http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/players/kenny_mckinley/90730 Recent articles about Kenny McKinley en-us The apparent murder-suicide of Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Jovan Belcher, 25, is one of a series of untimely deaths for current or former NFL players in recent years: - In July 2012, Tennessee Titans receiver O.J. Murdock, 25, was found in his car in front of his Florida high school with what appeared to be self-inflicted gunshot wounds. - In May 2012, Junior Seau, 43, shot himself in the chest at his home, less than 2 1/2 years after ending his Pro Bowl career as a linebacker. His family has donated some of his brain tissue for research amid questions about whether any damage from his 20-year football career played a factor in his suicide. His was at least the eighth among the 1994 San Diego Chargers, who played in the Super Bowl, joining Lew Bush (42; December 2011; apparent heart attack), Shawn Lee (44; February 2011; heart attack), Chris Mims (38; October 2008; enlarged heart), Curtis Whitley (39; May 2008; drug overdose), Doug Miller (28; July 1998; lightning strike), Rodney Culver (26; May 1996; air Sun, 02 Dec 2012 20:38:00 -0500 http://network.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/list_of_recent_untimely_deaths_for_nfl_players/12346234 http://network.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/list_of_recent_untimely_deaths_for_nfl_players/12346234 List of recent untimely deaths for NFL players http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/articles/list_of_recent_untimely_deaths_for_nfl_players/12346234 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/f/6/f6b31bb927978a1d704b92dac220f2c6d562cb09/mini/kansas-city-chiefs-denver.jpg For Chiefs quarterback Brady Quinn, the death of a teammate is close to home. Quinn was playing with the Broncos in 2010 when wide receiver Kenny McKinley committed suicide. But on Saturday, when Quinn and his teammates were told that linebacker Jovan Belcher had shot himself and his girlfriend, Quinn was no better prepared for the emotions and what-ifs that followed. “It’s hard mostly because I keep thinking about what I could have done to stop this,” Quinn told the Kansas City Star. “I think everyone is wondering whether we would have done something to prevent this from happening. And then we’re all thinking about his daughter, 3 or 4 months old and without a parent. “It’s hard to not allow the emotions of the situation to creep into your head with the game this close. But we’re going to do the best we can to concentrate on the task at hand.” Quinn and the Chiefs’ five other team captains told coach Romeo Crennel that they thought Sunday’s game against the Carolina Panthers should... Sun, 02 Dec 2012 12:27:11 -0500 http://network.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/jovan_belchers_death_has_brady_quinn_chiefs_teammates_wondering_whether_they_could_have_helped/12343408 http://network.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/jovan_belchers_death_has_brady_quinn_chiefs_teammates_wondering_whether_they_could_have_helped/12343408 Jovan Belcher’s Death Has Brady Quinn, Chiefs Teammates Wondering Whether They Could Have Helped http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/articles/jovan_belchers_death_has_brady_quinn_chiefs_teammates_wondering_whether_they_could_have_helped/12343408 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Jovan Belcher's arrival at Arrowhead Stadium shortly after the Kansas City Chiefs linebacker allegedly killed his girlfriend Saturday morning was predictable, a sports psychologist said. The troubled player was retreating to a familiar haven before taking his own life. How the Chiefs organization will now cope with this horrific murder-suicide won't be so easy to analyze. Belcher, police said, thanked coach Romeo Crennel and general manager Scott Pioli before shooting himself in their presence at the team's practice facility adjacent to the stadium. "That's his safe place. That was his home," sports psychologist Doug Gardner told FOXSports.com. "When people are in situations where they are shaken and under stress, they often end up places where they are familiar." The suicide came after he allegedly shot and killed his girlfriend, Kasandra M. Perkins, at a home about five miles away. Now, Crennel, Pioli and the entire Chiefs organization must cope with not only the los Sat, 01 Dec 2012 20:02:07 -0500 http://network.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/chiefs_face_difficult_coping_process/12339889 http://network.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/chiefs_face_difficult_coping_process/12339889 Chiefs face difficult coping process http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/articles/chiefs_face_difficult_coping_process/12339889 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/f/6/f6b31bb927978a1d704b92dac220f2c6d562cb09/mini/kansas-city-chiefs-denver.jpg Immediately following the 2012 NFL draft, nearly all sports websites will have an article giving grades out and evaluating how each team did.  Of course, most of these articles will be prefaced by saying something like “It takes three years to really be able to evaluate any draft.”  With this in mind, I decided to look back at the ’09 draft and assign grades to all thirty teams.     Arizona Cardinals                  D+ Round    Pick   Player 1              31           Beanie Wells RB 2              63           Cody Brown DE 3              95           Rashad Johnson S 4              131         Greg Toler CB 5              167         Herman Johnson G 6              204         Will Davis DE 7              240         LaRod Stephens-Howling 7              254         Trevor Canfield G The Cards get Fri, 20 Apr 2012 14:29:40 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/2009_nfl_draft_analyzed_3_years_later/10604323 http://network.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/2009_nfl_draft_analyzed_3_years_later/10604323 2009 NFL Draft: Analyzed 3 Years Later http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/articles/2009_nfl_draft_analyzed_3_years_later/10604323 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png CASTLE ROCK, Colo. -- A Colorado jury acquitted former Denver Broncos cornerback Perrish Cox of sexual assault charges on Friday, a verdict that was met with disbelief by the alleged victim.Cox was accused of sexually assaulting a woman at his apartment in September 2010 after a night of partying. She became pregnant, and prosecutors said DNA tests indicated Cox was the father.Cox hugged his attorney after the verdict was read, while the alleged victim let out an audible sigh and a cry. As she was leaving the courtroom, she said, "Oh my God, what's happening?"Cox expressed appreciation for his attorney, Harvey Steinberg, and others who supported him during the trial."I love my lawyer and everybody else who's been" with me, he said.Steinberg had disputed the DNA test results and suggested they may have been contaminated. During the cross-examination of witnesses, he tried to paint a picture of drunkenness and of the alleged victim being able to interact with people without rememberi Fri, 02 Mar 2012 16:56:00 -0500 http://network.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/former_broncos_cornerback_perrish_cox_acquitted_of_sexual_assault/10217953 http://network.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/former_broncos_cornerback_perrish_cox_acquitted_of_sexual_assault/10217953 Former Broncos Cornerback, Perrish Cox, Acquitted of Sexual Assault http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/articles/former_broncos_cornerback_perrish_cox_acquitted_of_sexual_assault/10217953 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png The Lord gave President-Elect Tim Tebow (check back with me in 2032) about 12 chances Sunday in San Diego, and the Broncos finally delivered – as Matt Prater kicked a 37-yard field goal late in overtime with Tebow kneeling on the sidelines. I’m told that Tebow is the John Cena of the NFL. The wrestling crowd is going to have to help me out on this one, but I’m guessing Cena is the face who gets dragged all over the ring for 20 minutes, but then catches the bad guy at just the right time and gets a three count. In a way, Tebow is turning into a pro football version of Moneyball. Is he going to help anyone in fantasy football? Most likely not. But in reality football, the Denver Broncos are now 5-1 in games Tebow starts. But if you really want stats, on Sunday Tebow was 9-18, with 143 yards through the air and 67 yards rushing. His counterpart, the Artist Formerly known as Philip Rivers? 18-36, 188 yards. The Book of Tebow is going to continue to be debated much in the weeks, months,... Mon, 28 Nov 2011 07:00:18 -0500 http://network.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/tim_tebow_keeps_winningso_just_enoy_and_appreciate_the_ride/8366287 http://network.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/tim_tebow_keeps_winningso_just_enoy_and_appreciate_the_ride/8366287 Tim Tebow keeps winning…so just enoy and appreciate the ride http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/articles/tim_tebow_keeps_winningso_just_enoy_and_appreciate_the_ride/8366287 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/1/0/10134e8d136054d0f21dac2913d4f6df6414aa46/mini/pittsburgh-steelers-denver.jpg Brandon Lloyd, #83 of the St. Louis Rams, scores a touchdown against the New Orleans Saints at the Edward Jones Dome on October 30, 2011 in St. Louis, Missouri. The Rams beat the Saints 31-21. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images) Since the Broncos traded receiver Brandon Lloyd to the St. Louis Rams, Denver has turned to the ground game and gone 4-1 while the previously winless Rams have gone 2-3, getting 322 yards and three scores out of Lloyd in the process. It seems safe to say that to date, the trade has worked out quite nicely for all parties involved.  And it’s about to get a little nicer for the Broncos. Denver traded Lloyd to St. Louis for a conditional sixth round draft pick in 2012, which would turn into a fifth rounder if Lloyd catches 30 or more passes with the Rams this season. Through five games, Lloyd has caught 26.  He’s on pace to record over 50 catches for the Rams in 2011, which would give the Broncos a higher draft pick next April. In Lloyd’s absence, the Bronc... Thu, 24 Nov 2011 10:30:47 -0500 http://network.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/lloyd_will_give_broncos_higher_draft_pick_with_four_more_catches/8304073 http://network.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/lloyd_will_give_broncos_higher_draft_pick_with_four_more_catches/8304073 Lloyd will give Broncos higher draft pick with four more catches http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/articles/lloyd_will_give_broncos_higher_draft_pick_with_four_more_catches/8304073 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/c/c/cc7af451ff6816281103e6ffe3a8353026dc4062/mini/Kansas_City_Chiefs_985b.jpg Lloyd is happy with how the trade worked out, as should be the Broncos. (AP Photo/Frederick Breedon) The Denver Broncos announced on Monday that the team had traded receiver Brandon Lloyd to the St. Louis Rams for a conditional pick in the 2012 NFL Draft.  The conditional pick currently stands as a sixth round selection which could become a fifth rounder if Lloyd catches thirty or more passes this season for the Rams. It is likely that Lloyd will in fact catch at least that many passes in Josh McDaniels‘ offense, so it’s safe to say the Broncos basically traded Lloyd for a fifth round pick.  At first appearance, a mid-round selection may not sound like fair compensation for a Pro Bowl receiver, but after taking a closer look, the trade was a win-win for both sides. Lloyd was going to be a free agent following this season (and he still will be unless the Rams extend his contract).  In order to keep Lloyd, who will be turning 31, the Broncos would have had to give him a big contract, ... Tue, 18 Oct 2011 01:05:14 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/examining_the_broncos_trade_of_brandon_lloyd/7488595 http://network.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/examining_the_broncos_trade_of_brandon_lloyd/7488595 Examining the Broncos trade of Brandon Lloyd http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/articles/examining_the_broncos_trade_of_brandon_lloyd/7488595 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/c/c/cc7af451ff6816281103e6ffe3a8353026dc4062/mini/Kansas_City_Chiefs_985b.jpg