Mike Neal - Pro Football Rumors

Link Between Mike Neal, Guyer Institute?

August 31st, 2016 at 1:42pm CST by Zachary Links

This afternoon, the NFL cleared three of the four linebackers mentioned in the now infamous Al-Jazeera America documentary. The one player who has yet to be OK’d by the league is Mike Neal. That could be because Neal’s interview took place later than the talks with James Harrison, Julius Peppers, and Clay Matthews. It’s also possible that the NFL is still investigating the link between Neal and the Guyer Institute.

For what it’s worth Neal did have a relationship with people at Guyer Institute, according to Jason Cole of Bleacher Report (on Twitter). The quick resolution for the other three, meanwhile, supports the claim that they did not know anyone at the Indiana-based company (link).

Neal, 29, started a career-high 15 games last season and has posted at least four sacks in each of the past four years. However, he has drawn very little in the way of free agent interest this offseason. A suspension from the NFL would further hurt his chances of continuing his career.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

NFL Sets Dates For PED Interviews

August 22nd, 2016 at 7:59pm CST by Dallas Robinson

The NFL will meet with Clay Matthews and Julius Peppers in Green Bay on Wednesday to discuss the league’s ongoing PED investigation, a source tells Albert Breer of TheMMQB.com (Twitter links). Steelers linebacker James Harrison‘s interview will take place on August 30 in Pittsburgh, while free agent Mike Neal will sit down with the league this Thursday in Chicago.

Last week, the NFL stated that the four players involved in the PED scandal — which was spurred by an Al-Jazeera documentary that aired earlier this year — would be required to submit to interviews by August 25 or face suspension. The NFL received written statements from the four players in question at the end of last month, and the NFLPA is of the opinion that those affadavits qualify as “cooperation.” The league disagrees, and is still requiring the individuals to partake in in-person interviews.

Harrison, for his part, has said he never denied any interview, but claimed he’d like like for the meeting to be televised (and also referred to commissioner Roger Goodell as a “crook”). He, Matthews, and Peppers agreed to sit-downs, but Neal was of a different mind, at least originally. One report indicated that Neal had no intention of meeting with the NFL given that he’s considering retirement, but that notion was quickly disputed, and Neal will interview with the league.

“We’ve spent the last few days advising our players and letting them know in a completely honest and open way exactly what their options are, what they want to do,” NFLPA president Eric Winston said last week. “Each case is different, each guy is different. Each guy might want to do different things so no matter what we’re going fight for them like crazy like we always do, and we’re going go and have our players’ backs. That’s what we’re all about and that’s all we can do and that’s what we’re going to continue to do.”

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Mike Neal To Agree To NFL Interview

August 19th, 2016 at 2:46pm CST by Zachary Links

It appears that Mike Neal has had a change of heart. The free agent linebacker will consent to be interviewed by the NFL with regards to the Al Jazeera documentary after all, Dan Graziano of ESPN.com tweets.

[RELATED: Mike Neal To Retire?]

On Friday morning, it was reported that Neal had decided against agreeing to an interview with league officials. Neal, apparently, decided that it did not behoove him to discuss the allegations, particularly since he did not plan on playing again. It’s not immediately clear whether Neal’s decision to comply with the NFL’s request is a sign that he believes he may continue his career. To date, interest in Neal has been lukewarm at best this offseason.

This week, the other three active players named in the documentary – James Harrison, Julius Peppers, and Clay Matthews – agreed to be interviewed by the NFL. The NFLPA was hoping that Neal would refuse the request and also file a lawsuit against the league, helping the union push back against Goodell’s authority.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Mike Neal Likely To Retire?

August 19th, 2016 at 8:38am CST by Zachary Links

While Steelers linebacker James Harrison and Packers linebackers Clay Matthews and Julius Peppers have agreed to meet with NFL investigators regarding the Al Jazeera documentary, free-agent Mike Neal has not consented to an interview. The league threatened suspensions for all four players if they did not cooperate, but that threat might not mean much to Neal, who is not expecting to play again, according to Jason Cole of Bleacher Report (via Twitter links).

The union is hopeful that Neal will decide to sue the league with support from the NFLPA, a union source tells Cole. The other players, meanwhile, want to testify because they claim they had no relationship at all with the Indiana-based pharmacy involved in the report.

Neal, who just turned 29, hasn’t gathered a ton of free agent interest this offseason. That’s surprising since the linebacker/defensive lineman started a career-high 15 games last season and has posted at least four sacks in each of the past four years. He met with both the Lions and the Seahawks this offseason, but they filled their front seven needs elsewhere. Neal said he was open to returning to the Packers, but the selection of linebacker Kyler Fackrell in the third round of the draft likely ended any chance of a reunion.

It also seems possible that the PED allegations in the documentary hurt his market, a sentiment with which Neal agrees.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Harrison, Matthews, Peppers To Meet With NFL

August 18th, 2016 at 2:29pm CST by Zachary Links

Steelers linebacker James Harrison and Packers linebackers Clay Matthews and Julius Peppers have agreed to meet with NFL investigators, sources tell ESPN’s Chris Mortensen. However, Tom Pelissero of USA Today (on Twitter) hears that free-agent linebacker Mike Neal has not yet agreed to an interview. The league threatened suspensions for all four players if they did not cooperate. The NFL has been pushing to meet with the quartet of notables after steroid allegations were made in an Al-Jazeera report.

Harrison has agreed to meet on August 29th at the team facility, though he says he will only answer questions concerning the segment of the documentary in which he was identified. It is not yet clear if the league will accept those conditions. It’s also not clear exactly when Matthews and Peppers will meet with investigators. The NFLPA will serve in an advisory capacity, even if they are not thrilled about the precedent the interviews may set.

On Tuesday, Harrison explained to reporters that he had serious reservations about the potential interview.

“Somebody could come out and say James Harrison is a pedophile. They are going to suspend me, put me under investigation for being a pedophile just because somebody said it? I’m not going to answer questions for every little thing some Tom, Dick and Harry comes up with,” Harrison said.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Latest On NFL’s PED Investigation

August 17th, 2016 at 11:01am CST by Zachary Links

A representative for Steelers linebacker James Harrison told Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com (on Twitter) that his client has never “denied an attempt for an interview” and said he “would be open to it,” though the NFLPA is handling the case. Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Harrison himself intimated that he is allowing the union to take the lead on the matter, though he also had personal objections to the interviews. When asked why he wouldn’t opt to just get the process over with, Harrison responded:

“If that’s the case, then somebody could come out and say James Harrison is a pedophile. They are going to suspend me, put me under investigation for being a pedophile just because somebody said it? I’m not going to answer questions for every little thing some Tom, Dick and Harry comes up with (via Chuck Schilken the Los Angeles Times).

Meanwhile, Harrison was asked to take a random PED test on Tuesday, one day after the league threatened to suspend him and the three other players implicated in the Al Jazeera documentary if they do not consent to interviews. In a Facebook video, Harrison expressed doubt that the test was in fact “random.”

The league says that Clay Matthews, Julius Peppers, Mike Neal, and Harrison will face suspensions if they do not submit to an interview by next Friday. As the NFLPA locks heads with the NFL, the union’s only option may be to file a lawsuit, Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk writes. The union – fearful of setting a dangerous precedent – has told those players not to consent to the interviews. The PED policy states that the NFL may impose discipline if it has “credible evidence” of a violation. The NFLPA argues that the unwittingly recorded bragging of Indiana-based pharmacist Charles Sly does not qualify as “credible,” but the commissioner’s office does not agree.

While it seems like the players are facing union pressure not to talk to Roger Goodell, NFLPA president Eric Winston says that each player will ultimately choose their own course of action.

“We’ve spent the last few days advising our players and letting them know in a completely honest and open way exactly what their options are, what they want to do,” Winston told Florio. “Each case is different, each guy is different. Each guy might want to do different things so no matter what we’re going fight for them like crazy like we always do, and we’re going go and have our players’ backs. That’s what we’re all about and that’s all we can do and that’s what we’re going to continue to do.”

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Latest On PED Investigation

August 15th, 2016 at 5:28pm CST by Dallas Robinson

The four players who have thus far refused to speak with the NFL about their involvement in a PED scandal will be suspended if they do not cooperate by August 26th, a source tells Tom Pelissero of USA Today (Twitter links: 1, 2, 3, 4). Clay Matthews, Julius Peppers, James Harrison, and Mike Neal all face bans if they don’t submit to interviews with the league by next Friday. The suspensions would be for conduct detrimental, according to Pelissero, and separate from any drug-related bans the players may face.

“We cannot accept your unilateral assertion that the cursory, untested statements you have submitted satisfy the players’ obligation,” reads the league’s letter to the players’ union. “Accordingly, the Commissioner has directed that Messrs. Harrison, Matthews, Neal and Peppers be given until Thursday, August 25 to provide interviews.

For those players whose interviews do not take place on or before that date, or who fail meaningfully to participate in or otherwise obstruct the interview, their actions will constitute conduct detrimental and they will be suspended, separate and apart from any possible future determination that they violated the steroid policy. The suspension for each such player will begin on Friday, August 26 and will continue until he has fully participated in an interview with league investigators, after which the Commissioner will determine whether and when the suspension should be lifted.”

The NFL received written statements from the four players in question at the end of last month, and the NFLPA is of the opinion that those affadavits qualify as “cooperation.” The league disagrees, and is still requiring the individuals to partake in in-person interviews at training camp. The league informed the union that it first plans to interview Neal, who spent 2010-15 with the Packers but is currently a free agent. He attributes his unemployment, at least in part, to the documentary that links him, Peppers and Harrison to hormone supplement Delta-2, which is designed to stay ahead of drug tests.

Former Jets/Dolphins tight end Dustin Keller‘s name has also been mentioned in connection with the probe, and the league reportedly wants to interview him, as well. Peyton Manning, meanwhile, had been linked to the investigation, but was recently cleared of all charges.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Extra Points: Redskins, Neal, Schofield, Vick

July 26th, 2016 at 8:58pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Even though they’ve lost edge rusher Junior Galette for the season due to a torn Achilles, the Redskins aren’t interested in free agent defenders Mike Neal or O’Brien Schofield, according to John Keim of ESPN.com (Twitter link). At this point, it appears as though Washington is going to rely on internal options to replace Galette (who, it should be noted, didn’t even play in a single contest for Washington last year), as reports have indicated that the Redskins won’t target free agent Dwight Freeney or controversial pass rusher Greg Hardy. Instead, the club figures to ask Preston Smith, a second-round pick in last year’s draft, to provide increased production.

Here’s more from around the league…

Free agent quarterback Michael Vick has stated he’d like to continue his NFL career multiple times this offseason, and he repeated that sentiment earlier this week on The Dan Patrick Show, according to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. “We had a couple phone calls,” Vick said. “I won’t say as many phone calls as I’d like. I understand the dynamics. I’m 36 years old. The thing is I still have a lot in the tank. I go work out, still go throw, still feel good.” The Seahawks are known to be looking for a veteran quarterback behind Russell Wilson, and Vick’s name has been tossed out in relation to that vacancy.
The NFL and NFLPA have reached an agreement to more strictly enforce the league’s concussion protocol, reports Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (Twitter link). Both the NFL and the players’ union will designate a representative to investigate potential violations, and discipline — including fines or loss of draft picks — could be handed down as penalties. Ed Werder of ESPN.com (Twitter link) confirms that the NFLPA had threatened to sue the league and claim malpractice against team doctors after Rams quarterback Case Keenum was allowed to remain in a game last season after appearing concussed.
Ra’Zahn Howard‘s signing bonus with the Texans is worth $5K, Aaron Wilson of The Houston Chronicle tweets. Houston signed the former Purdue defensive tackle to a three-year, $1.625MM deal shortly after he went unclaimed in this year’s Supplemental Draft. Many viewed Howard as the strongest player out of this year’s supplemental class and early projections had him going somewhere between rounds five and seven.
NFL agent Tory Dandy, who represents Bears wide receiver Alshon Jeffery, Bears nose tackle Eddie Goldman, and Bills cornerback Ronald Darby, has joined CAA Sports, as Liz Mullen of Sports Business Journal tweets.

Zach Links contributed to this post.

NFL: No Evidence Of Peyton Manning PED Use

July 25th, 2016 at 10:00am CST by Zachary Links

After a seven-month investigation, the NFL determined that Peyton Manning did not use HGH nor any other performance enhancing drug. Manning, of course, was named in a documentary about PEDs by Al Jazeera America late last year. The NFL released the following statement on Monday morning:

“Following a comprehensive seven-month investigation into allegations made in a documentary by Al Jazeera America, the NFL found no credible evidence that Peyton Manning was provided with or used HGH or other substances prohibited by the league’s policy on performance-enhancing substances, it was announced today. The Mannings were fully cooperative with the investigation and provided both interviews and access to all records sought by the investigators.

Initiated in January, the investigation was led by the NFL’s security and legal teams with support from expert consultants and other professionals. The investigation involved witness interviews, a review of relevant records and other materials, online research, and laboratory analysis and review.

Separately, the NFL’s investigation continues into the documentary’s allegations made against other NFL players, which involve different lines of inquiry and witnesses”

Shortly after the documentary aired in December 2015, Manning went on the offensive and pronounced to the world that he would sue Al Jazeera for defamation. Months later, however, Manning backtracked from plans to bring legal action. Manning’s lawsuit flip-flop raised eyebrows in the football world, which may have motivated him to cooperate with the NFL’s investigation.

Manning retired from the NFL following his Super Bowl 50 win, leaving the sport as a two-time champion and a shoe-in Hall of Famer. No. 18 left the game as the league’s all-time leader in total wins by a QB (200), passing yards (71,940), and passing touchdowns (539) and also left the sport as the highest-paid player in league history. Over his career, Manning netted roughly a quarter-billion dollars, and that’s before considering his sponsorship deals.

Manning evened the score with brother Eli Manning when he secured his second Super Bowl ring, but the elder Manning had a tumultuous year to say the least. Peyton struggled to open the season but many didn’t notice as the Broncos came out of the gate 7-0 thanks to their defense. Soon after that, however, Manning’s decline became quite apparent to all observers. The Broncos eventually installed Brock Osweiler as their starting QB and it wasn’t until Week 17 when they put the Sheriff back in the starting role.

While the league’s investigation into Manning is now closed, today’s press release makes it clear that the NFL will continue to look into the allegations raised against Julius Peppers, Clay Matthews, James Harrison, and Mike Neal.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Latest On NFL’s Investigation Into PEDs

July 22nd, 2016 at 4:35pm CST by Connor J. Byrne

As its investigation into performance-enhancing drug allegations stemming from a 2015 Al Jazeera America documentary continues, the NFL has received written statements from accused linebackers Julius Peppers Clay Matthews III, James Harrison and Mike Neal, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com. While the NFLPA regards those sworn affidavits as reasonable cooperation from the players, the league disagrees and is still requiring the individuals to partake in in-person interviews at training camp.

The league informed the union that it first plans to interview Neal, who spent 2010-15 with the Packers but is currently a free agent. He attributes his unemployment, at least in part, to the documentary that links him, Peppers and Harrison to hormone supplement Delta-2, which is designed to stay ahead of drug tests.

Training camp opens for the Packers on July 26, which is the earliest the league can interview Peppers and Matthews – whom ex-Guyer Institute pharmacists Charlie Sly and Chad Robertson connect to the painkiller Toradol in the documentary. The soonest the league can talk to Harrison is July 29, when the Steelers start camp, though the 38-year-old isn’t pleased with the notion of participating in an interview and denies ever having met or communicated with Sly. In defense of Harrison and the other besieged players, the union wrote in a letter to the NFL last month that the league lacks ‘‘sufficient credible evidence’ to initiate an investigation of, and require an interview with, an employee.”

Nevertheless, despite the union’s objections, the league will go through with the interviews. There’s no word yet on if it will talk to retired quarterback Peyton Manning, the most famous player mentioned in the documentary. Given that Manning’s playing career is over, the league can’t force him to cooperate. However, if his desire is to eventually land a job as a front office executive, he’ll have to.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.