Joe Delaney and his legacy 25 years later

Joe Delaney was a second-round pick by the Kansas City Chiefs out of Northwestern State. After rushing for 1121 yards, he was named the AFC Rookie of the Year in 1981 by United Press International. His second season was hampered by the NFL strike and an eye injury. And then the summer before his third season, he died attempting to rescue three youths from a pond in Louisiana. Delaney died as well as two of the three children. The Kansas City Star catches up one the lone survivor, LeMarkits Holland, who is now 34 years old. The Chiefs have unofficially retired his number 37 and is in the team's Ring of Honor.

If you don't mind some of the salty language in this musical tribute to Joe Delaney, take a look at this tribute to Joe Delaney called "Where'd You Go."

Today's features

Writer Pete Prisco of CBSSports.com pick sthe best 50 NFL players. Prisco's first five are: 1. Tom Brady, QB, New England Patriots; 2. Peyton Manning, QB, Indianapolis Colts; 3. LaDainian Tomlinson, RB, San Diego Chargers; 4. Randy Moss, WR, New England Patriots; 5. Champ Bailey, CB, Denver Broncos. Of Moss, Prisco says: "Talk about resurrecting a reputation. He wasn't on many top 50 lists a year ago. Now he's a top 10 player." Mario Williams is an interesting pick at No. 6. At 50 Prisco picks, Devin Hester of the Chicago Bears as a kicker returner. Prisco says: "I don't normally put return men on these lists, but this guy has earned it. It will be interesting to see how long he can maintain it." I will tell you right now, Josh Cribbs of the Cleveland Browns is a better returner. In fact, pro-football-reference.com's Chase Stuart wrote about this recently.

After Kerry Wood's double flip off, Nextround.net gives us a nice photo essay of those who have flipped us off. Included are the NFL's Mike Ditka, Michael Vick (twice), linebacker Bryan Cox and Joe Nedney. It ends with our president flipping us off.

News

Not sure what to make of this report from the Charlotte Observer: "Ten-year NFL veteran Randy Moss has purchased a majority interest in Morgan Dollar Motorsports and plans to begin fielding entries in the Craftsman Truck Series with the July 19 race at Kentucky Speedway." The newspaper said he will change the name of the company to Randy Moss Motorsports.

According to AOL Fanhouse: Delicia Cordon, the woman who was identified as Marcus Vick's girlfriend, "apparently has some type of history with Dolphins running back Ronnie Brown." It's worth a look at the Fanhouse site just to see Delicia's photos.

Two Brian Brennans. One a football hero. The other, a hero.

Steve King of Browns.com shares story of two Brian Brennans. One is the football player who played for the Browns in the 1980s. The other is an Army 1st Lieutenant, who lost both his legs and suffered trauma to his brain while on patrol in Afghanistan in May.

In other Cleveland Browns news: Terry Pluto of the Cleveland Plain Dealer states the importance of running back Jamal Lewis to the Browns. Pluto provides one stat that shows how durable Lewis is for a guy nearing 30: "After 15 carries, he averaged 5.2 per carry, against 4.1 in the first 15. You can argue that stat reflects the running game simply working better on those days. But like many strong, gifted backs, it's almost impossible to overwork the 5-foot-11, 245-pounder. He wears down defenses." Lewis has even proved he can block, too. Whose block by a running back is better? Lewis on Bart Scott or Maurice Jones-Drew on Shawn Merriman? Both clips are just eight seconds.

Can't get enough of this Browns news? How about ESPN's John Clayton taking at a look at the Browns' quarterback situation. It's more about Brady Quinn than Derek Anderson. Talks about Quinn's work ethic and how it may push Anderson to be better. We will see.

In other Cleveland news, Norm Clarke of the Las Vegas Review-Journal reports: Seen in Las Vegas were "NBA stars LeBron James of the Cleveland Cavaliers and Chris Paul of the New Orleans Hornets at 40/40 Club (Palazzo) on Thursday. James also was at Tao." Clarke also said Jacksonville Jaguars running back Fred Taylor was seen at the Tryst in Vegas.

Don't you love Q&As?

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh shares his thoughts on power yoga. In the Q&A, Houshmandzadeh said: "I've been trying to get guys in Cincinnati to do it with me. On Tuesdays, I'll be like, "I'm going to do yoga, do you all want to come and I'll help you or whatever?" They'll come and within 10 minutes they're ready to quit. In 10 minutes! I'm like, 'We've got 50 minutes of this.' In 10 minutes, though, you feel like you just took a shower. That's how much sweat is coming off your body in 10 minutes."

The Cleveland Plain Dealer's Tony Grossi answers his mailbag. As expected they are all Browns oriented questions. My favorite is:
Q: With minicamp wrapped up and camp not starting until July 23, what does the average player do with more than a month off? Do they usually go home? Are the Browns' facilities still open for them, or do they do what the rest of us do and wait week to week with bated breath for the next addition of "Hey, Tony?"
A: The average player goes home, plays golf and does not think about football for about six weeks. Rookie players were required to complete an orientation program the first week, and then also go on break. Hey, a grueling marathon starts July 23. You wouldn't train for it by running a marathon a week before.

News and other interesting tidbits

The headline on the story by columnist Thomas George of NFL.com says it all: "Shockey saga serious thorn in side of defending champions." To be honest, Jeremy Shockey's injury helped the New York Giants to become Eli Manning's team. The Giants may have to trade him before the season starts, but George quotes one NFL general manager who thinks highly of Shockey. The unnamed GM says: "Shockey is among the top five tight ends in the league. His blocking is downplayed. He is a very good blocker. Of all of the best tight ends -- (Antonio) Gates, (Tony) Gonzalez and (Jason) Witten -- he is easily a better blocking tight end than any of them. His receiving skills have diminished. He drops way too many balls. Some of that is likely just concentration and his situation. I would imagine before the season kicks off, there will be other suitors in a trade for him. Injuries and circumstances might call for it. But whether he is a Giant or somewhere else, the player should take inventory on what has worked and what has not worked for him in this league. And clean it up."

NFL.com analyst Pat Kirwan breaks down the running backs that are still unsigned. The best include: Shaun Alexander, Travis Henry and Cedric Benson -- with Lamont Jordan awaiting his release from the Oakland Raiders. One GM said: "These close-to-30-year-old ball carriers may have to wait for a serious injury before the market changes for them."

Ever wonder about the NFL player's health care package after they retire? According to NFLplayers.com: "Like many NFL players, retired wide receiver Karsten Bailey left college early to play professional football. When his NFL career ended, he was eager to return to school and finish his degree. Thanks to the NFL Player Insurance Plan, he could concentrate on his education and not worry about health insurance. The plan offers five years of continuing coverage for each player vested in the pension plan when his career ends."

Could someone text message Sports Illustrated's Peter King and let him know Brett Favre will be on the NFL Network Monday night? The channel will broadcast Favre's NFL debut, which pitted the Green Bay Packers against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sept. 20, 1992. Favre entered the game when quarterback Don Majkowski was injured. The Packers won the came 24-23 with Favre going 22 for 39 for 289 yards along with two touchdowns.

And with Brett Favre in mind, here is a fan stealing the ball from Favre during a play against the Cincinnati Bengals, but it wasn't Favre's debut. The fan/idiot made it to about the 14-yardline. In this 33-second clip, the fan did not appear to be Peter King.

Feature stories of interest

It's always interesting who the New England Patriots draft, because they pride themselves on the draft. With Tom Brady in the fold, it's interesting that they drafted a quarterback in the third round. They took Kevin O'Connell to battle backups Matt Cassel and Matt Gutierrez. The San Diego State four-year captain scored the highest Wonderlic score at the NFL Combine. According to Patriots.com, the 6-5 O'Connell said he is looking forward to learning from both Brady and the team's young offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels. Bill Belichick said: "He played on a passing team in a passing league, in all honesty not behind a real good line."

An interesting story on the "NFL's Broadcast Boot Camp," which according to the New Jersey Star-Ledger: "In its second year, the Boot Camp already has a precedent of success: Twelve of last year's 20 participants earned broadcast jobs after the program, including former Giants backup quarterback Tim Hasselbeck with Sirius NFL Radio. Fifty-seven players applied for slots at this year's session, with the pool whittled down to 20 based upon playing experience, written essays and prior participation in the league's player development programs."

NFLplayers.com shares a Q&A with center Mike Flynn, an 11-year veteran with the Baltimore Ravens. Flynn, who was released by the Baltimore Ravens, attended the "NFL Broadcast Boot Camp" and shares his thoughts.

Green Bay Packers head coach Mike McCarthy finds love while coaching the Packers. According to the Green Bay Press Gazette: "Following the 2007 season, he married a hometown girl he describes as 'Green Bay to the core.' By early July, they plan to be fully settled at Jessica’s reconstructed home. In early November, they’ll welcome a baby."

Top 10 Weather Games of All-Time!

NFL.com list the top 10 All Weather Games. Topping the list is The Ice Bowl, which was the 1967 NFL Championship Game in a matchup of Vince Lombardi's Green Bay Packers and Tom Landry's Dallas Cowboys. No. 10 is the Cleveland Browns' 1980 AFC playoff lost to the Oakland Raiders on the play called Red Right 88.

You may get a rise out of this story

Athletes are now taking Viagra for an extra edge. The report states: "Experts are divided over whether the erectile-dysfunction drug actually offers an edge, but it has attracted the attention of the World Anti-Doping Agency. ... Viagra works by increasing the effects of nitric oxide, which makes blood vessels expand. That, theoretically, should allow blood cells to get more oxygen from the lungs and might improve heart function."

NFL news

Real ravens at Ravens games. Oh great!

It will be interesting to see how the pairing for new San Francisco 49ers offensive coorindator Mike Martz and running back Frank Gore works out. The Sacramento Bee reports: "Upon joining the 49ers, Martz said he would build his offense around Gore the way he once built the St. Louis Rams' offenses around Marshall Faulk. Gore, however, won't be a Faulk clone."

More on Martz: Marshall Faulk (with NFL.com) and Martz talk about the 49ers' offense and the team's use of quarterbacks. It's a three minute video clip.

Meet the NFL's Mr. Irrelevant, St. Louis Rams lineback David Vobora, the final pick of the 2008 Draft. He chats with NFL Network's Rich Eisen. A five-minute video clip. He still goes to McDonalds and shops for cars on cars.com.

CFL commissioner Mark Cohon isn't worried about the NFL invading Canada this season. Cohon said: "You have to put it in context. It's one regular-season game, it's one pre-season game this year." The Bills are set to play eight games in Toronto over the next five seasons.

Well, well, well, Buffalo Bills running back Marshawn Lynch was driving the car after all, according to the Associated Press. Check out his driving in this 34-second clip at the Holiday Bowl or how about his driving at the end of the Cal-Washington game that made him a star on SportsCenter and the like.

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Q&A for Chicago Bears equipment manager

Chicago Bears equipment manager Tony Medlin shares some secrets of the trade. He's held the position since 1987. Here is one of the questions and answers:

What are some superstitions players have in terms of their equipment? Some guys bring special shirts they’ve had since college to wear under their team-issued shirts. One of our former players didn’t want anybody to touch his shoes. He hated that.

News

This isn't all the news, just the news that seems a bit interesting:

ESPN is reporting: "Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has initiated some internal discussion about whether acquiring wide receiver Joe Horn from the Atlanta Falcons is an option they should pursue to have a veteran starter opposite Terrell Owens, a team source confirmed.

The Associated Press is reporting: "NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said it's "ridiculous" to reward untested rookies with lucrative contracts, and wants the issue addressed in contract talks.

The Buffalo News reports: "NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, speaking to reporters before taking part in a question-and-answer forum at Chautauqua Institution, offered full support to the team's plan to play eight games in Toronto over the next five years." Goodell also goes on to say he sees the Bills "being in Western New York for a long time."

Is Al Davis feeling pressure to just win, baby?

According to Yahoo!:" (Oakland Raiders owner Al) Davis’ attempt to right the ship with big spending has led to a great deal of second-guessing. Even more, his reaction to the critics seemed particularly out of character to the previously quoted league source." Yahoo! quotes the source as saying: “Al never cared what other owners thought before. Never. His attitude was always, ‘Screw them, I know better.’ It sounds like he has doubt now.”
A humble opinion here says that the Raiders will be the surprise team of the season.

When bad guys becomes good guys

With Pacman Jones and Michael Vick drawing negative press for the NFL in the past year, the bleacherreport.com identifies "characters of the past who seemed marked for destruction but ended up being positive members of society with support from family, friends, fans, and coaches." The bleacherreport.com's top five turn arounds are: 1. Joe Don Looney, Oklahoma; 2) Paul Hornung, Notre Dame; 3) Brian Bosworth, Oklahoma; 4) John Riggins, Kansas; 5) Dick Butkus, Illinois. I think there are better examples out, but this could spark some debate.

Here's the kicker: writer given the boot

Here's the lead from a Wall Street Journal story in today's paper on kicking in the NFL: "In 2006, Stefan Fatsis persuaded the Denver Broncos to allow him to join the team at its summer training camp as a placekicker, becoming the first writer to suit up for a National Football League camp since George Plimpton in 1963. In this excerpt from his new book, "A Few Seconds of Panic: A 5-Foot-8, 170-Pound, 43-Year-Old Sportswriter Plays in the NFL," he's called on to kick in front of the full team for the first time." For the rest of story, click here.

Thought I might be able to find a video clip of Stefan Fatsis kicking, but instead I found something better. Tom Dempsey's 63-yard field goal. It's just a 33-second clip, but it's awesome. Snap wasn't great and it barely clears the bar. It was a game-winner. Break out the goosebumps.

Tony Romo + Jessica Simpson

Reports are that Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo would dump Jessica Simpson if needed. “You have to understand, he likes Jessica, but football is his life,” the close source said. “If he thinks his coaches and teammates are taking him less seriously because of Jessica and the whole Simpson clan, she’ll be out.” It appears Romo is the consummate team player.

And with the Romo-Simpson affair in mind, this gives us the reason to show why Romo is sticking with Simpson for now. Click and enjoy the next 32 seconds.

Stephen Gostkowski talks baseball?

Baseballprospectus.com shares a question and answer with New England field goal kicker Stephen Gostkowski. That's right baseballprospectus.com. Not footballprospectus.com, but baseballprospectus.com. Gostkowski played football and baseball while attending the University of Memphis, but it was baseball that got him a college scholarship. He talks about his baseball skills, as well as the baseball skills of starting quarterback Tom Brady and backup Matt Cassell.

And speaking of Tom Brady's backup, here's a quick Q&A with Matt Cassell

by on the Boston Globe site.

Starting in July: Brothel to offer gasoline gift cards

We know this isn't a NFL story, but with enough NFL player visiting Las Vegas, we thought we would share some tourist attractions. This report comes from the Las Vegas Review Journal: "Starting July 1, her Shady Lady Ranch will hand out gasoline gift cards to paying customers who make the drive to the bordello on U.S. Highway 95 north of Beatty. Spend $300 on you know what and get a $50 gas card. Spend $500 and get a $100 gas card.
Brothel owner Bobbi Davis was quoted in the the story saying, "We've noticed it a little this month. It hasn't been frightening, but it's been a little (slower)," she said.
Oh well.

Strahan on Shockey: "Let him go. ... He doesn't want to be there."

MIKE GARAFOLO of the Star-Ledger is reporting that Michael Strahan thinks the New York Giants should let Jeremy Shockey go. In the article Strahan says: "He doesn't want to be here, he doesn't want to play here. That's obvious with everything that's going on. ... So I think the best thing for them and for Shockey is, if they have the opportunity, let him go."
"You read the paper; you know it's like that. I'm not telling you anything that's a secret. He doesn't want to be there."

About LeCharles Bentley ...

Terry Pluto, of the Cleveland Plain Dealer, offers up a lot of different angles on the LeCharles Bentley saga. Bentley, who was released by the Cleveland Browns earlier this month, was a great center until his injury. Unforntunately, he never played a down for his hometown team -- the Browns. Pluto's story has been around for almost two weeks, but it is still interesting.

Best fantasy player? Brady leads this bunch

Michael Fabiano, a NFL.com Fantasy Editor, ranks the top fantasy football players of all-time. Fabiano says, "Being a fan of historical facts and statistical success, I decided to do a little research and create the first-ever one-man, three-round, all-time draft." From there we get this top 10: 1. Tom Brady QB, New England; 2. Dan Marino QB, Miami 1984; 3. LaDainian Tomlinson RB, San Diego 2006; 4. Peyton Manning QB, Indianapolis 2004; 5. Daunte Culpepper QB, Minnesota 2004; 6. Steve Young QB, San Francisco 1998; 7. Marshall Faulk RB, St. Louis 2000; 8. Priest Holmes RB, Kansas City 2002; 9. Emmitt Smith RB, Dallas 1995; 10. George Blanda QB/K, Houston 1961. Now, I know Blanda was a great player and played for many, many years, but I bet he never was drafted in a fantasy football league. Check out the link, you will find some interesting names.

Manning (Eli) Vs. Romo! Who do you got?

Pat Kirwan, a NFL.com Senior Analyst, offers his pick between quarterbacks Eli Manning and Tony Romo. Spoiler alert: He picks a split decision. I would pick Romo. At least, right here, right now, right this second. But something tells me, and I am not sure what tells me, that Eli Manning will be a great one. I remember reading Tom Callahan's book ("The GM: The Inside Story of a Dream Job and the Nightmares that Go with It" ) about Ernie Accorsi, the former general manager of the New York Giants. In the book, Archie Manning said he thinks this year (last season) would be Eli's break out year. He said it took Eli four years at Ole Miss (where he was red-shirted as a freshman) to figure it out and get the confidence needed. I think he's right. Once Tiki Barber left in retirement and Jeremy Shockey was injured and basically out of the locker room for the rest of the season, I think it actually became Eli's team. And then we saw him start to grow.
Here Kirwan's link: http://www.nfl.com/news/story?id=09000d5d808f8b65&template=with-video&confirm=true&campaign=ec0005&campaign=ec0005

Earnest Byner coaching Titans RBs

Always nice to see former Cleveland Browns running Earnest Byner getting his due. Sure, all of us remember "The Fumble," but now he's coaching the running backs under Jeff Fisher in Tennessee.
Link here: http://www.tennessean.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080625/SPORTS01/80625100/1002

Romo, Simpson still together. Yawn!

I know you have waiting for this news, but Jessica Simpson and Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo are still together. And she says, "When the season comes around, I'm definitely going to be at the games." Take that Cowboys fans.
Link here: http://www.cwarkansas.com/entertainment/story.aspx?content_id=7034a9a6-4662-4ef9-86f3-9c06201b6e3b
And here's 32 seconds worth of reason why they still may be together:

Colts.com articles "hacked"?

Nothing serious happened to the site, but it appears a member found a hole in the system. www.stampedeblue.com, a web site dedicated to the Indianapolis Colts reports: "If you go to the Colts.com message board, a member has found a way to access pre-written "fluff" articles written by Colts.com writer John Oehser. Basically, Oehser writes these articles weeks in advance and has them in the site's content bank."
Link here: http://www.stampedeblue.com/2008/6/25/558449/colts-com-articles-hacked

Ray Lewis: No mostess for the hostess

TMZ is reporting the following: "Profession Events, LLC. in Arizona is suing (Baltimore Ravens linebacker Ray)Lewis, claiming he never paid for hostesses he hired for a Super Bowl party back in February. The company claims they were promised several times they'd get paid the $5,780 they were owed -- but never did."
Link here: http://www.tmz.com/2008/06/24/hey-ray-lewis-those-hostesses-arent-free/

Who loves Brett more: Deanna Favre or Peter King?

How did we miss this? How, we ask? Just when you thought all the love for Brett Favre was done, Peter King makes the commencement speech at his alma mater, Ohio University. It happened earlier this month. He mentioned the usual suspects: Jimmy Johnson, Peyton Manning, Bob Costas, Dick Ebersol, Mike Tomlin, AND then, AND then ... you guessed it: Brett Favre. I'd love to know if he cried. I looked on You Tube, hoping to find the Ohio U. commencement speech, but no luck. I am sure it is out there. Post it, people. Post it.
Peter, you are a great reporter. Just let it go.
Here's the transcript of King's speech: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/writers/peter_king/06/15/commencement/index.html

Brady Quinn put to music

Brady Quinn will be a great quarterback for the Cleveland Browns. Great, like in the SuperBowl kinda' way. Maybe even this season. But this video is hilarious. As Jay-Z would say, turn the music up in the headphones. Enjoy.

Spotted in Vegas: Tiger Woods

This isn't NFL related, but for Tiger Woods, we can make an exception. Our favorite gossip writer Norm Clarke writes who was spotted in Vegas: "Tiger Woods, limping into The Bank nightclub at Bellagio late Sunday. He was a smoking a cigar and enjoying the company of some galpals. Woods, who won the U.S. Open a week ago, underwent knee surgery Tuesday."
If you love gossip, Norm Clarke is a must read everyday: http://www.lvrj.com/columnists/normclarke

The best QBs: Remember Roman Gabriel?

Pro-football-reference.com's blogger Chase Stuart ranks the all-time best quarterbacks. Here is his list:
1 Dan Marino. 2 Peyton Manning. 3 Steve Young. 4 Fran Tarkenton. 5 Joe Montana. 6 Dan Fouts. 7 Johnny Unitas. 8 Ken Anderson. 9 Roger Staubach. 10 Len Dawson. 11 Brett Favre . 12 Norm Van Brocklin. 13 Sonny Jurgensen. 14 Otto Graham. 15 John Elway. 16 Bart Starr. 17 Boomer Esiason. 18 Kurt Warner. 19 Tom Brady. 20 Roman Gabriel.
The article is packed with tidbits, but the one I found interesting was this one: "There’s not much to say about Marino that hasn’t already been said. But here’s something interesting — if you ignore sack data, Marino would have came in at ninth on this list, with everyone in the top 10 besides Dan Fouts passing him. Marino added 5,622 yards above average as QB when looking just at AY/A, compared to the 8,593 yards above average when including sack data and using ANY/A. That’s interesting to me for two reasons. One, for Marino haters, it’s much, much easier than I would have thought to discount his incredible raw statistics, by simply ignoring his ability to avoid sacks. Two, for all the talk about Marino, his ability to avoid sacks rarely seems to come up in conversation. That’s unfortunate."
Here's the link to the story laden with info: http://www.pro-football-reference.com/blog/?p=547#more-547

You hate Charlie Weis, don't you?

It seems like a lot of people hate Notre Dame football coach Charlie Weis. If you don't, I bet you know someone who does. In a Sporting News story, Weis even admits it, saying: "The biggest problem I have," Weis says, "is people who don't know me, who have never spoken to me, think I'm an a$$h*le." But he's not a total jerk. If it doesn't work out at Notre Dame, someone with hire him back in the NFL.

Here a link to the story: http://www.sportingnews.com/yourturn/viewtopic.php?t=427392

There's also a few quick hits with Weis commenting on different topics: http://www.sportingnews.com/yourturn/viewtopic.php?t=427402

Baseball in a blender! Wooooooo!

In honor of the NFL season just around the corner, the staff here at The Zone Blitz thought it would be cool to toss a baseball in a blender. Please do not try this at home. Or the office, for that matter.

Kardashian fever! Catch it!

Kim Kardashian, girlfriend of New Orleans Saints running back Reggie Bush, shares some thoughts while in England as Bush promotes the Saints' game with the San Diego Chargers at Wembley Stadium in October. When asked about her world-famous rearend, she told The Sun: "I love that title and it makes me proud," she beams. "People say it's fake or I use implants, but how can you possibly do that? I wouldn't have been able to sit down for months!"
Link: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/showbiz/bizarre/celeb_interviews/article1329412.ece

Imus was being sarcastic; Pacman prays for him

According to ESPN.com: Don Imus said Tuesday morning on his radio show that he was trying to "make a sarcastic point" when referring to Adam " Pacman" Jones' troubles off the field.
Here's the link: http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3458377

49ers coach Mike Nolan in Afghanistan

San Francisco 49ers head coach Mike Nolan is in Afghanistan. He left Friday. Interesting.
Here is a link to Matthew Barrows' blog, which reported it: http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=4145013112295477897
Here's a link to a series of photos from Nolan's trip: http://www.cstc-a.com/

What are the odds?

It's really early, folks, but here are the opening NFL lines, via www.betvega.com:
Thursday September 4th
Redskins (+4) @ Giants (-4)

Sunday September 7th
Bengals (even) @ Ravens (even)
Jets (-3) @ Dolphins (+3)
Chiefs (+15.5) @ Patriots (-15.5)
Texans (+7) @ Steelers (-7)
Jaguars (-2.5) @ Titans (+2.5)
Lions (-1) @ Falcons (+1)
Seahawks (+2) @ Bills (-2)
Buccaneers (+3.5) @ Saints (-3.5)
Rams (+6.5) @ Eagles (-6.5)
Cowboys (-3) @ Browns (+3)
Panthers (+8.5) @ Chargers (-8.5)
Cardinals (-3.5) @ 49ers (+3.5)
Bears (+9) @ Colts (-9)

Monday September 8th
Vikings (+3) @ Packers (-3)
Broncos (-2) @ Raiders (+2)

Remember George Teague? No? Well, T.O. would.

George Teague is the head football coach and athletic director at Carrollton Christian Academy in Texas. But he is also the guy who took down Terrell Owens in 2000 as Owens celebrates on the star in Dallas. Teague, a former safety, played for the Dallas Cowboys, Green Bay Packers and Miami Dolphins. He also played at Alabama. In a question and answer by Brian Sandalow of The Monitor, Teague shares his thoughts about the incident. Here's one of Sandalow's questions:
Q. How often are you asked about hitting Terrell Owens off the star at Texas Stadium during the 2000 season?
A: There probably isn't a day that goes by when I'm in Texas that somebody doesn't ask me about it. That was an event, a play, whatever you call it, that put a little stamp on my history with the Dallas Cowboys. It's a great talking piece. Terrell and I haven't talked much since then. But it is a great topic of conversation at all the tables I sit at.
Here's the link: http://www.themonitor.com/sports/_13537___article.html/_.html

And the worst QB of all-time is ...

Pro-Football-Reference.com blogger Chase Stuart came up with a list of the worst NFL quarterbacks. Remember any of these names?
Here's the list: 1. Kim McQuilken. 2. Rick Norton. 3. Bud Schwenk. 4. Stan Heath. 5. Dan Darragh. 6. George Izo. 7. Kent Nix. 8. Davey O'Brien. 9. John McCarthy. 10. Ryan Leaf. 11. John McCormick. 12. Randy Hedberg. 13. Boley Dancewicz. 14. George Herring. 15. Gary Marangi. 16. Bill Mackrides. 17. Mike Taliaferro. 18. Craig Whelihan. 19. Scott Bull. 20. Tommy Wade.
Here's the link: http://www.pro-football-reference.com/blog/?p=545

St. Louis Rams' Steven Jackson cleans up well

Michael Silver of Yahoo writes about St. Louis Rams running back Steven Jackson and his colon-cleansing therapy, a gift from a girlfriend. Silver writes the following: "I had a colonic," Jackson said, referring to the trendy colon-cleansing therapy that is akin to an extended enema on steroids. "My girlfriend had the bright idea: 'Let's go get your system cleaned out.' It lasted about 45 minutes, and by the end, I (expletive) wanted to cry. Let's just say I got stabbed in the (rear) six times."
Here's the link: http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news;_ylt=Aq3OakOswP7twIaLdT8J8pNDubYF?slug=ms-thegameface062008&prov=yhoo&type=lgns

Rich Eisen gets his name in the paper

NFL Network announcer Rich Eisen sees his name re-appear in the newspapers as Alycia Lane sues KYW-TV of Philadelphia. Lane you may remember is the anchor who e-mailed Eisen photos of herself in a bikini. The e-mail was intercepted by Eisen's wife.
Here's the link: http://www.philly.com/inquirer/entertainment/20080620_Alycia_Lane_sues_CBS3.html

NFL Vegas gossip!!!

Norm Clarke is a gossip columnist for the Las Vegas Review-Journal. He has been all over the Javon Walker incident in Las Vegas. Here are some of his NFL tidbits during the past week:
*June 23 column: "At Poetry (Forum Shops at Caesars) on Saturday (June 21): All 50-plus contestants of the Miss Black USA pageant, arriving in red gowns. Former NBA star Cedric Ceballos was guest deejay for the evening. The sports crowd included: Joey Porter, Ronnie Brown, Marcus Banks, Ted Ginn and Clark Haggins."
*June 22 column: "Former Notre Dame star Brady Quinn of the Cleveland Browns and Ohio State linebacker A.J. Hawk of the Green Bay Packers, playing golf Friday (June 20) at Las Vegas National Golf Club. Hawk is married to Quinn's sister, Laura. Quinn and Hawk later partied in the VIP section at The Bank Nightclub at Bellagio."
*June 21 column: "Miami Dolphins defensive end Jason Taylor was spotted playing poker at Wynn Las Vegas on Thursday evening. Also at the tables: Raiders running back Lamont Jordan."
*June 20 column: "San Diego Chargers coach Norv Turner, with Chargers owner Dean Spanos, dining at Nove Italiano (Palms) before heading for the Playboy Club."
*June 15 column: "New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, drinking Jack Daniels and Diet Coke with his Kobe burger at N9NE Steakhouse (Palms) on Friday. He's in town for the NetJets corporate event at Wynn Las Vegas, where Danny Gans performed Saturday in front of an audience that included Steve Wynn, Warren Buffett, Bill Gates, Wayne Gretzky, George Lucas and Steve Martin."
You have to check out his columns, which are loaded with gossip, at: http://www.lvrj.com/columnists/normclarke/7617341.html

Imus crosses another line: "What color is he?"

Warner Wolf and Don Imus talking about Dallas Cowboys defensive back Pacman Jones, who now wants to be referred to as Adam Jones:
Wolf: "He's also been arrested six times since being drafted by Tennessee in 2005."
Imus: "What color is he?"
Wolf: "He's African-American."
Imus: "Well, there you go. Now we know."
Here's the link (with audio): http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/06/23/imus-adam-pacman-jones-co_n_108720.html

Yoi!!!! Myron Cope's an asteroid?

According to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's Pete Zapadka:
"An asteroid that orbits the sun between Mars and Jupiter officially has been named 7835 Myroncope in honor of legendary Steelers broadcaster Myron Cope, who died Feb. 27."
Here's the link:
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08164/889468-360.stm?cmpid=blogngold.xml

Tim Russert up for Bills' Wall of Fame?

Is this getting out of out hand? Larry Felser, a former Buffalo News columnist, says the late Tim Russert, the host of Meet the Press, should be placed in the Buffalo Bills' Wall of Fame.
Might be a reach.
Here's the link:
http://www.buffalonews.com/sports/columns/story/375814.html

A look at draft busts

Dan Arkush of Pro Football Weekly takes a look at the first ten picks of the past 10 years and then offers a verdict as to who was a bust. It's an interesting read. Arkush said: "As the NFL career of Cedric Benson continues on its steep downhill course — with teams currently avoiding him like the plague after the Bears released him following his second alcohol-related arrest in a five-week span — it seems as good a time as any to take a look at some of the biggest pro football busts of recent vintage."
Here's the link:
http://www.profootballweekly.com/PFW/Commentary/Columns/2008/arkush061608.htm

Jason Taylor can dance, but what about playing poker?

John Price, a 40-year-old computer game programmer from Orange County, gives us a ringside sit to Miami Dolphins lineback Jason Taylor's loss at a $1,500 no-limit hold ‘em event at the World Series of Poker. Price said of Taylor: “He didn’t initiate many conversations, but he was smiling and one of the guys.”

http://www.palmbeachpost.com/blogs/content/shared-blogs/palmbeach/miamidolphins/entries/2008/06/22/what_happens_in_vegas_doesnt_a.html