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2005-11-01T06:28:00.000-08:00

Monday Notes: Injuries Bug Hits Cowboys

Erin Bolen - Email
DallasCowboys.com Staff Writer
October 31, 2005 6:20 PM

IRVING, Texas - Even though the Dallas Cowboys came away from Sunday's game against the Arizona Cardinals with a 34-13 victory, they paid a significant price for the victory. -NFL Football-

Starting outside linebacker Al Singleton is most likely gone for the rest of the season with a fractured right clavicle, while defensive backs Anthony Henry and Willie Pile suffered groin injures and defensive end Jay Ratliff a sprained ankle. -NFL Football-

Cornerback Jacques Reeves also has a slight ankle injury, although Parcells said he doesn't think Reeves will miss significant practice time. Ratliff was seen in the Cowboys locker room Monday wearing a walking boot on his right ankle. -NFL Football-

Singleton and linebacker Scott Fujita had been rotating series at the left outside linebacker position for the past several games, and Fujita is the most likely candidate to move into the starting job. But Cowboys head coach Bill Parcells said there hadn't been a personnel meeting yet, so it was too soon to assume anything. -NFL Football-

Singleton has been a key part of a Cowboys defense which currently ranks fifth in the NFL. -NFL Football-

"What do we miss (with Singleton out)?" Parcells said. "A good veteran player. I don't have a lot of experience at that position. That was one guy I could kind of rely on to be there." -NFL Football-

Although Parcells did discuss the possibility of bringing in some linebackers to work out for the Cowboys, he appeared fairly hesitant to commit to signing a free-agent linebacker. He said the team had four healthy outside linebackers on the roster in Fujita, DeMarcus Ware, Kevin Burnett and linebacker/end Eric Ogbogu. -NFL Football-

However, the Cowboys aren't as deep at other positions, and the injuries to Henry and Pile could complicate an already thin defensive backfield. -NFL Football-

If Henry's injury ends up being serious, and Parcells he wouldn't know the extent of the injury until Thursday, he would likely be replaced in the starting lineup by Aaron Glenn. -NFL Football-

Pile's injury would present a larger personnel challenge, as Pile is the only true safety on the roster to back up starters Keith Davis and Roy Williams, and the other player who has been practicing at safety is the nicked-up Reeves. Should Pile be forced to miss playing time, the Cowboys would likely be on the market for another back-up safety. That decision will affect whatever they do or don't do at linebacker. -NFL Football-

Recovery Ward

Although the Cowboys suffered a slate of injuries against the Cardinals, the game also marked the return of a significant name on defense and a step closer to the return of two offensive weapons. -NFL Football-

Linebacker Dat Nguyen played his first game in four weeks against Arizona, mostly in the Cowboys nickel and dime packages as he registered one tackle. -NFL Football-

"Dat played in the 20s, number of plays in the game, and he did OK," Parcells said. "I talked to him after the game, and he said he felt pretty good." -NFL Football-

Nguyen's confidence following the neck injury had been the primary concern the past few weeks. The veteran didn't have any structural damage to his neck, but Parcells had said he didn't feel Nguyen felt he was ready to return to the field. -NFL Football-

Another lingering injury for the Cowboys is the high ankle sprain that's sidelined running back Julius Jones, who injured the ankle late in the first half in a win over the Eagles and has been very limited in practice and unable to cut on the injured leg. -NFL Football-

But on Monday, Parcells said he was hopeful Jones would be ready to join the team again soon. -NFL Football-

"I think (Jones) should be pretty close to being ready to go," Parcells said. "But I don't know. We'll see . . . Let me see where he is Thursday, and I'll give you a better idea. We're not going to practice real hard this week, so hopefully he'll be able to get out there and do something. I'd like to be able to get more than three or four practices with him before we play, get back in tune." -NFL Football-

Parcells also said he was confident Jones would return to 100 percent by the end of the season. -NFL Football-

Patrick Crayton was also in the locker room Monday, still wearing a walking boot on his right foot but moving without the aid of a crutch. -NFL Football-

He said he has been riding the stationary bike in practice and could be cleared to get rid of his protective walking boot in as little as a week. -NFL Football-

Under Allen's Wing

Left tackle Torrin Tucker, who was given the starting job after Flozell Adams tore his ACL against the Giants, has been getting help from one of his veteran teammates as he adjusts to the starting role. -NFL Football-

"I give Larry Allen a lot of credit here, because he's got Tucker on a choke collar right now," Parcells said. "He really does, and it's a great thing to see. Now he's quiet in his own way, but as soon as Flozell got hurt, he changed Tucker's meeting room seat to right next to him." -NFL Football-

Parcells said the change in seating arrangements meant Allen was communicating constantly with the third-year tackle, something necessary for Tucker, who had never played on the left side in the NFL. -NFL Football-

The coach also gave Tucker credit for being open to Allen's advice, saying Tucker was "grown up enough now" to listen to Allen and be adaptable to the situation, a maturity that had been lacking in Tucker's first seasons with the Cowboys. -NFL Football-

Both Tucker and rookie right tackle Rob Petitti earned praise from Parcells for their performance against the Cardinals. -NFL Football-

"I thought they played pretty well," Parcells said. "Not perfect, but pretty well. I thought they hung in there. Now that Berry, that's a test. He's one of the best guys now. I was talking to them after the game, and I told them he's a pain in the (butt), cause he is." -NFL Football-

Bye Week Travel

When their bye week came around Oct. 3 of last season, Parcells gave his players Sunday and Monday off in an attempt to keep them in the Dallas area and out of trouble. -NFL Football-

This year, Parcells has given the Cowboys Tuesday and Wednesday off, and some of the players said they had flights to catch as they traveled home for a few days. -NFL Football-

"I try to caution my players about doing things," Parcells said "I don't ever give them three days in a row off. They're not going to get three days in a row. So if they're going to go somewhere, they're going to have to do it in about a day-and-a-half, because they have to be back" -NFL Football-

Bill Shots

· Let's hear a little best of Bill from this Monday: -NFL Football-

· "You go ahead and give the state of the union. I don't really have any state of the union to give." - to a reporter asking for a halfway point state of the Cowboys address. -NFL Football-

· "Like I said, we have a little tendency here in Dallas to anoint. I think the anointing oil is a little more prevalent here than in some other parts of the country." - on considering Marion Barber more than just a promising rookie. -NFL Football-

· "I was looking at Rackers, visualizing that." - on what he was doing when rookie kicker Shaun Suisham was struggling during warm-ups in his NFL regular-season debut. -NFL Football-

· "What about (the bye week)? It's America now. You can go where you want." - when asked about his players leaving town this week. -NFL Football-

· "Win about three or four more in a row, and I would start to get my ears up a little." - on what would get his excitement level up. -NFL Football-

Short Shots

Suisham was 2-for-2 on field goals against the Cardinals but struggled in warm-ups. Parcells said he hadn't decided if he would bring in other kickers for workouts . . . The players may have Tuesday and Wednesday off, but the coaching staff will be at Valley Ranch. Parcells said they will use Tuesday to watch film of the Detroit Lions and Wednesday to look at the Denver Broncos, who form the back end of stretch of three games in 11 days . . . Marcus Spears has officially been tabbed as the starting left end, according to Parcells, who praised the rookie for his improved play against the Cardinals . . . When asked about tying Paul Brown for ninth place on the NFL's all-time coaching wins list, Parcells replied, "Yeah, it means a lot if your name is linked to Paul Brown in any manner." -NFL Football-

2005-10-26T11:44:00.000-07:00

Philadelphia passes on establishing a running game

By Jim Corbett, USA TODAY Sports Weekly

PHILADELPHIA — Can an Arena Football League offense win a Super Bowl? Coach Andy Reid's 4-2 Philadelphia Eagles are determined to find out. -NFL Football-

When it comes to the run, Reid will pass. -NFL Football-

Quarterback Donovan McNabb threw 54 times in Philadelphia's 20-17 escape Sunday against the Chargers. McNabb completed a career- and franchise-high 35 passes with the benefit of only 10 handoffs to catch his breath. -NFL Football-

It's enough to wonder whether McNabb or Reid is suffering from that sports hernia, the way it pains Reid so much to run the football. -NFL Football-

The Eagles rank last in the league with 102 rushing attempts, averaging only 17 per game. McNabb has at least 45 passing attempts in three of the first six games, and the Eagles lead the league with 44.7 attempts per game. -NFL Football-

You'd think Reid would want to take some of the pressure off his hurting quarterback by running the ball more, right? -NFL Football-

Not really. -NFL Football-

"I normally go with what is working and go from there," Reid says. -NFL Football-

Sure, it's a passing league these days. But Reid is making pass-happy former coaches Don "Air" Coryell and Bill Walsh seem like Ohio State's smashmouth coach Woody Hayes by throwing 73.4% of the time, way more than the 60-40 pass-run balance that helped the Eagles reach the Super Bowl in February. By comparison with McNabb's 42.3 attempts per game, Pittsburgh's Ben Roethlisberger is averaging 16.7 passes per game. -NFL Football-

The Eagles can't keep going down this one-way road, at least not all the way to Super Bowl XL. Not in a league where you run to win, especially when the weather turns in December and January. -NFL Football-

Reid so disdains the run that even on fourth-and-1 from the Eagles' 30-yard line with Philadelphia trailing 17-13 and 3:29 left, he called for a play-action pass. -NFL Football-

Instead of having McNabb burrow behind center Hank Fraley or calling for a handoff, McNabb threw an off-balance incompletion that sailed over Lamar Gordon's head. -NFL Football-

"You need to balance it up a little more," Reid conceded the day after. "We are a little too heavy with the passing." -NFL Football-

It's as if Reid awoke after realizing just how lucky the Eagles were to escape. If not for Matt Ware's 65-yard touchdown return after Quintin Mikell blocked Nate Kaeding's 40-yard field goal attempt with 2:25 remaining, Philadelphia sports-talk radio would still be roasting Reid. -NFL Football-

Was McNabb healthy enough to run a quarterback sneak? -NFL Football-

"Yeah," Reid says. -NFL Football-

With McNabb erratic in setting his feet and throwing two interceptions, the Eagles were lucky in a second half that had been all San Diego. Drew Brees rallied the Chargers with TD passes to Keenan McCardell and Antonio Gates, and Kaeding added a field goal. -NFL Football-

Defensive coordinator Jim Johnson spent the bye week plotting the design that held Chargers running back LaDainian Tomlinson to a career-low 7 yards on 17 carries. The guy Brees calls "Superman without the cape" ran into green kryptonite as Johnson stacked eight and sometimes nine men in the box. -NFL Football-

They ended Tomlinson's record-tying touchdown streak at 18 straight games, Mikell shot a gap he compared to Moses parting the Red Sea and Ware took what he called "a super-nice bounce" to the house. -NFL Football-

But is it really wise to keep leaning so heavily on a hurting quarterback who is having difficulty throwing deep and across his body? -NFL Football-

Can McNabb survive the rest of the way without play-action cover to hold blitzers another second? -NFL Football-

"Why run the ball when you've got the talent we've got on offense?" linebacker Jeremiah Trotter says. -NFL Football-

Exactly the way Reid sees it. -NFL Football-

Eli's drive: Along with winning Super Bowls, the great quarterbacks are judged by their comeback magic, that special ability to inspire teammates on a game-winning drive when the clock and a defense conspire against them. -NFL Football-

Eli Manning coolly directed a 15-play, 83-yard winning drive against Denver on Sunday that reminded Giants general manager Ernie Accorsi why he considered Manning a once-in-a-generation prospect. -NFL Football-

"I've always felt with a quarterback, there's arm strength, size and intelligence," Accorsi says. "But the undefinable ingredient is that quality when you're not having your best day, you can still win the game. That was the part of Eli I saw in college. (John) Elway had it. -NFL Football-

"He went 98 yards against us in Cleveland when he was not having his best day and found a way to get it down the field. That's what separates the great ones. That's what we're starting to see with Eli." -NFL Football-

Manning was pleased to learn in the locker room from Connor Mara, grandson of Wellington Mara, the Giants co-owner who lost his battle with cancer Tuesday, that Mara awoke to view the winning TD throw to Amani Toomer with five seconds left before drifting back to sleep. Connor Mara told Manning a peaceful smile came over his grandfather's face. -NFL Football-

Common sense: Consider the threat level elevated among NFL players when it comes to the consequences of choices. Bottom line? Common sense. It must always be a player's off-field shield. -NFL Football-

On the same morning Seahawks safety Ken Hamlin was hospitalized with a fractured skull and a blood clot on his brain following a nightclub beating, Eagles defensive end Jerome McDougle had season-ending emergency surgery. It stemmed from a gunshot wound to the stomach suffered when he was attacked by three robbers in Miami the night before training camp opened. -NFL Football-

Two young defensive players became two cautionary tales concerning how the strongest of men between the white lines wear bull's-eyes outside them. -NFL Football-

McDougle never had the chance Hamlin did to walk away. And Hamlin, 24, is lucky to be alive. -NFL Football-

He was released from the hospital Monday, a week after he was beaten up outside a Pioneer Square nightclub in the early hours of Oct. 17. Players should heed the advice of Giants running back Tiki Barber and his twin brother, Ronde, the Buccaneers cornerback. -NFL Football-

"You go to a place, someone starts shoving you, you react and, unfortunately, a violent confrontation occurs," Tiki said on a satellite radio show. "Stuff like this happens, and it's hard as an athlete who plays in a physical sport to turn it off and say: 'You know what? I gotta walk away.' -NFL Football-

"Ken did not. And he ended up in the hospital with a cracked skull. This is serious, life-threatening stuff over something stupid at a club." -NFL Football-

Ronde said: "This could have been avoided. He probably felt like he was getting disrespected, someone was pushing him, and I think there was every opportunity to leave this alone. ... You don't need this in your life as an NFL football player." -NFL Football-

E-mail: jcorbett@usatoday.com

2005-10-18T17:38:00.000-07:00

Woman sues Smith, alleging sexual assault
October 18, 2005 -- NFL --
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MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- A woman who contends Vikings running back Onterrio Smith sexually assaulted her last year has sued the player. -- NFL --
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The 21-year-old woman is not identified in the lawsuit filed last week, for fear of retaliation, said her attorney, Lori Peterson.-- NFL --
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The woman, who lives in the Twin Cities, says she was injured and humiliated and is seeking $150,000 in damages.-- NFL --
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The lawsuit claims she suffers from a lifelong illness and her physician describes her as an ``individual with disabilities.'' She has a form of mental impairment stemming from fetal alcohol syndrome. -- NFL --
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Police reports indicate the woman met Smith through a friend, who was in an adjacent room in the Eden Prairie apartment during the alleged assault.-- NFL --
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The lawsuit mentions that a second Vikings player was involved in the attack, but that player is not identified because he ``met his legal obligations,'' Peterson said.-- NFL --
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Police in Eden Prairie, the Minneapolis suburb where the Vikings practice, investigated the rape report but no charges-- NFL --
were filed.-- NFL --
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Smith was notified of the lawsuit May 18 and has not responded, according to Peterson. Smith's agent did not immediately return a call Tuesday.-- NFL --
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Smith was suspended for the season weeks after he was caught at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport with several vials of dried urine and ``The Original Whizzinator,'' which is marketed as a way to beat drug tests.-- NFL --

2005-10-10T12:24:00.000-07:00

Jets, With Martin, Testaverde, Beat Bucs: NFL Week 5 (Update1)

Oct. 9 (Bloomberg) -- Curtis Martin rushed for two touchdowns as the New York Jets and 41-year-old quarterback Vinny Testaverde handed Tampa Bay its first loss of the National Football League season, 14-12. - NFL Football -

Martin scored for the first time this year and Testaverde passed for 163 yards in his first start since rejoining the Jets (2-3) two weeks ago.

The Buccaneers (4-1) entered the day as one of four unbeaten teams. The Indianapolis Colts (4-0), Cincinnati Bengals (4-0) and Washington Redskins (3-0) play later today.

In other early games during Week 5 of the NFL season, the Green Bay Packers beat the New Orleans Saints 52-3 to avoid an 0- 5 start, the New England Patriots defeated the Atlanta Falcons 31- 28, the Cleveland Browns beat the Chicago Bears 20-10, the Buffalo Bills defeated the Miami Dolphins 20-14, the Tennessee Titans beat the Houston Texas 34-20, the Detroit Lions defeated the Baltimore Ravens 35-17 and the Seattle Seahawks beat the St. Louis Rams 37-31.

In late games, it's Indianapolis at the San Francisco 49ers, the Redskins at the Denver Broncos, the Philadelphia Eagles at the Dallas Cowboys and the Carolina Panthers at the Arizona Cardinals. - NFL Football -

Cincinnati visits the Jacksonville Jaguars tonight, and the San Diego Chargers host the Pittsburgh Steelers tomorrow night.

Martin Scores

At Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, Martin scored twice against the NFL's top-ranked defense. The American Football Conference's rushing leader in 2004, Martin scored on a 2-yard run in the second quarter and a 1-yard plunge in the third quarter after being held scoreless through the Jets' first four games. - NFL Football -

The Jets' defense limited the Buccaneers to four field goals by Matt Bryant. Tampa Bay played without rookie running back Carnell Williams because of foot and hamstring injuries. Michael Pittman was held to 46 yards in place of Williams, who this season became the first player in NFL history to begin his career with three straight 100-yard rushing games.

Testaverde, the NFL's No. 1 draft pick in 1987 and in his second stint with the Jets, rejoined New York after the team lost starting quarterback Chad Pennington and backup Jay Fiedler to shoulder injuries.

``Vinny Testaverde did a good job,'' Jets coach Herman Edwards said at a postgame news conference. ``You're talking about a guy who was sitting home (two weeks ago). He came in and got us off the carpet.'' - NFL Football -

Elsewhere today:

-- Green Bay 52, New Orleans 3: Brett Favre passed for three touchdowns and Najeh Davenport rushed for two scores for the Packers (1-4). The Saints (2-3) had five turnovers.

-- New England 31, Atlanta 28: Adam Vinatieri's 29-yard field goal with 17 seconds left improved the Patriots to 3-2. Tom Brady passed for 350 yards and three touchdowns for New England. Matt Schaub started for injured Michael Vick and threw three scoring passes for the Falcons (3-2).

-- Detroit 35, Baltimore 17: Kevin Jones had two of four rushing touchdowns for the Lions (2-2), who are in first place in the NFC North. The Ravens (1-3) had 21 penalties for 147 yards.

-- Buffalo 20, Miami 14: Willis McGahee rushed for a touchdown and Kelly Holcomb passed for a score in his first start for the Bills (2-3). Gus Frerotte was intercepted three times for Miami (2-2). - NFL Football -

-- Cleveland 20, Chicago 10: Antonio Bryant caught two touchdowns from Trent Dilfer in a 38-second span in the fourth quarter for Cleveland (2-2). The Bears dropped to 1-3.

-- Tennessee 34, Houston 20: Steve McNair threw two touchdown passes and rookie Jarrett Payton scored his first NFL touchdown to lead the Titans (2-3). The Texans (0-4) are the league's only winless team. - NFL Football -

-- Seattle 37, St. Louis 31: Shaun Alexander scored two rushing touchdowns and Matt Hasselbeck passed for two scores for the Seahawks (3-2). Marc Bulger threw for 336 yards and a pair of touchdowns as St. Louis fell to 2-3.

2005-10-01T14:40:00.000-07:00

NFL to make short-lived visit to Mexico
WILL WEISSERT

Associated Press

MEXICO CITY - Don't expect the NFL to stick around Mexico very long after Sunday's game between the Arizona Cardinals and San Francisco 49ers, the first regular-season game played outside the United States.

NFL Mexico, which oversees the sport in this country, says it has no plans to push for a team any time soon. It appears content to follow the lead of the NBA and major league baseball, which played games that counted in Mexico in years past but haven't seriously considered sanctioning Mexican franchises.

"A franchise in Mexico, it's not a priority for the short or medium term," said Geraldine Gonzalez of the league's Mexico City office. "It's not so viable."

NFL surveys say 20 million Mexicans, a little less than one in five, are fans of the league.

Still, Gonzalez said the fact that few play football has prohibited a sports culture from forming around homegrown talent. Factor in concerns about security, logistical difficulties and whether fans can afford ticket prices, and an NFL team here starts to look about as likely as Giants Stadium hosting Mexican cockfights.

"There are a number of communities in the United States that have raised their hands and said, 'We are ready for a franchise,' including Los Angeles," Gonzalez said. "The league will first look out for its interests within the United States."

The NFL is not alone. The northern city of Monterrey hosted baseball in 1999 and a three-game series between the San Diego Padres and New York Mets in 1996. But a bid to bring the Montreal Expos there part time, instead of playing in Puerto Rico, fizzled in 2003.

NBA commissioner David Stern has mentioned Mexico City as a possible site for an expansion franchise, and the Houston Rockets beat the Dallas Mavericks 108-106 here on Dec. 6, 1997. But the league has not been back for a regular-season contest.

Paul Swangard, managing director of the University of Oregon's Warsaw Sports Management Center, said Mexico's inability to provide would-be franchises with modern stadiums including luxury boxes and other lucrative perks have helped scare away U.S. leagues.

"The leagues, especially the NFL, don't want to discount their product for a particular market," Swangard said.

Tickets for Sunday's game at Azteca Stadium, which hosted World Cup finals in 1970 and 1986, cost between $23 and $80. That's cheaper than seats at most U.S. stadiums, but prohibitively expensive for millions in a country where the minimum wage is $4 a day.

Wearing a Pittsburgh Steelers cap while waiting for a bus in southern Mexico City, construction worker Jorge Chavez said he was proud an NFL game was being played here - but that he couldn't afford to go.

"Feeding the children comes first," he said. "I can watch it on television."

Instead of expansion plans, if things go well Sunday the NFL has promised to consider holding regular-season contests in other international locations. Strong television ratings across Mexico and a crowd of 100,000-plus in the stands would go a long way toward making the game a success.

Fans have not snapped up tickets as quickly as anticipated, but officials point out that Mexican buyers are notorious for waiting until the last minute.

Buying seats at an Azteca ticket window, 48-year-old Jamie Solis said: "Mexico's so close, there should be an NFL team. There are good football fans here. They want a full stadium. We will fill it."

But a complete sellout won't be possible because officials are not offering tickets for the first seven rows around Azteca's massive bowl, citing atrocious viewing angles at field level.

The halftime show will feature a series of traditional Mexican dances involving 900 performers. The Mexican national anthem will complement that of the United States, and kickoffs, punts and field goals might carry farther given the 7,200-foot altitude.

Otherwise, things on the field will look much the same as at any other NFL game. The league even brought down the paint used for yard markers, the NFL logos and the insignia of the Cardinals in one end zone and the 49ers in the other.

"We're trying to use less paint to save the stadium," said Pete Wozniak, manager of athletic facilities at Arizona State, who came down to lead a 14-member grounds crew preparing the field for the game. "They've got to play soccer here again in a few weeks."

And going back to soccer, Mexico's true sports love, is fine with many.

"There's a lot of interest. But an entire NFL season, when so many people like soccer better?" said Juan Hernandez, who was asked about a Mexican franchise after arriving at the Azteca ticket booth aboard an SUV with a Dallas Cowboys novelty license plate. "For the NFL, it should be 'yes' in Mexico, but better only for one day."

2005-09-26T11:42:00.000-07:00

Trying tryout for women's football team

Rick Maese

The flier seemed inviting enough. "Do you have what it takes to play women's full-contact football?" it read.

I mulled it over for approximately 30 seconds. My football history is mostly limited to a couch and a remote control. But because I'm pretty good at that, I foolishly figured, yeah, I have exactly what it takes to play women's full-contactfootball. - NFL Football -

The Baltimore Burn is one of nearly three dozen teams that play in the National Women's Football Association. After I saw the flier, I hopped on the league's Web site to get more details: pads, uniforms, road trips, teams playing coast-to-coast, even cheerleaders.

Sure enough, nowhere did it specifically state that men weren't allowed in the league. Slight oversight on their part, but a loophole for me.

I spoke with the head coach, Adrian Mobley, told him I wanted to come out for the team. "I don't think it's against the rules," I pleaded. "You've got to at least let me try out." What could he say? Mobley knew more than I did - he wasn't doing me any favor by allowing me out there.

So yesterday afternoon, I took a pair of shorts, some sneakers and a healthy dose of male ego over to the Southside Academy's football field for the Burn's fall tryout. The team expects about 35 players to return from last year, opening up at least 15 roster spots for the 2006 season, which begins in the spring. I was ready to make league history.

Four orange cones were laid out in a square on the field. One at a time, Burn hopefuls dropped to the ground and did as many pushups as they could manage in 60 seconds. I watched the others go first and started to worry. Forty-five pushups. Then 48. Then 37. I don't think I blinked once for a 10-minute period. - NFL Football -

I was the last to step into the box. Twenty women were circled around me. Mobley started the stopwatch. My legs shook at No. 15. My body wobbled at No. 20. At No. 25, I had a mouthful of grass and couldn't feel my arms. I hadn't embarrassed myself in front of this many women at once since college.

"Well, I did like 100 pushups before I left my house this morning," I stammered.

I looked around the field and realized that I was the only one out here on a whim. The rest were real athletes. The rest were realfootball players.

The Burn prospects lined up for a 10-yard dash. I stood to the side to size up the competition. The whistle blew and one by one they darted away. I've seen some women run away from me before, but not this fast. - NFL Football -

I redeemed myself slightly in the 10-yard sprint, finishing with one of the best times. I felt good and turned to tell the coach what size jersey he should order for me. But he had already moved on. "All right ladies, over here," he barked. "We got a straight-upNFL drill next."

As Mobley explained the three-cone drill, I was the only one panting. "A little soft," is how one player put it. In comparison to some of the Burn players, I was. And you'd be, too.

Nikia Green is the starting strong safety. She broke her left wrist in the middle of last season but didn't miss a game. She had a cast up to her elbow and still led the team in tackles. "A broken wrist!" said teammate Brandy Sturtz, a tight end. "And you telling me Kyle Boller can't play because he hurt his big toe?"

And then there's Sabrina Thomas. Her teammates call her Texx, and that's what her big belt buckle says, too. Texx repairs tanks in the Army and missed the 2003 season because she had been stationed in Kuwait and later in Iraq. - NFL Football -

Texx followed the team via e-mail and at night she'd lie in the back of her truck and watch rockets explode over Baghdad. "Just like fireworks," she says.

Calling the Burn tough is being kind. When discussing a preseason party, I heard one say, "Can we have it before the 17th? I think I might be in jail then."

I made a mental note to stay away from her as we prepared for 40-yard sprints. Jimmien Strong, the team's fullback, was in line behind me. "I didn't get out here to do no running and jumping," she said. "I just want to hit people." - NFL Football -

I made a mental note to stay away from her, too.

2005-09-16T08:09:00.000-07:00

McNabb listed as questionable for 49ers

PHILADELPHIA (Sept. 14, 2005) -- Donovan McNabb threw four touchdowns on a broken ankle. He won't let a chest injury keep him on the bench. - NFL Football -

McNabb didn't practice Sept. 14 because of a bruised chest, but the five-time Pro Bowl quarterback said he'll play in Philadelphia 's home opener against San Francisco on Sept. 18.

"Nothing will stop me from being on that field," said McNabb, who was injured in the first quarter in the Eagles' 14-10 season-opening loss at Atlanta on Monday Night Football.

If McNabb can't play -- he's listed as questionable -- longtime backup Koy Detmer isn't a lock to get the start. Detmer shared reps with third-string quarterback Mike McMahon in practice, and coach Andy Reid wouldn't select a potential starter. - NFL Football -

"We'll see as the week goes on," Reid said. "I'll evaluate it and see what we want to do with it. I know both do a nice job."

Detmer has started eight games in his nine seasons with the Eagles. He led Philadelphia to a 38-17 victory in San Francisco in a Monday night game three years ago, one week after McNabb broke his ankle. Detmer threw for 227 yards and two touchdowns against the 49ers before injuring his elbow and missing the rest of the season.

McMahon started seven games in four seasons with Detroit before signing with the Eagles in the offseason. He isn't as familiar with Philadelphia's version of the West Coast offense, but outperformed Detmer in the preseason. - NFL Football -

"We're going to take the reps the way they want us to and see how it shakes out," said Detmer, who probably has maintained his status as the backup because he's the holder for Pro Bowl kicker David Akers.

Detmer expects to be on the sideline watching McNabb.

"He's a warrior," Detmer said. "We've seen him play through all kinds of things, broken ankles, everything. If he can walk, he can go. He will be out there." - NFL Football -

McMahon said he's comfortable with the Eagles' complex offense.

"It's nothing too difficult," he said. "You just have to prepare and go out and help the offense move the ball. Don't do anything too fancy and move the chains."

McNabb didn't miss any plays after a crushing hit from Chad Lavalais sent him wincing to the sideline, but he struggled the rest of the game against the Falcons.

McNabb, coming off his best season, threw one interception, lost two fumbles and often missed his target with erratic passes. He finished 24 of 45 for 257 yards and one touchdown.

"I don't want to make excuses," McNabb said. "I just didn't do my job the way I'm used to."

Reid said McNabb doesn't have any structural damage in his sternum. Last season, Titans quarterback Steve McNair missed eight games with a sternum injury that eventually required surgery.

"It's bruised and a matter of it calming down," Reid said. "We are not going to put him out there in a situation where he could be injured." - NFL Football -

McNabb has played through pain in the past. He broke his ankle in the first quarter of a game against Arizona in 2002, stayed in and threw four TDs. He had trouble playing with an injured thumb in 2003, but didn't miss any time.

"It's just a process you go through with bumps and bruises," he said. "If I'm out there I feel like I can help the team as much as possible."

Center Hank Fraley said the offensive line has to protect McNabb better.

"I won't be surprised if he plays. He's played on a broken ankle," Fraley said. "We want him as clean as possible and take the least amount of hits."

McNabb said he stopped wearing a flak jacket two years ago, but would consider putting one on this week. - NFL Football -

Neither McNabb nor Reid wanted to comment on the hit that injured McNabb, but it's clear both thought it wasn't entirely clean. Lavalais leveled McNabb with his helmet.

2005-09-06T09:28:00.000-07:00

NFL legend Rice calls it quits

Jerry Rice, the NFL's all-time leading receiver, has announced his retirement at the age of 42.

An emotional Rice said: "I think the tears you see are because I've really enjoyed this ride. It's been great."

He played 20 NFL seasons and set 38 league records. His career totals of 1,549 catches for 22,895 yards and 197 touchdowns are all league records. - NFL Football -

Rice helped San Francisco win three Super Bowls in 16 years before joining Oakland for three and then Seattle.

He joined Denver in the off-season, hoping for one more season, but was unable to convince coach Mike Shanahan he still had what it takes. - NFL Football -

However, Shanahan said: "He's the greatest player to ever play the game."

Rice, speaking at the Broncos' Engelwood HQ, admitted: "It didn't work out, but I'm still going to hold my head high.

"I have a lot to smile about - all the players I have played with, all the records and the Super Bowls.

"What you saw out there on the football field was an individual who loved the game."

Rice, who first made his name at Mississippi Valley State University, earned Pro Bowl honours 13 times and was the Super Bowl's most valuable player in 1989. - NFL Football -

US Sports

2005-08-30T08:24:00.000-07:00

NFL notebook: Clarett to be waived, says agent

DENVER — Maurice Clarett's first stab at the NFL will end the same way his last two seasons on the sideline did: no carries, no yards, one big disappointment.

Unable to practice much or play at all during the preseason because of a groin injury, Clarett will be released by the Denver Broncos later this week, his agent said yesterday.

"The kid called me and let me know they're going to let him go," Steven Feldman said in a telephone interview with The Associated Press.

Clarett's pending release also was reported by ESPN.com.

Broncos spokesman Jim Saccomano said the team didn't plan to release anybody until tomorrow, which is the deadline for NFL teams to cut rosters to 65 players.

The pending release marks a disappointing start to the NFL career of the troubled former Ohio State running back, who missed two years of football after leading the Buckeyes to the national title in 2002.

He got in trouble with the law and was suspended for the 2003 season. At that point, he hadn't been out of high school long enough to be eligible for the NFL draft, so he sued in federal court to become eligible and eventually lost that case.

The Associated Press

2005-08-24T08:23:00.000-07:00

Football officials shortage worries supervisor

Chris Whitbeck is a bit frantic, and rightfully so.Whitbeck is the supervisor of officials for youth and high school football for Northern Nevada. With the football season getting under way in the next week or so, Whitbeck is extremely short of officials — to the point that in his most recent e-mail he said, “If we do not have a great turnout that night (Tuesday) we are in serious trouble for this season. I am very disappointed and about ready to throw in the towel.” - NFL Football - He is holding an officials clinic from 6-9 p.m. Tuesday at the Washoe County Health Department.As a long-time official, Whitbeck can’t understand the lack of response to his many requests for officials.“It’s a chance to give something back to the game,” Whitbeck said. “Maybe a guy played high school football or was a Pop Warner coach. Maybe this is a way to give back to the community of football.” - NFL Football - Whitbeck said he has been an official for a variety of sports, but football is his favorite.“The most fun, by far, is football,” he said. “Even the little Mighty Mites are fun. There’s nothing like it. And for the officials, there’s a lot of camaraderie. All my best friends are officials.”He said officials are paid, $27.50 for Pop Warner games, $30 for Sierra Youth Football League, with two games a night guaranteed.But he added there’s another incentive, the chance to move up to officiate college or even professional games. - NFL Football - “If a guy has the desire to go to college to be an official, the door is wide open,” he said. “The NFL is looking for young officials, ages 25-30 with a few years of high school (officiating) under their belt. They’ll put you in the Arena League. They have a recruiting system like in major league baseball. A scout can say, ‘I saw you.’ If guys want to work in college and the pros, the opportunity is there.”Whitbeck said one of his former youth officials moved up to the Western Athletic Conference this season. - NFL Football - He said one reason for a low turnout of officials is the potential for abuse by coaches. But he holds a clinic for coaches to teach them not to drive off referees.“I had played the game and I had coached the game,” Whitbeck said. “Those are the guys we want. Ex-coaches, ex-players. They know the game, they know the rules. We still have to teach them a few mechanics, such as where to stand, but I’d like to have guys who have played football.”Contact Whitbeck at 849-3666. - NFL Football - BASKETBALL: Thirty teams from the West Coast competed in the Reno-Tahoe Jam On It Royal Flush adult 5-on-5 basketball tournament at the Reno-Sparks Convention Center over the weekend.Team Parsons (Pat Condon, Ed Madee, J. Vossler, Chris Gonzo, Matt Stanley, Brian Carson and Bo Henegar) won the men’s open division and walked away with a check for $7,000. The 40+ men’s championship had the Reno-based Stallions (Sean Moore, Mike Jones, Joe Nichols, Gary Ferrick, David Wood, Mike Jauron, Dick Lee, Larry Brabhan and Forest Kingshaw) go undefeated and take home a $1,000 check. - NFL Football - The women’s champion was Funky Monkey (Collen Mulherr, Amanda Levens, Amber Young, Becki Little, April Bankston, Jess Larsen and Kalari Jones) with an 11-point win in the finals for the $1,000 prize.The next Jam On It adult event is the Reno-Tahoe 3-on-3 Jam Fest, Nov. 11-13. Contact tournament director Glenn Banton at 232-0095 or visit www.jamonit.org for information.FITNESS: It took a little longer than she planned, but Ali Metkovich (formerly McKnight) finally won a fitness contest and earned professional status.Metkovich needed to be a pro in order to compete at the highly coveted Olympia contest.Metkovich, a McQueen High graduate and former All-American track athlete at the University of Nevada, won the tall division at a contest in New York on Aug. 6.“I really felt like I put all the components together,” she said. “Dieting, training, I hit the pinnacle of what it was I sought to do. The culmination of my dieting and training happened there. My focus, plus my stage presentation hit its peak.” - NFL Football - She finished fourth at the same contest in New York a year ago. While she said that was a devastating result, it also opened her eyes to how competitive her new sport is.She stressed that it’s not a bikini contest, nor is it bodybuilding, but judging can vary depending on the whims of the officials and who they like on any particular day.Metkovich trains six days a week and eats carefully measured portions about every two hours.She said being a pro means she can earn prize money, but that’s not why she competes.“When all is said and done, I’ve spent a lot more money competing than I would win. It’s not for money, this sport is truly a new love for me. Now I can compete against the cream of the crop in the industry. My goal ultimately is to step on the Olympia stage,” she said.To earn a spot at the Olympia contest she’ll need to finish in the top three in one of the seven contests she plans to compete in next year. She said she plans to add 10 pounds over the offseason in order to gain a little size on her legs. - NFL Football -

Jim Krajewski RENO GAZETTE-JOURNAL

2005-08-15T09:15:00.000-07:00

Eagles' Reid Addresses Flap With Owens

BETHLEHEM, Pa. Philadelphia Eagles coach Andy Reid spoke publicly for the first time Sunday since Terrell Owens gave his side of the heated dispute Wednesday that prompted the coach to send the wide receiver home for a week. - NFL Football -
Reid said he does not anticipate talking to Owens again before Wednesday, when Owens is scheduled to return to the team, joining it at the NovaCare Complex in South Philadelphia.
Thursday, Owens called Reid "a controlling person" and referred to quarterback Donovan McNabb as "a hypocrite" whom he had no desire to talk to. He also accused offensive coordinator Brad Childress of antagonizing him.
"Like I said, I am not going to get into anything with the media and so on," Reid said. "Obviously, I don't like our players doing that, but that's as much as I'm going to get into."
Reid insisted that Owens' presence did not wear on him during the Eagles' stay at Lehigh.
"It really hasn't," he said. "I take care of those things that I can control, and I can't control what he says off the property here. - NFL Football -
"Obviously, you don't want to say things about a coach or another player. But I don't worry about all that -- all the distractions. You just put those aside, and you concentrate on those things and those people that are out here working to win a championship. That is what this team has done, and that is what the coaches have done."
BEARS: Agreed to a one-year deal with veteran quarterback Jeff Blake, two days after Rex Grossman broke his left ankle.
Grossman, expected to be the starter, was scheduled for surgery this afternoon and will miss three to four months. - NFL Football -
COWBOYS: According to owner Jerry Jones, right tackle Jacob Rogers sprained the medial collateral ligament in his right knee Saturday against the Cardinals.
Rogers was scheduled to undergo an MRI when the team returned to Oxnard, Calif. Rogers had an MRI on his left shoulder last week that showed no damage.
JETS: Quarterback Chad Pennington's surgically repaired right shoulder will get its first big test of training camp today. - NFL Football -
Pennington, recovering from a torn rotator cuff that caused him to miss minicamp and offseason training, was scheduled to throw in both practice sessions -- the first time since camp began that Pennington will participate in more than one practice.
RAIDERS: Defensive line coach Sam Clancy was taken to a hospital Saturday night after he fainted on the sideline during Oakland's preseason game against the 49ers.

2005-08-09T08:22:00.000-07:00

NFL Preseason Preview

(Sports Network) - Nick Saban will don an NFL head coach's headset for the first time on Monday night, as the first-year Miami Dolphins' chief makes his preseason debut against the Chicago Bears in the Pro Football Hall of Fame Game from Canton, OH. Saban spent 11 seasons as one of the college game's most respected head coaches, including the last five at the helm of the LSU Tigers. Saban's new challenge will be to resurrect the fortunes of a Dolphins team that struggled through a miserable 4-12 campaign in 2004, one that included the eve-of-training camp retirement of Pro Bowl running back Ricky Williams and the mid-season resignation of head coach Dave Wannstedt. - NFL Football -
Of particular interest to Miami fans on Monday night will be the play of the quarterbacks, as incumbent signal-caller A.J. Feeley is attempting to hold off newcomer Gus Frerotte in the battle to be the club's 2005 starter. Feeley started eight games as the Fins' quarterback last season but Frerotte, who was with the Vikings in '04, has more hands-on familiarity with new offensive coordinator Scott Linehan's system. At running back, where the un-retired Williams is not yet in playing shape and No. 2 draft pick Ronnie Brown remains a contract holdout, projected backups Lamar Gordon and Sammy Morris are expected to receive most of the carries on Monday. Defensively, the team will unveil its new-look 4-3/3-4 scheme, in which traditional defensive ends like Jason Taylor and David Bowens could serve for the first time as outside linebackers. - NFL Football -
Miami's opponent in Canton will be a Chicago Bears club that is also looking to rebound from a dismal 2004 season. The Bears were 5-11 in their first season under head coach Lovie Smith, and featured the worst offense in the NFL. Back to take the quarterback reigns is Rex Grossman, who missed the final 13 games of 2004 with a knee injury. Grossman figures to eventually be handing off to first-round draft pick Cedric Benson, but Benson's contract holdout means he is unlikely to be in uniform on Monday night. Incumbent running backs Thomas Jones and Adrian Peterson should receive most of the backfield time. Monday will also mark the Bears debut of All-Pro receiver Muhsin Muhammad, who parlayed a huge 2004 with the Carolina Panthers into a lucrative free agent deal with Chicago. On the defensive side of the ball, end Adewale Ogunleye will play for the first time against the team for which he made the Pro Bowl in 2003. Ogunleye was traded to the Bears prior to the 2004 season in exchange for receiver Marty Booker. - NFL Football -
The Bears lead the all-time preseason series with Miami, 7-4-1, but were 24-22 road losers in the last such head-to-head matchup, prior to the 2002 campaign. The Dolphins hold a 6-3 advantage in the regular season series, scoring a 27-9 home victory when the teams last met during the 2002 season. - NFL Football -

Tony Moss, NFL Editor

2005-07-25T12:02:00.000-07:00

Ricky Williams Explains Motivations For Return

Ricky Williams admitted Monday that his huge outstanding debt to the Miami Dolphins was one of his motivations for coming back to football. - NFL Football -
Williams owes $8.6 million in bonus money to the Dolphins for breaching his contract by abruptly retiring. He retired unexpectedly just before the start of last year's training camp, and critics believe his departure played in a role in Miami's losing season last year
Williams said he would be dishonest if he didn't admit that the settlement contributed to his decision, because even if he had started a new job, the settlement would always be "chasing him."
Williams acknowledged shortly after retiring that he failed drug tests and faced a suspension for testing positive three times for marijuana. - NFL Football -
Williams was on the field Monday morning for the Dolphins' first formal training camp workout, along with about 90 other teammates on the summer roster.
At a news conference after workout, Williams said that he was coming back to the Dolphins because he never stopped loving football and because he respects the "open approach" of new head coach Nick Saban. - NFL Football -
He said he regrets anything he did to affect the team or the fans in a negative way.
Lee Steinberg, Williams agent said, "Redemption and second chances are what this country is all about." - NFL Football -
Steinberg also said he expects Williams story to have a "very happy ending."
Williams will still have to sit out the first four games of the regular season for violating the NFL's substance-abuse program.

WPLG

2005-07-18T08:46:00.000-07:00

Follansbee natives recognized

FOLLANSBEE - Recognition also was given to five Follansbee natives who went on to distinguish themselves as professional football players. Mayor Tony Paesano said each has brought notoriety to the city through their accomplishments in the sport.
Presented plaques and keys to the city by the mayor were:
€ Tim Anderson, a 1967 graduate of Follansbee High School who was recruited by Woody Hayes to play football at Ohio State University and went on to play with the San Francisco 49ers, Buffalo Bills and Canadian Football League.
Paesano described Anderson as a hard worker and "very tough linebacker" who played in two Rose Bowls.
Anderson thanked Paesano for his guidance, saying, "He made me a better man. I was more committed and focused, and it was because of him I found value in what was being done out there."
The owner of a construction company in San Francisco, where he now lives, Anderson has two sons.
€ Mike Ciccolella, a 1961 graduate of St. Anthony School who went on to play at Dayton University, where he was named to All-Conference and All-State teams and to the school's hall of fame before becoming a New York Giants linebacker from 1966 to 1969 and the team's rookie of the year.
Paesano, who also coached Ciccolella, said prior to his professional football career, Ciccolella had led St. Anthony's football team through an undefeated season.
"Follansbee has always been a part of my life," said Ciccolella.
The father of two, he now works in sales for a company that provides inventory control services to warehouses.
€ Glenn "Jeep" Davis, who grew up in Follansbee and attended Follansbee High School for a year before moving to Barberton, Ohio. A former Detroit Lion, Davis is best known for his accomplishments in track and field, having earned gold medals in the 1956 and 1960 Olympics and setting world records in many events.
Denny Williams, who had coached Davis at Follansbee, said Davis tried out for the Lions as a free agent and although he hadn't played football in college, sufficiently impressed the team's coaching staff to sign him on.
But his football career was cut short by problems with a shoulder injury he'd suffered in high school.
Williams accepted honors bestowed at the dinner on Davis' behalf, explaining Davis was unable to attend because he was recuperating from surgery.
€ The late Tony Leon, a 1934 graduate of Follansbee High School who played for the Washington Redskins, Boston Yanks and Brooklyn Tigers as an offensive guard and in other positions.
His brother, Jay of Wellsburg, said Tony had worked for Weirton Steel after finishing high school, when Russ Craft of Wellsburg encouraged him to try out with him for the University of Alabama football team.
Jay recalled that while playing for the Redskins, Tony earned a salary of $6,500 per year, about the cost of a house in those days and respectable at a time before television and mass merchandising, when NFL's revenue was limited to the admission charged of the games' patrons.
Following his football career, Leon owned and operated the Corner Cigar Store in Weirton and served two terms as Hancock County assessor.
The father of two and grandfather of two, he died in 1995 in Las Vegas, where he had moved to be close to one of his sons.
€ Rich Thomaselli, a 1975 graduate of Brooke High School who played football there and at West Virginia Wesleyan College before playing with the Houston Oilers, Green Bay Packers and Canadian Football League in the early 1980s.
A 195-pound fullback, Thomaselli said he knew his smaller stature would present a challenge in his football career but enjoyed the opportunity to play on professional teams.
"The way I played was faith, family and friends," Thomaselli said, adding, "I got real close to God when I played. I just prayed I'd be alive for the next play."
Thomaselli coached semi-pro football teams for a time and teams at Madonna, Burgettstown and other area schools in recent years while working for Weirton Steel. Recently he was hired for Brooke High School's varsity football coaching staff and as a substitute teacher for the Brooke County school district.

The Herald-Star

2005-07-11T14:46:00.000-07:00

AMERICAN FOOTBALL: BOBBY CHASING GRANT

SCOTS star Bobby Grant fears his dream of making it big in American football will be kicked into touch unless he can find £30,000 in 30 days.
The 27-year-old from Livingston has been told he can earn a place on the gridiron team at Eastern Carolina University after impressing the coaching staff as a kicker.
However, the former Hibs apprentice must raise 30 grand to pay for his tuition before the start of August if he wants to avoid being booted out of school.
Grant is desperate to earn a crack at the big time in America and has got on his bike in a bid to raise funds.
Last week he cycled from John O'Groats to Land's End AND back - showing just how determined he is to make it.
But after watching his dad die of cancer six weeks ago big-hearted Bobby has pledged to donate some of the cash earned from his heroic 2000-mile round trip to the Ashley Ainslie hospice in Edinburgh.
The kind act could end up killing his American football dream but Grant wouldn't have it any other way.
He said: 'I'm willing to do whatever it takes to make it in American football but it's important to honour my Dad and pay him back for the support he gave me.'
Gridiron is still a minority sport in Scotland but Grant reckons he can help it take off by landing a place in the NFL.
He said: 'Playing over there would be huge for me. It's my dream and I've been handed the opportunity to live it.
'People don't realise how massive American football is over there. I'd be playing in front of 50,000 people every week and I'd also get a degree out of it.
'I'm still young. In a few years I'd go into the NFL Draft and if I get signed by someone like the Dallas Cowboys I'd be on a million a year.
'However, if I don't raise 30 grand I'll not be able to return to the States.'
And Bobby insists Scots must help him in his bid to pay the tuition fees.
He said: 'I've saved up five grand but it's not enough and I'm not eligible for help from Sportscotland or charities because I'm an individual studying abroad.
'I've sent letters to companies asking them to sponsor my bike ride. If 300 of them pledged £100 each I'd be there.
'Or even if everyone in Livingston gave a pound. I'm good enough to make it and one day I'd repay their faith.

Mark Woods

2005-07-06T08:35:00.000-07:00

Stram helped to legitimize AFL

Hank Stram, who added color and celebrity to NFL coaching, died Monday at age 82 after a long illness.
Personable and dapper, Stram recognized and exploited the power of the media in drawing attention to the upstart American Football League. His Kansas City Chiefs played in the first Super Bowl against Vince Lombardi's Green Bay Packers.
Miked by NFL Films while the Chiefs beat the favored Minnesota Vikings in Super Bowl IV after the 1969 season, Stram endeared himself to millions of fans by providing an inside glimpse of the sidelines. In doing so, he infuriated the reticent Bud Grant, coach of the Vikings.
"Pro football has lost one of its most innovative and creative coaches and one of its most innovative and creative personalities as well," Chiefs owner Lamar Hunt told the Associated Press in a telephone interview.
A native of Chicago who graduated from Lew Wallace High School in Gary, Ind., Stram had been in declining health for several years and son Dale Stram attributed his father's death to complications from diabetes. He died at St. Tammany Parish Hospital, near his home in Covington, La.
"If you look at NFL Films as the film arm of the league, Hank was our Errol Flynn," said Steve Sabol, president of NFL Films. "He was the first swashbuckler, the first coach who really understood, more than any other coach, that football was also entertainment."
A familiar sight in his red vest, the stocky Stram paced the sidelines pounding a rolled-up program. More than a showman, he used and popularized such tactics as the "moving pocket," the "stack defense" and the two tight-end offense. He knew talent, rescuing the career of NFL reject quarterback Len Dawson and discovering such other Hall of Famers as Bobby Bell, Buck Buchanan, Willie Lanier and Jan Stenerud. His teams featured huge lines and skilled receivers and runners and his success in Super Bowl IV legitimized the AFL as soon as the 1970 merger with the NFL took place.
"I don't think people know what a great quarterback coach he was," said Dawson, who was Stram's presenter at his 2003 Hall of Fame induction. "He knew more about the quarterback position than any coach I ever had."
Stram's Chiefs won AFL titles in 1962 (as the Dallas Texans), 1966 and 1969. He also coached the New Orleans Saints in 1976-77.
Turned down by Bud Wilkinson and Tom Landry for his fledgling team in the new league, Hunt approached the unknown Stram, who was on the staff at the University of Miami.
"Hank is really symbolic of the coaching style and the coaching personality of the American Football League," Hunt said. "Maybe he never would have gotten a chance anywhere else. Hank personified the American Football League. He was a salesman. He was an innovator. He wasn't afraid to try new things."
Stram's pro record was 136-100-10. He was involved in the two longest games in pro football history - the 1962 overtime AFL title game and the 1971 Christmas Day six-quarter divisional playoff between the Chiefs and Miami Dolphins. He graduated from Purdue in 1948 and coached the backfield under Stu Holcomb for eight years before moving to SMU, Notre Dame and Miami.
"His whole life was football," Dawson said. "That's what he was born for, I think. He had a passion for it, not just a liking. He was really sincere when he talked about the team being a family. Everybody really loved him."

DON PIERSONChicago Tribune

2005-06-29T10:51:00.000-07:00

CBS Sports NFL Today Commentator and Former NFL Standout Shannon Sharpe Signs with AbsolutePoker to Compete at the World Series of Poker

Sharpe is Training with WSOP Front-Runner Poker Pro Mark Seif
PRNewswire/ -- Absolute Poker (http://www.absolutepoker.com), the fourth largest online poker destination has drafted CBS Sports NFL Today Commentator and former NFL standout Shannon Sharpe to play at the largest sporting event in the world - the 36th annual World Series of Poker (http://www.worldseriesofpoker.com). Known as "The Greatest Tight End to ever play the game," Sharpe signed with Team AbsolutePoker to play in the tournament's Main Event starting July 7 Las Vegas at the Rio All-Suite Hotel and Casino. He is training with WSOP leader and AbsolutePoker's resident pro Mark Seif.

The WSOP is touted as the largest sporting event in the world with an estimated $100 million in prize money and the 36th annual is the largest in history with an expected 23,000 registrations from 45 nations around the globe by the time the main event starts July 7. Seif became the first person at this year's WSOP to win two championships this year, placing him second in the money and first in the running for the WSOP's "Player of the Year" award. He is also currently ranked 10th in the World according to CardPlayer (http://www.cardplayer.com).

Sharpe, who has only played poker for five months said, "I'm approaching this like I would football or any other competition. It's all about being focused and prepared. I've started training with Mark and I'm getting better every day. If I get beat, it will be because the other players outplayed me or had a better hand. I'll be looking out for the aces and kings to make my job a lot easier."

According to Seif, "Shannon's contributions to the NFL are legendary and we feel honored to have him join Team AbsolutePoker at our Super Bowl - the World Series of Poker. When you take a look as his illustrious football career, Shannon consistently proved he was a champion and we look forward to helping him fulfill his potential and be a standout poker player, too."

Sharpe, who played 12 years for the Broncos and two years with the Baltimore Ravens before retiring in 2004, now commentates for CBS Sports NFL Today and co-hosts a weekly shows on SIRIUS NFL radio. He also posts a weekly column for NFL.com.

About Shannon Sharpe

Shannon Sharpe entered the NFL in 1990 as the Denver Broncos seventh-round selection (192nd overall) out of Savannah State. He played 12 years with the Broncos and two years with the Ravens. He is the NFL's all-time leader in receptions (815) and yards (10,060) by a tight end, eclipsing Hall of Famer Ozzie Newsome during the 2001 season. He is the NFL's all-time leader in touchdowns (62) and 50-catch seasons (11) by a tight end. Sharpe was voted to eight Pro Bowls (1992-98, 2001), as well as the NFL's All-Decade team for the 1990s (first team). Sharpe is one of only four tight ends in the NFL annals to post more than one 1,000-yard receiving season (1994, 1,010 yards; 1996, 1,062 yards; 1997, 1,107 yards) and one of four to amass 6,000 receiving yards. He produced 19 career 100-yard games and a Denver Broncos franchise- record seven straight 50-catch seasons (1992-98) during which he was selected to seven straight Pro Bowls.

A three-time Super Bowl champion, back-to-back with the Broncos (1997, 1998) and the Ravens (2000), Sharpe holds the NFL record for most receptions in a post-season contest (13) along with Kellen Winslow (1981) and Thurman Thomas (1989). He also holds the NFL post-season record for longest reception, a 96-yard catch-and-run for a touchdown at Oakland in the 2000 AFC Championship Game (1/14/01). Sharpe played in 12 post-season contests as a Bronco - all starts - and ranks No. 1 in franchise playoff history in receptions (47) and No. 3 in receiving yards (505).

About Absolute Poker

Absolute Poker (http://www.absolutepoker.com) with thousands of active players at all times is the World's fourth largest online poker destination. Driven by proprietary software, Absolute Poker was created to offer the most comprehensive, interactive online poker room, while always delivering superior customer service and a personal touch to each online poker player. Players Worldwide can access an Absolute Poker online poker game 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and experience the best multi-player online poker the industry has to offer. Established in 2003, Absolute Poker is licensed and regulated in Canada.

Nfl Football Odds

2005-06-22T07:42:00.000-07:00

Nfl Football
JOHN MADDEN JOINS "NBC'S SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL"
Released by NBC

JOHN MADDEN JOINS "NBC'S SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL"

JOHN MADDEN JOINS "NBC'S SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL"

Ebersol: "The Best Analyst of Any Kind In Sports Television History"

NEW YORK - June 15, 2005 - John Madden, the most honored NFL broadcaster of all time, will join NBC Sports as the game analyst for the inaugural 2006 season of "NBC's Sunday Night Football." The announcement of Madden's six-year deal with NBC was made today by Dick Ebersol, Chairman, NBC Universal Sports & Olympics. Madden, who has won an unprecedented 14 Emmy Awards for Outstanding Sports Analyst/Personality, is renowned by football fans nationwide for his ability to analyze the details of the game with wit, candor and an inimitable style. Madden will join "NBC's Sunday Night Football" with over 25 years of broadcasting experience, most recently as the game analyst with ABC's Monday Night Football, where he will broadcast this upcoming season including Super Bowl XXL in Detroit, Mich.

"John Madden is the best analyst in the history of the National Football League and, in my opinion, the best analyst of any kind in sports television history," said Ebersol. "John is much more than a football legend, he's an American icon. He is the only sports television talent who resonates across all ages - kids grow up today playing his video game and watching him on TV, as their fathers grew up watching him on NFL sidelines every Sunday as the head coach with the best winning percentage in league history. We are extraordinarily proud to have him join 'NBC's Sunday Night Football.'"

Madden said: "I have been doing this a long time and when I went to ABC to do 'Monday Night Football,' I thought I would finish my career there. But when the NFL did this new television deal, I looked at 'NBC's Sunday Night Football' package, and I thought this really fits me well. I also look forward to the opportunity of working with Dick Ebersol."

In 2009, Madden will call his 11th Super Bowl, Super Bowl XLIII in Tampa, Fla. on NBC.

The National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences has honored Madden with 14 Outstanding Sports Analyst/Personality Emmy Awards, the most recent in 2004, in recognition for his work during the 2003 season. In all, Madden has been nominated for 17 Emmy Awards. In addition, the American Sportscasters Association named him Sports Personality of the Year in 1985 and 1992. In 1982, Madden became the first NFL analyst to receive the Touchdown Club of America's prestigious Golden Mike Award. Sports Illustrated has called Madden "an American fixture" and said that he "brings an unequaled big-game buzz to the broadcast booth."

Madden's EA Sports video game "Madden NFL Football" is the No. 1 selling sports video game of all-time with more than 43 million copies sold since its release in 1989. "Madden NFL 06" will be available on multiple platforms in August. Madden is also one of the leading spokesmen in the advertising world, with endorsement relationships including Ace Hardware, Outback Steakhouse, Schering Plough (Tinactin) and Sirius Satellite Radio.

Prior to joining the broadcasting ranks, Madden had an outstanding career as head coach of the NFL's Oakland Raiders. He guided the Raiders to an overall record of 103-32-7, leading the team to seven AFC Western Division titles and a victory over the Minnesota Vikings in Super Bowl XI. Madden's .750 winning percentage is the best of any head coach in NFL history.

A linebacker coach when he began his NFL coaching career with Oakland in 1967, Madden became the head coach in 1969 at age 33, the youngest head coach in the American Football League. Madden retired in 1979 and started his broadcasting career at CBS in 1980. Madden also was the lead NFL analyst for FOX from 1994-2002.

Before coaching in Oakland, Madden was the defensive coordinator at San Diego State from 1964-66 where the Aztecs were ranked first among small colleges with a 26-4 record. From 1960-64 Madden coached at Hancock Junior College in Santa Maria, Calif.

Madden started on both the offensive and defensive lines as a player for California Polytechnic College at San Luis Obispo in 1957 and 1958 and was voted to the All-Conference team. He was also a catcher on the school's baseball team. Madden earned a Bachelor of Science degree in 1959 and a Master of Arts degree in 1961, both from Cal Poly. The Philadelphia Eagles selected him in the 21st round of the 1958 NFL draft, but a knee injury in his rookie season prematurely ended his career.

Madden is the author of several New York Times best-selling books: Hey, Wait a Minute! (I Wrote a Book!); One Knee Equals Two Feet (and Everything Else You Need To Know About Football); One Size Doesn't Fit All; and All Madden, each written with New York Times sports columnist Dave Anderson. He has also written a cookbook titled John Madden's Ultimate Tailgating.

Born April 10, 1936 in Austin, Minn., Madden was raised in Daly City, Calif. He now resides in Pleasanton, Calif. with his wife, Virginia. The couple has two sons.

"NBC's Sunday Night Football"

"NBC's Sunday Night Football" is the National Football League's primetime network television package. The six-year deal, which includes innovative flexible scheduling, begins with the 2006 season, continues through 2011 and includes Super Bowls in 2009 and 2012 and Pro Bowls in the same years. The deal also includes a unique GE association with the NFL in the healthcare technology, security equipment, electrical products (including lighting) and financial services categories.

For each of the six seasons, NBC kicks off the NFL regular season with a Thursday night primetime game. The first regular season game of the new agreement, NBC's "NFL Kickoff 2006," launches the NFL regular season on Thursday, Sept. 7, 2006 in primetime.

The agreement calls for 16 regular season Sunday night games, each season's "NFL Kickoff" Thursday night primetime game, two postseason Wild Card games and three preseason games in primetime. NBC also will broadcast Super Bowl XLIII in 2009 in Tampa, Fla. and XLVI in 2012, and Pro Bowls in the same years.

Under the new agreement, the NFL provides flexible game scheduling over the final seven weeks of the regular season. The flexible game selection, offered for the first time by the NFL, ensures marquee matchups over the final seven weeks of the season when many teams' playoff chances are at stake.

"NBC's Sunday Night Football" will broadcast an NFL pre-game show from 7-8 p.m. ET followed by the kickoff at 8:15 p.m. ET. Both the game and pre-game will be aired in high definition.