Morning Sports Roundup: Was Jim McNally always a suspicious character?
An NFL official has long been suspicious of a New England Patriots locker room attendant. The Broncos defeated the Chiefs, 31-24, after a Jamaal Charles fumble. And Roger Goodell’s power may not decrease for years.
NFL official says he reported Jim McNally to the league six or eight years ago: ““For an officials’ locker room attendant, I always thought he was an unusual dude,’’ [NFL head linesman Mark] Baltz said. “But McNally, he was running all around like a chicken with his head cut off. Asking for the balls early. What I specifically reported him for several years ago, and I thought this was really unusual, he’d run out on the field with the footballs before the game and the next thing you know, he’s playing pitch-and-catch with (Tom) Brady. Then, next thing, he’s on the sidelines right next to (Bill) Belichick, like he’s a (bleeping) assistant coach or something.’’ (WTHR.com)
However, an ex-NFL supervisor of officials questioned the official’s account: “One of Baltz’ former bosses, ex-NFL supervisor of officials Jim Daopoulos, defended McNally as ‘one of the really good guys who worked in the locker rooms in . . . the league’ and added: ’I really don’t know what Mark’s agenda is right here.’’’ (CSNNE.com)
And some facts from the WTHR.com report may not be accurate:
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Jamaal Charles fumbled in the fourth quarter of Thursday Night Football; Denver scooped, scored, and won the game:
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Q&A with Dave Dombrowski: “It has been a busy four weeks. Dombrowski ended Hanley Ramirez’s futile tenure as a left fielder, having him work at first base. He also made changes within the framework of the organization to better focus on the drafting and development of pitchers … Dombrowski stopped long enough to field a series of questions about what he has learned so far and what his plans are for the future.’’ (The Boston Globe)
Roger Goodell’s control over player punishment may not change ‘for years’: “Look, I think more than likely we’re not talking months here. We’re most likely talking years,’’ [Pittsburgh Steelers president Art] Rooney told USA TODAY Sports by phone. “We have several years left on the collective bargaining agreement, so I don’t think that there’s a major rush at this point to get an extension. I think there’s probably still a fair amount of time before both sides are willing to really roll up their sleeves and get something done.’’ (USA Today)
Will Isaiah Thomas get the chance to start next season? “The stellar production by Thomas came in a sixth-man role, but the 5’9’’ guard is jockeying for a promotion before he starts his first full season in green. On the surface, Thomas’ numbers provide a compelling case for consideration of a starting job in the team’s crowded backcourt. The 26-year-old spoke about his desire to join the top unit earlier this month while volunteering at a community event in Roslindale.’’ (Boston.com)
5 Questions for the Boston Bruins as they open training camp: “Not since Claude Julien pulled on his Black and Gold windbreaker for the first time in 2007 have the Bruins faced such uncertainty at the start of a season. The B’s are a team in transition as they gather for training camp today. No lines are set. No defensive pair is a given. That doesn’t necessarily mean their downward slide has to continue, but there are many questions facing this team. Here are just five of them.’’ (Boston Herald)
Source: Joe Kelly’s shoulder isn’t seriously injured: “According to a major league source, the examination conducted by the Red Sox medial team in Boston Thursday revealed that there was no serious issues with Joe Kelly’s right shoulder. It was determined the pitcher is simply dealing with some inflammation in the shoulder, which had stiffened up on him during his start against the Orioles Tuesday night.’’ (WEEI.com)
Scott Chandler is trying to put his history with the Bills behind him: “It would be understandable for Scott Chandler to have some mixed emotions going into Sunday’s game against the Bills, the team he spent the past five seasons with before joining the Patriots as a free agent. If so, the tight end is keeping those feelings to himself.’’ (The Boston Globe)
Photo finish: Biggest Celtics draft busts
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