Indianapolis Colts general manager Ryan Grigson told reporters at the NFL combine that his team expressed concerns about the New England Patriots’ use of under-inflated footballs the week before the AFC Championship game.
The Colts lost the AFC Championship game 45-7. Attorney Ted Wells has yet to conclude his investigation into the Patriots tampering footballs.
“We went into the game, we had some issues, we’re going to do what we can and that’s participate with the league and the investigation and wait until the Wells report comes out,” Grigson said Thursday. “We took the proper steps to try to ensure that. It’s up to the league to make sure that happens. Again, if rules were broken, we’ll see. If not, that’s what the investigation is for. We’re just doing our jobs and try to give our team the best chance to win on a level playing field.”
A new wrinkle emerged Tuesday in DeflateGate when it was revealed that a Patriots staffer, Jim McNally, attempted to pass off an unapproved “K” ball to an official during the game. Late Wednesday night ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported the unapproved ball might have been passed to McNally by another game official, one who has since been fired by the NFL.
According to Schefter’s source, used balls were being collected to sold off for charity but the fired official was selling the footballs on the side. Supposedly it was this official who handed the unapproved ball to McNally for use in the game.
Broncos could use franchise tag on Demaryius Thomas
They haven’t pulled the trigger yet, but just like the Dallas Cowboys and wide receiver Dez Bryant, the Denver Broncos let it be known Wednesday that they will take no chance in losing star wide receiver Demaryius Thomas in free agency.
The Broncos are working on a long-term deal with Thomas before free agency begins, but have no plans to let him test the market if they can’t get an agreement before March 9.
“If we can’t get something done, yeah, we’ll tag Demaryius,” Elway said. “Our goal is to get something done with Demaryius … that market is changing, that wide receiver market is changing too, but the bottom line is we want Demaryius to be a Bronco.”
Thomas caught 111 passes for 1,619 yards and 11 touchdowns last season, his third straight 1,400-yard plus and double-digit touchdown year. The 27-year-old is likely looking at a contract in the $16 million a year range. The franchise tag would pay Thomas $13 million for one season as the Broncos continued to craft a long-term contract.
Seahawks’ Jeremy Lane undergoes surgery, Thomas and Chancellor’s surgeries await.
After already needing surgery to repair the compound fracture that Jeremy Lane suffered during his interception return in the Super Bowl, Seattle Seahawks defensive back Jeremy Lane will head back under the knife to repair a knee injury.
The surgery and recovery process will likely cause Lane to miss the early part of the 2015 season and all of training camp. Wide receiver Paul Richardson will also miss the early part of next season after getting his ACL surgically repaired.
Safety Earl Thomas, who needs surgery to repair a torn labrum in his shoulder hasn’t yet set a date. Kam Chancellor, who partially tore his MCL in the NFC Championship game but still played an outstanding game in the Super Bowl, is waiting to see if he’ll need surgery to repair it.
Foote to try his hand at coaching, Palmer ahead of schedule, Ellington had bad wheel in 2014
Arizona Cardinals free agent linebacker Larry Foote hasn’t officially retired yet and is still thinking about returning for a 14th season. But until he makes that call, he’s already lined up the next stage of his career. Foote signed on to be an assistant coach for the Cardinals, with the option to quit that job and rejoin the team as a player before rosters are cut down to 75 players. Foote will be 35 in June.
“We talked to the league,” Cards head coach Bruce Arians told Sirius XM NFL Radio. “He (Foote) is allowed to start coaching. He’s on the coaching staff right now.”
Arians also revealed Wednesday that starting quarterback Carson Palmer was 3-4 weeks ahead of schedule on his ACL rehab. Palmer suffered his knee injury in Week 10 against the St. Louis Rams shortly after signing a three-year, $50 million contract with Arizona. Palmer played in only six games in 2014 but was 6-0 as a starter.
Last year running back Andre Ellington was supposed to be the focal point of the offense, but a split tendon in his foot limited him in practice and on game days according to Arians. Ellington still played well with his limited mobility, gaining 1,055 total yards from scrimmage, rushing and receiving, in just 12 games.
