Did Bucs have a first-round grade on kicker Roberto Aguayo? In a long, fascinating story in Pewter Report, which looked back at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' recent draft class, some very interesting news popped up. It appears they earmarked a first-round grade on a kicker. That, of course, would be Florida State's Roberto Aguayo, whom the Buccaneers traded up high in Round 2 to draft. As Bucs … [Read more...]

Sebastian Janikowski was drafted in first round. Was it worth it?   This offseason, Shutdown Corner will travel down memory lane with a series of stories presenting some interesting and sometimes forgotten stories from the NFL's past. Join us as we relive some of the greatest and craziest moments in the sport's history. The first round of the 2000 NFL draft is an interesting one to look … [Read more...]

Former Washington Pro Bowler now opposes team's name A decisive new Washington Post poll released Thursday indicated that an overwhelming percentage of Native Americans do not have a problem with the use of the name "Redskins" to identify an NFL team. Critics of the poll have challenged its methodology and phrasing, but what's undeniable is that, for whatever reason, a significant majority … [Read more...]

Watch Gronk try ballet. Watch Gronk fail. There isn't much New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski can't do on the football field. And off the field, he's the guy pretty much everyone wants to hang out with, thus his recent coronation as "funnest guy in sports." Gronkowski loves to dance, though it's questionable just how good he is at it, and that clearly extends to ballet. Getting a … [Read more...]

Jaguars first-rounder Jalen Ramsey suffers knee injury If it wasn't for bad luck, the Jacksonville Jaguars might have no luck at all. Especially with their first-round draft picks. Cornerback Jalen Ramsey, the team's top pick in April, suffered a knee injury during offseason activities that is believed to be a small meniscus tear. Although it doesn't appear to be a season-ending injury, … [Read more...]

Paid patriotism payback — NFL to return taxpayers more than $700K The NFL, which was criticized for its teams receiving profits for sponsored military tributes, will pay back $723,734 in taxpayers' money, according to ESPN.com. NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said that the league would pay back the money for "paid patriotism" — acts of military recognition during games — that had been … [Read more...]

Jimmy Garoppolo has the opportunity of a lifetime this season Jimmy Garoppolo finds himself in a good situation. He can prepare all offseason as if he'll be the New England Patriots' starting quarterback for the first four games of the season, thanks to Tom Brady's deflate-gate suspension. He prepared all last offseason for the same opportunity, only to have a court overturn Brady's … [Read more...]

Poll: 9 in 10 Native Americans do not oppose 'Redskins' name Washington's NFL team name has been the source of controversy for decades, a controversy that's ramped up in recent years as groups on multiple fronts have protested the use of the name 'Redskins.' A new Washington Post poll has brought the question surging back to the fore with a definitive finding: 9 of 10 Native Americans do not … [Read more...]

Adam Vinatieri was fired up about getting mentioned in a rap song Before this week, which of these two things was less likely to happen? 1. Indianapolis Colts kicker Adam Vinatieri would be excited to get a shout-out in a rap song, and say that was on his bucket list. 2. Vinatieri would get shouted out in a rap song. Those two were probably tied with a 0 percent chance of happening, but … [Read more...]

Will Carson Palmer's playoff nightmare linger? Jake Delhomme's did This offseason, Shutdown Corner will travel down memory lane with a series of stories presenting some interesting and sometimes forgotten stories from the NFL's past. Join us as we relive some of the greatest and craziest moments in the sport's history. I never thought I would see the look that I saw in the eyes of the … [Read more...]