The Sports Xchange

Buffalo Bills offensive line coach Aaron Kromer was arrested in Florida early Sunday morning and charged with battery after allegedly punching a boy in the face and threatening to kill his family.

Kromer had a “physical altercation” with his neighbor’s son, a juvenile, near his beach house, according to the Walton County (Fla.) Sheriff’s Office. Kromer was booked at 1:51 a.m. ET Sunday and released at 3:10 a.m. on the misdemeanor battery charge with intent to cause bodily harm.

Kromer, 48, and his son allegedly confronted three boys, who had been fishing on the beach, over the use of beach chairs. The sheriff’s office said deputies were told that Kromer allegedly pushed one of the boys to the ground and punched him in the face.

“It was stated Kromer then told the boys to return the chairs to where they found them. The victim stated Kromer also told him if he reported him to the police he would kill his family,” the sheriff’s office said as part of the statement released later Sunday.

Kromer joined Rex Ryan’s coaching staff in Buffalo after spending two seasons with the Chicago Bears as offensive coordinator. Kromer came under fire last season after admitting he was the source of criticism toward Bears quarterback Jay Cutler.

—In addition to announcing the reduction of the suspension for Dallas Cowboys defensive end Greg Hardy this past Friday, the NFL also suspended four free agents not currently with teams, The Sports Xchange has learned.

The most notable is cornerback Jarrett Bush, who played 15 games for the Green Bay Packers last season. Bush became an unrestricted free agent in March, but the 31-year-old has not found a new team.

Bush was suspended by the NFL for the first four games of the 2015 season. He was arrested, but not charged, following an incident outside a Vacaville, Calif., restaurant/bar in early March.

Safety Jakar Hamilton was suspended by the league for the first 10 weeks of the 2015 season, most likely for violating the substance abuse policy. While with the Cowboys, Hamilton was suspended for the first four games of the 2014 season for violating that policy.

Cornerback Loucheiz Purifoy was suspended by the NFL for the first 10 weeks of the 2015 season, most likely for violating the substance abuse policy. Purifoy began the 2014 season with the Indianapolis Colts and played in 11 games.

Running back Quentin Hines was suspended by the NFL for the first week of the 2015 season. Hines was signed by the New England Patriots as an undrafted free agent in 2013, but spent the season on reserve/injured after suffering a torn labrum during rookie minicamp. He was waived by the Patriots on March 10, 2014, with the designation failed physical, and hasn’t signed with another team since.

—San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick is optimistic heading into the season despite the team undergoing a major offseason makeover.

The 49ers’ moves included a coaching change, multiple new members of the coaching staff, free agency defections and some unexpected retirements.

“Very excited for the season,” Kaepernick told reporters Friday night before the annual Governor’s Dinner in Reno, Nev., via the Nevada Appeal. “A lot of new faces in the locker room and a lot of new coaches. I think the changes are for the good.”

The 49ers’ departures included head coach Jim Harbaugh, coordinators Greg Roman and Vic Fangio, the retirements of linebacker Patrick Willis, defensive end Justin Smith, linebacker Chris Borland and offensive tackle Anthony Davis, and the free agent defections of running back Frank Gore and wide receiver Michael Crabtree.

Harbaugh left the 49ers after an 8-8 record in 2014 to become the head coach at Michigan. The 49ers stayed in-house and elevated Jim Tomsula from defensive line coach to head coach.

“I feel very confident in our team,” Kaepernick said. “I feel people are writing us off, but for us, that’s all right.”