Pro Football Fan Site

WALDORF, Md. (AP) -Washington Redskins cornerback Byron Westbrook was arrested early Friday and charged with driving under the influence.

Chip Scoggins of the Star Tribune posted this story just as I was wrapping up a mailbag devoted, in part, to Facebook Sam‘s question about the possibility of the NFL fining Minnesota left tackle Bryant McKinnie for his conduct and ultimate dismissal from last month’s Pro Bowl.

McKinnie

Scoggins reports that McKinnie won’t receive his $22,500 game check, which makes sense considering he did not play in the game, and that he must repay $4,285.13 in expenses. As I was going to write in my response to Facebook Sam, I don’t think the NFL had the authority to do much more.



There is no doubt McKinnie’s conduct conveyed a lack of respect to the game and his teammates. Beyond that, however, I don’t think it qualified as a violation of the league’s personal conduct policy. That is the ultimate arbiter of player discipline.



In this case, no laws were broken. No charges were filed. And McKinnie has already made public his side of the story: That he told NFC medical officials he was sick during the week and then called them two days before the game to say he was too injured to play.



The NFL’s Competition Committee will review the matter to determine if a policy can be implemented to deter similar incidents in the future. I know there have been public calls for McKinnie to receive a six-figure fine, but the league’s own rules wouldn’t have justified it in this case.

A league source tells the Cleveland Plain Dealer that Josh Cribbs’ new contract could be finalized by next week.

SI.com’s Don Banks believes that free agent Pacman Jones’ tryout for the Bengals last week confirmed that his career is over.

There are several intriguing storylines to follow in the AFC West as we prepare for the offseason movement period, which begins March 5.



The following is a look at 10 players to keep an eye on this offseason. Of course, things can change at any time. Remember, this time last year Jay Cutler was comfortably nestled in Denver. Then, he became the offseason story of the NFL.



Branden Albert, tackle, Kansas City: Albert will likely be switching positions soon. This is a big development for Albert and for the Chiefs. Albert, who was taken at No.15 in the 2008 draft, has played left tackle both of his seasons in the NFL. He has been slow to develop. Kansas City may use the No. 5 overall pick on a left tackle. That would enable Albert to move to right tackle. Several NFL scouts believe Albert will be a more effective right tackle than a left tackle.



Antonio Cromartie, cornerback, San Diego: Cromartie is not part of San Diego’s huge free-agent class, but he may be on the move, anyway. ESPN’s Chris Mortensen reported this week Cromartie is being shopped in trade offers. There is a faction in San Diego that has grown tired of Cromartie. He has struggled at times, especially in run support, and he created some off-field distractions. He could be a memory in San Diego.



Glenn Dorsey, defensive lineman, Kansas City: Dorsey could be on the move as well. Kansas City could decide that he is not worth trying to make him fit in its 3-4 defense. Dorsey was the No. 5 overall pick in 2008 and was considered by many league observers to be the best talent in the draft. However, Kansas City’s new regime changed to a 3-4 defense last year. Kansas City may listen to trade offers. It has already been reported that Detroit could show interest. Dorsey likely would not command a top-15 pick, but the Chiefs could decide to cut ties and try to recoup what it can for a player who doesn’t fit the system.



Elvis Dumervil, linebacker, Denver: Dumervil will likely be a restricted free agent. There will be a lot of interest him. In 2009, his first season as a 3-4 linebacker, Dumervil flourished. He led the NFL with 17 sacks. There has been talk the Dolphins — Dumervil is from Miami — could show interest in him. Denver will try to keep him. But Dumervil could receive a huge offer elsewhere.



Vincent Jackson, receiver, San Diego: Jackson is also likely going to be a restricted free agent. He could get a major contract offer elsewhere. It would probably take a first- and third-round pick to acquire Jackson. That is steep price, but Jackson is a top-flight player who has improved in each of his five NFL seasons. San Diego will do what it can to keep him.



Brandon Marshall, receiver, Denver: This could be one of the biggest storylines of the NFL. Denver will likely trade Marshall, who is expected to be a restricted free agent. He has had several issues and the team is expected to part ways with him. Marshall and Denver owner Pat Bowlen have both said he could return, but several teams are expected to make a push for him.



Shawne Merriman, linebacker, San Diego: Merriman is expected to be a restricted free agent. Moments after San Diego was beaten by the Jets in the playoffs, Merriman acknowledged that he might have played his final game as a Charger. With other free-agent issues, Merriman could be lost in the shuffle.



Kyle Orton, quarterback, Denver: Orton is likely going to be restricted free agent. Denver is expected to try to keep him. But ESPN has reported Denver has talked to the Eagles about the availability of quarterback Donovan McNabb. It is probable that Orton returns as Denver’s quarterback, but this is a fluid situation.



JaMarcus Russell, quarterback, Oakland: Russell is likely getting his last chance in Oakland. He is in Arizona working with a trainer and working on his fundamentals. The goals are for him to report to the team’s offseason program in the spring in much better shape than he was in last season and show he has improved as a quarterback. If he is succeeds, he has a chance to help Oakland this season.



Richard Seymour, defensive end, Oakland: Seymour is an unrestricted free agent. Oakland has to re-sign him. It has no choice. Oakland traded its No. 1 pick in 2011 to New England for Seymour last September. The team has talked to him about a long-term contract. If a new deal isn’t struck, Oakland will likely put the franchise tag on him.

PFT: Vikings defensive end Jared Allen is, along with Saint quarterback Drew Brees and Colts receiver Reggie Wayne, one of the three finalists to be on the cover of this year’s Madden video game.

When Julius Peppers first came to Charlotte back in 2002, the key to the city was under his doormat. The deeds for two states were waiting in his mailbox.



The home-grown kid was going to own both of the Carolinas and be the first true superstar to play for the Carolina Panthers. It would be almost like Michael Jordan getting drafted by the former Charlotte Hornets instead of the Chicago Bulls.



So what the heck is happening now? Why does it look as if the man who was supposed to be the King of the Queen City and the Count of the Carolinas is about to walk away from a franchise and a fan base that so wanted to embrace him? Why does it look like the Panthers are willing to sit back and watch the best player they’ve ever had go?



If you could answer those questions with one statement or even point to a single issue, this wouldn’t be happening because it could have been resolved. The curious case of Peppers and the Panthers is beyond complicated. Sure, football and money are involved. But it goes way deeper than that. The divorce that appears about to happen if the Panthers don’t put the franchise tag on their defensive end before Feb. 25 and let him become a free agent also involves emotions, personalities and a marriage that never was as close to being perfect as it looked on paper.



Blame can flow both ways on this and it’s not accurate to say either side is entirely right or entirely wrong. But it is fair to say they both were flawed and maybe this pairing was doomed from the very start.



Let’s start with Peppers. If you don’t know him, don’t feel bad because, basically, nobody knows him. Since the day he walked in the door of Bank of America Stadium, his teammates, coaches and team employees have tried to figure him out. They never have.



I covered Peppers on a daily basis for The Charlotte Observer from the day he was drafted until I left for this space right after the 2007 season. I saw and talked with Peppers many times, but the truth is I’ve had deeper conversations with my cat.



Peppers is a mystery wrapped in the body of a pass-rusher. He came in as an extremely shy and quiet kid. The only difference in that now is he’s no longer a kid. He’s 30 and, although he went on a Charlotte radio station recently and said he didn’t want to stay with the Panthers, nobody knows what it is he really wants. Nobody really has been able to crack that one.

(Read full post)

Mike Florio breaks down the complicated issues surrounding Thursday’s ruling on Starcaps. (NBC Sports)

PFT Daily: Mike Florio breaks down the complicated issues surrounding Thursday’s ruling on Starcaps. (NBC Sports)