|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed May 13, 2009 9:56 am
Wow, supposedly teams are interested in Pacman Jones.
I'm really surprised. Not only was he bad with the Cowboys, but he's still in the middle of off-field incidents. It doesn't look like he'll get much remorse, or stop all the trouble he's in.
|
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed May 13, 2009 12:23 pm
Are you serious? Who would want to pick up Pacman? Seriously. The guy is nothing but trouble.
|
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Jun 04, 2009 8:35 am
Posted about 2 hours agoE-mail Stallworth to enter plea in DUI manslaughter case Associated Press
MIAMI -- An arraignment hearing is set in Miami for Cleveland Browns wide receiver Donte Stallworth on DUI manslaughter charges stemming from a March car crash in which a pedestrian died.
Donte Stallworth, WR Cleveland Browns Career: Seasons: 7 Receptions: 296 Yards: 4,383 TDs: 32 Stallworth is not expected to be in the courtroom Thursday, where his attorney plans to enter a not guilty plea.
The 28-year-old Stallworth faces up to 15 years if convicted. Police say Stallworth was driving drunk after a night on the town when he struck and killed 59-year-old Mario Reyes on a Miami Beach causeway.
Stallworth is free on $200,000 bail and is required to abstain from alcohol, not drive and observe a curfew.
Before Cleveland, he played for New England, Philadelphia and New Orleans in the NFL and in college for Tennessee.
|
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Jun 04, 2009 3:35 pm
so what do you think will happen?
|
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Jun 30, 2009 5:54 pm
Now why wasnt this reported to the public? Did they consider this when they senteced him? I would think so....
Stallworth says in post-crash 911 call that man 'came out of nowhere' Associated Press
MIAMI -- Cleveland Browns wide receiver Donte' Stallworth said on a 911 call that the man he struck with his car while driving drunk "came out of nowhere" before the crash.
Stallworth is serving a 30-day jail sentence after pleading guilty to DUI manslaughter in the March 14 death of 59-year-old Mario Reyes. Stallworth also has been indefinitely suspended by the NFL.
On the 911 call, which was released Monday, Stallworth describes how the victim "just ran in front of my car" before he was struck. Police have said Reyes wasn't in a crosswalk and was rushing to catch a bus when he was hit.
"You got to send an ambulance right now, man," Stallworth told the 911 operator.
Stallworth also reached an undisclosed financial settlement with Reyes' family
|
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Jul 10, 2009 5:41 pm
Posted 31 minutes agoE-mail Browns' Stallworth released from jail after serving 24 days of sentence Associated Press
MIAMI -- Cleveland Browns wide receiver Donte' Stallworth has been released from a Miami jail after serving 24 days for DUI manslaughter.
His attorney, Christopher Lyons, says Stallworth was released from the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center early Friday.
The 28-year-old Stallworth served 24 days of the 30-day jail sentence after pleading guilty to DUI manslaughter. Stallworth struck and killed a pedestrian in an early morning crash March 14. Police said he had spent the night drinking at a Miami Beach nightclub.
Stallworth has been suspended indefinitely by the NFL. He signed a seven-year, $35 million contract with the Browns before last season but was injured much of the year, finishing with 17 catches for 170 yards and a touchdown.
This was interesting. Early release after a tape released showing his testimony and other evidence. Such as the guy ran out in traffic and was not just walking.
|
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Jul 10, 2009 5:45 pm
Posted 1 day ago319 Comments 2 Recommendations E-mail Judge blocks suspensions of Vikings' Williamses until case is decided Associated Press
MINNEAPOLIS -- A judge on Thursday blocked the NFL's plan to suspend Minnesota Vikings linemen Kevin Williams and Pat Williams for violating the league's anti-doping policy, a move their attorney said should let them start the season with camp beginning in just three weeks.
Hennepin County District Judge Gary Larson granted the players' request for a temporary restraining order that keeps the NFL from suspending them until their case is decided. The order also prohibits the league from subjecting them to extra drug testing.
The Williamses "would suffer a significant loss of playing time" without the restraining order, the judge wrote, and they have shown "some likelihood" of winning their lawsuit.
Peter Ginsberg, an attorney for the two players, called the order a "major victory" and said that at a minimum it should allow them to play for the early part of the upcoming season. He said it also protects them from stepped-up drug testing that they consider to be retaliation for standing up to the NFL.
The NFL still wants to enforce the players' four-game suspensions at the start of the season. The first preseason game is Aug. 14 and the season-opener is Sept. 13 at Cleveland.
The judge also scheduled a July 22 hearing on whether he should put the state court proceedings on hold while a federal appeals court considers other issues in the case. The federal appeals process could take several months and could further delay any suspensions if Larson decides to wait.
NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said the court order "effectively exempts" the Williamses from the league's collective bargaining agreement. He also said it has "no immediate practical impact" because they remain free to practice and to play in preseason games.
But the order "illustrates the critical importance of a uniform policy for all teams in the league and why this matter should be governed exclusively by federal law," Aiello said. He said the NFL believes its federal appeal, which argues that the players' state claims are barred by the union contract, should be resolved before the start of the season.
Ginsberg said he and the Williamses are ready to go to trial. He said it wouldn't be fair to anyone to have a trial that conflicts with the season.
The defensive tackles, who are not related, tested positive last summer for a banned diuretic that can mask the presence of steroids, though they've never been accused of taking steroids. They took the weight-loss supplement StarCaps, which contained a diuretic, bumetanide, that wasn't listed on the label.
The NFL has acknowledged it knew StarCaps contained the banned drug, and the players say the NFL wrongly failed to share that information.
U.S. District Judge Paul Magnuson last month dismissed most of the Williamses' original lawsuit and a related case filed by the NFL Players Association, but sent the Williamses' case back to state court to resolve two remaining claims under Minnesota law. Those claims involve whether the NFL violated the players' rights under a state law that regulates drug and alcohol testing in the workplace, and under another state law that governs disciplining employees for consuming legal products off their employer's premises during non-working hours.
The Williamses, the players union and the NFL are all appealing various parts of that order. The 8th Circuit Court of Appeals has tentatively scheduled oral arguments for Aug. 18 in St. Paul.
|
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Jul 13, 2009 12:53 pm
It's almost amazing that Stallworth got more of a punishment from the league, then from the government. At first I thought he shouldn't play for the rest of his life but now I'm almost ready to except him back after this upcoming season. Currently NFL.com says he is on the Browns but I want to say he was released (correct me if I'm wrong)
Do y'all think he should be allowed back after one season of suspension?
|
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Jul 13, 2009 4:07 pm
Oreion It's almost amazing that Stallworth got more of a punishment from the league, then from the government. At first I thought he shouldn't play for the rest of his life but now I'm almost ready to except him back after this upcoming season. Currently NFL.com says he is on the Browns but I want to say he was released (correct me if I'm wrong) Do y'all think he should be allowed back after one season of suspension? He is still being said he is on the Browns. As for coming back? Yes he should be allowed. He "manned up" and accepted the consequences of his actions along with working with and helping the family WITHOUT the court telling him so. There were no lawyers save on Stallworths side in the settlement. That was completely voluntary on his part. But in the same light, people have to understand the guy ran out in front of him in the dark in the middle of the street instead of in a crosswalk. If it were anyone else, I guarantee you that they do not lose their liscense. They may serve a month in jail and a suspension, but do not lose their liscense.
|
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Jul 27, 2009 3:07 pm
Commissioner Goodell reinstates ex-Falcons QB Vick on conditional basis Associated Press
NEW YORK -- Michael Vick was conditionally reinstated to the NFL by commissioner Roger Goodell on Monday, and the former Atlanta Falcons quarterback could play in regular-season games as early as October.
Vick can immediately participate in preseason practices, workouts and meetings and can play in the final two preseason games -- if he can find a team that will sign him. A number of teams already have said they would not.
"Needless to say, your margin for error is extremely limited," Goodell said in a letter to Vick. "I urge you to take full advantage of the resources available to support you and to dedicate yourself to rebuilding your life and your career. If you do this, the NFL will support you."
Goodell suspended Vick indefinitely in August 2007 after the quarterback admitted bankrolling the "Bad Newz Kennels" dogfighting operation. Goodell said then that Vick must show remorse and signs that he has changed before he would consider reinstating him.
Once the season begins, Vick may participate in all team activities except games, and Goodell said he would consider Vick for full reinstatement by Week 6 (Oct. 18-19).
"I would like to express my sincere gratitude and appreciation to commissioner Goodell for allowing me to be readmitted to the National Football League," Vick said through his agent, Joel Segal. "I fully understand that playing football in the NFL is a privilege, not a right, and I am truly thankful for the opportunity I have been given.
"As you can imagine, the last two years have given me time to re-evaluate my life, mature as an individual and fully understand the terrible mistakes I have made in the past and what type of life I must lead moving forward.
"Again, I want to thank the commissioner for the chance to return to the game I love and the opportunity to become an example of positive change."
The announcement came after a busy first week of freedom for Vick, who met with union leaders and Goodell on consecutive days last week. Vick's 23-month federal sentence ended when an electronic monitor was removed from his ankle early on July 20 at his home in Hampton, Va.
Vick met with DeMaurice Smith, executive director of the NFL Players Association, last Tuesday, and he sat down with Goodell on Wednesday at a security firm in Allendale, N.J.
But Vick's issues are far from over. Already, the owners of the New York Giants and New York Jets said they have no interest in the 29-year-old quarterback, who once was the league's highest-paid player.
Vick needs to find a team so he can get himself out of financial ruin. He filed for bankruptcy protection last July, listing assets of about $16 million and debts of more than $20 million, and he has a hearing about his plan to repay his creditors Friday in Norfolk, Va. That plan is built around his ability to make NFL-type money again.
Vick unlikely will command anything close to the 10-year, $130 million contract he once had with the Falcons or receive endorsement deals because of the grisly details of his involvement in the dogfighting ring.
Vick finally pleaded guilty after his three co-defendants already had done so. They told of how Vick participated in the killing of dogs that didn't perform well in test fights by shooting, hanging, drowning or slamming them to the ground.
Vick's appearances at federal court in Richmond, Va., all came with large groups of protestors outside. Many were with PETA and held signs depicting photographs of pit bulls ravaged in dogfights and decrying the brutality in the gruesome details that emerged in the case. A smaller group came to show support for Vick wearing jerseys with his No. 7.
Vick already has taken some steps to begin rebuilding his image and showing remorse. He met with the president of the Humane Society of the United States while serving the first 18 months of his federal sentence in the prison in Leavenworth, Kan. He plans to work with HSUS in a program designed to steer inner-city youth away from dogfighting. He wasn't permitted to work with the program while in custody.
"It's been a long process," Segal said. "He's thrilled for the opportunity to resume his playing career. He understands he has a lot to prove."
|
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Jul 27, 2009 3:17 pm
Report: Manhattan district attorney wants jail time for Burress Associated Press
NEW YORK -- Manhattan's district attorney says he wants former Giants wide receiver Plaxico Burress to serve time in prison, the New York Post reported. Robert Morgenthau told the newspaper that Burress, who shot himself with an unlicensed gun in November, was willing to agree to spend a year in jail, but prosecutors insisted on two, the Post reported.
"We've always taken the position that he's going to have to go to jail, whether by trial or by plea," Morgenthau told the Post for a story in Monday's edition.
Alica Maxey Greene, a spokeswoman for Morgenthau, declined to comment on the Post story or to confirm that the district attorney made the comments.
Burress shot himself in the thigh at a nightclub early on the morning of Nov. 29. He was charged with criminal possession of a weapon and faces up to 3½ years in prison. Burress has pleaded not guilty and is free on $100,000 bail. The Giants released Burress in April.
Burress' attorney, Benjamin Brafman, said he was "disappointed and surprised" that Morgenthau spoke publicly while a grand jury decision on indicting Burress is pending.
"My concern is that the comments by the district attorney's office may have irreparably prejudiced those proceedings," Brafman said Monday. "I am now considering the legal options available to respond."
Brafman had previously said he no longer believed the matter would be resolved through a plea agreement and that prosecutors would take the case to a grand jury. He also said Burress would plead not guilty if the case went to trial.
Burress, who caught the winning touchdown in the final minute for the Giants in Super Bowl XLII, also could face disciplinary action by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell under the league's personal-conduct policy. Burress has yet to sign with another team, and Goodell's office announced in June that the league already had started its examination of the incident.
|
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Aug 04, 2009 7:04 am
Buffalo's running game will have to survive three games without its star, but the Bills aren't worried about their interim starters.
Marshawn Lynch lost his appeal of his three-game suspension Monday, as NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell deemed the punishment fair for Lynch pleading guilty to a misdemeanor gun charge in California during the offseason.
But just because the Bills won't have the Pro Bowl back who describes his punishing style as "Beast Mode," don't expect them to go into panic mode.
To carry the running game in Lynch's absence, Buffalo will count on two versatile veteran backs -- Fred Jackson and newly acquired Dominic Rhodes.
A former practice squad player, Jackson filled in admirably for Lynch the past two seasons, twice rushing for more than 100 yards in a game, including last year's finale when he gained 136 yards on 27 carries vs. New England.
The Bills signed him to a contract extension in the offseason after he rushed for 571 yards and caught 37 passes for 317 yards in 2008.
Rhodes spent the bulk of his past eight seasons with the Indianapolis Colts. Like Jackson, he is coming off an impressive season in which he rushed for 538 yards, caught 45 passes for 302 yards and scored nine touchdowns.
Barring injury, Jackson is scheduled to start the season opener against the Patriots in New England on Sept. 14. But Rhodes also is expected to see plenty of action.
"Just the way the reps are going, I would say that I'm the guy right now, but he's definitely going to get his opportunities, too," said Jackson, who graduated from Coe College, alma mater of legendary former Bills coach Marv Levy.
"It's going to be a running back by committee thing right now. We're both just holding it down to make sure we get through those games and get (Lynch) back. Then, we'll see how things go from there."
Jackson said he wasn't bothered in the least when he heard the Bills had signed Rhodes as an unrestricted free agent.
"He's a playmaker, and we can use as much help as possible," Jackson said. "With both of us being from Texas, we have a lot in common. We compete against each other, but it's a friendly competition. Having him here just brings more reference and experience into that running backs room. I'm excited about the opportunity to play with him."
Rhodes was a clutch player for the Colts. His finest moment came in Super Bowl XLI, when he rushed for 113 yards in Indianapolis' win over the Chicago Bears.
Rhodes is enthusiastic about the no-huddle offense the Bills are installing.
"Guys are getting more confident in this new approach," said Rhodes, who excelled in a similar offense run by Colts quarterback Peyton Manning. "I think we are going to expose a lot of people, and we're going to keep some guys off balance. They're going to have to play us in a whole different way."
Lynch was suspended after pleading guilty in March to a misdemeanor gun charge in Culver City, Calif. He was sentenced to 80 hours of community service and three years probation. He was arrested on Feb. 11 after police searched a parked car the player was in and found a 9mm semiautomatic handgun inside a backpack in the trunk. Police also found four marijuana cigarettes in the car, but no drug charges were filed.
It was Lynch's second run-in with the law following a hit-and run-accident in Buffalo in May 2008. A month later, he pleaded guilty to a traffic violation and admitted to driving off after striking a female pedestrian with his car near Buffalo's downtown bar district.
"We are disappointed," Bills coach d**k Jauron said. "Obviously, we lose a real good football player for three games, but, hopefully, Marshawn has learned a good deal from it."
In the meantime, Jauron is confident Jackson and Rhodes can do the job.
"They are both very tough guys, very smart guys," he said. "They're guys that we are going to need very badly."
|
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Aug 04, 2009 7:25 am
Former New York Giants star Plaxico Burress was indicted by a grand jury on weapons charges for shooting himself in the thigh at a Manhattan nightclub and faces a minimum prison sentence of 3½ years if convicted, prosecutors announced Monday.
The indictment charged the 31-year-old Burress with two counts of criminal possession of a weapon and one count of reckless endangerment, Manhattan District Attorney Robert Morgenthau said.
"The grand jury applied the law to the facts of this case," Morgenthau said. He said the accidental shooting at a nightclub on Nov. 29 was treated "like any similar case against any other defendant."
Burress' lawyer, Benjamin Brafman, said he was disappointed but not surprised by the indictment, which came after Burress testified before the grand jury and expressed remorse.
"When you have the mayor and the district attorney both publicly demanding a maximum prison sentence, it was perhaps too much to hope for the grand jury to conduct a sympathetic review of the unique facts of this sad case," Brafman said in a statement.
Burress' former teammate Antonio Pierce, who was with Burress in the club and drove him to the hospital, was not indicted.
The panel also did not indict the nightclub security guard who carried the gun to Pierce's car or the hospital staff members who failed to notify police that Burress had been shot.
Morgenthau said hospital personnel were guilty of "a screw-up rather than a cover-up" and the security guard exhibited "bad judgment in the first degree" but did not commit a crime.
Pierce, who also testified before the grand jury last week, was practicing with the Giants in Albany when he learned of the panel's decision.
Giants president John Mara said the team was pleased that the linebacker was not indicted.
"We said last week we felt strongly that Antonio's actions did not warrant criminal charges, and obviously the grand jury, having heard all of the testimony, felt the same way," he said.
Pierce's lawyer, Michael Bachner, said, "By appearing before the grand jury for almost three hours and answering the grand jury's very direct and very considered questions, it was clear to us that they understood that Mr. Pierce acted as any citizen under extraordinary circumstances would have acted."
Burress was at the Latin Quarter nightclub Nov. 29 when a gun tucked into his waistband slipped down his leg and fired, shooting him in the right thigh.
Giants react to decision on Pierce Giants LB Antonio Pierce was not indicted for his role in the weapons charges brought against former teammate Plaxico Burress. See how the team reacted to the news. More ... Prosecutors said Monday that after taking Burress to the hospital, Pierce drove the gun to his own home in New Jersey -- not to Burress' home, as was originally reported. They said he later arranged for it to be taken to Burress' home.
Assistant District Attorney John Wolfstaetter said the bullet that hit Burress narrowly missed a nightclub security guard who was standing inches away.
The bullet lodged in the floor and was recovered by a bartender, Morgenthau said.
"He wanted it as a souvenir but we told him he had to turn it over," he said.
The gun was not licensed in New York or in New Jersey, where Burress lived, prosecutors said. Burress' license to carry a concealed weapon in the state of Florida had expired in May 2008.
The charges Burress was indicted on carry a mandatory minimum sentence of 3½ years in prison. He pleaded not guilty to weapons charges earlier this year and is free on $100,000 bail.
The grand jury indictment comes after plea bargain negotiations broke down, apparently because Morgenthau was insisting that Burress serve at least two years in prison under any plea agreement.
Assistant District Attorney Mark Dwyer said it is standard policy to request a two-year sentence as part of a plea bargain on such serious charges.
Burress, who caught the winning touchdown for the Giants over the New England Patriots in the final minute of the 2008 Super Bowl, also could face disciplinary action by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. Goodell's office announced in June that the league already had started its examination of the shooting, and NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said Monday's indictment "will be considered as part of that review."
The Giants released Burress in April and he has yet to sign with another team.
|
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|