Since the NFL Draft has wrapped up, it has mostly been a calm week, with rookie mini-camps beginning late this past week. Though, as the most powerful professional sports league in the world would have it, there was no shortage of news.
Beginning with an arrest warrant for former All-Pro safety Earl Thomas III. The warrant out of Austin, Texas, is for violating a court protective order by sending threatening messages to a woman and her children, according to the Austin American Statesman.
Thomas, part of the Legion of Boom in the Seattle Seahawks’ secondary and a former Baltimore Raven, was charged with a third-degree felony, court records show, for at least two violations within 12 months of the initial court order. He was only supposed to contact the woman through a co-parenting phone app, the paper reported.
An attorney representing Thomas through his divorce, which was filed by Nina Thomas in November 2020, said that the warrant stems from reaching out to the woman about seeing his children, the paper reports.
Seahawks Locked in on QB
After trading Russell Wilson to the Denver Broncos in exchange for Drew Lock, Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll said he “doesn’t at all” envision the team trading for a different quarterback ahead of the season.
That would include embattled Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield, who figures to take a backseat to Deshaun Watson, who Cleveland sent a package of picks for and signed to a $230 million extension.
A second-round pick in 2019, the 25-year-old Lock is 8-13 in 21 starts with 24 appearances. He has thrown for 4,740 yards, 25 touchdowns, and 20 interceptions in his career. In 2020 he was the full-time starter in Denver and went 4-9 with 2,933 yards, 16 touchdowns, and 15 interceptions in 13 starts.
The Seahawks drafted two offensive tackles, two linebackers, two cornerbacks, and a running back in last week’s NFL Draft.
Former coach alleges hostile environment
Former Las Vegas Raiders assistant Dan Ventrelle says team owner Mark Davis ignored allegations of a hostile work environment, which led to his firing on Friday after he raised concerns. The team did not address why Ventrelle was fired.
“I take that responsibility very seriously, which is why multiple written complaints from employees that Mark (Davis) created a hostile work environment and engaged in other potential misconduct caused me grave concern,” Ventrelle said in a statement to the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
“When Mark was confronted about these issues he was dismissive and did not demonstrate the warranted level of concern. Soon thereafter, I was fired in retaliation for raising these concerns. I firmly stand by my decision to elevate these issues to protect the organization and its female employees.”
The NFL says they are investigating after becoming aware of the situation.
Owner in accident
Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones was involved in a minor car accident and taken to a local hospital as a precaution, ESPN reported. Jones, 79, was in a crash but “all good” according to his son, and executive vice president Stephen Jones, in a text message to ESPN.
Veteran signs with LAC
Outside linebacker Kyle Van Noy signed with the Los Angeles Chargers, the team announced Thursday. It’s another move to beef up the defensive, having traded for Kahlil Mack, signing cornerback J.C. Jackson and defensive tackle Sebastian Joseph-Day.
In a division with Patrick Mahomes, Russell Wilson and Derek Carr, who has a new receiver in Davante Adams, it’s a needed unit to address.
Van Noy played in all 16 games with the New England Patriots last season and was fourth on the team with 66 tackles.
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