Archive for the ‘NFL News’ Category
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3
Sep
2010
Shocker: Roethlisberger suspension reduced to 4 games
Ben Roelisberger will hopefully avoid the local nightlife during his suspension
Well, this isn’t really surprising, but today, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell reduced Ben Roethlisberger’s six-game suspension to four games.
As we all know by now, Roethlisberger was suspended earlier this year after being accused of sexual assaulting a college student in Milledgeville, Georgia on March 5th. Although no charges were filed, Goodell elected to suspend Big Ben for violating the league’s personal conduct policy. But the Pittsburgh QB met with Goodell early this morning, when he learned he would be able to return to the team on October 17th, when the Steelers face the Cleveland Browns. During his suspension, Roethlisberger will not be allowed to visit the team facility or have any contact with Steelers coaches or personnel.
But don’t think Roethlisberger is completely off the hook. From NFL.com:
The league said the “reinstatement is contingent on Roethlisberger continuing to adhere to the program established by our advisors and avoiding any further violations of the personal conduct policy.”
“You have told me and the Steelers that you are committed to making better decisions,” Goodell said in a letter to Roethlisberger. “Your actions over the past several months have been consistent with that promise and you must continue to honor that commitment.
So that basically means Ben needs to stay away from bars, and keep it in his pants for the next six weeks. Let’s see if the big guy can make it happen!
26
Aug
2010
VIDEO: Jets hogtie rookie Brian Jackson and shower him with love
This clip is from last night’s episode of Hard Knocks, where the Jets veterans decided that DB Brian Jackson needed an attitude adjustment, after mouthing off to coaches and not grasping the playbook. Watch as Kris Jenkins, Jason Taylor, Antonio Cromartie and others hogtie the undrafted rookie to a goalpoast and shower him with icy hot, gatorade, talc, and an assortment of other fluids, then leave him to rot in the sun for a while and think about what he did wrong:
At least Jackson seemed to be a good sport about it.
19
Aug
2010
VIDEO: LaGarrette Blount still punchy in the NFL
Falcon Punch!!! (Image: ESPN.com)
You probably remember Titants rookie RB LeGarrette Blount from the above image, when Blount punched a helmet-less Idaho State player after a game last season, resulting in his suspension from the team. Most NFL teams remembered it too, as Blount went undrafted out of Oregon due to attitude concerns. But Blount was signed as a FA by Tennessee, hoping that he would be able to put his troubled past behind him.
Well, it looks like you can take the kid out of Oregon, but you can’t take the fight out of the kid. At least, when the kid in question is LeGarrette Blount. On Wendesday, Blount took a swing at Titans defensive end Eric Bakhtiari at the end of practice, after having his own helmet ripped off by the defense and both units getting chippy with each other throughout the session.
Watch as Blount – who is ironically not wearing his own helmet this time around – unleashes his now patented Falcon Punch on Bahktiari, who was wearing a helmet (around the :20 mark):
Blount immediately apologized to head coach Jeff Fisher after the incident, saying he promised to “put it behind him”. He also claimed that the defense had been consistently egging him during practice on by pulling off his helmet before he snapped. Fisher not only accepted Blount’s apology, but went further in defending his rookie RB:
“I am not disappointed whatsoever,’’ Fisher said of Blount, who’d miss practices on Monday and Tuesday following the death of his grandmother. “His past is his past. Is that the first punch you’ve seen at camp this year? No. OK. I am not disappointed whatsoever. I have great confidence in the young man that he has learned from his mistake and is very competitive.’’
All I know is if Blount ever squares off against me, I’m covering up. This guy has a vicious right hand, and if Blount doesn’t make it in the NFL, I’m sure the MMA will have a home for him.
18
Aug
2010
VIDEO: New Dallas Cowboys fight song
This video comes to us from Mathias, a 50-year-old Dallas Cowboy fan from southern California, who decided it was time that the Cowboys got themselves a new fight song.
Apparently Mathias is not a fan of shirts, haircuts or melody, but that’s neither here nor there. It’s about the lyrics, and the sheer passion oozing from his pores:
WHOOOO!!! I am FIRED UP! Shoulder SMACK!!!
Note to Jerry Jones: pipe this song through the sound system at Cowboys Stadium, and you’re sure to go undefeated this year. No doubt about it.
16
Aug
2010
Giants/Jets set to christen the New Meadowlands Stadium
(Photo by Lori Van Buren / Times Union)
Tonight’s Giants/Jets pre-season clash marks the NFL debut of the New Meadowlands Stadium, which is still inexplicably being shared by 2 teams in the world’s largest sports market. And while the stadium has yet to sell naming rights to the highest bidder, the fact that it’s no longer called “Giants Stadium” should certainly help the Jets shed their image of second-fiddle team in their own home town. But more than anything, winning will determine that.
In just a few hours, the teams will fight it out for bragging rights in their new digs (well, as much as you can after pulling the starters midway through the 2nd quarter, anyway). While the stadium has been used for a few concerts and sporting events, this will the be the first time rowdy Giants and Jets fans will get to kick the tires on the new $1.6 billion building., which features 82,500 seats, four’ 40×130′ HD video screens, and separate home locker rooms for each of the tenant clubs.
Video screens are located in each corner of the stadium ... noticeably not looming above the field (Photo by Lori Van Buren / Times Union)
There have been some early complaints about the leg room in the new seats, obstructed views, as well as an overall gray/drab feeling about the building to go with the exorbitant PSL price tags. But tonight, the New Meadowlands will be lit up in Jets green (since they are the home team for this game), and we’ll get a taste of what a real gameday will feel like. ESPN’s Lomas Brown and Jon Ritchie took a walk around the stadium to give a preview of what fans can expect:
VIDEO AFTER THE JUMP Read the rest of this entry »
12
Aug
2010
HBO Hard Knocks: New York Jets, Episode 1
(Photo: Photo: Al Pereira/Getty Images via NYMag.com
Last night, HBO premiered the first episode of this season’s edition of Hard Knocks featuring Rex Ryan and the New York Jets. I took the time to jot down my thoughts during the episode, which I’ve distilled below.
Essentially, this episode was about two things: Rex and Revis. Rex Ryan took center stage as expected and did not disappoint (especially in the cursing department), and Darrelle Revis was the central focus of the episode, despite (or more correctly, because of) his absence from camp.
The fine folks at JetTwit did a much better job breaking down last night’s episode than I ever could, but here are my running thoughts, in case anyone cares:
- If this show were about my favorite team, this intro would get me seriously physically aroused. I think I’m ready for football to start
- Cortland, NY is an awful town … as an alumnus of their rival Ithaca Bombers, I had the displeasure of visiting this beacon of crapitude several times during my college career, and this is not a place you want to spend your summers. But HBO managed to make it look better in 2 minutes of b-roll footage than it ever did during my time there. But I may be biased.
- It’s obvious that the Revis holdout will be big storyline. It must be maddening to have everyone asking about one player when you’re trying to lead a group of 60+ other guys who are all there to do their job
- Rex Ryan doesn’t look to have started shedding much weight yet from the lap band surgery.
- Here’s video of Rex’s opening speech to his players. His goals for the team – all 3 units – is to lead the league in wins. Radical strategy, there. But he’s definitely someone you’d want to play for. Rex is so oddly charismatic, but boy, he sure does say “fuck” a lot (and I mean a LOT – video NSFW for language):
- Rex wears black Chuck Taylors on the first day of camp … apparently this is his thing. And it elicits the “sexy Rexy” chant from a few male Jets fans, and he likes it. Read the rest of this entry »
8
Aug
2010
Tim Tebow gets a super new haircut
It’s nice to see that even the great Tim Tebow isn’t above the rookie hazing process. Broncos new RB LenDale White posted this photo of the sweet new haircut they gave the rookie to his Twitter account:
(Image via LenDale White's Twitter)
Ah, the good ol’ Friar Tuck … a classic. Well played, Broncos vets.
4
Aug
2010
Brett Favre supposedly retiring again (insert dismissive wanking motion)
UPDATE: Aug 4, 2010 @ 13:10pm
This is probably the last time we’re going to post about this guy until the season starts. Given the media’s hard-on for any sort of Favre-related news, we’re going to be subjected to this kind of random speculation for at least the next month. And we’re just not going to ride that ride again.
So here’s the latest (and last from us), via ESPN.com:
Brett Favre told ESPN’s Ed Werder in Hattiesburg, Miss., on Wednesday that he has not made any decision about returning to play for the Minnesota Vikings this season and says he will play if healthy.
Favre’s agent, Bus Cook, said in a statement to the NFL Network on Wednesday that the quarterback has an appointment with Dr. James Andrews next week and will know more at that time. Andrews performed surgery on Favre’s ankle in May.
If you’re looking for Favre news for the next 5 weeks, just turn on ESPN. Trust us, it will be unavoidable.
____________________________
ORIGINAL POST: Aug 3, 2010 @ 13:43pm
So the big sports news today is that Brett Favre reportedly told Vikings teammates and officials that he’s not going to return to Minnesota this season.
The Minneapolis Star Tribune was the first to break the story early this morning, and the sports universe has been all atwitter since:
NFL sources said that Favre began contacting various members of the Vikings on Monday to say he was going to issue a press release Tuesday stating his intention to retire. Favre is not pleased with how his left ankle has responded to surgery in late May.
Of course, this report has now been followed by a statement from head coach Brad Childress that he has not heard from Favre, and is unaware of any decision by the ever-waffling QB. And Vikings kicker Ryan Longwell – one of Favre’s best friends – says he spoke with Favre on Tuesday and he didn’t mention anything about retirement. Either way, you can be assured that the Vikings brass are scrambling tonight to try and persuade Favre to come back for one more Super Bowl run.
Sorry, but we’re not buying any of this for a second. Favre also said he was retiring around this same time last year (on July 28th) and of course ended up joining the team on August 18th. The smart money says that Brett is just making another ploy to get out of training camp, so wake us in a few weeks when this decision may or may not become reality. Until then, we’ll just assume that Favre will be taking snaps in the NFL this season.
Brett Favre told ESPN’s Ed Werder in Hattiesburg, Miss., on Wednesday that he has not made any decision about returning to play for the Minnesota Vikings this season and says he will play if healthy.
Favre’s agent, Bus Cook, said in a statement to the NFL Network on Wednesday that the quarterback has an appointment with Dr. James Andrews next week and will know more at that time. Andrews performed surgery on Favre’s ankle in May.
25
Jul
2010
Free Agent LB Keith Bulluck signs with the NY Giants; excited to return home
Bulluck signed a 1-year, $2.5 million deal with the Giants (Photo: Scott Boehm/Getty Images)
The New York Football Giants added some veteran leadership to their LB corps this weekend, signing former pro bowl LB Keith Bulluck to a 1-year, incentive-laden deal. Bulluck – who spent his entire 10-year NFL career with the Tennessee Titans, tore his ACL last season and is coming off surgery less than 7 months ago, which delayed his entry into free agency.
But after working out for the team privately on Monday, the Giants were impressed enough to offer Bulluck a contract, along with the starting MLB job. New York is in desperate need of leadership in the middle after releasing Antonio Pierce, and if his knee holds up, Bulluck could be the perfect fit. A pro bowl selection in 2003, Bulluck will instantly command respect in the huddle, and if nothing else could help groom some of the Giants younger LB’s like Jonathan Goff and rookie Phillip Dillard.
For his part, Bulluck – a native of New City, NY (just 25 minutes from New York City) and a Syracuse alum – is excited to return home and prove his doubters wrong. Via Bulluck’s Twitter account (in all it’s twitter-speak glory):
It’s official yes I am a NYG…all my G fans & haters get @ me…4 the so called experts,the last time I played a full game I was def AFC player of the week. Now I’m washed up? The only thing that can stop me is an injury obviously. Please check my resime b4 u pass judgement. If ur experts u kno that…where I’m from talk is cheap,glad I get 2 come home 2 prove it. Shoutout 2 my new teammates,can’t wait@ get up!! Read the rest of this entry »
21
Jul
2010
Bears RB Unga signs contract, prepares for competition
Bears RB Matt Forte isn't about to give up the spotlight just yet. (Source: Mark2400 on Flickr)
The Chicago Bears have signed Harvey Unga to a four-year contract, according to The Chicago Tribune.
The Bears chose Unga with the 12th pick in the seventh round of Thursday’s 2010 NFL Supplemental Draft. The BYU running back was one of a whopping two players taken.
Unga rushed for more than 3,400 yards during his college career, but it’s going to be an uphill climb when Bears training camp starts July 29. Chicago’s backfield is crowded, with Matt Forte and Chester Taylor set to see the majority of the action. Unga will battle reserves Khalil Bell, Brandon Minor, and Garrett Wolfe for the third spot.
As discussed earlier, the supplemental draft hasn’t exactly been a goldmine for NFL teams. Maybe the Bears — who already have enough Unga-types on the roster — feel like they’ve found something special.
