JonCJG
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[FONT=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]Bengals owner Mike Brown and his family ranked among the NFL’s most profitable teams last season despite a lack of marketing and a refusal to rename Paul Brown Stadium and collect millions in Cincinnati naming rights. Both of those issues irritate many NFL owners whose marketing departments often rival their personnel departments when it comes to the number of employees.[/FONT]
[FONT=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]Linebacker A.J. Nicholson is already causing headaches for the Bengals with his legal troubles.[/FONT] [FONT=arial,helvetica,sans-serif][/FONT]
[FONT=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]But what should anger Bengals’ fans is that Brown continues to employ the smallest personnel department in the NFL. The Bengals continue to prepare for the draft the old-fashioned way. The coaching staff ends up doing much of the college scouting. Granted, coaches like to be involved in checking out prospective players, but few have the time to do the necessary background checks. These checks are necessary in order to form an opinion of a player’s character.[/FONT]
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[FONT=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]Last season, the Bengals’ third-round pick, receiver Chris Henry of West Virginia, was ordered to spend 28 days in a drug treatment center after being stopped for speeding. And just this week, fifth-round pick A.J. Nicholson, a Florida State linebacker, has a warrant out for his arrest for burglarizing a former college teammate’s apartment. In his final college season, Nicholson was sent home from a bowl game while under suspicion of sexual assault. He also had a DUI charge against him.[/FONT]
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[FONT=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]The problem in Cincinnati is that head coach Marvin Lewis may not have all the facts on a specific player prior to the draft. If the Bengals had an ample supply of college scouts, I’m sure players like Nicholson would have a red flag next to their names.[/FONT]
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[FONT=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]Here and there[/FONT]
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[FONT=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]The NFL has earmarked August 7-9 as the tentative dates to select the successor to Commissioner Paul Tagliabue. NFL executive vice-president Roger Goodell, who has been Tagliabue’s right-hand man for many years, remains the favorite although a few owners would prefer an outside CEO-type to replace Tagliabue.[/FONT]
[FONT=arial,helvetica,sans-serif][/FONT]
[FONT=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]The biggest difference this time around is that one would suspect a majority of owners would prefer Goodell because they view him as someone they can easily work with. Unlike the days of Pete Rozelle, some owners definitely believe they have more power and influence than the Commissioner. And many owners like it that way, viewing the next Commissioner as someone who answers to them, not the other way around.[/FONT]
[FONT=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]The Miami Dolphins appear to be the front-runner to make a trade with the Saints for expendable running back Michael Bennett. With Ricky Williams banished to Canada for this season, the Dolphins need an experienced running in case something happens to Ronnie Brown.[/FONT][FONT=arial,helvetica,sans-serif] [/FONT]
[FONT=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]It is getting clearer by the day that Houston’s new head coach, Gary Kubiak, has as much say in the hiring of a potential replacement to GM Charley Casserly as owner Bob McNair. How else do you explain that Denver’s Rick Smith is receiving a second interview and appears to be the front-runner for the job? Kubiak coached in Denver for the past dozen seasons and knows Smith and apparently is comfortable with him.[/FONT]
Eagles show interest in Gatlin, too
NEW YORK (AP) - Asafa Powell isn't the only one who wants a piece of Justin Gatlin. The Philadelphia Eagles do, too.
Gatlin's agent, Renaldo Nehemiah, said Thursday the Eagles have made several inquiries the last three weeks to see if his client was interested in playing football. But Gatlin has only one summer plan: a long-anticipated race with Powell in a matchup between the two 100-meter world-record holders.
Nehemiah, who played in the NFL for four seasons in the 1980s after starring in the hurdles, said the Eagles have left phone messages and sent e-mails to him about Gatlin.
Eagles spokesman Derek Boyko said he was unaware of the team's interest, and it was club policy not to comment on any potential personnel moves.
The Eagles are desperate for a receiver and kickoff returner. Of course, they already drafted one Olympian this year, taking freestyle skier Jeremy Bloom in the fifth round to return kicks.
Sprinter Justin Gatlin hits the tape to win the 100 meter dash during the Prefontaine Classic track and field meet in Eugene, Ore., May 28. Gatlin won with a time of 9.88. (Don Ryan / Associated Press)
Though Nehemiah knows the temptation of playing in the NFL, he has no plans to return the Eagles' calls and mentioned the topic to Gatlin only in passing.
"Football isn't a necessity" for Gatlin, Nehemiah said. Gatlin, who won Olympic gold in the 100 in Athens, last played football some nine years ago, after quitting his high school team in 10th grade after a dispute with his coach.
"He's doing well enough he doesn't need it," Nehemiah said.
Of more importance to Gatlin and Nehemiah is the showdown with Powell. Gatlin and Powell raced in separate 100 heats last week at the Prefontaine Classic in Eugene, Ore., and a potential race in Gateshead, England, on June 11 fell through.
This week, Gatlin is in New York for the Reebok Grand Prix, while Powell will race in the Bislett Games in Oslo, Norway. Nehemiah hopes the two will be able to race by the end of July.
"It obviously has to do with more than just track and field, dealing with the head to head, financial reasons and the venue as well, dealing with the weather," Gatlin said. The competitive side doesn't care, I want to go out there and run. But the smart, business side of me knows this is something special. This doesn't happen all the time in track and field. So I want to make sure when it's done, I want it done right."
Nehemiah has been in constant communication with Powell's representatives and has been getting dozens of calls from meet directors around the world wanting to host the showdown.
As of now, the only meet the two are scheduled in together is July 28 in London. But Nehemiah wants the matchup to be set before then. Neither has a race scheduled between July 14 and the London meet, so possibilities include Stockholm on July 25 or Helsinki on July 26. If nothing can be worked out, then London would be the host.
"They're going to race. That's no doubt in my mind," Nehemiah said. "Unfortunately, it's become bigger than I wanted it to become, and so we're inundated with so many people jockeying for that first race."
Gatlin, who tied Powell's mark of 9.77 seconds in Doha three weeks ago, said the meeting would be worth the wait.
"I want to make sure Asafa's at his A-game. I don't want excuses for a win or for a loss," Gatlin said. "I want to make sure we're both 100 percent and may the best man win when we go out there. For the fans, I think: give it some time and everything will be OK. They'll understand by the time we get to the line and we're head-to-head that everyone will enjoy the race and everyone will be satisfied."
[FONT=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]But what should anger Bengals’ fans is that Brown continues to employ the smallest personnel department in the NFL. The Bengals continue to prepare for the draft the old-fashioned way. The coaching staff ends up doing much of the college scouting. Granted, coaches like to be involved in checking out prospective players, but few have the time to do the necessary background checks. These checks are necessary in order to form an opinion of a player’s character.[/FONT]
[FONT=arial,helvetica,sans-serif][/FONT]
[FONT=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]Last season, the Bengals’ third-round pick, receiver Chris Henry of West Virginia, was ordered to spend 28 days in a drug treatment center after being stopped for speeding. And just this week, fifth-round pick A.J. Nicholson, a Florida State linebacker, has a warrant out for his arrest for burglarizing a former college teammate’s apartment. In his final college season, Nicholson was sent home from a bowl game while under suspicion of sexual assault. He also had a DUI charge against him.[/FONT]
[FONT=arial,helvetica,sans-serif][/FONT]
[FONT=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]The problem in Cincinnati is that head coach Marvin Lewis may not have all the facts on a specific player prior to the draft. If the Bengals had an ample supply of college scouts, I’m sure players like Nicholson would have a red flag next to their names.[/FONT]
[FONT=arial,helvetica,sans-serif][/FONT]
[FONT=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]Here and there[/FONT]
[FONT=arial,helvetica,sans-serif][/FONT]
[FONT=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]The NFL has earmarked August 7-9 as the tentative dates to select the successor to Commissioner Paul Tagliabue. NFL executive vice-president Roger Goodell, who has been Tagliabue’s right-hand man for many years, remains the favorite although a few owners would prefer an outside CEO-type to replace Tagliabue.[/FONT]
[FONT=arial,helvetica,sans-serif][/FONT]
[FONT=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]The biggest difference this time around is that one would suspect a majority of owners would prefer Goodell because they view him as someone they can easily work with. Unlike the days of Pete Rozelle, some owners definitely believe they have more power and influence than the Commissioner. And many owners like it that way, viewing the next Commissioner as someone who answers to them, not the other way around.[/FONT]
[FONT=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]The Miami Dolphins appear to be the front-runner to make a trade with the Saints for expendable running back Michael Bennett. With Ricky Williams banished to Canada for this season, the Dolphins need an experienced running in case something happens to Ronnie Brown.[/FONT][FONT=arial,helvetica,sans-serif] [/FONT]
[FONT=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]It is getting clearer by the day that Houston’s new head coach, Gary Kubiak, has as much say in the hiring of a potential replacement to GM Charley Casserly as owner Bob McNair. How else do you explain that Denver’s Rick Smith is receiving a second interview and appears to be the front-runner for the job? Kubiak coached in Denver for the past dozen seasons and knows Smith and apparently is comfortable with him.[/FONT]
Eagles show interest in Gatlin, too
NEW YORK (AP) - Asafa Powell isn't the only one who wants a piece of Justin Gatlin. The Philadelphia Eagles do, too.
Gatlin's agent, Renaldo Nehemiah, said Thursday the Eagles have made several inquiries the last three weeks to see if his client was interested in playing football. But Gatlin has only one summer plan: a long-anticipated race with Powell in a matchup between the two 100-meter world-record holders.
Nehemiah, who played in the NFL for four seasons in the 1980s after starring in the hurdles, said the Eagles have left phone messages and sent e-mails to him about Gatlin.
Eagles spokesman Derek Boyko said he was unaware of the team's interest, and it was club policy not to comment on any potential personnel moves.
The Eagles are desperate for a receiver and kickoff returner. Of course, they already drafted one Olympian this year, taking freestyle skier Jeremy Bloom in the fifth round to return kicks.
Though Nehemiah knows the temptation of playing in the NFL, he has no plans to return the Eagles' calls and mentioned the topic to Gatlin only in passing.
"Football isn't a necessity" for Gatlin, Nehemiah said. Gatlin, who won Olympic gold in the 100 in Athens, last played football some nine years ago, after quitting his high school team in 10th grade after a dispute with his coach.
"He's doing well enough he doesn't need it," Nehemiah said.
Of more importance to Gatlin and Nehemiah is the showdown with Powell. Gatlin and Powell raced in separate 100 heats last week at the Prefontaine Classic in Eugene, Ore., and a potential race in Gateshead, England, on June 11 fell through.
This week, Gatlin is in New York for the Reebok Grand Prix, while Powell will race in the Bislett Games in Oslo, Norway. Nehemiah hopes the two will be able to race by the end of July.
"It obviously has to do with more than just track and field, dealing with the head to head, financial reasons and the venue as well, dealing with the weather," Gatlin said. The competitive side doesn't care, I want to go out there and run. But the smart, business side of me knows this is something special. This doesn't happen all the time in track and field. So I want to make sure when it's done, I want it done right."
Nehemiah has been in constant communication with Powell's representatives and has been getting dozens of calls from meet directors around the world wanting to host the showdown.
As of now, the only meet the two are scheduled in together is July 28 in London. But Nehemiah wants the matchup to be set before then. Neither has a race scheduled between July 14 and the London meet, so possibilities include Stockholm on July 25 or Helsinki on July 26. If nothing can be worked out, then London would be the host.
"They're going to race. That's no doubt in my mind," Nehemiah said. "Unfortunately, it's become bigger than I wanted it to become, and so we're inundated with so many people jockeying for that first race."
Gatlin, who tied Powell's mark of 9.77 seconds in Doha three weeks ago, said the meeting would be worth the wait.
"I want to make sure Asafa's at his A-game. I don't want excuses for a win or for a loss," Gatlin said. "I want to make sure we're both 100 percent and may the best man win when we go out there. For the fans, I think: give it some time and everything will be OK. They'll understand by the time we get to the line and we're head-to-head that everyone will enjoy the race and everyone will be satisfied."
