NFL-National Football League roundup

Feb 11 (The Sports Xchange) - The Tampa Bay Buccaneers terminated the contract of quarterback Josh McCown on Wednesday, seemingly clearing the path to select one of the two marquee quarterbacks -- Oregon's Marcus Mariota or Florida State's Jameis Winston -- with the first selection in the NFL draft. - - Cleveland Browns owner Jimmy Haslam defended general manager Ray Farmer and quarterback Johnny Manziel on Wednesday and denied his franchise is dysfunctional. Haslam told reporters that Farmer has admitted to sending text messages to coaches during games last season -- a violation of NFL rules. The NFL is still investigating, Haslam said. "I think Ray Farmer knows and has said (to Haslam) that he has made a mistake in sending those texts," Haslam said. Haslam also said he has not given up on 2014 first-round pick Manziel, who recently checked himself into a rehab center. "It's way too early to give up on Johnny," Haslam said, according to the Cleveland Plain Dealer. "We certainly haven't given up on him. Everybody's been too harsh." - - As he prepares for perhaps his last chance in the NFL, new Buffalo Bills guard Richie Incognito said he wants to prove "that I'm not a racist jerk." Incognito was out of the NFL last year after he served an eight-game suspension in 2013 for bullying former Miami Dolphins teammate Jonathan Martin. - - Safety LaRon Landry was released by the Indianapolis Colts two years into a four-year, $24 million contract signed in March 2013 after a Pro Bowl season with the New York Jets. Landry, who has been plagued by injuries, played in 23 of the Colts' 36 games, with 18 starts. He turns 31 during the 2015 season. - - Arizona Cardinals president Michael Bidwill said coach Bruce Arians and general manager Steve Keim will receive contract extensions "in the next few weeks" and that wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald's contract revision is a priority. Arians was named NFL coach of the year for the second time in three seasons after he led the Cardinals to an 11-5 record and the playoffs in 2014, despite using three quarterbacks. - - The New York Giants waived running back David Wilson and announced the signing of center Brett Jones, the best lineman in the Canadian Football League. - - Detroit Lions defensive tackle Nick Fairley was in court in Mobile, Ala., Wednesday for jury selection in his DUI trial. The trial is expected to move quickly; and, if Fairley is convicted, he also would face a possible two-game suspension from the NFL. - - The NFL reportedly will review Carolina Panthers defensive end Greg Hardy's court file as part of the investigation to determine whether he violated the league's personal-conduct policy. Hardy's domestic-abuse case was abruptly dismissed Monday because his accuser could not be found to testify at the trial in Charlotte, N.C. - - Carolina coach Ron Rivera -- long acquainted with the Turner family -- has hired Cameron Turner as assistant wide receivers coach. Turner will assist Panthers receivers coach Ricky Proehl. - - New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton announced the team's 2015 coaching staff additions. Topping the list is former Oakland Raiders coach Dennis Allen, who will work with defensive coordinator Rob Ryan as a senior defensive assistant. - - The Minnesota Vikings will play the Pittsburgh Steelers in the annual Hall of Fame Game on Sunday, Aug. 9, in Canton, Ohio, to kick off the 2015 NFL preseason. - - Brett Favre, who will inducted into the Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame and have his No. 4 jersey retired by the team this summer, wants the ceremony to take place inside Lambeau Field so more fans can attend. The Packers Hall of Fame, which is independent of the team, announced plans last month to hold Favre's induction ceremony on July 18 in the stadium's atrium area. - - Aaron Hernandez's fiancee was granted immunity Tuesday when Judge E. Susan Garsh signed an order that could compel Shayanna Jenkins to testify at Hernandez's murder trial. Jenkins met with prosecutors in January as part of a hearing of immunity. The result of the meeting is sealed. Hernandez's defense team does not have access to the documents, but his attorney filed a motion demanding to know what promises the state made in exchange for immunity. (Editing by Frank Pingue)