Training Camp Daily Dose: Dose: Brady's Ban Upheld
Training camps are opening this week, which means our little summer vacation here at Rotoworld Football has come to a close. It’ll be full-steam ahead here for the next seven months.
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While the rest of the teams and its fan bases are looking at fresh starts, the NFL continues to hold onto last season. The #Deflategate Saga continued on Tuesday with the league announcing it has upheld Tom Brady’s four-game suspension for allegedly having the footballs altered in the playoffs.
According to Profootballtalk’s Mike Florio, the league offered Brady a reduced suspension to one or two games as long as he was willing to provide an admission of guilt. Brady would’ve had to admit he knew the Patriots’ ball men were taking air out of the footballs, admit he didn’t cooperate with the Ted Wells investigation and then apologize for his acts. Brady refused and appears dead-set on either getting his suspension wiped out completely or biting the bullet and sitting all four games.
The next step in this dragged-out, never-ending process will be Brady taking the NFL to federal court, though the NFL beat him to the table by asking the U.S. District Court to “confirm” Brady’s ban. Brady’s account in this took a hit when it was revealed he destroyed his cell phone on the day he met with Ted Wells earlier this offseason. We have a long way to go here with no end in sight.
As for Brady’s backup and potential starter for the Patriots’ first four games, Jimmy Garoppolo reportedly showed far better command of the offense this spring than he did at any time as a rookie. He’s going to get a ton of reps this summer, and we’d expect the offense to keep on ticking with the former second-round pick calling the shots. Rob Gronkowski’s stock won’t take a hit.
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In Other News…
Rams first-round RB Todd Gurley, the 10th overall pick in the draft, appeared to be a lock to open training camp on the active/NFI list as he continues his rehab from ACL surgery. But the Rams instead announced Tuesday that Gurley passed his conditioning test with flying colors and will open camp on the active roster. That means he’s ineligible for reserve/NFI to open the year, which would have cost Gurley the first six games. Expect St. Louis to still bring its rookie along slowly, but Gurley should be doing team drills in short order and has a chance to see meaningful preseason action. Look for Gurley’s ADP to rise over the next month, though we’re not entirely comfortable with his situation in an anemic offense behind the league’s most inexperienced offensive line.
Let’s start with the bad Chiefs news first. They were dealt a big blow on Tuesday when it was revealed NT Dontari Poe will miss all of training camp after undergoing back surgery to repair a herniated disk. He’s a near-lock to open the season on reserve/PUP, costing him at the very least the first six games of the year. Coach Andy Reid thinks it’s reasonable Poe could return at some point near the end of the season. Poe is a budding star in the middle of the Chiefs’ defense.
On to the good — let’s go GREAT — news in Kansas City. Safety Eric Berry has beaten cancer and will practice with his teammates on Wednesday. Berry was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma in December after complaining of chest pain. He underwent standard chemotherapy treatments and is now cancer-free. The Chiefs will need strong back-end play to make up for the loss of Poe.
While the league is sticking it to Tom Brady with his four-game ban, the news that Le’Veon Bell’s three-game suspension has been reduced to two games flew under the radar a bit on Tuesday. He’ll now miss Weeks 1 and 2 against the Patriots and 49ers before returning for Week 3 against the Rams. While some had dropped Bell down redraft rankings due to his suspension, he’s now squarely back atop the list as the unquestioned No. 1 overall player in both standard and PPR formats.
Quarterback & Running Back Slants
Robert Griffin III “exhibited growth” during the offseason. … The Dolphins re-signed Josh Freeman after releasing him last Friday. … Justin Forsett’s catch total could “potentially double” under new OC Marc Trestman. … Cowboys waived/injured Ryan Williams (knee), and he reverted to season-ending injured reserve. He’ll be a candidate for an injury settlement at some point this year if he ever gets healthy. Dallas signed UDFA RB Gus Johnson to take Williams’ roster spot. … The Cowboys have no interest in free agent Ray Rice. … Coach Joe Philbin said the Dolphins are open to giving Lamar Miller more carries in 2015 after he failed to receive 20 carries in any game last year. … Terrance West was battling Duke Johnson and veteran Shaun Draughn for carries in the spring.
Wide Receiver & Tight End Slants
Saints second-year WR Brandon Coleman is playing “faster and more at ease” after struggling last summer and spending the season on the practice squad. … Kamar Aiken “consistently” ran with the first-team offense opposite Steve Smith Sr. during the spring, ahead of rookie Breshad Perriman. … Bengals waived/injured WR James Wright (knee) and are working out free agent WR Greg Little. Denarius Moore has reportedly been unimpressive at Bengals camp. … Markus Wheaton has reportedly had the “best offseason of the Steelers’ receivers”. Rookie Sammie Coates apparently “has work to do”. … Mike Wallace admits he needs to be a better person and player in Minnesota. … Prince Amukamara raved about Victor Cruz (knee) after the pair worked out together in the offseason. … Rookie Maxx Williams didn’t get off to a hot start during spring practices.
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