1 pending free agent Chargers should target: AFC North Edition - Yahoo Sports

The Chargers won’t be as aggressive as they have been in recent years when it comes to signing free agents.

While they’re cash-strapped, general manager Tom Telesco will likely make some moves to have some spendings available to them so they can sign some low-cost players.

That said, I will list one pending free agent from each team in the NFL that could be a realistic target for L.A.

Next up is the AFC North.

Cincinnati Bengals: G Max Scharping

Bob Levey/Getty Images

The Chargers need more depth along the offensive line, which they would be able to get with Scharping, a player with plenty of experience, including 33 starts. Scharping was originally a 2019 second-round pick by the Texans. He played his first two seasons at left guard, allowing four sacks on 930 pass-blocking snaps. In 2021, he moved to right guard, where he allowed two sacks on 400 pass block snaps. Scharping was waived prior to the 2022 season and picked up by the Bengals. He served as depth before being called on to start in Cincinnati’s three playoff games due to injuries. Overall, Scharping has the stoutness, run blocking and athleticism to be counted on in a pinch. Additionally, he has the versatility to play tackle.

Pittsburgh Steelers: EDGE Malik Reed

Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

The Chargers will be in the market for edge defender depth behind Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack. They could target someone that Brandon Staley is familiar with. Staley was Reed’s position coach in 2019 on the Broncos. In three seasons with Denver, Reed had over 20 quarterback pressures, with 36 coming in 2020. That was also the same year he had a career-high eight sacks. This past season, the Steelers traded for Reed. He had a down year, finishing with just ten pressures. But at 26 years old, Reed is still a young and talented edge defender who could supply juice in a rotational role.

Baltimore Ravens: WR Demarcus Robinson

Joseph Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports

The Chargers could be remodeling the wide receiver position this offseason. While the draft is the most optimal route, they may seek the free agency pool, especially if Keenan Allen becomes a cut casualty or trade candidate. And Robinson would be a good get. The 28-year-old Robinson flourishes as a down-the-field and after-the-catch threat, winning with his straight-line speed and slivers of separation with his polished route running. In addition, his 6-foot-1 and 207-pound frame and strong hands allow him to succeed in contested situations and the red zone. Robinson spent six years with the Chiefs, with 145 receptions for 1,679 yards and 14 touchdowns. This past season with the Ravens, Robinson had 48 catches for 458 yards and a pair of scores.

Cleveland Browns: RB D'Ernest Johnson

The Chargers finished with one of the least efficient rushing offenses in the league. Much of it has to do with the injuries along the offensive line and to Donald Parham and Keenan Allen. But Sony Michel wasn’t impactful, nor was Isaiah Spiller or Larry Rountree. Joshua Kelley flashed, but he was hurt for four games. Ultimately, offensive coordinator Kellen Moore may want to bring in a new body to the running back room to compete behind Austin Ekeler. Johnson only had four carries and 17 yards in 2022 while being buried on the depth chart behind Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt. However, his 2021 campaign saw him carry the ball 100 times for 534 yards (5.3 yards per carry) when Chubb and Hunt were hurt, showing that he can be a solid contributor.

Story originally appeared on Chargers Wire

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Ranking Bears’ top 10 pending free agents by importance - Yahoo! Voices

The Chicago Bears are gearing up for the start of NFL free agency, where general manager Ryan Poles will look to retool arguably the league’s worst roster from last season.

Luckily, Poles has the resources to bring in some impact players. The Bears are estimated to have roughly $100 million in salary cap space, which is the most in the NFL by a wide margin.

While Chicago will look to add some new faces to the roster, they have some in-house free agents that could factor into their plans for the 2023 season.

The Bears don’t have many noteworthy pending free agents, but here’s a look at those who the team could consider re-signing.

WR N'Keal Harry

Quinn Harris/Getty Images

The Bears took a flier on Harry when they traded a seventh-round pick to the Patriots in exchange for the former first-round wideout. While Harry boasted impressive size and showed chemistry with Justin Fields, he suffered a significant ankle injury during training camp that kept him out until October. Harry tallied just seven catches for 116 yards and a touchdown in eight games. Still, it doesn’t seem likely that the two sides will reunite in 2023.

OT Riley Reiff

Jamie Sabau-USA TODAY Sports

Reiff was signed to a one-year deal to compete for a starting job and provide valuable experience and depth at tackle. He didn’t start the season at right tackle, but he ultimately took the job from Larry Borom. The Bears will be looking to upgrade at the tackle position, so bringing Reiff back isn’t a top priority. But he could do well in a reserve role — at a reasonable rate — especially after Poles praised Reiff for setting the tone last season. But Reiff is 35 years old and was still available last July. It’s a possibility, but not a guarantee.

OL Michael Schofield

Mike Dinovo-USA TODAY Sports

Schofield was signed last summer to serve as an experienced veteran for a questionable offensive line. He wound up serving as the primary backup along the interior of the offensive line, playing both left and right guard when Cody Whitehair and Teven Jenkins were sidelined by injury. Schofield isn’t a must-sign for Chicago, especially as the team will look to free agency and the draft to shore up the offensive line. But he is a nice depth option, if they want him back.

C Sam Mustipher

AP Photo/Kamil Krzaczynski

Mustipher has been a point of contention among Bears fans due to his struggling play. Mustipher has started all but one game in the last two seasons at center, and that experience is valuable. But he won’t be the starting center going into 2023, which puts his future in question. Mustipher, a restricted free agent, could find a starting job in the free agent market, where the Bears will have the option to match another team’s offer. But Chicago likely won’t prioritize re-signing Mustipher as they’ll look elsewhere to upgrade.

DT Armon Watts

David Berding/Getty Images

The Bears claimed Watts off waivers after he was cut by the Vikings before the 2022 season. Watts served as a mainstay along the defensive interior, where he quickly passed Angelo Blackson on the depth chart opposite Justin Jones. But Watts didn’t have a standout year as part of the NFL’s worst defensive line. But with Matt Eberflus implementing a rotation along the defensive line, bringing back Watts as a rotation piece and depth option is certainly a possibility.

LS Patrick Scales

© Caylor Arnold-USA TODAY Sports

Scales has been with the Bears since 2015, and he was one of the few in-house free agents Poles opted to bring back last season. Scales is coming off another solid year with Chicago, where he was the only Bears player to earn a single All-Pro vote in 2022. While Chicago could choose to draft a young guy to replace him, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Poles re-sign Scales to another cheap, one-year deal and keep together the special teams unit of Cairo Santos, Trenton Gill and Scales.

FB Khari Blasingame

AP Photo/Jeffrey Phelps

Blasingame was the first fullback on the Bears roster since 2018, and he served a key role in the success of Chicago’s top-ranked rushing attack despite not recording a single stat. Blasingame helped open up holes for Montgomery and Herbert, and he was a big reason why Chicago averaged over 150 rushing yards per game. Given the importance of the run game in this offense, it certainly feels like that the Bears will look to bring back Blasingame, unless they find another option.

S DeAndre Houston-Carson

Daniel Bartel-USA TODAY Sports

Houston-Carson has been one of the longest-tenured veterans on the team, and there’s a reason Poles brought him back on a one-year deal. Not only is Houston-Carson a leader on special teams, but he’s a key reserve at safety. After Jackson went down for the year in Week 11, Houston-Carson started the final six games of the season opposite Brisker. Given Houston-Carson’s contributions on defense and special teams, it feels like another sure bet that he’ll be back in 2023, if the price is right for both parties.

LB Nicholas Morrow

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

Morrow signed a one-year deal with the Bears, where he served as a key contributor on defense. Morrow led the team in tackles, and he set career highs in combined tackles (116), solo tackles (83) and tackles for loss (11). He was an underrated contributor on defense, especially against the run, and wasn’t helped by a weak defensive line in front of him. Poles has a decision to make at linebacker, where he could go out and sign a veteran, draft a young player to develop or both. But bringing back Morrow, who you could have at an affordable price, makes it easier to address bigger needs on the roster.

RB David Montgomery

Todd Kirkland/Getty Images

Montgomery has been a key contributor on offense since being drafted by Chicago in 2019. But he had an average season in Luke Getsy’s offense — where Khalil Herbert outplayed him — with 801 rushing yards for 4 yards per carry. Still, Montgomery was key in short yardage situations, the passing game and in pass protection, which is where Herbert lacks. Poles made it clear he wants to re-sign Montgomery — and Montgomery wants to return — but it’s all a matter of whether or not they find common ground on an extension.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=417188053]

Story originally appeared on Bears Wire

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Man convicted of mother's 2019 murder released on bail pending appeal - Winnipeg Free Press

A Winnipeg man found guilty of bludgeoning his mother to death in her bed when he was 16 has been released on bail pending appeal and retained a lawyer instrumental in overturning several high-profile wrongful convictions.

The now-20-year-old was released from custody Thursday with the consent of the Crown, following a hearing before the Manitoba Court of Appeal.

He stood trial for first-degree murder in the March 2019 slaying, but was convicted by a jury in June 2022 of the lesser offence of second-degree murder.

A judge last month rejected a motion by the Crown to sentence the man as an adult and instead imposed the maximum youth sentence of seven years custody (three years of which are to be served under conditional supervision in the community).

Jury verdicts are rarely overturned and are generally given deference by appeal courts.

It was unclear Friday on what grounds the man is appealing his murder conviction.

A copy of the man’s notice of appeal was not provided Friday by the court for review by the Free Press, as it involves an accused convicted as a young offender.

Sources with knowledge of the case say the man has retained Toronto lawyer James Lockyer, founding director of Innocence Canada (formerly known as the Association in Defence of the Wrongly Convicted).

Lockyer has been involved in overturning the murder convictions of David Milgaard, Kyle Unger, James Driskell, and Frank Ostrowski and others across the country, including Guy Paul Morin and Steven Truscott.

Lockyer did not return a phone call from a reporter late Friday afternoon.

The Free Press is not naming the 51-year-old victim, as it would identify her son, who cannot be named under terms of the Youth Criminal Justice Act.

Jurors heard evidence at trial the victim, who shared custody of her son with her ex-husband, had been off work for several months due to a physical injury and mental health issues.

The night before the killing, the then-teen bought his mother flowers and made her dinner — all part of a ruse, prosecutors said, to divert attention from himself.

Prosecutors said the woman was already dead when her son left home at 9:08 a.m. to take their dog for an unscheduled visit to pet daycare and other errands meant to provide him with an alibi. The man returned home at 10:38 a.m. and five minutes later called 911.

Security video from neighbouring houses showed no one else leaving or entering the house during the teen’s absence.

The woman was struck at least a dozen times on the head, with possibly a crowbar. Her arms were broken as she tried in vain to fend off the attack.

After killing his mother, jurors were told, the son poured bleach over her head, cleaned himself up, disposed of the murder weapon and his bloody clothing, then went outside to change the air filter in his mother’s car. Over the next 90 minutes, he sent numerous texts to his mother’s cellphone and others, while running “errands.”

Thousands of text messages uncovered by police, a sampling of which was provided to jurors at trial, showed the woman was dependant on her son for cooking, shopping, cleaning and other chores, beginning when he was as young as 14, prosecutors said.

Jurors also heard testimony from the woman’s former co-worker, who police interviewed after the accused told investigators a man had been harassing his mother at work.

The victim filed a complaint against the man in May 2018, accusing him of “inappropriate behaviour” and “unwanted attention.”

Winnipeg Police Service Det. Sgt. Kenneth Lepage testified he interviewed the “person of interest,” and found his claims as to his whereabouts around the time of the killing were confirmed by electronic records showing his arrival and departure from work and a sign-in sheet showing he had dropped his children off at a YMCA location.

dean.pritchard@freepress.mb.ca

Dean Pritchard
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Someone once said a journalist is just a reporter in a good suit. Dean Pritchard doesn’t own a good suit. But he knows a good lawsuit.

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NFL free agency 2023: Roundup of where pending Eagles' FAs rank - Yahoo Sports

NFL free agency ranking roundup: Eagles have ton of top free agents originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

The Eagles have a busy offseason ahead of them.

They’re working to replace both coordinators, they will likely sign Jalen Hurts to a mega deal and then there’s free agency. And no matter how you slice it, the Eagles are going to look different in 2023.

They have a ton of really great pending free agents and plenty who are worth of spots in the top 50 or 100 free agents from around the NFL.

So we took a quick stroll around the internet to see where individual Eagles rank on these lists:

ProFootballFocus: Top 100

3. DT Javon Hargrave
15. CB James Bradberry
25. S C.J. Gardner-Johnson
28. LB T.J. Edwards
29. OG Isaac Seumalo
66. DE Brandon Graham
70. RB Miles Sanders
84. LB Kyzir White
96. S Marcus Epps

Fox Sports: Top 50

2. DT Javon Hargrave
8. CB James Bradberry
23. S C.J. Gardner-Johnson
31. OG Isaac Seumalo
32. DT Fletcher Cox
38. RB Miles Sanders
40. LB T.J. Edwards
48. DE Brandon Graham

CBS Sports: Top 100

3. DT Javon Hargrave
10. C Jason Kelce
13. CB James Bradberry
18. S C.J. Gardner-Johnson
25. LB T.J. Edwards
27. OG Isaac Seumalo
53. RB Miles Sanders
61. DE Brandon Graham
76. DT Fletcher Cox
92. LB Kyzir White

NFL.com: Top 51

4. DT Javon Hargrave
7. S C.J. Gardner-Johnson
8. CB James Bradberry
35. DE Brandon Graham
42. RB Miles Sanders
49. OG Isaac Seumalo

Sporting News: Top 50

4. C Jason Kelce
9. DT Javon Hargrave
12. OG Isaac Seumalo
14. DE Brandon Graham
17. CB James Bradberry
26. LB T.J. Edwards
39. RB Miles Sanders

It’s clear that Hargrave is considered to be the Eagles’ top pending free agent and for good reason. He had a Pro Bowl season in 2021 and followed it up with an 11-sack season in 2022. The Eagles signed Hargrave from Pittsburgh three years ago to a three-year, $39 million deal. And that $13 APY won’t get it done anymore. Hargrave is projected to get a contract in the $20 million per season range. That might end up being too pricey for the Eagles but we’ll see.

You’ll see Kelce on some of these lists and not on others. He’s technically not a pending free agent but he won’t play under his current deal because it was designed to be a one-year agreement. Kelce is really a unique case because it’s very clear he won’t be playing anywhere else. He’s 35 now and it’s really just a matter of his choice. Either he’ll retire or he’ll come back and play for the Eagles in 2023. That doesn’t mean he’ll be cheap. Kelce was the highest-paid center in the NFL in 2022. But if he wants to come back in 2023, he’s worth that again.

After that, the other interesting pending free agent is Brandon Graham. Because in some ways, he’s like Kelce. He won’t play for free, but it would make sense that he’d take a minor hometown discount to continue and hopefully finish his career in Philly.

The Eagles’ top priority might be Gardner-Johnson, who was as high as 7 on one list but didn’t even make the top 50 of another. CJGJ played the 2022 season on the final year of his rookie contract after the trade from New Orleans and he played at a brand new position. But he played well enough at safety to think he has a bright future there. The Eagles will try to keep him.

After after all that, the money is running out. Howie Roseman and the Eagles are very good at cap management but there’s just no way to keep everyone.

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NFL free agency 2023: Roundup of where pending Eagles' FAs rank - Yahoo Sports
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How steep is the latest drop in Baton Rouge pending home sales? - Greater Baton Rouge Business Report

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Baton Rouge's pending home sales fell 62.4% year over year in January, according to the latest report from Redfin.

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NFL free agency 2023: Roundup of where pending Eagles' FAs rank - Yahoo Sports

NFL free agency ranking roundup: Eagles have ton of top free agents originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

The Eagles have a busy offseason ahead of them.

They’re working to replace both coordinators, they will likely sign Jalen Hurts to a mega deal and then there’s free agency. And no matter how you slice it, the Eagles are going to look different in 2023.

They have a ton of really great pending free agents and plenty who are worth of spots in the top 50 or 100 free agents from around the NFL.

So we took a quick stroll around the internet to see where individual Eagles rank on these lists:

ProFootballFocus: Top 100

3. DT Javon Hargrave
15. CB James Bradberry
25. S C.J. Gardner-Johnson
28. LB T.J. Edwards
29. OG Isaac Seumalo
66. DE Brandon Graham
70. RB Miles Sanders
84. LB Kyzir White
96. S Marcus Epps

Fox Sports: Top 50

2. DT Javon Hargrave
8. CB James Bradberry
23. S C.J. Gardner-Johnson
31. OG Isaac Seumalo
32. DT Fletcher Cox
38. RB Miles Sanders
40. LB T.J. Edwards
48. DE Brandon Graham

CBS Sports: Top 100

3. DT Javon Hargrave
10. C Jason Kelce
13. CB James Bradberry
18. S C.J. Gardner-Johnson
25. LB T.J. Edwards
27. OG Isaac Seumalo
53. RB Miles Sanders
61. DE Brandon Graham
76. DT Fletcher Cox
92. LB Kyzir White

NFL.com: Top 51

4. DT Javon Hargrave
7. S C.J. Gardner-Johnson
8. CB James Bradberry
35. DE Brandon Graham
42. RB Miles Sanders
49. OG Isaac Seumalo

Sporting News: Top 50

4. C Jason Kelce
9. DT Javon Hargrave
12. OG Isaac Seumalo
14. DE Brandon Graham
17. CB James Bradberry
26. LB T.J. Edwards
39. RB Miles Sanders

It’s clear that Hargrave is considered to be the Eagles’ top pending free agent and for good reason. He had a Pro Bowl season in 2021 and followed it up with an 11-sack season in 2022. The Eagles signed Hargrave from Pittsburgh three years ago to a three-year, $39 million deal. And that $13 APY won’t get it done anymore. Hargrave is projected to get a contract in the $20 million per season range. That might end up being too pricey for the Eagles but we’ll see.

You’ll see Kelce on some of these lists and not on others. He’s technically not a pending free agent but he won’t play under his current deal because it was designed to be a one-year agreement. Kelce is really a unique case because it’s very clear he won’t be playing anywhere else. He’s 35 now and it’s really just a matter of his choice. Either he’ll retire or he’ll come back and play for the Eagles in 2023. That doesn’t mean he’ll be cheap. Kelce was the highest-paid center in the NFL in 2022. But if he wants to come back in 2023, he’s worth that again.

After that, the other interesting pending free agent is Brandon Graham. Because in some ways, he’s like Kelce. He won’t play for free, but it would make sense that he’d take a minor hometown discount to continue and hopefully finish his career in Philly.

The Eagles’ top priority might be Gardner-Johnson, who was as high as 7 on one list but didn’t even make the top 50 of another. CJGJ played the 2022 season on the final year of his rookie contract after the trade from New Orleans and he played at a brand new position. But he played well enough at safety to think he has a bright future there. The Eagles will try to keep him.

After after all that, the money is running out. Howie Roseman and the Eagles are very good at cap management but there’s just no way to keep everyone.

Subscribe to the Eagle Eye podcast

Apple Podcasts | Google Play | Spotify | Stitcher | Art19 | Watch on YouTube

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NFL free agency 2023: Roundup of where pending Eagles' FAs rank - Yahoo Sports
Read More

How steep is the latest drop in Baton Rouge pending home sales? - Greater Baton Rouge Business Report

(iStock)

Baton Rouge's pending home sales fell 62.4% year over year in January, according to the latest report from Redfin.

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Continue reading this story and get ACCESS to all our content from any device with a subscription now.

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• Get access to more than a decade of story archives.
• Get access to our searchable data center of TOP LISTS.
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How steep is the latest drop in Baton Rouge pending home sales? - Greater Baton Rouge Business Report
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