2016 NFL Preview: Don't buy all the Jaguars hype just yet Shutdown Corner is previewing all 32 teams as we get ready for the NFL season, counting down the teams one per day in reverse order of our initial 2016 power rankings. No. 1 will be revealed on Aug. 6, the day before the Hall of Fame Game kicks off the preseason. We know some team will have a dramatic improvement this season and … [Read more...]

Roger Goodell once talked an NFL player out of buying a gun NFL commissioner Roger Goodell has built up a lot of ill will in his nearly 10 years on the job since succeeding Paul Tagliabue. But not all the players whom Goodell has suspended detest him. Tank Johnson once called Roger Goodell from a gun shop (Getty Images) In fact, one — former Chicago Bears, Dallas Cowboys and Cincinnati … [Read more...]

What to get the man that has just about everything? A statue! Behold, the gift presented to Carolina Panthers’ owner Jerry Richardson on Monday, to celebrate his 80th birthday: “The Tribute” (Charlotte Agenda) Yes, that’s a nearly 13-foot tall statue of Richardson, standing on top of a 4-foot pedestal, flanked by two panthers for good measure. The piece was unveiled outside the north … [Read more...]

Browns' Isaiah Crowell attends funeral of slain Dallas police officer Isaiah Crowell (AP) After igniting a firestorm with an Instagram post depicting a handcuffed police officer getting his throat slashed, Cleveland Browns running back Isaiah Crowell has taken several steps to show remorse for his decision (he quickly deleted the post, but screengrabs live forever). Crowell’s most recent … [Read more...]

Bump and Run: Deadline Day Recap What’s an arm and a leg cost? No need to Google it—we can just look at Von Miller’s contract. The Broncos and Miller ended their month-long cat-and-mouse game (complete with pouting, empty threats and passive aggressive Instagram cropping) by agreeing to a six-year, $114.5 million contract on Friday. It’s the richest deal ever signed by a defensive player, but not … [Read more...]

Eagles' Nelson Agholor cleared in sex assault investigation Nelson Agholor (Getty Images) Philadelphia Eagles receiver Nelson Agholor has been cleared and will not face sexual assault charges stemming from a June incident, the Philadelphia district attorney’s office announced Monday. From the release posted on the DA’s website: Philadelphia District Attorney R. Seth Williams released the … [Read more...]

Computer chips in NFL footballs could lead to narrowed uprights The NFL will experiment with footballs that have computer chips inside this preseason (AP) There are many great uses for computer chips in NFL footballs. The NFL’s first use will be … seeing if the goal posts should be narrowed? NFL vice president of officiating Dean Blandino told the Toronto Sun that the NFL will experiment … [Read more...]

Patriots safety Ebner, former Lions RB Best named to Olympic teams Nate Ebner (Getty Images) There are very, very few circumstances under which we can imagine Bill Belichick letting one of his players to miss training camp time. But the Summer Olympics is apparently one of them. On Monday, USA Rugby men’s sevens head coach Mike Friday named the squad that will represent the country at the … [Read more...]

2016 NFL Preview: Lions try to regroup without Megatron Shutdown Corner is previewing all 32 teams as we get ready for the NFL season, counting down the teams one per day in reverse order of our initial 2016 power rankings. No. 1 will be revealed on Aug. 6, the day before the Hall of Fame Game kicks off the preseason. We gave up on the Detroit Lions early last season, and why not? They … [Read more...]

2016 NFL Preview: Jameis Winston leads Buccaneers into new era Shutdown Corner is previewing all 32 teams as we get ready for the NFL season, counting down the teams one per day in reverse order of our initial 2016 power rankings. No. 1 will be revealed on Aug. 6, the day before the Hall of Fame Game kicks off the preseason. Many NFL offseason stories read the same. And a high percentage … [Read more...]