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Former University of Tennessee star linebacker A.J. Johnson is getting a shot in the NFL with the Denver Broncos less than a month after he was acquitted along with a college teammate of aggravated rape charges.

After his first practice as a pro Monday Womens Will Butcher Jersey , Johnson said, "It's a blessing to be a part of a team, I'm excited to get out here, start working out and start working my tail off."

He said he never doubted he'd see this day .

"No, never a time. I had faith. I trusted in God," he said. "I kept working and being determined and kept pushing. I knew it was going to come."

Johnson said the Broncos reached out to him Saturday.

Coach Vance Joseph said he wasn't sure what to expect from Johnson following such a long layoff from football.

"Well, we'll see. It's been three years since he's actually played football. At that time, three years ago, he was a serious prospect," Joseph said. "He's got great size, he can run, he's a very, very intelligent player. So, we'll see."

Johnson and Michael Williams were acquitted of all counts July 27. They were indicted in February 2015 after a woman said both men raped her during a party at Johnson's apartment in the early morning hours of Nov. 16, 2014. Johnson and Williams were suspended from the team less than 48 hours after the party and never played for Tennessee again.

While Williams was a part-time starter in the secondary Radim Vrbata Jersey , Johnson was a four-year starter and a pro prospect whose invitation to the 2015 NFL combine was rescinded after charges were filed.

"A.J. hasn't had the opportunity to play football for the last three years while resolving a serious legal matter," general manager John Elway said in a statement Monday. "We've had several conversations with him since he's been cleared and have become very familiar with his background and character. Our organization is confident A.J. is ready to move forward and resume his playing career."

Joseph said the Broncos did their due diligence before signing Johnson.

"We talked to all of his coaches. My cousin actually coached him at Tennessee. Zach (Azzanni, Denver's new wide receivers coach) had him at Tennessee. Everyone spoke highly about the guy, so we'll see. Again, he wants to play football, he's been training for two years to play football. He's been here for four hours, so we'll see how he fits in."

To make room for Johnson, the Broncos released linebacker Stansly Maponga.

They also signed safety Shamarko Thomas after losing safety Jamal Carter (torn hamstring) for the season Saturday night in their preseason opener. Joseph said Carter needs surgery and will go on IR.

Thomas was released by the Colts on Saturday, less than 48 hours after he was ejected from a preseason game against Seattle for an illegal helmet hit.

Thomas said Colts coach Frank Reich told him his release wasn't over that hit, however.

"It's all in God's plan. The ejection, I leaned with my helmet, that's what they say. I'm just happy to be here and be a Bronco," Thomas said.

Now a 26-year-old rookie, Johnson was a three-time All-SEC selection at Tennessee from 2011-14. He was a four-year starter in Knoxville whose 425 tackles ran second among any Volunteer since the school started keeping track of the statistic in 1970.

In 46 career games at Tennessee, he had 30陆 tackles for loss Authentic Stephen Johns Jersey , three sacks, an interception, 11 pass breakups, three forced fumbles and four fumble recoveries. He posted double digits in tackles 23 times.

Prosecutors painted Johnson and Williams as entitled athletes who weren't used to being told no. Defense attorneys argued that the woman had sex with both men at the same time and then lied, claiming she had been raped.

After a jury of seven women and five men found Johnson and Williams not guilty, Johnson said, "I just knew God was going to take care of it."

The Broncos listed the 6-foot-2 Johnson at 243 pounds, but he said at his trial last month that he weighs 255 as he sought to revive his dream of playing in the NFL.

Johnson said he wasn't bitter over his long-delayed debut.

"No, I'm not a bitter guy. I wake up happy every day. I'm blessed, I'm glad to be out here," he said. "I haven't had this many cameras in my face in a long time. But no, I have no bitterness about me."

Follow Arnie Melendrez Stapleton on Twitter: ://arniestapleton

Coming off a troubling season, New York Giants cornerback Eli Apple seemingly has grown up.

A bad attitude led to a suspension for the final game of the 2017 season and a couple of benchings earlier in the campaign has been replaced by a business-like approach.

That's rapid progression for a soon-to-be 23-year-old who appeared to have worn out his welcome two years after the Giants drafted him with the 10th pick overall.

The change didn't just come. It's been coming since Pat Shurmur was named coach and Dave Gettleman took as general manager. They met with Apple after a 3-13 season and told him he would be starting with a clean slate.

"It is definitely important for me, first impressions," Apple said. "I just wanted to show that I was a hard worker and just continue to show that even now as we continue to go on with these practices Ryan Nugent-Hopkins Jersey , staying on top of that and trying to get better every day."

Apple is going to be a key piece for the Giants in James Bettcher's 3-4 system. He has the talent to be a lock-down cornerback, which would give the Giants two. Janoris Jenkins is on the other side of the field.

"They have a lot of confidence in me," Apple said of the coaching staff. "They told me that they feel I am a really good player and as long as I listen to them, I can get better and become a Pro Bowl player. I see that as well. With my athleticism, I see myself, especially in this defense, I see myself as excelling in it and I am looking forward to the season.is"

Apple started 11 of 14 games as a rookie and finished with two interceptions, 49 tackles, and a fumble recovery, playing on a team that went 11-5 and earned a playoff berth. Last year was a horror. He started seven of 11 games, didn't have an interception, and was suspended for the final game of the season for getting into an argument with coaches about playing on a scout team. The Giants called it conduct detrimental to the team.

Safety Landon Collins didn't hesitate to say last season that Apple needed to grow up.

Apple won't say what caused the turnaround, but it's obvious something has changed.

On the field now, Apple is all smiles and ready to work. The former Ohio State product frequently goes over to Jenkins and picks his brain.

"Like when I see Jackrabbit make a play on the other side, I think to myself Daniel Winnik Jersey , 'OK, it's time for me to make a play if the quarterback comes my way,'" Apple said of Jenkins. "But it's always fitting that I'm trying to pick his brain because he was All-Pro, Pro Bowl corner, so he's definitely one of the best in the game. So, if I can learn as much as I can from him, that'll make me a better player."

Apple also is taking no downs off. Early in Saturday's workout, he hounded first-year receiver Amba Etta-Tawo on a pass over the middle. Later on the Giants' first day in pads, he gave second-overall draft pick Saquon Barkley a good bump on a running back.

Shurmur certainly has been impressed by the new version of Apple.

"With my eyes, just a few months into this, I'm seeing a guy that's all about his business," Shurmur said. "He is very business-like and he is covering really well, which is a good attribute for a corner. I like the way he is working. He's out there challenging but he is also being smart. Based on what I have seen, there are very few mistakes that he is making when we move the coverage around and I like the way he is functioning in the building."

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