HEAV
01-30-2006, 09:14 PM
With Al Michael's future on Monday Night Football in doubt, ESPN is strongly considering putting talk show host/columnist Tony Kornheiser on its telecast next year, according to the NEW YORK POST. While ESPN is expected to decide after the Super Bowl if it will force Michaels to honor the eight-year $32 million contract he signed this summer, sources say the network has devised a Plan B around Kornheiser. If the network allows Michaels out of his contract then the new team is expected to be led by Mike Tirico. Tirico will be join.
HEAV: Rock on Tony! He was second a few years ago to Dennis Miller. Tony would be great at color comentary!
Jeff Aaron of Everett's KRKO 1380-AM arrived at the Super Bowl on Sunday for one week as a one-man radio show. He brought a bottle of water that Seahawks coach Mike Holmgren took a couple of drinks out of during training camp in Cheney, according to the SEATTLE POST-INTELLINGENCER. Aaron kept the bottle, which was about three-quarters full, had it blessed by an ordained minister and before games this season poured a capful over someone's head for good luck.
Brett Favre said on ESPN's Sunday Conversation he would prefer to wait until training camp before making a decision, although he knows that isn't possible. "I wish I knew where I stood," he said. "If I had to pick right now and make a decision, I would say I'm not coming back." Favre said he told Thompson if they can't wait for his decision the Packers should cut him loose. "I love the game too much and I love my legacy too much to have that just be OK and I don't want to be just OK," said Favre, interviewed by Chris Mortensen at his home in Mississippi. "I want to be good and I don't know if I'm committed enough (right now) to be good on an everyday basis. "I still know I can play. I still love to play, but there's still much more to it. I never thought I'd give out mentally before I gave out physically."
Pats WR David Givens might be tougher to retain. The 25-year-old receiver made $1.43 million last year and will be a hot commodity on the free-agent market -- especially since there’s not a deep class this winter. The Miami Dolphins are reportedly interested. There’s a chance someone could make Givens an offer too rich for the Patriots.
The Atlanta Falcons are willing to part with backup QB Matt Schaub for a second-round pick. If the Bengals choose not to re-sign free agent Jon Kitna, Schaub could emerge as a candidate to bridge the gap until Carson Palmer's return from a left knee injury.
All things being equal, Mike Holmgren thinks the Seahawks will be able to re-sign running back Shaun Alexander, the league's Most Valuable Player, who is due to become an unrestricted free agent in March. "I think we all believe he wants to stay in Seattle," Holmgren said. "We want him to stay."
The San Francisco 49ers, who need help everywhere, are interested in WR Kelley Washington and CB Tory James should the Bengals dangle them as trade bait.
There were reports over the weekend that former Rams coach Mike Martz was considering an offer to be the offensive coordinator. A Lions official said Sunday that no offer has been made to Martz, and any discussion of Martz possibly coming to Detroit is speculation and not based on any contact with Martz by Marinelli.
Ron Jaworski still hasn't heard from former Eagles wide receiver Freddie Mitchell about possibly joining the Soul. "Tell you what," Jaworski said, pointing to Sean Scott, "these guys keep doing this, we don't need to bring in anyone else"
Former Buffalo defensive coordinator Jerry Gray, who interviewed for the Texans' head coaching job that went to Gary Kubiak, is going to coach Washington's defensive backs. Gray, who was interested in becoming Kubiak's defensive coordinator, will be reunited with Gregg Williams, Redskins assistant head coach/defense.
The word in NFL circles is that ex-Vikings coach Mike Tice can have a spot on Jack Del Rio's coaching staff with Jacksonville if he is interested. The two were Vikings teammates and are good friends.
Former Texans offensive coordinator Chris Palmer, who was fired after the first two games this season, is expected to join the Dallas Cowboys as an assistant coach. He'll be reunited with Bill Parcells. Palmer, who also interviewed with the Jets and Saints, coached under Parcells for four seasons (1993-96) at New England.
The national media asked, and Seahawks coach Mike Holmgren answered: He said the medical mission on which his wife, Kathy, a nurse, and daughter Calla, a perinatal specialist in Utah, leave Thursday "is a lot more important than what I'm doing this week." They're heading to the Democratic Republic of Congo, where his wife first served on a similar mission 35 years ago. They are part of a 10-member delegation from a church-related Pacific Northwest non-profit and are scheduled for a 17-day trip. "I'll tell her the score when she gets back," Holmgren added.
The Seattle Seahawks have two defensive players who also will be trying to cash in during the Super Bowl against the Pittsburgh Steelers. They are bowling for dollars. Defensive tackle Rocky Bernard and strong safety Marquand Manuel each are scheduled to become unrestricted free agents after Super Bowl X-tra L-arge. Each could draw significant interest.
There’s a chance Bruce Arians’ job could be different next year. Steelers Offensive Coordinator Ken Whisenhunt is in the chase for the Raiders’ head coaching job. If Whisenhunt leaves, Arians would figure as a candidate to be offensive coordinator.
The Cleveland Browns are in the market for a pass rusher with the 12th pick. If they can't get N.C. State defensive end Mario Williams, they'll look hard at Manny Lawson and Elvis Dumervil.
Twelve years ago today (Jan. 30, 1994), the Buffalo Bills lost their fourth straight Super Bowl, 30-13 to the Dallas Cowboys.
The football world is waiting to hear Packers quarterback Brett Favre announce whether or not he intends to play in 2006. But at this point, the indications are, everyone might be waiting a while. During meetings early last week with Packers general manager Ted Thompson and Thursday with new Green Bay head coach Mike McCarthy, Favre failed to convey his future plans. The only sense now -- and it is just a sense from within the organization -- is that there will not be an answer anytime soon, even though every Packers fan is anxiously awaiting one.
Seattle's coaching staff has an impressive 18 Super Bowl rings, while Pittsburgh's has only eight.
One fact has been clear for several days: Mike Heimerdinger will be joining the Broncos' coaching staff to replace Gary Kubiak. Heimerdinger soon will be officially announced as part of Denver's staff. However, his title could be different than expected. There are indications there could be title changes on the assistant coaching staff. For example, Heimerdinger - a former offensive coordinator with Tennessee and the New York Jets - could be named assistant head coach. Or an existing assistant, such as offensive line coach Rick Dennison, could be named the offensive coordinator or assistant head coach.
For those who wonder if Daunte Culpepper will be able to play this year after suffering a serious knee injury, former Vikings coach Bud Grant pointed out that Jeff Siemon played 11 years and Matt Blair 12 for the Vikings despite similar surgeries. Grant added that doctors know a lot more about these types of operations now and that with a knee problem, linebacker might be a tougher position to play than quarterback.
Bengals WR coach Hue Jackson and QB coach Ken Zampese are being mentioned as offensive coordinator candidates in Detroit and New Orleans, respectively. Both are under contract with the Bengals through the 2006 season.
Maybe it'll be UCLA's Marcedes Lewis or Colorado's Joe Klopfenstein. It could be Southern Cal's Dominique Byrd or N.C. State's T.J. Williams. Then again, it might be Georgia's Leonard Pope, Maryland's Vernon Davis or Notre Dame's Anthony Fasano. Rest assured the "Magnificent Seven" are on the Cincinnati Bengals' radar because the club desperately needs a tight end. This year's NFL draft class, laden with depth and talent, should yield a future Bengals starter — if not in the first round with the 24th pick, then in the second or third.
NFC teams were 40-5 when they had a 100-yard rusher this season, AFC teams were 31-2. HEAV: We need a dominating running back.
Not only is Willie Williams the only player on the Steelers roster to have played in a Super Bowl, he's also the only player in the big game to have played for coaches Bill Cowher and Mike Holmgren. Williams has played a total of six years for Cowher (1993-96; 2004-05) and six for Homlgren (1998-2003). He gave a thumbnail of the two Super Bowl coaches. "They're very involved with practices and what their players are doing," Williams said. "They're not going to let things slide. If you make a mistake, they're going to let you know about it. They're both emotional; they get very involved in the game. They also let their coaches coach, but when it's time to step in, they don't hesitate to step in. There are really a lot of similarities. I think, though, that coach Cowher is a little more emotional on the sideline."
Jeff Reed knows the joy of kicking the winning field goal, including twice this season in the closing minutes. He hasn't missed one to tie or win the game at the end, and he does not want to start Sunday. The Steelers would prefer a runaway victory against Seattle in Super Bowl XL, but if it comes down to needing a field goal from Reed to do so, they say they will take that, too. "Oh, yeah, he's been doing it all year," linebacker Larry Foote said. "I prefer we win by 100 points, but I'm quite sure this game is not going to be that way."
The very first Super Bowl in Los Angeles in 1967 did not sell out even though ticket prices were $6, $10 and $12 -- after adjusting for inflation, that would be $35, $58 and $70 in current dollars.
Seahawks coach Mike Holmgren and several of his players said Sunday evening at the Seahawks' hotel in this Detroit suburb that they didn't really object to being underdogs. Holmgren said his team is overlooked because it plays in a city tucked away in the northwest corner of the country, and he has told his players since the season began that they would have to earn any respect they intended to get. "I think not a lot of people know what kind of football team we have," Holmgren said. "I told the players, 'That's okay' . . . I understand why we're the underdogs. . . . It's easy to talk about it. Let's let our record do our talking." Said Seahawks tailback Shaun Alexander: "I don't care. We're here, and that's all I'm worried about." The Seahawks arrived in Detroit on Sunday afternoon. The Steelers are not scheduled to make the short trip from Pittsburgh until Monday.
The first exclusive of Super Bowl week: Dick Cheney has not been invited. He would be unwelcome. In accordance with NFL policies and bylaws, and the long-standing Rozelle Rule, sitting vice presidents may not sit at any Super Bowl. This edict was issued in the aftermath of Super Bowl XVI at which then Vice President George Bush froze traffic on Opdyke Road before the kickoff. The resulting logjam caused a furor among the NFL's hierarchy. Bush's motorcade managed to crawl through the traffic. Some of America's sporting journalists, however, were blocked from arriving at the Silverdome by Secret Service agents who halted traffic. In a hasty postgame session, the NFL announced its new vice-presidential policy. The statement was delivered by Jim Steeg, then commissioner Pete Rozelle's deputized Super Bowl logistics expert. "Most importantly, we should totally discourage a presidential or vice presidential visit unless they abide by our recommendations."
Here's the 'Bus' schedule for Wednesday of Super Bowl week. Detroit's Mackenzie High School will retire Jerome Bettis' No. 6 jersey at a 10 a.m. Wednesday ceremony in the school's auditorium. A full house is expected, with as many TV cameras and microphones as cheering fans. The ceremony will be one of the highlights of the week for Bettis, and it is something that is not unprecedented at Super Bowls. When the Broncos played Super Bowl XXXII in Terrell Davis' hometown of San Diego, Lincoln High School honored Davis by retiring his number.
The Super Bowl XL host committee was ready with thousands of pairs of complimentary mittens to give visitors, plus hand, toe, foot and body warmers good for seven hours of fighting off the cold.
Heav: This venue blows.....
HEAV: Rock on Tony! He was second a few years ago to Dennis Miller. Tony would be great at color comentary!
Jeff Aaron of Everett's KRKO 1380-AM arrived at the Super Bowl on Sunday for one week as a one-man radio show. He brought a bottle of water that Seahawks coach Mike Holmgren took a couple of drinks out of during training camp in Cheney, according to the SEATTLE POST-INTELLINGENCER. Aaron kept the bottle, which was about three-quarters full, had it blessed by an ordained minister and before games this season poured a capful over someone's head for good luck.
Brett Favre said on ESPN's Sunday Conversation he would prefer to wait until training camp before making a decision, although he knows that isn't possible. "I wish I knew where I stood," he said. "If I had to pick right now and make a decision, I would say I'm not coming back." Favre said he told Thompson if they can't wait for his decision the Packers should cut him loose. "I love the game too much and I love my legacy too much to have that just be OK and I don't want to be just OK," said Favre, interviewed by Chris Mortensen at his home in Mississippi. "I want to be good and I don't know if I'm committed enough (right now) to be good on an everyday basis. "I still know I can play. I still love to play, but there's still much more to it. I never thought I'd give out mentally before I gave out physically."
Pats WR David Givens might be tougher to retain. The 25-year-old receiver made $1.43 million last year and will be a hot commodity on the free-agent market -- especially since there’s not a deep class this winter. The Miami Dolphins are reportedly interested. There’s a chance someone could make Givens an offer too rich for the Patriots.
The Atlanta Falcons are willing to part with backup QB Matt Schaub for a second-round pick. If the Bengals choose not to re-sign free agent Jon Kitna, Schaub could emerge as a candidate to bridge the gap until Carson Palmer's return from a left knee injury.
All things being equal, Mike Holmgren thinks the Seahawks will be able to re-sign running back Shaun Alexander, the league's Most Valuable Player, who is due to become an unrestricted free agent in March. "I think we all believe he wants to stay in Seattle," Holmgren said. "We want him to stay."
The San Francisco 49ers, who need help everywhere, are interested in WR Kelley Washington and CB Tory James should the Bengals dangle them as trade bait.
There were reports over the weekend that former Rams coach Mike Martz was considering an offer to be the offensive coordinator. A Lions official said Sunday that no offer has been made to Martz, and any discussion of Martz possibly coming to Detroit is speculation and not based on any contact with Martz by Marinelli.
Ron Jaworski still hasn't heard from former Eagles wide receiver Freddie Mitchell about possibly joining the Soul. "Tell you what," Jaworski said, pointing to Sean Scott, "these guys keep doing this, we don't need to bring in anyone else"
Former Buffalo defensive coordinator Jerry Gray, who interviewed for the Texans' head coaching job that went to Gary Kubiak, is going to coach Washington's defensive backs. Gray, who was interested in becoming Kubiak's defensive coordinator, will be reunited with Gregg Williams, Redskins assistant head coach/defense.
The word in NFL circles is that ex-Vikings coach Mike Tice can have a spot on Jack Del Rio's coaching staff with Jacksonville if he is interested. The two were Vikings teammates and are good friends.
Former Texans offensive coordinator Chris Palmer, who was fired after the first two games this season, is expected to join the Dallas Cowboys as an assistant coach. He'll be reunited with Bill Parcells. Palmer, who also interviewed with the Jets and Saints, coached under Parcells for four seasons (1993-96) at New England.
The national media asked, and Seahawks coach Mike Holmgren answered: He said the medical mission on which his wife, Kathy, a nurse, and daughter Calla, a perinatal specialist in Utah, leave Thursday "is a lot more important than what I'm doing this week." They're heading to the Democratic Republic of Congo, where his wife first served on a similar mission 35 years ago. They are part of a 10-member delegation from a church-related Pacific Northwest non-profit and are scheduled for a 17-day trip. "I'll tell her the score when she gets back," Holmgren added.
The Seattle Seahawks have two defensive players who also will be trying to cash in during the Super Bowl against the Pittsburgh Steelers. They are bowling for dollars. Defensive tackle Rocky Bernard and strong safety Marquand Manuel each are scheduled to become unrestricted free agents after Super Bowl X-tra L-arge. Each could draw significant interest.
There’s a chance Bruce Arians’ job could be different next year. Steelers Offensive Coordinator Ken Whisenhunt is in the chase for the Raiders’ head coaching job. If Whisenhunt leaves, Arians would figure as a candidate to be offensive coordinator.
The Cleveland Browns are in the market for a pass rusher with the 12th pick. If they can't get N.C. State defensive end Mario Williams, they'll look hard at Manny Lawson and Elvis Dumervil.
Twelve years ago today (Jan. 30, 1994), the Buffalo Bills lost their fourth straight Super Bowl, 30-13 to the Dallas Cowboys.
The football world is waiting to hear Packers quarterback Brett Favre announce whether or not he intends to play in 2006. But at this point, the indications are, everyone might be waiting a while. During meetings early last week with Packers general manager Ted Thompson and Thursday with new Green Bay head coach Mike McCarthy, Favre failed to convey his future plans. The only sense now -- and it is just a sense from within the organization -- is that there will not be an answer anytime soon, even though every Packers fan is anxiously awaiting one.
Seattle's coaching staff has an impressive 18 Super Bowl rings, while Pittsburgh's has only eight.
One fact has been clear for several days: Mike Heimerdinger will be joining the Broncos' coaching staff to replace Gary Kubiak. Heimerdinger soon will be officially announced as part of Denver's staff. However, his title could be different than expected. There are indications there could be title changes on the assistant coaching staff. For example, Heimerdinger - a former offensive coordinator with Tennessee and the New York Jets - could be named assistant head coach. Or an existing assistant, such as offensive line coach Rick Dennison, could be named the offensive coordinator or assistant head coach.
For those who wonder if Daunte Culpepper will be able to play this year after suffering a serious knee injury, former Vikings coach Bud Grant pointed out that Jeff Siemon played 11 years and Matt Blair 12 for the Vikings despite similar surgeries. Grant added that doctors know a lot more about these types of operations now and that with a knee problem, linebacker might be a tougher position to play than quarterback.
Bengals WR coach Hue Jackson and QB coach Ken Zampese are being mentioned as offensive coordinator candidates in Detroit and New Orleans, respectively. Both are under contract with the Bengals through the 2006 season.
Maybe it'll be UCLA's Marcedes Lewis or Colorado's Joe Klopfenstein. It could be Southern Cal's Dominique Byrd or N.C. State's T.J. Williams. Then again, it might be Georgia's Leonard Pope, Maryland's Vernon Davis or Notre Dame's Anthony Fasano. Rest assured the "Magnificent Seven" are on the Cincinnati Bengals' radar because the club desperately needs a tight end. This year's NFL draft class, laden with depth and talent, should yield a future Bengals starter — if not in the first round with the 24th pick, then in the second or third.
NFC teams were 40-5 when they had a 100-yard rusher this season, AFC teams were 31-2. HEAV: We need a dominating running back.
Not only is Willie Williams the only player on the Steelers roster to have played in a Super Bowl, he's also the only player in the big game to have played for coaches Bill Cowher and Mike Holmgren. Williams has played a total of six years for Cowher (1993-96; 2004-05) and six for Homlgren (1998-2003). He gave a thumbnail of the two Super Bowl coaches. "They're very involved with practices and what their players are doing," Williams said. "They're not going to let things slide. If you make a mistake, they're going to let you know about it. They're both emotional; they get very involved in the game. They also let their coaches coach, but when it's time to step in, they don't hesitate to step in. There are really a lot of similarities. I think, though, that coach Cowher is a little more emotional on the sideline."
Jeff Reed knows the joy of kicking the winning field goal, including twice this season in the closing minutes. He hasn't missed one to tie or win the game at the end, and he does not want to start Sunday. The Steelers would prefer a runaway victory against Seattle in Super Bowl XL, but if it comes down to needing a field goal from Reed to do so, they say they will take that, too. "Oh, yeah, he's been doing it all year," linebacker Larry Foote said. "I prefer we win by 100 points, but I'm quite sure this game is not going to be that way."
The very first Super Bowl in Los Angeles in 1967 did not sell out even though ticket prices were $6, $10 and $12 -- after adjusting for inflation, that would be $35, $58 and $70 in current dollars.
Seahawks coach Mike Holmgren and several of his players said Sunday evening at the Seahawks' hotel in this Detroit suburb that they didn't really object to being underdogs. Holmgren said his team is overlooked because it plays in a city tucked away in the northwest corner of the country, and he has told his players since the season began that they would have to earn any respect they intended to get. "I think not a lot of people know what kind of football team we have," Holmgren said. "I told the players, 'That's okay' . . . I understand why we're the underdogs. . . . It's easy to talk about it. Let's let our record do our talking." Said Seahawks tailback Shaun Alexander: "I don't care. We're here, and that's all I'm worried about." The Seahawks arrived in Detroit on Sunday afternoon. The Steelers are not scheduled to make the short trip from Pittsburgh until Monday.
The first exclusive of Super Bowl week: Dick Cheney has not been invited. He would be unwelcome. In accordance with NFL policies and bylaws, and the long-standing Rozelle Rule, sitting vice presidents may not sit at any Super Bowl. This edict was issued in the aftermath of Super Bowl XVI at which then Vice President George Bush froze traffic on Opdyke Road before the kickoff. The resulting logjam caused a furor among the NFL's hierarchy. Bush's motorcade managed to crawl through the traffic. Some of America's sporting journalists, however, were blocked from arriving at the Silverdome by Secret Service agents who halted traffic. In a hasty postgame session, the NFL announced its new vice-presidential policy. The statement was delivered by Jim Steeg, then commissioner Pete Rozelle's deputized Super Bowl logistics expert. "Most importantly, we should totally discourage a presidential or vice presidential visit unless they abide by our recommendations."
Here's the 'Bus' schedule for Wednesday of Super Bowl week. Detroit's Mackenzie High School will retire Jerome Bettis' No. 6 jersey at a 10 a.m. Wednesday ceremony in the school's auditorium. A full house is expected, with as many TV cameras and microphones as cheering fans. The ceremony will be one of the highlights of the week for Bettis, and it is something that is not unprecedented at Super Bowls. When the Broncos played Super Bowl XXXII in Terrell Davis' hometown of San Diego, Lincoln High School honored Davis by retiring his number.
The Super Bowl XL host committee was ready with thousands of pairs of complimentary mittens to give visitors, plus hand, toe, foot and body warmers good for seven hours of fighting off the cold.
Heav: This venue blows.....