Listening to Williams can cause headaches

Source: NFL Nation

Warning: Trying to understand retired Ravens running back Ricky Williams' train of thought can lead to headaches; or at the very least, a great deal of confusion. Just listen to Williams' reasoning on why he believes there is a link between concussions and brain damage. "I don't buy it," Williams told ESPN's Dan Le Batard on Tuesday. “I'm only speaking from my personal experience, because I've never allowed myself to buy it, and I haven't been affected by it.

Pressure point: Panthers

Source: NFL Nation

Examining who faces the most challenging season for the Panthers and why. There probably isn’t a defensive coordinator in the league who has faced more criticism than Sean McDermott the past two seasons. He was fired by Philadelphia after the 2010 season, and his defense was dismal in his first season in Carolina. McDermott got a bit of a pass because Carolina had a bunch of injuries on defense, it was the first year for a new coaching staff and rookie quarterback Cam Newton and a suddenly explosive offense gave fans a nice distraction.

Colt McCoy says he’s working harder than ever

Source: ProFootballTalk by Josh Alper

Colt McCoy doesn’t sound like he’s ready to cede his starting quarterback job to Brandon Weeden just yet. Outside of a report that the Browns told McCoy that they wouldn’t draft a quarterback in the first round, a report the Browns denied, we haven’t heard anything from McCoy about the team’s decision to draft Weeden.…

49ers, Redskins Latest NFL Teams To Say No to HBO Hard Knocks

Source: The PigskinReport.com by Rob Kelley

Add the San Francisco 49ers and Washington Redskins to the list of NFL teams who will not be appearing on the upcoming season of the HBO sports series Hard Knocks. They join the likes of the New York Jets, Atlanta Falcons and Denver Broncos as NFL teams who have come out and stated that they have no interest in appearing in the documentary this year.

That means that we will not be seeing Randy Moss with his new team. Nor will we see Robert Griffin III making his NFL debut. We also won’t get to see Peyton Manning starting out with his new Broncos teammates, Tim Tebow cringing when Rex Ryan curses out the entire Jets’ team or Roddy White running his mouth about everything under the sun with the Falcons.

What are we going to be left with if so many teams have already declined the Hard Knocks offer?

Sadly, we may be stuck with the Jacksonville Jaguars. Quick – name a Jaguars player other than Maurice Jones-Drew, Blaine Gabbert or newly drafted Justin Blackmon. Did you do it? Were you able to name one without looking it up? If you said yes, you are most likely lying. Or a die-hard Jaguars fan.

As if any of them really exist.

It is a shame about some of the teams who have turned down the opportunity to be featured on the show. I understand why some have said no, as it does prevent you from possibly being yourself and keeping all of the players focused. But it is also a great way to help with media relations and get the word out to people who may not necessarily have been fans before, but could become so after watching certain players and teams.

While many people would have loved to see the Jets and Tebow, I am not all that upset they are not going to be featured. While they can be entertaining, we get enough of Tebow shoved down out throats already. I was actually most hopeful of seeing a Harbaugh brothers duel, with HBO splitting the series between the 49ers and Baltimore Ravens. But that isn’t happening either.

So, get used to Gabbert missing his targets while Chad Henne threatens to take his job. Watch as MJD sits at home on the phone waiting for a new contract. Get ready to watch Mike Mularkey fail in yet another head coaching position with a bad team.

While there is no guarantee that the Jaguars will be on Hard Knocks, by process of elimination, it appears destined to take place.

Deion Sanders ordered to pay $10,500 in monthly child support

Source: The National Football Post by Brad Biggs

Public divorce case drags on

Agent: Bell to sign within 24 hours

Source: The National Football Post by Terry McCormick

Former Dolphins safety apparently choosing between four teams.

Stephon Gilmore signs with Bills

Source: NFL.com by NFL.com

The Bills signed their first-round draft pick on Thursday, South Carolina cornerback Stephon Gilmore, the team announced in a release.

Belichick still rules the roost, from a money standpoint

Source: ProFootballTalk by Mike Florio

Yeah, it’s been eight years and counting since he won a Super Bowl.  But the man who managed to hold a championship team together long enough to win three titles in four years in part by convincing players to take less is getting more than any other coach in any other sport. According to Forbes,…

Kirk Cousins: If I’m good, I’ll get an opportunity to play

Source: ProFootballTalk by Michael David Smith

Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins is in the unfortunate position of being drafted by a team that tells him he has no opportunity to earn a starting job, because that job is going to someone who was drafted 100 picks before him, Robert Griffin III. But Cousins says he still believes he’ll play. “The cream always…

Cowboys G Mackenzy Bernadeau could miss 12 weeks

Source: The National Football Post by Brad Biggs

Free-agent addition recovering from hip surgery

Video emerges on eve of Rolando McClain trial

Source: NFL.com by Rosenthal, Gregg

Raiders linebacker Rolando McClain's defense might have taken a hit on the eve of his Alabama trial for an assault charge. A video has been obtained allegedly showing McClain taking part in the reported assault.

Pressure point: Falcons

Source: NFL Nation

Examining who faces the most challenging season for the Atlanta Falcons and why. From ownership, through the front office and coaching staff and into every corner of the locker room, the Falcons firmly believe Matt Ryan has everything it takes to be an elite quarterback. He’s a natural leader, works as hard as anyone and has won a lot of games during his first four seasons. The problem is every one of those wins has come in the regular season.

Rolando McClain allegedly in video of Alabama assault

Source: NFL.com by Rosenthal, Gregg

Raiders linebacker Rolando McClain's defense might have taken a hit on the eve of his Alabama trial for an assault charge. A video has been obtained allegedly showing McClain taking part in the reported assault.

Mara says Coughlin contract 'will be done sooner rather than later'

Source: The National Football Post by Brad Biggs

Giants coach received Super Bowl ring

Matthew Stafford says Lions better in 2012

Source: NFL.com by NFL.com

The Lions accomplished a lot in 2012 -- making the playoffs for the first time since the Clinton Administration. But Matthew Stafford likes what the team has done this offseason, and thinks Detroit is better for it.

Jed York says 49ers won't be on 'Hard Knocks'

Source: NFL.com by Rosenthal, Gregg

The process of elimination continues as we search for this year's team for HBO's "Hard Knocks". Owner Jed York said Wednesday night that the 49ers won't be on the show, joining the Jets, Falcons and Redskins.

Thursday morning one-liners

Source: ProFootballTalk by Evan Silva

The Patriots have signed rookie WR Jeremy Ebert. Jets OL Vladimir Ducasse is practicing strictly at right tackle. Bengals QB Andy Dalton is getting stronger this spring. The College Football Hall of Fame has added an ex-Steeler. Colts RB Delone Carter is recovering from thumb surgery. Jaguars rookie Justin Blackmon is practicing at Z receiver…

Tom DePaso is named new general counsel for NFLPA

Source: NFL.com by NFL.com

Tom DePaso has been named general counsel for the NFL Players Association, replacing the retired Richard Berthelsen, the union announced Wednesday.

Junior Seau’s restaurant closes

Source: ProFootballTalk by Michael David Smith

The San Diego restaurant that Junior Seau owned is going out of business. Trustees of Seau’s estate announced the decision to close Seau’s The Restaurant on Wednesday, two weeks after Seau committed suicide. The trustees said the restaurant’s ability to be profitable without Seau’s leadership was in question. Seau’s described itself as the largest sports…

QB Andrew Luck absent from Colts OTAs

Source: The PigskinReport.com by Eric Schmidt

The Indianapolis Colts selected Stanford QB Andrew Luck with the first overall selection in the 2012 NFL Draft but as the Colts opened their rookie OTA, Luck was absent. Luck is currently back at Stanford, finishing up two college classes. Luck is finishing up his degree in architectural design.

According to Colts head coach Chuck Pagano, Luck is working out on the Stanford campus in the mornings before his classes start. “He does football in the morning. I just talked to him last night, and it’s killing him not to be here”, said Pagano. Since Luck will not be attending the team’s rookie camp, he is prohibited from attending any camp until his classes wrap up. Luck’s classes conclude on June 7 and he has informed the team that he will be joining the team the next day in time to attend the team’s mandatory minicamp which opens on June 12.

Head coach Chuck Pagano did not seem thrilled about Luck’s absence while speaking to reporters.

“For him to be here, taking snaps, building chemistry, the timing with the offense, timing with receivers, all those kind of things..it’s days lost. It’s like money you never get back. It’d be awesome to have him here, but we’re going to make do” said Pagano.

 

 

Matt Bahr recalls the days when NFL doctors laughed off concussions

Source: ProFootballTalk by Michael David Smith

We noted this week that some old teammates of former Giants kicker Matt Bahr said the biggest field goal of his career came while he was playing through concussion symptoms. Now Bahr has weighed in on that, saying that when he played in the 1980s and 1990s, no one took concussions seriously. Bahr told the…

Revis has high praise for Tebow

Source: The National Football Post by Terry McCormick

Calls his new Jets teammate 'a born leader.'

Mara says Coughlin extension is coming

Source: ProFootballTalk by Mike Florio

The last time Giants coach Tom Coughlin led the franchise to a Super Bowl win, he had a new contract by early March.  This time around, a new deal has not yet arrived, even though it’s more than two months since five minutes before the moment he got his last one. Still, the contract is…

N.F.L. Living History: Ace Parker at 100

Source: N.Y. Times by By ANDY BARALL

Pro football's oldest living player turns 100 on Thursday. He was also one of the game's best players.

DePaso becomes NFLPA general counsel

Source: ProFootballTalk by Mike Florio

With Richard Berthelsen retiring from the NFLPA following 40 years of service to the league’s players, the union needed a new general counsel. It didn’t have to look far. Tom DePaso, who joined the NFLPA 28 years ago, replaces Berthelsen as the union’s top in-house lawyer. “The players of the NFL knew they had an…

Trent Richardson says he won’t change his running style in the NFL

Source: ProFootballTalk by Michael David Smith

Running backs can wear down quickly in the NFL, but the most talented running back to enter the league in years says he can’t let that fact change his physical running style. Browns rookie Trent Richardson said on NFL Network’s Total Access that he won’t avoid contact and will continue to run through tackles, and…

Patriots Bill Belichick the highest paid professional coach

Source: The PigskinReport.com by Eric Schmidt

New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick has three Super Bowl victories and an impressive 64% winning percentage to his name, he now can add another accolade to his resume. Bill Belichick is the highest paid coach in professional sports today according to Forbes magazine. The NFL is a $9 billion dollar a year business, so it makes sense that making the list of the Top-10 highest paid coaches, many would be NFL coaches. In fact, eight of the top ten are in the NFL.

Belichick tops the Forbes list, raking in $7.5 million per year. While his 64% winning percentage is impressive, it’s not tops in this list. The coaches ranking two through five all earn the same amount of money, $7 million annually, so it’s difficult to determine exactly how the magazine ranked one of them above the others.

2-Mike Shanahan, Washington Redskins. Shanahan holds a career winning percentage of nearly 57% but his recent stint with the Redskins has not been as successful, posting an 11-21 record in two seasons. The future is looking up for Washington however with the addition of Robert Griffin III.

3-“Doc” Rivers, Boston Celtics. The only coach from another sport other than the NFL which made it into the top ten.

4- Jeff Fisher, St. Louis Rams. Fisher took a year off from the NFL in 2011 after being released by the Tennessee Titans. He looks to turn around a Rams team which has posted a dismal 15-65 overall record in the last five seasons.

5-Pete Carroll, Seattle Seahawks. Carroll is the only coach on the list which has an overall career winning percentage below .500. His NFL career caching record is 47-49.

The next two coaches weigh in with a six million dollar annual salary.

6- Gregg Popovich, San Antonio Spurs. Popovich has the most career titles on the list, coming in with four championships.

7- Lovie Smith, Chicago Bears. Smith has led the Bears to one Super Bowl.

The next two coaches earn $5.75 million a year.

8-Ken Whisenhunt, Arizona Cardinals. Whisenhunt led the Cardinals to a Super Bowl and has the second lowest winning percentage on the list. He holds a 40-40 overall record.

9-Mike Tomlin, Pittsburgh Steelers. Tomlin has one Super Bowl victory but also possesses the highest winning percentage of any coach in the Top-10 at .688

10-Andy Reid, Philadelphia Eagles. Reid rounds out the Forbes list with an annual salary of $5.5 million per year. He holds the distinction of being the longest tenured head coach in the NFL, a title which Jeff Fisher had held prior to his departure from the Tennessee Titans.

A realistic assessment of Brady’s career duration

Source: ProFootballTalk by Mike Florio

Our corporate cousin and good friend Tom Curran of CSNNE.com joined PFT Live on Wednesday to discuss a wide range of Patriots-related topics. The obvious starting point and biggest story surrounding the team at this point relates to the return of Wes Welker, who has signed his franchise tender.  Curran gives his view on why…

Matt Bahr's Story of Kicking and Concussions

Source: N.Y. Times by By GREG HANLON

Matt Bahr was suffering the after-effects of a severe concussion when he kicked the game-winning field goal that sent the Giants to the Super Bowl in 1990.

Terrell Owens works out with Oakland Raiders receivers, a reunion with Carson Palmer possible?

Source: The PigskinReport.com by Eric Schmidt

Veteran free agent wide receiver Terrell Owens showed up at a Oakland Raiders workout two days ago, is a reunion with QB Carson Palmer in the cards? Perhaps. Oakland could use a veteran presence on a roster filled with fleet-footed but inexperienced receivers. The youthful receiving corps came away impressed according to QB Carson Palmer.

“It was great for them. It was our fourth or fifth day in a row of throwing and they were tired and soreand for them to see another guy, that’s not on a team, that’s grinding…I think it was a little bit of an eye-opener for them, like,’All right, he’s what, 50? 40? 30?’ I don’t know. To see him work the way he was working, I think it gave him appreciation for what it means to be fourth, fifth, third all-time leading guy” Palmer told reporters.

Owens made news last week after his appearance on the Dr. Phil television show where he was pummeled by the host regarding his responsibilities as a parent. The receiver sat out of the NFL last season after rehabbing a knee injury suffered prior to the start of the 2011 season.

Oakland currently has 13 receivers on their roster but no receiver has more than four years of NFL experience. Another veteran receiver has expressed interest in the Raiders organization, free agent WR Plaxico Burress. Last week during an appearance on NFL Radio with Adam Schein and Rich Gannon, Burress told the hosts that he’d love to play for the Raiders. He agreed with the hosts that the Miami Dolphins or Carolina Panthers wouldn’t be off the radar either.

Palmer dismissed the idea that the team needs to add a veteran receiver however adding, “I love the guys we have. I don’t know where the spots are to be had. You can only carry so many receivers..training camp, at that position is going to be really interesting because there’s a lot of guys. There’s too many guys.”

USFL taps another former NFL player for board position

Source: The PigskinReport.com by Eric Schmidt

The new USFL is planning a return in March 2013 but this version of the league will be much different than the last. USFL President and CEO Jamie Cuadra is surrounding himself with persons with experience in the NFL in order to establish a solid network of executives around him. Former Oakland Raiders and Hall of Famer WR Fred Biletnikoff is currently serving as Vice President of football operations and the league has just reached out to another former NFL player, QB Jeff Garcia.

Garcia retired from the NFL in 2011, finishing the season with the Houston Texans. His career started in 1994 with the Calgary Stampeders and he broke into the NFL in 1999 with the San Francisco 49ers. During his career, he played for the Cleveland Browns, Detroit Lions, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and joined the Philadelphia Eagles twice. He threw for over 25,000 yards in his NFL career.

Garcia currently owns Beyond Wealth Sports, a company which represents professional athletes during their careers and prepares them for life after their careers are over.

According to a USFL press release-

“Jeff’s extensive background and networks with professional football players will undoubtedly help carry out the USFL’s mission of helping our players live successfully and responsibly as positive players on and off the field.”

The current plan is for the USFL to launch in March of 2013 and playing their season from March through June. The league envisions itself as a ‘minor league’ system for the NFL. The league is currently scouting cities in which to place their teams, looking for markets which currently have no NFL or MLB teams placed in them.

 

 

Drew Brees frustrated with New Orleans Saints, lack of a new deal

Source: The PigskinReport.com by Eric Schmidt

The clock is ticking. The NFL calender shows that there is just under a month to go until players must sign their tender offers. QB Drew Brees has said that he doesn’t plan on signing his franchise tag and wants a new contract from the New Orleans Saints. It appears however that the two sides remain far apart and Brees is becoming frustrated with the entire situation.

Speaking to WWL radio in New Orleans on Wednesday, Brees voiced his frustration. “It’s been extremely frustrating for me. I don’t think the negotiations should have been this difficult. What’s been a little frustrating on my end, or disappointing, is the lack of communication. We’ve reached out on quite a few occasions and at times I know I’ve been frustrated with the lack of response.”

“There should be a sense of urgency, and there’s not,” Brees stated. Exactly what is the Saints front office thinking? Owner Tom Benson had no problem purchasing a NBA franchise this Spring, why can’t he come up with a few extra million dollars for his record-setting quarterback.

In what has become one of the most chaotic offseasons for a NFL franchise in league history, the Saints could be setting themselves up for a public relations disaster. The hardcore Saints fanbase has rallied around the team regarding the Bounty-gate issue with an ‘us versus them’ mentality regarding the NFL. However, if Drew Brees holds out and starts missing game, that team loyalty will quickly evaporate. Start the season with Sean Canfield or Travaris Cadet under center? How does that sound to Saints fans?

It is going to be important for Brees to attend camp more than ever this season. Head coach Sean Payton will miss the season while serving his suspension and the team is going to be led by basically two coaches splitting the duties during the season with intrim head coach Hoe Vitt serving his suspension to start the season.

Brees knows this but eluded to the fact he is prepared to sit if no new contract is offered.

“If that means missing OTAs, minicamp, training camp, I will be as ready as can possibly be. There is no way you can simulate those things anywhere else than being on the field with your team, but I have a plan, so I’ll execute that plan as I need to.”

I cannot understand the lack of action on the part of the Saints front office. Brees played out his entire contract and had a record setting season. Brees helped to deliver the franchise’s first ever Super Bowl title. He is playing the best football of his career. Brees has become an iconic figure in the local community. New Orleans owner Tom Benson and the team’s front office are really playing with fire regarding this issue.

Would the Saints bring in Donovan McNabb for a workout as an emergency backup plan in case Brees holds out?

 

 

Police recover bicycle stolen from Junior Seau's garage

Source: NFL.com by Associated Press

A bicycle stolen from Junior Seau's Oceanside home days after the former NFL star's suicide has been recovered, police said.

Brees critical of Saints in radio interview (Yahoo! Sports)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

NEW ORLEANS (AP) Drew Brees says he's frustrated by a lack of communication with the New Orleans Saints in his ongoing contract negotiations and believes the club should show more urgency to get a long-term deal done.

Brees frustrated by Saints' lack of communication

Source: SI.com

NEW ORLEANS (AP) -- Drew Brees says he's frustrated by a lack of communication with the New Orleans Saints in his ongoing contract negotiations and believes the club should show more urgency to get a long-term deal done.

Joe Montana’s son transfers to West Virginia Wesleyan

Source: ProFootballTalk by Mike Florio

My home state of West Virginia is filling up with the immediate family members of Hall of Fame quarterbacks. The brother of future Hall of Famer Brett Favre already is working for a casino in the northern tip of the state.  Now, the son of Hall of Famer Joe Montana will transfer to West Virginia…

Ravens, Eagles should tread lightly when taking pay from Suggs, Peters

Source: ProFootballTalk by Mike Florio

ESPN made a big splash today with a concept that was first articulated here 12 days ago, the day after word emerged that Ravens linebacker Terrell Suggs tore an Achilles tendon. As we explained on May 4:  “If a player suffers any injury while doing anything away from the supervision of the team, the condition…

NFL32: Sophomore slump for Newton?

Source: NFL Nation

The crew debates if Cam Newton will have a sophomore slump, Mark Schlereth has the Colts should use Big Ben as the model for developing Andrew Luck, and who is the best offensive lineman in the NFL?

Bike stolen from Seau’s home recovered

Source: ProFootballTalk by Mike Florio

Last night, a disturbing report emerged that a burglary occurred at linebacker Junior Seau’s home only five days after he died there.  The good news, if there is any, is that police have recovered the $500 bike stolen from the garage. The bicycle, which belongs to a friend of Seau’s, was found in the possession…

Junior Seau's restaurant closing in wake of ex-Charger's death

Source: NFL.com by Associated Press

A San Diego restaurant opened by Junior Seau in 1996 has closed its doors two weeks after the NFL star's suicide. Trustees of Seau's estate say they made the decision to close Seau's The Restaurant in Mission Valley on Wednesday.

Eli Manning, Giants get latest Super Bowl rings (Yahoo! Sports)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

NEW YORK (AP) Like a little kid with a brand new toy, Eli Manning couldn't wait.

Fitzpatrick fine with Young as backup

Source: The National Football Post by Terry McCormick

Quarterback says GM Nix told him he is the unquestioned starter.

Junior Seau's San Diego-area restaurant closes (Yahoo! Sports)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

SAN DIEGO (AP) A San Diego restaurant opened by Junior Seau in 1996 has closed its doors two weeks after the NFL star's suicide.

Bicycle stolen from Junior Seau's garage recovered (Yahoo! Sports)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

OCEANSIDE, Calif. (AP) Police say a bicycle stolen from Junior Seau's Oceanside home days after the former NFL star's suicide has been recovered.

Brees frustrated with contract talks, report says

Source: SI.com

After 16 years, Seau's restaurant closing doors

Source: SI.com

SAN DIEGO (AP) -- A San Diego restaurant opened by Junior Seau in 1996 has closed its doors two weeks after the NFL star's suicide.

Police: Seau's garage burglarized just after death

Source: SI.com

OCEANSIDE, Calif. (AP) -- Police say a thief burglarized the garage of Junior Seau's Oceanside, Calif., home days after the former NFL star's suicide.