Le’Veon Bell faces a maximum suspension of four games

The new substance-abuse policy imposes a two-game suspension for a first-offense DUI.  By landing on probation for a July 2014 DUI arrest arising from marijuana use, Steelers running back Le’Veon Bell is expected to be suspended for two games.
But there’s a catch that could result in a doubling of Bell’s expected punishment.  The new substance-abuse policy makes a two-game suspension the standard penalty for a DUI arising from alcohol use.  For violations of the law involving other substances of abuse, a first offense exposes the player to a suspension of “up to four” games.
It’s unclear whether the NFL will give Bell, who becomes the test case for the new substance-abuse policy, four games, three, two, or fewer.  The prior substance-abuse policy also exposed players to a suspension without pay of “up to four” games for violations of the law for substances other than alcohol.  Still, it would be a surprise if Bell gets less for DUI-marijuana under the new policy than he would get for DUI-alcohol under the new policy.
But don’t be surprised if he gets more, especially since alcohol is legal in Pennsylvania and marijuana currently isn’t.
Either way, the Steelers need to have a solid plan in place for replacing the team’s workhorse tailback for at least two and as many as four regular-season games in 2015.

Source: PFT.com
Author: Mike Florio
UPI Photo, David Tulis

Falcons release Steven Jackson

The man who currently sits at 16 on the all-time rushing list will have to continue his climb through the record book with a new team.
The Falcons have announced that running back Steven Jackson has been released.
After nine seasons with the Rams, Jackson joined the Falcons two years ago. Jackson gained 1,250 yards on 347 carries, scoring 12 touchdowns.
For his career, Jackson has 11,388 yards, more than Hall of Famers John Riggins and O.J. Simpson.
The Falcons won only 10 of 32 games with Jackson on the team, a slump that came after five straight winning seasons.
For Jackson, the sub-.500 seasons continue a career trend. He has never played on a team that finished the year with a winning record. As a rookie in 2004, the Rams qualified for a wild-card berth with an 8-8 record.
The move creates $3.75 million in cap space. Jackson will still count for $1.1 million based on previously-paid bonus money. He immediately becomes a free agent, able to sign with any other team.
For Jackson’s sake, here’s hoping he lands with a team that finally finishes the year with a winning record.

Source: PFT.com
Author: Mike Florio
Photo: UPI, David Tulis

Week Fifteen Football ERA Composite Scores

The Football ERA Formula outputs a result that runs on a scale from approximately 5000 points to -5000 with losing teams that are dominated getting pushed into the negative numbers by their victors.  Defensive Elements of the Formula contribute to this negative score in games constituting blowouts.  A few years back, RealFootballAnalysis.com developed a formula that translates the Final Game Results of The Football ERA into Composite Scores that resemble football scores as much as possible.  Here are this week's Composite Scores:
-------------------------------------

Cinn	…	41
Cleve	…	5
Bal	…	29
Jax	…	16
Dall	…	29
Phi	…	16
NO	…	28
Chi	…	18
NE	…	28
Mia	…	18
Car	…	28
TB	…	17
KC	…	27
Oak	…	18
Sea	…	26
SF	…	22
Arz	…	26
StL	…	18
Minn	…	26
Det	…	17
GB	…	26
Buff	…	20
Was	…	25
NYG	…	21
Den	…	23
SD	…	17
NYJ	…	22
Tenn	…	22
Ind	…	22
Hou	…	22
Pitt	…	21
Atl	…	19

UPI Photo, David Tulis

Week Thirteen Football ERA Composite Scores

The Football ERA Formula outputs a result that runs on a scale from approximately 5000 points to -5000 with losing teams that are dominated getting pushed into the negative numbers by their victors.  Defensive Elements of the Formula contribute to this negative score in games constituting blowouts.  A few years back, RealFootballAnalysis.com developed a formula that translates the Final Game Results of The Football ERA into Composite Scores that resemble football scores as much as possible.  Here are this week's Composite Scores:
-------------------------------------

Den	…	38
KC	…	9
Phi	…	34
Dall	…	11
Det	…	32
Chi	…	11
StL	…	32
Oak	…	15
NYG	…	30
Jax	…	18
Car	…	30
Minn	…	15
NYJ	…	30
Mia	…	16
Atl	…	29
Arz	…	13
Hou	…	28
Tenn	…	16
Sea	…	27
SF	…	17
Ind	…	26
Was	…	18
GB	…	25
NE	…	18
Cinn	…	25
TB	…	18
Pitt	…	25
NO	…	17
Cleve	…	24
Buff	…	20
Bal	…	20
SD	…	20

Photo: UPI, David Tulis