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LOL, M-M but, who wants to turn a good woman off? LOL Colt
M-M, I hear that OneBgg, has hired Johnny Cochran as his attorney. Something about, "if the amount of money don't fit, then the jury must acquit"! HARRR!
Colt
He'll be good for our youn guys like Tony and Manu. Man, Portland and San Antonio sure have had a lot of players connected with both cities. Good to see these guys get into coaching.
Colt
LOL, M-M...I want a pic of OneBgg, dunking the ball. LOL Colt
Bring it on. Is it for the weekend games or for the season?
Colt
U R Welcome, Tim.
Bravo for R. Lee Wrights, OneBgg.
OneBgg.....
These Damn Liberal Judges are going to be the ruin of America if Americans don't start voting them out of office or voting those who appoint them out. Most of these Idiot Judges go around with their head up their butt.
Colt
Arkieboy, can you have both on your puter without any conflicts, so that when you go to a link that says Best Viewed With IE, you can switch over? TIA
Colt
Scrooge, I sympathize with you. Microsoft and IE 6 Sucks!
ROFLMAO!!!
Chicken!!!
Ruellit, I think it is time for the females of iHub to do an iHub Pictorial...LOL
Colt
LOL, Troy. It kind of looked like AK was panting. I had no idea that Churak had that kind of effect on AK. LOL
Colt
Yeah, Churak...good ol' AK said it was you that sent it. You two sure are cute. HARR!!!
Colt
Ksquared, as far as being tested, I'll be more than happy to allow my Longhorns to test Michigan come January, since that would mean we'd be playing for the National Championship. We still have to face the boys up in Oklahoma and Kansas. I'm sure we'll both see our teams tested plenty as everyone loves to knock off the guys on top.
Colt
NLionGuy, the rain is supposed to stop this evening down here and it is forecasted to be a beautiful weekend. I was going to offer you some of our Texas Mud but, I see you have plenty already. Frankly, I hate mud, although as a little boy, my Mom would probably beg to differ. <g>
Colt
LOL, NLionGut, we have a saying down here..."Less Is More and More Is Better"! <GGG>
Colt
NLionGuy, Joe's Wheaties Box is in the iBox as I type! LOL
OneBgg,
I have mixed emotions about this one. I don't have a problem with carrying a rifle but, one of the things about those hunters who enjoy hunting with a bow is the fact that in some ways they are one with nature, i.e., having to think, act, feel, etc., like the animal. Being able to outfox the animal via stalking close enough to warrant a clean kill with their dinner ticket. As long as NO bow hunter uses his rifle to take his game, then I don't have any problem with it. But, once one hunter makes the decision to lay the bow down and pick up his rifle, then problems begin. One of the nice things about bow hunting is the quietness and stillness. Once a sonic boom goes off through the canyons and mountains in a place like Oregon, the hunt is ruined for the other 99.999% of TRUE bow hunters. That is one of the main premisses of bow hunting. That is why states allow a special bow season a couple weeks before rifle season.
On the other hand, being a gun owner and hunter I like the idea of governments backing away from too many restrictions. I would prefer however, that instead of rifles, they would have used pistols instead. This way the ammo and the arrow are on much more similar footing as far as the distance traveled by both as compared to rifle ammo, which can travel up to a mile or so depending upon the caliber. With a pistol you have the added benefit of protection against killer type animals such as Bears and Mountain Lions. Assuming one carries a .44 Mag or .454 Casull, for example.
What I do have a problem with is this..."Also, individuals without any hunting tag or license at all can be out in prime elk and deer country carrying a rifle. Before the rule change, they could have been cited for illegal hunting if they didn't have the appropriate license or tag. There is a reason why states have Regulated Hunting Seasons and when you allow anyone to just walk into the woods with a rifle it can be like walking into a dry forrest with a can of gasoline and a box of matches. One strike and all hell can break loose. I know as a hunter, I would not want my game within my sights and some Johnny Come Lately comes walking through between me and my game carrying a rifle and a half full can of beer. I hunt Colorado for example on Private Land. I went one year and hunted on Public Land....NEVER Again!!!! That's why I'm glad Texas is a Private Land state. I don't want a bunch of drunk high schoolers out there shooting anything that moves all in the name of a little fun. If I knew it would be ONLY Responsible Hunters I would have Very Little Problem with this. But, there is NO Guarantee that it will only be Responsible Hunters. As a land owner myself, I am probably more wary of this than those who don't own their own land. But, I've seen my fair share of poachers which is why I am a Life Member of Operation Game Thief. I just don't take too kindly when some jackass shoots or tries to shoot one of my bulls or bucks. We down here in Tejas still believe in Hangings for poachers and horse thieves. We also feel the same way when it comes to our wives, daughters and pickup trucks. HARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!
Bottom line I guess, is we will have a better idea about how it works out in Oregon, in the next few months. I will reserve my final (opinionated...LOL) judgement till then.
Judge 'Colt' Roy Bean
Langtry, Texas
Let's keep our fingers crossed. Talk to you tomorrow. Past my bedtime, being the old guy I am. LOL
Colt
Orig...I just get my pc fixed and once again, I'm getting those annoying "Not supported" boxes from Real Player like I do with your posts using any of the three main music players. Something is CONflicted between your pc setup and mine. I never get them with anyone else's embedded music. Could it have anything to do with you being on web-tv? I know on the rock and roll board I used to get complaints about this problem from posters. If others are having these annoying popups and/or pc freezeups, maybe you could try for a day or two without any music in the iboxes and see what happens. If I'm the only one then just disregard. TIA...
Colt
I know, Rudi...she keeps making us guys get up from our barstools so she can mop the floor. Personally, I think Carolyn should hire a maid for the dirty work.
Colt
Say what! <g> e/
LOL, Rudi...naw, we've been told to "Don't Drink the Water"! Matt hasn't paid the water bill yet and we don't know where iHub is getting their water these days. I think Carolyn is going to start bringing in bottled water for those of us who like a splash with their drink.
Colt
Holmes signs contract extension with Chiefs
By DOUG TUCKER
AP Sports Writer
September 4, 2003
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) -- Even though Priest Holmes was late to practice, he didn't get fined.
``No, but he could afford it,'' deadpanned Kansas City coach Dick Vermeil.
While his teammates went through their paces on the practice field Wednesday, Holmes was working out a lucrative new contract with the Chiefs.
Holmes and general manager Carl Peterson announced a four-year contract extension that will probably keep Holmes in Kansas City the rest of his career and will definitely have him on the field for Sunday's season opener.
``This is definitely an exciting time not only for me and my family, but also for the Kansas City Chiefs,'' said Holmes, 29, who has led the NFL in yards from scrimmage the past two seasons.
``When it comes to people like the Kansas City Chiefs, whatever they create, they definitely support. That's what we have right here with an extension on my contract.''
Holmes, who is coming off surgery for a hip injury that ended his season with two games left last year, had indicated he might not play against San Diego this weekend without a new deal.
``I really believe at this time, my life is just starting. It really is,'' he said.
He and Peterson refused to reveal terms, but Holmes had publicly talked about wanting a $15 million extension. And he said nothing to indicate he was disappointed over not coming close to that figure.
``Let's just say that I am a happy man,'' he said. ``You can see my smile. My kids will definitely be happy.''
As word of the agreement spread through the team, players came up and hugged the Pro Bowl running back, who is very popular as a hardworking and unselfish player as well as the key to the team's hopes for success.
``Our players really love this guy. I think they're excited for him,'' Vermeil said.
Holmes may be the greatest free agent signing ever in the NFL. In two years since leaving Baltimore to join the Chiefs, he has totaled 4,440 yards from scrimmage, the best in the league. He had 1,615 yards rushing last year despite missing the last two games.
His remaining contract, which guaranteed him about $2.5 million base salary for each of the next three years -- was unquestionably below market value for a player who was selected the NFL's offensive player of the year last season.
The Chiefs were always willing to increase his compensation, but they wanted to make sure the hip was fully healed. Although in need of help on defense, they used their first-round draft pick in April on running back Larry Johnson from Penn State.
Proving himself healthy, in fact, was Holmes' unspoken mission throughout the preseason.
``We've watched him. Our doctors have watched him,'' Peterson said.
``He's done every single thing we've asked him to do. He got knocked down. He knocked people down. He caught the ball. He ran with it. We're satisfied very much that that's no longer a problem,'' Peterson said. ``We're excited about the way he's looked in practice the last couple of weeks.''
Peterson said negotiations went smoothly and did not take long.
``It seemed there were some people out there who had a different motive. They wanted an acrimonious, protracted, long holdout,'' he said. ``That was never, ever considered. Never. He's a very important part of this football team.''
Atlanta at Dallas
Game Info: 4:15 pm EDT Sun Sep 7, 2003
TV: FOX
September 4, 2003
Fortunately for the Dallas Cowboys, Bill Parcells will be roaming the sidelines. Unfortunately for the Atlanta Falcons, so will Michael Vick.
After three years away from coaching, Parcells took the reins of the Cowboys this season. Intrigued by the chance to restore the glory of ``America's Team,'' Parcells took up owner Jerry Jones on his offer to coach.
Cowboys fans shouldn't expect miracles this season, as Parcells has yet to make the playoffs in the year he takes over a franchise. That doesn't mean he's writing his team off.
``I know there's a lot of work to do here, but that doesn't mean it's a rebuilding year,'' he said. ``Who knows what's going to happen? I just look forward to seeing what we do. I really don't have any grand expectations.
``I'm trying to get the team to play to its potential. If I can get it to play that way, then I'm going to be happy. I've sensed a little improvement in training camp, but this is a different deal now.''
Parcells and the Cowboys won't have to contend with Vick, as the Falcons' star quarterback will be sidelined with a broken leg for the first month of the season.
The stunning injury cast a cloud over this seemingly snake-bitten franchise, one that seemed to be doing everything right since Arthur Blank bought the team after the 2001 season.
The Falcons, though, say they're out to prove that there's more to the team than No. 7.
``We're not just a bunch of other guys,'' receiver Peerless Price said. ``Sure, Mike is the marquee guy in the league. No one on this team is as marketable as he is. But there's a misconception that just because he's marketable, he's doing it all by himself.''
Until Vick returns, Doug Johnson will guide the team. He has started just three games in his first three seasons, but the former Florida star has been in coach Dan Reeves' offense longer than any other quarterback on the roster.
Last season, Johnson came off the bench to guide the Falcons to a key road victory over the Giants.
``That was the biggest game of the season,'' safety Keion Carpenter said. ``Doug could start for any team in this league.''
Atlanta will be trying to record back-to-back winning seasons and make the playoffs in consecutive years for the first time in franchise history.
While Atlanta will be trying to overcome the loss of Vick, the Cowboys have questions of their own.
Can quarterback Quincy Carter develop into a consistent leader? Can running back Troy Hambrick replace Emmitt Smith? Will the line be good enough to give the quarterback and running backs a fair chance?
``We're all still learning, but we've got an idea of what he's about,'' tight end Dan Campbell said of Parcells. ``The biggest thing is discipline, hard work and being smart -- play smart, think smart and don't make stupid mistakes.
``You definitely don't want to be the one who messes up. You don't want to let the guy down. That's motivation enough.''
2002 STANDINGS: Falcons - 2nd place, NFC South. Cowboys - 4th place, NFC East.
2002 FALCONS LEADERS: Offense - Vick, 2,936 passing yards, 16 passing TDs and 8 rushing TDs; Warrick Dunn, 927 rushing yards; Brian Finneran, 56 receptions, 838 receiving yards and 6 receiving TDs. Defense - Keith Brooking, 110 tackles; Patrick Kerney, 10 1/2 sacks; Keion Carpenter, 4 INTs.
2002 COWBOYS LEADERS: Offense - Chad Hutchinson, 1,555 passing yards; Hutchinson and Carter, 7 passing TDs; Smith, 975 rushing yards and 5 rushing TDs; Joey Galloway, 61 receptions and 908 receiving yards; Galloway and Antonio Bryant, 6 receiving TDs. Defense - Roy Williams, 88 tackles; Greg Ellis, 7 1/2 sacks; Williams and Derek Ross, 5 INTs.
2002 FALCONS TEAM RANK: Rushing Offense - 147.9 yards per game (4th in NFL); Passing Offense - 197.9 ypg (23rd); Total Offense - 345.8 ypg (14th). Rushing Defense - 127.9 ypg (23rd); Passing Defense - 205.4 ypg (16th); Total Defense - 333.3 ypg (19th).
2002 COWBOYS TEAM RANK: Rushing Offense - 109.6 ypg (19th); Passing Offense - 163.8 ypg (31st); Total Offense - 273.4 ypg (30th). Rushing Defense - 113.6 ypg (15th); Passing Defense - 215.6 ypg (19th); Total Defense - 329.2 ypg (18th).
LAST MEETING: Nov. 11, 2001; Falcons, 20-13. At Atlanta, Johnson threw a go-ahead 1-yard TD pass with 5:20 left.
STREAKS AND NOTES: Falcons - WR Price has increased his receptions and yardage in each of the past three seasons with Buffalo. ... Dan Reeves leads active coaches with 198 victories. ... RB T.J. Duckett led NFC rookies with 507 rushing yards last year. Cowboys - QB Carter earned the job over Hutchinson with a strong preseason, leading the NFC with a 109 passer rating (37 of 58 with 4 TDs and 1 INT). Last year, Carter passed for at least 200 yards in six straight games, the longest such streak by a Cowboy since Troy Aikman did it in 1993. ... S Williams tied for the league lead among rookies with five INTs. ... Parcells has 149 victories and is looking to become the 13th coach with 150.
2002 ROAD/HOME RECORDS: Falcons - 4-3-1 on the road; Cowboys - 4-4 at home.
INJURIES: Falcons - OUT: WR LaTarence Dunbar (groin); S Cory Hall (knee); CB Tod McBride (thumb); QB Vick (leg). DOUBTFUL: LB Sam Rogers (knee). QUESTIONABLE: LB Artie Ulmer (leg). Cowboys - OUT: DT Willie Blade (knee); CB Derek Ross (knee). QUESTIONABLE: G Larry Allen (hamstring). PROBABLE: WR Antonio Bryant (quadriceps).
Parcells' Dallas debut against Vick-less Falcons
By JAIME ARON
AP Sports Writer
September 4, 2003
IRVING, Texas (AP) -- Twenty years ago, coaches from every NFL team stood together for a photo. Bud Grant, an elder statesman in the group, compared them to bomber pilots and suggested everyone take a good look around because next year ``there will be a few guys missing.''
Bill Parcells never forgot that. He's mentioned it often this summer while preparing for his fourth coaching job, this time with the Dallas Cowboys.
And, every time, he chuckled at the fact he'll open Sunday against the Atlanta Falcons and Dan Reeves, the only coach left from that snapshot.
With seven Super Bowl appearances between them, Parcells and Reeves are steeped in experience and wisdom. Yet both still go into this season more concerned than optimistic.
Parcells has no idea how the Cowboys, a team coming off three straight 5-11 seasons, will respond to his tactics and coaching staff.
He has unproven players in the most pivotal offensive roles and two of their top helpers, offensive lineman Larry Allen and receiver Antonio Bryant, are ailing. Injuries at cornerback and tackle have forced the defensive scheme to be tweaked.
``This is the time of year where apprehension among coaches is prevalent,'' Parcells said. ``You never know what you really got, what you really are going to be good at.''
Reeves has little sympathy. After all, Atlanta's Super Bowl hopes still are reeling from the broken leg that knocked out quarterback Michael Vick for at least the first month.
Losing every preseason game for only the second time in team history didn't help either. The Falcons scored just three offensive touchdowns their last 14 quarters.
``I'm not sure if anybody knows exactly where we are as a football team right now,'' Reeves said.
Before Vick went down, Atlanta was still riding the emotions of becoming the first team to win a playoff game in Green Bay. Then the addition of deep-play threat Peerless Price gave defenses another reason to fear Vick's arm as much as his feet.
Now the focus is on backup quarterback Doug Johnson. Teammates insist they're confident because he led them past the New York Giants when Vick was hurt last season, with Johnson going 19-of-25 for 257 yards with a touchdown pass and a TD run.
But they also know he's no Michael Vick.
``Mike took a lot of the pressure off of us because he's the cover guy of the league,'' running back Warrick Dunn said. ``Guys really have to earn their money now.''
Parcells already has started earning his. Fans are as excited about the Cowboys as they can be for a team that hasn't won a playoff game in seven years.
They probably won't this season either, but Parcells' track record gives them reason to believe they're headed in the right direction.
Since arriving in January, he's been molding the team with many of the same tricks he used to win two Super Bowls with the Giants, get the Patriots to another and take the Jets to an AFC title game two seasons after they won only one game.
``I feel his intensity already,'' safety Darren Woodson said.
Parcells made Troy Hambrick the replacement to Emmitt Smith at running back, almost by default, and chose Quincy Carter as his top quarterback before the preseason finale. It'll be his third straight opener.
After a tumultuous first two seasons, hard work off the field and mobility on it has put him in Parcells' good graces. He must make good decisions and avoid turnovers to hold onto what might be his last chance in Dallas.
``I think his confidence is higher,'' Parcells said. ``He has a better understanding of what we are doing, quite obviously, and I think he's starting to gain an understanding of stylistically what we are going to try to do with him''
Parcells began calling all the plays in the last preseason game and hopes he knows the ones his players can run best. He certainly knows what works against Reeves' teams, having gone 5-0 against them.
The Falcons, though, might have a secret weapon in Woody Dantzler, a return specialist who was signed Tuesday, a day after Dallas cut him.
Reeves was irked that anyone would think Dantzler was signed to provide inside information about the Cowboys -- although the coach admitted, ``I might ask him a question.''
``But I don't think he'll tell us anything that we probably don't already know,'' Reeves said. ``If we don't know what they're going to do by looking at film and having some idea of what they've done in the past and what Bill's profile has been in the past, then we're not very good coaches.''
Niners to stretch it out, air it out under Erickson
By GREG BEACHAM
AP Sports Writer
September 4, 2003
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) -- Six months ago, Dennis Erickson moved from a huge home in central Oregon to an apartment in Silicon Valley. In those small quarters, he started thinking big about the San Francisco 49ers.
Erickson went south with a mission. He had a bulging coaching resume and a comfortable job at Oregon State, but he simply couldn't resist the 49ers: the stellar history, the high profile, the talented roster and the chance to win a world championship.
``I thought I could bring a fresh perspective, especially since we've pretty much kept the team intact from last year,'' Erickson said. ``This is a good team, but I think it can be better. We can be more aggressive in every phase. That's the one thing we're searching for this fall.''
Aggression comes up almost every day at the 49ers' training complex. It's the ephemeral quality that was found lacking in Steve Mariucci, who was fired by owner John York just three days after the 49ers lost to Tampa Bay in the NFC semifinals last January.
The 49ers were too conservative, the team line goes. With Pro Bowl talent at every skill position and along the offensive line, San Francisco should have won its NFC West title with flair and big-play drama, not with the short passes and steady drives Mariucci loves.
York didn't publicly command Erickson to throw long passes and take big chances, but it's widely understood the new coach's 49ers will be playing a vertical game.
``It's going to be exciting to see what we can really do,'' quarterback Jeff Garcia said. ``Every member of this offense is looking forward to really testing our athletic abilities. I think we'll be more aggressive, more assertive and more fun to watch. These should be the types of games that you can't turn away from for a second.''
Erickson, who went 31-33 in four seasons with the Seattle Seahawks, is the first San Francisco coach since 1955 to take the job with a prior NFL head-coaching credit on his resume. He retained both of Mariucci's coordinators to keep continuity with a roster largely unchanged from last season.
General manager Terry Donahue was criticized for spending less money on new free agents than any team in the NFL. But he's putting trust in the coaching staff's new angle on the same personnel -- and the growing maturity of a young defense featuring a standout linebacking corps and question marks at nearly every other position.
Defensive coordinator Jim Mora replaced starters Chike Okeafor and Dana Stubblefield on his line with rookie Anthony Adams and veteran John Engelberger. But San Francisco returns the same secondary that was shredded by every good passing offense in the second half of last season.
``I know people think we might be the weak link in the defense, but we want to prove them wrong,'' said starting cornerback Jason Webster, who will miss at least six regular-season games with a knee injury.
``We had a tough time in the playoffs, but that was because of the injuries. If I had been out there and Ahmed (Plummer) hadn't got hurt, I think we could have given Tampa a real challenge. I don't think we needed to make any big changes.''
The offensive personnel also is mostly the same, though tight end Eric Johnson is out for another 10 weeks after breaking his collarbone. Erickson and coordinator Greg Knapp kept the same terminology in their schemes, but Erickson's interpretation of the 49ers' hallowed offense involves more long throws -- and ample use of All-Pro Terrell Owens, of course.
``The running game is going to make this offense go, but of course we're going to get the ball in No. 81's hands as often as possible,'' fullback Fred Beasley said. ``You're going to see more balls thrown down the field, and we've got the guys that can go down and get it. We're just going to loosen up this West Coast offense a bit.''
The 49ers face a difficult schedule in their quest to repeat as division champions, with four long road trips in the season's final six weeks. Erickson is hoping improved chemistry, built during everything from last season's playoffs to a recent team bowling outing, will help to traverse the rough patches.
The 49ers went 3-1 in the preseason. Kick returner Arland Bruce, rookie receiver Brandon Lloyd and third-string quarterback Ken Dorsey were among the most impressive players. Most of the regulars got plenty of rest -- including Owens, who is more healthy than he's been in years.
Starting receivers Owens and Tai Streets both will be free agents after the season, which puts added pressure on both players. That's just fine with them: Streets can't wait for the four-receiver sets he has been promised.
Even Beasley, the sturdy blocking linchpin of the 49ers' sixth-ranked rushing offense last season, is excited by the prospect of longer drives, higher point totals and greater team success under Erickson's grand design.
``We've always had this capability, but with Mooch being conservative, we didn't use it as much,'' Beasley said. ``It's a different system, and we've got the players to do it. It's going to be very aggressive.''
NFC West football capsules
September 4, 2003
SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS ===================
Coach: After being blown out by Tampa Bay in the divisional round of the playoffs last season, Steve Mariucci was fired and replaced by Oregon coach Dennis Erickson, who was 31-33 as a coach with the Seattle Seahawks from 1995-98. Erickson was a surprise choice after the team interviewed defensive coordinator Jim Mora Jr., New York Jets defensive coordinator Ted Cottrell and Chicago defensive coordinator Greg Blache.
2002 season: Won the NFC West with a 10-6 record and rallied from a 24-point deficit to beat the New York Giants, 39-38 in the wild card round. Lost to Tampa Bay. 31-6 in the divisional playoffs.
Major adds: DT Anthony Adams, T Kwame Harris, TE Jed Weaver.
Major losses: G Dave Fiore, DE Chike Okeafor, WR J.J. Stokes, DT Dana Stubblefield.
Quarterback: For the third straight season, Jeff Garcia did not miss a start but his quarterback rating dropped more than nine points from 2001, to 85.6. Garcia is one of the best at his position inside the opponents 20-yard line over the last four seasons, throwing 57 TDs and just four interceptions. Tim Rattay is the backup.
Running backs: The good news for the 49ers last season was that Garrison Hearst once again played in all 16 games. The bad news, he ran for 972 yards on 215 carries and eight touchdowns after gaining 1,206 yards on 252 carries in 2001. Third-year player Kevan Barlow will get an increased workload in the backfield. Fred Beasley is a solid blocking fullback.
Receivers: Terrell Owens recorded 100 receptions for the first time in his career for 1,300 yards and 12 touchdowns, despite missing two games. Finally tired of J.J. Stokes, releasing him. Tai Streets replaced Stokes as the starter last year and caught 72 passes for 756 yards and five touchdowns. Tight end Eric Johnson will miss three months with a broken collarbone. Blocking tight end Jed Weaver was signed as a free agent.
Offensive line: Center Jeremy Newberry and right guard Ron Stone each made the Pro Bowl last season. On the left side, Derrick Deese will once again be called on to protect Garcia's blind side. Left guard Eric Heitmann can also slide inside to center. First-round pick Kwame Harris will eventually take over at left tackle, and can also play right tackle. Scott Gragg remains the starter at right tackle.
Defensive line: End Chike Okeafor left for Seattle via free agency and tackle Dana Stubblefield was not re-signed because of salary cap purposes. John Engelberger, who lost his starting job to Okeafor last season, should gain it back after undergoing bone spur surgery during the offseason. Veteran left tackle Bryant Young made the Pro Bowl in 2002 despite a torn labrum in his right shoulder. The Niners are hoping Jim Flanigan will provide an adequate replacement for Stubblefield at the other tackle spot. Right end Andre Carter is the team's best pass rusher.
Linebackers: Outside linebacker Julian Peterson was also a Pro Bowl selection last season with 76 tackles and inside linebacker Derek Smith led the team in tackles. Both players return and will be joined by second-year man Saleem Rasheed and third-year player Jamie Winborn, who was slowed down by injuries his first two campaigns. Jeff Ulbrich is a versatile sub.
Secondary: The Niners were the worst in the league allowing teams to convert on third down. Tony Parrish and Zack Bronson are solid at the safety positions, but cornerback and nickel back was a problem last season. Ahmed Plummer is the team's best cornerback, but had a shaky season. The other corner, Jason Webster, will miss the first month of the season with an injury. Mike Rumph, the team's first-round pick in 2002, had fits at nickel back.
Special teams: Kicker Jeff Chandler replaced Jose Cortez in the middle of the season but the second-year man from Florida had his own problems, converting 12 attempts. Bill LaFleur and Jeff Crowell will compete for the punting job this season and return specialist Jimmy Williams averaged 21.9 yards on kickoffs and 16.8 yards on punts before suffering a torn ACL in December, ending his season.
Prediction: The 49ers can repeat as division champions, but the secondary may not be able to deal with St. Louis this season. Do not look for a playoff run from the Niners.
ST. LOUIS RAMS ==============
Coach: Mike Martz returns for his fourth season and is still trying to get over the shock of missing the playoffs. Admitted to letting a Super Bowl hangover in 2001 affect his coaching last season. Perhaps the NFL's best offensive coach.
2002 Season: After losing their first five games, the Rams won the next five but finished 7-9.
Major adds: T Kyle Turley, C Dave Wohlabaugh, TE Cam Cleeland, P Sean Landeta, DT Jimmy Kennedy, LB Pisa Tinoisamoa.
Major losses: P Mitch Berger, CB Dre Bly, TE Ernie Conwell, WR Ricky Proehl, FB James Hodgins, CB Dexter McCleon.
Quarterback: Kurt Warner looks to return from hand and shoulder injuries that caused him to go 0-6 as the starter last season. He finished 2002 with just three touchdown passes and 11 interceptions. Marc Bulger came in and threw 14 touchdowns and six interceptions for a 101.5 passer rating. Warner, a two-time MVP, will be the starter.
Running back: Marshall Faulk was also injured for most of 2002, playing in just seven games and rushing for 953 yards after totaling 2,000 yards from scrimmage in each of the previous four seasons. Second-year player Lamar Gordon is the primary backup.
Receivers: Isaac Bruce and Torry Holt each posted 1,000-yard seasons last year and each is expected to do the same. Holt recently received a multi-year contract worth more than $40 million. The Rams will miss reliable possession receiver Ricky Proehl, but are relying on two rookies - Kevin Curtis and Shaun McDonald - to help the offense. Brandon Manumaleuna is the starting tight end with the defection of Ernie Conwell.
Offensive line: Left tackle Orlando Pace, who is regarded by many as the best at his position, will head a group that will be without versatile left guard Tom Nutten, who signed with the New York Jets in the offseason amd then retired. Acquired Kyle Turley to fill in the troublesome right tackle spot and signed free agent center Dave Wohlabaugh. Pro Bowler Adam Timmerman returns at right guard and Andy McCollum shifts to left guard.
Defensive line: The Rams selected Penn State tackle Jimmy Kennedy in the first round and he may rotate at the position with Damione Lewis, Ryan Pickett, Brian Young and Tyoka Jackson. Leonard Little and Grant Wistrom are solid pass-rushing ends. Little led the team with 12 sacks.
Linebackers: The Rams are giving a starting position to second-round pick Pisa Tinoisamoa on the strong side. Robert Thomas, the team's first-round pick in 2002, moves inside to middle linebacker. Weakside starter Tommy Polley is a rising star.
Secondary: Cornerback Aeneas Williams was re-signed but Dre' Bly signed with Detroit. Jason Sehorn was signed to play free safety, but suffered a broken foot in the preseason. Hard-hitting strong safety Adam Archuleta is on his way to the Pro Bowl. There will be pressure on second-year player Travis Fisher, who assumes a starting cornerback spot with the departures of Bly and Dexter McCleon.
Special teams: Kicker Jeff Wilkins made only 19 of his 25 field-goal attempts last season. Punter Sean Landeta was signed in the offseason to offset the departure of Mitch Berger. Landeta, entering his 19th season, is the NFL's all-time leader in punting average (43.4 yards) with at least 1,000 punts.
Prediction: A healthy Warner and Faulk should mean 11 wins and a division title. Perhaps even a trip to the Super Bowl.
SEATTLE SEAHAWKS ================
Coach: Mike Holmgren begins his fifth season in Seattle with a 31-33 record and zero wins in the postseason. After stepping down as general manager, Holmgren will concentrate fully on coaching. Holmgren hired Ray Rhodes to serve as defensive coordinator after the team ranked last against the run last year, yielding 152.6 yards per game.
2002 season: Tied for second in the NFC West with a 7-9 record.
Major adds: DE Chike Okeafor, DT Norman Hand, S Damien Robinson, CB Marcus Trufant, S Ken Hamlin.
Major losses: P Jeff Feagles, K Rian Lindell, S Marcus Robertson.
Quarterbacks: Matt Hasselbeck passed for 3,075 yards last season, starting 10 games after Trent Dilfer was injured. Hasselbeck averaged better than 340 yards over his last six games. Hasselbeck will be backed up by Dilfer.
Running backs: Pro Bowler Shaun Alexander proved that he can replace Ricky Watters last season by rushing for 1,175 yards and 16 touchdowns, which was tied for second place in the NFL. He also caught 59 passes for 460 yards. Second-year fullback Maurice Morris adds depth in the backfield. He ran for 153 yards on 32 carries.
Receivers: The strength of the offense with rising star Koremn Robinson, Darrell Jackson and Bobby Engram. Robinson led the team with 78 receptions for 1,240 yards and five touchdowns. Itula Mili and Jerramy Stevens are a good tandem at tight end.
Offensive line: The unit allowed just 33 sacks last season and helped Shaun Alexander rush for nearly 1,200 yards. Pro Bowl left tackle Walter Jones, leaving the Seahawks with a major hole. Chris Terry has filled the hole at right tackle after being signed last season following his release by Carolina. Left guard Steve Hutchinson returns after suffering a broken leg last season.
Defensive line: Former 49ers defensive end Chike Okeafor was signed in the offseason after they failed to sign Hugh Douglas from Philadelphia. The Seahawks also acquired defensive tackle Norman Hand, but lost fellow tackle Chad Eaton to a season-ending knee injury. Antonio Cochran returns at left end. John Randle will be used in passing situations.
Linebackers: Outside linebacker Chad Brown was bothered by a bad foot in 2002 but he is one of the best pass rushers in the league when healthy. Fellow outside linebacker Anthony Simmons was re-signed to a multi-year deal and the Seahawks pounced on middle linebacker Randall Godfrey after he was waived by Tennessee.
Secondary: Strong safety Reggie Tongue led the team with 77 tackles and five interceptions last season. Cornerback Shawn Springs has Pro Bowl potential, but has been hampered by hamstring problems. The Seahawks added safety Damien Robinson, who started for the New York Jets. Used their first two draft picks on defensive backs, selecting cornerback Marcus Trufant in the first round and safety Ken Hamlin in the second.
Special teams: Kicker Rian Lindell signed with Buffalo and punter Jeff Feagles went to the New York Giants. Ironically, Rodney Williams, who was with the Giants last season, will take over the punting chores and rookie Josh Brown will try to win the kicking job.
Prediction: It's been 17 years since Seattle won at least 10 games. That could change this season, but it's more likely the Seahawks will go 9-7.
ARIZONA CARDINALS =================
Coach: Dave McGinnis helped the Cardinals jump out to a 4-2 start last season, but they won just one of their last 10 games to finish last in their division for the fifth time in the last six seasons. Former Detroit wide receivers coach Jerry Sullivan is the new offensive coordinator.
2002 season: Finished last in the NFC West with a 5-11 record.
Major adds: RB Emmitt Smith, QB Jeff Blake, FS Dexter Jackson, WR Larry Foster, LB James Darling, FB James Hodgins, WR Bryant Johnson, DE Calvin Pace.
Major losses: QB Jake Plummer, WR David Boston, WR Frank Sanders, WR MarTay Jenkins, S Kwamie Lassiter, RB Thomas Jones.
Quarterback: Jake Plummer signed with Denver and the Cardinals reached out to veteran Jeff Blake to replace him. The 12-year veteran spent 2002 in Baltimore and threw for 2,084 yards, 13 touchdowns and 11 interceptions in 11 games, making 10 starts. Josh McCown will again serve as the backup.
Running backs: After 13 seasons in Dallas, Emmitt Smith, the NFL's all-time leading rusher, was signed to a two-year contract. However, with Smith's age and declining ability, many believe that the signing had more to do with putting fans in the seats than improving the quality of play due to the large contingent of Cowboys fans in the Phoenix area. Blocking for Smith will be 270-pound fullback James Hodgins.
Receivers: Lost David Boston, Frank Sanders and MarTay Jenkins and essentially start anew. First-round pick Bryant Johnson, second-round pick Anquan Boldin, Larry Foster, Bryan Gilmore and Jason McAddley have a chance to prove themselves. Tight end Freddie Jones led the team with 44 catches.
Offensive line: The strength of the team and the NFL's biggest unit. Anthony Clement and L.J. Shelton are massive tackles and Leonard Davis is a power-rushing guard.
Defensive line: The Cardinals were last in the league in sacks for the second year in a row with just 21, two more than they had in 2001. End Kyle Vanden Bosch, who led the team with just four sacks last season, will miss the entire 2003 season with a torn ACL. Need defensive tackle Wendell Bryant, the team's first-round pick in 2002, to develop quickly. Drafted end Calvin Pace in the first round.
Linebackers: Raynoch Thompson and Rob Fredrickson on the outside and Ronald McKinnon in the middle were steady, but did not provide big-play capability. James Darlin was signed to back up all three positions.
Secondary: Cornerback Duane Starks injured his knee in a preseason game and will miss the entire 2003 season. Third-year cornerback Renaldo Hill is also limited because of a bad ankle and the team signed Emmanuel McDaniel. Signed Super Bowl MVP Dexter Jackson to play free safety.
Special teams: Kicker Bill Gramatica struggled last season as the effects of his right knee injury in 2001 still lingered. Punter Scott Player averaged 43.9 yards per punt and kicked 28 of them inside the opposition's 20.
Prediction: Last place again with probably another 5-11 finish.
Mariucci returns home, Erickson faces 49er pressure
September 4, 2003
By Jason Rigatti
SportsTicker Staff Writer
JERSEY CITY, New Jersey (Ticker) - Steve Mariucci is home, away from the pressure of coaching the tradition-rich San Francisco 49ers. That problem now belongs to Dennis Erickson.
Born in Michigan, Mariucci was fired by the 49ers after winning the NFC West title with a 10-6 record. But he did not survive a resounding 31-6 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the divisional playoff.
When he was fired, Lions president Matt Millen reacted quickly and pounced on the opportunity to get Mariucci to transform the Lions, who went 5-27 over the last two seasons under Marty Mornhinweg.
"We're not going to be able to build this in one year," Mariucci said. "This is going to take time."
Erickson will not have that luxury. All the major pieces remain intact in San Francisco from last year's division-winning team. Then again, a division title will not be enough as Mariucci found out.
Mariucci took over in San Francisco from George Seifert in 1997, inheriting a veteran-laden 12-4 squad that included future Hall-of-Famers Jerry Rice and Steve Young. This time, he will try to rebuild the young Lions around strong-armed quarterback Joey Harrington and first-round pick Charles Rogers, who will look to thrive in the West Coast offense.
Mariucci's experience working with quarterbacks like Young and Jeff Garcia and dealing with explosive wideouts Rice and Terrell Owens will help Harrington and Rogers draw instant respect.
"Getting Charles Rogers for Joey was huge for us," Mariucci said. "He's a hometown hero playing here at Michigan State and he wanted to play for the Lions. We turned down a lot of trades on draft day to take Charles."
Under Mariucci, the players focused more on conditioning than ever before. The club was notorious for fourth quarter collapses, partly because it lacked talent but primarily because it ran out of gas.
Mariucci went 60-43 in six years with the Niners and led them to four playoff appearances but never went to the Super Bowl. Erickson, a highly successful college coach, compiled a 31-33 record with the Seattle Seahawks from 1995-98 and never went to the playoffs. Yet general manager Terry Donahue took a chance on Erickson.
Erickson knows the the bar of success is quite high this time.
"I'd like to think we can compete for the world championship and I love to have this opportunity," said the 55-year-old Erickson.
At Oregon State, Erickson turned the Beavers into a winning program with a 31-17 record and three bowl appearances. But the desire to succeed in the NFL never left him.
"I learned a lot about everything in those four years (in Seattle) and that will only help me," Erickson said.
Erickson retained offensive coordinator Greg Knapp and will keep the West Coast Offense in place. But they may eventually clash since Erickson is known for an aggressive offensive philosophy.
Fans will still see the myriad crossing routes and short passes that have bedeviled defenses for almost 25 years. Erickson, however, also espouses the deep pass, which should please Owens. Garcia's 10.2-yard average per completion last season was the lowest in team history.
Throughout training camp, the quarterbacks and wide receivers welcomed the emphasis on downfield throws. But success will depend on the running game, and with Garrison Hearst, Kevan Barlow and blocking fullback Fred Beasley, the 49ers should be able to grind out the yardage.
Parcells again tries to revitalize a franchise
September 4, 2003
By Aaron Rennie
SportsTicker Staff Writer
JERSEY CITY, New Jersey (Ticker) - If the Bill Parcells touch holds true to form, then the Dallas Cowboys will return to the playoffs in 2004.
Parcells was named coach of the New York Giants in 1983 and led the team to the postseason a year later. By the 1986 season, Parcells guided the Giants to their first Super Bowl and repeated the feat four years later.
Parcells left the Giants following the 1990 campaign, but he resurfaced in New England and took the Patriots to the playoffs in his second season and to the Super Bowl in his fourth.
After a bitter departure to the New York Jets following the 1996 season, Parcells again worked his magic, turning a 1-15 team into a 9-7 squad in one season. In 1998, again in his second year as coach, the Jets made the playoffs, losing to the Denver Broncos in the AFC championship game.
Parcells lasted only one more year with the Jets, then left to pursue broadcasting work. But he got the itch to coach again, and after backing away from the Tampa Buccaneers job in 2002, he shocked many NFL experts and fans by taking the Cowboys' post in early January.
"I don't think there will ever be a time, even after I've left the game for good, when I won't care," Parcells said early in training camp. "I don't think it will ever get to the point where I just think, 'OK, it's football season now, and I don't have any interest in that.' ... Once you leave football, it's like you were never there. Now that I'm back, it's like I was never gone."
Perhaps more than any other coach in the NFL, Parcells is a micromanager, one who tries to control everything about his squad, but the Cowboys are owned by the extremely hands-on Jerry Jones, who after the Jimmy Johnson years told his coaches whom to select in the draft.
But desperate for a coach to turn things around after three consecutive 5-11 seasons for "America's Team," Jones decided to sign the hard-driving Parcells for $17.1 million over four years.
Jones, who always held the 62-year-old Parcells in high regard, seems even more impressed with the coach after seeing his attention to detail in training camp.
"I had no idea I was hiring someone so intimately involved in every single thing that is taught to the players and the coaches," Jones told Sports Illustrated. "That's been a pleasant surprise."
But despite Jones' and the Cowboy faithful's high hopes, Parcells likely will not be able to improve the team that much this season. The Cowboys, after all, are coming off three straight 5-11 seasons, and saw their longtime centerpiece, all-time leading rusher Emmitt Smith, depart to the Arizona Cardinals as a free agent.
Also, as has been the case since Troy Aikman retired three years ago, Dallas once again does not have a quarterback who consistently can carry the team when the running game fails. But Parcells seems impressed with Quincy Carter, whom he recently named the starter over Chad Hutchinson after playing well in the final two preseaon games.
"I just thought, at the end of the day, Carter gives us the better chance to win right now,' said Parcells of the third-year signal-caller, who had a quarterback rating of 72.3 while tossing seven touchdowns and eight interceptions in five games last season.
But likely Hall of Fame left guard Larry Allen has been slow to recover from surgery and second-round pick Al Johnson, who was slated to start at center, went down to a season-ending knee injury, making it extremely difficult for the Cowboys' offensive line to open up holes for Smith's replacement, Troy Hambrick.
Dallas, which had the league's 30th-rated offense last season, signed free agent fullback Richie Anderson, who was adept at catching passes out of the backfield for the Jets in 2002, and traded for receiver Terry Glenn, who played for Parcells in New England.
Further, the Cowboys' defense, ranked 18th in 2002, has a pair of talented young defensive backs in second-year safety Roy Williams and rookie cornerback Terence Newman, their first-round pick in 2003.
Still, the Cowboys largely are talent-thin, and they play in the highly competitive NFC East Division, which means they will face two 2002 playoff teams, the Philadelphia Eagles and New York Giants, and the improved Washington Redskins six times this season.
But even with so many question marks, especially at quarterback and running back, Parcells, like his owner, expects the Cowboys to win, and win now.
"(Another 5-11 season is) not acceptable to Jerry. It certainly won't be acceptable to me," Parcells said at the press conference announcing his hiring on January 2. "I'll do whatever I can to improve it."
AFC race is wide open again
September 4, 2003
By Pete Spadora
SportsTicker Staff Writer
JERSEY CITY, New Jersey (Ticker) - Two years ago, unknown quarterback Tom Brady led the New England Patriots to their first Super Bowl title. Last season, with a year of experience under his belt, Brady failed to make the playoffs.
Meanwhile, 37-year-old Rich Gannon led the aging Oakland Raiders to the Super Bowl and earned Most Valuable Player honors.
This year, both teams can be considered among several that figure to have a good chance to reach Super Bowl XXXVIII from what again appears to be a wide-open AFC. Gannon and future Hall of Fame receivers Jerry Rice and Tim Brown again will be the focal points of an Raiders offense that was among the best in the NFL in 2002.
While the passing game is the team's forte, running back Charlie Garner is a steady veteran who averaged 5.3 yards per carry last year and fullback Zack Crockett is as good as anyone in short-yardage situations.
Age may translate into experience, but it does not necessarily equate to maturity as evidenced by Raiders linebacker Bill Romanowski's antics. The 37-year-old Romanowski punched teammate Marcus Williams during a fight in practice, leaving the backup tight end with a fractured orbital bone. Romanowski, one of the most tighly wound players in the league, was fined and suspended from one practice.
Although play at the end of the season determines who goes the farthest in the playoffs, - as evidenced by strong starts and poor finishes of the Miami Dolphins in recent years - the Raiders will get an early test as they open on the road against the Tennessee Titans.
Dick Vermeil knows something about high-powered offenses as he presided over one of the best with the St. Louis Rams. Last season, Vermeil's Kansas City Chiefs had an attack that was reminiscent of his former club. Quarterback Trent Green, whose injury in the preseason while with St. Louis led to Kurt Warner's opportunity in 1999, directs the offense for Vermeil.
Priest Holmes is a premier running back and appears to be recovered from his hip injury. Tony Gonzalez is still the best receiving tight end in the league (sorry Jeremy Shockey) and Green has a pair of solid targets in Eddie Kennison and Johnnie Morton.
While the offense is expected to score plenty of points, Kansas City needs to stop teams to take the next step in the AFC.
"I think we're a better football team right now than we were last year," Vermeil said. "I think it will hard to be as good as we were on offense last year in terms of scoring points. We're still going to be a very good team. But I think we're going to be much better starting with the defensive line."
The Tennessee Titans advanced to the AFC championship game last season for the first time since their trip to the Super Bowl following the 1999 season. Like the Raiders, Tennessee boasts an experienced offense that is not quite as long in the tooth.
Quarterback Steve McNair and running back Eddie George are as tough as they are skilled. While George has taken a lot of punishment the last few seasons, some of the burden can be lifted off his shoulders as McNair has a legitimate No. 1 receiver in Derrick Mason and a reliable veteran in tight end Frank Wycheck.
Although McNair and George are the team leaders, Tennessee's biggest star may play on the other side of the ball. Defensive end Jevon Kearse missed all but four games last season due to a toe injury, but will enter 2003 healthy and ready to assume his role as one of the top pass rushers in the game.
In the AFC South, Tennessee's stiffest challenge should come from the Indianapolis Colts, who improved and went 10-6 in coach Tony Dungy's first season. Questions arose about Peyton Manning's ability to win big games after the Colts were routed, 41-0, by the New York Jets in the AFC wild card round.
The Patriots failed to make the playoffs last year, but finished 9-7 and concluded the regular season with an overtime win over the Miami Dolphins that kept their AFC East rivals out of the playoffs.
The Buffalo Bills finished last in the East in 2002, but at 8-8, were one game behind the Patriots, Dolphins and New York Jets. The Bills lost receiver Peerless Price and his 1,252 yards and nine touchdowns, but Josh Reed will be counted on to complement Pro Bowl receiver Eric Moulds.
New England coach Bill Belichick orchestrated a near flawless defensive game plan to pull off an upset of the Rams in the Super Bowl two years ago. St. Louis coach Mike Martz drew criticism for not running enough at New England with superstar back Marshall Faulk. Last year, far less talented backs enjoyed success against New England as the Patriots were ranked 31st in rush defense.
Nose tackle Ted Washington will be called upon to clog up the middle, but Belichick realizes size is not a benefit without execution.
"How many guys do you see that are 6-5, 300 pounds? There are a lot more guys that are 6-foot, 200 pounds," Belichick said. "There are just not as many guys that are that big and that athletic that can play those offensive and defensive line positions. There is a premium on them. You see it in free agency, you see it in the draft, you see it when those guys hit the waiver wire whether it is in training camp or at the end of the preseason, the 53-man roster cuts. Those guys don't last long."
Facing perennial 1,000-yard rushers such as Miami's Ricky Williams and New York's Curtis Martin, that will have to improve for the Patriots to return to the postseason. The Jets lost some key weapons to the Washington Redskins as wide receiver Laveranues Coles, return specialist Chad Morton and guard Randy Thomas all headed to the nation's capital. Despite those losses, the Jets still have one of the best running backs in Martin and an emerging star at receiver in Santana Moss.
Chad Pennington was set to begin his first full season as the starting quarterback, but suffered a broken wrist in an exhibition game against the New York Giants. Instead, strong-armed Vinny Testaverde, who will be 40 in November, gets another shot at reaching the Super Bowl after guiding the team to the AFC championship game in 1998.
Miami signed quarterback Brian Griese in the offseason, but he also was injured in an exhibition game. Jay Fiedler returns as the starter. The offense is most efficient when the ball is in the hands of Williams.
The strength of the team will be on defense. Miami added linebacker Junior Seau to an already strong linebacking corps and the defensive line and secondary are among the best units in the NFL.
While the Chiefs have a solid chance to end Oakland's three-year run as division champs, the Pittsburgh Steelers will look to repeat in the AFC North. Journeyman and former XFL star Tommy runs an offense that features three dangerous receivers - Hines Ward, Plaxico Burress and former college quarterback Antwaan Randle El.
The Cleveland Browns will start the 2003 season with Kelly Holcomb as the starting quarterback ahead of Tim Couch.
The Baltimore Ravens will go with rookie Kyle Boller at quarterback, but their fortunes will again rest with a defense led by linebackers Ray Lewis and Peter Boulware and cornerback Chris McAlister.
The Jacksonville Jaguars have endured three straight losing seasons since posting an NFL best 14-2 record in 1999 and are expected to battle with the second-year Houston Texans to avoid the basement in the AFC South.
The Denver Broncos will not have Griese to boo or blame for its problems anymore after signing talented, but erratic Jake Plummer. The former Arizona State star was a fan favorite with the Cardinals, who rarely had enough fans to loudly boo the home team. However, the expecatations will be greater in Denver, where the last fan favorite at quarterback was future Hall of Famer John Elway.
Fortunately for Plummer, he has more talent around him in running back Clinton Portis and wide receivers Rod Smith, Ed McCaffrey and Ashley Lelie.
The San Diego Chargers should be improved as quarterback Drew Brees showed promise last year and now has a legitimate No. 1 receiver in David Boston. LaDainian Tomlinson again should rush for more than 1,500 yards.
The Cincinnati Bengals will attempt to begin their climb out of the basement of the AFC after a 2-14 season, but the trek will be a slow one. Top overall pick Carson Palmer will look to gain experience and learn under veteran quarterback Jon Kitna.
10-4...LOL No whammys for any of our teams. Ditto for NO injuries. I'd like to see one season in my lifetime where nobody gets injured and then we'll know which team really is the best at the end of the season.
Colt
{Here you go, Tim} 49ers, Raiders close to completing Super Bowl puzzle
Mark Purdy
Mercury News Staff Columnist
Last year, just before the annual slot machine pull known as the NFL season, a wise truth was spoken by Ernie Accorsi, general manager of the New York Giants.
"There has never been a league like this in the history of the world," Accorsi said.
By this, Accorsi did not mean a league that promotes touchy-feely United Way commercials but glamorizes violence in highlight videos. Or a league with no franchise in the country's second-largest city. Or a league that pretends no game can possibly start without a television sideline reporter asking an inane question seconds before kickoff.
No. What Accorsi meant was, there has never been a league in the world where, before the season starts, there are no sure losers or sure winners. Witness the past three Super Bowl champions: the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, New England Patriots and Baltimore Ravens. Did anybody pick those teams to win it all in early September? Anybody? Fans around the NFL have come to realize there are no certainties.
Well, except around here. Because there also has never been an area like the Bay Area during the pro football season.
How so? Well, here we are, in the most sophisticated region of America, filled with bright and perspective-laden people (if you don't believe it, just ask us). But when the NFL kicks off every September, we turn into a bloodthirsty and demanding crowd. We get all hot and bothered and accept nothing less than first prize in a frivolous sports tournament that has nothing to do with the price of apples (or peace) in Tikrit.
We have our reasons.
One is, we are spoiled brats.
Between them, the 49ers and Raiders have won seven of the first 37 Super Bowls -- and we're not even counting the Raiders' title while they bunked out briefly in Los Angeles. No other metropolitan area has won as many Supers. Dallas comes closest, with five. And that's only proper. Dallas isn't as urbane in its football insanity, and never will be.
Another reason is, the Raiders' and 49ers' ownerships set the standard. They are not exactly shy about feeling their teams should be nearly perfect every year. Remember, it was no first-time caller from Livermore who coined the Raiders mantras of "Commitment to Excellence" and "Just Win, Baby." And it was no 49ers fan who decided to fire a coach as he was watching "Joe Millionaire" just hours after the conclusion of an 11-victory season.
In other words, we arrive at our unreasonableness honestly. We're just following our role models.
Which brings us to this season, with the Raiders and 49ers coming off playoff appearances that included plenty of thrills and entertainment before crushing losses to the Buccaneers. Elsewhere, that might bring a glow that carries over into this season. Forget about it here. It is only a reminder that neither team can quite get over the final hump to another NFL title. It hasn't happened since the 49ers' last Super Bowl victory in 1995.
Therefore, for the ninth consecutive autumn, the theme song of the Bay Area professional gridiron follower is: "What The World Needs Now Is Love, Sweet Vince Lombardi Trophy Love, And We Deserve It More Than Anyone."
As usual, the 49ers' and Raiders' success will hinge on their best performers -- for the purposes of this argument, let's call them "Hump Players" -- and their ability to produce in crunch time. Herewith, we list the Bay Area's Top Ten Hump Players. These are the men who can get the 49ers and Raiders over that final hurdle to a Super Bowl championship -- or keep them from doing so, depending on what happens when the whistle blows.
Ranked in order of importance, the Hump Players are:
1. Jeff Garcia, QB, 49ers. He is more important to the 49ers than Rich Gannon is to the Raiders because Gannon has a stronger supporting cast. Garcia's nine career fourth-quarter comebacks caused Sports Illustrated to proclaim him the NFL's best two-minute-drill quarterback. Now, under Coach Dennis Erickson's more aggressive philosophy, we'll see if Garcia can put away more teams early. His back issues were overblown, typical of everything in the preseason. By Week 3, every NFL quarterback is playing with pain, anyway.
2. Napoleon Harris, LB, Raiders. If you believe the Raiders' offense is going to put up points (a safe assumption, despite the exhibition stinkos), then the defense will be a crucial element in the team's formula. Harris will be the fulcrum. As a rookie last season, you could see him absorbing and growing every week as he finished third on the team in tackles. He should be first this season. Harris is extremely smart (we're grading on the Romanowski curve here) and plays viciously but under control. This needs to be his breakout year.
3. Rich Gannon, QB, Raiders. After the team's last exhibition, Gannon said, "We've got a lot of work to do." That's a quote you like to hear at the beginning of training camp, not at the end. But it shows you Gannon is still as cranky as ever in his pursuit of perfection. That's a good thing. The only question: Are his legs are still working well enough to let him dodge big hits? If so, he will be as good as ever. If not, hello Marques Tuiasosopo.
4. Terrell Owens, WR, 49ers. We all know why. The 49ers and Raiders both have a sense of urgency because this could be their last best chance to meet in a Super Bowl before their best receivers go away (Jerry Rice to retirement, Owens to free agency). Just like Rice, Owens has never cheated his team on the field, though he still has a strange habit of dropping one totally catchable pass per game. And finally, we will learn if T.O. had something against former coach Steve Mariucci, or just loves to torture coaches in general.
5. Derrick Deese, T, 49ers. He is the left entrance door for opposing pass rushers and almost always keeps the door shut, which means he is Garcia's insurance policy. At age 33, Deese is savvy, gutsy and has paid his premiums. But if he goes down, so does Garcia. And so does the team. Top draft pick Kwame Harris will block the foyer eventually, but preseason showed how much he has to learn.
6. Phillip Buchanon, CB, Raiders. Before he was hurt last year as a rookie, he was electric every time he touched the ball, on punt returns or interceptions. If Buchanon was studying videotape and his elders during rehab, look out.
7. Jerry Rice, WR, Raiders. Funny how he seems to be speeding up even as the younger Tim Brown slows down. It would be no shock to see Rice and Jerry Porter become the Raiders' third-down receivers by October.
8. Julian Peterson, LB, 49ers. In the first three games last season, he seemed to be everywhere at once. Then knee and hip injuries slowed him down and made him an erratic force. But if Peterson can consistently breathe in the face mask of quarterbacks, the 49ers' shakiness at cornerback won't be as much of an issue.
9. Kevan Barlow, RB, 49ers. Hurt in the preseason, Barlow says he is eager to roll. He'd better be, because sooner or later, Garrison Hearst's miracle foot won't be able to handle 15 or 16 carries a game. Mariucci's staff worried that Barlow would be fumble-prone because he had difficulty holding onto the ball in college. But after some good coaching in that regard, and concentration by Barlow, those worries are groundless. If he's healthy, give him the ball.
10 (tie). Tim Rattay, QB, 49ers; Marques Tuiasosopo, QB Raiders. Keep your arms warmed up, guys. One of you will be in the picture this season. Gannon and Garcia have started all 48 regular-season games the past three seasons. So ask yourself: What are the combined odds of two quarterbacks in their 30s starting 64 consecutive regular-season games? Joe Montana never did that. Neither did Jim Plunkett. And they were two of the toughest guys ever.
As for the predictions here? As a wild stab, let's pick Philadelphia to win it all. And let's pick both Bay Area teams to make the postseason, but fall just short. Sorry. The hump wins again.
Yep, timhyma...I put the Evil Eye Whammy on Jeff Garcia and Sara's 49'ers for this season. LOL
Go Cowboys!
Colt
That was a great weekend for all four of us. Let's hope it continues, although in the next few weeks the competition will be much tougher.
Colt
Not to worry, Ksquared. I've done put the 'Whammy' on the Buckeyes. I sure am hearing a lot of talk about how good Michigan is this season. I hope you win every game this season except for the final game...when Blue plays the Longhorns for the National Championship! Damn, now I've put the Kiss of Death on Texas, too! Oh well, let the best team win this year! Just as long as it isn't a school from Florida or California. <g>
Colt
See, Ksquared, you do have sportsmanship in your blood. <ggg>
Colt
LOL, Ksquared...Our Alma Matas may not always finish in the Top Ten in football but, by golly, you can always count on each of our school's student body's living life to the fullest ... win, lose or draw!
Colt