Nfl Football Line - Football Betting

2005-11-07T13:40:00.000-08:00

Shrink`s advice key to Colts cover?
By Andrew Folkes
Sun, Nov 6, 2005

In a recent interview with the Indianapolis Star, sports psychologist Chris Carr had some advice for the Colts as they try to break their infamous losing streak against the New England Patriots.
Forget past results. --football gambling--

"From a performance standpoint, those past games in Foxboro should be totally irrelevant to Monday night,” he said. “If you`re telling me you`re in a slump, that means you`re using a description of past performance… as an excuse for your next failure." --football gambling--

There’s no word on whether or not the Colts got the message, but both sportsbooks and bettors seem to be heeding his advice. Although New England’s won the last six encounters and denied Indy a payday in nine straight meetings, oddsmakers opened the line with the Colts as 3-point favorites and they’ve since been wagered up to –4. --football gambling--

The line makes sense considering the Colts have five paydays and are undefeated through their first seven games of the season, while the Patriots are struggling through an injury-plagued campaign. But when a matchup has been as one-sided as this one, is it really a good idea to just toss the history book? --football gambling--

“You always have to put some stock in past results,” says Covers Expert Bryan Leonard. “As an athlete, you always know who you’ve struggled against and you know who can beat you. It’s something that gets in your head after a while.” --football gambling--

Indy’s losing streak to New England appears to have taken its toll on Indy’s collective psychic, particularly in Peyton Manning’s case. --football gambling--

The Colts quarterback thew a pair of interceptions in his last two games against New England, and led his offense to just a single field goal in last year’s divisional playoff after throwing 49 majors during the season. The Colts also lost two fumbles in that game, committed 44 yards worth of penalties and allowed the Pats a 15:26 edge in time of possession. --football gambling--

They should be able to put that out of their minds come game time, but it probably won’t take much to dredge up the bad memories. “If the Pats get some early breaks going their way, then you start thinking, ‘Well, maybe we really can’t beat these guys,’ ” Leonard says. “You can prepare yourself all you want, but if the Pats manage to establish, say, a double-digit lead by halftime, it’s going to be very difficult for [Indianapolis] to recover from that.” --football gambling--

Considering how easily the Colts have cruised through the first seven weeks of the schedule and how battered New England is, the Patriots have perhaps never looked so vulnerable to their AFC rivals. That puts additional pressure on Indianapolis to leave Gillette Stadium with a victory, but it’s not the only team that’ll be feeling the heat in Foxboro Monday night. --football gambling--

“I don’t think the Patriots can just write this game off,” explains Leonard. “They’re 4-3 right now and if they lose they risk missing the playoffs. And it looks like the Colts are going to have home-field advantage in the playoffs. If they can go into New England [Monday night] and beat the Patriots and then get them at home in the playoffs, that gives them a significant edge.” --football gambling--

Tonight’s total is set at 48. --football gambling--
Share your thoughts on this article in the Covers posting forum.--football gambling--

2005-11-02T10:59:00.000-08:00

Bo Jackson defamation suit dismissed

CHICAGO (AP) -- A federal judge has dismissed Bo Jackson's defamation lawsuit against a California newspaper, which apologized and retracted part of a story that said the former football and baseball star used steroids. -NFL Football-

Judge James B. Moran ruled Oct. 27 that the federal court in Chicago did not have jurisdiction in the lawsuit against the Ontario, Calif.-based Inland Valley Daily Bulletin. -NFL Football-

Jackson's attorney, Dan Biederman, did not immediately return a telephone call Tuesday from The Associated Press. -NFL Football-

Messages left Tuesday evening with the paper and its attorney were not immediately returned. -NFL Football-

Jackson, who lives in suburban Chicago, sued in April after finding online a March 24 story from the newspaper that quoted dietary expert Ellen Coleman as saying she knew personally that "Bo Jackson lost his hip because of anabolic abuse." Coleman later denied making the statement. -NFL Football-

The only player to be named to the NFL's Pro Bowl and appear in baseball's All-Star game, Jackson injured his hip playing for the Oakland Raiders in 1991 in a playoff game. He had a hip replacement the following year and retired in 1994. -NFL Football-

Jackson sued the newspaper, four of its employees, MediaNews Group Inc. and MediaNews Group Interactive, Inc., for unspecified general and punitive damages. -NFL Football-

The paper later apologized. -NFL Football-

"Jackson has stated publicly he has never used steroids," the newspaper said on its Web site April 10. "We retract the quote and the further statement that the speaker personally witnessed this damage to his life. We apologize to Mr. Jackson, without reservation." -NFL Football-

2005-10-31T12:35:00.000-08:00

Monday, October 31, 2005

Back To It: NFL Rundown

I'm back my b..., um my people. A long hiatus to get stuff off the plate, get focused, and be able to put more time and attention into this sports thang. Since I've been out the loop for a minute, let me start off slowly. A few thoughts about the NFL games that were played this weekend. -NFL Football-

Brett Favre, please retire. I've never been a huge Favre fan but always had respect for him. Favre had one of the strongest arms in the game and was a great competitor. But now it is embarrassing, plain and simple, to watch him get eaten up by defenses. Retire and let your legacy repair itself (or let ESPN and the good ol' boys at Fox do that for you). -NFL Football-

Did the Denver Broncos finally figure out that you can't win every game in the first half? From about 2:00 in the second through the end of the third, I wasn't so sure. Let me lay it out there for Broncos fans to hate, but it's the truth. Sportscasters can kiss Shanny's backside all they want, but he makes some terrible second half decisions when his team has a lead. I hear over and over that Shanahan is "one of the most aggressive play callers" in the game, but I only see that for the first thirty minutes. Count the number of runs to the right, wide receiver screens, prevent defenses and other incredibly predictable moves that the Broncos run when they have a second half lead, and you'll understand what I'm saying. It was a relief, to say the least, to see that mold broken in the fourth quarter yesterday. -NFL Football-

Speedy recover to Dwayne Carswell. I just happened to be at the hospital when they brought him in, saw a couple people from the local media that I know and they told me what happened. Dwayne, we've been pullin for you ever since. Get well soon. -NFL Football-

While we're on that note: Get well soon to Duante Culpepper. Hate to see you having a season like this, and never wish an injury on someone. But maybe this is a blessing in disguise. Maybe when you come back, you will have a new owner and a new head coach who share one thing in common, competency. -NFL Football-

New York Football Giants versus the US Capital Racistly Named Football Team, 36-0 OUCH! I have to admit that I had a lot of love for the Redskins team, special emphasis on "team", back in the day. But it is only befitting to me that they got spanked this weekend by a team formed by one of the most progressive minds in the history of football. Much respect Mr. Wellington Mara and Washington, change the name. I'm not one to believe that any and all references to Native Americans are bad. I'm not sure how honoring the Seminoles is offensive, as long as it is used to honor. But if you have any doubt about my point, why don't you go up to someone of native descent and call them by the mascot of the D.C. team. Note to reader: Please make sure said person is a large male and that you have sufficient medical insurance. -NFL Football-

Dear New England Patriots fans, The Prof was right about your boys, nothing special this year. The best thing the Pats have going for them right now is the most favorable rest of the season schedule a team could dream of. After they lose to the Colts next Monday, there should be nothing to stop New England from going 7-1 or 6-2 the rest of the way. I know I sound like a hater, and believe me, I'm not. Brady is one of the best QB's in the game and should continue his career right into Canton, and Bill Belichick is hands down the best head coach in football. But let's be honest Pats nation, please. Put this year's team up against previous years and tell me that this is a Super Bowl bound team. -NFL Football-

The Bears beat Detroit in Detroit for the first time in 173 years. Ok, slight exaggeration. But still a great win for Chitown. Someone tell me what Garcia was thinking on the pass in OT??? -NFL Football-

Did you have these guys on your fantasy teams:

Whoever guessed that Tiki Barber would blow up the fabled Washington run defense (I heard someone on the radio talking about that and am still shaking my head), you are running my fantasy team next year. -NFL Football-

The same goes for the genius who knew that Jake The Snake would have a season like this. I know I criticize Shanny a lot, but thank you sir for being the one who finally taught Plummer to throw the ball away rather than make a bad play. Anyway, to the one who has stuck with Plummer as his fantasy QB for the past 9 seasons, congrats are in order. -NFL Football-

You're a fantasy guru if you started St. Louis' Action Jackson in the backfield. Send him a thank you note for blowing up for 7 yards a carry (although it should be expected against Jax). And of course, from one old man to another, good job Steve Smith. We know you've been having a great season, but 11 catches for 201 and a TD proves that an extra viagra never hurts before gametime. -NFL Football-

// posted by Khalil @ 9:36 AM
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2005-10-20T22:03:00.000-07:00

Week Seven game previews
By PFW staff Oct. 20, 2005
--- nfl ---
San Diego at Philadelphia
--- nfl ---
The Chargers’ three losses have been of the heartbreaking, fourth-quarter variety. The Eagles have had an extra week to think about their blowout at the hands of the Cowboys in Week Five, one that has left them — for now — in second place in the NFC East behind Dallas. --- nfl ---
--- nfl ---
Despite possessing two of the best offensive players at their given positions in RB LaDainian Tomlinson and TE Antonio Gates, the Chargers’ lack of downfield production — namely from the wide receivers — is troublesome. Don’t expect them to break away from a conservative passing attack vs. a strong Eagles secondary, but QB Drew Brees’ composure should help him against the myriad blitzes of Eagles defensive coordinator Jim Johnson. --- nfl ---
--- nfl ---
Despite using a couple of replacement O-linemen last week, the Chargers opened big holes, and the return of OT Shane Olivea helps against a strong Eagles front. Philadelphia QB Donovan McNabb might have needed the bye week as much as anyone, but his sports hernia injury won’t heal with rest.
--- nfl ---
He’ll be throwing against a Chargers secondary that has taken its share of flak in the past, but one that has gotten its hands on a lot of passes lately. The improved pass rush, sparked by rookies Luis Castillo and Shawn Merriman, makes protection a key. Look for the Eagles to spread things out, forcing the Chargers to cover their multiple receivers, tight ends and backs.--- nfl ---

2005-10-10T12:20:00.000-07:00

Michaels makes it look easy
Longtime play-by-play announcer for `MNF' has his role perfected

SAM FARMER

Los Angeles Times

It's a fall Monday, and millions of Americans are tuning in to "Monday Night Football," the longest-running live prime-time show in television history. - NFL Football -

Filling the air is the familiar baritone of Al Michaels, TV's best play-by-play announcer. Bank of America Stadium, home of the Carolina Panthers, is filled to capacity and rocking. Twenty cameras are rolling, capturing the action from every conceivable angle. A crescendo is building.

Last Monday in Charlotte, for the first time in its 35-year history, "Monday Night Football" allowed a reporter to observe a broadcast from the booth.

It's 9 p.m., and Michaels, John Madden and the crew have been in and out of production meetings for the last 12 hours. Michaels typically snacks during the first half, washing down Snackwell cookies, Junior Mints and green grapes with cup after cup of coffee, then has a light dinner in the second half, stealing bites during commercials. He's a discreet eater and a picky one; he never lets a vegetable touch his plate, let alone his lips.

The millions of football fans watching the game have no idea that Michaels is eating dinner along with them. After more than 40 years in the business, the last 19 with "Monday Night Football," his delivery is so close to flawless, it's hard to believe he's concentrating on anything but what's happening on the field. - NFL Football -

But he is. He's talking through his headset to the production truck and to statistician Steve Hirdt in another truck, interpreting hand signals from the spotter just off camera to his left, and being handed a steady stream of in-game promos on index cards from the stage manager.

In front of Michaels are 14 monitors -- seven for him, seven for Madden -- each showing a different aspect of the game.

The job of processing all that information, producer Fred Gaudelli said, is like "being an air-traffic controller trying to land his own plane at the same time."

In his first national TV appearance, in 1972, Michaels was the 27-year-old announcer for the Cincinnati Reds, who made it to the World Series. Back then, NBC covered the games by teaming the home team's announcers with Curt Gowdy. - NFL Football -

"The camera widens and he's going to bring me in as the young announcer for the Cincinnati Reds," Michaels recalled. "And all I can think about is, `Please, God, when I open my mouth, let air come out.' "

It did. And, 33 years later, America is still listening.

Short stuff

• Cowboys quarterback Drew Bledsoe and receiver Keyshawn Johnson had a heated exchange after Johnson fumbled in the third quarter of Dallas' 33-10 victory against Philadelphia.Said Bledsoe: "I felt like we were absolutely manhandling them. When we turned the ball over I wasn't happy." - NFL Football -

Said Johnson: "I'm not the type of person to point fingers at anybody, and I don't want anybody saying anything to me. There are situations where balls are bounced to your feet you don't say anything."

• Miami's Ricky Williams returns today after serving a four-game suspension for violating the NFL's substance-abuse policy.

• Denver is 4-1 or better for the seventh time in Mike Shanahan's 11 seasons with the team.

• Tight end Randy McMichael has scored in four straight games, becoming the first Miami player to do so in a single season since Mark Clayton in 1988. - NFL Football -

• Sunday's win was Titans coach Jeff Fisher's 100th.

• The Browns have forced a turnover in a league-high 17 straight games.

• The Patriots' last losing streak: a 24-7 loss at Tennessee on Dec. 16, 2002, and a 30-17 loss at home to the Jets the next week. - NFL Football -

• Seattle totaled 433 yards in handing the Rams a rare home loss. St. Louis is 40-10 at home since 1999, the best in the NFL.

• Tampa Bay cornerback Ronde Barber inadvertently punched umpire Butch Hannah in the eye when he swung at Jets center Kevin Mawae during a second-quarter altercation.

Hannah fell holding his face, but got up quickly. Barber was flagged for unnecessary roughness but not ejected. - NFL Football -

• The Dolphins are 1-9 in their past 10 road games.

• Rams receiver Torry Holt caught eight passes for 126 yards and a 26-yard touchdown pass in the second quarter, giving him a score in four straight games. - NFL Football -

Injuries

• Detroit Pro Bowl return specialist Eddie Drummond, hurt on the opening kickoff, said he will miss next week's game against Carolina with a knee injury.

• Atlanta linebacker Edgerton Hartwell was carted off in the fourth quarter after injuring his right Achilles' tendon. He'll likely miss the rest of the season.

• Tampa Bay rookie running back Carnell "Cadillac" Williams (foot, hamstring) was inactive.

• The Saints were without receiver Joe Horn (hamstring) and cornerback Fakhir Brown (knee). - NFL Football -

• Green Bay running back Najeh Davenport broke an ankle, and is likely out for the season.

• Dallas linebacker Dat Nguyen (neck) was inactive. He had played in 43 straight games.

• Detroit receiver Roy Williams injured his left leg in the second quarter against Baltimore and didn't return. - NFL Football -

Quotable

• "It took me longer to get there than some guys." -- Cleveland's Trent Dilfer, who threw his 100th TD pass in his 100th start. - NFL Football -

• "Really the game came down to this: We had 13 penalties, five turnovers, two missed field goals, dropped balls, missed tackles and bad coverage." -- Saints coach Jim Haslett on Sunday's 52-3 loss against Green Bay. - NFL Football -

• "He made a couple of good throws for a guy who has been home eating potato chips," Bucs cornerback Ronde Barber on Jets quarterback Vinny Testaverde.

The Charlotte Observer

2005-10-01T15:57:00.000-07:00

With Akers out, Eagles sign France

NFL.com wire reports

PHILADELPHIA (Sept. 30, 2005) -- The Philadelphia Eagles signed kicker Todd France off the practice squad to replace injured Pro Bowler David Akers, who is out with a torn hamstring.

France connected on 24 of 34 field goal attempts and all 15 extra point attempts in NFL Europe last spring. - NFL Football -

Signed by Minnesota as a rookie free agent in 2002, France has been to training camps with the Vikings, Giants and Buccaneers. - NFL Football -

The Eagles also released wide receiver Darnerien McCants, who signed with the Eagles last month after he was cut by Washington. He had one catch for 22 yards in three games.

2005-09-14T14:59:00.000-07:00

L.A., State Warned on NFL

Assemblyman Mark Ridley-Thomas (D-Los Angeles) on Tuesday cautioned that the latest effort to return the NFL to the Coliseum could be stalled by a disagreement over legislation designed to help finance future infrastructure improvements in the Exposition Park area.

Ridley-Thomas said that "issues that separate the city and the state can be resolved," but that any delay could send "the wrong signal to the NFL, thereby blowing this deal again."

The city and the state have not reached an agreement on the issue. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa has emphasized, however, that he does not support the use of public money when it comes to bringing an NFL team to L.A. - NFL Football -

Timing is an issue in the push to put a new or relocated NFL franchise in the Coliseum. The NFL has set a late October deadline for all competing L.A.-area stadium sites to have ready-to-sign deals in place. The league has indicated that, if it selects the Coliseum proposal, it would build a $500-million facility inside the historic stadium's existing walls.

Though no public money would be used to build the football stadium, proponents of the plan argue that a redevelopment district should be empowered to provide lower-cost funding to help reduce the cost of widening roads, installing water mains and making other infrastructure improvements. The district also would have the power of eminent domain.

The disagreement turns on whether a city resolution introduced by Councilman Bernard C. Parks in support of the redevelopment district safeguards the state's economic interests. A staff report by the California Infrastructure and Economic Development Bank suggests that the redevelopment district's economics won't pencil out if an existing California team were to be shifted to the Coliseum, because an intrastate transfer wouldn't create revenue.

A spokesman for City Atty. Rocky Delgadillo said the city is "working with all the parties on the issues." - NFL Football -

Copyright 2005 Los Angeles Times

2005-09-06T09:48:00.000-07:00

Football: Focus returns to field for Miami linebacker

Tim Reynolds, The Associated Press

ALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- Willie Williams' reputation was once based solely on football exploits.

The very talented, often troubled and ultra-hyped linebacker for No. 9 Miami hopes that will soon be the case again. - NFL Football -

"My adrenaline is just flowing so much," Williams said in the days leading to its opener against No. 14 Florida State last night. "I can't wait to run down. I'm ready. I've got that killer instinct. And when I get out there, I think it's going to be huge, huge trouble."

Williams previously played a game nearly two years ago, and much has happened since.

As a senior at Miami Carol City High School in 2003, Williams may have been the most feared and dominant player in the state. He practically willed his school to a state championship. In the final, the opposing quarterback's arm was broken with a crushing -- but clean -- hit from Williams. - NFL Football -

Florida State was among the many schools that pleaded for his services. But Williams signed with Miami Feb. 4, 2004.

That was the day when his arrest record -- with 11 entries on it -- became publicly known, with the capper that his most recent arrests stemmed from two incidents during his recruiting visit to the University of Florida in Gainesville.

He spent a few days in jail for violating probation. His admission to Miami was scrutinized and delayed. He eventually was sentenced to three more years of probation and must adhere to a number of rules to stay in the university's good graces.

"I'm sure he didn't have a lot of good role models around him," Miami left tackle Eric Winston said. "I think a lot of guys took it upon themselves, especially the guys who grew up in that neighborhood, to ... show him how things are done around here. I think he's done just fine."

Since enrolling at Miami, Williams has met all the stricter-than-standard academic requirements and satisfied his probation terms.

"I've grown tremendously on and off the field," said Williams, a father of 7-month-old daughter Willaya. "I've definitely matured, looking at different situations, different aspects in a mature way now. I brought life into this world. I've got to be a good example."

Touted as a player who could immediately thrive at college football's highest level, Williams' 2004 season was over before it started. A ligament in his right knee was torn in preseason practice and never got into a game a year ago for the Hurricanes. - NFL Football -

Now with 20 more pounds of muscle packed onto a chiseled frame that puts him at 240, Williams feels ready to pounce with the season before him.

"Willie has as much physical talent as anybody I've seen since I've been here," Miami quarterback Kyle Wright said. "He's a good kid. Obviously, everybody knows he's just extremely talented. If he gets out on the field, he's just a playmaker. He's going to be able to impact a game."

This is how much Wright thinks of Williams' ability: He calls him "Combine." As in NFL combine, the annual predraft showcase for scouts.

For all his skills, however, Williams isn't listed as a starter on the Hurricanes' depth chart. Not yet, anyway. - NFL Football -

The team suspects that will change, perhaps soon, and Williams will emerge as Miami's next great linebacker, following the likes of Ray Lewis, Mike Barrow, Jessie Armstead, Jonathan Vilma, Dan Morgan and D.J. Williams.

"He has shown me a lot," Miami coach Larry Coker said. "He's going to be an outstanding player."

2005-08-30T08:03:00.000-07:00

New quarterback feature in 'Madden NFL 2006' makes it a tough game to tackle
By JIM SCOTT, Associated Press Writer

NEW YORK --- The "Madden NFL 2006" season kicked off with a preseason game between the New York Jets and Minnesota Vikings that featured new complicated passing controls, an improved running game and no noticeable graphical improvements.

With the new game set to hit stores Tuesday, AP Sports staffers and Madden veterans Jim Scott and Josh Dickey squared off to determine if "MaddenNFL 2006" is a must-have this virtual football season.

Scott took his hometown New York Jets. Minnesota native Dickey went the homer route too, taking the new-look, Randy Moss-less Vikings.

The "QB Vision" control is the most significant new feature in "Madden NFL 2006." On passing plays, gamers must manipulate a white cone representing the quarterback's field of vision. If a receiver is in cone, passes are accurate. Throws to receivers out of the cone are wildly inaccurate and often lead to interceptions.

Dickey got his first bad taste of the "QB Vision" feature on the game's first drive. Attempting to pass to a receiver outside his "QB Vision" cone, Vikings quarterback Daunte Culpepper's pass was intercepted by linebacker Eric Barton.

"It's a complicated process to look from receiver to receiver," said Scott (yeah, that's me, in the difficult dual role of participant and reviewer). "The steep learning curve is going to turn off most casual gamers."

Switching the "QB Vision" from receiver to receiver takes time. The pass rush is often right on top of you by the time you've checked down to your second or third passing option.

"Paying attention to the vision controls made me hesitate too much," said Dickey, who was sacked four times and pressured often (perhaps because he's a PlayStation 2 guy).

A Chad Pennington 2-yard touchdown pass to tight end Doug Jolley and the game's first missed extra point put the Jets up 6-0 early. A Culpepper fumble led to another Pennington-to-Jolley connection, making it 13-0 after one quarter.

Struggling with the passing game, Dickey used Minnesota's speedy running back Michael Bennett to take advantage of the game's improved run blocking.

"It's easy to find and exploit the holes on running plays," said Dickey, as the Vikings drove down the field right before the half. "Running off tackle is great."

"Offensive lineman are sealing off defenders and finishing off their blocks," Scott added.

The game turned late in the first half when Culpepper's errant end-zone pass was picked off by Jets cornerback Donnie Abraham. Abraham returned the interception 103 yards to put the Jets up 20-0.

Curtis Martin opened the second half scoring with a 1-yard run for New York. Scott took full advantage of the new "Truck Stick" on Martin's run to barrel over a Vikings linebacker on his way into the end zone.

"The Truck Stick is a bit gimmicky, but it's useful in short yardage and goal line situations," Scott said after missing his second extra point to take a 26-0 lead.

A solid running game and effective play-action passing helped Dickey get on the scoreboard with a 2-yard touchdown pass from Culpepper to Nate Burleson. Aaron Elling shanked the extra point attempt to make it 26-6 heading into the fourth quarter.

Linebacker Jonathon Vilma's 68-yard interception return for a touchdown put the game away as the Jets took a commanding 33-6 lead with 2:17 remaining. The two teams traded touchdowns late, and the Jets finished with a 40-12 victory.

"I should have put Randy Moss back on the Vikings," lamented Dickey after Minnesota finished the game with six turnovers.

In postgame interviews, Dickey and Scott agreed that the new single-player "Superstar Mode" and improved online play gives "MaddenNFL 2006" more legs, but the core game play and graphics haven't changed much. "QB Vision" controls, while innovative and realistic, make it more difficult to pass and won't be loved by all.

2005-08-24T08:28:00.000-07:00

After lineman's death, NFL players rethinking risks

SANTA CLARA, Calif. — As the San Francisco 49ers and their families continue to meet with grief counselors, players and coaches around the NFL again find themselves pondering their game and the risks they are willing to take.
Niners offensive lineman Thomas Herrion, 23, who was 6-foot-3 and about 330 pounds, collapsed in the locker room and died shortly after the 49ers' preseason game in Denver on Saturday night. So far, a cause of death has not been determined.
"You can go out there and get your neck broken and be paralyzed," New York Giants tackle Bob Whitfield, a 6-5, 320-pounder, says. "It's a dangerous job we do."
Whitfield is one of the guys in the trenches who know their livelihood is based on not just being athletic but being just plain big. Herrion's death has many around the league discussing the issue of players' weight.
"They want a big hog up front who can do something," he says. "If you're 320 and can move, you're going to get paid because you're 320 and can move."
Whitfield's father, Bob, died of a heart attack at age 44. Whitfield is 33. "I'm very aware of the health risk," he says.
Herrion's father, J.C., a contractor and a minister, died 20 months ago of a stroke at age 51.
Though he was heavy, Herrion was not considered out of shape by the 49ers, head coach Mike Nolan says.
Philadelphia Eagles coach Andy Reid says he keeps a close eye on his linemen.
"You are going to take care of the big guys and make sure they get enough liquid in them and just kind of keep a close eye on them," Reid says. "Things just sometimes happen, and it's a shame."
Giants running back Tiki Barber compares football players' risks to that of boxers. "You may know how to box and take shots, but sometimes it happens," Barber says.
Barber says the league has improved efforts to educate the players about proper nutrition and hydration.
"We had an hour-long meeting on hydration and how we take care of ourselves to make sure we're rested," he says. "If things go wrong, they don't want us to hold it in and be overly tough about it. They're definitely taking steps."
The 49ers will attend a private memorial service for Herrion tonight in the Bay Area. A funeral will be held Saturday in Fort Worth, Herrion's hometown.
Commissioner Paul Tagliabue said Monday the NFL is considering ways to honor Herrion, including during this weekend's preseason games.

David Leon Moore, USA TODAY

2005-08-15T09:29:00.000-07:00

Vanderbilt's LBs mix talent, savvy

When the word 'draft' is linked to a Vanderbilt football player it usually means the first version of a term paper, not the NFL Draft.
Unless that player is a linebacker. - NFL Football -
Since 1969 the Commodores have sent more linebackers (10) to the NFL than at any other position. There are four former Vanderbilt linebackers on NFL rosters. And if this season's linebacker unit lives up to expectations, there may be more to come.
"Some programs produce wide receivers, some produce quarterbacks," Vanderbilt Coach Bobby Johnson said. "It's just sort of a quirky thing. There's no rhyme or reason to it that I can figure out."
Instead of trying to determine the reasons why, the coaching staff spent the spring determining how to use its linebackers. First they moved Herdley Harrison to defensive end, where he's looked comfortable and productive during the first week of preseason camp. Then Johnson moved safety Marcus Buggs to strongside linebacker because of the physical and smart play from the former Goodpasture standout. - NFL Football -
But it's the starting trio that has Johnson and his staff smiling. There's middle linebacker Jonathan Goff, an imposing, fast sophomore who stands 6 foot 4 and weighs 236 pounds. There's strongside linebacker Kevin Joyce, who worked his way into a starting job because of his nose for the ball and go-all-out performances as a backup last year.
The cream of the crop is senior Moses Osemwegie, a two-time All-SEC first-team selection who is the conference's active leader in tackles (273).
But ask Johnson what one word describes his linebackers, and it's not speed or strength — even though he admits they have those qualities. - NFL Football -
"To me it's savvy," Johnson said. "You have to know what's going on. You have to know when to stick your nose up into a hole or when the backs going to cut it back. It's a matter of learning your position. We've had some over the years who weren't particularly fast who were really good, and we had some who were really fast and not real big who were good. There are a lot of different combinations. But they all had that knack for getting to the football."

BRYAN MULLEN

2005-08-15T09:28:00.000-07:00

Rally asks lenient sentence for former NFL, LSU player

BATON ROUGE, La. - About 200 people rallied for former LSU and NFL defensive end Lyman White Jr., saying he deserves a lenient sentence for medical care fraud.
White, indicted in 2001 on charges that he cheated the government out of $1.6 million, pleaded guilty in May to billing the government for $1.3 million in nonexistent drug and alcohol counseling sessions supposedly given by his firm, Drug and Alcohol Counseling Inc.
He could get up to 10 years in prison and more than $250,000 in fines when he is sentenced next month, though first-time offenders rarely get the maximum sentence.
"He has been a positive influence in my life through his drug and alcohol rehabilitation center," said Sylvia Robertson, one speaker at the candlelight rally Saturday night near the Old State Capitol. She said she was a drug addict when she met White in May 1996.
"All I knew was drugs and how I could get them by any means," Robertson said. "Now, I am clean and I am two semesters from getting my master's degree."
Event chairman Charlie Granger said, "I am here because I played pro football also. We former players stick together." - NFL Football -
Granger, a Southern University alumni, was an offensive tackle for the Dallas Cowboys and the St. Louis Cardinals in the 1960s. White was a defensive end for LSU and played two years for the Atlanta Falcons during the 1980s.
White "doesn't deserve this treatment. He should be able to at least try and pay the money back. They haven't given him a chance," Granger said. - NFL Football -
He was the last of four defendants to plead guilty. His program manager, Donna Rene Hamilton, pleaded guilty in April to health care fraud, saying she followed White's instructions to prepare false papers supporting the fraudulent bills.
Marion Anderson Slaton, who worked for a private company that reviewed Medicaid billings and reimbursements for the state, and Dana William White, who is not related to Lyman White, pleaded guilty in 2001 to conspiracy to commit health care fraud. Dana White also pleaded guilty to failing to report a crime to authorities. - NFL Football -
Lyman White paid Slaton to overlook false bills, according to court documents.
Surrounded by family and hugging and shaking hands with supporters Saturday night, White said his attorneys had advised him not to talk about the case.
"This is great for anyone to come out and support me during this time," he said.

Associated Press

2005-08-09T08:10:00.000-07:00

Football season is my favorite time of year

Yesterday, if you were willing to be up at 5 a.m., you witnessed the official start of football season. In Japan, the Atlanta Falcons beat the Indianapolis Colts in the first pre-season NFL game of the year.This is the time of year that any football fan for any football team has every reason to be excited. - NFL Football -
Every team has a chance to win it all. Sure, some are expected to do better than others, but right now, expectations mean nothing.High school football will begin in our area in just over two weeks from today when Dadeville plays Reeltown Thursday, Aug. 25. I'm hearing a lot about how far Benjamin Russell's team could go this year. There's a buzz in the air coming from Horseshoe Bend where a new head coach and his new approach will be looking to turn around last year's 1-9 record.Alabama, Auburn and UAB will kick off the college season slightly more that a week later on Saturday, Sept. 3. - NFL Football -
The weekend will be highlighted on the Plains of Auburn as the Tigers host Georgia Tech in an attempt to avenge their loss to the Yellow Jackets two years ago in Atlanta. ESPN will be there as they make their 49th stop in their "50 States in 50 Days" tour.I've said it before and I'll say it again, I love football. I am a football fan. I'm the guy they created CSS for. The reason they replay college games day after day throughout the week is for guys like me. The same could be said for the NFL Network.Don't misunderstand me; I'm not a fanatic about the game. I don't get superstitious. I don't have a lucky shirt or hat that I have to wear every time my team plays. I don't have a special place I have to sit when I watch a game. It's nothing like that at all.
I appreciate the strategy. - NFL Football -
I can enjoy a 3-0 game as much as a 42-41 game. I may enjoy it even more. I went to school at Auburn so, naturally, I pull a little more for the Tigers than I do any other college. With that said, I've watched the Alabama-Miami Sugar Bowl game from 1992 more than half a dozen times because of how that defense played. I would love to see former Alabama defensive coordinator and former Auburn head coach Bill Oliver coaching somewhere because of the defenses he's put on the field- at both Alabama and Auburn. In my opinion, he's the best I've ever seen. - NFL Football -
I'll be there Thursday night when Dadeville plays Reeltown. One of Dadeville's own, former Auburn cornerback and Oliver prodigy Rodney Crayton is coaching the secondary for Dadeville this year. I'm curious to see just how much he remembers and if can coach 'em up like Brother Bill. Then again, I'll be at several local games this year.

Tommy Chandler

2005-07-25T12:09:00.000-07:00

Ricky Williams Arrives at Dolphins Camp

DAVIE, Fla. - Running back Ricky Williams reported to
Miami Dolphins' training camp on Sunday morning, nearly one year to the day after he told the team he was retiring from football. - NFL Football -
Williams, driving a blue sport utility vehicle, arrived at the team's training facility around 8:45 a.m. He did not comment to reporters waiting outside the complex. The team's first formal training-camp media availability is scheduled for Monday. - NFL Football -
The 2002 NFL rushing champion decided to seek reinstatement after sitting out last season, saying at the time he'd lost the urge to continue playing. Williams faces a four-game suspension at the start of the season for violating the league's substance abuse program, yet likely will be able to play in preseason games. - NFL Football -
Williams acknowledged shortly after retiring that he failed drug tests and faced a suspension for testing positive three times for marijuana. - NFL Football -
Williams rushed for 3,225 yards and 25 touchdowns in two seasons with the Dolphins. He informed former coach Dave Wannstedt of his retirement plans last July 23, one week before the start of training camp — a move that stunned teammates, and played a role in Miami's downward spiral. The Dolphins were 4-12 last season. - NFL Football -
A court later found the 1998 Heisman Trophy winner in breach of contract by retiring, and ordered him to repay the team $8.6 million. The team has not yet sought to collect the settlement, and new coach Nick Saban offered Williams another chance to play for the Dolphins.

Associated Press

2005-07-18T08:35:00.000-07:00

Football: Bobcats hoping for offensive outburst this fall

Rick Gatewood was Montana State's leading receiver last year. He had nearly 1,000 yards receiving, including a school-record 235 against Montana.He was also injured most of the time.
Gatewood is back for his senior season, 100 percent healthy after undergoing shoulder surgery earlier this year. - NFL Football -
That fact alone has coach Mike Kramer optimistic for another fall full of big numbers.But what has him equally as excited are MSU's six other capable receivers.Yes, six.
And in a change from a year ago, some have experience wearing Bobcat blue and gold."This is as good as it gets," Kramer said last week. - NFL Football -
Gatewood hurt the AC Joint in one of his shoulders in game two against Cal Poly and needed cortizone shots to keep him on the field for the remainder of the season.The game marked a turning point not only for Gatewood - who steadily improved as the weather cooled - but also for MSU's offense, which rarely used a huddle from there.Expect much of the same for the coming fall, especially with three-year starter Travis Lulay returning.Says Kramer: "I don't think we'll huddle again as long as he's our quarterback."Lulay's targets for 2005 include Gatewood and Chaz Guinn, unknowns last summer who combined for 115 catches in the fall.Gatewood is a lock to start at slot receiver while Guinn will get competition for his spot at wideout from Washington State transfer Jevon Miller. - NFL Football -
Tramaine Murray, another WSU transfer, should start at the other receiver spot while Nolan Lee, Brandon Roosevelt and Mike Brown will give the starters a reason not to be complacent.That's seven speedy receivers and three positions."No matter how good they all are, only three get to play, and only one gets to be the fourth guy," Kramer said. "Everybody else watches."One aspect to watch in the early going will be the running game, which was inconsistent last season.Justin Domineck enters fall camp as the starter, but that may change come late September.Domineck isn't a speedy runner, although his stronger attributes are his pass blocking and receiving ability. - NFL Football -
Jason Gathing needs more playing time to be considered for the starting job.Hawaii transfer Michael Bass may have the best running instincts - "he has the kind of running back skill that's God-given," Kramer says - but has a ways to go when it comes to pass protection.Bass is third on the depth chart, but Kramer's crystal ball has Bass moving up by the time Big Sky Conference play begins."Ultimately, on my wish list," Kramer said, "would be by game three or four, Michael Bass would be Big Sky offensive player of the week."A bigger wish might be to not rely so much on the pass. - NFL Football -
MSU's one-dimensional offense was exciting to watch, but yielded a 6-5 record.Lulay has proved to be a yardage machine with both his legs and his arm, but last year's playoff-hopes-dashing loss to Eastern Washington could have been avoided if MSU had a running game to call on when leading 31-10 early in the second half."I've never been real comfortable with a quarterback-savvy team because those guys are so hard to find," Kramer said. "We've got one, but I'm a running-game coach."The running backs will have a veteran offensive line to run behind, despite the loss of center Zack Wolf who may miss the entire season due to knee surgery.Senior Jeff Bolton, who stands 6-foot-3 inches and weighs 302 pounds, started a three different positions as a junior mostly at right tackle.This season, Bolton is expected to line up at left guard after playing some center in the spring."He's a natural guard, possibly an NFL-caliber center," Kramer said of Bolton, who has 25 career starts with the Bobcats. "He can play all five (positions) at this level."Brant Birkeland, who started 11 games at left guard last year, moves over to center in place of Wolf. - NFL Football -
On the other side of Birkeland will be Lawrence Figueroa, giving MSU two returning first team all-conference offensive linemen. A rarity considering it's only happened once: Two years ago with Brent Swaggert and Mataio Toilolo.At tackle, Joe Hirst and Peder Jensen return to the starting lineup while Adam DeCock will spell them when needed.The health of those players will increase MSU's chances of improving its running game.And yes, Kramer wants to run the ball. He's been itching to do so, but with Lulay under center for at least 11 more games, that itch may have to go unscratched for awhile."He's the absolute focal point of who we are and what we are," Kramer said.

TIM DUMAS, Chronicle Sports Writer

2005-07-11T15:03:00.000-07:00

Remembering The Mentor
Coaching legend Hank Stramleaves legacy of a pioneer

Hank Stram, the former Kansas City Chiefs coach who died on the Fourth of July at age 82 in suburban New Orleans, has been widely heralded as a key player in the success of the upstart American Football League and its eventual merger with the more-established NFL.
But that's like saying George Washington was a great Revolutionary War general.
Stram's once radical approach to the game is now standard fare in football circles, and his offensive and defensive schemes - and his passion for the game - breathed new life into a stagnant sport, turning the NFL into a true national pastime and a television-ratings powerhouse. He may not be the father of the modern NFL - Pete Rozelle's name is on that birth certificate - but Hank Stram played a huge role in its delivery.
When Stram was hired in 1960 as the head coach of the Dallas Texans - three years before the team moved to Kansas City and became the Chiefs - most NFL teams played smash-mouth, up-the-middle, three-yards-and-a-cloud-of-dust football. Stram's innovations transformed the game into the fast, athletic, fan-pleasing sport it is today.
"In football, like any other business, people copy whatever works. That meant staying with whatever the New York Giants and the Green Bay Packers were doing," says Len Dawson, the Chiefs' Hall of Fame quarterback. "Hank wasn't afraid to be different and innovative. We were playing West Coast offense before it was the West Coast offense."
Stram was one of the first NFL coaches to understand that football should be entertainment - and he cast himself in a leading role. He was the first coach to be miked for a Super Bowl, and he came up with funny nicknames for players and coaches long before Chris Berman and ESPN. He spoke a unique language that wasn't quite Stengelese - Stram's aphorisms at least had a certain logic - but it wasn't quite English, either.
Compared to NFL peers such as stodgy old Vince Lombardi and sphinx-like Tom Landry, Stram - who had a penchant for referring to himself as "The Mentor" - was a ball of fire on the sidelines. But Stram paid a price for marching to a different drummer. He should have been a shoo-in for Canton, says Hall of Fame linebacker Bobby Bell, but he was overlooked until the Senior Committee got him through in 2003.
"It kept him out of the Hall of Fame for 25 years," Bell says.
"Let's matriculate the ball down the field"
Stram's greatest legacy is the many new wrinkles he brought to football. He was one of the first coaches to conduct mini-camps in May and June. He was one of the first to emphasize weight training and special teams. He also understood that a field is not only 100 yards long but also 53 yards wide, and he designed offensive schemes that used every square inch to help Dawson and company, as he put it, "matriculate the ball down the field."
Stram's moving pocket protected Dawson from mammoth defensive linemen; his two tight end offense gave his running backs more blocking. His motion plays created confusion and doubt among defenders.
Stram understood that if the AFL was going to challenge the NFL for fan interest, its product had to be fresh and exciting. "He personified the brand new AFL because he was a salesman," Hunt says. "I always thought he was one of the most imaginative, creative coaches the game has ever known."
Stram was equally creative on the other side of the ball. His Triple Stack defense essentially created the nose guard position and presented new headaches for centers who previously helped offensive tackles block. His zone defenses were an effective antidote to the early AFL's wide open passing game.
"Playing for Hank," says Hall of Fame middle linebacker Willie Lanier, "was like taking an advanced course in football."
"Coin of the realm"
When the Texans moved to Kansas City and became the Chiefs, former Cowboys executive Gil Brandt says the home-team bench was on the same side of the field as the press box. Stram put his team on the other side of the field, so the TV cameras would look at his face, not his back. "Hank was a showman," Brandt says.
When Stram became the first coach to wear a wireless microphone during a championship game, his performance set the standard for Mike Ditka, Bill Parcells and every other sideline diva.
"Like stealing, boys, like stealing," The Mentor bragged as he paced up and down the sidelines while his Chiefs put a whupping on the Vikings during Super Bowl IV.
Stram was such a natural it's hard to believe he almost refused to wear the mike. NFL Films founder Ed Sabol and his son Steve visited Stram at the Fontainbleu Hotel in New Orleans before the game to ask him to wear the wire. "He had done it once before in the regular season so we didn't think it would be a big deal," says Steve Sabol, now the president of NFL Films. "But Hank said, 'Well, there's going to have to be some coin of the realm changing hands here,'" Sabol says. "We didn't know what he was talking about. He said, 'Dead presidents! The Mentor wants dead presidents!' We offered him $250, and he said, 'That won't even cover The Mentor's dry cleaning bills.' So we gave him $750.
"But I think he would have done it for free. He enjoyed being the center of attention."
"Hit and splatter"
Stram was a poet with a whistle and a clipboard, a sidelines bard who made even the most mundane conversations interesting. Every player, every assistant, every beat reporter had a nickname. The priests who led the pregame prayer were called "blackbirds." Referees were known as "sausage stuffers" and "striped puffbellies."
"It was just his style," Lanier says. "During a practice he'd say so many funny things. He enjoyed keeping you loose."
But even veteran Stram watchers were shocked when he brought in a seven-piece band on a flatbed truck after one lackluster training camp session. "He said, 'You guys are playing so bad, we might as well just listen to music,'" Bell says.
Stram's best line, Sabol says, came during a 1969 regular-season game when rookie cornerback Jim Marsalis bounced off a ball carrier. "Marsalis, you tackle like bird crap," Stram shouted. "All you do is hit and splatter."
"Look sharp, play sharp"
Stram might have been a coaching oddball, but he was no hippie. He coached at the height of the flower power era, but he didn't tolerate long hair or facial hair. The son of a custom tailor, he demanded his players wear suits and ties when they traveled. "He'd say, 'If you look sharp, you play sharp,'" Bell says.
At one point in his career, Stram owned almost three dozen suits, 15 sports jackets and too many of his trademark red vests to remember. He'd wear a scuba diving vest beneath his clothes to keep his posture straight.
Stram would even dress his assistant coaches, Sabol says. He'd select matching outfits for his staff and have his equipment manager lay them out before each game.
"He thought clothes weren't worthwhile if they were laundered more than two or three times," Sabol says. "He always wore new clothes. He called it 'breaking plastic,' like 'I just went shopping, lets go break plastic.'"
"Elway to throw"
After Stram retired from the coaching ranks, he became a groundbreaking analyst for CBS television and "Monday Night Football" radio. He was the first analyst, Brandt says, who told the audience what would happen before it actually did.
"He'd tell (broadcast partner) Jack Buck, 'I think Elway will go deep here,'" Brandt says. "Buck would say, 'Elway to throw, he throws deep, he hits Steve Sewell. You called that one, Hank.'
"And Hank would say, 'John just saw what I saw.'"
"Rats"
Stram called his players the "rats," but nobody ever took it for anything but a term of endearment. When it came to his players, Stram was as protective as a mother hen. He made sure guys who weren't making big paychecks had offseason jobs. He asked about his players' wives and kids. When they screwed up, he knew how to chew them out without tearing them down. "He could step on your shoes but not mess up your shine," Sabol says.
Stram was a fierce competitor, he just didn't let his team get caught up on the little things. "He was the 'don't worry, be happy' coach," Sabol adds. "The results of one particular game didn't matter. If his players did the right things enough times, the results will take care of themselves."
Adds Dawson: "He hated to lose, but he knew how to get over it."
One rap against Stram was that he couldn't win without exceptional talent, couldn't mold great teams out of ordinary players. His players say that's not accurate. Dawson, for example, was a seldom-used backup in five years with Pittsburgh and Cleveland. Then he hooked up with Stram, who turned him into a Hall of Famer. "It's not accurate to say he resurrected my career, because I didn't have a career," Dawson says. "My skills had eroded in five years. I'm an example of what Hank could do."
Stram, his players say, was a unique coach because he led his teams with warmth and friendship, not discipline.
"We had a lot of fun with him" Bell adds. "When you were on his team, you were a member of his family. That's how he made you feel. That's why all his players loved him."

MICHAEL O'KEEFFE
DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITER

2005-07-06T09:00:00.000-07:00

Mt. SAC schedules youth-football camp

WALNUT Football players and coaches will lead a three-day instructional football camp this month for children ages 7 to 14.
The "Camp of Champions" will teach athletic conditioning, and the basics of running, catching, passing, tackling and blocking with live demonstrations by Mt. SAC football players.
Former NFL players Antonio Pierce and Brad Bedell will join former Mt. SAC and Canadian Football League linebacker Chris Ball to offer instruction and encouragement.
The camp is 8 a.m. to noon, Monday through Wednesday, July 11 to 13. Registration is $90.

Kenneth Todd Ruiz

2005-06-29T11:08:00.000-07:00

Sign-ups

These sign-ups are scheduled for recreation leagues and centers in Mecklenburg County. Arrichion Wrestling Club: Training opportunities for serious wrestlers ages 9-18. Emphasis on technique, especially the takedown, and competition strategies. Sessions limited to 10 participants. Details: Coach Reynolds, (704) 849-9848.

Charlotte Tap Dance Society, 2150 Park Drive: Monthly meeting/tap jams for all levels. Fourth Tuesday of the month, 6:15-7:30 p.m. Free. Also, "tappercise" classes with the Tap Lady. $3 per class. Thursdays at 6:15 p.m. Details: (704) 569-8774.

Mecklenburg Youth Lacrosse: For boys and girls in grades 3-8. Practice and games are in south Charlotte locations. Details: (704) 525-0910 or visit www.stickwithus.org.

South Park Youth Association: Football sign-ups Saturdays, July 16, 23 and 30 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Carmel Middle School. Details: Tom Little, 704-553-0825, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Start Smart Football Program: Mondays, July 18-Aug. 29, 6-7 p.m. Designed to allow children to learn kicking, throwing, and catching skills while working with their parents. Registration through July 11 at the First Ward Recreation Center. Ages: 5-7. Limited to the first 16 child/parent teams. Cost: $45. Details: (704) 336-3375.

The Meadows at Lake Norman, 14316-B Beatties Ford Road, Huntersville: Introductory course on horseback riding for all ages. Details: (704) 948-4689.

Two Faces Fitness Center, 4500 N. Tryon St., offers a Coach Q youth basketball mini-camp July 25-29 and Aug. 8-12 for ages 5-10. Cost is $100 before July 11 for the July camp and July 25 for the August camp. After deadline cost will be $125 for a week or $25 per day. Morning session is 9 a.m.-noon; evening is 5:30-8:30 p.m. Call (704) 599-6191 or e-mail coachqsports@yahoo.com.

Yoga For Beginners: Classes are offered at Cokesbury Church in East Charlotte on Tuesdays at 6 p.m. and Wednesdays at 4:30 p.m. or 6 p.m. Details: (704) 535-2831 before 9 p.m., or e-mail Yoga4everybody@yahoo.com, or log on to www.cokesburyumc.net.

Youth Development Football League has sign-ups for youth football and cheerleading. YDFL offers NFL Flag (co-ed) for ages 6-8, tackle for ages 8-13, and cheerleading for ages 6-13. Registration 3-5 p.m. Sundays in June at Mallard Creek Park, 3001 Johnston Oehler Road. Registration is $75 for flag; $110 for tackle or cheerleading. Details: Ethan Horton, (704) 618-2400 or www.youthdevelopmentfootball.com.

2005-06-25T09:54:00.000-07:00

NFL FOOTBALL LINE
Howley weighs in on playing days, '05 team

For the past few decades, Chuck Howley has plied his trade in the uniform business.

Fitting for a man who was uniformly great as a linebacker for the Cowboys.

From 1961-73, Howley intercepted 25 passes and corralled opposing running backs well enough to be named All-Pro six times. With two picks and a fumble recovery in Super Bowl V, Howley was chosen the game's MVP, becoming the first defender to win the award. The Cowboys lost to the Colts, 16-13, that year, and Howley remains the only MVP not from a winning team.

A phenomenal collegiate athlete at West Virginia, Howley was the rare five-sport letterman. In addition to being All-Southern Conference in football, Howley was a member of the diving, track and field, gymnastics and wrestling teams.

Born in Wheeling, W.Va. and now living in Dallas, the 69-year-old took time out before starting his workday recently, sharing his thoughts on the 2005 Cowboys, the loss of Dexter Coakley to the Rams and lying about his playing weight with Lee Roy Jordan.

Q: What keeps you busy these days?

Howley: I have a direct sales company here, and we deal with fire and police uniforms, in addition to an embroidery company that's all meshed into one. We do a lot of embroidery work, and we take care of a lot of the uniform-type industry throughout the United States.

Q: And you've been in that business for awhile, right?

Howley: This company was an off-shoot of my rental company that I sold in '92, and then I came over here in about 2000 and started running this particular company. It's been busier ever since, and I'm really not anticipating going anywhere right now! It's fun to work.

Q: Any summer vacation plans for the family?

Howley: This week my wife and I will be married 48 years. We have two lovely children, and we enjoy our six grandchildren. My wife and I travel a little bit, might go up to New York, go to Santa Fe for a long weekend, stuff like that. Some family stuff, too. Maybe take a leisure trip to (Las) Vegas for a few days. We always like to do that. Other than that, I've got a ranching operation which is full time, and I spend about two or three days a week down there, in addition to spending my time here at the business.

Q: Whereabouts is the ranch?

Howley: It's in Canton, Texas. I've had that there for about 30, 35 years. We have a horse and cow operation up there. We run a lot of foundation quarter horses there, ranch-type horses. Then we run a set of commercial cows. It's kind of an offshoot of us being the best in the business at one time. But I kind of went away from it because of the politics in all purebred operations. I have more fun just breeding commercial cattle.

Q: You get back to West Virginia ever?

Howley: We normally go back there maybe once a year. I was scheduled to go up there in August, but we had a conflict. I have to be in Colorado that particular week.

Q: Who are your buddies from your Cowboys days?

Howley: On occasion we see guys like Randy [White], Cliff [Harris], Charlie [Waters], but mainly I see Lee Roy [Jordan]. We just got back from Alabama three weeks ago with him, and he's got a new house down there at Point Clear on Mobile Bay. Went down there and spent three enjoyable days with him and some other friends. We'll see him about five or 10 times a year, even though we're about a mile or two away from each other here. He spends quite a bit of time in Alabama, though, as well as here in Dallas.

Q: Since retirement, have you two had the chance to knock heads with anybody like you all used to in your playing days?

Howley: (Chuckles) No! We gave up knocking heads off. We leave that to the younger group. They're more physically able to handle that stuff.

Q: And your wives probably like that better too, I guess?

Howley: That's true. That's true.

Q: How much of the current Cowboys do you watch, and how much do you care about it?

Howley: Well, we care about it. Once a Cowboy, always a Cowboy. You gotta say that. We watch them, we talk about them, but personally, I'm not as involved with them as Lee Roy or Randy or Cliff might be. I like to watch them, I like to see them win, I like them to make the right draft choices and things of that nature. It's not easy rebuilding a ballclub. In our career, we saw it happening. It takes time. It's not something you do overnight, or in three years or something like that. It's a building process. With the way the game has changed so much, with athletes not having to stay with the same club, and being able to change every three years, it's difficult. You get three or four guys working for you, and then all at once you can't afford them anymore. That makes a big difference.

Q: You talk about rebuilding, and you talk about the draft. Do you like the direction the Cowboys are headed in that regard?

Howley: I like a lot of the picks they took this year. Whether they mature out and will be able to help them...who knows? With college players, a lot of them get good reputations, they come into the pros and just fail out. Then you get the sleeper over here that gets in and becomes the all-star. It's difficult to say how people are going to mature out in the National Football League.

Q: We've heard a lot this offseason about the 3-4 defensive scheme. Still not sure how drastic a change it's going to be, but what do you think about the 3-4?

Howley: I don't know a whole lot about the 3-4. That's the coach's problem. He's paid to put the team together and win ball games. He has to motivate his particular players, he has to get them to adapt and be efficient at that particular position. I played the 4-3 all my pro career and even in college. Going back that far, it was always the 4-3. (Chuckling) I had a little bit of experience with the 5-4, but I don't think that's around anymore!

The 3-4...it's been used by various teams in the NFL over the years, and I think it all depends on the personnel you have. We haven't seen it yet. They've just talked about it. Whether that's what [Bill] Parcells is going to do or not, I don't know.

Q: You ever met with Parcells?

Howley: I've talked with him a couple times. Just briefly.

Q: What's your take on the current crop of linebackers for the Cowboys?

Howley: The linebackers in the last 10 or 15 years have gotten bigger, but so have the defensive and offensive linemen. We had a defensive line that averaged around 270 (pounds), and today they're 300 and they still have the agility and speed we had at 270. The players today have gotten a lot taller, too. 6-6, 6-5 and they carry their weight well. I don't know what makes players grow so big today. It's amazing to see the big men move as well as they do in the National Football League now.

Q: Former Cowboys linebacker Dexter Coakley signed with the Rams this offseason, and he was a guy who played in some Pro Bowls, and was probably looked to as a leader. What did you think of seeing him go?

Howley: I don't like to evaluate players. I like to see everybody reach the top. Whether Dexter will do better elsewhere than he did here depends on the teammates that surround him and the coaches he has. He's got the ability and the agility to do things, but he wasn't that big of a linebacker [5-10, 236]. He was more like myself. He was still bigger than we were, but he was more like Lee Roy, myself, Dave Edwards. Dave was around 230, and Lee Roy and I were sitting there lying about our weight and saying we were 220! I don't think Lee Roy was ever over 205, and I was 215 at the time.

Q: How do you lie about your weight?

Howley: We wanted everybody to think we were bigger than what we were, so we'd put all our equipment on when we jumped on the scales!

Q: What's it going to take for the Cowboys to be successful this season?

Howley: If I could answer that for you, I would probably end up going to Vegas and putting a lot of money down on some teams! It's a difficult question. They gotta have the right combination, they gotta put the right personnel together. I think Parcells is an excellent coach, and he has an excellent staff. But how successful are they going to be? There are a thousand "ifs". "If" this happens, or "if" that happens, we will be successful. But there's a bunch of "ifs." If they can answer those things with the personnel on the field and upstairs in the coaches' booths, they'll be OK.

By ANDREW DOUGHERTY / Special Contributor