Lions Ink Lehman And Jones For Multiyear Deals
The Detroit Lions announced another pair of crucial player signings on Wednesday, as rookies Kevin Jones and Teddy Lehman inked separate multiyear deals with the club.Already in rapid-fire-acquisition mode after Tuesday’s signings of offensive linemen Kelly Butler (a sixth-round draftee) and Solomon Page (a free agent from San Diego), the Lions are steadily advancing toward their objective of striking deals with the entire 2004 rookie class before Friday, the club’s mandatory training-camp-reporting date for all rookies and veterans. On the heels of his signing, Jones -- the No. 30 overall pick in this year’s draft – seemed overjoyed with his good fortune, as he can now fully compete for the Lions’ No. 1 tailback job, against incumbents Shawn Bryson, Artose Pinner and Olandis Gary.“Best feeling in the world happening right now; I’ve been waiting for this all my life. (The contract) finally got done,” said the 5-foot-11, 227-pound Jones, a native of the Philadelphia suburb of Chester, Pa.At Virginia Tech, Jones carried the ball 616 times for 3,475 yards – averaging a stellar 5.6 yards per carry – while leading the Hokies to a 26-13 record from 2001-03. These numbers were posted against rugged competition in the Big East Conference (Miami, Pittsburgh, Boston College and West Virginia) and other heralded powers, such as LSU, Florida State and Texas A&M. In 2001 versus eventual-national-champion Miami, Jones ran roughshod over the vaunted Hurricane defense, registering 160 yards on 24 carries.Just an hour earlier, Lehman had signed his pact."It's what you've been waiting for all your life -- finally getting that ink on the paper," said Lehman, the 37th overall selection in the draft. "Yeah, it's all about football now."Lehman, a 6-foot-2, 238-pound linebacker from Oklahoma, was a regular member of various collegiate All-American teams for the 2002 and 2003 seasons. Lehman’s rare combination of power, size and speed factored greatly into the Sooners’ re-emergence as a viable power -- including their national championship in 2000.Per team policy, no monetary terms were disclosed involving the rookie contracts.
posted by Anonymous @ 3:57 PM
Dolphins Training Camp
With three days to go until the start of Camp Dolphins 2004 on Saturday, July 31, Head Coach Dave Wannstedt looks ahead to the upcoming season with a series of team previews. Today, Coach Wannstedt gives an overall look at the wide receivers and tight ends."Chris Chambers (64 rec., 963 yards, 11 TDs in ’03) had his best year as a pro last year and I believe he is ready to step up and become one of the top receivers in the league. He has outstanding athletic ability and really just made some unbelievable catches for us. "The acquisition of David Boston (70 rec., 880 yards, 7 TDs in ’03 with San Diego) will undoubtedly make us a better offensive unit. Any time you get a chance to get someone of David’s caliber, you don’t pass that up. He is coming in here to contribute any way he can to make us a better football team. "Derrius Thompson had somewhat of a disappointing season in his first year with us last year, but I feel as though he has all the tools to be a solid receiver in this league. "We have a group of young prospects who possess some talent, such as Sam Simmons, J.R. Tolver, Kendall Newson and Snoop Minnis. Although they haven’t had a whole lot of experience, they will have an opportunity to make our team and give us some quality depth."I was pleased with the progress that Randy McMichael (49 rec., 598 yards, 2 TDs in ‘03) made in his second season in the league. As a second-year player, I think he showed a great deal of maturity, as evidenced by the fact that his teammates voted him a co-captain on offense. With the approach that he has taken, I think he will continue to improve. "Donald Lee (7 rec., 110 yards, 1 TD in ’03) got a lot of playing time as a rookie last year. He’s still adjusting to the passing game after coming from a run-oriented offense in college, but he showed last year that he has the ability to be effective as both a blocker and as a receiver."
posted by Anonymous @ 3:54 PM
Coy Wire came into training camp last season with high expectations.
During the final week of training camp last year, former Giants coach Jim Fassel gave the players an afternoon off. Instead of practicing, the team bussed to nearby Lake George for an outing that included boating, fishing and a barbeque. It’s safe to say those few hours of fun won’t be repeated this year.
No, an afternoon of lighthearted fun is not on the top of Tom Coughlin’s priority list. The Giants’ new head coach was known for running tough, long and physically-demanding training camps during his eight seasons as the coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars. When the Jags were a first-year expansion team in 1995, Coughlin took the team to the University of Wisconsin-Steven’s Point for training camp, the then led the players through four grueling weeks of practice and conditioning.That camp led to many of the stories that have given Coughlin’s public image a hard edge. He counters by saying he has grown in the last nine years, and it’s not fair to judge him on what happened almost a decade ago. But his respect for hard work, discipline and commitment has not wavered, which means training camp for the Giants players will not be a picnic – or an outing to Lake George.The players report to the University at Albany on Thursday and begin two-a-days on Friday. The veterans know it will be tough, but don’t expect it to be unreasonably difficult. And after enduring the 4-12 disaster in 2003, they’re willing to pay the price to turn around their fortunes.“I expect it to be training camp,” said safety Shaun Williams, who is entering his seventh season. “It’s going to be hot, it’s going to be twice a day, there are going to be long meetings, there’s going to be hitting, there’s going to be tackling. It’s going to be training camp. Training camp is never easy.”“I don’t know how much more physically challenging it can be,” split end Amani Toomer said. “We had some pretty tough long camps with our old coach. But there’s a different intensity out there, a different kind of feel. A lot of people are trying to learn a new system and that makes it’ mentally harder. That’s the only thing that’s going to be a big difference. Nobody is going to have that comfort level, knowing the plays and knowing the system.”The players got a taste of Coughlin’s expectations and demands throughout the offseason, both in the conditioning program – which was more challenging than in the past – and during the mini-camps and on-field workouts. Those practices were conducted at a brisk pace, with no wasted time or standing around. Coughlin was quick to correct mistakes and was not hesitant in voicing his displeasure at specific players or position groups.However, those workouts were conducted without pads. In Albany the hitting will start, which will increase the intensity and the pain for the players. But neither the holdovers nor the newcomers brought in from other teams expect anything radically different from what they’ve already endured in the NFL.“From all indications, and everything I’ve seen and the way we practice here, it’s very similar to what I’ve experienced in the past,” said quarterback Kurt Warner, who spent his first six seasons with the St. Louis Rams. “Unless something drastically changes, I don’t foresee that being an issue. But having not been through one of coach Coughlin’s training camps and not knowing what to base it on, other than the mini-camps that we’ve had and the way we practiced, it’s very similar to what I’ve been through in the past.”Warner was asked it St. Louis coach Mike Martz’s training camps were tough.“Tough is all relative,” he said. “It’s fast, uptempo, speed, perfection. To me, that’s not hard, that’s just the way you do it. That’s how you are successful in this league. It’s very similar. We’re not on the field for 2½ hours, were on the field for an hour-and-a-half, an hour and 45 minutes, we’re fast, we’re going from one drill to the next. I guess I don’t look at that as hard, as much as it’s uptempo, fast and trying to get it done right as quickly as possible and playing with speed. Unless something drastically changes, I think it’s going to be very similar to what we had in St. Louis, and what I’m used to.”Running back Tiki Barber, who has spent his entire eight-year career with the Giants, knows camp will be different under Coughlin.“It’s hard to gauge, because I’ve only known one camp, one coach,” Barber said. “Jim would throw us a bone every now and then. I don’t know if we’re getting that this year. I think if something’s on the schedule, it gets done. We’re not going to get a break because Matt Bryant makes a 50-yard field goal – okay, we don’t have to run today. It’s okay. It’s football. And I think it’s on par with his line of thinking – discipline and way of coaching.”Although they know Coughlin will make the next four weeks extremely difficult for them both physically and mentally, the players are eager to get started and to wipe away the lingering residue from 2003. And they have faith that Coughlin is the man who can do that completely and prepare them for a much brighter 2004.“I’m impressed with his leadership,” Williams said. “He comes out there and you know that he’s focused, you know that he has an idea and a goal in mind and he’s going to take steps to try to achieve it. When he talks to the team he’s a straightforward guy. He’s not going to sugarcoat anything. He’s going to shoot straight from the hip and tell you how he feels and tell you what he means. That’s a good thing and you have to respect that.”“I have confidence in our new coach,” Toomer said. “I think he’s going to be good for our team. I think our team is going to benefit from it in the long run. The older you get, the fewer chances you have to win the championship. I feel that with the coach we have now, we have a great opportunity to win a championship and be really competitive this year.”But to do that, they must first get through a highly-competitive camp.“The whole image he has for the team is to raise the standards of everybody around here, and you can’t complain about that,” Toomer said. “I feel like we’re going to be a much better team because of it. We went 4-12 last year and I’ll do anything not to be 4-12 again. So it doesn’t matter to me.”
posted by Anonymous @ 3:26 PM
Wire enters camp and prepares himself for this season with high expectations.
Coy Wire came into training camp last season with high expectations. He was penciled in as the new starting strong safety in just his second season and his career seemed bright and full of possibilities, but that all changed three days before the start on the season when the Bills signed strong safety Lawyer Milloy away from the New England Patriots.Wire lost his starting job, though he still was prominent on special teams. He trained hard this off-season and worked often with Milloy learning techniques and styles from the seasoned veteran. "Lawyer was a blessing to me because the experience he has in the NFL," Wire said. "He kind of took me under his wing. We're great friends off the field as well, which has meant a lot to me."Wire will now make the move from strong safety to free safety in hopes of getting back to a starting position for the Buffalo Bills.He is expected to face his biggest competition from incumbent starter, Izell Reese. Reese took over the starting job in early October of 2003 from Pierson Prioleau. Prioleau has moved to strong safety, learning a new position and now being the back-up to Milloy. Reese started nine games and had 14 tackles. Reese said he has improvements to make this off-season in order to maintain his starting role. "I know I can run and be physical but I need to improve on the little things," Reese said. "I try to do this by working on hand eye coordination and reading routes and I always want to continue to improve. I don't want to be one dimensional."Reese held onto the starting role until he was placed on injured reserve in December. He's back and healthy now and looking forward to competing. He said he's in great shape and is ready to be more physical."You have to be able to tackle in the free safety spot," Reese said. "If players get behind you, there is nobody there to make tackles. You have to be able to make solo tackles in crucial situations and that is what I try to do."Wire has always been regarded as one of the more physical players on the Bills roster. He is a great form tackler and can deliver crushing blows to opponents. Originally a linebacker in college, Wire said he's easing into this transition as well."The two safety positions are very similar so there won't be much difference other than at free safety you're in the deep middle a bit more than you are at strong," Wire said. "The biggest challenge will be just getting experience being in the deep middle and seeking out opportunities to make big plays and big hits."Wire and Reese play very different styles of football. Both can be dominant on the field and both can be a presence that opposing offenses cannot ignore. This should be a great competition to look forward to at training camp. "I'm very physical and I can make some good hits for this defense," Wire said. "I'm ready to get back into a starting role and being an everyday contributor."Wire will get his chance to show that he can learn a new position and still be a valuable asset to the Buffalo defense.
posted by Anonymous @ 3:09 PM
Gray has some goals left to fulfill in Buffalo!
When a team hires a new head coach in the off-season they typically have a personnel overhaul when it comes to assistant coaches. That didn't happen with the Buffalo Bills. Mike Mularkey became the team's new head coach in January and one of his main goals was to retain the defensive staff. For the most part, he did just that. Mularkey recognized the success that Jerry Gray's unit had in 2003 so when it came to asking him to stay, the decision was easy.
"Jerry's a very important part of this football team," Mularkey said. "As a head coach you have to oversee what's happening with the entire team. I allow the defensive personnel to make a lot of their own decisions because those guys are pros. They know what it takes to be successful and I have complete confidence in our coaching staff."
Gray was hired to be the team's defensive coordinator in 2001 by newly appointed head coach, Gregg Williams. The two had worked together in both Houston and Tennessee with the Oilers/Titans franchise. After the coaching change this off-season Gray said he still had some goals left to fulfill in Buffalo.
"Last year we were the No. 2 defense in the league," Gray said. "It was our goal to finish No. 1 and we didn't quite get there. This year we're making it our goal to be the best and I believe it's something we can achieve with some hard work."
Gray spoke about Mularkey with high regard and is looking forward to a successful campaign in 2004. While former defensive assistant, Dick LeBeau, moved on to Pittsburgh, the defensive staff has mostly remained intact.
Steve Szabo was brought in from New England to coach the defensive backs, with Tim Krumrie and Don Blackmon, among others, staying on staff with Gray.
"It's really important to have most of the coaches coming back this season," Gray said. "It really helps with what we're trying to accomplish. I think our defense is only going to be better now that a lot of us have been working together for a while. I'm looking forward to starting camp."
Linebacker Jeff Posey said having Gray remain is an asset to the team. The defense will continue to dominate with his schemes and packages.
"Having Coach Gray stick around is huge for the defense," Posey said. "He really is the core of our unit. He game plans to the strengths of his players and has us playing as a team and not as individuals."
The Bills defense could also be stronger with the addition of 10-year veteran Jason Gildon. Gildon can play both linebacker and defensive end and Gray said he'll get the maximum potential out of him.
"We'll give him (Gildon) a look at a few different spots," Gray said. "He's a very versatile player that will be able to help our football team. We just need to find the right fit."
Gray should have his defense playing physical, dominant football all season. His preparation and hard work will only make the defense stronger this year.
"We're going to continue to play physical football," Gray said. "We'll punish opponents and try to win the battles at the line of scrimmage."
With some new additions and old faces around the Bills defense, expect this unit to come to play every Sunday, with Jerry Gray leading them into battle.
posted by Anonymous @ 3:04 PM
Intense battles for positions within the Buffalo Bills team.
Training camp will be the beginning of many position battles for the Buffalo Bills, but none should be more heated than left defensive end. Three men could compete for the job opposite starting right end, Aaron Schobel. The battle promises to be intense in an effort to help bolster the Bills pass rush.
Ryan Denney is the incumbent starter and started 13 of Buffalo's 16 games in 2003. He recorded 3.5 sacks and also forced a fumble. He also has great size at 6 feet 7 inches and 275 pounds.
Denney may have been the starter in the past, but he is definitely hearing footsteps. Chris Kelsay is ready to be an everyday player and should provide strong competition to land the role. Kelsay was the Bills second round choice in the 2003 NFL Draft and is progressing nicely in his development. He said he's ready for the challenge of being an every down player.
"I feel a lot more comfortable and a lot more confident this year," Kelsay said. "I feel like it's all going to fall into place. I'm going to do everything I can to get myself in shape and take over that starting role."
Newly signed free agent, Jason Gildon, could also figure into the mix. Gildon played his first 10 seasons for the Pittsburgh Steelers at linebacker, but his specialty was rushing the passer. He's the Steelers all-time sack leader with 77. Gildon can play defensive end and should get some reps and the opportunity to compete for the job.
"Jason has been rushing the passer most of his career," defensive coordinator Jerry Gray said. "He has great instincts getting to the quarterback and he's been successful doing that in the past. We'll give him some reps in there to see how he handles it."
Gray said he anticipates a fight to the finish and that no matter who wins out, that player is going to have to continue to play at a high level or else he could be replaced.
"Competition only makes your team better," Gray said. "These guys have been preparing all off-season for this battle and the team can only benefit from that. We know that whomever we choose is going to have to play at a high level because someone else is always going to be looking over his shoulder. It's been great motivation for these guys."
Gildon is ready for a second chance at his career. He was released by Pittsburgh after the Steelers believed he was on the downside of his playing career. Gildon is anxious to show critics that he can still play and lining up at defensive end may give him a chance to do just that.
"I definitely feel like I'll be given the opportunity and all I'm after is the opportunity to compete," Gildon said. "I definitely have something to offer. If I don't win the job I have to be ok with it. I've been given the opportunity to compete and that's what I'm looking forward to."
Defensive line coach Tim Krumrie is also looking forward to the competition and said that all of his guys are ready to step into the starting position.
"I've got a good, solid group of guys," Krumrie said. "It's the same thing I said last year. The guys will determine who's going to start. I don't. They come out and basically fight for their work. If you want to start, then you've got to work harder than the next guy."
Denney, Kelsay, and Gildon may also have to fight off Keith McKenzie as well as undrafted free agent Constantin Ritzman. Both men are ready to step up their level of play.
This figures to be the most intense battle at camp and while the coaching staff is looking to fill the void with one player, Gray is not opposed to using multiple guys in certain situations.
"We may use each of the guys in different game situations," Gray said. "One guy may be better at pass rushing and another may stop the run. We're going to see what everyone's strengths are in camp and then we'll go from there."
The Bills first practice is scheduled for this Sunday, Aug. 1 at St. John Fisher College.
posted by Anonymous @ 3:01 PM
Bills in top shape this season.
The players arrived at the Buffalo Bills organized team activities in top shape and they plan to come to camp that way as well. All have been working hard in the off-season in preparation for a playoff run in 2004 with new head coach Mike Mularkey.
The team began an intense work-out program this spring that has them all looking bigger, faster, and stronger.
"I've been working hard everyday," wide receiver Josh Reed said. "I pride myself in staying in shape and that's exactly what I plan to do going into Reed is just one of the many players who participated in the off-season program. The team is separated into three groups for conditioning. The offensive and defensive linemen are grouped together, followed by the wide receivers, quarterbacks, defensive backs and kickers, while the last group contains linebackers, tight ends, and running backs.
Each group then rotates through exercises developing strength, conditioning, and flexibility. The idea is to help players develop conditioning and lifting habits that will aid them during the season. The team participated in the program four days a week for five hours a day throughout spring.
"The players really responded to our program this off-season," said Rusty Jones, director of physical development with the Bills. "We did some new things. We added some Olympic-style lifting and a few other exercises. The players are in great shape."
This program was just one of many implemented by Jones this off-season with the assistance of Brad Roll, the Bills new strength and conditioning coordinator. The conditioning department also had the players working on a strict diet focused on trimming fat and building muscle mass.
"Athletes can't do the low-carb diets," Jones said. "They need their energy and they need carbohydrates. We're able to test their metabolism here and each player works around that number."
Jones explained his diet in detail. He said that it is player specific.
"We sit down and measure the amount of calories each player would burn if they were just sitting around all day," Jones said. "We then take that number and mold the diet around that. Each diet is pretty much the same."
Jones said it is very important to eat healthy all three meals during the day. Breakfast is crucial to ensure everyone gets the day started correctly. But Jones said that dinner can sometimes be the killer. Most people in America tend to overeat at dinner because it is more of a social event, but Jones said that can be fixed. As long as each player follows the guidelines they will be able to stay in shape.
"We're trying to preserve or increase your fat-free mass," Jones said. "We assign certain dinners to the players. The whole system is done by computers. By knowing what they can and can't do, a player can reach his desired goal."
However, the diet is not the only reason the players are in shape. Roll has fit in nicely to a conditioning staff that is among the best in the NFL.
Along with strength and conditioning assistant John Allaire and strength and conditioning intern Jim Arthur, Roll has been monitoring the players' progress in the weight room. He has helped in introducing a new lifting scheme to accent programs that have kept the Bills one of the league's best conditioned teams.
"The main emphasis of the strength part of the program is on Olympic Style Lifting," Roll said. "The focus of this style of lifting is on flexion to extension movement done at a high rate of speed that revolve around the explosive parts of the body."
Jones said this team has worked hard, just like every other team has over the past 20 years. But he said this team has benefited from updated programs."This team is in great shape," Jones said. " With the improvements in technology and training programs in the past few years, this team has really taken advantage of that. They're probably as fit as any team ever because of the progress and the evolution of conditioning programs."
posted by Anonymous @ 2:32 PM
Retired Numbers in the NFL
AFC
Buffalo
Jim Kelly 12
Cincinnati
Bob Johnson 54
Cleveland
Otto Graham 14
Jim Brown 32
Ernie Davis 45
Don Fleming 46
Lou Groza 76
Denver
John Elway 7
Frank Tripucka 18
Floyd Little 44
Indianapolis
Johnny Unitas 19
Buddy Young 22
Lenny Moore 24
Art Donovan 70
Jim Parker 77
Raymond Berry 82
Gino Marchetti 89
Kansas City
Jan Stenerud 3
Len Dawson 16
Abner Haynes 28
Stone Johnson 33
Mack Lee Hill 36
Willie Lanier 63
Bobby Bell 78
Buck Buchanan 86
Miami
Bob Griese 12
Dan Marino 13
Larry Csonka 39
New England
Gino Cappelletti 20
Mike Haynes 40
Steve Nelson57
John Hannah 73
Jim Hunt 79
Bob Dee 89
strong>New York Jets
Joe Namath 12
Don Maynard 3
Pittsburgh
Ernie Stautner 70
San Diego
Dan Fouts 14
Tennessee
Earl Campbell 34
Jim Norton 43
Mike Munchak 63
Elvin Bethea 65
NFC
Arizona
Larry Wilson 8
Stan Mauldin 77
J.V. Cain 88
Marshall Goldberg 99
Atlanta
Steve Bartowski 10
William Andrews 31
Jeff Van Note 57
Tommy Nobis 60
Chicago
Bronko Nagurski 3
George McAfee 5
George Halas 7
Willie Galimore 28
Walter Payton 34
Gale Sayers 40
Brian Piccolo 41
Sid Luckman 42
Dick Butkus 51
Bill Hewitt 56
Bill George 61
Bulldog Turner 66
Red Grange 77
Detroit
Dutch Clark 7
Bobby Layne 22
Doak Walker 37
Joe Schmidt 56
Chuck Hughes 85&
Charlie Sanders 88
Green Bay
Tony Canadeo 3
Don Hutson 14
Bart Starr 15
Ray Nitschke 66
Minnesota
Fran Tarkenton 10
Mick Tingelhoff 53
Jim Marshall 70
Korey Stringer 77
Alan Page 88
New Orleans
Jim Taylor 31
Doug Atkins 81
New York Giants
Ray Flaherty 1
Tuffy Leemans 4
Mel Hein 7
Phil Simms 11
Y.A. Tittle 14
Frank Gifford 16
Al Blozis 32
Joe Morrison 40
Charlie Conerly 42
Ken Strong 50
Lawrence Taylor 56
Philadelphia
Steve Van Buren 15
Tom Brookshier 40
Pete Retzlaff 44
Chuck Bednarik 60
Al Wistert 70
Jerome Brown 99
St. Louis Bob Waterfield 7
Eric Dickerson 29
Merlin Olsen 74
Jackie Slater 78
Jack Youngblood 85
San Francisco
John Brodie 12
Joe Montana 16
Joe Perry 34
Jimmy Johnson 37
Hugh McElhenny 39
Charlie Krueger 70
Leo Nomellini 73
Bob St. Clair 79
Dwight Clark 87
Seattle
"Fans/the twelfth man" 12
Steve Largent 8
Tampa Bay
Lee Roy Selmon 63
Washington
Sammy Baugh 33
posted by Anonymous @ 1:40 PM
This Date in NFL History
August 31
1997 -- Eddie George runs for 216 yards on 35 carries and scores a touchdown as the former Houston Oilers, playing their first game in Tennessee, beat Oakland 24-21 in overtime at the Liberty Bowl in Memphis.
September 1
1996 -- The Carolina Panthers defeat the Atlanta Falcons 29-6 in their first regular season game at Ericsson Stadium.
September 2
1966 -- Joe Auer returns the opening kickoff 95 yards for a Miami touchdown in the Dolphins' first regular-season game, but Oakland wins 23-14 at the Orange Bowl before 26,776 spectators.
September 3
1970 -- The sports world grieves the death of Vince Lombardi who dies at age 57. Lombardi led the Green Bay Packers to an 89-29-4 record and the first two Super Bowl crowns in nine years. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1971.
September 4
1994 -- Miami quarterback Dan Marino throws five touchdown passes in the Dolphins' 39-35 win over New England to set an NFL record with his 18th game of four-or-more touchdown passes.
September 5
1994 -- San Francisco wide receiver Jerry Rice catches two touchdown passes and runs for another score in a 44-14 victory over the Raiders to surpass Jim Brown as the NFL's career touchdowns leader with 127.
September 6
1946 -- The All-America Football Conference begins regular season play as the Cleveland Browns beat the Miami Seahawks 44-0 before 60,135 at Cleveland's Municipal Stadium. The Browns, coached by future Hall of Famer Paul Brown, go on to a 12-2 record and win the first of their four AAFC championships before four of the league's teams join the NFL in 1950.
posted by Anonymous @ 1:35 PM
Removing Team from Field
No player, coach, or other person affiliated with a club may remove that club’s team from the field during the playing of any game, including preseason, except at the direction of the referee. Any club violating this rule will be subject to disciplinary action by the Commissioner, including possible game forfeiture and sole liability for financial losses suffered by the opposing club and any other affected member clubs of the League. [See Section 9.1 (E) of the NFL Constitution and Bylaws.]
posted by Anonymous @ 1:32 PM
Unfair Acts
Commissioner’s Authority
The Commissioner has sole authority to investigate and to take appropriate disciplinary or corrective measures if any club action, nonparticipant interference, or emergency occurs in an NFL game which he deems so unfair or outside the accepted tactics encountered in professional football that such action has a major effect on the result of a game.
No Club Protests
The authority and measures provided for in this section (UNFAIR ACTS) do not constitute a protest machinery for NFL clubs to dispute the result of a game. The Commissioner will conduct an investigation under this section only to review an act or occurrence that he deems so unfair that the result of the game in question may be inequitable to one of the participating teams. The Commissioner will not apply his authority under this section when a club registers a complaint concerning judgmental errors or routine errors of omission by game officials. Games involving such complaints will continue to stand as completed.
Penalties for Unfair Acts
The Commissioner’s powers under this section (UNFAIR ACTS) include the imposition of monetary fines and draft choice forfeitures, suspension of persons involved, and, if appropriate, the reversal of a game’s result or the rescheduling of a game, either from the beginning or from the point at which the extraordinary act occurred. In the event of rescheduling a game, the Commissioner will be guided by the procedures specified above ("Procedures for Starting and Resuming Games" under EMERGENCIES). In all cases, the Commissioner will conduct a full investigation, including the opportunity for hearings, use of game videotape, and any other procedures he deems appropriate.
posted by Anonymous @ 1:29 PM
Emergencies and Unfair Acts
Emergencies -- Policy
The National Football League requires all League personnel, including game officials, League office employees, players, coaches, and other club employees to use best effort to see that each game -- preseason, regular season, and postseason -- is played to its conclusion. The League recognizes, however, that emergencies may arise that make a game’s completion impossible or inadvisable. Such circumstances may include, but are not limited to, severely inclement weather, natural or manmade disaster, power failure, and spectator interference. Games should be suspended, cancelled, postponed, or terminated when circumstances exist such that comencement or continuation of play would pose a threat to the safety of participants or spectators.
Authority of Commissioner’s Office
1. Authority to cancel, postpone, or terminate games is vested only in the Commissioner and the League President (other League office representatives and referees may suspend play temporarily; see point No. 3 under this section and point No. 1 under "Authority of Referee" below). The following definitions apply:
• Cancel. To cancel a game is to nullify it either before or after it begins and to make no provision for rescheduling it or for including its score or
other performance statistics in League records.
• Postpone. To postpone a game is (a) to defer its starting time to a later date, or (b) to suspend it after play has begun and to make provision to resume at a later date with all scores and other performance statistics up to the point of postponement added to those achieved in the resumed portion of the game.
• Terminate. To terminate a game is to end it short of a full 60 minutes of play, to record it officially as a completed game, and to make no provision to resume it at a later date. The Commissioner or League President may terminate a game in an emergency if, in his opinion, it is reasonable to project that its resumption (a) would not change its ultimate result or (b) would not adversely affect any other interteam competitive issue.
• Forfeit. The Commissioner, (except in cases of disciplinary action; see last section on "Removing Team from Field"), League President, and their representatives, including referees, are not authorized unilaterally to declare forfeits. A forfeit occurs only when a game is not played because of the failure or refusal of one team to participate. In that event, the other team, if ready and willing to play, is the winner by a score of 2-0.
2. If an emergency arises that may require cancellation, postponement, or termination (see above), the highest ranking representative from the Commissioner’s office working the game in a "control" capacity will consult with the Commissioner, League President, or game-day duty officer designated by the League (by telephone, if that person is not in attendance) concerning such decision. If circumstances warrant, the League representative should also attempt to consult with the weather bureau and with appropriate security personnel of the League, club, stadium, and local authorities. If no representative from the Commissioner’s office is working the game in a "control" capacity, the referee will be in charge (see "Authority of Referee" below).
3. In circumstances where safety is of immediate concern, the Commissioner’s-office representative may, after consulting with the referee, authorize a temporary suspension in play and, if warranted, removal of the participants from the playing field. The representative should be mindful of the safety of spectators, players, game officials, nonplayer personnel in the bench areas, and other field-level personnel such as photographers and cheerleaders.
4. If possible, the League-office representative should consult with authorized representatives of the two participating clubs before any decision involving cancellation, postponement, or termination is made by the Commissioner or League President.
5. If the Commissioner or League President decides to cancel, postpone, or terminate a game, his representative at the game or the game-day duty officer will then determine the method(s) for announcing such decision, e.g., by public-address announcement over referee’s wireless microphone, by public-address announcement by home club, or by communication to radio, television, and other news media.
Authority of Referee
1. If a referee determines that an emergency warrants immediate removal of participants from the playing field for safety reasons, he may do so on his own authority. If, however, circumstances allow him the time, he must reach the highest ranking full-time League office representative working at the game in a "control" capacity or the game-day duty officer designated by the League (by telephone, if that person is not in attendance) and discuss the actual or potential emergency with such representative or duty officer. That representative or duty officer then will make the final decision on removal of participants from the field or obtain a decision from the Commissioner or League President.
2. If a referee removes participants from the playing field under No. 1 above, he may order them to their respective bench areas or to their locker rooms, whichever is appropriate in the circumstances.
3. After appropriate consultation under No. 1 above, the referee must advise the two participating head coaches of the nature of the emergency and the action contemplated (if the decision has not yet been reached) or of the final decision.
4. The referee must not, before a decision is reached, make an announcement on his microphone concerning the possibility of a cancellation, postponement, or termination unless instructed to do so by an appropriate representative of the Commissioner’s office.
5. The referee must not discuss a forfeit with head coaches or club personnel and must not use that term over the referee’s microphone (see definition of forfeit under No. 1 of "Authority of Commissioner’s Office" above).
6. The referee must not assess an unsportsmanlike-conduct penalty on the home team for actions of fans that cause or contribute to an emergency.
7. The referee should be mindful of the safety of not only players and officials, but also of the spectators and other nonparticipants.
8. If an emergency involves spectator interference (for example, nonparticipants on the field or thrown objects), the referee immediately should contact the appropriate club or League representative for additional security assistance, including, if applicable, involvement of the League’s security representative(s) assigned to the game.
9. The referee may order the resumption of play when he deems conditions safe for all concerned and, if circumstances warrant, after consultation with appropriate representatives of the Commissioner’s office.
10. Under no circumstances is the referee authorized to cancel, postpone, terminate, or declare forfeiture of a game unilaterally.
Procedures for Starting and Resuming Games
Subject to the points of authority listed above, League personnel and referees will be guided by the following procedures for starting and resuming games that are affected by emergencies.
1. If, because of an emergency, a regular-season or postseason game is not started at its scheduled time and cannot be played at any later time that same day, the game nevertheless must be played on a subsequent date to be determined by the Commissioner.
2. If an emergency threatens to occur during the playing of a game (for example, an incoming tropical storm), the starting time of the game will not be moved to an earlier time unless there is clearly sufficient time to make an orderly change.
3. All games that are suspended temporarily and resumed on the same day, and all suspended games that are postponed to a later date, will be resumed at the point of suspension. On suspension, the referee will call timeout and make a record of the following: team possessing the ball, direction in which its offense was headed, position of the ball on the field, down, distance, period, time remaining in the period, and any other pertinent information required for an orderly and equitable resumption of play.
4. For regular-season postponements, the Commissioner will make every effort to set the game for no later than two days after its originally scheduled date and at the same site. If unable to schedule at the same site, he will select an appropriate alternative site. If it is impossible to schedule the game within two days after its original date, the Commissioner will attempt to schedule it on the Tuesday of the next calendar week. The Commissioner will keep in mind the potential for competitive inequities if one or both of the involved clubs has already been scheduled for a game close to the Tuesday of that week (for example, a Thursday game).
5. For postseason postponements, the Commissioner will make every effort to set the game as soon as possible after its originally scheduled date and at the same site. If unable to schedule at the same site, he will select an appropriate alternative site.
6. Whenever postponement is attributable to negligence by a club, the negligent club is responsible for all home club costs and expenses, including, subject to approval by the Commissioner, gate receipts and television-contract income. [See Section 19.11 (C) of the NFL Constitution and Bylaws.]
7. Each home club is strictly responsible for having the playing surface of its stadium well maintained and suitable for NFL play.
posted by Anonymous @ 1:27 PM
Double Foul
1. If there is a double foul during a down in which there is a change of possession, the team last gaining possession may keep the ball unless its foul was committed prior to the change of possession.
2. If double foul occurs after a change of possession, the defensive team retains the ball at the spot of its foul or dead ball spot.
3. If one of the fouls of a double foul involves disqualification, that player must be removed, but no penalty yardage is to be assessed.
4. If the kickers foul during a kickoff, punt, safety kick, or field-goal attempt before possession changes, the receivers will have the option of replaying the down at the previous spot (offsetting fouls), or keeping the ball after enforcement for its fouls.
posted by Anonymous @ 1:25 PM
Spot of Enforcement of Foul
1. There are four basic spots at which a penalty for a foul is enforced:
(a) Spot of foul: The spot where the foul is committed.
(b) Previous spot: The spot where the ball was put in play.
(c) Spot of snap, backward pass or fumble: The spot where the foul occurred or the spot where the penalty is to be enforced.
(d) Succeeding spot: The spot where the ball next would be put in play if no distance penalty were to be enforced.
Exception: If foul occurs after a touchdown and before the whistle for a try, succeeding spot is spot of next kickoff.
2. All fouls committed by offensive team behind the line of scrimmage (except in the end zone) shall be penalized from the previous spot. If the foul is in the end zone, it is a safety.
3. When spot of enforcement for fouls involving defensive holding or illegal use of hands by the defense is behind the line of scrimmage, any penalty yardage to be assessed on that play shall be measured from the line if the foul occurred beyond the line.
posted by Anonymous @ 1:23 PM
Fair Catch
1. The member of the receiving team must raise one arm a full length above his head and wave it from side to side while kick is in flight. (Failure to give proper sign: receivers’ ball five yards behind spot of signal.) Note: It is legal for the receiver to shield his eyes from the sun by raising one hand no higher than the helmet.
2. No opponent may interfere with the fair catcher, the ball, or his path to the ball. Penalty: 15 yards from spot of foul and fair catch is awarded.
3. A player who signals for a fair catch is not required to catch the ball. However, if a player signals for a fair catch, he may not block or initiate contact with any player on the kicking team until the ball touches a player. Penalty: snap 15 yards.
4. If ball hits ground or is touched by member of kicking team in flight, fair catch signal is off and all rules for a kicked ball apply.
5. Any undue advance by a fair catch receiver is delay of game. No specific distance is specified for undue advance as ball is dead at spot of catch. If player comes to a reasonable stop, no penalty. For penalty, five yards.
6. If time expires while ball is in play and a fair catch is awarded, receiving team may choose to extend the period with one fair catch kick down. However, placekicker may not use tee.
posted by Anonymous @ 1:22 PM
Kicks From Scrimmage
1. Any kick from scrimmage must be made from behind the line to be legal.
2. Any punt or missed field goal that touches a goal post is dead.
3. During a kick from scrimmage, only the end men, as eligible receivers on the line of scrimmage at the time of the snap, are permitted to go beyond the line before the ball is kicked.
Exception: An eligible receiver who, at the snap, is aligned or in motion behind the line and more than one yard outside the end man on his side of the line, clearly making him the outside receiver, replaces that end man as the player eligible to go downfield after the snap. All other members of the kicking team must remain at the line of scrimmage until the ball has been kicked.
4. Any punt that is blocked and does not cross the line of scrimmage can be recovered and advanced by either team. However, if offensive team recovers it must make the yardage necessary for its first down to retain possession if punt was on fourth down.
5. The kicking team may never advance its own kick even though legal recovery is made beyond the line of scrimmage. Possession only.
6. A member of the receiving team may not run into or rough a kicker who kicks from behind his line unless contact is:
(a) Incidental to and after he had touched ball in flight.
(b) Caused by kicker’s own motions.
(c) Occurs during a quick kick, or a kick made after a run behind the line, or after kicker recovers a loose ball on the ground. Ball is loose when kicker muffs snap or snap hits ground.
(d) Defender is blocked into kicker.
The penalty for running into the kicker is 5 yards. For roughing the kicker: 15 yards, an automatic first down and disqualification if flagrant.
7. If a member of the kicking team attempting to down the ball on or inside opponent’s 5-yard line carries the ball into the end zone, it is a touchback.
8. Fouls during a punt are enforced from the previous spot (line of scrimmage).
Exception: Illegal touching, fair-catch interference, invalid fair-catch signal, or personal foul (blocking after a fair-catch signal).
9. While the ball is in the air or rolling on the ground following a punt or field-goal attempt and receiving team commits a foul only before or after gaining possession, receiving team will retain possession and will be penalized for its foul.
10. It will be illegal for a defensive player to jump or stand on any player, or be picked up by a teammate or to use a hand or hands on a teammate to gain additional height in an attempt to block a kick (Penalty: 15 yards, unsportsmanlike conduct).
11. A punted ball remains a kicked ball until it is declared dead or in possession of either team.
12. Any member of the punting team may down the ball anywhere in the field of play. However, it is illegal touching (Official’s time out and receiver’s ball at spot of illegal touching). This foul does not offset any foul by receivers during the down.
13. Defensive team may advance all kicks from scrimmage (including unsuccessful field goal) whether or not ball crosses defensive team’s goal line. Rules pertaining to kicks from scrimmage apply until defensive team gains possession.
14. When a team presents a punt formation, defensive pass interference is not to be called for actions on the widest player eligible to go beyond line. Defensive holding may be called.
posted by Anonymous @ 1:21 PM
Fumble
1. The distinction between a fumble and a muff should be kept in mind in considering rules about fumbles. A fumble is the loss of player possession of the ball. A muff is the touching of a loose ball by a player in an unsuccessful attempt to obtain possession.
2. A fumble may be advanced by any player on either team regardless of whether recovered before or after ball hits the ground.
3. A fumble that goes forward and out of bounds will return to the fumbling team at the spot of the fumble unless the ball goes out of bounds in the opponent’s end zone. In this case, it is a touchback.
4. On a play from scrimmage, if an offensive player fumbles anywhere on the field during fourth down, only the fumbling player is permitted to recover and/or advance the ball. If any player fumbles after the two-minute warning in a half, only the fumbling player is permitted to recover and/or advance the ball. If recovered by any other offensive player, the ball is dead at the spot of the fumble unless it is recovered behind the spot of the fumble. In that case, the ball is dead at the spot of recovery. Any defensive player may recover and/or advance any fumble at any time.
5. A muffed hand-to-hand snap from center is treated as a fumble.
posted by Anonymous @ 11:57 AM
Pass Interference
1. There shall be no interference with a forward pass thrown from behind the line. The restriction for the passing team starts with the snap. The restriction on the defensive team starts when the ball leaves the passer’s hand. Both restrictions end when the ball is touched by anyone.
2. The penalty for defensive pass interference is an automatic first down at the spot of the foul. If interference is in the end zone, it is first down for the offense on the defense’s 1-yard line. If previous spot was inside the defense’s 1-yard line, penalty is half the distance to the goal line.
3. The penalty for offensive pass interference is 10 yards from the previous spot.
4. It is pass interference by either team when any player movement beyond the line of scrimmage significantly hinders the progress of an eligible player of such player’s opportunity to catch the ball. Offensive pass interference rules apply from the time the ball is snapped until the ball is touched. Defensive pass interference rules apply from the time the ball is thrown until the ball is touched.
Actions that constitute defensive pass interference include but are not limited to:
(a) Contact by a defender who is not playing the ball and such contact restricts the receiver’s opportunity to make the catch.
(b) Playing through the back of a receiver in an attempt to make a play on the ball.
(c) Grabbing a receiver’s arm(s) in such a manner that restricts his opportunity to catch a pass.
(d) Extending an arm across the body of a receiver thus restricting his ability to catch a pass, regardless of whether the defender is playing the ball.
(e) Cutting off the path of a receiver by making contact with him without playing the ball.
(f) Hooking a receiver in an attempt to get to the ball in such a manner that it causes the receiver’s body to turn prior to the ball arriving.
Actions that do not constitute pass interference include but are not limited to:
(a) Incidental contact by a defender’s hands, arms, or body when both players are competing for the ball, or neither player is looking for the ball. If there is any question whether contact is incidental, the ruling shall be no interference.
(b) Inadvertent tangling of feet when both players are playing the ball or neither player is playing the ball.
(c) Contact that would normally be considered pass interference, but the pass is clearly uncatchable by the involved players.
(d) Laying a hand on a receiver that does not restrict the receiver in an attempt to make a play on the ball.
(e) Contact by a defender who has gained position on a receiver in an attempt to catch the ball.
Actions that constitute offensive pass interference include but are not limited to:
(a) Blocking downfield by an offensive player prior to the ball being touched.
(b) Initiating contact with a defender by shoving or pushing off thus creating a separation in an attempt to catch a pass.
(c) Driving through a defender who has established a position on the field.
Actions that do not constitute offensive pass interference include but are not limited to:
(a) Incidental contact by a receiver’s hands, arms, or body when both players are competing for the ball or neither player is looking for the ball.
(b) Inadvertent touching of feet when both players are playing the ball or neither player is playing the ball.
(c) Contact that would normally be considered pass interference, but the ball is clearly uncatchable by involved players.
Note 1: If there is any question whether player contact is incidental, the ruling should be no interference.
Note 2: Defensive players have as much right to the path of the ball as eligible offensive players.
Note 3: Pass interference for both teams ends when the pass is touched.
Note 4: There can be no pass interference at or behind the line of scrimmage, but defensive actions such as tackling a receiver can still result in a 5-yard penalty for defensive holding, if accepted.
Note 5: Whenever a team presents an apparent punting formation, defensive pass interference is not to be called for action on the end man on the line of scrimmage, or an eligible receiver behind the line of scrimmage who is aligned or in motion more than one yard outside the end man on the line. Defensive holding, such as tackling a receiver, still can be called and result in a 5-yard penalty and automatic first down from the previous spot, if accepted. Offensive pass interference rules still apply.
posted by Anonymous @ 11:55 AM
Protection of Passer
1. By interpretation, a pass begins when the passer -- with possession of ball -- starts to bring his hand forward. If ball strikes ground after this action has begun, play is ruled an incomplete pass. If passer loses control of ball prior to his bringing his hand forward, play is ruled a fumble.
2. When a passer is holding the ball to pass it forward, any intentional movement forward of his arm starts a forward pass. If a defensive player contacts the passer or the ball after forward movement begins, and the ball leaves the passer’s hand, a forward pass is ruled, regardless of where the ball strikes the ground or a player.
3. No defensive player may run into a passer of a legal forward pass after the ball has left his hand (15 yards). The Referee must determine whether opponent had a reasonable chance to stop his momentum during an attempt to block the pass or tackle the passer while he still had the ball.
4. No defensive player who has an unrestricted path to the quarterback may hit him flagrantly in the area of the knee(s) or below when approaching in any direction.
5. Officials are to blow the play dead as soon as the quarterback is clearly in the grasp and control of any tackler, and his safety is in jeopardy.
posted by Anonymous @ 11:54 AM
Intentional Grounding of Forward Pass
1. Intentional grounding of a forward pass is a foul: loss of down and 10 yards from previous spot if passer is in the field of play or loss of down at the spot of the foul if it occurs more than 10 yards behind the line or safety if passer is in his own end zone when ball is released.
2. Intentional grounding will be called when a passer, facing an imminent loss of yardage due to pressure from the defense, throws a forward pass without a realistic chance of completion.
3. Intentional grounding will not be called when a passer, while out of the pocket and facing an imminent loss of yardage, throws a pass that lands at or beyond the line of scrimmage, even if no offensive player(s) have a realistic chance to catch the ball (including if the ball lands out of bounds over the sideline or end line).
posted by Anonymous @ 11:52 AM
Forward Pass
1. A forward pass may be touched or caught by any eligible receiver. All members of the defensive team are eligible. Eligible receivers on the offensive team are players on either end of line (other than center, guard, or tackle) or players at least one yard behind the line at the snap. A T-formation quarterback is not eligible to receive a forward pass during a play from scrimmage.
Exception: T-formation quarterback becomes eligible if pass is previously touched by an eligible receiver.
2. An offensive team may make only one forward pass during each play from scrimmage (Loss of 5 yards).
3. The passer must be behind his line of scrimmage (Loss of down and five yards, enforced from the spot of pass).
4. Any eligible offensive player may catch a forward pass. If a pass is touched by one eligible offensive player and touched or caught by a second offensive player, pass completion is legal. Further, all offensive players become eligible once a pass is touched by an eligible receiver or any defensive player.
5. The rules concerning a forward pass and ineligible receivers:
(a) If ball is touched accidentally by an ineligible receiver on or behind his line: loss of five yards.
(b) If ineligible receiver is illegally downfield: loss of five yards.
(c) If touched or caught (intentionally or accidentally) by ineligible receiver beyond the line: loss of 5 yards.
6. The player who first controls and continues to maintain control of a pass will be awarded the ball even though his opponent later establishes joint control of the ball.
7. Any forward pass becomes incomplete and ball is dead if:
(a) Pass hits the ground or goes out of bounds.
(b) Pass hits the goal post or the crossbar of either team.
8. A forward pass is complete when a receiver clearly possesses the pass and touches the ground with both feet inbounds while in possession of the ball. If a receiver would have landed inbounds with both feet but is carried or pushed out of bounds while maintaining possession of the ball, pass is complete at the out-of-bounds spot.
9. On a fourth down pass an incomplete pass results in a loss of down at the line of scrimmage.
10. If a personal foul is committed by the defense prior to the completion of a pass, the penalty is 15 yards from the spot where ball becomes dead.
11. If a personal foul is committed by the offense prior to the completion of a pass, the penalty is 15 yards from the previous line of scrimmage.
posted by Anonymous @ 11:50 AM
Use of Hands, Arms, and Body in a football game.
1. No player on offense may assist a runner except by blocking for him. There shall be no interlocking interference.
2. A runner may ward off opponents with his hands and arms but no other player on offense may use hands or arms to obstruct an opponent by grasping with hands, pushing, or encircling any part of his body during a block. Hands (open or closed) can be thrust forward to initially contact an opponent on or outside the opponent’s frame, but the blocker immediately must work to bring his hands on or inside the frame.
Note: Pass blocking: Hand(s) thrust forward that slip outside the body of the defender will be legal if blocker immediately worked to bring them back inside. Hand(s) or arm(s) that encircle a defender—i.e., hook an opponent—are to be considered illegal and officials are to call a foul for holding.
Blocker cannot use his hands or arms to push from behind, hang onto, or encircle an opponent in a manner that restricts his movement as the play develops.
3. Hands cannot be thrust forward above the frame to contact an opponent on the neck, face or head.
Note: The frame is defined as the part of the opponent’s body below the neck that is presented to the blocker.
4. A defensive player may not tackle or hold an opponent other than a runner. Otherwise, he may use his hands, arms, or body only:
(a) To defend or protect himself against an obstructing opponent.
Exception: An eligible receiver is considered to be an obstructing opponent ONLY to a point five yards beyond the line of scrimmage unless the player who receives the snap clearly demonstrates no further intention to pass the ball. Within this five-yard zone, a defensive player may chuck an eligible player in front of him. A defensive player is allowed to maintain continuous and unbroken contact within the five-yard zone until a point when the receiver is even with the defender. The defensive player cannot use his hands or arms to push from behind, hang onto, or encircle an eligible receiver in a manner that restricts movement as the play develops. Beyond this five-yard limitation, a defender may use his hands or arms ONLY to defend or protect himself against impending contact caused by a receiver. In such reaction, the defender may not contact a receiver who attempts to take a path to evade him.
(b) To push or pull opponent out of the way on line of scrimmage.
(c) In actual attempt to get at or tackle runner.
(d) To push or pull opponent out of the way in a legal attempt to recover a loose ball.
(e) During a legal block on an opponent who is not an eligible pass receiver.
(f) When legally blocking an eligible pass receiver above the waist.
Exception: Eligible receivers lined up within two yards of the tackle, whether on or immediately behind the line, may be blocked below the waist at or behind the line of scrimmage. NO eligible receiver may be blocked below the waist after he goes beyond the line. (Illegal cut)
Note: Once the quarterback hands off or pitches the ball to a back, or if the quarterback leaves the pocket area, the restrictions (illegal chuck, illegal cut) on the defensive team relative to the offensive receivers will end, provided the ball is not in the air.
5. A defensive player may not contact an opponent above the shoulders with the palm of his hand except to ward him off on the line. This exception is permitted only if it is not a repeated act against the same opponent during any one contact. In all other cases the palms may be used on head, neck, or face only to ward off or push an opponent in legal attempt to get at the ball.
6. Any offensive player who pretends to possess the ball or to whom a teammate pretends to give the ball may be tackled provided he is crossing his scrimmage line between the ends of a normal tight offensive line.
7. An offensive player who lines up more than two yards outside his own tackle or a player who, at the snap, is in a backfield position and subsequently takes a position more than two yards outside a tackle may not clip an opponent anywhere nor may he contact an opponent below the waist if the blocker is moving toward the ball and if contact is made within an area five yards on either side of the line. (crackback)
8. A player of either team may block at any time provided it is not pass interference, fair catch interference, or unnecessary roughness.
9. A player may not bat or punch:
(a) A loose ball (in field of play) toward his opponent’s goal line or in any direction in either end zone.
(b) A ball in player possession.
Note: If there is any question as to whether a defender is stripping or batting a ball in player possession, the official(s) will rule the action as a legal act (stripping the ball).
Exception: A forward or backward pass may be batted, tipped, or deflected in any direction at any time by either the offense or the defense.
Note: A pass in flight that is controlled or caught may only be thrown backward, if it is thrown forward it is considered an illegal bat.
10. No player may deliberately kick any ball except as a punt, dropkick, or placekick.
posted by Anonymous @ 11:49 AM
Position of Players at Snap
1. Offensive team must have at least seven players on line.
2. Offensive players, not on line, must be at least one yard back at snap.
(Exception: player who takes snap.)
3. No interior lineman may move abruptly after taking or simulating a three-point stance.
4. No player of either team may enter neutral zone before snap.
5. No player of offensive team may charge or move abruptly, after assuming set position, in such manner as to lead defense to believe snap has started. No player of the defensive team within one yard of the line of scrimmage may make an abrupt movement in an attempt to cause the offense to false start.
6. If a player changes his eligibility, the Referee must alert the defensive captain after player has reported to him.
7. All players of offensive team must be stationary at snap, except one back who may be in motion parallel to scrimmage line or backward (not forward).
8. After a shift or huddle all players on offensive team must come to an absolute stop for at least one second with no movement of hands, feet, head, or swaying of body.
9. Quarterbacks can be called for a false start penalty (five yards) if their actions are judged to be an obvious attempt to draw an opponent offside.
10. Offensive linemen are permitted to interlock legs.
posted by Anonymous @ 11:47 AM
A Safety in a football game.
. The important factor in a safety is impetus. Two points are scored for the opposing team when the ball is dead on or behind a team’s own goal line if the impetus came from a player on that team.
Examples of Safety:
(a) Blocked punt goes out of kicking team’s end zone. Impetus was provided by punting team. The block only changes direction of ball, not impetus.
(b) Ball carrier retreats from field of play into his own end zone and is downed. Ball carrier provides impetus.
(c) Offensive team commits a foul and spot of enforcement is behind its own goal line.
(d) Player on receiving team muffs punt and, trying to get ball, forces or illegally kicks (creating new impetus) it into end zone where it goes out of the end zone or is recovered by a member of the receiving team in the end zone.
Examples of Non-Safety:
(a) Player intercepts a pass with both feet inbounds in the field of play and his momentum carries him into his own end zone. Ball is put in play at spot of interception.
(b) Player intercepts a pass in his own end zone and is downed in the end zone, even after recovering in the end zone. Impetus came from passing team, not from defense. (Touchback)
(c) Player passes from behind his own goal line. Opponent bats down ball in end zone. (Incomplete pass)
posted by Anonymous @ 11:44 AM
Players-Substitutions
1. Each team is permitted 11 men on the field at the snap.
2. Unlimited substitution is permitted. However, players may enter the field only when the ball is dead. Players who have been substituted for are not permitted to linger on the field. Such lingering will be interpreted as unsportsmanlike conduct.
3. Players leaving the game must be out of bounds on their own side, clearing the field between the end lines, before a snap or free kick. If player crosses end line leaving field, it is delay of game (five-yard penalty).
4. Offensive substitutes who remain in the game must move onto the field as far as the inside of the field numerals before moving to a wide position.
5. With the exception of the last two minutes of either half, the offensive team, while in the process of substitution or simulated substitution, is prohibited from rushing quickly to the line and snapping the ball with the obvious attempt to cause a defensive foul; i.e., too many men on the field.
posted by Anonymous @ 11:39 AM
A Try in a Football game.
1. After a touchdown, the scoring team is allowed a try during one scrimmage down. The ball may be spotted anywhere between the inbounds lines, two or more yards from the goal line. The successful conversion counts one point by kick; two points for a successful conversion by touchdown; or one point for a safety.
2. The defensive team never can score on a try. As soon as defense gets possession or the kick is blocked or a touchdown is not scored, the try is over.
3. Any distance penalty for fouls committed by the defense that prevent the try from being attempted can be enforced on the succeeding try or succeeding kickoff. Any foul committed on a successful try will result in a distance penalty being assessed on the ensuing kickoff.
4. Only the fumbling player can recover and advance a fumble during a try.
posted by Anonymous @ 11:38 AM
Timing in Final Two Minutes of Each Half
1. On kickoff, clock does not start until the ball has been legally touched by player of either team in the field of play. (In all other cases, clock starts with kickoff.)
2. A team cannot buy an excess time out for a penalty. However, a fourth time out is allowed without penalty for an injured player, who must be removed immediately. A fifth time out or more is allowed for an injury and a five-yard penalty is assessed if the clock was running. Additionally, if the clock was running and the score is tied or the team in possession is losing, the ball cannot be put in play for at least 10 seconds on the fourth or more time out. The half or game can end while those 10 seconds are run off on the clock.
3. If the defensive team is behind in the score and commits a foul when it has no time outs left in the final 40 seconds of either half, the offensive team can decline the penalty for the foul and have the time on the clock expire.
4. Fouls that occur in the last five minutes of the fourth quarter as well as the last two minutes of the first half will result in the clock starting on the snap.
posted by Anonymous @ 11:37 AM
Sudden Death in a football game.
1. The sudden death system of determining the winner shall prevail when score is tied at the end of the regulation playing time of all NFL games. The team scoring first during overtime play shall be the winner and the game automatically ends upon any score (by safety, field goal, or touchdown) or when a score is awarded by Referee for a palpably unfair act.
2. At the end of regulation time the Referee will immediately toss coin at center of field in accordance with rules pertaining to the usual pregame toss. The captain of the visiting team will call the toss prior to the coin being flipped.
3. Following a three-minute intermission after the end of the regulation game, play will be continued in 15-minute periods or until there is a score*. There is a two-minute intermission between subsequent periods. The teams change goals at the start of each period. Each team has three time outs per half and all general timing provisions apply as during a regular game. Disqualified players are not allowed to return.
*Exception: In preseason and regular season games there shall be a maximum of 15 minutes of sudden death with two time outs instead of three. General provisions that apply for the fourth quarter will prevail. Try not attempted if touchdown scored. If there is no score in the 15 minutes, the game shall end in a tie. posted by Anonymous @ 11:35 AM
Timing in a football game.
1. The stadium game clock is official. In case it stops or is operating incorrectly, the Line Judge takes over the official timing on the field.
2. Each period is 15 minutes. The intermission between the periods is two minutes. Halftime is 12 minutes, unless otherwise specified.
3. On charged team time outs, the Field Judge starts watch and blows whistle after 1 minute 50 seconds, unless television does not utilize the time for commercial. In this case the length of the time out is reduced to 40 seconds.
4. The Referee will allow necessary time to attend to an injured player, or repair a legal player’s equipment.
5. Each team is allowed three time outs each half.
6. Time between plays will be 40 seconds from the end of a given play until the snap of the ball for the next play, or a 25-second interval after certain administrative stoppages and game delays.
7. Clock will start running when ball is snapped following all changes of team possession.
8. With the exception of the last two minutes of the first half and the last five minutes of the second half, the game clock will be restarted following a kickoff return, a player going out of bounds on a play from scrimmage, or after declined penalties when appropriate on the referee’s signal.
9. Consecutive team time outs can be taken by opposing teams but the length of the second time out will be reduced to 40 seconds.
10. When, in the judgment of the Referee, the level of crowd noise prevents the offense from hearing its signals, he can institute a series of procedures which can result in a loss of team time outs or a five-yard penalty against the defensive team.
posted by Anonymous @ 11:34 AM
The Coin Toss in a Football Game
1. The toss of coin will take place within three minutes of kickoff in center of field. The toss will be called by the visiting captain before the coin is flipped. The winner may choose one of two privileges and the loser gets the other:
(a) Receive or kick
(b) Goal his team will defend
2. Immediately prior to the start of the second half, the captains of both teams must inform the officials of their respective choices. The loser of the original coin toss gets first choice.
posted by Anonymous @ 11:33 AM
The Ball
The home club shall have 36 balls for outdoor games and 24 for indoor games available for testing with a pressure gauge by the referee two hours prior to the starting time of the game to meet with League requirements. Twelve (12) new footballs, sealed in a special box and shipped by the manufacturer, will be opened in the officials’ locker room two hours prior to the starting time of the game. These balls are to be specially marked with the letter "k" and used exclusively for the kicking game.
posted by Anonymous @ 11:29 AM
Football Field
Digest of Rules
Field
1. Sidelines and end lines are out of bounds. The goal line is actually in the end zone. A player with the ball in his possession scores a touchdown when the ball is on, above, or over the goal line.
2. The field is rimmed by a white border, six feet wide, along the sidelines. All of this is out of bounds.
3. The hashmarks (inbound lines) are 70 feet, 9 inches from each sideline.
4. Goal posts must be single-standard type, offset from the end line and painted bright gold. The goal posts must be 18 feet, 6 inches wide and the top face of the crossbar must be 10 feet above the ground. Vertical posts extend at least 30 feet above the crossbar. A ribbon 4 inches by 42 inches long is to be attached to the top of each post. The actual goal is the plane extending indefinitely above the crossbar and between the outer edges of the posts.
5. The field is 360 feet long and 160 feet wide. The end zones are 30 feet deep. The line used in try-for-point plays is two yards out from the goal line.
6. Chain crew members and ball boys must be uniformly identifiable.
7. All clubs must use standardized sideline markers. Pylons must be used for goal line and end line markings.
8. End zone markings and club identification at 50 yard line must be approved by the Commissioner to avoid any confusion as to delineation of goal lines, sidelines, and end lines.
posted by Anonymous @ 11:28 AM
Summary of Penalties
Automatic First Down
1. Awarded to offensive team on all defensive fouls with these exceptions:
(a) Offside.
(b) Encroachment.
(c) Delay of game.
(d) Illegal substitution.
(e) Excessive time out(s).
(f) Incidental grasp of facemask.
(g) Neutral zone infraction.
(h) Running into the kicker.
(i) More than 11 players on the field at the snap.
Five Yards
1. Defensive holding or illegal use of hands (automatic first down).
2. Delay of game on offense or defense.
3. Delay of kickoff.
4. Encroachment.
5. Excessive time out(s).
6. False start.
7. Illegal formation.
8. Illegal shift.
9. Illegal motion.
10. Illegal substitution.
11. First onside kickoff out of bounds between goal lines and untouched or last
touched by kicker.
12. Invalid fair catch signal.
13. More than 11 players on the field at snap for either team.
14. Less than seven men on offensive line at snap.
15. Offside.
16. Failure to pause one second after shift or huddle.
17. Running into kicker.
18. More than one man in motion at snap.
19. Grasping facemask of the ball carrier or quarterback.
20. Player out of bounds at snap.
21. Ineligible member(s) of kicking team going beyond line of scrimmage before ball is kicked.
22. Illegal return.
23. Failure to report change of eligibility.
24. Neutral zone infraction.
25. Loss of team time out(s) or five-yard penalty on the defense for excessive crowd noise.
26. Ineligible player downfield during passing down.
27. Second forward pass behind the line.
28. Forward pass is first touched by eligible receiver who has gone out of bounds and returned.
29. Forward pass touches or is caught by an ineligible receiver on or behind line.
30. Forward pass thrown from behind line of scrimmage after ball once crossed the line.
31. Kicking team player voluntarily out of bounds during a punt.
32. Twelve (12) men in the huddle.
10 Yards
1. Offensive pass interference.
2. Holding, illegal use of hands, arms, or body by offense.
3. Tripping by a member of either team.
4. Helping the runner.
5. Deliberately batting or punching a loose ball.
6. Deliberately kicking a loose ball.
7. Illegal block above the waist.
15 Yards
1. Chop block.
2. Clipping below the waist.
3. Fair catch interference.
4. Illegal crackback block by offense.
5. Piling on.
6. Roughing the kicker.
7. Roughing the passer.
8. Twisting, turning, or pulling an opponent by the facemask.
9. Unnecessary roughness.
10. Unsportsmanlike conduct.
11. Delay of game at start of either half.
12. Illegal low block.
13. A tackler using his helmet to butt, spear, or ram an opponent.
14. Any player who uses the top of his helmet unnecessarily.
15. A punter, placekicker, or holder who simulates being roughed by a defensive player.
16. Leaping.
17. Leverage.
18. Any player who removes his helmet after a play while on the field.
19. Taunting.
Five Yards and Loss of Down (Combination Penalty)
1. Forward pass thrown from beyond line of scrimmage.
10 Yards and Loss of Down (Combination Penalty)
1. Intentional grounding of forward pass (safety if passer is in own end zone). If foul occurs more than 10 yards behind line, play results in loss of down at spot of foul.
15 Yards and Loss of Coin Toss Option
1. Team’s late arrival on the field prior to scheduled kickoff.
2. Captains not appearing for coin toss.
15 Yards (and disqualification if flagrant)
1. Striking opponent with fist.
2. Kicking or kneeing opponent.
3. Striking opponent on head or neck with forearm, elbow, or hands whether or not the initial contact is made below the neck area.
4. Roughing kicker.
5. Roughing passer.
6. Malicious unnecessary roughness.
7. Unsportsmanlike conduct.
8. Palpably unfair act. (Distance penalty determined by the Referee after consultation with other officials.)
15 Yards and Automatic Disqualification
1. Using a helmet (not worn) as a weapon.
2. Striking or purposely shoving a game official.
Suspension From Game For One Down
1. Illegal equipment. (Player may return after one down when legally equipped.)
Touchdown Awarded (Palpably Unfair Act)
1. When Referee determines a palpably unfair act deprived a team of a touchdown. (Example: Player comes off bench and tackles runner apparently en route to touchdown.)
posted by Anonymous @ 11:25 AM
Officials' Jurisdictions, Positions, and Duties
Referee—General oversight and control of game. Gives signals for all fouls and is final authority for rule interpretations. Takes a position in backfield 10 to 12 yards behind line of scrimmage, favors right side (if quarterback is right-handed passer). Determines legality of snap, observes deep back(s) for legal motion. On running play, observes quarterback during and after handoff, remains with him until action has cleared away, then proceeds downfield, checking on runner and contact behind him. When runner is downed, Referee determines forward progress from wing official and, if necessary, adjusts final position of ball.
On pass plays, drops back as quarterback begins to fade back, picks up legality of blocks by near linemen. Changes to complete concentration on quarterback as defenders approach. Primarily responsible to rule on possible roughing action on passer and if ball becomes loose, rules whether ball is free on a fumble or dead on an incomplete pass.
During kicking situations, Referee has primary responsibility to rule on kicker’s actions and whether or not any subsequent contact by a defender is legal. The Referee stays wide and parallel on punts and will announce on the microphone when each period has ended.
Umpire—Primary responsibility to rule on players’ equipment, as well as their conduct and actions on scrimmage line. Lines up approximately four to five yards downfield, varying position from in front of weakside tackle to strongside guard. Looks for possible false start by offensive linemen. Observes legality of contact by both offensive linemen while blocking and by defensive players while they attempt to ward off blockers. Is prepared to call rule infractions if they occur on offense or defense. Moves forward to line of scrimmage when pass play develops in order to insure that interior linemen do not move illegally downfield. If offensive linemen indicate screen pass is to be attempted, Umpire shifts his attention toward screen side, picks up potential receiver in order to insure that he will legally be permitted to run his pattern and continues to rule on action of blockers. Umpire is to assist in ruling on incomplete or trapped passes when ball is thrown overhead or short. On punt plays, Umpire positions himself opposite Referee in offensive backfield—5 yards from kicker and one yard behind.
Head Linesman—Primarily responsible for ruling on offside, encroachment, and actions pertaining to scrimmage line prior to or at snap. Generally, keys on closest setback on his side of the field. On pass plays, Linesman is responsible to clear his receiver approximately seven yards downfield as he moves to a point five yards beyond the line. Linesman’s secondary responsibility is to rule on any illegal action taken by defenders on any delay receiver moving downfield. Has full responsibility for ruling on sideline plays on his side, e.g., pass receiver or runner in or out of bounds. Together with Referee, Linesman is responsible for keeping track of number of downs and is in charge of mechanics of his chain crew in connection with its duties.
Linesman must be prepared to assist in determining forward progress by a runner on play directed toward middle or into his side zone. He, in turn, is to signal Referee or Umpire what forward point ball has reached. Linesman is also responsible to rule on legality of action involving any receiver who approaches his side zone. He is to call pass interference when the infraction occurs and is to rule on legality of blockers and defenders on plays involving ball carriers, whether it is entirely a running play, a combination pass and run, or a play involving a kick. Also assists referee with intentional grounding.
Line Judge—Straddles line of scrimmage on side of field opposite Linesman. Keeps time of game as a backup for clock operator. Along with Linesman is responsible for offside, encroachment, and actions pertaining to scrimmage line
prior to or at snap. Line Judge keys on closest setback on his side of field. Line Judge is to observe his receiver until he moves at least seven yards downfield. He then moves toward backfield side, being especially alert to rule on any back in motion and on flight of ball when pass is made (he must rule whether forward or backward). Line Judge has primary responsibility to rule whether or not passer is behind or beyond line of scrimmage when pass is made. He also assists in observing actions by blockers and defenders who are on his side of field. After pass is thrown, Line Judge directs attention toward activities that occur in back of Umpire. During punting situations, Line Judge remains at line of scrimmage to be sure that only the end men move downfield until kick has been made. He also rules whether or not the kick crossed line and then observes action by members of the kicking team who are moving downfield to cover the kick. The Line Judge will advise the Referee when time has expired at the end of each period. Also assists referee with intentional grounding and determines whether pass is forward or backward.
Field Judge—Operates on same side of field as Line Judge, 20 yards deep. Keys on wide receiver on his side. Concentrates on path of end or back, observing legality of his potential block(s) or of actions taken against him. Is prepared to rule from deep position on holding or illegal use of hands by end or back or on defensive infractions committed by player guarding him. Has primary responsibility to make decisions involving sideline on his side of field, e.g., pass receiver or runner in or out of bounds.
Field Judge makes decisions involving catching, recovery, or illegal touching of a loose ball beyond line of scrimmage; rules on plays involving pass receiver, including legality of catch or pass interference; assists in covering actions of runner, including blocks by teammates and that of defenders; calls clipping on punt returns; and, together with Back Judge, rules whether or not field goal attempts are successful.
Side Judge—Operates on same side of field as Linesman, 20 yards deep. Keys on wide receiver on his side. Concentrates on path of end or back, observing legality of his potential block(s) or of actions taken against him. Is prepared to rule from deep position on holding or illegal use of hands by end or back or on defensive infractions committed by player guarding him. Has primary responsibility to make decisions involving sideline on his side of field, e.g., pass receiver or runner in or out of bounds.
Side Judge makes decisions involving catching, recovery, or illegal touching of a loose ball beyond line of scrimmage; rules on plays involving pass receiver, including legality of catch or pass interference; assists in covering actions of runner, including blocks by teammates and that of defenders; and calls clipping on punt returns. On field goals and point after touchdown attempts, he becomes a double umpire.
Back Judge—Takes a position 25 yards downfield. In general, favors the tight end’s side of field. Keys on tight end, concentrates on his path and observes legality of tight end’s potential block(s) or of actions taken against him. Is prepared to rule from deep position on holding or illegal use of hands by end or back or on defensive infractions committed by player guarding him.
Back Judge times interval between plays on 40/25-second clock plus intermission between two periods of each half; makes decisions involving catching, recovery, or illegal touching of a loose ball beyond line of scrimmage; is responsible to rule on plays involving end line; calls pass interference, fair catch infractions, and clipping on kick returns; together with Field Judge, rules whether or not field goals and conversions are successful; and stays with ball on punts.
posted by Anonymous @ 10:58 AM
Pittman's back... back again!
Kavika Pittman remembers the play all too well. In a sweltering September slugfest at Raymond James Stadium, the Panthers had the then-defending Super Bowl champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers on the ropes during the second game of the 2003 season. "It was an emotional game," recalls Pittman. "On the play before, Julius (Peppers) came out of the game and I went in to replace him. I was engaged with the guard on the play, and as I went to get off of him, I took a full-speed sideways helmet shot to the knee. It tore my ACL completely and partially tore my MCL. "Right away, I knew something was wrong. It felt like a gunshot to my leg with an instant burning sensation. I was hoping it would be something like a sprain and I could be back in a couple of weeks, but it put me out for the year." It happens that quickly. Pittman had wanted so badly to be a part of that 2003 season with the Panthers. Then it was gone, just like that. "It was my first major injury," said Pittman, who had previously played seven NFL seasons with the Dallas Cowboys and Denver Broncos. "I broke my hand one time and missed a couple of weeks of training camp, but this was the first time I ever missed any games." Actually, Pittman still attended the games. He shifted gears from player to player/coach on the sidelines, a role he tackled willingly. "My goal was to stay close to the team and stay involved," he said. "I knew I couldn't play but I could contribute in other ways, whether it was seeing things on the field and relaying it to the guys out there or watching film with the guys and pointing out things I noticed." One would think that watching your teammates play in the Super Bowl without you might be the ultimate in frustration. Not so, says Pittman. "The first few games after the injury was when it was really, really tough," he said. "It was hard because I wanted to be out there contributing and playing. I felt last year was going to be a big year for me as far as my career. It was very tough, but as the season went on, it got to where it was easier for me to come to the games and be a part of it. Once the playoffs got going, I felt like a coach. I was just rolling with the team. I was like a fan, almost." Pittman has been rolling through rehab and expects to compete for a major role on the defensive line again in training camp, which starts later this month at Wofford College in Spartanburg, SC. "My main thing is to prove that I can come back from an ACL. It's a pretty serious injury and it's late in my career. A lot of people have been saying 'Well, he's been playing for a while. Can he come back from it?' "The first thing I want to prove is that I can come back from it. The second thing I want to prove is that I'm still a quality player. The third thing is to get back out there and make some things happen for this team. I felt like, in a way, that I let them down last year. It's hard to be better than what we were, but I just feel like I could have contributed."
posted by Anonymous @ 10:53 AM
No doubt in Beuerlein's head that he wanted to retire as a Carolina Panther.
Steve Beuerlein, who holds every passing record in Carolina history, retired July 28 as a Panther.
Beuerlein spent his last three seasons in Denver, but the Broncos released him in May to give him time to decide if he wanted to play an 18th season in the league.
When the 39-year-old decided he would retire, he called Carolina, where he spent his best seasons as a pro. Beuerlein was with the Panthers from 1996 to 2000, and went to the Pro Bowl in 1999 after passing for 4,436 yards and 36 touchdowns.
"This in my mind was the way it was meant to be," he said. "I couldn't think of a better way to bring this 17-year run to an end. My heart has always been here with this organization and when I sat back and decided I wanted to step down, there was no doubt I wanted to do it as a Carolina Panther."
Beuerlein was extremely popular in Carolina, taking over as the starting quarterback the fifth game of the 1998 season when Kerry Collins quit the team.
He then started 44 consecutive games, setting Carolina records with 12,690 yards passing and 86 touchdowns.
He was released before the 2001 season by George Seifert, who wanted to give Jeff Lewis and Heisman Trophy winner Chris Weinke a chance.
The move was extremely unpopular -- and Beuerlein acknowledged it took some time to get over his bitterness -- and it turned out to be a horrible decision for the Panthers: Lewis was cut before the season began, Weinke became the starter as a rookie and Carolina went 1-15 that year.
Seifert was fired at the end, Weinke is now the third-string quarterback in Carolina and Lewis is out of the league.
Beuerlein began his playing career with the Los Angeles Raiders in 1987 and also played for Dallas, Arizona, Jacksonville and Denver. He finished his career with 24,046 yards passing and 147 touchdown passes.
"Steve was a leader, a warrior and a friend," Carolina general manager Marty Hurney said. "He exemplifies what this organization looks for in a person."
posted by Anonymous @ 10:20 AM
Billick signs a multi-year contract
Training camp is for new beginnings. Just ask Brian Billick.The day before players were set to report to camp, the Ravens head coach signed a new, multi-year contract that will keep him in Baltimore for some time.“I want to be here with the Ravens, and I’m thankful that Steve wanted to do a new contract,” Billick said in a release. “With Steve [Biscotti], Ozzie [Newsome], Dick Cass and the rest of our organization, we have an elite group, one that will continue to compete at the championship level.Bisciotti, who is in his first season as the Ravens’ majority owner, completed the deal Wednesday. Its terms will not be made public.“I’ve said from the beginning that I want Brian and Ozzie here for a long time,” Bisciotti said.NFL coaches with Billick’s kind of security are a rare breed. Billick is entering his sixth season with the Ravens, tied for fourth among active coaches in tenure. Billick is best known for leading the Ravens to a championship in 2000, but his consistency should not be overlooked. Billick’s Ravens are just one of eight teams that have made the playoffs in three of their last four seasons, compiling a 52-35 record.“Those are the things that can keep people around,” said Newsome, the Ravens’ general manager. “To have the ability to continue to work with Brian is huge. I think the rapport that he and I have is probably second to none, with GMs and coaches in this league. I think that any time we can acquire good players, then he can always get those players to play to their maximum.”
posted by Anonymous @ 9:55 AM
Top 25 College Football Teams
1. USCLosing Mike Williams is big, but hearing before spring practice will help sophomore wideouts Steve Smith and Whitney Lewis adjust. The Trojans also signed one of the best recruiting classes in years. Given Pete Carroll's philosophy about playing freshmen, they should help bolster what is already a very talented team.2. LSUMatt Mauck's departure will affect the offense, but the Tigers won with defense. The defense still looks powerful.3. GeorgiaThe Bulldogs lost safety Sean Jones to the NFL draft, but the decision by defensive end and spiritual leader David Pollack to return for his senior season means a great deal to what is still a young team.4. OklahomaThe Sooners remain loaded on defense, and once more have issues with their running game. That has been their m.o. during the Stoops era, so expect the same level of success.5. MiamiHuge losses on defense, with the early NFL departures of safety Sean Taylor and tackle Vince Wilfork, but the 'Canes depth should make the difference.6. TexasYes, the Longhorns woo all of us every spring, then disappear at crucial moments in the fall. But Mack Brown gets four stars for hiring veteran defensive minds Greg Robinson and Dick Tomey to overhaul the defense. They will make a difference.7. Florida StateThe Seminoles are younger on defense than I first realized, but man, what an offense.8. MichiganWolverine fans celebrated when none of the celebrated juniors left early, but the decisions by wideout Braylon Edwards, defensive back Marlin Jackson and offensive lineman David Baas came as no surprise. They will form the backbone of another formidable Michigan team.9. MarylandIn Ralph We Trust.10. UtahA lot of readers disagreed with my decision to rank the Utes 14th in my January poll. I think they missed an important component of polling. The champions of the Mountain West and Mid-American Conferences, if they are one-loss teams, will rise this high in the polls. Utah is good enough to be 10-1 this year.11. California12. West Virginia13. Ohio State14. Tennessee15. Iowa16. Auburn17. Missouri18. Clemson19. Florida20. Virginia21. Purdue22. Kansas State23. Minnesota24. Oregon State25. Toledo
posted by Anonymous @ 8:55 AM
