Archives for February 11, 2016

'McCoy, 27, initially retained the services of high-profile Philadelphia defense attorney Jack McMahon. Since then, McCoy has reportedly changed his mind and hired Philadelphia lawyer Larry Krasner to represent him. Krasner did not immediately return a request for comment.'

'“The video we’ve seen clearly indicates that they were being stomped and beaten and struck while they were on the ground,” Perri said. “So for anybody to characterize this as a bar fight – this was aggravated assault that occurred in a bar – plain and simple.'

'“Conduct by anyone in the league that is illegal, violent, dangerous, or irresponsible puts innocent victims at risk, damages the reputation of others in the game, and undercuts public respect and support for the NFL. We must endeavor at all times to be people of high character; we must show respect for others inside and outside our workplace; and we must strive to conduct ourselves in ways that favorably reflect on ourselves, our teams, the communities we represent, and the NFL.”'

'As of now, the case is in the hands of the Philadelphia District Attorney's office, which will ultimately decide what charges, if any, are brought against McCoy and the other parties involved. Police are reportedly recommending charges for all four suspects including possible aggravated assault.'

'"We were building a defense that we can go and shut people down, shut people out, and then all of a sudden everything just changes as far as how the players are used," Williams said. "That's just kind of odd to me. … I'm not saying that the scheme is wrong, I'm just saying that our strengths could be utilized better. … In our meetings defensively, especially in our defensive line room, we said, 'Can we go straight? Can we just go? Can we turn it loose?''

'OK, we’re not talking Manzielian proportions, and the Bills have been known to be a halfway house for questionable characters, but McCoy may be close to turning into more trouble than he’s worth — for financial, ethical and practical reasons.'

'And if you’re an advocate of the team — or human decency — then you should be counting your lucky stars that McCoy is not your problem anymore.'

'Perri says, "They suffered serious facial fractures and multiple bones in their faces. The video we've seen clearly indicates that they were being stomped and beaten and struck while they were on the ground. So for anybody to characterize this as a bar fight – this was aggravated assault that occurred in a bar – plain and simple."'

'According to reports on Wednesday, an arrest warrant could be issued for McCoy, whose attorney told ESPN that his client would surrender to police if charged in the case. Police have recommended that one of the charges be aggravated assault.'

'McCoy's lawyer told Outside The Lines' John Barr on Tuesday that his client will turn himself in if he is charged.'

'The video was posted hours after WPVI-TV in Philadelphia reported that sources have told them they expect arrest warrants to be issued by Thursday for McCoy, along with three others, in connection with an altercation at a Philly nightclub last weekend that allegedly involved the Bills runnning back, his friends, and off-duty Philadelphia police officers.'

'Today, a look at the free agent safeties. The unfortunate reality is for this team, they may need two new starters at the position depending on how Aaron Williams recovers from a serious neck injury.'

'The report also indicates that the two off-duty police officers will not face any charges from the incident.'