NFL
By Tim Peterson
Former USC linebacker Keith Rivers, who played seven seasons in the NFL, has decided to hang them up rather than report to training camp with the Dallas Cowboys.
Rivers played for the Bengals, Giants, Bills and Cowboys. Rivers played in just 33 games for the Bengals over four seasons due to various injuries. He was traded to New York in 2012 but never realized his potential. Rivers was signed by Dallas in March but was considered a long shot to make the roster.
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New York Jets defensive end Sheldon Richardson was charged with resisting arrest along with various traffic violations. On July 14, he was clocked at a speed of 143 miles per hour and he had a 12-year old in the back of the car. Police also sound a loaded semi-automatic hand gun under the driver’s seat and there was the smell of burned marijuana coming from the car. All of this came less than two weeks after the NFL announced Richardson was suspended four games for violating the league’s substance abuse policy.
It looks like Richardson will walk away with a resisting arrest charge, a misdemeanor, and some traffic violations, but his future with the Jets is cloudy.
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The Seahawks finalized Russell Wilson’s contract at four years, $87.6 million that includes a $31 million signing bonus. It makes Wilson the second highest paid quarterback in the league slightly behind Green Bay’s Aaron Rodgers on per year average. However Seattle now may have other things to worry about. Safety Kam Chancellor is now holding out and won’t report to camp until he gets a new deal. He signed a four-year, $28 million extension in 2013. Seattle opened camp Friday.
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“Deflate Gate” seems to have no end in sight. Tom Brady’s lawsuit against the NFL in which he wants his four game suspension overturned, will be heard in New York instead of Minnesota where it was originally filed. U.S District Judge Richard Kyle, based in Minnesota, ordered the transfer.
U.S.District Judge Richard Berman then suggested Friday that Brady and NFL commissioner Roger Goodell appear in court on August 12 and 19. He also said the parties should engage in settlement discussions prior to the August 12 date. Will this thing ever die?
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Not that there was ever any question but now it’s official. Tampa Bay has named Jameis Winston as its starting quarterback. Winston beat out Mike Glennon who has also been working with the first team. The number one overall pick out of Florida State has picked up the offense quickly and has developed a chemistry with receivers Vincent Jackson and Mike Evans according to head coach Lovie Smith.
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Former LA KISS kick returner A.J. Cruz signed a contract with the Chicago Bears. The Bears plan to use Cruz as a punt returner and a slot receiver. “The fact that this opportunity came about is a tremendous blessing and an incredible opportunity for me,” Cruz told the Arizona Republic.
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San Francisco 49ers HC Jim Tomsula says linebacker NaVorro Bowman has looked “fantastic” in training camp. The 49ers will be relying heavily on Bowman, who missed the entire 2014 campaign with a torn ACL injury, after three of their defensive starters retired in the off season.
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Kansas City Chiefs strong safety Eric Berry returned to the practice field less than eight months after he was diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma. He finished chemotherapy in May and was declared cancer free on June 22. It’s hard not to root for this guy.
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Jen Welter became the first female coach in NFL history when the Arizona Cardinals added her to their staff as an assistant to work with inside linebackers. HC Bruce Arians had said earlier this spring that a woman should get a chance to coach in the NFL.
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The NFL Hall of Fame Game is set for Sunday August 9 at 8:00 pm ET when the Steelers take on the Vikings in Canton, Ohio.
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