San Francisco 49ers Hand-Picked As Patsy For The Arizona Cardinals - Profootballtalk.com

Florio and the Profootballtalk.com team penned this gem that's sure to give Head Coach Mike Nolan some good material for his team. It seems that the Cards think the Niners are the perfect patsy's for the opening of their new stadium!

CARDS HAND PICKED THE 49ERS FOR OPENING WEEKEND

A league source tells us that the NFL threw the Arizona Cardinals a bone by asking the team to identify the opponent against which they'd most like to christen the Cards' new digs.

And the Cardinals specifically selected the San Francisco 49ers.

Why? Our guess is that the Cards regard the 49ers as the softest opponent on a schedule.

It's hard to disagree. After all, the Cardinals swept the Niners in 2005, the first two-game sweep by Arizona of any of its current division rivals.

From the 49ers' perspective, this should provide an extra level of motivation. After all, who wants to be known in NFL circles as the Arizona Cardinals' bitches

Steve Irwin Passes At 44 - More Information From CNN

This is a video of CNN's coverage of the passing of nature celebrity Steve Irwin

Steve Irwin Passes At 44 - Shocking News

Crocodile hunter and expert Steve Irwin passed away after being fatally stabbed by a Stingray yesterday. What is shocking about this development -- to me -- is that at 44 years old, you expect him to just be around. Part of the Zeitgeist. But his passing just reminds me of how precious life is and how much we should thank God for every moment we're here.

Here's Steve in action:

SMG Sues 14 Companies Over Superdome Roof Problem

I personally found it hard to believe that stadium managment company SMG thought suing the 14 companies responsible for the construction of the Louisiana Superdome's roof would actually bear fruit.

SMG claims that ""The roof was supposed to insure that the Superdome could serve as a haven of evacuation of last resort for hurricanes which threaten New Orleans; an ark in any storm where residents who could not otherwise evacuate would be safely housed."

I smirked until I learned that "Horizon Group" made a new roof for the complex four years ago, and promised that it would withstand winds of over 200 mph.

Well that did not happen. The roof weakened under the pressure and winds of Hurricane Katrina, and leaked, harming over 20,000 people who took refuge in the giant structure.

"Star Wars" Music Legend John Williams Composes "Sunday Night Football" Theme for NBC

My favorite composer, John Williams -- who developed the now legendary Star Wars theme -- conceived of the military-march that is the theme for "NBC's Sunday Night Football." It doesn't matter what the music, John Williams always makes something you want to hum!

If you've not heard the music, just visit the show website at NFL Sunday Night Football.

Michael Sliver Says NFC East Is NFL's Hardest Division - I Say NFC South

Hmm... Atlanta. Carolina. New Orleans. Tampa Bay. Mike Silver of SI says the NFC East is the toughest division in the NFL. But I'd take the teams of the NFC South any day. They have the best defenses and now the best running back in the league in Reggie Bush.

What? He's not taken a snap?

...Just wait!

Steelers Cut QB Omar Jacobs Then Place Him On Practice Squad

The practice squad move was just announced. The Steelers should place him on the 53-man roster for the game vs. the Dolphins.

Steelers Finish Cuts, Release Morgan, Frazier

Pittsburgh, PA (Sports Network) - The Pittsburgh Steelers reached their 53- player roster limit on Saturday, adding wide receiver Quincy Morgan and linebacker Andre Frazier to an initial list of 20 cuts.

Morgan played in all 16 regular season games for the Steelers last season, catching nine passes for 150 yards and two touchdowns and also appearing as a kickoff returner. Morgan, a second-round draft choice of the Cleveland Browns in 2001, also appeared in a playoff win over the Bengals before injuring his right ankle.

Frazier appeared in 11 games with Pittsburgh last season, appearing mainly on special teams.

As previously reported, Pittsburgh parted with an additional 20 players: punter Mike Barr, quarterback Shane Boyd, offensive lineman Tim Brown, tight end Charles Davis, tight end Jon Dekker, defensive tackle Orien Harris, running back Cedric Humes fullback Branden Joe, quarterback Omar Jacobs, fullback John Kuhn, safety Mike Lorello, cornerback Anthony Madison, wide receiver Lee Mays, defensive end Shaun Nua, defensive tackle Scott Paxson, linebacker Richard Seigler, linebacker Ron Stanley, tackle Brandon Torrey, defensive end Lee Vickers, and wide receiver Walter Young.

Jacobs, a 6-4, 232-pound quarterback out of Bowling Green, was vying to make the roster as the team's third-string quarterback, behind Ben Roethlisberger and Charlie Batch. The signal-caller, who completed 22-of-34 passes for 275 yards and a touchdown in the preseason, could be brought back when the team establishes its eight-man practice squad on Sunday.

Davis (5th Round, Purdue), Harris (4th Round, Miami (FL)), and Humes (7th Round, Virginia Tech) were all 2006 draft picks.

Among the notable veterans released was Mays, who played in 48 games with the Steelers from 2002 through 2004, catching a total of 11 passes while also participating on special teams.

Barrett Brooks, a 12-year veteran who injured his quadriceps in the team's final preseason game, was place on season-ending injured reserve.

The reigning Super Bowl champs will open the NFL regular season this Thursday, when they play host to the Miami Dolphins at Heinz Field.

Seattle Seahawks Pick Up FB Josh Parry From Eagles

From Seahawks blog

Hawks pick up Eagles FB

Posted by Jose Romero at 01:50 PM
The Seahawks have made a trade with the Philadelphia Eagles for fullback Josh Parry.

Parry, 28, did not start the Eagles' exhibition finale against the New York Jets Friday, though he was listed as a substitute in the final game statistics. Parry, 6-foot-2 and 250 pounds, is in his third NFL season.

He has also been a special teams contributor for the Eagles.

Parry apparently lost the starting fullback job to Thomas Tapeh, making him expendable. The Seahawks lost Leonard Weaver, who was projected to be their backup fullback, to a high ankle sprain Friday night. So this move makes sense.

The Seahawks dealt a 2008 conditional draft pick to the Eagles for Parr

Darrell Jackson - Seahawks' WR Still Out With Knee Problem

Darrell Jackson was Seattle's most effective receiver in Super Bowl XL this year.

Inaction Jackson: Hawks' top WR still sidelined
By Danny O'Neil
Seattle Times staff reporter

ROD MAR / THE SEATTLE TIMES
Seahawks wide receiver Darrell Jackson, recovering from knee surgery, hasn't practiced with the team since February.
He's an NFL wide receiver, a position played by some of the NFL's loudest personalities.

But Darrell Jackson has been the silent type the past year, declining most interview requests, and his recovery from knee surgery has quietly hung in the background of the Seahawks' exhibition season.

Coach Mike Holmgren plans to have Jackson practice today. That was also the hope two weeks ago until the schedule was pushed back. With the season opener six days away and Jackson coming off his second knee surgery in a year, the question of how seamless his transition back to the field will be has to be answered.

"Well, that's the question for the ages, I think," Holmgren said after Thursday's exhibition finale.

He was exaggerating, but only a little bit.

Two of the three tight ends on Seattle's regular-season roster were injured in August. Wide receiver Nate Burleson is new to the team. Maurice Mann was on Seattle's practice squad last season. Add Jackson's status to the list of things to ponder.

"I think about it a lot, but I have no say in that and I have no control over that," quarterback Matt Hasselbeck said. "I know Darrell. He wants to play and catch a lot of passes for this team and be the guy that he has been. Hopefully, that translates to he's planning on coming back for the regular season, but I'm not a doctor and I'm not Darrell, so I don't know."

When Terrell Owens practiced it made news. When he didn't practice it was even bigger news. There is no such drama attached to Jackson's injury. Holmgren has clearly stated he's not frustrated by a return that's been a little slower than expected.

But the reality of his absence is a legitimate question. He hasn't practiced with the team since February. He wasn't in the locker room after Thursday's exhibition finale, so there wasn't a chance to ask him questions.

He was running last week, the strength of his leg is increasing and there's no doubt about the injury itself. The team called it a bone bruise last October, but the injury was diagnosed as a damaged meniscus when Jackson sought a second opinion. And no one will think twice about the last month if he goes out and catches six passes, including the game-winning touchdown, like he did in Tennessee the last time he returned from knee surgery. But here, six days before the regular-season opener, Jackson's status is a focal point.

"My plan is he will practice on Monday, and we will ease him back into things," Holmgren said. "It's still a medical call, at this point, but my hope is he will practice in the week and play against Detroit."

Seattle's reported interest in the Patriots' Deion Branch was projected into a commentary on Jackson's health. That's a stretch. Branch would have a learning curve in Holmgren's offense, and his asking price for a new contract — reportedly six years at more than $35 million — would make him more part of a long-range plan than a short-term fix. Besides, all indications are New England isn't interested in trading Branch.

Rushing Jackson back is the last thing the team wants to do after seeing Jerramy Stevens reinjure his knee in his first week back at practice after undergoing a similar procedure.

"We would be making a mistake if we thought he could come in and play a whole game," Holmgren said of Jackson.

Jackson's absence and injuries to the team's top two tight ends left Hasselbeck with a shortage of familiar targets.

"It has been tough, but I think if I learned anything from last year, it's 'So what?' " Hasselbeck said. "You've got to play with the guys that are out there."

Jackson and Bobby Engram were both injured in Seattle's overtime loss to Washington last season on Oct. 2. But the next week, Joe Jurevicius caught nine passes for 137 yards and a TD in St. Louis, and Seattle's franchise-record 11-game winning streak began.

Engram was out three games with broken ribs and Jackson missed nine, undergoing arthroscopic surgery to repair damaged cartilage in his knee. But when Williams did come back in December, he caught six passes against the Titans, including one for a touchdown to complete Seattle's comeback as Hasselbeck quickly reintegrated Jackson into the offense.

The return was no surprise to Engram.

"Jack is Jack," Engram said last season.

And Jack was back.

"If you've been in this game for [a certain] amount of years like he has, like I have, you're a gamer," Engram said. "Then you come back and you're in shape — like I know he is — you just come back and get into the flow.

"It might take you one game, but it's like riding a bike; you don't forget how to do it."

That still leaves the question of when Jackson will really be rolling.

Niners Coach Mike Nolan on 49ers Pass Rush Problems

Here's more on the 49ers pass rush problems as described by the SF Chronicle's Kevin Lynch.

49ERS NOTEBOOK
Job openings: Pass rushers needed
Kevin Lynch, Chronicle Staff Writer
Monday, September 4, 2006

Mike Nolan looked haggard, and his rapid-fire style of speech was slowed during his daily briefing with the media after Sunday's practice.

The 49ers' head coach appeared to be a man who had personally scoured the nation in search of a pass rusher. And he sort of was. The team did leave the 53rd spot on the roster open after the final cuts Saturday for such a person, and 6-foot-2, 270-pound Roderick Green filled it. He was claimed off waivers Sunday from the Ravens.

Picked in the fifth round of the 2004 draft by Baltimore when Nolan was its defensive coordinator, Green played mainly special teams his rookie year. He recorded two sacks in scant playing time last season.

"He's about 15 pounds heavier than when I last saw him," said Nolan, who's hoping the defensive end-outside linebacker can chase the quarterback.

An absence of a pass rush was the most glaring feature of the 49ers' 2-2 exhibition season. The team finished with two sacks -- both by players (defensive tackle Lance Legree and linebacker Corey Smith) who were cut.

Nolan wants to see what Green, who is expected to practice today, looks like before determining whether the third-year player would play in Sunday's season opener in Arizona.

Nolan described Green as a tough player and good pass rusher, although Nolan did admit that teams don't place pass-rushing dervishes on waivers.

Nolan and the defensive staff will have to make do and hope rookie linebacker Manny Lawson blossoms quickly.

Coaches praised Lawson ad nauseam throughout the exhibition season, but Lawson didn't live up to the billing until Friday's finale against San Diego. Lawson picked off a pass and induced another interception in the second quarter when he crashed into quarterback Charlie Whitehurst.

Nolan played down the use of sack statistics as a defensive harbinger.

"Turnovers, third-down efficiency, those are two areas that are bigger than anything else," he said. "But if you hit the quarterback a lot, it's a good thing."

Practice: The eight-man practice squad was partially made up of players the team released: wide receiver C.J. Brewer, fullback-running back Zak Keasey, linebacker Bobby Iwuchukwu, quarterback Gibran Hamdan and tackle Tavares Washington.

Wide receiver Cory Rodgers, a fourth-round pick of the Packers, might sign.

Injury update: Those anticipating the debut of tantalizing rookie tight end Delanie Walker will have to wait. After bruising his shoulder against the Chargers, Walker is out for the Cardinals. Nolan didn't say when Walker would return.

Cornerback Shawntae Spencer practiced, but is still listed as questionable with a hamstring pull. Linebacker Parys Haralson is also questionable with a foot injury.

SF Head Coach Mike Nolan Q and A From Niners Website

Coach Mike Nolan's Notebook: Sept. 3
Q&A

RE: Injury update:

“Delanie Walker has a shoulder and he is out. Vickiel Vaughn was out here today watching practice but he is on injured reserve. Shawntae Spencer practiced today. He is under control but we just wanted to get him out here. He should be ready for the game. Parys Haralson just went through some individual and group, but he is still questionable. Really Spencer is actually questionable as well.”

RE: Roster moves:
“We claimed Roderick Green off the waiver wire from Baltimore. I was with him for one year. This would have been his third year with them. He is about 6-2, 265 pounds. He is about 15 pounds more than when I was there. He is a good football player. He is strong, tough and a good pass rusher. He will play on the outside.”

RE: Do you think Green will play in the game?
“We will see how it goes. I haven’t seen him in a year and a half. It is still up in the air. He has a chance though.”

RE: Is Delanie Walker questionable for the game?
“For the game yes he is. We have until Wednesday. Right now he is listed as out. He has a shoulder injury.”

RE: Who are the practice squad guys?
“C.J. Brewer, Bobby Iwuchukwu, Tavares Washington, Gibran Hamdan and Zack Keasey. There will be three guys we add from the outside. Hopefully, we can add a defensive lineman, linebacker and wide receiver.”

RE: How concerned are you about the lack of pass rush in the preseason?
“Anytime you aren’t getting sacks you have to concerned, but it is something you have to work through. I would hope Roderick might add something to it. Sacks have never been a telling tale for wins and losses. They are probably the last thing that really tells how good a defense is. There were a couple of years in Baltimore where we weren’t really good in sacks, but we had a very good defense. The most important thing with sacks is that you can hit the quarterback. You are hitting a guy that is the most important player on the field. A tackle for loss usually gives you the same distance. I don’t think they indicate who wins. Turnovers and third down efficiency are two areas that are very important.”

RE: Who is your best pass rusher?
“Right now, probably Manny. Bryant Young is a pretty good pass rusher where he rushes from.”

RE: What are Roderick Green’s strengths?
“Physically he is a gifted guy. Very strong and he has been a good pass rusher. Those are his strengths.”

RE: Would you like to put him in as a situational pass rusher?
“He could. I would like for him to be an every down player, but we will see what he gives us.”

RE: Where did he play at Baltimore?
“They moved him all around. He was an outside linebacker when I was there. Since I have left he has played defensive end and linebacker. When I spoke with their coordinator, he said Roderick had gained 20 pounds, so I am curious to see him I want to see how he carries that weight”

RE: Why weren’t you more active today in adding players to the roster?
“We have been extremely active in looking at other teams and players. I think if the practice squad additions go right I will be pleased.”

RE: Eric Johnson:
“He has been hurt the last few years, but I think he is going to have a helluva year.”

RE: Have teams inquired about Eric?
“They have been interested in all of our tight ends. I would think someone would sign Terry Jones in the next week or two.”

RE: Do you think a team will sign Terry Jackson?
“That’s a good question. I don’t know. He is a very good special teams player.”

RE: Did you tell Keith Lewis he would assume the role as special teams leader?
“I did tell him that. I called him yesterday and spoke with him. I told Terry wasn’t on the team anymore and he would have to step up his presence. I told him he would have an opportunity to really stand out as a special teams player and make a name for himself.”

RE: Did you practice at all today for Arizona?
“We cut a lot of things back, but it was mostly geared towards Arizona.”

RE: What were some of the hard cuts you had to make?
“There were some tough cuts yesterday. I didn’t anticipate cutting draft choices from last year like Rasheed Marshall and Derrick Johnson. Terry Jackson and Terry Jones were tough.”

RE: Have you been on a team this healthy going into the season?
“I haven’t been in this situation before, but I am pleased. Our off-season program is a direct correlation of that as well as the type of guys we brought in.”

DE Ryan LaCasse To Indy Colts From Baltimore Ravens - Colts.com

Colts Obtain Defensive End LaCasse from Ravens - from Colts.com

INDIANAPOLIS – Colts Head Coach Tony Dungy believes a team can never have too many quality defensive linemen.
On Saturday, the Colts made a move to add another.

Ryan LaCasse, a defensive end from the University of Syracuse, was obtained by the Colts on Saturday from the Baltimore Ravens in exchange for an undisclosed future draft selection.

LaCasse (6-feet-2, 257 pounds), a seventh-round selection in this past April’s NFL Draft, started 15 of 46 games at Syracuse, where he is 10th on the team’s all-time sacks list with 16.5 for 93 yards.

LaCasse became the third defensive end from Syracuse on the Colts’ roster. Three-time Pro Bowl selection Dwight Freeney played for the Orangemen, as did third-year veteran Josh Thomas.(6-feet-2, 257 pounds), a seventh-round selection in this past April’s NFL Draft, started 15 of 46 games at Syracuse, where he is 10th on the team’s all-time sacks list with 16.5 for 93 yards.

LaCasse became the third defensive end from Syracuse on the Colts’ roster. Three-time Pro Bowl selection Dwight Freeney played for the Orangemen, as did third-year veteran Josh Thomas.