The same day after 14-year veteran and all-time leading scorer Jeff Wilkins announced his retirement, Josh Brown bolted from the division rival Seahawks to sign with the St.Louis Rams.
Brown agreed to a five-year, $14.2 million contract that includes a $4 signing bonus. Brown's new contract will propel him to the status of highest paid kicker in the league.
During his five seasons in the Northwest, Brown connected on 80% of field goals and 99.6% of extra points. The former Cornhusker has a knack for timely kicks, accumulating four game -winning field goals in 2006, two of which were against his new team.
Undrafted out of Youngstown State in 1994, Wilkins firmly established a name for himself as one of the premier place kickers in NFL history. Since joining the Rams in 1997, Wilkins played in very game except for five in the year 2000. Consistency evolved as the benchmark of Wilkins's career,as he connected on 307 of 375 field goals and 26 that were from 50 yards or greater.
“Throughout my 11 years with the Rams, everybody in the organization has been fantastic - from top to bottom,” Wilkins said. “But retirement is the best for me, my family and the Rams.”
Saturday, March 01, 2008
Lauren Cleri Admits Cheating On Hubby For Money, Loses Money
This is a sad tale of a woman who thought disclosing a family secret and embarassing her husband in the process would win a lot of money for her. Instead, it left her without money and with a lot of national embarassment. The NY Post article reports that they say they can't be married after this, but the question is who would trust her?
From The NY Post:
February 27, 2008 -- The buxom blond wife of a city cop yesterday said she humiliated her husband in front of 8 million viewers of the reality show "Moment of Truth" - revealing she slept around and wanted to be wed to another guy - in a bid for fame and fortune.
But Lauren Cleri, 26, and her baby-faced hubby, rookie NYPD Officer Frank Cleri, 24, of Rockland County, said after appearing on the Fox show Monday night, they came away without any prize money, no immediate job offers for her - and a potentially irrevocably broken marriage.
"We're kind of up in the air right now - I want to [get back together], but I don't think he does," Lauren said in their tiny apartment in Piermont.
"It's not very easy to overcome," said Frank, a cop with the 48th Precinct in The Bronx.
Frank Cleri said he had been aware of his wife's cheating but not prepared for the emotional drain of their going public with it for the money.
Standing tensely next to his wife yet still wearing his wedding ring, he said, "Everything that was mentioned during this show, we had talked about before. We've had our issues. Unfortunately, now they're not just our problems. Everyone knows about it."
The pair catapulted into the national spotlight on the stomach-churning episode when Lauren revealed that she had cheated on her husband of two years and really wished she was married to an old boyfriend.
The show has contestants take a lie-detector test off-stage beforehand. They are asked some of the same questions later posed to them in front of the audience.
On Monday's show - taped two weeks ago - Lauren's ex-boyfriend made a surprise appearance and asked: "Do you believe I am the man you should be married to?"
As Frank Cleri grimaced on the sidelines, his wife said, "Well, wow, um. I'm going to be honest and say yes."
Here's the video set:
From The NY Post:
February 27, 2008 -- The buxom blond wife of a city cop yesterday said she humiliated her husband in front of 8 million viewers of the reality show "Moment of Truth" - revealing she slept around and wanted to be wed to another guy - in a bid for fame and fortune.
But Lauren Cleri, 26, and her baby-faced hubby, rookie NYPD Officer Frank Cleri, 24, of Rockland County, said after appearing on the Fox show Monday night, they came away without any prize money, no immediate job offers for her - and a potentially irrevocably broken marriage.
"We're kind of up in the air right now - I want to [get back together], but I don't think he does," Lauren said in their tiny apartment in Piermont.
"It's not very easy to overcome," said Frank, a cop with the 48th Precinct in The Bronx.
Frank Cleri said he had been aware of his wife's cheating but not prepared for the emotional drain of their going public with it for the money.
Standing tensely next to his wife yet still wearing his wedding ring, he said, "Everything that was mentioned during this show, we had talked about before. We've had our issues. Unfortunately, now they're not just our problems. Everyone knows about it."
The pair catapulted into the national spotlight on the stomach-churning episode when Lauren revealed that she had cheated on her husband of two years and really wished she was married to an old boyfriend.
The show has contestants take a lie-detector test off-stage beforehand. They are asked some of the same questions later posed to them in front of the audience.
On Monday's show - taped two weeks ago - Lauren's ex-boyfriend made a surprise appearance and asked: "Do you believe I am the man you should be married to?"
As Frank Cleri grimaced on the sidelines, his wife said, "Well, wow, um. I'm going to be honest and say yes."
Here's the video set:
Friday, February 29, 2008
Derek Anderson Remains With Cleveland Browns
The clock struck 12:01 A.M. Friday morning and Pro Bowl quarterback Derek Anderson was officially a restricted free agent. After weeks of tireless work by Browns executives to keep their primary signal caller, a deal was unable to be accomplished.
Five hours later representatives for Anderson and general manager Phil Savage agreed to a three-year, $24 million contact with $13 million in guaranteed money.
After throwing for a career high 29 touchdowns and 3,787 yards in 16 games for the 10-6 Browns, it was necessary that a deal was consummated as quickly as possible. If Anderson bolted for another team, Cleveland would have received a first and third-round draft pick.
Five hours later representatives for Anderson and general manager Phil Savage agreed to a three-year, $24 million contact with $13 million in guaranteed money.
After throwing for a career high 29 touchdowns and 3,787 yards in 16 games for the 10-6 Browns, it was necessary that a deal was consummated as quickly as possible. If Anderson bolted for another team, Cleveland would have received a first and third-round draft pick.
Porter, Williamson Headed To Jacksonville
In order to provide speed,agility and security for rising quarterback David Garrard, the Jaguars delved into the free agency market by signing Oakland Raiders disgruntled wideout Jerry Porter and acquiring despondent wide receiver Troy Williamson from the Minnesota Vikings.
After spending the first seven years of his career in the Bay Area, Porter was eager for a fresh new start with an established club. In signing a six-year,$30 million contract, Porter is expected to emerge as the Jaguars number one option at wide receiver.
Playing in 16 games last season with an anemic offense, Porter managed to reel in 76 receptions for 942 yards and five touchdowns.
Drafted seventh overall in 2005, Troy Williamson has been a significant disappoint for the Vikings, finding the endzone three times in three seasons.
“We’re giving Troy a chance, an opportunity for him to come down here and rejuvenate himself, have fun, don’t worry about the high expectations that were associated with his selection and his place there,” Del Rio said.
If Williamson is focused and determined to succeed, the Jaguars have an ability to propel to the top of the AFC South.
After spending the first seven years of his career in the Bay Area, Porter was eager for a fresh new start with an established club. In signing a six-year,$30 million contract, Porter is expected to emerge as the Jaguars number one option at wide receiver.
Playing in 16 games last season with an anemic offense, Porter managed to reel in 76 receptions for 942 yards and five touchdowns.
Drafted seventh overall in 2005, Troy Williamson has been a significant disappoint for the Vikings, finding the endzone three times in three seasons.
“We’re giving Troy a chance, an opportunity for him to come down here and rejuvenate himself, have fun, don’t worry about the high expectations that were associated with his selection and his place there,” Del Rio said.
If Williamson is focused and determined to succeed, the Jaguars have an ability to propel to the top of the AFC South.
Wall Street Pummels 315 Points
MARKET ALERT
from The Wall Street Journal.
The Dow Industrials dropped 2.5%, or more than 315 points, as an ugly earnings report from insurance giant American International Group brought investors' concerns about the health of the credit markets back to the fore. AIG fell 6.6%, and shares of other bellwether financial firms like Citigroup, Bank of America, Lehman Brothers and Morgan Stanley suffered steep declines. The Dow ended the week lower by 0.9% and fell 3% during February.
The Nasdaq Composite Index and the S&P 500 Index also saw deep slides on Friday, ending down by 2.6% and 2.7%, respectively.
from The Wall Street Journal.
The Dow Industrials dropped 2.5%, or more than 315 points, as an ugly earnings report from insurance giant American International Group brought investors' concerns about the health of the credit markets back to the fore. AIG fell 6.6%, and shares of other bellwether financial firms like Citigroup, Bank of America, Lehman Brothers and Morgan Stanley suffered steep declines. The Dow ended the week lower by 0.9% and fell 3% during February.
The Nasdaq Composite Index and the S&P 500 Index also saw deep slides on Friday, ending down by 2.6% and 2.7%, respectively.
Free Agent Frenzy Around The NFL
Kris Jenkins, Jonathan Vilma, Shaun Rodgers, Kawika Mitchell, Asante Samuel. These five defensive stalwarts highlight the list of players who took full advantage of the beginning of free agency this morning and will be dawning new uniforms next season.
Jenkins, a three time All-Pro and seven-year veteran, was dealt by the Carolina Panthers to the New York Jets in exchange for draft picks. He promptly signed a new five-year, $35 million contract that is worth $20 million in guaranteed money.
While heralded as the foundation of the Jets 3-4 defense, Jonathan Vilma was unable to acclimate to coach Eric Mangini's system. The totality of the situation was too much for the Jets rising star to adjust to and a shift to the crescent city will do the two-time defensive captain very well. In return for Vilma, New Orleans sends a fourth-round draft pick to New York.
At 340 pounds, overbearing defensive tackle Shaun Rodgers is a force to be reckon with when not inspired. To imagine the impact Rodgers can cement on Cincinnati's porous defense when motivated is very intriguing to Bengals fans now that he's been acquired for a third and fifth-round pick. In 16 games last season, Rodgers compiled 39 tackles, seven sacks and four forced fumbles.
Super Bowl champion linebacker Kawika Mitchell capitalized off of the Giants playoff push by signing a five-year deal worth $17.5 million.
The city of brotherly love will be feeling a lot more joyous this fall when shut down cornerback Asante Samuel takes the field at Lincoln Financial. With two Super Bowl victories to his credit, Samuel has compiled 22 interceptions and 238 tackles in five short seasons. Considered the premier free agent in this year's market, Samuel agreed to a six-year, $54 million contract on the first day of free agency.
Jenkins, a three time All-Pro and seven-year veteran, was dealt by the Carolina Panthers to the New York Jets in exchange for draft picks. He promptly signed a new five-year, $35 million contract that is worth $20 million in guaranteed money.
While heralded as the foundation of the Jets 3-4 defense, Jonathan Vilma was unable to acclimate to coach Eric Mangini's system. The totality of the situation was too much for the Jets rising star to adjust to and a shift to the crescent city will do the two-time defensive captain very well. In return for Vilma, New Orleans sends a fourth-round draft pick to New York.
At 340 pounds, overbearing defensive tackle Shaun Rodgers is a force to be reckon with when not inspired. To imagine the impact Rodgers can cement on Cincinnati's porous defense when motivated is very intriguing to Bengals fans now that he's been acquired for a third and fifth-round pick. In 16 games last season, Rodgers compiled 39 tackles, seven sacks and four forced fumbles.
Super Bowl champion linebacker Kawika Mitchell capitalized off of the Giants playoff push by signing a five-year deal worth $17.5 million.
The city of brotherly love will be feeling a lot more joyous this fall when shut down cornerback Asante Samuel takes the field at Lincoln Financial. With two Super Bowl victories to his credit, Samuel has compiled 22 interceptions and 238 tackles in five short seasons. Considered the premier free agent in this year's market, Samuel agreed to a six-year, $54 million contract on the first day of free agency.
Wil.I.Am New Obama Song "We Are The Ones" Out Today
This is the much anticipated follow-up to the Wil.I.Am song "Yes We Can" in tribute to Senator Barack Obama's run for President of the United States. Here are Wil.I.Am's comments on the video and Senator Obama's words:
people say Obama's words are just words...
but...
when was the last time "words" weren't important...???...
when was the last time a great leader didn't use words to lead...??...
when was the last time a person didn't use words to describe how they felt...?...
when was the last time "words" weren't empowering...?...
and we can all recall the last time "words" were used to divide us and install fear...
Bush used words to fear us into voting for him the second time around...
terror this...
terror that...
nuclear here...
weapons of mass destruction there...
and those words effected a lot of people's choices...
"enough is enough"...
let's rebuild...
let's change ourselves...
let's allow positivity to guide us...
let's take action....
let's activate our passion...
we are Americans....
and this is the first time in forever that someone running for president represents "US"...
some say this is all excitement...
I call it "proud to be an American"...
some say this whole Obama movement is "cult like"...
well...
if it comes across cult like...
then...
the cult is called America...
the Obama movement is connecting America.
and it has made "US" realize our importance...
the youth is excited and activated...
adults are passionate and motivated...
the elderly are proud to know the country they built is in safe hands...
we are one...
for too long politics has been corrupt...
separate from the American people...
with agendas that go against what the American people "need"...
education...
health...
safety...
jobs
etc...
politicians have spoken a different language...
making it so the youth and poor people feel as if voting was only for the wealthy and old people...
making "US" feel as if "we" had no voice...
making "US" feel powerless...
making it feel like if "we" did vote it wouldn't change anything...
but wait...
that did happen...
some of us voted, and it didn't change anything...
we were in the dark...
we had no voice...
we were powerless...
because America was not a united America...
and "they" spoke a different language...
and they had an agenda different from our well being...
correct me if I'm wrong... or speak up if I'm missing something...
we want education, health, safety, and good jobs...right???...
oh yeah...
and "a healthy planet to live on"...
but here we are...
in a war... poor education... poor health programs... the dollar is down... the planet, polluted...
the rich, richer... and the poor, struggling...
with sky high gas prices to top it all off...
and now even the rich aren't really rich internationally because our dollar is has fallen so far down...
in our slumber... a very small few got really rich...
because when you're sleeping...
"it's hard to change agendas"...
we know what happened in 2000 and 2004...
but in 2008...
it's different...
we are awake...
and there is a movement...
and "it's hard to change a movement"...
last time "we" didn't have a movement...
America wasn't united...
and now "United and "Standing"...for something...
we know the power of "US"...
and we have a person who represents the "U.S."...
"US"...
"we are the ones we've been waiting for"...
I'm proud to be an American...
will.i.am
CLINTON PISSES OFF TEXAS WITH LAWSUIT THREAT OVER CAUCUS
In a classic case of "What are they thinking" Hillary Rodham Clinton's campaign is threatening a lawsuit against the Texas Democratic Party over the complicated Texas Caucus process. The lawsuit action contrasts with the "Go with the program" approach of the Barack Obama campaign, where the Obama website has a special section devoted to the Texas Primary and a guide to the voting and caucus process.
The Clinton website's Texas link takes one to a phone banking page; there's nothing on the website about the Texas Caucus process.
What's interesting about this also gives a window to why the Clinton team is failing. It comes from the old "control" centered mentaility, which says "I must have control over what I do not understand," hence the lawsuit. Meanwhile, the Obama campaign's 21 Century approach is to jump into the culture of a region, in this case, Texas, and inform its supporters on the "rules of the game" there.
Which process do you think works better?
But the larger concern I have is with the slash-and-burn approach of the Clinton campaign and its impact on the Democratic Party. The Clinton's seem bent on destroying the party for their own purposes. An Obama win would mend the party quickly; a sweep of all states would terminate the Clinton campaign and right this ship before it's too late.
What's the concern of the Clinton camp? They feel the party has not trained each campaign on the process itself. However, it could be said that the Clinton campaign didn't even bother to learn about the caucus process either. The Obama campaign's not complaining. Perhaps that's because they're prepared.
Think about it.
The Clinton website's Texas link takes one to a phone banking page; there's nothing on the website about the Texas Caucus process.
What's interesting about this also gives a window to why the Clinton team is failing. It comes from the old "control" centered mentaility, which says "I must have control over what I do not understand," hence the lawsuit. Meanwhile, the Obama campaign's 21 Century approach is to jump into the culture of a region, in this case, Texas, and inform its supporters on the "rules of the game" there.
Which process do you think works better?
But the larger concern I have is with the slash-and-burn approach of the Clinton campaign and its impact on the Democratic Party. The Clinton's seem bent on destroying the party for their own purposes. An Obama win would mend the party quickly; a sweep of all states would terminate the Clinton campaign and right this ship before it's too late.
What's the concern of the Clinton camp? They feel the party has not trained each campaign on the process itself. However, it could be said that the Clinton campaign didn't even bother to learn about the caucus process either. The Obama campaign's not complaining. Perhaps that's because they're prepared.
Think about it.
SF Chronicle's Chip Johnson Features SBS Blog Network
Sf Chronicle columnist Chip Johnson featured the SBS Blog Network in his article on Oakland, which you can read here.
But his real "focus" was on Oakland, which is where our blog Oakland Focus comes in. It's at http://oaklandfocus.blogspot.com . This is some of what he wrote:
It's one of more than 50 Web sites posted by Abraham at his business Web site. But when he started writing about Oakland's mayoral election in 2006, he saw a change in the Internet traffic pattern.
"When we added the blog about local politics during the mayoral election - traffic really went up - sky high," Abraham said, doubling in the last two years.
Since his initial endorsement of Dellums, Abraham's view of the mayor has cooled a bit. He hasn't done an about-face, but he's far from satisfied.
His chief complaints are the mayor's lack of focus on housing and downtown redevelopment, his unwillingness to engage in a more public life to promote the city and his decision to endorse Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton over Sen. Barack Obama in the Democratic presidential primary race.
"I think he's doing a terrible job. But do I think he can get better?" Abraham asked. "Yes, I do," he said.
But his real "focus" was on Oakland, which is where our blog Oakland Focus comes in. It's at http://oaklandfocus.blogspot.com . This is some of what he wrote:
It's one of more than 50 Web sites posted by Abraham at his business Web site. But when he started writing about Oakland's mayoral election in 2006, he saw a change in the Internet traffic pattern.
"When we added the blog about local politics during the mayoral election - traffic really went up - sky high," Abraham said, doubling in the last two years.
Since his initial endorsement of Dellums, Abraham's view of the mayor has cooled a bit. He hasn't done an about-face, but he's far from satisfied.
His chief complaints are the mayor's lack of focus on housing and downtown redevelopment, his unwillingness to engage in a more public life to promote the city and his decision to endorse Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton over Sen. Barack Obama in the Democratic presidential primary race.
"I think he's doing a terrible job. But do I think he can get better?" Abraham asked. "Yes, I do," he said.
John McCain A Proud Liberal Conservative Republican
Senator John McCain says he's a "proud Liberal, Conservative Republican" in this video.
Beijing's Terminal Three Finished In Time For Olympics
Terminal 3 at the Beijing international airport is almost finished. It will make the Beijing international aiport the biggest in the world. See the video:
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