Jets franchise kicker Nick Folk

The New York Jets have placed the franchise tag on veteran kicker Nick Folk.

Folk hit three game-winning field goals last season.

He made a career-high 33 field goals, missing just three for the season.

Folk had a career-high 91.7 percent accuracy, including going 3 for 3 from beyond 50 yards.

He made all 27 of his extra points.

He broke the franchise record with 23 consecutive field goals.

The Jets hadn't used the franchise tag since 2011 when they tagged linebacker David Harris.

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Aaron Wilson covers the Ravens for The Baltimore Sun

Chargers re-sign Donald Butler

The San Diego Chargers have re-signed Donald Butler to a multi-year contract, the organization announced on Friday.

Butler would have had plenty of suitors once free agency started on March 11. But it appears he and the Chargers had no plans to allow Butler to find another team this offseason.

“Feeling blessed! Y’all heard it here first! Deal is done!! SD I aint going no where!! Too excited!!” Butler wrote on his personal Twitter account after signing the deal.

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Aaron Wilson covers the Ravens for The Baltimore Sun.

Eagles re-sign Jeremy Maclin

The Philadelphia Eagles have re-signed free agent wide receiver Jeremy Maclin to a one-year contract, the team announced.

“Jeremy is an ideal player for our scheme with his combination of size, speed, strength and route-running ability, in addition to his dynamic playmaking talent,” Eagles general manager Howie Roseman said in a statement. “We're happy to see him rehabbing well and to get him under contract for the 2014 season.”

“I'm excited to see Jeremy play in our offense,” Eagles coach Chip Kelly said. “You saw the potential of that in the spring and summer but obviously he didn't get an opportunity last year. However, what was great to see was how he was literally here every single day since being injured. You can see he has a passion for the game of football. When he was on the field last spring and summer, you saw his intelligence, you saw his great route-running ability and you saw how tough of a one-on-one match-up he could be.”

Maclin caught 69 passes for 857 yards and seven touchdowns in 2012.

Maclin recently said he'll be ready for training camp after missing last season with a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee

“Training camp is no question,” Maclin told the Philadelphia Inquirer. “OTAs I’ll be able to run around and stuff, probably just without contact. I’m in a very good place at this stage of my rehab.”

The Eagles have now retained Maclin and wide receiver Riley Cooper, who signed a five-year, $25 million contract.

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Aaron Wilson covers the Ravens for The Baltimore Sun

Patriots to release Steve Gregory

The New England Patriots will release veteran safety Steve Gregory on Friday, according to his agent David Canter.

Canter announced the news on his personal twitter page.

In 2013, Gregory had 79 combined tackles, one sack and three pass deflections. In his two years with the Patriots, Gregory started 23 of the 26 games he appeared in.

Gregory went undrafted in 2006 but signed with the San Diego Chargers, spending his first five years in the NFL with them. His two-year run with the Patriots appears to be over.

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Aaron Wilson covers the Ravens for The Baltimore Sun.

Saints TE Jimmy Graham will get the franchise tag

With the March 3 deadline approaching, it appears one key member of the New Orleans Saints will receive the player-dreaded franchise tag.

According to a report from ESPN, the Saints will designate tight end Jimmy Graham with the franchise tag. From there, it remains to be seen what the NFL decides to do with it.

It will be up to the league to determine whether he should be tagged as a tight end or a receiver. If the NFL determines he'll get the franchise tag as a tight end, Graham's representives are expected to file a grievance since he spent the majority of his snaps as a receiving option split off of the offensive line in 2013.

The Saints are hopeful he's tagged as a tight end, because there is an estimated $5 million difference between the two positions.

Though Graham is expected to be tagged by Monday, that doesn't mean he and the Saints can't continue to negotiate a long-term deal. The deadline for players to be forced to play the season under the tag is July 15.

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Aaron Wilson covers the Ravens for The Baltimore Sun.

Adam Muema OK, went missing for a week

NFL hopeful and former San Diego State running back Adam Muema is OK after a week-long disappearance that worried his friends and family.

According to the San Diego Union-Tribune, Muemba left the NFL combine on Sunday, citing “religious reasons.” After going missing, those close to him became concerned about his well-being.

Before he went missing, Muema told a reporter that he didn't need to work out at the combine because he wholeheartedly believed the Seattle Seahawks would draft him.

However, he showed up at a Florida workout facility on Friday, ending the concern of his whereabouts.

In 2013 with the Aztecs, Muema ran for 1,244 yards and 15 touchdowns.

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Aaron Wilson covers the Ravens for The Baltimore Sun.

Chicago Bears sign Kelvin Hayden to one-year deal

The Chicago Bears have signed veteran cornerback Kelvin Hayden to a one-year contract, the team announced.

Hayden is a former Indianapolis Colts second-round draft pick who played collegiately at Illinois.

Hayden spent last season on injured reserve with a torn hamstring.

The previous season, he had 37 tackles and one interception.

For his career, Hayden has 359 tackles, 12 interceptions and four forced fumbles.

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Aaron Wilson covers the Ravens for The Baltimore Sun

Reports: Richie Incognito in treatment center for mental health

Days after bashing his Ferrari with a baseball bat and sources telling National Football Post that troubled Miami Dolphins offensive guard Richie Incognito's irrational behavior has drawn concern from teammates about his mental state, he's seeking help.

Incognito is at an Arizona psychiatric treatment facility to deal with his mental issues related to stress, according to NFL Network and TMZ.

Incognito was accused of bullying teammate Jonathan Martin in Ted Wells' investigative report.

Per NFL Network, the stress of the Wells report has contributed to Incognito's issues, which include depression and anger management problems.

Incognito's parents are going through a divorce and he is financially supporting the family.

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Aaron Wilson covers the Ravens for The Baltimore Sun

Aaron Hernandez sued by two families

Former New England Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez is facing two wrongful death lawsuits, asking for $6 million apiece.

The lawsuits were filed on behalf of the families of Daniel Abrue and Safiro Furtado.

According to reports, Hernandez is a suspect in their drive-by shooting. No charges have been fired.

Hernandez is in jail and has pleaded not guilty to a murder charge in the shooting death of Odin Lloyd.

He faces four lawsuits, including one from Lloyd's family.

He faces another lawsuit alleging that he shot a friend in the face, blinding him in one eye.

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Aaron Wilson covers the Ravens for The Baltimore Sun