Tuesday, August 29, 2006
Matt Leinart Breaks Out! - A Video Look
Here's a video of the Arizona Cardinals preseason victory against the Chicago Bears, where new QB Matt Leinart posted great passing numbers in his second game:
Broncos Use Same Playbook To Beat Texans 17-14 on Saturday
Watch the video and you'll see mirror-image offenses.
Broncos spoil Kubiak's return, top Texans
NFL.com wire reports
DENVER (Aug. 27, 2006) -- Gary Kubiak took the playbook and plenty of knowledge with him to Houston after serving as Mike Shanahan's apprentice in Denver for more than a decade.
If only he could have taken some more of the talent he left behind.
The Broncos beat Houston 17-14 on Sunday night, spoiling the return of the Texans' first-year coach who spent nearly two decades in Denver, first as John Elway's backup and then as Shanahan's assistant.
"Coming back doesn't feel real good right now," Kubiak said.
Although Houston's front seven thoroughly impressed Shanahan, it was Denver's defense that had an answer for just about everything Kubiak tried.
"It was like practice," Broncos linebacker Al Wilson said. "We saw so many things that were so similar to what we do, which was expected. But at the same time, Kub put a twist on a few things and had us guessing and thinking a little bit. But it was like practice all over again."
After covering a deep pass that fell incomplete along the Texans' sideline, Broncos cornerback Darrent Williams smiled and wagged his finger at Kubiak.
"What we saw, we see every day in practice," Williams said. "It wasn't anything new to us."
And what the Texans saw wasn't anything new to them, either.
Gary Kubiak couldn't come up with anything to fool the Broncos.
Kubiak took five members of the Broncos' coaching staff with him to Houston, and they were soon joined by general manager Rick Smith, who had been an assistant GM in Denver. Plus, the Texans signed tight end Jeb Putzier, who had been cut by the Broncos in a salary cap purge over the winter, along with former Broncos tight end Patrick Hape and tackle Ephraim Salaam.
"That entire organization is becoming a mirror image of this organization," Broncos wide receiver Rod Smith said. "Which I think is a good thing for them because we set a standard a long time ago and he's been a part of that for 20-plus years and you can see those guys are playing a lot better football than they played the last couple years. They're going to win a lot of football games."
Like many homecomings, however, this one was bittersweet.
"I saw a lot of people who were a big part of my life, and that was special," Kubiak said. "Once the football game starts, it kind of all goes out the window. It was nice to see everybody. This was a good challenge for our team, and I liked the way we fought all night. We were not very clean at all early in the game, but I liked the way we played hard to the end."
After the game, Kubiak and Shanahan embraced.
"I just told Mike, thanks for all he's done and giving me the chance," Kubiak said.
The biggest return belonged to Javon Walker, who caught three passes for 41 yards, his first receptions since tearing up his right knee in the season opener for Green Bay last year.
"It's been behind me since Denver got me in the trade. I was just ready to go out and be the person I was in Green Bay," the former Pro Bowl receiver said. "It felt good because you don't get hit in training camp. To get that done lets me know, `Hey, I'm all right and ready to get this season kicked off."'
Tatum Bell scored from a yard out and Cedric Cobbs followed a big block from right tackle Adam Meadows for a 26-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter.
Denver's Jake Plummer (10-for-22, 96 yards) was off target all night and David Carr, although a respectable 15-for-22 for 128 yards, fumbled once, threw an interception at his own 20-yard line and couldn't lead the Texans into the end zone in seven possessions.
As might be expected from two offensive minds who know each other so well, the first 25 minutes was a stalemate until the Broncos got the ball at the Texans 45 and took advantage of the short field.
Their drive stalled at the 14 and Jason Elam nailed a 32-yarder, but Houston tackle Alfred Malone was whistled for an illegal procedure that gave the Broncos first-and-goal at the 9. Bell spun his way across the goal line three plays later.
On the next play from scrimmage, linebacker D.J. Williams picked off Carr at the Texans 20 and Elam followed with a 23-yard field goal that made it 10-0.
The Texans pulled to 10-3 on Kris Brown 's 29-yard field goal just before halftime. His 32-yarder in the third quarter made it 10-6 and came after rookie tight end Owen Daniels lined up offsides on fourth-and-1 at the Broncos 9.
After Cobbs' TD made it 17-6, Sage Rosenfels threw a 19-yard TD pass to Derrick Lewis with 2:53 left, and Vernand Morency's 2-point run made it 17-14.
Notes: Houston CB Phillip Buchanon bruised his ribs. ... Broncos WR Todd Devoe aggravated a shoulder injury.
Broncos spoil Kubiak's return, top Texans
NFL.com wire reports
DENVER (Aug. 27, 2006) -- Gary Kubiak took the playbook and plenty of knowledge with him to Houston after serving as Mike Shanahan's apprentice in Denver for more than a decade.
If only he could have taken some more of the talent he left behind.
The Broncos beat Houston 17-14 on Sunday night, spoiling the return of the Texans' first-year coach who spent nearly two decades in Denver, first as John Elway's backup and then as Shanahan's assistant.
"Coming back doesn't feel real good right now," Kubiak said.
Although Houston's front seven thoroughly impressed Shanahan, it was Denver's defense that had an answer for just about everything Kubiak tried.
"It was like practice," Broncos linebacker Al Wilson said. "We saw so many things that were so similar to what we do, which was expected. But at the same time, Kub put a twist on a few things and had us guessing and thinking a little bit. But it was like practice all over again."
After covering a deep pass that fell incomplete along the Texans' sideline, Broncos cornerback Darrent Williams smiled and wagged his finger at Kubiak.
"What we saw, we see every day in practice," Williams said. "It wasn't anything new to us."
And what the Texans saw wasn't anything new to them, either.
Gary Kubiak couldn't come up with anything to fool the Broncos.
Kubiak took five members of the Broncos' coaching staff with him to Houston, and they were soon joined by general manager Rick Smith, who had been an assistant GM in Denver. Plus, the Texans signed tight end Jeb Putzier, who had been cut by the Broncos in a salary cap purge over the winter, along with former Broncos tight end Patrick Hape and tackle Ephraim Salaam.
"That entire organization is becoming a mirror image of this organization," Broncos wide receiver Rod Smith said. "Which I think is a good thing for them because we set a standard a long time ago and he's been a part of that for 20-plus years and you can see those guys are playing a lot better football than they played the last couple years. They're going to win a lot of football games."
Like many homecomings, however, this one was bittersweet.
"I saw a lot of people who were a big part of my life, and that was special," Kubiak said. "Once the football game starts, it kind of all goes out the window. It was nice to see everybody. This was a good challenge for our team, and I liked the way we fought all night. We were not very clean at all early in the game, but I liked the way we played hard to the end."
After the game, Kubiak and Shanahan embraced.
"I just told Mike, thanks for all he's done and giving me the chance," Kubiak said.
The biggest return belonged to Javon Walker, who caught three passes for 41 yards, his first receptions since tearing up his right knee in the season opener for Green Bay last year.
"It's been behind me since Denver got me in the trade. I was just ready to go out and be the person I was in Green Bay," the former Pro Bowl receiver said. "It felt good because you don't get hit in training camp. To get that done lets me know, `Hey, I'm all right and ready to get this season kicked off."'
Tatum Bell scored from a yard out and Cedric Cobbs followed a big block from right tackle Adam Meadows for a 26-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter.
Denver's Jake Plummer (10-for-22, 96 yards) was off target all night and David Carr, although a respectable 15-for-22 for 128 yards, fumbled once, threw an interception at his own 20-yard line and couldn't lead the Texans into the end zone in seven possessions.
As might be expected from two offensive minds who know each other so well, the first 25 minutes was a stalemate until the Broncos got the ball at the Texans 45 and took advantage of the short field.
Their drive stalled at the 14 and Jason Elam nailed a 32-yarder, but Houston tackle Alfred Malone was whistled for an illegal procedure that gave the Broncos first-and-goal at the 9. Bell spun his way across the goal line three plays later.
On the next play from scrimmage, linebacker D.J. Williams picked off Carr at the Texans 20 and Elam followed with a 23-yard field goal that made it 10-0.
The Texans pulled to 10-3 on Kris Brown 's 29-yard field goal just before halftime. His 32-yarder in the third quarter made it 10-6 and came after rookie tight end Owen Daniels lined up offsides on fourth-and-1 at the Broncos 9.
After Cobbs' TD made it 17-6, Sage Rosenfels threw a 19-yard TD pass to Derrick Lewis with 2:53 left, and Vernand Morency's 2-point run made it 17-14.
Notes: Houston CB Phillip Buchanon bruised his ribs. ... Broncos WR Todd Devoe aggravated a shoulder injury.
Stephen Colbert On Slavery and The NFL Draft
Say, you may not like or agree with this video, but it's worth listening too. Stephen Colbert gives his take on the NFL and specifically the NFL Draft as it compares to slavery.
Check it out:
Check it out:
Monday, August 28, 2006
Raider Nation Scratches Head - Oakland Raiders Bring Back JEFF GEORGE
Even the Raider Nation's scratching its collective head over this one, with fans warring on message boards like Raiderfans.net over the Oakland Raiders decision to bring Jeff George out of mouthballs:
...They must have changed the headline, because that his not what I read when I clicked on the link. But can you blame the sports media for looking at this move as whacko? First Art Shell after six other candidates turn us down, then Tom Walsh now Jeff George. Did they check into Art Slchichter too? I'm sure he's staying in good shape in prison and can still gun it.
There's also an idea that this wasn't Head Coach Art Shell's call; this Tribune article seems to imply that Al Davis overrules his coaches.
There's more at Raiderfans.net
Oakland Raiders Bring Back JEFF GEORGE
I think this not the best move at all. To me, it's right up there with bringing Tom Walsh out of retirement to be offensive coordinator. Jeff George -- as I recall -- had lockerroom attitude problems. He was best known for his run-in with then-Atlanta Falcons Head Coach June Jones. Maybe he's grown up. Heck, I'd take Troy Aikman rather than Jeff George. This is ...ok. Enough from me. Here's the report from NFL.com.
Hey, I just realized they could pay Jeff George the NFL minimum and get an experienced guy in the process -- but five years out of the game? I just shake my head about that one.
See, what was so great when the Raiders did use the West Coast Offense is a GM/ Coach could just dial up a QB from the waiver wire that had experience with the terms and ideas behind it because about one-third of the NFL employs the system. The Raiders don't have that luxury anymore.
Raiders sign QB George after long hiatus
NFL.com wire reports
ALAMEDA, Calif. (Aug. 28, 2006) -- The Oakland Raiders signed Jeff George to a contract, bringing back a player who hasn't thrown an NFL pass in five seasons.
George, the No. 1 overall pick by Indianapolis in 1990, joined the team in time for Aug. 28's afternoon practice. He previously played for the Raiders in 1997-98, starting 23 games and throwing 33 touchdowns and 14 interceptions.
It is not immediately clear what his role will be on the Raiders, who already have Aaron Brooks, Andrew Walter and Marques Tuiasosopo on the roster.
George played with the Colts from 1990-93. He was in Atlanta from 1994-96, then spent two seasons with Oakland and one with Minnesota before joining the Redskins in 2000, first as a backup. He was signed by Seattle as insurance midway through the 2002 season, but didn't play. Chicago signed him late in the 2004 season, but he never played for the Bears either.
George, known for his strong arm and clashes with coaches, has a 46-78 career record as a starter and has never lasted longer than four years with any one of them.
George hasn't played since 2001, when he was cut after two games with the Redskins. In his last two games with Washington, George had a quarterback rating of 34.6, completing 23 of 42 passes with three interceptions.
In his next-to-last game with Washington, he and coach Marty Schottenheimer had an animated sideline discussion after George committed four turnovers and was removed from the game.
George also had a sideline argument with coach June Jones when he was with the Atlanta Falcons in 1996, and the team suspended him and then cut him.
George played well his first season in Oakland, throwing for 3,917 yards and 29 touchdowns in 1997. He struggled with injuries the following season, starting only seven games, and was replaced the following season by Rich Gannon, who was a better fit in coach Jon Gruden's West Coast offense.
Cowboys Owner Jerry Jones Angry With Leak On T.O.'s Fine
I still believe I'm correct about the Dallas Cowboys playing possum about T.O.'s fine and injury. The mainstream media's so -- well, whatever -- he's going to play the first game of the season.
Dallas Cowboys Owner Jerry Jones is more concerned about the person who leaked the information about T.O. than any perceived problem with Terrell Owens.
I really don't think there's a problem at all. It's not a big deal. And I don't think there's any real tension; the media makes the problem in this case.
Rolling Stones In Concert In Boston - Video
The Rolling Stones come to Boston September 20th; you can get tickets here, and see the video for "Paint It Black" below:
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