International Business Times

Mario Williams Suicide Text Messages: Ex Girlfriend Erin Marzouki’s Lawyer Releases Details Over Football Player’s Engagement Ring Lawsuit

gregprice — Sat, 18 May 2013 21:11:22 GMT

There doesn’t appear to be a quick end to the lawsuit Buffalo Bills defensive end Mario Williams filed against his former fiancee to retrieve a $785,000 engagement ring.

Friday the attorney for Williams’s ex-fiancee, former Houston Texans employee Erin Marzouki, released a text message conversation the couple had on November 11, in which Williams made veiled remarks to suicide, according to reports for the AP.

"No money in the world should leave me with suicidal thoughts," Williams wrote.

Houston Texans News: Did The Texans Sign The 3 Best Rookie Free Agents On The Market?

gregprice — Thu, 16 May 2013 21:51:23 GMT

A 12-4 record, a second straight AFC South title and another playoff berth left the Houston Texans with very little to improve this offseason other than a poor showing in the playoffs.

Despite the seventh ranked offense and defense in the league, Houston went 2-4 in its final six games, including their AFC Wild Card win over Cincinnati and the 41-28 blowout divisional loss to New England a week later.

Tim Tebow News: QB Could Be Headed To Arena League? Is Tebowmania From Fans and Media Attention Hurting His NFL Chances?

gregprice — Wed, 15 May 2013 18:44:56 GMT

Former New York Jets quarterback Tim Tebow does have an offer to play professional football next season, just not in the NFL.

ESPN analyst and co-owner of the Arena Football League’s Philadelphia Soul Ron Jaworski told Philly.com that he has offered Tebow a spot on the team.

The two-time national champion and first-round draft pick of the Denver Broncos has not responded to Jaworski’s offer.

NFL Free Agency Rumors: Brian Urlacher To Vikings Or Broncos? Charles Woodson Visits Denver, While Dwight Freeney Meets With Chargers

AnthonyRicco — Wed, 15 May 2013 18:44:24 GMT

Some of the best defenders of the last decade still remain on the NFL free-agent market.

Dwight Freeney (defensive end), Brian Urlacher (linebacker) and Charles Woodson (cornerback) rank near the top of their respective positions in the past 10 years. However, all three are still looking to land a contract for the 2013 season.

Other players who are still in their prime, like Victor Cruz, have also yet to receive the lucrative contract offers they are seeking.

Where might the biggest remaining free agents land next this offseason?

Titus Young Arrested Again: Free Agent Wide Receiver Allegedly Broke Into California Home And Fought With Cops [MUGSHOT]

hkoplowitz — Mon, 13 May 2013 14:00:34 GMT

Legal troubles seem to follow Titus Young like a cover cornerback -- the free agent wide receiver was arrested Saturday for the third time last week.

Young, 23, was arrested on charges of attempted burglary, assault of a police officer and resisting arrest in San Clemente, Calif. He was booked Saturday into the Orange County Central Jail on $75,000 bail, according to jail records.

NFL Free Agents: Charles Woodson, Ahmad Bradshaw, Josh Cribbs, Dwight Freeney, And Brandon Lloyd Still On Market And Where They May End Up

AnthonyRicco — Fri, 10 May 2013 20:16:41 GMT

Organized team activities and offseason workouts are about to begin for most NFL teams, yet several big-name free agents remain available.

Several former Pro Bowlers are still without teams, even weeks after the 2013 NFL Draft. Many of the younger free agents have been signed, but clubs seem reluctant to give a lot of money to players that have been in the league for a while.

Below are five free agents and where they might end up.

Ravens Trade News: Baltimore Acquire Indianapolis Colts' Center; How Good Will The Offensive Line Be in 2013?

gregprice — Fri, 10 May 2013 19:11:44 GMT

If the Baltimore Ravens have any objective other than repeating as Super Bowl champions, it will be protecting their six-year, $120.6 million investment, quarterback Joe Flacco.

General manager Ozzie Newsome has made a slew of moves through the draft, free agency, and in the trade market to keep Flacco safe and strengthen the chances of a fifth-straight 1,000-yard rushing season from running back Ray Rice.

Raiders Free Agent Rumors: Josh Cribbs, Brandon Lloyd And Others On Oakland’s Radar?

AnthonyRicco — Thu, 09 May 2013 21:24:00 GMT

The Oakland Raiders need a lot of help after another disappointing season.

In 2012, the Raiders went 4-12 and finished third in the AFC West. The team missed the playoffs for the 10th straight year.

Oakland had the third overall pick in the NFL Draft, but elected to trade down to No.12. After selecting cornerback D.J. Hayden, the club is now looking to improve through free agency.

Tim Tebow News: Called ‘Tim Tebow Bill,' Texas Law Can Help Home Schooled Students Play High School Sports

gregprice — Thu, 09 May 2013 16:44:24 GMT

A new bill making its way through the Texas State Legislature has been dubbed by supporters as the “Tim Tebow Bill.”

According to the Dallas Morning News, the Texas Senate passed a bill that would allow home-schooled students to play in sports and other University Interscholastic League programs.

Football Player Arrested Twice In One Day: Who Is Titus Young, And What Did He Do?

gregprice — Wed, 08 May 2013 13:39:48 GMT

In the span of 15 hours, former Detroit Lions wide receiver Titus Young got himself arrested twice.

The former 2011 second round pick out of Boise State was first arrested Sunday at 12:01 a.m. for suspicion of driving under the influence, then booked by the Moreno Valley Police at the Robert Presley Detention Center.

Tim Tebow To Join ESPN, Fox Sports? Network Wants Quarterback If No Team Calls?

gregprice — Sun, 05 May 2013 17:46:56 GMT

Should no NFL teams give newly released Tim Tebow a call, the former Heisman-winning quarterback won’t be unemployed for long.

ESPN won’t let the former New York Jet and Denver Bronco escape their overtures should no team offer him a contract next season, according to sources cited by New York Daily News reporter Bob Raissman.

Tim Tebow Rumors: Bears, Patriots And Chargers Might Be Only Signing Options

AnthonyRicco — Wed, 01 May 2013 15:11:49 GMT

Tim Tebow became a free agent on Monday when he was released by the New York Jets.

The club decided to let the quarterback go after selecting Geno Smith in the second round of the 2013 NFL Draft. Smith became the sixth signal caller on the Jets roster.

Tebow can sign with any team that has enough room under the salary cap, but he may not have that many suitors. Despite his popularity and leading the Denver Broncos to the 2011 playoffs, the former Heisman Trophy winner won’t be highly sought after this offseason.

Redskins Name Change: Could The Washington Redskins Become The Redtails?

ebrown — Wed, 01 May 2013 00:19:43 GMT

Could the Washington Redskins change their name to the Redtails? According to one Washington, D.C., council member, the capital’s NFL team currently goes by an extremely racist name, and the team should abandon it as soon as possible.

Tim Tebow Offered Lingerie League Coaching Gig

Charles Poladian — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 13:16:01 GMT

Tim Tebow may have been cut from the New York Jets on Tuesday, but he already has his fair share of suitors. The Legends Football League, previously known as the Lingerie Football League, has offered the backup QB a chance to coach the league’s 12 teams.

Tim Tebow Rumors: Bears, Jaguars, Eagles Top Candidates To Sign Released Jets Quarterback

AnthonyRicco — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 14:36:33 GMT

The New York Jets have officially ended "the Tim Tebow experiment."

On Monday morning, the club announced that they had granted the quarterback his release. After a six-win season filled with controversy, New York decided Tebow no longer had a place on the roster.

The news was a long time coming for the Jets backup quarterback. Even before the 2012 season finished, there were rumors that the Jets would trade or release Tebow. His fate was sealed on Friday when New York drafted West Virginia quarterback Geno Smith in the second round.

NFL Draft 2013: Manti Te'o Goes To Chargers, Did San Diego Make The Right Pick?

BobbyIlich — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 23:57:28 GMT

Manti Te'o, who has been the subject of intense media scrutiny following a fake girlfriend story that received national attention, was selected by the San Diego Chargers with the No. 38 pick in the 2013 NFL Draft on Friday.

The Notre Dame linebacker had previously been projected to be a first-round pick, but slipped to the second round after some scouts questioned his speed in the NFL Combines.

Derrick Rose Return: Could The Chicago Bulls Guard Play In The Second Round Of NBA Playoffs?

AnthonyRicco — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 20:20:05 GMT

There isn’t much reason to believe that Derrick Rose will play again this season, but the Chicago Bulls are doing all they can to give the point guard a shot at making a return in the playoffs.

On Thursday night, the Bulls took a 2-1 lead in their first-round series with the Brooklyn Nets. Chicago’s 79-76 win extended Chicago’s postseason run, by at least one more day, as the team looks to get back their best player.

Raiders Draft 2013 News: D.J. Hayden Joins Silver And Black; Who Will Oakland Pick In The Second Round? [Scouting Report]

AnthonyRicco — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 16:30:20 GMT

The Oakland Raiders made the first big move of the 2013 NFL Draft by dealing the No.3 overall pick.

After offensive tackles Eric Fisher and Luke Joeckel went to the Kansas City Chiefs and Jacksonville Jaguars to start the first round, the Raiders sent their selection to the Miami Dolphins. In the trade, Oakland acquired the No.12 overall pick and Miami’s second-round selection (No.42).

At nine slots lower than their original position, the Raiders ended Thursday night with one of the top cornerbacks in the 2013 class. They selected D.J. Hayden from Houston.

NFL Draft Grades 2013: Analysis Of First Round Results; Vikings, Rams, Bengals Have Big Night

AnthonyRicco — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 14:59:44 GMT

The first round of the 2013 NFL Draft is in the books and many of the biggest names remain on the board.

Only one quarterback was selected on Thursday, leaving Geno Smith, Matt Barkley and Ryan Nassib still available. Smith attended the draft, in person, but never heard his name called.

Manti Te’o also went unselected. The Notre Dame product was predicted by many mock drafts to go anywhere between No.20 and No.32.

NFL Draft 2013: Where To Watch Free Live Stream Online Of First Round, Preview, Order For Thursday

AnthonyRicco — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 22:33:21 GMT

After months mock drafts, rumors and speculation projecting which prospects will go where, the 2013 NFL Draft is finally set to get underway.

The three-day event will begin on Thursday night at 8 p.m. ET with the first round. The second and third rounds will take place on Friday, and the draft will conclude on Saturday with rounds four through seven.

Both ESPN and the NFL Network will broadcast the draft. Viewers can watch a free live stream online of the first round at espn3.com.

NFL Mock Draft 2013: Fisher, Joeckel, Floyd Projected To Start First Round

AnthonyRicco — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 19:51:32 GMT

With just a few hours remaining until the start of the 2013 NFL Draft, many questions remain about which players will go in the first round.

Usually, the top overall pick is known well before the clock begins on Thursday. However, it’s still unclear who the Kansas City Chiefs will take with the first selection on Thursday.

Offensive linemen Eric Fisher and Luke Joeckel appear to be the Chief’s top choices. The player that isn’t selected at No.1 will likely go to the Jacksonville Jaguars at No.2.

NFL Draft Trade Rumors: Raiders, Browns And Lions Could Change First Round Picks

AnthonyRicco — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 19:05:29 GMT

The Oakland Raiders hold the third overall pick in the 2013 NFL Draft, but there’s a good chance that will change by the time they are ready to make a selection.

According to reports, several teams have expressed interest in making a trade for the No.3 pick in the first round. The Cleveland Browns and Detroit Lions are among the clubs that have been rumored to have interest in moving up on Thursday.

Raiders Draft Rumors 2013: Floyd, Ansah, Fisher On Oakland's Wish List?

AnthonyRicco — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 17:48:49 GMT

With the 2013 NFL Draft set to get underway on Thursday, all 32 teams are narrowing down their final draft board.

The Oakland Raiders will have more options than most, as they draft third overall. It’s an important pick for the Raiders, who won just four games last season and didn’t have a first-round selection in 2012.

Oakland has several needs after missing the playoffs for the past decade. The trade for Carson Palmer didn’t work out as the organization had hoped, and they enter the 2013 with very few potential Pro Bowlers on the roster.

Denver Broncos Draft Rumors: Werner, Carradine, Trufant Candidates For 28th Pick In First Round

AnthonyRicco — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 21:03:21 GMT

The Denver Broncos had a successful 2012 regular season, but just as disappointing of a finish in the playoffs.

After winning 13 games in Peyton Manning’s first year in Denver, the club was upset by the Baltimore Ravens in their first postseason game. On Thursday, the team will look to add some players that can help prevent a similar letdown in 2013.

Denver has the 28th overall pick the 2013 NFL Draft, and the organization can go several different ways at the end of the first round.

Bjoern Werner

NFL Has New Game Plan To Fight Anti-Gay Bias: NY Attorney General

BobbyIlich — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 20:14:50 GMT

The National Football League -- which does not have and has never had an openly gay player -- will step up its efforts to fight discrimination based on sexual orientation, New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman said Wednesday.

The action comes after at least three college football players said they had been asked about their sexual orientation during NFL recruitment interviews earlier this year -- and as speculation has exploded that one or more current players may come out soon.