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NFL coaches visit troops in Iraq in first USO trip

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The soldiers expressed their gratitude over and over to the NFL coaches who made the trip to Iraq.

"They kept thanking us," said the Tennessee Titans' Jeff Fisher. "We kept thanking them."

Fisher, the New York Giants' Tom Coughlin, the Baltimore Ravens' John Harbaugh, former Pittsburgh Steelers coach Bill Cowher and former Tampa Bay Buccaneers coach Jon Gruden are taking part in the first NFL-USO coaches tour over the Fourth of July weekend.


Comments: 0     Views: 14   |   Fri, Jul 3 2009
 sports-profootball headlines

NFL coaches visit troops in Iraq in first USO trip

NFL coaches visit troops in Iraq in first USO trip

The soldiers expressed their gratitude over and over to the NFL coaches who made the trip to Iraq."They kept thanking us," said the Tennessee Titans' Jeff Fisher. "We kept thanking them."Fisher, the New York Giants' Tom Coughlin, the Baltimore Ravens' John Harbaugh, former Pittsburgh Steelers coach Bill Cowher and former Tampa Bay Buccaneers coach Jon Gruden are taking part in the first NFL-USO coaches tour over the Fourth of July weekend.

Comments: 0     Views: 14   |    Friday, July 3, 2009

CFL fines player for TD tribute to Michael Jackson

TORONTO -- The Canadian Football League fined Toronto Argonauts receiver Arland Bruce for "excessive actions" during his tribute to Michael Jackson after scoring a touchdown.  Bruce was fined an undisclosed amount, the CFL announced Thursday. After scoring on a 21-yard pass that put Toronto ahead 6-0, Bruce removed his helmet, shoulder pads and uniform top, then laid down in the end zone. Bruce said he was honoring the memory of Jackson by pretending to be buried.

Comments: 0     Views: 21   |    Thursday, July 2, 2009

'Fridge' improving with help from family, friends

'Fridge' improving with help from family, friends

COLUMBIA, S.C. -- Michael Dean Perry knows the day is coming when his good-natured, gap-toothed older brother nicknamed "The Fridge" will be back to his old, affable self. But that will take some time and William Perry understands that, Michael Dean said. William, the former NFL defensive lineman famous for his smile and 360-pound size, spent more than a month at Aiken Regional Medical Center this spring, suffering from Guillain-Barre syndrome, a disease where the body's immune system attacks its peripheral nerves.

Comments: 0     Views: 28   |    Thursday, July 2, 2009

Adamson: Goodell not afraid to make tough choices

In an era in which professional athletes act as though they are above the law -- mainly because in many cases that's how they're treated -- Roger Goodell stands above the crowd.  The legacy of the National Football League's commissioner won't be determined until long after he has retired, but already he has shown a willingness to make hard decisions.

Comments: 0     Views: 32   |    Wednesday, July 1, 2009

NFL players put the heavy in metal

NFL players put the heavy in metal

DALLAS -- Marc Colombo lowers his bald head and leans his sweaty, 6-foot-8, 318-pound frame toward the microphone, growling to the crowd that the next song will "rip your face off." The sometimes scary stage presence of the heavily tattooed guitarist and singer, who is one of three Dallas Cowboys offensive linemen in the heavy metal band Free Reign, is a thing of beauty for the head of the recording company that just signed them.

Comments: 0     Views: 58   |    Tuesday, June 30, 2009

No guarantees Arena Football League will resume in 2010

SAN JOSE, Calif. -- This is usually the best time of the year for everyone associated with the San Jose SaberCats. The Arena Football League's model franchise typically is in the playoffs, fans begin making ArenaBowl travel plans and eateries surrounding HP Pavilion are filled with green-and-black-clad patrons before and after home games. But there won't be a 10th consecutive appearance this summer.

Comments: 0     Views: 35   |    Tuesday, June 30, 2009

Young Dolphins linebackers look to make jump from CFL to NFL

MIAMI -- Undrafted and cast aside by the New York Jets in 2006, former Kansas State defensive end Tearrius George turned to the Canadian Football League in hopes of putting together a resume tape that would lead him back to the NFL. "The (Calgary Stampeders) put me on the field-goal unit, and I blocked the wrong man," said George, who sports a tattoo on his left arm with the words "Destined to shine."  "He got through my gap and blocked the kick, so he has that against me," George said. "I was rookie of the year for my team, but he was rookie of the year for the whole league."

Comments: 0     Views: 33   |    Tuesday, June 30, 2009

Tramel: Favre won't get Peterson to Super Bowl

Tramel: Favre won't get Peterson to Super Bowl

NORMAN, Okla. -- Adrian Peterson's handshake keeps orthopedists in business. Peterson squeezes your hand like he wants you to pull him back on the cliff. Squeezes the way he runs through NFL defenses; with ferocious purpose.  Peterson's grip on a fulfilling pro football career is not quite so strong.

Comments: 0     Views: 68   |    Monday, June 29, 2009

Chiefs running back Dantrell Savage is getting help from someone who's been there

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Perhaps because he was once one himself, Priest Holmes has an affinity for undersized, undrafted Chiefs running backs who previously played for a Big 12 school.

Comments: 0     Views: 54   |    Sunday, June 28, 2009

What offseason? NFL hasn't had one

Supposedly, pro football has reached its downtime. Considering how the NFL has ignored for nearly five months that this is the offseason, a break sure would be nice right about now.Head coaches are on vacation -- Philadelphia's Andy Reid and Minnesota's Brad Childress went fishing together in Alaska, where they presumably are not discussing how to incorporate dynamic first-round picks Jeremy Maclin and Percy Harvin into their offenses. General managers are examining 30-foot putts, not salary cap figures. Roger Goodell is climbing Mount Rainier.

Comments: 0     Views: 62   |    Saturday, June 27, 2009

Goodell's boots better be made for climbing

Goodell's boots better be made for climbing

ATOP MOUNT RAINIER, Wash. -- So, Roger Goodell, you say you're ready to climb Mount Rainier after training harder than most 50-year-olds ever do.Well, Mr. NFL Commissioner, you better be.I scaled the 14,411-foot peak this month and not even Army basic training compared. At the summit, I was happy, fulfilled -- and absolutely smoked.

Comments: 0     Views: 111   |    Saturday, June 27, 2009

Terrell Owens blames Tony Romo for Cowboys' leadership gap

DUNCANVILLE, Texas -- Former Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Terrell Owens said Thursday he became a scapegoat for quarterback Tony Romo's lack of leadership, and he hasn't talked to owner Jerry Jones since he was released in March.Owens has been in the Dallas/Fort Worth area the past two days working his youth football camp at Duncanville High School. He was also the guest of honor at a going-away party on Thursday night at The Empire Room in downtown Dallas.

Comments: 0     Views: 62   |    Friday, June 26, 2009

Peterson trusts coach to make decision on Favre

Peterson trusts coach to make decision on Favre

NORMAN, Okla. -- All-Pro running back Adrian Peterson would welcome Brett Favre to Minnesota with open arms if the quarterback decides to come out of retirement for the second straight year and sign with the Vikings.Peterson said Friday that he grew up watching Favre and admires his passion for the game. But he said it's up to coach Brad Childress on whether to pursue Favre or stick with Sage Rosenfels or Tarvaris Jackson as the Vikings quarterback.

Comments: 0     Views: 108   |    Friday, June 26, 2009

TO bids Dallas farewell on his terms

TO bids Dallas farewell on his terms

DUNCANVILLE, Texas -- Terrell Owens was too busy to stop and give the little kid a high-five. Instead, the boy with his hand up was told to get with the other kids his age.

Comments: 0     Views: 107   |    Thursday, June 25, 2009

Spiraling in control: Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers focused on the job at hand

GREEN BAY, Wis. -- In his first season as starting quarterback of the Green Bay Packers, Aaron Rodgers was merely asked to replace a legend.

Comments: 0     Views: 73   |    Thursday, June 25, 2009

Goodell's past rulings may not bode well for Plaxico Burress

The outrage spread far beyond the state of Florida, where the apparent miscarriage of justice occurred. Throughout the country people were upset by the lenient sentence dealt Donte' Stallworth for taking a man's life while driving under the influence of alcohol.

Comments: 0     Views: 84   |    Thursday, June 25, 2009

Gloria and Emilio Estefan to become minority owners of the Dolphins

Gloria and Emilio Estefan to become minority owners of the Dolphins

MIAMI -- Miami entertainment figures Gloria and Emilio Estefan will be announced as Miami Dolphins minority owners Thursday by Dolphins majority owner Stephen Ross, according to a person familiar with the negotiations.

Comments: 0     Views: 169   |    Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Jets' Rex Ryan acknowledges toughest foe: dyslexia

NEW YORK -- Words have always been Rex Ryan's biggest challenge.

Comments: 0     Views: 93   |    Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Buddy Ryan settles in retirement while son Rex leads the Jets

Buddy Ryan settles in retirement while son Rex leads the Jets

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- Their relationship doesn't differ from those of many fathers and sons.

Comments: 0     Views: 167   |    Sunday, June 21, 2009

Tour bus carrying football team collides with SUV

ANGOLA, Ind. -- Officials say a tour bus carrying a semi-professional football team from Canada crashed into a sport utility vehicle in northeastern Indiana. One person is dead.

Comments: 0     Views: 114   |    Sunday, June 21, 2009

NFL needs to step up when dealing with the media

I never realized how tough it was to deal with NFL teams until I started covering other leagues.

Comments: 0     Views: 102   |    Sunday, June 21, 2009

Brees touts Saints' high offseason attendance

Brees touts Saints' high offseason attendance

METAIRIE, La. -- New Orleans quarterback Drew Brees recalled an expression describing "experience" as "something you gain when you don't get what you want."

Comments: 0     Views: 204   |    Friday, June 19, 2009

Can Ryan Leaf ever find peace?

Their careers were on parallel planes. Peyton Manning and Ryan Leaf were possibly the best one-two quarterback punch ever to come out of college football.

Comments: 0     Views: 130   |    Friday, June 19, 2009

No 'wrong choice' for Gil Brandt's all-1960s Cowboys team

FORT WORTH, Texas -- His toughest choices came at quarterback and running back: Don Meredith, Don Perkins and Calvin Hill.

Comments: 0     Views: 133   |    Friday, June 19, 2009

Tony Romo and Roy Williams still a work in progress

Tony Romo and Roy Williams still a work in progress

FORT WORTH, Texas -- Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Roy Williams and quarterback Tony Romo have been playing catch since February.

Comments: 0     Views: 221   |    Thursday, June 18, 2009

Vikings' defensive end Allen hoping his training regimen of mixed martial arts will give him an edge on the field

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. -- Jared Allen's arms felt heavy and his feet were on fire, but he kept throwing punches, kicks and knees to the midsection of his sparring partner.

Comments: 0     Views: 148   |    Thursday, June 18, 2009

Stallworth could be free in time for training camp

Stallworth could be free in time for training camp

The attorney for Donte' Stallworth said he sees no reason the Cleveland Browns receiver will not be able to resume his NFL career after serving a 30-day jail sentence for DUI manslaughter and a likely suspension by the league.

Comments: 0     Views: 227   |    Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Chiefs coach Haley not the type to take it easy on his team

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- It was building inside Todd Haley, and nobody wanted to be counting clouds when the coach's fuse expired.

Comments: 0     Views: 137   |    Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Martial arts sessions teach NFL players how to hold, shed blocks

Martial arts sessions teach NFL players how to hold, shed blocks

DAVIE, Fla. -- Fighting in a phone booth.

Comments: 0     Views: 256   |    Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Peterson new chairman of USA Football

NEW YORK -- Former Kansas City Chiefs executive Carl Peterson is the new chairman of USA Football. He replaces the late Jack Kemp.

Comments: 0     Views: 163   |    Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Time for Dolphins' Brown to show he's better than average

MIAMI -- There can come a moment if you're living the dream, a hard moment, when you realize it's only a dream. It's not what you thought. That moment came for Ronnie Brown after he asked the Dolphins' video team to assemble his 2008 plays on a disc so he could self-evaluate himself.

Comments: 0     Views: 201   |    Sunday, June 14, 2009

Brett Favre affair goes from ego trip to absurd circus

Whenever someone philosophizes about "things happening for a reason," it's a good bet they're not talking about something as incidental as the entertainment biz. No one, for example, mentions that it was destined for Paul to leave the Beatles so that the world might be enriched by his solo work.

Comments: 0     Views: 161   |    Sunday, June 14, 2009

Gridiron Greats give helping hand to former Bears defensive tackle William Perry

It was Mike Ditka who turned William "Refrigerator" Perry into an international celebrity and Chicago folk hero.

Comments: 0     Views: 184   |    Saturday, June 13, 2009

Rolle taking Rhodes detour but NFL is still a goal

Rolle taking Rhodes detour but NFL is still a goal

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- Myron Rolle nodded in agreement, smiled and answered the question.

Comments: 0     Views: 275   |    Friday, June 12, 2009

Dolphins' Bill Parcells stands out, even among baseball crowd

MIAMI -- Brendan Ryan is used to seeing high-profile visitors around the St. Louis Cardinals' clubhouse.

Comments: 0     Views: 192   |    Friday, June 12, 2009

Time for former No. 1 picks at quarterback for 49ers and Raiders to show us what they can do

Time for former No. 1 picks at quarterback for 49ers and Raiders to show us what they can do

He's a recent NFL No. 1 overall pick, with all the accompanying fame and fortune, and he was announced as the quarterback to reclaim the franchise's lost glory.

Comments: 0     Views: 281   |    Thursday, June 11, 2009

NFL off-season rankings

Thirty-one teams are seeking an NFL championship in 2009. A 32nd team is seeking history.

Comments: 0     Views: 201   |    Thursday, June 11, 2009

Childress: 'Stay tuned' on Favre situation

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. -- Eventually, the Minnesota Vikings will need to know: Is Brett Favre going to play or not?

Comments: 0     Views: 192   |    Thursday, June 11, 2009

Coach Andy Reid and team president Joe Banner explain how their collaboration works

Coach Andy Reid and team president Joe Banner explain how their collaboration works

PHILADELPHIA -- Andy Reid was sitting around a big table in the executive dining area at the NovaCare Complex, sitting with club president Joe Banner and a group of Philadelphia Daily News reporters, talking about the Eagles' great organizational mystery, even after a decade: How do Reid and Banner, football guy and money guy, work together?

Comments: 0     Views: 278   |    Wednesday, June 10, 2009

Can Chad Henne carry the weight as Miami Dolphins quarterback?

FORT LAUDERDALE -- He rarely can be stopped from singing, much to the chagrin of close acquaintances, who deem his vocal stylings unfit for anything but amusing American Idol outtakes. Yet you probably won't catch him singing one particular song. It is four verses and 143 words, many unprintable.

Comments: 0     Views: 215   |    Wednesday, June 10, 2009

Johnson living in the lap of luxury, with football a distant memory

Johnson living in the lap of luxury, with football a distant memory

ISLAMORADA, Fla. -- This is where the sweat is, in a cramped and dark room away from all the light in his life. It is the only place you will find the scent of who Jimmy Johnson used to be, back when the chase defined him and made him a so very unhappy champion, and it smells a lot differently than the rest of his manicured property out here in paradise.

Comments: 0     Views: 291   |    Tuesday, June 9, 2009

Brady shows golf prowess in break before minicamp

BOLTON, Mass. -- Tom Brady bent over, teed up his golf ball and smacked a line drive far down the sun-splashed fairway.

Comments: 0     Views: 212   |    Tuesday, June 9, 2009

Coughlin, Fisher, Harbaugh to visit U.S. troops

NEW YORK -- NFL coaches Tom Coughlin of the New York Giants, Jeff Fisher of the Tennessee Titans and John Harbaugh of the Baltimore Ravens will be visiting U.S. troops in the Persian Gulf region this summer.

Comments: 0     Views: 242   |    Tuesday, June 9, 2009

Coach Mike Singletary in a hurry to make a difference with 49ers

Coach Mike Singletary in a hurry to make a difference with 49ers

Mike Singletary's office is large, bright and couldn't be anybody else's in the NFL or the world.

Comments: 0     Views: 323   |    Monday, June 8, 2009

Can the NFL owners and players put a cap on it

Pretty soon, every football fan is going to get tired reading and hearing about Roger Goodell and DeMaurice Smith. But if there is going to be any NFL football in 2011, the above oil and water will have to combine like peaches and cream.

Comments: 0     Views: 213   |    Monday, June 8, 2009

Where does Favre shoulder surgery fit in?

Brett Favre has taken a significant step in his quest to play for the Minnesota Vikings, but that doesn't mean he will be wearing purple this season.

Comments: 0     Views: 221   |    Monday, June 8, 2009

Rams are a lost cause to L.A.

Rams are a lost cause to L.A.

The owners of the St. Louis Rams have retained Goldman Sachs to line up potential buyers. Fans there are fretting that they once again will lose their NFL team, especially since the Rams' old town has been without a franchise since 1995. Is it time for their fans to pre-emptively pester the patron saint of lost things?

Comments: 0     Views: 338   |    Sunday, June 7, 2009

The pain goes on and on for NFL old-timers

LAS VEGAS -- The room was filled with scarred knees, partially paralyzed limbs and fingers that headed off in directions they were never intended to go.

Comments: 0     Views: 230   |    Sunday, June 7, 2009

New pro football league set for inaugural season

Dennis Green is doing what he has done many times during his coaching career -- putting together a staff, completing the playbook, evaluating prospects and preparing for training camp.

Comments: 0     Views: 282   |    Saturday, June 6, 2009

Suppose Tony Dungy and Michael Vick had gone fishing together

Suppose Tony Dungy and Michael Vick had gone fishing together

MIAMI -- Here's how much belief former NFL coach Tony Dungy possesses in the molding qualities of family, parenting and elder guidance: He wonders if a fishing trip that he and former NFL quarterback Michael Vick never took might have stopped Vick from becoming a dogfighter.

Comments: 0     Views: 337   |    Saturday, June 6, 2009

Utah Find It

Utah Find It