Katie Couric's First CBS Evening News Telecast - Video

This is a video of Katie Couric's historic first show as CBS Evening News Anchor:

Rogers Goodell's New Conference Highlights - NFL.com

The nice aspect of Roger's new job as commissioner is that he's already familar with all of the issues listed in the article below. But the LA matter remains the wild card. Note that Goodell seemed less enthusiastic about LA, using the word "could" in remarking that LA "could" be the exception...maybe Mike Ovitz was right?

Commissioner Goodell has first news conference

NFL.com wire reports

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (Sept. 6, 2006) -- The NFL and its union are discussing strengthening their drug program to keep pace with the increase in the number of performance-enhancing substances and the efficiency of masking agents.

Commissioner Roger Goodell, in his first news conference since taking over for Paul Tagliabue on Sept. 1, said he has been discussing the problem with Gene Upshaw, the head of the NFL Players Association. Among the topics discussed were increasing the number of tests and perhaps the number of substances tested.

But Goodell, who has been the NFL's chief operating officer the past six years, noted that the review is nothing new: The union and the league review the drug testing program annually. The NFL currently makes approximately 10,000 random tests annually for performance-enhancing drugs to about 2,000 players.

"I think we've got a lot of great experts who will be able to work with this," Goodell said. "We've always been at the front of the line in drug testing and I think we will continue."

Goodell touched on a number of subjects, taking in most cases the same positions as Tagliabue -- not unexpected given that he has been on the job for less than a week and was Tagliabue's No. 2 man for so long.

He said his first priority will be visiting all 32 teams, starting this week. He will attend the NFL's opening game Sept. 7 in Pittsburgh featuring the Steelers and Miami Dolphins, then return for the Sept. 10 contest between the Giants and Colts before going to the Monday night game in Washington between the Redskins and Vikings.

He actually began talking to players today at Giants practice. He got a hug from Michael Strahan, chatted with Tiki Barber and center Shaun O'Hara, and shook hands with Giants general manager Ernie Accorsi and coach Tom Coughlin. But Coughlin, who doesn't like his daily routine interrupted, also appeared to be a little taken aback when Goodell stopped near the practice field to chat with reporters before going upstairs to the press box for a more formal session.

Goodell also said:

The league is looking at the possibility of wiring players other than quarterbacks so that there will be fewer false starts by visitors in noisy stadiums. "Don't get me wrong," Goodell said. "I love the 12th man. But keeping the game moving without so many penalties is also very important."

He doesn't anticipate the NFL expanding beyond 32 teams in the near future. But Goodell, who has been the league's point man in trying to get a franchise back in Los Angeles, said putting an expansion team in southern California could be the exception.

The NFL has reached a new six-year contract with its officials, who five years ago were locked out for part of the 2001 preseason and the first week of the regular season when they failed to come to an agreement. The dispute was settled before the second week, which was postponed by the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

He is hopeful the league and the union will agree on extending the labor contract before November 2008, when both sides have the option to reopen talks. "We hope we can reach an understanding."

San Francisco 49ers Hand-Picked As Patsy For The Arizona Cardinals - Profootballtalk.com

Florio and the Profootballtalk.com team penned this gem that's sure to give Head Coach Mike Nolan some good material for his team. It seems that the Cards think the Niners are the perfect patsy's for the opening of their new stadium!

CARDS HAND PICKED THE 49ERS FOR OPENING WEEKEND

A league source tells us that the NFL threw the Arizona Cardinals a bone by asking the team to identify the opponent against which they'd most like to christen the Cards' new digs.

And the Cardinals specifically selected the San Francisco 49ers.

Why? Our guess is that the Cards regard the 49ers as the softest opponent on a schedule.

It's hard to disagree. After all, the Cardinals swept the Niners in 2005, the first two-game sweep by Arizona of any of its current division rivals.

From the 49ers' perspective, this should provide an extra level of motivation. After all, who wants to be known in NFL circles as the Arizona Cardinals' bitches

Steve Irwin Passes At 44 - More Information From CNN

This is a video of CNN's coverage of the passing of nature celebrity Steve Irwin

Steve Irwin Passes At 44 - Shocking News

Crocodile hunter and expert Steve Irwin passed away after being fatally stabbed by a Stingray yesterday. What is shocking about this development -- to me -- is that at 44 years old, you expect him to just be around. Part of the Zeitgeist. But his passing just reminds me of how precious life is and how much we should thank God for every moment we're here.

Here's Steve in action:

SMG Sues 14 Companies Over Superdome Roof Problem

I personally found it hard to believe that stadium managment company SMG thought suing the 14 companies responsible for the construction of the Louisiana Superdome's roof would actually bear fruit.

SMG claims that ""The roof was supposed to insure that the Superdome could serve as a haven of evacuation of last resort for hurricanes which threaten New Orleans; an ark in any storm where residents who could not otherwise evacuate would be safely housed."

I smirked until I learned that "Horizon Group" made a new roof for the complex four years ago, and promised that it would withstand winds of over 200 mph.

Well that did not happen. The roof weakened under the pressure and winds of Hurricane Katrina, and leaked, harming over 20,000 people who took refuge in the giant structure.

"Star Wars" Music Legend John Williams Composes "Sunday Night Football" Theme for NBC

My favorite composer, John Williams -- who developed the now legendary Star Wars theme -- conceived of the military-march that is the theme for "NBC's Sunday Night Football." It doesn't matter what the music, John Williams always makes something you want to hum!

If you've not heard the music, just visit the show website at NFL Sunday Night Football.