NFL roundup: Broncos suspend executives Russell, Heckert
Denver Broncos personnel executives Matt Russell and Tom Heckert were suspended by the team on Monday stemming from recently reported alcohol-related incidents.
Russell, director of player personnel, was suspended indefinitely without pay. Heckert, director of pro personnel, was suspended for one month without pay.
The suspensions were announced by the team. The NFL does not plan to impose further discipline.
The Broncos wrote in a press release that Russell and Heckert will participate in education, counseling and other rehabilitation programs.
Russell was arrested July 6 in Colorado. He was suspected of being involved in an automobile accident and then crashing into a police car a few minutes later while under the influence of alcohol.
Heckert was charged with driving a vehicle under the influence of drugs or alcohol, driving a vehicle with a blood-alcohol content of 0.08 or more and careless driving stemming from a June 11 in Parker, Colo.
---The Broncos reached an agreement with offensive tackle Ryan Clady on a five-year contract extension through 2017, the team announced Sunday night.
The base value of the deal is $52.5 million ($33 million guaranteed) and with incentives could reach $57.5 million, ProFootballTalk.com reported. The NFL deadline for franchise players to sign long-term contract extensions was 4 p.m. ET Monday.
Clady had offseason shoulder surgery, but is not sure when he will be fully recovered.
---Pittsburgh Steelers center Maurkice Pouncey apologized after being photographed with his brother -- Miami Dolphins center Mike Pouncey -- while wearing caps that read "Free Hernandez."
The photos of the twin brothers wearing the caps while at a nightclub emerged on the internet Sunday.
---Chicago Bears defensive tackle Henry Melton told the Chicago Tribune that he will sign his $8.45 million tender instead of a long-term contract.
Melton was reportedly seeking a five-year contract worth $18 million to $20 million guaranteed, but the Bears were offering much less.
---The Cincinnati Bengals signed first-round pick Tyler Eifert. Terms for the former Notre Dame tight end were not disclosed.
The Bengals have now signed all 10 of their draft picks.
---New York Giants wide receiver Victor Cruz apologized one day after sending a tweet related to the George Zimmerman verdict.
Zimmerman was acquitted of murder in the shooting death of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin.
Cruz responded via Twitter, writing: "Zimmerman doesn't last a year before the hood catches up with him." He quickly deleted the tweet.
On Monday, Cruz said on the Dan Patrick Show that he regretted the message he was sending.
---The San Francisco 49ers signed punter Colton Schmidt to a three-year deal, the team announced Monday.
Schmidt was an undrafted free agent from the University of California at Davis.
