Once again, in this age of steroids, trade demands, arrests, Show Me The Money, and character issues gone wild in sports, I bring to you a positive story about an athlete. It still boggles my mind that a player can get a DWI or owe a casino money, and that story is headlines all across America. Not that it isn't newsworthy, but where are the positive stories today? I guess you just have to dig a little deeper to find them.


We have grown accustomed to bad press stories like
the one where Griffin Whitman, 10 years old, got this
foul autograph from Yankees player Shelley Duncan.
Class act huh?

While scouring the web seeking information on NFC East teams, the story of Former New York Giants defensive end George Martin caught my eye. After a bit of investigating I've found he's is walking... across America to raise money for health care for the rescue workers who responded to Ground Zero on Sept. 11, 2001. Yes WALKING. Martin began his project in September, planning to walk from George Washington Bridge in New York to the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco.


8 months ago: Former New York Giants star George Martin
waves during halftime ceremonies at the Giants versus the
Green Bay Packers football game at Giants Stadium in East
Rutherford, N.J., Sunday, Sept. 16, 2007. Earlier Sunday,
Martin began a cross-country walk to raise money for sick
World Trade Center rescue and recovery workers.


For those fans outside of the NFC East who may be unaware, George Martin was a star defensive end and co-captain of the Super Bowl Champion New York Giants (1986). In Super Bowl XXI, he famously tackled Broncos quarterback John Elway for a safety in the end zone. During his 14 NFL seasons (1975-1988), Mr. Martin scored seven touchdowns (three on interception returns), which set a record for defensive linemen, surpassed this season by Miami Dolphins defensive lineman Jason Taylor. He is also a former president of the NFL Players Association.

Mr. Martin seeks to raise several million dollars to provide healthcare for 9/11 responders and increase awareness about the illnesses now affecting those who are suffering from lung disease, post traumatic stress disorder and other serious medical conditions stemming from their efforts at Ground Zero after the attacks of September 11, 2001.

Mr. Martin recently was named one of ABC News’ “Persons of the Year 2007” and also received a humanitarian award from the Heisman Trophy Trust in New York. He is currently walking across Arizona and will continue through , Arizona, and California, where the Journey will end in San Francisco at the Golden Gate Bridge in Spring 2008.

Averaging 20-25 miles per day on foot (a rate of about four miles per hour), Mr. Martin has already passed through portions of New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Washington, DC, Virginia, Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Texas, and New Mexico. His trek began at the George Washington Bridge in New York City and will end at the Golden Gate Bridge in Spring 2008.

It's been 8 months and counting since his journey began. It looks like he just might make it. He's in Arizona now! Mr. Martin’s 3,200+ mile fundraising path across the United States can be tracked online daily via a GPS system here.

So while you're reading those stories of players demanding more, remember the man that is intent on actually giving back to a city that has supported him in the past.

George Martin is a true hero who is helping to bring much needed attention and assistance to the heroes of 9/11. I applaud him for undertaking this historic journey and thank him for devoting so much of himself to a critically important cause.

Why does he do it? His own words: “It is my honor to walk across this great nation to generate awareness about and funding for the healthcare needs of those who have fallen ill as a result of their selfless sacrifices in the aftermath of September 11, 2001. We need to do all we can as a nation to help the rescue and recovery workers of Ground Zero recover from and manage their illnesses. I encourage all Americans to support the efforts of those in Washington, DC, who seek to ensure proper medical care for those who have fallen ill as a result of 9/11, and I thank all those who are contributing to “a Journey for 9/11.”

This is another feel good story that is lacking in sports coverage. George Martin is a true hero who is actually giving back and helping to bring much needed attention and assistance to the heroes of 9/11. I applaud him for undertaking this historic journey and thank him for devoting so much of himself to a critically important cause.

When it comes to Hall Of Fame inductions, some things are a given. Montana was enshrined as a 49er, Walter Payton as a Bear, and Favre will be enshrined along with his # 4 Packers jersey.

Next comes the on-the-fence group, where players have to select which teams uniform to be enshrined with. Nick Buoniconti is a classic example. Buoniconti played in five AFL All-Star games as a Patriot and was a fan favorite. He also played in a few Pro Bowls as a Miami Dolphin, and a few Super Bowls.

At his HOF induction he stated "I also want to thank my Patriot teammates who were so great. We were a team that went on the field and we played. And the AFL was a just great time in our lives. No one had any money. Matter of fact, one time we took off from Boston, stopped off in Buffalo, and picked up the Buffalo Bills on the same plane because we were trying to save money." Then he added "But, the Patriots didn't like me enough. They decided they were going to ship me off to Miami. Now, who the hell wants to play in Miami? It's 100 degrees, 100 percent humidity and you're not supposed to play football - you're supposed to go to the beach. But, I got lucky."

Buoniconti felt unwanted by the Patriots after they traded him, but never publicly criticized the Boston organization for it. He eventually opted to enter Canton's Hall Of Fame as a Miami Dolphin, after an illustrious career.














Then there's Deion Sanders. The choice will be his alone as to whether he's inducted as a member of the Falcon, 49ers, Cowboys, Redskins or Ravens. With a personality that was made for "prime time", Sanders was arguably the very best cornerback to ever play in the league, and a fan favorite on every team where he donned a jersey. Fans in each of these cities can only hope that Sanders embraces their franchise and shows his appreciation as a representative of their team.

Which brings us to the far end of the spectrum.

I read a small, paragraph long article on a player that is pondering life after the NFL, when that day finally comes. That player is none other than Terrell Owens. Owens was snubbed by the Pro Bowl voters in 2006 for... well, for being T.O.

..... ;;;;;;; ;;;;;;; Once upon a time - loved in San
.... ... ........ . ...Francisco and hated in Dallas.

He has become a team player over the last 2 seasons with Dallas, and the voters rewarded his model citizen efforts by actually voting the gifted receiver into the 2007 Pro Bowl Class. Hating on T.O. had/has always come easy to so many NFL fans.
























... ... At least the honeymoon was sweet


A kinder, team friendly Terrell Owens has presented himself in a favorable light entering his contract year? What gives? The man that played his personal contract issues out in public air throughout his career, says that's all behind him.

"For sure, I definitely want to end my career with the Dallas Cowboys, and go into the Hall of Fame as a Dallas Cowboy," said Owens. He went on to say "I'm going to let God fight that battle for me. There was a situation where the contract didn't work out in Philly. With this, I'm going to let it play out and not try to be a distraction."






















.. .. ... ... ... ... T.O... Trying to not be a distraction



These remarks were all made promoting his upcoming Wednesday, March 14 appearance on the MyNetworkTV sitcom Under One Roof. He's been contemplating acting in his life-after-football.























Maybe he'll be the first player in NFL history
not associated with any team's jersey, as he
was caught here between his stints in
Philly and Dallas


I'm not debating whether or not he's got the HOF stats and numbers, that's not the direction I'm going. Rather - I can only see one angle here. Could he be the first HOF inductee to have a mass protest staged in front of the Hall Of Fame over choosing ANY city?

I'd like some opinions of Owen's place in NFL history as it pertains to the Hall Of Fame. I'm sure the mud, dirt and rotten tomatoes will come flying. And that's just my point. If we go with the assumption that he puts up the numbers he has in the past, for a couple of more years, he's likely to get that induction. What team/city will embrace him?




Personally... My fondest memory of T.O. was the hit George Teague put on him for attempting to dance on the Star at Texas Stadium.

As team building guru Bill Parcells always stated: In the player acquisition business, you need necessity to meet head on with opportunity. In the NFC East, the Giants set the bar high for draft standards, having had 7 of their draft picks from last Aprils draft contribute in their Super Bowl victory. They were called out on a few choices, the non-sexy ones. But in the end, needs were filled when necessity met opportunity in that April 2007 draft - head on...

For the fourth time since he bought the team, Jerry Jones and his Cowboys entered the draft with a pair of No. 1 picks. The Cowboy War Room was abuzz as Dallas made six draft picks and six trades.

With the 22nd overall pick, the Cowboys took Arkansas RB Felix Jones, the most explosive running back available to them in the draft - point blank. A breakaway threat speedster that compliments MB3's brute force. This is a lethal combination running game as Jones will supply the lightening alongside MB3's thunder, purportedly together in the backfield! I pondered slipping in a you tube video or 3, but we saw videos of Felix Jones breaking loose for the long touchdown time after time after time when he was selected.

Dallas then leap-frogged ahead of Houston, who was eying a cornerback, to land one of the best corners in the draft, South Florida CB Mike Jenkins, with the 25th overall pick.

Dallas spent this year's 2nd round draft pick on a local college player, Texas A&M TE Martellus Bennett. The Green Bay scouting director called Bennett the one first round tight end talent in the draft. A beast of a blocker, but in reality he'll be insurance and depth, playing behind Jason Witten. Dallas had traded TE Anthony Fasano a few days earlier to Miami (along with starting linebacker Akin Aoydele) in a salary cap clearing move.

After making four consecutive trades, Dallas was looking at the situation from a few days earlier where they had traded their 4th round pick to Tennessee for troubled suspended cornerback Adam "Pacman" Jones. Jerry Jones basically robbed the Titans, assuring EVERYTHING in the trade favors Dallas. The 4th round pick is returned next year should Adam Jones either not be reinstated, or slip up again and be exiled once more from the NFL.

The deal does not include any signing bonus or other forms of guaranteed money, and the deal is laden with incentive-based stipulations for payment. Among the terms of the agreement: Jones will not be paid as a top NFL cornerback until he has completed three seasons with the Dallas Cowboys. As a result of the trade, Jones will forfeit $1.25 million in performance bonuses as well as $6 million in guaranteed salary payments the Titans would have been obligated to pay had Jones resumed NFL activities.

A trade resulted in Dallas re-entering the 4th round and selecting Georgia Tech RB Tashard Choice. With a roster boasting 13 (well paid) Pro Bowl players, the Cowboys are preparing for the possibility of not being able to retain the services of Marion Barber III (although negotiations are in process) following the 2008 season. Tashard Choice is a 1,000+ yard rushing big bruising back cut from the same mold as Barber. Some believe this was simply taking the best player on the board.

When the 5th round selection process began, only one player remains from the Observer's Top 100 -- Boise State CB Orlando Scandrick. Scandrick (5-foot-11, 196 pounds) had helped separate himself with strong performances leading up to the draft. He ran the 40-yard dash in 4.32 seconds at the NFL Scouting Combine - the fourth-fastest time of any prospect - and showed good agility and leaping ability. I'd expect, from what I'm hearing out of Valley Ranch, that Roy Williams will see action in about 100 fewer plays now. In multiple receiver sets, Williams will be off the field. He's a play-maker against the run, but he's been a liability in passing downs. Those days are over.

With their 6th (and final) pick of the 2008 draft, Dallas selected Middle Tennessee State DE Erik Walden. A relentless pass rusher, Walden only started 21 games during his career with the Blue Raiders. Still, he shattered the school career record with 22.5 sacks and also set the sack-lost yardage record with minus-136 yards. His 40 tackles behind the line of scrimmage rank second in MTSU history. Most importantly, he has the frame to be a rush linebacker in Wade Phillips' 3-4 scheme.

Toss in that Felix Jones is a skilled kick returner and Pacman is an established premier punt returner, and a 13-3 Cowboys team have an opportunity to improve. The weak links last season were Julius Jones, and the defensive secondary. Quality personnel have been infused to those positions.

A receiver would have been nice, but a feeding frenzy on the top receivers left little value for the high pick with Dallas on the clock in the 2nd round. Necessity didn't meet opportunity. Everyone can be an armchair GM for these two days, even if they didn't spend millions hiring people to help make all these player evaluations and hand out advice. I'm happy being very satisfied with the way Dallas' picks were spent. The Cowboys DID get a hell of a lot better. But then, so did the Giants, Eagles and Redskins, who as of now anyway, appear to also have had very solid drafts.

DRAFT GRADE: B+

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

Rumors out of Dallas that the trade of Adam Pacman Jones to the Cowboys is close to being completed. The hold up left is how the team will settle the grievance with Pacman over financial matters. Adam Jones has said he is willing to forego money he has earned from and is owed by the Titans if the team drops its insistence he repay a similar amount of signing bonus.

Apparently, the team’s have agreed on a 3rd round pick being sent to Tennessee along with a conditional pick, believed to be a 5th rounder, if the Cowboys were to make it to the Superbowl. It also appears that Roger Goodell has given his blessing to the deal and has stated that he would re-instate Pacman as soon as Pacman and the team work out the issues over his grievance.

I'm thinking Jerry Jones may need to send his private jet to Tennessee to pick up Adam Jones, as he comes with more luggage than most airlines will allow.

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.

The internet fodder linking the troubled Adam Jones & the Dallas Cowboys refuses to die. In fact the story is growing legs and gaining credibility. Here in Dallas, the two local sports yakety-yack stations - 1310 The Ticket as well as 103.3 ESPN - are mentioning the ongoing talks involving Pacman, his agent, the Cowboys and the Titans.

... .

Ten days ago the rumor was squashed when Jerry Jones Jones stated publicly that There were no ongoing talks and reiterated that talks with another team's player who's under contract was a clear violation of league rules. Tennessee at that time had not granted permission.

... ... ... ... ... .. .
... ... ... ... ... ... .A suspended Adam Jones keepin' it real and mentoring N.Y. Knicks Zach
... ... ... ... ... .Randolph and Eddy Curry on the art of image management at the professional.
... ... ... ... ... .level. Obviously this tutoring has transpired to make the Knicks a more respected ... ... ... ... ... ... organization on and off the floor as well. Just have to wonder - Where's Isiah Thomas?

Fast forward to yesterday - Rototimes.com reports That not only have the Titans granted permission, but that all of the afore mentioned parties were actually involved. As the story goes, the Cowboys and Pacman have agreed to a contract figure. This now only leaves the issue of Tennessee and Dallas settling on a compensatory draft pick, rumored to be a 4th or 5th round pick.

... ... ... ... ... ..
... ... ... But wait... Isn't there still the sticky issue of whether or not Jones will ever be reinstated?

It was printed in The Tennessean back on March 8, that NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said he has no plans to review Jones’ suspension again until closer to the opening of training camps. You would have to assume Jerry Jones, given his status, MUST be getting some kind of nod or wink from Goodell to even proceed. Else why would Dallas make necessary adjustments to the roster and allocate Salary Cap numbers for a player that is currently banished from the league?

Throw in the fact that Manny Arora, Adam Jones' agent, is persistently pleading to Goodell to reach a decision sooner regarding the troubled cornerback. Pacman's stock is trading just a hair above Enron's now, and by mid-July it will be worth far less.



... ... ..Forgive me if my keyboard shorts out. It's all these tears I cry for poor ol' PacMan...
An actual copy of the Pacman Jones Ad that he purchased April 20th, 2007 in The Tennessean.
Pardon me if I believe his actions speak much louder and clearer than his printed words.

I've yet to address the issue of Adam Jones' countless assaults on society. He's not a cancer to a team as much as he's been a cancer and clearly dangerous threat to society in general. I don't want him and his entourage anywhere near Dallas County and near my family.

... ... ... ... ... ...
... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... Advertisement for one of Adam Jones' many "Make it rain"
... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... episodes - most of which take place in strip joints - which
... ... ... ... ... ... ... have led to numerous brawls, shootings and serious injurues

Love or hate the Cowboys, you can't help but be aware of the strides that the organization has made in the last 10 years concerning criminal character issues. Personally the risk is tremendous and the statement it makes is that increasing the Cowboy's chances of winning a Championship outweighs the risks. I would personally be very disappointed if this rumor grew to fruition.

 




REFERENCE:

http://www.rototimes.com/nfl/player/5769

The often controversial DeAngelo Hall woke up in his hotel room yesterday morning to find missed calls and text messages on his cell phone. The subject matter? A possible trade that would send him to the Giants.

Hall had well documented trouble getting along with Atlanta coach Bobby Petrino last year. Hall's feud with Carolina wide receiver Steve Smith, a former friend, exploded with three penalties on Carolina's game-winning drive, after which Hall got into a shouting match with Petrino on the sideline. It resulted in a fine, a benching for the first quarter of the following week's game and cemented Hall's reputation to many NFL fans and media as being a hothead.

... ... ... ...
... ... ... ... .. DeAngelo Hall delivers a controversial late hit on Kitna in November 2006


Hall had insisted that he wanted to stay in Atlanta, until his feelings were hurt when he found out from friends that his name was mentioned by the Falcons as being available for trade offers.

What a difference a day makes. Now he is throwing a major temper tantrum and demanding a trade.

... ... ... ..
... ... ... ... Fantasy: Hall claiming to "own" Ocho Cinco in a 2007 preseason game.
... ... ... ... Reality: Chad went for 83 yards on five catches and a touchdown. I can
... ... ... .. .only assume Hall immediately shaved his dome after the game.


"I wanted to stay," he said. "I don't want to stay now. It's a little bit of a betrayal. I feel like these guys kind of stabbed me in the back." ...You know what? I'll go anywhere, anywhere they want me," Hall said Friday. "And that's the thing. It's hard to play or be a part of an organization that doesn't want you, so I just want to go somewhere that wants me."

A real tear jerker huh? With remarks like that, you can pretty much assume that the 24 year old has punched his ticket out of Atlanta. Giants were reported to have offered a first round draft pick for the prima donna cornerback.

... ... ... ...
.. .. .. .. .. .. Hall being owned by T.O. in 2006. One of T.O.'s two touchdown catches
... ... ... ... ..against DeAngelo in a 100+ yard receiving game by Terrell Owens.


We will probably hear where he lands as soon as Friday, when the new league year begins and trades are once again permitted to be made. The question is if he'll wind up with the Giants or one of several other teams who were quickly rumored to be interested in acquiring him. The Redskins, Buccaneers, Dolphins and Cowboys were mentioned by yesterday afternoon. Those teams' possible interest means the Giants might be forced to sweeten the trade offer. If so, they could be willing to part with another draft pick from the later rounds. Expect a bidding war to emerge as this story grows.

Isn't this one of those bidding wars that you'd love to be able to watch on Ebay!


.


.


.

While reading the the current state of affairs at Camp Cowboy, aka Jerry World, It becomes quite puzzling to sort out the hidden messages. Is Wade Phillips good-as-gone? Jason Garrett - a lock to become an NFL head coach in the not too distant future - was instrumental in placing some of the Dallas Cowboys coaching staff in place before the arrival of head coach Wade Phillips.

The now Defensive Coordinator Brian Stewart was one of only a few assistants brought on board the Cowboys ship by Wade Phillips. He's Wade's guy. Now I'm reading that multiple sources say the Cowboys Have offered Dom Capers a job as the defensive coordinator or a defensive consultant.

Capers is a respected defensive coach who has been a head coach for Houston and Carolina. But he's had more success as a coordinator.

Capers, who gave Stewart his first NFL job with the Houston Texans in 2002, asked the Cowboys' coordinator Brian Stewart if Capers' presence on the staff would bother him.

A day later, sources said, Stewart told Capers that indeed he would be uncomfortable if the veteran coach joined the organization. Capers, according to sources, told Stewart he would pass on the opportunity to join the team.

When Capers informed the Cowboys of his decision, the club talked him into coming to Valley Ranch on Tuesday for an interview.

If he accepts a position, sources said, Capers is leaning toward the consultant role. Now what makes this story most interesting was Jason Garrett's head coaching offers a few weeks ago. Jerry Jones offered Garret approximately $3 million dollars a year - roughly the same salary as Wade Phillips - to remain in Dallas. Is Wade good-as-gone? Capers was Jason Garrett's choice to be his defensive coordinator if Garrett became the head coach in Baltimore or Atlanta.









Bob Seger's lyrics keep playing in my mind. I picture Wade Phillips talking to Jones:




Tell me quick said old mcfee (Phillips)
Whats this all have to do with me?
Ive spent all my time at sea a loner.

Is there something else I should know?
Something hidden down below the level of your conversation?
Well he turned away before the answer
Though I yelled aloud he refused to hear
It became to clear
So it went as we put out
I was left in constant doubt
Everything I asked about seemed private

Are Wade Phillips' days as Head Coach of the Cowboys numbered? Is he as good as gone in Dallas?

Giant's assistant coach Mike Sullivan visited an old college football buddy Lieutenant colonel Greg Gadson at Walter Reed Army Medical Center back in June. He presented him with a No. 98 Giants jersey, Gadson's own name on the back, signed by several Giants players. Gadson used to wear No. 98 for the Army football team.

He was a commander of a 400 man battalion and was with the Second Battalion and 32nd Field Artillery, on his way back from a memorial service for two soldiers from his brigade when he lost both his legs to a roadside bomb in Bahgdad on May 7th, 2007.

Gadson remembers the blast and thinking he didn't have his rifle. He remembers his first sergeant resuscitating him as he almost bled to death - he needed 70 pints of blood that first night alone - and he remembers hearing the helicopter coming to evacuate him, but little else until weeks later in Walter Reed Army Medical Center.

Doctors had to amputate his left leg after infection caused his arteries to collapse. They were able to save his badly damaged right leg, but Lt. Col. Gadson and his wife decided his quality of life would be better without it. He said his healing sped up very quickly after it was gone and he was finally able to leave intensive care.

Before Sullivan left the hospital that day in June, he said to Gadson, "What else can we do?"

Greg Gadson said he'd love to take his family to a Giants game.

The tickets were arranged and then the Friday before the game Mike Sullivan called and asked if Gadson would be interested in addressing the team on Saturday night. Gadson's wife Kim drove him to the Giants' hotel. It was the Giants-Redskins game, in Washington, third Sunday of the season, Giants 0-2 by then.

Lt. Col. Greg Gadson, old outside linebacker from Army, spoke to the Giants. And just as no one knew that the Giants would begin a 10-game road winning streak the next day, just as no one knew this could ever become a Super Bowl season, no one in that room including Gadson himself knew that the soldier in the wheelchair was joining the season that night.

Lieutenant colonel Greg Gadson came into the Giants' lives when they were at their most vulnerable, New York having been brutalized by the Cowboys and Packers in its first two regular-season games. Facing another tough matchup with the 2-0 Washington Redskins, the Giants hit the road and filed into their Saturday night team meeting at a D.C.-area hotel expecting some motivational words from coach Tom Coughlin.

Instead they were introduced to Gadson, a former Army teammate of New York receivers coach Mike Sullivan. He spoke to the players for 15 minutes, telling them to appreciate their opportunities as athletes and relating how much football meant to many of the troops stationed abroad. He talked about playing together and the bonds that form among teammates after enduring shared struggles. He reminded them that nothing in life is promised.

"Take nothing for granted," Gadson told the Giants, who gave him a standing ovation when he finished.

The next day, New York trailed 17-3 at halftime and the season seemed to be slipping away. But the Giants rallied for a 24-17 victory, with Burress handing a football to Gadson on the sideline after scoring a touchdown.

That spawned a six-game winning streak, but the Giants survived several potential crises in the second half of the season before qualifying for the playoffs as the NFC's No. 5 seed. When they opened at Tampa Bay in the wild-card round, Gadson was there to witness their 24-14 victory over the Bucs.

Shortly thereafter he was back at Walter Reed Army Hospital outside Washington, D.C. for surgeries on his right arm and what's left of his right leg (His right arm was badly damaged and he needs at least two more surgeries in the next year. He still goes to Walter Reed for therapy every day).He watched the Giants' 21-17 upset of the Cowboys on a TV in his room, screaming them through a gripping defensive stand in the final minutes.

... ... ..

Gadson made it to Lambeau – as one of the team's honorary captains. His 13-year-old son, Jaelen, wheeled him out to midfield for the pregame coin toss, and he and his boy spent the second-coldest game in Green Bay history on the sideline with a group of gritty players who think of Gadson as the team's biggest star.

.... ..

Lieutenant colonel Greg Gadson played at West Point between 1985 and 1988, and one of his teammates was Mike Sullivan, who played cornerback and some safety and is now one of Tom Coughlin's assistants with the Giants. He was there as an honorary co-captain of the Giants, there on the sideline at Lambeau because this Giants' season has become his season now and he wasn't going to watch from some box. This is a Giant at the Super Bowl worth knowing about, as much as any of them.

Original source: MilitarytTmes.com article posted Thursday, September 27, 2007:
http://www.militarytimes.com/news/2007/09/ap_foot
ballinspire_070925/



Greg and Kim Gadson have a webpage up with contact information and a journal that is updated as often as possible. There's even a guestbook there to sign:
http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/gregorygadson



For more reading on a similar topic, please read Lisa H's article on another true hero:
http://community.foxsports.com/blogs/Lisa%20H/200
8/01/25/A_few_good_men

The NFL Comeback Player of the Year Award has been given out after every season since 1972, except for 1985 when no winner was selected. The player named Comeback Player of the Year shows perseverance in overcoming adversity, in the form of not being in the NFL the previous year, a severe injury, or simply poor performance.

My Candidates List:


1) Greg Ellis













Greg Ellis spent close to a year in physical rehab following a near career-ending injury. After missing almost all of last season and the first 3 games of this season, Ellis has 10.5 sacks for the year, 2nd only to Green Bay's Aaron Kampman's 11 sacks. He may well be the sack leader by the end of the season.




2) Brett Favre










Although he's having perhaps the best season of his illustrious career, Brett hesitated for months before making the decision to return in 2007. He made the decision coming off an 8-8 2006 season. 2005 was Favre's worst as a Packer. Favre finished 2005 with a career-worst 29 interceptions as the team went 4-10.


3) Ben Roethlisberger














His horrific motorcycle accident June 12. His emergency appendectomy Sept. 3. His concussion in Atlanta Oct. 22. The hardest hit he ever took in football from Ravens linebacker Bart Scott Nov. 26. But he could have been talking about his season-long performance just as well. It would be awfully hard for him to be worse this year. Given that, he's having a great year and keeping the Steelers in contention for another Super Bowl berth.



Who would you vote for if given the opportunity? Are there others that are worthy of consideration?

Voice your opinion.

... ... ... ... ... Green Bay Packers . ... ... ... .Dallas Cowboys

... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...... ... ... ... ... ... ... ....
... ... ... ... ... ... ..... ... .. ... ..10-1... ... ... ... ..VS. ... .... ... ... 10-1





Whats up with all the fans getting hammered and tailgate partying at 7:30 in the morning? I love to tailgate, but 12 hours of drinking before kickoff?? I guess they have cast iron livers. The playoff feeling is in the air!

As much as both coaches are downplaying the game to keep players from making nervous mistakes, there actually is something on the line tonight. Historically, Dallas doesn't win in Green Bay, and Brett has never won in Dallas (he's 0-9 @ Texas Stadium) . The winner of the game has a slight edge if they can keep the one game advantage for the rest of the season.

This playoff season will mark the 40th anniversary of the famous Ice Bowl, the 1967 National Football League Championship Game between the Green Bay Packers and the Dallas Cowboys. It is widely considered one of the greatest games in NFL history, due in part to the hostile conditions in which it was played, the importance of the game, the rivalry between the two teams and the dramatic conclusion. Lambeau Field supposedly got its nickname, "The Frozen Tundra", from an NFL Films highlight film of the game that included in its narration of the phrase, "the frozen tundra of Lambeau Field," spoken by "the voice of God," John Facenda.I'd much prefer the NFC Championship game be played in Dallas rather than Lambeau Field, should these teams meet again to decide it.

Romo vs Favre. Canty, Ellis and Ware vs the Pack offensive line. T.O. vs elite cornerbacks.

Driver, Jennings and Jones are a very good trio of receivers, but T.O. is an explosive big play threat. Jason Whitten is the key. Every team that the Pack has faced has had success passing to the tight end. Whitten is one of the best in the game. The Packers non-existent run game is a thing of the past as Grant has really stepped up. So many had their chance to shine and Grant is proving to be a very good back, averaging 93 yards a game as a starter.

Julius Jones & MB3 vs the front 7 of the Packers.

A lot of good matchups tonight!

Two things I am concerned about: 1) Dallas' pass defense giving up the big play. The Dallas secondary will have to play their best game of the year tonight. That's kinda handcuffed with putting pressure on Favre. 2) Romo has to stay calm. Cowboys Offensive Coordinator Jason Garrett should keep Romo toned down and calm and not make him feel a need to force things to happen. It's a pressure game for a young quarterback, mistakes can be costly.

As far as picking a winner, this game could go either way. I say a SLIGHT advantage to Dallas playing at home. Dallas will also be playing the youngest team in the league, one that has not played a high pressure playoff caliber game. This very young Cowboys team learned volumes from that playoff loss to Seattle last year. After saying that, I still wouldn't be surprised if Brett Favre - who is having one one the best seasons of his career - wills his way to another highlights reel victory. Prediction: Cowboys 31 - Packers 27