NFL roundup: NFL proposes immediate HGH testing

The NFL submitted a new proposal for immediate human growth hormone testing as the league and the NFL Players Association continue to negotiate in an effort to have HGH testing in place for the 2013 season, NFL.com reported. The proposal was submitted to the union on April 24, according to the report, and included a concession that eliminated testing on game days. The proposal would also call for testing to begin immediately, with samples then being tested and stored until the World Anti-Doping Agency established a standard for acceptable levels. However, the union would rather start testing after the doping agency has determined the baseline and when full testing is ready to be implemented. The NFLPA is working on a counter proposal that could be submitted to the league next week. ---Retired Baltimore Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis announced that he plans to climb Africa's Mount Kilimanjaro. "In one month, I will climb Mt. Kilimanjaro in Tanzania to raise money and awareness for clean water projects in East Africa," Lewis announced on his web site. "I am so FIRED UP for this adventure." Mt. Kilimanjaro is the world's tallest free-standing mountain at more than 19,000 feet high. ---Dallas Cowboys nose tackle Josh Brent will not have his $100,000 bond increased or revoked/ Brent was ordered to a hearing on Friday to answer to allegations that he repeatedly violated the terms of his bail, according to the Dallas Morning News. Brent is scheduled to go on trial in September on a manslaughter charge in the death of former teammate Jerry Brown Jr. ---Wide receiver Mike Williams, a first-round pick in the 2005 NFL draft, signed a contract to play for the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League, the team announced. Williams, 29, had his best pro season in 2010, when he caught 65 passes for 751 yards and two touchdowns for the Seattle Seahawks. But he had just 18 receptions for 236 yards in 2011, and did not play in any NFL games in 2012. ---The Chicago Bears announced that they will retire Mike Ditka's No. 89. Ditka, a Hall of Fame tight end with the Chicago Bears and Dallas Cowboys, also coached the Bears. ---The NFL Players Association is looking into Roc Nation's recruitment of New York Jets quarterback Geno Smith, NFL.com reported. Roc Nation was founded by Jay-Z, but he is not yet certified by the players' union to act as an agent, and friends or colleagues who are not certified agents are not allowed to be present during meetings in which an agency is recruiting a player. Smith's adviser John Thornton told CBS earlier this week, "I was in those meetings, and Jay-Z connected with him on many levels." Thornton later said he was misquoted. ---Seattle Seahawks tight end Anthony McCoy had surgery Thursday to repair a torn Achilles tendon he sustained during organized team activities on Monday. McCoy is expected to be out for out least six months. ---New York Jets running back Mike Goodson is expected to return to practice for the first time since his arrest on five gun and drug charges earlier this month. ESPN New York reported that Goodson should be back at practice on Tuesday. ---Former Denver Broncos center Tom Nalen said that he intentionally tried to injure a player in 2006. Nalen made the admission while being introduced at a press conference Thursday as the newest member of the Broncos Ring of Fame. Nalen said he purposely tried to hurt San Diego Chargers defensive lineman Igor Olshansky. ---The Washington Redskins have all seven of their draft picks on board after signing third-rounder Jordan Reed, a tight end. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. ---Safety Shawn Williams, a third-round pick out of Georgia, signed with the Cincinnati Bengals. Terms were not disclosed. ---The Cleveland Browns announced that they signed offensive lineman Garrett Gilkey to a four-year contract. ---The St. Louis Rams signed 403-pound undrafted rookie offensive lineman Terrell Brown this week. When the Rams brought Brown in for a workout, they thought he was 388 pounds. It turns out the 6-foot-10 tackle had recently put on 15 pounds.

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NFL roundup: NFL proposes immediate HGH testing