NFL questions, answers and other things to consider

You gotta love question and answers.

ESPN.com's Paul Kuharsky of Hashmarks answers his mailbag. His lead question is a nice one: I would be interested in a story about the economic side of the ball for the rookie free agents. How do they survive without a contract? Do they get a daily check for training camp? For the answer and more, check out Hashmarks.
http://myespn.go.com/blogs/hashmarks/0-8-272/Mailbag--Do-undrafted-rookies-get-paid-in-camp-.html

Minnesota Vikings head coach Brad Childress answers questions about the team.

ESPN.com's James Walker of Hashmarks answers questions about the AFC North.

Cleveland Plain Dealer reporter Tony Grossi answers tons of questions from Browns fans.

Former New York Giants defensive end Michael Strahan answers questions.

Newday's Bob Glauber answers some of the NFL's burning questions.

The Sporting News staff answers 10 fantasy football questions.

With the Dallas Cowboys camp ready to open in California, the Ventura County Star's Bob Buttitta answers a few questions about the Cowboys.

The Tampa Tribune's Ira Kaufman addresses one question per NFL division. He also ranks the teams with the best shots at the Super Bowl.

The Chicago Bears face 10 questions as camp opens.

Nine things to consider as the Atlanta Falcons enter the 2008 season by the Atlanta-Constitution's Mark Bradley.

Top story lines at the Baltimore Ravens' camp, by the Baltimore Sun.

President George Bush loves John Danks

President George W. Bush gets to meet all the best athletes. When Eli or Peyton Manning win a title, they meet the President. When the Celtics or Red Sox win a title, they meet the President. The only time the President seems to enter the sports world is when the best teams visit the White House for an honorary ceremony. But this story is a bit different. According to Daily Herald columnist Barry Rozner, President George W. Bush loves Chicago White pitcher John Danks. Recently, Bush was overheard talking to White House director of communications Kevin Sullivan, a White Sox fan, about Danks. Bush said: "Well, Sully, he did it again last night. Danks pitched a beauty.'' Rozner's story deserves to be read by all. Danks said, when told about Bush's interest: "Just the fact that my name has been mentioned in the Oval Office, or was mentioned in one of those meetings, it's just not something you'd ever expect to hear. It's pretty awesome." In the end, Danks signed a baseball for Bush and it now sits in the White House. It reads: "Mr. President, Thanks for your support! Hook 'em Horns. John Danks." The 23-year-old Danks, like Bush, hails from Texas.

Hey, folks, for much, much more NFL news, go the Zone Blitz's front page.

Paul Hornung pushed down Mike Ditka, Then roasts him.

At a roast for Mike Ditka, Notre Dame great Paul Hornung appears to push Ditka off the stage after Ditka's table falls off teh stage. It's one thing after the other.

Mike Lupica and Tony Kornheiser: Two of a kind?

Mike Lupica can't get past security at the All-Star Game and Tony Kornheiser can't get a stinkin' decent meal. Kornheiser, who wanted shellfish and wanted it now, supposedly said: "I want what I want when I want it." He also admitted to being too famous to be eating at this particular restaurant. Do you know who these guys are, people. Come on.

WHAT APPEARS TO BE A CORRECTION: Ryan Cormier of the The News Journal of Wilmington has backed off his story about Kornheiser. Cormier now says it may have been Kornheiser's wife who said he may be too famous for this place. She meant that he might get too much attention from customers. Cormier also says: "I no longer have any confidence that he said, 'I want what I want when I want it.' Maybe the people who saw this exchange were Kornheiser haters, who knows." Cormier ends his clarification/correction with: "Either way, I wasn't there so I can't help clear these muddy waters. And since I actually enjoy Kornheiser's work, I think we should give him the benefit of the doubt and not assume he was being a crabby jackass on his 60th birthday."

Tommie Smith, John Carlos, Peter Norman and new movie called Salute

Remember the names Tommie Smith and John Carlos? Most with a bit of gray hair will. They were the pair who raise their fists at the 1968 Olympics at Mexico City. Smith won the 200-meter race in the world record time of 19.83. In third place was another American, John Carlos. Though neither were members of the Black Panthers, each raise their fist representing Black Power on October 16, 1968.

On that stand was another man. A white Australian named Peter Norman, who placed second in a time of 20.10. Though Norman never raised his fist, he became part of an historical moment. He was, however, supportive of Smith and Carlos. He donned an Olympics Project for Human Rights badge, which was also worn by Smith and Carlos on the medal stand. The two Americans were later expelled from the Games.

It is Norman's nephew, Matt Norman, who has just released a movie called: "Salute." Norman died in October of 2006. At the funeral, Smith and Carlos were pallbearers.

While Norman's career never reach the same heights of 1968, he spent the rest of his life around sports. As for Smith and Carlos, both saw brief action as professional football players because of their speed.

According to www.tommiesmith.com: "Speed was never Smith's problem. The lean, 6-foot-3 runner was invited to several NFL training camps in 1969 based solely on his wheels. He had scheduled a tryout with the Oakland Raiders, but former San Jose State roommate Saint Saffold, a member of the 1968 Cincinnati Bengals, talked him into coming east to try to make the Cincinnati roster." While with the Bengals, his receivers coach was a man called Bill Walsh. And his quarterback was Sam Wyche. His head coach? Paul Brown. Unfortunately, he was placed on the taxi squad to start the season. Smith was activated the final three games of the 1969 season. On Dec. 7, against the Oakland Raiders, he caught a 41-yard pass, but broke his collarbone on the landing. In 1970, his career ended on the taxi squad. His career ended with one catch while on the roster for just two games.

As for Carlos, he was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in the 15th round of the 1970 draft. He spent one season with the Eagles, but a knee injury cut short his career in the U.S. No stats were available for Carlos, so it appears he may never have played with the Eagles during the regular season. He later went to the Canadian Football League where he played for the Montreal Alouettes and the Toronto Argonauts.

With the nearing of 40th anniversary of the display on the medal stand in 1968, the movie "Salute" was released on July 17 in Australia. It's unclear whether it will make it to the U.S. But here is the movie trailer. Enjoy.

Brett Favre saga sells newspapers. Extra, extra, read all about it

According to Editor & Publisher: "The (Brett) Favre story has driven single-copy sales up significantly (of the Green Bay Press-Gazette). The paper bumped up its single-copy press run 15% each day from Saturday to Tuesday." That's good news for an industry that is struggling. But, according to Dave Sielski of the Green Bay Press-Gazette, there is also bad news with the possible return of Favre. E&P reports: "The paper's sales of retirement-related merchandise that began in March when Favre tearfully announced his departure after 16 seasons has all but ground to a halt." In other good news for the newspaper, readership of the newspaper's online content is also up. Wonder what Vince Lombardi would say about this Favre soap opera?

More Favre soap opera -- this time Mark Chmura weighs in

According to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Mark Chmura now is weighing in on the Brett Favre soap opera. The newspaper reports: "Chmura, the former tight end for the Green Bay Packers and once very close to Brett Favre, said Thursday that the entire Favre soap opera has been damaging to both the iconic quarterback and the franchise." The newspaper said that Chmura "had a falling out with Favre during the time Chmura was accused of sexual assault in April 2000."

Arthur Blank's nightmare nearing an end?

The Atlanta Journal Constitution takes a look at Falcons owner Arthur Blank and his nightmare season of 2007. Blank told the newspaper: "The season that never ended. Every day there was another twist to the story —- there was the Michael Vick story, and then there was the Bobby Petrino story. It was like someone kept adding another stick of wood to the fire." Ah, the memories.

Sexiest NFL girlfriends and wives -- top 10

Pigskinusa.com produced the top 10 hottest wives/girlfriends of NFL players. Great job. Loaded with Playboy Playmates, actresses, models, and even a Miss District of Columbia -- which is Mercedes Lindsay (at right), who is seeing Washington Redskins quarterback Jason Campbell. More than half of them are seeing a quarterback. So unfair. At the 10 spot is someone we just wrote about today -- Deanna Favre. Also on the list is a little known cheerleader (Kollette Klassen)from the Denver Broncos. Wonder who she is married to? Go ahead, guess.

John Clayton on the Favre tampering issue

ESPN's John Clayton said the Minnesota Vikings maybe facing a tampering charge in reference to Brett Favre.

Don't feel sorry for Aaron Rodgers

Green Bay starting/backup quarterback Aaron Rodgers was interview by ESPN before the Espys Wednesday. Rodgers said don't feel sorry for him. Here's a clip from ESPN.

Brett Favre Soap Opera continues. Don't touch that knob

The Associated Press is reporting: "The Green Bay Packers have filed tampering charges against the Vikings, alleging the team made inappropriate contact with quarterback Brett Favre, a person familiar with the complaint said." It does not and it will not stop.

Ichiro Suzuki drops a few F-bombs. Cover your ears

Some non-NFL stories you cannot resist. Jeff Passan of Yahoo! tells us that Seattle Mariners' Ichiro Suzuki knows the language. Ever since 2001, Suzuki has given his Gipper-like speech to his teammates before the All-Star Game. No transcripts have ever been made available to Passan, so here is what he suspects Suzuki has said: "Bleep … bleep bleep bleep … National League … bleep … bleep … bleeeeeeeeep … National – bleep bleep bleepbleepbleep!” Or something close.

Brett and Deanna Favre at ESPY Awards. Who is Deanna Favre?

Last night, ESPY host Justin Timberlake, according the Associated Press, asked Brett Favre: "What have you been up to lately? I haven't seen you anywhere. Just chillin'? Yeah, me too." Timberlake later went over and hugged Aaron Rodgers. The AP reported: "Favre sheepishly looked down with a slight smile on his face as the crowd laughed."
At his side was his wife Deanna (at right). For the past week or so, many of us have been beating up Brett Favre. But who is this women -- Deanna Favre -- who has stood by his side?
Here are a list of facts known about her:

Deanna and Brett married July 14, 1996.

She admits she almost left Brett. According to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, she said, "Brett realized if he wanted a life with me and the children, he couldn't drink again. He gave it up completely, and it's been eight years since he's had a drink.'' She said: "I had all his belongings packed and waiting in the courtyard of the house. I'd become so desperate that I'd called a divorce attorney."

On October 6, 2004, Deanna's brother Casey was killed in an accident.

Few days after her brother's death, she learned she had breast cancer, which she battled in 2004-05.

Wrote book about her fight with breast cancer called "Don't Bet Against Me!"

Here's a nearly five minute interview with ABC's Robin Roberts.

Recently, the couple made a MasterCard commercial together. Somewhat funny.

Deanna makes a Top 10 Sexiest NFL wives and girlfriends list.

Here's her wonderful tribute to Brett. It's less than two minutes and it was taped for a Monday Night Football game.

And once you are done watching the video clip below, do a search for Favre on this site, because there many more Favre stories on this site. Thanks.

First to worst: Manning to Sorgi?

Bull Pen Dirt wonders the Indianapolis Colts would be like without quarterback Peyton Manning and with quarterback Jim Sorgi. Last place in the division? The folks at Bull Pen Dirt wonder: "The thought of Manning being out of action made me wonder how the Colts would function. So I took it a step further and, Eureka! A hypothetical speculation blog post was born. What would the AFC South look like without Peyton for a year? Let's take a team by team approach."

Druckenmiller wants 100 percent of Steelers

The Pittsburgh-Post Gazette is reporting the Stanley Druckenmiller, a Wall Street billionaire, wants 100 percent of the team or nothing. The newspaper reports: "According to a source who has intimate knowledge of the New York hedge fund manager's dealings with the Rooney brothers, Mr. Druckenmiller will not get caught up in a high-stakes bidding war to purchase the shares necessary to become majority owner if Goldman Sachs & Co., the Wall Street investment bank that is serving as financial adviser for the Rooney brothers, opens the process to public bid." Sounds like he is telling the brothers: Don't blow this.
ESPN's John Clayton says that with NFL ownership being too complicated, that maybe we have seen the end of family ownership -- i.e. the Rooneys. Clayton says: "The problem is that the NFL is becoming a victim of its own success and needs to restudy its ownership structure."

Brett Favre vs. the Packers: Let the staredown begin

According to the Green Bay Press Gazette: "Brett Favre is ready to make the next move in his face down with the Green Bay Packers and petition NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell for reinstatement to the team's roster, which would leave the next move in the Packers' hands." Your move, Packers. And stand back, Greta.
Here's the whole 12-minute interview with Greta.

USC's Pete Carroll shirtless? Say it ain't so.

This appears to be USC coach Pete Carroll shirtless. The YouTude video is labeled as some sort of recruiting chant. Hmmm. OK. I have two words for it: Funny and uncomfortable. Surprisingly, this Southern Cal shirtless video has just less than 19,000 hits on YouTube -- as this note is being posted. Aren't there more than 19,000 USC fans who would find this funny? Or more than 19,000 USC haters who would love to see this? Can't imagine any of the top coaches doing this. Jim Tressel shirtless? Mack Brown shirtless? Mark Mangino shirtless? Urban Meyer shirtless? Rich Rodriguez shirtless? Heck, can't even imagine Pete Carroll shirtless. But there it is. Well, check out the shirtless USC Trojans football team.

Can I have your attention, readers?

Dear readers: Don't forget to bookmark this site for all your NFL news, notes and other off-beat stuff. If you are a blogger, feel free to make this site a permanent link. Thanks for stopping by the site. And thanks for doing any of the above.

Stewie at his best watching 2 girls, 1 cup

Nothing better going on right now. View the Family Guy's Stewie watching 2 girls, 1 cup. It's a classic. Funny. Enjoy.

Great job by Hashmarks: AFC North 2005 draft revisited

Ohhhhhhh. I think there's a headache in my future. I think I had too much of this Brett Favre stuff. Ohhhhh, I hurt. Ohhhh. Not sure if this is like a sugar rush or just one drink too many. I hurt all over. Anyway, ESPN.com's James Walker takes a look at the AFC North's 2005 draft. Enough said. Just take a look.

Peter King speaks -- again

Been waiting for Peter King's latest column. It's hereeeeeeee. He leads with Commissioner Roger Goodell. What is up with that?!?! Finally, he gets to his on-going love interest -- Brett Favre. Of Favre he says: "One comment on the Favre interview on Fox News last night. In retrospect, Favre should probably have told the Packers last March that he wouldn't make a decision on his future 'til June 1, and if the Packers couldn't live with that, they should release him. Hindsight's 20/20." Hope dear Brett doesn't read that. Otherwise, Peter and Brett may be headed for the rocks. Sya tuned. The soap opera "As the Favre Turns" continues tonight with Greta's interview.

Golf blogger likes Rodgers. Romo & Cowboys bloggers not so much

Chris Baldwin of TravelGolf.com called Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo an "attention whore." Fair enough. Kidding. Baldin draws some heat from the folks down in Dallas, so he responds with a blog entry with the headline: "Dallas Morning News writes about TravelGolf.com Tony Romo blog, but homers forget to mention that Romo choked in yet another sport." Nothing like an old-fashion war of the words. Well, except when it's Keith Olbermann and Bill O'Reilly. Anyway, seems Baldwin is ticked. Today, he can't control himself. He blogs again. Today's blog has the headline: "Green Bay Packers QB Aaron Rodgers shows more class than Brett Favre by sticking to his Lake Tahoe celebrity golf commitment." You know there's gotta be a shot at Romo some where in there. Bingo. Last paragraph:
"Rodgers faced plenty of media focus himself and still managed to deflect most of it while playing golf. Of course, if helped that Dallas Cowboys choking dunce quarterback Tony Romo was there, making a fool of himself and trying to surp up any attention as well."

The Wizards of Odds revealed

He just got laid off by the Los Angeles Times -- one of about 150. And now we know who the mystery author of the blog "The Wizard of Odds." Here he explains. He wrote the following today: "Journalism is a career I have cherished since my first newspaper job at 16. The downward spiral of the newspaper business has helped me prepare for this day. But it still feels like my best friend just died. I've kept this site under wraps from all except a handful of confidants." He's Jay Christensen. Here's and link to what appears to be his resume. Good luck, Jay.

Almost feeling bad for Brett Favre

The Kevin Seifert over that ESPN.com's Hashmarks posted a story with the headline: "Favre falling from the mountain." Not even going to bother going into the details of the story because the headline says it all. You almost have to start feeling bad for Brett Favre. And don't forget, Greta has more of the interview tonight.