Advertisement

NFL roundup: Freeney claims owners colluded

San Diego Chargers linebacker Dwight Freeney accused NFL owners of collusion, saying that free agency was slower than usual this year.

"I basically think the owners got together and decided not to spend the cash on free agents," Freeney told CBSSports.com. "I definitely think that's part of it. I think the owners made a pact. There's only 32 of them and none of them broke ranks. I think they all decided not to spend money."

The NFL denied that owners are colluding.

"Player signings in 2013 have been characterized by robust spending and intense competition," spokesperson Greg Aiello told CBS Sports. "Anyone seeing collusion in this market is seeing ghosts."

---Tim Tebow was released by the New York Jets on April 29, but someone who has spoken at length to him told USA Today Sports the quarterback has not given up on landing with another NFL team.

Members of Tebow's camp were cited in an ESPN the Magazine article saying he has given up on his NFL career. However, the USA Today Sports source said he's simply keeping a low profile in an effort to take some of the attention away from Tebow that could prevent some teams from giving him an opportunity.

---For the second time in a week, the St. Louis Rams had one of their drafted players from 2012 suspended for the first game of the 2013 season for violating the NFL policy on substances of abuse.

The latest is running back Isaiah Pead, one of three second-round picks last year, who is expected to be in the mix for a major role following the free-agent departure of Steven Jackson. The NFL announced the suspension Friday.

Last week, guard Rokevious Watkins, the team's fifth-round pick in 2012, was also suspended for one game.

---Chicago Bears fullback Evan Rodriguez was ticketed for driving under the influence, speeding and improper lane usage, CBS Chicago reported.

"We are aware of the reports regarding Evan Rodriguez," the team said in a statement. "We are currently gathering information to learn more about the circumstances surrounding the situation."

---Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones inadvertently exposed the team's draft board during TV interviews prior to the NFL draft in April.

Blogging The Boys, a website that covers the Cowboys, was able to put together the team's draft board through pictures of Jones, who repeatedly stood in front of the draft board during the interviews. Jones conducted the interviews inside the team's draft war room.

---The NFL reached out to troubled wide receiver Titus Young before his escalating off-the-field problems occurred.

Troy Vincent, the NFL's director of player engagement, told Yahoo! Sports this week that someone close to Young called the league last year concerned about the mental well-being of the then-Detroit Lions wide receiver.

"Once we got the call, we sent someone out to meet with him," Vincent said.

Young, 23, was arrested three times in one week earlier this month in California. He's been in jail since May 11, on counts of burglary, attempted burglary and assaulting officers.