NFL notes

Friday, August 29, 2014

COWBOYS

Hamilton out 4 games

IRVING, Texas -- Safety Jakar Hamilton is the second member of the Dallas Cowboys secondary who will miss the first four games of the season for a violation of the league's substance abuse policy.

Hamilton, a second-year player from South Caroline State, will join cornerback Orlando Scandrick on the sidelines.

Scandrick declined to specify what he took -- "I mean, does it really matter?" he asked -- but did acknowledge the substance included an amphetamine. He's believed to have tested positive for the party drug "Molly," one of the synthetic drugs that is banned under the CBA.

The reason for Hamilton's violation is unknown.

The suspensions mean neither player will be able to practice with the team in the first four weeks of the regular season. Both are eligible to rejoin their teammates Sept. 29 as the Cowboys prepare to face Houston.

Hamilton's suspension increases the odds that Ryan Smith, an rookie free agent from Auburn, will land a spot on the 53-man roster.

BRONCOS

Manning fined for taunting

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- Peyton Manning has been docked a reported $8,268 for taunting Houston Texans safety D.J. Swearinger in a preseason game last week.

The Denver Broncos quarterback laid into the safety for hitting Wes Welker in the head, which left the slot receiver with his third concussion in 10 months.

The penalty was reported by ESPN. Manning told ESPN's Chris Mortensen: "I accept it. Money well spent."

Swearinger's hit on Welker drew a 15-yard personal foul -- but so far no word of a fine.

Manning was irked by the hit on Welker and after throwing a 29-yard TD pass to Emmanuel Sanders on the next snap, he ran up to Swearinger and let him know it.

That resulted in the first personal foul of Manning's NFL career along with kudos from his teammates.

Manning explained afterward that he acted out of concern for Welker's well-being. Besides, he said, what's 15 yards with 5 seconds left in the half?

"I think if you're going to get one, that's a good time to get one," Manning said after the game.

Swearinger said Manning swore at him but wouldn't go into details: "He didn't invite me to dinner," Swearinger said.

He insisted, however, that his hit on Welker wasn't dirty, explaining the receiver slid at the last moment.

"I led with my shoulder. That's the only thing I could do. He's a short guy," Swearinger said.

Swearinger had been at the center of several skirmishes during three days of joint practices with the Broncos one week after angering the Atlanta Falcons with his combative style during a joint workout in Georgia.

Welker is going through the NFL's concussion protocol. He was with the Broncos to watch the final preseason game Thursday night against Dallas.

BROWNS

Gordon can't play in CFL

CLEVELAND -- A person familiar with Josh Gordon's situation says the suspended wide receiver wants to play in the Canadian Football League, but is prohibited from doing so.

Under CFL rules, a player suspended by the NFL and under contract is not eligible to play in Canada. But if the Cleveland Browns released Gordon, he would be able to play elsewhere.

Gordon's suspension for another violation of the NFL's substance abuse policy was upheld. The person familiar with the 23-year-old Pro Bowler's situation said he wanted to play for Calgary, and Gordon asked the Browns for permission.

The person spoke to The Associated Press on Thursday on condition of anonymity because of the sensitive nature of the talks.

Gordon is not permitted to be with the Browns during his season-long suspension. His eligibility for reinstatement will be determined after the 2014 season.

JETS

Patterson: Claims false

NEW YORK -- Suspended cornerback Dimitri Patterson said in a statement to ESPN that the New York Jets' claims that he went missing for 48 hours without notifying the team are "completely false."

Patterson was suspended Tuesday for the rest of the preseason after he left the team, according to the Jets, last Friday night before the preseason game against the Giants without speaking to anyone in the organization.

In his statement Thursday to ESPN's Josina Anderson, Patterson says his agent Drew Rosenhaus, contacted the Jets "multiple times several hours" before the game. He adds that "rumors" that his frustration possibly stems from his place on the depth chart are "totally and completely false."

The Jets had no immediate comment on the statement by Patterson, who's eligible to rejoin the team Monday.

VIKINGS

Cowboys, Peterson talk

MINNEAPOLIS -- Vikings running back Adrian Peterson reiterated on Thursday that he hopes to remain in Minnesota until retires, responding to a report that he spoke to Jerry Jones about one day playing for the Dallas Cowboys.

Peterson and the Vikings both issued statements shortly after ESPN reported that Peterson had a phone conversation with Jones, the owner of the Cowboys, this summer about playing for the team in Peterson's home state after his time with the Vikings came to a close.

"This was a casual conversation between NFL colleagues in which I never indicated I wanted to leave the Vikings," Peterson said. "I have always said I understand the NFL is a business but that I would love to retire as a Viking."

The business part of the NFL is starting to come into play for the 29-year-old Peterson, who is the league's highest paid running back, a position that is increasingly occupied by younger, cheaper players. He will make $12 million in 2014 and those salaries climb in each of the final four seasons of his seven-year deal, culminating with $16 million in 2017.

Because of the way his contract is structured, which allows the Vikings to release him without incurring hardly any salary cap issues after this season, Peterson is essentially on a series of one-year deals controlled by the team. If his production declines as he gets older, he could be released or asked to take a pay cut.

Under NFL rules, Jones was required to notify the Vikings when he had that conversation with Peterson. But there was no indication that Jones did.

"We are focused on the 2014 season, and as we have consistently communicated, Adrian is an integral part of the Vikings organization," the Vikings said in a statement.

Peterson rushed for 1,266 yards and 10 touchdowns last season but has required surgery to repair an injury in each of the last three offseasons. Nevertheless, he remains as determined as ever to prove that he will not hit the wall that often accompanies a running back's 30th birthday.

"It doesn't apply to me," Peterson said in June. "I have a totally different mindset and mind frame, so I'll just stay in my lane and let everybody else say what they have to say."

Sports on 08/29/2014