Nfl Football - Football Betting

2005-11-07T12:51:00.000-08:00

Giants defense holds Niners without a touchdown

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) -- Though Jeremy Shockey and Michael Strahan had miserable memories of Candlestick Park, Eli Manning was still in college when the New York Giants' last trip to the playoffs ended here in a historic collapse. --football gambling--

The young quarterback thought the old building was an excellent place to get his first true road victory. Manning passed for 251 yards and a touchdown, Brandon Jacobs rushed for two short fourth-quarter scores and the Giants' defense yielded just 138 total yards in a 24-6 victory over the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday. --football gambling--

Plaxico Burress had five catches for 79 yards in the third straight victory for the Giants (6-2), who maintained their lead in the NFC East by suffocating the 49ers' offense, which hasn't scored a touchdown in its last 13 quarters at home. --football gambling--

The Giants' offense also floundered for long stretches against San Francisco's solid defense, but a handful of big throws by Manning led to scores. --football gambling--

"We just had to get the ball in our receivers' hands and let them be the athletes," said Manning, who had been 0-5 in games outside Giants Stadium; New York beat New Orleans at the Meadowlands in Week 2, technically a Saints home game after Hurricane Katrina damaged the Superdome. "We had to figure out a way not to hurt ourselves, and mostly we avoided that. We had too many mistakes, but they didn't end up hurting us."--football gambling--

That wasn't always the case in San Francisco. Just 11 Giants are left from one of the club's most infamous postseason defeats: On Jan. 5, 2003, New York allowed San Francisco to rally from a 24-point deficit in the second half of a 39-38 wild-card victory.--football gambling--

It was the second-biggest collapse in NFL playoff history, and New York hasn't been back to the postseason or Candlestick since. But while the 49ers are 10-31 since that win, the Giants have rebuilt themselves into a postseason contender behind Manning, who was 18-of-33 and threw a TD pass in his ninth straight game.--football gambling--

Shockey, who dropped a pass in the end zone during the second half of that playoff loss in San Francisco, stretched full-length to catch a 32-yard scoring pass 13 seconds before halftime."It was wide open, and there was no one there," Shockey said of his TD catch -- not the ball he dropped two seasons ago. "I have never seen that look in my whole career, and I probably will never see it again. It was a completely busted coverage."--football gambling--

Burress made a stunning one-handed, 50-yard catch on the final play of the third quarter, and Jacobs rushed for a 1-yard score moments later. Amani Toomer then made a 23-yard catch near the goal line, setting up another 1-yard TD run. --football gambling--

Cody Pickett, the 49ers' fourth starting quarterback in five games, made few mistakes in his first start. But he couldn't spark anything behind San Francisco's comically inept offensive line, which committed several penalties and rarely allowed Pickett a moment's peace.--football gambling--

"Cody did a great job with the plays, but it's tough getting the timing down when you don't have the same quarterback in practice every week," receiver Brandon Lloyd said of Pickett, who went 12-of-21 for 102 yards. --football gambling--

"(Pickett) didn't cause any problems for us," Strahan said. "It seemed like every time he dropped back, we were successful in putting some pressure on him and hitting him."Joe Nedney kicked two field goals for the Niners (2-6), who lost for the sixth time in seven games.--football gambling--

The 49ers' offense briefly got going late in the first half, with Pickett scrambling for two first downs before Lloyd took the crowd's breath away with a one-handed, behind-the-head catch inside the New York 5.--football gambling--

But struggling left tackle Anthony Clement was called for holding on the play -- and after consecutive false starts by the line, Pickett's long pass was intercepted by Brent Alexander.Manning quickly hit Shockey twice for the Giants' first TD. --football gambling--

"It is a lack of focus and concentration," 49ers coach Mike Nolan said of the penalties. "Emotion is a huge part of the game, and you can't let emotions get the better of you. There's not a tremendous amount of noise at home. Today, (false starts are) inexcusable." --football gambling--

San Francisco scored on Nedney's 48-yard field goal early in the second half, ending nearly 108 scoreless minutes for the Giants' defense, which shut out Washington last week. Nedney hit a 52-yarder several minutes later. --football gambling--

Game notes
San Francisco got four of its nine first downs on penalties. ... Back judge Don Dorkowski injured his calf during the second half, and the game was finished with six officials. ... The Niners had just 10 men on the field for the game's first play -- a 28-yard catch by Shockey.--football gambling--

2005-11-02T11:24:00.000-08:00

Eagles need better starts

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Andy Reid's script has been a flop. -NFL Football-

The Philadelphia Eagles haven't had much success in the first quarter this season, raising questions about Reid's play calling. -NFL Football-

Reid is one of several NFL coaches who predetermine a number of offensive plays to start a game. With input from offensive coordinator Brad Childress and assistant coach Marty Mornhinweg, Reid scripts the first 15 plays. Considering the way the Eagles' offense has fared early on, they might want to come up with a whole new game plan. -NFL Football-

Philadelphia (4-3) has scored just 14 points in the opening quarter, getting both touchdowns in a lopsided victory over woeful San Francisco in Week 2. -NFL Football-

Overall, the Eagles have gone three-and-out on 12 of 22 possessions in the first quarter. In a 49-21 loss at Denver on Sunday, the offense went three-and-out on the first four possessions and had just 4 yards in the first quarter. -NFL Football-

Reid deviated from his scripted plays against the Broncos because the defense kept blitzing. Eleven of the first 12 plays were passes and each fell incomplete. -NFL Football-

"You don't practice the 15-play script,'' Reid said. "That is something you put together on Saturday for the players. You practice the whole game plan. So, it's important you are strong on the whole game plan, not just those 15 plays. Somewhere, those 15 plays are going to go by the wayside fast. You are going to run them and then you have to get on with the rest of the game plan.'' -NFL Football-

The problem is the defense also is struggling, so the offense isn't helping out by giving up the ball so quickly. Philadelphia has had just one drive in the first quarter last more than 4 minutes. Against Denver, the offense held the ball a total of just 2:38 in the first quarter and the Eagles fell behind 28-0 halfway through the second. -NFL Football-

One reason the Eagles aren't using up much clock time is they're not running the ball. Just 101 of the 438 offensive plays have been carries by the running backs. That's only 23.1 percent of the plays. -NFL Football-

Reid planned to run more against the Broncos, but the score and Denver's defensive scheme forced the Eagles to rely heavily on the pass. However, when the Eagles ran, it opened up the passing game. Both of Philadelphia's big plays - a 91-yard TD catch by Terrell Owens and Owens' 46-yard catch - were preceded by runs. -NFL Football-

"I have a lot of trust in the players,'' Reid said. "Obviously, we cannot do it like we have been doing it. We have to get better as players and coaches and I have a lot of trust in both the players and the coaches. We will work very hard and make sure we get it together and do a better job.'' -NFL Football-

2005-10-31T12:55:00.000-08:00

Pierce rough on pals

BY BOB HERZOG
STAFF WRITER

October 31, 2005

Is this any way to treat and greet old friends? Well, in the salary-cap NFL world, in which players routinely change teams, the answer is a resounding, helmet-rattling yes. -NFL Football-

"To hit them, it felt good. I am friends with a lot of their guys," linebacker Antonio Pierce said after he led the Giants' defense in a 36-0 victory over the Redskins, his team for the previous four seasons. "Clinton [Portis] and I are real close friends, but it didn't really matter. They were not Giants and they did not have blue on." -NFL Football-

Maybe a little black and blue, however, as Pierce made 11 tackles (seven solo), many of the jarring variety. He began wreaking havoc on Washington's first drive, combining with linebacker Reggie Torbor to nail Portis after a 5-yard gain on the Redskins' second play from scrimmage. -NFL Football-

On Washington's second drive, Pierce and safety Brent Alexander combined to smack Portis after a 1-yard gain. Pierce also limited receiver David Patten to 6 yards on a second-and-19 with a solid tackle. -NFL Football-

Pierce was even better in the second quarter, drilling Portis on a screen pass for a 4-yard loss and then dropping into zone coverage in the middle of the field to intercept Mark Brunell and set up a field goal that gave the Giants a 19-0 halftime lead. -NFL Football-

"That's what happens when you know what they are going to do," Pierce said with an undisguised smirk. -NFL Football-

Pierce said he and his teammates knew what they had to do in the second half: complete the shutout. -NFL Football-

"It meant a lot," he said. "That was a second-ranked offense coming into the game, and going into the fourth quarter, they had less than 100 yards and we were really shooting for that [shutout]. It just topped everything off." -NFL Football-

Pierce said the victory over their NFC East rivals and the emotions involved with the death of team patriarch Wellington Mara, made him realize what it meant to be a Giant. -NFL Football-

"Big time. When I signed here, they [teammates] said you were coming into a family," Pierce said. "You felt that throughout the whole week and you saw that today. Guys were rocking and rolling." -NFL Football-

2005-10-20T22:15:00.000-07:00

Week Seven game previews
--- nfl ---
By PFW staff Oct. 20, 2005
--- nfl ---
New York Jets at Atlanta
--- nfl ---
The Jets couldn’t stop the run in a 27-17 loss at Buffalo, an ominous sign with the Falcons’ league-leading rushing attack up next. The Falcons scored an important divisional win over the pesky Saints to remain one game behind the NFC South-leading Buccaneers. --- nfl ---
--- nfl ---
Jets QB Vinny Testaverde showed his age vs. a Bills defense that blitzed him from all angles, getting sacked five times and throwing two interceptions. He also lost a fumbled snap from backup C Jonathan Goodwin, who replaced starting C Kevin Mawae after Mawae suffered a season-ending triceps injury. RB Curtis Martin is coming off his best game of the season and will be a key vs. a Falcons run defense that gave up 211 rushing yards to the Saints. --- nfl ---
--- nfl ---
If Testaverde gets time to throw, he can exploit a weak Falcons secondary by throwing to WRs Laveranues Coles and Justin McCareins, who is coming off his best game of the season. The Falcons likely took note of the way the Bills ran for 177 yards vs. the Jets last week and will feed New York a steady diet of RBs Warrick Dunn and T.J. Duckett (if his injured ankle doesn’t keep him on the sideline). Jets MLB Jonathan Vilma has the speed to partly neutralize QB Michael Vick.--- nfl ---
--- nfl ---

2005-10-10T13:40:00.000-07:00

Panthers rally to top Cardinals 24-20

TEMPE, Ariz. (Oct. 9, 2005) -- The Carolina Panthers finally stopped Josh McCown's passing show and with a 94-yard touchdown drive pulled above .500 for the first time this season.

Jake Delhomme threw two touchdown passes to Steve Smith, one for 65 yards in the first half and the decisive 4-yarder with 6:54 to go to give the Panthers (3-2) a 24-20 comeback victory over the Arizona Cardinals. - NFL Football -

Delhomme completed 18 of 29 passes for 243 yards and two scores. He was intercepted once.

"To come across the country on a short week to win and fight back the way we did," Delhomme said, "it was pretty nice."

Arizona (1-4), leading 20-10 after three quarters, had the ball twice after Carolina's go-ahead score. - NFL Football -

The Cardinals drove to the Panthers' 33, but Marlon McCree intercepted McCown's pass in the end zone for the second time in the game. The Cardinals' last shot ended when McCown scrambled on fourth-and-10, but came up inches short at the Panthers' 49.

"We moved the ball OK, but you've got to be able to score points and you've got to be able to slam the door," Arizona coach Dennis Green said.

McCown completed 29 of 46 passes for 394 yards, a career high for the second week in a row. He threw for two touchdowns, but was intercepted three times. McCown threw for 385 yards a week earlier in the victory over San Francisco in Mexico City, a game he started in place of injured Kurt Warner. - NFL Football -

Anquan Boldin and Larry Fitzgerald became the first Cardinals tandem to top 100 yards receiving each in consecutive games. It was the first time it's happened in the NFL since 2001, when Derrick Mason and Kevin Dyson did it for Tennessee. - NFL Football -

Boldin caught 10 for 158 yards and a touchdown, Fitzgerald nine for 136 yards and a score.

After beating Green Bay on Monday night, the Panthers were in trouble most of the afternoon in the desert.

With Arizona leading 20-10 late in the third, McCown threw to Boldin, who dodged a tackler -- but Thomas Davis stripped the ball, and Ken Lucas picked it up and ran to the Arizona 5.

"The ball got away from my body. He hit it as he was coming. It was just a bad play on my part," Boldin said. - NFL Football -

Two plays later, Stephen Davis scored from the one on the first play of the fourth quarter to make it 20-17.

The Panthers went 94 yards in 10 plays for the winning touchdown. On second-and-12 from his 25, Delhomme's screen pass to DeShaun Foster gained 30 yards. A personal foul against Darnell Dockett for a blow to Delhomme's head added 15 to the play to put the ball on the Arizona 30.

With two cornerbacks already sidelined, Arizona lost another, Robert Tate, on the drive. Safety Quentin Harris moved to cornerback and on the 6-yard winning touchdown, Smith fought the ball away from him. - NFL Football -

Boldin broke four tackles on a 20-yard scoring play that put Arizona up 17-10 in the second period. Fitzgerald's leaping grab of McCown's 26-yard pass for a touchdown on the first play of the second quarter gave the Cardinals a 7-3 lead.

The Cardinals blew a chance for a late first-half score. McCown connected with Charles Lee on a 49-yard pass to the Carolina 2, but on second down from the 4, Lucas deflected McCown's pass to Fitzgerald and McCree intercepted. - NFL Football -

"All turnovers are big because they usually put points on the board or take points off the board," Panthers coach John Fox said. "That play was huge."

Lucas took the place of cornerback Chris Gamble, hobbled by a sore ankle, late in the first half. Fitzgerald caught three passes for 30 yards in the second half. - NFL Football -

The Cardinals are off in Week 6. If Warner's groin injury is healed by then, Green will have to decide whether to stay with McCown. He hinted that it would be hard to go away from the youngster after his two performances while Warner was down.

"That's a lot of yardage," Green said. "Josh has been able to find the wide receivers, that's a big plus." - NFL Football -

McCown said he wasn't going to concern himself with job security.

"I'm just going to fight and play as hard as I can and whatever happens happens," he said. "I just hate that we didn't get a win today. As a quarterback, with the opportunity to make plays, you hate that you walked off this field a loser. That's what hurts the worst."

2005-10-01T15:05:00.000-07:00

New Madden NFL game's not just a passing fantasy

BY JON GALLO

Washington Post Service

Madden NFL 06

Football video games used to be so easy. You controlled the quarterback and avoided the blitz while waiting for a receiver to get open before pressing a button. It didn't matter if your quarterback threw the ball off his back foot or to a receiver he wasn't looking at -- the result was usually a tight spiral.

But those days are over in Electronic Arts' Madden NFL 06 because the game's ''QB Vision Control'' makes it challenging to move the ball through the air. Every quarterback has a vision cone, a ray of yellow light that begins from the quarterback's eyes and illuminates his field of vision. For the Colts' Peyton Manning and the Vikings' Daunte Culpepper, the cone has the girth of nearly half the field, but for lesser-talented quarterbacks such as the Ravens' Kyle Boller, it's maybe half that size.

Now, if your quarterback throws a pass to a receiver who isn't in his line of sight, don't expect it -- or the outcome -- to be pretty.

You also have to decide what type of pass to throw, which is done by using the joystick. If your receiver has a step on his defender, be sure to lead him. If the defender is playing the receiver close, throw the ball short, allowing the receiver to come back for the ball -- a style that makes Oakland's Randy Moss and Philadelphia's Terrell Owens two of the game's most dominating players.

The game's best mode is ''Superstar.'' That's when you choose the parents whose attributes will give the player you create the best DNA for being an athlete. Your player grows up, takes an IQ test, hires an agent and gets drafted into theNFL . The next step is to become an icon by playing your way to a lucrative contract and working on your virtual interview skills to land endorsements and movie roles.

The staple of the Madden franchise, which has spawned 16 editions, has been its ability to put a new spin on the same sport. What sets this game apart is the passing game, which casual gamers can disable if they want to remain in the past. But serious gamers will welcome the next phase of video games.

2005-09-06T08:30:00.000-07:00

NFL Football
Rice Retires

DENVER (AP) - Unwilling to be a bit player with the Broncos,
Jerry Rice retired Monday, closing a 20-year career for the most
productive receiver in NFL history.
Rice, 42, made his decision over the weekend at home in San
Francisco, then returned to Broncos headquarters and met with coach
Mike Shanahan. He played 20 NFL seasons.
"This is a happy day," he said. "I think the tears that you
see basically is that I have really enjoyed this ride.
"I'm done. I'm looking forward to the next phase of my life."
Shanahan confirmed what Rice already knew - that he would be a
fourth or fifth receiver, at best this season - and Rice confirmed
what many figured - that he would rather call it quits than be a
bit player with the Broncos.
Rice signed with Denver over the summer, reuniting with
Shanahan, who was his offensive coordinator in the 1990s in San
Francisco. For Rice, the idea was to play for a coach who was
familiar with him and for a team that could help him go out a
winner.
Shanahan made it clear he would not promise Rice anything, not
even a roster spot. Behind the scenes, though, Shanahan said he
knew it would never come down to him having to cut the league's
best all-time receiver: He figured if Rice knew it was time to go,
he would step aside himself.
"I've pushed this body for 20 years," Rice said. "I was never
a coach potato, I was always working out. I had to prove myself
every year. - NFL Football -
"A lot of guys here were 3 when I started playing. I think
those guys are pretty much amazed that I can still run the way I
can run."
Early in training camp, Rice moved into Denver's third receiver
spot and things looked promising. In retrospect, the promotion was
more a reflection on Darius Watts, who struggled catching the ball,
but improved as the preseason went on.
By the time preseason ended, Rice had only four catches for 24
yards and had been pushed back down the depth chart. As expected,
he wasn't released when the Broncos announced their final round of
cuts Saturday, but he was already in the Bay Area deciding his
future. - NFL Football -
"To me it was never about what I accomplished on the football
field. It was about the way I played the game," he said. "I play
the game with a lot of determination, a lot of poise, a lot of
pride. I think what you saw on the field was an individual who
really loved the game and I was just like a little kid. I enjoyed
the preparation and the hard work and the dedication that I had to
make to try to be one of the best receivers to have ever played the
game."
His agent, Jim Steiner, has said if Rice retired this time, he
would not try to come back with another team. If that's so, Rice
will close his career with 38 NFL records, including those for
career receptions (1,549), yards receiving (22,895) and touchdowns
receiving (197). - NFL Football -

Copyright 2005 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.

2005-08-30T09:50:00.000-07:00

DOMECOMING IN DOUBT

PAUL SCHWARTZ

Corey Webster took special notice of the destination of his first-ever NFL road game. Right there, in Week 2, the Giants travel to New Orleans, a homecoming for the rookie cornerback.

Webster's family resides in St. James, La., a small town on the Mississippi a mere 30 minutes from the Big Easy. He stayed in state for college at LSU, and making a return as a member of the Giants is something he admits will be a source of great pride.

"It's always good going back — a lot of family and friends can watch you play," Webster said yesterday.

"You always want to do good in front of the home crowd. Hopefully the hurricane will leave us with a little of the city left over so we can go down there and take care of business."

Suddenly, what was seemingly written in stone on the schedule is not so certain. With portions of the Louisiana Superdome roof damaged by Hurricane Katrina, and with widespread loss of electrical power in the city, staging afootball game there in three weeks is no sure thing.

That the major force of the hurricane did not make a direct hit on New Orleans was good news, but it remains to be seen how the cleanup progresses.

The Giants, and the NFL, are waiting to see if New Orleans will be able to play host to a game two weeks into the season.

"Like everybody else, we are monitoring the hurricane," said Pat Hanlon, the Giants' VP of communications. "Our concern right now is for the well-being of the people along the Gulf Coast, not where we might play a game in almost three weeks."

As Webster continues to rise up the charts on the defensive board, he has enjoyed smooth sailing in his professional debut. He's caused three turnovers in the past two preseason games, with two interceptions and a strip of Carolina receiver Steve Smith. Following Webster's lead, the entire defense has fallen in line with nine turnovers in back-to-back victories.

None other than star defensive end Michael Strahan credits Webster for setting a ball-hawking tone that others have adopted.

"I don't know why it came along like that — I just try to get my hands on the ball every chance I get," Webster said.

With another solid performance last Friday night against the Jets, Webster seems to have edged past second-year Curtis Deloatch for the No. 3 cornerback job, and it certainly is possible Webster will indeed be the nickel back on opening day Sept. 11 against the Cardinals.

Other than at times playing a bit too far off the receiver — allowing short completions in front of him — there have been no glitches for Webster, who showed no ill effects of missing most of the first week of training camp while ironing out details of his contract.

The events of the past few days will no doubt test his focus. His parents, two sisters and nephews boarded up the family home in St. James and evacuated to Houston, where one of Webster's other sisters resides. Eli Manning's family also resides in New Orleans and left for safer quarters in Mississippi.

New York Post

2005-08-24T07:34:00.000-07:00

Thailand ousts USA for NFL Flag Football world championship
BEIJING, China (Aug. 21, 2005) -- The Bangmod Wittaya Middle School lived up to its billing as the tournament's team to watch with a thrilling 25-19 victory over the Michael Ann-Russell Jewish Community Center (MAR JCC) to win the NFL Flag Football World Championship (FFWC) for Thailand. Building on a 13-0 halftime lead, Thailand bounced back after being tied at 19-19 and survived a turbulent last 38 seconds, forcing the MAR JCC to turn the ball over on downs at the 1-yard line as time ran out.
It is the first time the title has been won by an Asian team after Australia, Mexico and three teams from the USA had won the previous five competitions. The NFL is proud to partner with Motorola, Reebok, EA and Gatorade and promote this prestigious tournament, which motivates boys and girls to participate in a fun and safe sport. "We are delighted and honored to be world champions," said Thailand coach Chanphen Nitiyanan, who played for the team in Vancouver in 2004. "The school has practiced very hard since last year when they only finished seventh and all that effort has paid off. We are all very happy." USA Head Coach David Fried admitted: "Thailand is the best team in the tournament and they had the two best players here, which I've been saying all week. It's tough to lose, especially because of all the hard work we've put in and it's hard on everyone. We know how it feels to win a world championship, but it's harder to lose one." Alex Ciklik, who scored all three USA touchdowns in the final, added: "You don't expect a team from somewhere like Thailand to win at an American sport, but they deserved it. Some things went against us and we should have played better in the first half. We outscored them in the second half, but it was too late by then." Las Aguilas from Monterrey took third place as the Mexicans had too much firepower for the Tomken Road Middle School from Canada in a 35-24 win. Canada led 12-7 at halftime through touchdowns from Javion Kwayan and James Stamopoulos, but Gerardo Cortes added to his earlier score to edge Mexico ahead 14-12. Two Mexico touchdowns in quick succession meant Canada was always chasing the game, and despite a late score from Kadeem McPherson on a crossing pattern, Mexico held on. Host nation China claimed fifth place overall, an impressive achievement considering the country's NFL Flag program is only two years old. The Guangzhou No. 41 Middle School beat Italy for fifth place. Seventh spot went to Japan, who outlasted Spain by a single point in a thrilling playoff, while Korea claimed ninth place with a 25-20 victory over winless Germany.

NFL.com

2005-08-15T10:06:00.000-07:00

Taking the lead

Penn State has been at the forefront of this trend. Only one other school (Florida) had as many as three players enroll early this year. Since 2000, seven Penn State players have done it.
With the head start, King -- a two-way player who could see time at defensive back, receiver and special teams -- and Williams were able to position themselves to contribute this fall.
"The nice thing about it was for the first month, there was no football," Smith said of King's experience. "So he could get adjusted to the academic part of it. We made sure he understood the course load. - NFL Football -
"It was nice. It was like going from one phase to the next. If you would ask Justin about it now, he would tell you that it was the smartest thing he has ever done. This gave him a chance to get acclimated to college life before the pressures of having to play on a Saturday afternoon."
As a freshman, King is not allowed to speak with reporters as per Penn State coach Joe Paterno's rules. - NFL Football -
Penn State senior safety Calvin Lowry, however, can speak of his own experience. Lowry was one of the 15 players in 2002 to enroll early. After going through the winter and spring with the team, Lowry quickly moved up the depth chart and made an immediate impact. He had an interception in the season opener against Central Florida and made his first career start in the second game against Nebraska. His leg was broken a week later, and he did not return to play until the following season. - NFL Football -
"It gave me a chance to prove myself early, so I could play as a freshman," Lowry said. "I don't think I could have played as much as I did if I didn't do it. I proved a lot to the coaches in those 15 spring practices. Most people who come in the summer have a hard time doing it because they have never done it." - NFL Football -
Lowry has watched others follow in his footsteps. Dan Connor, regarded as one of the top linebackers in the country, did it last year and wound up a starter. And the trio of King, Williams and Claude impressed this year.
"Looking at it, from when I did it until now, I don't see any drawbacks," Lowry said. "You're getting great experience instead of sitting around. You're training with the team. You're getting acclimated. - NFL Football -
"Watching Derrick and Justin go through spring ball and what they were able to do, they have a little swagger to them now. They've been through it with us. They haven't played a game yet, but they have a little swagger about them."
Paterno does not really like the idea of high school seniors enrolling in college early, but he is largely responsible for it. About 15 years ago, Paterno and Penn State began offering scholarships to high school juniors. - NFL Football -
Now every coach in Division I football does the same. Before early recruitment, most players did not know where they were going to school until after their senior seasons. Some waited until national letter-of-intent day in February.
Now players have more time to think about the future and how they can better themselves.
"I'm not crazy about it," Paterno said recently. "You'd like to see kids go through high school, go to the prom. My gut feeling is that it's not the best thing in the world. But you pick up the paper and read about a 17-year-old basketball player. I picked up the paper and the Penguins signed a 17-year-old hockey player. Right? What's his name? - NFL Football -
"Everybody is looking at the big bucks, and most of these guys coming out, they're not thinking about staying four years. They're going to get it all done in three years. So I don't know. I can't do anything about it. I was not about to tell Williams or King we weren't going to take them. I'm dumb, but not that dumb." - NFL Football -
For the record, King and Lowry attended their proms and walked through graduation ceremonies with their high school class. Smith and Lowry said Penn State works with families to ensure the players make every high school event they wish to make.
Most of those who enroll early are blue-chip prospects who not only believe they have bright college careers ahead of them but also potentially lucrative NFL careers as well. Smith admitted that his family thought that far ahead in making King's decision.
A dissenting voice on early enrollment is hard to find. No one, including the NCAA, has a problem with it.

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

2005-08-09T07:25:00.000-07:00

American Football: Young and Marino named to NFL Hall of Fame

CANTON, Ohio : Dan Marino and Steve Young, the NFL's all-time leader in passing efficiency, were elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in their first year of eligibility on Sunday.
Two other two players inducted on Sunday quarterback Benny Friedman and running back Fritz Pollard, who also was the first black coach in NFL history.
Friedman died in 1982 and Pollard died in 1986.
The honour for Marino comes more than 20 years after he played in his only Super Bowl with the Miami Dolphins. He lost that game to Joe Montana and the San Francisco 49ers.
"We didn't win a Super Bowl game together and that is something I will always regret not knowing what that feels like," Marino said.
"But Don Shula and I have won more games together than any quarterback-coach combination in the history of the NFL and that is something I am very proud of."
While Montana denied Marino a Super Bowl ring, Young succeeded Montana as the Niners' quarterback and set a Super Bowl record with six touchdown passes in a 49-26 rout of San Diego in January 1995.
"When I first came to San Francisco I realised I was watching Michelangelo in Joe Montana," Young said.
"I was drawn to the inevitable challenge to live up to that I was witnessing. I had to rise to a new standard of performance that Joe had set."
Marino and Young could not have been more different. Marino was the ideal pocket passer with the big arm. Young was known for his scrambling ability, yet mastered the West Coast offence and retired with the highest passer rating in league history (96.8).
Marino selected his oldest son Daniel for his induction speech while Young bestowed the honour to his father, LeGrande "Grit" Young.
The 6-4 Marino rewrote the NFL record book in his 17-year career with the Dolphins.
His total of 61,361 passing yards is 9,886 yards more than Hall of Famer John Elway, who is second all-time.
Both were from the famed quarterback class of 1983, which also featured Hall of Famer Jim Kelly. But Marino was the last quarterback selected in the first round.
"I want to thank those 26 teams for passing on me (in the draft)," Marino said. -

AFP

2005-07-26T07:12:00.000-07:00

JCPenney Partners with the NFL for ''Take a Player to School'' Contest

Promotion Features Sale of NFL Team Wrist Bands to Support The JCPenney Afterschool Fund
PLANO, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 25, 2005--JCPenney and the National Football League launch the second annual "Take a Player to School" contest to promote the JCPenney Afterschool Fund, a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting afterschool programs and raising awareness of the need for more programs that keep kids safely and constructively engaged during out-of-school hours.
The partnership centers on a national in-store sweepstakes that encourages children between the ages of six and 13 to register for a chance to win the ultimate 'show and tell' opportunity for their classmates. The contest culminates in October when 34 winners will be drawn to take an NFL player to their own school. Registration ends Sept. 22, 2005 and no purchase is required to enter. More contest details may be obtained at www.NFLYouthFootball.com.
As part of the promotion, all JCPenney stores will sell NFL team wrist bands for $2.99, with all net profits and NFL royalties being donated to the JCPenney Afterschool Fund.
Donovan McNabb, quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles and national spokesperson for the "Take a Player to School" program, said, "There is nothing more important in America than our youth, and we are excited to build on last year's success in working with the JCPenney Afterschool Fund to provide young people with every opportunity and inspiration to succeed."
A recent study funded by JCPenney and published by the Afterschool Alliance, "America After 3 p.m.," indicates that 25 percent of America's youth between kindergarten and high school are home alone after school. In single-parent households, or those in which both parents work, the percentage is even higher, at 31 percent.
According to the study, quality afterschool programs benefit students by raising math and reading performance, improving attendance, decreasing involvement in crime and reducing dropout rates.
"Through the generous support of JCPenney customers across the country and our partnership with the NFL, the JCPenney Afterschool Fund is able to contribute to our country's leading afterschool providers and advocates -- Boys & Girls Clubs of America, Afterschool Alliance, YMCA of the USA, 4-H and Junior Achievement," said Ken Hicks, president and chief merchandising officer for J. C. Penney Company, Inc. "Together, we can ensure that afterschool programs are available to families who need them and help children power their potential."
Since 1999, JCPenney and the JCPenney Afterschool Fund have contributed more than $40 million to support programs that promote the academic, physical and social development of children in afterschool centers nationwide.
About JCPenney
J. C. Penney Corporation, Inc., the wholly owned operating subsidiary of J. C. Penney Company, Inc., is one of America's largest department store, catalog, and e-commerce retailers, employing approximately 150,000 associates. As of April 30, 2005, J. C. Penney Corporation, Inc. operated 1,017 JCPenney department stores throughout the United States and Puerto Rico. JCPenney is the nation's largest catalog merchant of general merchandise, and jcpenney.com is one of the largest apparel and home furnishings sites on the Internet.
About JCPenney Afterschool
The JCPenney Afterschool Fund is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that supports programs designed to keep kids safely and constructively engaged during out-of-school time. The Fund's contributions allow for the creation and continuance of afterschool programs aimed at the academic, physical, and social development of children throughout the U.S. The JCPenney Afterschool Fund also works to raise awareness of the benefits of afterschool programming, and is committed to ensuring that every child has access to the world of opportunities that awaits them after school.

J. C. Penney Company

2005-07-18T07:55:00.000-07:00

NFL's global thinking extends beyond Mexico

MEXICO CITY (AP) — The NFL emphasized again Friday that if its first regular-season game abroad this year is successful, it could be the start of a broader international push.
The league "is going to look at all of the markets that have indicated an interest in doing this around the world: several in Europe, Canada, Asia," Roger Goodell, the league's executive vice president. Goodell spoke at a news conference to talk about the Oct. 2 game between the Arizona Cardinals and San Francisco 49ers, the first regular-season contest outside the United States.
Goodell re-emphasized what commissioner Paul Tagliabue said when he announced the project: that if the game here between the Arizona Cardinals and San Francisco 49ers is a success, the league might "look to play an international game, maybe on an annual basis, and rotate that around to some of the markets that have an interest globally."
But the league wants to know first how the game goes in North America's largest metropolis, one that has hosted five NFL preseason games. The first of those set a league attendance record of 112,376 in 1994 when the Dallas Cowboys met the Houston Oilers.
Attendance this year can't top 105,000 because of modifications since then to Azteca Stadium.
The stadium's 7,200-foot altitude has helped make Azteca difficult for visiting soccer teams, including the U.S. national team in games against Mexico. In this case, San Francisco safety Tony Parrish said: "The altitude is going to affect both teams the same."
Goodell said the league will have to cope with teams' home-game stadium commitments. "We do the scheduling and most of the leases recognize that," he said, but acknowledged, "those will be issues we'll have to address as we look to how we expand this series if we find that this is the right way to do it."
Mexico was chosen for the first game partly because it has the largest NFL fan base outside of the United States and regularly televised games have created loyal fans of the Cowboys, 49ers and Pittsburgh Steelers, among others.
The country also has a national collegiate league and the NFL sponsors a national touch football series for youths.
The Cardinals are the home team, in part because they stand to lose little from their home gate. The team, which is moving into a modern new stadium last year, often is lucky to fill half the seats at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Ariz., its home field.

The Associated Press

2005-07-11T15:47:00.000-07:00

NFL Notebook: Holdout list keeps growing

From wire dispatches
The list reads like a Pro Bowl roster: Terrell Owens, Richard Seymour, John Abraham and Javon Walker are unhappy with their contract situations. - NFL Football -
Add Shaun Alexander to the list. The Seahawks running back told The Seattle Times this week that signing a $6.32 million franchise tender is "out of the question."
Alexander has been upset for months, but his recent comments are his strongest. Though it seems his anger started when he fell a yard shy of a rushing title last season, Alexander told the paper there is no strain in his relationship with coach Mike Holmgren.
Instead, he said he wanted to have his contract extended earlier in his career.
"I told them three years ago that I love playing here and let's do something now. Let's meet," Alexander told the paper. "I said, 'You know what? My wife's here. My family's here. I want to be here until I retire. It's really funny because back then I would have worked for peanuts.
"Two Pro Bowls and 3,000 yards and 36 touchdowns later, now it's time to talk? And I'm like, 'Why would you do this?' So now it's just one of those things where I say, 'Let's do what's right.' I'm not trying to be evil or greedy or anything, let's just do what's right."
- NFL Football -Teams cannot start negotiating with franchised players again until July 15.
Seymour certainly feels he deserves a bigger payday. The Patriots All-Pro is one of the best defensive linemen in the game but is still playing out a six-year deal he signed as a rookie, and is due to make $2.87 million this season and $1.22 million in 2006.
Meanwhile, players such as Patrick Kearney, Bertrand Berry and Kevin Carter are slated to earn more than $5 million in 2005. Seymour has been unhappy with the situation for more than a year and missed a mandatory minicamp in June to show his displeasure.
Weighty issue
Ricky Williams has gotten his weight up to 215 pounds, but the bigger issue is that Williams and the Dolphins appear headed toward at least one season together, assuming everything goes as planned. - NFL Football -
Moreover, the running back likely will get ample opportunity to prove himself after players report to training camp July 24. That's because running back Ronnie Brown, the No. 2 overall pick, probably won't report on time.
Williams' agent, Leigh Steinberg, said this week that Williams is up to 215 as he works out in preparation for camp. Steinberg said he spoke with Williams Tuesday and that Williams sounded "in good spirits and ready to go" after a year away from the NFL. - NFL Football -
Williams' weight and conditioning have been an issue since an SI.com article in May had him weighing 195 (he played between 225 and 235 during his first two seasons with the Dolphins).
Lookin' ahead
Early bets for easiest schedule to start the season? St. Louis. Toughest? Atlanta. The Rams open with four games against teams with losing records in 2004. The fun begins at San Francisco (2-14), then continues at Arizona (6-10), home against Tennessee (5-11) and at the New York Giants (6-10). - NFL Football -
With an improved defense and the emergence of Steven Jackson, the Rams are hoping to improve on their 8-8 record from last season, when they squeaked into the playoffs.
As for Atlanta, the Falcons play both teams that played in the Super Bowl early on. Things start with a rematch against the Eagles (13-3) at home, then at Seattle (9-7, NFC West champs), at Buffalo (9-7, never an easy place to play), home against what should be a much-improved Minnesota team (8-8, wild card) and then home against the Patriots (14-2, Super Bowl champs).
Good for him - NFL Football -
So "Mr. Raider" will retire a Raider. What a perfect way to end a career.
The news that Tim Brown will sign with Oakland so he can retire as a member of the team came out earlier this week, and put a classy ending on a 17-year career. The soon-to-be 39-year-old Brown left the Raiders last August when he refused to accept a diminished role.
He went to Tampa Bay and finished his career there, with former coach Jon Gruden.
It is nice to see the longest-tenured player in Raiders history take his place with the club again. Here is hoping Jerry Rice will do the same with San Francisco when he decides to hang up his cleats. - NFL Football -

Post-Gazette

2005-07-06T09:47:00.000-07:00

Detroit to meet with McQuarters
Free-agent cornerback played for Mariucci in San Francisco; ex-Pat Law is still a possibility

ALLEN PARK -- The NFL's second phase of free agency starts today and the Lions are looking at two cornerbacks already on the market.
R.W. McQuarters, released May 24 by the Bears, was expected to arrive in town Wednesday and visit with the Lions today. Previously, the Lions welcomed former Patriots cornerback Ty Law, who was released in February and is recovering from a broken left foot.
"There are still a couple of people who could make our football team better," Lions president Matt Millen said Wednesday. "If we can make it fit, then I'd do it."
McQuarters was released partly for salary-cap reasons. He was scheduled to make $3.05 million in base salary this season.
McQuarters was San Francisco's first-round draft pick in 1998 and played his first two seasons there under current Lions coach Steve Mariucci. McQuarters was traded to Chicago in 2000 for a sixth-round draft pick and was a valuable defender and return specialist for five seasons.
McQuarters had two interceptions in 2004 and has 10 in his career.
Law has a much higher profile.
The former University of Michigan star was a starter on four Super Bowl teams for New England and played in four Pro Bowls. He holds the franchise record with 36 career interceptions and is one of the NFL's toughest, most intense defensive backs.
Law's recovery from his broken foot, and his contract demands, are the keys to any deal with the Lions -- or any team.
"I'd still like to do something with Ty Law," Millen said. "I haven't forgotten that. We've got our updates on him. There's a lot of stuff involved. He's got to get ready to play."
Edwards update
Defensive end Kalimba Edwards' legal problems, stemming from his weekend arrest for a traffic violation, have no bearing on his playing status, Millen said.
"To me, they're separate," Millen said. "You can talk to him about it, but I'm fine with Kalimba."
Edwards was arraigned Tuesday on charges of resisting arrest and failing to produce a driver's license during a traffic stop in Southfield.
Edwards was Detroit's second-round draft pick in 2002, but has not built on a promising rookie season when he had 6 1/2 sacks. Edwards has had only 6 1/2 sacks the last two seasons combined, and did not start a game in 2004.
Edwards would not comment Wednesday.
Wilkinson plan
Defensive tackle Dan Wilkinson has been absent from the voluntary practices, but could participate next week Mariucci said.
Wilkinson has started every game for two seasons since signing with the Lions as a free agent near the end of training camp in 2003. Wilkinson lives in Virginia during the offseason, and has family matters to attend to, Mariucci said.
"You guys have got to keep in mind, these are voluntary camps, and I hope he volunteers to be here soon," Mariucci said.
"Dan's trying to work it out where he can be here. He's got to deal with a couple of things at home. Then hopefully, he will be here at some point. I spoke to him last week. I'm hoping he gets here."

Mike O'Hara / The Detroit News

2005-06-29T13:16:00.000-07:00

Coors, NFL Players Address Underage Drinking

NEW YORK -- Coors Brewing Co., Players Inc, which is the licensing and marketing subsidiary of the NFL Players Association and Search Institute, a national organization that works with parents, community leaders and children, have launched MVParents, a program geared to helping parents address underage drinking.

The effort includes a new Web site, MVParents.com, and a spot, "Autograph," via Foote Cone and Belding, Chicago, that features NFL greats Barry Sanders, Troy Aikman, Marcus Allen and John Elway. The spot breaks nationally June 29 and will run through Dec. 18 during Major League Baseball and NFL games on ESPN and Fox Sports, on ABC during Monday Night Football, and on such programs as Late Night with David Letterman and Jimmy Kimmel Show.

In the 30-second spot, the players lead a group of autograph seekers who surround Bob, an "average" dad who is considered a hero here for his efforts in spending a lot of time with his kids -- including cooking -- and speaking openly with them about drinking and other challenges they may face. The spot concludes with the text, "Involved parents are the real heroes."

"With MVParents we think Coors has a great chance to talk to dads-- and all parents -- about preventing underage drinking," Frits van Paasschen, president and CEO of Coors Brewing Co., said in a statement.

-- Barry Janoff

NFL FOOTBALL SCORE

2005-06-22T08:08:00.000-07:00

RAND: The proof is in the padding

After a spring of voluntary workouts and mini-camps, Chiefs coaches have seen a lot to like. Yet, in one key respect, they haven’t seen anything. That’s because of one four-letter word that means so much in football. Pads.
Many a coach has been fooled by a top-notch athlete who turns out to be much less than a top-notch football player. NFL personnel experts still get fooled every year. They see highly-regarded college players who show tremendous speed, strength and agility during workouts and can’t resist drafting them. But so many of these workout warriors lose their luster once they put on pads and start knocking heads with an opponent.
And while nobody gets into the NFL without being a decent athlete, plenty of NFL stars would never be confused with Olympic prospects. If you look at sore-kneed Chiefs tackle Willie Roaf hobbling around on the practice field, you might almost feel sorry for him. Once he gets in pads and gets the adrenaline flowing, he’s a future Hall of Famer.
And there are plenty of offensive linemen in the NFL who look like they ought to be in a sauna trying to melt their big bellies. But once they get in pads, they’ll make a defensive lineman built like Arnold Schwarznegger look overmatched. You may recall that pro wrestler Brock Lesnar was a washout as a defensive lineman with the Vikings last summer.
This is why Chiefs’ coaches try to temper their optimism, which bubbled over in recent months. Dick Vermeil and defensive coordinator Gunther Cunningham love what they see from their newcomers, especially the rookies and defensive players. But they’re quick to qualify their praise by pointing out that they haven’t seen these players in pads.
Football is the only major sport in which coaches have to worry whether Dr. Jekyll in shorts will turn into Mr. Hyde in pads. It’s hard to believe that a little basic equipment can make such a difference.
Pads, for one thing, can drastically affect a player’s speed. A player who runs like greased lightning in drills may lose his edge in pads while a player with average speed in drills may gain an edge in pads. There is speed and then there is game speed.
When players run through drills without pads, there’s no real hitting, which is the sport’s greatest equalizer. While big hitters who are too slow to catch anybody are pretty useless, a good athlete who’s a big hitter is better NFL material than a great athlete who’s not very physical.
You’ve probably noticed over the years that world-class track athletes have a notoriously high failure rate in the NFL. They’re accustomed to running in straight lines, not down-and-ins. Nobody is supposed to knock them down before the finish line. Track stars are often tried at wide receiver but find that pads slow them down and make it harder to catch a ball.
It’s mind-boggling to see how many superior athletes come and go through an NFL training facility each year. Weekend warriors would kill for just a bit of their raw speed, strength and agility.
All NFL players are athletes but not all athletes are NFL players, and coaches spend a lot of their time trying to make that distinction. So Vermeil, Cunningham and the rest of the Chiefs’ staff will have concrete opinions about the newcomers once training camp starts, right?
Nah, they’ll tell us they’ve got to see the new guys under game conditions.
The opinions offered in this column do not necessarily reflect those of the Kansas City Chiefs

by Jonathan Rand