ESPN's Adam Schefter reports the NFL is investigating the Falcons for piping artificial crowd noise into their stadium the past two seasons.
The Falcons allegedly were pumping the noise through the Georgia Dome speakers when the opposing offense was huddling up trying to call its play. Atlanta could be looking at a stiff fine and loss of a draft pick if found guilty.
ESPN's Adam Schefter reports the Jets and Bills will pursue CB Darrelle Revis if he reaches free agency this offseason.
That's a big "if", as there have been recent reports of the Patriots seriously considering picking up Revis' $20 million team option for 2015. He had an excellent first season in New England, playing at an All-Pro level and grading out as Pro Football Focus' No. 4 cover corner. The Jets and Bills' connections are easy. Revis became a star in New York under new Bills coach Rex Ryan.
Giants matriarch Ann Mara passed away at the age of 85 early Sunday morning.
Mara slipped at her home during a recent ice storm on January 18 and suffered a head injury that eventually took her life Sunday morning. She was the wife of former Giants co-owner Wellington Mara, who passed in 2005, and the mother of current Giants president and CEO John Mara. Ann was often dubbed the "First Lady of Football." The Maras have owned the Giants since their inception.
NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports the Seahawks have offered Marshawn Lynch "a huge contract extension that would keep him in a Seahawks uniform for years to come."
It's believed the deal would make Lynch the highest-paid running back in terms of annual average not named Adrian Peterson. It's a big swing of events after it's been rumored for the better part of a calendar year now that 2014 could be Lynch's final season in Seattle due to age, inflated salary, and edginess. Per RapSheet, the new deal would pay Lynch around $10 million next season.
Former Chargers LB Junior Seau was one of five players elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Saturday.
Considered one of the greatest linebackers in league history, Seau was inducted on his first year of eligibility. An eight-time All Pro, he spent his first 12 years with the Chargers before finishing out his career with the Dolphins and New England. Seau ranks fourth in NFL history with 1,524 tackles to go along with 56.5 sacks and 18 interceptions. He's joined by Jerome Bettis, Charles Haley, Will Shields, Tim Brown, Seniors nominee Mick Tingelhoff, and contributors Bill Polian and Ron Wolf as members of the 2015 Hall of Fame class. Marvin Harrison, Orlando Pace, Tony Dungy, and Kurt Warner were among the notable candidates not selected.
Associated Press named Aaron Rodgers its 2014 NFL Most Valuable Player.
It's the second time in four years Rodgers has won the award. Rodgers posted a 38:5 TD/INT ratio this past season, leading the Packers to a first-round bye and the NFC's No. 2 seed. He received 31 votes, beating out J.J. Watt (13), DeMarco Murray (2), Tony Romo (2), Tom Brady (1), and Seahawks LB Bobby Wagner (1). Despite winning MVP, Rodgers lost to Murray for Offensive Player of the Year. Rodgers remains locked in as the NFL's premier quarterback going into 2015.
Associated Press named Rob Gronkowski its 2014 NFL Comeback Player of the Year.
Gronkowski was limited to seven games in 2013 due to knee and forearm injuries. He bounced back with an 82/1,124/12 line this season, where he finished as a unanimous All-Pro. Gronkowski received 27 first-place votes, followed by Jeremy Maclin (7), Rolando McClain (7), Chris Harris (3), Justin Forsett (2), and Arian Foster (2). Cardinals LB Larry Foote and Kyle Orton also received a vote.
Associated Press named J.J. Watt its 2014 Defensive Player of the Year.
A three-time Pro Bowler, Watt was unanimously voted by the Associated Press. It's the second time in three years he's won the award. Watt posted 20.5 sacks, 78 tackles, and recovered five fumbles in 2014. He also had three receiving touchdowns in Houston's goal-line package. Pro Football Focus has graded Watt as its No. 1 overall 3-4 end in three straight years. Watt is under contract through 2021 after the Texans signed him to an eight-year, $108 million contract prior to the season.