The Texans released veteran linebacker Tavares Gooden on Friday and added cornerback Josh Victorian to the active roster.

Gooden, 29, was selected by Baltimore in the third round of the 2008 NFL draft. He played in just one game for the Texans this season and did not record a tackle. Gooden’s played for the Ravens, San Francisco and the Texans during his six-year career.

Victorian, 25, is a Louisiana Tech product. He played four games for Pittsburgh in 2012.


(chron.com)

Retired Ravens middle linebacker Ray Lewis is among a group of 16 current and former NFL players who are suing BB&T Bank for nearly $60 million in alleged investment losses.

The Baltimore Sun has obtained a copy of the lawsuit, which was first reported by Yahoo! Sports. The lawsuit alleges that Lewis, a two-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year who retired following the Ravens' Super Bowl XLVII victory in February, lost $3.778 million.

Lewis' agent, David Dunn, didn't immediately respond to a request for comment.

In addition to Lewis, former Ravens linebacker Tavares Gooden allegedly lost $515,000 through an unauthorized bank transfer, according to the lawsuit.
Several NFL players are accusing the bank of allowing disgraced financial advisor Jeff Rubin and his former firm, Pro Sports Financial, to open accounts in their names and place tens of millions of dollars in unauthorized investments. The majority of the money went to a failed casino bingo project in Alabama that was deemed illegal under Alabama law in July of 2012.

"While we have not had the opportunity to review the allegations in detail, we understand this case concerns actions taken by BankAtlantic prior to its acquisition by BB&T in 2012," David R. White, BB&T's vice president of corporate communications, told Yahoo. "Because this is pending litigation, we cannot comment further."  

Rubin, whose firm provided financial-related services to professional athletes, has since been banned from the securities industry.

The other NFL players who are plaintiffs in the lawsuit and the money allegedly lost by each individual includes: former Atlanta Falcons defensive end Jamaal Anderson ($5.813 million), former St. Louis Rams and Tennessee Titans offensive guard Jacob Bell $3.339 million), former wide receiver Derrick Gaffney (2.295 million), San Francisco 49ers running back Frank Gore ($8.745 million), New York Jets wide receiver Santonio Holmes ($1.159 million), linebacker Greg Jones $2.006 million), former Titans and Philadelphia Eagles defensive end Jevon Kearse ($7.958 million), former Washington Redskins defensive end Kenard Lang ($1.648 million), Redskins safety Brandon Meriweather ($3.645 million), Redskins wide receiver Santana Moss ($4.852 million), former Redskins running back Clinton Portis ($3.136 million), former Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Lito Sheppard ($5.011 million), former Jacksonville Jaguars and New England Patriots running back Fred Taylor ($2.993 million) and former Cleveland Browns and Patriots defensive tackle Gerard Warren ($3 million).

The lawsuit alleges that BB&T developed a "close business relationship with Pro Sports, Rubin and other Pro Sports employees," including a special division "dedicated to targeting and servicing athletes and others in the sports industry,"

According to the lawsuit, Pro Sports deposited tens of millions of dollars of the plaintiffs' money in BB&T accounts opened and maintained in the plaintiffs' names with "illegitimate accounts that were opened with signature cards containing signatures that were forged by Pro Sports’ employees."

"After the monies were deposited, BB&T allowed numerous unusual, suspicious and extraordinary withdrawals from accounts opened in the name of each plaintiff that were neither within the scope of the service identified in the client services agreement nor authorized by the plaintiff in whose name the account was opened," the lawsuit alleges. "BB&T had actual knowledge that certain transactions on the plaintiffs’ accounts were unauthorized and exceeded the scope of the plaintiffs’ client service agreements with Pro Sports."

Former Ravens cornerback Duane Starks also had a relationship with Rubin’s firm.


(baltimoresun.com)

The Houston Texans have signed five players: running backs Deji Karim, Dennis Johnson and Ray Graham and linebackers Tavares Gooden and Jeff Tarpinian.

They placed linebacker Brian Cushing on injured reserve with a broken leg and torn lateral collateral ligament.

Gooden is a former Baltimore Ravens third-round draft pick who last played for the San Francisco 49ers.

Gooden becomes the SIXTH proCane on the Texans joining Chris Myers, Ed Reed, Darryl Sharpton, Brandon Harris and Andre Johnson.


(nationalfootballpost.com)

Former San Francisco 49ers and Baltimore Ravens linebacker Tavares Gooden has two workouts this week.

He's scheduled to audition for the Seattle Seahawks today.

Then, Gooden will work out for the Chicago Bears.

Gooden announced the workouts via his official Twitter account.

Gooden is a former Ravens third-round draft pick from the University of Miami.


(nationalfootballpost.com)

The Houston Texans blew a 20-3 lead against the Seattle Seahawks this past Sunday, and one of the reasons for the second half collapse likely is Brian Cushing's absence. The Texans inside linebacker suffered a concussion midway through the third quarter, and was unable to return. There were plenty of reasons the Texans lost, but losing Cushing didn't help.

Reports out of Houston indicate Cushing is making good progress. The Houston Chronicle is reporting he looks good to start this Sunday against the 49ers. Head coach Gary Kubiak said "(Cushing’s) feeling much better. He was a part of the meetings. He was a part of everything that we were doing."

That being said, it is worth noting the Texans are bringing in former 49ers linebacker Tavares Gooden for a workout. Gooden shot out several tweets before and after his workout with the team. He has not yet signed with the Texans.

Gooden is a special teams player, so I imagine this is not likely connected to Cushing's recovery. That being said, it is still interesting timing to bring in a linebacker for a workout. The Texans will issue their first practice participation report Wednesday afternoon. We won't have final information at that point, but it will be worth tracking Cushing's progress.


(ninersnation.com)

Besides trying out and agreeing to terms with running back Brandon Jacobs following an audition that included running backs Willis McGahee and George Winn, the New York Giants worked out a trio of linebackers, according to a league source.

The Giants also worked out former Buffalo Bills first-round linebacker Aaron Maybin, who last played for the Cincinnati Bengals, and also has played for the New York Jets.

The Giants also worked out former Baltimore Ravens third-round linebacker Tavares Gooden, who has also played for the San Francisco 49ers, and former Cleveland Browns sixth-round linebacker Emmanuel Acho.

The GIants also tried out quarterback Mike Hermann.


(nationalfootballpost.com)

Linebacker Tavares Gooden has spent five years in the NFL with the Ravens and 49ers and it seemed Friday afternoon that the free agent wasn’t interested in playing a sixth season.

Gooden visited with the Cardinals and Steelers in recent days, but went on Twitter Friday to announce that he thinks “it’s time for me to retire and move on to the next chapter in life.” Gooden went on to retweet those wishing him the best in luck in retirement, but his agent was quick to try to pump the brakes on his client’s announcement.

Cam Inman of the Bay Area News Group reports that agent Sean Kiernan told him that Gooden’s tweet was not an official retirement and that Gooden still has another visit with a team lined up for next week. Kiernan also told Inman that the 49ers haven’t shown any interest in bringing Gooden back for another year, so that door appears to be closed.

If Gooden does wind up continuing his career, it will likely be in the special teams role that he filled for the Niners the last two years. Gooden had 13 tackles on special teams last year and played sparingly on defense.


(profootballtalk.com)

Free agent linebacker Tavares Gooden will visit with the Steelers as their march of meetings continues into April.

The team signed reserve LB Stevenson Sylvester Wednesday, and have hosted multiple draft prospects, seven of whom so far are linebackers.

Gooden, a sixth-year veteran, was originally drafted by the Ravens and played in Baltimore from 2008-10, before moving to the 49ers for the past two years. The likelihood of Gooden signing after the announcement of Sylvester's new contract is low, but it may be someone they keep in mind in the future.

While these moves don't necessarily suggest any kind of priority in free agency or the draft, it's clear they're currently looking hard at the position. Incumbents Lawrence Timmons and Larry Foote are the likely starters for the team, but depth is shallow behind them. Second-year LB Sean Spence is coming off a major knee injury from the preseason in 2012, and it's still unclear how far along he is in rehabilitation.

It's possible, too, the Steelers do look into the draft. Kansas State's Arthur Brown and Georgia's Alec Ogletree are possible inside linebacker prospects the team may look at in the first round, where both players are expected to be drafted.


(behindthesteelcurtain.com)

Tavares Gooden is paying respect where it’s due. But that doesn’t mean he’s going to take it easy on the Ravens.

When he steps on the turf at the Superdome in New Orleans on Feb. 3, the 49ers special teams ace will be trying to take down the very franchise that helped make him who he is today. From 2008-10, Gooden was a backup to Ray Lewis, developing the skillset that makes him one of the most entertaining players on the 49ers today.

“It’s great. Just an opportunity to play in the Super Bowl and compete against my old team is going to be fun,” Gooden said. “This is one of those things that kids dream about. Especially coming from one spot and not knowing where you’re going to be at and going to the other side of the country. Now being able to face the Baltimore Ravens in the Super Bowl is a blessing. I can’t wait to get out there and compete with them.”

When San Francisco clinched its second straight playoff berth under Jim Harbaugh this year, it wasn’t anything new to Gooden. In his five-year career, the energetic linebacker has never missed the playoffs.

That’s because he was a part of three Baltimore teams that have made the playoffs in each of the five seasons since John Harbaugh was named head coach before the 2008 season. While a lot has changed since Gooden made the change of scenery from East Coast to West Coast right before the 2011 season started, he isn’t forgetting his professional roots.

“They’re a reason why I’m still in the NFL,” Gooden said. “John Harbaugh and (special teams coordinator) Jerry Rosburg took me in and showed me how important special teams is to the game, especially as far as being on a team and being part of a team. I took that in and it’s helped me out my whole career. I’ve been gracious to play on a lot of teams just because I’m able to play a lot of special teams and I’m thankful for that. If not for them, I probably wouldn’t have this opportunity.”

As the Harbaugh brothers take center stage in the media spotlight, Gooden holds the distinction of being the only player on either active roster to have played for Jim and John as head coaches in the NFL.

There may be nearly 2,300 miles separating San Francisco and New Orleans, but Gooden and the Tony Montana Squad will be trying to show the world some of their Bay Area swagger. Whenever the kickoff team takes the field for the 49ers, the high-energy group makes sure to pump up the crowd and put on a show before streaking down the field to make the tackle.

In the middle of the madness will be Gooden, who still carries valuable lessons from his days with John Harbaugh as a young NFL player.

“Just an attitude – letting your personality shine, building a bully, everything,” Gooden said. “I learned how to play in the National Football League. How to be physical, and at the same time, not be a dirty player.”

For more than a decade, Baltimore has built an identity as one of the league’s most bruising outfits. Since Jim Harbaugh and defensive coordinator Vic Fangio took over, the 49ers have also become one of the hardest-hitting groups in the NFL.

“I know it’s going to be a physical game,” Gooden said. “I know what they try to build their reputation on; they’re trying to bang, bang, nail people. … This is going to be a game that you can talk about afterwards for a long time."

Not only will Gooden be facing his former franchise, but he’ll also be playing alongside and against fellow alumni from the University of Miami. The proud football tradition of the school will be boasted on both sides, as Gooden and Frank Gore will square off against Lewis, Ed Reed and Bryant McKinnie.

“It’s great. It really shows what we have,” Gooden said. “I’m proud of all the ‘Canes that are in this game.”


(49ers.com)

In all, as many as 212 players will participate in the AFC and NFC championship games on Sunday – four teams, 53 players per team. When including players not on the active rosters of the four teams playing for a shot at the Super Bowl, however, the total jumps to more than 250.

The schools represented on the Atlanta Falcons, San Francisco 49ers, New England Patriots and Baltimore Ravens range from college football's elite (Alabama, Ohio State, Texas and Florida) to those situated far outside the national picture (Hillsdale, Bellhaven, Lane and Indiana).

Here are the eight schools most represented by the four teams playing Sunday for a trip to the Super Bowl:

1. Miami (Fla.): 12. P Matt Bosher, OL Harland Gunn, DL Micanor Regis (Atlanta); LB Tavares Gooden, RB Frank Gore (San Francisco); DL Vince Wilfork, DL Marcus Forston (New England); LB Ray Lewis, OL Bryant McKinnie, RB Damien Berry, WR Tommy Streeter, S Ed Reed (Baltimore).

2. (tie) Oregon: 7. WR Drew Davis (Atlanta); RB LaMichael James, FB Will Tukuafu (San Francisco); TE Ed Dickson, DL Haloti Ngata, QB Dennis Dixon (Baltimore).

2. (tie) Florida: 7. LB Mike Peterson (Atlanta); DL Ray McDonald (San Francisco); DL Jermaine Cunningham, RB Jeff Demps, TE Aaron Hernandez, LB Brandon Spikes (New England); WR Deonte Thompson (Baltimore).

4. (tie) Alabama: 6. OL Mike Johnson, WR Julio Jones (Atlanta); DL Brandon Deaderick, LB Dont'a Hightower (New England); DL Terrence Cody, LB Courtney Upshaw (Baltimore).

4. (tie) Iowa: 6. DL Jonathan Babineaux (Atlanta); LB Jeff Tarpinian, TE Brad Herman, OL Markus Zusevics (New England); S Sean Considine, OL Marshal Yanda (Baltimore).

4. (tie) Texas: 6. OL Justin Blalock (Atlanta); CB Tarell Brown, OL Leonard Davis (San Francisco); OL Kyle Hix (New England); CB Chykie Brown, K Justin Tucker (Baltimore).

4. (tie) South Carolina: 6. DL John Abraham, DL Cliff Matthews, DL Travian Robertson, CB Dunta Robinson (Atlanta); S Emanuel Cook, CB Chris Culliver (Baltimore).

4. (tie) Ohio State: 6. OL Alex Boone, WR Ted Ginn Jr., LB Larry Grant, S Donte Whitner (San Francisco); TE Jake Ballard, S Nate Ebner (New England).
Another eight schools have five players on the rosters: Arizona State, Georgia, Tennessee, Virginia, UCF, Rutgers, Syracuse and Illinois.

Teams with four players: Oklahoma State, Marshall, Michigan, Fresno State, Utah, Mississippi, Mississippi State, Missouri, Louisville, LSU and Georgia Tech.

Three players: Auburn, Wisconsin, Maryland, California, Wake Forest, Florida State, Penn State, Kansas, Purdue, Northwestern, Texas Tech and Arkansas.

Two players: Baylor, Michigan State, Stanford, Boston College, Clemson, Connecticut, ECU, Oregon State, Richmond, San Jose State, Kentucky, Montana, North Carolina, Northern Illinois, TCU, UCLA, Notre Dame, Central Michigan, Delaware, Iowa State, Colorado, Tennessee State, Nebraska, Buffalo, Arizona and Washburn.

Luck of the draw plays a role, of course, but it's a bit surprising to see that schools like Virginia Tech, USC, Oklahoma and Texas A&M only have one player each on the four rosters. Not surprising? That one player represents schools like Prairie View A&M, Lane, Harvard, Weber State, Chadron State (Danny Woodhead), Hillsdale and Hofstra (which no longer has a football program).


(usatoday.com)