Mar/07/08 06:39 PM Filed in:
Ray Lewis
February 29, 2008.
First Floyd Mayweather signs with the WWE, now
MediaTakeOut.com is hearing whispers that NFL's Ray
Lewis is close to signing on to the Ultimate Fighting
Championship mixed martial arts league.
According to a person who works at U.F.C., the
Baltimore Ravens star linebacker and the league have
been negotiating for months and are close to closing
the deal. The insider told MediaTakeOut.com, "Ray
Lewis was an All-American wrestler in high school,
and he's just an all around bad a**. He'll fit in
perfectly here."
And the insider claims that the deal wouldn't
interfere with Ray's NFL career. He explained to
MediaTakeOut.con, "We're not looking to sign him on
full-time, just a match or two a year - and he can
handpick the opponent ... He has such a big name that
it will do wonders for the sport."
(mediatakeout.com)
Mar/07/08 06:38 PM Filed in:
Aubrey Huff
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -
It lasted only three pitches, but Aubrey Huff
described it as the most nerve-racking spring
training at-bat of his career. "It was surprising,"
Huff said. "My timing felt pretty good. I actually
saw the ball well and everything just felt nice and
relaxed and comfortable after the first pitch. It
felt good just getting back out there." Huff, who had
surgery to repair a sports hernia in January, made
his spring debut in the Orioles' 2-1 loss to the
Florida Marlins yesterday at Fort Lauderdale Stadium.
As the team's designated hitter, he went 0-for-2,
flying out to center field in the second inning and
lining out to right field in the fourth.
Click here to continue
reading...
Mar/07/08 02:42 AM Filed in:
Dan Morgan
The Saints have loaded
up at linebacker this offseason by plucking two
former Miami Hurricane linebackers from east-coast
teams. First, the Saints traded for Jets LB Jonathan
Vilma to start at middle linebacker.
Nearly one week into free agency,
the Saints have signed long-time Panthers linebacker
Dan Morgan, according to the Gaston Gazette.
Morgan, 29, 6'2, 245, is an
instinctive and imposing linebacker with the neck of
a tree trunk and a history of outstanding play. The
former collegiate fullback also played weakside
linebacker at Miami, where is he expected to play in
New Orleans. The Saints have two-year starter Scott
Shanle under contract, and Morgan is expected to
compete for the starting job. In Carolina, Morgan has
started at all three linebacker positions.
Click here to continue
reading...
Mar/06/08 10:07 PM Filed in:
Warrren Sapp
Warren Sapp certainly
could have benefited from better timing. When the
Oakland Raiders defensive tackle finalized his
retirement on the same day that Green Bay Packers
quarterback Brett Favre was calling it quits, you
knew whom the spotlight would favor.
Sapp's departure from the NFL generated little if any
buzz. Favre's decision to walk out the door, on the
other hand, created so many tremors around the league
that you would have thought God had packed it in
earlier this week.
The reality here is that Sapp's 13-year career is
also worth putting into perspective. It's even more
critical now because in a few years we'll be arguing
about whether he belongs in the Hall of Fame. Sure,
he was a dominant defensive lineman. But sensational
talent and prolific productivity don't make you a
lock for the Hall of Fame. If they did, then
perennial Pro Bowlers such as Derrick Thomas and Cris
Carter certainly would be enshrined by now.
Click here to continue
reading...
Mar/06/08 10:04 PM Filed in:
Kellen
Winslow
The Cleveland Browns
now have two perennial Pro Bowl players who are
looking for a new contract. Those two players are
receiver Braylon Edwards and tight end Kellen
Winslow. With the Browns signing Shaun Rogers to a
big contract extension, this will definitely light
the fire under these two players to speak even
louder. In this article we will highlight Kellen
Winslow and his desire to get a new contract and if
he even deserves one.
Without a doubt, no one can deny the pure athletic
ability that Winslow has and he definitely will have
a bright future in the NFL. However in May of
2005, Winslow who read the rules of the contract (we
hope) before he signed it, showed how young he truly
is when he got into a motorcycle accident that tore
his ACL and brought an end to his 2005 season.
Winslow who signed a six-year, $40 million dollar
contract in 2004, was in jeopardy of losing a huge
majority of that due to breaching a hazardous
activities clause in his contract.
To be honest, the Cleveland Browns had every single
right to take back the $6 million dollar signing
bonus and the $4.4 million dollar option bonus that
he was paid in March of 2005 just two months prior to
the accident. This would be Winslow’s
second season that he would miss, with Winslow
breaking his leg in game 2 of the 2004 season.
Click here to continue
reading...
Mar/06/08 10:02 PM Filed in:
Warrren Sapp
Former Raiders and
Buccaneers defensive lineman Warren Sapp made his
retirement official on the same day that Packers
quarterback Brett Favre did, and although Sapp
didn’t hold a tearful press conference, he did
appear on Pardon the Interruption:
Asked
whether it bothers him that Favre gets all the
attention, Sapp said, “I like this nice quiet
exit.”
Of Favre, Sapp said, “When
you have the beacon of the NFL for so many years
retiring, he deserves everything that he got.”
He then referred to the 2013 Hall of Fame voting,
when they’ll both be eligible for the first
time, and said, “In five years, hopefully when
they mention his name they might think of me,
too.”
As for leaving the Raiders, Sapp
doesn’t sound like he’ll miss them. He
said that when the team got its first win of the 2007
season, instead of being congratulated, the players
were reminded, “It’s been 322 days since
we won a game.”
He also said that in Oakland,
“Nobody knows who’s running the
show,” which is a pretty good sign that head
coach Lane Kiffin doesn’t have control.
And as for his feelings about
playing in 2008, Sapp said, “It would be a job,
and I said when it becomes a job for me, that’s
when I get out.”
(footballgab.com)
Mar/06/08 10:00 PM Filed in:
Jeff Feagles
Punter Jeff Feagles
re-signed Tuesday with the New York Giants for two
more seasons.
Financial terms were not disclosed.
Jeff Feagles re-signed Tuesday with the New York
Giants through 2009.
(David Duprey/Associated Press)
Feagles, who represents himself in
negotiations, earned $1 million US last season, and
helped the Giants win Super Bowl XLII.
At 41, he is the oldest player to
compete in the Super Bowl, won 17-14 over the
previously unbeaten New England Patriots.
“I’m just very, very
happy to have a chance to come back and play for the
defending world champions,” Feagles said.
“It feels great.” Click here to continue
reading...
Mar/06/08 09:59 PM Filed in:
Michael Irvin
El Paso, Texas - United
Blood Services, the selected non-profit organization
for the Annual WinStar Derby Gala, is selling tickets
to the public for the annual WinStar Sertby Gala.The
event scheduled for Saturday, March 15, 2008, is
traditionally sold out, but due to the event landing
the week of Spring Break, some annual table sponsors
did not renew their commitments this year.
Approximately 100 tickets are available to the
public, $125 each. The event, which takes place in
the Signature Showroom at Sunland Park Racetrack,
includes butler service with champagne and hors
d'oeuvres, dinner, a silent and live auction, and the
opportunity to listen to former Dallas Cowboy wide
receiver, Michael Irvin. Click here to continue
reading...
Mar/06/08 09:57 PM Filed in:
Warrren Sapp
Warren Sapp
6'2", 300 lbs, Defensive Tackle College: Miami (FL)
1st round draft pick (12th overall) of the 1995 Draft
(Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
Stats
-7 time Pro-Bowler
(1997-2003 consecutively)
-6 time All-Pro (1997-2002 consecutively) -1999
Defensive Player of the Year -Super Bowl Champion
(XXXVII) -5th on active career sacks list with 96.5,
(28th overall) -88th on career games started list
(188) -19 career forced fumbles
Argument
Against: While
Sapp's sack total is impressive, he never led the NFL
in sacks in a single season. Sapp can be a negative
influence (fined for referee confrontation in 2007)
when things aren't going well. He can get heavy at
times and lose some of his explosiveness. He was
dominant for 7 years consecutively and that was it
(except for 10 sacks in 2006 with Oakland). He took 3
of his 4 seasons off in Oakland while playing for a
bad team but collecting $33 million (only averaged 32
tackles a season).
(armchairgm.com)
Mar/06/08 09:56 PM Filed in:
Pat Burrell
“Of all the years
I’ve been here, I think this about the best
attitude we’ve had - Are we thrilled at a
chance to play in the postseason? Of course! Across
the board, guys are even more excited about the
possibility of taking it to the next level…I
think with the group we have coming back and one more
year of experience, guys are looking to not only get
into the postseason but take it to the next level,
and I think we’re starting off on the right
path…” - Pat Burrell talks about how the
Phillies won't take last year's success for granted.
(mlbonxm.blogspot.com)
Mar/05/08 05:49 PM Filed in:
Jonathan
Vilma
While appearing on WFAN
earlier today, former Jets linebacker Jonathan Vilma
talked with Joe Benigno and Evan Roberts.
Are you a little
bitter that Mangini came in here and played to the
strength of what you guys do best as opposed to
trying to enforce his system on you?
No, considering that 1, it was an
experience, now I can say that I’ve played in a
3-4, so I understand that defense. 2, looking at Eric
Mangini’s side, you have a coach who’s
been in a defense that not only won one super bowl,
but won multiple super bowls and he was a part of
that and experienced that first hand, so you expect
him to come in and incorporate what he knows, what he
knows as a proven winner and use that as a defense.
So, you can always say that some of the guys he had
as far as personnel didn’t fit, but I know
they’re trying to get those guys now and trying
to get better on the defensive side and improve it.
You said earlier
that it’s best for the New York Jets and
it’s best for you that you are now with the New
Orleans Saints, that it works out for both parties.
Why in your mind is it best that you’re not a
New York Jet anymore?
No, it’s not best that
I’m not a Jet anymore, it’s best that we
parted ways on good terms, meaning we didn’t
have any friction. I know a lot of the media was
trying to say that I wanted out. I didn’t want
out, I was being proactive in the trade process, they
said that they we’re looking to trade me, which
is why I actually shopped around to see which teams
would want me. It’s not that I necessarily
didn’t want to be a Jet, because I’d love
to be a Jet. Click here to continue
reading...
Mar/05/08 05:47 PM Filed in:
Jeremy
Shockey
For weeks now, the New
York Giants have been saying they're still going to
keep Jeremy Shockey, aka Locker Room Cancer, because
of his talent.
As I've written before, it's
certainly odd that the Giants played their best
football with Shockey out of the lineup.
There's no question that Shockey is
one of the best tight ends in the league, but in a
game where sheer stats don't tell the entire story,
teams are better off without players that scream for
the ball every time.
The G-Men have Kevin Boss, who was
a rookie this year, to fill Shockey's
shoes. Boss filled in nicely and while he didn't
post great numbers, he scored touchdowns in the last
two games of the season. But most importantly, he
played within the team concept.
Plus, by trading Shockey, the Super
Bowl champs could get a lot in return...draft picks,
salary cap room, etc.
(bleacherreport.com)
Mar/05/08 05:46 PM Filed in:
Kenny
Phillips
NFL Draft Bible.Com' On
College Football has Kenny Phillips drafted in the
first round to the Arizona Cardinals with the 16th
pick.
Mar/05/08 05:43 PM Filed in:
Calais
Campbell
NFL Draft Bible.Com' On
College Football has Calais Campbell drafted in the
second round to the Cincinnati Bengals with the 47th
pick.
Mar/05/08 05:42 PM Filed in:
Tavares
Gooden
NFL Draft Bible.Com' On
College Football has Tavares Gooden drafted in the
second round to the Carolina Panthers with the 44th
pick.
Mar/05/08 05:40 PM Filed in:
William
Joseph
Former first round pick
(DT) William Joseph, who’s contract was
automatically voided by the Giants shortly after the
Super Bowl, is being looked at by the Cleveland
Browns. Joseph will be in Cleveland today taking a
physical.
(giantsbits.com)
Mar/05/08 07:23 AM Filed in:
Calais
Campbell
Today, meet Miami's
Calais Campbell. A prospect who was as highly
regarded as Gholston and Long entering his junior
season, but who now projects to be a late first-round
pick.
Campbell had a disappointing senior
season, registering just six sacks after posting 10.5
as a sophomore. He wasn't great in combine workouts
either, running a 5.1 40-yard dash and bench pressing
225 pounds 16 times.
Sidenote: In fairness to Campbell,
strength/speed guru Tom Shaw explained to me a couple
months ago that players with long arms will always
have a difficult time with the combine's bench press
test. Click here to keep
reading...
Mar/05/08 01:55 AM Filed in:
Vernon Carey
The Dolphins haven't
told Vernon Carey whether he will play right or left
tackle, and might not decide until minicamp.
(miamiherald.com)
Mar/04/08 06:14 PM Filed in:
Calais
Campbell
In my Seahawks Mock
Draft, I have Seattle taking Best Available Talent
with their first pick. I'm starting to wonder if
that's not a phenomenal place to grab a longterm
replacement for Patrick Kerney. Depending on the
progress of Baraka Atkins, Seattle is either thin or
very thin at defensive end. On a team that schemes
around pass rush, that would be a disastrous
deficiency. Still, you don't want to reach. You want
to take a top value, perhaps one that can learn on
the sidelines, or work in a rotation while Kerney
remains effective.
That got me thinking about Calais Campbell.
Campbell's stock dropped after a disappointing junior
season, and has now dropped further after a
disappointing Combine. One need only watch the guy to
see the talent is there. He's a true 6'8", and wears
his 290 like an Italian suite. He's lithe and agile
and quick in open space. Had he stayed in school and
posted a 10+ sack season, he'd be a confirmed top ten
pick. But thanks to a sucky junior season coinciding
with an even crappier campaign for his school, Miami,
Campbell is in danger of falling out of the first
round. You know who else had a sucky junior year,
Chris Long. Long recorded only 4.5 sacks in 2006. In
fact, since we're above using stats out of context to
evaluate a player, right?, let's take a look at the
three preeminent ends on the board in a slightly more
refined way. Campbell and Vernon Gholston are both
two year starters. Long started his sophomore season,
but we'll cut him a break (2 sacks) and include only
his past two (best) seasons. So instead of unduly
focusing on their most recent season, let's look at
their past two seasons and adjust for opponent pass
attempts faced. That way, instead of getting a static
number, we're left with a ratio: Sacks per pass
attempt. (Just for the sake of clarity, I then
projected their sack totals over 500 pass
attempts.) Click here to continue
reading...
Mar/04/08 06:14 PM Filed in:
Vernon Carey
Vernon Carey and his
wife, Latavia, took part in a school-wide FCAT pep
rally at Brownsville Middle School on Thursday,
February 21. The couple encouraged the students to
study hard, emphasized the importance of the test and
wished them well. The school selected ten girls and
ten boys to participate in the Vernon Carey
Mentorship Program for the 2007-08 school year. As
part of the program, these students previously
participated in the Miami Dolphins Holiday Toy Event,
the Breast Cancer Awareness Dolphins home game and
bowling at Lucky Strike.
(miamidolphins.com)
Mar/04/08 06:11 PM Filed in:
Dan Morgan
Former Panthers
linebacker Dan Morgan visited Detroit. He's also met
with New Orleans in an attempt to continue his
career.
(heraldonline.com)
Mar/04/08 06:11 PM Filed in:
Warrren Sapp
OAKLAND, Calif. (AP)
— Warren Sapp's 13-year NFL career officially
ended when his retirement was posted on the Oakland
Raiders' Web site.
Sapp said immediately after last
season that he was through playing, but did not file
the paper work. The posting on the team's site was
the first official word that the star defensive
tackle was done.
In January, the 35-year-old Sapp
posted a two-word message on his Web site: "I'M
DONE!" He had told teammates and coaches his plans
after the season finale against San Diego.
Considered the quintessential
"three technique" defensive tackle - lining up
between the offensive guard and tackle - Sapp made
seven Pro Bowls, won the 1999 Associated Press
Defensive Player of the Year award, and led Tampa
Bay's dominant defense that won the Super Bowl after
the 2002 season.
Sapp spent nine seasons in Tampa
before joining the Raiders in 2004 as a free agent.
He mostly struggled with the Raiders, except for a
strong 2006 in which he had 10 sacks, and had become
more of a situational player in his final
season. Click Here to continue
reading...
Mar/03/08 07:48 AM Filed in:
Bubba Franks
Recently released tight
end Bubba Franks will have a new home before the week
is out, according to his agent, Eugene Mato.
The Packers released Franks on Feb.
20 and he has drawn considerable interest since then,
Mato said. Though he wouldn't say which teams were
interested or where Franks would land, Mato said he
expected a deal to be done this week.
(jsonline.com)
Mar/03/08 07:42 AM Filed in:
Jonathan
Vilma
LB Jonathan Vilma
should be happier in New Orleans if he can stay
healthy. The Jets traded Vilma to the Saints largely
because he is a linebacker who prefers the 4-3 and
never performed as well in Eric Mangini's 3-4 system.
Vilma missed most of last season with a knee injury,
but the Saints desperately need to upgrade their
defense.
(sportingnews.com)
Mar/03/08 07:41 AM Filed in:
Devin Hester
The Bears will now turn
to Pro Bowl returner Devin Hester as their leading
wide receiver for 2008 and likely will be seeking to
bring in another player through free agency.
(rotoworld.com)
Mar/03/08 07:40 AM Filed in:
Aubrey Huff
Aubrey Huff hit against
live pitching again today and should get into a game
later this week. "I hope it's soon," he said,
smiling. "I'm getting bored." Huff, recovering from
sports hernia surgery, also ran the bases today, but
he still hasn't slid. "He's probably got a couple
more things he's got to do," Trembley said. "But
Richie told me that we're very close."
(baltimoresun.com)
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