Gambling Nfl Football - Nfl Football Odds

2005-11-07T13:54:00.000-08:00

Bollinger to start against Carolina; Chrebet, Baker placed on IR
Associated Press
Mon, Nov 7, 2005

HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. -- Jets quarterback Brooks Bollinger will start over ailing Vinny Testaverde against Carolina on Sunday after a strong performance in a loss to San Diego.--football gambling--
Books opened the Week 10 lines with the Jets set as 9-point underdogs for Sunday, the early total is set at 41. --football gambling--

In another setback for the Jets, wide receiver Wayne Chrebet (concussion) and tight end Chris Baker (broken ankle) were placed on injured reserve. Chrebet was undergoing more tests Monday after hitting his head hard on the turf in the closing minutes against the Chargers, and it appears his career could be over.--football gambling--

Bollinger replaced Testaverde late in the third quarter and sparked the Jets to a near comeback victory. He was 11-of-20 for 106 yards with two touchdown passes. With one final chance to win the game, his fourth-down pass to Justin McCareins was batted down and San Diego held on for a 31-26 victory. --football gambling--

Testaverde tweaked his strained right Achilles` tendon against the Chargers and is listed as questionable for this week`s game. --football gambling--He was injured against Atlanta two weeks ago. ``I liked what I saw and that was part of the process,`` coach Herman Edwards said Monday. ``If Vinny was going to struggle with his calf, the one thing we knew is Vinny`s not good coming off the bench, Brooks is. We`d have some energy coming off the bench with Brooks. And it worked out that way.``--football gambling--

Bollinger started one game this season, a 13-3 loss to Baltimore before Testaverde took over as the starter. As for Chrebet, Edwards didn`t want to speculate on the future of the dependable receiver. Chrebet has at least nine concussions in his college and pro career.--football gambling--

``It`s something Wayne`s going to have to determine with the doctors,`` Edwards said. ``He`s going to have to make a decision on what he wants to do. It`s always the player`s decision at the end of the day. The medical people can advise people. Wayne`s at the point of his career where he`s going to take a long hard look at what he wants to do.``--football gambling--

2005-11-02T09:14:00.000-08:00

Undecided Murphy waits for signs to the future

Popular veteran slotback still not sure if there's another year of football left


Matthew Sekeres
The Ottawa Citizen

Wednesday, November 02, 2005

Maybe it comes on the 24-hour drive home to Florida next week. -NFL Football-

Maybe it comes when the calendar flips over and Yo Murphy needs a New Year's resolution. -NFL Football-

Or maybe it comes in the waning minutes Saturday against the Toronto Argonauts. -NFL Football-

Any way you slice it, the Ottawa Renegades slotback says he is still waiting for a signal, having not yet decided whether he will retire from professional football at age 34. -NFL Football-

Yesterday, Murphy joked that the sign might come on Jan. 1, normally the day he starts training for the forthcoming season. If fairways and food beckon, it's over. -NFL Football-

"I will still lift (weights), but if I'm not coming back, I'm definitely not running," he said. "My resolution will be to get good at golf." -NFL Football-

Murphy was convinced that these circumstances last year -- one last home game, a meaningless one in the CFL playoff picture -- spelled the end. He had decided to retire before the season, and took time to savour the surroundings. -NFL Football-

But on a miserable day, as the clocked ticked down on a miserable loss to Hamilton in the season finale, Murphy noticed a few faithful fans remained at Frank Clair Stadium to send the Renegades into the winter with an ovation. -NFL Football-

Teammates had been lobbying for his return all year, then in January, Joe Paopao was retained as general manager/ head coach and the familiarity made for an easy contract negotiation. -NFL Football-

Murphy returned to catch 57 passes for 860 yards and a team-leading seven touchdowns this year, but the changes he had been noticing in 2004 persisted. -NFL Football-

"It takes me a whole lot to get ready for this game, that's the truth," he said, referencing the physical toll of nine professional seasons on an aging body. "And to have to get my mind right to play professional football ... I've had different crosses to bear." -NFL Football-

For more than two years now, NFL people have talked to him about scouting or coaching, a career path he still can't fully commit to. Murphy wants to live in Tampa, where he partners with members of the NFL Buccaneers in real-estate investments, and where he tends to his charitable foundation. -NFL Football-

That Murphy has so many post-career choices should come as no surprise. -NFL Football-

He has become the Renegades' conscience over two-plus seasons, respected in every corner of the organization, and able to relate to players of all ages, nationalities and races. Performance-wise, he has posted two straight productive campaigns and served as a security blanket for quarterback Kerry Joseph when the play breaks down. -NFL Football-

"I still have the passion to play. Last year, it ended with a bad taste, a bad taste that is still there," said Murphy. "I've decided I need everything in my head to get ready for this week ... my decision isn't about whether I can do it anymore, it's about how I feel." -NFL Football-

Notes: Defensive end Anthony Collier has been named CFL lineman-of-the-week for a second straight time. Collier had -NFL Football-

A sack and an interception in a loss to the Montreal Alouettes last weekend, while also recording three tackles. ... The Renegades will be reissuing season-ticket invoices today to replace invoices sent last week. Team president Lonie Glieberman said many contained mistakes stemming from a two-for-one promotion, so the club decided to reissue them all. ... Slotback Pat Woodcock (bruised ribs) could return this week after missing a game. Paopao said he was surprised Woodcock practised yesterday, and listed the Kanata native as questionable. Right tackle George Hudson (ankle) and receiver Jason Armstead (toe) did not practise but are expected to play. -NFL Football-

Palmer's Back: Ottawa's Jesse Palmer signs with Niners, page B7

2005-10-28T11:43:00.000-07:00

The truth hurts

By Reggie Rivers

Air Force Academy football coach Fisher DeBerry merely stated a fact, but his comments about black athletes were nonetheless controversial. Sometimes the truth hurts. -NFL Football-

While discussing his team's 48-10 loss to Texas Christian University last weekend, he said: "It's very obvious that they had a lot more Afro-American players than we did and they ran a lot faster than we did. It just seems to me to be that way, that Afro-American players can run very, very well. That doesn't mean that Caucasian kids and other descents can't run, but it's very obvious to me that they run extremely well." -NFL Football-

Anyone who watches Division I or NFL football knows that this is true. The fastest players on the field are almost always black. On the defense, which requires more athletic ability than offense, NFL rosters are almost entirely black. For example, John Lynch is the only white starter on the Denver defense, which means the Broncos have one more white defensive starter than most NFL franchises. -NFL Football-

So if DeBerry's statement is true to any casual observer, why is it also controversial? -NFL Football-

There are a couple of reasons. First, although it seems clear that DeBerry was not trying to insult the TCU players, making a comment about their natural athletic ability tends to discount their work ethic, discipline, teamwork, intellect and other characteristics. -NFL Football-

I see this play out from the opposite perspective when a minority says, "Well, of course he succeeded in business. He's a white male working in a system designed to reward white men." A statement like that might accurately describe the system, but it completely discounts the work ethic, sacrifice and intellect that that particular individual possessed, which allowed him to succeed. -NFL Football-

If the question is, "Coach, why did your team lose 48-10?" and the response is, "Well, they had a lot more Afro-American players than we did, and they ran a lot faster than we did," then that implies that the TCU players didn't work harder than the Air Force players. They didn't practice harder, or get into better shape or execute better. They were just naturally faster. -NFL Football-

We can also infer from this statement that the TCU coaches weren't smarter than the Air Force coaches. The presumption is that if Air Force had more black players, it would have beaten TCU. The truth is that anytime you credit someone else's success or blame your own failure on some inherent advantage your opponent had, you're indirectly making an unflattering statement about their other attributes. -NFL Football-

Second, even though everyone in football knows that DeBerry is right about black players being generally faster that white players, talking about it in public rips the scab off of old racial wounds. Black people know that from slave days until now, they have been valued primarily for their athleticism. -NFL Football-

Many people in the black community feel that sports still operate under the old plantation model, with white bosses and black laborers. During my senior year at Southwest Texas State University, I got invited to the NFL Combine in Indianapolis, and though I was flattered to be invited, I had never felt more humiliated in my life. -NFL Football-

At the Combine, I was poked, prodded, weighed, measured and tested by doctors, coaches and scouts, and even though I knew I could be richly rewarded for submitting to this inspection for defects, I couldn't help feeling like a slave on an auction block. -NFL Football-

DeBerry's comments reinforce the idea that black players are valuable only for their speed - not their intellect, character or culture, just their speed. And this discounting of black abilities plays out in the demographics of college football, where most of the players on the 117 Division I teams are black, but only three of the coaches are. -NFL Football-

Chances are, those three men are the fastest coaches in the NCAA.
Former Bronco Reggie Rivers (reggierivers2002@yahoo.com) is the host of "Global Agenda" Wednesdays at 9:30 p.m. on KBDI-Channel 12. His column appears every Friday.

All contents Copyright 2005 The Denver Post or other copyright holders. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed for any commercial purpose.

2005-10-20T14:35:00.000-07:00

DIRECTV to Air NFL on FOX Games in FOX WIDESCREEN^TM Exclusive NFL SUNDAY TICKET^TM Package to Feature Games in 16:9 Digital Format New York and El Segundo, CA Aug 26, 2003
--- nfl ---
Further expanding the availability of enhanced digital television programming, DIRECTV, Inc. and FOX Sports announced today that the network's primary NFL on FOX games, broadcast in the FOX WIDESCREENTM 16:9 format, will be made available to subscribers of DIRECTV's exclusive NFL SUNDAY TICKETTM package throughout the 17-week regular-season schedule.
--- nfl ---
The FOX WIDESCREENTM system, which features 480 lines of resolution, enables viewers to enjoy a NFL broadcast with a sharp, clear picture that is one-third wider and four times sharper than traditional analog TV. DIRECTV's NFL SUNDAY TICKETTM customers will be able to view two NFL games in the FOX WIDESCREENTM format every Sunday of the regular season.
--- nfl ---
"NFL SUNDAY TICKET is the most coveted sports subscription package available, and offering NFL games for the first time in the FOX WIDESCREEN format further strengthens the appeal and value of the package," said Stephanie Campbell, senior vice president, Programming, DIRECTV, Inc. --- nfl ---
--- nfl ---
"For consumers with a widescreen TV, there's no better sport than football to watch in digital format - it's like being on the 50-yard line." "FOX WIDESCREEN allows viewers the ability to enjoy live professional sports in crisp digital clarity and Dolby 5.1 audio, and now, through NFL SUNDAY TICKETTM and DIRECTV, fans virtually anywhere in the country can see our top two NFL on FOX games each week this way," said Ed Goren, president, FOX Sports.
--- nfl ---
To access FOX WIDESCREENTM games, NFL SUNDAY TICKETTM customers may purchase a DIRECTV-enabled high-definition set-top receiver and a single 18 x 20- or 18 x 24-inch multi-satellite dish with three LNBs. DIRECTV-enabled HD receivers and triple-LNB satellite dishes are available from authorized DIRECTV retailers, such as Circuit City and Best Buy, nationwide. Today's announcement completes a suite of new technological and interactive enhancements that DIRECTV has added, for the first time, to NFL SUNDAY TICKETTM.--- nfl ---
--- nfl ---
Other new enhanced programming features include: NFL SUNDAY TICKETTM Enhanced Games Enhanced Games provides four additional game channels where NFL SUNDAY TICKETTM customers can watch one game and see scores and stats from other games -- all on one screen in an "L-wrap" format. NFL SUNDAY TICKETTM Highlights on DemandOn Monday mornings NFL SUNDAY TICKETTM customers equipped with a DIRECTV Digital Video Recorder (DVR) receiver will be able to view highlights of NFL SUNDAY TICKETTM games, automatically delivered to their DIRECTV DVR. NFL SUNDAY TICKETTM --- nfl ---
--- nfl ---
GameTracker®This new enhancement, available through DIRECTV.com during game time, provides NFL SUNDAY TICKETTM customers with alerts when games other than the one they are watching are heating up so they can tune their television to the right channel and watch all the key moments. DIRECTV also recently announced an agreement with CBS Sports to air CBS's primary game broadcast in high definition format to NFL SUNDAY TICKETTM customers every week during the regular season. --- nfl ---
--- nfl ---
NFL SUNDAY TICKETTM, which enables viewers to watch virtually every NFL game on Sundays during the regular season, is not available on cable or through any other multichannel television service. DIRECTV has been ranked "#1 in Customer Satisfaction among Satellite/Cable TV Subscribers" for the second consecutive year, according to the J.D. Power and Associates 2003 Syndicated Cable/Satellite TV Customer Satisfaction StudySM. --- nfl ---
--- nfl ---

2005-10-10T14:28:00.000-07:00

Packers deactivate Ahman Green

GREEN BAY, Wis. (Oct. 9, 2005) -- Running back Ahman Green was deactivated with a thigh tendon injury and Najeh Davenport made his second career start for the Green Bay Packers.

Also, center Mike Flanagan (hernia) and linebacker Na'il Diggs (knee) were among the inactives against New Orleans. Scott Wells replaced Flanagan, who had abdominal surgery Oct. 5, and rookie Roy Manning, an undrafted free agent from Michigan, replaced Diggs.

The Saints were also without wide receiver Joe Horn (hamstring), who was replaced by Az-Zahir Hakim, and cornerback Fakhir Brown (knee) was replaced by Jason Craft.

2005-10-01T14:20:00.000-07:00

Players in probe face NFL drug tests
Up to 24 random yearly tests ordered for those named in investigation of W. Columbia doctor

By DAVID NEWTON
Senior Writer

CHARLOTTE — The NFL concluded its investigation into the West Columbia physician linked to providing steroids and human growth hormones to NFL players by mandating the players involved be subject to as many as 24 random drug tests a year.

“Every player who was part of the investigation, who’s still in the league, is being tested up to 24 times a year, which is the most important element of putting an end to this,” NationalFootball League commissioner Paul Tagliabue told The Washington Post.

“That’s why we have not had repeat offenders. That’s as important or more important than the discipline.”

Most of the players reportedly involved with Dr. James M. Shortt, 58, of West Columbia, were current or former members of the Carolina Panthers. Shortt was indicted Sept. 21 by a federal grand jury on charges of illegally prescribing steroids and human growth hormone.

Carolina general manager Marty Hurney said the team has not been notified of mandatory tests, and likely wouldn’t be because of the league’s confidentiality rule. “That’s a league matter. I have no comment.”

The Post, citing an anonymous source, said the league’s report indicated that, during a four-year period, fewer than 10 players used banned substances prescribed for them by Shortt.

The indictment alleges the alternative medicine doctor illegally prescribed drugs on 28 occasions between February 2001 and June 2004. All but one of those involved the steroids Stanozolol and Nandrolone. The other count deals with the human growth hormone Somatropin.

A CBS “60 Minutes Wednesday” report in March identified Carolina center Jeff Mitchell, tackle Todd Steussie, and punter Todd Sauerbrun as having filled steroid prescriptions written by Shortt. Several other former Panthers also were named as Shortt’s patients in subsequent media reports.

Of the players identified in the initial report, only Mitchell remains with the team. He was not available after Friday’s practice for Monday night’s game against the Green Bay Packers.

Both Tagliabue and NFL Players Association head Gene Upshaw declined to tell the Post the players to be subjected to the frequent testing. But the Post, citing anNFL source, said Mitchell, Steussie and Sauerbrun were affected.

Joe Browne, the NFL’s executive vice president of communications, said the number of random tests the players are subject to is consistent with past policy involving those who have violated the steroid policy or are suspected of reasonable cause.

“There are circumstances under which it’s in the policy that players can be tested under reasonable cause, even though they haven’t tested positive,” Browne said. “For example, if they are involved in a criminal action.”

Browne said the players involved with Shortt would not be subject to fines or suspension.

“No one proved these guys did anything,” he said. “These guys never tested positive.”

Gene Upshaw, the executive director of the NFL Players Association, told the Post he is not concerned about a leaguewide steroid problem.

“The report has been completed. We will be, at some point, giving it to Congress. We’re satisfied with the results of it.”

The NFL has reduced the threshold for a positive testosterone test from a 6:1 ratio to 4:1 in light of the Shortt case.

The State.com

2005-09-26T10:49:00.000-07:00

Feted in Seattle, Knox deserves more

By JOHN LEVESQUE
SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER COLUMNIST

With Hank Stram's enshrinement in 2003, Dan Reeves and Chuck Knox are the only retired NFL coaches among the top seven in total victories not in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Reeves, who was still active in the coaching ranks until last year, has 190 regular-season victories. Knox has 186.

Reeves will someday be inducted.

Knox might never make it.

And that would be a shame.

The people who do the voting, a panel made up of football writers in each of the NFL cities, plus a few other knowledgeable observers, have an unwritten rule that, without a league or a conference championship on his résumé, an NFL coach, even one with a reputation that borders on legendary, is unworthy.

Reeves has conference championships -- and, thus, appearances in the Super Bowl -- to his credit.

Knox, the first man to take teams from three different NFL franchises -- Los Angeles, Seattle and Buffalo -- to the playoffs, does not.

And that's what bugs me about so-called halls of fame.

What is it exactly that constitutes the notion of "fame" in the sporting realm?

Is it solely about winning the big game?

Knox's 186 victories as an NFL coach put him in seventh place on the all-time list. Aside from Reeves, the other guys ahead of Knox all have Hall passes. They are Don Shula, 328; George Halas, 318; Tom Landry, 250; Curly Lambeau, 219, and Chuck Noll, 193.

All great champions, all worthy inductees.

Sunday at Qwest Field, Knox's name was added to the Seahawks' Ring of Honor, a long-overdue tribute for the team's most successful coach.

Knox, renowned as much for his terseness as his toughness, used all of 111 words to thank the Seahawks, the fans and his wife for their support over the years.

The fans roared back their full-throated appreciation for nine seasons that still stand as the heyday of the franchise -- a period encompassing 80 wins, 63 losses and seven playoff games, including a stunning upset of Miami on Dec. 31, 1983, in an AFC divisional playoff game.

That took the Seahawks to the AFC championship game against the eventual Super Bowl champion L.A. Raiders. It was Knox's fourth and final loss in a conference championship game, the last time he would get that close to a title.

Mike Holmgren, with 127 regular-season victories, already has his championships, both conference and Super Bowl. Does that entitle him to enshrinement more than Knox?

On Sunday, Holmgren's Seahawks paid the ultimate tribute to Knox by rushing the ball more often than they threw in a 37-12 rout of the Cardinals.

After the game, Holmgren shared a couple of his favorite stories about the man.

One involved a game in Green Bay, when Knox was coaching the Los Angeles Rams. It was a sub-zero day at Lambeau Field, but Holmgren decided he would try to "out-tough" the tough guy.

"I'm going to walk out to the pregame warm-up with just a sweater on," Holmgren said, "and I'm going to shake his hand and show him that the cold does not bother me."

Holmgren noted that the Rams players and coaches were all bundled up like identical Michelin Men. It was so cold it was hard for the lips to form words. It took a while to locate Knox, and when Holmgren finally did he tried to say something, but the words wouldn't come.

Knox, ever the master of toughness and brevity said, "You're cold, aren't you?"

Holmgren was, but memories of Knox continue to warm his heart.

"Over the years we have kept in contact," Holmgren said. "He spent some time with me in the locker room prior to our game last week. He's a great football coach."

Hmmm.

Knox in the locker room last week, Seahawks win.

Knox on the field Sunday, Seahawks win.

Holmgren may want to ask Shirley, Knox's wife of 53 years, if Chuck is available every Sunday.

Failing that, the two should definitely keep in touch. No doubt Knox will be happy to oblige, for one of Holmgren's most cherished memories involves another encounter with the tough guy.

"I remember being at the Senior Bowl (in 1992) with him," Holmgren said. "I had just been hired at Green Bay as a head coach in the league, and he was nice enough, when we were watching practice together ... to talk to me, just a little bit, about what to expect and maybe some things I should know."

Holmgren was hugely impressed by the generosity.

He said: "I remember going home that evening and thinking, 'He didn't have to do that at all.' "

Nope, he didn't have to do it.

It's just the sort of thing that Hall of Famers do.

2005-09-16T08:57:00.000-07:00

Parker sparkles; Steelers rout Titans 34-7

PITTSBURGH (Sept. 11, 2005) -- The Tennessee Titans needed a scouting report on Steelers running back Willie Parker, so cornerback Michael Waddell issued this warning: Don't pay attention to his college career, this guy can run. - NFL Football -

Who knew he could run like this?

Parker, a college backup who adds speed to the NFL's most run-heavy offense, had a dazzling first career start with 161 yards rushing and a long reception, and a mistake-free Ben Roethlisberger threw for two scores in Pittsburgh's 34-7 rout of Tennessee.

"He's got the kind of speed you can't coach," tackle Marvel Smith said. "He's a raw talent, basically, but he's so fast and he's just all over the place. He broke a lot of tackles out there."

For more than 40 years, the Steelers have been all about big, physical backs who run over or elude tacklers: Hall of Famer John Henry Johnson, Franco Harris, Jerome Bettis and, last year, Duce Staley. Parker provides a speed element they've never had, and his yardage was the most for a Steelers back on opening day. - NFL Football -

"I really didn't take any hits in college, so my career's really just beginning," Parker said. "I had to make a name for myself, open up some eyes that I can play."

Parker, playing because of injuries to Bettis and Staley, nearly equaled the 181 yards he had as a non-starting senior at North Carolina, where Waddell was his roommate. He followed up a 102-yard game against Buffalo to end last season.

"The game plan is different with him, to take advantage of his speed," center Jeff Hartings said. "I don't know if there's another running back in the league who can get down the sideline as fast as he does." - NFL Football -

Staley and Bettis likely will be ready for next week's game in Houston, but Cowher -- for now -- isn't going back to the two big backs who ran for more than 1,700 yards last season.

"He ran very well, and I see no reason to make a change right now," Cowher said.
Pittsburgh's starting offense didn't score a touchdown during a dreadful preseason that admittedly concerned Cowher, but Roethlisberger said he wasn't worried. And for good reason -- the Steelers scored on their first six possessions, four touchdowns and two field goals, with most of the same starters but a different look offensively from last year's franchise-best 15-1 team.

The Steelers won their 15th in a row, four short of breaking the Patriots ' NFL regular-season record they stopped last season. Roethlisberger, mixing in more deep balls than he threw as a rookie, improved to 14-0 as an NFL starter, not counting the playoffs. His passer rating was a perfect 158.3; he is the first since Kansas City's Trent Green in 2003 to have a perfect rating.

After Tennessee drove 61 yards to score on its opening drive, Roethlisberger went 5-for-5 for 88 yards, and his 48-yard swing pass to Parker set up a 3-yard touchdown pass to first-round draft pick Heath Miller. - NFL Football -

"I don't think Ben was bothered by all the things that were said and the concerns a lot of people had, myself included," Cowher said. "He'd just say, `Relax, coach, we'll be OK."

The Titans weren't. On their next three possessions, they lost a fumble by new running back Travis Henry, missed a field goal and were intercepted -- probably making new offensive coordinator Norm Chow wish he was back at national champion Southern Cal.

The Steelers scored after all three, on Roethlisberger's 63-yard pass to Antwaan Randle El, Jeff Reed's 27-yard field goal and an 11-yard Parker run on which he bounced off two defenders.

"We didn't tackle him," linebacker Peter Sirmon said. "Let's not try to make this look like we overlooked the guy and he shocked us." - NFL Football -

The Titans shed many of their former stars for salary cap reasons after a 5-11 season and looked it, especially on a defense with four new starters. Steve McNair returned after missing half the 2004 season with a sternum injury, going 18-of-26 for 219 yards and a touchdown, and Chris Brown averaged 5.7 yards on his 11 carries. But there wasn't much to go with that.

"I think we had a number of younger players welcomed to the NFL today," coach Jeff Fisher said. - NFL Football -

GAME NOTES:

The Steelers had lost 10 of 12 to Tennessee.

Pittsburgh has won its past three openers under Cowher after winning only four of its first 11.

The Steelers must win at Houston to match the Patriots (2003-04), the Bears (1933-34 and 1941-42) and Dolphins (1971-73 and 1983-84) as the only NFL teams to win 16 regular-season games in a row.

Reed has made 19 consecutive field goals; that ties Gary Anderson's 1994 team record.

The 11 passes were Pittsburgh's fewest since throwing nine against Cincinnati in 1977.

AP NEWS
The Associated Press News Service

Copyright 2005, The Associated Press, All Rights Reserved

2005-09-06T08:01:00.000-07:00

NFL ROUNDUP: Rice retires from football

September 6, 2005

FREE PRESS NEWS SERVICES

DENVER -- Unwilling to be a bit player with the Broncos, Jerry Rice retired Monday, closing a 20-year career for the most productive receiver in NFL history. - NFL Football -

Rice, 42, made his decision over the weekend at home in San Francisco, then returned to Broncos headquarters and met with coach Mike Shanahan. He played 20 NFL seasons.

"This is a happy day," he said. "I think the tears that you see basically is that I have really enjoyed this ride. I'm done. I'm looking forward to the next phase of my life."

Shanahan confirmed what Rice already knew -- that he would be a fourth or fifth receiver at best this season. Rice confirmed what many figured -- that he would rather call it quits than be a bit player with the Broncos. - NFL Football -

Rice signed with Denver over the summer, reuniting with Shanahan, who was his offensive coordinator in the 1990s in San Francisco. For Rice, the idea was to play for a coach who was familiar with him and for a team that could help him go out a winner.

Shanahan made it clear he would not promise Rice anything, not even a roster spot. Behind the scenes, though, Shanahan said he knew it would never come down to cutting Rice. He figured if Rice knew it was time to go, he would step aside himself. - NFL Football -

Early in training camp, Rice moved into Denver's third receiver spot and things looked promising.

In retrospect, the promotion was more a reflection on Darius Watts, who struggled catching the ball, but improved as the exhibition season went on.

By the time exhibition season ended, Rice had only four catches for 24 yards and had been pushed back down the depth chart. - NFL Football -

Rice will close his career with 38 NFL records, including those for career receptions (1,549), yards receiving (22,895) and touchdowns receiving (197).

Arizona: The Cardinals signed former Lions wide receiver Reggie Swinton, and coach Dennis Green quickly made him the team's kick returner.

Cleveland: Charlie Frye beat out veteran Doug Johnson and was named the Browns' No. 2 QB by first-year coach Romeo Crennel. - NFL Football -

Pittsburgh: Wide receiver Hines Ward and the Steelers reached terms on a four-year contract, ending months of wrangling over a restructured deal less than a week before Sunday's opener against Tennessee. Ward missed the first two weeks of training camp and returned only because the franchise held to its policy of not negotiating with holdout players.

Seattle: Defensive coordinator Ray Rhodes has been hospitalized by team doctors and is undergoing a series of tests, coach Mike Holmgren said. Holmgren would not be specific about the nature of Rhodes' illness. If Rhodes, 54, isn't available for the Seahawks' season opener on Sunday at Jacksonville, linebackers coach John Marshall will fill in for Rhodes for that game, Holmgren said.

Tennessee: The Titans agreed to terms with running back Jarrett Payton, son of the late Walter Payton, to join their practice squad for a second consecutive season.

2005-08-30T09:58:00.000-07:00

Lion tamers

Jackson, Rams dominate Detroit in exhibition victory

DETROIT (AP) -- Marc Bulger made accurate passes, receivers made catches in open space and Steven Jackson ran over and around defenders.

The St. Louis Rams resembled the team that won the Super Bowl five years ago, and the Detroit Lions looked like the NFL's worst franchise since 2001.

Bulger accounted for two touchdowns, Isaac Bruce had 85 yards receiving and a score and Jackson ran for 108 yards and a TD to lead St. Louis to a 37-13 exhibition victory over Detroit on Monday night.

"We treated this like a regular-season game," Bulger said. "Whether they did or not, who knows?"

The Lions took the game seriously, but seemed to have many of the same problems they've had.

"There are no excuses for a game like this," Detroit coach Steve Mariucci said. "I thought we were very fired up and ready to go, but it just didn't happen on the field.

"It's alarming."

The game was similar to the last one featuring the Lions on national television in prime time, a 35-0 setback against St. Louis on Oct. 8, 2001.

"It is tough to swallow a game like this, when we had a showcase to show how good we are," said tight end Marcus Pollard, one of Detroit's additions in the offseason.

Detroit has lost an NFL-high 48 games the past four years, while the Rams have been a playoff-caliber team since winning a title.

With crisp passing and Jackson's running, the Rams (2-1) led 21-6 at halftime, a score Mariucci said would be important entering the game.

The Rams were so dominant on an 11-play, 90-yard drive in the first quarter they didn't have a third down.

Bulger was 11-of-14 for 167 yards, threw a TD pass and ran for a 7-yard score, untouched on a sneak. Jackson ran for 64 yards on his first of 14 carries, and scored on a 3-yard run. Bruce had five receptions, including a 31-yard TD catch.

A pass rush from all angles stifled Detroit's first-string offense, which hasn't scored a TD in three preseason losses.

"I have been saying all along that as long as our offensive line protects the quarterback and the defensive line plays well, this will be a good football team," St. Louis' Torry Holt said. "I think we displayed that."

The Lions' starters finally got into the end zone, but two linemen were called for holding, negating the TD. Detroit ended up settling for Jason Hanson's second field goal late in the first half.

Joey Harrington was 9-of-18 for 106 yards, and Kevin Jones had 38 yards rushing on nine carries.

"It was just one of those nights where things kind of piled on top of each other," Harrington said. "We missed blitz pickups, we missed throws and we missed routes. When you get into a funk like that, it's tough to break out."

Jeff Garcia was signed to push Harrington, but he had another lackluster effort, going 2-for-9 for 34 yards with a fumble.

The Rams didn't punt until late in the fourth quarter.

As impressive as St. Louis was, it was more pleased two of its players appear to be healthy after scares.

Cornerback Terry Fair had full feeling in his extremities and never lost consciousness after spraining his neck when his head struck Jones' thigh on a tackle.

Fair, motionless face down on the turf for several minutes, was strapped to a backboard and carted off the field late in the first quarter. As the cart approached the tunnel, the former Lion lifted his right arm and put his thumb up. He was taken to Henry Ford Hospital, where he was to stay overnight.

"We feel very fortunate and blessed it wasn't anything more serious," St. Louis coach Mike Martz said.

After jumping offside and blocking an extra point, Lions safety Terrence Holt ran into Jeff Wilkins. The standout kicker limped to the sideline, but was healthy enough to kick field goals later in the game.

Detroit was without its top two defensive lineman, Shaun Rogers (shin) and James Hall (shoulder), though the duo might not have made much of a difference on a night St. Louis played well and the Lions struggled.

Harrington said the awful performance -- in a game he called a dress rehearsal for the regular season -- didn't alter the team's optimism.

"I don't think it changed anything like that," he said. "We're still as confident and as optimistic as we ever were. We hit a little stumbling block here. But I think it's going to be good for us because we can take it and learn something.

"We are not ready now. It doesn't mean that the talent won't be there once the regular season comes. Right now, we have some things to fix."

2005-08-24T06:30:00.000-07:00

Former NFL Player Accused Of Driving Car Into Teens

A former NFL football player wanted on domestic violence charges in San Diego and Los Angeles was in custody Monday after allegedly driving a car into three teenagers with whom he had just played a game of pickup football, police said.
Lawrence Phillips was arrested on a San Diego felony domestic violence warrant following the attack on the teenagers, which occurred in Exposition Park about 1:30 p.m. Sunday, said Los Angeles police Officer Sandra Escalante. - NFL Football -
The 30-year-old Phillips could be charged with attempted murder in connection with Sunday's incident, authorities said.
Myrna Flores, the mother of a 15-year-boy injured in Sunday's vehicular assault, said her son, Rodney, told her Phillips had joined the game with him and his friends, who all gather regularly at the park, the Los Angeles Times reported.
After the game, Phillips apparently couldn't find some of his possessions and asked the boys repeatedly what they had done with them. "The kids were amazed," Flores told The Times. "The kids said they didn't know where his belongings were." - NFL Football -
Police said Phillips left, only to return a short time later.
"Mr. Phillips left and came back in his car and drove at the group of juveniles that he had been playing with," LAPD Lt. Richard Gammel told the media.
Police said Phillips was targeting six teenagers, three of whom were struck and hospitalized. They were treated at California Medical Center and released, Flores told Times.
The car, a black Honda said by police to have been reported stolen in San Diego, had a dented hood and broken windshield. - NFL Football -
Phillips, who was a running back with the St. Louis Rams, Miami Dolphins and San Francisco 49ers in the late 1990s, had been sought by police in Los Angeles and San Diego, where he has lived recently.
San Diego authorities were seeking Phillips in connection with two alleged assaults this month on a 28-year-old girlfriend, said San Diego police Sgt. Dan Cerar said.
On Aug. 2, Phillips allegedly assaulted the woman at her Mission Valley home, hitting her and choking her into unconsciousness. - NFL Football -
Eleven days later, he allegedly attacked her again in a bathroom during a house party in the Kearny Mesa area. In both cases, he managed to run off before police could detain him, Cerar said.
The 6-foot, 220-pound Phillips allegedly has resisted arrest and recently told an officer, "There is no way you're going to arrest me," according to San Diego police Lt. Kathy Healey.
In December 2000, a Los Angeles judge issued an arrest warrant for Phillips when he failed to appear in court to face trial on charges of threatening and injuring a live-in girlfriend.
Phillips had been arrested seven months earlier at his Beverly Hills home after authorities responded to a domestic violence call there. His injured girlfriend was treated at the scene.
Phillips spent his teens in a West Covina group home and first attracted national attention for violent behavior when he was a star player at the University of Nebraska, according to The Times. - NFL Football -
In 1995, he was charged with trespassing and assault for an attack on a college girlfriend, who said he threatened to shoot her in the kneecaps and elbows, prompting the university to provide her with 24-hour protection, The Times reported. Phillips pleaded no contest and was sentenced to a year of probation, according to the newspaper.
The St. Louis Rams made Phillips the sixth choice in the 1996 NFL Draft. He struggled initially with the Rams, and eventually was suspended for insubordination.
While with the Rams, Phillips, a graduate of Baldwin Park High School, pleaded no contest to a charge of driving while intoxicated in the San Gabriel Valley.
Phillips was released by the Rams in 1997 and signed with the Dolphins later that year, only to be released after pleading no contest to hitting a woman. - NFL Football -
The San Francisco 49ers signed Phillips after losing star Garrison Hearst to an injury, but he was released in 1999 because of insubordination. In 2001, Phillips reportedly walked out on the Florida Bobcats of the Arena Football League.
Phillips helped lead the Canadian Football League's Montreal Alouettes to the 2002 Grey Cup but was released before the start of the 2003 season for not meeting the team's "minimum behavioral standards."

The San Diego Channel

2005-08-15T10:35:00.000-07:00

CHASING HIS NFL DREAM, OSWEGO PLAYER TO TAKE TO FIELD FOR 1ST GAME

RIVER FALLS, Wis. - Are you ready for some NFL football?
Oswego's Mike Kallfelz certainly is.
Kallfelz, a rookie free agent tight end for the Kansas City Chiefs, expects to see playing time tonight when the Chiefs play their first preseason game against the host Minnesota Vikings in the Metrodome. - NFL Football -
"I should be getting some reps," Kallfelz said from the Chiefs' training camp at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls. "I'm very excited. I want to be able to show what I can do in game situations."
Kallfelz, 22, who graduated in May from St. John Fisher College in Rochester, knows he faces an uphill battle in his attempt to make Kansas City's final roster. - NFL Football -
"I'm behind the 8-ball," he said. "I'm hopeful I can make the team in some way, shape, or form."
Few would have given him a chance to make it this far, but Kallfelz, at 6-foot-4, 272 pounds, has earned the opportunity.
At Oswego High School, Kallfelz starred defensively in his senior year, getting a team-high 98 tackles and six sacks to earn All-Central New York honors. - NFL Football -
He went on to NCAA Division III St. John Fisher and enjoyed a fine college career. As a senior, he caught 13 passes for 151 yards and two touchdowns. The Cardinals went 10-2 and reached the NCAA Division III East Regional Semifinals, where they lost to Delaware Valley 26-20. Kallfelz earned second-team All-Empire Conference honors.
Kallfelz worked out for the Buffalo Bills and sent highlight tapes to NFL teams. Still, he was not selected in the NFL Draft in April. - NFL Football -
Shortly after that, Kallfelz worked out for the Chiefs. He ran his fastest 40-yard dash time (4.97 seconds) and impressed the team with his footwork, blocking, and pass-catching skills.
About two weeks later, the Chiefs called and asked Kallfelz to report to the team's rookie camp in Kansas City, Mo. They signed him to a two-year contract.
The team cut Kallfelz prior to training camp. "They had seven tight ends at the time," Kallfelz said. "They told me I'd be the emergency tight end for camp." - NFL Football -
Just over a week ago, the Chiefs called Kalfelz again. "They called me on Thursday and said they had quite a few injuries at tight end," Kallfelz said. "I flew in (to training camp) Friday morning and was practicing Friday afternoon."
The Chiefs announced on Saturday that they had signed Kallfelz to a one-year contract. Kallfelz's agent, Joel Melnicoff, said that Kallfelz will earn $230,000 if he makes the team's final active roster. - NFL Football -
Although he is listed fifth on the Chiefs' depth chart at tight end, injuries to others at his position had Kallfelz lining up this week against some first-stringers.
"When I go up against the 'ones' I notice the difference," he said. "I've got to get stronger and work on my technique."
When they signed Kallfelz this time, the Chiefs made room for him by cutting another rookie free agent tight end, Willie Walden of Montana. - NFL Football -
Perennial All-Pro Tony Gonzalez, in his ninth year, is the Chiefs' starting tight end. The others listed ahead of Kallfelz are Jason Dunn (6-6, 274, 9th year), Kris Wilson (6-2, 251, 2nd year), and Edwin Thompson (6-4, 260, rookie free agent from Idaho State).
The NFL mandates that rosters be down to 65 by Aug. 30, and to 53 by Sept. 3. Kallfelz, who wears jersey #47, said that NFL teams generally carry three tight ends on the roster, four if there are injury concerns. - NFL Football -
If he doesn't make the final active roster, there are other options. Kallfelz could be placed on the practice squad (up to eight players), or he may be asked to play in NFL Europe.
For for now, his focus is on making the NFL team. He believes his effective blocking could be the ticket.
"I'm a good blocker. I think that's why I'm here," he said.

MIKE LEBOEUF, Sports Editor

2005-08-09T06:16:00.000-07:00

Independence coach represents Arizona at weekend NFL Youth Football Summit

Fify-one top high school coaches, representing each state have been selected by the NFL to participate in the fifth annual NFL Youth Football Summit this weekend. Kelley Moore, head football coach for Independence High School was selected to represent Arizona.
Moore has been the head coach at Independence 14 years and has been coaching high school football 23 years. In the span of his career, Moore has been named "Conference Coach of the Year" five times and twice has been named the NFL's Arizona Cardinals' "Coach of the Week."
Each high school football coach in attendance will receive a free Proscout Video software package for their program from USA Football, through a grant from the NFL Youth Football Fund.
The video editing software allows coaches to index their game film, which would be helpful to coach Moore as the 2005 football season gets underway.
"We have more than 1,600 players on our NFL rosters," NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue said. "They have one thing in common: they received guidance from high school coaches. The Youth Football Summit is one way that we can offer our resources on an annual basis to help maintain the quality of coaching throughout the country."
Throughout the summit, many other topics will be discussed, including: using technology; injury prevention and sports first-aid practices; role-playing demonstrations on handling coach-player relationship issues; recognizing talent; and tips on inspiring youth and high school football players to achieve their greatest potential.
The National Football Foundation will also participate in discussions on the importance of leadership and the benefits of football.
The high school football coaches registered for an opportunity to attend the summit by entering a nomination and essay contest conducted by the NFL through its high school football Web site, NFLHS.com. Coaches submitted online essays in which they wrote about their coaching careers, commitment to youth and coaching philosophies. A blue-ribbon panel, consisting of local state representatives, reviewed the essays and 51 coaches - one from each state and Washington, D.C. - were chosen to serve as their state's delegate at the summit.
There were more than 100 individuals who are involved in youth and high school football will participate in the events, including football and academic coaches from the NFL-NFF Play It Smart program; high school football coaches from Mexico, Japan, Germany, Scotland and Canada; and youth football coaches and administrators from the nation's largest youth sports organizations.
Moore leaves from the summit today and will return to his team recharged and motivated to begin the second week of practice for the Independence football team.

Jennifer Hernandez

2005-07-26T07:47:00.000-07:00

NFL's Cardinals Move Camp After Virus Scare

TEMPE, Ariz. -- The Arizona Cardinals announced that the team will move its 2005 training camp from Northern Arizona University because of a norovirus outbreak on the campus.
Arizona's current training camp site is in Flagstaff, but a new location has yet to be determined.
"Since becoming aware of the situation at NAU, we've spent a considerable amount of time in discussions with university officials, outside health professionals and our own medical personnel to determine the best course of action," said Cardinals VP of Football Operations Rod Graves.
The virus, also known as Norwalk virus, has affected about 100 people and the school canceled the rest of summer conferences over the next month. - NFL Football -
"Naturally, we're deeply disappointed," said NAU president John D. Haeger. "The Cardinals visited with us extensively and explored a number of possibilities to make this work for the 2005 training camp. We certainly understand their concerns and respect their decision. We'll miss them in Flagstaff this year, but look forward to opportunities to work with the Cardinals organization in the future." - NFL Football -
A possible location for the Cardinals is Prescott, where the team worked out for a week last season and is scheduled to practice in late August. - NFL Football -

Courtesy of SportsNetwork.

2005-07-18T07:13:00.000-07:00

Brown to host second annual football program for kids

PROVIDENCE, R.I. Are you ready for some football?Starting today, Brown University will host the second annual NFL Junior Football Training Camp.
High school football coaches in Providence, as well as some college coaches, will run the non-contact program.
The camp is open to boys and girls between 12 and 14.
It will continue through the week of July 24th and run from 5 pm to 7 pm
Kids don't need any prior football experience to sign up for the program but they do need to have a physical exam completed by July 14th.
Participants will get free training, a football jersey, sports bag and certificate of award.

EyeWitness News

2005-07-12T07:24:00.000-07:00

Dream of playing for Tide died, but Eakin has NFL shot

Remember Kevin Eakin? He's the former high school kid from Florida who attended four football camps at the University of Alabama in the late 1990s and dreamed of playing for the Crimson Tide someday. One of his fellow campers was another aspiring quarterback from Gadsden named Brodie Croyle. - NFL Football -
Eakin's father, Glenn, had once lived in Huntsville. Later he moved to Florida and then to Minnesota, where he met Deb, his future wife.
After the Eakin family migrated southward to Florida, Kevin developed into a fine quarterback at Douglass High in Coral Springs. When Alabama did not offer a scholarship after his senior year, he resolved to come to Tuscaloosa anyway as a walk-on - until Dave Clawson, then the head coach at Division I-AA Fordham in New York City, offered a scholarship.
Even after his first year at Fordham, Eakin toyed with the notion of walking on at Alabama. He chose to stick it out, however, and it turned out to be an excellent decision.
"Things worked out pretty well,'' said Glenn Eakin, who now lives in Toney and works in Hazel Green as a mechanic. - NFL Football -
They did indeed. Kevin Eakin, who grew into a 6-foot-1, 220-pounder, passed for a school-record 6,112 yards and 45 touchdowns at Fordham, completing 62 percent of his throws. As a starter in his last two years, he led the Rams to a 19-6 record and their first Patriot League championship. - NFL Football -
When the University of Richmond hired Clawson after the 2003 season, he brought Eakin with him as the Spiders' director of football operations.
Still itching to play the game, however, Eakin considered trying out for Arena football in Orlando. But in January, the New York Jets stepped up with a better proposition. They signed him to a future contract and sent to NFL Europe this spring, where he played for the Frankfurt Galaxy and beat out Akili Smith from Oregon and B.J. Symon from Texas Tech. - NFL Football -
The Galaxy's leading rusher, incidentally, was Ahmaad Galloway from Alabama.
The next step in Eakin's professional football life begins July 28 when he reports to the Jets' preseason camp on Long Island.

Huntsville Times

2005-07-06T10:18:00.000-07:00

Simms' blue-collar style works in booth

Phil Simms laughs as he recalls his vanilla image as a player with the Super Bowl-winning
New York Giants'. On a team dominated by headstrong personalities such as coach Bill Parcells and star linebacker Lawrence Taylor, Simms was the hardworking quarterback who kept his mouth shut and did his talking on the field.
He has a book out from HarperCollins, Sunday Morning Quarterback. He's a regular contributor to Imus in the Morning and NFL.com. The 10-year broadcast veteran also is regarded by many as the successor to John Madden as the best NFL analyst in the business.
"I criticize a lot of players and coaches. But I back it up with facts," Simms says during a recent interview at his home in northern New Jersey. "A lot of times guys get mad at me because someone told them what I said. I say, 'You're wrong: Go check the tape.' "
During a recent segment of HBO's Costas Now with Bob Costas, Mark Cuban and Tom Brokaw, Simms said, "Talk radio has almost ruined the sports fan."
He keeps a laundry list of sports clichés that make no sense despite being endlessly repeated on TV. Among the worst offenders: the comment that struggling teams, whether the Giants or
New York Yankees', "don't look like they have any life out there."
Counters Simms: "Of course it looks bad when you're not executing. When things go bad, it's not going to look good."
The Kentucky native always has been underestimated. The headlines read "Phil Who?" and fans booed when the then-little-known Simms was taken in the first round out of Morehead State in 1979.
He also is one of the last guys you'd think would be a good color analyst. He supplied few, if any, memorable quotes during his 15 seasons with the Giants.
But after being released in 1995 he learned the broadcast ropes with ESPN, then as a game analyst at NBC with Dick Enberg and Paul Maguire and finally as lead NFL analyst at CBS with Greg Gumbel, then Jim Nantz since 1998.
Simms and Nantz recently signed multiyear contract extensions with CBS. That took two of the most valuable chips off the board as networks recruit their broadcast teams as the NFL gets ready to shuffle its TV partners beginning with the 2006 season.
(Monday Night Football is moving from ABC to ESPN, and NBC is taking over Sunday night games from ESPN.)
With Madden recently announcing his move to NBC from ABC in 2006, the spotlight has turned to play-by-play man Al Michaels, who becomes a free agent for NFL telecasts after this season. NBC Sports chairman Dick Ebersol has said he's interested in Michaels and Fox's outspoken analyst Cris Collinsworth.
CBS Sports president Sean McManus says he struck fast with Simms "to make sure Phil was not in play" in this transition period.
"If you look at current NFL analysts, John Madden has been the gold standard for 15 years. When John retires, Phil is in position to inherit that mantle," McManus says. "They're never insulting to the hardcore fan and never confusing to the casual fan. When people watch a game with Phil Simms, they learn a lot. And they're entertained."
Nantz says there's more to broadcasting than a player being ebullient in the locker room.
"Because a guy was super-quotable as a player doesn't mean he's going to be a great broadcaster," Nantz says. "Phil doesn't pull any punches. But he has a way of being critical without killing a guy."
Simms was one of the first quarterbacks to hit the weight room like an offensive lineman. He brings his lunch-pail approach to the broadcast booth, watching tapes of games and scouting players.
"Nobody is going to outwork him," Nantz says.
Simms has called four Super Bowls. But he doesn't believe anybody's job is safe in the unpredictable world of TV sports.
"Every game I go to," he says, "somebody says they want to be a broadcaster. I know Jerome Bettis wants to do TV. What about Emmitt Smith? What's Jerry Rice going to do when he quits?"
As NFL teams return to training camp this month, Simms already is planning visits to the camps of the Giants and
New York Jets'.
Why?
"I'm nosy," he says.

2005-06-29T13:30:00.000-07:00

NFL Football Rule
PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. (June 28, 2005) -- They've played one NFL season. They've encountered the challenges of adjusting to the highest level of their sport. They've gone through the rigors of training camp, faced the unrelenting pressure to bring their "A" game each time they step onto the field, dealt with the many temptations that go with having more money and free time than ever before ... and the many relatives and friends who suddenly saw them as walking bank vaults.
In short, they are the perfect resource for players eager to know what awaits them in their first season in the league.

"The thing I wish everyone would have told me was how much of a mental game this is," Atlanta Falcons defensive back DeAngelo Hall told the nearly 300 rookies attending the annual Rookie Symposium at the PGA National Conference Center. "You could be the fastest guy, the most athletic. But if you're not in that playbook and you don't know what's going on, it doesn't matter. You won't get a chance to play."

Hall, New York Jets safety Erik Coleman, Seattle Seahawks safety Michael Boulware, Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald and Washington Redskins H-back Chris Cooley comprised a panel of second-year NFL players who shared their first-year NFL experiences during the symposium. Rich Eisen, host of NFL Total Access on NFL Network, served as moderator.

Fitzgerald pointed to time management as the greatest difficulty he faced as a rookie.

"After practice, there's a lot of down time," Fitzgerald said. "You've got a lot of money; you're visible. There's a lot of time when you can get into a lot of trouble when you don't have the right things to do. You're in a new city, you don't have family there. So you've got to surround yourself with the right people and find good things to do with your spare time that are productive."

"In college, when you were done practicing, you'd just go hang out with one of your teammates, catch a movie or something," Hall added. "In the NFL, you're with grown men who are going home to their wife and kids. You're sitting there at home by yourself trying to figure out what to do. And that's when you get into trouble."

Hall's solution? He took up golf. The game hasn't come easy to him, but he finds it a nice diversion.

Cooley and Coleman found their greatest struggle was adapting to a much longer season than they had in college.

Managing money was another major challenge. The panelists all talked about the importance of learning how to say no to the many family members and friends seeking financial assistance.

Another harsh reality is paying enormous taxes on income.

"Everything you get is cut in half," Coleman said. "Everything you earn is not taken home. It is ridiculous."

Yet another harsh reality is the first bill that comes from an agent for his services. It was at that point, according to Cooley, that he realized his agent worked for him, not the other way around. All members of the panel also emphasized the importance of staying heavily involved in all matters involving contract negotiations and financial planning. They stressed that the rookies should make a point of knowing what sort of signing bonus and salary they should receive so that they could fully understand whether their agents are getting them a good deal.

"You're running your own business," Boulware said. "It's about you. Don't let them run it for you."

Boulware told the rookies they should seek out veteran players as mentors. But he cautioned them to be careful about the ones they choose.

"The vet that I was around was a free-agent guy who had just come to the team, but his work ethic was a lot better than some of the veterans already on the team," Boulware said. "Some guys on our team got mixed up with the wrong vets, guys who didn't work very hard. They had been to a Pro Bowl or two, and (the rookies) tried to be like them, skipping workouts. Some teams have good vets and each team has a bad vet. Be wise when you choose a vet to be around."

Eisen asked the panelists if there was a single moment when the reality hit them that they had made the jump from collegiate football to the NFL. Hall had two, each of which came in his first two preseason games. The first was against the Baltimore Ravens, when he had his initial collision with Jamal Lewis.

"He's one of the biggest running backs I've ever seen," Hall said. is second NFL reality moment came in his second preseason game, against the Minnesota Vikings, when he lined up across from Randy Moss. Hall admitted that he was "talking trash" before the game, boasting that Moss would not catch a pass against him because he couldn't compete with Hall's speed and leaping ability.

The first couple of plays of the game, Hall jammed Moss at the line. But on the Vikings' second possession, with Hall playing 10 yards back, Moss blew right past him to catch a 67-yard touchdown pass from Daunte Culpepper.

"I promise you, that dude is the real deal," Hall said. "I finally got a hand on him in the end zone, about 70 yards away."

By Vic Carucci
National Editor, NFL.com

NFL FOOTBALL RULE

2005-06-22T08:42:00.000-07:00

Taking care of our aging athletes

ORLANDO, Fla. - (KRT) - Baseball all-star J.R. Richard lived under a Houston bridge, waiting for his pension to kick in.
The family of football Hall of Famer Mike Webster had to sue in order to receive his full pension funds.
And, earlier this month, one of basketball's forefathers died, after years of pleading for a pension that would provide enough money for a respectable life.
Hall of Famer George Mikan didn't live like a legend in his golden years. Many are hoping his death will be the catalyst that leads owners and current players in all sports to provide a better pension for retired players.
In the meantime, aging athletes wait in retirement homes. Some wait in financial desperation. Others wait in vain.
"The time is right now," says Gene Conley, who played for world championship teams in the NBA and Major League Baseball in the 1950s and `60s and has fought tirelessly for better benefits during the past 20 years. "It's not a question of a bunch of old athletes trying to get rich. We just want what's fair."
Mikan was 80 years old. Most of his right leg was amputated five years ago as a result of complications from diabetes. His pension paid him $1,700 a month. Now that he's dead, his widow, Patricia, will receive half that, just $10,200 a year.
"It's so sad because of what he was and what he meant," says Bob Cousy, the Celtics' great and Hall of Famer. "He carried this game for us during a time when basketball players were on the level of bocci players."
Today, the highlight reels are filled with millionaires performing wonderful feats of athleticism. Flip the channel to ESPN Classic, and you'll see those who paved the way, those who years later are often scraping to get by, waiting each month for a check that rarely provides enough.
The pension plans vary from sport to sport. Most compare favorably to what is offered outside of athletics. The Florida State Board of Administration oversees pension benefits for more than 600,000 retired state workers, mostly teachers, police officers, firefighters and other government workers. The average retiree's pension under the state plan pays out $26,000 a year for a full career.
In sports, pension problems are bigger than the dollar amount and is becoming a hot-button issue. NBA officials conceded last week that pension distribution was one of the contentious points in negotiating the current collective-bargaining agreement. After owners and players reached an agreement, it still isn't clear whether retired players will receive better benefits.
Major League Baseball is currently in court battling former players who want their share of the pension pie. And football's plan includes inherent problems that provide nothing for a large population of former players.
"All of us old-timers in sports, we've become this class of beggars at the gate," says Cousy, 76, one of the players from his era who is able to live comfortably. "We have lobbied, pleaded and begged. No one is interested, though. They just figure we'll die soon and the problem will go away."
Pension plans vary
There are 64 retired NFL players living in the Orlando, Fla., area. Although most are under the age of 60, those who played before the 1980s approached the sport differently.
That makes it tough for some to take issue with the current NFL pension plan.
"If you were playing in the `50s or `60s, were you playing because this would take care of you for the rest of your life? No, that's not how it worked," says Mike McBath, who played with the Buffalo Bills from 1968-72 and now serves as Central Florida chapter president of the NFL Retired Players Association.
Player salaries were so different 30 years ago that most NFL players worked a second job during the offseason. McBath attended graduate school. Don Nottingham, who played for the Colts and Dolphins from 1971-77, made as much money in the offseason selling insurance as he did playing football.
Football players are eligible to receive their pension at 55. Nottingham retired 28 years ago and just recently began seeing his first pension checks: about $1,600 a month.
"I would be lying if I said I wasn't disappointed in the NFL (Players Association) because I think they sold us down the river by not even trying to negotiate better," says Nottingham, 58 and an insurance agent in Ocala. "The money is there for them to do much more."
Although an NFL veteran won't get rich off his pension alone, the league's plan fares well compared with what's offered in other sports. Baseball and basketball players typically receive a bit more money. A retired hockey player who appears in 400 games gets a lump sum of $250,000 at age 55, in addition to a monthly check of at least $8,000.
While NASCAR drivers receive no pension benefits, professional golfers' pension is based on a complex formula that rewards success, not simply service. Some estimates peg Tiger Woods' pension at about $200 million.
The NFL's plan dates back to 1959. Today, players receive at least $200 a month for each season played in the NFL. Players prior to 1992 who played fewer than four years are not eligible, and players after 1992 must play at least three seasons to become vested.
The average NFL career, though, is four years, leaving a large population that doesn't qualify. League studies show that two-thirds of retired football players say they left the game with a permanent injury.
Many older players, though, treat the NFL pension like found money. They didn't invest anything into it, and when most of them played, they weren't really counting on it to fund their retirement.
"You didn't go into it thinking, `I'm going to play this game because 40 years from now there's this pension benefit waiting for me,' " says Rocky Bleier, who won four championships with the Pittsburgh Steelers before retiring in 1980. "It only becomes important if you haven't done everything with the rest of your life."
Baseball in court
David Clyde was drafted out of high school by the Texas Rangers during the spring of 1973. He is still one of just a handful of players to skip the minors completely and begin his pro baseball career in the majors. During the next several years, he pitched in 84 games - 416 innings - and compiled a career record of 18-33.
Clyde will never see one penny from baseball's pension plan. He played parts of five seasons in the majors, undergoing two shoulder surgeries and spending the latter part of his career in the minors. Three years removed from his last major-league start, he retired in 1982 just 36 days shy of qualifying for baseball's pension plan.
"I don't go around asking for favors," says Clyde, who is self-employed, giving private baseball lessons to Houston youths. "But I am a little aggravated with baseball on the matter. The thing is, it would be so different if I was playing in today's era."
Clyde spent more than 1,200 days on a major-league roster and receives nothing. A player today needs to wear a big-league uniform for one day to receive lifetime medical benefits. Today's player needs only remain on the roster for 43 days to become vested in baseball's lucrative pension plan.
The rules for qualifying were changed in 1981, and the minimum service time lowered from five years to six weeks.
Clyde is 50 years old now. If he could have remained on a big-league roster for 36 more days, that pension would pay him $3,000 a month.
Though baseball's plan is considered one of the better ones offered in sports, there are many former players who feel scorned.
"Baseball is a joke because of what they've done to the old-timers," says James Acho, a Michigan attorney involved in a class-action lawsuit against Major League Baseball.
Acho represents more than 1,000 former baseball players who played in the majors but not long enough to qualify for a pension.
He says it would cost $12.5 million - about half of Yankees star Alex Rodriguez's annual salary - to fund their pensions for a single year. The players are making a discrimination claim because baseball provides regular money to former Negro League players who weren't allowed to play in the majors.
The group lost in a lower circuit and is appealing to a California circuit court.
"I'm all for the Negro League pension," says Acho. "Those guys were denied the chance to play in the majors. We're all for them getting what's owed. But it's against the law to give a certain ethnic group something based on race. You have to do the same thing for similarly situated players."
Although baseball provides regular payments to former Negro League players, it is not technically called a pension, rather a charitable donation.
Officials with Major League Baseball were unavailable to comment on the lawsuit this week.
`The right thing to do'
Mikan changed basketball. The 6-foot-10 center is the reason the NCAA banned goaltending in 1944. He's why the NBA widened the lane and established a shot clock.
Mikan was always the highest-paid player in the game, starting his career at $12,000 a season - far less than many of today's players make in a single night.
His last few years, though, were difficult. While actively campaigning for the NBA to increase players' pensions, Mikan battled diabetes and underwent kidney dialysis treatment three times a week.
For years, NBA's old-timers received nothing. People such as Mikan, Cousy and especially Conley and his wife, Kathryn, helped persuade the league in 1988 to assist the league's pioneers with a pension plan.
Since then, most players who retired before 1965 have received up to $200 a month for each year played. Players who retired after 1965 received $350 a month for each year.
Mikan's death three weeks ago brought the inequity back under the spotlight.
"This isn't something you do because it's politically correct, and you don't do it because it's good PR," says Earl Lloyd, who played in the NBA from 1951-60 and is credited with being the first black player to play in an NBA game. "You do it because it's the right thing to do.
"It's like if your parents get older, it's a family thing," adds Lloyd, 77. "The kids take care of them. It's what's right."
Former basketball players from the pre-65 group and the post-65 group were lobbying negotiators these past couple of weeks, asking that NBA pensions be increased under the new bargaining agreement.
Commissioner David Stern announced at a news conference that a new agreement had finally been reached, but he would not say exactly what would be provided for retired players.
"I would say there will be changes to all of the pensions," Stern said. "We just are not prepared to quantify them yet because we have to decide what we can do with the pot of money that's available."
Stern is careful with his language, but he does suggest that pensions will be increased for players who retired before and after 1965.
Cousy founded the NBA Players Association 50 years ago. He still remembers the players first butting heads with the owners, demanding their meal money be raised from $5 per day to $7.
Today, he doesn't need the extra money. He never made a base salary higher than $35,000 a year while playing but has had plenty of money-making opportunities since he retired in 1964.
Still, it hurts him to see some of his friends, men such as Mikan who once meant so much to the game, struggle.
"But what can we do?" Cousy asks. "We have no weapons to fight with here. Neither the owners or the players seem interested in us. All we can do is keep asking and hope that we might hear the right answer at some point."

BY RICK MAESEThe Orlando Sentinel