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NFL notebook: Raiders cleared of Rooney violations but still facing heat

[January 20, 2018] While the NFL has ruled the Oakland Raiders met Rooney Rule requirements during the process in which Jon Gruden was hired as coach, John Wooten feels differently.

The league announced Friday that after its investigation into the matter, the Raiders will face no discipline. Wooten, the chairman of the Fritz Pollard Alliance that promotes diversity in coaching hires, blistered the NFL and the Raiders in a statement.

"We believe the facts overwhelmingly point in the other direction," Wooten said in a press release. "In his enthusiasm to hire Jon Gruden, Raiders' owner Mark Davis failed to fulfill his obligation under the Rule and should step forward and acknowledge he violated the Rule. The NFL broke ground when it created the Rooney Rule, but it made the wrong call in refusing to penalize Mark Davis in this instance. Davis crossed the line, and we are disappointed in the League's decision. The Rooney Rule and all of the League's equal opportunity efforts need to be strengthened. We have called for meetings with the League to ensure that a process like this never happens again."

Wooten's comments contrast those he made earlier when he said he thought the Raiders complied with the Rooney Rule, which was installed in 2003 and calls for at least one minority candidate to interview for every head coach and general manager opening. However, the alliance formally requested that the NFL investigate the matter after being "deeply concerned" by Davis' comments at the press conference introducing Gruden.

--Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Keenan Allen was named Comeback Player of the Year by the Professional Football Writers of America on Friday after producing perhaps the top receiving season in franchise history. Also, Los Angeles Rams quarterback Jared Goff was named Most Improved Player of the Year by the PFWA.

Allen set a franchise record with 102 receptions after missing nearly all of 2016 due to tearing the ACL in his right knee in the opening game. His reception total was fourth in the NFL and he finished third in receiving yardage (1,393). He also had seven 100-yard performances.

Goff passed for 3,804 yards and 28 touchdowns against seven interceptions while leading the Rams to their first playoff berth since the 2004 season. It was a huge improvement from his rookie season of 2016 when Goff, who was the No. 1 overall draft pick, had more interceptions (seven) than passing touchdowns (five).

--New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick did not shed any new light about Tom Brady's injured right hand, responding with his typical short answers when pressed about the quarterback's status.

"Yeah, we gave out the injury report yesterday. We'll update it today," Belichick said at his Friday press conference at Gillette Stadium ahead of Sunday's AFC Championship Game against the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Patriots later listed Brady as questionable.

When asked if Brady could be a game-time decision, Belichick said, "Today is Friday." Brady, wearing red gloves on both hands while at the podium, also would not discuss his injured right hand during his twice-postponed press conference on Friday afternoon.

--Jacksonville Jaguars safety Tashaun Gipson is listed as questionable with a right foot injury for Sunday's AFC Championship Game against the New England Patriots.

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Jaguars coach Doug Marrone is hopeful Gipson could be available to play in the title game after he participated on a limited basis at Friday's practice. Gipson injured his foot during the Jaguars' 45-42 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers in an AFC divisional playoff game last Sunday. He did not practice Wednesday or Thursday.

Gipson has not missed a game since joining the Jaguars in 2016. He made 64 tackles, broke up seven passes and had four interceptions in 16 games during the regular season.

--The Minnesota Vikings listed Pro Bowl wide receiver Adam Thielen as questionable for Sunday's NFC Championship Game against the Philadelphia Eagles.

Thielen, who has been dealing with a lower-back injury this week, was limited in practice Thursday after sitting out Wednesday. He was on the practice field again Friday and he is expected to start Sunday, according to ESPN.

The 27-year-old Thielen had 91 catches for 1,276 yards and four touchdowns in 16 regular-season games this season. Meanwhile, Vikings safety Andrew Sendejo remains in concussion protocol and is listed as questionable, but he was a full participant in practice Friday and likely will start.

--New York Jets receiver Robby Anderson faces nine charges after an early morning arrest on Friday in Sunrise, Fla., in which he was pulled over after driving 105 mph and later threatened to sexually assault a police officer's wife.

According to the Broward County Sheriff's Office police report, Anderson ran two red lights in his sport utility vehicle while being chased by police. After being pulled over, he boasted about how much money he makes and made verbal threats to the officer's family. Anderson was arrested at 2:15 a.m. in Sunrise, located about 10 miles west of Fort Lauderdale.

Anderson was charged with felony harm to a public servant or family; felony fleeing/eluding while lights/siren active; resisting an officer/obstruction without violence; reckless driving; failure to drive in a single lane; two counts of disobeying/avoiding a red light; speeding; and turning without a signal.

The 24-year-old Anderson caught 63 passes for 941 yards and seven touchdowns this season. He had 42 receptions for 587 yards and two scores as a rookie in 2016.

--The New England Patriots named Drew Bledsoe their honorary captain for Sunday's AFC Championship Game against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Bledsoe, who is in the team's Hall of Fame, led the Patriots to a berth in Super Bowl XXXI in 1996 with a 20-6 victory over the Jaguars on Jan. 12, 1997, the first time the Patriots ever hosted the AFC Championship Game.

"Drew Bledsoe played such an integral role in our efforts to rebuild the Patriots," Patriots owner, chairman and CEO Robert Kraft said in a statement Friday. "He gave fans hope for the future by providing many memorable moments during his record-breaking career. For a franchise that had only hosted one playoff game in its first 35 years, winning the AFC Championship Game at home in Foxborough and taking the Patriots to the playoffs for three consecutive years were unimaginable goals prior to his arrival."

--Field Level Media

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