Giants WR Brandon Collins Suspended by the NFL

Playing professional football is a dream that thousands of amateur players share. Some of them do whatever it takes to make to the NFL; they sacrifice their social life and their time with their families and friends. They spend hours training and doing their best on the field. Other players simply mess things up before they even start their careers. That’s exactly what happened to New York Giants free-agent wide receiver Brandon Collins, who according to an announcement released by the NFL this Monday, was suspended without pay for the first four games of the regular season due to violations to the NFL Policy and Program for Substances of Abuse. Now, you don't need to be a hardcore NFL fan or a sportsbook betting expert to know that kind of thins usually means your career is hanging by a thread, even more if you're nothing but a rookie.

Weeks ago, the 24-year old wide receiver had a long shot to make the Giants team, but after this new episode, he may have no shot at all once he comes back from his forced “vacation”. His four-game suspension effectively ends on Sept. 30, the day after the Giants play the Kansas City Chiefs.  The suspension is nothing but another blemish on Collins’ resume. Having missed the 2009 season at the University of Texas due to academic ineligibility; Collins was dismissed from the Texas Longhorns team in 2010 after an arrest for aggravated robbery.

Collins was then transferred to Southeastern Louisiana and spent part of last season on the Giants’ practice squad.  The wide receiver was undrafted and played no official games in the National Football League, but spent most of the year on the Giants' practice squad and was eligible to take part in all offseason and preseason practices and games. However, the four-game suspension could mean the end of his career, at least with the Giants.

Collins is allowed to take part in all offseason practices and preseason games, but as we all know, there’s no room for trouble makers in the NFL, and at this point, is highly unlikely that the Giants keep him with the team when the regular season starts.

NFL Announces New Stadium Bag Policy

The winds of change are hitting the NFL, but unlike several other times, players, coaches or team staff will be affected in any way. Instead, fans will have to comply to a new policy that affects every person attending games this coming season.

As announced this Friday by NFL officials, starting with the 2013 preseason, the league will implement a new measure that limits the size and type of bags permitted at the football stadiums.  According to the National Football League, limiting the size of bags provides a safer environment and speeds up fan entry into stadiums.

The NFL Committee on Stadium Security reviewed and recommended the implementation of this rule back in May. The proposal was then discussed with all teams at the league meeting and will be put in practice at all stadiums starting with preseason games.

With the exception of some medical items, only clear plastic, vinyl or PVC bags no larger than 12 inches by 6 inches by 12 inches will be allowed into the stadiums. Clear plastic freezer bags with a maximum capacity of one-gallon will be permitted, same as small clear plastic bags approximately the size of someone's hand, with or without a handle or strap. Only one bag will be allowed per person. Items such as binoculars, point-and-shoot cameras, and smartphones will also be permitted.
NFL football fans and attendees won’t be allowed to carry purses larger than a clutch bag; computer bags, coolers; briefcases; backpacks & fanny packs; cushions and camera bags or any items larger than the permissible size.

The safety measure is widely used at other sports and entertainment venues. Some of them, including the University of Michigan, Penn State University and Michigan State University do not allow fans to carry any bags, while the TD Garden in Boston only permits clutch bags.

“Our fans deserve to be in a safe and secure environment. Public safety is our top priority. This will make the job of checking items much more efficient and effective. We will be able to deliver a better and quicker experience at the gates and also provide a safer environment. We appreciate our fans’ cooperation.” said Jeffrey Miller, NFL vice president and chief security officer.

The new NFL stadium bag policy will be in effect for all preseason games and open practices.