Category: NFL (Page 420 of 1282)

      Cushing’s attorney says client had existing gland issue

      May 15, 2010 /

      Brian Cushing’s camp is fighting to maintain the linebacker’s innocence. Now his attorney is stating that Cushing’s positive drug test came from an enlarged pituitary gland and a surgical procedure he had while at USC.

      From the Houston Chronicle:

      Steinberg was brought in by Condon after Cushing learned in October he had failed the first test taken in September. Steinberg explained the process.

      “For every test, there are two samples taken — ‘A’ bottle and ‘B’ bottle,” Steinberg said. “If ‘A’ bottle tests positive, then ‘B’ bottle is tested by a separate lab.

      “The ‘A’ bottle was barely over the discernible and legal limit pursuant to the policy. The ‘B’ bottle got tested, and we were notified it was below the limit. As a result, it was deemed to be a negative test.”

      Then Cushing submitted to another test several weeks later, according to Steinberg. Both samples came back positive.

      “When we inquired about the level (of the new ‘A’ bottle), we were told it was about the same as the original ‘A’ bottle, the first test,” Steinberg said. “We were operating under the premise that we may well get a negative ‘B’ bottle, which would render this test negative as well. When that ‘B’ bottle came back positive, then it became a positive test.”

      The article goes on to note that two NFL experts disagreed on whether or not males can naturally produce hCG in their bodies. One expert said no, the other said yes. So now Cushing’s camp can pit the two experts against each other. As Cushing’s lawyer said, if the two NFL experts are in disagreement, how can the NFL hold up the linebacker’s suspension?

      That said, keep in mind that this is coming from Cushing’s lawyer, who is paid to build a defense for his client. We’ll just have to wait and see what other reports are released, because it’s clear that this story isn’t dying. I will say this: if Cushing is innocent, he’s going all out to prove it, which is what somebody should do if they’ve been wrongly accused.


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      External Sports, NFL

      Jaguars to hold an open competition at quarterback?

      May 14, 2010 /

      Offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter reveled some interesting information when speaking recently to a reporter for the Jaguars’ official website – most notably that Luke McCown and David Garrard saw equal reps at the team’s recent mini-camp.

      “Even though Luke was our number two last year, he didn’t take many reps. We haven’t had much chance to see him operate in our system. Mini-camp was his first chance to get equal reps. This is a time for Luke to show he can compete with Dave. He’s athletic, he’s sharp. Can he push Dave when they’re hitting you for real? We like what we see out of Luke in the meeting room and what we saw of him in mini-camp,” Koetter said.

      What Koetter said could mean something, it could mean nothing. That said, the Jags haven’t necessarily shown unwavering support for Garrard over the last year or so. Even though he has been productive, you get the feeling that the Jags want more out of their quarterback position than what Garrard brings to the field.

      It’s still early, but the likely scenario is that Garrard beats McCown in training camp and then is kept on a short leash. If Garrard gets off to a slow start, McCown could unseat him early in the season.


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      External Sports, NFL

      McNabb apologizes to Eagle fans for not winning a Super Bowl

      May 14, 2010 /

      Donovan McNabb is sorry that he didn’t win you a Super Bowl, Eagle fans.

      From the Philadelphia Inquirer:

      “The things that I set out to accomplish and bring back to Philadelphia, I wasn’t able to, and I apologize, more than anything, to the people of Philadelphia, not bringing a Super Bowl to ’em, but it didn’t happen, and I look forward to trying to achieve that goal here in Washington,” McNabb said, the most explicit regret he has expressed.

      Asked about his legacy, the Eagles’ all-time leading passer reiterated what he said at his introductory press conference in Washington, five weeks back. He said he hoped he would be remembered as “a guy who provided excitement, who gave them a chance to win every time he stepped out on the field, one that they had trust, knowing that I would do the right things, an most importantly, one that won ballgames.”

      Some in Philadelphia feel as though McNabb is a phony. That he gives the appearance of someone who cares, but when push came to shove (especially in the playoffs with everything on the line), his dedication wasn’t there.

      The quarterback will always be the most scrutinized. That’s because they make the most money, have the most responsibility and always get the ball first. They essentially have the ability to win and lose games by their play and some Eagle fans will never forgive McNabb for not winning the big one when he was on the doorstep so many times.

      But the fact of the matter is that football is, and always will be, a team game. To hold one player responsible (even the quarterback) for wins and losses is asinine. It often takes a full 53-man roster and every member of the coaching staff to win Super Bowls. For whatever reason, the Eagles could never do that with McNabb under center and to think that some fans hold him responsible for the team’s failures over the years is rather humorous.

      Whether his apology was sincere or a front, McNabb doesn’t owe Philadelphia anything. Players win and lose as a team.


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      External Sports, NFL

      Will Darrelle Revis hold out if he doesn’t receive a new contact from Jets?

      May 14, 2010 /

      Darrelle Revis, whose contract is set to void after 2010, expects the Jets to give him a new deal before the regular season starts. They said they would, and he trusts them.

      But if push comes to shove, will he hold out? While recently speaking at the Jets’ Florham Park facility in New Jersey, Revis may have provided insight to that question.

      From the New York Post:

      “We’ll figure it out when [the start of camp] comes.”

      Revis said he “believes [the Jets] at their word.” But he quickly added, “When you go back on your word it’s a problem.”

      “We have a bunch of months to get things done,” Revis said. “I trust [Jets management] . . . but I also know this is a business as well.”

      Seeing as how the Jets didn’t abide by Leon Washington’s wishes for a new contract last year and then traded the running back to Seattle during the draft last month, Revis has reason to be weary that he may not get a new deal. He also plays for a team that just dumped Pro Bowl guard Alan Faneca in order to recoup some of his huge salary. (Although as many Jet fans will note, despite his Pro Bowl appearance Faneca didn’t play well last year.)

      That said, Revis is the best cover corner in the NFL, and good defensive backs are hard to come by. If there were one position on the field outside of quarterback that a team would want to splurge on, it would be cornerback because good ones are such a rarity in the league. (Look at the deal the Raiders gave Nnamdi Asomugha in February of last year.)

      Chances are that the Jets and Revis will come to a deal before the season starts. But if they don’t, a player’s best bargaining chip is a hold out. It sounds as if Revis wouldn’t hesitate to hold out if the Jets fall back on their word.


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      External Sports, NFL

      Is the LOLB position still a concern for the Packers?

      May 14, 2010 /

      While it hasn’t even been a month since the Patriots released him, it’s becoming clearer by the day that Packers GM Ted Thompson isn’t interested in signing free agent Adalius Thomas. With Green Bay’s apparent need at outside linebacker, one would think that Thompson would have reached out to Thomas (who has lost a step over the years, but is still an effective pass rusher) by now.

      But maybe Thompson is right when he says that the left outside linebacker position isn’t a dire need like many people believe it is. Maybe Brad Jones is the answer to replace Aaron Kampman (who signed with the Jaguars earlier this offseason) on a full-time basis.

      When Kampman (who wasn’t an ideal fit at OLB in a 3-4 anyway) went down with an injury after Week 11 last year, it was Jones (a 2009 seventh round pick from Colorado) and not former starter Brady Poppinga who was placed into the starting lineup. With a playoff berth on the line, the Packers went with an unproven seventh round pick in Jones over a player with starting experience in Poppinga.

      The move was either a testament to Jones’ abilities or a total slap in the face of Poppinga. Considering Thomas hasn’t received a call from Thompson, the former is probably more appropriate. The Packers obviously feel as though Jones is ready to become a full-time starter after he registered 27 tackles and four sacks in limited action last season. And considering Jones played in a 3-4 at Colorado, it’s apparent that his learning curve wasn’t that big when he went from college to the pros. He earned the starting position last season and barring a complete meltdown in training camp, it’s clear that he’ll have the same role in 2010.

      If Jones blossoms into a reliable starter, then Thompson should be hailed for not only finding a late round gem, but also resisting the urge to sign Thomas. If Jones fails, then the Packers could be left with a gaping hole at the LOLB position and Thompson will be scrutinized for not addressing the need when he had a chance in the offseason.


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      External Sports, NFL

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