Category: NFL (Page 423 of 1282)

      Big Ben finishes behavioral evaluation, but will he change?

      May 12, 2010 /

      The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger has completed his behavioral evaluation ordered by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell.

      The behavioral evaluations are just part of Roethlisberger’s punishment after he was accused of sexual assault for the second time in less than a year. If he fulfills his requirements, Goodell may reduce the quarterback’s suspension from six to four games and while Big Ben’s camp is hopeful that he’ll be able to participate in team activities soon, the Steelers have no timetable for his return.

      Goodell is doing a thorough job in this situation, but who knows if Big Ben has learned anything – or will learn anything. He may be fulfilling his requirements in order to get back on the field, but that doesn’t mean he has changed. Has he been humbled by this experience? Will he make smarter decisions in the future? Will he strive not to put himself in situations where it may lead to him getting into more trouble?

      Roethlisberger is a young, single guy. To think he’s going to spend the rest of his football career staying at home and nuzzling up to the fireplace while watching HGTV and sipping a glass of wine is unrealistic. But in order for him to avoid future punishment and embarrassment, he needs to improve his decision-making. Steeler fans can only hope that this process will lead to a wiser, more humbled Ben Roethlisberger.


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      External Sports, NFL

      Did the Saints attempt a trade for Merriman?

      May 12, 2010 /

      The San Diego Tribune reports that the Chargers were in discussions with the Saints and two other teams during last month’s draft regarding a possible trade involving linebacker Shawne Merriman. But the report states that a deal could not be reached because Merriman’s former agent, Tom Condon, was seeking too much money for his client in terms of a contract extension.

      But despite the report, the New Orleans Times-Picayune denied that the Saints were ever involved. They agree that a trade for Merriman would have meant signing him to a sizable long-term deal, but the Saints have been clear that they’re not looking to spend big money on any player right now.

      The rumor makes sense on the surface. The Saints have a definite need at outside linebacker, especially after Jerry Hughes (a player that they had targeted entering the draft) didn’t fall to them with the No. 32 pick. (He went one spot before to the Colts.) New Orleans settled (for lack of a better word) on Florida State’s Patrick Robinson, who now joins a crowded cornerback corps that also features 2009 first rounder Malcolm Jenkins.

      That said, it makes sense that the Saints don’t want to spend a ton of money a year after winning the Super Bowl. Winning teams usually concentrate on keeping their main core of players intact, while also making subtle upgrades through the draft and free agency. Trading for a player such as Merriman and signing him to a lucrative contract extension doesn’t make much sense – especially considering he struggled last year while trying to bounce back from knee surgery.


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      External Sports, NFL

      Bengals interested in JaMarcus Russell?

      May 12, 2010 /

      While he may have only been trying to create a stir, Bengals’ receiver Chad Ochocinco said via his Twitter page yesterday that he would see JaMarcus Russell in camp. He then followed that up with: “did I just leak that info?”

      Today, the Cincinnati Enquirer notes that the Bengals are one of several teams that have called about Russell, although the quarterback’s agent issued a “terse no comment” when asked about the rumor.

      As of right now, it doesn’t appear that Russell has plans to join any team during their mini-camp. He and his agent will likely wait to see what teams are interested and then figure out where Russell will have to put in the least amount of work and then sign with that team. After all the effort he put in with the Raiders, there’s no need for him to overextend himself when he gets to his new team.

      If he winds up with the Bengals, at least Carson Palmer would be there to show him how a quarterback is supposed to work. I’m not sure how beneficial it would be to put Russell on the same team as Ochocinco, but I’m sure the Bengals don’t care. That organization is a circus anyway.


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      External Sports, NFL

      Pacman Jones completes his first workout, thrilled to be a Bengal

      May 11, 2010 /

      Pacman Jones, who just completed his first workout for his new team today, is thrilled to be a Bengal.

      “First of all, I want to thank God for putting me in this situation. I want to thank the fans, the media for y’all attention today. I think I still have the skill set that I’ve had that made me a high draft choice.

      “I know I have a ton, ton of work to do. It would be a dream come true to come in and help the Bengals in any way I can, also help win a championship. Like I said, I know I have a ton of work to do. To gain you guys’ trust is not going to come overnight, it’s going to take time. So all I can do is take it one day at a time, focus in on the things I’ve been focusing on, and come play football, man.

      “Like I said, I’m happy to be here. I want to thank the city of Cincinnati for giving me and my family a fresh start. I want to thank the guys upstairs, Mr. Brown, I want to thank coach, I want to thank coach Zimmer, I want to thank the whole organization. I’m happy to be here and I look forward to talking to you all real soon.

      Since 2005, the Bengals have had 20 players arrested, which is more than any other team in the league outside of the Jaguars, who have also had 20 players arrested over that time span. Pacman alone has been arrested six times since 2005, so Cincinnati is a perfect fit for him.

      In my humble opinion, Jones doesn’t deserve another chance. It should be a privilege to play in the NFL – not a right. It’s a shame that a team that has had so much trouble with players off the field like the Bengals have had would give another troubled player an opportunity, but this is the reality of the situation. If a player is relatively young and has talent, more times than not his issues will be overlooked.

      To borrow an old cliché: it is what it is.

      External Sports, NFL

      Steve Smith denies calling Clausen a “punk”

      May 11, 2010 /

      Last week, ProFootballTalk.com reported that Panthers’ rookie Jimmy Clausen had already “pissed off multiple receivers” during a recent mini-camp and also claimed that Steve Smith “basically thinks Jimmy is a punk.”

      Today, Charlotte Observer writer Charles Chandler denied the rumors cooked up by the hit-or-miss PFT.com.

      Earlier today, Smith strongly denied having a problem with Clausen.

      There was also a mention in the aforementiond item that Carolina tight ends were upset at Clausen for yelling at them. The most vivid memories I have of Clausen from minicamp were two passes he threw in red zone drills through traffic for touchdowns to tight ends Jeff King and Gary Barnidge. Both of those guys looked extremely happy. King even spiked the ball through his legs in a much more expressive gesture than he normally does.

      A lot of people love PFT.com because of its rumor mill section. But the problem that I have always had with the site is that it rarely, if ever, cites its sources. So you don’t know whether or not the rumor is coming from a general manager, the team janitor or Mike Florio’s neighbor.

      PFT.com is standing by its story, but I’m more apt to believe Chandler, who covers the Panthers for a respectable news outlet and who was actually in attendance during the mini-camp. Plus, as Chandler notes in his report, Smith isn’t the type to hide his feelings. He’s a fiery guy who wears his emotions on his sleeve, so if he did have a problem with Clausen, the whole world would probably know about it by now.

      As usual when it comes to a rumor by PFT.com, this story is probably much ado about nothing.


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      External Sports, NFL

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