NFL News

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Ben Roethlisberger: Home will always be Heinz Field

Posted by Josh Alper on July 12, 2022, 7:28 AM EDT

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Heinz Field is no more and one player who spent his entire career playing home games there isn’t ready to embrace the name change to Acrisure Stadium.

Former Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger played his final home game last season in what turned out to be Heinz Field’s swan song as well. On Monday, Roethlisberger joined a chorus of others on social media who said that they don’t plan to start using the new name for the building.

“I can’t believe it, it doesn’t seem right or real!” Roethlisberger wrote. “Home will always be Heinz Field! I will never forget the last game, and all the amazing fans at FOREVER HEINZ!”

The Steelers aren’t changing stadiums and one imagines that they won’t be making severe changes to the look of the building, which likely means plenty of people will continue to call it Heinz Field for years to come. That might not be what Acrisure is looking for as they spend $10 million a year for the naming rights, but it wouldn’t be the first time that such a change failed to capture the imagination of the home crowd.

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NFL’s case against Deshaun Watson is down to four accusers

Posted by Mike Florio on July 11, 2022, 8:44 PM EDT

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In civil court, Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson faced 24 accusers. In the NFL’s disciplinary process, he faces only four.

Josina Anderson of CBS Sports reported on Monday that the league’s case against Watson centers only on four women, not five. The fifth woman was not interviewed by the league.

The NFL originally spoke to 12 of the Watson accusers, before presenting five cases during the disciplinary hearing that began 13 days ago.

As we hear it, the decision by the league to cut to five from four may not have been voluntary. The fifth woman’s claim, we’re told, may have been based solely on a media report. Judge Sue L. Robinson, we’re told, may have decided not to give that claim any credence at all, essentially throwing it out of the case.

We’ll find out more when Judge Robinson issues a ruling. Briefs were reportedly due today. I’ll be watching for a decision beginning on Monday, July 25 — with the possibility of a Friday, July 22 news-dump publication.

Presumably, the full written decision from Judge Robinson will be released. The league routinely did so before shoving the Washington Commanders investigation under the rug. Our guess is that the league will make the Watson ruling available, because it will need fans and media to understand the basis for the decision — especially if he’s suspended for far fewer games than the NFL seeks (i.e., a minimum of one season).

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Report: Seahawks have had internal discussions about adding Jimmy Garoppolo

Posted by Mike Florio on July 11, 2022, 7:42 PM EDT

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The future of 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo remains murky. One of the team’s top rivals has explored the possibility of being the one that provides clarity.

Via Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com, the Seahawks have had internal discussions about the possibility of adding Garoppolo.

That could happen in a trade or, if Garoppolo is cut, by signing him as a free agent. And while intra-division trades often are frowned upon, the Patriots traded quarterback Drew Bledsoe to the Bills in 2002, and the Eagles sent quarterback Donovan McNabb to Washington in 2010.

The challenge becomes figuring out the right trade compensation and the right contract for Garoppolo, regardless of where Garoppolo goes. Surely, however, the 49ers would like to send him to any team other than the Seahawks. If possible.

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RIP Marion.

Report: Marion Barber died from heat stroke

Posted by Charean Williams on July 11, 2022, 5:59 PM EDT

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The Collin County medical examiner’s office ruled Marion Barber III died from a heat stroke, Jori Epstein of USA Today reports.

Frisco, Texas, police found the former Cowboys running back dead inside his apartment June 1 while conducting a welfare check. Barber was 38.

One of the bathtub faucets in Barber’s apartment was running when officers arrived, according to the autopsy report obtained by Epstein, and the unit’s thermostat was set to 91 degrees with the heat set to “on.” Officers also found exercise equipment in the unit.

“Mr. Barber was known to exercise in sauna-like conditions,” the coroner wrote in his report.

The Cowboys made Barber a fourth-round choice in 2005, and he played six of his seven seasons in Dallas. His final season came in Chicago in 2011.

Barber made the Pro Bowl in 2007 when he rushed for a career-best 975 yards and scored 10 rushing touchdowns. He did not start a game that season while splitting time with starter Julius Jones.

He finished his career with 4,780 rushing yards and 53 rushing touchdowns.

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Condoleezza Rice calls joining Broncos’ ownership group “an adventure and a great opportunity”

Posted by Charean Williams on July 11, 2022, 4:38 PM EDT

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On Monday, the Broncos announced the addition of former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice as a minority owner. She joins the Walton-Penner family ownership group, which entered into an agreement to purchase the Broncos for $4.65 billion in June.

After the announcement, Rice released a statement on social media.

“It is an honor to be part of this ownership group,” Rice wrote. “Football has been an integral part of my life since the moment it was introduced to me, and I am thrilled to be a part of the Broncos organization today. I spent much of my younger years in Denver, so to be able to combine my love of the game with my love for this great city and team is an adventure of a lifetime and a great opportunity.”

Rice served as secretary of state from 2005-09 under President George W. Bush. In 2013, she was selected as one of the 13 members of the inaugural College Football Playoff Committee, where she served through the conclusion of the 2016 football season.

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Four franchise-tagged players face Friday deadline to reach long-term deals

Posted by Charean Williams on July 11, 2022, 3:43 PM EDT

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Eight teams used the franchise tag this offseason. Four of those signed long-term deals, leaving four with a Friday 4 p.m. ET deadline to reach agreement on a new contract. Otherwise, Bengals safety Jessie Bates, Chiefs offensive tackle Orlando Brown, Dolphins tight end Mike Gesicki and Cowboys tight end Dalton Schultz will have to play 2022 under the one-year tag.

All four players have expressed a desire to sign long term.

Mike Garafolo of NFL Media reports that the “most optimism” surrounds Schultz and Brown.

Brown has not signed the tag, which is due to pay him $16.6 million in 2022, and he skipped the team’s offseason program. But earlier this month, he expressed confidence in getting an agreement with the Chiefs.

Schultz is due $10.9 million on the 2022 tag, which he signed shortly after the Cowboys applied it. He skipped the final week of voluntary offseason activities to express his frustration at the lack of progress on a long-term deal.

But the sides are expected to “make another run” at it this week.

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Maxx Crosby: I’m fired up to have Rock Ya-Sin

Posted by Myles Simmons on July 11, 2022, 2:04 PM EDT

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The Raiders’ marquee defensive addition this offseason was edge rusher Chandler Jones.

But when Las Vegas brought in Jones, the team made a move that should also help the backend of its defense.

Shortly after news broke that Jones was going to be a Raider, the club traded edge rusher Yannick Ngakoue to the Colts in exchange for cornerback Rock Ya-Sin.

Entering the last year of his rookie deal, Ya-Sin has plenty of playing experience. He’s appeared in 41 games with 29 starts over the last three seasons, including 13 games with eight starts last season. He finished with eight passes defensed with a forced fumble and a fumble recovery in 2021, playing 54 percent of the Colts’ defensive snaps.

One of the Raiders defensive leaders, edge rusher Maxx Crosby, has worked out with Ya-Sin in the offseason for years. He said recently that he’s glad to have Ya-Sin on Las Vegas’ defense now.

“Ever since I met him, he’s always been one of the hardest-working guys in the gym,” Crosby said, via Adam Hill of the Las Vegas Review-Journal. “We’ve kept a relationship and obviously when we got him, I called him right away. He’s a great teammate and I’ve been seeing him in the building every day. I’m fired up to have him. He’s quiet, but he’s got a personality. He’s just a great dude.”

Ya-Sin said this spring that he feels like he’s continued to become a more polished professional. That’s going to be key for him to help improve a Raiders defense that finished 14th in yards allowed and 26th in points allowed last year.

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https://www.espn.com/blog/atlanta-falcons/post/_/id/37070/jared-bernhardts-journey-from-lacrosses-best-player-to-atlanta-falcons-rookie-free-agent

How college lacrosse's top player became a rookie free-agent signing with the Atlanta Falcons

Jared Bernhardt scored 202 goals at Maryland, led the Terrapins to the national championship game on Memorial Day weekend in 2021 and won the Tewaaraton Award as the best player in college lacrosse. Now here he was, on a field in Long Island, spending a day running routes and gleaning advice from those who already managed it.

Bernhardt is attempting to mimic Hogan and Kennedy -- going from college lacrosse, with a college football pit stop, to the NFL -- as an undrafted free agent with the Atlanta Falcons.

“It definitely gives you some hope,” Bernhardt said. “But you take it day by day.”

Bernhardt’s transition may be more difficult than Kennedy or Hogan. Kennedy stayed at the same school, playing three seasons of football and lacrosse at Bryant....

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I always wonder why there's not more cross training on some things: RELEASES

DE, DL, LB have this too. WR, RB, TE, DE, LB and DT should be doing this drill together and OL, CB and S should be working a mirror drill for pass blocking and Receiver Jamming. I can see LBs doing both.

Darren Waller enjoying observing Davante Adams work at practice

Posted by Myles Simmons on July 13, 2022, 9:37 AM EDT

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Elite players have a tendency to look a little different on the practice field.

Sometimes it’s subtle. But when one of the best players in the league lines up and goes through drills, it’s usually not hard to differentiate between him and the average player.

Raiders receiver Davante Adams apparently had that effect during the team’s offseason program, impressing even his teammates.

Tight end Darren Waller said in an appearance on the Green Light podcast hosted by Chris Long that he spent plenty of time observing Adams to try and pick up some of what makes the receiver so good off the line.

“I try to go get in the line with him in individual [drills] when they’re releasing, doing releases on the little tire man over there in the corner,” Waller said. “He’s working his little double-hand swipe, windshield-wiper off the line. I don’t know, it’s just like, you know what release he’s going to do — the little split with the shake — but it’s just so smooth, and quick, and effective. And guys are just about to shit themselves trying to stop it.

“And I’m over there in line just watching him, or if it’s in a team drill and I’m not in and he’s in, I’m just trying to be like, what is it about that that makes it so effective? And I don’t know man, it’s just a balance, a mindset of, ‘I’m running shit out here. Nobody’s going to make me move at a pace that isn’t my own.’”

Adams has become arguably the best receiver in the league by honing that skillset. Last year, he caught 123 passes for 1,553 yards with 11 touchdowns in 16 games.

Adams’ numbers in 2022 may go down given that he’s in a different offense with a different quarterback. But his elite ability to separate is unlikely to change no matter where he’s playing.

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Carson Wentz: Jahan Dotson catches the ball as naturally as anyone I’ve been around

Posted by Josh Alper on July 13, 2022, 9:30 AM EDT

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Thanks to Terry McLaurin‘s absence and a cautious approach with Curtis Samuel, Commanders wide receiver Jahan Dotson got a lot of action during the team’s offseason program and the first-round pick made a strong impression on the guy throwing passes.

Quarterback Carson Wentz said that Dotson “catches the football as natural as anybody I’ve been around” and that fits with pre-draft scouting reports that emphasized Dotson’s catch radius and hands as traits that will help him succeed in the NFL. Those skills and Dotson’s attitude make up for less than ideal height.

“It’s more of a mindset thing,” Dotson said, via Ben Standig of TheAthletic.com. “As you can tell, I’m not the biggest guy. I don’t have insane measurables. . . . When the ball is up in the air, it’s mine. I said a while ago in college: When the ball is up in the air, I [see] it as a million dollars. I’m trying to go get that money. I love money, so I’m trying to get it.”

McLaurin signed a contract extension after the end of the offseason program, so he’ll be back on the field for training camp. Samuel should start to see more work as well, but Dotson’s ball skills should keep him in a good spot in the offense to kick off his career.

[Futureshock]

NFL single-season punt leader Bob Parsons dies at 72

Posted by Josh Alper on July 13, 2022, 7:47 AM EDT
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The Bears announced that their former punter Bob Parsons died last Friday at the age of 72.

Parsons played for the Bears from 1972 to 1983 and is the franchise’s career leader with 884 punts over that span. He also set an NFL single-season record with 114 punts during the 1981 season. Former Texan Chad Stanley tied that mark in 2002.

Parsons joined the Bears as a fifth-round pick after playing quarterback and tight end at Penn State. He did not punt at all as a rookie and did it four times in his second season before taking over the job for good in 1974. He would lead the league in punts in 1975 and 1982 in addition to his record-setting 1981 campaign.

While Parsons transitioned to a full-time punting role, he also caught 19 passes for 231 yards and four touchdowns. He was 7-of-13 for 131 yards passing the ball.

Parsons’ run with the Bears ended with a couple of games left in the 1983 season. Former Bears head coach Mike Ditka cut him after hearing that Parsons was talking to the USFL’s Chicago Blitz about switching leagues in the offseason. He would play two years for that league’s Birmingham Stallions after leaving the Bears.

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"Everyone has a plan until..." Iron Mike Tyson


Le’Veon Bell won’t play football this year to focus on his boxing career

Posted by Charean Williams on July 12, 2022, 5:49 PM EDT

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Le’Veon Bell has not played since Week 18 of last season, and he saw only 44 touches in 170 snaps over eight games with two different teams. His career has not been the same since his 2017 All-Pro season, which was followed by a holdout in 2018 in a contract dispute with the Steelers.

Bell’s NFL career probably was finished anyway as no team has shown interest in signing the 30-year-old running back, but Bell said Tuesday he will not play this season.

He instead wants to focus on his boxing career.

“It’s been a challenge I’ve been willing to accept, something I took on,” Bell said during a promotional event for his upcoming fight with Adrian Peterson, via NFL.com. “Boxing is something that, you know, they always say it’s something you can’t play boxing. Last year, I almost sat out the whole year to try to focus on boxing because I kind of knew that was what I wanted to transition to. This year, I know I’m not going to be playing this year because I want to focus on boxing. So, this transition for me has kind of been like, I guess, another opportunity for me. I’m just ready to showcase what I’m about.

“This is not just a one-off. This is, I guess like my introduction to kind of show what I’ll doing and how I’ll be going about myself. Just an intro.”

Bell played five games for the Ravens and three for the Buccaneers last season after playing for the Jets and Chiefs in 2020. He has 6,554 career rushing yards and 42 touchdowns, while catching 399 passes for 3,289 yards and nine touchdowns.

He is scheduled to fight Peterson on July 30 at Crypto.com Arena, hoping that kick starts his second sports career.

“I obviously feel like I’m more quick than 99 percent of the people that I’m going to be in the ring with,” Bell said. “My speed, my quickness, my timing, it’s really going to be unmatched.”

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In the comments someone said, "I hope he lays a switch to Peterson."

[Futureshock]

Sounds like a narrative based on stereotyping. With no basis of actual fact. Naw. That doesn't happen nowadays does it?


Brian Urlacher believes some former players claim to have CTE “just to be in the f–king lawsuit”

Posted by Mike Florio on July 13, 2022, 12:49 AM EDT

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Hall of Fame linebacker Brian Urlacher did great things as a player. Something he recently said does a great disservice to other men who played the game.

Urlacher, appearing on the Bussin’ With the Boys podcast, made a bold claim regarding the motivations of some former players who seek benefits for head trauma suffered during their playing careers.

“Here’s the problem now with all the guys with the CTE,” Urlacher said, via Mediate.com, “if they do have it, I feel for them, but there’s guys who say they have it just so they can be in the fucking lawsuit.”

It’s rare to see so few words contain so many flaws.

First, there is no “lawsuit.” No one is suing the league at this point. The class action was settled, years ago. The settlement makes all players who retired before final certification of the class eligible for potential benefits.

Second, there’s no way anyone can prove that they have CTE while they are still alive. It’s a condition that can be diagnosed only after a person dies. So if a guy says, as Urlacher claims, that he has CTE, the compensation will come only after he dies — and after an analysis of his brain confirms it.

Third, the settlement has created a specific process for assessing a range of real cognitive problems for which compensation is available. If impairment can be proven, the player gets compensation based on the type of condition, along with a specific formula that takes the length of the career into account.

Is it possible that some players could be overstating their health issues in an effort to qualify for compensation? Sure. But the procedures surely have been crafted to separate phony claims from real ones. To prevent, as Urlacher put it, guys who say they have issues “just so they can be in the fucking lawsuit.”

It’s odd that Urlacher would make broad, reckless comments that could undermine the efforts of players to get fair compensation, and that could influence fans and/or media to wonder whether some players are running a scam. How does it hurt Urlacher if other players believe they have cognitive impairment, and if they hope to recover the compensation to which they would be entitled if they do? The NFL already has agreed to fund, without limitation, any payments to those players who properly qualify. It’s not as if someone making a false or exaggerated claim will result in less money for Urlacher.

For years, the NFL actively downplayed the risks of head trauma. The lengths to which the league went to delay the reckoning were shameful. It was, in some respects, no different than tobacco executives claiming with a straight race that nicotine isn’t addictive. Eventually, as it always does, the reckoning arrived for the league.

Faced with a massive lawsuit that potentially would have forced the NFL to allow full exploration of what it knew, when it knew it, and how it went about covering it all up, the league agreed to a settlement with very simple terms. If a player has a qualifying condition, he gets benefits — no questions asked. He doesn’t have to prove he got the condition from football. He doesn’t have to prove that he wouldn’t have kept playing football even if the NFL had fully disclosed all the risks. He just needs to show that he has a qualifying condition, at any point in his life.

Why would Urlacher feel compelled to complain about former players thinking that maybe they’re entitled to their fair share of the compensation the NFL agreed to make available in order to, among other things, escape opening its files? Again, it doesn’t affect Urlacher at all.

So, to anyone out there who sees or hears what Urlacher said, ignore it. The men who played the game in the years before the NFL took steps to protect them or, at a minimum, to properly explain the risks have the absolute right to seek compensation for any potentially qualifying conditions. As part of that right, they’re also allowed to try, and perhaps fail, to get what they have earned through a lifetime of sacrificing their bodies and brains for the game.

Most importantly, they’re entitled not to be shamed for doing so — even by former players who are also eligible to seek such benefits.

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What a fool

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Mississippi welfare fraud defendant claims former governor Phil Bryant ordered $1.1 million payment to Brett Favre

Posted by Mike Florio on July 14, 2022, 1:06 AM EDT

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Hall of Fame quarterback Brett Favre continues to find himself in the middle of a massive Mississippi fraud case.

According to the Associated Press, one of the persons who pleaded guilty to criminal charges arising from a multi-million-dollar scam claimed in a court filing that she paid $1.1 million to Favre for alleged no-show speaking engagements at the direction of former Republican Mississippi governor Phil Bryant. Bryant denies the allegation. The money came from welfare funds.

The contention, made by Nancy New, appears in a document filed in connection with a civil case related to the controversy.

In all, $77 million in welfare funds was distributed. The Mississippi state auditor has demanded repayment of the money. Favre eventually repaid the money. He was sued earlier this year for not paying interest on the money.

Favre has denied being paid for work he didn’t perform. He nevertheless paid the money back.

An earlier article from Mississippi Today explored connections between Favre, Bryant, and a biomedical startup company that claimed to have found a treatment for concussions. Bryant reportedly accepted stock in the company two days after he left office.

Favre has been accused of no wrongdoing.