NFL - Are You Ready For Some Football?! - The Offseason

[Lord Avalon]

Jaws has a tendency to ramble on "off topic" - partly induced by Kornheiser, I thought. I'd rather he stick to breaking down the game.

What's the name of the NFL show that features him breaking down film? Last season ESPN had it on at obscure times, and I hardly ever caught it.

[-Jrabbit]

The show you're thinking of is NFL Matchup. The second analyst is Merrill Hoge. And yes, they really screwed the pooch in the scheduling last fall. Hopefully it will return to early Sunday mornings this year...

Great news re Comcast; I believe I'm even on a package that qualifies. I really loved NFL Network during the time I had it.

If Gruden and Jaws can work together OK, MNF might actually return to being fun. (It's not like I wouldn't watch it anyway.)

[Grandpa Troll]

Miami Dolphins defensive end Randy Starks was arrested early Sunday after police said he struck an officer with a slow-moving Freightliner truck, according to a police report.


Miami Dolphins defensive end Randy Starks was arrested early Sunday according to police.

Starks, 25, faces a charge of aggravated battery, according to the report.

The arrest took place about 12:20 a.m. in Miami's South Beach area. Officers said they saw the Freightliner truck in bumper-to-bumper traffic on South Beach's Ocean Drive with some 13 people inside, including a woman sitting on the lap of Starks, who was driving.

The truck's seating capacity is four occupants, the police report said. It was not clear from the police report whether the Freightliner -- normally part of a tractor-trailer -- was connected to a trailer.

In the report, the officer recalled pursuing the truck on foot for about a half-block and pounding on the rear driver's-side window, but it kept moving. The officer caught up to the truck again, and it stopped after the officer pounded on the window again, the report said.

"I slowly approached the side door and just as I reached it the vehicle accelerated and started moving forward and slightly to the left," the unidentified officer writes in the report. "The vehicle's path caused the driver's side of the vehicle to strike me in the chest pushing me back and pinning me against a vehicle stopped in traffic in the northbound lane."

Meanwhile, a second officer was pounding on the passenger's-side window, the report said. The truck stopped and Starks was arrested.

A police check showed that the truck's license plate was not assigned to that vehicle, the report said, and Starks faces a charge for that as well.

Starks was released from jail later Sunday, according to a records check. The Miami Herald newspaper reported earlier he was jailed on $10,000 bond.

Dolphins spokesman Harvey Greene told CNN the club was "only recently made aware of the situation. Since we are in the process of gathering information we have no comment."

[Grandpa Troll]

Albert Haynesworth is among the people expected to be interviewed by NFL officials possibly as early as this week regarding allegations that the Washington Redskins violated league tampering rules, according to league sources. NFL investigators have been reviewing information relating to the Redskins' pursuit of Haynesworth, who formerly played for the Tennessee Titans, and whether his representative was improperly contacted before free agency officially began at midnight Feb. 27. The Redskins and Haynesworth agreed to terms of a deal by 5:30 a.m. Feb. 27. League investigators are interested in obtaining all communications between Haynesworth's agent, Chad Speck, and Redskins officials in the weeks before free agency opened. Part of the difficulty, though, in determining the subject matter of the contact is that Speck also represents Redskins wide receiver Malcolm Kelly. Reports emerged during the NFL combine in mid-February in Indianapolis that Speck and Snyder had dinner together. However, Snyder often is seen publicly in those kinds of settings with agents. The Titans, according to a report in the Tennessean, forwarded to the league office newspaper stories, a radio clip, and electronic communication that they believe show there was improper contact.

[Grandpa Troll]

CANYON, Texas (AP) -- Former NFL quarterback Ryan Leaf has been indicted by a Randall County grand jury on drug and burglary charges.

The indictment handed up Wednesday in Canyon charged the 33-year-old former San Diego Chargers quarterback and former West Texas A&M quarterbacks coach with one count of burglary to a habitation, seven counts of obtaining a controlled substance by fraud and one count of delivery of a simulated controlled substance.

The indictment said Leaf presented an incomplete medical history to several physicians between January 2008 and September 2008 to get or tr Hydrocodone.

It was not clear whether Leaf had an attorney.

Canyon police Lt. Dale Davis said Leaf is suspected of breaking into a Canyon apartment on Oct. 30 and stealing Hydrocodone, which had been prescribed to an injured football player.

"There were signs of a forced entry," Davis said. "A window in the back of the home was (damaged)."

The count of delivery of a simulated controlled substance alleges Leaf gave an individual a substance he said was Hydrocodone but was not that drug.

James Farren, Randall County criminal district attorney, said Leaf has been undergoing drug rehabilitation in British Columbia, the Amarillo Globe-News reported.

Farren told the newspaper that efforts were under way to try to convince Leaf to return to the United States on his own.

"We have not found any evidence implicating anyone other than Mr. Leaf in this case ... but believe there's additional evidence implicating him in other events," Farren said. He would not elaborate.

Leaf, a Great Falls, Mont., native, led Washington State to the Pacific-10 Conference championship and Rose Bowl appearance. The Chargers made him the second pick of the 1998 NFL draft. He played for the Chargers from 1998-2000 and also played for the Dallas Cowboys in 2001. He threw for 3,666 yards and 14 touchdowns in his career.

[Imran Siddiqui]

T.O. is already hurting the Bills

http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2009/05/27/sports/AP-FBN-Bills-McGee.html

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) -- Buffalo Bills starting cornerback Terrence McGee hurt his right arm when he tumbled to the turf while defending receiver Terrell Owens during a voluntary minicamp practice.

McGee was hurt about 30 minutes into the 90-minute practice Wednesday and did not return after entering the trainer's room. Bills coach Dick Jauron did not have an update on the player's injury following practice.

During team drills, McGee was shadowing Owens up the sideline when the two went up for a pass. Owens initially caught the ball but had it ripped out by McGee. The two then fell to the ground with Owens partially landing on the cornerback.

McGee lay on the turf for a few before getting up on his own while favoring his shoulder.

[Lord Avalon]

Coming Home

Redskins cut OT Jon Jansen (U-M, Clawson HS), who signed a 1-yr deal with the Lions. He's suffered a number of injuries in recent years. Can he stay healthy?

[Grandpa Troll]

Two-time Pro Bowl safety Rodney Harrison announced his retirement on Wednesday, saying he is through hitting quarterbacks after a 15-year career for the New England Patriots and San Diego Chargers.

"I am done, and I am very much so at peace with that," he said in a conference call with reporters. "Football has been good to me. I've worked hard; I've played hard. I've done some things that I never dreamt I could do, and now it's time to move forward to the next phase of my life."

Later Wednesday, NBC announced that Harrison will join its NFL studio show; he worked for the network during its Super Bowl coverage last year.

Expect Harrison's frank speaking to continue.

"When I played I didn't have many friends," he said on the network's conference call, "so I'm sure I'm not going to make friends now."

The 36-year-old Harrison holds the NFL record for defensive backs with 30 1/2 sacks; he also has 34 interceptions, making him the only player to have at least 30 of each. But the numbers only tell part of the story about a player who had a reputation as one of the hardest hitters in the league -- and one of the dirtiest, too.

"People have called me a dirty player. I'm a very passionate player," Harrison said. "I also understand that this is not volleyball. This is a very violent, physical game, and if you hit someone in the mouth, you're not going to be their friend. That's what the game of football is."

Although his passion was often misinterpreted as cheap shots, Harrison said it was part of his philosophy to "play every play like it's my last play."

Patriots linebacker Tedy Bruschi called it "the Harrison formula." New England linebacker Pierre Woods said Harrison was on a mission to keep the league from "getting soft."

"If you can't hit the quarterback," Woods recalled Harrison saying, "what are you doing out there?"

Patriots coach Bill Belichick called Harrison one of the best players he's ever coached, and cited his commitment to practicing hard as proof of his passion for the game.

"In the biggest games, in any situation and on a weekly basis, his production was phenomenal," Belichick said. "Rodney embodies all the attributes coaches seek and appreciate: toughness, competitiveness, leadership, selflessness, hard work, intensity, professionalism -- and coming from Rodney, they are contagious."

Owner Robert Kraft said Harrison was one of his favorites.

"For the past six years, Rodney was a leader in the locker room and a tenacious defender on the field," Kraft said. "He gave the Patriots, and the game of football, everything he had on every play, which earned the respect of Patriots fans everywhere."

Harrison won two Super Bowls with the Patriots, but he missed the last 10 games in 2008 after tearing a muscle in his right thigh. Injuries, along with a four-game suspension in 2007 for using a banned substance, limited him to 31 games over the last four seasons.

"I always wanted to prove to everyone that I could come back," he said, "but I really didn't have that fire anymore."

Although he was unapologetic about his multiple fines -- more than $200,000 over his career, including lost pay from a one-game suspension in 2002 for a helmet-to-helmet hit on Jerry Rice -- Harrison did call the drug suspension "a huge mistake." He has admitted obtaining human growth hormone, saying it was to speed his recovery from an injury.

"I had so much pride about trying to do things right," he said. "I made such a huge mistake in that situation and disappointed so many people -- more importantly, myself. It makes you realize that you're human."

Harrison said that a few months ago his recovery was to the point where he considered playing again. Four or five teams expressed an interest, he said, but he realized he didn't have the same desire.

"I started realizing that there's a point in time where you need to walk away and football was no longer the priority," he said. "Golf was the priority and my family was the priority. I used to wake up and want to work out and I was hungry and always wanted to prove to everyone that I could come back, but I really didn't have that fire anymore. It was definitely time for me to pursue other interests and it was time for me to move forward."

Harrison started out his call by joking that he had signed a two-year deal with the Patriots with the promise that he didn't have to report until September.

After a pause, he 'fessed up, and he later added that there was no chance of a Brett Favre-like reversal.

"I respect people in National Football League enough not to put them on this joyride the back and forth, the ups and downs of am 'I coming back' and 'Will I not come back?" he said. "I am done and I am always going to be a fan of football."

DP: Harrison said Patriots planned to bring him back

[Zopperoni]

Brett Favre should go play golf

[rah]

I like that golf was listed as a priority before family. Someone I can respect.

[Grandpa Troll]

I like that golf was listed as a priority before family. Someone I can respect.

rah, I was in Myrtle Beach years ago, checking into to a Hotel, lobby full of golfers discussing how they intended to win and such.

I slowly meandered my way into the conversation, asking about the best putter I could pick up while here and several golfers gave opinions, one older stated was it the putter or maybe a few lesson would help better.

I said maybe just one particular area that I got held up on and couldnt cross the hurdle of.

This brought the attention of about 8 would be and yes unsuspecting soon to be victims, they enquired what was my issue?

I stated I just couldnt consistently get by the windmill blades.

No laughter, just frowns and stiff lips.

No sense of humor among astute Golfing Professionals

[Grandpa Troll]

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) -- Pio Sagapolutele, a defensive lineman who played five years for Cleveland and started in the 1997 Super Bowl for New England, has died. He was 39.

His death was confirmed by the Patriots on Tuesday. The Plain Dealer of Cleveland said he died Saturday of an aneurism in Chandler, Ariz., where he lived.

Sagapolutele also played for New Orleans during a seven-year NFL career. The Patriots lost to Green Bay 35-21 in his Super Bowl start. He played 97 games in the NFL, starting 34.

Sagapolutele was drafted by the Browns in the fourth round in 1991 from San Diego State. He played defensive end and tackle for a team coached by currents Patriots coach Bill Belichick. He signed with the Patriots in 1996, where Belichick went as an assistant. His final season was 1997 with the Saints.

Sagapolutele was selected as part of Cleveland's first draft class.

"We saw a tough, hardworking, dependable player and that is exactly what Pio brought to his teams on a daily and yearly basis," Belichick said in a statement released by the Patriots. "He was a quiet leader and a significant contributor."

Sagapolutele, who was born in American Samoa, is survived by his wife and four children.

[Grandpa Troll]

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- The Minnesota Vikings reportedly have told Brett Favre to decide this week if he wants to play this year.

Coach Brad Childress imposed the deadline on the star quarterback, according to ESPN. The network cited two unidentified sources Monday on its Web site. The Sirius NFL Radio network, however, reported later Monday without citing a source that a deadline is not in place.

When Favre retired in February for the second time, he blamed a partially torn biceps tendon for his poor play late in the season for the New York Jets. The three-time NFL MVP said his health was the main reason behind his decision.

With the Vikings interested in bringing him back for a 19th season, however, Favre has reportedly been considering a comeback contingent on the full healing of his throwing arm.

ESPN has reported Favre had arthroscopic surgery sometime in May on his ailing right shoulder, but that it hasn't responded. The report said the 39-year-old wouldn't return to the game unless he feels better.

Time could be running out for that.

The Vikings have another series of organized team activities this week, through Thursday, but only two more scheduled for June 15 and 16. Their first full training camp practice is on July 31, but Childress has long called himself a "mother hen" when it comes to wanting all of his players working out at the team's facility and participating in the non-padded, optional practices throughout the summer.

Favre ran a similar West Coast-style offense throughout his years with the rival Green Bay Packers, but even if he's healthy he'd need some time to adjust to new terminology and new teammates -- particularly the receivers.

The Vikings were unavailable for comment Monday. Neither Childress nor Favre's agent, Bus Cook, returned messages.

Last Friday, Childress didn't answer a question about whether he'd set a deadline for Favre, claiming he wasn't thinking about it.

The same day, Cook told The Associated Press that Favre remained retired as far as he was concerned, but the agent also began touting Favre's ability without prompting -- as if he were trying to sell the Vikings on a contract. The back-and-forth over deadlines could be related to negotiations.

He said: "I would think they would pull out all the stops if they want to get the guy. I think Brett Favre just brings a whole new ballgame to any ballclub. That's no reflection on the guys that are on their team at quarterback right now, but Brett's in a different league than most."

[Grandpa Troll]

GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) -- Brett Favre's family is ready for his return to Green Bay if he winds up playing for the Minnesota Vikings.

Favre's family and friends have booked 25 to 30 rooms at the Midway Motor Lodge near Lambeau Field for the weekend of the Nov. 1 Vikings game at Green Bay, according to the Green Bay Press-Gazette.

The quarterback's family and friends often stayed at the hotel during Favre's final years with the Packers, Midway manager Doug Warpinski told the newspaper. Warpinski declined comment to The Associated Press on Tuesday.

The 39-year-old Favre retired in February for the second time, blaming a partially torn biceps tendon for his poor play for the New York Jets. The three-time NFL MVP reportedly had surgery on his right shoulder in May.

The Vikings have expressed interest in bringing him back for a 19th season.

Perhaps just a coincidence but maybe they know something already?

Personally, I supported Favre's decision for one more year last year but now, its just a little sad but still, his choice

[Grandpa Troll]

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) -- New York Jets running back-kick returner Leon Washington is unsure whether he'll report for the start of training camp if his contract situation isn't resolved during the next few weeks.

Washington, who made the Pro Bowl last season, sat out the first three weeks of organized team activities before returning last week "in good faith" amid a contract squabble. He attended the first day of mandatory minicamp Tuesday, but acknowledged that he hadn't decided whether he'll be at training camp when the team reports in Cortland, N.Y., on July 30.

"I'll wait until that time comes around and see how everything goes on with the talks between my agent and the Jets," Washington said in his first comments since returning to the team. "I haven't made a decision yet, but I think it's important for me to be at training camp and I think the Jets realize it's important for me to be at training camp, so hopefully I can be there."

He's due to earn $535,000 this season, the final year of his rookie deal. He's believed to be looking for about $6 million a year, similar to deals that Jacksonville's Maurice Jones-Drew and San Diego's Darren Sproles -- players to whom he's often compared -- have received.

"I want fair market value," said the 26-year-old Washington, using a term he repeated nearly a dozen times. "It's fair to say that if fair market value doesn't get done, there will probably be some changes. If it gets done, it'll be best for the whole entire organization."

The stumbling block in getting a new deal done with Washington, a fourth-round pick out of Florida State in 2006, is the uncertainty of the league's collective bargaining agreement. Without an extension to the CBA, Washington would become a restricted free agent -- not unrestricted -- next offseason and the Jets would be able to retain his rights for far less than what agent Alvin Keels and his client are currently seeking.

"Fair market value is with the CBA or without the CBA," Washington said.

Pro Bowl running back Thomas Jones returned two weeks ago after sitting out all of the team's offseason workouts while also in a contract dispute. Jones -- who hasn't spoken to the media since his return -- is the starting running back and rushed for an AFC-leading 1,312 yards last season, but the elusive Washington provides a dynamic change of pace. He's one of the league's top game-changing players with the ability to score from just about anywhere on the field by run, catch or return.

Washington has rushed for 1,451 yards and 13 touchdowns, and caught 108 passes for 838 yards and two scores, in his first three seasons. He has also returned four kickoffs for touchdowns.

"If Leon receives fair market value," he said, smiling, "then you can see Leon in training camp."

With Washington the Jets make a great,dynamic backfield with Thomas Jones, who knows how this will turn out