
September 2007 - Football Wiretap
Young Questionable For Sunday

Tennessee quarterback Vince Young will be day to day this week after reinjuring his right quadriceps muscle. His status for Sunday's AFC wild-card game with San Diego could be in question.
"I can't really say right now if Vince is going to play this week," Coach Jeff Fisher said Monday. "I have a good feeling he'll be back on the practice field, and we'll see how he goes."
Young missed a start Oct. 21 at Houston after straining his right quadriceps in Tampa on Oct. 14. He said he aggravated the muscle in the first half of Sunday night's 16-10 win at Indianapolis and tweaked it further in the third quarter.
Cowboys' Ireland To Interview For Miami GM Job

Bill Parcells is wasting no time in reworking the Dolphins' front office. Shortly after firing GM Randy Mueller and a pair of his assistants, Parcells received permission from the Cowboys to interview Jeff Ireland to be the team's new GM, FOXSports.com has learned.
Dolphins' sources say that Ireland, the Cowboys' VP of College and Pro Scouting, is expected to interview for the job tomorrow.
FOX Sports first reported during the week of Parcells' hiring that Ireland would be his primary target, but there was a question about whether he could get him out before the draft. However, to Cowboys' owner Jerry Jones' credit, he granted permission for the interview despite having Ireland locked up contractually through the draft.
Meyer Dismisses Falcons' Rumor

While there have been some mild whispers that perhaps the Atlanta Falcons would be interested in trying to lure Urban Meyer away from Florida, he stopped that talk before it could get started.
Meyer said after UF's practice Sunday he hasn't been contacted by Atlanta. If the Falcons called, would he listen?
"No," he said. "I'm really happy where I'm at. I'll give you the Coach 101 speech, but mine is from the heart."
Meyer said he didn't know former New York Giants' General Manager Ernie Accorsi, who was hired by Atlanta owner Arthur Blank recently as an advisor.
Alabama Stops Colorado In Independence Bowl

Alabama found enough offense Sunday night to win the PetroSun Independence Bowl but stumbled so much that even its star quarterback acknowledges the Crimson Tide aren't rolling just yet.
"We had some ups and downs tonight, but we kept our composure," said John Parker Wilson, named the game's most valuable offensive player after the Tide's 30-24 victory over Colorado. "This team has a long way to go, but with everything we built this year, I'm really optimistic."
Alabama (7-6) stopped a four-game losing streak and avoided consecutive losing seasons for the first time in 50 years. Colorado (6-7) finished below .500 for the second straight year but was vastly improved from a 2-10 mark in 2006.
Wilson completed 13 of his first 15 passes for 185 yards and three touchdowns, and Alabama raced to a four-touchdown lead. Colorado couldn't complete a comeback when its attempt at a multi-lateral play as time expired collapsed shy of midfield.
Falcons To Interview Cowboys 'Assistant Sparano

Dallas Cowboys' Assistant Head Coach Tony Sparano will interview with Atlanta Falcons' officials on Friday for the opening.
Falcons' officials on Monday requested and were granted permission by the Cowboys to discuss their vacancy with Sparano, who has been on the Dallas staff since 2003. Sparano is also a favorite of new Miami Vice President Bill Parcells and would likley receive an interview should a head coaching vacancy open with the team.
Sparano, 46, worked primarily with the Dallas offensive line this season. But under Parcells, he had much broader responsibilities and, while he didn't hold the title of coordinator, called the team's plays in 2006.
Although he has worked in the league only nine seasons, Sparano is widely respected for his offensive acumen and his demeanor with players. Before joining the Dallas staff in 2003, Sparano worked with Cleveland (1999-2000), Washington (2001), and Jacksonville (2002).
Walker Says 'It Might Be Best' If Broncos Trade Him
Javon Walker stopped short of demanding a trade like he did two years ago in Green Bay, but he suggested Monday that it might be best for everyone if the Denver Broncos sent him packing.
"It's not that they don't want me here, but I just don't think it's the best fit for me," Walker said as he prepared to meet with Coach Mike Shanahan for his exit interview.
The Broncos (7-9) expected to compete for a championship, but they lost Walker for two months after he underwent a third operation on his right knee; meanwhile, Denver posted its first losing season since 1999.
Fox Thinks He'll Return As Panthers' Coach
A day after Carolina finished out of the playoffs for the second straight year, John Fox remained confident that he'll return as the Panthers' coach.
He just won't be sure until owner Jerry Richardson says so.
When asked Monday if Richardson would finally address the status of Fox and General Manager Marty Hurney, team spokesman Charlie Dayton said it was unlikely.
In an e-mail later Monday, Dayton would only say that "nothing has changed" regarding Fox and Hurney.
It meant a day of uncertainty at Bank of America Stadium as players gathered for final physicals and a team meeting before leaving with their belongings for the offseason. Not only do many players worry if they'll be back after a disappointing 7-9 campaign that's sure to bring many changes, they don't know about their coach.
"I haven't been told anything," running back DeAngelo Williams said.
Parcells Begins Dolphins' Shakeup, Fires GM Mueller

Bill Parcells' shakeup of the Dolphins began Monday with the firing of GM Randy Mueller.
Assistant Director of Player Personnel Mike Baugh and College Scouting Coordinator Rick Thompson also departed.
Also at risk of being fired was Coach Cam Cameron, who said he would discuss his future with Parcells this week. On Sunday, the Dolphins became only the eighth team to finish 1-15.
Parcells began work Thursday as Executive Vice President of Football Operations.
Billick Fired In Baltimore
Less than a year after signing him to a contract extension through 2010, the Baltimore Ravens on Monday fired coach Brian Billick.
The dismissal of Billick was confirmed to ESPN's Chris Mortensen by owner Steve Bisciotti and to ESPN.com's Len Pasquarelli by an assistant coach and a front office official.
Billick, 53, compiled an 85-67 record in nine seasons. The Ravens, who won the AFC North championship in 2006, struggled to a 5-11 mark this season, a year that included a nine-game losing streak.
In his second season with the franchise, Billick led the Ravens to the Super Bowl XXXV title in 2000, but never got the club back to the title game.
Owens May Not Be Ready For First Playoff Game

Terrell Owens might not be ready to go when the Dallas Cowboys play their first playoff game.
"Terrell's still iffy," Cowboys' Coach Wade Phillips said after Sunday's 27-6 loss to the Washington Redskins in the regular-season finale.
Owens was hurt in last weekend's victory over the Carolina Panthers.
"You're not as good offensively without T.O.," said quarterback Tony Romo, who was 7-for-16 for 86 yards and an interception in about 2 1/2 quarters of work against Washington.
RealGM's Week Seventeen Rundown


The Pats wrapped up their perfect season against the Giants, and the Redskins and Titans grabbed the last two playoff spots. Click to read about what went down in the final week of the regular season.
Browns Left Out Of Playoffs


The Browns were left out of the AFC playoffs after the Titans won 16-10 in Indianapolis on Sunday night.
Source: Dolphins To Fire GM Mueller


The move is hardly a surprise since Bill Parcells is expected to restructure the front office.
Patriots Finish Season Undefeated


The Patriots completed a perfect season Saturday night, finishing with a remarkable 16-0 record following a thrilling 38-35 comeback victory over the New York Giants.