Jay Mariotti just the latest in the long, sordid litany of ESPN personalities in trouble

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jason-whitlock

Sounds like the ever-overworked HR department over at ESPN has got yet another case on its hands.

Word broke this weekend that Around the Horn contributor (and Fanhouse blogger) Jay Mariotti was arrested on a domestic violence rap after an argument with this girlfriend turned heated and she ended up with scratches and bruises. Mariotti was released on a whopping $50,000 bail.

Unfortunate news, and it sounds like a bit more than a parking ticket.

I’ll be honest, I don’t read a lot of Mariotti’s work and he doesn’t seem to have a lot of respect in the sports journalism business. White Sox television voice Hawk Harrelson had it out with him a few years back and obviously Ozzie Guillen is not a great fan of Mariotti’s either. Famously, neither is Mariotti’s former colleague Roger Ebert. And they are but a few of the many who seem to share Gregg Doyel’s overwhelmingly negative opinion about “Jay the Joke“.

Unfortunately for ESPN, however, while Mariotti may be unique in the seemingly universal hatred that gets spewed in his direction, he is far from the first member of the Worldwide Leader to get himself into trouble.

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Mangold, Jets Close To New Deal

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Update: Dave Hutchinson and Jenny Vrentas of The Star-Ledger report that the New York Jets and C Nick Mangold are very close to finalizing an extension. Mangold, who has been unhappy with his contract, reported to camp and it appears to have paid off. The terms of the deal are not yet known, but the deal is expected to make Mangold the highest paid center in the league.

Fantasy Impact: Mangold is regarded by many as the best center in the league, on the best offensive line in the league. Keeping him happy is in the best interest of the Jets, as he is a great player in not only the running game but also in pass protection.



Sensabaugh to miss time

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Update: Cowboys SS Gerald Sensabaugh is out 3-4 weeks with a subluxation in his left shoulder.

Fantasy Impact: Sensabaugh is most likely going to miss Week 1, and this does not pose well for Dallas who is weak at the safety position. 

 



Sensabaugh to miss time

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Update: Cowboys SS Gerald Sensabaugh is out 3-4 weeks with a subluxation in his left shoulder.

Fantasy Impact: Sensabaugh is most likely going to miss Week 1, and this does not pose well for Dallas who is weak at the safety position. 

 



Gage won’t play Monday

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Update: Titans wideout Justin Gage (thumb) has been ruled out for the teams' preseason game Monday night against Arizona.

Fantasy Impact: Sophomore wide out Kenny Britt should get more action with Gage sitting.  Britt will eventually become the team's biggest weapon. 

 



Gage won’t play Monday

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Update: Titans wideout Justin Gage (thumb) has been ruled out for the teams' preseason game Monday night against Arizona.

Fantasy Impact: Sophomore wide out Kenny Britt should get more action with Gage sitting.  Britt will eventually become the team's biggest weapon. 

 



Brandon Jones Signs With Seattle

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Update: The Seattle Seahawks and free-agent WR Brandon Jones have agreed to a deal, ESPN's John Clayton reports. Clayton said Jones picked the Seahawks over the Vikings and Raiders. Jones was released earlier this month by the 49ers.

Fantasy Impact: The top-5 wide receiver spots in Seattle appear to be taken, so the Seahawks would have to go with 6 receivers if Jones is to make the roster. He could be a valuable addition to the special teams unit, but would not see much playing time as a wide receiver.



Sensabaugh Out 3-4 Weeks

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Update: Calvin Watkins of ESPNDallas.com is reporting that Dallas Cowboys S Gerald Sensabaugh will be sidelined 3-4 weeks after suffering a subluxation in his left shoulder. Sensabaugh was injured in the Cowboys preseason game on Saturday and may have to miss the team's regular season opener.

Fantasy Impact: Sensabaugh is the starting strong safety in Dallas, and although he does not have elite talent at the position, he is good enough to be missed. Without Sensabaugh the Cowboys are fairly inexperienced and thin at the safety position, and the sooner he comes back the better.



Jets, Revis Close To Deal?

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Update: There have been conflicting reports today about whether or not the New York Jets and CB Darrelle Revis are close to a new deal. Tim Cowlishaw of the Dallas Morning News wrote on his twitter account that a new deal would be announced this week, most likely Wednesday. However, Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News reports that there are no plans to announce a new deal this week, and Jenny Vrentas of the Newark Star-Ledger "confirmed" on her twitter that Cowlishaw's report in untrue.

Fantasy Impact: In 2009, the Jets were the number 1 ranked defense in football, partly because of Darrelle Revis' stellar play. Week-by-week, Revis made it a habit of shutting down the oppositions' best receiver. He is regarded as the best cornerback in the league, and he wants to be paid like one.



Jackson, McNeill Placed On Exempt List

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Update: Scott Bair of the North County Times reports that the San Diego Chargers have placed WR Vincent Jackson and LT Marcus McNeill on the roster exempt list. Both players are holding out while seeking long-term deals with the team. Being placed on the exempt list means that if either player returns, they will have to serve a 3-game suspension first.

Fantasy Impact: If both players decided to holdout into the season, the Chargers will lose key pieces of the offense. Jackson is QB Philip Rivers' favorite target and a great threat down the field. McNeill is good in pass protection and helps keep Rivers upright.



Charles Outplaying Jones

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Update: The Kansas City Chiefs have yet to determine whether Jamaal Charles or Thomas Jones will start at running back, therefore preseason action is very important. And so far, Charles has outplayed Jones. On Saturday, Jones got the start and fumbled on the team's first possession. He ended up with 8 carries for 29 yards and 1 catch for 2 yards. Charles had 5 carries for 26 yards and 3 catches for 23 yards.

Fantasy Impact: Charles is a more explosive back, while Jones is more of a power back for the Chiefs. If Charles continues to play better than Jones, he should receive the starting gig and improve his fantasy stock. He should be a 2nd-3rd round pick in fantasy drafts, and has even more value in PPR leagues as he is a reliable receiver out of the backfield.



Bradford Struggles On Saturday

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Update: In a game where A.J. Feeley got injured, St. Louis Rams QB Sam Bradford had an opportunity to prove that he is ready to be the starting quarterback. Bradford did the exact opposite and struggled severely in the rain. Bradford completed just 6 of 14 passes for a measly 24 yards and no touchdowns. The bright spot for Bradford, he did not throw any interceptions or fumble the ball.

Fantasy Impact: Anyone thinking of drafting Bradford in fantasy should immediately get that out of their head. Bradford has shown in 2 preseason games that he is not ready to start and needs more time. Unless Feeley's injury turns out to be serious, which it is not believed to be, Bradford will watch the Rams from the sidelines for at least part of the regular season.



Bradford Struggles On Saturday

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Update: In a game where A.J. Feeley got injured, St. Louis Rams QB Sam Bradford had an opportunity to prove that he is ready to be the starting quarterback. Bradford did the exact opposite and struggled severely in the rain. Bradford completed just 6 of 14 passes for a measly 24 yards and no touchdowns. The bright spot for Bradford, he did not throw any interceptions or fumble the ball.

Fantasy Impact: Anyone thinking of drafting Bradford in fantasy should immediately get that out of their head. Bradford has shown in 2 preseason games that he is not ready to start and needs more time. Unless Feeley's injury turns out to be serious, which it is not believed to be, Bradford will watch the Rams from the sidelines for at least part of the regular season.



Haynesworth Likely Has Rhabdomyolysis

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Update: Jason La Canfora of NFL Network reports that Washington Redskins DT/DE is likely suffering from rhabdomyolysis. Symptoms include dizziness, nausea, vomiting, and swelling, and the condition is caused by severe exertion or heat exposure. Rhabdomyolysis is the breakdown of muscle fibers resulting in the release of muscle fiber contents into the bloodstream. Some of these are harmful to the kidney and can result in kidney damage.

Fantasy Impact: If this condition continues to keep Haynesworth out, his loss would be easily recognized for the Redskins defense. Not only does Haynesworth get to the QB himself, but he usually occupies 2 offensive lineman, freeing up holes for other pass rushers.



Haynesworth Likely Has Rhabdomyolysis

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Update: Jason La Canfora of NFL Network reports that Washington Redskins DT/DE is likely suffering from rhabdomyolysis. Symptoms include dizziness, nausea, vomiting, and swelling, and the condition is caused by severe exertion or heat exposure. Rhabdomyolysis is the breakdown of muscle fibers resulting in the release of muscle fiber contents into the bloodstream. Some of these are harmful to the kidney and can result in kidney damage.

Fantasy Impact: If this condition continues to keep Haynesworth out, his loss would be easily recognized for the Redskins defense. Not only does Haynesworth get to the QB himself, but he usually occupies 2 offensive lineman, freeing up holes for other pass rushers.