NFL notebook: Taylor gunman identified

The 17-year-old suspect in the death of Sean Taylor was accused Tuesday of firing the shot that killed the Washington Redskins safety.

A Miami-Dade grand jury identified Eric Rivera as the gunman in its indictment. Rivera and his three co-defendants were indicted by the grand jury on charges of first-degree felony murder and armed burglary.

Charles Wardlow, 18; Jason Mitchell, 19; and Venjah Hunte, 20, were ordered held without bail during brief court appearances via a video conference from Miami-Dade County jail. The three will remain at the jail under suicide watch after Judge John Thornton Jr.’s ruling.

Taylor, 24, died Nov. 27, a day after he was shot at his home. Police have said he was the victim of a botched burglary.

NFL looks into Rolle comment

The NFL is looking into a postgame comment by Baltimore cornerback Samari Rolle, who contends an on-field official called him “boy” during the Ravens’ 27-24 loss to New England on Monday night.

Rolle identified the official following the game, which was marked by several disputed officiating decisions. Both Rolle and the official, identified in the NFL official guide as head linesman Phil McKinnely, are black.

Notes

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell is reviewing the players’ union appeal of his decision last month not to ease the season-long suspension of Tennessee cornerback Adam “Pacman” Jones. … Bill Maas, a former Fox Sports broadcaster who used to play in the NFL, will be tried March 10 on drug and weapons charges. … Denver running back Travis Henry won his appeal of a one-year suspension over a failed drug test. … Jake Gaudaur, who raised the profile of the Canadian Football League while commissioner from 1968 to 1984, died from cancer at 87 at Burlington, Ontario. … Miami’s Zach Thomas, a seven-time Pro Bowl middle linebacker, was placed on injured reserve and will miss the rest of the season. … Denver waived veteran defensive tackle Sam Adams.