NFL chat thread

[GA Russell]

The Smoking Gun makes the sports page!

http://www.globesports.com/servlet/story/R...tsFootball/home

Pittsburgh Steelers hotel demands leaked

Associated Press

August 15, 2007 at 7:04 PM EDT

PITTSBURGH — When the Pittsburgh Steelers go on the road, their equipment managers get filet mignon, even if it must be eaten on plastic plates.

There is water, water everywhere. And nobody asks for a suite, not even owner Dan Rooney. But Rooney gets foam pillows only — no down pillows are allowed.

The Steelers' 17-page hotel contract rider that lists their requirements down to the tiniest detail was leaked to the website The Smoking Gun this week. While the NFL regular season hasn't started yet, the Steelers have played one road pre-season game and have another Saturday at Washington.

The Steelers have not commented about the document being made public. The website did not specify how it obtained the rider.

The rider is provided to the hotels where the Steelers stay and is much like those for rock stars and other travelling entertainment acts. It stipulates what services and food are to be provided and what is not allowed — namely, alcohol. All minibar alcohol must be removed and players can't request it from room service.

The Steelers also want all players on the same hotel floor or, if that isn't possible, on adjacent floors with no outside guests on those floors. Meeting rooms must be private, and weddings, parties and musical events can't take place in adjoining rooms.

The Steelers' rider makes no specific room type requests, such as a suite for Rooney or coach Mike Tomlin.

The rider also provides sample lists of names and room numbers, both alphabetical and numerical, that show the hotel how to print up the information. The examples include some interesting names: Chuck Noll, who hasn't coached the Steelers since 1991; Tom Donahoe, who was let go as director of football operations in 2000; and Richard Rydze, a former team doctor who was questioned earlier this year about his dealings with an Orlando, Fla., pharmacy that is accused of being involved in steroid distribution.

Also, the hotel staff is asked to contact Chet Fuhrman if it cannot supply any of the food specified for meals. Fuhrman was the conditioning coordinator under former coach Bill Cowher but was not retained by Tomlin.

Other highlights of the rider, which is printed in the identical font the team uses for many of its news releases:

— A Catholic priest and a meeting room must be provided for a Mass the day the team arrives. The Rooney family is devoutly Catholic.

— A hotel security representative with a master key should be available to accompany the Steelers' security director during the players' bed check that occurs just before 11 p.m. on the night before a game.

— Only Heinz ketchup may be provided for meals. Heinz paid US$57 million for the naming rights at Heinz Field.

— The team will ship Gatorade to each hotel prior to arrival so it can be placed in iced coolers located on the players' floors.

— Players with a number of years in the league get single rooms, but many players are two to a room.

— While all NFL teams carefully monitor what their players eat at training camp and on the road, the Steelers don't serve only health food at meals. Among the items made available at the team snack on the night before a game are chicken wings, pizza, hamburgers, french fries, ice cream with toppings and cookies.

— Water must be available everywhere: in meeting rooms, at all meals and in iced coolers on the players' floors. There are numerous mentions of "heavy water consumption" throughout the rider.

— The pre-game meal is to be served five hours before kickoff, or at 8 a.m. before a 1 p.m. Sunday game, and includes chicken breasts, filet mignon, prime rib, linguini, salad, fruit and various breakfast items, including made-to-order omelets. Because the equipment staff must go to the stadium early, filet mignon is to be packed for them in plastic containers.

[GA Russell]

And here's the New York Times on the idea that Michael Vick is in trouble because of the illegal gambling which occurred regardiing the dogfights:

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/15/sports/f...amp;oref=slogin

Greatest Threat to Vick May Be Links to Gambling

By MICHAEL S. SCHMIDT

Published: August 15, 2007

The assertion that Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick gambled on dogfighting appears to be a more serious threat to his professional football career and freedom than the federal felony charges that he helped organize and run a dogfighting ring.

Federal prosecutors are preparing a new set of indictments in the case against Vick. The charges are believed to include counts stemming from gambling that he is suspected of having financed.

That is one reason Vick’s lawyers are considering a guilty plea that would avoid a new indictment. Whether or not Vick pleads guilty, his suspected connection to gambling could jeopardize his football career.

The N.F.L. prohibits any association with gamblers or with gambling activities. Such involvement may result in severe penalties, including “a suspension from the N.F.L. for life,” the league’s gambling policy states.

Tony Taylor, one of Vick’s co-defendants, said in a statement of facts that he signed when he entered a guilty plea July 30 that the “gambling monies” used by the suspected dogfighting ring run from Vick’s property “were almost exclusively funded by Vick.”

Taylor cited at least nine instances in which gambling took place on Vick’s property in Surry, Va., or in which Vick was one of the sponsors for a dog in a fight in which a purse was won.

John Goodwin, who leads the dogfighting unit for the Humane Society of the United States, said: “There are normally two types of gambling on fights, one in which side bets are made by spectators at the fights. The other is by owners who put up half the money for a purse in the fight, and the winner takes the whole pot.”

In the indictment brought by the government July 17, the government said that after a dog Vick sponsored in a fight lost in March 2003, “he retrieved a book bag from a vehicle containing approximately $23,000 in cash,” and gave the money to the owner of the winning dog.

Vick and his lawyers continued to weigh whether to accept a plea agreement from the government that would probably put Vick in prison for one to two years, according to a person with direct knowledge of the case. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to discuss the case publicly. Vick’s trial date is Nov. 26, and he will face up to five years in prison if he is found guilty.

Jim Rybicki, a spokesman for the United States attorney’s office in the Eastern District of Virginia; and Collins R. Spencer III, a spokesman for Vick’s legal team, declined to comment.

As Vick pondered his next move, N.F.L. Commissioner Roger Goodell awaited a recommendation on how to punish him. On July 23, Goodell appointed Eric Holder, a former deputy United States attorney general, to investigate the charges against Vick and provide the league with a report on how to proceed.

According to Greg Aiello, a spokesman for the N.F.L., Holder’s investigation is relying only on “public record material” and is not being provided with any sealed evidence by the United States attorney’s office in Richmond, Va.

“The commissioner cannot make a decision until he has the report from Eric Holder,” Aiello said in an e-mail message. “So we do not have a timetable on making a decision.”

Vick, who by Goodell’s order is not in training camp, is the only defendant in the case who has not decided to plead guilty. On Monday, plea hearings for the two other defendants, Purnell A. Peace, 35, of Virginia Beach and Quanis L. Phillips, 28, of Atlanta, were scheduled for tomorrow and Friday. As part of the plea agreements, Phillips and Peace would testify for the government against Vick, who is facing three felony charges.

Legal experts say that by holding the threat of more charges over Vick, with the possibility that the three other defendants may testify against him, the government has increased the leverage and pressure on Vick.

“The government is doing two things at once,” Daniel Richman, a professor at Columbia Law School, said in a telephone interview. “It is putting more pressure on him to plead guilty by raising the potential sentence. And the government is also creating a framework within which it can prove a broader range of criminal activity and increase its likelihood of gaining at least one conviction at trial.”

[Chalupa]

From CNN....

NFL quarterback Michael Vick has accepted a plea deal in his federal dogfighting case, The Virginian-Pilot newspaper reports.

[Man with the Golden Arm]

From CNN....

NFL quarterback Michael Vick has accepted a plea deal in his federal dogfighting case, The Virginian-Pilot newspaper reports.

Maybe they'll make him sit here for the rest of the year!

[Aggie87]

From CNN....

NFL quarterback Michael Vick has accepted a plea deal in his federal dogfighting case, The Virginian-Pilot newspaper reports.

From MSNBC:

Vick reaches plea agreement on dogfighting

RICHMOND, Va. - Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick has accepted a plea deal — and a likely prison sentence — to avoid additional federal charges related to a professional dogfighting operation, one of Vick's attorneys said, the Virginian-Pilot, ESPN and Fox News reported Monday.

A press conference is scheduled for 3 p.m. ET Monday, WXIA reported.

Vick will enter a guilty plea to the felony conspiracy charge next Monday at 10:30 a.m. ET, said Lawrence Woodward, one of Vick's defense attorneys, the Virginian-Pilot reported.

"Michael wishes to apologize to everyone who has been hurt by this manner," a statement read Monday.

U.S. District Judge Henry E. Hudson, who is presiding over the case, said he has the leeway to sentence Vick and his co-defendants as he deems fit and is not bound by the recommended sentences given to him by the prosecution, USA Today said.

CNN also said that Vick's attorneys are hoping to hear from NFL commissioner Roger Goodell on Monday about what options would be available to the Atlanta Falcons star quarterback if he does accept a plea deal.

A grand jury was scheduled to convene Monday in the federal court where Vick and three co-defendants were indicted on dogfighting charges last month.

There’s no indication whether the grand jury will take up further allegations against Vick, although federal prosecutors have said they plan to seek a superseding indictment in the case.

That would mean more charges against Vick, the lone defendant who has not been convicted now that all three of his co-defendants have reached plea deals.

Vick’s attorneys were negotiating with federal prosecutors last week, hoping to strike a deal on a plea agreement.

“It seems to be a pretty clear indication there will be some sort of plea entered,” Falcons owner Arthur Blank said Friday.

Vick’s last two co-defendants pleaded guilty Friday and said he bankrolled gambling on dogfights at Vick’s property in rural Surry County, not far from his hometown of Newport News. One said Vick helped drown or hang dogs that didn’t do well.

Quanis Phillips of Atlanta and Purnell Peace of Virginia Beach entered plea agreements and agreed to testify against Vick. Tony Taylor of Hampton struck a similar deal last month.

The gambling allegations alone could trigger a lifetime ban under the NFL’s personal conduct policy.

The NFL has barred Vick from the Falcons’ training camp but has withheld further action while the league conducts its own investigation.

Peace, Phillips and Taylor pleaded guilty to the same charges facing Vick: conspiracy to travel in interstate commerce in aid of unlawful activities and conspiracy to sponsor a dog in an animal fighting venture.

The offense is punishable by up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

Sentencings are set for November and December.

[GA Russell]

The gambling allegations alone could trigger a lifetime ban under the NFL’s personal conduct policy.

I was told that this is a federal matter because Bad Newz Kennels organized the fights in Tennessee and elsewhere (Georgia?) in addition to Virginia.

[Dan Gould]

It is my hope that Michael Vick

A] is sentenced to a lengthy jail term, at the far end of the reported five year maximum.

B] is banned from the NFL for life

C] is introduced to the "rape stand" in prison

Alternatively, I'd like to see his fighting spirit tested against a pack of pit bulls.

There are few things this side of O.J. that an athlete can do that I find more despicable than what he is pleading guilty to. If he wants to save his "good name", there is only one way: liquidate his fortune and donate it to the Humane Society; then spend the rest of his life working with abused animals.

[Soulstation1]

lions cheated vs browns

[T.D.]

The gambling allegations alone could trigger a lifetime ban under the NFL’s personal conduct policy.

I was told that this is a federal matter because Bad Newz Kennels organized the fights in Tennessee and elsewhere (Georgia?) in addition to Virginia.

Yes, a Sports Illustrated article mentioned this a few weeks ago. Not just organization; Vick's (and partners') dogs were transported across state lines to participate in fights.

Haven't seen details of the plea agreement yet. It'll be interesting to see what goes down on the Federal charges. I did hear on the radio this afternoon that Vick is likely to do some jail time.

Edited August 20, 2007 by T.D.

[Chalupa]

http://www.vickdogchewtoy.com/

[Soulstation1]

browns slap around the bears

quinn has 300 yards passing

[Soulstation1]

Peyton Manning's new bumpersticker says

"To Be The Man, Woooooooo, You Gotta Beat The Man"

[PHILLYQ]

Check out the steaming piles of excrement streaming from Stanley Grouch:

http://www.nydailynews.com/opinions/col/crouch/index.html

Stanley Crouch

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A cautionary tale on the dangers of never growing up

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Monday, September 3rd 2007, 4:00 AM

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There are many things attached to the horror story of star NFL quarterback Michael Vick participating in the barbaric sport of watching two dogs trained to kill go about tearing each other apart. Though people like Geraldo Rivera have gone on the record assuming that the national black community will come behind Vick because of the attention, the weight and the charges to which he has pleaded guilty, I doubt it.

Like every other minority group of Americans - including Catholics - black people can sometimes be manipulated by the idea of group solidarity. But, also like everybody else, black people are usually too shrewd to be hustled by those who try to hide indefensible sins behind ethnicity.

However uncomfortable it might be to swallow, disappointment in human behavior is almost always faced in the long run. Apologies may throw people off for a short while, but they only go so far.

There are a number of things that stand out about Vick and separate him from most of the black Americans we see celebrated in the media.

First, he is not only very dark in skin tone but he is also inarguably one of the handsomest men in the entire United States. Were he an equally attractive and talented actress, his smoky color would have kept him from starring roles in film or the abundant jobs reserved almost exclusively for light-skinned half-naked rump rollers in hip-hop videos.

Second, with his ability to think fast and scramble when necessary (move around quickly in the backfield or carry the ball if no receivers are available), Vick was on his way to becoming one of the greatest quarterbacks in the history of the sport. He resoundingly shut down a complaint held for many years by black football fans: that black men were rarely chosen for that position because white owners almost never thought they were intelligent enough to handle a role that called for brains as well as brawn.

In short, never expect or demand quality thought from a black man; it's asking too much.

Thirdly, Vick seems to have joined Mike Tyson and Allen Iverson in becoming a hip-hop athlete - one whose talent, no matter how massive, becomes secondary to embracing the gutter excitements and trashy behavior that hip hop celebrates as a form of ethnic allegiance called "keeping it real." Comedian Chris Rock, in a routine on his "Bring the Pain" CD, refers to such loutishness as "Keeping it real. Real dumb."

This was echoed by a Black Entertainment Television host of a hip-hop show who said Vick misunderstood one fact: Some things from one's background need to be left behind and one should not be so naive as to be exploited by the worst elements from his former neighborhood.

A great hall of fame black athlete from the days before the multimillion-dollar contracts and endorsements told me when the Dwight Gooden drug problems became big news that the younger players seemed to have not been given the right advice by their parents. Every temptation from women to drugs had always been waved in the faces of athletes. It was in their interest to turn away from them. They needed to be adults, not bad little boys in the bodies of men.

Perhaps that ugly adolescent streak that has dogged American men in so many instances is the real problem and the one that Michael Vick alluded to when he publicly apologized and said that he needed to grow up.

Although Americans have long worshiped youth and childlike behavior, we can see in the arrogantly imbecilic actions of a Paris Hilton or a Lil' Kim that the problem of immaturity transcends color, sex and the class of one's background. It is a disease of the mind and the spirit that we all need to disavow and step away from. Perhaps we will, but that is a freedom that demands more than a notion.

scrouch@nydailynews.com

Digg Del.icio.us Newsvine Reddit Furl Stumble Upon

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Stanley Crouch

Stanley Crouch is a columnist, novelist, essayist, critic and television commentator. He has served since 1987 as an artistic consultant at Lincoln Center and is a co-founder of the department known as Jazz at Lincoln Center. In 1993, he received both the Jean Stein Award from the American Academy of Arts and Letters and a MacArthur Foundation grant. He is now working on a biography of Charlie Parker.

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[GA Russell]

http://www.globesports.com/servlet/story/R...tsFootball/home

...the Patriots also cut quarterback Vinny Testaverde, who at 43 would have been entering his 21st season in the NFL.

Free agent Kenton Keith now inherits the backup job behind Joseph Addai — at least temporarily. Keith, a veteran of the Canadian Football League, has never had an NFL carry.

Quarterback Tim Hasselbeck, who lost the No. 3 job to Anthony Wright also was cut as the Giants released 21 players. (Isn't he the husband of that woman on television?)

Heisman Trophy winner Troy Smith made the Baltimore Ravens final roster Saturday as a third-string quarterback.

[Indestructible!]

Check out the steaming piles of excrement streaming from Stanley Grouch:

Second, with his ability to think fast and scramble when necessary (move around quickly in the backfield or carry the ball if no receivers are available), Vick was on his way to becoming one of the greatest quarterbacks in the history of the sport.

I know Stanley is delusional at the best of times, but WTF is up with this statement? Vick on his way to being one of the greatest QBs in the history of the sport? Wow... just... wow!

Cheers,

Shane

[sal]

Check out the steaming piles of excrement streaming from Stanley Grouch:

Second, with his ability to think fast and scramble when necessary (move around quickly in the backfield or carry the ball if no receivers are available), Vick was on his way to becoming one of the greatest quarterbacks in the history of the sport.

I know Stanley is delusional at the best of times, but WTF is up with this statement? Vick on his way to being one of the greatest QBs in the history of the sport? Wow... just... wow!

Cheers,

Shane

To simply play devil's advocate here, Crouch's comment may be off, but is it REALLY THAT far off? Vic was still relatively early in his career. He really was dangerous out there when he was healthy...very difficult to contain. He was definitely one of the more exciting players to watch on television. Perhaps he'd never reach the stature of a Unitas, Montana or Manning, but who knows what he could have accomplished in the next 6 or 7 years if he wasn't such a dumb ass?

[sal]

He was pretty erratic though....

[Aggie87]

Colts whooped the Saints in the opening game tonight, 41-10. You sure wouldn't guess this was a 10-10 game at halftime!

Colts looked solid, and ready to defend their Superbowl title. Saints, well they didn't look like a playoff team just yet, but I think they'll be ok.

[Shawn]

Colts looked exactly like I expected, polished perfection. The Saints just don't seem to have a rhythm yet, however I believe they'll get their mojo back and be a contender in the playoffs.

[Soulstation1]

move over shawn kemp

travis henry holds the worlds' record

9 kids with 9 ladies

[GA Russell]

We talked about this some time ago. Here's the latest on Bernie Parrish's beef with the players' union:

http://www.globesports.com/servlet/story/R...tsFootball/home

Federal district judge dismisses suit by retired NFL players

Associated Press

September 7, 2007 at 12:38 PM EDT

SAN FRANCISCO — A judge has dismissed a lawsuit accusing the NFL players' union of inadequately representing 3,500 retired players.

Judge William H. Alsup of the federal district court dismissed the case Thursday by former NFL players Bernie Parrish and Herb Adderley. It alleged the NFL Players Association and its licencing subsidiary, Players Inc., has done little to secure deals with clothing manufacturers, video game makers and other venues. It also sought class-action status to represent the 3,500 retired players, who it says might be owed "tens of millions of dollars."

Parrish was a defensive back with the Cleveland Browns and Houston Oilers from 1959 to 1966. Adderley was a cornerback for the Green Bay Packers and the Dallas Cowboys from 1961 through 1972.

The lawsuit claimed $7 million was given to 358 retired players in 2005, meaning a small percentage of players have been compensated.

The union said in a statement in April that its motions to dismiss were based on what it called "the frivolous nature of the suit."

In a prepared statement Friday, the association said "those claims have now been rejected by a federal judge as having no merit whatsoever as pled."

"The court found that Parrish's complaint was a combination of smoke and mirrors," said Jeffrey Kessler, lawyer for the NFLPA. "Aside from one more deposition, the judge has stopped all discovery starting Sept. 10 by Parrish and his co-claimants against the NFLPA because of the court's doubts that the plaintiffs will ever be able to state a claim."

[Aggie87]

Exciting Cowboys/Giants game tonight. Both teams ended up playing without alot of starters. Cowboys defense played ok (just ok) without Newman. I think they're alot better if he ever comes back healthy this season.

Out for Cowboys:

Terry Glenn

Terence Newman

Greg Ellis

Jason Ferguson

Out for Giants

Eli Manning (injured in 4th - Jared Lorenzen is HUGE, a biscuit shy of 300 lbs?)

Brandon Jacobs

Osi Umeniyora

Kevin Dockery

If Manning's injury is serious, could be interesting to see how Lorenzen can play. He looks like a D-lineman.

[Big Al]

Yeah, I watched the game off & on, and was surprised that the Dallas D let the Giants come back. Good thing for the Cows that they scored a lot of points!

[NaturalSoul]

The ending of the Denver - Buffalo game was crazy!

[NaturalSoul]

and I really hope the Buffalo player who suffered that terrible injury is OK.