|
 Dungy issued a statement Tuesday in an attempt to explain what he
called an "honest answer" to a question for a story that appeared
Sunday in the Tampa Tribune.
"I was not asked whether or not Michael Sam deserves an opportunity
to play in the NFL. He absolutely does," Dungy said.
"I was not asked whether his sexual orientation should play a part
in the evaluation process. It should not. I was not asked whether I
would have a problem having Michael Sam on my team. I would not.
"But those were not the questions I was asked. What I was asked
about was my philosophy of drafting, a philosophy that was developed
over the years, which was to minimize distractions for my teams.
"I do not believe Michael's sexual orientation will be a distraction
to his team mates or his organization.
"I do, however, believe that the media attention that comes with it
will be a distraction. Unfortunately, we are all seeing this play
out now, and I feel badly that my remarks played a role in the
distraction."
Coach Mike Pettine and the Cleveland Browns are not ready to give up
on troubled wide receiver Josh Gordon.
 Pettine told The Plain Dealer in Cleveland this week that Gordon is
expected to show up for the start of training camp on Friday.
"We have no plans to cut him," Pettine said, according to The Plain
Dealer.
Gordon faces a possible one-year suspension for multiple violations
of the league's substance abuse policy. Pettine thinks an
announcement on the length of Gordon's punishment will come down
from the league offices in the next 10-14 days.
As for Johnny Manziel, the story is he is closing in on No. 1 in
jersey sales, which is fine with Pettine because it means the
quarterback's off-field behavior was not a headline.
"I've talked to him. I don't think I used the phrase 'tone it
down,'" Pettine told the Akron Beacon-Journal in response to ESPN's
report that the organization talked behavior issues with Manziel.
"I don't want to get into specifics of the conversation, but I'm
comfortable with where we are and what we've talked about and I'm
comfortable heading into training camp that he knows where I stand."
Wide receiver Andre Johnson skipped organized team activities and
minicamp during the spring because he was upset with the Houston
Texans' direction, but he might report to training camp on time, the
Houston Chronicle reported.
Johnson was seen at the team's facility on Monday. ESPN reported
that he was there to learn the new offense being put in by
first-year coach Bill O'Brien, with whom Johnson has remained in
contact while staying away from the team.
The Chronicle indicated that the seven-time Pro Bowler was there to
talk with team officials.
Outside linebacker Larry English, a former first-round pick, was
released by the San Diego Chargers, who also announced a two-year
contract extension for running back Danny Woodhead.
The Chargers also signed rookie free agents outside linebacker
Adrian Hamilton and center Khalil Wilkes.
Linebacker Rolando McClain must stand trial in Decatur, Ala., for
resisting arrest and disorderly conduct after a fourth delay was
denied by Judge Bill Cook Jr.
[to top of second column] |
McClain was acquired by the Dallas Cowboys from the Baltimore Ravens
for a sixth-round pick after he sat out last year.
The Cowboys, looking to fill a hole left by Sean Lee's season-ending
injury, are hoping McClain can at least offer depth at the position,
provided he makes the team.
That will not be easy depending on the length and outcome of the
trial, which is a significant setback for a player already facing a
steep battle to resurrect his career. He last played in an NFL game
in 2012.
The Atlanta Falcons went shopping for a linebacker after Sean
Weatherspoon was lost for the season and found Pat Angerer. The
Falcons also signed wide receiver Jeremy Ebert on Tuesday.
Angerer, a former Indianapolis Colts linebacker, worked out for the
Falcons on Tuesday and impressed them enough to land a job.
Angerer's 2013 season ended after 11 games with a knee injury that
was repaired with microfracture surgery.
Ebert had three receptions for 18 yards with the Jacksonville
Jaguars last year.
Offensive lineman Mike Pollak was placed on the Active/Physically
Unable to Perform list by the Cincinnati Bengals with a knee injury.
He will count against the team's roster limit and can be activated
to practice as soon as he is cleared medically.
Pollak, an experienced guard who is expected to also compete for the
starting center job, hopes to return to the field in time for the
Bengals' first training camp practice Thursday.
He joins defensive tackle Geno Atkins and cornerback Leon Hall on
the physically unable to perform list for the Bengals.
Tight end Joel Dreessen was released by the Denver Broncos after
being designated as having failed a physical.
Dreessen was signed as a free agent two years ago with the goal of
providing quarterback Peyton Manning with a veteran pass-catching
tight end threat.
He caught a career-high 41 passes for 356 yards and five touchdowns
in 2012, but his production dipped to just seven catches last year
as he struggled to regain full strength following two offseason knee
surgeries and with Julius Thomas emerging as one of the top young
tight ends in the league.
Free agent tight end Mike Caussin signed with the Washington
Redskins. To clear a roster spot, the team waived long snapper Kyle
Nelson.
(Editing by Mark Lamport-Stokes)
[© 2014 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.]
Copyright 2014 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published,
broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. |
