Doomsday101
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Cowboys Pro Bowl quarterback Tony Romo would be a free agent after the 2007 season, and, according to an NFL source, the team has no interest in allowing him to hit the market. That means it's no longer a question of if, but rather when, the Cowboys will begin formal discussions with Romo's agent about a contract extension. On Aug. 31, Romo signed a one-year extension through 2007 with a $2 million signing bonus. There was some thought the Cowboys would delay any extension talk when Romo struggled in the last month of the season and in the playoff loss to Seattle. The last time Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones talked about extending Romo's contract was early December when he said he had seen enough to know Romo would be a good NFL quarterback. Jones said there was no reason to extend Romo's contract at that time because there was no pressure to do so.
Posted February 13, by Ben Maller
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Here are a few potential candidates to be the next Chargers coach:
Bill Parcells: He resigned last month as the Cowboys coach, and Chargers GM A.J. Smith and club President Dean Spanos have tremendous respect for the veteran coach. In fact, the Chargers wooed Parcells in 2002 before hiring Schottenheimer. Parcells won two championships with the Giants and also took the Patriots to the Super Bowl, meaning he has accomplished something Chargers ownership doesn't believe Schottenheimer ever will: lead a team to a title.
Pete Carroll: The USC coach has said he's comfortable where he is, but his name continues to be linked with a return to the NFL, where he spent three seasons as coach of the Patriots and one as coach of the Jets. During those stints, his teams went 1-2 in the postseason. He could be attractive to the Chargers because, in addition to being successful at USC, he also has a background in defense (and the Chargers are in need of someone to run the unit). Carroll was a coordinator for six NFL seasons, four with the Jets and two with the 49ers. He has spurned other chances to return to the pro game, but San Diego could be attractive because it's right down the road, the cupboards are stocked with talent and the team appears capable of making a title run.
Norv Turner: If Spanos is interested in continuity and a head coach who can work with Smith, Turner fits the bill. Currently the offensive coordinator in San Francisco, Turner installed the Chargers offense in 2001 when he served as the team's coordinator under Mike Riley. Schottenheimer offered him a chance to stay on staff the following year, but Turner passed and accepted the same position with Miami. It should be noted that Turner was a finalist for the Chargers job in 2002 and might have gotten it had Schottenheimer not been dismissed in Washington after an 8-8 season.
Ted Cottrell: He was out of coaching in 2006, but Cottrell has a history with Smith. The two were together in Buffalo, where Cottrell was the Bills' defensive coordinator for three seasons and ran a 3-4 scheme. Smith suggested Cottrell for the coordinator position with the Chargers after the 2003 season, but the job went to Wade Phillips. Considering it took the Chargers 47 years to hire their first black coordinator, what are the odds that they hire a black head coach in the same year?
Posted February 13, by Ben Maller
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At linebacker, the Giants might make a run at Pro Bowler Lance Briggs if the Bears don't designate him their franchise player. Middle linebacker Antonio Pierce said two weeks ago that the coaching staff asked him about Briggs, his college teammate at Arizona, late last season. The Ravens' Adalius Thomas, who played everywhere from end to linebacker to safety, is another free-agent option.
Posted February 13, by Ben Maller
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The Dolphins have long admired Brady Quinn, who is working with Shea in Phoenix. Under former coach Nick Saban, the Dolphins spent time looking at Quinn last year before he opted to return to Notre Dame for his senior season. Though General Manager Randy Mueller now calls the shots in regard to personnel, the Dolphins remain intrigued. Quinn will likely be gone when the Dolphins make their first-round pick at No. 9. But there is talk among NFL scouts that he could fall in the draft because of his lack of success in big games. The Dolphins, who also might consider trading up in the draft, likely know a lot more about Quinn's strengths and weaknesses.
Posted February 13, by Ben Maller
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Will Shields quietly slipped out of Honolulu still undecided whether he’ll play a 15th season with the Chiefs this fall. His agent says Shields will decide within a month. And while Kansas City may be bracing for the end of a stellar career, Shields isn’t saying which way he’s leaning. “My gut told me two years ago he probably wasn’t coming back,” said Joe Linta, Shields’ agent. “So I’m not listening to my gut anymore except at dinner time. “The one thing I could say for certain, from a football perspective, is his performance in the game clearly indicated he’s still one of the best.”
Posted February 13, by Ben Maller
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Fired Chargers coach Marty Schottenheimer now will be paid his 2007 salary, more than $4 million, even as he plays golf and spends time with his grandchildren. But Schottenheimer, 63, said he does not plan to retire. “Assuming my health is good, which it is right now, hell yeah,” he said of coaching again. Schottenheimer said he was “a little” surprised by his dismissal. “Clearly the situation – and I've talked about it on any number of occasions – is not an environment where you can consistently be successful,” he said. “I think it's hard enough in our business when everybody is on the same page, let alone when you have a breach . . . clearly, in my opinion, it was a very, very difficult circumstance to be in.”
Posted February 13, by Ben Maller
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Falcons quarterback Michael Vick may be the team's most recognizable and highly paid player but the new coaching staff, led by head coach Bobby Petrino, could care less. "There will be no coddling of Michael Vick," offensive coordinator Hue Jackson said in an exclusive interview with the AJC Monday. "We're not going to coddle Michael Vick. This is not a demerit system where we say, 'Okay we're going to deal with this guy this way and this guy that way.' We're going to coach them all hard and he knows that. We have an expectation of him and I think he'll be the first to tell you that I'm not afraid to say anything to him and I'm not afraid to say anything to anyone on this offense. "There is an expectation and that's what we're going to get. I don't care what the position is. That's the way we see it and that's the way we're going to deal with it."
Posted February 13, by Ben Maller
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The Chargers next issue is finding a new coach to lead a team that, based on talent, will be one of the favorites to reach the Super Bowl next season. One name rumored in recent weeks is Pete Carroll. Owner Dean Spanos and GM A.J. Smith both said they have not contacted the USC coach. Other intriguing possibilities include Chicago Bears defensive coordinator Ron Rivera and Indianapolis Colts assistant head coach Jim Caldwell.
Posted February 13, by Ben Maller
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More Giants cuts are forthcoming, with kick returner Chad Morton and receiver Tim Carter likely to be dumped. Coupled with the retirements of Tiki Barber and Bob Whitfield, the Giants will be about $20 million under the $109 million cap.
Posted February 13, by Ben Maller
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Now, at 28, Freddie Mitchell is trying to latch on with the Toronto Argonauts. No, the NFL hasn't expanded into Canada. "I wear my heart on my sleeve," Mitchell told the Toronto Star. "But the thing about it is I've come to realize you can't boil the ocean. If something's wrong and if you can't fix it, you can't say anything." The CFL's Argos say they're interested in Mitchell, who worked out with quarterback Mike McMahon on Sunday, completing a neat, and sad, circle of Eagles busts.
Posted February 13, by Ben Maller
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In terms of players, the Titans have some key free agents that include defensive tackles Robaire Smith and Rien Long, receivers Drew Bennett and Bobby Wade and linebacker Peter Sirmon. Additionally, running back Travis Henry is due an $8 million roster bonus in March. The Titans also have at present approximately $40 million of cap space to spend.
Posted February 13, by Ben Maller
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So, for example, if the Eagles decide they want to keep free agent wide receiver Donte Stallworth and are engrossed in discussions with agent Drew Rosenhaus on a new deal. Andy Reid will be on the phone with Banner or vice president of football administration Howie Roseman.
Posted February 13, by Ben Maller
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The Chargers front-office tension built over the past few weeks, sources said, as A.J. Smith and Dean Spanos disagreed with Marty Schottenheimer's decision to allow linebackers coach Greg Manusky, tight ends coach Rob Chudzinski and assistant strength and conditioning coach Matt Schiotz to interview elsewhere. All three eventually took other jobs. But, according to sources, the final straw occurred yesterday when Schottenheimer wanted to interview his brother Kurt for the defensive coordinator position. Spanos and Smith did not approve, but Schottenheimer held firm in asserting that he had the right to hire his own staff.
Posted February 13, by Ben Maller
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Mike Tomlin still believes the Steelers need to find a second back to complement Willie Parker, and that back could be on their roster. "We have potential men identified. ... I think just having the ability to be multiple, having the ability to attack defenses in different ways. If you look at New Orleans, Deuce McAllister is a power man, Reggie Bush is speed. If you look at New England, Corey Dillon is power, the rookie Laurence Maroney is speed. "You have to have the ability to have a change of pace offense, to attack people in different ways. Central, from a perimeter standpoint, having the ability to play both in the game at the same time and go two-back or one-back. It just gives the defense more things to work on. I think it's just part of today's NFL."
Posted February 13, by Ben Maller
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The news tip attorney Matt Flynn supplied at the end of "Belling & Company," which aired Sunday on WDJT-TV (Channel 58) is as cold as they come. In the show's "hot tips of the week" segment, Flynn said: "We should all be very proud that the NFL has approached the Green Bay Packers to host Super Bowl L (50) in Green Bay." Good story, if only it was true. But it's not, according to Bob Harlan, chairman and chief executive officer of the Packers. "No, we have not been (approached)," Harlan said. "The Super Bowl has been in Minneapolis and Detroit, but both of those have been in domed stadiums. The huge problems here would be the weather, which would be unbelievable, obviously, and your hotel space. When cities make presentations to us at league meetings they brag about their airports and where you can park your yacht. We could show them the Fox River, but I don't think it would do the same thing for them." A Super Bowl has never been held at an outdoor stadium in a cold-weather NFL city.
Posted February 13, by Ben Maller
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Tennessee wide receivers coach Ray Sherman is scheduled to visit Valley Ranch today to interview for a Cowboys assistant's job, sources said. The specific job is not known for sure but likely would be for the same position.
Posted February 13, by Ben Maller
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The Dolphins' uniform is about to undergo a subtle change for 2007, even as the team studies bolder transformation. The Dolphins are expected to alter the font on their numbers by thinning out the blue outline for the 2007 season. A Dolphins representative confirmed Monday that the possibility exists, although other sources are saying the change is practically a certainty. Club representative Harvey Greene also tried to extinguish Internet reports that the Dolphins logo is being redesigned. ''The Dolphins logo is not being changed,'' Greene said. ``I know there are rumors out there, but they are not true.''
Posted February 13, by Ben Maller
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What will be different about Andy Reid's situation for the next month or so is that the head coach will not be visible at the Eagles' NovaCare Complex headquarters. He also will be absent from the NFL's scouting combine next week in Indianapolis. "Andy's main function at the combine is the interviewing of players," Joe Banner said. "But a lot of that is done by assistant coaches and scouts. If there are players there that he would have otherwise interviewed, we will be able to make arrangements for him to interview them under other circumstances." Likewise, Banner said Reid could be available to meet with free agents when they visit Philadelphia. The free-agent signing period begins March 2, and Banner said the Eagles have already mapped out a plan of how they want to deal with both their own free agents and those they might be interested from other teams.
Posted February 13, by Ben Maller
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With the firing of San Diego coach Marty Schottenheimer on Monday, the Cowboys might now receive permission to talk to Chargers secondary coach Brian Stewart. Schottenheimer had denied the Cowboys permission to talk to Stewart, a source said.
Posted February 13, by Ben Maller
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Eagles coach Andy Reid's first public appearance since the incidents involving his sons could be next month at the NFL owners meetings in Phoenix. Banner said that Reid plans to attend those meetings, which are scheduled from March 25 to 28.
Posted February 13, by Ben Maller
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The Giants' decision to rid themselves of Luke Petitgout, 30, was shocking, but one Floyd Reese maintained was "one we felt we had to make to take the first steps in improving our team for 2007." Petitgout, the team's first-round pick in 1999, was having a Pro Bowl-caliber season at the most important position on the offensive line before suffering a fractured leg in a November loss to the Bears. He wasn't placed on injured reserve until late December. But Petitgout was expected to make a full recovery by the start of the upcoming season when he was scheduled to earn $5 million -- only $500,000 more than he made in base salary in 2006. Minus lingering back spasms that have given him problems the past few seasons, Petitgout figured to be healthy. That wasn't enough for the Giants, who didn't even ask Petitgout to take a pay cut.
Posted February 13, by Ben Maller
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How About That? Packers WR Donald Driver lived for a time during his early teens out of a U-Haul truck, after a collection agency confiscated the family's possessions.
Posted February 13, by Ben Maller
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How About That? With 720 receptions, Tony Gonzalez is already No. 1 all-time among tight ends; with 107 more catches, he’ll pass fullback Larry Centers (826 catches) for the top spot among non-wide receivers.
Posted February 13, by Ben Maller
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The Giants hold the 20th pick in this year's draft -- long after tackles Joe Thomas of Wisconsin and Levi Brown of Penn State are projected to be selected. In free agency, the best tackle the Giants will find is the one they just cut: Luke Petitgout. Ephraim Salaam, Jeremy Bridges and William Thomas are among the unrestricted free agents who will be available.
Posted February 13, by Ben Maller
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Did You Know? From 2003-05, Rams QB Marc Bulger tossed INTs with 3.45 percent of his passes, a fairly low number. In 2006, his INT rate fell to 1.36 percent, tied for 12th best all-time.
Posted February 13, by Ben Maller
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Did You Know? Who has the most overall wins over a four-year span? The 2003-2006 Patriots (59 wins), tied with the 1992-1995 Cowboys.
Posted February 13, by Ben Maller
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The first discouraging words from within since the Steelers hired Mike Tomlin as head coach came from 4,657 miles away, from guard Alan Faneca, a team co-captain playing in his sixth Pro Bowl in Honolulu. The new coach tackled this initial public difference of in-house opinion yesterday by saying he was not really surprised. "Yeah, I did see what he said and, no, I'm not concerned about it whatsoever," Tomlin said. "Transition's never easy, particularly at a place like this that has had great stability. Some organizations get quite used to change; this is not one of them, thankfully. So you don't expect it to be easy or comfortable for everyone, but not concerned about that at all." Faneca, a nine-year starter, displayed disappointment over the weekend that neither of the two candidates on the staff, Russ Grimm or Ken Whisenhunt, were hired to replace Bill Cowher when he resigned.
Posted February 13, by Ben Maller
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Hedge-fund manager Kirk S. Wright, accused of cheating clients including National Football League players, was ordered to pay $19.9 million in a lawsuit brought by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. On Feb. 9, a U.S. District Court judge in Atlanta ordered Wright to forfeit $19.8 million and pay a $120,000 fine, the SEC said in a statement today. The SEC alleged Wright falsified statements about the assets and returns of seven hedge funds managed by his firm, Marietta, Georgia-based International Management Associates LLC. Clients included some NFL players who sued Wright last year after they couldn't retrieve money from their accounts. The SEC filed suit in Feb. 2006.
Posted February 13, by Ben Maller
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Who Knew? Tiki Barber closed his career with three straight seasons of 2,000+ yards from scrimmage, including the No. 2 season of all time. (His 2,390 yards in 2005 is second only to Marshall Faulk’s 2,429 for the 1999 Rams.)
Posted February 13, by Ben Maller
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Did You Know? Seahawks coach Mike Holmgren’s Hall of Fame credentials are getting thicker: three Super Bowls, 11 playoff berths and just two losing seasons in 15 years.
Posted February 13, by Ben Maller
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Who Knew? With their four postseason wins, the 2006 Colts have won 57 games overall the last four years – tied for third all-time with the 1989-1992 49ers.
Posted February 13, by Ben Maller
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While Steelers coach Mike Tomlin talked to quarterback Ben Roethlisberger more than any other player so far, the topic of his riding a motorcycle with or without a helmet was not broached. "There'll be very few boundaries with me, not only with him but with any of the men in terms of things like that, because I'd ask him to do the same thing with me one-on-one. I have no problem having those kinds of discussions, not only with Ben but with anybody."
Posted February 13, by Ben Maller
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Who Knew? During the season, 43 percent of the Bears’ points (197 of 425) came from special teams and defense; in the postseason, it was also 43 percent (35 of 81 points).
Posted February 13, by Ben Maller
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Who Knew? The Carolina rush defense has ranked in the top 12 (based upon YPA) in all five of coach John Fox’s seasons.
Posted February 13, by Ben Maller
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How About That? Tennessee’s scoring defense over the last three years has ranked 30th, 29th and 31st.
Posted February 13, by Ben Maller
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Did You Know? Every single one of Bill Cowher’s 15 Steelers teams finished in the top half of the league in scoring defense and total defense. His best offensive rank was fifth.
Posted February 13, by Ben Maller
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How About That? The talented Bengals tooketh, but they also gaveth away – they outgained opponents by a grand total of 16 yards in 2006 (8th in yards gained, 30th in yards allowed).
Posted February 13, by Ben Maller
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Who Knew? Cowboys WR Terry Glenn came into the league with a bad reputation (and lived up to it for a while). But he’s now 45th all-time in receiving yards and is coming off back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons.
Posted February 13, by Ben Maller
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Who Knew? Eagles QB Donovan McNabb has thrown 29 touchdowns and 12 interceptions in his last 16 full regular-season games.
Posted February 13, by Ben Maller
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How About That? Since winning it all in 2000, the Ravens have had 27 Pro Bowl berths and one playoff win.
Posted February 13, by Ben Maller
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Did You Know? The Saints haven’t had back-to-back winning seasons since 1991 (11-5) and 1992 (12-4).
Posted February 13, by Ben Maller
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How About That? The Chargers scored 20 or more points in 16 of their 17 games during the 2006 season, best in the NFL. Including the postseason, their three losses came by a total of nine points.
Posted February 13, by Ben Maller
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Posted February 13, by Ben Maller
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Here are a few potential candidates to be the next Chargers coach:
Bill Parcells: He resigned last month as the Cowboys coach, and Chargers GM A.J. Smith and club President Dean Spanos have tremendous respect for the veteran coach. In fact, the Chargers wooed Parcells in 2002 before hiring Schottenheimer. Parcells won two championships with the Giants and also took the Patriots to the Super Bowl, meaning he has accomplished something Chargers ownership doesn't believe Schottenheimer ever will: lead a team to a title.
Pete Carroll: The USC coach has said he's comfortable where he is, but his name continues to be linked with a return to the NFL, where he spent three seasons as coach of the Patriots and one as coach of the Jets. During those stints, his teams went 1-2 in the postseason. He could be attractive to the Chargers because, in addition to being successful at USC, he also has a background in defense (and the Chargers are in need of someone to run the unit). Carroll was a coordinator for six NFL seasons, four with the Jets and two with the 49ers. He has spurned other chances to return to the pro game, but San Diego could be attractive because it's right down the road, the cupboards are stocked with talent and the team appears capable of making a title run.
Norv Turner: If Spanos is interested in continuity and a head coach who can work with Smith, Turner fits the bill. Currently the offensive coordinator in San Francisco, Turner installed the Chargers offense in 2001 when he served as the team's coordinator under Mike Riley. Schottenheimer offered him a chance to stay on staff the following year, but Turner passed and accepted the same position with Miami. It should be noted that Turner was a finalist for the Chargers job in 2002 and might have gotten it had Schottenheimer not been dismissed in Washington after an 8-8 season.
Ted Cottrell: He was out of coaching in 2006, but Cottrell has a history with Smith. The two were together in Buffalo, where Cottrell was the Bills' defensive coordinator for three seasons and ran a 3-4 scheme. Smith suggested Cottrell for the coordinator position with the Chargers after the 2003 season, but the job went to Wade Phillips. Considering it took the Chargers 47 years to hire their first black coordinator, what are the odds that they hire a black head coach in the same year?
Posted February 13, by Ben Maller
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At linebacker, the Giants might make a run at Pro Bowler Lance Briggs if the Bears don't designate him their franchise player. Middle linebacker Antonio Pierce said two weeks ago that the coaching staff asked him about Briggs, his college teammate at Arizona, late last season. The Ravens' Adalius Thomas, who played everywhere from end to linebacker to safety, is another free-agent option.
Posted February 13, by Ben Maller
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The Dolphins have long admired Brady Quinn, who is working with Shea in Phoenix. Under former coach Nick Saban, the Dolphins spent time looking at Quinn last year before he opted to return to Notre Dame for his senior season. Though General Manager Randy Mueller now calls the shots in regard to personnel, the Dolphins remain intrigued. Quinn will likely be gone when the Dolphins make their first-round pick at No. 9. But there is talk among NFL scouts that he could fall in the draft because of his lack of success in big games. The Dolphins, who also might consider trading up in the draft, likely know a lot more about Quinn's strengths and weaknesses.
Posted February 13, by Ben Maller
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Will Shields quietly slipped out of Honolulu still undecided whether he’ll play a 15th season with the Chiefs this fall. His agent says Shields will decide within a month. And while Kansas City may be bracing for the end of a stellar career, Shields isn’t saying which way he’s leaning. “My gut told me two years ago he probably wasn’t coming back,” said Joe Linta, Shields’ agent. “So I’m not listening to my gut anymore except at dinner time. “The one thing I could say for certain, from a football perspective, is his performance in the game clearly indicated he’s still one of the best.”
Posted February 13, by Ben Maller
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Fired Chargers coach Marty Schottenheimer now will be paid his 2007 salary, more than $4 million, even as he plays golf and spends time with his grandchildren. But Schottenheimer, 63, said he does not plan to retire. “Assuming my health is good, which it is right now, hell yeah,” he said of coaching again. Schottenheimer said he was “a little” surprised by his dismissal. “Clearly the situation – and I've talked about it on any number of occasions – is not an environment where you can consistently be successful,” he said. “I think it's hard enough in our business when everybody is on the same page, let alone when you have a breach . . . clearly, in my opinion, it was a very, very difficult circumstance to be in.”
Posted February 13, by Ben Maller
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Falcons quarterback Michael Vick may be the team's most recognizable and highly paid player but the new coaching staff, led by head coach Bobby Petrino, could care less. "There will be no coddling of Michael Vick," offensive coordinator Hue Jackson said in an exclusive interview with the AJC Monday. "We're not going to coddle Michael Vick. This is not a demerit system where we say, 'Okay we're going to deal with this guy this way and this guy that way.' We're going to coach them all hard and he knows that. We have an expectation of him and I think he'll be the first to tell you that I'm not afraid to say anything to him and I'm not afraid to say anything to anyone on this offense. "There is an expectation and that's what we're going to get. I don't care what the position is. That's the way we see it and that's the way we're going to deal with it."
Posted February 13, by Ben Maller
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The Chargers next issue is finding a new coach to lead a team that, based on talent, will be one of the favorites to reach the Super Bowl next season. One name rumored in recent weeks is Pete Carroll. Owner Dean Spanos and GM A.J. Smith both said they have not contacted the USC coach. Other intriguing possibilities include Chicago Bears defensive coordinator Ron Rivera and Indianapolis Colts assistant head coach Jim Caldwell.
Posted February 13, by Ben Maller
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More Giants cuts are forthcoming, with kick returner Chad Morton and receiver Tim Carter likely to be dumped. Coupled with the retirements of Tiki Barber and Bob Whitfield, the Giants will be about $20 million under the $109 million cap.
Posted February 13, by Ben Maller
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Now, at 28, Freddie Mitchell is trying to latch on with the Toronto Argonauts. No, the NFL hasn't expanded into Canada. "I wear my heart on my sleeve," Mitchell told the Toronto Star. "But the thing about it is I've come to realize you can't boil the ocean. If something's wrong and if you can't fix it, you can't say anything." The CFL's Argos say they're interested in Mitchell, who worked out with quarterback Mike McMahon on Sunday, completing a neat, and sad, circle of Eagles busts.
Posted February 13, by Ben Maller
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In terms of players, the Titans have some key free agents that include defensive tackles Robaire Smith and Rien Long, receivers Drew Bennett and Bobby Wade and linebacker Peter Sirmon. Additionally, running back Travis Henry is due an $8 million roster bonus in March. The Titans also have at present approximately $40 million of cap space to spend.
Posted February 13, by Ben Maller
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So, for example, if the Eagles decide they want to keep free agent wide receiver Donte Stallworth and are engrossed in discussions with agent Drew Rosenhaus on a new deal. Andy Reid will be on the phone with Banner or vice president of football administration Howie Roseman.
Posted February 13, by Ben Maller
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The Chargers front-office tension built over the past few weeks, sources said, as A.J. Smith and Dean Spanos disagreed with Marty Schottenheimer's decision to allow linebackers coach Greg Manusky, tight ends coach Rob Chudzinski and assistant strength and conditioning coach Matt Schiotz to interview elsewhere. All three eventually took other jobs. But, according to sources, the final straw occurred yesterday when Schottenheimer wanted to interview his brother Kurt for the defensive coordinator position. Spanos and Smith did not approve, but Schottenheimer held firm in asserting that he had the right to hire his own staff.
Posted February 13, by Ben Maller
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Mike Tomlin still believes the Steelers need to find a second back to complement Willie Parker, and that back could be on their roster. "We have potential men identified. ... I think just having the ability to be multiple, having the ability to attack defenses in different ways. If you look at New Orleans, Deuce McAllister is a power man, Reggie Bush is speed. If you look at New England, Corey Dillon is power, the rookie Laurence Maroney is speed. "You have to have the ability to have a change of pace offense, to attack people in different ways. Central, from a perimeter standpoint, having the ability to play both in the game at the same time and go two-back or one-back. It just gives the defense more things to work on. I think it's just part of today's NFL."
Posted February 13, by Ben Maller
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The news tip attorney Matt Flynn supplied at the end of "Belling & Company," which aired Sunday on WDJT-TV (Channel 58) is as cold as they come. In the show's "hot tips of the week" segment, Flynn said: "We should all be very proud that the NFL has approached the Green Bay Packers to host Super Bowl L (50) in Green Bay." Good story, if only it was true. But it's not, according to Bob Harlan, chairman and chief executive officer of the Packers. "No, we have not been (approached)," Harlan said. "The Super Bowl has been in Minneapolis and Detroit, but both of those have been in domed stadiums. The huge problems here would be the weather, which would be unbelievable, obviously, and your hotel space. When cities make presentations to us at league meetings they brag about their airports and where you can park your yacht. We could show them the Fox River, but I don't think it would do the same thing for them." A Super Bowl has never been held at an outdoor stadium in a cold-weather NFL city.
Posted February 13, by Ben Maller
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Tennessee wide receivers coach Ray Sherman is scheduled to visit Valley Ranch today to interview for a Cowboys assistant's job, sources said. The specific job is not known for sure but likely would be for the same position.
Posted February 13, by Ben Maller
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The Dolphins' uniform is about to undergo a subtle change for 2007, even as the team studies bolder transformation. The Dolphins are expected to alter the font on their numbers by thinning out the blue outline for the 2007 season. A Dolphins representative confirmed Monday that the possibility exists, although other sources are saying the change is practically a certainty. Club representative Harvey Greene also tried to extinguish Internet reports that the Dolphins logo is being redesigned. ''The Dolphins logo is not being changed,'' Greene said. ``I know there are rumors out there, but they are not true.''
Posted February 13, by Ben Maller
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What will be different about Andy Reid's situation for the next month or so is that the head coach will not be visible at the Eagles' NovaCare Complex headquarters. He also will be absent from the NFL's scouting combine next week in Indianapolis. "Andy's main function at the combine is the interviewing of players," Joe Banner said. "But a lot of that is done by assistant coaches and scouts. If there are players there that he would have otherwise interviewed, we will be able to make arrangements for him to interview them under other circumstances." Likewise, Banner said Reid could be available to meet with free agents when they visit Philadelphia. The free-agent signing period begins March 2, and Banner said the Eagles have already mapped out a plan of how they want to deal with both their own free agents and those they might be interested from other teams.
Posted February 13, by Ben Maller
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With the firing of San Diego coach Marty Schottenheimer on Monday, the Cowboys might now receive permission to talk to Chargers secondary coach Brian Stewart. Schottenheimer had denied the Cowboys permission to talk to Stewart, a source said.
Posted February 13, by Ben Maller
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Eagles coach Andy Reid's first public appearance since the incidents involving his sons could be next month at the NFL owners meetings in Phoenix. Banner said that Reid plans to attend those meetings, which are scheduled from March 25 to 28.
Posted February 13, by Ben Maller
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The Giants' decision to rid themselves of Luke Petitgout, 30, was shocking, but one Floyd Reese maintained was "one we felt we had to make to take the first steps in improving our team for 2007." Petitgout, the team's first-round pick in 1999, was having a Pro Bowl-caliber season at the most important position on the offensive line before suffering a fractured leg in a November loss to the Bears. He wasn't placed on injured reserve until late December. But Petitgout was expected to make a full recovery by the start of the upcoming season when he was scheduled to earn $5 million -- only $500,000 more than he made in base salary in 2006. Minus lingering back spasms that have given him problems the past few seasons, Petitgout figured to be healthy. That wasn't enough for the Giants, who didn't even ask Petitgout to take a pay cut.
Posted February 13, by Ben Maller
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How About That? Packers WR Donald Driver lived for a time during his early teens out of a U-Haul truck, after a collection agency confiscated the family's possessions.
Posted February 13, by Ben Maller
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How About That? With 720 receptions, Tony Gonzalez is already No. 1 all-time among tight ends; with 107 more catches, he’ll pass fullback Larry Centers (826 catches) for the top spot among non-wide receivers.
Posted February 13, by Ben Maller
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The Giants hold the 20th pick in this year's draft -- long after tackles Joe Thomas of Wisconsin and Levi Brown of Penn State are projected to be selected. In free agency, the best tackle the Giants will find is the one they just cut: Luke Petitgout. Ephraim Salaam, Jeremy Bridges and William Thomas are among the unrestricted free agents who will be available.
Posted February 13, by Ben Maller
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Did You Know? From 2003-05, Rams QB Marc Bulger tossed INTs with 3.45 percent of his passes, a fairly low number. In 2006, his INT rate fell to 1.36 percent, tied for 12th best all-time.
Posted February 13, by Ben Maller
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Did You Know? Who has the most overall wins over a four-year span? The 2003-2006 Patriots (59 wins), tied with the 1992-1995 Cowboys.
Posted February 13, by Ben Maller
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The first discouraging words from within since the Steelers hired Mike Tomlin as head coach came from 4,657 miles away, from guard Alan Faneca, a team co-captain playing in his sixth Pro Bowl in Honolulu. The new coach tackled this initial public difference of in-house opinion yesterday by saying he was not really surprised. "Yeah, I did see what he said and, no, I'm not concerned about it whatsoever," Tomlin said. "Transition's never easy, particularly at a place like this that has had great stability. Some organizations get quite used to change; this is not one of them, thankfully. So you don't expect it to be easy or comfortable for everyone, but not concerned about that at all." Faneca, a nine-year starter, displayed disappointment over the weekend that neither of the two candidates on the staff, Russ Grimm or Ken Whisenhunt, were hired to replace Bill Cowher when he resigned.
Posted February 13, by Ben Maller
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Hedge-fund manager Kirk S. Wright, accused of cheating clients including National Football League players, was ordered to pay $19.9 million in a lawsuit brought by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. On Feb. 9, a U.S. District Court judge in Atlanta ordered Wright to forfeit $19.8 million and pay a $120,000 fine, the SEC said in a statement today. The SEC alleged Wright falsified statements about the assets and returns of seven hedge funds managed by his firm, Marietta, Georgia-based International Management Associates LLC. Clients included some NFL players who sued Wright last year after they couldn't retrieve money from their accounts. The SEC filed suit in Feb. 2006.
Posted February 13, by Ben Maller
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Who Knew? Tiki Barber closed his career with three straight seasons of 2,000+ yards from scrimmage, including the No. 2 season of all time. (His 2,390 yards in 2005 is second only to Marshall Faulk’s 2,429 for the 1999 Rams.)
Posted February 13, by Ben Maller
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Did You Know? Seahawks coach Mike Holmgren’s Hall of Fame credentials are getting thicker: three Super Bowls, 11 playoff berths and just two losing seasons in 15 years.
Posted February 13, by Ben Maller
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Who Knew? With their four postseason wins, the 2006 Colts have won 57 games overall the last four years – tied for third all-time with the 1989-1992 49ers.
Posted February 13, by Ben Maller
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While Steelers coach Mike Tomlin talked to quarterback Ben Roethlisberger more than any other player so far, the topic of his riding a motorcycle with or without a helmet was not broached. "There'll be very few boundaries with me, not only with him but with any of the men in terms of things like that, because I'd ask him to do the same thing with me one-on-one. I have no problem having those kinds of discussions, not only with Ben but with anybody."
Posted February 13, by Ben Maller
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Who Knew? During the season, 43 percent of the Bears’ points (197 of 425) came from special teams and defense; in the postseason, it was also 43 percent (35 of 81 points).
Posted February 13, by Ben Maller
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Who Knew? The Carolina rush defense has ranked in the top 12 (based upon YPA) in all five of coach John Fox’s seasons.
Posted February 13, by Ben Maller
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How About That? Tennessee’s scoring defense over the last three years has ranked 30th, 29th and 31st.
Posted February 13, by Ben Maller
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Did You Know? Every single one of Bill Cowher’s 15 Steelers teams finished in the top half of the league in scoring defense and total defense. His best offensive rank was fifth.
Posted February 13, by Ben Maller
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How About That? The talented Bengals tooketh, but they also gaveth away – they outgained opponents by a grand total of 16 yards in 2006 (8th in yards gained, 30th in yards allowed).
Posted February 13, by Ben Maller
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Who Knew? Cowboys WR Terry Glenn came into the league with a bad reputation (and lived up to it for a while). But he’s now 45th all-time in receiving yards and is coming off back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons.
Posted February 13, by Ben Maller
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Who Knew? Eagles QB Donovan McNabb has thrown 29 touchdowns and 12 interceptions in his last 16 full regular-season games.
Posted February 13, by Ben Maller
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How About That? Since winning it all in 2000, the Ravens have had 27 Pro Bowl berths and one playoff win.
Posted February 13, by Ben Maller
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Did You Know? The Saints haven’t had back-to-back winning seasons since 1991 (11-5) and 1992 (12-4).
Posted February 13, by Ben Maller
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How About That? The Chargers scored 20 or more points in 16 of their 17 games during the 2006 season, best in the NFL. Including the postseason, their three losses came by a total of nine points.
Posted February 13, by Ben Maller
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