This is the time of year you’re reminded that the NFL is a business above a public service. Players holding out, demanding more money, trade rumours, and the occasional embarrassing injury. More on that later. Basically, this blog is going to be a summary of the last couple of weeks’ NFL news.
Business Misery
So, might as well start with the issue of the month; Contracts. The biggest offenders this time around are Darrelle Revis and Nick Mangold of the Jets, and Vincent Jackson and Marcus McNeill of the Chargers. Now, the Jets don’t really have an issue, as both players are still under contract and are just looking for extensions, which they should get now the NFL has agreed a new CBA. The Chargers players, however….
Jackson and McNeill are at the end of their respective contracts, and are looking for a long term deal to give them financial security for the near future. However, they are restricted free agents, meaning they can’t sign for another team unless San Diego release them or they sign their 1-year franchise tender and are then traded (like Brandon Marshall did earlier in the year). Neither of them have done so though, partly due to the reduced salary, and partly to do with the Chargers’ seeming unwillingness to sign either to a long term deal. A holdout is ongoing, and could stretch 10 games into the regular season (both players would have to play at least 6 games to qualify for free agency next season). So that’s their leading WR and starting LT out for the majority of the season unless they get their act together. The Chargers could be a very different team this season….
OK, not THAT different....
Wrong Side of the Law
Bengals RB Cedric Benson has been arrested and released on bail, charged with assault for allegedly punching an employee in a bar about a month ago. If found guilty, Benson could face up to a year in jail. Benson was a standout RB in the first half of last season, helping the Benglas to a playoff berth and then winning the AFC North, despite missing a few games due to injury in the latter part of the year. This is not the first trouble Benson has had with the law, and a suspension could be on the cards even if he is found not guilty, similar to Ben Roethlisberger.
Eagles QB Michael Vick is understood to be cooperating with police in an investigation into the shooting of a man near a club shortly after he left the establishment. Vick, who was only reinstated into the NFL last year after serving 18 months in prison for his role in a dogfighting operation, has been told he is not a suspect in the case. Some news outlets have identified the victim as Quanis Phillips, who was found to be part of the same dogfighting ring as Vick. A local hospital confirmed that Pillips had been admitted in the morning of the shooting, but discharged himself later that day.
Health Issues
Steelers RT Willie Colon is out for the season following surgery on his achilles tendon. Colon susained the injury on an offseason workout at the Steelers’ training facility.
My reaction when I entered the words 'Willie Colon' into Google Images.
It is likely that the Steelers will sign free agent OT Flozell Adams to cover for Colon’s absence. Adams played 11 seasons as LT for the Cowboys before being released this offseason.
Giants’ rookie safety Chad Jones is in a stable condition after his SUV crashed into a pole in New Orleans. At one point it was feared Jones could lose the use of his leg due to nerve damage, but extensive surgery has removed the potential need for amputation. Jones will definitely miss this season, but his availability for the future is not clear at this time.
It has been discovered that late Bengals WR Chris Henry was suffering from a chronic brain condition before his death last December. Henry died from numerous head injuries after falling out of the back of a truck driven by his fiancee, however Henry was suffering from Chronic Traumatic Encepalopathy before the incident. CTE can affect decision making, and lead to depression and/or suicide. It is unknown at this time if the condition was caused by his profession as an NFL player, however it is well documented that NFL players have a greater incidence rate of neurological diseases than the average person.
