Charlie Weis hasn’t been the head coach at Notre Dame since 2009, but his buyout clause could reach upwards of $19 million over the next few years. So far, Notre Dame has already paid Weis millions ever since his firing in 2009, and the numbers look to be rising as he currently holds the clipboard for the Kansas Jayhawks.

According to federal tax documents that were provided to the Chicago Tribune, Weis has already received $10.8 million from Notre Dame and the full buyout could reach $18.9 million by December of 2015, when the final installment is paid by the school.

During his five-year span at Notre Dame, Weis led the Irish to back-to-back BCS bowl games, which they lost, in his first two seasons before missing out in 2007. They finished 7-6 the following year and went on to win the Hawaii Bowl, but he once again failed to lead the team past the regular season in 2009.

Weis was fired shortly after, though his time at Notre Dame helped rebuild a team that had fallen off in years past. Charlie Weis’ possible $19 million in buyout payments don’t reflect the Irish’s struggles on the field, though he did manage a 10-3 record in 2006 before being demolished in the Sugar Bowl by LSU.

His stay at Notre Dame was cut short considering he was expected to lead the team by to it’s former glory and remain the head coach for some time. After being fired, Weis was named the offensive coordinator of the Kansas City Chiefs in the NFL but he left after one season.

Weis left the Chiefs to take the same position at the University of Florida under head coach Will Muschamp, but once again he made the decision to leave after one year. The move to Kansas was highly criticized as the Florida Gators’ offense was no where near it’s potential under Weis.

Nevertheless, Weis took the head coaching postion at Kansas and he only won one game in 2012. He is now preparing for his second season with the Jayhawks after going 0-9 in the Big 12 Conference last year.

Does Charlie Weis’ $19 million buyout from Notre Dame look even worse now that he’s struggled to produce a winning formula at every stop since leaving the Fighting Irish?

[Image via Creative Commons | larrysphatpage]

Charlie Weis Buyout From Notre Dame Could Reach $19 Million By 2015 is a post from: The Inquisitr

Tom Brady said he wasn’t surprised to see friend and favorite target Wes Welker bolt the New England Patriots this offseason.

Though Brady and Welker were close, and Tom even took a pay cut to free up cap space so the team could sign players like Welker, Brady said it’s just the nature of the business.

“I don’t think anything surprises me anymore in the NFL,” Brady he said on the Dennis & Callahan Show on WEEI sports radio in Boston. “I’ve been around long enough to see things happen at different times with the greatest players of all, whether that’s Wes or Randy Moss being traded by the Raiders or Brett Favre and playing for the Jets and Vikings.”

Welker signed with the Denver Broncos in a two year deal is worth $12 million, adding another target for quarterback Peyton Manning. Last year Wes Welker caught 118 passes for 1,354 yards, the second highest total of his career. Two years ago Welker notched 1,569 yards.

“That’s what happens. This is a, like I said, it’s a very tough, competitive business, and nobody appreciated Wes more than I did and what he was able to accomplish for our team. He’s moved on; he’s in a good situation with another great team and a great quarterback. We always kind of kept in touch, we always will. He’s one of my best friends.”

But it wasn’t always so easy to accept the harsher side of the football business, Brady added:

“Of course I have feelings, but those feelings are very personal to me. I used to get caught up in angry and disappointment, but I don’t make the decisions. These things aren’t up to me. At some point you’ve got to realize the things that are out of your control, you’ve just got to let go, focus on my job and what I need to do. The game moves on, the team moves on, there’s only so long you can dwell on the past, and at some point you’ve got to move forward.”

Tom Brady and Wes Welker will get a chance to reunite on the field this season. The Patriots fave the Broncos on November 24.

Tom Brady: Not Surprised Wes Welker Left Patriots is a post from: The Inquisitr

Chuck Norris has penned an ode to quarterback Tim Tebow in hopes of finding the guy a new job.

Apparently the 80s action hero is a pretty big fan of the QB. In fact, he’s such a rabid supporter of Tebow’s abilities that he wrote a 1,500-word ode to the professional football star in hopes that an NFL team discover the young quarterback’s inherent greatness.

Chuck Norris understands that people have criticized Tebow’s technical abilities, though the action hero seems to focus more on the quarterback’s skills as a natural born leader than anything else. Judging from his ode, Norris sees a lot of himself in the young star.

“I’ve heard the so-called critics say Tebow has poor technical skills, but the truth is that Tim is a natural-born leader, an amazingly gifted football player, an inspiration to his team and the possessor of intense determination and strategy to bring any team to victory — no matter what the odds,” Norris explained.

He added, “One can improve technique, but leadership is innate. That is why I believe Tebow could be a super star and legend in the NFL.”

The ode he penned for WND also includes a bit of Chuck Norris lore involving his students. The Invasion USA star said that he and Tebow are not really not all that different from one another.

Norris continued:

“I would spar with my black belts in class, and sometimes they would outscore me. Yet in the tournaments, I would defeat them. My students used to ask me, ‘Why can we contend equally against you in class, but we can’t beat you in the tournaments?’ My answer was always the same, ‘When it counts, I rise to the occasion.’ The same is true of the former Heisman Trophy winner.”

Why does Chuck Norris think a team should sign Tebow as soon as possible? According to the movie star, Tim could essentially transform a ho-hum team into something great.

“Tebow works miracles on the field, and his inclusion would embolden the spirit of the Jaguars among the team and fans. Plus — and this has no reflection on the current quarterbacks — Tim is from Florida, where he bears a victor legacy and an extensive fan base, to boot, from his days with the Gators,” Norris wrote.

Among other things, the action hero attempted to persuade Jaguars owner Shad Khan to sign Tebow by dropping a quote from Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

“There comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe, nor politic, nor popular, but he must take it because conscience tells him it is right,” Norris wrote.

What do you think about Chuck Norris’ ode to Tim Tebow? Do you agree with the 80s action star’s thoughts on the quarterback?

[Top Image via - Millennium Films - Bottom Image via Helga Esteb / Shutterstock.com]

Chuck Norris Pens Loving Ode To Tim Tebow is a post from: The Inquisitr

Brian Urlacher is retiring from the NFL after spending 13 seasons with the Chicago Bears. According to reports, Urlacher turned down a $2 million, one season offer.

As a linebacker for the Chicago Bears, Urlacher led a massive defensive squad that was largely responsible for the Bears wins amongst horrid offensive play over the last decade.

In a statement regarding his decision to retire, Urlacher wrote:

Brian Urlacher Retiring After Turning Down $2 Million Offer is a post from: The Inquisitr

Michael Crabtree’s torn Achilles may force the up and coming wide receiver to miss the entire 2013 NFL season. The San Francisco 49ers lost the Super Bowl last season to Joe Flacco and the Baltimore Ravens, and now they’ve lost their star receiver after the devastating injury.

Crabtree’s injury came during organized team activities (OTA’s) on Tuesday and he will most likely undergo surgery that could keep him out for the upcoming season, according to USA Today. The 25-year-old has shown signs of stardom throughout his first four seasons with the 49ers, but he now faces the biggest setback of his career before his fifth season comes to full swing.

Crabtree’s career wasn’t off to the greatest of starts after he was picked 10th overall in the 2009 NFL Draft by the 49ers, as his mediocre rookie season didn’t live up to expectations. In his first season in San Francisco, Crabtree appeared in 11 games and posted two touchdowns on 625 receiving yards.

He would fail to reach the 1,000 yard marker over the next two seasons, but he broke out last year as the 49ers gained momentum and made a run to the Super Bowl. The Texas Tech product started all 16 games last season for the first time in his career while going for 1,105 receiving yards and nine touchdowns.

Now Crabtree has a torn Achilles and might not see the field at all this upcoming season. Though some players have made quick returns from ACL injuries, the 49ers may take their time with Michael Crabtree to preserve his future in the NFL.

Up until the injury on Tuesday, skies were the limit for the talented wideout, and if the 49ers hope to have themselves a prominent athlete on the outside for years to come, they won’t push him while he recovers.

Do you believe Michael Crabtree’s torn Achilles will keep him off the field for the entire 2013 season?

[Image via John Martinez Pavliga]

Michael Crabtree: Torn Achilles Could Force Wideout To Miss 2013 Season is a post from: The Inquisitr

Brian Urlacher has retired just two months after the Chicago Bears announced they wouldn’t be re-signing their star linebacker. The 34-year-old made the announcement on his official Who Say account on Wednesday, and he ended the post by saying, “it was an honor to play my entire career for the Chicago Bears.”

The eight-time Pro Bowler spent all of his 13 seasons in the NFL at Soldier Field for the Bears. He is now set to retire after contract talks never amounted to anything more than a “good bye” in March.

“After spending a lot of time this spring thinking about my NFL future, I have made the decision to retire,” Urlacher wrote on the account Wednesday. “Although I could continue playing, I’m not sure I would bring a level of performance or passion that’s up to my standards. When considering this, along with the fact that I could retire after 13-year career wearing only one jersey for such a storied franchise, my decision became pretty clear.”

The five-time All-Pro couldn’t have said it any better, as his heart obviously still belongs to the faithful Bears’ fans. Now Brian Urlacher retires after putting together one of the greatest defensive careers in the franchise’s history.

The University of New Mexico product entered the league in 2000 after being drafted ninth overall in the first round of the NFL Draft by the Bears. It didn’t take long for Urlacher to make his presence known, as he started all 16 games in his first season and posted 125 tackles, 101 of which were solo, the second most in his career.

His best season came two years later when he made 153 total tackles, a Bears’ franchise record, which established him as one of the premier forces on the defensive side of the ball in the NFL.

Now, after 13 seasons and 1,353 tackles, Urlacher is calling it quits as he will always consider himself a member of the blue and gold. It’s truly an end of era at Soldier Field as Brian Urlacher retires, and he went on to say in his statement, “I will miss the great game, but I leave with no regrets.”

[Image via Mike Morbeck]

Brian Urlacher Retires After 13 Seasons With The Chicago Bears is a post from: The Inquisitr

The Atlanta Falcons were granted a $200 million loan on Tuesday from the NFL to build a new stadium. NFL owners approved the deal, though the team’s new home is expected to cost upwards of $1 billion.

Team owner Arthur Blank will commit to the majority of the costs, but it doesn’t hurt the Falcons’ owner to have the NFL throwing a hefty chunk of change his way. Another $200 million is in place through public bonds to help pay for the new stadium as well.

Blank commented on the NFL loan during the league’s spring meetings, and he said the decision to support the franchise with funds is an “important milestone” to get the project moving in the right direction.

“The NFL has supported new stadium construction through various means for decades,” he went on to add during spring meetings. “Our club owners understand that investments … are important to the long-term strength of the league, and we thank them for their support.”

The Falcons $200 million loan could go a long way, as the team desperately wants out of the Georgia Dome. The stadium in downtown Atlanta is one of the busiest in the NFL, as it regularly hosts other events from a wide variety of sports, including NCAA basketball and football.

Blank made it known that the new stadium’s design and construction will take place over the next four years, and that the team plans on opening the facility for the start of the 2017 season. If all goes to plan, the Falcons will finally move from the Georgia Dome, where they have been since 1992.

After the NFL agreed on the loan for the Falcons’ new stadium, they also set the site for the 50th Super Bowl. The San Francisco Giants new facility in Santa Clara, which will be named Levi’s Stadium, will host the 2016 championship game.

The NFL spring meeting’s always produce changes and upgrades throughout the league, but this year’s trend seems to be state-of-the-art, billion dollar stadiums.

Will the Falcons $200 million loan go a long way as they look to begin construction on their new $1 billion project?

[Image via Creative Commons]

Falcons Get $200 Million Loan From NFL, Will Finally Leave The Georgia Dome In 2017 is a post from: The Inquisitr

Seahawks QB Josh Portis was waived on Tuesday after the news of his Cinco de Mayo DUI arrest was revealed to the public on Monday. New details of the circumstance of the backup quarterback’s impaired driving arrest have emerged — and fans are beginning to complain about player antics on the troubled Seattle Seahawks team.

The May 5 DUI bust was a shocker because struggling QB Portis had been released from the Seahawks once before. He’d held a two-year contract potentially worth almost a million dollars for less than two months since the early April signing.

Portis practiced with the Seahawks Monday, but it was an already open question whether or not he’d make the backup slot against tough competitors Brady Quinn and Jerrod Johnson. The Seahawks would-be quarterback was probably in the battle of his life for his football career.

His agent JR Rickert was shocked too, taking to Twitter to blast the news media for reporting on the DUI. In a Monday night tweet that has since been removed, Rickert reportedly said: “[O]ur client #Seahawks QB Josh Portis: he was NOT arrested at all…”

CBS Sports reporter Ryan Wilson described the scene of the arrest in some detail, explaining that the Washington State trooper who pulled Portis over could smell alcohol and asked him to step out of the car.

In a move that echoes the recent Reese Witherspoon disorderly conduct arrest, his female passenger also got out of the car and began to scold the officer. According to the police report, she began to cry and told him that he was arresting a Seahawk: “[She] shouted at me and stated she couldn’t believe that I was from Seattle, and was arresting a Seahawk.”

It has been a bad couple of weeks for the Seattle Seahawks, with suspended player Bruce Irvin scheduled to miss the first four games for violating the NFL PEDs policy. Now this.

One blogger suggested that coach Pete Carroll could deflect some of the bad publicity by bringing in Tim Tebow. It would be a circus, sure, but it would sure draw attention away from Bruce Irvin and Josh Portis.

[Josh Portis photo by Jeffrey Beall via Wikimedia Commons]

Seahawks QB Waived In Josh Portis DUI Drama That Makes Passenger Cry is a post from: The Inquisitr

The NFL has given the Atlanta Falcons a $200 million loan to build a new stadium.

Yahoo News reports that the loan was approved today by NFL team owners at the league’s spring meeting. The stadium could cost as much as $1 billion and much of it will be funded by team owner Arthur Blank.

Blank said: “The NFL has supported new stadium construction through various means for decades … Our club owners understand that investments … are important to the long-term strength of the league, and we thank them for their support.”

Blank said that the “multi-purpose arena” will probably take about four years to build. The Atlanta Falcons plan on moving from the Georgia Dome, which they have played in since 1992, to the new stadium for the 2017 season. The Georgia Dome will be demolished after the new stadium is constructed.

Commissioner Roger Goodell said that much of the 2013 Spring Meeting dealt with the “stadium experience.” In addition to approving a $200 million loan for the Falcons, the league also said that there would be renovations at stadiums in Philadelphia and Carolina.

Goodell said: “We spent a great deal of time on the stadium experience.”

The league also decided that the San Fransisco 49ers, who are currently building a new stadium, will be hosting the 50th Super Bowl in 2016.

Focus on stadium experience at NFL Spring Meeting: on.nfl.com/12szGxO

— NFL (@nfl) May 21, 2013

Falcons owner and chairman Arthur Blank has issued a statement following NFL G-4 stadium financing approval: atlfal.co.nz/16LR2M1

— Atlanta_Falcons (@Atlanta_Falcons) May 21, 2013

Atlanta Falcons Get $200 Million Loan For New Stadium is a post from: The Inquisitr

Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice was robbed this weekend.

According to USA Today, Rice’s Maryland home was burglarized on Friday night. The thieves took two guns and about $2000.

Baltimore County police spokeswoman Cpl. Cathleen Batton said that Rice was out of town for the weekend. A friend who was staying at his house in Reisterstown alerted police early on Saturday morning.

Rice released a statement, saying: “My family and I are fine, which is the most important thing … This is an unfortunate incident that I am dealing with through the proper channels.”

Batton said that the thief broke into the home through a window at the back of the house. The burglars “ransacked” the house before making off with a wad of cash and two guns.

No arrests have been made yet but Batton did say that the burglar was spotted on a surveillance camera outside of Rice’s home. It’s unclear if police were able to get a clear look at the burglar.

Rice, a three-time Pro Bowl running back, was drafted by the Ravens in the 2008 NFL draft. He has 5,520 career yards and 33 touchdowns.

Ray Rice Robbed: Crooks Steal $2000, Guns From Ravens Running Back is a post from: The Inquisitr

Mario Williams said he never threatened suicide, despite what an ex-fiancee might say.

Locked in a court battle over an engagement ring from the failed relationship, Williams’ ex Erin Marzouki said last week that the Buffalo Bills defensive end threatened to kill himself in the period after their break-up.

Marzouki released a series of texts from Mario Williams at the time of their break-up. Issuing the texts through her lawyer after court-encouraged mediation effort failed, Marzouki painted Williams as unstable and prone to mood swings.

The text messages came from November 11, the day the Bills lost to the New England Patriots in Foxboro, Massachusetts.

“No money in the world should leave me with suicidal thoughts,” Williams wrote during the exchange. He also wrote that he took three hydrocodones that morning and planned to take two more on the plane ride back to Buffalo.

Marzouki encouraged Mario to get help, writing: “Why don’t you talk to someone? Clearly you’re not happy & if your takin pills that’s bad”

Mario Williams on Monday denied that he was threatening suicide, saying the texts released by Marzouki’s lawyer were not in context.

“Obviously it’s just a tactic to cover up the point of the whole thing,” Williams said. “It is what it is. I could really care less. All it is (is) allegations and text messages and what not, whatever information blown out of proportion. I mean, it’s completely out of context.”

Williams also criticized Marzouki for making the private messages public.

“You sit here and text somebody who was supposed to mean this and that to you, and then this happens? No, it’s better off,” Williams said. “So I’m glad this is actually coming out.”

Williams is in a court battle over the $785,000 diamond engagement ring he gave to Marzouki. Williams claimed that Marzouki never intended to marry him and is only keeping the ring now in an attempt to get money.

Mario Williams signed a six-year, $100 million contract with the Buffalo Bills before the 2012 season, the biggest ever for a defensive player. The signing was considered a coup for the Bills, and during Williams’ three-day free agent visit to Buffalo in March 2012 he brought along Marzouki to look at houses.

Mario Williams added on Monday that he is not suicidal and, in fact, feels “completely fine.”

Mario Williams Denies Talking About Suicide With Ex-Fiancee is a post from: The Inquisitr

The NFL will choose its 50th Super Bowl host this weekend after a league vote on Tuesday.

San Francisco is reportedly the favorite for the 2016 game but football’s biggest game may also be held in Miami. According to Yahoo News, the city that does not get chosen will compete with Houston for the 51st Super Bowl in 2017.

According to CBC, the 49ers have the edge going into Tuesday’s vote because the city is currently building a new stadium. Dallas and Indianapolis both hosted the Super Bowl shortly after unveiling a new stadium and many believe that San Francisco will be able to do the same.

Jerry Rice said: “I think with the new stadium … we can host a Super Bowl there … It’s going to be awesome. So I realize there’s a lot of history at Candlestick. To stay competitive in the NFL, this is something we have really needed for a long, long time, and I think it’s going to be awesome.”

The Miami Dolphins were also planning on building a new stadium but the city scrapped the plans earlier this month. The Dolphins have hosted the Super Bowl 10 times but without a new stadium it looks like the team’s chances are pretty slim.

Reporter Albert Breer wrote on the NFL website: “Following the Miami Dolphins’ failure to secure public funding for renovations … San Francisco sits in the driver’s seat.”

Still, Miami’s bid chairman Rodney Barreto said that he was optimistic that the 50th Super Bowl would be hosted in South Florida.

Barreto said: “We’re extremely optimistic that our bid is going to set a new level and they’re going to have a tough decision to make.”

50th Super Bowl Host: San Francisco Favored To Win 2016 Game is a post from: The Inquisitr

Seattle Seahawks backup quarterback Josh Portis was pulled over and arrested around 9:30 PM on Cinco de Mayo, May 5, but the incident is only being widely reported now that his arraignment date is approaching on May 28.

According to The Seattle Times Seahawks Blog, Portis was going 80 miles per hour in a 60 mph zone as he exited the Mount Baker Tunnel. The officer who pulled over the Seahawks backup QB reported that he could smell alcohol.

Portis submitted to two blood tests, which gave contradictory readings. The Washington State legal limit for alcohol is 0.08.

One test came back 0.078 — just a tad under the line. However, the other reading was 0.092.

So far, Portis and the Seahawks have made no comment about the incident. They may feel that the conflicting results give Portis a case that should be first heard in court.

The Seahawks QB inked a new two-year contract with Seattle in early April. He previously made the team in 2011 but had been demoted to the practice squad and then released in November.

It’s widely believed that Josh Portis struggled to achieve the $480,000 a year deal he just reached with the Seahawks. One sports blogger said: “In theory, Portis is a very good fit as a backup to Russell Wilson – very mobile with a strong throwing arm – and it will be interesting to see how much he’s developed over the past year or so.”

Twitter weighed in:

Why am I seeing negativity on Josh Portis alleged DUI is more acceptable than Irvin owning up to PED use? Both did wrong and 1 is alleged.

— Brian(@Chawkz1215) May 20, 2013

“@elagergren: Seahawks QB Josh Portis arrested for DUI sbn.to/10gP42f via @sbnation // good one genius” why he is a back up

— Anthony Bettencourt (@AnthonyBett) May 20, 2013

Observers can’t help but wonder if the DUI Josh Portis arrest could derail the Seahawks QB’s second chance.

[Josh Portis photo by Jeffrey Beall via Wikimedia Commons]

Seattle Seahawks Quarterback Arrested, Arraignment Coming Next Week is a post from: The Inquisitr

Calvin Johnson had broken fingers for most of the 2012 season, but said they didn’t slow him down too much.

That might be a bit of an understatement. Johnson turned in one of, if not the best receiving seasons of all time, setting an NFL record with 1,964 yards.

Numbers aside, Johnson was dominant on an otherwise dismal Detroit Lions team, virtually unstoppable at times.

And Calvin Johnson did it all with broken fingers.

“Yeah, I had a couple of things here and there,” Johnson said. “Pretty much trying to get them back straight, trying to straighten them things out.

“I had a couple of injuries but nothing that prohibited me from doing what I needed to do. The thing with a lot of football players, you have injuries, but unless you know about it you just think it’s something that hurts and you keep on playing.”

The busted fingers caused Johnson to miss a bit of practice time, but he says he’s all healed up now and ready for the 2013 season. Johnson said his goal is to top 2,000 yards in the coming year.

“I am feeling good,” he said. “This is the time to get the body strong and ready to go through what we are about to go through.”

But first and foremost, Johnson wants to win.

“I have talked to (retired Pittsburgh Steelers receiver) Hines Ward the last couple of offseasons because we share the same trainer,” Johnson said. “He told me, ‘You can have all the accolades in the world, but it don’t really mean nothing if you aren’t winning.’ I can get three touchdowns and 200 yards, but if you lose the game what’s it all for?”

The Lions begin OTAs on Tuesday, and Johnson said he’s ready to get to work after a disappointing 4-12 season.

“We know what we were last year,” Johnson said. “Very disappointing that we weren’t able to get back to where we were (in 2011), especially since we were so close in so many of those games. Everybody’s focus should be way more intense this year.

“But you can’t tell until you get on the field.”

At least this year Calvin Johnson won’t have broken fingers to worry about.

Calvin Johnson Played With Broken Fingers During Most Of Record-Breaking Season is a post from: The Inquisitr

J.J. Watt surprised one of his biggest fans this past Thursday, as 12-year-old cancer patient Cristian Beasley was watching his sixth-grade class from home. Beasley is currently fighting leukemia and the youngster uses a robot he named “Watt” to virtually attend class everyday.

KHUO-TV wrote a story about Beasley last week, and the Houston Texans’ star defensive end must have been watching.  While Beasley was participating in class through his robot, Watt snuck up from behind Cristian to give him the biggest surprise of his life.

Beasley named the robot “Watt” because the 2012 Pro Bowler is his favorite player. The young boy is one of 34 patients across the United States to use the VGo telepresence system, according to the TV station.

“When I heard the story that he named the robot after me and he was such a big fan of me, it was a no-brainer,” Watt told KHUO-TV. “To see the smile on his face when he realized I was in the room with him … there’s no better feeling.”

Once J.J. Watt’s surprise set in for young Cristian, they spent over two hours together playing in the backyard, which including a lot of football, some hacky sack, and a quick dancing session.

This isn’t the first time Watt’s gone above and beyond to produce a heartfelt moment, as he asked 6-year-old Breanna to be his pretend wife for the day in January after she told her mom she wanted to marry the NFL player.

On Thursday, Watt drove all the way to Spendora, Texas to visit Cristian Beasley, much to the delight of the youngster who nearly lost it during the surprise. The rest of Beasley’s classmates were watching, and J.J. Watt said his hello’s to the class before stealing his new buddy for the day.

Is there anyone in the NFL who appreciates their fans as much as J.J. Watt? Surprises or not, the 24-year-old has a connection with his fans unlike any other.

[Image via Jeffrey Beall]

J.J. Watt Surprises 12-Year-Old Cancer Patient At His Home [Video] is a post from: The Inquisitr

Joe Flacco won’t be using the “R” word ever again after slipping up before the Super Bowl last season. Which “R” word are we talking about here? During the 2013 Super Bowl media day, Flacco was asked what he thought about the idea of playing the 2014 title game at MetLife Stadium, which he responded, “I think it’s retarded. I probably shouldn’t say that. I think it’s stupid.”

As you can see, the rising Ravens’ star immediately corrected his statement during the press conference, and now he’s decided to completely erase the word from his vocabulary. Flacco wasn’t the only Ravens’ player who signed the pledge, as tight end Ed Dickson and center Gino Gradkowski also joined in.

Flacco has widely been considered a stand-up guy, and he even apologized again the day after correcting his slip-up that Monday.

“Obviously, it was a bad choice of words. I wish I hadn’t said it,” Flacco said during the second day of media at the 2013 Super Bowl, via Mike Garafolo of USA Today. “I have a great relationship with Special Olympics back in Baltimore and have had one for many years. I didn’t mean to offend anybody, but I definitely apologize for it.”

Nearly four months later, Joe Flacco has pledged to never use the “R” word again, and he signed off, along with his two teammates, at the Maryland Special Olympics’ offices in Baltimore. Interestingly enough, it’s the same location that he mentioned during his apology in January.

The Maryland Special Olympics posted a photo of the group, big smiles and all, on Twitter after they signed the pledge.

@teamflacco, @ginograd56, @eddickson84 of the @ravens sign the @r_word_campaign pledge to eliminate use of r-word twitter.com/SpOlympicsMD/s…

— Special Olympics MD (@SpOlympicsMD) May 19, 2013

Well, though they all seem to be smiling, Joe Flacco and Ed Dickson must of missed the countdown before the photo was snapped. Either way, Joe Flacco and the “R” word won’t be crossing paths ever again.

[Image via Keith Allison]

Joe Flacco Signs Pledge Against The ‘R’ Word To Correct Past Comment is a post from: The Inquisitr

Former NFL player Chad Johnson was arrested in Florida on Monday morning.

Johnson was arrested after a judge in Broward County determined that he violated his probation stemming from a 2012 domestic violence bust.

A warrant was issued for Chad Johnson earlier in the month after he failed to report to his probation officer on two separate occasions. Johnson also failed to show proof of enrollment in a required domestic violence education class.

Johnson failed to report to his probation officer on February 15 and March 15 and failed to show that he completed the court ordered Batterers Intervention Program.

Johnson was serving out his probation following a domestic violence conviction that involved ex-wife Evelyn Lozada. The six-time Pro Bowl player known as Chad Ochocinco was serving one-year probation in the case. Johnson and Evelyn wed on July 4, 2012 but filed for divorce in August.

Bail has not yet been set but is expected momentarily.

Chad Johnson turned himself into police and was arrested a short time later. It is still unclear why Johnson waited so long following the issuance of the arrest warrant to turn himself over to authorities.

Johnson has not responded to the new charges or arrest.

More information to follow as official police reports are made available.

Do you think Chad Johnson will be given a slap on the wrist and sent on his way or actually spend time behind bars for his failure to appear?

Chad Johnson Arrested In Florida is a post from: The Inquisitr

EJ Manuel said he’s excited to start running the Buffalo Bills offense.

In fact, the rookie from Florida State said the Bills offense has been easier to pick up than the one he ran in college.

“The funny thing is it’s easier to learn than the offense I had at Florida State,” he told SiriusXM NFL Radio. “It’s a true West Coast-type progression offense. That’s really what I wanted when I was coming through the pre-draft process. I wanted something that I could just go in and say 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, check it down and run it. That’s it, it’s that simple. I love it.”

EJ Manuel has already been working closely with the Bills new offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett, who followed new coach Doug Marrone from Syracuse.

“I’ve done great. The learning curve for me is a lot shorter simply because of what I had at Florida State. [The Seminoles' offense is] more complex and a little bit harder to catch on and learn. This offense is very simple. I’ve done a great job with it,” he said in the interview.

The Bills surprised many by taking Manuel with the No. 16 pick, the first quarterback off the board and the only one taken in the first round.

Many had expected the Bills to snag West Virginia quarterback Geno Smith or Syracuse signal caller Ryan Nassib. But the Bills reportedly fell in love with the strong arm, big size, and fast legs of EJ Manuel.

Manuel will go into training camp with a chance to compete for the starting job. The Bills also have veteran Tavaris Jackson, who was on the team last year but never active, and also brought in free agent Kevin Kolb.

Whether EJ Manuel wins the spot this year or waits another, he is part of a young Bills team with great promise. The Bills also bolstered their receiving corps by selecting Robert Woods (USC), Marquise Goodwin (Texas), and undrafted free agent Da’Rick Rodgers.

EJ Manuel: Bills Scheme Easier To Learn Than Florida State’s is a post from: The Inquisitr

Chicago Bears punter Adam Podlesh is organizing a special event after spending time with Gavin Waterman, the young cancer patient he met for an afternoon hangout.

Podlesh gave Gavin an autographed football, a pair of Bears sunglasses, a stuffed Staley teddy bear, and a practice jersey during his visit to the Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood.

Following that meet and greet Adam Podlesh decided to do more. Podlesh and some of his teammates will host an event on Wednesday in which they will shave their heads to raise money for Gavin’s family and cancer awareness programs.

Participating in the event are fellow kicker Robbie Gould and Blake Costanzo, James Anderson, and Austin Signor. A few other players are also expected to join in the head shaving event.

Speaking on the official Chicago Bears website, Podlesh reveals:

“We had been throwing out ideas on what we could do to help them out and we decided on raising money shaving heads for Gavin, which is applicable because with his chemotherapy he’ll be losing his hair in the next week or two.”

If you want to make a donation, you can visit here. For every $25 donation that you make, a single raffle ticket will be provided. Podesh plans to give away 20 different autographed items. The items being raffled off will be provided with signatures from Bears participants.

Speaking of Adam’s decision to host the event, Gavin’s dad Jacob Waterman said:

“Adam’s a great guy. We’re really blessed to have him in our lives. He’s been awesome getting things together and helping us out with the funds.”

Adam Podesh is a cancer survivor himself. Podesh was diagnosed with salivary gland cancer in February 2010 when he played for the Jacksonville Jaguars. Podesh had a malignant tumor removed during surgery.

Speaking of his own life experience with cancer, the Chicago Bears kicker reveals:

“I don’t think that I would be as involved with cancer charities and events as I am now if I hadn’t been diagnosed with cancer. After going through remission and being cancer free, I’ve really made it my purpose to try to do whatever I can to help the fight against cancer.”

Will you be donating to Adam Podesh’s event for Gavin Waterman?

Bears Punter Adam Podlesh Organizes Fundraising Event For Young Cancer Patient is a post from: The Inquisitr

Manti Te’o took a Maxim joke in stride after the men’s magazine had his “girlfriend” pose for a photo spread.

Te’o could have been embarrassed about the situation that unfolded earlier this year, when his supposedly dead girlfriend Lennay Kekua turned out to be a hoax the entire time. The entire saga was outlined in a lengthy article in Deadspin, proving that the girl who supposedly died of leukemia on the same day that Te’o's (real) grandmother died was made up the entire time.

Since the story unfolded Te’o has been the subject of many jokes, including one from Maxim when Kekua was ranked No. 69 on the 100 Hottest Women in the World list.

Maxim writes: “After Manti Te’o’s fake girlfriend hoax of 2012, we think it might be nice to have an invisible girl of our own to love. Why not? She’s got a ton of great qualities, including looking awesome in a bikini.”

For good measure, the magazine included a picture of a black bikini held up on an invisible woman standing in front of a blue sky.

The second-round draft pick of the San Diego Chargers could have gotten upset or even just shrugged it off, but Te’o decided to go along with the Maxim joke. He even went to the Maxim party for the unveiling of the list.

The Chargers are likely happy to see his reaction. Te’o came into the draft with many question marks, including some poor play in the national championship game, but the team would hope that questions about the fake girlfriend would cease so he isn’t a distraction throughout the season.

The fact that Manti Te’o could play along with the Maxim joke probably has the Chargers front office breathing a little easier.

Manti Te’o A Good Sport About Maxim Joke is a post from: The Inquisitr

Mario Williams talked of suicide during a break-up with his fiance last year, his ex is claiming during a dispute over the engagement ring.

The former couple is in a court battle over the $785,000 diamond engagement ring Williams gave to his former fiancee, Erin Marzouki. Williams claimed that Marzouki is holding onto the ring in an attempt to get money out of him, and never intended to marry him.

Mario Williams signed a six-year, $100 million contract with the Buffalo Bills before the 2012 season, the biggest ever for a defensive player. The signing was considered a coup for the rebuilding Bills, who courted Williams for a three-day period over the start of free agency and signed him before other teams had a chance to make an offer.

Erin Marzouki was a big part of that process, following Williams to Buffalo and looking at homes in the suburbs as the former Houston Texan debated whether to join the team.

But the two broke up into the 2012 season, and now have entered a dispute over the engagement ring. After a court-encouraged mediation effort failed, Marzouki’s lawyer released a series of text messages from November showing Mario Williams as suicidal after the break-up.

The layer accused Williams of having “dramatic mood swings” during the engagement. The text message conversation took place in the evening hours of Nov. 11, the day the Bills lost to the New England Patriots.

“No money in the world should leave me with suicidal thoughts,” Williams wrote during the exchange. He also wrote that he took three hydrocodones that morning and planned to take two more on the plane ride back to Buffalo.

Marzouki encouraged Mario to get help, responding: “Why don’t you talk to someone? Clearly you’re not happy & if your takin pills that’s bad”

Mario Williams apologized but hinted toward more suicidal thoughts, writing: “I need to go back n my shell. There’s no telling what Ill do to myself at this point. I’m sry Ill disappear from now on.”

Mario Williams Talked Of Suicide During Break-Up, Ex-Fiancee Claims is a post from: The Inquisitr

Bruce Irvin, the second-year defensive end for the Seattle Seahawks, has been suspended without pay for the first four games of the regular season, according to announcements Friday afternoon from the NFL and also from the Seahawks.

Irvin will not appeal, and he made this frank statement:

“I want to apologize to my teammates, coaches and Seahawks fans for making a mistake when I took a substance that is prohibited in the NFL without a medical exemption. I am extremely disappointed in the poor judgment I showed and take full responsibility for my actions. I will not appeal the discipline and instead will focus my energy on preparing for the season so I can begin earning your trust and respect again.”

The NFL said that Bruce Irvin won’t be allowed to practice with the team during four weeks of suspension to end Sept. 30, after Seattle’s Week 4. However, he is still allowed to practice during the offseason and to play in preseason games.

His profile at Twitter revealed that Irvin is “trying to reach the top because it’s too crowded at the bottom” but in the future he intends to get there without the help of PEDs.

He may be trying a new look to go with his new resolve.  He has recently tweeted some interesting photos of his various hairstyles, ending with a very short new cut.

One ESPN blogger suggested that the Bruce Irvin suspension reflected a pattern with the Seattle Seahawks. Four other Seahawks players have served suspensions under the NFL’s performance-enhancing drug policy since 2011, according to reporter Mike Sando.

One of them, John Moffitt, said that he didn’t understand at the time that Adderall prescribed for medical reasons by a doctor was a violation of the PED policy. Sando hinted that it’s possible that Irvin too may have tried Adderall, but Irvin and the NFL haven’t said what medication was being used.

ESPN noted that he was the 15th overall pick of 2012. As a rookie, Bruce Irvin collected eight sacks.

twitter.com/BIrvin_WVU11/s…

— Bruce Irvin (@BIrvin_WVU11) May 16, 2013

[Bruce Irvin in blue by Aspen Photo / Shutterstock.com]

Bruce Irvin Suspended For Performance Enhancing Drug Violation is a post from: The Inquisitr

New York Jets RB Mike Goodson was arrested this week on drug and gun charges.

According to Sports Illustrated, Goodson was charged with marijuana possession, possession of drug paraphernalia, illegal possession of a handgun and possession of hollow point ammunition.

According to Channel 12 New Jersey, Goodson and another person were found in an SUV on the side of a highway in New Jersey at around 3:00 am this morning. Authorities do not know why the vehicle was stopped but did say that the NY Jets RB was very intoxicated at the time. Officers found marijuana on Goodson and when they searched the car they found a loaded 45-caliber handgun.

The NJ State Police write: “Troopers from Netcong station arrested two men for possession of a loaded handgun and marijuana after their vehicle was found stopped in the center-left lane of Rt. 80 early this morning … Garant Evans was the driver of a grey Yukon with Tennesee registration that was stopped in the left center lane of the highway when a tow truck driver came upon them just after 3:00 a.m. today. The tow driver called 911 and an ambulance was dispatched. Troopers arrived and arrested Evans for Driving While Intoxicated.”

Officers determined that Goodson and Evans needed medical attention and had them transferred to St. Clare’s in Denville. Prior to the transport, officers found a small amount of marijuana on Goodson. They then searched the car and found a more marijuana and a loaded .45 caliber semi-automatic handgun.

The New York Jets running back recently signed a three-year, $6.9 million contract. His bail was set at $50,000.

The Jets have not commented on Goodson’s arrest yet.

Jets RB Mike Goodson Arrested For Drug, Gun Charges is a post from: The Inquisitr

Charles Woodson could soon be an Oakland Raider.

The 36-year-old defensive back has been invited to meet with the team this Tuesday. Woodson’s meeting with the Raiders comes shortly after a meeting with the Denver Broncos.

The 2009 NFL Defensive Player of the Year left Denver without a contract but he’s still determined to find a team for next season. If he doesn’t get an offer from the Raiders he still has hope of finding a job with the Carolina Panthers or the New York Giants.

Woodson, a three-time All Pro Safety, said that he has no plans on retiring. His agent, Carl Poston, said: “Woodson still can do it on the field.”

Poston added that Woodson isn’t looking to be a de facto assistant coach to help rookies improve their game. The 36-year-old is planning on playing next year.

Woodson started his career in Oakland back in 1998. He spent 8 years with the Raiders before leaving for Green Bay in 2005.

Woodson is one of many All-Pro players looking for a home. Brian Urlacher was recently let go by the Chicago Bears and is currently looking for a new team. The linebacker is reportedly close to signing a deal with the Minnesota Vikings.

Per Carl Poston: Charles Woodson does not plan on retiring. Poston says he’ll play somewhere. Woodson appears frustrated by the system.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) May 17, 2013

Charles Woodson To Meet With Raiders Next Week is a post from: The Inquisitr

Diabetic NFL player Kyle Love was unceremoniously dumped by the New England Patriots on Wednesday in the aftermath of his recent diagnosis for diabetes type 2. But observers barely had a chance to scratch their heads over the perhaps puzzling Patriots’ announcement before the Jacksonsville Jaguars took the opportunity to claim the defensive tackle.

Kyle Love’s agent, Richard Kopelman, told ESPN on Wednesday that the diabetic player had been released for NFI — non-football injury or illness. Fans with diabetes or diabetic family members might understand the feelings voiced in Kopelman’s statement:

“Naturally, we are disappointed that the Patriots decided to part ways with Kyle, especially in light of the fact that a number of elite professional athletes with diabetes…have had very successful careers in professional football, hockey, baseball and basketball.”

Kyle Love’s agent acknowledged that Love, like many people with undiagnosed diabetes, had undergone an inexplicable weight loss recently. However, once the type 2 diabetes was identified and managed with a change of diet, he regained most of the lost 30 pounds and seemed to be performing just fine.

The Jacksonville Jaguars agreed with Kopelman’s assessment that the diabetic player will be back 100 percent with a few weeks and claimed him off waivers on Thursday.

According to the American Diabetes Association (ADA), there are almost 26 million Americans living with diabetes — over 8 percent of population. Almost 2 million new cases are diagnosed with the disease each year.

With education, modern medical treatment, and the right diet, there’s absolutely no reason for most or even very many of those people to suddenly be denied their jobs.

Kudos to the Jacksonsville Jaguars for not letting old fears and prejudices stop them from hiring Kyle Love.

According to Yahoo Sports, Seattle Seahawks three-time Pro Bowler Michael Sinclair was also diagnosed with diabetes type 2 later in his career. At least two other NFL players have been known to suffer from rarer forms of diabetes.

But even though he isn’t the first diabetic NFL player, Kyle Love’s firing by the Patriots suggests that pro football still has something to learn about diabetes.

[Kyle Love photo by Jeffrey Beall via Wikimedia Commons]

Diabetic NFL Player Kyle Love Fired And Then Hired In Less Than Two Days is a post from: The Inquisitr

Nick Saban isn’t happy with being called “the devil himself” by a former assistant coach.

The Alabama head coach said that comments from Tim Davis, now the offensive line coach at Florida, were “terribly disappointing.” Speaking to reporters before a promotional tour stop at Turner Field in Atlanta, Saban said he is far from “the devil himself” and tries to treat his assistant coaches with respect.

“I try to do right by the people that work for me,” Saban said, according to AL.com. “It’s a tough, demanding job. And at the same time, if anybody had an issue or problem with me, I would want them to just tell me.”

The allegations against Nick Saban came from Davis as he spoke to a group of Florida boosters. Asked about the difference between working for Saban and Will Muschamp Davis answered:

“I’ve always wanted to work with Will. Will’s got a plan. Will coached under the devil himself for seven years. I only did three. He did seven. And his DNA is not any different than Nick. [Muschamp]‘s like the other guy, only he’s got a personality. He’ll smile at you. He’ll talk to you. You understand? That’s what he’s all about. That’s Will. I’m proud to work for him.”

It’s not clear if David thought his Nick Saban devil comments would be reported outside the booster club, but it seemed odd given the history of the two. Saban had a close relationship with Davis, also bringing him on to the staff of the Miami Dolphins when Saban was head coach.

This wasn’t the first time Saban was referred to as “the devil himself.” Four months ago, Vanderbilt coach James Franklin called him “Nicky Satan” at a high school sports banquet. He later apologized and said he meant it only as a joke.

Nick Saban Disappointed With Being Called ‘The Devil Himself’ is a post from: The Inquisitr

The Vikings decided to move backup QB Joe Webb to wide receiver. University of Michigan quarterback Denard Robinson was drafted last month as a wide receiver.

Could Tim Tebow be next? If he wants to stay in the NFL, the answer is yes.

The free agent quarterback has had one successful season in the NFL, leading the Denver Broncos to the playoffs and to a win over the Pittsburgh Steelers in the Wild Card round.

But even as a full-time starter, Tebow didn’t the look of a conventional quarterback. He won games mostly on his bruising running style, wearing down opposing defenses with four quarters of punishment. His sub-50 percent completion rating and lack of arm strength and accuracy didn’t exactly strike fear in defenses.

If Tebow watched the Vikings move their QB to wide receiver, he might catch a glimpse of his own future. Tebow’s game lends much better to playing fullback or tight end, a position where he can use his size and strength and not have to worry about his arm.

Webb seems up the for the challenge in Minnesota.

“Coach brought me in the office and talked to me about the different plans they had and stuff,” Webb told Sid Hartman of the Star-Tribune. “I haven’t played [receiver] since my rookie minicamp, but I think I can adjust to it pretty good. You just have to put in a lot of work. Coach Stew [wide receivers coach George Stewart] will do a lot of that with me, so we’ll see what happens.”

For Tebow to make the shift to fullback or tight end, it would take the same kind of enthusiasm and work ethic. But seeing what Tebow has already done in the NFL — working hard to change his throwing motion after his senior year at Florida, accepting odd jobs like punt protector with the Jets — suggest he’s ready for it.

If the Vikings can move their QB to a new position, so can Tebow.

Vikings Move QB Webb To Wide Reciever, Tim Tebow Could Follow Suit is a post from: The Inquisitr

Chris Kluwe is heading to Oakland.

The outspoken NFL punter was released by the Minnesota Vikings earlier this month. The Raiders haven’t officially announced Kluwe’s signing yet but the gay rights advocate told Fox Sports that he was excited to be a Raider.

Kluwe, who has frequently drawn attention for making political statements on and off the field, said that he would continue to express his views while playing for his new team.

Kluwe said: “I’m excited to be an Oakland Raider and be playing in California. Now, my family can actually come to games. I’m still going to be myself socially and continue to tweet and interact with my fans.”

Some people questioned whether or not Kluwe’s views played a role in his release from the Vikings. The Minnesota team admitted that Kluwe’s outspoken opinions could be a distraction but said that Kluwe’s views had nothing to do with his dismissal.

Kluwe, 31, averaged 45 yards on 72 punts last year with the Vikings. He joined Minnesota in 2005 and is the team’s all-time leader for average yards per punt (44.4). He’s also second all-time for total punt yards in Vikings history.

Kluwe will be replacing Shane Lechler for the Oakland Raiders. Lechler left the team after 13 seasons to sign with the Houston Texans.

Chris Kluwe Joins Raiders is a post from: The Inquisitr

Chad Johnson has a warrant out for his arrest.

According to NFL.com, the Broward County Sheriff’s Office issued a warrant for the former NFL player for violating terms of his probation.

The BSO claims that Johnson failed to failed to show proof that he completed the “Batterers Intervention Program” and also failed to meet with his probation specialists twice earlier this year. Maybe Johnson was too busy treating homeless men to new wardrobes and drinks at the club.

According to TMZ, the warrant was issued for Johnson’s arrest back on May 7. Once Johnson is taken into custody, a trial will be set to determine if he did violate the terms of his parole.

Johnson was arrested last August after getting into a physical altercation with his ex-wife Evelyn Lozada. The reality star claimed that Johnson head-butted her after she accused him of cheating.

The former NFL player was charged with domestic battery and was sentenced to one year of probation.

The 6-time Pro Bowler hasn’t played in the NFL was in 2011. He was picked up by the Miami Dolphins for the 2012 season but was cut shortly after his arrest. Johnson has been working to make a comeback to the NFL but the wide receivers legal troubles may put an end to that dream.

Chad Johnson has not commented on the warrant yet.

Chad Johnson Has A Warrant Out For His Arrest is a post from: The Inquisitr

Nick Saban is “the devil himself” according to a Florida coach who once worked under Nick Saban.

As previously reported by The Inquisitr, Nick Saban aka the devil himself has rumors floating around that he might switch to the NFL.

But Saban the devil himself did not spit any fire and was only amused by these rumors, with the Alabama college football coach denying he had any such NFL plans.

Now this is not the first time Nick Saban has been compared to the devil. The Vanderbilt coach James Frankli called Saban a devil, referring to the Alabama coach as “Nicky Satan.”

Florida offensive line coach Tim Davis was speaking to a group of Florida boosters when he referred to Nick Saban as “the devil himself” when asked to explain the difference between working with Nick Saban and Will Muschamp:

“I’ve always wanted to work with Will. Will’s got a plan. Will coached under the devil himself for seven years. I only did three. He did seven. And his DNA is not any different than Nick. [Muschamp]‘s like the other guy, only he’s got a personality. He’ll smile at you. He’ll talk to you. You understand? That’s what he’s all about. That’s Will. I’m proud to work for him.”

Tim Davis apparently wasn’t expecting his Nick Saban devil comments to make it outside the walls of the booster club. Still, Davis has some experience with the devil, er, Nick Saban since he was an assistant coach for two seasons with the Miami Dolphins and one year with Alabama.

Do you think Nick Saban “the devil himself” is owed an apology from Tim Davis?

Nick Saban ‘The Devil Himself’ According To Florida Coach is a post from: The Inquisitr

The Minnesota Vikings have moved QB Joe Webb to a full-time wide receiver slot as the debate behind the team’s quarterback dilemma now comes to a close. Head coach Leslie Frazier announced the decision to move Webb to the outside on Wednesday.

Webb’s been an NFL backup quarterback since joining the league in 2010. The Birmingham, Alabama native’s last start, on the other hand, came in the Vikings wild-card appearance last season.

He was given the start due to an injury to Christian Ponder near the end of the season. The Vikings went on to lose the game 24-10 to the Green Bay Packers and Webb’s stat line didn’t add up to a future starting role.

The 26-year completed just 11-of-30 passes in the game for 180 yards with one touchdown and an interception. His struggles throwing the football should have been expected as his last pass in an official game before the wild-card came during the Vikings’ season finale against the Chicago Bears in 2011.

Now the Vikings move QB Joe Webb to a receiver slot as the team is set at his formal position with the signing of Matt Cassel. Christian Ponder has secured the starting role while Cassel will serve as his backup.

Most quarterbacks would get the boot when there’s no room for them on the roster, but Webb has always been an athletic and speedy player who’s talent could transition well to the outside.

The Vikings are looking to revamp their receiving core after losing Percy Harvin  this offseason. Harvin was traded to the Seattle Seahawks after four seasons in Minnesota where he finished with 3,302 receiving yards and 20 touchdowns.

That’s a lot of production lost for Leslie Frazier’s offense, though he immediately addressed the issue in the NFL Draft. The Vikings selected wide-out Cordarrelle Patterson from the University of Tennessee in the first round, who will accompany Webb as he transitions to the receiving game.

Joe Webb was informed of the move just after the Vikings selected Patterson in the NFL Draft, and the Alabama-Birmingham (UAB) product told the Star-Tribune that he believes he can make the right adjustments.

“Coach brought me in the office and talked to me about the different plans they had and stuff,” he said to Sid Hartman of the Star-Tribune. “I haven’t played [receiver] since my rookie minicamp, but I think I can adjust to it pretty good. You just have to put in a lot of work.”

With the Vikings moving QB Joe Webb to a receiver slot, do you believe they’re desperate to find offense after losing a key contributor like Percy Harvin?

[Image via Creative Commons]

Vikings Move QB Joe Webb To Full-Time Receiver Slot is a post from: The Inquisitr

After David Garrard quits the New York Jets, the team’s once-muddled quarterback picture suddenly becomes more clear.

That’s good news for Mark Sanchez.

The embattled quarterback looked all but assured to be losing his starting job at the end of the 2012 season. Sanchez was plagued by sloppy, inconsistent play all year and by the end of the season had been supplanted in his starting job by unproven rookie Greg McElroy.

Though McElroy failed to impress and could not hold onto the starting job — and Tim Tebow remained glued to the sidelines — it became clear that Sanchez’s days were numbered. When the team brought in Garrard in the offseason, it led many to conclude that the team would cut or trade Sanchez.

But now that David Garrard quits the Jets, the team will likely have no choice but to hang onto Sanchez at least through this season.

Garrard said a nagging knee injury is forcing him to quit the Jets.

Garrard wrote in a text message to NFL.com’s Adam Schein: “Having to call it quits … My knee is not holding up. Continuing to swell after practices.”

The 35-year-old quarterback was expecting to compete for the Jets starting job.

“I was healthy all the way into training camp last year and for some reason my knee swelled up,” Garrard said just two weeks ago. “So I’m healthy now, and I’m going to be going after it. I’m not here collecting paychecks. That’s not what I’m about.”

The loss of Garrard means the Jets have only Sanchez, McElroy, rookie Geno Smith, and Matt Simms competing to be signal caller next season. Sanchez may have struggled this year, but did once lead the team to two consecutive AFC championship games. The other three have one NFL start combined.

Experts believe Sanchez will likely remain on as the Jets starter this season as the team prepares second-round draft pick Geno Smith for a starting role one day.

Though David Garrard quits the Jets, he would not say if he is retiring from the NFL.

After David Garrard Quits, Mark Sanchez All But Assured Of Starting Job is a post from: The Inquisitr

The battle for the starting quarterback position just got a little easier for Mark Sanchez and Geno Smith. David Garrard announced today that he was quitting the team due to a lingering knee injury.

Garrard,who had a chance at winning the starting position from Mark Sanchez, said today that his knee continued to swell up after practices and that he would not be able to continue his time with the Jets.

Garrard wrote in a text message to NFL.com’s Adam Schein: “Having to call it quits … My knee is not holding up. Continuing to swell after practices.”

An official announcement hasn’t been made yet by the New York Jets or David Garrard but the quarterback told NFL.com’s Jeff Darlington that announcement would come “tomorrow or the next day.”

The Jets have been looking for a way to rectify their abysmal quarterback situation. The team drafted Geno Smith and signed Garrard to a 1-year deal back on March 12. The Jets, who discarded Tim Tebow shortly after last season, also have Greg McElroy and Matt Simms on the bench for 2013.

Yahoo Sports notes that Garrard entered the NFL in 2002 and spent most of his career with the Jacksonville Jaguars. He took over the starting position in 2006 and earned Pro Bowl honors in 2009. He played nine seasons with Jacksonville, passing for more than 16,000 yards and 89 touchdowns.

Garrard did not say if he would be retiring due to his injury.

hey @davidgarrard9 sorry to see it end this way.Tough guy.Good man.Best to you and your family.

— Mike Dempsey (@md_1010xl) May 15, 2013

David Garrard Quits, Leaves New York Jets Due To Knee Injury is a post from: The Inquisitr

James Harrison $600K massages and other body work confession raised a few eyebrows in the Bengals linebacker’s introductory interview with Cincinnati, OH media. He fielded some questions cautiously, but he really relaxed and shared a little of his personality when he talked about taking care of his body.

As Steelers fans already know, the 35-year-old two time Most Valued Player for the Pittsburgh Steelers couldn’t reach a contract agreement with them this year and was cut from the team in March. In late April, Harrison signed with the Cincinnati Bengals.

According to the Bengals transcript of the press conference, when James Harrison was asked about the importance of his body, he said frankly:

“My body is what helps me to make money. Whatever there is that I need to do to try and make myself better or get myself healthy, I’m going to do it. It wouldn’t be unreasonable to say that I spend anywhere between $400,000-$600,000 on body work, as far as taking care of my body, year-in and year-out.”

Now, the story seemed to get a little more colorful as it went around the rumor mill. By the time I heard it, the tale was that James Harrison spent $600K on massages.

And you know what I thought then.

But Harrison freely explained his expensive body upkeep plan.   He revealed that he invests an hour a day in stretches, another half hour or so in ice and hot tubs, and then two to four hours a day in massages.

He also said that he has a hyperbaric chamber which presumably helps oxygenate his blood to help him get better performance.

So the whole $600K isn’t just for the massage, although a lot of it is.  Said Harrison:

“I have massages and I bring people in from New York, Arizona to where I’m at. There’s that cost…I started off with just one massage person and my chiropractor. Getting massages from different people, probably tried out maybe 150 different massage people. Right now I’m down to…six people…I’ve got a masseuse, got an acupuncturist, got a trainer, got another masseuse and another masseuse and a homeopathic doctor.”

OK, if you’re talking about six experts on call to fly in and give you a massage wherever and whenever, maybe $600,000 a year doesn’t sound so outrageous. I mean, you’re a multi million-dollar Superbowl champion. You don’t want to pay peanuts and get monkeys.

If you and I had a staff that size, maybe we too would have James Harrison’s $600K massage bill.

[Cincinnati Bengals photo by Shout It Out Design / Shutterstock.com]

James Harrison $600K Massages And Body Work, Bengals Linebacker Splurges To Pamper Body is a post from: The Inquisitr

Brett Favre and the Green Bay Packers have not been on good terms lately.

The two were a bit like friends you knew who dated and then broke up, then completely imploded. They couldn’t mention each other without throwing in some kind of snide comment, and couldn’t be in the same room together at the same time.

Favre left the team on bad terms in 2008, when he retired as the team increased the pressure to move Aaron Rodgers into the starting job. Favre changed his mind and decided to come back, but the Packers had already moved on with a new man. They were sticking with Rodgers.

This led Favre to a jaunt around the league for his final few seasons, landing first with the New York Jets before going to Green Bay’s arch rival, the Minnesota Vikings (with a few other retirements and un-retirements thrown in, for good measure).

But now there seems to be a bit of a detente between Brett Favre and the Packers. Green Bay CEO Mark Murphy said the team hopes to bring Favre back into the family, and already the two have begun interacting more.

“I thought he and Aaron [Rogers] jointly presenting the Comeback Player of the Year Award was a great first step,” Murphy told Fox Sports Wisconsin. “We’re hopeful to have him back in the fold and get him back involved in the organization soon.”

Favre and Rodgers have not enjoyed the best relationship, so the meeting between the two appeared to represent a major step in bringing the Hall of Fame quarterback to the team again.

“I thought it was good timing to just let the fans know, to let Brett know, let’s move forward,” Rodgers said on his Wisconsin radio show in February. “Let’s heal things up and move forward.”

Bringing Brett Favre back to the Packers would be important for both. Favre broke records with the Packers and led the team to a Super Bowl win, ending his career as perhaps the greatest quarterback to wear the green and gold. The Packers now plan to retire Favre’s number within a year or two.

For Brett Favre, returning to the Packers could ease some of the tension that existed and help the public forget the image of a player, aging and bitter, leaving his longtime team in the lurch.

Brett Favre Reunion With Packers Would Help Repair Tarnished Legacy is a post from: The Inquisitr

Linebacker Rolando McClain has retired after signing a one-year contract with the Baltimore Ravens last month, the team’s GM Ozzie Newsome announced on Wednesday. The 23-year-old signed for $700,000 that including extra incentives up to $400,000 on April 12th after three seasons with the Oakland Raiders.

Now McClain will retire due to issues off the field that have landed him a court date that’s set for July 9th. He was arrested in his hometown of Decatur, Alabama shortly after signing with the Ravens on charges of disorderly conduct and resisting arrest.

This isn’t his first run-in with the law as he’s already pleaded guilty to a window tint charge this month and was also arrested in December of 2011 on assault charges.

During his 2011 arrest, he allegedly pointed a gun at another man and fired the weapon right next to his head. McClain was originally convicted and sentenced to 180 days in jail but the charges were dropped after an appeal after the victim failed to cooperate, according to Yahoo! Sports.

Rolando McClain retires well before his time as his personal life forced him out of the game. The No. 8 overall pick in the 2010 NFL Draft, McClain looked to be a future star after signing a five-year, $40.25 million rookie contract with the Raiders.

The University of Alabama product made 246 tackles, 6.5 sacks, and one interception in 41 games with Oakland throughout his three-year NFL career. His best season came in 2011 when finished with 77 tackles and five sacks in 15 games.

McClain was released by the Raiders on April 5th, 2013, cutting his rookie contract short. A week later he signed with the Ravens, and a month after that he retired for good. Next he’ll go to court and hopefully work out his off the field issues.

At the young age of 23, a return the NFL could be possible, though he’ll have to get past his legal troubles first.

Do you believe Rolando McClain retired at the right time in his career?

[Image via Jeffrey Beall]

Rolando McClain Retires After Signing One-Year Contract Last Month is a post from: The Inquisitr

Brett Favre’s Packers locked up their franchise quarterback in Aaron Rodgers this offseason, and they would now like to bring back one of the greatest ever to take snaps behind center at Lambeau Field. It’s been almost five years since the Packers traded Favre to the New York Jets, but now the franchise is looking to reunite with their three-time NFL MVP.

Brett Favre’s return to Green Bay has been a slow process as he doesn’t have the best relationship with his successor Aaron Rodgers. The Packers’ front office believes Favre may have a change of heart, and they would love to bring him back to the team in some way.

During the team’s eighth-annual Tailgate Tour, Packers’ President and CEO Mark Murphy told FOXSportsWisconsin.com  that “we want to have (Favre) back in the family.”

He may be onto something, as Favre has already rekindled his friendship with Aaron Rodgers as they presented an award together at the NFL Honors Show. Murphy believes that both sides are heading in the right direction, which could lead to Favre’s return to the Packers, though the team hasn’t announced where they would use him.

Bringing him back is the right move as it’s hard to picture the historical franchise without Brett Favre. Packers’ nation would also love to see his return, and, if CEO Mark Murphy has anything to do with it, they’ll get their chance.

“I thought he and Aaron jointly presenting the Comeback Player of the Year Award was a great first step,” Murphy said during the tour. “We’re hopeful to have (Favre) back in the fold and get him back involved in the organization soon.”

The Packers have already prepared to retire Favre’s number next season, and the 11-time Pro Bowl selection is expected to give a speech at frigid Lambeau. After 16 seasons in the green and gold, Favre lost any connection from the team after being traded when he came out of retirement, but it was only a matter of time before he found his way back home.

Do you believe it would be the right decision for the front office to bring Brett Favre back to the Packers?

[Image via Paul Cutler]

Brett Favre: Packers Want Retired Star Back In The Family is a post from: The Inquisitr

Brian Urlacher has been in a Chicago Bears jersey for his entire NFL career, but next year he could be playing for a division rival. Urlacher is reportedly getting close to signing a contract with the Minnesota Vikings.

Urlacher, who missed the end of last season with an injury, is reportedly looking at a one or two year contract with the Vikings.

A source told Michael Sneed of the Chicago Tribune: “It’s getting close to happening, but Brian is leaning toward heading to Minnesota and is talking a one to two year contract.”

NFL.com reports that the Vikings have been closely monitoring Urlacher’s workouts and are reportedly getting close to offering the Pro Bowl linebacker a job.

Neither Urlacher nor the Vikings have commented on the report.

Urlacher joined the Chicago Bears out of New Mexico in 2000 and earned the NFL Rookie of the Year during his first year with the team. The linebacker would go on to earn 8 Pro Bowl selections and win the NFL Defensive Player of the Year award in 2005.

Urlacher was hoping to finish his career in Chicago, but he rejected the team’s $1.6 million offer earlier this year.

It was not a negotiation it was an ultimatum. Gonna miss my teammates. snip.ps/ultimatum

— Brian Urlacher (@BUrlacher54) March 21, 2013

Do you think Brian Urlacher will sign with the Minnesota Vikings?

Brian Urlacher Close To Vikings Deal [Report] is a post from: The Inquisitr

Donovan McNabb is set to retire as a member of the Philadelphia Eagles to end his career after stints with the Washington Redskins and Minnesota Vikings over his last two years in the league. McNabb never won a Super Bowl in his 13 seasons in the NFL as he lost in his only appearance in 2004 with the Eagles.

Philadelphia lost to the New England Patriots in the Super Bowl that year and McNabb threw three crucial interceptions in the game. Nevertheless, he will go down as one of the greatest quarterbacks in Eagles’ history after 11 years with the team.

Last year, McNabb worked as an analyst for the NFL Network during the season and never returned to field though his name came up in free agents talks on a weekly basis. Any type of return is now out the question as Donovan McNabb is set to retire.

The 36-year-old announced his decision to retire as an Eagle on the NBC Sports Radio Show Monday night. McNabb believes the official retirement will happen in September though the Philadelphia Eagles have yet to make an announcement.

During his career, McNabb threw for 37,276 yards and 234 touchdowns. He is currently the Eagles’ franchise leader in passing completions (2,801), passing yards (32,873), and touchdowns (216) while he practically wrote the record book at Lincoln Financial Field.

The Eagles’ stadium was opened in 2003, during McNabb’s fifth year in the NFL, and he posted his best season there in 2004. The University of Syracuse product threw 31 touchdowns and finished with a 64 percent completion rating in 2004, both of which are the highest of his career.

McNabb’s started more games behind center than anyone as the Eagles’ quarterback and he is now calling it quits and hanging up the jersey for good. He last started six games in 2011 for the Vikings in which he threw for 948 yards and eight touchdowns.

With Donovan McNabb ready to retire, do you believe he is one of the greatest quarterbacks in the Philadelphia Eagles’ history?

[Image via Wikimedia Commons]

Donovan McNabb To Retire As An Eagle After 13 Seasons In The NFL is a post from: The Inquisitr

Former All-Pro running back Chuck Muncie has died at the age of 60. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that the former San Diego Chargers standout passed away due to a heart attack.

Muncie played nine seasons in the NFL before leaving the game in 1984 after Commissioner Pete Rozelle suspended him when he tested positive for cocaine. He only played in one game during the 1984 season and he never returned after he was suspended, though he did try a comeback the following year.

He cited personal issues as to the reason behind his unsuccessful comeback. Though he struggled with off the field issues, Muncie put together a solid career that included three Pro Bowl appearances, one of which he was named the MVP.

His best season came in 1981 when he ran for 1,144 yards and a league-leading 19 touchdowns. Throughout his career, Muncie appeared in 110 games while rushing for 6,702 yards and 71 touchdowns.

After he left the game for good, Chuck Muncie struggled to stay out of trouble and ended up in jail in 1989 with a 18-month sentence for selling cocaine. Muncie did his time and after his release he pledged to turn his life around for good.

He founded the Chuck Muncie Youth Foundation in 1997 that provides youngsters in Southern California alternative opportunities to the “street” life. The foundation was only the start, as he eventually joined a mentoring program for athletes at the University of California, his alma mater where he finished second in the Heisman voting as a senior.

His dedication to community service completely changed his life, just as he’d set out to do after going to prison.  Nevertheless, his career on the field has always been overshadowed by the suspension that led to his retirement.

Rough times got the best of Muncie near the end of his career in the NFL but he learned from his mistakes and sought to be a better man. Chuck Muncie died of a heart attack on Monday, but not before he turned his life around and made a difference in his community.

Former Chargers’ RB Chuck Muncie Dies At 60 is a post from: The Inquisitr

Tim Tebow as a Philadelphia Soul quarterback could be just the push the young quarterback needs to eventually become an NFL superstar. The Arena League team recently offered Tebow the QB 1 position, and now it is just up to Tebow to accept.

Tebow was released by the New York Jets on April 29, and, while he has been tied to several possible teams, no offers have come around at this time.

Since being cut, Tebow has been receiving offers from teams outside of the NFL including the Omaha Beef of the Champions Indoor Professional Football League.

Talking about what the league could do for Tebow Philadelphia Soul owner and former Philadelphia quarteback Ron Jaworski notes:

“One [criticism] of Tebow is that he is slow and methodical. He would be forced to quicken it up in this league and it would be good training for him. You can learn a lot in this league. It’s about processing information and getting the ball out . . . or you get whacked.”

While Tim Tebow may see the move to arena football as a step backwards, it could be exactly what he needs to thrive. Former Rams and Cardinals Pro Bowl QB Kurt Warner used the Arena league to develop his talents before he became one of the most successful NFL quarterbacks of all-time.

The Arena Football league requires quarterbacks to think quick on their feet while throwing from inside the pocket. The fast pace could help Tebow develop better footwork while processing play calling and actions at a faster pace.

The question now is whether or not Tim Tebow wants to be QB 2 in a professional league or QB 1 in what amounts to a farm league of sorts.

Tim Tebow’s Philadelphia Soul Offer Could Turn Him Into The Next Kurt Warner is a post from: The Inquisitr

Titus Young has a mental health disorder and is in desperate need of help, the father of the embattled wide receiver said.

The 23-year-old Young was arrested Friday in California for allegedly breaking into a home, his third arrest in a week. Young was charged with attempted burglary, assaulting a police officer, and resisting arrest.

Just days before, Young had been arrested on suspicion of driver under the influence, and arrested again later that day for allegedly trying to steal his car back from a tow yard.

The owner of the home Young is accused of breaking into said he was loading a shotgun he keeps hidden in the room as Young approached his bedroom door. Police later apprehended Young after a short pursuit.

“I feel sorry for him, and I’m sure glad that he left and I didn’t have to find out what’s going to happen if he came in, because I’m afraid I would have shot him,” Bill Palttos, the homeowner, told KTLA-TV.

Richard Young, the father of Titus, said he had been with his son earlier that day and nothing appeared to be wrong. But Titus said he had to go to his car and then left abruptly.

“We knew that something had happened to him or he was locked up again,” Richard Young told The Detroit News. “His mind is not capable enough to go out and deal with society because of this situation.”

Richard added that his son suffers from an ailment caused by his brain being compressed to the front his skull. Richard said it came after Titus suffered a concussion in 2011, his NFL rookie season.

“I hope they just forgive Titus because this ain’t none of Titus, it wasn’t none of his fault,” he told The Detroit Free Press. “I look at my son right now, I don’t see my son. That’s not my son. I know my son.”

The Detroit Lions cut Young from their last season after many disciplinary issues, lining up wrong during a Week 14 loss to the Green Bay Packers. Young was picked up on waivers by the St. Louis Rams, but released again 10 days later.

Richard added that Titus Young is not dealing with his issues properly, and needs months of dedicated treatment and regular medicine to recover.

Titus Young Suffering From Brain Disorder Due To Concussion, Father Says is a post from: The Inquisitr

LeSean McCoy says that Micheal Vick cheated in a recent footrace the two Philadelphia Eagles’ teammates ran. The men were engaging in a friendly competition during the team’s OTA workouts this week.

The scrambling quarterback has returned to the Eagles after an offseason in which there were plenty of rumors he might be done in “City of Brotherly Love.”

That friendly competition apparently took a bit of a sour turn after the quarterback beat his starting running back. The dual threat back had a bit of a down year in 2012 after missing four games and he appears to be coming back with a bit of a chip on his shoulder.

LeSean McCoy says that Vick cheated in their race, adding that his teammate is an “old man.” When the two did race, the 32-year old QB beat the 24-year old RB by about five yards in the 40 yard dash.

The younger Eagle says that the reason he was beaten so badly in this particular race was because his opponent left before the gun went off.

Not only is this a claim that should make you laugh, but McCoy says that he has video evidence. Once has to wonder if the younger player really had his feelings hurt so bad that he would try and show he only lost because of a cheat.

Vick hasn’t responded to the accusations that he left the starting point before the gun sounded. We also haven’t seen any sort of video proof that supposedly exists.

The reformed animal activist has managed to look like the bigger man while all this is going on. He hasn’t responded to any of the allegations and has apparently let his feet do his talking for him.

Do you think LeSean McCoy is right in saying that Michael Vick cheated in their race or should he just let it go?

Lesean McCoy: ‘Vick Cheated’ In Footrace Because He’s Old is a post from: The Inquisitr

Jimmy Smith, a former NFL receiver, is in jail for a six-year sentence on drug and weapons charges in Mississippi. Smith played for the Jacksonville Jaguars for 11 years before retiring from the game in 2005.

He now calls the Mississippi Department of Corrections his home due to multiple charges, according to Chad Cushnir of firstcoastnews.com. The 44-year-old is serving two-years for ”possession of a firearm by a convicted felon” and four more years for a possession of cocaine charge, according to Mississippi DOC records.

Since hanging up his Jaguars’ uniform in 2005, Jimmy Smith has struggled to stay out of trouble. The five-time Pro Bowl selection was arrested in 2008 for a DUI and again in 2009 for drug charges during a routine stop for a traffic violation.

He received probation for both incidents and eventually checked himself into rehab, voluntarily at that, later in 2009. The NFL was well aware of Smith’s struggles as he was suspended in 2003 for violating the league’s substance abuse policy.

Smith’s been out of the league for over seven years and he won’t be seeing any games live for quite some time. The former NFL receiver is in jail until a tentative release date of November 8, 2018. He began his sentence on March 29th.

Jimmy Smith was born in Detroit, Michigan but grew up in Mississippi and he returned to the state a few years ago. The news of his conviction has hit home with Jaguars’ fans who watched their favorite wide out put together the greatest seasons, statistically speaking, in the franchise’s history.

Over an 11-year career, Smith totaled 12,287 receiving yards on 862 receptions with 67 touchdowns. He leads the Jaguars’ all-time list in every major receiving category to this day.

Smith also spent two injury-filled years with the Dallas Cowboys to start his career and didn’t play in 1994 before joining the Jaguars in their expansion season.

Outside of his struggles off the field, he set up the Jimmy Smith Foundation that is committed to mentoring at-risk youth and providing programs that have a positive impact on their growth.

With a former NFL receiver in jail, do you think the league should put new policies in place to educate players on life after football?

[Image via Robert Pollack]

NFL Receiver In Jail For Drugs And Weapons Charges is a post from: The Inquisitr

Felix Jones, former Dallas Cowboys’ running back, has signed a one-year deal to join the Philadelphia Eagles. The 26-year-old visited other teams this past week before making the decision to join LeSean McCoy in the Eagles’ backfield.

McCoy should receive the majority of touches for the team in 2013, but bringing in Jones adds more depth to an already explosive offense. Michael Vick is expected to win the team’s starting quarterback job though Nick Foles could earn the spot before the season starts.

Felix Jones played each of his first five seasons in the league with the Dallas Cowboys and he now will leave “America’s team” to join their inner-division rival in the Philadelphia Eagles. The Cowboys finished ahead of the Eagles in 2012, though neither team made the playoffs.

Jones appeared in all 16 games last season for only the second time in his career. Though he played in every game, Jones received a mere 111 touches for 402 yards and three rushing touchdowns.

He also finished with two receiving touchdowns, the most in his career for a single season. Felix Jones also worked out for the New England Patriots last week before deciding on joining the Eagles.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter first reported Felix Jones’ new one-year contract with the Eagles on Twitter. He will now join a team that is looking to rebound from a horrendous 4-12 record in 2012.

The Eagles haven’t been to a Super Bowl since 2004 when they lost to the Patriots in a thriller, and they’ve missed the playoffs in each of the last two seasons. Jones will serve as a backup in Philadelphia, though he may also play a role in the team’s return game, according to Kevin Patra of NFL.com.

Working around injuries during the regular season has been a stepping stone to winning the Super Bowl in year’s past, and the Eagles now have a versatile back that can fill the void if the team runs into trouble.

Did the Philadelphia Eagles make the right decision in signing Felix Jones to a one-year contract?

[Image via Brian Clark]

Felix Jones Signs One-Year Deal With Philadelphia Eagles is a post from: The Inquisitr

Tim Tebow is receiving plenty of offers these days. Unfortunately, none of them are from the NFL. The latest team to offer Tim Tebow a job is the Philadelphia Soul.

Unlike other offers made by the Omaha Beef and the Lingerie Football League, the Soul actually have a chance to land Tebow.

Tim is still holding out for a job in the NFL but there aren’t too many teams looking for a third string quarterback at the moment. Tebow may have to swallow the fact that, for now at least, he’s days in the NFL over.

But that’s where the Soul could help Tebow. Team owner Ron Jaworski, a former Pro Bowl quarterback, said that the Soul could give a Tebow to improve his skills before making another try at the NFL. Jaworski said that Tebow is often criticized for being slow and methodical and that playing in the Arena league could help him speed up his game.

Jaworski said: “One [criticism] of Tebow is that he is slow and methodical … He would be forced to quicken it up in this league and it would be good training for him. You can learn a lot in this league. It’s about processing information and getting the ball out … or you get whacked.”

Jaworski could help Tebow improve his quarterback skills but the Soul owner admitted that he didn’t plan on using Tebow as the starting QB. Instead, Tebow would be in a situation similar to last year where he was used as a backup QB for special plays. The only difference is that Jaworski actually plans on using Tebow instead of putting him out there as media bait.

Do you think Tim Tebow should play with the Philadelphia Soul?

Tim Tebow To Philadelphia Soul? Arena League Team Makes An Offer is a post from: The Inquisitr

Michael Vick recently beat LeSean McCoy in a foot race but the Eagles running back doesn’t believe it was a fair fight. McCoy said that Vick cheated and challenged him to another race.

McCoy claims that Vick took off before the gunshot and that he has a video to back up his claims. Vick denied the accusations and has received support from several NFL players who said that he absolutely “dusted” McCoy during the race.

Colt Anderson said: Vick just beat Shady in a 40 yard race.

Clay Harbor said: “The rumors are true… Vick dusted McCoy in the 40yd dash. The Vick McCoy race had striking similarities between the Willie Beamen (Jaime Foxx) Julian Washington (LL Cool J) race.”

Harbor likened the Vick – McCoy race to Any Given Sunday but the writers at Pro Football Talk think the scenario is more similar to the famous Seinfeld episode where Jerry is accused of cheating in a foot race. Like McCoy, Duncan Meyer accused Jerry of taking off before the gunshot. Jerry never raced again (until he did later that episode) and a myth began to grow about his speed.

Do you believe McCoy? Did Michael Vick cheat during the foot race? Who’s George in this scenario?

McCoy wants to race Vick again but the Eagles quarterback should do the smart thing and “choose not to race.”\

U know me he cheated n by one step RT @jasonpinkstonol: @cutondime25 I know he ain’t get you by 5 yards

— Lesean McCoy (@CutonDime25) May 2, 2013

False statement. RT @mpolito_23: @mikevick I heard you had a head start when you and Shady raced, any truth to that?

— Mike Vick (@MikeVick) May 7, 2013

[Image Via Jerry Zitterman / Shutterstock.com]

LeSean McCoy: Michael Vick Cheated In Foot Race is a post from: The Inquisitr

Buddy Nix is stepping down as general manager of the Buffalo Bills, the team announced Monday.

Nix said he will remain on in a new role as special assistant. The Bills did not immediately name a replacement, but the team has been preparing assistant general manager Doug Whaley to eventually take over.

Buddy Nix said he knew it was the right time to step down from his position with the Bills.

“I’ve made this decision to step away from the general manager’s position because I feel it is the right time. By the ‘right time’ I mean I think we have a good young roster, an excellent head coach [Doug Marrone] with a good staff, and it’s time to let someone else handle these responsibilities and move forward together,” Nix said in a statement.

“Timing is the main thing, but there are other benefits as well. This job is very demanding with a 24-7 schedule of responsibilities. This new position will enable me to spend more time with my family. I appreciate the opportunity given to me by [owner] Mr. [Ralph] Wilson and [president and CEO] Russ [Brandon] and I’m fortunate to step away from the job and still remain a part of the team.”

Nix brought a bit of embarrassment to the franchise back in March when he was prank called by a pair of 20-year-olds prank callers pretending to be Tampa Gay general manager Mark Dominik. The two called the Bills front office and were patched through to Nix, but they quickly got scared and hung up.

But Nix was undeterred, and kept trying to call the two back. Finally, they got an idea to call the Tampa Bay front office and patch the two general managers in on a call, listening in as they spoke. The conversation revealed Nix’s growing frustration with quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick, who would be cut later that month.

“We’re still struggling here with our quarterback,” Nix said. “We’re not really struggling — he’s going to have to do something, or we’ll have to … We just can’t afford to pay that kind of money for a guy who’s fighting for probably a backup job.”

Buddy Nix stepped down from the Bills after his third season. The team had only 16 wins during that time, last in the NFL over the time period.

Buddy Nix Steps Down As Buffalo Bills General Manager is a post from: The Inquisitr

University of Colorado quarterback Jordan Webb was reportedly arrested on assault charges over the weekend after an altercation in Boulder.

According to the Denver Post, the 22-year-old Webb and his former teammate Alexander Lewis allegedly knocked another student unconscious by slamming him into into a brick wall.

The victim, which was later identified as 22-year-old Lee Bussey, a student at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, was taken to a nearby hospital were he received stitches.

The Camera Daily has more on the alleged assault below:

“Bussey and Lewis bumped into each other, which led to a verbal argument and a shoving match. The friend then told police Lewis repeatedly shoved Bussey into a brick wall, causing his head to hit the wall several times. The friend told police Webb then came and the two men shoved Bussey to the ground and began punching him.”

In addition to the assault charges, Lewis — who announced Friday he was transferring to Nebraska — is also facing two charges of harassment.

Despite the charges against Webb, Lewis insisted his teammate was never involved in the physical altercation.

“Jordan’s exact involvement in this incident is still being investigated,” first-year CU coach Mike MacIntyre said in a statement. “We continually stress the importance of appropriate behavior to our players and do not tolerate any detrimental conduct in our football program.”

MacIntyre added:

“As for Alex Lewis, as of Friday he was off of the team when he did a media interview and announced that he is transferring to Nebraska. Since he is no longer a Colorado Buffalo, it will be up to Nebraska to decide what discipline he might face.”

Webb and Lewis are scheduled to appear in court Monday afternoon.

More on Jordan Webb and Alexander Lewis’ assault charges in the video below:

In 2012 Jordan Webb was the primary QB for the Buffalos, throwing for 1,434 yards with eight touchdowns and eight interceptions while appearing in 10 of the 12 games.

He suffered a torn ACL in the spring but was expected to return at some point this fall.

Jordan Webb Arrested: Colorado QB Charged With Assault [Video] is a post from: The Inquisitr

Amy Trask is ending her run as one of the highest-ranking women in American professional sports. The Oakland Raiders CEO on Sunday announced that she was retiring after 25 seasons.

Trask started with the Raiders when they were still in Los Angeles and then moved with the team to Oakland in 1995. Trask went on to become the teams CEO in 1997 after serving as late owner Al Davis’ most trusted adviser.

In an email statement regarding her retirement, Trask wrote:

“Earlier today, I informed Mark Davis of my decision to leave the Raiders. Having honored a commitment that I made to effectuate a smooth transition and transfer of control, I no longer wish to remain with the organization. For over a quarter of a century, it was my honor and my privilege to work for the Raiders. I will forever appreciate the opportunity afforded me by Al Davis.”

In a team statement, the Raiders added:

“Mark Davis, Carol Davis and the rest of the Raiders family would like to thank Amy Trask for her valued contributions to the Raiders for the past 25 years. The Raiders wish her the very best in her future endeavors.”

Mark took over the team after his fathers death in 2011. After taking control, he hired GM Reggie McKenzie to run the teams operations in January 2012.

After Al Davis’ death, much of the Raiders front office and coaching staff were let go and replaced with new blood. Even some of the teams trusted scouts were shown the door.

In her last years with the Raiders, Trask was attempting to ditch the clubs aging stadium. Trask was working with the city of Oakland to potentially build a new stadium and now she exits the franchise in the last year of its stadium lease.

Do you think a new CEO can help revitalize the Oakland Raiders front office, players, coaches and fans?

Amy Trask Resigns As Head Of Oakland Raiders is a post from: The Inquisitr