Month: November 2020

Texans CB Bradley Roby announces 6-game suspension for violation of NFL PED policy

Texans CB Bradley Roby will be away from the defending AFC South champions through the rest of the 2020 campaign.
Roby will be suspended six games for violation of the NFL’s performance-enhancing drug policy via NFL Network’s James Palmer.
Roby collected 37 combined tackles, two tackles for loss, seven pass breakups, a fumble recovery, and an interception in his 10 games this season

Texans CB Bradley Roby will be away from the defending AFC South champions through the rest of the 2020 campaign.
Roby will be suspended six games for violation of the NFL’s performance-enhancing drug policy via NFL Network’s James Palmer.
Roby collected 37 combined tackles, two tackles for loss, seven pass breakups, a fumble recovery, and an interception in his 10 games this season

Texans CB Bradley Roby announces 6-game suspension for violation of NFL PED policy

Houston Texans cornerback Bradley Roby announced his six-game suspension for violating the NFL’s performance enhancing drug policy.

Houston Texans cornerback Bradley Roby will be away from the defending AFC South champions through the rest of the 2020 campaign.

According to a statement attributed to Roby via the NFL Network’s James Palmer, Roby will be suspended six games for violation of the NFL’s performance enhancing drug policy.

“I apologize to my family, my teammates, the Houston Texans organization and the fans,” the statement from Roby reads. “A few months ago I unknowingly used a product that was contaminated with a banned substance by the NFL. I recognize that it is my job to know, and be responsible for, everything I put in my body. I will be suspended six games ending my season.”

Roby collected 37 combined tackles, two tackles for loss, seven pass breakups, a fumble recovery, and an interception in his 10 games for Houston, all of which he started.

The six-game suspension of Roby comes the same day that receiver Will Fuller announced his suspension under similar circumstances.

“I will take the necessary steps in the future to prevent this from ever happening again,” Roby wrote. “I look forward to rejoining my teammates next season in our goal to bring a championship to Houston.”

The Texans are coming off a 41-25 win over the Detroit Lions on Thanksgiving at Ford Field, and improved their record to 4-7. Houston faces the Indianapolis Colts on Dec. 6 at NRG Stadium.

Rockets ink second-round pick KJ Martin to four-year deal

Martin, who is the son of Kenyon Martin, will have the first year of his contract fully guaranteed by the Rockets.

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KJ Martin, the 52nd overall pick in the NBA draft, is reportedly signing a four-year contract with the Houston Rockets, according to Tim MacMahon of ESPN.

The news of the deal was first reported by Shams Charania of The Athletic.

Martin, who is the son of Kenyon Martin, will have the first year of the contract fully guaranteed, according to the report. The Rockets entered the draft without a selection but opted to purchase one from the Los Angeles Lakers to take Martin.

The 19-year-old averaged 19.6 points, 8.3 rebounds, 1.5 steals and 1.1 blocks last season and shot 69.1% on 2-point field goals. He is viewed as one of the most athletic prospects in the draft this year and posted a 38.5-inch max vertical jump at the combine.

Martin said in an interview last week that he was very happy Houston opted to buy a draft pick to select him. With the Rockets potentially looking to trade James Harden and Russell Westbrook, Martin could see a larger-than-normal role next season.

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Rockets sign KJ Martin Jr. to four-year deal; first season guaranteed

Houston is using a portion of its Mid-Level Exception (MLE) to give the rookie a multi-year contract, as they did with Jae’Sean Tate.

Houston is signing rookie prospect KJ Martin Jr. to a four-year contract, with the first season fully guaranteed, per ESPN’s Tim MacMahon.

The Rockets, who are subject to a hard salary cap after signing-and-trading for Christian Wood, will be using a portion of their non-taxpayer mid-level exception (MLE) to give Martin the extended deal. Since they cannot use their MLE in full without exceeding the hard cap, it makes sense for them to use it in smaller portions (with extended years) to lock up young prospects, as they’ve done with Martin and Jae’Sean Tate.

Without using the MLE, any “minimum exception” contract offers — even if similar in annual value to MLE bids — would be limited to two years or less in length. By using the MLE, the Rockets are able to allow these prospects to develop within the organization over a longer period of time before they are able to unilaterally become free agents.

As for Martin specifically, the Rockets agreed to trade for the No. 52 pick in the NBA’s 2020 draft to select him. At 6-foot-6 and just 19 years old, Martin is projected to be athletic enough to play guard or forward. He’s the son of Kenyon Martin, the NBA’s No. 1 pick in the 2000 draft.

A three-star [high school] recruit from Sierra Canyon School in Los Angeles, Martin originally committed to play collegiately for Vanderbilt before opting for a postgraduate year at IMG Academy.

In the draft trade announcement, here’s how the team described him:

Martin (6-6, 215) was the 52nd overall pick by the Sacramento Kings in the 2020 NBA Draft. He spent last season with IMG Academy’s post-graduate team, which posted a 29-3 record, and averaged 19.6 points and 8.3 rebounds while shooting 69.1% from inside-the-arc.

The 19-year-old is the son of Kenyon Martin, who was the first overall pick in the 2000 NBA Draft. Martin Jr. attended Sierra Canyon School in California, where he was teammates with Scotty Pippen Jr. and Cassius Stanley, who was selected by Indiana with the 54th overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft.

Here’s Martin’s summary from the Rookie Wire big board:

Kenyon Martin Jr. tested well at the combine, recording a 3/4 sprint and max vert both well above-average for his position. Martin has been described as “arguably the best athlete in the draft” and he did much better on the shooting drills than many expected, shooting 71% in the 3-point endurance drill. The main thing that is holding him back is just his body of work.

Martin is already in Houston, and he will report to training camp later this week with the rest of the 2020-21 Rockets, with individual workouts slated to begin on Tuesday, Dec. 1. Due to COVID-19 testing protocols, the team’s group work doesn’t commence until Sunday. Dec. 6.

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Week 12 halftime stats: Seattle Seahawks at Philadelphia Eagles

The Seattle Seahawks lead the Philadelphia Eagles 14-6 at the half of the Week 12 Monday night matchup.

The Seattle Seahawks lead the Philadelphia Eagles 14-6 at the half. Here’s a look at the stats through two quarters of play.

Sam Presti calls trading Steven Adams a ‘challenging and difficult decision’

Steven Adams “left a tremendous mark on our franchise,” Thunder GM Sam Presti said, and called it a tough choice to trade the OKC center.

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The Oklahoma City Thunder fanbase’s appreciation of Steven Adams extends all the way to the top levels of the organization.

Thunder general manager Sam Presti said Monday that trading the franchise’s center was not a choice he took lightly.

“That was a really, really challenging and difficult decision for us to make,” Presti said. “I think the No. 1 thing for us is to recognize that in these situations, we have to put the best interests of the organization first.”

That meant shipping off the center who spent seven seasons with the Thunder, which was more than half the time the team had played in the city.

Over that time, Adams averaged about 10 points and 7.6 rebounds per game with a shooting percentage of 58.9% that is one of the best in league history. His tough attitude on the court and outgoing demeanor off endeared him to fans and the organization.

As the Thunder traded away their veterans to reset the team, it made sense to also get a return for Adams instead of letting him walk in free agency next year.

Presti and Adams’ agent, Darren Matsubara, kept in touch about the situation.

“I talked to Steven prior to the trade taking place,” Presti said. “I’ve had open discussions with his agent about this potential reality and have been very transparent about his role in the organization, how important he is. He’s left a tremendous mark on our franchise and we’re truly grateful.”

Presti said the team worked to find a move that would suit them and Adams. Both parties certainly made out well.

The Thunder got a protected first-round pick, two second-round picks and five players — one of whom is rotation-level while the others will vie for a spot. Adams signed a two-year extension worth $35 million, according to ESPN’s Zach Lowe, and is on a New Orleans Pelicans team that is expected to contend for a playoff spot.

“Ultimately, we have to put the Thunder first,” Presti said. “It wasn’t my best day of work, I can tell you that, but I feel passionate about relentlessly pursuing a bright future for this organization.”

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MSU linebacker Antjuan Simmons named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week

MSU Senior LB Antjuan Simmons named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week.
Simmons was the leader of the front seven that shut down the Wildcat rushing attack last week.
Simmons held a game-high 13 tackles in the win, one shy of his career-best of 14

MSU Senior LB Antjuan Simmons named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week.
Simmons was the leader of the front seven that shut down the Wildcat rushing attack last week.
Simmons held a game-high 13 tackles in the win, one shy of his career-best of 14

MSU linebacker Antjuan Simmons named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week

MSU Senior LB Antjuan Simmons named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week.
Simmons was the leader of the front seven that shut down the Wildcat rushing attack last week.
Simmons held a game-high 13 tackles in the win, one shy of his career-best of 14

MSU Senior LB Antjuan Simmons named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week.
Simmons was the leader of the front seven that shut down the Wildcat rushing attack last week.
Simmons held a game-high 13 tackles in the win, one shy of his career-best of 14

Seahawks RB Chris Carson scores his 1st TD since returning from injury

Seattle Seahawks running back Chris Carson scored his first touchdown since returning from injury during the Week 12 game against the Eagles.

Seattle Seahawks running back Chris Carson finally stepped on the football field on a game day for the first time since Oct. 25. Cleared to finally play in Week 12 after nursing a foot injury, Carson made the most of his appearance against the Eagles in Philadelphia.

On Monday night, Carson scored his first rushing touchdown since his return when he punched one in for 16 yards in the second quarter of action. The scoring drive went seven plays for 66 yards in 3:58 and gave the Seahawks the 14-0 lead over the Eagles.

Seattle is hoping to have a healthy Carson – and Carlos Hyde – as the Seahawks made a serious push for the postseason.

Here’s Carson’s Week 12 TD.

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