The pose was similar to Bennett's. Both players were taking a nude photo of themselves in a bathroom.
Wade Phillips had no comments about the photo, but Hamlin said the photo isn't of him.
"It's photoshopped," Hamlin said after Tuesday's afternoon practice. "If you look at my stomach (lifts shirt up) and the shirt on the photo, it's two different things. I don't know how these photos got up there, have no idea where it came from."
There's another photo of a Cowboys' player, former seventh-round pick Mike Mickens, who didn't make the active roster.
"We discussed this matter today with Martellus and will address it further on an internal basis," Cowboys vice president of communications Rich Dalrymple said.
Hamlin and Bennett are not the first athletes to have this happen. In February, San Antonio Spurs guard George Hill apologized for having nude pictures of him appear on the internet, and Portland Trail Blazers center Greg Oden apologized for the same thing in January.
New Dallas Cowboys jerseys left tackle Doug Free says his fierce work ethic was forged working long days on his parents' Wisconsin dairy farm well before discovering sports in junior high.
The country-boy Cowboy loves hunting, fishing and knocking down defenders.
Free plays tackle with a pulling guard's ferocity. Consider last year's personal highlight when Free chugged 40 yards downfield from his right tackle spot to erase Philadelphia Eagles safety Macho Harris on Felix Jones' 49-yard touchdown dash.
It's somehow fitting then, that amid a training camp buzzing with Super Bowl expectations, a fellow Wisconsinite is being counted on to protect quarterback Tony Romo's blind side. Free hails from Manitowoc, Wis., Romo from Burlington.
At 6-6, 320, the fourth-year tackle is literally the biggest puzzle piece on a team studded with playmakers. Free played so well in last year's seven-game stint subbing for injured Marc Columbo at right tackle he convinced the Cowboys to release five-time Pro Bowl fixture Flozell Adams April 1
These kids today. They've got all the ability in the world but won't pay a veteran the respect he deserves.
It's not like I was asking him to get me lunch or wash my car or have my laptop checked for viruses. And I would never think of tying him down to a chair to give him an ugly haircut. Wouldn't be necessary. Sports writers' haircuts are ugly enough already.
While my little disagreement with the rookie was virtually ignored by the media, Bryant's dust-up with Williams made news, and not just in football-mad Dallas. In Tuesday's USA Today, it was the lead story in the sports section.
It's that time of year, a silly season when baseball - even another no-hitter - is nearly eclipsed by NFL camp news, including reports of Terrell Owens' job search.
It's not yet August, and I'm already bored by Owens, a condition that goes back to at least 2007. Except for T.O. and his agent, who wouldn't be?
Amazingly, though, Owens can still charm people who should know better. Following a meeting with Owens, and before Cincinnati reportedly agreed with him on a one-year contract, Bengals executive Mike Brown said, "I was taken by him. He was thoughtful (and) pleasant."
2010年7月27日星期二
2010年7月25日星期日
The Denver Broncos have an opening for a No. 1 receiver
Thomas — the Broncos' No. 1 draft pick this year and the receiver the team hopes will make Denver fans forget about Brandon Marshall — was a celebrity at the Federal Correctional Institution, a low-security women's prison in Tallahassee, Fla.
Inmates shouted out his name across the visitors room, and Thomas signed autographs.
But the thing Katina Smith kept focusing on was that ink on Thomas' arm.
"You got another tattoo!" she said.
Thomas pulled
both sleeves of his shirt up to reveal to his mother the full creation: The word "Family" on the inside of his right biceps and "First" on the inside of the left, joining about 10 other tattoos that cover his arms and chest.
"You've got to slow down with the tattoos," Smith said.
It had been nearly a year since the two had seen each other, since Demaryius was last able to make the nearly four-hour trip, take off his shoes to go through the metal detector and walk through a series of heavy metal doors to see his mother and his grandmother, Minnie Pearl Thomas. Both women have been housed here since 2000, when they were convicted of trafficking cocaine.
They have been incarcerated for half of his life.
"I know it has been hard for him. He's the one who holds everything inside," Smith said in an interview at the prison three days later. "But at the same time, it has given him the strength to go on and be better than the example I set for him."
Thomas has been here only five times, including the most recent visit July 9. He has seen his mother each time, but this latest visit marked the first time he had seen his grandmother in 11 years. He was just a boy, then. Now he is 6-foot-3 and 229 pounds, a grown man, nearly a millionaire and on the verge of NFL stardom.
The trio sat around the table for three hours, playing the card game Tonk and tic-tac-toe, talking about family and football, and the new life Demaryius is about to embark on, with Broncos training camp starting this week. They laughed loudly and deeply, and the women flashed their identical smiles. They couldn't remember seeing Demaryius so happy.
As they talked, Minnie Thomas kept leaning over to touch her grandson and to grab onto the Broncos jerseys shirt and blue Broncos football jerseys warm-up pants he wore. The NFL gear somehow made it all seem more real, a tangible sign that yes, Demaryius, the child they nicknamed Bay Bay when he was an infant, had turned out just fine.
"I'm happy to see them, but it's emotional," he said. "It has gotten a little easier because we talk a lot on the phone. But it was real hard when I was young. As I get older, it is different."
School first
Demaryius Thomas and his two younger half sisters were fast asleep on March 15, 1999, when police officers burst into their mother's house in Montrose, Ga.
The officers were shouting, Thomas remembered, ordering his mother and stepfather out of bed. Smith was panicked, but she asked the officers if she could at least get her children ready for school like normal before they took her to jail. She helped the children get dressed, fed them breakfast, packed their backpacks and went outside to wait with them for the bus.
"I hugged them and said, 'I'll see you when I get back,' and told them, 'I love you,' " Smith said, dropping her head. "But I never came back."
His grandmother was arrested the same day, and both women were charged in Brian Dawkins federal court with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine and cocaine base.
"I held money on two, maybe three occasions," Smith said. "They said I was the bank, but I wasn't the bank."
Minnie Pearl Thomas sold drugs — marijuana — for the first time in 1986, and was arrested for the first time that same year. Despite her first trip to jail, Minnie Thomas was hooked on the rush of selling drugs and was becoming accustomed to the extra money it provided her family. It wasn't long before she was manufacturing and selling crack cocaine out of her home.
She was arrested again in 1991 but resumed her business after she was released at the conclusion of a 14-month sentence in a jail near Milledgeville, Ga.
"I mostly did it to make ends meet, to buy my kids what they wanted, so they could wear what the other kids were wearing, so I could keep my house nice on the inside," Minnie Thomas said.
Demaryius, who was born in December 1987, was Minnie's oldest grandchild, and old enough to know what was going on inside her house. He remembered seeing his grandmother making the crack and the stream of strangers coming and going, leaving behind their makeshift crack pipes.
"I knew my grandma was selling it and my mom was keeping some money," Thomas said. "I told my mother one time that they needed to stop because I had a dream that they got in trouble. I started crying like every night after then. And then it finally happened."
The Denver Broncos have an opening for a No. 1 receiver. It could be filled by first-round rookie Demaryius Thomas or speedy third-year player Eddie Royal. But right now, it sounds like nine-year veteran Jabar Gaffney, who had one of the best years of his career last season, will get the first crack at the role when the team opens training camp Aug. 1. "I'm looking at it the way I've always looked at it, going in like I was the No. 1," Gaffney said. "Just waiting for my opportunity to make more catches, have more impact, more chances to make more plays." Largely because he could play any at any wide receiver spot in the offense, Gaffney put up a career-high in receiving yards in 2009. He totaled 732 yards. He also recorded his second-most receptions in a season, 54. Gaffney's biggest attributes on the field have often been his instincts and knowledge. Bill Belichick, Gaffney's former head coach in New England, once described him as a "tactician."
Inmates shouted out his name across the visitors room, and Thomas signed autographs.
But the thing Katina Smith kept focusing on was that ink on Thomas' arm.
"You got another tattoo!" she said.
Thomas pulled
both sleeves of his shirt up to reveal to his mother the full creation: The word "Family" on the inside of his right biceps and "First" on the inside of the left, joining about 10 other tattoos that cover his arms and chest.
"You've got to slow down with the tattoos," Smith said.
It had been nearly a year since the two had seen each other, since Demaryius was last able to make the nearly four-hour trip, take off his shoes to go through the metal detector and walk through a series of heavy metal doors to see his mother and his grandmother, Minnie Pearl Thomas. Both women have been housed here since 2000, when they were convicted of trafficking cocaine.
They have been incarcerated for half of his life.
"I know it has been hard for him. He's the one who holds everything inside," Smith said in an interview at the prison three days later. "But at the same time, it has given him the strength to go on and be better than the example I set for him."
Thomas has been here only five times, including the most recent visit July 9. He has seen his mother each time, but this latest visit marked the first time he had seen his grandmother in 11 years. He was just a boy, then. Now he is 6-foot-3 and 229 pounds, a grown man, nearly a millionaire and on the verge of NFL stardom.
The trio sat around the table for three hours, playing the card game Tonk and tic-tac-toe, talking about family and football, and the new life Demaryius is about to embark on, with Broncos training camp starting this week. They laughed loudly and deeply, and the women flashed their identical smiles. They couldn't remember seeing Demaryius so happy.
As they talked, Minnie Thomas kept leaning over to touch her grandson and to grab onto the Broncos jerseys shirt and blue Broncos football jerseys warm-up pants he wore. The NFL gear somehow made it all seem more real, a tangible sign that yes, Demaryius, the child they nicknamed Bay Bay when he was an infant, had turned out just fine.
"I'm happy to see them, but it's emotional," he said. "It has gotten a little easier because we talk a lot on the phone. But it was real hard when I was young. As I get older, it is different."
School first
Demaryius Thomas and his two younger half sisters were fast asleep on March 15, 1999, when police officers burst into their mother's house in Montrose, Ga.
The officers were shouting, Thomas remembered, ordering his mother and stepfather out of bed. Smith was panicked, but she asked the officers if she could at least get her children ready for school like normal before they took her to jail. She helped the children get dressed, fed them breakfast, packed their backpacks and went outside to wait with them for the bus.
"I hugged them and said, 'I'll see you when I get back,' and told them, 'I love you,' " Smith said, dropping her head. "But I never came back."
His grandmother was arrested the same day, and both women were charged in Brian Dawkins federal court with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine and cocaine base.
"I held money on two, maybe three occasions," Smith said. "They said I was the bank, but I wasn't the bank."
Minnie Pearl Thomas sold drugs — marijuana — for the first time in 1986, and was arrested for the first time that same year. Despite her first trip to jail, Minnie Thomas was hooked on the rush of selling drugs and was becoming accustomed to the extra money it provided her family. It wasn't long before she was manufacturing and selling crack cocaine out of her home.
She was arrested again in 1991 but resumed her business after she was released at the conclusion of a 14-month sentence in a jail near Milledgeville, Ga.
"I mostly did it to make ends meet, to buy my kids what they wanted, so they could wear what the other kids were wearing, so I could keep my house nice on the inside," Minnie Thomas said.
Demaryius, who was born in December 1987, was Minnie's oldest grandchild, and old enough to know what was going on inside her house. He remembered seeing his grandmother making the crack and the stream of strangers coming and going, leaving behind their makeshift crack pipes.
"I knew my grandma was selling it and my mom was keeping some money," Thomas said. "I told my mother one time that they needed to stop because I had a dream that they got in trouble. I started crying like every night after then. And then it finally happened."
The Denver Broncos have an opening for a No. 1 receiver. It could be filled by first-round rookie Demaryius Thomas or speedy third-year player Eddie Royal. But right now, it sounds like nine-year veteran Jabar Gaffney, who had one of the best years of his career last season, will get the first crack at the role when the team opens training camp Aug. 1. "I'm looking at it the way I've always looked at it, going in like I was the No. 1," Gaffney said. "Just waiting for my opportunity to make more catches, have more impact, more chances to make more plays." Largely because he could play any at any wide receiver spot in the offense, Gaffney put up a career-high in receiving yards in 2009. He totaled 732 yards. He also recorded his second-most receptions in a season, 54. Gaffney's biggest attributes on the field have often been his instincts and knowledge. Bill Belichick, Gaffney's former head coach in New England, once described him as a "tactician."
2010年7月21日星期三
Dallas Cowboys the road home could lead to the next Super Bowl
Since the end of last season, and even before that, Jerry Jones has constantly reminded his Cowboys that Super Bowl XLV will be played at their own stadium in February.
"Our owner lets us know the game is at Cowboys football jerseys Stadium and he would love his team to play in it," Pro Bowl linebacker DeMarcus Ware said. "We are doing everything we can get to get there."
But long before the possibility of being the first host team ever in a Super Bowl, or even playing a 2010 regular season game, the defending NFC East champion Cowboys jerseys have quite a summer trip.
Training camp begins Saturday at the Alamodome in San Antonio. That begins a five-week stretch in which the Cowboys will travel more than 6,500 miles, practice in three different cities and play preseason games in four stadiums.
"We're America's team, everybody wants to see us," receiver Roy Williams said.
Dallas will be the first full squad to begin camp, but Cleveland rookies report Friday. Rookies for New England and San Diego report Sunday, and every NFL team will be in camp by Aug. 1.
For the third time in four years, 17 of the 32 teams Felix Jones will conduct training camp at home. Just nine years ago, only five of 31 teams stayed home for preseason workouts.
Super Bowl champion New Orleans opens camp at home July 29. But before the Saints won the title last year, the previous three Super Bowl winners — Pittsburgh, Indianapolis and the New York Giants — had all held camp away from home.
For the Cowboys, the climate-controlled Alamodome will be their base for two weeks before going to Canton, Ohio, to play in the Pro Football Hall of Fame Game. A few days at home and a preseason game at Cowboys Stadium follows that.
Then comes two weeks in Oxnard, Calif., a strech that includes a game at San Diego. They break their West Coast camp and head to Houston for a game before finally getting to settle in at their Valley Ranch facility to prepare for the home preseason finale and the start of the regular season.
"I've had some pretty strange years, but not moving like that," said 13-year veteran Keith Brooking, going into his second season with Dallas. "I played in the Tokyo Bowl, 16-hour flight or whatever it was two weeks into training camp and still having four preseason games to play. But never two weeks at camp, then moving."
"Nobody cares where we practice. People care about whether we win," linebacker Bradie James said.
Jones raised the Lombardi Trophy three times in a four-year stretch in the mid 1990s. But the five-time champions have gone 14 seasons without winning a title and didn't even win another playoff game until last January.
The 20-year owner could think of no better way to end the championship drought than by winning a Super Bowl at his $1.2 billion stadium that opened last season.
"They have the potential to get there," said NFL career rushing leader Emmitt Smith, the three-time Super Bowl champion with the Cowboys who will be inducted into the Hall of Fame next month. "Hopefully those guys have taken this offseason and said next year should be our time."
With lofty expectations and their longest training camp in more than a decade ahead of them, it's good for the Cowboys there are few issues and little drama. Just plenty of motivation.
"I really do feel that we've got top talent on the team, but this same talent, the majority of it, saw us fall short last year," Jones said. "And that keeps anybody from getting too caught up in what this looks like. We've got a lot of work to do when we get to training camp."
Here are some of the top storylines for the Cowboys so far:
_ Doug Free gets the first chance to replace left tackle Flozell Adams, the expensive 35-year-old five-time Pro Bowler cut last spring. Free, going into his fourth season, started seven games at right tackle for injured Marc Colombo last year.
The Cowboys also acquired tackle Alex Barron, sending Bobby Carpenter to St. Louis in a trade of underachieving former first-round picks.
_ After receiver Miles Austin went from relative unknown to Pro Bowl player and Dez Bryant was drafted in the first round, Patrick Crayton asked for a trade and skipped most voluntary offseason workouts. But Crayton, who could still end up playing for somebody this season, showed up for the final week of workouts and the minicamp, working like he always had.
The show has featured pseudo-celebrities before like NFL player Gary Hogeboom and poker pro Jean-Robert Bellande, but Jimmy Johnson is in another league. He's won two Super Bowls and, if you're not a football fan, he now has a second career as a spokesperson for Extenz, the male enhancement pill that makes you bigger "down there."
On the bright side, maybe eating cow testicles or falling into a pit of mud Tony Romo during a challenge will replace his job as a penis-enlargement pitchman as the new most embarrassing moment of his career.
The biggest question is whether a successful football coach has a shot at winning Survivor. It seems unlikely that anyone would vote for him to win, and if anyone hates the Cowboys, voting him out could be a dream come true. On the other hand, bringing him to the end could be smart because of the fact that no one would probably vote for him.
The Dallas Cowboys NFL operation were second at $1.65bn (£1.1bn). The New York Yankees, Washington Redskins, New England Patriots, Real Madrid, New York Giants, Arsenal, New York Jets and Houston Texans completed the top 10.
United's lofty standing is in spite of the club's heavy load of debt, with Forbes factoring in endorsements, merchandise sales, sponsorship and television revenues when considering a company's value.
"Our owner lets us know the game is at Cowboys football jerseys Stadium and he would love his team to play in it," Pro Bowl linebacker DeMarcus Ware said. "We are doing everything we can get to get there."
But long before the possibility of being the first host team ever in a Super Bowl, or even playing a 2010 regular season game, the defending NFC East champion Cowboys jerseys have quite a summer trip.
Training camp begins Saturday at the Alamodome in San Antonio. That begins a five-week stretch in which the Cowboys will travel more than 6,500 miles, practice in three different cities and play preseason games in four stadiums.
"We're America's team, everybody wants to see us," receiver Roy Williams said.
Dallas will be the first full squad to begin camp, but Cleveland rookies report Friday. Rookies for New England and San Diego report Sunday, and every NFL team will be in camp by Aug. 1.
For the third time in four years, 17 of the 32 teams Felix Jones will conduct training camp at home. Just nine years ago, only five of 31 teams stayed home for preseason workouts.
Super Bowl champion New Orleans opens camp at home July 29. But before the Saints won the title last year, the previous three Super Bowl winners — Pittsburgh, Indianapolis and the New York Giants — had all held camp away from home.
For the Cowboys, the climate-controlled Alamodome will be their base for two weeks before going to Canton, Ohio, to play in the Pro Football Hall of Fame Game. A few days at home and a preseason game at Cowboys Stadium follows that.
Then comes two weeks in Oxnard, Calif., a strech that includes a game at San Diego. They break their West Coast camp and head to Houston for a game before finally getting to settle in at their Valley Ranch facility to prepare for the home preseason finale and the start of the regular season.
"I've had some pretty strange years, but not moving like that," said 13-year veteran Keith Brooking, going into his second season with Dallas. "I played in the Tokyo Bowl, 16-hour flight or whatever it was two weeks into training camp and still having four preseason games to play. But never two weeks at camp, then moving."
"Nobody cares where we practice. People care about whether we win," linebacker Bradie James said.
Jones raised the Lombardi Trophy three times in a four-year stretch in the mid 1990s. But the five-time champions have gone 14 seasons without winning a title and didn't even win another playoff game until last January.
The 20-year owner could think of no better way to end the championship drought than by winning a Super Bowl at his $1.2 billion stadium that opened last season.
"They have the potential to get there," said NFL career rushing leader Emmitt Smith, the three-time Super Bowl champion with the Cowboys who will be inducted into the Hall of Fame next month. "Hopefully those guys have taken this offseason and said next year should be our time."
With lofty expectations and their longest training camp in more than a decade ahead of them, it's good for the Cowboys there are few issues and little drama. Just plenty of motivation.
"I really do feel that we've got top talent on the team, but this same talent, the majority of it, saw us fall short last year," Jones said. "And that keeps anybody from getting too caught up in what this looks like. We've got a lot of work to do when we get to training camp."
Here are some of the top storylines for the Cowboys so far:
_ Doug Free gets the first chance to replace left tackle Flozell Adams, the expensive 35-year-old five-time Pro Bowler cut last spring. Free, going into his fourth season, started seven games at right tackle for injured Marc Colombo last year.
The Cowboys also acquired tackle Alex Barron, sending Bobby Carpenter to St. Louis in a trade of underachieving former first-round picks.
_ After receiver Miles Austin went from relative unknown to Pro Bowl player and Dez Bryant was drafted in the first round, Patrick Crayton asked for a trade and skipped most voluntary offseason workouts. But Crayton, who could still end up playing for somebody this season, showed up for the final week of workouts and the minicamp, working like he always had.
The show has featured pseudo-celebrities before like NFL player Gary Hogeboom and poker pro Jean-Robert Bellande, but Jimmy Johnson is in another league. He's won two Super Bowls and, if you're not a football fan, he now has a second career as a spokesperson for Extenz, the male enhancement pill that makes you bigger "down there."
On the bright side, maybe eating cow testicles or falling into a pit of mud Tony Romo during a challenge will replace his job as a penis-enlargement pitchman as the new most embarrassing moment of his career.
The biggest question is whether a successful football coach has a shot at winning Survivor. It seems unlikely that anyone would vote for him to win, and if anyone hates the Cowboys, voting him out could be a dream come true. On the other hand, bringing him to the end could be smart because of the fact that no one would probably vote for him.
The Dallas Cowboys NFL operation were second at $1.65bn (£1.1bn). The New York Yankees, Washington Redskins, New England Patriots, Real Madrid, New York Giants, Arsenal, New York Jets and Houston Texans completed the top 10.
United's lofty standing is in spite of the club's heavy load of debt, with Forbes factoring in endorsements, merchandise sales, sponsorship and television revenues when considering a company's value.
2010年7月19日星期一
Lions also will hold an open practice at Ford Field
Adam: I'm stoked to see (first-round pick) Ndamukong Suh suit up but how are the contract negotiations going? I really have not heard too much on this.
Tom Kowalski: Generally speaking, these things have a way of lingering and Matthew Stafford then coming together very quickly. Despite the optimistic tone from both sides of the negotiating table, I still have some reservations of whether Suh will report on time. Some of that is how the rest of the first round is going and what those deals look like. Will Suh sign before No. 1 pick Sam Bradford? Gerald McCoy, who went at No. 3, has already said he won't sign before Bradford.
It'll probably be another week before things start to heat up and Calvin Johnso some of the other first-rounders start to get signed. Nobody wants to be among the first to sign - and then have a fellow agent come in with a better deal in a slot behind you. The pressure doesn't really build until about 24 hours before the first practice (it used to be the reporting deadline, but that went by the wayside a couple of years ago - missing a team meeting is one thing, missing a practice is another).
Eric R: What are the chances that (seventh-round pick) Tim Toone makes the roster over Derrick Williams?
Tom Kowalski: If it comes down to just those two, I'd have to give the strong edge to Williams because he's a higher draft choice, there's more investment in him and he's the superior athlete. However, that situation changes drastically if Toone shows some real spark in the return game. He doesn't appear to have great speed - he's more quick than fast - but a lot of that role is based on vision and fearlessness. Again, we'll have to wait until the preseason games to find out what he's really got.
Blarneylion: You mentioned in your article that Drew Stanton most likely won't be with the Lions football jerseys after this season. Are there any young quarterbacks on the team who could unseat him this year for the third spot?
We are thrilled to welcome our fans back to training camp this year," Lions president Tom Lewand said in a released statement. "Our fans provide outstanding support throughout the year, and training camp is another excellent opportunity for them to come out and watch this team gear up for a new season. As excited as they are to see us, we share that same enthusiasm, as they generate a great atmosphere throughout camp."
There is no charge for viewing practices. Gates open 30 minutes before each session.
Just like last year, the Lions also will hold an open practice at Ford Field at 4 p.m. Aug. 7. There is no charge for the practice, and doors open at 3 p.m. A 45-minute autograph session will take place before the practice.
Here is the full schedule of training-camp practices open to fans. All sessions are at the Allen Park headquarters, unless noted.
Tom Kowalski: Generally speaking, these things have a way of lingering and Matthew Stafford then coming together very quickly. Despite the optimistic tone from both sides of the negotiating table, I still have some reservations of whether Suh will report on time. Some of that is how the rest of the first round is going and what those deals look like. Will Suh sign before No. 1 pick Sam Bradford? Gerald McCoy, who went at No. 3, has already said he won't sign before Bradford.
It'll probably be another week before things start to heat up and Calvin Johnso some of the other first-rounders start to get signed. Nobody wants to be among the first to sign - and then have a fellow agent come in with a better deal in a slot behind you. The pressure doesn't really build until about 24 hours before the first practice (it used to be the reporting deadline, but that went by the wayside a couple of years ago - missing a team meeting is one thing, missing a practice is another).
Eric R: What are the chances that (seventh-round pick) Tim Toone makes the roster over Derrick Williams?
Tom Kowalski: If it comes down to just those two, I'd have to give the strong edge to Williams because he's a higher draft choice, there's more investment in him and he's the superior athlete. However, that situation changes drastically if Toone shows some real spark in the return game. He doesn't appear to have great speed - he's more quick than fast - but a lot of that role is based on vision and fearlessness. Again, we'll have to wait until the preseason games to find out what he's really got.
Blarneylion: You mentioned in your article that Drew Stanton most likely won't be with the Lions football jerseys after this season. Are there any young quarterbacks on the team who could unseat him this year for the third spot?
We are thrilled to welcome our fans back to training camp this year," Lions president Tom Lewand said in a released statement. "Our fans provide outstanding support throughout the year, and training camp is another excellent opportunity for them to come out and watch this team gear up for a new season. As excited as they are to see us, we share that same enthusiasm, as they generate a great atmosphere throughout camp."
There is no charge for viewing practices. Gates open 30 minutes before each session.
Just like last year, the Lions also will hold an open practice at Ford Field at 4 p.m. Aug. 7. There is no charge for the practice, and doors open at 3 p.m. A 45-minute autograph session will take place before the practice.
Here is the full schedule of training-camp practices open to fans. All sessions are at the Allen Park headquarters, unless noted.
2010年7月15日星期四
The Dallas Cowboys would seem to have all the pieces in place
The Cowboys went 11-5 last season and finally won a playoff game, their first since 1996. They were 9-7 ATS and 10-6 to the 'under,' but with additional offensive firepower Dallas should improve on their 22.6 points per game average.
The Cowboys will need to if they hope to keep pace with the likes of the high scoring Saints and Vikings. Both of those teams averaged at least seven points per game more than the Cowboys did in '09.
The 'Boys were one of the better-balanced offensive teams in the NFL. They were second in total yards (399.4), sixth in passing (267.9) and seventh in rushing (131.4). Tony Romo was third in the league in passing yards (4,483), and had 27 touchdowns and just nine interceptions. While he had has best statistical season, there are more than just a few Cowboys fans who still don't view him as one of the elite QB's in the game.
Miles Austin became the big-play weapon in the Cowboys football jerseys arsenal with 81 receptions, 1,320 yards and 11 touchdowns. He's also replaced Romo as the team's most publicized player thanks to his relationship with reality television star Kim Kardashian.
Roy Williams, who had 38 catches and seven touchdowns, along with Patrick Crayton who had 37 grabs give Dallas solid options. However Crayton could be traded to open up a spot for rookie Dez Bryant from Oklahoma State. Bryant's got game but he's also got character issues (think Moss and Owens).
Still, owner Jerry Jones loves the guy and what Jerry wants, he gets.
Dallas has the best TE in the game in Jason Witten. The former DeMarcus Ware Tennessee standout had 94 receptions last season for 1,030 yards and two touchdowns.
Marion Barber led the rushing attack with 932 yards and seven touchdowns. Felix Jones had a glossy 5.9 yards per carry while Tashard Choice averaged 5.1 per carry. All three backs are excellent receivers as well and combined for 60 receptions.
It's not just the academics - about a year ago, he spent 30 days in jail for a DUI. So, this is one of those guys where there is some off-field stuff as well. Teams will want to do their due diligence to make sure they're not taking too much of a chance. But he is a talented player - measures in at just a shade under 6-foot-2, 318 pounds at the recent private workout he had for clubs. 18 teams were present at the workout, and several sent their directors of player personnel. He has the size to hold up inside, but he doesn't have great strength - he only had 21 reps at the 225-pound bench press at his private workout, and that would have been the worst of any defensive tackle over 295 pounds that was invited to this year's scouting combine.
But you see some athletic ability and some "want-to" on the field. He's a productive player - not a superstar, but a guy who makes you think he's coming around to being something special. He's moving up on a lot of charts, because he's an established player in the Big 10, and a lot of teams are starting to warm up to him. He's probably the safest of the four players.
I asked Rob about the tradeoff between strength and speed - if he doesn't have the upper-body strength to hang in as a true nose tackle, and lacks the explosiveness to be a legitimate three-tech, does that make him a one-tech specialist?
That's the concern I have for him. He's not a natural pass-rusher and he doesn't have the lateral quickness to make it as a three-technique tackle. I see him in a 4-3, but not as a true nose tackle. He's a one-gap player; he just doesn't have the strength to be a two-gap guy at this point. He can contribute even as a rookie as a rotational player, but I don't know if he'll ever be a standout.
The Cowboys will need to if they hope to keep pace with the likes of the high scoring Saints and Vikings. Both of those teams averaged at least seven points per game more than the Cowboys did in '09.
The 'Boys were one of the better-balanced offensive teams in the NFL. They were second in total yards (399.4), sixth in passing (267.9) and seventh in rushing (131.4). Tony Romo was third in the league in passing yards (4,483), and had 27 touchdowns and just nine interceptions. While he had has best statistical season, there are more than just a few Cowboys fans who still don't view him as one of the elite QB's in the game.
Miles Austin became the big-play weapon in the Cowboys football jerseys arsenal with 81 receptions, 1,320 yards and 11 touchdowns. He's also replaced Romo as the team's most publicized player thanks to his relationship with reality television star Kim Kardashian.
Roy Williams, who had 38 catches and seven touchdowns, along with Patrick Crayton who had 37 grabs give Dallas solid options. However Crayton could be traded to open up a spot for rookie Dez Bryant from Oklahoma State. Bryant's got game but he's also got character issues (think Moss and Owens).
Still, owner Jerry Jones loves the guy and what Jerry wants, he gets.
Dallas has the best TE in the game in Jason Witten. The former DeMarcus Ware Tennessee standout had 94 receptions last season for 1,030 yards and two touchdowns.
Marion Barber led the rushing attack with 932 yards and seven touchdowns. Felix Jones had a glossy 5.9 yards per carry while Tashard Choice averaged 5.1 per carry. All three backs are excellent receivers as well and combined for 60 receptions.
It's not just the academics - about a year ago, he spent 30 days in jail for a DUI. So, this is one of those guys where there is some off-field stuff as well. Teams will want to do their due diligence to make sure they're not taking too much of a chance. But he is a talented player - measures in at just a shade under 6-foot-2, 318 pounds at the recent private workout he had for clubs. 18 teams were present at the workout, and several sent their directors of player personnel. He has the size to hold up inside, but he doesn't have great strength - he only had 21 reps at the 225-pound bench press at his private workout, and that would have been the worst of any defensive tackle over 295 pounds that was invited to this year's scouting combine.
But you see some athletic ability and some "want-to" on the field. He's a productive player - not a superstar, but a guy who makes you think he's coming around to being something special. He's moving up on a lot of charts, because he's an established player in the Big 10, and a lot of teams are starting to warm up to him. He's probably the safest of the four players.
I asked Rob about the tradeoff between strength and speed - if he doesn't have the upper-body strength to hang in as a true nose tackle, and lacks the explosiveness to be a legitimate three-tech, does that make him a one-tech specialist?
That's the concern I have for him. He's not a natural pass-rusher and he doesn't have the lateral quickness to make it as a three-technique tackle. I see him in a 4-3, but not as a true nose tackle. He's a one-gap player; he just doesn't have the strength to be a two-gap guy at this point. He can contribute even as a rookie as a rotational player, but I don't know if he'll ever be a standout.
2010年7月13日星期二
Browns' Rogers to attend weapons course
Mangini followed former mentor Bill Belichick's blueprint and brought in a core of players from his former team to upgrade his current one. There could be four defensive starters from that group: Bowens, DE Kenyon Coleman, ILB Eric Barton and S Abram Elam. Defense is Mangini's specialty, and he's teaming up with coordinator Rob Ryan, who came over from the Raiders, to build the Browns' unit. Cleveland gave up 151.9 rushing yards per game last season, and that needs to change immediately since the team opens its season against the Vikings, who feature Pro Bowl RB Adrian Peterson.
The Browns football jerseys finished the 2008 season by being shut out twice, which Joe Thomas is extremely rare in the NFL. In fact, the team ended the season on a six-game skid and scored just 31 total points during that stretch. Jamal Lewis averaged only one touchdown in 70 rushes, and that needs to improve, as does the quarterback play. Cleveland fans love Brady Quinn, but he hasn't proven that he can put points on the board. Derek Anderson is 13-12 as a starter in Cleveland and threw 38 touchdown passes in those games.
As part of the program -- which will be handed down Thursday during his arraignment in Cuyahoga Shaun Rogers Common Pleas Court -- Rogers must complete a 10-hour weapons course and 40 hours of community service. Charges against the nine-year veteran will be dropped upon completion of the course.The Browns, however, are still awaiting word on any potential suspension to be handed down from Commissioner Roger Goodell."Shaun is appreciative of the consideration he received in this case," said Rogers' attorney Patrick D'Angelo. "He understands this is a serious matter, and he wanted to assure everyone that he did not act intentionally in this case."
"I'm hopeful and confident that Shaun will complete the program successfully and that this will be expunged from his record," said D'Angelo.Rogers was arrested before boarding a flight to Houston. The two-time Pro Bowler told airport security that he forgot he had the loaded gun in his bag. He pleaded not guilty.
2010年7月11日星期日
Can the Cowboys Win It All on Home Turf in 2010?
Cowboy favorites such as Everson Walls, Michael Downs, Jack Peavey, Eugene Lockhart and Randal Williams will be there to play, sign autographs and take pictures with fans.
The event and proceeds will assist the Flower Mound Police Association in its efforts to aid local charities such as Denton County Children's Advocacy Center for abused and neglected children, the Flower Mound Police Relief Fund, as well as other local organizations.
The singer/actress was rumoured to have been romancing the ex-San Francisco 49ers and New Orleans Saints player since May after almost a year as a single woman.
And she used her birthday bash in Capri to show off her new beau, hugging and kissing Johnson onboard a yacht.
The new couple was also spotted looking cozy during a sightseeing trip around the Italian island on Friday.
Recently in the media, this story has gone a little unnoticed by reporters. It seems that most NFL fans would rather forget about considering the Cowboys serious Super Bowl contenders just yet, as the last time we all went ahead and deemed them "favorites," they totally collapsed midway through the 2008 season.
However, this time round, things look a little different. Instead of looking at a half-decent 2008 new Dallas Cowboys jerseys side that featured rambunctious Terrell Owens, we now look at a fully balanced and motivated team, who have taken the necessary strides to achieving ultimate success.
But where has this all come from in such a short amount of time?
I guess, nowhere that is really surprising. Like any good team, the Cowboys jerseys have continued to rebuild, and have truly applied the saying of "Just get back on the horse" quite well to the entire team.
On paper, it's no secret that the Cowboys have a rather impressive roster. According to some experts, the Cowboys football jerseys depth chart is the best in the league, and it is rather hard to argue with the combination of youth and experience that Wade Phillips now has in his hands.
As if this isn't weren't enough, though, the Cowboys finally (and I emphasize the word finally), have stayed out of the headlines this offseason.
2010年7月7日星期三
The Oakland Raiders issued a statement
"We did all that we could to intervene and assist with a myriad of issues with JaMarcus Russell," the statement started. "NFL policy restricts our ability to comment publicly at this time. Therefore, those in the media who declare what the new Oakland Raiders jerseys knew or should have known or what the Raiders jerseys did or should have done, are reckless, irresponsible and offensive and do a disservice to all concerned, including the public."
The 24-year-old Russell was arrested for possession of the controlled substance at his Mobile, Alabama home during an undercover investigation.
Russell played high school football at Williamson High School in Mobile then went on to play college ball at LSU from 2003 through 2006.
Unfortunately, because it's an audio interview,.
Amongst the topics that Lamarr and I discussed:
- His unconventional route to the defensive line after being an All-State running back in high school.
- How Texas defensive coordinator (and head coach in waiting) Will Muschamp helped him reach the NFL level.
- His discussions with fellow Oakland rookie and former Alabama linebacker Rolando McClain about last year's BCS National Championship Game.
- What he hopes to learn from veteran Oakland defensive tackle Richard Seymour.
- How Jason Campbell has already made his presence felt in Oakland.
- What Lamarr's expectations are for his new team heading into the 2010 NFL season.
The 24-year-old Russell was arrested for possession of the controlled substance at his Mobile, Alabama home during an undercover investigation.
Russell played high school football at Williamson High School in Mobile then went on to play college ball at LSU from 2003 through 2006.
Unfortunately, because it's an audio interview,.
Amongst the topics that Lamarr and I discussed:
- His unconventional route to the defensive line after being an All-State running back in high school.
- How Texas defensive coordinator (and head coach in waiting) Will Muschamp helped him reach the NFL level.
- His discussions with fellow Oakland rookie and former Alabama linebacker Rolando McClain about last year's BCS National Championship Game.
- What he hopes to learn from veteran Oakland defensive tackle Richard Seymour.
- How Jason Campbell has already made his presence felt in Oakland.
- What Lamarr's expectations are for his new team heading into the 2010 NFL season.
2010年7月5日星期一
Born in Alexander City, Alabama
Over the holiday weekend the Philadelphia Eagles quarterback hosted another "All White" party, this time at the Park at Fourteenth in Washington D.C. Formally hosted by Vick and friends, the party included some barbecue and an open bar for the first hour and only took an email in order to get put on the guest list.
It was only two short weeks ago that the former federal prisoner had another White Party on his birthday. That party was infamously busted up after a fight that ended with gun shots broke out as the club was shutting down.
A former co-defendant of Vick's from his dog-fighting trial, Quanis Phillips, was shot during the fight. As a condition of his release, Vick was not supposed to have contact with any of the co-defendants from the trial.
When Vick was reinstated last season he was told by Commissioner Roger Goodell that he would have little room for error in the near future. The NFL is still conducting an investigation into the incident.
On the field, Owens had 77 receptions for 1,200 yards and a record 14 touchdowns before severely injuring his ankle. In 2004, Owens was in yet another controversy when he appeared in a Monday Night Football promo (video), opposite Desperate Housewives star Nicollette Sheridan, who seductively dropped her towel and jumped into the arms of the Philadelphia Eagles star.
During the early 2005 season, Owens went out with a groin injury during a practice as he renegotiated his seven-year deal with the Eagles worth $49 million. In November 2005, this bad boy was under a four game deferral following comments "detrimental to the team" after Owens' public complaint that the Eagles showed "a lack of class" by not recognising his 100th career touchdown against San Diego on October 23, 2005.
A permanent ban was later handed down when Coach Andy Reid informed Owens he would not be returning to the Philadelphia Eagles for the remainder of the season.
It was in March 2006 that the Eagles management, in a one-sentence statement, finally announced that they were officially cutting him from the team. Few days later, in a surprise move ,the Dallas Cowboys announced they had signed the star receiver to a three-year, $25 million contract including a $5 million bonus and $5 million salary this season, $8 million in 2007 and $7 million in 2008.
Owens, who missed most of the pre-season because of a hamstring injury, began the 2006-2007 seasons with a broken finger and was expected to be on the injury list until October.
News agencies were keeping a close eye on reports that Owens was once again hospitalized in Dallas for an undesirable reaction to painkillers that he was prescribed for his injury.
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