Document text
0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Southern Oregon construction industry finds subcontractors in short supply ... Death of transportation bill costs Jackson County $10 million ... Phoenix downtown in for big changes ... Southern Oregon construction industry finds subcontractors in short supply ... Death of transportation bill costs Jackson County $10 million ... Phoenix downtown in for big changes ... NFL REPORT Browns shun 'Hard Knocks' program In order to shield Manziel, they won't volunteer Comment By Wire reports MailTribune.com By Wire reports Posted Mar. 24, 2015 at 8:45 PM Updated Mar 24, 2015 at 9:35 PM By Wire reports Posted Mar. 24, 2015 at 8:45 PM Updated Mar 24, 2015 at 9:35 PM » Social News PHOENIX — The Browns figure that Johnny Manziel has had enough hard knocks in the last year of his life, they don’t want to add another. That’s why the team spoke with NFL Films at the league’s annual meeting this week and said they are not volunteering to be featured on the HBO program “Hard Knocks,” which chronicles one team through training camp. Manziel is currently in a rehab facility and has been since Jan. 28. He is expected to rejoin the team for the start of offseason workouts on April 20, but Browns coach Mike Pettine said no definite date has been set. Clearly, though, the Browns expect Manziel back. And they expect to protect him from the glare of “Hard Knocks.” “When we decided not to volunteer for ‘Hard Knocks,’ we discussed everything that was involved with it,” Pettine said. “(Manziel) is certainly something we needed to consider.” Pettine has been through the “Hard Knocks” grinder. He was an assistant on the Jets when they were featured on the show in 2010. “Being a part of ‘Hard Knocks,’ having been there, knowing they’re going to look to cover the team’s biggest current storylines, it’s obvious that he would be a point of attention,” he said. The NFL does have the power to force a team to participate on the program if there are no volunteers. The Browns are one of the teams that could become unwilling reality stars. Perhaps the lure of Manziel will draw producers in, even though the Browns are trying to keep them away. Pettine smiled but declined to say how he would handle being forced to be on the show. “That’s a hypothetical,” he said. BEARS: The Chicago Bears have taken another step toward fortifying their defensive front, agreeing to terms on a deal with defensive end Ray McDonald. Bears general manager Ryan Pace on Tuesday confirmed the move, which will reunite McDonald with new Bears defensive coordinator Vic Fangio. The pair spent four seasons together with the San Francisco 49ers. McDonald’s arrival will not come without controversy. He was arrested last August in California under suspicion of domestic violence after an argument with his fiance. No charges, however, were filed in that case. Then in December, McDonald had his contract with the 49ers terminated after he emerged as a suspect in a sexual assault investigation in San Jose. That case has not been closed to this point but no charges have been filed. Pace said he felt comfortable with the signing after consulting with Fangio and defensive backs coach Ed Donatell, another veteran of the 49ers’ staff. Pace said Bears chairman George McCaskey also signed off on the deal because it involved a “character” issue. SHARPER: Former NFL star Darren Sharper pleaded guilty Tuesday in Las Vegas to a reduced felony attempted sex assault charge, in the third part of a four-state plea deal that prosecutors say will put him in federal prison for about nine years. Appearing by Internet hookup from a courtroom in Los Angeles, Sharper entered his plea before Clark County District Court Judge Douglas Herndon, who scheduled sentencing for June 25. A plea agreement calls for Sharper to serve 38 months to eight years in prison for the Nevada conviction, but at the same time as sentences from California, Arizona and Louisiana. On Monday, the 39-year-old Sharper pleaded guilty to sexual assault in Arizona — again using an Internet hookup — and no contest in Los Angeles to raping two women he drugged after meeting them in a West Hollywood bar. By Wire reports MailTribune.com By Wire reports Posted Mar. 24, 2015 at 8:45 PM Updated Mar 24, 2015 at 9:35 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501