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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Suh talks on hold

Lions postpone effort to wrap up star lineman

Ndamukong Suh , center, is in the final season of his contract with the Detroit Lions. (Associated Press)
Associated Press

The Detroit Lions are postponing contract talks with All-Pro defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh until after the season.

Suh is entering the final season of his contract, and team president Tom Lewand and general manager Martin Mayhew said before practice Monday that negotiations are being tabled. Lewand and Mayhew both expressed optimism that a deal can eventually be reached.

“He’s told me he wants to be here. I have a good relationship with him,” Mayhew said. “I know I want him to be here. I don’t know what else to tell you.”

Lewand said Detroit’s salary cap situation isn’t the reason for the delay in an agreement.

If the two sides can’t reach a deal after the season, the Lions could still keep Suh by using their franchise tag on him.

“I wouldn’t close the door on that,” Mayhew said. “Every year, we have people concerned about our ability to function under the salary cap, and thus far we’ve been able to go out in free agency every year and add to our team, make our team better. … I think the cap is going to go up next year, and probably the year after that too.”

Beadles gives $750K to Utah

Jacksonville Jaguars guard Zane Beadles, who signed a five-year, $30 million free-agent contract in March, is giving back to his alma mater.

Beadles pledged $750,000 to Utah’s football program, the largest gift given to the school by a former player.

Of his commitment, $500,000 will go to the sports medicine center and $250,000 to a scholarship endowment in his name.

Beadles says “It’s something I knew I wanted to do since I got into the league if I ever got to the position where I was able to do something like that. I’m in that position now.”

Manning shows his moves

Peyton Manning isn’t all business all the time. The star quarterback showed his lighter side Monday when he did a dorky dance during the team stretch when “Rocky Top” was blared through the loudspeakers at the Denver Broncos’ training camp.

While Manning was dancing to the unofficial anthem of his Tennessee Volunteers, fellow alum Britton Colquitt joined in and Wes Welker even added a hoedown.

“I love it,” said defensive end Malik Jackson, another former Vol. “They need to play it every day. ‘Rocky Top’ is awesome. Go Vols.”