By Nick Shook
NFL.com
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Doug Williams made history on Jan. 31, 1988, when he became the first African American starting quarterback to win a Super Bowl. His Washington Redskins took down the Denver Broncos 42-10 in Super Bowl XXII, Williams cemented his place in football lore with a gutsy performance and kick-started the process of creating more opportunities for African Americans at the position.

NFL Network’s Steve Wyche wrote this week about the impact Williams’ Super Sunday had on the future of the position for black athletes. Nearly 30 years later, Williams’ impact on the game can be seen in the sport’s stars, with Cam Newton, Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston coming to mind, among others.

The former Super Bowl XXII Most Valuable Player is pleased with the progress, but is still bothered about the lack of opportunity for the guys on the sideline. Continue reading →

By Nick Shook
NFL.com
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After a season spent out of football, K’Waun Williams has a new home.

The cornerback is signing a one-year deal with the San Francisco 49ers, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported.

Williams had fielded four contract offers, including one from the Jets, according to NJ Advance Media, but chose the Niners.

Williams burst onto the Browns‘ scene in 2014 as an undrafted free agent who stunned many by usurping first-round pick Justin Gilbert in the secondary, serving primarily as the team’s nickel corner. His most memorable performance came during the Browns‘ historic, comeback win over the Titans in Tennessee in Week 5 of the 2014 season. Continue reading →

By Nick Shook
NFL.com
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As the Niners continue to work feverishly to catch up with the rest of the league on offseason activities, Kyle Shanahan’s coaching staff is taking shape.

San Francisco announced the addition of seven new assistants to the staff: John Benton (offensive line), Daniel Bullocks (assistant defensive backs), Michael Clay (strength and conditioning assistant), Stan Kwan (assistant special teams), Vince Oghobaase (assistant defensive line), Adam Stenavich (assistant offensive line) and DeMeco Ryans (defensive quality control). Continue reading →

By Nick Shook
NFL.com
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One of the first stops on the Victor Cruz offseason courtship tour (get your merch, it’s going fast) is Charlotte, where the Panthers are in need of a new veteran addition at wideout.

Cruz visited with the Carolina Panthers on Monday, NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo reported.

Cruz was cut by the Giants on Feb. 13 after seven seasons in New York that began with an out-of-nowhere preseason campaign in 2010. The receiver dealt with injury-related struggles in 2014 and 2015, but bounced back to catch 39 passes for 586 yards and a touchdown as a third option in New York’s receiving corps in 2016. The season was a disappointing end to Cruz’s time as a Giant, but proved he still could hack it, which should have at least a handful of needy teams lining up to speak with him about potential employment. Continue reading →

By Nick Shook
NFL.com
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Free agency has yet to arrive, and even the scouting combine is still a couple of weeks away, but that hasn’t stopped NFL teams from trimming the fat.

The first two weeks following Super Bowl LI have seen a handful of notable players cut by their respective teams, as some organizations aim to clear cap space in anticipation of the start of the new league year. Veterans who are suddenly deemed expendable have been released, as have underachieving players who entered the league as high draft selections. We’ve assembled a round-up of the most notable moves so far. Continue reading →

By Nick Shook
NFL.com
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Much of the 49ers‘ quick fall from grace came as a result of internal conflict.

First, there was Jim Harbaugh versus Trent Baalke. Then there was Chip Kelly versus Trent Baalke. (Jim Tomsula was wedged in between there for a single ill-fated season, but his problem wasn’t strife within the building.)

It seems like Jed York finally might be learning from past mistakes.

New Niners general manager John Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan told reporters Thursday that the hiring process itself was intended to avoid such friction between two powerful men set to join forces. Continue reading →

By Nick Shook
NFL.com
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It was filled with plenty of bumps, bruises and blowout losses, but Josh McCown‘s time in Cleveland is coming to an end.

The Browns have released the veteran quarterback and cornerback Tramon Williams, the team announced. McCown, 37, intends to continue playing, NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo reported, per a source informed of the move. Continue reading →

By Nick Shook
NFL.com
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The medical jury is still out on Julio Jones‘ nagging toe injury.

Falcons coach Dan Quinn said as much on Tuesday, telling reporters it’s a wait-and-see situation with Jones, who finished with four catches for 87 yards in the Super Bowl LI loss to New England.

Jones’ spectacular grab along the sideline looked as if it was one of the final steps toward Atlanta securing its first title. It didn’t turn out that way, but the catch was even more impressive considering he tapped his toes in bounds with, you know, a toe injury. Continue reading →

By Nick Shook
NFL.com
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What was expected to be a routine coaching hire has produced a juicy subplot.

NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported Monday on NFL Total Access that Chip Kelly is a candidate to watch for offensive coordinator in Atlanta. That vacancy, of course, was just created by the departure of Kyle Shanahan for the head coaching job in San Francisco, which was vacated by the firing of Kelly after one season. Continue reading →