THE SHIELD MADE THEM DO IT: One question plaguing observers since the DeflateGate punishments were announced last week was why the Patriots suspended Jim McNally and John Jastremski if they didn’t do anything, as the team suggested. Now we may have an answer. The Patriots suspended those two because the league asked them to, according to a well-timed leak.
Rise ‘n Grind: The NFL made the Patriots suspend ‘the Deflator’ and his accomplice
So that’s why they suspended those two guys.
KEEPING SCORE: Five owners, four coaches and two team executives have offered their public support for Roger Goodell and the league’s sanctions against the Patriots and Tom Brady.
CHEATERS: Hey, even the Jaguars have done it in the past.
CHARGER BUSINESS: San Diego’s stadium group unveiled plans for a new $1.1 billion facility on Monday, including financial details that put the lion’s share of the cost on the Chargers and the NFL. Needless to say, that’s not expected to fly with the team and the league, but it’s more of a starting point for negotiations rather than a final offer. In related news, owner Dean Spanos is turning over day-to-day operations of the team to his sons. He’ll still be around though, focused on the stadium issue.
SAYING GOODBYE: All-Pro defensive end Justin Smith is hanging up his cleats after 14 years in the NFL. He finishes his career with a total of 87 sacks -- 43.5 in seven years with the Bengals and 43.5 in seven more seasons with the 49ers. It’s another big loss for San Francisco’s roster this spring. Smith, who turns 36 in September, explained his decision after Monday’s announcement. Here’s a closer look at how the Niners’ defensive front will adapt without Smith.
EXTENDED: The Dolphins and quarterback Ryan Tannehill agreed on a $96 million contract extension that keeps him in Miami through the 2020 season. The deal comes with $45 million sort of guaranteed; it’s one of those tricky contracts that the team can wiggle out of well before 2020, without paying him all of that guaranteed money. Good timing by the Dolphins; Tannehill looks poised for a big season thanks to the bevy of offensive weapons the team brought in this offseason.
THOSE OTHER QUARTERBACKS: Andrew Luck has to be smiling about Tannehill’s contract extension. A deal worth $25 million per season isn’t unreasonable for Luck given the current market for quarterbacks. Tannehill’s contract also gives Russell Wilson and the Seahawks a baseline to work from in their contract negotiations.
A SEAHAWK’S STRUGGLE: Seattle defensive tackle Jesse Williams was diagnosed with papillary Type 2 cancer, a cancer of the kidney, and will undergo treatment. It’s a tough reminder that even NFL players are regular human beings. We’ll be thinking of him as he fights this thing.
LOOKS THE PART: Check out Jameis Winston as a high school quarterback.
STEELE CHANGES: How will the Steelers’ defense be different this year?
MOST AMERICAN: Guess what British people think the most American thing ever is? Hint: Chiefs fans.
COOL PODCAST: Do you like football? Of course you do. So you’ll love the Onside Kick Family Hour, SB Nation’s NFL podcast featuring retired NFL defensive end Stephen White and Danny Kelly. It’s a weekly show available on iTunes as well.
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