Pats’ Dennard reports to jail for 60-day sentence

Alfonzo Dennard began his jail sentence Saturday. (Getty Images)

Patriots cornerback Alfonzo Dennard is on his last chance. So says the judge who in December sentenced him to an extra 30 days in jail after he violated his parole with his DUI arrest last summer.

And his punishment began Saturday when Dennard reported to the Lincoln, Neb., jail to begin a 60-day term in jail.

Dennard, 24, had been on probation for an assault on a police officer. Originally, he was sentenced to 30 days in jail and community service after his arrest in April 2012, only a few days before the NFL draft.

Dennard had been considered a mid-round draft pick, but after the arrest, the Patriots waited until the seventh round to select him. Then, he was arrested last July on suspicion of drunken driving, and the judge doubled his jail time and said, "I want you to know this is your last chance."

In 2013, Dennard started nine games, accumulating 45 tackles and grabbing an interception for New England.

His two-month stint in jail could be reduced to 35 days if he is credited with good behavior.

NFL Hot News

Saints TE Jimmy Graham will be franchise-tagged



The deadline for teams to assign franchise tags is Monday, and between now and then, the Saints will place theirs on tight end Jimmy Graham, a league source has told ESPN's Adam Schefter. Graham, who has finished second, first, and first in fantasy points at his position starting in 2011, would earn about $7 million with the tight end tag next season.Graham has averaged 90 catches, 1,169 yards, and 12 touchdowns per season since 2011. He's missed only one game in that span.Update: Graham has confirmed through his own Twitter account that he will be tagged. We just don't know at what position.



It's the obvious move by the Saints as the tag gives them more time to work out a long-term contract with their best receiver.Graham is fully expected to be tagged as a tight end, which probably won't make him happy. It's already been reported that if Graham was tagged as a tight end, he would file a grievance immediately to be tagged as a wide receiver. Such a tag would bring him about $5 million more, but he's unlikely to win that argument, even with the fact that he was split out wide or lined up in the slot on 67 percent of his snaps this season.What we are certain of is that Graham will absolutely not become a free agent on March 11. He will remain in New Orleans for 2014. A tenure extended past that hasn't yet been determined. He is clearly the best tight end in football and worth a second-round pick in re-draft leagues.