Given all of the negative headlines that we are rapidly being subjected to by some modern day athletes (on an almost daily basis), please take a moment to absorb an enlightening story that calls upon that inner child in all of us. The old school concept of playing the game for the love of the game.

This is the story of an NFL player that will someday (whether it be sooner or beit later is yet to be determined) leave behind an incredible legacy as great as the game he loves. Dan Campbell - Former tight end for Texas A&M University, Former tight end for the New York Giants, former tight end for the Dallas Cowboys and current tight end for the Detroit Lions - is a nine year veteran of the NFL. Although Dan The Man is hardly a household name, he's been a perennial blocker for several years and one of the iron men of the trenches.

2002 was his best year with the Giants. Campbell's blocking was instrumental in the career-years of both Kerry Collins and Tiki Barber (1,387 rushing yards, a career-high and the second best total in Giants history). Despite the addition of Pro Bowl tight end Jeremy Shockey, Campbell started all 16 games and caught 20 passes for 155 yards (a 7.8 yard average) and a touchdown.

After four years with the Giants, Dan joined Dallas as an unrestricted free agent. In his first of three season with the Cowboys, he appeared in 15 games with eight starts. Hauled in 20 passes for 195 yards and one touchdown. Was selected to the USA Today All-Joe team for his unselfish blocking and clutch receptions. In 2005 he was elected offensive team captain by his teammates. Selected to receive the Cowboys 2005 Ed Block Courage Award after recovering from an appendectomy (July 27) the day the team reported to training camp.

Campbell, known as one of the NFL’s premier blocking tight ends, proved his ability to stretch the field in the Lions’ offense in 2006. He is considered to be one of the most technically sound blocking tight ends in the entire league, and is continuing to grow as a pass catcher. He signed a five-year deal with Detroit March 14, 2006

So now I've painted a picture, a resume of a man who has sustained numerous injuries yet through strenuous and dedicated rehab, has remained a part of the league. Campbell is the epitome of the alpha male iron man.

Campbell has developed a bad right elbow. Most any other player would have retired from the painful injury. Not Dan. He had surgery and returned - as usual - earlier than normal. Re-injured the elbow, had a 2nd elbow surgery, and returned again, as always - early.

Understand, I've always admired Dan Campbell as one of the unsung heroes of the NFL. The man is unselfishly building a legacy as a blocker along the lines of a Daryl "Moose" Johnston or a Mack Strong.

Campbell amazed coaches, players and fans by returning to the NFL following that 2nd surgery. Have no doubt that I was in awe to hear of his return again to the Lion's training camp in 2007. The man simply refused to quit.

Then it happened AGAIN. I remember that day - September 23, 2007 when ESPN released the following report: "The Detroit Lions have placed starting tight end Dan Campbell, who sustained an elbow injury in last Sunday's overtime victory against the Minnesota Vikings, on injured reserve, ending his 2007 season."

All heroes have a weakness, Superman had kryptonite. Achilles had his heel. Campbell came to terms with his elbow being his own Achilles' heel. What I have learned now, is that before Detroit had time to put Campbell on injured reserve, back on September 23rd of '07, Campbell had already had a radical THIRD surgery, two days earlier on September 21st. An elbow specialist reattached the triceps tendon -- what was left of it, anyway.

With very little tendon left in his right elbow, following the three surgeries, Campbell's playing days were obviously over. This is where Dan's story takes a bazaar turn. Dan, facing the fact that his playing days were obviously at end, opted for something radical on that Friday in September. Dan had the surgeon reinforce his elbow with, get this, an Achilles tendon, from an actual dead body - a cadaver.

Now I don't believe you could find another person willing to go through such goulish experimental extremes to remain in the NFL - except Dan Campbell.

"I said, 'Get it fixed. I don't care what it takes,' " Campbell said. "I did have some questions about, 'Well, how does that work?' You hear about transplants, different organs or stuff like that.

Campbell caught only one pass for one yard last year before going on injured reserve. After this latest surgery, he wasn't allowed to lift weights until February 2008. He lost about 25 pounds. He has gained back about 15, putting him at about 255, where he might stay.

"I still feel strong enough and explosive enough, but I actually feel a little faster," Campbell said. "So I kind of like it. I don't know yet. I haven't decided."

Campbell hopes to be ready for training camp; failing that, he said, he definitely would be ready for the season opener Sept. 7 at Atlanta. He laughs at jokes like this: Hey, now the Lions can fudge the injury report : Campbell, questionable (Achilles).

"I'm having a good time with it," Campbell said. "The joke's going to be on everybody else when I come back playing. I'm excited."

In the age of steroids, trade demands, arrests and Show Me The Money, Dan Campbell is a quiet unsung feel good story in the making. Truly a breath of fresh air in this era of character issues gone wild.

So when you're looking over the 2008 NFL schedule, circling those must see games, be sure to circle Sunday September 7, 2008. It's the Week One match-up featuring Detroit @ Atlanta, but more importantly it's the return of Dan Campbell, and his new Achilles' elbow.

As everyone should be aware by now, the NFL 2008 season schedule is up and posted on NFL.com. Here's a look at the strength of schedule analysis based on opponents 2007 win/loss records. The Pittsburgh Steelers - who face the challenge of overcoming the toughest schedule in the NFL - will face each team in the AFC South and the NFC East, arguably the two toughest divisions in the league that total 8 teams without a losing record in 2007. Only 4 of the Steelers 16 games are against sub-.500 teams, that being the division games against the Ravens and the Bengals.

The 18 and Uh-Oh Patriots receive the NFL version of a cake walk, playing only 5 games against teams that finished 2007 with a .500 or better record. Looking at the Patriots schedule it's very possible to finish the season 14-2 with home field advantage throughout the playoffs, again.



STRENGTH OF SCHEDULE, BASED ON OPPONENTS 2007 RECORDS

Team . ... ... ... Opp. 2007 Win%
Steelers ... ... ... ... .598

Colts ... ... ... . . . ....594

Jaguars ... ... . .. ....559

Vikings ... . .. ... ... ..551

Ravens ... ... . .. ... .551

Titans ... . .. . .. ... . .551

Bengals . .. ... . . .. .547

Texans . .. ... . .. ... .547

Browns .. . . .. ... ....547

Lions .. . .. . ... .. . ...543

Bears . .. . .. . .. . .. .531

Packers . .. .. . . .. ..531

Redskins . . . .. . ...523

Cowboys . . . . . . ...523

Eagles . . . . .. .. . ...520

Giants . . . .. . .. . ....520

Rams . . . . .. .. . . ...488

49ers . . . . . . ... ... .484

Seahawks ;;;;.. ..;..477
; ;;
Buccaneers .... .. .469

Falcons .. .. .. ... .. .469

Cardinals ..... ... .. .465

Dolphins .... .. . ... .465

Panthers ... .. .. ... .465

Jets ... ... .. .. ... .... .457

Chiefs ... .... .. . ... .453

Bills ... ... ..... ... ... .449

Saints ..... ... ... ... .449

Broncos ..... ... ... .445

Raiders ..... .. . ... .438

Chargers ..... .. .. .422

Patriots ... .. ... ... .387


MidniteCowboy's Pre-Draft Predictions:

AFC DIVISION CHAMPIONS:

AFC East - New England Patriots 14-2

AFC North - Cleveland Browns 10-6

AFC South - Indianapolis Colts 11-5

AFC West - San Diego Chargers 13-3


NFC DIVISION CHAMPIONS:

NFC East - Dallas Cowboys 11-5

NFC North - Minnesota Vikings 11-5

NFC South - New Orleans Saints 9-7

NFC West - Seattle Seahawks 12-4

Easy MoneyE - Easy Money... ... .
In the age where Spygate opportunities and security technologies are bumping heads, Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin discussed the topic of gameplan secrets in the Internet age during Tuesday’s media breakfast at the NFL owners’ meeting in Florida.

Tomlin created a buzz of inquiries from reporters when he stated that he's found a Steelers 2004 Playbook for sale on eBay! Trying to smokescreen the story, Tomlin quickly tried to change the subject stating that the Cleveland Browns are the favorites in the AFC North for the upcoming season.

The reporters didn't bite or change direction of the questioning. They were wondering just how is it that something as valuable as an NFL team's playbook was taken without notice. That 2004 Pittsburgh Steelers team followed up on a dismal 6-10 season of '03 by going 15-1 in regular season and making it all the way to the AFC Championship Game where they faced... The New England Patriots. The Patriots won convincingly 41-27.

... ...

I did track down the 2004 Steelers Playbook listing on eBay. Upon investigation, it has actually been converted to a PDF file (Adobe Acrobat). A download file that's sent electronically to the winning bidder. The book/file is not copy written and is now Public Domain. Public Domain does not mean no one owns it - it means everyone owns it. Public domain comprises copyright-free works: anyone can use them in any way and for any purpose. Download it, upload it, burn it to CD, alter it, even sell it.

Anyone who is an avid eBay user can tell you that over 5,000 hits to a $10 dollar item is quite remarkable. For the last few days, the saga of the missing playbook - be it lost or stolen - has drawn the interest of newspaper editors across the country.

The story didn't end here. At least not for me. After a bit of investigating I have found numerous football playbooks from High School to NCAA, and all the way up to the NFL level. All absolutely free and available as files on the Internet. The only cost is the time invested to search and find. Scroll down in the above auction and just look at all the public domain file playbooks this guy is selling! Look at his feedback and you see he's making a killing. There are people making a living at selling what is totally free, if you know where to look. Ridiculously Easy Money!

So save your $10 bucks Steelers fans. Go to this site and download your free copy of the 2004 Pittsburgh Steelers Playbook. Perhaps you'll choose to make a buck or two on eBay with it. Once again I am sharing the website location of a public domain file. I do not claim this file to be my own property.

We wanted to be one of the elite teams and obviously we're not...

Wade Phillips, Dallas Cowboys Head Coach, following the Cowboys 48-27 loss to the New England Patriots Sunday.

 

 

"The last time we were here, they booed us, It was good to hear them cheering us."

LaDainiain Tomlinson in San Diego after his eighth career 100-yard game against the Raiders. LT rushed for 198 yards and 4 scores in the Chargers 28-14 win over Oakland.

 

 

 

 

 

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"Wherever he's watching today, which quarterback will Drew Bledsoe be pulling for?"

Randy Galloway, my favorite sports media personality and writer for the Fort Worth Star Telegram. Three championships later, you'd think Bledsoe is still more upset about Tom Brady replacing him in New England. But he wasn't exactly giddy over losing his job and his football career last season to Tony Romo.

From Couch Potato To Hot Potato: Early last week 43 year old ageless wonder Vinny Testaverde's phone rang as he was sitting on the couch. He turned down a job offer from Arizona, then accepted one from Carolina moments later. Testaverde signed with Carolina on Wednesday. In some interesting news reported first by NFLNetwork and then posted on ESPN Sunday morning, the Arizona Cardinals will likely sign fellow couch potato Tim Hasselback as a back up to newly acquired couch potato Tim Rattay. Hasselback is the brother of Seahawks QB Matt Hasselback and the son of one time NE Patriots tight end Don Hasselback.

There’s no reason to take the Bears seriously. Not for the next month at least, probably not for the rest of the year, maybe not until the draft."... a quote from The Rosenblog, contributing sports writer for the Chicago Tribune after the Bears loss to the Vikings. The Minnesota attack was led by Adrian Peterson's 224 yards, an 11.2 yards per carry average and three touchdowns, all 35 yards or longer.

"I'm not really worried about him, when the ball is thrown, I just want to make plays and do what I'm supposed to do." ...Kellen Winslow, the class act former University of Miami star after being the victim of casino thug Joey Porter trash talk all week leading up to the Miami/ Cleveland game Sunday.

Last week, Porter had lambasted Winslow in an interview, dismissing him as less than a true tight end because he is more of a passing threat than a run-blocker. "It really hasn't been a war," Porter said Wednesday. "It's been one-sided. I've never lost to him. You've got to win some to make it a war. ... Until you beat me, it's one-side." Porter took heat last season for using a homosexual slur when talking to the media about Winslow in a post-game interview on Dec. 7.

Winslow answered Porter's pre-game trash talk with five catches for 90 yards in Sunday's 41-31 victory. With 32 seconds remaining, Winslow hauled in a pass and - rather than attempt a juke to break free - chugged straight into Porter for a 15-yard gain. Two plays later, Winslow got behind Porter down the seam for a 33-yard catch to put the ball on the Dolphins' 3 with eight seconds left. After an incomplete pass, the Browns kicked a field goal for a 27-10 lead.

"I could care less. We won the game. I'm glad it's over, just like the other records. We're 5-1, so it feels a lot better than having no picks and being 1-5."

Brett Favre, who became the NFL's career interception king with an errant pass picked off by Redskins safety Sean Taylor in the third quarter of the Packers' 17-14 victory Sunday.

"Very solid team effort. There was some adversity we had to fight through early in the ballgame. Guys did a nice job of playing with discipline and poise, two things I stressed during the week." ...

Jacksonville head coach Jack Del Rio referring to the team's recovery of giving up 2 turnovers early in the game, yet managing to lead at halftime as a result of an on side kick which led to a field goal. The Jags went on to beat Houston 37-17.

"I feel sorry for Wayne Huizenga, our owner. I feel for our former players and I feel for our fans....These times are tough, but this is the business and we have to get this thing solved." ...Coach Cam Cameron of the Miami Dolphins regarding the late great franchise falling to 0-6 and dead last in the NFL.

Three Stars and the Purple Jesus The Ragnarok blog, a fan blog of the Minnesota Vikings, gives out three "star" awards to the top 3 players of the game for Minnesota every week. This week he pushed the envelope a bit further and added the Purple Jesus award to Adrian Peterson for his Sunday performance of scoring three touchdowns and rushing for 224 yards on 20 carries, breaking Chuck Foreman's team record of 200 yards set 31 years ago.

Now the Dallas Cowboys know they're good enough to hang with the big boys in the AFC - just not yet ready to beat them. Especially not when Tom Brady plays like this... Jamie Aron of the Washington Times... Brady threw a career-high five touchdown passes, with Donte Stallworth taking the final one 69 yards to break open a tight game early in the fourth quarter, as the New England Patriots won 48-27 on Sunday in a rare battle of teams with 5-0 records.

He showed his speed and quickness. He showed he's a fine back. He got around us. He cut back. It's too hard to come back, as a rule, when you dig a hole like that for yourself.''... Mike Holmgren following Reggie Bush's 97 yards rushing and 44 receiving on 25 touches as the Saints defeat Seattle 28-17 for their first win of the 2007 season.

"I went around and told the guys, 'If you want to win, stop them now. If we want to win, let's stop them right now and we'll win the ball game. To see the way that we responded – everybody out there on the defensive side of the ball – we've got to enjoy this one."... Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Takeo Spikes following the Eagles 16-9 victory over the New York Jets. With the Jets down by seven and facing a second-and-1 at the Eagles' 4-yard line in the waning moments of the fourth quarter, the defense simply refused to give the Jets that solitary yard.

 

 

A picture paints a thousand words:

Matt Bryant's 43-yard field goal with 11 seconds remaining Sunday gave the Tampa Bay Buccaneers a 13-10 victory over the Titans. Tennessee had a five-game road winning streak halted after the 2005 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year limped off the field in the third quarter.





Last but certainly not least:

Meet Tracy Phillips, actress, dancer, Bum's granddaughter, and Dallas Cowboys Coach Wade Phillips' daughter. Her IMDB page shows that she's starred in well-known films such as "Ides of March," "42K," the yet-to-be-released "Dark Streets" and she was an uncredited dancer in "Clerks II." She's danced in a number of music videos, for people like No Doubt, the Goo Goo Dolls, Ricky Martin and Will Smith.

Houston @ Atlanta:
Dub this the Matt Schaub Bowl. Houston (23rd in offensive yards per game) brings clearly the better team to the game, but the receivers are ####ed up. No Andre Johnson, no Jacoby Jones and a limping running back Ahman Green equals a win for the home team 0-3 Falcons (8th against the pass). Atlanta in an upset.

NY Jets @ Buffalo:
Chad Pennington is flying under the radar somehow with a 121.4 QB Rating, second only to Tom Brady. This stat is deceiving in that the Jets are a run oriented team(Thomas Jones averaging 3.5 yards per carry) and Pennington has only passed for 291 yards in 3 games. On the other side of the ball, rookie Trent Edwards fills in for an injured Bills quarterback J.P. Losman. A win for him may be the spark Buffalo needs to turn the season around. As much as I pull for the Bills, they are playing poor in every aspect of the game. Jets get the win on the road.

Baltimore @ Cleveland:
Once known as the Lewis Boys, Ray Lewis and Jamal Lewis, if one doesn't get you on offense the other one would on defense. They were a heck of a crew during Baltimore's Super Bowl season of 2000. Now this game has turned into Lewis versus Lewis, as Jamal has bolted to division rival Cleveland Browns. Jamal will have a good season, but a bad game Sunday. Ray Lewis will dismantle the Browns running game while the balanced run/pass offense of the Ravens gets the win.

St. Louis @ Dallas Cowboys:
The Rams, averaging 10.7 points per game, will bring one of the leagues most injury plagued offenses to Texas Stadium to witness Ringmaster Tony Romo display the 2007 version of The Greatest Show On Turf. Bulger playing with broken ribs. No Steven Jackson. No Orlando Pace. A year after collecting 13 sacks, Rams defensive end Leonard Little has yet to record a single sack this season. Cowboys 31 - Rams 17

Chicago @ Detroit:
Kitna's Lions offense will go up against a Bears defense that is really ####ed up. Tommie Harris (knee), Adam Archuleta (hand), Lance Briggs (hamstring), Alex Brown (ankle), Tommie Harris (knee), Adewale Ogunleye (hip), Charles Tillman (ankle), Brian Urlacher (back), Nathan Vasher (groin), and Darwin Walker (knee) are all listed on the injury report this week. That’s 10 people. That is just about the Bears entire defense. On the Offensive side, Adrian Peterson and Olin Kruetz both are on the injury report as well. Still the Bears will rally behind newly promoted starting quarterback Brian Griese. Cedric Benson gets the running game back on track and a big welcome back to tight end Greg Olsen. Patience in the Windy City is wearing thin waiting for Mushin Muhammed to actually play like a number 1 receiver. This could be that long awaited game for him.
Bears 17 - Lions 13

Oakland @ Miami:
Motivated Daunte Culpepper will be bringing his A game to the Dolphins with hopes of making them regret giving him the boot. One of the unexplainable trends in the NFL is Miami's domination of the Raiders. Phins get their 1st win of the season Sunday and beat Oaktown for the 7th time in last 8 games.

Green Bay @ Minnesota:
This is a must see, if only to witness the NFL pause the game to recognize the moment when Favre throws his record-setting touchdown pass. With Packers leading rusher Brandon Jackson questionable with a gimpy shin injury and receiver Greg Jennings nursing a hamstring injury, expect the typical slugfest of the NFC's Black and Blue division. Adrian Peterson's afterburner speed and ability to elude open field tackles keeps the game interesting. Packers advance to 4-0.

Tampa Bay @ Carolina:
Panther QB Jake Delhomme sat for the second straight day of practice on Thursday, giving speculation that David Carr may be the starter Sunday. In three games this season for the 2-1 Panthers, Delhomme has a QB rating of 111.9, and has thrown 8 touchdowns and one interception. This would pose the best case scenario for the Buccaneers to escape with a road win. It will be interesting to watch Carr (aka The Human Piñata) not being expected to make pass completions while lying on his back. In five seasons with the Texans, Carr was sacked 249 times, an average of 49.8 times per season, including 76 times in his first season in 2002. Carolina receiver Steve Smith against Bucs corner Ronde Barber will be worth the price of admission. Tampa Bay is a team on a mission and defies logic with their bargain basement bin of offensive weapons. I'm becoming a believer. Bucs win this one on the road.

Seattle @ San Francisco:
The battle of the defensive secondaries. The Seahawks spent the big bucks on safeties this offseason, bringing in two new starters Brian Russell and Deon Grant. Frank Gore ran through the secondary last season like a mouse through Swiss Cheese rushing for a franchise-record 212 yards in the teams' first meeting. In the December rematch he was good for 144 rushing yards. Most of his yardage came after breaking thru the front seven of the Hawks into a very vulnerable secondary. With Alex Smith and Gore both in a slump, I'm going with Matt Hasselbeck and Shaun play through the pain Alexander.

Pittsburgh @ Arizona:
A screaming hot Steeler team travels to Arizona, the site of the only win for the Cards this season. The perennial sexy pick to make the playoffs every year, the Cards are once again as - Denny Green would put it - who we thought they were. Quarterback controversy is a blow to the confidence of the entire team. The Cards are posed with a tough option of playing Kurt Warner (150 QB rating) to win now, or grooming Leinart (62.6 QB rating) for the future. Either way, Steelers firing on all cylinders and can turn up the heat as necessary to cruise to a win by a TD.

Denver @ Indianapolis:
The Colts have won 10 consecutive games in the RCA Dome dating to December of 2005. Colts will win Sunday to tie a franchise record for consecutive home victories originally set in 2004-2005. Denver's Champ Bailey and Dre’ Bly leading the NFL's best pass defense, will be lining up against Marvin Harrison and Reggie Wayne. This is must see TV. Still Manning connects at will as needed with a heavy dose of Joseph Addai applied to the Broncos' defensive line. Colts by 10.

Kansas City @ San Diego:
Last years top two running backs, Chargers' LaDainian Tomlinson and Chiefs' Larry Johnson headline this division rivalry of 1-2 teams. San Diego should come out of the gate swinging on offense and defense and begin a quest to recapture the AFC West division lead, not because of Norv Turner, but in spite of him. Under Turner this team has fallen to the 22nd ranked Defense and has the 30th ranked running game. So in essence San Diego replaced a coach who couldn't win in the post-season with a coach who couldn't win in regular season. I'm taking the Chargers to bounce back big in every aspect this Sunday.

Philadelphia @ N.Y. Giants:
Sunday Night Football. The Eagles will soar over the Giants. When the leg brace was removed from McNabb's leg, it also uncuffed the Eagles offense. A division rivalry game featuring two teams with no love with each other in front of a national audience. Will the Giants' defense build upon last week's impressive game winning goal line stand against the Redskins? I'm banking that they don't. Take the Eagles.

 

New England @ Cincinnati:
Tom Brady, Randy Moss and Wes Welker are almost unstoppable, and now Sammy Morris is strengthening the run game. Try as they will, the Bengals and all their weapons can't compete with the Brady Bunch. Pats by 10, which is a compliment to the Bengals.