NFL - Are You Ready For Some Football?! - The Offseason

[Grandpa Troll]

Green retiring after 15 seasons.

Veteran quarterback Trent Green says he has decided to retire, Fox Sports reported.




Green

Green, whose career was hampered by injuries, played for five teams over 15 seasons and spent last season with the St. Louis Rams as Marc Bulger's backup. The Rams released him earlier this year.

He was the Kansas City Chiefs' starter between 2001 and 2005, passing for more than 3,600 yards in each season. But concussions -- most notably, a frightening hit in the 2006 season opener -- slowed his latter career.

In 120 career games, Green completed 2,266 of 3,740 passes for 28,475 yards, with 162 touchdowns, 114 interceptions and a passer rating of 86.0. He threw for at least 24 touchdowns in three consecutive seasons (2002-04 ) for the Chiefs and led the team to a pair of playoff appearances, in 2003 and 2006, losing to the Indianapolis Colts both times.

One of Green's injuries helped shape the fortunes of another NFL quarterback.




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Green was slated to be the Rams' starting quarterback in 1999 when he was hurt during a preseason game. Kurt Warner took over and led the Rams to a pair of Super Bowls.

Green, 38, earned a Super Bowl ring with the Rams in 2000 and twice played in the Pro Bowl (2003, '05) for Kansas City, where he threw for more than 4,000 yards in three straight seasons.

Green also played for the Washington Redskins and Miami Dolphins.

"I feel this is finally the right time," Green said, according to the report. "I've talked about it with [the family] for a while, especially with the concussions over the last few years. We all felt it was the time to do it."

Green has decided to pursue a broadcasting career instead, according to the report.

"The way I approached the game the amount of work I put into my preparation and being someone guys can turn to in the locker room, I don't want to be a guy who waits for someone to get hurt to get a job," he said, according to the report.

Unable to make trade, Falcons cut Vick

Quarterback Michael Vick's time with the Atlanta Falcons is officially over.

Vick, who is serving the remainder of his prison sentence on dogfighting charges under house arrest in Virginia, was released by the team Friday.

"Michael remains suspended by the NFL," Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff said in a statement. "However, in the event NFL commissioner Roger Goodell decides to reinstate Michael, we feel his best opportunity to re-engage his football career would be at another club.

"Our entire organization sincerely hopes that Michael will continue to focus his efforts making positive changes in his life and we wish him well in that regard."

The Falcons have been trying to trade Vick for months, but found no takers. Instead of holding on to him and hoping that someone would step forward with a trade, they chose to put the Vick era behind them.

The move was no surprise. Owner Arthur Blank has said Vick would not return to the Falcons.

"Everybody always knew that Mike wouldn't be playing with the Falcons," Vick's agent, Joel Segal, said. "He's really just taking it one day at a time."

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For those who like to just read it my friend

[Lord Avalon]

... huminah huminah huminah ...

What?

Not really big news, so I didn't bother to quote the articles.

[Grandpa Troll]

... huminah huminah huminah ...

What?

Not really big news, so I didn't bother to quote the articles.

Yeah, some years back, I was doing what you did and three or four people ragged me because i didnt quote the article

So trying to help, started quoting them

A small service for my friends at Apolyton

[Theben]

Pro Bowl running back Thomas Jones returned two weeks ago after sitting out all of the team's offseason workouts while also in a contract dispute. Jones -- who hasn't spoken to the media since his return -- is the starting running back and rushed for an AFC-leading 1,312 yards last season, but the elusive Washington provides a dynamic change of pace. He's one of the league's top game-changing players with the ability to score from just about anywhere on the field by run, catch or return.

Someone remind me why Benson looked so much better to Lovie Smith than Jones?

I can fine some comfort in the idea that we may not have gotten Forte if we still had Jones.

[-Jrabbit]

Benson was already signed to big bucks. TJones was an expiring contract. It made great financial sense, but they made the wrong call.

What's ironic is that Jones is back in the same situation again -- with management expecting the younger player to get increasing touches.

[Lord Avalon]

Robbins says he's looking to his future

Former Oakland Raiders center Barret Robbins is in a halfway house following court-mandated drug rehabilitation and said in an interview with Fox 26 in Houston he's finally "sick and tired of being sick and tired."

Robbins disappeared from the Raiders two days before Super Bowl XXXVII in 2003, and said he now blames himself for the team's 48-21 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Robbins said he was responsible for the pass-protection calls and also was key for the Raiders' running attack.

"It's a hard thing to look back on because it was such a hard thing to overcome," Robbins said in the interview.

"It was such a hard thing to forgive myself for. As much as you want to do it, forgive yourself that is, it's the hardest thing in the world to do.

"I felt that if I had played that game, we had a lot better chance to win. I felt we would have been able to win that game. It was an extremely exhausting event and put me down as far as I probably ever had to go at that point in my life."

Robbins was diagnosed as bipolar after that incident, but regained his spot in the starting lineup the next season after undergoing treatment at an alcohol rehabilitation center. However, the Raiders released Robbins in 2004 after he tested positive for steroids.

In addition to stays in alcohol and drug rehabilitation programs, Robbins has had several run-ins with law enforcement. He was ordered into the last rehab center following a probation violation in the spring of 2008.

Now, he says, he's straightened himself out and doesn't want to re-enter the haze of those days.

"When you get to a point where you are sick of jails, institutions, near-death experiences, things of that nature, God allows you to see things in a different light and he has for me," Robbins said to Fox 26.

Robbins faces many changes beyond just his sobriety. He was shot three times and seriously wounded during the 2005 brawl with police, who were answering a burglary call at a Miami Beach building.

Three police officers were injured in the melee, including one whose head was rammed into a wall. There's pending litigation for that run-in, and two bullets remain inside his body. Robbins has filed a federal civil-rights lawsuit alleging the police used excessive force.

The millions he earned as an All-Pro center are gone.

"When you are not responsible for your money as an adult, it shows how much you care about your life," Robbins said to Fox 26. "Obviously back then I didn't care that much about my life."

Robbins said he feels "real good" about the fact he's still alive to tell his story. One thing he says that would make him feel better about what he's been through is serving as both a warning tale and an inspiration to others.

"That would mean a great deal," Robbins said to Fox 26. "I would love for people to be able to look at my life and be able to get something out of it where they didn't have to make the mistakes I made or do some of the things I've done.

"If someone can look at me and say, 'Man, if he can do it, I can do it,' then I would be real happy about that."

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=4256326

[-Jrabbit]

More news of the day...

Denver Broncos name QB Kyle Orton the starter

June 13, 2009
By Tim Piotrowski

The Associated Press reports Denver Broncos head coach Josh McDaniels has named quarterback Kyle Orton as the team's starting quarterback.

Orton and quarterback Chris Simms were expected to compete for the starting job during training camp, but McDaniels decided to name Orton during the team's minicamp. Orton was part of the trade that sent quarterback Jay Cutler to the Chicago Bears before the NFL Draft. The Purdue alumnus will be taking over an offense that is dealing with the unhappiness of wide receiver Brandon Marshall and uncertainty at running back. They'll also be learning the ropes of a new offense.

Orton has enjoyed mild success as a starter in the NFL, though he hasn't consistently put up relevant fantasy numbers. He played in 15 games in 2008, going 272-for-465 passing for 2,972 yards, 18 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. The 26-year-old completed 58.5 percent of his passes and had a 79.6 passer rating. His other sustained playing time was in 2005 when he threw for 1,869 yards, nine touchdowns and 13 interceptions in 15 games.

From a fantasy perspective, Orton is a No. 2 quarterback that likely will be mainly a matchup play, at least to start the season. McDaniels showed last season that his offense, specifically the quarterback (see Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Matt Cassel), can have success, so there is some hope for Orton this season. He has plenty of weapons to work with and a shaky defense that could have them playing catch-up.

[Zopperoni]

More news out of Denver: The latest rumors are that WR Brandon Marshall is requesting a trade. Marshall has been a no-show during mandatory team meetings last Fri and Sat.

Nobody wants to be a member of the Mile High Club anymore...

[-Jrabbit]

They say Knowshon Moreno is looking very good at RB there...

[Grandpa Troll]

The Oakland Raiders signed defensive end Greg Ellis on Monday night, acquiring a veteran presence as they work to upgrade their defense.

The 6-foot-6, 262-pound Ellis, who turns 34 on Aug. 14, was released earlier this month by the Dallas Cowboys -- his team for all 11 of his NFL seasons. The sides completed the deal late Monday when he signed the contract, Raiders CEO Amy Trask said.

Ellis has also played linebacker but will be a defensive end in the Raiders' 4-3 system. Oakland's defense struggled in the pass rush and to generate sacks last season. Training camp opens next month in nearby Napa.

"We are proud and excited that he chose the Raiders," Trask said by phone. "We believe he will be a fine contributor at defensive end."

Raiders coach Tom Cable has acknowledged the team might trade former Pro Bowler Derrick Burgess, who is unhappy with his contract, if Oakland gets adequate compensation.

Ellis has 77 career sacks, including a career-best 121/2 in 2007 for the Cowboys. He's had 30 or more tackles in eight of his professional seasons.

Burgess heads into the final year of a deal that pays him a $2 million base salary this season. The Raiders have shown no interest so far in renegotiating or extending the contract.

Oakland finished 5-11 last season and went 4-8 under Cable, who took over for the fired Lane Kiffin on Sept. 30. Cable had the interim tag removed from his title in February.

[Lord Avalon]

From Peter King's MMQB/TE:

Goodell has been thrown a curveball by the New York justice system. All along, obviously, he was waiting for Plaxico Burress to be sentenced for possession of an unlicensed handgun in New York City, and the discharge of said handgun. It was going to be open-and-shut, with some prison time and some probation, from all indications. But then New York dropped the ball and allowed the defense team to push the case back to 2010 -- at least 14 or 15 months after the offense occurred. That's a ridiculous, system-abusing trial decision that Mayor Michael Bloomberg and the powers who oversee the criminal justice system in the state should be railing against.

I'm friendly with a judge in the New York area, and, prompted by my outrage of the continuance of the case in Monday's column, this judge, who asked that I not use his name, wrote me an e-mail sharing my wonderment over how this case was going to go more than a year without being heard. He said he was "disgusted with the way the defense dictated the timing of this case,'' and said Burress' possible employment should have nothing to do with when the case is heard.

"If I based all my trial dates on a defendant's work schedule, we'd never have any trials,'' the judge wrote. "Why should Plaxico be different than any other working defendant? In fact, there are working defendants who can barely pay their bills. His case is not one requiring extensive discovery or pretrial motions. It's a straightforward gun-possession case. The case should be over, verdict and all, by Nov. 1.''

But the delay has put Goodell in a tough spot. He's on record as preferring to allow a first-time offender to have his case adjudicated before the league imposes discipline, but I asked league people about that Monday, and there was no assurance forthcoming that Goodell would wait for the case to be tried. That's why I think that whoever signs Burress will be looking at a four-, six- or eight-game suspension, and a certain NFL Players Association appeal on Burress' behalf. It may be that the team taking him on will have to pay dearly for Burress -- in salary, in public ridicule for aligning with a gun offender, and in distraction for having him around the team.

[Lord Avalon]

Stallworth gets 30 days in prison

MIAMI (AP) -- Cleveland Browns wide receiver Donte' Stallworth took full responsibility for killing a pedestrian while driving drunk in Florida and began serving a 30-day jail sentence Tuesday after he pleaded guilty to DUI manslaughter.

Stallworth also reached a confidential financial settlement to avoid a potential lawsuit from the family of 59-year-old Mario Reyes, according to Stallworth attorney Christopher Lyons. Reyes was struck and killed March 14 by Stallworth, who was driving his black 2005 Bentley after a night drinking at a swanky hotel bar.

Stallworth, 28, told Miami-Dade Circuit Judge Dennis Murphy that he hopes to get involved in drunken driving education programs.

"I accept full responsibility for this horrible tragedy," said Stallworth, who was accompanied at the hearing by his parents, siblings and other supporters. "I will bear this burden for the rest of my life."

Stallworth faced 15 years in prison. After his release from jail, Stallworth must serve two years of house arrest and spend eight years on probation.

The NFL has said it will review the matter for possible disciplinary action. Lyons said the plea agreement will allow Stallworth to resume his football career.

Stallworth also must undergo drug and alcohol testing, will have a lifetime driver's license suspension and must perform 1,000 hours of community service. Lyons said after five years, Stallworth could win approval for limited driving such as for employment.

Miami-Dade State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle cited Stallworth's lack of previous criminal record, cooperation with police and willingness to accept responsibility as factors in the plea deal. Rundle also said the Reyes family -- particularly the victim's 15-year-old daughter -- wanted the case resolved to avoid any more pain.

"For all of these reasons, a just resolution of this case has been reached," Rundle said.

None of the Reyes family attended the hearing. Their attorney, Rodolfo Suarez, read a statement saying the family wants to "bring closure to this emotional and tragic event." Suarez was not immediately available to comment after the hearing.

After a night drinking at a bar in Miami Beach's Fountainebleau hotel, police said Stallworth hit Reyes, a construction crane operator who was rushing to catch a bus after finishing his shift around 7:15 a.m. Stallworth told police he flashed his lights in an attempt to warn Reyes, who was not in a crosswalk when he was struck.

Stallworth had a blood-alcohol level of .126 after the crash, well above Florida's .08 limit. Stallworth stopped after the crash and immediately told officers he had hit Reyes. Police estimated Stallworth was driving about 50 mph in a 40 mph zone.

Stallworth signed a seven-year, $35 million contract with the Browns before last season but was injured much of the year. The California native and University of Tennessee college star has also played in the NFL for New England, Philadelphia and New Orleans.

The night before the crash, Stallworth earned a $4.5 million roster bonus from the Browns.

David Cornwell, a Stallworth attorney handling the NFL situation, said he has kept top league officials apprised of the case.

"Whenever it is appropriate to do so, we are prepared to discuss the circumstances under which Donte' will resume his career," Cornwell said.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/football/nfl/06/16/stallworth.ap/index.html

[Zopperoni]

They say Knowshon Moreno is looking very good at RB there...

They also say that he can open a beer bottle using only his testes.

OK, they're not actually saying that. Moreno is a good runner and a good pass catcher, but he's not a lock. With Jordan and Buckhalter also in the mix, this could go into a 3-man committee. If Moreno is to get a featured role, i.e. at least 60% of the carries, he'll need to (1) show he can handle short-yardage situation including the goal-line situation and (2) become a better pass blocker.

[-Jrabbit]

Interestingly, Buckhalter was the guy singing his praises.

[Zopperoni]

Boo, DP