Niners Sign Deal For Jerry Rice To Retire A 49er - NFL.com

Rice to retire with 49ers
NFL.com wire reports

SAN FRANCISCO (Aug. 19, 2006) -- Receiver Jerry Rice will retire as a member of the San Francisco 49ers the week of Aug. 20.

Rice, who holds most of the significant NFL receiving records, won three Super Bowls during 16 years with the 49ers. He will sign a contract Aug. 24 at the 49ers' training complex before making his retirement official, the club officially announced. The wideout will be honored again during halftime of the 49ers' game against the Seattle Seahawks on Nov. 19.

The deal for Rice's retirement with the 49ers was informally announced last month.

"This was my home for many years, and this is where so many memories were made," Rice said in a statement. "I thank the entire 49ers organization for the opportunity to stand on the field to say goodbye."

Rice, a 13-time Pro Bowl player, holds NFL records with 1,549 receptions for 22,895 yards and 197 touchdowns. He also leads the league with single-season receiving records of 1,848 yards and 22 touchdowns.

He played four seasons for the Oakland Raiders after San Francisco released him following the 2000 season, reaching the Super Bowl after the 2001 campaign, then suited up for 13 games with Seattle in 2004. He tried out in Denver before retiring from the Broncos last Sept. 3.

"Having Jerry retire as a member of the 49ers is extremely important to Denise and me," owner John York said of his wife, Denise DeBartolo York. "It is equally important to our fans and every former 49ers player that has ever worn the uniform."

Rice, who played at Mississippi Valley State and was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame earlier in the month, stirred a minor controversy in 49ers camp earlier in the summer.

On his Sirius satellite radio show, Rice said No. 1 draft pick Alex Smith is "not the quarterback of the future" for the 49ers, and called for those who drafted Smith to be fired. Rice softened his statements in subsequent broadcasts, and Smith said he didn't take offense.

Michael Vick To Ashley Lelie - Blockbuster Trade Nets Falcons New Passing Combo

Wow.

Just when the NFL preseason was getting boaring, we have this. A blockbuster three team trade between the Atlanta Falcons, the Denver Broncos, and The Washington Redskins that ends with the 'Skins getting T.J. Duckett to help improve a running attack damanged by the injury to Clinton Portis and the Atlanta Falcons hiring the speedy wide receiver they've needed for so very long.

The winner in the deal? The Falcons.

Overall, the Atlanta Falcons have made a dramatic series of changes to drastically improve their team, but not so many that overall chemistry and character are negatively impacted. What I mean is that too many changes in personel means a lot of nerw faces to blend together -- just look at the Minnesota Vikings defense of 2005. One can get stary-eyed over star players, but getting them to mesh as a unit is something else.

But I digress.

The Falcons fans can count on their team being in the playoffs at least. Lelie's the cure for what hurts the Falcons. Now, teams have to respect their speed in the receiver spot, which opens up their formidable run game all the more.

New York Woman Fired For..Being A Woman

I can't believe that someone would not only treat a woman this way, but one who's elderly. According to AP:

"WATERTOWN, New York (AP) -- The minister of a church that dismissed a female Sunday School teacher after adopting what it called a literal interpretation of the Bible says a woman can perform any job -- outside of the church."

That's weird. She's been there for 54 years. Why now? This is the 21st Century.

Rather than focus on Iraq and death, President Bush should fly to Watertown NY and make the church give Mary Lambert her job back!

Dallas Cowboys 30, NO Saints 17

And they made it look easy. Yes, it was preseason, but the Cowboys looked good in all phases of the game.

Cowboys dominate Saints 30-7

NFL.com wire reports

SHREVEPORT, La. (Aug. 21, 2006) -- Drew Bledsoe lobbed two passes into the end zone and saw his receivers make terrific catches on both in his preseason debut for the Dallas Cowboys.

Neither play, however, was made by the receiver everyone is waiting to see him throw to -- Terrell Owens.

Terry Glenn reached around his defender's head and made a one-handed touchdown catch on Bledsoe's first lob, then Sam Hurd fought off his defender for another touchdown, getting the Cowboys rolling to a 30-7 victory over the New Orleans Saints on Monday Night Football.

Bledsoe went 12 of 16 for 156 yards, leading Dallas to scores on three of four drives, and backup Tony Romo went 6 of 8 for 138 yards and also put up points on three of four drives. His best play was waiting out a blitz then throwing a 48-yard touchdown pass to Miles Austin.

Drew Bledsoe made a sharp return to the Cowboys lineup, completing 12 of 16 passes.
Bledsoe didn't play the preseason opener so Romo could get more work, prompting speculation of a growing controversy. Bledsoe feels secure that he's the starter, although he acknowledged that having to wait to get on the field "pushes you a little bit."

"It gets you going," he said. "But I can't tell you I would have done anything different in camp had I been the only quarterback."

The Cowboys also saw their first-team defense shut out the Saints' starters. New Orleans didn't even get a first down on its first three series, leaving Dallas coach Bill Parcells grumbling that his unit didn't get enough work and Saints coach Sean Payton saying his team was "not as improved as I thought."

"We struggled across the board," Payton said.

This was the first NFL game in Shreveport since local product Terry Bradshaw brought the Pittsburgh Steelers to play the Boston Patriots in the 1970 preseason. The returning star this time was Saints running back Deuce McAllister, who gained eight yards on two carries in his first game since a knee injury early last season.

"The knee felt fine ... no apprehension about anything," McAllister said. "There are a few mental hurdles I have to get over, but I'm ready to work."

Reggie Bush spiced things up with a nine-yard run and an 11-yard gain on a third-and-2 screen, both on the final drive of the first half. He finished with seven yards on four carries, 14 yards on two receptions -- and disappointment that the starters didn't do better.

"This isn't the old Saints any more," he said. "We need to take three-and-outs personal. We need to change our way of thinking. We need to keep our defense off the field. We didn't do our job as an offense."

Drew Brees was 7 of 12 for 67 yards. Backup Todd Bouman was 13 of 16 for 117 yards.

Jamal Branch had the lone score for New Orleans, a 1-yard touchdown run early in the fourth quarter.

Owens was in Dallas, presumably watching, because of a hamstring injury that kept him on the sideline more than the practice field during training camp. With Parcells not letting him play the Saints -- and be on a Monday Night Football cable television broadcast -- his next chance is Saturday night at home against San Francisco, although even that is iffy.

"The main thing is it is not firing," Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said. "He needs to get to a point where it fires."

Bledsoe did his part to solidify his spot with crisp passes and poise in the pocket, save for an 8-yard loss on a sack during his only non-scoring drive. He also showed great timing with Glenn (four catches, 71 yards) and Hurd (three, 30).

"I don't think he made any bad reads," Parcells said.

He even showed confidence on the sideline.

"I was standing out there with him visiting and he said, 'Jerry, I'm your man,"' Jones said.

Romo did his part to keep alive the controversy, even if he faced backups.

He started with a drive for a field goal, then lost a fumble on a sack. He redeemed himself on his next series with the TD pass to Austin, then set up another field goal.

"I'm glad he got some more work," Parcells said. "That's six quarters. I want to get him nine or 10 this preseason."

Glenn played like his job was on the line, coming up with a 30-yard gain and a diving 21-yarder on the drive that ended with his highlight-reel maneuver around cornerback Mike McKenzie.

"Terry made two or three outstanding plays," Parcells said. "It shows me he's on his way to getting ready to go."

Hurd, who has been working with Owens, made a replay-worthy grab, too -- shoving off a bit on his defender as he turned for the ball, then having to withstand being grabbed from behind as the ball arrived.

Dallas' new kicker, Mike Vanderjagt, wasn't used because of a strained groin. Instead, Shaun Suisham hit field goals of 24 and 42 yards, and Tyler Fredrickson made a 49-yarder.

Cowboys left tackle Flozell Adams was kicked in his left calf during the opening drive and didn't return. The injury didn't affect the knee that caused him to miss much of last season.

Does San Diego Chargers' QB Phillip River Stare Down His Receivers?

Well if one watches this video, it does seems so. It's a preseason game against the Chicago Bears, and Bears Middle Linebacker Brian Urlacher zeros in on Rivers' pass and brings it back for a touchdown.

I still think lettting an experienced Drew Brees go was a huge mistake borne of the same managerial hubris that saw the Chargers pass up Michael Vick. Chargers GM A.J. Smith's moves are always left to question. He seems to try to make decisions that tell one player "You're not as special as you think." If you research the Vick issue (yes, the Chargers needed players, but Vick is special) and the Drew Brees matter as well as the Eli Manning v. Phil Rivers event, you will see that pattern. That's not the sign of a good GM. He seems more of an "old boy" GM than a really high-tech 21st Century manager.

But the Chargers will learn the hard way.

Here's the video:

Is Cowboys' Jerry Jones Playin Possum WIth T.O.?

It's a question I pose because all of the obvious signals are not there: Terrell Owens and Dallas Cowboys Head Coach Bill Parcells and Cowboys Owner Jerry Jones are getting along. No teammates are complaining.

In short, no dramatic news, but there's the lingering hamstring problem. It's been going on a bit too long and one would think that the Cowboys would have done enough homework to learn about this problem; I'm sure they did. I'm also certain they're just keeping T.O. under wraps and away from opposing coaches video cameras. The result: no "book" on how the Cowboys will use T.O. None.

Now supposedly the Cowboys can't just bench T.O. and not play him without a reason. But the hamstring problem is a reason. I'm not reporting that the problem never existed; I think it was more a cramp than anything. But some genius in the Cowboys organization came up with a way to keep him active in practice and yet off the playing field until the regular season.

Genius, if it's true.

Terrell Owens May Be Out Of Entire Preseaon With MRI (AP and SI)

It may be that T.O.'s injury is worse than we realiize, or that the Dallas Cowboys are using this as a kind of trick to keep him from being on anyone's tape during preseason. The result: no idea of what the Cowboys are going to do with him in the offense. If this is the case, it's genius.

Jones: T.O. might have another MRI

Posted: Tuesday August 22, 2006 7:23AM; Updated: Tuesday August 22, 2006 7:23AM

SHREVEPORT, La. (AP) -- Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said Monday night that receiver Terrell Owens may have another MRI exam taken to see why his hamstring continues to bother him after weeks of treatment.

"Certainly it is sore and he is going to be working to improve that," Jones said during halftime of Dallas' preseason game against the New Orleans Saints. "We will be evaluating it more tomorrow."

The hamstring has bothered Owens since the first week of training camp. He missed the first preseason game, then returned to practice last week, but not enough for coach Bill Parcells to clear him to play against the Saints.

Jones said he's not sure whether Owens will be on the field when the team returns to practice Wednesday, which means he could also miss the next preseason game, at home Saturday night against San Francisco.

"Soft tissue is such a hard thing to get definitive about," Jones said. "You don't need an MRI to understand it is compromising and bothering him. The main thing is it is not firing. He needs to get to a point where it fires."

Jones said it's wrong to think Owens skipped a practice Saturday because he was angry that Parcells ruled him out of the Saints game.

"That's humorous," Jones said. "There is no substance to that. That is not the deal. Terrell and Bill are on the same page. They both want him to be out there and without risk of him further hurting his ham. There is no issue here about them being off the page."

The Cowboys led the Saints 17-0 at halftime, with quarterback Drew Bledsoe throwing touchdown passes to Terry Glenn and rookie Sam Hurd, who has worked a lot with Owens during training camp. It was Bledsoe's first action of the preseason after also being held out of the opener; he went 12-of-16 for 156 yards, leading Dallas to three scores in four drives.

Bledsoe sat out a victory against Seattle last weekend because Parcells wanted to give plenty of work to backup Tony Romo. That's prompted speculation of Bledsoe's job being in jeopardy -- something else Jones downplayed.

"I've never heard any debate about that from anyone on our staff," Jones said.