NFL News: Patriots Double-Trouble. LaVon Brazill Suspended, could be Cut
By Jason Marcum
Jan 1, 2012; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) and tight end Aaron Hernandez (81) watch from the sideline as they take on the Buffalo Bills in the second quarter at Gillette Stadium. The Patriots defeated the Bill 49-21. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
With training camp just over a month away, the New England Patriots are down a pair of tight ends with Rob Gronkowski recovering from multiple offseason surgeries, and Aaron Hernandez’s involvement in a murder investigation.
In a statement, Hernandez’s attorney, Michael K. Fee, denied a report that an arrest warrant has been issued for his client:
"Over the past week, our client, Aaron Hernandez, has been the subject of a relentless flood of rumors, misinformation, and false reports in the media. These include the repeated publication of a supposedly confirmed report that an arrest warrant had been issued for Aaron, a report that was exposed as untrue. None of these false reports come from official sources and we appreciate the professionalism and restraint shown by the Bristol County District Attorney’s Office."
The NFL announced yesterday that Indianapolis Colts receiver LaVon Brazill will be suspended for the first four games of the 2013 season for violating the league’s substance abuse policy, and it now appears Brazill’s roster spot is in jeopardy as a result of the suspension. Brazill had just 11 catches for 186 yards as a sixth-round rookie last year after being drafted in the sixth-round out of Ohio.
The Minnesota Vikings agreed to terms with middle linebacker Desmond Bishop on a one-year, $1.35 million contract. After missing all of 2012 with a ruptured hamstring, Bishop insists he’s healed and will be ready for the start of training camp. When he last played in 2011, Bishop racked up 115 tackles, five sacks, and two forced fumbles in 13 starts.
Former NFL head coach Bill Parcells will enter the Pro Football Hall of Fame this year, but in an interview with USA Today, Parcells said he regrets the way things ended with the New England Patriots. Parcells was 32-32 with one Super Bowl appearance in four seasons in New England after taking over a franchise that had combined for an NFL-low 14 wins during the previous four seasons.
Since then, they’ve added three Super Bowl titles in 5 appearances. I think Pats fans have forgiven Parcells by now.
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