NFL News & Notes: April 21, 2014 Edition

We have officially hit that slow part of the NFL calendar. That time between free agency and when the draft starts next month at Radio City Music Hall in New York City. There are still some things going on around the league as teams start to fully transition to final draft prep. 

NFL Schedule to be Released…Sometime

The league is set to relaease its 2014 regular season schedule at some point this week. It could be Wednesday. It could be Thursday. We all know how Mr. Roger Goodell loves to leave us all guessing.

One of the biggest games people are going to look for is the opening Thursday Night Football matchup on NBC that will involve the defending Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks. They will host the opening game, and it’s everyone’s hope that the San Francisco 49ers are the opponent. But that would be way too easy.

 

LaMichael James Not Participating in 49ers Offseason Activities

This shouldn’t come as too much of a surprise. It was reported late last week that James is firmly on the trade block. He now now waits until the 49ers can trade him. What San Francisco might be able to fetch in a trade is unclear. Running backs aren’t necessarily valued in the NFL today. Take into account that he’s not an every-down running back in the NFL and that further limits his trade value. The fact that it’s well known he’s not happy with the 49ers and that they plan on trading him may further hinder his trade value. In any event, we can expect a conclusion to this saga before the NFL draft in less than three weeks.

 

The Cleveland Browns Are Interested in Derek Carr in the First Round

It just remains to be seen at which pick. Cleveland possesses the fourth and 26th picks in the upcoming 2014 NFL draft. While some reports have indicated that they are looking at spending that second first rounder on Carr, there is something to the idea tht Carr may not be there when the time comes. Does Cleveland then “reach” on Carr in the top five? That’s the million-dollar question here.

 

TMZ, Seemingly Everywhere Around the Sports World Today, Reports that Keyshawn Johnson Was Arrested on Domestic Violence Charges

I wonder how ESPN is going to handle the latest case of one of its media personalities getting arrested. Will it attempt to sweep the incident under the rug, again? That should be telling.

In any event, TMZ is reporting that Johnson was arrested in Calabasas, CA on charges of misemenonar domestic battery charges. Johnson quickly made bail and was released. These charges normally bring a three-year suspended sentence and a required 52 weeks of domestic violence classes. Somehow, I imagine Johnson’s penalty won’t be anywhere near as tough.

 

NFL Draft Prospect Loucheiz Purifoy’s Bath Salt Bust

The former Florida Gator defensive back is surely to see a steep drop down the draft boards when the annual event rolls around in Radio City Music hall in less than three weeks. Once considered a first-round pick, Purifoy has seen his draft stock drop a great deal because of lackluster play on the football field and an inability to improve on perceived weaknesses.

Add into the account this off-field incident, and Purifoy may actually go undrafted when all is said and done. Then again, the 49ers still have picks in the draft, so all might not be lost here.

 

With a Ton of Fifth-Year Player Options Picked Up, When Will a Decision be Made on Aldon Smith? 

The 2011 NFL Draft class was absolutely stacked from top to bottom. That’s becoming evident as teams are picking up their fifth-year options on players who were set to become free agents following the 2014 season if said options weren’t exercised.

According to NFL.com, the following players have had their options picked up. Cam Newton, A.J. Green, Patrick Peterson, Tyron Smith, J.J. Watt, Corey Liuget, Robert Quinn, Cameron Jordan, Jimmy Smith, Muhammed Wilkerson and Cameron Heyward.

Among the higher-profile first-round picks who haven’t seen their options picked up are: Aldon Smith, Nick Fairley and Adrian Clayborn. That NFL.com report suggests that it’s highly unlikely any of those three will see their options exercised. Smith being the big name there, especially after his dominating three-year performance, and equally disturbing off-field issues. Teams have another two weeks to make a decision.

 

Don’t Pay Too Much Attention to Pre-Draft Visits

Everyone is looking for something to hang their hats on when it comes to teams indicating what direction they may go in the upcoming draft. Unfortunately for fans and the media, this simply isn’t the case. Just because the New England Patriots met with Teddy Bridgewater, it doesn’t mean that they are seriously considering a move up the board to draft him.

Here is a perfect case study. The Seattle Seahawks have a pre-draft visit scheduled with former Washington State strong safety Deone Bucannon, who is expected to be an early-round pick next month. With Kam Chancellor and Earl Thomas firmly entrenched in as the Seahawks two starters at safety, there isn’t much room for Bucannon on the roster. Some have indicated he would fit well as an outside linebacker in Seattle’s defensive scheme, but its not going to select him in either the first or second round to switch positions.

So when you hear about a specific prospect meeting with a team, take it with a grain of salt. The vast majority of those selected in the first round next month won’t really be linked to the team that picks them beforehand, at least outside of the top-10 picks or so.

 

Tom Savage Was Invited to the NFL Draft

Fortunately for the former Pittsburgh quarterback, he won’t afford himself the ability to get embarrassed when the draft comes. Savage has denied the invite. This makes a ton of sense considering where some have the quarterback ranked on their big boards. 

 

Rolando McClain “Done” with Football

After a poor showing in a workout with the Baltimore Ravens last week, former Oakland Raiders top-10 pick Rolando McClain has apparently retired from the NFL again. Remember, McClain had announced his retirement last year after another off-field incident. The former Alabama All-American had gotten his life straight off the field and was looking to make a comeback. Apparently, that’s not in the cards. We wish McClain the best with what he decides to do moving forward.

 

“Draft Day” Bombs Out at the Box Office

Consider us in shock and utter disbelief. There was a time when Kevin Costner was a cash cow at the box office, but that time surely has passed. The underrated actor portrayed a fictional Cleveland Browns general manager preparing for the NFL draft. Interestingly enough, the league gave this film unprecedented behind-the-scenes access to the draft process. It remains to be seen how Roger Goodell and his chronies will react to future projects after being linked to a film that bombed out so badly.

“Draft Day” has made just $20 million in its first 10 days and had a budget of $50 million. Not on “Waterworld” levels, but still pretty bad. Maybe Costner can star in a sequal to “Field of Dreams.” I am sure we’d all be interested in that.

 

Photo: Tim Fuller, USA Today