Head of Saints bounty investigation to resign

Posted by Mike Florio on April 30, 2012, 2:14 PM EDT

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As the football-following world continues to wait for the league office to levy discipline against the Saints players involved in the three-year bounty system, the story that has had more than a few twists and turns now has yet another.

Per multiple league sources, NFL director of investigations Joe Hummel has submitted a letter of resignation.

The move came Friday, at a time when all eyes were focused on the aftermath of round one of the draft and anticipation for the six rounds to come.

Hummel has been running the Saints bounty investigation.  He plans to remain on the job until the end of May.  It’s unclear whether he’ll continue to work on the bounty case, or when he last had an active role in the investigation.

Speculation obviously will arise regarding any potential connection between the resignation and the bounty probe, especially since the process of implementing discipline on the players has been delayed without any explanation.  Discipline was announced against non-players and against the Saints on March 21.

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TTR's 2nd Annual Mock Draft Contest!

Monday morning one-liners

Posted by Josh Alper on April 30, 2012, 9:03 AM EDT

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Bills CB Stephon Gilmore has his family tree tattooed on his upper arm.

The Dolphins drafted players from the University of Miami for the first time in eight years.

Analyzing the Patriots roster after the draft.

The Jets sent more signals about where they want to go offensively during the draft.

Ravens offensive coordinator Cam Cameron said all is positive with T Bryant McKinnie’s condition this offseason.

Stevie Johnson to have minor groin surgery

Posted by Mike Florio on April 29, 2012, 10:26 PM EDT

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During the 2011 football season, Bills receiverStevie Johnson dealt with a groin injury, aggravating the condition in December.  On Monday, he’ll have the problem fixed.

Johnson has disclosed via Twitter that he has traveled to Philadelphia to have groin surgery.  “I Need to be 100 for Y’all this Year,” Johnson said via Twitter.

Agent C.J. LaBoy tells WKBW-TV that it is “extremely minor surgery that won’t keep [Johnson] out long at all.  He will be at [the Bills'] facility for all activities.”

Minor or not, surgery is still surgery.  And so we wish Stevie the best and hope that he’ll make a quick recovery.

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TTR's 2nd Annual Mock Draft Contest!

Chargers caught making a deal before UDFA hit market

Posted by Mike Florio on April 29, 2012, 9:33 PM EDT

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The rules regarding discussions with players who may not be draft are pretty clear.  Before and during the picks process, there can be contact and expressions of interest but no negotiations.

In a video of comments from Chandler Harnish a/k/a Mr. Irrelevant that has been posted on YouTube, the former Northern Illinois quarterback says that, as the draft was winding down, he was being pressured by the Chargers to commit to signing with them once the draft ended — and that Harnish’s plan to sign him as a free agent forced the Colts to use the last pick in the draft to get him.