NFL Off Season News

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The NFL has announced today that non-standard facemasks on helmets will be banned going forward. I can't describe what is a non-standard facemask so here's the link to the NFL.com article.

 

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap2000000362461/article/nfl-prohibiting-nonstandard-facemasks

 

In a related article former Cowboy, for NY Giant and current Baltimore Ravens player Chris Canty, who claims he invented the non-standard mask as a result of an eye injury suffered in college. He claims if he can't wear the non-standard mask and the eye shield he can't play football. According to NFL spokeman Brian McCarthy this is an important safety matter. In 2013 4 players, including Canty, had medical clearance to wear the modified masks and he said these players plus any other players could be evaluated before the season as long as they have had medical examinations. The troubling thing is the NFL didn't do a good job communicating this rule because Canty didn't know anything about it until Baltimore Sun sportswriter Aaron Wilson questioned Canty about it.

 

One last thing, this morning Colin Cowherd opened a whole can of worms when he pretty much said that Johnny Manziel is too immature and too much of a party animal to be anything but a bust in the NFL. He rattled off a number of names of players who people had high expectations of that ended up a complete bust in NFL. Nevermind there have been party boys who succeeded. Cowherd didn't want to hear about them or as in Brett Favre's case his raw talent overcame his party ethic. I think it's pretty rash to make a prediction about a guy on his days off having fun without knowing his work ethic when it's time to go to work. This is one time I sincerely hope Colin Cowherd eats his words. He said the only people taking up for Manziel were Manziel fans, Browns fans and frat boys. That's pretty harsh. Let's let Manziel play some before we judge. Hell, it may be a few years down the road because in Cleveland there's talk about giving Brian Hoyer a long term deal. Very interesting.

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In a world where Saints TE Jimmy Graham had better receiving numbers than a lot of NFL wide receivers it was decided in arbitration today that Graham would be considered a tight end and not a wide receiver which is going to cost Graham a butt load of cash since TE salaries are not as lucrative as WR salaries. Why is this an issue with Graham? Because the Saints designated Graham their franchise tag which means the team has to pay Graham, or any player for that matter, the average of the top 5 players at the same position. The franchise tag is for only one year which means in 2015 Graham would be able to be a free agent unless he and Saints come to terms on a long term deal or the Saints can franchise him again.

 

The Buffalo Bills took a hit on the defensive side of the ball when it was announced that LB Kiko Alonzo tore an ACL while training in Oregon. This means that Alonzo's season is done and like the Cowboys Sean Lee he will be watching games from the sideline or on TV.

 

NFL.com is putting out a feature called 14 for 14 and in this particular list they are giving their take on the top college football uniforms.

 

http://www.nfl.com/photoessays/0ap2000000362372/14-for-14-best-uniforms-in-college-football

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The NFL wished three players a happy Fourth of July by handing down suspensions for violating the NFL substance abuse program.

 

The Miami Dolphins first round draft pick in the 2013 draft, Dion Jordan, will be suspended 4 games for PED use. Jordan and his advisors checked out the testing process and found not challengeable issues so Jordan issued a statement apologizing for letting his team and coaches down. He will be eligible to return after the Week 4 game against the Oakland Raiders.

 

Kansas City backup offensive lineman Rokavious Watkins has been suspended 4 games for violating the NFL substance abuse program. Watkins was drafted in the 5th round of the 2012 draft by the St Louis Rams. He was released by the Rams in the off season and he was subsequently signed by KC. He made one start for the Chiefs last season. NFL.com is reporting that this suspension could cost Watkins his roster spot.

 

Last but not least, Colts WR LaVon Brazill has been suspended for at least one year for violating the substance abuse program. This is Brazill's second suspension, he was suspended the first four games of the 2013 season for testing positive for marijuana. At the time Brazill released a statement that it was time he chose between "money or marijuana". Apparently, he made his choice. For at least one year he won't have any income from the NFL to spend on weed.

 

Another guy who can't leave the wacky tobacky alone is Cleveland WR Josh Gordon who tested positive this spring for violating the NFL substance abuse policy. He also has had to sit out a 2 game suspension and a 4 game paycheck fine to begin the 2013 season for smoking weed. Gordon also tested positive for marijuana while still at Baylor resulting in his dismissal from the team. Unlike the previous three players who are backups Gordon has emerged as top flight wide receiver and he is facing the loss of the entire 2014 season for a second offense. His suspension would not only penalize Gordon it would cost the Browns their best receiver. His suspension was not announced today because of the timing of his appeal it won't be heard until the end of July when the Browns should have started training already. Gordon's appeal could be reduced or cancelled altogether if the NFL and the players union can strike a deal in this case.

 

 

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Well, if Josh Gordon wasn't a card carrying member of the NFL Dumbass Club they should be getting his membership badge and blazer ready for his initiation. Why? Because last night Gordon was arrested for suspicion of DUI in Raleigh North Carolina. He was pulled over doing 50 in a 35 mph zone. About a month ago he pleaded not guilty to a speeding charge of doing 74 in a 60 mph zone. A passenger in his car was arrested for possession of marijuana. For a guy with his talent and the ability to play a sport most of us would kill to play you just can't fathom what goes through his mind as he seems to be doing everything he can to throw away a dream job.

 

There are always sour grapes when the NFL Channel unveils it yearly top 100 players list but one writer got down right incensed of the ranking of Aaron Rodgers. In this year's poll Rodgers was ranked #11. To me, that's not bad considering he missed a big portion of the season and the rankings are based on the previous season's performance. However, NFL.com's Adam Schein felt his #11 rank was "an outrage". Really? First of all, who GAS about a stupid poll like this. It's just to kill time for when REAL NFL news begins later this month when training camps across the NFL landscape begins. It's fluff. Window dressing. Barely worth the money spent compiling and broadcasting the damn thing. It occurred to me that maybe this is Adam Schein's version of fluff. Nevermind.

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The fact that Josh Gordon got busted again can give you reason to believe he's not the sharpest tack in the box. Alcohol is addictive, marijuana is habitual. I don't think anyone has proven there is an addiction to weed. People like to smoke weed and have for a long time but it is not addictive in the same way alcohol and crack and heroin are. The ease of getting weed and the proclivity of users to use daily make it a bad habit that's hard to break. Some of that is due to the crowd you run with. It's cliche but there's a reason cliches become cliches---they are true. It could be Gordon is an alcoholic. A lot of bad stuff happens as a result of alcoholism. Alcoholism is an insideous disease that bleeds over into all sections of your life. But, if weed is Gordon's problem then he should be smart enough to realize the high from smoking weed is nothing compared to the opportunities you get from playing a professional sport. Gordon just threw away his chance to play in 2014 because the NFL and NFLPA simply can't ignore Gordon's utter failure to change his ways. The guy needs help but if he doesn't see it or want it there's nothing anyone can do. Maybe the guy needs some new friends. I used to smoke but when my company announced it would be doing drug testing I quit. I have too good a job that pays too well to jeopardize losing it over smoking weed. I'm nobody special in terms of will power but I am able to understand what is more important in my life. Isn't that included in the realm of common sense? I'm thinking the one year suspension will only allow Gordon to drink and get high more often. I feel sorry for Gordon because he can't seem to get out of his own way. It's the same reason I'm mad at a guy who can do what he does and doesn't appreciate it enough to protect his part in it. I'd give just about anything to have the God given talent and ability to play in the NFL and I sure as hell wouldn't throw it away to smoke weed.

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Regardless of his mistakes Cleveland safety Donte Whitner is fully supporting troubled WR Josh Gordon. Whitner claims most of his teammates feel the same. NFL.com's Marc Sessler disagrees with ESPN's Chris Carter who stated last week that perhaps the Browns should send a wakeup call to Gordon by releasing him. Carter's statement came on the heels of the arrest for suspision of DWI in North Carolina. To make matter worse Gordon was waiting on word of a possible suspension by the NFL for a 2nd violation of the NFL substance abuse program. Gordon has a history of getting in trouble over marijuana use that dates back to his college days. He was dismissed from the Baylor team for substance abuse (weed) and he was not allowed to play at Utah where he went after being dismissed by Baylor for marijuana use. Carter based his opinion on how he was cut from the Philadelphia Ealges in the 1980s by then head coach Buddy Ryan. Carter had substance abuse issues and Ryan told Carter at the time he just couldn't trust Carter not to mess up in the future. For Carter, this was just what was needed to motivate him to change his life and he thought maybe a similar fate for Gordon in Cleveland would help. Sessler disagreed saying today's NFL is different than in the 80's where free agency didn't exist and there was no salary cap. Gordon is 23 with his best days ahead and Sessler feels Cleveland should stand behind Gordon and reap the benefits down the road.

 

All news in sports seems to be in Cleveland these days. All I have to say is for the 'talking heads' who report on the NFL get real people. All they do is report on Johnny Manziel going on his days off to Vegas and various parties but his teammates, WR Andrew Hawkins, and head coach Mike Pettine both have been very vocal praising Manziel's work ethic while at practice and in the classroom. Pettine lauded Manziel for the way he was picking up the offense which isn't easy for a rookie. Maybe we should turn a deaf ear to the media who likes to stir the pot on any news, real or imagined, they can sink their teeth into. Let Johnny Football prove himself on the field before we pass judgement.

 

 

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For you 49er fans out there you probably know this already but the official closing of the Candlestick Park happened yesterday when the flag football game dubbed The Legends of Candlestick vs the Legends of the NFL took place. All the old famous 49er legends of the last 30 years were there. Young, Garcia, Craig, Rice--hell, even former owner Eddie De Bartolo was there. They faced off against an all star team led by Dan Marino but wouldn't you know it, Joe Cool, Joe Montana led the Niner team back from a 40-32 deficit to a 45-40 win with Montana tossing the game winner to De Bartolo. Here's a recap from a local San Fran TV station. Even though I didn't like the Niners I always liked Montana. Looked like Montana could still play but probably not if he got hit.

 

 

Here's an article from NFL.com about the day by the Bay.

 

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap2000000364893/article/joe-montana-49ers-legends-blow-out-flame-at-candlestick

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A couple of references that matter to fantasy players;

 

Dwayne Bowe who had a down year in 2013 is said to have lost some weight and gotten in better shape in an effort to get back to previous years' form. Something to file away for a nice WR pick as you watch preseason games.

 

Jimmy Graham is now the highest paid TE in the NFL. He signed a 4 year $40 mm contract with Saints avoiding playing under the salary for a franchised player. Graham received a $12 mm signing bonus with $20 to 21 mm guaranteed. Graham will be paid $13 mm this season which is more than Graham would have received if his bid to be paid as a franchised wide receiver. What this means fantasy wise is that, barring injury, a happy Jimmy Graham is a productive Jimmy Graham and with this contract Mr G has got to be one happy camper!

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There is only one week until training camps begin across the NFL and like the past three weeks since OTAs ended there's little, if anything, interesting going on.

 

The appeal of Gordon's suspension for voilating the NFL substance abuse program should be coming up soon. NFL.com is reporting that Gordon's agent, Drew Rosenhaus, will work with the Browns to help his client. Earth shattering right? Gordon is facing a year-long suspension because this is his second violation. His only hope is that the NFL league office and the NFL players union can work out a deal to reduce his suspension. Whether or not that happens may have been made moot by Gordon's arrest on suspision of DWI in North Carolina earlier this summer. Until a ruling is arrived at Gordon will be able to practice with the team assuming the League's decision doesn't come before training camp begins.

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There is some breaking news, Rock and roller, Jon Bon Jovi and a group of investors are getting squared away with a bank for financing in a bid to buy the Buffalo Bills. There is a contingency of the sale that anyone who buys the Bills has to keep the team in Buffalo. Bon Jovi is also a primary owner of the Arena Football team the Philadelphia Soul. Another Jersey kid made good.

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Training camps are beginning all over the league with some Johnny-come-lately's like the Texans not having their first practices until tomorrow. But, the awesome thing is the NFL for the 2014 season has begun and that ain't a bad thing.

 

> Rob Gronkowski is back on the field and not on PUP which, for New England, is a good thing. Now, if he stays healthy in the pre season he'll likely be the No. 2 TE taken in fantasy drafts. The biggest question is, are his injury woes behind him? Hmmmmm.

 

> The Ravens Ray Rice got a 2 game suspension from the NFL for cold cocking his then fiancée in an Atlantic City elevator earlier this year. Keith Olberman had a rant on his ESPN program decrying the NFL for only giving Rice 2 games to think about abuse of a woman. He correctly pointed out that Albert Hainesworth got 8 games for ripping off Dallas center Andre Guroud's helmet and stopping on his head that resulted in 30 stitches to close the wound. You say yeah but 30 freaking stitches! You could argue that but Olberman's point was the NFL cares less about domestic violence victims than it does about violence gone amok in a violent game. The NFL got the black eye in Hainesworth's case and the commish always protects The Shield. The message, according to Olberman, was a star player can get away with domestic abuse on his own time but it counts more on company time. I would think that women's rights advocates are seething right now.

 

Andre Johnson reported to Texans training camp and claimed he was ready to give his all as usual. I get it. WRs just need to blow off some steam and who needs those stinking OTAs anyway for a 10+ year vet? I'm glad Dre is back in fold, let's hope his learning curve isn't too steep that Johnson lands in Bill O'Brien's dog house--again. Seems like O'Brien and his staff are like Belichick in one way--they don't put up

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There were significant moves in the NFL over the weekend and yesterday so lets take a look.

 

> Thought Cincy was going to cut ties with Andy Dalton? Guess again. The Bengals and Dalton agreed on a 6 year $96 mm extension. The difference in this and most other extensions you read about is that there isn't a lot of up-front money. He only got a $12 mm signing bonus and he will receive a $5 mm roster bonus later this week. The rest of the deal is a sort of pay-as-you-go deal that allows the Bengals to cut ties with Dalton without a huge cap hit if he doesn't do any better in the playoffs than he has to date. This gives the two young guys, 2nd year QB from Arizona Matt Scott and 2014 5th round draft choice A J McCarron from Alabama, time to develop and be ready in year two or three or whatever of Dalton's deal. Now, Cincy has to focus on a new deal for A J Green.

 

> The New York Giants have advised RB David Wilson to retire from the NFL after only 2 years in the league because of the neck injury he suffered last season. Illustrating how serious the Giants are they waived/injured Wilson yesterday. It's too bad because of the promise he showed in his brief opportunities. He was going to be a third down back/change of pace back this season as Rashad Jenning was signed to be the lead back. This gives a rookie from Boston College, Andre Williams, a bigger opportunity to play going forward. Williams was impressive in the Giants win on Sunday in the HOF game.

 

> C J Spiller could be traded? That's the speculation in Buffalo as the Bills traded a 4th round draft pick to Eagles for backup Bryce Brown in May and they signed Freddie Jackson to a one year extension in July leaving CJ Spiller feeling a little unloved in Buffalo. Spiller is a good fit in Doug Marone's offense and with his production the last couple of years and his fumbling issues way back in the rear view mirror it's incredible that Spiller would even be considered for a trade. But, it's true that Spiller said yesterday that he hopes he's still in Buffalo this season.

 

> The Bears TE Martellus Bennett who has been criticized so far in training camp for his lackadaisical effort slammed teammate Kyle Fuller to the ground in practice on Monday in frustration has been fined and suspended. How much and how long is not known right now but according to the CBA the rules for punishment for conduct detrimental to the team is either a fine of one week's salary and/or up to four weeks unpaid suspension. The altercation between Bennett and Fuller occurred about 10 minutes before the end of practice and head coach Mark Trestman figured that was enough for one day and he called the practice over. Bennett, who had his issues while with the Cowboys was quoted as saying, "It's practice. Practice is practice," Bennett said Monday. "I know I sound like Allen Iverson right now, but at the end of the day it's practice. In practice, (stuff) happens. You learn from it, that's why you practice. You learn from things that happen in practice." Bennett obviously doesn't get it and he probably never will. Talent isn't the issue with Bennett, never has been. It is the space between his ears that has been the problem since he was drafted by Dallas in 2008. Fuller, BTW, is the Bears first round pick out of Virginia Tech that Chicago hopes to fill a void at cornerback. Bennett not only pulled a boner of major proportions but he pulled it on a first round draft pick. It's no wonder Trestman decided to make a example of Bennett.

 

Finally, I don't understand people at all. The so-called experts made up their minds about Alex Smith when he struggled under his first head coach Mike Singletary. When Jim Harbaugh took over in 2011 Smith shined until Harbaugh decided to replace Smith with Colin Kaepernick in 2012. In 2013 Smith joined QB friendly coach Andy Reid in Kansas City and all he did was lead the previously woeful Chiefs to the playoffs after beginning the season 9-0 and finishing 11-5. In the Wild Card game vs Indianapolis Smith led the Chiefs to a 38-10 lead but ultimately fell to Indy 45-44 because injuries to the defense made the Chiefs incapable of stopping the Andrew Luck led Colts. Now questions on NFL.com are asking, Is Alex Smith better than a mid tier QB? I think Smith is more than a mid tier QB and he's proven it when given a chance. He deserves to be paid like a starting QB and the Chiefs undoubtedly will. Smith will continue to flourish under Andy Reid and the Chiefs are a team to contend with in the strong AFC West.

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Had to check out the Browns game last night. Johnny Football and all. This was a typical first pre season game. Some good, some bad and some eh. Manziel wasn't great and he wasn't bad. Decent first effort. BTW Detroit trailed most of the game until the 4th quarter when they scored the only TD of the game giving them a 13-12 win. Prior to that last TD Cleveland was ahead 12-6 on 4 Billy Cundiff field goals.

 

The highest scoring game of the weekend was in the Bears 34-28 win over Philly. The game featured two QBs trying to restart their careers. Mark Sanchez in relief of Nick Foles was 7-10 for 79 yards in his time on the field and the Bears featured former No 1 pick from Notre Dame Jimmy Clausen who went 7-13 for 150 yards and 2 TDs. Speaking of Foles, his night wasn't all that special. After tossing just 2 INT's in 2013 he equaled that total in his brief appearance Friday night. Oh well, it is preseason.

 

It seemed like half the starting QBs in the NFL sat out the first week's games. It wasn't half but the list is impressive. Drew Brees, Matthew Stafford, Tony Romo, Tom Brady, Cam Newton, Sam Bradford and Aaron Rodgers.

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Aside from injuries, and there haven't been that many unless you consider Dallas' defense it's been a rather uneventful preseason. After only one game a lot can't be judged as yet. The Browns did release Tyler Thigpen and sign Rex Grossman but that's neither here nor there because the competition is between Hoyer and Manziel. Mike Pettine has said that H and M have been splitting 1st team reps so that doesn't leave much for a 3rd QB to work with.

 

The Arizona Cards GM is bragging that he hasn't seen a receiver like rookie John Brown since Anquan Bolden. High praise indeed.

 

Broncos LB Danny Trevathan will be out 6-8 weeks with a fractured knee cap. Trevathan, Cowboys fans will remember, was the guy whose diving interception ended the final Cowboys drive in the thrilling 51-48 Broncos win last season.

 

The newest member of the D-line in Denver had a good 1st game last weekend recording a sack, a couple of QB pressures and a tackle behind the line. Of course I'm talking about former Cowboy DeMarcus Ware. All things considered with the Cowboys injury woes in training I'm sure they wish they had Ware back but all they, and we, can do is wish Ware luck and good health going forward.

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What is with these NFL players anyway. Do they think they won't get caught when the do something? The latest addition to the NFL Knucklehead Club is Kansas City Chief WR Dwayne Bowe who will serve a one game suspension to begin the season as a result of being arrested last November for possession of marijuana. The charges were bargained down to defective equipment and littering (WTF?!) but the NFL felt compelled to suspend Bowe for the possession charge. The NFL has come down hard on recreational drug users like Josh Gordon who is still waiting for a ruling on his marijuana use appeal is facing a year long suspension if so ruled. Orlando Scandrick of the Cowboys was suspended 4 games for using a recreational drug while on vacation in Mexico. He admitted taking a Molly which I have come to find out is ecstasy. The four game suspension came as a result of the fact that form of ecstasy has an amphetamine in that is considered a performance enhancing substance. Hence, the 4 game suspension. I'm showing my age here I guess but to me a "molly" was speed. There were black molly's and yellow molly's but both were used for a variety of things including recreational use. Now, in the club scene, Molly means something completely different. Either way, Bowe gets to sit for a game and think about it.

 

I think I will quit posting to this thread and start relaying NFL new to the Fantasy Nation 2014 thread since the news now has a direct impact on fantasy football and the status of players who may be affected. Thanks for following this thread and check Boomer and me on the other thread.