Month: September 2016

Getting to know Patriots rookie quarterback Jacoby Brissett

The New England Patriots were forced to utilize third-string quarterback Jacoby Brissett in the first half of Sunday’s Week 2 meeting with the Miami Dolphins. Backup Jimmy Garoppolo — starting for suspended Tom Brady — threw a trio of first-half touchdowns, but injured his shoulder late in the second quarter. The team announced at the start of the third quarter that Garoppolo would not return.

Brissett didn’t complete either of the two passes he threw after entering but got the Patriots to halftime with a 24-3 advantage. Here’s what you need to know about the rookie signal-caller:

“Well, it definitely sucks that this season came to an end so quickly, but I know God always has a plan for my life,” Woodhead said via his Instagram account. “Now it’s time to get healthy and rehab as hard as I ever have. Excited about what the future holds. Plus, I get more time with these three!”

Attorneys for the Vikings had labeled the signs a giant “photo bomb” of aerial images of the new $1.1 billion stadium. In June, U.S. District Judge Donovan Frank gave Wells Fargo 30 days to remove the elevated signs.

Vikings vice president Lester Bagley and a Wells Fargo spokesman both call the resolution “in the best interests of both parties.”

In April, Philadelphia District Attorney Seth Williams said McCoy wouldn’t be criminally charged in the incident, concluding that he couldn’t prove who initiated the fight. Williams said at the time that it’s legal to act in self-defense or the defense of others.

The Pennsylvania Attorney General’s office subsequently decided to review Williams’ decision not to charge McCoy, at the request of the Philadelphia Fraternal Order of Police.

In a July letter to the FOP, Bruce Castor, then the solicitor general of Pennsylvania in charge of the McCoy probe, wrote: “I would have to not only disagree with the decision of DA Williams, but would have to conclude that his decision was so far off the mark as to be abusing the authority given him by the voters of Philadelphia. Applying that standard, I cannot say that I find DA Williams abused his discretion.”

Ben Roethlisberger says Tom Brady atop NFL’s QB hierarchy

PITTSBURGH — Ben Roethlisberger isn’t giving himself the top spot in the NFL’s quarterback hierarchy.

That spot belongs to New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, who starts the season on a four-game suspension over Deflategate.

The Patriots and Steelers reunite in Week 7 in Pittsburgh.

In 2015, Roethlisberger led all NFL quarterbacks with 328 passing yards per game and spearheaded the offense’s six-game streak of 30 or more points. As a result, the Steelers are a trendy Super Bowl pick in 2016.

Roethlisberger is more worried about beating the Washington Redskins’ pass coverage on Monday Night Football.

“I’m a big fan of being the hunter and not the hunted,” Roethlisberger said.

The NFL said in a statement that Ninkovich is eligible to return from his suspension, which is without pay, on Monday, Oct. 3.

Ninkovich told ESPN on Friday that he is devastated and shocked, and said he would never knowingly take an illegal substance.

Kaepernick also said Thursday that he plans to donate $1 million to organizations that will help communities in need.

The 49ers had previously released a statement on Kaepernick’s actions, saying, “In respecting such American principles as freedom of religion and freedom of expression, we recognize the right of an individual to choose to participate, or not, in our celebration of the national anthem.”

“He could have been the MVP in the league last year if he would have stayed healthy,” Bradshaw told the team’s website. “I am not saying this because I am a Steeler and trying to suck up to anybody. I am just telling you he is special, different. I’ll take Roethlisberger over any of those guys.”