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Saturday, September 30, 2006

NFL INJURY REPORT FOR WEEK FOUR, UPDATE - NFLMEDIA.COM

FOR USE AS DESIRED NFL-PER-4

WEEK 4 INJURY REPORT -- FRIDAY

Following is a list of quarterback injuries for Week 4 Games (October 1-2):
Kansas City Chiefs
Out
Trent Green (Head)
Minnesota Vikings
Out
Tarvaris Jackson (Knee)
Oakland Raiders
Out
Aaron Brooks (Right Shoulder)
New England Patriots
Probable
Tom Brady (Right Shoulder)
New York Jets
Probable
Chad Pennington (Calf)
Washington Redskins
Probable
Mark Brunell (Left Elbow)
Following is a list of injured players for Week 4 Games:
MIAMI DOLPHINS AT HOUSTON TEXANS
Miami Dolphins
QUESTIONABLE
G Joe Berger (Foot); LB Derrick Pope (Hamstring)
PROBABLE
CB Travis Daniels (Ankle); CB Eddie Jackson (Toe)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED
All Players Practiced
THURS
All Players Practiced
FRI
All Players Practiced
Houston Texans
OUT
CB Demarcus Faggins (Foot)
QUESTIONABLE
C Mike Flanagan (Foot); DE Antwan Peek (Groin)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED
Demarcus Faggins; Antwan Peek
THURS
Demarcus Faggins; Mike Flanagan; Antwan Peek
FRI
Demarcus Faggins; Mike Flanagan
SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS AT KANSAS CITY CHIEFS
San Francisco 49ers
OUT
G Larry Allen (Knee); TE Vernon Davis (Fibula)
QUESTIONABLE
WR Taylor Jacobs (Hamstring); DE Ronald Fields (Shoulder)
PROBABLE
RB Maurice Hicks (Ankle); TE Delanie Walker (Shoulder); RB Michael Robinson (Shoulder); RB Frank Gore (Ribs)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED
Larry Allen; Vernon Davis
THURS
Larry Allen; Vernon Davis
FRI
Larry Allen; Vernon Davis
Kansas City Chiefs
OUT
QB Trent Green (Head)
QUESTIONABLE
T Kyle Turley (Back)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED
Trent Green; Kyle Turley
THURS
Trent Green; Kyle Turley
FRI
Trent Green; Kyle Turley
DALLAS COWBOYS AT TENNESSEE TITANS
Dallas Cowboys
QUESTIONABLE
WR Terrell Owens (Hand)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED
Terrell Owens
THURS
All Players Practiced
FRI
All Players Practiced
Tennessee Titans
OUT
TE Erron Kinney (Knee)
QUESTIONABLE
C Eugene Amano (Ankle); P Craig Hentrich (Back); G Benji Olson (Calf); G Zach Piller (Ankle); DT Robaire Smith (Hamstring); RB Ahmard Hall (Ankle); DE Antwan Odom (Knee); LB Robert Reynolds (Thigh); RB Chris Brown (Toe)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED
Erron Kinney; Eugene Amano; Benji Olson; Zach Piller; Robaire Smith
THURS
Erron Kinney; Eugene Amano; Benji Olson; Zach Piller; Robaire Smith; Robert Reynolds
FRI
Erron Kinney; Eugene Amano; Zach Piller
ARIZONA CARDINALS AT ATLANTA FALCONS
Arizona Cardinals
QUESTIONABLE
LB James Darling (Calf)
PROBABLE
TE Fred Wakefield (Back)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED
James Darling; Fred Wakefield
THURS
James Darling
FRI
James Darling
Atlanta Falcons
QUESTIONABLE
DE John Abraham (Groin); LB Edgerton Hartwell (Knee)
PROBABLE
CB DeAngelo Hall (Calf)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED
John Abraham; Patrick Kerney; DeAngelo Hall
THURS
John Abraham
FRI
John Abraham
SAN DIEGO CHARGERS AT BALTIMORE RAVENS
San Diego Chargers
OUT
S Bhawoh Jue (Knee); S Terrence Kiel (Personal Reasons)
QUESTIONABLE
G Kris Dielman (Hamstring); DE Igor Olshansky (Knee); WR Keenan McCardell (Hamstring); TE Ryan Krause (Hamstring); T Leander Jordan (Neck)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED
Bhawoh Jue; Leander Jordan; Ryan Krause; Terrence Kiel
THURS
Bhawoh Jue; Leander Jordan; Ryan Krause; Terrence Kiel
FRI
Bhawoh Jue; Ryan Krause; Leander Jordan; Terrence Kiel
Baltimore Ravens
QUESTIONABLE
DT Haloti Ngata (Back); S Ed Reed (Foot); DE Terrell Suggs (Thigh)
PROBABLE
TE Todd Heap (Ankle); G Edwin Mulitalo (Elbow); LB Bart Scott (Foot); WR Demetrius Williams (Elbow)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED
Demetrius Williams; Terrell Suggs; Todd Heap; Edwin Mulitalo; Bart Scott
THURS
Todd Heap; Edwin Mulitalo; Haloti Ngata; Ed Reed; Bart Scott; Terrell Suggs
FRI
Haloti Ngata; Ed Reed; Terrell Suggs; Edwin Mulitalo
MINNESOTA VIKINGS AT BUFFALO BILLS
Minnesota Vikings
OUT
QB Tarvaris Jackson (Knee)
QUESTIONABLE
LB Ben Leber (Knee)
PROBABLE
DT Pat Williams (Ankle); RB Chester Taylor (Ankle)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED
Tarvaris Jackson; Ben Leber
THURS
Tarvaris Jackson; Ben Leber; Chester Taylor
FRI
Tarvaris Jackson
Buffalo Bills
QUESTIONABLE
S Matt Bowen (Shin); LB Takeo Spikes (Hamstring); CB Kiwaukee Thomas (Back)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED
All Players Practiced
THURS
All Players Practiced
FRI
Takeo Spikes
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS AT CAROLINA PANTHERS
New Orleans Saints
OUT
S Bryan Scott (Thigh)
DOUBTFUL
WR Devery Henderson (Shoulder)
QUESTIONABLE
LB Danny Clark (Hip)
PROBABLE
CB Fred Thomas (Hip)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED
Practice Not Conducted
THURS
Bryan Scott; Rob Ninkovich; Devery Henderson
FRI
Bryan Scott; Devery Henderson
Carolina Panthers
OUT
LB Dan Morgan (Concussion); TE Mike Seidman (Knee)
QUESTIONABLE
C Justin Hartwig (Groin); S Shaun Williams (Foot)
PROBABLE
T Todd Fordham (Shoulder); RB Nick Goings (Thigh); CB Ken Lucas (Neck); WR Steve Smith (Thigh)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED
Dan Morgan; Mike Seidman; Todd Fordham; Justin Hartwig; Shaun Williams
THURS
Dan Morgan; Mike Seidman; Justin Hartwig; Shaun Williams
FRI
Dan Morgan; Mike Seidman; Justin Hartwig; Shaun Williams
INDIANAPOLIS COLTS AT NEW YORK JETS
Indianapolis Colts
OUT
S Bob Sanders (Knee); DT Corey Simon (Knee)
QUESTIONABLE
T Ryan Diem (Thumb); G Dylan Gandy (Abdomen); CB Nicholas Harper (Groin); CB Kelvin Hayden (Ankle); CB Marlin Jackson (Concussion); CB Tim Jennings (Knee); K Adam Vinatieri (Right Groin); DT Dan Klecko (Low Back); G Ryan Lilja (Knee); DT Darrell Reid (Elbow); G Jake Scott (Knee); WR Brandon Stokley (Ankle); DE Josh Thomas (Ankle)
PROBABLE
TE Ben Utecht (Groin); RB De De Dorsey (Ankle); LB Freddy Keiaho (Knee); LB Gary Brackett (Thigh)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED
Corey Simon; Bob Sanders; Darrell Reid; Ryan Lilja; Dan Klecko; Marlin Jackson; Nicholas Harper; Dylan Gandy; Adam Vinatieri; Brandon Stokley; Ryan Diem
THURS
Corey Simon; Bob Sanders; Darrell Reid; Dan Klecko; Nicholas Harper; Dylan Gandy; Ryan Diem; Adam Vinatieri; Brandon Stokley
FRI
Bob Sanders; Corey Simon; Ryan Diem; Nicholas Harper; Dan Klecko; Brandon Stokley; Josh Thomas
New York Jets
QUESTIONABLE
CB David Barrett (Thigh); WR Laveranues Coles (Calf); WR Tim Dwight (Hamstring); G Pete Kendall (Thigh); S Kerry Rhodes (Thigh); S Derrick Strait (Thigh); C Trey Teague (Ankle)
PROBABLE
DE Dave Ball (Hand); RB Kevan Barlow (Calf); LB Matt Chatham (Foot); T Anthony Clement (Shin); CB Drew Coleman (Hand); DE Shaun Ellis (Hip); DE Bobby Hamilton (Knee); QB Chad Pennington (Calf); DT Kimo Von Oelhoffen (Knee)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED
Laveranues Coles; Tim Dwight; Pete Kendall; Kerry Rhodes; Derrick Strait; Trey Teague; David Barrett
THURS
Trey Teague; Derrick Strait; Laveranues Coles; Tim Dwight; Pete Kendall; Kerry Rhodes; David Barrett
FRI
David Barrett; Laveranues Coles; Tim Dwight; Pete Kendall; Kerry Rhodes; Derrick Strait; Trey Teague
CLEVELAND BROWNS AT OAKLAND RAIDERS
Cleveland Browns
OUT
DE Nick Eason (Ankle); CB Gary Baxter (Pectoral)
QUESTIONABLE
TE Darnell Dinkins (Hamstring); RB Reuben Droughns (Shoulder); DE Simon Fraser (Shoulder); WR Joe Jurevicius (Ribs); LB Willie McGinest (Calf); DE Orpheus Roye (Shoulder); TE Kellen Winslow (Knee); S Justin Hamilton (Ankle)
PROBABLE
S Brian Russell (Elbow); G Cosey Coleman (Hand)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED
Willie McGinest; Reuben Droughns; Orpheus Roye; Simon Fraser; Kellen Winslow; Nick Eason; Gary Baxter; Joe Jurevicius
THURS
Orpheus Roye; Nick Eason; Simon Fraser; Joe Jurevicius; Willie McGinest; Gary Baxter; Reuben Droughns; Kellen Winslow
FRI
Nick Eason; Gary Baxter; Willie McGinest; Kellen Winslow; Justin Hamilton
Oakland Raiders
OUT
QB Aaron Brooks (Right Shoulder)
QUESTIONABLE
LB Sam Williams (Ankle); DE Kevin Huntley (Foot); LB Grant Irons (Back)
PROBABLE
CB Nnamdi Asomugha (Foot); T Robert Gallery (Calf); CB Fabian Washington (Hamstring)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED
Aaron Brooks; Grant Irons
THURS
Aaron Brooks; Grant Irons
FRI
Aaron Brooks; Grant Irons
DETROIT LIONS AT ST. LOUIS RAMS
Detroit Lions
OUT
LB Alex Lewis (Knee); S Kenoy Kennedy (Foot)
QUESTIONABLE
CB Fernando Bryant (Ankle); T Barry Stokes (Hamstring); G Ross Verba (Hamstring); T Rex Tucker (Knee); DT Shaun Rogers (Knee)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED
Kenoy Kennedy; Alex Lewis; Barry Stokes; Rex Tucker; Ross Verba; Shaun Rogers
THURS
Kenoy Kennedy; Alex Lewis; Fernando Bryant; Rex Tucker; Barry Stokes; Ross Verba; Shaun Rogers
FRI
Alex Lewis; Kenoy Kennedy; Fernando Bryant; Barry Stokes; Ross Verba; Rex Tucker; Shaun Rogers
St. Louis Rams
QUESTIONABLE
T Orlando Pace (Concussion)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED
Orlando Pace
THURS
Orlando Pace
FRI
Orlando Pace
JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS AT WASHINGTON REDSKINS
Jacksonville Jaguars
DOUBTFUL
DE Marcellus Wiley (Groin); RB Derrick Wimbush (Knee)
QUESTIONABLE
CB Rashean Mathis (Knee)
PROBABLE
G Chris Naeole (Knee); DT Marcus Stroud (Ankle); S Donovin Darius (Back); WR Matt Jones (Groin); WR Chad Owens (Ribs); DE Paul Spicer (Groin); RB Maurice Jones-Drew (Ankle)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED
Derrick Wimbush; Marcellus Wiley; Rashean Mathis; Marcus Stroud; Chris Naeole
THURS
Marcellus Wiley; Derrick Wimbush; Rashean Mathis
FRI
Marcellus Wiley; Derrick Wimbush; Marcus Stroud
Washington Redskins
OUT
CB Shawn Springs (Groin)
PROBABLE
DT Joe Salave'a (Calf); QB Mark Brunell (Left Elbow)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED
Shawn Springs; Mark Brunell; Joe Salave'a
THURS
Shawn Springs; Mark Brunell
FRI
Shawn Springs; Joe Salave'a
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS AT CINCINNATI BENGALS
New England Patriots
QUESTIONABLE
S Artrell Hawkins (Thigh); CB Ellis Hobbs (Wrist); WR Chad Jackson (Hamstring); T Nick Kaczur (Shoulder); CB Eugene Wilson (Hamstring)
PROBABLE
QB Tom Brady (Right Shoulder); WR Doug Gabriel (Hamstring); T Matt Light (Knee); T Ryan O'Callaghan (Head)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED
Artrell Hawkins; Ellis Hobbs; Chad Jackson; Nick Kaczur; Eugene Wilson; Doug Gabriel; Matt Light; Ryan O'Callaghan
THURS
Ellis Hobbs; Chad Jackson; Nick Kaczur; Eugene Wilson; Artrell Hawkins; Doug Gabriel; Ryan O'Callaghan; Matt Light
FRI
Artrell Hawkins; Ellis Hobbs; Chad Jackson; Nick Kaczur; Eugene Wilson; Doug Gabriel; Matt Light; Ryan O'Callaghan
Cincinnati Bengals
OUT
DE Frostee Rucker (Shoulder); C Rich Braham (Knee); S Dexter Jackson (Ankle); WR Tab Perry (Hip)
DOUBTFUL
LB Rashad Jeanty (Foot); LB A.J. Nicholson (Hamstring)
QUESTIONABLE
WR Antonio Chatman (Groin)
PROBABLE
DT Sam Adams (Knee); WR T.J. Houshmandzadeh (Foot); T Levi Jones (Ankle); S Kevin Kaesviharn (Neck); LB Brian Simmons (Knee); DE Justin Smith (Foot); TE Reggie Kelly (Illness)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED
Rich Braham; Dexter Jackson; Tab Perry; Frostee Rucker; A.J. Nicholson; Rashad Jeanty; T.J. Houshmandzadeh; Sam Adams; Kevin Kaesviharn; Brian Simmons; Justin Smith; Levi Jones
THURS
Rich Braham; Dexter Jackson; Tab Perry; Frostee Rucker; A.J. Nicholson; Rashad Jeanty; Sam Adams; Levi Jones
FRI
Frostee Rucker; Rich Braham; Dexter Jackson; Tab Perry; Rashad Jeanty; A.J. Nicholson; Reggie Kelly
SEATTLE SEAHAWKS AT CHICAGO BEARS
Seattle Seahawks
OUT
RB Shaun Alexander (Foot); TE Jerramy Stevens (Knee); DT Marcus Tubbs (Knee); G Floyd Womack (Knee)
DOUBTFUL
CB Jordan Babineaux (Concussion); DE Joe Tafoya (Knee)
QUESTIONABLE
G Chris Gray (Knee); T Sean Locklear (Knee)
PROBABLE
S Ken Hamlin (Shoulder)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED
Floyd Womack; Marcus Tubbs; Jerramy Stevens; Shaun Alexander; Joe Tafoya; Jordan Babineaux; Chris Gray; Sean Locklear
THURS
Shaun Alexander; Jerramy Stevens; Marcus Tubbs; Floyd Womack; Joe Tafoya; Jordan Babineaux; Chris Gray; Sean Locklear
FRI
Practice Not Complete
Chicago Bears
OUT
WR Airese Currie (Foot)
DOUBTFUL
WR Mark Bradley (Ankle)
QUESTIONABLE
TE Desmond Clark (Foot); S Chris Harris (Ankle)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED
Desmond Clark; Mark Bradley
THURS
Mark Bradley; Desmond Clark
FRI
Airese Currie; Mark Bradley; Desmond Clark
GREEN BAY PACKERS AT PHILADELPHIA EAGLES on Monday
Green Bay Packers
OUT
DT Kenderick Allen (Foot)
QUESTIONABLE
DT Ryan Pickett (Ankle); CB Will Blackmon (Foot); T Junius Coston (Knee); G Jason Spitz (Thigh)
PROBABLE
RB Ahman Green (Rib); DE Aaron Kampman (Head); TE David Martin (Illness)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED
Kenderick Allen; Ryan Pickett; Will Blackmon; Aaron Kampman
THURS
Kenderick Allen; Ryan Pickett; Will Blackmon; Aaron Kampman; David Martin
FRI
Kenderick Allen; Will Blackmon; Ahman Green
Philadelphia Eagles
DOUBTFUL
CB Roderick Hood (Heel); CB Lito Sheppard (Ankle)
QUESTIONABLE
WR Donte' Stallworth (Hamstring); RB Brian Westbrook (Knee); S Brian Dawkins (Concussion)
PROBABLE
G Shawn Andrews (Shoulder); WR Reggie Brown (Shoulder); S Sean Considine (Hip); DE Darren Howard (Knee); S Michael Lewis (Quadricep); RB Reno Mahe (Ankle); LB Matt McCoy (Stinger); TE L.J. Smith (Shoulder); T Tra Thomas (Foot); DT Darwin Walker (Quadricep)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED
Practice Not Conducted
THURS
Roderick Hood; Lito Sheppard; Donte' Stallworth; Brian Westbrook; Brian Dawkins
FRI
Roderick Hood; Lito Sheppard; Brian Westbrook; Brian Dawkins

NFL Hall Of Fame Opens Superdome Exhibit - NFLMedia.com



From NFL HOF Press Release

Superdome exhibit opens at Hall of Fame

A special display commemorating the reopening of the Superdome in New Orleans officially opened at the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

“The Hall of Fame joins the NFL as well as the millions of fans nationwide who celebrated the return of football to New Orleans and the Superdome,” commented Steve Perry, President/Executive Director of the Hall of Fame. “The stadium’s renovation has served as a symbol of the hard working community that continues to fuel the revitalization of New Orleans
following the devastation of Hurricane Katrina last year.”

Among the artifacts donated by the New Orleans Saints from last Monday night’s game include: the coin flipped by former President George H.W. Bush in the pre-game toss, the football used for the opening kickoff, the jersey worn by Saints wide receiver Joe Horn, a lithographed team signed football, and a commemorative towel distributed to fans who attended the game on September 25.

The newest items are joined by several other mementos recently acquired by the Hall of Fame. One such piece is the hard hat worn by Tom Keller who was the Project Manager for the Superdome’s roof replacement. Keller, a passionate Green Bay Packers fan, added a Saints’ logo to his yellow hard hat adorned with a Packers logo. During a media event this past
summer, former NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue suggested to Keller that the hat should be in the Hall of Fame as a symbol of all the diverse groups that came together to rebuild the city and the dome. Also included is a shovel from the Superdome’s original groundbreaking ceremony held on May 5, 1970.

Another unique item included is a Super Bowl XXXVI ticket autographed by kicker Adam Vinatieri. New Orleans resident Mike Barnes was given the ticket by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, who at the time was the league’s COO. Barnes had served as Goodell’s driver during the Super Bowl festivities. Barnes stored the keepsake in a plastic container in a shed in his
backyard. Hurricane Katrina destroyed the shed and Barnes feared that the ticket was lost. He found it miraculously the next day in a crawl space under his home.

Friday, September 29, 2006

Terrell Owens / Sanaa Lathan / Kendra Wilkinson - Sanaa Is T.O.'s New Girlfriend - Felicia Broke Off Engagement In February










UPDATE: TERRELL OWENS CUT FROM COWBOYS



Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Terrell Owens has been the focus of much speculation about his rumored suicide attempt. I personally thought he may have been depressed due to personal reasons. Well, T.O. has more than "25 million reasons" to be happy, and many of them in the form of the women he's pursued by. OK, for my taste, they're not executive timber -- well-educated, ivy league, smart -- but to each his own.

The point is, even with the great Mike Silver's Sports Ilustrated's report where T.O. was still upset with not hearing from his former fiance, Felicia, Terrell's not alone.



According to the great blog "Young, Black, and Fabulous," Terrell Owens will be visted by the lovely Sanaa Lathan (photo at left), who's rumored to be his new girfriend. Reportedly, the two met during the ESPN Awards in July.

This means my first assumption about the possible source of his probable depression being Felicia's actions was wrong -- he was months removed from his relationship with Felicia, even though she did break off their marriage plans.

Why?



Well, "Young, Black, and Fabulous" blog report that they broke up due to "his cheating ways." Indeed, there's a rap sheet of T.O's squeezes that probably made the Dallas Police jealous.

T.O.'s surrounded by women.

For example, he's been spotted with the hot-bodied Kendra Wilkinson -- pictured with the football -- in fact very recently at a club, if YB&F is to be believed, "getting their freak on" and thought they wouldn't be spotted. (I can't imagine what the onlookers were seeing in the dark, but whatever.)

You remember Kendra? She's on Playboy Mogul Hugh Hefner's show "The Girl Next Door." Check out Kendra's MySpace page, however, and Hugh's no where to be seen. Instead, Kendra has photos of a number of photos of black athletes, just not T.O. for some reason...



The reason why Kendra left out Terrell Owens from her MySpace page may be connected to this text on LiveJournal from "diosabellissima":

"No way is the Kendra thing true. On the commentary of the first season of Girls Next Door (the DVD), Kendra goes on and on and on about how much she hates TO. How embarassed she is that she was interviewed in his jersey and how embarassed she is that she had all his stuff around her room."

Yeah, but she wasn't at the club. Kendra and T.O. may have made up; after all she was the Philadelphia Eagles blogger while T.O. was with the team. I wonder how she got that job?

At any rate, the YB&F blog reports that Sanaa's with T.O. in Dallas now.

Who's Sanaa?

According to the IMDB film data base, she's an accomplished actress with a huge list of appearances, most recently in the hit TV show "Nip/Tuck." She played Alexa Woods in the movie "AVP: Alien vs. Predator." Here's the full list:

A Raisin in the Sun (2007) (TV) (pre-production) .... Beneatha Younger

"Nip/Tuck"
- Monica Wilder (2006) TV Episode .... Michelle Latham
- Blu Mondae (2006) TV Episode .... Michelle Latham
- Cindy Plumb (2006) TV Episode .... Michelle Latham
Something New (2006) .... Kenya Denise McQueen
The Golden Blaze (2005) (V) (voice) .... Monica
AVP: Alien vs. Predator (2004) .... Alexa Woods
... aka Alien vs. Predator (Germany) (USA: short title)
... aka AVP (USA: promotional abbreviation)
Out of Time (2003/I) .... Ann Merai Harrison
Brown Sugar (2002) .... Sidney 'Syd' Shaw
... aka Seven Days
Disappearing Acts (2000) (TV) .... Zora Banks
The Smoker (2000) .... Roxanne
Love & Basketball (2000) .... Monica Wright
... aka Love and Basketball (USA: closing credits title)

The Best Man (1999/I) .... Robin
The Wood (1999) .... Alicia
Catfish in Black Bean Sauce (1999) .... Nina
Life (1999/I) .... Daisy
Blade (1998) .... Vanessa Brooks
"LateLine" (1998) TV Series .... Briana Gilliam
"NYPD Blue"
- You're Under a Rasta (1998) TV Episode .... Shirley Barish
Miracle in the Woods (1997) (TV) .... Young Lilly
"Built to Last"
- Pilot (1997) TV Episode .... Linda
Drive (1997) .... Carolyn Brody
"Family Matters"
- Revenge of the Nerd (1997) TV Episode .... Allison
"Moesha"
- A Concerted Effort: Part 1 (1996) TV Episode .... Ebony
- A Concerted Effort: Part 2 (1996) TV Episode .... Ebony
"In the House"
- The Curse of Hill House (1996) TV Episode .... Charese

Filmography as: Actress, Self, Archive Footage

Self - filmography

"The Oprah Winfrey Show"
... aka Oprah (USA: short title)
- Episode dated 8 March 2006 (2006) TV Episode .... Herself
"The Tyra Banks Show"
- All Access Pass with LL Cool J (2006) TV Episode .... Herself
"The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson"
- Episode dated 9 February 2006 (2006) TV Episode .... Herself
- Episode #2.88 (2006) TV Episode .... Herself
"Late Night with Conan O'Brien"
- Episode dated 27 January 2006 (2006) TV Episode .... Herself
The 11th Annual Critics' Choice Awards (2006) (TV) .... Herself
The 3rd Annual Vibe Awards (2005) (TV) .... Herself
"The Directors"
- The Films of Carl Franklin (2005) TV Episode .... Herself
"Tavis Smiley"
- Episode dated 23 August 2004 (2004) TV Episode .... Herself
The 58th Annual Tony Awards (2004) (TV) .... Nominee for Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Play by 'A Raisin in the Sun'
... aka The 2004 Tony Awards (USA)
Out of Time: Crime Scene (2004) (V) .... Herself
"The Sharon Osbourne Show"
... aka Sharon (USA: short title)
- Episode dated 1 October 2003 (2003) TV Episode .... Herself
The 2001 IFP/West Independent Spirit Awards (2001) (TV) .... Herself

Filmography as: Actress, Self, Archive Footage

Archive Footage

Brilliant But Cancelled (2002) (TV)

___________________________________________

Well, whatever the combination, it's clear that if T.O. was upset about something, what T.O. said came after he was fatally medicated, and not before. Thus, if the depression's there, it's inside; he's not acting out on anything. I believe him. I think what he was saying to Sil (Mike Sliver) was that he wishes Felicia was there to see about him, which means the incident really wasn't triggered by her.

But he was crying out for her.

Terrell Owens - Video Of His Press Conference After "Accidental Overdose"

This the the video of the press conference where Terrell Owens explains what happened and how he's feeling. The 911 call transcript is here. In the video, he explains that he took the wrong combination of meds and that he was not aware of what he was saying or doing after that.

Kim Etheridge then talks and explains her actions, she also says he has "25 million reasons to live."

Here is the video.

Terrell Owens - 911 Call Listed On ESPN Does Not Use "Suicide" Term - Dallas Police Should Appologize

This is a transcript of the 911 call Terrell Owens publicist made to Dallas Police and posted at ESPN.com. Note that she does not say he's trying to kill himself or that he was attempting suicide. The Dallas Police have made disparaging remarks about Terrell Owens in the aftermath of this incident. Considering the nature of the event, they should appologize to Terrell Owens.

DALLAS -- A transcript of the 41-second call from Terrell Owens' publicist Kim Etheredge to 911 on Tuesday night:

Kim Etheredge: "Hi, I have an emergency please."

911 operator: "You need the police out there?"

Etheredge: "I need an ambulance please."

911 operator: "Let me give you the paramedics."

Etheredge: "Thank you."

911 operator: "Stay on the line."

Paramedic: (Garbled) "Dallas Fire."

Etheredge: "Hi. Hi I need an ambulance please, immediately."

Paramedic: "OK. What's your address?"

Etheredge: (gives address, crying)

Paramedic: "What's wrong?"

Etheredge: "I think he took too many pills. Please. Now. (Garbled) What do I do if the pills are down the throat?"

Paramedic: "OK. What's your phone number? We are already on the way now, ma'am. What's your phone number?"

Etheredge: "Oh God!"

Paramedic: "What's your phone number?"

Etheredge: (Deleted)

Paramedic: "Is that 214?"

Etheredge: "Yes."

Paramedic: "OK. Is he still breathing?"

Etheredge: "Yes."

Paramedic: "OK, we're on the way there, ma'am."

Etheredge: "Thank you. Thank you."

Terrell Owens - Fiance Felicia Broke Off Engagement



FLASH! Click for T.O.'s new squeeze.

According to a story by The Dallas Morning News, and appearing below, Terrell Owens fiance and girlfriend of three years Felicia broke off their engagement. In an earlier blog post, I asked what happened to T.O.s fiance and why wasn't she near him when he took the ill-fated medication. Now we know.

What we don't know is why she broke it off. But my original opinion -- that his depression is related to his fiance -- remains unchanged.


Owens fires trainer apparently for talking to Dallas newspaper
By Michael Granberry

Dallas Morning News

(MCT)

DALLAS - James "Buddy" Primm, the personal trainer for Terrell Owens, said Thursday that the Cowboys' wide receiver had relieved him of his services and was no longer speaking to him.

In a telephone conversation with The Dallas Morning News, Owens acknowledged as much and said Primm "had no business" discussing details of his private life with the news media.

Primm, 55, said Wednesday that Owens had been distraught over not being able to see his son, who celebrated his 7th birthday Monday. Then, hours later, he said, the receiver's fiancee, a woman he had dated for three years, severed their engagement.

"He shouldn't have been telling you anything about my personal life anyway," said Owens. "That's where it stops - right there. He should have never said anything remotely involving me or my personal life, especially my son or even my ex-girl."

A resident of Georgia, where Owens makes his off-season home, Primm began working out the wideout seven years ago, when he played for the San Francisco 49ers.

He says he cares "deeply" for Owens and loves him "like a son," one whose fatherless childhood took place in abject poverty in rural Alabama, where he was raised by his mother and grandmother. Owens apparently went for years without knowing that a man who lived on the same street was his father.

"The background that I've had," Primm said Wednesday, "it's enabled me to take a very special person who, if he stays within a structure, would be able to accomplish anything. I believe I'm one of the people who can help provide that structure."

As for playing the role of a father figure, he said, "There's never been one there. . . . My thing is helping other people. I enjoy that. I'm a Christian. It gives me a feeling of fulfillment. I like to do the best I can and be the very best at it."

Primm calls his style "hands-on and personal." Until recently, he had even been living with Owens at his newly purchased loft in the shadow of the Fair Park area.

Owens said Primm was inexperienced in dealing with the news media.

"He is a victim of what I have fallen victim to over the course of my career," Owens said. "He shouldn't have said anything about my personal life - period. Now I really have to be guarded as far as who I talk to. If I can't trust my own trainer, I can't trust nobody."

Kim Etheredge, Owens' publicist who, on occasion, also shares Owens' home, called 911 on Tuesday, when Owens had accidentally overdosed - which led police to believe he had attempted suicide.

After a rigorous workout Tuesday, Owens said he had downed several prescription pain pills for the hand he injured earlier this month, despite having consumed 30 tablets - natural supplements supplied by Primm - earlier that day.

As a trainer, Primm is widely regarded as one of the best in the business. He helped Owens heal rapidly from a broken leg in 2004 to such an extent that he played superbly only weeks later in Super Bowl XXXIX.

Primm says the receiver's recovery was aided in no small part by a battery of New Age devices to which he introduced him. They include a $40,000 laser designed to stimulate blood flow to injured parts of the body. He also uses a hyperbaric chamber and a microcurrent machine as part of the same portfolio of treatments.

Owens has counted on Primm's guidance not only in helping sculpt an Adonis-like body but also in curbing the destructive power of a series of nagging injuries. When Owens sustained a hamstring pull during Cowboys training camp in Oxnard, Calif., he flew in Primm to oversee his rehabilitation.

And his approach worked well enough, Primm said Wednesday, to enable Owens to play as early as this Sunday, when the Cowboys travel to Nashville to face the Tennessee Titans.

Thursday, September 28, 2006

NFL - ALL WEEK 4 GAMES SOLD OUT; FIRST TIME ALL NFL TV BLACKOUTS LIFTED

NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE
280 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10017
(212) 450-2000 * FAX (212) 681-7573

WWW.NFLMedia.com

Joe Browne, Executive Vice President-Communications
Greg Aiello, Vice President-Public Relations

FOR USE AS DESIRED
NFL-75 9/28/06
ALL WEEK 4 GAMES SOLD OUT;
FIRST TIME ALL TV BLACKOUTS LIFTED
FOR FIRST FOUR WEEKS OF SEASON

For the fourth consecutive week, all games of the NFL schedule have sold out in advance of the local TV blackout deadline, enabling every game to be televised in the home-team market, the NFL announced today.

This is the first time since the NFL blackout policy took effect in 1973 that all blackouts have been lifted in the season’s first four weeks. All blackouts were lifted on NFL Kickoff 2006 Weekend (September 7, 10-11), in Week 2 (September 17-18) and Week 3 (September 24- 25).

It will be the 17th time in NFL history that blackouts have been lifted for all games on a single weekend. The previous 16 times have been on Kickoff Weekend in 1998; three times in 2000; once in 2001; four times in 2002 and 2005; and three times this season.

The NFL blackout policy states that games sold out 72 hours prior to kickoff can be televised in the home city.
# # #

FEDEX AIR & GROUND NFL PLAYERS OF THE WEEK HONORS: REDSKINS QB MARK BRUNELL, PACKERS QB BRETT FAVRE & EAGLES QB DONOVAN MC NABB, AND OTHERS...

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT:
NFL-71 9/26/06

REDSKINS QB MARK BRUNELL, PACKERS QB BRETT FAVRE &
EAGLES QB DONOVAN MC NABB; BRONCOS RB TATUM BELL,
STEELERS RB WILLIE PARKER & EAGLES RB BRIAN WESTBROOK
CANDIDATES FOR FEDEX AIR & GROUND®
NFL PLAYERS OF THE WEEK HONORS

Fans To Vote For Winners On NFL.com

Quarterbacks MARK BRUNELL of the Washington Redskins, BRETT FAVRE of the Green Bay Packers and DONOVAN
MC NABB of the Philadelphia Eagles are the finalists for FedEx Express NFL Player of the Week honors for games
played on September 24-25, while running backs TATUM BELL of the Denver Broncos, WILLIE PARKER of the
Pittsburgh Steelers and BRIAN WESTBROOK of the Philadelphia Eagles are the finalists for FedEx Ground NFL Player
of the Week honors, the NFL announced today.

Fans can vote for one player in each category on NFL.com from 9am EST on Tuesday through 6pm EST on Thursday to
determine the FedEx Air & Ground NFL Players of the Week. The winners will be announced Thursday evening on
NFL.com.

Fans will be voting for more than their favorite player. For the third season in a row, the weekly FedEx Air & Ground NFL
Players of the Week Awards are a win for the local community. Along with the award, FedEx will donate $5,000 every
week to the local children’s hospital in each winning market. The children’s hospitals in the two season-long winner’s
markets, announced at this year’s Super Bowl, will be awarded $25,000 each. That means that FedEx will deliver nearly
$250,000 to local children’s hospitals around the country in recognition of the FedEx Air & Ground NFL Players of the
Week Award winners.

A closer look at the FedEx Express NFL Player of the Week finalists:

• Washington’s MARK BRUNELL completed 24 of 27 passes for 261 yards and one touchdown for a passer rating
of 119.3 in the Redskins’ 31-15 victory over the Houston Texans. Brunell set an NFL record with 22 consecutive
completions to start the game.
• Green Bay’s BRETT FAVRE threw for 340 yards, completing 25 of 36 passes with three touchdowns for a passer
rating of 127.1 in the Packers’ 31-24 victory over the Detroit Lions. Favre became just the second NFL
quarterback to throw for 400 career touchdowns, joining former Miami Dolphins QB Dan Marino (420).
• Philadelphia’s DONOVAN MC NABB had a 105.1 passer rating in the Eagles’ 38-24 victory over the San
Francisco 49ers, completing 18 of 33 passes for 296 yards and two touchdowns. McNabb threw touchdown
passes of one yard and four yards in the first quarter.
A closer look at the FedEx Ground NFL Player of the Week finalists:
• Denver’s TATUM BELL rushed for 123 yards on 27 carries in the Broncos’ 17-7 victory over the New England
Patriots. Bell, whose longest run of the day was 21 yards, averaged over 4.5 yards per carry.
• Pittsburgh’s WILLIE PARKER carried 31 times for 133 yards and two touchdowns in the Steelers’ 28-20 loss to
the Cincinnati Bengals. Parker scored on touchdown runs of one and three yards.
• Philadelphia’s BRIAN WESTBROOK carried 8 times for 117 yards and two touchdowns in the Eagles’ 38-24
victory over the San Francisco 49ers. In addition to rushing touchdowns of four and 71 yards, Westbrook added
a four-yard touchdown reception.
FedEx, the premier global provider of transportation, e-commerce and supply-chain management services, is the Official
Delivery Service Sponsor of the NFL, Super Bowl and Pro Bowl. Through the weekly FedEx Air & Ground Awards, FedEx
recognizes those NFL players who represent the same speed, precision and teamwork that their customers have come to
expect from the full range of FedEx air, ground, freight and international shipping services.

NFL Week 4 Injury Report - Patriots Not Lost Back-To-Back Games Since 2002

FOR USE AS DESIRED
NFL-PER-4 9/27/06

PATRIOTS AMONG BEST AT BOUNCING BACK

The New England Patriots are among the NFL’s best teams at bouncing back. New England has not lost back-to-back games since December 2002, and their streak of 52 consecutive games without consecutive defeats will be tested on Sunday when they visit the Cincinnati Bengals.

With a win, New England will tie the Denver Broncos (53) for the second-longest streak since 1970 without back-to-back losses.

The Denver Broncos accomplished the feat from October 24, 1976 through December 17, 1979. The San Francisco 49ers are the leader in the category, going 60 games from November 12, 1995 to October 17, 1999 without suffering back-to-back losses.

Following is a list of quarterback injuries for Week 4 Games (October 1-2):
S
Kansas City Chiefs Out Trent Green (Head)
Minnesota Vikings Doubtful Tarvaris Jackson (Knee)
New England Patriots Probable Tom Brady (Right Shoulder)
New York Jets Probable Chad Pennington (Calf)
Oakland Raiders Out Aaron Brooks (Right Shoulder)
Washington Redskins Probable Mark Brunell (Left Elbow)
Following is a list of injured players for Week 4 Games (October 1-2):
MIAMI DOLPHINS AT HOUSTON TEXANS
Miami Dolphins
QUESTIONABLE G Joe Berger (Foot); LB Derrick Pope (Hamstring)
PROBABLE CB Travis Daniels (Ankle); CB Eddie Jackson (Toe)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED All Players Practiced
Houston Texans
OUT CB Demarcus Faggins (Foot)
QUESTIONABLE C Mike Flanagan (Foot); DE Antwan Peek (Groin)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED Demarcus Faggins; Antwan Peek
SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS AT KANSAS CITY CHIEFS
San Francisco 49ers
OUT G Larry Allen (Knee); TE Vernon Davis (Fibula)
QUESTIONABLE TE Delanie Walker (Shoulder); RB Frank Gore (Ribs); WR Taylor
Jacobs (Hamstring); RB Maurice Hicks (Ankle)
PROBABLE RB Michael Robinson (Shoulder)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED Larry Allen; Vernon Davis
Kansas City Chiefs
OUT QB Trent Green (Head)
PROBABLE T Kyle Turley (Lower Back)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED Trent Green; Kyle Turley
DALLAS COWBOYS AT TENNESSEE TITANS
Dallas Cowboys
QUESTIONABLE WR Terrell Owens (Hand)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED Terrell Owens
Tennessee Titans
OUT TE Erron Kinney (Knee)
QUESTIONABLE C Eugene Amano (Ankle); P Craig Hentrich (Back); G Benji Olson
(Calf); G Zach Piller (Ankle); DT Robaire Smith (Hamstring); RB
Ahmard Hall (Ankle); DE Antwan Odom (Knee); LB Robert
Reynolds (Thigh); RB Chris Brown (Toe)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED Erron Kinney; Eugene Amano; Benji Olson; Zach Piller; Robaire
Smith
ARIZONA CARDINALS AT ATLANTA FALCONS
Arizona Cardinals
QUESTIONABLE LB James Darling (Calf)
PROBABLE TE Fred Wakefield (Back)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED James Darling; Fred Wakefield
Atlanta Falcons
QUESTIONABLE DE John Abraham (Groin); LB Edgerton Hartwell (Knee)
PROBABLE DE Patrick Kerney (Tricep); CB DeAngelo Hall (Calf)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED John Abraham; Patrick Kerney; DeAngelo Hall
SAN DIEGO CHARGERS AT BALTIMORE RAVENS
San Diego Chargers
OUT S Bhawoh Jue (Knee)
QUESTIONABLE T Leander Jordan (Neck); G Kris Dielman (Hamstring); DE Igor
Olshansky (Knee); WR Keenan McCardell (Hamstring); TE Ryan
Krause (Hamstring)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED Bhawoh Jue; Leander Jordan; Ryan Krause
Baltimore Ravens
QUESTIONABLE WR Demetrius Williams (Arm); LB Terrell Suggs (Thigh); TE Todd
Heap (Ankle); G Edwin Mulitalo (Arm); LB Bart Scott (Foot)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED Demetrius Williams; Terrell Suggs; Todd Heap; Edwin Mulitalo; Bart
Scott
MINNESOTA VIKINGS AT BUFFALO BILLS
Minnesota Vikings
DOUBTFUL QB Tarvaris Jackson (Knee)
QUESTIONABLE LB Ben Leber (Knee); DT Pat Williams (Ankle)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED Tarvaris Jackson; Ben Leber
Buffalo Bills
QUESTIONABLE S Matt Bowen (Shin); LB Takeo Spikes (Hamstring); CB Kiwaukee
Thomas (Back)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED All Players Practiced
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS AT CAROLINA PANTHERS
New Orleans Saints
OUT S Bryan Scott (Thigh); DE Rob Ninkovich (Knee)
QUESTIONABLE CB Fred Thomas (Hip); WR Devery Henderson (Shoulder); LB
Danny Clark (Hip)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED Practice Not Conducted
Carolina Panthers
OUT LB Dan Morgan (Concussion); TE Mike Seidman (Knee)
QUESTIONABLE T Todd Fordham (Shoulder); C Justin Hartwig (Groin); S Shaun
Williams (Foot)
PROBABLE CB Ken Lucas (Neck); RB Nick Goings (Thigh); WR Steve Smith
(Thigh)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED Dan Morgan; Mike Seidman; Todd Fordham; Justin Hartwig; Shaun
Williams
INDIANAPOLIS COLTS AT NEW YORK JETS
Indianapolis Colts
DOUBTFUL DT Corey Simon (Knee)
QUESTIONABLE G Jake Scott (Knee); S Bob Sanders (Knee); DT Darrell Reid
(Elbow); G Ryan Lilja (Knee); DT Dan Klecko (Low Back); LB
Freddie Keiaho (Knee); CB Tim Jennings (Knee); CB Marlin
Jackson (Concussion); CB Kelvin Hayden (Groin); CB Nick Harper
(Ankle); C Dylan Gandy (Abdomen); K Adam Vinatieri (Right
Groin); TE Ben Utecht (Groin); DE Josh Thomas (Hip); WR
Brandon Stokley (Ankle); T Ryan Diem (Thumb); LB Gary Brackett
(Thigh)
PROBABLE RB De De Dorsey (Ankle)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED Corey Simon; Bob Sanders; Darrell Reid; Ryan Lilja; Dan Klecko;
Marlin Jackson; Nick Harper; Dylan Gandy; Adam Vinatieri;
Brandon Stokley; Ryan Diem
New York Jets
QUESTIONABLE WR Laveranues Coles (Calf); WR Tim Dwight (Hamstring); G Pete
Kendall (Thigh); S Kerry Rhodes (Thigh); CB Derrick Strait (Thigh);
C Trey Teague (Ankle); CB David Barrett (Thigh)
PROBABLE DE Bobby Hamilton (Knee); QB Chad Pennington (Calf); DT Kimo
Von Oelhoffen (Knee); DE Shaun Ellis (Hip); DE Dave Ball (Hand);
RB Kevan Barlow (Calf); LB Matt Chatham (Foot); T Anthony
Clement (Shin); CB Drew Coleman (Hand)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED Laveranues Coles; Tim Dwight; Pete Kendall; Kerry Rhodes;
Derrick Strait; Trey Teague; David Barrett
CLEVELAND BROWNS AT OAKLAND RAIDERS
Cleveland Browns
QUESTIONABLE LB Willie McGinest (Calf); RB Reuben Droughns (Shoulder); DE
Orpheus Roye (Shoulder); S Brian Russell (Elbow); DE Simon
Fraser (Shoulder); TE Kellen Winslow (Knee); DE Nick Eason
(Ankle); CB Gary Baxter (Pectoral); TE Darnell Dinkins
(Hamstring); WR Joe Jurevicius (Ribs); G Cosey Coleman (Hand)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED Willie McGinest; Reuben Droughns; Orpheus Roye; Simon Fraser;
Kellen Winslow; Nick Eason; Gary Baxter; Joe Jurevicius
Oakland Raiders
OUT QB Aaron Brooks (Right Shoulder)
QUESTIONABLE DE Kevin Huntley (Foot); LB Sam Williams (Ankle); LB Grant Irons
(Back)
PROBABLE CB Fabian Washington (Hamstring); T Robert Gallery (Calf); CB
Nnamdi Asomugha (Foot)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED Aaron Brooks; Grant Irons
DETROIT LIONS AT ST. LOUIS RAMS
Detroit Lions
OUT S Kenoy Kennedy (Foot); LB Alex Lewis (Knee)
QUESTIONABLE CB Fernando Bryant (Ankle); T Barry Stokes (Hamstring); T Rex
Tucker (Knee); G Ross Verba (Hamstring)
PROBABLE DT Shaun Rogers (Knee)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED Kenoy Kennedy; Alex Lewis; Barry Stokes; Rex Tucker; Ross
Verba; Shaun Rogers
St. Louis Rams
QUESTIONABLE T Orlando Pace (Concussion)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED Orlando Pace
JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS AT WASHINGTON REDSKINS
Jacksonville Jaguars
DOUBTFUL RB Derrick Wimbush (Knee); DE Marcellus Wiley (Groin)
QUESTIONABLE CB Rashean Mathis (Knee); DT Marcus Stroud (Ankle); G Chris
Naeole (Knee)
PROBABLE WR Chad Owens (Ribs); S Donovin Darius (Back); WR Matt Jones
(Groin); DE Paul Spicer (Groin)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED Derrick Wimbush; Marcellus Wiley; Rashean Mathis; Marcus
Stroud; Chris Naeole
Washington Redskins
DOUBTFUL CB Shawn Springs (Abdomen)
PROBABLE QB Mark Brunell (Left Elbow); DT Joe Salave'a (Calf)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED Shawn Springs; Mark Brunell; Joe Salave'a
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS AT CINCINNATI BENGALS
New England Patriots
QUESTIONABLE S Artrell Hawkins (Thigh); CB Ellis Hobbs (Wrist); WR Chad
Jackson (Hamstring); T Nick Kaczur (Shoulder); S Eugene Wilson
(Hamstring)
PROBABLE QB Tom Brady (Right Shoulder); WR Doug Gabriel (Hamstring); T
Matt Light (Knee); T Ryan O'Callaghan (Head)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED Artrell Hawkins; Ellis Hobbs; Chad Jackson; Nick Kaczur; Eugene
Wilson; Doug Gabriel; Matt Light; Ryan O'Callaghan
Cincinnati Bengals
OUT C Rich Braham (Knee); S Dexter Jackson (Ankle); WR Tab Perry
(Hip); DE Frostee Rucker (Shoulder)
DOUBTFUL LB A.J. Nicholson (Ankle)
QUESTIONABLE WR Antonio Chatman (Groin); LB Rashad Jeanty (Foot)
PROBABLE DT Sam Adams (Knee); S Kevin Kaesviharn (Neck); LB Brian
Simmons (Knee); DE Justin Smith (Foot); T Levi Jones (Ankle);
WR T.J. Houshmandzadeh (Foot)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED Rich Braham; Dexter Jackson; Tab Perry; Frostee Rucker; A.J.
Nicholson; Rashad Jeanty; Sam Adams; Kevin Kaesviharn; Brian
Simmons; Justin Smith; Levi Jones; T.J. Houshmandzadeh
SEATTLE SEAHAWKS AT CHICAGO BEARS
Seattle Seahawks
OUT G Floyd Womack (Knee); DT Marcus Tubbs (Knee); TE Jerramy
Stevens (Knee)
DOUBTFUL RB Shaun Alexander (Foot); DE Joe Tafoya (Knee)
QUESTIONABLE CB Jordan Babineaux (Concussion); G Chris Gray (Knee); T Sean
Locklear (Knee)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED Floyd Womack; Marcus Tubbs; Jerramy Stevens; Shaun Alexander;
Joe Tafoya; Jordan Babineaux; Chris Gray; Sean Locklear
Chicago Bears
QUESTIONABLE S Chris Harris (Ankle); TE Desmond Clark (Foot); WR Mark
Bradley (Ankle)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED Desmond Clark; Mark Bradley
GREEN BAY PACKERS AT PHILADELPHIA EAGLES on Monday
Green Bay Packers
OUT DT Kenderick Allen (Foot)
DOUBTFUL DT Ryan Pickett (Ankle)
QUESTIONABLE CB Will Blackmon (Foot); T Junius Coston (Knee); G Jason Spitz
(Thigh)
PROBABLE RB Ahman Green (Rib); DE Aaron Kampman (Head)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED Kenderick Allen; Ryan Pickett; Will Blackmon; Aaron Kampman
Philadelphia Eagles
DOUBTFUL CB Roderick Hood (Heel); CB Lito Sheppard (Ankle)
QUESTIONABLE S Brian Dawkins (Concussion); WR Donte' Stallworth (Hamstring);
RB Brian Westbrook (Knee)
PROBABLE S Sean Considine (Hip); G Shawn Andrews (Shoulder); WR
Reggie Brown (Shoulder); DE Darren Howard (Knee); S Michael
Lewis (Quadricep); RB Reno Mahe (Ankle); LB Matt McCoy
(stinger); TE L.J. Smith (Shoulder); T Tra Thomas (Foot); DT
Darwin Walker (Quadricep)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED Practice Not Conducted

NFL's First Sunday Night Football Preseason Game To Be Played In China Will Happen On August 8, 2007 - NFLMedia.com

NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE
280 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10017
(212) 450-2000 * FAX (212) 681-7573

WWW.NFLMedia.com

Joe Browne, Executive Vice President-Communications
Greg Aiello, Vice President-Public Relations

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT:

NFL TO KICK OFF COUNTDOWN TO 2008 BEIJING OLYMPICS
WHEN PATRIOTS FACE SEAHAWKS ON AUGUST 8, 2007
IN FIRST-EVER NFL GAME IN CHINA

The National Football League – America’s most popular sports attraction – has been selected by the city of Beijing to stage a game in the Chinese capital city that will serve as the kickoff of the one-year countdown to the opening of the XXIX Olympic Games in China.

NFL Commissioner ROGER GOODELL announced Sunday night that the New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks will play in the first NFL game in China -- the world’s fastest growing market -- when the teams meet in Beijing on Wednesday, August 8, 2007.

Also taking part in the press conference prior to the Denver at New England game were Patriots Chairman & CEO ROBERT KRAFT, NBC Universal Sports & Olympics Chairman DICK EBERSOL, and MISS REN JUN, who represented the Beijing Sports Competition Management Center.

"We are very excited and proud to be bringing our game to China,” said Commissioner Goodell. “We thank the Patriots and Seahawks for agreeing to take part in this historic game. We are also grateful to our broadcast partner -- NBC and its parent company GE -- and to the Beijing Municipal Sports Bureau and the Beijing Sports Competition Management Center. This
promises to be a memorable event.”

The game will be televised live in China in primetime by China Central Television (CCTV) at 8:30 PM. CCTV is China’s largest national TV network. NBC will carry the game live in the United States at 8:30 AM ET.

With a capacity of 60,000, Beijing’s Workers Stadium – site of the soccer competition at the 2008 Summer Olympics – will play host to the matchup between the Patriots and Seahawks, two of the NFL’s most exciting teams.

The Seahawks played in last season’s Super Bowl after winning their first National Football Conference championship. Seattle is one of the top contenders to represent the NFC again at Super Bowl XLI, which will be played on February 4 in South Florida. Led by reigning Associated Press NFL Most Valuable Player SHAUN ALEXANDER and quarterback MATT
HASSELBECK, Seattle is aiming for a third consecutive NFC West championship under head coach MIKE HOLMGREN.

Seattle previously participated in the NFL’s international American Bowl games in Vancouver, Canada and Tokyo, Japan. In their first international game since 1998 (Vancouver), the Seahawks will seek their first victory outside the United States.
”The Seahawks are honored to be one of the teams selected to represent the NFL in this prestigious event,” said Seattle Chairman PAUL ALLEN. “We are proud of the Pacific Northwest’s deep cultural and business ties to China. We look forward to developing relationships surrounding this game that will have a lasting impact and will serve as a legacy of
our participation in this historic event.”

Led by head coach BILL BELICHICK and quarterback TOM BRADY, New England has enjoyed unparalleled success in recent years, capturing three NFL championships in four seasons from 2001-04, by winning Super Bowls XXXVI, XXXVIII and XXXIX .
The Patriots have taken part in two international games since the American Bowl series of preseason games was instituted in 1986. They played in Montreal, Canada in 1990 and in Mexico City, Mexico in 1998. The trip to China will be the team’s first game outside of North America.

“My family has been doing business in China for nearly 20 years and we are proud that The Kraft Group is New England’s number one exporter to China,” said the Patriots’ Kraft. “Based on our own experiences in China and the growing interest in American sports there, we launched a Patriots website in Chinese in 2004. It was the first of its kind. It is a privilege and
an honor to be selected to participate in the NFL’s inaugural China Bowl in 2007. I think our players and staff will be terrific ambassadors for the game of football and I hope that it will be an experience that they will never forget. I look forward to developing new relationships and building a legacy for the Patriots and the NFL in such a great country.”

Fans in China will be familiar with the Patriots and Seahawks. CCTV is broadcasting the NFL’s schedule of Sunday Night Football games live in China throughout the 2006 season, culminating with an on-site telecast of Super Bowl XLI. Seattle and New England each will appear on Sunday night at least twice this year.

The game in China will mark the 42nd international contest for the NFL in the American Bowl era. There have been 40 international preseason games and one regular-season NFL game since 1986. The regular-season game took place last year in Mexico City, where a record crowd of 103,467 in Azteca Stadium watched the Arizona Cardinals top the San Francisco
49ers 31-14.

# # #

NFL Preparing Proposal To Play Regular-Season Games Abroad - Sports Business Daily

The NFL plans to present a proposal to owners in October that “calls for two regular-season games to be played outside the [U.S.] every season,” according to Doug Haller of the ARIZONA REPUBLIC.

If approved, the plan could go into effect next season. England, Mexico, Germany and Canada have been targeted as possible locations. The league has discussed the proposal with owners at previous meetings, and feedback has been favorable.

NFL Int’l Senior VP Mark Waller: "Nobody is saying 'Why are we doing this?' They’re saying, ‘How can we do this?" While some owners are concerned about logistics, Waller said that "for many franchises, a road game in San Diego is no different from a neutral game in London."

The NFL has played preseason games in 12 int’l cities since ’86 -- including Tokyo, London, Berlin, Montreal and Barcelona -- but Waller said, “Our best product is our regular-season games. That’s our most compelling experience” (ARIZONA REPUBLIC, 9/28).

CARSON PALMER SIGNS ENDORSEMENT DEAL WITH DJO INC. - Sports Business Daily



DJO Inc., a health product manufacturer, today announced an endorsement deal with Bengals QB Carson Palmer, who will be featured in the company's "Faces of DonJoy" print ad campaign.

The ads feature athletes who have suffered severe ACL injuries that required reconstructive surgery. Others in the campaign include surfer Garrett McNamara, motocross rider Brett Metcalfe and U.S. Olympic skiers Joe Pack and Jillian Vogtli, all of whom used the company's DonJoy Defiance knee brace during rehabilitation

Video - ESPN Report Of Terrell Owens "Reported" Suicide

This is the video of ESPN's report of Terrell Owens reported suicide. Owens has said it wasn't a suicide attempt at all, and that he just had a reaction to medication. Some have bashed the media for reporting that there was a suicide attempt, but as this video shows, the police report contained the information. ESPN also made effort to clear the information.

Owens was examined and released by physicians at Baylor Medical Center.

Here's two videos of ESPN's account:



Wednesday, September 27, 2006

NFLPA's Gene Upshaw Adresses Policing Of Agents As Reggie Bush Controversy Unfolds - Sports Business Daily



As Bush Controversy Continues, Upshaw Addresses Agent Issue - Sports Business Daily

Bush’s Camp Issues Statement
Regarding Yahoo Sports Story

DAVID CORNWELL, an attorney for Saints RB REGGIE BUSH, on Friday issued a statement alleging that a Yahoo Sports reporter falsely identified himself to gain confidential financial information for a report that Bush and his family received more than $100,000 in gifts from agents while he was at USC. Cornwell said that a phone message left at a Northern California hotel seeking credit card information for an employee of Bush’s marketing agent was linked to Yahoo Sports reporter DAN WETZEL. “On Sept. 13, 2006, a person posing as an employee of Mr. Bush’s marketing agency, The SportsLink, makes repeated calls to a Northern California hotel seeking credit card information relating to such employee. In one call, the impersonator left a contact number that connects a caller directly to Yahoo,” the statement said. SportsLink is the company owned by MIKE ORNSTEIN, Bush’s marketing agent. Wetzel’s byline was not on the story that alleged Ornstein and MICHAEL MICHAELS, who owned a separate marketing company, gave more than $100,000 in cash and gifts to Bush and his parents. “Contrary to Yahoo’s report,” Cornwell’s statement said, Bush’s parents “either paid or prepaid, in cash, for airline tickets, travel expenses, lodging and service charges relating to the trip from San Diego to Oakland.” Cornwell also said that, contrary to published reports, Bush’s parents owed no rent on a San Diego area home owned by Michaels as of early April ‘06. A Yahoo spokesperson said in a statement, “We stand by both the accuracy and veracity of the reporting by JASON COLE and CHARLES ROBINSON in the investigation of Reggie Bush and his family. No information from Yahoo columnist Dan Wetzel was used in the investigative stories by Cole and Robinson” (Liz Mullen, SportsBusiness Journal). Michaels’ attorney, BRIAN WATKINS, called Cornwell’s denial “crazy.” Watkins: “They still owe rent and they never paid rent and they were evicted on that basis” (L.A. TIMES, 9/23).

UPSHAW: NFLPA Exec Dir GENE UPSHAW in an e-mail on Friday “spoke out on what he characterized as the ‘severe’ challenge of policing agents, financial advisors and marketing representatives’ intent on wooing college football players.” Upshaw said that the union has been “working on a solution since he was contacted last year” by USC coach PETE CARROLL, “even before allegations were made against Bush.” Upshaw said, “He was the first coach to bring this to my attention and how bad the problem has become. He said he was in charge but had no control. He was reaching out for help.” Upshaw said that his “work on the topic has nothing to do with Bush.” Carroll said Upshaw is “the only guy that can curtail what they’re doing.” Upshaw wants to strengthen union regulations of agents and “restrict agents from having any contact with players who have yet to declare themselves eligible for the draft.” He “wants to close loopholes that allow marketing representatives to go unregulated.” In L.A., Farmer & Wharton noted the proposal could be put to a vote of player reps at the NFLPA’s annual meeting in March, but Upshaw “can ask the union’s executive committee to consider the matter before that meeting” (L.A. TIMES, 9/23).

Arizona Cardinals Get Naming Rights Deal - Univ. of Phoenix Stadium Announced

Cardinals Sell Stadium Naming-Rights For $154M Over 20 Years

The NFL Cardinals yesterday formally announced that the Univ. of Phoenix will pay an average of $7.7M per year for 20 years for naming rights to the team’s stadium. The school also gains signage and a variety of advertising, marketing and merchandising opportunities. The deal marks the first time an NFL venue has been named after an educational institution (Cardinals). In Phoenix, Scott Wong reports the deal also “grants the university opportunities for in-stadium and community promotions; television and radio advertising during game broadcasts and pre- and post-game shows; and access to the facility for special events” (ARIZONA REPUBLIC, 9/27).

Terrell Owens Suicide Attempt - Where's Felicia Terrell Owens?



FLASH! Click for the latest news on Terrell and Felicia!

The story of Terrell Owens is one of not just a talented, but outspoken wide receiver, but of a case example of bad sports journalism in an era that's rampant with it. The Dallas Cowboys wide receiver is commonly the focus of stories on what he said or what someone said about him, but far less frequently do we hear about his love life.

It's almost assumed that because he's a successful athlete, he has a good one. There are stories about him with Ford Agency Model Felicia Terrell Owens, and reports that he's going to marry her. But who is she? Do they live together? Are they happy? The assumption -- by the lack of coverage -- is they must be.

But that's not necessarily true. I know this for a fact.

My cousin is the late running back Fred Lane, Jr. Fred played for both the Carolina Panthers and the Indianpolis Colts. During the growth of his career in the NFL, his parent, my uncle and aunt Fred and Mary, warned him about picking the right woman because many would be after his money. They were particularly concerned about his choice of woman to first date and then eventually marry. That woman's name is Diedra Lane.

As it turned out, Diedra shot and killed Fred Jr. in an attempt to get his insurance money that failed. And just a year later she was arrested for attempting to rob a bank.

No one has written anything of substance about Terrell's girlfriend and supposedly his future wife, who's pictured here, other than she's a model. How did they meet? How did he propose to her? Where was she when he was taking these pills? Why was his publicist -- Kim Etheridge -- the woman making the call to police and not Felicia? Is Felicia the cause of his depression? You know that other sportswriters will focus on the idea that Terrell was expressive to hide depression. I don't buy that. Someone should find and talk to Felicia and find out what's going on.



At a time where it seems everyone wants to know something about anyone, it's really weird that when it comes to the black male athete, little is written about their love life. Think about it. Guys like Terrell Owens and Donovan McNabb are in the media eye, but for some strange reason never the focus of articles on who they're married to or dating. I have to turn to a hip-hop website to learn that Ravens Linebacker Ray Lewis was dating pop-star TLC's "Chilli" Thomas.

This lack of love life coverage is not true for Arizona Cardinals Running Back Matt Leinart, for example. The press follows his love life all too often. This is also true for A.J. Hawk, the rookie linebacker for the Green Bay Packers, who just married Brady Quinn's sister.

Why?

Ok, in retrospect, we don't read about athlete's love lives as much in general. Look in deep in Terrell's depression, and I'll bet Felicia pops up somewhere, and that's too bad. It's always said that behind every great man, there's a woman. Terrell's reportedly best woman -- he said this to ESPN -- was his late grandmother. Who's there now?

Fire Tom Walsh - Former Raider WR Tim Brown Says "It Was A Horrible Offense" When He Played In It



This is what Tim Brown said in the Contra Costa Times about the Raiders offense under Offensive Coordinator Tom Walsh:

"You just can't run that offense in the NFL anymore," Brown said. "They're calling timeouts, spending most of their timeouts before 10 minutes is up in the second quarter. They're getting delay penalties, getting to the line of scrimmage late, because those plays are 20 words long.

"I know that it was a horrible offense way back when. We just had to make plays and make things happen way back when. Being that the 40-second clock has come into play, and a lot of other rules have come into play since he was (last) in the league, I knew that would be a tough adjustment for him. Even zone blitzes and things of that nature. That makes that offense very tough. It was very one-dimensional, trying to audible was very difficult."

Michael Vick Passing In The Pocket; Throws To Michael Jenkins - Video

For those who remark that Atlanta Falcons QB Michael Vick can't sit in the passing pocket, read the defense, and throw a completion, here's video proof he can. This against the Panthers two weeks ago.

Superdome - Saints Block Falcons Punt For First Touchdown Of The Game

This is the play that started the tidalwave of celebration. Even watching this on TV I could feel the crowd going totally nuts. The blocked punt came because the Saints used an uncommon middle rush stunt, which was such that it created a hole that the eventual blocker ran through.

Watch and listen:

Reggie Bush Gives To Devery Henderson; Saints Double Reverse Scores v. Falcons In Superdome - Video

This play sent the Superdome crowd into a sky-high frenzy. They were already jazzed up after the blocked punt.

What's interesting about this particular play is that the first ball carrier -- Reggie Bush -- lines up as a split end. Note there's no tight end on that side, but because the Falcons don't play their weak side linebacker up on the line of scrimage, Bush can come in to get the hand-off without fear of being downed for a loss.

Superdome Opens To New Orleans Saints and America - Saints Clobber Falcons In First Game Back

This was an amazing event. Here's a video and an account of the scene.



Super Bowl atmosphere, perfect finish in Big Easy

Sep. 26, 2006
By Mike Freeman
CBS SportsLine.com National Columnist
Tell Mike your opinion!


NEW ORLEANS -- Sporting a flaming light gold suit and dark top hat that stood tall and stiff on his head, Joe Horn sauntered into the Superdome several hours before kickoff as he has done many times before. This day, however, was different.


WR Joe Horn has become a favorite in New Orleans. (Getty Images)
Horn, along with superstar Reggie Bush, has been adopted by the city as favorite sons, cherished for their charity work in post-Hurricane Katrina. In reaching out, Horn and Bush did not send checks from the safety of their estates or dispatch bubbly flaks to do their PR work. They got their hands dirty. They dropped in on pulverized neighborhoods, handed out food and rebuilt lives.

The Saints arranged for players to take a different way into the stadium than normal, one that had them walk purposely through a gauntlet of fans. When Horn approached wearing his pimp daddy fits circa Etta James, he stopped several times to accept dozens of pats on the back and high-fives from fans leaning over a security barricade to touch their hands on a hero.

On this night, a night unlike any other in sports history, the New Orleans Saints players were the rock stars, bigger celebrities than even mega-groups U2 and Green Day, who performed onstage together prior to the Saints facing Atlanta in a tribute to the city of New Orleans.

The game itself, almost lost in the nuclear intensity that was the Superdome's reopening, was destined to end up just one way -- and it did, but it was New Orleans winning 23-3 before 70,003 wildly geeked fans.

The Falcons stepped in the way of history and were squashed.

As if scripted by some otherworldly force, the Saints are 3-0. Just how un-freakin'-believable is that?

"The fans were great," said Horn. "We knew they would be here in force to support us and we didn't want to let them down.

"I was focused on the job at hand, but I was also focused on the emotion of the fans," said Horn. "If I had witnessed what happened here at the dome, I probably wouldn't have come back."

Horn said he in fact spoke to fans that were trapped inside the quickly decaying dome during Katrina who would not come back because the memories were still too fresh. They planned to watch the game on television.

The Saints were powered by an emotional, almost nationalistic sunburst. No team might have beaten the Saints on this night. Not the 1960s Green Bay Packers or the Joe Montana San Francisco 49ers. No team.

When the game was over, about 50,000 fans remained in the stands, dancing and cheering for several minutes. Coach Sean Payton dedicated a game ball to the Saints fans.

"We said, 'The only way this night was going to be special was if we win this game,'" said quarterback Drew Brees.

« Back · 1 · 2


As someone that has covered a number of Super Bowls, the grandest of sporting events in this country, this game had that same feel. Perhaps because so many people thought this night would never happen. Or maybe because for a few hours, this city, much of it still in ruins, all this time later, can enjoy a basic human impulse perhaps not felt in many months here, and that is the spine-tingling sensation of forward momentum, the rhapsody of a new day.

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The game itself, the actual football, almost did not matter. The moment did. When you rank all of the great moments in the history of American sports, this will stand solidly among them.

Two and three hours before the game, crowds of humanity, tens of thousands of people, were drinking and laughing in the streets around the dome. It was a party, a celebration. They stayed close to the dome, almost hugging it, never wanting to lose site of it.

Ironic, isn't it? Just over a year ago 30,000 people were cursing the place when it was utilized as an emergency shelter. It was a house of horrors. It was called by some the Island of Katrina because rivers of water flowed onto the streets around it. Then, people were trying to get as far away from the place as they could, both physically and mentally.

On its reopening Saints fans chugged beers and sang songs throughout the Superdome's corridors. They were again in love with one of the symbols of their city. They were no longer ashamed of it.

When former commissioner Paul Tagliabue, a key component in the rebuilding of the dome, was asked if he was surprised that this night had come, he said, "In one sense I am astonished because it represents such a tremendous amount of work, the coming together of tens of thousands of people and their spirit and their resilience. So in one sense, like I say, I am astonished. In another sense, it is what we all hoped would happen."

Once the contest began, there was so much emotion vibrating throughout the dome. Some of the Saints players and coaches became overwhelmed by it. A blocked punt for a touchdown, followed by a Devery Henderson 11-yard run, and two John Carney field goals of 37 and 51 yards gave the Saints a 20-3 halftime lead. When the Falcons tried to gather at least an ounce of momentum with a Morten Andersen (yes, that Morten Andersen, the former Saint) field goal, that too was blocked.

"Right out the gate," Horn said, "we wanted to make a statement that we were here to play."

One Saints player was too pumped, however. Curtis Deloatch, in the second quarter, shoved Atlanta runner Jerious Norwood long after Norwood was out of the field of play. The game official flagged Deloatch for an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty.

Immediately after that, Payton, in an inexcusable fit of rage, twice accosted Deloatch on the Saints sideline, in full view of the television cameras, by shoving him hard in the upper body area. It was the only lowlight on the night that contained a zillion highlights.

The Falcons had Michael Vick, an NFL force, but everything went the way of the Saints. Not even his Roger Rabbit quicks could stop the inevitable. The blocked punt for a Saints score, a key early drop by tight end Alge Crumpler, the blocked field goal, a made long field goal by the Saints and a pass interference call on the Saints later reversed. It was one piece of good fortune followed by another.

It was karma. Or maybe since the game was in New Orleans, it was voodoo.

Whatever it was, Saints fans will take it, on this, a truly joyous and unforgettable night in which everyone, for a short time, was a Saints fan.

Tuesday, September 26, 2006

Cardinals Kurt Warner Starter, Not Matt Lenart - NFL



Kurt Warner to remain starting quarterback
NFL.com wire reports

TEMPE, Ariz. (Sept. 26, 2006) -- Kurt Warner will remain the starting quarterback for the Arizona Cardinals, coach Dennis Green said.

Green's comment came in a statement released by the team following an ESPN report that Green decided that rookie Matt Leinart would replace Warner as starter for Arizona's game at Atlanta.

"Generally talking about the starting lineup is not something we do," Green said. "However, given the speculation that was out there we want to make it clear. We're disappointed after last week, but we still expect to be a playoff football team and we fully expect Kurt Warner to be the quarterback that leads us. That has not changed."

Warner threw three interceptions, two of them with Arizona inside the opponent's 14-yard line, and fumbled a snap at the St. Louis 18 with 1:46 to go in the Cardinals' 16-14 home loss to the Rams.

At his regular Monday news conference, Green declined to confirm Warner would remain as a starter.

Terrell Owens Suffers Adverse Reaction To Pain-Killers - ESPN



Source: T.O. hospitalized after reaction to medicine
ESPN.com news services

DALLAS -- Terrell Owens was taken to the emergency room Tuesday night after suffering an adverse reaction to painkillers taken for treatment of his fractured hand, a source close to Owens told ESPN's Ed Werder.

Doctors treating the Dallas Cowboys receiver were trying to induce vomiting when he arrived at Baylor Medical Center, according to a television report.

Owens was brought by a fire rescue crew to the hospital, Dallas-Fort Worth television station KTVT reported, citing sources the television station did not identify. A reporter for the station later said she saw Owens being wheeled down the hall.

Calls from The Associated Press to Owens' agent, his publicist and the Cowboys were not immediately returned Tuesday night. The hospital told the AP that they do not have a patient registered by Owens' name.

KTVT said a Dallas police spokesperson was en route to the hospital to talk about a "high profile case." A hospital spokesman is expected to make an announcement early Wednesday.

Owens fractured the fourth metacarpal bone in the Cowboys' victory over the Washington Redskins and underwent surgery on Sept. 18. The next day, a plate was screwed in, protecting the bone so it can heal without further damage.

Cowboys coach Bill Parcells mentioned in a press conference shortly thereafter that pain medication had made Owens ill, apparently making this the second time he has had an adverse reaction. The incident that sent him to the hospital Tuesday night apparently occurred sometime after Owens took medication after catching passes at the Cowboys' facility on Tuesday.

At this point, his availability to practice with the team on Wednesday or to play in Sunday's game at Tennessee remains unknown.

On Tuesday, the Cowboys also practiced without tight end Jason Witten, whose wife was having a baby. Wide receiver Terry Glenn practiced, albeit with several stitches in his thumb.

"He was trying to cut some tape off his uniform," Parcells said. "He had his hand down in his pants and he missed. Fortunately he cut his hand."

With the Cowboys having had a bye last weekend, Owens could return without having missed a game. Before Tuesday's developments, Owens said he'll play Oct. 8, when he gets to face his former team, the Eagles, in Philadelphia.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.

Congratulations Doug Thornton on The Superdome



I first met Superdome Manager Doug Thornton when I was tabbed to run the effort to bring the Super Bowl to Oakland. While others at SMG played politics, Doug was the consumate professional.

It's no suprise to me that he stepped up and made the best of a terrible situation with the Superdome and Hurricane Katrina. He's a kind man, and deserves all of the thanks he gets.

Monday, September 25, 2006

Sports Business Daily Focuses On Superdome On Eve Of Monday Night Game

The Sports Business Daily has a great -- if not well structured -- set of news postings on events and people related to the reopening of the Superdome and this evening's Atlanta Falcons v. New Orleans Saints game.

Superdome Readies For Its Grand Re-Opening Tonight On “MNF”

Superdome Receiving $185M In Renovations
The Superdome will reopen tonight for the first time since Hurricane Katrina for the Falcons-Saints “MNF” game, and the refurbished stadium, “other than the concrete-and-steel superstructure, ... looks nothing like the battered building that almost imploded a year ago,” according to a front-page piece by Jeff Duncan of the New Orleans TIMES-PICAYUNE. The “multiphase renovation that will top out at” $185M is more than three-quarters finished, and the Superdome is “more fan-friendly and noticeably brighter than before.” SMG Regional VP Doug Thornton said the Dome is “greatly improved, not just repaired” (New Orleans TIMES-PICAYUNE, 9/24). Thornton: “There’s a fresh feel. I never thought it would look this good so fast” (SHREVEPORT TIMES, 9/25). Louisiana Stadium & Exposition District (LSED) attorney Larry Roedel said, “It was not an option to demolish the dome. The only option was to make it new and bright, so people could focus on the future” (SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS, 9/24).

FULLY STAFFED FOR SEASON: SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL’s Don Muret reports SMG completed one of its “largest recruiting and training efforts to hire 2,500 part-time event workers” for the Saints’ home schedule. Thornton said, “We have less than half the employees that we had before, but the people that are back are experienced, having been through many Super Bowls and Final Fours. That’s a big plus” (SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL, 9/25 issue).


McAllister Feels Game Will Provide
Brief Respite For Football Fans
GAME A BREAK FROM NORMAL LIFE: In New Orleans, Jimmy Smith writes the game “provides a welcome respite from the often depressing grind of everyday life for those who call this area home.” Saints QB Drew Brees said, “I think a lot of people will see from the broadcast that, hey, this city is very much alive” (New Orleans TIMES-PICAYUNE, 9/25). Saints RB Deuce McAllister said, “Instead of (people) wondering are they going to continue to haggle with their insurance people, are they going to have to continue to work on their home, for three hours they can go and cheer for their Saints” (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 9/25). In Massachusetts, Albert Breer writes, “Tonight is a time to put [rebuilding efforts] on the back burner for a few hours. And celebrate some of the progress that’s already been made” (METROWEST DAILY NEWS, 9/25). Roedel said, “The general feeling is that if sports and entertainment can make a comeback, the rest of the community can as well. It’s difficult to just focus on sports and entertainment because the damage is so much bigger than that, but it gives people something to rally around” (SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS, 9/24). Thornton: “If you can rebuild a 2-million-square-foot facility, there’s hope for our neighborhoods and for our city” (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 9/25).

SENDING A MESSAGE: Tony Kornheiser, who will broadcast the game tonight on ESPN, toured New Orleans Friday with several reporters and editors from the Times-Picayune. Kornheiser writes, “When I told my guides that, instead of a football game, everyone should be focusing on building houses, repatriating people and making sure they could come back here to live, they politely set me straight. ... This game means a tremendous amount to them. ... The building sends a powerful message of a positive sort –- come here as a tourist” (WASHINGTON POST, 9/25). Historian Douglas Brinkley, who wrote “The Great Deluge: Hurricane Katrina, New Orleans, and the Mississippi Gulf Coast,” said, “We have two industries -– ports and tourism. That’s been the justification for going forward with Mardi Gras and fixing the Superdome -– that we have to revive those industries or the city won’t survive.” In Houston, David Barron writes the Superdome “serves as a gleaming symbol of the possibilities of a rebuilt New Orleans” (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 9/25).

SYMBOL OF SURVIVAL: In DC, Les Carpenter wrote the Superdome’s reopening is “the seminal event in the city’s recovery, a gesture that New Orleans might survive after all.” Local businesses have been asked to close at 3:00pm CT, and workers are encouraged to wear Saints colors (WASHINGTON POST, 9/24). In Atlanta, Steve Hummer: “This is the moment meant to show the world New Orleans has a pulse again” (ATLANTA CONSTITUTION, 9/24). In Chicago, Don Pierson: “The Superdome has become a symbol of government success and civic rebirth” (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 9/24). In California, Cam Inman: “Tonight’s unveiling ... might be the most remarkable achievement in the Superdome’s history” (CONTRA COSTA TIMES, 9/25). Fox’ Terry Bradshaw, who is from Shreveport, said, “I can’t be more proud of a city, or even Mr. Benson, the owner. ... Right now, we’ve got something to live for, something to look forward to.” Fox’ Joe Buck added, “I know I speak on behalf of all of us, though, when I say $185(M) spent on refurbishing the (Superdome), we hope the same type of effort and that same type of money, even obviously millions more, will be spent on bringing people back into their homes in that region” (“Fox NFL Sunday,” Fox, 9/24).


Thornton Says He Has Had Talks With
NCAA, NFL About Hosting Marquee Events
LONG ROAD AHEAD: New Orleans-based Columbus Properties President & CEO Joe Canizaro said, “It’s going to take 10 years if it takes a day to get us back to where we were. But we have to start somewhere, and this night is that start” (SPORTING NEWS, 9/29 issue). Former Saints QB and New Orleans resident Archie Manning said, “Long-term, I worry. ... I just hope we can keep up the momentum. It’s going to take a lot” (NEWSDAY, 9/24). But Thornton said, “It’s a bright future. We’ve already had conversations with the NCAA and with the NFL (about hosting their jewel events). The Super Bowl situation is totally dependent upon a long-term lease with the Saints. And they are going to play a collegiate national championship here in 2008” (ATLANTA CONSTITUTION, 9/24).

NOT ENOUGH ATTENTION ELSEWHERE: In L.A., Sam Farmer writes in a front-page piece that “not everyone agrees that rebuilding the football stadium should have been a top priority.” New Orleans resident Karenlynn Bell said, “I don’t want to set foot in there, even for a game. It’s more for the tourists, more for the people on the West Side. The evacuees ... you don’t hear them excited” (L.A. TIMES, 9/25). New Orleans resident Dee Jabar, who is $120,000 in debt after reopening his business, said the city “should be busy worrying about how to survive and rebuild rather than about a team that earns millions of dollars” (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 9/24). New Orleans resident Harrison Smothers said, “It’s a football game. It’s not doing much for the people of the city. It might do something for the politicians” (ATLANTA CONSTITUTION, 9/24). In Westchester, Ian O’Connor wrote, “I’ve covered the Super Bowl, the Final Four, and the national championship football game in the Superdome, and I’ll never be able to look at the stadium as anything but a hiding place for Hurricane Katrina victims. ... Just understand that this is show business, and that nothing on your TV screen [tonight] makes the disaster any less epic, or our government’s embarrassingly slow reaction to it any less real” (Westchester JOURNAL NEWS, 9/24).


Writer Believes Tagliabue’s (c) Handling
Of Situation Could Be Crowning Moment
IMPORTANT FIGURES: The TIMES-PICAYUNE’s Duncan wrote Thornton, Roedel and Superdome Commission Chair Tim Coulon “in essence ... saved pro sports in New Orleans. ... And they did it pretty much on their own, under the radar, while a crippled city was still on its knees.” Roedel “plotted legal strategy and navigated the mountains of paperwork,” while Coulon “served as the liaison between the LSED team and Baton Rouge, communicating daily with [Louisiana Gov. Kathleen] Blanco, the LSED board of commissioners and state legislators.” Meanwhile, Thornton “negotiated the $20[M] grant from the NFL toward the Superdome renovation and spearheaded the agreement that landed the 2008 NBA All-Star Game for the city.” NBA President of League & Basketball Operations Joel Litvin said, “Doug was easily the most important person in the whole process. He was the go-to guy on every single issue, and he delivered on everything he promised” (New Orleans TIMES-PICAYUNE, 9/24). Thornton is featured in an extensive piece by CBS SPORTSLINE.com’s Mike Freeman under the header, “One Man’s Heroics Helped Save City, Superdome” (CBS SPORTSLINE.com, 9/20). Thornton also was profiled on CBS’ “The Early Show” Saturday (THE DAILY).

NFL’S ROLE: In a separate piece, the TIMES-PICAYUNE’s Duncan wrote former NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue’s handling of the situation “will rank as one of the biggest accomplishments of his 17-year tenure.” Thornton said of Tagliabue, who will attend the game tonight, “His leadership and decision-making certainly had a huge impact on where we are today. We couldn’t have accomplished what we did without the NFL” (New Orleans TIMES-PICAYUNE, 9/24). A TIMES-PICAYUNE editorial stated the city had “much-appreciated help” from Thornton, Tagliabue and current NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. Also, Saints Owner Tom Benson’s “statements about the Saints’ future in New Orleans gave fans hope” (New Orleans TIMES-PICAYUNE, 9/24).

LENDING A HELPING HAND: In New Orleans, Benjamin Hochman reported Saturday’s “NFL Junior Player Development Homecoming Jamboree” was one of several events “that brought together corporations and volunteers to clean the city and raise awareness.” At the event, the Saints welcomed 75 youth athletes from New Orleans and 75 from Atlanta, which included some New Orleans evacuees, “to play football and clean the playground.” TNT’s Kenny Smith also hosted several charitable events that included visits from Hornets G Chris Paul, Warriors G Baron Davis, Heat C Alonzo Mourning, Nuggets F Kenyon Martin and Bulls G Ben Gordon (New Orleans TIMES-PICAYUNE, 9/24).

A NEW MORNING: ABC’s “Good Morning America” co-anchor Robin Roberts was live at the Superdome during this morning’s show. In addition to a report on the reopening, segments from the venue included a profile of Thornton and a taped interview with U2’s The Edge and Green Day’s Billie Joe Armstrong. CBS’ “The Early Show” and NBC’s “Today” also reported on the Superdome this morning (THE DAILY).

Jeremy Shockey Claims NY Giants Were Outcoached By Seahawks

I disagree with Jeremy on the role of the coach. I don't think the coach has to call the play. There was a time when NFL quarterbacks were expected to call plays and know the system. I think a middle ground should be established in any organization's system. This was also not the first time such a comment was made about Tom Coughlin's system. It seems to me that -- to be blunt -- the Giants staff doesn't have a good set of contengency plans in case the opponent comes into a game with an approach they did't use before.


Shockey criticizes Coughlin after Giants' loss
NFL.com wire reports

SEATTLE (Sept. 24, 2006) -- Jeremy Shockey is at it again.

New York's volatile tight end criticized coach Tom Coughlin after the Giants fell behind by 35 points early before losing to Seattle 42-30.

"We got outplayed, and outcoached. Write that down," Shockey said.

Asked what he meant by outcoached, Shockey said, "You saw the game."

It was reminiscent of comments made by running back Tiki Barber after the Giants' wild-card game loss to Carolina last season. Barber said after the game that the Giants were outcoached by Carolina's John Fox, a former Giants defensive coordinator.

Coughlin was practically shouting from a podium after the game. Sweat was running down his face at the thought of Eli Manning 's two first-quarter interceptions, a lost fumble and a 35-0 first-half hole that was the largest in New York's 82-year history.

"We just gave the game away," Coughlin said. "A team that does nothing but preach and talk about turnovers, we turn it over like nothing matters, nothing counts. It cost us the game."

"We started the game and lost our composure again up front and had a couple of foolish penalties ... We had what we thought was a good game plan together. And obviously we didn't execute."

Shockey, who had four catches for 58 yards, stewed in the locker room by himself before being told of Coughlin's comments.

"They were in different defenses than we thought they were going to be in. They did different things that we haven't seen," he said. "You can make adjustments all you want, but when they do new things and they switch things up, you really can't do anything."

Shockey pointed out how well Manning played on New York's final scoring drive. Manning exclusively used the no-huddle offense to move 94 yards, a drive that ended with his 9-yard touchdown to David Tyree.

Manning thrived in the no-huddle to rally past the Eagles last weekend. Against Seattle, Manning was 2 of 7 for minus-1 yards and the two interceptions in a conventional offense during an awful first quarter, when Seattle led 21-0. He was 20 for 26 for 238 yards after that.

Someone asked tackle Luke Petitgout if it mattered that his team rallied for 27 points late.

"No," Petitgout said flatly.

Shockey, seated next to Petitgout, said "I think it does."

"I think when Eli gets to call his plays, get his formations, I think we play better football, when he gets to decide a little bit more than just the set play and then you get to go for it," Shockey said. "But you can't play always in a no-huddle situation."

Why not?

"You've got to go by their plays," Shockey said. "They're the coaches. They get paid money. They call the plays. Every coach out there is trying to help everybody to move the ball and help his team win. You can't just go out of no-huddle all the time."

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