Kamara Pleads Not Guilty, Bateman Claps Back at Ravens GM, and Other NFL Bullets

Happy Friday! Well, at least the considerable snowfall we expected has been downgraded to a typical early spring wintry mix in the Chicagoland area. Lost in the news from the combine on Thursday was information that Saints running back Alvin Kamara was back in court to face charges stemming from an arrest at last year’s Pro Bowl.

• Alvin Kamara and three others pleaded not guilty in a Clark County (Nev.) courtroom Thursday to battery charges related to an incident that allegedly took place last year during Pro Bowl weekend.

• Kamara and three others were indicted on conspiracy to commit battery and battery resulting in substantial bodily harm. This after allegedly beating a man in Las Vegas last year during Pro Bowl weekend in February.

• In February 2022, Kamara was arrested by Las Vegas police just hours after playing in the Pro Bowl on Feb. 6 and charged with battery “resulting in substantial bodily harm.” The alleged incident occurred the night before the Pro Bowl at Drai’s After Dark club in the Cromwell Casino. According to police reports, Kamara pushed Greene before another male in Kamara’s group hit Greene in the face and knocked him against the wall. Kamara then hit Greene several times.

• Kamara, Bengals cornerback Chris Lammons, and two other defendants will face a jury trial on July 31. Here is surveillance video of the incident. Kamara is wearing a white shirt and light-colored blue jeans:

• Ravens’ wide receiver Rashod Bateman took exception to some comments made by Ravens GM Eric DeCosta on Thursday. When asked about the Ravens’ problems drafting wide receivers, DeCosta said that if he had the answer, Baltimore “would have some better receivers.” Yikes!

• In since-deleted tweets, Ravens wide receiver snapped back at DeCosta’s comments. Bateman criticized DeCosta for blaming the receivers and Lamar Jackson instead of the scheme that John Harbaugh and former offensive coordinator Greg Roman were running on offense.

• Screenshots of Bateman’s deleted tweets can be found below:

• I’ve said before that I think that part of the reason the Ravens don’t have the bona fide No. 1 receiver talent is that those types of receivers don’t want to play in a system in which they’re limited from the jump. So Bateman was saying that DeCosta should look at that aspect instead of essentially saying that there’s no premium talent in his wide receivers room. This is true, but DeCosta did begin to acknowledge that in the decision to move on from Greg Roman.

• The Ravens need help at the wide receiver position; that’s true, whether Bateman likes it or not. However, the hire of Todd Monken should immediately help get the ball to the existing players like Bateman. Of course, the Ravens must figure out what they’re doing with Lamar Jackson first. But then the wide receiver position needs to be addressed in Baltimore.

• Ian Rapoport spoke about the Giants’ progress on an extension for Daniel Jones during a Thursday segment of NFL Now. It was a whole lot of nothing, honestly. Rapoport said that New York seems optimistic about reaching an agreement. Ok, they’ve said that all along.

• Rapoport also said that if Jones gets extended before the franchise tag deadline on Tuesday, Saquon Barkley will get the tag. Again, nothing new here.

• The Giants have four and a half days to reach an agreement or place the tag on Daniel Jones. My money is on the latter at this point.

• We have some referee retirements to report. Jerry Bergman has retired after 21 seasons. Jerome Boger does as well after 19 seasons in the NFL.

• The NFL Scouting Combine continues today in Indianapolis. Today’s events include workouts for the defensive backs, kickers, and special teamers. Unfortunately, fighting Illini cornerback Will Witherspoon will not participate in the workouts. Witherspoon is dealing with a hamstring injury.

• I watched all six hours of the combine on Thursday and packaged up some of my takeaways for you before I called it a night.

• I will do the same today, so follow the Bleacher Nation NFL Twitter account! And while you’re at it, follow the Facebook page, so Michael is happy with me.

• The Blackhawks wished Max Domi a happy birthday on Thursday by trading him to the Dallas Stars:

• Stay up to date with all of the NHL trade deadline happenings with this handy tracker that Tab will be working on today: