Nfl Football - Football Betting

2005-11-07T12:18:00.000-08:00

Banged-up Steelers lose Parker in win at Green Bay

GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) -- Troy Polamalu called himself an accidental hero.--football gambling--

His 77-yard touchdown return of Brett Favre's fumble set the stage for Pittsburgh's 20-10 win over the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, when both teams turned to their stingy defenses to bail out their injury-ravaged offenses. --football gambling--

"I thought our defense played outstanding," said Favre, whose streak of 27 straight home games with a touchdown pass came to an end. "We have to help them out."Green Bay held the Steelers without a single third-down conversion, allowed just two field goals and a 20-yard TD drive. --football gambling--

Not bad, but not as good as Pittsburgh.--football gambling--The Steelers forced three turnovers that they turned into 17 points, including Polamalu's score on a play in which Favre was kicking himself for not just going to his hot read right away and settling for a field goal instead of trying to buy enough time for Walt Williams to get open for a touchdown.--football gambling--

Polamalu was kicking himself, too -- but only for a split second.--football gambling--"I missed the sack, which is pretty disappointing," Polamalu said. "Bryant McFadden made a great play. And fortunately enough, he had the sack and the fumble. I just saw the ball lying there and picked it up ran."--football gambling--

The Steelers (6-2) became the first team since the 1989-90 San Francisco 49ers and the fourth team overall to win 11 straight road games. And they did it without quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (knee) and running back Jerome Bettis (thigh), who were joined on the sideline in the second half by starting tailback Willie Parker, who turned his left ankle.--football gambling--

Duce Staley, who replaced Bettis and had his first carries since the AFC championship in January, ran for 76 yards and a touchdown on 15 carries.--football gambling--

The Packers fell to 1-7 at the halfway point for the first time since 1986 under Forrest Gregg.They've been in every game until the closing minutes and have actually outscored their opponents 168-159 -- a first for an NFL team that lost seven of its first eight.--football gambling--

"If we were getting stomped and crushed every time we played somebody, it probably would be hard to be optimistic," linebacker Nick Barnett said. "But we're right there. We're a play away, an inch away. And it is frustrating that we're not getting that inch or we're not getting that play."Polamalu's TD return came in the first half, when Green Bay trailed 6-3 and was about to forge ahead thanks to his 33-yard pass interference penalty that put the Packers on the Pittsburgh 3.Consecutive false starts backed up the Packers to the 12, when they went to an empty backfield on third-and-goal.--football gambling--

Big mistake.McFadden came on a cornerback blitz and wrapped up Favre for an 11-yard sack, spinning him to the ground and forcing the ball to pop out. Polamalu scooped it up and rumbled 77 yards for the big swing.--football gambling--

"You can put that one on me, that was my call," Packers coach Mike Sherman said.McFadden wasn't just satisfied with his first NFL sack on the play. He also provided the block on speedy tight end Donald Lee that allowed Polamalu to reach the end zone, something Pittsburgh's offense failed to do until it got the short field thanks to Tyrone Carter's interception in the fourth quarter.--football gambling--

Carter grabbed his fourth career interception when the ball bounced off Donald Driver and into his hands at the Packers' 20 with 8:11 left and Pittsburgh clinging to a 13-10 lead.--football gambling--

Four plays later, Staley slipped a backfield tackle by Barnett and trotted in from 3 yards out."I'm going to put it on my shoulders," Driver said. "If I make that catch we win the game."Steelers backup quarterback Charlie Batch made his first start since Dec. 2, 2001, when he was with Detroit. He completed 9 of 16 passes for 65 yards and one interception.-football gambling-

Pittsburgh settled for short field goals by Jeff Reed to take a 6-0 lead, which Ryan Longwell cut in half with a 40-yarder that made him the first Green Bay player to score 1,000 points in his career.--football gambling--

Longwell, however, was wide right from 31 yards after a promising 18-play drive by Green Bay that ate up 9½ minutes but stalled at the 13.--football gambling--

The Packers finally punched it in when Samkon Gado scored his first career touchdown from a yard out with 7:26 left in the third quarter, cutting Pittsburgh's lead to 13-10. --football gambling--

"I know I can play at this level, but I'm not happy with the way I got my chance, said Gado, whose 62 yards on 26 carries were a season high for the Packers.--football gambling--Game notesThe Packers were down to their fifth-string running back after Tony Fisher (fractured rib) was deactivated and ReShard Lee fumbled away on his second carry Sunday. ... WR Hines Ward caught just one pass, leaving him three shy of passing John Stallworth (536) for most in Steelers history.--football gambling--

2005-11-02T08:18:00.000-08:00

The Bills Can't Win In The Trenches
Paul Hamilton - Wednesday, November 2, 2005 - 12:52 AM

As I left Gillette stadium Monday morning I was in the elevator with seven or eight New England writers. They were laughing and in amazement. Why? They couldn't understand how the Patriots were 1-for-7 on 3rd down, had the ball for just under 21 minutes, gave up a 136 yard rusher and a 125 yard receiver still won the game. The answer, they were playing a bad football team. A team that has gone quite a ways backwards instead of forward in just one season. I have defended a lot of Tom Donahoe's decisions over the years, but I just can't any more. There is no excuse for this and the man at the top must be held responsible. The offensive and defensive lines are a shambles. They let Pat Williams go without a suitable replacement. Ron Edwards was average and Tim Anderson and Justin Bannan are average back-ups at best. Lauvale Sape does not even belong in the NFL, yet there he is playing football and committing penalties on Sunday Night Football. Sam Adams has plain and simply stunk this year. He was finally benched in New England. After he was benched last year, he turned into an All Pro. It's too bad he doesn't have enough pride in himself to play well without a kick in the pants. London Fletcher has been operating all season with offensive linemen on him. That points to Adams and the defensive tackles. -NFL Football-

As far as the offensive line goes, Donahoe couldn't stand an independent thinker and a man that spoke the truth in his lockerroom. Ross Tucker couldn't be controlled so he was released. Bennie Anderson is a complete bust. He's adequate on the run, but he's going to get Kelly Holcomb or J.P. Losman killed one of these Sunday's. Tucker was twice the football player Anderson is and Tucker is just an average offensive lineman. Jason Peters got his first NFL start at RT Sunday Night and seemed to play well. With two weeks to heel, Mike Williams should be able to return. Mike Gandy has been average at best at LT. During these two weeks I would move Peters to LT and move Gandy to LG sending Anderson to the bench. It can't be any worse than what we've seen. -NFL Football-

For 3.5 quarters in New England I saw the Mike Mularkey offense that I liked and admired last season. Willis McGahee was running well, Holcomb was throwing well, the play calling was superb. With 7:50 left in the game the Bills held a 16-7 lead. That's when Corey Dillon made it 16-14. Josh Reed gets the kickoff out to the 29. McGahee runs it to the 32 and then Anderson whiffs on Roosevelt Colvin. Holcomb gets hammered, fumbles and the Pats take the lead two plays later. -NFL Football-

Buffalo's still in it and then the play calling that has gone so well all game falls apart on 4th down at the New England 40. It's 4th-and-8 and Mularkey calls a play to Roscoe Parrish who's playing in his second NFL game. Holcomb says Parrish was doubled and it would've been a sure interception so he dumped it off to Eric Moulds hoping he'd break a tackle. He didn't, it went down as no gain and the game was over. What???? Maybe send Moulds into the double coverage and throw it anyway. Let your highest paid receiver go up and try to make a play on the ball. Let Parrish, who's elusive be the outlet guy. It was another example of the Bills coaching staff trying to proof how clever they are. I guess they were thinking that New England will expect a pass to Moulds or Lee Evans so lets trick them. It worked like a lead balloon. Parrish was double covered. -NFL Football-

The Bills are now 3-and-5 and are 1.5 behind the Pats. If the Colts walk into Foxborough and win next Monday, the Bills will trail by one. Let's say that's great, but let's also be realistic and look at the games left. Kansas City comes to Orchard Park before a trip to San Diego. Carolina, New England and Denver still have to come to Wilson Stadium while the Bills travel to Cincinnati. That doesn't look like a schedule that will allow a bad football team win the AFC East. -NFL Football-

2005-10-29T18:44:00.000-07:00

Carswell upgraded to serious condition

NFL.com wire reports

DENVER (Oct. 28, 2005) -- Denver Broncos offensive lineman Dwayne Carswell was upgraded to serious condition, a day after having his spleen removed and undergoing other surgery after a five-car traffic accident on his way to practice. -NFL Football-

"He's doing better, a lot better," coach Mike Shanahan said. "They think he will be able to sit up soon. He's still in the intensive care unit, but they're hoping he can be out of there by tomorrow." -NFL Football-

A team spokesman said Carswell had tubes removed and was breathing without assistance. -NFL Football-

"We feel good about his progress, which is a great sign," Shanahan said. "It's going to take some time to recover ... because a lot of those organs were pushed up very high in his body." -NFL Football-

Aurora police issued a summons to Marquita Brister, 22, for investigation of careless driving. Police spokesman Anthony Guzman said investigators believe she triggered the crash by making an abrupt lane change. Brister was treated and released from the hospital shortly after the accident. -NFL Football-

Carswell, a 12-year veteran, suffered multiple rib fractures, a ruptured diaphragm, ruptured spleen and other internal injuries. -NFL Football-

Guzman said Carswell was in one of three cars traveling south on Parker Road -- a busy, eight-lane thoroughfare that passes close to Broncos headquarters in suburban Denver -- when two northbound cars collided and veered into the southbound lanes. -NFL Football-

Both doors and much of the front and rear fenders on the driver's side of Carswell's car, a 1994 Chevrolet sedan, were torn off and crumpled. -NFL Football-

2005-10-20T18:19:00.000-07:00

'I'm still the starting quarterback'
Smith says no reason for concern with Rattay gone
SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) --- nfl ---
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-- Alex Smith says the San Francisco 49ers have no reason to be concerned at quarterback now that veteran Tim Rattay has been traded.
The 49ers practiced Wednesday for the first time without Rattay, the team's former starting quarterback who was traded Tuesday to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after losing his starting job to Smith two weeks ago.--- nfl ---
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Rattay's departure leaves the 49ers with three quarterbacks who have a combined total of just eight NFL starts. Second-year veteran Cody Pickett, 25, is the oldest of that group. Ken Dorsey is 24 and Smith is 21.--- nfl ---
"Being so young, let people talk about us," Smith said. "We know what we're going to do and we know what we have to do. We're going to enjoy the challenge and we're going to get it done."--- nfl ---
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Smith, the No. 1 overall pick in the NFL draft this year, took over as the starter Oct. 9 against the Indianapolis Colts. Rattay started San Francisco's first four games this season after beating out Smith in training camp, but the sixth-year veteran struggled after leading the 49ers to a win over St. Louis in the season opener.--- nfl ---
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Smith threw four interceptions and committed five turnovers against the Colts in his starting debut. The only other San Francisco quarterback with starting experience is Dorsey, a third-year veteran who started seven games last year when Rattay was injured.--- nfl ---
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Coach Mike Nolan said he was reluctant to trade Rattay because of the safety net he provided the young quarterbacks, but ultimately decided the 49ers could get by this season with them learning on the job.--- nfl ---
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"That's the way it is," Nolan said. "It's where we're at and what we're working with. We know the situation. We didn't draft Alex to sit on the bench. We drafted him to play, and the only way he's going to get maturity and grow and learn the things is to play. So that's what we're doing with him."--- nfl ---
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Smith and Kyle Orton of the Chicago Bears are the only rookie quarterbacks currently starting in the league. Smith has been groomed for the starting role since he was drafted. He began training camp ahead of Rattay on the depth chart and started San Francisco's first two preseason games.--- nfl ---
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But the rookie played poorly in those games and Nolan announced Rattay would be the starter. Smith leaned on Rattay for advice and knowledge, but said he doesn't feel any more pressure now that the veteran no longer is around for support.--- nfl ---
"I'm still the starting quarterback, just like I was [before Tuesday's trade]," Smith said. "It was made clear to me before that, barring injury, I was going to be the guy the rest of the season. I was going to get all the [repetitions]. But it will definitely be different now. There will be three of us and obviously we're all pretty young."--- nfl ---
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Smith's backups will have to catch up fast. Dorsey has taken only a limited amount of practice snaps since the season began. Pickett hasn't taken a snap at quarterback since midway through the exhibition season. Both are eager to be moving up in the pecking order.--- nfl ---
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"[The trade] definitely took me by surprise, but it kind of motivates you to go out and work even that much harder because now the coaches have put their trust in you to do a job," Dorsey said. "Because now I'm that much closer to having to be in the game. They entrusted me in a job, and I intend to do that job to the best of my ability."--- nfl ---
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Dorsey was 1-6 as a starter last year during San Francisco's 2-14 season. He was in and out of the lineup as Rattay suffered five injuries in 2004, three of which required surgery.--- nfl ---
Dorsey completed 54 percent of his 226 passes last year for 1,231 yards and six touchdowns with nine interceptions. His 62.4 quarterback rating ranked last in the NFC among all players who qualified for those rankings.--- nfl ---
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"I'm excited about the position I'm in," Dorsey said. "It provides an opportunity for me to be the second-string guy now on a team that I love to play for. That's an exciting opportunity for me. I'm excited for Tim and the new opportunity that he has, and we're just going to move on here from where we're at."--- nfl ---

Copyright 2005 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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2005-10-10T14:46:00.000-07:00

Starting WRs Engram, Jackson out for Seattle

KIRKLAND, Wash. (Oct. 7, 2005) -- Seattle Seahawks coach Mike Holmgren said that injured wide receivers Bobby Engram and Darrell Jackson will not play at St. Louis in Week 5.

"Darrell had to go for a second opinion, so he's in Florida," Holmgren said. "And Bobby, he was getting treatment today and he can't move very well." - NFL Football -

Neither is expected to travel to St. Louis.

Holmgren said Joe Jurevicius and D.J. Hackett would start.

Engram cracked two ribs on the first play of Seattle's 20-17 overtime loss at Washington on Oct. 2. Engram had nine catches for 106 yards for the Seahawks (2-2), but did not play after the third quarter. - NFL Football -

Jackson has a bone bruise in his right knee that was aggravated against Washington. Jackson caught a 6-yard touchdown with 1:23 left that tied the score at 17. - NFL Football -

Holmgren said Jackson was getting the second opinion to make sure doctors in Florida were seeing the same injury as team physicians.

"It's pretty typical now that guys do that," Holmgren said. "He just wants to make sure that guy down there sees the same thing we're seeing." - NFL Football -

Jackson is third in the NFL with 29 receptions and Engram is tied for fourth with 27.

Jurevicius, signed as a free agent in the offseason, has seven catches for 103 yards and two TDs. Hackett will be making his first NFL start.

"I think they have had a good week of practice and they have functioned well," Holmgren said. "I don't see any reason to change too much." - NFL Football -

2005-09-26T10:29:00.000-07:00

Several Defensive Stars on NFL Injury List

By The Associated Press

Takeo Spikes hurt his right Achilles in the Buffalo Bills' 24-16 loss to the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, an injury that could end the Pro Bowl linebacker's season if the tendon is torn.

Coach Mike Mularkey wouldn't speculate on the extent of the injury, saying he'll know more Monday.

"He's the pulse," safety Troy Vincent said of the eight-year veteran and two-time Pro Bowl selection. "I don't know how bad it is, but it could be devastating."

Spikes was hurt in the second quarter while pressuring Atlanta quarterback Michael Vick deep in the Falcons' end.

He lay on the field face-down for a few minutes, then rolled over and slammed his helmet to the ground. After being helped to the sideline, Spikes appeared in tears as he was taken away on a cart. Angelo Crowell replaced him for the remainder of the game.

The Bills defense was already banged up: linebacker London Fletcher is nursing a hamstring injury, and safety Lawyer Milloy is playing with a protective cast on his right thumb.

Falcons CB DeAngelo Hall hurt his shoulder when he tackled Willis McGahee for no gain on the final play of the first quarter.

New England Patriots safety Rodney Harrison, the NFL's career leader for sacks by a defensive back, injured his left leg in the win over Pittsburgh and was taken off the field on a stretcher. With the Steelers driving midway through the first quarter, Pittsburgh wide receiver Cedrick Wilson was taken down from behind, causing him to roll into Harrison's path and take out the safety's left leg.

Harrison was driven to team bus on a cart after the game.

The injury was the second of the day for a New England defense that went in without two of its top three cornerbacks, Tyrone Poole (ankle) and Randall Gay (ankle). Cornerback Duane Starks injured a wrist on the Steelers' first play from scrimmage. Tackle Matt Light had a cast on his right leg after the game.

In Seattle, Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner injured his right groin while scrambling during the second quarter. Seahawks starting cornerback Andre Dyson also left the game after becoming sick in the first quarter.

Facing a third-and-9 at the Seattle 32 with 3:56 left in the first half, Warner was pressured and ran to his left. After throwing across his body, Warner began limping back toward the center of the field before going down and grabbing his right leg. He was replaced by Josh McCown on Arizona's next possession.

Arizona also lost nose tackle Russell Davis (biceps), linebacker Eric Johnson (left hamstring), and cornerbacks David Macklin (left hamstring) and Antrel Rolle (left knee) to injuries in the second half.

The New York Jets lost both starting quarterback Chad Pennington and his backup, Jay Fiedler, to shoulder injuries in an overtime loss to Jacksonville. Although Pennington returned when Fiedler went down, he was clearly hurting; each is scheduled to undergo an MRI on Monday.

Pennington, who had offseason surgery to repair a torn rotator cuff in the same shoulder, was sacked on consecutive plays during the Jets' first series of the second half. Neither Pennington nor coach Herman Edwards wanted to speculate on the severity of the latest injury, but the quarterback said his shoulder felt "similar to last year."

Fiedler came in and led the Jets' next drive. But he was hit while completing a 16-yard pass — his sixth play in place of Pennington. Fiedler jogged off the field and into the locker room.

"I knew I wasn't going to be able to throw a football," Fiedler said.

Jets offensive tackle Jason Fabini left the game in the fourth quarter with an injured right knee and will have an MRI; linebacker Eric Barton has a sprained ankle. For the Jaguars, offensive tackle Maurice Williams sprained his right knee in overtime and right guard Chris Naeole also sprained his left knee, but coach Jack Del Rio said neither was serious.

Philadelphia Eagles ' kicker David Akers, who hurt his right hamstring in last week's win against San Francisco, appeared to reinjure the muscle during the opening kickoff against visiting Oakland. He later returned to make the game-winning field goal.

Akers came up limping after his first kickoff attempt, but a penalty was called and Philadelphia was forced to kick again. After the second attempt, he fell down and was helped off the field.

But another penalty was called, and third-string tight end Mike Bartrum was forced to kick off. The Eagles later used linebacker Mark Simoneau to try an extra point; his first attempt was blocked.

Akers returned to the game, however, to make a 23-yard field goal with 9 seconds left to lift the Eagles to a 23-20 victory.

"You know it's going to hurt for one second and then the game is over," said Akers, a two-time Pro Bowl kicker. "My whole leg hurts right now."

In St. Louis, Rams running back Steven Jackson missed the start of the second half with a rib injury; X-rays indicated no breaks. Jackson was back on the sideline and in uniform midway through the third quarter, but he didn't return.

The Rams were also without wide receiver Isaac Bruce, who sustained a turf toe injury near the end of the half.

Vikings defensive end Lance Johnstone left Minnesota's game against visiting New Orleans with a sprained shoulder, and cornerback Brian Williams did not return after spraining his knee in the second quarter. Minnesota was already playing without three injured starters: wide receiver Nate Burleson (sprained left knee), linebacker E.J. Henderson (sprained right ankle) and free safety Darren Sharper (sprained left knee).

The Bears lost tight end Desmond Clark to a neck strain in the first half of a home loss to Cincinnati.

In Miami, linebacker Junior Seau hurt his calf in the second half, and safety Tebucky Jones hurt his hamstring in the second quarter.

Copyright © 2005 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

2005-09-16T08:50:00.000-07:00

DISH Network adds NFL Network to lineup

(Sept. 12, 2005) -- EchoStar Communications Corporation (NASDAQ: DISH) and NFL Network announced the DISH Network satellite TV service now offers NFL Network as part of the America's Top 120 programming package.

NFL Network is the first year-round channel dedicated to coverage of the National Football League and the sport of football.

NFL Network is now located on DISH Network Ch. 154 and offers the most unique access to the NFL on television. With a camera at each of the 32 team facilities, viewers of NFL Network get closer to the NFL experience than ever before.

"NFL Network complements DISH Network's powerful lineup of sports programming," said Eric Sahl, senior vice president of Programming for DISH Network. "The addition of NFL Network on DISH Network provides customers with access to more football and player information."

With the network's exclusive access into key league events, football fans will have access to more than 1,500 hours of programming on NFL Network.

"Adding DISH Network to our list of distributors is like adding Tom Brady or Michael Vick to your football team," said Adam Shaw, NFL Network's senior vice president of distribution. "This was a key missing piece of the NFL Network team and we are thrilled DISH Network is on our roster."

NFL Network is available to customers who subscribe to America's Top 120 programming package ($42.99 per month) or above. Customers can subscribe to DISH Network by going to www.DISHNetwork.com, calling 1-800-333-DISH (3474) or visiting a local DISH Network retailer.

2005-09-06T08:40:00.000-07:00

US: Molson Coors to renew NFL sponsorhip

Molson Coors is to renew its sponsorship of the National Football League (NFL) in the US, it was reported yesterday.

The Sports Business Journal, citing unidentified sources, reported that the North American brewer had signed a new five-year deal.

NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy has confirmed the deal. Both of Molson Coor’s major rivals Anheuser-Busch and Miller were thought to have been interested in the deal.

Coors' is the current sponsor of the NFL. The four-year deal was worth US$240m. It expires and the end of this season.

2005-08-30T09:48:00.000-07:00

Pats' drive for three overshadowed by Herrion's death, Owen's antics

This should be a glorious year for the NFL.
So far, it's been anything but.

The death of San Francisco's Thomas Herrion after an exhibition game in Denver on Aug. 20 put football in perspective. That perspective was lacking for most of a preseason dominated by the squabble between Terrell Owens and the Philadelphia Eagles, a sideshow that took up so much attention it annoyed everyone from commissioner Paul Tagliabue to Peyton Manning and Ray Lewis. - College Football -

Then Herrion, a backup offensive lineman trying to make the 49ers, collapsed and died after that preseason game, a far more somber moment for theNFL than Owens' predictably erratic behavior.

What this season will likely be about is:

- The New England Patriots, perhaps the best constructed team in any sport, seeking to become the first team to win three straight Super Bowls.

- Glamorous stars in their prime: Manning, Tom Brady, Julius Peppers, LaDainian Tomlinson, Ed Reed, Donovan McNabb, Daunte Culpepper. - College Football -

- Veteran stars (Brett Favre, Lewis, Priest Holmes, Curtis Martin, Michael Strahan) and rising stars (Antonio Gates, Ben Roethlisberger, Jonathan Vilma).

- Key players coming off injuries or absences such as Titans QB Steve McNair, Jets QB Chad Pennington and Miami RB Ricky Williams. Or big names in new locales: Randy Moss in Oakland, Kurt Warner in Arizona and even 42-year-old Doug Flutie returning to New England.

- A league at the top of the srts world with a new multibillion dollar television contract already complete and, perhaps soon, an extension to the labor deal. That's in contrast to the problems of other leagues: steroids, strikes, declining television ratings. - College Football -

- The promise of intriguing rookies, ranging from San Francisco quarterback Alex Smith, the first player taken in last April's draft, all the way down to a fourth-rounder, Brandon Jacobs, a 260-pound running back for the New York Giants who has been brilliant in the preseason.

Still, all that has been almost totally ignored. Even the Patriots seem just an afterthought to a lot of media outlets, most prominently a certain cable sports network where it's all T.O. all the time - with daily up-to-the-minute reports on Owens, who has monopolized the airwaves since his heroic performance in the Super Bowl nearly helped the Eagles overcome the Patriots. He wants a new contract; he's criticizing McNabb, he's in camp, he's out of camp, he's defying his coaches ...

But New England's Richard Seymour, Pittsburgh's Hines Ward, San Diego's Gates, the New York Jets' John Abraham and Green Bay's Bubba Franks also were camp holdouts, and hardly anybody knew about it. - NFL Football -

Gates agreed to a six-year contract after he was put on an NFL suspension list by the Chargers, meaning he will miss the season opener - a screwup of major proportions by both the player or his agent and the team.

But always the spotlight got back to T.O.

"It has as much effect on the league as a summer firefly will be gone this September," Tagliabue says, perhaps in frustration with what has become the ultimate media circus.

Still, T.O. has overshadowed what has seemed to be overwhelming interest in the NFL in the preseason: 60,000 fans in Green Bay for a scrimmage between the Bills and the Packers; 18,000 more in Foxborough for an evening workout by the Patriots (and yes, the Red Sox were playing that night); a capacity 4,000 fans in the stadium in Mankato, Minn., for Vikings scrimmages; an average of 1,300 for Bills scrimmages in Rochester, N.Y.; 7,000 fans in Thousand Oaks, Calif., on the opening day of Dallas' camp there. - NFL Football -

"There are soldiers fighting in Iraq right now that love the game of football," Lewis said. "They don't want to turn the TV on every day and listen to the Philadelphia Eagles and Terrell Owens' saga. We're covering the Philadelphia Eagles more than we're covering the New England Patriots and they're the Super Bowl champions."

Indeed they are, with a team that apart from Brady and Seymour seems able to plug in interchangeable parts and win. If they do it again, they become the first to win four Super Bowls in five seasons.

They won't talk about it, of course. Coach Bill Belichick won't allow it, to the point that the most innocent allusion to three straight by Brady early in camp was excised from the transcript of his chat with reporters. - NFL Football -

Nor will it be easy.

In the offseason, the Patriots lost both coordinators to head coaching jobs: Charlie Weis (offense) to Notre Dame, Romeo Crennel (defense) to the Cleveland Browns. That's the normal reward/penalty for winning, and it leaves a void.

"It's not the same camp without Charlie yelling at us," jokes wide receiver Deion Branch, the MVP of last February's 24-21 Super Bowl win over the Eagles.

But replacing them may not be a joke. The offensive game planning has been taken over by a four- or five-man group headed by Belichick, a defensive specialist, and including Brady, who could be one of the few QBs of the modern era to call his own plays.

More important could be the absence of linebacker Tedy Bruschi, who suffered a mild stroke shortly after the Super Bowl and has decided to sit out the season. His loss was compounded when Ted Johnson, the other inside linebacker, retired after a series of concussions.

For now, that leaves a key component of the 3-4 defense in the hands of journeyman Monte Beisel and 35-year-old injury-prone former Pro Bowler Chad Brown, who has played outside most of his career. - NFL Football -

Challengers to the Pats?

Buffalo and the New York Jets could be contenders in the AFC East, although the Bills will go at quarterback with J.P. Losman, who threw all of five passes as a rookie last season. Jets QB Pennington is coming back from rotator cuff surgery on his throwing arm.

Pittsburgh was 15-1 last season, but lost at home to the Patriots in the conference title game.

The Steelers won't win 15 again as teams try to exploit some of the inexperience Roethlisberger showed in the playoffs after going 13-0 in the regular season. Baltimore, with Lewis seemingly revived in the return to a 4-3 defense, should challenge the Steelers in the North, and Cincinnati is improving slowly. - NFL Football -

Indianapolis, with Peyton Manning coming off a record 49 touchdown passes, is the heavy favorite in the South, but Dwight Freeney is the only impact player on a defense that suffers because most of the team's money has gone to offense. The other problem is beating the Patriots, The Colts, who play indoors, have been knocked out of the playoffs in Foxborough the last two seasons and have lost six straight to New England and 10 of 12 since Manning has been the quarterback.

San Diego, a surprise 12-4 last season, probably won't do that again in an improved AFC West, where Oakland has added Randy Moss from Minnesota, which tired of his antics. The Chargers also will be without Gates for the first game because they suspended him and reported it to the league a day before he ended his holdout. - NFL Football -

The NFC once again seems to have far fewer good teams.

The Eagles are the class of the NFC despite the Owens saga: his holdout, his exile from camp after an argument with coach Andy Reid, and his silent return. But look for Carolina and Peppers, which reached the Super Bowl two seasons ago, to rebound from a spate of injuries to compete with Michael Vick and Atlanta in the South.

Minnesota looks like the class of the North, with Green Bay and Favre fading and Detroit rising. The Vikings might, in fact, benefit by the trade that shipped Moss to Oakland - addition by subtraction, especially in chemistry. - NFL Football -

The West, won by Seattle at 9-7 last season, again looks like a fight among the average: the Seahawks, St. Louis and an improved Arizona, with San Francisco at the bottom.

In fact, the bottom is where the three new coaches are - that's why they got their jobs.

The 49ers, with Mike Nolan taking over, will start a rebuilding job. The Browns now have Crennel, who has been cleaning house, and Miami hired former LSU coach Nick Saban and welcomed back Williams, who sat out last season and will have to sit out the first four games this year for a drug suspension.

Still, this is the NFL and one key injury can change every prediction.

Except the fact that T.O. will do something to grab attention again.

"We take it day to day," Eagles safety Brian Dawkins acknowledged the day the cantankerous receiver returned to practice. Who knows what will happen any time - now, next week, before Game 5?" - NFL Football -

"I just wish the best for him, that he can somehow get it together and understand life," says Deion Sanders, still working as a nickel back for Baltimore. "He's a good guy."

A lot of people might thing otherwise. Starting with Andy Reid.

©The Herald Standard 2005

2005-08-24T07:35:00.000-07:00

Mowins gets call to do college football play-by-play

Growing up in Syracuse, N.Y., Beth Mowins did make-believe TV calls for her three brothers' backyard games and was pulling cables for local TV sports shows while she was in junior high.
And she was impressed when Phyllis George popped up on CBS' NFL studio show in 1975: "That's when the seed was planted. I didn't know a lot about the politics of putting a woman on the air. I just saw one."
George, a former Miss America, never called games. But Mowins will become the second woman to regularly call football on national TV when she works Western Athletic Conference games this fall on ESPNU. (Pam Ward began calling college football on ESPN2 in 2000.)
On game coverage for any sport, analysts are usually former players or coaches. Mowins played basketball at Lafayette College but figured she "wasn't a good enough athlete to end up as analyst" and saw "an opportunity in play-by-play announcing — not a lot of other women were doing it."
She called "everything" on local cable TV while a graduate student at Syracuse University 15 years ago, then went on to call Big East women's basketball on regional TV. Since 1994, she's called various sports for ESPN, including some men's basketball.
Now she sees herself as just another veteran slogging on: "Sometimes there's almost a rush to get women on the air. You have to pay your dues, just like Pam has done, and come up through the ranks just like any guy would. I don't believe in just putting a woman on the air."
And she figures fans won't fret over her gender: "I don't recall ever watching a game to hear announcers. So I don't think most fans care much one way or the other."
BCS:
A new Harris Interactive poll of 114 football notables, including Fox's TerryBradshaw, CBS' Boomer Esiason and NBC's Pat Haden, will collectively account for one-third of the Bowl Championship Series formula for ranking college teams.
Bradshaw says he isn't sure how he was picked but recalls his reaction — "How cool is that." He also says college football "is my life. I watch it from the Saturday morning ESPN pregame show until past midnight."
TV rookie:
Emmitt Smith, who retired last season as the NFL's all-time leading rusher, tests his TV prospects by appearing Mondays on the NFL Network.
Smith says TV work has been a goal for years and he'd eventually like to call games — "but I've got a lot to learn." He says he's ready to be candidly critical, suggesting players "shouldn't give me nothing to talk about. ... I've got to acknowledge bonehead situations."
People:
Lou Cerro was the football coach at Montour High School in McKees Rocks, Pa. Then the school was picked as the subject of an upcoming ESPN reality series whose producers installed Dick Butkus as coach and made Cerro his assistant. After several weeks of practice, Cerro says, "You don't even notice the cameras are there" and it "doesn't bother kids" to be miked up. Butkus, he says, is "very motivational," and the school has sold more than 1,000 season tickets — up 500% over last year. The team opens its season Friday. ...

Michael Hiestad
Sports Television

2005-08-15T10:30:00.000-07:00

NFL notebook: Turmoil surrounds Eagles, Steelers

PITTSBURGH — After two weeks of no-shows and sideshows, distractions and departures and wide receivers who don't show up or don't shut up, the Philadelphia Eagles and Pittsburgh Steelers finally play a game tonight that much of Pennsylvania preferred to see in February.
Just don't expect anything resembling playoff-style football from the Eagles, who play for the first time since losing to New England in the Super Bowl, or the Steelers, whose fourth loss in the AFC title game in a decade's time prevented an all-Keystone State Super Bowl.
The starters for teams that were a combined 28-4 last season will play about a quarter each in the exhibition — that is, those regulars that are around. Big names are missing on both sides, from chatty Terrell Owens and absentee defensive tackle Corey Simon of the Eagles to holdout Hines Ward and the injured Duce Staley and Joey Porter of the Steelers. - NFL Football -
Philadelphia's starting receivers will be Greg Lewis and rookie Reggie Brown, rather than Owens (tossed out of camp until Wednesday) or Todd Pinkston (season-ending injury). Pittsburgh will start Antwaan Randle El and Cedrick Wilson rather than 2004 starters Plaxico Burress (signed with Giants) and Ward. - NFL Football -
Neither Eagles coach Andy Reid nor Steelers coach Bill Cowher is willing to risk injury to a key player, especially with important personnel already missing. - NFL Football -
The Eagles' second units will start the second quarter and play into the third. Cowher will use his personnel similarly, with some starters — such as running back Jerome Bettis — likely going less than a quarter. - NFL Football -
Despite Ward's absence — he has a year left on his contract, but wants a new deal — Cowher said he doesn't expect any sustained problems on offense.
Pittsburgh veteran players appear to be supporting Ward. - NFL Football -
Bettis concluded a TV interview last week by shouting, "Free Hines Ward!" though he said he did so playfully.

The Associated Press and Chicago Tribune

2005-08-09T06:24:00.000-07:00

'Madden Football 2006' delivers best hit yet

If you're never sure which football video game to buy each year, rest assured: This year will be much easier. Unlike the past decade when there were two or three titles to choose from, this year, there's only one: Madden NFL 2006
Late last year, Electronic Arts, the maker of Madden NFL 2006, made its dominance official by buying exclusive rights to use the NFL teams, players, coaches and stadiums. That pretty much locked out all the competition, including the 2K series from Take-Two Interactive.
Suddenly, Madden NFL 2006 has become the only game in town. And already, it was the only choice for many football gamers. Over the past 15 years, it has become one of the most popular games ever made, selling 43 million copies. Even Microsoft bowed out of the football video game business, unable to compete with Madden.
What does all this business stuff have to do with the game? EA's exclusive rights have made fans of the Madden football series very nervous. They fear the lack of competition would let EA take a breather from pushing the football video game genre ahead and just slap the new player rosters in Madden NFL 2006.
That doesn't appear to have been the case, though, at least not this year. Madden NFL 2006 still behaves like a real contender by adding a number of meaningful features that give gamers even more control of the on-screen players.
The legions of fans of the series will immediately notice several changes not only to the actual on-the-field football game (which we'll get to shortly) but also in the experience that surrounds the game. Specifically, that's the 'NFL Superstar Mode' that's new this year in Madden NFL 2006.
In Superstar mode, you create an NFL star from the very beginning of his career. And that means the very beginning. It starts by choosing from randomly generated parents, such as a former NFL quarterback father and a botanist mom. You then follow the NFL career path that includes everything from taking an IQ test to choosing an agent and undergoing the draft.
Once you get drafted to a team, you navigate every area of your career. You can choose what kinds of tattoos to get, which skills to develop on the practice field and how to interact with fans through a site run about you by a rabid backer.
You get messages and voicemails from your agent, fans, fellow players and coaches on an on-screen cell phone, which keeps you in touch with your career. The better you perform, the swankier your pad gets. It's an interesting way to understand all aspects of a player's life. You can even angle for movie roles or be picked for the cover of Madden NFL 2007.
But the real changes show up where it counts: under the hood in the actual gameplay. Madden NFL 2006 introduces a number of new features that not only give players more control but also make the game more realistic.
Perhaps the biggest advance is the so-called Quarterback Vision Control. Think of this as your QB's line of vision. Those days of tossing a perfect pass to your right wide receiver while your QB is facing left are gone. Now, as soon as you snap the pigskin, you will see a grey triangle showing the area that your quarterback is ready to pass into. If your receiver is in the Quarterback Vision Control triangle, your pass' accuracy will be much better than if you're throwing outside the triangle.
You're probably wondering: What if you have a wide-open receiver who's not in the Quarterback Vision Control triangle? You'll need to adjust that vision immediately, much like a real quarterback swivels his head before releasing the ball. You can shift your Quarterback Vision Control triangle by using the analog stick.
In another advance that's especially helpful to you control freaks out there, Madden NFL 2006 introduces Precision Placement. With this control, you can decide exactly where you want the pass to go relative to the receiver. For instance, if your receiver cuts to the inside you can throw the pass slightly ahead. That way your receiver will reach the ball with his arms extended, leaving his hands further away from the reach of the befuddled defender.
With all this talk about the offense, you might be curious about the changes to the defense. Madden NFL 2005 was a breakthrough year for new features to control the "D." This year's Madden brings those back in addition to adding a few new twists, such as making it easier to take control of linemen before the snap. The game also brings back access to Madden online, which will match you with other players with similar skills.
All these new features, though, create a drawback as well. They give the gamer so much control and so many things to think about that there's a bit of a learning curve. You'll need to practice the new Quarterback Vision Control and Precision Placement over and over again before you get the hang of it. And some complete Madden neophytes may be intimidated by the controls until they've taken many snaps and practiced.
So, what are you waiting for? Get suited up and out on the field. If you can master all the new features in Madden NFL 2006, you may be headed for Detroit in February.

Matt Krantz, USA TODAY

2005-07-26T07:40:00.000-07:00

RAND: NFL can't catch a break…and doesn't want one

Is it just me, or did you miss the off-season, too?
As the Chiefs get ready to fly to River Falls on Wednesday, it seems like we went from the Super Bowl into free agency, into the draft, into mini-camps and off-season workouts and into training camp. Oh, there were probably a few dead weeks here and there but you had to be paying close attention to spot them. - NFL Football -
There are obvious reasons for this steady flow of pro football. The NFL wants to maximize off-season interest to keep fans paying attention and buying tickets. The coaches would much rather have their players on the practice field than be pretending to enjoy themselves on vacation while they worry because their players aren’t on the practice field. And the news media has a football-hungry public to feed. Considering that the alternatives include poker and bass fishing on ESPN, the media could do worse than provide saturation coverage about where Ty Law might land this season. - NFL Football -
The only people who’d like a longer off-season are the players. But as long as the salary cap keeps going up, they won’t object too loudly.
Now there’s nothing wrong with football 24/7. It’s not illegal, immoral or fattening. The only danger is if we start making too much of relatively meaningless developments.
The off-season’s still the off-season, no matter how much we see of it. And training camp is still training camp, no matter how much the players may be grunting and groaning. The pre-season’s still the exhibition season, even if the Chiefs go undefeated, or winless, for that matter. And the regular season is still all that really counts, even if it sometimes it seems like an all-too-brief interlude between off-seasons. - NFL Football -
Admittedly, each phase of the off-season becomes increasingly important. Training camp means more than the mini-camps and pre-season games mean more than training camp drills. But they’re all just appetizers.
It’s human nature to become fixated on what’s in front of us instead of down the road. So every rookie who gets rave reviews from the head coach in off-season workouts tends to get overrated. Most contract holdouts get way more attention than they deserve. And every big play in a pre-season game becomes a bigger highlight than it should be.
It’s also human nature to forget that 31 other teams have just as short an off-season as do the Chiefs. So all that extra work doesn’t help much unless Dick Vermeil and his staff are managing their time better than the opposition. - NFL Football -
Except for major injuries to key players, I can think of just a few instances where a team’s training camp or pre-season performance provided a strong clue to a regular-season finish. And even injuries can be misleading. Remember when everybody, except Vermeil, thought the Rams were toast after quarterback Trent Green went down in the summer of 1999? Then Kurt Warner led the Rams to the Super Bowl title. - NFL Football -
Oh, you’ll often hear coaches or players attribute a Super Bowl victory or a terrible meltdown to off-season developments the previous year. But that’s usually in hindsight. Except when the hub of an offense, like Ricky Williams, walks out just before training camp and sends his team into an unstoppable downward spiral.
The off-season is best tasted but not swallowed. There’s nothing wrong with going along for the ride from February until September. Just make sure that you don’t make too much of it.

Jonathan Rand

2005-07-18T07:23:00.000-07:00

Area youth learn fun of football

Not even a downpour of rain this weekend could ruin the 2005 Willie Brown NFL Pro Camp - organized by the Community Development Network and the Southwest Louisiana Youth Football Association - at DeRidder High School.
Children ages 6-18 filled the auditorium at DHS Friday to participate in a variety of camp events. Willie Brown, Director of Squad Development for the Oakland Raiders, and NFL players taught skills such as drill huddles, stance positions and offensive and defensive plays.With over 350 children in attendance, four age groups were established to create a smoother camp atmosphere, allowing each position to fully master the necessary skills to produce quality players.
"Kids are more energetic then they have ever been," four-time Pro Bowler Albert Lewis said. "They have more things to do and more needs to fill. One of the viable ways to do that is through sports."Brown acted as Master of Ceremonies, teaching key plays to the children.
He has been enshrined in the Football Hall of Fame and holds the Super Bowl record for the longest interception with a 75-yard touchdown return in the Raiders 32-14 victory over the Minnesota Vikings in Super Bowl XI. Brown's goal for the camp was to teach children the importance of football and life skills."It is important to have these camps because it is not only just about football but we are teaching life skills," he said. "It is not just about teaching the X's and O's but about being smart, how to study, what you need to do in order to be a good citizen and a good human being."
Also stressing the message of education was ten-year veteran Andrew Glover, who believes the key to a prosperous life is to expand your mind and associate yourself with the right people."We want to give hope to a lot of these kids - at the camp - and to help them gravitate toward staying in school," he said. "What we want to impress upon them is staying away from drugs and associating themselves with the right people."During camp, the children got the opportunity to hear many of the pro players speak about their personal experiences as well as motivational speeches emphasizing character, self esteem, decisions and consequences."I want to take away more knowledge of the sport," 14-year-old Desiree Davis said. "I have enjoyed listening to the great speakers."Skies cleared up during the afternoon hours Friday allowing campers to participate in basic stretching exercises including jumping jacks, push-ups and sit-ups."Push-ups and sit-ups are lower impact exercises," Glover said. "They are safe and universal for kids. Stretching is underrated but very important in order to be flexible."Many of the older children are hoping to take the lessons learned during camp and incorporate them into the upcoming season."I am hoping to learn new football techniques, fundamentals and drills," Hunter Bardin, a junior quarterback at DHS said. "More importantly, I have learned never to give up."Those putting on the camp hope the children walk away with more than new football skills but life skills that will make them better citizens in today's society."Kids need to learn the importance of friendship, teamwork and brotherhood," Lewis said. "In life you do not win with players, you win with people."Brown knows the importance of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the children of Beauregard Parish and hopes that they take away skills they can use for a lifetime."I want the children to take away more knowledge about the game but know there is more to life that just playing sports," he said. "They have a purpose in life and hopefully they can find it at an early age and learn how to be respectable, understanding and appreciative."To help cap off the weekend, SLYFA sponsored a banquet at Grace Church in DeRidder to thank Coach Willie Brown and the NFL Players for holding the 2005 Willie Brown NFL Pro Camp and their service to the youth of Beauregard Parish.Saturday afternoon concluded with a meet-and-greet at Carver Elementary which included a silent auction and an autograph table where everyone got a chance to interact with the players.

JENNIFER DOWDEN

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

Seahawks Camp Begins July 29: Canadians Set To Battle For Spots

The Seattle Seahawks begin preparations for the 2005 season when they open training camp on Friday, July 29, at Eastern Washington University in Cheney. Canadians J.P. Darche (LS), Jerome Pathon (WR), Kerry Carter (RB) and Jesse Lumsden (RB) all hope to use the camp to prove they deserve roster spots and playing time. Lumsden faces the toughest competition. An undrafted free agent signee, the Burlington born former CIS star hopes to defy the odds and earn a roster spot on special teams. - NFL Football -
Ahead of Lumsden on depth chart at Runningback is Toronto's Kerry Carter, now entering his third season with the club as a kick returner and 3rd string back. Things are a little more secure for veterans Darche (5 seasons) and Pathon (7 seasons). The Seahawks have more Canadians in camp than any other NFL team. There are a total of 22 Canadians competing for roster spots this summer. Mike Holmgren, who enters his 14th season as an NFL head coach and his seventh as the Seahawks head coach, will oversee arrival of the players the week of July 25. The first practice of camp is set for Friday, July 29, at 8:45 a.m. - NFL Football -
All practice sessions are open to the public. Cheney, 15 miles west of Spokane, hosts the Seahawks for the 19th time, having provided living space and training quarters for the team's initial training camp in 1976. The Seahawks signed a three-year agreement with Eastern before the 2004 season to ensure the team's return through 2006. From 1976-85, the team traveled east of the Cascade mountain range for its summer camp before moving into its current home in Kirkland on a full-time basis. While training in Kirkland from 1986-1996, the Seahawks utilized the dormitories and cafeteria at the adjacent Northwest College. - NFL Football -
The team returns to its roots in Cheney and the first-class athletic facilities at Eastern Washington University for the eighth consecutive year. The annual team scrimmage this year will be held at Woodward Field on the Eastern Washington University campus on Saturday, August 6. The scrimmage time will be announced shortly and admission is free. A full day of fan activities will take place before the scrimmage, including a Gatorade Junior Football Camp for kids, fun & games at Touchdown City, and performances by the Sea Gals and Blue Thunder. The Seahawks break camp and return to Seattle on Saturday, August 20, following morning practice.

Slam Sports

2005-07-06T10:12:00.000-07:00

Legendary NFL coach Stram dies

Hall of Fame coach Hank Stram guided Kansas City Chiefs to victory in Super Bowl IV.

Hall of Fame coach Hank Stram, who took the Kansas City Chiefs to two Super Bowls and was known for his inventive game plans and exuberance on the sideline, died yesterday, his family said. He was 82.
Stram had been in declining health for several years and Dale Stram attributed his father's death to complications from diabetes. He died at St. Tammany Parish Hospital, near his home in Covington, across Lake Pontchartrain from New Orleans. He built a home there during his two-year stint as coach of the Saints and retired there.
"Pro football has lost one of its most innovative and creative coaches and one of its most innovative and creative personalities as well," Chiefs owner Lamar Hunt said in a telephone interview.
Stram was the Chiefs' first and winningest coach. He took over the expansion Dallas Texans of the upstart AFL in 1960 and coached them through 1974, moving with them to Kansas City where they were renamed the Chiefs in 1963.
The gregarious, stocky, blazer-wearing Stram carried a rolled up game plan in his hand as he paced the sideline. He led the Chiefs to AFL titles in 1962, '66 and '69 and to appearances in the first Super Bowl, a 35-10 loss to Green Bay, and the fourth, a 23-7 victory over Minnesota in 1970.
He had a 124-76-10 record with the Chiefs and in 17 seasons as a head coach was 131-97-10 in the regular season and 5-3 in the postseason.
Stram was credited with the two-tight end offense that provided an extra blocker.
He was the first coach to wear a microphone during a Super Bowl and Stram's sideline antics, captured by NFL Films, helped bring the league into the video age.
Stram later coached two seasons with the Saints and enjoyed a successful second career in CBS' television and "Monday Night Football" radio booths as an analyst.
Stram made his mark in the booth by consistently telling the audience what would happen before it did.
"I think they'll go deep here," he would tell his partner, Jack Buck.
"(John) Elway to throw," Buck would respond. "He's looking deep. He throws deep. Caught by Steve Sewell at the 11-yard line. You called that one, Coach."
"John just saw what I saw," Stram would say.
Stram was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2003. The then-80-year-old had to be pushed onto the stage in a wheelchair and his induction speech was videotaped.
In an interview that year, Stram said he would accept another coaching job in a minute.
"I've lived a charmed life," he said. "I married the only girl I ever loved and did the only job I ever loved."
Len Dawson, the Hall of Fame quarterback who played under Stram at Kansas City, also called him an innovator.
"He was responsible for doing a lot of the things in the '60s that teams are still using now," said Dawson, citing the moving pocket and the triple stack defense.
Hunt hired Stram, then an assistant at Miami of Florida, in 1959 after Oklahoma's Bud Wilkinson and then-Giants assistant Tom Landry turned down the team.
"He had never been a head coach before and you never know how that's going to work out," Hunt said. "In our case it worked out tremendously."

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

2005-06-29T14:50:00.000-07:00

'The Sporting News' honors Falcons' Dunn

Atlanta Falcons running back Warrick Dunn heads the list of sports' top "Good Guys."Athletes from major league baseball, the NFL, NBA and NASCAR were nominated by their teams or leagues.

The Sporting News named the winners on Monday. The magazine said the award honors athletes "who open their hearts as well as their wallets to serve the needy and unfortunate and improve their communities through compassion and generosity."

The Warrick Dunn Foundation and his Home for the Holidays program have assisted 52 single mothers and 135 children in Atlanta, Baton Rouge and Tampa. The program provides $5,000 toward the down payment on homes, then surprises the new owners with furniture and food.

Past winners of the award include Boston Red Sox right-hander Curt Schilling, New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter and ex-San Antonio Spurs center David Robinson.

The Sporting News also recognized Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner, Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Jim Thome and Miami Heat center Shaquille O'Neal as outstanding "Good Guys."

Staff and wire reports

Nfl Monday Night Football

2005-06-22T08:34:00.000-07:00

NFL Football
Foley native, fresh off ArenaBowl XIX victory, gets another chance at making an NFL team roster

Fresh off an ArenaBowl XIX title, Foley native Chris Watton was given another opportunity to make his dream of playing in the NFL a reality when the Tampa Bay Buccaneers signed him to a two-year free-agent contract last week.
"I'm just glad to get the opportunity," Watton said in a phone interview Thursday from Tampa.
"Every athlete wants to play at the highest level possible, and not everybody gets the opportunity. It's a dream everybody has, and it's something I'm very excited about."

Watton, a 1996 graduate of Foley High School, has struggled to find a home in the NFL since he first joined the league in 2000 as an undrafted free agent with the Arizona Cardinals. Tampa Bay is his fifth team in six years.
He was released by Arizona before training camp started, prompting him to spend the following season with the Scottish Claymores of the NFL Europe.
He was invited to camp with the Baltimore Ravens and the Green Bay Packers the two years after that, but was released prior to the start of the season in both instances.
From 2002-04 Watton was a member of the Denver Broncos' practice squad, and was invited back for a third year only to be released at the end of the preseason.
He then caught on with the Colorado Crush of the Arena Football League, whom he helped to the league championship last Sunday.
Watton said winning the ArenaBowl XIX title on June 12 was the highlight of his playing career. Watton's team, the Colorado Crush beat the Georgia Force 51-48 on a last-second field goal by Clay Rush. The game was played at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas.
"It was really exciting for me because I've never won anything," he said. "I didn't really know what to do with myself (after we won). I just stood there and tried to take in what going on, so that I'd remember it later on.
"Any time you win a championship, whether it's in high school or college or the NFL, you hold on to that and you remember your teammates. If you have a mediocre season, you're probably not going to remember it as much."
A 6-foot-3, 290-pound offensive lineman, Watton was notified of the Buccaneers' interest by his agent a day after winning the Arena League championship. He said he flew to Tampa on Tuesday, signed his contract and was able to participate in the team's minicamp on Wednesday.
"I'm not going to get any rest, and that's a good thing," Watton said. "I mean, we played a 19-game season, and now I've got to turn around and do minicamp. I didn't really break stride, which is good. I'm still in football shape."
Watton said he's come a long way as an athlete the last few years, and that his growing pains will likely be an asset as he tries to make the Buccaneers' 60-man roster later this summer.
"I come in with essentially four years of experience," said Watton. "I've played in games with the NFL Europe and in the Arena League, and I've been in (NFL) camps too. My knowledge of the game has improved tremendously over the years, and I'm going to use my past experiences as an advantage. I just need to learn the offense and give it my best effort."
Watton was a member of Foley's 11-1 area championship team in 1995 that reached the second round of the state playoffs. He played two years of college ball at Southwest Mississippi College before transferring to Baylor University for two years.
Watton, 27, currently lives in Denver with his wife, Emily, and their two children, Zoey and Gage.

By DEREK BELT Sports Reporter