SportsRooter.com

Former NFL player Darren Sharper could face life in prison after being accused on Friday by a grand jury on charges stemming from accusations of rape in New Orleans.

Darren Sharper

According to Ken Daley of the New Orleans Times-Picayune, Sharper was charged with two counts of aggravated rape of an incident in September 2013, and one count of simple rape of another woman last August.

Sharper is being accused of sexually assaulting two women with disabilities, and two acquaintances were also charged with multiple counts Friday.

Sharper has been jailed in California since February waiting separated drugging and raping women charges. He is being investigated on similar charges in Las Vegas.

The maximum penalty for aggravated rape in Louisiana is life imprisonment without possibility of parole.

The amount of scandals that have been reported this year concerning different NFL players has been crazy. Different crimes, such as domestic violence and rape have been seen in the NFL this year.

Adrian Peterson is eligible to be reinstated to the NFL next year, but he is not so sure he wanted to play football.

Adrian Peterson [Image from flickr by Joe Bielawa]

"I've thought about retiring from the NFL," Peterson told ESPN. "I made $ 8 million dollars this year. I thought back to the business of real estate [business in Texas] and I am on it. That's something that interests me, something that I'm already involved in. I've thought about getting back into it, I thought about going after the Olympics, you only live once. It might be time for me to pursue that as well. I love playing football, do not get me wrong, but so deep in that situation. For me, it's like, 'Why should remain part of an organization or a company that handles players the way they do? He made money off the field anyway, why not continue to insist that dream [Olympic] and pursue other dreams and hang the cleats.”

So what Olympic sport likes Peterson? He says he would like to go racing 200 meters and 400 meters.

"I have thought seriously about this entire situation. I keep praying about it, but it has been something that has been weighed heavy on my heart, "Peterson said.

Let's face it, Peterson is delusional if he thinks he has a chance to get to a track in the Olympic field. Yes, Peterson is very fast, but by the standards of a normal human being, and even by the standards of an NFL player, but Peterson is not as fast as an Olympic sprinter.

Enumerating the major free agents from the Broncos, receiver, Demaryius Thomas, and right end, Julius Thomas, come to mind. There is another player, however, that is equally important for the team, cornerback Chris Harris.

Denver Broncos [Photo MGN Online]

Harris is no longer a free agent finishing the season. The Broncos have announced that Harris has signed an extension of five years and about $ 42 million. Now Harris is under contract until 2019.

"Harris joined the Broncos as a free agent out of college and has worked tirelessly to become one of the best in the league at his position. "It's a priority for us develop and reward our own players, as we continue assembling the best team possible. Whether in the field or in the community, we are proud to have Chris on behalf of the Broncos for many years to come" said general manager of the Broncos, John Elway.

Like in any country with a popular sport there are teams that are hated by all. In the United States it is no different in regards to American Football. Rivalries are a vital part of any sport as it is something so natural and entertaining.

San Francisco 49ers vs Seattle Seahawks

There are established rivalries between states, which cause their fans to naturally hate on another. For example, those who support Washington’s team, the Seattle Seahawks, hate the 49ers, as their surroundings are Anti-Hawks. Their hatred from each other has flourished throughout the years and will continue to do so as long as the NFL exists. It happens around Texas as well, where everyone around them hates the Cowboys with a passion. The Bears and Packers have noticeable hatred for each other that makes it interesting for neutral fans to watch during games. One of the best rivalries, however, is all of Florida against the Jets.

With rivalries present, sports fans keep the sport even more entertaining than it already is!

There have been several headlines involving American football this year completely unrelated to the 120 yards in between the uprights: Adrian Peterson’s abuse allegations, Ray Rice’s domestic violence charges, as well as dozens of other player arrests.

But the discussion has also focused on the Washington Redskins and the uncertain future of its trademarks.

Washington Redskins [Image from flickr by: Keith Allison]

In its June decision, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office cancelled six trademarks on the team’s name, including some that have existed for more than 40 years. Strangely though, as the PTO’s Trademark Trial and Appeal Board discusses in its opinion, this wasn't the first time that someone sued to have the Redskins’ marks cancelled.

Suzan Harjo and others petitioned to have the same marks cancelled in 1992, alleging that they disparaged Native Americans and comprised “scandalous matter” undeserving of legal protection. After seven years of litigation, the TTAB found that the marks were disparaging and ordered them cancelled. But as Vince Lombardi once said, “It’s not whether you get knocked down; it’s whether you get back up.”

As expected, the Washington Redskins appealed the Harjo decision. It was subsequently reversed, and its conclusion regarding disparagement has been in legal limbo since 2003. If the Redskins considered the 2003 reversal a touchdown, the recent decision has at least brought the ball back to midfield, with the case currently pending in a Virginia federal court. But what does this all mean?

If the team is unsuccessful with its appeal and the trademarks remain cancelled, it won’t stop the Redskins from being able to use the marks—it would simply eliminate the benefits of federal trademark registration. This may seem like a hollow victory for Amanda Blackhorse and the other four Native Americans who won in June, but it would almost certainly cause significant harm to the team’s bottom line. One of the benefits that registration offers is the ability to block the importation of infringing goods by the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol. (See page 128 for the specifics on counterfeit goods.)

To put this in context, federal agents seized more than $21 million in counterfeit NFL merchandise during “Operation Team Player” earlier this year, and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement seized more than $17 million in counterfeit Super Bowl 2013 memorabilia last year. Losing protection for even a fraction of these amounts can put a significant dent in the profitability of any NFL franchise, so it’s an important case to watch for both consumers and businesses.

If we’re lucky, it’ll be fully resolved before today’s newborns become tomorrow’s loud, drunken tailgaters. As a lawyer, though, I doubt it...

Stephen Hoffman, Esq. is the managing attorney of Hoffman Law Office, P.L.L.C., a business and intellectual property law firm practicing in Minnesota and California. He can be contacted on Twitter and Facebook, as well as his firm’s legal blog. This article was first published December 6, 2014.

DeMarco Murray

The Cowboys have suggested that they will reduce the workload of DeMarco Murray, who is currently on track to break the record for all-time NFL most carries in a season. But one of the most enduring runners in NFL history says there is no reason why Murray should not go ahead.

Eric Dickerson, whose record of 2,105 yards in a season could be overshadowed by Murray this year, told Yahoo Sports that if the game plan for the Cowboys is that Murray has 25, 35 or 45 carries in a game, then so either.

"It comes down to the player, if you want to run that many times. That's their job if given the ball 45 times, "Dickerson said.

There has been talks that Murray just cannot take the knocks for having 25 or more carries in a game, but Dickerson had seasons of 404, 390, 388 and 379 carries, no wear. Dickerson said that Murray will get bumps and bruises with that kind of workload, but it's just part of life in the NFL.

"I was not healthy all year," he said. "You are never healthy. You cannot."

Murray leads 159 carries after six games, putting him on pace to finish with 424 this season. Dickerson said that while Murray feels he can keep running, the Cowboys should continue feeding.

"The big question is how DeMarco Murray feels" Dickerson said. "It comes down to that."

So far, Murray feels good. It remains to see how it feels when you carry this type of workload over the next 10 games.

Philadelphia Eagles

The Eagles were brilliant defensively, defeating the Giants 27-0 on Sunday night.

Running back LeSean McCoy enjoyed a productive night, rushing for 149 yards as the Eagles improved to 5-1 to keep pace with Dallas in the NFC East after the Cowboys beat the Super Bowl champs, the Seahawks , at the beginning of the day.

A miserable night for the Giants got even worse when receiver Victor Cruz left the field in agony with a torn tendon in his right knee in the third quarter and was taken to a hospital.

The Giants, who had scored 105 points in winning their previous three games, were found with wet gunpowder, and fell to 3-3. They have a tough schedule ahead, facing Dallas, Indianapolis and Seattle in their next three games.

The Eagles, meanwhile, had allowed 115 points in its previous four games, but were much more effective to keep the Giants at zero. Quarterback Eli Manning was sacked six times and completed only 13 of his 23 passes for 151 yards.

"The big difference from other games we've played this year is that we executed in all phases, offense, defense and special teams", said coach Chip Kelly of Philadelphia reporters after the first shutout of the Eagles since 1996.

"It was a football game consistent from beginning to end. It is something that you can build."

Giants coach Tom Coughlin described it as a "great defeat" that can not be explained by any simple reason.

"We were excited to come here and play in a meaningful game, but had nothing to show for it", he said.

"They played hard, made things happen and we did not and were not able to stop them."

Jerod Mayo

The Patriots improved to (4-2) with a 37-22 victory over the Bills on Sunday, but the victory came at a high cost.

New England linebacker Jerod Mayo and running back Stevan Ridley came out with knee injuries during the game and initial reports are that both have suffered serious injuries.

Albert Breer of NFL Network reported that Ridley will have an MRI on Monday and it is feared that he has broken his cruciate ligament in the third quarter, when he injured his knee during a carry. Ridley was struggling to take over the top spot in the rotation of  team's RBs, but if true, Shane Vereen, Brandon Bolden and rookie James White will share the backfield for the rest of the season.

Mayo also needs more testing and corner-back Darrelle Revis talked about what his absence means for the defense.

"It is tragic what happened. We have great respect for Jerod, and what he has done for this organization" ,Revis said, via NESN.com. "We just hope you have a speedy recovery and hope he can return as quickly as possible. The big word that stands out is the leadership that has on defense. He affects us all."

The Patriots host the Jets on Thursday night and it seems they will have to work quickly to patch some holes before they start the game.

The NFL was serious when it said that referees would launch more tissues for illegal contact and pass interference this season.

Statistics released by the league on Friday reveal that through the first five weeks of the season, there have been nearly four times the punishment for illegal contact which took place during the first five weeks of 2013 and there have been more than double penalties for pass interference on the defensive. Penalties for illegal contact has increased from 15 last year to 59 between 1-5 Weeks this year. Penalties for pass interference on the defensive have increased from 52 last year to 115 this year from eek 1 to Week 5.

Overall, there have been a total of 163 more punishments this year than in the same period last season. Besides increasing penalties for illegal contact and pass interference, NFL referees have launched more than 14 scarves pass interference on offense, 48 more for the illegal use of hands and 7 more scarves for mocking or unsportsmanlike conduct.

Many fans believe that the referees have gone too far and that the games are being held back by the punishments that are marked, but the league says that in reality, the games lasted less this year. The average time of a game has dropped from 3:09:44 to 3:05:41 from last year.

Russell Wilson in action for Seattle Seahawks

QB Russell Wilson of the Seahawks put up a brilliant performance against Washington on Monday night, leaving his opponents stunned.

In fact, safety Ryan Clark said after the game that he thinks Wilson is the best player at present.

"We gained a better team," Clark told the Washington Post, "We got beat by a better team. We got beat by, as far as I'm concerned this weekend, the best player in the NFL. Russell Wilson made every play he had to make for his team to win, and we didn't."

Wilson completed 18 of 24 passes for 201 yards with two touchdowns and added 122 yards on 11 carries and one touchdown without a fumble.

"Best player in the NFL" still sounds somewhat exaggerating. Peyton Manning was voted unanimous MVP last season, and his numbers so far this year are only slightly below last year's numbers. Continues, "Manning would finish with 5,172 yards and 48 touchdowns this season. And JJ Watt is playing not only as the best defensive player in the NFL, but one of the best defensive players ever."

Clark made the remarks following Wilson burned to the defense of Washington, so no parameter. For now, Wilson is one of the best, and has the potential to reach the top.

Montee Ball to have MRI Monday; may miss time with groin injury.

Running back Broncos Montee Ball suffered a groin injury on Sunday that could keep him out of the field for a few weeks.

According to Denver Post, the Broncos believe that Ball will be out "for a while" and they do not know for sure until an MRI is done today.

The injury occurred while Ball was blocking and limited him to just six carries for seven yards on Sunday. Ball has disappointed as the Broncos running back this year, averaging just 3.1 yards per carry after four games.

The good news is that his alternate played well after Ball had to leave. Ronnie Hillman had 15 carries for 64 yards, and Juwan Thompson had three carries for 15 yards and a touchdown. The Broncos offense should be in good hands, despite the absence of Ball.

Tom Brady has not been often hanging in his life, but he has been caught waiting for a high five a few times.

So he took pity on Patriots owner Robert Kraft, who is still waiting for a high five from Mark Wahlberg that never came.

After that circulated on the Internet, Brady posted a photo-shopped picture of him giving him a high five to his boss.

"Mark was not cool! Mr. Kraft, I know how you feel, "Brady wrote on his Facebook page.

Tom Brady Photoshops himself high-fiving Robert Kraft

Robert Green III suffered a dislocated ankle during the game between Washington Redskins and the Jacksonville Jaguars

Robert Griffin III received a relatively good news after an MRI scan on Monday after he suffered a dislocated ankle during the game between Washington Redskins and the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Griffin, who left Sunday's game in Washington with an ankle injury, said that an MRI revealed that there is no fracture and he was told that there are chances that he might not need any surgery. According to Mike Jones of the Washington Post, Griffin called the results "positive".

The news does not mean that Griffin is close to returning to the field. He has a cast and crutches, and said that there is more to analyze test results.

But that he would not require surgery is a big good news for the Washington quarterback.

Now the question is whether Griffin can still be seen as the franchise quarterback of Washington when he are ready to return or if Kirk Cousins ​​can keep playing like he did on Sunday, and raise questions about who is the better quarterback for the team.

Charles Tillman got emotional after getting injured again

The Bears had to play the second half of last season without cornerback Charles Tillman due to a strained right triceps.

It seems that they will have to play without him for a much longer duration after the player re-injured his triceps. The Bears had placed Tillman on injury reserves list last season, but since the team used the designation on wide receiver Marquess Wilson this season, they couldn't do that this year for Tillman.

The news was not a surprise to anyone who had seen Tillman emotional on the sideline with the coaches after leaving the game.

Tillman was designated to return last season, but never did. That is not an option for this year.

Tillman signed a one-year contract to return to Chicago this year. This means that he could be a free agent after the season which could be the end of his career with the Bears and the NFL after 12 years. Tillman turns 34 before next season and has not shown much in the last two seasons.

Jay Cutler celebrating the win over 49ers

Bears quarterback Jay Cutler was not actually having a good day until it seemed that the 49ers had taken out of the game.

But after receiving a blow to the helmet to the sternum of the 49ers defensive end Quinton Dial just before halftime, Cutler actually played better than before.

Cutler led the Bears to a 28-20 victory over the 49ers, after they trailed 17-0 in the second quarter.

He only threw for 176 yards, but made up throwing four touchdown passes.

It was clear that Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffery receivers were not 100 percent.

And with none able to run routes as they normally do, it was not a surprise that Cutler was not found in the first half.

It is also a surprise that Cutler survived the coup.

But after receiving that impact, Cutler and Marshall were connected for three touchdowns, giving Chicago the lead.

Assuming that all will remain well, the Bears have the potential to have one of the best air attacks in the league. They can not afford slow starts against San Francisco as every week, but that was recovered as they did, it was still a good sign for the rest of the season.

Tom Brady and the Patriots took advantage of the absence of Adrian Peterson as  Matt Cassel made four interceptions and Chandler Jones returned one blocked field goal for a touchdown just before halftime to secure a 30-7 victory over the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday.

Brady completed 15 of 22 passes for 142 yards, one touchdown and no turnovers. The first opening Cassel against his friend and former mentor was a fiasco.

Devin McCourty, Darrelle Revis, Logan Ryan and Dominique Easley had interceptions, creating 17 points for the Patriots and leading edges of the crowd calling for rookie Teddy Bridgewater. Cassel completed 19 of 36 passes for 202 yards.

Peterson was sidelined from the game after a charge of child abuse that was imposed against him in the state of Texas on Friday.

DeMarco Murray rushed for 169 yards and a touchdown, Dan Bailey kicked four field goals and the Cowboys beat the Titans 26-10.

DeMarco Murray in action for Dallas Cowboys [Credits: Getty Images]

The loss spoiled the home debut of coach Ken Whisenhunt, who is spending his first-year in Tennessee.

The Cowboys have not started 0-2 since 2010, when Wade Phillips was fired midway through the season and Jason Garrett was promoted to head coach.

Dallas scored the first 16 points of the game in the first half.

Even the Dallas defense got into the act, making two sacks and two interceptions.

Tony Romo easily shook his three interceptions in the defeat of the first week against San Francisco.

With Murray running so well, Romo went 19 of 29 for 176 yards and a TD.

The Titans (1-1) struggled in all areas, after winning their first game at Kansas City and missed their first chance to be 2-0 since 2008.