closer to the beginning of training camp. His visit with the Titans could always pique the Patriots’ interest and spark up contract talks in an effort to finally get a deal done.

There is always the chance that Abraham’s visit is just a smoke screen intended to regenerate interest from other teams. Then again, it seems no team is going to sign him until he lowers his asking price.

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Photo via Facebook/John Abraham

Wenger is reportedly a leading contender to replace Carlo Ancelotti as PSG’s manager. He could leave the Arsenal bench for PSG’s as early as this summer, according to the Telegraph.

“PSG’s most senior figures have been telling members of their circle that Wenger has been persuaded to leave north London after 17 years in charge of Arsenal.

“Their least optimistic scenario is that he will move to Paris in the summer of 2014 when his current deal at Arsenal expires. But PSG’s owners have sounded adamant in recent days that they can tempt him to cross the channel 12 months early.

“[French newspaper] Le Parisien has reported that Wenger will meet PSG owners next week,” the report says.

Wenger and Arsenal are synonymous with one another, with the Frenchman having lead the club since 1996. The Gunners have won three Premier League titles and four FA Cups under his guidance, making him one of world’s soccer’s most respected and influential managers. But Arsenal has not won a trophy in eight seasons, and some fans are calling for a new manager to end the barren run.

But Wenger and Arsenal are coming to a crossroads. His contract expires after next season, and there have been conflicting reports as to whether or not Arsenal has already offered him a new deal. If the club wants him to continue past 2014, he certainly has yet to agree to do so.

Managers are often loathe to lead a team into a new season with only one year remaining on their contract, as a “lame duck” status can undermine them in the dressing room in difficult moments. This summer is shaping up to be a “moment of truth” for Wenger and Arsenal, but Wenger says he will remain at Arsenal for at least another season regardless of his contract situation.

“First of all I don’t know too much about what’s been said about me,” he said. “Then I’m concentrating on the next game and the next season. At the end of my contract I’ll see what I can do. I’ve always respected my contracts. I can’t see at my age why that should change.”

PSG has become a leading destination for Europe’s top players, coaches and executives since the Qatar Investment Authority (QIA) took over the club in May 2011 and began pouring money into it. PSG has spent over £170 million ($264 million) on new players, transforming itself from a club which targets domestic honors to one that aims for European and global titles.

Ancelotti has led the charge in the French capital since December 2011, when he replaced Antoine Kombouare. The Italian steered PSG to a second-place finish in Ligue 1 in his first six months at the club. PSG’s on-field fortunes improved this season, as it is reached the quarterfinal of the UEFA Champions League and is closing in on its first Ligue 1 title since 1994.

Domestic glory may not be enough to keep Ancelotti and PSG from parting ways after this season,” the Telegraph reports.

“Ancelotti is understood to have told PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi last week that he would not be staying in Paris.”

PSG is reportedly eyeing Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho, but the Portuguese tactician is believed to be nearing a return to Chelsea FC. Meanwhile, Ancelotti has been tipped to replace Mourinho at Real Madrid.

PSG has a long-term goal of instilling more of a French identity (or public face) into the club, and Wenger is arguably the most respected French coach in the world. If the Arsenal manager decides it is time to leave North London for PSG, he would find himself at the center of one of the most exciting and ambitious projects world soccer has to offer.

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Less than two years later, a combination of personal and professional circumstances could see him leave his hometown for North London once again.

Barcelona would be willing to sell Fabregas for the right price this summer to raise funds for a rebuilding project, and Arsenal is the most likely destination, according to the Star.

“He does not want to quit his boyhood club — but has fired the exit rumours by trying to buy a £5.4 million ($8.4 million ) flat in London,” the report says.

“Fabregas’ girlfriend Daniella Semaan gave birth to the couple’s daughter Lia earlier this month and the pair are looking into bringing her up in England.

“He is under contract until June 2016 but has his World Cup place with the Spain team to worry about and could be tempted by the prospect of regular football in the Premier League.”

Fabregas was schooled in the Barcelona system before controversially signing with Arsenal as a 16-year-old in 2003. He spent eight seasons with the Gunners, rising from teenage prospect to club captain. His longstanding desire to return to Spain — particularly to play with Barcelona’s stars and for its former head coach Pep Guardiola – was the driving force behind his £30 million ($46.5 million) switch from Arsenal to Barca in August 2011.

But Fabregas, 25, hasn’t had the same impact at Barcelona that he had at Arsenal. He is not an automatic starter, as the presences of Xavi, Andres Iniesta and Lionel Messi push him to the substitute’s bench or into unfamiliar positions — particularly in the biggest games. Tito Vilanova replaced Guardiola before the 2012-13 campaign, and Fabregas struggled to adapt to the new head coach’s tactical demands at the start of the season. He gradually worked his way into form, but his first two seasons at Barcelona have made him the subject of criticism from fans and the media.

Fabregas said he wants to stay at Barcelona for the rest of his career in February. Barcelona could have other ideas. The soon-to-be La Liga champion reportedly wants to sign either Mats Hummels or Vincent Kompany, as it looks to strengthen its creaky defense this summer. Both would command over £25 million ($38.7 million) in the transfer market, while Brazilian star Neymar could also join the club this summer for a fee that could exceed £50 million ($75.6 million). Selling a squad player (even one as talented and committed as Fabregas) to facilitate a key signing seems like a reasonable option.

Fabregas remains a devoted Arsenal fan. He reportedly watches his former team play every week. In January, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said he could see Fabregas returning in four or five years. The star report accelerates that timetable, but Arsenal will likely look to add a world-class player to its ranks this summer and it should have the funds to do so. Arsenal reportedly has first rights of refusal in the event Barcelona puts Fabregas on the transfer market, which could suit both clubs and the player himself.

The final and most important consideration is Fabregas’ relationship with Semaan and the birth of their infant daughter. If the parents want to raise Lia (and do it together) in England, it only makes sense that Fabregas would consider returning to the Premier League in the near future.

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Just as reports of “aggressive discussions” about trading return specialist Jeff Demps began to sprout up, the Patriots made things official dealing him to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, according to Tom E. Curran of CSNNE. The club announced the deal via Twitter as well, adding the deal was pending the trade terms.

The Patriots agreed to deal Demps and a seventh-round pick (No. 229 overall) to the Bucs in exchange for running back LeGarrette Blount.

Blount was very productive in his first two NFL seasons, gaining over 1,700 yards and scoring 11 touchdowns, but he took a backseat to rookie Doug Martin in 2012. Head coach Greg Schiano preferred Martin over Blount and the numbers proved that with Martin carrying the ball 319 times to Blount’s mere 41.

Blount won’t be expected to take on a feature role in New England, either. With Stevan Ridley and Shane Vereen slated in as the Patriots’ primary backs, Blount will likely compete for the third tailback role with second-year back Brandon Bolden.

The hope is that he will add some good depth and can be the punishing between-the-tackles runner and take the lead in short-yardage like he showed during his first two seasons.

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Photo via Facebook/LeGarrette Blount

Demps spent last season on injured reserved, but was expected to be a major contributor on special teams in 2013. That changed a few weeks ago when Demps decided he was going to continue his track career and wanted to return to football around midseason, which likely didn’t sit too well with Bill Belichick.

The Patriots have been shopping him around for a few weeks now, but it appears a deal may be imminent, according to Jeff Howe of the Boston Herald.

Demps’ agent Daniel Rose addressed his client’s future earlier in the week, hinting that if the Patriots don’t want him a number of other teams would be interested.

“I would think the lack of picks [for New England] a deal would be done over the draft as I am certain if the Patriots aren’t willing to let him do both there are other teams who will.”

Demps was a silver medalist on the USA Olympic 4-x-100 team at the 2012 Summer Games, but seemed ready to return to football afterward. He signed with the Patriots in August and played briefly during the preseason before being placed on season-ending IR.

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Photo via Twitter/@FerRangel76

Tebow has long been criticized for having a long, loopy throwing motion and atypical mechanics for an NFL quarterback. But all that has changed this offseason, Clarkson said in an interview with Newsday.

Clarkson has a long history of success with NFL quarterbacks, including Ben Roethlisberger, Matt Leinart and potential first-round prospect Matt Barkley. Now, he’s seeing some positive results with Tebow, too, which he says all starts with his footwork.

“The footwork is essentially what caused a lot of his looping motion,” Clarkson said. “A lot of what was happening with his throwing motion and why it was elongated was because of the way he placed his feet at the end of his drop. Right before he’d make his throw, his hips would stop at mid-motion, and the ball would come off in funny places. So that was one thing that we really honed in on, was trying to tie his feet up.

“We worked a lot on slowing the game down for him in terms of on the field, but also speeding up the game for him in terms of mechanics,” he added. “Most of what people have talked about in his throwing motion were really based on his footwork.”

Clarkson did focus on some of the positives about Tebow’s game as well, and he believes that the improved mechanics will only serve to improve the quarterback’s ability.

“He sees the field extremely well. He anticipates where things are going to happen, but his relationship with his feet going to his arm didn’t mesh. He would look like he was throwing into coverage. He was throwing into the right spot, but he was just late because he couldn’t transfer his weight properly.”

Tebow, 25, struggled to find the field last season with the Jets, throwing just eight passes in 12 games. He led the Denver Broncos to the divisional playoffs just one season before, but teams — even the Jets — are still hesitant to give Tebow a shot at their starting job.

Clarkson suggested recently that Tebow’s trade to the Jets was made with malicious intent from the Broncos. He hypothesized that the Broncos planned to “kill two birds with one stone” with the deal, crushing incumbent starter Mark Sanchez‘s confidence while all but eliminating Tebow.

But the well-renowned instructor hopes that the adjustments he and Tebow have worked on this offseason will change that reality.

“I would hope wherever he ends up, they give him an opportunity to play, because if they do, they’ll be pleasantly surprised,” Clarkson said. “I think the guy can still play.”

There doesn’t seem to be much of a market for Tebow right now, and even the Jets don’t appear interested in keeping him around. But, if what Clarkson says is true, then most teams would be smart to at least give him a chance.

Have a question for Luke Hughes? Send it to him via Twitter at @LukeFHughes or send it here.

The Ravens will open the season in Denver with an AFC divisional playoffs rematch against the Broncos, according to Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports. The game will be played on Thursday, Sept. 5.

https://twitter.com/JasonLaCanfora/status/324900897043931136

Typically, the Super Bowl champion gets to host the regular season opener, but the Ravens were unable to convince the Orioles to change their schedule to accommodate the opportunity.

The Ravens-Broncos playoff showdown turned into a double-overtime thriller, so there should be some interest no matter what. But there should be some added intrigue with Elvis Dumervil wearing black and purple in his return to Denver, especially after the way his controversial departure went down.

Have a question for Luke Hughes? Send it to him via Twitter at @LukeFHughes or send it here.

The Patriots hosted three prospects at Gillette Stadium on Monday, according to Jeff Howe of the Boston Herald.

The trio included Louisiana Tech wide receiver Quinton Patton, UCLA defensive end Datone Jones and Florida State defensive end Cornellius “Tank” Carradine.

Each of the three are very intriguing prospects for the Patriots, given their needs heading into the 2013 season. Patton is especially interesting, considering their glaring need at wide receiver after the departures of Wes Welker and Brandon Lloyd. Defensive end would also be an interesting area to address in this year’s draft as the Pats traded up to take defensive end Chandler Jones just last year.

The Patriots’ list of potential first rounders just continues to grow but, in just a little over a week, all the dust will be settled.

Have a question for Luke Hughes? Send it to him via Twitter at @LukeFHughes or send it here.