Associated Press
The NFL notebook …
CHAUTAUQUA, N.Y. ó NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said it’s “ridiculous” to reward untested rookies with lucrative contracts, and wants the issue addressed in contract talks.
“There’s something wrong about the system,” Goodell said Friday. “The money should go to people who perform.”
Goodell referred to Michigan tackle Jake Long’s five-year, $57.75 million contract ó with $30 million guaranteed. Long was the first overall draft pick by the Miami Dolphins in April.
“He doesn’t have to play a down in the NFL and he already has his money,” Goodell said during a question-and-answer period at the end of a weeklong sports symposium at the Chautauqua Institution. “Now, with the economics where they are, the consequences if you don’t evaluate that player, you can lose a significant amount of money.
“And that money is not going to players that are performing. It’s going to a player that never makes it in the NFL. And I think that’s ridiculous.”
BILLSCHAUTAUQUA, N.Y. ó NFL commissioner Roger Goodell dismissed fears the Buffalo Bills will relocate to Toronto, adding he believes the franchise’s future is more secure with the additional revenue it generates from playing an annual game north of the border.
“The Buffalo Bills are doing terrific,” he said Friday. “I think their step to Toronto has helped strengthen that. And I see the Buffalo Bills being in western New York for a long time.”
LYNCHBUFFALO, N.Y. ó Bills running back Marshawn Lynch will temporarily lose his drivers license and pay $150 in fines after admitting Friday he was driving his SUV last month when he hit a woman crossing a street and left the scene.
Lynch apologized to the victim Friday before heading into the Department of Motor Vehicles office in downtown Buffalo to plead guilty Friday to a traffic infraction ó failure to exercise due care.
JAGUARSJACKSONVILLE, Fla. ó Defensive end Paul Spicer signed a two-year, $8 million contract extension with the Jacksonville Jaguars on Friday, giving him a chance to end his career with the team.
Spicer, who led the Jaguars with 71/2 sacks last season, skipped Jacksonville’s first eight voluntary workouts last month in hopes of getting a new deal.Agent Drew Rosenhaus said both sides made some concessions to get it worked out.
RAVENSBALTIMORE ó Baltimore Ravens fans could see real ravens this season.
A trainer in Georgia is working with two eight-week old ravens, hoping to have them ready to fly around M&T Bank Stadium before home games this season.
Ravens officials plan to have one of the birds fly out of the tunnel players use to run onto the field.