NFL - NEWS & NOTES

entertaining offers is different to the player wanting out of town. the team could've been just seeing if there was any interest in him i.e. kicking the tires. now they are forced to trade him bc he wants out of Dodge!

 

No, because Leary knew he wasn't going to be the starter, which is what he wants. This is actually fairly old news.

 

Ravens forfeit week of OTAs, fined for violations​

The Baltimore Ravens' offseason practice schedule just got shorter.

The NFL and the Ravens announced Thursday that the team will forfeit one week of OTA sessions from June 1-3 and both the organization and coach John Harbaugh have been fined for violating the Collective Bargaining Agreement for a violation of offseason work rules. The team is allowed ten OTA sessions in the offseason.

"We made a mistake and we are sorry for that. We accept the NFL discipline," the Ravens said in a statement.

The NFL investigated the Ravens for using full pads at a session during their rookie minicamp earlier in May. The Ravens also had to cancel a week of workouts in 2010 for violating rules under the previous CBA.

Harbaugh has been a vocal opponent abouta the offseason rules, calling them "un-American." NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport previously reported through league sources that the NFL believed the Ravens knew the rules and took advantages. Ravens sources told Rapoport that they took the pads off once they realized they made a mistake concerning the rules. (NFL.com)

 

NEW YORK (AP) ? NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell reaffirmed the league's commitment to concussion research in a letter Thursday to the 32 team owners.

In the wake of a congressional study that concluded that NFL officials tried to strong-arm the National Institutes of Health into taking away a project from a researcher the NFL feared was biased, Goodell called for "continued and robust support of independent medical research."

Goodell told the owners the league never considered not honoring a $30 million commitment to the NIH "in its entirety." He also stressed that the league will provide substantial additional funding for projects relating to safety equipment, treatment of athletes who have experienced concussions, and a study relating to the incidence and prevalence of long-term health consequences.

"We look forward to a productive and ongoing partnership with the NIH and others to advance our shared priorities, and to committing additional funding to medical research and engineering advances to enhance the safety of athletes at all levels," Goodell wrote.

 

Reynolds can defer military service to play for Ravens​

Former Navy quarterback Keenan Reynolds will be taking orders in 2016, but it could be from the Ravens coaching staff instead of a commanding officer.

U.S. Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter announced Friday that Baltimore's sixth-round pick in the 2016 NFL Draft may defer his military service to pursue his NFL dreams.

Carter made the statement in his graduation speech to the Naval Academy in Annapolis, less than 30 miles from M&T Bank Stadium, the home of the Ravens.

"It is a blessing to hear the news from Defense Secretary Carter today," Reynolds said in a statement. "I am truly excited to proudly serve my country while having the ability fulfill my dream of playing for the best organization in the NFL.

"I would like to thank the Navy for allowing me to represent them while taking advantage of this unique opportunity."

Reynolds set the NCAA record for most rushing touchdowns in a collegiate career, as he accumulated 119 (31 throwing, 88 running) total scores in his four seasons running ship at Navy. Despite his gaudy numbers at quarterback, the Ravens are planning on using him as a receiver and kick returner.

The U.S. Department of Defense also announced that Chargers undrafted rookie Chris Swain, another Navy graduate, may defer his military service. (NFL.com)

 

Well that sucks, after us taxpayers paying for his education, he doesn't want to fulfill his commitment to our country. If you don't want to go into the military don't accept their scholarships.

 

I never thought of that till now, but I think you make a good point. He should put his military career first.

 

I am surprised that they allow this now. I remember when they made The Admiral fulfill his duty on a sub all 7'2" of him before he could play for the Spurs. Why would you put a giant on something built for migits?

 

Well, they have their service commitment deferred, not excused.

Second, recruiting military enlistees is an expensive proposition, and they're using more sophisticated techniques. These young players on an NFL roster is probably a more persuasive reqruitment tool than most - and a lot less expensive at that.

I am not cheering this, but in today's world it is probably the correct decision.

 

Who cares. He will serve it eventually.

 

Pretty Sure David served his 2 years at a base and not at sea.

 

He's going to be a supply officer in the reserves. Taxpayers will get their money out of him. He just won't be a combat soldier unless a new war starts.

This isn't the first time the DoD has done this.

 

AP Source: Jets' offer to Fitzpatrick for 3 years​

NEW YORK (AP) ? The New York Jets have made an offer that Ryan Fitzpatrick ? so far ? has refused.

A person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press on Friday night that the Jets made a three-year offer to the quarterback in March that includes $12 million guaranteed in the first year.

That has remained on the table for Fitzpatrick, according to the person who spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because neither side is commenting publicly on the negotiations.

The New York Post first reported the terms of the offer, which is higher than the previously reported amounts that were closer to $7 million per year. However, total guarantees and contract structure of the Jets' standing offer are uncertain.

Jimmy Sexton, Fitzpatrick's agent, didn't immediately respond to an email seeking comment.

Fitzpatrick and the Jets have been locked in a contract stalemate all offseason. The 33-year-old quarterback is a free agent and coming off a season in which he threw a Jets-record 31 touchdown passes and led New York within a victory of the playoffs.

Both the Jets and Fitzpatrick have said they would like a reunion, but have unable to agree on a deal. Coach Todd Bowles has also said that Fitzpatrick would assume the starting job again when, and if, he returns.

"You're hopeful, I don't know about confident," Bowles said Wednesday. "A lot of things can happen in football. Nothing surprises you, but they're working on it and hopefully things work out."

 

People are assuming Zeek will be the starter - might be true, but he will have to earn it.

Ezekiel Elliott is embracing competition as he settles into his first NFL practices as a rookie.

The Dallas Cowboys top pick went through his first OTA session last week and admitted that the speed of the NFL was a bit of a revelation for him.

"Just a lot faster pace," Elliott told the team's official website. "The game moves so much faster."

The 20-year-old became Ohio State's leading rusher in just three seasons -- which propelled him to the top of the running back draft board in the 2016 NFL Draft.


Many expect Elliott's adjustment to the speed of the game to be smooth sailing. The No. 4 overall pick figures to have a prominent role in the Cowboys' offense. Yet he'll have to earn his keep if he wants to be an every-down running back in 2016.

Dallas running backs coach Gary Brown told the Cowboys' official website that "(Elliott) has to earn it."

"I think that's the best thing for our team and for those guys going forward," Brown said.

Elliott will have to beat out last year's starter Darren McFadden who rushed for 1,089 yards and had three touchdowns in 2015. The backfield competition also includes free-agent signee Alfred Morris.

Despite a crowded running back depth chart, Elliott is relishing the competition.

"Keeps you on your toes and make sure you're getting that work done," the rookie RB said.

With all the high-fives that took place in the Cowboys' draft room and the excitement from Cowboys fans over the selection of Elliott, the expectation is that the former Ohio State star will be an impactful player right away. Like all rookies, he'll just have to earn his playing time. (NFL.com)

 

?? i thought David Robinson fulfilled his 2 yr commitment during the summers when the Spurs season ended. I don't recall him missing any NBA seasons due to his Navy commitment. Now the old RB Napoleon McCallum had to do the same thing. I think he served in the summers and winters after the Super Bowl till it was all paid back etc.

 

if you don't want to fulfill your commitment to the Naval Academy - don't play a sport that you may be drafted in to complicate matters.

 

what are you mad ? sign man, sign ! give that man a pen!

 

Buffalo Bills sign free agent linebacker Jamari Lattimore​

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) ? The Buffalo Bills continue to increase their depth at linebacker by signing free agent Jamari Lattimore.

Listed at 6-foot-2 and 229 pounds, Lattimore has five years of NFL experience. He spent his first four seasons in Green Bay and last year with the New York Jets.

The 27-year-old has two sacks and one interception in 64 career games, including nine starts, and has special teams experience.

The Bills are retooling their group of linebackers as they switch to more of a 3-4 scheme in coach Rex Ryan's second season.

 

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) ? Tom Brady has added more high-profile legal power to his "Deflategate" appeal.

The AFL-CIO filed a friend of the court brief on Monday asking the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to reconsider a decision handed down by a three-judge panel in April. Also weighing in: Kenneth Feinberg , who helped divvy up the funds for Sept. 11 and Boston Marathon bombing victims.

Brady was suspended four games for what the league said was a scheme to use improperly inflated footballs in the 2015 AFC Championship game. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell rejected his initial appeal, and Brady appealed to the federal courts.

In its brief, the AFL-CIO says Goodell "acted arbitrarily as an employer seeking to justify his own disciplinary decision rather than as a neutral arbitrator considering an appeal."

 

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