LaVar Arrington Out For Giants Preseason Opener

Well, at least it's just the first preseason game...

Arrington to miss preseason opener
NFL.com wire reports
ALBANY, N.Y. (Aug. 9, 2006) -- The New York Giants will have to wait at least another week to see linebacker LaVar Arrington playing for them in a game.

Arrington, signed in the offseason and touted as a key addition as the Giants seek to elevate themselves into a Super Bowl contender, will miss New York's preseason opener against Baltimore Aug. 11 with soreness in his right knee.

Giants coach Tom Coughlin confirmed after practice that the three-time Pro Bowler would miss the game.

"We're in the process of developing a way in which we can manage this thing with him," Coughlin said. "As we go forward, we'll be under those guidelines. If we get him back next week, that will be fine. I'll be OK with that."

The soreness is affecting the same knee Arrington underwent two surgeries on in 2004 and 2005 when he was with the Washington Redskins. At Giants camp this month, he participated in team drills for the first week but has worked only briefly in one practice since Aug. 4. He watched from the sidelines again Aug. 9 at the University at Albany.

Arrington seemed unconcerned about the missed time.

"Whenever you have surgical procedures there's always things you have to pay attention to," he said. "I'm not in any danger zone, healthwise or anything like that. This is just the course the training staff has chosen to take. They're approaching it the right way. All I can do is pay attention and be a student of the game and pay attention and be ready."

Arrington suffered the original injury early in the 2004 season and had surgery to repair torn cartilage. He reinjured the knee in practice a month later, missed several more games and played a limited role in two more, then was put on injured reserve that December.

He underwent a second surgery in January 2005, at which time he publicly lashed out at the Redskins, claiming they didn't support him during the time he was injured and implying that he was rushed back too soon.

So far, he has given rave reviews to the Giants training staff.

"I'm not even in a situation where they would need to do what they're doing, but instead they're making 100 percent sure I'm OK and I think that's awesome," he said. "I think they saw how hard and how much I was doing when I was out there and they're forcing me to pace myself. It's a long season. You have to be mindful of that."

Arrington's history and his publicized disputes with the Redskins have focused extra attention on him at Giants camp. Arrington himself is keenly aware that his every move is being dissected and analyzed.

"I know at the end of the day when I get back on the field people will say, 'Oh, he really was telling the truth,"' he said. "The minute I knew they were going to slow me down, I knew this was going to be a media issue due to my having the injury in Washington. I'm telling you guys the total, 100 percent truth. I'm not holding anything back. We're staying the course, we're troubleshooting and making sure I'm as healthy as I possibly can be."

The Giants added Arrington for his pass-rushing abilities and to strengthen a linebacking corps that was wrecked by injuries last season. Starters Antonio Pierce, Reggie Torbor and Carlos Emmons finished the season on the sidelines, and four linebackers wound up on injured reserve.

Rams 19, Colts 17, Two Views Of A Game

Here are two views of the Rams / Colts preseason game -- the Colts' view, followed by the Rams view

Colts View:

OPENING UP

By John Oehser - Colts.com

Colts Lose to St. Louis Rams in Preseason Opener

ST. LOUIS, Mo. – The Colts’ preseason ideal is to win.
That doesn’t necessarily mean winning on the scoreboard, Colts Head Coach Tony Dungy said this past week. Sometimes, it means winning segments of the game, in particular key phases when starters and prominent reserves play.

The Colts didn’t win their preseason opener.

Still, they had their share of solid moments – particularly early, before the reserves and rookies entered in the second quarter. The result was mixed emotions from Dungy following the preseason opener – a 19-17 loss to the St. Louis Rams Thursday night in front of an announced 60,620 at the Edward Jones Dome in St. Louis.

Yes, the Colts very much wanted to win, which they haven’t done in the preseason since 2004.

But no, the scene afterward wasn’t all disappointment.

“We’re kind of in the same mode we were in ’05,” Dungy said, referring to last season, when the Colts went 0-5 during the preseason before winning their first 13 regular-season games.

“We did some good things, but not enough to win. We’re disappointed not to get the win. We’d like to give ourselves a chance at the end, but there were some positive things.”

The Colts had a chance late despite playing without five defensive starters, including safeties Mike Doss and Bob Sanders, defensive tackle Montae Reagor, cornerback Jason David and three-time Pro Bowl defensive end Dwight Freeney.

Middle linebacker Gary Brackett left the game with a knee injury, but Dungy said it isn’t expected to be serious.

“We didn’t have a lot of defensive players, and we kind of wore down with the guys that did finish, but there were some positive things,” Dungy said.

The Colts not only started well against the Rams, moving 59 yards in seven efficient plays on the game’s first series, reserve quarterback Shaun King continued to show a knack for making key plays, rallying the Colts from a nine-point second-half deficit.

King, who last Saturday rallied the offense to victory in the team’s annual Blue-and-White game with a last-play touchdown pass, on Thursday played the entire second half. Late in the half, he nearly led the Colts to victory.

The Colts, who struggled offensively in the second, third and early fourth quarters, cut the nine-point second-half deficit to two when King threw deep to wide Levon Thomas.

Thomas, a first-year veteran from Georgia Tech, outwrestled a Rams defender for the ball, then dived into the end zone for the touchdown with 10:50 remaining.

Indianapolis regained possession, but after a punt, the Rams ran out the clock.

The Colts began in the fashion they hoped – with an efficient drive from the first-team offense.

The Colts surprised the Rams with an onside kick on the opening kickoff, and after cornerback Von Hutchins recovered, Indianapolis had possession on its 41.

With quarterback Peyton Manning, the NFL’s Most Valuable Player in 2003 and 2004, throwing accurately, the Colts moved 59 yards in seven plays, with Manning capping the drive with an 8-yard touchdown

pass to tight end Ben Utecht.

Manning completed three of five passes on the drive for 50 yards, including a 31-yard stop-and-go completion to six-year veteran Reggie Wayne. Dominic Rhodes, who started at running back, had 10 yards on four carries, playing only the first quarter.

Joseph Addai, the Colts’ first-round selection in this past April’s NFL Draft, played much of the second quarter, and finished with three yards on three carries.

Manning said he expects the duo to share carries – and for each to work extensively with the first team – throughout the preseason.

“It’s only fair if you give both of those guys equal reps with the first unit,” Manning said. “It’s really the best way to get a good evaluation and to be fair to those guys. I think we’ll give Joseph more opportunities to get in there with the first unit and get in the normal flow of the offense.”

Addai said no matter when he played, the experience of his first NFL game was valuable.

“It was cool, though,” Addai said. “It was a good learning experience, I think. Now, it’s going out and watching the plays, learning from it and trying to get better next week.”

Addai said he wasn’t disappointed with his carries.

“I understand how the preseason goes,” he said. “You’re trying to get everybody in the game and understand what’s going on. I understand it. I just try to make much of what I get.

“I’m more comfortable and relaxed now. Now, I understand what it takes in a real game.”

Defensively, the Rams played seven and eight defenders near the line of scrimmage. That helped keep the Colts’ running opportunities to a minimum, Dungy said.

“They’ll be fine,” Dungy said of Rhodes and Addai. “I don’t think people will want to play us like that all the time. We’ll take our chances if they do.”

Said Manning, “The Rams threw a lot at us early on.”

After the opening series, the Colts’ offense managed just 65 yards offensively in the half, with a 53-yard field goal by newly-signed kicker Adam Vinatieri later in the quarter giving Indianapolis a 10-5 lead.

The Rams, who pulled to within 7-5 on a safety and a 33-yard field goal by Remy Hamilton, took a 12-10 lead with 19 seconds remaining in the first quarter. The lead came on a 7-yard touchdown run by Travis Fisher.

With backup quarterback Jim Sorgi playing the second quarter with the Colts’ reserves, the Rams extended their lead to 19-10 on a 1-yard run by veteran running back Mo Williams.

Dungy had said this week it was tricky preparing for the Rams because St. Louis had a new coaching staff under first-year Head Coach Scott Linehan. That meant there was no game tape available, which made game-planning difficult.

“They blitzed us a lot, and if you can’t make them pay in the passing game, it’s going to be a tough day,” Dungy said. “Our first drive we did, and Shaun hit one, but overall, we didn’t make enough plays against the blitz.

“It was tough for us, not knowing exactly what type of defense they were going to choose. We couldn’t get a lot of tape on them.

“But all in all, some things we can build on.”

Rams View

Rams Edge Colts in Linehan Debut
Thursday, August 10, 2006
By Nick Wagoner
Senior Writer

An inauspicious beginning to the Scott Linehan era turned into the type of power running/dominant defensive performance that Linehan hopes to instill in the new era of Rams football.

Tony Dungy wasted no time welcoming Linehan to the NFL. After the Rams won the coin toss and elected to receive, kicker Adam Vinatieri booted an onside kick that the Colts recovered and subsequently scored on.

“You expect anything during the preseason,” Linehan said. “Maybe it was a little indoctrination into the head coaching ranks by Coach Dungy, but I understand it. It worked. Hats off to them.”

By the time the Rams had settled down, their starters were off the field, but the second and third units came through with a powerful rushing attack complemented by a suffocating defense.

Ultimately, it was Linehan who got the last laugh as the Rams overcame the special teams blunder and hung on to beat Indianapolis 19-17 Thursday night at the Edward Jones Dome.

Soon after his hire, Linehan made it clear that the running game would be a big part of the team’s offense, something that hadn’t been the case in the previous regime. If his first go at being a head coach in any indication, Linehan is a man of his word.

St. Louis finished with 40 rushes for 202 yards and two touchdowns divided among a group of five running backs. The defense chipped in with four sacks, an interception, a safety and held the Colts to 249 yards, 38 of which were rushing yards.

“A couple of things I was very happy about was our ability to run the ball and stop the run,” Linehan said. “It’s an easier game when you are able to do those two things. We have obviously got players that can do a lot of things not only in the running game, but in the passing game. It certainly makes you feel in a rhythm and a lot better about what you are doing on a consistent basis when you feel like you can go to the run game.”

And, though the Rams blitzed fairly often, Linehan said that is a product of the way the system is going to be. It didn’t hurt that it came in response to an onside kick to start the game.

“You didn’t see 85 percent of Jim Haslett’s blitzes tonight,” Linehan said. “That’s how we play. Some teams are vanilla type of team. We are going to be multiple. We have things we have to work and things we have to prepare for. We have to get better at it. Multiple blitzes and onside kicks, I don’t know how you be too critical of either one.”

The Rams used a balanced attack in the first two series with the starters on the field, but soon after, it became predominantly a rushing attack that ran over the Colts.

Backup Tony Fisher proved his worth as the No. 2 to Steven Jackson, showing elusiveness previously unseen on his way to five carries for 33 yards and what would prove the touchdown that put the Rams ahead for good with 19 seconds left in the first quarter.

That 7-yard run and the ensuing extra point gave the Rams a 12-10 lead they would not relinquish. On their next possession, the Rams added to their lead as Ryan Fitzpatrick took over at quarterback.

Fitzpatrick, involved in a battle for the third signal caller job with Dave Ragone, promptly made his case for the job by marching the Rams 80 yards on the way to Moe Williams’ 1-yard touchdown run.

Fitzpatrick’s evening came to an end in the third quarter as he ended the evening eight-of-11 for 51 yards.

Williams, signed last week to compete with Fisher for the No. 2 running back job, made a strong case for himself as well. He finished with seven carries for 17 yards with a touchdown and had three catches for 19 yards. His touchdown plunge made it 19-10 Rams.

Those touchdowns helped erase the memory of the first quarter in which the Indianapolis starters outplayed the Rams’ first-unit. After the onside kick recovery, Peyton Manning took the Colts down the field quickly before hitting tight end Ben Utecht for an 8-yard touchdown to give Indianapolis a 7-0 lead.

“We have to be a little bit tighter in coverage, put a little bit more pressure on him,” Linehan said. “I was very happy with the way the defense came back out and never let it affect them. I know our defense is growing and becoming a tight unit and I’m really satisfied with where we are at right now.”

The Rams’ defense responded with its first points of the Jim Haslett era after Matt Turk’s punt pinned the Colts at their 2. On second down, cornerback Fakhir Brown made his first impression as a Ram, blindsiding Jim Sorgi and forcing a fumble that was recovered by the Colts in the end zone for a safety. That score made it 7-2.

On the ensuing possession, the Rams marched to the Indianapolis 15 before settling for Remy Hamilton’s 33-yard field goal to make it 7-5 Indianapolis. That drive was highlighted by Jackson’s 23-yard run and brought the first-team offense’s night to an end.

Jackson finished with 41 yards on five carries for an average of 8.2 per attempt. Quarterback Marc Bulger was three-of-six for 51 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions. More important, though, is the fact that Bulger made it out of the game healthy after taking some shots from the Indianapolis defense.

The Colts made a late run at the win as Shaun King hit Levon Thomas for a 40-yard touchdown to make it 19-17 Rams. The St. Louis defense held serve, though, and the Rams escaped with the first preseason win of Linehan’s young career.

Bob McNair - Houston Texans Owner Talks About 2006 Season

Bob McNair is the founder and CEO of the Houston Texans. In this candid interview he talks about the off-season changes from new head coach to new general manager to the controversial first round draft pick of Mario Williams from North Carolina State. He also discusses 2006 expectations and other changes on the team roster as the Texans begin their fifth season in the NFL.

Manny Lawson & Vernon Davis Duel In 49ers Training Camp - SF Chroncle

Lawson and Davis



49ERS NOTEBOOK

Davis-Lawson rivalry is user-friendly
Kevin Lynch, Chronicle Staff Writer
Thursday, August 10, 2006

Linebacker Manny Lawson and tight end Vernon Davis will welcome the opportunity to go against somebody else Friday night when the Bears come to town for the 49ers' first exhibition game. So far, the two have done a fairly good job of beating up on each other in training camp.

The 49ers' two first-round picks have dueled both when Davis goes out for passes and when Lawson is rushing the quarterback.

"We've got a little friendly competition going," Davis said.

The competition nearly turned calamitous early in camp. During a scrimmage, quarterback Alex Smith rolled out while Davis tried to block the onrushing Lawson. Lawson was just about to slip the block when Davis dived at the 6-foot-5, 240-pounder. Both players tumbled to the ground and then rolled into a bank of players watching.

Coaches constantly instruct players to stay on their feet during practice, and cutting your teammate is strictly forbidden. Davis let his competitive instincts overpower him.

When each was asked separately about the incident, neither commented but both laughed.

"He's just making me better," said Lawson, who thinks he probably won't face another tight end with Davis' physical gifts. "You fast? Vernon's fast. You strong? Vernon's strong. I've got that right here in San Francisco."

Coach Mike Nolan considered easing Lawson's learning curve in converting him from college defensive end to NFL linebacker, as he'd had to do with former Arizona State player Terrell Suggs in Baltimore. Now Nolan and 49ers defensive coordinator Billy Davis believe Lawson can handle the position mentally.

"If you set me down and told me a play, I could tell you what I have to do," Lawson said. "Now it's just doing what I know and trusting what my eyes see."

Torrey out: An MRI exam of linebacker Andre Torrey's left knee revealed a torn anterior cruciate ligament. The 49ers probably will put the Alameda High School grad on injured reserve, which means he won't play this year.

Torrey went down after getting tangled up with defensive end Scott Scharff while covering a kickoff Tuesday on the 49ers' new synthetic turf.

The 49ers signed rookie free-agent linebacker Bobby Iwuchukwu to replace Torrey on the roster.

Jerramy Stevens - Seahawks' Jerramy Stevens Ready For 2006 After Super Bowl Loss - Seattle PI

Seahawks' Stevens ready to move on

TE recovering from injury, Super malaise

By CLARE FARNSWORTH
P-I REPORTER

CHENEY -- Jerramy Stevens' bothersome left knee passed every physical test necessary to get the explosive tight end back on the football field Wednesday for the first time since the Super Bowl in February.

It's his mental well-being from an implosive performance in the Seahawks' loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers that has coach Mike Holmgren concerned even after Stevens took his next step back from arthroscopic surgery in April.

"We did have a pretty in-depth discussion about how you bounce back from something, and he's listening," Holmgren said. "The disappointment lingers certainly, particularly with a player that cares, and he cares. He was very disappointed and he felt bad.

"And that's a good thing."

So is getting Stevens back in pads, which will allow him to continue putting the game against the Steelers behind him. He will not play in Saturday night's preseason opener against the Dallas Cowboys at Qwest Field, but is scheduled to see his first action Aug. 20 against the Colts in Indianapolis.

"You've got to mature and grow from that and keep pushing forward," Stevens said after practice. "Obviously it was rough. But it's something that's behind me now and I'm using that as a shield to go forward."

As they look to defend their NFC championship, the Seahawks need Stevens to be the player who caught 45 passes last season, the second-highest total by a tight end in franchise history, not the one who had more passes go off or through his hands (five) than receptions (three) in the Super Bowl.

The tight end has traditionally played a large role in Holmgren's hybrid of the West Coast offense, and Stevens has the size (6-foot-7, 260 pounds), speed and soft hands to excel like Brent Jones when Holmgren was the San Francisco 49ers' offensive coordinator; and Jackie Harris, Mark Chmura and Keith Jackson during Holmgren's tenure as head coach of the Green Bay Packers.



Stevens damaged the meniscus in his knee during the Seahawks' first playoff victory over the Washington Redskins. It was originally diagnosed as floating particles, Stevens said, and "something that I was just going to work through." But as the discomfort increased, an MRI detected the meniscus damage and he had it repaired.
"The trainers and doctors say he's good to go," Holmgren said. "He's worried up here, in his mind: How's it going to feel? So we've got to get over that hump."

Wednesday was a needed step. Stevens did not participate in the full-team portions of practice, but he looked quick and smooth while running routes and catching the ball in individual drills.

"It's all about strength in my leg and confidence," Stevens said. "It felt good today. It was good to stop while I was ahead. That's the plan, to stop while I'm feeling good every day and try and progress a little bit every day."

The mental anguish from the Super Bowl also should subside as Stevens moves closer to the 2006 season.

"If you're playing this sport, most every play you get hit right in the mouth. How do you handle that?" Holmgren said. "You've got to get back up, and that was on a bigger stage. So I would expect him to bounce back. If a player can't bounce back from things like that, then they don't last very long."

It didn't help that Stevens became an unwitting participant in what turned into a woofing match with Steelers linebacker Joey Porter during the week leading up the Super Bowl.

"I don't feel like I said something that was inappropriate or out of place," Stevens said. "I supported my team and told (reporters) that we were here to win, and I stick by that now."

Stevens would just as soon put it all behind him -- the Super Bowl and the injury.

"I plan on moving forward and doing better and bigger things this year, just use that as a stepping stone," he said. "I've taken one step. I've got to continue to take steps forward."

P-I reporter Clare Farnsworth can be reached at 206-448-8016 or clarefarnsworth@seattlepi.com.

Chris Chambers - Chris Chambers Picked To Improve With Daunte Culpepper - Miami Herald

CHRIS CHAMBERS
Pressure thrown at Chambers

With the offseason acquisition of Daunte Culpepper, receiver Chris Chambers will have greater expectations placed on him for the 2006 season.
BY DAVID J. NEAL
dneal@MiamiHerald.com

Dolphins wide receiver Chris Chambers knows what is expected of him after a career season: more.

More catches, more yards, more spectacular plays, more big plays that aren't so spectacular but lead to more victories. More leadership, especially with rookie Derek Hagan.

Like the Dolphins, Chambers' 2005 success earned him the right to be judged against a higher standard. That would be the case even if the Dolphins had not traded for quarterback Daunte Culpepper in the offseason.

''I don't really feel the pressure,'' Chambers said. ``I know it's my responsibility to be more of a leader and step my game up even more to help the team win. I know I have guys around me that can make plays as well. So it's really not a pressure-type deal for me.''

Or maybe it's that Chambers has dealt with expectations since the start of his career. Last season wasn't much different.

Everything seemed set for a big season from Chambers. The Dolphins brought in Scott Linehan as offensive coordinator from the Minnesota Vikings, where Linehan choreographed a dazzling offense starring Culpepper and Randy Moss. Quarterback Jay Fiedler was replaced by Gus Frerotte.

The Dolphins voted Chambers an offensive captain, acknowledging him as a team leader but also making an unspoken request for greater production.

Few who have spent time around the reserved Chambers would expect him to transform into an emotional, vocal leader. His brand of leadership would have to come through performance.

And it did, after eight games in which he sometimes struggled. In the second half of the season, Chambers had 52 catches for 701 yards and eight touchdowns. Subtract the 15-catch, 238-yard game against Buffalo that made him the first Dolphins wide receiver since 1994 to be named AFC Offensive Player of the Week, and still there is a respectable 37 catches for 463 yards and seven TDs in seven games.

''Reading defenses is one of the things I got better at,'' Chambers said. ``As I get better at that, it makes it a lot easier for me to go out there and run routes. Different ball drills that I wasn't doing early in the year, I'm starting to do them now early in training camp so that I can continue doing that throughout the whole year.''

Dolphins coach Nick Saban said he believed Chambers' confidence grew during last season.

''[He] made more big plays with fewer drops,'' Saban said. ``Played faster with a better understanding and knowledge of what he needed to do to get open or execute that particular play. That's no disrespect to what he did in the beginning of the year, but I just think he got better and better as the year went on.''

And his expectations for this season?

''I think, if he plays with the consistency that he finished the year with last year for an entire season . . .'' Saban said, his voice trailing off before finishing, `` he had a fantastic year last year, but he would have an absolutely fantastic year.''

Daunte Culpepper - Daunte Culpepper's Knee Better, Will Play Saturday

Adam Scheafter of the NFL Network asked the right question: how will he do in the Dolphins offense?

Culpepper will play in Dolphins' preseason opener
BY DAVID J. NEAL
dneal@MiamiHerald.com

JOE RIMKUS JR. / MIAMI HERALD STAFF

Dolphins quarterback Daunte Culpepper will play in Saturday's preseason game against Jacksonville at Dolphin Stadium.

In his opening statement to the media after this morning's practice, Dolphins coach Nick Saban said, ``As of right now, you can expect all the quarterbacks to play some.''

Saban declined to say how much each quarterback would play.

Culpepper has not played since shredding knee ligaments when tackled during an Oct. 30 game against Carolina.

Maurice Clarett is a Tragedy

Maurice Clarett Arrested

by Walter Anaruk
Field Position



The situation surrounding former Denver Broncos and Ohio State RB Maurice Clarett is a mystery. Clarett led police in Columbus, Ohio on a chase that ended in a restaurant parking lot. Four loaded guns, including an assault rifle, and half a bottle of vodka were found in the front of the vehicle Clarett was driving. A sobriety test was not administered because officers had no indication that Clarett was intoxicated.

Police attempted pull Clarett over for an illegal U-turn. Clarett did not pull over and led police onto eastbound Interstate 70. He then accelerated across the median and turned westbound where he drove over a spike strip placed by police.

When Clarett came to a stop, police stated that he refused orders to get out of the vehicle. According to police reports, Clarett struggled against police when they attempted to remove him from the vehicle. Tasers were ineffective because Clarett was wearing a bullet-resistant vest. So police used mace to subdue Clarett who continued to fight officers until he was handcuffed in the paddy wagon.

ESPN the Magazine's Tom Friend reportedly was called by Clarett just hours before his arrest. Friend describes Clarett's disposition as melancholy and stated in an ESPN news segment that it almost felt as if Clarett were saying his good byes. Friend said that Clarett called him to thank him for making Clarett "see reality." Friend had Friend also said that Clarett claimed to be calling others such as his college coach Jim Tressell and childhood friend LeBron James. Several times during his appearance on ESPN, Friend alluded to the possibility that Clarett was either suicidal or felt his life was in danger.

Besides the well publicized football follies and the recent charges of assault and armed robbery, Clarett had a life frought with problems. After he left Ohio State and was denied entry into the NFL Draft, Clarett accepted the sponsorship of several managers in the rap music industry. He lived in a plush home on Malibu beach and trained in celebrity health spas, and drove around in expensive automobiles. His benefactors believed that Clarett would be a first-round pick in the NFL Draft and would repay them when he earned his millions.

In 2005, Clarett entered the draft. But he was not in good shape. He had shunned the assistance of professional trainers preferring the celebrity lifestyle he had grown accustomed to. Additionally his massive insecurities and paranoia made him afraid to work out where people might recognize and judge him. His lack of training resulted in a slow 40 yard dash. His slow time combined with his obvious lack of conditioning made his selection by the Denver Broncos in the third round, a tremendous suprise.

Instead of taking the guarateed $416,000 signing bonus and minimum contract that his agents pleaded with him to sign, Clarett opted for no guaranteed money. He wanted an incentive laden contract that would pay him millions for 1000 plus yard seasons, he wanted bonuses for making the Pro Bowl. The Broncos were only too happy to sign. And when he spent the first three weeks of training camp nursing a sore leg, the Broncos cut him with no financial reprocussions. Clarett never even appeared in an NFL preseason game. He had no money because he had removed all of his guarantees. He owed a lot of people a lot of money.

What was he doing with three loaded hand guns, a loaded assault rifle, wearing a bulletproof vest that early morning? No one knows. He had just recently become a father and told Friend in their midnight phone call that he would do anything for his baby daughter - even spend 30 years in jail. Friend thought it was an odd example at the time. Obviously Clarett felt his life and the life of his daughter might be threatened. Could be his paranoia. It could be that he owed a lot of money to some of the wrong people. The story will unfold as days go on. But not since University of Maryland basketball star Len Bias died in 1986 or possibly the story of boxer Mike Tyson in the late 90s has such a tragic tale of fallen grace been witnessed.

NY Jets Curtis Martin May Have To Retire Due To Knees - Newsday

Curtis' knee in bad shape
12-year veteran has 'virtually no cartilage' and walking with limp

BY KEN BERGER
Newsday Staff Writer

August 9, 2006

Curtis Martin has a "bone-on-bone" condition in his surgically repaired right knee, a setback that has the Jets' coaching staff privately wondering if the future Hall of Famer will be able to suit up for the start of his 12th season.

"The guy is bone-on-bone on the knee and can't play," a person with knowledge of Martin's injury said yesterday, speaking on condition of anonymity. "No one has said he's not going to play, but I don't know how much more they're going to get out of the guy."


The person confirmed earlier reports that Martin has virtually no cartilage in his right knee, which was repaired arthroscopically in December.

Coach Eric Mangini said yesterday that Martin's status hasn't changed and that he's at the complex every day for rehab, all of which is done out of the media's view. Martin is attending all team meetings and functions, Mangini said.

But when asked about Martin's recovery and demeanor, several players said they haven't seen Martin much at all. "I've been going from the meetings to eating and back to meetings," Chad Pennington said. "Our schedule has been so full."

Martin was seen walking with a distinct limp Sunday at Giants Stadium, where the Jets held an intrasquad scrimmage. It was quite a contrast to the last time reporters saw Martin for any extended period, at the June minicamp, when he ran and did individual drills.

It is not known if Martin has had further surgery on the knee. Mangini declines to address the specifics of injuries, and a high-ranking team official with knowledge of Martin's condition declined comment yesterday on whether he had to have another scope.

"We know what Curtis means to us as an organization, especially to me as a person with all the things I've gone through these last three years," Pennington said. "He's been a solid rock for me to lean upon and we just can't wait to see him out here."

Martin has not been available for comment since July 29, when he said the situation hasn't forced him to think about how much longer he can play. "My fire will burn until the day that I'm done with football," Martin said.

The Jets continue to explore the running backs market. The latest names added to the list are the Cardinals' Marcel Shipp and the Chargers' Michael Turner, who worked with Jets offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer the past two years.

Martin, the NFL's No. 4 career rusher and the Jets' most accomplished player since Joe Namath, has slipped into the past tense in the minds of some teammates.

"He was a mainstay, he was a guy you could look to to be a professional," linebacker Jonathan Vilma said. "That's what he still is. He's a bona fide professional and always did the job right. It's different right now in training camp not having him around."

Notes & quotes: Mangini refused to confirm that S Erik Coleman had his appendix removed ... WR Justin McCareins, already in Mangini's doghouse, had two drops ... WR Dequawn Mobley, an undrafted rookie from the Bronx, was waived.

ROGER GOODELL PRESS CONFERENCE TRANSCRIPT - NFL

August 8, 2006 - http://www.nflmedia.com and ASAPSports

NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE

An Interview With:

ROGER GOODELL

ROGER GOODELL: I certainly want to thank the ownership for their confidence. I committed over the last several months that I would do my best to help promote the National Football League. I told them that we've had the two greatest sports commissioners in the history of all sports with Paul Tagliabue and Pete Rozelle; I've been fortunate to work for both of them. I can't think them enough for the opportunities they have both given to me.

And I'm thrilled by this challenge. I'm excited. It hasn't hit me yet how big a job it's going to be, I'm sure, but I look forward to the challenge and thank them again for their confidence in my abilities.

So thank you very much. I look forward, and if you've got some questions, I'd be happy to take them.

Q. This goes back to Paul. The first thing Paul said when he was elected commissioner was somebody asked him why he wanted the job and he said because it would be fun. You've worked in the league almost your entire career. Do you think it's going to be fun?

ROGER GOODELL: I wouldn't say that. The Commissioner said that.

No, I think it's a great challenge. I must tell you, I'm very fortunate, and I know that. I've spent my life following my passion, what I always loved to do. And I know that from my standpoint, I can't think of a greater job and a greater league to be associated with, so I'm thrilled.

Q. How did you get the news that you had been selected as the next commissioner?

ROGER GOODELL: The gentleman here to my right came upstairs when I was sitting upstairs. I was not watching the NFL Network. I was doing some work trying to be distracted, and Mr. Rooney came up and knocked on the door and told me. Thankfully I just put my pants on. (Laughter).

Q. Was it a nerve-wracking process, just the wait?

ROGER GOODELL: You mean this afternoon or the entire process?

Q. Both.

ROGER GOODELL: Yes, both were as a matter of fact. It was a very good process. In fact, I've said to people over the past several days, that I think the process has been very good for me personally and very good for the National Football League. It was open. I think there were some very strong candidates put forth. As I said, I'm honored they selected me.

It helped me reflect a little bit on what I've done, what I think I can do for the league in the future, and it was very helpful in preparing me for this opportunity.

Q. What do you think the biggest issue facing you is, Roger?

ROGER GOODELL: It's pretty tough to focus on one issue. I think the league is fortunate to have great success. It's also got a great foundation on which to build.

But I think we've got a lot of challenges to face, and the good news is I think we'll face them together with 32 owners that are focused and prepared, because I think the process allowed us to talk about a lot of those issues and what we need to do together to address those.

Q. When does it sound like you are officially taking office?

ROGER GOODELL: That's a good question, Adam. The Commissioner and I have not discussed it other than very briefly downstairs. We will agree to that sometime over the next several days, but I would assume before the regular season starts.
Q. Paul had some pretty big shoes to fill when he started, and now you succeed a very successful commissioner. How daunting is that challenge to you?

ROGER GOODELL: As I said, I think I've had the good fortune of working for the two greatest sports commissioners, and I know how big those shoes are, both literally and figuratively.

He is a gold standard for me. I will do my best, and I'll work hard at it, but I know they are big shoes.

Q. What do you think is the one thing that you learned from Pete that you can take into this job and the one thing that you learned from Paul that you can take into the job?

ROGER GOODELL: I think it's the same with both of them, Gary. It's the importance of the game. The game of football is the most important thing, and we can't lose focus of that. That's why the fans love the NFL, and we have to keep producing that and giving them that.

Q. Because of the way the process played out, because you knew what the process would be, and the questions, what you might be asked, did it allow you over the last month or so to be not only introspective, but also forward-thinking to maybe crystallize and galvanize some of your own thoughts on how you might operate if you got this job?

ROGER GOODELL: It absolutely does. It forces you to go through that process, and I spent an awful lot of time thinking about it. And I think that this process required you to tell the ownership how you saw the future, what you thought the National Football League should be doing to prepare for that future.

Obviously I must have told a pretty good story along the way, because they have given me the opportunity. So I'm grateful for that, and we'll carry out what we talked about over last several days.

Q. Sorry to ask a homer question, but what happens next in southern California?

ROGER GOODELL: Alan, I just got the job ten minutes ago, and you just -- (Laughter).

Q. I'll going to be asked by my editor, so I might as well ask you.

ROGER GOODELL: I know that that's one of the things the ownership wants to focus on, but we haven't given much thought to it the last couple days.
Q. Can you build a bridge between large market owners and the small market owners?

ROGER GOODELL: I think the ownership has gotten a lot more incumbent than you think. I think they certainly have differences of opinions on certain things, but they I think always do what's in the best interests of the game. I think they will continue to do that.

So I believe that those issues, while they need to get addressed, will get addressed properly and quickly.

Q. What are some things you did talk to the owners about as far as your vision of the future?

ROGER GOODELL: Well, I had a number of things that we talked about and that I focused on. They really came under three simple headings: The game, strengthen our 32 teams and innovation. And I think those are the things that made the NFL great in the past, and I think they will help us keep our focus and make the game great going forward.

Q. What do you mean by innovation, media, international?

ROGER GOODELL: I think we've been very innovative with our media packages, as one example. But I think the league has always tried to find a better way of doing things and be responsive before we need to. And I think that has been a hallmark of our leadership under both Commissioner Rozelle and Commissioner Tagliabue, and I certainly hope to carry that on.

The NFL HoF Class of 2006

The NFL HoF Class of 2006, originally uploaded by Ed Roth.

Reggie White's wife, Harry Carson, Troy Aikman, John Madden, Warren Moon, Rayfield Wright.

A photo for the ages.

Warren Sapp On NFL Network

NFL Network's Terrell Davis (former Broncos star running back) interviews -- or is it cuts up with -- Oakland Raiders Defensive Tackle Warren Sapp.

Warren Sapp talks about the Oakland Raiders under new head coach Art Shell and the Raiders' top draft pick, Michael Huff.