National Football League roundup

[September 09, 2015]  Sept 8 (The Sports Xchange) - New York Giants officials met with defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul on Tuesday, but the discussions apparently broke down because the sides could not agree on Pierre-Paul's readiness to play, ESPN.com reported.

Pierre-Paul left without signing his one-year, $14.8 million franchise tender. That number counts on the Giants' salary cap even though Pierre-Paul is not playing at the moment.

It is unclear what the next step will be.

Pierre-Paul sustained injuries to his right hand in a July 4 fireworks accident. The most significant damage was done to his index finger, which had to be amputated.

He underwent a physical exam performed by team doctors on Monday, then he met with team officials on Tuesday so they could evaluate his playing status and decide how to proceed.

Pierre-Paul's agents insist he could be ready to play before late October.

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ESPN reported that owners were irate over NFL commissioner Goodell's light-handed punishment for the New England Patriots' involvement in Spygate and wanted to use Deflategate as a "makeup call," in the eyes of some owners.
 

"I have not seen this report but I can tell you I'm not aware of any connection between the Spygate procedures and the procedures we went through here," Goodell said Tuesday on ESPN Radio. "There's no connection in my mind between the two incidents."

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Dallas Cowboys defensive end Greg Hardy will be out the first four games of the regular season serving a suspension for a violation of the NFL's personal-conduct policy and the team said there were never plans to lodge a new appeal of the discipline.

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The Buffalo Bills re-signed quarterback Matt Cassel five days before the team's regular-season opener against the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday.

Cassel was released by the Bills during final roster cuts last week. Now he's back and is listed No. 2 on the depth chart, behind starter Tyrod Taylor and ahead of E.J. Manuel.

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Bills wide receiver Sammy Watkins plans to be ready for the opener against the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday.

A glute injury slowed Watkins during the preseason, but he practice with the Bills on Tuesday and feel like he has made progress.

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A woman alleges that Cleveland Browns offensive line coach Andy Moeller attempted to strangle her during a domestic incident on Saturday.

In a 911 call released by Berea, Ohio, police, the woman said Moeller "just tried to strangle me and beat me up and I'm leaving the premises and I've got to get out of here quickly."

No charges have been filed against Moeller, but the Browns suspended him indefinitely on Monday.

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Free safety Earl Thomas plans to be in the lineup Sunday at St. Louis when the Seattle Seahawks open their defense as two-time defending NFC champions.

Thomas had offseason shoulder surgery.

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The St. Louis Rams know rookie first-round pick Todd Gurley won't be running Sunday in the season opener against the Seattle Seahawks.

Gurley has no timetable for his first game action. Gurley suffered a torn ACL on Nov. 15 last season while at Georgia and was drafted 10th overall by St. Louis in April.

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Free agent linebacker Brandon Spikes was suspended for the first four weeks of the regular season for violating the NFL's conduct policy, multiple media outlets reported.

Several other free agents also face suspensions for violating the conduct code, according to an ESPN.com report.

Former Buffalo Bills wide receiver Mike Williams, was suspended for six games; former Arizona Cardinals running back Jonathan Dwyer was suspended for three weeks; ex-New York Jets outside linebacker Jermaine Cunningham was suspended for six weeks, and former Detroit Lions player Rodney Austin was suspended for six weeks.

(Editing by Andrew Both)

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