NFL Statement on Michael Vick - NFL Media.com
07/17/2007
STATEMENT FROM AN NFL SPOKESMAN:
We are disappointed that Michael Vick has put himself in a position where a federal grand jury has returned an indictment against him. We will continue to closely monitor developments in this case, and to cooperate with law enforcement authorities. The activities alleged are cruel, degrading and illegal. Michael Vick’s guilt has not yet been proven, and we believe that all concerned should allow the legal process to determine the facts. The matter will be reviewed under the League’s Personal Conduct Policy.
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
NFL TRAINING CAMPS OPEN THIS WEEK - NFLMedia.com
It's that time of year again! Training camps open up this week! Here's more info
“It’s time to get to work!”
So says SCOTT LINEHAN, head coach of the St. Louis Rams, about that summertime NFL staple that signals only one thing – the season is fast approaching!
NFL training camps are here. They start this Thursday, with the New York Jets (rookies) the first to report. By July 30, every club will be in camp.
“Training camp is a crucial time for a team to come together and prepare for the upcoming season,” says New Orleans Saints Executive Vice President/general manager MICKEY LOOMIS.
The Saints are one of the teams that “come together” away from home (they train at Millsaps College in Jackson, Mississippi). More and more, though, NFL clubs are training at their regular-season headquarters. The Seattle Seahawks and Tennessee Titans this summer join the trend of “stay-at-homes” (the Titans split their 2006 camp between home and a college).
Ten years ago, only 13 percent (four of 30) of NFL clubs trained at home. This year, more than half will (53 percent, 17 of 32).
But there are holdouts to the trend. And they just may know something.
**********************************************************************************************************************
FAMILIAR SURROUNDINGS
Two teams -- the Dallas Cowboys and Seattle Seahawks -- will encamp at new training sites this year. While some clubs have changed their training bases during the past decade, others return to familiar venues where they have spent their summer months for years.
The NFL training camp longevity king? The Green Bay Packers, who return on July 27 for their 49th consecutive summer at St. Norbert College in DePere, Wisconsin.
The longest active NFL training camp tenures:
Team
Training Camp
City
Years
Green Bay Packers
St. Norbert College
DePere, Wisconsin
49
Minnesota Vikings
Minnesota State, Mankato
Mankato, Minnesota
41
Pittsburgh Steelers
Saint Vincent College
Latrobe, Pennsylvania
41
New York Jets
Hofstra University
Hempstead, New York
39
***********************************************************************************************************************
Indeed, the last two Super Bowl champions trained away at small colleges – the Pittsburgh Steelers (SB XL) at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, and the Indianapolis Colts (SB XLI) at Rose-Hulman Institute in Terre Haute, Indiana. They will do so again at those locations this year.
The Kansas City Chiefs are another of the believers in going away to camp. They’ve trained at the University of Wisconsin in River Falls for the past 16 seasons.
“And we’ve had 12 winning seasons out of the 16 we’ve been there,” says Chiefs President CARL PETERSON.
That preparation for winning starts in camp and in the preseason schedule that will kick off on August 5. Coaches and players know the importance of these games. The past 10 Super Bowl champions prove that. Combined, they compiled almost a .700 preseason winning percentage (27-14, .659).
Once it’s kicked off, preseason is like regular season to the players. Last August 11, for instance, quarterback STEVE MC NAIR, in his first game with the Baltimore Ravens, took off on a third-and-goal and carried two defenders on his back into the end zone for a score.
“I play to win, regardless of whether it’s a preseason or regular-season game,” says McNair, speaking for all NFL players. “Once the blood gets flowing, you can’t shut it off.”
Fans this summer will be able to see what it’s like for teams to prepare for a season on NFL Network as it covers eight clubs in camp, and on HBO as it follows the Chiefs in its “Hard Knocks” reality show for five weeks of camp.
Two weeks after camps open, it’s “Hall of Fame Weekend” – a salute to football’s past, present and future – in Canton, Ohio on August 3-5.
On Saturday, August 4, the Pro Football Hall of Fame will induct its class of 2007 – GENE HICKERSON, MICHAEL IRVIN, BRUCE MATTHEWS, CHARLIE SANDERS, THURMAN THOMAS and ROGER WEHRLI. The enshrinement ceremonies will take place for the first time in primetime (6:00 PM ET) and will be broadcast live by NFL Network.
The following night, it’s the annual Pro Football Hall of Fame Game (8:00 PM ET) featuring the 2006 NFC Championship runner-up New Orleans Saints against the Pittsburgh Steelers, with MIKE TOMLIN directing his first game as an NFL head coach.
The game will be carried for the first time by NFL Network, with a two-hour pregame show starting at 6:00 PM ET.
The future of the game also will be nurtured during Hall of Fame weekend as the annual NFL Youth Football Summit takes place.
A group of more than 170 youth and high school football coaches and administrators from all 50 states and the District of Columbia will convene to discuss topics vital to their programs with football experts and NFL greats.
The Hall of Fame Game will be the first of 15 nationally televised contests this summer. Add to those the “wall-to-wall-ball” schedule of NFL Network – 52 games in 29 days (including two of the national TV broadcasts) – and NFL fans will be able to see first-hand the intensity of preseason competition…and the approach of the season.
The 2007 NFL training camp sites and reporting dates:
AFC:
TEAM
SITE
LOCATION
ROOKIES
VETERANS
Baltimore
McDaniel College
Westminster, MD
7/29
7/29
Buffalo
St. John Fisher College
Pittsford, NY
7/26
7/26
Cincinnati
Georgetown College
Georgetown, KY
7/26
7/26
Cleveland
Cleveland Browns Training Facility
Berea, OH
7/23
7/27
Denver
Paul D. Bowlen Memorial Centre
Englewood, CO
7/29
7/29
Houston
Methodist Training Center
Houston, TX
7/22
7/27
Indianapolis
Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology
Terre Haute, IN
7/29
7/29
Jacksonville
Jacksonville Municipal Stadium
Jacksonville, FL
7/27
7/27
Kansas City
University of Wisconsin-River Falls
River Falls, WI
7/27
7/27
Miami
Dolphins Training Center
Davie, FL
7/22
7/27
New England
Gillette Stadium
Foxboro, MA
7/23
7/26
NY Jets
Hofstra University
Hempstead, NY
7/19
7/26
Oakland
Napa Valley Marriott
Napa Valley, CA
7/27
7/27
Pittsburgh
Saint Vincent College
Latrobe, PA
7/23
7/23
San Diego
Chargers Park
San Diego, CA
7/24
7/28
Tennessee
Baptist Sports Park
Nashville, TN
7/27
7/27
NFC:
TEAM
SITE
LOCATION
ROOKIES
VETERANS
Arizona
Northern Arizona University
Flagstaff, AZ
7/27
7/27
Atlanta
Atlanta Falcons Training Facility
Flowery Branch, GA
7/26
7/26
Carolina
Wofford College
Spartanburg, SC
7/27
7/27
Chicago
Olivet Nazarene University
Bourbonnais, IL
7/23
7/27
Dallas
Alamodome
San Antonio, TX
7/25
7/25
Detroit
Detroit Lions Training Facility
Allen Park, MI
7/25
7/25
Green Bay
St. Norbert College
De Pere, WI
7/27
7/27
Minnesota
Minnesota State University
Mankato, MN
7/26
7/26
New Orleans
Millsaps College
Jackson, MS
7/25
7/25
NY Giants
University at Albany
Albany, NY
7/27
7/27
Philadelphia
Lehigh University
Bethlehem, PA
7/27
7/30
St. Louis
Russell Training Center
St. Louis, MO
7/26
7/26
San Francisco
San Francisco 49ers Complex
Santa Clara, CA
7/29
7/29
Seattle
Seahawks Headquarters
Kirkland, WA
7/26
7/28
Tampa Bay
Disney’s Wide World of Sports
Lake Buena Vista, FL
7/26
7/26
Washington
Redskins Park
Ashburn, VA
7/27
7/27
“It’s time to get to work!”
So says SCOTT LINEHAN, head coach of the St. Louis Rams, about that summertime NFL staple that signals only one thing – the season is fast approaching!
NFL training camps are here. They start this Thursday, with the New York Jets (rookies) the first to report. By July 30, every club will be in camp.
“Training camp is a crucial time for a team to come together and prepare for the upcoming season,” says New Orleans Saints Executive Vice President/general manager MICKEY LOOMIS.
The Saints are one of the teams that “come together” away from home (they train at Millsaps College in Jackson, Mississippi). More and more, though, NFL clubs are training at their regular-season headquarters. The Seattle Seahawks and Tennessee Titans this summer join the trend of “stay-at-homes” (the Titans split their 2006 camp between home and a college).
Ten years ago, only 13 percent (four of 30) of NFL clubs trained at home. This year, more than half will (53 percent, 17 of 32).
But there are holdouts to the trend. And they just may know something.
**********************************************************************************************************************
FAMILIAR SURROUNDINGS
Two teams -- the Dallas Cowboys and Seattle Seahawks -- will encamp at new training sites this year. While some clubs have changed their training bases during the past decade, others return to familiar venues where they have spent their summer months for years.
The NFL training camp longevity king? The Green Bay Packers, who return on July 27 for their 49th consecutive summer at St. Norbert College in DePere, Wisconsin.
The longest active NFL training camp tenures:
Team
Training Camp
City
Years
Green Bay Packers
St. Norbert College
DePere, Wisconsin
49
Minnesota Vikings
Minnesota State, Mankato
Mankato, Minnesota
41
Pittsburgh Steelers
Saint Vincent College
Latrobe, Pennsylvania
41
New York Jets
Hofstra University
Hempstead, New York
39
***********************************************************************************************************************
Indeed, the last two Super Bowl champions trained away at small colleges – the Pittsburgh Steelers (SB XL) at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, and the Indianapolis Colts (SB XLI) at Rose-Hulman Institute in Terre Haute, Indiana. They will do so again at those locations this year.
The Kansas City Chiefs are another of the believers in going away to camp. They’ve trained at the University of Wisconsin in River Falls for the past 16 seasons.
“And we’ve had 12 winning seasons out of the 16 we’ve been there,” says Chiefs President CARL PETERSON.
That preparation for winning starts in camp and in the preseason schedule that will kick off on August 5. Coaches and players know the importance of these games. The past 10 Super Bowl champions prove that. Combined, they compiled almost a .700 preseason winning percentage (27-14, .659).
Once it’s kicked off, preseason is like regular season to the players. Last August 11, for instance, quarterback STEVE MC NAIR, in his first game with the Baltimore Ravens, took off on a third-and-goal and carried two defenders on his back into the end zone for a score.
“I play to win, regardless of whether it’s a preseason or regular-season game,” says McNair, speaking for all NFL players. “Once the blood gets flowing, you can’t shut it off.”
Fans this summer will be able to see what it’s like for teams to prepare for a season on NFL Network as it covers eight clubs in camp, and on HBO as it follows the Chiefs in its “Hard Knocks” reality show for five weeks of camp.
Two weeks after camps open, it’s “Hall of Fame Weekend” – a salute to football’s past, present and future – in Canton, Ohio on August 3-5.
On Saturday, August 4, the Pro Football Hall of Fame will induct its class of 2007 – GENE HICKERSON, MICHAEL IRVIN, BRUCE MATTHEWS, CHARLIE SANDERS, THURMAN THOMAS and ROGER WEHRLI. The enshrinement ceremonies will take place for the first time in primetime (6:00 PM ET) and will be broadcast live by NFL Network.
The following night, it’s the annual Pro Football Hall of Fame Game (8:00 PM ET) featuring the 2006 NFC Championship runner-up New Orleans Saints against the Pittsburgh Steelers, with MIKE TOMLIN directing his first game as an NFL head coach.
The game will be carried for the first time by NFL Network, with a two-hour pregame show starting at 6:00 PM ET.
The future of the game also will be nurtured during Hall of Fame weekend as the annual NFL Youth Football Summit takes place.
A group of more than 170 youth and high school football coaches and administrators from all 50 states and the District of Columbia will convene to discuss topics vital to their programs with football experts and NFL greats.
The Hall of Fame Game will be the first of 15 nationally televised contests this summer. Add to those the “wall-to-wall-ball” schedule of NFL Network – 52 games in 29 days (including two of the national TV broadcasts) – and NFL fans will be able to see first-hand the intensity of preseason competition…and the approach of the season.
The 2007 NFL training camp sites and reporting dates:
AFC:
TEAM
SITE
LOCATION
ROOKIES
VETERANS
Baltimore
McDaniel College
Westminster, MD
7/29
7/29
Buffalo
St. John Fisher College
Pittsford, NY
7/26
7/26
Cincinnati
Georgetown College
Georgetown, KY
7/26
7/26
Cleveland
Cleveland Browns Training Facility
Berea, OH
7/23
7/27
Denver
Paul D. Bowlen Memorial Centre
Englewood, CO
7/29
7/29
Houston
Methodist Training Center
Houston, TX
7/22
7/27
Indianapolis
Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology
Terre Haute, IN
7/29
7/29
Jacksonville
Jacksonville Municipal Stadium
Jacksonville, FL
7/27
7/27
Kansas City
University of Wisconsin-River Falls
River Falls, WI
7/27
7/27
Miami
Dolphins Training Center
Davie, FL
7/22
7/27
New England
Gillette Stadium
Foxboro, MA
7/23
7/26
NY Jets
Hofstra University
Hempstead, NY
7/19
7/26
Oakland
Napa Valley Marriott
Napa Valley, CA
7/27
7/27
Pittsburgh
Saint Vincent College
Latrobe, PA
7/23
7/23
San Diego
Chargers Park
San Diego, CA
7/24
7/28
Tennessee
Baptist Sports Park
Nashville, TN
7/27
7/27
NFC:
TEAM
SITE
LOCATION
ROOKIES
VETERANS
Arizona
Northern Arizona University
Flagstaff, AZ
7/27
7/27
Atlanta
Atlanta Falcons Training Facility
Flowery Branch, GA
7/26
7/26
Carolina
Wofford College
Spartanburg, SC
7/27
7/27
Chicago
Olivet Nazarene University
Bourbonnais, IL
7/23
7/27
Dallas
Alamodome
San Antonio, TX
7/25
7/25
Detroit
Detroit Lions Training Facility
Allen Park, MI
7/25
7/25
Green Bay
St. Norbert College
De Pere, WI
7/27
7/27
Minnesota
Minnesota State University
Mankato, MN
7/26
7/26
New Orleans
Millsaps College
Jackson, MS
7/25
7/25
NY Giants
University at Albany
Albany, NY
7/27
7/27
Philadelphia
Lehigh University
Bethlehem, PA
7/27
7/30
St. Louis
Russell Training Center
St. Louis, MO
7/26
7/26
San Francisco
San Francisco 49ers Complex
Santa Clara, CA
7/29
7/29
Seattle
Seahawks Headquarters
Kirkland, WA
7/26
7/28
Tampa Bay
Disney’s Wide World of Sports
Lake Buena Vista, FL
7/26
7/26
Washington
Redskins Park
Ashburn, VA
7/27
7/27
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
Packers Sign Aaron Rouse and David Clowney; Nego With Justin Harrell
Even with this, the NFL teams are showing a good record of signings at this time. It's typical that the higher dollar draftees take longer to sign.
Packers aim to get rookies under contract
By Rob Demovsky
rdemovsk@greenbaypressgazette.com
With organized team activities completed, the Green Bay Packers have one main objective before training camp begins in less than six weeks: Get the rest of their rookies under contract.
The Packers have signed two of their 11 draft picks, third-round pick Aaron Rouse and fifth-rounder David Clowney. The more difficult negotiations, however, have not yet begun in earnest.
General Manager Ted Thompson and vice president of player finance Andrew Brandt have a tight rookie salary pool of $4.907 million, which is the maximum amount of salary cap space the Packers can use to sign their draft picks and undrafted rookie free agents. That's about $630,000 more than the NFL rookie pool average for 2007, but no team had more draft picks than the Packers.
The Packers had the highest rookie salary pool at $6.647 million last year, when they had 12 picks, including the fifth overall selection in the draft, linebacker A.J. Hawk. Their rookie pool this year is close to what it was in 2005, when it also had 11 draft picks but selected at No. 24 in the first round. Their first-round pick this season, defensive tackle Justin Harrell, was at No. 16, meaning he likely will command more first-year money than quarterback Aaron Rodgers received as the 24th pick in 2005.
Signing bonuses won't be the difficult parts of the negotiations with the draft picks, because those tend to fall in line with the players taken in similar spots, but structuring the deals to fit under the rookie salary pool will be the challenge facing Brandt and Thompson.
"The process continues as it always has," Brandt said this week. "We're in discussions with all of our draft picks."
Considering how heavily the Packers could rely on several rookies — especially Harrell, second-round draft pick Brandon Jackson, a candidate to start at running back, and James Jones, a possible No. 3 receiver — it would behoove them to have their entire draft class under contract before training camp begins on July 28.
That timetable is even more critical for Harrell, who played in only three games last season at Tennessee due to a torn biceps tendon. That injury caused the Packers to take cautious approach with Harrell this spring, holding him out of most minicamp and OTA workouts.
Like most agents, Harrell's representative, Eugene Parker, can be difficult to negotiate with at times. One of his clients, Chicago Bears running back Cedric Benson, missed nearly all of his rookie training camp in 2005 before agreeing to a deal. However, the Packers haven't had any trouble signing Parker's clients of late. Parker represents receiver Greg Jennings, a second-round pick last season who signed before training camp. He also represented former first-round pick Ahmad Carroll, who also signed his rookie contract before camp opened.
"I'm fully confident in my agent, and he has a pretty good relationship with people here in Green Bay," Harrell said. "So pretty much, I ain't worried about that. (Signing before camp) was the goal coming in, even if I wouldn't have been hurt. My agent pretty much has a good feel where I'm coming from, and I feel 100 percent that he's going to get the job done."
Several NFL teams have signed a few draft picks, but the signing season begins in earnest now that most clubs have wrapped up their offseason workouts. The Packers completed their OTAs on Tuesday.
Packers aim to get rookies under contract
By Rob Demovsky
rdemovsk@greenbaypressgazette.com
With organized team activities completed, the Green Bay Packers have one main objective before training camp begins in less than six weeks: Get the rest of their rookies under contract.
The Packers have signed two of their 11 draft picks, third-round pick Aaron Rouse and fifth-rounder David Clowney. The more difficult negotiations, however, have not yet begun in earnest.
General Manager Ted Thompson and vice president of player finance Andrew Brandt have a tight rookie salary pool of $4.907 million, which is the maximum amount of salary cap space the Packers can use to sign their draft picks and undrafted rookie free agents. That's about $630,000 more than the NFL rookie pool average for 2007, but no team had more draft picks than the Packers.
The Packers had the highest rookie salary pool at $6.647 million last year, when they had 12 picks, including the fifth overall selection in the draft, linebacker A.J. Hawk. Their rookie pool this year is close to what it was in 2005, when it also had 11 draft picks but selected at No. 24 in the first round. Their first-round pick this season, defensive tackle Justin Harrell, was at No. 16, meaning he likely will command more first-year money than quarterback Aaron Rodgers received as the 24th pick in 2005.
Signing bonuses won't be the difficult parts of the negotiations with the draft picks, because those tend to fall in line with the players taken in similar spots, but structuring the deals to fit under the rookie salary pool will be the challenge facing Brandt and Thompson.
"The process continues as it always has," Brandt said this week. "We're in discussions with all of our draft picks."
Considering how heavily the Packers could rely on several rookies — especially Harrell, second-round draft pick Brandon Jackson, a candidate to start at running back, and James Jones, a possible No. 3 receiver — it would behoove them to have their entire draft class under contract before training camp begins on July 28.
That timetable is even more critical for Harrell, who played in only three games last season at Tennessee due to a torn biceps tendon. That injury caused the Packers to take cautious approach with Harrell this spring, holding him out of most minicamp and OTA workouts.
Like most agents, Harrell's representative, Eugene Parker, can be difficult to negotiate with at times. One of his clients, Chicago Bears running back Cedric Benson, missed nearly all of his rookie training camp in 2005 before agreeing to a deal. However, the Packers haven't had any trouble signing Parker's clients of late. Parker represents receiver Greg Jennings, a second-round pick last season who signed before training camp. He also represented former first-round pick Ahmad Carroll, who also signed his rookie contract before camp opened.
"I'm fully confident in my agent, and he has a pretty good relationship with people here in Green Bay," Harrell said. "So pretty much, I ain't worried about that. (Signing before camp) was the goal coming in, even if I wouldn't have been hurt. My agent pretty much has a good feel where I'm coming from, and I feel 100 percent that he's going to get the job done."
Several NFL teams have signed a few draft picks, but the signing season begins in earnest now that most clubs have wrapped up their offseason workouts. The Packers completed their OTAs on Tuesday.
Sunday, July 15, 2007
PAUL OLIVER and JARED GAITHER Selected In NFL SUPPLEMENTAL DRAFT
From 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 USE AS DESIRED
7/12/07
TWO PLAYERS SELECTED IN NFL SUPPLEMENTAL DRAFT
The San Diego Chargers and Baltimore Ravens each selected a player in today’s seven-round
supplemental draft, the NFL announced today.
The Chargers, picking 28th, chose cornerback PAUL OLIVER of Georgia in the fourth round.
The Ravens, selecting 31st, picked Maryland tackle JARED GAITHER in the fifth round.
Oliver, 6-0 and 208 pounds, was among Georgia leaders in tackles last season (fifth with 57)
and registered two sacks. He limited the No. 2 overall selection in the 2007 NFL Draft, Georgia
Tech wide receiver CALVIN JOHNSON (Detroit), to two catches for 13 yards in the Bulldogs’
season-finale win last year. In 2005, Oliver won Georgia’s Most Improved Defensive Player
Award.
The 6-9, 350-pound Gaither started 17 of Maryland’s last 21 games at either left or right tackle.
As a freshman in 2005, he did not allow a sack from his left tackle position. Gaither was rated
as the No. 3 prep-school prospect in the nation by a scouting service while at Hargrave Military
Academy in Virginia.
With today’s selections, San Diego and Baltimore thus forgo the corresponding picks in the
2008 NFL Draft.
There were no other players selected today.
The supplemental draft was conducted by computer from NFL headquarters in New York.
# # #
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
7/12/07
TWO PLAYERS SELECTED IN NFL SUPPLEMENTAL DRAFT
The San Diego Chargers and Baltimore Ravens each selected a player in today’s seven-round
supplemental draft, the NFL announced today.
The Chargers, picking 28th, chose cornerback PAUL OLIVER of Georgia in the fourth round.
The Ravens, selecting 31st, picked Maryland tackle JARED GAITHER in the fifth round.
Oliver, 6-0 and 208 pounds, was among Georgia leaders in tackles last season (fifth with 57)
and registered two sacks. He limited the No. 2 overall selection in the 2007 NFL Draft, Georgia
Tech wide receiver CALVIN JOHNSON (Detroit), to two catches for 13 yards in the Bulldogs’
season-finale win last year. In 2005, Oliver won Georgia’s Most Improved Defensive Player
Award.
The 6-9, 350-pound Gaither started 17 of Maryland’s last 21 games at either left or right tackle.
As a freshman in 2005, he did not allow a sack from his left tackle position. Gaither was rated
as the No. 3 prep-school prospect in the nation by a scouting service while at Hargrave Military
Academy in Virginia.
With today’s selections, San Diego and Baltimore thus forgo the corresponding picks in the
2008 NFL Draft.
There were no other players selected today.
The supplemental draft was conducted by computer from NFL headquarters in New York.
# # #
Thursday, July 12, 2007
Seahawks CB Rich Gardner Released To Make Roster Space - Seattle Times
From the Seattle Times.
Hawks CB released for roster space
By Jose Miguel Romero
The Seahawks moved closer to finalizing their training-camp roster Wednesday, releasing injured cornerback Rich Gardner to make room for sixth-round draft pick Courtney Taylor, whose signing was made official.
The team has apparently agreed to terms with seventh-round pick Steve Vallos with contract terms unconfirmed, leaving three more picks to sign — second-rounder Josh Wilson, third-round choice Brandon Mebane and the first of two fourth-round picks, Baraka Atkins.
The Seahawks might have to release three players before camp in July to make room for the unsigned draft choices on the roster.
Five former NFL Europa players are also part of the current roster and signed as free agents June 28. They are cornerback Omowale "Wally" Dada (a former Washington State player), quarterback Erik Meyer (formerly at Eastern Washington), offensive guard Jonathan Alston, running back A.J. Harris and wide receiver Robert Ortiz.
The five were added when NFL Europa ceased operations at the end of its season in June.
Gardner, who came to the Seahawks at the end of the 2006 regular season when the team was beset with injuries at cornerback, was on the roster to open the May minicamp. But he suffered a serious left leg injury on the first day of practices and didn't participate in the June camp.
NFL - ATLANTA FALCONS SIGN JAPANESE WR-PR-KR NORIAKI KINOSHITA
From NFL Media.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 USE AS DESIRED
7/5/07
FALCONS SIGN JAPANESE WR-PR-KR NORIAKI KINOSHITA
Kinoshita seeks to become first Japanese player in NFL history
The Atlanta Falcons have signed wide receiver-return specialist NORIAKI KINOSHITA, a native of
Osaka, Japan, the club announced today.
The 24-year old Kinoshita spent the past three seasons playing in the NFL Europa League and was
selected to the All-NFL Europa team as the National return specialist in each of the past two years.
In 2007, Kinoshita led NFL Europa with a 15.9-yard punt-return average and ranked third with a 23.2-
yard kickoff-return average. He also added 23 receptions for 364 yards and two touchdowns.
“I’m excited to see Nori compete in training camp with us,” says Falcons head coach BOBBY
PETRINO. “He has good experience playing in NFL Europa and he deserves a chance to be in an
NFL training camp. We’ve already had stiff competition at the wide receiver position throughout our
minicamps and offseason workouts, and Nori’s presence now adds more to that position. We are
also interesting in seeing his return skills.”
Prior to playing in NFL Europa, Kinoshita played three seasons at Ritsumeikan University and helped
the team win two national championships (2002 and 2003).
“I am very excited to compete at the Falcons’ training camp with other great players,” says Kinoshita,
who hopes to become the first Japanese player in NFL history. “It is exciting as a Japanese player to
compete with American players, and I want to appeal to the fans in Atlanta. At the same time, I want
to show the Japanese people how exciting the great game of football is.”
American football has been played in Japan since 1934. Today more than 100 high schools and 200
universities field tackle football teams and nearly 200,000 youth participate in Flag Football programs
in approximately 2,000 elementary and junior high schools. The X-League, Japan’s corporate league
which was founded in 1985, features 18 teams from around the country.
###
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
7/5/07
FALCONS SIGN JAPANESE WR-PR-KR NORIAKI KINOSHITA
Kinoshita seeks to become first Japanese player in NFL history
The Atlanta Falcons have signed wide receiver-return specialist NORIAKI KINOSHITA, a native of
Osaka, Japan, the club announced today.
The 24-year old Kinoshita spent the past three seasons playing in the NFL Europa League and was
selected to the All-NFL Europa team as the National return specialist in each of the past two years.
In 2007, Kinoshita led NFL Europa with a 15.9-yard punt-return average and ranked third with a 23.2-
yard kickoff-return average. He also added 23 receptions for 364 yards and two touchdowns.
“I’m excited to see Nori compete in training camp with us,” says Falcons head coach BOBBY
PETRINO. “He has good experience playing in NFL Europa and he deserves a chance to be in an
NFL training camp. We’ve already had stiff competition at the wide receiver position throughout our
minicamps and offseason workouts, and Nori’s presence now adds more to that position. We are
also interesting in seeing his return skills.”
Prior to playing in NFL Europa, Kinoshita played three seasons at Ritsumeikan University and helped
the team win two national championships (2002 and 2003).
“I am very excited to compete at the Falcons’ training camp with other great players,” says Kinoshita,
who hopes to become the first Japanese player in NFL history. “It is exciting as a Japanese player to
compete with American players, and I want to appeal to the fans in Atlanta. At the same time, I want
to show the Japanese people how exciting the great game of football is.”
American football has been played in Japan since 1934. Today more than 100 high schools and 200
universities field tackle football teams and nearly 200,000 youth participate in Flag Football programs
in approximately 2,000 elementary and junior high schools. The X-League, Japan’s corporate league
which was founded in 1985, features 18 teams from around the country.
###
7/10/07 - 2007 NFL UNRESTRICTED & RESTRICTED FREE-AGENT SIGNINGS
From NFLMedia.com
2007 NFL UNRESTRICTED & RESTRICTED FREE-AGENT SIGNINGS
AS OF 7/10/07
(Based on official notification to NFL office)
1) 126 UNRESTRICTED free agents have signed with a NEW team:
TEAM PLAYER FORMER TEAM DATE REPORTED
ARIZONA DE Rodney Bailey Pittsburgh 4/13
CB Ralph Brown Cleveland 4/13
T Mike Gandy Buffalo 4/3
S Terrence Holt Detroit 3/8
CB Roderick Hood Philadelphia 3/13
C Al Johnson Dallas 3/6
NT Ross Kolodziej Minnesota 4/11
WR Sean Morey Pittsburgh 3/15
DE Joe Tafoya Seattle 4/13
ATLANTA K Billy Cundiff New Orleans 5/7
G Toniu Fonoti Miami 3/15
T Leander Jordan San Diego 5/9
FB Ovie Mughelli Baltimore 3/2
CB Lewis Sanders Houston 3/7
LB Marcus Wilkins Cincinnati 3/3
BUFFALO G Derrick Dockery Washington 3/3
RB Josh Scobey Seattle 5/3
T Langston Walker Oakland 3/3
C Jason Whittle Minnesota 3/3
CAROLINA S Deke Cooper San Francisco 3/26
CHICAGO DT Anthony Adams San Francisco 3/30
CINCINNATI DT Kenderick Allen Green Bay 5/14
DT Michael Myers Denver 4/20
CLEVELAND DE Antwan Peek Houston 3/5
DT Robaire Smith Tennessee 3/16
G Eric Steinbach Cincinnati 3/3
CB Kenny Wright Washington 3/6
DALLAS T Leonard Davis Arizona 3/5
S Ken Hamlin Seattle 3/26
DENVER TE Daniel Graham New England 3/9
LB Warrick Holdman Washington 4/26
G Montrae Holland New Orleans 3/5
LB D.D. Lewis Seattle 4/26
DT Alvin McKinley Cleveland 3/21
P Todd Sauerbrun New England 4/20
RB Paul Smith St. Louis 3/6
DETROIT RB T.J. Duckett Washington 3/16
CB Travis Fisher St. Louis 3/13
WR Shaun McDonald St. Louis 3/19
WR Troy Walters Arizona 6/1
DE DeWayne White Tampa Bay 3/5
JACKSONVILLE WR Dennis Northcutt Cleveland 3/5
T Tony Pashos Baltimore 3/3
GREEN BAY CB Frank Walker NY Giants 3/15
HOUSTON LB Shawn Barber Philadelphia 3/21
T Jordan Black Kansas City 3/9
WR Andre Davis Buffalo 4/12
RB Ahman Green Green Bay 3/5
LB Danny Clark New Orleans 3/7
CB Jamar Fletcher Detroit 4/5
DT Jeff Zgonina Miami 3/15
INDIANAPOLIS G Rick DeMulling Detroit 3/30
TE Mike Seidman Carolina 5/8
KANSAS CITY DT Alfonso Boone Chicago 3/20
LS J.P. Darche Seattle 3/8
LB Donnie Edwards San Diego 3/19
LB Napoleon Harris Minnesota 3/6
S Jon McGraw Detroit 3/28
G Damion McIntosh Miami 3/3
MIAMI K Jay Feely NY Giants 3/8
WR Az-Zahir Hakim San Diego 3/22
G Chris Liwienski Arizona 3/22
TE David Martin Green Bay 3/5
FB Cory Schlesinger Detroit 3/15
S Cameron Worrell Chicago 3/8
MINNESOTA LB Vinny Ciurciu Carolina 3/3
S Mike Doss Indianapolis 4/4
WR Cortez Hankton Jacksonville 4/16
TE Visanthe Shiancoe N.Y. Giants 3/5
WR Bobby Wade Tennessee 3/7
NEW ENGLAND TE Kyle Brady Jacksonville 3/3
CB Tory James Cincinnati 4/24
RB Sammy Morris Miami 3/3
WR Donte’ Stallworth Philadelphia 3/13
LB Adalius Thomas Baltimore 3/3
WR Kelley Washington Cincinnati 3/13
NEW ORLEANS LB Troy Evans Houston 4/10
TE Eric Johnson San Francisco 3/8
S Kevin Kaesviharn Cincinnati 3/15
NEW YORK GIANTS LB Kawika Mitchell Kansas City 3/27
CB Michael Stone Houston 4/16
QB Anthony Wright Cincinnati 4/18
NEW YORK JETS FB Darian Barnes Miami 3/8
DE David Bowens Miami 4/2
DE Kenyon Coleman Dallas 3/6
QB Marques Tuiasosopo Oakland 3/23
OAKLAND G Cooper Carlisle Denver 4/13
T Cornell Green Tampa Bay 3/30
FB Justin Griffith Atlanta 3/12
C Jeremy Newberry San Francisco 3/7
RB Dominic Rhodes Indianapolis 3/9
TE Tony Stewart Cincinnati 3/12
WR Travis Taylor Minnesota 5/22
TE Fred Wakefield Arizona 3/9
PHILADELPHIA WR Kevin Curtis St. Louis 3/19
WR Bethel Johnson Minnesota 3/15
DT Ian Scott Chicago 5/3
PITTSBURGH DE Nick Eason Cleveland 4/16
C Sean Mahan Tampa Bay 3/12
ST. LOUIS WR Drew Bennett Tennessee 3/3
LB Chris Draft Carolina 4/2
S Todd Johnson Chicago 3/12
RB Travis Minor Miami 3/9
CB Lenny Walls Kansas City 4/4
SAN FRANCISCO LB Tully Banta-Cain New England 3/7
DB Nate Clements Buffalo 3/3
NT Aubrayo Franklin Baltimore 3/3
WR Ashley Lelie Atlanta 3/6
S Michael Lewis Philadelphia 3/3
SEATTLE S Deon Grant Jacksonville 3/13
DE Brandon Green St. Louis 4/25
DE Patrick Kerney Atlanta 3/7
S Brian Russell Cleveland 3/12
TAMPA BAY RB B.J. Askew N.Y. Jets 3/5
LB Patrick Chukwura Denver 3/3
QB Jeff Garcia Philadelphia 3/3
LB Cato June Indianapolis 3/19
DE Lance Legree San Francisco 3/8
TE Jerramy Stevens Seattle 4/30
TENNESSEE WR Justin Gage Chicago 3/23
CB Nicholas Harper Indianapolis 3/16
QB Tim Rattay Tampa Bay 5/11
CB Bryan Scott New Orleans 3/26
WASHINGTON LB London Fletcher Buffalo 3/3
CB David Macklin Arizona 4/6
S Omar Stoutmire New Orleans 3/22
2) 88 UNRESTRICTED free agents have re-signed with their OLD team:
TEAM PLAYER DATE REPORTED
ARIZONA LB Monty Beisel 3/15
DT Chris Cooper 3/26
S Hanik Milligan 3/3
RB Marcel Shipp 3/6
BALTIMORE DE Jarret Johnson 3/6
S Gerome Sapp 4/11
RB Musa Smith 3/6
BUFFALO RB Anthony Thomas 3/12
CB Kiwaukee Thomas 3/13
CAROLINA LB Na’il Diggs 3/2
DT Kindal Moorehead 4/23
CHICAGO G Ruben Brown 3/30
CINCINNATI TE Reggie Kelly 3/8
RB Kenny Watson 3/5
CLEVELAND C Hank Fraley 3/3
C Lennie Friedman 3/20
DALLAS T Marc Colombo 3/12
K Martin Grammatica 3/7
DENVER WR Quincy Morgan 3/12
DE Kenny Peterson 3/13
DETROIT RB Aveion Cason 3/7
DE Corey Smith 3/5
GREEN BAY C Tyson Walter 3/5
LB Tracy White 3/7
HOUSTON TE Mark Bruener 3/12
RB Ron Dayne 3/23
DE Ndukwe Kalu 3/5
CB Dexter McCleon 4/2
T Ephraim Salaam 3/5
P Chad Stanley 3/7
INDIANAPOLIS LB Rocky Boiman 4/17
DT Dan Klecko 3/23
WR Aaron Moorehead 4/27
LB Rob Morris 3/5
JACKSONVILLE LB Tony Gilbert 3/26
RB LaBrandon Toefield 3/29
KANSAS CITY DT Ron Edwards 3/15
QB Damon Huard 3/2
DT James Reed 4/16
DE Jimmy Wilkerson 3/21
MIAMI CB Michael Lehan 3/19
LB Donnie Spragan 4/25
S Travares Tillman 4/13
NT Keith Traylor 3/8
MINNESOTA LB Jason Glenn 4/4
NEW ENGLAND FB Heath Evans 3/2
LB Larry Izzo 3/6
LB Junior Seau 5/21
N.Y. GIANTS C Shaun O’Hara 3/3
C Grey Ruegamer 3/27
N.Y. JETS T Anthony Clement 3/19
C Wade Smith 3/12
NEW ORLEANS S Jay Bellamy 4/2
CB Dejuan Groce 3/9
NT Antwan Lake 3/5
T Jon Stinchcomb 3/5
OAKLAND T Chad Slaughter 3/12
CB Duane Starks 3/26
WR Alvis Whitted 3/9
PHILADELPHIA RB Correll Buckhalter 3/21
CB William James 3/15
DE Juqua Thomas 3/2
PITTSBURGH S Tyrone Carter 4/2
RB Najeh Davenport 3/6
CB Chidi Iwuoma 3/15
ST. LOUIS LB Raonall Smith 5/3
T Todd Steussie 3/7
SAN DIEGO G Kris Dielman 3/5
LB Carlos Polk 3/22
C Cory Withrow 3/9
SAN FRANCISCO WR Bryan Gilmore 3/3
LB Hannibal Navies 3/16
RB Moran Norris 3/5
SEATTLE WR Bobby Engram 3/23
G Chris Gray 4/9
TE Will Heller 3/5
G Floyd Womack 3/12
TAMPA BAY CB Philip Buchanon 3/2
CB Torrie Cox 3/3
TENNESSEE QB Kerry Collins 3/12
DT Rien Long 3/2
S Donnie Nickey 4/2
T Seth Wand 3/8
LB LeVar Woods 3/12
WASHINGTON S Vernon Fox 3/2
CB Ade Jimoh 3/6
T Todd Wade 3/20
TE Todd Yoder 3/15
3) 4 RESTRICTED free agents have signed with NEW teams:
TEAM PLAYER FORMER TEAM DATE REPORTED
CLEVELAND DT Shaun Smith Cincinnati 3/16
NEW ORLEANS CB Jason David Indianapolis 4/27
ST. LOUIS P Donnie Jones Miami 4/18
TENNESSEE LB Ryan Fowler Dallas 3/16
4) 88 RESTRICTED free agents have re-signed with their OLD team:
TEAM PLAYER DATE REPORTED
ARIZONA C Nick Leckey 4/13
ATLANTA TE Dwayne Blakely 4/4
QB Matt Schaub 3/22 (Traded to Houston)
LB Demorrio Williams 4/23
BALTIMORE WR Devard Darling 5/15
WR Clarence Moore 4/24
PR B.J. Sams 5/10
BUFFALO DT Tim Anderson 4/17
DE Tony Hargrove 4/5
CAROLINA DT Jordan Carstens 3/20
WR Drew Carter 4/18
TE Michael Gaines 5/4
CINCINNATI G Stacey Andrews 4/23
CB Greg Brooks 4/2
LB Landon Johnson 4/20
P Kyle Larson 3/20
LB Caleb Miller 4/24
CLEVELAND T Nat Dorsey 4/27
NT Ethan Kelley 4/20
LB Mason Unck 4/25
DALLAS WR Patrick Crayton 4/5
CB Nathan Jones 4/13
CB Jacques Reeves 4/20
DENVER RB Kyle Johnson 4/2
RB Cecil Sapp 4/11
DETROIT LS Don Muhlbach 3/2
S Keith Smith 4/24
HOUSTON LB Charlie Anderson 4/24
S Glenn Earl 4/28
CB Von Hutchins 4/3
RB Vonta Leach 3/26
LB Shantee Orr 4/23
INDIANAPOLIS LB Gilbert Gardner 3/16
G Ryan Lilja 3/20
G Jake Scott 4/19
QB Jim Sorgi 4/11
DE Josh Thomas 4/24
JACKSONVILLE CB Ahmad Carroll 4/4
LB Jorge Cordova 4/19
QB Quinn Gray 4/20
DE Bobby McCray 6/13
K Josh Scobee 3/2
WR Ernest Wilford 4/20
KANSAS CITY DE Jared Allen 5/22
LB Keyaron Fox 4/24
WR Samie Parker 4/26
T Kevin Sampson 4/26
S Benny Sapp 4/3
LB Rich Scanlon 4/24
K Lawrence Tynes 4/4
MIAMI S Yeremiah Bell 5/21
QB Cleo Lemon 5/29
WR Wes Welker 3/5 (Traded to New England)
MINNESOTA G Anthony Herrera 4/23
DT Spencer Johnson 4/24
TE Richard Owens 4/19
RB Artose Pinner 4/23
DE Darrion Scott 6/1
NEW ENGLAND CB Randall Gay 5/29
G Gene Mruckzowski 3/22
NEW ORLEANS WR Terrance Copper 3/27
NT Rodney Leisle 4/3
NEW YORK GIANTS LB Reggie Torbor 4/23
RB Derrick Ward 5/29
S Gibril Wilson 5/2
NEW YORK JETS TE Sean Ryan 3/26
LB Cody Spencer 3/28
OAKLAND RB Reshard Lee 5/7
PITTSBURGH QB Brian St. Pierre 4/23
T Max Starks 4/25
ST. LOUIS LB Brandon Chillar 4/23
G Adam Goldberg 4/19
TE Aaron Walker 4/17
SAN DIEGO RB Michael Turner 4/26
SAN FRANCISCO RB Maurice Hicks 5/3
P Andy Lee 3/8
SEATTLE CB Jordan Babineaux 5/4
WR D.J. Hackett 4/23
LB Niko Koutouvides 4/20
T Sean Locklear 4/24
DT Craig Terrill 4/3
LB Robert Reynolds 4/4
TAMPA BAY G Jeb Terry 5/7
TENNESSEE C Eugene Amano 4/17
T Jacob Bell 6/14
TE Ben Hartsock 4/24
DT Randy Starks 4/17
WASHINGTON P Derrick Frost 4/2
5) 0 FRANCHISE players have signed with NEW teams:
TEAM PLAYER FORMER TEAM DATE REPORTED
6) 3 FRANCHISE players have re-signed with their OLD team:
TEAM PLAYER DATE REPORTED
CINCINNATI DE Justin Smith 5/8
NEW ORLEANS DE Charles Grant 4/27
SEATTLE K Josh Brown 5/2
2007 NFL UNRESTRICTED & RESTRICTED FREE-AGENT SIGNINGS
AS OF 7/10/07
(Based on official notification to NFL office)
1) 126 UNRESTRICTED free agents have signed with a NEW team:
TEAM PLAYER FORMER TEAM DATE REPORTED
ARIZONA DE Rodney Bailey Pittsburgh 4/13
CB Ralph Brown Cleveland 4/13
T Mike Gandy Buffalo 4/3
S Terrence Holt Detroit 3/8
CB Roderick Hood Philadelphia 3/13
C Al Johnson Dallas 3/6
NT Ross Kolodziej Minnesota 4/11
WR Sean Morey Pittsburgh 3/15
DE Joe Tafoya Seattle 4/13
ATLANTA K Billy Cundiff New Orleans 5/7
G Toniu Fonoti Miami 3/15
T Leander Jordan San Diego 5/9
FB Ovie Mughelli Baltimore 3/2
CB Lewis Sanders Houston 3/7
LB Marcus Wilkins Cincinnati 3/3
BUFFALO G Derrick Dockery Washington 3/3
RB Josh Scobey Seattle 5/3
T Langston Walker Oakland 3/3
C Jason Whittle Minnesota 3/3
CAROLINA S Deke Cooper San Francisco 3/26
CHICAGO DT Anthony Adams San Francisco 3/30
CINCINNATI DT Kenderick Allen Green Bay 5/14
DT Michael Myers Denver 4/20
CLEVELAND DE Antwan Peek Houston 3/5
DT Robaire Smith Tennessee 3/16
G Eric Steinbach Cincinnati 3/3
CB Kenny Wright Washington 3/6
DALLAS T Leonard Davis Arizona 3/5
S Ken Hamlin Seattle 3/26
DENVER TE Daniel Graham New England 3/9
LB Warrick Holdman Washington 4/26
G Montrae Holland New Orleans 3/5
LB D.D. Lewis Seattle 4/26
DT Alvin McKinley Cleveland 3/21
P Todd Sauerbrun New England 4/20
RB Paul Smith St. Louis 3/6
DETROIT RB T.J. Duckett Washington 3/16
CB Travis Fisher St. Louis 3/13
WR Shaun McDonald St. Louis 3/19
WR Troy Walters Arizona 6/1
DE DeWayne White Tampa Bay 3/5
JACKSONVILLE WR Dennis Northcutt Cleveland 3/5
T Tony Pashos Baltimore 3/3
GREEN BAY CB Frank Walker NY Giants 3/15
HOUSTON LB Shawn Barber Philadelphia 3/21
T Jordan Black Kansas City 3/9
WR Andre Davis Buffalo 4/12
RB Ahman Green Green Bay 3/5
LB Danny Clark New Orleans 3/7
CB Jamar Fletcher Detroit 4/5
DT Jeff Zgonina Miami 3/15
INDIANAPOLIS G Rick DeMulling Detroit 3/30
TE Mike Seidman Carolina 5/8
KANSAS CITY DT Alfonso Boone Chicago 3/20
LS J.P. Darche Seattle 3/8
LB Donnie Edwards San Diego 3/19
LB Napoleon Harris Minnesota 3/6
S Jon McGraw Detroit 3/28
G Damion McIntosh Miami 3/3
MIAMI K Jay Feely NY Giants 3/8
WR Az-Zahir Hakim San Diego 3/22
G Chris Liwienski Arizona 3/22
TE David Martin Green Bay 3/5
FB Cory Schlesinger Detroit 3/15
S Cameron Worrell Chicago 3/8
MINNESOTA LB Vinny Ciurciu Carolina 3/3
S Mike Doss Indianapolis 4/4
WR Cortez Hankton Jacksonville 4/16
TE Visanthe Shiancoe N.Y. Giants 3/5
WR Bobby Wade Tennessee 3/7
NEW ENGLAND TE Kyle Brady Jacksonville 3/3
CB Tory James Cincinnati 4/24
RB Sammy Morris Miami 3/3
WR Donte’ Stallworth Philadelphia 3/13
LB Adalius Thomas Baltimore 3/3
WR Kelley Washington Cincinnati 3/13
NEW ORLEANS LB Troy Evans Houston 4/10
TE Eric Johnson San Francisco 3/8
S Kevin Kaesviharn Cincinnati 3/15
NEW YORK GIANTS LB Kawika Mitchell Kansas City 3/27
CB Michael Stone Houston 4/16
QB Anthony Wright Cincinnati 4/18
NEW YORK JETS FB Darian Barnes Miami 3/8
DE David Bowens Miami 4/2
DE Kenyon Coleman Dallas 3/6
QB Marques Tuiasosopo Oakland 3/23
OAKLAND G Cooper Carlisle Denver 4/13
T Cornell Green Tampa Bay 3/30
FB Justin Griffith Atlanta 3/12
C Jeremy Newberry San Francisco 3/7
RB Dominic Rhodes Indianapolis 3/9
TE Tony Stewart Cincinnati 3/12
WR Travis Taylor Minnesota 5/22
TE Fred Wakefield Arizona 3/9
PHILADELPHIA WR Kevin Curtis St. Louis 3/19
WR Bethel Johnson Minnesota 3/15
DT Ian Scott Chicago 5/3
PITTSBURGH DE Nick Eason Cleveland 4/16
C Sean Mahan Tampa Bay 3/12
ST. LOUIS WR Drew Bennett Tennessee 3/3
LB Chris Draft Carolina 4/2
S Todd Johnson Chicago 3/12
RB Travis Minor Miami 3/9
CB Lenny Walls Kansas City 4/4
SAN FRANCISCO LB Tully Banta-Cain New England 3/7
DB Nate Clements Buffalo 3/3
NT Aubrayo Franklin Baltimore 3/3
WR Ashley Lelie Atlanta 3/6
S Michael Lewis Philadelphia 3/3
SEATTLE S Deon Grant Jacksonville 3/13
DE Brandon Green St. Louis 4/25
DE Patrick Kerney Atlanta 3/7
S Brian Russell Cleveland 3/12
TAMPA BAY RB B.J. Askew N.Y. Jets 3/5
LB Patrick Chukwura Denver 3/3
QB Jeff Garcia Philadelphia 3/3
LB Cato June Indianapolis 3/19
DE Lance Legree San Francisco 3/8
TE Jerramy Stevens Seattle 4/30
TENNESSEE WR Justin Gage Chicago 3/23
CB Nicholas Harper Indianapolis 3/16
QB Tim Rattay Tampa Bay 5/11
CB Bryan Scott New Orleans 3/26
WASHINGTON LB London Fletcher Buffalo 3/3
CB David Macklin Arizona 4/6
S Omar Stoutmire New Orleans 3/22
2) 88 UNRESTRICTED free agents have re-signed with their OLD team:
TEAM PLAYER DATE REPORTED
ARIZONA LB Monty Beisel 3/15
DT Chris Cooper 3/26
S Hanik Milligan 3/3
RB Marcel Shipp 3/6
BALTIMORE DE Jarret Johnson 3/6
S Gerome Sapp 4/11
RB Musa Smith 3/6
BUFFALO RB Anthony Thomas 3/12
CB Kiwaukee Thomas 3/13
CAROLINA LB Na’il Diggs 3/2
DT Kindal Moorehead 4/23
CHICAGO G Ruben Brown 3/30
CINCINNATI TE Reggie Kelly 3/8
RB Kenny Watson 3/5
CLEVELAND C Hank Fraley 3/3
C Lennie Friedman 3/20
DALLAS T Marc Colombo 3/12
K Martin Grammatica 3/7
DENVER WR Quincy Morgan 3/12
DE Kenny Peterson 3/13
DETROIT RB Aveion Cason 3/7
DE Corey Smith 3/5
GREEN BAY C Tyson Walter 3/5
LB Tracy White 3/7
HOUSTON TE Mark Bruener 3/12
RB Ron Dayne 3/23
DE Ndukwe Kalu 3/5
CB Dexter McCleon 4/2
T Ephraim Salaam 3/5
P Chad Stanley 3/7
INDIANAPOLIS LB Rocky Boiman 4/17
DT Dan Klecko 3/23
WR Aaron Moorehead 4/27
LB Rob Morris 3/5
JACKSONVILLE LB Tony Gilbert 3/26
RB LaBrandon Toefield 3/29
KANSAS CITY DT Ron Edwards 3/15
QB Damon Huard 3/2
DT James Reed 4/16
DE Jimmy Wilkerson 3/21
MIAMI CB Michael Lehan 3/19
LB Donnie Spragan 4/25
S Travares Tillman 4/13
NT Keith Traylor 3/8
MINNESOTA LB Jason Glenn 4/4
NEW ENGLAND FB Heath Evans 3/2
LB Larry Izzo 3/6
LB Junior Seau 5/21
N.Y. GIANTS C Shaun O’Hara 3/3
C Grey Ruegamer 3/27
N.Y. JETS T Anthony Clement 3/19
C Wade Smith 3/12
NEW ORLEANS S Jay Bellamy 4/2
CB Dejuan Groce 3/9
NT Antwan Lake 3/5
T Jon Stinchcomb 3/5
OAKLAND T Chad Slaughter 3/12
CB Duane Starks 3/26
WR Alvis Whitted 3/9
PHILADELPHIA RB Correll Buckhalter 3/21
CB William James 3/15
DE Juqua Thomas 3/2
PITTSBURGH S Tyrone Carter 4/2
RB Najeh Davenport 3/6
CB Chidi Iwuoma 3/15
ST. LOUIS LB Raonall Smith 5/3
T Todd Steussie 3/7
SAN DIEGO G Kris Dielman 3/5
LB Carlos Polk 3/22
C Cory Withrow 3/9
SAN FRANCISCO WR Bryan Gilmore 3/3
LB Hannibal Navies 3/16
RB Moran Norris 3/5
SEATTLE WR Bobby Engram 3/23
G Chris Gray 4/9
TE Will Heller 3/5
G Floyd Womack 3/12
TAMPA BAY CB Philip Buchanon 3/2
CB Torrie Cox 3/3
TENNESSEE QB Kerry Collins 3/12
DT Rien Long 3/2
S Donnie Nickey 4/2
T Seth Wand 3/8
LB LeVar Woods 3/12
WASHINGTON S Vernon Fox 3/2
CB Ade Jimoh 3/6
T Todd Wade 3/20
TE Todd Yoder 3/15
3) 4 RESTRICTED free agents have signed with NEW teams:
TEAM PLAYER FORMER TEAM DATE REPORTED
CLEVELAND DT Shaun Smith Cincinnati 3/16
NEW ORLEANS CB Jason David Indianapolis 4/27
ST. LOUIS P Donnie Jones Miami 4/18
TENNESSEE LB Ryan Fowler Dallas 3/16
4) 88 RESTRICTED free agents have re-signed with their OLD team:
TEAM PLAYER DATE REPORTED
ARIZONA C Nick Leckey 4/13
ATLANTA TE Dwayne Blakely 4/4
QB Matt Schaub 3/22 (Traded to Houston)
LB Demorrio Williams 4/23
BALTIMORE WR Devard Darling 5/15
WR Clarence Moore 4/24
PR B.J. Sams 5/10
BUFFALO DT Tim Anderson 4/17
DE Tony Hargrove 4/5
CAROLINA DT Jordan Carstens 3/20
WR Drew Carter 4/18
TE Michael Gaines 5/4
CINCINNATI G Stacey Andrews 4/23
CB Greg Brooks 4/2
LB Landon Johnson 4/20
P Kyle Larson 3/20
LB Caleb Miller 4/24
CLEVELAND T Nat Dorsey 4/27
NT Ethan Kelley 4/20
LB Mason Unck 4/25
DALLAS WR Patrick Crayton 4/5
CB Nathan Jones 4/13
CB Jacques Reeves 4/20
DENVER RB Kyle Johnson 4/2
RB Cecil Sapp 4/11
DETROIT LS Don Muhlbach 3/2
S Keith Smith 4/24
HOUSTON LB Charlie Anderson 4/24
S Glenn Earl 4/28
CB Von Hutchins 4/3
RB Vonta Leach 3/26
LB Shantee Orr 4/23
INDIANAPOLIS LB Gilbert Gardner 3/16
G Ryan Lilja 3/20
G Jake Scott 4/19
QB Jim Sorgi 4/11
DE Josh Thomas 4/24
JACKSONVILLE CB Ahmad Carroll 4/4
LB Jorge Cordova 4/19
QB Quinn Gray 4/20
DE Bobby McCray 6/13
K Josh Scobee 3/2
WR Ernest Wilford 4/20
KANSAS CITY DE Jared Allen 5/22
LB Keyaron Fox 4/24
WR Samie Parker 4/26
T Kevin Sampson 4/26
S Benny Sapp 4/3
LB Rich Scanlon 4/24
K Lawrence Tynes 4/4
MIAMI S Yeremiah Bell 5/21
QB Cleo Lemon 5/29
WR Wes Welker 3/5 (Traded to New England)
MINNESOTA G Anthony Herrera 4/23
DT Spencer Johnson 4/24
TE Richard Owens 4/19
RB Artose Pinner 4/23
DE Darrion Scott 6/1
NEW ENGLAND CB Randall Gay 5/29
G Gene Mruckzowski 3/22
NEW ORLEANS WR Terrance Copper 3/27
NT Rodney Leisle 4/3
NEW YORK GIANTS LB Reggie Torbor 4/23
RB Derrick Ward 5/29
S Gibril Wilson 5/2
NEW YORK JETS TE Sean Ryan 3/26
LB Cody Spencer 3/28
OAKLAND RB Reshard Lee 5/7
PITTSBURGH QB Brian St. Pierre 4/23
T Max Starks 4/25
ST. LOUIS LB Brandon Chillar 4/23
G Adam Goldberg 4/19
TE Aaron Walker 4/17
SAN DIEGO RB Michael Turner 4/26
SAN FRANCISCO RB Maurice Hicks 5/3
P Andy Lee 3/8
SEATTLE CB Jordan Babineaux 5/4
WR D.J. Hackett 4/23
LB Niko Koutouvides 4/20
T Sean Locklear 4/24
DT Craig Terrill 4/3
LB Robert Reynolds 4/4
TAMPA BAY G Jeb Terry 5/7
TENNESSEE C Eugene Amano 4/17
T Jacob Bell 6/14
TE Ben Hartsock 4/24
DT Randy Starks 4/17
WASHINGTON P Derrick Frost 4/2
5) 0 FRANCHISE players have signed with NEW teams:
TEAM PLAYER FORMER TEAM DATE REPORTED
6) 3 FRANCHISE players have re-signed with their OLD team:
TEAM PLAYER DATE REPORTED
CINCINNATI DE Justin Smith 5/8
NEW ORLEANS DE Charles Grant 4/27
SEATTLE K Josh Brown 5/2
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
NFLPA's Richard Berthelesen: Gene Upshaw is Underpaid - Profootballtalk.com
I personally think Gene Upshaw's doing a great job and has managed to stay out of court and caused the players to get more money in the last CBA. But Gene's got his detrators...
BERTHELSEN SAYS UPSHAW IS UNDERPAID - Profootballtalk.com
Last month, we reported that NFLPA executive director Gene Upshaw made at least $6.6 million in the year ending February 28, 2007.
Daniel Kaplan of SportsBusiness Journal recently confirmed this report, and obtained a quote from NFLPA general counsel Richard Berthelesen defending the exorbitant salary and bonus package paid to Upshaw.
"If anything he is underpaid," Berthelsen said. "He is paid out of the revenues generated by active players."
As Kaplan notes, it's possible that Upshaw earned even more from Players, Inc., the licensing arm of the NFLPA that generates millions from the use of player names and likenesses for trading cards, video games, and related products.
In our view, Berthelsen's comment indicates that Upshaw's wages are tied directly to the financial package that the NFL has given to the players, and therefore that these windfalls will continue beyond February 28, 2007.
But should they? Is it fair and just for the head of a union to be paid based on the total revenue that the union is generating for its members, or should the head of the union be given a salary that reflects the dynamics of the market for persons with the abilities and skills that Upshaw is utilizing?
We think the latter is the more appropriate formula. If Upshaw won't do the job for less than $6.7 million per year, then the PLAYERS who comprise the union should search for a competent executive who'd be thrilled to have the position in return for a lot less money.
We also are curious as to whether the rank-and-file are given full information as to what Upshaw makes. Berthelsen says that the wages are determined by a 10-member committee. But who beyond that committee is asked their opinion on whether Upshaw is receiving more than his fair share?
Berthelsen says that the committee takes into account the salary paid to the NFL Commissioner. But why should the wages that the 32 billionaires who own NFL teams chose to pay to the guy who is managing their league have any relevance to the money paid to Upshaw?
If the formula used to pay Upshaw is going to continue to take into account the revenues generated by active players, and thus will continue to generate pay in excess of $6 million per year, how will the union go about replacing Upshaw? Will current NFLPA president Troy Vincent get the opportunity to make more per year on average than he ever earned on the field simply because he is in the right place at the right time? Or will the union conduct a nationwide search for the best and most competent person that $6.7 million per year can buy?
Regardless of any other issue that currently is dogging the union, we believe that the pay given to Upshaw is shameful, and that it confirms (in our opinion) the notion that the players are in many cases being manipulated by the power structure that Upshaw has put in place to agree with anything that the union's administration presents to them.
And the fact that the retired players who currently are flailing clumsily at Upshaw over disability benefits have yet to utter a peep about Upshaw's pay tells us that the cause being championed by folks like Mike Ditka and Joe DeLamielleure is going nowhere, fast.
It also tells us that real change will be effected only if and when current players display off of the field the same courage that they demonstrate every time they march onto it.
BERTHELSEN SAYS UPSHAW IS UNDERPAID - Profootballtalk.com
Last month, we reported that NFLPA executive director Gene Upshaw made at least $6.6 million in the year ending February 28, 2007.
Daniel Kaplan of SportsBusiness Journal recently confirmed this report, and obtained a quote from NFLPA general counsel Richard Berthelesen defending the exorbitant salary and bonus package paid to Upshaw.
"If anything he is underpaid," Berthelsen said. "He is paid out of the revenues generated by active players."
As Kaplan notes, it's possible that Upshaw earned even more from Players, Inc., the licensing arm of the NFLPA that generates millions from the use of player names and likenesses for trading cards, video games, and related products.
In our view, Berthelsen's comment indicates that Upshaw's wages are tied directly to the financial package that the NFL has given to the players, and therefore that these windfalls will continue beyond February 28, 2007.
But should they? Is it fair and just for the head of a union to be paid based on the total revenue that the union is generating for its members, or should the head of the union be given a salary that reflects the dynamics of the market for persons with the abilities and skills that Upshaw is utilizing?
We think the latter is the more appropriate formula. If Upshaw won't do the job for less than $6.7 million per year, then the PLAYERS who comprise the union should search for a competent executive who'd be thrilled to have the position in return for a lot less money.
We also are curious as to whether the rank-and-file are given full information as to what Upshaw makes. Berthelsen says that the wages are determined by a 10-member committee. But who beyond that committee is asked their opinion on whether Upshaw is receiving more than his fair share?
Berthelsen says that the committee takes into account the salary paid to the NFL Commissioner. But why should the wages that the 32 billionaires who own NFL teams chose to pay to the guy who is managing their league have any relevance to the money paid to Upshaw?
If the formula used to pay Upshaw is going to continue to take into account the revenues generated by active players, and thus will continue to generate pay in excess of $6 million per year, how will the union go about replacing Upshaw? Will current NFLPA president Troy Vincent get the opportunity to make more per year on average than he ever earned on the field simply because he is in the right place at the right time? Or will the union conduct a nationwide search for the best and most competent person that $6.7 million per year can buy?
Regardless of any other issue that currently is dogging the union, we believe that the pay given to Upshaw is shameful, and that it confirms (in our opinion) the notion that the players are in many cases being manipulated by the power structure that Upshaw has put in place to agree with anything that the union's administration presents to them.
And the fact that the retired players who currently are flailing clumsily at Upshaw over disability benefits have yet to utter a peep about Upshaw's pay tells us that the cause being championed by folks like Mike Ditka and Joe DeLamielleure is going nowhere, fast.
It also tells us that real change will be effected only if and when current players display off of the field the same courage that they demonstrate every time they march onto it.
Sunday, July 08, 2007
USC's Pete Caroll On ND's Charlie Weis: "He's A Jerk" - Also Dishes On Norm Chow
I just returned from the local Gold's Gym in Oakland where I work out and ran into a friend who's a big USC fan, alumn, and donor, on top of being a big exec at a national retailer. Since I'm a Cal fan, we've had a few nice ribbing sessions. The point being, she's got know reason to make up what I'm about to report, asked the questions herself, and when I asked her if she would mind that I blog this, her response was "go ahead."
So that's what I'm doing.
On May 22nd, my friend attended a USC Alumni event in Southern California where USC Football Coach Pete Carroll was the featured guest. After an evening of drinks and food, there was a question and answer session with Coach Carroll. I proded her to tell me about it while we were streching, and so after some consistent coaxing, she did.
She said that she and Coach Carroll got along famously well "I think he seemed to like me," she said. "Oh, did I tell you what he said about Charlie Weis?" No, was my response, and she held back for a few seconds or so while streching and said "I thought I told you this?" I swore up and down we'd not taked about the event after her return. "What did he say about Weis?," I asked.
"Well, she said, "I asked him what he thought of Charlie Weis.
"He (Coach Carroll) said Weis was a jerk," she reported. My friend also remarked that Carroll said "people down there (in South Bend) don't really like him."
Geez.
I could not believe it. But it gets better. "He (Caroll) also said that 'That thing with his son? It was all for publicity.'" I pretty much almost fell from my stretch with that news. I could not believe what I was hearing. It's one thing for Pete to call Weis a jerk, but to introduce the matter of Coach Weis' son on the sidelines (Coach Weis also has a 12-year-old special-needs daughter, Hannah) being some kind of publicty stunt is another story.
I personally think that's off base.
But that didn't seem to matter to Pete Carroll, who also didn't have great things to say about former USC Offensive Coordinator, now Tennesee Titans Offensive Coordinator Norm Chow, and again in response to my friend's question. Caroll said "Well you know, we're not the best of friends."
Caroll told my friend that they talk maybe once a year and that Norm's not happy in Tennessee. I remarked that he's got a great job, so what's the problem? According to my friend, Carol claims that Chow's family's not happy in Tennesee, and wants to get back to the West Coast. Caroll also remarked that Chow "would never be a head coach."
Being a Chow fan myself, I asked why Caroll would say this "He (Caroll) thinks' he (Chow) doens't want to be a head coach.
I think Coach Carroll should take time to measure his words in an Internet society. I mean here I am reporting something he didn't think was going to wind up being thrown out there for the public to know about. Pete should know better.
He didn't need to make that comment about Coach Weis' daughter and publicity. It's one thing for USC to have beaten Notre Dame 44-24 last year, but that doesn't give Coach Caroll the right to say what he did regarding Coach Weis and his family. That's sacred ground in my view. And I'm 100 percent certain this is true, without a doubt. My friend has no reason to lie and was the person who asked the questions.
One thing Coach Carroll should do now, is pick up the damn phone and appologize to Coach Weis. Charlie may be less than nice in what he has to say in return, but look, talking about another parent's children being on the sidelines as being "out there for just publicity" is too much and classless to boot.
Does that mean Indy Coach Tony Dungy bringing his off spring on the sidelines is "just publicity?" Come on, now.
Tuesday, July 03, 2007
Dallas Cowboys New Stadium On Schedule - Roof Trusses Installed
The World's Largest Pro Football Stadium is on target for completion in 2009. Personally, I can't wait to see it. The photo was taken from the webcam set up to allow fans to see the structure as it's being built.
ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) - Construction officials say the new Dallas Cowboys stadium in Arlington is about 30% complete -- with a steel arch now being built.
Crews have put the first section of the arch truss in place, as a support for the retractable roof of the one billion dollar complex.
Arlington mayor Robert Cluck was on hand yesterday to give a thumbs-up to the process.
The new home for the Cowboys will open for the 2009 season.
The venue also will host the 2011 Super Bowl.
Saturday, June 30, 2007
NFL EUROPE DISCONTINUED - NFL INTERNATIONAL TO FOCUS ON GLOBAL IMPACT - NFlLMedia.com
From the NFL. The official press release annoucing the death of NFL Europe.
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
6/29/07
NFL INTERNATIONAL TO FOCUS ON GLOBAL IMPACT:
NFL EUROPA DISCONTINUED
The NFL has determined that it will switch the focus of its international business strategy to
presenting the NFL to the widest possible global audience, including broader media visibility and the
staging of international regular-season games, and will discontinue NFL Europa.
“The time is right to re-focus the NFL’s strategy on initiatives with global impact, including worldwide
media coverage of our sport and the staging of live regular-season NFL games,” commented Mark
Waller, senior vice president of NFL International.
“We will continue to build our international fan base by taking advantage of technology and
customized digital media that make the NFL more accessible on a global scale than ever before and
through the regular-season game experience. NFL Europa has created thousands of passionate fans
who have supported that league and our sport for many years and we look forward to building on this
foundation as we begin this new phase of our international development.”
Last October, NFL owners passed a resolution to stage up to two international regular-season games
per season. The new international series will launch on Sunday, October 28 when the Miami
Dolphins host the New York Giants at London’s Wembley Stadium.
In addition to the 2007 game in the United Kingdom, the NFL is preparing to stage regular-season
games in future seasons in Germany, Mexico and Canada, with Germany being a strong candidate to
host a regular-season NFL game in 2008.
NFL Europa began in 1991 as the World League of American Football, with 10 teams competing in
the United States and Europe. After a two-year hiatus (1993-94) following the 1992 season, the
league returned in 1995 as a six-team, all-European venture, with five teams in Germany since 2005,
and has existed in that format through its final season in 2007.
# # #
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
6/29/07
NFL INTERNATIONAL TO FOCUS ON GLOBAL IMPACT:
NFL EUROPA DISCONTINUED
The NFL has determined that it will switch the focus of its international business strategy to
presenting the NFL to the widest possible global audience, including broader media visibility and the
staging of international regular-season games, and will discontinue NFL Europa.
“The time is right to re-focus the NFL’s strategy on initiatives with global impact, including worldwide
media coverage of our sport and the staging of live regular-season NFL games,” commented Mark
Waller, senior vice president of NFL International.
“We will continue to build our international fan base by taking advantage of technology and
customized digital media that make the NFL more accessible on a global scale than ever before and
through the regular-season game experience. NFL Europa has created thousands of passionate fans
who have supported that league and our sport for many years and we look forward to building on this
foundation as we begin this new phase of our international development.”
Last October, NFL owners passed a resolution to stage up to two international regular-season games
per season. The new international series will launch on Sunday, October 28 when the Miami
Dolphins host the New York Giants at London’s Wembley Stadium.
In addition to the 2007 game in the United Kingdom, the NFL is preparing to stage regular-season
games in future seasons in Germany, Mexico and Canada, with Germany being a strong candidate to
host a regular-season NFL game in 2008.
NFL Europa began in 1991 as the World League of American Football, with 10 teams competing in
the United States and Europe. After a two-year hiatus (1993-94) following the 1992 season, the
league returned in 1995 as a six-team, all-European venture, with five teams in Germany since 2005,
and has existed in that format through its final season in 2007.
# # #
Friday, June 29, 2007
COMMISSIONER GOODELL PRESS CONFERENCE - NFL Rookie Symposium
From NFL Media.com
COMMISSIONER GOODELL PRESS CONFERENCE
NFL Rookie Symposium
Palm Beach Gardens, Florida – June 25, 2007
Re: How the Symposium has lasted this long and the concern about
players in their first year...
RG: The focus for us is how do we make these guys better men. What can we do
to help prepare them for the decisions they will have to make as NFL players?
It’s a big transition from college, so I think we’re providing some tools for them.
The big focus for us is how do we expand on this, how do we make it better? It’s
a great start but we want to make sure that we continue to promote these
messages and give the players the kind of resources and tools they need to
make good choices.
Re: On the rookies and if they asked questions of him...
RG: Yes. I thought they were great. There were a lot of questions. They were
good questions, direct questions. I think that’s terrific and I’m glad they felt
comfortable enough to ask them.
Re: If this will help the players in the long term. Is the goal to help them no
matter what kind of career they have?
RG: The whole focus is how do we make these men better men, and how do we
make sure that they understand that the skills they learn here are life skills;
things that will help them throughout their lives and well beyond their NFL career.
Re: How the message on player conduct is getting across...
RG: I think we’re being more clear with them of what we expect. There is a
higher standard of behavior being that they are football players. The vast majority
of our players do understand; only a select few of our players don’t. They get a
lot of focus, they get a lot of attention, and it has a negative impact on the players
in our league and the NFL in general. I think they have a better understanding of
what we’re going expect from them in the future.
Q: Why do they have a better understanding?
RG: Because we reinforce it at every opportunity. We feel very strongly here. The
clubs are doing it at the club level and I think what we’ve done with the personal
conduct policy came out just great. There are not many people who are unaware
of what our standards are.
Re: Why some players still don’t seem to grasp it...
2
RG: I’d be naïve to think that everyone will understand it. We’re going to have to
make it a priority going forward. Again, we’re making players more aware of our
standards of behavior. Secondly, we’re giving them more tools and resources to
make sure that they can make those decisions, and hopefully that will have a
great impact.
Re: What you discussed with the players...
RG: Several things. I just tell them a little bit about my own background, being in
the league for 26 years. I told them about what I think is important with respect
to supporting the NFL shield. I did discuss personal conduct. I did talk about our
responsibility to them, and about the resources we’re providing to them. I spoke
to them about how important it is making their families proud in everything they
do both on and off of the field.
Re: The reaction of the players while he was speaking...
RG: I thought they were outstanding. It was a little difficult in the room to survey
every conversation. You could tell the players were engaged. They asked very
good questions, very responsive questions to what I had said, and I think they
listened very intently.
Re: The process in evaluating a violation of the policy...
RG: First we get the facts, and then once we’ve done that we make an evaluation
of where it sits in our personal conduct policy and make a determination.
Re: Overall goal of the symposium and this class of rookies...
RG: That we are concerned about them as men. Not only how they become
great NFL players but how they become great men. How they conduct
themselves appropriately for the remainder of their lives, not just in the National
Football League.
Re: How did the players ask questions? Did they raise their hand, stand up,
grab a microphone?
RG: They did both, they had a microphone. They asked a lot of questions about
the services they have available to them, what we could do to help them, am I
available, what is my perspective and how I go about making decisions. They
were very good questions.
Re: Your perception of how the fans perceive personal conduct issues...Do
you believe personal conduct is a problem in the fans’ eyes?
3
RG: The reaction I’m getting from the fans is quite supportive. We are standing
up; we are making sure our players are held to a higher standard. They want
that. People have put an awful lot of time, energy, money, into the National
Football League, and I want them to feel good about what they’re doing.
Re: Whether the symposium always has the same focus...
RG: We adapt the symposium to whatever the issues are at the time. We
obviously have adapted the agenda here to some extent to make sure it’s
responsive to issues that they may be facing, that they’re comfortable making the
transition to pro football from college football.
Re: Congressional hearing on retired players...
RG: The focus on retired players is that we have an obligation and a
responsibility to retired players. I think we’ve done some very positive things for
retired players and we’re considering doing some additional things that I think are
quite responsive to the issues. I’ve spent a fair amount of time listening to retired
players and listening to what the issues actually are. Both Gene and I will be
having a meeting with the retired players on July 24th to talk about some of the
ideas that we’ve been developing and hopefully we’ll be able to move this
forward. I think we’re being very responsive to our retired players and I
understand the interest in this. I hope were going to be seen in a very positive
light in terms of being responsive to this.
Re: The London Game and the loss of a home game for the Dolphins...
RG: I understand that and that’s why we’ve said all along that we’re going to
have a limited number of regular-season games overseas because we recognize
that it can be difficult for fans and they lose one of their eight regular-season
home games. It’s not going to happen on a frequent basis. Even if we did two a
year it wouldn’t happen frequently. On the other hand, any time a fan loses a
home game we understand it’s a negative. We’re glad it’s on television. It’s not
the same experience, but I think the club should be proud that their fans are
going to be able to see it on television and more importantly they’re expanding on
a global basis. Hopefully some good will come out of that. There’s not much I can
say other than that. The fact is they are losing a regular-season home game.
Re: Reaction to Pacman and Tank’s latest issues...
RG: We’re waiting to get the facts. They’re both under suspension right now so
we’ll look at the facts and take it under consideration. They understand, as part of
their suspension, that we’ll be evaluating every activity that is going on with them.
They understand that so we’ll take that under consideration.
Re: Hearing their names continually coming up in the news this
offseason...
RG: I would rather them be making good choices. They know that and knew that
when I met with them, and they each pledged to try to make good choices going
forward. We’re trying to do everything we can to support them to make choices. If
they don’t, that’s the decision they make and it will affect their future.
Re: Reaction to hearing these names again...
RG: Disappointment, more than anything else. Either they aren’t getting the
message or they don’t have the ability or the desire. It’s disappointing.
# # #
