In NFL news today, free-agent running back Legarrette Blount has been issued a rare tender by his former team, the New England Patriots.
Elsewhere, wide receiver Michael Floyd has finally signed with a team. The NFL also announced their replacement for outgoing director of officiating Dean Blandino.
Blandino announced he was stepping down last month to spend more time with his family and take on a broadcasting job.
Blount's rare tender
The New England Patriots issued an extremely rare May 9 tender to free-agent running back LeGarrette Blount. What this means is that if Blount is still a free-agent by July 22, he can only play for New England during the upcoming 2017 season.
In the event that he does sign with another team, Blount would count towards the 2018 compensatory draft pick formula for the Patriots. The tender also comes with a value of 110% of a player's base salary from the previous year, which would be $1.1 million for Blount.
Despite his 1,161 yards and league leading 18 touchdowns, it seems unlikely Blount will be back with the team. The Patriots added Rex Burkhead and Mike Gillislee during the off-season, in addition to already having James White and Dion Lewis.
Floyd's new team
Former Arizona Cardinals and Patriots wide receiver Michael Floyd is going home. He signed with the Minnesota Vikings on a 1-year deal that is worth $1.5 million. His contract also has incentives that make it worth up to $6 million.
Floyd will need to prove himself after his shaky on-field performance and off-field legal troubles.
Floyd got off to a promising start, having a 1,000 yard season in his second season in the NFL. In his last three seasons he had underwhelmed playing alongside future Hall of Famer Larry Fitzgerald. He was then arrested on December 12, 2016 in Arizona for DUI, after which the Cardinals released him.
Floyd was sentenced on February 17, 2016 to 24 days in jail and 96 days of house arrest. The NFL has yet to discipline Floyd for his actions.
The NFL's new officiating head
The NFL stayed in-house to replace the outgoing head of officiating, Dean Blandino. They promoted Alberto Riveron to the position of Senior Vice President of Officiating.
Riveron spent 2004 to 2012 as an on-field official, with the last four being as a referee. He then spent the last five seasons as the Senior Director of Officiating, which is basically the second highest job in the officiating department.
