What's fun about The Apprentice other than the strategy, battles, hot women, and who gets fired, is the introduction. Without the O'Jay's song, "Money" it would be nothing. But you can thank Trump and Mark Burnett for giving the legendary R&B singers the proper platform for their timeless tune.
Here's "The Apprentice"
Saturday, April 22, 2006
The Autumn Wnd - Oakland Raiders Theme and Video
"The Autumn Wind" is a poem associated directly with the Oakland Raiders. The "Autumn Wind" was written by NFL Film's Steve Sabol. Sam Spence wrote the music to Autumn Wind (the Raiders Theme music) and the late NFL Films announcer John Facenda is the voice you will hear reading "Autumn Wind." The video version appears below.
"The Autumn Wind is a Pirate,
Blustering in from the sea,
With a rollicking song,
He sweeps along,
Swaggering boisterously.
"His face is weather-beaten,
He wears a hooded sash,
With a silver hat about his head,
And a bristling black mustache.
"He growls as he storms the country,
A villain, big and bold,
And the trees all shake
and quiver and quake,
As he robs them of their gold.
"The Autumn Wind is a Raider,
Pillaging just for fun,
he'll knock you around,
and upside down,
and laugh when he's conquered and won."
"The Autumn Wind is a Pirate,
Blustering in from the sea,
With a rollicking song,
He sweeps along,
Swaggering boisterously.
"His face is weather-beaten,
He wears a hooded sash,
With a silver hat about his head,
And a bristling black mustache.
"He growls as he storms the country,
A villain, big and bold,
And the trees all shake
and quiver and quake,
As he robs them of their gold.
"The Autumn Wind is a Raider,
Pillaging just for fun,
he'll knock you around,
and upside down,
and laugh when he's conquered and won."
DeAngelo Williams Is One Of The Top Draft Backs - See This Video
The Houston Chronicle profiled University of Texas - El Paso running back DeAngelo Williams one week before the NFL Draft. We've also got a video of his best touchdown runs. You can see how he accelerates to the hole, and how well he runs out of the "I" formation.
April 19, 2006, 10:13PM
NFL DRAFT
White says he's Mr. Big
Williams offers a compact option at running back
By MEGAN MANFULL
Copyright 2006 Houston Chronicle
Reggie Bush has dominated the headlines and the pre-draft banter, but he is hardly the only running back expected to be a first-round selection in the NFL draft April 29.
The talk surrounding other backs is much quieter, but Memphis' DeAngelo Williams, USC's LenDale White and Minnesota's Laurence Maroney likely will be selected before the second round begins.
Williams, who donned No. 20 in college, is often compared to another No. 20, Barry Sanders, because of his running style and his 5-9, 214-pound frame. He is a durable back who carried the ball more than 300 times each in 2004 and 2005. During his senior season, he led the nation with 1,964 yards rushing.
White originally was expected to go soon after Bush. But with a torn hamstring leaving White unable to work out, Williams has climbed on many teams' draft boards.
"I'm not one of those guys that's looking back," Williams said. "I'm not looking for LenDale White to pass me or Reggie Bush to pass me. I turned my rearview mirror off a long time ago. I'm chasing."
USC's Bush is expected to be drafted by the Texans with the No. 1 pick. It isn't as clear where the other backs will go. Last year, Ronnie Brown (second), Cedric Benson (fourth) and Cadillac Williams (fifth) were selected among the top five.
That won't be the case again. Teams in need of backs likely will find Maroney, Williams and White available in the bottom half of the first round. Williams is the smallest of the trio; White is a big back, measuring 6-0 3/8 and 245 pounds. Maroney is 5-11 7/8 and 217 pounds.
"That's what helps me a lot in this draft, just because how big I am," White said. "DeAngelo and Reggie are in a class of their own and then you have the in-betweens like Maroney. And I think how big I am and how strong I am helps me out a lot. I'm kind of happy to be in this class because you get a lot more touchdowns when you're big."
White led the nation with 24 touchdowns last season. He also topped 1,000 yards for the second consecutive year.
Maroney, who shared time with Marion Barber in 2003 and 2004, rushed for more than 1,000 yards in each of his three seasons at Minnesota. Some consider him a perfect fit to replace Edgerrin James in Indianapolis because of Maroney's vision and smooth running style. The Colts pick 30th in the first round.
Despite always sharing time with other running backs at Minnesota, Maroney said it will benefit him as a pro.
"Actually it was fun splitting time with a guy like Marion Barber," Maroney said. "We both brought something different to the table, kept defenses on their toes, not knowing what they're going to get. We always had fresh legs in the game, so splitting time was never a problem. We never had any complaints about who had the ball."
With college finished, the prospects have spent the past few months trying to convince NFL management they can be the next breakthrough back.
Last season, Brown and Cadillac Williams had significant impact on their teams as rookies.
Even though White, Maroney and DeAngelo Williams realize they will not be the first back selected on draft day, they want to prove they will be successful.
The first step in that process is finally discovering where they will play.
"That's the thing about it, everybody has poker faces around here," DeAngelo Williams said. "Everybody's playing with a World Series of Poker face.
"They all smile the same; they all ask you the same questions."
The Video:
April 19, 2006, 10:13PM
NFL DRAFT
White says he's Mr. Big
Williams offers a compact option at running back
By MEGAN MANFULL
Copyright 2006 Houston Chronicle
Reggie Bush has dominated the headlines and the pre-draft banter, but he is hardly the only running back expected to be a first-round selection in the NFL draft April 29.
The talk surrounding other backs is much quieter, but Memphis' DeAngelo Williams, USC's LenDale White and Minnesota's Laurence Maroney likely will be selected before the second round begins.
Williams, who donned No. 20 in college, is often compared to another No. 20, Barry Sanders, because of his running style and his 5-9, 214-pound frame. He is a durable back who carried the ball more than 300 times each in 2004 and 2005. During his senior season, he led the nation with 1,964 yards rushing.
White originally was expected to go soon after Bush. But with a torn hamstring leaving White unable to work out, Williams has climbed on many teams' draft boards.
"I'm not one of those guys that's looking back," Williams said. "I'm not looking for LenDale White to pass me or Reggie Bush to pass me. I turned my rearview mirror off a long time ago. I'm chasing."
USC's Bush is expected to be drafted by the Texans with the No. 1 pick. It isn't as clear where the other backs will go. Last year, Ronnie Brown (second), Cedric Benson (fourth) and Cadillac Williams (fifth) were selected among the top five.
That won't be the case again. Teams in need of backs likely will find Maroney, Williams and White available in the bottom half of the first round. Williams is the smallest of the trio; White is a big back, measuring 6-0 3/8 and 245 pounds. Maroney is 5-11 7/8 and 217 pounds.
"That's what helps me a lot in this draft, just because how big I am," White said. "DeAngelo and Reggie are in a class of their own and then you have the in-betweens like Maroney. And I think how big I am and how strong I am helps me out a lot. I'm kind of happy to be in this class because you get a lot more touchdowns when you're big."
White led the nation with 24 touchdowns last season. He also topped 1,000 yards for the second consecutive year.
Maroney, who shared time with Marion Barber in 2003 and 2004, rushed for more than 1,000 yards in each of his three seasons at Minnesota. Some consider him a perfect fit to replace Edgerrin James in Indianapolis because of Maroney's vision and smooth running style. The Colts pick 30th in the first round.
Despite always sharing time with other running backs at Minnesota, Maroney said it will benefit him as a pro.
"Actually it was fun splitting time with a guy like Marion Barber," Maroney said. "We both brought something different to the table, kept defenses on their toes, not knowing what they're going to get. We always had fresh legs in the game, so splitting time was never a problem. We never had any complaints about who had the ball."
With college finished, the prospects have spent the past few months trying to convince NFL management they can be the next breakthrough back.
Last season, Brown and Cadillac Williams had significant impact on their teams as rookies.
Even though White, Maroney and DeAngelo Williams realize they will not be the first back selected on draft day, they want to prove they will be successful.
The first step in that process is finally discovering where they will play.
"That's the thing about it, everybody has poker faces around here," DeAngelo Williams said. "Everybody's playing with a World Series of Poker face.
"They all smile the same; they all ask you the same questions."
The Video:
Friday, April 21, 2006
Texans Have Not Met With Reggie Bush Who Says He's Not Asking For A $30 Million Signing Bonus - Orange County Register
I'm not sure it's a good idea for Reggie to negotiate his contract in the media. We'll see how this plays out.
BY TODD HARMONSON
The Orange County Register
Former USC tailback Reggie Bush still expects to be the top overall selection in next week's NFL draft, but Thursday he confirmed widespread reports that the Houston Texans have not opened contract negotiations with him.
"There are some people saying it's because I'm demanding $30 million (for a signing bonus), but that's not true," Bush said in a telephone interview. "We haven't talked numbers with them at all.
"Right now it's kind of on them to start negotiations if they want to."
The Texans have the No.1 pick, are allowed to negotiate with players and could sign someone before the draft if they want. But their lack of a move to lock up Bush has fueled speculation that they might trade down to take another player, especially since some teams could want to trade up to select a quarterback.
Bush said he only has met with officials from Houston and the New York Jets. He said he is eager to learn where he will play professionally but decided he shouldn't pay attention to the incessant pre-draft speculation.
"Nobody really knows what's going to happen, so I can't get caught up in it," said Bush, who won last season's Heisman Trophy and left USC as a junior because he was expected to be the No.1 draft pick. "I think I've shown that I should be the No.1 pick and I still think that will happen."
Matt Leinart Has Post Draft Party Planned For Las Vegas
According to Profootballtalk.com , that college football star and ever well-traveled party boy Matt Leinart has a party planned for Las Vegas after the NFL Draft.
Profootball talk reports:
We're told that USC quarterback Matt Leinart has made plans for a lavish post-draft party in Las Vegas. The same source who tipped us off to the termination of agent Leigh Steinberg and the retention of agent Tom Condon tells us that Leinart intends to take a posse of 30 to Las Vegas to celebrate his official entry into the NFL.
There are, we're told, 30 plane tickets, 30 rooms reserved, and $140,000 earmarked for the event.
The party is planned for the weekend after the draft. We hope that Leinart's people cross-checked the post-draft minicamp schedules of the teams that might draft him before making any nonrefundable purchases.
"The Next Michael Vick" - Video Of Texas A&M QB Reggie McNeal
Texas A&M QB Reggie McNeal is regarded by some, like the writers at "Football Fantasy Toolbox" as the next Donovan McNabb, but look closer at the You Tube video below and tell me if you don't see the next Michael Vick.
Here's what Fantasy Toolbox wrote about McNeal:
This is a player at the quarterback position that shows excellent composure and skill
I like his management decisions, field awareness and tempo he provides for his offense, he shows good toughness on the field, along with excellent ball handling skills, his stature (minus the weight & strength) and agility to make things happen improvising reminds me potentially of current NFL quarterback "Donovan McNabb"
He does have an excellent upside to his game, along with an excellent touchdown to interception ratio, he has the size and mobility scouts crave for, throws a tight spiral and adds the versatility of throwing effectively on the run, along with extending plays with his feet, making positive plays both with his feet and keeping his eyes down field trying to make plays with his arm
I feel his advancement in the pocket as a true throwing quarterback was disrupted with his and the coaching staffs eagerness to see him make things happen with his feet, that slowed his progress as a passer, that is why he shows inconsistencies in that part of his game
He has the potential to be the total package at the quarterback position, but potential can get you only so far.......
He's rated in the top five. See for youtself...
Here's what Fantasy Toolbox wrote about McNeal:
This is a player at the quarterback position that shows excellent composure and skill
I like his management decisions, field awareness and tempo he provides for his offense, he shows good toughness on the field, along with excellent ball handling skills, his stature (minus the weight & strength) and agility to make things happen improvising reminds me potentially of current NFL quarterback "Donovan McNabb"
He does have an excellent upside to his game, along with an excellent touchdown to interception ratio, he has the size and mobility scouts crave for, throws a tight spiral and adds the versatility of throwing effectively on the run, along with extending plays with his feet, making positive plays both with his feet and keeping his eyes down field trying to make plays with his arm
I feel his advancement in the pocket as a true throwing quarterback was disrupted with his and the coaching staffs eagerness to see him make things happen with his feet, that slowed his progress as a passer, that is why he shows inconsistencies in that part of his game
He has the potential to be the total package at the quarterback position, but potential can get you only so far.......
He's rated in the top five. See for youtself...
Reggie Bush Video - "Subway Fresh Buzz" / Bush Also Talks About National Championship Game
White his USC teammate Matt Leinart switches agents, the man many believe will be the first pick of the Houston Texans, running back Reggie Bush, made this video for a commercial campaign with Subway, the sandwich store retailer.
I found it on You Tube. Here's the video with Reggie sporting his famous "619" eye black code and dressed in white as if to imply that he's the angel of football. He's certainly going to be a savior for the running game of the team that gets him.
On his new blog, Bush credits Vince Young for the Texas win for USC for the national championship. He also gives some insite on his fumble after a 37-yard gain:
His blog's at http://www.subwayfreshbuzz.com
OH SO CLOSE
Regrets, as the song says, I've had a few. Who wouldn't when we came so close to three straight national championships, something that has never been done, only to come up a shade short last January in the Rose Bowl for the BCS (Bowl Championship Series) title?
Hey, give Texas credit. Vince Young had a phenomenal performance, specially on that last drive when he did it almost by himself moving the ball down the field on passes and scrambles and finally ran it into the end zone on a fourth down, last ditch effort that decided the outcome.
I didn't have that great a game against Texas, a lot of it due to the fact they were keying on me. They were obviously out to stop me. Other teams double-teamed me regularly, but not to the extent Texas did. I was shadowed the entire 60 minutes and never really got decent running lanes. There was always a defender in my face.
I was criticized for losing the ball in that game while trying to lateral it after catching a screen pass and moving deep into Texas territory. It came at a time when we were about to take control of the game. I made a couple of guys miss in the open field and then three Texas defenders converged to tackle me, and I thought I could make the play to Brad Walker, the wide receiver who was wide open to my right trailing the play. The pitch just didn't get to him, or else he dropped it. I couldn't see what happened because I had those white Longhorn jerseys all over me.
If I had it to do over again, I probably would have done the same thing because that's the type of player I am. I try things outside of the box, do things out of the ordinary. That's just me, the way I am. It happened to be one of those times it wasn't successful. I felt like I could make that play.
Toward the end of the Texas game, as the go-to guy, I would normally be on the field and it did bother me a little bit that I wasn't out there. Playmakers – and I like to consider myself in that category – like to perform when a game is on the line. But it wouldn't have been the right time for me to complain about it because of the game situation. And I've never been the type of person to be critical. of coaches' decisions. LenDale White was having a great game. So they decided to go to LenDale to get the job done because he'd been producing all afternoon. Short yardage, that's his strength. If he picks up the first down past midfield, it's all over because we would have run out the clock.
Why did Coach have LenDale out there while I watched, quiet but frustrated? That's how we played it all season. Whoever had the hot hand was in there. We've had a good relationship over the years, LenDale and me. I'm a competitor. I love having the ball in my hands. But you can't argue with what he's done over the three years we've split time.
It's a little tough for a running back to get into a rhythm when you're not in there getting all the reps (repetitions) and feeling the defense. But we did it the whole season, alternating according to the situation, and when you got in there you had to take advantage of it...There was no jealousy on the team at all. We were all out there pulling for each other and trying to make each other better.
We lost only two games during our careers and came within inches of winning three straight national championships. That's not shabby
.
I found it on You Tube. Here's the video with Reggie sporting his famous "619" eye black code and dressed in white as if to imply that he's the angel of football. He's certainly going to be a savior for the running game of the team that gets him.
On his new blog, Bush credits Vince Young for the Texas win for USC for the national championship. He also gives some insite on his fumble after a 37-yard gain:
His blog's at http://www.subwayfreshbuzz.com
OH SO CLOSE
Regrets, as the song says, I've had a few. Who wouldn't when we came so close to three straight national championships, something that has never been done, only to come up a shade short last January in the Rose Bowl for the BCS (Bowl Championship Series) title?
Hey, give Texas credit. Vince Young had a phenomenal performance, specially on that last drive when he did it almost by himself moving the ball down the field on passes and scrambles and finally ran it into the end zone on a fourth down, last ditch effort that decided the outcome.
I didn't have that great a game against Texas, a lot of it due to the fact they were keying on me. They were obviously out to stop me. Other teams double-teamed me regularly, but not to the extent Texas did. I was shadowed the entire 60 minutes and never really got decent running lanes. There was always a defender in my face.
I was criticized for losing the ball in that game while trying to lateral it after catching a screen pass and moving deep into Texas territory. It came at a time when we were about to take control of the game. I made a couple of guys miss in the open field and then three Texas defenders converged to tackle me, and I thought I could make the play to Brad Walker, the wide receiver who was wide open to my right trailing the play. The pitch just didn't get to him, or else he dropped it. I couldn't see what happened because I had those white Longhorn jerseys all over me.
If I had it to do over again, I probably would have done the same thing because that's the type of player I am. I try things outside of the box, do things out of the ordinary. That's just me, the way I am. It happened to be one of those times it wasn't successful. I felt like I could make that play.
Toward the end of the Texas game, as the go-to guy, I would normally be on the field and it did bother me a little bit that I wasn't out there. Playmakers – and I like to consider myself in that category – like to perform when a game is on the line. But it wouldn't have been the right time for me to complain about it because of the game situation. And I've never been the type of person to be critical. of coaches' decisions. LenDale White was having a great game. So they decided to go to LenDale to get the job done because he'd been producing all afternoon. Short yardage, that's his strength. If he picks up the first down past midfield, it's all over because we would have run out the clock.
Why did Coach have LenDale out there while I watched, quiet but frustrated? That's how we played it all season. Whoever had the hot hand was in there. We've had a good relationship over the years, LenDale and me. I'm a competitor. I love having the ball in my hands. But you can't argue with what he's done over the three years we've split time.
It's a little tough for a running back to get into a rhythm when you're not in there getting all the reps (repetitions) and feeling the defense. But we did it the whole season, alternating according to the situation, and when you got in there you had to take advantage of it...There was no jealousy on the team at all. We were all out there pulling for each other and trying to make each other better.
We lost only two games during our careers and came within inches of winning three straight national championships. That's not shabby
.
A Video Tour Of Dallas Cowboys' Texas Stadium!
This video was taken by eddiebyun at You Tube and features a kind of 180 degree view of the stadium from an end zone. From here you can gain an idea of the sheer size of the complex and the 63,000 seats and 300 luxury boxes that make up the Cowboys' current home.
You can get Cowboys' tickets by clicking on the title of this post.
Thursday, April 20, 2006
Today's National High Five Day! - Give It Up!
I've got to admit that of all of the products of African American Culture, the high-five has been the most enduring. I remember doing it as far back as 1977 in high school. Then I started seeing European American's do it in the late 80s. But it's stuck around through the 21 Century and may be more used than the standard "five" as in "gimee five!"
Chad Johnson Get Contract Boost From Bengals - ESPN's Len Pasquarelli
This just happened and was reported on the ESPN.com website:
If the NFL is poised to crack down on Chad Johnson's end zone choreography in 2006, with its recently implemented rules aimed at curtailing touchdown celebrations, the Cincinnati Bengals star wide receiver is better prepared now to handle any of the fines that he might incur.
The three-time Pro Bowl performer and consummate showman, one of the most explosive playmakers in the league at any position, on Thursday signed a new contract with the Bengals, ESPN.com has learned. The lucrative deal includes a one-year extension, through the 2010 season, and an option for the Bengals to extend the contract through 2011, if they so desire.
In essence, by restructuring the remainder of Johnson's existing contract, which was set to run through the 2009 campaign, the Bengals created a six-year deal with a total value of $35.5 million.
"In terms of 'new money,' and just being unique from the standpoint of being able to do something for a player who still had four years left on his [existing] contract, it's really monumental," said agent Drew Rosenhaus, who was hired by Johnson a year ago to upgrade his contract "As long as I've been doing this, I've never been able to get an extension like this, basically because of the time remaining on the contract. It's historical. And it's a testament to Chad, and how well he's performed, and to Bengals management for the way they have handled this and the commitment they've made to him."
Under his existing contract, Johnson would have earned $5.75 million in 2006-2007 and the base salaries due him through 2009 totaled $12.15 million. The new contract will pay Johnson $16 million between this season and 2007 and, assuming the Bengals exercise the option for 2011, a total of $35.5 million. That's a whopping $10.75 million in "new money" for the extension portion of the contract.
Johnson will receive a $5 million signing bonus, a $250,000 reporting bonus, a $250,000 workout bonus and a base salary of $2.75 million for 2006. That base salary is the same as he was scheduled to make under his previous contract. In 2007, he is due a $3.5 million option bonus, a reporting bonus of $1.5 million, a $250,000 workout bonus and a $2.5 million base salary.
The base salaries for the balance of the deal are as follows: $3 million (for 2008), $4.5 million (2009), $5 million (2010) and $6 million (2011). There are workout bonuses of $250,000 in each of those seasons. If the Bengals do not exercise the option for the 2011 campaign, they must make Johnson a non-exercise payment of $3.5 million.
Said coach Marvin Lewis: "This is a key development for our team. It further secures our future with one of our top players, in the prime of his career, and I want to commend Chad for his efforts in making it happen. He is showing his commitment to what we have going here."
Earlier on Thursday, before signing the new contract, Johnson joked to ESPN.com that he was ready to deal with the rules against excessive end zone celebrations that league owners approved at the annual NFL meetings in Orlando, Fla, last month.
"Get yourself real close to the TV, because I'll have some good stuff planned," Johnson said, laughing. "I still plan to be the greatest entertainer in the league."
The five-year veteran, selected by Cincinnati in the second round of the 2001 draft, certainly has developed into one of the NFL's greatest playmakers. The former Oregon State star has posted three straight seasons with 90-plus receptions and four straight campaigns with over 1,000 receiving yards. In 76 appearances, 63 of them starts, Johnson has 379 receptions for 5,556 yards and 34 touchdowns.
Len Pasquarelli is a senior NFL writer for ESPN.com.
Matt Leinart - Party Boy Loves The Camera, But Can He Focus in The NFL?
There's a school of thought that once Matt Leinart hits the grind of the NFL, he'll not post the same remarkable numbers that he did at USC. While I do disagree with that -- I think Matt will be one of the best -- I do think his first two years will be a bit hard. He's not going to be able to run the streets as he did at USC.
Look, as a Cal-grad who was getting his master's degree there at a time when most my age were still undergrads, I can identify with Matt's love for parties and the ladies. But now millions of dollars are on the line. Will Matt dump all of this fun? I got these photos from various blog sites. Matt loves the camera and apparently his cocktails. Cool. Where did I get these? Well, there's www.boifromtroy.com for the one with Matt and the women behind him as he's stooping. And the one with the girl is all over the place on Google's image search.
It didn't take long to find them -- 7 minutes tops.
I wondered if RB Reggie Bush, got around as much as Leinart did, but I didn't see anything like the Leinart picks. Not even close.
What I did see was a lot of picts of Reggie running and wearing a suit. A nice image. On the other hand, Matt's got a life made for Hollywood. Gee, that seems a bit more fun to me, but then I went to Cal!
Wait. Reggie's from USC too. Somehow, he managed to keep his fun under wraps.
Smart guy.
All of this will be forgotten when Leinart lifts the Lombardi trophy over his head. I'm confident of that.
Party on Matt! Enjoy life! Just learn when it's time to cut it out stay away from the camera!
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