Opportunistic fourth quarter lifts Vikings
NFL.com wire reports
MINNEAPOLIS (Oct. 8, 2006) -- Trailing by 14 points to start the fourth quarter against hapless Detroit, somebody on the Minnesota Vikings had to put the ball in the end zone.
The offense sure wasn't having much luck, so the defense took over, delivering an effort that would make the old Purple People Eaters proud.
The Vikings scored two defensive touchdowns in the fourth quarter to rescue the struggling offense, turning a 17-3 deficit into a 26-17 victory.
"Every time we take the field, we try to score or get the ball back," defensive coordinator Mike Tomlin said. "That's our personality. That's how we play defense."
Ben Leber returned Jon Kitna's fumble 1 yard for a touchdown to cut Detroit's lead to 17-16, and Ryan Longwell made a 20-yard field goal to give the Vikings a 19-17 lead with three minutes left.
Kitna, trying to bring Detroit back, was flushed out of the pocket and corralled by Ray Edwards before desperately shoveling the ball toward the line of scrimmage. The pass landed right in E.J. Henderson's hands, and the linebacker raced 45 yards to seal the win.
Minnesota's defense has scored three touchdowns this season, one fewer than the offense through the first five weeks, conjuring memories of the unit that led the Vikings to four Super Bowl appearances in the 1970s.
"That's unbelievable," center Matt Birk said. "They're keeping us in games."
It was a stunning, but not surprising, turnaround that kept the Lions (0-5) winless and continued their misery against the Vikings. They have lost nine straight to Minnesota (3-2), dating to 2001.
Detroit hired coach Rod Marinelli and jettisoned first-round bust Joey Harrington for the steady veteran Kitna in the offseason, hoping the changes would finally turn around a team that has the worst record in the NFL (21-64) since 2001. But the Lions keep finding ways to give away games, and this one was ripe for the taking.
"You've got to be able to do a better job in that fourth quarter to secure and hold the lead, protect the football and do the things I talked about all week," Marinelli said. "We weren't able to do that today, and we've got to go back to work."
Of course it didn't help when receiver Roy Williams (back stinger) and guard Damien Woody (left leg) left the game on the first possession with injuries, but the Lions are used to being on the short end these days.
"We're struggling right now," said Kitna, who sat at his locker with his head down and eyes glazed over, contemplating the latest loss in a season full of them. "We're a beat-up team, but nobody gives a crap. We have to find a way to win."
Jon Kitna's fourth-quarter fumble that was scooped up for a Vikings TD was just one mistake.
In a first half filled with penalties, dropped passes and turnovers, the Lions took a 10-3 lead on the strength of Kitna's 8-yard TD run.
Minnesota's second turnover of the game, a fumble by Travis Taylor close to midfield, set up Kitna's 12-yard touchdown pass to Dan Campbell that gave the Lions a 17-3 lead midway through the third quarter.
With the Lions defense dominating a struggling Vikings offense, the game looked well in hand.
Brad Johnson completed his first eight passes, but most were dinks and dunks in the West Coast offense that got the Vikings nowhere. He was booed heavily through the first three quarters and looked every bit his 38 years of age while one-hopping passes to open receivers.
As they have all season, the Vikings leaned heavily on running back Chester Taylor and a stingy defense to keep things close.
Taylor rushed for 123 yards in another workhorse effort and the Vikings defense sacked Kitna five times, intercepted him on three occasions and held the Lions to 217 total yards, 16 on the ground. The Vikings offense finally got in the end zone at the start of the fourth quarter after a 68-yard drive that was aided by a roughing-the-passer call on Shaun Rogers.
Johnson, 26 of 34 for 201 yards, hit Travis Taylor on a 3-yard touchdown pass to cut the lead to 17-10.
After a block-in-the-back penalty on Donte Curry nullified Eddie Drummond's kick return for a touchdown, the Lions put the Vikings right back in it. On second-and-6 from the Detroit 14, Pat Williams burst through the line untouched and engulfed Kitna, forcing a fumble that Leber scooped up at the goal line for a touchdown.
Jared DeVries blocked Longwell's extra point to hold the Lions' lead at 17-16, but it was all downhill from there for Detroit.
"It was over for them after that," Williams said. "They basically could've called it quits."
Tuesday, October 10, 2006
Broncos Defense Outplays Ravens 13-3 -- NFL.com
Denver's offense held to under 200 yards, but they win from three interceptions.
Denver's 'D' dominant in win over Ravens
NFL.com wire reports
DENVER (Oct. 9, 2006) -- If being disrespected means Champ Bailey gets more lob passes thrown his way in the end zone, then the Denver Broncos won't complain anymore about their dominant defense being dissed.
The Broncos (3-1) intercepted three of Steve McNair 's passes -- including a leaping end-zone pick by Bailey just before halftime -- to hand the Ravens (4-1) their first loss with a 13-3 win.
Bailey was as surprised as anyone that McNair went after him with a lob pass to wide receiver Clarence Moore in the right corner.
"A little," Bailey said with a smile. "And they paid for it."
All Baltimore coach Brian Billick had to say about the ill-advised call that loomed so large on a cold and rainy night was: "That play was one of the options we had and it didn't turn out for us."
Denver defensive coordinator Larry Coyer was glad to see somebody finally challenge his perennial Pro Bowl cornerback: "I was glad to see them throw one at him. That'll work for me, yeah. Yeah. Yeah."
A cold rain and two stingy defenses turned the Baltimore-Denver showdown into a kicking competition for much of the night, and Jason Elam bested Matt Stover with two long field goals.
But with a 6-3 lead and 1:55 left in the game, Denver put the kick-fest to rest. Deep in Ravens territory, Denver took a chance at the end zone, icing the game on Jake Plummer 's 4-yard touchdown pass to Rod Smith. It was Smith's first touchdown this season and also the first TD the Ravens have surrendered in a second half this year.
"We stuck together tonight," Plummer said. "It was ugly, ugly for a while, but in the end we came and put together some drives when it counted."
The touchdown was set up by Darrent Williams ' interception at midfield with 6:47 left and Tatum Bell 's 12-yard gain on third-and-10 from the 17 in which he carried linebacker Ray Lewis for the final 5 yards.
"It wasn't a big deal," Bell said, "but it was a big deal because it was Ray."
Elam connected from 43 and 44 yards, the second one breaking a 3-3 tie with eight minutes remaining and capping a drive that was set up by Sam Koch's 10-yard punt.
Ravens defensive end Trevor Pryce, who was quiet all week about his return to Denver -- which dumped him and his $10 million salary in the offseason -- was even quieter Monday night, assisting on just one tackle.
"The loss hurts, but I don't really care who it is against," Pryce said. "They are just another football team. The thing is, they are a great football team. They always have been, they were before I got there and they are now that I'm gone."
Steve McNair could hardly find room to roam against Denver's pesky defense.
The teams were tied 3-3 at halftime, and the rain only got heavier during a scoreless third quarter in which the Ravens avoided a big momentum-shifter when center Mike Flynn smothered McNair's fumble at the Baltimore 12.
Flynn saved the touchdown after McNair's third interception, by Domonique Foxworth in the final minute while safety John Lynch (neck) was on the sideline.
The Ravens and the rain combined to limit Denver to 9 yards of offense in the first quarter, tying a franchise low since Mike Shanahan became the Broncos coach in 1995.
The Broncos turned the ball over on their first two possessions.
Denver's first turnover resulted in a 24-yard field goal by Stover that gave Baltimore a 3-0 lead. It followed cornerback Chris McAlister 's nifty tightrope walk along the right sideline after he gathered the loose ball that Terrell Suggs punched out of Bell's hands.
Plummer, wearing a glove on his throwing hand to get a better grip, wildly overthrew Walker on the Broncos' next possession and cornerback Samari Rolle hauled in the long pass at the Baltimore 34.
The Broncos tied it at 3 on Elam's 43-yarder following Williams' 33-yard punt return to the Baltimore 42. It was the second big return by Williams, who ranked dead last in the NFL going into the game with an average of less than a yard per punt return.
The Ravens were driving for the go-ahead score just before halftime when Bailey intercepted McNair's lob pass with 30 seconds left.
"It's always the difference in the game: that red zone," Shanahan said. "What were they, one for two? ... Kept them from getting a field goal, kept them from getting a touchdown. Obviously, that was a big play at the time."
It was a bit of instant redemption for Bailey, who had just been burned for a 26-yard gain on third-and-7 when he appeared to bite on a fake by McNair and Derrick Mason zipped past him and hauled in the pass along the right sideline. Safety Nick Ferguson saved the touchdown by knocking Mason out of bounds at the 11.
"We heard all the hype about them," Bailey said. "We've got a good defense, too, and I think we proved that tonight."
Denver's 'D' dominant in win over Ravens
NFL.com wire reports
DENVER (Oct. 9, 2006) -- If being disrespected means Champ Bailey gets more lob passes thrown his way in the end zone, then the Denver Broncos won't complain anymore about their dominant defense being dissed.
The Broncos (3-1) intercepted three of Steve McNair 's passes -- including a leaping end-zone pick by Bailey just before halftime -- to hand the Ravens (4-1) their first loss with a 13-3 win.
Bailey was as surprised as anyone that McNair went after him with a lob pass to wide receiver Clarence Moore in the right corner.
"A little," Bailey said with a smile. "And they paid for it."
All Baltimore coach Brian Billick had to say about the ill-advised call that loomed so large on a cold and rainy night was: "That play was one of the options we had and it didn't turn out for us."
Denver defensive coordinator Larry Coyer was glad to see somebody finally challenge his perennial Pro Bowl cornerback: "I was glad to see them throw one at him. That'll work for me, yeah. Yeah. Yeah."
A cold rain and two stingy defenses turned the Baltimore-Denver showdown into a kicking competition for much of the night, and Jason Elam bested Matt Stover with two long field goals.
But with a 6-3 lead and 1:55 left in the game, Denver put the kick-fest to rest. Deep in Ravens territory, Denver took a chance at the end zone, icing the game on Jake Plummer 's 4-yard touchdown pass to Rod Smith. It was Smith's first touchdown this season and also the first TD the Ravens have surrendered in a second half this year.
"We stuck together tonight," Plummer said. "It was ugly, ugly for a while, but in the end we came and put together some drives when it counted."
The touchdown was set up by Darrent Williams ' interception at midfield with 6:47 left and Tatum Bell 's 12-yard gain on third-and-10 from the 17 in which he carried linebacker Ray Lewis for the final 5 yards.
"It wasn't a big deal," Bell said, "but it was a big deal because it was Ray."
Elam connected from 43 and 44 yards, the second one breaking a 3-3 tie with eight minutes remaining and capping a drive that was set up by Sam Koch's 10-yard punt.
Ravens defensive end Trevor Pryce, who was quiet all week about his return to Denver -- which dumped him and his $10 million salary in the offseason -- was even quieter Monday night, assisting on just one tackle.
"The loss hurts, but I don't really care who it is against," Pryce said. "They are just another football team. The thing is, they are a great football team. They always have been, they were before I got there and they are now that I'm gone."
Steve McNair could hardly find room to roam against Denver's pesky defense.
The teams were tied 3-3 at halftime, and the rain only got heavier during a scoreless third quarter in which the Ravens avoided a big momentum-shifter when center Mike Flynn smothered McNair's fumble at the Baltimore 12.
Flynn saved the touchdown after McNair's third interception, by Domonique Foxworth in the final minute while safety John Lynch (neck) was on the sideline.
The Ravens and the rain combined to limit Denver to 9 yards of offense in the first quarter, tying a franchise low since Mike Shanahan became the Broncos coach in 1995.
The Broncos turned the ball over on their first two possessions.
Denver's first turnover resulted in a 24-yard field goal by Stover that gave Baltimore a 3-0 lead. It followed cornerback Chris McAlister 's nifty tightrope walk along the right sideline after he gathered the loose ball that Terrell Suggs punched out of Bell's hands.
Plummer, wearing a glove on his throwing hand to get a better grip, wildly overthrew Walker on the Broncos' next possession and cornerback Samari Rolle hauled in the long pass at the Baltimore 34.
The Broncos tied it at 3 on Elam's 43-yarder following Williams' 33-yard punt return to the Baltimore 42. It was the second big return by Williams, who ranked dead last in the NFL going into the game with an average of less than a yard per punt return.
The Ravens were driving for the go-ahead score just before halftime when Bailey intercepted McNair's lob pass with 30 seconds left.
"It's always the difference in the game: that red zone," Shanahan said. "What were they, one for two? ... Kept them from getting a field goal, kept them from getting a touchdown. Obviously, that was a big play at the time."
It was a bit of instant redemption for Bailey, who had just been burned for a 26-yard gain on third-and-7 when he appeared to bite on a fake by McNair and Derrick Mason zipped past him and hauled in the pass along the right sideline. Safety Nick Ferguson saved the touchdown by knocking Mason out of bounds at the 11.
"We heard all the hype about them," Bailey said. "We've got a good defense, too, and I think we proved that tonight."
Monday, October 09, 2006
Webcast and Summary Of The Google Conference Call On Their Purchase Of YouTube
To listen to the full press conference webcast, click:
http://investor.google.com/webcast.html
Google founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin are pictured here.
YouTube's Chad Hurley and Steve Chen video message is here:
The Google / YouTube deal has rocked not just the vlog world, but American Culture. In today's conference call featuring Google CEO Eric Schmidt, Chad Hurley, CEO of YouTube, Google Founder Sergey Brin, the general message was that the media world has shifted to the user. "We're in the middle of a shift in digital media entertainment," said Hurley. "Users are now in control of what they want to watch and when they want to watch it. They decide what rises to the top, what's entertaining."
Also in the press conference was the remark that Google's ad system will be matted with YouTube's distribution process, and that in general the two firms came up with about 30 different ways they could combine their technologies.
Google Press Release Text (Not A Transcript)
Google To Acquire YouTube for $1.65 Billion in Stock
Combination Will Create New Opportunities for Users and Content Owners Everywhere
MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., October 9, 2006 - Google Inc. (NASDAQ: GOOG) announced today that it has agreed to acquire YouTube, the consumer media company for people to watch and share original videos through a Web experience, for $1.65 billion in a stock-for-stock transaction. Following the acquisition, YouTube will operate independently to preserve its successful brand and passionate community.
The acquisition combines one of the largest and fastest growing online video entertainment communities with Google's expertise in organizing information and creating new models for advertising on the Internet. The combined companies will focus on providing a better, more comprehensive experience for users interested in uploading, watching and sharing videos, and will offer new opportunities for professional content owners to distribute their work to reach a vast new audience.
"The YouTube team has built an exciting and powerful media platform that complements Google's mission to organize the world's information and make it universally accessible and useful," said Eric Schmidt, Chief Executive Officer of Google. "Our companies share similar values; we both always put our users first and are committed to innovating to improve their experience. Together, we are natural partners to offer a compelling media entertainment service to users, content owners and advertisers."
"Our community has played a vital role in changing the way that people consume media, creating a new clip culture. By joining forces with Google, we can benefit from its global reach and technology leadership to deliver a more comprehensive entertainment experience for our users and to create new opportunities for our partners," said Chad Hurley, CEO and Co-Founder of YouTube. "I'm confident that with this partnership we'll have the flexibility and resources needed to pursue our goal of building the next-generation platform for serving media worldwide."
When the acquisition is complete, YouTube will retain its distinct brand identity, strengthening and complementing Google's own fast-growing video business. YouTube will continue to be based in San Bruno, CA, and all YouTube employees will remain with the company. With Google's technology, advertiser relationships and global reach, YouTube will continue to build on its success as one of the world's most popular services for video entertainment.
The number of Google shares to be issued in the transaction will be determined based on the 30-day average closing price two trading days prior to the completion of the acquisition. Both companies have approved the transaction, which is subject to customary closing conditions and is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2006.
Webcast and Conference Call Information
The company will host a conference call and webcast at 1:30 p.m. Pacific Time (4:30 p.m. Eastern Time) today to discuss the acquisition. To access the conference call, please dial 800-289-0572 domestic and 913-981-5543 internationally. A replay of the call will be available until midnight Monday, October 16 at 888-203-1112 domestically and 719-457-0820 internationally. Confirmation code for the replay is 2260624.
A live audio webcast of the conference call will be available at http://investor.google.com/webcast.html.
About Google Inc.
Google's innovative search technologies connect millions of people around the world with information every day. Founded in 1998 by Stanford Ph.D. students Larry Page and Sergey Brin, Google today is a top web property in all major global markets. Google's targeted advertising program provides businesses of all sizes with measurable results, while enhancing the overall web experience for users. Google is headquartered in Silicon Valley with offices throughout the Americas, Europe and Asia. For more information, visit www.google.com.
About YouTube
Founded in February 2005, YouTube is a consumer media company for people to watch and share original videos worldwide through a Web experience. YouTube allows people to easily upload and share video clips on www.YouTube.com and across the Internet through websites, blogs, and e-mail. YouTube currently delivers more than 100 million video views every day with 65,000 new videos uploaded daily and it has quickly become the leading destination on the Internet for video entertainment.
Caution Concerning Forward-Looking Statements
This document includes certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements regarding Google's and YouTube's ability to improve their services, create new business models and content-owner opportunities, integration plans, the expected timing for the closing of the acquisition and the plans to operate YouTube independently. These statements are based on the current expectations or beliefs of management of Google Inc., and are subject to uncertainty and changes in circumstances. Actual results may vary materially from those expressed or implied by the statements herein due to (1) changes in economic, business, competitive, technological and/or regulatory factors, (2) failure to receive regulatory approval for the acquisition, (3) failure to retain the levels of traffic on the YouTube site, (4) failure to compete successfully in this highly competitive and rapidly changing marketplace, (5) failure to retain key employees, (6) other factors affecting the operation of the respective businesses of Google and YouTube, and (7) the failure of YouTube and Google to work together effectively. More detailed information about these factors may be found in filings by Google, as applicable, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including their respective most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Google is under no obligation to, and expressly disclaims any such obligation to, update or alter their respective forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.
Press Contacts:
Google Media:
Jon Murchinson
650.253.4437
jonm@google.com Investors:
Maria Shim
650.253.7663
marias@google.com YouTube Media:
Julie Supan
650.685.6401
press@youtube.com
Google Buys YouTube - Deal Done - What Do You Think Of It?
Yep. The deal's done. It makes sense for this to happen, especially because the two firms are so close in operation and geography. This 15-year old YouTube user has posted an opinion on the deal and expressed his view. He thinks that Google's purchase of YouTube means more costs for the users of both. See this video below:
Google to buy YouTube for $1.65 billion
Search engine leader looks to bulk up in the lucrative online video market.
By Paul R. La Monica, CNNMoney.com editor at large
October 9 2006: 4:42 PM EDT
NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- Google, the Internet's leading search engine, announced Monday that it is buying popular online video site YouTube for $1.65 billion in stock.
YouTube, which was founded in February 2005, has quickly become the most well-known of several online video sites. More than 100 million videos, many of which are short videos created by the site's users, are downloaded a day on the site.
According to Internet research firm Hitwise, YouTube has about a 46 percent share of the online video market.
For Google (Charts), the purchase of YouTube gives the company the ability to tap into the potentially lucrative online video and social networking markets. Some analysts have criticized Google for relying too much on advertising tied to keyword searches.
The combination of Google and YouTube could further strengthen Google's dominance in online advertising, giving it an edge over rivals such as Yahoo! (Charts), Microsoft's (Charts) MSN and News Corp (Charts)., which owns the social networking site MySpace. Some analysts said Monday that Yahoo, Microsoft and News Corp. also had probably expressed interest in buying YouTube.
In a statement, Google said that YouTube will operate as an independent unit of Google once the deal closes and will retain the YouTube brand name. The companies added that no YouTube workers will lose their jobs as a result of the acquisition and that Google will maintain its own online video business.
Clayton Moran, an analyst with Stanford Group, said after the deal was announced that Google was paying a rich price for YouTube. But he said Google needed to do something to become more competitive with MySpace, which currently ranks in second place in online video market share.
"My sense is that Google is paying a full price considering that YouTube is still unproven in regards to its revenue potential. But considering the success of MySpace it was clearly worthwhile for Google to take this step," Moran said.
Reports of a deal first began to circulate on Friday. Shares of Google rose about 2 percent on the Nasdaq Monday after posting a similar gain on Friday. The stock dipped slightly in after hours trading.
Google to buy YouTube for $1.65 billion
Search engine leader looks to bulk up in the lucrative online video market.
By Paul R. La Monica, CNNMoney.com editor at large
October 9 2006: 4:42 PM EDT
NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- Google, the Internet's leading search engine, announced Monday that it is buying popular online video site YouTube for $1.65 billion in stock.
YouTube, which was founded in February 2005, has quickly become the most well-known of several online video sites. More than 100 million videos, many of which are short videos created by the site's users, are downloaded a day on the site.
According to Internet research firm Hitwise, YouTube has about a 46 percent share of the online video market.
For Google (Charts), the purchase of YouTube gives the company the ability to tap into the potentially lucrative online video and social networking markets. Some analysts have criticized Google for relying too much on advertising tied to keyword searches.
The combination of Google and YouTube could further strengthen Google's dominance in online advertising, giving it an edge over rivals such as Yahoo! (Charts), Microsoft's (Charts) MSN and News Corp (Charts)., which owns the social networking site MySpace. Some analysts said Monday that Yahoo, Microsoft and News Corp. also had probably expressed interest in buying YouTube.
In a statement, Google said that YouTube will operate as an independent unit of Google once the deal closes and will retain the YouTube brand name. The companies added that no YouTube workers will lose their jobs as a result of the acquisition and that Google will maintain its own online video business.
Clayton Moran, an analyst with Stanford Group, said after the deal was announced that Google was paying a rich price for YouTube. But he said Google needed to do something to become more competitive with MySpace, which currently ranks in second place in online video market share.
"My sense is that Google is paying a full price considering that YouTube is still unproven in regards to its revenue potential. But considering the success of MySpace it was clearly worthwhile for Google to take this step," Moran said.
Reports of a deal first began to circulate on Friday. Shares of Google rose about 2 percent on the Nasdaq Monday after posting a similar gain on Friday. The stock dipped slightly in after hours trading.
BattleStar Galactica - An Unexpectedly Great TV Show
I saw the fuss about BattleStar Galactica on Technorati and hoped to see what all the blog chatter was about, when I noticed that it was coming on Sci-Fi Channel so I switched over.
Wow. I didn't expect a show so gritty and "real." It does hold your attention. The BattleStar Galactica I remember was more of a cheap special effects joke than good Sci-Fi.
This is great, politcally relevant Science Fiction.
Take a look:
Wow. I didn't expect a show so gritty and "real." It does hold your attention. The BattleStar Galactica I remember was more of a cheap special effects joke than good Sci-Fi.
This is great, politcally relevant Science Fiction.
Take a look:
Speaker Hassert's Staff Warned Him Of Foley's Problem Years Ago - Trouble Ahead
Rep. Dennis Hassert, Speaker of the House Of Representatives, apparently was informed of Foley's email problems long before this latest episode, according to the Washington Post's report linked to from the title of this post. If this is true, it spells the end of the long-running hold Republican's have had on the House and perhaps the Senate.
I can't immagine a majority of Republican wins this November.
I can't immagine a majority of Republican wins this November.
Sunday, October 08, 2006
Bill Polian Goes Off - Bullies New York Jets Official Over...Speakers? - Fox, Jay Glazer
I'm a fan of the Colts organization for two reasons: the incredibly nice way Owner Jim Irsay treated me at my first NFL Owners meeting when I was working to bring the Super Bowl to Oakland; and Head Coach Tony Dungy. But this action -- well, I don't know Polian -- is over the top. Mike Silver of Sports Illustrated has refered to Polian as "The Anti-Christ" and now I'm starting to see why.
Colts GM Polian accosts Jets official
Jay Glazer / FOXSports.com
When Colts GM Bill Polian placed defensive tackle Corey Simon on non-football injured reserve this week for an unknown illness it drew raised eyebrows around the league. As it turns out, that was not Polian's most questionable move in the last seven days.
Polian accosted a New York Jets official in the tunnel of Giants Stadium prior to last week's game, several sources and people present on the scene told FOXSports.com. The Jets have notified the NFL front office to ask what options they have and what action they can take if any.
According to the sources, Polian was upset that speakers were set up too close to the field. After voicing his displeasure, a Jets operations employee talked to Polian about the issue. It's unclear what transpired between the two but Polian eventually grabbed the Jet by the lapels of his suit jacket and jacked him up against the wall of the tunnel.
The team employee, who was quite shaken up by the fiasco, sought out GM Mike Tannenbaum about the matter. Tannenbaum then raised the issue with the league office in defense of the team's employee. It is unclear what action if any the Jets or the league can take in the matter but as one Jets source said, "You should have the right to a safe workplace without worrying that somebody is going to put his hands on you."
It's also unclear if Polian reacted upon getting provoked or Polian overreacted without much prompting.
The story quickly circulated throughout the Jets complex this week and many were appalled by Polian's actions.
Calls to Tannenbaum on Saturday evening as well as calls to Bill Polian's cell phone were not returned.
When contacted regarding the situation, the NFL's spokesman Greg Aiello said he was unaware of the situation and the league would have no comment regarding matters with teams.
It's unclear what the two men said to each other but regardless, Polian should not put his hands on an employee of another team or any man for that matter. Given his position in the league, it makes his actions even more questionable.
What is also unclear, since such matters seem rare in this league, is if any action will be taken by the league office or if Polian should simply issue an apology. According to others inside the Jets, the team employee who was accosted was quite upset by the incident.
Friday, October 06, 2006
Google To Buy YouTube? Just The First In A Wave Of Web 2.0 Mergers and Acquisitions To Come
TechCrunch's Michael Arrington and The Wall Street Journal report that search engine giant YouTube and Google are in talks where the latter will buy the former for $1.6 billion.
If this deal is consumated, my prediction is it will cause a wave of mergers and acquistions between "Web 2.0" companies, particularly those which are video distributors. The number of video distribution companies seems to grow each week; my view is that we will have 140 by this time net year.
That would happen even with the wave, but I don't see that process accelerating until late 2007.
If this deal is consumated, my prediction is it will cause a wave of mergers and acquistions between "Web 2.0" companies, particularly those which are video distributors. The number of video distribution companies seems to grow each week; my view is that we will have 140 by this time net year.
That would happen even with the wave, but I don't see that process accelerating until late 2007.
Wednesday, October 04, 2006
Randy Moss Is Right To Be Upset - Raiders Offense Is Not Inspiring
Oakland Raiders Wide Receiver Randy Moss popped off again. This time he said that the Raiders as a team doesn't seem to care about being 3 and 0 in the loss / won statistic -- the only one that really matters.
In an interview with Fox Sports Chris Myers, Moss said "I don't really want to single players out. I mean, I don't really know what the feeling is, but I know the feeling is bad. So that's saying no one cares about what's going on around here."
Moss comment started a buzz on any and every Raiders fan message forum in existence. Fans on Raidersfan.net have issued open letters to him. Newspaper columnists have accused him of dropping the ball himself. People -- Raiders fans -- have lined up to shoot the messenger.
But Randy's right. The Raiders don't care.
The organization's more concerned about having a kind of offense that reflects a tough, macho,...and outdated style than with winning. Head Coach Art Shell hired Offensive Coordinator Tom Walsh, he of the bed-and-breakfast who believes that football doesn't change much, thus giving way to a 1960s approach, and is not only being proven wrong but at the expense of the players he coaches.
Players like Moss.
People forget that a team is only as good as the coaches -- not the players. You can have the best players, as I was expaining to former Stanford Running Back Darren Nelson on Tuesday, but if the coaches are telling them to do the wrong things, then the players will only play as well as they're instructed.
And right now, the Raiders players are poorly instructed.
What can the Raiders do to make Randy and the offensive players happy?
Well, here's a list:
1) Offensive Line blocking: This unit's technique has improved -- they're not retreating as much, and are actually punching in their technique, but it's not consistent. Focusing on consistency here is the key. Of course, they would be helped by a really good...
2) Short passing game: The Raiders' current passing system is a freaking joke. It lacks variety in formation, patterns, and points of attack. This is the Raiders weak point, they could help the offensive line by focusing on this, and what they've got to do is..
3) Add more plays: Offensive Plays are the tools used to attack defenses. But when you go into a game with just five runs and 10 passes -- as the Raiders did against the Baltimore Ravens, you're entering the game at a handicap before the contest starts. The 1981 World Champion 49ers went into Super Bowl XIV with 89 passes and 31 runs in the game plan. There's no reason the Raiders can't do that.
4) Trick the opponent: There's nothing wrong with a good halfback pass or an onsides kick in the first quater of a game. Get the players -- like Moss -- excited. Then they will perform.
5) Teach the passing game: Run the same plays over and over again in practice. Stay until it's dark outside. Seek perfection.
6) Design plays like this one:
.... Which I've described earlier.
Art needs to make the prescribed changes, and eventually send Tom Walsh on his way and bring in Bengals Wide Receiver Coach Hue Jackson. Art's a great figure to have as a leader, but his image in this department is taking a beating just by his resistance to change, from how he dealt with Wide Receiver Jerry Porter, to this matter of the Raiders offense.
If the Raiders are smart enough to follow my advice, they'll begin to put points on the board, rack up wins, and salvage this season. In the process, they'll turn Randy Moss from media sinner to media saint.
"I WANT MY PHONE!" - Memo To Cingular CEO Stan Sigman
One week ago, my Cingular / Motorola Razor's video display stoped working. I took it into the Cingular store on Lakeshore in Oakland, CA, where the staffer arranged to have a replacement sent overnight; it never came. This set in motion a frustrating sequence of events that's led me to produce this video memo to Cingular President and CEO Stan Sigman. I just want him to get his staffers to send my phone. Chances are, you've had a simular problem with Cingular; pass this video on!
Eddie DeBartolo, Carmen Policy NOT Buying Raiders - Talked With Carmen
At the same event where I reported the unfortunate news about former 49ers and Stanford Head Coach Bill Walsh, I had the chance to chat with former 49ers and Cleveland Browns President Carmen Policy (pictured with KGO-AM San Francisco Radio Personality Ronn Owens) about a lot of matters mostly personal. But one that wasn't was the idea that he and former Niners owner were going to purchase the Oakland Raiders.
That was never true, according to Carmen.
See, the story was originally reported by my friend Sports Illustrated Senior Writer Michael Silver. I've known "Sil" since 1986, and so feel a certain obligation to help promote his terrific writing. Sil has penned great stories, come based on drunken exploits he's had with celebrities like NBA Basketball Legend Dennis Rodman.
Silver has a knack for getting a person to say something that's newsworthy while they're at a certain level of intoxication. In fact, Mike's broke a number of stories this way, but what's forgotten is that he's got such a great relationship with so many NFL operatives, he's able to get into a situation where he's drinking with someone. Not bad.
Regardless of one's view of this approach, it's certainly effective. According to Carmen, that's exactly what happened when Silver attended the giant Las Vegas party DeBartolo held for former Niners player, staff, and press who were involved with the 49ers durring their glory years.
Carmen and I agreed that Mike has a way of asking a hypothetical question, like "Let's say you were able to buy the Raiders -- would you?" And, in a Las Vegas-party atmostphere, with the booze flowing, the answer Eddie gave was "Yeah."
But it doesn't mean he or Carmen plan to purchase the Oakland Raiders.
The answer from Carmen is "No."
Tuesday, October 03, 2006
Coach Bill Walsh's Heath Takes A Turn For The Worst - "Titans" Event In His Honor
I just returned from an event called "A Private Equity Breakfast Honoring Coach Bill Walsh" held at the Julia Morgan Ballroom on the 15th Floor of 465 California St.
The idea of the "first of it's kind" function -- hosted by former San Francisco 49ers Harris Barton and Ronnie Lott -- was to install Coach Walsh as the first "Titan" in what will be an annual "Salute to The Titans" fund-raising event. Of course, the person of honor was to be former Stanford and San Francisco 49ers Coach Bill Walsh.
I was excited to attend the event, and even took my camcorder to do a short video interview of Coach Walsh. But after the news I and others were given, I just didn't have it in me to activate my camera. It didn't feel right to do it.
The room was chocked ful of 49er greats, from Barton and Lott, to Bill Ring, Guy McIntyre, Dave Fiori, Esson Ramson, Eric Wright, and Steve Bono. San Francisco Giants Vice President Larry Baer was there, as were former 49ers Steve Kenney and Jeff Baer, who was the team photographer. There were representitives of various private equity funds and investment bankers like George Roberts of Kohlberg, Kravis, and Roberts.
I was originally assigned to "Table 6" and with former Stanford Cardinal Running Back Darren Nelson, and what seemed to be an entire table of Stanford alumns; just the place for a Cal grad like me. Then, to my surprise Carmen Policy, Former President of The San Francisco 49ers and of The New Cleveland Browns, and now living in the Bay Area, came to the table to sit down. I was sitting next to a good friend of his -- "R.J." -- when Carmen leaned over and said "Bill's not attending the event. This thing he's got's just knocked him on his ass."
So R.J. and I looked at each other and realized we'd just been given very bad news. Few could believe what Carmen has said, so sad it was. Later, one of Carmen's business associates came in, and as our table was crowded had no place to sit. So since I was really "the new guy" I offered my seat to him, even though Carmen asked me to stay. I just went over to sit with my friends Beth and Allison.
When I delivered the news to them and the rest of the table, everyone thought it was a joke. That ended when Barton took the podium and after welcoming the estimated 100 people, explained that two days ago, Coach Walsh called Barton and Lott to explain that he would not be able to attend the breakfast. "His health's taken a turn for the worst," Barton said.
At that point, the function took on the feel of a memorial. Four people came up to share stories about Coach Walsh: Darren Nelson, Bill Ring, Ronnie Lott, Carmen Policy, and Sharon Williams, the Executive Director of Opportunities
Industrialization Center West (OICW), a non-profit in East Palo Alto Coach Walsh has played a key role in helping over the years.
Each speech was moving. Darren Nelson explained that Coach Walsh was "The Mad Scientist" and saw in Nelson at Stanford a pass-catching halfback, even though Nelson never caught a pass in high school. There was former 49ers Running Back "Number "30" Bill Ring talking about how Coach Walsh would make the players stay longer for practice in search of perfection in how his players ran a play. "He was like a conductor waving his batton," Ring said, "and we players were the musicians making music."
Carmen Policy talked about how he and now Former 49ers Owner Eddie DeBartolo waited in DeBartolo's apartment as then-Stanford Coach Walsh used the back elevator to escape the media and to come up for an interview. "You could see it then," Policy said, "His stature. The silver hair. He could fill a room with his presence. Right then you knew a decision had been made. We found our coach."
Carmen said that Coach Walsh gave the San Francisco Bay Area something by contributing to its soul. By forming a team and an organization that everyone stopped doing everything to see on Sundays. Lott talked about how Coach Walsh did truly love his players. Sharon Williams talked about how Coach Walsh enlisted the help of very player and athlete he could get his hands on to donate to OICW.
After the speeches a seven-minute NFL films video was shown, featuring NFL Films' Steve Sabol talking with Coach Walsh about how he came to lead the Niners, the intial discredit Walsh received for his "intellectual and technical" approach to the game, the organization's eventual success, and how much Bill really loved his players. It was moving.
The event closed with Barton asking all of the attendess to stand and accept the "Titans" award for Coach Walsh. We all did.
Later I said to Carmen that one good way to honor Coach Walsh is for the media to start calling the "West Coast Offense" the "Walsh Offense." Policy agreed, because Coach Walsh did create it, and should be honored for his work. The approach changed how offense is played in the NFL.
Here's to Coach Walsh and the Walsh Offense. I don't know how bad off Coach Walsh is, but I do ask that all reading this honor him in my requested way.
The video below was in part shown today; I include it here to demonstrate Coach Walsh's attention to detail and teaching talent.
Mike Sliver Inteviews Bengals WR Chad Johnson - CNNSI.Com
I swear some of Sports Illustrated Senior Writer and All-Time Cal Bear Mike Sliver's work doesn't make the magazine and that's a crime. Here's one example. His interview with Chad Johnson of the Bengals. But I've got to wonder if this caused the Bengals to get smashed by the Patriots? Hmm....
Chad Johnson
Bengals star's favorite celebrations, trash-talking foes
Posted: Friday September 29, 2006 12:28PM; Updated: Friday September 29, 2006 3:55PM
Chad Johnson eats the same meal at the same restaurant every afternoon he spends in Cincinnati, and were it not for the platinum-blond Mohawk -- and his current status as the NFL's most dangerous receiver -- it would be tempting to say his arrival at his favorite haunt on a recent Friday was rather uneventful.
The last time I'd broken bread with Johnson, at an Island's in L.A., he'd asked the waitress for a job application, later explaining, "You never know when you might get cut." I assumed he was doing it for effect, until one of his female friends joined us and informed me that it was common practice for a guy who, due to academic struggles and questionable commitment to his craft during his post-high-school years, came perilously close to squandering his NFL dreams.
This time Johnson seemed a bit more secure about his status, though his rough edges remain -- for example, the locker-room tantrum he threw at halftime of the Bengals' playoff defeat to the Steelers last January, one of the many topics we discussed.
Silver: I know you love to talk trash -- you and Joey Porter put on a quite a show every time you play. Is there one opponent you're really looking forward to facing this season?
Johnson: Yeah, Joey and I have this thing where we meet at the 50 before every game and let each other have it nonstop. Away from the field I love the guy, but when we get in that situation, watch out. And Troy [Polamalu] is always nudging me and hitting me during games, but he freaks me out because he never talks. I'm like, "Damn, Troy, what the f---?" Then I hear him interviewed and crack up: He's a beast on the field and he sounds like Michael Jackson.... CLICK FOR THE REST...
Monday, October 02, 2006
NFL Bettors: Online Gambling Given Death Sentence By US Government
PartyGaming, Sportingbet Plunge on U.S. Gambling Law (Update8)
By Neil Craven - BLOOMBERG
Oct. 2 (Bloomberg) -- Shares of PartyGaming Plc, Sportingbet Plc and 888 Holdings Plc plummeted, wiping out $7 billion of market value, after Congress passed laws to shut down Internet gambling in the U.S.
Legislation to prevent credit-card companies from collecting payments for bets was approved Sept. 30 in the closing hours of the congressional session, the culmination of a U.S. clampdown on online gaming. PartyGaming, the world's biggest Internet poker company, will stop taking wagers from its 900,000 American players. Its stock lost 58 percent of its value.
``The U.S. government has found a way to make life almost impossible'' for gambling Web sites, said Philippe Gijsels, senior equity strategist at Fortis Bank SA's private investment unit in Brussels, which manages $62 billion. The companies ``will have to regroup and rethink their business model,'' he said.
The U.S. accounts for about half of the $12 billion Internet gambling market and considers the industry illegal. PartyGaming is among more than 2,000 offshore companies operating poker and sports-betting Web sites. Authorities have detained British executives of Web bookmakers visiting the U.S., including David Carruthers of Betonsports Plc, who was charged by a federal grand jury in July with illegal interstate gambling.
Gibraltar-based PartyGaming, which trades in London, got more than four-fifths of its sales from the U.S. last year.
``This development is a significant setback for our company, our shareholders, our players and our industry,'' PartyGaming Chief Executive Officer Mitch Garber said in a statement.
Shares Tumble
PartyGaming shares slid 62 pence to 45 pence in London. It was the biggest decliner in the U.K.'s benchmark FTSE 100 Index.
``This bill was having trouble getting through Congress so a lot of investors thought this was not going to happen,'' said Brian Tora, investment director at Gerrard Ltd. in London. ``Suddenly no one really knows how much these companies are going to make in terms of profit.''
The measure, added to unrelated legislation providing $3.4 billion for port security, was passed before Congress recesses to campaign for the Nov. 7 elections.
``I can't believe they actually managed to get it through,'' said Jamie Coleman, who holds PartyGaming shares among the $550 million he helps manage at EFG Wealth Management in London. ``I'm pretty damn shocked, and I'm pretty damn shocked at the way they went about doing it as well.''
U.S. President George W. Bush will sign the bill into law, said White House spokeswoman Emily Lawrimore. No date has been set for the signing.
Bank Regulations
``Internet gambling has been illegal since the inception of the Internet, but there has been no way to enforce it,'' Representative James Leach, an Iowa Republican, said Sept. 30. By making it ``illegal to use a financial instrument to settle an Internet wager,'' Congress is ``putting responsibility on the financial community,'' Leach said.
The legislation directs the Federal Reserve and Department of Justice to issue regulations within nine months to banks establishing policies and procedures for blocking transactions.
``There was an assumption tied into the price of these stocks that the legislation was not going to make it through,'' said Paul Leyland, an analyst at Arbuthnot Securities in London. Unless Congress can ensure the act will be policed, ``this could very quickly transpire to be a toothless piece of legislation,'' he added. ``The devil of all this will be in the detail.''
Poker Industry
The American Gaming Association, which represents casino operators based in Las Vegas and elsewhere, had asked Congress to fund a commission that would study whether online gambling can be regulated and taxed in the U.S. The lobby group's hope is a study may eventually let major casino operators such as MGM Mirage and Harrah's Entertainment Inc. enter the online business.
Harrah's, the world's largest casino operator, today said it received a $15.1 billion takeover offer from Apollo Management LP and Texas Pacific Group.
PartyGaming controlled about 50 percent of the online poker market at the start of this year. Its PartyPoker site is the world's largest online poker gaming venue with about 38 percent of the market in December 2005, three times more than its nearest rival, it has said.
Founder's Losses
The company was founded by a group including Anurag Dikshit, PartyGaming's former operations director, in 1997. With 1.5 billion shares, or 29 percent of the equity, he remains the company's biggest investor, the company said. Today's plunge wiped out about 700 million pounds from his holdings, according to Bloomberg calculations.
PartyGaming's IPO made Dikshit the 207th richest person in the world in 2006, according to Forbes magazine's web site.
The poker industry has grown as events including the World Series of Poker encourage more people to play games such as Texas Hold'em online. According to research company Christensen Capital Advisors, online poker grew to a $1 billion business in 2004 from $90 million in 2002.
PartyGaming sold shares to the public in June 2005. It said in its prospectus that the Justice Department ``considers that companies offering online gaming to U.S. residents are in violation of existing federal laws'' and that investors may lose their money if the company is banned from the U.S.
`Devastating Loss'
888 said suspending its U.S. operations will have a ``material adverse impact'' on earnings. Chief Operating Officer Gigi Levy said on a conference call that about half the company's revenue comes from U.S. clients. Its stock dropped 38.25 pence, or 26 percent, to 108.25 pence today.
``We will step up a gear in terms of looking at the rest of the world,'' said 888 Chief Executive Officer John Anderson. ``It's a devastating loss. Most of the rest of the world is quite sensible in terms of regulation. If you look at the prohibition of booze in the U.S., gangsters made a lot of money from that.''
Sportingbet tumbled 64 percent to 66 pence. The company today said the U.S. rules prompted it to abandon talks to buy World Gaming Plc, whose shares slid 76 percent today. Former Sportingbet Chairman Peter Dicks, facing extradition to Louisiana, was set free last week by New York authorities.
There were 23 online gaming-related stocks on London's Alternative Investment Market at the end of August.
Empire Online Ltd., whose online gambling brands include Club Dice, fell 16.5 pence, or 25 percent, to 50.5 pence. Leisure & Gaming Plc, whose brands include VIPsports, lost 75 percent to 9.75 pence in London. NETeller Plc, a U.K. provider of money transfers for Internet gaming, fell 215 pence, or 61 percent, to 140 pence.
Excapsa Software Inc., a Toronto-based maker of software for gambling Web sites, slid 71 percent to 13 pence in London. CryptoLogic Inc., another Canadian maker of online gambling software, was 15 percent lower in Toronto as European stock markets closed.
Playtech Ltd. a British Virgin Islands-based gaming-software developer, tumbled 41 percent to 145.75 pence. Bwin Interactive Entertainment AG slid 35 percent in Vienna.
To contact the reporter on this story: Neil Craven in London at ncraven1@bloomberg.net .
Last Updated: October 2, 2006 12:09 EDT
By Neil Craven - BLOOMBERG
Oct. 2 (Bloomberg) -- Shares of PartyGaming Plc, Sportingbet Plc and 888 Holdings Plc plummeted, wiping out $7 billion of market value, after Congress passed laws to shut down Internet gambling in the U.S.
Legislation to prevent credit-card companies from collecting payments for bets was approved Sept. 30 in the closing hours of the congressional session, the culmination of a U.S. clampdown on online gaming. PartyGaming, the world's biggest Internet poker company, will stop taking wagers from its 900,000 American players. Its stock lost 58 percent of its value.
``The U.S. government has found a way to make life almost impossible'' for gambling Web sites, said Philippe Gijsels, senior equity strategist at Fortis Bank SA's private investment unit in Brussels, which manages $62 billion. The companies ``will have to regroup and rethink their business model,'' he said.
The U.S. accounts for about half of the $12 billion Internet gambling market and considers the industry illegal. PartyGaming is among more than 2,000 offshore companies operating poker and sports-betting Web sites. Authorities have detained British executives of Web bookmakers visiting the U.S., including David Carruthers of Betonsports Plc, who was charged by a federal grand jury in July with illegal interstate gambling.
Gibraltar-based PartyGaming, which trades in London, got more than four-fifths of its sales from the U.S. last year.
``This development is a significant setback for our company, our shareholders, our players and our industry,'' PartyGaming Chief Executive Officer Mitch Garber said in a statement.
Shares Tumble
PartyGaming shares slid 62 pence to 45 pence in London. It was the biggest decliner in the U.K.'s benchmark FTSE 100 Index.
``This bill was having trouble getting through Congress so a lot of investors thought this was not going to happen,'' said Brian Tora, investment director at Gerrard Ltd. in London. ``Suddenly no one really knows how much these companies are going to make in terms of profit.''
The measure, added to unrelated legislation providing $3.4 billion for port security, was passed before Congress recesses to campaign for the Nov. 7 elections.
``I can't believe they actually managed to get it through,'' said Jamie Coleman, who holds PartyGaming shares among the $550 million he helps manage at EFG Wealth Management in London. ``I'm pretty damn shocked, and I'm pretty damn shocked at the way they went about doing it as well.''
U.S. President George W. Bush will sign the bill into law, said White House spokeswoman Emily Lawrimore. No date has been set for the signing.
Bank Regulations
``Internet gambling has been illegal since the inception of the Internet, but there has been no way to enforce it,'' Representative James Leach, an Iowa Republican, said Sept. 30. By making it ``illegal to use a financial instrument to settle an Internet wager,'' Congress is ``putting responsibility on the financial community,'' Leach said.
The legislation directs the Federal Reserve and Department of Justice to issue regulations within nine months to banks establishing policies and procedures for blocking transactions.
``There was an assumption tied into the price of these stocks that the legislation was not going to make it through,'' said Paul Leyland, an analyst at Arbuthnot Securities in London. Unless Congress can ensure the act will be policed, ``this could very quickly transpire to be a toothless piece of legislation,'' he added. ``The devil of all this will be in the detail.''
Poker Industry
The American Gaming Association, which represents casino operators based in Las Vegas and elsewhere, had asked Congress to fund a commission that would study whether online gambling can be regulated and taxed in the U.S. The lobby group's hope is a study may eventually let major casino operators such as MGM Mirage and Harrah's Entertainment Inc. enter the online business.
Harrah's, the world's largest casino operator, today said it received a $15.1 billion takeover offer from Apollo Management LP and Texas Pacific Group.
PartyGaming controlled about 50 percent of the online poker market at the start of this year. Its PartyPoker site is the world's largest online poker gaming venue with about 38 percent of the market in December 2005, three times more than its nearest rival, it has said.
Founder's Losses
The company was founded by a group including Anurag Dikshit, PartyGaming's former operations director, in 1997. With 1.5 billion shares, or 29 percent of the equity, he remains the company's biggest investor, the company said. Today's plunge wiped out about 700 million pounds from his holdings, according to Bloomberg calculations.
PartyGaming's IPO made Dikshit the 207th richest person in the world in 2006, according to Forbes magazine's web site.
The poker industry has grown as events including the World Series of Poker encourage more people to play games such as Texas Hold'em online. According to research company Christensen Capital Advisors, online poker grew to a $1 billion business in 2004 from $90 million in 2002.
PartyGaming sold shares to the public in June 2005. It said in its prospectus that the Justice Department ``considers that companies offering online gaming to U.S. residents are in violation of existing federal laws'' and that investors may lose their money if the company is banned from the U.S.
`Devastating Loss'
888 said suspending its U.S. operations will have a ``material adverse impact'' on earnings. Chief Operating Officer Gigi Levy said on a conference call that about half the company's revenue comes from U.S. clients. Its stock dropped 38.25 pence, or 26 percent, to 108.25 pence today.
``We will step up a gear in terms of looking at the rest of the world,'' said 888 Chief Executive Officer John Anderson. ``It's a devastating loss. Most of the rest of the world is quite sensible in terms of regulation. If you look at the prohibition of booze in the U.S., gangsters made a lot of money from that.''
Sportingbet tumbled 64 percent to 66 pence. The company today said the U.S. rules prompted it to abandon talks to buy World Gaming Plc, whose shares slid 76 percent today. Former Sportingbet Chairman Peter Dicks, facing extradition to Louisiana, was set free last week by New York authorities.
There were 23 online gaming-related stocks on London's Alternative Investment Market at the end of August.
Empire Online Ltd., whose online gambling brands include Club Dice, fell 16.5 pence, or 25 percent, to 50.5 pence. Leisure & Gaming Plc, whose brands include VIPsports, lost 75 percent to 9.75 pence in London. NETeller Plc, a U.K. provider of money transfers for Internet gaming, fell 215 pence, or 61 percent, to 140 pence.
Excapsa Software Inc., a Toronto-based maker of software for gambling Web sites, slid 71 percent to 13 pence in London. CryptoLogic Inc., another Canadian maker of online gambling software, was 15 percent lower in Toronto as European stock markets closed.
Playtech Ltd. a British Virgin Islands-based gaming-software developer, tumbled 41 percent to 145.75 pence. Bwin Interactive Entertainment AG slid 35 percent in Vienna.
To contact the reporter on this story: Neil Craven in London at ncraven1@bloomberg.net .
Last Updated: October 2, 2006 12:09 EDT
Albert Haynesworth - Suspended for Five Games - ESPN
Haynesworth suspended for unprecedented five games
ESPN.com news services
The NFL has handed down a lengthy five-game suspension to Tennessee Titans defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth for kicking Dallas Cowboys center Andre Gurode in the head.
That length of suspension represents the biggest on-field disciplinary action in league history. Charles Martin held the previous high for a suspension, sitting two games for his bodyslam of Bears quarterback Jim McMahon on Nov. 23, 1986.
"This is an unprecedented suspension. I feel like his actions on the field were also unprecented," Titans coach Jeff Fisher said.
"I felt there needed to be some serious action taken from a discipline standpoint, and I think what the league has done now is adequate."
The suspension will cost Haynesworth $190,070 -- or one-seventeenth of his 2006 base salary of $646,251.
"I think five games, five paychecks is substantial," Fisher said.
The suspension takes effect immediately. Haynesworth can return on Nov. 19 for the Titans' game at Philadelphia.
"There is absolutely no place in the game, or anywhere else, for the inexcusable action that occurred in yesterday's Titans-Cowboys game," commissioner Roger Goodell said in a statement.
Haynesworth was contrite after the incident.
"I apologize to Andre," he said Sunday. "What I did was disgusting. It's something that should never happen. I mean, I'm not a dirty player. I don't play dirty. I have respect for the game. What I feel like is I disgraced the game, disgraced my team and disgraced my last name."
Julius Jones had just scored on a 5-yard run, putting Dallas up 20-6 in what wound up as a 45-14 victory. Gurode's helmet came off, and Haynesworth, standing over him, used his right foot to kick Gurode in the head.
Gurode said they hadn't been talking or having any exchanges that led to Haynesworth kicking him twice. He received stitches above his forehead and beneath his eye.
"In all my years of football, this has never happened to me. I've never been kicked in the face like this, and I've never seen anybody kick nobody else in the face," Gurode said.
"What I did was disgusting," the Titans' Albert Haynesworth said of his stomp on Cowboys center Andre Gurode's face.
A flag was thrown, and Haynesworth followed an official toward the Titans' sideline, protesting.
Haynesworth pulled off his helmet and slammed it to the ground, prompting another flag. Referee Jerome Boger disqualified Haynesworth, and the player walked off the field after talking briefly with Fisher.
"It's ridiculous to get to that point. Two back-to-back penalties like that, there's no place for it," Fisher said.
Gurode didn't play the rest of the second half.
"This vision was kind of blurry in my left eye," he said. "If it was clear, I would have tried to come back in to play."
The Associated Press and ESPN.com's John Clayton contributed to this report.
ESPN.com news services
The NFL has handed down a lengthy five-game suspension to Tennessee Titans defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth for kicking Dallas Cowboys center Andre Gurode in the head.
That length of suspension represents the biggest on-field disciplinary action in league history. Charles Martin held the previous high for a suspension, sitting two games for his bodyslam of Bears quarterback Jim McMahon on Nov. 23, 1986.
"This is an unprecedented suspension. I feel like his actions on the field were also unprecented," Titans coach Jeff Fisher said.
"I felt there needed to be some serious action taken from a discipline standpoint, and I think what the league has done now is adequate."
The suspension will cost Haynesworth $190,070 -- or one-seventeenth of his 2006 base salary of $646,251.
"I think five games, five paychecks is substantial," Fisher said.
The suspension takes effect immediately. Haynesworth can return on Nov. 19 for the Titans' game at Philadelphia.
"There is absolutely no place in the game, or anywhere else, for the inexcusable action that occurred in yesterday's Titans-Cowboys game," commissioner Roger Goodell said in a statement.
Haynesworth was contrite after the incident.
"I apologize to Andre," he said Sunday. "What I did was disgusting. It's something that should never happen. I mean, I'm not a dirty player. I don't play dirty. I have respect for the game. What I feel like is I disgraced the game, disgraced my team and disgraced my last name."
Julius Jones had just scored on a 5-yard run, putting Dallas up 20-6 in what wound up as a 45-14 victory. Gurode's helmet came off, and Haynesworth, standing over him, used his right foot to kick Gurode in the head.
Gurode said they hadn't been talking or having any exchanges that led to Haynesworth kicking him twice. He received stitches above his forehead and beneath his eye.
"In all my years of football, this has never happened to me. I've never been kicked in the face like this, and I've never seen anybody kick nobody else in the face," Gurode said.
"What I did was disgusting," the Titans' Albert Haynesworth said of his stomp on Cowboys center Andre Gurode's face.
A flag was thrown, and Haynesworth followed an official toward the Titans' sideline, protesting.
Haynesworth pulled off his helmet and slammed it to the ground, prompting another flag. Referee Jerome Boger disqualified Haynesworth, and the player walked off the field after talking briefly with Fisher.
"It's ridiculous to get to that point. Two back-to-back penalties like that, there's no place for it," Fisher said.
Gurode didn't play the rest of the second half.
"This vision was kind of blurry in my left eye," he said. "If it was clear, I would have tried to come back in to play."
The Associated Press and ESPN.com's John Clayton contributed to this report.
State Farm / NFL Sponsorship Press Release - NFLmedia.com
Mia Jazo-Harris Matt Hill
State Farm Insurance® National Football League
(309) 766-5242 (212) 450-2080
mia,jazo-harris.sfdx@statefarm.com
hillm@nfl.com
STATE FARM® SIGNS 3-YEAR DEAL WITH THE NFL
Nation’s #1 Auto Insurer Teams with the Most Recognized Sports Property in the U.S.
Bloomington, Ill. and New York, October 2, 2006 – State Farm® and the NFL announced today a three-year sponsorship agreement. This marks the first time that the nation’s largest insurer of homes and automobiles has joined forces with the nation’s most popular sport. The three-year agreement presents State Farm with numerous marketing and advertising incentives, the opportunity to leverage the NFL brand, as well as the firstever presenting sponsorship of the NFL Pro Bowl beginning with the 2007 game.
“This sponsorship of the NFL allows State Farm to communicate through a channel that reaches millions of people and has an incredibly loyal fan base,” said Mark Gibson, assistant vice president - advertising, State Farm. “With this alliance, State Farm is able to leverage the power of the NFL, and effectively reinforce its message that it is committed to being customers’ first and best choice.”
The partnership agreement also includes trademark rights, broadcast and online media elements, and title sponsorship of “NFL Match Up,” a weekly program that provides an in-depth analysis of the weekend’s best games. State Farm plans to support the NFL partnership with an integrated marketing plan including national advertising, consumer marketing programs, and on-line promotion.
"We are pleased to welcome State Farm to our roster of sponsors," said Peter Murray, NFL VP of partnership marketing and corporate sales. "We look forward to working with State Farm on year-round marketing programs, including the presenting sponsorship of one of our fans' favorite events, the Pro Bowl."
State Farm continues to pursue unique opportunities in the marketing arena. In the past year, State Farm has expanded its front-line sponsorships to include NASCAR drivers Jeff Burton and Reed Sorenson; USA Basketball; USSA Snowboarding, and Disney-Pixar’s smash hit, “CARS.” State Farm is also an official corporate sponsor of the NCAA. By teaming with the NFL, the number one sport in the U.S., State Farm can further extend its brand to new audiences.
More information about State Farm and the National Football League can be found at www.statefarm.com and www.nfl.com.
About State Farm
State Farm® insures more cars than any other insurer in North America and is the leading U.S. home insurer.
State Farm's 17,000 agents and 68,000 employees serve over 74 million auto, fire, life and health policies in the
United States and Canada, and more than 1.8 million bank accounts. State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance
Company is the parent of the State Farm family of companies. State Farm is ranked No.22 on the Fortune 500
list of largest companies. For more information, please visit statefarm.com® or in Canada statefarm.ca™.
# # #
State Farm Insurance® National Football League
(309) 766-5242 (212) 450-2080
mia,jazo-harris.sfdx@statefarm.com
hillm@nfl.com
STATE FARM® SIGNS 3-YEAR DEAL WITH THE NFL
Nation’s #1 Auto Insurer Teams with the Most Recognized Sports Property in the U.S.
Bloomington, Ill. and New York, October 2, 2006 – State Farm® and the NFL announced today a three-year sponsorship agreement. This marks the first time that the nation’s largest insurer of homes and automobiles has joined forces with the nation’s most popular sport. The three-year agreement presents State Farm with numerous marketing and advertising incentives, the opportunity to leverage the NFL brand, as well as the firstever presenting sponsorship of the NFL Pro Bowl beginning with the 2007 game.
“This sponsorship of the NFL allows State Farm to communicate through a channel that reaches millions of people and has an incredibly loyal fan base,” said Mark Gibson, assistant vice president - advertising, State Farm. “With this alliance, State Farm is able to leverage the power of the NFL, and effectively reinforce its message that it is committed to being customers’ first and best choice.”
The partnership agreement also includes trademark rights, broadcast and online media elements, and title sponsorship of “NFL Match Up,” a weekly program that provides an in-depth analysis of the weekend’s best games. State Farm plans to support the NFL partnership with an integrated marketing plan including national advertising, consumer marketing programs, and on-line promotion.
"We are pleased to welcome State Farm to our roster of sponsors," said Peter Murray, NFL VP of partnership marketing and corporate sales. "We look forward to working with State Farm on year-round marketing programs, including the presenting sponsorship of one of our fans' favorite events, the Pro Bowl."
State Farm continues to pursue unique opportunities in the marketing arena. In the past year, State Farm has expanded its front-line sponsorships to include NASCAR drivers Jeff Burton and Reed Sorenson; USA Basketball; USSA Snowboarding, and Disney-Pixar’s smash hit, “CARS.” State Farm is also an official corporate sponsor of the NCAA. By teaming with the NFL, the number one sport in the U.S., State Farm can further extend its brand to new audiences.
More information about State Farm and the National Football League can be found at www.statefarm.com and www.nfl.com.
About State Farm
State Farm® insures more cars than any other insurer in North America and is the leading U.S. home insurer.
State Farm's 17,000 agents and 68,000 employees serve over 74 million auto, fire, life and health policies in the
United States and Canada, and more than 1.8 million bank accounts. State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance
Company is the parent of the State Farm family of companies. State Farm is ranked No.22 on the Fortune 500
list of largest companies. For more information, please visit statefarm.com® or in Canada statefarm.ca™.
# # #
Albert Haynesworth - Video Of Stomping v. Cowboys
This is a video showing the play and the stomping incident involving the Titans Albert Haynesworth. It's not a pretty thing to see.
Video:
Video:
President Bush and Staff Fired Colin Powell - Terrible Treatment Of A Hero
This video and the Washington Post article this post is linked to explain how former Secretary of State Colin Powell was fired by the Bush Administration. I've long believed that Condelessa Rice was stabing Powell in the back in her own quest for power. Why do I think this? Because she allowed herself to be the person who took Powell's place.
Vice President Cheney, Andrew Card, Donald Rumsfeld, and other plotted to take down Colin Powell because he was a more popular figure than Bush and the only voice of reason who could have kept the United States out of this mess that is the Iraq War.
But what these people did was apparently set up false intelligence and used Powell to present it. Terrible.
The Washington Post article is a must-read. In it, Powell's reported to have said that the President didn't seem to know why Powell was in what turned out to be his farewell meeting. That's an old trick sociopathic politician and public official play. I've worked for some of them. President Bush knew all along. Bet on it.
Albert Haynesworth - Profootballtalk.com Expresses Outrage
Albert Haynesworth did appologize, but one has to wonder just what the hell was going through his head to do something like that?
POSTED 12:32 a.m. EDT, October 2, 2006
OUTRAGE BUILDS OVER HAYNESWORTH HOP
We've received a flood of e-mails this evening from readers who were astounded by the gross display of criminal violence that played out on LP Field Sunday afternoon.
For those of you who missed it, Titans defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth stomped on the face of Cowboys center Andre Gurode, opening a gash that per published reports required 30 stitches to close. We've finally seen the entire video -- despite reports that Gurode's helmet came off, it's clear the Haynesworth had a role in forcibly removing it. And then Haynesworth put his cleats on Gurode's head not once but twice.
It's possible that Gurode had been holding Haynesworth all afternoon or, as we've heard about other centers, grabbing Haynesworth's frank and beans during and/or after plays. Regardless, Haynesworth's actions were beyond anything that should occur on a football field, and he should be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.
In order to ensure that this one doesn't get brushed under the rug by the powers-that-be in Tennessee, we encourage all concerned readers to make your voices heard.
How, you aks? By contacting the chief law enforcement official directly:
Victor S. (Torry) Johnson III
District Attorney General
Washington Square, Suite 500
222 2nd Avenue North
Nashville, Tennessee 37201-1649
Phone (615) 862-5500
Fax (615) 862-5599
We'll post the text of the letter we send. Ideally, readers in Nashville (i.e., voters) will send in their own.
UPDATE: Thanks to a reader who explored the web site a bit more carefully than we did, there's a page that allows a crime to be reported. Why don't we all fill the thing out and send it in? (We just did.)
Meanwhile, we've found something in the NFL's Personal Conduct Policy that, in theory, permits the league to jettison Haynesworth, if it so chooses. In a provision addressing "Persons Engaged in Violent Activity in the Workplace," the Policy states that "[c]riminal conduct in the workplace or against other employees is prohibited," and that "[a]ny Covered Person who commits or threatens violent acts against co-workers, regardless of whether an arrest is made or criminal charges are brought, shall be subject to evaluation, counseling and discipline, including termination from employment."
Including termination from employment.
Think about it. If you stand up right now and go over to the guy who makes that weird sound when he sips his coffee, throw him to the ground, and jam your shoe repeatedly on his face until he has a 30-stitch gash, your ass would be fired before they even start cleaning the blood off of the carpet.
So why should Haynesworth get a pass? Violence is violence. "Losing it" on a football field is no different than "losing it" in a factory. And if a guy loses it in that manner, he should lose his job -- just like your or I would.
He also should go to jail. Just like you or I would.
To the new Commissioner, we say that this is a prime opportunity to put your own thumbprint on the league just as plainly as your signature is on the official game ball. Don't call Paul Tagliabue and ask him what he would have done. This atmosphere of tolerance festered on his watch.
Instead, you should set your jaw, clench your teeth, and fire Albert Haynesworth.
Will the union make a fuss? If they do, who cares? If they want to come off as soft on such serious issues at a time when the league is becoming a spin-off of America's Most Wanted, let 'em.
Besides, as Gene Upshaw and company wrestle with advocating the rights of a guy who'd already be a license plate specialist but for his God-given size and skills, what about the rights of Andre Gurode?
It's easy for other players to side with their union brothers in disputes against "the man." In this specific case, however, the players are more likely to identify with the victim than with the perpetrator.
And the one thing we can guarantee is that, if Haynesworth isn't fired, something like what he did on Sunday eventually will happen again.
POSTED 12:32 a.m. EDT, October 2, 2006
OUTRAGE BUILDS OVER HAYNESWORTH HOP
We've received a flood of e-mails this evening from readers who were astounded by the gross display of criminal violence that played out on LP Field Sunday afternoon.
For those of you who missed it, Titans defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth stomped on the face of Cowboys center Andre Gurode, opening a gash that per published reports required 30 stitches to close. We've finally seen the entire video -- despite reports that Gurode's helmet came off, it's clear the Haynesworth had a role in forcibly removing it. And then Haynesworth put his cleats on Gurode's head not once but twice.
It's possible that Gurode had been holding Haynesworth all afternoon or, as we've heard about other centers, grabbing Haynesworth's frank and beans during and/or after plays. Regardless, Haynesworth's actions were beyond anything that should occur on a football field, and he should be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.
In order to ensure that this one doesn't get brushed under the rug by the powers-that-be in Tennessee, we encourage all concerned readers to make your voices heard.
How, you aks? By contacting the chief law enforcement official directly:
Victor S. (Torry) Johnson III
District Attorney General
Washington Square, Suite 500
222 2nd Avenue North
Nashville, Tennessee 37201-1649
Phone (615) 862-5500
Fax (615) 862-5599
We'll post the text of the letter we send. Ideally, readers in Nashville (i.e., voters) will send in their own.
UPDATE: Thanks to a reader who explored the web site a bit more carefully than we did, there's a page that allows a crime to be reported. Why don't we all fill the thing out and send it in? (We just did.)
Meanwhile, we've found something in the NFL's Personal Conduct Policy that, in theory, permits the league to jettison Haynesworth, if it so chooses. In a provision addressing "Persons Engaged in Violent Activity in the Workplace," the Policy states that "[c]riminal conduct in the workplace or against other employees is prohibited," and that "[a]ny Covered Person who commits or threatens violent acts against co-workers, regardless of whether an arrest is made or criminal charges are brought, shall be subject to evaluation, counseling and discipline, including termination from employment."
Including termination from employment.
Think about it. If you stand up right now and go over to the guy who makes that weird sound when he sips his coffee, throw him to the ground, and jam your shoe repeatedly on his face until he has a 30-stitch gash, your ass would be fired before they even start cleaning the blood off of the carpet.
So why should Haynesworth get a pass? Violence is violence. "Losing it" on a football field is no different than "losing it" in a factory. And if a guy loses it in that manner, he should lose his job -- just like your or I would.
He also should go to jail. Just like you or I would.
To the new Commissioner, we say that this is a prime opportunity to put your own thumbprint on the league just as plainly as your signature is on the official game ball. Don't call Paul Tagliabue and ask him what he would have done. This atmosphere of tolerance festered on his watch.
Instead, you should set your jaw, clench your teeth, and fire Albert Haynesworth.
Will the union make a fuss? If they do, who cares? If they want to come off as soft on such serious issues at a time when the league is becoming a spin-off of America's Most Wanted, let 'em.
Besides, as Gene Upshaw and company wrestle with advocating the rights of a guy who'd already be a license plate specialist but for his God-given size and skills, what about the rights of Andre Gurode?
It's easy for other players to side with their union brothers in disputes against "the man." In this specific case, however, the players are more likely to identify with the victim than with the perpetrator.
And the one thing we can guarantee is that, if Haynesworth isn't fired, something like what he did on Sunday eventually will happen again.
Mark Foley - A Simple Reminder That No One's What You Think They Are
For some reason, I'm not surprised that this story about Rep. Mark Foley came out. No, not because I know him. Never met the man. But because it's yet another reminder that no one really is who we think they are. Moreover, the more we try to hide who we really are, the more likely the truth's going to see the light of day.
It also reminds me of a conversation I had with a special friend I was having dinner with about just under a month ago. I explained that I don't use another name in my Internet communications, and that I'm open because I think 1) its the best way to protect my identity, 2) if I did hide information about my identity, one way or another the truth would come out, and 3) if I were hiding it would be because I didn't want to be discovered doing something I should not have done. So, the answer is be open in ones actions.
Now if Foley were such a person, he'd never send such emails to 16-year old congressional pages. Yikes! But he elected to do something for which he never thought he'd get caught. Well, he did.
It's not a happy story. I hope Foley gets the help he obviously needs.
Saturday, September 30, 2006
Kendra Wilkinson From "The Girls Next Door - Video and Bio
Most recently linked with Dallas Cowboys Wide Receiver Terrell Owens, Kendra Wilkinson's Q-Rating has certainly exploded with the airing of the new show "The Girls Next Door," featuring Playboy Mogul Hugh Hefner and three Playboy Playmates.
According to Wikipedia:
Kendra Wilkinson (born June 12, 1985 in San Diego, California) is a model and television personality best known as one of the three live-in girlfriends of Playboy founder Hugh Hefner and a co-star of the E! reality television series The Girls Next Door. She met Hefner at his 78th birthday party in April 2004, where she had been hired to be one of the "painted girls" (being completely nude except for painted-on accessories).
She is a self-proclaimed tomboy, noteworthy for being a sports fan and athlete. One of her trademarks on the program is her constant exercising.
Her stated career goal is to become a massage therapist or sports announcer. As of December 2005, she has become a regular "blogger" columnist at the website of the Philadelphia Eagles. Her mother, from Cherry Hill, New Jersey, used to be one of the professional cheerleaders for the team.
She appeared in the Playboy Special Editions Sexy 100 for 2006.
Here's a video of Kendra Wilkinson in the show Girls Next Door. Note that she specifically points to Terrell Owens "81" jersey with the Philadelphia Eagles.
NFL INJURY REPORT FOR WEEK FOUR, UPDATE - NFLMEDIA.COM
FOR USE AS DESIRED NFL-PER-4
WEEK 4 INJURY REPORT -- FRIDAY
Following is a list of quarterback injuries for Week 4 Games (October 1-2):
Kansas City Chiefs
Out
Trent Green (Head)
Minnesota Vikings
Out
Tarvaris Jackson (Knee)
Oakland Raiders
Out
Aaron Brooks (Right Shoulder)
New England Patriots
Probable
Tom Brady (Right Shoulder)
New York Jets
Probable
Chad Pennington (Calf)
Washington Redskins
Probable
Mark Brunell (Left Elbow)
Following is a list of injured players for Week 4 Games:
MIAMI DOLPHINS AT HOUSTON TEXANS
Miami Dolphins
QUESTIONABLE
G Joe Berger (Foot); LB Derrick Pope (Hamstring)
PROBABLE
CB Travis Daniels (Ankle); CB Eddie Jackson (Toe)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED
All Players Practiced
THURS
All Players Practiced
FRI
All Players Practiced
Houston Texans
OUT
CB Demarcus Faggins (Foot)
QUESTIONABLE
C Mike Flanagan (Foot); DE Antwan Peek (Groin)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED
Demarcus Faggins; Antwan Peek
THURS
Demarcus Faggins; Mike Flanagan; Antwan Peek
FRI
Demarcus Faggins; Mike Flanagan
SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS AT KANSAS CITY CHIEFS
San Francisco 49ers
OUT
G Larry Allen (Knee); TE Vernon Davis (Fibula)
QUESTIONABLE
WR Taylor Jacobs (Hamstring); DE Ronald Fields (Shoulder)
PROBABLE
RB Maurice Hicks (Ankle); TE Delanie Walker (Shoulder); RB Michael Robinson (Shoulder); RB Frank Gore (Ribs)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED
Larry Allen; Vernon Davis
THURS
Larry Allen; Vernon Davis
FRI
Larry Allen; Vernon Davis
Kansas City Chiefs
OUT
QB Trent Green (Head)
QUESTIONABLE
T Kyle Turley (Back)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED
Trent Green; Kyle Turley
THURS
Trent Green; Kyle Turley
FRI
Trent Green; Kyle Turley
DALLAS COWBOYS AT TENNESSEE TITANS
Dallas Cowboys
QUESTIONABLE
WR Terrell Owens (Hand)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED
Terrell Owens
THURS
All Players Practiced
FRI
All Players Practiced
Tennessee Titans
OUT
TE Erron Kinney (Knee)
QUESTIONABLE
C Eugene Amano (Ankle); P Craig Hentrich (Back); G Benji Olson (Calf); G Zach Piller (Ankle); DT Robaire Smith (Hamstring); RB Ahmard Hall (Ankle); DE Antwan Odom (Knee); LB Robert Reynolds (Thigh); RB Chris Brown (Toe)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED
Erron Kinney; Eugene Amano; Benji Olson; Zach Piller; Robaire Smith
THURS
Erron Kinney; Eugene Amano; Benji Olson; Zach Piller; Robaire Smith; Robert Reynolds
FRI
Erron Kinney; Eugene Amano; Zach Piller
ARIZONA CARDINALS AT ATLANTA FALCONS
Arizona Cardinals
QUESTIONABLE
LB James Darling (Calf)
PROBABLE
TE Fred Wakefield (Back)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED
James Darling; Fred Wakefield
THURS
James Darling
FRI
James Darling
Atlanta Falcons
QUESTIONABLE
DE John Abraham (Groin); LB Edgerton Hartwell (Knee)
PROBABLE
CB DeAngelo Hall (Calf)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED
John Abraham; Patrick Kerney; DeAngelo Hall
THURS
John Abraham
FRI
John Abraham
SAN DIEGO CHARGERS AT BALTIMORE RAVENS
San Diego Chargers
OUT
S Bhawoh Jue (Knee); S Terrence Kiel (Personal Reasons)
QUESTIONABLE
G Kris Dielman (Hamstring); DE Igor Olshansky (Knee); WR Keenan McCardell (Hamstring); TE Ryan Krause (Hamstring); T Leander Jordan (Neck)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED
Bhawoh Jue; Leander Jordan; Ryan Krause; Terrence Kiel
THURS
Bhawoh Jue; Leander Jordan; Ryan Krause; Terrence Kiel
FRI
Bhawoh Jue; Ryan Krause; Leander Jordan; Terrence Kiel
Baltimore Ravens
QUESTIONABLE
DT Haloti Ngata (Back); S Ed Reed (Foot); DE Terrell Suggs (Thigh)
PROBABLE
TE Todd Heap (Ankle); G Edwin Mulitalo (Elbow); LB Bart Scott (Foot); WR Demetrius Williams (Elbow)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED
Demetrius Williams; Terrell Suggs; Todd Heap; Edwin Mulitalo; Bart Scott
THURS
Todd Heap; Edwin Mulitalo; Haloti Ngata; Ed Reed; Bart Scott; Terrell Suggs
FRI
Haloti Ngata; Ed Reed; Terrell Suggs; Edwin Mulitalo
MINNESOTA VIKINGS AT BUFFALO BILLS
Minnesota Vikings
OUT
QB Tarvaris Jackson (Knee)
QUESTIONABLE
LB Ben Leber (Knee)
PROBABLE
DT Pat Williams (Ankle); RB Chester Taylor (Ankle)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED
Tarvaris Jackson; Ben Leber
THURS
Tarvaris Jackson; Ben Leber; Chester Taylor
FRI
Tarvaris Jackson
Buffalo Bills
QUESTIONABLE
S Matt Bowen (Shin); LB Takeo Spikes (Hamstring); CB Kiwaukee Thomas (Back)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED
All Players Practiced
THURS
All Players Practiced
FRI
Takeo Spikes
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS AT CAROLINA PANTHERS
New Orleans Saints
OUT
S Bryan Scott (Thigh)
DOUBTFUL
WR Devery Henderson (Shoulder)
QUESTIONABLE
LB Danny Clark (Hip)
PROBABLE
CB Fred Thomas (Hip)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED
Practice Not Conducted
THURS
Bryan Scott; Rob Ninkovich; Devery Henderson
FRI
Bryan Scott; Devery Henderson
Carolina Panthers
OUT
LB Dan Morgan (Concussion); TE Mike Seidman (Knee)
QUESTIONABLE
C Justin Hartwig (Groin); S Shaun Williams (Foot)
PROBABLE
T Todd Fordham (Shoulder); RB Nick Goings (Thigh); CB Ken Lucas (Neck); WR Steve Smith (Thigh)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED
Dan Morgan; Mike Seidman; Todd Fordham; Justin Hartwig; Shaun Williams
THURS
Dan Morgan; Mike Seidman; Justin Hartwig; Shaun Williams
FRI
Dan Morgan; Mike Seidman; Justin Hartwig; Shaun Williams
INDIANAPOLIS COLTS AT NEW YORK JETS
Indianapolis Colts
OUT
S Bob Sanders (Knee); DT Corey Simon (Knee)
QUESTIONABLE
T Ryan Diem (Thumb); G Dylan Gandy (Abdomen); CB Nicholas Harper (Groin); CB Kelvin Hayden (Ankle); CB Marlin Jackson (Concussion); CB Tim Jennings (Knee); K Adam Vinatieri (Right Groin); DT Dan Klecko (Low Back); G Ryan Lilja (Knee); DT Darrell Reid (Elbow); G Jake Scott (Knee); WR Brandon Stokley (Ankle); DE Josh Thomas (Ankle)
PROBABLE
TE Ben Utecht (Groin); RB De De Dorsey (Ankle); LB Freddy Keiaho (Knee); LB Gary Brackett (Thigh)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED
Corey Simon; Bob Sanders; Darrell Reid; Ryan Lilja; Dan Klecko; Marlin Jackson; Nicholas Harper; Dylan Gandy; Adam Vinatieri; Brandon Stokley; Ryan Diem
THURS
Corey Simon; Bob Sanders; Darrell Reid; Dan Klecko; Nicholas Harper; Dylan Gandy; Ryan Diem; Adam Vinatieri; Brandon Stokley
FRI
Bob Sanders; Corey Simon; Ryan Diem; Nicholas Harper; Dan Klecko; Brandon Stokley; Josh Thomas
New York Jets
QUESTIONABLE
CB David Barrett (Thigh); WR Laveranues Coles (Calf); WR Tim Dwight (Hamstring); G Pete Kendall (Thigh); S Kerry Rhodes (Thigh); S Derrick Strait (Thigh); C Trey Teague (Ankle)
PROBABLE
DE Dave Ball (Hand); RB Kevan Barlow (Calf); LB Matt Chatham (Foot); T Anthony Clement (Shin); CB Drew Coleman (Hand); DE Shaun Ellis (Hip); DE Bobby Hamilton (Knee); QB Chad Pennington (Calf); DT Kimo Von Oelhoffen (Knee)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED
Laveranues Coles; Tim Dwight; Pete Kendall; Kerry Rhodes; Derrick Strait; Trey Teague; David Barrett
THURS
Trey Teague; Derrick Strait; Laveranues Coles; Tim Dwight; Pete Kendall; Kerry Rhodes; David Barrett
FRI
David Barrett; Laveranues Coles; Tim Dwight; Pete Kendall; Kerry Rhodes; Derrick Strait; Trey Teague
CLEVELAND BROWNS AT OAKLAND RAIDERS
Cleveland Browns
OUT
DE Nick Eason (Ankle); CB Gary Baxter (Pectoral)
QUESTIONABLE
TE Darnell Dinkins (Hamstring); RB Reuben Droughns (Shoulder); DE Simon Fraser (Shoulder); WR Joe Jurevicius (Ribs); LB Willie McGinest (Calf); DE Orpheus Roye (Shoulder); TE Kellen Winslow (Knee); S Justin Hamilton (Ankle)
PROBABLE
S Brian Russell (Elbow); G Cosey Coleman (Hand)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED
Willie McGinest; Reuben Droughns; Orpheus Roye; Simon Fraser; Kellen Winslow; Nick Eason; Gary Baxter; Joe Jurevicius
THURS
Orpheus Roye; Nick Eason; Simon Fraser; Joe Jurevicius; Willie McGinest; Gary Baxter; Reuben Droughns; Kellen Winslow
FRI
Nick Eason; Gary Baxter; Willie McGinest; Kellen Winslow; Justin Hamilton
Oakland Raiders
OUT
QB Aaron Brooks (Right Shoulder)
QUESTIONABLE
LB Sam Williams (Ankle); DE Kevin Huntley (Foot); LB Grant Irons (Back)
PROBABLE
CB Nnamdi Asomugha (Foot); T Robert Gallery (Calf); CB Fabian Washington (Hamstring)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED
Aaron Brooks; Grant Irons
THURS
Aaron Brooks; Grant Irons
FRI
Aaron Brooks; Grant Irons
DETROIT LIONS AT ST. LOUIS RAMS
Detroit Lions
OUT
LB Alex Lewis (Knee); S Kenoy Kennedy (Foot)
QUESTIONABLE
CB Fernando Bryant (Ankle); T Barry Stokes (Hamstring); G Ross Verba (Hamstring); T Rex Tucker (Knee); DT Shaun Rogers (Knee)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED
Kenoy Kennedy; Alex Lewis; Barry Stokes; Rex Tucker; Ross Verba; Shaun Rogers
THURS
Kenoy Kennedy; Alex Lewis; Fernando Bryant; Rex Tucker; Barry Stokes; Ross Verba; Shaun Rogers
FRI
Alex Lewis; Kenoy Kennedy; Fernando Bryant; Barry Stokes; Ross Verba; Rex Tucker; Shaun Rogers
St. Louis Rams
QUESTIONABLE
T Orlando Pace (Concussion)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED
Orlando Pace
THURS
Orlando Pace
FRI
Orlando Pace
JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS AT WASHINGTON REDSKINS
Jacksonville Jaguars
DOUBTFUL
DE Marcellus Wiley (Groin); RB Derrick Wimbush (Knee)
QUESTIONABLE
CB Rashean Mathis (Knee)
PROBABLE
G Chris Naeole (Knee); DT Marcus Stroud (Ankle); S Donovin Darius (Back); WR Matt Jones (Groin); WR Chad Owens (Ribs); DE Paul Spicer (Groin); RB Maurice Jones-Drew (Ankle)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED
Derrick Wimbush; Marcellus Wiley; Rashean Mathis; Marcus Stroud; Chris Naeole
THURS
Marcellus Wiley; Derrick Wimbush; Rashean Mathis
FRI
Marcellus Wiley; Derrick Wimbush; Marcus Stroud
Washington Redskins
OUT
CB Shawn Springs (Groin)
PROBABLE
DT Joe Salave'a (Calf); QB Mark Brunell (Left Elbow)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED
Shawn Springs; Mark Brunell; Joe Salave'a
THURS
Shawn Springs; Mark Brunell
FRI
Shawn Springs; Joe Salave'a
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS AT CINCINNATI BENGALS
New England Patriots
QUESTIONABLE
S Artrell Hawkins (Thigh); CB Ellis Hobbs (Wrist); WR Chad Jackson (Hamstring); T Nick Kaczur (Shoulder); CB Eugene Wilson (Hamstring)
PROBABLE
QB Tom Brady (Right Shoulder); WR Doug Gabriel (Hamstring); T Matt Light (Knee); T Ryan O'Callaghan (Head)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED
Artrell Hawkins; Ellis Hobbs; Chad Jackson; Nick Kaczur; Eugene Wilson; Doug Gabriel; Matt Light; Ryan O'Callaghan
THURS
Ellis Hobbs; Chad Jackson; Nick Kaczur; Eugene Wilson; Artrell Hawkins; Doug Gabriel; Ryan O'Callaghan; Matt Light
FRI
Artrell Hawkins; Ellis Hobbs; Chad Jackson; Nick Kaczur; Eugene Wilson; Doug Gabriel; Matt Light; Ryan O'Callaghan
Cincinnati Bengals
OUT
DE Frostee Rucker (Shoulder); C Rich Braham (Knee); S Dexter Jackson (Ankle); WR Tab Perry (Hip)
DOUBTFUL
LB Rashad Jeanty (Foot); LB A.J. Nicholson (Hamstring)
QUESTIONABLE
WR Antonio Chatman (Groin)
PROBABLE
DT Sam Adams (Knee); WR T.J. Houshmandzadeh (Foot); T Levi Jones (Ankle); S Kevin Kaesviharn (Neck); LB Brian Simmons (Knee); DE Justin Smith (Foot); TE Reggie Kelly (Illness)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED
Rich Braham; Dexter Jackson; Tab Perry; Frostee Rucker; A.J. Nicholson; Rashad Jeanty; T.J. Houshmandzadeh; Sam Adams; Kevin Kaesviharn; Brian Simmons; Justin Smith; Levi Jones
THURS
Rich Braham; Dexter Jackson; Tab Perry; Frostee Rucker; A.J. Nicholson; Rashad Jeanty; Sam Adams; Levi Jones
FRI
Frostee Rucker; Rich Braham; Dexter Jackson; Tab Perry; Rashad Jeanty; A.J. Nicholson; Reggie Kelly
SEATTLE SEAHAWKS AT CHICAGO BEARS
Seattle Seahawks
OUT
RB Shaun Alexander (Foot); TE Jerramy Stevens (Knee); DT Marcus Tubbs (Knee); G Floyd Womack (Knee)
DOUBTFUL
CB Jordan Babineaux (Concussion); DE Joe Tafoya (Knee)
QUESTIONABLE
G Chris Gray (Knee); T Sean Locklear (Knee)
PROBABLE
S Ken Hamlin (Shoulder)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED
Floyd Womack; Marcus Tubbs; Jerramy Stevens; Shaun Alexander; Joe Tafoya; Jordan Babineaux; Chris Gray; Sean Locklear
THURS
Shaun Alexander; Jerramy Stevens; Marcus Tubbs; Floyd Womack; Joe Tafoya; Jordan Babineaux; Chris Gray; Sean Locklear
FRI
Practice Not Complete
Chicago Bears
OUT
WR Airese Currie (Foot)
DOUBTFUL
WR Mark Bradley (Ankle)
QUESTIONABLE
TE Desmond Clark (Foot); S Chris Harris (Ankle)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED
Desmond Clark; Mark Bradley
THURS
Mark Bradley; Desmond Clark
FRI
Airese Currie; Mark Bradley; Desmond Clark
GREEN BAY PACKERS AT PHILADELPHIA EAGLES on Monday
Green Bay Packers
OUT
DT Kenderick Allen (Foot)
QUESTIONABLE
DT Ryan Pickett (Ankle); CB Will Blackmon (Foot); T Junius Coston (Knee); G Jason Spitz (Thigh)
PROBABLE
RB Ahman Green (Rib); DE Aaron Kampman (Head); TE David Martin (Illness)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED
Kenderick Allen; Ryan Pickett; Will Blackmon; Aaron Kampman
THURS
Kenderick Allen; Ryan Pickett; Will Blackmon; Aaron Kampman; David Martin
FRI
Kenderick Allen; Will Blackmon; Ahman Green
Philadelphia Eagles
DOUBTFUL
CB Roderick Hood (Heel); CB Lito Sheppard (Ankle)
QUESTIONABLE
WR Donte' Stallworth (Hamstring); RB Brian Westbrook (Knee); S Brian Dawkins (Concussion)
PROBABLE
G Shawn Andrews (Shoulder); WR Reggie Brown (Shoulder); S Sean Considine (Hip); DE Darren Howard (Knee); S Michael Lewis (Quadricep); RB Reno Mahe (Ankle); LB Matt McCoy (Stinger); TE L.J. Smith (Shoulder); T Tra Thomas (Foot); DT Darwin Walker (Quadricep)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED
Practice Not Conducted
THURS
Roderick Hood; Lito Sheppard; Donte' Stallworth; Brian Westbrook; Brian Dawkins
FRI
Roderick Hood; Lito Sheppard; Brian Westbrook; Brian Dawkins
WEEK 4 INJURY REPORT -- FRIDAY
Following is a list of quarterback injuries for Week 4 Games (October 1-2):
Kansas City Chiefs
Out
Trent Green (Head)
Minnesota Vikings
Out
Tarvaris Jackson (Knee)
Oakland Raiders
Out
Aaron Brooks (Right Shoulder)
New England Patriots
Probable
Tom Brady (Right Shoulder)
New York Jets
Probable
Chad Pennington (Calf)
Washington Redskins
Probable
Mark Brunell (Left Elbow)
Following is a list of injured players for Week 4 Games:
MIAMI DOLPHINS AT HOUSTON TEXANS
Miami Dolphins
QUESTIONABLE
G Joe Berger (Foot); LB Derrick Pope (Hamstring)
PROBABLE
CB Travis Daniels (Ankle); CB Eddie Jackson (Toe)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED
All Players Practiced
THURS
All Players Practiced
FRI
All Players Practiced
Houston Texans
OUT
CB Demarcus Faggins (Foot)
QUESTIONABLE
C Mike Flanagan (Foot); DE Antwan Peek (Groin)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED
Demarcus Faggins; Antwan Peek
THURS
Demarcus Faggins; Mike Flanagan; Antwan Peek
FRI
Demarcus Faggins; Mike Flanagan
SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS AT KANSAS CITY CHIEFS
San Francisco 49ers
OUT
G Larry Allen (Knee); TE Vernon Davis (Fibula)
QUESTIONABLE
WR Taylor Jacobs (Hamstring); DE Ronald Fields (Shoulder)
PROBABLE
RB Maurice Hicks (Ankle); TE Delanie Walker (Shoulder); RB Michael Robinson (Shoulder); RB Frank Gore (Ribs)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED
Larry Allen; Vernon Davis
THURS
Larry Allen; Vernon Davis
FRI
Larry Allen; Vernon Davis
Kansas City Chiefs
OUT
QB Trent Green (Head)
QUESTIONABLE
T Kyle Turley (Back)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED
Trent Green; Kyle Turley
THURS
Trent Green; Kyle Turley
FRI
Trent Green; Kyle Turley
DALLAS COWBOYS AT TENNESSEE TITANS
Dallas Cowboys
QUESTIONABLE
WR Terrell Owens (Hand)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED
Terrell Owens
THURS
All Players Practiced
FRI
All Players Practiced
Tennessee Titans
OUT
TE Erron Kinney (Knee)
QUESTIONABLE
C Eugene Amano (Ankle); P Craig Hentrich (Back); G Benji Olson (Calf); G Zach Piller (Ankle); DT Robaire Smith (Hamstring); RB Ahmard Hall (Ankle); DE Antwan Odom (Knee); LB Robert Reynolds (Thigh); RB Chris Brown (Toe)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED
Erron Kinney; Eugene Amano; Benji Olson; Zach Piller; Robaire Smith
THURS
Erron Kinney; Eugene Amano; Benji Olson; Zach Piller; Robaire Smith; Robert Reynolds
FRI
Erron Kinney; Eugene Amano; Zach Piller
ARIZONA CARDINALS AT ATLANTA FALCONS
Arizona Cardinals
QUESTIONABLE
LB James Darling (Calf)
PROBABLE
TE Fred Wakefield (Back)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED
James Darling; Fred Wakefield
THURS
James Darling
FRI
James Darling
Atlanta Falcons
QUESTIONABLE
DE John Abraham (Groin); LB Edgerton Hartwell (Knee)
PROBABLE
CB DeAngelo Hall (Calf)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED
John Abraham; Patrick Kerney; DeAngelo Hall
THURS
John Abraham
FRI
John Abraham
SAN DIEGO CHARGERS AT BALTIMORE RAVENS
San Diego Chargers
OUT
S Bhawoh Jue (Knee); S Terrence Kiel (Personal Reasons)
QUESTIONABLE
G Kris Dielman (Hamstring); DE Igor Olshansky (Knee); WR Keenan McCardell (Hamstring); TE Ryan Krause (Hamstring); T Leander Jordan (Neck)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED
Bhawoh Jue; Leander Jordan; Ryan Krause; Terrence Kiel
THURS
Bhawoh Jue; Leander Jordan; Ryan Krause; Terrence Kiel
FRI
Bhawoh Jue; Ryan Krause; Leander Jordan; Terrence Kiel
Baltimore Ravens
QUESTIONABLE
DT Haloti Ngata (Back); S Ed Reed (Foot); DE Terrell Suggs (Thigh)
PROBABLE
TE Todd Heap (Ankle); G Edwin Mulitalo (Elbow); LB Bart Scott (Foot); WR Demetrius Williams (Elbow)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED
Demetrius Williams; Terrell Suggs; Todd Heap; Edwin Mulitalo; Bart Scott
THURS
Todd Heap; Edwin Mulitalo; Haloti Ngata; Ed Reed; Bart Scott; Terrell Suggs
FRI
Haloti Ngata; Ed Reed; Terrell Suggs; Edwin Mulitalo
MINNESOTA VIKINGS AT BUFFALO BILLS
Minnesota Vikings
OUT
QB Tarvaris Jackson (Knee)
QUESTIONABLE
LB Ben Leber (Knee)
PROBABLE
DT Pat Williams (Ankle); RB Chester Taylor (Ankle)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED
Tarvaris Jackson; Ben Leber
THURS
Tarvaris Jackson; Ben Leber; Chester Taylor
FRI
Tarvaris Jackson
Buffalo Bills
QUESTIONABLE
S Matt Bowen (Shin); LB Takeo Spikes (Hamstring); CB Kiwaukee Thomas (Back)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED
All Players Practiced
THURS
All Players Practiced
FRI
Takeo Spikes
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS AT CAROLINA PANTHERS
New Orleans Saints
OUT
S Bryan Scott (Thigh)
DOUBTFUL
WR Devery Henderson (Shoulder)
QUESTIONABLE
LB Danny Clark (Hip)
PROBABLE
CB Fred Thomas (Hip)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED
Practice Not Conducted
THURS
Bryan Scott; Rob Ninkovich; Devery Henderson
FRI
Bryan Scott; Devery Henderson
Carolina Panthers
OUT
LB Dan Morgan (Concussion); TE Mike Seidman (Knee)
QUESTIONABLE
C Justin Hartwig (Groin); S Shaun Williams (Foot)
PROBABLE
T Todd Fordham (Shoulder); RB Nick Goings (Thigh); CB Ken Lucas (Neck); WR Steve Smith (Thigh)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED
Dan Morgan; Mike Seidman; Todd Fordham; Justin Hartwig; Shaun Williams
THURS
Dan Morgan; Mike Seidman; Justin Hartwig; Shaun Williams
FRI
Dan Morgan; Mike Seidman; Justin Hartwig; Shaun Williams
INDIANAPOLIS COLTS AT NEW YORK JETS
Indianapolis Colts
OUT
S Bob Sanders (Knee); DT Corey Simon (Knee)
QUESTIONABLE
T Ryan Diem (Thumb); G Dylan Gandy (Abdomen); CB Nicholas Harper (Groin); CB Kelvin Hayden (Ankle); CB Marlin Jackson (Concussion); CB Tim Jennings (Knee); K Adam Vinatieri (Right Groin); DT Dan Klecko (Low Back); G Ryan Lilja (Knee); DT Darrell Reid (Elbow); G Jake Scott (Knee); WR Brandon Stokley (Ankle); DE Josh Thomas (Ankle)
PROBABLE
TE Ben Utecht (Groin); RB De De Dorsey (Ankle); LB Freddy Keiaho (Knee); LB Gary Brackett (Thigh)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED
Corey Simon; Bob Sanders; Darrell Reid; Ryan Lilja; Dan Klecko; Marlin Jackson; Nicholas Harper; Dylan Gandy; Adam Vinatieri; Brandon Stokley; Ryan Diem
THURS
Corey Simon; Bob Sanders; Darrell Reid; Dan Klecko; Nicholas Harper; Dylan Gandy; Ryan Diem; Adam Vinatieri; Brandon Stokley
FRI
Bob Sanders; Corey Simon; Ryan Diem; Nicholas Harper; Dan Klecko; Brandon Stokley; Josh Thomas
New York Jets
QUESTIONABLE
CB David Barrett (Thigh); WR Laveranues Coles (Calf); WR Tim Dwight (Hamstring); G Pete Kendall (Thigh); S Kerry Rhodes (Thigh); S Derrick Strait (Thigh); C Trey Teague (Ankle)
PROBABLE
DE Dave Ball (Hand); RB Kevan Barlow (Calf); LB Matt Chatham (Foot); T Anthony Clement (Shin); CB Drew Coleman (Hand); DE Shaun Ellis (Hip); DE Bobby Hamilton (Knee); QB Chad Pennington (Calf); DT Kimo Von Oelhoffen (Knee)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED
Laveranues Coles; Tim Dwight; Pete Kendall; Kerry Rhodes; Derrick Strait; Trey Teague; David Barrett
THURS
Trey Teague; Derrick Strait; Laveranues Coles; Tim Dwight; Pete Kendall; Kerry Rhodes; David Barrett
FRI
David Barrett; Laveranues Coles; Tim Dwight; Pete Kendall; Kerry Rhodes; Derrick Strait; Trey Teague
CLEVELAND BROWNS AT OAKLAND RAIDERS
Cleveland Browns
OUT
DE Nick Eason (Ankle); CB Gary Baxter (Pectoral)
QUESTIONABLE
TE Darnell Dinkins (Hamstring); RB Reuben Droughns (Shoulder); DE Simon Fraser (Shoulder); WR Joe Jurevicius (Ribs); LB Willie McGinest (Calf); DE Orpheus Roye (Shoulder); TE Kellen Winslow (Knee); S Justin Hamilton (Ankle)
PROBABLE
S Brian Russell (Elbow); G Cosey Coleman (Hand)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED
Willie McGinest; Reuben Droughns; Orpheus Roye; Simon Fraser; Kellen Winslow; Nick Eason; Gary Baxter; Joe Jurevicius
THURS
Orpheus Roye; Nick Eason; Simon Fraser; Joe Jurevicius; Willie McGinest; Gary Baxter; Reuben Droughns; Kellen Winslow
FRI
Nick Eason; Gary Baxter; Willie McGinest; Kellen Winslow; Justin Hamilton
Oakland Raiders
OUT
QB Aaron Brooks (Right Shoulder)
QUESTIONABLE
LB Sam Williams (Ankle); DE Kevin Huntley (Foot); LB Grant Irons (Back)
PROBABLE
CB Nnamdi Asomugha (Foot); T Robert Gallery (Calf); CB Fabian Washington (Hamstring)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED
Aaron Brooks; Grant Irons
THURS
Aaron Brooks; Grant Irons
FRI
Aaron Brooks; Grant Irons
DETROIT LIONS AT ST. LOUIS RAMS
Detroit Lions
OUT
LB Alex Lewis (Knee); S Kenoy Kennedy (Foot)
QUESTIONABLE
CB Fernando Bryant (Ankle); T Barry Stokes (Hamstring); G Ross Verba (Hamstring); T Rex Tucker (Knee); DT Shaun Rogers (Knee)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED
Kenoy Kennedy; Alex Lewis; Barry Stokes; Rex Tucker; Ross Verba; Shaun Rogers
THURS
Kenoy Kennedy; Alex Lewis; Fernando Bryant; Rex Tucker; Barry Stokes; Ross Verba; Shaun Rogers
FRI
Alex Lewis; Kenoy Kennedy; Fernando Bryant; Barry Stokes; Ross Verba; Rex Tucker; Shaun Rogers
St. Louis Rams
QUESTIONABLE
T Orlando Pace (Concussion)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED
Orlando Pace
THURS
Orlando Pace
FRI
Orlando Pace
JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS AT WASHINGTON REDSKINS
Jacksonville Jaguars
DOUBTFUL
DE Marcellus Wiley (Groin); RB Derrick Wimbush (Knee)
QUESTIONABLE
CB Rashean Mathis (Knee)
PROBABLE
G Chris Naeole (Knee); DT Marcus Stroud (Ankle); S Donovin Darius (Back); WR Matt Jones (Groin); WR Chad Owens (Ribs); DE Paul Spicer (Groin); RB Maurice Jones-Drew (Ankle)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED
Derrick Wimbush; Marcellus Wiley; Rashean Mathis; Marcus Stroud; Chris Naeole
THURS
Marcellus Wiley; Derrick Wimbush; Rashean Mathis
FRI
Marcellus Wiley; Derrick Wimbush; Marcus Stroud
Washington Redskins
OUT
CB Shawn Springs (Groin)
PROBABLE
DT Joe Salave'a (Calf); QB Mark Brunell (Left Elbow)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED
Shawn Springs; Mark Brunell; Joe Salave'a
THURS
Shawn Springs; Mark Brunell
FRI
Shawn Springs; Joe Salave'a
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS AT CINCINNATI BENGALS
New England Patriots
QUESTIONABLE
S Artrell Hawkins (Thigh); CB Ellis Hobbs (Wrist); WR Chad Jackson (Hamstring); T Nick Kaczur (Shoulder); CB Eugene Wilson (Hamstring)
PROBABLE
QB Tom Brady (Right Shoulder); WR Doug Gabriel (Hamstring); T Matt Light (Knee); T Ryan O'Callaghan (Head)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED
Artrell Hawkins; Ellis Hobbs; Chad Jackson; Nick Kaczur; Eugene Wilson; Doug Gabriel; Matt Light; Ryan O'Callaghan
THURS
Ellis Hobbs; Chad Jackson; Nick Kaczur; Eugene Wilson; Artrell Hawkins; Doug Gabriel; Ryan O'Callaghan; Matt Light
FRI
Artrell Hawkins; Ellis Hobbs; Chad Jackson; Nick Kaczur; Eugene Wilson; Doug Gabriel; Matt Light; Ryan O'Callaghan
Cincinnati Bengals
OUT
DE Frostee Rucker (Shoulder); C Rich Braham (Knee); S Dexter Jackson (Ankle); WR Tab Perry (Hip)
DOUBTFUL
LB Rashad Jeanty (Foot); LB A.J. Nicholson (Hamstring)
QUESTIONABLE
WR Antonio Chatman (Groin)
PROBABLE
DT Sam Adams (Knee); WR T.J. Houshmandzadeh (Foot); T Levi Jones (Ankle); S Kevin Kaesviharn (Neck); LB Brian Simmons (Knee); DE Justin Smith (Foot); TE Reggie Kelly (Illness)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED
Rich Braham; Dexter Jackson; Tab Perry; Frostee Rucker; A.J. Nicholson; Rashad Jeanty; T.J. Houshmandzadeh; Sam Adams; Kevin Kaesviharn; Brian Simmons; Justin Smith; Levi Jones
THURS
Rich Braham; Dexter Jackson; Tab Perry; Frostee Rucker; A.J. Nicholson; Rashad Jeanty; Sam Adams; Levi Jones
FRI
Frostee Rucker; Rich Braham; Dexter Jackson; Tab Perry; Rashad Jeanty; A.J. Nicholson; Reggie Kelly
SEATTLE SEAHAWKS AT CHICAGO BEARS
Seattle Seahawks
OUT
RB Shaun Alexander (Foot); TE Jerramy Stevens (Knee); DT Marcus Tubbs (Knee); G Floyd Womack (Knee)
DOUBTFUL
CB Jordan Babineaux (Concussion); DE Joe Tafoya (Knee)
QUESTIONABLE
G Chris Gray (Knee); T Sean Locklear (Knee)
PROBABLE
S Ken Hamlin (Shoulder)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED
Floyd Womack; Marcus Tubbs; Jerramy Stevens; Shaun Alexander; Joe Tafoya; Jordan Babineaux; Chris Gray; Sean Locklear
THURS
Shaun Alexander; Jerramy Stevens; Marcus Tubbs; Floyd Womack; Joe Tafoya; Jordan Babineaux; Chris Gray; Sean Locklear
FRI
Practice Not Complete
Chicago Bears
OUT
WR Airese Currie (Foot)
DOUBTFUL
WR Mark Bradley (Ankle)
QUESTIONABLE
TE Desmond Clark (Foot); S Chris Harris (Ankle)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED
Desmond Clark; Mark Bradley
THURS
Mark Bradley; Desmond Clark
FRI
Airese Currie; Mark Bradley; Desmond Clark
GREEN BAY PACKERS AT PHILADELPHIA EAGLES on Monday
Green Bay Packers
OUT
DT Kenderick Allen (Foot)
QUESTIONABLE
DT Ryan Pickett (Ankle); CB Will Blackmon (Foot); T Junius Coston (Knee); G Jason Spitz (Thigh)
PROBABLE
RB Ahman Green (Rib); DE Aaron Kampman (Head); TE David Martin (Illness)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED
Kenderick Allen; Ryan Pickett; Will Blackmon; Aaron Kampman
THURS
Kenderick Allen; Ryan Pickett; Will Blackmon; Aaron Kampman; David Martin
FRI
Kenderick Allen; Will Blackmon; Ahman Green
Philadelphia Eagles
DOUBTFUL
CB Roderick Hood (Heel); CB Lito Sheppard (Ankle)
QUESTIONABLE
WR Donte' Stallworth (Hamstring); RB Brian Westbrook (Knee); S Brian Dawkins (Concussion)
PROBABLE
G Shawn Andrews (Shoulder); WR Reggie Brown (Shoulder); S Sean Considine (Hip); DE Darren Howard (Knee); S Michael Lewis (Quadricep); RB Reno Mahe (Ankle); LB Matt McCoy (Stinger); TE L.J. Smith (Shoulder); T Tra Thomas (Foot); DT Darwin Walker (Quadricep)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED
Practice Not Conducted
THURS
Roderick Hood; Lito Sheppard; Donte' Stallworth; Brian Westbrook; Brian Dawkins
FRI
Roderick Hood; Lito Sheppard; Brian Westbrook; Brian Dawkins
NFL Hall Of Fame Opens Superdome Exhibit - NFLMedia.com
From NFL HOF Press Release
Superdome exhibit opens at Hall of Fame
A special display commemorating the reopening of the Superdome in New Orleans officially opened at the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
“The Hall of Fame joins the NFL as well as the millions of fans nationwide who celebrated the return of football to New Orleans and the Superdome,” commented Steve Perry, President/Executive Director of the Hall of Fame. “The stadium’s renovation has served as a symbol of the hard working community that continues to fuel the revitalization of New Orleans
following the devastation of Hurricane Katrina last year.”
Among the artifacts donated by the New Orleans Saints from last Monday night’s game include: the coin flipped by former President George H.W. Bush in the pre-game toss, the football used for the opening kickoff, the jersey worn by Saints wide receiver Joe Horn, a lithographed team signed football, and a commemorative towel distributed to fans who attended the game on September 25.
The newest items are joined by several other mementos recently acquired by the Hall of Fame. One such piece is the hard hat worn by Tom Keller who was the Project Manager for the Superdome’s roof replacement. Keller, a passionate Green Bay Packers fan, added a Saints’ logo to his yellow hard hat adorned with a Packers logo. During a media event this past
summer, former NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue suggested to Keller that the hat should be in the Hall of Fame as a symbol of all the diverse groups that came together to rebuild the city and the dome. Also included is a shovel from the Superdome’s original groundbreaking ceremony held on May 5, 1970.
Another unique item included is a Super Bowl XXXVI ticket autographed by kicker Adam Vinatieri. New Orleans resident Mike Barnes was given the ticket by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, who at the time was the league’s COO. Barnes had served as Goodell’s driver during the Super Bowl festivities. Barnes stored the keepsake in a plastic container in a shed in his
backyard. Hurricane Katrina destroyed the shed and Barnes feared that the ticket was lost. He found it miraculously the next day in a crawl space under his home.
Friday, September 29, 2006
Terrell Owens / Sanaa Lathan / Kendra Wilkinson - Sanaa Is T.O.'s New Girlfriend - Felicia Broke Off Engagement In February
UPDATE: TERRELL OWENS CUT FROM COWBOYS
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Terrell Owens has been the focus of much speculation about his rumored suicide attempt. I personally thought he may have been depressed due to personal reasons. Well, T.O. has more than "25 million reasons" to be happy, and many of them in the form of the women he's pursued by. OK, for my taste, they're not executive timber -- well-educated, ivy league, smart -- but to each his own.
The point is, even with the great Mike Silver's Sports Ilustrated's report where T.O. was still upset with not hearing from his former fiance, Felicia, Terrell's not alone.
According to the great blog "Young, Black, and Fabulous," Terrell Owens will be visted by the lovely Sanaa Lathan (photo at left), who's rumored to be his new girfriend. Reportedly, the two met during the ESPN Awards in July.
This means my first assumption about the possible source of his probable depression being Felicia's actions was wrong -- he was months removed from his relationship with Felicia, even though she did break off their marriage plans.
Why?
Well, "Young, Black, and Fabulous" blog report that they broke up due to "his cheating ways." Indeed, there's a rap sheet of T.O's squeezes that probably made the Dallas Police jealous.
T.O.'s surrounded by women.
For example, he's been spotted with the hot-bodied Kendra Wilkinson -- pictured with the football -- in fact very recently at a club, if YB&F is to be believed, "getting their freak on" and thought they wouldn't be spotted. (I can't imagine what the onlookers were seeing in the dark, but whatever.)
You remember Kendra? She's on Playboy Mogul Hugh Hefner's show "The Girl Next Door." Check out Kendra's MySpace page, however, and Hugh's no where to be seen. Instead, Kendra has photos of a number of photos of black athletes, just not T.O. for some reason...
The reason why Kendra left out Terrell Owens from her MySpace page may be connected to this text on LiveJournal from "diosabellissima":
"No way is the Kendra thing true. On the commentary of the first season of Girls Next Door (the DVD), Kendra goes on and on and on about how much she hates TO. How embarassed she is that she was interviewed in his jersey and how embarassed she is that she had all his stuff around her room."
Yeah, but she wasn't at the club. Kendra and T.O. may have made up; after all she was the Philadelphia Eagles blogger while T.O. was with the team. I wonder how she got that job?
At any rate, the YB&F blog reports that Sanaa's with T.O. in Dallas now.
Who's Sanaa?
According to the IMDB film data base, she's an accomplished actress with a huge list of appearances, most recently in the hit TV show "Nip/Tuck." She played Alexa Woods in the movie "AVP: Alien vs. Predator." Here's the full list:
A Raisin in the Sun (2007) (TV) (pre-production) .... Beneatha Younger
"Nip/Tuck"
- Monica Wilder (2006) TV Episode .... Michelle Latham
- Blu Mondae (2006) TV Episode .... Michelle Latham
- Cindy Plumb (2006) TV Episode .... Michelle Latham
Something New (2006) .... Kenya Denise McQueen
The Golden Blaze (2005) (V) (voice) .... Monica
AVP: Alien vs. Predator (2004) .... Alexa Woods
... aka Alien vs. Predator (Germany) (USA: short title)
... aka AVP (USA: promotional abbreviation)
Out of Time (2003/I) .... Ann Merai Harrison
Brown Sugar (2002) .... Sidney 'Syd' Shaw
... aka Seven Days
Disappearing Acts (2000) (TV) .... Zora Banks
The Smoker (2000) .... Roxanne
Love & Basketball (2000) .... Monica Wright
... aka Love and Basketball (USA: closing credits title)
The Best Man (1999/I) .... Robin
The Wood (1999) .... Alicia
Catfish in Black Bean Sauce (1999) .... Nina
Life (1999/I) .... Daisy
Blade (1998) .... Vanessa Brooks
"LateLine" (1998) TV Series .... Briana Gilliam
"NYPD Blue"
- You're Under a Rasta (1998) TV Episode .... Shirley Barish
Miracle in the Woods (1997) (TV) .... Young Lilly
"Built to Last"
- Pilot (1997) TV Episode .... Linda
Drive (1997) .... Carolyn Brody
"Family Matters"
- Revenge of the Nerd (1997) TV Episode .... Allison
"Moesha"
- A Concerted Effort: Part 1 (1996) TV Episode .... Ebony
- A Concerted Effort: Part 2 (1996) TV Episode .... Ebony
"In the House"
- The Curse of Hill House (1996) TV Episode .... Charese
Filmography as: Actress, Self, Archive Footage
Self - filmography
"The Oprah Winfrey Show"
... aka Oprah (USA: short title)
- Episode dated 8 March 2006 (2006) TV Episode .... Herself
"The Tyra Banks Show"
- All Access Pass with LL Cool J (2006) TV Episode .... Herself
"The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson"
- Episode dated 9 February 2006 (2006) TV Episode .... Herself
- Episode #2.88 (2006) TV Episode .... Herself
"Late Night with Conan O'Brien"
- Episode dated 27 January 2006 (2006) TV Episode .... Herself
The 11th Annual Critics' Choice Awards (2006) (TV) .... Herself
The 3rd Annual Vibe Awards (2005) (TV) .... Herself
"The Directors"
- The Films of Carl Franklin (2005) TV Episode .... Herself
"Tavis Smiley"
- Episode dated 23 August 2004 (2004) TV Episode .... Herself
The 58th Annual Tony Awards (2004) (TV) .... Nominee for Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Play by 'A Raisin in the Sun'
... aka The 2004 Tony Awards (USA)
Out of Time: Crime Scene (2004) (V) .... Herself
"The Sharon Osbourne Show"
... aka Sharon (USA: short title)
- Episode dated 1 October 2003 (2003) TV Episode .... Herself
The 2001 IFP/West Independent Spirit Awards (2001) (TV) .... Herself
Filmography as: Actress, Self, Archive Footage
Archive Footage
Brilliant But Cancelled (2002) (TV)
___________________________________________
Well, whatever the combination, it's clear that if T.O. was upset about something, what T.O. said came after he was fatally medicated, and not before. Thus, if the depression's there, it's inside; he's not acting out on anything. I believe him. I think what he was saying to Sil (Mike Sliver) was that he wishes Felicia was there to see about him, which means the incident really wasn't triggered by her.
But he was crying out for her.
Terrell Owens - Video Of His Press Conference After "Accidental Overdose"
This the the video of the press conference where Terrell Owens explains what happened and how he's feeling. The 911 call transcript is here. In the video, he explains that he took the wrong combination of meds and that he was not aware of what he was saying or doing after that.
Kim Etheridge then talks and explains her actions, she also says he has "25 million reasons to live."
Here is the video.
Kim Etheridge then talks and explains her actions, she also says he has "25 million reasons to live."
Here is the video.
Terrell Owens - 911 Call Listed On ESPN Does Not Use "Suicide" Term - Dallas Police Should Appologize
This is a transcript of the 911 call Terrell Owens publicist made to Dallas Police and posted at ESPN.com. Note that she does not say he's trying to kill himself or that he was attempting suicide. The Dallas Police have made disparaging remarks about Terrell Owens in the aftermath of this incident. Considering the nature of the event, they should appologize to Terrell Owens.
DALLAS -- A transcript of the 41-second call from Terrell Owens' publicist Kim Etheredge to 911 on Tuesday night:
Kim Etheredge: "Hi, I have an emergency please."
911 operator: "You need the police out there?"
Etheredge: "I need an ambulance please."
911 operator: "Let me give you the paramedics."
Etheredge: "Thank you."
911 operator: "Stay on the line."
Paramedic: (Garbled) "Dallas Fire."
Etheredge: "Hi. Hi I need an ambulance please, immediately."
Paramedic: "OK. What's your address?"
Etheredge: (gives address, crying)
Paramedic: "What's wrong?"
Etheredge: "I think he took too many pills. Please. Now. (Garbled) What do I do if the pills are down the throat?"
Paramedic: "OK. What's your phone number? We are already on the way now, ma'am. What's your phone number?"
Etheredge: "Oh God!"
Paramedic: "What's your phone number?"
Etheredge: (Deleted)
Paramedic: "Is that 214?"
Etheredge: "Yes."
Paramedic: "OK. Is he still breathing?"
Etheredge: "Yes."
Paramedic: "OK, we're on the way there, ma'am."
Etheredge: "Thank you. Thank you."
DALLAS -- A transcript of the 41-second call from Terrell Owens' publicist Kim Etheredge to 911 on Tuesday night:
Kim Etheredge: "Hi, I have an emergency please."
911 operator: "You need the police out there?"
Etheredge: "I need an ambulance please."
911 operator: "Let me give you the paramedics."
Etheredge: "Thank you."
911 operator: "Stay on the line."
Paramedic: (Garbled) "Dallas Fire."
Etheredge: "Hi. Hi I need an ambulance please, immediately."
Paramedic: "OK. What's your address?"
Etheredge: (gives address, crying)
Paramedic: "What's wrong?"
Etheredge: "I think he took too many pills. Please. Now. (Garbled) What do I do if the pills are down the throat?"
Paramedic: "OK. What's your phone number? We are already on the way now, ma'am. What's your phone number?"
Etheredge: "Oh God!"
Paramedic: "What's your phone number?"
Etheredge: (Deleted)
Paramedic: "Is that 214?"
Etheredge: "Yes."
Paramedic: "OK. Is he still breathing?"
Etheredge: "Yes."
Paramedic: "OK, we're on the way there, ma'am."
Etheredge: "Thank you. Thank you."
Terrell Owens - Fiance Felicia Broke Off Engagement
FLASH! Click for T.O.'s new squeeze.
According to a story by The Dallas Morning News, and appearing below, Terrell Owens fiance and girlfriend of three years Felicia broke off their engagement. In an earlier blog post, I asked what happened to T.O.s fiance and why wasn't she near him when he took the ill-fated medication. Now we know.
What we don't know is why she broke it off. But my original opinion -- that his depression is related to his fiance -- remains unchanged.
Owens fires trainer apparently for talking to Dallas newspaper
By Michael Granberry
Dallas Morning News
(MCT)
DALLAS - James "Buddy" Primm, the personal trainer for Terrell Owens, said Thursday that the Cowboys' wide receiver had relieved him of his services and was no longer speaking to him.
In a telephone conversation with The Dallas Morning News, Owens acknowledged as much and said Primm "had no business" discussing details of his private life with the news media.
Primm, 55, said Wednesday that Owens had been distraught over not being able to see his son, who celebrated his 7th birthday Monday. Then, hours later, he said, the receiver's fiancee, a woman he had dated for three years, severed their engagement.
"He shouldn't have been telling you anything about my personal life anyway," said Owens. "That's where it stops - right there. He should have never said anything remotely involving me or my personal life, especially my son or even my ex-girl."
A resident of Georgia, where Owens makes his off-season home, Primm began working out the wideout seven years ago, when he played for the San Francisco 49ers.
He says he cares "deeply" for Owens and loves him "like a son," one whose fatherless childhood took place in abject poverty in rural Alabama, where he was raised by his mother and grandmother. Owens apparently went for years without knowing that a man who lived on the same street was his father.
"The background that I've had," Primm said Wednesday, "it's enabled me to take a very special person who, if he stays within a structure, would be able to accomplish anything. I believe I'm one of the people who can help provide that structure."
As for playing the role of a father figure, he said, "There's never been one there. . . . My thing is helping other people. I enjoy that. I'm a Christian. It gives me a feeling of fulfillment. I like to do the best I can and be the very best at it."
Primm calls his style "hands-on and personal." Until recently, he had even been living with Owens at his newly purchased loft in the shadow of the Fair Park area.
Owens said Primm was inexperienced in dealing with the news media.
"He is a victim of what I have fallen victim to over the course of my career," Owens said. "He shouldn't have said anything about my personal life - period. Now I really have to be guarded as far as who I talk to. If I can't trust my own trainer, I can't trust nobody."
Kim Etheredge, Owens' publicist who, on occasion, also shares Owens' home, called 911 on Tuesday, when Owens had accidentally overdosed - which led police to believe he had attempted suicide.
After a rigorous workout Tuesday, Owens said he had downed several prescription pain pills for the hand he injured earlier this month, despite having consumed 30 tablets - natural supplements supplied by Primm - earlier that day.
As a trainer, Primm is widely regarded as one of the best in the business. He helped Owens heal rapidly from a broken leg in 2004 to such an extent that he played superbly only weeks later in Super Bowl XXXIX.
Primm says the receiver's recovery was aided in no small part by a battery of New Age devices to which he introduced him. They include a $40,000 laser designed to stimulate blood flow to injured parts of the body. He also uses a hyperbaric chamber and a microcurrent machine as part of the same portfolio of treatments.
Owens has counted on Primm's guidance not only in helping sculpt an Adonis-like body but also in curbing the destructive power of a series of nagging injuries. When Owens sustained a hamstring pull during Cowboys training camp in Oxnard, Calif., he flew in Primm to oversee his rehabilitation.
And his approach worked well enough, Primm said Wednesday, to enable Owens to play as early as this Sunday, when the Cowboys travel to Nashville to face the Tennessee Titans.
Thursday, September 28, 2006
NFL - ALL WEEK 4 GAMES SOLD OUT; FIRST TIME ALL NFL TV BLACKOUTS LIFTED
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-75 9/28/06
ALL WEEK 4 GAMES SOLD OUT;
FIRST TIME ALL TV BLACKOUTS LIFTED
FOR FIRST FOUR WEEKS OF SEASON
For the fourth consecutive week, all games of the NFL schedule have sold out in advance of the local TV blackout deadline, enabling every game to be televised in the home-team market, the NFL announced today.
This is the first time since the NFL blackout policy took effect in 1973 that all blackouts have been lifted in the season’s first four weeks. All blackouts were lifted on NFL Kickoff 2006 Weekend (September 7, 10-11), in Week 2 (September 17-18) and Week 3 (September 24- 25).
It will be the 17th time in NFL history that blackouts have been lifted for all games on a single weekend. The previous 16 times have been on Kickoff Weekend in 1998; three times in 2000; once in 2001; four times in 2002 and 2005; and three times this season.
The NFL blackout policy states that games sold out 72 hours prior to kickoff can be televised in the home city.
# # #
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-75 9/28/06
ALL WEEK 4 GAMES SOLD OUT;
FIRST TIME ALL TV BLACKOUTS LIFTED
FOR FIRST FOUR WEEKS OF SEASON
For the fourth consecutive week, all games of the NFL schedule have sold out in advance of the local TV blackout deadline, enabling every game to be televised in the home-team market, the NFL announced today.
This is the first time since the NFL blackout policy took effect in 1973 that all blackouts have been lifted in the season’s first four weeks. All blackouts were lifted on NFL Kickoff 2006 Weekend (September 7, 10-11), in Week 2 (September 17-18) and Week 3 (September 24- 25).
It will be the 17th time in NFL history that blackouts have been lifted for all games on a single weekend. The previous 16 times have been on Kickoff Weekend in 1998; three times in 2000; once in 2001; four times in 2002 and 2005; and three times this season.
The NFL blackout policy states that games sold out 72 hours prior to kickoff can be televised in the home city.
# # #
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)