Former Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker Reuben Foster (10) tackles Clemson Tigers running back Wayne Gallman (9 in the 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship Game at Raymond James Stadium. Photo Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
Foster, a consensus first-round projection in the 2017 NFL Draft next month, sent a letter to NFL teams apologizing for the incident that led to his ouster, according to NFL Network and confirmed by ESPN on Sunday.
Foster was sent home from the combine on Friday prior to team interviews and testing after what was described as a “heated argument” with a hospital worker. He reportedly grew tired of a wait at the hospital during his medical examination.
Foster will make himself available to meet with NFL teams for three hours on Tuesday.
In a letter his agent sent to all 32 NFL clubs, Foster said he understands combine participation is a “privilege and an honor,” and invited coaches and scouts to speak with him at the Alabama football building the day before the Crimson Tide’s Pro Day in Tuscaloosa.
Foster is recovering from recent rotator cuff surgery in his right shoulder and was not scheduled to participate in drills at the combine.
Foster, the SEC Defensive Player of the Year and Butkus Award winner as the nation’s top linebacker, was the first true linebacker selected in each of CBSSports.com’s mock drafts and the No. 7 overall prospect on NFLDraftScout.com’s board.
–There’s still 53 days until the NFL draft begins on April 27 in Philadelphia, but defensive end Myles Garrett might have solidified his status as the first overall selection with his performance at the Scouting Combine this weekend.
The 6-foot-4 1/2, 272-pound Texas A&M standout registered 33 reps in the bench press on Saturday, then ran the 40-yard dash Sunday in 4.64 seconds with a 1.63 10-yard split, while doing a vertical jump of 41 inches. He also measured in with 35 1/4-inch arms.
Three years ago, Jadeveon Clowney was selected by the Houston Texans first overall, and at 266 pounds ran the 40 in 4.53 seconds, bench-pressed 225 pounds 21 times, had 34 1/4-inch arms and had a vertical jump of 37 1/2 inches.
–The New England Patriots reportedly offered their No. 32 overall pick in this year’s NFL Draft to New Orleans for wide receiver Brandin Cooks, but the Saints rejected the proposal.
The Saints felt the trade package being offered wasn’t enough for the 23-year-old Cooks, sources told the New Orleans Times-Picayune. The proposal also included New Orleans sending a later-round pick to New England, according to the report.
Cooks has been the subject of trade talks this week at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis as the Saints look to improve their defense, with the Tennessee Titans and Philadelphia Eagles among his suitors, according to ESPN’s Chris Mortensen.
The New Orleans Times-Picayune reported at least five teams have made overtures toward the Cooks, who recorded at least 1,100 receiving yards and eight touchdowns each of the past two seasons.
The Saints traded up to select the 5-foot-10, 189-pound Cooks with the 20th pick of the 2014 draft. He had two of the four longest receptions in the NFL last season — 98 yards and 87 yards.
–The Washington Redskins and head coach Jay Gruden agreed to a two-year contract extension through the 2020 season, according to multiple reports.
Gruden, who turned 50 on Saturday, had two years left on the five-year contract signed in January 2014. He led the team to back-to-back winning seasons for the first time since 1996-97.
The extension was struck Saturday night at dinner in Indianapolis, where the NFL Scouting Combine is currently taking place, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported.
Gruden has a regular-season record of 21-26-1 in three seasons with the Redskins, including winning the NFC East title in 2015.
