March 2015 - Football Wiretap

Brady Was Open To One-Game Suspension, NFL Would Have Accepted Two

Sep 1, 2015 1:24 PM

Tom Brady was believed to be "open" to serving a one-game suspension for not cooperating with Ted Wells' investigation as part of a potential settlement.

Talks never got far as settlement talks broke down on Monday and Judge Richard Berman informed both sides they were too far apart to continue.

Brady maintained his position that he would not accept the findings of the Wells Report and was unwilling to accept responsibility for his potential role in the deflation of footballs.

The NFL appeared set to offer to shorten Brady's four-game suspension by two games, provided he accept some responsibility.

Ian Rapoport/NFL.com

Tags: New England Patriots, Fantasy, Suspension

Discuss
Julius Thomas Could Miss Four Weeks With Finger Surgery

Aug 31, 2015 8:20 PM

Julius Thomas is considering undergoing surgery on his finger, which would rule him out for at least four weeks.

The Jacksonville Jaguars signed Thomas in the offseason.

David Caldwell confirmed Monday that Thomas will receive a second medical opinion Tuesday before deciding whether to undergo the surgery.

A source told ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter that Thomas is expected to undergo the surgery.

ESPN

Tags: Jacksonville Jaguars, Fantasy, Injury

Discuss
Fred Jackson Released By Bills

Aug 31, 2015 12:05 PM

Fred Jackson has been released by the Buffalo Bills.

"Today, we had to make the difficult decision to release Fred Jackson," Bills general manager Doug Whaley said in a statement. "He had an incredible career for this organization for the past 10 years.

"We thank Fred for his hard work, dedication and leadership during his tenure with the Buffalo Bills. Fred has inspired the city of Buffalo in a number of ways. Fred and his family have been dedicated to this community, and we can't thank them enough for their contributions through his career."

The Bills will save about $2.5 million off their 2015 salary cap by releasing Jackson. NFL Players Association records listed the Bills with $6.6 million in cap space Monday morning.

Mike Rodak/ESPN

Tags: Buffalo Bills, Free Agent Rumor, Misc Rumor, Waiver

Discuss
Tyrod Taylor Named Bills' Week 1 Starter

Sep 1, 2015 1:24 PM

Tyrod Taylor will start at quarterback for the Buffalo Bills in Week 1.

Rex Ryan made the decision to go with Taylor instead of EJ Manuel and Matt Cassel.

Taylor was a sixth round pick in 2011 out of Virginia Tech and joined the Bills in the offseason from the Baltimore Ravens.

Jay Glazer/FoxSports

Tags: Buffalo Bills, IQ

Discuss
Tom Brady, NFL Unable To Reach Settlement

Aug 31, 2015 11:40 AM

The NFL and Tom Brady were unable to reach a settlement, which means Judge Richard Berman will make a decision on his four-game suspension.

“We did not reach a settlement. The parties tried quite hard I think,” Berman said, via Stephen Brown of the New York Daily News. “In some case [a settlement] doesn’t happen. This is one of those cases.”

A ruling likely will come on Tuesday or Wednesday as both sides have asked Berman to decide by Sept. 4.

Berman could uphold the suspension, reduce or eliminate the suspension or rule for another appeal heard by someone other than Roger Goodell.

Josh Alper/Pro Football Talk

Tags: New England Patriots, Suspension

Discuss
Washington To Start Kirk Cousins, Interested In Trading Robert Griffin

Sep 1, 2015 12:19 PM

Washington has named Kirk Cousins their Week 1 starter at quarterback.

The decision to start Cousins comes amid turmoil surrounding quarterback Robert Griffin III, who missed Saturday's preseason game because of concussion symptoms.

Some high ranking officials and coaches within the organization would like to trade Griffin, but are meeting resistance from ownership.

Washington has even discussed trading away Griffin.

Cousins completed 20 of 27 passes for 190 yards, a touchdown and an interception Saturday in Washington's 31-13 victory over the Baltimore Ravens.

Dianna Russini/ESPN

Tags: Washington Football Team, Misc Rumor, Trade Rumor

Discuss
Julio Jones Signs Five-Year, $71.25M Deal With Falcons

Aug 31, 2015 11:32 AM

The Falcons have signed Julio Jones to a five-year contract extension, the team announced Saturday before its preseason game against the Dolphins.

Jones, 26, will receive $71.25 million over the life of the deal, with $47.5 million guaranteed, sources told ESPN's Chris Mortensen.

ESPN.com

Tags: Atlanta Falcons, Misc Rumor, Signing, Terms Agreement

Discuss
Michael Bennett Fined $17,363 For Hit On Alex Smith

Aug 28, 2015 11:54 PM

Michael Bennett has been fined $17,363 for striking Alex Smith in the head and neck area.

Bennett's hit drew a roughing the passer flag during the Chiefs' first offensive play of a 14-13 victory last week.

Bennett previously said quarterbacks receive preferential treatment.

"Then quarterbacks get protected more than any other player," Bennett said. "I mean, he gets hit in his knees and he's about to cry, making a whimpering sound: 'They hit me in my legs.' Everybody gets hit in their legs. Every play somebody tries to hit me in my legs. So what makes him different? What makes his life better than mine? I've got kids. I've got stuff I like to do on the weekend.

"But because he gets hit in his legs, he gets a flag. He gets up with a sad face like the world just ended because he got hit. I mean, you got hit in an NFL game. Who cares? Get back up and be like, 'Good job.'"

NFL.com

Tags: Seattle Seahawks

Discuss
Robert Griffin III Will Be Reevaluated In 1-2 Weeks

Aug 30, 2015 1:41 AM

Robert Griffin III has not been cleared by doctors to play in Washington's preseason game on Saturday.

Griffin suffered concussion-like symptoms in an Aug. 20 preseason game against the Detroit Lions, but practiced all week and was initially cleared by independent neurologist Robert N. Kurtzke.

However, the team reversed course Friday.

It was unclear even Thursday whether Griffin had indeed suffered a concussion. 

John Keim/ESPN

Tags: Washington Football Team, Injury

Discuss
NFL Drops $75k Fine Against Marshawn Lynch If He Complies With Media

Aug 27, 2015 5:24 PM

Marshawn Lynch and the NFL have canceled a hearing intended to address a $75,000 fine he received last season.

The NFL expects Lynch to comply with their media access policy going forward and he won't have to pay the fine if he does so.

Pro Football Talk reported that the fine stemmed from two separate incidents: Lynch making an obscene gesture during the NFC Championship Game against the Packers and then not talking to the media afterward.

Sheil Kapadia/ESPN

Tags: Seattle Seahawks

Discuss
DeMarco Murray Doesn't Expect To Rotate Series With Ryan Mathews
DeMarco Murray doesn't expect to alternate series with Ryan Mathews in the Eagles' backfield.

Marc Sessler/NFL.com

Bill Cowher Enjoys TV Job, Doesn't Miss Coaching
Bill Cowher is still just 58 years old.

Darin Gantt/Pro Football Talk

Ray McDonald Indicted On Rape Charge, Ahmad Brooks Charged
Ray McDonald was formerly with the 49ers, while Ahmad Brooks remains part of the team.

Gregg Rosenthal/NFL.com

Jonathan Martin Explains Decision To Retire From NFL
Jonathan Martin mentioned struggles with racial identity and being accepted by the crowd.

David Newton/ESPN

Junior Galette Out For Season With Torn Achilles
Junior Galette was released by the Saints earlier this summer, less than a year after they signed him to an extension worth up to $41 million.

John Keim/ESPN

Texans Expect Jadeveon Clowney To Play Week 1
Jadeveon Clowney returned to practice Aug. 17 after a lengthy recovery from microfracture surgery.

Tania Ganguli/ESPN

Russell Wilson Claims 'Recovery Water' Cured Head Injury
Russell Wilson claims the water, which the company he's working with sells for $3 a bottle, caused his brain to recover from what could have been a serious injury.

Michael David Smith/Pro Football Talk

Taylor Mays Signs With Raiders
Taylor Mays is entering his sixth NFL season, following stops with the 49ers and Bengals.

Raiders.com

Rex Grossman Signs With Falcons
Rex Grossman joins T.J. Yates and Sean Renfree in the competition for the No. 2 QB role behind Matt Ryan.

AP

Michael Bennett: Only QBs Get Paid For Being Mediocre
Michael Bennett had a candid interview talking about how quarterbacks are treated differently financially and in regards to the rules.

Zac Jackson/Pro Football Talk

Michael Vick Signs One-Year Deal With Steelers
The Steelers have signed QB Michael Vick to backup Ben Roethlisberger.

ESPN.com

Cowboys Fear Orlando Scandrick Suffered Torn ACL
Orlando Scandrick had emerged as the Cowboys' best cornerback.

Adam Schefter/ESPN

Evan Mathis Agrees To One-Year Deal With Broncos
Evan Mathis has multiple Pro Bowl appearances at guard.

Adam Schefter/ESPN

Michael Vick Meets With Steelers
Michael Vick will meet with the Steelers following an injury to Bruce Gradkowski.

Josina Anderson/ESPN

Jordy Nelson Has Torn ACL In Right Knee
Jordy Nelson will need reconstructive surgery but should be back for the start of the 2016 season.

Rob Demovsky/ESPN

Mychal Kendricks, Eagles Agree Upon Four-Year, $29M Extension
Mychal Kendricks was a second round pick at middle linebacker out of California in 2012.

Albert Breer/NFL.com

Cris Carter Apologizes For 'Fall Guy' Advice
Cris Carter told the rookies if they were to get into trouble off the field, it was important to have someone who would step forward and take the blame.

Jon Krawczynski/AP

Jason Pierre-Paul Will Soon Report To Giants' Camp
The Giants haven't rescinded their $14.8 million tag on Jason Pierre-Paul for the 2015 season.

Ian Rapoport/NFL.com

Reggie Wayne Agrees To One-Year Deal With Patriots
Reggie Wayne also received interest from the Packers.

Adam Schefter/ESPN

Texans Name Brian Hoyer Starting QB
Brian Hoyer and Ryan Mallett both have served as backups to Patriots quarterback Tom Brady at one point in their respective careers.

Tania Ganguli/ESPN