Author: Anthony Stalter (Page 375 of 1503)

Seahawks are latest team to say no to T.O.

LOS ANGELES, CA - JULY 14: NFL wide receiver Terrell Owens arrives at the 2010 ESPY Awards at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on July 14, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Alexandra Wyman/Getty Images for ESPY)

Once again, it appears that Drew Rosenhaus might be bending the truth when it comes teams being interested in one of his clients.

I know, I know – that’s surprising news. It hit me hard this morning, too.

Rosenhaus said late last week that five teams had showed interested in Terrell Owens and at least one new team was acting aggressively towards signing the receiver. He also said that he was encouraged about a team signing T.O. within the next couple of weeks and reiterated that, “this isn’t just agent rhetoric.”

But since making those statements, at least four teams (the Ravens, Bengals, Chargers and Seahawks) joined the Redskins, Browns and Patriots as teams that reportedly want nothing to do with T.O. Considering Owens also stated last week that he doesn’t get along with Chiefs head coach Todd Haley, you can probably cross Kansas City off his list of suitors as well.

Granted, that’s only eight teams and there are 32 in the league. It’s still a possibility that Rosenhaus is telling the truth when he says that five teams are interested in T.O. and maybe the receiver will find a new home within the next couple of weeks.

But it isn’t likely. The Seahawks are the latest team to say no to T.O. and they were seemingly the best fit. Who better to take on a personality like T.O. then Pete Carroll, who was on the 49ers’ staff the year they drafted Owens. Even Carroll weighed the risk versus the reward when it comes to T.O. and figured out that he wasn’t worth it.

We all know Rosenhaus talks a great game, but it’s becoming clearer by the day that very few teams (if any) are interested in Owens. I still think he’ll eventually catch on somewhere, but it might take a major injury or two for a team to gather up enough gumption to pick up the phone and call Rosenhaus.

Titans, Chris Johnson work out short-term contract fix

NASHVILLE, TN - NOVEMBER 29:  Chris Johnson #28 of the Tennessee Titans carries the ball during the game against the Arizona Cardinals at LP Field on November 29, 2009 in Nashville, Tennessee. The Titans defeated the Cardinals 20-17. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

Adam Schefter is reporting via his Twitter page that Chris Johnson and the Titans have agreed on a new contract. No new years were added – just money, which was essentially all Johnson wanted anyway.

Titans are moving up a portion of RB Chris Johnson’s $2.5 million escalator — and problem averted. He’ll be in camp in time.

You knew a compromise would eventually get worked out. Due to the “30 percent” rule (and the fact that the new CBA deal has yet to be signed), the Titans couldn’t offer him more than a modest raise, which is exactly what they did in the end. The new deal buys the two sides another year to discuss a potential long-term solution, one that will likely make Johnson one of the highest paid players in the NFL.

As Schefter reports, Johnson is unlikely to holdout, which means fans in Tennessee can now collectively breathe a sigh of relief.

Report: Florida, NCAA looking into allegations involving Pouncey

01 January 2010: Maurkice Pouncey of Florida cheers with the fans during warm-ups before the game against Cincinnati during Sugar Bowl at the SuperDome in New Orleans, Louisiana. Photo via Newscom

ESPN.com’s Pat Forde is reporting that Florida and officials from the NCAA are investigating a potential rules violation involving former Gator Maurkice Pouncey (now with the Steelers).

Florida is internally investigating what sources described as an allegation that a representative of an agent paid Pouncey $100,000 between the Gators’ loss to Alabama in the Southeastern Conference championship game to Alabama and their season-ending Sugar Bowl victory over Cincinnati. Florida apprised the NCAA of the allegation after it became aware of it.

“We were made aware of some information in early June that we reported to law enforcement and we then shared with the NCAA and the SEC,” athletic director Jeremy Foley said in a statement released Monday morning to ESPN.com. “At this time we have no information that has indicated that there are any compliance issues for the University of Florida.”

It’s important to note that even though Florida reported these allegations to the NCAA, the program isn’t any less susceptible to punishment. It’s up to the university to keep agents, boosters, Jehovah’s Witnesses and Girl Scouts away from players, even though it’s impossible for programs to play babysitter to every single athlete.

The key is whether or not Pouncey accepted money or not. If he was just talking to an agent, the Gators are probably in the clear and will avoid any major penalties. But if it’s discovered that Pouncey accepted $100,000 from an agent, then this could be Reggie Bush/USC all over again.

Is Arum to blame for the holdup between Mayweather and Pacquiao?

Boxing fans want to see it.

Manny Pacquiao wants to see it.

Promoter Bob Arum definitely wants to see it.

So what’s stopping Floyd Mayweather Jr. from putting his John Hancock down on a contract in order to sign off on the superfight between him and Pacquiao later this year?

Over the weekend, Mayweather let Arum’s deadline to sign a contract that would ensure a fight with Pacquiao pass without saying a word. One day later, Mayweather said he was in no rush to sign off on a deal.

“I’m not really thinking about boxing right now,” Mayweather said. “I’m just relaxing. I fought about 60 days ago, so I’m just enjoying myself, enjoying life, enjoying my family and enjoying my vacation.”

One would think that someone with the nickname “Money Mayweather” would sign a contract that guaranteed him over $50 million to fight. And seeing as how his current record is a perfect 41-0, I highly doubt Mayweather is scared to get in the ring against anyone.

So then what’s the snag?

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Browns appear ready to head into camp with Delhomme as their starter

CHARLOTTE, NC - JANUARY 03:  Jake Delhomme #17 of the Carolina Panthers reacts on the sidelines against the New Orleans Saints during their game at Bank of America Stadium on January 3, 2010 in Charlotte, North Carolina.  (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

Eric Mangini said Monday that the Browns’ starting quarterback job is Jake Delhomme’s to lose. Some Cleveland fans may want to throw their Jim Brown bobblehead through their office window after reading that news, while others probably shrugged and muttered, “Well, at least it’s not Derek Anderson.”

Thus far, all of the reports on Delhomme this summer have been positive. Mike Holmgren was looking to add a veteran quarterback who could help provide leadership in the locker room and he found one in Delhomme. Perhaps more importantly, the former Panther has developed a good report with young receivers Mohamed Massaquoi and Brian Robiskie.

Of course, Delhomme has been around long enough to know how to make an impression in OTAs. While his veteran presence has probably been a welcoming sight around Cleveland this summer, the real work is still ahead. This is a player that hasn’t played with confidence in the recent past and his decision-making has been downright brutal over the last year and a change. If the Browns were looking for a savior at the quarterback position, Delhomme isn’t it.

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