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Tom Brady apologizes to Peyton Manning over remarks in email

New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady leaves federal court Wednesday.

New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady leaves federal court Wednesday.

(Frank Franklin II / Associated Press)
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Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning said New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady apologized to him — unnecessarily — after taking a shot at him in recently released emails.

Brady’s exchange with a childhood friend last November was contained in documents released as part of the NFLPA’s lawsuit on behalf of Brady.

In it, Brady wrote: “I’ve got another 7 or 8 years. He has 2.”

Manning said after Wednesday’s practice that Brady was just joining the public conversation predicting when he’ll retire.

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“Everybody’s been speculating on that for a long time, so I guess he’s joining the list,” Manning said in his first public comments since the emails were published last week.

Manning, a five-time MVP, is 39, a year older than Brady, who owns four Super Bowl rings to Manning’s one.

In another email exchange, this one coming after the Patriots’ rout of the Broncos in a November game, a different friend of Brady’s took his own shot at Manning, saying he “needs things to be perfect to succeed, weather, his system, etc.” The friend also noted how well Brady was moving around.

“We are some hard working grinders beav,” Brady responded. “That’s what our team is all about. Our best is still ahead of us.”

Manning shrugged it all off.

“Hey, Tom sent me an apology text that was unnecessary,” Manning said. “The fact that his emails got revealed doesn’t make a lot of sense to me. So, no harm, no foul. And (I) didn’t think a lot of it.”

Bills claim Enemkpali

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The Buffalo Bills claimed Ikemefuna Enemkpali off waivers from the New York Jets, a day after the linebacker broke quarterback Geno Smith’s jaw with a punch in the team’s locker room.

Bills Coach Rex Ryan announced the move shortly before practice. Without excusing what Enemkpali did, Ryan called the player “a good teammate” and said he believes the linebacker can learn from the mistake that prompted the Jets to immediately release him.

Ryan, who took over the Bills in January, is very familiar with Enemkpali. Ryan was the Jets’ coach last season during the player’s rookie season.

“I think it’s clear it was a mistake. Nothing justifies hitting somebody and all that stuff. And I’m not trying to say that it wasn’t a mistake,” Ryan said. “But I also believe that he’s going to learn from this. And we’ll give him a chance to compete.”

Enemkpali could face discipline from the NFL under its personal conduct policy.

An NFL spokesman said that the league is reviewing the situation. Any incident involving workplace violence that occurs off the football field falls under the NFL’s personal conduct policy. That means any team interested in signing Enemkpali, a sixth-round pick last year out of Louisiana Tech, might have to weigh a possible suspension.

Enemkpali, who had three tackles in six games last season, could also face legal charges if Smith pursues them.

Kaepernick denies fight with Smith

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San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick shot down rumors that he and the recently released Aldon Smith had a confrontation at Levi’s Stadium last week.

Kaepernick, speaking at his weekly news conference, called the rumor “embarrassing” and pointed out disparities.

He said Smith was a good friend and that the defensive lineman attended a golf tournament and a football camp he hosted.

Smith was released by the 49ers on Friday, the day after he was arrested on suspicion of drunken driving.

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