April 2010 - Football Wiretap
Parcells Sounds Anxious To Get New Job
Bill Parcells made his first public remarks since ceding control of the Dolphins to Jeff Ireland on Thursday during a conference call to mark his inclusion in the Giants? new Ring of Honor that will be unveiled Sunday night.
His vague comments will do little to convince anyone that he will not soon leave the Dolphins, where he is now a consultant, entirely.
?I am not a sit-around-the-fireplace guy,? Parcells said. ?I don?t know. I am not certain about it. We will see what happens when the time comes. I know I want to do something even if it is not day to day or something like that, I know I want to do something. I don?t like sitting around. I like to get up and go do something. We will figure it out when the time comes.?
AEG Trying To Build Stadium In Downtown Los Angeles For NFL Team
Tim Leiweke, president and CEO of AEG, is still attempting to get an NFL team to move to Los Angeles and into a downtown stadium.
Leiweke says he's committed to working with city officials and AEG's Phillip Anshutz, to make a downtown stadium a reality.
Warehouse magnate Ed Roski has permission to build an NFL stadium in Industry, about 15 miles outside of downtown Los Angeles, but has yet to secure a team.
Finley Hasn't Forgotten Hit From Delmas
Jermichael Finley has forgotten about the hit he received last season from Lions safety Louis Delmas.
"Last year he got that cheap shot in," Finley said Thursday. "Like me and my position coach (Ben McAdoo) always say, 'It's a game of football,' so he probably will be getting dialed up. That's just the game of football, though.
"We see them twice a year, so it will be hard for me to back up off of him. It will be one of those games."
Delmas hit a defenseless Finley square in the chest to knock the wind out of him in the second quarter of the Thanksgiving matchup. Delmas further drew the ire of the Packers, including quarterback Aaron Rodgers, when Delmas celebrated the late hit.
"That the ball was already over my head and dang near hitting the ground," Finely said. "A play like that, that can injure somebody or hurt a career. That's not a good thing for me.
"The taunting thing, that's not cool at all. We'll be going after him, without a doubt."
Grothe Close To Joining Toronto Argonauts
Matt Grothe could be close to joining the Toronto Argonauts, who already have Cleo Lemon and Dalton Bell at quarterback.
Grothe was the 2006 Big East Freshman of the Year and had solid campaigns in his sophomore and junior seasons before a torn ACL cut short his senior year.
Argos head coach Jim Barker acknowledged the team?s interest, but said any report of a signing is premature.
?We don?t have room on our roster to sign anybody right now, but our practice roster will expand next week (by five players) and Matt Grothe from South Florida is a guy with a lot of talent,? Barker said.
Zombo Fined $7,500 For Hit On Cutler
Frank Zombo says he was fined $7,500 by the NFL for his hit on Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler on Monday night.
Zombo was penalized for roughing the passer after making contact with Cutler's helmet on the hit in the fourth quarter of a loss to the Bears. The penalty wiped out an interception by linebacker Nick Barnett and helped the Bears drive for a game-tying field goal.
Jets Foil Baltimore's Plans Of Re-Signing Pryce
The Jets have foiled Baltimore's plans of re-signing Trevor Pryce.
New York has agreed to a contract with Pryce, a league source told ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter. Jets head coach Rex Ryan coached Pryce when he was an assistant in Baltimore.
Ochocinco's Cereal Phone Number Goes To Sex Line
A phone number intended to connect callers to Feed the Children, which benefits from sales of Chad Ochocinco's cereal, but the box has the wrong toll-free prefix. Callers instead get a seductive-sounding woman who makes risque suggestions and then asks for a credit card number.
Cincinnati-based Kroger Co. said Thursday it was pulling all Ochocinco cereal boxes from its grocery shelves because of the error.
Tape Suggests Vick's Performance To Continue At High Level
NFL analyst Mike Mayock expects Michael Vick's high play to continue indefinitely.
?I?ve watched impressive play from Vick for 10 consecutive quarters,? Mayock said during his weekly live chat on NFL.com. ?I trust the tape more than I trust the numbers, and they?re both very, very good. At this point, Vick is playing at an extremely high level and he?s doing it with consistency. Unless he reverts back to the wildly erratic QB from Atlanta, I would expect to see him perform at a high level throughout the year.?
Janikowski 'Disappointed, Shocked' By Missed FGs
Sebastian Janikowski said he is now ready to put to rest last Sunday's three missed field goals, including a 32-yarder on the final play of the Raiders' 24-23 loss to the Cardinals.
"I was disappointed, I mean shocked," he said. "It happens. I can't change anything. Going into warmups, I was 20-for-20, with 63-yarders both way. And, you go in the game you feel so good about it, 'Ah, I can make any kick.' And this thing happens. So, you've just got to move on. Next page."
Bears, Packers Draws Huge Rating
More than 17.4 million viewers watched the Chicago Bears beat the Green Bay Packers on ESPN's "Monday Night Football," making it the fifth most-viewed telecast in cable TV history.
National Football League games account for eight of the top 10 most-viewed telecasts in cable television. Last season's Packers at Minnesota Vikings game on Oct. 5 is the most-viewed show on cable TV, with more than 21.8 million viewers.
Bills Sign Kelsay To Four-Year Extension
The Bills have signed outside linebacker Chris Kelsay to a contract extension.
Ray Lewis Advising Roethlisberger By Text Message
Ray Lewis has been advising Ben Roethlisberger since March.
49ers Expect More Variation In Offense
Alex Smith has been in around-the-clock meetings with San Francisco's new offensive coordinator Mike Johnson.
Polian Says He Was 'Imprecise' On New Schedule
Bill Polian says the Colts are preparing as if the 18-game season is going to happen.
Roethlisberger Finishing Up 'One-Month Mechanics Camp'
Ben Roethlisberger's suspension will end after Week 4 and the Pittsburgh quarterback has been training to make his return seamless.
Tanard Jackson To Enter Rehab Center
Tanard Jackson was suspended last week for a year after a third violation of the substance abuse policy.
Draft Thoughts From September's NCAA Games
The 2011 draft class appears to have a strong WR crop and will be a year of the power running back.
Big East Targeting TCU To Strengthen Conference
The Big East is looking to strengthen their profile as a football conference and have targeted TCU.
Boise State Loses RB Harper For Rest Of 2010
Boise State junior tailback D.J. Harper ran for a 71-yard touchdown against Virginia Tech.
Spartans' Dantonio To Coach From Press Box
Michigan State's Mark Dantonio plans to coach his team on Saturday from the press box.
Bills Re-Sign Rookie QB Levi Brown
The Bills have re-signed rookie QB Levi Brown a day after releasing Trent Edwards.
Agent: Carney To Kick Again For Saints
Veteran field goal kicker John Carney will be signing with the New Orleans Saints.
QB Trent Edwards Headed To Jacksonville
The Jaguars have claimed former Bills starting QB Trent Edwards off waivers.
Redskins Leave Field Impressed By Play Of Bradford
Sam Bradford impressed the defense of the Redskins, who were on the losing end of their Week 3 matchup.
Nick Collins Has Altercation With Alledgedly Racist Bears' Fan
Green Bay Packers defensive back Nick Collins reportedly had an altercation with a fan of the Chicago Bears after Monday's game.
Broncos Won't Use Tebow In Short-Yardage Situations
Despite problems with their running game, the Broncos won't use Tim Tebow in short-yardage situations.
Bills Ready To Talk Lynch Trade
The Buffalo Bills are ready to listen to trade offers for Marshawn Lynch.
NFL Power Rankings After Week 3
Troy Polamalu and the Steelers have been unquestionably dominant and only could an objective ranking not have them in the top slot.
Bears Beat Packers To Go 3-0
The Bears kicked a last-second field goal to beat the Packers 20-17 on Monday night.
Texans Might Rest Andre Johnson In Week 4
Andre Johnson may not play in Week 4 with an ankle injury.