Fidel Castro Steps Down; Puts Brother In Place

I'm not sure the celebration is with merit; Castro's not passed away, and his passing would not necessarily change the state of affairs in Cuba. Sorry to be a kill joy.

Mel Gibson - "Young Turks" Hold Good Conversation On Matter

The "Young Turks" hold a good conversation on the Mel Gibson matter...

Joseph Addai - Impresses Colts In Training Camp

Edgerin, who?

PLAY OF THE DAY - COLTS.COM

Joseph Addai impressed Colts personnel officials enough while in college to be the team’s first-round draft selection last April.

So far in camp, he has continued impressing.

On Monday, Addai -- a running back from Louisiana State University -- had a long run over the right sideline that was the highlight of the day. On Tuesday, Addai got open down the left sideline and caught a 20-yard out from Colts quarterback Peyton Manning

Indy Colts Suffer Heat Wave In Training Camp - Colts.com

EYE ON CAMP - COLTS.COM

The heat has taken a toll on the Colts in the first two days of practice.

A few players have left practice because of heat, and there have been times the tempo has been a bit less than Colts Head Coach Tony Dungy might have liked.

Still, Dungy said Tuesday afternoon the first two days have been productive and that Training Camp 2006 is proceeding as planned.

"We got a little sloppy at the end with some fatigue, but all in all, it's been pretty good," Dungy said after a morning practice at the Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology.

The temperature reached the high 80s with a heat index near 100 in the morning, and reached 93 and 104 by mid-afternoon, when the Colts held a one-hour special teams only practice.

The Colts practiced in full pads Monday morning, then went in shorts and shells Monday afternoon and Tuesday morning. Dungy said the Colts follow a schedule during training camp that he has used for many years, with rest and recovery time already planned.

"We'll get them a chance to get their legs back a little bit," Dungy said, "but all in all, we had a good first two days."

In other Colts news Tuesday, safety Mike Doss missed practice with a calf strain and cornerback Kelvin Hayden missed after heat issues Monday.

"We just wanted to make sure he’s recovered," Dungy said.

Also, backup quarterback Jim Sorgi did not practice Tuesday and defensive tackle Montae Reagor missed with a knee injury.

"We're just trying to make sure we don’t overwork his arm,” Dungy said of Sorgi. "I think Jim's going to be fine."

Dungy said he didn't believe Reagor's injury to be serious, but that he might miss a day or two of practice.

Tom Brady - New England QB Back, But Deion Branch Is Still Out - NFL.com

Brady's back, but the real story is Deion Branch. Ouch! $14,000 a day in fines? Deion Branch should tack the cost of each day he misses camp due to his poor contract to the level of increase he wants. It's only logical. Think about it. Really. The Patroits know he's unhappy with his level of pay, so why take more money away from him? That's stupid.

Brady back at Patriots camp after absence
NFL.com wire reports
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (Aug. 1, 2006) -- Tom Brady returned to the field Tuesday after missing three straight practices with the New England Patriots, but the team didn't say why the quarterback had been absent.

Brady participated in all four practices on Friday and Saturday, the first two days of camp, before sitting out Sunday's single session and both on Monday.

That left No. 2 quarterback Matt Cassel to play a bigger role. He is entering his second season after seeing little playing time at Southern California.

Deion Branch, Brady's top wide receiver, held out for a fifth day on Tuesday. He is in the final season of a five-year contract and wants a new deal. He is subject to a $14,000 fine for each day he misses camp.

Michael Vick's Reported Injury Is False According To Profootballtalk.com

Two years ago, Atlanta Falcons QB Michael Vick tore his hamstring during a preseason game against the Baltimore Ravens. On Tuesday, August 1st, the Atlanta Journal Constitution reported a similar accident at this year's training camp, but Profootballtalk.com says the AJC report is overblown. We have both articles here for you to read.


FALCONS TRAINING CAMP

Vick sits with tweaked hamstring
QB might miss two practices after Tuesday injury

By STEVE WYCHE
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 08/01/06

Flowery Branch -- Falcons quarterback Michael Vick suffered a mild right hamstring strain during Tuesday evening's practice and could be held out of Wednesday's workout and possibly Thursday's drills as a precaution, coach Jim Mora said.

"Mike tweaked his hammy a little," Mora said. "He told me when he was walking off that he felt it [pull] so he pulled up, so that was good. He didn't pull it all the way. This is the third training camp right in a row that he's tweaked his hammy a little bit but I don't think this one is significant at all.

"We'll obviously be careful with it."

Vick suffered the injury while scrambling during team drills. As he approached the sideline, he slowed down and grabbed his hamstring but did not to appear to be in pain.

He walked with a team trainer to an area behind the offensive huddle and was briefly examined by the medical staff. Moments later an ice pack was taped to the back of his right leg and he walked off the field unassisted to the training room during practice. He did not return.

Quarterbacks Matt Schaub, Bryan Randall and D.J. Shockley finished the offensive drills.

The scene was far different than when wide receiver Brian Finneran went down with a knee injury Sunday night, when there was a flurry of activity and widespread panic.

In a side note, shortly after Vick left the field, cornerback DeAngelo Hall pulled up on a play holding his right hamstring but he suffered a mild cramp and was walking around moments later.

Here's Profootballtalk.com's corrective article:

VICK INJURY OVERBLOWN BY AJC

We're hearing from some of our industry connections that the supposed injury suffered by Falcons quarterback Mike Vick is being grossly exaggerated by A. Scott Walton of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Walton reported that Vick injured his knee in a collision with a reserve tight end who had fallen off of his blocking assignment, that Vick was on the ground for a "five-count," and that after Vick got up he shook his head in "momentary dejection."

Said the source: "Vick got nudged, hit the ground, and sat there for maybe one second (five count my ass) and then got up. And he was shaking his head because he was pissed that his own guy ran into him. And the reason Matt [Schaub] took over was because they were rotating the quarterbacks."

NFL's Adam Schefter: Matt Leinart Still Unsigned - Returns to Cali..In Private Jet?

Read this carefully -- Leinart has his own private jet from what this reads. Am I wrong about that? It says "One person spotted Leinart exiting his plane in the Orange County Airport, a long way away from Cardinals training camp."

Bush and Leinart in a role reversal

By Adam Schefter - Special to NFL.com

Adam Schefter's "Around the League" reports and commentaries can be seen regularly on NFL Total Access.

(July 31, 2006) -- By Aug. 1, we already have our first significant upset of the football season.

Running back Reggie Bush is in training camp before his former college teammate, quarterback Matt Leinart.


Because Reggie Bush stayed out for so long, the other RBs got more reps.
For weeks, Bush was expected to be the training camp holdout and Leinart was expected to be the happy camper. Now, Bush is the happy camper and Leinart is the training camp holdout.

Bush signed a six-year, $51 million contract that included $26.35 million worth of guaranteed money, according to one source close to the deal. He was scheduled to arrive in Jackson, Miss., on July 31 and begin practicing with the Saints the next day. The deal, notably, makes Bush the highest-paid running back in football history, earning more than LaDainian Tomlinson or Shaun Alexander.

Yet even though the deal is done, the Saints were not entirely celebrating. Bush missed seven practices and missed any potential flights Sunday to tend to personal business he did not wrap up until Monday. The Saints were disappointed Bush did not get in sooner. But they should forget the first time Bush wraps his hands around the football and takes off the way he regularly did at USC.

At USC, it was Leinart that was getting Bush the football. But now Leinart isn't getting what he wants, so much so that on Sunday night, Leinart decided to up and leave Arizona to fly back to Southern California. One person spotted Leinart exiting his plane in the Orange County Airport, a long way away from Cardinals training camp.

Still, both sides are optimistic that they will be able to reach a deal before the week is through. But it certainly doesn't seem as if there will be any breakthrough in the next 24 hours.

Leinart's contract should be easy enough to figure. The players drafted directly in front of and behind him, linebacker Ernie Sims in Detroit and quarterback Jay Cutler in Denver, have signed. Yet Leinart apparently is seeking more money than the No. 10 overall pick typically has been paid. So far, no go.

Leinart spent much of last week in Arizona, working out, training and throwing. But now, for the time being, Leinart will be doing his work in Southern California. All while waiting to get the call to fly back to Arizona.

Captain Jet Wants You!! - Bill Chachkes At NY Jets Training Camp

Jets Training Camp-Captain Jet

As I walked up and down the sideline in 90+ degree heat at Hofstra university this weekend, I kept hearing a voice in the back of my head saying " Come on People, make some noise for your Jets, Let em know your in the stands." Normally I would tell you that as a coach I'm used to hearing voices in my head, both my own and someone else's.

But this was different. This voice belonged to "Captain Jet" of Staten Island NY, and he was mad as heck. Our brief conversation went like this:

FP: So Captain, can you give me a few quotes, just a few lines?

CJ: What kind of quotes you want pal? What do you need me for, you cooperate types have all the answers (referring to the VIP passes hanging from the necks of pass holders, which look similar to the Media credentials)

FP: Hey Captain (framing credential with hands) does this look like a VIP pass?

CJ: Oh! (smiles now) a Scribe! I thought you were one of those Madison avenue guys who know all about football. You're a bit smarter I guess.



FP: So why are you so annoyed Captain?

CJ: Because some of these fans here just aren't motivated enough ( turns his back to me). Come Ooooon People WAKE UP! This is an NFL Training Camp, not some POP Warner Middle school game(turns back). Sorry, but someone has to do it. A young kid comes over and asks the "Captain" for his autograph, and he gladly signs the mini football.

FP: So what's the one thing you want Jets fans to know Captain, I mean after all, you are the Captain!

CJ: I want people to know that I'm everyman's Jet fan. That Jets fans are the best fans, the best in the world. I want them to know that I'm here, dressed like this to show my support for the Jets and their fans...

FP: So what do you say to the fans further down the fence (who spent the day heckling the Players, coaches, and even us media types)?



CJ: New York Fans are supposed to be smarter then that, that’s why the rest of the world doesn't think we are that smart, because of fans like those guys (waves hand in their direction -- about 30 yards down the fence).

FP: What about the QB competition??

CJ: Doesn't matter who the #2 and #3 are...just the #1


either Pennington or Ramsey will win it. We will see who the back up is after that. Too many other questions to be answered right now.

FP: So Captain, mind if we get a few Photos?

CJ: No Problem, it'll help me get the word out.

FP: And that word is?

CJ: Real Jet fans don't give up on their team…

San Francisco Bay To Breakers - Video Three

Click to Play

This is the third of a four part video series on my San Francisco Bay To Breakers run this year -- my 18th time as a participant. I decided to take my camcorder and film as I went along; I don't know that anyone's done this before from start to finish. The Bay To Breakers run goes from the intersection of Howard and Spear Streets in San Francisco's Financial District (Bay) to the Great Highway on Ocean Beach at the Pacific Ocean (Breakers). It's a 7.7 mile course through the heart of San Francisco; a trek made by over 70,000 people on the first Sunday in May. Some people dress in costume; others in nothing at all. Look carefully at the people passing me. It's a freak show at points. What I like are the bands playing all kinds of music as I go. So that song you hear isn't a soundtrack, it's the real thing from a band

Roger Goodell One More Step Closer To NFL Commissioner

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

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

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NFL-43 7/30/06
SEARCH COMMITTEE SELECTS FIVE CANDIDATES
TO SUCCEED NFL COMMISSIONER TAGLIABUE

The special eight-man Search Committee appointed by NFL Commissioner PAUL TAGLIABUE to recommend
candidates for his successor today announced the names of five individuals to be placed before NFL club owners at a
meeting on August 7-9 at the Renaissance Hotel in Chicago.

The five nominees, according to Committee co-chairmen DAN ROONEY of the Pittsburgh Steelers and JERRY
RICHARDSON of the Carolina Panthers, are:

- ROGER S. GOODELL, 47, New York, New York. Executive Vice President and COO, NFL.
- GREGG H. LEVY, 53, Washington, DC. Partner, Covington & Burling law firm.
- FREDERICK R. NANCE, 52, Cleveland, Ohio. Partner, Squire, Sanders & Dempsey law firm.
- ROBERT L. REYNOLDS, 54, Concord, Massachusetts. Vice Chairman and COO, Fidelity Investments.
- MAYO A. SHATTUCK III, 51, Baltimore, Maryland. Chairman of the Board, President and CEO of Constellation
Energy.

In addition to Rooney and Richardson, the Search Committee includes AL DAVIS, Oakland Raiders; CLARK HUNT,
Kansas City Chiefs; WOODY JOHNSON, New York Jets; JERRY JONES, Dallas Cowboys; ROBERT KRAFT, New
England Patriots; and MIKE MC CASKEY, Chicago Bears.

The finalists were nominated by the committee from a group of 185 candidates which was narrowed to 11. These 11
candidates were interviewed by the Search Committee in Detroit earlier this week. All candidates underwent an
extensive interview process assisted by the executive search firm of Korn Ferry.

The balloting procedures set forth by Commissioner Tagliabue, who will chair the meeting, will be as follows:
- Each candidate will make a presentation to the 32 clubs on August 7th in Chicago.
- Each club will be represented by an owner or owner designee.
- After these presentations, the clubs will divide into subgroups. Each candidate then will be interviewed by
owners or club representatives in each subgroup for a specific period of time.
- When these interviews and subsequent discussions among the league’s members are completed, the voting
will begin.
- Procedures will be set for determining whether particular ballots will be secret or open.
- commissioner. Attendance by every club in the league is mandatory.
- Deloitte & Touche USA will count the votes.

Mel Gibson's Statement On DUI Arrest - AP

The Associated Press released this report based on Mel Gibson's statement of appology. Well, at least he got it out there quickly; a great publicist, he has. But it's too bad to learn that this is true. I wonder what was going through his head at the time?

The following is the complete text of Mel Gibson's statement regarding his arrest for investigation of driving under the influence of alcohol:

"After drinking alcohol on Thursday night, I did a number of things that were very wrong and for which I am ashamed. I drove a car when I should not have, and was stopped by the L.A. County sheriff's. The arresting officer was just doing his job and I feel fortunate that I was apprehended before I caused injury to any other person.

"I acted like a person completely out of control when I was arrested, and said things that I do not believe to be true and which are despicable. I am deeply ashamed of everything I said and I apologize to anyone who I have offended.

"Also, I take this opportunity to apologize to the deputies involved for my belligerent behavior. They have always been there for me in my community and indeed probably saved me from myself. I disgraced myself and my family with my behavior and for that I am truly sorry.

"I have battled the disease of alcoholism for all of my adult life and profoundly regret my horrific relapse. I apologize for any behavior unbecoming of me in my inebriated state and have already taken necessary steps to ensure my return to health."

Mel Gibson - Video Reports Anti-Semetic Statements

This video claims that police arresting Mel Gibson orginally attempted to alter the report they were going to file in the belief that if his anti-semetic comments his the public it would flame anti-Jewish feelings.



This video features a South Park segment lampooning Gibson as a kind of backdrop with a collection of reports on the incident in the foreground. It also has a ticker explaining the details of what happened.



I personally will not accept the charge that Gibson actually said this for one reason: the claim that the report was altered or going to be altered. I'm not going to be so quick to try the man before he reaches court.