Despite being the NFL’s slow season, there’s plenty of news from around the league. As teams prepare for their mini-camps we’re getting a better sense of lingering injury and contract issues as the mandatory portion of the off-season program begin. Lets take a full look at today’s news around the NFL.
NFL news roundup: Chad Johnson is headed to jail, Shawne Merriman recovering from alleged overdose
The week in the NFL started somberly, as two former players found themselves in trouble. Here’s a wrap up of the biggest stories from Monday.
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James Dator has been covering a wide range of sports for SB Nation for over a decade, with a special focus on the NFL.
The former NFL receiver has never been known for his tact, and that was on display today in a Florida courtroom. After reaching a plea agreement on his domestic violence charges last August, Johnson celebrated with his lawyer by smacking him on the rear end. Judge Kathleen McHugh took the outburst as a not taking the court proceedings seriously, and threw out the deal. As a result, the wide receiver will find himself in jail for 30 days.
We won’t know the events surrounding Sunday night for some time, but according to the Los Angeles Times a source told them Merriman overdosed on a combination of drugs and alcohol. Hours later, the former-linebacker was tweeting from his official account -- indicating he was okay, and working on getting his MBA.
Gabe Carimi was the Bears' first-round pick just two-years ago, but the Chicago Bears were ready to move on. Once believed to be Jay Cutler's future protector, and long-term answer at tackle -- he showed an inability to hold the edge at the next level, and figured to be battling for a guard spot this year.
Enter the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who continued a trade-filled offseason by acquiring Carimi for a 6th round pick. It's a low-risk move with a lot of upside, and he'll be able to compete on a questionable Bucs offensive line.
It seemed last week that a deal between the Colts and Bradshaw was a done-deal, but it didn't happen due to some hangups on money. According to NFL.com, the two sides remain in 'heavy negotiations' -- which could make a deal between the sides a reality sooner rather than later.
The Dallas Cowboys are taking no risks with their newly re-signed quarterback. Romo had surgery to remove a cyst from his back in April, and this decision appears to be a precaution. The Cowboys' QB should be ready in time for the team's training camp in July, according to sources in Dallas.
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