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2005-11-07T13:15:00.000-08:00

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--

2005-10-31T14:21:00.000-08:00

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

2005-10-18T21:24:00.000-07:00

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.

2005-10-10T14:22:00.000-07:00

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 -

2005-10-01T14:33:00.000-07:00

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.

2005-09-26T10:11:00.000-07:00

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

2005-09-16T08:48:00.000-07:00

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."

2005-09-06T08:43:00.000-07:00

Fantasy Football '05: Last minute musings before we rock and roll

By Ladd K. Biro

Now that another preseason has mercifully ended, most of us have completed our drafts and there's little to do but sit and stare at the television, waiting for the traditional Thursday night kickoff where legendary NFL fan Mick Jagger will once again herald the beginning of the season with his traditional "Are you ready for some American football, mate?" ditty.

Huh?

Okay, it's probably a safer bet that we'll hear "Start Me Up" instead, but whatever the thick-lipped rocker dishes out, it won't be as strange as watching the first game of the year on Thursday night. It may even place a distant third behind seeing Randy Moss wearing No. 18 for the silver and black. - NFL Football -

The truth is, I don't care if Janet Jackson is planning to reveal more hidden assets during the pre-game festivities, I'll be glued to the "boob tube" for one reason, and one reason only: my opponent is starting Kerry Collins.

At least we aren't wrapping up another preseason moaning about injuries to some of the league's biggest attractions. When Rex Grossman is the most significant casualty, you know the NFL is counting its lucky superstars. - NFL Football -

So as Thursday rapidly approaches, here are a few last-minute observations and divinations for those who have yet to draft or can still make a move in free agency to bolster their rosters.

Perennially underrated quarterback Trent Green will be under center for the explosive Chiefs offense as they host the Jets in Week 1. That's the good news. The concern is that doctors still aren't sure why he lost feeling in his left leg and foot in the preseason game against Seattle, prompting them to insert a stent in his artery. It may be nothing, but I've dropped him below Marc Bulger in my quarterback rankings because of the risk that the problem may resurface at some point during the season.

Saints quarterback Aaron Brooks is a much better fantasy player at home than away, so the prospect of playing 16 games on the road is something to consider if you haven't yet drafted. In fact, I've dropped each of New Orleans' fantasy stars a few slots in my rankings due to the extreme circumstances they will be facing this season. - NFL Football -

Expect Lions quarterback Joey Harrington to get off to a nice start against a porous Packers secondary. Since it's impossible for Jeff Garcia to hang over his shoulder now that he's lying on his back with a broken leg, Harrington can simply relax and let the balls fly to his stable of first-round wide receivers.

"Fast Willie" Parker gets the start at running back as the Steelers host Tennessee in the opener. With both Duce Staley and Jerome Bettis limping out of the preseason, Parker will have another opportunity to show off his blazing speed, which we first witnessed in the final game of the '04 regular season. Don't be surprised if he performs well enough to earn the start in Week 2 against another below-average defense in Houston.

Carolina's Stephen Davis once again has defied the skeptics (myself included) and is poised to return to the starting lineup against the Saints on Sunday. It's hard to believe his 31-year-old body will hold up for an entire season, but he could make some waves as long as he stays healthy. Davis will undoubtedly share carries with DeShaun Foster, who is much younger but no less fragile. - NFL Football -

Mike Anderson quieted a few naysayers of his own, taking Denver's starting running back job in training camp and refusing to yield it to odds-on favorite Tatum Bell. It's not impossible, or even unlikely, that Bell will take over at some point in the season (has anyone seen Quentin Griffin lately?), but Anderson looked outstanding during the preseason and can be an excellent value pick in the middle rounds.

Jacksonville wide receiver Jimmy Smith has developed a mysterious case of the drops. Normally one of the game's most sure-handed receivers, Smith's hands have been as soft as bricks this preseason, prompting head coach Jack Del Rio to imply that his younger wide receivers may get more targets if the veteran doesn't fix the problem. If you haven't drafted yet, it may be best to let Smith slide to an opponent.

Don't think that Peerless Price's reunion with the quarterback that made him rich and famous (Drew Bledsoe) will resuscitate his fantasy career. Dallas may be willing to take the chance that Price is right for their wide receiver corps, but you shouldn't. He'll be lucky to beat out Patrick Crayton for the third receiver slot. - NFL Football -

Tight end Eric Johnson may miss the 49ers' first game due to a foot injury, leaving the team with exactly zero players worth starting on your fantasy team.

Doug Jolley didn't show enough during the preseason to claim the Jets' tight end job all to himself. It looks like he'll be sharing snaps with Chris Baker, meaning you should look elsewhere to fill your tight end position.

Paul Edinger won Minnesota's kicking duties, as predicted, making him an instant fantasy force. Look for cast-off Aaron Elling to find a job elsewhere, though not likely with another offensive powerhouse.

Some leagues require a "hard draft," wherein every team must select the same number of players at each position, including two kickers and two defensive units. If you're in one of these leagues and are permitted to add flexibility in free agency, drop your backup kickers and defensives now and add depth at running back and/or wide receiver. Bye weeks don't start until Week 3, so you'll have time later to select a temporary filler at those positions. However, if Denver is your second defense, hold onto them for Week 1, when they are likely to feast on a weak Dolphins offense that will struggle out of the gates. - NFL Football -

Alright, Mick, we're ready. Gimme some satisfaction!

2005-08-30T09:45:00.000-07:00

End of an era for hosts of ‘NFL PrimeTime’

By Jim Carlisle

Ventura County (Calif.) Star

It’s a bittersweet time for Chris Berman and Tom Jackson. The start of the NFL season is coming up and the two ESPN studio icons just flat-out love their jobs. The problem is this will be the last season for the part of their job they love the most.

This will be the last season for “NFL PrimeTime.” The program won’t be on in its current Sunday night format when the league’s new television contract goes into effect in 2006. NBC takes over the Sunday night slot then and it will have its own pregame show with Bob Costas and Cris Collinsworth.

“NFL PrimeTime” will still exist, but it will serve as a pregame show to “Monday Night Football,” which moves from ABC to ESPN next season.

The 24-hour delay will take away a significant part of what makes the current show great.

Coming on after the Sunday daytime games allowed “NFL PrimeTime” to take an in-depth look at each game. It isn’t just a wham-bam highlight show; it has permission from the NFL to show extended highlights. Berman and Jackson show how each game unfolded and shows nearly every play from every key drive.

What results is the ability to truly appreciate not only that game, but pro football in general. These highlights aren’t just touchdowns and end-zone celebrations, but offensive linemen, defense and special teams as well.

The show will have a lot of the same ingredients when it moves to Monday in 2006, but the immediacy will be gone.

“It’s maybe the thing that I look most forward to every year,” Berman said recently, “and now we’re not going to be able to do it after this year. So I’m very bummed.

“I was very upset about it, but then again, look: Nobody passed away. We’re fortunate; our friends at ABC don’t even have football next year, so a lot of people I know are not even doing what they love at all.”

Berman said ESPN doesn’t plan to do anything different with the show this season, but it does want to go out with a bang.

“We’re going to make sure that we damn well leave it with an exclamation point,” he said.

“As you look back on it a few years from now, you might say, ‘You know what? A whole generation might have gotten their football in an hour from this show.’

2005-08-24T07:36:00.000-07:00

Former NFL Star Sought by L.A. Police

LOS ANGELES - Former NFL running back Lawrence Phillips, who was wanted by police for domestic violence, was arrested Sunday after allegedly running his car into three teenagers who argued with him during a pickup football game, police said.
Phillips, 30, was booked on suspicion of attempted murder and domestic abuse and held without bail, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Web site. It wasn't immediately clear if Phillips had an attorney to represent him.
Police had been seeking Phillips since earlier this month for allegedly attacking his girlfriend twice, once choking her into unconsciousness.
Phillips joined a group of 16- and 17-year-olds in a pickup football game in Exposition Park on Sunday and got into an argument with some of the teens, said Los Angeles Police Officer Sandra Escalante. He left, but came back and drove a car onto the field, hitting three of the boys, she said.
The three teenagers were treated at a hospital; none of their injuries was considered life threatening, police said.
The car was reported stolen in San Diego last week, Escalante said.
Phillips was arrested and held on the domestic violence felony warrant. Charges are pending in the Sunday incident, Escalante said.
It wasn't immediately clear if Phillips had an attorney to represent him.
The former University of Nebraska star has a history of high-profile trouble with the law going back a decade to his time as one of the nation's top college football players.
He was drafted in 1996 by the St. Louis Rams, despite pleading no contest to a charge of domestic violence in a confrontation with a girlfriend, but was released for insubordination the following year. Phillips then signed with the Miami Dolphins, but was released after pleading no contest to hitting a woman in a nightclub.
He later played in the NFL Europe and the Canadian Football League, He later played in the Canadian Football League, but was dropped from two teams for behavioral problems.
He was charged in Quebec in late 2003 with sexual assault, assault and uttering threats, apparently against another girlfriend. He was denied entry into Canada last year when he attempted to appear in court on those charges because of his criminal history.

ANDREW DALTON, Associated Press

2005-08-15T10:26:00.000-07:00

Glover veteran rock in young Dallas 'D'

OXNARD – They all experience it, from the established stars to the undrafted rookies who show up with football shoes scuffed by too many afternoons on too many dusty fields. Insecurity. It is the constant of an NFL training camp. - NFL Football -
"It never is a negative," argued La'Roi Glover.
One would think he would be oblivious to it, made so by having been a party to five Pro Bowls in his nine professional seasons. But as accomplished as he has been, the former Point Loma High and San Diego State athlete accepts that one misstep and his time with the Dallas Cowboys could be at an end.
"I sort of feel this way at the beginning of every season," Glover said. "Maybe it's part of being insecure." - NFL Football -
Glover's fragile sense of self likely has its origin in how the Oakland Raiders handled him following his introductory season in the NFL in 1996. They waived him.
"Unfortunately," he said, "I carry a chip on my shoulder."
There also would be other reasons for Glover's insecurity. The Dallas club that is preparing to begin its regular season against the Chargers in San Diego on Sept. 11 surrendered 405 points during its 6-10 season a year ago. Only two other NFC teams gave up as many as 400, New Orleans (405) and San Francisco (452). Bill Parcells noticed. He has altered his defensive scheme, going from a 4-3 front to a 3-4 alignment. - NFL Football -
Glover is a defensive lineman recognized for his prowess in the pass rush. His 18½ sacks during his three seasons in Dallas are the third-highest total by an NFL defensive tackle through that interim. Only in the 3-4, his primary assignment would be standing off against the offensive center, "mirroring him," in his phrase. His opportunities to get to a quarterback would be limited.
Glover said he has embraced playing in the 3-4. "Yeah, I'm sold," he said. "I've bought into it."
He noted that playing in the 3-4 would be nothing new to him, the Raiders having utilized it at least sparingly in his year in Oakland and the New Orleans Saints more liberally during his five campaigns in Louisiana. - NFL Football -
The Cowboys, he said, have advised him that his number of snaps is apt to be reduced. This he does not accept.
"I've been told that, but I've been told that for the last eight years," he said. "Every year, they say my snaps are going to be reduced." - NFL Football -
This time, Parcells has a gambit he is toying with: starting four rookie defenders. They would be Demarcus Ware, the linebacker/defensive end from Troy University with whom the club led off its draft; Marcus Spears, a 294-pound defensive lineman from LSU also identified in the first round; Kevin Burnett, a linebacker from Tennessee who was a second-round selection; and Chris Canty, a 6-foot-7, 295-pound defender from Virginia named in the draft's fourth round.
"I've done it before," Parcells said. "It was scary for the other teams because No. 56 (Lawrence Taylor) was one of those rookies (on the New York Giants in 1981). But it was scary for us."
Ware, being auditioned as a linebacker, has folks in the Cowboys camp raving. Spears suffered injuries to a knee, an ankle and his groin on one practice play and was left behind when the 'Boys began their preseason schedule against the Cardinals in Arizona, but he could be fit by Sept. 11. Canty was struck by a bottle during an offseason incident in a Scottsdale, Ariz., bistro and twice has undergone laser surgery to an eye, but he has begun exercising. - NFL Football -
Mickey Spagnola is a Dallas journalist who is spending his 20th summer with the Cowboys. Watching Canty the other day, Spagnola said he noticed something. "They couldn't block him," said Mickey. "He was playing inside and he was by the guards before they could even touch him."
Parcells has many options, including having Jason Ferguson, a gregarious 305-pound former New York Jets property, alternate with Glover on the nose. Ferguson outweighs La'Roi by almost 25 pounds.
Know this: Glover, one of the most respected athletes on Parcells' squad, is ready for any challenges. "I feel great; I feel strong," he said. "I feel positive about this team. For us, it's Super Bowl or bust." - NFL Football -
Aren't those hopes a bit optimistic? "They're realistic," he said.
About the possibility of all those rookies starting, Glover said this: "If they're ready. This is a test for all of us. If they can play when the lights go on, then we're all going to be better."

UNION-TRIBUNE

2005-08-09T06:27:00.000-07:00

Gamers, get ready for football

Nothing causes video-game fever like the start of football season. Sales of "Madden NFL 2006" were to begin at 12:01 this morning at stores around the area, with hundreds of copies ordered in advance expected to be snapped up quickly.
"We're expecting a good turnout," said Holly Coutre, who manages the Blockbuster/Game Rush on Southfield Road in Allen Park. "We have a lot of cool things going on."
"Madden" is the best-selling sports video-game franchise ever, with more than 43 million copies sold. Last year's version sold 1.35 million copies in the first week alone.
This year's version is the first in which "Madden" has locked up exclusive rights to NFL teams and players, meaning that gamers who want to play with real NFL teams have no choice but to buy "Madden."
At the Allen Park Game Rush, tournaments on last year's "Madden" game were to culminate in a championship match after midnight using new "Madden NFL 2006" copies.
The store planned to give away food, two Xbox systems and other goodies.

Heather Newman

2005-07-26T07:38:00.000-07:00

Williams tries football again

Back in the Miami Dolphins' backfield Monday, Ricky Williams made all the right moves.First, he showed up. Then he reached the end zone on his first carry, smiled at cheering fans, apologized for leaving the team in the lurch, said he was done with dope and calmly submitted to a media interrogation regarding his surreal one-year retirement. - NFL Football -
One question, the first one, momentarily stumped him, though: Why did he return?"Why? Why? I don't know. I don't know," he said.Uh-oh. This roller-coaster ride still seems a little rickety.Greeted with hugs from teammates and cheers from fans, Williams returned to the Dolphins for their opening training camp practice Monday under new coach Nick Saban. Lining up for his first play since the 2003 season, Williams took a handoff from Gus Frerotte and sprinted 20 yards to the goal line.But there was no defense on the field. Williams is sure to meet stiffer resistance in the weeks to come as he tries to regain favor and reclaim a starting job."Look, we're kind of in the risk-taking business," Saban said. - NFL Football -
"I've talked to the team about it. I think everybody is accepting of his ability and respectful of him as a competitor. I think everybody is anxious to see that he is committed and to evaluate his level of commitment."At a team meeting Sunday after players reported for camp, Williams spoke briefly and apologized for the impact caused by his retirement a year ago last weekend. The Dolphins went into a nosedive and finished 4-12."There were things about life that I wanted to explore outside of football, and I had never had the chance," Williams said at a news conference. "I realize by making that decision, I affected the team in a negative way and upset a lot of fans."I'm very regretful that people were hurt in the process of me doing that. I do realize that to a lot of people it comes off as being very selfish. - NFL Football -
So I do offer an apology to all the people who were negatively impacted."His words of contrition seemed to satisfy teammates, including center Seth McKinney, who a year ago called Williams a quitter."In the team meeting, he did what he had to do," McKinney said. "He's a man about it. We're all being men about it. Nobody is holding any grudges. We all want him back. He's a great player."CARDINALSArizona is moving its training camp from Flagstaff because of a virus outbreak on the Northern Arizona University campus. The team said no decision had been made on where the camp will be located. Players are scheduled to gather Sunday, with workouts beginning next Monday.Team officials said they hoped to identify a new training site today. One potential site is Prescott, where the Cardinals worked out for a week last year and are scheduled to practice from Aug. 24-26. - NFL Football -
"The overwhelming concern obviously was the health and well-being of our team," said Rod Graves, vice president of football operations. "Despite what have been extraordinary efforts on the part of everyone at NAU to accommodate our team, in the end, even the slightest risk of exposure was something we cannot chance."Last week, more than 100 people attending summer camps at the university contracted the highly contagious norovirus, an illness that is not life-threatening but causes flu-like symptoms. - NFL Football -
REDSKINSFifth-round draft pick Robert McCune signed, leaving Washington with three more picks to sign: Third-round selection Manuel White and first-rounders Carlos Rogers and Jason Campbell. Players report for camp Sunday. - NFL Football -
OTHER SIGNINGSJacksonville signed former Virginia running back Alvin Pearman, leaving the team with two unsigned draft picks. ... New England signed offensive lineman Logan Mankins, becoming the first NFL team to sign a player taken in the first round of this year's draft. ... Baltimore signed draft picks Justin Green and Derek Anderson to three-year contracts. ... Detroit signed cornerback Stanley Wilson and quarterback Dan Orlovsky to three-year deals. ... Green Bay signed safety Marviel Underwood and linebacker Brady Poppinga, its two fourth-round picks.ELSEWHEREAlex Smith, the first pick in April's draft, agreed to terms on a six-year, $57 million deal with the San Francisco 49ers. - NFL Football -
Smith will receive a guaranteed $24 million, a lawyer familiar with terms of the deal said on condition of anonymity. ... First-round pick Marlin Jackson wants to join his Indianapolis Colts teammates at training camp Wednesday, and agent Doug Hendrickson is optimistic he can make it happen. ... Chicago GM Jerry Angelo painted a darker picture of contract negotiations with running back Cedric Benson, the fourth pick in the draft. The sides have not spoken since the start of training camp. ... Ray Oldham, 54, a 10-year NFL cornerback who won a Super Bowl ring with the 1978 Pittsburgh Steelers, died Saturday in Soddy-Daisy, Tenn. - NFL Football -

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

2005-07-18T07:25:00.000-07:00

Football fans rejoice! NFL training camps open

Each year, the crack of the bat dominates the sports dog days of July. Each year, the crack of helmets is a welcome respite.Face it, the NFL never can arrive soon enough.Next Saturday, the Chicago Bears will be the league's first team to open training camp for the 2005 season. A week from today, three more teams -- including the Miami Dolphins and new Coach Nick Saban -- will be bashing blocking sleds in the unforgiving heat. - NFL Football -
Four days later, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers report to Celebration for their fourth straight training camp at Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex. The Jacksonville Jaguars, who narrowly missed the playoffs in '04, open workouts July 29 at Alltel Stadium.On a national scope, the woeful Arizona Cardinals are a fashionable pick to reach the postseason. The Minnesota Vikings have rebuilt their team around Daunte Culpepper and defense. In Philadelphia, a contract squabble could keep controversial wide receiver Terrell Owens out of camp. Pittsburgh's quarterback, Ben Roethlisberger, is not a rookie anymore. And in Foxboro, the New England Patriots are looking to make history again. - NFL Football -
To answer the rhetorical question, yes, we're always ready for some football.The preseason kicks off in 20 days with the Atlanta Falcons and Indianapolis Colts facing off Aug. 8 in Tokyo. On Aug. 9, the Dolphins and Bears play in the Hall of Fame Game, culminating in a special weekend in Ohio for Miami fans. - NFL Football -
Saban's much-anticipated debut on the sideline, however, will take second billing to Dan Marino's induction on the stairs of the legendary Hall in Canton.The regular season commences Sept. 8 when the two-time defending champion Patriots -- winners of three of the last four Super Bowls and looking to become the first team ever to "threepeat" -- play host to Randy Moss and the new-look Oakland Raiders in a nationally televised Thursday night opening-day spectacular. - NFL Football -
The first full slate of games comes on the hallowed and patriotic day of Sept. 11.Make note of those dates on your calendar. But first, check out the Sentinel's massive NFL primer for the key 411 on our three state teams, as well as the sexy subplots from around the league.

Chris Harry Sentinel Staff Writer

2005-07-12T07:10:00.000-07:00

Ex-Royals prospect takes shot at NFL
Chiefs scout sees receiver's workout

Maybe Roscoe Crosby will find his way to Kansas City after all.
Crosby, a former Royals prospect, held a private workout for a scout from the Chiefs and representatives from 17 other NFL teams last week, his agent, Kevin Parker, said Friday.
Once the No. 1 wide receiver prospect in the nation, Crosby is now known in Kansas City for baseball and the career that never really happened. The Royals made him a second-round pick in the 2001 amateur draft and gave him a deal that included a $1.75 million bonus. But Crosby never played in the minors because of an arm injury, and the Royals recently won an appeal to void payments totaling $750,000 in signing bonuses. - NFL Football -
A former Clemson star, Crosby is on the Royals’ restricted list, meaning the team still holds his baseball rights. The outcome of arbitration, Parker said, helped Crosby make the decision to go back to football. He hopes to be picked in Thursday’s supplemental draft.
“He was pretty much stuck,” Parker said. “He wasn’t going to be held down.
“Roscoe is a professional. When the Kansas City Royals drafted him, he was 18 years old. Whatever happened or didn’t happen, that was then. He’s 22, he’s matured. … He’s very much at peace, and he’s excited.” - NFL Football -
On a sweltering day in South Carolina last week, former NFL quarterback Shaun King zipped passes to Crosby while the scouts watched. He ran a high 4.4 in the 40-yard dash and bench-pressed 225 pounds.
The Chiefs spent part of the summer looking for receiving help after they cut Johnnie Morton on June 2. They picked up Freddie Mitchell near the end of minicamp, but on a roster dotted with inexperience, Crosby may be an intriguing draft possibility. - NFL Football -
When asked whether Crosby would object to going to Kansas City, Parker said, “(David) Glass doesn’t own the Kansas City Chiefs, does he?”
Crosby, a 6-foot-2, 218-pounder, hasn’t played a full season of football since 2001, when he set freshman records at Clemson for receptions and receiving yards. But Parker said Crosby has shaken off the rust with an intense workout routine, and they’re confident he’ll land somewhere.
“I’m not making him Superman,” Parker said, “but he has some gifts that made him a hot commodity in both sports. - NFL Football -
“Whether it’s in the draft or free-agency, he’s going to be in somebody’s camp in July. That’s a given.”

By ELIZABETH MERRILL The Kansas City Star

2005-07-06T10:11:00.000-07:00

Coaching legend Stram dies
He's best remembered for winning Super Bowl with the Chiefs and as radio commentator.

Hank Stram, the most successful coach in American Football League history and a TV and radio broadcaster for nearly two decades, died Monday in a suburban New Orleans hospital. He was 82. - NFL Football -
Stram died at St. Tammany Parish Hospital near his home in Covington, La., across Lake Pontchartrain from New Orleans. He had been in declining health for several years, and his son attributed the death to complications from diabetes. - NFL Football -
Stram, a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, was credited with developing the 3-4 defense, the two-tight-end formation and the moving pocket. When his coaching career was over, he worked as an analyst for CBS, first on television and then in the radio booth, where he called "Monday Night Football" alongside Jack Buck.
Stram did radio commentary for four Super Bowls, becoming the first person to participate in the NFL championship game both as a winning coach, with the Kansas City Chiefs, and broadcaster. - NFL Football -
"I've lived a charmed life," he once said. "I married the only girl I ever loved, and being able to do a job I truly loved with the Chiefs. I'm a lucky fellow."
Stram, who had suffered from diabetes for several years, was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2003. Too weak to stand or walk on his own, he watched his prerecorded induction speech from a wheelchair. - NFL Football -
"Look at all the red eyes," former Kansas City running back Ed Podolak said at the time. "I cried like a baby, and so did everyone else."

Sam Farmer / Los Angeles Times

2005-06-29T14:44:00.000-07:00

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

ALLEN PARK -- The NFL's second phase of free agency starts today and the Lions are looking at two cornerbacks already on the market.

R.W. McQuarters, released May 24 by the Bears, was expected to arrive in town Wednesday and visit with the Lions today. Previously, the Lions welcomed former Patriots cornerback Ty Law, who was released in February and is recovering from a broken left foot.

"There are still a couple of people who could make our football team better," Lions president Matt Millen said Wednesday. "If we can make it fit, then I'd do it."

McQuarters was released partly for salary-cap reasons. He was scheduled to make $3.05 million in base salary this season.

McQuarters was San Francisco's first-round draft pick in 1998 and played his first two seasons there under current Lions coach Steve Mariucci. McQuarters was traded to Chicago in 2000 for a sixth-round draft pick and was a valuable defender and return specialist for five seasons.

McQuarters had two interceptions in 2004 and has 10 in his career.

Law has a much higher profile.

The former University of Michigan star was a starter on four Super Bowl teams for New England and played in four Pro Bowls. He holds the franchise record with 36 career interceptions and is one of the NFL's toughest, most intense defensive backs.

Law's recovery from his broken foot, and his contract demands, are the keys to any deal with the Lions -- or any team.

"I'd still like to do something with Ty Law," Millen said. "I haven't forgotten that. We've got our updates on him. There's a lot of stuff involved. He's got to get ready to play."

Edwards update

Defensive end Kalimba Edwards' legal problems, stemming from his weekend arrest for a traffic violation, have no bearing on his playing status, Millen said.

"To me, they're separate," Millen said. "You can talk to him about it, but I'm fine with Kalimba."

Edwards was arraigned Tuesday on charges of resisting arrest and failing to produce a driver's license during a traffic stop in Southfield.

Edwards was Detroit's second-round draft pick in 2002, but has not built on a promising rookie season when he had 6 1/2 sacks. Edwards has had only 6 1/2 sacks the last two seasons combined, and did not start a game in 2004.

Edwards would not comment Wednesday.

Wilkinson plan

Defensive tackle Dan Wilkinson has been absent from the voluntary practices, but could participate next week Mariucci said.

Wilkinson has started every game for two seasons since signing with the Lions as a free agent near the end of training camp in 2003. Wilkinson lives in Virginia during the offseason, and has family matters to attend to, Mariucci said.

"You guys have got to keep in mind, these are voluntary camps, and I hope he volunteers to be here soon," Mariucci said.

"Dan's trying to work it out where he can be here. He's got to deal with a couple of things at home. Then hopefully, he will be here at some point. I spoke to him last week. I'm hoping he gets here."

By Mike O'Hara / The Detroit News

NFL OOTBALL HELMET

2005-06-22T07:58:00.000-07:00

New Hartford grad learns from NFL Europe

Throughout Steve Cully's life, he has learned a few things.
He has learned how to play football. He learned never to give up. And he has learned to live out of a car. Cully, a 6-foot-4, 300-pound offensive tackle, has dedicated his life to football. And he has had one heck of a journey just to be where he is today.
"Everyone loves one thing," said Cully, who recently completed his first season in NFL Europe with the Cologne (Germany) Centurions. "For me, it's football."
Cully graduated New Hartford High School in 1999 and received a full scholarship to play at the University of Connecticut. A three-year starter at UConn, Cully caught on with the Albany Conquest of the Arena2 League, making about (NBC)200 per week. While with the Conquest, he kept everything he owned in his car and slept every night on a friend's couch.
"I was so frustrated," recalls Cully. But he was far from ready to quit, even with people telling him he should.Former Cleveland Browns head coach and current Hamburg (Germany) Sea Devils assistant coach Sam Rutigliano lobbied for Cully in the 2004 and 2005 NFL Europe draft. Unfortunately, Rutigliano was unsuccessful in both years. In 2004, Cully lost out on a coin toss. This year, he was overlooked due to the abundance of allocated players. "I just couldn't catch a break," Cully said.After the NFL Europe deal fell through last spring, he re-signed with the Conquest after being cut by the Edmonton Eskimos of the Canadian Football League. This spring, after the draft, Cologne needed help on the offensive line and called Cully. In March, the Centurions signed him as a free agent - and he went on to play in every game."Steve is very coachable and does what he is asked. That's half the battle of making it in the NFL," says Cologne offensive line coach Bob Bicknell. "He is a wonderful player who has a bright future ahead of him if he keeps working."
Praise for Cully has not started recently. He has been receiving positive notice since high school.
"He worked very hard, and he wanted to learn the game," says New Hartford coach Bob Jones, Cully's head coach with the Spartans. "He was always in the gym, always working hard, and he really developed."
And this spring, he helped the Centurions to a 6-4 mark while getting a taste of NFL football.
"I had a great time," said Cully, who stayed in a five-star hotel - with every meal provided - all while making (NBC)1,500 per week. "But it was not a vacation. I was there for one reason - to play football."
The 24-year-old Cully also felt that playing in Europe was the first time he felt "special."
Offensive linemen generally go unnoticed, but Cully loved the attention.
"I was a star," he said. "I signed more autographs there in one season than I will for the rest of my life."
From his point of view, American football ranks third in European sporting popularity, behind soccer and basketball, respectively. One reason for this is that NFL Europe players don't come back annually.
In essence, fans have to root for a whole new team each year. But Cully was surprised about the number of packed stadiums and the atmosphere in which he played.
"European fans are just happy to be there," Cully said. "American fans are more aggressive, more serious, and more intense.
Over there, the fans didn't care about the outcome. They were even nice when we were on the road."
Back when Cully was just a fan, he drew inspiration from former New Hartford basketball star Andy Cavo.
"When you have someone, a local talent, who you can watch week-in and week-out, that is so special," Cully said. "That is what inspires people. Andy Cavo gave people memories. Watching how good he was and how people loved him ... I always wanted that. I wanted memories. Nobody remembers anything I did on the football field."
Cavo, who went to Siena College to play basketball, is three years older than Cully.
Surprisingly, the two were never more than acquaintances.
In fact, Cully didn't have a conversation with Cavo until last October at a gym in Albany. "I was meeting someone who had a tremendous impact on my life. I didn't know where to start.
"When I was growing up, Andy was the best. He was special. He motivated me to be great. I strived to be as good as him. He is someone I continue to model my life around."
Although Cully credits Cavo for helping him chase his dream, it was Cully's own strong will, perseverance, and support that helped, too.
"I never stopped for anything or anybody," Cully said. "People are either very supportive, or they tell me to give it up. I had a lot of doubters. I had a lot of people telling me to quit. People told me no, you can't do this, or you can't do that. But I didn't listen to anyone. I have always believed in myself, even when nobody else did. I spent two miserable years chasing a dream. I slept on a couch. I lived off the McDonald's Dollar Menu. I pushed away family and friends. There is so much more to life than that."

EVAN PHILIPSONSpecial to the Observer-Dispatch