Cardinals Kurt Warner Starter, Not Matt Lenart - NFL

Kurt Warner to remain starting quarterback
NFL.com wire reports

TEMPE, Ariz. (Sept. 26, 2006) -- Kurt Warner will remain the starting quarterback for the Arizona Cardinals, coach Dennis Green said.

Green's comment came in a statement released by the team following an ESPN report that Green decided that rookie Matt Leinart would replace Warner as starter for Arizona's game at Atlanta.

"Generally talking about the starting lineup is not something we do," Green said. "However, given the speculation that was out there we want to make it clear. We're disappointed after last week, but we still expect to be a playoff football team and we fully expect Kurt Warner to be the quarterback that leads us. That has not changed."

Warner threw three interceptions, two of them with Arizona inside the opponent's 14-yard line, and fumbled a snap at the St. Louis 18 with 1:46 to go in the Cardinals' 16-14 home loss to the Rams.

At his regular Monday news conference, Green declined to confirm Warner would remain as a starter.

Terrell Owens Suffers Adverse Reaction To Pain-Killers - ESPN

Source: T.O. hospitalized after reaction to medicine
ESPN.com news services

DALLAS -- Terrell Owens was taken to the emergency room Tuesday night after suffering an adverse reaction to painkillers taken for treatment of his fractured hand, a source close to Owens told ESPN's Ed Werder.

Doctors treating the Dallas Cowboys receiver were trying to induce vomiting when he arrived at Baylor Medical Center, according to a television report.

Owens was brought by a fire rescue crew to the hospital, Dallas-Fort Worth television station KTVT reported, citing sources the television station did not identify. A reporter for the station later said she saw Owens being wheeled down the hall.

Calls from The Associated Press to Owens' agent, his publicist and the Cowboys were not immediately returned Tuesday night. The hospital told the AP that they do not have a patient registered by Owens' name.

KTVT said a Dallas police spokesperson was en route to the hospital to talk about a "high profile case." A hospital spokesman is expected to make an announcement early Wednesday.

Owens fractured the fourth metacarpal bone in the Cowboys' victory over the Washington Redskins and underwent surgery on Sept. 18. The next day, a plate was screwed in, protecting the bone so it can heal without further damage.

Cowboys coach Bill Parcells mentioned in a press conference shortly thereafter that pain medication had made Owens ill, apparently making this the second time he has had an adverse reaction. The incident that sent him to the hospital Tuesday night apparently occurred sometime after Owens took medication after catching passes at the Cowboys' facility on Tuesday.

At this point, his availability to practice with the team on Wednesday or to play in Sunday's game at Tennessee remains unknown.

On Tuesday, the Cowboys also practiced without tight end Jason Witten, whose wife was having a baby. Wide receiver Terry Glenn practiced, albeit with several stitches in his thumb.

"He was trying to cut some tape off his uniform," Parcells said. "He had his hand down in his pants and he missed. Fortunately he cut his hand."

With the Cowboys having had a bye last weekend, Owens could return without having missed a game. Before Tuesday's developments, Owens said he'll play Oct. 8, when he gets to face his former team, the Eagles, in Philadelphia.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.

2006 season almost 1/4th over-More Musings over NFL rules

I'd love to hear some feed back from my fellow bloggers here about what is their early season surprise as we approach the 25% mark in the season. One thing i'm quite ticked off about are the refs interpretations of the rules and rule changes.
No more was this evident then at Seattle where CLEARLY the seahawks should have been penalized for excessive crowd noise numerous times in Sundays drubbing of the Giants. Is this sour grapes? No,..Seattle did honestly out coach NY in this game. Shockey was right, even if he was wrong to openly critique his coaches in a press op. So then why is the crowd noise rule in place if officials refuse to enforce it? One last thought on this: in some college games played in some conferences, if the fans of the home team are unruly, the Officials give them two chances via "Bench" penalties to calm their crowd down. The third time the game is stopped. Then the officials decide if the game is continued or forfeited.

Condi Rice: Such A Silly Girl; A Plan Regarding Terrorism Was Made By Clinton

Secretary of State Dr. Condelessa Rice is an effective official, worthy of prase and admiration -- just not on this issue of terrorism. As anyone who follows politics knows and reads the 9/11 Commission Report, President Clinton did have a report created on the threat posed by Al Qaeda and Osama Bin Ladin.

Richard Clark tried to bring the report to the attention of Dr. Rice in 2001, and was reportedly rebuffed by her. For Ms. Rice to come out now and say that there was no report or plan by the Clinton Administration is just plain silly.

Dr. Rice, you're being such a silly girl! Tisk, tisk.

Check out this video!

George Allen - Under Fire For Rumors Of Using "N-Word" In Past

Senator George Allen's under attack regarding race and yet again. This time an old classmate comes along reporting that he used the N-word in the past -- the 70s. The Senator responded that this was not true. My take on this is it probably was and because I went to college in the South and in the early 80s. Even then I heard the N-word used by white males, and once directly toward me.

At that time, far less so now, there seemed to be a kind of "need" that if a young white male wanted to be "one of the guys" he had to express a mild form of racism. I attribute President Reagan's popularity amoung white males on campus at the time to Reagan's apparently hard stance on race issues like affirmative action and busing. And it seems that white women who wanted to be liked by white guys would annouce "I'm Republican" without knowing why. It was a crazy time in my view.

Anway, here's the latest video on George Allen:

Congratulations Doug Thornton on The Superdome

I first met Superdome Manager Doug Thornton when I was tabbed to run the effort to bring the Super Bowl to Oakland. While others at SMG played politics, Doug was the consumate professional.

It's no suprise to me that he stepped up and made the best of a terrible situation with the Superdome and Hurricane Katrina. He's a kind man, and deserves all of the thanks he gets.

Sports Business Daily Focuses On Superdome On Eve Of Monday Night Game

The Sports Business Daily has a great -- if not well structured -- set of news postings on events and people related to the reopening of the Superdome and this evening's Atlanta Falcons v. New Orleans Saints game.

Superdome Readies For Its Grand Re-Opening Tonight On “MNF”

Superdome Receiving $185M In Renovations
The Superdome will reopen tonight for the first time since Hurricane Katrina for the Falcons-Saints “MNF” game, and the refurbished stadium, “other than the concrete-and-steel superstructure, ... looks nothing like the battered building that almost imploded a year ago,” according to a front-page piece by Jeff Duncan of the New Orleans TIMES-PICAYUNE. The “multiphase renovation that will top out at” $185M is more than three-quarters finished, and the Superdome is “more fan-friendly and noticeably brighter than before.” SMG Regional VP Doug Thornton said the Dome is “greatly improved, not just repaired” (New Orleans TIMES-PICAYUNE, 9/24). Thornton: “There’s a fresh feel. I never thought it would look this good so fast” (SHREVEPORT TIMES, 9/25). Louisiana Stadium & Exposition District (LSED) attorney Larry Roedel said, “It was not an option to demolish the dome. The only option was to make it new and bright, so people could focus on the future” (SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS, 9/24).

FULLY STAFFED FOR SEASON: SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL’s Don Muret reports SMG completed one of its “largest recruiting and training efforts to hire 2,500 part-time event workers” for the Saints’ home schedule. Thornton said, “We have less than half the employees that we had before, but the people that are back are experienced, having been through many Super Bowls and Final Fours. That’s a big plus” (SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL, 9/25 issue).


McAllister Feels Game Will Provide
Brief Respite For Football Fans
GAME A BREAK FROM NORMAL LIFE: In New Orleans, Jimmy Smith writes the game “provides a welcome respite from the often depressing grind of everyday life for those who call this area home.” Saints QB Drew Brees said, “I think a lot of people will see from the broadcast that, hey, this city is very much alive” (New Orleans TIMES-PICAYUNE, 9/25). Saints RB Deuce McAllister said, “Instead of (people) wondering are they going to continue to haggle with their insurance people, are they going to have to continue to work on their home, for three hours they can go and cheer for their Saints” (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 9/25). In Massachusetts, Albert Breer writes, “Tonight is a time to put [rebuilding efforts] on the back burner for a few hours. And celebrate some of the progress that’s already been made” (METROWEST DAILY NEWS, 9/25). Roedel said, “The general feeling is that if sports and entertainment can make a comeback, the rest of the community can as well. It’s difficult to just focus on sports and entertainment because the damage is so much bigger than that, but it gives people something to rally around” (SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS, 9/24). Thornton: “If you can rebuild a 2-million-square-foot facility, there’s hope for our neighborhoods and for our city” (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 9/25).

SENDING A MESSAGE: Tony Kornheiser, who will broadcast the game tonight on ESPN, toured New Orleans Friday with several reporters and editors from the Times-Picayune. Kornheiser writes, “When I told my guides that, instead of a football game, everyone should be focusing on building houses, repatriating people and making sure they could come back here to live, they politely set me straight. ... This game means a tremendous amount to them. ... The building sends a powerful message of a positive sort –- come here as a tourist” (WASHINGTON POST, 9/25). Historian Douglas Brinkley, who wrote “The Great Deluge: Hurricane Katrina, New Orleans, and the Mississippi Gulf Coast,” said, “We have two industries -– ports and tourism. That’s been the justification for going forward with Mardi Gras and fixing the Superdome -– that we have to revive those industries or the city won’t survive.” In Houston, David Barron writes the Superdome “serves as a gleaming symbol of the possibilities of a rebuilt New Orleans” (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 9/25).

SYMBOL OF SURVIVAL: In DC, Les Carpenter wrote the Superdome’s reopening is “the seminal event in the city’s recovery, a gesture that New Orleans might survive after all.” Local businesses have been asked to close at 3:00pm CT, and workers are encouraged to wear Saints colors (WASHINGTON POST, 9/24). In Atlanta, Steve Hummer: “This is the moment meant to show the world New Orleans has a pulse again” (ATLANTA CONSTITUTION, 9/24). In Chicago, Don Pierson: “The Superdome has become a symbol of government success and civic rebirth” (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 9/24). In California, Cam Inman: “Tonight’s unveiling ... might be the most remarkable achievement in the Superdome’s history” (CONTRA COSTA TIMES, 9/25). Fox’ Terry Bradshaw, who is from Shreveport, said, “I can’t be more proud of a city, or even Mr. Benson, the owner. ... Right now, we’ve got something to live for, something to look forward to.” Fox’ Joe Buck added, “I know I speak on behalf of all of us, though, when I say $185(M) spent on refurbishing the (Superdome), we hope the same type of effort and that same type of money, even obviously millions more, will be spent on bringing people back into their homes in that region” (“Fox NFL Sunday,” Fox, 9/24).


Thornton Says He Has Had Talks With
NCAA, NFL About Hosting Marquee Events
LONG ROAD AHEAD: New Orleans-based Columbus Properties President & CEO Joe Canizaro said, “It’s going to take 10 years if it takes a day to get us back to where we were. But we have to start somewhere, and this night is that start” (SPORTING NEWS, 9/29 issue). Former Saints QB and New Orleans resident Archie Manning said, “Long-term, I worry. ... I just hope we can keep up the momentum. It’s going to take a lot” (NEWSDAY, 9/24). But Thornton said, “It’s a bright future. We’ve already had conversations with the NCAA and with the NFL (about hosting their jewel events). The Super Bowl situation is totally dependent upon a long-term lease with the Saints. And they are going to play a collegiate national championship here in 2008” (ATLANTA CONSTITUTION, 9/24).

NOT ENOUGH ATTENTION ELSEWHERE: In L.A., Sam Farmer writes in a front-page piece that “not everyone agrees that rebuilding the football stadium should have been a top priority.” New Orleans resident Karenlynn Bell said, “I don’t want to set foot in there, even for a game. It’s more for the tourists, more for the people on the West Side. The evacuees ... you don’t hear them excited” (L.A. TIMES, 9/25). New Orleans resident Dee Jabar, who is $120,000 in debt after reopening his business, said the city “should be busy worrying about how to survive and rebuild rather than about a team that earns millions of dollars” (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 9/24). New Orleans resident Harrison Smothers said, “It’s a football game. It’s not doing much for the people of the city. It might do something for the politicians” (ATLANTA CONSTITUTION, 9/24). In Westchester, Ian O’Connor wrote, “I’ve covered the Super Bowl, the Final Four, and the national championship football game in the Superdome, and I’ll never be able to look at the stadium as anything but a hiding place for Hurricane Katrina victims. ... Just understand that this is show business, and that nothing on your TV screen [tonight] makes the disaster any less epic, or our government’s embarrassingly slow reaction to it any less real” (Westchester JOURNAL NEWS, 9/24).


Writer Believes Tagliabue’s (c) Handling
Of Situation Could Be Crowning Moment
IMPORTANT FIGURES: The TIMES-PICAYUNE’s Duncan wrote Thornton, Roedel and Superdome Commission Chair Tim Coulon “in essence ... saved pro sports in New Orleans. ... And they did it pretty much on their own, under the radar, while a crippled city was still on its knees.” Roedel “plotted legal strategy and navigated the mountains of paperwork,” while Coulon “served as the liaison between the LSED team and Baton Rouge, communicating daily with [Louisiana Gov. Kathleen] Blanco, the LSED board of commissioners and state legislators.” Meanwhile, Thornton “negotiated the $20[M] grant from the NFL toward the Superdome renovation and spearheaded the agreement that landed the 2008 NBA All-Star Game for the city.” NBA President of League & Basketball Operations Joel Litvin said, “Doug was easily the most important person in the whole process. He was the go-to guy on every single issue, and he delivered on everything he promised” (New Orleans TIMES-PICAYUNE, 9/24). Thornton is featured in an extensive piece by CBS SPORTSLINE.com’s Mike Freeman under the header, “One Man’s Heroics Helped Save City, Superdome” (CBS SPORTSLINE.com, 9/20). Thornton also was profiled on CBS’ “The Early Show” Saturday (THE DAILY).

NFL’S ROLE: In a separate piece, the TIMES-PICAYUNE’s Duncan wrote former NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue’s handling of the situation “will rank as one of the biggest accomplishments of his 17-year tenure.” Thornton said of Tagliabue, who will attend the game tonight, “His leadership and decision-making certainly had a huge impact on where we are today. We couldn’t have accomplished what we did without the NFL” (New Orleans TIMES-PICAYUNE, 9/24). A TIMES-PICAYUNE editorial stated the city had “much-appreciated help” from Thornton, Tagliabue and current NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. Also, Saints Owner Tom Benson’s “statements about the Saints’ future in New Orleans gave fans hope” (New Orleans TIMES-PICAYUNE, 9/24).

LENDING A HELPING HAND: In New Orleans, Benjamin Hochman reported Saturday’s “NFL Junior Player Development Homecoming Jamboree” was one of several events “that brought together corporations and volunteers to clean the city and raise awareness.” At the event, the Saints welcomed 75 youth athletes from New Orleans and 75 from Atlanta, which included some New Orleans evacuees, “to play football and clean the playground.” TNT’s Kenny Smith also hosted several charitable events that included visits from Hornets G Chris Paul, Warriors G Baron Davis, Heat C Alonzo Mourning, Nuggets F Kenyon Martin and Bulls G Ben Gordon (New Orleans TIMES-PICAYUNE, 9/24).

A NEW MORNING: ABC’s “Good Morning America” co-anchor Robin Roberts was live at the Superdome during this morning’s show. In addition to a report on the reopening, segments from the venue included a profile of Thornton and a taped interview with U2’s The Edge and Green Day’s Billie Joe Armstrong. CBS’ “The Early Show” and NBC’s “Today” also reported on the Superdome this morning (THE DAILY).

Fordham Spire - Does Chicago Really Need A 2,000-Foot Tall Building?

I was born in Chicago. At the age of six, my now late father drove me around the City and explained concepts like zoning and planning to me. He took me to the tallest buildings in Chicago and made me appreciate not just big buildings but the idea that Chicago was home to them. So, my college major was City Planning, and that was my focus in grad school. I love that Chicago embraces the big building.

But this one?

Fordham Spire was introduced over a year ago and has created a buzz around the country. It's a proposed twisting concrete building that will consist of 300 condo right by Lake Michigan and all priced at Pluto-level rates.

And Pluto doesn't even exist anymore, right?

At 2,000 feet, I ask this question: does Chicago need a structure of this size? In a city already laden with condos, and Donald Trump looking to plant another phalic flag of a set of dwelling units 1,360 feet into the sky, what does my city really need with this concrete monstrosity?

Hey, it's certainly innovative and the planning commission gave it the OK.

But. Geez. I just don't know. I'll have to give this one more thought. It's -- my objections -- have nothing to do with 9/11 at all. I just think there are limits to some things. This is just too tall to me.

But if it's built, I'll have to go up to the top. My Dad wouldn't have it any other way.

Here's a video on the tower. Ignore the music that comes with it.

Report - War In Iraq Cause of Higher Terrorism Threat

Well, many have said it, but now comes this report discussed in the San Francisco Chronicle which proves that the War in Iraq has only made the threat of terrorism worse and spread Islamic radicalism.

Jeremy Shockey Claims NY Giants Were Outcoached By Seahawks

I disagree with Jeremy on the role of the coach. I don't think the coach has to call the play. There was a time when NFL quarterbacks were expected to call plays and know the system. I think a middle ground should be established in any organization's system. This was also not the first time such a comment was made about Tom Coughlin's system. It seems to me that -- to be blunt -- the Giants staff doesn't have a good set of contengency plans in case the opponent comes into a game with an approach they did't use before.


Shockey criticizes Coughlin after Giants' loss
NFL.com wire reports

SEATTLE (Sept. 24, 2006) -- Jeremy Shockey is at it again.

New York's volatile tight end criticized coach Tom Coughlin after the Giants fell behind by 35 points early before losing to Seattle 42-30.

"We got outplayed, and outcoached. Write that down," Shockey said.

Asked what he meant by outcoached, Shockey said, "You saw the game."

It was reminiscent of comments made by running back Tiki Barber after the Giants' wild-card game loss to Carolina last season. Barber said after the game that the Giants were outcoached by Carolina's John Fox, a former Giants defensive coordinator.

Coughlin was practically shouting from a podium after the game. Sweat was running down his face at the thought of Eli Manning 's two first-quarter interceptions, a lost fumble and a 35-0 first-half hole that was the largest in New York's 82-year history.

"We just gave the game away," Coughlin said. "A team that does nothing but preach and talk about turnovers, we turn it over like nothing matters, nothing counts. It cost us the game."

"We started the game and lost our composure again up front and had a couple of foolish penalties ... We had what we thought was a good game plan together. And obviously we didn't execute."

Shockey, who had four catches for 58 yards, stewed in the locker room by himself before being told of Coughlin's comments.

"They were in different defenses than we thought they were going to be in. They did different things that we haven't seen," he said. "You can make adjustments all you want, but when they do new things and they switch things up, you really can't do anything."

Shockey pointed out how well Manning played on New York's final scoring drive. Manning exclusively used the no-huddle offense to move 94 yards, a drive that ended with his 9-yard touchdown to David Tyree.

Manning thrived in the no-huddle to rally past the Eagles last weekend. Against Seattle, Manning was 2 of 7 for minus-1 yards and the two interceptions in a conventional offense during an awful first quarter, when Seattle led 21-0. He was 20 for 26 for 238 yards after that.

Someone asked tackle Luke Petitgout if it mattered that his team rallied for 27 points late.

"No," Petitgout said flatly.

Shockey, seated next to Petitgout, said "I think it does."

"I think when Eli gets to call his plays, get his formations, I think we play better football, when he gets to decide a little bit more than just the set play and then you get to go for it," Shockey said. "But you can't play always in a no-huddle situation."

Why not?

"You've got to go by their plays," Shockey said. "They're the coaches. They get paid money. They call the plays. Every coach out there is trying to help everybody to move the ball and help his team win. You can't just go out of no-huddle all the time."

Colts, Bears, Bengals - Top Three NFL Teams Coached By African Americans

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.

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.

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:

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.

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
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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

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.

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.

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

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.

COLTS RB JOSEPH ADDAI, SAINTS WR MARQUES COLSTON, 49ERS LB MANNY LAWSON, PATRIOTS RB LAURENCE MARONEY, & PANTHERS RB DE ANGELO WILLIAMS For ROW

From NFL Media.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

COLTS RB JOSEPH ADDAI, SAINTS WR MARQUES COLSTON,
49ERS LB MANNY LAWSON, PATRIOTS RB LAURENCE MARONEY
& PANTHERS RB DE ANGELO WILLIAMS

CANDIDATES FOR DIET PEPSI NFL ROOKIE OF WEEK HONORS

Fans To Vote For Winner On NFL.com and Via Sprint Wireless Service

Running back JOSEPH ADDAI of the Indianapolis Colts, wide receiver MARQUES COLSTON of the New Orleans
Saints, linebacker MANNY LAWSON of the San Francisco 49ers, running back LAURENCE MARONEY of the New
England Patriots and running back DE ANGELO WILLIAMS of the Carolina Panthers are the finalists for DIET PEPSI
NFL ROOKIE OF THE WEEK honors for games played on September 17-18, the NFL announced today.

Fans can vote for one of these five players on NFL.com beginning Tuesday at 9am EST and ending on Thursday at 5pm
EST to determine the DIET PEPSI NFL ROOKIE OF THE WEEK. The DIET PEPSI NFL ROOKIE OF THE WEEK will be
announced Thursday evening on NFL.com.

In addition, for the second year, NFL fans may cast their votes for the DIET PEPSI NFL ROOKIE OF THE WEEK using
phones with Sprint wireless service - an opportunity available only to Sprint customers. This fast, convenient voting
method involves texting the word PEPSI to short code 7777. Sprint customers will then receive an interactive text
message that links fans to the ballot with the five finalists each week. Data and text messaging rates may apply.
After the regular season, five players will be nominated for Diet Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Year honors. Fans can vote for
the winner on NFL.com and via Sprint wireless service throughout the month of January. The winner will be announced
at a press conference at Super Bowl XLI in South Florida.

A closer look at the finalists:

- Indianapolis' Joseph Addai carried 16 times for 82 yards in the Colts’ 43-24 victory over the AFC South-rival
Houston Texans. Addai added two receptions for 22 yards, including a 21-yard touchdown catch-and-run to put
the Colts up 14-0 in the first quarter. It was Addai’s first career NFL touchdown.

- New Orleans' Marques Colston caught four passes for 58 yards, including a 35-yard touchdown reception in the
fourth quarter of the Saints’ 34-27 victory over the Green Bay Packers. Colston has now caught a touchdown
pass in each of his first two NFL games.

- San Francisco's Manny Lawson recorded three tackles, two sacks and two quarterback pressures in the 49ers’
20-13 win over the St. Louis Rams. Lawson was a key factor in San Francisco’s defense holding the Rams to 185
passing yards on the day. He recorded sacks on the Rams’ opening drives of both the first and third quarters.

- New England's Laurence Maroney ran for 65 yards and one touchdown on 16 carries in the Patriots’ 24-17
victory over the New York Jets. Maroney recorded his first career NFL touchdown on a one-yard run in the third
quarter to put the Patriots in front 24-0.

- Carolina' s DeAngelo Williams carried 13 times for 74 yards and one touchdown in the Panthers’ 16-13 overtime
loss to the Minnesota Vikings. Williams scored his first career NFL touchdown on a three-yard run in the second
quarter. He also added five catches for 24 yards and returned four kickoffs for 86 yards in the game.

This is Pepsi’s fifth year as the official soft drink sponsor of the NFL and the second year that Diet Pepsi will present the
NFL Rookie of the Week and NFL Rookie of the Year awards.

Selma Blair Caught In Argument With Ex-Hubby - Enquirer

Man, I didn't know Selma Blair was even married until now! Where have I been? I've got to admit she's got the simple combination West Cost / Midwest girl-next-door look down to a fine science. I guess her now-ex-hubby Ahmet Zappa (think son of the late and lengendary rocker Frank Zappa) thought so too, because he married her in 2004.

I only became aware of Selma via the movie "Cruel Intentions" -- one of my favorites. In the movie, which also features now coupled Ryan Philippe and Reese Witherspoon, Blair became very well-known for this kiss:



Well she's not going to be kissing on Zappa anytime soon because they had a nasty argument in a parking lot, which ended with her screeching off in her car after he walked off.

She's on the market and free to give a kiss like the one above to some deserving guy -- this time!

Suri Cruise Rumored Not To Be Tom Cruise's Baby - Enquirer

The Enquirer reports that the much celebrated baby of Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes is not the product of whatever sexual intercourse the couple had. This news was covered in several other online media publications like Gawker and Perezhilton.com and led to speculation regarding who the father may be.

Some pointed to old Holmes flame Chris Klein as the father because of the similarity in the shape of their eyes. But regardless of who the real father may be, it's certainly clear that Suri is the child of Tom and Katie now.

Amanda Congdon - "Amanda Across America" Is Her New Project

Former Rocketboom host Amanda Congdon has announced the launch of "AmandaAcrossAmerica.com" her new vlog which takes her on a tour of our country starting in New York. The new show launches on Tuesday.

Amanda Condgon on Saturday September 16th at the Blip.TV office in NYC talking about some of her new projects and AmandaAcrossAmerica.com. "I'm really excited to be doing this with Blip and I want to thank Paltalk.com for supporting this wonderfiul party thank you all for coming. I have a lot of exciting... I've got TV projects and a bunch video blog projects to do when I get to LA and I'm really excited to go out in such a creative and innovative and really I guess the first person to go across the country and document it in a hybrid vehicle. So awesome thank you for coming and being part of this really creative and innovative event. Thank you. Party on!"

Louisiana Superdome Video Tour 9-11-2006

This amazing amateur video was taken as part of a tour to record the progress of the renovation of the Louisiana Superdome for this Monday September 21st game pitting the visiting Atlanta Falcons with the New Orleans Saints.

As the video shows, the "new" Superdome really is, all the way down to the new seats and redone luxury boxes and cleaned up and painted cooridors. The video shows it all and also gives one an idea of just how massive the Superdome complex really is.

Although beset with lawsuits over the roof, the path toward the reopening is ahead of schedule and the new facility will be a showcase of the rebirth of New Orleans.

Here's the video:

"Greatness Of The Raiders" May Cease This Season: Oakland Raiders Would Fall To Miami Dolphins As Team With Most Wins In NFL History

After this last and most disasterous loss to the Baltimore Ravens -- and the continued problems with the offense -- I decided to review the last Oakland Raiders press release and found this bit of information:

THE GREATNESS OF THE RAIDERS
The Raiders, who began play in the American Football League in 1960, enter their 47th year of professional
football competition in 2006, and 36th year as a member of the National Football League. For over five
decades -- the 1960s, '70s, '80s, ‘90s and the 2000s -- the Raiders have been the most dominant team in
professional football since Al Davis first pledged in 1963 to build the finest organization in pro sports.
Since 1963, when Al Davis first took over the failing Oakland franchise that had struggled to win only nine of 42
league games in the initial three seasons of the new American Football League, the Raiders have totally
dominated professional football in terms of consistent victory. During those decades of dominance in Oakland
and Los Angeles, the Raiders have won 385 league games and continue to stand atop the NFL for this period
with their winning percentage of .602.

TOP PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALL RECORDS
(1963-2005)
TEAM WINNING %
1. OAKLAND RAIDERS .602
2. Miami Dolphins (since 1966) .599
3. Dallas Cowboys .592

So I did some calculations and determined that if the Raiders won 385 games and that was .602 of the total, then the full number of games in their history was 639.534 (Where there's half a game, I don't know. Maybe the "Heidi Game").

I then determined that if the Raiders lost just six (6) games, they would be at .596 and fall behind the Miami Dolphins for claim of best record in pro football. At of now, the Raiders have lost two of those six games. Still, if this happened, the Raiders total record would be 10 wins and 6 losses, certainly at or near what it takes to win the AFC West. But many in the media are picking the Silver and Black to not win one game, and there's nothing in their current statistical performance to show a reason to expect a rebound.

If the Raiders lose 10 total games -- 6 and 10 -- then they would not only fall below the Miami Dolphins for best overall record in NFL history, but be in a statiscal tie with the Dallas Cowboys at .592; one more game lost and they fall below the Cowboys.

I hate to say this, but this year -- unless the team and organization shows a remarkable turn around -- the "Greatness of The Raiders" will be over and a thing of the past. The PR department will have to eliminate this statistic from their record books they use to claim bragging rights over the NFL.

Moreover, the Raiders organization could not claim the "2000s" as a decade where they were a dominant organization because they lump their overall record into that claim. Since the overall record's in danger of dropping below that of the Dolphins, the claim to being the dominant organization of the opening decade of the 21st Century would be false by the end of this season if the team loses over five games.

But beyond that, this statistic sheds a light on how far the Oakland Raiders organization has fallen over the past three years alone. If legacy is important to the Raiders, then this should give cause for alarm bells to sound.

NFL CELEBRATES HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH

WWW.NFLMedia.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NFLH- 1 9/18/06

NFL CELEBRATES HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH
TWO SPOTS TO AIR LIVE IN NFL STADIUMS AND ON SELECT TV STATIONS

Each year NFL teams celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with festivities across the country at their games.
This year 15 clubs have designated home games to commemorate the month with in-stadium entertainment
and activities to highlight the Latino culture and the contributions by Hispanics to the league.

Nationally, the NFL is launching a Spanish TV campaign with spots airing on Telemundo and ESPN Deportes,
as well as in NFL stadiums on jumbotrons during Hispanic Heritage Month. Additionally, the campaign will run
in print in USA Today and ESPN Deportes Magazine, as well as on radio.

The NFL’s new Spanish commercial titled, “Futbol /Football,” captures the excitement of NFL football creating
a contagious passion that will encourage Latinos to make the excitement of the game their very own.
The voiceover says: “The colors of your team. The passion for the game. The will to win,” while images of
fans cheering and current Latino NFL players in action are shown. The spot ends with “Celebrating Hispanic
Heritage Month.”

For the second year in a row, the NFL has teamed up with Pedro Resto to conceive and execute a spot
directed at the Latino community. “The overall commitment by the NFL and everyone involved to introduce
Latinos to the game of football is absolutely beautiful and a sign of great things to come for the Latino
community,” says Resto.

The NFL Creative Group collaborated with Resto previously for the NFL’s first-ever Spanish youth football
public service announcement. The PSA featured Hall of Famer Anthony Muñoz and Chiefs TE Tony
Gonzalez. In a first for an NFL PSA, Spanish was spoken and viewers saw English subtitles. This spot will
continue to air this season on ESPN Deportes as well as on CBS, FOX, NBC, ESPN, and NFL Network with
English subtitles.

Through his newly formed production company, ProudFilms, Resto engaged the Yellow Butterfly Project to do
the creative work, Animal Sound for the original music and sound, and Moving Images for its post production
services.

Log on to www.NFLatino.com for real-time NFL and team news, fantasy football, schedules, scores, standings,
expert analysis and more in Spanish.
# # #

Indy Colts Blast Houston Texans 43-24; Joe Addai With 82 Yards

Joseph Addai's slowly becoming a force in the Colts' offense.

Aerial attack lifts Colts over Texans 43-24

NFL.com wire reports

INDIANAPOLIS (Sept. 17, 2006) -- The NFL's biggest perfectionist found little to quibble with. Sure, Peyton Manning would have preferred scoring a few more touchdowns and less mistakes.

But what more could the two-time MVP really ask of his teammates?

Manning threw three touchdown passes, broke John Unitas' franchise record for completions and led the Colts to scores on six of their first seven possessions in a 43-24 rout over Houston that wasn't that close.

"The main thing our veterans are having to battle is enjoying regular-season victories," he said. "All everybody wants to talk about is what are you going to do when you get to the playoffs? You hang 43 on a team, you ought to be happy about it."

Again, Indy's offense dominated the Texans, who have lost all nine games in the series.

Indy (2-0) produced 515 yards, converted on eight of its first 10 third-down chances and didn't punt until early in the fourth quarter as the record-setting combination of Manning and Marvin Harrison had another milestone day.

Manning's second TD pass, a 21-yarder to rookie Joseph Addai in the first quarter, gave him 2,797 completions -- one more than Unitas had in his Colts career. He finished 26 of 38 for 400 yards, his seventh-highest yardage total as a pro, and with 2,820 career completions.

"I always feel uncomfortable, a little awkward when you're talking about records of Johnny Unitas," Manning said. "That's a real special mention any time you can be in the same sentence as him."

Harrison and Reggie Wayne also were busy.


Marvin Harrison caught nine passes for 127 of Peyton Manning's 400 yards through the air.
Wayne caught six passes for 135 yards, while Harrison had seven catches for 127 yards and passed Art Monk for fifth on the career receptions list. Harrison now has 943 career receptions.

"I did meet him quite a few times, he's a terrific person and a great player and just to be in the same company as those guys means a lot to me," Harrison said.

Houston (0-2), meanwhile, looked its old self -- misfiring from the start.

On the game's first offensive play, David Carr was sacked by Robert Mathis before he could even set up to throw. Carr fumbled the snap on the next play and Raheem Brock recovered for the Colts at the Texans 16. Three plays later, Manning and Brandon Stokley hooked up for a 10-yard TD pass.

Less than 12 minutes into the game, Carr had already been sacked twice, the Texans had three fumbles and they trailed 14-0.

"You can't have things happen to you like we let happen early. That's nervous stuff," Gary Kubiak said. "That's no excuse, we can't use it as an excuse."

The Texans defense allowed a stagnant Colts ground game to rush for 125 yards, including 82 from Addai, and their beleaguered offensive line took some big hits, too.

Left tackle Charles Spencer fractured his lower left leg midway through the third quarter and could be lost for the season, Kubiak said. Center Mike Flanagan hobbled off in the fourth quarter with a left foot injury and did not return.

It was that kind of day.

"Down 14-0 at this place, I don't think it's helpless but it's tough," Carr said. "It's tough to beat these guys 0-0. When you're down 14-0, it's incredibly difficult."

But the Colts' proficient offense caused the most grief for Houston.

The only time the Colts didn't score in the first three quarters was when Addai was stood up at the goal line and guard Dylan Gandy ran into him, jarring the ball loose. Houston recovered in the end zone.

Otherwise, Indy was unstoppable.

Adam Vinatieri connected on three field goals from 39, 43 and 38 yards.

The Texans got a 39-yarder from Kris Brown with 1:54 left in the half, and Carr threw three touchdown passes in the last 12 minutes. Carr was 22 of 26 for 219 yards and was sacked four times.

"We controlled the momentum, we controlled the game and I thought, did some awfully good things," Dungy said. "We just have to clean up our mistakes a little bit."

Pamela Sue Anderson and Courtney Love Roasted

This a totally funny video of both Pamela Sue Anderson and Courtney Love being roasted on the Comedy Central program.

FIRST TIME ALL NFL TV BLACKOUTS LIFTED FOR FIRST TWO WEEKS OF SEASON

NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE
WWW.NFLMedia.com

Joe Browne, Executive Vice President-Communications
Greg Aiello, Vice President-Public Relations

FOR USE AS DESIRED

NFL-66 9/15/06
ALL WEEK 2 GAMES SOLD OUT;
FIRST TIME ALL TV BLACKOUTS LIFTED
FOR FIRST TWO WEEKS OF SEASON

For the second consecutive week, all 16 games of the NFL schedule have sold out in
advance of the local TV blackout deadline, enabling every game to be televised in the hometeam
market, the NFL announced today.

This is the first time since the NFL blackout policy took effect in 1973 that all blackouts were
lifted for the season's first two weeks. All blackouts were lifted on NFL Kickoff 2006
Weekend (September 7, 10-11).

It will be the 15th time in NFL history that blackouts have been lifted for all games on a single
weekend. The previous 14 times have been on Kickoff Weekend in 1998; three times in
2000; once in 2001; four times in 2002 and 2005; and on Kickoff 2006 Weekend.

The NFL blackout policy states that games sold out 72 hours prior to kickoff can be televised
in the home city.
# # #

San Diego Chargers' Steve Foley To Be Tested For Steriod Use

You can read more about this story by clicking on the link to this post's title, but I think this is absolutely silly.

Did someone check the sobriety of the off-duty cop who was following Foley? I'll bet even money the guy was drunk. I'll also wager the cop was coming from a bar during, what, 3 AM?

Come on!

John Williams "Sunday Night Football" Theme Music Press Release By NBC

I found this press release on John Williams Sunday Night Football Theme Music on NBC, and thought I'd post it. I also found the theme music as well.

"NBC Sunday Night Football" Theme Music to Debut Sept. 7 on Inaugural NBC Regular Season Broadcast


NEW YORK – August 30, 2006 – Academy Award-winning composer and music director John Williams, the Academy's most nominated living person with 45 nominations, and an 18-time Grammy Award-winner, has composed the new theme music for "NBC Sunday Night Football," and NBC's "Football Night in America" studio show, it was announced today by Dick Ebersol, Chairman, NBC Sports & Olympics and Executive Producer, "NBC Sunday Night Football." Williams previously worked with NBC Sports on the network's theme music for the Olympic Games, and has composed the themes to films including Star Wars, Jaws, Superman and ET. The "NBC Sunday Night Football" and "Football Night in America" themes will be used as the show opens, and throughout the broadcasts.

"I'm not only excited but also privileged to have one of America's greatest musical talents make his first foray into our country's premier sport of football on television's premier night," said Ebersol. "We at NBC have enjoyed a special relationship with John for two decades through the Olympics and News division. It's a relationship I hope will last forever."

"It has been great fun and a rare privilege to have been asked to contribute music for NBC's broadcast of one of our country's greatest traditions – football!" said Williams. "The outstanding athletes that play this game are similar to our great musicians in that they all require complete dedication and rigorous daily practice to stay sharp. I can also say that the members of our orchestra are all avid football fans and they were very excited when, on the day we recorded this music, we were visited by Al Michaels.

"Short of being at the games or meeting Al Michaels in person, the next best thing will be to turn on NBC and enjoy one of these great events. Personally, I'm extremely proud to be a small part of it."

Williams has composed the music and served as a music director for more than one hundred films, including, War of the Worlds, Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, The Terminal, Catch Me If You Can, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Minority Report, Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, A.I. Artificial Intelligence, The Patriot, Angela's Ashes, Star Wars Episode 1: The Phantom Menace, Stepmom, Saving Private Ryan, Amistad, Seven Years in Tibet, The Lost World, Rosewood, Sleepers, Nixon, Sabrina, Schindler's List, Jurassic Park, Home Alone, Home Alone 2, Far and Away, JFK, Hook, Presumed Innocent, Born on the Fourth of July, the Indiana Jones trilogy, The Accidental Tourist, Empire of the Sun, The Witches of Eastwick, E.T. (the Extra-Terrestrial), Superman, Close Encounters of the Third Kind, the Star Wars trilogy, Jaws, and Goodbye, Mr. Chips. He has received forty-five Academy Award nominations, most recently for his scores from Memoirs of a Geisha and Munich, making him the Academy's most nominated living person. He has been awarded five Oscars, seven British Academy Awards (BAFTA), eighteen Grammys, four Golden Globes, four Emmys and numerous gold and platinum records. In addition, Mr. Williams has composed the well-known NBC News theme "The Mission," "Liberty Fanfare" composed for the rededication of the Statue of Liberty, "We're Lookin Good!," composed for the Special Olympics in celebration of the 1987 International Summer Games, and themes for the 1984, 1988, and 1996 Summer Olympic games and the 2002 Winter Olympic Games.

Many of Williams' film scores have been released as recordings; the soundtrack album Star Wars has sold more than four million copies, making it one of the most successful non-pop albums in recording history. Mr. Williams' highly acclaimed series of albums with the Boston Pops Orchestra began in 1980 on the Philips label, for which he recorded Pops In Space, Pops On The March, Aisle Seat, Pops Out Of This World, With A Song In My Heart (a collaboration with soprano Jessye Norman), America, The Dream Goes On (a collection of favorite Americana), Swing, Swing, Swing, Pops In Love, By Request…(featuring music composed by John Williams), Holst's The Planets, Salute To Hollywood, and an all-Gershwin album entitled Pops By George. In 1990, John Williams and the Boston Pops started making recordings exclusively for the Sony Classical label. To date, these have included Music Of The Night (an album of contemporary and classical show tunes), I Love A Parade (a collection of favorite marches), The Spielberg / Williams Collaboration (featuring John Williams' music for Steven Spielberg's films), The Green Album (which includes "This Land Is Your Land," "Simple Gifts," and "Theme For Earth Day"), a Christmas album entitled Joy To The World, an album of music by George Gershwin, Cole Porter, Richard Rodgers, and Jerome Kern entitled Unforgettable, a tribute to Frank Sinatra entitled Night And Day, an album featuring music by John Williams and Aaron Copland entitled Music For Stage And Screen, It Don't Mean A Thing If It Ain't Got That Swing, with vocalist Nancy Wilson, and Williams on Williams: The Classic Spielberg Scores. Mr. Williams' most recent recording with the Boston Pops Orchestra is entitled Summon The Heroes, the title track of which was the official theme for the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta.

Williams has led the Boston Pops Esplanade Orchestra on United States Tours in 1985, 1989, and 1992 and on a tour of Japan in 1987. He led the Boston Pops Orchestra on tours of Japan in 1990 and 1993. In addition to leading the Boston Symphony Orchestra at Symphony Hall and at Tanglewood, Williams has appeared as guest conductor with a number of major orchestras, including the London Symphony, the Cleveland Orchestra, the Philadelphia Orchestra, the Chicago Symphony, the Pittsburgh Symphony, the Dallas Symphony, the San Francisco Symphony, and the Los Angeles Philharmonic, with which he has appeared many times at the Hollywood Bowl. Williams holds honorary degrees from twenty-one American universities, including The Juilliard School, Berklee College of Music in Boston, Boston College, Northeastern University, Tufts University, Boston University, the New England Conservatory of Music, the University of Massachusetts at Boston, The Eastman School of Music, the Oberlin Conservatory of Music, and the University of Southern California. Williams recently served as the Grand Marshal of the 2004 Rose Parade in Pasadena, and was the recipient of a Kennedy Center Honor in December of 2004.

John Williams was born in New York and moved to Los Angeles with his family in 1948. There he attended UCLA, Los Angeles City College, and studied composition privately with Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco. After service in the Air Force, Williams returned to New York to attend Juilliard University, where he studied piano with Madame Rosina Lhevinne. While in New York, he also worked as a jazz pianist, both in clubs and on recordings. He then returned to Los Angeles, where he began his career in the film industry, working with such composers as Bernard Herrmann, Alfred Newman, and Franz Waxman. He went on to write music for many television programs in the 1960s, winning four Emmy Awards for his work.

# # #

Reggie Bush Voted Rookie Of The Week By Diet Pepsi

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS RB REGGIE BUSH

VOTED WEEK 1 DIET PEPSI NFL ROOKIE OF THE WEEK

Winner Selected By Fan Vote on NFL.com and Via Sprint Wireless Service Voters on NFL.com and via Sprint wireless service have made their choice. Running back REGGIE BUSH of the New Orleans Saints is the DIET PEPSI NFL ROOKIE OF THE WEEK for games played on September 7-11, the NFL announced today.

Bush ran for 61 yards on 14 carries and caught eight passes for 58 yards in the Saints’ 19-14 victory over the
Cleveland Browns. Bush, who added three punt returns for 22 yards, recorded 141 all-purpose yards in his NFL debut.

More than 38,500 fans voted this week on NFL.com and via Sprint wireless service. Bush was selected from among five finalists. The other finalists were running back MIKE BELL of the Denver Broncos, defensive back CORTLAND FINNEGAN of the Tennessee Titans, punter RYAN PLACKEMEIER of the Seattle Seahawks and linebacker DE MECO RYANS of the Houston Texans
After the regular season, five players will be nominated for Diet Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Year honors. Fans can vote for the winner on NFL.com and via Sprint wireless service throughout the month of January. The winner will be announced at a press conference at Super Bowl XLI in South Florida.

This is Pepsi’s fifth year as the official soft drink sponsor of the NFL and the second year that Diet Pepsi will present the NFL Rookie of the Week and NFL Rookie of the Year awards.

2006 DIET PEPSI NFL ROOKIE OF THE WEEK

Wk 1 RB Reggie Bush (Southern California)

NFL GAMES RANK 1-2 AMONG ALL PROGRAMS FOR WEEK OF SEPT 4 - 10

NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE
280 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10017
(212) 450-2000 * FAX (212) 681-7573
WWW.NFLMedia.com

Joe Browne, Executive Vice President-Communications
Greg Aiello, Vice President-Public Relations
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NFL 9/12/06
NFL GAMES RANK 1-2 AMONG ALL PROGRAMS FOR WEEK
NFL Games Top Ratings in 27 Local NFL Markets

Beginning with the Thursday night NFL season opener, viewers across the country tuned their televisions to NFL games in impressive numbers last week.

Fox’s doubleheader game on Sunday (mostly Cowboys-Jaguars) was the week’s mostwatched show (22.7 million viewers), while the Sunday night opener on NBC (Colts-Giants) ranked second (22.6 million viewers).

NFL games topped the local ratings in 27 of 29 NFL markets*(*New Orleans data excluded by Nielsen).

Following are the NFL markets where football was the top-rated program for the week of September
4-10:

Week of 9/4 - 9/10 HH HH RTG
Market Game Date RTG SHR Rank
Pittsburgh Dolphins @ Steelers 9/7/06 50.5 67 1
Indianapolis Colts @ NY Giants 9/10/06 43.3 58 1
Milwaukee Bears @ Packers 9/10/06 39.1 61 1
Buffalo Bills @ Patriots 9/10/06 37.9 69 1
Dallas Cowboys @ Jaguars 9/10/06 32.2 54 1
Kansas City Bengals @ Chiefs 9/10/06 31.2 57 1
Denver Broncos @ Rams 9/10/06 28.5 59 1
Jacksonville Cowboys @ Jaguars 9/10/06 28.2 45 1
Chicago Bears @ Packers 9/10/06 27.5 50 1
Charlotte Falcons @ Panthers 9/10/06 27.4 51 1
Cincinnati Bengals @ Chiefs 9/10/06 27.1 57 1
Tampa Ravens @ Bucs 9/10/06 26.1 48 1
Philadelphia Eagles @ Texans 9/10/06 25.1 53 1
St. Louis Broncos @ Rams 9/10/06 24.0 49 1
Nashville Colts @ NY Giants 9/10/06 22.4 32 1
Miami Dolphins @ Steelers 9/7/06 22.1 32 1
Boston Bills @ Patriots 9/10/06 21.5 52 1
Seattle Seahawks @ Lions 9/10/06 21.2 49 1
Baltimore Ravens @ Bucs 9/10/06 19.9 43 1
Detroit Seahawks @ Lions 9/10/06 19.1 38 1
Phoenix 49ers @ Cardinals 9/10/06 17.8 33 1
New York Colts @ NY Giants 9/10/06 17.7 26 1
Houston Eagles @ Texans 9/10/06 16.9 33 1
Washington, D.C. Colts @ NY Giants 9/10/06 16.9 27 1
San Diego Colts @ NY Giants 9/10/06 16.6 28 1
San Fran./Oakland 49ers @ Cardinals 9/10/06 15.7 39 1
Minneapolis Dolphins @ Steelers 9/7/06 14.2 25 1
* Local affiliate & ESPN combined
Source: NFL & Nielsen Media Research

NFL General Council Jeff Pash Interviewed By Bob Ley of ESPN

From NFLMedia.com

JEFF PASH INTERVIEW WITH BOB LEY

ESPN’s Outside the Lines

Sunday, September 10, 2006

Ley: Let’s say good morning now to the executive vice president of the National Football League, Jeff Pash. Good morning, Jeff.

JP: Good morning, Bob.

Ley: If you think of the popularity of the NFL as a pie chart in front of you, how big a slice of the popularity of this league is because folks can bet on it?

JP: Very, very small, Bob. People like the NFL, and our popularity is a result of the great players, the coaches, the close and exciting action, and the physical nature of the game. It doesn’t have anything to do with gambling or point spreads for the vast, vast majority of people who follow the NFL.

Ley: Even though those in the gaming world point out that Super Bowl Sunday is the biggest day of the year? And point out that fall Sundays like this are, by far, the high blips in revenue handle?

JP: It might be the high blip in a revenue handle, but it’s a small, small slice of the overall pie. Keep in mind, people who point to that are people that have an interest in promoting gambling and an interest in using the NFL as a vehicle for their own operation.

Ley: What’s the league’s position? Do you want online gambling on the NFL prohibited?

JP: Absolutely. It is prohibited. That’s our position. We think that law today, both federal and state law, stops this and the legislation that Congressman (Jim) Leach, Congressman (Bob) Goodlatte, Senator (Jon) Kyl and others are supporting would give law enforcement additional enforcement tools. But the question of whether it’s legal or not, that’s been answered a long time ago.

Ley: (It’s illegal) to take bets, but folks at home, according to experts now, can legally make a bet.

JP: You have to have someone to take the bet and complete the transaction. Ley: Two to tango?

JP: Exactly.

Ley: What does the league gain by prohibiting it?

JP: We’ve always said there needs to be a clear-cut separation between gambling and the NFL. It’s an “integrity of the game” issue. It’s a “perception” issue. One of the things that gives us the popularity that we have, Bob, is people believe our games are honest. People believe there is that separation and they respect it. You can look at other sports where that separation hasn’t been quite so clear and their popularity has, rather sharply, declined. That’s not the case with the NFL.
Ley: You heard the US Attorney that is prosecuting this case talk about the money leaving the country untaxed and unregulated. If it was taxed and it was regulated and there was piece of the pie to be derived to the leagues involved
here, what would your league’s position be?

JP: We could take money today. We could take advertising from casinos and the like. We don’t do that now. We’re not looking for money. It’s not a money issue to us.

Ley: Jeff Pash, the NFL executive vice president. We appreciate you taking the time this morning, Jeff.

JP: My pleasure, Bob.