Author Topic: Official NFL Thread (Read 522899 times)

RatBastich · « **Reply #1160 on:** July 17, 2009, 12:35:39 AM »

Jarmon picked in third round

ESPN.com news services

The Washington Redskins selected defensive lineman Jeremy Jarmon in the third round of Thursday's supplemental draft.

Five teams put in fourth-round claims for the 6-foot-3, 278-pound defensive end, a source told ESPN.com's John Clayton. The Redskins have five remaining draft choices in the 2010 draft. They are now without third- and sixth-round picks.

THUNDERDUCK · « **Reply #1161 on:** July 17, 2009, 12:17:26 PM »

Not sure if this is super important but Jessica Simpson and Tony Romo are now history! The end of the Jessica Curse on the ' boys. Time for him to hook up with Carrie Underwood.

RatBastich · « **Reply #1162 on:** July 17, 2009, 08:03:36 PM »

Case to be refiled after charge dropped

Associated Press

HOUSTON -- Prosecutors say they expect to refile a felony drug charge against Green Bay Packers defensive lineman Johnny Jolly Jr. after dropping the case.

The 26-year-old had been set for trial Friday on the drug possession charge. He was arrested last July in Houston for allegedly having at least 200 grams of codeine, which is a controlled substance.

Harris County District Attorney's Office spokeswoman Donna Hawkins says the case was dismissed Thursday so Houston Police Department lab technicians could become proficient with a new piece of equipment that measures codeine in a submitted sample and learn to testify about its results.

Prosecutors expect to refile the case within three months.

Jolly's attorney didn't immediately return a phone call Thursday.

RatBastich · « **Reply #1163 on:** July 18, 2009, 12:22:28 AM »

Man who allegedly provided gun busted

ESPN.com news services

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Federal prosecutors announced gun charges Friday against a convicted murderer who admitted he sold the pistol that was used to kill ex-NFL quarterback Steve McNair.

Adrian J. Gilliam Jr., 33, of LaVergne, Tenn., was arrested by agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.

He is charged with being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm. Conviction could bring a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000, federal prosecutors said.

Gilliam is in custody in the federal courthouse in Nashville and will appear in front of U.S. Magistrate Judge Clifton Knowles at 4 p.m. ET. The U.S. Attorney's office will ask that he be held without bond, a source told ESPN.com's Paul Kuharsky.

A criminal complaint says that Gilliam -- who was convicted in 1993 in Florida for second-degree murder and attempted armed robbery -- told police he sold the gun to the woman who later shot McNair.

RatBastich · « **Reply #1164 on:** July 18, 2009, 02:09:30 AM »

Source: Browns QB Anderson healthy

By James Walker
ESPN.com

Cleveland Browns quarterback Derek Anderson has recovered from a calf injury and will be ready for the start of training camp, a source told ESPN.com Friday.

Anderson, who is competing with Brady Quinn for Cleveland's starting quarterback job, missed the final two days of mandatory minicamp in June after injuring his right calf.

Anderson finished minicamp with a limp and a heavy wrap on his leg, and neither Anderson nor Browns coach Eric Mangini would discuss the severity of the ailment.

But a source told ESPN.com on Friday that, after a month of rest and rehab, Anderson's health is no longer an issue.

Cleveland's full team will practice for the first time in training camp Aug. 1.

Anderson made the Pro Bowl in 2007 after throwing for 3,787 yards, 29 touchdowns and leading the Browns to a 10-6 mark. But he couldn't duplicate those efforts last season, which opened the door for Quinn, a former first-round pick from Notre Dame.

Both quarterbacks have a clean slate this summer under a new regime. The Browns gave Quinn the slight edge when the pair began practices this offseason, but the team likely will not make a firm decision until late in the preseason.

RatBastich · « **Reply #1165 on:** July 19, 2009, 12:10:43 AM »

Plenty of work ahead for former NFL QB

Associated Press

Michael Vick's federal dogfighting sentence is scheduled to end Monday and that is also when he will go back on trial -- facing a whole new series of judgments.

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, teams, fans and sponsors are among those who will weigh in on Vick's future.

First and foremost, Goodell must decide whether Vick's suspension will end and, if so, when -- allowing the former Atlanta Falcons quarterback a chance to play in the league again. Goodell is expected to act fairly quickly, so Vick and teams know his status for the coming season. Training camps for veterans start opening next weekend.

There has been communication between Vick's camp and the league about the process, although neither side is making substantive comments publicly about where things stand.

"As we said in 2007, when he was indefinitely suspended, Michael Vick's status will be reviewed following the conclusion of the legal proceedings," NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said.

RatBastich · « **Reply #1166 on:** July 19, 2009, 05:22:12 AM »

Romo says specialization can be bad

Associated Press

STATELINE, Nev. -- Tony Romo played all kinds of sports as a child, especially basketball, and figures he never would have become the Dallas Cowboys' quarterback if he had concentrated on just one sport as many youths do today.

"People sometimes today are predominantly putting their kids into one sport," said Romo, who held the first-round lead and now is tied for third entering Sunday's final round of the 20th annual American Century Celebrity Golf Championship at Lake Tahoe.

"Age 10, they're going to do one thing the rest of their life. I have a hard time with that because, shoot, I was like a basketball player as a kid. I would have just concentrated on one sport, soccer or something," he told reporters after shooting a 3-under-par 69 on Friday.

RatBastich · « **Reply #1167 on:** July 20, 2009, 01:03:04 AM »

T.O. hopes to reveal the real Owens

Associated Press

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- T.O. is the brash, mercurial athlete, a polarizing teammate for 13 NFL seasons. Terrell is the man, shy and sensitive by nature.

You've probably heard of one. Terrell Owens wants you to meet the other.

In an eight-episode reality series set to premiere Monday on the VH-1 cable network, Owens says he'll present a counter argument to critics who portray him as a one-dimensional showboat perhaps known as much for self-indulgent sideline eruptions and quarterback criticisms as for being one of the most prolific receivers of his generation.

RatBastich · « **Reply #1168 on:** July 20, 2009, 10:34:53 PM »

Childress: Favre's throwing motion OK

ESPN.com news services

MINNETONKA, Minn. -- Minnesota Vikings coach Brad Childress says he has watched video of quarterback Brett Favre throwing a football and his motion "looked fine" to him.

Childress spoke to reporters on Sunday at a charity event for former Vikings center Matt Birk. He told the Star Tribune of Minneapolis that he has not spoken to Favre in a couple of weeks.

The coach has watched video of Favre working out in Mississippi and says, "I liked his throwing motion, the little bit that I saw on tape."

Hall of Fame receiver Jerry Rice, however, is skeptical about Favre's latest potential comeback. In an interview with the Star Tribune, Rice said the move could "backfire" on the Vikings.

RatBastich · « **Reply #1169 on:** July 21, 2009, 08:50:26 PM »

Goodell won't say when he'll decide

Associated Press

NEW YORK -- NFL commissioner Roger Goodell isn't revealing when he'll decide whether to reinstate Michael Vick now that the former Atlanta Falcons quarterback has been released from federal custody.

"The process is ongoing, and I hope to make a decision sometime in the near future," Goodell said Tuesday, a day after Vick's home confinement ended.

He wouldn't define what "near future" means.

Vick served 23 months on a dogfighting conviction.

NFL training camps open for veterans next week. Goodell would not say when he'll meet with Vick.

"We're not going to give any details right now," he said after a news conference announcing singer Marc Anthony's involvement with the NFL.

The commissioner has said he wants to see remorse and evidence of change from the player he suspended indefinitely.

Even if Goodell reinstates Vick, the 29-year-old quarterback would still have to find a team willing to sign him.

RatBastich · « **Reply #1170 on:** July 22, 2009, 10:32:16 PM »

Goodell, Vick could meet this week

By Chris Mortensen and Sal Paolantonio
ESPN.com

While NFL commissioner Roger Goodell would not define Tuesday what "near future" meant in terms of a decision on suspended quarterback Michael Vick, sources say that a meeting with Vick could take place by Thursday or Friday, likely resulting in a conditional reinstatement next week.

Under a scenario involving conditional reinstatement, Goodell would reserve the right to extend or further define Vick's indefinite suspension but allow him to attend training camp if he is signed with an NFL team, sources said. A conclusive reinstatement, or additional suspension, for the 2009 season would be expected before Sept. 1, the first mandatory date for roster cuts.

The time and location of Goodell's meeting with Vick was still being finalized, sources said.

A league spokesman said the NFL will remain mum on specifics, other than what Goodell briefly addressed Tuesday when he told reporters he expected a decision in the "near future."

Another league source labeled a conditional reinstatement "smart speculation" but said Goodell could choose another option, especially if the commissioner does not feel his meeting with Vick is positively productive.

Goodell's decision could be made by Tuesday and he probably will not delay it beyond next week, barring new information being made available to him, a source said.

Vick's agent, Joel Segal, said, "Absolutely no comment."

NFL Players Association executive director DeMaurice Smith met with Vick on Tuesday night in the Washington, D.C., area, NFLPA assistant executive director George Attalah confirmed to ESPN. He said what was discussed "will remain confidential for now."

RatBastich · « **Reply #1171 on:** July 23, 2009, 08:27:35 PM »

Sources: Favre anguished over choice

By Ed Werder
ESPN.com

With Minnesota Vikings players scheduled to report to training camp in less than a week, Brett Favre remains anguished about whether he should come out of retirement and join the team. That decision, according to sources, has become more difficult in recent days because of the efforts of Vikings players including Adrian Peterson, Jared Allen and Steve Hutchinson, all of whom have now begun calling and texting Favre in an attempt to convince him to become Minnesota's starting quarterback.

"If it weren't for the involvement of the Vikings players directly telling Brett they want him on their team, I think he might have already decided against playing again,'' a source said.

A source said that Favre is beginning to feel a sense of obligation, not only to Vikings players but to a coaching staff that has been recruiting him since the moment the New York Jets released him in April. According to sources, Favre has been communicating regularly with Vikings head coach Brad Childress and offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell, who was Favre's offensive coordinator in Green Bay for three seasons.

RatBastich · « **Reply #1172 on:** July 23, 2009, 11:21:04 PM »

Draft to expand to three days

By John Clayton
ESPN.com

The audience for the NFL draft has been growing, and the league has responded by expanding the event from two to three days.

Commissioner Roger Goodell notified teams Thursday that the draft will be spread over three days in 2010, running Thursday, April 22, through Saturday, April 24.

In addition, the first round will start in prime time at 7:30 p.m. ET.

"We continue to look for ways to make the draft more accessible to more fans," Goodell said in a statement. "Moving the first round to prime time on Thursday night will make the first round of the draft available to fans on what is typically the most-watched night of television."

ESPN and the NFL Network will televise the entire show.

The second and third rounds will start at 6:30 p.m. ET on April 23.

Rounds 4 through 7 will be on April 24, starting at 10 a.m. ET.

More than 39 million watched the draft during the 2009 two-day broadcast.

From 1988 to 1994, the NFL held its draft on Sunday-Monday two-day blocks. From 1995 to 2009, the league made it a Saturday-Sunday event.

RatBastich · « **Reply #1173 on:** July 24, 2009, 04:49:40 PM »

Sources: Vick can sign, may sit 4 games

ESPN.com news services

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell may be close to reaching a decision on Michael Vick, NFL sources told ESPN.

League sources told ESPN's Sal Paolantonio and Chris Mortensen Thursday that sometime next week Goodell is expected to announce a conditional reinstatement of Vick, which would allow Vick to go to training camp if he signed with a team but that could also include a four-game suspension.

"Can we suspend him in basically double jeopardy?" asked the league source. "That's the question."

Goodell had already given Vick an indefinite suspension that ran concurrent with the 23-month federal prison sentence and home confinement stemming from Vick's role in an illegal dogfighting ring.

According to a source close to Vick, the former Falcons quarterback is hoping to receive no additional punishment. A four-game suspension would likely inhibit his ability to catch on with an NFL team. No teams have expressed interest in bringing Vick in for a tryout as of yet.

RatBastich · « **Reply #1174 on:** July 24, 2009, 08:55:55 PM »

McDermott takes over for Johnson

Associated Press

PHILADELPHIA -- Sean McDermott has replaced Jim Johnson as the Philadelphia Eagles defensive coordinator, two days before the team opens training camp.

The 68-year-old Johnson took an indefinite leave of absence in May to continue treatment for a cancerous tumor on his spine. It's uncertain whether he'll return to the team in any capacity.

"First and foremost, our thoughts and prayers are with Jim Johnson and his family as they battle through this difficult time in his cancer treatments," Eagles coach Andy Reid said Friday. "I have been in constant communication with Jim and his wife throughout this offseason and they are thankful for all the support they have received from the Eagles organization, the fans and the entire NFL community."

McDermott, 35, will be introduced at a news conference Saturday afternoon. He ran the defense in Johnson's absence after serving as secondary coach last year.

McDermott originally joined the Eagles in 1998 as a scouting administrative coordinator, and has served in various roles as an assistant on the defensive staff.

"We have full confidence he can continue to lead this defense in his new role," Reid said. "He showed great command and presence in the offseason camps and has had an opportunity to learn from the best in the business. He's very smart, works very hard, and has a good rapport with the players and the assistant coaches. He's ready for this and I'm confident he'll do a great job."

McDermott has big shoes to fill. Johnson is widely regarded as one of the top defensive masterminds in the game. He's known for his aggressive, attacking style and his defenses have played a major role in the team's success over the last decade.

Last year, the Eagles finished third in total defense and fourth in points allowed. They advanced to the NFC title game for the fifth time in 10 seasons.

Johnson spent two seasons in the NFL as a player with the Buffalo Bills in 1963 and 1964. He began his coaching career at Missouri Southern in 1967, and was the secondary coach at Notre Dame when the Fighting Irish won the national championship in 1977.

Johnson spent the last 23 seasons coaching in the NFL, including 10 years as Philadelphia's defensive coordinator.

RatBastich · « **Reply #1175 on:** July 25, 2009, 11:01:29 PM »

Source: Steelers, No. 1 pick Hood agree

By John Clayton
ESPN.com

The Pittsburgh Steelers reached an agreement in principle Saturday on a five-year deal with first-round choice Evander "Ziggy" Hood, the 32nd pick in the NFL draft, according to a source.

Terms of the deal were not available, but Hood, a defensive end out of Missouri, became the fourth first-rounder to come to a contract agreement.

The Browns signed center Alex Mack to a five-year deal Friday. Quarterbacks Matthew Stafford (Detroit) and Mark Sanchez (New York Jets) are also under contract.

The Steelers have signed all nine of their draft choices.

Hood, 6-foot-4, 300-pounds, will sign the contract later in the week. Hood could also be used in the future at nose tackle.

RatBastich · « **Reply #1176 on:** July 26, 2009, 06:17:48 AM »

McDermott vows to 'blitz and blitz again'

Associated Press

PHILADELPHIA -- New Philadelphia Eagles defensive coordinator Sean McDermott has learned too much from Jim Johnson -- in life and football -- to discuss in one news conference.

"What haven't I learned from Jim?" McDermott said Saturday upon being introduced as Johnson's replacement. "I don't think it would be fair to Jim, in this setting, to try and limit in one statement, one press conference, the effect that Jim has had on my life."

After spending the last eight seasons as a defensive assistant under Johnson, McDermott on Friday was named to succeed his mentor.

RatBastich · « **Reply #1177 on:** July 26, 2009, 09:52:53 PM »

Broncos reach deal with CB Smith

By John Clayton
ESPN.com

The Denver Broncos reached a four-year agreement with cornerback Alphonso Smith Sunday, his agent Drew Rosenhaus announced Sunday.

Terms of the four-year deal weren't available. Smith, the 37th pick in the draft, became the highest second-round pick to reach an agreement. The Broncos traded their No. 1 pick in the 2010 draft to the Seattle Seahawks to acquire Smith's rights.

This agreement brings the numbers of second-round deals to 11. Earlier Sunday, the Browns reached a four-year deal with defensive end David Veikune, the 52nd pick in the draft.

Smith, 23, could be the team's third cornerback this season and eventually might challenge for a starting job.

The Broncos' rookies are scheduled to report to training camp on Monday.

RatBastich · « **Reply #1178 on:** July 27, 2009, 03:23:07 AM »

Unsigned Maclin a no-show at camp

Associated Press

BETHLEHEM, Pa. -- Philadelphia Eagles top draft pick Jeremy Maclin remains unsigned and was a no-show on the first day of training camp.

Maclin was selected with the 19th overall pick in the draft. The Eagles traded up two spots to take the receiver out of Missouri.

The deadline for rookies and selected veterans to report to camp at Lehigh University was 6:30 p.m. Sunday.

Eagles coach Andy Reid says the team is close with Maclin in a "couple of areas" and needs to get closer in others.

Reid also said running back Brian Westbrook isn't expected to return to the team until next month after undergoing ankle surgery June 5.

Defensive end Victor Abiamiri isn't expected back until mid-August because of an injured pectoral muscle.

RatBastich · « **Reply #1179 on:** July 27, 2009, 07:47:32 PM »

Source: Marshall arrives at camp

By Bill Williamson
ESPN.com

Disgruntled Pro Bowl receiver Brandon Marshall lived up to his word Monday by arriving for the start of the Denver Broncos training camp, a team source said.

Marshall's arrival was first reported by Fox31 in Denver.

Marshall, who had previously asked the Broncos for a trade, said earlier this month at the ESPYs that he would attend training camp because he was under contract. Monday was the reporting date in Denver for rookies and select veterans, including those coming off injuries. Marshall had hip surgery in March.

Denver's full squad starts camp Friday.

While his arrival may not necessarily mean he no longer wants to be traded, it is a sign that Marshall, who can be a free agent next year, plans to play in Denver despite his request. He situation will likely be addressed by the team, and perhaps him, after Monday afternoon's practice.

Marshall, who is entering his fourth NFL season, has developed into one of the better receivers in the league. He has had back-to-back 100-catch seasons and made his first Pro Bowl in 2008. Marshall's career has been hampered by several off-field issues and injuries. He was suspended by the league for one game last season for violating its personal-conduct policy.

Marshall asked to be traded because he wanted a raise and because he had medical trust issues with the team.