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Marshall's pattern with women, violence beyond troubling

Brandon Marshall may have done nothing wrong. He may be a victim. He was, after all, stabbed and hospitalized.

But there's a pattern with Marshall and there also is a piece of information about this strange case –- one of many in the strange and sometimes allegedly violent life of this talented receiver -- that might help to explain what happened in this latest incident involving Marshall, allegations of violence and a woman.

Brandon Marshall came to the Dolphins in 2010 after wearing out his welcome in Denver. (AP) In 2007, three years before police say Marshall's wife, Michi Nogami-Marshall, stabbed Marshall in what she claims was self-defense, he was involved in another domestic violence case. Marshall was arrested for domestic violence against then-girlfriend Rasheeda Watley. Those charges were later dropped, but Brandon Marshall was ordered to complete anger management classes. One year later he was accused of battery by Watley. Marshall was acquitted.

Watley later filed a civil suit against Marshall. CBSSports.com has learned that a motion by Marshall to dismiss the suit was denied late last week, according to Watley. Marshall was ordered to give depositions in the case possibly as early as next week, Watley said.

So in only a matter of hours after a court decision harmful to Marshall and a few days before he was to possibly give a deposition, both according to Watley, the star Miami wide receiver is involved in a domestic dispute.

While this latest incident -- recounted in a Broward County (Fla.) Sheriff's Office report -- might not be Marshall's fault, his name continues to surface in matters of violence and women. They are reaching a point where we have to wonder if Marshall is a victim of bad luck or bitter girlfriends and wives.

"I guess I can tell you I'm not surprised about any of this," Watley told CBSSports.com in a telephone interview.

Is Watley biased? Sure she is. But Kathy Redmond, who fights for victim rights in domestic violence cases involving athletes, has worked with Watley for several years and says she's highly credible.

Marshall's background is troubling, to say the least. In 2009, he was arrested on disorderly conduct charges after police spotted Marshall and Nogami kicking and punching each other. The charges later were dropped.

Marshall has been suspended under the league's personal conduct policy and accused (but never prosecuted) of theft. In 2007, then-Broncos teammate Darrent Williams was killed in a drive-by shooting by gang members in downtown Denver. Police say before the shooting there was an altercation between the gang members and other patrons of the establishment. One of those patrons was Marshall.

A long list of problems. A long, long list.

When asked about his past recently by the Miami Herald, Marshall said: "I'm trying hard to get past it, but it's hard to do that when everyone keeps bringing it up, dredging up bad memories. Those things happened so long ago, they're history. Yes, I've bumped my head in the past. But I learned from it, and I have fixed it. I'm at peace now. I'm on track, and I don't think anyone can derail me."

That may not be accurate.

My guess is this incident, along with the others, will scare the hell out of the Dolphins. In fact, there is rampant speculation throughout league circles that Miami is already considering cutting ties with Marshall. It's possible the Dolphins, as the Broncos before them, may not want the headaches Marshall brings in addition to his plentiful talent.

Marshall hasn't been prosecuted for all of his arrests and an arrest doesn't mean guilt. But surely, at some point, when do these things stop being coincidences?

And when do they become a character trait?

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Newton, Locker and D-linemen highlight pre-draft predictions

With the draft near and our board set, it's time for a few predictions.

Not all are directly related to Thursday's first round or even the 2011 draft proceedings, but each prediction is tied to a player or group of players from the Class of 2011.

Five or more quarterbacks will be drafted in the first round.

We all know an offseason devoid of free agency and veteran trades could make NFL teams more desperate than ever for quarterbacks. What you may not know is this year's quarterback class is also a legitimately strong group blessed with depth and that fact, not team need, is the primary reason so many QBs will go high. One other element in play here will contribute to quarterbacks being pushed to the first round. NFL teams are being forced to operate according to the old CBA. That agreement means maximum contracts of six years for players drafted within the first 16 picks, maximum five-year deals for players drafted with the next 16 and max four-year deals on all players drafted at No. 33 and later. With so many teams giving quarterbacks a "redshirt" year, the length of rookie contracts for quarterbacks is vital. Teams might look to trade back into the late portion of the first round for a quarterback not just because they worry they'll lose the player to another team, but because they want the longer contract a first-round selection will provide them.

This draft will be remembered for its DL class.

For all of the talk about the 2011 quarterback class, this year's rookie class will be known for its extraordinary bounty of defensive linemen. Only once in the modern history of the NFL has a full third of the first round gone to defensive linemen -- in 2003, when 11 were among the first 32 picks. Counting the collegiate defensive ends who will make the jump to 3-4 outside linebackers in the NFL, the 2011 class will boast at least a dozen defensive linemen.

Can the "injury" reports: Mark Ingram, Adrian Clayborn and Phil Taylor are first-round talents.

No NFL team is going to invest their first-round pick and millions of dollars in a player they believe is going to spend more time in the training room than on the playing field, but implications from media reports would lead you to believe the players listed above are barely cut out for two-hand touch. Don't let those reports fool you -- these players combined to miss zero games in 2010. Each will be drafted in the first round. And even if they aren't, their long and successful pro careers will prove they should have been.

Da'Quan Bowers and Nick Fairley will drop like stones on draft day.

In January, Bowers and Fairley were considered elite talents in the draft. A full review of Bowers' game tape proves that while powerful, the Clemson defensive end lacks the explosiveness to be a consistently effective edge rusher. In some ways, he is the victim of his own collegiate success, as he'll never approach in one NFL season the 15.5 sacks he recorded at Clemson in 2010. Fairley, on the other hand, is a legitimate upper-echelon athlete, but teams will pass on him based on maturity and work ethic concerns. Quite frankly, Fairley was able to beat college offensive linemen with his quickness and power. He'll need technique to beat NFL blockers -- and many scouts don't believe he has the inner motivation to ever hone his craft.

Washington QB Jake Locker will be a top-16 pick.

Many scouts believe nine to 12 teams need a quarterback and will look to net at least one in the 2011 draft. Of those teams, most are drafting within the first 16 picks of the first round. In fact, among teams with picks in the second half of the first round, only the Seattle Seahawks -- who have the No. 25 overall pick -- are thought be to strongly considering a quarterback. In 12 years of scouting, I've never seen a quarterback with Locker's upside and intangibles slip out of the first round. With the NFL becoming more reliant than ever on the quarterback position, this isn't the year that trend stops.

Not having a CBA will reduce trade frequency.

The lack of a Collective Bargaining Agreement has already robbed the NFL of free agency and the possibility of veteran trades. We'll see the effect throughout the draft, as teams will be less willing to give up multiple picks in an effort to move up in the draft. As it stands, the draft and signing street free agents are the only ways teams can fill roster holes.

Carolina will draft Cam Newton at No. 1 and he will be exciting -- he just won't win.

The Carolina Panthers will indeed draft Auburn quarterback Cam Newton with the first pick. He'll quickly showcase the dazzling blend of size, strength, running and passing ability that helped him win the 2010 Heisman Trophy and lead the Tigers to the BCS championship. However, just as Michael Vick was exciting to watch, but maddeningly inconsistent, expect Newton to struggle with turning his highlight-reel plays into consistent wins for the Panthers.

Miller will win the Defensive Rookie of the Year award.

Texas A&M pass rusher Von Miller will prove to be the highest-impact rookie. Whether he's drafted by the Buffalo Bills at No. 3, the Arizona Cardinals at No. 5 or the San Francisco 49ers at No. 7, his ability to explode off the edge and chase down quarterbacks from behind will result in double-digit sacks as a rookie and ultimately the NFL's Defensive Rookie of the Year trophy.

Moffitt will go to a Pro Bowl before Pouncey.

It is easy to fall in love with Florida center Mike Pouncey's size and athleticism, especially considering the immediate success his twin brother, Maurkice, had with the Steelers last season. At the same time, guard John Moffitt -- while undeniably a lesser athlete -- is a very good player in his own right and because he won't be drafted in the first round, he'll be a much better value. Don't be surprised when this drive-blocking former Badger emerges as one of the better guards in the NFL and beats Pouncey and the rest of this solid, if unspectacular interior line class in the race to the Pro Bowl.

Jones won't make it through a full NFL season.

Eastern Washington RB Taiwan Jones is the most explosive open-field runner in the 2011 draft. The 6-foot, 194-pound former cornerback also lacks the bulk to handle the physicality of the NFL. Dating back to high school, Jones has missed time due to injury in each of the past five seasons. When healthy, he'll prove to be one of the best big-play artists of the draft. Unless he's limited to only a few snaps per game, don't expect him to suddenly become more durable while making the gigantic jump from the FCS to the NFL.

Rob Rang is a Senior Analyst for NFLDraftScout.com, distributed by The Sports Xchange.

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NFL says no deadline for cancelling games without CBA

NEW YORK -- The NFL hasn't set a deadline for when games would be canceled without a collective bargaining agreement.

"We don't have a date by which the season is lost, or a date by which we have to move from 16 games to some other (number)," Eric Grubman, the league's executive vice president for business operations, said Friday at a meeting with Associated Press Sports Editors. "Our intentions are to play a full season, and we will pull every lever that we can within the flexibility we have or can identify to make that happen."

Even during the lockout, Grubman said, the NFL and teams are working so they will be ready to start the season quickly once a deal is reached.

"We have to be able to figure out: When you turn the key, is the gas going to flow?" he said. "Is everything going to work?"

The 2011 schedule released Tuesday has games beginning Sept. 8, but includes some room to maneuver. The NFL could still squeeze in 16 games with a delayed start by eliminating bye weeks and the week between the conference championships and the Super Bowl. The league also has a deal with host Indianapolis to potentially hold the Super Bowl a week later, stemming from the earlier possibility of playing an 18-game regular season.

But a delayed opening would remove a meaningful date from the schedule. For now, the first Sunday of the season falls on the 10-year anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks, and part of the NFL's business-as-usual planning includes deciding how to commemorate that moment.

"Its national significance is profound," Grubman said. "And the significance of competitive sports in America is also very profound."

Predicting a deadline for when the schedule would have to be revised is difficult because it's impossible to know how negotiations will play out. If at some point it becomes clear a deal is near, the NFL can begin setting plans for the upcoming season. If an agreement is reached unexpectedly and rapidly, there might be more lag time before the games start.

The league and teams have mostly turned to pay cuts to reduce expenses during the lockout. It costs about $40 million a week to run the business of the NFL, Grubman said.

Commissioner Roger Goodell, whose salary was slashed to $1 during the lockout, recently received a pay stub for 4 cents.

"There's no possible way we could have a state of readiness and achieve the season quickly if we cut staff and the clubs cut staff," Grubman said.

Executive vice president for football operations Ray Anderson said it was feasible to play fewer than the normal four preseason games, but general managers and coaches would prefer at least two.

The two sides took a break from mediation earlier this week after four sessions and aren't scheduled to reconvene until May 16. Before then, U.S. District Judge Susan Richard Nelson is expected to decide on the players' request to immediately lift the lockout.

Goodell said he didn't believe the labor impasse would be resolved through the courts.

"I recognize people try to get leverage in negotiations, but at the end of the day it's going to come down to the negotiations," said Goodell, who unexpectedly attended the final 10 minutes of the 90-minute meeting. "The sooner we get to that negotiation, the better. I think the litigation has delayed those negotiations."

The NFL has also filed an unfair labor practice charge against the union with the National Labor Relations Board. The board could announce in the next four to six weeks whether it will hear the complaint. NFL officials contend that alone would be significant: If the board started the process, Grubman said, that would indicate it believed the decertified NFL Players Association was still acting as a union, as the NFL has alleged.

In other news:

• NFL officials said Goodell's chat with Chad Ochocinco, which the Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver tweeted about Thursday, was OK under guidelines restricting communication between the league and players because the conversation was purely social. Goodell said he had chatted with other players during the lockout and would continue to do so. But officials acknowledged the guidelines of what's acceptable behavior by teams included some gray area. "The easy thing to do is say, 'You can't call,"' Grubman said.

• Adolpho Birch, the NFL's senior vice president of labor policy and player development, emphasized that players would still be held accountable under the league's personal conduct policy for infractions committed during the lockout.

• Grubman said season ticket sales were strong until CBA negotiations broke off in March and have slowed since, but teams have been particularly hurt by an inability to sign sponsorship deals during the lockout.

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Panthers draft needs: Must have home run at No. 1 with QB

The Carolina Panthers have the first pick in the NFL Draft, which is both a good and bad thing.

Good: You should get a franchise-type player.

Bad: It means your team was the worst in the NFL in 2010.

Good: You have the choice of any player in the draft, which has to be a nice feeling.

Bad: There's a ton of pressure making that pick, not to mention maybe a ton of money that could be a wasted investment.

The Panthers are a team in transition. They have a new coach with Ron Rivera taking over for John Fox, so do they get the new quarterback to go with him?

The Panthers used a second-round pick to draft Jimmy Clausen last year. They like Clausen, even though he struggled as a rookie who made nine starts.

But do they like him enough to pass on another?

I don't think so.

The Panthers will almost certainly take Cam Newton at the top of the draft. Newton, the Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback from Auburn, is a player the Panthers really like.

Newton could also help liven up a city that has seemingly gone from Panthers-crazy to having half-empty stadiums.

Rivera is a defensive-minded coach, coming from San Diego where he was the coordinator, but he isn't making this call. General manager Marty Hurney will make the decision, which is why I think they go quarterback with the first pick, and that pick will be Newton.

Cam Newton, QB, Auburn: It's almost a certainty that the Panthers will take him with the first overall pick. He better be what they think he can be.
Marcell Dareus, DT, Alabama: If they don't take Newton, they could take Dareus to improve the interior of the defensive line.
Jurell Casey, DT, Mississippi: If they go quarterback in Round 1, they have to get a defensive tackle somewhere.
Lance Kendricks, TE, Wisconsin: They have to get an upgrade at tight end, and this kid might be as a mid-round pick.
Johnny Patrick, CB, Louisville: This would be a need pick as a mid-round choice. They have issues on the corner.

Defensive tackle is also a major position of need, which is why Alabama's Marcell Dareus would make some sense, but they need only borrow from the St. Louis Rams' philosophy from 2010 to help them make their decision. The Rams took quarterback Sam Bradford and passed on defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh. Bradford started 16 games as a rookie and Suh went to the Pro Bowl as a rookie.

Both are good players.

But like I said last year before the draft: When was the last time you came away from a Super Bowl and said that team won because of the great defensive tackle play?

It's a quarterback league. If the Panthers think Newton can be a franchise passer, they need to take him.

I think they do.

QB: Clausen looked unsteady at times, but he was a rookie. And he didn't have much help. That doesn't mean it can't change. He was a good decision maker at Notre Dame, but didn't do a good job of that last season. Even so, he has potential. After Clausen, there are a group of journeymen. Matt Moore opened last season as the starter but he suffered a torn labrum. The team did tender him as a restricted free agent. Keith Null and Brian St. Pierre can be capable backups, and Tony Pike didn't show much as a rookie.

RB: The question here is whether the Panthers will bring back DeAngelo Williams. He is coming off a foot injury and he is expected to be a free agent. Plus, the Panthers have Jonathan Stewart and Mike Goodson behind him. If the price gets too high, I imagine the Panthers would allow Williams to walk. Stewart is more than capable of being a 20-carry runner each game and Goodson flashed late when he played last season. They also have Tyrell Sutton, who has ability.

WR: Whoever starts at quarterback will be getting a decent group of receivers. It starts with Steve Smith. The veteran had a down season in 2010 with 46 catches. At 31, you have to wonder if he's starting to slow down. The Panthers like second-year players Brandon LaFell and David Gettis, two players who showed promise as rookies. Gettis, a sixth-round pick, was the surprise of the season with his 13 starts and 37 catches. LaFell caught 38 passes. Armanti Edwards is a former college quarterback who was taken in the third round last year. He was the one rookie receiver who struggled. But the Panthers like his potential.

TE: Tight end wasn't a big part of the offense under Fox, but Rivera wants to change that. The three tight ends on the roster are Dante Rosario, Jeff King and Gary Barnidge. Rosario is a pass-catching tight end who might be better off in an up-tempo offense. King might be the best blocker of the three, while Barnidge can do a little of both, but is more of a receiver. They need help here.

OL: The big problem last season was not having right tackle Jeff Otah on the field. He missed the season with a knee injury from 2009. The Panthers put Geoff Schwartz in as the tackle and he played well. But he was moved to guard late in the season and Garry Williams stepped in at right tackle. The Panthers have options there if Otah can't play. Jordan Gross went to another Pro Bowl on the left side and Ryan Kalil is one of the better centers in the NFC. Schwartz played well at guard and might stay there. Travelle Wharton played nine games at left guard, but he ended the season on IR with a toe injury. Mackenzy Bernadeau filled in.

DL: When the Panthers let Julius Peppers leave via free agency, it meant they needed someone to step up as a pass rusher. That someone was Charles Johnson. He had 11? sacks, but he might be a free agent this year. They have to bring him back if he is. Look for Greg Hardy, a sixth-round pick last year, to be the starter opposite Johnson. Hardy flashed as a rookie and was a big-time pass rusher in college. The tackle position isn't good. Derek Landri, a try-hard player, was their best defensive tackle last season. He's a nice rotation player, but he shouldn't be the top guy. Nick Hayden is a young player with some ability. Ed Johnson was a decent pickup before the season and showed well when he played, but he fought through a knee injury that limited him some and forced him to miss games. Landri, Hayden and Johnson were all tendered as possible restricted free agents. They also have Corvey Irvin and Andre Neblett.

LB: Injuries hurt this group. Jon Beason had to move from the middle to the weak side when Thomas Davis went down with a torn ACL last summer. Beason is better in the middle, although he played well in 2010 outside. Dan Connor took over in the middle and did a nice job, but he suffered a broken hip midway through the season. If those three players could be on the field together, the Panthers would be fine. James Anderson did play well as a strong-side 'backer, but he is expected to be a free agent. Eric Norwood didn't do much as a rookie, but the Panthers like him. Nic Harris is also in reserve.

DB: Chris Gamble got a big contract from the team in 2008, but he was benched last season. Gamble was considered a rising player at the cornerback position, but he didn't play well. Do they keep him or let him walk? I say they keep him. Richard Marshall, the other corner, is a free agent and he is giving indications that he won't return. Captain Munnerlyn is a solid replacement, but he looks like more of a nickel corner. They also have young corners in Robert McClain, who saw time in the nickel, and R.J. Sanford. The safeties are better. Charles Godfrey is a converted college corner who led the team in picks. Sherrod Martin is the other starter. They do like Jordan Pugh.

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Packers DL Jolly sentenced to probation, drug treatment

HOUSTON -- Green Bay Packers defensive lineman Johnny Jolly pleaded guilty to a drug possession charge Thursday and was sentenced to probation after striking a deal with prosecutors that wipes out a similar charge and spares him any time in prison unless he stumbles again.

Jolly had faced up to 20 years in prison if he had been convicted of possessing at least 200 grams of codeine, a controlled substance, after being arrested outside a Houston club three years ago. He pleaded guilty to the 2008 charge while a drug charge from March, in which he was also accused of possessing codeine, was dropped.

Jolly entered his plea during a brief hearing, in which state District Judge Denise Bradley sentenced him to five years of deferred adjudication, a form of probation that will allow the conviction to be removed from his record if he stays out of trouble.

Bradley also ordered Jolly to undergo drug treatment at an inpatient facility for 90 days, barred him from going to bars or nightclubs and ordered him not to drink or use drugs while he is on probation.

The judge warned Jolly that if he violated any terms of his probation, "I will send you to prison."

Jolly, who has been jailed since his most recent drug arrest in March, said little during the court hearing. After the hearing, defense attorney Carl Moore said he was pleased with the sentence and plea deal.

"I think he's going to get the help he needs," said Moore, who added that Jolly would begin his drug treatment on Monday.

Jolly planned to undergo treatment at a facility in Houston run by former NBA player and coach John Lucas, who was at the court hearing with Jolly's mother.

"To save his life and get him back on track," Lucas said when asked how he planned to help Jolly. "I'm looking forward to helping him."

Lucas, who battled his own drug and alcohol abuse problems, has operated the Houston-based Wellness and Aftercare Program, a substance abuse recovery program for athletes, since 1986.

Prosecutor Todd Keagle did not immediately return a call seeking comment.

Jolly attended high school in Houston and played for Texas A&M. He was selected by the Packers in the sixth round of the 2006 draft. The 6-foot-3, 325-pound Jolly, who lives in a Houston suburb, started all 16 games for Green Bay in 2008 and '09.

Jolly's 2008 drug charge came after police said they found cups containing a codeine mixture in Jolly's car after he was arrested in the parking lot of a Houston club. He was suspended by the NFL without pay last season for violating the league's substance abuse policy, and his teammates won the Super Bowl without him.

In March, Jolly was arrested and charged again after a traffic stop. Police said they found a bottle containing 600 grams of codeine under a passenger seat and another bottle containing an unidentified substance.

Moore said Jolly is still hoping he can be reinstated by the NFL and resume his playing career.

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Broncos draft needs: Elway Era to begin with defense?

The two-year run of dictator Josh McDaniels is over for the Denver Broncos, replaced by the new feel-good ways of John Elway.

Elway, the former great Broncos quarterback, takes over as the team's decision maker. So far, he has taken a complete plunge, far from being a token figurehead to appease fans.

Elway has been involved in every aspect of the operation, from hiring coach John Fox to sitting in on draft meetings and traveling to pro-day workouts.

Elway also has opened things up a lot from where they were under McDaniels. Where McDaniels operated in the Bill Belichick style of secretive ways, Elway actually sends out information instantaneously on Twitter.

The new openness won't be what turns the Broncos around, but it is a nice change, and change is what's needed after a 4-12 record last season that capped off two bad years of decision making for McDaniels.

Elway knows a thing or two about quarterback play, so he has to decide if either Kyle Orton or Tim Tebow is the long-term answer for the franchise. If not, the Broncos could take a quarterback with the second overall pick, even though McDaniels traded up to pick Tebow in the first round last year.

The more likely scenario for the Broncos would be to take a defensive player to try to improve on a unit that finished last in both yards and points allowed in 2010.

The Broncos are switching from a 3-4 to a 4-3 front, which means they need help at defensive tackle. That could mean using the second overall pick on Alabama's Marcell Dareus. They could also go for a corner or a pass rusher.

Marcell Dareus, DT, Alabama: He might be one of the cleanest players on the board, a 10-year starter and a potential Pro Bowl player early in his career.
Patrick Peterson, CB, LSU: Champ Bailey turns 33 this summer, and Peterson has a chance to be the same type of shutdown corner as Bailey.
Blaine Gabbert, QB, Missouri: If they go for a potential franchise passer, it will likely be Gabbert.
Ras-I Dowling, CB, Virginia: If they pass on a corner in the first round, they might take a chance on Dowling in the second.
Allen Bailey, DE-DT, Miami: He was considered a potential first-round pick before the season, so he is worth a look in the second.

Elway will make the decision. It will be his first draft pick and if his early work is any indication, it should be a good one.

Let's face it. If he's half as good as a personnel man as he was a as quarterback, the Broncos will be a winner in a year or two.

QB: Orton surprised a lot of people with the way he played last season. He put up impressive numbers and seemed to really progress as a passer. Elway has already said he will be the top guy, but Tebow will try to take the job from him this summer. Orton is far ahead as a passer. That has to be a big edge in this battle. Tebow showed some skills when he started late in the season, but he is raw. He had a tendency to take off and run way too fast. That has to change. He's still a work in progress.

RB: Knowshon Moreno was a better runner last season than he was as a rookie in 2009, but he just hasn't looked like a franchise back. He played in 13 games, rushing for 779 yards. His per-carry average went up from 3.8 to 4.3. This is a big season for him. He has the ability. For some reason, he hasn't come close to looking like the runner he was at Georgia. Lance Ball is expected to be a backup, with veterans Correll Buckhalter and Laurence Maroney likely gone. Spencer Larson should be the fullback.

WR: The Broncos used a first-round pick on Demaryius Thomas last year. He was limited to nine games because of injuries but when he was on the field he showed big-play ability. He suffered a torn Achilles' tendon in February that might limit him the first part of the season. Eddie Royal had hip surgery in February and his status is in question for the open of the season. They do have Brandon Lloyd, one of the surprise players from the 2009 season. He went to the Pro Bowl, catching 77 passes for 1,448 yards and 11 touchdowns. Can he do it again? Jabar Gaffney is a nice complementary player to have on the roster. The team likes the potential of Eric Decker.

TE: This is a position of need. The Broncos released veteran Daniel Graham, which means Richard Quinn, Daniel Coats and Dan Gronkowski are the tight ends left on the roster. Who? Quinn is more blocker than receiver, but there is hope that Gronkowski can emerge as a receiving tight end.

OL: Left tackle Ryan Clady, who went to the Pro Bowl in 2009, didn't play as well as he battled back from a serious knee injury last season. He should be back to Pro Bowl form now that he's a year removed from the injury. Right tackle Ryan Harris is a free agent who is likely gone. They need to fill that spot, and the Broncos could take a tackle early in the draft. The Broncos started rookies Zane Beadles (14 starts at guard and tackle) and J.D. Walton (16 starts at center) last season. Both flashed ability, but both were hurt by their inexperience. They should be better in 2010. The talent is there. Chris Kuper remains a solid player at right guard. The backups are Chris Clark, who will be given a chance to win the right tackle spot, and Stanley Daniels.

DL: With the team moving to the 4-3, it means Elvis Dumervil moves to end from outside linebacker. He is an explosive player when he's on the field, but he tore a chest muscle last year and he missed the season. He did lead the NFL in sacks in 2009, so he has the speed to be a pass-rush force. Robert Ayers, a first-round pick in 2009, might be given first crack at the other end spot. He needs to show more than he has shown so far if he's to win the job. Jason Hunter will likely be a backup at end. The tackle spots are wide open. The team released Jamal Williams and Justin Bannan after the season, leaving a void in the middle. Marcus Thomas might be a free agent. Kevin Vickerson and Ryan McBean are possibilities to start. It isn't good inside.

LB: D.J. Williams is their best linebacker, but he has some off-field troubles and he makes $6 million this season. He did lead the team in tackles, but there are concerns. He will likely move to weak-side linebacker. Joe Mays and Mario Haggan, two solid players, will both be back. Neither is great, but they play hard. Haggan might get first crack at the middle linebacker spot. Wesley Woodyard is a smallish outside linebacker who can run.

DB: At 32, Champ Bailey is coming off one of his best seasons. He is still capable of playing great man coverage, which few corners can do. That's why the Broncos gave him a three-year contract extension. The other side isn't as stable. Andre Goodman didn't play as well last season as he did in 2009. He was hurt most of the season. Perrish Cox, who did start nine games as a rookie is facing a possible suspension from an off-field incident. They do like young player Syd'Quan Thompson, who saw action in the nickel, and Cassius Vaughn. Nate Jones can play safety or corner. Veteran Brian Dawkins is a great player to have in the locker room, but he can't cover anymore. That showed up a bunch last season. Renaldo Hill is just OK next to him. Both those veterans could be gone. Darcel McBath is a player they think can become a quality starter, but he hasn't stayed healthy.

Friday, April 22, 2011

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Packers DL Jolly sentenced to probation, drug treatment

The judge warned Jolly that if he violated any terms of his probation, "I will send you to prison."

"I think he's going to get the help he needs," said Moore, who added that Jolly would begin his drug treatment on Monday.

Jolly planned to undergo treatment at a facility in Houston run by former NBA player and coach John Lucas, who was at the court hearing with Jolly's mother.

"To save his life and get him back on track," Lucas said when asked how he planned to help Jolly. "I'm looking forward to helping him."

Lucas, who battled his own drug and alcohol abuse problems, has operated the Houston-based Wellness and Aftercare Program, a substance abuse recovery program for athletes, since 1986.

Prosecutor Todd Keagle did not immediately return a call seeking comment.

Moore said Jolly is still hoping he can be reinstated by the NFL and resume his playing career.

Thursday, April 21, 2011

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Sides wrap up latest talks, likely no meetings until May 16

MINNEAPOLIS -- After four long and intense mediation sessions between the NFL and its locked-out players, the judge decided to give both parties an extended break.

By the time they reconvene in mid-May, the landscape of their discussions could be completely different.

Executive vice president Jeff Pash, the NFL's lead negotiator, said Wednesday that U.S. Judge Magistrate Arthur Boylan told both sides they likely won't convene again until May 16 because he has a few other matters on his judicial calendar.

In the interim, U.S. District Judge Susan Richard Nelson is expected to decide well before then on the players' request to immediately lift the now 40-day-old lockout.

Also coming: U.S. District Judge David Doty has scheduled a hearing for May 12 on the players' request for damages after he ruled in March that the NFL did not maximize revenues for both sides when it renegotiated $4 billion in TV contracts with the labor dispute looming.

Finally, there could be a fourth set of lawyers and players at the mediation table, with a Philadelphia law firm talking with another group of players about joining the fight.

"We've had discussions about representing some additional players who want to have a voice in the matter," said Bryan Clobes of Cafferty Faucher.

Those discussions are ongoing, but all of those elements combined could swing the leverage to one side or the other in a case where there has been little of it, perhaps increasing the chances the court-ordered mediation will produce some much-needed progress with the first preseason game just 3? months away.

"There's a lot of uncertainties right now," Pash said. "I think when we're back together we'll know more. People's legal positions will be clearer."

Both sides said the sessions with Boylan were positive and productive.

"I think everybody believes it was helpful and that's really where we are," said Jim Quinn, an attorney for the players.

Hall of Fame player Carl Eller agreed.

"I do feel very positive about the 2011 season," Eller said. "I think everybody has come here with the idea to have a 2011 season and it's just not been easy to get to that point. So I think everybody's been working hard toward that goal. Seeing them work to that end makes me much more optimistic. I would certainly say we're going to have a 2011 season."

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said the league is planning to start the season on time despite the lengthy process of navigating the legal system.

"We're planning to play a full season and we're going to negotiate as hard as we can to get that done," Goodell told Giants season-ticket holders in a conference call during a break in mediation session at the federal courthouse in Minneapolis.

Later, he reiterated that commitment during a forum with 49ers fans, saying there are "a number of pressing issues that need to be addressed responsibly."

"It has a negative impact on everybody, especially our fans," Goodell said of the lockout. "We need to get these things addressed immediately. We feel there's plenty of time to get that done. On behalf of the 32 clubs, we're going to do everything we can to make sure we play our full season this year."

Goodell, Packers CEO Mark Murphy, Falcons President Rich McKay and owners Pat Bowlen of Denver, Jerry Jones from Dallas and Jerry Richardson from Carolina attended Wednesday's session. Players Ben Leber and Mike Vrabel were joined by Eller and attorneys for the players.

Goodell said all parties involved remain committed to ending the NFL's first work stoppage since 1987 before games are lost. The preseason starts on Aug. 7 and the first regular season game is scheduled for Sept. 8, less than five months from now.

"I think fans want solutions. I want solutions," he said. "I think the players want solutions and I think the teams want solutions. That's why we have to be working at it in negotiations and figuring out how to get to that point."

Players including MVP quarterbacks Tom Brady and Peyton Manning filed the injunction request along with a class-action antitrust lawsuit against the NFL. The lawsuit has been combined with two other similar claims from retirees, former players and rookies-to-be, with Eller the lead plaintiff in that group.

Nelson ordered the two sides into mediation while she considered the request and they met with Boylan following 16 days of failed talks in front of a federal mediator in Washington.

"I think you can't sort of measure this like a stock table in what's going up or down on any given day but it's always a positive to be able to talk to people," Pash said.

Pash said he felt the talks were particularly productive between the league and retired players, and that the owners remain committed to improving benefits and taking care of their former players.

The league and players disagree sharply on how to divide more than $9 billion in annual revenue.

The owners initially wanted to double the money they get off the top for expenses from about $1 billion to about $2 billion, but that number dropped during the first round of mediation. The players have insisted on full financial disclosure from all 32 teams, and so far the league has not opened the books to their liking.

Other major issues include benefits for retired players and the NFL's desire to stretch the regular season from 16 to 18 games. The NFL also wants to cut almost 60 percent of guaranteed pay for first-round draft picks, lock them in for five years and divert the savings to veterans' salaries and benefits.

More than $525 million went to first-rounders in guaranteed payments in 2010. The league wants to decrease that figure by $300 million, according to documents obtained by The Associated Press.

In other news, the Sports Business Journal reported Wednesday that a group of about 70 "mid-tier" players was considering hiring a law firm and upset that the talks broke off last month. But Clobes said the number is "nowhere near 70" and that it does not indicate any dissatisfaction with the way things are progressing.

"The players have extremely capable counsel," Clobes said. "If we were to get involved, it would be so we could add and lend our expertise, not because we thought the current lawyers were not doing a credible job. They're doing an incredible job."

Cafferty Faucher also is representing clients in former UCLA basketball star Ed O'Bannon's class-action lawsuit against the NCAA for selling the use of his and other athletes' likeness in video games and other media.

DeMaurice Smith, the head of the players' trade association, said he was unaware of the development. Vrabel said he had not heard of the report, either, but the additional players "do have a seat [at the table], with Ben and me."

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Bills draft needs: If not quarterback, then defense

It has been 11 years since the Buffalo Bills reached the playoffs. Barring an upset, that string will be extended to an even dozen this season. The Bills just have too many holes and not enough talent to compete with New England and the Jets in their division.

That doesn't mean Buffalo can't move forward. When you're 4-12, the world is full of possibilities. But first things first, and what Buffalo must do immediately is settle on a quarterback game and solidify its run defense.

Nobody was worse defending the run than Buffalo, and that's a problem that must be resolved. But the Bills weren't all that great defending the pass, either, with interceptions down and touchdowns up. So consider defense an area of concern.

Nevertheless, it's the quarterback who gains most of the attention. For too many years, Buffalo has been looking for the next Jim Kelly, but the Bills don't need a quarterback of Kelly's magnitude. They just need someone to solidify the position, and maybe Ryan Fitzpatrick is that guy; maybe he's not.

The draft will tell.

QB: There's a lot to like about Fitzpatrick, but the question is: Can Buffalo win with him as its starting quarterback? Put another way: Is he the long-term solution? Fitzpatrick put up decent numbers -- a career-best 3,000 yards, 23 touchdowns in 13 games --- but the Bills often played from behind, so he was forced to throw a lot. No question, he played well. But he has never proven he can win, and there's a perception that no matter how hard he works or improves he cannot be a franchise quarterback. Most people think he's a career backup keeping the position warm for the next prospect -- but for whom? Brian Brohm? Levi Brown? At some point, Buffalo must settle on someone at this position, which is why some mock drafts have the Bills choosing a quarterback.

Cam Newton, QB, Auburn: He's probably gone by the fourth pick, but if he isn't consider Mike Brown intrigued. The Bengals like what they saw of him and thought more after seeing him a second time.
Blaine Gabbert, QB, Missouri: One problem here: If you're going to pick someone with the fourth pick he better be ready to start immediately. Gabbert is not. That makes him a long shot at this position.
Von Miller, LB, Texas A&M: His stock has been creeping north for the past month, and he makes perfect sense for a club that couldn't stop the run and wasn't very good vs. the pass. He's a top-five talent who could solidify Buffalo's defense.
Marcell Dareus, DT, Alabama: The Bills were the worst defense vs. the run. Dareus is a disruptive defensive tackle who plugs the middle and is best suited for the 3-4. What are we missing here? He's perfect for Buffalo but may be gone by the third choice.
Patrick Peterson, CB, LSU: He's the best player in this draft, period, and the Bills need a playmaker at the position. No cornerback ever has been drafted higher than third, and that's where Buffalo sits. But they have higher priorities than CB.

RB: If you play in Buffalo you better be able to run the ball, and the Bills can ... just not all that effectively. They fell from ninth to 18th in rushing last season, and that's not good -- especially when they exercised their first pick of the 2010 draft on a running back. C.J. Spiller was supposed to signal the end for Marshawn Lynch, but it took Buffalo nearly half the season before pulling the plug on the former Cal star. In the meantime, Spiller languished on the bench, which is not what is supposed to happen with the ninth pick of the draft. Of course, it would've helped if Spiller were more adept at picking up pass protections. He played sparingly, with most of his time reserved for special teams, and that will change. Spiller is a dynamic breakaway threat who is a perfect change of pace from the underrated Fred Jackson, who took over for Lynch after he left. All he did was rush for 927 yards, average 4.2 yards a carry and haul down 31 passes.

WR: Once upon a time the Bills looked for a receiver to take the heat off veteran Lee Evans. Now they look for someone to take the heat off former seventh-round draft pick Stevie Johnson, who led the team in catches, yards and TDs. Johnson was one of the team's biggest surprises, and, at 24, he should only improve -- provided he stops blaming drops on someone else, if you know what I mean. Evans is still a threat, but he's 30 and his numbers have declined the past two years. That's the bad news. The good is that there is help everywhere, and let's start with free agent David Nelson, who had 31 catches for 353 yards and three TDs. He, Naaman Roosevelt and Donald Jones are security nets in a group that includes Evans and Roscoe Parrish -- whom the Bills finally used as a receiving weapon. Put them together, and you have the team's deepest position.

TE: If you're looking for pass catchers here, you're at the wrong address. The Bills' leading receiver at this position had 12 catches, and, Jonathan Stuper, please step forward. Stuper is a free agent the Bills didn't tender, so let's start looking elsewhere. Shawn Nelson has the potential to be a productive and dangerous pass receiver, but he has been a disappointment -- with migraine issues last season that caused him to miss the final five games. Veteran David Martin had the only touchdown catch for tight ends, and Scott Chandler played in only four games. I think you get the idea: The Bills could use help at the position.

OL: Sooner or later the Bills must find a right tackle, and it might be sooner if they move Demetrius Bell from the left side. Bell is a talented player but he was handicapped by having to fight through injuries. Buffalo believes Bell is a talent out of the Jason Peters mold, but he has yet to demonstrate it at left tackle. A move to the right side might work, especially with Mansfield Wrotto and Cornell Green unsuccessful there. Eric Wood is another lineman who played through injuries, and there's a chance he begins this season where he ended in 2010 -- center. Veteran Geoff Hangartner is the starter there, and he's solid. But Wood looked good, too, when he switched positions. Andy Levitre is strong at left guard, and Chad Rinehart or Keith Urbik can fill in at right guard if Wood moves. But that doesn't change the biggest concern: The Bills must find a tackle. If it's not the right side, then it's the left. All I know is the club has been looking for a right tackle for years, without success. But that's why they made the draft, Buffalo.

DL: Don't blame nose tackle Kyle Williams for the run-stopping woes. Though he's smallish for the position, the guy is one of the most effective tacklers in the game -- producing a career-high 77, including 5? sacks, and making it to the Pro Bowl. The problem is that there's not much help for Williams. Yes, that has something to do with the Bills' switch to a 3-4. They didn't have the right guys for the defense, and it showed far too often. With Marcus Stroud gone, there's a need at defensive end where Stroud, Spencer Johnson and Dwan Edwards had exactly one sack. Of course, that might be more a reflection of opponents' success running the ball. I mean, why throw when Buffalo can't stop opposing backs? Look for Alex Carrington and tackle Torell Troup to play more, but the Bills must find someone here or at linebacker to rush the pocket. They had only 27 sacks last season, fifth fewest in the NFL.

LB: Paul Posluszny is the star here. But he's also a potential free agent, which means re-signing him should be a high priority. Posluszny had a career-high 151 tackles to lead the team, and he's the perfect guy to build this defense around. Akin Ayodele worked out well, Arthur Moats showed up as a pass rusher and Chris Kelsay made the move from defensive end to outside linebacker without much problem. But it's the disappointments that are almost as noteworthy. Take Aaron Maybin. The team's first-round draft pick in 2009 has done nothing since pulling on a Bills jersey and is in danger of getting cut. The switch to the 3-4 was supposed to suit Maybin, but he has yet to produce a sack. Shawne Merriman is another first-round choice (San Diego) who could help if he found his game. Merriman once was one of the league's top pass rushers, a disruptive force who lived up to his nickname, "Lights Out." But that was years ago. He has been plagued by injuries and lackluster play since, and the surprise here is that he re-signed with Buffalo.

DB: It wasn't long ago that this was the strongest and deepest area on the club. But that changed almost overnight, as Buffalo dropped from 28 interceptions in 2009 to 11 last season -- with safety Jairus Byrd, who led the team with nine in 2009, falling off to one. Some of that you can blame on the pass rush. The Bills didn't have one. But some of it is on these guys. They weren't very good, either, surrendering 28 touchdown passes. Safety Donte Whitner may not return after producing a career-best 140 tackles. A team leader, Whitner is a free agent, and the re-signing of George Wilson could signal his exit. There are all sorts of cornerbacks -- Drayton Florence, Terrence McGee, Leodis McKelvin, Reggie Corner and Ashton Youboty -- but there's not a shutdown player there, Florence is a free agent, McGee is injury prone and McKelvin hasn't exactly shone.

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Taylor settles in child support case involving N.J. woman

HACKENSACK, N.J. -- Former NFL great Lawrence Taylor has settled a child support case involving a New Jersey woman.

An attorney for the 12-year-old girl's mother says Taylor agreed Wednesday at a court hearing in Hackensack to pay $650 per week.

The mother, Ebony Washington of Secaucus, had been receiving about $450 per week and had sought more money. Taylor had sought to have the amount decreased.

Attorney Debra Weisberg says Taylor also must pay about $20,000 to Washington and $30,000 to a joint accountant.

Taylor led the New York Giants to Super Bowl titles in 1987 and 1991.

Since retiring, he has been arrested several times on drug charges. This year, he pleaded guilty to sexual misconduct and patronizing a prostitute, requiring him to register as a sex offender.

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Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Owners, players continue court-ordered mediation

MINNEAPOLIS -- The NFL and its players opened a fourth day of court-ordered talks Wednesday as the lockout reached its 40th day with few signs of progress so far.

Commissioner Roger Goodell, Packers CEO Mark Murphy, Falcons president Rich McKay and owners Pat Bowlen of Denver, Jerry Jones from Dallas and Jerry Richardson from Carolina all declined comment. Players Ben Leber and Mike Vrabel were joined by Hall of Famer Carl Eller and attorneys for the talks in front of U.S. Magistrate Judge Arthur Boylan.

It has been two weeks since a federal judge ordered the two sides back to the table. She is expected to decide soon on the players' request to lift the lockout, which is the NFL's first work stoppage since 1987. Her decision will almost certainly be appealed.

The two sides have spent three days and 20 total hours with Boylan, following 16 days of failed talks in front of a federal mediator in Washington. After Tuesday's session, Eller sighed and simply called it a "tough day."

Some have questioned whether the two sides were committed to negotiating while awaiting U.S. District Judge Susan Richard Nelson's ruling on whether to lift the lockout, now in its 40th day.

Players including MVP quarterbacks Tom Brady and Peyton Manning filed the request for that injunction along with a class-action antitrust lawsuit against the NFL. The lawsuit has been combined with two other similar claims from retirees, former players and rookies-to-be, with Eller the lead plaintiff in that group.

With appeals expected, there isn't a ton of time left when it comes to the 2011 season. The NFL released its regular-season schedule Tuesday night, announcing that the season will open on Thursday, Sept. 8, with the Super Bowl champion Green Bay Packers hosting the New Orleans Saints.

That's less than five months away, with free agency, trades and other roster decisions still up in the air while the lockout is in place.

The announcement of the schedule came with a big if, of course. The longer the labor strife drags through the court system, the more danger is posed to actual games being canceled.

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NFL, players end Day 3 of court-ordered mediation

MINNEAPOLIS -- Carl Eller emerged from a seven-hour mediation session between the NFL and its locked-out players and let out a big sigh.

"Tough day," he said.

Commissioner Roger Goodell and Cowboys owner Jerry Jones arrive for court-ordered mediation. (Getty Images) When a Hall of Fame defensive end and one of the most feared players of his generation gives that kind of evaluation, it's safe to say that the negotiations between the owners and the players aren't getting any easier.

The two sides resumed their court-ordered talks on Tuesday after a three-day break, with no sign that an agreement is any closer. The lockout is in its second month and a federal judge is expected to decide soon on the players' request to halt the NFL's first work stoppage since 1987.

Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones joined NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, Atlanta Falcons President Rich McKay, Green Bay Packers CEO Mark Murphy and owners Pat Bowlen of Denver and Jerry Richardson of Carolina on the NFL side on Tuesday.

Named plaintiffs Ben Leber, Mike Vrabel and Eller represented the group of current, former and future players who are asking for the injunction on the lockout and have filed an antitrust lawsuit against the league.

All declined comment at the end of the long day of negotiation. The two sides will meet again on Wednesday morning in front of U.S. Magistrate Judge Arthur Boylan.

The talks are the latest step in the contentious fight over a new collective bargaining agreement. Sixteen days of mediated talks in Washington fell short, resulting in a class-action antitrust lawsuit filed by the players against the NFL and the owners' decision to lock out the players after they disbanded their union.

U.S. District Judge Susan Richard Nelson said at a hearing on April 6 that she would rule "in a couple of weeks" on the players' request to lift the lockout. Wednesday will be exactly two weeks from the hearing.

With Nelson's decision looming, some have wondered how eager either side would be to negotiate a settlement given that the ruling on the injunction could swing the leverage to one side or the other.

But Michael Hausfeld, an attorney representing retired players, said on Tuesday morning that both sides are committed to the mediation sessions.

"This is no charade. This is no illusion. This is going to come to a resolution either by the parties compromising or agreeing or by a judgment," Hausfeld said. "And even with a judgment, many times there is then a discussion as to how to compromise the judgment so there is not a winner-take-all situation.

"This takes time. The court is doing everything within its power to get the parties to realize that."

DeMaurice Smith, the head of the players' trade association, did not attend the session on Tuesday due to a family emergency and neither did lead attorney Jeffrey Kessler.

When discussions concluded on Friday, Boylan assigned some weekend homework. Hausfeld walked into the federal courthouse on Tuesday with a document that he estimated at about 100 pages responding to the questions Boylan asked them to answer.

"What this mediation is about, what the dispute is about, is the structure of the game and the relationship between the rookies, the active players, the retirees, with each other and the league," Hausfeld said. "Those are fundamental."

Nelson ordered the talks, which lasted 13 hours over two days last week.

Players including MVP quarterbacks Tom Brady and Peyton Manning filed the request for the injunction along with the antitrust claim. The lawsuit has been combined with two other similar claims from retirees, former players and rookies-to-be, with Eller the lead plaintiff in that group.

The prospects of Nelson's ruling giving one side leverage could influence the mediation, Hausfeld said.

"I hope everyone in the room, owners, active players, rookie representatives and retiree representatives understand that this is a situation that not only involves their interests but the interests of many fans and other people who depend upon the game being played," Hausfeld said. "And if everyone seriously approaches the issues with the manner in which the court has, then hopefully progress can be made."

Any decision Nelson makes, Hausfeld said, would certainly be appealed to the federal appellate court.

That means more time for legal maneuvering, further jeopardizing the 2011 NFL season.

"There's no question that any ruling Judge Nelson makes will be a first step," he said. "It will be taken on appeal."

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Locked-out 'Skins hold 2-day, players-only minicamp

WASHINGTON -- Locked out of their team's headquarters, about 25 Washington Redskins gathered Tuesday for a two-day, players-only minicamp that was as much about camaraderie as practice.

The players went through calisthenics, did some basic practice routines and ran a 7-on-7 drill in the rain on a high school field in Virginia.

Linebacker Lorenzo Alexander said the workout lasted about an hour and 15 minutes. He said more players were expected for Day 2 on Wednesday.

"Somebody brought balls; somebody brought shirts. Everybody kind of did their part," Alexander said. "That was the biggest thing, just trying to get together, catching up, getting our feet wet playing some ball. It was just real cool to get away from all the lockout talk and all that."

Linebacker London Fletcher was the chief organizer, using text messages and emails to persuade players to travel from as far away as California to take part. The quarterbacks were John Beck and Rex Grossman, even though Grossman isn't under contract for next season.

Donovan McNabb, who was benched at the end of the season and isn't expected to return, did not participate, nor did last season's other major distraction, defensive lineman Albert Haynesworth.

The practices are taking place without coaches, trainers or any other team personnel, who are all forbidden to have contact with the players during the NFL lockout. Given the risk of injury, the workout wasn't strenuous, but players said it was helpful as a refresher course for the play book.

"We were trying to get a little work in," receiver Anthony Armstrong said. "Just trying to knock the rust off, mentally."

NFL Players Association George Atallah said he was aware of about 10 teams whose players were getting together on their own for practices during the lockout.

Players acknowledged they can't recreate the conditions for a fully organized minicamp practice conducted at Redskins Park, but anything is better than nothing.

"You know what the calls are, but sometimes an adjustment here or a technique here, you may forget," Alexander said. "To get out there, especially with a guy like London who knows the defense inside and out, it really helps."