Month: May 2022

May 25, 2022; Berea, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) throws a pass during organized team activities at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

Deshaun Watson faces 23rd civil lawsuit for sexual misconduct

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson is facing a 23rd active civil lawsuit, filed Tuesday by attorney Tony Buzbee on behalf of a plaintiff in Texas.

The plaintiff said that Watson’s legal team made “an effort to intimidate her” by reaching out and saying that Watson’s lawyers would fight the cases. She did not decide to file suit originally, but changed her mind, according to the suit, after two of Watson’s accusers appeared on HBO’s “Real Sports” last week.

“In that piece, plaintiff was struck by the courage of the victims willing to step forward and speak and was extremely displeased by Watson and his legal team’s mistreatment and revictimizations of the plaintiffs,” the lawsuit stated. “But it was Watson himself claiming that even now he has ‘no regrets’ and has done nothing wrong that solidified her resolve. She brings this case seeking minimum compensation, but to obtain a court finding that Watson’s conduct was wrong.”

The plaintiff said she began working as a massage therapist for Watson in the summer of 2020. Watson allegedly exposed himself to the plaintiff during the third and final session, touched her between her legs and “repeatedly requested” to have sex.

Two Texas grand juries declined to indict Watson in March. The Houston Texans traded him to Cleveland that month, and the Browns gave him a record $230 million in guaranteed money on a five-year deal.

“Today we filed suit for the 23rd plaintiff in this litigation,” Buzbee said in a statement. “Other cases may come. The Watson defense team has vilified these women and this cause. Shame on them! We look forward to trying this case in court.”

According to ESPN, the Browns did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the latest suit.

–Field Level Media

May 24, 2020; Hobe Sound, FL, USA; NFL player Tom Brady of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers reacts after holing out from the fairway on the seventh during The Match: Champions for Charity golf round at the Medalist Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Handout Photo by Getty Images for The Match via USA TODAY Sports

Handicapping the field of quarterbacks at ‘The Match VI’

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There will be no shortage of wagering possibilities when four top NFL quarterbacks take to the golf course in “The Match VI” on Wednesday from Las Vegas.

Tom Brady of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will team up with Aaron Rodgers of the Green Bay Packers to form one team. They will match up against Josh Allen of the Buffalo Bills and Patrick Mahomes of the Kansas City Chiefs.

If experience matters, the Brady-Rodgers pairing seems to be the one to beat, and not because they have 39 seasons of combined NFL experience. The two also took part in “The Match IV” last July. Brady also played in a 2020 edition, making this his third time out.

That experience could go a long way in explaining how Brady/Rodgers are -175 favorites according to SportsBetting.ag, while Allen/Mahomes are +155. Brady/Rodgers are also -140 favorites to record the first birdie, over Allen/Mahomes (+100).

There are plenty of challenges ahead on the Wynn Golf Club just off the Las Vegas Strip, with an over/under of 3.5 balls to be hit into water hazards. A hole-in-one from any player carries +10000 odds.

At +5000 odds, down from +10000, is whether or not Brady has a wardrobe malfunction after he split his pants in the 2020 version of the event.

The event will be played over 12 holes in a “shamble” format, meaning that all four players play their second shot from the best tee shot. They play out their own ball the rest of the way from there. Odds are that Rodgers will see a fair share of his drives being used. Rodgers is +110 to hit the longest drive of the day, followed by Brady (+200), Mahomes (+400) and Allen (+700).

And since golf is not the day job of any of the four participating, there figure to be plenty of long putts. Who has the best odds of making a 30-footer with their putter? Rodgers again is the favorite at +275, followed by Brady (+300), Mahomes (+350) and Allen (+425).

But being the odds-on best player doesn’t necessarily guarantee a cool, calm and collected round. Rodgers also is the +150 favorite to be the first participant to use a “curse word,” while Brady is +200, Allen is +300 and Mahomes is +400.

–Field Level Media

Sep 26, 2021; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay celebrates with defensive end Aaron Donald (99) as time runs out in the Rams win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports

Rams’ Aaron Donald insists he’s ‘at peace’ with retiring

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Aaron Donald continues to fan the flames on his potential retirement from the NFL, telling Brandon Marshall he’s at peace with walking away from the Super Bowl champion Los Angeles Rams.

Donald made waves in the days after the Super Bowl, when Sports Illustrated published a story that the end of his football career could be near — or now. That was soon followed by reports Donald was angling for a new contract with desires of reaching QB salary territory of more than $40 million per season.

“It ain’t about the money, but it’s a business at the end of the day,” Donald said on the ‘I Am Athlete Podcast with Brandon Marshall’. “That’s what you’ve got to see. For me, it’s about winning. I don’t want to play football if I can’t win anyway, so I feel like if I got a real opportunity to win another Super Bowl, then it makes sense to play.”

He acknowledged that they “probably” will work out a deal, “but if not, I’m at peace.”

“But again, it’s still a business,” he said. “We’ve got to handle the business side of things, and if that wasn’t to get handled then, you know, it is what it is type of situation. I’ll be fine either way.”

Donald, 31, has three seasons remaining on a six-year, $135-million deal he signed in August 2018 and is set to receive a combined $37.25 million in base salary over the next three seasons. The 13th player selected in the 2014 draft, he’s a seven-time All-Pro for the Rams and has been named NFL Defensive Player of the Year three times.

When asked about Donald’s absence at OTAs last week, Rams coach Sean McVay there was no cause for worry. Donald, as is typical, has been training on his own in Pittsburgh near family.

“He’s done a great job of communicating, with my relationship with him, and he gets a chance to spend time with his family right now, so I feel good about that,” McVay said.

Donald has 98 sacks in his eight NFL seasons, posting 12.5 sacks in 2021. He also said last week he signed with Kanye West’s marketing firm as a business decision.

“But me talking about retirement, that was happening way before we won a Super Bowl,” he said. “I’ve been saying that since I got into the league that I was going to play eight years and be done. That’s just what I’ve been saying. It just came out and then everybody think that, ‘Oh, he said if he wins a Super Bowl he’s going to retire.’

“Nah, I got teammates, coaches, my family who know about this. I said I’m going to play eight years, and I’m going to probably be done playing football.”

–Field Level Media

Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12), offensive tackle David Bakhtiari (69) and head coach Matt LeFleur against the New York Jets during their preseason football game on Saturday, August 21, 2021, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis. Wm. Glasheen USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin Apc Packers Vs Jets 1027 082121wag

Packers expect LT David Bakhtiari to be ready for camp

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Left tackle David Bakhtiari missed all but 27 snaps last season following ACL surgery in 2020, but the Green Bay Packers anticipate his return for training camp in July.

Head coach Matt LaFleur said the Packers are preparing for Bakhtiari to be back on the blindside of quarterback Aaron Rodgers. To make sure of it, the 30-year-old will be rested during most of the offseason, including the second OTA session this week in Green Bay.

“Our plan all along was to hold him from this time of the year and make sure he’s continuing to get stronger and ready to go hopefully for training camp,” LaFleur said Tuesday. “This is part of our process right now.”

A five-time Pro Bowl selection, Bakhtiari continues on the road back from an ACL tear on Dec. 31, 2020. He was able to suit up for the final regular-season game last season but has experienced numerous setbacks and required a procedure to reduce swelling and drain fluid from around the knee.

LaFleur said the approach is cautious, but not one that should indicate concern Bakhtiari might experience another injury.

“We just thought, yeah, this is a guy that has played a lot of ball, and it’s best to, you know, hold him from this portion of it,” LaFleur said.

–Field Level Media

Jun 1, 2021; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Travis Jonsen (16) runs with the ball during organized team activities at AdventHealth Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Buccaneers release WR Travis Jonsen after DUI charge

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers released wide receiver Travis Jonsen on Tuesday, one day after he was taken into custody on a misdemeanor driving-under-the-influence charge.

Tampa police said officers spotted Jonsen driving his car in a manner “indicative of impairment.” He was stopped and arrested at 3:18 a.m.

Jonsen, 25, refused to take a breath test, according to the news release from Tampa police. He posted a $500 bond and was released from jail.

Jonsen has been a practice squad player with the Bucs over parts of the past two seasons. He was signed as an undrafted free agent from Montana State.

–Field Level Media

Texas A&M head coach Jimbo Fisher andAlabama head coach Nick Saban chat at midfield before the Alabama vs. Texas A&M game in Tuscaloosa, Ala., on Saturday September 22, 2018. Pre420 Syndication The Montgomery Advertiser

Nick Saban reiterates he regrets naming names in NIL flap

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Alabama coach Nick Saban again tried to defuse a dustup of his own creation with Texas A&M coach Jimbo Fisher, saying Tuesday at the SEC spring meetings that, “I didn’t really say anybody did anything wrong,” and that he has “no problem” with Fisher.

Saban again said that he regrets naming specific institutions two weeks ago at a fundraising event when he used Texas A&M and Jackson State as examples of how NIL money is being used improperly in recruiting. That sparked a response from Fisher in which he denied the accusations and lambasted Saban.

Talking to reporters on the opening day of SEC spring meetings, Saban said, “You know, I didn’t really say anybody did anything wrong.” Saban was interrupted by a reporter who said: “You said they bought their recruiting class.”

“I didn’t say anybody did anything wrong,” Saban repeated. “I said everything I’m going to say about this. … I should have never mentioned individual institutions.”

Saban said he supports players’ access to NIL income but suggested the lack of enforceable national rules creates an untenable situation.

“Some kind of uniform name, image and likeness stand that supports equitable national competition is really, really important for college football,” Saban said. “And we’ve always had that with scholarships, Alston money or whatever that might be. So that’s kind of point one.

“Point two is we need some kind of transparency in name, imagine and likeness deals to verify that players are doing what they need to do to have the opportunity to make in name, image and likeness. Believe me, I’m all for players making as much as they can. But I also think that we’ve got to have some uniform, transparent way to do that.”

Four other SEC head coaches wouldn’t touch the subject of the simmering feud, which has been the talk of college football since Saban’s May 18 comments and the response from Fisher, who was a Saban assistant for five years at LSU.

Fisher, who has refused to accept calls from Saban, was not scheduled to speak Tuesday but a Texas A&M representative said he might speak later in the week.

–Field Level Media

Dec 20, 2021; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears defensive end Akiem Hicks (96) reacts after sacking Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins (not pictured) during the second half at Soldier Field. The Minnesota Vikings won 17-9. Mandatory Credit: Jon Durr-USA TODAY Sports

Reports: Buccaneers to sign free-agent DL Akiem Hicks

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Former Chicago Bears defensive lineman Akiem Hicks and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers agreed on a one-year deal that could be worth up to $10 million according to multiple reports Tuesday.

Hicks is set to join a defensive line that includes 2021 Pro Bowl selection Vita Vea and Logan Hall, the 33rd overall pick of the 2022 NFL Draft. His signing likely means the Buccaneers will not re-sign free agent Ndamukong Suh.

Hicks, 32, was a third-round pick of the New Orleans Saints in 2012. He spent his first three seasons with New Orleans, split the 2015 campaign between the Saints and New England Patriots, then signed as a free agent with Chicago before the 2016 season.

In his six years with the Bears, Hicks started 77 games and was credited with 31 sacks, including 3.5 in nine games last season when he dealt with COVID-19 and ankle and groin injuries. In 138 career games (110 starts), Hicks has 40.5 sacks, 387 tackles (73 for loss), six forced fumbles and six fumble recoveries.

–Field Level Media

Jan 9, 2021; Seattle, Washington, USA; Seattle Seahawks tight end Greg Olsen (88) warms up prior to a game against the Los Angeles Rams at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports

Kevin Burkhardt, Greg Olsen to lead Fox 2022 NFL team

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Play-by-play announcer Kevin Burkhardt and analyst Greg Olsen will lead Fox Sports’ top broadcast team for the 2022 NFL season.

Veteran reporters Erin Andrews and Tom Rinaldi, plus rules expert Mike Pereira, will complete the team for Fox, which will televise Super Bowl LVII from Glendale, Ariz., on Feb. 12.

The move had been expected but wasn’t announced until Tuesday.

“We’re thrilled to have this team steward our industry-leading and award-winning coverage as we embark on our 29th NFL season, highlighted by our 10th Super Bowl,” Fox Sports executive Brad Zager said Tuesday.

The Fox team will make its regular-season debut on Sept. 11 from Minneapolis, where the Minnesota Vikings will face the Green Bay Packers.

Burkhardt and Olsen, a three-time Pro Bowl selection during his 14-year NFL career, will replace the top Fox broadcast team of Joe Buck and Troy Aikman. They have reunited at ESPN to make up the lead team for “Monday Night Football.”

Burkhardt and Olsen were Fox’s No. 2 broadcast team last season.

Buck and Aikman are coming off 20 seasons calling NFL games for Fox. They will make their “MNF” debut on Sept. 12 when the Denver Broncos face the Seattle Seahawks.

Terms of the Buck-Aikman deal with ESPN were not released. However, the New York Post reported Buck was in line to receive a five-year deal worth between $60 million and $75 million. The Post reported that Aikman received a five-year, $92.5 million contract to jump to ESPN.

Olsen is keeping the seat warm for Tom Brady, who will become Fox Sports’ lead NFL analyst when his playing career ends. Fox did not release terms of his contract, but he has agreed to a 10-year, $375 million deal — the most lucrative in sports broadcasting history — according to the New York Post.

Brady, a seven-time Super Bowl-winning quarterback, will return to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for his 23rd NFL season this year.

–Field Level Media

Apr 25, 2022; Englewood, CO, USA; Denver Broncos wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (10) works out during a Denver Broncos mini camp at UCHealth Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Charge dropped against Broncos WR Jerry Jeudy

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A judge in Arapahoe County, Colo., dismissed a misdemeanor charge against Denver Broncos wide receiver Jerry Jeudy on Tuesday.

The district attorney’s office had moved to have the case closed against Jeudy, who was arrested earlier this month and charged with second-degree criminal tampering with a domestic violence enhancer, a misdemeanor. He was held overnight in the county jail.

Jeudy was scheduled to make a court appearance on Tuesday, but it was canceled with the dismissal of the charge.

“After reviewing the evidence, I always believed that no crime had been committed and all charges would be dismissed,” Jeudy’s attorney, Harvey Steinberg, told ESPN.

9News reported May 12 that Jeudy admitted to taking a wallet and baby formula belonging to the mother of his infant child after she took one of his phones. He locked the items in his car, according to the report.

The television station said the woman told the judge she called 911 only to have police “monitor” the situation and not to have him arrested. She also said she never felt that she was in danger.

Jeudy, 23, has played two seasons with the Broncos since they selected him in the first round (15th overall) of the 2020 NFL Draft out of Alabama. He played in 10 games (five starts) last season while dealing with a high ankle sprain and a stint on the COVID-19 list.

He has been participating in offseason workouts with the team.

–Field Level Media

Jan 9, 2022; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) walks off the field with the team before the game between the Browns and the Cincinnati Bengals at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Browns won’t cut Baker Mayfield if no trade partner found

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The Cleveland Browns would rather live with the awkwardness of having quarterback Baker Mayfield on their 2022 roster than take the monumental salary-cap hit of releasing him.

Cleveland.com reported Sunday that if the Browns can’t find a trade partner for Mayfield, they will not cut him, even when training camp begins in July.

The Browns traded for quarterback Deshaun Watson in March and gave him a fully guaranteed five-year, $230 million contract. But Watson remains under investigation by the NFL for numerous accusations of sexual misconduct and assault and could face a suspension in 2022.

Mayfield is fully guaranteed an $18.86 million salary in 2022, the final year of his rookie contract.

The Carolina Panthers discussed a Mayfield deal with the Browns, but multiple reports have said Carolina backed away from the table because the Browns were not willing to cover $13 million to $14 million of Mayfield’s 2022 salary.

Mayfield did not report to the Browns’ first voluntary program of the offseason last month. He said on a podcast appearance that he felt “disrespected 100 percent” by Cleveland when the team acquired Watson.

The Browns, who also signed quarterbacks Jacoby Brissett and Josh Dobbs as backups, could be without Watson for a significant portion of 2022 if he is suspended. Two Texas grand juries declined to indict Watson earlier this year, but 22 women whom he hired as massage therapists have filed civil lawsuits against him.

–Field Level Media