The Ray Rice incident continues to dominate both the front page and the back page of newspapers around the country. Yesterday, we rounded up the latest news on the embattled ex-Ravens running back and the controversy surrounding commissioner Roger Goodell. Here’s a bit more on Rice and other news out of the AFC North..
- The NFL has informed Rice and the NFLPA that it increased his suspension because the new video showed a “starkly different” sequence of events than the version he presented to the league, writes Jane McManus of ESPN.com. “This video shows a starkly different sequence of events from what you and your representatives stated when we met on June 16,” Goodell wrote, “and is important new information that warrants reconsideration of the discipline imposed on you in July.” Meanwhile, other reports have indicated that Rice did not distort the events in his meetings with the Ravens and the NFL.
- Sunday’s matchup of the Bengals and Falcons feels like it’s just as much about A.J. Green versus Julio Jones. The two wide receivers are eyeing their next contract and NFL front office execs tell ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter that each deal will be based on cornerback Patrick Peterson‘s pact with the Cardinals. That means that they’re both looking at the possibility of $14MM per season and maybe more with an increased salary cap.
- Browns rookie cornerback Justin Gilbert has a target on his back and the club expects him to rise above it, writes Pat McManamon of ESPN.com. “When you’re a top 10 pick — I went through this my rookie year as the No. 8 pick — expectations are so high to have one or two balls caught on you is really unacceptable,” Whitner said. “To give up almost 100, you know, really, you know we don’t think it’s acceptable. He understands that. He has to work on getting better.”