NFL/NFLPA AGREE TO 24-HOUR EXTENSION, MAYBE 7-10 DAYS MORE
Federal mediator George Cohen got the NFLPA & ownership to agree to a 24-hour extension. They will continue their talks tomorrow & late tonight ESPN's Chris Mortensen reported Cohen asked both sides to agree to a longer extension, something like 7 to 10 days more. Mortensen reported the player's union agreed to the loner extension. The owners will decide Friday morning about extending the talks. No league business can take place on Friday, only labor talks, all releases & signings stopped at midnight tonight. If the owners don't agree to extending the face-to-face negotiations, I'm certain they have no desire to compromise on anything & I'm done with them. The word is ownership is set on growing their $9 million in yearly revenue to something in the $20 billion range. The proposed 18-game schedule, the rookie salary cap & the need to keep their books closed to peering union eyes all point toward increasing the league-wide revenue dramatically over the next 10-years. If they're not careful with these negotiations, they will create a negative atmosphere where revenues could decrease until they get a new TV deal.
The Chiefs selected former cornerback Kevin Ross to become the 41st member of their Hall of Fame. Ross teamed with Albert Lewis for 10-years to form the best cornerback tandem in Chiefs' history. Ross had 30 career interceptions while playing for the Chiefs from 1984 to 1993. He also forced 12 fumbles & recovered 12 fumbles. Ross & Lewis made the Pro Bowl together in 1988 & '89. Ross succeeded 4-time Pro Bowl corner Gary Green & the Lewis/Ross tandem was followed by Dale Carter & James Hasty, who also made 4 Pro Bowls. For two decades Kansas City had great corners. I miss those days. Ross will be inducted on alumni weekend this fall.
Kendrick Lewis, Dexter McCluster & Donald Washington have their schedules full this off-season. All three are working to complete their college degrees. Lewis' is in criminal justice, the other two are finishing up their degrees in broadcast communication. All three should be able to finish in one semester, fulfilling promises they had made to their families when they enrolled as freshmen.
Former Oakland quarterback & #1 overall pick in the 2007 draft, JaMarcus Russell, has been paid almost $31 million since signing with the Raiders. Apparently that might not have been enough. The mortgage holder on his Oakland home has begun foreclosure proceedings against Russell for being over $195K in arrears. Russell hasn't returned phone calls or responded to mailings, so the foreclosure was put into motion. The $2.4 million home was abandoned some time ago. What a guy.
During the 15-minute team interviews conducted during the NFL Scouting Combine, players get thrown some real curveballs at times. Last year's strangest question was asked of Tampa 1st round pick Gerald McCoy. He said a team asked him if he liked to wear thong underwear, kinda disturbing. This year the most bizarre question I heard was asked of Alabama defensive tackle Marcel Dareus, "what do a table & chairs have in common?" His answer was "they make a dinette set." My answer would have been "they both have legs." Turns out, there is no wrong answer. I don't know, it's way over my head.
Clemson defensive end Da'Quan Bowers, a top-5 prospect for next month's draft, had a pretty decent combine. But in the post-workout physical exam doctors became concerned that his previously repaired right knee hasn't healed properly & another procedure might be required before training camp, whenever that is.
The Carolina Panthers have signed tight end Jeremy Shockey to a 1-year contract. The Panther tight ends were really underwhelming last season, scoring just 2 touchdowns & catching just 385-yards worth of passes. Since the tight end draft class is really, really weak & there is very little free agent talent at the position, taking a 1-year shot with Shockey is a pretty good gamble.
Another former Pro Bowl performer, safety Bob Sanders, has gone from Colt to Bolt. He signed a 1-year deal with the Chargers Thursday. Sanders was released by Indianapolis after missing 39 of 48 games the last three years. An impact player when he was healthy, Sanders is probably looking at his last stop. If he can't stay healthy with San Diego, he'll find signing with another NFL team very difficult.
The Raiders released guard Robert Gallery Thursday. Drafted #2 overall in the 2004 draft, Gallery was a big disappointment as a tackle but after being moved inside to left guard, he became the Raiders' best offensive lineman. His release was totally about money, he had his best season last year. Gallery will turn 31 next month, but on the heels of last season's performance, someone will snap him up once a new CBA is signed.
Denver released 3-time Pro Bowl nose tackle Jamal Williams. His release wasn't about money, rather the change in defensive scheme since John Fox took over as head coach. The Broncos will run a 4-3 & Williams provides zero pass rush, he's a space-eating, run-stuffing behemoth. Williams was one of the best nose tackles in the league while he was with San Diego. He will be 35 next month & he's going to have to lower his sights financially if he's to find another team.
Incoming freshman Brock Bergland was thought to be in the thick of the Kansas quarterback derby this spring. He had enrolled already, making him eligible for spring football. But now the Jayhawk frosh has been ruled out for "personal circumstances" whatever that is.
The NCAA is investigating De'Anthony Thomas, a recent signee for the University of Oregon. The cornerback was thought to be locked into USC, he had given them a verbal commitment in May of 2010 while attending Crenshaw High School, almost in the shadow of the L.A. Coliseum. Then something changed at the last minute. The 5-star recruit suddenly switched his allegiance to the Ducks. Thomas spent two hours being grilled by NCAA investigators & afterward he Tweeted his "interview was like being grilled by the cops." I hope he learned something from Dez Bryant, telling NCAA investigators the absolute truth is essential. But the word tonight was Thomas was being quizzed about USC, not Oregon. More trouble for Lane Kiffin? This kind of crap is going to follow Kiffin as long as he coaches at the collegiate level, he goes by his own set of rules.
Thursday marked the 2-year anniversary of richsfootballreport.com. In that time I've posted some 1.4 million words & some of you have been here for almost all of them. For that, I thank you, I love doing this & really appreciate your support. Even tho I'm called an idiot & worse from time to time, I'm grateful for every loyal reader. I love reading the comments & your emails, keep 'em comin'. I'm currently fighting some real knee problems, I may have to surrender & get it replaced. It's tough sitting here without being medicated to the point of losing most of my typing skills, but I just love putting post after post up here for you to read. I sincerely hope you'll continue to read my printed word & challenge me when you don't agree. Thanks to my unbelievably patient wife Linda for suggesting this in the 1st place & encouraging me from day one. Thanks for reading this post & if you like this site, I hope you'll pass the link onto your friends & family who love the game of football like we do. Let's hope we have an NFL agreement sooner than later so my topics don't get cut in half next fall. Have a great day.
The Chiefs selected former cornerback Kevin Ross to become the 41st member of their Hall of Fame. Ross teamed with Albert Lewis for 10-years to form the best cornerback tandem in Chiefs' history. Ross had 30 career interceptions while playing for the Chiefs from 1984 to 1993. He also forced 12 fumbles & recovered 12 fumbles. Ross & Lewis made the Pro Bowl together in 1988 & '89. Ross succeeded 4-time Pro Bowl corner Gary Green & the Lewis/Ross tandem was followed by Dale Carter & James Hasty, who also made 4 Pro Bowls. For two decades Kansas City had great corners. I miss those days. Ross will be inducted on alumni weekend this fall.
Kendrick Lewis, Dexter McCluster & Donald Washington have their schedules full this off-season. All three are working to complete their college degrees. Lewis' is in criminal justice, the other two are finishing up their degrees in broadcast communication. All three should be able to finish in one semester, fulfilling promises they had made to their families when they enrolled as freshmen.
Former Oakland quarterback & #1 overall pick in the 2007 draft, JaMarcus Russell, has been paid almost $31 million since signing with the Raiders. Apparently that might not have been enough. The mortgage holder on his Oakland home has begun foreclosure proceedings against Russell for being over $195K in arrears. Russell hasn't returned phone calls or responded to mailings, so the foreclosure was put into motion. The $2.4 million home was abandoned some time ago. What a guy.
During the 15-minute team interviews conducted during the NFL Scouting Combine, players get thrown some real curveballs at times. Last year's strangest question was asked of Tampa 1st round pick Gerald McCoy. He said a team asked him if he liked to wear thong underwear, kinda disturbing. This year the most bizarre question I heard was asked of Alabama defensive tackle Marcel Dareus, "what do a table & chairs have in common?" His answer was "they make a dinette set." My answer would have been "they both have legs." Turns out, there is no wrong answer. I don't know, it's way over my head.
Clemson defensive end Da'Quan Bowers, a top-5 prospect for next month's draft, had a pretty decent combine. But in the post-workout physical exam doctors became concerned that his previously repaired right knee hasn't healed properly & another procedure might be required before training camp, whenever that is.
The Carolina Panthers have signed tight end Jeremy Shockey to a 1-year contract. The Panther tight ends were really underwhelming last season, scoring just 2 touchdowns & catching just 385-yards worth of passes. Since the tight end draft class is really, really weak & there is very little free agent talent at the position, taking a 1-year shot with Shockey is a pretty good gamble.
Another former Pro Bowl performer, safety Bob Sanders, has gone from Colt to Bolt. He signed a 1-year deal with the Chargers Thursday. Sanders was released by Indianapolis after missing 39 of 48 games the last three years. An impact player when he was healthy, Sanders is probably looking at his last stop. If he can't stay healthy with San Diego, he'll find signing with another NFL team very difficult.
The Raiders released guard Robert Gallery Thursday. Drafted #2 overall in the 2004 draft, Gallery was a big disappointment as a tackle but after being moved inside to left guard, he became the Raiders' best offensive lineman. His release was totally about money, he had his best season last year. Gallery will turn 31 next month, but on the heels of last season's performance, someone will snap him up once a new CBA is signed.
Denver released 3-time Pro Bowl nose tackle Jamal Williams. His release wasn't about money, rather the change in defensive scheme since John Fox took over as head coach. The Broncos will run a 4-3 & Williams provides zero pass rush, he's a space-eating, run-stuffing behemoth. Williams was one of the best nose tackles in the league while he was with San Diego. He will be 35 next month & he's going to have to lower his sights financially if he's to find another team.
Incoming freshman Brock Bergland was thought to be in the thick of the Kansas quarterback derby this spring. He had enrolled already, making him eligible for spring football. But now the Jayhawk frosh has been ruled out for "personal circumstances" whatever that is.
The NCAA is investigating De'Anthony Thomas, a recent signee for the University of Oregon. The cornerback was thought to be locked into USC, he had given them a verbal commitment in May of 2010 while attending Crenshaw High School, almost in the shadow of the L.A. Coliseum. Then something changed at the last minute. The 5-star recruit suddenly switched his allegiance to the Ducks. Thomas spent two hours being grilled by NCAA investigators & afterward he Tweeted his "interview was like being grilled by the cops." I hope he learned something from Dez Bryant, telling NCAA investigators the absolute truth is essential. But the word tonight was Thomas was being quizzed about USC, not Oregon. More trouble for Lane Kiffin? This kind of crap is going to follow Kiffin as long as he coaches at the collegiate level, he goes by his own set of rules.
Thursday marked the 2-year anniversary of richsfootballreport.com. In that time I've posted some 1.4 million words & some of you have been here for almost all of them. For that, I thank you, I love doing this & really appreciate your support. Even tho I'm called an idiot & worse from time to time, I'm grateful for every loyal reader. I love reading the comments & your emails, keep 'em comin'. I'm currently fighting some real knee problems, I may have to surrender & get it replaced. It's tough sitting here without being medicated to the point of losing most of my typing skills, but I just love putting post after post up here for you to read. I sincerely hope you'll continue to read my printed word & challenge me when you don't agree. Thanks to my unbelievably patient wife Linda for suggesting this in the 1st place & encouraging me from day one. Thanks for reading this post & if you like this site, I hope you'll pass the link onto your friends & family who love the game of football like we do. Let's hope we have an NFL agreement sooner than later so my topics don't get cut in half next fall. Have a great day.
Comments