Oakland Raiders owner Mark Davis said parting ways with public relations director Zak Gilbert should not be read as an issue with general manager Reggie McKenzie.
Gilbert’s contract wasn’t renewed after a Sports Illustrated article on the franchise was critical of the late Al Davis. Mark Davis said Gilbert’s replacement needs to understand the importance of his father’s legacy and work to protect it, but that he understands what McKenzie’s vision is for the product on the field.
“Reggie understands why I made the decision I made,” Davis told the San Jose Mercury News. “Look, I understand what Reggie is trying to do. Reggie’s fine. He’s the one guy that I’ve hired. I’ve got to give him room to do his job.”
Davis added that he isn’t concerned about criticism directed toward himself.
“My only concern is winning,” he told the paper. “The Raiders will be great again. Write it down. The Raiders will be great again.”
—One more strike and Cleveland Browns wide receiver Josh Gordon could face the possibility of being banished from the NFL for a year.
Gordon may have reached the third stage in the NFL’s substance abuse program when he tested positive for codeine in February, The Plain Dealer reported in Cleveland. According to league protocol, another failed drug test for a player in stage three would result in at least a one-year suspension.
—The Detroit Lions and quarterback Matthew Stafford have been negotiating a potential long-term contract extension since February, but team president Tom Lewand said the talks will be tabled soon if a deal isn’t reached.
Stafford still has two years remaining on his six-year rookie contract.
Stafford is due to count $20.8 million against the salary cap this year and $19.3 million in 2014.
—With an eye toward attracting a future Super Bowl, the Philadelphia Eagles announced a $125 million project to upgrade Lincoln Financial Field.
The stadium revitalization plan is expected to take two years to complete. The improvements will include seating expansion, enhancements to the suite- and club-level areas and more HD capabilities.
—When it comes to safety, NASCAR is well out in front of the NFL, Pro Football Hall of Fame running back Jim Brown said.
“NASCAR stepped up their safety concepts, and I think the drivers feel NASCAR is doing everything that can be done,” Brown said, according to ESPN.com. “So we are a little behind NASCAR in that respect. Someone in NASCAR realized there were certain things that could be done to make it safer. The same thing has to happen in football. It’s two different sports, but you want to make sure it’s as safe as you can make it.”