Packers coach commits to Rodgers as Favre drama continues
July 27, 2008
GREEN BAY, Wis. — Even Green Bay Packers coach Mike McCarthy isn’t quite sure how the Brett Favre unretirement saga will play out over the next few days. But he does know this much: Favre or no Favre, Aaron Rodgers is his starting quarterback. Read more
Walker remains hospitalized Tuesday after robbery, beat
June 18, 2008
LAS VEGAS — Oakland Raiders wide receiver Javon Walker remained hospitalized with a concussion and a battered face Tuesday, one day after he was beaten, robbed and left unconscious on a Las Vegas street after a night of partying. Read more
Bengals Johnson To Have Ankles Surgery
June 18, 2008
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Chad Johnson is scheduled to have arthroscopic surgery on both ankles Wednesday that he’s been needing since last season, a source close to the player confirmed on Tuesday. Read more
T.O Excused From Cowboys Mini Camp
June 18, 2008
IRVING, Texas — Terrell Owens has been excused from the Dallas Cowboys’ mandatory offseason minicamp this week while dealing with a personal family matter. Read more
Micheal Strahan Retires From NFL
June 9, 2008
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Michael Strahan had what he wanted — a Super Bowl championship to add to a resume featuring seven Pro Bowls and two sack records. Now it was time to leave football and leave the New York Giants after 15 years in the NFL. Read more
Terrell Owens Put Into NFL Testing Program
June 9, 2008
On the same day the Dallas Cowboys announced that wide receiver Terrell Owens had agreed to a contract extension with $13 million in guaranteed money, Owens was in New York meeting with NFL officials after being placed in the league’s “reasonable cause” testing program for performance-enhancing drugs, sources told ESPN. Read more
Bears Make Cedric Benson Jobless
June 9, 2008
After his boating DUI charge, Cedric Benson remained a starting running back in the eyes of coach Lovie Smith and the Chicago Bears.
His weekend DUI charge while in a car in Austin, Texas, has led to his release, however. The Bears placed Benson on waivers Monday, two years before the end of his contract and three years into a disappointing career with the team.
“Cedric displayed a pattern of behavior we will not tolerate,” Bears general manager Jerry Angelo said in a statement. “As I said this past weekend, you have to protect your job. Everyone in this organization is held accountable for their actions. When individual priorities overshadow team goals, we suffer the consequences as a team. Those who fail to understand the importance of ‘team’ will not play for the Chicago Bears.”
Benson wasn’t present at the Bears organized practice Monday. The Chicago Sun-Times reported on its Web site that Benson showed up and was sent home by Smith.
Reporters waited for a statement from Angelo as he walked off the field on Monday, but he said the team might have a statement later in the day.
The statement turned out to be an action. Benson’s name appeared on the NFL’s waiver wire Monday afternoon, ending the three-year relationship.
Though the 5-foot-10, 220-pound runner claimed his innocence on both DUI charges, the team apparently lost faith in him. Because he’s only been in the league for three seasons, Benson does not have his contract automatically terminated. He can be claimed by any other interested team on waivers.
Before his release, Benson made one last ditch effort to repair the situation, issuing an apology on Monday afternoon.
“I apologize for making the poor decision to drink and drive during the early morning of Saturday, June 7th,” he said in a statement. “Given the incident last month, it was a particularly bad decision. I have no excuse for this lack of judgment.
“Though I strongly believe that I am not guilty of any crime, I realize that the public and the Bears organization hold me to higher standard. Though my local attorneys will continue to work hard to prove my innocence, I confess to using poor judgment. Please accept my deepest apology.”
Benson was arrested on a drunken driving charge in Austin, Texas, early Saturday and Bears officials said they would treat the matter seriously. Benson’s attorney said the former Texas star had a few drinks with dinner but didn’t think he was intoxicated and cooperated with police.
The arrest comes a month after Benson was charged in Austin with boating while intoxicated and resisting arrest. He has said neither charge is true, and those cases are pending.
Benson rushed for only 1,593 yards in three seasons. Thomas Jones was the Bears starting running back for Benson’s first two seasons. Jones was traded to the Jets before last season, giving Benson the chance to start.
It didn’t work out on the field. Benson rushed for only 272 yards on 67 carries last season. He couldn’t finish the season because of a broken leg.
The Bears drafted Tulane running back Matt Forte in the second round, and he will enter camp as the team’s possible starter. Adrian Peterson, a longtime Bears backup, will initially be second string.
It is not known where the Bears will pursue another running back.
Benson was the fourth pick in the 2005 draft. The team will save $820,000 on the cap by releasing him, but there will be a $2.575 million pro-ration that will count against the 2008 cap. There will be a $2.575 million cap charge for the Bears in 2009.
Senior writer John Clayton covers the NFL for ESPN.com. Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.
Happy CowboyLand, Owens Signs & Pacman Practice
June 4, 2008
IRVING, Texas — When Terrell Owens signed with the Dallas Cowboys two years ago, he announced, “Get your popcorn ready.” When he signed an extension Tuesday, the club had the popcorn ready for him — a giant bowl of the buttery stuff, big enough to feed the entire offensive line. Read more
Favre Locker Room Spot Also Retiring
May 31, 2008
The Green Bay Packers are giving it to him. Read more
Report: Urlacher will attend camp despite contract dispute
May 30, 2008
Brian Urlacher plans to attend the Bears’ mandatory three-day minicamp starting Friday, the Chicago Tribune reported Thursday evening. Read more
