Ward's injury is the latest blow for the banged-up Browns (3-5), who had eight players sit out Thursday's practice with four others limited. Cleveland's running attack has been slowed to a crawl because of injuries to running backs Peyton Hillis and Montario Hardesty, both of whom will sit out for the second straight game. Hillis has missed Cleveland's past four games, depriving him a chance to convince the Browns -- or a team in free agency -- that he deserves to be paid as one of the NFL's top backs. Last week, the offensive backfield was weakened. This week, the team's defensive backs are hurting. Not only is Ward injured, but Usama Young, who splits time at free safety with Mike Adams, has been slowed by an aching hip that has kept him out of practice the past two days. His status is unknown for Sunday's game as is nickel back Dimitri Patterson, who didn't practice and may have to sit out his second consecutive game with a knee injury. Young's injury could force the Browns to give rookie Eric Hagg his first career start. Hagg was inactive for Cleveland's first six games after undergoing knee surgery in the preseason. He made his pro debut two weeks ago at San Francisco and played in a limited role and on special teams last week in the 30-12 loss to the Texans. Hagg has worked with the Browns' starting defense during the portion of practice open to reporters the past two days. If he's asked to start on Sunday, Hagg's ready. "I've just been working hard, listening to what the coaches have to say, listening to the vets, what they have to say," Hagg said. "There's a couple mistakes out there here and there, but when you watch film, watch them on tape, get your corrections made, I feel pretty comfortable. I'm just learning." The Browns selected Hagg in the seventh round. They had hoped to work him into their rotation earlier, but he got hurt defending a pass during a training camp practice and underwent surgery on Aug. 15. Now healthy, the 6-foot-1, 205-pound Hagg has been steadily getting better with every practice. "Eric is one of our young players that improves and sees something new every day," Shurmur said. "He's a very aware guy. He's a physical tackler and at least the practices and competitive situations I've seen him in in training camp, we felt really good about the progress he was making in those competitive situations, which is pretty much the last time we saw him do that. We're anticipating he'll play well." Adams has been impressed with Hagg's progress, and is confident he can handle starting if necessary. "He's growing," he said. "It's just trying to get the game to slow down for him. Out there (in a real game) is 10 times faster than practice. Just getting the game to slow down for him and calm down a little bit. He'll be fine." Ward has been playing well in his second season. His 35 tackles are third on the club and he's been making some of the teeth-rattling hits that drew the Browns to him and prompted them to draft him in the second round last year. Ward also excels on special teams. "You don't want to lose anybody," said defensive coordinator Dick Jauron. "Unfortunately on any football team when you lose a starter it has an effect on the entire team because clearly somebody's got to move up and it affects special teams, and the whole thing gets affected as you move people. "You don't want anybody out. T.J.'s a tough guy. They all are, but T.J's got unusual skills. He can deliver a blow, he likes to deliver a blow. He plays hard and he was moving along in the way we do things and doing a nice job. Injuries never come at good times, but it's not a great time for us or for him." Notes WR Mohamed Massaquoi continues to have post-concussion symptoms. He was sent home for the second straight day after not feeling well. Massaquoi suffered his second head injury in 13 months on Oct. 23 against Seattle. He missed one game, returned to practice last week but left the game in Houston after getting dizzy. "He's receiving the attention he needs from our medical people," Shurmur said. "We're doing everything we can to make sure he's going to be right." ... Kicker Phil Dawson was also sent home with a migraine headache, but Shurmur expects Dawson, who has made six field goals beyond 50 yards, to play Sunday. ... RT Tony Pashos (ankle), LB Kaluka Maiava (knee), DE Jayme Mitchell (chest/ankle) and DB Ray Ventrone (hamstring) were limited in practice. Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press
Thursday, November 10, 2011
Browns safety Ward likely out against Rams
Ward missed his second day of practice Thursday with the injury he sustained last week in Houston, and coach Pat Shurmur said there's a "very good chance" the hard-hitting safety will not play Sunday against the St. Louis Rams. "I don't want to rule him out yet," Shurmur said. But that seems inevitable with Ward's foot still in a cast, just three days from kickoff. The Browns have not provided any specifics of Ward's injury or the results of an MRI taken Monday.
Ward's injury is the latest blow for the banged-up Browns (3-5), who had eight players sit out Thursday's practice with four others limited. Cleveland's running attack has been slowed to a crawl because of injuries to running backs Peyton Hillis and Montario Hardesty, both of whom will sit out for the second straight game. Hillis has missed Cleveland's past four games, depriving him a chance to convince the Browns -- or a team in free agency -- that he deserves to be paid as one of the NFL's top backs. Last week, the offensive backfield was weakened. This week, the team's defensive backs are hurting. Not only is Ward injured, but Usama Young, who splits time at free safety with Mike Adams, has been slowed by an aching hip that has kept him out of practice the past two days. His status is unknown for Sunday's game as is nickel back Dimitri Patterson, who didn't practice and may have to sit out his second consecutive game with a knee injury. Young's injury could force the Browns to give rookie Eric Hagg his first career start. Hagg was inactive for Cleveland's first six games after undergoing knee surgery in the preseason. He made his pro debut two weeks ago at San Francisco and played in a limited role and on special teams last week in the 30-12 loss to the Texans. Hagg has worked with the Browns' starting defense during the portion of practice open to reporters the past two days. If he's asked to start on Sunday, Hagg's ready. "I've just been working hard, listening to what the coaches have to say, listening to the vets, what they have to say," Hagg said. "There's a couple mistakes out there here and there, but when you watch film, watch them on tape, get your corrections made, I feel pretty comfortable. I'm just learning." The Browns selected Hagg in the seventh round. They had hoped to work him into their rotation earlier, but he got hurt defending a pass during a training camp practice and underwent surgery on Aug. 15. Now healthy, the 6-foot-1, 205-pound Hagg has been steadily getting better with every practice. "Eric is one of our young players that improves and sees something new every day," Shurmur said. "He's a very aware guy. He's a physical tackler and at least the practices and competitive situations I've seen him in in training camp, we felt really good about the progress he was making in those competitive situations, which is pretty much the last time we saw him do that. We're anticipating he'll play well." Adams has been impressed with Hagg's progress, and is confident he can handle starting if necessary. "He's growing," he said. "It's just trying to get the game to slow down for him. Out there (in a real game) is 10 times faster than practice. Just getting the game to slow down for him and calm down a little bit. He'll be fine." Ward has been playing well in his second season. His 35 tackles are third on the club and he's been making some of the teeth-rattling hits that drew the Browns to him and prompted them to draft him in the second round last year. Ward also excels on special teams. "You don't want to lose anybody," said defensive coordinator Dick Jauron. "Unfortunately on any football team when you lose a starter it has an effect on the entire team because clearly somebody's got to move up and it affects special teams, and the whole thing gets affected as you move people. "You don't want anybody out. T.J.'s a tough guy. They all are, but T.J's got unusual skills. He can deliver a blow, he likes to deliver a blow. He plays hard and he was moving along in the way we do things and doing a nice job. Injuries never come at good times, but it's not a great time for us or for him." Notes WR Mohamed Massaquoi continues to have post-concussion symptoms. He was sent home for the second straight day after not feeling well. Massaquoi suffered his second head injury in 13 months on Oct. 23 against Seattle. He missed one game, returned to practice last week but left the game in Houston after getting dizzy. "He's receiving the attention he needs from our medical people," Shurmur said. "We're doing everything we can to make sure he's going to be right." ... Kicker Phil Dawson was also sent home with a migraine headache, but Shurmur expects Dawson, who has made six field goals beyond 50 yards, to play Sunday. ... RT Tony Pashos (ankle), LB Kaluka Maiava (knee), DE Jayme Mitchell (chest/ankle) and DB Ray Ventrone (hamstring) were limited in practice. Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press
Ward's injury is the latest blow for the banged-up Browns (3-5), who had eight players sit out Thursday's practice with four others limited. Cleveland's running attack has been slowed to a crawl because of injuries to running backs Peyton Hillis and Montario Hardesty, both of whom will sit out for the second straight game. Hillis has missed Cleveland's past four games, depriving him a chance to convince the Browns -- or a team in free agency -- that he deserves to be paid as one of the NFL's top backs. Last week, the offensive backfield was weakened. This week, the team's defensive backs are hurting. Not only is Ward injured, but Usama Young, who splits time at free safety with Mike Adams, has been slowed by an aching hip that has kept him out of practice the past two days. His status is unknown for Sunday's game as is nickel back Dimitri Patterson, who didn't practice and may have to sit out his second consecutive game with a knee injury. Young's injury could force the Browns to give rookie Eric Hagg his first career start. Hagg was inactive for Cleveland's first six games after undergoing knee surgery in the preseason. He made his pro debut two weeks ago at San Francisco and played in a limited role and on special teams last week in the 30-12 loss to the Texans. Hagg has worked with the Browns' starting defense during the portion of practice open to reporters the past two days. If he's asked to start on Sunday, Hagg's ready. "I've just been working hard, listening to what the coaches have to say, listening to the vets, what they have to say," Hagg said. "There's a couple mistakes out there here and there, but when you watch film, watch them on tape, get your corrections made, I feel pretty comfortable. I'm just learning." The Browns selected Hagg in the seventh round. They had hoped to work him into their rotation earlier, but he got hurt defending a pass during a training camp practice and underwent surgery on Aug. 15. Now healthy, the 6-foot-1, 205-pound Hagg has been steadily getting better with every practice. "Eric is one of our young players that improves and sees something new every day," Shurmur said. "He's a very aware guy. He's a physical tackler and at least the practices and competitive situations I've seen him in in training camp, we felt really good about the progress he was making in those competitive situations, which is pretty much the last time we saw him do that. We're anticipating he'll play well." Adams has been impressed with Hagg's progress, and is confident he can handle starting if necessary. "He's growing," he said. "It's just trying to get the game to slow down for him. Out there (in a real game) is 10 times faster than practice. Just getting the game to slow down for him and calm down a little bit. He'll be fine." Ward has been playing well in his second season. His 35 tackles are third on the club and he's been making some of the teeth-rattling hits that drew the Browns to him and prompted them to draft him in the second round last year. Ward also excels on special teams. "You don't want to lose anybody," said defensive coordinator Dick Jauron. "Unfortunately on any football team when you lose a starter it has an effect on the entire team because clearly somebody's got to move up and it affects special teams, and the whole thing gets affected as you move people. "You don't want anybody out. T.J.'s a tough guy. They all are, but T.J's got unusual skills. He can deliver a blow, he likes to deliver a blow. He plays hard and he was moving along in the way we do things and doing a nice job. Injuries never come at good times, but it's not a great time for us or for him." Notes WR Mohamed Massaquoi continues to have post-concussion symptoms. He was sent home for the second straight day after not feeling well. Massaquoi suffered his second head injury in 13 months on Oct. 23 against Seattle. He missed one game, returned to practice last week but left the game in Houston after getting dizzy. "He's receiving the attention he needs from our medical people," Shurmur said. "We're doing everything we can to make sure he's going to be right." ... Kicker Phil Dawson was also sent home with a migraine headache, but Shurmur expects Dawson, who has made six field goals beyond 50 yards, to play Sunday. ... RT Tony Pashos (ankle), LB Kaluka Maiava (knee), DE Jayme Mitchell (chest/ankle) and DB Ray Ventrone (hamstring) were limited in practice. Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Steelers' Clark fined $40K, takes jab at Goodell
" So it's going to turn into if you're going to fine me $40,000, I might as well put him to sleep for real or I might as well blow his knee out. " -- Ryan Clark Also, the NFL fined Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis for his helmet-to-helmet hit on Steelers receiver Hines Ward in the same game. Lewis wouldn't disclose the amount of the fine but a league source told ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter that the linebacker was docked $20,000 for the hit. Clark was flagged for his hit on Baltimore Ravens tight end Ed Dickson late in the first half. Clark hit Dickson in stride, appearing to lead with his shoulder, but both players' helmets made contact.
"There wasn't anything malicious about it," Clark said. "It wasn't a spear. It wasn't a forearm to the head. It wasn't any of those things and to be fined $40,000 for that? To me it's either targeting me as a single player or it's targeting this team." The Steelers have been fined 13 times for more than $182,000 this season, with Clark's latest the biggest of the bunch. Clark's agent told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette that his client will appeal the fine. Clark said that coach Mike Tomlin informed him of the fine and told him the hit was used by Tomlin on Monday as an example of a good hit in the team's film review. "I was actually expecting to get a call back and say that it wasn't wrong, because it wasn't," Clark said. "I did everything I was asked to do and (NFL commissioner Roger) Goodell and all those other guys, they sit in their office with their suits and make these decisions on what a split-second reaction by the player is and this time it's wrong." This is the second straight week that Clark has been disciplined by the league. Clark, the team's representative to the NFL Players Association, was fined $15,000 for a hit out of bounds on New England tight end Rob Gronkowski two weeks ago. "This time it's wrong, not that I respected Roger before this," Clark told the Post-Gazette. Steelers linebacker James Harrison also is expected to receive a fine for a helmet-to-helmet hit in the game, a source has told Schefter. The Steelers aren't into conspiracy theories, but they're also the only team in the league that voted against the CBA. Clark, who serves as the team's union player representative, believes NFLPA executive director DeMaurice Smith should get involved. His teammates don't think it's a bad idea. "That's his job. I think he should do something because right now it seems like they can do whatever they want to," Harrison said. The NFLPA did not immediately return a request for comment from The Associated Press. Regardless, Clark argues if the hit against Dickson was against the rules, he's not sure what's legal anymore. "Am I supposed to let him catch it and then wait for him and hug him?" Clark said. "Should I throw a pillow at him? Should I blow a whistle? 'Hey look, I'm about to tackle you.' No, that's not football." The Ravens' Lewis agrees. "You can't stop playing defense the way defense has always been created to play," Lewis said. "When the receiver has the ball, your job is to disengage him from the ball. You never want to hurt nobody. I've been in this business too long. I just think once you start getting into these fines I don't know how they come up with the numbers most of the time." Neither does Clark, who threatened to go out and blatantly earn the fine next time. "So it's going to turn into if you're going to fine me $40,000, I might as well put him to sleep for real or I might as well blow his knee out," Clark said. Information from ESPN NFC North blogger Jamison Hensley and The Associated Press was used in this report.
"There wasn't anything malicious about it," Clark said. "It wasn't a spear. It wasn't a forearm to the head. It wasn't any of those things and to be fined $40,000 for that? To me it's either targeting me as a single player or it's targeting this team." The Steelers have been fined 13 times for more than $182,000 this season, with Clark's latest the biggest of the bunch. Clark's agent told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette that his client will appeal the fine. Clark said that coach Mike Tomlin informed him of the fine and told him the hit was used by Tomlin on Monday as an example of a good hit in the team's film review. "I was actually expecting to get a call back and say that it wasn't wrong, because it wasn't," Clark said. "I did everything I was asked to do and (NFL commissioner Roger) Goodell and all those other guys, they sit in their office with their suits and make these decisions on what a split-second reaction by the player is and this time it's wrong." This is the second straight week that Clark has been disciplined by the league. Clark, the team's representative to the NFL Players Association, was fined $15,000 for a hit out of bounds on New England tight end Rob Gronkowski two weeks ago. "This time it's wrong, not that I respected Roger before this," Clark told the Post-Gazette. Steelers linebacker James Harrison also is expected to receive a fine for a helmet-to-helmet hit in the game, a source has told Schefter. The Steelers aren't into conspiracy theories, but they're also the only team in the league that voted against the CBA. Clark, who serves as the team's union player representative, believes NFLPA executive director DeMaurice Smith should get involved. His teammates don't think it's a bad idea. "That's his job. I think he should do something because right now it seems like they can do whatever they want to," Harrison said. The NFLPA did not immediately return a request for comment from The Associated Press. Regardless, Clark argues if the hit against Dickson was against the rules, he's not sure what's legal anymore. "Am I supposed to let him catch it and then wait for him and hug him?" Clark said. "Should I throw a pillow at him? Should I blow a whistle? 'Hey look, I'm about to tackle you.' No, that's not football." The Ravens' Lewis agrees. "You can't stop playing defense the way defense has always been created to play," Lewis said. "When the receiver has the ball, your job is to disengage him from the ball. You never want to hurt nobody. I've been in this business too long. I just think once you start getting into these fines I don't know how they come up with the numbers most of the time." Neither does Clark, who threatened to go out and blatantly earn the fine next time. "So it's going to turn into if you're going to fine me $40,000, I might as well put him to sleep for real or I might as well blow his knee out," Clark said. Information from ESPN NFC North blogger Jamison Hensley and The Associated Press was used in this report.
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Bucs DT McCoy (biceps) out for rest of 2011
TAMPA, Fla. -- The struggling Tampa Bay Buccaneers will have to pull out of a midseason funk without Gerald McCoy. The second-year defensive tackle was placed on injured reserve Monday after tearing his right biceps during the opening quarter of a 27-16 loss to New Orleans that dropped the Bucs (4-4) into third place in the NFC South. McCoy had just returned to the lineup after sitting out the previous two games because on an ankle injury. "That's football.
That's the unfortunate part of our game," coach Raheem Morris said Monday, adding that Sunday's subpar performance against the division-leading Saints provided a snapshot of how much the 6-foot-4, 295-pound McCoy means to a defense rebuilt around him. New Orleans rushed for 195 yards, averaging 7 yards per carry with McCoy and the 23-year-old tackle's backup, Frank Okam, on the sideline Sunday. Okam missed the game because of a sore calf, forcing Morris to fill McCoy's spot by committee with ends Michael Bennett, Da'Quan Bowers and George Johnson. It's the second straight year McCoy's season is ending prematurely because of an arm injury. The third pick in the 2009 NFL draft missed the final three games of his rookie year with a torn left biceps. "You can see the difference in our play up front when he's out of the game, and how it affects our get off and some of the things we're able to do positively on defense," Morris said. "You're talking about a top three pick. You're talking about a guy who gets off the ball, causes disruptions. When he's played, he's been playing really well for us. He's done a great job for us versus the run. He's done a great job as far as the explosion and the get off. He makes game plans change." McCoy finished with 13 tackles, including one sack. He had three sacks during a rookie season that was considered disappointing. Ever since the former Oklahoma star got off to a slow start and didn't earn a sack until his 10th game as a pro it was clear the value of a player at McCoy's position is not determined by statistics alone. The coach said Monday that he doesn't feel McCoy, who'll wind up missing 10 games, is injury prone. The latest injury occurred in the first quarter when he was reaching out to his right to try to make a tackle on Saints running back Chris Ivory, who gained 3 yards before being taken to the ground by another defender. "It's football," Morris repeated. "Matt Stafford missed two seasons for the Detroit Lions and he is probably putting up his best season. (McCoy) has to come back, he has to go rehab, get his mind right and come back ready to play. And be ready to play a 16-game season." The injury leaves just two players on the roster who are listed as true defensive tackles: 2010 second-round draft pick Brian Price, the club's other starting tackle, and backup Roy Miller. The Bucs also used their first two picks in the 2011 draft on defensive linemen, selecting ends Adrian Clayborn and Bowers. Morris said help will be brought in from the outside before Sunday's home game against the Houston Texans. In addition to placing McCoy on injured reserve, the club released running back Chad Spann and guard-center Zane Taylor. "Hopefully we can get Frank (Okam) back this week. He had the (calf) strain last week in practice and we have to see where he is health wise. That is an issue right now," Morris said, adding it's not ideal to move one the team's backup ends inside to fill in. Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press
That's the unfortunate part of our game," coach Raheem Morris said Monday, adding that Sunday's subpar performance against the division-leading Saints provided a snapshot of how much the 6-foot-4, 295-pound McCoy means to a defense rebuilt around him. New Orleans rushed for 195 yards, averaging 7 yards per carry with McCoy and the 23-year-old tackle's backup, Frank Okam, on the sideline Sunday. Okam missed the game because of a sore calf, forcing Morris to fill McCoy's spot by committee with ends Michael Bennett, Da'Quan Bowers and George Johnson. It's the second straight year McCoy's season is ending prematurely because of an arm injury. The third pick in the 2009 NFL draft missed the final three games of his rookie year with a torn left biceps. "You can see the difference in our play up front when he's out of the game, and how it affects our get off and some of the things we're able to do positively on defense," Morris said. "You're talking about a top three pick. You're talking about a guy who gets off the ball, causes disruptions. When he's played, he's been playing really well for us. He's done a great job for us versus the run. He's done a great job as far as the explosion and the get off. He makes game plans change." McCoy finished with 13 tackles, including one sack. He had three sacks during a rookie season that was considered disappointing. Ever since the former Oklahoma star got off to a slow start and didn't earn a sack until his 10th game as a pro it was clear the value of a player at McCoy's position is not determined by statistics alone. The coach said Monday that he doesn't feel McCoy, who'll wind up missing 10 games, is injury prone. The latest injury occurred in the first quarter when he was reaching out to his right to try to make a tackle on Saints running back Chris Ivory, who gained 3 yards before being taken to the ground by another defender. "It's football," Morris repeated. "Matt Stafford missed two seasons for the Detroit Lions and he is probably putting up his best season. (McCoy) has to come back, he has to go rehab, get his mind right and come back ready to play. And be ready to play a 16-game season." The injury leaves just two players on the roster who are listed as true defensive tackles: 2010 second-round draft pick Brian Price, the club's other starting tackle, and backup Roy Miller. The Bucs also used their first two picks in the 2011 draft on defensive linemen, selecting ends Adrian Clayborn and Bowers. Morris said help will be brought in from the outside before Sunday's home game against the Houston Texans. In addition to placing McCoy on injured reserve, the club released running back Chad Spann and guard-center Zane Taylor. "Hopefully we can get Frank (Okam) back this week. He had the (calf) strain last week in practice and we have to see where he is health wise. That is an issue right now," Morris said, adding it's not ideal to move one the team's backup ends inside to fill in. Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press
Monday, November 7, 2011
Vick reportedly most disliked NFL player in poll
Michael Vick has come all the way back from prison to star in the NFL again. But he apparently still won't win a popularity contest among the league's fans. Forbes.com reported Monday that Vick is the NFL's most disliked player, according to a poll by Nielsen and E-Poll Market Research. Forbes.com reports that 60 percent of those polled picked said they "dislike," "dislike somewhat," or "dislike a lot" the Philadelphia Eagles quarterback. Second on the list was New York Jets receiver Plaxico Burress at 56 percent, who also has returned from a prison stay, followed by Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, who was accused of sexual assault last year but wasn't charged.
New England Patriots defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth, who disappointed with the Washington Redskins after signing a $100 million contract before his trade to New England, came in at No. 4 at 46 percent and Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler, who had his toughness questioned after leaving the last season's NFC Championship Game early with an injury, finished fifth at 38 percent. The rest of the top 10: Patriots receiver Chad Ochocinco (35 percent), Eagles backup QB Vince Young (32 percent), Oakland Raiders QB Carson Palmer (31 percent), Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo and Carolina Panthers tight end Jeremy Shockey, who both were at 29 percent. Only active NFL players who had a 10 percent "awareness level" with the public were considered for the poll, Forbes.com reported.
New England Patriots defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth, who disappointed with the Washington Redskins after signing a $100 million contract before his trade to New England, came in at No. 4 at 46 percent and Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler, who had his toughness questioned after leaving the last season's NFC Championship Game early with an injury, finished fifth at 38 percent. The rest of the top 10: Patriots receiver Chad Ochocinco (35 percent), Eagles backup QB Vince Young (32 percent), Oakland Raiders QB Carson Palmer (31 percent), Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo and Carolina Panthers tight end Jeremy Shockey, who both were at 29 percent. Only active NFL players who had a 10 percent "awareness level" with the public were considered for the poll, Forbes.com reported.
Sunday, November 6, 2011
Chargers' Mathews, Floyd, Phillips out vs. Pack
SAN DIEGO -- Running back Ryan Mathews, wide receiver Malcom Floyd and linebacker Shaun Phillips are among the San Diego Chargers' inactive players against the Green Bay Packers. Guard Kris Dielman is missing his second straight game with a concussion. The other inactives are linebackers Na'il Diggs and Everette Brown, and defensive end Luis Castillo. Rookie Vincent Brown is expected to start for Floyd. The Packers' inactives are tackle Chad Clifton, cornerback Davon House, linebackers Robert Francois, Jamari Lattimore and Vic So'oto, offensive lineman Ray Dominguez, and defensive end Mike Neal.
Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press
Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press
Saturday, November 5, 2011
Vikings Stadium drama stoking fears of move
ST. PAUL, Minn. -- A YouTube video making the rounds at the Minnesota Capitol these days shows a man slowly opening a gift box as ominous music thumps in the background. He folds back the flaps, reaches in and pulls out a foam rubber cheesehead -- a symbol of the hated Green Bay Packers next door. "Some things are too sickening to imagine," warns the video.
"Minnesota as Green Bay Packer country is one of them." These are scary days for Vikings fans, who wonder if they are on the brink of losing the state's most popular team if it doesn't get the new stadium it wants. A long-simmering push for a publicly funded stadium is suddenly boiling over, with a lease that expires after this season, a fat new market in California beckoning and state leaders reluctant to pony up amid chronic budget deficits and spending cuts. For those who fear the worst, there's good reason. This is the state that already lost one team to California -- the Minneapolis Lakers left decades ago -- and watched the NHL's North Stars decamp to Dallas. The NBA's Timberwolves nearly left before a rescue effort in the mid-'90s kept them in town. "My observation is, the Indianapolis Colts used to be the Baltimore Colts," said Gov. Mark Dayton, who has emerged as the chief cheerleader for some kind of stadium package. "The St. Louis Rams used to be the Los Angeles Rams. The Los Angeles Lakers used to be the Minneapolis Lakers. "Teams leave when they can't get satisfactory resolution to where they're currently located," said Dayton, who has recalled attending as a teenager the Vikings first-ever regular-season home game in 1961 (they beat the Chicago Bears). There are powerful reasons to believe the Vikings aren't going anywhere for now. NFL officials have called the Minnesota market (read: TV) a valuable one. Vikings ownership would be on the hook for a hefty relocation fee likely to reach into the hundreds of millions of dollars, too. And if Vikings owners want to move in 2012, they'd have to notify the league in writing by Feb. 15, a relatively short window. Two business groups proposing football stadiums in Los Angeles haven't broken ground yet, though there are NFL-ready stadiums in the L.A. area. No Minnesota political leader wants to be blamed for losing the Vikings, but hopes of settling the issue soon seemed to dim this week after Kurt Zellers, the Republican House speaker, called it unworthy of a special session prior to a regularly scheduled legislative session that begins in late January. Stadium supporters fear that taking up a stadium funding issue in January could be even tougher. Minnesota government shut down over the summer as Dayton and Republican lawmakers disagreed on how to eliminate a $5 billion deficit, and the picture isn't expected to be much better three months from now. An expansion of legal gambling is emerging as the most politically palatable way to complete a deal, though powerful factions in the Legislature oppose it. And some longtime stadium foes are against any state money being laid out for sports. "The dollar amounts of these things keep getting bigger, while government is getting more and more pinched for money," said John Marty, a Democratic state senator who represents a suburban area north of St. Paul. "It's absolutely outrageous. If it was outrageous before, it's even more outrageous now." The Vikings have wanted out of the Metrodome for more than a decade, calling the 30-year-old stadium obsolete and unprofitable compared to most NFL venues. The team's latest push has centered on building a $1.1 billion stadium on a suburban plot of land about 10 miles northeast of the Metrodome in downtown Minneapolis, but at least three downtown sites appear to still be in play. The suburban plan, in Arden Hills, calls for a state contribution of as much as $650 million. On Friday, the Metrodome's landlords said they believe a clause deep in the team's lease could require it to stay one more season, potentially buying more time. That clause calls for a one-year extension if the team is forced to play elsewhere for part of a season. That's just what happened last year when the Metrodome roof collapsed in a snowstorm, but the Vikings maintain that this is the last year of the lease. Dayton and other stadium negotiators said no one with the Vikings has directly threatened a move to Los Angeles or anywhere else. The team declined to make owner Zygi Wilf available for an interview for this story; Vikings vice president Lester Bagley has told The Associated Press that both Los Angeles business groups have been in contact, but has continued to stress that the team's main focus is securing a deal to stay in Minnesota. Representatives of both firms, Anschutz Entertainment Group and Majestic Realty Co., did not return phone messages from the AP. The Vikings aren't the only franchise on relocation alert, but the team's tie to its current city appears to be the loosest in the near term. The St. Louis Rams have a possible out after the 2014 season. The Oakland Raiders are under lease through 2013. The Buffalo Bills intend on staying put as long as the founding owner -- 93-year-old Ralph Wilson -- is alive. The Jacksonville Jaguars would need to exercise a special escape clause to leave Florida but would owe the city for lost taxes and parking revenue for years to come. In San Diego, where the Chargers have been seeking a new stadium since 2002, the team has its eyes on a new downtown site but lack financing. The Chargers could get out of a lease starting in February if a better deal surfaces elsewhere, but the team is building toward a 2012 ballot measure. In the meantime, a lot of Vikings fans are feeling nervous. Tyler Richter, a 30-year-old Twin Cities media consultant, made the Vikings/cheesehead video in his garage and uploaded it last week. Richter said he's a Republican and no fan of government handouts to business, but his love for the Vikings trumps that. "Don't hate the player, hate the game," Richter said. "In this day and age, the reality is these deals don't get done without a public component. Love it or hate it, that's what it is." Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press
"Minnesota as Green Bay Packer country is one of them." These are scary days for Vikings fans, who wonder if they are on the brink of losing the state's most popular team if it doesn't get the new stadium it wants. A long-simmering push for a publicly funded stadium is suddenly boiling over, with a lease that expires after this season, a fat new market in California beckoning and state leaders reluctant to pony up amid chronic budget deficits and spending cuts. For those who fear the worst, there's good reason. This is the state that already lost one team to California -- the Minneapolis Lakers left decades ago -- and watched the NHL's North Stars decamp to Dallas. The NBA's Timberwolves nearly left before a rescue effort in the mid-'90s kept them in town. "My observation is, the Indianapolis Colts used to be the Baltimore Colts," said Gov. Mark Dayton, who has emerged as the chief cheerleader for some kind of stadium package. "The St. Louis Rams used to be the Los Angeles Rams. The Los Angeles Lakers used to be the Minneapolis Lakers. "Teams leave when they can't get satisfactory resolution to where they're currently located," said Dayton, who has recalled attending as a teenager the Vikings first-ever regular-season home game in 1961 (they beat the Chicago Bears). There are powerful reasons to believe the Vikings aren't going anywhere for now. NFL officials have called the Minnesota market (read: TV) a valuable one. Vikings ownership would be on the hook for a hefty relocation fee likely to reach into the hundreds of millions of dollars, too. And if Vikings owners want to move in 2012, they'd have to notify the league in writing by Feb. 15, a relatively short window. Two business groups proposing football stadiums in Los Angeles haven't broken ground yet, though there are NFL-ready stadiums in the L.A. area. No Minnesota political leader wants to be blamed for losing the Vikings, but hopes of settling the issue soon seemed to dim this week after Kurt Zellers, the Republican House speaker, called it unworthy of a special session prior to a regularly scheduled legislative session that begins in late January. Stadium supporters fear that taking up a stadium funding issue in January could be even tougher. Minnesota government shut down over the summer as Dayton and Republican lawmakers disagreed on how to eliminate a $5 billion deficit, and the picture isn't expected to be much better three months from now. An expansion of legal gambling is emerging as the most politically palatable way to complete a deal, though powerful factions in the Legislature oppose it. And some longtime stadium foes are against any state money being laid out for sports. "The dollar amounts of these things keep getting bigger, while government is getting more and more pinched for money," said John Marty, a Democratic state senator who represents a suburban area north of St. Paul. "It's absolutely outrageous. If it was outrageous before, it's even more outrageous now." The Vikings have wanted out of the Metrodome for more than a decade, calling the 30-year-old stadium obsolete and unprofitable compared to most NFL venues. The team's latest push has centered on building a $1.1 billion stadium on a suburban plot of land about 10 miles northeast of the Metrodome in downtown Minneapolis, but at least three downtown sites appear to still be in play. The suburban plan, in Arden Hills, calls for a state contribution of as much as $650 million. On Friday, the Metrodome's landlords said they believe a clause deep in the team's lease could require it to stay one more season, potentially buying more time. That clause calls for a one-year extension if the team is forced to play elsewhere for part of a season. That's just what happened last year when the Metrodome roof collapsed in a snowstorm, but the Vikings maintain that this is the last year of the lease. Dayton and other stadium negotiators said no one with the Vikings has directly threatened a move to Los Angeles or anywhere else. The team declined to make owner Zygi Wilf available for an interview for this story; Vikings vice president Lester Bagley has told The Associated Press that both Los Angeles business groups have been in contact, but has continued to stress that the team's main focus is securing a deal to stay in Minnesota. Representatives of both firms, Anschutz Entertainment Group and Majestic Realty Co., did not return phone messages from the AP. The Vikings aren't the only franchise on relocation alert, but the team's tie to its current city appears to be the loosest in the near term. The St. Louis Rams have a possible out after the 2014 season. The Oakland Raiders are under lease through 2013. The Buffalo Bills intend on staying put as long as the founding owner -- 93-year-old Ralph Wilson -- is alive. The Jacksonville Jaguars would need to exercise a special escape clause to leave Florida but would owe the city for lost taxes and parking revenue for years to come. In San Diego, where the Chargers have been seeking a new stadium since 2002, the team has its eyes on a new downtown site but lack financing. The Chargers could get out of a lease starting in February if a better deal surfaces elsewhere, but the team is building toward a 2012 ballot measure. In the meantime, a lot of Vikings fans are feeling nervous. Tyler Richter, a 30-year-old Twin Cities media consultant, made the Vikings/cheesehead video in his garage and uploaded it last week. Richter said he's a Republican and no fan of government handouts to business, but his love for the Vikings trumps that. "Don't hate the player, hate the game," Richter said. "In this day and age, the reality is these deals don't get done without a public component. Love it or hate it, that's what it is." Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press
Friday, November 4, 2011
Bengals sell out, ending 7-game blackout streak
CINCINNATI -- The Bengals have sold out their Nov. 13 home game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, breaking their streak of seven straight games blacked out on local television because of less-than-capacity crowds. Cincinnati (5-2) failed to sell out its last four games in 2010 and the first three this year. The Bengals drew only 41,142 fans for a win over Buffalo on Oct. 2, the smallest regular-season crowd in Paul Brown Stadium's 12-year history.
The team's unexpectedly strong start has revived fans' interest. Plus, thousands of Steelers fans make the five-hour drive to Cincinnati each year, filling the stadium. The last time the Bengals sold out a regular-season home game was Nov. 8 last year, when the Steelers were in town for a 27-21 win. Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press
The team's unexpectedly strong start has revived fans' interest. Plus, thousands of Steelers fans make the five-hour drive to Cincinnati each year, filling the stadium. The last time the Bengals sold out a regular-season home game was Nov. 8 last year, when the Steelers were in town for a 27-21 win. Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press
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