Gronkowski named Comeback Player of Year
New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski, who rebounded from an injury-plagued 2013 season, was named NFL Comeback Player of the Year by the Professional Football Writers of America.
The PFWA also named Pittsburgh Steelers running back Le’Veon Bell, who was second in the NFL in rushing yards and led the league in receiving yards by a running back, as the Most Improved Player of the Year.
Gronkowski missed all of training camp and the first six games of the 2013 season with a back injury. He also suffered a knee injury in Week 15 and was placed on injured reserve prior to the final game of the regular season. Gronkowski’s 39 catches for 592 yards and four touchdowns in 2013 was the lowest output of his career.
Back to full health in 2014, he caught 82 passes for 1,124 yards and 12 touchdowns in 15 games to earn All-Pro honors from the PFWA.
Gronkowski reached 1,000 receiving yards for the second time in his career. He led all NFL tight ends in receiving yards, receiving yards per game at 74.9 and tied for first with his 12 TDs.
Ravens settle with Rice
The Baltimore Ravens confirmed Friday that the team reached a settlement with former running back Ray Rice.
The settlement was agreed upon Thursday before a grievance hearing was to begin.
In a statement issued by the team, Ravens president Dick Cass said, “The Ravens agreed to resolve the grievance with Ray Rice. It’s time to turn the page, and we’re moving forward.
“We will continue to focus on being the best partner we can be with our community, and that includes our work with the House of Ruth and One Love Foundation on the issue of intimate partner abuse.
“We wish Janay and Ray Rice the best.”
Rice, who was suspended and later released by the Ravens after the video became public showing him hitting his now-wife Janay in an elevator, was seeking $3.52 million from the Ravens. That’s what he would have made during the final 15 weeks of the 2014 season.
No settlement figures was disclosed by the Ravens.
Bruins’ Marchand suspended for two games
Boston Bruins forward Brad Marchand was suspended for two games on Friday for slew-footing New York Rangers forward Derick Brassard during the second period of Thursday night’s game in Boston.
Slew-footing is a dangerous play where a player comes from behind an opposing skater and trips the player unexpectedly by dragging the skate so the victim falls to the ice and quite often hits his head or lands hard.
Marchand will miss Saturday’s home game against the Columbus Blue Jackets and Tuesday night’s game in Dallas against the Stars while serving the suspension.
The play took place at 14:30 of the second period of Boston’s 3-0 victory. Marchand did not receive a penalty and Brassard was not injured.
“Marchand both kicks out Brassard’s skates and drives him backward to the ice with force,” the NHL Department of Player Safety said in announcing the suspension. “What makes this play even more dangerous is its proximity to the boards.
“By rendering his opponent defenseless in this way, at this point on the ice, Marchand risks not only an injury to Brassard from his crash to the ice but also from a collision with the boards.”
The suspension, Marchand’s second for slew-footing in his career, will cost him $48,387.
Bucks’ Sanders suspended again
Milwaukee Bucks center Larry Sanders has been suspended for at least 10 games for violating the NBA’s drug policy again, the league announced Friday.
Sanders’ suspension will begin Monday and continue until he is in full compliance with his treatment program, the NBA said.
It’s the second drug suspension for Sanders, who was suspended last April after he tested positive for marijuana.
At the time, he told The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: “The stigma is that it’s illegal. I hate that. Once this becomes legal, this all will go away. But I understand for my work it’s a banned substance. I will deal with the consequences and I apologize again to my fans for that.”
Sanders, who signed a four-year, $44 million contract in 2013, is averaging 7.3 points, 6.1 rebounds and 1.4 blocks per game this season.