Goodell to tour NFL training camps
NEW YORK (AP) — Commissioner Roger Goodell will visit seven NFL training camps during the first week of August. Goodell plans to visit the Browns on Aug. 5, before the Pro Football Hall of Fame induction ceremony on Aug 7. Cleveland opens its camp on July 31. NFL spokesman Greg Aiello, who posted the tentative itinerary on Twitter, says Goodell also plans to visit the Super Bowl champion New Orleans Saints on Aug. 2, Philadelphia on Aug. 3, and the Baltimore Ravens and Washington Redskins the following day. Goodell, who plans to do some of his traveling on the bus of former broadcaster John Madden, also plans to visit the Pittsburgh Steelers on Aug. 5 and the Indianapolis Colts on Aug. 7.
Seahawks S Ellison has October court date TORRANCE, Calif. (AP) — Seattle Seahawks safety Kevin Ellison has a court date of Oct. 5 after pleading not guilty to drug possession in Southern California. A court clerk confirmed Friday that Ellison entered the plea Wednesday in Los Angeles County Superior Court in Torrance. He remains free on $10,000 bail. The 23-year-old former All-Pac-10 safety and USC defensive captain was released by the Chargers after he was pulled over for speeding by police in Redondo Beach May 24. He was arrested after officers allegedly found he had about 100 Vicodin pills but no prescription for the painkiller. The Seahawks and former USC coach Pete Carroll then claimed Ellison off waivers. The arrest has prompted a Drug Enforcement Administration investigation of Dr. David Chao on the Chargers’ medical staff.
Seahawks Hill suspended 1 game by NFL RENTON, Wash. (AP) — Seattle Seahawks linebacker Leroy Hill will miss the season opener after being suspended by the NFL on Friday for violating the league’s substance abuse policy. Hill will miss the Seahawks season opener against San Francisco on Sept. 12. His suspension without pay also includes forfeiting an additional game check. Hill can participate in all preseason practices and games. His suspension begins on Sept. 4 and will be eligible to return Sept. 13 following the Seahawks’ opener against San Francisco. The suspension stems from Hill’s arrested in January 2009 in Georgia for misdemeanor marijuana possession. He received 12 months probation through a plea agreement that was settled earlier this spring. Hill is still facing possible prosecution for his arrest in the Seattle suburb of Issaquah in April for investigation of domestic violence. Now entering his sixth NFL season, Hill has pleaded not guilty and has a July 23 jury call in the case with the prosecutor likely to ask for a trial date. Since being drafted by the Seahawks in 2005, Hill has started 61 of his 67 career games. His best year came in 2006 when Hill had 92 tackles. Last year, he was limited to just 11 games and 46 tackles due to a torn groin. Hill signed a six-year extension with Seattle before the start of the 2009 season.
