ESPN NFL

I have received a lot of questions from readers this afternoon about how much of the 2012 season Oakland middle linebacker Rolando McClain will miss because of his court case in Alabama.

Right now, it is impossible to guess.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that after being sentenced to 180 days in jail, McClain's attorney, Harvey Steinberg, said McClain has filed a request for a jury trial and now, under state law, "the process starts all over again." Steinberg said McClain will be notified at a later date as to when the jury trial will begin.

If the jury trial is a quick process and McClain is sentenced, he could face jail time during the season. But who knows how long the process will be and there are appeals and other situations at play. Often, when athletes serve jail terms, their attorneys try to arrange it that the time is served during their offseason.

Also, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell could decide to discipline at any time if he chooses to suspend McClain. Again, this is a legal situation that is fluid. Any speculation on McClain missing time would be mere guesswork.

UPDATE: The Raiders released this stamement on the McClain situation: “The Raiders are well aware of the proceedings in the Alabama courts today. The team will continue to closely monitor the legal process, understanding that when appropriate the NFL will review the situation under its personal conduct policy.”

In other AFC West news:

The Broncos and kicker Matt Prater have a model to work with on a new deal. Fellow franchised kicker Conner Barth received a four-year, $13.2 million deal from Tampa Bay on Thursday. Prater has yet to sign his tender and he is not with the team during OTAs.

San Diego coach Norv Turner turned 60 on Thursday. Turner has proclaimed Chargers star tight end Antonio Gates ”back.” Gates has been dealing with foot injuries for several years.

Oakland running back Darren McFadden talks about his return to health on ESPN radio.

The Broncos announced they've signed fourth-round pick Omar Bolden. The cornerback is the team’s first pick to sign.

New Kansas City Chiefs head coach Romeo Crennel said Thursday he planned to hire an offensive coordinator soon.

NFL.com reports Crennel will choose between three finalists. There are no surprises on the list: Kansas City quarterbacks coach Jim Zorn, former Oakland Raiders offensive coordinator Al Saunders and former Miami Dolphins offensive coordinator Brian Daboll.

In other AFC West news:

Denver quarterback Tim Tebow talks to ESPN’s Skip Bayless in a three-part, wide-ranging video interview. He talks about everything from respect, LeBron James and religion.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said Friday that the NFL Network will run Thursday games from Week 2-15 and every team in the league will appear on a Thursday night game in 2012.

The Broncos are raising the prices of some tickets and cutting the prices on others in 2012.

UPDATE: The Raiders announced the hiring of Steve Hoffman as their special teams coach. It had been previously reported. The Chiefs fired him last month.

SAN DIEGO -- I have arrived for Thursday night’s crucial AFC West game between the Raiders and Chargers.

It a big game as the Raiders and Chargers are tied with Kansas City for first place at 4-4 heading into the second half of the season. Denver is a game behind the three teams at 3-5

It is going to be an interesting race and the remainder of each team's schedule is relevant. According to ESPN Stats & Information, the Raiders and Broncos have the easiest remaining schedule. Both teams’ opponents’ combined winning percentage is .531. Kansas City has the toughest road ahead. Its opponents’ combined winning percentage is .600. It is tied for the third-toughest remaining schedule in the NFL. The Chargers’ opponents’ winning percentage is .546.

Thus, the winner of Thursday night’s game will have a strong head start.

In other AFC West nuggets Thursday:

San Diego running back Mike Tolbert said in a radio interview that the Chargers are not hanging their heads following a three-game losing streak.

After he said he worked his team too hard after a 28-point home loss to previously winless Miami, Kansas City coach Todd Haley gave his team two days off this week to refresh before hosting Denver on Sunday.

The Denver Post wonders what is wrong with struggling Broncos’ standout left tackle Ryan Clady.

The San Diego Union-Tribune reports NFL commissioner Roger Goodell will meet with the mayor of San Diego to discuss the city’s quest to get a new stadium for the Chargers.

In the end, Terrelle Pryor has decided not to go down without a fight.

The NFL Network is reporting that the Raiders’ rookie quarterback is appealing his five-game suspension, which was part of him being included in the supplemental draft last month. The Raiders took the former Ohio State quarterback in the third round.

Pryor’s journey to the NFL has been convoluted for the past few months and his road to appealing has also been confusing. He had wavered on the decision. The suspension starts now and lasts until Oct. 10. He can’t play or practice, but he can meet with his coaches and study the playbook.

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell rarely lifts suspensions during the appeal process. However, it is not out of the question for Goodell to shave off a game or two from a suspension if a player makes a compelling case.

Pryor will be Oakland’s No. 3 quarterback when he joins the team.

The Oakland Raiders were the only team not to vote to ratify the new collective bargaining agreement. The league approved the deal 31-0 with the Raiders abstaining.

Oakland owner Al Davis has often abstained from league votes dating back to his long-term issues with the league. What does it mean? Nothing much. It was probably expected and it didn’t affect the vote. In the end, the Raiders must play by the rules of the league like every team that did vote.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said Thursday he hopes free agency will begin Wednesday and the players can voluntary start to go to their team’s facility on Saturday. He also said he hopes teams can start re-signing their own free agents and draft picks on Saturday. Undrafted free agents could sign beginning Sunday under the tentative current calendar.

The salary cap will be $120 million as expected. Here is an estimation of each AFC West team’s salary cap situation. Also, four-year veterans who are unsigned who will be eligible for free agency as expected. Here is a list of the top free agents in the AFC West.

What does all this mean? We’re getting close to football, folks. Very close.

» NFC: East | West | North | South » AFC: East | West | North | South

Our divisional bloggers discuss one thing they'd change as commissioner for a day:

One of the changes Roger Goodell has made in his five years as commissioner that I don’t agree with is altering the Pro Bowl format.

In the past couple of years, the Pro Bowl has been played in the week before the Super Bowl, and Hawaii is no longer the permanent home. In the past, the Pro Bowl was played the week after the Super Bowl. I think it worked well. I covered the Pro Bowl several times, and it was always a fun event for players and fans.

Goodell wanted to switch the site around, so he moved it to Miami (the site of the Super Bowl) in 2010 before returning it to Hawaii in 2011. The television ratings in the two years since the change have been good, and I don’t see Goodell ever going back to the former format.

That’s too bad. Having the NFL season end the week after the Super Bowl in Hawaii was a fun conclusion.

Going to Hawaii was a treat for players. I know a lot of them bailed out of the game, but that has happened in the past two years, anyway. I have talked to many players about the subject and they said the idea of going to Hawaii in February with their family and friends was something they all looked forward to.

In the current format, Super Bowl participants can’t play in the Pro Bowl. What kind of sense does that make? An All-Star game without players from the two best teams in the league is a lackluster affair, and I think interest from players in this format will seriously wane in the coming years.

If I were running the show at 280 Park Avenue for a day, I’d push back the Pro Bowl until after the Super Bowl and send it back to the Islands.

Denver Broncos rookie linebacker Von Miller may be one of the 10 current players who are suing the league, yet NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said he has no problem with Miller, who was the No. 2 overall pick in last month’s draft.

According to the Denver Post, Goodell -- who is continuing his goodwill tour with NFL fans during the lockout -- told a large group of Broncos season-ticket holders in a conference call, the two men ran into each other in Denver prior to the draft.

"I happened to be in Denver at the Broncos' facility when Von was in a meeting with the coaching staff prior to the draft," Goodell said. "And I went out of my way to say hello to him. He's a great young man. [He’s] obviously, a great young, player … I have great respect for Von. I look forward to him having many productive years in the NFL."

Miller and Goodell embraced at the podium shortly after the Broncos took him. Miller said that night that he doesn’t have anything personal against the commissioner.

In other AFC West news:

• The Kansas City Star looks at the workout-bonus money the Chiefs are saving because of the lockout. Well, there’s a bright side to all of this turmoil, I guess.
• Did the San Diego Chargers take a step closer to becoming the Los Angeles Chargers this week?
• The Oakland Tribune looks at Jason Campbell’s situation with the Raiders heading into his second season in Oakland.

In a conference call with some Kansas City Chiefs’ season-ticket holders, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell and Chiefs’ owner Clark Hunt talked about the importance of parity in the NFL.

• Second-year Kansas City cornerback/returner Javier Arenas is helping victims after he survived a devastating tornado in Alabama recently. Thanks to the reader who pointed this compelling article out to me.

• The San Francisco Chronicle looks at the Raiders’ late picks in last weekend’s draft.

• Check out Adam Schefter’s short list of the teams that where Oakland free-agent cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha could land.

• Denver Hall of Fame running back Floyd Little is returning to his alma mater to be an assistant to the athletic director.

• The Denver Post gives Broncos’ fans a chance to get to know second-round pick, UCLA safety Rahim Moore.

• It looks like tight end Brad Cottam is going to attempt a comeback in Kansas City after missing last season with a neck injury. Why else would he be working out with his teammates?

• San Diego kicker Nate Kaeding is working out with several other kicking specialists in California during the lockout.

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- Wrapping up the first night of the NFL draft.

Denver's No. 2 pick, Von Miller, was the only rookie on the 10-player plaintiff list that used the NFL to start the lockout. Thursday night, Miller gave NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell a hearty hug after he was drafted. Miller said he has nothing personal against Goodell.

Denver coach John Fox said Miller was No. 1 on the team’s draft board.

The Broncos’ second- and third-round picks will be introduced to the media Saturday. They will wear No. 11 jerseys to symbolize the year they were picked. No one wore that number in Denver last year after injured receiver Kenny McKinley committed suicide early in the season. The team talked to McKinley’s family about it and the family is on board with the idea.

Denver has not drafted a defensive tackle since 1997 when it took Trevor Pryce at No. 28.

Check out Jeffri Chadida’s pre-draft column on Miller. He’s a high-character kid.

Fox said the team did not receive any calls to move down from No. 2. The No. 2 pick hasn’t been traded since 2000. Fox did say he expects to get many calls about the No. 36 pick.

Fox said he is thrilled to get the veteran players back in the building Friday.

Fox said defensive end Jason Hunter’s stab wounds should not affect his ability to play in 2011. He was reportedly stabbed in the shoulder Wednesday.

San Diego No. 1 pick, Corey Liuget, will play defensive end in the 3-4 defense.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell spoke to season-ticket holders of the San Diego Chargers for nearly a half hour Friday afternoon.

I was fortunate enough to listen in on the conference call Goodell had with more than 2,000 Chargers season-ticket holders on the line. He answered questions from about 10 fans. Goodell didn’t sidestep questions that focused on both the current NFL lockout and the Chargers’ stadium issue.

Goodell participated in the call from the Minneapolis airport shortly after a second day of mediation ended in Minnesota. The two sides will resume talks Tuesday.

“We have work to do over the weekend,” Goodell said. “It is positive that both sides continue to communicate …. We want to get it resolved. We understand it’s not good for anyone, especially our fans.”

Here are a few of the highlights from the conference call:

On the possibility of using replacement players: “It has not been part of discussions. We are not at all considering that. Our focus is on the collective bargaining agreement and getting the best solution for the game, for the fans, for the players and for the clubs. Our entire focus continues on that.”

He continued to sell the merits of an 18-game schedule.

Goodell said he doesn’t put too much stock into some comments from players such as the infamous “slavery” rant by Minnesota running back Adrian Peterson: “I’m not much for public rhetoric … I have great respect for our players and I want to get them a fair deal … We want to make sure it makes sense for them and it makes sense for the clubs and that it allows the game to grow.”

Goodell said the league is not currently focused on expansion, but that could eventually become a focus once the new CBA is agreed upon.

Goodell addressed some questions about the uncertainty of the stadium situation in San Diego. He said he is confident everything will be done to help continue the relationship between the team and the community. He did indicate that San Diego likely won’t get another Super Bowl until it gets a new stadium because of strong competition across the country. San Diego used to be in the Super Bowl rotation. The last time it hosted the game, though, was in 2003.

San Diego Chargers fans will get a chance to talk to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell about the lockout.

An NFL spokesman said Thursday that Goodell will talk to some San Diego season-ticket holders in a 30-minute conference call Friday afternoon.

San Diego season-ticket holders are among five fan bases that will get a chance to talk to Goodell. This is an unique opportunity for fans to directly get information from the highest level of the lockout dispute. I’d love to hear from Chargers’ season-ticket holders who get this opportunity.

Two weeks ago, Mike Vrabel wanted to take Roger Goodell out of the NFL labor talks. Now, Vrabel may have put himself in a position to meet with Goodell about a matter that has nothing to do with the lockout.


The Kansas City Chiefs’ veteran linebacker was arrested for theft Monday morning at a Florence, Indiana casino. Vrabel was arrested at the Belterra Casino Resort & Spa on a Class-D felony charge -- the lowest level of felony crime in Indiana. He was released later Monday morning after posting a $600 bond. The crime carries a penalty of six months to three years in jail and a fine of up to $10,000.

"It was an unfortunate misunderstanding, and I take full responsibility for the miscommunication," Vrabel told ProFootballTalk.com in a statement through his agent Neil Cornrich. "I feel comfortable that after talking with the appropriate parties, we will resolve this matter."

Vrabel is one of nine current players suing the NFL to end the lockout. He is on the NFLPA’s executive committee and was a major part of the negotiations with the league prior to the lockout. Vrabel could be subject to the NFL’s personal conduct policy after the lockout ends.

Vrabel is known as one of the best leaders in the NFL. Kansas City coach Todd Haley has often credited Vrabel’s leadership for helping the Chiefs become a playoff team in 2010.

UPDATE: A Kansas City television station is reporting the arrest involved bottles of alcohol being taken from a casino restaurant.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said the Detroit Lions are appealing the tampering case against them. The league ruled that the team tampered against an unnamed Chiefs’ player (reportedly former safety Jarrad Page). The Chiefs and Lions switched places in the fifth round of next month draft and the Lions were docked a seventh-round pick. The Chiefs will now pick ninth in the fifth round and the Lions will pick 23rd.

New Denver coach John Fox likes veterans and he likes to run the ball. Perhaps he can look at two current Miami running backs who may soon be two former Miami running backs.

Fox likens the Duke to the King.

I was told that a transcript from Oakland coach Hue Jackson’s press briefing Tuesday will be available Wednesday. I’ll pass along any pertinent information.

Kansas City coach Todd Haley still isn’t saying who will call the plays this season. Expect Haley to be involved in the duty, whether he confirms it or not.

San Diego Chargers linebacker Kevin Burnett delivered some of the strongest words of the lockout so far.

Burnett, a prospective free agent who has never been known for being outlandish with his comments, blasted commissioner Roger Goodell in an interview with a San Diego radio station.

Here is a taste of what Burnett had to say:

“Goodell’s full of it. He’s a liar,” Burnett said “You’re a blatant liar. ‘It’s our league, it’s we, we love the players, we want the league,’ but what have you done for the players? What have you done, in all honesty, to improve the game, besides fine guys, besides take money away from guys, besides change a game that you’ve never played? … He’s done nothing to improve the game.”

Wow.

Burnett’s words will likely not play well in the NFL's offices and perhaps even at the Chargers’ headquarters. No team wants its players lambasting management. His comments could affect the Chargers’ interest in bringing back Burnett.

However, I think Burnett could ultimately get a pass for his emotions. But this deal is far from over. I think the insults are just starting.

Meanwhile, in other AFC West developments this afternoon:

The Denver Post puts Penn State guard StefenWisniewski on the radar of the Broncos, who may be looking for a guard in the second round. The idea of Wisniewski playing in Denver would create rancor in Oakland. He is the nephew of former Raiders great Steve Wisniewski, who is currently Oakland's assistant offensive line coach. Raiders coach Hue Jackson was complimentary of Wisniewski at last month’s NFL combine. Wisniewski would be a good fit in Oakland and he could be a target of the team at No. 48 if he is available.

There is a report out of San Diego that said if the lockout extends in the season, the Chargers have a way out of paying rent at Qualcomm Stadium.

There will not be any playoff re-seeding in the NFL this year.

The news that Denver’s video director, Steve Scarnecchia, filmed a San Francisco walkthough practice in London before the 49ers beat Denver on Oct. 31 will stain Denver's reputation for a long time.

But the NFL acted swiftly to allow the team and coach Josh McDaniels to move forward. It’s now up to him to straighten out his team, a program that is on the brink of being in disarray in his second season.

The team and McDaniels were fined a combined $100,000 and Scarnecchia was fired. McDaniels was fined because he didn’t immediately report the infraction. The league ruled that Scarnecchia acted alone and that McDaniels wasn’t part of the plan to film San Francisco’s workout.

The league has left the possibility for further discipline if new evidence comes to light. Rest assured, the league will be on alert. This incident shows that Spygate still lives, and I’m sure commissioner Roger Goodell is steaming mad that it does. The league thought it moved on from that form of high-level cheating.

But for now, the matter is closed. Denver will not lose any draft picks. New England was fined $750,000 and lost a first-round pick for its “SpyGate”escapade in 2007. McDaniels was part of New England’s staff at the time.

And that’s what will linger in Denver. This was not McDaniels' doing, but it came on his watch and it falls on him. People in Denver have started becoming skeptical of McDaniels' abilities because of some of his personnel decisions and for numerous issues with players. He has also lost 15 of his past 20 games and the Broncos are 3-7 heading into Sunday's home game against St. Louis.

For McDaniels to have to meet the media a day before a game about a matter like this puts the entire organization in a poor light. This is a new black eye.

But clearly, the Broncos are still behind McDaniels. Asked Saturday if there was cause for termination, Denver CEO Joe Ellis said this: “It is not, no. The discipline has been handed down appropriately in our mind and in the mind of the owner. We've gone through it with the league, with the coach himself. He's admitted his mistake. He's paying for his mistake. He needs to move on and finish the season. Hopefully we have some success on the field.”

McDaniels apparently has a clean slate. He has to do everything he can to keep it as clean as possible or the Broncos will eventually have no choice but look for a new direction in leadership.