Meanwhile, the ex-Packers special teams coordinator warned Brandon Bostick not to field the infamous onside kick that gave the Seahawks life in the NFC title game.
The NFL Scouting Combine delivered a number of narratives, but none dominated the week more than Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston. The 2013 Heisman Trophy winner showed up in Indianapolis in shape and ready to take on the onslaught of media and league personnel. Though some of his drill results were suboptimal -- he ran the 40-yard dash in 4.97 seconds and jumped just 28.5" in the vertical leap -- his interviews and approach seemingly solidified his status as the top overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft.
Still, a possible red flag has emerged for teams looking to find one. In a conversation with The MMQB's Peter King, Winston said that while he's preparing to play quarterback in the NFL, he's not ready to close the door on his baseball career just yet.
Asked if he would ever want to play both sports as a pro, he said: "I can't speak on that. It always has been my dream, but I'm just playing football right now."
Winston has no stated plans to pursue baseball as a second sport like former Seminole Deion Sanders before him. That doesn't mean teams don't have any concerns about the possibility, however. While baseball isn't an overwhelmingly dangerous sport, it does raise the prospect of injury should he continue to play it. The fact Winston's diagnosis of shoulder weakness may have been linked to baseball only heightens the concern.
Still, Winston is a top prospect in football, not in baseball. As such, until further notice, Winston's second sport shouldn't be expected to interfere with his primary vocation.
Nate Allen cleared in Florida incident
Last week, Nate Allen found himself in a holding cell in Fort Myers, Fla. The Philadelphia Eagles safety was accused of performing a "lewd act" at a traffic light. Allen steadfastly denied culpability since the arrest occurred. Now, according to ABC 6 Philadelphia, he has been cleared of all wrongdoing.
According to the State Attorney, Allen was mistakenly identified as the suspect when he was detained.
State Attorney Steve Russell: "After reviewing the case and situation, Mr. Nate Allen should be commended for his patience, cooperation, and understanding. Further the victim should be commended for her cooperation and willingness to report the offense."
That's fantastic news for Allen, who is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent this offseason. With his legal situation no longer an issue, he becomes one of the top safeties available on the open market. He appeared in 15 games for the Eagles last season, recording four interceptions.
Vikings could appeal to Adrian Peterson with more guaranteed money
The offseason is young, but already the relationship between the Minnesota Vikings and All-Pro running back Adrian Peterson appears to have deteriorated to the point where a split seems highly likely. The most recent reports say that Peterson's agent and a Vikings executive engaged in a heated argument during the combine in Indianapolis. Still, both sides have stayed relatively quiet about the matter publicly.
And if a report by NFL Network's Ian Rapoport is to be believed, the matter can stay quiet if the team is willing to guarantee some of Peterson's 2016 salary.
Peterson, of course, spent nearly all of the 2014 season on the commissioner's exempt list while dealing with a child abuse scandal in his home state of Texas. The Vikings went 6-9 in his absence. The problem with guaranteeing more money to Peterson is he turns 30 in March and already makes more than any other player at his position. Committing to him for two more seasons is a risk. The Vikings might instead decide that after the maelstrom last year, it makes more sense to move away from Peterson rather than keep him in the Twin Cities.
Ex-Packers special teams coordinator warned Brandon Bostick not to touch onside kick
Of the many errors committed by the Green Bay Packers during their heartbreaking NFC title game loss to the Seattle Seahawks, none will be remembered more vividly than Brandon Bostick's muffed onside kick recovery. The ball slipped through the tight end's hands and hit his helmet, bouncing into the hands of a Seahawks special teamer. The play was one of the reasons the Packers fired special teams coordinator Shawn Slocum after the season. However, according to ESPN's Rob Demovsky, Bostick was specifically told not to attempt a recovery.
Slocum allegedly told his players, "If your name isn't Jordy Nelson or Micah Hyde, don't try to field the ball." In fact, Nelson stood behind Bostick ready to make a play on the football. Instead, the tight end did precisely what he was instructed not to do, and now neither he nor Slocum is employed by the Packers.
from SBNation.com - All Posts http://ift.tt/1AG4SfE
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