randy moss works out for the new orleans saints today !
The New Orleans Saints held a workout on Tuesday with veteran receiver Randy Moss, who is trying to make a comeback after spending a year out of pro football. General Manager Mickey Loomis confirmed the workout took place, but the club did not provide any details on how the 35-year-old Moss performed.
new orleans saints gm says it's my fault - details
New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton and general manager Mickey Loomis have taken “full responsibility” for the bounty program run by former assistant coach Gregg Williams.
In a statement released Tuesday, Payton and Loomis admit violations of league rules “happened under our watch.” They also promised it would never happen again.
In a statement released Tuesday, Payton and Loomis admit violations of league rules “happened under our watch.” They also promised it would never happen again.
breaking news: Payton manning & Indianapolis will part ways
Peyton Manning's career with the Indianapolis Colts will reportedly end Wednesday.
According to ESPN's Chris Mortensen, the team will announce the release of the four-time league MVP at a news conference. Cutting him will prevent a $28 million cap hit for the team and instantly make Manning the most coveted free agent since Reggie White.
Manning underwent multiple surgeries to fuse vertebrae in his neck over the past 19 months. He missed the entire 2011 season.
The move has been in the works ever since it became apparent that the Colts would be in a position to draft Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck. Still, as recently as seven months ago, Manning being released by the Colts would have been unthinkable.
He was the face of the Indianapolis Colts franchise, the man who resurrected a team that spent most of its 13 previous years in the city as an NFL also-ran. Indy landed the No. 1 pick of the 1997 draft and used it to take Archie Manning's son, a football player pegged for greatness ever since he stepped on a high school field.
Peyton ended up becoming the rare savior who lived up to expectations. He won Rookie of the Year in 1997, had the team in the playoffs in 1998 and only missed out on the postseason once more in the next 10 seasons. Manning won four league MVPs and led the Colts to their only Super Bowl win in Indianapolis in 2007.
Provided he's able to play, he'll attract unprecedented attention in the free-agent market.
Meanwhile, Andrew Luck will have two roles to play in Indianapolis. He'll have to be the franchise's next superstar while, at the same time, replacing the last one.
According to ESPN's Chris Mortensen, the team will announce the release of the four-time league MVP at a news conference. Cutting him will prevent a $28 million cap hit for the team and instantly make Manning the most coveted free agent since Reggie White.
Manning underwent multiple surgeries to fuse vertebrae in his neck over the past 19 months. He missed the entire 2011 season.
The move has been in the works ever since it became apparent that the Colts would be in a position to draft Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck. Still, as recently as seven months ago, Manning being released by the Colts would have been unthinkable.
He was the face of the Indianapolis Colts franchise, the man who resurrected a team that spent most of its 13 previous years in the city as an NFL also-ran. Indy landed the No. 1 pick of the 1997 draft and used it to take Archie Manning's son, a football player pegged for greatness ever since he stepped on a high school field.
Peyton ended up becoming the rare savior who lived up to expectations. He won Rookie of the Year in 1997, had the team in the playoffs in 1998 and only missed out on the postseason once more in the next 10 seasons. Manning won four league MVPs and led the Colts to their only Super Bowl win in Indianapolis in 2007.
Provided he's able to play, he'll attract unprecedented attention in the free-agent market.
Meanwhile, Andrew Luck will have two roles to play in Indianapolis. He'll have to be the franchise's next superstar while, at the same time, replacing the last one.
nascar sprint cup series at phoenix 3-4-12 recap
AVONDALE, Ariz. -- Denny Hamlin took the lead on a restart and had to sweat out his fuel mileage over the final few laps to win at Phoenix International Raceway on Sunday.
In his second race with new crew chief Darian Grubb, Hamlin shook off memories of a championship-losing run at Phoenix in 2010 by leading the final 59 laps and holding off NASCAR's best closer. Kevin Harvick had Hamlin in his sights over the final few laps, but ran out of gas and finished second. Hamlin was concerned about gas as well, but had just enough to celebrate his 18th career win with a brief burnout. Greg Biffle finished third and Jimmie Johnson bounced back from a disastrous Daytona 500 to finish fourth despite wheel troubles midway through the 312-lap race. Hamlin hasn't had many good memories at Phoenix lately. He had finished no better than 11th in four previous races. There also was a disastrous finish in 2010 caused by poor fuel strategy that may have cost him a chance at his first Sprint Cup championship. Dominating the race, Hamlin had to make a late pit stop for fuel and wound up 19th while Johnson was fifth. Instead of a 60-point lead over Johnson, Hamlin was only ahead by 15 after Phoenix and Johnson ended up snatching the title from him at Homestead the next week, his record-setting fifth. Hamlin finished ninth in the Sprint Cup standings in 2011 and opened this season with a strong run at the Daytona 500, finishing third after qualifying 31st. Hamlin started 13th at PIR and briefly led a couple of times before beating Harvick off the line after a caution. Following a brief scare by Harvick, he cruised to the checkers when the No. 29 car ran out of gas. The teams didn't have much time to prepare after one of the most bizarre Daytona 500s ever. Weather pushed the start of the race to Monday night and Juan Pablo Montoya's did-that-really-happen crash into a safety truck during a caution led to a two-hour delay of flames and suds as crews tried to clean the track with laundry detergent. Adding to the long weekend, many drivers weren't able to get home after the race because the airports in North Carolina were shut down due to bad weather. Matt Kenseth came away as the big winner, holding off Dale Earnhardt Jr. to capture his second Daytona 500 title, but Brad Keselowski steered some of the attention in his direction by tweeting updates and photos from the track during the red flag. Six days later, there were no delays, no jet dryer crashes, no in-race tweeting. Just a track that got slicker as the weekend wore on. PIR was resurfaced after the 2011 spring race and held up well in the fall. The grip was decent for the early practice session Friday, but the track became tougher as the temperatures rose Saturday and again for the race. With the sun shining and the temperature in the 80s, drivers fought for traction all day, wobbling and sliding all over. Kasey Kahne slid into the wall early and Paul Menard did the same after AJ Allmendinger got loose in front of him near the midpoint of the race. Ryan Newman, in a backup car because of a practice session crash, was knocked from sixth when Carl Edwards got loose with about 60 laps left and Keselowski dropped back when he got a little squirrely a few laps later |
nascar nation wide series at phoenix 3-3-12 recap
AVONDALE, Ariz. -- Elliott Sadler pulled up to the grandstand, revved his engine and spun his tires until there was hardly any rubber left. A wall of white smoke billowed up the flag stand and drifted over pit road, leaving the rest of the field in a fog.
After waiting so long to win a Nationwide race, Sadler wanted to enjoy this one. Sadler took the lead after a late caution and held on down the stretch to earn his first Nationwide win in 14 years at Phoenix International Raceway on Saturday. "It's a very emotional win," said Sadler, who will run five Sprint Cup races for Michael Waltrip Racing along with his Nationwide schedule this season. "We all know how long it's been since I was in Victory Lane." A former full-time driver in the Sprint Cup series, Sadler started eighth and didn't get near the lead until the end of the race. He passed Brad Keselowski after a caution with 33 laps left and wasn't really challenged on the way to his sixth career Nationwide win. It was Sadler's first win on the Nationwide series since Oct. 31, 1998, at North Carolina Motor Speedway, a span of 91 races, and the first career victory for his crew chief, Lucas Lambert. "I've got all the confidence in our Nationwide organization and I knew Elliott could get the job done," owner Richard Childress said. "He's been too close too many times." Keselowski finished second and defending series champion Ricky Stenhouse Jr. was third. Kevin Harvick led the most laps, but finished fifth behind Austin Dillon after pit strategy at the last caution backfired. Sadler signed on with Harvick's Nationwide team in 2011 and was the runner-up to Stenhouse in the season standings despite not winning a race. Harvick got out of ownership to start a family and his team was absorbed by Richard Childress Racing this season. Sadler had a strong start for his new owners, finishing third at the season opener in Daytona last week after starting in the same spot. He started on the fourth row in Saturday's race and was back to 18th with 50 laps left. He started making his way toward the front after that, and was in position to make a move with the help of some pit strategy on a caution with 36 laps left. Harvick dominated the middle part of the race, leading 93 laps until the last caution sent everyone into the pits for a final stop. Harvick opted for four tires and fuel, but all the other leaders either took two tires or just fuel to get back out quickly. Harvick came out of the pits in seventh and nearly got taken out shortly after the restart, heading down to the inside apron to avoid contact. He moved up to fourth after that, but couldn't make up any more ground. Keselowski took the lead after the caution, but was quickly passed by Sadler. Keselowski and Stenhouse stayed with Sadler over the final 25 laps, but weren't able to get close enough to make a move. "I thought we might be able to catch him, but it wasn't mean to be," Keselowski said. "That's just the way it is sometimes. I don't want to say it's OK, because it's not, I want to win. But it's part of the game." Danica Patrick was never a factor after a wreck-filled run through Daytona. The former IndyCar star started 30th and was a lap down before the midpoint of the race. She finished 21st after wrecking in all three races at Daytona. |
breaking news: lamar odom dropped from dallas mavericks
Lamar Odom has been dropped from the Dallas Mavericks roster and sent down to the NBA Developmental League... in the midst of his worst season as an NBA player.
The Mavs have assigned Odom to play for the Texas Legends ... which means he's officially off the Mavericks roster ... but will still receive his $8.9 million annual salary. According to ESPN, Odom was dropped to the D-League to "get his legs back under him." Odom had missed a few games to deal with family issues back in L.A. Odom's father said the NBA star took care of him during a recent stomach illness. Odom has struggled immensely ever since he was traded away from the Lakers at the beginning of the season ... and turned in career low stats with the Mavs. |
owner of mav's say lamar odom will not be released from dallas pro team
Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban says Lamar Odom WILL rejoin the team after a brief stint down in the D-League ... claiming L.O. simply needs to get his timing back.
Cuban explains, "[Lamar] is doing great. D-League is rehab. [He] needs to get in great shape and then rejoin the Mavs." He continues, "Know how baseball teams send a guy down to the minor leagues to get some games in a get timing back? Same thing." "Things are going great. He is working super hard. All is good." |
new orleans saints in big trouble
source: espn
Between 22 and 27 defensive players on the New Orleans Saints, as well as defensive coordinator Gregg Williams, maintained a "bounty" program funded primarily by players in violation of NFL rules during the 2009, 2010 and 2011 seasons, the NFL announced Friday.
The investigation by the league's security department determined that an improper "pay for performance" program included "bounty" payments to players for inflicting injuries on opposing players that would result in them being removed from a game.
In some cases, the amounts pledged were both significant and directed against a specific opposing player, according to the league's investigation.
Saints general manager Mickey Loomis failed to stop the bounty program when directed to do so by team owner Tom Benson, while coach Sean Payton was aware of the allegations but did not pursue them or take steps to stop the "bounty" program, according to the investigation's findings.
"I want to express my sincere regret and apology to the NFL, Mr. Benson, and the New Orleans Saints fans for my participation in the 'pay for performance' program while I was with the Saints," Williams said in a statement. "It was a terrible mistake, and we knew it was wrong while we were doing it. Instead of getting caught up in it, I should have stopped it. I take full responsibility for my role. I am truly sorry. I have learned a hard lesson and I guarantee that I will never participate in or allow this kind of activity to happen again."
The findings, corroborated by multiple independent sources, have been presented to commissioner Roger Goodell, who will determine the appropriate discipline.
"It is our responsibility to protect player safety and the integrity of our game, and this type of conduct will not be tolerated," Goodell said in a statement. "We have made significant progress in changing the culture with respect to player safety and we are not going to relent. We have more work to do and we will do it."
Goodell has advised the Saints that he will hold proceedings to determine potential discipline against the team and the individuals involved, and confer with the players' union regarding the appropriate punishment. That discipline could include fines, suspensions and the forfeiture of draft choices.
"I have been made aware of the NFL's findings relative to the 'Bounty Rule' and how it relates to our club. I have offered and the NFL has received our full cooperation in their investigation," Benson said in a statement. "While the findings may be troubling, we look forward to putting this behind us and winning more championships in the future for our fans."
According to the investigation, the players regularly contributed cash into a pool and received improper cash payments of two kinds from the pool, based on their play in the previous week's game.
Williams administered the program with the knowledge of other defensive coaches and occasionally contributed funds, according to the league investigation.
Payments were made for plays such as interceptions and fumble recoveries. But the program also included "bounty" payments for "cart-offs," meaning that the opposing player was carried off the field, and "knockouts," meaning that the opposing player was not able to return.
The investigation showed that the total amount of funds in the pool may have reached $50,000 or more at its height during the 2009 playoffs. The program paid players $1,500 for a "knockout" and $1,000 for a "cart-off," with payouts doubling or tripling during the playoffs.
"The payments here are particularly troubling because they involved not just payments for 'performance,' but also for injuring opposing players," Goodell said in a statement. "The bounty rule promotes two key elements of NFL football: player safety and competitive integrity."
The NFL has a longstanding rule prohibiting "non-contract bonuses," and they violate both the league constitution and bylaws and the collective bargaining agreement with the players' union. Clubs are advised every year of this rule in a memo from the commissioner.
"Our investigation began in early 2010 when allegations were first made that Saints players had targeted opposing players, including Kurt Warner of the Cardinals and Brett Favre of the Vikings," Goodell said in a statement. "Our security department interviewed numerous players and other individuals.
"At the time, those interviewed denied that any such program existed and the player that made the allegation retracted his earlier assertions. As a result, the allegations could not be proven," Goodell said.
"We recently received significant and credible new information and the investigation was re-opened during the latter part of the 2011 season."
According to the NFL investigation, Benson was not initially aware of the bounty program and directed Loomis to make sure it was discontinued immediately. The evidence showed Loomis did not do so, investigators found.
"Similarly, when the initial allegations were discussed with Mr. Loomis in 2010, he denied any knowledge of a bounty program and pledged that he would ensure that no such program was in place. There is no evidence that Mr. Loomis took any effective action to stop these practices," according to the league's findings.
Payton "was not a direct participant in the funding or administration of the program," according to the investigation.
However, Payton "was aware of the allegations, did not make any detailed inquiry or otherwise seek to learn the facts, and failed to stop the bounty program. He never instructed his assistant coaches or players that a bounty program was improper and could not continue," the investigation found.
The investigation included the review of approximately 18,000 documents totaling more than 50,000 pages, interviews of a wide range of individuals and the use of outside forensic experts to verify the authenticity of key documents.
Between 22 and 27 defensive players on the New Orleans Saints, as well as defensive coordinator Gregg Williams, maintained a "bounty" program funded primarily by players in violation of NFL rules during the 2009, 2010 and 2011 seasons, the NFL announced Friday.
The investigation by the league's security department determined that an improper "pay for performance" program included "bounty" payments to players for inflicting injuries on opposing players that would result in them being removed from a game.
In some cases, the amounts pledged were both significant and directed against a specific opposing player, according to the league's investigation.
Saints general manager Mickey Loomis failed to stop the bounty program when directed to do so by team owner Tom Benson, while coach Sean Payton was aware of the allegations but did not pursue them or take steps to stop the "bounty" program, according to the investigation's findings.
"I want to express my sincere regret and apology to the NFL, Mr. Benson, and the New Orleans Saints fans for my participation in the 'pay for performance' program while I was with the Saints," Williams said in a statement. "It was a terrible mistake, and we knew it was wrong while we were doing it. Instead of getting caught up in it, I should have stopped it. I take full responsibility for my role. I am truly sorry. I have learned a hard lesson and I guarantee that I will never participate in or allow this kind of activity to happen again."
The findings, corroborated by multiple independent sources, have been presented to commissioner Roger Goodell, who will determine the appropriate discipline.
"It is our responsibility to protect player safety and the integrity of our game, and this type of conduct will not be tolerated," Goodell said in a statement. "We have made significant progress in changing the culture with respect to player safety and we are not going to relent. We have more work to do and we will do it."
Goodell has advised the Saints that he will hold proceedings to determine potential discipline against the team and the individuals involved, and confer with the players' union regarding the appropriate punishment. That discipline could include fines, suspensions and the forfeiture of draft choices.
"I have been made aware of the NFL's findings relative to the 'Bounty Rule' and how it relates to our club. I have offered and the NFL has received our full cooperation in their investigation," Benson said in a statement. "While the findings may be troubling, we look forward to putting this behind us and winning more championships in the future for our fans."
According to the investigation, the players regularly contributed cash into a pool and received improper cash payments of two kinds from the pool, based on their play in the previous week's game.
Williams administered the program with the knowledge of other defensive coaches and occasionally contributed funds, according to the league investigation.
Payments were made for plays such as interceptions and fumble recoveries. But the program also included "bounty" payments for "cart-offs," meaning that the opposing player was carried off the field, and "knockouts," meaning that the opposing player was not able to return.
The investigation showed that the total amount of funds in the pool may have reached $50,000 or more at its height during the 2009 playoffs. The program paid players $1,500 for a "knockout" and $1,000 for a "cart-off," with payouts doubling or tripling during the playoffs.
"The payments here are particularly troubling because they involved not just payments for 'performance,' but also for injuring opposing players," Goodell said in a statement. "The bounty rule promotes two key elements of NFL football: player safety and competitive integrity."
The NFL has a longstanding rule prohibiting "non-contract bonuses," and they violate both the league constitution and bylaws and the collective bargaining agreement with the players' union. Clubs are advised every year of this rule in a memo from the commissioner.
"Our investigation began in early 2010 when allegations were first made that Saints players had targeted opposing players, including Kurt Warner of the Cardinals and Brett Favre of the Vikings," Goodell said in a statement. "Our security department interviewed numerous players and other individuals.
"At the time, those interviewed denied that any such program existed and the player that made the allegation retracted his earlier assertions. As a result, the allegations could not be proven," Goodell said.
"We recently received significant and credible new information and the investigation was re-opened during the latter part of the 2011 season."
According to the NFL investigation, Benson was not initially aware of the bounty program and directed Loomis to make sure it was discontinued immediately. The evidence showed Loomis did not do so, investigators found.
"Similarly, when the initial allegations were discussed with Mr. Loomis in 2010, he denied any knowledge of a bounty program and pledged that he would ensure that no such program was in place. There is no evidence that Mr. Loomis took any effective action to stop these practices," according to the league's findings.
Payton "was not a direct participant in the funding or administration of the program," according to the investigation.
However, Payton "was aware of the allegations, did not make any detailed inquiry or otherwise seek to learn the facts, and failed to stop the bounty program. He never instructed his assistant coaches or players that a bounty program was improper and could not continue," the investigation found.
The investigation included the review of approximately 18,000 documents totaling more than 50,000 pages, interviews of a wide range of individuals and the use of outside forensic experts to verify the authenticity of key documents.