Seahawks defensive end Bruce Irvin was suspended four games for violating the NFL’s PED policy and the team could face fines as well. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images)
The Seattle Seahawks could face fines from the National Football League for multiple players being suspended in a season for violating the league’s performance-enhancing drugs policy after Seahawks defensive end Bruce Irvin was suspended last week, reports NFL.com.
Irvin will miss the first four games of the upcoming season after reportedly testing positive for Adderall, which is a drug more commonly used for the treatment of attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder.
The Seahawks have had more PED suspensions than any other team in the NFL since head coach Pete Carroll took over the team in 2010.
Bruce Irvin was suspended four games for violating the NFL’s PED policy. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images)
Seattle Seahawks defensive end Bruce Irvin has been suspended four games for violating the NFL’s policy on performance enhancing drugs, the NFL announced on Friday. Irvin can return to the active roster on September 30 and could return to the lineup for the Seahawks Week 5 matchup against the Indianapolis Colts.
The Seahawks selected Irvin with the 15th pick out of West Virginia in the 2012 NFL Draft. Irvin recorded 10 tackles, eight sacks and forced a fumble during his rookie year in Seattle.
Irvin released a statement about his suspension for violating the NFL’s policy.
“I want to apologize to my teammates, coaches and Seahawks fans for making a mistake when I took a substance that is prohibited in the NFL without a medical exemption,” Irvin said in a statement. “I am extremely disappointed in the poor judgment I showed and take full responsibility for my actions. I will not appeal the discipline and instead will focus my energy on preparing for the season so I can begin earning your trust and respect again. I look forward to contributing to the team the moment I return.”
For those who don’t remember, it was Easley who signaled touchdown in the “Fail Mary” Monday Night Football game between the Green Bay Packers and Seahawks, ruling a touchdown catch for wide receiver Golden Tate on a play that was clearly an interception by safety M.D. Jennings. The Packers lost the game 14-12.
The softball game is scheduled for July 7 in Seattle.
The Facebook page for the softball game has the slogan, “Don’t be surprised if a few flags are thrown.” Clearly, someone has a sense of humor.
More from NFL.com:
Easley was far from the only replacement ref who blew a call over those three grisly weeks, but he became the symbol for the failures of an overwhelmed group of substitutes, as well as the impetus in ending a lingering labor battle. The real officials returned six days later.
The deal includes $17 million in guaranteed money and he has a chance to make another $5.7 million through incentives. The Seahawks have called a news conference for 5 p.m. ET at team headquarters to announce the deal.
Chancellor, 25, was second on the team with 101 combined tackles, and also had two fumble recoveries and four pass defensed last season. Chancellor, a fifth-round draft choice in 2010, is the first in the Pete Carroll-era to sign an extension, according to the report. He has 221 tackles and four interceptions in his career.
Free-agent cornerback Antoine Winfield will sign a deal with the Seattle Seahawks, according to multiple reports. The 14-year veteran has spent the last nine years with the Minnesota Vikings. Last season, Winfield recorded 71 tackles while picking off three balls for interceptions.
Winfield, who will turn 36 in June, was selected in the first round of the 1999 NFL draft by the Buffalo Bills. The veteran corner was released by the Vikings last month as he was set to make $7.25 million in 2013.
Winfield told ESPN’s Josina Anderson that he is excited to join a Seattle secondary that he says has “some of the most talented players on defense in the NFL right now.”
Antoine Winfield told colleague @sharper42 that he'll sign a deal with the Seahawks. So an already great secondary gets … Greater.— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) April 12, 2013
As per multiple reports, Antoine Winfield chose the Seahawks. Signing a 1yr deal with them. Best secondary in the NFL— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) April 12, 2013
Brady Quinn appears to be the winner of the Seahawks’ tryout, according to reports
Ian Rapoport of NFL.com reported Tuesday that the Seahawks are “heading toward” signing Quinn to backup Russell Wilson according to a source after the team worked out four quarterbacks including Matt Leinart, Tyler Thigpen and Seneca Wallace on Monday.
The Seahawks were in the market for a backup quarterback after trading Matt Flynn — the team’s big 2012 free-agent signing who lost his starting job to the rookie Wilson — to the Raiders on April 1.
Quinn, a first-round draft pick taken out of Notre Dame by the Browns in the 2007 NFL Draft, started 12 games in three seasons in Cleveland and has played as a reserve with the Broncos (2010-11) and last season with the Chiefs. Quinn quarterbacked the Chiefs in their emotional win over the Panthers.
Hearing the same… RT @MikeGarafolo: Sounds like Seattle will be signing Brady Quinn. Thought Matt Leinart would've won that job.— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 09, 2013
Seahawks are signing Brady Quinn to back-up Russell Wilson after working out QBs yesterday— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) April 09, 2013
Apparently Seneca Wallace really impressed in Seattle, too, even if it appears they liked Brady Quinn a bit more. Maybe he lands in Oakland— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 09, 2013
Flynn signed a three-year, $19.5 million contract with the Seahawks last offseason and was in line to be the starter. But the Seahawks drafted Russell Wilson in the third round of last year’s draft and he beat out Flynn for the starting job in training camp. Flynn is due $5.25 million next season.
From the CBSSports.com report:
All three of these teams could end up drafting a quarterback high next month, but they do have at least some interest in making a deal. The Seahawks might not be able to get more than a fourth- or fifth-round pick for Flynn, but after parting with a bounty in a trade for receiver Percy Harvin, they would obviously like to replenish some. However, the team won’t give Flynn away as it prepares for what it hopes is a Super Bowl season.
Free-agent defensive end Cliff Avril signed with the Seattle Seahawks.(Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
The Seattle Seahawks continued their offseason haul towards a possible championship by agreeing to a deal with free agent defensive end Cliff Avril on Wednesday, NFL.com reports.
The deal is for two years and $15 million. Avril turned down a three-year, $30 million deal last season. Avril was considered by some as the top free agent in the market.
Avril, who played with the Detroit Lions last season, has 29 sacks, and nine forced fumbles over the last three seasons. In 2012, Avril had 28 tackles and 9.5 sacks.
Avril was given the non-exclusive franchise tag by the Lions, paying him $10.6 million last season.
The Seahawks upgraded their offensive talent by trading for former Minnesota Vikings receiver Percy Harvin earlier this week. The team then signed him to a six-year, $67 million contract, with $25.5 million guaranteed.
Cliff Avril has agreed to terms with Seattle, per source.— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) March 13, 2013
The Vikings are better off without Percy Harvin because of his high salary and likelihood of getting injured, according to Hall of Famer Cris Carter. (Stephen Brashear/Getty Images)
Former Vikings receiver and recent inductee into the Hall of Fame, Cris Carter, said he approved of the trade that sent Percy Harvin to the Seahawks. The Vikings sent Harvin to the Seahawks in exchange for Seattle’s 2013 first-round selection and two other draft picks on Monday.
“I think the organization did the right thing,” said Carter. “I’m not surprised, given the situation with him not being happy and there being so little chance of a contract extension for the type of money he wants. So they’re better off, especially with a young quarterback, trading Percy and getting something for him compared to going through the season rolling the dice.”
Carter also mentioned Harvin’s high salary requirements and injury risk:
“They’re able to keep their salary cap intact rather than paying $11 million to $13 million a year to a guy that you don’t know how much he’s going to play. With Percy’s style, he’s going to get hurt. And don’t forget, the Vikings also had a lot of success without Percy at the end of last season.”
Harvin, 24, played in nine games last season and had 677 receiving yards with three touchdowns. He also served as one of the team’s kick returners, averaging 35.9 yards per return.
After 12 seasons, Tennessee Titans offensive lineman Steve Hutchinson is calling it a career.
Hutchinson, who shone during a lengthy career with the Minnesota Vikings and Seattle Seahawks, will retire on Tuesday, Fox Sports’ Jay Glazer reported. Glazer reported that Hutchinson decided to retire after determining that his knee was not progressing from offseason surgery as much as he had hoped.
Quickly into his career, Hutchinson built a reputation as one of the best interior linemen in the NFL. Hutchinson earned a trip to seven Pro Bowls and was selected to five All-Pro first teams. He started all 169 games in which he played during his career.
In the 2006 offseason, Hutchinson signed an unprecedented seven-year, $49 million contract with the Vikings. Not only was it the richest contract ever given to a guard — but it also contained a provision that guaranteed Hutchinson’s entire contract if he was not the highest-paid lineman on his team.
One of best lineman I’ve ever seen play Steve Hutchinson just texted me that he’s retiring tomorrow. Big congrats to him on a great career
According to multiple reports, the Minnesota Vikings have traded 24-year-old wide receiver Percy Harvin to the Seattle Seahawks.
Percy Harvin is en route to a physical from #Seahawks. Source: "It's a done deal." Compensation is not clear yet— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 11, 2013
The trade is contingent on Harvin and the Seahawks agreeing upon a new contract within the next 48 hours.
Trade bw MINN and SEA for Percy Harvin contingent upon a new contract for Harvin; contract likely to be completed in next 48 hours.— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 11, 2013
Despite Vikings GM Rick Spielman denying that the Vikings are going to trade Harvin at the scouting combine last month, Harvin will be reunited with Seattle’s offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell, who drafted Harvin in 2009 while working in Minnesota.
Harvin had reportedly asked for a trade out of Minnesota because he wasn’t a big enough part of the offense and didn’t get along with the medical staff. Harvin is entering the final year of his rookie contract and had his season ended on November 4 due to a sprained ankle.
Despite playing in only nine games, Harvin led the team in both receiving yards (677) and receptions (62).
Fells, 26, played his college hoops at Cal-Irvine and recently played pro basketball for Libertad Sunchales in Argentina. Fells was supposed to have a Pro Day to showcase his skills, but the Seahawks were impressed enough to offer him a contract.
According to the Everett Herald, the 6-foot-7, 280-pound Fells has played hoops overseas in Belgium, Finland, France, Mexico. Fells’ UC Irvine bio said he was an all-state tight end at Fullerton High School in California.
Here is Fells showing his skills on the basketball court.
Rapoport reported that the Seahawks would like to hold onto Flynn as a backup to Russell Wilson, who unexpectedly won the starting job last training camp and shone during the season. But they will consider trade proposals for Flynn after seeing how the San Francisco 49ers reportedly received a second-round pick for their backup, Alex Smith. And the Seahawks realize that Smith has starting ambitions.
The Jacksonville Jaguars could be the early favorites to pull off a trade for Flynn, according to Rapoport.
The Seahawks signed Flynn to a three-year, $19.5 million contract last offseason. Flynn was one of the most hyped free-agent quarterbacks on the market after spending four years backing up Aaron Rodgers in Green Bay.
Flynn appeared in just three games last season with the Seahawks, completing 5 of 9 passes for 68 yards.
The Seattle Seahawks have replaced John Idzik with former Browns exec Matt Thomas (Nick Laham/Getty Images)
The Seattle Seahawks have replaced John Idzik, who left the team to be the new Jets GM. Idzik’s replacement is former Browns exec Matt Thomas, who served as Cleveland’s vice president of football administration since February of 2010. Prior to that, Thomas spent 12 years with the Dolphins.
Seahawks’ General Manager John Schneider commented on the hire in a statement released by the team:
“Matt is a well-respected salary cap expert and was recommended by many top-ranking NFL executives. I am excited to welcome him to our football family.”
Gus Bradley, Seattle’s defensive coordinator this season, agreed Thursday to become the head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars. Under Bradley, the Seahawks led the NFL by allowing only 15.3 points per game.
Quinn, Florida’s defensive coordinator for the past two seasons, was previously Seattle’s defensive line coach.
Seattle Seahawks defensive coordinator Gus Bradley is the new coach for the Jaguars. (Getty Images)
Gus Bradley, the former defensive coordinator for the Seattle Seahawks, has been named the head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars, according to a report Thursday morning from Adam Schefter of ESPN. He replaces Mike Mularkey, who was fired after one year with the team after they finished the season 2-14.
Bradley interviewed for nine hours earlier in the week with the Philadelphia Eagles, according to CBS Philly, and then flew to Jacksonville yesterday to talk to the Jaguars about the head coaching position. According to Schefter, Pete Carroll, Seattle’s head coach, and Monte Kiffin, the Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator who worked with Bradley in Tampa Bay from 2006-08, endorsed him for the head coaching job with the Jags.
Carroll spoke to why Bradley, 46, would be suited for a head coaching position:
“He’s got a brilliant football mind. He’s got a way of reaching people and touching people and getting the best out of them, coaches and players alike. He’s got everything that you’re looking for.”
Bradley is coming off his fourth season with the Seahawks, in which their defense finished first in points allowed (15.3) fourth in yards (306.2) and tied for fourth in takeaways (31).
Cincinnati Bengals offensive coordinator Jay Gruden, St. Louis Rams offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer and Jaguars defensive coordinator Mel Tucker, Seahawks offensive coordinator Darrel Bevell and San Francisco 49ers offensive coordinator Greg Roman had also been linked as possible candidates for the head coaching position in Jacksonville.
Seattle Seahawks defensive coordinator Gus Bradley will interview for the Jacksonville Jaguars head coaching position, reports ESPN’s Adam Schefter on Twitter.
Seahawks DC Gus Bradley is traveling today from Philadelphia to Jacksonville to interview for Jaguars HC job.
Jacksonville, which recently hired Dave Caldwell as its new general manager, is still early in its coaching search. The Florida Times-Union reported that Bengals offensive coordinator Jay Gruden interviewed with Caldwell on Tuesday. Rams offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer and Jaguars defensive coordinator Mel Tucker are also among the reported candidates.
Seattle offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell and San Francisco offensive coordinator Greg Roman have also been linked to the position.
Bradley has spent four years with the Seahawks. Seattle led the NFL in scoring defense this season, allowing only 15.3 points per game.
Bevell joins Cardinals defensive coordinator Ray Horton and Bengals offensive coordinator Jay Gruden as reported candidates for the Arizona job. Horton interviewed with the Bills and Browns for their head coach openings, but was passed over for both opportunities. Gruden interviewed with the Cardinals on Thursday.
The Cardinals have not confirmed a Pittsburgh Post-Gazette report in which Steelers president Art Rooney II said offensive coordinator Todd Haley interviewed with the Cardinals last Wednesday. On Monday, the Post-Gazette reported that the Cardinals were unlikely to hire Haley because his asking price was too high.
Haley has history with the franchise, serving as offensive coordinator for the Cardinals’ 2008 Super Bowl team before leaving to become head coach at Kansas City.
#Cardinals are set to interview Seahawks OC Darrell Bevell, I'm told.— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 15, 2013
Pete Carroll confirms that Marshawn Lynch’s foot injury won’t keep him sidelined on Sunday. (Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
After missing all of practice on Wednesday and Thursday with a foot injury, Marshawn Lynch participated on a limited basis in practice on Friday. Seahawks coach Pete Carroll said Friday that Lynch looked fine and will definitely be playing on Sunday against the Atlanta Falcons.
Lynch showed no signs of injury during the Seahawks’ 24-14 win over the Redskins last week. It’s unclear when and how Lynch injured his foot. Despite missing two practices and having limited participation on Friday, Carroll made it clear that the running back will be in the game. If Lynch shows signs of slowing, it’ll mean more pressure on Wilson.
Chris Clemons tore his ACL in the Seahawks’ win over the Redskins on Sunday and will miss the rest of Seattle’s playoff run. (Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
The Seattle Seahawks will be missing their top pass rusher next weekend when they take on the Atlanta Falcons in the NFC Divisional Playoffs. According to multiple reports, defensive end Chris Clemons tore his ACL and meniscus in his left knee during Seattle’s 24-14 playoff win over the Washington Redskins on Sunday and will miss the rest of the season.
ESPN.com’s Ed Werder reported that Clemons will need to have surgery on the knee and will face a lengthy rehabilitation period of up to nine months.
Clemons’ injury is a huge blow to a Seattle defense that is preparing to take on the NFC’s top-seeded Atlanta Falcons and quarterback Matt Ryan.
Ryan has been sacked a career-high 28 times this season, but the Seahawks’ defensive line instantly becomes less imposing without Clemons. Clemons led the Seahawks with 11.5 sacks this season to go with 40 tackles and three forced fumbles.
With Clemons out, the focus of the Seahawks’ pass rush turns to rookie Bruce Irvin, who had eight sacks this season. He tweeted that the Seahawks will be “fine” without Clemons on Monday:
If Clem is out I think he has down enough these past 20 weeks of getting me ready for situationslike this. I will b finepeople!
The Bears will reportedly interview Seahawks offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell.
The Chicago Bears have sought permission to interview Seattle Seahawks offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell about their head coaching vacancy, the Chicago Sun-Times’ Sean Jensen reported on Sunday. According to the report, the Seahawks are expected to grant permission.
According to league rules, assistant coaches for teams that won playoff games over the weekend can be interviewed this week. But teams have to grant permission, and the Bears’ brass must travel to Seattle to meet with Bevell.
Bevell has been Seattle’s offensive coordinator for the past two seasons under head coach Pete Carroll. Before that, he was the offensive coordinator of the Minnesota Vikings from 2006-10, during which he coached Brett Favre.
In Seattle, Bevell has aided the development of rookie quarterback Russell Wilson and helped lead the team to its first winning record since 2007. Seattle moved up from a paltry 28th in total offense in 2011 to a respectable 17th this season. The Seahawks also ranked ninth in points per game.
Bevell is just the latest name in a wide search for the Bears, who are looking to replace fired head coach Lovie Smith. They have already interviewed Atlanta Falcons special teams coach Keith Armstrong,Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator Mike Sullivan, New Orleans offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael Jr. and Dallas Cowboys special teams coordinator Joe DeCamillis.
The Seahawks fear that Chris Clemons will be out for the rest of their postseason run. (Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
The Seattle Seahawks may have lost their top pass rusher during their NFC playoff win Sunday over the Washington Redskins. They fear that defensive end Chris Clemons, who left the team’s win with a knee injury, has torn his ACL and will miss the remainder of the playoffs, according to a report on NFL.com.
Clemons left the Seahawks’ 24-14 win over the Redskins with the knee injury and did not return. His absence would be crucial next week as the Seahawks prepare to take on the NFC’s top-seeded Atlanta Falcons and quarterback Matt Ryan.
“It’s a shame,” Clemons’ agent, Donal Henderson, told NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport. “He’s worked so hard to get there.”
Henderson added that the “crappy conditions” of FedEx Field were to blame for the injury.
Ryan has been sacked a career-high 28 times this season, but the Seahawks’ defensive line instantly becomes less imposing without Clemons. Clemons led the Seahawks with 11.5 sacks this season and had 40 tackles and three forced fumbles.
Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman won his drug test appeal and will not be suspended. (Steve Dykes/Getty Images)
UPDATE: Seattle Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman tweeted Thursday afternoon that he won the appeal for his test of performance enhancing drugs. Sherman was at risk of being suspended for four games if he had lost the case. The NFL also tweeted the news on Thursday.
News first broke of his failed test Nov. 28. Sherman’s argument was that the cup was leaking at the time that he submitted it and that there were mistakes made by the tester at the lab. Sherman said a second cup was placed under his cup to stop the leaking and the seal on that second cup was broken. His drug test for Adderall will now be voided because it has broken the chain of custody and Sherman will not be suspended.
Sherman, 24, tweeted his thoughts on Christmas about the reputation of the drug tester, claiming that the person who conducted his test has a “history of errors.”
Sherman had said before he declared victory that if the drug tests come back positive, he would still continue his appeal and would sue the league:
“I can’t get back playing regardless. I can just sue the league, and that’s probably what I’m going to do if they suspend me.”
The Seahawks’ other cornerback, Brandon Browner, is already serving a four game suspension and won’t return until the playoffs. Browner opted not to appeal the results of his test for PEDs.
The Seahawks clinched a playoff berth with a 42-13 route of the San Francisco 49ers on Dec. 23, with Sherman returning a blocked field goal attempt for a touchdown and playing an overall pivotal role in the game as the team now readies for the post-season.
Thank you @nfl for upholding the truth! To the 12s Thank you your faith is rewarded! Thank you lord— Richard Sherman (@RSherman_25) December 27, 2012
Richard Sherman wins his appeal, has his four-game suspension overturned. Huge lift for Seahawks. nfl.com/news/story/0ap…— NFL: AroundTheLeague (@NFL_ATL) December 27, 2012
Ray Edwards could sign with the Seattle Seahawks. (Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
The Seattle Seahawks are reportedly expected to announce by end of day Wednesday whether the team will sign defensive end Ray Edwards, who was dropped by the Atlanta Falcons in November, according to Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com.
Edwards, 27, worked out with the San Francisco 49ers on Dec. 3 and then the Seahawks on Dec. 24. As Florio points out, the Seahawks and Falcons could meet in the Divisional round of the playoffs, so Seattle could see Edwards as a source of inside information in the potential match up against his former team.
The Falcons opted to cut him from the team after nine tackles and no sacks through nine games this season.
Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman reportedly argued in his appeal that his drug test had been contaminated. (Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)
In his appeal to the NFL on a four-game suspension for performance-enhancing drugs, Seattle Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman claimed that his urine specimen had been contaminated, ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter reported Sunday.
Schefter has more details on Sherman’s argument to the NFL of how his sample had been contaminated:
A major part of Sherman’s appeal, which was heard Friday, involved his claim that the cup containing his urine specimen was leaking, prompting the collector to place a second cup underneath it to capture any leakage, the source said.
Sherman stated that the second cup’s seal already had been broken before being used to stop the leakage from his cup, according to the source. Since the second cup’s seal was broken, the chain of custody also was broken, therefore nullifying Sherman’s positive test for Adderall.
Sherman has been allowed to play while appealing his suspension. He will play Sunday night in a crucial contest against the San Francisco 49ers. A win would keep the Seahawks alive in hopes of an NFC West division title.
Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman will have his appeal heard on Friday. (Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)
The appeal for Seattle Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman’s four-game suspension for using performance-enhancing drugs will be held Friday, reports ESPN.com.
Sherman is appealing a positive test for a banned substance that violated the league’s policy on performance-enhancing drugs and resulted in the four-game suspension, which he appealed allowing him to continue to play.
Sherman has maintained that he did nothing wrong saying that he drank from a bottle a teammate had that contained a crushed Adderall pill. Sherman has 56 tackles, six interceptions and three forced fumbles this season.
“It’s gonna get solved and I think at the end of the day it’ll get worked out fine,” Sherman said last week to Yahoo! Sports.
The Seahawks (9-5) play the San Francisco 49ers (10-3-1) on Sunday night in a big NFC West showdown.
This means that the Seahawks will be without Browner for the remainder of the regular season. The team has on its remaining schedule the Cardinals on Sunday, and then the Buffalo Bills, San Francisco 49ers and the St. Louis Rams. Browner was not at practice on Wednesday and won’t be eligible to return to the team or its facilities this season unless Seattle makes the playoffs.
Browner had decided against appealing a positive drug test, reportedly for Adderall. Richard Sherman, the Seahawks’ other starting cornerback, will move forward with the appeal of his own positive drug test, which is also reportedly for the performance enhancing drug, Adderall. If Sherman loses the appeal, he will be suspended for the final two games of the regular season and then, if applicable, the first two games of the playoffs. Per NFL policy, any player who is suspended for violating the league’s PED policy is also ineligible for the Pro Bowl.
On the season, Browner recorded 44 tackles and three interceptions. The news of his suspension is nothing new for the team; Browner joins John Moffit, Allen Barbre, Winston Guy and possibly Sherman as other Seahawks who have been suspended for violating the PED policy in the past year.
With a 7-5 record, the Seahawks are second only to the Niners for the top spot in the NFC West.
Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman will reportedly have an appeal of his four-game suspension heard on Dec. 14. (Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Seattle Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman’s appeal of a four-game suspension will take place on Dec. 14, reports ESPN.com.
Sherman and fellow starting cornerback, Brandon Browner, both tested positive for Adderall and the NFL handed down the suspensions for violation of the league’s performance enhancing drug policy. Browner does not have a date set for his appeal.
Sherman and Browner will play Sunday’s game at home against the Arizona Cardinals.
USA Today reported that Sherman accidentally took the drug by drinking from a bottle into which a teammate poured a crushed Adderall pill.
The Seahawks are 7-5 after Sunday’s 23-17 overtime victory at Chicago and are in the sixth and final playoff spot in the NFC. Sherman has 48 tackles, four interceptions and one sack this season.
Both of the Seattle Seahawks starting cornerbacks are looking at four-game suspensions after violating the NFL’s performance-enhancing drug policy, ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter reported Sunday. Schefter reported that both Richard Sherman and Brandon Browner intend to appeal their suspensions.
Filed to ESPN: Seattle CBs Richard Sherman and Brandon Browner facing 4-game suspensions for violating performance enhancing drug policy.
The suspension of both cornerbacks would serve as a severe loss for a Seahawks team currently fighting for its playoff life in the NFC. After Sunday’s loss to the Miami Dolphins, the 6-5 Seahawks are locked in a three-way tie for the sixth and final playoff spot.
Sherman and Browner have combined for seven interceptions this season. They have helped lead a Seahawks pass defense that ranks third in the NFL in yards allowed per game.
There are signs that tight end Aaron Hernandez may return to the New England Patriots lineup this Sunday in Seattle, according to tweets from Andy Hart of Patriots.com and Jeff Howe of the Boston Herald.
Take it for what it's worth, @AaronHernandez just yelled to a teammate "what time we leave today?" #Patriots fly to Seattle this afternoon.— Andy Hart (@JumboHart) October 12, 2012
The injury has limited Hernandez to 6 catches for 59 yards and a touchdown this season after career highs of 79 catches for 910 yards and 7 touchdowns in 14 games last season.
The replacement refs are opening up about their experience in the NFL. (Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
NFL replacement refs Wayne Elliot and Jim Core opened up to Inside the NFL about life over the past few months, offering anecdotes about their conversations on the field with players to more serious talks about being trained not to call interceptions or pass interferences in hail mary situations.
Elliot, a real estate agent from Texas who has officiated high school, college and indoor football leagues, was the head referee for the now-controversial Seattle Seahawks-Green Bay Packers game. He made the announcement that the play stands after the Seahawks’ Golden Tate caught the game-winning touchdown on a 24-yard pass from Russell Wilson, giving the team a last second win over the Packers in Week 3.
He and Core explained that they were taught by the officials who trained the replacement refs that there’s a philosophy for every rule in the NFL. The philosophy regarding hail mary situations, they were told, is to not call an interception or pass interference. Instead, they were told to just let the play unfold because there’s too many hands in the situation.
Elliot said that his cell phone wouldn’t stop ringing for the 72 hours following his controversial ruling on the field, getting calls from hundreds of people reacting to the game-changing decision. Some of those callers, he said, told him to commit suicide. He said that “1 out of 100″ thanked him for letting the play stand as a touchdown. After the game, Elliot described the refs’ locker room as a “losing locker room.” He admitted that after looking at the play several times, he would’ve ruled it an interception by the Packers, which would’ve ended the game as a loss for the Seahawks.
Core, a geography teacher at a middle school in Iowa, said he had received an e-mail in the spring, with about a week left of school, asking him if he wanted to apply to become an NFL replacement ref. He went ahead with the application because he said he had “tried to get up the ladder for a number of years and for whatever reason it wasn’t happening.”
Core, who last officiated the San Diego Chargers-Atlanta Falcons game, said that one of the Chargers approached him as the final seconds ticked off the game clock. The player, who Core did not identify, reportedly told him that in rating his performance as a replacement ref on a scale of 1 to 10, he was a “negative 10.” The Falcons won the game 27-3.
Core also said that during a Bears game that he worked, Bears quarterback Jay Cutler reportedly called him an expletive to his face because he didn’t reset the game clock. Core said Cutler later came up to him during a time out and told him that he called him that name because it was the only way he could get his attention, and then he offered Core some of his water. Core also said that the hardest coach to deal with during his short-lived time in the NFL was Tampa Bay Buccaneers coach Greg Schiano. He said Schiano, who is in his first stint as an NFL head coach after more than two decades with college teams , is on “a different level” than other NFL coaches.
Footage of the interview with Elliot and Core can be seen here.
Roger Goodell apologized for fans stressed over replacement officials. (Alex Wong/Getty Images)
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell apologized to fans who felt anxious and stressed by the work of replacement officials during a conference call today.
“Obviously when you go through something like this it is painful for everybody,” he said on a conference call Thursday, about 12 hours after the league reached a deal to bring back the regular officials. “Most importantly, it is painful for our fans.
“We are sorry to have to put our fans through that, but it is something that in the short term you sometimes have to do to make sure you get the right kind of deal for the long term and make sure you continue to grow the game.”
Goodell said the timing of today’s tentative eight-year agreement to end the lockout of the officials’ union was not tied to public outcry surrounding a missed interference call and controversial catch that resulted in a last-play Seattle win over Green Bay. He said the two sides had been involved in “intensive negotiations” over the last two weeks. He did, however, admit that game “may have pushed the parties further along.”
Golden Tate admitted he got away with a penalty on the final play of the Seahawks-Packers game. (Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Golden Tate has admitted to pushing off Green Bay Packers defensive back Sam Shields in the final seconds of the Seahawks’ controversial Week 3 win and fully acknowledged getting away without penalty, but he said he never had the intention to cheat, according to ESPN.com:
“As far as pushing the defender, I was caught up in the moment, playing football. At that point, it was just like backyard football — find a way to get the ball. I didn’t intentionally try to shove him to the ground. [T]he evidence shows on the film. But I never had intentions on cheating. I wasn’t trying to cheat. I was competing, it was in the moment.”
His statement comes as a contradiction to comments he made in an earlier report that he told ESPN sideline reporter Lisa Salters that he didn’t know what she was talking about when she asked him if he had in fact pushed off Shields.
The 24-yard touchdown reception ended up giving the Seahawks a 14-12 win over the Packers on the final night of the replacement referees officiating an NFL game. The league and the referees association came to terms on a new contract to have them back on the field officiating starting with Thursday’s games.
A Green Bay eye doctor is offering free Lasik surgery to the NFL replacement refs. (Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)
A lot has been said about the NFL’s replacement refs this season. A few coaches in the league have been fined for their supposed verbal abuse towards them. Even President Barack Obama weighed in on their performance.
Now, a Green Bay eye doctor is offering free Lasik eye surgery to the replacement refs, only days after the Green Bay Packers lost in controversial fashion to the Seattle Seahawks.
According to WTVR in Appleton, WI, Dr. Christopher Smith, a local optometrist, has promised free Lasik eye surgery to any NFL replacement ref in order to prevent another confusing ending like the one that transpired on Sept. 24 when Seahawks receiver Golden Tate caught the game-winning touchdown with eight seconds remaining in the game. Smith said the one ref in particular who called the play a touchdown is nearsighted and needs to see beyond his own arm:
“The referees obviously they had some vision issues, so we decided that we could help them with that,” said Dr. Christopher Smith.
The NFL and the NFL Referees Association are reportedly close to ending the lockout and the regular refs could be back on the field as early as Sept. 30.
The NFL will not fine Green Bay Packers players who tweeted their frustration after losing on Monday night. (Otto Greule Jr./Getty Images)
The NFL will not fine players who commented on Twitter after the controversial ending of Monday night’s game between the Green Bay Packers and Seattle Seahawks, NFL.com reports.
“Got f—– by the refs,” Lang tweeted after the Packers 14-12 loss. “Embarrassing. Thanks NFL,” said Packers guard T.J. Lang.
That comment was retweeted over 40,000 times in less than an hour.
“F— it NFL,” Lang wrote later. “Fine me and use the money to pay the regular refs.”
“Come on NFL this s— is getting out of control,” he wrote. “(Cost) us a DAMN game. Horrible!,” said Packers tight end Jermichael Finley.
The NFL has yet to fine a player because of remarks made on social media outside of its time restrictions before and after games.
“It was awful. Just look at the replay,” Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers said in a news conference after the game. “And then the fact that it was reviewed. It was awful. That’s all I’m going to say about it.”
