$36 million free-agent contract

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    August 21, 2018 11:20 PM EDT
    The Carolina Panthers are keeping their kicking game intact.

    The Panthers announced Tuesday they have signed Pro Bowl kicker Graham Gano to a four-year contract extension.

    The deal is worth $17 million overall with $9 million guaranteed [url=http://www.houstontexansteamonline.com]Texans Authentic Jerseys[/url] , a person familiar with the situation said. The person spoke to The Associated Press on Tuesday on condition of anonymity because the financial terms of the contract have not been publicly released.

    Gano was set to become an unrestricted free agent and the team had considered using the franchise tag on him, but came to an agreement just hours before the deadline to use the tag.

    The 30-year-old Gano is coming off his best NFL season, converting all 29 field goals from inside of 50 yards and 29 of 30 overall. He made 34 of 37 extra points.

    Gano also set a franchise record and tied the NFL postseason record with his 58-yard field goal in a Wild Card playoff loss at New Orleans.

    He's spent the last six seasons in Carolina.

    The Panthers drafted Harrison Butker in the seventh round last year providing Gano with some competition. But Gano outkicked Butker in training camp and held on to the job. Gano went on to lead the NFL with a touchback percentage of 85.4 [url=http://www.seahawkscheapstore.com/shaquem-griffin-jersey-cheap]Shaquem Griffin Seahawks Jersey[/url] , belting a franchise-record 70 of his kickoffs into the end zone.

    Butker was cut and later signed with the Kansas City Chiefs.

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    A person familiar with the decision says the New Orleans Saints have released veteran tight end Coby Fleener.

    The person spoke to The Associated Press Monday on condition of anonymity because the roster move has not been announced.

    Fleener has played two seasons for New Orleans, with whom he signed a five-year, $36 million free-agent contract in 2016 – two seasons after the Saints had traded away star tight end Jimmy Graham.

    The 6-foot-6 [url=http://www.arizonadiamondbacksteamshop.com/authentic-chris-owings-jersey]Chris Owings Jersey[/url] , 251-pound Fleener caught 72 passes for 926 yards and five touchdowns in 27 games with the Saints before his 2017 season was cut short by a Week 12 concussion.

    With Fleener’s departure, the Saints most accomplished tight ends are Benjamin Watson, Josh Hill and Michael Hoomanawanui.

    Fleener began his NFL career in 2012 Indianapolis. In 2014 [url=http://www.officialknightsproshop.com/authentic-adidas-james-neal-jersey]Adidas James Neal Jersey[/url] , he was among Colts quarterback Andrew Luck’s top targets, with 774 yards and eight touchdowns receiving.

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