Friday, September 15, 2006

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.

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Thursday, September 14, 2006

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.

NFL INJURY REPORT FOR WEEK TWO - NFLMEDIA.COM

NFL INJURY REPORT FOR WEEK TWO - NFLMEDIA.COM

_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Following is a list of injured players for Week 2 Games (September 17-18):
DETROIT LIONS (0-1) AT CHICAGO BEARS (1-0)
Detroit Lions
OUT TE Casey Fitzsimmons (Wrist); WR Shaun Bodiford (Knee)
QUESTIONABLE G Ross Verba (Hamstring)
Listed players who did not particiapate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED Casey Fitzsimmons; Shaun Bodiford; Ross Verba
Chicago Bears
QUESTIONABLE WR Justin Gage (Rib); S Chris Harris (Ankle); DT Tommie Harris
(Ankle); LB Hunter Hillenmeyer (Concussion); DE Israel Idonije
(Ankle); TE Gabriel Reid (Back); RB J.D. Runnels (Ankle)
Listed players who did not particiapate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED Chris Harris; Gabriel Reid
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (1-0) AT GREEN BAY PACKERS (0-1)
New Orleans Saints
OUT RB Keith Joseph (Knee--Injured Reserve); RB Mike Karney
(Calf); S Bryan Scott (Hamstring)
QUESTIONABLE DE Michael Haynes (Back); DT Rodney Leisle (Knee)
PROBABLE CB Dejuan Groce (Hamstring); LB Terrence Melton (Hamstring)
Listed players who did not particiapate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED Keith Joseph; Mike Karney; Bryan Scott; Michael Haynes
Green Bay Packers
OUT T Junius Coston (Knee)
QUESTIONABLE G Jason Spitz (Thigh); RB William Henderson (Knee); CB Will
Blackmon (Foot)
Listed players who did not particiapate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED Junius Coston; Jason Spitz; Will Blackmon
CAROLINA PANTHERS (0-1) AT MINNESOTA VIKINGS (1-0)
Carolina Panthers
OUT LB Dan Morgan (Concussion)
QUESTIONABLE WR Steve Smith (Thigh); RB Nick Goings (Thigh); C Justin
Hartwig (Groin)
PROBABLE LB Jason Kyle (Shoulder); DT Jordan Carstens (Elbow); LB Na'il
Diggs (Knee)
Listed players who did not particiapate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED Dan Morgan; Steve Smith; Nick Goings; Justin Hartwig
Minnesota Vikings
PROBABLE RB Ciatrick Fason (Shoulder); CB Will Hunter (Hamstring)
Listed players who did not particiapate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED All Players Practiced
TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (0-1) AT ATLANTA FALCONS (1-0)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
OUT G Davin Joseph (Knee)
QUESTIONABLE G Dan Buenning (Ankle); TE Dave Moore (Rib); LB Shelton
Quarles (Groin)
Listed players who did not particiapate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED Davin Joseph; Dave Moore
Atlanta Falcons
QUESTIONABLE LB Edgerton Hartwell (Knee); DE John Abraham (Groin)
PROBABLE RB Fred McCrary (Foot); WR Roddy White (Hamstring); DE
Patrick Kerney (Triceps)
Listed players who did not particiapate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED Edgerton Hartwell; John Abraham; Roddy White; Patrick Kerney
OAKLAND RAIDERS (0-1) AT BALTIMORE RAVENS (1-0)
Oakland Raiders
QUESTIONABLE CB Nnamdi Asomugha (Foot); DE Kevin Huntley (Foot)
PROBABLE TE James Adkisson (Knee); QB Aaron Brooks (Knee); TE John
Madsen (Ankle); LB Sam Williams (Ankle)
Listed players who did not particiapate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED Nnamdi Asomugha; Robert Gallery; Chris Carr; Kevin Huntley;
Sam Williams
Baltimore Ravens
QUESTIONABLE RB P.J. Daniels (Thigh); C Mike Flynn (Ankle); DT Aubrayo
Franklin (Thigh); TE Todd Heap (Back); RB Jamal Lewis (Hip); S
Ed Reed (Thigh); K Matt Stover (Back); TE Daniel Wilcox (Back)
Listed players who did not particiapate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED P.J. Daniels; Mike Flynn; Aubrayo Franklin; Todd Heap; Jamal
Lewis; Ed Reed; Matt Stover; Daniel Wilcox
CLEVELAND BROWNS (0-1) AT CINCINNATI BENGALS (1-0)
Cleveland Browns
OUT WR Joe Jurevicius (Ribs); TE Darnell Dinkins (Hamstring)
DOUBTFUL DE Nick Eason (Ankle)
QUESTIONABLE S Brian Russell (Elbow); CB Daylon McCutcheon (Knee)
Listed players who did not particiapate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED Joe Jurevicius; Darnell Dinkins; Nick Eason; Brian Russell;
Daylon McCutcheon
Cincinnati Bengals
OUT WR Antonio Chatman (Groin)
QUESTIONABLE DE Frostee Rucker (Shoulder)
PROBABLE WR T.J. Houshmandzadeh (Heel); T Levi Jones (Ankle); CB
Deltha O'Neal (Knee); DT Sam Adams (Knee)
Listed players who did not particiapate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED Antonio Chatman; Frostee Rucker; T.J. Houshmandzadeh; Levi
Jones; Deltha O'Neal; Sam Adams
HOUSTON TEXANS (0-1) AT INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (1-0)
Houston Texans
OUT CB Demarcus Faggins (Foot); CB Phillip Buchanon (Ankle)
PROBABLE C Mike Flanagan (Groin)
Listed players who did not particiapate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED Demarcus Faggins; Phillip Buchanon; Mike Flanagan
Indianapolis Colts
OUT RB De De Dorsey (Ankle); DE Josh Thomas (Hip)
QUESTIONABLE TE Ben Utecht (Finger); CB Nicholas Harper (Ankle); TE Ben
Hartsock (Hamstring); CB Tim Jennings (Ankle); LB Freddie
Keiaho (Knee); G Ryan Lilja (Knee); LB Rob Morris (Foot); DT
Montae Reagor (Knee); S Bob Sanders (Knee); G Jake Scott
(Knee); DT Corey Simon (Knee); QB Jim Sorgi (Right Shoulder);
WR Brandon Stokley (Ankle); LB Gary Brackett (Calf); CB Jason
David (Tooth); T Ryan Diem (Hand); LB Gilbert Gardner (Hand)
Listed players who did not particiapate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED De De Dorsey; Josh Thomas; Ben Hartsock; Freddie Keiaho;
Ryan Lilja; Montae Reagor; Bob Sanders; Corey Simon; Brandon
Stokley; Jason David
BUFFALO BILLS (0-1) AT MIAMI DOLPHINS (0-1)
Buffalo Bills
OUT S Troy Vincent (Hamstring)
QUESTIONABLE S Matt Bowen (Shin); LB Takeo Spikes (Hamstring)
Listed players who did not particiapate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED Troy Vincent; Matt Bowen; Takeo Spikes
Miami Dolphins
OUT G Joe Berger (Foot)
QUESTIONABLE CB Travis Daniels (Ankle)
Listed players who did not particiapate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED Joe Berger
NEW YORK GIANTS (0-1) AT PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (1-0)
New York Giants
OUT RB Derrick Ward (Foot)
QUESTIONABLE G Chris Snee (Ankle)
PROBABLE TE Jeremy Shockey (Ankle)
Listed players who did not particiapate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED Derrick Ward; Chris Snee; Jeremy Shockey
Philadelphia Eagles
OUT CB Lito Sheppard (Ankle)
QUESTIONABLE RB Reno Mahe (Ankle)
PROBABLE DE Jerome McDougle (Rib); S Quintin Mikell (Thumb); LB
Jeremiah Trotter (Ankle)
Listed players who did not particiapate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED Lito Sheppard
ST. LOUIS RAMS (1-0) AT SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (0-1)
St. Louis Rams
QUESTIONABLE LB Jamal Brooks (Knee); DT Jimmy Kennedy (Hand); LB Pisa
Tinoisamoa (Foot)
Listed players who did not particiapate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED Jamal Brooks; Jimmy Kennedy; Pisa Tinoisamoa
San Francisco 49ers
OUT G Larry Allen (Knee); TE Delanie Walker (Shoulder)
DOUBTFUL DE Parys Haralson (Foot); T Jonas Jennings (Ankle)
PROBABLE TE Vernon Davis (Hip)
Listed players who did not particiapate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED Larry Allen; Delanie Walker; Parys Haralson; Jonas Jennings;
Vernon Davis
ARIZONA CARDINALS (1-0) AT SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (1-0)
Arizona Cardinals
PROBABLE DE Calvin Pace (Ankle); G Milford Brown (Ribs); LB Karlos
Dansby (Toe); T Oliver Ross (Knee)
Listed players who did not particiapate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED Milford Brown
Seattle Seahawks
OUT LS J.P. Darche (Hip); TE Jerramy Stevens (Knee)
QUESTIONABLE LB LeRoy Hill (Shoulder)
Listed players who did not particiapate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED J.P. Darche(IR-Hip); Jerramy Stevens
TENNESSEE TITANS (0-1) AT SAN DIEGO CHARGERS (1-0)
Tennessee Titans
OUT DE Antwan Odom (Knee); TE Erron Kinney (Knee)
QUESTIONABLE RB LenDale White (Ankle); T Jacob Bell (Toe); RB Ahmard Hall
(Ankle); G Benji Olson (Hamstring); RB Travis Henry (Toe); DT
Robaire Smith (Hamstring)
Listed players who did not particiapate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED Antwan Odom; Erron Kinney; LenDale White; Jacob Bell; Ahmard
Hall; Benji Olson; Travis Henry; Robaire Smith
San Diego Chargers
DOUBTFUL TE Aaron Shea (Back)
QUESTIONABLE TE Ryan Krause (Hamstring); T Leander Jordan (Neck); G Kris
Dielman (Hamstring); DE Igor Olshansky (Knee)
PROBABLE CB Cletis Gordon (Wrist)
Listed players who did not particiapate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED Aaron Shea; Ryan Krause; Leander Jordan; Igor Olshansky
KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (0-1) AT DENVER BRONCOS (0-1)
Kansas City Chiefs
OUT QB Trent Green (Head)
PROBABLE DE Tamba Hali (Glute); LB Boomer Grigsby (Foot)
Listed players who did not particiapate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED Trent Green; Tamba Hali; Boomer Grigsby
Denver Broncos
DOUBTFUL DE Courtney Brown (Knee)
PROBABLE WR Brandon Marshall (Knee); RB Mike Bell (Finger); DE Patrick
Chukwurah (Ankle); RB Cecil Sapp (Hamstring)
Listed players who did not particiapate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED Courtney Brown
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (1-0) AT NEW YORK JETS (1-0)
New England Patriots
QUESTIONABLE TE Garrett Mills (Flu); LB Tedy Bruschi (Wrist); WR Chad
Jackson (Hamstring); T Nick Kaczur (Shoulder)
PROBABLE WR Doug Gabriel (Hamstring); QB Tom Brady (Right Shoulder)
Listed players who did not particiapate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED Garrett Mills; Tedy Bruschi; Chad Jackson; Nick Kaczur; Doug
Gabriel
New York Jets
DOUBTFUL C Trey Teague (Ankle)
QUESTIONABLE CB David Barrett (Hip); WR Tim Dwight (Thigh); G Pete Kendall
(Thigh)
PROBABLE DE Trevor Johnson (Neck); S Kerry Rhodes (Ankle); CB Derrick
Strait (Chest); LB Matt Chatham (Foot)
Listed players who did not particiapate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED Trey Teague; Tim Dwight
WASHINGTON REDSKINS (0-1) AT DALLAS COWBOYS (0-1)
Washington Redskins
DOUBTFUL CB Shawn Springs (Abdomen)
QUESTIONABLE RB Clinton Portis (Shoulder)
PROBABLE TE Christian Fauria (Shin); DE Renaldo Wynn (Ankle)
Listed players who did not particiapate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED Shawn Springs; Clinton Portis
Dallas Cowboys
QUESTIONABLE WR Jamaica Rector (Ankle)
Listed players who did not particiapate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED All Players Practiced
PITTSBURGH STEELERS (1-0) AT JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (1-0) on Monday
Pittsburgh Steelers
QUESTIONABLE TE Jerame Tuman (Hamstring); QB Ben Roethlisberger
(Appendectomy); S Troy Polamalu (Shoulder)
PROBABLE T Max Starks (Knee); WR Hines Ward (Hamstring); WR Nate
Washington (Knee)
Listed players who did not particiapate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED Hines Ward
Jacksonville Jaguars
QUESTIONABLE TE Marcedes Lewis (Ankle); LB Mike Peterson (Knee); S Gerald
Sensabaugh (Ankle); DE Paul Spicer (Groin); DT Marcus Stroud
(Ankle)
Listed players who did not particiapate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED Practice Not Conducted

NFL COMMISSIONER ROGER GOODELL On CBS NFL Pregame Show



From NFL Media.com

COMMISSIONER ROGER GOODELL WITH CBS NFL TODAY PREGAME SHOW
SEPTEMBER 10, 2006

James Brown: We are thrilled to be joined by the new man in charge of the NFL, Roger Goodell.

Dan Marino: Before we get started, real quick: We go back a little ways, and I figured I have to go to the top guy. The
Super Bowl’s in Miami, I’m going to need some tickets and some favors down there. It’s going to be a big game for us in Miami. Also, If you need a place to stay or anything you’re always welcome to stay with me.

Roger Goodell: I thought we were going to come to you for tickets.

J.B.: We heard you talk a number of times about the unparalleled success of the league as the number one sport in
America. You’re a big technology guy, and you want to improve the game. What in the world can you improve on the
field?

Goodell: J.B., the most important thing is that we are not satisfied with our leadership position, and we keep trying to
find ways to improve the game and make sure that we find new ways in delivering football to our fans.

J.B.: Is there a number one area that you would consider in terms of technology on the field?

Goodell: I think one of the things that would be key for us is trying to find a better communication system between the
players. So let the quarterback be able to come up and call his audible at the line of scrimmage and allow our players
to play at the highest possible level. I think that is important as we go into some of these very noisy stadiums, which is
a great benefit for the home team but you don’t want to penalize the visiting team.

Boomer Esiason: You talk about leadership. The NFL was a leader back in the early ‘90s. I remember and Dan, I
think; we can all speak to this how you guys really combated the steroids, with testing and the NFLPA went right
along with you. Now the drug of choice seems to be human growth hormone. What is in the future of that and will the
NFL test for that?

Goodell: We don’t know if it’s the drug of choice. It’s really an issue that goes well beyond sports also. It’s a drug that
is being used by a lot of people because they want to try to feel younger. We’re not sure about its performance
benefits but the most important thing for us in keeping our leadership position is to make sure we do develop a test,
and there is no known test right now to be able to detect HGH. So we’re working hard with our experts to be able to
develop that kind of a test so that we can make sure that we do everything to protect the safety and health of our
players.

Shannon Sharpe: We all know how important it is to the NFL to have a team or teams in the LA market. What makes
you think now that the LA market is ready for a team or teams when they haven’t been ready in the past?

Goodell: Well, Shannon, I think we’ve got millions of fans in southern California who are dying to have NFL football
back. Our challenge is to try to do it correctly. We want to make sure when we come back it’s a great success and
that’s what the people of southern California are looking for. That’s why we’re working with all of the public authorities
and all of the leadership in the private sector to figure a way to do it correctly.

J.B.: One of the teams mentioned prominently, in that context, are the New Orleans Saints, who by the way, are a
feel-good story. Season ticket sales at an all-time high but we know that corporate support is key to success there.
How long will you give New Orleans a chance to be successful?

Goodell: Well, J.B. you know there are a lot of questions about the New Orleans market right now. None of us seem
to know the answers to those long term about how is New Orleans really going to come back. The NFL has been
there from day one; we brought our team back in there as soon as we possibly could. We are
there as a good strong corporate citizen to make sure that we do everything possible to get that dome back up and
operating which they identified as a key factor in their economic recovery down in New Orleans. So we’re thrilled
about being back there for the opening of the dome in just two weeks.

J.B.: So you’re optimistic about corporate support?

Goodell: I am. I think they’re down there and going to do what’s necessary to make that team successful.

Marino: Commissioner, we want to see how authentic your autograph is. We got a (football), let me get you a pen.

Sharpe: Don’t sign that football; he’ll sell it.

Marino: That’s what I’m going to do when I get my Super Bowl tickets, sell them on EBay.

Goodell (Signing football): This is a change -- me signing something for Dan Marino.

Marino: It’s the real deal.

J.B.: Mr. Goodell thank you so much, buddy. A man that’s been with the NFL all his life.

Goodell: Thank you, guys.

Samkon Gado To Houston Texans For Vernand Morency - ESPN

The bottom line is the Texans should have picked Reggie Bush, then all of these moves would not have been necessary. Now comes the Indy Colts and the first real test of the logic of picking Mario Williams.

GREEN BAY, Wis. -- The Green Bay Packers traded running back Samkon Gado to the Houston Texans on Wednesday for another young running back, Vernand Morency.

The trade is pending both players passing physicals with their new team.

The Texans have been looking for reinforcements at running back since Domanick Davis, the franchise's leading rusher, was placed on the injured reserve two weeks ago. Houston claimed 1999 Heisman Trophy Winner Ron Dayne off waivers after he was released by Denver last week.

Coach Gary Kubiak said he made the trade for Gado because he wanted to add a big, power runner to his duo of smallish running backs -- rookies Wali Lundy and Chris Taylor.

Taylor, who has been on the active roster, is currently on the practice squad.

"We feel like it gives us two big, banging-type backs and we've got two younger smaller backs in Wali and Chris," Kubiak said. "We like the way that evens out and we hope he can help us."

Houston's running game struggled in a 24-10 opening loss to Philadelphia where the running backs gained just 55 yards. Morency had five carries for 13 yards.

Gado, in his second-season, was one of the few bright spots in the Packers' 4-12 season last year, advancing from the practice squad to become the team's starting running back near the end of the season. But Gado has struggled to adjust to the zone-blocking scheme being run by new Packers coach Mike McCarthy -- interesting to note since Kubiak employs a similar scheme.

Season-ending injuries to running backs Ahman Green and Najeh Davenport gave Gado, who started just two games in four seasons at Division I-AA Liberty University, an improbable chance to start for the Packers last year.

In eight games, including five starts, he gained 582 yards on 143 carries and scored six touchdowns.

Kubiak said Gado would be valuable in short-yardage situations, but Texans general manager Rick Smith said he thinks he could do even more.

"I think he's already proven that he can be an every-down back," Smith said. "He's a kid that is a power type of back with good speed and balance and agility. So to put him in this offense will be an asset for us."

Morency was a third-round pick in 2005 after running for 1,454 yards and 12 touchdowns in his last season at Oklahoma State. He's a bit older than most second-year players at age 26, having played four seasons of minor league baseball before enrolling at Oklahoma State.

He had 46 carries for 184 yards with two touchdowns in 13 games last season.

Kubiak wasn't too fond of his running style when he arrived in Houston and encouraged him to cut to the hole quicker instead of "dancing" in the backfield. He noted Morency's improvement in that area and praised him after he ran for 95 yards and two scores in a preseason win over St. Louis.

With the trade, Gado will be reunited with former Packers coach Mike Sherman, who was hired as an assistant head coach and offensive line coach for the Texans after he was fired by the Packers.

"We've got coaches on our staff who know this player very well," Kubiak said. "We feel good about this kid's chances of helping us."

Gado also brought an infectious sense of optimism into an otherwise downtrodden locker room. Gado, who worked at a Green Bay hospital in the offseason, hopes to become a doctor after his football career is over and return to his native Nigeria to help fight the AIDS crisis in Africa.

Gado was in the middle of an interview session in the Packers locker room on Wednesday when running backs coach Edgar Bennett summoned him to a private meeting.

Gado had just been asked whether the Packers could recover from a 26-0 defeat by the Chicago Bears in their season opener at Lambeau Field on Sunday.

"The season's not over yet," Gado said. "It's just beginning. And we got off on the wrong foot, and I think it's just foolhardy to just go ahead and throw the whole season out."

Gado should arrive in Houston early Thursday and is expected to available for Sunday's game at Indianapolis.

Morency was informed of the trade about 10 minutes before Houston's afternoon practice, Kubiak said.

Trent Green Still Inactive - NFL Says Hit Not A Foul - ESPN

After seeing that Bengals defender Robert Gathers was blocked in the back, I'm forced to agree with this.

NFL says Geathers' hit on QB Green wasn't a foul - ESPN

The NFL ruled Wednesday that Robert Geathers' hit on Chiefs quarterback Trent Green was not a foul because he did not have complete control of his body.

"In other instances this contact might be illegal, since a defensive player has the responsibility to avoid unnecessary contact even when he is blocked by an opponent. However, in this case, the late slide and the block in the back were mitigating factors," NFL senior vice president of football operations Ray Anderson said in a statement.

Green, 36, one of the oldest starting quarterbacks in the NFL, was going feet-first into a hook slide right in front of the Chiefs bench. The Bengals' Geathers, possibly pushed from behind at least somewhat by Kansas City wide receiver Eddie Kennison, came flying in. Geathers' right shoulder slammed Green's chest and head and snapped the back of Green's head violently to the turf.

Officials did not call a foul, explaining to the enraged Chiefs sideline that Geathers' momentum had carried him into the player.

"In my opinion, I think it was a late hit. I think it was obviously a very vicious hit,'' Chiefs president Carl Peterson said earlier this week, "one that unfortunately Trent Green and the Kansas City Chiefs are paying a price for."


"In other instances this contact might be illegal, since a defensive player has the responsibility to avoid unnecessary contact even when he is blocked by an opponent. However, in this case, the late slide and the block in the back were mitigating factors."
-- Ray Anderson
However, the NFL disagreed.

The NFL concluded that Geathers was indeed blocked from behind and the Bengals defensive end even twisted his torso to avoid helmet-to-helmet contact.

"I couldn't have done anything different," Geathers said Wednesday, choosing his words carefully and sparingly.

A source close to Geathers told ESPN.com's Len Pasquarelli that the defensive end was prepared to appeal a fine, had one been forthcoming.

Anderson said quarterbacks who want to take advantage of the protection of a slide must start it before the prospect of imminent contact.

He cited a play in the Seattle-Detroit game as an example of an illegal hit. In that case, Seahawks quarterback Matt Hasselbeck broke out of the pocket and began a slide. Lions rookie linebacker Ernie Sims, who had the opportunity to avoid contact, drove his helmet into Hasselbeck while another defender, Cory Redding, jumped over the quarterback.

Sims drew a 15-yard penalty for unnecessary roughness. Anderson said the play is being reviewed for a possible fine.

Green spent two days in a Kansas City-area hospital for tests, but was released Tuesday. He's out for Sunday's game against the Broncos and a source close to the quarterback told ESPN's Chris Mortensen that he was likely to miss an additional game as well.

Michael Sliver Gives Great Interview With Chiefs Kyle Turley



This interview's a bit different than Sil's general more narrative approach, in that it's Q and A, but he does slip in that we should eat at Dick Clark's restaurant in Overland Park, KS.

Click on the link to read the article.

St. Louis Rams Top Predictable Denver Broncos 18 - 10

Rams ride defense, Wilkins past Denver

NFL.com wire reports

ST. LOUIS (Sept. 10, 2006) -- Jeff Wilkins ' nickname is "Money," as in money in the bank. Thanks to the St. Louis Rams' new-look defense, his franchise-record six field goals was just enough of a deposit.

Wilkins bailed out a shaky offense, accounting for all the scoring in an 18-10 opening victory over the Denver Broncos on Sunday. In the process, he became the first Ram to score 1,000 points.

"He's almost automatic and when he misses one, you sit there and you're a little bit dejected because you think he's always going to make them," quarterback Marc Bulger said. "We know when the game's on the line or it's really, really important, he's going to make it. He has for years now."

The Rams' aggressive schemes on defense forced five turnovers. Jake Plummer's third interception, by Corey Chavous with 2:26 to go, was the clincher.

"They made a couple of big plays, but we didn't let it shake us up and say: 'Oh wow, here it goes,"' middle linebacker Will Witherspoon said. "We dug back in and stuck our feet in the ground and went back at it."

Plummer, who was 13-for-26 for 138 yards, expects Broncos fans will be clamoring for first-round pick Jay Cutler. The Broncos committed 16 turnovers all last season, and only seven interceptions.

"I'm sure they will," Plummer said. "They've been calling for him since he got drafted."

The Rams defense pressured Jake Plummer into a number of mistakes.
Scott Linehan's NFL coaching debut was a success, but much of it was owed to Jim Haslett, the new St. Louis defensive coordinator who was Saints head coach the previous six seasons.

"I couldn't be more proud of our team," Linehan said. "I think there's no such thing as style points in winning."

Defense ruled for both sides in a game that bore no resemblance to the last time the Rams and Broncos opened the season, a 41-36 shootout won by St. Louis in 2000. The only touchdown was a 1-yard run by Denver's Mike Bell in the second quarter.

Linehan was hired by the Rams after his success reviving the Dolphins' offense last season, and he helped the Vikings rank at the top of the league three straight seasons before that. His attack mostly sputtered in the opener, though, with Bulger looking shaky at times and the Rams mostly settling for short gains.

Linehan scoffed at criticism when the Rams' first-string offense scored no touchdowns in 11 preseason possessions. In the opener the regulars were 0-for-11 again, including the end of the game when they killed the clock at the Denver 6.

Wilkins, who tied his career best of six field goals with the 49ers in 1996, hit two long field goals, from 51 and 48 yards, and also connected from 26, 38, 29 and 24 yards.

"I always try to predict for myself to try and get ready, but six wasn't anywhere near the prediction this week," Wilkins said. "But I'll take it. I love the opportunity."

In the fourth quarter, Witherspoon tipped Plummer's pass for Rod Smith into the arms of Fakhir Brown, and Brown's 20-yard return gave the Rams possession at their 40 with 2:26 left.

Rookie Tye Hill, the Rams' first-round pick, and Chavous also had interceptions. Leonard Little had two of St. Louis' four sacks, forcing a Plummer fumble that ended up giving the Rams the ball at the Denver 3.

The Broncos' defense kept it from becoming a blowout, holding the Rams to only six points off three consecutive takeaways in the first half. St. Louis ran 23 straight plays in Denver territory at one point, but the offense kept stalling.

St. Louis held a 12-7 lead at halftime. Wilkins missed a 44-yarder on a fifth attempt in the half.

The Broncos' lone highlight came in the second quarter when coach Mike Shanahan, trailing 12-0 and frustrated by a lack of production, elected to go on fourth-and-1 from the Denver 31. Mike Bell got 2 yards and the Broncos ended with an 11-play drive capped by Bell's 1-yard run with 26 seconds to go in the half.

New England Patriots Survive Buffalo Bills Challenge 19-17

If J. P. Losman avoids the safety, the Bills may have escaped with a win.

Patriots squeak past Bills, 19-17

NFL.com wire reports

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (Sept. 10, 2006) -- The scoreboard looming over J. P Losman as he scrambled behind the Bills ' own goal line showed a tie game. Ty Warren was determined to change that.

"My priority was to get him in the end zone," the Patriots defensive end said. "We're tied up, so I'm thinking, 'Let me get this dude.' "

Losman went down, the official's arms went up and New England beat the Buffalo Bills 19-17 with poise under pressure and increasing pressure by a defensive line.

"I should have gotten rid of the ball, but the game was on the line," Losman said. "I dipped under one defender, but then there was another guy."

Warren's game-winning safety with 8:33 left completed a comeback from a very poor start that had the Patriots trailing 17-7 at halftime. Even the pregame activities were missing something.

For the first time in three years, the Patriots' season opener was not preceded by the unveiling of a championship banner. Kicker Adam Vinatieri, wide receiver David Givens and linebacker Willie McGinest were elsewhere after leaving as free agents.

The Patriots didn't have holdout wide receiver Deion Branch or injured linebacker Tedy Bruschi either.

And on the game's first play from scrimmage, Tom Brady fumbled as he was belted by Takeo Spikes, and London Fletcher ran the recovery in for a 5-yard touchdown.

"It's no way to start the season, but we recovered and came back and put together a nice drive after that," said Brady, who was disappointed with his performance: 11 for 23 for 163 yards, two touchdowns and an interception.

Bill Belichick became the 31st coach in NFL history with 100 regular-season wins, improving his record to 100-77.

New England cut the lead to 17-14 with 2:52 left in the third quarter on Brady's 17-yard pass to Kevin Faulk after Buffalo went for it on fourth-and-1 at the Patriots 7-yard line and the line stopped Willis McGahee for no gain.

"That felt great," Patriots nose tackle Vince Wilfork said. "The fans got into it and we got into it."

McGahee wasn't sure what was happening.


Corey Dillon and the rest of the Patriots are breathing easier now.
"I wasn't worried. I thought it was third down," he said. "It was the play to run."

The pressure was on again when Stephen Gostkowski, the rookie replacing Vinatieri, connected on a 32-yard field goal that tied the game at 17 with 9:33 remaining.

Exactly one minute later, the Patriots took the lead for good on the third play of Buffalo's possession, sending the Bills to their sixth straight loss against New England.

On the first two plays, Losman threw the ball away under a heavy rush and McGahee was thrown for a 1-yard loss.

Then Losman dropped about 4 yards into the end zone as linebacker Tully Banta-Cain rushed from Losman's left and got a hand on the quarterback. Warren, charging in from the other side, tackled Losman for the safety.

"We handled it early, but their pressure mounted as the game went on," Buffalo coach Dick Jauron said.

On the third play of the Bills' next possession, Richard Seymour sacked Losman for a 6-yard loss, Brian Moorman punted and the Patriots held the ball for the remaining 6:15. Losman finished 15 for 23 for 164 yards.

"You can tell why they have won three of the last five Super Bowls," defensive end Aaron Schobel said. "They know how to finish games."

Buffalo, with a new coaching staff, dominated early, starting with the sack by Spikes, who missed the last 13 games last season with a torn Achilles' tendon and left this game on the Patriots second series with a mild hamstring injury that he doesn't expect to hold him out of next week's game at Miami.

The Patriots tied it 7-7 on their next possession on Brady's 9-yard scoring pass to Troy Brown. Buffalo regained the lead on Rian Lindell's 53-yard field goal then made it 17-7 on an 18-yard run by Anthony Thomas.

The Patriots put together a 183-yard running attack with rookie first-round draft pick Laurence Maroney gaining 86 yards and Corey Dillon adding 73.

"He runs one way, I run another and we keep fresh legs in the game," Maroney said.

On defense, they were fresh enough to send Losman and the Bills to defeat.

"We're as good as we want to be," Warren said, but " it's too early in the season to be putting crowns on anyone's head."

"The Long Tail" - Book Points To An Economic Revolution But There's A Catch

Wired Magazine Editor Christopher Anderson just wrote a book with a title that's going to be the next phrase you hate to hear: "The Long Tail."

The idea of the book is that because of the Internet, the World is divided into smaller economies of scale. Economies of scale is defined according to the Investopedia as...

"Economies of scale gives big companies access to a larger market by allowing them to operate with greater geographical reach. For the more traditional (small to medium) companies, however, size does have its limits. After a point, an increase in size (output) actually causes an increase in production costs. This is called "diseconomies of scale".

Mr. Anderson's book points to the new dynamic, where I can make money from a small niche demand for my product. But in thinking about the perspective he introduces, it occurs to me that there may be an "enemy" of the Long Tail: the very idea that -- even for a moment -- people beyond the small target market may want that product, causing a potential increase in production costs.

Specifically, let's say you've got a new kind of online simulation game for a specific market as my company, Sports Business Simulations does, and it's existence is captured by a national TV news program (YIPPEE!). Now, you've got more traffic than your server can handle, leading toward 1) a crash, and 2) a higher cost to pay for a better server. (OUCH!)

That's the increase in production cost at play. It's not something he adresses in the book, and so this System Dynamicist may have uncovered a "limit to growth" in any Long Tail industry dynamic. What could break that cost logjam is that the very dynamic of increased demand via national exposure may -- may -- lead to investment in the product, thus removing the production cost barrier and allowing more dramatic growth in product sales.

But the limit to growth remains...

There's more to that dynamic relationship with respect to The Long Tail and I will explore it soon.

The book, released in June of this year, is very timely. A launch party was held in NYC, and you can see the highlights of it here:

Wednesday, September 13, 2006

Peyton Manning Sharp; Eli Manning Too - Colts Win 26 to 21

Peyton has to do better at his throwing decisions on short passes. Several times he almost threw interceptions because of poor judgement.

Manning guides Colts to win over Giants

NFL.com wire reports

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (Sept. 10, 2006) -- After beating little brother Eli, all Peyton Manning felt was relief and pride.

Relief that the much-hyped battle of the brothers was over, and pride in the way they handled it. No gloating, no giddy postgame interviews, no big scene as the two met when it was over.

"I told him I loved him," Peyton said after the Indianapolis Colts outlasted Eli and the New York Giants 26-21.

"I enjoyed watching him play in person," the elder Manning added. "He's every bit as good as he looked on TV. He's going to be a great player in this league for a long time. I'm proud to be related to the guy. I'm proud to be his brother."

As for the game itself, the "Manning Bowl" actually lived up to the hype. The brothers played well and so did their teams, though the Giants made far too many mistakes to win the first NFL game to feature two brothers starting at quarterback.

Peyton finished 25-of-41 for 276 yards, a touchdown and an interception. The two-time MVP also led the Colts to scores on five of their first seven possessions.

Eli was 20-of-34 for 247 yards and touchdowns passes to Plaxico Burress and Jeremy Shockey. He also had two costly second-half mistakes -- a fumble and an interception, both of which came with New York down two points. Both led to Indianapolis scores.

After it was over, the siblings came to midfield, surrounded by photographers, big brother patting little brother on the back of his head.

"It kind of hit me in the pregame when I was out there talking to someone and I see this guy walk by and it was my brother," Peyton said. "I found myself watching him during warmups. I was peeking at him during the national anthem. It was kind of neat to be on the same field as him, knowing that's my little brother out there."

Peyton threw a 2-yard touchdown pass to Dallas Clark and Dominic Rhodes scored on a 1-yard run for the Colts' touchdowns.

Adam Vinatieri, the hero of two Super Bowl wins by the New England Patriots, kicked four field goals in his first game for the defending AFC South champions, including a 32-yarder with 1:12 to play to push the lead to five points.

Trailing 23-21, Eli Manning tried to drive the Giants for a late go-ahead score. A play after a questionable offensive pass interference call against Tim Carter denied New York a first down at its own 37, Manning was intercepted by Nick Harper and Peyton moved the Colts 19 yards for an insurance field goal.

Week 1's top games

Watch some of the best games from Week 1 all over again with NFL Replay on NFL Network. Airing on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 8 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. ET, the broadcasts will feature a 90-minute fast-paced format complete with original television announcers and cameras. Week 1's games to be replayed are:
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· IND at NYG, Sept. 13, 10:30 ET

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"It was very difficult for me to think that play was a foul," Giants coach Tom Coughlin said, adding that his team also hurt itself with way too many mistakes.

While Eli had a big fumble and interception, he wasn't the only one to make errors.

Giants defenders dropped two potential first-half interceptions that could have stopped scoring drives. Jay Feely missed a 40-yard field goal and the Giants had a plethora of penalties that slowed or ended drives, including an illegal snap by center Shaun O'Hara with 17 seconds to play that forced officials to take 10 seconds off the clock.

That allowed Eli Manning to throw one more pass -- and it fell incomplete.

The Giants, who also got a 110-yard rushing effort from Tiki Barber, had closed to within 23-21 on a 1-yard touchdown run by Brandon Jacobs with 8:01 to play. It marked the second time that the Giants, who had trailed 13-0 late in the first half, had rallied to close the gap to two points.

The 15-yard touchdown pass to Shockey cut the lead to 16-14, but Manning fumbled a snap near midfield and Indianapolis recovered, setting up Rhodes' touchdown.

Peyton Manning was nearly unstoppable in the first half. The Colts had the ball four times, scoring on each possession. Big brother hit 17-of-27 passes for 196 yards, converted 9-of-11 third-down chances and helped Indianapolis control the ball for 17:37 in taking a 16-7 halftime edge.

Vinatieri capped the first two drives -- which included a 17-play, nearly nine minute march to open the game -- with field goals of 26 and 32 yards for a 6-0 lead early in the second quarter.

Seconds before the first field goal, Giants backup safety James Butler had a chance to end the first drive. But he dropped what should have been an interception of a Peyton Manning pass that was right in his hands.

Another mistake kept New York off the scoreboard following Vinatieri's second field goal.

Burress, who got called for two illegal blocks in the first half, made a one-handed catch for a 37-yard gain to the Colts 26. However, Feely missed a 40-yard field goal four plays later.


Peyton Manning kept his cool in leading his Colts to victory over the Giants.
Peyton Manning made the Giants pay on the next possession, moving the Colts 70 yards in 10 plays and finishing it with a 2-yard strike to tight end Dallas Clark. Peyton outran blitzing safety Gibril Wilson on a rollout to the right and put a deft touch on a pass over the outstretched hands of Pro Bowl defensive end Michael Strahan, who was in zone coverage.

The touchdown gave Indianapolis a 13-0 lead, and for a moment the so-called Manning Bowl looked like it would be lopsided.

But Eli countered with a beautiful drive, moving the Giants 86-yards in eight plays. Barber got it going with 17 reception and two 11-yard runs, and Manning capped it with a 34-yard touchdown pass to Burress, who won a jump ball with Harper near the goal line.

The score got New York within 13-7 with 32 seconds left in the half, but that was enough time for Peyton to do some more damage.

Taking over at his own 38 with 25 seconds to go, Manning hit Marvin Harrison on three straight passes for 30 yards, setting up a 48-yard field goal by Vinatieri, who was signed in the offseason as a free agent to replace Mike Vanderjagt.

Baltimore Ravens Defense Hold Bucs To 26 Yards Rushing; Win 27 - 0

The Ravens are playing defense with a fire that could take them back to the Super Bowl.

Ravens steamroll Buccaneers 27-0


NFL.com wire reports

TAMPA, Fla. (Sept. 10, 2006) -- It didn't take Steve McNair long to show what he can mean to the Baltimore Ravens.

Playing with the confidence and poise that figures to relieve pressure from a perennially stout but overworked defense, the 2003 NFL co-MVP led a long touchdown drive after the opening kickoff and spent the rest of the gamae enjoying Ray Lewis & Co. at their best in a 27-0 rout of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

"This team knows what I can do. It's the people that's outside looking in that don't know," said McNair, obtained from Tennessee in a trade after the Titans decided he no longer fit their plans. "I'm still able to play this game to a high level."

Chris McAlister returned one of the Ravens' three interceptions 61 yards for a touchdown and 340-pound rookie Haloti Ngata lumbered 60 yards with a tipped pass to set up a field goal to help build a 17-0 halftime lead.

Baltimore (1-0) won on the road for the first time since beating the New York Jets 20-17 in overtime on Nov. 14, 2004, ending an 11-game skid that was the longest in the NFL. The Bucs (0-1) were shut out at home for the first time since 1996 after going 77 games without being blanked.

"We had a mind-set just to come play our type of football and we did," Lewis said. "Our offense, you have to tip your hats to them. They came out first drive, and they made life easy for us."

McNair completed 17 of 27 passes for 181 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions against the league's No. 1 defense from last season. The only time he was sacked, the three-time Pro Bowl selection lost the grip on the ball attempting to pass and fell on the fumble.

The Ravens sacked Chris Simms twice, limited Carnell "Cadillac" Williams to 22 yards rushing on eight carries and held Simms' favorite target, speedy receiver Joey Galloway, without a catch. The Bucs managed just 142 yards total offense.

"We fell behind," Williams said, "and things just fell apart."

Jamal Lewis scored on a 4-yard run in the first quarter and McAlister returned his interception for a 14-0 lead on the first play of the second. Ngata's first career pick led to Matt Stover 's field goal, and Ed Reed finished the raid on Simms' errant passes with a fourth-quarter interception that led to McNair's 4-yard TD pass to Daniel Wilcox.

Simms was 17 of 29 for 133 yards and was benched by coach Jon Gruden midway through the fourth quarter. Rookie Bruce Gradkowski replaced him to cheers from what was left of a crowd of 65,087. The sixth-round draft pick was no match for the Ravens either.


The Ravens took a page from their history, relying on Jamal Lewis to win.
The Bucs could have avoided a shutout by kicking a field goal late in the third quarter, but elected to try for a touchdown when Simms threw an incompletion on fourth-and-4 from the Baltimore 6.

"A loss is a loss," Simms said, shrugging off the final score. "We could have kicked a field goal just to say we weren't shut out. ... We'll be back. We're not going to let one game ruin our season."

Baltimore struggled to move the ball after McNair directed a 14-play, 80-yard drive that lasted more than nine minutes. But with the Ravens' defense re-energized with Ray Lewis back in the lineup after missing most of 2005 with an injury, the outcome was never in doubt.

McAlister picked off an underthrown ball intended for Anthony Becht and returned the interception up the sideline, racing into the end zone with help from a convoy of blockers that prevented Williams -- the last player with a chance to stop him -- from making the tackle.

Ngata, the Ravens' first-round draft pick, intercepted a pass tipped by linebacker Bart Scott. He took off for the sideline, turned the corner and rumbled up field before running out of gas and being forced out of bounds at the Bucs 9.

"I never ran that far. I think that explains why I ran out of bounds," Ngata said. "I was looking for somebody to pitch it to, but I didn't feel like I could. I saw blockers in front of me, so I just kept running."

Ray Lewis sat out the last 10 games of 2005 with a hamstring injury that required surgery, and Baltimore stumbled to a 6-10 record, missing the playoffs. His return, coupled with McNair's arrival, are the main reasons the Ravens think they have a chance to contend for a championship.

"It's one step," the two-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year said. "We're not claiming nothing else. We'll go back and watch film Monday and then we restart again."

Chad Pennington Sharp And Gets Win Over Titans 23-16

Titans Rookie QB Vince Young played and completed 75 percent of his passes.

Pennington, Jets fine in 23-16 win

NFL.com wire reports

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Sept. 10, 2006) -- Chad Pennington not only has returned strong after a second shoulder surgery in as many years, he might be even better than 2002.

All Pennington did that year was lead the NFL in passer rating.

Pennington threw for 319 yards and two touchdowns to lead the New York Jets to a 23-16 victory over the Tennessee Titans after having to beat out three quarterbacks in preseason to reclaim his starting job.

"Chad has done a great job in preparing himself and getting himself back to the point of being our starting quarterback," Jets receiver Laveranues Coles said. "I'm just happy that he now has a game under his belt and showed he's back."

The Titans had trailed 16-0 until Travis Henry tied the game, rushing for two fourth-quarter touchdowns within five minutes of each other. His 1-yarder with 5:58 left came one play after Pennington was sacked and fumbled.

Pennington needed seven plays to take back the lead after Justin Miller's 41-yard kickoff return, going ahead on a 12-yard touchdown pass to Chris Baker with 2:10 left in helping make coach Eric Mangini a winner in his head coaching debut.

"The mechanics were excellent, the tempo was excellent, and I'm proud that he was poised," Mangini said.

Tennessee had one last chance and drove to the Jets 8. But Kerry Collins missed tight end Bo Scaife while trying to reach David Givens in the end zone on fourth-and-6 with 35 seconds to go.

"I'm proud of the way our guys fought, but I also believe the bottom line is about wins and losses and we didn't get that done today," Collins said.

This opener matched teams that went 4-12 in 2005 and came into this season with questions at quarterback.


Chad Pennington looked good, throwing for 319 yards with two touchdowns.
Pennington played only three games last season before hurting his right shoulder. He couldn't have looked much better in posting a 123.2 passer rating and said he was happy to be playing again with lots of friends and family in the stands from his hometown of Knoxville, Tenn.

"It's just truly a blessing to be able to come out here and play this game. It's an honor to play this game, and that's the way I look at it," he said.

His father, who has been ailing recently, stayed at home and watched his son on television.

"I hope he enjoyed it," Pennington said.

The Titans didn't announce their starter until 90 minutes before kickoff, and gave the job to Collins, who opened his 12th NFL season with his fifth team. Rookie Vince Young also played a series.

Andre Dyson, who started his career in Tennessee, intercepted each of them. The Jets ended three of four Tennessee drives with interceptions and had two sacks.

The Jets could have avoided all the late drama if only kicker Mike Nugent had been better. He missed an extra point and a 34-yard field goal, then bounced a 30-yarder off the right post. Mangini said he would talk to Nugent, among others, about mistakes. Without Pennington, the Jets had the next-to-last ranked offense in the NFL in 2005. He picked apart the Titans and helped the Jets pile up 393 yards of offense.

Kevan Barlow scored for New York on 1-yard run two plays after a Titans' interception was overturned by a defensive pass interference call in the second quarter.

A sellout crowd didn't waste any time sharing its anger early, booing Collins when he replaced Young and alternately chanting for Young and Billy Volek, the quarterback who lost his starting job when the team signed Collins on Aug. 29.

Collins, starting 13 days after being signed to a one-year contract, looked out of sync early and often with several balls sailing out of bounds and at least three batted down. His receivers didn't help with a couple drops. He finally clicked in the fourth quarter when he went 4 of 6 for 56 yards in setting up Henry's first TD run.

He finished 17 of 38 for 223 yards.

"This team is not happy right now and does not have a right to be," coach Jeff Fisher said.

Young made his NFL debut in the second quarter, entering with 8:55 left to a round of cheers. The No. 3 pick overall out of Texas looked like an immediate improvement over Collins as he completed his first three passes and moved the Titans to the Jets 29.

Then he came up short on a pass to Givens, which Dyson picked off.

Atlanta Falcons Solid Performance Beats Carolina Panthers 20 to 6

And QB Michael Vick has mastered the Bill Walsh Offense

Upset-minded Falcons stun Panthers 20-6

NFL.com wire reports

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (Sept. 11, 2006) -- Warrick Dunn figured Atlanta's dominating performance over Super Bowl favorite Carolina would come as a surprise.

"Most people didn't think we could that," said Dunn after he rushed for 132 yards in the Falcons' 20-6 win over the Panthers. "We've added some guys who have been to the Pro Bowl. There's an emphasis to get to the next level."

One of those newcomers, John Abraham, had two sacks and two forced fumbles, while Michael Vick threw two touchdown passes as the Falcons erased memories of their 44-11 loss to the Panthers.

The Falcons were accused of not giving a complete effort -- a theory Vick affirmed when he said in the offseason he didn't try his hardest in Atlanta's final regular-season game.

"You've barely heard about Atlanta all offseason and I think that's good for us," Abraham said. "We were 8-8 last year and a lot of guys had us in a slump."

In the offseason, the Falcons acquired Abraham from the New York Jets and signed Grady Jackson away from Green Bay. The revamped line dominated the Panthers, who were held to 215 yards as they played without all-Pro receiver Steve Smith, inactive with a right hamstring injury.

"We've got three Pro Bowl pass rushers on this team. If we didn't come here and hit the quarterback a lot, I would have been surprised," said Abraham, who limped off the field late in the game with a groin injury. He said the injury wasn't serious.

Atlanta also rolled on offense, finishing with 252 yards rushing.


Warrick Dunn had a game-high 132 yards rushing on 29 carries to pace the Falcons.
Carolina, which had the third-rated defense a year ago, fell flat to begin a season with high expectations after last season's loss in the NFC championship game.

"What did we give up in the running game? That was ridiculous," said defensive tackle Kris Jenkins, playing in his first game after knee surgery. "It wasn't the Super Bowl, but it was a division game and a conference game. They kicked our tails. I'm not proud of it, but I'm being honest."

Vick, trying to silence critics after throwing 13 interceptions last season, threw a 1-yard touchdown pass to Alge Crumpler late in the third quarter for a 20-6 lead. Crumpler out-muscled Panthers linebacker Chris Draft, who in training camp called Vick just an average passer who gets hit a lot.

Atlanta took a 13-3 halftime lead, getting the only touchdown of the half late when Vick did what he does best: improvise.

Vick rolled toward the left sideline, drawing the defense to him before dumping a short pass to Michael Jenkins. He broke Ken Lucas' tackle along the sideline and raced 34 yards for a touchdown with 28 seconds left.

"I'm just comfortable with everything that we are doing with our scheme," Vick said. "I spent a lot of time this offseason working with our offense and just trying to put myself in a position where I can be effective with every snap."

The Panthers generated 89 yards offense in the first half -- fitting because they were missing No. 89, quarterback Jake Delhomme 's primary target last season. Smith, inactive with a right hamstring injury, was the league's top receiver last season with 103 catches for 1,563 yards and 12 touchdowns.

After missing most of training camp with a strained left hamstring and an ingrown toenail, the 2005 co-Comeback Player of the Year pulled up lame in practice with a right hamstring injury.

"He's a big part of our offense, but still, that's not an excuse for this performance," Delhomme said.

The Panthers went to their newest option, veteran Keyshawn Johnson, for an 8-yard pass on the first play from scrimmage. But Johnson had only four catches for 40 yards and Delhomme was 21 of 36 for 186 yards and an interception. The Panthers didn't convert a third down chance until early the fourth quarter.

The Panthers were further hampered when left tackle Travelle Wharton left in the second quarter with a left knee strain. It forced the Panthers to make several moves to the right combination to contain Abraham.

The Panthers also lost middle linebacker Dan Morgan with a concussion early in the second quarter. Adam Seward replaced Morgan, who has a history of concussions.

"We had a similar game plan as we had in the past, but we had some new people out there when Dan Morgan went down and we just didn't execute as well," coach John Fox said.

Reggie Bush Gets 141 All-Purpose Yards In Win

But I would not have him return punts. It's going to get him injured either directly or indirectly.

Bush, Carney help Saints beat the Browns

NFL.com wire reports

CLEVELAND (Sept. 10, 2006) -- Reggie Bush strolled down the hallway toward the team bus wearing a backpack, blue L.A. Dodgers baseball cap and smile. He looked like a college kid headed home from class.

School may be over for Bush. His pro education has just begun.

In Week 1, he passed his first test.

"I would probably give myself a 'B,'" he said. "I didn't get in the end zone."

Bush didn't dazzle but he certainly didn't disappoint in his pro debut. He and Drew Brees led the rebuilt New Orleans Saints to a season-opening 19-14 win over the Cleveland Browns.

Bush, whose arrival in New Orleans has given the city's football fans renewed optimism in the wake of Hurricane Katrina's devastation, finished with 141 total yards. The Heisman Trophy winner had 61 yards rushing on 14 attempts, caught eight passes for 58 yards and returned three punts for 22.

He never got loose on one of the trademark breakaways he made commonplace at Southern California, and a few times he would have been better off falling down than trying to escape tacklers.

Although he didn't score, Bush helped get the Saints off to a winning start in this season of rebirth.

"I just wanted us to get a win," Bush said. "I wasn't focused on anything else. This was a perfect first step."

John Carney kicked four field goals, the last one with 5:42 remaining, and Brees, who signed a six-year, $60 million free-agent contract in March, threw a 12-yard TD pass to rookie Marques Colston in the third quarter.

The Saints also got 90 yards on 22 carries from Deuce McAllister, making his return after missing the final 11 games last season following knee surgery.

New Orleans didn't clinch rookie coach Sean Payton's first win until the final two minutes, when safety Josh Bullocks intercepted a pass that deflected off the hands of receiver Braylon Edwards in New Orleans territory.


Receiver Marques Colston dives in for the go-ahead touchdown in the third-quarter.
It was a painful and somewhat fitting ending for the Browns, celebrating their 60th anniversary. On their first offensive play, Edwards got behind the Saints defense for a 74-yard TD reception that got called back by a penalty.

"The first play described the whole game," Browns tight end Kellen Winslow said.

The Browns fell to 1-7 in season openers since returning to the league in 1999, and coach Romeo Crennel was short with the media during his postgame news conference.

"The other team played better than we did," snapped Crennel.

"Are you angry?" he was asked.

"I'm just peachy," he said.

Cleveland was held to 56 total yards and blanked in the first 30 minutes. But the Browns came back as Charlie Frye threw an 18-yard TD pass to Winslow, and the second-year quarterback scored on a 1-yard sneak to bring Cleveland within 16-14 with 11:20 to go.

Week 1's top games

Watch some of the best games from Week 1 all over again with NFL Replay on NFL Network. Airing on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 8 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. ET, the broadcasts will feature a 90-minute fast-paced format complete with original television announcers and cameras. Week 1's games to be replayed are:
· DAL at JAC, Sept. 12, 8 ET
· NO at CLE, Sept. 12, 10:30 ET
· BUF at NE Sept. 13, 8 ET
· IND at NYG, Sept. 13, 10:30 ET

Click here to find out more about NFL Replay.

The Saints, though, marched down for Carney's fourth kick and then held off Cleveland's rally.

Brees finished 17 of 31 for 176 yards with one interception. Frye, making his sixth career start, was 16 of 27 for 132 yards with the TD and two picks.

Winslow looked fully recovered after missing 30 games the past two seasons and had eight catches for 63 yards.

Bush made some rookie mistakes early. He misjudged Cleveland's first punt, retreating when it sailed over his head. Late in the first quarter, he slithered through traffic on an 18-yard run and several other carries where he nearly got free.

Bush also dropped a third-down pass near the 5 that he might have scored on, and the 21-year-old had other moments where he tried to do too much.

"I was close a couple of times," Bush said. "On some of those plays I should have gone North instead of cutting sideways."

As he has done since the moment the Saints drafted him second overall, Bush made another strong impression.

"He has something to prove to everybody in this league and he wants to be the best," wide receiver Joe Horn said. "I think he did very well for just starting out. A lot of people wanted to see No. 25 in a real fight, and they were able to see it."

The Browns scored on their first series in the third quarter as Frye connected with Winslow. Playing in just his third game after missing most of two seasons with serious leg injuries, Winslow stiff-armed rookie Roman Harper on his way to the end zone.

Winslow immediately ran to the Browns bench, spiked his helmet and hugged head trainer Marty Lauzon, who spent countless hours in rehab with the tight end.

"It's been hard for me, he's been there every step of the way," Winslow said.

Tuesday, September 12, 2006

Apple iTV and Online Videos - Zennie's Take

In this video, talk with online video producers -- my target's the small folks -- about growing opportunities in video distribution and online advertising. I also explain what a wondeful opportunity Apple iTV presents for online video producers.

Freedom Tower Rises - Design Announced Sept 10th - Video

Rising from the ashes of the World Trade Center is "Freedom Tower," a `1776 foot (get it, 1776?) giant of a skyscraper that when complete will restore New York City to the level of hosting the tallest building in America.

According to this WIREd magazine online article, the new tower will be able to withstand being hit by a Boeing 767 airplane.

This video contains images of Freedom Tower and from various vantage points in New York City.

9-11 Video Of Planes Crashing Into World Trade Center

I know this is hard to see, but how the World Trade Center came to end is now a part of our history -- a large part.

Seattle Tuffs Out A Win Over The Lions

The Lions have some of the same pass blocking problems faced by the Oakland Raiders. But they have a stout defense and a more creative passing system.

Brown's FGs carry Seahawks over Lions

NFL.com wire reports

DETROIT (Sept. 10, 2006) -- The Seattle Seahawks got to celebrate at Ford Field -- seven months too late.

On the turf where Seattle lost the Super Bowl to the Pittsburgh Steelers, Josh Brown kicked a 42-yard field goal on the last play of the game to lift the Seahawks to a 9-6 victory over the Detroit Lions.

When the game ended, the Seahawks jumped around, hugged and shouted.

"I'm ready to pass out. That's fun," Brown said on the field after a teammate jubilantly lifted him off the ground. "This is exactly the way I would like to start the season."

Perhaps only a kicker could enjoy a game with five field goals and no touchdowns.

The defending NFC champions, who led the NFL in scoring last season, put together a key drive when they needed it after a sluggish day behind a shaky offensive line.

Seattle started the game-winning drive at their 20 with 3:13 left after Lions' new coach Rod Marinelli decided against a long field-goal attempt.

Maurice Morris set up the game-winning kick with a 17-yard run, one of his three carries, spelling last year's league MVP Shaun Alexander.

Seattle defensive end Bryce Fisher said it was not an ugly win.

"I've never seen one," Fisher said. "It's like an ugly baby -- you never see one."

The Lions blocked two field-goal attempts in the first 17½ minutes of the lackluster game to give them a chance to pick up a surprising victory in the season opener.


Despite two blocked FGs, Josh Brown celebrates the game-winner as time expired.
Marinelli, a head coach for the first time at any level, said he didn't regret his late-game decision that many will second guess.

The Lions drove to Seattle's 37, but Marinelli chose to punt instead of allowing Jason Hanson to attempt a 54-yard field goal. Nick Harris then sailed the punt beyond the end zone.

"We were playing dominating defense at that point and I was hoping to back them up again and get another shot," Marinelli said.

Hanson acknowledged that it's a tough call for a coach to make.

"I'd like to think I can step out there and make a 55-yarder, and if I do, we have a good chance to win," Hanson said. "But if I don't, they only need one first down to get into field-goal range."

On Detroit's previous two possessions, Hanson made it 6-all with a 37-yard field goal with 7:05 left after being short on a 52-yard kick that he said was tipped at the line.

Marinelli spent the previous 10 seasons coaching Tampa Bay's defensive line and coached the unit in place of Joe Cullen, who was arrested twice recently on suspicion of drunken driving and because police say he was driving nude. Cullen will be back to coach in the next game at Chicago, Marinelli said.

Detroit's defensive front gave the Seattle's offensive line problems, perhaps because it missed Steve Hutchinson, who signed with Minnesota as a free agent.

The Lions sacked Matt Hasselbeck five times, hurried him a few more times and knocked him around on several other attempts. Detroit also limited Alexander to 51 yards on 19 carries. Hasselbeck was 25 of 30 for 210 yards.

"It's not good enough," Marinelli said. "I'm not interested in just playing hard and well."

Detroit's Jon Kitna, who replaced Joey Harrington, was 21 of 37 for 229 yards and was booed at times for making poor throws.

"We will be fine on offense," Kitna said. "We'll score and hold up our end."

Harrington, the third pick overall in 2002, was traded in the offseason to Miami.

The Seahawks got off to a rough start with two blocked field goals and a fumble on their first three drives. Shaun Rogers knocked down Seattle's field goal on the opening drive, the eighth blocked field goal of his career, and James Hall blocked the other attempt

Hanson put the Lions ahead 3-0 on their first possession with a 44-yard kick.

The Seahawks tied the game midway through the second quarter on Brown's 20-yarder and his 51-yard field goal at the end of the half put them ahead 6-3.

Vikings Beat Redskins As Tom Cruise Watches

Tom Cruise was the guest of Redskins owner Dan Synder

Vikings outkick Redskins late 19-16

NFL.com wire reports

LANDOVER, Md. (Sept. 11, 2006) -- Two days before his 38th birthday, Brad Johnson was the one handing out a very nice present. In the locker room, the quarterback gave the game ball to new head coach Brad Childress, whose mission to transform the Minnesota Vikings is off to a winning start.

Ryan Longwell's 31-yard field goal with one minute remaining gave the Vikings a 19-16 victory against the Washington Redskins. For now, Childress has at least some temporary bragging rights over Hall of Fame coach Joe Gibbs.

"I am tremendously humble and was a little emotional after the game," Childress said. "I'm just happy for those guys in the locker room. ... They faced a lot of adversity tonight. It was an away game, a Monday night, Hall of Fame coach -- I'm just pleased with what they accomplished."

Johnson deserved much of the credit himself for doing what he has been doing throughout his NFL life: win, win and win some more.

He has won an impressive 61 percent (66 of 109) of his starts with four teams in his 15-year career -- including two years with the Redskins. He completed 16 of 30 passes for 223 yards and a touchdown, and kept bailing out his team, completing 10 of 15 passes on third down.

"That's Brad," center Matt Birk said. "He's just so smart, and he's obviously crafty to have played in the league this long."

The loss subdued a Washington crowd that turned the stadium into a sea of fluttering red, white and blue as they waved American flags to commemorate the fifth anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

Big things are expected of the Redskins this year, a confidence reflected in an attendance of 90,608 that set a new record for the largest stadium in the NFL. Even Hollywood made an appearance: Actors Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes were guests of owner Dan Snyder, who has recently entered into a partnership with Cruise's production company.

Nothing in the sideshow helped the Redskins win. They did have a chance to send the game to overtime after Longwell's kick, but John Hall -- who has struggled with leg injuries for the past two years -- was wide left with a poorly hit 48-yard field goal attempt with 12 seconds remaining.

"There were some plays, yards and even some touchdowns that we left on the field," said Mark Brunell, who was 17-for-28 for 163 yards. "How far off we are I'm not quite sure yet, but I do know that we're a throw away, a block away and a run away from really doing some good things tonight."

Childress has vowed to change the culture of a Vikings team that was belittled last year following the infamous "Love Boat" party involving several players. He made a statement before the game by deactivating safety Dwight Smith, who was cited for indecent conduct two weeks ago.


Marcus Robinson beats Carlos Rogers for a 20-yard touchdown catch in the third quarter.
"A win is always good," receiver Troy Williamson said. "It's going to be even greater for Coach Childress."

Chester Taylor, the Vikings' free-agent signing from Baltimore, rushed 31 times for 88 yards and a touchdown, upstaging Clinton Portis' surprise return for Washington. Portis, who spent the week downplaying his chances for the game because of a shoulder injury, entered the game late during the Redskins' first drive and finished with 39 yards on 10 carries and scored his team's only touchdown.

A game that had no turnovers was decided with a winning Vikings drive that began at Minnesota's 33 with 5:34 remaining. A 13-yard pass to Williamson converted a key third down, and 15 yards were added to the play when Redskins safety Sean Taylor grabbed Williamson's face mask.

From there, Taylor carried five consecutive times to the Washington 13, forcing the Redskins to use all their timeouts before Longwell's winning kick.

The Vikings become the 10th road team to win in the NFL's opening weekend, the most in Week 1 since 1983, when there were 12 road winners.

"That just shows how battle-tested we are," said Minnesota safety Darren Sharper, who saved a touchdown by knocking the ball out of Santana Moss' hands in the end zone late in the first half. "That's what coach has expressed to us all camp -- he wants a hardened unit."

The Redskins sputtered as they unveiled a new offense designed by assistant coach Al Saunders. Saunders' arrival meant Gibbs wasn't calling plays for the first time in his head-coaching career, and the attack relied heavily on laterals and screens, making for some odd stats. At halftime, a receiver, Moss, led the team in rushing, while a running back, Ladell Betts, led the team in receptions.

"I think, obviously, we'd like to have more points," Gibbs said. "I don't think anybody in there from an offensive standpoint is satisfied."

San Diego Chargers 27, Oakland Raiders 0 - Monday Night Football

Chargers dominate Raiders 27-0

NFL.com wire reports

OAKLAND, Calif. (Sept. 11, 2006) -- LaDainian Tomlinson and Shawne Merriman made Philip Rivers' job easy.

In his first NFL start, Rivers didn't do much more than hand the ball off and watch his defense dominate. He didn't have to: Tomlinson carried 31 times for 131 yards and one touchdown and the Chargers handed Oakland its second home shutout in a 27-0 victory against the Raiders.

"It was exciting," Rivers said. "I've been waiting for this day for a long time. ... I've said before, I don't care if I have to hand it off 50 times or throw it 50 times, as long as we win."

With much of the focus on Rivers as he replaces Drew Brees, Chargers coach Marty Schottenheimer put the game in the hands of Tomlinson and his defense, spoiling Art Shell's first game back as Raiders coach.

"I was shocked," Shell said. "We didn't play well, as you could tell. We didn't have the intensity level that the San Diego Chargers did. I didn't get us prepared for this game."

San Diego beat the Raiders for the sixth consecutive time and shut them out for the first time in their past 90 regular-season meetings. When the Chargers won 44-0 in 1961, Al Davis was an assistant coach with San Diego.

Tomlinson showed little sign of rust after sitting out the entire preseason, topping 100 yards rushing in the second quarter. He has 837 yards rushing in his past six meetings with Oakland.

"When you have a young quarterback, you run the football a lot," Tomlinson said. "You don't ever want to put a young quarterback in a situation to make a turnover unless you have to. We played conservative and our defense was playing well so we had to ride our defense."

Rivers, who spent his first two seasons as a backup, went 8-for-11 for 108 yards, including a 4-yard touchdown pass to Antonio Gates in the fourth quarter that made it 20-0.

The Chargers ran the ball on 48 of 59 plays, and Rivers threw only two passes to wide receivers.

"That was dictated by the score," Schottenheimer said. "If I had Dan Marino, I would have done the same thing. Everything he was asked to do, he did in a winning fashion."

The Chargers' victory capped an opening weekend in the NFL in which 11 games were won by visiting teams, the most on opening weekend since 1983, when 12 teams did it. The Raiders joined Green Bay and Tampa Bay as home teams who failed to score in their openers as they had no answer for Merriman and the Chargers defense.

Merriman, the NFL’s top defensive rookie last season, had three of San Diego's nine sacks and the Chargers held the Raiders to 129 yards in Brooks' first game as quarterback. Brooks, who went 6-for-14 for 68 yards, was replaced in the fourth quarter by Andrew Walter.

"It was just a tough outing. They played better than us," Brooks said. "We're going to get better."

Shell was brought back to Oakland to turn the Raiders around after the worst three-year stretch in Davis' more than four decades with the franchise. But after one game it looked like the same old Raiders, who won 13 games over the past three seasons.


No matter where Aaron Brooks turned, Shawne Merriman seemed to be there.
The Raiders was shut out for the first time since a 30-0 loss to Kansas City on Dec. 7, 1997, and they hadn't been blanked at home since losing 17-0 to Denver on Oct. 4, 1981.

"They were getting kind of frustrated because we weren't giving the quarterback enough time," Merriman said. "They didn't have as much time to throw the ball as they wanted to. We made Aaron Brooks make decisions that he didn't want to make."

The Chargers ran the ball eight of nine times on the opening drive, with the only pass going to Tomlinson, as the Chargers moved 51 yards to set up Nate Kaeding's 47-yard field goal.

Tomlinson ran 58 yards on the first play of the second drive and capped it with a 1-yard touchdown run on fourth-and-goal.

Rivers didn't throw a ball to a receiver until the third drive, when he connected with Keenan McCardell on an 18-yard pass on third-and-8. Kaeding missed wide on a 42-yard field goal attempt, but Nnamdi Asomugha was called for running into the kicker and Kaeding made good on his second chance from 29 yards to make it 13-0.

The Raiders offense was booed by the sellout crowd only 12 minutes into the season. The revamped offensive line failed to create any running lanes for LaMont Jordan, who had 20 yards on 10 carries, or to protect Brooks.

Oakland's leading receiver in 2005, Jerry Porter, was inactive for the game as his standing on the team has dropped after demanding a trade at the start of training camp. He joked on the sidelines as the Raiders struggled to move the ball.

Brooks didn't even attempt a pass to Randy Moss in the game’s first 25 minutes. Moss had four catches for 47 yards.

Monday, September 11, 2006

Raiders Should Fire Offensive Coordinator Tom Walsh - First Shut-Out Since 1982



FLASH: "Greatness Of The Raiders" may come to an end this season.

I've said this before,...

I attended the ESPN Monday Night Football telecast of the game between the Oakland Raiders at the San Diego Chargers. The only thing more horrible than the performance of Raiders offense was the racist young blonde man sitting next to me in Section 239, Row 6, Seat 11, and who had an issue that I was even sitting next to him, placing his knee in my space several times until I asked him to stop. I could have had him ejected from the Oakland Coliseum, and someone should have done the same for Oakland Raiders Offensive Coordinator Tom Walsh.

All of the problems I pointed to weeks earlier were there in full view once again for all to see. The Raiders were clobbered 27 to nothing and at home.

The result was nine -- count them -- nine sacks and the first shut-out of the Oakland Raiders at home since 1982.

People will rag on Robert Gallery, but it's not his fault at all. It's the offensive coaching staff -- the 1960s and 1970s offense with its "retreat" pass blocking techniques just doesn't work at all.

Terrell Owens Returns But Cowboys Lose To Jacksonville

T.O. played well, but he can't play defense for the Cowboys. Jacksonville was clearly the better team on this day.

Jags rally to ruin Owens' Dallas debut

NFL.com wire reports

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (Sept. 10, 2006) -- Terrell Owens gave the Dallas Cowboys almost everything they wanted in the season opener: big plays, a touchdown and no surly behavior.

Byron Leftwich threw a touchdown pass and ran for a score, Fred Taylor had 115 combined yards and the Jacksonville Jaguars spoiled Owens' much-anticipated Dallas debut with a 24-17 win Sunday.

"I was hoping he wouldn't even score a touchdown," said Taylor, who also had a 3-yard TD run with 3:13 to play.

Owens made his presence felt early and late. It was just too early to hurt the Jaguars and too late to help the Cowboys.

He finished with six receptions for 80 yards and a score, but the Jaguars held him without a catch through much of the second half. Still, Owens keyed all three of Dallas' scoring drives, including a 21-yard TD reception with 1:54 to play that cut the lead the 24-17.

Jacksonville recovered the onside kick and was forced to punt. The Cowboys got the ball back with 51 seconds to play, but Drew Bledsoe 's third-down pass was intercepted by linebacker Mike Peterson.

Byron Leftwich keyed the Jags' comeback, passing for one TD and running for another.
It was Bledsoe's third interception of the game and gave the Jaguars their ninth opening-day win in 12 seasons.

"Too many mistakes," Cowboys coach Bill Parcells said. "We had our chances. We just couldn't get it all together there."

Dallas missed several chances, most of them early.

They scored on their first two possessions -- a touchdown and a field goal -- and were looking to make it 17-0 in the second quarter. But Bledsoe overthrew Owens, who was wide open near the goal line.

The Jaguars kicked a field goal on the ensuing possession. Then, instead of running out the clock after a holding penalty with less than two minutes to play in the first half, Bledsoe tried to throw downfield and was picked off for the first time.

Four plays later, Leftwich found Reggie Williams in the end zone for a 6-yard touchdown that tied the game. Williams appeared to push Anthony Henry's head down before the ball arrived, but officials didn't throw a flag.

"Once we let them hang around, we started making mistakes and that's the story of the game," said Bledsoe, who 16-of-33 for 246 yards and was sacked twice.

Dallas had several other key miscues:

- Owens had a 25-yard reception negated in the third quarter by an offensive pass interference penalty on tight end Anthony Fasano.

- Jason Witten had a 10-yard TD catch nullified by offensive pass interference late in the third quarter. He pushed Rashean Mathis just before the ball arrived.

- Shaun Suisham, subbing for injured place-kicker Mike Vanderjagt, missed a 36-yard field goal two plays after Witten's penalty. The kick bounced off the right upright.

"I don't like coming in and starting with a loss, but by no means are we down on ourselves," said Owens, who said all the right things following his debut.

Owens was the catalyst for all three scores.

He had two catches on Dallas' opening touchdown drive and helped set up a field goal on the team's second possession. He ran a simple slant pattern on Dallas' first play from scrimmage, beat Mathis and gained 13 yards. He jumped up, slapped Bledsoe's hand and returned to the huddle with a big smile.

On the next possession, Owens drew extra coverage that allowed Jones to run wide open down the sideline for a 39-yard reception, setting up Suisham's 32-yard field goal.

"I thought he got us started pretty well early," Parcells said. "Made a big catch there at the end and gave us another chance. That's about it. It's disappointing. It really is."

Owens, benched by Philadelphia for the final nine games last season after griping about his contract and bickering publicly with quarterback Donovan McNabb, was released in March and signed with Dallas four days later. He missed most of training camp with a hamstring injury, but vowed to be ready for the opener.

And he was, as the game started to look like it would become the T.O. Show. But the Jaguars adjusted and held Owens to just two catches in the second half while putting constant pressure on Bledsoe, who threw two interceptions in the fourth quarter.

"He was not about to run out there on my Jaguar," defensive tackle John Henderson said, referring to Owens' famed pose on the Dallas star when he played with San Francisco.

YouTube - Lonelygirl15: Response To Renetto

Renetto posted this video, which I made a response to below:

Renetto:



Me:



The point is that online advertising is a huge industry that's influnced online video, infusing it with a new source of revenue and encouraging players large and small to make entertainment that will draw large numbers of viewers and thus ad revenue.

Sunday, September 10, 2006

Amanda Congdon Has A New Gig; What Is This??



Whatever former Rocketboom host Amanda Congdon's doing now, her blog doesn't reveal the details. But from this photo, it's obvious she's resurfaced in front of someone's camera, somewhere. We'll stay tuned.