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Volume 8, Issue 63 (Tuesday, June 26th)
LIMITED TIME OFFERS Order "*FanDraft - Fantasy Football Draft Board*" software by July 1st, andyou can save $5.00! Coupon Code: *528F6*Hi Folks, Big news today as we unveiled our new website. Check it out www.footballguys.com We're still working through the rough edges so thanks for your patience. If you see something that's a problem, let us know. If you'd like to discuss the new look, we've got a good thread going on our message boards here. If you haven't registered for the boards, join the 23,000+ users that have and get in on the conversation. Before we get to the News and Notes, let's do the Quote Of The Day: "I didn't know paintball was that dangerous. I hope it wasn't friendly fire." Washington LB Marcus Washington on teammate LaRon Landry who was injured in a paintball accident after taking a shot to the groin. OK, let's get to it. JSITE NEWS A.
Get Your JOE On Photography Contest
This one could be epic. We've stashed $1,500 into the prize pool and we're looking to give it away to some of you. You can see details by clicking the link but it's pretty simple. 1. Send us a self addressed stamped envelope and we'll mail you back a Blackeyed Joe sticker and a couple of tattoos. 2. Put the sticker in the coolest place you can find. 3. Take a photo and email it to us. With the group of guys we have, I'm expecting one of these things to wind up on the Space Shuttle or something equally fun. Here are a couple of photos I received yesterday: http://footballguys.com/cusick_112_1202_IMG.jpg and http://footballguys.com/cusick_2.jpg Have fun. Be creative. And try not to get arrested. INSIDE THIS ISSUE 1. NYJ - Q&A With Thomas Jones2. KC - Chiefs LB Grigsby Moves To FB 3. TEN - Titans CB Jones Sued Over Las Vegas Shooting Incident 4. MIA - Dolphins Extend GM Randy Mueller's Contract 5. NFL Training Camp Schedule 6. Disabled Players Testify Before Congress 7. Woman Sues Claiming Harassment During Super Bowl Ad Contest 8. DEF - BUF - Bills Show Interest In SS Darius 9. DEF - CHI - Bears Holding Firm With LB Briggs Source: Hoss Aultman, Jets.scout.com Q: It seems like this offense spreads the ball to more people than in Chicago . . . Jones: Here we have so many good players on offense - so many good receivers and very good running backs. There are a lot of weapons on offense, so they have a lot of different ways to get guys the ball. Q: What are your impressions of Chad Pennington so far? Jones: He is a smart guy who comes to work every day. He has a presence in the huddle. I have watched his career because we came out in the same year of the draft. I'm just fortunate to be able to play with him. Q: What are your thoughts on some people questioning your receiving skills? Jones: I don't really pay attention to how people look at my skills. I do what the coaches ask me to do. If they throw me the ball, I feel pretty good about catching it. Q: You are considered a workout warrior. What is your mindset during off-season workouts? Jones: I try my best to rest as much as I can in the beginning of the offseason. Once I get into the middle of it, I try to go really, really hard. I don't really stop during the break before training camp. I continue to work hard up until camp. That mentally prepares me for training camp and two-a-days and how hard it is. Q: Can you describe your workout schedule? Jones: Usually, I work out Monday through Thursday and then I have a personal trainer for Friday. Sunday is the day that I take off. My workouts are broken up, where I can get enough rest during the week. I enjoy working out. Even if I didn't play football, I would be one of those guys working out at the gym. Q: Did you get a chance to talk to fellow Virginia grad Tiki Barber about playing in New York? Jones: I talked to him about it last year. New York is a great place to play football. It's one of those things that if you do really well, you can have a lot of fun and be real successful. I'm fortunate to be here in New York. I'm from Virginia, so I'm much closer to home. All my family can come see me more now. I'm just happy to be here.[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Nothing earth shaking here as Jones is saying all the right things. We're excited about his prospects in New York. The Jets finished a really nice season last year and look poised to build on that success. They really do need to get Pete Kendall calmed down and happy though. KC - Chiefs LB Grigsby Moves To FB Source: Adam Teicher, Kansas City Star Last year the Kansas City Chiefs used linebacker Boomer Grigsby as an emergency fullback during practices. He looked so natural in the position that HC Herm Edwards approached Grigsby at the end of the season to suggest he make the switch to FB this year. The Chiefs have been quietly impressed during offseason practices with Grigsby's aptitude for his new position and are hopeful he could wind up as the lead blocker in short-yardage and goal-line situations - and perhaps even more. Grigsby has already shown the Chiefs some skill as a runner and pass receiver. "Now that I'm doing this, I wish it was something I'd been doing my whole life," Grigsby said. "I can't be mad because linebacker is what got me here. That's what's most important. But I'm really enjoying this. "At linebacker, I turned into just another guy. I had kind of assumed that backup role and I didn't know if that would ever change. This is something totally different. I think I have a chance now."[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] As a former linebacker, Grigsby has the right attitude for fullback. It's a position the Chiefs have needed help with ever since Tony Richardson left for Minnesota last year. TEN - Titans CB Jones Sued Over Las Vegas Shooting Incident Source: NFL.com Tennessee Titans cornerback Pacman Jones was named as one of several individuals in a civil lawsuit filed on behalf of a Las Vegas, Nevada strip club bouncer as the result of an incident which took place on February 19. The bouncer was shot and also claims that Jones bit him in the left ankle during an altercation. Jones is facing criminal charges as a result of the incident as well. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] As if Jones didn't have enough to worry about already... MIA - Dolphins Extend GM Randy Mueller's Contract Source: Craig Barnes. Sun-Sentinel.com Randy Mueller's contract as general manager of the Miami Dolphins has been extended and his salary will be revised, according to a source. The extension is expected to carry Mueller through at least the 2010 season. Details of the salary adjustment were not available. Mueller's initial contract was three years for $2.1 million and ran through June 2008. After the hiring of Cam Cameron as coach, the Dolphins didn't immediately extend Mueller's contract. They are pleased with his working relationship with Cameron as well as his personnel moves in free agency and the draft. He declined to interview for a similar job with Tennessee in January.[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] With Nick Saban out of the picture now, Mueller was given control of personnel. He's had a long history in this business from Seattle to New Orleans to Miami. This team is at a cross roads it would appear though and Mueller has his work cut out for him. Source: Yahoo AFC EAST Buffalo BillsSite: St. Fisher College. Rochester, NY. First practice: July 26 Miami Dolphins Site: Team practice facility. Davie, Fla. First practice: July 28 New England Patriots Site: Gillette Stadium. Foxborough, Mass. First practice: July 27 New York Jets Site: Hofstra University. Hempstead, NY. First practice: July 28 AFC NORTH Baltimore RavensSite: McDaniel College. Westminster, Md. First practice: July 30 Cincinnati Bengals Site: Georgetown College. Georgetown, Ky. First practice: July 27 Cleveland Browns Site: Team training facility. Berea, Ohio First practice: July 27 Pittsburgh Steelers Site: Saint Vincent College. Latrobe, Pa. First practice: July 24 AFC SOUTH Houston TexansSite: Team practice facility. Houston, Texas First practice: July 27 Indianapolis Colts Site: Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology. Terre Haute, Ind. First practice: July 30 Jacksonville Jaguars Site: Jacksonville Municipal Stadium. Jacksonville, Fla. First practice: July 28 Tennessee Titans Site: Baptist Sports Park. Nashville, Tenn. First practice: July 27 AFC WEST Denver BroncosSite: Dove Valley. Englewood, Colo. First practice: July 29 Kansas City Chiefs Site: University of Wisconsin-Rivers Fall. Rivers Fall, Wis. First practice: July 27 Oakland Raiders Site: Napa Valley training complex. Napa, Calif. First practice: July 27 San Diego Chargers Site: Chargers Park. San Diego, Calif. First practice: July 28 NFC EAST Dallas CowboysSite: Alamodome. San Antonio, Texas. First practice: July 25 New York Giants Site: University of Albany. Albany, NY. First practice: July 28 Philadelphia Eagles Site: Lehigh University. Bethlehem, Pa. First practice: July 28 Washington Redskins Site: Redskins Park, Ashburn, Va. First practice: July 28 NFC NORTH Chicago BearsSite: Olivet Nazarene University. Bourbonnais, Ill. First practice: July 27 Detroit Lions Site: Team practice facility. Allen Park, Mich. First practice: July 26 Green Bay Packers Site: Don Hutson Center. Green Bay, Wis. First practice: July 28 Minnesota Vikings Site: Minnesota State University. Mankato, Minn. First practice: July 27 NFC SOUTH Atlanta FalconsSite: Team headquarters. Flowery Branch, Ga. First practice: July 26 Carolina Panthers Site: Wofford College. Spartanburg, S.C. First practice: July 28 New Orleans Saints Site: Millsaps College. Jackson, Miss. First practice: July 26 Tampa Bay Buccaneers Site: Disney Wide World of Sports Complex. Kissimmee, Fla. First practice: July 27 NFC WEST Arizona CardinalsSite: Northern Arizona University. Flagstaff, Ariz. First practice: July 29 St. Louis Rams Site: Team practice facility. St. Louis, Mo. First practice: July 27 San Francisco 49ers Site: Team practice facility. Santa Clara, Calif. First practice: July 29 Seattle Seahawks Site: Team practice facility. Kirkland, Wash. First practice: July 29 [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] If you're like me, you cannot wait for late July... Disabled Players Testify Before Congress Source: CBS Aging NFL retirees told Congress Tuesday that playing professional football left them with broken bodies, brain damage and empty bank accounts. Lawmakers said they may get involved if a better pension and disability system isn't created. Former NFL players told a sympathetic House Judiciary subcommittee tales of multiple surgeries, dementia and homelessness, all while trying to fight through the red tape of the National Football League and the NFL Players Association's disability system. The league and the players association said pensions are improving and there's no need for Congress to step in.[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] It's an interesting discussion as the older players see the incredible amount of money that the league is generating now and they feel they deserve some assistance. Woman Sues Claiming Harassment During Super Bowl Ad Contest Source: Reuters A middle-aged Massachusetts woman sued the National Football League on Tuesday, alleging she was sexually harassed while taking part in a television advertising competition. Margaret Watters, 55, said she was groped and fondled by a technician while being fitted with a microphone just before pitching her concept in the "Pitch your idea for the best NFL Super Bowl Commercial Ever. Seriously" contest. She is seeking unspecified damages and court costs, said her lawyer, Salvatore DeSantis, who filed the complaint in New York State Supreme Court.[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] This is the kind of thing that happens on a slow news day... DEF - BUF - Bills Show Interest In SS Darius Source: Chris Brown, BuffaloBills.com The Buffalo Bills hosted free agent safety Donovin Darius Tuesday. One of the selling points of the Bills for Darius is that there are some familiar faces on the Buffalo coaching staff. His rookie season Darius worked under then Jacksonville DC Dick Jauron. Current Bills DC Perry Fewell was also Darius' position coach the first five seasons of his career in Jacksonville. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Darius isn't the player he once was but he's a high character guy that can still help a team. Some of the Bills staff is familiar with him and that will help Darius. Stay tuned. DEF - CHI - Bears Holding Firm With LB Briggs Source: Len Pasquarelli, ESPN Even though the Chicago Bears have recently signed cornerback Nathan Vasher to a 5-year, $28 million contract extension and it is believed they have offered a similar deal to CB Charles Tillman, there has been no change in the teams negotiating stance with disgruntled linebacker Lance Briggs. Chicago has not budged from a one-year qualifying offer for their franchise linebacker, a tender that carries a price tag of $7.206 million. A much more pressing priority for the Bears is a long-term extension for defensive tackle Tommie Harris, who has 2 years remaining on his rookie deal signed in 2004. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Interesting. I'm sure Briggs is looking around at the Bears throwing money at these players while he's not seeing anything. And it doesn't look like any is heading his way soon. After Tillman, the team will likely focus on getting DT Tommie Harris locked up. That'll do it for today, Folks. Have a great Wednesday and we'll see you tomorrow with the update. J |
