The biggest item of news on a busy Thursday came long after the press conferences and practices were over. New York Jets defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson was charged with resisting arrest as well as endangering the welfare of a child in O'Fallon, Missouri.
The 24-year-old Pro Bowler was clocked at driving at 143 miles per hour in a 2014 Bentley Silver Spur back on July 14, according to a statement of probable cause issued by the department and obtained by NFL Media. Charges were made official on Thursday. With a 12-year-old in the back seat of the car, Richardson turned off the vehicle's headlights in an effort to evade the police.
The rest of the details can be seen here, and they have to be concerning for Richardson. This news comes just two weeks after the league announced a four-game suspension for Richardson for violating the NFL's substance abuse policy. The arrest report mentions a "strong odor of burned marijuana" coming from the car.
Richardson is entering a contract year. This news will certainly raise questions about whether Richardson could be suspended again, and what his future with the Jets will be. It's too early to speculate on that, but it's uncanny that this news came out just hours after Richardson addressed his team and then the media about his suspension:
"I apologize to my teammates and the organization," Richardson said Thursday afternoon via Around The NFL's Conor Orr, before word of his arrest came out. "I told them you don't have to worry about my name being in the news again."
Here's what else we learned Thursday:
Back to the Field
On the third day, Tom Brady returned to the field. After 48 hours of suspension talk, fiery statements and legal maneuvering, Brady kicked off his 16th NFL training camp.
In some ways, it was business as usual. Brady took every single first team rep, with Bill Belichick not worrying about preparing Jimmy Garoppolo with the team's starters just yet.
In other ways, this is a very different time in New England. A plane sponsored by a Jets fan site flew above practice with a banner that read "CHEATERS LOOK UP!" Patriots owner Robert Kraft signed a poster that said "Free Brady."
The entire feeling reminds me of 2007, when the Patriots seemed to embrace their inner villain in the wake of Spygate.
Positive health news
- Jordy Nelson's hip surgery has flown relatively under the radar this offseason. He avoided the physically unable to perform list and reportedly looked good as ever on Thursday.
"Jordy's so consistent," coach Mike McCarthy said. "Looks like he hasn't missed a beat."
The Packers have a chance to be the best receiver group in the league with Randall Cobb, Davante Adams and buzzy third-round pick Ty Montgomery.
- There were open questions whether Patriots linebacker Dont'a Hightower would be ready for the season after undergoing shoulder surgery in the offseason. That seems like less of a concern after he was surprisingly ready to practice on Day 1 of training camp.
- Underrated Denver Broncos linebackers Danny Trevathan (kneecap) and Brandon Marshall (knee) were both cleared for the start of camp.
- We heard all offseason about Victor Cruz and Odell Beckham's health. They both looked good during the Giants' conditioning test Thursday, and will start camp on the practice field. That's a great sign for both players.
It was a big day for the Giants receiver group; they also signed free agent James Jones.
The least surprising Trent Richardson news
Here's Vic Tafur of the San Francisco Chronicle on the Raiders backfield:
"Latavius Murray will get every chance to be the lead running back as whispers are that the Trent Richardson reclamation project is not going so well."
This is why Richardson was on our list of 15 potential surprise cuts. Perhaps it's not even a surprise.
Stock Up
There has been a quiet buzz building for Robert Griffin III making strides this offseason. On the same day that some ridiculous stuff came out about the Redskins quarterback situation, RGIII impressed in front of NFL Network cameras.
"I don't think he's thrown an incomplete pass," Michael Robinson said. "He is letting the ball out a lot faster. His footwork looks a lot more crisp."
Stock Down
It's not a great sign that the Patriots are relying so much on LeGarrette Blount to carry their backfield this season. Suspended for the first game of the season, Blount didn't show up to camp in good enough shape to pass the team's conditioning test.
Contract news
- There isn't a lot of hope these days that Russell Wilson will work out a contract before training camp starts. (Which makes sense since camp starts for Seattle on Friday.) Negotiations are expected to end for the year if Wilson doesn't have a deal by Friday.
- The Seahawks may finish off a deal, just not from Wilson. From our Inside Training Camp Live Whispers article: NFL Network's Rand Getlin reports that optimism is building that a deal will be reached with linebacker Bobby Wagner.
- Giants owner John Mara to NFL Media's Kimberly Jones on Eli Manning's contract: "The agent asks for the moon; we make a reasonable offer."
- Julio Jones' agent and the Falconshave started talking contract.
The least surprising Darren McFadden news
McFadden was placed on the physically unable to perform list, which helps explain Jerry Jones' diminished DMC enthusiasm this week.
Depth chart buzz
- The Jets aren't going to waste time with No. 6 overall pick Leonard Williams. He opened camp with the first team.
- There has been talk in Cleveland this offseason that Terrance West was falling down the depth chart behind Isaiah Crowell and rookie Duke Johnson. But it was West who took the first 11-on-11 rep Thursday upon the opening of Browns training camp, indicating this is a wide-open three-way battle for the starting job.
- Cowboys guard Ronald Leary opened camp as a starter over La'el Collins.
- Ken Whisenhunt was asked about the Tennessee Titans' quarterback competition.
"You mean, after Marcus (Mariota)?" he said.
Zach Mettenberger Nation silently weeps.
The latest Around The NFL Podcast discusses Tom Brady's lawsuit and debates which veteran players are most likely to be cut.
