ALAMEDA, Calif. (AP) — The NFL said Thursday it will investigate whether the Oakland Raiders violated the “Rooney Rule” when they hired Jon Gruden as coach.The Fritz Pollard Alliance called for the investigation on Wednesday out of concern that Raiders owner Mark Davis came to an agreement with Gruden before the team interviewed any minority candidates as required by the NFL since 2003.NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy said in a statement that the NFL will “look into this.”The Fritz Pollard Alliance is dedicated to promoting diversity and equality of job opportunity in the coaching, front office and scouting staffs of NFL teams.Davis said Tuesday at the news conference introducing Gruden as the team’s new coach that he had been trying to make the move for six years and finally believed it would happen after a meeting in Philadelphia on Christmas Eve, the day before Gruden worked a game between the Raiders and Eagles on ESPN.“I felt pretty confident … [Read more...] about NFL looking into Raiders and possible Rooney Rule violation
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Fitzpatrick among 5 Alabama underclassmen entering NFL draft
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (AP) National champion Alabama once again must replace a number of key players leaving early for the NFL draft, including All-America safety Minkah Fitzpatrick. Fitzpatrick, safety Ronnie Harrison and tailback Bo Scarbrough announced Thursday they’re skipping their senior seasons. Crimson Tide coach Nick Saban says defensive tackle Da’Ron Payne is also entering the draft, and wide receiver Calvin Ridley already had announced his departure. Fitzpatrick, regarded as a potential top 10 pick, said it wasn’t a tough call for him. ”I think it was a pretty clear decision with my family and my coaches,” he said. ”I feel I played well enough to go high as I wanted to. I got a good grade from my coaches and the NFL. So it wasn’t a difficult decision. It was a little bittersweet. I love the University of Alabama, made a lot of great friends, a lot of great relationships here inside the team and outside the team. It’s going to be … [Read more...] about Fitzpatrick among 5 Alabama underclassmen entering NFL draft
LSU running back Derrius Guice says he is entering NFL draft
BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) LSU leading rusher Derrius Guice says he’s entering the 2018 NFL draft. In a recorded video published on social media, Guice thanks coaches and others who influenced him during his youth in Baton Rouge and during three seasons at LSU, and says he’s ready to begin the ”next chapter” in his life by turning pro. Guice rushed for 1,251 yards and 11 touchdowns during the 2017 season, including a season-high 276 yards rushing in a victory at Mississippi. Guice also caught 18 passes for 124 yards and two scores. In 2016, Guice set an LSU single-game record with 285 yards rushing in a victory at Texas A&M, breaking the mark of 284 yards set earlier that season by Leonard Fournette. Guice leaves the Tigers having rushed for 3,074 yards and 29 touchdowns. Guice is among five LSU players to announce they’re leaving school early to turn pro this year, including edge pass rusher Arden Key, offensive tackle Toby Weathersby, and defensive backs … [Read more...] about LSU running back Derrius Guice says he is entering NFL draft
FSU DL Jalen Wilkerson leaving early to enter NFL draft
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Jalen Wilkerson is the sixth Florida State player to announce he is leaving early to enter the NFL draft.The 6-foot-4, 283-pound defensive lineman had two years of eligibility remaining after completing his redshirt sophomore season. He started only one game this past season but played in all 13, logging 19 tackles, including six tackles for loss.Wilkerson said via Twitter that “Some people will never know why you have to make the decisions you make, but I will forever be thankful for the opportunity to play for Nole Nation.”Wilkerson joins safety Derwin James, tight end Ryan Izzo, defensive end Josh Sweat, cornerback Tarvarus McFadden and wide receiver Auden Tate in leaving early. … [Read more...] about FSU DL Jalen Wilkerson leaving early to enter NFL draft
Florida State’s Jalen Wilkerson leaving early for NFL draft
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) Jalen Wilkerson is the sixth Florida State player to announce he is leaving early to enter the NFL draft. The 6-foot-4, 283-pound defensive lineman had two years of eligibility remaining after completing his redshirt sophomore season. He started only one game this past season but played in all 13, logging 19 tackles, including six tackles for loss. Wilkerson said via Twitter that ”Some people will never know why you have to make the decisions you make, but I will forever be thankful for the opportunity to play for Nole Nation.” Wilkerson joins safety Derwin James, tight end Ryan Izzo, defensive end Josh Sweat, cornerback Tarvarus McFadden and wide receiver Auden Tate in leaving early. — More AP college football: https://collegefootball.ap.org and https://twitter.com/AP-Top25 … [Read more...] about Florida State’s Jalen Wilkerson leaving early for NFL draft
The NFL will have to wait: Drew Lock announces return to Mizzou
COLUMBIA, Mo. — Missouri quarterback Drew Lock is returning to school for his senior season.Lock announced his decision Tuesday. He had been considering entering this year’s NFL draft.He says he is coming back in part because he felt a sense of “responsibility and loyalty” to his coaches and teammates.In 2017, Lock broke the school and SEC single-season records for touchdown passes with 44 while leading the Tigers to seven wins and their first bowl game since 2014.With Lock behind center, Missouri will have nine returning starters on offense. … [Read more...] about The NFL will have to wait: Drew Lock announces return to Mizzou
USC WR Deontay Burnett declares for 2018 NFL Draft
Joining quarterback Sam Darnold and tailback Ronald Jones II, USC senior WR Deontay Burnett has chosen to skip his senior year as a Trojan to enter the 2018 NFL Draft.The announcement was made Monday afternoon on Burnett’s Instagram and Twitter accounts.“The NFL has been a life long dream of mine and I feel I am ready to take on this next challenge in my life,” the Compton, Calif. native mentioned in his statement.Throughout his years at USC, Burnett put up 1,897 yards, 152 catches, and 16 touchdowns.The 2018 NFL Draft will be held in Arlington, Texas on April 26-28. … [Read more...] about USC WR Deontay Burnett declares for 2018 NFL Draft
NFL, NFLPA to review how Panthers handled hit on QB Newton
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) Interim general manager Marty Hurney insists the Carolina Panthers handled the medical treatment of quarterback Cam Newton ”the right way” during Sunday’s 31-26 playoff loss to the New Orleans Saints. The NFL and NFL Players Association announced Monday they plan to conduct a joint review to determine if the Panthers followed the correct concussion protocol after Newton took a hard shot from Saints defensive tackle David Onyemata midway through the fourth quarter. If the concussion protocol was not properly followed the team is subject to discipline, including a $150,000 fine. Newton spent time on the ground after the hit. Then, as he was walking toward the sideline, appeared to stumble to one knee. He briefly pointed toward his right eye. He sat out one play, but returned on the next offensive series and finished the game. ”He took a hit. But when he walked off and he told the trainers he got poked in the eye, then they did take him into … [Read more...] about NFL, NFLPA to review how Panthers handled hit on QB Newton
USC WR Deontay Burnett will leave early for NFL draft
LOS ANGELES (AP) Southern California receiver Deontay Burnett is skipping his senior season to enter the NFL draft. Burnett announced his decision Monday on Twitter. The 20-year-old Burnett was the Trojans’ leading receiver this season, catching 86 passes for 1,114 yards and nine touchdowns. His production increased sharply in each of his three seasons in USC’s offense, and he finished with 152 career receptions for 1,897 yards and 16 TDs. Burnett is the latest USC star from prep powerhouse Serra High School in nearby Gardena. He also is the third skill-position player to leave USC early this season, joining quarterback Sam Darnold and running back Ronald Jones II. Together, the trio was the core of the offense for the Pac-12 champion Trojans (11-3). — More AP college football: www.collegefootball.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP-Top25 … [Read more...] about USC WR Deontay Burnett will leave early for NFL draft
Clemson WR McCloud leaving early for NFL draft
CLEMSON, S.C. (AP) Clemson receiver Ray-Ray McCloud will skip his senior season to enter the NFL draft, becoming the first of several Tiger underclassmen who could go pro. McCloud announced his decision Sunday on the football team’s Twitter account . The 5-foot-10, 180-pound junior from Tampa, Florida, has been a returner and defensive back in his three seasons at Clemson. McCloud made headlines in 2016 when he dropped the ball just short of the goal line on what was a sure punt-return TD against Troy. He was Clemson’s third leading receiver, with 49 catches for 503 yards and a touchdown. Clemson has several other underclassmen considering going pro, most notably defensive linemen Clelin Ferrell and Christian Wilkins, offensive lineman Mitch Hyatt and receiver Deon Cain. — More AP college football: http://collegefootball.ap.org and http://www.twitter.com/AP-Top25 … [Read more...] about Clemson WR McCloud leaving early for NFL draft