Tampilkan postingan dengan label National Football League. Tampilkan semua postingan
Tampilkan postingan dengan label National Football League. Tampilkan semua postingan
Minggu, 22 April 2012
San Francisco 49ers Break Ground On New Stadium
The San Franciso 49ers broke ground on their new stadium, which is being built about 40 miles to the south in Santa Clara. The new $1.2 billion stadium is expected to have 68,500 seats.
Selasa, 27 Maret 2012
Sean Payton To Meet With Bill Parcells
Facing a season-long suspension for his role in a bounties program, New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton told reporters Tuesday he planned to meet with Bill Parcells and talk about who will coach the Saints in 2012.
Senin, 26 Maret 2012
Tim Tebow Meets The New York Media
New York Jets quarterback Tim Tebow told reporters at his introductory news conference Monday he's grateful and excited to be with the team. Tebow said he and Jets starting QB Mark Sanchez have a "great relationship."
Rabu, 21 Maret 2012
NFL Announces Management Discipline In Saints' 'Bounty' Matter
By National Football League
Commissioner Roger Goodell notified the New Orleans Saints today of the discipline that will be imposed on team management for violations of the NFL's long-standing "bounty" rule that endangered player safety over a three-year period.
Discipline for individual players involved in the Saints' prohibited program continues to be under review with the NFL Players Association and will be addressed by Commissioner Goodell at a later date. The program included "bounty" payments for "knock-outs" and "cart-offs," plays on which an opposing player was forced to leave the game. At times, the bounties even targeted specific players by name.
The NFL's extensive investigation established the existence of an active bounty program on the Saints during the 2009, 2010, and 2011 seasons in violation of league rules, a deliberate effort to conceal the program's existence from league investigators, and a clear determination to maintain the program despite express direction from Saints ownership that it stop as well as ongoing inquiries from the league office.
"We are all accountable and responsible for player health and safety and the integrity of the game," Commissioner Goodell said. "We will not tolerate conduct or a culture that undermines those priorities. No one is above the game or the rules that govern it. Respect for the game and the people who participate in it will not be compromised."
"A combination of elements made this matter particularly unusual and egregious," Commissioner Goodell continued. "When there is targeting of players for injury and cash rewards over a three-year period, the involvement of the coaching staff, and three years of denials and willful disrespect of the rules, a strong and lasting message must be sent that such conduct is totally unacceptable and has no place in the game."
Following the March 2 announcement of the NFL's initial findings, the league office conducted further investigation, including Commissioner Goodell meeting with many of the key individuals involved, sometimes on multiple occasions. The commissioner also discussed the matter with the leadership of the NFL Players Association and individual players.
Based on the record, Commissioner Goodell has imposed the following discipline on Saints management:
» The New Orleans Saints are fined $500,000. In addition, because the violation involves a competitive rule, the Saints will forfeit their selections in the second round of the 2012 and 2013 NFL drafts.
» Saints Head Coach Sean Payton is suspended without pay for the 2012 NFL season, effective April 1.
» Saints General Manager Mickey Loomis is suspended without pay for the first eight regular-season games of the 2012 season.
» Former Saints (and current St. Louis Rams) defensive coordinator Gregg Williams is suspended indefinitely from the NFL, effective immediately. Commissioner Goodell will review Coach Williams' status at the conclusion of the 2012 season and consider whether to reinstate him, and, if so, on what terms. Commissioner Goodell said he will give close attention to the extent to which Coach Williams cooperates with the NFL in any further proceedings.
» Saints assistant Head Coach Joe Vitt is suspended without pay for the first six regular-season games of the 2012 season.
» The Saints and the individuals disciplined today are expected to participate in efforts led by the league office to develop programs that will instruct players and coaches at all levels of the game on the need for respect for the game and those who participate in it, on principles of fair play, safety and sportsmanship, and to ensure that bounties will not be part of football at any level.
Commissioner Goodell stated that the actions of the individuals disciplined today violated league rules and constituted conduct detrimental to the league and players. He said the existence of a pay-for-performance/bounty program undermined the integrity of the game. The violations were compounded by the failure of Coach Payton to supervise the players and coaches and his affirmative decision starting in 2010 (a) not to inquire into the facts concerning the pay-for-performance/bounty program even though he was aware of the league's inquiries both in 2010 and 2012; (b) to falsely deny that the program existed; (c) to encourage the false denials by instructing assistants to "make sure our ducks are in a row;" and (d) to ignore instructions from the league office and club ownership to ensure that no such program existed.
"Beyond the clear and continuing violations of league rules, and lying to investigators, the bounty program is squarely contrary to the league's most important initiatives - enhancing player health and safety and protecting the integrity of the game," Commissioner Goodell said. "Let me be clear. There is no place in the NFL for deliberately seeking to injure another player, let alone offering a reward for doing so. Any form of bounty is incompatible with our commitment to create a culture of sportsmanship, fairness, and safety. Programs of this kind have no place in our game and we are determined that bounties will no longer be a part of the NFL."
A 2007 amendment to the NFL Constitution and By-Laws obligated coaches and supervisory employees "to communicate openly and candidly with the principal owner and/or his designated representative; to ensure that club ownership is informed on a complete and timely basis of all matters affecting the club's operations; and to avoid actions that undermine or damage the club's reputation or operating success." The obligation to supervise the coaching staff and players is also expressly set forth in the employment agreement signed by Coach Payton.
Commissioner Goodell said he will separately address potential sanctions for players and others with documented involvement in the bounty program.
"While I will not address player conduct at this time, I am profoundly troubled by the fact that players - including leaders among the defensive players - embraced this program so enthusiastically and participated with what appears to have been a deliberate lack of concern for the well-being of their fellow players," Commissioner Goodell said. "While all club personnel are expected to play to win, they must not let the quest for victory so cloud their judgment that they willingly and willfully target their opponents and engage in unsafe and prohibited conduct intended to injure players."
While NFL staff has interviewed people in connection with public allegations of bounty programs at other clubs, no evidence was established showing that the programs at other clubs involved targeting opposing players or rewarding players for injuring an opponent. Commissioner Goodell emphasized that if additional information is brought to his attention that discloses bounties offered for injuring specific opposing players, he will revisit the matter to consider additional discipline.
The findings in the league's investigation, corroborated by multiple independent sources, conclusively established the following:
1. The Saints defensive team operated a pay-for-performance/bounty program, primarily funded by players, during the 2009, 2010, and 2011 seasons. Under that program, players regularly made cash "donations" to a pool, and were "fined" for mental errors, loafing, penalties, and the like. At least one assistant coach (defensive coordinator Gregg Williams) also occasionally contributed to the pool. There is no evidence that any club money was contributed to the program.
2. Payments were made for plays such as interceptions or fumble recoveries. All such payments are against league rules. Payments also were made for plays on which opposing players were injured. In addition, specific players were sometimes targeted. The investigation showed bounties being placed on four quarterbacks of opposing teams - Brett Favre, Cam Newton, Aaron Rodgers, and Kurt Warner. Multiple sources have confirmed that several players pledged funds toward bounties on specific opposing players, with defensive captain Jonathan Vilma offering $10,000 to any player who knocked Brett Favre out of the NFC Championship Game in 2010.
3. Coach Williams acknowledged that he designed and implemented the program with the assistance of certain defensive players. He said that he did so after being told by Saints Head Coach Sean Payton that his assignment was to make the defense "nasty." Coach Williams described his role as overseeing record keeping, defining payout amounts, deciding on who received payouts, and distributing envelopes with cash to players who "earned" rewards.
4. In each of the 2009-2011 seasons, the Saints were one of the top five teams in the league in roughing the passer penalties. In 2009 and 2011, the Saints were also in the top five teams in unnecessary roughness penalties; in 2010, the Saints ranked sixth in the category. In the January 16, 2010 divisional playoff game against the Arizona Cardinals, Saints defensive players were assessed $15,000 in fines for fouls committed against opposing players. The following week, in the NFC Championship Game against the Minnesota Vikings, Saints defensive players were assessed $30,000 in fines for four separate illegal hits, several of which were directed against quarterback Brett Favre.
5. Coach Williams now acknowledges that when he was first questioned about this matter in early 2010 he intentionally misled NFL investigators and made no effort to stop the program after he became aware of the league's investigation.
6. Coach Williams further confirmed that the program continued during the 2010 and 2011 seasons, and that he occasionally contributed funds to the pool in each of those seasons.
7. Assistant Head Coach/Defense Joe Vitt acknowledged that he was aware of the program in 2009-2011. He admitted that, when interviewed in 2010, he "fabricated the truth" to NFL investigators and denied that any pay-for-performance or bounty program existed at the Saints.
8. Coach Vitt said one of his primary roles was to monitor the activity of Coach Williams. This was based on the direction of Coach Payton, who apparently had less than full confidence in Coach Williams. Despite Coach Vitt's knowledge of the bounty program, his understanding of the terms "knock-out" and "cart-off," his witnessing Coach Williams handing out envelopes that he believed to contain cash, and his acknowledgement that the defensive meeting preceding the 2010 NFC Championship Game may have "got out of hand" with respect to Brett Favre, Coach Vitt claimed he never advised either Coach Payton or General Manager Mickey Loomis of the "pay-for-performance/bounty" program.
9. A summary prepared following a Saints preseason game included the statement, "1 Cart-off - Crank up the John Deer (sic) Tractor" in reference to a hit on an opposing player. Similar statements are reflected in prepared documents or slides in connection with other games in multiple seasons. A review of the game films confirms that opposing players were injured on the plays identified in the documents.
10. When interviewed in 2012, Sean Payton claimed to be entirely unaware of the program, a claim contradicted by others. Further, prior to the Saints' opening game in 2011, Coach Payton received an email from a close associate that stated in part, "PS Greg Williams put me down for $5000 on Rogers (sic)." When shown the email during the course of the investigation, Coach Payton stated that it referred to a "bounty" on Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
11. In early 2010, Mr. Loomis advised Coach Payton that the league office was investigating allegations concerning a bounty program. Coach Payton said that he met with his top two defensive assistants, Coach Williams and Coach Vitt, in advance of the interview with league investigators and told them, "Let's make sure our ducks are in a row." Remarkably, Coach Payton claimed that he never inquired of Coach Williams and Coach Vitt as to what happened in the interviews, never asked them if a "pay-for-performance" or bounty program was in fact in place, and never gave any instructions to discontinue such a program.
12. In January 2012, prior to the Saints' first playoff game of the 2011 season, Coach Payton was advised by Mr. Loomis that the league office had reopened the investigation. Coach Payton made a cursory inquiry but took no action to ensure that any bounty program was discontinued.
13. General Manager Mickey Loomis was not present at meetings of the Saints defense at which bounties were discussed and was not aware of bounties being placed on specific players. Mr. Loomis became aware of the allegations regarding a bounty program no later than February 2010 when he was notified of the investigation into the allegations during a meeting with NFL Executive Vice President-Football Operations Ray Anderson. He was directed to ensure that any such program ceased immediately. By his own admission, Mr. Loomis did not do enough to determine if a pay-for-performance/bounty program existed or to end any such program that did exist.
14. Saints owner Tom Benson notified Mr. Loomis in January 2012 prior to the team's participation in the playoffs that the league's investigation had been reopened. Mr. Benson reiterated his position that a bounty program was unacceptable and instructed Mr. Loomis to ensure that if a bounty program existed at the Saints it would stop immediately. By his own admission, Mr. Loomis responded to this direction by making only cursory inquiries of Coaches Payton and Williams. He never issued instructions to end the bounty program to either the coaching staff or the players.
15. There is no evidence that Saints ownership had any knowledge of the pay-for-performance or bounty program. There is no evidence that any club funds were used for the program. Ownership made clear that it disapproved of the program, gave prompt and clear direction that it stop, and gave full and immediate cooperation to league investigators.
Commissioner Roger Goodell notified the New Orleans Saints today of the discipline that will be imposed on team management for violations of the NFL's long-standing "bounty" rule that endangered player safety over a three-year period.
Discipline for individual players involved in the Saints' prohibited program continues to be under review with the NFL Players Association and will be addressed by Commissioner Goodell at a later date. The program included "bounty" payments for "knock-outs" and "cart-offs," plays on which an opposing player was forced to leave the game. At times, the bounties even targeted specific players by name.
The NFL's extensive investigation established the existence of an active bounty program on the Saints during the 2009, 2010, and 2011 seasons in violation of league rules, a deliberate effort to conceal the program's existence from league investigators, and a clear determination to maintain the program despite express direction from Saints ownership that it stop as well as ongoing inquiries from the league office.
"We are all accountable and responsible for player health and safety and the integrity of the game," Commissioner Goodell said. "We will not tolerate conduct or a culture that undermines those priorities. No one is above the game or the rules that govern it. Respect for the game and the people who participate in it will not be compromised."
"A combination of elements made this matter particularly unusual and egregious," Commissioner Goodell continued. "When there is targeting of players for injury and cash rewards over a three-year period, the involvement of the coaching staff, and three years of denials and willful disrespect of the rules, a strong and lasting message must be sent that such conduct is totally unacceptable and has no place in the game."
Following the March 2 announcement of the NFL's initial findings, the league office conducted further investigation, including Commissioner Goodell meeting with many of the key individuals involved, sometimes on multiple occasions. The commissioner also discussed the matter with the leadership of the NFL Players Association and individual players.
Based on the record, Commissioner Goodell has imposed the following discipline on Saints management:
» The New Orleans Saints are fined $500,000. In addition, because the violation involves a competitive rule, the Saints will forfeit their selections in the second round of the 2012 and 2013 NFL drafts.
» Saints Head Coach Sean Payton is suspended without pay for the 2012 NFL season, effective April 1.
» Saints General Manager Mickey Loomis is suspended without pay for the first eight regular-season games of the 2012 season.
» Former Saints (and current St. Louis Rams) defensive coordinator Gregg Williams is suspended indefinitely from the NFL, effective immediately. Commissioner Goodell will review Coach Williams' status at the conclusion of the 2012 season and consider whether to reinstate him, and, if so, on what terms. Commissioner Goodell said he will give close attention to the extent to which Coach Williams cooperates with the NFL in any further proceedings.
» Saints assistant Head Coach Joe Vitt is suspended without pay for the first six regular-season games of the 2012 season.
» The Saints and the individuals disciplined today are expected to participate in efforts led by the league office to develop programs that will instruct players and coaches at all levels of the game on the need for respect for the game and those who participate in it, on principles of fair play, safety and sportsmanship, and to ensure that bounties will not be part of football at any level.
Commissioner Goodell stated that the actions of the individuals disciplined today violated league rules and constituted conduct detrimental to the league and players. He said the existence of a pay-for-performance/bounty program undermined the integrity of the game. The violations were compounded by the failure of Coach Payton to supervise the players and coaches and his affirmative decision starting in 2010 (a) not to inquire into the facts concerning the pay-for-performance/bounty program even though he was aware of the league's inquiries both in 2010 and 2012; (b) to falsely deny that the program existed; (c) to encourage the false denials by instructing assistants to "make sure our ducks are in a row;" and (d) to ignore instructions from the league office and club ownership to ensure that no such program existed.
"Beyond the clear and continuing violations of league rules, and lying to investigators, the bounty program is squarely contrary to the league's most important initiatives - enhancing player health and safety and protecting the integrity of the game," Commissioner Goodell said. "Let me be clear. There is no place in the NFL for deliberately seeking to injure another player, let alone offering a reward for doing so. Any form of bounty is incompatible with our commitment to create a culture of sportsmanship, fairness, and safety. Programs of this kind have no place in our game and we are determined that bounties will no longer be a part of the NFL."
A 2007 amendment to the NFL Constitution and By-Laws obligated coaches and supervisory employees "to communicate openly and candidly with the principal owner and/or his designated representative; to ensure that club ownership is informed on a complete and timely basis of all matters affecting the club's operations; and to avoid actions that undermine or damage the club's reputation or operating success." The obligation to supervise the coaching staff and players is also expressly set forth in the employment agreement signed by Coach Payton.
Commissioner Goodell said he will separately address potential sanctions for players and others with documented involvement in the bounty program.
"While I will not address player conduct at this time, I am profoundly troubled by the fact that players - including leaders among the defensive players - embraced this program so enthusiastically and participated with what appears to have been a deliberate lack of concern for the well-being of their fellow players," Commissioner Goodell said. "While all club personnel are expected to play to win, they must not let the quest for victory so cloud their judgment that they willingly and willfully target their opponents and engage in unsafe and prohibited conduct intended to injure players."
While NFL staff has interviewed people in connection with public allegations of bounty programs at other clubs, no evidence was established showing that the programs at other clubs involved targeting opposing players or rewarding players for injuring an opponent. Commissioner Goodell emphasized that if additional information is brought to his attention that discloses bounties offered for injuring specific opposing players, he will revisit the matter to consider additional discipline.
The findings in the league's investigation, corroborated by multiple independent sources, conclusively established the following:
1. The Saints defensive team operated a pay-for-performance/bounty program, primarily funded by players, during the 2009, 2010, and 2011 seasons. Under that program, players regularly made cash "donations" to a pool, and were "fined" for mental errors, loafing, penalties, and the like. At least one assistant coach (defensive coordinator Gregg Williams) also occasionally contributed to the pool. There is no evidence that any club money was contributed to the program.
2. Payments were made for plays such as interceptions or fumble recoveries. All such payments are against league rules. Payments also were made for plays on which opposing players were injured. In addition, specific players were sometimes targeted. The investigation showed bounties being placed on four quarterbacks of opposing teams - Brett Favre, Cam Newton, Aaron Rodgers, and Kurt Warner. Multiple sources have confirmed that several players pledged funds toward bounties on specific opposing players, with defensive captain Jonathan Vilma offering $10,000 to any player who knocked Brett Favre out of the NFC Championship Game in 2010.
3. Coach Williams acknowledged that he designed and implemented the program with the assistance of certain defensive players. He said that he did so after being told by Saints Head Coach Sean Payton that his assignment was to make the defense "nasty." Coach Williams described his role as overseeing record keeping, defining payout amounts, deciding on who received payouts, and distributing envelopes with cash to players who "earned" rewards.
4. In each of the 2009-2011 seasons, the Saints were one of the top five teams in the league in roughing the passer penalties. In 2009 and 2011, the Saints were also in the top five teams in unnecessary roughness penalties; in 2010, the Saints ranked sixth in the category. In the January 16, 2010 divisional playoff game against the Arizona Cardinals, Saints defensive players were assessed $15,000 in fines for fouls committed against opposing players. The following week, in the NFC Championship Game against the Minnesota Vikings, Saints defensive players were assessed $30,000 in fines for four separate illegal hits, several of which were directed against quarterback Brett Favre.
5. Coach Williams now acknowledges that when he was first questioned about this matter in early 2010 he intentionally misled NFL investigators and made no effort to stop the program after he became aware of the league's investigation.
6. Coach Williams further confirmed that the program continued during the 2010 and 2011 seasons, and that he occasionally contributed funds to the pool in each of those seasons.
7. Assistant Head Coach/Defense Joe Vitt acknowledged that he was aware of the program in 2009-2011. He admitted that, when interviewed in 2010, he "fabricated the truth" to NFL investigators and denied that any pay-for-performance or bounty program existed at the Saints.
8. Coach Vitt said one of his primary roles was to monitor the activity of Coach Williams. This was based on the direction of Coach Payton, who apparently had less than full confidence in Coach Williams. Despite Coach Vitt's knowledge of the bounty program, his understanding of the terms "knock-out" and "cart-off," his witnessing Coach Williams handing out envelopes that he believed to contain cash, and his acknowledgement that the defensive meeting preceding the 2010 NFC Championship Game may have "got out of hand" with respect to Brett Favre, Coach Vitt claimed he never advised either Coach Payton or General Manager Mickey Loomis of the "pay-for-performance/bounty" program.
9. A summary prepared following a Saints preseason game included the statement, "1 Cart-off - Crank up the John Deer (sic) Tractor" in reference to a hit on an opposing player. Similar statements are reflected in prepared documents or slides in connection with other games in multiple seasons. A review of the game films confirms that opposing players were injured on the plays identified in the documents.
10. When interviewed in 2012, Sean Payton claimed to be entirely unaware of the program, a claim contradicted by others. Further, prior to the Saints' opening game in 2011, Coach Payton received an email from a close associate that stated in part, "PS Greg Williams put me down for $5000 on Rogers (sic)." When shown the email during the course of the investigation, Coach Payton stated that it referred to a "bounty" on Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
11. In early 2010, Mr. Loomis advised Coach Payton that the league office was investigating allegations concerning a bounty program. Coach Payton said that he met with his top two defensive assistants, Coach Williams and Coach Vitt, in advance of the interview with league investigators and told them, "Let's make sure our ducks are in a row." Remarkably, Coach Payton claimed that he never inquired of Coach Williams and Coach Vitt as to what happened in the interviews, never asked them if a "pay-for-performance" or bounty program was in fact in place, and never gave any instructions to discontinue such a program.
12. In January 2012, prior to the Saints' first playoff game of the 2011 season, Coach Payton was advised by Mr. Loomis that the league office had reopened the investigation. Coach Payton made a cursory inquiry but took no action to ensure that any bounty program was discontinued.
13. General Manager Mickey Loomis was not present at meetings of the Saints defense at which bounties were discussed and was not aware of bounties being placed on specific players. Mr. Loomis became aware of the allegations regarding a bounty program no later than February 2010 when he was notified of the investigation into the allegations during a meeting with NFL Executive Vice President-Football Operations Ray Anderson. He was directed to ensure that any such program ceased immediately. By his own admission, Mr. Loomis did not do enough to determine if a pay-for-performance/bounty program existed or to end any such program that did exist.
14. Saints owner Tom Benson notified Mr. Loomis in January 2012 prior to the team's participation in the playoffs that the league's investigation had been reopened. Mr. Benson reiterated his position that a bounty program was unacceptable and instructed Mr. Loomis to ensure that if a bounty program existed at the Saints it would stop immediately. By his own admission, Mr. Loomis responded to this direction by making only cursory inquiries of Coaches Payton and Williams. He never issued instructions to end the bounty program to either the coaching staff or the players.
15. There is no evidence that Saints ownership had any knowledge of the pay-for-performance or bounty program. There is no evidence that any club funds were used for the program. Ownership made clear that it disapproved of the program, gave prompt and clear direction that it stop, and gave full and immediate cooperation to league investigators.
NFL Bans New Orleans Saints' Sean Payton A Year For 'Bounties'; Gregg Williams Out, Too
NFL.com Wire Reports
The NFL handed down sweeping and unprecedented punishment Wednesday for bounties paid out on big hits, suspending New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton without pay for next season and indefinitely banning the team's former defensive coordinator, Gregg Williams, who now works for the St. Louis Rams.
Payton is the first head coach suspended by the league for any reason. He is accused of trying to cover up a system of extra cash payouts that NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell called "particularly unusual and egregious" and "totally unacceptable." MORE....
The NFL handed down sweeping and unprecedented punishment Wednesday for bounties paid out on big hits, suspending New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton without pay for next season and indefinitely banning the team's former defensive coordinator, Gregg Williams, who now works for the St. Louis Rams.
Payton is the first head coach suspended by the league for any reason. He is accused of trying to cover up a system of extra cash payouts that NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell called "particularly unusual and egregious" and "totally unacceptable." MORE....
Selasa, 20 Maret 2012
Peyton Manning, Denver Broncos Agree To Five-Year, $96 Million Deal
NFL.com
Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos have agreed to terms on a five-year contract, a league source told NFL Network's Michael Lombardi on Tuesday.
Manning's contract is worth $96 million, a league source told NFL Network's Albert Breer, but NFL Network insider Jason La Canfora reports Manning's contract essentially boils down to a series of one-year deals.
The deal includes $18 million guaranteed once it is signed, league sources told La Canfora, and there remains ongoing discussion about injury language in the contract, according to sources with knowledge of the situation. CONTINUE....
Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos have agreed to terms on a five-year contract, a league source told NFL Network's Michael Lombardi on Tuesday.
Manning's contract is worth $96 million, a league source told NFL Network's Albert Breer, but NFL Network insider Jason La Canfora reports Manning's contract essentially boils down to a series of one-year deals.
The deal includes $18 million guaranteed once it is signed, league sources told La Canfora, and there remains ongoing discussion about injury language in the contract, according to sources with knowledge of the situation. CONTINUE....
Rabu, 07 Maret 2012
NFLPA Says It Will Do Own Bounty Investigation
By HOWARD FENDRICH
AP Pro Football Writer
WASHINGTON (AP) -- The NFL Players Association will do its own investigation of the New Orleans Saints' bounty system and asked the league to help set up interviews with the team's coaches and front-office staff.
In a statement released Wednesday, the union vowed to "vigorously protect the rights of all players." CONTINUE....
AP Pro Football Writer
WASHINGTON (AP) -- The NFL Players Association will do its own investigation of the New Orleans Saints' bounty system and asked the league to help set up interviews with the team's coaches and front-office staff.
In a statement released Wednesday, the union vowed to "vigorously protect the rights of all players." CONTINUE....
Manning: 'I Have Truly Enjoyed Being Your QB'
Peyton Manning's record-breaking run as quarterback of the Indianapolis Colts ended Wednesday, when owner Jim Irsay announced the team would release its best player.
Manning Era Comes To A Close In Indianapolis
Image by Getty Images via @daylifeDuring an emotional news conference in which both Peyton Manning and Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay fought back tears, the team announced the conclusion of Manning's playing career with the only franchise he's known in his NFL career.
"For 14 wonderful years, the only pro football I've known is Colts football," Manning said during Wednesday's news conference.
"My team won a lot of games here, I played with so many great players here. ... Times change, circumstances change and that's the reality of playing in the NFL."
Manning added: "Our circumstances make it best for us to take this next step. It certainly has not been easy for me." CONTINUE....
Selasa, 06 Maret 2012
Colts Expected To Part Ways With Peyton Manning After 14 Seasons
Image by Getty Images via @daylifeThe ending that most anticipated between the Indianapolis Colts and Peyton Manning will arrive on Wednesday, according to league sources, when the team is expected to release the four-time NFL MVP.
The team has made preliminary plans for the news conference Wednesday to officially announce the move.
The Colts are awaiting the final word from owner Jim Irsay, who has been out of town at meetings, but the expectation is they will go forward with the release and the press conference. Manning and Irsay will both travel from Florida to Indianapolis on Wednesday, possibly together, according to NFL Network's Albert Breer.
The move has been widely expected, as the rebuilding Colts owe Manning, the first overall pick in the 1998 NFL Draft, a $28 million bonus if he is on the team's roster at the start of the league year. Manning will become a free agent immediately. STORY....
Senin, 05 Maret 2012
Analysis: "Pay For Pain" Scandal Could End Up In Courts
Image by Getty Images via @daylife(Reuters) - A scandal in which U.S. football players got rewarded for injuring opponents could have legal consequences, with prosecutors, players and even fans getting in on the judicial action.
By Sunday morning, four National Football League teams were linked to a "pay for pain" scandal that came to light in Friday's NFL announcement that New Orleans Saints defensive players were paid for "big hits" that took opponents out of play.
Over the weekend, reports of bounty programs at the Washington Redskins, Buffalo Bills and Tennessee Titans emerged in The Washington Post, the Buffalo News and The New York Times. CONTINUE....
NFL Calls Gregg Williams To New York For Monday Meeting About Bounties
Image by Getty Images via @daylifeThe NFL has summoned Gregg Williams to its New York headquarters for a Monday meeting to discuss the pay-for-performance violations he committed while defensive coordinator of the New Orleans Saints and possibly while he coached other teams.
League sources said Williams will meet with NFL security officials Joe Hummel and Jeff Miller, as well as general counsel Jeff Pash. One source said it will be more of a "meeting" than a "hearing," and that with the league having done such extensive work on Williams' violations in New Orleans, the focus will be on his alleged infractions with other teams. READ ON....
San Francisco 49ers Stadium Deal Nears Goal Line
San Francisco 49ers Primary Logo (Photo credit: PMell2293)(Reuters) - The San Francisco 49ers' planned move to a new billion-dollar stadium in suburban Santa Clara faces what could be its final hurdle on Monday when a judge hears arguments on whether a complex financing deal should be subject to voter approval.
Stadium opponents say an $850 million construction loan for the 68,500-seat National Football League (NFL) facility, led by Goldman Sachs Co, Bank of America Corp and U.S. Bancorp, is too risky for the Silicon Valley city of 119,000. STORY....
Kamis, 01 Maret 2012
Minnesota Vikings Reach Tentative Minnesota Stadium Deal
Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome (Photo credit: cliff1066™)(Reuters) - The Minnesota Vikings have reached a tentative $975 million deal with state and local officials to build a new public stadium for the National Football League team near the current Metrodome in Minneapolis, officials said on Thursday.
The agreement between Democratic Governor Mark Dayton, the Minneapolis mayor and the team requires approval of the Republican-led state Legislature and Minneapolis City Council, both of which have members opposed to stadium funding.
Dayton asked city council members to give it quick approval and for state lawmakers to vote up or down on a stadium in the current legislative session, which is expected to end in April.
"Now the real work begins," Dayton told a news conference. "I ask them to consider carefully what is at stake for Minneapolis and all of Minnesota." CONTINUE....
Selasa, 28 Februari 2012
Sports Fan Coalition: Ending FCC Blackout Rule Probably Won't End Blackouts
By John Eggerton - Broadcasting & Cable
Armed with quotes from disabled and elderly fans, the Sports Fan Coalition told the FCC once again its sports blackout rule must go.
The coalition, which was filing reply comments to its own petition to scrap the rule, said that even if the government blackout were lifted, the NFL and other sports leagues could maintain the blackouts contractually, although the coalition is hoping market forces would force them away from that policy.
The FCC's sports blackout rule prevents a cable or satellite company from carrying a local market NFL game whose local broadcast has been blacked out per the NFL policy for broadcasts of games not sold out 72 hours in advance.
The coalition was responding to NFL arguments that if the government policy were lifted, cable operators would be able to use their compulsory license to import a distant signal version of the game to cable subs in the market, thus circumventing the NFL blackout policy. Broadcasters have argued that the blackout and other exclusivity rules are crucial to preserving geographic exclusivity and the local ad revenues that ensue, and both NAB and NFL have argued that eliminating the rule would speed the migration of sports from free TV.
The coalition says the NFL and National Association of Broadcasters are trying to have it both ways. CONTINUE....
Armed with quotes from disabled and elderly fans, the Sports Fan Coalition told the FCC once again its sports blackout rule must go.
The coalition, which was filing reply comments to its own petition to scrap the rule, said that even if the government blackout were lifted, the NFL and other sports leagues could maintain the blackouts contractually, although the coalition is hoping market forces would force them away from that policy.
The FCC's sports blackout rule prevents a cable or satellite company from carrying a local market NFL game whose local broadcast has been blacked out per the NFL policy for broadcasts of games not sold out 72 hours in advance.
The coalition was responding to NFL arguments that if the government policy were lifted, cable operators would be able to use their compulsory license to import a distant signal version of the game to cable subs in the market, thus circumventing the NFL blackout policy. Broadcasters have argued that the blackout and other exclusivity rules are crucial to preserving geographic exclusivity and the local ad revenues that ensue, and both NAB and NFL have argued that eliminating the rule would speed the migration of sports from free TV.
The coalition says the NFL and National Association of Broadcasters are trying to have it both ways. CONTINUE....
2012-2013 NFL Season-Opener To Be Held Wednesday, September 5th
By National Football League
The 2012 season-opening NFL Kickoff game will be played on Wednesday, September 5 (NBC, 8:30 PM ET), Commissioner Roger Goodell announced Tuesday.
The game will be played on Wednesday to avoid a conflict with President Barack Obama’s Thursday night speech at the Democratic National Convention.
The Super Bowl XLVI-champion New York Giants will host the regular-season opener at MetLife Stadium. NBC will televise the game at 8:30 p.m. ET, with "NFL Kickoff 2012" beginning at 7:30 p.m. ET
The 2012 season-opening NFL Kickoff game will be played on Wednesday, September 5 (NBC, 8:30 PM ET), Commissioner Roger Goodell announced Tuesday.
The game will be played on Wednesday to avoid a conflict with President Barack Obama’s Thursday night speech at the Democratic National Convention.
The Super Bowl XLVI-champion New York Giants will host the regular-season opener at MetLife Stadium. NBC will televise the game at 8:30 p.m. ET, with "NFL Kickoff 2012" beginning at 7:30 p.m. ET
Selasa, 14 Februari 2012
Jim Irsay: Peyton Manning Welcome Back To Indianapolis Colts But On Restructured Deal
Image by Getty Images via @daylifeJim Irsay has fired first, putting the ball squarely in Peyton Manning's court.
The Colts owner told The Indianapolis Star Tuesday that whether or not Manning wants to return to Indianapolis is up to the four-time NFL MVP.
But, there is a caveat. CONTINUE READING....
Five United States Senators Urge FCC To Reform Sports Blackout Rule
Image via WikipediaWASHINGTON -- Most people weighing in on a sports blackout rule are urging the Federal Communications Commission to scrap it.
Monday was the deadline for public comments on a petition by the Sports Fans Coalition to rescind the rule, which bars cable and satellite systems from carrying a sporting event that is blacked out on local broadcast television stations. The rule has effectively reinforced the NFL's own policy, which blacks out games in home markets that aren't sold out 72 hours ahead of time.
The agency has received about 140 comments, and an overwhelming majority favors the petition. That doesn't count nearly 3,500 the Sports Fans Coalition also sent in from people clicking an email on the group's website urging that the rule be repealed. The FCC grouped all of those in one filing, under "individual comments from fans." Many of those urging the FCC to eliminate the rule argued that taxpayers have helped pay for the stadiums and should not have their home games blacked out.
Five Democratic senators filed comments with the FCC Monday urging it to reform the sports blackout rule. MORE....
Randy Moss Ends His Retirement, Sets Sights On NFL Return
Image via WikipediaRandy Moss celebrated his 35th birthday Monday by announcing the end of his short-lived retirement.
"I just wanna go to a team and play some football," the six-time Pro Bowl wide receiver said on a video posted at the website Ustream.tv, according to ProFootballTalk.com.
Moss didn't play in 2011 after a turbulent 2010 season that included stops with the Patriots, Vikings and Titans. He said Monday he retired because of issues he needed to address off the field, but his family has since told him, "It's fine, whatever you wanna do."
"Faith, family and football, that's my M.O., bro," Moss said in the video. "Your boy be back for the upcoming season." CONTINUE....
Rabu, 08 Februari 2012
Ravens' Ricky Williams Retiring After 11 Seasons
Image by Getty Images via @daylifeWilliams, 34, is one of 26 NFL players to rush for more than 10,000 yards in a career. He led the league in rushing in 2002 with 1,853 yards while with the Miami Dolphins but has served as a back-up runner in recent years. STORY....
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