NFL - NEWS & NOTES

I think it is indicative of one thing, none of the QBs in the 2016 draft are ready to play NOW. It doesn't mean the Eagles will ignore the position now. But even if they take Paxton Lynch in the first round, he won't be forced to play in year 1. The rookie cap has made it feasible for a QB to sit a year, possibly even two with Bradford's deal. It would be great for the Eagles if Lynch progressed so fast he displaced Bradford in 2017, but barring injuries, he wouldn't have to. Then decide based on both of their play what to do after that.

 

Patriots release veteran TE Chandler, receiver LaFell

BOSTON (AP) ? The Patriots are parting ways with two veteran pass catchers, Scott Chandler and Brandon LaFell.

New England announced Wednesday it has released tight end Chandler and wide receiver Brandon LaFell.

Chandler signed with the Patriots last March. The 30-year-old made 23 receptions for 259 yards and seven touchdowns while appearing in 15 games with four starts during the regular season.

The 29-year-old LaFell signed with the Patriots as a free agent from Carolina in 2014. He had a career-high seven touchdowns that first season. In the playoffs he added 13 receptions for 119 yards with two touchdowns, including an 11-yard touchdown in the Super Bowl.

But after a foot injury limited him in 2015, his role diminished. He had no receiving touchdowns during the regular season and three receptions in two playoff games.

 

Appeals court to hear oral arguments in 'Deflategate' case

NEW YORK (AP) ? NFL union lawyers who want New England quarterback Tom Brady to put "Deflategate" behind him for good are ready to make their pitch to three New York federal appeals judges.

NFL lawyers are asking the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Manhattan Thursday to reinstate a four-game suspension the league handed Brady. They said a lower-court was wrong to rule in September that the penalty could be lifted because the league bungled a probe of deflated footballs at the AFC Championship game in January 2015.

If the league wins, Brady may have to sit out the start of the upcoming season. If the union wins, it is likely he will play. Either way, the case is likely to be cited in labor law for years to come.

A ruling, unlikely for months, may hinge on obscure points of contract law that sports fans may find less interesting than the drama that has unfolded within the controversy.

In court papers, NFL attorneys have called U.S. District Judge Richard Berman's Manhattan decision "inexplicable."

In their filings, NFL Players Association lawyers said NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell was making a "sweeping grab for power" when he upheld the four-game suspension in July.

Neither Goodell nor Brady will be in court Thursday. It is unlikely the court will rule for weeks.

 

Details to follow...

 

Guess we'll see where this goes. Didn't sound promising for Brady so far. If the NFL wins the judges have pretty much taken a giant dump on CBAs essentially saying they don't mean anything. Would be a huge blow to unions everywhere. Regardless of people thinking anyone cheated (NFL already admitted to Berman they have no real and direct evidence), the CBA does not allow Goodell to do whatever he wants. Multiple judges have already ruled against him and told him that.

 

This is exactly the opposite of how union employees are viewing it.

Right now the CBA has been violated by the judge that ruled in favor of Brady essentially ripping up the agreement as it was not to go beyond the agreed upon arbitration. The players agreed to the CBA and should have to abide by it. If the ruling is not overturned it sets a horrible precedent by making it available for any collectively bargained agreement to be voided in court giving union employees no recourse and making any CBA subject to the courts and independent interests. It's a two way street.

 

They are. Goodell isn't. You can't punish a player without proper notice. Equipment violation can not lead to a suspension. Players cannot be punished for failure to turn over phones. Intent has no factor in punishments. Goodell said they would hire an independent investigator, he did not. There's many many ways Goodell violated the CBA. The Ray Rice case is a great example of Goodell doing whatever he wanted to and the court saying no you can't (retroactively applied a new punishment, aka no proper notice). Hell the punishment was never even allowed to be handed down to begin with because Troy Vincent does not have that authority.

 

lol NFL told a bold faced lie that was already proven to be a lie in court and the judges didn't contest it. What a joke.

Goodell is sooooo far over his head in this job. There's noway the NFLPA should accept another CBA that includes Goodell.

 

i love this idea but i don't think they will take lynch now at 13. they have other needs.

 

Andre Johnson told by the Texans that he's cut.

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2016/03/04/colts-tell-andre-johnson-hes-cut/

 

The Texans told him the Colts are cutting him.

 

^^^

Whoops, I meant told by the Colts. Damn, old habits die hard.

 

Would that still be considered "tampering"

 

The Texans didn't - Gid was busting my balls for saying "Texans" when I meant "Colts."

 

Speaking of old stuff that never dies...

NFL asks court to restore Tom Brady's Deflategate suspension

NEW YORK -- New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady could again be facing a four-game suspension for the scandal known as Deflategate after federal appeals court judges spent time Thursday shredding some of his union's favorite arguments for dismissal.

The 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Manhattan gave a players' union lawyer a tough time, with Circuit Judge Denny Chin even saying evidence of ball tampering was "compelling, if not overwhelming," and there was evidence to support a finding that Brady "knew about it, consented to it, encouraged it."

"How do we as appellate judges reviewing an arbitrator's decision second-guess the four-game suspension?" Chin asked attorney Jeffrey Kessler of the NFL Players Association.

The appeals court did not immediately rule, but it seemed to lean heavily at times against the union's arguments, raising the prospect that the suspension Brady was supposed to start last September before a judge nullified it may begin next season instead.

The appeals panel seemed receptive to the NFL's argument that it was fair for Commissioner Roger Goodell to severely penalize one of the game's greatest quarterbacks after concluding he tarnished the game by impeding the league's investigation into deflated footballs, including destroying a cellphone containing nearly 10,000 messages. The league had concluded that deflated balls were used when the Patriots routed the Indianapolis Colts at the January 2015 AFC championship game before they went on to win the Super Bowl.

Judge Barrington D. Parker said the cellphone-destruction issue raised the stakes "from air in a football to compromising the integrity of a proceeding that the commissioner had convened."

"An adjudicator looking at these facts, it seems to me, might conclude that the cellphone had incriminating information on it and that, in the teeth of an investigation, it was deliberately destroyed," Parker said. "So why couldn't the commissioner suspend Mr. Brady for that conduct alone?"

"With all due respect, Mr. Brady's explanation of that made no sense whatsoever," Parker said.

After Goodell rejected Brady's appeal of the four-game suspension, the league went to federal court to get a judge's approval of its handling of the case. But Judge Richard Berman ruled against the NFL a week before the season began, eliminating Brady's suspension.

The NFL appealed.

Clement urged the court to rule quickly for the good of the game.

"It would be an awful shame if this issue has to be hanging over the league for another whole season," he said. "End this right now."

Neither Goodell nor Brady was in court Thursday. A decision could take weeks or months.

 

Yeah I know. Just playing along

 

Sorry, RR1 - tough to tell sometimes when someone's joking or serious. *DRINK*

 

Browns linebacker Armonty Bryant suspended 4 games by NFL

CLEVELAND (AP) ? Browns linebacker Armonty Bryant has been suspended by the NFL for the first four games of the 2016 season for violating the league's policy on performance enhancing substances.

Bryant will not be paid during his ban, but he will be eligible to participate in all offseason and preseason practices and games.

The 25-year-old recently pleaded not guilty to felony drug possession charges.

Bryant and former teammate De'Ante Saunders were arrested on Christmas Day following a traffic stop. Police say they found marijuana, prescription drugs and a loaded handgun in Saunders' car. The Browns released Saunders from their practice squad.

Bryant was suspended by former general manager Ray Farmer for Cleveland's final two games last season.

The Browns selected Bryant in the seventh round of the 2013 draft despite a checkered background. He was twice arrested in college for selling marijuana to an undercover officer.
_________________

Far out, man... *HIGH*

 

Browns president Alec Scheiner leaving team at end of month



CLEVELAND (AP) ? The Browns' offseason shake-up hasn't stopped.

The team announced Friday that president Alec Scheiner is leaving at the end of the month, a departure that followed his having a reduced role in the team's recent hiring of new coach Hue Jackson.

Scheiner, who joined the Browns in 2012 after eight years with the Dallas Cowboys, will leave his job on March 31. He will remain with the club as a consultant through 2016.

There was no reason given for Scheiner's parting. A team spokesman said Scheiner's position will not immediately be filled.

Browns owners Jimmy and Dee Haslam have been rearranging the team's front office since the end of last season, when coach Mike Pettine and general manager Ray Farmer were fired hours after a loss to Pittsburgh. Sashi Brown, who handled contract negotiations for the club, was promoted to vice president of football operations, and the Browns hired Paul DePodesta, a major league baseball analytical whiz.

Also, Cleveland hired Andrew Berry, formerly with Indianapolis, as its new vice president of player personnel.

Scheiner spearheaded the modernization project of FirstEnergy Stadium as well as the current renovation of the team's facility in Berea, Ohio. The Browns also credited him with improving the business side of their franchise.

"We greatly appreciate Alec's commitment and work as President of the Cleveland Browns," the Haslams said in a statement. "Alec is extremely capable and has helped us establish some very positive inroads with a significant focus on our fan experience, FirstEnergy Stadium and our business partners. He was integral to the rebuild of our organization, the renovations of our stadium and training facility, and many of our strategies on the football side of our business.

"His guidance has helped us accelerate our learning curve as NFL owners and that is something we will always appreciate. Alec is ready for the next challenge in his career, as our new structure would limit the opportunity for his leadership. He is one of the most talented executives in the industry, and we are fully confident that Alec will be successful in whatever permanent role he takes next. We wish him and his family only the best."

Scheiner said he had "an incredible experience with the Browns."