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Dez Bryant Says He’s Found Himself, Comfortable With Life

Michael Gartman (Founder, Senior Writer) — Wed, 22 May 2013 13:00:45 +0000

While there’s been no shortage of wide receivers around the NFL that have already gotten into off-the-field trouble this offseason, Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant has managed to stay out of the limelight.

Photo Credit: DallasCowboys.com

The 6-2, 220-pound wide out spoke about how he’s turned his life around following the team’s first day of organized team activity (OTAs).

“I found myself,” Bryant said, via ESPN Dallas. ”I’m comfortable with my life. I’m enjoying being in the NFL. I wish it could’ve been a couple years back, but I had to go through a couple of things to figure it out. I think I got it and I’m just more focused on my job and doing what I love to do and that’s playing football.”

Bryant’s off-the-field issues caused him to fall in the first round to the Cowboys with the No. 24 overall pick of the 2010 NFL Draft. That slide hasn’t appeared to phase his production, as Bryant made 45 receptions for 561 yards and six scores in 12 contests (two starts) in his rookie campaign. He followed things up with 63 catches for 927 yards and nine TDs in 15 games (13 starts) in his second season in 2011.

However, Bryant ran back into trouble last July, as he was arrest after an incident with his mother, Angela. Nevertheless, the misdemeanor family violence charge was conditionally dismissed in November and will disappear as long as Bryant attends counseling and isn’t charged with any crimes for a year.

“Listening and looking at people who do it right,” said Bryant when asked what has helped him turn a corner in his life. “When I was younger it wasn’t like I was acquainted with all that stuff. I wasn’t used to it. I had to get around people who do it right and I feel like that’s been my stepping stone, these older guys.”

Don’t be surprised if the 24-year-old receiver builds off his impressive showing last season, especially if he continues to stay out of trouble and remains healthy. He heads into 2013 with a total of 200 career catches for 2,871 yards and 27 TDs in 43 games (29 starts) and racked up 92 receptions for 1,382 yards and 12 touchdowns in 16 games (14 starts) in 2012.

Michael Gartman is a College Football and NFL Senior Writer, the AFC South and NFC West Lead Writer and the Founder, CEO of GridironGrit.com. He’s also about to start reporting on topics across all sides of the political spectrum and analyze important issues in the liberty movement for a political website. Follow him @_MichaelGartman on Twitter. Be sure to ‘like’ Gridiron Grit on Facebook and follow us on Twitter @GridironGrit to keep up with the latest coverage on college football, the NFL and more!

Raiders Sign Charles Woodson

Oren Shiri (Analyst, Creative Director) — Wed, 22 May 2013 02:34:12 +0000

Charles Woodson has agreed to terms to sign a one-year deal with the Oakland Raiders, Jay Glazer of FOX Sports first reported and the Raiders later confirmed.

Photo Credit: Raiders.com

The move comes as no surprise as he head into his meeting with the team earlier Tuesday reportedly intrigued with the idea of finishing his NFL career in the same place it started.

According to Josina Anderson of ESPN, Woodson’s agent, Carl Poston, said that the 1997 Heisman winner’s one-year deal is worth a “max” of $4.3 million, which includes a $700,000 signing bonus.

The 6-1, 202-pound former 1998 first round pick (No. 4 overall out of Michigan) spent his first eight seasons with the Raiders (19985-2005), appearing in 106 contests (103 starts) and collecting 17 interceptions (for 328 yards and two scores) and nine forced fumbles with a total of 257 tackles and 5.5 sacks (tackles and sacks weren’t recorded until his fourth season in 2001).

Over the last seven seasons (2006-12), Woodson has totaled 462 tackles with 11.5 sacks, 38 interceptions (for 568 yards and nine TDs) and 15 fumbles in 100 games (all starts) with the Green Bay Packers.

Oren Shiri is the Creative Director and an analyst at GridironGrit and Founder of NFL Draft Insiders. Be sure to ‘like’ Gridiron Grit on Facebook and follow @NFLorentime and @GridironGrit on Twitter to keep up with the latest coverage on college football, the NFL and more!

Orange County Law Enforcement Hold Press Conference to Announce Titus Young Hasn’t Been Arrested in Over 168 Hours

Chris Hatch — Tue, 21 May 2013 21:41:15 +0000

After former NFL wide receiver Titus Young was arrested for the third time in two days, on May 12th 2013, local law enforcement in Orange County were put on high alert. Following a brief period of time in which he wasn’t arrested, they held a news conference to try to quell any public panic.

Photo Credit: EliteDaily.com

“We are pleased to announce that, as a department, we have not arrested Titus Young in nearly 170 hours,” the Sheriff’s office announced in a press conference on Tuesday afternoon in a statement which was met with wild applause by Titus Young’s mother and his agent who had, presumably, snuck into the back of the conference.

“We called you all here today, because we truly believe that this period of un-arrest merits a congratulatory period at our offices. Each of our officers who haven’t had to arrest Titus Young have been formally reprimanded for their oversight in this matter and we know that, while this is truly a momentous moment for our department, he’s probably out somewhere doing something illegal. As such, we are going to be waiting an additional 48-72 hours before disbanding our newly formed ‘Titus Task Force’ and before no longer requiring our officers to run two warmup laps and perform group stretches on the departmental track before starting their shifts.”

“Frankly,” the Sheriff’s office continued, “we thought Titus might be going for the record.”

“The Record” that they were referring to was once held by local miscreant, and noted convict, Tim ‘Skeezy’ Skagnetti, who was once arrested four times in two days.

While the Sheriff”s office was initially unclear on the charges that might be awaiting Young, they shed some light on that as well, during their brief time in front of the media.

“What we’re looking at charging Mr. Young with, now, would be 10-12 years for aggravated idiocy; a charge that was created by our legal team on the spot, since there was literally no precedent for such moronic behavior.”

When pressed for further details about what it may have looked like when Young attempted to steal his car back from the police impound lot the spokesperson merely stood off to one side and rolled this mysterious footage.

Chris Hatch (@downthehatch402) covers humor/satire and more for Gridiron Grit. Be sure to ‘like’ Gridiron Grit on Facebook to keep up with the latest coverage on college football, the NFL, humor/satire and more!

Disney Forces ESPN To Lay Off Hundreds of Employees

Michael Gartman (Founder, Senior Writer) — Tue, 21 May 2013 19:25:46 +0000

When you’ve worked hard for several years for the world’s most valuable media property—worth an estimated $40 million (as of last November)—you might expect to have some job security.

Photo Credit: Deadspin.com

Unfortunately that couldn’t be further from the truth for hundreds of ESPN employees. Bestselling author and ESPN authority Jim Miller announced that the company is laying off between 300 and 400 employees.

The startling news was eventually confirmed by ESPN in a public statement:

“We are implementing changes across the company to enhance our continued growth while smartly managing costs. While difficult, we are confident that it will make us more competitive, innovative and productive.”

This is ESPN’s first major staff reduction since 2009, according to Deadspin.

“I was laid off from ESPN today after 9 and a half years,” a laid-off ESPN employee tells John Koblin of Deadspin.com. “Completely out of the blue, no warning at all. I was told it was 10% across the board, which would be roughly 400. I was told the reason was they needed to make their profit margin and they chose to do that via layoff of staff.”

According to multiple reports, one of the main reasons behind these severe decisions was that the company wasn’t hitting its profit margin and was forced by Disney to make the cuts. Disney’s stock also reached an all-time high this month and ESPN doesn’t even appear to be the only Disney property that’s being forced into making cuts.

The other main reason stems from gobbling up extremely expensive sports rights fees to live events.

Matt Yoder of Awful Announcing notes that this could be “a sign of its stretching and tightening” when you consider that over the last two years ESPN has paid $15 million/year for the Longhorn Network, $20 million/year for the Big East, $70 million/year for U.S. Open Tennis, $500 million/year for the College Football Playoff, $700 million/year for MLB rights and $1.8 billion/year for Monday Night Football. And that doesn’t even include the NBA, NASCAR, SEC, numerous college sports, soccer, etc.

“We were told that the layoffs ARE tied to the profit margin that ESPN needs to meet and the fact they haven’t met that number,” a laid-off ESPN employee (not sure whether it’s the same one) told Deadspin. “Your comments about them buying all of these live rights and now needed to reduce overhead costs is dead on.”

We feel for every one of these employees and hope these hard-working, dedicated individuals quickly find the best revenge—success.

Darren McFadden Gearing Up For ‘Explosive’ 2013 Season

Michael Gartman (Founder, Senior Writer) — Tue, 21 May 2013 13:00:42 +0000

Oakland Raiders running back Darren McFadden has plenty of incentive to stay healthy heading into his contract year and sixth season in the league in 2013, especially after averaging almost five missed games in his first five seasons.

Photo Credit: Tony Gonzalez/Raiders.com

He also started the second-most games (12) and collected the second-most catches (42) and second-most carries (216) of his career last year, despite scoring the second-fewest touchdowns (two) and averaging the lowest YPC rate (3.3) since entering the NFL as a first round pick (No. 4 overall out of Arkansas) in 2008.

So it’s a good sign that the 6-1, 218-pound running back reportedly looked “energized” and “explosive” at Raiders’ early OTAs, per Steve Corkran of the Contra Costa Times.

McFadden, 25, has appeared in 57 contests (44 starts) and rushed for 3,334 yards and 18 TDs on 769 carries (4.3 YPC) with 158 receptions for 1,449 yards and five scores through the air in his first five years.

Whether the Raiders’ talent-deficient offensive line can open up running lanes will be pretty critical to his production and the team’s success on offense in the upcoming season.

Charles Woodson Ready To Take Back The Silver and Black

Oren Shiri (Analyst, Creative Director) — Tue, 21 May 2013 04:35:00 +0000

Right now as it stands Monday evening, Charles Woodson remains a free agent. Tomorrow, the Oakland Raiders plan to meet with the veteran defensive back with the hope of bringing him back to the Silver and Black, where he first suited up in an NFL uniform.

Photo Credit: Raiders.com

While several other teams have inquired about his services over the last couple of months, and the Denver Broncos are still a possible landing spot, Woodson is reportedly intrigued with the idea of finishing his NFL career in the same place it started, according to ESPN’s Adam Shefter.

In anticipation of his visit with Oakland, Raider Nation decided to start an online campaign to gather en masse at team headquarters, per Levi Damien at SB Nation. Fans have joined forces through a barrage of tweets and a Facebook page, with this on its wall:

“Get down to the facility to show C-Wood he needs to come home on the day of his visit Tuesday. As well as show all the NFL what we all about, will be a great opportunity to show C-Wood as well as all players around the league how great being a part of the Raider Nation is!”

When Woodson initially hit the open market, he said he wanted to join a contender. The Denver Broncos and San Francisco 49ers have welcomed Woodson in for visits and the New York Giants and Detroit Lions have also shown recent interest in acquiring his services, but if the price is right and Woodson feels at home, don’t be surprised if he comes back to the Silver and Black.

Packers’ Desmond Bishop Thinks He is DPOY Caliber

Ryan Cook (Co-Founder, Senior Writer) — Tue, 21 May 2013 03:18:27 +0000

Green Bay Packers linebacker Demond Bishop started 13 games in 2011 to help lift the Packers to a 15-1 record, but in 2012, never made his way back to the turf after a disappointing hamstring injury got in his way.

As a result, Bishop was a heavy favorite to be traded a month ago by Ted Thompson, but now looks likely to remain in green and gold for at least one more year.

Most players in Bishop’s position would be preparing for a tough training camp battle for the starting spot right about now. Instead Bishop wants more, he thinks he is a big contender for Defensive Player of the Year.

Bishop told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel on Monday that he keeps a diary of his goals, and was thoroughly disappointed with how few he achieved a season ago.

On one line in this year’s edition, the words “2013 Defensive MVP. Why not?” sit, which raises the question of how big a year Bishop is really in for.

The problem with Bishop’s golden goal is that playing linebacker for the Packers is a tough gig. There’s Clay Matthews flashing his new contract for one, but A.J. Hawk and Brad Jones also play a huge role on Dom Capers’ defense.

Green Bay had 47 sacks last season, ranking first in the NFC North. Matthews, Jones and Hawk combined for 16 of them, while late round picks Nate Palmer and Andy Mulumbah make things more interesting, which is what Ted Thompson aimed to do in the draft.

The biggest name to watch as OTA’s get into the thick of things though is Nick Perry. He’s coming off a wrist injury that sidelined him for ten games, and can add a real pass rush at the outside spot if things pan out for him as a starter.

All of that, plus the impact that draft pick Datone Jones could have on the sack count, leaves Bishop as second best. But still, in the off chance that injury mars the Packers’ defense (again) and the linebackers fall thin, we could see Bishop come in on a rotation.

Out of all the Packers’ options, A.J. Hawk remains the most questionable. If Perry looks healthy, he adds some physical prowess. Hawk on the other hand is hardly a fan favorite, and continues to see his sack numbers yoyo.

If the Packers are willing to go all out and rely on Bishop having another 90 tackle, five sack kind-of season like he did in 2011 however, there’s a chance he could find playing time. Defensive Player of the Year though, could be a stretch.

2014 NFL Draft To Be Moved To Middle of May?

Oren Shiri (Analyst, Creative Director) — Mon, 20 May 2013 23:28:10 +0000

If you like the sound of the 2014 NFL Draft kicking off in the middle of May—for whatever reason—well then we’ve got good news for you. ESPN’s Adam Shefter reports that the NFL and NFLPA are on the verge of pushing the draft back from the end of April to the middle of May and moving the start of the league year ahead of the Scouting Combine.

While the timetable for the Scouting Combine and start of the league year would not change in 2014, next year’s draft would kick into swing on May 15, three weeks after this year’s draft. In 2015, the NFL Draft would begin a little earlier in the month of May, while the league year would start in early March and the Scouting Combine would slide the middle of March.

Photo Credit: Vikings.com

These proposed changes—which are near completion—are being put in place to “keep fans’ attention over a long period” and “use the events to produce additional revenue.” It could also be the beginnings of making room for two more regular season games, though that’s just speculation at this point.

Giving teams 10-14 days to bolster their rosters in free agency would also assuredly give everyone a better sense of what teams need during the draft before checking out the prospects up close in Indianapolis.

Gary Kubiak: DeVier Posey’s Achilles Rehab ‘Ahead of Schedule’

Michael Gartman (Founder, Senior Writer) — Mon, 20 May 2013 20:11:23 +0000

Houston Texans head coach Gary Kubiak delivered some pretty good news when he spoke at the team’s OTAs on Monday, as he described the Achilles rehabilitation process of second-year wide receiver DeVier Posey as “ahead of schedule,” according to Tania Ganguli of the Houston Chronicle.

Photo Credit: HoustonTexans.com

Kubiak also noted that Posey remains a candidate to open the season on the physically unable to perform list, though the decision will be made at a much later date.

Posey only amassed six receptions for 87 yards in 11 games in his rookie campaign, but he has plenty of potential, and even if the Texans’ 2012 third round draft choice (No. 68 overall out of Ohio State) lands on the PUP list and misses at least the first six weeks of the regular season, the team doesn’t need to rush him back—especially with the addition of DeAndre Hopkins.

Report: Calvin Johnson Didn’t Actually Break His Fingers

Michael Gartman (Founder, Senior Writer) — Mon, 20 May 2013 18:46:18 +0000

It was reported earlier today that Detroit Lions star receiver Calvin Johnson had confirmed that he played with three broken fingers last season. But that turns out not to be true, per ProFootballTalk.com.

Photo Credit: Gavin Smith/DetroitLions.com

PFT’s story disputes a report from the Detroit News, which includes a Q-and-A with the 6-5, 236-pound wide out that contains no specific quote where Megatron claims to have played with broken fingers.

While the team has yet to address the contention—which is really a non-issue at this point—it doesn’t change the fact that Johnson played through the “Madden curse” and injured fingers and regularly battled double teams, yet somehow he still managed to tear up the stats sheet, breaking Jerry Rice’s single-season receiving yards record with a career-high 122 catches and 1,964 yards (with five TDs) in 2012.

In six seasons, Megatron has appeared in 92 games (87 starts) and collected a whopping 488 receptions for 7,836 yards and 54 scores. Don’t be surprised if the former 2007 first round pick (No. 2 overall out of Georgia Tech) winds up being the top fantasy receiver for the third straight year in 2013.