NFL-National Football League roundup

Feb 20 (The Sports Xchange) - The NFL salary cap is projected to be about $130 million in 2014, up 5 percent from $123 million last year, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported Thursday. The figure is higher than teams were expecting, which will provide some relief for cap-strapped organizations such as the Dallas Cowboys, Pittsburgh Steelers and New Orleans Saints. Teams have until March 11 to get under the cap. Some teams have already started cutting players to create cap savings, as the Detroit Lions did last week in cutting safety Louis Delmas and wide receiver Nate Burleson, and the Saints parting ways with linebacker Jonathan Vilma, safety Roman Harper, cornerback Jabari Greer and defensive end/outside linebacker Will Smith. - - - Michael Lombardi was named an assistant to the New England Patriots coaching staff, the team announced. Lombardi brings 23 years of NFL experience as a front office executive, most recently serving as general manager for the Cleveland Browns in 2013. - - - New York Giants wide receiver Hakeem Nicks signed with Jay Z's sports agency, Roc Nation Sports. Roc Nation Sports spokesman Ron Berkowitz said Nicks will be jointly represented by CAA and Roc Nation. The two agencies already share, along with IMG, one of Nicks' teammates, Victor Cruz. Nicks confirmed the signing with Roc Nation on Twitter. Half of Roc Nation's clients play for New York teams. The New York firm also represents Yankees pitcher CC Sabathia and Jets quarterback Geno Smith. (Editing by Larry Fine)