nfl news and notes
Cleveland Browns
Veteran WR Hawkins parts ways with team
CLEVELAND
Andrew Hawkins gave the Cleveland Browns experience and leadership.
They’ll have to find it elsewhere.
The team cut ties with the veteran wide receiver on Monday, terminating his contract after three seasons and leaving the Browns without one of their most respected players.
Hawkins, who signed with Cleveland as a free agent in 2014 after three years with Cincinnati, released a video in which he thanked Cleveland’s fans and owners Dee and Jimmy Haslam, and wished his teammates well.
“It was a tough call,” said Hawkins, who announced he was leaving the Browns on the Uninterrupted’s Twitter account. “Just felt like it was in the best interest of all that we move on.”
Hawkins, who will be 31 in March, was due to make $1.8 million in 2017, the final year of his contract.
He made 33 catches for 324 yards and scored three touchdowns last season as the Browns went 1-15 under first-year coach Hue Jackson. But Hawkins’ contributions went beyond the field as he helped mentor Cleveland’s young receiving corps, which included rookie Corey Coleman and Terrelle Pryor. Hawkins was also heavily involved in community activities.
“It’s tough to say goodbye to men like Hawk, that have done everything you’ve asked of them and gone above and beyond when it comes to leadership,” said Jackson, who also worked with Hawkins in Cincinnati. “Hawk was a rock for us last season. He kept our locker room together and led by example as he gave everything he had on the field. Our young players are going to be better players and better people because of the time they spent with Andrew Hawkins.”
SAN FRANCISCO 49ers
Purcell, Bradford sign as free agents
SANTA CLARA, CALIF.
The San Francisco 49ers tendered one-year contracts to exclusive rights free agent nose tackle Mike Purcell and linebacker Carl Bradford on Monday.
Exclusive rights free agents are players with less than three years of experience and they are unable to negotiate with other teams.
Purcell started the first five games last season and played in 15 games overall for San Francisco. He had 26 tackles and one forced fumble. He originally joined the team as an undrafted free agent out of Wyoming in 2015.
The 49ers claimed Bradford off waivers in December from the Green Bay Packers.
INDIANAPOLIS COLTS
Former 49er Cooper signs as free agent
INDIANAPOLIS
The Indianapolis Colts have signed free agent offensive lineman Fahn Cooper.
He spent all of last season on the San Francisco 49ers practice squad. Indy is hoping the 6-foot-5, 306-pound swing lineman can help bolster an offensive line that struggled most of the first three months last season.
Cooper is capable of playing either guard or tackle and was with the 49ers in training camp as a rookie. The fifth-round pick was released during the final cut down in September and was later re-signed to the practice squad.
Associated Press