Category: NFL (Page 463 of 1282)

Mike Tomlin concerned about Steelers’ franchise, Big Ben

During a recent interview with the NFL Network’s Jennifer Allen, head coach Mike Tomlin expressed concern over the state of the Steelers’ franchise, as well as for quarterback Ben Roethlisberger.

From NFL.com:

Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin expressed anxiety over the sexual-assault allegation leveled at quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, telling NFL Network’s Jennifer Allen on Saturday, “I’m highly concerned for our franchise and for Ben personally.”

“My concerns are many, but I think at this time it’s kind of appropriate to watch these things and let these things run their course,” Tomlin said after arriving in Orlando, Fla., for the NFL Annual Meeting, which starts Monday. “I think it would be inappropriate for me to have strong feelings one way or another with the investigation being ongoing and so forth. Like everyone else, you watch these things unfold.”

Tomlin and the Steelers are doing the right thing by letting the legal process work itself out when it comes to Roethlisberger’s situation. But the reality is that the organization should be concerned. Its starting quarterback has been accused of sexual assault twice in the last year and a half and while he may have not done anything wrong in either incident, this is the third time in the last four offseasons were Big Ben has gotten into some kind of off-field complication.

It wouldn’t be an overstatement to say that Roethlisberger’s future in Pittsburgh is in doubt.


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Did the Cardinals error in not pursuing Dansby harder?

The Cardinals knew what they had to do in order to retain linebacker Karlos Dansby at the start of free agency. Whichever team came hardest with the most cash was the one that would acquire Dansby’s services for the next however many seasons.

Yet when it came time to pony up, the Cards couldn’t (or wouldn’t?) match the five-year, $43 million contract that the Dolphins were offering. Thus the reason Dansby will be playing in South Beach next year with the Dolphins.

With Dansby gone, Arizona had to fill the void that was created at linebacker. So they recently signed aging loudmouth Joey Porter to a three-year, $17.5 million contract, with a max value of $24.5 million. If he reaches the max value of the contract, Porter will make just over $8 million a year from the Cardinals. Considering they could have had Dansby (a younger, more versatile and more productive linebacker) for $8.6 million a year, it’s a little bothersome that Arizona didn’t make a harder pitch to the 28-year-old.

Of course, Dansby will get $22 million in guaranteed money and the only way Porter gets $24.5 million is through incentives. That’s a big difference between the two contracts. Arizona could cut Porter in a year and save money on the back end, while Miami is stuck paying $22 million regardless of whether or not Dansby turns out to be a bust.

Still, I wouldn’t be surprised if Cardinals fans are a little peeved that their team just overpaid for Porter and couldn’t convince Dansby to stay. I realize Dansby may have had his hopes set on leaving Arizona no matter what, but money appeared to be the root of his motivation to sign and even though the Cardinals knew that, they still couldn’t (or wouldn’t?) pony up.


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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.


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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.


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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.


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