Darrell Jackson - Seahawks' WR Still Out With Knee Problem

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

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

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

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

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

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

He was exaggerating, but only a little bit.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The return was no surprise to Engram.

"Jack is Jack," Engram said last season.

And Jack was back.

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

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

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

Niners Coach Mike Nolan on 49ers Pass Rush Problems

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

SF Head Coach Mike Nolan Q and A From Niners Website

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

RE: Injury update:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Shaun King Cut - Indy Colts Keep Two QBs

I know this was a hard decision for head coach Tony Dungy, and they gave Shaun every chance to make the team. But it came down to a numbers game.

Colts release Shaun King, three former draft picks

NFL.com wire reports

INDIANAPOLIS (Sept. 3, 2006) -- Veteran quarterback Shaun King and three former draft picks -- defensive tackle Vincent "Sweet Pea" Burns, defensive end Jonathan Welsh and defensive back Von Hutchins -- were among 25 players released by the Indianapolis Colts.

The Colts were required to trim their roster from 75 to the NFL regular-season limit of 53 by Saturday afternoon but waited until Sunday to announce the cuts.

Indy also claimed two players -- defensive lineman Dan Klecko and running back De De Dorsey off waivers. Klecko was cut by New England after playing four seasons with the Patriots. Dorsey was cut by the Cincinnati Bengals.

King, who started his career in Tampa Bay with Colts Tony Dungy, took most of the preseason snaps for the Colts. But the team decided to keep only two quarterbacks on the roster -- two-time MVP Peyton Manning and backup Jim Sorgi, who did not play in the final two preseason games because of a sore shoulder.

Burns, a third-round draft pick in 2005, missed the first nine games last season with shoulder and knee injuries before being placed on injured reserve in November.

Welsh, a fifth-rounder in 2005, was expected to fit the mold of Robert Mathis as a speed rusher but played in only six games last year before being put on injured reserve with a knee injury. He was still slowed by the injury throughout training camp.

Hutchins, a sixth-round pick in 2004, was battling three new draft picks to keep his backup job in the secondary.

Charles Rogers - Detroit Lions 2003 First Round Pick WR Officially A Bust; Cut By Team

This proves that there must be a way to measure "maturity" in evaulating a college athlete for the NFL. Perhaps the worst is over and he will be a better person and player.

Lions cut WR Rogers, No. 2 pick in 2003

NFL.com wire reports

DETROIT (Sept. 2, 2006) -- This is not what the Detroit Lions or Charles Rogers had in mind when the wide receiver was drafted second overall three years ago.

After being cut, his career in Detroit ended with just 36 receptions for 440 yards and four touchdowns along with two broken collarbones and a four-game suspension.

First-year coach Rod Marinelli was unimpressed by Rogers' work ethic and production during training camp, when he was slowed by a sore knee. The new staff also did not have a history with Rogers like team president Matt Millen, who drafted the former Michigan State star and gave him a $14.2 million signing bonus.

Rogers simply wasn't deemed good enough to make Marinelli's team, which is valuing hard work over talent.

"We picked the men that are right for this football team," Marinelli said. "It's behind us. I wish him the very best. We just move on."

Marinelli said Rogers didn't show up the morning of Sept. 2 at the team's practice facility in Allen Park. Marinelli said director of pro personnel Sheldon White left two messages for Rogers and informed his agent, Kevin Poston, of the team's decision.

"Maybe this is just one of those wrong-place, wrong-time things," Millen told The Associated Press. "I was a big fan of Charles when I drafted him, and I still am. He just needs to decide to use all of his skills."

Poston said he can start finding a new home for the receiver Sept. 3 if he is not picked up on waivers with his current contract.

"After 24 hours, we will start contacting teams and I'm sure teams will be contacting us," Poston told The AP. "He's a 25-year-old receiver with a lot of talent."

Messages seeking comment were left on Rogers' cell phone.

In 2003, the Lions and Rogers agreed to a six-year contract -- with a team option for a seventh season -- that could've been worth almost $55 million.

Detroit drafted Rogers one year after taking quarterback Joey Harrington, the No. 3 pick overall, envisioning the duo leading it to success. Since winning the 1957 NFL title, the Lions have won only one playoff game.

Rogers was cut five months after Harrington was traded to Miami for a conditional 2007 pick.

Perhaps in large part because Rogers and Harrington did not produce as hoped, the Lions are a league-worst 21-59 since Millen, a former linebacker and TV analyst, became an NFL executive for the first time in 2001.

"They have to be what they're supposed to be," Millen said three years ago in an interview with The AP. "They can't do it alone, but in order for us to get where we want to get, we can't look back and say we missed with those guys."

Rogers played in 15 games and missed 33 during his three years with the Lions.

He lived up to the hype on Sept. 7, 2003, when he became the first Detroit rookie to catch two TDs -- on his first two receptions -- in his first game. He led the team with 22 catches for 243 yards and three TD receptions through five games. Then, Rogers had his first setback when he broke his right collarbone during a bye-week practice, a season-ending injury.

On Detroit's first drive the next season, he had the same injury and had season-ending surgery.

Last year, Rogers had five receptions for 77 yards over the first three games before encountering his next obstacle. He was suspended for four games for violating the NFL's substance abuse policy, and finished the season with 14 receptions for 197 yards and a TD.

"I will make no excuses for what I did, and I accept full responsibility for my actions," Rogers said in a statement released by the team when the suspension was announced last October. "I let down a lot of people, mainly myself."

The Lions released 21 total players, including offensive tackle Kelly Butler and linebacker James Davis. The team also placed safety Idrees Bashir on the injured reserve.

Davis started 29 games the previous two years and Butler started all 16 last season.

San Diego Chargers' Steve Foley Shot By Off-Duty Cop; Why Was Cop Off Duty??

Why was an off duty cop looking to make an arrest? Something here does not pass the logic test. Was the cop himself intoxicated? Also was the officer driving an unmarked car? If so, it may have been hard for Foley to tell if he was a cop.


Chargers' Foley shot by off-duty cop

By Sandra Dibble
UNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER
September 4, 2006

Chargers linebacker Steve Foley underwent surgery for gunshot wounds yesterday after being shot by an off-duty police officer outside his Poway home.


Steve Foley
The 3:41 a.m. shooting occurred after the Coronado officer followed Foley's car for about 10 miles, according to the San Diego County Sheriff's Department. The officer suspected a drunken driver when he spotted Foley's vehicle weaving in and out of lanes of northbound traffic on state Route 163, nearly colliding with several other cars, investigators said.

Foley, 30, was shot standing near his car, said sheriff's homicide Lt. Dennis Brugos. He more than once had refused the officer's order to pull over, Brugos said.

The officer, whose name was not released, was driving an unmarked car and was not in uniform. The officer told investigators he fired his weapon several times at Foley after the athlete stepped out of his vehicle on the quiet, upscale cul-de-sac of Travertine Court, and reached into his pants.

It was not clear whether Foley was armed, Brugos said.

Chargers coach Marty Schottenheimer said Foley's injuries were not life-threatening. Schottenheimer said he did not know whether Foley would miss any time on the playing field as a result.

“The only thing we're thinking about is to make sure he is well,” Schottenheimer said. “Beyond that, it's not appropriate in my view to comment.”
On Saturday evening, hours before the incident, Foley had attended the Chargers' rookie dinner, where new players treat veterans to a lavish meal.

Police said Foley was taken to Sharp Memorial Hospital. A city of San Diego dispatcher confirmed an ambulance sent to Travertine Court at 3:47 a.m. took a patient to Sharp Memorial Hospital in Kearny Mesa. A hospital spokeswoman, Kathy Gambito, said she had no information on a patient with Foley's name.

Foley's agent, David Levine, said Foley underwent surgery at noon.

It is unknown whether any charges will be filed against Foley. His female companion, Lisa Maree Gaut, 25, was booked into Las Colinas jail yesterday afternoon on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon and driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, according to the Sheriff's Department. A court hearing for Gaut is set for Thursday afternoon in El Cajon.

Foley signed with the Chargers as a free agent before the 2004 season, starting 13 games last season and missing three games with an abdominal injury. He tied for third on the team with 4½ sacks.

“He's been a great asset to this team, whether it's how he plays or how he livens up the locker room and how he leads,” said cornerback Quentin Jammer. “Foley is a genuine good guy. That's how he is all the time.”

Homicide detectives have taken over the investigation, because the shooting involves a police officer. The officer is on administrative leave, according to the Sheriff's Department, a standard procedure in such shootings.

The Coronado Police Department referred questions to the Sheriff's Department.

Foley has had previous run-ins with law enforcement. Last week, the San Diego County District Attorney's Office said it would not pursue charges against Foley for an incident in April. He was accused of resisting arrest, battery on a police officer and being drunk in public after an altercation on a University City street about 1:30 a.m. April 21.

After several incidents in Cincinnati in 1999 and 2000, where he played for the Bengals, Foley was enrolled in an NFL alcohol program.

According to the initial report from the Sheriff's Department, yesterday's incident started about 3:30 a.m. when the Coronado officer said he noticed Foley's car weaving on state Route 163 near state Route 52, traveling at speeds ranging from 30 mph to 90 mph.

The officer followed Foley's car as it exited Interstate 15 at Pomerado Road, the report said. Officials said the officer radioed other law enforcement agencies about his actions. When Foley stopped at a red light, the officer said he pulled his car alongside Foley's, identified himself as a police officer, and ordered him to pull over. Foley continued driving, investigators said.

After a short distance, Foley's car stopped again. Foley got out of the vehicle and approached the officer, who had stopped his vehicle behind Foley's. The officer identified himself again and pulled out his handgun, according to the report.

Foley kept approaching and said, “that's a BB gun,” the officer told investigators.

Foley then walked back to his car and drove away. Foley stopped again at the corner of Treadwell Drive and Travertine Court, near his house. The officer backed up his car and then stepped out at the end of the cul-de-sac, according to the report. Foley, who is 6-foot-4 and weighs 265 pounds, walked toward him with his female companion, Gaut, now at the wheel of Foley's customized Oldsmobile Cutlass.

The officer repeated that he was a police officer, and that the gun was real, according to the report. The officer then fired into some bushes as a warning. Gaut then drove the car quickly in the officer's direction, prompting him to fire two times at the vehicle, the report said. That's when Foley reached into his pants with his right hand, investigators said, and continued to approach the officer. The officer fired his gun.

“The suspect acknowledged that he had been shot, but continued toward the officer,” the sheriff's report said.

The officer fired again, the report said, and Foley fell to the ground.

The law allows – but does not require – off-duty police officers to make arrests when they witness suspected misdemeanor crimes, including drunken driving, said Paul Pfingst, the former San Diego County district attorney now in private practice.

“If a person resists arrest, (the officer) has no duty to retreat, if they use deadly force against him, he has the right to defend himself,” said Pfingst, who also served on the San Diego Police Department's review board scrutinizing police shootings and misconduct accusations.

What may become an issue in this case is how the Coronado officer identified himself and whether Foley believed he was legitimate, Pfingst said.

“There's an (identification) question going on there,” he said. “Usually if someone has a badge and a gun and displays it in a clear manner, people don't think they're having a BB gun. The question is whether a badge was displayed. And when it was displayed, was it displayed in a manner that could be seen.”

Several hours after the shooting yesterday, investigators remained on the scene, cordoning off the small cul-de-sac where the shooting occurred. Foley's car stood in the middle, the passenger door ajar.

Property records show Foley purchased a four-bedroom, 2,965-square-foot residence on Travertine Court for $1.39 million in July 2005.

Neighbors in the Rolling Hills Estates development described Foley as a friendly, pleasant neighbor.

“He was real personable, every time he went by he would wave,” said Kent Goodman, who lives nearby.

Foley took time to chat with Goodman's son, who plays football in a Pop Warner League, Goodman said.

Ben Roethlisberger To Miss Opener; Charlie Batch Takes Over

This development could be a blessing for backup quarterback Charlie Batch. The question is how will the Steelers offense cope with the Dolphins pass rush? It's going to be a long evening; look for the Steelers to run early and often, then go with play action.

Roethlisberger has emergency appendectomy
NFL.com wire reports

PITTSBURGH (Sept. 3, 2006) -- Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger had an emergency appendectomy after becoming ill before practice and will miss Pittsburgh's season opener at home with Miami on Sept. 7, the NFL's marquee opening-night game.

Coach Bill Cowher is not certain how long Roethlisberger will be out following the quarterback's third operation in 10 months -- and second in 2½ months.

"The surgery went well," Cowher said. "He is obviously going to be out this week and we will go week to week from there."

Charlie Batch, the former Lions starter who was 2-0 as a fill-in last season when Roethlisberger hurt his knee, will start against the Dolphins in the NFL's first game of the season.

"This is why Charlie is here. Charlie will be fine," Cowher said. "It's a situation that can happen to any football team. You can go out there and have a starter go down, whether it's an ankle or something else of that nature. That's the nature of the business."

The appendix attack is yet another medical setback for Roethlisberger, who nearly died in a June 12 motorcycle accident only to make a remarkably fast recovery. He missed no practice time during training camp and played better in the preseason than he did a year ago before leading the Steelers to their first Super Bowl victory in 26 years.

Roethlisberger missed four games last season because of two knee injuries, one that required surgery, and injured his right thumb late in the season. He later said he broke it, though the Steelers never have confirmed that, but he missed no playing time because of that injury.

It was not immediately known if the motorcycle accident might have caused any internal damage that subsequently resulted in the appendix attack. All of Roethlisberger's known injuries from the crash -- a broken nose, orbital bones and upper and lower jaw, damaged teeth and a concussion -- were to his head.

According to various medical journals, one cause of appendicitis can be a perforation in the appendix.

The Steelers were to begin the season with only two quarterbacks, Roethlisberger and Batch, plus rookie Omar Jacobs on their practice squad. But Cowher said they would bring in another quarterback this week.

One possibility might be former starter Tommy Maddox, who knows the Steelers' system better than any other quarterback they could bring in on short notice. But Maddox played poorly while losing two starts when Roethlisberger was out last season.

Unhappy at being cut after the season ended, Maddox was the only Steelers player who did not attend a White House ceremony honoring the Super Bowl champions this summer.

"We will assess the backup (situation) as the week goes on. This is the situation we are being dealt and we are not asking for any pity nor are we going to make any excuses," Cowher said. "We are going to get ready for Miami accordingly."

Roethlisberger is the youngest quarterback to win a Super Bowl, doing so at age 23 when the Steelers beat Seattle 21-10 on Feb. 5. He is off to one of the best starts of any NFL quarterback in history, leading the Steelers to a 27-4 record in his 31 starts and to two AFC championship games and one Super Bowl in two seasons.

The Steelers made the playoffs last season even with Roethlisberger sitting out one-quarter of their schedule, and Cowher said they will overcome this latest setback.

"Adversity is not what knocks you down, it is how you handle it and how you respond to it," he said. "This football team with its veterans has been down this road before, facing challenges and adversity."

There is a possibility the Steelers could be without their two top skill position players against Miami. Wide receiver Hines Ward didn't have a full training camp practice after Aug. 3 because of a sore hamstring and is listed as questionable. He did not play in the preseason.


AP NEWS
The Associated Press News Service

Bill Chackhes Is Ready For Some Football

It's that Smell.....that smell of food slowly roasting over a BBQ grill. The last gasp of summer (although you'd never know it in NY where we had fall like temps this week and flooding due to Ernesto) is on us, and that means Football season has begun.

Weather yours is of the college variety, which has just begun this weekend, or the NFL variety which begins next weekend, you can now rejoice,..Your time has come, your games are here. Usually this is the weekend where everyone takes a short trip, visits family, or has a gathering. I can't do that this year, as i'm enthralled by the start of football once again.

This time, i have 6 fantasy FL teams, a website and podcast, plus contributing to this Blog to keep me busy. Coaching season has also begun forme as well. So lets get ready for Football everyone!!

Kyra Phillips Makes David Letterman's "Top 10" List - Video

CNN's Kyra Phillips makes the "Top 10" list on David Letterman's "The Late Show" after her appearance -- or mic mistake -- during President Bush's speech commemorating Hurricane Katrina on Monday.

Here's the video:

RON HILL APPOINTED NFL VP OF FOOTBALL OPERATIONS

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

WWW.NFLMedia.com
Joe Browne, Executive Vice President-Communications
Greg Aiello, Vice President-Public Relations

FOR USE AS DESIRED
NFL-52 8/31/06

RON HILL APPOINTED NFL VP OF FOOTBALL OPERATIONS

RON HILL, a 26-year NFL scout and player personnel executive, has been named NFL vice president of football operations, the league announced today.

Hill will work under the NFL’s new Senior Vice President of Football Operations RAY ANDERSON in multiple areas, including officiating, the NFL Competition Committee, and development programs for coaches and football executives.

He will manage the NFL’s relationships with college football coaches and athletic directors, the league’s medical committees, the Senior Bowl and other college all-star events, and with other professional and employee groups involved in football.

Hill also will serve as an advisor on football issues to the NFL’s youth football and international departments, the NFL Players Association, and league apparel and equipment suppliers. He also will be a liaison with the NFL broadcasting department on the competitive aspects of game scheduling.

Hill has worked for four NFL teams over the past 26 years.

He began with the Dallas Cowboys in 1979 as an area and regional scout. From 1984-94, he was a regional scout and assistant director of player personnel for the Denver Broncos.

Hill then joined the Jacksonville Jaguars in 1994 as their director of pro personnel. In 1998, he moved to the Atlanta Falcons where he worked for seven years as vice president of football operations and vice president of player personnel.

Hill is a native of Okolona, Mississippi, and a graduate of Mississippi State University, where he obtained a master’s degree in administration and education.
# # #

New England Patriots Reject Seahawks and Jets Offers For Deion Branch

The New England Patriots have treated their star wide receiver Deion Branch like crap. First they fail to offer a competitive contract to him, then fine him something like $14,000 for each day of his training camp holdout, and now they've rejected trade offers from the Seattle Seahawks and New York Jets.

Now, Deion's running -- right to the NFL Players Association to file a grevance.

I hope he wins in arbitration.

David Fleming On Bengals LB Odell Thurman For ESPN

I copied and posted and liked to this article by Dave Fleming because it contains evidence of why there should be more African American head coaches in the NFL: the "father figure" element.

In Thurman's case, he lost both of his parents, and until Bengals Head Coach Marvin Lewis, had no one really strong figure in his life who actually had control over his future and who cared. According to Thurman, that person is Lewis.

I'm not stating that the same relationship can't be established with a white coach, but that since so many young black men grow up in single-mother homes, the presentation of a strong black male figure is welcome to the kid.

First Person: Odell Thurman

By David Fleming


Bengals linebacker Odell Thurman sits in a green velvet chair 16 floors above the street with his back to Cincinnati's Fountain Square, or what's left of it, as construction workers below loudly tear apart and rebuild one of the city's most famous landmarks. In effect, the same thing has been happening to Thurman this preseason.


While growing up in an impoverished part of rural Georgia, Thurman overcame the deaths of both of his parents to star at UGA. Several off-field incidents in college caused him to fall to the second round of the 2005 draft. But in Cincinnati Thurman emerged as the Chad Johnson of the resurgent Bengals defense. From his Mike 'backer spot he led the team with 148 tackles (46 ahead of the second-place tackler) and led all NFL rookies with five picks while his Tasmanian Devil style of play drew comparisons to Ray Lewis and restored the team's defensive swagger. "The sky's the limit with Odell," said Bengals coach Marvin Lewis.

Those expectations, however, all came crashing down around him this summer when Thurman's second violation of the NFL substance abuse policy led to a four-game suspension to start the 2006 season. He says that missing tests while out of town this summer, as well as appointments with his NFL mandated counselor, are what caused the violation -- not another positive drug test result. (The NFL considers them the same thing.) And he denies, flatly, the notion that he skipped the tests because he was going to test positive. Now Thurman says he'll be tested several times a week and his next violation would result in a yearlong suspension.

Thurman, 23, was allowed to participate in all preseason activities but on Sept. 4 he will no longer be permitted to practice or be with the team on game days. As he neared the isolation of that cutoff date, Thurman, dressed in a striped Coogi polo shirt and sporting a massive chunk of tobacco in his right cheek, sat down after the Bengals' MNF triumph to clear the air with the first in-depth interview of his tumultuous preseason.


Tom Szczerbowski/US Presswire
After a great rookie season in 2005, Thurman received comparisons to Ray Lewis.
He began by placing one finger on the corner of the dark wood coffee table in front of him, saying …

"If this is the edge right here then I got one foot over the edge, I got one whole leg over the edge and the fall would be … I can't even see the ground. A one year [suspension] for me, if I were to make that mistake, it would be like committing suicide.

"I just want people to know I wasn't out there using all types of drugs. Basically, it was me missing a test. To be honest it was my first NFL offseason and I was out doing too much during the summertime, being irresponsible about the whole thing and not taking it real serious. I made a mistake. And I'm living with that mistake. And now I'm refocusing. I just worry that the fans have gotten the wrong impression on me, that they think I'm an addict with real problems with using drugs. I've heard some wild stuff, rumors about crack, methamphetamine, people saying I came into camp 50 pounds underweight. When the main thing to all this was me missing a test -- not failing it, missing it. Even though if you miss a test in this system, it's the same as having drugs in your system. That's the way they see it.

"I'm not the kind of person that's been portrayed by the media, a bad guy or a drug user. I'm not. That's not the case at all. I want people to see the situation I'm in and how critical this is for me. I know some people will still believe whatever they want to believe. But the people around me, they know what kind of a person I truly am. Missing the test is not on the same pedestal as using. Missing the test is irresponsible. Using drugs is stupid. I blame it all on myself, I was just being irresponsible about the whole situation. In some ways I look at it like, man, I didn't really mess up but I still come across in all of this looking like the real bad guy. I'm not perfect but I'm not on meth or crack cocaine, either.

"I knew for a couple of months, I was just waiting to hear back from the league what the punishment would be. The biggest problem was around camp, when the news came out, I was embarrassed and scared and I separated myself from everyone. Coach called me like five or six times but I was in denial. I didn't want to face it. I didn't want to handle it. I was worried how everyone would treat me. I mean, I used to be the happiest guy in the building coming into work. And I wondered if guys would still follow me on this defense. But my teammates welcomed me back with open arms and the Bengals didn't turn their backs on me either. They're, like, 110 percent behind me. Coach is like a father to me. It's that simple.

"Looking from the outside in, I don't get mad at people when they say that [the Bengals have character issues] because there has been a lot of stuff going on with this team. But there's a lot of people in that locker room and coaches can't control everyone. The Bengals organization can tell people, 'don't do this, don't do that.' But they can't control everyone in that locker room. They can't.

"When I finally came back to camp I sat down with coach and he basically said this to me: 'You're mine. I drafted you, I'm not pushing you away, I'm still behind you 100 percent. Just stay focused from here on out. Don't get down. Don't mess up again. Just get back on the field.' I think he knew that I had heard enough how bad I had messed up. I know what I did and that I had to take full responsibility for what I did. So the team said to me, 'we still love you around here, we're still your family, we're not going to push you out the door because of one mistake.' [Coach] called me every other day making sure I was okay, asking if I needed to talk or if I needed anything. I had tried to push him away at first, I thought I should deal with it on my own, but that was the wrong thing to do. I was really just hiding.


Tom Szczerbowski/US Presswire
Thurman will miss Cincy's first four games in 2006 -- including games at Kansas City and Pittsburgh and vs. New England.
"I feel like I came in as a rookie and I made a statement right away. I may have made some mistakes but I made them at a 100 miles per hour. As a rookie on the field, I could be a tiny, half step out of alignment and coach Lewis would jump down my throat. Like, 'GET UP AND GET OVER THERE, RIGHT NOW ODELL!' And I'd move one tiny step over and that's how far off I was, a few inches. That was the kind of small stuff he stayed on my back about and that's why I had a great rookie season on the field.

"I think coach Lewis is doing the same things with me, only now it's with my life. If I'm two minutes late for a meeting, he's gonna get on me. If I'm not dressed properly for practice, he's gonna get on me. All the small stuff, he's gonna get on me. And I appreciate having someone in my life like that and I know I need it. Being young and being in the situation I'm in right now, I can't make any more mistakes, not one more slipup.

"Missing the test for me was like one more eye-opener or another kick in the butt for me. Like, it's time to get focused again. I've got goals set higher than just being in the NFL. I really do feel like I can be one of the best. But I can honestly say, too, that I haven't worked like that. I haven't worked like I'm the best. I lift weights. I do this. I do that. I run. But there are times when I slip and I don't want to work out and I'm just being young and irresponsible. I've always had that in the back of my mind: that I'm the best, I'm the greatest. What I found out was everyone thinks that. But not everyone prepares to be the greatest.

"But now that I have this mistake on me, the magnifying glass will always be on me. I gotta work. I can't slip. I can't falter. All I have to do is make sure I don't hang myself. I gotta live my life more organized. I gotta plan ahead. And I gotta see the big picture of my life, which is football has gotten me everything I have. That's the main reason for where I'm at: football.

"Looking back on my whole career, this is how it's always been for me. Like at Georgia. I got suspended, I messed up and I knew that if I made another mistake I was out of there. And I went straight. Now I messed up in the league at an early point in my career. I have no more errors I can make. So now I have to make this a 10-year run -- at least.

"I know it doesn't seem like it because I almost blew it all, almost let it all go, but I appreciate what I got now, especially after where I came from. I don't think everyone out there truly understands where I came from. The way I grew up, I had an elbow in the back of my neck my whole life. Like, 'you're gonna do right, you're gonna be the one who makes it.' But 90 percent of the people out there, if they had been through the stuff I've been through in life, they wouldn't be where I'm at.

"I lost both parents at a young age. Basically I came from nothing: I mean 15, 16, 17 people in a four-bedroom house, sharing clothes with my cousins, four people in a bed, man if you came home late you had trouble finding a spot to sleep. I'm serious. We were rich with love, though, we were rich with love.

"My dad's death was much harder to take than my mom's. Being at such a young age when she died [in a car wreck when Odell was in the fourth grade] I kinda didn't really understand it. It hurt but I didn't understand it. When my father died [of liver and kidney failure three years ago] it came at a key point in my life -- when I really needed him he was gone. I was 20, had just had a kid of my own [Odalyus, now 4] and it was the week before my first college game. At that point I didn't have a parent to support me. Nothing. I had uncles and family and my grandma but there's nothing like having your parents behind you.

"My dad came to watch me in the Red-Black scrimmage before my sophomore year at Georgia. I had a good game. We celebrated. Three or four days later my auntie calls and says, 'You need to come see your daddy.' Now, I had just talked to him earlier in the day and when I came home to see him in the hospital, he was already like a vegetable. A few days earlier he had been complaining about a stomachache. But it was kidney failure, they said. He was dying from kidney failure from drinking too much. But he wasn't a drunk. He went to work, sober, every day for eight, nine years. His body just couldn't take it any more.

"What I remember the most was the doctor's wording when I asked him a question about talking to my dad the next day. And he said to me: 'If he makes it through the night.' If? I caught that. I remember that. If? My family was hiding from me how bad it was. But I remember that word: if. I left the hospital and drove back to campus and in the hour it took me to get back to Athens, he died. He left me too early. That's what I think. He left me too early. I played that week. I didn't start. But I played a good game. I needed to get back around my teammates.

"And that's what I need now. It's gonna be a long month, I'm not gonna lie about it. But I think I'll be alright. Watching games, being close but not being able to get in there with my teammates, that's the worst punishment right there. Not playing, I've been looking at this team like this: Damn, they're good, but now imagine if they had me too? What if I was out there? I really do believe that I play a key role on this team. Then I look at our offense and it's like, they can just score whenever they want to. Most teams talk about the Super Bowl this time of year but for us, it's a realistic goal to set.

"Man, we could be like the Colts last year, winning 13, 14 in a row. That's not even thinking outside the box with this team. It's not. We've got a great team that can really do something like that this year. We're stacked at every position. Most teams this time of year are like, 'we need a quarterback, we need a running back, we need a safety.' But I can't name one position in that locker room that we don't have guys who are the best in the league at their position. This is a team full of Pro Bowlers.

"And I'm still a part of this team, I'm still a Bengal. That's what I need to stay focused on right now. I've still got a job to do when I get back. I know I have to do the right thing now, so I'm not scared. It's all up to me. I control it. And in my mind I think I'll be a Bengal forever. It's gonna take time, I know, but I think I can be one of the most beloved players around here.

"Once I step back on the field I'm hoping all of this stuff will diminish. People will see that I'm still focused, that I'm still the player I was last year, that I'm still the Bengal they used to love. I think this will pass over. That's what I'm hoping.

"I just want everyone to see the truth: that I made some mistakes but that doesn't make me a bad person. I did make some mistakes. I'm not denying that. I did get in the program to begin with. And to get in you had to be doing something. But I'm not the first and I won't be the last to deal with this type of stuff. I just want people, however they looked at me beforehand, that's what I want to go back to.

"I just don't want to end up a sad case, you know? I don't want to look back one day and have to say, 'coulda, shoulda, woulda been.' I want to be able to look back in 10 years and say I was one of the greatest. I want to be a success story. I want people to say he came from nothing and made it all the way to the Hall of Fame.

"From nothing to the Hall of Fame. That's the story I want. A success story.

"I don't want to end up no sad story."

David Fleming is a senior writer for ESPN The Magazine. His first book, "Noah's Rainbow: a Father's Emotional Journey from the Death of his Son to the Birth of his Daughter" (Baywood 2006) was hailed by grief educators as a "deeply touching, insightful, fresh and credible voice on the complex journey of grieving and healing." His next book, based on the controversial 1925 NFL Pottsville Maroons (ESPN Books 2007) has been optioned as a movie by Sentinel Entertainment. Contact him at Dave.Fleming@espn3.com

Brianna Keilar, Don't Do A Kyra Phillips -- Turn Off Your Mic!

I'll bet CNN's Newsource Correspondent Brianna Keilar's smiling about this whole thing about Kyra Phillips and thinking "I'd never make that mistake."

Hey Brianna, keep your mic off, and one day the lead job will be yours!

Brianna Keilar Gets More Airtime | Brianna Keilar and Kyra Phillips | Brianna Keilar On CNN Saturday | Brianna Keilar Now CNN Anchor | Brianna Keilar At 2005 NFL Draft

CNN.com's Top Video Should Be About Kyra Phillips...

You know how CNN.com posts the top video? Well, if they don't select the YouTube on Kyra Phillips, they're covering up the whole matter.

We'll see!

YouTube: CNN's Kyra Phillips' Mic Was On While President Bush Spoke - Rags On Sister In Law

Everyone around here's making a big deal about what to me was an honest -- but juicy -- error. CNN's "Live From" Host Kyra Phillips left her mic on during President Bush's speech regarding Katrina and I was aware that someone's mic was on but didn't give it a second thought.

I don't think there's any deeper meaning here, but there may be regarding the comments she made in the bathroom. If you give a listen to the clip below this is what you will here according to Newsbusters.org:

Kyra Phillips: ""assholes. Yeah, I'm very lucky in that regard with my husband. My husband is handsome and he is genuinely a loving, you know, no ego.[unintelligible] you know what I'm saying. Just a really passionate, compassionate great, great human being. And they exist. They do exist. They're hard to find. Yup. But they are out there."

[unidentified woman]: "We'll see. He's going to come, you know, he's set for an extended visit.[unintelligible]"

Phillips: "I mean, that's, that's how you figure it all out, those extended visits. [laughter]"

[unidentified woman]: "Yeah, but my mom, I think she really likes him."

Phillips: "Mom's got a good vibe? Good."

[unidentified woman]: "Yeah, my brother's the one that.[unintelligible]"

Phillips: "Brother-of course, brothers have to be, you know, protective. Except for mine. I've got to be protective of him."

[unidentified woman [unintelligible]

Phillips: "Yeah. He's married, three kids, but his wife is just a control freak."

[unidentified woman #2]: "Kyra."

Phillips: "Yeah, baby?"

[unidentified woman #2]: "Your mic is on. Turn it off. It's been on the air."

Seconds later, Daryn Kagan stumbled through this awkward transition:

Daryn Kagan: "Alright, we've been listening in to President Bush as he speaks in, uh, New Orleans today. This is the one year anniversary of Katrina making land shore there. President Bush saying if another natural disaster hits, our country. We must, uh, react better than that. Let's listen in once again to President Bush."

Ok, so she likes her husband, but not her sister-in-law. Ouch! Now everyone knows!

What makes me holla is the place on Technorati where it reads...

Sponsored Links

Kyra Phillips - Cheap Prices Bargain Prices for Kyra Phillips. Computers and Electronics Reviews. www.nextag.com

I don't think CNN's dumping her anytime soon.

Here's the video:

NFL Minority Coaching Fellowship Draws 86; Past Grads: Marvin Lewis and Herman Edwards

From NFLMedia.com

FOR USE AS DESIRED
NFL-50 8/23/06

IN 25TH YEAR, NFL MINORITY COACHING FELLOWSHIP
ATTRACTS RECORD 86 PARTICIPANTS

-- CHIEFS’ HERMAN EDWARDS BECOMES FIRST COACH TO LEAD TEAM WHERE HE INTERNED --

A record 86 minorities took part in this summer’s NFL Minority Coaching Fellowship Program in the 25th year of the program’s existence, the NFL announced today.

Also this year, the Minority Coaching Program produced its first graduate to be named head coach of the team where he
interned.

The graduate is new Kansas City Chiefs head coach HERM EDWARDS, who interned with the team in 1989. In 2001, he
became the first graduate of the program to be named an NFL head coach when he was appointed by the New York Jets.
“I am a head coach in the NFL today because of the opportunity the Coaching Fellowship provided me,” says Edwards.
“The program is really the thing that jump-starts your career. It really worked perfectly for me. I was in the right place at
the right time.”

Two other NFL head coaches are graduates of the program – MARVIN LEWIS (pictured) of Cincinnati and LOVIE SMITH of
Chicago.

The fellowship, instituted by the NFL in 1981, provides training-camp coaching positions for minority coaches at NFL
clubs. More than 1,000 minority coaches have participated since the program’s inception.

The fellowship had additional head-coaching success this past offseason. Two of its graduates were appointed head
coaches in colleges and another received a lengthy contract extension.

RON PRINCE, who participated in the program for four years in the late ’90s, was appointed head coach of Kansas State
and believes the fellowship was of immeasurable help to him.

“The NFL Fellowship Program was invaluable for me,” says Prince, who appointed another fellowship grad, RAHEEM
MORRIS, as his defensive coordinator. “The program gave me a great understanding of how to put an organization
together. I was exposed to everything from the position coaches to the scouting departments to the general managers
and I studied every aspect of it. In the end, it gave me the opportunity to advance past where I might have been as a
coach at that particular point.”

Joining Prince as a fellowship grad in the college head-coaching ranks this year is NORRIES WILSON at Columbia
University, who was appointed last December. Wilson spent three summers with NFL clubs in the 1990s and, like Prince,
says the program was a big help to his career.

“All three of my internships were great experiences,” says Wilson. “They were at different points in my career. I learned a
lot about the game, particularly at the NFL level, and a lot about football administration. It was very valuable for me.”
Yet another fellowship graduate who is now a college head coach, KARL DORRELL of UCLA, recently received a
contract extension through the 2010 season. He took the Bruins to a 10-2 record last year.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach JON GRUDEN, who had three minority coaches in his camp this summer, believes
in the program’s efficacy.

“The coaches come in to learn and be a second sound for our players, whether that’s encouraging them or talking about
basic fundamentals or techniques that maybe they’ve used,” says Gruden. “They help with team enthusiasm and in a lot
of ways that might not be so glamorous. I really love the program.”

Following is a list of some NFL coaches who have participated in the NFL Minority Coaching Fellowship Program:
NFL GRADUATES OF NFL MINORITY COACHING FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM
CLUB COACH POSITION

Atlanta - Ollie Wilson Running backs

Baltimore - Dennis Thurman Defensive backs

Buffalo - Eric Studesville Running backs
Tyke Tolbert Wide receivers

Chicago - Don Johnson Defensive line
Lovie Smith - Head coach

Cincinnati - Jay Hayes Defensive line
Ricky Hunley - Linebackers
Hue Jackson - Wide receivers
Marvin Lewis - Head coach
Denver Thomas McGaughey Ass’t. special teams

Green Bay Ty Knott Off. quality control

Houston Martin Bayless Ass’t. defensive backs

Indianapolis Gene Huey Running backs

Kansas City Herman Edwards Head coach
James Saxon Running backs
Miami Keith Armstrong Special teams
Bo Davis Ass’t. strength & conditioning

New England Pepper Johnson Defensive line

New Orleans Tony Oden Def. ass’t./secondary

NY Giants Andre Curtis Def. quality control

Oakland Robert Ford Off. quality control
Darryl Sims Ass’t. defensive line

Philadelphia Mike Reed Def. ass’t. quality control

Pittsburgh James Daniel Tight ends

San Diego Wayne Nunnely Defensive line
Brian Stewart Secondary

San Francisco Gary Emanuel Defensive line

Johnnie Lynn Defensive backs

Tampa Bay Jethro Franklin Defensive line

Ron Middleton Tight ends

Art Valero Ass’t. head coach

Tennessee Sherman Smith Ass’t. head coach/running backs

2006 NFL MINORITY COACHING FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM
CLUB COACH (BACKGROUND & PRESENT AFFILIATION)

Arizona James Harris (Former NFL player), George Hawthorne (Former NFL player), Chris Walsh
(Former NFL player)

Atlanta Ashley Ambrose (Former NFL player), Rodney Bivens (UAB), Natrone Means (Former NFL
player), Tom Williams (San Jose State)

Baltimore Bernardo Harris (Former NFL player), Chris Hewitt (Rutgers)

Buffalo Steve Little (Trinity International), Adrian White (NFLEL, Former NFL player)

Carolina Lonnie Galloway (Appalachian State), Charles Jones (NFLEL), Richard Shelton (Florida
A&M, Former NFL player)

Chicago Robbie Long (DePauw), Chris Wilson (Oklahoma)

Cincinnati Stan Davis (Grand Rapids Rampage-AFL)

Cleveland John Allen (NFLEL), Jimmy Lindsey (Gardner-Webb)

Dallas Larry Brinson (Former NFL player), Steve Smith (Unaffiliated)

Detroit Malik Hall (Fordham), EJ Jones (Aurora, Former NFL player), Marcel Yates (Boise State)

Green Bay Gary Brown (Susquehanna, Former NFL player), Chris Simpson (Wisconsin-White Water)

Houston Perry Carter (NFLEL, Former NFL player), Henry Frazier (Prairie View A&M), Manny
Martinez (Texas Southern), Michael Sinclair (West Texas A&M, Former NFL player)

Indianapolis Eugene Rafael Robinson (Former NFL player), Detron Smith (Former NFL player), David
Kelly (Duke)

Jacksonville William Bell (Edward Waters College, Former NFL player), Cheston Blackshear (Columbia),
Rick Comegy (Jackson State)

Kansas City Kimble Ambers (Avila College, Former NFL player), William Jones (Pearl River CC), Wandja
Muller (NFLEL coach, NFLEL inern)

Miami Cornell Brown (NFLEL, Former NFL player), Cris Dishman (Former NFL player), Eric Green
(Former NFL player)

Minnesota Henry Lusk (Weber State, Former NFL player), Kanavis McGhee (NFLEL, Former NFL
player), Corey Raymond (LSU, Former NFL player)

New England Fred Baxter (Former NFL player), Otis Smith (Former NFL player),
New Orleans Andrew Dees (Temple, Former NFL player), Tim Watson (Former NFL player)
New York Giants Fred Armstrong (Unaffiliated)

New York Jets George McDonald (Western Michigan), Sean Spencer (Hofstra)

Oakland Radames Carrillo (International - Mexico), David Duggan (NFLEL), Patrick Esume (NFLEL),
Derek Mason (Ohio University), Cedric Pearl (Alabama A&M), Tang Hai-Yan (International -
China)

Philadelphia Eugene Chung (Former NFL player), Frank Gonzalez (Monterey Tech), Alonzo M. Hampton
(Arkansas-Pine Bluff), Willie Taggart (Western Kentucky), Chris Vaughn (Arkansas)

Pittsburgh Kedrick "Ricky" Brumfield (Fairmont State), James Martin, Jr. (Alabama A&M), Curtis
Modkins (Georgia Tech)

St. Louis Thomas Balkcom (Central Florida), Ron Cox (Lake Forest College), James Lott
(Independence College),

San Diego Marvin Marshall (Former NFL player), Wilfred Martin (College of the Desert), Thurmond
Moore (Unaffiliated), Larry Porter (LSU)

San Francisco Eugene Lockhart (Former NFL player), Broderick Thomas (Former NFL player)

Seattle Shelton Gandy (Louisiana Tech), O'Neill Gilbert (Unaffiliated)

Tampa Bay Shawn Gregory (Samford), Tracy Rocker (Arkansas, Former NFL player), Tyrone Wheatley
(Former NFL player)

Tennessee Granville Eastman (Austin Peay State), Lemanski Hall (Christ Presbyterian Academy, Former
NFL player)

Washington Michael Bryant (Prairie View A&M), Corey Chamblin (NFLEL, Tennessee Tech), Eddie
Robinson, Jr. (Former NFL player), Erik Ware (College of DuPage)

NFLEL = NFL Europe League
# # #

NFL and Telemoundo Join For NFL Kickoff 2006

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

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

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Pete Abitante (212/450-2065)
NFL-51 8/29/06

NFL PARTNERS WITH TELEMUNDO FOR
NFL OPENING KICKOFF 2006

Spanish-speaking football fans can enjoy NFL events in their own language as Telemundo becomes the new Official Hispanic Media Partner of the 2006 NFL Opening Kickoff. This partnership, recently signed by both the NFL and the US Hispanic
network, involves the broadcasting of the upcoming September 7th NFL Kickoff Concert scheduled to take place in Miami, which will air on September 9th, and a Celebrity Flag Football Event, which will air on Super Bowl Saturday, February 3rd.
"We are excited to provide our Spanish-speaking fans with special programming to celebrate the start of the 2006 NFL season,” said Peter O’Reilly, NFL director of marketing. "Our Telemundo partnership will serve as the first ever Spanish television extension of NFL Opening Kickoff. We look forward to working with Telemundo to
better serve our Latino fans."

On Saturday, September 9th, at 9pm Eastern/ 8pm Central/ 9pm Pacific, Telemundo will televise a two-hour NFL Opening Kickoff special entitled “Coors Light Presenta NFL Kickoff 2006” that will include footage of a music concert in Miami with three-time Grammy winner Diddy, Cassie, reggaeton singer Tego Calderon, the Latino rock band Ozomatli and DJ Riz, as well as interviews with Hispanic NFL players.

“This partnership is significant and symbolic because it combines the strength of two powerful organizations and recognizes the importance of the Hispanic community that our network serves,” said Jorge Hidalgo, senior executive vice president of sports and news for Telemundo Network. “The NFL is the premiere professional league in the country and the fact that they, as an organization, have tasked themselves to become more involved with our viewers through this association makes them an ideal partner for Telemundo. We see this as the first step in what will hopefully become a greater association between the NFL and our community,” the Telemundo executive concluded.

For those viewers interested in watching NFL games this season “en español,” they can tune-in to NBC network and select the SAP (Secondary Audio Programming) of their television sets, where Telemundo’s renowned sportscasters Rene Giraldo and Edgar Lopez will call the Sunday night games in Spanish. This partnership also provides Telemundo with the unique opportunity to expand its coverage of the NFL throughout its existing properties, such as “Titulares Telemundo,”
in an official capacity. Both the NFL and Telemundo will present a public service announcement platform during Hispanic Heritage month as well.

Telemundo, a U.S. Spanish-language television network, is the essential entertainment, news and sports source for Hispanics. Broadcasting unique national and local programming for the fastest-growing segment of the U.S. population, Telemundo reaches 93% of U.S. Hispanic households in 142 markets through its 16 owned-andoperated stations, 36 broadcast affiliates and nearly 684 cable affiliates. Telemundo is wholly owned by NBC Universal, one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies.
# # #

Young Guns In The Big Apple

Most people are talking about The NY teams' two Starting QB's, the Giants Eli Manning and the Jets Chad Pennington. But the story behind the story is not the second stringers, but the youngsters holding the clipboards. Gang Green drafted Kellen Clemens this year from The University of Oregon. Early in Camp i spoke to a former reporter from the Hartford Courant who now works for the Oregonian. He was just another in a long line of people who had seen Clemens throw the heck out of the Ball. If Pennington's shoulder can't hold up a year or two down the road, this Kid can throw.

The Giants #3 has been around a bit longer. Jared Lorenzen, who at 6' 4-1/2" and 276 pounds has had a few nicknames regarding his size, like the "Pilsbury Throwboy", the "Hefty Lefty", and my favorite-"J-Load". But hey, Lorenzen is a bonafied NFL QB, even if he looks like a bonafied NFL DT! he even displayed some moved that players 40 and 50 pounds his lesser couldn't muster. Can you Imagine a single back set for the Giants with Lorenzen at QB and 2nd year Tower of Power RB ramblin Brandon Jacobs(6'-4 262 lbs)?

If i were a lesser man playing opposite them, i'd hope the training staff had an open spot on the list for whirlpool time. Lorenzen also made a move in Friday night's game vs the Jets that i have seen few Qb's with 10 years experience make. A left handed thrower, Lorenzen was moving to his left when he saw a "check-off", another receiver then the one the play was intended for, and made the difficult throw, back to his right, across his body while moving.

I look forward to both teams playing these guys down theroad so we can get a look atthe future of QB's in NY

Eagles' Todd Pinkston Available; ESPN's Len P Loses It On Radio - Profootballtalk.com

This is funy. Profootballtalk reports on a different side of ESPN's Len Pasquarelli and that Todd Pinkston's available

NEWS FLASH -- STINKSTON ON THE BLOCK

Less than a week after we posted a 48-second radio spot in which ESPN.com's Len Pasquarelli nearly threatens to throw down with Penner and Mac of WFNZ in Charlotte after they dissed Eagles receiver Todd Pinkston, the P-man is once again declaring his man-love for the pad-wearing scarecrow by making a cannonball splash with the news that Pinkston and agent Joe Segal have received permission to seek a trade.

Stop the freakin' presses, baby. Stinkston is available!

The story isn't only on the ESPN.com NFL page, but as of this posting it's smack-dab in the middle of the ESPN.com front page. (Len now owes someone in the editorial department a huge favor.)

And Len takes his devotion to Pinkston and Segal to new heights by suggesting that "[a]t least two of the three receiver-needy franchises would likely view Pinkston as a starter, if he is healthy."

Would "likely" view Pinkston as a starter? "Likely"? (Gee, who's the source on that?)

Pinkston is expendable because the Eagles have acquired receiver Donte' Stallworth. And as Adam Schefter of NFL Network reported on Tuesday's Total Access, Pinkston will likely be cut unless the Eagles suffer an injury elsewhere on the depth chart at the wideout position.

We've already received a flood of e-mails from readers, who based on our past reports can see right through what Len is doing. He's trying to help out his pay Joel by propping up a Segal client whose NFL career is quickly swirling down the drain.

Pinkston? A starter? That's almost as funny as hearing Joey Sunshine say that college quarterbacks turned receiver can only be successful if they're short.

Patriots Play Hardball with Soft Handed Branch

Walter Anaruk
Field Position Sports Media
http://www.fieldposition.com

The Patriots are really sticking to their guns. They have given top receiver, fan favorite, and former Super Bowl MVP Deion Branch permission to seek a trade. Now, given their restrictions on the trade, they obviously have no intention of letting Deion go. Instead, they have set the asking price at a first or high second-round draft pick. To make the deal even harder to consummate, they've given Deion to the end of the week to find a trade partner willing to offer the Patriots and acceptable deal. Clearly, Branch is meant to go nowhere.

Despite the best efforts of the front office in Foxboro, there are plenty of suitors for Branch. The Eagles were a top contender for Branch's services until they secured Donte Stallworth for a conditional fourth round draft pick and LB Mark Simoneau. The Bears were in the running for the speedy but completely and utterly handless Ashley Lelie but lost out in the three way trade consummated by Denver, Pittsburgh, and Atlanta. The Bears sorely want a weapon to compliment Mushin Muhammad. Branch would easily become the primier receiver for the Bears. But the Bears are unwilling to part with a high draft pick. The Patriots plan is working.

Is any of this a suprise to anyone? Does the name Ty Law ring a bell? The Patriots also got done waxing the Washington Redskins, a playoff team last season, in a 41-0 shutout embarassment of a non-game. The fact that it is preseason my lessen the significance but not the strength of the message.

The Patriots are saying to Branch:

"We can win against anyone, anytime, anyway ... and with ANYONE."

Tom Brady is angry. Fans are angry. Branch is pragmatic, classy, and diplomatic about the whole situation. But the Patriots 'valuation' methods aside, isn't a receiver of Deion Branch's caliber worth more than a measley $1.05 million he earned last year? Especially when you consider that he only made that much AFTER a $500,000 incentive escalator almost doulbed his salary?

The Patriots are going to find that less and less of their players are going to buy into their team concept when the team elects to pay some players and play hardball with others. The point isn't that the Patriots should pay everyone more than their worth. But the point is that when some one is performing at a certain level, they deserve to be paid at that level. Especially when they've lived out the majority of their undervalued contract without complaint. This is not Terrell Owens holding out after one year into a $49 million deal.

For those who are saying that Branch is under contract and should just play, keep in mind that no contract in the NFL is guaranteed. The team can cut any player, any time, anywhere. The hold out is a player's only bargaining tool.

So the stand off is under way. Branch and Belichek/Pioli are standing on opposite sides of the street staring one another in the eye. Who will flinch? I hope it's the Patriots. I hope they can realize that you can't treat players like so many Topps trading cards and then tell them they are part of 'the family' and should buy into a 'team concept.' It's hypocritical and dehumanizing. Pay the man what he's worth. All hold outs are not created equal.

Katrina - Bush Says Government Will Better Respond; What About New Orleans?

President Bush says that the United States' government will better respond to hurricane disasters in the future, but what about today? New Orleans is a total mess.

I just saw Spike Lee on The Charlie Rose show, and it was a great interview. Of course it was about his documentary on the government's response to Katrina. Lee said that "someone should be thrown in jail" for the mess the government left down there to this day.

President Bush, perhaps?

Kate On Sports: 'Roid Rage!!

Kate On Sports promo is a hit! It's on Blip.tv, YouTube, Google, BroadbandSports, and Clipshack..

Emmys 2006 - Opening Number (Part 2)

This is the second clip of the opening of the 2006 Emmy Awards. This is Conan O'Brien's opening monolog.

2006 Emmy Awards - Video Of "Lost" Opening

The 2006 Emmy Awards was notable for this opening segment that mocked the plane crash that was the basis for the story line of "Lost."

Since it happened right after a major plane crash, many questioned NBC's wisdom in producing it.

Here it is:

Raiders Try USC's Darnell Bing At Outside Linebacker - Randy Johnson For Press Telegram

This is one reason why the Raiders Defense is younger and faster -- moving the former safety to linebacker. Check out the video on Bing at USC.



Darnell Bing changing his spot
Raiders like what they see in rookie 'linebacker'
By Randy Johnson, Special to the Press-Telegram


NAPA - He was a two-time national champion at USC, a menacing strong safety known for big plays and bigger hits.

Now he's a rookie fourth-round draft pick fighting for playing time with established Oakland Raiders veterans, and he's being asked to learn how to play outside linebacker on the fly.

Welcome to the National Football League, Darnell Bing.

So does he drift back to his Pop Warner career in Long Beach or high school days at Poly to remember how to play the position?

Nope, he can't.

"I've never played linebacker before in my life," Bing said with a smile following a recent training camp practice at Redwood Middle School, in the wine country that is Napa Valley.

"It's just another challenge for me to go out there and go hard and compete."

Still, Raiders coach Art Shell is pleased with Bing's progress in learning the new spot.

"Darnell, like all the rest of the guys, is working his tail off to become a better football player," Shell said. "He's making the transition from strong safety to outside linebacker in a big way. I expect good things and big things from him down the road."

Bing has been working


Darnell Bing of Poly High played safety with USC, but he has been moved to linebacker with the Oakland Raiders in his rookie season in the NFL.
(Jed Jacobsohn / Getty Images)

with the second-team defense in recent workouts, shucking his No. 20 college jersey for a more linebacker-like No. 59.

And while his listed dimensions of 6-foot-2, 230 pounds made him a really big safety at USC, they leave him as one of the smallest linebackers on the Raiders' roster.

But, football is football, and Bing is adjusting well according to linebackers coach Don Martindale.

"I think he's doing a great job and he's right on schedule," said Martindale. "Each day he gets better, and anywhere he makes a mistake he comes back and corrects it. He's doing a heck of a job for us. He's a good, tough, physical kid."

While at Poly, Bing was named to numerous national teams, including the prestigious Parade All-American team in 2001, and was a part of three CIF Division I championship teams that combined to go 39-1-1.

He was also named to the first team of the Press-Telegram's Dream Team and Best in the West team.

At USC, Bing was a First-Team All-American and All-Pac 10 Conference pick with the Trojans in 2005. He returned four interceptions for 119 yards last season, including one score, and recorded 50 tackles.

As far as his own assessment of making the switch thus far, Bing was more reserved.

"It's going pretty good. I'm making some plays here and there, and I'm getting my keys down, so I'd say it's going pretty well."

Though a position change may be an uncomfortable proposition for most incoming players, Bing was perhaps more NFL-ready based on who he practiced against every day at USC.

Bing lined up against fellow 2006 draft picks like Heisman Trophy winners Reggie Bush and Matt Leinart, as well as Titans rookie running back LenDale White.

"Of course. They're all wonderful players, so I'd say being at 'SC helped a lot," he said.

Matt Leinart Breaks Out! - A Video Look

Here's a video of the Arizona Cardinals preseason victory against the Chicago Bears, where new QB Matt Leinart posted great passing numbers in his second game:

Broncos Use Same Playbook To Beat Texans 17-14 on Saturday

Watch the video and you'll see mirror-image offenses.



Broncos spoil Kubiak's return, top Texans

NFL.com wire reports

DENVER (Aug. 27, 2006) -- Gary Kubiak took the playbook and plenty of knowledge with him to Houston after serving as Mike Shanahan's apprentice in Denver for more than a decade.

If only he could have taken some more of the talent he left behind.

The Broncos beat Houston 17-14 on Sunday night, spoiling the return of the Texans' first-year coach who spent nearly two decades in Denver, first as John Elway's backup and then as Shanahan's assistant.

"Coming back doesn't feel real good right now," Kubiak said.

Although Houston's front seven thoroughly impressed Shanahan, it was Denver's defense that had an answer for just about everything Kubiak tried.

"It was like practice," Broncos linebacker Al Wilson said. "We saw so many things that were so similar to what we do, which was expected. But at the same time, Kub put a twist on a few things and had us guessing and thinking a little bit. But it was like practice all over again."

After covering a deep pass that fell incomplete along the Texans' sideline, Broncos cornerback Darrent Williams smiled and wagged his finger at Kubiak.

"What we saw, we see every day in practice," Williams said. "It wasn't anything new to us."

And what the Texans saw wasn't anything new to them, either.


Gary Kubiak couldn't come up with anything to fool the Broncos.
Kubiak took five members of the Broncos' coaching staff with him to Houston, and they were soon joined by general manager Rick Smith, who had been an assistant GM in Denver. Plus, the Texans signed tight end Jeb Putzier, who had been cut by the Broncos in a salary cap purge over the winter, along with former Broncos tight end Patrick Hape and tackle Ephraim Salaam.

"That entire organization is becoming a mirror image of this organization," Broncos wide receiver Rod Smith said. "Which I think is a good thing for them because we set a standard a long time ago and he's been a part of that for 20-plus years and you can see those guys are playing a lot better football than they played the last couple years. They're going to win a lot of football games."

Like many homecomings, however, this one was bittersweet.

"I saw a lot of people who were a big part of my life, and that was special," Kubiak said. "Once the football game starts, it kind of all goes out the window. It was nice to see everybody. This was a good challenge for our team, and I liked the way we fought all night. We were not very clean at all early in the game, but I liked the way we played hard to the end."

After the game, Kubiak and Shanahan embraced.

"I just told Mike, thanks for all he's done and giving me the chance," Kubiak said.

The biggest return belonged to Javon Walker, who caught three passes for 41 yards, his first receptions since tearing up his right knee in the season opener for Green Bay last year.

"It's been behind me since Denver got me in the trade. I was just ready to go out and be the person I was in Green Bay," the former Pro Bowl receiver said. "It felt good because you don't get hit in training camp. To get that done lets me know, `Hey, I'm all right and ready to get this season kicked off."'

Tatum Bell scored from a yard out and Cedric Cobbs followed a big block from right tackle Adam Meadows for a 26-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter.

Denver's Jake Plummer (10-for-22, 96 yards) was off target all night and David Carr, although a respectable 15-for-22 for 128 yards, fumbled once, threw an interception at his own 20-yard line and couldn't lead the Texans into the end zone in seven possessions.

As might be expected from two offensive minds who know each other so well, the first 25 minutes was a stalemate until the Broncos got the ball at the Texans 45 and took advantage of the short field.

Their drive stalled at the 14 and Jason Elam nailed a 32-yarder, but Houston tackle Alfred Malone was whistled for an illegal procedure that gave the Broncos first-and-goal at the 9. Bell spun his way across the goal line three plays later.

On the next play from scrimmage, linebacker D.J. Williams picked off Carr at the Texans 20 and Elam followed with a 23-yard field goal that made it 10-0.

The Texans pulled to 10-3 on Kris Brown 's 29-yard field goal just before halftime. His 32-yarder in the third quarter made it 10-6 and came after rookie tight end Owen Daniels lined up offsides on fourth-and-1 at the Broncos 9.

After Cobbs' TD made it 17-6, Sage Rosenfels threw a 19-yard TD pass to Derrick Lewis with 2:53 left, and Vernand Morency's 2-point run made it 17-14.

Notes: Houston CB Phillip Buchanon bruised his ribs. ... Broncos WR Todd Devoe aggravated a shoulder injury.

Stephen Colbert On Slavery and The NFL Draft

Say, you may not like or agree with this video, but it's worth listening too. Stephen Colbert gives his take on the NFL and specifically the NFL Draft as it compares to slavery.

Check it out:

Raider Nation Scratches Head - Oakland Raiders Bring Back JEFF GEORGE

Even the Raider Nation's scratching its collective head over this one, with fans warring on message boards like Raiderfans.net over the Oakland Raiders decision to bring Jeff George out of mouthballs:

...They must have changed the headline, because that his not what I read when I clicked on the link. But can you blame the sports media for looking at this move as whacko? First Art Shell after six other candidates turn us down, then Tom Walsh now Jeff George. Did they check into Art Slchichter too? I'm sure he's staying in good shape in prison and can still gun it.

There's also an idea that this wasn't Head Coach Art Shell's call; this Tribune article seems to imply that Al Davis overrules his coaches.


There's more at Raiderfans.net

Oakland Raiders Bring Back JEFF GEORGE

I think this not the best move at all. To me, it's right up there with bringing Tom Walsh out of retirement to be offensive coordinator. Jeff George -- as I recall -- had lockerroom attitude problems. He was best known for his run-in with then-Atlanta Falcons Head Coach June Jones. Maybe he's grown up. Heck, I'd take Troy Aikman rather than Jeff George. This is ...ok. Enough from me. Here's the report from NFL.com.

Hey, I just realized they could pay Jeff George the NFL minimum and get an experienced guy in the process -- but five years out of the game? I just shake my head about that one.

See, what was so great when the Raiders did use the West Coast Offense is a GM/ Coach could just dial up a QB from the waiver wire that had experience with the terms and ideas behind it because about one-third of the NFL employs the system. The Raiders don't have that luxury anymore.


Raiders sign QB George after long hiatus
NFL.com wire reports
ALAMEDA, Calif. (Aug. 28, 2006) -- The Oakland Raiders signed Jeff George to a contract, bringing back a player who hasn't thrown an NFL pass in five seasons.

George, the No. 1 overall pick by Indianapolis in 1990, joined the team in time for Aug. 28's afternoon practice. He previously played for the Raiders in 1997-98, starting 23 games and throwing 33 touchdowns and 14 interceptions.

It is not immediately clear what his role will be on the Raiders, who already have Aaron Brooks, Andrew Walter and Marques Tuiasosopo on the roster.

George played with the Colts from 1990-93. He was in Atlanta from 1994-96, then spent two seasons with Oakland and one with Minnesota before joining the Redskins in 2000, first as a backup. He was signed by Seattle as insurance midway through the 2002 season, but didn't play. Chicago signed him late in the 2004 season, but he never played for the Bears either.

George, known for his strong arm and clashes with coaches, has a 46-78 career record as a starter and has never lasted longer than four years with any one of them.

George hasn't played since 2001, when he was cut after two games with the Redskins. In his last two games with Washington, George had a quarterback rating of 34.6, completing 23 of 42 passes with three interceptions.

In his next-to-last game with Washington, he and coach Marty Schottenheimer had an animated sideline discussion after George committed four turnovers and was removed from the game.

George also had a sideline argument with coach June Jones when he was with the Atlanta Falcons in 1996, and the team suspended him and then cut him.

George played well his first season in Oakland, throwing for 3,917 yards and 29 touchdowns in 1997. He struggled with injuries the following season, starting only seven games, and was replaced the following season by Rich Gannon, who was a better fit in coach Jon Gruden's West Coast offense.

Cowboys Owner Jerry Jones Angry With Leak On T.O.'s Fine

I still believe I'm correct about the Dallas Cowboys playing possum about T.O.'s fine and injury. The mainstream media's so -- well, whatever -- he's going to play the first game of the season.

Dallas Cowboys Owner Jerry Jones is more concerned about the person who leaked the information about T.O. than any perceived problem with Terrell Owens.

I really don't think there's a problem at all. It's not a big deal. And I don't think there's any real tension; the media makes the problem in this case.

Rolling Stones In Concert In Boston - Video

The Rolling Stones come to Boston September 20th; you can get tickets here, and see the video for "Paint It Black" below:

Terrell Owens Fined $8,500 For Missing Team Meeting - SO!?

Ok, according to the Dallas Morning News and ESPN, Dallas Cowboys Wide Receiverm Terrell Owens was fined $8,500 for missing a meeting, and a rehab session.

SO WHAT?

How many players get fined and we don't know about it? Why T.O.? I'll tell you why? Because the media consists of voyeurs, activists, entrepreneurs, and racists and sexists, and in the case of T.O., all of these people come into play. In this case, it's the racist guys who just want to see Terrell do something wrong, so they create news around little crap like this.

Get real.

(Oh, I'm an entrepreneur.)

Here's the news: T.O. will play on opening day, and the Dallas Cowboys are playing the media and the NFL.

Just watch.

Survivor: Segregation Island -- Video Views

Recently, Mark Burnett annouced that the next "Survivor" would consist of tribes divided -- er, segregated -- by "race." Now, we all know that there's no scientific proof that there are different races and that the designations are social constructs, but that doesn't stop Mark Burnett.

I must add that I first learned of this Mark Burnett idea with respect to future episodes of The Apprentice. In fact, I thought Apprentice Five was going to be the one to do this -- nope.

But it's still a Burnett show. And no, as a person who's tried out for The Apprentice, I don't think this latest twist get him off the hook of charges that his shows are too white. Indeed, it may be that he's trying to make a point about race that's not healthy. I'm not the only one who thinks this; check out what these vloggers have to say:



And...

Hezbollah Human Sheild Charges Get Old

I saw this post over at the Daily Kos where Hezbollah's supposedly using a town as a human sheild.

Look, I'm neutral in this, but one has to question these claims in light of the reality that Hezbollah is more a political movement with suppporters who are both citizens and solidiers by choice.

I'm begining to think some of these reports -- even the AP ones -- are slanted from ignorance. They read as veiled columns in some cases.

Minnesota Vikings Give Up On Koren Robinson

Just a week plus away from his DUI and police chase, the Vikings gave up on Koren Robinson, cutting him from the team. I believe everyone gets a second and third and sometimes more and more chances. That's certainly true for Robinson.

Looking from a business view, the Seahawks got the better Vikings receiver in Nate Burleson, it seems.