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Wisconsin’s Baun had diluted test sample at Scouting Combine

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Zach Baun

Former Wisconsin Badger linebacker Zach Baun has informed all 32 NFL teams that he had a diluted urine sample at the NFL Scouting Combine in February.  ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported, it’s a red flag as it pertains to league drug testing mechanisms.

Schefter said a diluted sample doesn’t prove the presence of a banned substance, it typically constitutes a failed test.

Under the NFL’s previous collective bargaining agreement, the diluted sample would have counted as a strike against Baun, but Schefter noted it will not be under the newly approved CBA.  It likely means that Baun’s draft status will not be affected.  The new CBA puts weight on treatment more than punishment.

Baun reportedly attributed the finding to drinking too much water for weigh-in purposes, attempting to drive up his weight to impress talent evaluators.

Baun is projected to be selected late in the first round or early in the second round of the NFL Draft, which starts a week from Thursday.  The former Brown Deer High School star registered 12 1/2 sacks and 19 1/2 tackles for loss last season.  He was named first-team all-Big Ten and a second team All-American by the Associated Press following last season.

Bucks to play home opener against Cleveland on ESPN

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The Milwaukee Bucks will open the home portion of their 50th Anniversary Season against the three-time defending Eastern Conference champion Cleveland Cavaliers at the BMO Harris Bradley Center on Friday, Oct. 20 at 6 p.m.

The game will be nationally televised on ESPN as part of the 2017-18 NBA Opening Week schedule.  The complete 2017-18 Bucks schedule will be released at a later date.

 

Matthews and Peppers agree to meet with the NFL

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Julius Peppers & Clay Matthews

Julius Peppers & Clay Matthews

According to an ESPN report, Green Bay Packers linebackers Clay Matthews and Julius Peppers, along with Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker James Harrison, have agreed to meet with NFL investigators.  The league threatened suspension if the players didn’t agree to discuss steroid allegations related to an Al-Jazeera report in January.

Former Packers linebacker Mike Neal, a current free agent, has yet to agree to meet with the league.

According ESPN’s Chris Mortensen, Harrison will meet Aug. 29 at the team facility.  The date(s) for Matthews and Peppers has not been revealed.

Earlier, the NFLPA had issued statements to the league on behalf of the players.  But the NFL says the players have an obligation to submit to an interview but also the duty to provide meaningful responses to the questions posed.

 

Aaron Rodgers contract extension could be nearing, Matthews also (Updated)

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Aaron Rodgers

Aaron Rodgers

It shouldn’t surprise anyone that Aaron Rodgers will some day be the highest paid player in the NFL.  That day could be coming soon.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter is reporting that the Packers and Rodgers are closing in on the contract extension.  In his story, Schefter throws out the numbers of 4-years and near $25 million a year.

In 2008, Rodgers signed a 6-year $60-million deal which has put the MVP signal caller in the middle of the QB pay scale despite his success.  Although, at the time, that was the standard deal for a QB of his caliber.  That contract expires in 2014.

Earlier this off-season, Ravens QB Joe Flacco became the highest paid player in the league by signing a 6-year, $120.6 million deal with $52 million guaranteed.  This deal for Rodgers would blow that out of the water.

Along with Rodgers, the Packers will have big decisions to make with Clay Matthews and B.J Raji who are entering the final years of their rookie deals.

***UPDATE:  Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel added to the topic this morning say the Packers are close on a Matthews extension as well.***

ESPN reaches deal with the Rose Bowl

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ESPN has reached a 12-year extension with the Pasadena Tournament of

The Rose Bowl

Roses, the Big Ten Conference and the Pac-12 Conference to continue the company’s long-standing relationship with the Rose Bowl Game, one of college football’s most popular events.  The agreement begins in January 2015 and includes rights to the annual Rose Bowl Game across ESPNs platforms through 2026.  Each year, the game will be played January 1 (or on January 2 in years when January 1 is a Sunday) and will feature the champions from the Big Ten and Pac-12.

ESPN (or ABC) has televised the Rose Bowl Game since 1989.  Whatever is determined to be the exact post-season bowl rotation as part of the future format, ESPN will have the rights to the Rose Bowl Game each year.  The previous eight-year Rose Bowl deal has two more seasons remaining.