As I noted previously, the current top three NFL teams are coached by African Americans: Tony Dungy with the Indy Colts, Lovie Smith with the Chicago Bears, and Marvin Lewis with the Cincinnati Bengals.
Ok. You can point out that two of the winless set of NFL teams are coached by blacks, too. But the point is, the NFL's never seen a season where all of the very top elite undefeated teams were ran by African Americans.
Some may wish this to pass without note, but that would be a crime. I personally like the fact that the fastest tall wide receiver is white -- Jacksonville's Matt Jones -- and the top coached are black. Hopefully this pattern of breaking stereotypes continues for several decades until society itself is molded into behaving in a fashion that expects and encourages diversity.
Sunday, September 24, 2006
Bengals and Colts and Bears Are At The Top - Tampa Bay Bucs in Trouble
The Bengals beat the Pittsbugh Steelers 28 to 21 and The Indianapolis Colts ourlasted the Jacksonville Jags 21 to 14. I'm not surprised at the outcome of either game. Why? Because I figured the Steelers would be battle weary from that brusing Monday Night Football contest with the Jaguars -- and so I believed both teams would lose.
The Chicago Bears / Minnesota Vikings game -- different story. I thought it was a toss up. But I think this marks the first time in NFL history that the three best teams in the league were coached by African Americans -- Tony Dungy at Indy, Lovie Smith in Chicago and Marvin Lewis in Cincinnati.
Now the terrible news is that the Tampa Bay Bucs are Zero and Three losses, and their starting QB Chris Simms is out with a ruptured spleen.
I think Coach Jon Gruden may be placing his quarterback's in jepardy with his play calling and design.
I even wrote a letter to Jon that I've not yet sent. My next post contains the letter.
The Chicago Bears / Minnesota Vikings game -- different story. I thought it was a toss up. But I think this marks the first time in NFL history that the three best teams in the league were coached by African Americans -- Tony Dungy at Indy, Lovie Smith in Chicago and Marvin Lewis in Cincinnati.
Now the terrible news is that the Tampa Bay Bucs are Zero and Three losses, and their starting QB Chris Simms is out with a ruptured spleen.
I think Coach Jon Gruden may be placing his quarterback's in jepardy with his play calling and design.
I even wrote a letter to Jon that I've not yet sent. My next post contains the letter.
Free Hug Campaign - Video
I saw this video for the "Free Hugs Campaign" on YouTube and although I was a bit skeptical at first, really liked it once Isaw it.
Here's the video:
Here's the video:
Friday, September 22, 2006
Reggie Bush' Lawyer Claims Yahoo Reporter Dan Wetzel Got Info Unethically - Sports Business Daily
I don't know if it makes any difference how the information was obtained -- someone gave it up. In other words, I don't know what law was broken in Dan Wetzel's actions if this is true.
ATTORNEY FOR REGGIE BUSH ALLEGES MISCONDUCT BY YAHOO SPORTS REPORTER
By Liz Mullen, Staff Writer, SportsBusiness Journal
Attorney Takes Umbrage To Yahoo
Sports Story On Reggie Bush
An attorney for Saints RB Reggie Bush today issued a statement alleging that a Yahoo Sports reporter falsely identified himself to gain confidential financial information for a report that Bush and his family received more than $100,000 in gifts from agents while he was at USC. David Cornwell, Bush’s attorney, said in a statement that a phone message left at a Northern California hotel seeking credit card information for an employee of Bush’s marketing agent was linked to Yahoo Sports reporter Dan Wetzel. “On Sept. 13, 2006, a person posing as an employee of Mr. Bush’s marketing agency, The SportsLink, makes repeated calls to a Northern California hotel seeking credit card information relating to such employee. In one call, the impersonator left a contact number that connects a caller directly to Yahoo,” the statement said. SportsLink is the company owned by Mike Ornstein, Bush’s marketing agent.
Wetzel did not immediately return a phone call. His byline was not on the story that alleged Ornstein and Michael Michaels, who owned a separate marketing company, gave more than $100,000 in cash and gifts to Bush and his parents.
“Contrary to Yahoo’s report,” Cornwell’s statement said, Bush’s parents “either paid or prepaid, in cash, for airline tickets, travel expenses, lodging and service charges relating to the trip from San Diego to Oakland.” Cornwell also said that, contrary to published reports, Bush’s parents owed no rent on a San Diego area home owned by Michaels as of early April ‘06.
Michaels’ attorney, Brian Watkins, could not be immediately reached for comment. Yahoo did not comment by presstime. Cornwell declined to comment beyond his statement.
ATTORNEY FOR REGGIE BUSH ALLEGES MISCONDUCT BY YAHOO SPORTS REPORTER
By Liz Mullen, Staff Writer, SportsBusiness Journal
Attorney Takes Umbrage To Yahoo
Sports Story On Reggie Bush
An attorney for Saints RB Reggie Bush today issued a statement alleging that a Yahoo Sports reporter falsely identified himself to gain confidential financial information for a report that Bush and his family received more than $100,000 in gifts from agents while he was at USC. David Cornwell, Bush’s attorney, said in a statement that a phone message left at a Northern California hotel seeking credit card information for an employee of Bush’s marketing agent was linked to Yahoo Sports reporter Dan Wetzel. “On Sept. 13, 2006, a person posing as an employee of Mr. Bush’s marketing agency, The SportsLink, makes repeated calls to a Northern California hotel seeking credit card information relating to such employee. In one call, the impersonator left a contact number that connects a caller directly to Yahoo,” the statement said. SportsLink is the company owned by Mike Ornstein, Bush’s marketing agent.
Wetzel did not immediately return a phone call. His byline was not on the story that alleged Ornstein and Michael Michaels, who owned a separate marketing company, gave more than $100,000 in cash and gifts to Bush and his parents.
“Contrary to Yahoo’s report,” Cornwell’s statement said, Bush’s parents “either paid or prepaid, in cash, for airline tickets, travel expenses, lodging and service charges relating to the trip from San Diego to Oakland.” Cornwell also said that, contrary to published reports, Bush’s parents owed no rent on a San Diego area home owned by Michaels as of early April ‘06.
Michaels’ attorney, Brian Watkins, could not be immediately reached for comment. Yahoo did not comment by presstime. Cornwell declined to comment beyond his statement.
NFL v. Comcast - NFL Charged 80 Cents Per Subscription, Up From 20 Cents Per Subscription
Comcast's Brian Roberts is concerned that his organization's being forced to show expensive new NFL telecasts for Thanksgiving as part of a total NFL Network Package that now costs 80 cents per subscription, up from 20 cents last year.
Roberts expressed his concern to MediaPost and in its newsletter, the full contents of which are below in case the link's life ends.
But the question is this: is the NFL slowly pricing itself out of the very demographic it has long served? Remember that for most of its television life, NFL games have been avaiable to the public free of charge. But those days seems to be comming to an end.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NFL Network Looks To Tackle; Comcast's Roberts Looking For Blockers
by Wayne Friedman, Friday, Sep 22, 2006 1:45 PM ET
NFL Network stands for Noose-like Football Leverage.
It’s the kind of leverage all sports leagues would like to have--especially when it comes to getting paid from cable operators.
Cable operators have been wrestling with big TV sports money issues for years: Should they put sports channels on sports tiers--making a portion of their subscribers pay extra fees for it, or should they they foot the cost and make all subscribers pay?
One can always turn around the argument: Why do those sports subscribers, mostly men, have to pay for channels like Hallmark Channel or HGTV or the Food Network, which for the most part they’ll never see?
The difference is that sports are way more expensive--especially the NFL.
Now, Brian Roberts, chairman of Comcast Corp., is so perplexed by the situation he wants to organize an industry summit to hash out differences.
Comcast, the biggest cable operator in the land, just got through an agreement where it would pay the NFL Network an extra sub fee for an entire year, for just eight live games. Time Warner, the second biggest cable system operator, has so far refused to foot the extra bill.
Roberts is now worried other sports leagues/groups will take a similar tack. For example, The U.S. Olympic Committee is considering its own 24-hour network. Even then, Olympics sports would conceivably be priced more reasonably.
By comparison, the NFL Network wants to raise its price from 20 cents per sub to a whopping 80 cents or $1 per sub. That’s incredible, considering that the NFL is in just 40 million homes and that other fully distributed networks are getting nickels and dimes in per-sub fees.
The NFL Network now wants to bully its way into people’s homes for just 20 hours of new programming for an entire year. That doesn’t sound like a lot of extra programming--especially for a year-round, 24-hour network. As the pre-eminent sports league, which bring in big ratings and big advertising revenue, The NFL is essentially putting a gun to TV distributors’ heads.
“People will go nuts on Thanksgiving when there's a game on and they can't watch it,” Seth Palansky, a spokesman for the NFL Network, has reportedly said.
That’s not quite the truth; the two teams’ home markets that appear in those late season NFL Network games will each have their games televised by their over-the-air local TV stations.
And really--how nuts will people get from football deprivation? Will there be protests because someone in Denver can’t see the Dallas Cowboys-Detroit Lions game? It’s not like they can’t see other scores of other games through the season on NBC, ESPN, CBS or Fox.
Sure, you can blame a lot on cable operators. But it’s hard to argue the high cost for eight extra games that fans didn’t know they missed a year ago. So what about Thanksgiving? How about talking to your relatives once in a while?
BEARS QB REX GROSSMAN & BENGALS RB RUDI JOHNSON PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT:
NFL.COM VOTERS SELECT
BEARS QB REX GROSSMAN & BENGALS RB RUDI JOHNSON
AS WEEK 2 FEDEX AIR & GROUND® NFL PLAYERS OF THE WEEK HONORS
Quarterback REX GROSSMAN of the Chicago Bears and running back RUDI JOHNSON of the Cincinnati Bengals
are the FedEx Air & Ground NFL Players of the Week for games played on September 17-18, the NFL announced
today.
Grossman completed 20 of 27 passes for 289 yards and four touchdowns for a passer rating of 148.0 in the Bears’ 34-
7 victory over the Detroit Lions. He threw touchdown passes of three, five, 31 and 41 yards.
Johnson carried 26 times for 145 yards and two touchdowns in the Bengals’ 34-17 victory over the Cleveland Browns.
He scored on touchdown runs of one and nine yards in the fourth quarter.
Grossman and Johnson were selected from among finalists in air and ground categories through 139,748 fan votes.
The other FedEx Express NFL Player of the Week finalists were quarterbacks ELI MANNING of the New York Giants
and PEYTON MANNING of the Indianapolis Colts, while running backs WARRICK DUNN of the Atlanta Falcons and
FRANK GORE of the San Francisco 49ers were the other finalists for the FedEx Ground NFL Player of the Week.
Grossman received 36 percent of the fan votes for FedEx Express NFL Player of the Week, while Eli Manning
received 34 percent and Peyton Manning received 30 percent. Johnson’s 66 percent of the fan votes for FedEx
Ground NFL Player of the Week beat out Dunn’s 19 percent and Gore’s 15 percent.
Fans voted for more than their favorite players. The weekly FedEx Air & Ground NFL Players of the Week Awards
are also a win for the local community. Along with the player awards, FedEx is awarding Shriners Hospital for
Children and Cincinnati Children’s Medical Hospital, the children’s hospitals in each winning market, a check for
$5,000.
The children’s hospitals in the two season-long winner’s markets, announced at Super Bowl XLI in South Florida, will
be awarded $25,000 each. That means that FedEx will deliver nearly $250,000 to local children’s hospitals around the
country in recognition of the FedEx Air & Ground NFL Players of the Week Award winners.
FedEx, the premier global provider of transportation, e-commerce and supply-chain management services, is the
Official Delivery Service Sponsor of the NFL, Super Bowl and Pro Bowl. Through the weekly FedEx Air and Ground
awards, FedEx recognizes those NFL players who represent the same speed, precision and teamwork that their
customers have come to expect from the full range of FedEx air, ground, freight and international shipping services.
2005 FEDEX AIR & GROUND NFL PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
EXPRESS (AIR) Charity GROUND Charity
Wk 1 Donovan McNabb, Phi. Children’s Crisis
Treatment Center
LaDainian Tomlinson,
SD.
Rady Children’s
Hospital
Wk 2 Rex Grossman, Chi. Shriners Hospital for
Children
Rudi Johnson, Cin. Cincinnati Children’s
Medical Hospital
# # #
NFL.COM VOTERS SELECT
BEARS QB REX GROSSMAN & BENGALS RB RUDI JOHNSON
AS WEEK 2 FEDEX AIR & GROUND® NFL PLAYERS OF THE WEEK HONORS
Quarterback REX GROSSMAN of the Chicago Bears and running back RUDI JOHNSON of the Cincinnati Bengals
are the FedEx Air & Ground NFL Players of the Week for games played on September 17-18, the NFL announced
today.
Grossman completed 20 of 27 passes for 289 yards and four touchdowns for a passer rating of 148.0 in the Bears’ 34-
7 victory over the Detroit Lions. He threw touchdown passes of three, five, 31 and 41 yards.
Johnson carried 26 times for 145 yards and two touchdowns in the Bengals’ 34-17 victory over the Cleveland Browns.
He scored on touchdown runs of one and nine yards in the fourth quarter.
Grossman and Johnson were selected from among finalists in air and ground categories through 139,748 fan votes.
The other FedEx Express NFL Player of the Week finalists were quarterbacks ELI MANNING of the New York Giants
and PEYTON MANNING of the Indianapolis Colts, while running backs WARRICK DUNN of the Atlanta Falcons and
FRANK GORE of the San Francisco 49ers were the other finalists for the FedEx Ground NFL Player of the Week.
Grossman received 36 percent of the fan votes for FedEx Express NFL Player of the Week, while Eli Manning
received 34 percent and Peyton Manning received 30 percent. Johnson’s 66 percent of the fan votes for FedEx
Ground NFL Player of the Week beat out Dunn’s 19 percent and Gore’s 15 percent.
Fans voted for more than their favorite players. The weekly FedEx Air & Ground NFL Players of the Week Awards
are also a win for the local community. Along with the player awards, FedEx is awarding Shriners Hospital for
Children and Cincinnati Children’s Medical Hospital, the children’s hospitals in each winning market, a check for
$5,000.
The children’s hospitals in the two season-long winner’s markets, announced at Super Bowl XLI in South Florida, will
be awarded $25,000 each. That means that FedEx will deliver nearly $250,000 to local children’s hospitals around the
country in recognition of the FedEx Air & Ground NFL Players of the Week Award winners.
FedEx, the premier global provider of transportation, e-commerce and supply-chain management services, is the
Official Delivery Service Sponsor of the NFL, Super Bowl and Pro Bowl. Through the weekly FedEx Air and Ground
awards, FedEx recognizes those NFL players who represent the same speed, precision and teamwork that their
customers have come to expect from the full range of FedEx air, ground, freight and international shipping services.
2005 FEDEX AIR & GROUND NFL PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
EXPRESS (AIR) Charity GROUND Charity
Wk 1 Donovan McNabb, Phi. Children’s Crisis
Treatment Center
LaDainian Tomlinson,
SD.
Rady Children’s
Hospital
Wk 2 Rex Grossman, Chi. Shriners Hospital for
Children
Rudi Johnson, Cin. Cincinnati Children’s
Medical Hospital
# # #
NFL Injury Report - Week Three - NFLMedia.com
From NFLmedia.com
WASHINGTON REDSKINS AT HOUSTON TEXANS
Washington Redskins
QUESTIONABLE CB Shawn Springs (Abdomen); DT Joe Salave'a (Calf)
PROBABLE RB Clinton Portis (Shoulder); WR Santana Moss (Hip)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED Shawn Springs; Joe Salave'a; Santana Moss
Houston Texans
OUT CB Demarcus Faggins (Foot)
QUESTIONABLE CB Phillip Buchanon (Ankle); C Mike Flanagan (Foot);
DE Antwan Peek (Groin)
PROBABLE LB Morlon Greenwood (Ankle)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED Demarcus Faggins; Mike Flanagan; Antwan Peek
CHICAGO BEARS AT MINNESOTA VIKINGS
Chicago Bears
QUESTIONABLE DE Israel Idonije (Ankle); S Cameron Worrell (Knee)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED Israel Idonije; Cameron Worrell
Minnesota Vikings
QUESTIONABLE WR Marcus Robinson (Hamstring); G Artis Hicks
(Shoulder); WR Troy Williamson (Shoulder)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED All Players Practiced
NEW YORK JETS AT BUFFALO BILLS
New York Jets
DOUBTFUL C Trey Teague (Ankle)
QUESTIONABLE CB David Barrett (Hip); WR Laveranues Coles (Calf);
WR Tim Dwight (Thigh); G Pete Kendall (Thigh)
PROBABLE DE Dave Ball (Thigh); LB Matt Chatham (Foot); QB
Chad Pennington (Calf); S Kerry Rhodes (Ankle); DT
Kimo Von Oelhoffen (Knee)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED Trey Teague; David Barrett; Laveranues Coles; Tim
Dwight; Pete Kendall
Buffalo Bills
QUESTIONABLE LB Takeo Spikes (Hamstring); S Matt Bowen (Shin)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED Takeo Spikes; Matt Bowen
GREEN BAY PACKERS AT DETROIT LIONS
Green Bay Packers
DOUBTFUL T Junius Coston (Knee)
QUESTIONABLE CB Al Harris (Shoulder); TE David Martin (Knee); CB
Will Blackmon (Foot); G Jason Spitz (Thigh)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED Junius Coston; David Martin; Will Blackmon; Jason
Spitz
Detroit Lions
OUT WR Shaun Bodiford (Knee); S Kenoy Kennedy (Foot);
LB Alex Lewis (Knee)
QUESTIONABLE T Barry Stokes (Hamstring); G Ross Verba
(Hamstring); T Rex Tucker (Knee)
PROBABLE DE Cory Redding (Ankle); DT Shaun Rogers (Knee)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED Shaun Bodiford; Kenoy Kennedy; Alex Lewis; Barry
Stokes; Rex Tucker; Cory Redding; Shaun Rogers
JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS AT INDIANAPOLIS COLTS
Jacksonville Jaguars
QUESTIONABLE RB Derrick Wimbush (Knee); S Donovin Darius (Back);
WR Matt Jones (Groin); TE Marcedes Lewis (Ankle);
CB Rashean Mathis (Knee); G Chris Naeole (Knee);
WR Chad Owens (Ribs); LB Mike Peterson (Knee); S
Gerald Sensabaugh (Ankle); DE Paul Spicer (Groin);
DT Marcus Stroud (Ankle); LB Patrick Thomas (Ankle);
DE Marcellus Wiley (Groin)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED Derrick Wimbush; Donovin Darius; Matt Jones;
Rashean Mathis; Chris Naeole; Chad Owens; Paul
Spicer; Marcus Stroud; Patrick Thomas; Marcellus Wiley
Indianapolis Colts
QUESTIONABLE LB Gary Brackett (Calf); RB Ran Carthon (Finger); T
Ryan Diem (Hand); RB De De Dorsey (Ankle); DE
Dwight Freeney (Buttock); LB Gilbert Gardner (Hand);
CB Nick Harper (Ankle); TE Ben Hartsock (Hamstring);
LB Freddie Keiaho (Knee); DE Ryan LaCasse (Foot); G
Ryan Lilja (Knee); DT Montae Reagor (Knee); DT
Darrell Reid (Elbow); S Bob Sanders (Shoulder); G
Jake Scott (Knee); DT Corey Simon (Knee); QB Jim
Sorgi (Right Shoulder); WR Brandon Stokley (Ankle);
DE Josh Thomas (Hip); TE Ben Utecht (Concussion); K
Adam Vinatieri (Right Groin)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED De De Dorsey; Dwight Freeney; Ben Hartsock; Montae
Reagor; Corey Simon; Brandon Stokley; Josh Thomas;
Ben Utecht; Adam Vinatieri
TENNESSEE TITANS AT MIAMI DOLPHINS
Tennessee Titans
OUT TE Erron Kinney (Knee); DE Antwan Odom (Knee)
QUESTIONABLE T Jacob Bell (Toe); RB Ahmard Hall (Ankle); RB Travis
Henry (Toe); CB Reynaldo Hill (Knee); LB Robert
Reynolds (Thigh); DT Robaire Smith (Hamstring)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED Erron Kinney; Antwan Odom; Jacob Bell; Ahmard Hall;
Reynaldo Hill; Robert Reynolds; Robaire Smith
Miami Dolphins
OUT G Joe Berger (Foot); G Bennie Anderson (IR/Triceps)
QUESTIONABLE CB Travis Daniels (Ankle); LB Derrick Pope
(Hamstring); WR Marty Booker (Ankle)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED Joe Berger; Bennie Anderson; Derrick Pope
CINCINNATI BENGALS AT PITTSBURGH STEELERS
Cincinnati Bengals
OUT C Rich Braham (Knee); S Dexter Jackson (Ankle); LB
A.J. Nicholson (Hamstring); WR Tab Perry (Hip)
DOUBTFUL WR Antonio Chatman (Groin); WR Antonio Chatman
(Groin)
QUESTIONABLE WR T.J. Houshmandzadeh (Heel); WR T.J.
Houshmandzadeh (Heel)
PROBABLE DT Sam Adams (Knee); LB Brian Simmons (Knee); CB
Deltha O'Neal (Knee); G Eric Steinbach (Back); WR
Chris Henry (Groin); T Levi Jones (Ankle)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED Rich Braham; Dexter Jackson; A.J. Nicholson; Tab
Perry; Antonio Chatman; Sam Adams; Deltha O'Neal;
Deltha O'Neal; Eric Steinbach; Chris Henry; Levi Jones;
Levi Jones
Pittsburgh Steelers
QUESTIONABLE WR Santonio Holmes (Foot); S Troy Polamalu
(Shoulder);
PROBABLE CB Bryant McFadden (Quadricep); LB Larry Foote
(Groin); WR Hines Ward (Hamstring); WR Nate
Washington (Finger)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED Santonio Holmes
CAROLINA PANTHERS AT TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS
Carolina Panthers
OUT LB Dan Morgan (Concussion)
DOUBTFUL S Shaun Williams (Foot)
QUESTIONABLE CB Ken Lucas (Neck); WR Steve Smith (Thigh); WR
Drew Carter (Hand); RB Nick Goings (Thigh); C Justin
Hartwig (Groin)
PROBABLE LB Jason Kyle (Shoulder)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED Dan Morgan; Shaun Williams; Ken Lucas; Steve Smith;
Nick Goings; Justin Hartwig
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
OUT G Davin Joseph (Knee); TE Dave Moore (Rib)
QUESTIONABLE DT Chris Hovan (Ankle); CB Brian Kelly (Foot); DT
Anthony McFarland (Hip); LB Ryan Nece (Knee)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED Davin Joseph; Dave Moore; Brian Kelly; Anthony
McFarland; Ryan Nece
NEW YORK GIANTS AT SEATTLE SEAHAWKS
New York Giants
OUT RB Derrick Ward (Foot)
QUESTIONABLE S James Butler (Knee); WR Sinorice Moss (Quadricep)
PROBABLE WR Tim Carter (Ankle); TE Jeremy Shockey (Ankle)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED Derrick Ward; James Butler; Sinorice Moss; Tim Carter;
Tim Carter; Jeremy Shockey
Seattle Seahawks
OUT TE Jerramy Stevens (Knee); G Floyd Womack (Knee)
QUESTIONABLE TE Itula Mili (Knee)
PROBABLE RB Shaun Alexander (Foot)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED Jerramy Stevens; Floyd Womack; Itula Mili; Shaun
Alexander
ST. LOUIS RAMS AT ARIZONA CARDINALS
St. Louis Rams
DOUBTFUL T Orlando Pace (Concussion)
QUESTIONABLE LB Pisa Tinoisamoa (Elbow)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED Orlando Pace
Arizona Cardinals
QUESTIONABLE LB James Darling (Calf); CB Eric Green (Groin)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED James Darling; Eric Green
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES AT SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS
Philadelphia Eagles
DOUBTFUL CB Roderick Hood (Heel); CB Lito Sheppard (Ankle)
QUESTIONABLE TE L.J. Smith (Shoulder); RB Brian Westbrook (Knee);
TE Mike Bartrum (Knee)
PROBABLE G Shawn Andrews (Shoulder); DE Darren Howard
(Knee); S Michael Lewis (Quadricep); S Quintin Mikell
(Thumb); RB Reno Mahe (Ankle)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED Roderick Hood; Lito Sheppard; L.J. Smith; Brian
Westbrook; Mike Bartrum
San Francisco 49ers
OUT G Larry Allen (Knee); TE Delanie Walker (Shoulder)
DOUBTFUL WR Taylor Jacobs (Hamstring
QUESTIONABLE DT Anthony Adams (Ankle)
PROBABLE DE Ronald Fields (Shoulder); T Jonas Jennings
(Ankle); G Justin Smiley (Shoulder)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED Larry Allen; Delanie Walker; Taylor Jacobs; Anthony
Adams; Justin Smiley
BALTIMORE RAVENS AT CLEVELAND BROWNS
Baltimore Ravens
QUESTIONABLE LB Adalius Thomas (Foot); DT Aubrayo Franklin
(Thigh); T Jonathan Ogden (Knee); CB Samari Rolle
(Ankle); RB Musa Smith (Knee); LB Ray Lewis (Neck);
DT Haloti Ngata (Back); RB Jamal Lewis (Thigh)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED Adalius Thomas; Aubrayo Franklin; Jonathan Ogden;
Samari Rolle; Musa Smith; Ray Lewis; Haloti Ngata;
Jamal Lewis
Cleveland Browns
OUT DE Nick Eason (Ankle)
DOUBTFUL TE Darnell Dinkins (Hamstring); CB Gary Baxter
(Pectoral); DE Orpheus Roye (Shoulder); WR Joe
Jurevicius (Ribs)
QUESTIONABLE LB Willie McGinest (Calf); S Brian Russell (Elbow); RB
Reuben Droughns (Shoulder)
PROBABLE TE Kellen Winslow (Knee)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED Nick Eason; Darnell Dinkins; Gary Baxter; Orpheus
Roye; Joe Jurevicius; Willie McGinest; Reuben
Droughns; Kellen Winslow
DENVER BRONCOS AT NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
Denver Broncos
OUT RB Cedric Cobbs (Ankle)
DOUBTFUL DE Courtney Brown (Knee)
PROBABLE RB Mike Bell (Finger); WR Rod Smith (Head)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED Courtney Brown; Cedric Cobbs
New England Patriots
QUESTIONABLE S Artrell Hawkins (Thigh); WR Chad Jackson
(Hamstring); T Nick Kaczur (Shoulder)
PROBABLE QB Tom Brady (Right Shoulder); T Matt Light (Knee);
WR Doug Gabriel (Hamstring)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED Artrell Hawkins; Chad Jackson; Nick Kaczur; Matt Light;
Doug Gabriel
ATLANTA FALCONS AT NEW ORLEANS SAINTS on Monday
Atlanta Falcons
QUESTIONABLE WR Roddy White (Shoulder); LB Edgerton Hartwell
(Knee); DE John Abraham (Groin)
PROBABLE DE Patrick Kerney (Tricep); S Kevin Mathis
(Hamstring); G Kynan Forney (Shoulder); T Wayne
Gandy (Groin)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED Roddy White; Edgerton Hartwell; John Abraham; Patrick
Kerney; Kevin Mathis; Kynan Forney; Wayne Gandy
New Orleans Saints
DOUBTFUL RB Mike Karney (Calf)
QUESTIONABLE DT Brian Young (Shoulder)
PROBABLE C Jeff Faine (Foot); LB Terrence Melton (Hamstring)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED Mike Karney; Brian Young; ung; Jeff Faine
WASHINGTON REDSKINS AT HOUSTON TEXANS
Washington Redskins
QUESTIONABLE CB Shawn Springs (Abdomen); DT Joe Salave'a (Calf)
PROBABLE RB Clinton Portis (Shoulder); WR Santana Moss (Hip)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED Shawn Springs; Joe Salave'a; Santana Moss
Houston Texans
OUT CB Demarcus Faggins (Foot)
QUESTIONABLE CB Phillip Buchanon (Ankle); C Mike Flanagan (Foot);
DE Antwan Peek (Groin)
PROBABLE LB Morlon Greenwood (Ankle)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED Demarcus Faggins; Mike Flanagan; Antwan Peek
CHICAGO BEARS AT MINNESOTA VIKINGS
Chicago Bears
QUESTIONABLE DE Israel Idonije (Ankle); S Cameron Worrell (Knee)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED Israel Idonije; Cameron Worrell
Minnesota Vikings
QUESTIONABLE WR Marcus Robinson (Hamstring); G Artis Hicks
(Shoulder); WR Troy Williamson (Shoulder)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED All Players Practiced
NEW YORK JETS AT BUFFALO BILLS
New York Jets
DOUBTFUL C Trey Teague (Ankle)
QUESTIONABLE CB David Barrett (Hip); WR Laveranues Coles (Calf);
WR Tim Dwight (Thigh); G Pete Kendall (Thigh)
PROBABLE DE Dave Ball (Thigh); LB Matt Chatham (Foot); QB
Chad Pennington (Calf); S Kerry Rhodes (Ankle); DT
Kimo Von Oelhoffen (Knee)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED Trey Teague; David Barrett; Laveranues Coles; Tim
Dwight; Pete Kendall
Buffalo Bills
QUESTIONABLE LB Takeo Spikes (Hamstring); S Matt Bowen (Shin)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED Takeo Spikes; Matt Bowen
GREEN BAY PACKERS AT DETROIT LIONS
Green Bay Packers
DOUBTFUL T Junius Coston (Knee)
QUESTIONABLE CB Al Harris (Shoulder); TE David Martin (Knee); CB
Will Blackmon (Foot); G Jason Spitz (Thigh)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED Junius Coston; David Martin; Will Blackmon; Jason
Spitz
Detroit Lions
OUT WR Shaun Bodiford (Knee); S Kenoy Kennedy (Foot);
LB Alex Lewis (Knee)
QUESTIONABLE T Barry Stokes (Hamstring); G Ross Verba
(Hamstring); T Rex Tucker (Knee)
PROBABLE DE Cory Redding (Ankle); DT Shaun Rogers (Knee)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED Shaun Bodiford; Kenoy Kennedy; Alex Lewis; Barry
Stokes; Rex Tucker; Cory Redding; Shaun Rogers
JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS AT INDIANAPOLIS COLTS
Jacksonville Jaguars
QUESTIONABLE RB Derrick Wimbush (Knee); S Donovin Darius (Back);
WR Matt Jones (Groin); TE Marcedes Lewis (Ankle);
CB Rashean Mathis (Knee); G Chris Naeole (Knee);
WR Chad Owens (Ribs); LB Mike Peterson (Knee); S
Gerald Sensabaugh (Ankle); DE Paul Spicer (Groin);
DT Marcus Stroud (Ankle); LB Patrick Thomas (Ankle);
DE Marcellus Wiley (Groin)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED Derrick Wimbush; Donovin Darius; Matt Jones;
Rashean Mathis; Chris Naeole; Chad Owens; Paul
Spicer; Marcus Stroud; Patrick Thomas; Marcellus Wiley
Indianapolis Colts
QUESTIONABLE LB Gary Brackett (Calf); RB Ran Carthon (Finger); T
Ryan Diem (Hand); RB De De Dorsey (Ankle); DE
Dwight Freeney (Buttock); LB Gilbert Gardner (Hand);
CB Nick Harper (Ankle); TE Ben Hartsock (Hamstring);
LB Freddie Keiaho (Knee); DE Ryan LaCasse (Foot); G
Ryan Lilja (Knee); DT Montae Reagor (Knee); DT
Darrell Reid (Elbow); S Bob Sanders (Shoulder); G
Jake Scott (Knee); DT Corey Simon (Knee); QB Jim
Sorgi (Right Shoulder); WR Brandon Stokley (Ankle);
DE Josh Thomas (Hip); TE Ben Utecht (Concussion); K
Adam Vinatieri (Right Groin)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED De De Dorsey; Dwight Freeney; Ben Hartsock; Montae
Reagor; Corey Simon; Brandon Stokley; Josh Thomas;
Ben Utecht; Adam Vinatieri
TENNESSEE TITANS AT MIAMI DOLPHINS
Tennessee Titans
OUT TE Erron Kinney (Knee); DE Antwan Odom (Knee)
QUESTIONABLE T Jacob Bell (Toe); RB Ahmard Hall (Ankle); RB Travis
Henry (Toe); CB Reynaldo Hill (Knee); LB Robert
Reynolds (Thigh); DT Robaire Smith (Hamstring)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED Erron Kinney; Antwan Odom; Jacob Bell; Ahmard Hall;
Reynaldo Hill; Robert Reynolds; Robaire Smith
Miami Dolphins
OUT G Joe Berger (Foot); G Bennie Anderson (IR/Triceps)
QUESTIONABLE CB Travis Daniels (Ankle); LB Derrick Pope
(Hamstring); WR Marty Booker (Ankle)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED Joe Berger; Bennie Anderson; Derrick Pope
CINCINNATI BENGALS AT PITTSBURGH STEELERS
Cincinnati Bengals
OUT C Rich Braham (Knee); S Dexter Jackson (Ankle); LB
A.J. Nicholson (Hamstring); WR Tab Perry (Hip)
DOUBTFUL WR Antonio Chatman (Groin); WR Antonio Chatman
(Groin)
QUESTIONABLE WR T.J. Houshmandzadeh (Heel); WR T.J.
Houshmandzadeh (Heel)
PROBABLE DT Sam Adams (Knee); LB Brian Simmons (Knee); CB
Deltha O'Neal (Knee); G Eric Steinbach (Back); WR
Chris Henry (Groin); T Levi Jones (Ankle)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED Rich Braham; Dexter Jackson; A.J. Nicholson; Tab
Perry; Antonio Chatman; Sam Adams; Deltha O'Neal;
Deltha O'Neal; Eric Steinbach; Chris Henry; Levi Jones;
Levi Jones
Pittsburgh Steelers
QUESTIONABLE WR Santonio Holmes (Foot); S Troy Polamalu
(Shoulder);
PROBABLE CB Bryant McFadden (Quadricep); LB Larry Foote
(Groin); WR Hines Ward (Hamstring); WR Nate
Washington (Finger)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED Santonio Holmes
CAROLINA PANTHERS AT TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS
Carolina Panthers
OUT LB Dan Morgan (Concussion)
DOUBTFUL S Shaun Williams (Foot)
QUESTIONABLE CB Ken Lucas (Neck); WR Steve Smith (Thigh); WR
Drew Carter (Hand); RB Nick Goings (Thigh); C Justin
Hartwig (Groin)
PROBABLE LB Jason Kyle (Shoulder)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED Dan Morgan; Shaun Williams; Ken Lucas; Steve Smith;
Nick Goings; Justin Hartwig
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
OUT G Davin Joseph (Knee); TE Dave Moore (Rib)
QUESTIONABLE DT Chris Hovan (Ankle); CB Brian Kelly (Foot); DT
Anthony McFarland (Hip); LB Ryan Nece (Knee)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED Davin Joseph; Dave Moore; Brian Kelly; Anthony
McFarland; Ryan Nece
NEW YORK GIANTS AT SEATTLE SEAHAWKS
New York Giants
OUT RB Derrick Ward (Foot)
QUESTIONABLE S James Butler (Knee); WR Sinorice Moss (Quadricep)
PROBABLE WR Tim Carter (Ankle); TE Jeremy Shockey (Ankle)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED Derrick Ward; James Butler; Sinorice Moss; Tim Carter;
Tim Carter; Jeremy Shockey
Seattle Seahawks
OUT TE Jerramy Stevens (Knee); G Floyd Womack (Knee)
QUESTIONABLE TE Itula Mili (Knee)
PROBABLE RB Shaun Alexander (Foot)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED Jerramy Stevens; Floyd Womack; Itula Mili; Shaun
Alexander
ST. LOUIS RAMS AT ARIZONA CARDINALS
St. Louis Rams
DOUBTFUL T Orlando Pace (Concussion)
QUESTIONABLE LB Pisa Tinoisamoa (Elbow)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED Orlando Pace
Arizona Cardinals
QUESTIONABLE LB James Darling (Calf); CB Eric Green (Groin)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED James Darling; Eric Green
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES AT SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS
Philadelphia Eagles
DOUBTFUL CB Roderick Hood (Heel); CB Lito Sheppard (Ankle)
QUESTIONABLE TE L.J. Smith (Shoulder); RB Brian Westbrook (Knee);
TE Mike Bartrum (Knee)
PROBABLE G Shawn Andrews (Shoulder); DE Darren Howard
(Knee); S Michael Lewis (Quadricep); S Quintin Mikell
(Thumb); RB Reno Mahe (Ankle)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED Roderick Hood; Lito Sheppard; L.J. Smith; Brian
Westbrook; Mike Bartrum
San Francisco 49ers
OUT G Larry Allen (Knee); TE Delanie Walker (Shoulder)
DOUBTFUL WR Taylor Jacobs (Hamstring
QUESTIONABLE DT Anthony Adams (Ankle)
PROBABLE DE Ronald Fields (Shoulder); T Jonas Jennings
(Ankle); G Justin Smiley (Shoulder)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED Larry Allen; Delanie Walker; Taylor Jacobs; Anthony
Adams; Justin Smiley
BALTIMORE RAVENS AT CLEVELAND BROWNS
Baltimore Ravens
QUESTIONABLE LB Adalius Thomas (Foot); DT Aubrayo Franklin
(Thigh); T Jonathan Ogden (Knee); CB Samari Rolle
(Ankle); RB Musa Smith (Knee); LB Ray Lewis (Neck);
DT Haloti Ngata (Back); RB Jamal Lewis (Thigh)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED Adalius Thomas; Aubrayo Franklin; Jonathan Ogden;
Samari Rolle; Musa Smith; Ray Lewis; Haloti Ngata;
Jamal Lewis
Cleveland Browns
OUT DE Nick Eason (Ankle)
DOUBTFUL TE Darnell Dinkins (Hamstring); CB Gary Baxter
(Pectoral); DE Orpheus Roye (Shoulder); WR Joe
Jurevicius (Ribs)
QUESTIONABLE LB Willie McGinest (Calf); S Brian Russell (Elbow); RB
Reuben Droughns (Shoulder)
PROBABLE TE Kellen Winslow (Knee)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED Nick Eason; Darnell Dinkins; Gary Baxter; Orpheus
Roye; Joe Jurevicius; Willie McGinest; Reuben
Droughns; Kellen Winslow
DENVER BRONCOS AT NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
Denver Broncos
OUT RB Cedric Cobbs (Ankle)
DOUBTFUL DE Courtney Brown (Knee)
PROBABLE RB Mike Bell (Finger); WR Rod Smith (Head)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED Courtney Brown; Cedric Cobbs
New England Patriots
QUESTIONABLE S Artrell Hawkins (Thigh); WR Chad Jackson
(Hamstring); T Nick Kaczur (Shoulder)
PROBABLE QB Tom Brady (Right Shoulder); T Matt Light (Knee);
WR Doug Gabriel (Hamstring)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED Artrell Hawkins; Chad Jackson; Nick Kaczur; Matt Light;
Doug Gabriel
ATLANTA FALCONS AT NEW ORLEANS SAINTS on Monday
Atlanta Falcons
QUESTIONABLE WR Roddy White (Shoulder); LB Edgerton Hartwell
(Knee); DE John Abraham (Groin)
PROBABLE DE Patrick Kerney (Tricep); S Kevin Mathis
(Hamstring); G Kynan Forney (Shoulder); T Wayne
Gandy (Groin)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED Roddy White; Edgerton Hartwell; John Abraham; Patrick
Kerney; Kevin Mathis; Kynan Forney; Wayne Gandy
New Orleans Saints
DOUBTFUL RB Mike Karney (Calf)
QUESTIONABLE DT Brian Young (Shoulder)
PROBABLE C Jeff Faine (Foot); LB Terrence Melton (Hamstring)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED Mike Karney; Brian Young; ung; Jeff Faine
Detroit Lions Ask Raiders About Jerry Porter
Wow. After the whole set of problems with wide receivers Mike Williams and Charles Rogers, I'm shocked to learn that the Detroit Lions' President Matt Millen asked Raiders owner Al Davis about another wide receiver with attitude problems, Jerry Porter.
Fortunately for Millen, nothing in the way of a trade came of the discussion. I wonder what was said?
Matt: What about Jerry Porter?
Davis: Give me a first round pick.
Matt:Uh, ok Al. Talk to you later.
Wednesday, September 20, 2006
Monte Poole - Oakland Tribune Columnist Sounds Early Death Tong On Raiders Season
Poof goes buzz: Raiders face most demoralizing year
Column by Monte Poole - Oakland Tribune
THEY HAVE endured losing seasons, 14 in all. They have submitted atrocious seasons, six times owning or sharing last place in the division.
So the Raiders are more familiar with failure than they are willing to acknowledge.
But never have they been as pathetic as they are now.
To contrast the anticipation in the air 60 days ago to the powerlessness now felt is to realize 2006 is making a strong bid to become the most depressing, demoralizing season in Raiders history.
Or have you forgotten the vigor of springtime?
They rehired head coach Art Shell, a popular former Raider who symbolizes the glory days and did a good job the first time around. There was just enough comfort and applause to obscure the skepticism.
They unveiled a new ticketing system, dumping the despised public seat licenses, theoretically righting a colossal wrong. This didn't please all, but it was spun as a goodwill gesture from an organization perceived to be disdainful of the concept.
They spoke boldly in training camp, describing power running and deep passing, about imposing their will and dominating opponents.
They generated momentum in the preseason, winning four of five, seemingly a response to Shell and his staff. They sold out their home opener, sending the Raider Nation, eager to purge the past three years, to the edge of frenzy.
The plan, it appeared, was working. The Raiders were ready to reclaim lost respect.
And . . . poof! In minutes, the buzz was gone.
That was nine days ago. So soundly was the team overpowered and the coaching staff overmatched that the Raiders were showered with boos in the first quarter of the first game.
So much for consistently selling out home games and taking advantage of the advertising that comes with appearing on local TV.
Suddenly, Oakland has gone from being a sleeper pick to make the playoffs to a team some speculate is the worst in the league.
It's not speculation, though, that the Raiders will attempt to alienate selected individuals, weakening the team and putting chemistry at risk.
Seeing Shell face media and fans, insisting the team is better with wide receiver Jerry Porter on the bench, mocks the "Just win, baby," slogan. Maybe that slogan should have died 15 years ago, when Marcus Allen, a great player and teammate, was punitively benched to the detriment of the team.
To paraphrase defensive tackle Warren Sapp, a blind man can see Porter can help Oakland's offense.
It's not speculation that the Doug Gabriel trade baffles or that Alvis Whitted, 32, is seeking his first productive season.
Gabriel had become a solid, versatile receiver, demanding attention from defenses, and moving him put a smell in the locker room. It's unfair to ask Whitted, who should be a fourth receiver, to compromise his speed by running into traffic.
It's not speculation that Randy Moss, the team's most gifted weapon, is displeased. His enthusiasm is dimming — he went into cruise control a couple of times Sunday at Baltimore — suggesting his hopes are rapidly deflating.
It's not speculation that Oakland's offensive unit is the league's worst and its line embarrassingly bad.
"We can't even get the quarterbacks into their stances," concedes tight end Courtney Anderson.
"We have the makings of a good offense," running back LaMont Jordan says. "But what we don't have is execution that we need to show it. We can talk about how we have good players, talk about this, that and the other. But in the NFL, the only time talking gets you a victory is when you're on the debate team."
Instead, debate around the league regarding the Raiders is about their ineptitude. ESPN is piling on, with unflattering columns and TV commentators openly wondering if they can win one game.
Always willing to stand up for themselves, the Raiders are in no position to fight back. They are no closer to the playoffs than W's posse is to Osama. No closer to the Super Bowl than you are to $1-a-gallon gasoline.
The Raiders are close, however, to NFL irrelevance.
During losing seasons past, there was the sense Al would wake up and reset his brain cells. He did it when John Madden retired, did it when he hired Mike Shanahan, did it after the mistake that was Joe Bugel.
Somehow, Davis manages to remind us he remains a potent force.
Can't help wondering now if Al is out of comebacks. That seen during spring and summer was a mirage. Visible now is a deficient roster, discouraging the fan base, hurting marketing in an important year.
The Raiders set out to make a statement in'06. They are doing exactly that, presenting a team without answers, an organization grasping at straws, quite capable of reaching a new low.
Column by Monte Poole - Oakland Tribune
THEY HAVE endured losing seasons, 14 in all. They have submitted atrocious seasons, six times owning or sharing last place in the division.
So the Raiders are more familiar with failure than they are willing to acknowledge.
But never have they been as pathetic as they are now.
To contrast the anticipation in the air 60 days ago to the powerlessness now felt is to realize 2006 is making a strong bid to become the most depressing, demoralizing season in Raiders history.
Or have you forgotten the vigor of springtime?
They rehired head coach Art Shell, a popular former Raider who symbolizes the glory days and did a good job the first time around. There was just enough comfort and applause to obscure the skepticism.
They unveiled a new ticketing system, dumping the despised public seat licenses, theoretically righting a colossal wrong. This didn't please all, but it was spun as a goodwill gesture from an organization perceived to be disdainful of the concept.
They spoke boldly in training camp, describing power running and deep passing, about imposing their will and dominating opponents.
They generated momentum in the preseason, winning four of five, seemingly a response to Shell and his staff. They sold out their home opener, sending the Raider Nation, eager to purge the past three years, to the edge of frenzy.
The plan, it appeared, was working. The Raiders were ready to reclaim lost respect.
And . . . poof! In minutes, the buzz was gone.
That was nine days ago. So soundly was the team overpowered and the coaching staff overmatched that the Raiders were showered with boos in the first quarter of the first game.
So much for consistently selling out home games and taking advantage of the advertising that comes with appearing on local TV.
Suddenly, Oakland has gone from being a sleeper pick to make the playoffs to a team some speculate is the worst in the league.
It's not speculation, though, that the Raiders will attempt to alienate selected individuals, weakening the team and putting chemistry at risk.
Seeing Shell face media and fans, insisting the team is better with wide receiver Jerry Porter on the bench, mocks the "Just win, baby," slogan. Maybe that slogan should have died 15 years ago, when Marcus Allen, a great player and teammate, was punitively benched to the detriment of the team.
To paraphrase defensive tackle Warren Sapp, a blind man can see Porter can help Oakland's offense.
It's not speculation that the Doug Gabriel trade baffles or that Alvis Whitted, 32, is seeking his first productive season.
Gabriel had become a solid, versatile receiver, demanding attention from defenses, and moving him put a smell in the locker room. It's unfair to ask Whitted, who should be a fourth receiver, to compromise his speed by running into traffic.
It's not speculation that Randy Moss, the team's most gifted weapon, is displeased. His enthusiasm is dimming — he went into cruise control a couple of times Sunday at Baltimore — suggesting his hopes are rapidly deflating.
It's not speculation that Oakland's offensive unit is the league's worst and its line embarrassingly bad.
"We can't even get the quarterbacks into their stances," concedes tight end Courtney Anderson.
"We have the makings of a good offense," running back LaMont Jordan says. "But what we don't have is execution that we need to show it. We can talk about how we have good players, talk about this, that and the other. But in the NFL, the only time talking gets you a victory is when you're on the debate team."
Instead, debate around the league regarding the Raiders is about their ineptitude. ESPN is piling on, with unflattering columns and TV commentators openly wondering if they can win one game.
Always willing to stand up for themselves, the Raiders are in no position to fight back. They are no closer to the playoffs than W's posse is to Osama. No closer to the Super Bowl than you are to $1-a-gallon gasoline.
The Raiders are close, however, to NFL irrelevance.
During losing seasons past, there was the sense Al would wake up and reset his brain cells. He did it when John Madden retired, did it when he hired Mike Shanahan, did it after the mistake that was Joe Bugel.
Somehow, Davis manages to remind us he remains a potent force.
Can't help wondering now if Al is out of comebacks. That seen during spring and summer was a mirage. Visible now is a deficient roster, discouraging the fan base, hurting marketing in an important year.
The Raiders set out to make a statement in'06. They are doing exactly that, presenting a team without answers, an organization grasping at straws, quite capable of reaching a new low.
Art Shell - Raiders Head Coach's Press Conference After Ravens Game - Video Set
This is a three-part video set of the press conference featuring Oakland Raiders Head Coach Art Shell after the lost to the Baltimore Ravens. In it, Coach Shell adresses a lot of questions about the offense.
Part One:
Part Two
Part Three
Part One:
Part Two
Part Three
Tuesday, September 19, 2006
NY Giants Eli Manning To Plaxico Buress TD Vs. Phili Eagles - Video
This is a video of that dramatic touchdown pass from Eli Manning to Plaxico Buress to give the NY Giants the win in overtime vs. the Eagles.
Billy Volek To Chargers - Titans Erase Mentors For Vince Young
One by one, they're eliminating the mentors for Vince Young. Let's see how this approach works.
SAN DIEGO (AP) -- After watching two division rivals lose their starting quarterbacks to injuries, the San Diego Chargers obtained Billy Volek from Tennessee on Tuesday to give them a veteran behind first-year starter Philip Rivers.
Volek wanted out of Tennessee since being demoted to third-stringer behind rookie Vince Young after the Titans signed Kerry Collins. He got his wish, but the deal was delayed for obvious reasons because the Titans played the Chargers on Sunday. San Diego won 40-7 to improve to 2-0 atop the AFC West. Volek was the inactive third QB.
"He's awfully enthusiastic about joining a team with the quality that the Chargers represent," said his agent, Drew Rosenhaus. "This is a nice opportunity for Billy to go to a team that is playing very well right now, and has a need for a veteran quarterback."
Rosenhaus was involved in the deal because Volek, who played at Fresno State, had to waive his no-trade clause in order to return to his home state.
The Chargers, who opened the season with the untested Rivers and rookie Charlie Whitehurst as their only quarterbacks, gave up a sixth-round draft pick that could become a fifth-rounder if Volek participates in 50 percent of San Diego's offensive plays this year.
"I think we're a good football team and I'd like to protect it," general manager A.J. Smith said. "We just like his experience factor, and he's a pretty solid quarterback. More importantly, the reason is it adds depth. He was looking for a change of scenery and we were contemplating if he was the right guy to add to our depth."
Division rival Kansas City reportedly inquired about Volek after Trent Green suffered a concussion in the Chiefs' season opener. On Sunday, Oakland lost Aaron Brooks for two to four weeks with a strained pectoral muscle. The Chargers sacked Brooks nine times in a season-opening 27-0 win.
Volek was chosen as the Titans' starter in June after Steve McNair was traded to Baltimore. But when the Titans signed Collins on Aug. 29, Volek was dropped behind Young on the depth chart.
Rivers, a third-year pro, began the season with zero NFL starts and one touchdown pass. In San Diego's two routs, he's completed 33 of 46 passes (71.7 percent) for 343 yards and two touchdowns.
San Diego's only other quarterback through two games was rookie Charlie Whitehurst. He made his NFL debut in mop-up duty Sunday and scored on a 14-yard run with 1:53 left. His father, David, played for the Green Bay Packers from 1976-83.
San Diego released veteran backup A.J. Feeley on Aug. 28.
Volek is 3-7 as a starter, including eight starts in 2004 when McNair had a sternum injury. He made his second career start that season at San Diego, throwing for 279 yards and two touchdowns in a 38-17 loss.
Rosenhaus said he anticipated Volek would fly to San Diego on Tuesday. The Chargers are off this weekend before facing their toughest test yet, at Baltimore on Oct. 1.
"It's very fortuitous that the club has a bye this week because it gives Billy a chance to learn the system and acclimate himself before the next ballgame," Rosenhaus said.
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