Archives for April 5, 2016

'In his first three years with New Orleans, White played in 41 games with 19 starts, registering 125 tackles, 15 passes defensed, four interceptions and two forced fumbles. His best season was in 2014, when he had 53 tackles, six passes defensed and two interceptions for the Saints under defensive coordinator Rob Ryan, a current assistant on his brother Rex's staff in Buffalo.'

'A total of 44 interviews with 27 individuals were conducted during the course of the extensive investigation, which began in the days after the fight and did not conclude until last week. A visit to Recess Lounge and the examination of medical records of multiple participants in addition to the review of photographs and video footage was also part of the investigation, Williams said.'

'McCoy is fortunate to get off this easy. It certainly helped that urban police don’t tend to get the benefit of the doubt in this country nowadays; those off-duty cops were not blameless. McCoy also had something most young males lack in these matters – the financial resources to enlist the help of high-powered lawyers to find holes in the state’s case.'

'Hankerson has bounced around the NFL since entering in 2011 as a third-round pick of the Redskins. At 6-foot-2, 211 pounds, he is one of Buffalo’s biggest receivers. Hankerson has played in 41 career games, starting 14, catching 107 passes for 1,408 yards and nine touchdowns.'

'Williams went on to say that, “Looking at the events and the actions of all parties on Feb. 7, 2016, there is insufficient evidence to prove beyond a reasonable doubt who started the fight, and under what circumstances."'

'After losing Nigel Bradham in free agency, the Bills needed to do something about the vacant linebacker spot in the middle of their defense. The signing of Brown doesn't necessarily mean the Bills are done at the position. Finding another linebacker in the 2016 NFL Draft seems likely, particularly after Rex Ryan has put Preston Brown on notice throughout the offseason.'

'At this point, linebacker is the more pressing issue for the Bills, so that may be the spot at which they decide to use their resources.'

'From the beginning, reports on this incident were all over the map. Despite public backlash, the DA's office took its time with the investigation and couldn't find the evidence to make a charge.'

'"Serious and permanent injuries were inflicted on these officers as a result of a brutal assault captured on film, but a season-ticket-hunting District Attorney refuses to do his sworn job and prosecute the attackers."'

'Despite not facing criminal action, McCoy could still face disciplinary action from the NFL. Commissioner Roger Goodell has developed a reputation for handing down hefty punishments for players violating the league's personal conduct policy. However, there has been no determination from the league yet on a possible punishment for McCoy.'

'"In late March a trump campaign manager was charged for apparently grabbing a reporter by the arm in Florida," The statement, signed by chapter President John McNesby said. "In New Jersey an arrest was made for a video recording of an assault on a teenager. Yet, in Philadelphia, a vicious assault on off-duty police officers by a rich athlete and his friends goes completely unpunished."'

'Williams explained the stories from witnesses and off-duty cops included various inconsistencies that made it difficult to determine who started the fight at Recess Lounge. The D.A.'s office concluded it could not say definitely that McCoy's group was the aggressors, and Williams mentioned it is legal to use force when acting in self defense.'

'"While it's clear that a physical altercation took place and that several people were injured, there is insufficient credible evidence to determine which of the participants was the initial aggressor or whether some participants were acting in self defense or in reasonable defense of another," Williams said.'

'His career was derailed after he tore a pectoral muscle in Tennessee's 2014 season opener. He had just five starts in 16 games with Titans last year.'

'District Attorney Seth Williams says he can't prove who initiated the fight and says it's legal to act in self-defense or the defense of others.'