Some assorted notes from around the NFL as we wrap up this Wednesday evening…
- Panthers defensive end Frank Alexander missed the majority of last season after being suspended 14 games for twice violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy. Considering Greg Hardy‘s absence from the team, head coach Ron Rivera said Alexander could have had a big season. “Last year would’ve been a big year for Frank, especially with the situation and circumstances that we had. He could’ve emerged,” Rivera told Joseph Person of the Charlotte Observer. “So now he’s kind of back at square one as far as that’s concerned. He’s going to have to compete like everybody else.”
- The Steelers have the most Super Bowls in NFL history with six, and now they want to bring the game to the city of Pittsburgh. The organization submitted their application to host the Super Bowl in 2023, following the stadium expansion that will bring capacity up to 67,000, according to the Associated Press. “The application is an early step in the bidding process, and we will continue to meet with representatives of the Mayor’s Office, County Executive’s Office, VisitPittsburgh, Allegheny Conference as well as other community leaders to review the requirements with the hopes of submitting our bid to host Super Bowl LVII in 2023,” team president Art Rooney II said in a statement.
- ProFootballTalk.com’s Mike Florio reports that former NFL receiver Richard Goodman is suing the NFL Players Association, accusing them of “negligence, gross negligence, and breach of fiduciary duty in connection with the regulation of agent Richard Burnoski.” Goodman says his former agent, Burnoski, essentially stole $25K, and the receiver blames the NFLPA for recommending the agent in the first place.
- Former running back Jamal Anderson estimates that 60-percent of NFL players smoke marijuana. Bleacher Report’s Mike Freeman believes the NFL and the union have a “wink-wink type deal” that would prevent tougher marijuana testing. The current CBA calls for players to be tested once a year during training camp, as long as they haven’t previously tested positive. “If you tested the players during the season every week,” one assistant coach told Florio, “we wouldn’t be able to field a league. We’d have to merge with the CFL.”
- While MLB fans celebrate Bobby Bonilla’s annual payday from the Mets, ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter reveals a funky contract from the NFL (via Twitter): every January, the Falcons have to pay 1985 number-two pick Bill Fralic $150K.
Rob DiRe contributed to this post.