St. Louis Rams Welcomed In California

The way their long-suffering Southern California fans see it, the St. Louis Rams are considering restoration, not relocation.

From the moment they stepped off the team bus Monday, the Rams were serenaded by several thousand jersey-wearing, flag-waving fans celebrating a Southern California homecoming. They chanted "L.A. Rams!" while the players took the practice fields in Oxnard, an hour west of Los Angeles, and they held banners reading "Welcome Home!" and "We Missed You!"

The Rams are in Ventura County for three days of workouts at the Dallas Cowboys' training complex, and they're providing a tantalizing appetizer for fans who know the franchise is weighing a return to Los Angeles, its home for 49 years prior to 1995.

Although a decision won't be reached for several months, the fans who never left seized the chance for a reunion after two decades.

Arizona Cardinals, Johnson Agree To Deal

The Arizona Cardinals and free-agent running back Chris Johnson agreed Monday on a one-year deal. ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter reported the deal could be worth up to $2 million.

ohnson, who will turn 30 in September, became an unrestricted free agent after the New York Jets declined to exercise their option following the 2014 season. Johnson recorded career lows in carries (155), rushing yards (663) and rushing touchdowns (one) the past season, after signing a two-year, $8 million deal. It was the first time in his seven-season career that Johnson failed to rush for 1,000 yards in a season.

Before his 1,077-yard season with the Titans in 2013, in which he averaged 3.9 yards per carry, Johnson never averaged fewer than 4.0 yards per rush in a season. Even the previous season, he gained 4.3 yards per rush.

Thursday, August 20 Schedule (All Times Central)

Detroit at Washington, 6:30 p.m.

Buffalo at Cleveland, 7 p.m.

Friday, August 21 Schedule (All Times Central)

Atlanta at New York, 6:30 p.m.

Seattle at Kansas City, 7 p.m.

Saturday, August 22 Schedule (All Times Central)

Miami at Carolina, 6 p.m.

Baltimore at Philadelphia, 6 p.m.

Chicago at Indianapolis, 6:30 p.m.

Jacksonville at New York, 6:30 p.m.

New England at New Orleans, 6:30 p.m.

Oakland at Minnesota, 7 p.m.

Denver at Houston, 7 p.m.

San Diego at Arizona, 9 p.m.

Sunday, August 23 Schedule (All Times Central)

Green Bay at Pittsburgh, noon

St. Louis at Tennessee, 7 p.m.

Dallas at San Francisco, 7 p.m.