Ayanbadejo thinks Culliver’s words “pretty normal” in NFL

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Ravens linebacker Brendan Ayanbadejo was nearly as popular a media target this morning as Chris Culliver.

But the long-time advocate of gay marriage said he’s not surprised to hear the homophobic message that landed Culliver in the spotlight this morning, and hopes that having apologized, Culliver can grow as a person.

Asked about Culliver’s initial suggestion that a gay player wouldn’t be welcome in the locker room, Ayanbadejo replied: “It’s pretty normal, it’s pretty normal behavior.”

Ayanbadejo has long preached a message of tolerance, and said Ravens teammates know there aere certain things they might think that they just don’t say around him. But he acknowledged that seeing Culliver under such scrutiny and being forced to apologize will do more to curb overt examples of exclusion than anything he can say from a positive perspective.

“I think in San Francisco, and being from the Bay Area myself, we really try to preach love and acceptance of everybody,” Ayanbadejo said. “I couldn’t really say anything negative to the young man. It’s just one of those things you have to live and you have to learn. In the words of Martin Luther King, ‘you can’t fight hate with hate, you have to fight hate with love.’

“We’ve all made our mistakes, we’ve done certain things and we’ve hurt people if we meant to do it or not. But more than anything, it’s an opportunity to have a learning experience. . . .

“We’ve kind of seen that happen this time. we just have to all learn from this mistake. He apologized, and hopefully he’ll learn. He’s in the Bay Area, so I think he’s going to learn and he’s going to grow and be a better person for it.”

The truth of the matter is, there are many players who believe the same thing Culliver said, he’s just the poor devil who got caught saying it.

The real question becomes whether the public shaming drives the issue further underground, and makes it harder for the league to accept an active gay player.

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The NFL releases a list of transactions from around the league toward the end of every day that has transactions to report.

The biggest pieces of news on that list have normally been reported on as they happen, but sometimes something pops up on the release that hasn’t been discussed previously. Such was the case on Thursday when the league revealed that Saints safety Roman Harper has signed a renegotiated contract.

Larry Holder of the New Orleans Times-Picayune has gotten no word on the details of the restructured deal, but Harper’s long been seen as a candidate for such maneuvering. Harper was set to make $5.2 million in 2013 with half of the money already guaranteed. It wouldn’t be surprising if the rest of that salary has been affected by the renegotiation.

Harper also had another year on his deal with a $6 million base salary and a cap number of $7.9 million. Those numbers are very high for a team that just drafted Kenny Vaccaro in the first round and also has Malcolm Jenkins at safety. However the restructured contract winds up looking, there’s a good chance this is Harper’s last year in New Orleans.

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Washington linebacker London Fletcher turned 38 on Friday, but he says he hasn’t given serious thought to retiring.

Instead, Fletcher told the Washington Post that he is looking forward to a good season on a good team as he heads into his 16th NFL season.

“It’s just the desire to continue to play,” Fletcher said. “I’m still playing at a high level, the team still wanted me to play. So, a lot of those things come into play. I still love the game of football, so those were the decisions. Also, I like where this team is at, the makeup of it. Those were all factors.”

Fletcher’s coach, Mike Shanahan, said early in the offseason that when players Fletcher’s age start thinking about retirement, that probably means it’s time to retire. It’s good news for Washington that Fletcher isn’t thinking about it. He’s still playing well, past the age when most linebackers hang it up.

AP

When discussing proposed changes to the NFL calendar that would push the draft back to May, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said he believed that such changes would be good for fans and good for the game.

General Manager David Caldwell doesn’t think that it would be good for the Jaguars, however. Don Banks of SI.com reported earlier this week that there was some grumbling from personnel men about the shift in the schedule and Caldwell gave voice to a few of them when asked about the proposal to delay the draft until the middle of May.

“You prefer to have them in our camp and us training them,” Caldwell said, via Ryan O’Halloran of the Florida Times-Union. “We get them in the first weekend after the draft and then send them home with two weeks of our workouts so when they do come back for OTAs, they’re accustomed to what we do. You want your rookies in here as soon as you can and we’re a team that will always want production from our rookies.”

Caldwell’s surely not the only team exec to feel that way and you could probably find more than a few who would want the draft even earlier so they have more time to work with rookies before the start of their first professional seasons. Those complaints probably won’t wind up meaning much since owners appear to have their hearts set on moving the draft to May and the opinions of the guys who write the checks tend to outweigh the opinions of the guys cashing them.

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Browns quarterback Brandon Weeden grew up in Oklahoma, went to college in Oklahoma and he’ll be returning to the state this week to do anything he can to help the community of Moore dig out from under the damage caused by a tornado earlier this week.

“I’ll do anything, whether it’s getting in the rubble and doing whatever, it doesn’t matter,” Weeden said, via the Associated Press. “I’ll be there to help.”

Weeden has been communicating with Oklahoma Lt. Governor Todd Lamb and will spend Memorial Day weekend in Moore, where his wife Melanie grew up. Melanie’s mother and brother still live there and suffered damage to their houses, but they escaped without any physical injury.

Browns wide receiver Josh Cooper is also an Oklahoma native and his father works in Moore. His father is fine and Cooper, who also plans to pay a visit to his home state in the near future, says that the whole community will recover in the long run.

“Everybody is kind of helping everybody,” Cooper said. “We’ll be fine. We get through things like this all the time. Oklahoma strong, you know?”

We’ll be rooting for just that.

AP

Earlier this week, Vikings defensive end Jared Allen said that he and the Vikings “haven’t talked one iota” about a new contract, but you can’t say the same about his conversations with the media.

Allen told Dan Wiederer of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune that he has “absolutely no idea” where he will wind up playing in 2014 after his contract, which will pay him more than $14 million in 2013, with the Vikings expires. He’s seen veteran teammates like Matt Birk and Antoine Winfield wind up heading elsewhere and knows that this might be it for him in Minnesota, something that he admits would not be the case in his best-case scenario.

“Best-case scenario would have been that we would have never gotten to this point. Best-case scenario would have been the organization would have gotten something done a few years back,” Allen said. “Well ya know what? That’s not the case. And I understand it. … I’m just happy I’m in a spot where both sides are honoring the contract.”

As Wiederer points out, the Vikings and Allen could split up no matter how this year plays out. If Allen plays well, he’ll likely be too expensive for the Vikings to keep. If he doesn’t, they might feel like it is time to move on to a younger and cheaper player at defensive end. Allen isn’t overly concerned about either scenario.

“I kind of feel like I hold all the cards in that aspect,” Allen said. “And if it doesn’t work out with the Vikings, I’m not too worried that I won’t be able to find a job, ya know?”

The lack of dialogue on an extension, which would make Allen’s cap hit significantly lower, suggests that the Vikings are just as willing to let the chips fall where they may after the 2013 season. And that makes it a lot likelier that this is Allen’s final year in purple.

AP

The ligaments in his right knee will heal.

But apparently, the relationship between Robert Griffin III and his coaches was never a problem.

Griffin talked to reporters at Redskins OTAs yesterday, updating his physical condition.

But after the early part of his rehab was dominated by questions about whether he should have been in position to be injured in the playoffs, Griffin said Thursday that part was fine.

“There was an unfortunate situation there at the end of the season,” Griffin said, via Mark Maske of the Washington Post. “I don’t think there’s anything that needs to be repaired [in his relationship with the coaches and the team]. . . . The only thing that needed repair from last year was my knee.”

Griffin taking the high road will help keep the issue at bay, but there clearly were some questions about the way he was used last year. He said he “didn’t have a problem” with the way he was used, but others have voiced their concern on his behalf.

RG3 said he and coach Mike Shanahan had “hashed everything out,” making it appear there were some concerns at some point.

“Coach and them, they know exactly what they’re doing,” he said. “We’ve had talks about the offense.”

Of course, if there were never any issues, there wouldn’t have necessarily been a reason to talk about it.

AP

Bills TE Scott Chandler feels he can be ready for training camp after tearing his ACL last season.

Heath Evans isn’t a big fan of the Dolphins’ moves this offseason.

The Patriots hope DE Michael Buchanan is another late round find.

RB Chris Ivory is looking forward to an expanded role with the Jets.

Ravens QB Joe Flacco thinks the team’s younger receivers will step up this season.

The Bengals like the versatility of rookie OL Tanner Hawkinson.

Said Browns RB Brandon Jackson, “It’s a fresh start. New number, new coaches, new offense. It’s a great opportunity for me to come in and show the coaches why I should be on the field.”

The Steelers have high hopes for their new run blocking scheme.

Texans K Randy Bullock won’t have much competition this offseason.

Colts rookies have gotten a taste of the rest of the Indianapolis sports scene.

The Jaguars have a couple of defensive linemen looking for rebound seasons.

Titans coach Mike Munchak will be hosting a coaching clinic.

RB Ronnie Hillman is trying to impress coaches with his work with the starting Broncos offense.

The defense has been winning the battles at Chiefs camp.

Former Raiders WR Tim Brown is excited about entering the Bay Area Sports Hall of Fame, where he’ll join Willie Mays as an inductee.

T Max Starks is fired up to start competing for a starting job with the Chargers.

Cowboys S Matt Johnson thinks he’s figured out why his hamstring injury was so problematic last season.

Said Giants WR Ramses Barden, “This is where I wanted to be and now I’m here. I was out there listening to the calls, getting back into the rhythm of the cadence, enjoying the camaraderie and absorbing everything. I remember everything; I’ve had four years to soak it all up. I’m happy to be back on the field. I feel great. I expect the best.”

Eagles defensive coordinator Bill Davis talked about the process involved with installing a new defense.

Redskins T Trent Williams has put away thoughts of being attacked at a Hawaii nightclub early this year.

Bears coach Marc Trestman has high expectations for his quarterbacks.

According to Lions players, there’s a new attitude around the team after last year’s 4-12 record.

After an injury ended LB Nick Perry’s rookie year early, it’s unclear how he fits in the Packers defense.

Chris Kluwe may be gone, but the Vikings still have a punter who throws himself into causes.

Falcons players went fishing with military veterans this week.

Panthers DE Greg Hardy lost some weight this offseason.

The Saints waived DE Greg Romeus after two injury-ravaged seasons.

Buccaneers coach Greg Schiano joined other Tampa pro sports coaches for a discussion of their jobs on Thursday night.

Sam Acho and Alex Okafor were teammates in college and they are teammates again with the Cardinals.

The Rams see improvement in the way Rodger Saffold is handling right tackle.

WR Mario Manningham said it is up to him and the other receivers to step up in the wake of Michael Crabtree’s injury.

Former Seahawks WR Mike Williams has made his way to the CFL.

AP

Patriots quarterback Tom Brady says the loss of his favorite receiver, Wes Welker, didn’t come as a surprise. Because Brady has been around long enough to know that there are no safe jobs in the NFL.

“I don’t think anything surprises me any more in the NFL,” Brady said on WEEI. “I’ve been around long enough to see things happen at different times with the greatest players of all, whether that’s Wes, or Randy Moss being traded from the Raiders, or Brett Favre playing for the Jets and the Vikings. That’s what happens. Like I said, it’s a very tough, competitive business.

There were reports after Welker signed with the Broncos that Brady was upset, but Brady declined to get into any of that.

“Of course I have feelings. But those feelings are very personal to me,” he said. “I used to get caught up in anger and frustration and disappointment. But I don’t make the decisions. These things aren’t up to me. At some point you’ve got to realize the things that are out of your control. You’ve just got to let go and focus on my job and what I need to do. Because the game moves on, the team moves on. There’s only so long you can dwell on the past. At some point you’ve got to move forward. Like I said, my job for my team is to be the best quarterback, and not the general manager and not the coach and not the owner.”

If Brady were the general manager or the coach or the owner, he’d probably list Welker as the first guy he’d want on his team. But as a quarterback, he’s committed to making it work with whatever receivers he has.

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On Thursday, the VW bus made the relatively short trek over U.S. Route 50 and up Interstate 77 to the great city of Cleveland (yeah, that’s pretty obvious pandering).

The purpose is unprecedented, at least for me.  At some point between noon and midnight (and possibly later), a quartet of NFL media types will shoot a scene in Draft Day, the Kevin Costner/Browns flick currently being filmed on location.

The scene definitely will be shot; whether it makes its way into the final cut of the film remains to be seen.  (I’m hoping that, at a minimum, we’ll appear in the DVD saying in unison, “I think he just sh-t himself.”)

Speaking of we (and/or just sh-tting himself), the rest of the crew includes Alex Marvez of FOX Sports and SiriusXM NFL Radio, Jeff Darlington of NFL Network, and Seth Wickersham of ESPN.

I’ll be heading over there after the Friday morning radio routine in the great cities of Houston, Miami, Buffalo, and Dallas (more pandering) — and after taking the VW bus to the shop.

Apparently, a relatively short trek is more than it currently can handle.

AP

Anthony Hargrove signed with the Cowboys for the veteran minimum.

If not for his involvement in the Saints bounty investigation, and his subsequent suspension, he thinks that might not have been the case.

Hargrove said he’s trying to move forward, but said the stigma that followed his suspension (which was eventually reduced to two games) “took my earning power away.” He didn’t play last year after being cut in the preseason by the Packers.

“Sitting out for a year, you don’t know where life is heading,” Hargrove said, via Charean Williams of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. “I understand how this game works, and when you don’t have a year of film, people are less inclined to bring you in, because they don’t have enough film to evaluate you on.

“It put me at a disadvantage, but you know God is good and it always works out.”

Hargrove has been a serviceable part on a number of defensive lines during his career, but at 30, he knows this is likely his last chance. The Cowboys think his versatility will help as they change to a 4-3 defense, and they weren’t scared off by his past.

“You guys have got to make up your minds on really what took place there,” Hargrove said of the suspension. “I had to live with it. I had to deal with it. It’s a new day in my life. It’s 2013. I’m trying to continue my career and finish up in a strong way.”

He didn’t address his involvement in the concussion lawsuit against the league, saying: “Can’t comment on that. It is what it is. I’m here to play ball, and I’m going to try to do my best and not let anything outside of that hinder me getting on this field and playing.”

While he was out of the league for a year, Hargrove said he worked at a home for mentally challenged adults in Virginia.

“It puts life into perspective,” Hargrove said. “It’s easy to feel bad for yourself because so much stuff happens to you. But when you’re able to sit down with someone who’s much less fortunate than you are, life definitely comes in place. You understand, ‘Hey, my life isn’t that bad.’”

While some of Hargrove’s trouble has been self-inflicted (his 2008 substance abuse suspension), teams have been willing to give him a chance before. The Cowboys  are his seventh, and he hopes he can last the year to try to change people’s perception of him.

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Charles Sims, a running back from the University of Houston who considered entering this year’s regular NFL draft but ultimately decided to return to the Cougars, has now reconsidered and may enter the supplemental draft.

Sims released a statement saying he has decided to leave Houston but he isn’t sure yet if he is going to transfer to another school or enter the supplemental draft, which would allow him to play in the NFL this season.

“I don’t know what my next step will be. I have one more year of eligibility, therefore I may look to play (1) more year of college football or I may enter the NFL Supplemental Draft later this year,” Sims said in the statement.

There’s been no explanation for why Sims suddenly decided to leave Houston after saying in January that he would return for his senior year, but if he does enter the supplemental draft there’s a good chance he’ll be selected. If Sims had entered this year’s regular draft, he likely would have been a mid- to late-round pick, so if he enters the supplemental draft, some team in need of a running back is likely to spend a 2014 pick to acquire him.

Sims is a quick runner and good receiver out of the backfield who was a first-team All-Conference USA selection in 2011 and managed 851 rushing yards despite struggling through injuries in 2012.

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For fans of Da Bears, there won’t be another Ditka.

And for the Bears, there won’t be another 89.

According to Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune, the Bears will retire Mike Ditka’s number during a Dec. 9 Monday Night Football appearance against the Cowboys at Soldier Field.

Ditka coached the team to its only Super Bowl title 27 years ago, but was a tremendous player for them prior to that, playing for their 1963 NFL title team.

The 73-year-old ESPN analyst will be the 14th Bears player to have his number retired, the first since Dick Butkus and Gale Sayers. That’s the most retired numbers of any NFL team.

Ditka hasn’t always had the best relationship with Bears ownership, but his relationship with the fans of the team is undeniable, as is his place in history now.

AP

Though it took him a little longer than his self-proclaimed five minutes, Rob Ryan found a job this offseason.

And considering his personality, it might have been in the perfect spot.

Ryan talked to reporters in New Orleans for the first time Thursday, and said he was fortunate to land with a team that had the worst defense in league history last year, because they both have something to prove.

He referred back to his firing by the Cowboys, and the Super Bowl he won in New Orleans as a member of the Patriots staff, calling himself “lucky” to be where he was.

“These guys have been well-coached before. They’re smart. They’re just ready to win,” Ryan said, via Mike Triplett of the New Orleans Times-Picayune. “I think we all have a chip on our shoulder after last season. . . .

“I know everybody is on the same path. That big sign that used to be up there [in the Saints' indoor practice facility] — ‘Do Your Job’ — I’ve heard those words before. I plan on doing it. I’ve got two Super Bowl rings, one of them won out here in sweet, live ass New Orleans as part of a great organization.”

Yeah, he should fit right in.

The Saints could use a shot of confidence, after allowing a league-record 7,042 yards last year. Ryan can provide that.

He admitted he “got my feelings hurt” when he was fired, but said he was “very fortunate” to land with Sean Payton, and he clearly enjoys the challenge ahead of him.

“I like his passion,” Payton said. “You know, he’s someone that I spent a lot of time researching and arriving at that decision, guys that I know very well that have worked with him.

“I like the way players respond and I think he’s a perfect fit for what we’re looking for.”

Now all he has to do is find enough players to adapt to his scheme, and he might finally end up a coordinator for a team with a winning record.

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A mere five months have passed since Buffalo Bills tight end Scott Chandler suffered a torn ACL in a loss against the Miami Dolphins in December. Yet, Chandler is already back on the practice field running routes, making cuts and catching passes.

Chandler isn’t participating with the rest of the team during OTAs. He had an individual workout away from the team Thursday catching passes from undrafted rookie quarterback Jeff Tuel. But for being just over four months removed from reconstructive surgery on his knee, it was a strong showing of the progress he’s made in his rehab process.

“The knee feels really good,” Chandler said, via the team’s official website. “I feel great. Running routes you could probably tell it’s not 100 percent, but it’s better than most so I feel good.”

Chandler said he’s been running routes for the last three weeks. Despite his progress, the Bills will likely choose to be cautious and continue to hold him out of team activities through the team’s mini-camp in June. For Chandler, being ready for training camp was always the goal anyway.

“I feel it’s realistic,” Chandler said. “It’s kind of what I expected. Honestly I just wanted to be ready to go when training camp and the season came around. I’m not a guy who is going to sit there and hope that it gets better. I’m going to be proactive.”

Chandler appeared in 15 games last season for the Bills before the injury and made 13 starts. He caught 43 passes for 571 and six touchdowns.

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Washington Redskins cornerback Josh Wilson played through a labrum injury at the end of last season. The injury was substantial enough to require surgery over the offseason and the it turned out to be more severe than first realized.

According to Rich Campbell of the Washington Times, the injury also required repairing of Wilson’s pectoral muscle when the extent of the damage was fully known. Despite the severity of the injury, Wilson hopes to be ready for the start of training camp in July. Per Mike Jones of the Washington Post, Wilson’s surgery occurred two months ago.

Wilson has played for the Redskins the last two seasons and started all 32 games over that span. He’s recorded 136 tackles with four interceptions, four forced fumbles and a sack.