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Chapecoense takes 1st international flight since November plane crash

Chapecoense is stepping on foreign soil once again.

On Monday, exactly 98 days after a plane crash killed most of Chapecoense’s squad, the Verdao took its first international flight since the tragedy and arrived in Venezuela for a game against Zulia in the Copa Libertadores. According to ESPN FC, a total of 23 players and personnel travelled from Chapeco, Brazil, with the journey including layovers in Sao Paulo and Panama.

“After everything that has happened we must continue as a club, I think it is what our (deceased) players would have wanted,” Tulio de Melo, a forward for Chapecoense, said. “We know what the other players have done for this club and now we are going to play in our first Copa Libertadores match. For us this is very important.”

Plinio David De Nes, Chapecoense’s president, echoed De Melo’s comments, saying: “We are very happy to be able to return to our normal activities which is the practice of football. And here we are with great satisfaction and great joy. And we have been received with so much human warmth here by the representatives of the governor of Zulia state.

“And to all the local athletes, a great hug from us, of the Chape. The Chape are a team who are very proud to participate, for the first time, in the Copa Libertadores. We are going to face a very tough team which has a lot of courage, Zulia.”

The group-stage match between Zulia and Chapecoense will be the Verdao’s first outside Brazil since LaMia Flight 2933 crashed into the mountains near Medellin, Colombia. The air disaster took the lives of 71 people, including 19 members of the club and 20 journalists joining the team for the first leg of the final of the Copa Sudamericana. Among the six survivors were Neto, who is miraculously walking without crutches, Alan Ruschel, who required surgery on his spine, and Jackson Follman, who had part of his right leg amputated.

In the aftermath of the tragedy, Chapecoense signed 22 players, including a number of footballers who were promoted from the Verdao’s youth team. The date with Zulia will be the Brazilian club’s debut in the Copa Libertadores.

NFL

The NFL's All-Wounded Team: Free agents with injury baggage

The NFL’s wounded workforce is strong, athletic and wants to exhaust all medical deductibles.

For every young and healthy star bracing for life-changing money when free agency kicks off Thursday, dozens of others battle injury stigmas that will affect their bottom lines.

That doesn’t mean these players can’t find quality jobs. ESPN’s All-Wounded Free Agency Team is stocked with playmakers pairing past accomplishments with past-their-prime joints. Teams must decide how much these players have left.

Former team: New York Jets
Age: 26

Ailment: Torn ACL in October

Buzz: Smith has created minimal buzz in the national quarterback discussion while nursing a torn ACL that ended an uneven career in New York. But Smith believes he was poised to break out before the injury. “My mistakes were shown on the field the first two years, and then me getting better has kind of been behind the scenes,” Smith told NFL Network. “The next time I step onto the field, it’ll be what they expect.”

Outlook: Someone will take a chance on Smith as a backup. He still has transferable traits, including arm strength.

Geno Smith has thrown for 28 touchdowns and 36 interceptions in his NFL career. Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire

Former team: Minnesota Vikings
Age: 31

Ailments: Knee history includes torn meniscus in 2016 and torn ACL in 2011.

Buzz: The Vikings are basically waving goodbye to Peterson from the balcony. General manager Rick Spielman lauds a deep running back draft class and said Peterson will “always be a Viking.” Meanwhile, Peterson turns 32 in a few weeks and thrives off antiquated I-formation sets — not exactly a winning free agency formula. But Peterson won the rushing title two years ago, and the last time he wanted to prove doubters wrong coming off knee issues, he went for 2,097 yards in 2012.

Outlook: Peterson is an attractive option for teams with a quality quarterback and a we’re-one-piece-away belief. Peterson could sign an incentive-laden contract worth $4-6 million per year in base money. Aaron Rodgers wouldn’t mind faking play-actions with Peterson on third downs.

Former team: Kansas City Chiefs
Age: 30

Ailment: Torn ACL in 2015, lingering swelling in 2016

Buzz: An all-the-way-back Charles can inject life into an offense, but playing a combined eight games in the past two seasons taints his value. The benefit of those missed games: If Charles’ knee returns to full strength, he’s awfully well-rested. Charles has 1,604 touches in nine seasons. DeAngelo Williams prolonged his career with Pittsburgh after splitting carries for nine seasons in Carolina. Charles might be best-utilized as a third-down playmaker with ability to spot-start games when necessary.

Outlook: Watch out for the Eagles, whose head coach Doug Pederson, a former Chiefs coordinator, has intimate knowledge of Charles’ skill set. Charles also would be an ideal complementary piece to starter Robert Kelley in Washington.

Jamaal Charles didn’t fully recover from a 2015 torn ACL, getting just 12 carries last season. AP Photo/Ed Zurga

Former team: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Age: 34

Ailment: ACL injury in October

Buzz: V-Jax finally showed signs of breaking down last season. The once-potent field-stretcher averaged a career-low 11.5 yards per catch before the injury. But Tampa Bay kept him in 2016 despite a cap hit of nearly $10 million because of his leadership and veteran savvy while giving Jameis Winston a No. 2 receiving option. As the wide receiver position trends younger, Jackson’s age/injury quotient will be tough to overcome.

Outlook: Jackson is more of a depth signing at this point. He will likely follow the path of other prominent 30-somethings rehabbing injuries: Wait until late spring or summer, see which teams have a playmaking need, then show off your health to those teams.

Former team: Pittsburgh Steelers
Age: 26

Ailment: Torn labrum

Buzz: Wheaton has much to prove after his big contract year steered its way into the training room. After 97 catches from 2014 to ’15, Wheaton finished last season with four catches and never looked comfortable while fighting through the shoulder injury before surgery. The Steelers badly needed a reliable No. 2 receiver last year, too.

Outlook: Wheaton might have to rebuild his value on a two- or three-year bridge contract, but he can still play, and there’s enough money out there for receivers with adequate speed and good hands. He still must show he can consistently make contested catches.

Markus Wheaton averaged 17.0 yards per catch in 2015. George Gojkovich/Getty Images

Former team: Miami Dolphins
Age: 28

Ailments: A reported four concussions in four seasons spanning stints in Cleveland and Miami

Buzz: For the second time in his career, Cameron enters unrestricted free agency with a “buyer beware” sticker on his helmet. Retirement might be a consideration for Cameron. But his talent shined through in his last contract: Miami gave him $15 million over two years despite well-documented concussion issues in Cleveland. And the last time he was truly featured in an offense, Cameron caught 80 passes for 917 yards and seven scores in 2013. This isn’t an athletic issue.

Outlook: Cameron will likely remain on the free-agency shelf early on while tight ends Martellus Bennett, Jack Doyle and Jared Cook get theirs. But contending teams will be intrigued while looking for value deals.

Former team: Minnesota Vikings
Age: 27

Ailment: Underwent surgery in September to repair a torn labrum in his right hip

Buzz: Kalil had his turnstile moments in Minnesota, but the hip issue had lingered for a few years, so perhaps he’ll showcase more explosion off the ball in Year 6. Kalil has been training in California and has returned to his ideal playing weight of 315 pounds. He wants to return to Minnesota, and the team might be open to re-signing him.

Outlook: Kalil should benefit from a weak left tackle market. After Andrew Whitworth, teams won’t find many safe bets. If the Panthers want to rebuild a porous line, Kalil could join his brother Ryan in Carolina.

Matt Kalil, the fourth overall pick in 2012, was ineffective for much of his time in Minnesota before getting injured last season. Brace Hemmelgarn/USA TODAY Sports

Former team: Tennessee Titans
Age: 25

Ailment: Underwent right hand surgery in September

Outlook: Warmack’s injury seems manageable, but more alarming is the Titans’ apparent reluctance to re-sign a former top-10 pick. The team didn’t pick up his fifth-year option in 2016, and the injury leaves Warmack grasping for second life in free agency. But Warmack was a beast coming out of Alabama, and athletic guard play is invaluable in today’s game.

Buzz: Warmack will get his chance to avoid draft-bust status, but he’ll likely have to wait behind Cincinnati’s Kevin Zeitler, Detroit’s Larry Warford and Green Bay’s T.J. Lang in the interior line hierarchy.

Former team: Carolina Panthers
Age: 30

Ailment: Hamstring issues forced him to miss action in 2015 and 2016

Buzz: After averaging 10.5 sacks per year from 2010 to 2014, Johnson managed five sacks total the past two years while missing a combined 10 games. Older players sometimes struggle shaking lingering hamstring issues, and Johnson turns 31 in July. Johnson was a free-agency king in 2011 with a six-year, $72 million deal. He played five years on that deal, which is pretty impressive. He’s still a serviceable lineman but lacks the explosion that earned that deal.

Outlook: Teams won’t ignore good rotational defensive end help. Johnson should land a job somewhere. But his days in Carolina appear numbered.

Former team: Denver Broncos
Age: 34

Ailment: Underwent back surgery to repair ruptured disk

Buzz: Ware can follow the blueprint of late-30s marvels Dwight Freeney and James Harrison by using savvy, leverage and strength to offset declining speed. Ware has remained productive into his 30s with nearly 0.6 sacks per game in three seasons with Denver. His recovery from the back injury will take time but shouldn’t be career-ending.

Outlook: Joining a contender as a situational pass-rusher is the ideal blueprint for Ware, who reportedly is leaving the door open for a return to Dallas. Denver appears ready to move on. Ware got three years and $30 million in 2014. He won’t get that now, but a one- or two-year deal will satisfy.

When DeMarcus Ware was on the field, he was a productive pass-rusher for the Broncos. Streeter Lecka/Getty Images

Former team: San Diego Chargers
Age: 26

Ailment: Torn Achilles in September

Buzz: Te’o was a steady riser in the Chargers’ defense and earned team captain honors in 2016. That’s why his injury is so unfortunate. He went from an attractive free agent in a middling inside linebacker market to a big question mark. Science and rehab advancements can help players recover from serious injuries (Demaryius Thomas and Brent Grimes are among success stories). Though regaining his first step is hardly a guarantee, Te’o plays more off instincts than raw athleticism.

Outlook: Te’o might have to settle for a short-term prove-it deal and re-emerge in a future year with a bigger salary cap. Watch out for Oakland, which has former Chargers coordinator John Pagano on staff. He’s got a linebacker background and worked extensively with Te’o for four seasons.

Former team: New York Jets
Age: 31

Ailment: “Body’s breaking down”

Buzz: That’s not our assessment. Those are Revis’ words to Newsday back in October, shortly after he missed action with a hamstring injury. The past 12 months have been nightmarish for Revis, who was slow to recover from offseason wrist surgery, reported to camp out of shape, struggled to cover receivers one-on-one, got cut by the Jets and faces felony assault charges for his alleged role in an altercation in Pittsburgh. Revis has hit the trifecta of unattractive free-agency profiles — age, injury, legal trouble.

Outlook: Teams aren’t eager to even entertain signing him while his legal case continues. Yes, perhaps Revis can become a safety, a move Revis has publicly embraced. But Revis gets $6 million whether he plays or not. The Jets owe him that unless another team covers some of payout by signing him. How motivated will he really be?

Former team: Jacksonville Jaguars
Age: 27

Ailments: Pectoral, biceps and hamstring injuries since 2014

Buzz: What Amukamara does on the field isn’t the big issue. Staying there is. He has missed 27 games in six seasons, including at least two games in five of the past six years. In 2016, he signed a one-year, $5.5-million deal with Jacksonville to prove he could stay healthy, and he acquitted himself well in 14 games. Amukamara will have a market as a physical press-man corner with adequate size.

Outlook: Amukamara won’t break the bank in a crowded cornerback class, but he’ll get paid quality coin in the second tier. Watch out for a team such as Pittsburgh, which is close to a Super Bowl run but needs one more athletic corner.

NFL

Pass-rushing prospects exude confidence heading into draft

INDIANAPOLIS — Quarterbacks are the unquestioned kings of the NFL, but that hasn’t stopped the newest crop of NFL defensive linemen-in-waiting from entering the league with a swagger that has grown with their importance.

These soon-to-be rookies are certain they’re ready to play. Just ask them.

“I can rush anywhere. I can play anywhere,” Stanford’s Solomon Thomas said. “I play every down. I’m great stopping the run, great rushing the quarterback. I’m very versatile. I have toughness. I try to get after every [offensive] lineman and put the fear of God in them and make a play. I’m just trying to get to the quarterback every play and be destructful and wreak havoc.”

Thomas speaks to his belief in himself and essentially sums up how the top-level players in the defensive front have arrived at this draft. It’s a deep group, and the best of the best are not afraid to say it.

Alabama pass-rusher Jonathan Allen looms as the potential No. 1 draft pick since no slam-dunk quarterback prospect has emerged. Matthew Visinsky/Icon Sportswire

Thomas, Texas A&M’s Myles Garrett, Alabama’s Jonathan Allen and UCLA’s Takkarist McKinley lead a group of interior pass-rushers and edge players who could make an immediate impact. But they will also come in with a different approach.

Confidence has always been key among those who excel. But the kind of confidence these players have shown is more like that of the shutdown cornerback. These guys came to the combine knowing they were in a deep, talented class, and they seem determined to let the NFL’s decision-makers know it.

“I like to think I’m a technician. I can do a lot of things,” Allen said. “You want me to rush from a 3-technique, I can do it effectively; if you want me to bend the corner on the outside, I can do it. I can play the run; I can play double-teams. I can play above the tight end … scoot, get off blocks. So I feel I can do anything that I’m asked to do on the defensive line.”

Said McKinley: “I’m here to get the quarterback. The league now is a passing league. They need young guys who can get to the quarterback, and I feel I’m the best pass-rusher in this draft class to do that.”

Since no slam-dunk quarterback prospect has emerged as the top pick, players such as Garrett and Allen, in particular, are in that discussion. Thomas is in the mix as a high-first-round pick, and McKinley is a consensus top-15 player.

NFL DraftRound 1: April 27, 8 p.m. ET
Rds. 2-3: April 28, 7 p.m. ET
Rds. 4-7: April 29, noon ET
Where: Philadelphia

NFL draft home page »

• 2017 NFL draft order »
• Mel Kiper Jr.: Mock 2.0 »
• Todd McShay’s Top 32
• McShay: Top prospects by position
• Todd McShay: Mock 2.0 »
• Mel Kiper Jr.’s Big Board »
• Mel Kiper Jr.: Top 10 by position »
• Pro day schedule for prospects »
• Underclassmen who have declared »
• NFL draft player rankings »

Their confidence is certainly not unfounded; it’s just that they might wear it on the sleeve a little more than those who came before them. On the potential of being the draft’s No. 1 pick, Garrett said: “Shows I’m top dog, at least from the beginning, and I’ve got to — once I’m in the NFL — I can’t just hang my hat on that. I’ve got to keep on rising.”

Allen also believes he could be the top pick.

“What I bring is a winning atmosphere, winning attitude, a leader, a guy who’s going to bust his butt every play, a guy who’s looking to come in and make an immediate impact in a positive way,” Allen said. “Like I said, I’m going to control what I can control. But the competitor in me wants to be the first [pick], but I’m also going to go out there and work toward it.”

This is the NFL’s environment at work. The current discussion centers on points, catches and 300-yard passing games, but three of the past four Super Bowls have been won by a team that finished the season No. 1 in either total defense or scoring defense — or both.

Even McKinley, who said he will have surgery on his right shoulder Monday after he leaves the combine, sent the same message to coaches and general managers.

“Once I get healthy, once I get the right technique, the right coaching, I feel like for years to come I’ll be one of the best pass-rushers in the NFL,” he said. “…All my interviews are going great — they like me as a person, they especially like me as a player.”

NFL

NFL free agency preview: Top priorities, targets for all 32 teams

Free agency is almost here. Teams can begin talking to unrestricted free agents and discussing contracts on Tuesday, and signings can start being official on Thursday at 4 p.m. ET, when the new league year begins.

NFL Nation reporters assess the needs for every team and forecast what all 32 should do when free agency kicks off. Click the links after each team to view the full posts.

ESPN’s top 150 free agents | Predicting the top free-agent targets
Predictions on the top internal free agents | Best fits for intriguing free agents

Arizona Cardinals: The Cardinals saw firsthand last season how important having a second experienced cornerback is to their defense. Finding a veteran who can play from Day 1 would cause immediate improvement. Read more.

Atlanta Falcons: The Falcons underwent a major facelift at linebacker last offseason; this year, it’s the defensive line’s turn. They need to find a front-four combo capable of pressuring the quarterback. Read more.

Baltimore Ravens: The No. 1 priority in free agency has to be signing a proven and consistent veteran to make up for the losses of Steve Smith Sr. (retired) and Kamar Aiken (free agent). Read more.

Buffalo Bills: The Bills have an NFL-high 23 unrestricted free agents, and they would be wise to allow most of them to sign elsewhere. With $21 million in salary-cap space, they do not have room to bring back everyone. Read more.

Carolina Panthers: GM Dave Gettleman hasn’t ruled out signing former Giants star Victor Cruz, who recently was in Carolina for a physical and a meeting. If healthy, the 30-year-old would offer a veteran presence in the slot. Read more.

Chicago Bears: The Bears have to fix their quarterback issues — plain and simple. Chicago must explore all options, and that includes trading for New England’s Jimmy Garoppolo. Read more.

Cincinnati Bengals: The good news? A.J. Green is now healthy. The bad news? The Bengals still need to find another player who can stretch the field. Read more.

Cleveland Browns: The Browns have to get the most important position on the team settled: quarterback. They can try to trade for Jimmy Garoppolo, they can draft a QB or they can turn to free agency. Read more.

Dallas Cowboys: The temptation is to look for help with the pass rush right off the bat, but the Cowboys will not pay big, which means they need to fill their secondary holes first at moderate prices. Read more.

Denver Broncos: Truth be told, the offensive line could easily be the top three priorities. There is no bigger reason the Broncos missed the playoffs last season than their play up front. Read more.

Detroit Lions: Defensive line is a definite area of need for Detroit, and while it is strong in the draft, the Lions have a lot of work to do when it comes to bringing in players who can generate a pass rush. Read more.

Green Bay Packers: Whether it’s Nick Perry, Datone Jones, Julius Peppers or someone from another team, the Packers should be careful not to overpay for pass-rushers. Read more.

Houston Texans: Cornerback A.J. Bouye’s play last season is worth the sizable contract he will get this offseason, and the Texans could find room for him if they do not spend their money on a starting quarterback. Read more.

Indianapolis Colts: The Colts need a complete overhaul at linebacker to the point that they might end up with four new starters at that position next season. Read more.

Jacksonville Jaguars: The Jaguars have already agreed to a trade with Miami for left tackle Branden Albert, but the unit’s biggest weakness in 2016 was at the guard position. Read more.

Kansas City Chiefs: The Chiefs will have a massive hole, literally and figuratively, in the middle of their defensive line if Dontari Poe walks as a free agent. That means they need to find a replacement. Read more.

Los Angeles Chargers: The Chargers could be looking for a player to bridge the gap at left tackle until they can find a long-term developmental prospect to take over that position. Read more.

Los Angeles Rams: The Rams’ only established receiver is Tavon Austin, and they need a couple of playmakers. Los Angeles isn’t expected to retain unrestricted free agents Kenny Britt or Brian Quick. Read more.

Miami Dolphins: The Dolphins need to find at least one starting-caliber linebacker in free agency. They finished 30th in run defense and also struggled defending tight ends and slot receivers in the passing game. Read more.

Minnesota Vikings: Offensive line was the story of the Vikings’ offseason a year ago, and it will be again until it gets fixed. Minnesota appears headed for major changes once again. Read more.

New England Patriots: The Patriots have a free-agent class as significant and deep as that of any other team in the NFL, and they plan to keep a dialogue open with Dont’a Hightower on a potential return. Read more.

New Orleans Saints: The Saints have labeled an edge-rushing defensive end as a must this offseason. But their chances of spending mega millions on an elite talent took a big hit last week. Read more.

New York Giants: Anyone who watched the Giants in 2016 saw the relentless pressure Eli Manning faced off the edges. The Giants need a veteran upgrade over youngsters Ereck Flowers and Bobby Hart. Read more.

New York Jets: The Jets need to acquire a starting-caliber quarterback. It’s a big ask, but the Jets have no choice because Bryce Petty and Christian Hackenberg aren’t ready for the gig on opening day. Read more.

Oakland Raiders: The Raiders are expected to have just under $43 million in cap space, but their most important moves may be in taking care of their dual faces of the franchise first. Read more.

Pittsburgh Steelers: The Steelers have more than $100 million in projected 2017 salary cap commitments on offensive players. They might as well finish the blueprint and sign Le’Veon Bell to a long-term extension. Read more.

Philadelphia Eagles: The Eagles need wide receiver help in a big way and are sure to sign at least one wideout over the coming days. It’s critical, however, that they resist committing to a contract they might soon regret. Read more.

San Francisco 49ers: The 49ers have the second-most cap space in the NFL, so they can afford to chase top free agents. Of course, that doesn’t mean they should spend for the sake of spending. Read more.

Seattle Seahawks: At the combine, GM John Schneider admitted the Seahawks went too young on the offensive line last season. This is the Seahawks’ chance to make sure they don’t run into the same problem in 2017. Read more.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: It’s imperative that the Bucs not only find a replacement for Vincent Jackson, but also bring some speed to the offense, which means they should not only address the wide receiver position. Read more.

Tennessee Titans: An every-down inside linebacker probably ranks behind cornerback and receiver as a need. But the Titans have plenty of salary-cap room to sign the best player in free agency. Read more.

Washington Redskins: The Redskins have four free-agent defensive linemen, and they will attack this position in the offseason, both in free agency and the draft. Read more.

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