NY Giants O-line did run block very well.
NY Giants hold off Jets 13-7
NFL.com wire reports
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (Aug. 25, 2006) -- With the Giants defense playing so well, Eli Manning can afford to have an off day.
While Manning struggled, the defense put in another stellar performance, notching five sacks and three turnovers in a 13-7 victory against the New York Jets. Neither offense did much of anything, but neither team seemed too concerned.
Manning went 10-for-20 for 107 yards with an interception. Chad Pennington started for the Jets, but also played inconsistently, going 11-for-20 for 125 yards with an interception.
"We just couldn't get a good rhythm," Manning said. "We got something good going at the end of the first half, but the Jets did a good job of making it tough on our passing game by dropping a lot of guys."
Tiki Barber was about the only player producing on either team. His 20-yard run into Jets territory helped the Giants finally mount a drive late in the second quarter.
The Giants (3-0) scored when Brandon Jacobs plowed in on a 1-yard run with 56 seconds left in the half. Manning played one series in the third quarter and led another scoring drive, capped by Jay Feely's 39-yard field goal.
Barber finished with 11 carries for 60 yards in one half of work, and the Giants ran for 142 yards on 36 carries in the game. But it was the defense that stood out once again. Darrell McClover's blocked punt return for a touchdown late in the fourth quarter prevented the Giants from posting their second successive shutout.
"This is two straight weeks we have played well on defense," said linebacker Brandon Short, who had two sacks. "The sky is the limit for this defense as we all get comfortable with this system."
The Giants defense hasn't allowed a touchdown since the opening series against Baltimore in a 17-16 victory to open the preseason. They had five sacks against the Jets, with several more knockdowns on Pennington and Kellen Clemens, and forced three turnovers.
Brandon Jacobs' 1-yard plunge opened the scoring and sent the Giants on their way to victory.
"We're setting a tone and a precedent for the season," Giants linebacker LaVar Arrington said. "It's not the prettiest, but it's something to keep building on."
The Jets (1-2) need to find something to build on, and cut down on the miscues. Running back Kevan Barlow, acquired in a trade with San Francisco last Sunday, lost a fumble on the Jets' second possession of the game.
On their next drive, rookie D'Brickashaw Ferguson was whistled for a false start, and Doug Jolley was flagged 15 years for unnecessary roughness when he used his head to shove Sam Madison while the two were out of bounds.
After Erik Coleman intercepted Manning and gave the Jets great field goal position, Ferguson was whistled for a false start again. This time it was on fourth-and-1 from the Giants 28 late in the first quarter, and it took the Jets out of field goal range.
There were other errors. Mike Nugent missed a 49-yard field goal when the ball hit the upright in the second quarter. The Jets tried their hurry-up offense to close the half and got down to the Giants 40, but Antonio Pierce sacked Pennington.
The quarterback stayed in for two series in the third quarter. But R.W. McQuarters intercepted his badly thrown pass on the first drive, and the Jets went three and out on the next. Clemens came on in relief and struggled badly, going 3-for-11 for 24 yards with an interception.
The play of the Jets offense in three preseason games could be cause for concern. Pennington has led no scoring drives in the two games he has played. He missed the victory against Washington last week to be with his ailing father in Tennessee.
"The name of the game is inconsistency," Pennington said. "We have a few good plays, and then we have self-inflicted wounds to stall our drives. ... We've shown some spurts of real good football. Our effort is there. But we can't confuse effort with results."
While Clemens did little in his appearance, Jared Lorenzen had some success. Lorenzen, known more for his girth, put together a nice drive against the Jets' defensive starters. He went 5-for-7 for 44 yards on the series to set up Feely's 34-yard field goal early in the fourth quarter.
Saturday, August 26, 2006
Vikings Defense May Be Gelling; Vikings Over Ravens 30-7 -- NFL.com
One year after the great makeover, the Vikings defense may be comings together at the right time -- before the regular season
Vikings shut down Ravens 30-7
NFL.com wire reports
MINNEAPOLIS (Aug. 26, 2006) -- Fred Smoot turned a fast move on Steve McNair's pass into six points. The Baltimore Ravens weren't nearly that sharp.
Smoot highlighted a big night by Minnesota's defense with a 69-yard interception return for a touchdown as the Vikings blanked Baltimore's first-team offense and beat the Ravens 30-7.
"We're just playing team ball. It's not a hero defense. Everybody's making plays, not just one person," said Smoot, who forced one of four Ravens turnovers. He bruised his ribs trying to make a tackle in the second quarter, but said later he was fine.
McNair, the new Baltimore quarterback, gave another efficient performance (13-for-17 for 80 yards) but showed his age a bit in the pocket.
He took two sacks, by Pat Williams and Kenechi Udeze.
And a slow throwing motion on his second-quarter toss toward the sideline to Mark Clayton made it possible for Smoot to jump the out route and sprint untouched for the score. Coach Brian Billick said Clayton ran the wrong pattern, and McNair said he could have thrown the ball more in front of his receiver.
But Baltimore's problems went much further than that play.
"The hesitation. The lack of execution. The mental errors. Preseason or not, you can't dismiss it," said Billick, who returned to Minnesota for the first time since he was the offensive coordinator here from 1993-98. "That was a regrettable performance."
About 15 pounds heavier and humbled by a bad first year with the Vikings, Smoot will be an important part of their new Tampa 2 scheme under defensive coordinator Mike Tomlin.
After picking off McNair and wrestling the ball away from Clayton, the sixth-year cornerback raced untouched, cocked his right arm with the ball in hand against his helmet, struck a Heisman pose with his left arm for the final 20 yards and finally bowled the ball through the end zone in an elaborate preseason-game celebration.
Mark Clayton couldn't catch Fred Smoot, and the Vikings ran away from the Ravens.
The Vikings certainly had reason to praise their defense. Both teams' first units played until halftime, and the Ravens gained only 86 yards while falling behind 10-0. Mike Anderson and Musa Smith managed 7 yards rushing apiece with Jamal Lewis resting a strained hip flexor muscle. Perennial Pro Bowl tackle Jonathan Ogden returned to action after missing most of training camp following his father's death.
"The whole offense struggled tonight. When you struggle up front, it's not a good night for the running backs, and that's what happened tonight," Smith said.
Minnesota's front four put plenty of pressure on McNair.
"He didn't have much place to step up and throw that football," coach Brad Childress said.
McNair was more concerned about correcting his own offense.
"It wasn't about them. It was more about us," McNair said. "I think we made too many mental mistakes for the third game."
Minnesota's Chester Taylor couldn't find running room for the third time this preseason, carrying 10 times for 27 yards against his old team. He's gaining 2.8 yards per rush.
Brad Johnson went 9-for-15 for 95 yards, with three completions for 43 yards to Troy Williamson, but Baltimore's defense was stingy as usual and yielded only a 45-yard field goal by Ryan Longwell -- who made three of his four three-point kicks.
Jason Carter, also a punt returner who is fighting for one of the last receiver spots on the roster, was the only offensive star for the Vikings. He caught two passes for 107 yards, including a 77-yard score from rookie Tarvaris Jackson in the fourth quarter to make it 20-7.
Wendell Mathis rushed 10 times for 41 yards, taking advantage of some extra snaps in a thin Minnesota backfield. Ciatrick Fason hurt his left shoulder in the first quarter and didn't return, and Mewelde Moore missed his second successive game because of a knee injury.
McNair has completed 31 of his 40 preseason passes, and this was his first interception. Acquired in a trade with Tennessee this summer, the oft-injured, three-time Pro Bowl pick is trying to give the Ravens the stability they've lacked at quarterback for years.
Kyle Boller, whom he replaced, went 9-for-15 for 105 yards with second-stringers. He guided an eight-play, 77-yard drive in the third quarter -- topping it off with a 1-yard scamper for a touchdown by sneaking the ball with his left hand just inside the pylon.
Boller had success with Clarence Moore, who made two impressive catches for 60 yards -- including a one-handed grab over Dovonte Edwards at the Minnesota 2 to set up Boller's score.
Third quarterback Brian St. Pierre struggled, throwing an interception to Willie Offord and fumbling after Ray Edwards' hit. The ball was scooped up by Khreem Smith and returned 29 yards for a touchdown with 1:30 remaining.
"I think this was the best game for the defense this preseason. We made a lot of splash plays," Offord said.
Vikings shut down Ravens 30-7
NFL.com wire reports
MINNEAPOLIS (Aug. 26, 2006) -- Fred Smoot turned a fast move on Steve McNair's pass into six points. The Baltimore Ravens weren't nearly that sharp.
Smoot highlighted a big night by Minnesota's defense with a 69-yard interception return for a touchdown as the Vikings blanked Baltimore's first-team offense and beat the Ravens 30-7.
"We're just playing team ball. It's not a hero defense. Everybody's making plays, not just one person," said Smoot, who forced one of four Ravens turnovers. He bruised his ribs trying to make a tackle in the second quarter, but said later he was fine.
McNair, the new Baltimore quarterback, gave another efficient performance (13-for-17 for 80 yards) but showed his age a bit in the pocket.
He took two sacks, by Pat Williams and Kenechi Udeze.
And a slow throwing motion on his second-quarter toss toward the sideline to Mark Clayton made it possible for Smoot to jump the out route and sprint untouched for the score. Coach Brian Billick said Clayton ran the wrong pattern, and McNair said he could have thrown the ball more in front of his receiver.
But Baltimore's problems went much further than that play.
"The hesitation. The lack of execution. The mental errors. Preseason or not, you can't dismiss it," said Billick, who returned to Minnesota for the first time since he was the offensive coordinator here from 1993-98. "That was a regrettable performance."
About 15 pounds heavier and humbled by a bad first year with the Vikings, Smoot will be an important part of their new Tampa 2 scheme under defensive coordinator Mike Tomlin.
After picking off McNair and wrestling the ball away from Clayton, the sixth-year cornerback raced untouched, cocked his right arm with the ball in hand against his helmet, struck a Heisman pose with his left arm for the final 20 yards and finally bowled the ball through the end zone in an elaborate preseason-game celebration.
Mark Clayton couldn't catch Fred Smoot, and the Vikings ran away from the Ravens.
The Vikings certainly had reason to praise their defense. Both teams' first units played until halftime, and the Ravens gained only 86 yards while falling behind 10-0. Mike Anderson and Musa Smith managed 7 yards rushing apiece with Jamal Lewis resting a strained hip flexor muscle. Perennial Pro Bowl tackle Jonathan Ogden returned to action after missing most of training camp following his father's death.
"The whole offense struggled tonight. When you struggle up front, it's not a good night for the running backs, and that's what happened tonight," Smith said.
Minnesota's front four put plenty of pressure on McNair.
"He didn't have much place to step up and throw that football," coach Brad Childress said.
McNair was more concerned about correcting his own offense.
"It wasn't about them. It was more about us," McNair said. "I think we made too many mental mistakes for the third game."
Minnesota's Chester Taylor couldn't find running room for the third time this preseason, carrying 10 times for 27 yards against his old team. He's gaining 2.8 yards per rush.
Brad Johnson went 9-for-15 for 95 yards, with three completions for 43 yards to Troy Williamson, but Baltimore's defense was stingy as usual and yielded only a 45-yard field goal by Ryan Longwell -- who made three of his four three-point kicks.
Jason Carter, also a punt returner who is fighting for one of the last receiver spots on the roster, was the only offensive star for the Vikings. He caught two passes for 107 yards, including a 77-yard score from rookie Tarvaris Jackson in the fourth quarter to make it 20-7.
Wendell Mathis rushed 10 times for 41 yards, taking advantage of some extra snaps in a thin Minnesota backfield. Ciatrick Fason hurt his left shoulder in the first quarter and didn't return, and Mewelde Moore missed his second successive game because of a knee injury.
McNair has completed 31 of his 40 preseason passes, and this was his first interception. Acquired in a trade with Tennessee this summer, the oft-injured, three-time Pro Bowl pick is trying to give the Ravens the stability they've lacked at quarterback for years.
Kyle Boller, whom he replaced, went 9-for-15 for 105 yards with second-stringers. He guided an eight-play, 77-yard drive in the third quarter -- topping it off with a 1-yard scamper for a touchdown by sneaking the ball with his left hand just inside the pylon.
Boller had success with Clarence Moore, who made two impressive catches for 60 yards -- including a one-handed grab over Dovonte Edwards at the Minnesota 2 to set up Boller's score.
Third quarterback Brian St. Pierre struggled, throwing an interception to Willie Offord and fumbling after Ray Edwards' hit. The ball was scooped up by Khreem Smith and returned 29 yards for a touchdown with 1:30 remaining.
"I think this was the best game for the defense this preseason. We made a lot of splash plays," Offord said.
Matt Leinart Breaks Out! 15 of 21 for 144 and 1 TD; 'Zona Tops Bears 23-16
Once he gets set in the system, look out!
Leinart shines in Cards' win over Bears
NFL.com wire reports
CHICAGO (Aug. 25, 2006) -- Matt Leinart showed why the Arizona Cardinals selected him with the 10th pick in the draft.
Leinart took over for Kurt Warner in the second quarter and completed 15-of-21 passes for 144 yards and a touchdown to lead the Arizona Cardinals over the Chicago Bears 23-16 in preseason action.
He entered the game with 5:13 left in the second quarter and completed 12 consecutive passes at one point, while leading the Cardinals (2-1) to a field goal at the end of the first half and a touchdown early in the third quarter.
Leinart completed all six passes on his second possession as the Cardinals drove 54 yards in the final minute of the half, Neil Rackers' field goal extending their lead to 10-6.
After Antrel Rolle intercepted Rex Grossman on the opening possession of the third quarter, Leinart went 4-for-4 as the Cardinals drove 42 yards against the Bears' first-string defense for a touchdown that made it 17-6.
Warner wasn't bad, either, going 8-for-11 with 73 yards and touchdown pass.
As expected, the Cardinals' Edgerrin James did not play much. He carried three times for minus-2 yards on the game's opening possession and did not return. In three preseason games, he has 1 yard on seven attempts.
Grossman was 13-of-21 for 117 yards and an interception after two rough preseason games for Chicago (1-2) but did little to end the quarterback debate among fans.
Backup Brian Griese was cheered when he entered with about five minutes left in the third. Then, he went 10-for-14 for 131 yards and a touchdown, and heard a "Griese! Griese!" chant late in the game.
Bears running back Thomas Jones did little to distinguish himself, rushing for 3 yards on four attempts in the first half after missing the first two preseason games with a pulled left hamstring.
Jones, who rushed for 1,335 yards last season, was dropped from No. 1 on the depth chart for missing voluntary offseason workouts. But the anticipated competition between him and Cedric Benson hit a snag before the first practice at training camp.
Jones pulled his hamstring while running during a physical on July 27.
Benson, meanwhile, got hurt and got into trouble.
The No. 4 draft pick in 2005, he missed his third game with a sprained left shoulder and is questionable for the preseason-finale at Cleveland. And the Bears disciplined Benson for leaving the sideline last week against San Diego and missing a mandatory postgame meeting.
After completing 10-of-25 passes for 130 yards in the first two preseason games, Grossman hit his first five and led a first-team offense that was scoreless in the preseason to a field goal on the Bears' first possession.
The Cardinals took a 7-3 lead early in the second quarter, the 67-yard drive culminating with Warner's 4-yard pass over two defenders to a leaping Leonard Pope in the right corner of the end zone.
Chicago's Robbie Gould kicked his second field goal - a 39-yarder - with 5:21 left in the half to make it 7-6, and he lined up for a 32-yarder with 1:00 left in the half. But the Bears called time, went for it on fourth-and-1, and Adrian Peterson got hit for a loss.
Leinart, who reported late and passed for 45 yards against New England last week in his preseason debut, hit Larry Fitzgerald for a 27-yard pass that helped set up Rackers' field goal. Leinart's 4-yard touchdown pass to Bryant Johnson made it 17-6 early in the third.
Ben Roethlisberger Getting Sharp, But Eagles Top Steelers 16-7
Akers, Eagles defeat Steelers 16-7
NFL.com wire reports
PHILADELPHIA (Aug. 25, 2006) -- David Akers ' transition to a new holder is going well.
Akers kicked field goals of 40, 49 and 52 yards to help make Donovan McNabb's brief appearance a productive one, and Jeff Garcia connected with Greg Lewis on a 61-yard touchdown pass to lead the Philadelphia Eagles over the Pittsburgh Steelers 16-7.
McNabb led the Eagles to a pair of field goals before going to the bench. Meanwhile, the Steelers didn't get any points during the two series Ben Roethlisberger played. Charlie Batch threw a 23-yard TD pass to Cedric Wilson for Pittsburgh's only score. Kicker Jeff Reed missed field goals of 50 and 47 yards.
Akers made all three of his kicks with punter Dirk Johnson holding. For years, backup quarterback Koy Detmer held for Akers. However, Detmer figures to be the No. 3 quarterback behind McNabb and Garcia, so he likely will be inactive on game days.
"The 52-yarder was the best operation so far between me and Dirk, the most rhythmic," Akers said. "I'm going to learn from him and he's going to learn from me. We'll be good either way."
Roethlisberger finished 9-of-14 for 52 yards and one interception. McNabb was 7-of-9 for 79 yards, though he was sacked three times.
Kicker David Akers and holder Dirk Johnson are gelling at the right time.
The Eagles took a 9-7 halftime lead after Garcia drove the offense 35 yards on six plays in 38 seconds to set up Akers' 52-yarder just before the second quarter ended. Garcia completed passes of 15 and 18 yards to Reggie Brown on the drive.
Garcia's TD pass to Lewis put the Eagles ahead 16-7 in the third quarter. Lewis, fighting for one of the final wideout spots on Philadelphia's roster, beat cornerback Ricardo Colclough on a deep middle route, caught Garcia's pass in stride and streaked into the end zone. Lewis had his first two catches of the preseason for 91 yards.
"It was good to be able to do something positive," Lewis said.
The Steelers, 0-3 for the first time since going 0-4 in the 1987 preseason, remember that their starters didn't score a touchdown on offense last preseason -- but the team went on to win the franchise's first Super Bowl in 26 years.
Roethlisberger, whose June 12 motorcycle accident left him with a broken jaw, broken nose and a concussion, played two series in the first two games, leading the offense on one drive that ended in a missed field goal and one touchdown while mostly using a no-huddle.
Roethlisberger didn't speak to reporters, but coach Bill Cowher said he's pleased with his quarterback.
"I like where he's at," Cowher said. "I like his mindset. I like the way he's operating the offense and I like where he's at -- not just in games, but in practices."
McNabb, who missed the final seven games last year following surgery for a sports hernia, has played well for the Eagles. He's led the offense to two touchdowns, four field goals and 26 points on nine drives. Overall, McNabb is 23-of-31 for 283 yards, one TD and no interceptions in four games.
"If you look back to last year, we had about 19 or 22 guys injured. You just can't win any sport like that," McNabb said. "All of us are healthy. All of us are playing well together."
Roethlisberger looked sharp while driving the Steelers to the Eagles 35 on the opening drive. But he took an intentional grounding penalty, was sacked by Darren Howard on the next play, and his pass was picked off by Brian Dawkins on third-and-38.
The Eagles' first drive almost ended when Ike Taylor stepped in front of McNabb's pass to Brown and appeared to make an interception, but the play was overturned after Philadelphia challenged just before the Steelers' offense snapped the ball.
Akers then kicked a 40-yarder for a 3-0 lead, and hit one from 49 yards out on the next drive.
Eagles wideout Todd Pinkston, who missed all of last season after tearing his right Achilles tendon in training camp, played in his first game since the Super Bowl 18 1/2 months ago. He had one catch for 4 yards.
Philadelphia running back Correll Buckhalter, who has missed three of the last four seasons with knee injuries, looked strong in his second game. Buckhalter ran for 31 yards on seven carries and had four catches for 16 yards.
NFL.com wire reports
PHILADELPHIA (Aug. 25, 2006) -- David Akers ' transition to a new holder is going well.
Akers kicked field goals of 40, 49 and 52 yards to help make Donovan McNabb's brief appearance a productive one, and Jeff Garcia connected with Greg Lewis on a 61-yard touchdown pass to lead the Philadelphia Eagles over the Pittsburgh Steelers 16-7.
McNabb led the Eagles to a pair of field goals before going to the bench. Meanwhile, the Steelers didn't get any points during the two series Ben Roethlisberger played. Charlie Batch threw a 23-yard TD pass to Cedric Wilson for Pittsburgh's only score. Kicker Jeff Reed missed field goals of 50 and 47 yards.
Akers made all three of his kicks with punter Dirk Johnson holding. For years, backup quarterback Koy Detmer held for Akers. However, Detmer figures to be the No. 3 quarterback behind McNabb and Garcia, so he likely will be inactive on game days.
"The 52-yarder was the best operation so far between me and Dirk, the most rhythmic," Akers said. "I'm going to learn from him and he's going to learn from me. We'll be good either way."
Roethlisberger finished 9-of-14 for 52 yards and one interception. McNabb was 7-of-9 for 79 yards, though he was sacked three times.
Kicker David Akers and holder Dirk Johnson are gelling at the right time.
The Eagles took a 9-7 halftime lead after Garcia drove the offense 35 yards on six plays in 38 seconds to set up Akers' 52-yarder just before the second quarter ended. Garcia completed passes of 15 and 18 yards to Reggie Brown on the drive.
Garcia's TD pass to Lewis put the Eagles ahead 16-7 in the third quarter. Lewis, fighting for one of the final wideout spots on Philadelphia's roster, beat cornerback Ricardo Colclough on a deep middle route, caught Garcia's pass in stride and streaked into the end zone. Lewis had his first two catches of the preseason for 91 yards.
"It was good to be able to do something positive," Lewis said.
The Steelers, 0-3 for the first time since going 0-4 in the 1987 preseason, remember that their starters didn't score a touchdown on offense last preseason -- but the team went on to win the franchise's first Super Bowl in 26 years.
Roethlisberger, whose June 12 motorcycle accident left him with a broken jaw, broken nose and a concussion, played two series in the first two games, leading the offense on one drive that ended in a missed field goal and one touchdown while mostly using a no-huddle.
Roethlisberger didn't speak to reporters, but coach Bill Cowher said he's pleased with his quarterback.
"I like where he's at," Cowher said. "I like his mindset. I like the way he's operating the offense and I like where he's at -- not just in games, but in practices."
McNabb, who missed the final seven games last year following surgery for a sports hernia, has played well for the Eagles. He's led the offense to two touchdowns, four field goals and 26 points on nine drives. Overall, McNabb is 23-of-31 for 283 yards, one TD and no interceptions in four games.
"If you look back to last year, we had about 19 or 22 guys injured. You just can't win any sport like that," McNabb said. "All of us are healthy. All of us are playing well together."
Roethlisberger looked sharp while driving the Steelers to the Eagles 35 on the opening drive. But he took an intentional grounding penalty, was sacked by Darren Howard on the next play, and his pass was picked off by Brian Dawkins on third-and-38.
The Eagles' first drive almost ended when Ike Taylor stepped in front of McNabb's pass to Brown and appeared to make an interception, but the play was overturned after Philadelphia challenged just before the Steelers' offense snapped the ball.
Akers then kicked a 40-yarder for a 3-0 lead, and hit one from 49 yards out on the next drive.
Eagles wideout Todd Pinkston, who missed all of last season after tearing his right Achilles tendon in training camp, played in his first game since the Super Bowl 18 1/2 months ago. He had one catch for 4 yards.
Philadelphia running back Correll Buckhalter, who has missed three of the last four seasons with knee injuries, looked strong in his second game. Buckhalter ran for 31 yards on seven carries and had four catches for 16 yards.
Randy Moss Scores Twice; Raiders Beat Lions 21 - 3 - NFL.com
Randy Moss escaped the Detroit secondary. And yes, we do link back to the Mothership
Moss, Raiders rout Lions 21-3
NFL.com wire reports
OAKLAND, Calif. (Aug. 25, 2006) -- Randy Moss and Aaron Brooks look as if they're already in midseason form.
Moss caught two touchdown passes from Brooks and the Oakland Raiders opened the preseason with four straight wins for the first time since 1975, beating the Detroit Lions 21-3.
"It's going in the right direction," coach Art Shell said. "We're making progress in all aspects of our team. But it's still a work in progress. We have a lot to do."
Brooks got off to a slow start in his first season in Oakland, completing only one pass in each of his first two exhibition games. But after an improved performance last week against San Francisco, Brooks showed signs of being able to click with Moss better than Kerry Collins did last season.
On just the third play from scrimmage, Brooks lofted a deep ball down the middle to Moss, who easily beat Fernando Bryant for a 63-yard touchdown catch and dove into the end zone. Moss flipped the ball to the fans in the Black Hole after his first touchdown catch from Brooks this preseason.
Quarterback Aaron Brooks has looked solid since his arrival in Raider Nation.
"It was nice to finally hook up for six," Brooks said. "He ran a hell of a route. The safety bit on the crossing route. Randy did his job diving into the end zone. It was a great effort on his part."
Brooks went 5-for-7 for 65 yards on the Raiders' third drive, connecting with Moss on a 14-yard pass on a third-and-7 and then finding the big-play receiver on a twisting 25-yard catch in the back of the end zone.
Brooks went 3-for-3 for 59 yards on the next drive, which was capped by LaMont Jordan's 14-yard touchdown run that made it 21-0 midway through the second quarter.
The Raiders also excelled on defense, forcing three turnovers and holding the Lions scoreless until Jason Hanson 's 38-yard field goal late in the third quarter. The performance improved Oakland to 4-0 in the preseason for the first time since Shell was a player.
Shell, brought in to change the attitude in Oakland after three straight losing seasons under Bill Callahan and Norv Turner has the Raiders looking good with one exhibition game remaining.
"He is leading us in the right direction and the best thing about it is we're following," defensive tackle Warren Sapp said.
Detroit tried to revamp its offense in the offseason by cutting quarterback Joey Harrington loose, bringing in Mike Martz as offensive coordinator and hiring Rod Marinelli as head coach. With one preseason game remaining, the Lions still need plenty of work.
Detroit's only touchdown the past two games came on a 15-yard drive after a turnover in last week's 20-16 loss to Cleveland.
"It's no reason to panic and start doubting what we're doing," quarterback Jon Kitna said. "There's no reason for that."
The team came out flat after flying into Oakland Friday morning, instead of the usual practice of traveling a day in advance.
Kitna went 11-for-22 for 118 yards and one interception and the team managed only 76 yards rushing. Dan Orlovsky, who has moved ahead of Josh McCown as the No. 2 quarterback, went 7-for-15 for 88 yards and one interception.
"The first half wasn't what we want. We had two or three breakdowns, and those things just can't happen," Marinelli said. "It's inexcusable. Those types of things can't happen. ... I would have been disappointed (even) if it was a scrimmage."
Brooks, who was let go after a rough season in New Orleans last year, is showing signs of a revival in Oakland. He was 9-for-15 for 187 yards, while Moss had three catches for 102 yards.
After being challenged for the starting job by Andrew Walter early in camp, Brooks has solidified the job with the two string performances. He is 19-for-32 for 312 yards, three touchdowns and one interception the last two weeks and appears ready for the season.
"I will say this, we would love to have that kind of performance on Monday night," Brooks said, referring to the season opener against San Diego. "That's what we're working for."
Moss, Raiders rout Lions 21-3
NFL.com wire reports
OAKLAND, Calif. (Aug. 25, 2006) -- Randy Moss and Aaron Brooks look as if they're already in midseason form.
Moss caught two touchdown passes from Brooks and the Oakland Raiders opened the preseason with four straight wins for the first time since 1975, beating the Detroit Lions 21-3.
"It's going in the right direction," coach Art Shell said. "We're making progress in all aspects of our team. But it's still a work in progress. We have a lot to do."
Brooks got off to a slow start in his first season in Oakland, completing only one pass in each of his first two exhibition games. But after an improved performance last week against San Francisco, Brooks showed signs of being able to click with Moss better than Kerry Collins did last season.
On just the third play from scrimmage, Brooks lofted a deep ball down the middle to Moss, who easily beat Fernando Bryant for a 63-yard touchdown catch and dove into the end zone. Moss flipped the ball to the fans in the Black Hole after his first touchdown catch from Brooks this preseason.
Quarterback Aaron Brooks has looked solid since his arrival in Raider Nation.
"It was nice to finally hook up for six," Brooks said. "He ran a hell of a route. The safety bit on the crossing route. Randy did his job diving into the end zone. It was a great effort on his part."
Brooks went 5-for-7 for 65 yards on the Raiders' third drive, connecting with Moss on a 14-yard pass on a third-and-7 and then finding the big-play receiver on a twisting 25-yard catch in the back of the end zone.
Brooks went 3-for-3 for 59 yards on the next drive, which was capped by LaMont Jordan's 14-yard touchdown run that made it 21-0 midway through the second quarter.
The Raiders also excelled on defense, forcing three turnovers and holding the Lions scoreless until Jason Hanson 's 38-yard field goal late in the third quarter. The performance improved Oakland to 4-0 in the preseason for the first time since Shell was a player.
Shell, brought in to change the attitude in Oakland after three straight losing seasons under Bill Callahan and Norv Turner has the Raiders looking good with one exhibition game remaining.
"He is leading us in the right direction and the best thing about it is we're following," defensive tackle Warren Sapp said.
Detroit tried to revamp its offense in the offseason by cutting quarterback Joey Harrington loose, bringing in Mike Martz as offensive coordinator and hiring Rod Marinelli as head coach. With one preseason game remaining, the Lions still need plenty of work.
Detroit's only touchdown the past two games came on a 15-yard drive after a turnover in last week's 20-16 loss to Cleveland.
"It's no reason to panic and start doubting what we're doing," quarterback Jon Kitna said. "There's no reason for that."
The team came out flat after flying into Oakland Friday morning, instead of the usual practice of traveling a day in advance.
Kitna went 11-for-22 for 118 yards and one interception and the team managed only 76 yards rushing. Dan Orlovsky, who has moved ahead of Josh McCown as the No. 2 quarterback, went 7-for-15 for 88 yards and one interception.
"The first half wasn't what we want. We had two or three breakdowns, and those things just can't happen," Marinelli said. "It's inexcusable. Those types of things can't happen. ... I would have been disappointed (even) if it was a scrimmage."
Brooks, who was let go after a rough season in New Orleans last year, is showing signs of a revival in Oakland. He was 9-for-15 for 187 yards, while Moss had three catches for 102 yards.
After being challenged for the starting job by Andrew Walter early in camp, Brooks has solidified the job with the two string performances. He is 19-for-32 for 312 yards, three touchdowns and one interception the last two weeks and appears ready for the season.
"I will say this, we would love to have that kind of performance on Monday night," Brooks said, referring to the season opener against San Diego. "That's what we're working for."
Seattle Seahawks Ready For Regular Season - Anja Crotts
Well fans, preseason is halfway over and we are only a few short weeks from starting a regular season sweep. In past years, Seahawks preseason has not been indicative of the upcoming regular season. We have been known to win three out of four games, then go on to a terrible season. Last preseason we went 3-3, then went on to win the division championship, and then on to get cheated out of a Super Bowl ring. Bottom line, they are practice games after all.
However, these games do show us a glimpse of what it to be seen in regular season. Hasselbeck is steady and strong and right on target, which is exactly what we want to see from our fearless leader. Alexander only had a few touches, which was expected, but we know he will be fine and will b-line for the spotlight when the regular season rolls around.
We have also seen a few starters earn their spots back, such as Trufant and Herndon at cornerback, Boulware at safety along with key returner Ken Hamlin, who we are extremely lucky to have back on the field…. And lets not forget that! However, we do have an up and coming players to take note of – Jordan Babineaux. He can play all positions, plays them all very well, and is fighting for each one of them. On top of that, he is smart and has learned all the positions so he can fill in at any time, and he is also much respected on the field. He will be a key player to watch as the season goes on.
Preseason training camp has now come to a close, and Holmgren is pleased with the efforts and play by his team, as are the players. In every interview and article I've read, the whole team is optimistic for the upcoming season and very pleased with everyone's play so far. It's going to be a great season, and all of Seattle knows it, which is why every game is sold out! Atta Seattle!! Get ready, because it's time to win back our rightfully owned Super Bowl!
GO HAWKS!
Matt Leinart? Kurt Warner? NFL Fantasy Football - Anja Crotts
Baseball season is slowly coming to a close, and football preseason has begun! Fans are getting excited, and of course, the main talk is who is doing what on the field right now, but in reality, preseason games mean nothing.
However, these games do give us a taste of what it to be seen in regular season. We often see some players come out in shine in preseason, and therefore most fantasy football (FF) 'team owners' make their decisions based on preseason with a hint of remembrance from last season.
You'll see a lot of FF teams pick up Matt Leinart and Kurt Warner, two great examples of quarterbacks which are sure to be picked up by those inexperienced FF teams. The best strategy is usually to be calculated, smart, and steady… so fill your teams with players who are such.
Of course you know I'm going to say some Seahawks, such as Hasselbeck and Alexander, they have proven themselves to be great, steady, constant-numbers players.
There are the big name players as well, such as Tiki Barber, Steve Smith, Santana Moss, Larry Johnson, Larry Fitzgerald, Clinton Portis, and Marvin Harrison, just to name a few.
Will anyone be so risky as to take Terrell Owens? Probably. If he's in the game, he'll make plays. Chad Johnson is sure to make a solid return, but Tomlinson and Priest Holmes are sidelined… sure lots of unknowns this year with some big names! No matter what, stay smart and steady – you'll win the race!
However, these games do give us a taste of what it to be seen in regular season. We often see some players come out in shine in preseason, and therefore most fantasy football (FF) 'team owners' make their decisions based on preseason with a hint of remembrance from last season.
You'll see a lot of FF teams pick up Matt Leinart and Kurt Warner, two great examples of quarterbacks which are sure to be picked up by those inexperienced FF teams. The best strategy is usually to be calculated, smart, and steady… so fill your teams with players who are such.
Of course you know I'm going to say some Seahawks, such as Hasselbeck and Alexander, they have proven themselves to be great, steady, constant-numbers players.
There are the big name players as well, such as Tiki Barber, Steve Smith, Santana Moss, Larry Johnson, Larry Fitzgerald, Clinton Portis, and Marvin Harrison, just to name a few.
Will anyone be so risky as to take Terrell Owens? Probably. If he's in the game, he'll make plays. Chad Johnson is sure to make a solid return, but Tomlinson and Priest Holmes are sidelined… sure lots of unknowns this year with some big names! No matter what, stay smart and steady – you'll win the race!
Thursday, August 24, 2006
Carson Palmer To Play On Repaired Knee Vs. Packers
Just after having his knee rolled on by then-Steelers Nose Tackle Kiko Von Olafen, after the start of the new year 2006, Cinninati Bengals Quarterback Carson Palmer's made a great and remarkable comback just to be penciled in to play this Monday night against the Green Bay Packers.
I think Bengals Head Coach Marvin Lewis could have waited a week and given him more time to heel. In other words, treat him like Terrell Owens, who's being kept out of practice because of a hamstring pull of some sort.
I think Bengals Head Coach Marvin Lewis could have waited a week and given him more time to heel. In other words, treat him like Terrell Owens, who's being kept out of practice because of a hamstring pull of some sort.
NFL Driving ESPN and ABC's Sellout Of Commericial Ad Space - SBD
The Spots Business Daily reports that ESPN The Magazine's sold out of its ad space and it's upcoming NFL preview will have 110 pages of ads. They use a "Monday Night Football Surround Strategy."
"Prime-time Monday Night Football on ESPN and Saturday night college football on ABC has resonated with advertisers," said Ed Erhardt, president of ESPN ABC Sports Customer Marketing and Sales, who oversees sports programming sales for both ESPN and ABC. "And the heavy demand has allowed us to price it very aggressively at top of the market cost-per-thousand increases across all of our platforms."
What's not explains by ESPN and not uncovered by SBD is if the magazine's sold out, how's Monday Night Football doing? The report -- which you can read with a click on the title of this post -- leaves more questions than answers given the no-so-hot ratings performance of Monday Night Football in the recent past.
Wednesday, August 23, 2006
NFL Network's Deion Sanders Press Conference
From NFLMedia.com
NFL Network – 08.22.06 1
An interview with:
DEION SANDERS
ERIC WEINBERGER
DAN MASONSON: I want to welcome you to our conference call with the NFL Network's newest talent Deion Sanders. I'd like to turn it over to the executive producer of the NFL Network, Eric Weinberger, for a few brief remarks.
ERIC WEINBERGER: Hello, everybody. We here at the NFL Network are real excited to add Deion to our team. He will be on NFL Game Day, our highlight show, at 11:30 PM eastern on Sunday nights. He will also be part of our pregame show crew and Super Bowl coverage this year. More importantly, what we're so excited about is Deion being part of this team and contributing in more ways than just on-screen. Deion is so knowledgeable of this business, so knowledgeable of entertainment, has even before hitting the air already contributed in many ways to bring great football ideas that our NFL Network fans will even be drawn more to the network for. With that being said, again we're so excited to kick the season off with Deion. I turn it over to Prime Time.
DEION SANDERS: How is everyone? First and foremost, I thank you all for taking the time out for being on this conference call. It truly means a lot to me. I thank Eric, all my partners and friends at the NFL Network for just allowing me
the opportunity to get back on the television. Man, I missed it thoroughly in the last two years. Thank you, guys, for giving me a chance to do what I've been blessed to do.
DAN MASONSON: Let's open it up to questions from the media.
Q. Deion, do you look at it any differently working for a network owned by a league as opposed to a typical network? Also,
there's a bit of a tension with Tagliabue critiquing Bryant Gumbel. Do you feel if you say something, the commissioner will be like, Bring it back in?
DEION SANDERS: First and foremost, I think it's an asset to be working with the NFL Network. I don't view it any differently, although I do view it pretty much in a better sense of having the access to more coaches, more players inside the locker room than the normal networks would have. I'm thankful the NFL Network allows us to go more in-depth than the other various networks that cover the NFL. In response to your secondary question with Mr. Tagliabue, I don't think we're going to be censored. I think their desire is for us to be who we are. They hired Deion Sanders and they wanted his opinions. I don't think those opinions will be censored.
Q. There's a lot of ex- players that make their way over to the NFL Network. What attracted you to come there? What is your
general view of the network and where it's going?
DEION SANDERS: I like where they're going. I like where they're headed. They're young and fresh, innovative. They have the insights that are unbelievable. The access is unbelievable. I think it creates a tremendous platform for me to do what I'm gifted to do.
Q. Which is what?
DEION SANDERS: Which is be me and say what I feel and feel what I say.
Q. When people talk about the greatest athletes of all time, your name is mentioned quite often. Recently people have been saying Tiger Woods might be the greatest athlete of all time. What do you think of that? You had some pretty interesting comments about Bill Parcells with regards to TO. Would you expound on those as well.
DEION SANDERS: Okay, the first question, greatest athletes. I don't think you're an athlete if you don't have to get taped up before the game. If you don't have to get taped up or sit in a cold tub or get treatment afterwards, that's not an athletic sport, that's a sport that you have great skills at doing. In regards to Tiger, he's the best at what he does, so that puts him in the upper echelon. In regards to what I was saying about Bill Parcells, I live in Dallas, I live in the country in
Prosper, Texas, where I get the newspapers, the press, and I hear all the things. I was just sick and tired of the whole TO issue. I don't think we would be speaking of the Dallas Cowboys at length if it wasn't for the fact that TO is involved with the
team. It's just a circus. This guy has never had his work ethic questioned or had an injury questioned. Just to prompt him to get back on the field, I think that's nonsense, when he has pretty much a decade of film in the archives stating what he does. What he does, he does it well. Just rushing the guy back on the field, this is your horse, and you don't rush a horse back on the field before it's time just to satisfy your desires.
Q. Maybe you could expand a little bit on what Gumbel actually said that got Tagliabue upset. Gumbel said on Real Sports
that Tagliabue had Gene Upshaw on a leash. What is your opinion of his take on that?
DEION SANDERS: First of all, I'd like to speak on Gene's behalf. I think he's done a tremendous job. I'm coming in the fifth pick of the overall draft and I think received a signing bonus at $2 million. Now a few years later, many years later, these guys are receiving $20 million and $30 million. I think he's done a tremendous job with the salaries. Most of these guys can retire off the signing bonus alone, and that's a tribute to Gene Upshaw. I don't know what personal vendetta Bryant Gumbel has against Gene, but I think it should be taken care of personally if it's personal, not nationally. I really don't understand two African Americans who have worked their butts off to get where they are, one has a personal vendetta and would carry it out nationally on him. I really don't like that. I think it should be discussed privately. Both these men have been an asset not
only to the public but to the various communities and private sectors and their perspective (sic) fields. It sounds like a personal vendetta, it really does. I don't think it should be dealt with publicly if it's personal. I really don't agree with that. That's nonsense.
Q. There were some problems I think Upshaw had with a report Bryant did a couple years ago on overweight linemen. I think it stems maybe from some of that.
DEION SANDERS: It sounds personal and should be handled personally. It's just ignorance, and I don't think Mr. Gumbel handled it correctly.
VOICE: You mean Mr. Tagliabue handled it correctly?
DEION SANDERS: I don't think Mr. Gumbel handled it correctly. Mr. Tagliabue did
handle it correctly.
Q. I wanted to ask you, in the off-season, the Green Bay Packers acquired Charles Woodson, probably their most
high-profile free-agent acquisition. I wonder if you thought Charles Woodson was an elite cornerback? Is he among what you consider an elite cornerback in the NFL?
DEION SANDERS: I don't think Charles Woodson presents the fear factor that he once did. I think Charles Woodson is an excellent cornerback, but I think he's going to make a great safety in the near future. They have two cornerbacks, formidable, in Green Bay. Adding a third, and one of them could possibly nickel back, that gives them a tremendous tandem.
No, I don't look at him presenting the same fear factor that he once held. But he's still a great athlete. Green Bay should use him dearly. Their problems truly are not on the defensive side. Most of them stem, but I would give Brett Favre some
help also.
Q. What do you mean by "fear factor"?
DEION SANDERS: When a quarterback drops back, looks over the defense. When you look over to find a Champ Bailey, you look over to see where De Angelo Hall is. I don't think they're looking over there to see where Charles Woodson
lines up. That's what I mean. visit our archives at asapsports.com
Q. If you were a player on the Jets, Eric Mangini, first-year coach, came in and told you not to talk to the media, not to say anything, what would be your reaction as the player? What would be the reaction in the locker room? What do you think the reaction is in the locker room?
DEION SANDERS: If I'm a first-year player?
Q. If you were a veteran player, you're Deion Sanders, in the locker room when Eric Mangini comes in, first-year coach, he basically implements a don't say anything to the media policy, don't reveal anything to the media, be as bland as possible, how would you react as a player?
DEION SANDERS: Well, I probably -- first of all, I wouldn't do anything to be a distraction to the team. I've never thought I did do anything as a distraction when I played the game. Also, I viewed myself as an entity as well as the New York Jets. I was out there trying to do what I needed to to command the millions of dollars for my family and the security of my family.
If that meant being charismatic and charming and energetic in a press conference, that's what I would do. I never said anything to talk negatively about my opponent or my organization. I would keep those morals intact. That's a hard rap to put on players as well as coaches. I understand the Parcells, the Belichick philosophies of the coaches not speaking to the media. You really can't sensor a player because you really want the player to -- you can't in one state want him to be emotional, outrageous, go out there and tear someone's head off, but after the game you want him to be subdued. That's really forcing a man to have two gears. Some of these players don't feature two gears.
Q. How do you think the Giants and Jets will be this year?
DEION SANDERS: I think the Giants will do well. I don't know if the Jets have solved their quarterbacking situation as well as who they're going to start at running back or the offensive line. I don't think they've answered a lot of those questions.
Q. Eric, regarding Gumbel, do you want Gumbel to be part of NFL Network? Do you think he will be part of NFL Network?
ERIC WEINBERGER: For me to answer that, first of all, I'm here to talk to Deion. Secondly, what my group out here oversees is the studio portion of the network. We're excited to have him as part of the network, but I think it is more important for our group here to concentrate on what we're doing in the studio and on our pregame shows.
Q. Deion, here in Philadelphia Andy Reid doesn't like to use Brian Westbrook or Edell Shepherd to return kicks for fear of injury. You did dual roles all those years. Can you talk about why you did that and whether you were ever worried about getting injured on kick-offs, whether you think it would be a good idea to use Westbrook or Shepherd for the Eagles?
DEION SANDERS: Usually what people fear the most in life, that's normally what happens to them. When a person is on their sickbed, they're thinking about dying, sooner or later it eventually happens. I never really concerned myself with the negative part of it. I always thought in the positive. I'm going to return this for a touchdown, my team needs this, it creates field
position for the offense, so forth. In regards to those players not returning kicks or whatever, I played on a couple teams that
didn't allow me to return kicks also. I didn't understand. When I played in San Francisco, I may have returned one kickoff. That might have been in the playoffs. As well as my first two years in Dallas, I never returned any kicks. I do understand the method. I don't agree with it. But I think you should go with your strength at all time and not concern yourself with the negative.
Q. You're going to be talking to more of a hardcore football audience than during your time at CBS. Will you change your approach? Eric, will you use him in a different fashion than Deion was used on CBS? It seemed like sometimes there was a little bit of showbiz in there in addition to trying to pass on information. Will you be more of a serious analytical guy or pretty much the same?
DEION SANDERS: I think when the situation calls for me to be serious, you will get the serious side of me. But when the situation calls me to give you numbers and to give you statistics, I really don't think -- the fan doesn't care if the
Baltimore Ravens offense averaged 2.3 yards a carry. I really don't. I think they really care about why are they averaging only 2.3 yards a carry. I'm not really the one to get into statistics; I'm the one to really explain what's the problem, what's the
situation, how do we correct the problem. And if I could offer this in a charming and charismatic way, I think it's a two-fold win for the network because not only are we being informative, but we also are entertaining you while we informing you.
ERIC WEINBERGER: We also think we have a whole different platform for Deion as well where he has more time to talk about games that have already happened. He's going to have 90 minutes on a Sunday night and he's going to have three hours on a pregame show leading to our games, plus leading up to the Super Bowl he's going to have a full week to show all the different personalities and analytical skills that he does have. Deion, as you can hear from this call, he's incredibly current and incredibly analytical in what goes on in the National Football League. To no fault of their own, sometimes the pregame shows just don't have the time to dedicate to analyzing all 32 teams.
Q. I was curious about your thoughts on Mario Williams' potential here. I suppose the horse is out of the barn whether they did the right thing in taking him over Reggie Bush. Curious about what you've seen from Kubiak thus far, including that particular draft decision?
DEION SANDERS: First of all, Kubiak sat up under one of the best offensive minds in game of football to me, Mike Shanahan, whose offense is always proven and had the defense to support the offense. In regards to their first-round pick, there's a
reason he was the first pick of the whole draft. There's a reason they turned away from Reggie Bush. There's a reason this team is getting ready to play Peyton Manning and so forth in a division where you don't want to have a shootout
offensively; you need someone to stop the offenses that you play against. So I do agree with that pick.
Yeah, it's hard to turn away from a Reggie Bush because you never know the upside, you never know what you're going to get. But solid defensive players like that, you pretty much know what you're going to get. I'm happy with that pick.
I know a lot of thought and consideration and testing and concern went into that pick. I applaud them for having the guts to make that pick.
Q. How do you see football now that you're outside playing that sport?
DEION SANDERS: I'm much more appreciative of what goes behind the scenes as well as the product that is placed on the field. I really am. I took for granted a lot of things in football that were going on when I played the game. So stepping away from the game, then having the luxury to step back into the game, now having the luxury to step outside the game and
work with a network who has the emphasis on being direct, telling the truth, showing you what life really is inside the locker rooms of the NFL, regarding the cheerleading, making the squad in the NFL, just capturing the whole essence of the
NFL, I am happy and thankful and I've learned alot. It's been a tremendous learning process retiring from the game, going back into the game, and on television. I've pretty much completed the Trifecta and I'm thankful for it.
Q. What is your opinion about the international part of NFL, talking about outside games of NFL outside your country?
DEION SANDERS: I think pretty much every time we go to Mexico, it's sold out, isn't it? It's, what, 80,000, 90,000, something like that. I think we should continue to do so and branch out even into San Juan, Puerto Rico, and other places.
Q. Now that you're coming back into TV, is there anything that you've noticed that you'd like to see more of and less of? Are
there any cliches or sort of mistakes that folks make when they're broadcasting NFL games?
DEION SANDERS: I'd like to see more of the truth being told. I'd like to see less of us having a buddy system. You take care of your buddy, I take care of my buddy. I don't get off on that. In reality, I have so many friends in the NFL with regards to coaching, management and players, it's unbelievable. So I couldn't dare to even start to venture into, you know what, I'm going to take care of my buddy today because I know he was wrong, but I'm going to take care of him anyway. I don't
have time for that. I really want to give the fans what they deserve and want, and that's the truth and insight that they wouldn't normally get.
Q. What do you think of Bill Cowher getting kind of ticked at Jerome Bettis for Bettis saying he thought Cowher was going to
retire after this season?
DEION SANDERS: You know, it's sort of like what I just said. That was his buddy. I guess his buddy wasn't supposed to say that. I applaud Jerome for having the audacity to say so.
Q. What do you think of the Cowboys secondary? How do you think they'll be this year?
DEION SANDERS: I think they're going to be better, for one simple fact, they're practicing against a man who doesn't know but one speed. It's like lining up against Jerry Rice in practice, lining up against TO in practice, lining up against Andre Rison, the various teams that I played on. They challenge you. We're not cutting a deal here where you take it easy, I take it easy. TO doesn't cut deals. Mike Irvin doesn't cut deals. Jerry Rice doesn't cut deals. He's that same form. Challenging those guys each and every day will make them a better unit. One constant that people really negate to say that Dallas has had in the few and the last decade, the defense has always been a capable unit. Why? It's a guy by the name of Mike Zimmer, who is the defensive coordinator here. He has always been there, even when it is unheard of, a guy like Bill Parcells, this micromanaging head coach, wants to put a finger on everything, Jerry Jones said, You know what, you can bring in who you want, but there's one guy we're not leaving here, that's Mike Zimmer. I think that defense will always be up to par. Remember, this was the
No. 1 defense just a few years ago.
DAN MASONSON: Thanks a lot, everybody. Thank you very much, Deion. We'll see you on the air September 10th.
DEION SANDERS: Appreciate it. I can't wait, man.
FastScripts by ASAP Sports
Paris Hilton Uses YouTube To Present New Album: She Can Sing!
On August 21st, Paris Hilton presented her new album on YouTube. I've got to admit she can sing and whomever produced her made songs for her voice.
Ok, it's not the most terrific song -- I'm not going to rush out and buy it -- but it's not bad either. It sounds like something I'd hear in a movie.
Here's Paris:
Ok, it's not the most terrific song -- I'm not going to rush out and buy it -- but it's not bad either. It sounds like something I'd hear in a movie.
Here's Paris:
Tom Cruise Dumps Paramount So Paramount Dumps Tom Cruise
The buzz is all around that Paramount dumped Tom Cruise, but if you read the fine print to the story, it was the other way around.
It seems that Paramount reacted childishly to Cruise and Paula Wagner's decision to seek other movie financing. I don't know what they expect to accomplish, other than making a good deal for Cruise and some other organization just by proving his ability to draw headlines.
"Two Live Stews" - Atlanta's 790 Best NFL Program
When I visit my Mom in the Atlanta area, I always tune into AM 790 specifically to hear "The Two Live Stews" .
They're Doug Stewart and Ryan Stewart and are related by blood, and sound like they are. Doug and Ryan are not afraid to be themselves -- which may be "too black" for some -- but it's a formula that works in multicultural Atlanta and one that can work in other places as well.
Hey, they got an ESPY in 2004. What does that tell you?
Doug and Ryan are at their best on NFL Football, and have had some great interviews with many of the league's best including Michael Vick and LeVar Arrington. The Two Live Stews also use their show to talk about some of the issues of the day to the Government's response to Katrina to teenage prostitution. They're hard-hitting and honest in their views.
The Two Live Stews are a welcome formula, especially in a San Francisco Bay Area that suffers from the boaring and watered-down sports talk presented at KNBR. But the fact that they're on in Atlanta and there's no equal in the Bay Area says more positively about that part of America than the San Francisco Bay Area.
In my view, there's always been a weird fear of the expression of African American culture to a mainstream audience in the Bay Area. Someone would point to the fact that the black population here is smaller, but then they'd have to explain the popularity of rap out here as well.
The NFL season starts with The Two Live Stews, listen in!
YouTube Launches Video Ad Platform
Online Media reports...
YouTube Launches Video Ad Platform by Erik Sass, Wednesday, Aug 23, 2006 6:00 AM ET POPULAR VIDEO-SHARING SITE YOUTUBE TUESDAY unveiled new plans for monetizing its service with ads. The company is rolling out a new ad platform that offers two main features--brand channels, where companies can create their own programming, and what YouTube is calling "participatory video ads," some of which direct users to the new brand channels.
The brand channels allow marketers to create their own programming, customize visual content with logos and other graphics, and accumulate audiences. YouTube's participatory video ads appear in the upper right-hand corner of the home page; when users click on them the video begins playing in place, next to a menu of clips posted by users.
That's great, but I wonder if smaller vloggers will be slowly pushed out of view of YouTube viewers by the NBC's of the World.
Hmm...An oppotunity perhaps.
YouTube Launches Video Ad Platform by Erik Sass, Wednesday, Aug 23, 2006 6:00 AM ET POPULAR VIDEO-SHARING SITE YOUTUBE TUESDAY unveiled new plans for monetizing its service with ads. The company is rolling out a new ad platform that offers two main features--brand channels, where companies can create their own programming, and what YouTube is calling "participatory video ads," some of which direct users to the new brand channels.
The brand channels allow marketers to create their own programming, customize visual content with logos and other graphics, and accumulate audiences. YouTube's participatory video ads appear in the upper right-hand corner of the home page; when users click on them the video begins playing in place, next to a menu of clips posted by users.
That's great, but I wonder if smaller vloggers will be slowly pushed out of view of YouTube viewers by the NBC's of the World.
Hmm...An oppotunity perhaps.
Niners Sign Deal For Jerry Rice To Retire A 49er - NFL.com
Rice to retire with 49ers
NFL.com wire reports
SAN FRANCISCO (Aug. 19, 2006) -- Receiver Jerry Rice will retire as a member of the San Francisco 49ers the week of Aug. 20.
Rice, who holds most of the significant NFL receiving records, won three Super Bowls during 16 years with the 49ers. He will sign a contract Aug. 24 at the 49ers' training complex before making his retirement official, the club officially announced. The wideout will be honored again during halftime of the 49ers' game against the Seattle Seahawks on Nov. 19.
The deal for Rice's retirement with the 49ers was informally announced last month.
"This was my home for many years, and this is where so many memories were made," Rice said in a statement. "I thank the entire 49ers organization for the opportunity to stand on the field to say goodbye."
Rice, a 13-time Pro Bowl player, holds NFL records with 1,549 receptions for 22,895 yards and 197 touchdowns. He also leads the league with single-season receiving records of 1,848 yards and 22 touchdowns.
He played four seasons for the Oakland Raiders after San Francisco released him following the 2000 season, reaching the Super Bowl after the 2001 campaign, then suited up for 13 games with Seattle in 2004. He tried out in Denver before retiring from the Broncos last Sept. 3.
"Having Jerry retire as a member of the 49ers is extremely important to Denise and me," owner John York said of his wife, Denise DeBartolo York. "It is equally important to our fans and every former 49ers player that has ever worn the uniform."
Rice, who played at Mississippi Valley State and was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame earlier in the month, stirred a minor controversy in 49ers camp earlier in the summer.
On his Sirius satellite radio show, Rice said No. 1 draft pick Alex Smith is "not the quarterback of the future" for the 49ers, and called for those who drafted Smith to be fired. Rice softened his statements in subsequent broadcasts, and Smith said he didn't take offense.
Michael Vick To Ashley Lelie - Blockbuster Trade Nets Falcons New Passing Combo
Wow.
Just when the NFL preseason was getting boaring, we have this. A blockbuster three team trade between the Atlanta Falcons, the Denver Broncos, and The Washington Redskins that ends with the 'Skins getting T.J. Duckett to help improve a running attack damanged by the injury to Clinton Portis and the Atlanta Falcons hiring the speedy wide receiver they've needed for so very long.
The winner in the deal? The Falcons.
Overall, the Atlanta Falcons have made a dramatic series of changes to drastically improve their team, but not so many that overall chemistry and character are negatively impacted. What I mean is that too many changes in personel means a lot of nerw faces to blend together -- just look at the Minnesota Vikings defense of 2005. One can get stary-eyed over star players, but getting them to mesh as a unit is something else.
But I digress.
The Falcons fans can count on their team being in the playoffs at least. Lelie's the cure for what hurts the Falcons. Now, teams have to respect their speed in the receiver spot, which opens up their formidable run game all the more.
Tuesday, August 22, 2006
New York Woman Fired For..Being A Woman
I can't believe that someone would not only treat a woman this way, but one who's elderly. According to AP:
"WATERTOWN, New York (AP) -- The minister of a church that dismissed a female Sunday School teacher after adopting what it called a literal interpretation of the Bible says a woman can perform any job -- outside of the church."
That's weird. She's been there for 54 years. Why now? This is the 21st Century.
Rather than focus on Iraq and death, President Bush should fly to Watertown NY and make the church give Mary Lambert her job back!
Dallas Cowboys 30, NO Saints 17
And they made it look easy. Yes, it was preseason, but the Cowboys looked good in all phases of the game.
Cowboys dominate Saints 30-7
NFL.com wire reports
SHREVEPORT, La. (Aug. 21, 2006) -- Drew Bledsoe lobbed two passes into the end zone and saw his receivers make terrific catches on both in his preseason debut for the Dallas Cowboys.
Neither play, however, was made by the receiver everyone is waiting to see him throw to -- Terrell Owens.
Terry Glenn reached around his defender's head and made a one-handed touchdown catch on Bledsoe's first lob, then Sam Hurd fought off his defender for another touchdown, getting the Cowboys rolling to a 30-7 victory over the New Orleans Saints on Monday Night Football.
Bledsoe went 12 of 16 for 156 yards, leading Dallas to scores on three of four drives, and backup Tony Romo went 6 of 8 for 138 yards and also put up points on three of four drives. His best play was waiting out a blitz then throwing a 48-yard touchdown pass to Miles Austin.
Drew Bledsoe made a sharp return to the Cowboys lineup, completing 12 of 16 passes.
Bledsoe didn't play the preseason opener so Romo could get more work, prompting speculation of a growing controversy. Bledsoe feels secure that he's the starter, although he acknowledged that having to wait to get on the field "pushes you a little bit."
"It gets you going," he said. "But I can't tell you I would have done anything different in camp had I been the only quarterback."
The Cowboys also saw their first-team defense shut out the Saints' starters. New Orleans didn't even get a first down on its first three series, leaving Dallas coach Bill Parcells grumbling that his unit didn't get enough work and Saints coach Sean Payton saying his team was "not as improved as I thought."
"We struggled across the board," Payton said.
This was the first NFL game in Shreveport since local product Terry Bradshaw brought the Pittsburgh Steelers to play the Boston Patriots in the 1970 preseason. The returning star this time was Saints running back Deuce McAllister, who gained eight yards on two carries in his first game since a knee injury early last season.
"The knee felt fine ... no apprehension about anything," McAllister said. "There are a few mental hurdles I have to get over, but I'm ready to work."
Reggie Bush spiced things up with a nine-yard run and an 11-yard gain on a third-and-2 screen, both on the final drive of the first half. He finished with seven yards on four carries, 14 yards on two receptions -- and disappointment that the starters didn't do better.
"This isn't the old Saints any more," he said. "We need to take three-and-outs personal. We need to change our way of thinking. We need to keep our defense off the field. We didn't do our job as an offense."
Drew Brees was 7 of 12 for 67 yards. Backup Todd Bouman was 13 of 16 for 117 yards.
Jamal Branch had the lone score for New Orleans, a 1-yard touchdown run early in the fourth quarter.
Owens was in Dallas, presumably watching, because of a hamstring injury that kept him on the sideline more than the practice field during training camp. With Parcells not letting him play the Saints -- and be on a Monday Night Football cable television broadcast -- his next chance is Saturday night at home against San Francisco, although even that is iffy.
"The main thing is it is not firing," Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said. "He needs to get to a point where it fires."
Bledsoe did his part to solidify his spot with crisp passes and poise in the pocket, save for an 8-yard loss on a sack during his only non-scoring drive. He also showed great timing with Glenn (four catches, 71 yards) and Hurd (three, 30).
"I don't think he made any bad reads," Parcells said.
He even showed confidence on the sideline.
"I was standing out there with him visiting and he said, 'Jerry, I'm your man,"' Jones said.
Romo did his part to keep alive the controversy, even if he faced backups.
He started with a drive for a field goal, then lost a fumble on a sack. He redeemed himself on his next series with the TD pass to Austin, then set up another field goal.
"I'm glad he got some more work," Parcells said. "That's six quarters. I want to get him nine or 10 this preseason."
Glenn played like his job was on the line, coming up with a 30-yard gain and a diving 21-yarder on the drive that ended with his highlight-reel maneuver around cornerback Mike McKenzie.
"Terry made two or three outstanding plays," Parcells said. "It shows me he's on his way to getting ready to go."
Hurd, who has been working with Owens, made a replay-worthy grab, too -- shoving off a bit on his defender as he turned for the ball, then having to withstand being grabbed from behind as the ball arrived.
Dallas' new kicker, Mike Vanderjagt, wasn't used because of a strained groin. Instead, Shaun Suisham hit field goals of 24 and 42 yards, and Tyler Fredrickson made a 49-yarder.
Cowboys left tackle Flozell Adams was kicked in his left calf during the opening drive and didn't return. The injury didn't affect the knee that caused him to miss much of last season.
Cowboys dominate Saints 30-7
NFL.com wire reports
SHREVEPORT, La. (Aug. 21, 2006) -- Drew Bledsoe lobbed two passes into the end zone and saw his receivers make terrific catches on both in his preseason debut for the Dallas Cowboys.
Neither play, however, was made by the receiver everyone is waiting to see him throw to -- Terrell Owens.
Terry Glenn reached around his defender's head and made a one-handed touchdown catch on Bledsoe's first lob, then Sam Hurd fought off his defender for another touchdown, getting the Cowboys rolling to a 30-7 victory over the New Orleans Saints on Monday Night Football.
Bledsoe went 12 of 16 for 156 yards, leading Dallas to scores on three of four drives, and backup Tony Romo went 6 of 8 for 138 yards and also put up points on three of four drives. His best play was waiting out a blitz then throwing a 48-yard touchdown pass to Miles Austin.
Drew Bledsoe made a sharp return to the Cowboys lineup, completing 12 of 16 passes.
Bledsoe didn't play the preseason opener so Romo could get more work, prompting speculation of a growing controversy. Bledsoe feels secure that he's the starter, although he acknowledged that having to wait to get on the field "pushes you a little bit."
"It gets you going," he said. "But I can't tell you I would have done anything different in camp had I been the only quarterback."
The Cowboys also saw their first-team defense shut out the Saints' starters. New Orleans didn't even get a first down on its first three series, leaving Dallas coach Bill Parcells grumbling that his unit didn't get enough work and Saints coach Sean Payton saying his team was "not as improved as I thought."
"We struggled across the board," Payton said.
This was the first NFL game in Shreveport since local product Terry Bradshaw brought the Pittsburgh Steelers to play the Boston Patriots in the 1970 preseason. The returning star this time was Saints running back Deuce McAllister, who gained eight yards on two carries in his first game since a knee injury early last season.
"The knee felt fine ... no apprehension about anything," McAllister said. "There are a few mental hurdles I have to get over, but I'm ready to work."
Reggie Bush spiced things up with a nine-yard run and an 11-yard gain on a third-and-2 screen, both on the final drive of the first half. He finished with seven yards on four carries, 14 yards on two receptions -- and disappointment that the starters didn't do better.
"This isn't the old Saints any more," he said. "We need to take three-and-outs personal. We need to change our way of thinking. We need to keep our defense off the field. We didn't do our job as an offense."
Drew Brees was 7 of 12 for 67 yards. Backup Todd Bouman was 13 of 16 for 117 yards.
Jamal Branch had the lone score for New Orleans, a 1-yard touchdown run early in the fourth quarter.
Owens was in Dallas, presumably watching, because of a hamstring injury that kept him on the sideline more than the practice field during training camp. With Parcells not letting him play the Saints -- and be on a Monday Night Football cable television broadcast -- his next chance is Saturday night at home against San Francisco, although even that is iffy.
"The main thing is it is not firing," Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said. "He needs to get to a point where it fires."
Bledsoe did his part to solidify his spot with crisp passes and poise in the pocket, save for an 8-yard loss on a sack during his only non-scoring drive. He also showed great timing with Glenn (four catches, 71 yards) and Hurd (three, 30).
"I don't think he made any bad reads," Parcells said.
He even showed confidence on the sideline.
"I was standing out there with him visiting and he said, 'Jerry, I'm your man,"' Jones said.
Romo did his part to keep alive the controversy, even if he faced backups.
He started with a drive for a field goal, then lost a fumble on a sack. He redeemed himself on his next series with the TD pass to Austin, then set up another field goal.
"I'm glad he got some more work," Parcells said. "That's six quarters. I want to get him nine or 10 this preseason."
Glenn played like his job was on the line, coming up with a 30-yard gain and a diving 21-yarder on the drive that ended with his highlight-reel maneuver around cornerback Mike McKenzie.
"Terry made two or three outstanding plays," Parcells said. "It shows me he's on his way to getting ready to go."
Hurd, who has been working with Owens, made a replay-worthy grab, too -- shoving off a bit on his defender as he turned for the ball, then having to withstand being grabbed from behind as the ball arrived.
Dallas' new kicker, Mike Vanderjagt, wasn't used because of a strained groin. Instead, Shaun Suisham hit field goals of 24 and 42 yards, and Tyler Fredrickson made a 49-yarder.
Cowboys left tackle Flozell Adams was kicked in his left calf during the opening drive and didn't return. The injury didn't affect the knee that caused him to miss much of last season.
Does San Diego Chargers' QB Phillip River Stare Down His Receivers?
Well if one watches this video, it does seems so. It's a preseason game against the Chicago Bears, and Bears Middle Linebacker Brian Urlacher zeros in on Rivers' pass and brings it back for a touchdown.
I still think lettting an experienced Drew Brees go was a huge mistake borne of the same managerial hubris that saw the Chargers pass up Michael Vick. Chargers GM A.J. Smith's moves are always left to question. He seems to try to make decisions that tell one player "You're not as special as you think." If you research the Vick issue (yes, the Chargers needed players, but Vick is special) and the Drew Brees matter as well as the Eli Manning v. Phil Rivers event, you will see that pattern. That's not the sign of a good GM. He seems more of an "old boy" GM than a really high-tech 21st Century manager.
But the Chargers will learn the hard way.
Here's the video:
I still think lettting an experienced Drew Brees go was a huge mistake borne of the same managerial hubris that saw the Chargers pass up Michael Vick. Chargers GM A.J. Smith's moves are always left to question. He seems to try to make decisions that tell one player "You're not as special as you think." If you research the Vick issue (yes, the Chargers needed players, but Vick is special) and the Drew Brees matter as well as the Eli Manning v. Phil Rivers event, you will see that pattern. That's not the sign of a good GM. He seems more of an "old boy" GM than a really high-tech 21st Century manager.
But the Chargers will learn the hard way.
Here's the video:
Is Cowboys' Jerry Jones Playin Possum WIth T.O.?
It's a question I pose because all of the obvious signals are not there: Terrell Owens and Dallas Cowboys Head Coach Bill Parcells and Cowboys Owner Jerry Jones are getting along. No teammates are complaining.
In short, no dramatic news, but there's the lingering hamstring problem. It's been going on a bit too long and one would think that the Cowboys would have done enough homework to learn about this problem; I'm sure they did. I'm also certain they're just keeping T.O. under wraps and away from opposing coaches video cameras. The result: no "book" on how the Cowboys will use T.O. None.
Now supposedly the Cowboys can't just bench T.O. and not play him without a reason. But the hamstring problem is a reason. I'm not reporting that the problem never existed; I think it was more a cramp than anything. But some genius in the Cowboys organization came up with a way to keep him active in practice and yet off the playing field until the regular season.
Genius, if it's true.
Terrell Owens May Be Out Of Entire Preseaon With MRI (AP and SI)
It may be that T.O.'s injury is worse than we realiize, or that the Dallas Cowboys are using this as a kind of trick to keep him from being on anyone's tape during preseason. The result: no idea of what the Cowboys are going to do with him in the offense. If this is the case, it's genius.
Jones: T.O. might have another MRI
Posted: Tuesday August 22, 2006 7:23AM; Updated: Tuesday August 22, 2006 7:23AM
SHREVEPORT, La. (AP) -- Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said Monday night that receiver Terrell Owens may have another MRI exam taken to see why his hamstring continues to bother him after weeks of treatment.
"Certainly it is sore and he is going to be working to improve that," Jones said during halftime of Dallas' preseason game against the New Orleans Saints. "We will be evaluating it more tomorrow."
The hamstring has bothered Owens since the first week of training camp. He missed the first preseason game, then returned to practice last week, but not enough for coach Bill Parcells to clear him to play against the Saints.
Jones said he's not sure whether Owens will be on the field when the team returns to practice Wednesday, which means he could also miss the next preseason game, at home Saturday night against San Francisco.
"Soft tissue is such a hard thing to get definitive about," Jones said. "You don't need an MRI to understand it is compromising and bothering him. The main thing is it is not firing. He needs to get to a point where it fires."
Jones said it's wrong to think Owens skipped a practice Saturday because he was angry that Parcells ruled him out of the Saints game.
"That's humorous," Jones said. "There is no substance to that. That is not the deal. Terrell and Bill are on the same page. They both want him to be out there and without risk of him further hurting his ham. There is no issue here about them being off the page."
The Cowboys led the Saints 17-0 at halftime, with quarterback Drew Bledsoe throwing touchdown passes to Terry Glenn and rookie Sam Hurd, who has worked a lot with Owens during training camp. It was Bledsoe's first action of the preseason after also being held out of the opener; he went 12-of-16 for 156 yards, leading Dallas to three scores in four drives.
Bledsoe sat out a victory against Seattle last weekend because Parcells wanted to give plenty of work to backup Tony Romo. That's prompted speculation of Bledsoe's job being in jeopardy -- something else Jones downplayed.
"I've never heard any debate about that from anyone on our staff," Jones said.
Jones: T.O. might have another MRI
Posted: Tuesday August 22, 2006 7:23AM; Updated: Tuesday August 22, 2006 7:23AM
SHREVEPORT, La. (AP) -- Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said Monday night that receiver Terrell Owens may have another MRI exam taken to see why his hamstring continues to bother him after weeks of treatment.
"Certainly it is sore and he is going to be working to improve that," Jones said during halftime of Dallas' preseason game against the New Orleans Saints. "We will be evaluating it more tomorrow."
The hamstring has bothered Owens since the first week of training camp. He missed the first preseason game, then returned to practice last week, but not enough for coach Bill Parcells to clear him to play against the Saints.
Jones said he's not sure whether Owens will be on the field when the team returns to practice Wednesday, which means he could also miss the next preseason game, at home Saturday night against San Francisco.
"Soft tissue is such a hard thing to get definitive about," Jones said. "You don't need an MRI to understand it is compromising and bothering him. The main thing is it is not firing. He needs to get to a point where it fires."
Jones said it's wrong to think Owens skipped a practice Saturday because he was angry that Parcells ruled him out of the Saints game.
"That's humorous," Jones said. "There is no substance to that. That is not the deal. Terrell and Bill are on the same page. They both want him to be out there and without risk of him further hurting his ham. There is no issue here about them being off the page."
The Cowboys led the Saints 17-0 at halftime, with quarterback Drew Bledsoe throwing touchdown passes to Terry Glenn and rookie Sam Hurd, who has worked a lot with Owens during training camp. It was Bledsoe's first action of the preseason after also being held out of the opener; he went 12-of-16 for 156 yards, leading Dallas to three scores in four drives.
Bledsoe sat out a victory against Seattle last weekend because Parcells wanted to give plenty of work to backup Tony Romo. That's prompted speculation of Bledsoe's job being in jeopardy -- something else Jones downplayed.
"I've never heard any debate about that from anyone on our staff," Jones said.
"Snakes On A Plane" Launches Samuel L. Jackson Into Cult Status
First it was "Pulp Fiction" and now, after a long layoff from cult moves, Samuel L. Jackson ups his cult status stock with the hit "Snakes On A Plane."
Now I haven't seen the movie -- yet. But I will. What fascinates me the most is the Internet-based viral marketing this movie's tapped. Wow.
Take a look at this blogger's post, where Samuel L. Jackson's pictured cussing about -- what else? -- Snakes on A Plane.
Here's a video interview of people who are going to see the movie:
Now I haven't seen the movie -- yet. But I will. What fascinates me the most is the Internet-based viral marketing this movie's tapped. Wow.
Take a look at this blogger's post, where Samuel L. Jackson's pictured cussing about -- what else? -- Snakes on A Plane.
Here's a video interview of people who are going to see the movie:
Oakland Raiders PR Machine In Motion - AP Writes About Passing Game
Obviously stinging from the negative PR about Offensive Coordinator Tom Walsh, The Oakland Raiders and the AP got together to do this article on the Raiders passing game and the role of the tight ends.
Tight Ends May Be Big in Raiders Offense
By JOSH DUBOW
The Associated Press
Tuesday, August 22, 2006; 5:51 AM
OAKLAND, Calif. -- Aaron Brooks dropped back to pass on his second play from scrimmage and found tight end Courtney Anderson for an easy 9-yard completion.
The strategy continued all game long, as Oakland Raiders tight ends had 10 catches against San Francisco _ a big change from recent years.
Coach Art Shell has stressed all training camp that his offense is suited to those big guys in the middle of the field. Now it's beginning to show.
"I have always said since I first got here that our tight ends are going to be an integral part of what we do," Shell said. "It always has been in the history of the Raiders that tight ends have always been big for us. In our scheme, the tight end will be a factor for us."
From Raymond Chester to Dave Casper to Todd Christensen, tight ends have played a big part in the Raiders' success. But it was an aspect of the passing game that was often overlooked in Norv Turner's system the past two seasons.
Tight ends had 49 catches in 2004 and only 37 last season. Anderson caught two touchdown passes in last year's opener against New England and had five receptions for 100 yards in Week 3 against Philadelphia before disappearing for much of the rest of the season.
"If you watch the tape from last year, you'll see a number of times where not to say we forced the ball downfield, but there were times the ball could have been thrown underneath to a tight end," Randal Williams said. "Those 10- and 20-yard plays move the ball and move the chains. We're going to take advantage of that this year."
With Shell bringing back the traditional power running, deep strike passing offense, the tight ends figure to get plenty of chances again this season.
Brooks expects that with all the attention Randy Moss draws on the outside, his tight ends will have plenty of room to operate in the middle of the field.
"When you've got 18 on your side, someone else has to be open," Brooks said about Moss. "I thought the tight ends did a wonderful job catching the football. If teams continue to double team Randy Moss, we have to use our other guys and they have to step up. I thought they did a great job."
After the passing game struggled as a whole the first two preseason games, the offense began to click in Sunday night's 23-7 victory over the 49ers.
Four tight ends combined for 10 receptions for 158 yards. Williams led the way with three catches for 53 yards, O.J. Santiago caught three balls for 33 yards, rookie John Madsen had two catches for 52 yards and Anderson caught two balls for 20 yards.
The Raiders also had a touchdown pass to Anderson called back on a questionable pass interference penalty.
"I think this offense is geared to running the ball and getting the ball downfield to our receivers," Williams said. "The fact that we have receivers capable of making big plays means the defense has to worry about that. That creates opportunities for the tight ends. ... It's up to us to make the most of those opportunities."
Tight Ends May Be Big in Raiders Offense
By JOSH DUBOW
The Associated Press
Tuesday, August 22, 2006; 5:51 AM
OAKLAND, Calif. -- Aaron Brooks dropped back to pass on his second play from scrimmage and found tight end Courtney Anderson for an easy 9-yard completion.
The strategy continued all game long, as Oakland Raiders tight ends had 10 catches against San Francisco _ a big change from recent years.
Coach Art Shell has stressed all training camp that his offense is suited to those big guys in the middle of the field. Now it's beginning to show.
"I have always said since I first got here that our tight ends are going to be an integral part of what we do," Shell said. "It always has been in the history of the Raiders that tight ends have always been big for us. In our scheme, the tight end will be a factor for us."
From Raymond Chester to Dave Casper to Todd Christensen, tight ends have played a big part in the Raiders' success. But it was an aspect of the passing game that was often overlooked in Norv Turner's system the past two seasons.
Tight ends had 49 catches in 2004 and only 37 last season. Anderson caught two touchdown passes in last year's opener against New England and had five receptions for 100 yards in Week 3 against Philadelphia before disappearing for much of the rest of the season.
"If you watch the tape from last year, you'll see a number of times where not to say we forced the ball downfield, but there were times the ball could have been thrown underneath to a tight end," Randal Williams said. "Those 10- and 20-yard plays move the ball and move the chains. We're going to take advantage of that this year."
With Shell bringing back the traditional power running, deep strike passing offense, the tight ends figure to get plenty of chances again this season.
Brooks expects that with all the attention Randy Moss draws on the outside, his tight ends will have plenty of room to operate in the middle of the field.
"When you've got 18 on your side, someone else has to be open," Brooks said about Moss. "I thought the tight ends did a wonderful job catching the football. If teams continue to double team Randy Moss, we have to use our other guys and they have to step up. I thought they did a great job."
After the passing game struggled as a whole the first two preseason games, the offense began to click in Sunday night's 23-7 victory over the 49ers.
Four tight ends combined for 10 receptions for 158 yards. Williams led the way with three catches for 53 yards, O.J. Santiago caught three balls for 33 yards, rookie John Madsen had two catches for 52 yards and Anderson caught two balls for 20 yards.
The Raiders also had a touchdown pass to Anderson called back on a questionable pass interference penalty.
"I think this offense is geared to running the ball and getting the ball downfield to our receivers," Williams said. "The fact that we have receivers capable of making big plays means the defense has to worry about that. That creates opportunities for the tight ends. ... It's up to us to make the most of those opportunities."
Washington Post's Eugene Robinson On President Bush: Says It All For Me
Eugene Robinson's column on George Bush's Monday press conference says what I have -- or would like to say -- in one place. What's chilling is that President Bush seems to think it's ok that over 3,400 Iraqi civilians have been killed. I'll bet it's not that simple. One of those 3,484 persons may have come from the United States. Perhaps they were eductated here and went back to be with their family. We don't know, or at least I don't know.
But Robinson's right. If President Bush cares nothing of these deaths -- of the passing of people -- then by extension it can be said he cares nothing about the lives of the soldiers he sends to Iraq.
One thing I know is the title's pretty funny; remember Brother from Another Planet? Maybe President Bush is blacker than he realizes!
Here's the article below, and a link back to the Post
President on Another Planet
By Eugene Robinson
Tuesday, August 22, 2006; Page A15
For a moment there, I was almost encouraged. George W. Bush, the most resolutely incurious and inflexible of presidents, was reported last week to have been surprised at seeing Iraqi citizens -- who ought to be grateful beneficiaries of the American occupation, I mean "liberation" -- demonstrating in support of Hezbollah and against Israel.
Surprise would be a start, since it would mean the Decider was admitting novel facts to his settled base of knowledge and reacting to them. Alas, it seems the door to the presidential mind is still locked tight. "I don't remember being surprised," he said at his news conference yesterday. "I'm not sure what they mean by that."
I'm guessing "they" might mean that when you try to impose your simplistic, black-and-white template on a kaleidoscopic world, and you end up setting the Middle East on fire, either you're surprised or you're not paying attention. But that's just me.
As for George Bush, what on earth is on his mind?
Even conservatives have begun openly assessing the president's intellect, especially its impermeability to new information. Cable television pundit Joe Scarborough, a former Republican congressman, devoted a segment of his MSNBC show to "George Bush's mental weakness," with a legend at the bottom of the screen that impertinently asked: "IS BUSH AN 'IDIOT'?"
It's tempting to go there, but I'm not sure we'd get very far. While we have the president on the couch, I'm more interested in trying to understand his emotional response -- or lack of response -- to the chaos he has spawned.
According to the Iraqi government, 3,438 civilians were killed in July, making it the bloodiest month since the invasion. The president was asked yesterday whether the failure of the U.S.-backed "unity" government to stem the orgy of sectarian carnage disappoints him, and he said that no, it didn't. How, I wonder, is that possible? Does he believe it would be a sign of weakness to admit that the flowering of democracy in Iraq isn't going exactly as planned? Does he believe saying everything's just fine will make it so? Is he in denial? Or do 3,438 deaths really just roll off his back after he's had his workout and a nice bike ride?
"I hear a lot of talk about civil war" in Iraq, he allowed -- much of it apparently from his own generals, who have been increasingly bold in using the once-forbidden phrase -- but all that talk doesn't seem to penetrate very far. To the president, is all the bad news from Iraq just "talk" without objective reality?
Here's another line from the president's news conference: "What's very interesting about the violence in Lebanon and the violence in Iraq and the violence in Gaza is this: These are all groups of terrorists who are trying to stop the advance of democracy."
Now, whatever you think about George Bush's intellect, he knows full well that the Hamas government in Gaza was democratically elected. He also knows full well that Hezbollah participates in the democratically elected government of Lebanon, or what's left of Lebanon. And so he has to know full well that U.S.-backed Israeli assaults on Gaza and Lebanon -- even if you believe they were justified -- had the impact of crippling, if not crushing, two nascent democracies of the kind the Bush administration wants to cultivate throughout the Middle East.
He also knows that the Iraqi government has real sovereignty over only the Green Zone in Baghdad -- a fortress made secure by the presence of U.S. troops -- and assorted other enclaves where American and British troops enforce the peace. He has heard the leader of that nominal government praise Hezbollah and denounce Israel.
So when the president lauds democracy as the magic elixir that will cure the scourge of terrorism, is he really putting faith in his favorite mantra rather than his lying eyes? Is his view of the world so unchangeable that he dismisses actual events the way he dismisses mere "talk''?
Or is he just trying to hold on until January 2009, when all this will become somebody else's problem?
In his news conference, the Decider did make a couple of nods to objective reality. He admitted in plain language that Iraq had nothing to do with the Sept. 11 attacks and possessed no weapons of mass destruction -- in other words, that his rationale for this elective, preemptive war had no substance. And he acknowledged a certain occasional exasperation.
"Frustrated? Sometimes I'm frustrated. Rarely surprised," the president said. "Sometimes I'm happy. This is -- but war is not a time of joy. These aren't joyous times."
No, they're not.
More On NFL Network Hiring Bryant Gumbel (Wash Post.com)
Today's Washington Post.com reports on the feud between HBO's Bryant Gumbel -- who was and supposedly still is going to join the NFL Network -- and outgoing NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue, who responded sharply to Gumbel's statement that the next commissioner (Roger Goodell) should find Upshaw's leash.
Commissioner Tagliabue says he's not going to be involved in the matter after his departure and that he plans to "disappear." The matter will be left to Goodell, who may be more forgiving of Gumbel than Tagliabue. It's good that Gumbel has no other comment. But I say the NFL should just milk the matter to gain more web traffic for blogs like this one and then hire Gumbel.
Again, Gumbel's one of the best in the business.
Monday, August 21, 2006
NFL Network Reconsiders Hiring Bryant Gumbel (AP and ESPN) - Not A Good Move For NFL
In my view hiring Bryant Gumbel's a step toward a desire for serious journalism. Perhaps the league -- and Commissioner Tagliabue -- may not agree with his remarks, but if the NFL Network wants to have a really good and true TV network it should just ignore the matter and move on.
Or do this: milk it. Make it a subject in a new series about NFL Business on the NFL Network. Use the subject as a lightening rod for viewers.
That will make Gumbel's hiring all the more valuable and boost the NFL Network's position as nothing more than a mouthpiece for the league.
NEW YORK (AP) -- The job status of Bryant Gumbel, scheduled to be the play-by-play broadcaster on the eight late-season games on the NFL's in-house network, could be the subject of a discussion by NFL officials after Gumbel's suggestion that Paul Tagliabue show his successor "where he keeps Gene Upshaw's leash."
Tagliabue said Monday that incoming commissioner Roger Goodell and Steve Bornstein, who runs the NFL Network, will discuss the remarks after Goodell takes office Sept. 1.
Gumbel addressed his closing remarks on HBO's "Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel" last Tuesday to Goodell.
"Before he cleans out his office," Gumbel said. "Have Paul Tagliabue show you where he keeps Gene Upshaw's leash. By making the docile head of the players union his personal pet, your predecessor has kept the peace without giving players the kind of guarantees other pros take for granted. Try to make sure no one competent ever replaces Upshaw on your watch."
Tagliabue strongly disagreed with the tenor of Gumbel's comments.
"I think things that Bryant Gumbel said about Gene Upshaw and the owners are about as uninformed as anything I've read or heard in a long, long time, and quite inexcusable because they are subjects about which you can and should be better informed," Tagliabue said.
Tagliabue was also asked if he thought Gumbel should remain with the network.
"Having looked at how other people have had buyer's remorse when they took positions, I guess they suggest to me that maybe he's having buyer's remorse and they call into question his desire to do the job and to do it in a way that we in the NFL would expect it to be done," the commissioner said.
Upshaw did not immediately return a call placed by The Associated Press.
However, a number of owners have said that they thought they had given away too much to the union in a last-minute six-year contract extension that added almost a billion dollars in the league's contribution to the players.
And Upshaw told the AP several weeks ago that he was able to get more from the owners than he had agreed to just a few days before the owners finally agreed on the new deal.
Gumbel, once the host of the NBC pregame show and later co-host of "The Today Show," said when he was hired that no restrictions had been put on his ability to comment on what he sees on the field.
"It's a lot like covering any story," he said. "You see what is front of you and you report on it."
The two-year-old NFL Network will televise eight late-season games on Thursday and Saturday nights this season.
Copyright 2006 by The Associated Press
Or do this: milk it. Make it a subject in a new series about NFL Business on the NFL Network. Use the subject as a lightening rod for viewers.
That will make Gumbel's hiring all the more valuable and boost the NFL Network's position as nothing more than a mouthpiece for the league.
NEW YORK (AP) -- The job status of Bryant Gumbel, scheduled to be the play-by-play broadcaster on the eight late-season games on the NFL's in-house network, could be the subject of a discussion by NFL officials after Gumbel's suggestion that Paul Tagliabue show his successor "where he keeps Gene Upshaw's leash."
Tagliabue said Monday that incoming commissioner Roger Goodell and Steve Bornstein, who runs the NFL Network, will discuss the remarks after Goodell takes office Sept. 1.
Gumbel addressed his closing remarks on HBO's "Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel" last Tuesday to Goodell.
"Before he cleans out his office," Gumbel said. "Have Paul Tagliabue show you where he keeps Gene Upshaw's leash. By making the docile head of the players union his personal pet, your predecessor has kept the peace without giving players the kind of guarantees other pros take for granted. Try to make sure no one competent ever replaces Upshaw on your watch."
Tagliabue strongly disagreed with the tenor of Gumbel's comments.
"I think things that Bryant Gumbel said about Gene Upshaw and the owners are about as uninformed as anything I've read or heard in a long, long time, and quite inexcusable because they are subjects about which you can and should be better informed," Tagliabue said.
Tagliabue was also asked if he thought Gumbel should remain with the network.
"Having looked at how other people have had buyer's remorse when they took positions, I guess they suggest to me that maybe he's having buyer's remorse and they call into question his desire to do the job and to do it in a way that we in the NFL would expect it to be done," the commissioner said.
Upshaw did not immediately return a call placed by The Associated Press.
However, a number of owners have said that they thought they had given away too much to the union in a last-minute six-year contract extension that added almost a billion dollars in the league's contribution to the players.
And Upshaw told the AP several weeks ago that he was able to get more from the owners than he had agreed to just a few days before the owners finally agreed on the new deal.
Gumbel, once the host of the NBC pregame show and later co-host of "The Today Show," said when he was hired that no restrictions had been put on his ability to comment on what he sees on the field.
"It's a lot like covering any story," he said. "You see what is front of you and you report on it."
The two-year-old NFL Network will televise eight late-season games on Thursday and Saturday nights this season.
Copyright 2006 by The Associated Press
President Bush Committed To Iraq War And America's Soul
President Bush on Air Force One with U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson of Georgia, and on the way to Iraq, I'll bet.
I'm not making this up. It's in today's Washington Post online , and its scary in my view, this statement he made:
"We're not leaving so long as I'm president."
Wow. I know he's the great decider, but even the most decisive people have to learn when to change their course. Even though President Bush's saying that the very morale of America's taking a beating, he insists that we go through this.
Why?
What's the point of more reports of Americans dying over there? What's the point of more statistics of those wounded and injured? What's the tally? 63,000 or more? That's almost as many people as the population of the City of Berkeley (110,000) and it's oveer twice the number of students there. In other words, that's a lot of hurt Americans.
The War on Iraq has not made us safer. It's not improved the Mid East. It's done little good, if any. It's also caused us to commit financial resources better used to redevelop New Orleans and that part of the South.
It seems it's easier for this president to remake another country than to rebuild his own.
:
William Shatner Roast - Leonard Nimoy
This is a clip of a totally funny roast of TV legend William Shatner. I saw this on Comedy Central and loved it.
Matt Leinart 4 of 11 and Cardinals Fall To Pats 30-3
Pats QBs stellar in 30-3 drubbing of Cards
NFL.com wire reports
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (Aug. 19, 2006) -- In the first minute of his NFL career, Matt Leinart looked like a Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback -- running a hurry-up offense that impressed even Tom Brady.
For the rest of the night, there was little for Leinart and the Cardinals to be proud about.
"To go against this team on this field and get something in my first drive, that was pretty cool," Leinart said after his debut, which featured a quick 54-yard drive that netted Arizona its only points in a 30-3 loss to the New England Patriots.
But he spent the rest of the night resembling what he is -- a rookie with almost no real practice experience.
Five days after reporting to the Cardinals' training camp, the 2004 Heisman winner entered Arizona's exhibition game with 1:09 left in the first half. He promptly drove the Cardinals down the field to set up Neil Rackers' 48-yard field goal, scrambling for 29 yards on two runs and completing 3 of 6 passes for 20 yards on the drive.
That was against a New England defense made up mostly of regulars.
In extended action, Tom Brady looked to be in midseason form.
The Patriots' starters should have stayed in the game. In the third quarter, he was just 1 for 5 -- a 25-yard completion to tight end Eric Edwards -- and was sacked twice by New England backups. He finished 4 of 11 for 49 yards.
It was a miserable night all around for Arizona, which last week opened its new stadium with a 21-13 win over Super Bowl champion Pittsburgh. In fact, Leinart's drive at the end of the half was the only positive.
"I don't think anyone could have expected any more," said Kurt Warner, Arizona's starter, who two years ago helped break in Eli Manning with the New York Giants. "I thought he did a great job in the two-minute drill. He handled the situation well."
For New England, it was a workmanlike effort. Brady played most of the first half and completed 15 of 20 passes for 149 yards as the Patriots marched up and down the field but usually stalled before reaching the end zone.
Rookie Stephen Gostkowski, competing with Martin Gramatica to become the replacement for Adam Vinatieri, kicked three field goals for the Patriots (1-1). Matt Cassel, Leinart's backup at Southern Cal, threw two TD passes -- a 9-yarder to Heath Evans in the third quarter and a 5-yarder to Rich Musinski in the fourth quarter -- as both sides inserted subs liberally.
That made Leinart, who signed a six-year deal that could be worth $51 million, the major part of the show. He was the NFL's last draft choice to sign.
At first, he made it look as though his drop to 10th overall in the draft was a mistake -- at one point he was considered the top rookie coming out or at least one of the top three.
Because the Patriots had the ball on three long first-half scoring drives, Leinart didn't enter until 1:09 was left in the half.
His first NFL play was a pass in the right flat to wide-open running back J.J. Arrington that picked up 11 yards. His longest play was a 16-yard scramble up the middle that might have gained more had he not slid down at his 45. His second longest was a 13-yard run to the New England 37.
"I'm not a runner, but they were laying back and the middle was open," he said.
But in the second half, Leinart looked like a raw rookie and the Cardinals reverted to their old selves -- a franchise that has made the playoffs only once in 19 seasons in the desert. On one sack, Leinart fumbled but teammate Marcel Shipp recovered. As the game went on, he looked more and more unsure.
Leinart has a fan in Brady.
"I thought he did a great job," the two-time Super Bowl MVP said of the rookie. "He's a big strong kid. What impressed me was that he had such excellent scrambling ability. I remember when I was a rookie. There's so much to learn and he's coming in with just four days practice, which makes it doubly tough.'
Cassel, by contrast, got better as the Cardinals put in more subs. When Patriots coach Bill Belichick was asked about Leinart, he replied: "I liked the way our quarterback from USC played."
A seventh-round draft pick a year ago, Cassel finished 14 of 20 for 192 yards and those two touchdowns, far better than Leinart, who beat him out for the starting job at Southern Cal after Carson Palmer was the No. 1 pick by Cincinnati in the 2001 draft. "I was happy for him," said Leinart. "We're good friends and we talked a couple of times last week. He showed he can be an NFL player."
For that 1:09, so did Leinart.
NFL.com wire reports
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (Aug. 19, 2006) -- In the first minute of his NFL career, Matt Leinart looked like a Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback -- running a hurry-up offense that impressed even Tom Brady.
For the rest of the night, there was little for Leinart and the Cardinals to be proud about.
"To go against this team on this field and get something in my first drive, that was pretty cool," Leinart said after his debut, which featured a quick 54-yard drive that netted Arizona its only points in a 30-3 loss to the New England Patriots.
But he spent the rest of the night resembling what he is -- a rookie with almost no real practice experience.
Five days after reporting to the Cardinals' training camp, the 2004 Heisman winner entered Arizona's exhibition game with 1:09 left in the first half. He promptly drove the Cardinals down the field to set up Neil Rackers' 48-yard field goal, scrambling for 29 yards on two runs and completing 3 of 6 passes for 20 yards on the drive.
That was against a New England defense made up mostly of regulars.
In extended action, Tom Brady looked to be in midseason form.
The Patriots' starters should have stayed in the game. In the third quarter, he was just 1 for 5 -- a 25-yard completion to tight end Eric Edwards -- and was sacked twice by New England backups. He finished 4 of 11 for 49 yards.
It was a miserable night all around for Arizona, which last week opened its new stadium with a 21-13 win over Super Bowl champion Pittsburgh. In fact, Leinart's drive at the end of the half was the only positive.
"I don't think anyone could have expected any more," said Kurt Warner, Arizona's starter, who two years ago helped break in Eli Manning with the New York Giants. "I thought he did a great job in the two-minute drill. He handled the situation well."
For New England, it was a workmanlike effort. Brady played most of the first half and completed 15 of 20 passes for 149 yards as the Patriots marched up and down the field but usually stalled before reaching the end zone.
Rookie Stephen Gostkowski, competing with Martin Gramatica to become the replacement for Adam Vinatieri, kicked three field goals for the Patriots (1-1). Matt Cassel, Leinart's backup at Southern Cal, threw two TD passes -- a 9-yarder to Heath Evans in the third quarter and a 5-yarder to Rich Musinski in the fourth quarter -- as both sides inserted subs liberally.
That made Leinart, who signed a six-year deal that could be worth $51 million, the major part of the show. He was the NFL's last draft choice to sign.
At first, he made it look as though his drop to 10th overall in the draft was a mistake -- at one point he was considered the top rookie coming out or at least one of the top three.
Because the Patriots had the ball on three long first-half scoring drives, Leinart didn't enter until 1:09 was left in the half.
His first NFL play was a pass in the right flat to wide-open running back J.J. Arrington that picked up 11 yards. His longest play was a 16-yard scramble up the middle that might have gained more had he not slid down at his 45. His second longest was a 13-yard run to the New England 37.
"I'm not a runner, but they were laying back and the middle was open," he said.
But in the second half, Leinart looked like a raw rookie and the Cardinals reverted to their old selves -- a franchise that has made the playoffs only once in 19 seasons in the desert. On one sack, Leinart fumbled but teammate Marcel Shipp recovered. As the game went on, he looked more and more unsure.
Leinart has a fan in Brady.
"I thought he did a great job," the two-time Super Bowl MVP said of the rookie. "He's a big strong kid. What impressed me was that he had such excellent scrambling ability. I remember when I was a rookie. There's so much to learn and he's coming in with just four days practice, which makes it doubly tough.'
Cassel, by contrast, got better as the Cardinals put in more subs. When Patriots coach Bill Belichick was asked about Leinart, he replied: "I liked the way our quarterback from USC played."
A seventh-round draft pick a year ago, Cassel finished 14 of 20 for 192 yards and those two touchdowns, far better than Leinart, who beat him out for the starting job at Southern Cal after Carson Palmer was the No. 1 pick by Cincinnati in the 2001 draft. "I was happy for him," said Leinart. "We're good friends and we talked a couple of times last week. He showed he can be an NFL player."
For that 1:09, so did Leinart.
Vince Young - 11 of 19 But Titans Drop To Denver 35 to 10
Broncos ride Bell to 35-10 win over Titans
NFL.com wire reports
DENVER (Aug 19, 2006) -- Mike Bell made another big blunder and got another earful on the sideline.
Last week, the undrafted, unheralded rookie running back fumbled away the football just days after his dazzling rise through the depth chart to become the Broncos' top tailback.
He redeemed himself by scoring two touchdowns in Denver's 35-10 rout of Tennessee on a wet and chilly night, when he rumbled for 73 yards on 10 carries.
Still, he had some more explaining to do.
Wide receiver Rod Smith chastised him for going out of bounds at the end of a 34-yard run instead of burying his helmet into safety Lamont Thompson.
"There is no one on our football team who has the right to run out of bounds on his own unless it's the quarterback," Smith said. "You always fight for the extra yard. You never know. They might miss the tackle. They might slip. So, he didn't know that, so we let him slide on that one."
Smith intercepted a fuming running backs coach Bobby Turner and convinced him that the admonition should come from a teammate.
"The guy got like 30 yards. You can't be mad at him," Smith said. "But at the same time, you're like, 'Look, man, don't ever run out of bounds again. That sideline is not for us; it's for the quarterbacks."
Jake Plummer looked very sharp early on as he got the Broncos back on the right track.
That is something Denver coach Mike Shanahan had to remind Jake Plummer to do when he took a big hit from linebacker David Thornton while trying to score on a scramble to the pylon in the second quarter.
"I've got to be smart in the preseason to make sure I'm not taking those hits," Plummer said. "It wasn't like I got hit that hard but, still, the head coach doesn't like to see me take those hits in the preseason if I don't have to, so next week you won't see me do that again. I don't want to get yelled at."
Neither does Bell, who said he didn't know about the Broncos' rule that nobody goes out of bounds on their own accord unless they're the one taking the snap.
"I didn't know about that, but as a running back, that's like the golden rule: you never go out of bounds. I don't know what I was thinking," Bell said. "I'm definitely never going to do it again. So, you live and you learn, right?"
Sandwiched in between Bell's 1-yard dive and 1-yard dart into the end zone was a 35-yard touchdown pass on fourth down from Plummer to tight end Nate Jackson after the Broncos got the ball at midfield on safety Nick Ferguson 's interception of Billy Volek's pass.
Plummer kept the Titans off balance with a bevy of rollouts and completed 7 of 9 passes for 97 yards before giving way to backup Jay Cutler, the Broncos' top draft pick, who led Denver on touchdown drives on his first two possessions.
Denver didn't punt until the seven-minute mark of the fourth quarter and led 35-3 before Vince Young, the No. 3 pick in the draft, led the Titans on a late scoring drive.
The Broncos' defense was almost as efficient and impressive as its offense. Despite missing linemen Courtney Brown (knee) and Gerard Warren (toe), the Broncos registered three sacks of Volek, two by Demetrin Veal, who started in place of Warren.
Two Broncos defensive captains, cornerback Champ Bailey and linebacker Al Wilson, were held for breaking curfew: "If you miss curfew, you don't play," Shanahan said. "We've got rules, and they're good for everybody."
The Titans trailed 35-3 before they finally got into the end zone, and even that was an adventure.
Young recovered his own fumble at the goal line after Hamza Abdullah punched the ball loose following an 11-yard scramble up the middle in the fourth quarter.
"It's been a while since I've been hit like that," said Young, who led Texas to the national championship last year.
Young completed 11 of 19 passes for 125 yards against second- and third-stringers. He also had an interception that was wiped out by a penalty. Fellow rookie LenDale White, a Denver native, led the Titans with 28 yards on seven rushes in his NFL debut after sitting out last week for spitting on a teammate during practice.
"All I could say about tonight's performance is I'm glad it was preseason," Titans coach Jeff Fisher said. "We've got a lot of work to do. We played a really good team tonight and didn't do a good job of matching up."
Notes: Tennessee DE Antwan Odom sprained his right knee making a tackle in the first quarter and was carted off the field. He'll undergo an MRI. ... Broncos WR Javon Walker didn't have any passes thrown his way in his first start since blowing out his right knee in Green Bay's season opener last year.
NFL.com wire reports
DENVER (Aug 19, 2006) -- Mike Bell made another big blunder and got another earful on the sideline.
Last week, the undrafted, unheralded rookie running back fumbled away the football just days after his dazzling rise through the depth chart to become the Broncos' top tailback.
He redeemed himself by scoring two touchdowns in Denver's 35-10 rout of Tennessee on a wet and chilly night, when he rumbled for 73 yards on 10 carries.
Still, he had some more explaining to do.
Wide receiver Rod Smith chastised him for going out of bounds at the end of a 34-yard run instead of burying his helmet into safety Lamont Thompson.
"There is no one on our football team who has the right to run out of bounds on his own unless it's the quarterback," Smith said. "You always fight for the extra yard. You never know. They might miss the tackle. They might slip. So, he didn't know that, so we let him slide on that one."
Smith intercepted a fuming running backs coach Bobby Turner and convinced him that the admonition should come from a teammate.
"The guy got like 30 yards. You can't be mad at him," Smith said. "But at the same time, you're like, 'Look, man, don't ever run out of bounds again. That sideline is not for us; it's for the quarterbacks."
Jake Plummer looked very sharp early on as he got the Broncos back on the right track.
That is something Denver coach Mike Shanahan had to remind Jake Plummer to do when he took a big hit from linebacker David Thornton while trying to score on a scramble to the pylon in the second quarter.
"I've got to be smart in the preseason to make sure I'm not taking those hits," Plummer said. "It wasn't like I got hit that hard but, still, the head coach doesn't like to see me take those hits in the preseason if I don't have to, so next week you won't see me do that again. I don't want to get yelled at."
Neither does Bell, who said he didn't know about the Broncos' rule that nobody goes out of bounds on their own accord unless they're the one taking the snap.
"I didn't know about that, but as a running back, that's like the golden rule: you never go out of bounds. I don't know what I was thinking," Bell said. "I'm definitely never going to do it again. So, you live and you learn, right?"
Sandwiched in between Bell's 1-yard dive and 1-yard dart into the end zone was a 35-yard touchdown pass on fourth down from Plummer to tight end Nate Jackson after the Broncos got the ball at midfield on safety Nick Ferguson 's interception of Billy Volek's pass.
Plummer kept the Titans off balance with a bevy of rollouts and completed 7 of 9 passes for 97 yards before giving way to backup Jay Cutler, the Broncos' top draft pick, who led Denver on touchdown drives on his first two possessions.
Denver didn't punt until the seven-minute mark of the fourth quarter and led 35-3 before Vince Young, the No. 3 pick in the draft, led the Titans on a late scoring drive.
The Broncos' defense was almost as efficient and impressive as its offense. Despite missing linemen Courtney Brown (knee) and Gerard Warren (toe), the Broncos registered three sacks of Volek, two by Demetrin Veal, who started in place of Warren.
Two Broncos defensive captains, cornerback Champ Bailey and linebacker Al Wilson, were held for breaking curfew: "If you miss curfew, you don't play," Shanahan said. "We've got rules, and they're good for everybody."
The Titans trailed 35-3 before they finally got into the end zone, and even that was an adventure.
Young recovered his own fumble at the goal line after Hamza Abdullah punched the ball loose following an 11-yard scramble up the middle in the fourth quarter.
"It's been a while since I've been hit like that," said Young, who led Texas to the national championship last year.
Young completed 11 of 19 passes for 125 yards against second- and third-stringers. He also had an interception that was wiped out by a penalty. Fellow rookie LenDale White, a Denver native, led the Titans with 28 yards on seven rushes in his NFL debut after sitting out last week for spitting on a teammate during practice.
"All I could say about tonight's performance is I'm glad it was preseason," Titans coach Jeff Fisher said. "We've got a lot of work to do. We played a really good team tonight and didn't do a good job of matching up."
Notes: Tennessee DE Antwan Odom sprained his right knee making a tackle in the first quarter and was carted off the field. He'll undergo an MRI. ... Broncos WR Javon Walker didn't have any passes thrown his way in his first start since blowing out his right knee in Green Bay's season opener last year.
New York Jets 27; Waahington Redskins 14
Team effort lifts Jets over Redskins 27-14
NFL.com wire reports
LANDOVER, Md. (Aug. 19, 2006) -- If Derrick Blaylock can have another game or two like this, the New York Jets might stop trying to find another running back.
As for the Washington Redskins? Well, suffice it to say that coach Joe Gibbs was agitated and terse, sounding as if he'd just lost by four touchdowns to Dallas in Week 6 of the regular season.
Blaylock made a promising bid to win a starting job, rushing for 46 yards on 10 carries in the Jets' 27-14 victory over the Redskins. He punished what is supposed one of the league's best run defenses with four consecutive carries for 27 yards to start New York's opening drive.
"I feel real good. I felt good about getting the holes, hitting the holes, and seeing the way everybody performed," Blaylock said. "It felt good tonight."
Rookie Brad Smith ran 61 yards for a touchdown on a double reverse, and fellow fourth-round draft pick Leon Washington returned a kickoff 87 yards for a score. Reggie Newhouse added a fourth-quarter touchdown catch as the Jets showed some all-around improvement after last week's 16-3 loss to Tampa Bay.
Leon Washington had six carries for 17 yards to go along with this punt return for a touchdown.
The Jets entered the game trying to sort out two marquee positions. Three quarterbacks got a chance to make a case for the No. 1 job, but none made the kind of statement that would put them ahead of favorite Chad Pennington, who missed the game due to a family illness.
Patrick Ramsey, acquired from the Redskins in the offseason, got the start in his return to his old home stadium. His performance wasn't bad but it was hardly inspiring -- he went 6 for 9 for 33 yards, was sacked twice and didn't have a completion for longer than 9 yards. Ramsey was on the field for one score, but it was the one-play drive that consisted of Smith's long TD run.
"I do feel like we took a step," Ramsey said. "But there are plenty of things that we can clean up."
Brooks Bollinger entered midway through the second quarter and seemed at times to do as much running as throwing. He completed 10 of 16 passes for 69 yards and ran five times for 35 yards. He led a 23-play, 76-yard drive that took nearly 12 minutes and resulted in a field goal in the third quarter.
Second-round pick Kellen Clemens played the fourth quarter and threw the first touchdown pass of the game, a 5-yard toss snagged nicely by NFL Europe product Newhouse, son of former Dallas fullback Robert Newhouse.
With Curtis Martin's career in doubt because of a knee injury -- and after last week's attempted trade for Lee Suggs fell through -- the Jets are left with Blaylock, Washington and Cedric Houston in the mix at running back.
Washington, playing the part of the second quarter and all of the third, ran for 17 yards on six carries. Houston ran for 53 yards on 14 carries in the fourth, when the stands were half-empty and the starters long gone.
The Redskins wanted to see something from their starting offense after last week's 19-3 loss to Cincinnati, but new assistant coach Al Saunders' attack generated only three first downs in three drives with starting quarterback Mark Brunell. The first-team defense was embarrassed by Smith's reverse and allowed 145 yards rushing in the first half.
"I'm concerned all the way across the board," Gibbs said in a postgame news conference that lasted less than three minutes. "I think it's not playing, and me not coaching. When we show up and do stuff like that at home, I take it real serious. I think our players do, too. We're going to do something about it. It's hard for me to find something where I thought we played well."
Jason Campbell, competing with Todd Collins for the No. 2 job, threw an interception in his first drive, but made a nice 20-yard completion under pressure on his next drive to set up Washington's first score, a 1-yard run by Rock Cartwright. Collins, playing the fourth quarter, recovered from a miserable outing last week and went 12 for 18 for 114 yards with one touchdown and an interception.
Redskins defensive tackle Cornelius Griffin left the game in the first quarter with a sprained right knee. Griffin was able to jog off the field, and Gibbs said it was "just a bump -- nothing serious." Backup tight end Robert Johnson injured his left ankle in the third quarter; X-rays were negative.
The Redskins were already playing without three key starters: running back Clinton Portis (shoulder), cornerback Shawn Springs (abdomen) and defensive end Phillip Daniels (back).
In addition to quarterback and running back, the Jets might want to think about starting some competition at punter. Ben Graham, the only punter on the preseason roster, produced a 7-yard shank on his first attempt, then later launched an 8-yarder at the end of a bizarre play. Graham at first looked as if he were going to run the ball on a fake, then, just before reaching the line of scrimmage, he booted the ball diagonally well into the stands.
NFL.com wire reports
LANDOVER, Md. (Aug. 19, 2006) -- If Derrick Blaylock can have another game or two like this, the New York Jets might stop trying to find another running back.
As for the Washington Redskins? Well, suffice it to say that coach Joe Gibbs was agitated and terse, sounding as if he'd just lost by four touchdowns to Dallas in Week 6 of the regular season.
Blaylock made a promising bid to win a starting job, rushing for 46 yards on 10 carries in the Jets' 27-14 victory over the Redskins. He punished what is supposed one of the league's best run defenses with four consecutive carries for 27 yards to start New York's opening drive.
"I feel real good. I felt good about getting the holes, hitting the holes, and seeing the way everybody performed," Blaylock said. "It felt good tonight."
Rookie Brad Smith ran 61 yards for a touchdown on a double reverse, and fellow fourth-round draft pick Leon Washington returned a kickoff 87 yards for a score. Reggie Newhouse added a fourth-quarter touchdown catch as the Jets showed some all-around improvement after last week's 16-3 loss to Tampa Bay.
Leon Washington had six carries for 17 yards to go along with this punt return for a touchdown.
The Jets entered the game trying to sort out two marquee positions. Three quarterbacks got a chance to make a case for the No. 1 job, but none made the kind of statement that would put them ahead of favorite Chad Pennington, who missed the game due to a family illness.
Patrick Ramsey, acquired from the Redskins in the offseason, got the start in his return to his old home stadium. His performance wasn't bad but it was hardly inspiring -- he went 6 for 9 for 33 yards, was sacked twice and didn't have a completion for longer than 9 yards. Ramsey was on the field for one score, but it was the one-play drive that consisted of Smith's long TD run.
"I do feel like we took a step," Ramsey said. "But there are plenty of things that we can clean up."
Brooks Bollinger entered midway through the second quarter and seemed at times to do as much running as throwing. He completed 10 of 16 passes for 69 yards and ran five times for 35 yards. He led a 23-play, 76-yard drive that took nearly 12 minutes and resulted in a field goal in the third quarter.
Second-round pick Kellen Clemens played the fourth quarter and threw the first touchdown pass of the game, a 5-yard toss snagged nicely by NFL Europe product Newhouse, son of former Dallas fullback Robert Newhouse.
With Curtis Martin's career in doubt because of a knee injury -- and after last week's attempted trade for Lee Suggs fell through -- the Jets are left with Blaylock, Washington and Cedric Houston in the mix at running back.
Washington, playing the part of the second quarter and all of the third, ran for 17 yards on six carries. Houston ran for 53 yards on 14 carries in the fourth, when the stands were half-empty and the starters long gone.
The Redskins wanted to see something from their starting offense after last week's 19-3 loss to Cincinnati, but new assistant coach Al Saunders' attack generated only three first downs in three drives with starting quarterback Mark Brunell. The first-team defense was embarrassed by Smith's reverse and allowed 145 yards rushing in the first half.
"I'm concerned all the way across the board," Gibbs said in a postgame news conference that lasted less than three minutes. "I think it's not playing, and me not coaching. When we show up and do stuff like that at home, I take it real serious. I think our players do, too. We're going to do something about it. It's hard for me to find something where I thought we played well."
Jason Campbell, competing with Todd Collins for the No. 2 job, threw an interception in his first drive, but made a nice 20-yard completion under pressure on his next drive to set up Washington's first score, a 1-yard run by Rock Cartwright. Collins, playing the fourth quarter, recovered from a miserable outing last week and went 12 for 18 for 114 yards with one touchdown and an interception.
Redskins defensive tackle Cornelius Griffin left the game in the first quarter with a sprained right knee. Griffin was able to jog off the field, and Gibbs said it was "just a bump -- nothing serious." Backup tight end Robert Johnson injured his left ankle in the third quarter; X-rays were negative.
The Redskins were already playing without three key starters: running back Clinton Portis (shoulder), cornerback Shawn Springs (abdomen) and defensive end Phillip Daniels (back).
In addition to quarterback and running back, the Jets might want to think about starting some competition at punter. Ben Graham, the only punter on the preseason roster, produced a 7-yard shank on his first attempt, then later launched an 8-yarder at the end of a bizarre play. Graham at first looked as if he were going to run the ball on a fake, then, just before reaching the line of scrimmage, he booted the ball diagonally well into the stands.
Green Bay 38, Atlanta Falcons 10
Favre, Packers rout Falcons 38-10
NFL.com wire reports
GREEN BAY, Wis. (Aug. 19, 2006) -- A couple of their touchdowns might have come on fluke plays, but the Green Bay Packers offense suddenly looked legitimate.
One week after being held to a single field goal in San Diego, the Packers put together several sustained scoring drives in a 38-10 preseason victory over the Atlanta Falcons.
Brett Favre was 16-of-22 for 134 yards, throwing two touchdown passes to cap long drives and leading the Packers to a field goal after an interception by Falcons quarterback Michael Vick.
"We drove the ball really well," Favre said in quotes distributed by the Packers. "We had some good drives. That was a good feeling, compared to San Diego."
Falcons coach Jim Mora said he was happy with his first-team offense but needs to see more from his reserves.
"It's good to come to Lambeau Field and have Brett Favre on the other side of the field and have 69,000 people in the stands and see how those guys handle the pressure," Mora said. "Tonight, a lot of guys didn't handle it well."
Vick played only the first two series for Atlanta, looking sharp on a seven-play, 80-yard drive on the first. Vick threw a 22-yard touchdown pass to tight end Dwayne Blakley to give the Falcons a 7-0 lead.
"I felt good. I think everybody did their job," Vick said. "The first unit went out and played with a high level of intensity and we were able to make plays, move the ball, possessed great tempo. When we came out, it was up to the younger guys to pick it up."
Mora didn't see that happen.
Brett Favre looked like the Brett Favre of old, tossing two TDs in limited action.
"After that, as everyone saw, it was downhill," Mora said. "You see we have a glaring deficiency in backups right now. Now that doesn't mean we don't have guys on this team that can't step forward and fill those roles."
Favre answered by driving the Packers to the 3, where he threw a short pass that skipped off the hands of tight end David Martin and was caught by Bubba Franks to tie it at 7.
"We had to come out and punch those guys in the mouth early, and we did," receiver Donald Driver said.
Vick was intercepted by Packers rookie Tyrone Culver on the Falcons' second series, and left the game after completing 5 of 7 passes for 59 yards.
Atlanta backup Matt Schaub entered in the second quarter and had good field position after a 43-yard kickoff return by former Packer Allen Rossum.
Schaub got the Falcons into Packers territory, and Michael Koenen kicked a 51-yard field goal to tie the game at 10 -- another step toward solidifying Koenen's bid to handle both kicking and punting duties for the Falcons this season.
Favre threw his second touchdown pass to running back Najeh Davenport with 2:42 remaining in the half. Packers cornerback Jason Horton then intercepted Schaub's pass just before halftime, running it back 44 yards for a touchdown that gave the Packers a 24-10 halftime lead.
Rookie receiver Greg Jennings caught another Packers touchdown off a favorable bounce, snagging a tipped pass from backup Aaron Rodgers in the fourth quarter and running 85 yards for a touchdown, allowing the Packers to take a 31-10 lead.
"They caught a lot of breaks," Falcons linebacker Edgerton Hartwell said. "A tipped pass for a touchdown, another tipped pass for a touchdown. A blown coverage for another touchdown. ... Thank God for the preseason, it doesn't count."
Packers rookie defensive lineman Johnny Jolly intercepted a tipped pass in the fourth quarter, setting up Rodgers' touchdown pass to Zac Alcorn to make it 38-10.
The Packers got improved pass protection from a revamped offensive line, that includes two rookie starting guards, and struggled to protect Favre against the Chargers last Saturday.
"I think we're definitely headed in the right direction," said Packers coach Mike McCarthy, who earned his first preseason victory as a head coach. "You could see that we were capturing the line of scrimmage."
But Davenport, who is returning after missing most of last season with a broken ankle, carried 10 times for only 30 yards.
"I thought he played physical," McCarthy said.
Packers rookie linebacker A.J Hawk made a couple of solid defensive plays in the second quarter, tackling Justin Griffith for a 2-yard loss and breaking up Schaub's pass two plays later.
"As a whole, we played a lot faster tonight than last week," Hawk said. "It's good to get a win, even though it's just a preseason game."
Hawk was penalized 15 yards on the opening drive of the second half for roughing rookie quarterback D.J. Shockley, but later broke up an attempted pass by Shockley on third-and-15. Hawk's play should quiet some early criticism of the first-rounder.
"When he hits his comfort level, you're going to see what it's all about," McCarthy said.
NFL.com wire reports
GREEN BAY, Wis. (Aug. 19, 2006) -- A couple of their touchdowns might have come on fluke plays, but the Green Bay Packers offense suddenly looked legitimate.
One week after being held to a single field goal in San Diego, the Packers put together several sustained scoring drives in a 38-10 preseason victory over the Atlanta Falcons.
Brett Favre was 16-of-22 for 134 yards, throwing two touchdown passes to cap long drives and leading the Packers to a field goal after an interception by Falcons quarterback Michael Vick.
"We drove the ball really well," Favre said in quotes distributed by the Packers. "We had some good drives. That was a good feeling, compared to San Diego."
Falcons coach Jim Mora said he was happy with his first-team offense but needs to see more from his reserves.
"It's good to come to Lambeau Field and have Brett Favre on the other side of the field and have 69,000 people in the stands and see how those guys handle the pressure," Mora said. "Tonight, a lot of guys didn't handle it well."
Vick played only the first two series for Atlanta, looking sharp on a seven-play, 80-yard drive on the first. Vick threw a 22-yard touchdown pass to tight end Dwayne Blakley to give the Falcons a 7-0 lead.
"I felt good. I think everybody did their job," Vick said. "The first unit went out and played with a high level of intensity and we were able to make plays, move the ball, possessed great tempo. When we came out, it was up to the younger guys to pick it up."
Mora didn't see that happen.
Brett Favre looked like the Brett Favre of old, tossing two TDs in limited action.
"After that, as everyone saw, it was downhill," Mora said. "You see we have a glaring deficiency in backups right now. Now that doesn't mean we don't have guys on this team that can't step forward and fill those roles."
Favre answered by driving the Packers to the 3, where he threw a short pass that skipped off the hands of tight end David Martin and was caught by Bubba Franks to tie it at 7.
"We had to come out and punch those guys in the mouth early, and we did," receiver Donald Driver said.
Vick was intercepted by Packers rookie Tyrone Culver on the Falcons' second series, and left the game after completing 5 of 7 passes for 59 yards.
Atlanta backup Matt Schaub entered in the second quarter and had good field position after a 43-yard kickoff return by former Packer Allen Rossum.
Schaub got the Falcons into Packers territory, and Michael Koenen kicked a 51-yard field goal to tie the game at 10 -- another step toward solidifying Koenen's bid to handle both kicking and punting duties for the Falcons this season.
Favre threw his second touchdown pass to running back Najeh Davenport with 2:42 remaining in the half. Packers cornerback Jason Horton then intercepted Schaub's pass just before halftime, running it back 44 yards for a touchdown that gave the Packers a 24-10 halftime lead.
Rookie receiver Greg Jennings caught another Packers touchdown off a favorable bounce, snagging a tipped pass from backup Aaron Rodgers in the fourth quarter and running 85 yards for a touchdown, allowing the Packers to take a 31-10 lead.
"They caught a lot of breaks," Falcons linebacker Edgerton Hartwell said. "A tipped pass for a touchdown, another tipped pass for a touchdown. A blown coverage for another touchdown. ... Thank God for the preseason, it doesn't count."
Packers rookie defensive lineman Johnny Jolly intercepted a tipped pass in the fourth quarter, setting up Rodgers' touchdown pass to Zac Alcorn to make it 38-10.
The Packers got improved pass protection from a revamped offensive line, that includes two rookie starting guards, and struggled to protect Favre against the Chargers last Saturday.
"I think we're definitely headed in the right direction," said Packers coach Mike McCarthy, who earned his first preseason victory as a head coach. "You could see that we were capturing the line of scrimmage."
But Davenport, who is returning after missing most of last season with a broken ankle, carried 10 times for only 30 yards.
"I thought he played physical," McCarthy said.
Packers rookie linebacker A.J Hawk made a couple of solid defensive plays in the second quarter, tackling Justin Griffith for a 2-yard loss and breaking up Schaub's pass two plays later.
"As a whole, we played a lot faster tonight than last week," Hawk said. "It's good to get a win, even though it's just a preseason game."
Hawk was penalized 15 yards on the opening drive of the second half for roughing rookie quarterback D.J. Shockley, but later broke up an attempted pass by Shockley on third-and-15. Hawk's play should quiet some early criticism of the first-rounder.
"When he hits his comfort level, you're going to see what it's all about," McCarthy said.
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