Htownhero
12-19-2001, 12:14 AM
I was watching PTI and they said that Connell was caught on video camera stealing money out of McAllister 's pants pocket. This is the article on tsn......prankster or thief, you make the call.
Connell, Saints see parting in different terms
December 18, 2001 Print it
NEW ORLEANS -- Legal issues are clouding Albert Connell's suspension by the New Orleans Saints.
The Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Department is looking into the actions that led to the wide receiver being disciplined by the team.
"The matter is under investigation," said sheriff's department spokesman Col. Bob Garner. He would not comment on when or why the investigation began.
The Saints suspended Connell on Monday for the final four games of the season and fined him an additional paycheck "for conduct detrimental to the team." Neither the Saints nor Connell's agent, Peter Schaffer, would specify what Connell had done.
"It was a regular locker-room prank," Schaffer said. "It was the typical kind of thing a veteran would do to a rookie."
Saints general manager Randy Mueller refused to discuss the incident, as did coach Jim Haslett.
"That's out of my hands," Haslett said. "That's out of the organization's hands right now, and I'll let the due process take control of that."
Saints No. 1 draft pick Deuce McAllister refused to comment on reports he was the target of Connell's actions.
"I'm not going to comment on anything to do with that," McAllister said. "Albert is a good friend of mine and I wish he was still on the team. We could use him while we're trying to get into the playoffs."
Although Saints officials said Connell no longer is part of the organization, Schaffer said Connell still believed he was a member of the team.
"What we're trying to do is work with the Saints to resolve this," Schaffer said. "Albert wants to remain with the team. He was happy when they signed him as a free agent and he hopes to stay in New Orleans."
Connell was inactive for the game with the Atlanta Falcons on Dec. 9 and cleaned out his locker the next day. Team officials at first denied Connell had packed his belongings, but later in the week Mueller acknowledged Connell was gone and would not play again for the team this season.
"Obviously, Albert has some issues he is dealing with," Mueller said. "And we probably have some issues with Albert."
The Saints signed Connell this spring, hoping he would add an additional deep threat to their passing game. Connell caught just 12 passes for 191 yards and two touchdowns in 11 games.
Connell, who signed a five-year, $14 million contract in March, was paid $1.5 million of his $2.5 million bonus at the time. The remaining $1 million was to be paid in three installments in 2002. Monday's suspension jeopardizes Connell receiving those payments.
Connell was fined $29,411, or 1/17th of his $500,000 base salary. The four-game suspension will cost Connell $117,647 in salary, bringing the total money he'll forfeit to $147,058.
Connell could file a grievance with the NFL Players Association, but Schaffer seemed to rule that out -- at least for now.
"We would like a harmonious resolution to this," Schaffer said. "We don't want to make this any bigger deal than it is."
Copyright 2001 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Connell, Saints see parting in different terms
December 18, 2001 Print it
NEW ORLEANS -- Legal issues are clouding Albert Connell's suspension by the New Orleans Saints.
The Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Department is looking into the actions that led to the wide receiver being disciplined by the team.
"The matter is under investigation," said sheriff's department spokesman Col. Bob Garner. He would not comment on when or why the investigation began.
The Saints suspended Connell on Monday for the final four games of the season and fined him an additional paycheck "for conduct detrimental to the team." Neither the Saints nor Connell's agent, Peter Schaffer, would specify what Connell had done.
"It was a regular locker-room prank," Schaffer said. "It was the typical kind of thing a veteran would do to a rookie."
Saints general manager Randy Mueller refused to discuss the incident, as did coach Jim Haslett.
"That's out of my hands," Haslett said. "That's out of the organization's hands right now, and I'll let the due process take control of that."
Saints No. 1 draft pick Deuce McAllister refused to comment on reports he was the target of Connell's actions.
"I'm not going to comment on anything to do with that," McAllister said. "Albert is a good friend of mine and I wish he was still on the team. We could use him while we're trying to get into the playoffs."
Although Saints officials said Connell no longer is part of the organization, Schaffer said Connell still believed he was a member of the team.
"What we're trying to do is work with the Saints to resolve this," Schaffer said. "Albert wants to remain with the team. He was happy when they signed him as a free agent and he hopes to stay in New Orleans."
Connell was inactive for the game with the Atlanta Falcons on Dec. 9 and cleaned out his locker the next day. Team officials at first denied Connell had packed his belongings, but later in the week Mueller acknowledged Connell was gone and would not play again for the team this season.
"Obviously, Albert has some issues he is dealing with," Mueller said. "And we probably have some issues with Albert."
The Saints signed Connell this spring, hoping he would add an additional deep threat to their passing game. Connell caught just 12 passes for 191 yards and two touchdowns in 11 games.
Connell, who signed a five-year, $14 million contract in March, was paid $1.5 million of his $2.5 million bonus at the time. The remaining $1 million was to be paid in three installments in 2002. Monday's suspension jeopardizes Connell receiving those payments.
Connell was fined $29,411, or 1/17th of his $500,000 base salary. The four-game suspension will cost Connell $117,647 in salary, bringing the total money he'll forfeit to $147,058.
Connell could file a grievance with the NFL Players Association, but Schaffer seemed to rule that out -- at least for now.
"We would like a harmonious resolution to this," Schaffer said. "We don't want to make this any bigger deal than it is."
Copyright 2001 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.