The Sports Xchange

Former New Orleans Saints receiver Joe Horn criticized NFL commissioner Roger Goodell during an interview posted Tuesday online, calling him “the devil.”

In a conversation with TheFootballGirl.com website, Horn offered candid remarks about the current state of the NFL.

“Here’s what I don’t like. I don’t like what Roger Goodell is doing,” Horn said. “He has so much power that he can almost shut people down. I just don’t like him. And I don’t like that on draft day these kids don’t know that they’re hugging the devil. I hate to see kids that are lost and then happy, but they really don’t know that the man they’re hugging will rip their throat apart.

“If he has an opportunity to take money from them, or there’s a situation where they’re guilty before they go to court, he’ll rip them apart. And there’s nothing no one can do about it. If the owners are happy with Roger Goodell, the fans, the media, no one can take his job from him. I hate it.”

–Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson was not on the field Tuesday as the NFC champions began organized team activities in Renton, Wash.

Wilson, who is in the final year of his rookie contract, was absent because of a personal matter — the funeral of tight end Jimmy Graham’s manager, Tammy Myerson — and was not posturing related to his desire to finalize a new deal with the Seahawks.

Wilson, Graham and pass rushers Michael Bennett and Cliff Avril were expected to be absent Tuesday.

–Former first-round draft pick A.J. Jenkins agreed to a contract with the Dallas Cowboys, who are giving the wide receiver a third chance to stick on an NFL roster.

Jenkins, drafted 30th overall in 2012 out of Illinois by the San Francisco 49ers, was traded to the Kansas City Chiefs in 2013 and spent two seasons with the team. He has 17 career receptions for 223 yards.

–The Indianapolis Colts signed free agent cornerback Chance Casey undrafted free agent guard Will Corbin and injured cornerback Josh Mitchell.

If Mitchell, who signed earlier this month as an undrafted free agent from Nebraska, clears waivers, he will be assigned to the Colts’ Injured Reserve list.

–The New England Patriots re-signed linebacker Dane Fletcher to a one-year deal and he was at the start of the team’s offseason workouts Tuesday.

The Patriots also signed rookie wide receiver Zach D’Orazio.

–Offensive lineman Eric Olsen and linebacker Mike Reilly signed with the Cleveland Browns.

Olsen is a four-year NFL veteran who was a sixth-round draft pick by the Denver Broncos in 2010.

Reilly was invited to the Browns’ rookie minicamp on May 8-10 after participating in a tryout

–Michael Sam arrived in Montreal to play in the Canadian Football League and said he’s not focused on making history or a social statement.

The first openly gay player in the NFL and now the CFL just wants to get on the field after signing a two-year contract with the Alouettes last week.

“I’m not trying to really do anything historic here by being with Montreal. I’m just trying to help the team win some games so we can bring the Grey Cup back home,” Sam said at a news conference.

–Ben Roethlisberger isn’t counting his victories just yet, and the Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback said he is hoping Patriots quarterback Tom Brady is on the field when the teams meet in New England for the NFL Kickoff game in September.

“He’s a guy, I’ve said for a long time, he’s the best in the business, and he proved it again last year winning his fourth (Super Bowl),” Roethlisberger said. “If he’s not out there, it’s not the same. I have a lot of respect for him on the football field and some of the unbelievable things that he’s done. I guess we’ll wait and see what’s finally going to happen.”

The Steelers are planning to work without All-Pro running back Le’Veon Bell, who is serving a two-game ban for a marijuana-related arrest.