March 2014 - Football Wiretap

Kosta Karageorge Found Dead In Dumpster Of Apparent Suicide

Dec 2, 2014 11:39 PM

The body of Kosta Karageorge has been found in a dumpster and he appeared to die as a result of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

He was identified through tattoos and other identifying marks. A gun was found with the body, according to police. 

A police report says Karageorge's mother told authorities he has had concussions and spells of confusion. She said he texted a message Wednesday citing the concussions and saying he was sorry if he was "an embarrassment."

ESPN

Tags: NCAA

Discuss
Saints Expected To Use High Draft Pick On Quarterback

Dec 3, 2014 9:06 AM

The New Orleans Saints are beginning to consider the future of the quarterback position without Drew Brees and could use a high pick on one in this year's draft.

"They believe they can see the finish line here," NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport reported on NFL Gameday Morning. "My expectation from talking to several sources involved in the situation is that the Saints will draft a quarterback highly this year.

"In fact, they wish they had done this in previous years, mainly because, as you mentioned, Drew Brees is 35 years old, he's not as big as Tom Brady or Peyton Manning, and they've seen some arm strength issues that have cropped up in the last several games, throwing crucial interceptions -- the kind which we never see from Drew Brees. They're starting to wonder what is next at this position."

Gregg Rosenthal/NFL.com

Tags: New Orleans Saints, Draft, Draft Misc, Misc Rumor

Discuss
Marshawn Lynch Could Retire In Offseason

Dec 15, 2014 4:18 PM

Marshawn Lynch is contemplating retiring at the end of the current season, according to sources familiar with his thinking.

Lynch faces an uncertain future with the Seattle Seahawks.

Several sources have previously said that Lynch is not expected to be back with the Seahawks next season due to his $5 million salary and the front office's desire to rework the locker room around Russell Wilson.

If Tom Cable gets a head coaching job, Lynch could follow him to that destination due to the strong relationship they've built.

Lynch told two teammates last year that he might retire if the Seahawks were to win the Super Bowl.

Lynch has missed just one game over the past four seasons, but he's battled back pain throughout.

Ian Rapoport/NFL.com

Tags: Seattle Seahawks, Free Agent Rumor, Misc Rumor

Discuss
49ers Could Still Extend Jim Harbaugh If Team Makes Playoff Run

Dec 1, 2014 10:50 AM

The San Francisco 49ers have already been rebuffed in their extension offers to Jim Harbaugh.

Some in the organization, however, remain convinced that Harbaugh could agree upon an extension if the 49ers finish the season 4-0 and make a run in the playoffs.

The 49ers considered trading Harbaugh to the Cleveland Browns last season.

Adam Schefter/ESPN

Tags: San Francisco 49ers, Misc Rumor

Discuss
Sean Payton, Rob Ryan Have 'Deteriorating' Relationship

Dec 2, 2014 5:03 PM

Sean Payton and defensive coordinator Rob Ryan “has been rapidly deteriorating” over the course of this season, and that the two men “strongly dislike each other.”

Payton hasn't had a comfortable relationship with any of his defensive coordinators during his tenure with the New Orleans Saints.

Ryan turned the Saints' defense around in 2013, but the unit has struggled this season.

Jason La Canfora/CBS Sports

Tags: New Orleans Saints, Misc Rumor

Discuss
Raiders, Jets Monitoring Jim Harbaugh Situation

Dec 14, 2014 6:21 AM

The San Francisco 49ers remain interested in trading away Jim Harbaugh this offseason.

Harbaugh has one season remaining on his contract with the 49ers and is widely not expected to remain with the franchise in 2015.

The Oakland Raiders are considered the favorites to trade for Harbaugh, while the New York Jets are also monitoring the situation.

Adam Schefter/ESPN

Tags: San Francisco 49ers, New York Jets, Las Vegas Raiders, Misc Rumor

Discuss
Washington Unlikely To Get More Than Mid-Round Pick For Robert Griffin

Nov 30, 2014 10:54 AM

Robert Griffin III is "highly unlikely" to return to Washington next season, according to the Washington Post.

Daniel Snyder and Bruce Allen have supported Griffin but their blowout loss in Week 11 to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers was a "watershed moment."

Griffin is set to earn a reasonable $3.27 million in the final year of his rookie contract, with a decision on his 2016 option due by May 3.

Washington could elect to trade Griffin, though several NFL executives told Albert Breer that his trade value is likely at a conditional mid-round pick.

"He's a car that's been driven off the lot; also, the dynamics of his contract drive his price down," one NFC general manager told Breer. "The biggest keys -- QBs go for more than other positions, and his contract is ticking down to the last year, unless a team wants to pick up that option."

An AFC executive added: "On the high end, the team asks for a two and settles for a third or maybe a fourth."

 

Washington sent three first round picks and a second round pick to the St. Louis Rams in 2012 for Griffin.

The San Francisco 49ers traded Alex Smith to the Kansas City Chiefs for a second round pick in 2013 and a conditional pick in 2014 that became a second rounder.

Chris Wesseling/NFL.com

Tags: Washington Football Team, Misc Rumor, Trade Rumor

Discuss
Johnny Manziel Claims He Tried To Avoid Altercation

Nov 30, 2014 4:19 PM

Johnny Manziel said he did everything he could to escape a “very aggressive” fan before an altercation in the lobby of his apartment building.

Speaking on Friday for the first time since last week's incident, Manziel said the man, identified in a police report as Chris Gonos, was “a very intoxicated, very aggressive person that approached me in the lobby.” Manziel said he went out dinner on Friday night with his mother and roommate and had returned to The 9, a downtown hotel where he has an apartment, when he was confronted by “what has been made out to be a fan.”

Manziel did not name Gonos but said the man was “putting his hands on me, kind of toying with me.”

Manziel said he and his roommate tried to coax the man into another elevator and “the guy got very aggressive” before security was able to intervene.

Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Tags: Cleveland Browns

Discuss
Colts Not Interested In Ray Rice

Nov 29, 2014 11:41 PM

The Indianapolis Colts have a need at running back, but they're not interested in signing Ray Rice.

Rice was reinstated by the NFL on Friday after he won his appeal.

Rice has a relationship with Chuck Pagano from their time together with the Baltimore Ravens.

Indianapolis Star

Tags: Indianapolis Colts, Free Agent Rumor, Misc Rumor

Discuss
Rams Activate Chris Long From IR

Nov 29, 2014 3:11 PM

The St. Louis Rams have activated defensive end Chris Long after being on the IR/DTR list, a source has told NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport.

Long, who has been out since Week 2 with an ankle injury, is expected to be active Sunday against Oakland.

Marty Gitlin/CBS Sports

Tags: Los Angeles Rams, Injury

Discuss
Raiders Sign George Atkinson
The Raiders have signed running back George Atkinson.

Sean d'Oliveira/CBS Sports

Ray Rice Wins Appeal, Reinstated To NFL
Ray Rice is now eligible to sign with any NFL team.

ESPN

Sherman: 49ers' Fans Mediocre This Time
Richard Sherman was asked if there was anything "mediocre" about the San Francisco 49ers in the Seattle Seahawks' first game against them since last season's NFC Championship Game.

Kevin Patra/NFL.com

Calvin Johnson Becomes Fastest WR To 10,000 Yards
Calvin Johnson broke the record set by former receiver Torry Holt, who hit 10,000 career receiving yards in 116 games.

Michael Rothstein/ESPN

Dez Bryant Claims Eagles Were 'Kinda' Cheap'
Dez Bryant can't wait for the rematch in Week 15.

Calvin Watkins/ESPN

49ers' CEO Apologizes For Performance Against Seahawks
Jed York's social media critique did not upset any of the players in the 49ers' locker room.

Paul Gutierrez/ESPN

Charles Woodson Would Like To Play In 2015
Charles Woodson is 38 and has had an excellent season as he's tied for the team lead in tackles and was named the AFC Defensive Player of the Week.

Michael Wagaman/ESPN

Nick Foles Could Now Be Out Until Week 16
Nick Foles may need more than the initial diagnosis of six to eight weeks to recover from his broken collarbone.

Jeff McLane/Philadelphia Inquirer

Josh Gordon Felt Like Browns Kept Distance During Suspension
Josh Gordon was originally suspended for the entire season, but it was reduced after the union agreed upon new drug testing policies with the NFL.

Pat McManamon/ESPN

Belichick: Brady, Rodgers Both Wear Number 12
Bill Belichick was asked if he sees any similarities between Aaron Rodgers and Tom Brady.

Mike Reiss/ESPN

Jets To Start Geno Smith In Week 13
After a Week 8 blowout loss to the Bills that dropped them to 1-7, the Jets benched Geno Smith.

Rich Cimini/ESPN

Arians: Cardinals Need Bigger Running Back
After a failed waiver claim on Ben Tate, the Cardinals elected to turn to Michael Bush instead.

Curtis Crabtree/Pro Football Talk

Washington To Start Colt McCoy In Week 13
Robert Griffin III still appears to be a significant part of Washington's long-term plan.

Adam Schefter/ESPN

Brett Hundley Expects To Leave UCLA For NFL Draft
Brett Hundley is a senior academically, though he has one more season remaining of college eligibility.

David Lombardi/ESPN

Kaepernick Expects Harbaugh To Remain With 49ers In 2015
Colin Kaepernick cited Jim Harbaugh's "resume" as to why he believed he'd return.

Mike Florio/Pro Football Talk

Every NFC Rival Tried To Hire Oregon DC After Chip Kelly Went To Eagle
Nick Aliotti was coordinator at Oregon from 1999 until 2013 when he retired.

Conor Orr/NFL.com

Bills To Host Browns In Buffalo For Week 13
The Bills will host the Browns in Week 13 this Sunday despite damage to the stadium.

Conor Orr/ESPN

Chargers Seek Consensus On San Diego Stadium Deal
The Chargers are keeping a watchful eye on what happens in Los Angeles while trying to build a new stadium in San Diego.

Eric D. Williams/ESPN

Jets Likely To Wait Until Offseason To Fire Rex Ryan
Rex Ryan figures to be coaching his final games with the Jets as they currently sit with a 2-9 record.

Mark Cannizzaro/New York Post

Chiefs Believe Eric Berry Has Lymphoma
Eric Berry has what Chiefs' officials believe is lymphoma -- a form of cancer -- and has been placed on the season-ending non-football illness list.

Adam Teicher/ESPN