Defense of Patricia fits Ninkovich nicely
Patriots linebacker Rob Ninkovich said there was nothing wrong with the Roger Goodell clown shirt that defensive coordinator Matt Patricia wore on the team’s return from winning Super Bowl LI in Houston last February.
Speaking on Herald Radio’s “The Rundown” yesterday, Ninkovich dismissed any controversy over the shirt, which reportedly still upsets the NFL commissioner, who will make his return to Gillette Stadium for the Pats season opener.
“Everyone has the right to wear whatever shirt they want,” Ninkovich said. “Everyone has to wear a shirt, right? You can’t just wear no shirt. I think someone threw it at (Patricia), and he said, ‘All right, nice shirt, it’s cool, it’s blue, so I’ll put it on.’ I thought it was a funny shirt.”
Goodell hasn’t been to Foxboro since the Deflategate controversy began but said he’d be there when the Super Bowl champions open the NFL season on Sept. 7. That will likely be the first time he sees Patricia, who aspires be a head coach in Goodell’s league. The Pro Football Talk website reported this week that Goodell, who carries obvious weight in regard to who gets hired across the NFL, “continues to be miffed” at Patricia’s choice of wardrobe.
“I don’t think it’s a big deal,” Ninkovich said. “People want to take it how they want to take it. If you really think about it, everyone has to wear clothes, so you just put a shirt on, and you know, it is what it is. I think it’s a nice shirt. It’s blue. I love blue. My favorite color is blue.”
Ninkovich is back for his 12th NFL season and ninth with the Patriots. In his time with the Pats, the 33-year-old has missed just five games — four last season when he was suspended by the NFL for testing positive for a banned substance — and is the longest-tenured defensive player on the team’s roster. That’s quite a run, given the wear and tear of an NFL season and career.
“As long as you’re feeling OK and your body is in decent shape, then just go,” Ninkovich said about how long he’ll continue to play. “If not, then your body tells you it’s over.”
Bears sign Trubisky
The Chicago Bears signed quarterback Mitch Trubisky, their first-round draft pick and the No. 2 overall selection in April. Trubisky received a four-year contract worth under $30 million, with approximately $19 million to sign.
While Trubisky is considered the franchise’s quarterback of the future, despite the price the Bears paid to draft him he’s not expected to start this season. Veteran Mike Glennon was signed in the offseason to take over for the departed Jay Cutler, and he gives the Bears time to develop Trubisky.
Along with Trubisky and Glennon, veterans Mark Sanchez and Connor Shaw are on the roster. . . .
The Carolina Panthers turned to a familiar face to run their front office and bring some stability to the organization. Marty Hurney was rehired as interim general manager, two days after owner Jerry Richardson fired Dave Gettleman.
Hurney served as Panthers GM from 1998-2012. Since leaving the Panthers, he had been working in broadcasting in the Charlotte, N.C., area.
Elliott escapes
Dallas police suspended an investigation into an incident Sunday at a bar involving Ezekiel Elliott, the latest off-field issue for the Cowboys running back. Investigators had made several unsuccessful attempts to reach a man who was punched in the nose Sunday night.
Elliott hasn’t been cleared by the NFL over a domestic dispute last year. The 2016 NFL rushing leader also was seen visiting a legal marijuana shop before a preseason game last year, and he was caught on video pulling down a woman’s shirt at a St. Patrick’s Day parade. . . .
The NFL suspended Green Bay Packers wide receiver Geronimo Allison for the season opener on Sept. 10 against the Seattle Seahawks for violating the league’s substance-abuse policy. Allison was charged in Wisconsin with misdemeanor marijuana possession last September. . . .
Police in St. Petersburg, Fla., reported that Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end Dante Fowler was arrested Tuesday on simple battery and criminal mischief charges, following a confrontation with a man who made a comment about his driving.