Author: Anthony Stalter (Page 490 of 1503)

Pacman Jones doesn’t show up for scheduled workout

Pacman Jones was supposed to workout for several teams today, but failed to show up according to the New Orleans Times-Picayune.

Former NFL cornerback Adam “Pacman” Jones did not appear for a workout as expected Friday in New Orleans. There was no immediate word on why he chose to cancel the widely publicized appearance.

Jones was supposed to hold his own workout for scouts after Tulane University finished its Pro Day. The Jones appearance was neither organized nor sanctioned by Tulane and school officials at the Pro Day said they had no information on Jones scrapping his workout.

Jones’ agent reportedly landed in New Orleans at the same time the Green Wave players were going through their drills before a batch of Saints assistant coaches and scouts from the Texans and Chiefs among others.

In recent weeks there have been reports Jones was talking with the Detroit Lions and the San Francisco 49ers but no deal with either of those teams had been announced Friday afternoon.

He could have had a legitimate excuse for not showing up, but it’s tough to give a guy that has had so many character issues the benefit of the doubt. Assuming something tragic didn’t happen, the responsible thing for him to have done would have been to call his agent and let the teams know he wasn’t going to make it.

Either way, I can’t for the life of me figure out why any team would be interested in watching him workout. He has proven time and time again that he’s a malcontent and will never amount to anything in the NFL. I would rather have one of my assistants stand in the corner and stare at a wall for half a day than pay him to go watch Pacman Jones workout. Because either way, it’d be a waste of time.

Update: Apparently Pacman did workout for teams, but nobody told reporters that the location had changed.

Considerable confusion surrounded the location and timing of Jones’ workout. When his camp first informed the media about it the location was said to be Tulane University, which held its Pro Day for NFL scouts and coaches Friday. Jones would work out there after the Green Wave players had finished, and that arrangement was reported in several outlets over the following weeks and on the front page of the sports section in Friday’s Times-Picayune. At no time did anyone in Jones’ camp request a correction or inform reporters that the site had been changed.

When he did not appear at Tulane, school officials said they were not associated with Jones and his workout and had no idea why the cornerback had changed plans. But Rousse said Friday that about a week ago Tulane objected to Jones working out there, fearing an appearance and workout by Jones on campus might detract from the focus on their players. That resulted in the change of venue to Hahnville, Rousse said.


Photo from fOTOGLIF

Two pilots grounded after flying too low for football game

Two F/A-18 pilots have been grounded after flying just a few hundred feet above Bobby Dodd Stadium in downtown Atlanta for a fly over before a Georgia Tech football game last year.

From the Daily Press:

The board found that they chose to fly using barometric altitude measurements (feet above sea level) instead of radar altitude measurements (feet above ground level) but failed to adjust their low-altitude warning systems accordingly.

By the time the alarm sounded, the pilots didn’t have enough time to correct the mistake.

Although the pilots “inexplicably failed to recognize” how low they were flying, the board concluded, their lapse was neither intentional nor malicious. It recommended putting both pilots on probation, an outcome endorsed and forwarded up multiple levels of the chain of command.

But the final authority on the matter, Rear Adm. R.J. O’Hanlon, commander of Naval Air Force Atlantic, disputed the conclusion that Condon, the lead pilot, had unintentionally flown that low.

”The arguments written by prior endorsers that LCDR Condon’s actions were an honest mistake are not persuasive,” O’Hanlon wrote. “He is a senior, very experienced department head who placed his aircraft and wingman in a very dangerous position.”

O’Hanlon also had tough words for Fryman. Despite a spotless record, O’Hanlon wrote, Fryman’s complacent response to the altitude transgression and lack of situational awareness were “unforgivable in my view.”

That’s sad that the two pilots lost their wings over this. They either made an honest mistake or wanted to give everyone a good show and now years of hard work has been erased because of it.

Will Ndamukong Suh drop in the top 5?

It didn’t seem that long ago that Nebraska defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh was a near lock to be taken with the No. 1 overall pick in the April’s NFL draft. But now it appears that his stock is falling, even though he is still highly regarded as the top prospect in this year’s draft.

The Tampa Tribune is reporting that Suh is scheduled to visit the Buccaneers on April 13, which may mean something – could mean nothing. But when you look at the dynamics surrounding the first two picks in the draft, there is reason to believe that Tampa Bay could have Suh fall into their laps at No. 3.

While the Rams have plenty of holes to fill on both sides of the ball, defensive tackle isn’t a pressing need. There are several pundits that believe they’ll select Oklahoma product Sam Bradford at No. 1 because 1) they need someone to replace Marc Bulger and 2) if they’re spending No. 1-overall money, then they want to spend it on a position such as quarterback. There is also growing sentiment that the Lions (who pick second) will take Oklahoma State offensive tackle Russell Okung, meaning Suh will slide to the Bucs (who are desperate for defensive tackle help) at No. 3.

In my latest mock draft, I have the Rams taking Bradford at No. 1, but the Lions drafting Suh at No. 2. My opinion could change leading up to the draft, but given how Jim Schwartz built his defensive around Albert Haynesworth in Tennessee, I can’t foresee him passing on a player of Suh’s caliber. That said, the Lions recently traded for Corey Williams and he plays the same position as Suh in Schwartz’s defense, so read into that situation how you want.

Either way, if Suh is still available at No. 3 then Roger Goodell might as well just stand up at the podium and read the Lions and Bucs’ picks back to back. Because there’s no way Raheem Morris would allow Suh to get past Tampa at No. 3.


Photo from fOTOGLIF

Nathan to miss 2010 season? Twins scouting Padres’ Bell

According to Bob Nightengale via his Twitter page, the Twins have been “extensively” scouting Padres closer Heath Bell for a possible trade. If the report is true, then that probably means that Joe Nathan is likely preparing to have Tommy John surgery on his elbow and will miss the entire 2010 season.

Bell was the National League’s surprise leader in saves in 2009 after he racked up 42 stops, a 2.71 ERA and 1.12 WHIP. Despite the Padres only winning 75 games last year, Bell was given plenty of opportunities to save tight games in the ninth, which he did with regularity.

It’s no secret that the Padres want to continue to shed payroll and Bell’s name has been mentioned in trades all winter. With the Twins desperate to fill Nathan’s ninth inning spot, San Diego might be able to get a decent prospect in a trade – especially if they wait until after the season starts. Minnesota has a team ready to compete now, but if bullpen woes start to emerge then the Twins might have to overpay a little to acquire Bell’s services. After all, a bullpen can be the difference between a team that makes the postseason and one that comes up short at the end of the season.

From a fantasy standpoint, a potential trade could be viewed as both a positive and a negative. On one hand, he would be going to a competitive club that should give him plenty of save opportunities and if Nathan were indeed done for the year, Bell would instantly become the closer. On the other hand, he’d be leaving spacious Petco Park and would probably see a spike in his ERA while pitching in the American League. Plus, the lowly Padres were already giving him save opportunities so owners might be wishing he stays put.


Photo from fOTOGLIF

Chad Henne: Tim Tebow is not an NFL quarterback

Dolphins quarterback Chad Henne apparently isn’t a big fan of Tim Tebow.

From USA Today:

Dolphins QB Chad Henne is not among those impressed by Tim Tebow’s performance at his pro day on Wednesday.

Tebow, showing off his overhauled throwing motion to NFL talent evaluators for the first time, drew positive reviews. NFL Network analyst Mike Mayock called Tebow’s improvement “ridiculous.”

But Henne remains skeptical of the 2007 Heisman Trophy winner.
He told WQAM radio in Miami:

“My judgment is that he’s not an NFL quarterback. I’ll leave it at that.”

Last time I checked, Tebow won a Heisman Trophy and a couple of National Championships while at Florida and Henne won roughly about nothing. Well, I take that back. He did beat Tebow’s Gators in the 2008 Capital One Bowl and was the game’s MVP. So…there.

I have my own doubts about whether or not Tebow will become a quarterback at the next level. And I know that Henne showed promise last year with the Dolphins, but just because he’s won seven games in the NFL doesn’t make him a pro scout.


Photo from fOTOGLIF

« Older posts Newer posts »