The NFL

“Updated: March 27, 2006, 2:37 PM ET
'Manning Bowl', MNF twin bill highlight schedule peek ESPN.com news services


ESPN will kick off the new era of Monday Night Football with a doubleheader, NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue announced Monday.

Washington will host Minnesota in the opener (Sept. 11, 7 p.m. ET), followed by San Diego at Oakland (10:15 p.m. ET). The Vikings-Redskins game will features new Minnesota coach Brad Childress against a team which added a slew of free agents to an already talented 2005 playoff roster. The second game is highlighted by a pair of debuts -- Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers and Raiders head coach Art Shell.

Also, the Manning brothers will play each other for the first time to open NBC's Sunday Night football schedule. That game is Sept. 10 (8:15 p.m. ET) at the Meadowlands. According to the NFL, it will be the first time in league history that brothers will start at quarterback against each other.

The season opener will be Sept. 7, with defending Super Bowl champ Pittsburgh hosting Miami. NBC will televise the game, which will be the Dolphins debut for quarterback Daunte Culpepper, if he's healthy enough to start the season. That game is set for 8:30 p.m. ET.

Other schedule highlights announced Monday:

� Terrell Owens will make his Dallas debut in the first late Sunday afternoon telecast of the year (FOX) when the Cowboys visit Jacksonville.

� The first-ever tripleheader on Thanksgiving. The Dolphins will visit the Lions in the early game (CBS), followed by the Buccaneers at the Cowboys (FOX) and capped off by the Broncos at the Chiefs (NFL Network).

The Chiefs used to host a Thanksgiving Day game in the AFL days and have long campaigned to host one in the NFL.

"I've thought all those games should be rotated," Chiefs owner Lamar Hunt said Monday. "But it's a plus for us to have the first one at night.

"We have a history in them. We always hosted them before the merger, and we've wanted to do it again."

The Broncos-Chiefs match will be the first live, in-season game on NFL Network, which will show eight prime-time games from Thanksgiving through the end of the season. Those games will be on either Thursday or Saturday nights.

"It ought to bring a great rating," Hunt said. "People will be worn out from all of their Thanksgiving Day activities, so they can sit down and enjoy the game."

The rest of the 2006 schedule will be announced in April when it is finalized.”

“The furor over the superbowl appears to be gaining some steam. in fact, there's a whole line of merchandise being sold to advertize your dissatisfaction with the events surrounding the superbowl.

http://www.cafepress.com/vikingsboard/1335934

I'm in awe.”

“Gotta LOVE it!!!!”

“AWARD WINNING PHOTO



Pittsburgh Tribune-Review photographer Chaz Palla placed second in the 38th Annual Pro Football Hall of Fame Photo Contest in the action category for this award-winning photograph. It is of receiver Hines Ward scoring a touchdown on a pass from receiver Antwaan Randle El during the fourth quarter of the Steelers' Super Bowl XL victory over Seattle on Feb. 5 in Detroit.

Sports Illustrated photographer Peter Read Miller received first place in the action category with "All Charged Up." The color action image captures San Diego Chargers running back LaDainian Tomlinson in mid-air as he jumps over the line of scrimmage. The photo was taken during the Chargers' 48-10 victory over the Buffalo Bills on Nov. 20, 2005.
last edited: 5/13/06 9:54:55 PM”

“Vandersuck is running his mouth again

The NFL's most accurate kicker felt unappreciated toward the end of his eight seasons with Indianapolis, where his last attempt was a badly missed 46-yard field goal in the playoffs that would have forced overtime against eventual Super Bowl champion Pittsburgh.

"I feel very much wanted and needed here, and it's been a while since I felt that way."

The Colts let Vanderjagt's contract expire at the end of last season, bidding farewell to the league's most reliable kicker but one whose outspokenness sometimes agitated his team.
He was called an "idiot kicker" by quarterback Peyton Manning in 2003 after criticizing Manning for not showing enough emotion. Some in the Colts organization were also bothered when Vanderjagt tried a 46-yard field goal on the David Letterman Show following his miss in the AFC divisional playoffs.

"Michael Jordan missed game-winning jump shots, Tiger Woods missed putts. Does that mean they're not as good as you think they are?" Vanderjagt said.

"I'm the best kicker in the history of the game regardless of whether I missed my last kick or not, and that's the way I look at it."

http://www.sportsline.com/nfl/story/9479481

did he just compare himself to Jordan and Woods??!!...granted he is the most accurate kicker in the NFL but he is still just an "idiot kicker"...the dude needs to get off his high horse, he made his own bed in indy”

“Titans trade McNair to Ravens, pending physical

By PAUL KUHARSKY
Staff Writer


Finally ready to end the Steve McNair saga, the Titans said this afternoon they�ve granted permission for the Ravens to administer a physical for the quarterback, who will be traded if he passes.

�We have granted permission to Baltimore to give Steve McNair a physical, which we expect to take place in the next 24 hours,� the team said in a statement. �Upon passing a physical, final trade terms will be agreed upon.�

The Titans and McNair have had a tumultuous offseason. The team locked him out of its facility over liability concerns regarding his $23.46 million salary cap number for 2006 that includes a scheduled base salary of $9 million.

McNair and the NFLPA filed and won a grievance against the team that said the Titans had to reopen their doors to him.

But he�s not yet reported as both sides appeared to stall to force a move that would allow him to go to Baltimore.

The Ravens reached a draft day contract agreement with McNair. The five-year deal that�s awaiting him will pay an $11 million signing bonus and a $1 million base salary.

The physical has been scheduled for this evening in Baltimore, but the results won't be known until the morning.”

“Seahawks beat the Colts again today in preseason. So what else is new. Just another meaningless game for the Colts... as they all are.

Hey, Crash Bang. How's it going. Let's get the season started. Seahawks are going to win the Super Bowl this time.”

“hey johnny come lately. put your money where your mouth is and stick around after the seahawks inevitable slide back to mediocrity and worse and THEN ill believe youre a true fan. until then, youre just a bandwagon barney”

“ive been saying we wouldnt have a run game without edgerrin, and so far ive been right. but would anybody listen to me? nooooooooooo "the edge is so over-rated, he doesnt attend mini-camp, he doesnt play in pre-season games, blah blah blah" well edge-haters, you fcking happy now?”

“crowing about a pre-season win. you dont even know how to be a fan, us(eless)a”

“Have the Jones Cowboys been mathematically eliminated from the playoffs yet?”

“I'm not crowing about a preseason win. I just couldn't pass up the opportunity to raz you.”

“given your posting style, usa, i wasnt sure if you were trolling or just funnin. glad to see youre a good sport”

“i <3 suzy kolber”

“MIKE SANDO; The News Tribune
Published: August 27th, 2006 01:00 AM


SAN DIEGO � The Seattle Seahawks are heading to Beijing for an exhibition game next summer as the National Football League moves to capitalize on the world�s largest television market.
The Seahawks and the New England Patriots will become the first NFL teams to play in China.

League officials have discussed an arrangement whereby the Patriots would spend a week in Seattle, possibly playing an exhibition game at Qwest Field. The teams then would travel to China for several days of practices and public appearances, followed by another game.

http://www.thenewstribune.com/news/local/story/6056755p-5313932c.html


That should pretty much tire out the Patriots for the whole year after that flight.”

“Coach Arrested for Allegedly Driving Nude
Lions Assistant Arrested Twice in Past Two Weeks
AP
DEARBORN, Mich. (Sept. 6) - A Detroit Lions assistant coach was arrested twice in the past two weeks - once while police say he was driving nude and a week later on suspicion of drunken driving.


Most Popular Sports Stories
Rookie Sanchez No-Hits D'backsLawyers: Jones' 'B' Sample Is NegativeNFL Suspends Retired Tackle WelbournBig Unit Flirts With No-No as Yanks RollFired-Up Roddick Storms Past HewittPolice in the Detroit suburb of Dearborn said Joe Cullen, who coaches the team's defensive line, was pulled over Aug. 24 and ticketed on suspicion of indecent and obscene conduct.

The ticket does not provide any other information why Cullen allegedly was nude. The Lions said alcohol was involved.

Then, on Sept. 1, police stopped his 2006 Ford Explorer and determined he had a blood-alcohol content of 0.12 percent, court records show. The legal limit for drivers in Michigan in 0.08 percent.

Cullen, who lives in Dearborn, posted bond in both misdemeanor cases and was coaching at Wednesday's practice.

The 38-year-old, who was hired from the University of Illinois, issued a statement Wednesday to apologize.

"I would like to apologize to the Detroit Lions organization, our fans, my family and friends for any embarrassment these incidents have caused," he said. "These incidents represent a mistake in judgment on my part. I deeply regret them and have learned a valuable lesson. It won't happen again."

Lions president Matt Millen said in a statement that Cullen has requested treatment.

"We are obviously very disappointed," the statement said. "These are very serious matters that will be handled sternly and appropriately by our organization."

Cullen was scheduled to appear next week in 19th District Court for both cases.

Cullen was fired from the University of Mississippi in 2005 after an alcohol-related arrest at a restaurant.


Copyright 2006 The Associated Press”

“That blows their chances of winning the Super Bowl this year!”

“everybody ready for some good old southern sibling rivalry??!!!...we got manning vs. manning coming up this sunday!!!!....it's been way too long w/out football”

“First time in history!

Should be a great game!”

“here's a good commercial with the manning brothers

http://sports.espn.go.com/espntv/espnShow?showID=SRDA”

“ill be glad when the colts figure out that addai needs to be the starter”

“well that was underwhelming. colts beat giants on mannings arm and the refs little yellow flags. theyre gonna be in big trouble if they dont get that running game going and start tackling better

about as exciting as that seattle win over lowly detroit”

“ill be glad when the colts figure out that addai needs to be the starter

i'll be even more glad when they resign the edge...don't know what they are thinking...now their D can't defend against the run AND their offense can't produce with it...i guess manning's gonna get a chance to show just how good a QB he really is
last edited: 9/11/06 6:57:11 AM”

“Leftwich, often criticized locally and within the organization for his immobility, had a great line regarding his touchdown run, which came on a called QB draw:

"I'm not a slow quarterback. I'm just the slowest black quarterback. I'm in the middle of the pack with everyone else."

funny shiz”

“Doom & gloom in Dallas monday - too funny. I gave up on the Cowboys actually being good a while back because the soap opera/freak show is entertaining enough. I'll root for the 'Boys all season, but with their O-line they can't be a playoff team.”

“Tied for 6th place in the football pool at work. Big upsets of Denver and Carolina killed me this past week.

Week 2 looks to be interesting. Help me out here.

Sun 1:00 Baltimore Ravens
Oakland Raiders
*
Sun 1:00 Minnesota Vikings
Carolina Panthers
*
Sun 1:00 Cincinnati Bengals
Cleveland Browns
*
Sun 1:00 Chicago Bears
Detroit Lions
*
Sun 1:00 Philadelphia Eagles
New York Giants
*
Sun 1:00 Miami Dolphins
Buffalo Bills
*
Sun 1:00 Green Bay Packers
New Orleans Saints
*
Sun 1:00 Indianapolis Colts
Houston Texans
*
Sun 1:00 Atlanta Falcons
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
*
Sun 4:05 Seattle Seahawks
Arizona Cardinals
*
Sun 4:05 San Francisco 49ers
St. Louis Rams
*
Sun 4:15 Denver Broncos
Kansas City Chiefs
*
Sun 4:15 New York Jets
New England Patriots
*
Sun 4:15 San Diego Chargers
Tennessee Titans
*
Sun 8:15 Dallas Cowboys
Washington Redskins
*
Mon 8:30 Jacksonville Jaguars
Pittsburgh Steelers
*”

“Obvious winners
Cincinnati
Chicago
Indianapolis

Probably will win
Baltimore
Carolina
Atlanta
Seattle
St. Louis
New England
San Diego
Dallas

Tough call games

Sun 1:00 Philadelphia Eagles
New York Giants

Sun 1:00 Miami Dolphins
Buffalo Bills

Sun 1:00 Green Bay Packers
New Orleans Saints

Sun 4:15 Denver Broncos
Kansas City Chiefs

Mon 8:30 Jacksonville Jaguars
Pittsburgh Steelers


I think I have them all here.”

“The Seasquacks barely squeaked by the DETROIT LIONS!!!! HA HA HA HA HA!!!!!!!!”

“houston gave the colts a nice little practice yesterday...i even stopped watching after the 3rd”

“addai looked good. he needs to be the starter. i think we need to start a letter campaign and send it to tony dungy”

“i agree and that is the plan...i think they're just breaking him into the NFL nice and slow and houston was just the workout he needed

here's a good story

http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060918/SPORTS03/609180372”

“wow. kick axx jax. this sets up a primo game between the colts and jags. im just glad its at our home”

“Dolphins suck.”

“that was a sweet defensive show down...great to watch...makes me a little nervous though that jax is in our conference”

““Dolphins suck.”

no kidding! Culpepper got bagged more times than the local bar room slut.”

“well, i ragged on usa's team, so i guess i gotta rag on mine

my prediction: colts win next 47 regular season games, and score at least 50 points in every other home game (while allowing the opposition to score 49), but lose every post-season game they play in until peyton manning retires. after which, jim harbaugh comes out of retirement to lead the colts to a 7-9 season, but they make the playoffs anyway because of the p-word ("parity"), seeing as how the best record of any team is 9-7, and he takes them all the way to the superbowl, and while marvin harrison catches his 1500-andwhatever pass he needs to pass jerry rice on the all time receiver list, mike vanderjagt kicks 13 field goals for the cowboys, but shanks the potential game-winner far left (mirroring the pitt-shank of 05-06 season), but blames it on phil simms for not being emotional enough of a leader in the announcers booth. manning calls from hawaii to call mike an "idiot kicker"”

“Now, that's the kind of insightful analysis that makes me, as the ansentee owner of this thread, so proud. :)”

“motherfjcker! what do you gotta do to get pass interference called? prison sex the guy?”

“"prison sex the guy?”

I think that would be turd passing interference. But it can lead to illegal (bowel) movements in the backfield.”

“colt's are really dodging a bullet this week...i think jax will be in the market for a new kicker this week”

“Ha Ha, the 1-2 Pittsburgh Steelers suck. The Steelers don't win too many games when the referees don't hand the game to them.”

“wow. GOOD game jax and colts.”

“Nice to see how the Bengals can shine against the Steelers when they don't cheap shot the QB and take him out. LOL!”

“The Bengals shined? How many fumbles did little pooh pooh Carson have? How many interceptions? 80 some yards rushing?

I think it was more the Steelers offense beating themselves!

They won so congrats to them.”

“Nice game set up for next Sunday: undefeated Seattle at undefeated Chicago. A win by Seattle next week will ensure the road to the SuperBowl once again goes through Seattle.”

“Come on Tango! They beat themselves is older than 'the dog ate my homework' and 'I won't come in your mouth'. LOL!”

“Don't be rude. It would be the last time you'd ever come at all! EVER!!! Ha ha ha!

Come on. Wake up and smell the coffee. It's true when's the last time a team fumbled and got intercepted that much and still won? Doesn't happen too often. They scored the points and we didn't that's it.”

“Hell, that's shining for the Bengals! LOL!”