Unser Chat » They finally released him on Monday after a season

The Bengals stuck with linebacker Vontaze Burfict through all his troubles Jachai Polite Jersey , including a hit to Antonio Brown’s head that led to a playoff loss. of below-average performance.During seven seasons with Cincinnati, Burfict was repeatedly suspended by the NFL for egregious hits and violating its policy on performance-enhancers. He was fined regularly for hits that crossed the line, most notably the one to Brown’s head that helped the Steelers rally for an 18-16 playoff win in the 2015 season.Through it all, the Bengals stood solidly behind the linebacker and gave him contract extensions. His significant fall-off in performance last season led them to finally cut ties.“As we continue to build our roster for the 2019 season, we felt it best to give both the team and Vontaze a fresh start,” new Bengals coach Zac Taylor said. “Vontaze has been a good player here — the team appreciates that, and I know a lot of fans appreciate that — but our focus is on the future.”Burfict, 28, was suspended for the first four games last season for violating the NFL’s policy on performance-enhancers Chuma Edoga Jersey , his third straight season with a suspension. A hip injury and concussions limited him to seven games with only 33 tackles, no sacks and no interceptions, by far the worst performance of his career.Owner Mike Brown and former coach Marvin Lewis had defended Burfict through all his misdeeds, while he still made an impact on the field. Lewis was fired after a 6-10 finish last season, the Bengals’ third straight losing season, and now Burfict is gone, too.Nobody was willing to draft him out of Arizona State, where he repeatedly drew personal foul penalties. Burfict wrote a letter to NFL teams, and the Bengals — known for giving troubled players extra chances — brought him aboard for the 2012 season.He was their best defensive player and one of the league’s most controversial players Trevon Wesco Jersey , often in the middle of scrums and shoving matches.In 2015, he missed the first six games while recovering from knee surgery and, in his return, led the Bengals to a 16-10 win in Pittsburgh. His tackle on Le’Veon Bell resulted in the running back tearing a knee ligament, adding fuel to the rivalry.During their first-round playoff game at Paul Brown Stadium, Burfict’s hit on Brown moved the Steelers in range for the winning field goal in the final seconds. Cornerback Adam “Pacman” Jones also got a 15-yard penalty after the play, making it an easy kick.The NFL suspended Burfict for the first three games in 2016 as a result of his numerous egregious hits, including the one on Brown. The Bengals defended him and stuck with him.Burfict was suspended again for the first three games in 2017 for an egregious hit during a preseason game. He got a three-year contract extension during the suspension, a sign of the Bengals’ attachment to him.During his career in Cincinnati Shareef Miller Jersey , Burfict had 8½ sacks and five interceptions. He made the Pro Bowl in 2013. KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Ravens fullback and defensive lineman Patrick Ricard apologized on Sunday for racist and homophobic tweets made six years ago, when he was “a 16-year-old kid in high school who clearly made bad choices.”The deleted tweets from 2011 and 2012 surfaced late Saturday night, and Ricard was a healthy scratch against the Chiefs after appearing in 10 games and playing both sides of the ball this season.The Ravens issued a statement condemning the comments Sunday, calling them “totally unacceptable.” The team also said that “we have addressed the matter with Pat,” and would have additional comment later.Ricard said he’d not had a chance to talk to his teammates or explain the tweets.“You know, today’s game day. I want those guys to be (focused),” he said. “I don’t want to distract the team in any way, just have those guys come out here and play. I’m going to talk to them Zach Brown Jersey , most likely the next time we’re in the (practice) building.”Ricard is hardly the only high-profile individual whose old tweets have caused embarrassment.Earlier Sunday, Heisman Trophy-winning Oklahoma quarterback Kyler Murray apologized for homophobic tweets directed at a friend when he was “14 or 15.” Murray said the tweets that surfaced used a “poor choice of word that doesn’t reflect who I am or what I believe.”Murray was drafted in the first round by the Oakland Athletics this past June, then threw for more than 4,000 yards with 40 touchdowns while leading the Sooners to the College Football Playoffs.Earlier this week, actor and comedian Kevin Hart stepped down from duties hosting the Academy Awards after past homophobic tweets were published. Hart also apologized “to the LGBTQ community for my insensitive words from my past,” most of which were posted from 2009-11.Ricard made the Ravens as an undrafted rookie out of Maine last year, and he became a curiosity of sorts by being one of the few players to line up on offense and defense. He’s made four tackles this season on the defensive line while playing 90 snaps on offense.Ricard said he learned of his old tweets surfacing in his hotel room Saturday night, when his social media account started “blowing up.” He also said he never thought about them coming to light.“It happened a long time ago, seven Devin Bush Jersey , six years ago. I really don’t remember,” Ricard said. “I tweet a lot, kind of don’t remember what I tweeted. Still not acceptable, still inappropriate. I really am sincerely sorry that I did that.”