NFL - NEWS & NOTES

NFL CONDUCTING COMPREHENSIVE INVESTIGATION OF MANNING

DENVER (AP) -- The NFL says it is conducting a comprehensive review of allegations that Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning had human growth hormone delivered to his house.

There's no timetable to complete the investigation, but it's not expected before Denver plays Carolina in the Super Bowl on Feb. 7.

League spokesman Brian McCarthy says the inquiry, which began weeks ago, involves reviews of records, interviews and coordination with other agencies.

Al Jazeera reported last month that an intern at an Indianapolis anti-aging clinic was secretly recorded suggesting that Manning's wife received deliveries of HGH, which is banned by the league. Manning, then with the Colts, was rehabbing from shoulder surgeries.

The intern, Charles Sly, has since recanted his story.

Manning angrily denied using performance-enhancing substances and called the report "complete garbage." (NFL AP wire)

 

Because Cleveland's defense was so good in 2015?

 

Secretly, so without knowledge and inadmissable since the recording was taken without consent and could be tossed in court. They are going off the fact that Manning's wife received shipments of it in her name. I would say someone is reaching for fame at this point, connecting dots that don't have a fact basis at this point.

 

League still has to check it out though if nothing else so the pats fans don't bust their tear ducts crying about the league only going after them.

 

I know, i just think it is another Goodell witch hunt.

 

Pro Bowl Rosters

You can see the entire rosters for Team Irvin and Team Rice below.

If a player has a number next to his name, that represents where he was taken in the draft. The 20 highest-drafted players are marked below.

The 2016 Pro Bowl will kickoff from Hawaii on Sunday at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN.

Team Rice

Coach: Andy Reid, Chiefs

Captain: Odell Beckham Jr., Giants
Captain: Aaron Donald, Rams

QB: Eli Manning, Giants (No. 2 overall pick)
QB: Derek Carr, Raiders (No. 8 pick)
QB: Tyrod Taylor, Bills
FB: John Kuhn, Packers
RB: Adrian Peterson, Vikings (No. 14 pick)
RB: Doug Martin, Buccaneers
RB: Chris Ivory, Jets
WR: Jarvis Landry, Dolphins (No. 6 pick)
WR: Amari Cooper, Raiders (No. 10 pick)
WR: T.Y. Hilton, Colts
TE: Travis Kelce, Chiefs
TE: Gary Barnidge, Browns
OG: Richie Incognito, Bills
OG: Logan Mankins, Buccaneers
OG: Josh Sitton, Packers
OG: Nick Mangold, Jets
OT: Kyle Long, Bears
OT: Joe Staley, 49ers
OT: Joe Thomas, Browns
C: Eric Wood, Bills

Defense

DT: Fletcher Cox, Eagles
DT: Gerald McCoy, Buccaneers
DE: Cameron Jordan, Saints
DE: Everson Griffen, Vikings (No. 18 pick)
LB: Elvis Dumervil, Ravens
LB: Julius Peppers, Packers
LB: Tamba Hali, ,Chiefs (No. 14 pick)
LB: Khalil Mack, Raiders (No. 4 pick)
LB: Clay Matthews, Packers
LB: Bobby Wagner, Seahawks
CB: Marcus Peters, Chiefs (No. 12 pick)
CB: Vontae Davis, Colts, (No. 20 pick)
CB: Brent Grimes, Dolphins
CB: Jason Verrett, Chargers
S: Eric Berry, Chiefs
S: Mike Adams, Colts
S: Charles Woodson, Raiders

Special Teams

ST: Cedric Peerman, Chargers
KR: Tyler Lockett, Seahawks
P: Johnny Hekker, Rams
K: Josh Brown, Giants

Team Irvin

Coach: Winston Moss, Packers (Mike McCarthy was supposed to coach, but he didn't make the trip due to an illness).

Captain: Devonta Freeman, Falcons
Captain: Geno Atkins, Bengals

QB: Russell Wilson, Seahawks (No. 1 overall pick)
QB: Jameis Winston, Buccaneers
QB: Teddy Bridgewater, Vikings
FB: Patrick DiMarco, Falcons
RB: Todd Gurley, Rams (No. 15 pick)
RB: Latavius Murray, Raiders
WR: Julio Jones, Falcons (No. 3 pick)
WR: A.J. Green, Bengals (No. 11 pick)
WR: DeAndre Hopkins, Texans (No. 13 pick)
WR: Allen Robinson, Jaguars
TE: Tyler Eifert, Bengals
TE: Delanie Walker, Titans
OG: David DeCastro, Steelers
OG: Zack Martin, Cowboys
OG: Marshal Yanda, Ravens
OT: Branden Albert, Dolphins
OT: Tyron Smith, Cowboys
OT: Andrew Whitworth, Bengals
C: Travis Frederick, Cowboys
C: Alex Mack, Browns

Defense

DE: Michael Bennett, Seahawks (No. 9 pick)
DE: Carlos Dunlap, Bengals
DE: Ziggy Ansah, Lions (No. 7 pick)
DT: Calais Campbell, Cardinals
DT: Jurrell Casey, Titans
LB: Sean Lee, Cowboys
LB: Anthony Barr, Vikings (No. 17 pick)
LB: Lavonte David, Buccaneers
LB: NaVorro Bowman, 49ers
LB: Derrick Johnson, Chiefs
CB: Richard Sherman, Seahawks (No. 5 pick)
CB: Desmond Trufant, Falcons (No. 19 pick)
CB: Adam Jones, Bengals
CB: Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, Giants
S: Malcolm Jenkins, Eagles
S: Reshad Jones, Dolphins
S: Harrison Smith, Vikings

Special Teams

ST: Justin Bethel, Cardinals
KR: Darren Sproles, Eagles
P: Sam Koch, Ravens
K: Dan Bailey, Cowboys

 

Braxton Miller: I'd love to help Julio Jones with Atlanta Falcons

It would be pretty foolish for a wide receiver prospect to be anything less than enthusiastic about the idea of joining forces with one of the NFL's best at the position.

Folks, Ohio State's Braxton Miller is no fool, as he showed with his answer when asked about the possibility of being drafted by the Atlanta Falcons to play alongside All-Pro Julio Jones.

"I would love to come help out Julio in Atlanta," Miller told ESPN at the Reese's Senior Bowl. "I would love to wear the red and black."

Miller has impressed observers this week during Senior Bowl practices, and he'll have another opportunity to do so on Saturday, when the Senior Bowl game will be held (broadcast exclusively on NFL Network at 2:30 p.m. ET).

Prospects will have contact with most teams before the draft process is over, and Miller had an informal conversation with the Falcons this week, per ESPN.

After observing Miller in practice on Tuesday, NFL Media analyst Bucky Brooks wrote that Miller "could make an immediate impact as a multipurpose playmaker" and called him "the most natural punt returner that I've seen in years."

Brooks also noted Miller's improved route-running skills -- Miller is still in his first year as a wide receiver after transitioning from quarterback before the start of the 2015 season, so he still has room to grow at his new position. (NFL.com)
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He's good at the receiver position. Definitely a guy to snag come draft time.

 

As usual, Irvin is Cowboy biased. Was their OL that good this year? I didn't think so. Not to mention some of his picks on defense and STs. He should not be picking the Pro Bowl players and he's the biggest idiot on the the NFLN. I seriously don't know how he still has a job on the tele?????? He's the worst, imo.......I was watching a couple weeks ago or last week and was doing something and I heard this weird noise coming from the tele. I was wondering what it was, looked, and low and behold it was Irvin running around the studio screaming a weird noise. How does he have a job doing something like that? It would be great if it was funny, but as usual, he was the only one laughing. Good deep insight to the games Mike! *OK*

 

Raiders eye move to Vegas.

If there were one city out there other than Oakland that I think would fit the Raiders personality its vegas. Just MHO though. Would it be weird saying the LV raiders yeah but no weirder than the saying the St Louis rams or the Arizona Cardinals. While on the subject name changes why is it that when a basketball team moves or change names it seems easier to get used to?

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/eye-on...rs-are-exploring-a-possible-move-to-las-vegas

 

I think the Raiders to Vegas is an interesting idea. I like that much better than going to San Diego. I always wonder how a professional sports franchise would do in Vegas.

 

It would be interesting...Wonder how many Raiders fans would stay with the team if they moved out of state...

They stayed pretty loyal when they moved 6 hours to LA, it's only like 9 hours to LV..so the drive, while long, isn't insurmountable for a weekend trip.

Just an FYI...

Cleveland's "City" population is around 390,000(outlying suburbs pushes the greater Cleveland area over 1M)/Las Vegas around 600,000(outlying suburbs pushes Vegas to about 1M). State of Ohio 11.5M/State of Nevada only 2.8M.

The tourism alone, I would think, would help a franchise there thrive. Just imagine being a fan of ANY team that is on their schedule...what is a more exciting away game to plan? Formerly, St. Louis Rams, or even Oakland Raiders for that matter...or VEGAS BABY?

You would definitely see a lot more away fans in the seats, which isn't necessarily a bad thing when you are trying to fill a venue.

 

Great point Irish.

 

Travis Kelce signs a five-year deal worth $46 million, including just over $20 million in guaranteed money.

Both more than Ertz btw, although the latter not by much but that number IMO is pointless.

 

Chargers announce they will stay in San Diego for 2016

The Chargers are staying in San Diego for the 2016 season in hopes of negotiating a stadium deal with the city.

Owner Dean Spanos released a statement on Friday:

Today I decided our team will stay in San Diego for the 2016 season and I hope for the long term in a new stadium.

I have met with Mayor (Kevin) Faulconer and Supervisor (Dave) Roberts and I look forward to working closely with them and the business community to resolve our stadium dilemma. We have an option and an agreement with the Los Angeles Rams to go to Inglewood in the next year, but my focus is on San Diego.

Spanos referenced an agreement in principal that would enable the Chargers to become the Rams' tenants when the new Los Angeles stadium opens, tentatively scheduled for 2019. (NFL.com)

 

Eagles, OT Lane Johnson agree to six-year contract

The Philadelphia Eagles' week of locking up offensive stars continues.

The Eagles announced they have agreed to terms on a six-year contract with offensive tackle Lane Johnson. The new contract keeps Johnson in Philadelphia through 2021.

NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport reported the deal is worth up to $63 million with $35.5 million in guarantees, per a source involved in the situation. Earlier this week, the Eagles signed tight ends Zach Ertz and Brent Celek to long-term contract extensions.

The Eagles selected Johnson fourth overall in the 2013 draft. In three seasons and 45 starts, Johnson played 43 contests at right tackle and two at left tackle. Johnson proved his versatility when he was moved to the left side for two games this year to replace an injured Jason Peters. (NFL.com)
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Eagles like making deals... The 'cash-money' Eagles.

 

NFL report says number of diagnosed concussions increased in 2015

The NFL's concussion problem isn't going away. By the numbers, it's getting worse.

That's according to the NFL, which released a report on Friday that revealed concussion data from the past four seasons. After seeing a decrease in concussions from 2013 to 2014, this past season experienced a sharp rise in the number of diagnosed concussions. Including practices, preseason games, and regular-season games, the increase was nearly 32 percent. In regular-season games only, concussions rose by 58 percent. In total, the NFL counted 271 concussions in 2015.

According to the Associated Press, NFL senior vice president of health and safety policy Jeff Miller said that one explanation for the sharp increase might be "unprecedented levels of players reporting signs and signals of concussions," meaning the increase could be due to heightened awareness and more frequent testing. Miller noted that the number of players tested for concussions doubled and that the league will continue to look into the potential causes. (CBS)

 

Hearing reports that Calvin Johnson is retiring...

Adam Schefter reported this... "Calvin Johnson told family 2015 would be his final year and delivered same message to Jim Caldwell after season ended, sources told ESPN."

 

Also reported that Caldwell asked CJ to take some time and not rush to decision. Out of respect for his coach he has agreed. Nothing final yet.

 

Lions say they're still giving Johnson time to decide future