A decision on Tom Brady's appeal is not expected until mid- or late-July.
Article 46 of the CBA requires a decision to be issued "as soon as practicable." As we've seen before in cases like this, it's going to take a while. The post-hearing briefs in the appeal aren't even due until late next week, and then Roger Goodell will digest them. If Brady's camp isn't happy with the ruling, he'll then challenge the NFL in court. PFT suggests that path could lead to Brady being under center in Week 1 against the Steelers as the case gets tied up in the courts.
Source: Fox Sports
Jun 25 - 8:15 AM
A league source tells Profootballtalk.com that Tom Brady "simply reiterated his denial" regarding involvement in or knowledge of deflating footballs during Tuesday's appeal with commissioner Roger Goodell, and "the answers were regarded by some in the room as not entirely credible."
Reports following Brady's meeting with Goodell indicated Tom Terrific gave an "A+ performance," but it seems league officials disagree. Brady reportedly attacked the Wells Report and stated he "didn't do anything wrong." PFT's Mike Florio -- a former attorney -- believes it is "unlikely" that Goodell will "fully exonerate" Brady, and may opt to uphold his four-game suspension.
Source: Profootballtalk on NBC Sports
Jun 24 - 1:34 PM
A source told Sports Radio 610 in Houston that the Texans and Broncos had "very preliminary" discussions regarding a trade that would have sent Peyton Manning to the Texans early this offseason.
The source said the "very preliminary" talks took place before Manning took a $4 million pay cut to stay in Denver, which occurred in early March. Manning has a no-trade clause and would have had to sign off on the trade, so the idea of the Texans and Broncos engaging in legitimate trade talks still seems highly unlikely. Manning obviously isn't going anywhere in 2015.
Source: Sports Radio 610
Jun 24 - 1:25 PM
ESPN New York's Rich Cimini projects Bilal Powell as the Jets' No. 2 running back to begin training camp.
Chris Ivory is the starter, and Stevan Ridley's (ACL) health status is unknown. Cimini lists Ivory, Powell, and Zac Stacy as the Jets' top-three backs. Powell is a mediocre talent, but the Jets worked aggressively to retain him after hiring OC Chan Gailey, and Powell is the best passing-down back on the team. Powell has a chance to carve out deeper-league PPR value this year.
Source: ESPN New York
Jun 23 - 10:37 PM
Tevin Coleman will enter training camp behind Devonta Freeman on the depth chart.
Freeman held serve during OTAs and minicamp, getting the first rep with the starters as the incumbent. It doesn't mean he'll hold the job through training camp. The Falcons continue to talk up Freeman's pass-game skill set, but have left the early-down work open to competition. Coleman's ceiling as an explosive, home-run hitter is far higher -- and he was hand-picked by run-game guru Kyle Shanahan. Ultimately, a committee to open the season appears likely.
Source: Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Jun 23 - 9:15 AM
The Tampa Tribune says Doug Martin had his "best offseason in three years."
Martin has come roaring off the mat, quickly going from the trade block to the heavy favorite to start Week 1. Charles Sims, who averaged 2.8 YPC last year, is likely to be used in his natural pass-catching role and Bobby Rainey projects as a backup in both spots. Although Martin has been one of the worst running backs in the league over the last two seasons, he's a lead runner in a contract year with an eighth-round ADP. As a rookie in 2012, he erupted for a 319-1,454-11 line.
Source: Tampa Tribune
Jun 23 - 8:03 AM
Per the Buffalo News' Vic Carucci, Matt Cassel was "easily the worst-looking quarterback" at Bills offseason practices.
"Cassel doesn’t move well, he doesn’t always throw the prettiest ball, and has easily had the worst-looking practice performances of all of the quarterbacks," wrote Carucci, who isn't the first Bills writer to dog on the 11-year veteran this spring. With spring practices in the books, it sounded like E.J. Manuel was the best of the bad among Bills quarterbacks. Still, odds are Cassel will get the nod to start come Week 1 unless he completely faceplants in the preseason.
Source: Buffalo News
Jun 22 - 9:29 PM
NFL suspended free agent RB Ahmad Bradshaw one game for violating the league's substance-abuse policy.
Bradshaw was busted for marijuana possession back in February. Like LeGarrette Blount, Bradshaw is banned for the season opener. Bradshaw has drawn zero known interest as a free agent. He's 29 and coming off yet another injury -- a fractured fibula suffered in Week 11. Bradshaw had success in Indianapolis, but the Colts' offense is extremely running back-friendly due to soft defensive fronts. The Colts have shown no desire to re-sign Bradshaw.
Source: Howard Balzer on Twitter
Jun 22 - 7:02 PM
ESPN Dallas' Todd Archer projects Ryan Williams to be left off the Cowboys' 53-man roster.
Williams experienced recurring knee swelling at OTAs and minicamp, and will enter training camp squarely on the bubble. Owner Jerry Jones has hinted the Cowboys will only keep three tailbacks on their final roster. Archer projects those three backs to be Joseph Randle, Darren McFadden, and Lance Dunbar.
Source: ESPN Dallas
Jun 22 - 4:56 PM
Browns claimed WR Terrelle Pryor off waivers from the Bengals.
Pryor is a worthy flyer for Cleveland, which currently can lay claim to the poorest wide receiver depth chart in football. Pryor, 26, dabbled at wideout at Ohio State and has embraced a full-on position switch in an effort to extend his career. Pryor is huge (6'5/232) with low-4.4 timed speed coming out of college. With Vince Mayle, Brian Hartline, Andrew Hawkins, and Taylor Gabriel as his primary competition behind Dwayne Bowe, we wouldn't totally rule out the possibility Pryor earns meaningful wide receiver snaps for the Browns this year.
Jun 22 - 4:19 PM
The Newark Star-Ledger's Dom Cosentino believes there is a reasonable chance Stevan Ridley (ACL) begins the season on the PUP list.
Ridley said earlier this week he is not sure if he will be ready for training camp, and Cosentino "got the sense" the Jets do not know either. With too many limited, early-down backs on the roster already, New York could choose to stash Ridley on PUP to buy enough time to properly assess his health. Ridley will be 10 months removed from ACL surgery when the Jets open their season against the Browns September 13.
Source: Newark Star-Ledger
According to NJ.com's Jordan Raanan, Shane Vereen "is not just going to be a third-down back" in his first year with the Giants.
Raanan says Vereen caught "pass after pass" at spring work, seeming to find his way "onto the field constantly." Said OC Ben McAdoo of Vereen, "He can be a quarterback's best friend in a way in the passing game." The spring buzz on Vereen has begun to show up in his ADP. Vereen is now going in the middle of round seven, just a round and a half behind Giants
