Notable NFL News (cuts, signings, injuries, etc.)

[Demi]

ESPN - Saints' Jimmy Graham declared a tight end for franchise-tag purposes by arbitrator, NFL confirms

Still don't know why they can't just split the difference in cases like this.

[Funkytown]

ESPN - Dolphins DE Dion Jordan suspended 4 games without pay for violating NFL policy on performance enhancers

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ESPN - Colts WR LaVon Brazill suspended at least 1 year for violating NFL's substance abuse policy - Reports

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You'd think someday these guys would learn. Wow.

[Eli]

You'd think someday these guys would learn. Wow.

I don't think the NFL is approaching the issue correctly. PUBLISH every infraction, whether or not it results in a suspension. Tell us exactly what each player has done, how many infractions they have, where they sit. Was the infraction for smoking weed? Doing cocaine? Beating his wife?

More importantly, make every infraction known to other players in the NFL. It needs to be publicized more so that it becomes a warning to other players. The secrecy behind the current system serves nobody.

[Funkytown]

ESPN Seahawks reporter Terry Blount said Marshawn Lynch could be entering his final season in Seattle.

The writing appears to be on the wall. With Russell Wilson due a huge extension, Lynch's $9 million cap hit in 2015 could be too much for Seattle to swallow, especially with an elite talent like Christine Michael waiting in the wings. With 987 carries over the past three years, there is also the possibility Lynch's body begins to break down as soon as this season. Lynch will be the starter this year, but his future in Seattle is in doubt.

Source: ESPN.com
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Sound familiar?!

[Funkytown]

I don't think the NFL is approaching the issue correctly. PUBLISH every infraction, whether or not it results in a suspension. Tell us exactly what each player has done, how many infractions they have, where they sit. Was the infraction for smoking weed? Doing cocaine? Beating his wife?

More importantly, make every infraction known to other players in the NFL. It needs to be publicized more so that it becomes a warning to other players. The secrecy behind the current system serves nobody.

I think you're on to something there, Eli. I still think these guys need to have a little more common sense, though.

[Funkytown]

ESPN - Browns WR Josh Gordon arrested in North Carolina for driving while impaired, police confirm

[Funkytown]

ESPN - Browns WR Josh Gordon arrested in North Carolina for driving while impaired, police confirm

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport says doubt is creeping in whether Josh Gordon will ever play for the Browns again.

Thanks to otherworldly talent, the Browns used a 2012 second-round supplemental pick on Gordon even though he had been kicked off of Baylor's team and subsequently failed a drug test at Utah. They then stuck by him through a two-game suspension last year, and publicly supported him after a recent failed drug test and a "passenger" getting cited for weed. But Saturday morning's DWI in North Carolina may be the straw that breaks the camel's back. Gordon will almost certainly be suspended for the entire 2014 season, and is far from a lock to be reinstated in 2015. Former teammate D'Qwell Jackson tweeted the following Saturday: "If you're close to Josh Gordon please help this kid, it's not about football anymore it's about picking up the pieces of his life."

Source: Ian Rapoport on Twitter

[Demi]

Should have traded him last year when the market was pretty big. Instead, this.
Why teams like the Browns, Vikings, Lions etc can't play with any consistency year to year or beyond. Bad ownership, and bad front offices.

[Purple bruise]

Should have traded him last year when the market was pretty big. Instead, this.
Why teams like the Browns, Vikings, Lions etc can't play with any consistency year to year or beyond. Bad ownership, and bad front offices.

So now the Vikings owners are "bad" They got the stadium built that kept the team here and have gone out and spent money bringing in players and coaches like Zimmer and Turner. They also hired a very good GM who has excelled since being named soley to that job.

[Funkytown]

ESPN - Judge grants preliminary approval to NFL's $765 million settlement offer for concussion-related injuries

[King James]

So now the Vikings owners are "bad" They got the stadium built that kept the team here and have gone out and spent money bringing in players and coaches like Zimmer and Turner. They also hired a very good GM who has excelled since being named soley to that job.

I'm sure he's talking about the overall history of shortfalls that the Vikings have had due to bad ownership, front office, and etc. Not our current regime. Plus the season has not started for anyone to pass critique Zimmer and Turner yet. Draft wise, Spielman is doing a good job. He still has his flaws though. Some big ones too. The signing of Josh Freeman last season still had me puzzled.

[Demi]

I'm sure he's talking about the overall history of shortfalls that the Vikings have had due to bad ownership, front office, and etc. Not our current regime. Plus the season has not started for anyone to pass critique Zimmer and Turner yet. Draft wise, Spielman is doing a good job. He still has his flaws though. Some big ones too. The signing of Josh Freeman last season still had me puzzled.

When has this team been consistently good? The 70s? What's Spielmans record since he was hired? Since he was given control? Zygi's spent money, but he also make a questionable hire with Spielman, and then twice on head coaches. He's not as bad as the last couple ownership groups, but he's hardly got this team out of the ditch, he's just been digging those tire ruts deeper up until this point. Maybe going forward? Zimmer/Turner are definitely a step in the right direction. And Spielman has put together a couple good drafts, but only the last couple years. We haven't even seen what we have yet...

[Funkytown]

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported Andre Johnson has told the Texans "he wants to play for another team."

Rapoport added four teams have expressed interest in the veteran wide receiver, but Houston is resisting the move. It is unsurprising Johnson wants a trade. Entering his age-33 season, Johnson does not have time to wait through yet another rebuilding job. He is also unhappy the Texans refused a deal that would have paid him his $1 million workout bonus despite the fact that he missed several sessions. Even with the animosity, it is not a certainty Johnson leaves Houston. Rapoport believes the Texans could remedy the situation by paying Johnson his $1 million or promising him a roster spot in 2015. This has the look of a saga that could drag into camp.

Source: NFL.com

[Funkytown]

Retired C Matt Birk has been named the league's director of football development.

Birk retired in February 2013, shortly after accepting a position as an appeals officer for the NFL and NFLPA. Among Birk's duties will be "developing" the game. He's expected to have a role in the "evolution" of the Scouting Combine. Birk was a six-time All-Pro for the Vikings in the 2000s, and 16-game starter for the 2012 Super Bowl champion Ravens.

Source: Baltimore Sun

[Funkytown]

ESPN - Colts release WR LaVon Brazill (suspended by NFL for year for 2nd violation of substance-abuse policy)