Interesting articles from profootballtalk.com

PROSECUTORS POISED TO CHARGE STALLWORTH WITH DUI

As authorities in South Florida wait for the results of a blood draw performed on Browns receiver Donte’ Stallworth, a source with knowledge of the investigation tells us that prosecutors are preparing an indictment for DUI manslaughter, under the assumption that the results will show that Stallworth’s blood alcohol content exceeded the legal limit of 0.08 percent when he collided with a pedestrian, who later died.

Per the source, Stallworth admitted to drinking at least four Patrons and two Margaritas. A separate source called that information “basically right,” but added that Stallworth contends he had his last drink at midnight. The incident occurred after 7:00 a.m. local time.

We’re also told that Stallworth claimed in his statement to police that he saw the man crossing the street from a distance, and flashed the high beams and honked the horn of the Bentley he was driving. Apparently, there’s an issue as to whether Stallworth could have taken evasive action because of a barrier along the median.

We’re told that Stallworth is badly shaken by the news that the pedestrian had died.

And, frankly, he should be. Apart from the fact that he was involved in an accident that claimed a man’s life, Stallworth could be facing serious criminal liability, if the pending test reveals an impermissibly high concentration of alcohol in his blood.


SAME OLD LIONS?

With multiple reports that the Seattle Seahawks were going to cut linebacker Julian Peterson after he refused a pay cut, the Detroit Lions opted not to wait for the inevitable release of Peterson.

Instead, they packed up a starting defensive lineman and a fifth-round pick in order to inherit the back end of the puffed up contract paid three years ago to Peterson, who’ll be 31 in July.

The move has renewed criticism of the Lions in league circles.

“If you went 0-16 would you trade a pick and a good young player for a 31 year old?” one league source asked us.

(Actually, if we went 0-16, we’d cash in whatever remaining chips we could scrape together and find a new line of business to screw up over an extended period of time.)

We’ve largely forgotten about the Lions because there are no games for them to lose in March, but league insiders still point to the franchise as a shining beacon of pro football ineptitude.

The arrival of former Jags V.P. of player personnel James Harris has done little to improve the front office’s image in league circles.

“[G.M. Martin] Mayhew is bad enough in trying to evaluate talent,” one source opined. “Instead of one guy not knowing what he’s doing now you have two guys doing the same routine.”

In fact, one league insider has been referring to Mayhew and Harris as the “Millen Twins.”

But there’s possibly good news on the horizon. Some league insiders expect that new coach Jim Schwartz will try to make a power play, if he can win at least five or six games in the wake of last year’s humiliating season.


JETS, JAGUARS TO WORK OUT FREEMAN

The New York Jets are showing a lot of interest in Kansas State’s Josh Freeman, scheduling private workouts and meetings with the big junior quarterback over the next few days, according to Gil Brandt of NFL.com and Jeffrey Martin of the Wichita Eagle and the Kansas City Star.

Jets offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer is scheduled for a chalk talk with Freeman on Monday, and Jets coach Rex Ryan and General Manager Mike Tannenbaum are joining Schottenheimer on Tuesday to put Freeman through his paces.

On March 23, Jacksonville Jaguars quarterbacks coach Mike Shula is set for a private workout with Freeman. Freeman is one of the largest quarterback prospects in recent years at nearly 6-foot-6 and 252 pounds.

Among the NFL brass who attended Freeman’s Pro Day last week: St. Louis Rams quarterbacks coach Dick Curl, Seattle Seahawks quarterbacks coach Bill Lazor, Minnesota Vikings quarterbacks coach Kevin Rogers, Detroit Lions coach Jeff Horton and Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterbacks coach Greg Olson.

MICHIGAN’S JOHNSON PUTS ON A SHOW

University of Michigan strongman defensive tackle Will Johnson flexed his muscles at his campus Pro Day in a performance reminiscent of weightlifters Hans and Franz of old Saturday Night Live fame.

Johnson bench pressed 225 pounds a staggering 47 times, according to Gil Brandt of NFL.com. It’s believed to be a record for an incoming NFL draft prospect, according to NFL Draft Scout.

The 6-foot-4, 281-pound defensive lineman ran the 40-yard dash in 5.07 and 5.1 seconds, had a 9-4 broad jump, a 4.61 time in the short shuttle and a 7.5 in the three-cone drill.

Meanwhile, defensive end Tim Jamison ran a 4.95 and a 4.99 in the 40-yard dash with a 4.60 in the short shuttle and a 7.40 in the three-cone drill.

MAGEE, HEYGOOD STAND OUT AT PURDUE PRO DAY

Purdue defensive tackle Alex Magee helped his draft stock at his Pro Day workout, running a 4.82 and a 4.85 in the 40-yard dash with Seattle Seahawks defensive line coach Dan Quinn in attendance, according to Gil Brandt of NFL.com.

With 23 NFL teams watching, the 286-pound defensive lineman also turned in a 9-5 broad jump with a 4.42 short shuttle.

Meanwhile, Boilermakers linebacker Anthony Heygood clocked a 4.67 and a 4.71 in the 40-yard dash. He also registered a 33 1/2 inch vertical leap, an impressive 10-10 broad jump and had 18 repetitions of 225 pounds in the bench-press test.

Heygood is undersized for the NFL at 6-foot, 228 pounds, but is obviously athletic.

Brandt reports that quarterback Curtis Painter “flashed a very good arm.”