So Donte Stallworth is suspended indefinitely. Where's the surprise? That was a slam-dunk. Now let's see what happens next, and I'll be surprised only if Stallworth is allowed to play this season.
Remember, the Rams' Leonard Little was suspended eight games when he pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter in a 1998 accident -- and that was under a more lenient commissioner. Roger Goodell is a guy who sat down "Pacman" Jones one season for a series of run-ins, even though he never was never found guilty, and that should serve as a guide here.
Goodell is all about cleaning up this league -- or, at least, trying to clean it up -- and there's no way he goes soft on Stallworth. Stallworth's attorney said the wide receiver "acted like a man" in stopping after hitting a pedestrian "and cooperated fully." Great. He still killed somebody while driving drunk. Now he suffers the consequences. He got off easy with a 30-day jail sentence only because he entered into a plea agreement, but Goodell won't be as forgiving. There are no deals with the commissioner.
I say Stallworth is gone for this season, and that's not exactly going out on a limb. As Goodell pointed out, Stallworth's conduct was "inexcusable," and his actions caused "irrepable harm to the victim and his family," as well as the NFL. The hammer comes next. Donte' Stallworth doesn't play this year.
Category: NFL
Ex-Bills QB Losman should consider UFL
Here's another prediction: The next time we see quarterback J.P. Losman it will be in the United Football League.
Two years ago Losman was the starting quarterback for Buffalo. Now he can't find a job. It doesn't make sense. I don't know what's killing the guy in terms of reputation, but I do know how he restores the faith of the NFL: He goes somewhere else to play.
The perfect spot is the UFL, where he will have six games to prove he's better than most of the backups in the NFL. The perfect coach would be Las Vegas' Jim Fassel, because he's been a successful mentor for young quarterbacks. I suggest he consider drafting Losman. I don't know if the UFL is interested in the former Bills' quarterback, but it should be. I also don't know if Losman would consider the new league, but he should. One could help the other.
Two years ago Losman was the starting quarterback for Buffalo. Now he can't find a job. It doesn't make sense. I don't know what's killing the guy in terms of reputation, but I do know how he restores the faith of the NFL: He goes somewhere else to play.
The perfect spot is the UFL, where he will have six games to prove he's better than most of the backups in the NFL. The perfect coach would be Las Vegas' Jim Fassel, because he's been a successful mentor for young quarterbacks. I suggest he consider drafting Losman. I don't know if the UFL is interested in the former Bills' quarterback, but it should be. I also don't know if Losman would consider the new league, but he should. One could help the other.
Category: NFL
Let's hear it for Jets' Ryan
Suddenly, the best reason to follow the Jets isn't its quarterback; it's the club's new head coach. That would be Rex Ryan, who not only isn't afraid to speak his mind but who opened the doors to a training camp that more closely resembled a stalag in years past. People who work with the Jets tell me the difference between the Ryan regime -- albeit the few months of the Ryan regime -- and the Eric Mangini setup is wider than the Hudson River that separates New York and New Jersey. Ryan is so likeable you can't help but root for the guy to make it. I mean, how can you not like someone who hasn't played a game yet said he didn't come here to kiss Bill Belichick's rings? He deserved a shot as a head coach. Now that he has it he must prove he should stay. The early signs are encouraging. Ryan understands it's not media access or locker-room quotes or closed practices that get a team to the top; it's making the right calls for the right players to put them in the right positions to win. Here's hoping he and his staff are successful.
Category: NFL
UFL could make it
After listening to what the United Football League has in mind for the coming seasons, I think it has a chance of making it. First of all, it won't compete against the NFL. As commissioner Michael Huyghue put it, it will act more as "a feeder" to the NFL, with players capable of moving on to the NFL after their UFL commitments have ended. Second, that commitment is only six games. So players are free after Thanksgiving. Third, the league will attract NFL talent, most of which didn't make the final cuts or were practice-squad material. The average ticket will be $20, there is a strict one-strike and you're out (for a season) drug policy and there will be technological innovations -- such as putting an LCD screen on a wristwatch for quarterbacks, with plays not only spelled out but diagrammed. The league has the right idea. It will seek NFL audiences, but not at the expense of the senior league -- and that gives it a chance. Games will be played on Thursday nights, and I, for one, will be interested. There is no league that serves as a developmental setup for the NFL now, and the UFL not only could serve that purpose; it's more than willing to serve that purpose. I give it a chance of sticking.
Category: NFL
Rams' Devaney reached out to Vick
The St. Louis Rams aren't interested in Michael Vick, but their general manager is -- and that might need some explaining.
Billy Devaney visited Vick in prison roughly 5-6 months ago but not to gauge his interest in playing football again; he did it, as he said, for "purely humanitarian reasons." Devaney, who worked with Vick while the two were in Atlanta, checked with Falcons' owner Arthur Blank before making the trip to see if it was OK. Once Blank gave his permission Devaney went to see the quarterback, spending two hours with him just to see how he was doing. "It wasn't an under-the-covers type of deal," said Devaney. "I went with Arthur's blessing. He asked about a couple of players and wanted me to say, 'Hello.' It wasn't anything like the Michael trying to do anything with the Rams."
The Rams have made it clear they are not interested in signing Vick if and when he is released by Atlanta, and they are not alone. At last week's NFL owners' meetings I couldn't find one team that expresed interest in taking a flyer on the guy. I do, however, give Devaney credit for doing what he thinks is right, which is to re-connect with a player he once knew, who once carried the club for which Devaney worked and who might have wanted to see a familiar face. That he spent two hours with Devaney seems to be proof that Vick not only appreciated the GM's concern but enjoyed his company.
Billy Devaney visited Vick in prison roughly 5-6 months ago but not to gauge his interest in playing football again; he did it, as he said, for "purely humanitarian reasons." Devaney, who worked with Vick while the two were in Atlanta, checked with Falcons' owner Arthur Blank before making the trip to see if it was OK. Once Blank gave his permission Devaney went to see the quarterback, spending two hours with him just to see how he was doing. "It wasn't an under-the-covers type of deal," said Devaney. "I went with Arthur's blessing. He asked about a couple of players and wanted me to say, 'Hello.' It wasn't anything like the Michael trying to do anything with the Rams."
The Rams have made it clear they are not interested in signing Vick if and when he is released by Atlanta, and they are not alone. At last week's NFL owners' meetings I couldn't find one team that expresed interest in taking a flyer on the guy. I do, however, give Devaney credit for doing what he thinks is right, which is to re-connect with a player he once knew, who once carried the club for which Devaney worked and who might have wanted to see a familiar face. That he spent two hours with Devaney seems to be proof that Vick not only appreciated the GM's concern but enjoyed his company.
Category: NFL
McDaniels on Rocky Mountain high
For what it's worth, I was talking to one league executive at this week's NFL owners meetings when the subject turned to Denver. What he told me I did not know, which is that Josh McDaniels wields all the power there. I suspected he had plenty, but I was told that when the Broncos cleaned out their scouts it was McDaniels, not GM Brian Xanders, who chose the replacements. All of them. Interesting.
Category: NFL
Bills still hot for Tinoisamoa
The Buffalo Bills had former St. Louis linebacker Pisa Tinoisamoa in for a look over a week ago, but he left without the club making a move. Now he's on a cross-country tour, with the Bills apparently no longer interested in the Rams' leading tackler a year ago. Not so fast. The Bills are interested. In fact, they're very interested. They made the guy a contract offer before he left and notified him to stay in touch. Buffalo thinks he could be a perfect fit at the weak-side linebacker spot, but Tinoisamoa notified them he wants to see what's out there. Fair enough. The Bills haven't ruled him out of their future, and neither should you.
Category: NFL
Taylor returns to Miami for one reason
Jason Taylor's return to the Miami Dolphins had nothing to do with money. "It was all about family," agent Gary Wichard said. And so it was. Though there was talk about Taylor going to New England the former All-Pro defensive end really wasn't all that interested in the Patriots or anyone else. If the Dolphins hadn't agreed to a one-year, $1.5 million deal Taylor probably would have retired. In fact, I would have banked on it. Taylor returns after one year away from the Dolphins, and he returns as someone determined to prove something -- basically that he still has something left. Give Taylor credit: He walked away from a big day in Washington to take less money ... a lot less money ... and stay close to his family.
Category: NFL
Kuharich gone in K.C.; three survive purge
Three months ago, the Detroit Lions asked Kansas City for permission to speak to vice president of player personnel Bill Kuharich. Chiefs' GM Scott Pioli denied the request. Fair enough ... if you plan to keep a guy. Pioli did not. He has fired Kuharich and all but three members of the team's scouting department in a purge that had been expected. According to league sources, the three who survived are Ray Farmer, director of pro personnel; Willie Davis and Terry Delp, both area scouts. Kuharich was notified of his dismissal Wednesday morning. His exit has been expected after Carl Peterson stepped down as team president and Pioli took over. One of Piolo's first acts was to dismiss coach Herman Edwards, whom Peterson had hired. As with the Kuharich situation, Pioli waited before acting -- with Edwards fired over three weeks after the season's end. Edwards was 2-14 last season and had lost 23 of his last 25 starts, but the Chiefs were a rebuilding team -- with young and inexperienced starters everywhere, including at quarterback where they were forced to go with a third-stringer for most of the season. Still, they were competitive and showed signs of achieving respectability soon. If that happens, it will happen on Pioli's watch. In dismissing Kuharich and others, he dismantled a personnel department that generally was credited with having the best draft a year ago and with putting into place the foundation of an ambitious rebuilding movement. Nevertheless, he did not have Kuharich involved in this year's draft decisions. Now, Kuharich's future is uncertain. Detroit went ahead and hired James Harris, formerly of the Jacksonville Jaguars, as the team's senior personnel executive, a position for which Kuharich presumably would have been auditioned.
Category: NFL
Maybe you don't want to be like Mike
I keep reading that Michael Crabtree leaves unfavorable impressions wherever he goes, so I had to see for myself what the guy was like. I stopped by Central Park Friday where the NFL hosted nine prospective first-round draft picks, including Crabtree, and I discovered that all those people can't be wrong. Aloof? Yep. Arrogant? Uh-huh. A guy who might be difficult to coach? Possibly. "He's one of the best wide receivers I've seen in some time," an NFC scout said to me, "but he's also one of the most selfish. The guy is all about himself, and let the buyer beware." That can be OK if he's in the proper environment, surrounded by people who don't let him stray. I've pumped him for Seattle at the No. 4 spot, and there's a feeling he might be alright in a locker room where Matt Hasselbeck and some of the defensive veterans can keep him in line. But it won't be easy, and the Seahawks know after visiting with him. This guy could be a load, though he shrugs off accusations that he has a diva personality. "It's very inaccurate," he told me Friday. "I have nothing to say about that. I'm a football player and my job is to play football. My job is not to (satisfy) analysts and reporters." Well, it might be one day, but in the meantime speculation surounds Crabtree and how much his personality might cause him to drop. Trust me, at this point, it's the personality and not his foot injury that has people wary. Oh, and as far as how his recovery is going: "I feel like I got a brand new foot," he said. "I can't wait to get going. Im able to do everything. Im, just waiting to get drafted. I got a new set of wheels." Nevertheless, Crabtree could fall out of the top five if the Seahawks pass on him at No.4, and that seems to be OK by him. "Would I be shocked?" he said. "No, that means a team doesn't want me or need me. That also means somebody gets a steal." We'll see.
Category: NFL
Stafford move a no-brainer
So Matthew Stafford signs with Detroit. Was there ever a doubt? Stafford is the smart choice and, really, the only choice for Detroit. The Lions haven't had a Pro Bowl quarterback since 1972, and now they have a chance to get it right ... much as Atlanta did a year ago with Matt Ryan. I don't know that Stafford will be a great quarterback, but I know he won't be a bust. "He can make all the throws you want," said one NFC coach. The Lions did the right thing and solved the most important position. Now they can address his protection, get him some receivers, a defense ...
Category: NFL
Rams considering Curry
There's a fight going on in St. Louis over the Rams' first draft pick, the second overall, and it's not between Jason Smith and Eugene Monroe. It's between Aaron Curry and Jason Smith/Eugene Monroe. The feeling is that Smith is the leading tackle because Monroe has a knee injury that has teams at least interested. All the clubs I spoke to passed him on their physicals, but they noticed it. Anyway, that gives Smith the upper hand there. But Curry is the top player in this draft, and that makes him attractive to the Rams. They need a tackle, but is there is considerable talk within the building over the merits of the best player in the draft vs. te best tackle in the draft. First, of course, Curry has to clear Detroit, but that should happen. The Lions are expected to take quarterback Matthew Stafford. Bottom line: Don't be surprised if the Rams take Curry. It could happen.
Category: NFL
Eagles not in Gonzalez talks
Contrary to what you may have heard, the Philadelphia Eagles were not inovlved in serious discussions to acquire Tony Gonzalez. That doesn't mean the Eagles didn't talk to Kansas City. They did. But the Chiefs called them, asking for a second-round draft pick in exchange for Gonzalez. The Eagles said they weren't interested. And that was it. Period.
Category: NFL
Harvin's foot injury might be a concern
If it's Draft Week then somebody must be a concern, and that somebody is Florida wide receiver Percy Harvin. When I spoke to a scout whose team was interested, I asked about character issues. Yes, he said, it's something you consider. But it's not the biggest issue with the guy? So what is? "He has a medical," he said. That means an injury, and with Harvin it's a bone in his foot that might need repair, he said. That was confirmed by another club that has an interest in the wide receiver. One guy told me that Harvin could play with it or could have it repaired with a metal plate. If he requires surgery, he said, he was told it would be eight weeks before Harvin is ready. That could knock Harvin down the board, though some clubs I contacted on Thursday said they didn't think it was a concern. Two teams that are interested think it is, and they won't make a decision on the guy until Saturday.
Category: NFL
Jets-Jags deal would be ideal
If there's a trade that should happen it's the New York Jets moving up to the eighth spot (Jacksonville) to take quarterback Mark Sanchez ... provided, of course, that Sanchez is there. It will cost them. One club I spoke with said that Jags' GM Gene Smith wanted next year's No. 1 in addition to this year's, and the price might be steeper for the Jets. In fact, I would guarantee it. They need a quarterback. They like Sanchez. They want to move up. It makes too much sense. Plus, one of the players Jacksonville is interested in is running back Chris "Beanie" Wells, and he should be there at 17. As I said, it makes too much sense not to happen.
Category: NFL
