NFL News & Rumors Digest

Bill Parcells has informed the New Orleans Saints the he will not replace suspended coach Sean Payton and is staying retired, according to a league supply.

The Saints will now appear to employ from within the organization. By advertising an assistant on the team, the Saints will not have to interview a minority candidate in accordance with the league’s Rooney Rule.

The Saints’ coaching search is being led by general manager Mickey Loomis and owner Tom Benson, who will make the final choice on who will replace Payton this season, a supply with knowledge of the circumstance told NFL.com’s Steve Wyche. Payton is serving in an advisory capacity in discussions about what the team’s course of action will be, Wyche reports.

Assistant head coach Joe Vitt, who has been suspended for the first six games of the upcoming season, and defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo are among the internal candidates who could fill in for Payton.

On Monday, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell upheld Payton’s suspension for the 2012 season along with an eight-game suspension for Loomis, and Vitt’s six-game suspension.

Payton and Parcells spoke in March about a achievable role with the Saints for the retired coach. Parcells mentioned he felt “an obligation” to help Payton, but he remained coy about if he’d fill in for his longtime buddy.

Payton’s season-long suspension without having pay will begin April 16. NFL spokesman Greg Aiello told NFL Network’s Albert Breer that Payton will not “be involved in any coaching activities, he can’t be at the facility, or with the team at games” once his suspension begins.

Follow Jason La Canfora on Twitter @jasonlacanfora.

(About:) This article was distributed by Syndicated Sports news wire and aggregation service, For much more NFL news see: Parcells tells Saints he won’t unretire to coach team in 2012.

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The New Orleans Saints, along with coach Sean Payton, common manager Mickey Loomis and assistant coach Joe Vitt, had been notified Monday that NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has upheld the discipline that was imposed for continuing violations of the league’s anti-bounty rule more than a three-year period.

The league announced the choice four days following Goodell spent roughly six hours speaking with Payton (suspended for the 2012 season), Loomis (eight-game suspension) and Vitt (six-game suspension), who hoped to minimize suspensions handed down by the league.

Payton’s season-extended suspension without spend for the 2012 NFL season will begin April 16. NFL spokesman Greg Aiello told NFL Network’s Albert Breer that Payton “cannot be involved in any coaching activities, he can’t be at the facility, or with the team at games.”

Asked if Payton could have get in touch with with any Saints players, coaches or owner Tom Benson, Aiello stated, “Not if it involves coaching or team choices of any type.” Even though Aiello said make contact with with the team isn’t advised, it’s unlikely that strictly individual calls and talks would be an issue.

Suspensions for Loomis and Vitt begin with the begin of the 2012 regular season.

Former Saints defensive coordinator Gregg Williams hasn’t appealed his indefinite suspension.

Goodell said in a statement released by the NFL that the parties will be expected to cooperate in any further proceedings and to assist in the improvement and implementation of programs to instruct players and coaches at all levels on principles of player safety, fair play and sportsmanship.

Goodell added he would contemplate mitigating the Saints’ monetary penalties if they embrace the chance and participate in a constructive way. In the case of the team, the commissioner mentioned he would take into account if there are variables that would assistance modifying the forfeiture of the team’s 2013 second-round draft alternative.

If the team is cooperative, the league may modify the round of the Saints’ lost draft pick, according to Aiello.

At the conclusion of the Saints coaches’ suspensions, Goodell will assessment the status of each to determine their eligibility for reinstatement.

Payton twice apologized for his role in the bounty program, saying he takes “full responsibility” for a system that operated under his watch.

Beyond the punishment for Saints coaches and executives, the NFL nevertheless has to decide if players who had been involved in the bounty system also will be disciplined. The NFL has mentioned as several as 27 players could be sanctioned for their function in the scandal.

The NFL Players Assocation not too long ago retained the international law firm of Fulbright &amp Jaworski to help the players allegedly involved in the scandal.

(About:) This post was distributed by Syndicated Sports news wire and aggregation service, For a lot more NFL news see: Saints ‘bounty’ discipline will not modify, commissioner says.

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The Green Bay Packers are not most likely to use the franchise tag on backup quarterback Matt Flynn in order to engineer a sign-and-trade scenario, according to a report by ESPN Milwaukee.

The report did not cite any sources.

Theoretically, Green Bay could apply the franchise tag to Flynn and then trade him rather than basically letting him grow to be a totally free agent. That would be permitted by the league, though not encouraged. Teams have until March five to use the franchise tag.

“(The Packers) don’t do organization that way,” a league source told the website.

It’s prohibited for team to agree to such a deal ahead of the franchise tag deadline, and one unnamed NFL team executive told the web site that would be farther than Thompson is willing to go.

“(Thompson) doesn’t bend the guidelines,” the executive said.

The franchise tag is expected to be valued at $ 14.four million for the 2012 season. The Packers would have to maneuver to fit that contract below the salary cap, according to the report, a quantity which would also be significantly a lot more than the contract of starting quarterback Aaron Rodgers (whose base salary is $ 8 million).

Speaking at the NFL Scouting Combine, Packers coach Mike McCarthy talked up Flynn’s prospects as a starter, saying that “It’s his time to play.”

Flynn, a seventh-round pick in the 2008 NFL Draft, has started just two games in his career, but dazzled in his last significant action, throwing for 480 yards and six touchdowns in a 45-41 victory over the Lions in the Packers’ normal-season finale.

It was believed to be more of a possibility to use the tag on Flynn right after the Packers reached an agreement with tight end Jermichael Finley on a two-year deal. Finley was schedule to grow to be a cost-free agent, and the Packers may possibly have been forced to use the tag on him.

(About:) This write-up was distributed by Syndicated Sports news wire and aggregation service, For far more NFL news see: Report: Packers will not use tag to set up trade of Flynn.

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Wide receiver DeSean Jackson was overt about his want for a longterm contract all through the 2011 season. Regardless of whether or not that will finally come to fruition with the Philadelphia Eagles is nonetheless very significantly in limbo.

The Philadelphia Inquirer, citing league sources, reported Sunday that the Eagles won’t let go of Jackson, whose contract is about to expire, without having finding something in return. That would mean the Eagles are all but guaranteed to spot the franchise tag on their Pro Bowl receiver if a deal isn’t reached by March 5, the deadline for teams to franchise players.

By franchising Jackson, the Eagles wouldn’t let him hit the open marketplace and retain the alternative to trade the fifth-year receiver.

The Inquirer, citing sources close to Jackson, also reported that he would be willing to sign the Eagles’ a single-year tender worth approximately $ 9.five million (or almost $ 9 million more than he earned last year).

Last month, Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie said he would welcome the controversial Jackson back to the Eagles “if the correct terms develop.”

Last season wasn’t just rocky for Jackson off the field with his contract dispute, but also on it, where his production slipped. Jackson had just 58 catches for 961 and four touchdowns. His 16.6 yards-per-catch average was almost 6 yards lower than his 2010 average of 22.five.

(About:) This post was distributed by Syndicated Sports news wire and aggregation service, For a lot more NFL news see: Report: Eagles will not let Jackson go with no a thing in return.

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A left ankle injury restricted New England Patriots tight finish Rob Gronkowski in the second half of Sunday’s 23-20 win against the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC Championship Game, but it reportedly won’t sideline him for Super Bowl XLVI.

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Gronkowski will be “ready to go” in two weeks against the New York Giants, a source told the Boston Herald.

Gronkowski went to the locker room right after a hit from Ravens safety Bernard Pollard on a third-quarter reception on Sunday. He returned to the game and described his ankle as “fine” in postgame interviews.

The exact injury has not been revealed, but the Herald’s source stated Gronkowski will play against the Giants.

In the standard season, Gronkowski hauled in 90 catches for 1,327 yards and an NFL-finest 17 touchdowns.

(About:) This article was distributed by Syndicated Sports news wire and aggregation service, For far more NFL news see: Report: Injury won’t keep Pats’ Gronkowski out of Super Bowl.

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Green Bay Packers coach Mike McCarthy wouldn’t say Friday if quarterback Aaron Rodgers will sit out Sunday’s typical-season finale against the Detroit Lions to rest up for the playoffs.

“The most critical factor with Aaron is he’s ready to play,” McCarthy stated. “It’s important for the quarterbacks we repped all three of them this week. So I’d like to see all 3 of them play in the game, is the initial program as we started the week.”

Rodgers didn’t shed any light on if he would take any snaps.

“I’m going to leave it up to Mike,” he mentioned.

The playoff-bound Lions (10-5) can secure the No. five seed in the NFC playoffs by winning at Green Bay for the initial time considering that 1991, but the Packers (14-1) don’t have something riding on the final score against their longtime rivals, getting clinched the No. 1 seed and home-field benefit.

“It ain’t the end of the world,” said Packers tight end Jermichael Finley, who’s probable to play Sunday with a knee injury. “We’ve still got them playoffs.”

If Rodgers sits, the Packers would count on a combination of Matt Flynn and Graham Harrell to lead the NFL’s leading-ranked scoring offense. Rodgers would miss just his second game in four seasons as the starter.

Flynn, a fourth-year pro, produced his only NFL start Dec. 19, 2010, with Rodgers out since of a concussion. Flynn played nicely in the game, a prime-time matchup on the road against the heavily favored New England Patriots, who hung on for a 31-27 win.

“I want to see Matt Flynn play like he did in New England, but take it a step additional — win the game,” McCarthy mentioned.

3 other crucial offensive players had been ruled out: operating back James Starks (knee/ankle), receiver/kick returner Randall Cobb (groin) and receiver Greg Jennings (knee). The Packers also listed correct tackle Bryan Bulaga (knee) as doubtful. Linebacker Clay Matthews (ankle) and cornerback Charles Woodson (knee) are questionable.

Defensive finish Ryan Pickett and left tackle Chad Clifton were each listed as probable and are expected to play. Pickett missed the last two games because of a concussion. Clifton hasn’t played since suffering a hamstring injury Oct. 9 and then a back injury during his rehab work.

For a complete appear at all injuries about the league, go to NFL.com’s injury page.

(About:) This write-up was distributed by Syndicated Sports news wire and aggregation service, For much more NFL news see: McCarthy won’t say if Packers will start off Rodgers or Flynn at QB.

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The Cleveland Browns will not be disciplined by the NFL for their handling of quarterback Colt McCoy’s concussion, a league spokesman confirmed to NFL.com and NFL Network.

The Browns came under intense scrutiny last week for how the team reacted to McCoy’s head injury for the duration of a loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Dec. 8, prompting representatives from the NFL and NFL Players Association to meet with team medical personnel. That led to a reform in the NFL’s game-day procedures on head injuries, as the league notified all 32 teams that certified athletic trainers will be stationed at games productive right away to monitor players for feasible concussions.

McCoy nonetheless hasn’t shaken symptoms from the concussion sustained nearly two weeks ago and wasn’t cleared to practice once more on Wednesday. Browns coach Pat Shurmur stated McCoy was evaluated by team medical doctors and did “a little physical activity” as he continues to recover.

McCoy has not been noticed at the team’s training facility this week. The second-year quarterback, who has displayed immense toughness whilst becoming roughed up all season, will miss his second straight game Saturday at Baltimore. Backup Seneca Wallace will begin against the Ravens, despite the fact that Shurmur has not produced that announcement official.

The Browns are getting extra cautious in their therapy of McCoy. It was their failure to check him for a concussion on the field or sideline at Heinz Field that prompted the league to institute the new game-day policy, which will be paid for by the NFL.

The league’s medical staff and the NFL Players Association had input into the changes following their meeting with the Browns last week to discuss McCoy’s post-injury therapy. Commissioner Roger Goodell took part in the talks via teleconference as did Browns president Mike Holmgren.

McCoy wasn’t tested for a concussion until following the loss to the Steelers, and was sent back into the game right after missing just two plays. The Browns said McCoy wasn’t showing symptoms of a concussion so they didn’t test him. Also, team physicians were treating other players and didn’t see the impact from Harrison’s vicious hit, which earned the Steelers’ linebacker a 1-game suspension he served in Pittsburgh’s loss to San Francisco on Monday.

Harrison returned to practice on Wednesday following his 1-game suspension and delivered one more shot on the Browns. He believes they must be disciplined for their handling of McCoy.

Shurmur was vague when he was asked if McCoy had visited any specialists on head trauma. Tight finish Benjamin Watson sought outside medical suggestions last week following suffering his third concussion given that July. The Browns, who have had eight players sustain concussions, placed him on injured reserve Friday.

“You can’t say he hasn’t seen 1,” Shurmur said. “He’s been evaluated just like Ben, by all the proper people. They’re all doctors. No real difference.”

The Related Press contributed to this report

(About:) This write-up was distributed by Syndicated Sports news wire and aggregation service, For far more NFL news see: Browns won’t face discipline for handling of McCoy concussion.

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Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Jeremy Maclin, listed as doubtful, will not play against the New England Patriots, a league source told NFL Network’s Stacey Dales on Saturday.

Maclin was restricted in Wednesday’s practice, but pulled up lame on his injured hamstring and was unable to practice the rest of the week.

Cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha, the source mentioned, is “going to attempt to play” in spite of not practicing on Friday. Asomugha hyperextended his left knee in Thursday’s practice and is listed as questionable. Asomugha is a accurate game-time decision. He will warm up and test his knee prior to Sunday’s 4:15 p.m. ET commence to establish his playing status.

Cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie will likely not play as he recovers from a high ankle sprain, according to the source. Rodgers-Cromartie was listed as questionable soon after working out in a limited capacity on Friday.

(About:) This post was distributed by Syndicated Sports news wire and aggregation service, For much more NFL news see: Eagles’ Maclin will not play vs. Pats Asomugha a game-time call.

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