bubba9497
June-29th-2005, 12:27 AM
NFL: June 28, 2005
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2005/scorecard/06/28/truth.rumors.nfl/index.html
As week two of the Chiefs' search for a cornerback began Monday, Ashley Ambrose emerged as the realistic favorite, and Ty Law kept his spot somewhere high on the speed dial. Coach Dick Vermeil said Monday night that the Chiefs are "very interested" in Ambrose, a 13-year veteran who worked out in Kansas City late last week. The holdup, at least in part, is Law, the Pro Bowl corner who visited the Chiefs in March and is still on the market. The Chiefs want Law if he will sign for a dramatically reduced price. But Law, who just began making cuts on his surgically repaired foot, reportedly wants big money. "The thought is to play the whole scenario out," Vermeil said, "and the scenario does include a final evaluation of Ty Law in terms of what is actually going to happen from a financial standpoint.
--The Kansas City Star
Former Pro Bowl cornerback Ty Law indicated the Dolphins would like to have him visit a second time but made it sound as if the chances of him playing for Miami were remote, at best.
--Miami Herald
After releasing free safety Lance Schulters earlier this month, the Titans plan on locking up his replacement, Lamont Thompson, to a long-term deal in the near future. Titans General Manager Floyd Reese said yesterday he has received a proposal from Thompson's agent and will start the negotiating process later this week.
--Nashville Tennessean
The hands on Byron Leftwich's NFL-quarterback growth clock are approaching the midnight hour. When the alarm goes off, say, on Sept. 11 when the Jacksonville Jaguars open their 2005 season at home against Seattle, there will be little room for Leftwich to make the mistakes considered normal for a rookie or second-year quarterback. He will have crossed over to veteran territory, an area in which fans and coaching staffs expect near-flawless execution from their offensive leaders. And with the team's new offense and a beefed-up receiving corps, Leftwich should have all the tools he needs for a breakout season this fall. Whether through media questions or directions from his coaches, Leftwich is reminded almost daily of this fact. A large portion of the team's success -- or failure -- for the upcoming season will rest on his shoulders. No problem. "My expectations for myself are higher than anything others put on me," said Leftwich, who was the seventh overall pick in the 2003 draft. "Nobody on this team allows outsiders to put pressure on us that we don't already put on ourselves."
--The Orlando Sentinel
Martin Gramatica underwent surgery last week to fix a problem that his brother said had been bothering the former Bucs place- kicker for more than two years. The procedure repaired tears in Gramatica's lower adductor and lower abdomen, both on the right side. Gramatica was referred to specialist William Meyer in Philadelphia by international soccer star Marcello Balboa. The injury is common in soccer players. ``It has been a problem for him for about 2 1/2 years,'' said Gramatica's brother, Bill. ``But you've never heard Martin complain, and he never used it as an excuse. People knew he was hurt, though.'' Gramatica signed with the Indianapolis Colts a week after the Bucs released him. He became a free agent when the season ended.
--The Tampa Tribune
The Titans are still only in the beginning stages in trying to extend center Justin Hartwig, a restricted free agent who was tendered at the first-round level of $1.43 million. Agent Drew Rosenhaus, who recently replaced Tom Mills as Hartwig's agent, said, "We're still in the process of talking with Floyd about an extension. Right now, we're still at a very early stage."
--The Nashville City Paper
Packers QB Brett Favre, at brettfavre.com, on how his surname came to be pronounced "farve": "Where I grew up [in Mississippi] ... some spelled it Favre, others Farve. Somewhere along the line, someone probably was on a little moonshine and wrote it down wrong."
--Seattle Times
It surprised nobody who knows Warrick Dunn to learn that he was in something of a hurry Monday as he was honored by The Sporting News as the, "No. 1 Good Guy." The Falcons running back often seems to have somewhere else to be, more places to flash his smile, someone else to help. Like most NFL players, Dunn aimed to get out of town to enjoy little down time before training camp ramps up in a month.
--The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The Jets signed former linebackers Mo Lewis and Marvin Jones yesterday so they can retire as members of the team. Lewis and Jones were released in March 2004 and never signed with another team. They officially will retire today and will be honored at a home game during the upcoming season. "The Jets are proud that Mo and Marvin are retiring as New York Jets," general manager Terry Bradway said. "It's rare today to have one player play his entire career with one team, and in this instance, the Jets have two and it's a tribute to both gentlemen."
--The New York Times
It's going to be interesting to watch Ben Roethlisberger handle his fame. So far, he and his people have been cautious, limiting his endorsements and public appearances. For each time they have said yes to Big Ben's Beef Jerky or to David Letterman or the Mario Lemieux Celebrity Invitational, they probably have said no to dozens of offers. That's encouraging. If Roethlisberger pursued all of his opportunities, he wouldn't have time to get ready for the football season. The demands on Roethlisberger will increase if he and the Steelers continue to have success. He's just 24. As he gets older and matures, it's nice to think he'll be able to gracefully walk the fine line between football and, as Navratilova called it, a second career.-
-Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Pittsburgh Steelers broadcast legend Myron Cope, who last week retired after 35 years in the booth, has been selected as the winner of the Pro Football Hall of Fame's Pete Rozelle Radio-Television Award.
--New York Daily News
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2005/scorecard/06/28/truth.rumors.nfl/index.html
As week two of the Chiefs' search for a cornerback began Monday, Ashley Ambrose emerged as the realistic favorite, and Ty Law kept his spot somewhere high on the speed dial. Coach Dick Vermeil said Monday night that the Chiefs are "very interested" in Ambrose, a 13-year veteran who worked out in Kansas City late last week. The holdup, at least in part, is Law, the Pro Bowl corner who visited the Chiefs in March and is still on the market. The Chiefs want Law if he will sign for a dramatically reduced price. But Law, who just began making cuts on his surgically repaired foot, reportedly wants big money. "The thought is to play the whole scenario out," Vermeil said, "and the scenario does include a final evaluation of Ty Law in terms of what is actually going to happen from a financial standpoint.
--The Kansas City Star
Former Pro Bowl cornerback Ty Law indicated the Dolphins would like to have him visit a second time but made it sound as if the chances of him playing for Miami were remote, at best.
--Miami Herald
After releasing free safety Lance Schulters earlier this month, the Titans plan on locking up his replacement, Lamont Thompson, to a long-term deal in the near future. Titans General Manager Floyd Reese said yesterday he has received a proposal from Thompson's agent and will start the negotiating process later this week.
--Nashville Tennessean
The hands on Byron Leftwich's NFL-quarterback growth clock are approaching the midnight hour. When the alarm goes off, say, on Sept. 11 when the Jacksonville Jaguars open their 2005 season at home against Seattle, there will be little room for Leftwich to make the mistakes considered normal for a rookie or second-year quarterback. He will have crossed over to veteran territory, an area in which fans and coaching staffs expect near-flawless execution from their offensive leaders. And with the team's new offense and a beefed-up receiving corps, Leftwich should have all the tools he needs for a breakout season this fall. Whether through media questions or directions from his coaches, Leftwich is reminded almost daily of this fact. A large portion of the team's success -- or failure -- for the upcoming season will rest on his shoulders. No problem. "My expectations for myself are higher than anything others put on me," said Leftwich, who was the seventh overall pick in the 2003 draft. "Nobody on this team allows outsiders to put pressure on us that we don't already put on ourselves."
--The Orlando Sentinel
Martin Gramatica underwent surgery last week to fix a problem that his brother said had been bothering the former Bucs place- kicker for more than two years. The procedure repaired tears in Gramatica's lower adductor and lower abdomen, both on the right side. Gramatica was referred to specialist William Meyer in Philadelphia by international soccer star Marcello Balboa. The injury is common in soccer players. ``It has been a problem for him for about 2 1/2 years,'' said Gramatica's brother, Bill. ``But you've never heard Martin complain, and he never used it as an excuse. People knew he was hurt, though.'' Gramatica signed with the Indianapolis Colts a week after the Bucs released him. He became a free agent when the season ended.
--The Tampa Tribune
The Titans are still only in the beginning stages in trying to extend center Justin Hartwig, a restricted free agent who was tendered at the first-round level of $1.43 million. Agent Drew Rosenhaus, who recently replaced Tom Mills as Hartwig's agent, said, "We're still in the process of talking with Floyd about an extension. Right now, we're still at a very early stage."
--The Nashville City Paper
Packers QB Brett Favre, at brettfavre.com, on how his surname came to be pronounced "farve": "Where I grew up [in Mississippi] ... some spelled it Favre, others Farve. Somewhere along the line, someone probably was on a little moonshine and wrote it down wrong."
--Seattle Times
It surprised nobody who knows Warrick Dunn to learn that he was in something of a hurry Monday as he was honored by The Sporting News as the, "No. 1 Good Guy." The Falcons running back often seems to have somewhere else to be, more places to flash his smile, someone else to help. Like most NFL players, Dunn aimed to get out of town to enjoy little down time before training camp ramps up in a month.
--The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The Jets signed former linebackers Mo Lewis and Marvin Jones yesterday so they can retire as members of the team. Lewis and Jones were released in March 2004 and never signed with another team. They officially will retire today and will be honored at a home game during the upcoming season. "The Jets are proud that Mo and Marvin are retiring as New York Jets," general manager Terry Bradway said. "It's rare today to have one player play his entire career with one team, and in this instance, the Jets have two and it's a tribute to both gentlemen."
--The New York Times
It's going to be interesting to watch Ben Roethlisberger handle his fame. So far, he and his people have been cautious, limiting his endorsements and public appearances. For each time they have said yes to Big Ben's Beef Jerky or to David Letterman or the Mario Lemieux Celebrity Invitational, they probably have said no to dozens of offers. That's encouraging. If Roethlisberger pursued all of his opportunities, he wouldn't have time to get ready for the football season. The demands on Roethlisberger will increase if he and the Steelers continue to have success. He's just 24. As he gets older and matures, it's nice to think he'll be able to gracefully walk the fine line between football and, as Navratilova called it, a second career.-
-Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Pittsburgh Steelers broadcast legend Myron Cope, who last week retired after 35 years in the booth, has been selected as the winner of the Pro Football Hall of Fame's Pete Rozelle Radio-Television Award.
--New York Daily News