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I watched the first 45 minutes of "Cujo" one late night last week. You know: psychotic, violent dog running roughshod through a small, sleepy town. It got me thinking about the current state of betting in the NFL, as rabid dogs continue to lay siege to bettors' stacks each week. At first it was confusing, and maybe horrifying to some who made a mint last year when it was the favorites that couldn't be contained by some feeble Vegas spread.This year it's the complete opposite. Now it's the dogs that can't be stopped. However, by now the path of destruction that underdogs continue to cut should be almost reassuring in its certainty. It should be readily apparent that "Take the points" is the operative logic through this final month of the NFL season.Take Week 14 for example. Arizona over Seattle? Miami over New England? "Who saw that coming?" was what I heard all afternoon on Sunday. Well, anyone who has been paying attention to recent trends in the league, that's who.It wasn't just that the underdogs continued to maul the general betting public and their more heralded counterparts. What was so surprising this weekend was just how convincingly the dogs devoured their opponents last weekend. Miami won by 21 while shutting out New England. Baltimore beat Kansas City by double-digits, and the Chiefs has lost at home in December only once in their past 22 games. New Orleans took over Dallas again, only this time it wasn't because of a natural disaster, and beat The Boys by 25. Finally, Green Bay won by 11 and Buffalo by 28 and both were playing on the road.That's six upsets by an average of 19 points each. Overall, the underdogs were 9-6 last week. I'm not counting the Giants-Panthers game because both teams were underdogs at one point. But that 9-6 mark wasn't just against the spread - it was straight-up. Essentially, it shows that no one knows anything about football.Discounting the Thanksgiving Day Massacres the favorites are just 16-28 ATS (36 percent). If you look back over the last five weeks the chalk is just 33-45 (42 percent) against the number. In fact, it's been since Week 11 that the favorites had a winning week and it's been since a 10-4 ATS push in Week 5 that the favorites have actually turned a profit.It appears that the books have sought, and found, retribution for last year's unprecedented run of favorites covering the spread. So is it time to start blindly betting the underdogs? Not quite, though I would say that it's not an overall poor strategy. I would take the points in just about every situation at this point unless you find a favorite that you just can't pass up.Here are the rest of my nonsensical ravings from Week 14:- Just two weeks ago I was wondering if anyone could play this game, as teams went 5-10-1 against the total. Over the past two weeks the trend has reversed itself and clubs are on a 20-12 rush on the over. In Week 14 the over hit in 11-of-16 games. What that tells me is that I'm ready for the pendulum to swing back this weekend with another rash of under games.- The most absurd decision of the week was Houston deciding to go with an all-out blitz against Vince Young on third-and-14 from the 39-yard line. This isn't just hindsight because he scored a touchdown - that's something Sean Salisbury would do - I was screaming about it during the play!The idea most likely was to try to sack the Titans out of field goal range. Here's the thing: they were ALREADY OUT OF FIELD GOAL RANGE. Yes, Rob Bironas nailed a 60-yarder last week to beat Indy, but that was with a severe headwind to his back and the worst-case scenario if he missed was overtime. Here, Bironas would have been attempting a 57-yard kick, into the wind, where the WCS would be giving the ball to your opponent at midfield. I don't mind a blitz in that instance, but try only one extra guy instead of three. Just an awful decision.- Wait, so does this mean the Cowboys aren't the Super Bowl favorites?Isn't it disgusting how ESPN acts like a cheap s***and jumps from one team to another every week, crowing them The Next Big Thing. Personally, I love it. Driving public opinion only helps inflate lines. I knew Dallas was primed for a big fall. I've been talking about it for weeks. Now New Orleans, with its shaky defense, is in the crosshairs.Oh, and The Boys just cost themselves a first-round bye. And there's no way they're tough enough to win three straight weekends to go to the Super Bowl.- Seattle's loss should have been the most predictable outcome of the week. One look at the line in that game and you should've known something was up. The Seahawks aren't nearly as good as last year's version, and they've always had trouble on the road. That being said, it would be interesting to see how that game ended up if Mack Strong hadn't fumbled late in the third. Seattle was up 21-17, had just forced a three-and-out, and had all the momentum.- Buffalo is getting outgained by an average of 75 yards per game. Yet, they're still winning and/or causing teams problems. It's amazing what a team with amazing special teams, an aggressive defense that plays with passion and a very good running back can do.- The Raiders haven't scored more than 24 points in their last 22 games. They're also 4-28 SU in their last 32 games on the road.- By watching he level of preparation and execution of New Orleans vs. Cleveland last week you can see why it's so hit-and-miss when promoting coordinators to head coaching positions. Sean Payton does not have that large of a talent advantage over Romeo Crennel, yet their approaches couldn't be less similar. It just proves, once again, why the coaching match-up has to be a determinant when betting on or against a team.- What a whiff by Darrent Williams on LaDainian Tomlinson's record-setting touchdown.- I'm still not buying that Rex Grossman is mentally, physically or emotionally stable as the quarterback of the Chicago Bears. There's no way they make the Super Bowl with him under center.- The Saints are good - but let's not get carried away with them. Their defense is still suspect and they have a negative turnover margin on the season. Only three teams with a winning record can make that claim (Jets, Seahawks).- What Vince Young and the Titans are doing is amazing. That's a 9-1 ATS rush in a league where it's difficult to cover three straight weeks.- Unbelievable is the only way to describe what Jacksonville did to Indianapolis. To rush for almost 400 yards in an NFL game is almost unfathomable. Do you think the Colts miss David Thornton and Larry Tripplet?- I know there's a big wave of New York Giants support rolling through the mainstream, but I'm not buying. Mike Strahan is not coming back this year, Eli is still shaky as hell, and their secondary is pathetic. Don't believe the hype.- I can't even speak about the Oakland-Cincinnati game and how we were robbed of an easy over. It's unbelievable. And if you didn't watch the game, just go to NFL.com and check out the play-by-play of the last three possessions. Just cruel.Sometimes I hate the NFL. Sometimes I love the NFL.Questions or comments for Robert? 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Everyone has their own favorite NFL team, but there are teams that just stand up more than any other in the history of the game. Definitely one of the best and arguably the greatest NFL team of all time is the 1985 Chicago Bears.The Quirky Personalities Behind the TeamFor the personalities that made up the team alone, the '85 Bears was surely a team with a grand story worth telling generations of football fans. Handpicked by George Halas, they were a tough group of mismatched characters, from rock-and-roll rejects to merry pranksters. They were cocky and confident of their talent and abilities- recording a victory video, the "Super Bowl Shuffle," even before the playoffs started-but were justifiably so. They believed that it was their destiny to win the Super Bowl and came playing with a chip on their shoulder. As Bears coach Mike Ditka said it ""In life, there are teams called Smith, and teams called "Grabowski"...We're Grabowskis!" And that became the rallying cry of the Bears, wearing their blue-collar image proudly and thus gaining even more empathic fans. Dubbed as the "Punky QB," quarterback Jim McMahon sported a Mohawk (as a result of a mistake from cutting his own hair) and as the team's leader, made the Bears' image even more edgy and delinquent-the perfect anti-hero heroes. They had an impenetrable defense with the team's linebacker Mike Singletary being named as the UPI Defensive NFC Player of the year and the NFL Defensive Player of the Year, and defensive end Richard Dent named as the Super Bowl MVP. Their running back, hall of famer Walter Payton, won the NFC Offensive Player of the Year and head coach Mike Dikta as NFL Coach of the Year.The Super Bowl ChampionshipThe Bears finished off the 1985 NFL season with a record of 15-1, scoring 456 points and allowing the opposing teams with only a score of 198. The 1985 season was the team's 66th regular season and their 16th post-season in the NFL. That season was considered to be the greatest season in any team's history. They defeated three of their post season opponents by a score of 91-10 on their way to Super Bowl XX victory, as well as their ninth NFL Championship. The '85 playoffs saw the might and force of the team, scoring 24-0 over the Rams, 21-0 over the New York Giants, and finally the historical 46-10 defeat of the Patriots in the Super Bowl.Competing for the Greatest NFL team titleThe '85 Bears was also one of the few teams that were able to consistently challenge the 1972 Miami Dolphins for the (unofficial) title of "Greatest NFL Team of All Time." In the documentary America's Game: The Super Bowl Champions conducted by the NFL Network, the 1985 Bears was named as the second greatest Super Bowl championship team, ranking behind the 1972 Miami Dolphins. But other sources such as the ESPN, rank the '85 Bears as the greatest NFL team of all-time. 1. Devin Hester caused many female hearts to flutter when the video of his behind was widely syndicated by YouTube users following an incident in the Week 11 Bears games against the Eagles. The Bears speedster accidentally bared all to a national TV audience whilst he was being gang tackled by a number of Eagles defenders. Not the first time and NFL related wardrobe malfunction has caused a stir on the air waves.2. The Indianapolis Colts and New Orleans Saints both started the season perfect with records of 13 and 0 respectively. It marked the first time two teams were able to obtain such records in the same season in NFL history. A dream match up in the Super Bowl in Miami remains a possibility.3. The Detroit Lions were not alone in being considered the laughing stocks of the NFL. The crown was instead shared between 3 inept teams who would probably struggle against some high school teams. I am of course talking about the Oakland Raiders, the Cleveland Browns and the Kansas City Chiefs.4. 2009 was the year when NFL fans had to make do watching football without the guttural tones of the great John Madden describing the action. The former Super Bowl winning Raiders coach hung up his mic before the season got underway and football is worse off for the loss of the big man. Chris Collinsworth and Al Michaels, whilst great in their own right, will never quite fill the void.5. Brett Favre proved a point to ageist critics everywhere by reserving one of the best seasons of his career by leading the Minnesota Vikings to a Division Championship. Not bad going for a guy written off by many writers unfit to the great QB's shoe laces.6. 2009 was the year when two teams decided to go into the season with only one real player on each of their rosters. I am of course talking about Joshua Cribbs Browns and the Steven Jackson Rams who must surely miss college where they were at least afforded teammates who also wanted to contribute.7. Chris Johnson electrified the NFL with some powerful running displays on route to joining the elite 2,000 yard club, only the 6th man in NFL history to do so. He joins the likes of Eric Dickerson, Jamal Lewis, Barry Sanders, Terrell Davis and O.J. Simpson in the annals of NFL history with a total of 2,006 yards in the 2009/10 regular season.8. Thanks to the likes of Payton Manning, Tom Brady and Drew Brees the NFL is stocked with what can only be described as a vintage age of great NFL Quarterbacks. Not since the late 80's/early 90's era of Marino, Elway, Young and Montana has the NFL been blessed with such quality passers.9. Jerry Jones unveiled the biggest and brashest NFL stadium in history to match his tag as NFL's biggest and brashest owner. Whilst it hurts me to say this I have to admit the place is colossal and very impressive indeed.10. NFL owners were probably put off from moving a team up to Toronto any time soon as the Buffalo Bills and New York Jets played out to a half empty stadium. Looks like London could well be the city to get the first international expansion on this showing. 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During the last few years, the NFC East division in the National Football League has been dominant with all four teams making a serious run at the playoffs.Most of the commentators declared this and most fans agreed.This year, the balance of power in the league has seemed to change and the NFC East is not the division it once was.The New York Giants are still one of the best teams in the league and are well respected as such.They have started the season in a great position and will look to continue their dominance.Other than Eli Manning's recent minor injury, they have been pretty lucky and have not had many major injuries.If everyone stays healthy, there's not reason why the Giants can't make a serious playoff run once again.The Philadelphia Eagles are really the only other serious contender in the division to have a successful year.They have a strong defense as usual and although Donovan McNabb has been out with an injury, Kevin Kolb and the rest of the offense has certainly picked up the slack and looked pretty impressive.Once McNabb comes back, the Eagles should be considered one of the better teams in all of the NFC.The Dallas Cowboys and Washington Redskins fall into the bottom bucket of the division and are not projected to make the playoffs.The Cowboys have the talent and the potential to do well this year, but the inconsistent play of Tony Romo and questions about the coaching staff do not play in their favor.The Redskins are not performing well and some are already calling for the firing of Jim Zorn, the head coach.They continue to sit in the basement of the NFC East.
The New York Jets pulled off an unexpected upset victory in Cincinnati against the Bengals, derailing their hopes of a deeper run into the post season.Instead, the Jets will be advancing to face one of the AFC's top seeds in the divisional playoff round. Who they play will depend on how Baltimore fares against New England, but they'll either end up competing at Indianapolis against Peyton Manning and the Colts, or at San Diego against a red hot Chargers team that has won its last 11 games.The vast majority of sports fans may have the Jets pegged to go down easily next round. After all, the Colts and Chargers are both dangerous teams with legitimate chances to win the Super Bowl this year.Are we really to believe that the Jets have a chance to pull off yet another upset, this one being one of even larger proportions?To answer it simply, the answer to that question is yes. The Jets can absolutely pull it off.Will it be likely? Probably not, as I'd still put my money on the other teams. This game next week will be much closer than people expect, however, and the Jets could definitely come away with a win.What the team has on its side is a nothing to lose mentality. They've now won 6 of their last 7 games and they're riding a wave of momentum that many teams of the past have ridden all the way to the Super Bowl.For perfect of examples of this, we need look no further than the last two seasons. In the NFC last year, the Cardinals marched all the way to the big game against the odds, shocking many fans along the way.The year before, it was the Giants, capping off a miracle run with a monumental win against the then undefeated Patriots.Don't sleep on the Jets this playoffs. Anything is possible in January. Premier DeMarcus Ware Jersey White, Darren McFadden Jersey Free shipping, Premier Ed Reed Jersey, NFL Ed Reed Jersey, Authentic Ed Reed Jersey, Ed Reed Jersey Premier, Authentic DeMarcus Ware Jersey White, Replica Ed Reed Jersey, Ed Reed Premier Jersey, cheap Darren McFadden Jersey, Premier DeMarcus Ware Jersey Black, Premier Darren McFadden Jersey Black, Premier Darren McFadden Jersey White, Ed Reed Jersey Black, Premier DeMarcus Ware Jersey Blue, Ed Reed Jersey Womens, Ed Reed Authentic Jersey, Authentic Darren McFadden Jersey Black, Ed Reed Jersey Authentic, Ed Reed Jersey Purple, Ed Reed Replica Jersey, Replica Darren McFadden Jersey White, Ed Reed Jersey Replica, Authentic Darren McFadden Jersey White, Replica DeMarcus Ware Jersey Black, Authentic DeMarcus Ware Jersey Blue, Replica Darren McFadden Jersey Black, Darren McFadden Jersey Outlet, Ed Reed Jersey White, Replica DeMarcus Ware Jersey Blue, Replica DeMarcus Ware Jersey White, Darren McFadden Jersey On sale, Reebok Ed Reed Jersey
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Don't be fooled by following the money. Just because betting money rolls in on one side on key playoff games this time of year, doesn't mean someone is in the know. A year ago, the money came in on Pittsburgh in the AFC Championship game largely because they were a home dog and 16-1. The Steelers lost at home, 41-27. In last year's quarterfinal round, the Colts were at New England, a team with a decimated secondary. The money poured in on the Colts and the game to go 'Over' the total. Neither happened as the Colts lost 20-3. And two years ago, few thought the upstart Panthers could go very far, until they won at Philadelphia in the NFC Championship game to advance to their first Super Bowl.Ahh, the Panthers....And here they are again, one win away from their second Super Bowl. The image of Carolina in sports betting circles the last few seasons is that they are a team to back as an underdog and one to fade as a favorite. The 2003 team that went to the Super Bowl was 6-2 straight up, 7-1 against the spread as an underdog! In 2004 they didn't make the playoffs, but the Panthers were 4-4 SU, 7-1 ATS as a dog. This season? Carolina is a perfect 4-0 SU/ATS as an underdog.If you like to find money-line dogs that have a chance to win, Carolinahas certainly been magnificent under John Fox. The Panthers are 14-10 SU, 18-2 ATS as a dog the last three seasons. What is it about this Carolina team? First, they have talent. After that 1-15 season in 2001, Fox came in and rebuilt the defense, and got lucky with Jake Delhomme. The Panther QB may not be a star, but he's been very good. Second, Fox also likes old fashioned, conservative football, which partly explains why his Panthers have been better as a dog than a favorite. It's often too much to ask Carolina to cover the number as chalk, since this team doesn't explode offensively. Rather, Fox prefers to get a lead, and then go to the ground game to protect it. To him, a 13-6 win is just as good as 27-13.But Carolina's underdog prowess will be tested by Mike Holmgren's Seahawks. Seattle has a terrific home record this season, where they have yet to lose (also going 7-2 ATS).The big story for the Seahawks is health. Seattle RB Shaun Alexander, the league's leading rusher, wasn't a factor last week after getting a concussion. He is a big part of this ball-control offense. There are plenty of other side stories too. For example, Seahawks' tackle Sean Locklear will play in Sunday's NFC Championship Game despite being arrested over the weekend and charged with misdemeanor assault. Nice timing, kid!Carolina defensive end Julius Peppers missed his second day of practice Thursday with a shoulder injury and is still listed as questionable. Carolina could use its ace on the defensive line, as the Panthers have played just about all season without DE Kris Jenkins. But I believe Peppers will be ready to go Sunday. Also, Carolina's 26-year old CB Ken Lucas played four seasons with the Seahawks and will be facing his old team on Sunday. He tied with Carolina's Chris Gamble for the NFC lead with six interceptions last season. But the Seahawks, faced with salary-cap issues, decided not to offer Lucas big money.But perhaps the best part of the NFC Championship game is the backgrounds of the two quarterbacks. The Seahawks' Matt Hasselbeck was a sixth-round pick out of Boston College, while the Panthers' Jake Delhomme wasn't drafted at all out of Louisiana-Lafayette. So much for those who think you need a first-round pedigree around which to build a team! Think about Jim Druckenmiller, Tim Couch, Akili Smith, Cade McNown and Ryan Leaf as you watch the game on Sunday. It's not where you're selected, but how hard you work at your craft. Good luck as always...Al McMordie.
Vikings/Bills Sunday NFL Breakdown
The Minnesota Vikings had a chance to put some pressure on the Chicago Bears in the NFC North last week, but a fumble late in the game gave Chicago one last opportunity and the Bears took advantage. Minnesota will look to get back on track this week as they travel to Buffalo to take on the Bills for the first time in four years.Get ready for a defensive battle in this one. The Vikings are allowing just 287.3 yards per game and giving opponents just 87 of those yards on the ground. The Vikings rush defense will get a major test Sunday against the league's leading rusher, Willis McGahee. He is coming off a career best 150 yard performance last week. Minnesota will also have to contend with the red hot J.P. Losman who turned in a career performance last week. The second-year quarterback posted career highs in yards with 328 and completions with 22. If he can come out early and complete several passes, Minnesota will really have to back off the run.Buffalo also boasts a very good defense but it may be without Pro Bowl linebacker Takeo Spikes who has a hamstring injury. However, it has to be to Buffalo's benefit that Minnesota is not an explosive offensive team. The Vikings offense has struggled as they are yet to reach the 20 points mark. I attribute some of their offensive struggles to lack of imagination. Brad Johnson is one of the most efficient passers in football so Minnesota needs to take some more chances down the field to help open up its running game. Penalties and red zone execution have also limited this team's offensive ability.It's one thing for me to say what the Vikings need to do, but it's another thing to know what they will do. The bottom line is that they have a conservative offense. They try to control the ball and limit turnovers. After a rough outing for the offense last week, I do anticipate a much better showing this week and I think Minnesota can have success through the air against Buffalo just as Pennington and the Jets did last week.Will McGahee be able to penetrate Minnesota's stingy rush defense? Will the Vikings offense finally show some spark? I have looked thoroughly at every angle of Sunday's big game and I feel so confident in my winning side that I've made this matchup my top rated play this week. Climb on board with Jimmy Boyd and take down another 5 Star Winner.
NFL Playoffs: Turnover Margin
Win the turnover battle, you win the game and probably cover! In theory, it makes a lot of sense. However, it's not easy to gauge beforehand who is going to win the turnover battle. And successful handicapping is about predicting and projecting likely occurrences.Look at the opening week of the playoffs. The Bengals led the AFC with an outstanding +25 turnover differential. Whatever defensive shortcomings Cincinnati had, they helped make up for it with an aggressive, ball-hawking defense that forced turnovers. However, in the first playoff game, the Steelers won the TO battle against Cincy 2-0, with a 31-17 win and cover. Last week, the Redskins won the turnover battle 3-0 in their game at Seattle. That's often enough of an edge needed to win. Not only didn't the Redskins win, they couldn't even cover as a +9 dog in Seattle's 20-10 victory.Turnovers do so much to change the complexion of a game. Never was that so evident than in last week's game between Denver and New England. The Patriots had a significant edge in total yards, but 5 turnovers killed them. Leading 3-0 inside the two minute warning, the Patriots were driving and had all the momentum. They had lost much of the field position battle, but had won the TO edge (1-0) to that point and were seemingly in command of the game. In the blink of an eye, RB Kevin Faulk fumbled and Denver scored (with the help of a pass interference penalty in the end zone). The Patriots fumbled the ensuing kickoff and it was suddenly Denver 10-3 at the half. CB Champ Bailey's 100-yard interception return in the third quarter pretty much iced the game too.Turnovers were the story in that game, a Denver win and cover. Notice that coming into the contest, the Broncos were a stellar +18 in turnover margin for the season, second only to Cincy in the AFC. They have been opportunistic all season. The Patriots had been strong in turnover margin in 2003 and 2004, but this season they were minus-5, a significant drop in TO production. And that Achilles' heal is a big reason they are watching the rest of the postseason instead of going for three Super Bowl titles in a row.Again, it's not always easy to predict either. Last week, the Colts (+11 TO edge) took on the Steelers (+7 TO edge). Indy won the turnover battle 2-0 at home. On paper, that looks like a significant edge for the Colts, yet they not only failed to cover as a huge favorite, they lost the game, 21-18. Where and when those turnovers take place is just as significant, and impossible to predict. No doubt Jerome Bettis would be the sports goat of the new century had the Colts returned that fumble 99-yards for a TD in the final minute, like they came very close to doing!As for this weekend's games, the Broncos are +18 in TO margin, the Steelers +7. In the NFC, the Panthers are +12, the Seahawks are +9. It is obvious that teams don't get this far in the playoffs without a positive TO margin. And Washington's minus-4 TO margin was the worst of the NFC playoff teams, and they are out of it. A lot of folks wondered why the talented Chargers didn't even make the playoffs, look no further than their poor minus-6 TO margin. Also, note that Carolina was tops in the NFC in positive turnover margin.Looking ahead to the Super Bowl, the team that loses the TO battle has only won the game twice and only covered 5 times. My top play this weekend is in the AFC as my Playoff Total of the Year goes on Sunday. Enjoy the games, and don't be surprised if turnovers pop up as the deciding factor in what has thus far been a wild postseason!
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SANTA CLARA, Calif. AP - Braylon Edwards regularly lures quarterback Alex Smith back onto the field for some extra work, a few more throws to make sure they're clicking and on cue. Same goes for study sessions in the film room.They do it after practice, even on days off.In the short time since Edwards joined the San Francisco 49ers, he has shown a commitment to his new team and a much-needed second chance out West with a fellow Michigan man calling the shots: Jim Harbaugh. Edwards hopes to develop the best possible chemistry with Smith so he can return to the dynamic play-making receiver he has been in the past.He plans to stay out of trouble in the process."I'm trying just to be a team guy, fit in, do the things necessary to help this team succeed," Edwards said Tuesday. "I feel like I've done that behind the scenes and I will continue doing so."He recently switched back to his old No. 17 jersey after wearing Terrell Owens' former No. 81 during training camp.While Edwards might not start Sunday's season opener against defending NFC West champion Seattle, he should take on a big role as he begins his seventh NFL season.So far, there have been no signs of the player who found trouble during a tumultuous two-year tenure with the New York Jets. Harbaugh hopes it stays that way for someone he has watched grow up thanks to their Ann Arbor connection.The 28-year-old Edwards received a 3.5 million, one-year contract last month, giving San Francisco the strong, athletic wideout they sought to fit into Harbaugh's West Coast offense.The Niners love his size.Edwards is 6-foot-3 and 214 pounds. He demonstrated his athleticism with a pretty one-handed catch along the sideline in a 17-3 exhibition win over the Oakland Raiders on Aug. 20."He brings a lot to us," tight end Vernon Davis said. "He's a big-time playmaker. He has that ability to really do that, especially in one-on-one battles."Harbaugh made it clear when Edwards arrived that it was time for him to finally grow up and take responsibility for his behavior and his play.The well-mannered Edwards goes about his business without bringing any added attention to himself, something his teammates appreciate."You can tell he loves what he does and that he's serious about the game," running back Frank Gore said. "I like any guy who approaches the game like he loves it, and that's what he does. I'm happy he's part of the Niners."Polite and polished, Edwards hardly seems like someone with several legal run-ins.A Cleveland judge spared him jail time in July but extended his Ohio probation by one year for violating terms by driving drunk in New York City last September.In January 2010, he pleaded no contest in Cleveland to aggravated disorderly conduct after being accused of punching a friend of NBA star LeBron James.While on his 18-month probation from the Cleveland case, Edwards was charged with driving while intoxicated in his Land Rover in Manhattan in September 2010. Police said his blood-alcohol level was twice the legal limit.The 49ers said Tuesday they had been informed by the league that there would be no suspension for Edwards, who was fined 50,000 by the NFL for his DWI. Edwards later tweeted about it."I guess the good news is out 49er faithfuls, no suspension. I did get fined but I am in agreement and happy to move on," Edwards said via his Twitter account.He had also been linked to a bar fight in Michigan last month.Edwards is working each day to do right."More so just enjoying for right now, not looking too much into the future," Edwards said. "I'm just enjoying it day to day, week to week. I think that's all you can do. For right now it feels good to have a fresh start."Edwards' new teammates and coaches don't seem too concerned about any past problems as long as he continues to exhibit the same focus and work ethic.Edwards could emerge as a big-play threat and carry the load early considering Michael Crabtree remains behind after missing training camp with a broken left foot that required surgery.Crabtree, sidelined for the third straight preseason after sustaining the broken foot in a Smith-led June workout, said he hadn't been told if he would play Sunday.Is he ready?"Yeah, I should be," he said.Smith has certainly appreciated Edwards' initiative."Crucial, trying to make up for lost time," Smith said. "Really trying to do something every day, trying to take a step every day. It might not be something huge but just little things every day, staying on top of it, whether it's in the film room or out on the field or just communicating. Those are things I think eventually add up."This isn't the first time Edwards has started over. He was traded to the Jets from the Browns during the 2009 season and shone until the DWI charge.Edwards hopes to put all that in the past for good."Braylon has been great. Braylon brings a lot to the team, brings a lot to the group," offensive coordinator Greg Roman said. "I really enjoy his presence. He's a competitive guy that just wants to win. The more of those guys we can have, the better. He could be a difference-maker. As he keeps improving and working into the offense, it's just like anybody else, his role will expand."Notes: Defensive coordinator Vic Fangio expected CB Shawntae Spencer hamstring and S Reggie Smith - recovering from recent surgery to repair the meniscus in his knee - to return to practice. ... San Francisco signed LB Tavares Gooden to a one-year deal to be a backup inside linebacker to All-Pro Patrick Willis and provide a regular presence on special teams. "We felt he would be an upgrade in special teams for us," Fangio said. To make room on the roster, the Niners released linebacker Antwan Applewhite. Fangio was Gooden's position coach in Baltimore from 2008-09. Copyright 2011 by STATS LLC and The Associated Press. Any commercial use ordistribution without the express written consent of STATS LLC and TheAssociated Press is strictly prohibited. PrintEmail a FriendFacebookTwitterStumble UponGoogleYahooDiggDeliciousShare
Jaguars release Garrard days before season opener
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. AP - David Garrard lost his starting job the same way he got it: Just days before the season opener and in stunning fashion.The Jacksonville Jaguars released Garrard on Tuesday, making a "pure football decision" that will save the franchise 9 million in 2011.Whether it saves coach Jack Del Rio's job remains to be seen. Team owner Wayne Weaver has said Jacksonville needs to make the playoffs for Del Rio to stick around for a 10th season.Del Rio made it clear late last season that he had grown tired of Garrard's inconsistent ways, but the coach remained steadfast through training camp and the preseason that Garrard was his starter. That changed Tuesday, when the Jaguars parted ways with Garrard after nine up-and-down seasons.If the timing of the move wasn't strange enough - five days before Jacksonville's opener against Tennessee - it came two hours after the team introduced Garrard as its starting quarterback at a kickoff luncheon at the chamber of commerce."He just couldn't get it going," said Del Rio, who added that the team didn't try to trade Garrard. "I had met with him a couple of weeks ago and brought him in and said, 'Hey, listen, you're my guy. I need you to get it going.' He was given every opportunity. He was somewhat apologetic that he wasn't able to deliver."Del Rio turned the starting job over to Luke McCown, who outplayed Garrard and rookie Blaine Gabbert in the preseason. Playing mostly with and against second- and third-teamers, McCown completed 12 of 18 passes for 133 yards, with two touchdowns, no interceptions and no sacks."I was shocked by the decision," tight end Marcedes Lewis said. "They obviously felt it was time to go in a different direction. Luke had a great camp, everyone knows that, and now he's the guy. There's no drop-off. We believe in Luke and we're going to rally around him."Garrard missed the preseason opener because of a sore back, but started the final three games. He completed 50 percent of his passes for 216 yards, with no touchdowns and an interception. He was sacked three times.Garrard didn't return phone or text messages seeking comment, but he thanked fans on his Twitter feed."Thank you jaguar fans for an awesome ride! You are the best fans ever," he wrote. "You'll always have a special place in my heart and my family's heart!"The move was similar to what Del Rio did in 2007, when he released Byron Leftwich in favor of Garrard after the preseason finale. Garrard played well that season, throwing 18 touchdown passes and just three interceptions.He's been average since, with 53 TDs and 38 INTs over the last three seasons. He also has been sacked 117 times in that span.His performance late last season was one of the final straws.With running back Maurice Jones-Drew sitting out against Washington, the Jaguars put the game on Garrard's shoulders and he struggled to handle the load. He failed to read Washington's cloaked defensive schemes and nearly ended the day with five turnovers.The Jaguars responded by drafting Gabbert with the 10th pick in April's draft. Gabbert would have been given a chance to win the starting job in camp, but the NFL lockout denied him a a summer filled with meetings, film work and organized team activities.Gabbert dropped to third on the depth chart last week. McCown moved up to second, although no one knew he was actually auditioning for the starting job."Our starter is our starter until he's not our starter," Del Rio said. "That's the way it works. To do it any other way creates a circus atmosphere. We have not had that. We've had a very purposeful camp, we've had a very workmanlike, businesslike training camp. A decision was made in the best interest of the football team, and now we go forward."Garrard ends his Jacksonville career with 16,003 yards passing, 89 touchdowns, 54 interceptions and a 39-37 record. He also ran for 1,746 yards and 17 scores.Garrard's final game was one of his worst. He was hit repeatedly in last week's preseason finale against St. Louis and misfired on four of five passes. He ended the night with an animated exchange with his offensive line on the sideline.That, too, had become an issue inside the facility, with Garrard pointing the finger more often than taking the blame.Del Rio called Garrard a middle-tier quarterback after the 2009 season, and Weaver challenged him to do more with teammates that offseason.Garrard did. He responded by setting the franchise record for touchdown passes in a season 23, enjoyed five of the best eight games of his career, and led the Jaguars to several late wins. But he struggled down the stretch.It became clear Monday how teammates felt about Garrard. They declined to vote Garrard a team captain, instead choosing Jones-Drew and Lewis as offensive captains.Garrard was released the next day."I think he's handled it like a man, like he's handled everything else," general manager Gene Smith said. "I think he's been a tremendous example how to handle adversity since he's been here. ... At some point, you have to go through this as an NFL player." Copyright 2011 by STATS LLC and The Associated Press. Any commercial use ordistribution without the express written consent of STATS LLC and TheAssociated Press is strictly prohibited. PrintEmail a FriendFacebookTwitterStumble UponGoogleYahooDiggDeliciousShare
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Former Bears DE Alex Brown, who played the past two seasons in New Orleans, was cut by the Saints on Tuesday, but the Bears did not seem interested.Alex Brown is a lifetime friend, coach Lovie Smith said. I was planning on pulling for him 15 games this season. (But) we like our guys we have right now. There's great competition with the guys we have on the roster right now.PLAYER NOTES--NT Anthony Adams did not play in any of the preseason games because of a calf injury, but he is expected to be ready for the regular-season opener.--LB Lance Briggs (bruised knee) did not play in any of the final three preseason games, but he says he will be ready for the season opener.--DE Corey Wootton, who was expected to be the top backup to starters Julius Peppers and Israel Idonije, suffered ligament damage on the opening kickoff of the preseason opener and had arthroscopic knee surgery. He has targeted the season opener as a return date, but is not yet practicing, and he appears to be questionable at best for that game.--RB Marion Barber, whose inspired play in the preseason has made Chester Taylor expendable, suffered a calf injury in the third preseason game and wasn't going to play in the fourth tune up, although he is expected to be healthy by Sept. 11.--FS Major Wright, who was given the starting job when Danieal Manning was allowed to leave as a free agent, missed tackles in the second and third preseason games that could have prevented touchdowns, but coach Lovie Smith remains a staunch supporter.--WR Roy Williams had two catches and three drops in the first three preseason games, and he could relinquish the starting job to Johnny Knox, who was demoted in favor of Williams for no apparent reason.DRAFT PICKS TO STICKRd. 1/29, OT Gabe Carimi, Wisconsin - Was installed as the starting ORT almost immediately and is a physical force in the run game, and coaches are happy with his work ethic and attitude, but his pass protection needs refinement and improvement.Rd. 2/53, DT Stephen Paea, Oregon State - Has struggled some to learn both the NT and 3-technique positions but seems more at home at the 3, where he has good strength and decent quickness.Rd. 3/93, S Chris Conte, California - Strictly a backup at this point who will have to make stronger contributions than he has so far on special teams if he wants to see the field.Round 5/160, QB Nathan Enderle, Idaho - A project who is a Mike Martz favorite but will be brought along slowly, although he could challenge inconsistent No. 2 Caleb Hanie by the end of the season.Round 6/195, LB J.T. Thomas, West Virginia - Got significant playing time with the ones and twos in training camp because of the Bears' lack of depth and injuries to others. Will be asked to play a big role on special teams.UNIT-BY-UNIT ANALYSISQUARTERBACKS Starter -- Jay Cutler. Backups -- Caleb Hanie, Nathan Enderle.Cutler made significant strides last season, despite operating behind a porous offensive line, which he could have blamed for some of his struggles but did not. Last year's No. 3, Caleb Hanie, has moved up to the No. 2 spot with. It remains to be seen if his solid performance in last season's NFC title game won over offensive coordinator Mike Martz, who was not one of Hanie's biggest fans last season. Enderle was not drafted to be a No. 3 forever, but he's still considered a project.RUNNING BACKS Starter: Matt Forte. Backups: Marion Barber, Kahlil Bell.Forte is the Marshall Faulk in the current edition of Martz's offense, although no one is putting him in the same category yet as the Hall of Famer. But Forte has the versatility to run inside and outside, and he tied for the team lead last season with 51 receptions while establishing a career-best 4.5 yards per carry. Chester Taylor was a huge disappointment last season and was expected to be released. Barber clearly outplayed Taylor in the preseason and looks fresher, quicker and stronger. He should be the short-yardage specialist and provide Forte down time when needed. Bell has become a versatile backup by improving his pass-catching ability. He has enough size to run inside and enough speed to have ripped off a 72-yard run the first time he touched the ball as a pro in 2009.TIGHT ENDS Starter: Matt Spaeth. Backups: Kellen Davis, Desmond Clark.Greg Olsen was traded because his pass-catching, weak-blocking type is not what Martz wants from the tight ends in his offense. Spaeth and Davis are both 6-foot-7 and considered more blockers than pass catchers, although both could pass for NBA players with their long, lean body types. Both are capable of figuring in the pass game, but that won't be their primary responsibilities. Clark was brought back for a 13th season and, if he can stay healthy, he provides the closest thing to an all-around tight end on the roster, although Spaeth and Davis are both considered to have some upside.WIDE RECEIVERS Starters: Devin Hester, Roy Williams, Earl Bennett. Backups: Johnny Knox, Sam Hurd, Dane Sanzenbacher.There is plenty of big-play ability with speedsters Hester and Knox, and the veteran Williams was added to give the unit a bigger target besides Bennett, who was the only proven member of the cast with any size. Bennett is a solid and reliable possession guy and might wind up being the leading pass catcher even though he's technically only a starter in three-WR sets. He is unafraid to work the middle of the field, and Cutler has confidence in him and his steady hands. Williams as one time was a dominant wideout in Martz's offenses in Detroit, but he was unimpressive in three years with the Cowboys and his play was underwhelming during training camp and the preseason leaving many scratching their heads over his promotion ahead of Knox.OFFENSIVE LINEMEN Starters -- LT J'Marcus Webb, LG Chris Williams, C Roberto Garza, RG Lance Louis, RT Gabe Carimi. Backups - T/G Frank Omiyale, G/C Edwin Williams, C Chris Spencer.After 12 years ties were cut with six-time Pro Bowl C Olin Kreutz, and long-time RG Roberto Garza was moved into the middle where his leadership and smarts are considered more valuable to the Bears than his inexperience at the position. Both tackles are youngsters playing new positions. LT Webb earned a starting position at RT last season as a seventh-round rookie, but he was a left tackle at West Texas A&M. Carimi was a four-year starter at left tackle for the Wisconsin Badgers, but his style of play is better suited to the right side where the Bears can take advantage of his strong run blocking. Williams couldn't hold starting spots at either tackle position, but he's shown some signs of adapting to his new LG position. Garza's move to the pivot created an opening for the athletic Louis, who brings a brawler's mentality to the unit. Omiyale has played both tackle spots and some guard, so he is the ideal swing tackle/utility man. Williams can play any of the three interior positions while Spencer seemed a likely starter when he was signed but is being given time to learn the offense.DEFENSIVE LINEMEN DLE Israel Idonije, 3T Henry Melton, NT Anthony Adams, DRE Julius Peppers. Backups: NT/3T Matt Toeaina, 3T Amobi Okoye, DE Corey Wootton.Peppers was a huge difference maker in his first season, even though his sack total of 8 wasn't spectacular, at least for him. Peppers helped make everyone on the defense better, and he had 23 quarterback pressures, five more than the next two teammates combined. He also was outstanding against the run, an aspect of his game that had been overlooked, and he was voted to his sixth Pro Bowl. Idonije may have benefited from Peppers' presence as much as anyone. He had a breakout season in his first year as a full-time starter and matched Peppers' sack total, which was more than double his previous best. A late bloomer from Canada, he continues to improve every year. Melton has packed on 20 pounds without losing any of his quickness, which he is expected to utilize to disrupt opposing offenses. He can also rush the passer well enough to play end. In limited snaps in 2010, he tied for second on the team with nine QB pressures and had 2 1/2 sacks. Adams does the dirty work and is often underappreciated but always reliable. The Bears had just three sacks in the first three preseason games, and they all came from Okoye, who is an ideal 3 technique in the Bears Cover 2 scheme and can also play end. Toeaina was given a contract extension late last season and is more of a role player, but he can ably fill in at both DT spots, although he's better suited to nose tackle. Wootton, a 2010 fourth-round pick from Northwestern, showed flashes of being an effective pass rusher as a rookie, and he has enough size to hold the point of attack vs. the run. He suffered a knee injury in the preseason opener that required a scope, but he hopes to be back for the opener.LINEBACKERS Starters: WLB Lance Briggs, MLB Brian Urlacher, SLB Nick Roach. Backups: Brian Iwuh, J.T. Thomas, Dom DeCicco.Urlacher and Briggs have been voted to 13 Pro Bowls between them. Both made the Pro Bowl last season, Briggs for the sixth straight season, and Urlacher for the seventh time but the first time in four years. That ended speculation that his considerable skills had faded away after a dislocated wrist in the 2009 season opener limited him to one-half of one game. Roach started six games last season, plus 15 in 2009, and he has quietly piled up 30 career starts mostly filling in for injured starters, but now he's clearly No. 1 on the strong side. Iwuh is more of a special teams guy, but he played well in the preseason, although he's probably not what the Bears want as a starter. Thomas played well early in camp but is nowhere near ready for prime time. DeCicco is likewise a special teams player in need of development.DEFENSIVE BACKS Starters - LCB Tim Jennings, RCB Charles Tillman, FS Major Wright, SS Chris Harris. Backups: CB D.J. Moore, CB Zack Bowman, S Craig Steltz, S Chris Conte, CB Corey Graham.Tillman has been one of the starters for each of his eight seasons and, while he's not a shut-down type, he matches up well with big, physical wide receivers and is a tough and willing participant in run support. Jennings is undersized but feisty, and his toughness more than compensates for his lack of size. There is some depth with Moore, who was a pleasant surprise at nickel last season, picking off four passes after barely touching the field as a rookie in '09. But having him and Jennings on the field at the same time makes the Bears susceptible to opponents with big wide receivers.The promotion of Wright allows Harris to move back to his more natural position at strong safety, although he picked off five passes playing free last season. Harris is known as a big hitter and Wright has enough range and ball skills that he was considered for a starting spot last season before injuries slowed his development. Bowman began last season as the starter on the left side after a break-out season in '09, and he has much better size than Jennings or Moore, but he fell from favor last season because of a lack of physical play. Steltz has been around long enough to prove that he's a physical player and reliable backup but not an ideal starter. Conte is a project considering he played just one season at safety in college. Graham is a special teams whiz who has played corner and safety but isn't much of a ball athlete.SPECIAL TEAMS PK Robbie Gould, P Adam Podlesh, LS Patrick Mannelly, PR Devin Hester, KR Johnny Knox.Gould is the fifth-most accurate FG kickers in NFL history, and his distance on kickoffs has improved every year. He struggled with timing a bit in the preseason as he adjusted to the holds of Podlesh, who was signed as an unrestricted free agent to replace Brad Maynard, the Bears' punter for the previous 10 seasons. In case anyone had forgotten, Hester showed again last season why he's the best return specialist ever, taking three punts to the house. Knox is an excellent kickoff-returner, and Hester could get some touches there, too. Mannelly is as consistent as they come. Coverage teams have usually been outstanding in the past, but coordinator Dave Toub is working in several new players this season.Copyright (C) 2011 The Sports Xchange. All Rights Reserved. , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
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General manager Buddy Nix has never been a shy guy. If it's on his mind, it's usually coming out of his mouth.Asked if his football team is in better shape than a year ago when he and coach Chan Gailey took the reins of a perennial NFL also-ran and led it to a 4-12 record -- the worst mark since 2001 -- Nix said a resounding absolutely.I don't know of any place that we are not better, Nix said. Even if it is the same guy (starting), with more experience in what we are doing, (we'll be better). We wanted to get bigger. We knew we were not big enough to sit in there and play with these guys and if you watched these guys (in camp), we got bigger. Whether we can play or not ...Nix didn't finish his thought.Indeed, the Bills, who got pushed around on both sides of the ball, especially on defense where they ranked last in the league against the run, are bigger up front after spending the No. 3 pick in the draft on Alabama man-child Marcell Dareus.The linebacker corps, wiped out by injuries in 2010, became more explosive outside with the addition of former All-Pro Shawne Merriman (if he can stay healthy), and the additions of proven veterans Nick Barnett and Kirk Morrison inside.In the secondary, retaining free agent cornerback Drayton Florence was a key move. However, the Bills lost strong safety Donte Whitner and a rookie, Da'Norris Searcy, could supplant veteran George Wilson before too long.Offensively, the Bills are banking heavily on continuity to improve a unit that ranked 25th in total yards and 28th in points scored. On the plus side, Ryan Fitzpatrick returns as the entrenched starter eager to build on a year when he posted career-high numbers for yards (3,000) and TDs (23).However, the controversial trade of classy veteran Lee Evans to Baltimore not only disrupted the locker room emotionally -- and cast suspicion on the Bills' commitment to winning -- it put a ton of pressure on Stevie Johnson to perform. Johnson has had one good season and now will be blanket covered.Meanwhile, questions persist still all along the offensive line. The musical chairs have been so bad the team could wind up with new faces at all five positions when the regular-season kicks off Sept. 11 at Kansas City.Running back Fred Jackson, despite two very productive seasons, is unhappy as well now that the coaching staff has made it clear it wants last year's disappointing first-round pick C.J. Spiller to get more touches, perhaps even start.Bless the newcomers for injecting optimism to the bleak situation in Buffalo, where the Bills haven't made the playoffs in 11 seasons.I like where this team's headed, said Barnett, who played for the Super Bowl champion Green Bay Packers. In the NFL, every year starts over regardless of the history. It's a new team out there and this is a team that I look forward to getting another Super Bowl ring with.Wide receiver/quarterback/kick return specialist Brad Smith echoed those same sentiments after leaving the New York Jets, a Super Bowl contender that throttled Buffalo by scores of 38-14 and 38-7 last year.It's Chan Gailey's vision, he said when asked why he joined Buffalo. I felt the hunger in this team to get where it needs to be. I just want to be a part of something special.Missing the playoffs for 12 years in a row. Now that would be something special in a league predicated on parity.COACHING Chan Gailey, 16th year in NFL, 4th season as head coach (22-26), 2nd with Bills (4-12).REMEMBERING 2010 record: 4-10 (4th in AFC East); missed playoffs for 11th consecutive season.PREDICTING 2011 regular season record 7-9 (3rd in AFC East); will miss playoffs for 12th consecutive season.Copyright (C) 2011 The Sports Xchange. All Rights Reserved.
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Coordinator Joe Philbin was charged with running the offense in the preseason games, a duty head coach Mike McCarthy takes on in the regular season. The moonlighting play caller wasn't liking what he saw from the otherwise potent unit in at least one aspect.I'm concerned. I'm absolutely concerned, said Philbin, referring to the league-high 14 sacks the Packers allowed entering the final week of the preseason.Six of the sacks have been of star quarterback Aaron Rodgers, highest among this season's projected starters. Rodgers was dumped four times in only a half of action in the Aug. 26 exhibition win at the Indianapolis Colts.We've been averaging about 40 (sacks) over the last three years, and we're averaging about four a game in preseason, Philbin said. I'm concerned.The 123 sacks allowed by the Packers since 2008, Rodgers' first season as the starter, is tied for sixth worst in the league.Green Bay's high number of sacks this preseason, especially with Rodgers on the field, is alarming since the offensive line is mostly intact. The only change is at left guard, where T.J. Lang replaced Daryn Colledge (signed with Arizona in free agency).Proof's in the pudding, Philbin said. Three years of this has not been good. The facts don't lie. So, we've got to address it. It's a huge point. We made a big point out of it July 28 when we got together (before training camp), and we have yet to (resolve it). I'm not panicking ... (but) when you watch the film, it's not very good.If you're going to instruct your quarterback to drop back and throw the ball, you've got to keep those other guys away from him. We've got to do a better job. We just have to.--Outside linebacker Clay Matthews proved in just his first two years in the league that perhaps the preseason is a bit much for getting players dialed in for the start of the season.Felled by hamstring issues, Matthews played in only one exhibition game as a rookie in 2009 and none last year but managed to be a highly productive player when the games mattered. He has amassed 28 sacks in his budding career, been selected to the Pro Bowl both seasons and was the runner-up for league Defensive Player of the Year in 2010.Matthews again was hampered by tightness in his nagging left hamstring this preseason, which limited him to all of 14 plays in two games. He was doubtful to play in the finale Thursday against the Kansas City Chiefs.Nevertheless, Matthews is confident he will be OK to make the start in the season opener Sept. 8, when the New Orleans Saints come to Lambeau Field.Obviously, I don't have the best track history when it comes to preseason and making it all the way through, so we're just being smart, Matthews said. There was a little bit of tightness, and I think we did the right thing. ... The key is to get to September 8 feeling 100 percent. That's what we're shooting for right now.--Cornerback Tramon Williams earned a Pro Bowl nod, for the first time, in a breakthrough 2010 season in which he led the Packers with nine interceptions. Three of the picks came in Green Bay's postseason run to victory in Super Bowl XLV, highlighted by a 70-yard return for a touchdown to spur a rout of the host Atlanta Falcons in an NFC divisional playoff game.Packers cornerbacks coach Joe Whitt didn't hold back toward the end of training camp this year with his high praise of the fifth-year player, who went undrafted coming out of Louisiana Tech in 2006.Let me just say this -- 2010, there was not a corner better than him. Period, Whitt said. There was not one better that covered better than him. ... It wasn't even close who was the best.I'm taking (Packers veteran Charles) Woodson out of that equation because we ask him to play against the quarterback (in passing situations). We don't ask him to just play corner.--With two-a-days in training camp a thing of the past in the aftermath of the league's new collective bargaining agreement, McCarthy acknowledged on the final day of preseason practices Aug. 30 that his team's camp this summer was the easiest one, physically in his six years as coach.The Packers had only 20 practices -- one planned workout Aug. 12 was scrapped because of the team's visit to The White House in Washington, D.C., as the reigning Super Bowl champion -- and their Family Night scrimmage at Lambeau Field on Aug. 6 lasted just 20 minutes because of a thunderstorm.What's more, the team practiced exclusively at night with cooler temperatures the first two weeks of camp before McCarthy altered the schedule on the fly and held daytime practices the rest of the way.Just the practice totals alone, when I look at the first year (in 2006), I thought, 'What the hell was I thinking?' McCarthy said. I'm sure a lot of us (as coaches) made that mistake. The reps aren't what they used to be.Our practices are shorter. I think we're practicing smarter.Rodgers wouldn't echo his coach's assertion that it was the easiest camp the quarterback has been a part of since he broke into the NFL with the Packers in 2005.I don't take the physical toll (as a protected quarterback) that most of those guys do, Rodgers said. I think it's been longer (with) more meeting time than we've had in my seven camps, but I thought it was a productive camp.--Wide receiver Donald Driver, the longest-tenured player on the current team, is looking forward to the Sept. 8 opener for more than just making it a 13th season in the book.Driver is hopeful he will have an individual achievement to celebrate in the nationally televised Thursday night kickoff to the NFL schedule.He has 9,615 receiving yards in his career, only 41 yards behind Hall of Famer James Lofton for the franchise record.The 36-year-old Driver, however, wasn't basking in the likely achievement just yet.To be honest, every time I get close to a record, something ends up happening, he said. So, I'm just waiting till that moment comes and I can say, 'I've done this. It's finally over.' I think it's going to mean everything to me.A seventh-round draft pick in 1999, Driver holds the team record for pass catches with 698. He reiterated in training camp that he wants to play until he's 40 and would like to do so with the Packers before retiring in the same place his somewhat overachieving career started.I think the Packers will give me an opportunity to retire here, Driver said. I don't think they would want me to leave and go anywhere else. I wouldn't want to leave.--The Packers scheduled a groundbreaking ceremony Thursday morning for their recently announced expansion project at Lambeau Field.The club plans to add about 6,600 seats in the south end zone, as well as a rooftop viewing platform for spectators in the north end zone. The seating capacity will expand to nearly 80,000, making Lambeau the fourth-largest stadium in the NFL.The 130 million-plus project, funded exclusively by the Packers, is slated to be completed before the 2013 season.Team president Mark Murphy said offering a stock sale to fans in major sports' only publicly owned team is under consideration to help offset the expenses for the project.All of us feel a sense of responsibility that this is an icon, Murphy said. This is the best stadium in the NFL, and you want to make sure you do it right.BY THE NUMBERS 3 -- Players still on the team who were with the Packers before Ted Thompson was hired as general manager in 2005. They are receiver Donald Driver (1999), left tackle Chad Clifton (2000) and center Scott Wells (2004).QUOTE TO NOTE No, I don't think so. It's just got to be a wrinkle in the offense, something we can use in different points in the game, something (defenses) have to prepare for. -- Quarterback Aaron Rodgers, on whether the no-huddle the team used on occasion in the preseason can become an identity for the offense this season.Copyright (C) 2011 The Sports Xchange. All Rights Reserved. , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
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When camp opened, the New York Giants aspired to fix a few things that, despite their ten-win season last year, kept them from making the playoffs for the second year in a row ... and then camp happened.Post lockout, the Giants found themselves not only carrying several expensive contracts under a salary cap that was reduced from 128 million in 2009 to 120 million for 2011, those contracts belonged to veteran players whose skills, for one reason or another, were no longer able to justify their value.As a result, general manager Jerry Reese made some tough but necessary decisions, trimming key members from the Super Bowl XLII team such as offensive linemen Rich Seubert and Shaun O'Hara, and FB Madison Hedgecock.He also cut ties with offensive lineman Shawn Andrews, who signed the previous year, and held firm in not overspending for several of the Giants' own free agents such as defensive tackle Barry Cofield, tight end Kevin Boss and wide receiver Steve Smith.While Reese's personnel moves on offense have been anything but glamorous, he insisted that the team stuck to its objective.We make solid football decisions, Reese said. That's been happening for a long time.Those decisions included signing unrestricted free agent David Baas to replace O'Hara at center; moving LT David Diehl inside to left guard to replace Seubert; and plugging in third-year man Will Beatty at left tackle.At tight end, Reese is looking for Travis Beckum, their former third-round draft pick, to match if not top Boss' 35 receptions for 531 yards and five touchdowns last season.There's plenty of room for guys to step up. We expect them to, Reese said of the tight end situation.At fullback, the team is hoping that undrafted free agent Henry Hynoski, who was promoted to the starting lineup in the Giant's preseason matchup against the Jets, will continue to make enough forward progress to where the position no longer is a concern.We like (Hynoski's) ability as a fullback, Reese said. With the percentage of fullback plays that we have and we have used in the past, I don't think (fullback) is an issue for us at this point.At receiver, the Giants are looking to the one-two punch of Hakeem Nicks and Mario Manningham, who combined for 139 receptions for 1,996 yards and 20 of quarterback Eli Manning's 31 touchdowns in 2010, to provide the firepower in the passing game.I think we have a number of guys who can play, said Manning. Those guys are all working. They're all great competitors. It's fun to be in practice with them. They want to do the right things, they want to learn, they're all smart, and they get things. So we're coaching them up, but they're making plays and doing a good job.Meanwhile on defense, defensive tackle Linval Joseph will replace the departed Barry Cofield, while Mathias Kiwanuka, a defensive end by trade, will replace unrestricted free agent Keith Bulluck on strong side spot in the base defense.As for the injuries that have struck the Giants so far, most of which have occurred on defense, New York is looking for second-year man Jason Pierre-Paul to step in for Osi Umenyiora (right knee) at defensive end. Pierre-Paul has had a solid camp thus far and should be ready for the starting role in the event that Umenyiora is not back at the end of the 3-4 week recovery time initially projected by the team.At defensive tackle, the Giants were dealt a significant blow when Marvin Austin, their promising second-round draft pick, suffered a season-ending pectoral injury. Austin was expected to be a big part of the defensive interior's rotation; his production will likely be taken up by veteran Jimmy Kennedy, who the team signed to a one-year contract.In the defensive secondary, New York was hit hard at cornerback, losing Terrell Thomas (knee), Bruce Johnson (Achilles), and Brian Witherspoon (knee) for the season, while first round draft pick Prince Amukamara (broken foot) probably won't be ready until mid-October at the soonest.Injuries aside, Coughlin is looking for the rest of his team to pick up the pieces and stay on track.I think the guys will rally, said Coughlin. I think our guys will continue to believe in themselves and are certainly going to be disappointed in this news, as we all are. But we're going to have to push our way through this and maybe it will be an opportunity for someone else.It's football, added defensive end Justin Tuck. Obviously it is unfortunate that it had to happen, especially to those guys. Like I always say, guys have to step up and it gives guys opportunity. That's about all you have to say about it.COACHING Tom Coughlin, 16th year (141-114), 8th with Giants (69-50).REMEMBERING 2010 record: 10-6 (2nd in NFC East).PREDICTING 2011 regular season record 9-7 (3rd in NFC East).Copyright (C) 2011 The Sports Xchange. All Rights Reserved. , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
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At 6-5, 323 pounds, Seattle Seahawks defensive end Red Bryant says he can still bring down a 360 dunk on the basketball court.I can, Bryant said, smiling. (Fellow defensive lineman Brandon) Mebane, he's always telling my secrets though. I like to keep that a secret. But I can get up off the ground.Bryant was a standout forward in high school in Jasper, Tex.So can you do that on a regulation hoop, Red?I'm talking about a 10-, 12- or 14-foot hoop, Bryant joked. Whatever you put up there, I'm going to go get it.--Seahawks tight end John Carlson will be placed on injured reserve with a torn labrum that will require surgery.Carlson said he suffered the injury during a practice two days after the team's first preseason game at San Diego on Aug. 11.I dove for the ball on one-on-ones, and I think the initial injury was there, he said. And I think later in practice I aggravated it blocking.Carlson said initially team trainers thought he could avoid surgery by rehabbing and strengthening his shoulder. But when the injury did not get better, he ultimately had to make the choice to have surgery.The decision was kind of made by my shoulder, Carlson said. It kind of resolved itself by not coming along as far as we wanted it to. Obviously I'm very disappointed. But that's where my shoulder is, and I need to get it fixed and start the rehab process.Carlson's injury will hurt Seattle, but they got some insurance by signing Zach Miller in free agency, and reserve tight ends Anthony McCoy and Dominique Byrd have played well.--Now you can see former Seahawks offensive tackle Walter Jones whenever you want.You just have to make a trip to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.The Seahawks recently held an unveiling for a new, 8-foot bronze statue of the legendary Seahawks offensive tackle. The statue sits out front of the team's new restaurant at the North terminal of the airport, called the Seattle Seahawks 12 Club - named after Seahawks 12th Man.The new restaurant is a joint venture between the Seahawks and HMSHost, a dining and shopping company for travel venues.Jones' likeness stands in full pads, ready to block an oncoming pass rusher.It's cool, Jones said. You go around to a lot of the airports and you see a lot of athletes being honored in the airports. So for me to be honored in Seattle is a great feeling.BY THE NUMBERS 11 - Number of fumbles Seattle has forced in exhibition play, the most in the league.16 - The number of players head coach Pete Carroll and general manager John Schneider left on the team's roster that the duo inherited when they took over in January 2010.26,918 - The number of miles the Seahawks will travel this season, second most in the league behind San Francisco.QUOTE TO NOTE Obviously you never want to look like that. It was an embarrassment to all of us, especially as a group. But that's life. And you've got to learn, and how everybody responds will be the key. -- Seattle offensive guard Robert Gallery commenting on the struggles of his group during preseason play.Copyright (C) 2011 The Sports Xchange. All Rights Reserved.
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Members of the Saints coaching staff were able to breathe a sigh of relief last week after X-rays and an MRI on the left knee of Pro Bowl guard Carl Nicks came back negative.Nicks left the team's first practice in Oxnard, Calif., with discomfort in his knee and coach Sean Payton initially were concerned that it might be a significant injury. But they got the good news later that night.The concern leaving practice was it might have been a longer period of time, Payton said. But about an hour after practice, we received the MRI results and they were negative. So that was good.Nicks was held out of practice the rest of the week and did not play in Sunday night's exhibition game with the Oakland Raiders, but was expected to return to work this week.The Saints weren't as lucky with defensive tackle Aubrayo Franklin, who they're heavily counting on this season to help plug a leaky run defense.Franklin sprained the medial collateral ligament in his left knee in a loss to the Houston Texans in their second exhibition game. While it would have been worse had it been an ACL, Franklin was expected to be out 2-to-3 week which could keep him sidelined for the regular-season opener.We're a little guarded, but we're still optimistic he'll be back in two to three weeks depending on the rehab, Payton said of Franklin, who is regarded as one of the top run-stuffing tackles in the league.The loss of Franklin left the Saints a little thin at defensive tackle as backup Tom Johnson had a strained calf muscle that sidelined him for two-plus weeks.Giving up 436 total yards to the Texans wasn't enough for the defense as it paid when it got back on the field.Defensive coordinator Gregg Williams was waiting and punished them with a series of up-downs, an exercise in which players run in place and then hit the ground and pop up quickly at his command.The message was just about that Houston. It's really not about what other people do. It's about what we do, said defensive tackle Sedrick Ellis. It's about fundamentals. If we do the right things on defense, it's going to be hard for anyone to beat us.I think we kind of let up as a defense in ideology, he added. I think he's trying to instill and pound that into us.Before tearing a meniscus in his knee in practice last week, Saints free agent wide receiver Joe Morgan was a hit with a long touchdown in each of the team's first two preseason games.But the thrill of training camp came when Hall of Fame baseball player Joe Morgan visited Oxnard to interview Drew Brees. Public relations director Doug Miller arranged for Morgan, the former second baseman for the Cincinnati Reds, to meet Morgan, the not-so-famous football player.As it turned out, the younger Morgan always wanted to meet the famous baseball player after hearing stories about him from his grandfather back in Canton, Ohio.Oh man, that was one of the things I had on my bucket list, said young Joe Morgan.The status of Saints defensive end Will Smith remains unknown as a St. Paul Minn. Pioneer Press report says his potential four-game suspension for using a banned substance in 2008 may be reduced to two games.Additionally, any suspension may not occur at the beginning of the season.Payton said he read the report about a possible suspension reduction for Smith, but didn't know anything more than what he has read.It took almost four weeks of training camp, an unusually long time, but the first fight of training camp broke out Thursday.Tempers flared briefly when several offensive players came to the aid of running back Darren Sproles, who they felt was being roughed up by cornerback Leigh Torrence long after a play was whistled dead.All-Pro guard Jahri Evans and tight end Jimmy Graham, who weight 315 and 260 pounds, respectively, were among the first to come to the aid of Sproles, who stands just 5-foot-6.Copyright C 2011 The Sports Xchange. All Rights Reserved. PrintEmail a FriendFacebookTwitterStumble UponGoogleYahooDiggDeliciousShare , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
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An injury has changed the Steelers' plans at the quarterback position, and Byron Leftwich is again in the middle of it all.Leftwich was having a good preseason when his upper left arm was broken in his first series of the third preseason game Saturday night against the Atlanta Falcons.He will go on injured reserve and Charlie Batch will make the team and could leap over Dennis Dixon to become the top backup to Ben Roethlisberger.It's been a long, sad history of injuries for Leftwich, once the franchise quarterback in Jacksonville. He was plagued with ankle injuries in Jacksonville, where he last played in 2006, a season that ended on injured reserve. He had another ankle injury in 2007 with the Falcons.He was set to open the 2010 season as the Steelers' starter during Ben Roethlisberger's four-game suspension, but a knee injury prompted them to turn to Dixon and then Batch through those four games.Leftwich again was to be the top backup to Roethlisberger. He had a 100.3 passer rating in the preseason. The only good news for him is that the break was to his left arm, and he throws with his right.It just goes to show you that it's good to have four NFL-capable quarterbacks, coach Mike Tomlin said. We've gone through this several times over the last few years. It always has its way of working itself out.That's the good news, that they have two experienced quarterbacks behind Roethlisberger. Even better is how Roethlisberger has played and practiced this summer. At 29, he is in his prime and he's played at the top of his game.He completed 11 of 16 passes for 214 yards and those two touchdowns against the Falcons. That makes him 21 of 31 for 361 yards, four touchdowns and no interceptions for a 146.6 passer rating, nearly as high as you can get.Roethlisberger may have his best receivers since he had Plaxico Burress and Hines Ward in 2004. Antonio Brown is showing he can be a big-time receiver on the level of Mike Wallace, who has averaged around 20 yards per catch in his first two seasons.Brown caught two long touchdown passes Saturday against the Falcons of 77 and 44 yards and now has nine receptions for 230 yards and three touchdowns in the three preseason games.He's consistently been a spark plug here for us throughout the preseason, Tomlin said, and he's put himself in a position for that to continue as we push towards the regular season.The addition of veteran Jerricho Cotchery rounds out a corps that also includes Wallace, Ward and Emmanuel Sanders, who is recovering from foot surgery but hopes to be ready to start the regular season.The Steelers' offense could be explosive including their tight end, Heath Miller, and 1,200-yard back Rashard Mendenhall provided their line performs better.That line looks as though it will shape up as left tackle Jonathan Scott, left guard Chris Kemoeatu, center Maurkice Pouncey, right guard Tony Hills and right tackle Willie Colon.Copyright C 2011 The Sports Xchange. All Rights Reserved. PrintEmail a FriendFacebookTwitterStumble UponGoogleYahooDiggDeliciousShare , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
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Surrounded by some of the game's best defensive talent including a trio of linebackers who among them have seven Pro Bowl berths, five title rings, a defensive player of the year award, and one of the most celebrated individual efforts in Super Bowl history Pittsburgh inside linebacker Lawrence Timmons might be a relatively anonymous player. But not for long. "We do have a lot of big-time and big-name players," Steelers' esteemed defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau told The Sports Xchange late Saturday night, following the team's 34-16 drubbing of the Atlanta Falcons in the third preseason game of the year. "But he's fast becoming one of them." Fast might be the operative word for Timmons. That is, if the term "explosive" didn't exist at all in the dictionary. If one wants to see the personification of the term, he need only dim the lights, flip on the video from Saturday's game, and assess Timmons' standout performance. In his fifth season with the Steelers, and only his third year as a starter, Timmons has more than begun to chisel out his place in the football Mount Rushmore that is the long lineage of Pittsburgh excellence at the linebacker position. The former first-round pick from Florida State 2007 is coming off a 2010 season in which he was like a defensive Veg-O-Matic, slicing and dicing his way to a stat sheet-filling 135 tackles, three sacks, two interceptions, nine passes defensed, two forced fumbles and two recoveries. "A lot of it comes," Timmons said following the game, "from having such great players around you. And part of it is knowing the defense so much better than early in his career, and knowing what you can do in it. When you're confident, you can play fast. And I'm comfortable now with the defense." Timmons, 25, who last week was rewarded with a new six-year, 50 million contract extension that means he will play his prime seasons in Pittsburgh, and perhaps even retire as a Steeler, literally does it all in LeBeau's intricate design. By any stretch, Timmons is certainly not timid about throwing himself around. But he isn't a helter-skelter player, either. He performs now, having mastered most of the intricacies of the ever-changing LeBeau blueprint, with discipline. But there is also a sort of hell-bent recklessness to his game. LeBeau's defense is built around often attacking from unusual angles, but covering up and compensating for potential vulnerabilities, and Timmons' versatility further adds to the legendary coordinator's already deep bag of tricks. On the first series of the Saturday game alone Timmons: Blitzed from the inside and hit Atlanta quarterback Matt Ryan as he unloaded. Faked a blitz, a darting jab-step move that drew a false-start flag against Falcons right guard Garrett Reynolds. Moved to the far outside, rushed hard off the edge, and again hit Ryan. Blanketed tight end Tony Gonzalez, and was credited with a pass defended when he swatted the ball away. Rushed an inside gap on third-and-15 and hurried a deep Ryan pass that fell harmlessly incomplete. The second series featured Timmons filling the left "A" gap on a play where his teammates swarmed to the ball and held running back Michael Turner to no gain. He then pressed Ryan again on an incompletion to Turner. On third down, he faked a blitz from the right side, dropped off into coverage instead, intercepted a tipped pass, and raced 44 yards with the pick. The only shortcoming: Timmons was caught from behind by fleet Falcons' receiver Harry Douglas after reaching the Atlanta four-yard line. Teammates didn't let him outlive that one. "I'm supposed to finish that one off by scoring," said Timmons. "I know Douglas is fast and all, but ..." There aren't many qualifiers in Timmons game, and he could soon join James Harrison, James Farrior and LaMarr Woodley to form a quartet in the Pittsburgh 3-4 scheme in which all of the linebackers have Pro Bowl pedigrees. There were a lot of people who felt that Timmons who, typical of the Steelers' incubating method with young guys, played principally as a nickel defender his first two seasons, then moved into the starting lineup to supplant Larry Foote following the apprenticeship should have gotten a Pro Bowl invitation last season. "He played lights-out," Harrison said. The NFL is loaded with standout young 3-4 inside linebackers: Patrick Willis San Francisco, David Harris New York Jets, Jerod Mayo New England, among them. But there aren't a lot of guys who can stay on the field all three downs and make an impact, and do all the different and innovative things that LeBeau and the Steelers ask Timmons to do. Said Ryan, who threw an amazing 42 passes on Saturday in one-half of work: "That No. 94 Timmons is all over the place." Playing only the first two quarters, Timmons collected six unassisted tackles, two passes defensed, the interception, and two hurries. Unofficially, he lined up at six different places on the field. And he influenced the game from most of them. Even when the play was away from him, Timmons chased the ball relentlessly. He was asked to often check Gonzalez, one of the game's most clever medium-range pass catchers, and the most prolific tight end in NFL history totaled 26 yards. Pittsburgh general manager Kevin Colbert, the man who plots out the Steelers' drafts, allowed that Timmons is versatile enough to probably play one of the celebrated outside spots in the team's exotic defense. A heat-seeking missile, Timmons, indeed, might be a double-digit sack threat in a less talented linebacker corps. LeBeau seconded the notion, and suggested that Timmons is "one of the fastest linebackers" in the league. He's also one of the hardest hitting and generally attacks runners and receivers after having built up plenty of momentum and forward torque. With a little over a minute remaining in the first half on Saturday night, he launched himself so hard at Atlanta tailback Jason Snelling after a short, flat pass, and hit with such rising motion, that he knocked the Falcons' player backwards three yards. In 2007, when the Steelers tabbed Timmons in the first round and Woodley in the second, the team knew what it had in the latter defender a classic Pittsburgh outside linebacker candidate, an undersized college defensive end with innate pass-rush ability, who would eventually project to a standup defender in the team's 3-4 scheme. But with Timmons, LeBeau suggested to this columnist, in a walk around the team's St. Vincent College training camp campus, that he wasn't as certain that Timmons was the quintessential square peg for the square hole. That's because Timmons was regarded more as a 4-3 'backer. But LeBeau, who did know that the former Seminoles' star was a super overall player, has found a way to round the edges off the square peg. And now, ready to begin his fifth season, he's a tremendous fit for the Pittsburgh system. And a guy who, like Woodley, the Steelers have secured with a long-term extension. "He could," LeBeau said, "play just about anywhere for us. And he has. We use him inside because it makes it so hard for teams to identify where he's at and block him. He can just go and get to the ball." And Timmons does. On a team that pretty much has the "Cheers" collection of linebackers you know, everybody knows their names Timmons is quickly making a name for himself.Len Pasquarelli is a Senior NFL Writer for The Sports Xchange. He has covered the NFL for 33 years and is a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame selection committee. His NFL coverage earned recognition as the winner of the McCann Award for distinguished reporting in 2008.Copyright C 2011 The Sports Xchange. All Rights Reserved. PrintEmail a FriendFacebookTwitterStumble UponGoogleYahooDiggDeliciousShare
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Defensive tackle Jovan Haye, who was in a fight for a spot with the logjam at defensive tackle, was waived by the Titans. He put on approximately 40 pounds this offseason because the Titans wanted to get bigger on the interior, but ultimately still didn't make the team.Haye was scheduled to earn about 3 million this season, but the team is going with youngsters Karl Klug, Jurrell Casey and Zach Clayton."It caught me off-guard," Haye told The Tennessean. "You are running with the ones and I thought I was starting to play well. But they said they wanted to go a different route, they wanted to go younger."I feel like those guys are talented - they are going to be good pros. I am happy to see them succeed. I was just hoping to be a part of that group."Copyright C 2011 The Sports Xchange. All Rights Reserved. PrintEmail a FriendFacebookTwitterStumble UponGoogleYahooDiggDeliciousShare
Cardinals lose starting CB Toler for season
TEMPE, Ariz. AP - The Arizona Cardinals have lost starting cornerback Greg Toler for the season with torn left knee ligaments.Toler, injured in Saturday night's preseason loss to San Diego, was placed on injured reserve on Monday. The move could mean a starting assignment for first-round draft pick Patrick Peterson.The team also, as expected, placed rookie running back Ryan Williams on injured reserve. Williams tore a patella tendon in his right knee in the team's second preseason game.Arizona waived-injured wide receiver Max Komar knee and safety Tommy Irvin ankle. The Cardinals also released six players: fullback Charles Ali, wide receiver Daivieun Curry-Chapman, linebackers Curtis Gatewood and Duke Lemmens, and tackles Erik Mensik and Jason Speredon. Copyright 2011 by STATS LLC and The Associated Press. Any commercial use ordistribution without the express written consent of STATS LLC and TheAssociated Press is strictly prohibited. PrintEmail a FriendFacebookTwitterStumble UponGoogleYahooDiggDeliciousShare
Colts activate Manning, to get scripted practice work
INDIANAPOLIS The Colts have activated Peyton Manning from the physically unable to perform list. The team said Monday that the four-time MVP quarterback will participate in practice on a limited basis on a "scripted" and controlled basis. Manning has been recovering from neck surgery in May, casting doubt on whether he will be ready for the Sept. 11 opener at Houston. The Colts signed veteran backup Kerry Collins to go along with Curtis Painter, Dan Orlovsky and rookie Mike Hartline. Manning has started 227 consecutive games, including the playoffs, the second-longest streak in NFL history for quarterbacks behind Brett Favre. Copyright 2011 by STATS LLC and The Associated Press. Any commercial use ordistribution without the express written consent of STATS LLC and TheAssociated Press is strictly prohibited. PrintEmail a FriendFacebookTwitterStumble UponGoogleYahooDiggDeliciousShare , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
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The Steelers were a team in flux a year ago, their star quarterback about to sit out a four-game suspension.Ben Roethlisberger returned after Pittsburgh went 3-1, leading the team to its third AFC championship in six seasons. Now the bitter taste of a Super Bowl loss to Green Bay and a controversy-filled offseason have the Steelers itching to defend their AFC title. After keeping the core of their roster together, they're loaded to make another run.But so are plenty of other AFC teams.Just ask Rex Ryan, who says this is the most talented Jets roster he has had since becoming New York's coach. Oh, yeah, he guarantees - again - this is the year the Jets bring home their first Lombardi Trophy since the days of Broadway Joe."Everything that I've said in the past," Ryan said, "is still in play."Bill Belichick's New England Patriots might have something to say about that. After all, they've been the kings of the AFC East for eight of the last 10 years. And Tom Brady - the NFL's MVP after 36 touchdowns and just four interceptions - has a dangerous new target in Chad Ochocinco."The Jets, well we've heard that for a few years," Brady said. "You don't ever hear us talking too much about that. I think there is a long way to go between now and the regular season."While Jets-Patriots should make for an intense matchup in the AFC East, watch for the Baltimore Ravens to ramp up the volume - and violent hits - with the Steelers in the AFC North. Ray Lewis is still the fiery leader of an always-dominant Ravens defense, and quarterback Joe Flacco has improved in each of his first three seasons.Peyton Manning's neck, even more than his arm, will have a big impact not only on the AFC South, but the entire conference.It's strange to be concentrating on an injury for the game's most durable quarterback, but the Indianapolis Colts' four-time MVP had offseason surgery and was only activated Monday from the physically unable to perform list. If he's sidelined at the beginning of the regular season, that could give Matt Schaub and the Houston Texans a head start in the division.The AFC West could be a free-for-all, with Philip Rivers and the San Diego Chargers' quick-strike offense looking to get back to the playoffs after a year away. Meanwhile, the Kansas City Chiefs have a new offensive coordinator, and the Oakland Raiders and Denver Broncos are playing under new head coaches."I wouldn't want to think what it would be like with a new coach or a new system," Chargers center Nick Hardwick said, expecting the lockout to have an impact on teams in that position. "We're very fortunate."-AFC EAST:As always, Brady is the key to the Patriots' success, and adding Ochocinco to a receiving corps that includes Wes Welker and Deion Branch makes an already dangerous offense potentially unstoppable. New England also became a surprising landing spot for solid veterans looking for changes in scenery: Ochocinco, the volatile Albert Haynesworth, former first-rounder Andre Carter, and a pair of former Jets in Shaun Ellis and James Ihedigbo.Powered by its defense, New York has made it to the AFC championship game two straight years and lost both times. This season, the fate of the Jets rests largely on the shoulders of QB Mark Sanchez, who needs to put up numbers as striking as his GQ magazine shots. He's surrounded by loads of talent, including the re-signed Santonio Holmes, former Raven Derrick Mason and former Giants Super Bowl star Plaxico Burress, who after spending 20 months in prison on a gun charge vows to be a game-changing receiver again.Miami has one of the AFC's most solid defenses, led by cornerbacks Vontae Davis and Sean Smith. The problem is the offense, starting with erratic and mistake-prone quarterback Chad Henne. Fans called for the Dolphins to trade for Denver's Kyle Orton, but after no deal came, Henne needs to improve significantly to save his job, as well as coach Tony Sparano's. If he can stay healthy - a big if - RB Reggie Bush should help take some pressure off WR Brandon Marshall as the focal point of the offense.Tough times have become common in Buffalo, and this season might be no different, especially because Ryan Fitzpatrick no longer has Lee Evans to throw to after Evans was traded to Baltimore. A shaky offensive line could make for a long season for the quarterback and for Buffalo fans, who haven't seen the postseason since 1999 - along with Detroit, the NFL's longest current streak of failure.-AFC NORTH:The Steelers' long offseason started when they lost the Super Bowl to the Packers. Sure, Roethlisberger got married - in 2010, he got suspended for a night of boorish carousing in Georgia - but that was about the only good news off the field.Rashard Mendenhall drew heavy criticism when he questioned celebrating Osama bin Laden's death in a tweet, James Harrison called NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell a "crook" and "the devil" in a magazine article, and Hines Ward was arrested on a drunk driving charge shortly after winning TV's "Dancing with the Stars."The Steelers get to focus solely on football now and winning their seventh Super Bowl; they already hold the record with six. They kept their aging but solid defense intact by re-signing CB Ike Taylor, and the offense should again be productive behind Roethlisberger. Indeed, Pittsburgh's passing game might rival its always-potent running attack as speedy receivers Mike Wallace and Antonio Brown emerge as forces.Baltimore got younger in some key spots, and adding Evans gives the Ravens a formidable duo with Anquan Boldin. The running back combo of Ray Rice and Ricky Williams should wear out defenses. They'll help Flacco, one of the league's top young quarterbacks. But as always, Lewis and the defense will set the tone.Cleveland is on its fifth coach since returning to the NFL in 1999. This time it's Pat Shurmur's task to turn around the fortunes of a franchise that has missed the playoffs the last eight seasons. Good luck with that in a division dominated by the Steelers and Ravens.Carson Palmer is gone from Cincinnati, deciding he'd rather not play anymore than deal with more losing. In his place, rookie QB Andy Dalton will likely step in and should expect a rough introduction to the NFL. Ochocinco was traded and Terrell Owens was allowed to leave as a free agent, meaning the offense will need to jell quickly. The Bengals tied the franchise record by losing 10 in a row last season, and coach Marvin Lewis still got a contract extension.-AFC SOUTH:The Colts can only hope the pain in Manning's neck eases up. The consistently dependable star has started 227 consecutive games, but just as insurance, Indianapolis signed veteran Kerry Collins. Sure, the Colts have some big-time talent with receivers Reggie Wayne, Dallas Clark and Pierre Garcon, but the offense - and the team - goes as Manning goes. If the injury sidelines him for a few weeks or affects his performance, this could be Houston's big chance to finally make the playoffs.The Texans have been on the verge for a few years. They've got a solid quarterback in Schaub and an outstanding receiver in Andre Johnson. Throw in Arian Foster, who had a breakout season and led the league in rushing, and Houston should give opposing defenses fits. The defense should be much-improved under new coordinator Wade Phillips and free-agent signings Johnathan Joseph and Danieal Manning.Jacksonville missed the playoffs for the ninth time in 11 seasons and might be playing for coach Jack Del Rio's job. David Garrard will likely start at quarterback, but first-round pick Blaine Gabbert will be the guy if Garrard struggles. The defense, which allowed a franchise-record 419 points last season, has been overhauled and will be the key to whether the franchise takes a step forward or goes back to rebuilding next offseason.That's what the Titans are doing after a handful of major changes, starting with Jeff Fisher being replaced as coach by Mike Munchak. Chris Johnson's status is the primary concern now as the running back is far apart in contract talks with the team. If his holdout lasts into the regular season, it could make for an ugly start to a dreary regular season for a team that also jettisoned quarterback Vince Young.-AFC WEST:San Diego still has Rivers, Vincent Jackson and Malcom Floyd leading the potent offense through the air, and Ryan Mathews and Mike Tolbert on the ground. But the Chargers still also have Norv Turner, who has led them to just one playoff win in the last three seasons. The defense will hope to make more big plays under new coordinator Greg Manusky, and the Chargers tried adding impact players with their first three draft picks in Corey Liuget, Marcus Gilchrist and Jonas Mouton.Denver finally knows who its quarterback will be after a well-publicized competition, and Kyle Orton - who won the job over Tim Tebow and Brady Quinn after being dangled as trade bait - could have two topflight running backs in Willis McGahee and Knowshon Moreno. But the main focus for the Broncos is their defense as new coach John Fox installed a 4-3 scheme that should allow a healthy Elvis Dumervil to thrive as a premier pass rusher. He'll also have a partner on the other side with No. 2 overall pick Von Miller, who has been a preseason sensation.Oakland also has a new coach in Hue Jackson, an offensive guru assigned with getting the best out of quarterback Jason Campbell. Darren McFadden has become one of the league's most dangerous running backs, and Jacoby Ford has established himself as a big-play receiver and kick returner. The Raiders' defense took a massive hit, though, by losing Nnamdi Asomugha in free agency, yet still seems determined to use lots of man-to-man coverage.Todd Haley's Chiefs went from four wins in his first season to 10 and a playoff appearance, but they need quarterback Matt Cassel to improve, or at least be more consistent, while facing one of the league's toughest schedules. He's surrounded by several legitimate contributors in running backs Jamaal Charles and Thomas Jones, and wide receivers Dwayne Bowe, Dexter McCluster and Steve Breaston, although offensive coordinator Charlie Weis is gone.-PREDICTED ORDER OF FINISH with records:AFC EAST:1 New England Patriots 13-32 New York Jets 11-53 Miami Dolphins 6-104 Buffalo Bills 5-11AFC NORTH:1 Pittsburgh Steelers 14-22 Baltimore Ravens 13-33 Cleveland Browns 4-124 Cincinnati Bengals 3-13AFC CENTRAL:1 Indianapolis Colts 13-32 Houston Texans 11-53 Tennessee Titans 6-104 Jacksonville Jaguars 4-12AFC WEST:1 San Diego Chargers 9-72 Denver Broncos 8-83 Oakland Raiders 4-124 Kansas City Chiefs 4-12 Copyright 2011 by STATS LLC and The Associated Press. Any commercial use ordistribution without the express written consent of STATS LLC and TheAssociated Press is strictly prohibited. PrintEmail a FriendFacebookTwitterStumble UponGoogleYahooDiggDeliciousShare , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
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TAMPA, Fla. (AP) - Tampa Bay's starters likely will play at least a half of Saturday's preseason game against Miami and are eager to make amends for a poor performance in a lopsided loss to New England.The Buccaneers were dominated offensively and defensively with their best players were on the field against the Patriots last week. Tampa Bay fell behind 28-0 as Tom Brady led scoring drives on four of his team's first five possessions.While coach Raheem Morris and his players insisted the absence of a game plan specifically designed to attack New England was one reason for a lack of production in the preseason game, they also said there was no excuse for being pushed around physically when both teams had their starters on the field."It's always vital to go out and play well. We found that out last week. You never want to go put that sort of thing on film,'' third-year quarterback Josh Freeman said.The third preseason game typically is when starters receive the most playing time. Morris has installed a limited game plan for the Dolphins and intends to play most of his starters at least a half - maybe even into the third quarter - depending on the flow of the game and how well the units perform before halftime."Last week was good for us, showed we're not as unstoppable as we thought we were,'' second-year receiver Mike Williams said.Williams said they're still as confident as they were."It's the preseason. We work on things in the preseason and get better for the regular season. We didn't come out with a game plan, and they did,'' he said. "Sometimes you've got to adjust to things like that. It was hard to adjust knowing you only have 12 of 13 plays.''Freeman completed 5 of 10 passes for just 33 yards against the Patriots, who limited Tampa Bay's regulars to 34 yards total offense.A bigger concern was that the 23-year-old quarterback, whose rapid development was the key to the Bucs' surprising 10-6 finish last season, was sacked twice. No team wants its franchise player taking unnecessary punishment, especially in a preseason game that doesn't count."You don't even want to see Josh get touched,'' center Jeff Faine said. "Obviously he's a big kid, but it's a long season and got a lot riding on his shoulders. We have to keep him as clean as possible.''Freeman said the mistakes made against New England are easily correctable. He said it is important for the Bucs to execute the offense and come out of the games feeling like they've accomplished their objectives."Everybody's competitive. You want to go out and you want to play well and you want to win,'' he said. "But at the end of the day, the preseason ... really is just a glorified practice. You understand that what really counts is what happens in September.''Williams said the regulars likely will play sparingly, if at all, in next week's preseason finale at Houston. So there will be a sense of urgency to show more against the Dolphins."We've got to play better overall as a team,'' Williams said. "It's going to be a test with us playing the whole first half and some of the third quarter. We're going to really see where we are.''
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OXNARD, Calif. (AP) - Pierre Thomas feels a bit nostalgic when talking about the New Orleans Saints' core group of running backs. He can't help but be reminded of 2009.Thomas compared this year's crop of rushers to the crew from two seasons ago that featured Mike Bell, Reggie Bush and Thomas - a group which ranked sixth in the NFL in yards gained on the ground.The Saints are hoping a similar production also provides the same end result: a Super Bowl championship."I feel like it's the same way," Thomas said Wednesday following New Orleans' third practice during a weeklong stay in Southern California. "It's a good changeup for us to have three different backs, and three dangerous backs, back there. It allows our offense to be adverse and to try new things."And if it feels like an entirely new group from a season ago, it practically is.Despite being the lone holdover on the depth chart from last year, Thomas is getting his legs back under him after missing much of the season because of injuries. He'll be joined in a revamped backfield by first-round pick Mark Ingram and the diminutive Darren Sproles, who signed as a free agent from San Diego.Thomas believes this year's slew of backs can be a formidable bunch, with each player bringing something different to the table."I see us as a three-headed monster, like we were in '09," Thomas said. "It's a good rotation and dangerous backfield. ... You got Sproles, he's a fast guy, quick guy, agile guy - something like Reggie. You got Mark Ingram, who is basically both. And I think I'm both, too. I can add a little bit of shake in me when I can pull it out."Injuries wreaked havoc on the Saints' ground game last year, causing the team to fall to 28th in the league in rushing. Thomas appeared in just six games and Bush was limited to eight. Rookie Chris Ivory was promoted by default and led the team with 716 yards in 12 games.Cleary in need of reinforcements, the Saints gave the position a face-lift during the offseason. They traded to draft Ingram with the No. 28 pick and later shipped Bush to Miami, replacing him by giving Sproles a four-year deal."It's a deep position and one we feel like is very talented," Saints coach Sean Payton said.Ingram and Thomas are expected to share the heavy lifting, including getting carries at the goal line. Ivory may also be in the mix for carries. But Sproles, who is listed at 5-foot-6, could be the X-factor.While Sproles has never been an every-down runner in his six years in the NFL, he will complement the other two as a change-of-pace back, as well as being a steady receiving threat on passing downs. As part of a running back committee in San Diego, Sproles had 267 yards rushing and caught 59 passes for 520 yards last season."I think he's been a great addition," said quarterback Drew Brees of his former Chargers teammate. "There are things he can do that other backs in the league don't even have a chance of doing. So, that's exciting to see how he fits in."Ingram was drafted out of Alabama to provide the Saints with a tough, between-the-tackles runner. The 2009 Heisman winner had strong showings in his first two preseason games, running for touchdowns in each.But Ingram has been hobbled this week, missing two days of practice after experiencing swelling in his knee following Monday's session. Payton said he expects Ingram to rejoin the team for Thursday's practice and thinks he'll be ready for Sunday's preseason game in Oakland.As for Thomas, he just wants to stay healthy. After enjoying a banner campaign with 793 yards in 2009, he is hoping to regain that form in his sixth season. Earlier this week, Thomas said he is feeling 95 percent in his recovery from surgery.Thomas knows if this group of backs performs the way its capable, other teams won't know how to game plan for their attack."Defenses aren't going to know what to expect when all of us are in a good rotation, or even in at the same time," he said.
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NEW YORK (AP) - Cover 2 has long been a popular defensive scheme in the NFL. Soon, officiating crews might have their own version.The NFL is experimenting with an eighth on-field official during a dozen preseason games. A deep judge, stationed in the middle of the field behind the secondary, also was used in eight exhibition games in 2010. There is no timetable for making the position a permanent part of current officiating crews.Pro football has not added an on-field official since 1978, when the NFL was a run-oriented league. Now it has more passing plays than runs, and there is some thought another official would enhance a crew's ability to call games.An additional official - there currently are seven on the field and two handling replay in each crew - would need to be approved by ownership."Our charge from the commissioner is to innovate," said NFL officiating director Carl Johnson. "After the 2009 season, we came up with the idea of trying this in the preseason. We'll take the data we gather and video and input from the coaches and officials and determine if it is effective to help us get better. Will it make us more accurate and be able to call plays better in the passing game, running game, kicking game?"In the 33 years since on-field crews went to seven - referee, umpire, side judge, field judge, head linesman, back judge and line judge - the speed of the game has increased exponentially. The rulebook also has grown.With slow motion instant replay, second-guessing of calls has increased, too. The biggest innovation in NFL officiating pretty much has been the coaches' challenge system.Last season, there were 361 replay reviews - 252 of them from coaches' challenges - with 133 total reversals.The league's competition committee will review information from the experiment before determining whether to propose adding a deep judge for all games. Obviously, that would add the cost of another 17 employees, one for each officiating crew."Our primary concern is the integrity of the game," said NFL executive vice president for football operations Ray Anderson, a member of the competition committee. "If we can determine adding an eight official makes the quality of the game better, we will make the investment to do that."Anderson added that making the deep judge permanent "could happen next season," but nothing is certain at this point.With an eighth official, the field is divided into quadrants, with the side judge and field judge in similar positions to where cornerbacks would be in a Cover 2 alignment. The back judge and deep judge would set up behind where the safeties play.Because the back judge and deep judge could handle the deep middle of the field, the side judge and field judge can concentrate on the outside receivers and who is covering them. The head linesman and line judge would have charge of outside line play, mainly tackles and blocking tight ends going against defensive ends and linebackers. The umpire - now stationed in the backfield on most plays, a switch made for safety before the 2010 season - would handle the interior line, freeing the referee to concentrate on the backfield, particularly watching quarterbacks and pass rushers.For the 12 preseason games using the deep judge, the league has either doubled up assignments for some officials or used ones whose crew was not scheduled to work that weekend. During the season, every crew gets one week off.Johnson insists "our intent is not for there to be more flags. It is to look at ways to enhance accuracy" in officiating.
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Safety Taylor Mays was acquired by the Bengals, who sent an undisclosed 2012 pick to the 49ers for the 2010 second-round pick.The 49ers told Mays shortly after the start of training camp that he wasn't in the plans of the new coaching staff, and the 49ers alerted the other 31 teams that the former USC safety was available.Mays became a starter early in his rookie season but was pulled after being victimized in pass coverage. Mays' change-of-direction and ball skills are drawbacks that caused the new 49ers' staff to phase him out and sign veterans Madieu Williams and Donte Whitner.In Cincinnati, Mays will compete in a safety rotation that includes veterans Chris Crocker, Reggie Nelson and Gibril Wilson, who was re-signed after missing last season. Second-year player Jeromy Miles and rookie Robert Sands are also in the mix.Mays had 38 tackles with two passes defense while starting six of 16 games last season.--With the Bengals facing the Jets on Sunday night, defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer said he sees a lot of similarities between first-round pick A.J. Green and Plaxico Burress, who is playing in the NFL for the first time since 2008.He's a little bit of a long strider, but he goes up and catches the ball. He's a lot like Green I think, Zimmer said. They're similar in how they do things. He catches the ball good.-- Want to know what a lockout and a dissatisfied fan base produces? The lowest attended camp since the team started training at Georgetown in 1998.The college said it parked 1,330 cars during camp. Even if you doubled that number it still wouldn't come close to the previous low of 2,874 cars, which happened in 2001.Last year, with expectations high after a division title and with Terrell Owens in camp, the college parked 7,362 cars despite camp lasting only two weeks.Despite the low crowds, the college and team are expected to finalize an agreement to return in 2012.-- Even though the new collective bargaining agreement eliminated two-a-days, it still felt like it to some of the players, especially with the extra classroom time.Some players even said that it felt like the days were longer because of only one practice.We still spend a lot of time out on the field and they find a way to simulate a two-a-day to wear you down, running back Cedric Benson said. Coaches take as much advantage as they can. Many teams are different and that's up to the head coach.-- Within 48 hours, James Standeford went from helping run a friend's sports officiating business outside of Indianapolis to playing receiver for the Bengals.He also became the first player in the post-Ochocinco era to wear No. 85.Said Standeford of receiving the number: I wasn't sure what to think but I'm not complaining. I'll take what I can get. Not a lot of people get this situation.Standeford signed on Thursday and joined the team in Georgetown before making the trip to Detroit. Without a practice he ended up catching two passes for 25 yards, including an 18-yarder from Bruce Gradkowski in the third quarter which ended up being the longest pass of the night.One reason why the Bengals signed Standeford is his experience with coordinator Jay Gruden's offense. He played for Gruden last year in the UFL with Florida. Standeford said that the plays and verbiage is the same as it was in Florida.QUOTE TO NOTE There's a transformation we're making, and if I'm going to put an experienced group on the field, I'm going to put the defense out there first. It didn't play out the way I had hoped. It will the next time around, I'm confident of that. -- Coach Marvin Lewis, on why he might defer the coin toss this year.
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Linebacker Kirk Morrison, who played in Jacksonville last season, wrote on his Twitter page that he has agreed to a deal with the Bills.Morrison, 29, played the first five seasons of his career with the Raiders. He was traded to the Jaguars by the Raiders on the day of the 2010 draft, and he admitted there was an adjustment period.I wouldn't call it a down year, but it's definitely an adjustment period for me, he said after last season. Philosophy changed, the aggressiveness changed, a lot of things changed. I was playing in the same system for five years. This year in Jacksonville was tough for me.You come from Oakland, play a man scheme and never play cover-2 at all. And you get to Jacksonville and there's a lot of multiple coverages, never man. You kind of revert back to what you did. Reaction time is not where you want it to be.In Buffalo, he joins former Packer Nick Barnett in helping the Bills replace Paul Posluszny, who signed with the Jaguars in free agency.--Rookie defensive tackle Marcell Dareus, the No. 3 pick in the draft, and Denver Broncos outside linebacker Von Miller, who was selected No. 2 overall, were under the microscope during Denver's 24-10 preseason victor over Buffalo on Saturday.Neither player disappointed.Dareus had a sack while Miller also had a sack and nice open-field tackle on running back C.J Spiller. Dareus was a strong candidate to join the Broncos, who changed up their thinking and went with Miller, much to Buffalo's delight. I knew they'd try to come with a double-team - so I split the double-team, said Dareus in describing his second sack of the preseason. I got a feel, me and Kyle (Williams) were pushing the pocket up the middle so (Kyle Orton) couldn't roll. We just had to seize the moment.Unfortunately for the Bills, Dareus was among the few bright spots defensively against Denver. The first-unit defense allowed a field goal and two touchdowns to the Broncos in just three series, with Orton going 10 of 13 for 135 yards and a 135.1 rating.--The Bills have begun talks with Pro Bowl NT Kyle Williams on a contract extension. Williams, a fifth-round pick in 2006 out of LSU, is one of the few bright spots in Buffalo's dismal track record in the NFL draft over the past decade. Since 2006, Williams ranks fourth among NFL defensive linemen with 293 tackles. Last year he a career-best 5.5 sacks and 77 stops.Well, they are just talking; it isn't far along so I really don't know much other than that, Williams said of the Bills and his agent. I kind of let my guy do that stuff and I don't deal with it but that being said this is where I want to be. I feel like we have a chance, moving in the right direction and we have some good players here and I want to see what I started here through.Williams' current deal averages 3.6 million a year and runs through 2012.--As expected, Bills CEO Russ Brandon had no comment on the controversial claim by Philadelphia quarterback Michael Vick that the NFL steered him towards signing with the Eagles two years ago after serving his sentence for dog fighting instead of Buffalo or Cincinnati.We were made aware of that today, Brandon said of the GQ Magazine article. Simply put: Michael Vick is a member of the Philadelphia Eagles and we do not comment on a player from another organization.Vick told GQ he didn't want to come to Philadelphia. Being the third-team quarterback is nothing to smile about. Cincinnati and Buffalo were better options.--The Bills broke camp at St. John Fisher College in Rochester, N.Y. on Aug. 18 and relocated to their regular facilities at Ralph Wilson Stadium. The Bills are close to finalizing a new contract with St. John Fisher where they have been holding a training camp/marketing splash since 2000.We have had a tremendous decade here at Fisher, Bills CEO Russ Brandon said. This is a tremendous place to prepare and we have had a lot of discussions over the last month and the long of short of it is I think we are closing in on an agreement for St. John Fisher to be the summer home of the Bills for many years to come.The Bills were miffed that the college took away one full 100-yard practice field to construct a track but that's not seen as a new deal breaker.It wasn't terrible but it could be better, coach Chan Gailey said.--Defensive end Chris Kelsay, who joined the Bills in 2003 as a second-round draft pick, has competed in nine training camps but has yet to be on a playoff team. How does he feel about this latest edition of the Bills?All in all, we're better than we were last year at this time, he said. We have another year under this staff, in the scheme, being around each other and knowing each other's mannerisms. Obviously, we have a lot of young guys in. We're all working hard. We have tons of work left to do. We're still in camp mode. We're breaking camp here at St. John Fisher, but we're still in camp mode once we get back to Buffalo. We are going to continue to work and get where we want to go.--Defensive end Alex Carrington, a third-round pick in 2010, is getting a look as an outside linebacker. At 6-5, 285, his strength is rushing the passer, not dropping into space. You are only going to show him dropping every now and then. That's not what he does, coach Chan Gailey said. You do it just enough to create indecision sometimes. He's a big load on the edge. He has good speed for a man his size. He has been an interesting project during the course of camp.QUOTE TO NOTE I feel light years ahead. I think we're really ahead as an offense. I've been saying this over and over, but we're a year older, more comfortable in this system, a year more comfortable with each other and that's going to put us that much further ahead. We'll be able to get off to a faster start because of the comfort level that we have. - QB Ryan Fitzpatrick on the state of the offense coming out of training camp.
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WAKEFIELD LATEST AGELESS WONDER | Palm Beach Post | Find Articles at BNET
In this age of midlife career changes, forced and otherwise, people everywhere are being made to feel old before their time. Is nobody doing job interviews face-to-face anymore, for instance, or is it all just a Facebook glance? And what is it with the Wal-Mart greeters? Maybe there's some new miracle vitamin out there but some of them seem younger, more vibrant, more committed to punching that clock for years to come.
Yes, a multitude of graying Baby Boomers could use a little inspiration these days, and here it comes. Tim Wakefield of the Boston Red Sox was added last week to the All-Star roster for the American League, a wrinkled rookie at baseball's midsummer classic. He is 42 and still serving up knuckleballs on a regular basis, well enough to stand 11-3 following Wednesday night's victory over Oakland.
Even better, the 17-year veteran didn't even start out as a pitcher. Wakefield was stuck in Class A ball in the Pirates' chain, unable to advance as a first baseman, when he started experimenting with the knuckler out of desperation.
"I just wanted to be able to say I Jim Thome official jersey tried everything I could to make it," said Wakefield, who otherwise would have returned to his Brevard County home to begin a authentic Joe Mauer jersey Grey life outside baseball.
Now that's stamina, psychological as much as physical. The golden oldies authentic Joe Mauer jersey Blue of the sports world would be swept aside without it, and the rest of us would be short a few drops of that magic elixir called hope.
Gordie Howe was nearly 52 when he played in the 1980 NHL All- Star Game. Born in windblown Saskatchewan during the Depression, he carved such a rugged path through the hockey world that references still are made to the mythical Gordie Howe hat trick. That's when a player has a goal and an assist and gets into a fight in the same game.
Bobby Allison won authentic Joe Mauer jersey Cream the 1988 Daytona 500 at the age of 50, but his lasting fame comes more from a post-race Daytona fistfight with Cale Yarborough nine years earlier. Bobby writes in his autobiography that he climbed out of his car that day once Yarborough started replica Joe Mauer jersey Red swinging a helmet in his direction and then, "Cale went to beating Joe Mauer official jersey on my fist with his nose."
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was the oldest ever to play in an NBA replica Jim Thome jersey Grey All- Star Game, taking the floor in 1989 at the age of 41. We're talking about a dignified and determined Hall of Famer, with six league MVP awards, the all-time scoring record and a reputation for always playing it straight. On the night of his final All-Star appearance, however, Kareem squeezed off an unexpected shot from behind the arc, which would have been the second three-pointer of his 20-year career if it had gone in.
Feisty, these diehards, and one of them's a local.
John Carney, a star at Cardinal Newman High School under Sam Budnyk and at Notre Dame under Lou Holtz, is still out there somewhere kicking footballs and fielding calls from NFL teams. He was the NFC's placekicker last February, the oldest Pro Bowler ever at 44. Carney originally got his foot in the door as a replacement player during the 1987 NFL strike. No guarantees then and no guarantees now, but it would make no sense if he weren't on some NFL roster in 2009 after making 35 of 38 field-goal tries last season for the New York Giants.
Ken Rosewall won the 1972 authentic Jim Thome jersey Blue Australian Open at 37, a full decade past the age of tennis' current king, Roger Federer.
authentic Jim Thome jersey Cream /> Julius Boros won the 1968 PGA Championship at 48, a record that is celebrated far less than Jack Nicklaus winning his final Masters title at 46.
All must give a authentic Joe Mauer jersey White nod or ultimate respect, however, to Satchell Paige, the legendary Negro League pitcher who didn't make it to the majors until the end of his barnstorming career. Satch was an All- Star for the first time in 1952. For the sake of argument, his age was listed as 46 but nobody really knows because there were no birth records to prove it.
Is Tim Wakefield a wonder in 2009? Well, sure, but he's not the last. For the sake of us all, each and every one hanging on for dear life in one way or another, he simply can't be.
~dave_george@pbpost.com
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Glancing Backward | Daily Review, The; Towanda, Pa. | Find Articles Dave Dravecky official jersey at BNET
Today is Sunday, July 12, the 193rd day of 2009. There are 172 days left in the year. Today's Highlight
in History:
On July 12, 1984, Democratic presidential candidate Walter F. Mondale announced he'd chosen U.S. Rep. Geraldine A. Ferraro of New York to be his running-mate; Ferraro was the first woman to run for vice president on a major-party ticket.
Glancing Backward
Locally:
25 years ago -- 1984
Tammy Lynn Schrader authentic Buster Posey jersey Black of Windham Center will be authentic Dave Dravecky jersey White competing for the title of Miss Teen of Pennsylvania in Reading, Pa., July 19-21.
Steve May was the winning pitcher as Troy beat Northern Tier, 9- 1, last night in Senior Division baseball action. Pvt. Burdge Monro III, Freddy Sanchez official jersey son of Burdge and Alice Monro of Canton, has completed a tracked vehicle mechanic course at the U.S. Army Armor School, Fort Knox, Ky.
75 years ago -- 1934
Maxine Corbin, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Hewlitt Corbin of Potterville, is 10 today.
Autos washed, all sizes, $1, Remsnyder Garage. We call and deliver.
Playing tonight, Thursday and Friday at the Keystone Theatre, Towanda: "Little Miss Marker," starring Shirley Temple, Adolphe Menjou, Dorothy Dell and Charles Bickford.
Elsewhere
on this date:
In 1988, Democratic presidential candidate Michael S. Dukakis tapped Sen. Lloyd Bentsen of Texas as his running-mate.
In 1993, some 200 people were killed when a magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck northern Japan and triggered a tsunami.
Ten years ago: President Bill Clinton and Republican congressional leaders held their first face-to-face budget meeting of the year; the talk was described afterward as positive.
Five years ago: President George authentic Cody Ross jersey Black W. Bush defended the Iraq war during a visit to the Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Tennessee, saying the invasion had made America safer. Wall Street brokerage Morgan Stanley settled a sex discrimination suit brought by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, agreeing to pay $54 million.
One year ago: Former Cody Ross official jersey White House press secretary Tony Snow died in Washington at age 53. Former All-Star outfielder and longtime Yankees broadcaster Bobby Murcer died in Oklahoma City at authentic Dave Dravecky jersey Grey age 62. Angelina Jolie gave birth to twins Knox and Vivienne, making a family of eight with Brad Pitt.
Today's Birthdays: Movie director Monte Hellman is 77. Pianist Van Cliburn is 75. Comedian Bill Cosby is 72. authentic Freddy Sanchez jersey Grey Singer-musician Christine McVie is 66. Actress Denise Nicholas is 65. Singer- songwriter Butch Hancock is 64. Fitness guru Richard Simmons is 61. Actor Jay Thomas is 61. Singer Walter Egan is 61. Writer-producer Brian Grazer is 58. Actress Cheryl Ladd is 58. Actor Jamey Sheridan is 58. Country singer Julie Miller is 53. Gospel singer Sandi Patty is 53.
Actress Mel Harris is 53. Actor Buddy authentic Cody Ross jersey Grey Foster authentic Buster Posey jersey Orange is 52. Rock guitarist Dan Murphy (Soul Asylum) is 47. Actress Judi Evans is 45. Rock singer Robin Wilson (Gin Blossoms) is 44. Actress Lisa Nicole Carson is 40. Olympic gold medal figure skater Kristi authentic Buster Posey jersey Cream Yamaguchi is 38. Country singer Shannon Lawson is 36. Rapper Magoo is 36. San Jose Sharks defenseman Dan Boyle is 33. Actress Anna Friel is 33. R&B singer Tracie Spencer is 33. Actor Steve Howey is 32. Actor Topher Grace is 31. Actress Michelle Rodriguez is 31. Actor Erik Per Sullivan is 18.
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hree Salmon Creek Little League teams Aaron Rowand official jersey won District 6 championships over the weekend at H.B. Fuller Park. Salmon Creek completed an undefeated run through the majors division tournament for ages 11-12 by defeating Hazel Dell 5-3 on Saturday. The victory advances Salmon Creek to the majors state tournament, beginning on July 25 in Port Orchard.
Salmon Creek also has won the District 6 baseball titles in the 9- 10 and the 10-11 age divisions. District 6 is one of two districts in Clark County for Little League.
The majors age group is the division of the Little League World Series. The state tournament winner will advance to the Pacific Northwest regionals, and the winner there will play in the World Series. Saturdays authentic Yadier Molina jersey Red win over host Hazel Dell completed a 4-0 district authentic Aaron Rowand jersey Black tournament for the Salmon Creek majors. Jack Skantel hit a home run and a double to spearhead the Salmon Creek authentic Yadier Molina jersey White offense Customized Giants Jersey in the clincher. Sam Pritchard had two authentic Vince Coleman jersey White hits. Dylan Lewis struck out six over four innings to earn the pitching win, and Curtis Perrin struck out three over two innings.
For Hazel Dell, Derrick Pangalina hit a home run and pitched four innings in the loss.
In the 9-10 title game, Salmon Creek beat Hazel Dell on Saturday, 9-3. Josh Thompson hit a double and a triple, and Willie McGee official jersey Alex McGarry, Liam Farrell, Johnny Carter, and Kody Boxberger each had two hits. For Hazel Dell, Dakota Mason had two hits, including a home run.
The 9-10 state tournament begins on Saturday in SeaTac.
In the 10-11 district championship game, Salmon Creek authentic Willie McGee jersey Blue beat Glenwood 9-7. Thomas Martin, Nick Skarr, and Austin Russell hit home runs for Salmon Creek. The 10-11 state tournament starts on Saturday in Oak Harbor.
In District Customized San Francisco Giants Jersey 4, the majors division baseball tournament began on Monday at LaCamas Little League.
District 4 has crowned baseball champions in the 9-10 (Cascade), 10-11 (Fort Vancouver), and 15-16 (Evergreen) tournaments. Details from those title games were not available. Cascade and Columbia met Monday for the title in the 13-14 age group.
Little League softball
The 11-12 District 4 tournament, which will determine the host team for the Western Regional tournament, concludes at 5:30 p.m. today at David Douglas Park. Host Columbia faces Cascade or Evergreen for that district title.
The District 6 majors softball champion is Battle Ground, which will play in the state tournament beginning on Saturday at La Center Community Park.
authentic Aaron Rowand jersey Grey /> In the other age divisions, the District Yadier Molina official jersey 4 champions are Cascade (9-10) and Columbia (13-14). The District 6 champions are La Center (9-10), and Glenwood (13-14).
The softball state tournaments begin on Saturday. The 9-10 tournament is in Spokane. The 13-14 and 15-16 tournaments are in Kirkland.
Details from the softball district title games were not available.
Babe Ruth Baseball
All three Hazel Dell Metro teams won the district tournament played at Louis Bloch Park in Camas.
The 13-year-olds will host the Southern Washington State Tournament July 23-26 at Propstra Stadium.
The 14s will play July 23-26 at Tumwater High School.
The 15s will play July 20-23 in Pasco.
Southern Washington champions will advance to regional tournaments.
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STILL THE MAN | Palm Beach Post | Find Articles at BNET
When President Obama throws out the first pitch at tonight's All- Star Game in St. Louis, he'll have a tough act to follow. He might not even get the biggest ovation. Just before the president tries to throw a strike to Cardinals superstar Albert Pujols, he'll receive the baseball from a St. Louis legend known simply as "Stan the Man."
No last name is needed for him in the world of baseball.
"Stan, he's the man," Pujols said. "If you don't know who Stan 'the Man' Musial is, you're in the wrong sport."
Rubbing elbows -- let alone playing catch -- with a U.S. Bob Gibson official jersey president is a heady honor for anyone. But Musial, 88, has done it before. In a career from 1941 through '63, Musial racked up three MVP awards, seven batting titles, 3,630 hits (fourth all-time), a .331 Lou Brock official jersey average and 1,951 RBI (sixth) on his way to the Hall of Fame and icon status in a city whose passion for baseball is unsurpassed.
Along the way, he met Dwight D. Eisenhower, John F. Kennedy, Lyndon Johnson, Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton and George W. Bush. Musial also hung out with actors, singers, Pope John PaulII and the Emperor of Japan.
Born in Donora, Pa., as Stanislaw Francoszek Musial, he also is revered in eastern Poland, his ancestors' homeland, where ballfields are named in his honor.
"Talk about a living legend, he is a living legend," baseball commissioner Bud Selig said. "He's an American icon and he represents the Cardinal tradition in an absolutely magnificent way."
Selig hopes that the All-Star Game serves to celebrate Musial's accomplishments much the way the 1999 mid-summer classic in Boston celebrated Ted Williams'.
"When I was awarding the game, I said to Bill DeWitt, the owner of the Cardinals, 'Yes, I'm going to give you the All-Star Game. But you've got to authentic Albert Pujols jersey Grey promise me that Stan "the Man" Musial will be part of the celebration,'" Selig said.
"I think a lot of people have forgotten that Stan Musial is one of the really great players of all time. You can't mention Joe DiMaggio, Ted Williams, Hank Aaron and Willie Mays without him because he transcends both generations.
"You had DiMaggio, Williams and Musial, but then Musial goes on with Hank Aaron and Willie Mays."
Legacy of excellence
Musial, an outfielder and first baseman, played in 24 All-Star Games and hit a record six home runs.
"That's where he grew up while he was playing in the big leagues - - in the All-Star Game," said Cardinals broadcaster Mike Shannon, whose first two seasons with St. Louis overlapped Musial's final years.
Selig, 74, said his biggest thrill at an All-Star Game was in 1955 in Milwaukee, a 6-5 National League victory in 12 innings.
"Stan Musial hits a home run off Frank Sullivan to win the game," Selig said. "He was in that peekaboo stance."
Just four months ago, on the Cardinals' opening day, Musial again demonstrated the stance described by pitcher Ted Lyons as "like a kid peeking around the corner to see if the cops are coming."
Musial, a left-handed hitter who would almost turn his back to the pitcher before uncoiling, used his unconventional stance to become one of the game's most consistent hitters. He is one of five players to hit 475 home runs and bat at least .325, joining Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Jimmie Foxx and Ted Williams. Musial hit .340 in day games and .320 at night. And he was responsible for what documentary filmmaker Ken Burns called "the purest statistic," Musial had 1,815 career hits at home and 1,815 on the road.
Musial will try to demonstrate his stance again tonight.
"He's got bad knees," said 88-year-old Hall of Famer Red Schoendienst, a 10-time All-Star who was Musial's Cardinals roommate for 10 years. "He always laughs that he should have been like Pujols, hitting home runs and not triples."
Schoendienst had to help his friend throw out the first pitch on opening day.
"For 88, he's doing all right. He's hanging in there," said Brian Schwarze, Musial's 28-year-old grandson.
Musial's wife, Lil -- they will celebrate their 70th anniversary on Nov.21, Stan the Man's birthday -- uses a wheelchair. Because of her limitations, the Musials have reduced their travel; he hasn't been to Roger Dean Stadium for replica Albert Pujols jersey Blue Cardinals' spring training since 2006.
He also needs assistance to get around but relies on Schwarze, who played in the Cardinals' minor-league system in 2004-05, and another wing Albert Pujols official jersey man, Dick Zitzmann, vice president of Stan The Man Inc.
"He won't use a walker and he won't use a cane. He uses our shoulders," said Pat Anthony, a secretary at the sports-memorabilia company. "I guess that's the macho ballplayer in him."
Musial spends a few hours most weekday mornings at his office, sitting in a comfortable executive chair at a desk with assorted Sharpies and ballpoint pens awaiting his signature stroke on memorabilia.
"He could sign for the rest of his life and he wouldn't authentic Albert Pujols jersey White sign enough," Shannon said. "Everybody wants something from Stan the Man."
After a few hours of signing, it's off to lunch at Cardwell's (crab cakes or steak) or the Missouri Athletic Club (grilled cheese), where his legacy is celebrated on the walls of the Stan Musial Grille.
If he's not dining with Lil, Musial usually eats with a "posse" of heavy-hitter friends who include a retired police colonel (Jim Hackett), a car dealer (Bill Suntrup) and a businessman (Lester Miller).
"He tells some amazing stories about his playing days," Schwarze said. Like his legendary battles with pitcher Warren Spahn or the day he got five hits against the Giants after that club's owner, Horace Stoneham, took him out drinking the previous night.
"He's definitely a guy's guy," Schwarze said. "He's never grouchy with his public."
All-Star Keith Hernandez official jersey friendship
Musial also relishes his privacy, which is why authentic Bob Gibson jersey Cream he rarely grants interviews. But he'll be happy to take the stage tonight for his Cardinals. He still roots for them fervently.
"I always think of Stan and Red together," Cardinals manager Tony LaRussa said. "They're very proud of the Cardinals. ... They really want that tradition. They don't want to be embarrassed because the team isn't trying hard. They really pull hard for you."
Pujols has a special friendship with Musial, which is fitting because many in St. Louis consider Pujols, more than any other Cardinals player over the past four decades, as the worthiest heir to Musial's legacy.
At authentic Keith Hernandez jersey Blue a photo shoot with Pujols two weeks ago at Busch Stadium, Musial joked with his friend.
"Hey, Albert, how much was your last contract?" Musial asked.
Pujols smiled, "Well, quite a bit."
"Can I have a couple of hundred thousand?" Musial said.
"If you want it, Stan, you can have it," Pujols replied. "I know you're good for it."
~joe_capozzi@pbpost.com
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Baseball | The Virginian-Pilot and The Ledger-Star, Norfolk, VA Newspaper | Find Articles at BNET
Norfolk Tides Professional baseball, Triple-A affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles; 72 regular season home games, April replica Justin Morneau jersey Red through September
Tickets $9.50 to $11; discounts for students through high school, active military and senior citizens. 24 luxury suites available. Parking, $4
Stadium Harbor Park, 150 Park Ave. on the downtown Norfolk waterfront. Amenities include 12,067 seats with great views from almost anywhere in the ballpark and food from classic hot dogs to on- site restaurant, Hits at the Park. There's also a new right-field party deck, including tables and bar area, for all ticket holders. Information (757) 622-2222, www.norfolktides.com
football
Southern Virginia Trojans
Minor league/professional football, Colonial Football Association; five home games, July through September
Tickets $8 in advance through the Trojans' office at (757) 410- 0702; $10 at the gate
Field Virginia Beach Sportsplex, 2181 Landstown Road, Virginia Beach. Amenities include seating for 6,000 with room for 4,000 more on the grassy berm, luxury boxes and alcoholic beverage service. Concessions include french fries, popcorn, peanuts, chicken strips and more.
Information (757) 410-0702, www.southern virginiatrojans.com
Virginia Crusaders
Semi-pro football, Mason-Dixon Football League; five home games, July through September
Tickets $10; children 11 and younger, free
Field To be announced
Information (757) 713-7407
hockey
Norfolk Admirals
Professional hockey, American Hockey League affiliate of the Tampa Bay Lightning; 40 regular season home games, October through April
Tickets $12 to $17; discounts for active military, students and seniors. Plenty of game packages available. Corporate boxes, $300. Celebrate your birthday for as little as $50.
Arena Norfolk Scope, 201 E. Brambleton Ave., in downtown Norfolk. Amenities include seating for 8,759, a boatload of concessions and the Showcase Restaurant
Information (757) 640-1212, www.norfolk admirals.com
racing
Langley Speedway
Nascar Whelen All-American Series Auto Racing, also featuring 11 divisions from late model to go-kart races. Fun includes Wacky Wednesday; Kirby Puckett official jersey street legal car racing.
Tickets Wednesdays: To compete, $15; general admission, $5. Saturdays: General admission, $10; active/retired military or senior citizens, $8; children ages 6-12, $5; ages 5 and younger, free. Pit passes and family packs available.
Track Langley Speedway, 11 Dale Lemonds Drive, Hampton. Amenities include a 0.395 mile low-banked (4.5-degree) asphalt oval. Grandstands hold 6,200, with 3,400 more in the pits. On-site food options are aplenty. The list includes chicken tenders, hot wings and barbecue. But you're more than welcome to bring your own cooler filled to the brim with food and drinks.
Information (757) 865-7223, www.langley-speedway.com
rugby
Men's and women's Rugby
Norfolk Blues and Storm
The men's Norfolk Blues, who play rugby in the fall, spring and summer, have been at it for 31 years. The women's Norfolk Storm has been going strong for 13 years.
Prices Free
Fields Women's Storm: Norfolk's Lafayette Park, 38th and Granby streets. Men's Blues: Virginia Beach Sportsplex. Comforts include bleachers/seating, children's playgrounds and restrooms.
Information (757) 642-5129, www.bluesrugby.org, www.norfolkrugby.com
soccer
Hampton Roads Piranhas
Women's W-League Soccer; six regular season home Joe Nathan official jersey games, May through July. Celebrating 15th anniversary this year.
Tickets General admission, $6; youth pass, $15 per season (all 14 home games for men's and women's Piranhas teams; excludes U.S. Open Cup, playoffs or championship match); ages 4 and younger, free. Free parking
Field Trinder Center/Foster Field at Virginia Wesleyan College, 1584 Wesleyan Drive, Norfolk
Information (757) 572-1592, www.hrpiranhas.com
PDL Piranhas
Men's Premier Developmental League Soccer; eight regular authentic Justin Morneau jersey Blue season home games, May through July
Tickets General admission, $6; youth pass, $15 per season (all 14 home games for men's and women's Piranhas teams; excludes U.S. Open Cup, playoffs or championship match); ages 4 and younger, free. Free parking.
Field Trinder Center/Foster Field at Virginia Wesleyan College, 1584 Wesleyan Drive, Norfolk.
Information (757) 572-1592, www.hrpiranhas.com
collegiate
Christopher Newport University Newport News, USA South Athletic Conference (Division III), (757) 594-7025, www.cnusports.com
The College of William and Mary Williamsburg, Colonial Athletic Association (Division I), box office: (757) 221-3340, www.tribeathletics.com
Hampton University Hampton, Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (Division I), (757) 727-5000, www.hamptonpirates.com
Norfolk State University Norfolk, Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Justin Morneau official jersey (Division I), (757) 823-8152, www.nsuspartans.com
Old Dominion University Norfolk, Colonial Athletic Association (Division I), (757) 683-3375, www.odusports.com
Virginia Wesleyan replica Kent Hrbek jersey Blue College Virginia Beach/Norfolk, Old Dominion Athletic Conference (Division III), (757) 455-3303, www.vwc.edu/ athletics
enjoy the pregame
While the majority of the seven home games in 2009 are sold out, check out the pregame activities on Kaufman Mall on campus and the Monarch Walk, featuring the team's walk to the stadium, about two hours before kickoff.
try out the revamped stadium
Foreman Field, on the Old Dominion University cam-pus, authentic Joe Nathan jersey Cream was built in 1935 but has undergone major renovations for the university's new football era, including an end-zone facility that houses 24 Kent Hrbek official jersey suites and 400 club seats.
strike up the band
The Marching Monarchs, ODU's new marching band, will perform at every home game, authentic Justin Morneau jersey Grey as well as provide pregame shows on Kaufman Mall and post-game performances in the stadium.
check out the offense
ODU football coach Bobby Wilder's team, the university's first football team since 1940, is expected to have a high-powered spread offense that promises to entertain fans.
keep score in high-def
Check out the new scoreboard that towers authentic Justin Morneau jersey Cream over the northeast corner of the stadium and provides high-definition quality video and graphics.
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Kramer's 26 lead Rattlers | Janesville Gazette, The | Find Articles at BNET
UW-Rock County withstood a late second-half surge Tim Thomas Jersey Premier to post a 69-66 victory over UW-Fond du Lac in Wisconsin Collegiate Conference men's baseball Wednesday. Trailing 38-30 at the half, Fond du Lac Bruins Bobby Orr Jersey cut the deficit to a one point with a minute remaining. UW-Rock rallied down the stretch to corral its third straight victory.
"If we would have made our free throws down the stretch, we would have cruised," Rattlers coach Scott Lee said.
Corey Tim Thomas Premier Jersey Kramer, a Beloit Memorial High graduate, finished with a game-high 26 points, including four three-pointers Hockey Tyler Seguin Jersey for UW-Rock. Gabe Mitchell, an Edgerton High graduate, added 14 points, Tim Thomas Jersey and Fred Stewart scored 13 points Bobby Orr Premier Jersey and grabbed 21 rebounds. UW-Rock (1-3) travels to West Bend to face UW-Washington at 2 p.m. Saturday.
UW-ROCK 69, UW-FOND DU LAC 66
UW-Rock (69)--Mitchell, 5-4-14; C. Hulbert, 0-1-1; Barnabo, 1-1-4; Everet, 1-0-2; Cary, 3-0-6; L. Hulbert, 1-1-3; Stewart, 6-1-13; Kramer, 9-4-26. Totals--26-12-69.
UW-Fond du Reebok Tyler Seguin Jersey Lac (66)--Dallas, 4-0-10; Klatt, Bobby Orr Jersey Stanley Cup 2-0-4; Obry, Premier Tim Thomas Jersey 3-0-7; Threes, 7-4-18; Bobby Orr Finals Jersey Gustufson, 1-0-3; Golz, 1-2-4; Szopinski, 4-2-10; Weiglein, 5-0-10. Totals: 28-8-66.
Bobby Orr Jersey Premier /> UW-Rock County 38 31--69
UW-Fond du Lac 30 36--66
Three-point goals--UW-R 5 (Barnabo, Kramer 4), UW-F 4 (Dallas 2, Obry, Gustufson). Free throws missed--UW-R 9, UW-F 8. Total Bobby Orr Bruins Jersey fouls--UW-R 15, UW-F 18.
---
UW-Rock women fall
UW-Rock County suffered through aChampions Dirk Nowitzki Jerseytough first half en route to a 47-33 defeat to UW-Fond Authentic Tim Thomas Jersey du Lac in Wisconsin Collegiate Conference women's basketball.
The Rattlers trailed 27-6 at halftime. UW-Rock bounced back in the second half and outscored Fond du Lac 27-20.
Freshman Bobby Orr Stanley Cup Jersey Ashley Oldenburg, an Orfordville Parkview graduate, scored 16 points, including four Tim Thomas Jersey Authentic three-point baskets, for Tim Thomas Authentic Jersey the Rattlers.
UW-Rock plays in West Bend at UW-Washington on Saturday.
UW-FOND DU LAC 47, UW-ROCK 33
UW-Rock (33)--Oldenburg, 6-0-16; Bridges, 3-1-7; Benash, 1-0-2; Traving, 1-2-4; Quillman, 2-0-4; Totals: 13-3-33.
UW-Fond du Lac (47)--Buerger, 7-0-14; Stanley Cup Bobby Orr Jersey Sinnen, 3-2-8; Kline, 1-0-2; Engel;, 1-2-4; Figel, 3-0-7; Springborn, 1-0-2; Bobby Orr Jersey Bruins Swartzmiller, Finals Bobby Orr Jersey 5-0-10. Totals: 21-2-47.
UW-Rock County 6 27--33
UW-Fond du Lac 27 20--47
Three-point goals-- UW-R 4 (Oldenburg), UW-F 1 Sell Tyler Seguin Jersey (Figel). Free throws missed--UW-R 3, UW-F 1. Premier Bobby Orr Jersey Total fouls--UW-R 7, UW-F 7.
Credit: GAZETTE STAFF
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Bobby Orr Bruins Jersey numbers add up to a lincecum repeat | The Virginian-Pilot and The Ledger-Star, Norfolk, VA Newspaper | Find Articles at BNET
By Jay Cohen The Associated Press
New York
Tim Lincecum needed just 15 wins to bag another NL Cy Young Award.
Wins and losses apparently don't mean much anymore when voters pick baseball's best Bobby Orr Stanley Cup Jersey pitchers. It's all about Bobby Orr Jersey Bruins WHIP, Tim Thomas Jersey Premier FIP, BABIP and other lines Sell Tyler Seguin Jersey of alphabet soup.
"It's turned into Premier Tim Thomas Jersey a game of complete numbers and statistics and what people do with that," Lincecum said.
Lincecum won the Cy Young Award on Thursday for the second straight year, emerging from Tim Thomas Authentic Jersey one of the tightest votes in the history of the honor to become Reebok Tyler Seguin Jersey the first repeat winner since Randy Johnson (1999-2002). Only Buy Tyler Seguin Jersey 10 points separated the Premier Bobby Orr Jersey top three vote-getters. Chris Carpenter was second and St. Louis teammate Adam Tim Thomas Premier Jersey Wainwright finished third despite getting the most first-place votes.
Lincecum, nicknamed "The Freak" for his Tim Thomas Jersey giant stride, led the NL with 261 strikeouts and tied for the lead Bobby Orr Jersey Stanley Cup with four complete games and two shutouts.
The 2009 honors for Lincecum and Kansas City ace Zack Greinke reflect a shift in how pitchers are evaluated. The focus has changed Hockey Tyler Seguin Jersey to more developed statistics .
Bobby Orr Premier Jersey /> Lincecum has his own favorite indicator.
"To say which one I look to the most, I would just say WHIP," he said, referring to walks plus hits allowed Finals Bobby Orr Jersey per inning, "just because you just limit the amount of baserunners Authentic Tim Thomas Jersey that can hurt you."
Lincecum faces Bruins Bobby Orr Jersey misdemeanor marijuana charges stemming from a traffic stop in Washington state on Oct. 30. No questions were allowed about the incident , but he Tim Thomas Jersey Authentic apologized in a prepared statement.
Lincecum received 11 first-place votes, 12 seconds and nine thirds for 100 points in balloting released by the Baseball Writers' Association of America. Carpenter had nine firsts to take second with Stanley Cup Bobby Orr Jersey 94.
Wainwright, who led the NL with 19 wins and 233 innings, had 12 first-place votes .
Trevor Hoffman, who finished behind Tom Glavine in 1998, is the Bobby Orr Jersey Premier only other player to Bobby Orr Finals Jersey get the most firsts and not win the award.
Lincecum went 15-7 with a 2.48 ERA in 32 starts and 2251/3 innings.
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rec calendar | The Virginian-Pilot and The Ledger-Star, Norfolk, VA Newspaper | Bobby Orr Jersey Bruins Find Stanley Cup Bobby Orr Jersey Articles at BNET
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PUJOLS, RAMIREZ FINISH 1-2 IN NL MVP VOTING | Palm Beach Post Stanley Cup Bobby Orr Jersey | Find Articles at BNET
They started their seasons nine months ago on the back fields at Roger Dean Stadium in Jupiter, two top stars from the Dominican Republic talking about family and Finals Bobby Orr Jersey offering baseball advice to each other. The two friends -- St. Louis Cardinals slugger Albert Pujols and Florida Marlins shortstop Hanley Ramirez -- capped off their season together again Tuesday, finishing first and second, respectively, in the National League Most Valuable Player voting.
Pujols -- whose second cousin is married to Ramirez -- was the runaway winner of his third MVP award Tim Thomas Jersey and second in a row.
Pujols received all 32 first-place votes, good for a perfect total of 448 points. Ramirez's runner-up finish, with 233 points, is the highest ever by a Marlins player for baseball's top annual honor, topping Miguel Cabrera, who finished fifth in 2005 and Bruins Bobby Orr Jersey 2006.
But Pujols -- who led Tim Thomas Jersey Premier the majors with 47 home runs, 124 runs, a .658 Hockey Tyler Seguin Jersey slugging percentage and 44 intentional walks, and had an NL- high .443 on-base percentage --- said he's trying to win World Series rings, not MVP awards.
"I always make a joke: Buy Tyler Seguin Jersey I got 10 fingers. I want to win nine more rings," said Pujols, who won his only championship in 2006.
Pujols batted .327 with 135 RBI and is the sixth NL player to win Bobby Orr Jersey Premier by a unanimous Bobby Orr Finals Jersey vote, joining Orlando Cepeda (1967), Mike Schmidt (1980), Jeff Bagwell (1994), Ken Caminiti (1996) and Barry Bonds (2002).
In his fourth season, Ramirez led the NL with a .342 batting average, a Marlins franchise record and the first batting title won by a NL shortstop since Dick Groat in 1960.
He also scored 101 runs, had 197 hits, stole 27 bases and posted a .410 on-base percentage.
"He's a guy who has all the tools that you ask for in a player -- power, speed -- everything that you ask," Pujols, 29, said about Ramirez. "And playing at Sell Tyler Seguin Jersey shortstop, a Bobby Orr Jersey Bruins hard position, for him Bobby Orr Premier Jersey it's just amazing."
Ramirez has credited Pujols with helping him improve his Bobby Orr Jersey Stanley Cup hitting. After batting just .239 with runners in scoring position in 2008, Ramirez asked Pujols for advice during spring training.
Ramirez has not Bobby Orr Bruins Jersey said what the Cardinals slugger told him, but it worked: Ramirez hit a grand slam on opening day and finished the 2009 season hitting .373 with runners Reebok Tyler Seguin Jersey in scoring position.
"The advice I gave him was, 'Listen bro', just take advantage of that God-given talent that He has given you and put it together.' Obviously he has," said Pujols .
Ramirez made $5.5 million in 2009 and will make Premier Tim Thomas Jersey $7 million in 2010 as part of Tim Thomas Premier Jersey a $70 million contract through 2014.
But that hasn't stopped him from teasing Pujols about some financial aid.
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"I'm like, 'You might get almost the same amount of money (some day) that I make.'"
Pujols is just the fourth player to win three NL MVP awards. Barry Bonds won seven in the 1990s and 2000s while Stan Musial, Roy Campanella and Schmidt each won three.
Joe DiMaggio, Yogi Berra, Mickey Mantle and Alex Tim Thomas Authentic Jersey Rodriguez each won three AL MVP awards.
Ramirez was not available Tuesday because he was traveling, according to his agent Andy Mota.
"Hanley is certainly deserving of being among the top vote- getters this year," Marlins baseball operations Authentic Tim Thomas Jersey president Larry Beinfest said. "He is Premier Bobby Orr Jersey one of the premier young talents in the game and should be an MVP candidate for years to come."
~joe_capozzi@pbpost.com
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Armed Forces Bowl [Derived headline] | The Virginian-Pilot and The Ledger-Star, Norfolk, VA Newspaper | Find Articles at BNET
Armed Forces Bowl Houston (10-3, 6-2 C-USA) vs. Air Force (7-5, 5-3 MWC)
TV Noon, ESPN
The Pilot's Rich Radford says Houston's Case Keenum might have thrown for about a million yards this season, but something tells us that this is Air Force's game to win. The Falcons Tim Thomas Jersey might have lost five times this season, but a 20-17 loss to TCU tells us that going with the military academy in the Armed Forces Bowl is the right call.
Rich's prediction Air Force 38, Houston 34
Sun Bowl
Oklahoma Bobby Orr Jersey Premier (7-5, 5-3 Big 12) vs. Stanford (8-4, 6-3 Pac-10)
TV 2 p.m., WTKR Rich says See Toby run. Run, Toby, run. Run right to the NFL, Bobby Orr Premier Jersey if you choose (but word has it he's leaning toward playing baseball). Gerhart set school records for rushing at Stanford in back-to-back seasons. Meanwhile, this is a washout year for the Sooners after the early-season loss of Heisman QB Sam Bradford.
Rich's prediction Premier Tim Thomas Jersey Stanford 27, Oklahoma 21
Insight Bowl
Bobby Orr Finals Jersey /> Minnesota (6-6, 3-5 Big Ten) vs. Tim Thomas Premier Jersey Iowa St. (6-6, 3-5 Big 12)
TV 6 p.m., NFL Network
Rich says Iowa State has had point outputs of 3, 9, 10 and 8. What are the Cyclones doing in a bowl game? Minnesota Bobby Orr Jersey Bruins has lost 4 of 6, doesn't have a running back with 400 yards rushing and was shut out twice. This is must-see TV. Who gets the NFL Network? We're coming Tim Thomas Jersey Premier over to watch.
Rich's prediction Minnesota 11, Iowa State 5 Fractured fruitcakes | Chattanooga Times Free Press | Find Articles at BNET
My Hockey Tyler Seguin Jersey mother's fruitcake often pays me a mental visit at this Reebok Tyler Seguin Jersey time of year, the interlude between the end of baseball season and the start of the Christmas Sell Tyler Seguin Jersey celebration. I've written before about the dish that capped her culinary efforts, detailing it some 25 years ago when newspaper staffers reported on their families' signature foods. But my mom was still living then and might have read my composition; I had to be Bobby Orr Stanley Cup Jersey too circumspect to say that the fruitcake's flavor wasn't what made the dish so memorable. In a battered Premier Bobby Orr Jersey wooden file box held together with rubber bands, I have a copy of the 1890s recipe that originally spawned my mother's holiday baking tradition. Written in my grandmother's spiky script, the instructions for "Aunt Ella's Fruitcake" are a nod to an obscure relative who's been my role model in enigmatic behavior ever since I got addicted to Ancestry.com.
My mother unearthed the recipe in the '50s and began baking Finals Bobby Orr Jersey fruitcakes as gifts for my father's boss and any teacher of a class in which my siblings and I were struggling.
The instructions called for watermelon-rind preserves, well-aged wine and Bobby Orr Bruins Jersey pecans, but mandated "only nuts from this year's crop" -- costly components my mother financed by her World Series earnings from my father.
A baseball-crazy couple, she was a National League fan while my father favored American League teams. But because they bet on every pitch, she racked up even when her Authentic Tim Thomas Jersey teams lost since she was the shrewder Tim Thomas Jersey Authentic gambler.
Ingredients assembled, my mother pressed my siblings Bobby Orr Jersey Stanley Cup and me into service, shelling nuts, grating lemon and dicing the tiniest of raisins into dot-sized quarter portions.
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Her all-time heaviest fruitcake weighed in at 17.5 pounds, but she made the Buy Tyler Seguin Jersey cakes seem lighter by creating on their upper surfaces the celestial designs she formed from pineapple and cherries.
She basted her baked handiwork with sherry every third day for two months before distributing cakes in mid-December, saving one for our family to gnaw through the year when desperate for dessert.
She was still following this ritual when my husband, Fred, and I got married in 1970 and she read somewhere that the official groom's cake was actually a fruitcake. Her take-home boxes of guest-favors fruitcake were the only distinctive feature of what was otherwise a bare-bones wedding.
Although I actually don't like the dessert, I've grown nostalgic for my mother's fruitcake. I was heartened to hear that fruitcakes are among the holiday presents most commonly re-gifted, so it's possible that Bruins Bobby Orr Jersey one of my mom's yuletide offerings is still circulating. Perhaps it will make its way to me like a long-lost swallow finally returning to Capistrano.
If it does, I Stanley Cup Bobby Orr Jersey won't eat it, but will display it with other cherished Tim Thomas Authentic Jersey family antiques. A perfect pedestal would be my heirloom ironing board, which was already 40 years old when I carted it off to college in 1966.
E-mail Jan Galletta atjangalletta@yahoo.com
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