The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Raiders present Las Vegas plan
Goodell: Oakland has not offered viable alternative.
His eyes on Las Vegas, Raiders owner Mark Davis says he hasn’t shut the door on anything. Oakland, though, might have shut the door on itself as home for his team.
“Oakland was in the driver’s seat if they could’ve put together anything,” Davis said Wednesday at the NFL’s fall meetings in Houston, after updating his fellow owners on his desire to relocate to the gambling capital. “They came up with nothing.
“Las Vegas has already done what it is supposed to do and we have to bring it up to the National Football League and get permission to move to Las Vegas.”
Nevada lawmakers approved a deal last week that increases hotel taxes in the Las Vegas area to raise $750 million for a stadium and more than $400 million to expand and upgrade the Las Vegas Convention Center. Billionaire casino owner Sheldon Adelson is putting $650 million toward the project, while the Raiders and the NFL will kick in $500 million.
Several owners insisted it’s far too early to reach any conclusions in the Raiders’ relocation issue, and none of them wanted to touch the relationship an NFL team might have with a casino mogul.
Commissioner Roger Goodell supported Davis’ assertion there has been no movement toward keeping the franchise in the Bay Area, saying “we have been working to see if there are alternatives and we don’t have one” in Oakland.
Any relocation needs approval from three-fourths of the 32 NFL owners. There’s also the potential for the Raiders to join the Rams in Los Angeles, where a new facility is being built; they would have that option should the Chargers, who have the first option, remain in San Diego, a decision that team must make by mid-January.
Goodell also reaffirmed the league’s longstanding opposition to legalized gambling on sporting events, while noting there has been a societal shift in the way people view gambling and lotteries.
Goodell also said the NFL is looking into establishing a developmental league; re-examining the rules for on-field player celebrations; and reopening the labor agreement.
He said the league is monitoring declining TV ratings, too. Goodell mentioned two of the lowest-rated games were up against presidential debates.
Jets: Fitz Magic fizzled, so it’s Geno Smith’s turn — again. New York (1-5) will start Smith at quarterback Sunday against the Ravens at MetLife Stadium, sending Ryan Fitzpatrick and his oneyear, $12 million contract to the sideline.
“I felt like it was time for a change,” coach Todd Bowles said after practice.
Fitzpatrick has thrown an NFL-leading 11 interceptions and just five touchdown passes during a brutal start.
Bowles added it’s possible the Jets could turn back to Fitzpatrick at some point.
Giants: Odell Beckham Jr. missed practice with a hip injury. Coach Ben McAdoo said he is taking a dayto-day approach as the star wide receiver deals with a hip pointer sustained in Sunday’s 27-23 win over Baltimore.
The Giants (3-3) will practice today and then travel to London for a game Sunday against the Rams (3-3). McAdoo said Beckham does not have to practice this week to play in the game.
Bills: Running back LeSean McCoy did not finish practice Wednesday after hurting one of his hamstrings. Coach Rex Ryan said McCoy was being evaluated by trainers. He didn’t have any details about how McCoy was hurt or the severity of the injury.
Bengals: Linebacker Vontaze Burfict was fined $75,000 by the league for his actions during Sunday’s loss to New England. Burfict stepped on Patriots running back LeGarrette Blount after he scored a touchdown late in the game.
Burfict wasn’t in the locker room while it was open to the media Wednesday. He suffered
an ankle injury during practice in the afternoon that forced him to sit out the end of the session, but coach Marvin Lewis said it’s not believed to be serious.
Chiefs: Linebacker Justin Houston returned to practice for the first time since having surgery on his left ACL in February. The fourtime Pro Bowler is expected to be brought along slowly and coach Andy Reid did not say when he might be game-ready.
Buccaneers: Received some good news when Pro Bowl defensive tackle Gerald McCoy returned to practice but more bad news on running back Doug Martin, who suffered a recent setback with his hamstring injury and has “no timetable” to return, coach Dirk Koetter said.
Seahawks: It remains uncertain whether strong safety Kam Chancellor will be able to play Sunday against Arizona, coach Pete Carroll said. Chancellor (groin) missed last Sunday’s win over Atlanta and was held out of practice again Wednesday.
Falcons: Released safety Dashon Goldson and signed defensive lineman Cliff Matthews.