Investigation of Winston continues for sexual assault in Arizona

Jameis Winston under another lengthy investigation for sexual assault

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are concerned that the NFL continues to investigate QB Jameis Winston for allegedly groping a female Uber driver in 2016.  The probe began last November, when the team issued a statement saying, “We take these matters seriously and are fully supportive of the investigation that is being conducted by the NFL.”  This incident bears a disturbing resemblance to Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott being the subject of a long-term investigation that resulted in no criminal charges but still brought a six-game suspension.  On March 13, 2016, an Uber driver in Scottsdale, Ariz., alleged that while they were awaiting pickup at a drive-through for Los Betos Mexican Food, Winston grabbed her crotch for 3-5 seconds.  Winston denied he acted inappropriately.  He said he was not the only passenger, that he was accompanied by Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Ronald Darby and another passenger.  Darby said he and Winston were in the back seat.  The driver hired attorney John Clune, who represented Erica Kinsman in a lawsuit claiming that Winston raped her in 2012 in an apartment near the Florida State campus.  That lawsuit was settled in December 2016.

Between the Lines:  Winston has a history of improper conduct.  In college he was fined for stealing $32 worth of crab legs, and he was suspended for a game after shouting lewd comments in the FSU cafeteria.  Last month he was charged with careless driving after his vehicle struck a car on a Tampa freeway and caused $4,000 in damage.

Former baseball All-Star Albert Belle arrested for indecent exposure

Albert Belle, who was often controversial as an All-Star slugger for the Cleveland Indians, Chicago White Sox and Baltimore Orioles, was arrested Sunday in Scottsdale, Ariz., for indecent exposure and extreme driving under the influence.  He was handcuffed at the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian reservation following reports that he and a male companion had exposed themselves to two children and two adults in the parking lot of a soccer stadium.  Belle, 51, was once suspended by Major League Baseball for seven games for persuading a teammate to break into the umpires’ room to steal a corked bat that he was accused of using during a game.

Michigan’s John O’Korn says he’s the most NFL-ready QB in the draft

After throwing in front of NFL scouts at the Michigan Wolverines’ Pro Day, the little-known John O’Korn declared: “Honestly, I think I’m the most NFL-ready quarterback in the draft, just as far as terminology and knowing what to do on a day to day basis, game-planning.”   He may know what to do, but he hasn’t done it.  Last season he threw 2 touchdowns and 6 interceptions.

Dear John: You may be the most NFL-ready quarterback since DeShone Kizer, who said he was a combination of Tom Brady and Cam Newton and  “could be the greatest quarterback ever.”

Rosen’s coach, Jim Mora Jr., says Browns would be better drafting Sam Darnold 

Former UCLA coach Jim Mora Jr. said the Cleveland Browns should draft Southern Cal QB Sam Darnold over Josh Rosen, who played for his program.  “Because of fit, I would take Sam Darnold if I were the Cleveland Browns,” Mora said on NFL Network.  “I think he has that blue-collar, gritty attitude.  I think his teammates will love him.  I think the city will love him.  He’ll say the right things.”

Between the Lines: Rosen has shown no enthusiasm for playing for the hapless Browns and sometimes says the wrong things.  Such as: “Raise the SAT requirement at Alabama and see what kind of team they have.”

Texans owner McNair defends racist, sexist Jerry Richardson

Houston Texans owner Bob McNair, who created a media firestorm last year with his comments about not letting “the inmates run the prison,” again revealed his plantation mentality at the NFL owners meeting in Orlando this week.  The 80-year-old McNair defended Carolina Panthers owner Jerry Richardson, who was accused of sexual harassment (and making payoffs to silence victims) and spouting racial slurs.  “I know Jerry; he’s an outstanding person,” McNair said.  “Some of the comments he might have made could have been made jokingly and misunderstood.  I’m sure he didn’t mean to offend anybody.”  Richardson did not deny the allegations against him.   When they came to light he put his team on the market – at $2.5 billion.

Dear Bob: You continue to be on the wrong side of history.  Your persistent embrace of racism and sexism will have financial impact for your franchise , though no doubt some fans approve of your outdated views.

NFL owners consider changing penalty for pass interference 

NFL owners are expected to pass a rule change that will re-establish that a catch does not have to “survive the ground.”  But the owners in their meetings in Orlando are also considering a change in the pass interference penalty that’s drawing criticism.  In an effort to decrease incidents of quarterbacks and receivers maneuvering to create pass interference on deep throws, some owners want to limit PI to 15 yards.  Last season there were 60 penalties of more than 25 yards.  Speaking on Pro Football Talk (NBCSports), former NFL QB Chris Simms said: “There’s the unintended consequences that DBs will hold receivers any time they feel like they’ll be beat deep.  They’ll just say, ‘OK, I’ll take the 15-yard penalty.’   You’re gonna have more pass interference penalties because of that, and you’ll slow the game down.”

Spurs’ house divided, as Tony Parker throws shade at teammate Kawhi Leonard

The San Antonio Spurs are losing patience with their best player, Kawhi Leonard, not playing after being cleared by doctors.  Tony Parker, who returned from a quad injury last May, said, “I’ve been through it.  It was rehab for me for eight months.  Same kind of injury (as Kawhi), but mine was a hundred times worse.  . . . You just stay positive.”  Former Spur Stephen Jackson feels Parker is being anything but positive.  “I lost a lot of respect for Tony,” he said on Colin Cowherd’s show on Fox Sports.  Jackson believes coach Gregg Popovich is encouraging his players to put pressure on Leonard to return.  “They don’t just say things without talking to Pop.”

Between the Lines: Frank Isola on ESPN’s ‘Around the Horn,’ said, “This is so unSpurslike.  The only thing missing is for the President to tweet out: ‘Hey, Pop, instead of worrying about the White House, worry about your own house.’”