The NFL assessed $125,000 in fines to the Jets and former coach Eric Mangini yesterday for violating the league’s rules on injury reporting with former quarterback Brett Favre last season.
The Jets failed to place Favre, now with the Vikings, on the injury report during the final month of last season even though he had a torn biceps tendon.
The league announced it had fined the Jets $75,000, and Mangini and Jets general manager Mike Tannenbaum $25,000 apiece. Mangini now coaches the Browns.
“We have been fully cooperative with the league throughout this investigation and respect their decision,’’ the Jets said in a statement. Mangini was not immediately available for comment on his fine.
Hiding injuries could affect an opponent’s preparation and the NFL has stepped up policing such practices. Commissioner Roger Goodell said Monday the case would be an opportunity for the league to stress that all teams must abide by the injury report rules.
Last week, Tannenbaum admitted the Jets should have listed Favre as “probable’’ on their injury reports. That came a day after Favre said he thought he was hurting the Jets because of the injury and discussed it with the coaches and the front office. He said he would have been willing to sit out, even though that would have ended his streak of consecutive starts, which now stands at 270.
Tannenbaum said the team didn’t list Favre on the report because the injury wasn’t severe enough to require daily treatment and there was never any doubt Favre would play. Tannenbaum also assumed full responsibility for the mistake.
Mangini said he has always abided by the league’s guidelines for injury reports.
“That was true there [in New York]. It’s true here,’’ Mangini said. “It’ll be true every week of the season and that’s how we approach it.’’
Jags eyeing Tebow?
The Jaguars lost 17,000 season ticket-holders after last season, a staggering number that could lead to blackouts for every home game this season.
Most blamed the sluggish economy. Some pointed to the slumping team. Either way, team owner Wayne Weaver has to find a way to get them back.
Weaver told the AP this week that drafting Tebow, the 2007 Heisman Trophy winner who grew up in Jacksonville and has top-ranked Florida seeking its third national championship in four seasons, is something he will consider next year.
Think LeBron James in Cleveland. James, from Akron, Ohio, turned the foundering NBA franchise into an Eastern Conference power and made the Cavaliers the hottest ticket in town.
“Star power is incredible, and Tebow is an iconic figure,’’ Weaver said, noting that Brett Favre’s arrival in Minnesota prompted about 7,000 season ticket sales. “That’s very compelling. He clearly is an outstanding football player and would be an asset to any football organization.’’
Weaver pointed to Tebow’s popularity, marketability, and leadership skills as reasons he would be a perfect fit in Jacksonville. Weaver also believes there’s no doubt Tebow will play quarterback at the next level.
49ers reach out to Crabtree
49ers president
Jed York said the team would like a face-to-face meeting with top draft pick
Michael Crabtree. The 49ers selected the receiver with the 10th pick but haven’t been able to sign him. Crabtree, 22, hasn’t accepted the 49ers’ offer for approximately five years and $20 million with a reported $16 million guaranteed - instead seeking money comparable to the higher picks.
Pair admit vandalism
Two 16-year-old males have admitted to defacing the lawn in front of the home of Bills cornerback
Leodis McKelvin. Hamburg (N.Y.) police Sergeant
Thomas Best said the teens have admitted to spray-painting a message and an obscenity on the player’s lawn shortly after the Bills season-opening 25-24 loss at New England Monday night. McKelvin’s fumble led to the Patriots comeback victory. Best said it’ll be up to the Erie County district attorney’s office to determine whether to take action against the suspects because McKelvin has refused to have them charged . . . In other Bills news, middle linebacker
Paul Posluszny is expected to miss about six weeks after having surgery to repair a broken bone in his left arm, and both starting defensive ends were also on the team’s injury report.
Chris Kelsay’s status is uncertain after he missed practice with a bruised knee, while
Aaron Schobel has a sore back as Buffalo prepares to host Tampa Bay Sunday . . . Steelers outside linebacker
Lawrence Timmons practiced as he recovers from a high ankle sprain that occurred Aug. 22, but did not finish the workout. The Steelers were hopeful Timmons could play Sunday in Chicago, but the injury flare-up is a setback.
Cowboys up
Cowboys quarterback
Tony Romo and running back
Felix Jones practiced without any lingering problems from injuries sustained in the opener. Romo sprained his right ankle during a 34-21 victory over the Buccaneers. He didn’t miss any snaps in the game. Jones bruised his thigh against the Buccaneers and returned, but was limited. He played only six games as a rookie because of injuries . . . Eagles QB
Donovan McNabb (cracked rib) could not practice and likely won’t all week, so third-year reserve
Kevin Kolb took snaps with the first-team offense in preparation for possibly the first start of his NFL career . . . Seahawks coach
Jim Mora said linebacker
Leroy Hill will be out until at least November after tests on his groin showed more extensive damage than first believed. Hill has a partially torn muscle, an injury more common to hockey players, and may need surgery . . . Browns running back
Jamal Lewis was limited in practice because of an unspecified neck injury. Linebacker
David Bowens (knee), wide receiver
Mohamed Massaquoi (shoulder), and nose tackle
Shaun Rogers (foot) were also listed as limited on the injury report.
© Copyright 2009 Globe Newspaper Company.
