09/30/04
- [Carolina Panthers] DE Mike Rucker needs 5 1/2 sacks to pass Kevin Greene (41 1/2) for the Panthers's sack record. (SI.com)
- [Houston Texans] K Kris Brown has been named AFC Special Teams Player of the Week for Week 3. Brown was 3-for-3 on field goals against the Kansas City Chiefs, including the game-winner with seven seconds left in regulation. (HoustonTexans.com, KFFL)
- [Dallas Cowboys] Former Packer and Falcon cornerback Tyrone Williams was signed by the Dallas Cowboys to shore up a thin secondary. Williams joins fellow Husker LB Scott Shanle on the Cowboys defense.
Williams, an eight-year veteran, worked out for the Cowboys on Wednesday and was awaiting results of a physical before possibly signing. (Dallas News)
- Williams almost gave up on 2004, until the Cowboys called
- Wistrom worth every penny
- Panthers recall purest, happiest times on field (Minter)
- Peter tells of drug abuse
09/29/04
- Jason Peter, a former first-round pick who played for Carolina from 1998 to 2001, discussed his drug use in a feature running this month on HBO's "Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel."
What started as an addiction with pain killers led Peter into the use of crack cocaine, heroin, and eventually the mixture of both drugs at once.
Peter told "Real Sports" that he got to a point where he was relying on up to 80 Vicodins a day while in Carolina.
"My relationship with the pills was I needed them more than I needed anybody in my life," he said. "I was married to those pills."
Peter's Husker and Panther teammates, Mike Rucker and Mike Minter, said they knew Peter had a problem but were unaware of the extent.
"I knew he had a problem, but I didn't know he had gotten that bad," Minter said. "That was the biggest surprise."
"I bumped into him about a year and a half ago, and he was really thin," Rucker said. "He just didn't look like the guy I knew. He had totally changed. He didn't look good."
Full Story
- [St. Louis Rams] CB DeJuan Groce has recovered from his sprained knee and returned to practice. (St. Louis Post-Dispatch)
- [St. Louis Rams] Mike Martz-- "Chris Dishman is questionable. It was just a strained (ankle) capsule. We should get him back in short order. How much he can do this week, he will probably be limited."
- An MRI exam showed no structural damage to LG Chris Dishman's hyperextended right knee, but the knee remains sore and his status is questionable for San Francisco. (St. Louis Post-Dispatch)
- [CFL-Toronto] Return man Bashir Levingston returns after a torn hamstring sidelined him for seven of the Argonauts' 12 games. His return comes at the expense of tight end Johnnie Mitchell despite the fact the latter turned in a strong performance in his CFL debut last Saturday in Argos' 26-17 win over Edmonton.
Running back John Avery's 129-yard rushing total was credited in part to Mitchell's contribution to the offensive blocking scheme.
"He's a champion," answered head coach Mike Clemons when asked how Mitchell took the news that he's being returned to the practice roster. "We've got to find a way to get him back in. Maybe as soon as the next game."
A cheerful Mitchell said "no problem" when asked about the move. "It's about what's best for the team," he said. (Toronto Star)
- [Kansas City Chiefs] CB Eric Warfield's leaping end zone interception that stopped Houston's first-series drive to the KC 10 was his third of the season -- tops in NFL. It was a much-needed bright spot for Warfield, who earlier in the week was arrested for drunken driving a third time in three years. Warfield now faces a state felony charge and a likely NFL suspension. (WarpaintIllustrated.com)
- Panther teammates knew of Peter's drug use
- Hartington's Hochstein making his mark in NFL
09/28/04
- [Arizona Cardinals] On the defensive side of the ball, insiders are increasingly optimistic that DE Kyle Vanden Bosch will be able to take over the LDE spot currently occupied by the ineffective Peppi Zellner. (Seahawks.NET)
- [Chicago Bears] Mike Brown has been a wreck after suffering his season-ending ruptured Achilles' tendon against the Packers. "I was a little devastated early on, but I'm starting to come to grips with it," the former Scottsdale Saguaro High star said. "I have to concentrate on coming back stronger than ever. It's going to take a little bit of time, but I've got to be patient and work hard, which I have no problem doing." (USA Today)
- [Carolina Panthers] The latest locker-room Madden 2005 video-game standings were jumbled yesterday, with defensive end Al Wallace taking over the No. 1 ranking from Buckner. Defensive end Mike Rucker moved up to No. 2 and immediately challenged Wallace.
"It's only a matter of time until I'm No. 1," Rucker insisted.
Former self-proclaimed No. 1 Julius Peppers disputed that contention and said that his fall from grace as video king was prompted by "bad luck" in the random drawing of teams.
"I could take Arizona and win," Rucker bragged.
Peppers laughed and replied: "No one could take Arizona and win." (Winston-Salem Journal)
09/27/04
- [Detroit Lions] C Dominic Raiola had an irregular heartbeat and was expected to undergo surgery on Monday. (Daily Oakland Press, KFFL)
- [St. Louis Rams] OG Chris Dishman could be sideline for a week or two after suffering a hyper-extended right knee against New Orleans.
- [CFL-Toronto] Seeking to stir a slumbering attack, the Argos unleashed former NFLer Johnnie Mitchell from the practice roster and inserted him at tight end to utilize his strength as a blocker.
Mitchell's blocking skills on the back side not only afforded quarterback Michael Bishop more protection, but allowed running back John Avery to finally flash his ball-carrying skills. Avery broke loose for a season-high 129 yards on 21 carries.
"Johnnie Mitchell came in and did a great job," said Avery.
"He sealed off the backside, so I could read the front side and make plays."
Bishop, who is filling until the Argos' starting QB recovers from injury, was also elated with Mitchell's presence.
"Johnnie crushed the dude on the back side on every play," said Bishop.
"That was a big deal because the guy on the edge can come in an make the tackle. Hopefully, we'll use him a lot of other ways." (Toronto Star)
- Knee injury forces Dishman to sidelines
- Minter prepared for grind
- A South African TV show had the nation nominate their "100 favourite personalities". Penny Heyns, "arguably the greatest female breast-stroke winner of all time", was number 52 on a list topped by former president Nelson Mandela. (News24.com)
WEEK 3: Stats, Pictures and Stories
09/26/04
- A bittersweet week for Warfield
- Tackling stats hard to grasp (Minter)
09/25/04
- Royals Say Harvey Is Done For Season
- [CFL-Toronto] The long wait is finally over for Johnnie Mitchell. It has been eight years since Mitchell last played in a regular-season game, but that will end tomorrow when he suits up for the Argos on the road against the Edmonton Eskimos at Commonwealth Stadium. Mitchell's last regular-season game came as a tight end with the Dallas Cowboys in 1996, joined the Argos this year. The 33-year-old played in the pre-season and caught a touchdown pass, but was relegated to the practice roster at the start of the season because the Argos wanted to employ some younger slotbacks while he learned the position.
"I'm just excited to be out there," Mitchell said. "I think I have an advantage in this game being as fresh as I am." (Toronto Sun) Full Article
09/24/04
- [San Diego Chargers] G Toniu Fonoti (ankle) has been added to the Injury Report as "Probable".
- [Green Bay Packers] RB Ahman Green has 26 100-yard rushing games and needs one to pass Jim Taylor for most in team history. (Slam! Sports)
- [St. Louis Rams] The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports that DeJuan Groce (sprained knee) could be back next week.
- It's game on for Argos' Mitchell
- Wistrom earns his keep
- Warfield will face felony DUI
09/23/04
- National Football League and United Way team has added nine new players to the roster for the 2004 public service advertising campaign kicking off the 30th season of these popular ads which focus on community involvement. The new campaign debuts this month with the start of the 2004 NFL season on ABC, CBS, FOX and ESPN to an audience of more than 100 million people weekly.
Panthers DE Mike Rucker was among this years "Draftees"; Chiefs OG Will Shields appeared in United Way ads last season.
- [Houston Texans] Texans kicker Kris Brown has already shown his courage on the field, but would rather be remembered for his actions off of the field. Through the Kris Brown Kick Club, Kris and his wife Amy help get financial assistance for patients at Texas Children's Hospital. w/ Video
- [Kansas City Chiefs] From Dick Vermeil's press conference-- Q: Have you got any more comment about Eric Warfield’s situation or the process? Is he in danger of being suspended?
Vermeil: "I really don’t know. I talked to the whole squad about that whole situation this morning because we’re a tight group. We care about each other. A player made a mistake – a family member of ours made a mistake just like it could be any member’s family. That doesn’t go on television.
"He’s had a problem before and it’s our job to help him and his job to help himself." (KCChiefs.com)
- From Bob Gretz mailbag at KCChiefs.com-- From Q: "Maybe you can explain a guy like Eric Warfield to me. He has a nice game, the team loses a tough one, and he’s out Sunday night partying and he gets arrested for driving under the influence? I just don’t understand."
Gretz: "I don’t either, but that’s been Warfield’s profile his whole career. You won’t find a nicer individual in the Chiefs locker room, and there are very few players who stand up and talk after every game like Warfield. Win or lose, no matter how he played, he’s always willing to take the questions. That shows a great deal about what’s inside the man.
"But Warfield’s problems on the field throughout his career have been in maintaining focus. Obviously that problem also hurts him off the field. Everyone is allowed the chance to stub their toe; but this isn’t the first time Warfield has run into this kind of trouble.
"This time, that lack of focus is likely going to cost him more than just giving up a long completion."
- 'Coach' Brown upbeat about injury
- Green Bay Packers] RB Ahman Green can break the franchise record with his fifth straight 100-yard rushing game Sunday. (AP)
09/22/04
- [Kansas City Chiefs] The Chiefs have re-signed TE Aaron Golliday to the practice squad. Golliday had previously been released from the practice squad last week.
- [Seattle Seahawks] Grant Wistrom was nominated for NFC Defensive Player of Week 2, which was awarded to Bears' LB Brian Urlacher.
- Grant Wistrom looks like a remote-control toy with someone pushing the accelerator down until the batteries finally give out. His play midway through the third quarter Sunday, coming from behind to catch Bucs quarterback Chris Simms and force a turnover just as the Buccaneers moved into Seahawks territory, was awesome.
Less obvious, but equally as important, was Wistrom's play on the previous drive when he buried Charlie Garner for a 1-yard loss on first-and-10. It forced Tampa into an obvious passing down, resulting in an Orlando Huff blitz and sack.
The forced turnover grabs all the headlines, but the subtle tackle for a loss on a first down run play is how one playmaker impacts the rest of drive. (Seattle Post-Intelligencer)
- [Kansas City Chiefs] Tampa Bay Storm quarterback Shane Stafford and fullback/linebacker David White will visit Newsome High School Thursday as part of the Arena Football League-U.S. Army Boot Camp outreach program. Arena players and coaches and U.S. Army battalion officials speak with students during physical education classes about the importance of teamwork, fitness and exercise education. Flag football scrimmages, autograph signings and raffles for memorabilia also are part of the program.
- [Kansas City Chiefs] Johnson County, Kan., District Attorney Paul Morrison said he intends to file charges against Chiefs cornerback Eric Warfield, who was arrested on suspicion of drunken driving. It would be the third time Warfield faced such a charge in the past three years. Under Kansas law, a third drunken driving charge is a felony that comes with a sentence of up to a year in jail. Warfield could also be subject to a league suspension as a repeat violator. NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said Commissioner Paul Tagliabue would decide on any punishment, but not until the criminal case is finished. Head Coach Dick Vermeil said he plans to start Warfield on Sunday at home against the Houston Texans. (AP)
- Kris Brown making a difference in sick kids' lives
- Will Shields - The Gladiator
09/21/04
- [San Diego Chargers] The Chargers have placed LB Carlos Polk (shoulder) on Injured Reserve, ending his 2004 season. Polk is the 5th Husker to go on Injured Reserve so far this season, joining Jets' RB Josh Davis (knee), Eagles RB Correll Buckhalter (knee), Chargers DT Ryon Bingham (biceps), and Bears S Mike Brown (Achilles).
- 09/21/04 - Chicago Bears] S Mike Brown was placed on injured reserve Tuesday due to a ruptured right Achilles' tendon. Brown suffered the injury late in the fourth quarter of Sunday's 21-10 win over the Green Bay Packers.
The Bears' joy over winning their first game against Green Bay since 2000 was sedated by the fact that Brown will be lost for the season. The fifth-year safety is expected to undergo surgery this week and faces 6-7 months of rehabilitation. (Sports Network)
- Green won't discuss fumbles
- Veteran Minter quiets detractors of all shapes and sizes
- Chiefs cornerback Eric Warfield charged with drunken driving again
- [Arizona Cardinals] Defensive end Kyle Vanden Bosch, who'd been used sporadically to protect his surgically rebuilt knee, played a majority of the snaps on Sunday against New England.
"My knee held up well," he said. "It didn't get too sore during the game and wasn't sore after the game, so I was real encouraged about how well it held up.
"The more reps I can get, the better, but I didn't expect to get that many reps because I haven't in previous games." (The Arizona Republic)
- [New York Jets] Rookies have played well for the Jets. During one defensive series on Sunday, coach Herman Edwards recalled seeing four rookies on the field at one time: Erik Coleman, linebacker Jonathan Vilma, cornerback Derrick Strait and defensive end Trevor Johnson. (Newsday)
- [Kansas City Chiefs] Chiefs coach Dick Vermeil confirmed Monday that starting cornerback Eric Warfield, who intercepted two passes and returned one for a 43-yard touchdown against Carolina, was arrested in Overland Park overnight on a charge of driving while intoxicated.
It was Warfield's second such arrest in as many years (though the AP reports that "it's at least the second time in three years"). Two incidents could make Warfield subject to a league suspension under terms of its substance abuse policy. Vermeil, however, said he did not believe Warfield currently was under any NFL program and said he expected him to be available to play Sunday.
"He obviously made a mistake," Vermeil said. "We'll treat it as part of our normal procedure for guys who have problems in their private lives. We'll try to help them with their problems." (Morris News Service)
09/20/04
- [Houston Texans] OG Zach Wiegert will be listed as doubtful on this week's injury report after aggravating a right elbow injury that had kept him out of much of training camp. (AP)
- [Seattle Seahawks] Seattle Post-Intelligencer Week 2 Defensive Game Ball goes to-- Grant Wistrom. The veteran defensive end was admittedly a bit rusty in last week's season opener after missing all of training camp with a damaged tendon in his right foot. Yesterday, he was his ol' whirling, relentless self. Wistrom collected two of the team's five sacks, had six solo tackles, forced a fumble and was the bass drum in a defense that again set the tempo.
- [St. Louis Rams] CB DeJuan Groce started Sunday against the Falcons but suffered a sprained right knee on Atlanta's second possession of the game. He did not return. Groce had missed much of the preseason with a sprained left knee.
After the game, coach Mike Martz said, "I don't know how bad it is. But obviously, he wasn't able to play with it."
Groce said no X-rays were taken at the Georgia Dome, but he is expected to undergo further examination today in St. Louis. (St. Louis Post-Dispatch)
- [Chicago Bears] S Mike Brown was carted off the field with what appeared to be a right ankle injury. (AP)
Update - Brown suffered an Achilles' tendon injury and will miss the remainder of the 2004 season. He's set to undergo surgery soon and will need at least six months to recover from the injury. (AP, KFFL)
- [Carolina Panthers] Carolina Panthers safety Mike Minter went to the football practice of his older son, Michael Jr., at the Boys and Girls Club in Concord, N.C., one day last week and to the practice of his younger son, Isaiah, on another.
"And all I hear is" - and here Minter mimics a child's voice - "`Y'all lost against Green Bay. How come you lost to Green Bay?' I'm trying to coach them to go hard and win, and they say, `You didn't win.'"
"Man, I could not come to practice this week and look them in the face if we don't win."
Provided he drops to a knee, Minter can look them in the face. The panic that swirled around the Panthers after their season-opening loss to Green Bay, but never came close to penetrating the locker room, has abated. The Panthers knocked off Kansas City, 28-17. The natural order has been restored. (Charlotte Observer)
- No fear in Panthers, Rucker say
- Bears safety Mike Brown out for season
- Wistrom more than living up to his fat paycheck
- Wistrom's giant effort transforms game, assures Hawks' victory
- Warfield's big play doesn't turn the tide
- Wistrom bottles up Buccaneers
- Wistrom: Refs got one call right on last drive
WEEK 2: Stats, Pictures and Stories
09/19/04
- Groce's knee injury adds to cornerback shortage
- Mike Brown's fumble return for TD sparks Bears in 21-10 win over Packers
- Presnell was more than just a great player
09/18/04
- [Cincinnati Bengals] No punter had a better opening week than Kyle Larson. The Bengals rookie punted three times for a 50.3-yard average, with a net average of 46 yards, both tops in the NFL. He's had a remarkable turnaround from the middle of the preseason when he couldn't get a punt off without shanking it or kicking a knuckleball.
"I got more comfortable as the preseason went on," Larson said. "I just go day to day and focus on my technique. If I focus on the small things, I think I should be in good shape."
"The toughest things for rookies to go through is game situations and how meaningful every single kick is," said special teams coach Darrin Simmons. "He's been through at least a bit of the fire and he's preparing harder in practice. It's something we've talked about and I think it's important for (the kickers) to treat practices like mini-games."
"I'm really focusing on my hang time this week," said Larson. "I'm just trying to get my consistency where it should be." (Cincinnati Enquirer, Cincinnati Post)
- Lord bides time, hopes for chance
- Minter- Defense needs to dictate
- 09/17/04 - Glenn Presnell, Star Back in the NFL in the 1930's
09/16/04
- Kansas City Chiefs] The Chiefs have released TE Aaron Golliday from the practice squad.
- Kris Brown takes licking, keeps kicking
- Ironton’s Glenn Presnell dies
09/15/04
- Last original Lion dies at age 99 (Presnell)
- [Houston Texans] K Kris Brown has been impressive thus far. He is a perfect two-for-two on PATs and two-for-two on field goals. Against the Chargers (9/12/04), Brown kicked his fifth straight field goal and hasn’t missed one since November 30 of last season (vs. Atlanta). (HoustonTexans.com)
- [Houston Texans] G Zach Wiegert starting in his 105th career game this week against Detroit. (HoustonTexans.com)
- [St. Louis Rams] Head coach Mike Martz n the play of cornerback DeJuan Groce-- "He exceeded what I thought he would do. I thought he played exceptionally well. He has such great, quiet confidence. Nothing seems to shake him up. He has a rare quality the great ones have at that position. He has a great feel and awareness when the ball is in the air. He doesn't have great speed... he has a great feel for routes, he's so disciplined, smart player, great change of direction."
- [New York Jets] Bryan Thomas, the 2002 first-round pick, continues to fade into oblivion. Despite having been listed as probable all week, Thomas was inactive for the Bengals game. Rookie seventh-round pick Trevor Johnson dressed instead, and Edwards raved about him. Making matters worse for Thomas, Johnson now is listed as Abraham's backup at weak-side end. (Newsday)
- [Green Bay Packers] Running back Ahman Green picked up where he left off last season, earning his second "Snickers Hungriest Player" award for his performance against the Carolina Panthers on Monday Night Football. Green rolled up 119 yards and scored three touchdowns - two rushing and one receiving - in the Packers' 24-14 win in Charlotte, N.C.
Snickers will donate $1,000 to the charity of Green's choice. Last season Green earned the award with a 176-yard rushing effort in a win over the Chicago Bears in Week 4.
The award is based on fan voting during each week's Monday Night Football game. (PackerReport.com)
09/14/04
- Husker and NFL great Glenn Presnell passed away on Monday night, he was 99. Presnell lettered for the Huskers from 1925 to 1927 then went on to a very successful career in the NFL.
Born in Gilead, Nebraska in 1905, he had been the NFL's oldest living player.
An informative website on Glenn's gridiron accomplishments can be found here.
- Former Football Great Glenn Presnell Dies
- [Minnesota Vikings] After adding backup CB Ken Irvin to IR Tuesday the Vikings signed CBs Ralph Brown and Terrance Shaw. Brown started nine of 37 career games for the New York Giants and was cut by Washington this preseason.
"We think it's an upgrade in our depth," coach Mike Tice said. (AP)
- [Green Bay Packers] The Packers gashed them to the tune of 152 yards on the ground, including 119 by resident workhorse Ahman Green.
"Those guys were pounding us,’’ fessed up Panthers safety Mike Minter, sounding as bewildered as he was angry. "We couldn’t stop the run. … (Green) was getting hit by linebackers and he was still breaking tackles, getting back there in the secondary. It was a tough lesson for us." (NBCSports.com)
- Green named 'Hungriest Player'
- Tuesdays with... Lions Running Back Cory Schlesinger
- Green plows through Panthers
- Vikings seeking secondary help (Ralph Brown)
- [Minnesota Vikings] From PatsFans.com-- "And what more can you say about Russ Hochstein. He made both Kris Jenkins and Warren Sapp look like total fools. This unassuming man can rightfully lay claim to one of the most noteworthy performances by an offensive lineman in Super Bowl history. He can't truly be judged on a complete season, as he played steadily only after Woody went down early in the postseason. But he had a terrific postseason nonetheless, and the Patriot brain trust cannot help but stand up and take notice."
- [Minnesota Vikings] Starting cornerback Ken Irvin to a ruptured right Achilles' tendon in pregame warmups. The Vikings were making plans Monday to sign veteran cornerback Terrance Shaw and will also work out Ralph Brown this morning (Star Tribune).
09/13/04
- [New York Jets] The Jets like rookie DE Trevor Johnson, a seventh-round pick who was activated for the Bengals over DE Bryan Thomas, a first-round pick. Coach Herman Edwards said Thomas (hamstring) was nicked up but that he practiced all week. (Star-Ledger)
- [Kansas City Chiefs] CB Eric Warfield is questionable for the game next week against the Carolina Panthers because of a bruised knee. CB William Bartee would replace Warfield if he is unable to play. (Kansas City Star, KFFL)
- [St. Louis Rams] After missing a good chunk of the preseason with a knee injury, Dejuan Groce found himself in the starting lineup Sunday at cornerback. Groce said he wasn't informed until Saturday that he was starting instead of Kevin Garrett in place of the injured Travis Fisher.
"I was more surprised than anything," Groce said. "Because coming off a knee injury, I didn't think I was going to be able to go. I thought I was going to be used on an as-needed basis." Groce, a second-year pro from Nebraska, said he wasn't nervous.
"I've been thrown into the game before," he said, referring to his 2003 start at Pittsburgh. "That experience last year helped me out so much going into the game (Sunday)." Groce said his knee isn't 100 percent healthy, but "it's getting there." (St. Louis Pos-Dispatch)
- [Houston Texans] K Kris Brown suffered a concussion in Week 1. He remained in the game and kicked an extra point during the third quarter. His status is not considered serious. (Houston Chronicle, KFFL)
- Larson punts an upside for special teams
WEEK 1: Stats, Pictures and Stories
09/12/04
- [Chicago Bears] At 26, free safety Mike Brown already has started 63 games and could make a run at the Pro Bowl in the Bears' new scheme, which should frequently put him in position to create turnovers. (Daily Herald)
- Sporting News' list of Top 100 NFL Players includes:
16. Ahman Green, RB, Packers (last year- 39). It's easy to overlook him in the shadow of Favre, but Green is one of the finest all-around backs. He ran for an NFL-high 96 first downs last season and averaged 6.1 yards per carry on first-down rushes.
28. Will Shields, G, Chiefs (64); 50. Mike Rucker, DE, Panthers (NR)
- Shields, Warfield hope for best at NU
- Warfield expects better K.C. defense
- Minter is ready for his dual role in the Panthers secondary
- Rams' Dishman, Lucas will face former Cardinals teammates
09/11/04
- Martz Happy With New "Dish" On Menu
- Schlesinger, Urlacher set to renew rivalry
- [Detroit Lions] Lions FB Cory Schlesinger has had some memorable games against the Bears, but they haven't showed up on the stats sheet. Schlesinger has on several occasions made Bears perennial Pro Bowl MLB Brian Urlacher look bad by knocking him completely out of the play as a lead blocker. (BearReport.com)
- [San Diego Chargers] Chargers players voted the following players captains for the season-- LaDainian Tomlinson (offense), Williams and Donnie Edwards (defense) and Carlos Polk (special teams). (San Diego Union-Tribune)
09/10/04
- KHS grad Larson excited to make Bengals’ roster
- Kelsay, Denney Content with Sharing Time
- For now, no stopping Pack's Green
- Metcalf makes it to Athens, eyes Beijing
- Wistrom worth every penny
- Spotlight on: Mike Rucker
- Dishman rescues Rams line
09/09/04
- [Panthers vs Packers] On Monday night Panthers RB Stephen Davis will be squaring off against Ahman Green, who gets the nod over Davis even in the Panthers' locker room.
"Ahman Green, he's probably the best back in the league right now," Carolina safety Mike Minter said. (AP)
- [Oakland Raiders] Warren Sapp remains one of the NFL’s most overrated defensive players. He is not effective enough against the run anymore to be a major factor. John Parrella is a much better player than Sapp and should get more playing time at DT. (LionsFans.com)
- [Philadelphia Eagles] Correll Buckhalter limped around the locker room Thursday with a brace on his healing right knee. He suffered the season-ending injury against the Ravens on Aug. 20 and, for the second time in his career, is beginning the long rehab process.
"It was pretty tough. I was down for a while," said Buckhalter, who missed all of the 2002 season with an injury to his left knee and says that experience will help him persevere this time. "Just thinking about the other knee – it doesn’t bother me. I’ve been through it before, and I know what it takes." (ComcastSportsNet.com)
- [St. Louis Rams] CB DeJuan Groce, who has been out with an injured knee, practiced on Thursday. (KFFL)
- [San Diego Chargers] LB Carlos Polk (shoulder) practiced Thursday and should be able to play in Week 1. (KFFL)
- Afton Holds Welcome Home Party for Rulon Gardner
- Schlesinger enjoys battling Urlacher
- 'Mr. Mike' teaching chemistry (Minter)
- Kelsay named as starter for Week 1
09/08/04
- [Atlanta Falcons] Pro Bowl linebacker Keith Brooking hopes to play in the Atlanta Falcons' season opener, even though a sore hamstring kept him from practicing Wednesday. If Brooking can't play, his backup is rookie Demorrio Williams.
First-year coach Jim Mora sounded confident that Brooking will be on the field Sunday. "I asked him how he was feeling and he said, 'Good, really good,"' Mora said. "But you never know how hamstrings are going to do."
With that in mind, Mora gave Williams a strong vote of confidence. The rookie led the Falcons with 22 tackles during the preseason.
"Williams has gotten a lot of work," Mora said. "I'm excited to see how he's going to play. And with a guy like (MLB) Chris Draft beside him, that takes the load off as far as running the whole show." (AP)
- Injury Report for Week 1: Questionable- Rams CB Dejuan Groce (knee), Chargers LB Carlos Polk (shoulder); Probable- RB Ahman Green (knee).
- [New York Jets] It seems likely that the Jets will sign a veteran cornerback, but not until Week 2, when they wouldn't have to guarantee his salary for the whole season. Terrance Shaw, released by Carolina this week, could be a possibility if he's healthy. Terrell Buckley and former Giant Ralph Brown also are available. (Newsday)
- Retired cornerback Darrell Green listed his "toughest covers" and ranked WR Irving Fryar as #5, saying "I got 60 minutes of a battle." The others, from #1 through 4 were Michael Irvin, Jerry Rice, Cris Carter and Mike Quick. (Washington Post)
- Green isn’t slowing down
- Piatkowski in Four-Player Trade
- DRIVEN: Panthers' Minter setting Pro Bowl as his goal
- [NBA-Chicago] The Chicago Bulls today acquired 10-year veteran guard/forward Eric Piatkowski, guard/forward Adrian Griffin and guard Mike Wilks from the Houston Rockets in exchange for center Dikembe Mutombo. This trade is conditional to all four players passing their physicals...more.
09/07/04
- [New York Giants] The Giants re-signed LB TJ Hollowell to the practice squad.
- Fonoti: Turning the page
09/06/04
- Piatkowskiwill be sent to Bulls for Mutombo
- Following cut-downs, the following players have been re-signed to their team's practice squads: Denver C Josh Sewell; Kansas City TE Aaron Golliday; Chargers CB Jerrell Pippens; Houston S Jammal Lord.
- [New York Jets] As the Jets made their final cuts Sunday to get to the 53-man roster limit, there was one surprise: Defensive end Matt Walters, a dependable backup, was among the eight players let go. Some would argue Walters, a fifth-round pick last year, made more plays in exhibition action than 2002 first-round pick Bryan Thomas, but the Jets decided not to give up on a first-rounder so soon. Trevor Johnson, a seventh-round pick in April, also beat out Walters. (Newsday)
- [Dallas Cowboys] Some players worry endlessly and lose sleep, but second-year linebacker Scott Shanle just shrugs his shoulders about the waiver process. He doesn't worry about the final cut, maybe because he is expected to earn a spot on this year's roster after joining the team late last season. Shanle was released by St. Louis last year and said he was told by his agent, not by the coaches.
"I just found, for myself, the best approach is to not worry about it," Shanle said. "Once you start worrying about things like that, your performance on the field will suffer. That ultimately gets you gone anyway." (Star-Telegram)
- [Cincinnati Bengals] From Marvin Lewis' News Conference--
Q. Do you anticipate Kyle Larson being your punter on Sunday?
ML. "I anticipate him being our punter on Sunday. He had another fine game last Friday. He continues to get better and we will continue to work with him. We will keep bringing guys in and evaluating them also." (Bengals.com)
- [St. Louis Rams] Cornerback DeJuan Groce returned to practice after missing time with a sprained knee. (StLouisRams.com)
- [San Diego Chargers] LB Carlos Polk didn't practice Monday and may not be able to play in Week 1 because of a shoulder injury. (KFFL)
09/05/04
- Several Huskers were cut as clubs trim the rosters to the final 53, some are expected to be re-signed to the 8-man practice squads.
The Cuts: Denver C Josh Sewell; Packers WR Wilson Thomas (reported yesterday); Houston DT Jeremy Slechta & S Jammal Lord; Kansas City TE Aaron Golliday & S Clint Finley; Giants LB TJ Hollowell; San Diego CB Jerrell Pippens.
Sewell and Lord have already been pegged as practice squad players before cuts were made; both were 2004 draft choices by their respective clubs. Slechta and Finley have both been on practice squads before and may be re-signed. Hollowell was impressive in camp and in preseason, so watch the transaction wire that as well.
A couple notable non-cuts: It was not a guarantee that Atlanta would hang on to both former Nebraska speedster linebackers Eric Johnson and Demorrio Williams. The Falcons used a 4th round draft pick on Williams so Johnson would have been at the short end of the stick; and don't forget, he's a former undrafted free agent. Jets DE Trevor Johnson was a 7th round draft choice and very little was said about his preseason play- with the exception of his slobber-knocking Giants QB Eli Manning (then again maybe that was enough for him to make the team).
- Falcons are happy they drafted Demorrio
09/04/04
- Miles FG block leads to big score for Als
- [Green Bay Packers] The Packers have released WR Wilson Thomas. Thomas caught a 37 yard pass in the Packers final preseason against the Titans on Friday, but was still among the final cuts made by Green Bay.
- [Cincinnati Bengals] Rookie Kyle Larson helped himself against the Colts, punting four times for a 43.3-yard average. "He did a fine job," Lewis said of Larson. (Cincinnati Enquirer)
- On the day Nebraska unveiled its new, more pass friendly offense, its only NFL wide receiver is released (Thomas); and when the Huskers special teams was very unspecial, an alum punter excelled and may have cemented his job.
09/03/04
- [Cincinnati Bengals] Kyle Larson got a boost of confidence from his punting performance last week at Atlanta, where he averaged 47.4 yards on seven punts. He's the lone punter in camp at this point and will get every chance to show the Bengals that they do not need to go out an look for a veteran after Sunday's final cuts.
"Well, I've been really encouraged by (Kyle)," said Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis. "Every time I yell at him he punts better. I told him I can't yell at him on Sundays like that. But I have been encouraged by what he's done in practice." (Cincinnati Post)
PRESEASON WEEK 4: Stats, Stories & Pictures
09/02/04
- [Houston Texans] S Jammal Lord, to the Lincoln Journal-Star, on why it's preposterous to think that college football's best team would stand a chance playing against the NFL's worst: "These are grown men. They are 22, 30, 33 years old. They would tear apart that 18-year-old who is thinking about English class." (Seattle Times)
- [Cincinnati Bengals] Rookie punter Kyle Larson has made a move this week to claim the job after incumbent Kyle Richardson's season-ending injury. "I've been really encouraged by (Kyle). Every time I yell at him, he punts better," Lewis said. (Cincinnati Enquirer)
- [Kansas City Chiefs] FS Clint Finley suffered a shoulder strain in the team's final preseason game against the Dallas Cowboys. No further details were given. (KCChiefs.com)
- Leaders of the pack (Green)
09/01/04
- [Oakland Raider] Head coach Norv Turner said C Adam Treu will start at center for the first game of the regular season. (KFFL)
- Jordan, a division of Nike, Inc., announced the addition of NFL veterans Ahman Green, Marvin Harrison, Terrell Owens and Jason Taylor to Team Jordan, an elite group of professional athletes that represent the Jordan brand of footwear and apparel. The addition of these top tier athletes allows Jordan to extend its breadth, providing the brand with a greater presence in the sport of football and within the hearts and minds of the sport's extensive fan base. (PRNewswire)
- [Seattle Seahawks] Grant Wistrom has been a Seahawk for only six months, but it hasn't taken the free agent defensive end long to get into the give-and-take bantering that seems to center around, well, center Robbie Tobeck.
Asked yesterday about the best shot he has taken from a teammate regarding the $14 million signing bonus he received from the Seahawks, Wistrom said, "There was some poll on the Internet about the most overpaid players in the league and I was No. 6. So Tobeck was like, 'Oh, you're No. 6 on the list.'" Wistrom's retort: "That's crap, man, I should at least be in the top three." (Seattle Post-Intelligencer)
- [Arizona Cardinals] Head coach Dennis Green has been concerned about the left end spot since the start of camp. He doesn't think Kyle Vanden Bosch is ready physically to play there every down and wants to use him as a situational player, mostly on passing downs. (AZ Republic)
- [St. Louis Rams] Kevin Garrett gets another go at one of the cornerback spots, in place of the injured Travis Fisher. He was solid against the Redskins, but might need a big performance against the Raiders to earn the spot instead of DeJuan Groce. (StLouisRams.com)
- Ahman Green Doubtful For Friday's Game
- Larson has one more chance to impress.
- Minter: All about confidence
- Wayne and Kabongo show.