Nfl Football - Football Betting

2005-11-07T12:41:00.000-08:00

Whispers from around the NFL
Pro Football Weekly

Although skeptics believe the Broncos are crazy for not giving RB Tatum Bell more than 11.4 carries per game, it's widely believed that the quick burst he shows on a consistent basis, leading to a plethora of big plays, is a direct result not getting worn down. --football gambling--

• The Titans are down on Travis Henry, not only for his four-game suspension but also for his play before that. He has been guilty of running in the wrong holes and fumbling at critical times. Don't expect him to take any carries away from Chris Brown unless Brown gets hurt. --football gambling--

The Raiders are seeing a resurgence from DT Warren Sapp, who is much more comfortable back in a 4-3 alignment and subsequently is spending a lot of time in the opposition's backfield these days. --football gambling--

Sapp has credited the play of DE Derrick Burgess and fellow DTs Ted Washington and Ed Jasper as a major reason for his success, saying, "It's just one of those deals where we're all working together. It takes four guys to get a sack." --football gambling--

2005-11-02T11:30:00.000-08:00

Jags continue trend of inconsistency

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) - The Jacksonville Jaguars are consistently inconsistent. -NFL Football-

Last year, they followed consecutive victories against Kansas City and Indianapolis with an embarrassing loss at Houston. They also had a rare win at Green Bay in December that put them in playoff contention, then inexplicably were shut out at home against the Texans. -NFL Football-

Jacksonville (4-3) continued the trend Sunday, following back-to-back wins against Cincinnati and Pittsburgh with a 24-21 loss at St. Louis, which played without quarterback Marc Bulger, receivers Torry Holt and Isaac Bruce and defensive end Leonard Little. -NFL Football-

"We're capable of playing good football and beating any team in the league. We're also capable of not playing good enough and losing to any team in the league,'' coach Jack Del Rio said Monday. "When you're good enough, you win more. Until you win more, you're not elite. I think elite teams win games despite maybe not playing as well.'' -NFL Football-

The Jaguars gave up 200 yards rushing and were gouged for several big plays. Steven Jackson carried 25 times for 179 yards - the most ever allowed by Jacksonville - had runs of 36 and 51 yards and turned a screen pass into a 19-yard touchdown that turned out to be the game-winner. -NFL Football-

Also, Kevin Curtis caught an 83-yard touchdown pass from Jamie Martin and Brandon Chillar returned a blocked punt for a score. -NFL Football-

"They capitalized on our mistakes the whole game,'' cornerback Rashean Mathis said. -NFL Football-

Del Rio hopes to correct the mistakes before Sunday's division game against Houston (1-6), and hinted at making several changes this week. -NFL Football-

The most significant adjustment could be at receiver, where starter Reggie Williams sustained a concussion in the first quarter and might not play Sunday. Ernest Wilford filled in against the Texans and had a career-best day, catching six passes for 145 yards and an acrobatic touchdown. -NFL Football-

"He's going to play more,'' Del Rio said. "We're looking for playmakers, and he's established himself as that.'' -NFL Football-

Wilford also let a pass slip through his hands in the fourth quarter. Safety Mike Furrey intercepted it and gave the Rams great field position at the Jacksonville 30-yard line. Jackson scored on the screen pass a few plays later. -NFL Football-

"It sticks with me,'' said Wilford, a second-year receiver from Virginia Tech who vowed never to drop another pass after mishandling a 2-point conversion late against Miami in 2001 that prevented the Hokies from tying the game late. "I was so upset with myself. I should know better.'' -NFL Football-

Del Rio also might make changes at safety and linebacker. -NFL Football-

Free safety Deon Grant sprained an ankle against the Rams and might not play Sunday. Del Rio said strong safety Deke Cooper would move to Grant's position and rookie Gerald Sensabaugh would make his first career start. -NFL Football-

Del Rio also said linebacker Jamie Winborn, traded from San Francisco about three weeks ago, will get more repetitions in practice and may start in place of Akin Ayodele or Daryl Smith. Del Rio said both outside linebackers struggled against the Rams. -NFL Football-

"We've got to bounce back,'' receiver Jimmy Smith said. "Maybe we needed this loss. It's a reality check. We're not as good as we think we are. We can't just step on the field because we beat Cincinnati and Pittsburgh and think we can beat anybody. We've got to go out and play.'' -NFL Football-

2005-10-31T12:57:00.000-08:00

Football Roundup

Published on 10/31/2005

•Broncos 49, Eagles 21: The rain was falling and another big Denver lead was swirling down the drain. In stepped little-known receiver Todd Devoe and better-known tailback Tatum Bell to help the Broncos turn a possible embarrassment back into a blowout. -NFL Football-

Devoe caught a 43-yard touchdown pass from Jake Plummer and Bell ran for 67- and 6-yard touchdowns in the fourth quarter Sunday to help the Broncos hold off, then run away from the Philadelphia Eagles for a victory. -NFL Football-

The four-touchdown margin doesn't begin to detail how scary this one got for the Broncos (6-2). -NFL Football-

Plummer, who finished with a season-high 309 yards, threw three of his four touchdown passes over the first 23 minutes to give Denver a 28-0 lead, but the Broncos allowed Philly (4-3) within seven points and a mere 24 yards of the tying score early in the fourth. -NFL Football-

Donovan McNabb had running back Lamar Gordon wide open on a third-and-5 from the Denver 24, but went to the end zone instead and was picked off by rookie Domonique Foxworth. -NFL Football-

Five plays later, with the rain falling heavily, Devoe ran a short slant route to the inside, caught the pass from Plummer, then spun outside and had free sailing after cornerback Roderick Hood fell on the slick turf. -NFL Football-

It was the first career touchdown for the young receiver, who worked his way up from ninth on the depth chart in training camp to surprisingly make the roster and has now replaced Darius Watts as the team's fourth receiver. -NFL Football-

A few minutes later, Bell got loose on the sideline for his 67-yard run, yet another in a long list of big plays he has made this year. -NFL Football-

Bell, who added his second touchdown in the last minute, finished with 107 yards and Mike Anderson had 126 more, leaving them on pace to become only the fourth pair of running backs in NFL history to reach 1,000 yards each. -NFL Football-

•Bears 19, Lions 13: The Detroit Lions were bailed out after one ill-advised Jeff Garcia play in the fourth quarter, then the Chicago Bears burned them on another in overtime. -NFL Football-

Garcia's across-the-body pass was picked off by Charles Tillman and returned 22 yards for a touchdown with 8:43 left in overtime, lifting Chicago atop the NFC North with a win over Detroit. -NFL Football-

The 35-year-old quarterback, making his second start in place of Joey Harrington, rolled right and tried to throw back across the field to Mike Williams. Tillman stepped in front of the throw and raced untouched to the end zone, where he was mobbed by teammates. -NFL Football-

It was a big win for Chicago (4-3) not only because the Bears broke a first-place tie with Detroit (3-4), but also because they secured a head-to-head tiebreaker over the Lions, whom they beat 38-6 in an earlier meeting. -NFL Football-

•Chargers 28, Chiefs 20: Drew Brees threw three touchdown passes to Antonio Gates and finished with 324 yards passing to lift the Chargers (4-4). LaDainian Tomlinson, slowed again on the ground, threw his third TD pass of the season, a 17-yarder to Eric Parker. -NFL Football-

Brees completed 25 of 43 passes, with TD throws of 19, 20 and 35 yards to Gates. Gates had 10 catches for 145 yards, both career highs, and the three TD catches tied his career best. Tomlinson gained 69 yards on 17 carries a week after being held to a career-low 7 yards in a loss at Philadelphia. -NFL Football-

Trent Green, whose father, Jim, died late last week, was 31-of-43 for 347 yards for Kansas City (4-3) and was sacked four times. Priest Holmes was shaken up midway through the third quarter and didn't return. -NFL Football-

•Dolphins 21, Saints 6: Gus Frerotte had a touchdown pass to Chris Chambers and the Dolphins' defense recorded a safety, spoiling the Saints' return to Louisiana. -NFL Football-

The game was played at Louisiana State in Baton Rouge. -NFL Football-

Miami allowed two field goals and kept Saints quarterback Aaron Brooks off-balance throughout in snapping a three-game losing streak. -NFL Football-

Ricky Williams also showed signs of a return to form for the first time in his NFL comeback, battering tacklers as he gained 82 yards on 17 carries. Ronnie Brown rushed for 106 yards for the Dolphins (3-4). -NFL Football-

While Paul Tagliabue offered hope to those in Louisiana who'd like to keep the state's NFL franchise, the Saints (2-6), losers of four straight, did little to leave their fans hopeful about this season. Brooks was intercepted once, sacked six times and fumbled twice without being touched — though he recovered both. -NFL Football-

•49ers 15, Buccaneers 10: Joe Nedney kicked five field goals, including a 28-yarder with 1:56 to play on the first scoring drive ever led by former fourth-string quarterback Cody Pickett, to help the 49ers snap a five-game slide. -NFL Football-

Pickett emerged as an improbable hero for the 49ers (2-5), performing admirably in the final 11 minutes while Ken Dorsey and Alex Smith were out with injuries. After Dorsey sprained his left ankle, Pickett marched the Niners 42 yards in 11 plays to Nedney's last field goal, and the defense shut down Tampa two more times to clinch it. San Francisco won with just 208 yards of offense. -NFL Football-

Joey Galloway caught eight passes for 149 yards for the Buccaneers (5-2), who began the day with the NFC's best record. Chris Simms was 21-of-34 for 264 yards in his first start of the season, but his numbers didn't reflect an inconsistent, tentative performance that included two interceptions — one bouncing off the head of umpire Darrell Jenkins — and a key fumble. -NFL Football-

•Cowboys 34, Cardinals 13: Rookie Marion Barber ran for 127 yards and two touchdowns on 27 carries in his first start and new kicker Shaun Suisham made two short field goals. -NFL Football-

With the victory, the Cowboys (5-3) stayed on pace in the jammed NFC East. They also had a good performance going into their bye week, which comes before they have to play three games in 11 days. -NFL Football-

Arizona (2-5) lost its 14th straight game at Texas Stadium since 1989. -NFL Football-

•Raiders 34, Titans 25: Kerry Collins threw for three touchdowns, and the Raiders got for their third victory in the last four games. -NFL Football-

The Raiders (3-4) came up with six sacks, including 2 1/2 by Warren Sapp, and two turnovers they converted into 10 points. They also won their first road game this season, and they did it with their first victory in Tennessee against a team that had won the first three in this series. -NFL Football-

The Titans (2-6) again blew a game they had a chance to win with the league's youngest team making repeated mistakes. They had a punt return for a TD wiped out by a roughness penalty, dropped passes, a botched extra point and a rookie who never looked for a ball thrown his way: A wide-open Bo Scaife was too busy running upfield and apparently forgot the ball might be thrown to him. -NFL Football-

•Rams 24, Jaguars 21: Steven Jackson had 179 yards on 25 carries and scored the winning touchdown, Mike Furrey's 37-yard interception return led to the go-ahead score and the Rams stuffed the Jaguars' attack most of the second half. -NFL Football-

Fred Taylor, who was questionable with a bruised right ankle, had 165 yards on 23 carries for the Jaguars (4-3). That included a 71-yard scoring run in the first quarter. But the Jaguars were hurt by missed field goals by Josh Scobee from 44 and 48 yards. -NFL Football-

The Rams (4-4) have won two of three since losing coach Mike Martz for the season due to a heart illness and with interim coach Joe Vitt in charge. They expect to get back QB Marc Bulger (shoulder) and wide receivers Torry Holt (knee) and Isaac Bruce (turf toe) after their bye week next week. Defensive end Leonard Little, the team's best pass rusher, also should return after missing two games following the shooting death of a younger brother. -NFL Football-

•Bengals 21, Packers 14: Brett Favre threw five interceptions and came up short on a game-ending drive, preserving the Bengals' victory. -NFL Football-

The Packers (1-6) feel they're never out of it as long as Favre is throwing. Favre drove them to the 28, where a fan ran out of the stands and plucked the ball from the quarterback's passing hand after a play. -NFL Football-

Guards needed several minutes to run down the fan, giving both teams a much-needed breather. It finally ended with Favre throwing an underhand pass from behind the line of scrimmage, then falling on his back at the 13-yard line in exhaustion. He finished 26-of-39 for 279 yards. -NFL Football-

He had never thrown five interceptions during a regular-season game; he had six in a playoff loss to St. Louis during the 2001 season. -NFL Football-

•Panthers 38, Vikings 13: Stephen Davis ran for two touchdowns and Steve Smith terrorized Minnesota's defense for a franchise-record 201 yards and a score. -NFL Football-

Jake Delhomme was on-target for the Panthers (5-2), passing for 341 yards and three touchdowns while stretching Carolina's winning streak to four games. -NFL Football-

The Vikings (2-5) dropped to 0-4 on the road this season, continuing a five-year trend for futility: Minnesota is 9-32 away from the Metrodome since October 2000. They had no leadership after Daunte Culpepper left with a sprained right knee on the final play of the first quarter. -NFL Football-

•Texans 19, Browns 16: The Texans are winless no more. -NFL Football-

Kris Brown kicked a 40-yard field goal, his fourth of the day, with 2:45 remaining, to give Houston (1-6) the come-from-behind win. The winning kick was set up by a 63-yard kickoff return by rookie Jerome Mathis. -NFL Football-

Houston's losing streak spanned back to a 22-14 loss to Cleveland in last season's finale. The loss was the third straight for Cleveland (2-5). -NFL Football-

2005-10-20T22:16:00.000-07:00

Chiefs rookie LB Johnson focusing on game’s mental aspect
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Kansas City
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Chiefs first-round pick Derrick Johnson has made quite a splash in Kansas City from his strong-side LB spot, ranking second on the team in tackles and making plays all over the field. Johnson, who is playing at about 12 pounds heavier than he did at the University of Texas, told PFW he is happy with his progress but needs to continue to work on using his hands to shed blocks rather than relying too much on his athleticism. His position coach, Fred Pagac, agrees.
--- nfl ---
“He’s like a battering ram right now, hitting everything with his head and chest,” Pagac told PFW. “He’s a tough son of a gun, but when he learns how to play blocks better, he’ll be a difference-maker. … When he learns his game, he’s going to be a big-time player. He does things that are rare.” --- nfl ---
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The mental aspect of the game is something that has taken some time to adapt to as well. “Coming in as a rookie, you’re going to be behind most everybody in the league,” Johnson said. “Everybody up here knows how to work, knows how to study film. As a rookie, you have to work extra hard to get that mental edge.
--- nfl ---
… As far as the speed factor, I feel like I can run with anybody on the field. But the mental part of it, I’m doing a pretty good job with it right now, but there’s never enough stuff you can know.”--- nfl ---

2005-10-10T13:43:00.000-07:00

Boys dominate Philly from start to finish

IRVING, Texas (Oct. 9, 2005) -- So much for the Dallas Cowboys following their season-long script of playing conservatively and trying to win late. Coach Bill Parcells unleashed his team from the start and they stomped the Philadelphia Eagles.

Drew Bledsoe led the suddenly risky Cowboys to two early touchdowns and scores on six of their first seven drives, and the defense shut down Donovan McNabb and the league's top offense in a stunning 33-10 victory Sunday.

"You play like that, you've got a chance to beat anybody," coach Bill Parcells said.

Dallas (3-2) had lost nine of 10 to Philadelphia and spent the first month of this season using a ball-control approach, resulting in every game being decided in the final minutes. Parcells hinted to expect more of the same -- and the Eagles apparently fell for it.

Sucking in the defense with play action, Bledsoe hit Terry Glenn for completions of 18, 16 and 15 yards within the game's first four snaps. The last one put the Cowboys up 7-0. Minutes later, Bledsoe and Glenn connected on a 39-yard touchdown that made it 14-0.

After not scoring a point in the first quarter all season, Dallas was up 17-0 before Philadelphia (3-2) even had a first down.

It was 27-3 at halftime and 30-3 after the Cowboys' first drive of the third quarter, making for the kind of one-sided game typical of this series the last five years, except with the twist of Dallas sticking it to Philly.

"What happened in years past doesn't matter," McNabb said. "This is a much better Dallas team. But we feel like we're still the best team in the NFC. We weren't able to get things going. We have to learn from it and move on."

Parcells was ready to shake up things because the Cowboys are facing a now-or-never stretch: two straight, three of four and five of seven at Texas Stadium. They'd already lost at home to division rival Washington and couldn't afford to lose again with the New York Giants coming in next week, then their final three NFC East games on the road.

Bledsoe finished 24 of 35 for 289 yards, three touchdowns and wasn't sacked. He joked that "if we hadn't run those two quarterback sneaks, I wouldn't have been hit all day."

Glenn had seven catches for 118 yards. Julius Jones ran for 72 yards, but didn't play the second half because of an ankle injury. Rookie Tyson Thompson gained 75 yards in his place.

"A win like this shows what we can be when we get out of our own way," said Bledsoe, who blamed turnovers and penalties for preventing better offensive showings earlier.

Although the Eagles overcame an 18-point deficit the previous week, McNabb and Terrell Owens didn't have it in them again.

The NFL's top offense was held to 129 yards and the league-best passing attack put up only 110. Philadelphia's offense failed to score a touchdown for the first time in 13 games.

McNabb, playing with injuries to his abdomen, chest and groin, was 13 of 26 for 131 yards and four sacks. Owens had five catches for 50 yards and failed to score, preventing any celebrations on the Texas Stadium star logo.

Eagles coach Andy Reid figures he has a lot to work on going into the bye week.

"You could pick out anything and we probably didn't do it well," Reid said.

Philadelphia's only touchdown came on an 80-yard fumble return late in the third quarter that made it 30-10. Rather than spark a late rally, all it produced was a heated sideline exchange between Keyshawn Johnson and Bledsoe. Both later said it was over as quickly as it happened.

The aggressiveness Dallas showed on the opening drive continued throughout the first half.

The Cowboys went for it twice on fourth-and-1 during their second drive. The second one didn't work, but the Eagles took over at their 2 and the defense kept them there. Bledsoe got the ball back at Philadelphia's 39 and immediately hit Glenn for their second TD.

Dallas' most surprising call came on fourth-and-1 from the 12 after the Eagles made it 17-3. Bledsoe threw to fullback Lousaka Polite for the first time all season -- and he took it into the end zone.

The Eagles had only 18 yards in the first quarter and 80 at halftime. McNabb was so frustrated that after a sack he spiked the ball, then sent his helmet flying once he reached the sideline.

Was this the best Dallas has played in Parcells' 37-game tenure? "I think so," he said.

Notes: The Cowboys were without linebacker Dat Nguyen (neck). ... Philadelphia CB Lito Sheppard was picked on often, but got a bit of revenge by causing Johnson's fumble. ... Philadelphia DT Sam Rayburn sprained a knee ligament and TE L.J. Smith sprained his left ankle.

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

NFL felons can wear white collars

By KEN WILLIS
MY TWO CENTS

You probably never heard of Bob Buczkowski during his three-year NFL career in the late 1980s.

If you heard of him in the years since, lay low, because you don't want to make this witness list.

Breaking a long, long pattern of crime news involving current and former NFL players, Buczkowski should probably be congratulated. He's been arrested for something other than assault, battery, assaultand battery, first-degree murder, manslaughter, or the way-too-common domestic abuse.

Domestic abuse? No way. In fact, Bob and his girlfriend, Amy Schifano, got along so well, they've been charged by Pennsylvania authorities with operating a prostitution ring that dabbled in drug sales -- hey, get a gun license, and we're talking one-stop shopping.

According to a wire report Friday, Bob and Amy generated nearly $1 million in business over past couple of years, which is certainly more than he made in his uninspiringNFL layover. The couple reportedly attracted business through ads in a weekly entertainment newspaper, and I know what you're thinking: If you're running a veritable Handy Way for hookers and happy dust, you probably shouldn't advertise in the trades.

Bob should be congratulated for debunking the myth that all football defendants are violent.

PICK-N-ROLL

Today's game in Tuscaloosa will give strong clues as to whether UF can indeed win 11 or 12 games this year, or whether Urban Meyer will need a refresher course on how to shake the opposing coach's hand and pretend he's not sick to his stomach -- break out the Pepto . . . 'Bama by 4 (when I'm wrong and you call to remind me, ask for Earl on the back dock -- he gave me the tip).Elsewhere, FSU rather easily over Syracuse; Miami by just 6 over South Florida; B-CC handles Joe Morgan State; UCF makes it two straight at La.-Lafayette; Southern Cow by just 30 over Arizona State; LSU by 6 over Mississippi State; Tennessee beats Can't Miss by 12; Michigan State over Michigan with a late safety; Auburn over Spurrier; Southern Utah handles McNeese State; Notre Dame by 3 over Purdue; and this year's national champs over West Virginia by 9 points and two post-game fires.

AND SO ON . . .

All the previous LPGA commissioners had an excuse. With precious few exceptions, the tour hasn't had a glut of media darlings to help build its brand.

But now that Michelle Wie has officially turned pro, joining other teenagers Morgan Pressel and Paula Creamer on the national stage -- and several marketable twenty-somethings -- new commish Carolyn Vesper Bivens has horses to ride. Whether golf fans want to line the rail and watch them run remains to be seen.

· Wondering why you can't find Sterling Marlin this weekend? Must be that camouflage car he's sportin' at Talladega. It's all part of a marketing campaign (SURPRISE!) by Coors, which is introducing a camouflage can to certain markets.

In yet another shock, Coors thought it might go over big in Central Alabama. So Talladega is one of two tracks (another shock: Texas is the other) where Sterling will don the camo paint scheme on his car. Convince the ol' boys in the infield that the cops can't see a camouflage can, and you'll sell a billion of 'em.

2005-09-16T08:03:00.000-07:00

Four Jets to visit hurricane-affected area

NEW YORK (Sept. 14, 2005) -- Four New York Jets players are headed to Baton Rouge, La., to visit evacuees, volunteers and workers involved in the relief efforts following Hurricane Katrina.

Center Kevin Mawae, defensive end/linebacker John Abraham, fullback Jerald Sowell and safety Oliver Celestin will board a private aircraft lent to them from Mr. and Mrs. Emily Congel.

The four players will visit shelters in the North Baton Rouge and Donaldsonville areas, and then will spend time with some rescue workers and volunteers during their stay.

All of the players, with the exception of Abraham, have strong local ties to the storm-ravaged area: Mawae, a native of Leesville, La., makes his offseason home in Baton Rouge, the town where he graduated from Louisiana State University. Sowell, from Baker, La., graduated from Tulane University, while Celestin and his family are also from on the west bank of New Orleans. His family has been displaced due to the damage from Hurricane Katrina and relocated to the New York area through the support of his Jets teammates and the organization.

On Sept. 17, Mawae and his wife, Traci, have organized a food drive for the victims of the storm, beginning at 10 a.m. ET at St. Paul's School in Garden City, N.Y.. Non-perishable food items, water, toiletries, general hygiene products and baby items, such as diapers and wipes, will be collected for distribution to the Gulf Coast region. Clothing will not be accepted as donation.

© 2005, NFL Enterprises LLC.

2005-09-06T09:25:00.000-07:00

Culpepper glad to shed weight of NFL lineman

By David Whitley
THE ORLANDO SENTINEL

TAMPA - A police officer pulled over Brad Culpepper's car a while back and couldn't believe what he found inside.

Was it really Brad Culpepper?

"Are you the football player?" the cop asked.

It was, only he didn't exactly match the picture of the guy on the drivers license. Forget the faulty headlight, should the cop arrest somebody for stealing about one-third of Culpepper's body?

Wherever it went, a lot of other ex-football players would be smart to follow.

Most people remember the former Leon player as Warren Sapp's sidekick on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' defensive line. He was 280 pounds of beef and bravado.

These days, he operates out of an eighth-floor office with a great view of Tampa. Culpepper is a lawyer for Morgan & Morgan, the ubiquitous personal injury law firm. Clients see the old magazine covers and action photos on the wall, and say that can't be the same chiseled guy in front of them.

"They're astonished," Culpepper said.

He retired from the NFL four years ago, then retired 80 pounds in eight months. Culpepper didn't get sick. He got smart.

"It's not how much money you make," he said. "It's who lives the longest."

That realization slowly is hitting his previous profession. The death of San Francisco lineman Thomas Herrion three weeks ago fired up the obesity debate.

Are football players super-sizing themselves to death? A certain smooth-faced attorney has become Exhibit A in the debate.

The 36-year-old Culpepper spent almost a decade gorging his way through the NFL. He didn't want to. He had to in order to keep up with the inflating bodies around him.

The same ones that statistics show are liable to develop heart disease, diabetes and be dead before they turn 53. While the players are burying themselves in Big Macs, the NFL is burying its head in the sand.

At all levels of football these days, bigger is better. The NFL acknowledges there's a hugeness issue but says it needs more study. The league's medical expert was even on ESPN last week saying we need to define "obesity."

How about when a guy looks like he just ate Orson Welles?

"These are grown men. If they want to retire and weigh 400 pounds, that's their choice," Culpepper said. "Roll over and be dead. But I think it's sad."

Fifteen years ago, 39 players on NFL rosters exceeded 300 pounds. At the start of training camps this year, there were 552.

There have always been behemoths, but even football players aren't naturally designed to weigh as much as the average Subaru. That usually leads to one assumption.

There are steroids in the tank.

"I dabbled a little bit in college," said Culpepper, who graduated from Florida in 1992. "But by me saying that, I swear to God, I never did it in the NFL. You can't."

It's not that players wouldn't because some obviously do. But Culpepper said the NFL's policy dissuades most players from trying to juice up.

Testing personnel used to knock on his door at 6 a.m. to collect a sample. It always would come back negative for steroids. If there were penalties for cholesterol levels, however, Culpepper would have been kicked out of the league.

His daily regimen was big breakfast, midmorning snack, lunch, midafternoon snack, home for dinner. Then before bed, "I'd run for the border," he said. A few tacos or a Wendy's double would serve as a nightcap. Culpepper was lucky to play in a Tony Dungy defense, which stressed quickness over size. That changed when he went to the Chicago Bears, who had Friday night weigh-ins.

"They thought you might be too light if you were playing a big team," Culpepper said.

He was supposed to be at least 275. He missed it once and had to sit out. Incensed, Culpepper started showing up at weigh-ins with a couple of 5-pound weights hidden in his underwear.

"I had to wear a T-shirt to hide the bulge in my pants," he said.

Culpepper played the last 10 games of the season, all of them without the weights in his jockstrap. Then he retired, never intending to become two-thirds the man he used to be.

The first 30 or so pounds just evaporated. Then he started running and eating a more healthy diet. Before he knew it, he was under 200 pounds, his waist size had gone from 42 to 33, and he was running a marathon.

The downside is Culpepper had to toss out two full wardrobes. The upside is he no longer needs two Excedrin PMs to sleep at night, his arthritic left knee doesn't constantly ache and he enjoys that forgotten feeling of actually being hungry.

Oh yeah, he should also live long enough to at least see his three kids graduate from college.

Herrion never will. There's no indication what killed him,, but he was listed at 315 pounds and probably weighed at least 15 pounds more.

The issue only is going to grow because it hardly starts in the NFL. Teenagers hardly can get recruited to college nowadays unless they weigh 280 pounds.

"Maybe it's totally unrelated to the size issue, but I wouldn't be surprised if somebody dropped dead in the middle of a game," Culpepper said. "Especially with the heat. Your heart can only pump so much stuff."

Even if nobody drops dead, you don't have to be Jenny Craig to know obesity leads to long-term problems. The NFL should at least educate the players on the risks.

"They're still convincing guys that they're fit at 340 pounds," Culpepper said.

They think they're just running for the border.

In reality, they're running for the coroner.

2005-08-30T07:33:00.000-07:00

Roosevelt's football team banking on unity, offense

Ground-oriented Riders also have returning star quarterback Nick Sharp to drive the offense.

JASON GALLESKE

Playoffs or bust.

Roosevelt High School's football team has qualified for the postseason just twice, but that's the team's goal this season.

"We will do it this year, no question," offensive lineman John Pugh said. "Team unity can take you farther than pure talent."

That's not to say Roosevelt is talent-starved. The Roughriders do have some coming back - most notably in quarterback Nick Sharp.

Last year, Sharp shattered a number of Roosevelt single-season records. He completed 122 of 245 passes for 1,563 yards and 17 touchdowns - all records.

He also has the school record for most yards in a game (218), most touchdown passes in a game (five), most attempts in a career (164) and most completions in a career (337).

"We expect Nick to be the best quarterback in the state," Roosevelt coach Joe Hornback said. "By that we mean to expect Nick to help us win games. That's what we expect him to do. I have never felt more comfortable with a quarterback under center than Nick."

Roosevelt has had its share of success in the past. The Roughriders have notched four undefeated seasons (1926, '35, '54 and '58) and also had the No. 1 pick in the NFL draft when 1954 graduate Randy Duncan was picked by the Green Bay Packers in 1959. Roosevelt has an all-time record of 355-286 since its first season in 1923.

"We want our kids to know that there is a long program of tradition here," Hornback said. "Unless you embrace that tradition, you don't know it. You have to take advantage of the tradition that we have."

The Roughriders return a dozen starters from a year ago - six on offense and six on defense, including Shayne Shade, who has a school-record eight career sacks.

2005-08-24T08:43:00.000-07:00

Hughes News & Views: Rose football does balancing act with Colts

My parents used to tell me it's nice to share.Apparently the Rose-Hulman's football team agrees.At least the team doesn't complain about having to share its facilities with the NFL's Indianapolis Colts during the first several days of its preseason training camp every year.This year was no exception. Ready to begin practices last Sunday, Rose alternated between using the institute's soccer and intramural fields during the week while the Colts utilized the Cook Stadium practice fields until they broke camp Friday."It's definitely a balancing act," Rose-Hulman Coach Ted Karras Jr. said of the unique situation last week. "But now we get to move into our new lockerroom." - NFL Football -
That lockerroom, which contains 90 large-sized lockers, opened this summer for the Colts and Rose athletic teams to use."It is a pro-style lockerroom," noted Karras, whose father Ted Sr. played pro football for the Pittsburgh Steelers, Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions and Los Angeles Rams in the late 1950s and part of the 1960s. "It is definitely a top-notch lockerroom for any level of football."Turning his attention to the NCAA Division III Engineers, Karras said his players showed up for camp in better shape than last year."That's one thing I am pleased about," noted Karras, beginning his third season at the helm. "But we are still a young football team. Fifty-six of our [80] players are freshmen or sophomores."One of those freshmen is Bedford-North Lawrence graduate Paul Spreen, an outside linebacker who should make an impact immediately. - NFL Football -
Among the veteran players expected to shine are junior quarterback Cameron Hummel, senior running back Charlie Key and junior safety/punter Brett Bueltel (a preseason All-American selection in Street & Smith's College Football Preview), although Karras did mention that "all positions are up for competition at this stage of the game.""Everybody's pretty upbeat," Karras added. "There's great intensity Š but we have a ways to go."Rose-Hulman, which finished 4-6 overall and 1-5 in the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference in 2004, will open its 2005 campaign Sept. 3 at Earlham College in Richmond.The Engineers' homecoming contest is scheduled for Oct. 1 against - oh, wonderful - Trinity again.All games will be broadcast on radio station WMHD-FM 90.7. - NFL Football -
This will be Rose's final football season in the SCAC. The institute announced earlier this year that it will join the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference, beginning with the 2006-07 academic year. - NFL Football -

Tribune-Star

2005-08-15T08:54:00.000-07:00

Rookies get feel for pace of NFL

NEW ORLEANS — Jammal Brown felt the jitters in his first NFL exhibition game."The first drive, you are still a little nervous. But football is football, it's just a little faster," said Brown, a rookie offensive tackle for the New Orleans Saints.The first-round pick out of Oklahoma played 21/2 quarters in the 34-15 loss to the Seattle Seahawks, teaming with both starters and reserves Friday night in the Superdome. - NFL Football -
He was called for illegal formation halfway through the first quarter when he lined up too far back."Besides the penalty, he did some good things," coach Jim Haslett said. "I have to look at the film, but I think he did a pretty good job."
Brown, 6 feet 6, 313 pounds, impressed his coach with his downfield blocking power. On one play in third quarter he drove Seattle linebacker LeRoy Hill toward the sideline 10 yards off the play."Back at Oklahoma, that's what everybody knew me for," Brown said. "I'm going to drive them until they hit the ground."The rookies found out quickly that the transition from the college game isn't as seamless as they would have hoped. - NFL Football -
"It was a fast-paced game," said safety Josh Bullocks, a second-round pick. "You've got to be patient."He committed one of several rookie gaffes. Defensive end Jimmy Verdon was called for a holding penalty in the red zone in the third quarter. Bullocks missed a tackle that led to a touchdown.
"Safeties can't miss tackles," Haslett said. "He's a young kid, he needs to keep working on that."After trailing 24-3 at the half, the Saints limited the Seahawks' reserves to a field goal in the third quarter.Sixth-round selection Jason Jefferson, a defensive tackle from Wisconsin, was a non-factor. - NFL Football -
"As rookies, we can't be a weak link," Bullocks said. "We can't play like rookies."Bullocks played both safety positions and was all over the place. On a third-and-1 late in the third quarter, he stuffed Seahawks quarterback Seneca Wallace on a rollout. Bullocks finished with three tackles.
Despite lining up behind a guard instead of the center on one play, fifth-round pick Adrian McPherson energized a scattered, silent crowd with several big-gain scrambles. The fourth-string quarterback completed 3 of 7 passes for 28 yards and rushed for 25 yards on four carries.

The Associated Press

2005-08-09T08:37:00.000-07:00

Hawks Kicker Always Knew Strong Leg Was His Ticket To NFL

CHENEY, Wash. -- Josh Brown grew up on a cattle farm and played eight-man high school football in tiny Foyil, Okla. Even then, Brown knew his powerful right leg could take him places.
"I knew it was my way out," Brown said Sunday between workouts at Seahawks training camp. "No one had even been to college in my family. - NFL Football -
"I thought, 'This is a good chance to get out and see the world, experience different things that no one in my family had ever done."' - NFL Football -
Brown starred at Oklahoma, then took over the kicking duties in Seattle after being selected in the seventh round of the 2003 NFL draft.
He converted 22 of 30 field goals and all 48 of his extra-point tries as a rookie, then set a team record last season by hitting 92 percent of his field goals.
So is Brown surprised at his success so far? "Without sounding arrogant -- no," he says with a smile. - NFL Football -
Kickers are known for their quirky personalities, and coach Mike Holmgren said Brown is no exception. - NFL Football -
"He's right in there with the great quirks I've ever seen," Holmgren joked. "But he's a very talented young guy, and he really has developed into a fine kicker."
Brown was an outstanding running back, free safety, kick returner and punt returner in high school -- not to mention a solid basketball player and 6-foot-8 high jumper. But he knew his future was as a kicker.
"I wasn't a fool," he said. "I'm realistic. I knew where my meal ticket was."
He's also more than willing to verbally spar with teammates who joke about the merits of being "only" a kicker. - NFL Football -
"I'm not worried about them doing it, but there's a lot of people on this team who are good men who understand the game. As much as they want to tease me, they understand my role," he said. - NFL Football -
The Seahawks make their preseason debut Friday at New Orleans. Holmgren said Sunday that starting running back Shaun Alexander and backup Maurice Morris, who are nursing hamstring injuries, may not play.

The Associated Press.

2005-07-25T10:59:00.000-07:00

Truth and Rumours

So does first-round pick Cedric Benson, who now is the only unsigned player of the Bears' six draft picks. With an extra week of training camp and an extra exhibition game, expect negotiations -- classified as amicable and professional -- to last as long as another week.--Chicago Tribune - NFL Football -

Thomas Jones didn't mind carrying the football in the 100-degree heat at Sunday's first Bears training camp practice at Olivet Nazarene University in Bourbonnais. He hopes he keeps getting the football, and it certainly won't hurt his cause if first-round draft pick Cedric Benson continues to hold out.--Daily Southtown - NFL Football -

The Lions have resumed their courtship of cornerback Ty Law. Law, a free agent released by New England in February after 10 seasons and three Super Bowl championships, will meet with the Lions' management and coaching staff today.--Detroit News - NFL Football -

Terrell Owens and Corey Simon may not be there, but the rest of their Philadelphia Eagles teammates definitely will be, along with many thousands of their fans and their expectations.--The Express-Times - NFL Football -

Wide receiver Braylon Edwards, safety Brodney Pool and quarterback Charlie Frye were unsigned as of late Sunday night. Sixth-round pick Andrew Hoffman, a defensive tackle from Virginia, also was unsigned. --Akron Beacon Journal - NFL Football -

Ricky Williams did not speak with the media camped across the street from the Dolphins' facility when he arrived in his blue sport utility vehicle Sunday. He did indicate to staffers that he would talk today during a late-morning news conference. The certainty of that news conference is tenuous, however, because coach Nick Saban had not approved it as of Sunday afternoon. Williams will be eligible to participate in all of Miami's preseason practices and games but must sit out the first four games of the regular season while serving an NFL suspension for violating the league substance abuse policy. Under that policy, Williams must submit to random drug tests throughout training camp and the season. He is expected to undergo his first drug test by this afternoon. --Miami Herald - NFL Football -

Marquee free agent signing David Terrell has brought a good attitude, but he looked like a plodder next to the rest of the Pats receivers at minicamp. Tom Brady will probably do everything he can to build a rhythm with his former Michigan teammate at camp.--Boston Herald - NFL Football -

The top three wide receivers on the Cardinals' depth chart are the main and maybe only reason people are excited about the offense. Anquan Boldin, Larry Fitzgerald and Bryant Johnson are young, have great size and have good to great hands. But are they essentially the same type of player? That's not a bad thing, but in a three-receiver offense, you need your go-to guy (Boldin), possession receiver (Fitzgerald) and a deep threat. Johnson, who reportedly ran 4.57 seconds in the 40-yard dash entering the 2003 draft, has yet to show that he can fill that spot in the offense. --Arizona Republic - NFL Football -

Individually, Chad Johnson has reached the NFL's summit with three straight 1,000-yard seasons and two straight Pro Bowl trips. Now his sights are set on the Mount Everest of daytime television -- "The Oprah Winfrey Show." "I've been watching her all my life. My mom watches her. My grandma watches her. What she's accomplished, there aren't even words for it. That's what I'm trying to do, but in my own way. She networks real well. I don't have that network ability, so I need that networking person who can help me out in whatever way possible because I don't get that here. All I get here is football. So Oprah, call me."--Dayton Daily News

2005-07-18T09:05:00.000-07:00

Auburn champions at Times-Journal

Though it's not likely to mean much to them, we here at the Times-Journal are officially naming the Auburn Tigers our College Football National Champions for the 2004 season.There's not a trophy and it's the first and probably last time we will bestow such an honor, but it's just too hard to watch this team blaze a 13-0 record through the SEC and wind up without a National Championship of some kind. - NFL Football -
There has been a lot written about the various and sundry travesties manifested on the fine young men from Auburn this season.They have beaten every opponent placed in front of them, four Top 10 teams, Tennessee twice, Virginia Tech, LSU and Georgia.
This team has won with heart and class as much as offense and defense.Still they have watched as USC and Oklahoma reaped the accolades and marched to the "National Championship" game last night in Miami, which quickly turned into USC beating the dog out of Oklahoma.Auburn is a team filled with players who were not household names coming into the season.It is a team that lost two of their biggest stars to the NFL draft and a team that most thought would take a step back this season.Surprise. - NFL Football -
The addition of a round offensive coordinator from the West Coast added to an experienced offense proved to be a lethal combination for the poor opponents that found themselves facing the Tigers. - NFL Football -
The Tigers have proven themselves time and again to be both a great football team and a team of great people.At the least, the Tigers deserved the chance to prove themselves worthy against the Mighty Trojans of USC.At the end of the day, whether they get the shiny glass trophy or not, the 13-0 Tigers are undefeated and champions of the SEC.They gave everything they had this season and left nothing on the field, like champions. - NFL Football -

Times-Journal

2005-07-11T13:54:00.000-07:00

Bettis wins football writers' Good Guy Award

NEW YORK -- Steelers running back Jerome Bettis and Carolina linebacker Mark Fields are among the winners of the Pro Football Writers Awards, announced today.
Bettis won the inaugural Good Guy Award, given to a league or club official for his cooperation with pro football writers. Fields, who returned to the NFL after battling cancer, won the George Halas Award. It's given to a player who performed despite injury or personal problems off the field.
Fields will miss the upcoming season with a recurrence of Hodgkin's disease. Sidelined in 2003 when the Panthers made the Super Bowl, he returned last season and made the Pro Bowl for the second time. He had 60 tackles, four sacks, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery and one interception.
Atlanta Falcons general manager Rich McKay won the Horrigan Award, which goes to a league or club official for his or her professionalism while helping football writers do their job.
The Philadelphia Eagles' public relations department won the Pete Rozelle Award for its excellence.
Reporter Jerry Green of the Detroit News won the McCann Award for his long and distinguished service.

The Associated Press

2005-07-06T08:15:00.000-07:00

NFL border football push gaining steam
Backers enlist advisory firm to draft plan

While San Antonio's NBA Spurs have captured the attention of much of South Texas -- if not a more global audience -- during their latest championship run, an effort to bring the NFL to Texas' border region has gone mostly unnoticed.
But those pushing hardest for a plan that would have Texas and Mexico share an NFL franchise have quietly continued their march and may have picked up some important momentum.
In November, the Business Journal first reported that McHenry T. Tichenor, former CEO of the Hispanic Broadcasting Corp. (which later merged with Univision), had teamed up with business leaders in the Rio Grande Valley region in an effort to attract an NFL team.
While such a plan may seem far-fetched to many -- especially since San Antonio has so far failed to make any headway on the NFL front -- not everyone is convinced the pursuit is a lost cause.
Former Minnesota Vikings owner Red McCombs, along with top officials with the San Antonio Spurs, are among those who have been alerted that Tichenor and Valley officials are working on an NFL plan.
McCombs, who has been San Antonio's biggest cheerleader when it comes to the NFL, attempted to acquire an expansion franchise in the early 1990s. He was shocked when the league elected to go to Charlotte, N.C., and Jacksonville, Fla., instead.
So could an NFL team wind up in the Valley instead of San Antonio?
"I hope not," McCombs says. "But who knows?"
International appeal
Al Boyle, a representative for South Carolina-based Tichenor & Associates, says momentum for the border NFL project is indeed building. He says the plan would include the construction of a new stadium somewhere between South Padre Island and McAllen, near the Mexico border.
"By concept and by design," Boyle says, "Mexicans can feel the stadium is theirs as equally as (Texans) can."
Tichenor has enlisted the assistance of Conventions, Sports & Leisure (CSL) International to help develop a plan to take to the NFL.

W. Scott Bailey

2005-06-29T10:29:00.000-07:00

Patriot games at W&M

WILLIAMSBURG -- What a year it's been for New England quarterback Tom Brady.

In February, he became just the third quarterback in National Football League history to lead his team to three Super Bowl championships.

He rubbed elbows with Pres ident George W. Bush at the White House back in April, and earlier this month he hosted “Saturday Night Live.”
Not bad for a guy who sits behind San Francisco Giants slugger Barry Bonds and Hall of Fame wideout Lynn Swann as his high school's most famous alumnus.

The 27-year-old quarterback took center stage this week in Williamsburg as the headliner during the 12th annual Colonial All-Pro Football camp held at William & Mary.

Nearly 400 campers, the most ever to attend, packed the Joe Montgomery Family Practice facility Sunday evening to get an up-close and personal view of the two-time Super Bowl Most Valuable Player.

“How many times do you get a chance to catch a pass from a Super Bowl MVP,” W&M coach Jimmye Laycock asked. “It's neat to get the amount of kids out here playing football, which is fun, and teach them the fundamentals of the game.”

Brady worked out with the campers for about two hours, giving advice and pointers to campers in all positions. “I used to go to these camps,” he said. “I can definitely look back and remember great times I had.”

Brady said he attended several football camps in the San Francisco area as a teenager, which provided a strong foundation for him to grow as a football player.

“Camps were fun, but they were also about learning,” he said. “I had a great teacher that showed me how to throw the football. I also learned the importance of setting goals and striving to reach them.”

Brady's learning curve has been a fast one. He played three years at the University of Michigan before he was selected in the sixth round of the 2000 draft by the New England Patriots.

The following year, Brady was pressed into action when Drew Bledsoe was injured in the first game.

Brady seized the moment, starting the final 14 games en route to the Patriots first Super Bowl championships.

He's hoisted the Vince Lombardi trophy two more times over the last two seasons, transforming the Patriots into the NFL's latest dynasty.

Regardless of the continued notoriety, Brady remains humble. He is a big supporter of the Starlight Children's Foundation and works with several charities in the Boston area.

Brady said he works a couple of football camps a year, talking to kids about the importance of hard work and perseverance.

“I think these kids look at professional athletes and [assume] we just kind of woke up one day and rolled out of bed and you win all those games,” he said. “It doesn't work like that. I told the story about how I got to this point and that it's a tough battle, but that's what makes this job fun.”

By John Harvey
The Virginia Gazette

NFL Football Players Picture

2005-06-22T08:50:00.000-07:00

NFL Football Players Picture
Primetime football changes for 2006

When the 2006 NFL season commences, it will mark the first time that Monday Night Football will not be part of the ABC lineup since its debut in the fall of 1970. The marquee event will instead be moved to fellow Disney- owned ESPN.
The cable channel’s senior vice president of programming, John Wildhack, said, “It’s the premier sports franchise that there is in this country. And for us to be the home for that franchise for the next eight years is a tremendous milestone for ESPN.”
Losing an estimated $150 million a year probably made the decision easier for ABC execs to swallow. But according to an ABC spokesperson, “There is one more year left on the contract and even though it will be a very emotional time, the people involved will treat this year in a very professional manner.”
The spokesman continued that once the decision had been made and ABC execs had made their statements regarding the NFL’s selection, there was nothing more to be said.

However you view it, the current 35-year run is the longest of any “sports” prime-time television program in the history of the tube. Only “60 Minutes”, CBS' prime-time news show that began on Sept. 24, 1968, and “Meet the Press,” a non-prime time show that incredibly was an NBC original on November 6, 1947, and ABC’s own non-primer, “Wide World of Sports” (April, 1961) have longer shelf lives.
Monday Night Football was the creation of ABC’s tycoon style producer, Roone Arledge, who had the foresight and chutzpah to mix sports and entertainment together.
Many firsts can be attributed to MNF since its inception on Sept. 21, 1970, when the Cleveland Browns defeated the New York Jets in Cleveland 31-21. It introduced us to a sophisticated and powerful graphics package and more importantly established what we have come to know as the “color analyst.”
When MNF made its inaugural ABC appearance, CBS’s Monday night lineup included “Mayberry R.F.D.”, “The Doris Day Show”, and “The Carol Burnett Show” while NBC countered with “Monday Night at the Movies.”
And what was life like in 1970? “Tricky Dick” and Spiro were ruling the country, inflation was at 6.5 percent, the cost for a first class stamp was 6 cents, and a gallon of gasoline set the consumer back 36 cents.
When ESPN takes over the Monday Night Football package next season, it will have 17 regular season telecasts and an ESPN pre-game show live from each site that will highlight Sunday’s action and preview the Monday night game.
Perhaps another welcomed change is that the games will be moved up to a new starting time, 8:30 p.m., with the kickoff to follow ten minutes later.
With the move to Monday Night Football, ESPN relinquishes its Sunday night and Thursday night packages, allowing NBC to jump into the football frenzy for the first time in seven seasons. According to NBC Sports President Ken Schanzer, “It’s a huge move. When we were out of football, we always made it clear that we wanted to remain in football, the only issue separating us from it was the price. Now we were able to find a deal with package and price that made eminent sense to us.”
NBC’s agreement calls for 17 regular season games -- 16 on Sunday night, the most watched night by viewers, and a Thursday night season opener -- two playoff games on Wild Card Weekend, three prime-time pre-season games, and the rights to the Super Bowl and Pro Bowl for 2009 and 2012.
Mike McCarley, vice president of communications and marketing for NBC, said, “They (NFL) came to us with a flexible scheduling idea. Sunday night was the one night that made sense for us.” Plans are for the network to begin with a 7 p.m. pre-game show followed by an 8:15 kickoff.
Another plus for NBC is that no one, including ESPN, will be able to air any NFL highlights until midnight or after on Sunday. “So people will be tuning into NBC for highlights,” said McCarley.
To ensure the best games, whichever network (CBS or FOX) has the Sunday doubleheader game, they will be able to protect only one of those games. That protection announcement will come some two weeks prior giving NBC the choice of the second best game for Sunday night. The flexible scheduling will also allow for more compelling and competitive games over the final seven or eight weeks of the season.
When analyzing the 2006 packages, Schanzer said that he knows what the CBS and FOX packages are, but that some confusion still exists over the prime time packages (ESPN and NBC). With NFL teams restricted to four prime time appearances per season, the premier teams (Patriots, Eagles, Steelers, etc.) would surface on Monday night, say three times, and once more on Sunday. That was the way it was in the past, but in 2006 that will now be reversed.
Schanzer continued, “What happened here was that the NFL decided to move what had been the Monday Night package to Sunday night meaning that the premier package will now be on Sunday night.”
ESPN’s Wildhack’s response was, “Monday Night Football is the definition of appointment viewing and now that brand is married with ESPN’s multi-media offering of MNF.” Besides the regular ESPN telecast, the game will be aired on ESPN HD, ESPN Deportes, and ESPN Mobile, which will be made available by the end of this year.
Earlier, I had asked both Schanzer and Wildhack if there had been any movement towards assembling announcer teams. In both cases, the answer was no. But that issue became somewhat clear when NBC announced in mid-June that it had signed 69-year-old John Madden to a six-year deal beginning in 2006. The network was mum on whether it would pursue his partner, Al Michaels. Madden has now hit for the cycle, having worked for all four major networks.
Upon his signing, Dick Ebersol, chairman of NBC Universal Sports and Olympics, was quoted as saying, “We’re just positively giddy to have John Madden join NBC.” I think others would have a somewhat different opinion.
But this announcement also helps clear up the ESPN package as well, either it will be the Sunday night crew of Mike Patrick, Paul Maguire, and Joe Theismann or something completely different. Wildhack, however did say, “No decisions have been made on talent, but we operate from a position of strength with our studio teams and game crew.”
ESPN’s deal is for two more years than NBC’s, culminating in 2006 and ending in 2013. The deal is reported to be for 8 years and $1.1 billion. NBC’s contract calls for six and $600 million.
Prior to the most recent announcements, the NFL re-upped with both CBS -- six years and $622 million and Fox -- six years and $712 million.
Anyway you slice it, the NFL will be well fed for the balance of this decade and beyond. The deals call for more than $440 million a year.

By Doug Kennedy For PittsburghLIVE