Ray McDonald - Pro Football Rumors

Brooks Charged, McDonald Indicted

August 26th, 2015 at 7:18pm CST by Zachary Links

7:18pm: 49ers GM Trent Baalke issued a statement regarding Brooks (via Mike Garafolo of FOX Sports on Twitter):

“The organization is aware that a misdemeanor charge has been filed against Ahmad Brooks stemming from a December 2014 matter. We take any charge against a member of this organization seriously and are in communication with the NFL. Ahmad is returning home to California and will not participate in Saturday’s game.”

6:55pm: A district attorney has charged 49ers linebacker Ahmad Brooks with sexual battery, according to court reporter Tracey Kaplan (on Twitter). Meanwhile, a grand jury has indicted Ray McDonald on rape. McDonald was indicted on one count of rape of an intoxicated person, Matt Barrows of The Sacramento Bee tweets.

Brooks was accused of assault and battery, false imprisonment and infliction of emotional distress by the same alleged victim in the McDonald case. The accusation against Brooks came about following a defamation lawsuit McDonald filed against his accuser in March. At the time, McDonald was a free agent and claimed the woman defamed him and interfered with his livelihood as he struggled to find his next team. In a cross complaint filed in May, she alleges that Brooks “groped her person in a sexual manner” when she was passed out from hitting her head.

Last season, Brooks came to camp out of shape and during the season he was benched twice for off-the-field actions. This year, there was some talk that his legal situation coupled with the presence of young linebackers could put him on the roster bubble. Now that charges have been filed, Brooks’ stay with San Francisco could be coming to an end.

McDonald signed a one-year contract with the Bears earlier this offseason, with team ownership expressing confidence in the defensive lineman’s character after some initial apprehension. The NFL cleared McDonald of any violation of the league’s personal conduct policy relating to an August, but had yet to make a decision on a December sexual assault accusation. When the 30-year-old was arrested yet again in May, the Bears acted swiftly and released him. Not long after that, McDonald was arrested again for violating a restraining order.

Chicago’s agreement with McDonald was a modest $1.05MM deal that didn’t include any guaranteed money, so they were able to drop him without financial penalty. According to Pro Football Focus (subscription required), McDonald was the league’s 12th-best 3-4 defensive end in 2014, grading well both against the run and as a pass rusher. Over the last four regular seasons as the 49ers’ starting left defensive end, McDonald racked up 14.5 sacks, 153 tackles, five forced fumbles, and a safety. As of today, McDonald’s football future is very much in doubt.

Ray McDonald Charged With Felony

July 9th, 2015 at 7:38pm CST by Zachary Links

Former 49ers defensive lineman Ray McDonald has been charged with felony false imprisonment stemming from a May 25th domestic violence incident, Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle tweets. McDonald has also been charged with misdemeanor domestic violence, child endangerment, and violating a court order mandating that he stay away from the victim (Twitter links). If convicted, McDonald could face up to three years in prison.

McDonald signed a one-year contract with the Bears earlier this offseason, with team ownership expressing confidence in the defensive lineman’s character after some initial apprehension. The NFL cleared McDonald of any violation of the league’s personal conduct policy relating to an August, but had yet to make a decision on a December sexual assault accusation. When the 30-year-old was arrested yet again in May, the Bears acted swiftly and released him. Not long after that, McDonald was arrested again for violating a restraining order.

“We believe in second chances, but when we signed Ray we were very clear what our expectations were if he was to remain a Bear. He was not able to meet the standard and the decision was made to release him,” GM Ryan Pace said.

Chicago’s agreement with McDonald was a modest $1.05MM deal that didn’t include any guaranteed money, so they were able to drop him without financial penalty. According to Pro Football Focus (subscription required), McDonald was the league’s 12th-best 3-4 defensive end in 2014, grading well both against the run and as a pass rusher. Over the last four regular seasons as the 49ers’ starting left defensive end, McDonald racked up 14.5 sacks, 153 tackles, five forced fumbles, and a safety. As of today, McDonald’s football future is very much in doubt.

Community Tailgate: Best FA Besides Evan Mathis?

June 22nd, 2015 at 4:43pm CST by Zachary Links

We’re still a few months away from the start of battles on the NFL gridiron, but there’s no offseason when it comes to debate amongst fans. This month, we launched a new series here at PFR that will be known as the Community Tailgate. What’s the Community Tailgate all about? Well, it’s pretty simple. Every weekday, we’ll highlight one of the top stories going on in the NFL. Then, in the comment section below, we want you to weigh in and let us know what you think.

Of course, while the debate may get spirited, we ask that it all stays respectful. If you need a reminder of our rules, please check out our commenting policy. Basically, we ask that you refrain from inappropriate language, personal insults, and attacks. Speaking of commenting: we’ve made it much easier to leave a comment here at Pro Football Rumors. You are no longer required to be a registered user – simply put in your name, email address, and comment and submit.

Today, we’re asking PFR readers to weigh in on the top remaining free agents. Excluding talented players with legal troubles like linebacker Brandon Spikes and defensive end Ray McDonald, former Eagles guard Evan Mathis is universally regarded as the best player without a deal at this time. Beyond Mathis, however, there’s hardly a clear cut silver medalist.

Over the weekend, PFR’s Dallas Robinson put together his list of the best available remaining free agents. After Mathis, he ranked tackle Jake Long No. 2, citing the former No. 1 overall pick’s talent level while also acknowledging his frustrating injury history. Tight end Jermaine Gresham, who underwent back surgery in March to repair a herniated disc, comes in at No. 3 thanks to his pass-catching ability and history of solid blocking. One-time fantasy darling James Jones is ranked fourth even though he has yet to put up the kind of numbers that he did with the Packers in 2012. Defensive end Dwight Freeney, 35, has remained productive despite his age and lack of sack totals, and was ranked No. 5. Safety Dawan Landry, guard Rob Sims, defensive lineman Red Bryant, center Chris Myers, and offensive lineman Anthony Collins rounded out the top ten. Honorable mention went to notables such as defensive end Osi Umenyiora, running back Pierre Thomas, safety Bernard Pollard, running back Ahmad Bradshaw, and quarterback Michael Vick.

Long could definitely pay dividends for a team willing to roll the dice on a low-cost deal and one could hardly be slammed for considering him the most intriguing free agent after Mathis. After all, in 2013, Long graded out as the seventh-best tackle in the league with a strong 22.5 overall score, based on Pro Football Focus’ advanced metrics (subscription required). However, he has torn his ACL in each of the past two seasons and in 2014, Pro Football Focus ranked him as just the No. 36 tackle out of 84 qualified players. Do you consider someone like Gresham, who was a focal point of the Bengals’ offense for multiple seasons, to be a better buy? Does that mantle belong to Freeney, who graded out as one of the best at his position in terms of pass-rush productivity? Or, would you cast your vote for someone else?

In the comment section below, let us know who you think is the second-best free agent on the board and why.

NFC West Notes: Cardinals, Wilson, 49ers

June 2nd, 2015 at 7:55pm CST by Zachary Links

In a Q&A with Bob McManaman of The Arizona Republic, Cardinals coach Bruce Arians said that he hasn’t given much thought to the idea of inside linebacker Daryl Washington returning to the team.

“I don’t lose one minute’s sleep or even think about it,” Arians said when asked about where he stands on Washington, who was suspended in 2014 for a drug policy violation and still faces a likely suspension for his domestic violence case. “Until he becomes a Cardinal again, it’s a waste of breath.”

If he is reinstated, however, Arians says that the players want him back in the locker room and he won’t get in the way of that. Here’s more from the NFC West..

Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson says he’s prepared to play this season without a new deal though he hopes to stay in Seattle for a long time, Bob Condotta of The Seattle Times tweets. It’ll be interesting to see how recent deals for Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill and Panthers QB Cam Newton will affect Wilson’s talks with Seattle.
Fullback Bruce Miller is expected to rejoin the 49ers for their offseason program after pleading no contest Tuesday to misdemeanor disturbing the peace in connection with a March 5 argument with his former fiancée, Matt Barrows of The Sacramento Bee writes. Miller, 27, must attend a 16-week domestic violence counseling course as part of his plea, and he is barred from contact with his ex-fiancee. He is expected to be sentenced in about six months, after he has completed the program.
Former 49ers and Bears defensive tackle Ray McDonald‘s former fiancee said in court records that McDonald repeatedly attacked her over several months, The Associated Press writes. In the document, the ex-fiancee wrote that McDonald began a pattern of “verbal abuse and controlling behavior” in February 2014 after the couple got engaged and that escalated into “full attacks.”

Ray McDonald Arrested Wednesday Afternoon

May 27th, 2015 at 9:49pm CST by Zachary Links

9:49pm: While Defilippis said “the only thing (McDonald) got was a booking sheet when he left,” he also added, “they told him to stay away from her,” Anderson tweets.

Defilippis also provided his explanation for what occurred prior to McDonald’s latest arrest.

“Today my investigator contacted her and confirmed that she was in Santa Cruz, and Ray went over to the apartment to meet the investigator to let him in so that he could get photographs of this allegedly broken door, and lo and behold the cops show up and arrest him,” said Defilippis. “He was not served with a restraining order. We confirmed that the young lady was not going to be there. He goes there to meet the investigator for a legitimate purpose and the police show up and arrest him; and knowing these facts the police still have insisted upon keeping him custody…This is pretty much gamesmanship on their part.”

9:28pm: McDonald’s attorney Steve Defilippis tells Josina Anderson of ESPN.com (on Twitter) that he was never aware of any restraining order against his client.

“When Ray McDonald was released from jail he was not served with a restraining order. They say there is a restraining order now, but they never served him with it,” the attorney said.

8:50pm: After Ray McDonald‘s alleged domestic violence incident over the weekend, his attorney went on the offensive to try and cast doubt on the alleged victim’s motives. Now, it sounds like his job just got even more difficult. The defensive end was arrested Wednesday by Santa Clara, California police for violating a restraining order, according to Katie Nelson of the San Jose Mercury News (via Twitter).

McDonald was issued a restraining order following his Memorial Day arrest and it required him to stay away from his ex-fiancée. After this latest violation, it’s not immediately clear if he’ll have the opportunity to post bail like he did on Monday. After he was sprung loose from jail, the Bears wasted little time in ridding him from their roster.

“We believe in second chances, but when we signed Ray we were very clear what our expectations were if he was to remain a Bear. He was not able to meet the standard and the decision was made to release him,” Bears GM Ryan Pace said.

McDonald inked a one-year deal with the Bears earlier this offseason despite his checkered past. Chicago brass went to bat for McDonald against public criticism and concerns, but that vote of confidence has apparently backfired. The defensive end’s season was already in a bit of jeopardy since the league had yet to make a decision on his December incident. Now, given these two incidents within the span of three days, the 30-year-old might not see the gridiron ever again.

According to Pro Football Focus (subscription required), McDonald was the league’s 12th-best 3-4 defensive end in 2014, grading well both against the run and as a pass rusher. Over the last four regular seasons as the 49ers’ starting left defensive end, McDonald racked up 14.5 sacks, 153 tackles, five forced fumbles, and a safety.

Extra Points: Peterson, McDonald, Bills

May 26th, 2015 at 9:43pm CST by Zachary Links

Vikings star Adrian Peterson can get out of his current entanglement with the team by firing agent Ben Dogra, Tom Powers of the Pioneer Press opines. Powers says that AD should dump the former CAA rep and then spin the story to make it sound like he had been acting on bad advice. Of course, Dogra and Peterson appear to be thick as theives and there is no indication of discord between the two. Here’s more from around the NFL..

The alleged victim of Ray McDonald‘s domestic violence incident on Monday told 911 that he violently broke through a bedroom door to get to his ex-fiancée and their infant, Robert Salonga of the Mercury News writes. On Monday, McDonald’s attorney intimated that his client was innocent of the charges.
Bills coach Rex Ryan says he’s in the dark when it comes to Chris Williams‘ absence from team OTAs, as Vic Carucci of The Buffalo News tweets. “I don’t know if he’s going to be planning on coming back or what; I haven’t seen him,” Ryan said.
NFL owners voted to allow irrevocable trusts to own teams, which will greatly ease estate planning, Daniel Kaplan of Sports Business Journal tweets. Owners also voted to drop the amount a family member of an ownership group must control of the NFL team from 10% to 5% (link). In a third measure, owners voted to increase the amount of debt a team can borrow from $200MM to $250MM, Kaplan tweets.
The Jets announced that they have hired seven new scouts to work under senior director of college scouting Rex Hogan. In addition to the previously reported hire of Lee Gissendaner, the list also includes former Chiefs scout Dom Green.

Reactions To Ray McDonald’s Release

May 25th, 2015 at 7:55pm CST by Zachary Links

Earlier today, defensive lineman Ray McDonald was arrested after another apparent domestic violence incident. Hours later, the Bears made a rare Memorial Day move and released McDonald from his contract. Here’s a look at the latest reactions to the biggest story of the day..

McDonald’s attorney, Steve Defilippis, told Josina Anderson of ESPN.com (on Twitter) that the accuser in the case stemming from McDonald’s arrest Monday morning is McDonald’s former fiance, who was the alleged victim when McDonald was arrested last August. Defilippis told Anderson that he is still gathering information on what transpired and he strongly indicated that his client might be innocent of the charges.
Former Bears teammate Kyle Long didn’t mince words on Twitter. “Good riddance,” the offensive guard tweeted.
The Bears need to be punished for their lackadaisical fact-finding efforts prior to signing McDonald, Nancy Armour of USA Today Sports opines. Armour feels that the Bears should lose a draft pick or two and that GM Ryan Pace and owner George McCaskey should both face suspensions for their decision not to sit down with McDonald’s alleged victim. “An alleged victim, I think – much like anybody else who has a bias in this situation – there’s a certain amount of discounting in what they have to say,” McCaskey said at the time.
The risk versus reward ratio was not worth it for the Bears to sign McDonald, Dan Pompei of WSCR-AM tweets. McDonald is no Lawrence Taylor, so he was simply not worth the gamble in Pompei’s estimation. Given where it has been, Pompei (link) feels the Bears locker room needed leaders and men who do things the right way.
The San Jose address at which McDonald was arrested is that of a house that belongs to ex-49ers teammate Justin Smith, according to property records viewed by Jeff Dickerson of ESPN.com. Smith has not been implicated in the incident in any way, however.
Bail has been set at $15K for McDonald at Santa Clara County Jail on misdemeanor domestic violence and child endangerment charges, according to Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com (on Twitter).

Bears Release Ray McDonald

May 25th, 2015 at 3:30pm CST by Zachary Links

The Bears announced that they have released Ray McDonald, according to Rich Campbell of the Chicago Tribune (via Twitter).

“We believe in second chances, but when we signed Ray we were very clear what our expectations were if he was to remain a Bear. He was not able to meet the standard and the decision was made to release him,” GM Ryan Pace said, according to the Bears (on Twitter).

On Monday, McDonald was arrested on charges of domestic violence and child endangerment. This is the third time in about a year that McDonald has found himself in legal trouble. McDonald was arrested and accused of domestic violence last August, and faced a sexual assault allegation in December, resulting in his release from the 49ers.

McDonald inked a one-year deal with the Bears earlier this offseason despite his checkered past. Chicago brass went to bat for McDonald against public criticism and concerns, but that vote of confidence has apparently backfired. While the Bears aren’t in the office for Memorial Day, they clearly didn’t want to let this situation fester any longer than they had to. The defensive end’s season was already in a bit of jeopardy since the league had yet to make a decision on his December incident. Given the latest events, the 30-year-old might not see the gridiron at all in 2015.

According to Pro Football Focus (subscription required), McDonald was the league’s 12th-best 3-4 defensive end in 2014, grading well both against the run and as a pass rusher. Over the last four regular seasons as the 49ers’ starting left defensive end, McDonald racked up 14.5 sacks, 153 tackles, five forced fumbles, and a safety.

Chicago’s agreement with McDonald was a one-year, $1.05MM deal without guaranteed money, so the Bears won’t have to carry on dead money on their cap due to today’s move.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Ray McDonald Arrested Again

May 25th, 2015 at 2:24pm CST by Luke Adams

2:24pm: In a news release, Lt. Kurt Clarke said that McDonald was arrested after officers said he “physically assaulted the victim while she was holding a baby,” according to the NBC Bay Area report.

12:01pm: Ray McDonald is in legal trouble for the third time since last summer, according to Damian Trujillo of NBC Bay Area, who reports that Santa Clara police arrested McDonald on charges of domestic violence and child endangerment. McDonald was arrested and accused of domestic violence last August, and faced a sexual assault allegation in December, resulting in his release from the 49ers.

The exact date and nature of McDonald’s latest incident isn’t immediately known, but Trujillo writes that two San Jose police sources confirmed on Monday that they assisted the arresting agency (Santa Clara police) with McDonald’s detention. While the investigation into December’s allegation didn’t immediately result in a charge and was said to be ongoing, it doesn’t appear that this arrest is related to that case.

McDonald signed a one-year contract with the Bears earlier this offseason, with team ownership expressing confidence in the defensive lineman’s character after some initial apprehension. The NFL cleared McDonald of any violation of the league’s personal conduct policy relating to last August’s arrest, but had yet to make a decision on December’s accusation, and the 30-year-old’s latest arrest figures to put him in the league’s crosshairs again.

Whether or not the Santa Clara district attorney’s offices decides to pursue a case against McDonald this time around, the Bears may decide to part ways with the embattled defender. Chicago’s agreement with McDonald is a modest $1.05MM deal that doesn’t include any guaranteed money, so it wouldn’t hurt the team’s cap to cut him, if necessary.

49ers’ Ahmad Brooks Accused Of Assault

May 6th, 2015 at 4:22pm CST by Zachary Links

The alleged victim in the Ray McDonald case has also accused linebacker Ahmad Brooks of wrongdoing, Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee writes. Brooks is being accused of assault and battery, false imprisonment and, infliction of emotional distress. The news was first reported by TMZ.

The accusation against Brooks came about following a defamation lawsuit McDonald filed against his accuser in March. At the time, McDonald was a free agent and claimed the woman defamed him and interfered with his livelihood as he struggled to find his next team. In a cross complaint filed Tuesday, she alleges that Brooks “groped her person in a sexual manner” when she was passed out from hitting her head.

For his part, McDonald, now with the Bears, has maintained the sexual encounter with the woman was consensual. The 49ers dismissed McDonald after police searched his home on Dec. 16th and his agent has claimed that he will not be implicated in the criminal case, though a spokesman with the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s office says it’s still open. It’s not immediately clear if Brooks is now the focal point of an investigation that was once centered around McDonald.

The alleged victim is represented in the civil lawsuit by prominent attorney Gloria Allred, who has been critical of the NFL’s handling of sexual assault and domestic violence cases.

Back in March, there were whispers that Brooks could be a cap casualty, but GM Trent Baalke made it clear that the player would be back in 2015.

“There has never been an indication from me otherwise,” Baalke said. “While all that was being written, I just sat back and looked at it because it was speculation based on our cap number and the cash flow that we had leading into free agency. A lot of assumptions were made, but wrongly.”

Now, Brooks’ job security with the 49ers is potentially in jeopardy once again.