March 2016 - Football Wiretap

NFL To Revisit Aldon Smith Reinstatement In Offseason

Dec 31, 2016 1:45 PM

The NFL will revisit Aldon Smith's possible reinstatement after March 15th.

The delay, first reported by Pro Football Talk, came after Smith applied for reinstatement following a one-year suspension for violating NFL rules on substance abuse.

Smith's yearlong suspension was due to end Nov. 17, and he applied for reinstatement Oct. 3.

"A little disappointed, honestly," Jack Del Rio said of the decision. "I feel like from everything that I've gathered, obviously it's not my job to make a rule, but from everything I've gathered, he's done his duty to take care of all the things he needs to take care of. I see some of the guys that have been allowed back. My question is, What's the difference? It's always a question mark. If a guy has a chance, he should have a chance to make a living. I don't really agree with what's gone down, but it's not my job. We'll move on as a team. That's what we have to do, but I'm a little disappointed."

ESPN

Tags: Las Vegas Raiders, Suspension

Discuss
Colin Kaepernick Receives 49ers' Top Season Award

Dec 31, 2016 1:44 PM

Colin Kaepernick was the recipient of the San Francisco 49ers' Len Eshmont Award, given to the 49er who "best exemplifies the inspirational and courageous play of Len Eshmont, an original member of the 1946 49ers team."

The award, which was established after Eshmont died in 1957, is considered the most prestigious honor the players vote on.

After sitting down for the national anthem before a preseason game, Kaepernick has knelt during the anthem for the entire season.

Nick Wagoner/ESPN

Tags: San Francisco 49ers

Discuss
Robert Mathis To Retire At Age Of 35

Dec 30, 2016 1:57 PM

Robert Mathis will retire from the NFL this offseason at the age of 35.

"I want to walk away, not limp away. The rest of my body goes to my kids," Mathis told reporters on Friday.

Mathis, who is a five-time Pro Bowler, had a career-best 19.5 sacks just three years ago at age 32.

"Indy, this is my home. I am a Colt," he said. "I'm here forever. You aren't getting rid of me."

Conor Orr/NFL.com

Tags: Indianapolis Colts, Misc Rumor

Discuss
Tyler Eifert Undergoes Back Surgery

Dec 30, 2016 12:31 PM

Tyler Eifert underwent back surgery on Tuesday.

Eifert was put on IR this week after playing in only eight games because of ankle and back injuries.

Eifert caught 29 balls for 394 yards and five touchdowns over eight games this season for the Cincinnati Bengals.

Katherine Terrell/ESPN

Tags: Cincinnati Bengals, Injury

Discuss
Michael Bennett Agrees To Three-Year $31.5M Extension With Seahawks

Dec 30, 2016 12:18 PM

Michael Bennett and the Seattle Seahawks have agreed upon a three-year contract extension worth $31.5 million. Bennett will receive $17.5 million in guarantees.

Bennett's deal will ensure another member of their core remains long-term.

Bennett previously signed a four-year, $28.5 million deal he signed during the 2014 offseason.

Jason La Canfora/CBS Sports

Tags: Seattle Seahawks, Misc Rumor

Discuss
Sammy Watkins Wants Buffalo's New Coach To Be Hard On Team

Dec 30, 2016 9:06 AM

The Buffalo Bills have moved on from Rex Ryan and Sammy Watkins believes the team needs a coach that will be harder on them.

"Whatever around the locker room that needs to be addressed, on the field, off the field, flags," Watkins said. "Whether it's working on things in the summer that we're not good at and being a professional. As players that's got to get fixed first. Then the coaches have got to be hard on us, not scared of us. Get at us, yell at us, curse at us, whatever to get the player to do that job the best he can that's what they need to do."

Josh Alper/Pro Football Talk

Tags: Buffalo Bills, Misc Rumor

Discuss
Lane Kiffin Wanted Raiders To Draft Calvin Johnson Back In 2007

Jan 3, 2017 2:11 PM

When the Oakland Raiders took JaMarcus Russell first overall in 2007, Lane Kiffin was the head coach and pushed for the team to draft Calvin Johnson instead.

Late owner Al Davis insisted on drafting Russell.

Kiffin wanted to sign Jeff Garcia in free agency and then take Johnson, who the Detroit Lions drafted at the No. 2 spot.

The Raiders went 4-12 in 2007 and fired Kiffin after a 1-3 start in 2008.

Sports Illustrated

Tags: Detroit Lions, Las Vegas Raiders, Draft, Misc Rumor

Discuss
Darrelle Revis: Jets Should Show Class And Retain Me

Dec 30, 2016 8:50 AM

Darrelle Revis says the New York Jets hold the cards on his remaining with the team, but that it depends on whether they treat his "situation with class or no class."

Revis told the New York Post that he wants to retire with the Jets and isn't approaching Sunday's finale as his last game. The cornerback carries a heavy contract that appears to many as an overextended deal at this point in his career.

"Would I love to be here? Yes," Revis said. "Will I be back? That's a great question. My thing would be this: Do the New York Jets want to treat my situation with class or no class? With me being one of the best players in the history of this franchise, do they want me to retire here or not retire here?"

ESPN

Tags: New York Jets, Misc Rumor

Discuss
Tony Romo Expected To Play In Season Finale

Jan 1, 2017 11:47 AM

Tony Romo is expected to play for the first time since Thanksgiving 2015 when the Dallas Cowboys wrap up the regular season against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday, according to sources.

Dak Prescott will start, but Romo and Mark Sanchez are expected to see playing time. The Cowboys have clinched a first-round bye and the No. 1 overall seed in the NFC.

Romo has not gone through a season without seeing the field in some capacity since his rookie year in 2003 when he was inactive for every game.

Todd Archer/ESPN

Tags: Dallas Cowboys, Misc Rumor

Discuss
Tyrod Taylor Could Undergo Sports Hernia Surgery, Cost Bills $30.5M

Dec 30, 2016 9:07 AM

Tyrod Taylor will be seen by Dr. William Meyers for a severe groin injury to determine if he needs surgery.

If that happens to Taylor, the clock will begin to tick on whether he can pass a physical before the third day of the 2017 league year.

The procedure could cost the Bills $30.5 million in guaranteed money to Taylor, who the franchise appears to prefer to move on from.

Mike Florio/Pro Football Talk

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

Discuss
Marvin Lewis Will Remain With Bengals In 2017
Marvin Lewis has one year left on his contract.

NFL.com

Anthony Lynn: Starting EJ Manuel 'A Business Decision'
EJ Manuel, a former first-round pick, has struggled and the decision has left some confused.

Conor Orr/NFL

Victor Cruz: Patriots Don't Want To See Giants In Super Bowl
The Patriots and Giants are both in the playoffs for the first time since 2011, the same year they met in the Super Bowl for an epic rematch.

Conor Orr/NFL

Browns Playing To Win, Not Lock Up No. 1 Pick
The Browns are one loss away from locking up the No. 1 overall pick, but Hue Jackson says they'll play to win in Week 17.

Zac Jackson/Pro Football Talk

Brandon Marshall's 'Boisterous' Halftime Rant Bothered Teammates
The incident may have raised tensions in the locker room.

Rich Cimini/ESPN

Le'Veon Bell Wants To Re-Sign With Steelers
The Steelers can place a franchise tag on Le'Veon Bell for $12.37 million.

Jeremy Fowler/ESPN

Tom Coughlin Interviewing For Jaguars' Head Coaching Job
The Jaguars fired Tom Coughlin after the 2002 season.

ESPN

Doug Martin Begins Serving Four-Game Suspension For PED Violation
Doug Martin initially wanted to appeal the ban.

Jenna Laine/ESPN

Steve Smith Sr. '89 Percent Sure' He'll Retire
Steve Smith will retire as one of 11 players to record more than 1,000 catches and 14,000 yards receiving.

Jamison Hensley/ESPN

Colin Kaepernick Won't Leave NFL For Political Pursuits In 2017
Colin Kaepernick's future with the 49ers is uncertain but he could still re-sign.

Nick Wagoner/ESPN

Derek Carr Undergoes Surgery, Could Return For Super Bowl
Derek Carr underwent successful surgery on Tuesday and while there's no official timeline for his return, he could conceivably be football ready in six to eight weeks.

ESPN

Giants Will Play Starters Against Washington
The Giants are locked into the No. 5 seed in the NFC, but plan to play their starters in Sunday's season finale against Washington.

ESPN

Reggie Bush Nearing Dubious NFL Rushing Record
Reggie Bush is closing in on one of the worst rushing seasons in NFL history.

Jeff Duncan/Times-Picayune

Marvin Lewis Refutes Report Of Possible Retirement
Marvin Lewis is the second-longest tenured coach in the NFL.

Ed Werder/ESPN

Myles Garrett Prefers Avoiding Cold-Weather City In NFL
The Browns are reportedly extremely high on Myles Garrett, who ranks first in Jeff Risdon's Top-125.

Chase Goodbread/NFL.com

Rex Ryan Fired By Bills As Head Coach
Rex Ryan was hired by the Bills before the 2015 season.

RealGM Staff Report

Jeff Fisher Knew Rams Were Moving To Los Angeles In 2012
Jeff Fisher was asked multiple questions about overseeing the Oilers move from Houston to Tennessee during his interview with the Rams.

Ben Frederickson/St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Chip Kelly To Discuss 2017 Status After Week 17
Chip Kelly signed a four-year, $24 million contract in the offseason.

Nick Wagoner/ESPN

Dirk Koetter Defends Decision To Bench Doug Martin
Doug Martin was made a healthy scratch against the Saints.

Jenna Laine/ESPN

NBC Flexes Packers/Lions To Primetime For Week 17
For the Packers, it's the fourth straight year their Week 17 game has been for the division title.

Rob Demovsky/ESPN