When push comes to shove, the Patriots have proven they can rough up Colts
By Michael Felger/ Patriots Beat
Monday, November 7, 2005 - Updated: 07:17 AM EST

FOXBORO – So how do the Patriots do it THIS time? Yet again, the Indianapolis Colts are coming into Foxboro as a seemingly unstoppable machine. They’re healthy. They’re balanced. They’re undefeated. --football gambling--

The Patriots are hurting on both sides of the ball and are battling an inconsistency rarely seen under Bill Belichick. Their defense can’t seem to stop anybody, never mind the most prolific offense of this generation. --football gambling--

You look at some of the individual matchups – Dwight Freeney vs. Nick Kaczur, Marvin Harrison vs. Duane Starks – and you wonder how the Pats can stay within three touchdowns of the Colts. And maybe they won’t. --football gambling--

But history tells a different story. The Pats have been here before, and just about every time they’ve defied the experts and handed the Colts a devastating loss. In 2001, the Pats were reeling at 0-2 and the Colts came to Foxboro having won their first two games with 87 points of offense. The result: Patriots, 44-10. This marked Tom Brady’s first start, but the game was won on the strength of a dominating defense (remember Bryan Cox’ hit on Jerome Pathon?). --football gambling--

In 2003, the Pats went into Indy to face the 9-2 Colts. The conditions were decidedly in the Colts’ favor – inside, on the carpet, with a full house of support. The result: Patriots, 38-34. Once again, defense was the key with a goal-line stand saving the day for the Pats. --football gambling--
In the 2003 AFC title game, the Colts came into Foxboro having outscored their opponents 79-41 over the first two rounds of the playoffs. The Pats were coming off a hard-fought, 17-14 squeaker over Tennessee. The result: Patriots, 24-14. Manning was intercepted four times. --football gambling--
In the 2004 divisional round, the Colts once again traveled to Foxboro having put up a huge number the week before with their 49-24 rout of Denver. The Pats were without Ty Law and Richard Seymour. The result: Patriots, 20-3. --football gambling--
In all, the Pats have won their last six games against Manning and the Colts and are 7-1 against them in the Belichick era. Manning, as we all know, has never won in Foxboro (0-6).--football gambling--
What’s the secret? At the end of the day, the answer is as old as football itself: The Patriots have been more physical. --football gambling--
The dome-dwelling, high-flying Colts don’t play that brand of football, and by muscling their receivers, the Pats have thrown Manning out of his rhythm and created turnovers. In the last four meetings between the teams, the Pats have 13 takeaways (seven interceptions, six mbles). --football gambling--
“The (Colts) don’t like it,” said former Pats linebacker Ted Johnson recently. “I remember the AFC title game, they were done in the second quarter. They were done and they knew it. (Tight end Marcus) Pollard (now with Detroit) didn’t want to be out there, that field was a sandbox and they knew we were bringing it. And they couldn’t take it. They don’t like it – at all.” --football gambling--

Much has been made of Belichick’s ability to confuse Manning, but Johnson said that aspect of the matchup has been overrated. He said the key has been the Pats’ ability to chuck the Colts receivers at the line and force Manning to hold the ball an extra second. “Stop the run with the front seven and kick the crap out of their receivers,” said Johnson, simplifying the game plan to its barest element. --football gambling--

The problem for the Pats is that they’ve lost much of their physical presence in the secondary with Ty Law’s departure and Rodney Harrison’s season-ending knee injury. Starks has said he doesn’t like to play physical, which is an attitude that has to change tonight. The physical element will get a boost if Randall Gay can return from the injured ranks. --football gambling--

The Pats also have another bit of history on their side: they’ve always been a better team in November and December than September and October. Since 2001, the Pats have lost just five games after Nov. 1, compiling an off-the-charts record of 39-5 (.886).--football gambling--

Also lost in the Manning vs. Belichick dynamic is the fact that Tom Brady has routinely torched the Colts secondary, with the Pats averaging 31.8 points per game against Indy since 2001. But, again, most matchups favor the Colts by a healthy margin. --football gambling--

It seems the only way the Pats can win tonight is if they get tough and force the Colts to screw it up. It’s happened before.--football gambling--

Chiefs erred terribly by not airing it sooner

UNION-TRIBUNE

October 31, 2005

The NFL is a good place for coaches to think. It's not a good place for them to overthink, because when they do, they forget this is "Football for Dummies." The Nobel Committee pays little attention to this game – although Bill Belichick no doubt wishes it would. -NFL Football-

Yesterday, the Kansas City Chiefs coaching staff forgot not only who they were, but who they were playing. And, by the time they realized they had screwed it up without adjusting for far too long, they were getting a good look at the Chargers' big, ugly rear ends. -NFL Football-

Playing uphill, on the road against a good but banged-up football team – which is what the Chargers are – is not a time to come down with a case of severe brain flatulence. But the Chiefs were in a London pea souper through the first 37 minutes, fell behind 21-3 and then discovered themselves much too late, eventually falling 28-20. -NFL Football-

The Chargers had the ideal plan, knowing what the Chiefs were going to do in the copycat NFL. They would do what everyone else has been trying to do – jam the running lanes on LaDainian Tomlinson and force Drew Brees to beat them through the air. -NFL Football-

Brees knew he was good enough to do so – but then he always feels that way and was last week in Philadelphia (until special teams let him down) – and he was in control. It became his game to win, and with the help of tight end Antonio Gates (10 catches, 145 yards, three scores), KC wasn't up to it. No Martyball yesterday. -NFL Football-

"We talked about it all week, how this could be the game that we throw it 50 times, and I think we almost did," said Brees, who would heave it a mere 42 times, completing 25 for 324 yards and three scores, his only real mistake a down-the-middle flyby that was picked, killing a drive. -NFL Football-

"You enter the game and see what kind of game plan they have for you defensively. If they bring a bunch of guys down in the box that you figure are going to pressure a lot, there are big holes in the defense to take advantage. I felt like we were able to do that today." -NFL Football-

Granted, the Chiefs, with revolving tailbacks Priest Holmes and Larry Johnson, can run with the best of them. But the Chargers can defend the run with the best of them. Pounding it against this defense, trying to beat it with short stuff isn't going to get it done, because the offense can outscore you. -NFL Football-

What KC coach Dick Vermeil and his staff forgot was that the Chargers came in ranked 29th in pass defense. I mean, if you can lay it in or try a 40-foot jumper, which do you do? KC chose the long shot. -NFL Football-

KC converted on 1-of-7 third-down tries in the first half. It had 112 total yards to the Chargers' 291. It had 30 yards passing on 12 attempts. The Chiefs stunk. -NFL Football-

Their wake-up call came midway through the third period, when Holmes was given a good-night call by rookie linebacker Shawne Merriman, who seems poised to become a devastating player (he needs to get a hold of himself every once in a while). With his best back and touchdown machine hearing Poe's "The Bells" in his head, Vermeil decided to air it out. -NFL Football-

KC was on its own 9 when Merriman hit Holmes. On third-and-8, the Chargers blew up a pass play, but Chiefs quarterback Trent Green scrambled and hit wideout Eddie Kennison on a 29-yarder. Next play: Green to Dante Hall for 11 yards. Next play: Green to tight end Tony Gonzalez for 36 yards. Next play: Green to Gonzalez for 16 and a score. -NFL Football-

They had found the secret, which was no secret at all. The Chargers have been known to have problems with air raids. The visitors would gain 306 yards over the final 30 minutes – 293 of them through the air. -NFL Football-

"I think (offensive coordinator) Al Saunders did a great job figuring out what didn't work," Gonzalez would say. -NFL Football-

Well, Saunders, who once ran the Chargers – maybe that's why we say "once" – did, but he must have been tailgating the first 37 minutes. -NFL Football-

"We started throwing the ball down the field," Gonzalez noted. -NFL Football-

Right. Too late. Overthinking by Vermeil, overthinking by Saunders, overthinking by defensive coordinator Gunther Cunningham. -NFL Football-

Meanwhile, the Chargers had but a few problems. Receiver Reche Caldwell, who fumbled the ball away on their final drive in Philadelphia, did so again, this time at the KC 31 with San Diego driving and up 14-0. Caldwell did not return. -NFL Football-

There was the Brees interception in the third quarter and a few special teams coverage problems. Kicking off to Hall with 17 seconds to go in the first half – he almost broke it, returning it 53 yards to the San Diego 47 – was ludicrous. -NFL Football-

But it was a win. No such thing as a bad one. The Bolts are 4-4 now, they haven't played a team truly better than them, and, with the possible exception of Indianapolis, they may not see one the rest of the way – if they can get the crowd out of the training room. -NFL Football-

"We've won the first of a nine-game season," coach Marty Schottenheimer announced. -NFL Football-

The Chiefs lost one they'll overthink about for a long time. -NFL Football-

---

Nick Canepa: (619) 293-1397; nick.canepa@uniontrib.com

Silver and blech
By Charles Robinson, Yahoo! Sports
-- NFL --
It's vulnerable at the top, perhaps more than ever.
We've only made it through Week 6, and 10 teams have already spent at least one week in the "elite" top five of the weekly rankings. We've only reached mid-October, and eight teams in the Top 12 have suffered two losses.
-- NFL --
Even the stalwarts seem have questions hanging overhead, whether it's Indianapolis (soft schedule), Pittsburgh (Willie Parker's slump), Cincinnati (run defense) or Tampa Bay (quarterback chaos). That should deliver an exciting few months, and plenty of shuffling in and out of the elite" five as the season goes on. -- NFL --
-- NFL --
-- NFL --
Don't be surprised if we see a few more newcomers as soon as next week, with Carolina, Seattle and Dallas all having the potential to make a run toward the top. One thing we do know: There isn't nearly as much instability in the Bottom Five, where we may have found at last three season-long staples in Houston, San Francisco and Minnesota. Don't be surprised if that's your three-horse race for the No. 1 draft pick. And with Randy Moss' injury, can the Raiders be far behind? -- NFL --

-- NFL --
THE TOP 12
1. Indianapolis Colts (6-0) – Subtract the special teams turnover and St. Louis' garbage-time touchdown, and the defense played pretty well. Then again, the Rams' offense never looked right after Marc Bulger was knocked out.
-- NFL --
2. Denver Broncos (5-1) – Like everyone else, I was scratching my head when Mike Shanahan scooped up Cleveland's defensive leftovers. Now the Broncos have a defensive line that stays fresh and disruptive by rotating seven players.
-- NFL --
3. Pittsburgh Steelers (3-2) – How did Charlie Batch not get a look in the second half against Jacksonville? Willie Parker has been ineffective for three straight weeks, so it might be time to get the Bus rolling again.
-- NFL --
4. Cincinnati Bengals (5-1) – T.J. Houshmandzadeh's absence has opened opportunities for other players, but the Bengals need as much firepower as possible this week. The defense is giving up nearly 142 rushing yards a game the last three weeks.
-- NFL --
5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5-1) – Carnell who? Joey Galloway and the defense look as sharp as ever, but injuries hammered this team last year. Brian Griese is out for the season, but isn't this why Jon Gruden drafted Chris Simms?
-- NFL --
6. New England Patriots (3-3) – It looked like Tom Brady was going to pull out one more huge fourth-quarter win until his receivers started dropping balls. Now we know why Duane Starks was nearly cut during the preseason.
-- NFL --
7. Philadelphia Eagles (3-2) – Terrell Owens' little radio show in Miami has become a must-listen event, unless you are a member of the Eagles' franchise.
-- NFL --
8. Atlanta Falcons (4-2) – If Sunday was an indication of what Atlanta's run defense is going to look like without Edgerton Hartwell, the Falcons better start worrying. Warrick Dunn is having a career year rushing, but he's practically disappeared in the passing game.
-- NFL --
9. Jacksonville Jaguars (4-2) – If you're looking for a reason why the passing game hasn't reached the next level, look at the mediocre production from the two first-round picks at wideout. Reggie Williams and Matt Jones have a combined 355 receiving yards and one touchdown.
-- NFL --
10. Dallas Cowboys (4-2) – It's time for Peerless Price to step into a contributing role now that Patrick Crayton has gone down. Can Drew Bledsoe catch lightning in a bottle with another one of his former favorite targets?
-- NFL --
11. Seattle Seahawks (4-2) – It was disappointing to see Ken Hamlin involved in a fight when it seemed his off-field troubles were behind him. The good news is that he's expected to recover from his injuries. The bad news is he likely won't be back on the field for Seattle. -- NFL --
-- NFL --
12. Carolina Panthers (4-2) – Keary Colbert might be the most disappointing second-year player in the league. Raise your hand if you didn't realize Chris Weinke was still in the NFL. -- NFL --
-- NFL --
RISING

Buffalo Bills (3-3) – Forget Kelly Holcomb for a second. In their three wins, the Bills have an average time of possession of over 37 minutes. But it's still disturbing that this defense is the third worst unit in the NFL against the run.
THE MUDDLED MIDDLE (in alphabetical order) -- NFL --
-- NFL --
Baltimore Ravens (2-3) – Despite showing some marked improvement over the last two games, Anthony Wright will still be heading back to the bench when Kyle Boller's toe heals. The change should take place in Week 9. -- NFL --
-- NFL --
Chicago Bears (2-3) – Thomas Jones is fighting his tail off to avoid giving
-- NFL --
Cedric Benson even one inch of opportunity to take the running back job. And the coaching staff loves it. -- NFL --
-- NFL --
Cleveland Browns (2-3) – Remember when running back Reuben Droughns was talking about how he deserved a new contract? Um, yeah. Not this year.
-- NFL --
Detroit Lions (2-3) – The Lions may not wait for Jeff Garcia's return to bench
-- NFL --
Joey Harrington. Can you say Dan Orlovsky? Steve Mariucci can, and probably will soon. -- NFL --
-- NFL --
Kansas City Chiefs (3-2) – From Trent Green to Tony Gonzalez and the running game, the offense still looks out of sync. Former fourth-round pick Jared Allen continues to look like one of the biggest steals of the 2004 draft. -- NFL --
-- NFL --
Miami Dolphins (2-3) – Something to keep in mind for free agency and the draft: Chris Chambers and Marty Booker are each averaging less than 50 receiving yards a game and have combined for only two touchdowns.
-- NFL --
New Orleans Saints (2-4) – The officials pulled the rug out from under the Saints with their defensive holding call, which gave Atlanta a second chance to kick a game-winning field goal. After running for 211 yards against the Falcons, the rushing game may not be dead without Deuce McAllister. -- NFL --
-- NFL --
New York Giants (3-2) – Tom Coughlin has to share the blame for rookie
Brandon Jacobs' pivotal fumble against Dallas. It might be a good idea to get your short-yardage back some warm-up touches before giving him his first carry on the goal line. -- NFL --

-- NFL --
New York Jets (2-4) – If they don't at least go 1-1 against Atlanta and San Diego in the next few weeks, fans can kiss the playoffs goodbye. So far, the Jets have gotten the short end of the Santana Moss-for-Laveranues Coles trade.
-- NFL --
St. Louis Rams (2-4) – The running game was looking dominant against Indianapolis until the Rams were forced into a shootout. It looks like Steven Jackson is really going to get a chance to stretch his legs while Mike Martz is out. -- NFL --

San Diego Chargers (3-3) – The oblivious quote of the week came from 24-year-old Chargers safety Terrence Kiel after the win over Oakland: "Marty (Schottenheimer) hates the Raiders. I don't know why." Someone give Terrence a refresher on the history of the Chiefs. -- NFL --
-- NFL --
Tennessee Titans (2-4) – The duo of Carson Palmer and Chad Johnson is just the latest in what will be a season of offenses picking on Pac Man Jones. And while he looked lost Sunday, it's far too early to label him a potential bust.
-- NFL --
Washington Redskins (3-2) – The defense is stiff, but just imagine how good the unit would look if it actually notched a fumble or interception once in a while. The Redskins haven't forced an interception in four games, and a timely pick could have been the difference in the last two losses. -- NFL --

FALLING
Oakland Raiders (1-4) – It looks like Norv Turner got some quality pieces for the future in Kirk Morrison and Fabian Washington. But at this rate, he won't be coaching them beyond 2005.
-- NFL --
THE BOTTOM FIVE
28. Green Bay Packers (1-4) – If Ahman Green can't break the 100-yard rushing mark against Minnesota this week, he may never do it again.
-- NFL --
29. Minnesota Vikings (1-4) – The Love Cruise might be a good thing. It's keeping people from recognizing that Daunte Culpepper is the worst starting quarterback in the NFC North, and most grossly overpaid player in the NFL.
-- NFL --
30. Arizona Cardinals (1-4) – Unlike some of the other coaches who are watching their teams struggle, Dennis Green's job is not on the line. Quietly, Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin are living up to every ounce of their hype.
-- NFL --
31. San Francisco 49ers (1-4) – This is how a defense looks when almost none of your personnel fits a 3-4 scheme. Depending on success in the draft and free agency, as many as five defensive starters could be replaced this offseason.
-- NFL --
32. Houston Texans (0-5) – If the Texans end up with the first overall pick in the draft, Dom Capers won't be the only one losing his job. Either David Carr gets dumped for Matt Leinart, or Domanick Davis gets pushed aside for Reggie Bush.

Charles Robinson is the national NFL writer for Yahoo! Sports. Send him a question or comment for potential use in a future column or webcast.

Ravens' Suggs and Ward ejected vs. Lions

DETROIT (Oct. 9, 2005) -- Baltimore Ravens defensive end/linebacker Terrell Suggs and safety B.J. Ward were ejected late in the third quarter against the Detroit Lions. - NFL Football -

Suggs was tossed out of the game by referee Mike Carey after he was called for roughing the passer and argued the call. Suggs' facemask might have made contact with the bill of Carey's cap, but it wasn't clear from television replays. - NFL Football -

After the same possession ended with an extra point, Ward was ejected for making contact with an official. The contact seemed to be incidental as Ward was trying to separate teammate Ed Reed from Detroit's Casey FitzSimmons after Reed pointed a finger in FitzSimmons' face, apparently upset about a cut block. - NFL Football -

© 2005, NFL Enterprises LLC.

NFL to Make Short-Lived Visit to Mexico

By WILL WEISSERT, Associated Press Writer

MEXICO CITY - Don't expect the NFL to stick around Mexico very long after Sunday's game between the Arizona Cardinals and San Francisco 49ers, the first regular-season game played outside the United States.

NFL Mexico, which oversees the sport in this country, says it has no plans to push for a team any time soon. It appears content to follow the lead of the NBA and major league baseball, which played games that counted in Mexico in years past but haven't seriously considered sanctioning Mexican franchises.

"A franchise in Mexico, it's not a priority for the short or medium term," said Geraldine Gonzalez of the league's Mexico City office. "It's not so viable."

NFL surveys say 20 million Mexicans, a little less than one in five, are fans of the league.

Still, Gonzalez said the fact that few play football has prohibited a sports culture from forming around homegrown talent. Factor in concerns about security, logistical difficulties and whether fans can afford ticket prices, and an NFL team here starts to look about as likely as Giants Stadium hosting Mexican cockfights.

"There are a number of communities in the United States that have raised their hands and said, 'We are ready for a franchise,' including Los Angeles," Gonzalez said. "The league will first look out for its interests within the United States."

The NFL is not alone. The northern city of Monterrey hosted baseball in 1999 and a three-game series between the San Diego Padres and New York Mets in 1996. But a bid to bring the Montreal Expos there part time, instead of playing in Puerto Rico, fizzled in 2003.

NBA commissioner David Stern has mentioned Mexico City as a possible site for an expansion franchise, and the Houston Rockets and the Dallas Mavericks 108-106 here on Dec. 6, 1997. But the league has not been back for a regular-season contest.

Paul Swangard, managing director of the University of Oregon's Warsaw Sports Management Center, said Mexico's inability to provide would-be franchises with modern stadiums including luxury boxes and other lucrative perks have helped scare away U.S. leagues.

"The leagues, especially the NFL, don't want to discount their product for a particular market," Swangard said.

Tickets for Sunday's game at Azteca Stadium, which hosted World Cup finals in 1970 and 1986, cost between $23 and $80. That's cheaper than seats at most U.S. stadiums, but prohibitively expensive for millions in a country where the minimum wage is $4 a day.

Wearing a Pittsburg Steelers cap while waiting for a bus in southern Mexico City, construction worker Jorge Chavez said he was proud an NFL game was being played here — but that he couldn't afford to go.

"Feeding the children comes first," he said. "I can watch it on television."

Instead of expansion plans, if things go well Sunday the NFL has promised to consider holding regular-season contests in other international locations. Strong television ratings across Mexico and a crowd of 100,000-plus in the stands would go a long way toward making the game a success.

Fans have not snapped up tickets as quickly as anticipated, but officials point out that Mexican buyers are notorious for waiting until the last minute.

Buying seats at an Azteca ticket window, 48-year-old Jamie Solis said: "Mexico's so close, there should be an NFL team. There are good football fans here. They want a full stadium. We will fill it."

But a complete sellout won't be possible because officials are not offering tickets for the first seven rows around Azteca's massive bowl, citing atrocious viewing angles at field level.

The halftime show will feature a series of traditional Mexican dances involving 900 performers. The Mexican national anthem will complement that of the United States, and kickoffs, punts and field goals might carry farther given the 7,200-foot altitude.

Otherwise, things on the field will look much the same as at any other NFL game. The league even brought down the paint used for yard markers, the NFL logos and the insignia of the Cardinals in one end zone and the 49ers in the other.

"We're trying to use less paint to save the stadium," said Pete Wozniak, manager of athletic facilities at Arizona State, who came down to lead a 14-member grounds crew preparing the field for the game. "They've got to play soccer here again in a few weeks."

And going back to soccer, Mexico's true sports love, is fine with many.

"There's a lot of interest. But an entire NFL season, when so many people like soccer better?" said Juan Hernandez, who was asked about a Mexican franchise after arriving at the Azteca ticket booth aboard an SUV with a Dallas Cowboys novelty license plate. "For the NFL, it should be 'yes' in Mexico, but better only for one day."

Copyright © 2005 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. The information contained in the AP News report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press.

NFL star taking up real estate

In Weddington, Nickersons target athletes, execs

DOUG SMITH

NFL star taking up real estate In Weddington, Nickersons target athletes, execs Former NFL linebacker Hardy Nickerson hung up his pads after 16 years, but he's still using his playing skills -- in real estate. - NFL Football -

Nickerson and his wife, Amy, have just formed Nickerson Realty Group in Weddington. He is president and CEO of the residential agency. She is vice president.

It's not unusual for professional athletes to open nightclubs, put their names on auto dealerships or launch broadcasting careers.

For ex-football players, real estate is a popular option.

"In real estate, it takes a team effort to get things to the closing table and make your buyers and sellers happy," said instructor Dana Rhodes of The Mingle School of Real Estate, where Nickerson studied.

The sales agent, for example, acts as the leader of the team, getting inspection reports done and bringing in key players such as the closing agent and the lender's representative.

The Nickersons, operating initially from their home in Weddington, are offering services from consulting to relocation with a targeted clientele in mind: professional athletes, entertainers and corporate executives. - NFL Football -

That's an unusual niche but an astute approach, Rhodes said. "Finding what you are best at and performing on it is very important in real estate," he said.

Nickerson, who played for Pittsburgh, Tampa Bay, Jacksonville and Green Bay, acquired his real estate sales and broker's licenses by studying at the Mingle School after moving to Charlotte about two years ago.

To ease his career transition, he also attended an executive education program at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania for current and former players preparing for life after the NFL.

Nickerson believes the most important thing he and Amy bring to their firm (www.nickersonrealtygroup.com) is their experience. - NFL Football -

Trades, free agency, injuries and other issues create unique circumstances for professional athletes, who sometimes must relocate to a new city on a moment's notice.

The Nickersons moved 29 times during Hardy's football career and bought and sold almost a dozen homes.

Amy Nickerson oversees the relocation division. Among its services: helping clients arrange transportation of personal belongings, advising on maintaining multiple residences and identifying service providers.

When people move, things can go wrong -- like the time the Nickersons found squirrels had chewed through the ceiling of a house a friend was supposed to be looking after.

Amy recounts that and other relocation horror stories in a booklet she's preparing to educate clients.

Hardy concentrates on traditional services such as buying and selling property and real estate investment consulting. - NFL Football -

The Nickersons are Californians who graduated from the University of California at Berkeley, where they met.

They could have lived anywhere after Hardy retired from football in 2003, but they got strong encouragement from friends and their three children to settle in the Charlotte area.

The Football Connection

Hardy Nickerson isn't the first NFL veteran to identify what he calls "similar skill sets" -- teamwork, leadership, competitiveness and strategy.Former Dallas Cowboys quarterback Roger Staubach started what's now a global commercial real estate services company while still playing in the mid-1970s.

And in Charlotte, Carolina Panthers defensive end Mike Rucker plans to open Vision Group Realty, a residential real estate firm, next month.

Hardy and Amy Nickerson

Some of Hardy Nickerson's most memorable football years were spent during the mid-to-late 1990s at Tampa Bay, where he was a five-time Pro Bowler.

In 1997, he received the NFL's Byron R. "Whizzer" White Award recognizing his service to team, community and country.

Amy Nickerson was vice president of the not-for-profit Hardy Nickerson Foundation serving disadvantaged youth in Tampa. She also hosted a weekly radio sports talk show there. Amy worked as an account executive in Pittsburgh with Ketchum Public Relations.

Mike Rucker

Mike Rucker, who played college football at the University of Nebraska, has been a Carolina Panther since 1999.He also is chief executive of Vision Group Realty, a full-service residential real estate firm aiming for a mid-October opening at Promenade on Providence shopping center in south Charlotte. - NFL Football -

Margie Bell, a 32-year real estate veteran, is Vision Group Realty's president and principal broker. She said the firm will have space for up to 50 agents and include investment and commercial divisions.

Roger Staubach

Roger Staubach, a former Dallas Cowboy quarterback, is chairman and chief executive officer of The Staubach Co. which is based in Dallas and has a Charlotte office.

The real estate advisory firm has about 1,200 employees in 60 offices in the Americas serving about 2,000 commercial clients.

Worldwide, the DTZ Staubach Tie Leung partnership has 7,900 professionals who assist multinational clients in 40 countries.

Staubach, bothered by recurring concussions, retired from the Cowboys in spring 1980 after 11 years.

The Charlotte Observer

Packers WR Walker done for the season

GREEN BAY, Wis. (Sept. 12, 2005) -- Javon Walker, the Green Bay Packers' best receiver, will miss the rest of the season after tearing up his right knee in the opener.

Walker will need an operation once the swelling subsides to repair the torn anterior cruciate ligament and will require between eight and 12 months of rehabilitation.

"Talking to him last night, he's very positive and upbeat about it, understands what's ahead of him and is planning on breaking all kinds of records on getting back sooner," coach Mike Sherman said. - NFL Football -

Walker was hurt in the third quarter of the Packers' 17-3 loss at Detroit when he pushed off safety Terrence Holt on a 55-yard catch that was negated by his offensive interference.

Walker, who made the Pro Bowl last season after catching 89 passes for 1,382 yards and 12 touchdowns, threatened to hold out this year if the final two years of his contract weren't renegotiated. But he showed up in training camp on time, saying he wanted to prove he was worthy of a blockbuster contract through his play. - NFL Football -

The risk, of course, was suffering a serious injury that would limit his earning power -- just like the one he suffered now, when he caught four passes for 27 yards.

When he was threatening to hold out, agent Drew Rosenhaus said he couldn't let Walker risk his health for that kind of money, but Walker said he couldn't fathom missing any games in a contract dispute. - NFL Football -

With Walker down, Robert Ferguson will start alongside Donald Driver, who will move from split end to flanker. Ferguson is the Packers' best special teams player, but might be taken off those units now, Sherman said.

Also, second-round draft pick Terrence Murphy, who missed much of training camp with a knee injury, will be force-fed the offense so he can serve as the No. 4 receiver behind kick returner Antonio Chatman. - NFL Football -

Walker's injury is a serious blow to the Packers and quarterback Brett Favre, whose team had never been held to as few as three points in any of his 226 consecutive starts, counting playoffs.

"I don't think there's going to be desperation in the locker room. There's disappointment for him personally and for our team," Sherman said. "But you have to be able to move on."

© 2005, NFL Enterprises LLC.