Misc Rumor - Football Wiretap
NFL Keeps Cowboys-Eagles In Primetime
The Cowboys and Eagles will be broadcast in prime time on Dec. 12 despite the struggles of Dallas this season.
The NFL could have moved a different game into the Sunday night slot under its flexible scheduling rules.
The league said Tuesday the Patriots-Bears game in Week 14 will shift from 1 p.m. to 4:15 p.m. ET.
Brees Named SI's Sportsman Of Year
Saints quarterback Drew Brees is being honored as Sports Illustrated's Sportsman of the Year for his championship on the field and his charity off it.
Brees became the award's 57th recipient when the magazine made the announcement Tuesday on the "Today" show.
The quarterback led the long-suffering New Orleans Saints to their first Super Bowl title in February, lifting the spirits of the hurricane-battered city.
NFL Will Refund Tickets If Lockout Occurs
The NFL will offer full refunds to fans with general admission tickets if games are canceled next season because of a lockout.
Each team will determine its policies for club seats, suites and payments for personal seat licenses, the league announced.
Season-ticket holders can choose to receive a refund or credits toward future games.
Reid, Jackson 'All Squared Away' Following Confrontation
Eagles wide receiver DeSean Jackson and coach Andy Reid are "all squared away" following a locker room confrontation Sunday, according to a high-level team source.
Jackson was distraught after being chewed out by Reid in full view of his teammates following the Eagles' 31-26 loss to the Bears on Sunday, according to The Wilmington News Journal.
A source told The News Journal that Jackson had agitated Reid with his casual attitude before the game and during pre-game drills.
Jackson had just two catches for 26 yards in Philadelphia's loss to Chicago.
McDaniels Appears Safe For 2010
Broncos owner Pat Bowlen made it clear that the team's 3-8 record isn't acceptable.
Bowlen also indicated that coach Josh McDaniels is on a very short leash, but also paved the way for him to finish out the 2010 season.
"This has been a very trying and disappointing season for all of us," Bowlen said in a written statement, according to The Denver Post.
"We haven't had the success we had hoped to achieve. Josh McDaniels is the head coach of the Broncos, and you always strive for stability at that position. However, with five games left in the 2010 season, we will continue to monitor the progress of the team and evaluate what's in the best interest of this franchise."
TCU Accepts Invitation To Big East
TCU has accepted a bid for full membership to become the 17th member of the Big East Conference, effective July 1, 2012.
"Having BCS automatic-qualifying status was a priority for our football program and a great reward for the success we've had the last decade," TCU athletic director Chris Del Conte said in a statement.
The conference change allows TCU to play in an automatic BCS-qualifying league beginning in the 2012-13 school year.
Johnson, Finnegan Fined Not Suspended
Texans wide receiver Andre Johnson and Titans cornerback Cortland Finnegan have each been fined $25,000 but not suspended in the wake of Sunday's fight.
Johnson and Finnegan exchanged punches late in Houston's 20-0 victory over Tennessee.
Finnegan set off the brawl by jabbing at Johnson's neck and face mask at the line of scrimmage. Johnson ripped off Finnegan's helmet and landed at least two punches to Finnegan's head and neck.
The two spun each other, and Finnegan tore off Johnson's helmet before players and referees intervened.
"He kept doing little things and I told him: 'Just because you're frustrated, you need to stop what you're doing,' " Johnson said. "I guess he thought it was funny."
Derek Anderson Sounds Off After Loss
Cardinals quarterback Derek Anderson went off following Monday night's loss to the 49ers.
Taking exception to repeated questions about why he was laughing on the sideline late in a blowout loss to San Francisco, Anderson went on a profanity-laced tirade before abruptly walking out.
"You think I was laughing about something?" Anderson said. "I take this serious! Real serious! I put my heart and soul into this every single week!"
Late in the loss to the 49ers, television cameras showed Anderson sharing a laugh with guard Deuce Lutui on the sideline. When initially asked about the exchange after the game, Anderson quietly said Lutui had told him something to keep them positive.
Anderson calmly answered another question about a different topic, then started to lose his temper as the reporter came back to the shared laugh.
"I'm telling you right now what I do every single week! Every single week I put my heart and soul into this!" Anderson yelled. "I don't go out there and laugh. It's not funny. Nothing's funny to me. I don't want go out there and get embarrassed on Monday Night Football in front of everybody."
Wade Phillips Wants To Coach Again
Wade Phillips hopes he receives another to coach in the NFL again.
The Cowboys fired Phillips on Nov. 8.
"I still want to coach, so we'll see what happens," he said.
Phillips remains a supporter of his former team.
"I'm excited about them... I'm disappointed about Thanksgiving but we had some earlier like that, where it felt like we should have won, but we didn't," Phillips said.
Ryan: Jets Are Built For Super Bowl
Jets coach Rex Ryan says that his team is built for a Super Bowl run.
"Specifically I felt we needed to get another corner to match up with New England," Ryan said of the team's offseason. "So we drafted Kyle Wilson also and that was to try to beat New England and Indianapolis and whoever else got in our way.
"We tried to build our team to win a Super Bowl and we thought to win a Super Bowl you have to beat New England. We'll see if that blueprint works or not. We beat them once already."
McDaniels: Job Status Out Of My Hands
The Broncos are just 3-8 this season despite Kyle Orton's eye-popping numbers.
Vincent Jackson's Return Lasts Two Plays
Vincent Jackson started for San Diego, but he lasted just two plays.
Reid Chews Out Jackson After Loss
DeSean Jackson had just two catches on Sunday against Chicago.
Bills Already Looking At Andrew Luck
Buffalo general manager Buddy Nix flew to North California last week to watch Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck.
NFL Close To Ending Favre Probe
Jenn Sterger gave the NFL visual evidence last week and a ruling is expected soon.
Stanford, Wisconsin All But Lock-Up BCS Bids
Stanford and Wisconsin were the big winners in the latest BCS standing released Sunday.
Gruden 'Committed' To MNF
Jon Gruden said Sunday night that he isn't leaving ESPN.
Harrison Flagged For Hit On QB
James Harrison will likely face a fine after leading with his helmet on a sack against the Bills.
Bettis, Faulk, Sanders Headline HOF Nominees
Three of the top ten rushers in the NFL history are among the nominees for induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Johnson, Finnegan Ejected After Fight
Andre Johnson and Cortland Finnegan exchanged punches on Sunday afternoon.
Hobbs May Be Forced To Retire
Ellis Hobbs is set to undergo neck surgery for the second time in a year.
Broncos Blanketed 49ers With Apologies
The Broncos apologized profusely to the 49ers before their videotaping incident became public.
Clausen To Start Against Cleveland
Carolina isn't sure who will play behind Jimmy Clausen.
Broncos To Use Moreno More
The Broncos plan to use Knowshon Moreno plenty against the Rams.
Will Smith Arrested In Louisiana
Will Smith was accused of pulling his wife by the hair and dragging her down the street.
Broncos, McDaniels Fined $50K Each For Filming Practice
Denver's video coordinator filmed a San Francisco practice in London last month.
Bills Place Merriman On IR
Shawne Merriman never played a game for the Bills.
Gradkowski To Start For Raiders?
Bruce Gradkowski reportedly took most of Oakland's first-team snaps in practice.
Marvin Lewis 'Very Unlikely' To Return
Cincinnati could be headed for major changes this coming offseason.
Broncos Under Investigation By NFL
The NFL is investigating whether the Broncos filmed the 49ers prior to their meeting in London.