Local News

Chicago Set To Host NFL Draft in '16; Packers Notes

>>Chicago Gets NFL Draft in 2016

The 2015 NFL Draft was held in Chicago and apparently the league was happy with the results because according to several reports, the Windy City will host the draft in 2016 too. Chicago mayor Rahm Emanuel and NFL commissioner Roger Goodell are expected to make the announcement Tuesday during a joint press conference.

New York had hosted the draft since 1965, with Radio City Music Hall serving as the venue from 2006-2014. The NFL and the Big Apple parted ways and the search for a new host city was underway. Like most things NFL-related, there was a huge demand. Last July, Goodell said 12 cities were interested, and the list was whittled down to Chicago and Los Angeles, with Chicago winning out.

From the outset, the plan was to make the entire experience -- not just the first round -- an "event."

Mission accomplished, and then some. CBSSports.com's John Breech, who was in Chicago for the festivities, wrote that, "Turning the draft into a three-day festival might end up going down as the best decision the NFL has made since legalizing the forward pass."

Which probably made it pretty easy to bring the draft back for one more year.

 width=>>Rodgers Says PAT Rules Could Endanger Players

Aaron Rodgers isn't very pleased with the NFL's decision to move back point-after attempts from the two-yard line to the 15-yard line. And it's not just because Rodgers plays for the Packers in Green Bay, where the inclement weather will challenge kickers when they line up for a 33-yard extra point.

According to Rodgers, the new rule, which also allows the defense to score, "goes against the league stance on player safety."

"It's now become a very important play, especially in the wintertime in Green Bay, when no field goal is guaranteed," Rodgers said via ESPN. "And it doesn't go for just Green Bay. Any place that is cold or has rain or inclement weather, it's going to be an interesting decision. Do you go for the two-pointer from the 2 or do you go for a 33-yard field goal?

"And with that, the play's not dead anymore. If there's an interception or a fumble, you can return it. So I think you're bringing some player safety issues involved into that play. It could make it more exciting, but I still like the one-pointer from where it was at."

Rodgers isn't the only one displeased with the change in rules. When the new rule was first announced, Bills kicker Dan Carpenter spoke out against the change. Interestingly enough, he cited the same two reasons as Rodgers.

Still, the majority of the teams in the league don't share those beliefs. Only two teams voted against the rule change, the Raiders and the Redskins.

>>Jets QB Geno Smith Out 6-10 Weeks After 'Sucker Punch'

So much for Geno Smith winning the Jets starting quarterback job. According to coach Todd Bowles, per reports, Smith is out 6-10 weeks with a broken jaw after he was punched in the face by linebacker IK Enemkpali in the locker room Tuesday morning. Enemkpali has since been released.

Bowles said Smith was "sucker-punched," adding, "You don't walk up to another man and punch him in the face."

Next up for the Jets: Moving forward with another quarterback. That means veteran journeyman and offseason signing Ryan Fitzpatrick is the likely favorite to be the starter for the forseeable future. Rookie fourth-rounder Bryce Petty is also on the roster.

As recently as an hour before the news broke, the Jets were tweeting about Smith's progress at quarterback.

Townhall Top of the Hour News

Local Weather - Sponsored By:

CLINTON WEATHER

Local News

DeWittDN on Facebook