NFL FanHouse

The Death of 'Establish the Run'

Michael David Smith — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 07:30:00 EST

Filed under: FanHouse Exclusive, NFL Analysis

The six teams that will play on Thanksgiving are a combined 10-1 this season when their quarterbacks pass for at least 300 yards. Historically, that's unusual: In the past, 300-yard passing games have not corresponded to winning. That, however, is no longer the case.

"The game is evolving," former Washington Redskins quarterback and current NFL Network analyst Joe Theismann told me as I was researching this piece I wrote in the Wall Street Journal. "The league is now about big plays, and most big plays come out of the passing game, and potent offenses in New England, Indianapolis, Minnesota and New Orleans are showing that you win with three wide receivers, and tight ends involved in the passing game, and great quarterbacks throwing farther and throwing more often."

Theismann told me about a 1983 game in Green Bay when he threw for 398 yards, but the Redskins lost to the Packers. "The 300-yard games quarterbacks had back when I played were caused by the defense's ability to shut down the run, and you had no other option but to put the ball in the air," he said.

I also talked to former St. Louis Rams coach Mike Martz, and he told me one of the biggest changes to the game has come on first downs: In the old days, coaches hated to pass on first down because they didn't want an incompletion to give them second-and-10. Now, Martz says, coaches aren't so conservative, and Martz said that when he was calling the plays he always wanted a big play on first down.

"I think first down was almost a secret weapon," Martz said.

Theismann told me that the old "establish the run" mentality has vanished from the NFL.

"I don't think anybody feels today in football that they have to establish the run," Theismann said. "'Let's establish the run to open up the passing game.' Now it's 'Let's throw the football. Let's get a lead.'"

The Death of 'Establish the Run' originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Thu, 26 Nov 2009 07:30:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Return to Denver Stirs Powerful Emotions, Memories for Giants' Veteran

Thomas George — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 18:30:00 EST

Filed under: Giants, FanHouse Exclusive

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ -- The last time the Giants played at Denver, the game coincided with the opening of Invesco Field at Mile High Stadium. Only one current Giants player was a part of that game.

He will never forget it. Nor the shock and tragedy that soon followed.

Guard Rich Seubert was a 22-year-old undrafted rookie free agent from Western Illinois University when he signed with the Giants prior to the 2001 season. He and the Giants, eight months off a Super Bowl XXXV loss to Baltimore, opened that 2001 season on Sept. 10 at Denver, a 31-20 loss.

Afterward, the Giants flew home to New York and arrived only a few hours before the Sept. 11 terrorist airplane attacks on the World Trade Center's twin towers in Manhattan.

More NFL Coverage: Full Scoreboard | Week 12 Picks | Fantasy Football Advice

Seubert's subsequent introduction to the NFL would unfold in poignant ways.

Seubert, now 30 and a nine-season veteran (all with the Giants), will join his New York teammates in Denver on Thanksgiving night for a game against the Broncos -- the first time he or the team has played there since that night eight years ago.

Recently, Seubert talked with FanHouse about the emotional start to his career, the trying experiences surrounding Sept. 11 and how all those memories continue to linger with him.

The following are Seubert's comments, in his own words:

"I grew up in Marshfield, Wisc., small town, never thought I would be drafted, even though people were telling me I had a shot. When I wasn't, my agent told me three teams were interested: San Francisco, Miami and the Giants. I was convinced that coming to New York would be more like Wisconsin than the other two cities. And the Giants had Jim Fassel as head coach and Jim McNally as the offensive line coach. I liked them both, and McNally was regarded as one of the game's greatest teachers among linemen. So, I chose New York.

"The first meeting, the first practice, I was lost. I kept working. And on the final cut day, my Giants roommate and I were in the room when the phone rang. Neither one of us slept that night. Neither one of us wanted to answer it. I finally did. They asked for him. I had made it. I was a Giant.

"We go to Denver for the season opener, and I played on the kickoff and field goal teams. I remember the stadium being big and beautiful. It was pretty loud. We didn't play as well as we would have liked. We let them christen the place pretty good.

"We flew home and landed around 4 or 5 in the morning. I lived in a basement apartment in Saddle Brook, N.J., at the time, so, I went with my roommate back there and we crashed. Soon, the phone is ringing off the hook. Both of our parents were trying to reach us. I was told to turn on the TV. I could not believe what I was actually watching. We went to practice on Wednesday, not knowing if there would be NFL games and, of course, they would be canceled for that weekend. At practice, you could see the smoke from the buildings rolling across the sky. Everybody was scared. We just, as a team, tried to figure out what we could do to help.

"We ended up taking a ferry from Jersey City over to Manhattan to a dock near the site. The firefighters and police officers working down there were housed on boats at this dock. We boarded the boats as a team with supplies. We talked to them. We tried to encourage them. Mostly, we just listened. We were a bunch of big football players who felt helpless.

"Nearly everyone that we talked to had lost somebody in the attacks. Family or friends lost. Nobody wanted to stop working down there in the recovery, even though they were exhausted. I knew, after that, I would never see Sundays or my life the same way.

"I know we're going to Denver on a business trip on Thanksgiving. We are going there to win a game. But for me, it's more."
"We thought flying home after that loss was a pretty lousy feeling. Then you experience tragedy and safety in the same event and you realize a few things -- what if we had flown back at the same time as the attacks? The veteran players, guys who had been here longer, took it real hard. I was a young man who was just getting to know the city. I had just played my first NFL game in Denver. But it didn't matter -- it forced everyone to become a leader in some way. Everyone on our team was invested.

"Nine years later, it's still so sad. I still think about all the people injured and killed and there is nothing that can be done to change it. I know we're going to Denver on a business trip on Thanksgiving. We are going there to win a game. But for me, it's more.

"I was at a charity event recently. I met a Giants fan who told me that he was at the game in Denver in 2001. He said he got some tickets and it was the thrill of his life to see us play there that night. He also said he worked in the towers. He would have been in those towers that day.

"He feels thankful for Giants football. He said it saved his life. And he said he is coming to Denver for the Thanksgiving game on Thursday night. He said he does not know how he could be anywhere else with us going back there for the first time since. I understand what he meant.''

Return to Denver Stirs Powerful Emotions, Memories for Giants' Veteran originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Mon, 23 Nov 2009 18:30:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Junior Seau on Belichick's Call, Veteran Leadership and His New 'Sports Job'

Chris Burke — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 12:30:00 EST

Filed under: Patriots, NFL Media Watch, FanHouse Exclusive

Wednesday, Dec. 2 at 10 PM, Versus will begin airing "Sports Jobs With Junior Seau," a weekly program -- similar to the Discovery Channel's popular "Dirty Jobs" -- that will feature Seau, a 20-year NFL veteran, taking on some behind-the-scenes work at different sporting events. Versus will air a pair of episodes on Dec. 2. FanHouse secured a preview copy of one, where Seau played the role of batboy and equipment manager for the Dodgers.

This week, Seau spoke with FanHouse about his new show, as well as returning to the Patriots and, of course, Bill Belichick's fateful fourth-down call in Indianapolis.

More: Jets-Patriots Preview | Week 11 Scoreboard

FanHouse: Let's start with how you wound up hosting this project on Versus.

Junior Seau: I was fortunate enough to be selected by Versus. The concept was unbelievable. It fits right in line with what I believe in, in terms of promoting the people that are unsung heroes behind sports. I love sports and the more I can do with sports, I want to be part of it.

FH: In the preview episode, you work for the Dodgers ... and they seemed like they worked you pretty hard. Was it a tough gig?

Seau: Every show has its own identity. With the Dodgers, it was a moving show, down to the laundry to Costco shopping to washing cars. It was fun to do. One of the most interesting things about that show was muddying the ball, I never knew you had to do that. That's something that's educational, obviously, to the viewers as well.

FH: You mentioned washing cars. (Dodgers outfielder) Matt Kemp got you to wash his during the episode. Is that the first time you've had to do that for another professional athlete?

Seau: It's probably the first time I've had to wash a car in 8-10 years. This show has done wonders for me in terms of the things in which we normally do ... it's humbling, more importantly, it's showing a great light on the people that have to do these things.

FH: Aside from the Dodgers episode, were there any other episodes that proved particularly emotional for you or stood out in some way?

Seau: Building the new Meadowlands stadium, staying 3 days there, building the bleachers, putting in urinals, we were doing it all. It was definitely a harder job than which I expected. Someone had to do it and I was fortunate enough to be around good people to try.

FH: Did you try to hide any Patriots' stuff in the stadium while you were working?

Seau: I tried to leave a signature down on the end zone, but they caught it, and made me erase it.

FH: When Versus approached you about this concept, did you anticipate that you'd be coming back to the NFL, or were you ready to move on to other endeavors?

Seau: I was going to allow [Patriots coach Bill] Belichick to have that choice, all I needed to do was be prepared. Working out for 8 months without any glimpse of light, any communication, it was basically just working out of faith. And when he approached me, I had a chance to choose because I was working out. I chose to come back and help the boys, and here we are.

FH: But getting into TV is something you want to do continue with you're retired for good?

Seau: I definitely want to pursue camera work, the show with Versus and continue on with the show. It has such a great concept. There's so many sports with groups behind the scenes that we can promote. This show isn't done with the first season, hopefully we can continue that through the 2nd.

FH: Jumping back to the Patriots ... is your role right now what you expected it would be? Do you see yourself getting more playing time as the season progresses?

Seau: What I'm doing is basically just living the dream and just waiting my time for Belichick to guide me in the role in which he brought me in for. Right now, I'm behind two young linebackers, backing up some of the defensive line, being in the locker room, being in the game, getting in footballs shape and still cutting my show with Veruss on Monday and Tuesday, it's a tough job. I'm gonna wait patiently and see what happens.

FH: You're in your 20th season now, have you ever been part of a finish like last Sunday's Patriots-Colts game?

Seau: I've seen it all, you never want to be complacent, anything can happen on any given day. What happened to us is something that was forced upon us by great plays by Manning and the Colts. It really doesn't matter what we did, they made the plays when they had to and won the game.

FH: Plenty of people were critical of Belichick's decision to go for it on fourth down late in the game, including your old teammate Tedy Bruschi, saying it was disrespectful of the defense. Did anyone on the sideline feel that way?

Seau: It doesn't matter how we feel, only Belichick can answer that. The fact is Belichick made a call, we failed at converting and we all lost. We'll work for our next opportunity.

FH: Did you have to do anything different this week to get the team past that game? You're playing behind young guys at linebacker, as you mentioned, so was your leadership role increased after that loss?

Seau: What we try to do is do what's consistent. We try to be consistent at whatever we do, we don't try to do more than we did in weeks prior. We prepare to go out there and put ourselves in position to win, and hope to go out and execute it.

FH: Do you feel like you made the right decision to come back again?

Seau: I'm on a team and my role is to make sure the linebacker crew is ready to go and if they need my help, they know they can call on me without any falloff. If that's my role throughout the whole year, then Belichick's going to make that call. But anyone that's part of the game knows anything can happen on any given Sunday and if they call on me, I'll strap up the helmet and do what I do best.

FH: Since you've been back, have you noticed the little things that go on behind the scenes, since you spent all that time working those jobs?

Seau: I've always respected the guys that have worked behind the scenes in the 20 years I've been with the National Football League. Some of my good friends now are my trainers, doctors, equip managers, some of the field crew - so when I was approached by the show, it was a way to give homage to those people that have helped me for 20 years. When you ask me if I do respect them more, I do, but it wasn't because I didn't respect them from the get-go.

FH: Because of a credit card snafu, you had to pick up a $500 tab for the Dodgers at Costco. Have they paid you back for that?

Seau: (laughs) You know, come to think of it, I haven't been reimbursed.

Junior Seau on Belichick's Call, Veteran Leadership and His New 'Sports Job' originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Sun, 22 Nov 2009 12:30:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Jeff Fisher's Picture of Walter Payton? As Perfect Teammate

Thomas George — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 12:00:00 EST

Filed under: Chicago Bears, FanHouse Exclusive

One picture of a football player hangs in Jeff Fisher's office. It is of his former teammate, Walter Payton.

Ten years after Payton's death, he still serves as an inspiration to Fisher. That was true last season at this juncture when Fisher's Tennessee Titans were 6-0. It remains true this season with Fisher's team 0-6.

"It is the only picture in here, other than of the stadium and some family pictures," Fisher said in a recent interview from his office at the Titans' facility in Nashville. "I had so much respect for him as everyone did. Players come in and it's good for them to see his picture in my office. Especially young players. When they first come in here to talk, it's one of the first things they see."

Payton's Chicago career spanned from the 1975 season through 1987. Fisher was a Bears defensive back from 1981 through 1985.

He witnessed up close a portion of Payton's Hall of Fame career -- the bruising yet ballet-like running style; the Super Bowl XX championship shuffle during the '85 season.

The sweetness.

Fisher broke his ankle in training camp before the 1985 season, and was placed on injured reserve. But, back then, such players could later practice with the team -- Fisher did just that, taking a spot on Chicago's scout team defense.

The Bears forbid anyone in practice to tackle Payton. "And he knew that,"' Fisher said. "But that didn't stop him from running over you."

Fisher marveled over Payton's precious talent. He remembered Payton standing at midfield, throwing a football to the end zone and purposely nailing an upright. He remembered him walking across the field on his hands, feet high, never touching the ground.

Explosive. Tremendous vision -- eyes always on that second or third defender, always downfield. A punishing runner. A guy that induced a myriad of missed tackles. A forearm that would knock you out.

Those things, said Fisher, were only a portion of Payton's gifts.

"I kept bugging our trainer about in-soles for my cleats," said Fisher (pictured in his Bears days). "One day the trainer said, 'Come with me.' So, we walk over to Walter's locker. He had 8 1/2 Spot-Bilt shoes in there. They had screw-in cleats, about seven of them. The trainer had me put my hand inside the shoe. There was no in-sole. He said Walter always wanted to feel his cleats, the spikes coming through underneath his feet. His feet were calloused. I stopped bugging the trainer for in-soles.

"Walter set the single-game rushing record while playing with a 102 [degree] fever. When I hear one of my players is under the weather, the first thing he hears from me is 'Walter Payton played the best game of his life with a 104 temperature!' Sometimes it's 106. I use him as an example a lot.''

Anyone who was around Payton remembers his soft-spoken manner.

Fisher remembers the jokester in the man. The goof. Fisher said during his playing time that most of the Bears' rookies were in a locker room a floor below the veterans. Players might nap between training camp practices, only to be awakened by an M-80 firecracker dropped into the room from above. Pure Payton.

Love for his teammates was real for Payton, Fisher said. He said Payton gave respect -- and he received it.

"I was a late-round draft pick, sort of on the perimeter,'' Fisher said. "But Walter and I had in common that we liked to hunt. We would go duck hunting in northwestern Illinois. The last game I spent as his teammate was the Super Bowl. There was some frustration by everyone who wanted to see him score a touchdown in that game. Walter was OK that he didn't. His championship was the most important thing.

"I remember his heart and passion for the game. His love for the game. His consistent approach every day. It was the greatest experience for five years to stand on the sidelines with the defense and watch Walter run.''

Every day in his office, Fisher glances at the wall and remembers how hard Walter Payton ran through the winning seasons and the losing ones.

It inspires Fisher, as a coach, to do the same.

Jeff Fisher's Picture of Walter Payton? As Perfect Teammate originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Thu, 29 Oct 2009 12:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Payton Was Supposed to Live Forever

Terence Moore — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 12:00:00 EST

Filed under: Chicago Bears, FanHouse Exclusive

Some things make no sense.

Just take the way Walter Payton played, for instance. Season after season, game after game, down after down, he destroyed folks. He did so as a running back for the Chicago Bears, and he spent 13 years as one of the most explosive hitters ever at any position, despite wrapping just 200 pounds around his frame of 5-foot-10. After he would belt a heftier defender toward the parking lot with his famously potent stiff arm, he would return to his preferred status of mellow.

Which brings us to the way Payton lived. Only a power higher than all of the former and present NFL commissioners combined knows the true essence of a man's heart. But to mere mortals, Payton wore a halo as well as a helmet. He was eternally polite, and he was a constant giver. To charities. To strangers. To society as a whole. I mean, did he have any enemies? If he did, they were invisible, or they were just teasing along the way to wrapping loving arms around the guy called "Sweetness" for a reason.

Then there was the way Payton died.

This really made no sense. The way Payton played and lived, he was supposed to become a modern-day Elijah and Enoch, and never experience death. Instead, Payton died, all right, and he died at 45. Sunday will mark a decade since terminal liver disease became about the only thing Payton could not overcome.

Then again, upon further review, everything involving Payton did make sense, but only if you understand this: Never has an athlete so extraordinary been so ordinary.

The way Payton played and lived, he was supposed to become a modern-day Elijah and Enoch, and never experience death.
As for the extraordinary, see the paragraphs above. Now add to that Payton's journey past Jim Brown for more rushing yards than anybody in history (a record that stood until Emmitt Smith came along). And, for the bulk of that stretch, Payton had no offensive line, no quarterback, no head coach -- and no team worth mentioning. He never complained. He even kept his mouth shut when he was inexplicably slighted by Coach Mike Ditka after the Bears got powerful enough at the end of Payton's career to shuffle their way to a blowout victory in the 1985 Super Bowl. On a short touchdown plunge, Ditka gave the ball to a gimmick (William "Refrigerator" Perry) instead of to a legend (Payton).

In addition, Payton never got hurt, and he never greeted the public with much less than a smile. He also never lost the hidden strength of a bulldozer that he still possessed during the early years of his retirement after the 1987 season.

"It was like shaking hands with a brick," said my brother, Darrell, chuckling and recalling his occasional lunches with Payton after the NFL Hall of Famer stopped wearing a No. 34 Bears jersey on a regular basis and switched to business attire. They worked in the same office building in a Chicago suburb. While Darrell was a regional marketing manager for his company on the third floor, Payton was operating as Payton on the fourth. From there, he sought to bring a team to St. Louis, which was NFL-barren at the time. He would have been -- and should have been -- the first primary owner in the league who was African-American.

He oversaw his slew of charities. He ran a couple of Chicago nightspots. He also tried to enter the world of auto racing as a driver and an owner.

According to Darrell, his office had as much NASCAR stuff as NFL stuff.

What else?

Darrell chuckled again. He was about to give the ordinary side of Payton, and the ordinary side still made Payton bigger than life. Said Darrell, "He could have had a pink elephant in his office for all I know. That's because, whenever you talked to Walter, you didn't look around, because he gave you this great eye contact. He always was focused on every single word that you said. I can't recall meeting too many people who listened to you as intently as he did, and it didn't matter how well he knew you. He was passionately involved with every conversation. And at times, it almost was as if he could tell what you were going to say before you even said it.

"But the biggest thing was that no matter how often I talked to Walter, I couldn't believe how pleasant he always was to you. He was one of the nicest persons I've ever met, and that's why it was such a shock about his death.

"Actually, it was more shocking to find out he was sick."

How does a Walter Payton ever get sick? He was more durable than Dick Butkus and certainly Gale Sayers, the other sainted Bears who reached national fame despite the darkness around them. At best, Payton's nearest challengers as an iron man came from the leather-helmet days of Red Grange and Bronko Nagurski.

I'm mentioning Bears history, because Bears history is as good as it gets when it comes to football history regarding toughness, and nobody from any team or from any era tops Payton in that category. In fact, if you find any footage on NFL Films that shows Payton running for the sidelines, it will be the first.

He was the anti-Franco Harris.

Then, out of nowhere, you had Payton's version of Lou Gehrig's farewell speech at Yankee Stadium and Magic Johnson's announcement about contracting HIV.

February 2, 1999. With pounds leaving Payton's body faster than one of his old dashes through somebody's front seven, tears flowed from everywhere and from everybody inside a Chicago-area restaurant. Payton called this news conference to address rumors about his rapidly failing health. Near the end of his talk, with dark shades in place and family members all around him, Payton said with emotion, "To the people that really care about me, just continue to pray. And for those who are gonna say what they want to say, may God be with you also."

Nine months later, Payton was gone, and it didn't make sense.

Terence Moore is a national columnist and commentator for FanHouse. He is a frequent panelist on "Rome Is Burning," an ESPN show hosted by Jim Rome, that is seen Monday through Friday at 4:30 PM ET. Moore spent more than three decades working for major newspapers, including 26 years as an award-winning sports columnist for the San Francisco Examiner and the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. He resides in Atlanta.

Payton Was Supposed to Live Forever originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Thu, 29 Oct 2009 12:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Patriots Put on a Show in England

David Whitley — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 21:00:00 EST

Filed under: Buccaneers, Dolphins, FanHouse Exclusive

LONDON -- A bunch of Patriots went to dinner Friday night and were mistaken for a boy band. Had they been anywhere else, that embarrassing mix up might have caused an international incident. But since England gave us the ultimate boy band, the Beatles, the Patriots graciously ate their meal.

Then they routinely devoured Tampa Bay on Sunday.

Now they head back to the States after proving what we already knew: as Tom Brady rolls, so rolls the rest of New England's band. And, ready or not, America, Brady is back in rhythm.

"I'm feeling great," he said after New England's win. "I keep rolling."

More: Check Box Score | Bills Pull Another Upset | Jets Win Big

The Belichicks had a rough start this year, but what can you say about their last two gigs?

You can say that Tennessee and Tampa Bay are the football equivalent of Herman's Hermits, only why insult Herman? The Bucs went down 35-7 at wacky Wembley Stadium, which was at least an improvement over Tennessee's 59-0 pratfall in the Foxborough snow last week.

Next week's bye shapes up as the toughest opponent New England has seen this entire lunar cycle. As pathetic as the competition has been, 94-7 is still an impressive pile of rubble.

So has New England buried all its early-season ghosts in old England?

Not quite. This isn't a great team by Patriots standards, but it has become plenty good by AFC standards. All that was required was Brady being Brady again.

"The greatest player in the history of team sport," the Daily Mail called him Sunday.

Babe Ruth never was big in England. Perhaps he should have married Giselle Bundchen's grandmother.

As for Brady recovering from knee surgery, enjoy this properly British synopsis in the Daily Mail: "Although the 6-foot-4 Californian refused to countenance any reduction in his powers, the Patriots made a faltering start to this season."

Rex Ryan blitzed the Patriots silly in Week 2, then they got caught in Denver 's early-season whirlwind three weeks later. Fingers pointed at a raw secondary and a linebacker corps so gutted that New England re-signed Junior Seau, who was working as a rodeo clown.

But the big bugaboo was Brady. Was he mentally back from his blown ACL? Or at 32, was the Paul McCartney of modern QBs entering his Wings phase?

For that, we turn to Bucs coach Raheem Morris, who is the only coach in NFL history to go winless on two continents.

"He's a great human," Morris said of Brady.

Forgive his gushing, but that's what happens when you stand helplessly by and watch a guy complete 23-of-32 passes for 308 yards and three scores.

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LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 25: Wes Welker (#83) of the New England Patriots is tackled by Maurice Stovall (#85) of Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the NFL International Series match between New England Patriots and Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Wembley Stadium on October 25, 2009 in London, England. This is the third occasion where a regular season NFL match has been played in London. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Wes Welker;Maurice Stovall

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CHARLOTTE, NC - OCTOBER 25: Terrence McGee #24 and George Wilson #37 of the Buffalo Bills celebrate after Wilson's fourth-quarter interception against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium on October 25, 2009 in Charlotte, North Carolina. Buffalo won 20-9. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Terrence McGee;George Wilson

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CINCINNATI - OCTOBER 25: Garrett Wolfe #25 of the Chicago Bears is tackled by Robert Geathers #91 and Brandon Johnson #59 of the Cincinnati Bengals during the NFL game at Paul Brown Stadium on October 25, 2009 in Cincinnati, Ohio. The Bengals won 45-10. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Garrett Wolfe;Robert Geathers;Brandon Johnson

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CINCINNATI - OCTOBER 25: Jay Cutler #6 of the Chicago Bears is sacked during the NFL game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium on October 25, 2009 in Cincinnati, Ohio. The Bengals won 45-10. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Jay Cutler

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A penalty flags comes flying in as Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Miles Austin (19) grabs a reception in front of Atlanta Falcons cornerback Brent Grimes (20) and runs it in for a touchdown in the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 25, 2009, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

New York Jets running back Thomas Jones runs past Oakland Raiders cornerback Chris Johnson in the third quarter of an NFL football game in Oakland, Calif., Sunday, Oct. 25, 2009. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar)

Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Miles Austin (19) hauls in a reception as Atlanta Falcons cornerback Chris Houston, right, defends in the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 25, 2009, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Donna McWilliam)

Buffalo Bills coach Dick Jauron argues a call in the second half of Buffalo's 20-9 win over the Carolina Panthers in an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Oct. 25, 2009. (AP Photo/Rick Havner)

Oakland Raiders quarterback JaMarcus Russell sits on the bench in the closing minutes of Oakland's 38-0 loss to the New York Jets in an NFL football game in Oakland, Calif., Sunday, Oct. 25, 2009. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar)

Buffalo Bills' Chris Kelsay (90) and Marcus Stroud (99) react after sacking Carolina Panthers' Jake Delhomme (17) in the second half of Buffalo's 20-9 win in an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Oct. 25, 2009. (AP Photo/Rick Havner)

Buffalo Bills tight end coach Charlie Coiner looks from the sidelines in the first half in an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Oct. 25, 2009. (AP Photo/Rick Havner)

It wasn't vintage Brady, not with a goal-line interception that kept the score from getting Tennessee-like. But it certainly wasn't the Brady of six weeks ago, either.

"In the first quarter of the season we weren't really getting any big plays," Patriots receiver Wes Welker said. "I think that's really changing."

So do the Bucs, who think they saw Sam Aiken take a short pass 54 yards for a touchdown, and might have seen Ben Watson catch a 35-yard score. By that point, the crowd of 84,254 at Wembley Stadium figured it just wasn't the home team's day.

Yes, it was officially a Bucs home game. At least they scored, which is more than Manchester United did in Sunday's big match against Liverpool. The Glazers own both franchises the Bucs and Man U., and family members probably did not take part in the third-quarter wave from their skybox.

That bit of mass fan expression became passé years ago in . It went on for about five minutes Sunday.

"They seemed excited," Brady said.

If you think the Brits are confused over proper NFL cheering, you should have been at the restaurant Friday night when Welker and his crew walked in.

"They thought we were a boy band," he said. "That was pretty funny. We had two offensive linemen with us. I don't know where they got that from."

Being confused for 'N Sync on 'roids could have led to a crazy scene, but the Patriots just considered it part of their evolution.

"We have a lot of new players. It's nice to come together and experience something like this," Brady said. "It's a unique bonding experience for all of us."

So are they ready to conquer America?

As long as Brady is out front, the Patriots will countenance nothing less.

Patriots Put on a Show in England originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Sun, 25 Oct 2009 21:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Patriots May Own Sunday, but Saturday Belongs to Bucs' UK Fans

David Whitley — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 16:30:00 EST

Filed under: Buccaneers, Patriots, FanHouse Exclusive

LONDON -- Mike Alstott's 1-yard touchdown run sparked Tampa Bay to an 84-0 win over New England Saturday.

No joke. Alstott really did score one of the red team's 14 touchdowns. The guys wearing blue jerseys had zero.

"Nil!" Paul Stewart said.

He broke out a bottle of champagne and passed it around. If ever a team deserved to savor a little success, it's the Bucs' UK fan club -- it beat the Patriots' fan club on Saturday in a flag football game. The other Bucs team was presumably watching film or sacrificing goats or whatever you do when you face that other New England team.

That'll happen Sunday at Wembley. Saturday at Richmond Park in Southwest London was the preamble. The oldest NFL fan club in Britain (the Bucs) met the fan club of England's most popular team (the Patriots).

When these two teams meet, you can't throw the record book out the window. There isn't one to toss. And if there were, the receivers would probably drop it.

"We're not really that good," Stewart said. "We relied on [Jon] Gruden's playbook. Expect we made it work."

Spoken with snark, like a true American football fan. And there may be no truer fans anywhere than in the group Stewart formed 25 years ago.

Bucs fans in America just have to turn on their TV to get their weekly dose of disappointment. These poor blokes have to go out of their way to cheer the Bucs to another loss. A lot of them have been doing it since Doug Williams' arm was wild enough to overthrow the Queen.

"I was 12," said Lee Bromfield, who's now 39, of when he became a Tampa Bay fan.

His family was vacationing in St. Petersburg and the Bucs were on TV. They actually won that Sunday, and a young man from Manchester fell under some mysterious Creamsicle spell.

Same thing happened to Stewart, who caught a Monday Night game the Bucs won on a last-second interception.

"Hey, that team in orange must be pretty good," he thought.

It was, only it took another 15 years to get there. The Bucs UK club has survived Leeman Bennett and Ray Perkins. It has withstood the boycott by Bo Jackson, the signing of Alvin Harper and the disappearance of Gaines Adams.

There were the good Tony Dungy years leading to that Gruden Super Bowl. But being a Bucs fans in the UK was like being a Chernobyl fan in the U.S. -- you can't explain it, you just admire the perseverance of 300 football souls.

Especially on Saturday when you looked across the field at all those snazzy blue jerseys.

"Bandwagon fans," Bromfield said.

It's not that everyone has jumped on since Tom Brady arrived. But New England claims to be the most popular team in Old England, and nobody's arguing. What the Bucs fan club lacks in recent converts, it makes up for in guile.

Members were told Williams might show up Saturday. He couldn't make it, but the Bucs did send a car over. Out popped Alstott, ex-linebacker Shelton Quarles and Hall of Famer Lee Roy Selmon.

Stewart started pleading for them to join the seven-on-seven contest. Selmon's been retired 25 years and didn't feel up to a comeback. The other two couldn't resist a little international bonding.

But was it fair to have two ex-Pro Bowlers in the lineup?

"We're 0-6 and they're coming off a 59-0 win," Stewart said. "Who cares if it's fair?"

So Alstott ran one up the gut. A couple of guys had on Tedy Bruschi jerseys, but they definitely were not Tedy Bruschi. The A-Train scored and the rout was on.

Quarles and Alstott went to the sideline early, but it didn't matter. It was as if the 2003 Bucs inhabited the bodies of the 2009 fan club. The Pats hadn't looked so outmanned since the '85 Super Bowl.

Not that anyone seemed too upset at the score.

"They were keeping score?" John Smith said. He was the lone Patriots player with NFL experience, and that experience was as a kicker from 1974-84. There were no goal posts, though Smith tried a fake field goal for the crew from NFL Films.

That's right, the company that made the slow-motion spiral famous is making a documentary on the Bucs' UK connection. It recorded every slow-motion play on Saturday. Unfortunately, NFL Films will probably include some footage of Sunday's game.

Any predictions?

"I think the Pats will win 31-14," said Chris Chinoy, a member of their fan club.

"What?" said Smith. "I don't know if they're going to score two touchdowns."

That would be two more than the Patriots scored Saturday.

"Nil!" Stewart repeated.

When you're a Bucs fan, you take a win any you can get it. Even if you have to get it yourself.

Patriots May Own Sunday, but Saturday Belongs to Bucs' UK Fans originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Sat, 24 Oct 2009 16:30:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Thriving Denver D Brings Back the Sack

Nancy Gay — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 21:05:00 EST

Filed under: Broncos, AFC West, NFL Coaching, FanHouse Exclusive, NFL Analysis

SAN DIEGO -- Outside linebacker Elvis Dumervil set aside any doubts that the 2009 Broncos' astonishing turnaround isn't legitimate on Monday night when he leveled Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers a second time in the contest, helping punctuate a 34-23 division victory that gave undefeated Denver a stranglehold on the AFC West.

With that, Dumervil had his NFL-leading 10th sack, putting him on pace to surpass Michael Strahan's single-season record of 22 1/2.

"It's hard to get to 10 [sacks]," said Dumervil, who was surrounded in the crowded visitors' locker room at Qualcomm Stadium by teammates hooting and calling him the next Strahan. "Every sack guy knows it's hard to get to double digits.

"But this ... it's a new team, a new regime, and everything is new. We're just trying to innovate. We're trying to build a brand of football here, what we want to be as the Denver Broncos."

It's not easy building a 6-0 record -- but it's a lot more feasible with plays like inside linebacker D.J. Williams' fourth-quarter, 11-yard sack of Rivers, and linebacker Darrel Reid's drilling Rivers in the game's final minutes for the team's fourth sack. Rivers lost the ball on both hits.

They've crafted a defensive masterpiece in Denver, and the art of the sack is on full display. The Broncos are tied with the Vikings for the NFL lead with 21 total; in 2008, Denver had 26 sacks the entire season.

It's quite a renaissance from the past few years, when Denver's defensive units were among the NFL's worst. In 2008, Denver's defense surrendered 28.0 points per game (30th overall). Now the Broncos are the league's stingiest team, allowing only 11.0 ppg.

"What you're seeing out there are a bunch of guys just playing for each other," said Williams, one of the three holdovers from last season [along with Dumervil and cornerback Champ Bailey] on a defense that features eight new starters in 2009. "The last few years we weren't successful, for whatever reason it was.

"This year, we changed a lot of things around, our philosophy, our scheme, changed a lot of players. It's working. It's productive. You can't really go against it, because it's working."

Is it as simple as making the head coaching switch from veteran Mike Shanahan to the fresh face and message of Josh McDaniels, 33, and the subsequent hiring of defensive specialist Mike Nolan as coordinator?

"That part of it, but it's so much more," said former NFL personnel executive Michael Lombardi, who spent the 2007 season with the Broncos as an advisor and is now an NFL Network analyst and columnist for National Football Post. "They also changed the scheme and stuck to the 3-4, rather than switching back and forth. They brought in a lot of new players -- smarter guys who understand how to play the game of football. They're just solid players who know what the game is all about and what it takes to be successful."

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Denver Broncos Photos

Denver Broncos linebacker Andra Davis points to the San Diego fans as walks off the field while the San Diego Chargers offensive line leaves the field during the fourth quarter quarter of the NFL football game Monday, Oct. 19, 2009 in San Diego. The Broncos won 34-23 over the Chargers. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)

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Denver Broncos Photos

Denver Broncos receiver Eddie Royal fails to make a third down catch near the San Diego Chargers' end zone during the second quarter, Monday, October 19, 2009, at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, California.

Colorado Springs Gazette / MCT

Denver Broncos wide receiver Brandon Stokley (14) pulls in a five yard touchdown pass in front of San Diego Chargers' Antonio Cromartie to seal the Broncos 34-23 victory over the San Diego Chargers in the fourth quarter of the NFL football game Monday, Oct. 19, 2009 in San Diego. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)

ASSOCIATED PRESS

San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers is wrapped up and sacked by Denver Broncos linebacker D.J. Williams during the fourth quarter of the NFL football game Monday, Oct. 19, 2009 in San Diego. Rivers fumbled and Williams recovered the ball. The Broncos won 34-23 over the Chargers. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)

ASSOCIATED PRESS

San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers losses the ball while being sacked during the fourth quarter of the Chargers 34-23 loss to the Denver Broncos in an NFL football game Monday, Oct. 19, 2009 in San Diego. The Broncos recovered. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Denver Broncos tight end Tony Scheffler dances through the end zone after his 19-yard touchdown reception in the fourth quarter of the NFL football game Monday, Oct. 19, 2009 in San Diego. Scheffler had six receptions for 101 yards. The Broncos won 34-23 over the Chargers. (AP Photo/Chris Park)

The San Diego Chargers players hang their head during the fourth quarter of their 34-23 loss to the Denver Broncos in the NFL football game Monday, Oct. 19, 2009 in San Diego. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)

SAN DIEGO - OCTOBER 19: Philip Rivers #17 of the San Diego Chargers gets ready to walk on the field before a game against the Denver Broncos at Qualcomm Stadium on October 19, 2009 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Jacob de Golish/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Philip rivers

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SAN DIEGO - OCTOBER 19: Andra Davis #54 of the Denver Broncos walks of the field after defeating the San Diego Chargers 34-23 at Qualcomm Stadium on October 19, 2009 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Jacob de Golish/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Andra Davis

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Newcomers such as veteran safety Brian Dawkins, cornerback Andre' Goodman, safety Renaldo Hill and nose tackle Ronald Fields epitomize these types of intelligent leaders.

When McDaniels was hired last Jan. 12 after spending the past eight seasons with the Patriots -- and rising to become Bill Belichick's trusted offensive coordinator -- he knew the Broncos' pitiful defense was only one of many areas in need of an overhaul.

"There were so many things we weren't doing well, in every phase -- offensively, defensively -- we were bad in a lot of areas," McDaniels said. "It just started with hiring a good staff. That was No. 1 on the list. Mike's [Nolan] obviously done a great job with his staff, and the coaches have done a nice job of getting their players ready and prepared.

"And we made the decision to go to the 3-4 system, which is really my background. Mike, of course, is versed in both or either. We could have gone in another direction, but we just felt like, with where we were at, we wanted to go ahead and make that transition quickly and try to get as far as we could by the time the season came around."

Monday night, the Broncos blitzed Rivers continuously, keeping one of the NFL's strongest and toughest quarterbacks under siege. But a lot of the straight pressure masquerades as blitzing, which keeps offenses off-balance. Denver's swarming attack neutralized the Cowboys' Tony Romo and New England's Tom Brady as well, so it's pretty darn effective.

"I don't know the exact percentage that we're blitzing," McDaniels said, "but we've actually created blitzing without blitzing ... I think that's a combination of good coverage and great effort up front. It isn't every time that we have a free run at the quarterback because we brought one more guy that they can block. That really hasn't happened much all year."

Dumervil, for example, often gets matched up against a blocking fullback or running back in Nolan's scheme and he typically wins that battle. Williams calls the signals for the group. The push up front has made the secondary effective again. And much of what Denver does defensively is just sound tackling and powerful hitting.

In the 17-10 Week 4 victory over the Cowboys, Williams made a crushing fourth-quarter tackle of Dallas receiver Roy Williams that looked like a full-body clothesline hit to the big receiver's midsection. Williams the receiver crumpled to the Invesco Field turf in obvious pain with three injured ribs and cartilage damage. He didn't return.

"Never in my life have I ever been hit like that, from Pop Warner through my six years in the league," said Roy Williams, describing the blow.

Said McDaniels, "D.J. is just a very good linebacker. The weak-side of a 3-4, some people think that the ball runs away most of the time ... but D.J. has some coverage responsibility and he's capable of doing that. We've done a decent job of mixing that up. We've blitzed some and created some problems in the backfield.

"And when he has a chance to run and get to the ball carrier where it's tough for somebody to get a body on him, he usually makes the tackle. And that's the sign of a good linebacker, when somebody is struggling to get onto you and because of that you're making a bunch of tackles, you're a dependable player and that's what he's shown the first four weeks."

A McDaniels/Nolan blitz is not a four-man break. "No, it's five. It's gotta be one more than a four-man rush," McDaniels said.

As they bask in the glow of a 6-0 record and enjoy their bye, the rest of the NFL has to wonder: Can the Broncos continue at this pace defensively?

"I had that same question after Week 1," Nolan, the former 49ers head coach, said with a laugh. "But it's pleasing that we're able to help the football team win, rather than hope the offense can overcome you. Our players take a lot of pride in it -- Elvis Dumervil is doing a good job, as well as many other players. Our secondary is experienced, very professional. Hopefully we just keep this going.

"If you ask me that question again in Week 16, then I'll give you a better answer."

Thriving Denver D Brings Back the Sack originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Wed, 21 Oct 2009 21:05:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sources: Mike Shanahan Turned Down Redskins Coaching Job

Thomas George — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 16:35:00 EST

Filed under: Redskins, NFL Coaching, FanHouse Exclusive

Sources have confirmed that the Washington Redskins recently tried to hire Mike Shanahan to replace Jim Zorn and Shanahan declined. The sources would not rule out the possibility that Shanahan would reconsider in the offseason.

"Shanahan told the franchise there was little he could do in the middle of the season for them and that changing coaches during the season in the NFL rarely works,'' a Redskins management source told FanHouse. "Several people that Dan Snyder trusts have suggested, if he makes a move, he should turn it over to secondary coach Jerry Gray. That could still happen.

"We are trying to give Jim every chance to turn it around. The move to [bring in offensive consultant Sherm] Lewis is to take more off Jim's plate, especially the play-calling, because it is not working, and that is where Jim is spending much of his time. Now he can coach the entire team. Let's see where that gets us.''

Blackistone: Redskins Are Worst-Run Franchise in Sports

Reports surfaced Sunday night, after Washington's embarrassing 14-6 home loss to Kansas City, that Lewis would take over the Redskins' play-calling duties. The team confirmed that change Monday.

The Redskins currently sit at 2-4 and in last place in the NFC East, with losses to Detroit, Carolina and Kansas City -- teams that have four total wins combined. Washington hosts Philadelphia next Monday night prior to a Week 8 bye, and has just one game remaining against a team with a record currently under .500.

Sources: Mike Shanahan Turned Down Redskins Coaching Job originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Mon, 19 Oct 2009 16:35:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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'All Day' Peterson Wants to Be Best Ever

Matt Snyder — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 23:00:00 EST

Filed under: Vikings, NFC North, NFL Interviews, FanHouse Exclusive

On the day of the release of his new DVD, "All Day with Adrian Peterson," FanHouse caught up with with the superstar running back for a few minutes of time during his busy schedule. The movie is available at Best Buy in conjunction with NFL Films and Warner Home Video. You can also purchase it online at Amazon.com.

Matt Snyder: So, what should the masses know about this video?

Adrian Peterson: It's a great behind-the-scenes look of things from practice and some good highlights. It also shows some footage of growing up and during the NFL draft. There are conversations and things you can't see anywhere else. I definitely recommend everyone get a copy. You need to get yourself a copy, man!

Snyder: I already have it. I received an advanced copy and watched it this morning.

Peterson: Did you like it?

Snyder: Yeah, I loved a lot of the behind-the-scenes stuff.

Peterson: What about the start, where I'm driving ... with the highlights on the windshield? Wasn't that cool?

Snyder: Yeah, it really was a great touch for the intro. I agree that it was really cool. A bit after that, you said your first goal is to win the NFC North and everything trickles down from there. Considering you guys won the North last year and lost the first playoff game -- and considering you are 5-0 now -- aren't things a bit heightened? Meaning, if you win the division and lose in the first round, isn't that a disappointment?

Peterson: Well, you always have to take things one step at a time. It's a process. We can't get into the playoffs without winning some games and we want to win the division. From there, you work on playoff games. Of course, we want to be a championship-caliber team and the ultimate goal is always to win the Super Bowl, but I don't want to say things have changed. We still always start with one game at a time, building first toward the NFC North title.

Snyder: One part I enjoyed from the DVD was when you discussed playing tackle football on the street as a kid -- how you wanted so badly not to get tackled on the pavement. Is that where you developed that devastating stiff-arm?

Peterson: Yes. I definitely did not want to get all cut up on the pavement, so that's where it started.

Snyder: Speaking of which, you had a few of those signature stiff-arms against Cleveland in Week 1. They were one of the six teams who passed on drafting you back in 2007. Do you remember those teams? If so, when you play against them, is there some sort of revenge factor?

Peterson: Yeah, I remember. I mean, it's always in my mind to a certain extent. It's like 'hey, you could've had me and now I'm beating you ... here's what you are missing.' But it's not a revenge-type thing. I don't get into that. I can't let anything get me outside of my game.

Snyder: After watching some of the practices from your rookie year on film, it appears that blocking was a much bigger adjustment for you than anything else. Is that true?

Peterson: I always felt like I was a good blocker. It's just that there are adjustments to be made in terms of understanding all the different schemes and coverages in the NFL. 'EB' has been working with me on it and I feel like I'm a good blocker.

Snyder: You mention, 'EB,' who is Eric Bieniemy, your running backs coach. It looked like you guys have an interesting relationship. You even bickered a few times like family members. Would you say you consider him one, like an uncle, maybe?

Peterson: Oh, most definitely. He's just like a family member to me. We get along so well because we both come from the same type of background. We are both good, genuine people and never mean any disrespect to each other. We might get into arguments or this or that, but it never crosses the line and we never say anything personal about each other. It's just two guys trying to find the best way to do things for the good of the team.

Snyder: You already have the single-game NFL rushing record. What other records, whether it's career, single-season or single-game, do you have your eyes on?

Peterson: All of them. (pauses) I want them all. Every single record possible, I want it. That's how I approach the game and everything I do. I want to be the best there is and ever was. I don't just want to be the best running back that has ever played football, I want to be the best player to have ever played football.

Snyder: Do you have to talk more about your current starting quarterback or your prowess as a fantasy football beast?

Peterson: (Iong pause accompanied by laughter) Man ... I don't even think I can answer that. It seems like all I ever hear about is either Brett (Favre) or fantasy football. The questions about Brett ... hearing 'hey, I need this many yards from you today for my fantasy league' ... or 'hey, I need more touchdowns!" It's really amazing how many football fans play fantasy football. So many people play. So many.

Snyder: Is any of that annoying?

Peterson: No, I really think it's amusing. I enjoy the talk.

Snyder: Being a Bears fan, I clearly remember that game your rookie year in Soldier Field quite well. You ran all over the Bears (20 carries, 224 yards, 3 touchdowns), but the biggest play was your late kickoff return to set up the game-winning field goal. Do you miss returning?

Peterson: Oh, absolutely I do. But don't get ahead of yourself, you might see me back there again.

Snyder: Seriously?

Peterson: Yeah, I never count anything out. You never know what they'll let me do. I'm still begging coach (Brad) Childress to let me be a gunner on the punt team. Just put me on the outside to run down the punt returner. I'd love to do that.

"I want to be the best there is and ever was. ... I want to be the best player to have ever played football."
-- Adrian Peterson Snyder: Who is the best team in the NFL, other than you guys?

Peterson: What, you don't want me to say us?

Snyder: Say you're No. 1, who is No. 2?

Peterson: It's way early. Early. There are some teams playing really good football right now. The Colts are playing great. The Saints ... we knew about Drew Brees, but the defense has really stepped up. Darren Sharper is such a good player and always makes those picks into big plays. There are a lot of teams playing really well ... Denver ... but it's early and hard to tell. We'll see.

Snyder: You've won some tough games, but it appears the schedule leading up to your bye week is the toughest slate of games to date: vs. Baltimore, at Pittsburgh and at Green Bay. Can you guys win all three games playing the way you've been playing and head into the bye 8-0, or do you need to step up and do some things better?

Peterson: Well, you say three games and I say one. We don't look ahead. We are focused on the Ravens right now and they are a great team. There are always adjustments to make. We try to plan like a championship team would plan and play like a championship team would play. We have to make sure to never play down to an opponent if we are clearly better and keep playing that way the entire game. Honestly, we haven't played a complete game to the best of our ability yet. We really haven't.

Here's a promotional clip from the DVD:

'All Day' Peterson Wants to Be Best Ever originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Tue, 13 Oct 2009 23:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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'Fiery' Mike Singletary Shouts at Falcons' Harvey Dahl, Apologizes Afterward

Nancy Gay — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 21:40:00 EST

Filed under: 49ers, Atlanta Falcons, FanHouse Exclusive

SAN FRANCISCO -- The Atlanta Falcons weren't even finished piling up takeaways, yards and points in Sunday's 45-10 rout of the 49ers at Candlestick Park when San Francisco coach Mike Singletary lost his sideline poise.

Rather than take out his frustrations on one of his underachieving players, Singletary instead engaged in a third-quarter shouting match with Falcons right guard Harvey Dahl.

During an early third-quarter drive that was dominated by running back Michael Turner (22 total carries for 97 yards) chewing up the 49ers' 3-4 defensive front, Singletary and Dahl argued back and forth, with both of them very animated and obviously irate. Neither was penalized for the jawing match.

More: Check Box Score | Complete NFL Coverage

But Singletary, whose 3-2 team surrendered 477 total yards and handed the surging Falcons (3-1) 17 points off two lost fumbles and an interception, was contrite after the game, saying his sideline behavior was unacceptable.

"I'll put it this way: I wish I had more coaching etiquette. I don't," said Singletary, an emotional coach who was remarkably composed after watching his much-improved team stumble so badly at home. "I love my players and when someone responds about my players in a particular way, I may do some things I shouldn't do. I have to get better at those things as time goes on. I don't even want to talk about it anymore."

In 2008 during his debut contest as interim coach after Mike Nolan was sacked, Singletary gained infamy for ordering tight end Vernon Davis off the field and into the locker room. He also dropped his pants and pointed to his backside during a halftime speech excoriating his players, and benched quarterback J.T. O'Sullivan along with Davis in that memorable Oct. 26 contest.

This year, Singletary is more careful about showing that "Iron Mike" demeanor that got him into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. "I don't know the player," he said of Dahl. "It was something I shouldn't have done and you move on."

Dahl, who has been identified as one of the NFL's dirtiest players in annual player polls, grinned and clammed up when asked what he may have said to rile up Singletary.

"He's just a fiery guy," Dahl said repeatedly.

His offensive line teammates laughed at Dahl's response. "C'mon! Tell the truth!" center Todd McClure shouted.

"He's a fiery guy and that's all I'll say about it," Dahl said, bursting out in laughter.

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San Francisco 49ers Photos

San Francisco 49ers running back Glen Coffee (29) drives past Atlanta Falcons players in the second quarter of an NFL football game, in San Francisco, Sunday, Oct. 11, 2009. (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma)

San Francisco 49ers Photos

San Francisco 49ers tight end Vernon Davis (85) is tackled by Atlanta Falcons safety Thomas DeCoud (28) in the second quarter of their NFL football game in San Francisco, Sunday, Oct. 11, 2009. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)

Atlanta Falcons running back Michael Turner (33) scores against the San Francisco 49ers in the first quarter of an NFL football game in San Francisco, Sunday, Oct. 11, 2009. (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma)

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Shaun Hill (13) leaps as he passes against the Atlanta Falcons in the first quarter of an NFL football game in San Francisco, Sunday, Oct. 11, 2009. (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma)

San Francisco 49ers head coach Mike Singletary appears before their NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons in San Francisco, Sunday, Oct. 11, 2009. (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma)

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Michael Crabtree, left, and running back Frank Gore, right, talk on the sidelines in the first quarter of an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons in San Francisco, Sunday, Oct. 11, 2009. AP Photo/Paul Sakuma)

SAN FRANCISCO - OCTOBER 11: Matt Ryan #2 of the Atlanta Falcons passes the ball during their game against the San Francisco 49ers at Candlestick Park on October 11, 2009 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Matt Ryan

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SAN FRANCISCO - OCTOBER 11: Michael Turner #33 of the Atlanta Falcons runs with the ball during their game against the San Francisco 49ers at Candlestick Park on October 11, 2009 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Michael Turner

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SAN FRANCISCO - OCTOBER 11: Michael Crabtree, the San Francisco 49ers first round draft pick, watches the 49ers game against the Atlanta Falcons on the sidelines at Candlestick Park on October 11, 2009 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Michael Crabtree

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SAN FRANCISCO - OCTOBER 11: Shaun Hill #13 ofthe San Francisco 49ers passes the ball during their game against the Atlanta Falcons at Candlestick Park on October 11, 2009 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Shaun Hill

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'Fiery' Mike Singletary Shouts at Falcons' Harvey Dahl, Apologizes Afterward originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Sun, 11 Oct 2009 21:40:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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No Meeting This Weekend Between Cable, Goodell

Nancy Gay — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 12:30:00 EST

Filed under: Raiders, NFL Coaching, FanHouse Exclusive

Embattled Oakland coach Tom Cable will not have to face NFL commissioner Roger Goodell this weekend while the 1-3 Raiders are preparing for Sunday's game against the undefeated New York Giants at Giants Stadium, an NFL league office source said.

The NFL office has been monitoring developments with the Napa Police Dept. and the Napa District Attorney's Office as the criminal investigation continues into whether Cable attacked and fractured the jaw of assistant coach Randy Hanson during a coaches-only training camp meeting Aug. 5 at the Marriott-Napa Valley.

It was widely assumed the commissioner would schedule a meeting with Cable while the Raiders are on the East Coast. But a looming owners meeting in Boston on Monday and Tuesday makes any sitdown between Cable and Goodell this weekend logistically impossible.

Meanwhile, Napa district attorney Gary Leiberstein continues to review evidence presented to him by Napa police.

"It is under review by our office, and we do not have a time to tell you when that review will be completed," Leiberstein said last week in a recorded message on his media phone line. "But just know that we are taking it very seriously and fully reviewing the reports, and ultimately I as the district attorney will review the case and confirm the final decision."

Lieberstein has indicated he will only update the message line when he has further information to release.

No Meeting This Weekend Between Cable, Goodell originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Sat, 10 Oct 2009 12:30:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nephew of Former Super Bowl Hero Timmy Smith Born To Run

Chris Tomasson — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 10:42:00 EST

Filed under: Redskins, FanHouse Exclusive

DENVER -- Timmy Smith's face lights up. Yes, he wants his record to be broken.

No, not that record. Not his stunning performance in Super Bowl XXII, when he rushed for 204 yards as his Washington Redskins flattened the Denver Broncos 42-10 on Jan. 31, 1988 in San Diego.

The record he wants to see topped is the one at his alma mater, Hobbs (N.M.) High School.

Way back in 1988, before Smith had perhaps the most unexpected afternoon in NFL history and before he subsequently spent 20 months incarcerated in the Denver area for cocaine distribution, Smith rushed for 2,306 yards in a season for Hobbs.

But now there's another Smith in town. P.J. Smith, the Super Bowl star's nephew, has rushed for 1,035 yards in the first six games for the Eagles while averaging 8.7 yards per carry.

"That would be nice,'' Smith said of his nephew breaking his mark. "I think he's got that ability and got that drive. He wants to be the guy that breaks that record.''

There's one big difference between the Smiths. Tim played at 5-foot-11, 216 pounds while P.J. is just 5-8, 172. That's why P.J., despite having had three 200-yard games as a senior, is not being highly recruited.

The uncle is trying to do what he can. He'll look to put in a good word at his alma mater, Texas Tech, while dispensing whatever advice he can to his nephew.

"We're close,'' P.J. said of his relationship with his uncle, who lives in Denver as does Smith's brother and P.J.'s father, Patrick Smith. "We talk and we text each other.''

Smith, 45, has given advice about how not to make the same mistakes he did. Smith was sentenced to 2½ years in federal prison in 2006 after pleading guilty to cocaine distribution. He ended up serving 13 months at the Federal Correctional Institution Englewood in Littleton, Colo., and seven months in a halfway house before being released in March 2008.

"He talks to me about it,' P.J. said. "He tells me, 'Don't get in trouble, and don't do dumb stuff like I did.'''

Smith, whose brother, Christopher Smith, was sentenced to five years of probation, didn't want to talk too much about his incarceration, which stemmed from being arrested during a 2005 attempt to sell cocaine to a Denver undercover police officer. He said he's now "scot-free'' but does acknowledge having a criminal record has been a "red flag'' in getting work.

"I made a mistake and you learn from it. I did my time, and I was flawless (as a prisoner),'' said Smith, who said he was recognized as a Super Bowl hero in prison but it never was a problem. "Michael Vick, he made a mistake and he got a second chance. Plaxico Burress made a mistake. I would say to him, 'Just get through your time.'''

Now that Smith is a free man, he's returning to a normal life. He's eager to get down to Hobbs for a game this fall in hopes of seeing his nephew put up big numbers before Smith must undergo surgery Oct. 29 for spinal stenosis.

Earlier this year Smith was working at a dispatcher for buses at the Denver airport. He slipped on the ice, hurting his back and knee in addition to his neck.

Smith still can get around and is helping coach a youth football team, although he has numbness in his neck. He's anticipates a full recovery four-to-six weeks after the surgery.

Smith is getting workman's compensation, and he says he's doing fine financially. Smith, who has put on about 40 pounds since his playing days while being a bit out-of-shape due to his recent injury, can be seen tooling around Denver in a late-model Chrysler 300.

Shortly before his surgery, Smith plans to sign autographs before an Oct. 26 Redskins' Monday night home game against Philadelphia. He's already had a few autograph sessions in Washington since his release from prison, but he said fans don't ask him about his troubles.

"The fans say, 'Hey, you made my day.' You made me a lot of money that day,''' said Smith, who having lived in Denver since 1992, has heard from Broncos fans about how he didn't make their day.

Entering Jan. 31, 1998, few fans across the country had heard of Smith, a rookie who had run for 126 yards during the 1987 regular season after being a fifth-round draft pick. Smith had rushed for 138 yards off the bench in Washington's first two playoff games, but the Redskins still believed they had a surprise element on their side.

"Don Breaux, the running backs coach, told me before the (Super Bowl) that we're going to introduce George Rogers (as a starting running back), but you're going to start,'' Smith said. "He knew I would be nervous (if Smith had been told earlier he would start), and he was right. But the Broncos weren't ready for it.''

No, they weren't. Smith ended up rushing for two touchdowns, including a 58-yard second-quarter scamper that put Washington up 21-10, and averaged a mind-boggling 9.3 yards on his 22 carries.

Quarterback Doug Williams, who threw four touchdown passes, was named Super Bowl Most Valuable Player, but Smith received his share of accolades. He appeared on the Today show and on Late Night with David Letterman, with the host poking fun at Smith being from the town of Hobbs, which is in southeast New Mexico near the Texas border and has a population of about 30,000.

"I still talk on the phone to (Williams),'' said Smith, who broke Marcus Allen's Super Bowl record of 191 yards set four years earlier. "I tell him I should have been the MVP, and he knows it. But a lot of people think I did win the Super Bowl MVP even though I didn't. They come up to me and say, 'Hey, you're the Super Bowl MVP.' ''

Smith's career, though, was a washout after that. Projected to be Washington's top back in 1988, he never found his groove and ran for just 470 yards while averaging a meager 3.0 yards per carry.

Smith moved on to San Diego in 1989, but never got into a game. He started one game for Dallas in 1990 before being released, and his NFL career ended with 602 rushing yards. He flirted with playing for Baltimore of the Canadian Football League in 1994 before sore knees led him to hang up his cleats for good.

"I just didn't work as hard as I should have,'' Smith said of his career going south, although he denied his work ethic suffered due to feeling too good about himself after the Super Bowl.

Smith's name still crops up when it comes to flash-in-the-pan stories. He recently was named No. 2 on the NFL Network show Top Ten One-Hit Wonders, which didn't bother him.

"I guess it's a positive,'' said Smith, who finished behind Greg Cook, who was dazzling as a Cincinnati rookie quarterback in 1969 before a shoulder injury ended his career. "At least I had one (big moment).''

Smith is busy chronicling that great moment and his tough years afterward. He's writing a book in which he vows to address his legal problems.

"I've got 307 pages written,'' said Smith, whose son Josh Lewis plays football as a sparingly used Northeastern State (Okla.) University sophomore. "It's going to sell like hot cakes. You're going to read the entire Timmy Smith story.''

His nephew is giving Smith some more pages to write. Smith awaits word every weekend on how many yards P.J. got in his latest game.

After P.J. was held to 36 yards on 14 carries Sept. 18, Smith wondered if he had gotten too big of a head after rushing for 659 yards in the first three games. But P.J. has rebounded with 340 yards in his past two outings.

"We're just working hard, and we're trying to get into the playoffs,'' said P.J., who denies he was feeling too good about himself after his hot early start.

While the Eagles are 2-4, they still have a decent shot at the playoffs considering they have yet to begin district play, and the great majority of New Mexico's big schools make the postseason. With four regular-season games left, P.J. probably will need a few playoff games if he is to break his uncle's record.

"He wants me to break it, and I think I can,'' P.J. said. "They say that he was quicker (than P.J.), but I think that I'm a harder runner than (his uncle was).''

P.J. wasn't born when his uncle had his big Super Bowl day, but he's heard the stories. He's heard from his father about the game-watching party in Hobbs that day, with local TV stations on hand to chronicle the family's excitement.

"It was just a joy,'' said Patrick, 13 at the time. "We had 15-to-20 people there. It was just a live, happening atmosphere.''

Hobbs actually is much more of a basketball town, with legendary coach Ralph Tasker having put the school on the map by winning 11 state titles during his 1949-98 stint. Smith said that, even though he starred in football, he sometimes got more attention being an adequate starter on Hobbs' basketball team.

But P.J. is trying to bring some excitement to the football program. He rushed for 221 and 243 yards in his first two games, although each effort was still well shy of his uncle's single-game rushing record of 312.

"He's played really well,'' Hobbs coach Bruce Dollar said. "Once he gets into the open field, he's pretty hard to bring down. ... It's hard to know what colleges are looking for if you're not 6-2, 220. He's going to have to gain some weight. But he'll play somewhere (in college). He's good enough.''

To get into college, P.J. is said to need to do some work on his grades. His uncle spends plenty of time telling P.J. he must hit the books.

On Friday nights, though, P.J. is a hit on the field. And, with each yard he gets, his uncle gets more hopeful his record might fall.

As for that Super Bowl record, that's another story. Nobody has come within 40 yards of Smith's total the past 21 years.

That's the way Smith likes it.

Chris Tomasson can be reached at tomasson@fanhouse.

Nephew of Former Super Bowl Hero Timmy Smith Born To Run originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Thu, 08 Oct 2009 10:42:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Picking the Brain of Bill Belichick

Thomas George — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 10:00:00 EST

Filed under: Patriots, FanHouse Exclusive

"Josh is smarter than me," Bill Belichick says about Josh McDaniels, the apprentice that seeks to school the scholar when the New England Patriots play at the Denver Broncos on Sunday.

Proud, confident, keep-it-close Bill Belichick is saying an opposing coach has the intellectual goods on him? It is common NFL conjecture that Belichick is the league's smartest coach. He just leaped over Curly Lambeau into third place in all-time winning percentage of coaches with at least 150 victories. The list? George Halas (.682), Don Shula (.666), Bill Belichick (.632).

With the Patriots, he is 119-46. That is a .721 winning percentage.

But eight seasons around McDaniels with the Patriots gave Belichick all the time he needed to see that McDaniels was the type of coach who could survive a firestorm in his Broncos debut and then push the team to a 4-0 start. McDaniels reportedly told his team when he first met with them months ago that beating New England was high in his priorities.

Destroying any team -- McDaniels' included -- is higher on Belichick's.

"I don't know all of the details about that, but what I see on the field is they have played well, sound, committed, taken advantage of opportunities from miscues," Belichick, in an exclusive interview with FanHouse, said of McDaniels' Broncos. "I'm not surprised. I really don't worry too much about what everyone else does. I try to coach the Patriots. See that we do a decent job.

"Every time our team walks on the field, I expect to win. We expect to win. I'm sure the Ravens last week expected to win against us. So, I imagine Josh and the Broncos expect to win. I can't imagine being a coach and not expecting that."

Belichick said when he was a first-time head coach in Cleveland in 1991 and he played his old Giants for the first time, he did not view that game as defining. He had served as the Giants' defensive coordinator; McDaniels last season served as Belichick's offensive coordinator.

"You know the players," he said. "You know the team. But the fact was I approached that game no differently than the season-opener against Dallas or the Week 2 game against New England or the Week 3 game against Cincinnati," he said, rattling them off in order before remembering that Week 4 re-introduction to the Giants, a 13-10 loss.

Belichick is too seasoned, too big picture to worry about reducing this Sunday's meeting to a personal confrontation.

"I've been in this game a long time," Belichick said. "There's something personal every week. A few coaches and players that I've worked with or have some kind of relationship with are on the other sideline every week. You greet before the game. You get on with it. That's a weekly theme. It's a book where you keep turning the page. You get to the end on Sundays and then you turn the page. Every game is big. The game you're playing is the big one. That is the most important chapter. Then you turn the page."

He is asked how he's been able to do that -- turn the page -- from his 2007 taping scandal.

"Right now, I am only thinking about the Broncos,'' he answered.

He is asked if he traded defensive end Richard Seymour to the Raiders in part to replace the No. 1 draft pick that the Patriots lost in league penalties due to that taping scandal.

"The trade was made for the best interest of the football team," he answered. "Period."

He is asked how long he will continue to coach and what has been his foundation for success.

"In the offseason, I thought about the 2009 season," Belichick said. "It's all week to week. The Falcons before the Ravens. The Ravens last week. The Broncos now. Long term for me is six days. There are a lot of layers involved in what we have tried to build here. That is more a historical question that a lot goes into it."

So, rather than try to snow his way through it, Belichick focused on something in which he takes obvious pride -- his ability to adapt. Like his teams, which play several combinations of schemes, Belichick is fond of coaching in chameleon fashion.

[Belichick] is asked how he's been able to do that -- turn the page -- from his 2007 taping scandal. "Right now, I am only thinking about the Broncos," he answered."You watch us play," he said. "You know we aren't the same team every week or every year. Last year, we had to find our way to win 11 games a lot different that we did the year before. We find ways to win football games. That's our philosophy. I haven't always done it the same. One year I coached quarterbacks. In '05 I spent more time with the defense than the offense. What I do is a reflection of what needs to be done."

His work usually starts at 5 AM and sometimes he finds himself wrapping things up as late as midnight. His bond with the Kraft family and their ownership style of giving him freedom to make football decisions helps to make things work, he said.

His football passion has always been innate, his core, he said.

"I love the game, I love what I am doing -- it sure beats working," Belichick said. "I enjoy coming to the stadium every day. No matter if it's the offseason program or free agency work or the draft. I enjoy preparation, team building, relationships, competition, all the things involved. It's a very complex game. Very challenging. And fun."

Belichick is aware of the criticism his vast NFL head-coaching tree has received. Recent NFL head-coaching stints including Romeo Crennel in Cleveland and Eric Mangini with the Jets and Nick Saban in Miami fizzled.

He does not like the characterization of "failure" for them.

"There is not much job security in the NFL anymore," Belichick said. "It's the way it is. I see coaches like Mike Shanahan and Jon Gruden and Jim Fassel and Brian Billick and Mike Martz out of the league right now, coaches that have won Super Bowls or played in them, not just coaches but guys who built things in the league. They're not in. That's the way it is and I find it hard to accept that those guys are out of the NFL, a lot of good coaches not coaching, and the guys that coached for me are failures. I don't hear that all of those guys are failures. So, I don't know about being able to say that."

So, here comes McDaniels off to a rapid start with a chance to alter that discussion. With a chance to school the scholar.

He joined Belichick in 2001 from Michigan State, where he had worked with Saban.

"We brought Josh in to work in the scouting department and to break down film for the defensive coaches," Belichick said. "He did everything we asked. There are a lot of impressive things about him. Very smart. The type of person you can give 10 different things to do and ask him about one of them and he will be right on top of it. It won't be he has done two or three of them and he will have to get back on the others. He would have something on each thing. The type of person who can juggle a lot of balls. And know where they all are.

"The type of person no matter how much you give him he can handle and keep in departments. He comes back to you and says here is what I found. Here's what else I found that you didn't ask for. And here is something I found once I got into it, so, I changed the direction and found this that I think will be more useful."

That's the way young Bill Belichick did it for Ted Marchibroda when Belichick got his first crack as a $25 per week special assistant for the Baltimore Colts in 1975.

When McDaniels feuded with quarterback Jay Cutler and before shipping the QB to the Chicago Bears, McDaniels called Belichick.

"We talked," Belichick said. "He had to bring it up. It's not my business.

"He had a couple of times where he could have interviewed for other jobs and didn't. After that, we started talking about things from a coordinator point of view and things he might not see with me as a head coach. We both knew he probably would have an option at some point; he would be a head coach and I would be looking for a coordinator. We shared information on that freely and candidly. He helped me. I answered his questions. We talked for hours and hours and it went both ways."

He has already seen similarities in his Patriots and McDaniels' Broncos in video study. He expects to see more similarities on Sunday.

Both coaches pound home to their players the importance of situational football. Both teach their teams in this manner.

This is the way Belichick explains it:

"It is basically one-play situations," he said. "Every play is key to the game. Sometimes it comes down to one play. How you perform in that situation, whether it is red zone or onside kick or whatever. Be organized. Everyone understands what we are trying to do. Have a plan and do it. Know the rules. There is always something new and challenging to show players. It makes the game exciting. We try to work on those situations like every team does. It's definitely important to us. You have to have everybody know what to do -- not one guy telling everybody else what to do."

Belichick said he does not give a lot of advice. But he does remind all that a coach cannot fully implement his program in four games. "It just doesn't happen for good in the first month of a season," he said. "It takes longer than that."

Regardless of the surface.

Some might take that as a bouquet tossed McDaniels' way before the scholar schools the apprentice.

"This season is a continuation, absolutely," Belichick said. "We've had transition in coaches and in the front office but we've continued to try and build on the foundation we already established. It's different every season. Yeah, some of the things I'm proud of. The challenge ahead is Denver. Not what we have or haven't done or reflection."

Picking the Brain of Bill Belichick originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Thu, 08 Oct 2009 10:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Tom Cable, Randy Hanson in Limbo as DA Mulls 'Textbook Felony Assault Case'

Nancy Gay — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 12:30:00 EST

Filed under: Raiders, NFL Police Blotter, FanHouse Exclusive

While Oakland coach Tom Cable prepares a struggling Raiders team to face the undefeated New York Giants on the road Sunday, his personal and professional fate rests in evidence currently under review by Napa County (Calif.) district attorney Gary Lieberstein.

The DA ultimately will determine whether criminal charges will be brought against Cable for allegedly attacking and fracturing the jaw of Raiders defensive assistant Randy Hanson during a training camp coaches' meeting on Aug. 5.

But a two-month investigation into the incident by the Napa Police Department turned up substantial evidence of assault and bodily injury sustained by Hanson (including medical records proving serious injury), plus corroborating witness statements from other coaches present during the altercation.

More Coverage: Hanson's Rocky Raiders Tenure

So what does Lieberstein have before him?

"Clear-cut evidence," said Hanson's San Francisco-based attorney John McGuinn, who told FanHouse that Cable attacked his client "out of the blue, totally without warning" during a defensive coaches' staff meeting, and that Hanson provided Napa police with X-rays clearly showing a fracture of Hanson's upper left jaw bone.

"This really is a textbook felony assault case," McGuinn said, "but the bigger question going forward for Randy is this: What is going to happen to his future in the NFL?

"What Cable did was totally inexcusable. It was wrong. Thank God that Randy didn't sustain any life-threatening or career-threatening injuries. He's a healthy young man and he'll be fine. But he is really in career limbo now. Where does Randy Hanson go from here? He'd like to return to his Raiders coaching job, because that position was his life-long dream, working with players and working for [Raiders owner] Al Davis."

McGuinn, who specializes in employment and labor law, as well as personal injury matters, said Hanson was examined on Monday at Queen of the Valley Hospital and a follow-up X-ray revealed that the jaw fracture has healed.

Don Yee, an attorney and agent who represents Cable as well as Patriots quarterback Tom Brady in football matters, declined any comment on the case because it is a pending legal proceeding.

Cable, however, has retained a criminal defense attorney as he awaits Lieberstein's decision.

Hanson, 41, also sustained two cracked teeth during the altercation that occurred in a room adjacent to Cable's room at the Marriott-Napa Valley, a hotel that serves as the Raiders' training camp headquarters.

Police interviewed other Raiders assistant coaches who witnessed the assault, and Hanson finally agreed to identify Cable as his attacker to law enforcement during a meeting with Napa police on Sept. 26.

If charged and convicted of the felony charges under California Penal Code Section 245 (a)( 1), Cable, 44, could receive a maximum sentence of four years in a state prison, and a fine not exceeding $10,000, or both the fine and imprisonment.

It's possible -- and more likely -- that Cable's defense attorney could work out an agreement with the Napa DA that involves a guilty plea to a lesser charge of misdemeanor assault and battery in order to avoid a jury trial. Cable could then receive a minimal sentence in the county jail, or even a suspended sentence.

If he pleads guilty to a lesser misdemeanor count, Cable could be sentenced to no more than six months in county jail and a fine not exceeding $2,000, or both.

Cable has publicly denied he struck Hanson. When FanHouse broke the story on Aug. 17 that Cable was Hanson's attacker, Cable responded the next day by saying "nothing happened," and later suggested, "when the facts come out, everything will be fine."

With felony charges being considered, Cable is subject to suspension and fines by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, who has broad powers to punish league employees and players who violate the strict NFL Personal Conduct Policy. Goodell has suspended players charged with crimes but whose cases were still being adjudicated.

"We're closely monitoring the case and will continue to monitor the case. We like to make sure we understand what all the facts are before we comment on it," Goodell said Tuesday.

"When the appropriate time comes, we will speak to the coach. The personal-conduct rule applies to everyone in the NFL, from the commissioner to the players and including coaches."

The conduct policy specifically prohibits "violent or threatening behavior, whether in or outside the workplace."

It is widely expected Cable will meet with Goodell prior to Sunday's game at Giants Stadium. Oakland typically travels on Friday to game sites on the East coast.

In a 90-minute interview with Napa police detective Mike Walund on Sept. 26, McGuinn said Hanson turned over all his medical records -- including those from a mid-August visit to a hospital near Hanson's home in Pleasanton, Calif., in which the assistant coach was treated for recurring jaw pain and swelling.

During his meeting with police, Hanson identified Cable as the person who struck him and described the attack in specific detail:

In the early evening of Aug. 5 at the Marriott-Napa Valley, Cable called a closed-door meeting and asked Hanson -- who is still listed on the Raiders' Web site as a defensive assistant -- to attend, along with defensive coordinator John Marshall, defensive backs coach Lionel Washington and defensive backs assistant/squad development coach Willie Brown.

Hanson told detectives that Cable sat at the head of a small rectangular table, with Marshall at the opposite end. Washington sat at Cable's immediate left, and Hanson was seated next to Washington. Brown sat across from Washington and Hanson, to Cable's right.

Cable called the meeting to address Hanson's dealings with the defensive backs. "The players are confused by you, Randy," Cable allegedly told Hanson. He also reportedly told Hanson that he was being relegated to film work and would no longer be allowed to work directly with the defensive backs. "John Marshall says he has talked to you about this," Cable told Hanson.

According to the Hanson's statement, he turned to Marshall and said, 'That's a lie, John!" and Hanson insisted that Marshall had not previously mentioned anything about a communication problem with the defensive backs.

At that point, Hanson told police he was blindly body slammed by Cable into the wall behind Marshall with such force that he was thrown out of his chair and into a small table next to the wall. The table had a small lamp on it and both were overturned and broken in the scuffle.

According to Hanson's account, the other coaches in the room began yelling, "Tom, what are you doing?" as Cable put his right hand against Hanson's face and shoved his left cheek against the wall. Hanson told police he could feel his upper jaw being crushed into the wall.

The other coaches pulled Cable from Hanson, but an enraged Cable broke their grasp and attacked Hanson a second time, allegedly screaming, "I'm going to kill you!" over and over as he kept a hand around Hanson's throat.

After the altercation was broken up the second time, Hanson told police he left the meeting room and returned to his room at the Marriott. He lay down on the bed, but immediately began experiencing severe pain and swelling in the left jaw area that Cable had shoved directly against the wall.

Around midnight, Hanson said he grew alarmed by his injuries and called Jim Otten, the Raiders' longtime video operations specialist, who was aware of the skirmish. Hanson went to Otten's room, and the two determined that Hanson needed to seek medical treatment immediately.

Hanson then reported to the emergency room at Queen of The Valley hospital in Napa in the early morning hours of Aug. 6. At that time, Napa police were summoned to take a statement because of the nature of Hanson's injuries. Hospital officials followed protocol in notifying law enforcement. X-rays determined that Hanson had sustained a jaw fracture.

As Hanson was being treated by the emergency room personnel, he initially was reluctant to name his attacker as he was being interviewed by Napa police.

Later, Cable and Davis informed Hanson that he no longer could return to his coaching position and offered three alternatives: join the Raiders' personnel department; continue with the film duties Cable had given him; or simply have Davis honor the remainder of Hanson's contract. If Hanson chose that option, he would not be permitted to work for the organization any longer.

Hanson declined all of the options and hired McGuinn, after he determined the Raiders would not allow him to return to his coaching position.

"His entire life, all Randy wanted to do was coach for Al Davis and be a part of the Oakland Raiders," McGuinn said. "He's one of those people who can tell you every detail about the Raiders' history. That's how much Randy loves the organization. He worked day and night for Al Davis. He was devoted to his job."

Tom Cable, Randy Hanson in Limbo as DA Mulls 'Textbook Felony Assault Case' originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Wed, 07 Oct 2009 12:30:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Surprisingly, Saints Defense Leading the Way Against NFL's Offensive Explosion

Thomas George — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 18:30:00 EST

Filed under: Saints, FanHouse Exclusive

The offensive love-fest currently saturating the National Football League is exhausting defensive coordinators.

Offenses are more complex, quicker and explosive. Not everyone's struggling to adapt, though. Here are the top five defensive coordinators who are finding early answers: 1. Gregg Williams (Saints), 2. Mike Nolan (Broncos), 3. Mike Zimmer (Bengals), 4. Larry Coyer (Colts), 5. Bill Sheridan (Giants).

Nolan has overhauled a shoddy Denver bunch, turning it into the league's best in scoring defense (5.3 points allowed per game). Zimmer has excelled at getting the Bengals defense to adjust on the fly. Coyer brings 45 years of coaching experience to a veteran group, and has tweaked it just enough to make the Colts No. 3 in scoring defense (15 points allowed per game). And Sheridan is filling the loss of Steve Spagnuolo (now the St. Louis Rams head coach) by being analytical, detailed, low-profile and flexible.

But I am most impressed with what Williams is doing in New Orleans -- the mandate, the fit, the style and the complement to the Saints' high-tech, league-leading offense.

A year ago, the Saints ranked 26th in scoring defense (24.6 points allowed per game). Now they rank 13th (18.7 points per game). They also currently rank second in the league in lowest third-down conversion percentage allowed (27 percent), and no team has forced more turnovers than the Saints' nine.

This defense gets a first-hand look at what other NFL defenses must confront. Each day in practice, it battles quarterback Drew Brees and his band of offensive weaponry, and tackles coach Sean Payton's penchant for stretching the field and gouging your weaknesses in relentless attack mode.

"And you know what?" Williams said. "We kick the s**t out of our offense. We keep kicking their a** every practice. We chart every single practice. You blow an assignment with Drew Brees and he will kill your defense. He's made us better. We try to make them better.

"Buddy Ryan told me a long time ago to cover the guys they want to throw it to, don't worry about the guys they don't want to throw it to and don't worry about covering anybody so much that you don't hit the quarterback. It can't be that simple, huh? Good defensive coaches, teachers, take things that are complex and make them simple. That improves the decision making and the speed of the players. [Payton] wanted a defense that played with the attitude and swagger that his offense plays with. We're getting there."

At first glance, the Jets (3-0) visit to New Orleans (3-0) on Sunday is all about the Jets' dynamite defense vs. the Saints' carnival-like offense.

Williams knows his defense has a chance to flip that script -- a chance to make the game about his Saints defense.

He has coached for 20 NFL seasons, starting early under Jack Pardee and Ryan, before he rose to head coach of the Buffalo Billis in 2001. After stops in Washington and Jacksonville, Williams was the perfect choice for the Saints. The perfect coach to fix a bland, uncertain, soft defense.

Payton has given him the keys -- you run it, you fix it. This approach often works best for top-flight defensive coordinators, in a setting where they are paired with offensive-minded head coaches. This is also the case in Denver where Nolan is linked with offensive whiz Josh McDaniels.

"Those kind of offensive coaches are looking for the resume and the DNA on the defensive side that they don't have to worry about," Williams said. "That is a situation where the head coach focuses on offense because it is so voluminous and so intricate that he doesn't want to have to worry about his defense. He doesn't want to babysit it. Sean is aggressive in his thinking. He's got great communication skills.

"So we want to play a complementing game. We want to get the ball back to him and Brees and that group and give them a short field. On defense, we had to change some people and improve the guys still here. We needed to limit the explosion plays -- force people to throw underneath and run to the ball and punish the ball. Play hard. Attack. We're in the top four in the league now in fewest explosion plays allowed. I never want to hold players back. Doubt impedes confidence. You cannot play at a high level in this league without confidence. It slows you down. You're going to lose."

Williams has confident players in middle linebacker Jonathan Vilma and outside linebacker Scott Fujita. Defensive ends Will Smith and Charles Grant exude it as well.

Newcomer safety Darren Sharper already has three interceptions, while cornerbacks Jabari Greer and Tracy Porter have provided stability. And rookie CB Malcom Jenkins arrived with big-play ability and has exhibited it with a forced fumble in each of the Saints' last two games.

Williams brings a special ability -- he is a factor that makes the Saints' offense, their renewed defense and the entire franchise more relevant.

"I enjoy managing personalities and people and sometimes in that are difficult personalities," Williams said. "I tell the players every day is an interview. You interview well, you play. You don't interview so well, you don't play. There is tough love and reassuring love with players, and there is knowing the difference when needed. You know what you are getting when I walk in the door."

Surprisingly, Saints Defense Leading the Way Against NFL's Offensive Explosion originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Thu, 01 Oct 2009 18:30:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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O.J. Brigance Inspires Baltimore's 'Mighty Men' Through Battle With ALS

David Steele — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 14:30:00 EST

Filed under: Ravens, FanHouse Exclusive

BALTIMORE -- A linebacker who won a Super Bowl ring with the Baltimore Ravens has been called ''the strongest man in the building ... it's not even close'' by head coach John Harbaugh. He isn't talking about Ray Lewis.

O.J. Brigance hasn't worn a Ravens uniform in nine years, or been an active player in seven. The strength Harbaugh refers to has been on display for the last two years as Brigance has battled Lou Gehrig's disease, and as he has done so, he has united and inspired the Ravens in ways nobody else ever has.

Said Spencer Folau, one of Brigance's teammates on the 2000 Ravens team that won Super Bowl XXXV, ''What Ray does on the field, (O.J.) does off the field.''

Brigance, the Ravens' player development director since 2004, hasn't confined his inspiration to his team -- since being diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in May 2007, he has driven himself to raise money and awareness about the disease, and started a foundation, the Brigance Brigade, with his wife, Chanda. That foundation was the beneficiary of a fundraiser Tuesday night at M&T Bank Stadium (video below), which doubled as Brigance's 40th birthday party. Nearly the entire organization, from owner Steve Bisciotti to the players and staff, was expected to attend -- much the same way the whole team showed up at a charity road race for which Brigance was honorary chairman in 2008.

It is the least they could do, they all say, because despite his increasing physical struggles -- listed at 6 feet and 236 pounds in his prime, his body has withered, his speech has become hampered, and he gets around in a motorized wheelchair - Brigance still shows up daily in his office at the Ravens' suburban practice complex, still attends practice, and still performs his job of helping players handle, and capitalize on, reaching the NFL.

The sight of the chair in the hallway leading to the locker room is, for the Ravens and anyone else in the building, the sign that Brigance is back at work. It makes their own physical and personal ailments more manageable.

"He's there every day. He's an inspiration every day,'' said tight end Todd Heap, in his ninth year with the Ravens. "It doesn't take any effort to look down and see he's there every time. It means a lot to the guys in this locker room.

"But you realize the type of character he has, the reasons why he does it: to be an example, not just to people who are going through what he's going through, but to show us, whatever you want to put your mind to is possible.''

Even at full strength, as an undrafted player out of Rice University who began his 12-year pro career in Canada and won both a Super Bowl and a Grey Cup (both in Baltimore, coincidentally; the Stallions won the league title in 1995), Brigance never seemed to acknowledge limits. When he joined the Ravens' front office, he didn't accept them from players, pushing them to get their degrees and be more mature and professional; his department has been recognized for its work by the NFL and the players' union numerous times.

The limits he faces now are much more severe; the worst is that no cure has yet been found for ALS, which can paralyze the muscles and lungs and kills most of its sufferers within five years. The deeply spiritual Brigance, however, insisted on a number of things when he went public with his illness -- first to the Ravens and then to everybody else. One, he said, he would beat the disease. Two, he wanted to be treated the same way he always had been, because he would keep treating others the same.

Three, he would keep working.

"I still come to work every day I can because I determined in my heart a while ago to keep on living,'' Brigance said last week via email, an easier way for him to currently communicate. "There are days that are tougher than others, but by God's grace I am strengthened. For me, it is selfish coming in to work. The Ravens have been a blessing, because they have made whatever modifications necessary to allow me to continue. I have been given an abundant life, and I refuse to let it go until my Creator says so.''

To hear him call himself "selfish" would bring a laugh from the players and others, because to a person, they say that he asks about them and their lives before they get to ask how he's doing. That mindset led to cornerback Samari Rolle winning 2007's annual Ed Block Courage Award, a Baltimore tradition honoring those on each NFL team who overcome adversity. It was not that Rolle, who had returned from a bout with epilepsy that season, did not deserve it; it was that Brigance, who won the vote by the Ravens players, demanded that it be given to Rolle instead. (He accepted one from the organization a year later.)

Brigance's insistence on going to work, meanwhile, meant that he never changed plans to travel to road games. He attended the Ravens' final road game last season, the Cowboys' last game at Texas Stadium, which came a
week after a crushing Baltimore loss to Pittsburgh at home. He spoke to the team beforehand and, after a dramatic victory that all but clinched a playoff berth, Harbaugh credited Brigance first in his postgame comments. (Not long after that, in the Baltimore Sun, he called Brigance "the strongest man in the building.")

Being present at road games was a must from then on, so Brigance traveled to Miami, then to Tennessee, then to Pittsburgh for the AFC title game. After the 13-10 nail-biter over the Titans, Brigance was given the game ball by the choked-up players.

"The Titan game reminded me of my battle against ALS,'' he said. "Many thought it would be impossible for the Ravens to win that game. However, there were a group of Mighty Men who believed 'With God all things are possible.' For most of the game, it was a battle, but in the end, they overcame their circumstances to live on [in the playoffs]. Receiving the game ball was symbolic of not giving in, no matter what the situation looks like on the outside."

From that 2008 Week 16 game in Dallas through a 2009 Week 3 home win over Cleveland, including the playoffs, the Ravens are 7-1.

Harbaugh, who knew Brigance only by reputation when he became head coach last season (and who got into the habit of referring to the players as "mighty men" early on), was swept away by Brigance's presence and the sight of his battles. He has treated him like a de facto assistant coach. "We talk about the spirit of our football team, and O.J. is the core of that spirit right now,'' he said last week. "He's about relationships, even with the rookies who hadn't seen him at 245 pounds of twisted blue steel. But his spirit is 2,000 pounds of twisted blue steel, and our team sees that every single day, and that's what makes us strong."

Yet Brigance might not be drawing quite the outpouring of love and support for his fight with ALS had he not shown those qualities before he became ill. He did not discover his deep faith just when he was diagnosed. "Oh, it's always been there,'' said Mark Clayton, the Ravens' fifth-year wide receiver. "He's always been passionate about his job, about what he did, about helping young men develop into men."

Folau, a teammate for only the one season, recalled that Brigance would not only prod players to keep the cursing to a minimum around him, but had a knack for putting even dire situations in perspective. When Folau was released the year after the Super Bowl, he said, Brigance -- who also had been released -- told him to focus on his then-new family and that if he had faith, the football would take care of itself. Not long afterward, Folau was signed by another team.

"It happened just like that. It was amazing," said Folau, who now does broadcasting and high-school coaching in the Baltimore area. "He's someone you look up to. We were the same age, but he felt like a big brother."

Brigance maintained that role after his diagnosis. Chanda, married to him for 15 years -- among her other attributes, he said, she "has not allowed me to have pity parties" -- partners with him now on his foundation, not only to raise awareness and money for research, but to defray the enormous costs for other patients. The foundation is tied to the Packard Center for ALS Research at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore. Late last season, the long-planned reunion of the Colts players from the 1958 "Greatest Game Ever Played" made the Brigance Brigade a beneficiary.

He has heard from a broad cross-section of just about everyone he ever knew, from his childhood throughout his career, since becoming ill. "I guess the most special thing to me is not a particular person, but [that] they all have a memory of how we made a positive impact on each others' lives," he said.

As the birthday fundraiser approached, teams all over the NFL chipped in with auction items, thanks to individuals' ties to Brigance. Helmets, shoes, game tickets and the like came in from team officials who knew and worked with Brigance during his CFL days; they join memorabilia from Ravens, Colts and Orioles, including Cal Ripken.

Said Mike Gathagan, one of the event organizers and the public relations director when Brigance played for the Stallions, "When you mention the name O.J. Brigance, people jump at the chance to help him."

Brigance has never stopped trying to help others right back. Continuing to come to work during the most challenging stretch of his life is only part of it.

O.J. Brigance Inspires Baltimore's 'Mighty Men' Through Battle With ALS originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Wed, 30 Sep 2009 14:30:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Philip Rivers Keeping Fiery Attitude in Check, Stabilizing San Diego

Nancy Gay — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 17:30:00 EST

Filed under: Chargers, FanHouse Exclusive, NFL Quarterbacks

SAN DIEGO -- It's Week 3 in the NFL, and already the anger is spewing across San Diego over the Chargers' inglorious 1-1 start. Whether it is frustration over coach Norv Turner's play calling, uneasiness over the team's myriad injuries or overall disappointment with a franchise expected to dominate a weak AFC West, there is one player who is holding it all together.

The glue is no longer running back LaDainian Tomlinson's team -- the one-time NFL Most Valuable Player is sidelined a second consecutive week because of a sprained ankle.

Now, the burden of leading this locker room, this franchise, has fallen to quarterback Philip Rivers.

And Rivers appears perfectly comfortable shouldering that load and being the bedrock for his teammates, doing just that in during and after a crushing Week 2 loss at Qualcomm Stadium against the Baltimore Ravens, one that left a sour taste in the Chargers locker room.

Twice against Baltimore, Rivers tossed interceptions. Three times, Rivers and his offense were flagged for delay of game penalties. Five times, the Chargers ventured into Baltimore's red zone, trips that only generated four field goals.

Then there was the signature stamp of frustration that overshadowed an otherwise stellar day personally for Rivers, who passed for 436 yards and two touchdowns: Turner decided to ignore his tight ends and send running back Darren Sproles up the gut on a fourth-and-2 call at the Ravens' 15-yard line. Sproles was laid out for a loss by linebacker Ray Lewis, who shot the gap untouched for a game-saving stop in a 31-26 Baltimore victory.

In years past, such a finish might have sent the emotionally charged Rivers into a post-game rant. In the heat of the game, he likely would have engaged in a regretful mouthy exchange with Lewis, just as Rivers famously did in his often contentious exchanges with former Denver quarterback Jay Cutler during the years in annual meetings against the Broncos.

But a seemingly matured Rivers has remained resolute and calm during a rough week for his team, taking on the role as rock for his franchise.

"In one sense, I think it's the natural progression of a quarterback and a leader," Rivers told FanHouse during an interview at the Chargers' practice facility in Kearny Mesa. "I'm in year six [of my NFL career] now and it just grows, each and every year. And you just understand, when you are faced with some adversity and injuries, that you have to step up and keep the guys going, rally the guys and try to will some wins."

He's still got it in him to let loose verbally -- in Week 1, Rivers got into it with Raiders defensive tackle Gerard Warren, which resulted in the quarterback being penalized and later fined $7,500.

"I do have those two sides," Rivers admitted. "Certainly there is that passionate, fiery side. But I've learned over the last five years that, if you take all these games so hard and you're so wound up all the time, you just won't make it. You won't make it through a season.

"I'm trying to find that happy medium, to push forward in games where I had some critical errors or the team didn't come through. I've figured out how to manage those better."

As a result, Rivers said he's learned to cope with adversity. And the Chargers certainly are facing plenty of that Sunday when they play host to the Miami Dolphins.

Tomlinson, 30, is starting to buckle to the wear-and-tear: Sunday's game will mark the third time he's sat out in the Chargers' last four games, following eight regular seasons without missing a game due to injury. A groin strain kept Tomlinson out of San Diego' 2008 playoff loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers.

The Chargers also will face the Dolphins without center Nick Hardwick (ankle surgery, out eight weeks) and backup defensive end Travis Johnson (groin). Assorted other regulars are badly nicked -- rookie right guard Louis Vasquez (knee) and reserve outside linebacker Antwan Applewhite (hamstring) are listed as doubtful.

On Thursday, seven Chargers missed practice, including linebacker Shawne Merriman.

"It's hard, because you'd like to have all your guys," Turner said Friday. "It's crazy, because on Sept. 1, when people were asking me what I thought about camp, I said it was great that we were healthy and had all our guys, because that's something we haven't had in awhile."

This is where the quarterback projects his role of steely leader. Rivers' fiery nature, which once defined him as an obnoxious young player prone to taunting, has matured and mellowed, like a Beaujolais nouveau eventually gives way to a fine Cabernet. And it's given his teammates an anchor in rough seas.

"I still think the overall feel with this team is very positive," Rivers said of his 1-1 Chargers. "The odds are we aren't going to win all 16 games, and the way we react is going to be important."

The 2008 Chargers were all over the map, losing five of their first eight games before storming back to win all four games in December to salvage a playoff berth. That experience helps put this year's rocky start into perspective, Rivers said.

"I think it also drives us to not let that happen again, so we can say we can overcome a bad start, but let's not let that happen," Rivers said. "We have another game this week against a playoff opponent [Miami], so let's get us to 2-1 before we head off to Pittsburgh."

Philip Rivers Keeping Fiery Attitude in Check, Stabilizing San Diego originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Sat, 26 Sep 2009 17:30:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Frank Gore Solidifying His Spot as One Of NFL's Top Running Backs

Nancy Gay — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 15:15:00 EST

Filed under: 49ers, Vikings, NFL Interviews, FanHouse Exclusive

SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- Two weeks into the 2009 NFL season, 49ers' running back Frank Gore already has experienced his nightmare and dream scenarios. And both keep him up at night.

There was the horror of rushing for only 30 yards in the season-opening victory against the Arizona Cardinals. And then there was the validation of dominating the Seahawks' defense and producing 207 yards, a career-high 246 scrimmage yards and two of the longest scoring runs of his career, 79 and 80 yards, in a Week 2 victory at Candlestick Park.

More Coverage: Niners-Vikings Preview | Full Week 3 Schedule

"He calls after the game, which is the only time I have to sleep. He calls and I have to talk to him. Win or lose, he calls,'' said a laughing 49ers offensive coordinator Jimmy Raye, who is in his first year working with Gore, but already has experienced the intense passion with which the fifth-year power rusher approaches the game.

Gore will square off against the NFL's leading rusher Sunday, Minnesota Vikings star Adrian Peterson, at the Metrodome, in a showdown between unbeaten teams and the conference's top-two running backs. Peterson, who is listed as probable despite a sore back, has 272 rushing yards. Gore, who is probable with a sore ankle, has 237.

For the 49ers, it's a chance to start the season 3-0 for the first time since 1998. And while 49ers' coach Mike Singletary is adamant he doesn't want this to be a Peterson vs. Gore showdown, it will be impossible to completely prevent his emotionally charged running back from focusing on the matchup.

"I'm not gonna make this me against Adrian Peterson -- I just want us to win," says Gore, who earned his fourth NFC Player of the Week award last week and his first since Week 12 of 2007. "But I'll be watching him, and hopefully I'll keep this going. I'm just a guy who cares so much about the game and cares about what he does on the field."

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San Francisco 49ers Photos

Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Nate Burleson, right, is tackled on a punt-return in the third quarter during an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers in San Francisco, Calif., Sunday, Sept. 20, 2009. 49ers' Delanie Walker (46) pursues.

Ben Margot, AP

San Francisco 49ers Photos

In this Nov. 10, 2008, photo, San Francisco 49ers coach MIke Singletary shouts instructions to his players in an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals in Glendale, Ariz. Twenty-eight years after Singletary and Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier met as rookies teammates with the Chicago Bears, they remain the closest of friends. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Ben Margot, AP

SAN FRANCISCO - SEPTEMBER 20: Jed York, team president and owner of the San Francisco 49ers waits to go out for a half time presentation during home opener as the San Francisco 49ers host the Seattle Seahawks at Candlestick Park September 20, 2009 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by David Paul Morris/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Jed York

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SAN FRANCISCO - SEPTEMBER 20: (L-R) Former San Francisco 49ers Joe Montana, Roger Craig and Dwight Clark walk onto the field for a half time presentation during home opener as the San Francisco 49ers host the Seattle Seahawks at Candlestick Park September 20, 2009 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by David Paul Morris/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Joe Montana;Roger Craig;Dwight Clark

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SAN FRANCISCO - SEPTEMBER 20: Former San Francisco 49er Dwight Clark walks onto the field for a presentation during half time during home opener as the San Francisco 49ers host the Seattle Seahawks at Candlestick Park September 20, 2009 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by David Paul Morris/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Dwight Clark

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SAN FRANCISCO - SEPTEMBER 20: Former 49ers Steve Young (L), Roger Craig (C) and Joe Montana (R) wait to go onto the field for a half time presentation during home opener as the San Francisco 49ers host the Seattle Seahawks at Candlestick Park September 20, 2009 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by David Paul Morris/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Steve Young;Roger Craig;Joe Montana

Getty Images

SAN FRANCISCO - SEPTEMBER 20: Former 49ers Roger Craig (L) and Joe Montana wait to go out onto the field for a half time presentation during home opener as the San Francisco 49ers host the Seattle Seahawks at Candlestick Park September 20, 2009 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by David Paul Morris/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Roger Craig;Joe Montana

Getty Images

SAN FRANCISCO - SEPTEMBER 20: Eddie DeBartolo Jr, (R) former owner of the San Francisco 49ers, looks up at the stands as fans greet him just before half time during home opener as the San Francisco 49ers host the Seattle Seahawks at Candlestick Park September 20, 2009 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by David Paul Morris/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Eddie DeBartolo Jr

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Seattle Seahawks quarterback Seneca Wallace (15) fumbles the ball under pressure by the San Francisco 49ers in the third quarter at Candlestick Park in San Francisco, California, on Sunday, September 20, 2009. (Ray Chavez/Contra Costa Times/MCT)

MCT

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Shaun Hill is pushed out of bounds by Seattle Seahawks' Aaron Curry in the third quarter at Candlestick Park in San Francisco, California, on Sunday, September 20, 2009. (Ray Chavez/Contra Costa Times/MCT)

MCT

Last week was a Gore masterpiece. The touchdown bursts of 79 and 80 yards, both breakaway charges through the gap, followed by afterburner sprints away from the Seahawks' secondary, put him in rare company -- he and Barry Sanders are the only two players in NFL history to have a pair of touchdown runs of at least 75 yards in one game.

"Everything just went perfect," says Gore, who posted his 16th career 100-yard performance in the win over Seattle. "Great blocking from the line, my fullback, the receivers. That's how it all comes together.

"Then for me, I feel even better when I get those yards, but I'm also blocking for my quarterback or doing something positive in the passing game."

In a league filled with me-first running backs, Gore, 26, is a refreshing, delightful throwback. He has few interests outside his job. But that dedication and focus comes at a price, Raye concedes.

"He just loves football. And it's important to him to be successful and to have his team be successful, and that's been a plus," says Raye, who finds himself tending to a player so obsessed with perfection, he can hardly tolerate anything less.

This is a running back so singularly focused on football and hitting the hole, he'll break down if he doesn't fulfill his own high expectations. The pain is palpable. "You try to learn how to handle that emotion better, but it always will hurt you inside if you're not performing," Gore admits.

Rewind to 2007, Gore's third season, following a 37-16 loss at Pittsburgh. After struggling to pound out 39 yards on 14 carries, Gore was so disconsolate afterward, he put his head on a reporter's shoulder and fought off tears of despair as he poured out his soul, talking about every yard fought for but lost.

Says Raye, "My approach is to have him understand that his performance is dependent on the coordination of 10 other people. As long as he's doing his part, his reads are correct and he's playing aggressive, he'll have ups and downs. But they'll be more goods than bads.

"Don't let your lows be so low and your highs be so high, which is a problem for Frank emotionally. It's not so much of a problem, but it's a part of who he is."

Gore says he's learning to better manage his often-fragile mental state after games.

"When I was younger, everything in my mind was tied to me getting big yards," he says. "Now, when things aren't there, if the other team is playing great defense and playing the run really well -- nah, I can't do that anymore."

As a standout back at the University of Miami, Gore experienced plenty of raw elation and anguish. In 2001, he rushed for 575 yards and five touchdowns on 62 carries as a true freshman. Then he shredded the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee during spring practice in 2002, which cost him a year devoted to rehabilitation.

"Those things made me who I am; I don't take anything for granted out there," Gore says of his rise, stumble and return to greatness at Miami.

Today, he's learned that even the NFL's elite backs have bad days.

"Just watching other guys who are great, when they don't have big [rushing] days, but they'll do other things like blocking or catching the ball, you know? I had to realize that a lot of people game plan to stop the run," Gore says.

The Vikings no doubt will do that -- Minnesota's defense has allowed only two 100-yard individual rushers in the past 50 games (Steven Jackson in 2006; Ryan Grant in '07).

This is where the 49ers' improved run blocking comes in.

"I just try to get him just a little crease, and he gets the rest on his own," says fullback Moran Norris, who does a lot of heavy lifting behind the scenes that Gore and the 49ers notice but casual fans may not. "When the line is blocking, I just get him that little crease."

Says Gore, "I just need something to work with. I see a crease, I hit it. Last week I looked back and I told myself, 'Just run straight ahead. They're just gonna have to catch me.' "

In 2006, Gore's breakout season as a full-time starter, he set a franchise record with 2,180 combined yards (1,695 rushing, 485 receiving), making him the NFC rushing champion and earning him All-Pro honors.

He's truly special, says Raye, who has worked with some of the league's most outstanding running backs in his 32 years as an NFL coach.

"Frank is deceptive. He's short, but he's not small. He has power and great initial quickness and change. And so you have to wrap him up, and he's quick in the hole. He has great second-level vision," Raye says. "He's very similar, competitive-wise, to Marcus Allen. He has a combination of Curtis Martin's shiftiness, but he has more speed than Curtis -- he has a second gear. He's like Eric Dickerson, but he's not that fast; when he breaks, he can go all the way like Eric could. He doesn't have Earl Campbell's brute strength, but he has vision like Earl did.

"So he's a combination of all of those guys that I've had. You take that and you couple it with his passion to be successful, and you've got a pretty good player."

Frank Gore Solidifying His Spot as One Of NFL's Top Running Backs originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Sat, 26 Sep 2009 15:15:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Former Jets Assistant: Favre's Late Arrival Hampered Offense

Nancy Gay — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 17:00:00 EST

Filed under: 49ers, Jets, Vikings, FanHouse Exclusive

SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- Quarterback Brett Favre was never fully incorporated into the New York Jets offense last season until mid to late-October, says one-time Jets offensive assistant Jimmy Raye, who is now the San Francisco 49ers offensive coordinator -- and will face his former QB Sunday at the Metrodome.

Raye also revealed Thursday that Favre's torn biceps tendon forced the Jets to severely limit his throws during practices late in the 2008 season.

"As best I can remember, that was very difficult for us," said Raye, who was running backs coach with the Jets from 2006-08. He said Favre's late arrival during the exhibition season -- he was traded from the Packers to the Jets on Aug. 7, 2008 for a conditional fourth-round pick -- proved disruptive for an offense that had grown accustomed to Chad Pennington.

As a result, Favre and the Jets got off to a 3-3 start, losing a particularly difficult 16-13 game at Oakland on Oct. 19 that seemed to sap a lot of the veteran quarterback's enthusiasm.

"We were on the road the second or third preseason game [when Favre arrived], and it was somewhere late-October, mid-October, before ... it took us most of the month of September just to get accustomed to his cadence," Raye recalled.

"I haven't thought about it in awhile, but it was very difficult for Laveranues [Coles] and Jerricho [Cotchery], because it was a totally different style. They didn't have the time to work together in the game plan situations."

The 49ers (2-0) take on the Vikings (2-0) in Minnesota, and Raye concedes he has no idea why Favre's transition there appears to be smoother than it was with the Jets. Favre also joined the Vikings late in training camp, signing on Aug. 18.

"I'm not sure about the situation he's in now, but it took us a long time going from Pennington, who had been there forever, to [Favre]," Raye said of the '08 Jets. "The adjustment was monumental.

"I don't know anything about the Vikings' situation, but all I can tell you is, for us [the Jets], it was a big adjustment."

Raye also said that the Jets didn't game plan around Favre's torn biceps injury -- the one that former coach Eric Mangini failed to reveal on the weekly NFL injury reports and eventually cost the Jets franchise and Mangini a combined $125,000 in fines from the league.

But Raye said the Jets, who had won five in a row following the Oakland loss, lost momentum in part because Favre's injury hampered their production. The Jets lost four of their last five games in '08, finishing 9-7 and out of playoff contention.

"We kept doing what we were doing," Raye said of the game planning, "and we kept slipping further and further into the muck. The way the injury affected us was in preparation because during the week, we didn't throw the ball very much. He needed a lot of time to receive treatment to get to the point that on Sunday, he felt that he could play and throw.

"What hurt us was the lack of continuity during the week, because he was on a throw-limit during the week and of those were basically route review and the ball wasn't coming out. So it hurt us more in the physical application of what we were doing in preparation, as we got into the week."

Former Jets Assistant: Favre's Late Arrival Hampered Offense originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Thu, 24 Sep 2009 17:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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