Miami University Offers Name Help to Redskins

After losing the trademark on their name today, the Washington Redskins found themselves the topic of conversation all over social media.

 

People had many suggestions for name changes for the franchise. The best advice may have come from Miami University:

Hey @Redskins, if you need help finding a new name just let us know. #RedHawks
— Miami Athletics (@MiamiRedHawks) June 18, 2014

Now you may ask what does a division one college team in Ohio know about the name of the NFL franchise? Simple. It used to be their name.

For over 100 years, Miami University was known as the Redskins. For 25 years beginning in 1971 the team began a long battle that led to their eventual name change to the RedHawks in 1997.

The poke at Washington was cute, but it is doubtful that it will do anything to change Snyder's mind. Point to Miami U though for having fun with the situation.

Jets Release Running Back Mike Goodson

According to the New York Jets twitter feed, the team has released the often troubled running back Mike Goodson. Goodson failed to show up at the mandatory minicamp which started today.
General manager John Idzik announced that Goodson  was let go with a designation of ''left squad."

In May 2013 Goodson and an acquaintance were found in a car with a gun and a hollow point bullet. He was indicted on weapons charges in November and faces up to 10 years in prison.

Goodson was suspended the first four games of last season for violating the NFL's substance abuse policy. He played in just two games before tearing two knee ligaments in October.
Goodson's was signed as a free agent in March 2013 after spending time with the Panthers and the Raiders. His spot on the team was tenuous with the signing of Chris Johnson in the off-season.

Aaron Hernandez Challenges One Case, Due In Court on Second

Aaron Hernandez was in court Monday facing charges of assault and battery and making threats. The charges stem from an incident in which he attacked a fellow inmate and threatened a guard while he was being held in the Dartmouth County Jail. He pleaded not guilty to those charges.

Meanwhile, defense attorneys for the former NFL player were in a pre-trial hearing Monday before Judge E. Susan Garsh urging the judge to dismiss the charges against Hernandez in the Odin Lloyd murder case. Hernandez's attorney, James Sultan said the case against his client was "woefully lacking."

A tentative trial date on the Lloyd charges is set for October 6. Hernandez pleaded not guilty in September 2013 to the murder of Odin Lloyd who was found dead near Hernandez's home in  June 2013.

Hernandez is due back in court on Wednesday afternoon in Suffolk Superior Court to be arraigned on double murder charges. He is accused of gunning down two men in 2012 after an altercation inside a Boston nightclub.

Prosecutors allege that after the incident in the club involving the victims Daniel de Abreu and Safiro Furtado, Hernandez followed them in an SUV, pulled up alongside them when their car stopped at a red light and shot the two victims and a surviving third victim.

The double murder is believed to be a stronger case with more compelling evidence. Hernandez has been in jail without bail since June 2013.

Washington Redskins Lose Trademark Protection

The years of argument over the use of the name "Redskins" has taken a dramatic turn today.

According to the Washington Post, the U.S. Patent and Trademark office has cancelled the team's federal trademark protection calling the name "offensive to Native Americans."

The battle over the name has been raging for years with the first filing against the name filed back in 1992.

The Redskins issued a press release stating "we are confident we will prevail once again and that the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board's divided ruling will be overturned on appeal."

Without trademark protection, anyone can sell merchandise using the "Redskins" name and colors without fear of  being sued by the NFL franchise. While this doesn't force Snyder to change the name, it would have an economical impact, which could be far more persuasive to a businessman such as he than any humanitarian argument could ever make.

An immediate appeal by the team is expected in this case. Stay tuned.

Jimmy Graham Case Could Change the Concept of Tight End

Jimmy Graham is a premiere tight end. He is one of the top tight ends in the league. In his NFL career so far he has made 301 receptions for 3,863 yards and 41 touchdowns.

But Graham is not happy with being labeled just a tight end. Graham wants to be recognized as a wide receiver and receive the salary of a wide receiver.

You see with evolution of the game to a more pass happy system, the days of the blocking tight end of the Mike Ditka era are long gone. Since the days of Ozzie Newsome, tight ends have been used more as an additional receiver rather than an extra blocker. That's why a player like Tony Gonzalez can retire with reception and touchdown numbers on par with some of the top receivers of his era
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That being said, Jimmy Graham feels it is in his best interest to be recognized as a wide receiver. This of course could lead the way to other tight ends following suit and seeking both recognition and compensation as a wide receiver and not a tight end.

This is the dilemma that Graham and the league face as Graham's grievance hearing is scheduled to begin next Tuesday.

The NFL Management Council will make an argument that Graham was lined up within four yards of the tackle, the traditional spot for a tight end, on 60 percent of Saints plays and that Graham list himself as a tight end on his personal twitter account.

The NFL Players Association will argue that Graham lined up in the slot or wide out position on more than two thirds of the Saints play.

At issue is what will the Saints be forced to pay Graham for a one year franchise tag salary. As a tight end Graham would receive just over $7 million, as a wide receiver he would receive $12.3 million.

The collective bargaining agreement, agreed upon by the league and the players in 2011, states that franchise-tag designation is based upon which position the player played the most snaps during the prior year.

The hearing will be heard by an outside arbitrator who will have to determine what is considered lining up as a tight end.  The outcome of the hearing could have a profound impact on other tight ends around the league.

Former NFL Running Back Rodney Thomas Dies

Former NFL running back Rodney Thomas passed away on Saturday. He was 41 years old

Thomas played his college career with Texas A&M. He would become fifth all time in rushing for the Aggies while rushing for 3,014 yards and 41 touchdowns. He would be drafted by the Houston Oilers in the third round in 1995.

Thomas would rush for 947 yards and five touchdowns in his rookie season. He would remain with the Oilers through their move to Tennessee in 1997 and their later name change to the Tennessee Titans. There he would get to play in Super Bowl XXXIV in a defeat to the St. Louis Rams. His rushing yards dwindled through the years as running back Eddie George became the leading rusher for the team. Despite this fact, Thomas remained loyal to the Titans, turning down more lucrative offers to play for other teams.

Thomas would sign as a free agent with the Atlanta Falcons in 2001. He would play in 12 games for the Falcons rushing for 126 yards on 37 carries and catching two passes for an additional 26 yards. He was waived by the Falcons before the 2002 preseason and soon after retired from football.

 For his NFL career Thomas played in 103 games where he would rush for 1,973 yards on 532 carries and 12 touchdowns. He was known for being a great leader and a role model during both his college and professional football career.

Thomas died in his hometown of Groveton, Texas. The cause of death is unknown for now while an autopsy is underway.

Legendary Steelers Head Coach Chuck Noll Dies

Steelers former head coach and hall of famer Chuck Noll passed away last night at the age of 82.

Chuck Noll was a legend. A mythical god in a blue collar town that loved their gritty tough no-holds-barred team. Noll coached in the era before penalties softened the intense game and his Steelers were the toughest of them all. Noll was the brains behind the 70s defense known as the  Steel Curtain.

Noll started his professional football career as a player when he was drafted by the Cleveland Browns in 1953 out of the University of Dayton where he would study, play and learn under the tutelage of the legendary coach Paul Brown. He retired from football in 1959 at the age of 27 to become a coach.

When Noll was hired as the 14th head coach for the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1969 at the age of 34 he was the youngest head coach in the league. He had previously coached with the Baltimore Colts under Don Shula and the San Diego Chargers under Sid Gillman.

Noll's first three season started off poorly as the team finished with a 12-30 record. Noll then went on to lead the Steelers to eight straight playoff appearances and four Super Bowl championships in six years. He racked up an impressive 209 wins in a coaching career that spanned 23 seasons.

Noll would finally be recognized as NFL Coach of the Year in 1989. He would retire from the Steelers after the 1991 season and would be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1993. Eleven of his former players would also make it into the Hall of Fame.

No other coach has ever won as many Super Bowls or seen as much success as Noll. He was not only a great coach but a great man who was beloved and respected throughout the league.