NFL and Telemoundo Join For NFL Kickoff 2006

NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE
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NFL-51 8/29/06

NFL PARTNERS WITH TELEMUNDO FOR
NFL OPENING KICKOFF 2006

Spanish-speaking football fans can enjoy NFL events in their own language as Telemundo becomes the new Official Hispanic Media Partner of the 2006 NFL Opening Kickoff. This partnership, recently signed by both the NFL and the US Hispanic
network, involves the broadcasting of the upcoming September 7th NFL Kickoff Concert scheduled to take place in Miami, which will air on September 9th, and a Celebrity Flag Football Event, which will air on Super Bowl Saturday, February 3rd.
"We are excited to provide our Spanish-speaking fans with special programming to celebrate the start of the 2006 NFL season,” said Peter O’Reilly, NFL director of marketing. "Our Telemundo partnership will serve as the first ever Spanish television extension of NFL Opening Kickoff. We look forward to working with Telemundo to
better serve our Latino fans."

On Saturday, September 9th, at 9pm Eastern/ 8pm Central/ 9pm Pacific, Telemundo will televise a two-hour NFL Opening Kickoff special entitled “Coors Light Presenta NFL Kickoff 2006” that will include footage of a music concert in Miami with three-time Grammy winner Diddy, Cassie, reggaeton singer Tego Calderon, the Latino rock band Ozomatli and DJ Riz, as well as interviews with Hispanic NFL players.

“This partnership is significant and symbolic because it combines the strength of two powerful organizations and recognizes the importance of the Hispanic community that our network serves,” said Jorge Hidalgo, senior executive vice president of sports and news for Telemundo Network. “The NFL is the premiere professional league in the country and the fact that they, as an organization, have tasked themselves to become more involved with our viewers through this association makes them an ideal partner for Telemundo. We see this as the first step in what will hopefully become a greater association between the NFL and our community,” the Telemundo executive concluded.

For those viewers interested in watching NFL games this season “en español,” they can tune-in to NBC network and select the SAP (Secondary Audio Programming) of their television sets, where Telemundo’s renowned sportscasters Rene Giraldo and Edgar Lopez will call the Sunday night games in Spanish. This partnership also provides Telemundo with the unique opportunity to expand its coverage of the NFL throughout its existing properties, such as “Titulares Telemundo,”
in an official capacity. Both the NFL and Telemundo will present a public service announcement platform during Hispanic Heritage month as well.

Telemundo, a U.S. Spanish-language television network, is the essential entertainment, news and sports source for Hispanics. Broadcasting unique national and local programming for the fastest-growing segment of the U.S. population, Telemundo reaches 93% of U.S. Hispanic households in 142 markets through its 16 owned-andoperated stations, 36 broadcast affiliates and nearly 684 cable affiliates. Telemundo is wholly owned by NBC Universal, one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies.
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Young Guns In The Big Apple

Most people are talking about The NY teams' two Starting QB's, the Giants Eli Manning and the Jets Chad Pennington. But the story behind the story is not the second stringers, but the youngsters holding the clipboards. Gang Green drafted Kellen Clemens this year from The University of Oregon. Early in Camp i spoke to a former reporter from the Hartford Courant who now works for the Oregonian. He was just another in a long line of people who had seen Clemens throw the heck out of the Ball. If Pennington's shoulder can't hold up a year or two down the road, this Kid can throw.

The Giants #3 has been around a bit longer. Jared Lorenzen, who at 6' 4-1/2" and 276 pounds has had a few nicknames regarding his size, like the "Pilsbury Throwboy", the "Hefty Lefty", and my favorite-"J-Load". But hey, Lorenzen is a bonafied NFL QB, even if he looks like a bonafied NFL DT! he even displayed some moved that players 40 and 50 pounds his lesser couldn't muster. Can you Imagine a single back set for the Giants with Lorenzen at QB and 2nd year Tower of Power RB ramblin Brandon Jacobs(6'-4 262 lbs)?

If i were a lesser man playing opposite them, i'd hope the training staff had an open spot on the list for whirlpool time. Lorenzen also made a move in Friday night's game vs the Jets that i have seen few Qb's with 10 years experience make. A left handed thrower, Lorenzen was moving to his left when he saw a "check-off", another receiver then the one the play was intended for, and made the difficult throw, back to his right, across his body while moving.

I look forward to both teams playing these guys down theroad so we can get a look atthe future of QB's in NY

Eagles' Todd Pinkston Available; ESPN's Len P Loses It On Radio - Profootballtalk.com

This is funy. Profootballtalk reports on a different side of ESPN's Len Pasquarelli and that Todd Pinkston's available

NEWS FLASH -- STINKSTON ON THE BLOCK

Less than a week after we posted a 48-second radio spot in which ESPN.com's Len Pasquarelli nearly threatens to throw down with Penner and Mac of WFNZ in Charlotte after they dissed Eagles receiver Todd Pinkston, the P-man is once again declaring his man-love for the pad-wearing scarecrow by making a cannonball splash with the news that Pinkston and agent Joe Segal have received permission to seek a trade.

Stop the freakin' presses, baby. Stinkston is available!

The story isn't only on the ESPN.com NFL page, but as of this posting it's smack-dab in the middle of the ESPN.com front page. (Len now owes someone in the editorial department a huge favor.)

And Len takes his devotion to Pinkston and Segal to new heights by suggesting that "[a]t least two of the three receiver-needy franchises would likely view Pinkston as a starter, if he is healthy."

Would "likely" view Pinkston as a starter? "Likely"? (Gee, who's the source on that?)

Pinkston is expendable because the Eagles have acquired receiver Donte' Stallworth. And as Adam Schefter of NFL Network reported on Tuesday's Total Access, Pinkston will likely be cut unless the Eagles suffer an injury elsewhere on the depth chart at the wideout position.

We've already received a flood of e-mails from readers, who based on our past reports can see right through what Len is doing. He's trying to help out his pay Joel by propping up a Segal client whose NFL career is quickly swirling down the drain.

Pinkston? A starter? That's almost as funny as hearing Joey Sunshine say that college quarterbacks turned receiver can only be successful if they're short.

Patriots Play Hardball with Soft Handed Branch

Walter Anaruk
Field Position Sports Media
http://www.fieldposition.com

The Patriots are really sticking to their guns. They have given top receiver, fan favorite, and former Super Bowl MVP Deion Branch permission to seek a trade. Now, given their restrictions on the trade, they obviously have no intention of letting Deion go. Instead, they have set the asking price at a first or high second-round draft pick. To make the deal even harder to consummate, they've given Deion to the end of the week to find a trade partner willing to offer the Patriots and acceptable deal. Clearly, Branch is meant to go nowhere.

Despite the best efforts of the front office in Foxboro, there are plenty of suitors for Branch. The Eagles were a top contender for Branch's services until they secured Donte Stallworth for a conditional fourth round draft pick and LB Mark Simoneau. The Bears were in the running for the speedy but completely and utterly handless Ashley Lelie but lost out in the three way trade consummated by Denver, Pittsburgh, and Atlanta. The Bears sorely want a weapon to compliment Mushin Muhammad. Branch would easily become the primier receiver for the Bears. But the Bears are unwilling to part with a high draft pick. The Patriots plan is working.

Is any of this a suprise to anyone? Does the name Ty Law ring a bell? The Patriots also got done waxing the Washington Redskins, a playoff team last season, in a 41-0 shutout embarassment of a non-game. The fact that it is preseason my lessen the significance but not the strength of the message.

The Patriots are saying to Branch:

"We can win against anyone, anytime, anyway ... and with ANYONE."

Tom Brady is angry. Fans are angry. Branch is pragmatic, classy, and diplomatic about the whole situation. But the Patriots 'valuation' methods aside, isn't a receiver of Deion Branch's caliber worth more than a measley $1.05 million he earned last year? Especially when you consider that he only made that much AFTER a $500,000 incentive escalator almost doulbed his salary?

The Patriots are going to find that less and less of their players are going to buy into their team concept when the team elects to pay some players and play hardball with others. The point isn't that the Patriots should pay everyone more than their worth. But the point is that when some one is performing at a certain level, they deserve to be paid at that level. Especially when they've lived out the majority of their undervalued contract without complaint. This is not Terrell Owens holding out after one year into a $49 million deal.

For those who are saying that Branch is under contract and should just play, keep in mind that no contract in the NFL is guaranteed. The team can cut any player, any time, anywhere. The hold out is a player's only bargaining tool.

So the stand off is under way. Branch and Belichek/Pioli are standing on opposite sides of the street staring one another in the eye. Who will flinch? I hope it's the Patriots. I hope they can realize that you can't treat players like so many Topps trading cards and then tell them they are part of 'the family' and should buy into a 'team concept.' It's hypocritical and dehumanizing. Pay the man what he's worth. All hold outs are not created equal.

Katrina - Bush Says Government Will Better Respond; What About New Orleans?

President Bush says that the United States' government will better respond to hurricane disasters in the future, but what about today? New Orleans is a total mess.

I just saw Spike Lee on The Charlie Rose show, and it was a great interview. Of course it was about his documentary on the government's response to Katrina. Lee said that "someone should be thrown in jail" for the mess the government left down there to this day.

President Bush, perhaps?

Kate On Sports: 'Roid Rage!!

Kate On Sports promo is a hit! It's on Blip.tv, YouTube, Google, BroadbandSports, and Clipshack..

Emmys 2006 - Opening Number (Part 2)

This is the second clip of the opening of the 2006 Emmy Awards. This is Conan O'Brien's opening monolog.

2006 Emmy Awards - Video Of "Lost" Opening

The 2006 Emmy Awards was notable for this opening segment that mocked the plane crash that was the basis for the story line of "Lost."

Since it happened right after a major plane crash, many questioned NBC's wisdom in producing it.

Here it is:

Raiders Try USC's Darnell Bing At Outside Linebacker - Randy Johnson For Press Telegram

This is one reason why the Raiders Defense is younger and faster -- moving the former safety to linebacker. Check out the video on Bing at USC.



Darnell Bing changing his spot
Raiders like what they see in rookie 'linebacker'
By Randy Johnson, Special to the Press-Telegram


NAPA - He was a two-time national champion at USC, a menacing strong safety known for big plays and bigger hits.

Now he's a rookie fourth-round draft pick fighting for playing time with established Oakland Raiders veterans, and he's being asked to learn how to play outside linebacker on the fly.

Welcome to the National Football League, Darnell Bing.

So does he drift back to his Pop Warner career in Long Beach or high school days at Poly to remember how to play the position?

Nope, he can't.

"I've never played linebacker before in my life," Bing said with a smile following a recent training camp practice at Redwood Middle School, in the wine country that is Napa Valley.

"It's just another challenge for me to go out there and go hard and compete."

Still, Raiders coach Art Shell is pleased with Bing's progress in learning the new spot.

"Darnell, like all the rest of the guys, is working his tail off to become a better football player," Shell said. "He's making the transition from strong safety to outside linebacker in a big way. I expect good things and big things from him down the road."

Bing has been working


Darnell Bing of Poly High played safety with USC, but he has been moved to linebacker with the Oakland Raiders in his rookie season in the NFL.
(Jed Jacobsohn / Getty Images)

with the second-team defense in recent workouts, shucking his No. 20 college jersey for a more linebacker-like No. 59.

And while his listed dimensions of 6-foot-2, 230 pounds made him a really big safety at USC, they leave him as one of the smallest linebackers on the Raiders' roster.

But, football is football, and Bing is adjusting well according to linebackers coach Don Martindale.

"I think he's doing a great job and he's right on schedule," said Martindale. "Each day he gets better, and anywhere he makes a mistake he comes back and corrects it. He's doing a heck of a job for us. He's a good, tough, physical kid."

While at Poly, Bing was named to numerous national teams, including the prestigious Parade All-American team in 2001, and was a part of three CIF Division I championship teams that combined to go 39-1-1.

He was also named to the first team of the Press-Telegram's Dream Team and Best in the West team.

At USC, Bing was a First-Team All-American and All-Pac 10 Conference pick with the Trojans in 2005. He returned four interceptions for 119 yards last season, including one score, and recorded 50 tackles.

As far as his own assessment of making the switch thus far, Bing was more reserved.

"It's going pretty good. I'm making some plays here and there, and I'm getting my keys down, so I'd say it's going pretty well."

Though a position change may be an uncomfortable proposition for most incoming players, Bing was perhaps more NFL-ready based on who he practiced against every day at USC.

Bing lined up against fellow 2006 draft picks like Heisman Trophy winners Reggie Bush and Matt Leinart, as well as Titans rookie running back LenDale White.

"Of course. They're all wonderful players, so I'd say being at 'SC helped a lot," he said.

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.

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: