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Former Washington Redskins and San Diego Chargers general Bobby Beathard was named a finalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Friday by the entity's contributors committee. Beathard ran the Redskins from 1978-88 and the franchise won two Super Bowl titles during his reign. He was the general manager in San Diego from 1990-99 and built the Chargers' lone Super Bowl squad -- a team that lost to San Francisco following the 1994 campaign.
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Beathard also served in player personnel roles for the Kansas City Chiefs, Atlanta Falcons and Miami Dolphins. The Dolphins won two Super Bowl titles during his time in Miami (1972-77).
As the Contributor Finalist, Beathard must receive 80 percent of the votes from the 48-member selection committee. We will be one of 18 finalists -- the seniors committee chose guard Jerry Kramer and linebacker Robert Brazile earlier week -- under consideration. The 15 modern-era finalists will be picked in January.
--Dallas Cowboys star running back Ezekiel Elliott plans to attend his six-game suspension appeal hearing at NFL headquarters in New York on Tuesday.
Stephen Jones, the Cowboys' executive vice president and CEO, confirmed to reporters that Elliott will not be at practice on Monday and Tuesday to prepare for the appeal hearing.
Arbitrator Harold Henderson, who was appointed by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell to hear the appeal, has denied a request from Elliott's representatives to make his accuser, former girlfriend Tiffany Thompson, available to testify, according to Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio.
--The San Francisco 49ers released linebacker Ahmad Brooks after nine seasons with the team.
The 49ers were unsuccessful in finding a trade partner for the 33-year-old Brooks. The team will save about $6 million in salary cap space by cutting Brooks, who was entering the final year of a six-year, $40.4 million deal.
Brooks, who either led or tied for the 49ers' team lead in sacks every season since 2013, was battling with third-year player Eli Harold for the starting strong-side linebacker spot. Harold, 23, started the most recent preseason game against the Denver Broncos.
A two-time All-Pro (2012-13) and Pro Bowl (2013-14) selection, Brooks appeared in 120 games (92 starts) and registered 439 tackles, 51.5 sacks, 28 passes defensed, 11 forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries and three interceptions (one touchdown) with San Francisco. His total sacks as a member of the 49ers rank third in franchise history.
--Jacksonville Jaguars coach Doug Marrone needs more time before naming his starting quarterback for the season opener.
The competition between Blake Bortles and Chad Henne will continue into the preseason finale next week after neither quarterback did enough to win the job in the Jaguars' 24-23 loss to the Carolina Panthers at EverBank Field on Thursday night.
Henne got the start Thursday night and completed 8 of 14 passes for 73 yards in the first half against Carolina's first-team defense. He led the Jaguars to a touchdown and a field goal in five possessions, and also was sacked three times. Bortles was 12 of 16 for 125 yards, including a 4-yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter. He also threw an interception that was returned 48 yards and set up a touchdown in the third quarter.
--Former NFL quarterback Michael Vick will work for Fox Sports as a studio analyst this season.
The 37-year-old Vick will also make regular appearances on FS1 studio shows as part of his new job.
Vick was the No. 1 overall pick by the Atlanta Falcons in the 2001 draft out of Virginia Tech. His tenure in Atlanta ended in disgrace when he was arrested for running a dog-fighting operation. He spent 21 months in federal prison for the crime.
In February, Vick announced he was retired from the NFL after not playing in 2016. Vick passed for 22,464 yards and 133 touchdowns against 88 interceptions during 13 NFL seasons with the Falcons, Philadelphia Eagles, New York Jets and Pittsburgh Steelers. He added 6,109 yards and 36 rushing touchdowns.
