NFL FanHouse

Peyton Becoming a Popular Name as Parents Want Their Kids to Be Like Manning

Michael David Smith — Sun, 15 Jun 2008 05:56:00 EST

Fifteen years ago, the name Peyton was unusual -- birth certificate data indicates that it wasn't even one of the 500 most popular boys' names in America.

But then a freshman named Peyton Manning enrolled at the University of Tennessee, and things started to change. By 1997 -- Manning's senior football season -- Peyton had become the 51st most popular boys' name in the state of Tennessee. And it didn't stop there.

Andrea Adelson of the Orlando Sentinel reports:

as Peyton became the best quarterback in the NFL, the name started rising up the U.S. charts -- for boys and girls. In 2007, the name ranked No. 125 for boys and No. 121 for girls. Compare that to his freshman year at UT in 1994, when the name ranked No. 431 for girls and 546 for boys in the country.

"Peyton is going through what a friend of mine calls a name wave, where a particular person is in the news for a long period of time and they have positive things attributed to them, good values, good morals, highly successful," said Frank Nuessel, a professor of modern languages at the University of Louisville and editor of NAMES: A Journal of Onomastics. "Peyton Manning seems to fit into this model."

Manning is far from the only athlete whose name has become more popular as he has become more famous. Similar phenomena have been noted with names like Jordan and even Shaquille. If you call your father today, you might want to ask him if you share a name with his favorite athlete from the year you were born.

Latest NFL Photos

Archie Manning, center, is flanked by his NFL football quarterback sons Peyton, left, of the Indianapolis Colts, and Eli, of the New York Giants, during a Nerf Father's Day promo Saturday, June 14, 2008, in New York. Archie Manning used to play a game with his sons called "Amazing Catches," where he'd throw the ball just out of their reach and they'd have to make a diving grab. Peyton and Eli have had a lot of amazing passes lately in winning the last two Super Bowl MVP awards. (AP Photo/Stephen Chernin)

Buffalo Bills' Marshawn Lynch makes a catch during football minicamp at Ralph Wilson Stadium in Orchard Park, N.Y., Thursday, June 12, 2008. (AP Photo/David Duprey)

New York Giants safety James Butler, left, races cornerback R.W. McQuarters off the field at the end of the morning practice at the NFL football team's minicamp Thursday, June 12, 2008, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)

New York Giants tight end Darcy Johnson, right, catches a pass as rookie cornerback Terrell Thomas looks on during practice at football minicamp Thursday, June 12, 2008, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)

New York Giants wide receiver Plaxico Burress stretches during practice at football minicamp Thursday, June 12, 2008, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)

New York Giants defensive back Geoffrey Pope smiles as he walks out to the afternoon practice session at football minicamp Thursday, June 12, 2008, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)

New York Giants tight end Kevin Boss attempts to catch the ball as safety Sammy Knight, rear, and cornerback R.W. McQuarters (25) defend during practice at football minicamp Thursday, June 12, 2008, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)

New York Giants rookie tight end Eric Butler leaves the morning practice session with his helmet on backwards at football minicamp Thursday, June 12, 2008, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)

New York Giants coach Tom Coughlin smiles as he heads out to afternoon practice at football minicamp Thursday, June 12, 2008, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)

New York Giants center Shaun O'Hara walks out to the afternoon practice at football minicamp Thursday, June 12, 2008, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)

Peyton Becoming a Popular Name as Parents Want Their Kids to Be Like Manning originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Sun, 15 Jun 2008 05:56:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Craphonso! Jaguars Add Former Colt Receiver

David J. Warner — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 13:00:00 EST

Filed under: Colts, Jaguars, AFC South, Indianapolis

NFL teams love sigining discarded players from division rivals, if for no other reason than to pick their brains -- which ends up being all they ever do with those players most of the time. After all, there's a reason those players were dscarded in the first place. Still, insight into an opponent's playbook is always valuable, so NFL teams will keep looking for free agents who have that.

This is the primary reason why former Indianapolis Colts receiver Craphonso Thorpe (Craphonso!) signed a deal with the Jacksonville Jaguars last weekend. The Jags probably aren't all that interested in him as a receiver, even if he probably could play better than Matt Jones. They just want to know a little more about the inner workings of the Colts' pass-heavy offense, and who better to tell them about it than a former Colt receiver?

I suspect there's a pretty slim chance that Thorpe will make the final cut. This particular story seems more likely to end with either a practice squad offer or a nice big "injury settlement check" that will leave other teams free to give him a shot. Still, if Craphonso! can help the Jags can get a leg up on their AFC South rivals, it's worth a shot, right?

Craphonso! Jaguars Add Former Colt Receiver originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Mon, 02 Jun 2008 13:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Mike Vanderjagt Signs With Toronto Argonauts

Michael David Smith — Sat, 31 May 2008 09:35:00 EST

Filed under: Colts, Indianapolis

Mike Vanderjagt, the ex-Indianapolis Colt whom Peyton Manning famously referred to as "our idiot kicker," has signed a free-agent contract with the Toronto Argonauts.

And just as Vanderjagt was among the NFL's least popular players, he's already got a nemesis up in Canada: The kicker he's supplanting, Noel Prefontaine, who tells the Toronto Star:

"It hurts, really," he said. "I made my life here in Toronto. I wanted to retire as an Argo. This disrupts a lot with my family."

Vanderjagt was once among the NFL's most accurate field goal kickers, but he has a weak leg for kickoffs and hasn't played anywhere in 18 months. I'd like to give the Argos' front office the benefit of the doubt and assume they know what they're doing in bringing him back to the CFL, but I wouldn't be surprised if Prefontaine has a better season than Vanderjagt.

Mike Vanderjagt Signs With Toronto Argonauts originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Sat, 31 May 2008 09:35:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Media Boo-Hoos Over Super Bowl Heading to Cold Indianapolis

Sportz Assassin — Mon, 26 May 2008 13:13:00 EST

Filed under: NFL Fans, NFL Media Watch, Super Bowl, Indianapolis

When word came out that Indianapolis was awarded the 2012 Super Bowl, you could hear the collective groan all over the internets/newspapers/sports shows. They all say that Indianapolis is a lovely city ... but it's gonna be cold. Cold sucks, apparently.

One of the biggest critics has been ESPN.com's Gene Wojciechowski:

Indianapolis? You mean, the Indianapolis in Indiana? The place where the low was 26 degrees with a trace of snow on Super Bowl Sunday this year?

I don't get it. Playing in a Super Bowl is supposed to be a reward, not a reason to visit your local North Face outlet. And attending a Super Bowl as a fan is supposed to be the experience of a lifetime, a chance to break out multiple bottles of SPF 30.

The only things you'll break out in Indy are space heaters.

Boo-hoo. The Super Bowl won't be held in Miami, New Orleans, Phoenix, Houston or Southern California. Places that the surrounding madness of the game loves to go. Media guys and fans long for ~~taking a vacation~~ doing their job in the best possible weather and to hell with everyone else. Indianapolis, a beautiful city, can't have the game because the people covering it will miss out on the sunny games.

Oh, and spare me the "experience of a lifetime" for fans blast. Real fans can't go to the Super Bowl. It's about you, the media guy and the business partners that populate Super Bowl cities like locusts.

Remember the snow storm that nailed Atlanta in 2000 as the Rams and Titans were readying for Super Bowl XXXIV? I'm sure that wasn't fun for the locals or visitors. Most of the SB parties were shut down and preperations were wasted (add in the fact that a tornado ripped through during the SEC Basketball Championship this spring and I'd guess the A-T-L shouldn't host any event, eh?).

Or how about the rain storm in Miami a couple years ago ... making one of the worst weather situations in Super Bowl history? We all wanted to see that vaunted Colts offense slosh it around in the mud, didn't we. If the announcement said that the game would be held in Miami or Atlanta, you wouldn't have blinked an eye.

Not all warm weather Super Bowls turn out that way. Game time temperatures have been all over the map:

Super Bowl VI, New Orleans: 39º
Super Bowl IX, New Orleans: 46º
Super Bowl XIX, Palo Alto: 53º
Super Bowl XXXVIII, Houston: 59º
Super Bowl XXXIX, Jacksonville: 59º

Granted, those New Orleans' Super Bowls were held earlier in January and the other temps aren't that bad ... but this is football. Oh, and many of those "fans" at the game can deal with it. The small amount of the team's fans that can actually get tickets could give a damn where the game is played (as long as there is a roof). The others that decend on the Super Bowl are there for the celebration around the game. Maybe those people will be disappointed, but who cares? They'll get to go to Miami or Arizona the next year.

The Winter Olympics are cold. World Series games in Boston and Colorado are cold. NBA All Star games in Denver, Washington and New York are cold. Bowl games in Boise and Detroit are cold. I hate the cold, too, but that doesn't mean we should lop off every state that doesn't touch Mexico (of the Gulf of Mexico) from hosting America's premiere event.

The key is the ability to embrace the cold as a theme. Indy plans to do that with a "Super Bowl Village" complete with fire pit zones. The city isn't a stranger to hosting big sporting events (Indy 500, numerous Final Fours) so they should put on quite a show.

So quit bitching about having to have your expenses paid to hang out in a Super Bowl city. Waaaaa! If you don't want to go, feel free to hand me your credentials and I'll take the cold weather stuff for you.

Media Boo-Hoos Over Super Bowl Heading to Cold Indianapolis originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Mon, 26 May 2008 13:13:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Back With the Colts, Dominic Rhodes Might Buy No. 33 From Melvin Bullitt

Michael David Smith — Sun, 18 May 2008 10:01:00 EST

Filed under: Colts, Indianapolis

The guy you see on the right wearing the No. 33 Colts jersey is Melvin Bullitt, a defensive back entering his second season after making the team as an undrafted rookie in 2007.

Handing Bullitt No. 33 last year was an afterthought -- at the time he got it, the coaches didn't even expect him to make the roster, meaning they thought no one would wear 33 all year. But the jersey number was somewhat significant because for the previous six years, it belonged to running back Dominic Rhodes.

Now Rhodes is back with the Colts, and he wants his jersey number back. He's currently wearing No. 38, while Bullitt keeps 33, but Rhodes hopes a financial arrangement could be worked out that would allow them to trade jerseys.

"I've offered him some good money,'' Rhodes said. "He's just not biting right now.''

It's actually quite common for veterans like Rhodes, who has made millions in his career, to purchase a jersey number from youngsters like Bullitt, who made the league minimum in his only NFL season. But there's a sticking point in this case because Bullitt wears 33 to honor his father, Jerry Bullitt, who wore 33 as a linebacker at Texas A&M.

"I kind of feel like when I'm wearing (No. 33), a piece of my dad is with me when I'm on the field,'' Bullitt said.

When you put it like that, it's hard to picture Bullitt giving the number up. Unless Rhodes pays him a lot.

Back With the Colts, Dominic Rhodes Might Buy No. 33 From Melvin Bullitt originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Sun, 18 May 2008 10:01:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Peyton Manning Writes to NFL Players When They Retire, Hasn't Written to Brett Favre

Michael David Smith — Sat, 17 May 2008 10:23:00 EST

Filed under: Colts, Packers, Indianapolis

Mike Chappell of the Indianapolis Star has a nice story in today's paper about a classy gesture that Colts quarterback Peyton Manning makes every year: He writes letters to NFL players who have retired, congratulating them on their careers.

Among the recent letters Manning has written were to former Jets running back Curtis Martin, former Chiefs offensive lineman Will Shields, former Titans tight end Frank Wycheck and former Ravens quarterback Steve McNair. But he hasn't written a letter to former Packers quarterback Brett Favre, because Manning isn't convinced about the former part:

"Like everybody else, I guess we'll see what happens this fall,'' Manning said with a smile. "In a lot of ways I kind of hope (he returns). Brett's a guy that's been such an influence on me and all young quarterbacks.

" . . . I guess part of it is kind of hope, maybe, that he finds his way back in the NFL this year.''

I don't see it happening. But it sounds as though Manning, like a lot of Favre fans, isn't quite ready to let go.

Peyton Manning Writes to NFL Players When They Retire, Hasn't Written to Brett Favre originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Sat, 17 May 2008 10:23:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Marvin Harrison Tells Indianapolis Colts Officials He Wasn't Involved in Shooting

Michael David Smith — Tue, 13 May 2008 08:00:00 EST

Filed under: Colts, Indianapolis, NFL Police Blotter

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Marvin Harrison has assured members of the team's front office that he was not involved in a shooting last month in his home town of Philadelphia, Mike Chappell of the Indianapolis Star reports.

Chappell reports that Harrison has told both general manager Bill Polian and coach Tony Dungy that he did not shoot at a man he had previously escorted out of the North Philly bar he owns, Playmakers. Owner Jim Irsay also indicated to Chappell that he's prepared to believe Harrison:

"At this point I'm keeping my fingers crossed," he said. "We've done everything we could do in our diligence to try to discern what happened. He said he was not involved in that shooting and . . . the authorities have said there is nothing imminent.

"You hope these things hold up to be true, that there won't be any charges and there wasn't any involvement. Until we hear more, this isn't even a case of innocent until proven guilty because there hasn't been a charge yet."

Police have said they have no suspects in the shooting, but media reports indicate that they have determined that Harrison owns the gun that was shot. Harrison has not spoken publicly since the allegations surfaced.

Marvin Harrison Tells Indianapolis Colts Officials He Wasn't Involved in Shooting originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Tue, 13 May 2008 08:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Tony Dungy Tells High School: Unlike Patriots, No One Asks About Colts, 'Did They Cheat?'

Michael David Smith — Sat, 10 May 2008 10:18:00 EST

Filed under: Colts, Patriots, Boston, Indianapolis

Colts coach Tony Dungy recently spoke to students at a high school in Tampa, and the Tampa Tribune reports that when a student asked him if there is anything from the 2007 NFL season that he wishes he could have put in his autobiography, he brought up Patriots Spygate story:

"We talk about how important it is to do things the right way and have integrity so that when you do win, people can never ask that question," he said. "That's the great thing that I'm happy about with our team.

"Yes, we won. But no one is really going to ask, 'Did they cheat? Did they do things the right way?' I think our record speaks for itself and if you're a true champion, that's the way you'd like it to be."

The implication from Dungy seems to be that the Colts are more of a "true champion" than the Patriots because people ask of the Patriots, "did they cheat?" For all the talk that Dungy and Bill Belichick have had rather frosty exchanges when their teams have played, their next post-game handshake could be even more awkward.

Latest NFL Photos

Seattle Seahawks' Matt Hasselbeck throws a pass as the Seahawks opened mini-camp at the team's practice facility in Kirkland, Wash. on Friday, May 2, 2008. (AP Photo/Kevin P. Casey)

Seattle Seahawks' Matt Hasselbeck throws a pass as the Seahawks opened football mini-camp at their facility in Kirkland, Wash. on Friday, May 2, 2008. (AP Photo/Kevin P. Casey)

Seattle Seahawks' quarterback Matt Hasselbeck, left, calls signals during football mini-camp at the team's practice facility in Kirkland, Wash. on Tuesday, May 6, 2008. (AP Photo/Kevin P. Casey)

Seattle Seahawks' quarterback Matt Hasselbeck stretches as the team opened mini-camp at their football practice facility in Kirkland, Wash. on Friday, May 2, 2008. (AP Photo/Kevin P. Casey)

Seattle Seahawks' quarterback Matt Hasselbeck watches as the team opened mini-camp at their football practice facility in Kirkland, Wash. on Friday, May 2, 2008. (AP Photo/Kevin P. Casey)

Seattle Seahawks' linebacker Julian Peterson, left, and quarterback Matt Hasselbeck run through drills as the NFL football team held minicamp at the team practice facility in Kirkland, Wash., on Tuesday, May 6, 2008. (AP Photo/Kevin P. Casey)

Seattle Seahawks' quarterback Matt Hasselbeck, center, prepares to throw as the NFL football team held minicamp at the team practice facility in Kirkland, Wash., on Tuesday, May 6, 2008. (AP Photo/Kevin P. Casey)

** FILE ** In this July 27, 2006 file photo, Cleveland Browns linebacker Willie McGinest stretches during morning practice at the Browns football training camp in Berea, Ohio. Browns linebacker Willie McGinest says the 2008 season will be his last. McGinest told SI.com for a story Thursday, May 8, 2008, that he wants to finish his career on one last playoff run. (AP Photo/Mark Duncan, File)

Seattle Seahawks' quarterback Matt Hasselbeck, left, puts his helmet as they opened mini-camp at the team's football practice facility in Kirkland, Wash. on Friday, May 2, 2008. (AP Photo/Kevin P. Casey)

** FILE ** This July 26, 2007 file photo shows Michael Vick leaving the federal courthouse in Richmond, Va. A federal judge ordered imprisoned quarterback Michael Vick to repay more than $2.4 million to a Canadian bank for defaulting on a loan, Wednesday May 7, 2008. (AP Photo/Haraz N. Ghanbari, Pool, File)

Tony Dungy Tells High School: Unlike Patriots, No One Asks About Colts, 'Did They Cheat?' originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Sat, 10 May 2008 10:18:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Colts Sign Dominic Rhodes, What Happens to Kenton Keith?

Michael David Smith — Thu, 08 May 2008 05:57:00 EST

Filed under: Colts, Indianapolis, NFL Free Agency

The Indianapolis Colts have signed free agent running back Dominic Rhodes, bringing him back in the fold a year after he left for the Raiders.

Rhodes won't beat out Joseph Addai for the starting job, but there's a widespread assumption that Rhodes will be an upgrade over Addai's 2007 backup, Kenton Keith. Here's what Mike Chappell writes in the Indianapolis Star:

Keith was erratic and dropped some key passes, and generally wasn't the all-around threat Rhodes had been.

But looking at the stats, that really just isn't true. Keith averaged 4.4 yards a carry in 2007; Rhodes averaged 3.4 yards a carry in 2006.

It is true that the Colts got more use out of Rhodes in the passing game than they did out of Keith -- caught 13 passes for 77 yards in 2007; Rhodes caught 36 passes for 251 yards in 2006. But that had more to do with Rhodes having more passes thrown his way.

The advanced stats at Football Outsiders for 2007 say that on a per-pass basis, Keith was basically an average receiver; in 2006 Rhodes was a below average receiver. Keith may have "dropped some key passes," but overall he was at least as effective catching the ball as Rhodes.

The bottom line is that based on their production on the field, there's every reason to believe that Keith is a better player than Rhodes. Which makes it baffling that a smart team like the Colts appears ready to give Rhodes Keith's job.

Colts Sign Dominic Rhodes, What Happens to Kenton Keith? originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Thu, 08 May 2008 05:57:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Marvin Harrison Unfairly Criticized for Opening Business in Old Neighborhood

Michael David Smith — Wed, 07 May 2008 07:52:00 EST

Filed under: Colts, NFL Media Watch, Indianapolis, NFL Police Blotter, ESPN

The accusation that Colts wide receiver Marvin Harrison shot a man outside his North Philadelphia bar is extremely disturbing, and if it's true, Harrison deserves to suffer serious consequences.

But there's one thing that Harrison has been criticized for that is completely unfair: Opening that bar, as well as an auto garage, in that North Philly neighborhood.

Yesterday on ESPN, Skip Bayless and Sal Paolantonio both criticized Harrison for going back to his old neighborhood, referring to it as unsafe and dangerous and saying that Harrison deserves scrutiny simply for being there at all. They couldn't be more wrong for that.

There are any number of admirable reasons that Harrison might have had for opening a business in North Philadelphia and spending much of his time there when he's not in Indianapolis: Maybe he wants to be an example to young kids, to show them that it's possible for someone from the neighborhood to become successful. Maybe he still has friends and family there he enjoys seeing. Maybe he doesn't see it as a "bad neighborhood" at all, and he thinks it's a perfectly pleasant place.

It's been fascinating to watch the reaction to the Harrison case. Many Colts fans (like the first person who commented on my first post about it) have insisted that this couldn't possibly be true, which is ridiculous, while some in the media act as though he's required to live where they think rich people should live, which is also ridiculous.

Marvin Harrison Unfairly Criticized for Opening Business in Old Neighborhood originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Wed, 07 May 2008 07:52:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Dominic Rhodes Close to Signing With Colts

Michael David Smith — Tue, 06 May 2008 18:58:00 EST

Filed under: Colts, Indianapolis, NFL Free Agency

Free agent running back Dominic Rhodes is close to signing with the Indianapolis Colts, the team where he has played all but one year of his NFL career.

Adam Schefter of NFL Network reports that Rhodes and the Colts are expected to reach agreement on a contract soon. In Indianapolis Rhodes would compete for the role of backup to Joseph Addai, along with Kenton Keith and rookie Mike Hart. Keith was very effective spelling Addai last season, and it's a bit surprising that the Colts feel the need to bring in another running back, but Keith's recent arrest could have the Colts questioning whether they can count on him.

Rhodes was once a fine player, but he's 29 and hasn't topped 4.0 yards a carry in the last three years. For a low price he'd be a decent addition to the Colts' offense, but he'll never be the kind of player for Indianapolis that he was when he ran for 1,000 yards as a rookie in 2001.

Dominic Rhodes Close to Signing With Colts originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Tue, 06 May 2008 18:58:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Agent: 'Marvin Harrison Was Not Involved in Any Shooting. The Report Is Erroneous'

Michael David Smith — Sat, 03 May 2008 06:05:00 EST

Filed under: Colts, Indianapolis, NFL Police Blotter

The shocking report that Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Marvin Harrison is accused of being involved in a shooting in Philadelphia is being denied by Harrison's agent, Tom Condon.

"Marvin Harrison was not involved in any shooting. The report is erroneous," Condon told FOXSports.com's Jay Glazer.

No one has been arrested in connection to the incident on Tuesday, in which a man was shot in the hand and a girl was injured by broken glass. Police say they have no suspects.

But WIP radio reported that the male victim argued with Harrison inside the North Philadelphia bar Harrison owns, Playmakers. When the victim left the bar, Harrison followed him, and gunfire broke out, the radio station reports.

The radio station also reported that bullets recovered from the scene came from a custom-made Belgian gun, a type of gun that Harrison owns, and that when they went to a Philadelphia car wash owned by Harrison, questioned him there, and discovered through ballistic tests that the gun had fired bullets matching those at the scene.

Agent: 'Marvin Harrison Was Not Involved in Any Shooting. The Report Is Erroneous' originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Sat, 03 May 2008 06:05:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Marvin Harrison Accused in Shooting

Michael David Smith — Fri, 02 May 2008 15:53:00 EST

Filed under: Colts, Indianapolis, Philadelphia, NFL Police Blotter, The Word

Anthony Gargano of WIP radio in Philadelphia is reporting on ESPN that Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Marvin Harrison is accused of being involved in a recent shooting at a bar Harrison owns in his home town of Philadelphia.

According to Gargano, police have uncovered a gun registered to Harrison in connection with the incident. Gargano reports that a fistfight broke out when Harrison escorted a man out of his bar, called Playmakers. When the man fled, gunfire was exchanged. The man's car was struck by a bullet and his hand was grazed, and a young girl suffered a minor injury when broken glass hit her, Gargano reported.

Neither Harrison nor anyone else has been arrested in connection with the incident. Gargano reports that police are awaiting witnesses coming forward, but that one witness is prepared to testify that Harrison was the shooter.

Harrison is generally known as a quiet, reserved person who does not get involved in off-field trouble.

UPDATE: Agent: 'Marvin Harrison Was Not Involved in Any Shooting. The Report Is Erroneous'

Latest NFL Photos

Miami Dolphins general manager Jeff Ireland, left, and Bill Parcells, executive vice president of football operations, stand on the field during the NFL football team's rookie minicamp in Davie, Fla., Friday, May 2, 2008. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

Miami Dolphins quarterback Chad Henne, a second-round NFL football draft pick, steps back to pass during the NFL football team's rookie minicamp in Davie, Fla., Friday, May 2, 2008. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

Miami Dolphins offensive tackle Jake Long (79), the Dolphins' top pick in the NFL football draft, puts on his helmet during rookie minicamp in Davie, Fla., Friday, May 2, 2008. At right is offensive tackle Daren Heerspink. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

Miami Dolphins offensive tackle Jake Long (79), the Dolphins' top NFL football draft choice, stretches during rookie minicamp in Davie, Fla., Friday, May 2, 2008. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

Miami Dolphins coach Tony Sparano, center, walks past offensive tackle Jake Long (79), the Dolphins' top NFL football draft choice, during rookie minicamp in Davie, Fla., Friday, May 2, 2008. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

New England Patriots third-round draft pick Shawn Crable talks with reporters during the NFL football team's rookie minicamp Friday, May 2, 2008, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)

Washington Redskins rookie quarterback quarterback Colt Brennan, center, comes off the field with rookie defensive end Rob Jackson (98) and rookie tight end Fred Davis (86) after a football practice at Redskins Park in Ashburn, Va., Friday, May 2, 2008. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

New England Patriots first-round draft pick Jerod Mayo talks with reporters during the NFL football team's rookie minicamp Friday, May 2, 2008, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)

New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick walks on the field as players stretch during the NFL football team's rookie minicamp, Friday, May 2, 2008, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)

Carolina Panthers quarterback Jake Delhomme reacts to a question on how many passes he threw during the first day of the NFL football team's three-day minicamp, Friday, May 2, 2008, in Charlotte, N.C. Delhomme is recovering from elbow surgery. (AP Photo/Rick Havner)

Marvin Harrison Accused in Shooting originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Fri, 02 May 2008 15:53:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Peyton Manning Screams at Offensive Line

Michael David Smith — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 11:22:00 EST

Filed under: Colts, NFL Video, Indianapolis

A great piece of Random YouTube Magic: Colts quarterback Peyton Manning gets furious at his offensive line on the sideline during an October 2005 game against the Rams:

(Via PFT) The argument took place during the third quarter of a game in which the Rams took a 17-0 lead, only to have the Colts storm back and win, 45-28. It appears that Manning was angry because he was calling passing plays but center Jeff Saturday was calling run protections. Eventually left tackle Tarik Glenn got into it as well. The transcript of the argument is after the jump.

Manning: Damn it! Hey! Quit calling the (expletive) plays, all right?

Saturday: We've got to run the ball.

Manning: Bull (expletive)!

Saturday: We're six down here.

Manning: When you pass block, block. We'll run the (expletive) ball.

Saturday: Can we run it?

Manning: Yeah, Jeff, we will. When we call pass plays (expletive) block.

Glenn: Go sit down!

Manning: I will sit down! You all quit yelling!

Glenn: You're over here telling us how to block.

Manning: He's doing it! He's yelling at us!

Glenn: You don't have to yell.

Considering that the Colts' offense scored 31 points in just over 15 minutes of play after that incident, I'd have to say getting everyone fired up on the sideline is a good thing.

Peyton Manning Screams at Offensive Line originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Tue, 29 Apr 2008 11:22:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Was Kenton Keith Arrested for Being Black?

David J. Warner — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 14:30:00 EST

Filed under: Colts, AFC South, Indianapolis, NFL Police Blotter

So Indianapolis Colts running back Kenton Keith was arrested outside of night club just after 3:00 AM last night. Local police were working parking lot security at said night club apparently wanted to clear out the crowd and get home as quickly as possible. Keith, however, protested that he wasn't doing anything wrong and told the officers he was a Colts player. He got cuffed and booked for his trouble.

Charges included disorderly conduct, resisting law enforcement, public intoxication, and contributing to the delinquency of a minor, because someone allegedly with Keith was 19 and got into the club with a fake ID.

Now, I'm not saying that these particular cops used to live in Martinsville or anything, but this whole situation smells of "melanin dragnet" -- the same kind of situation Steelers wideout Santonio Holmes got caught up in down in Miami two years ago. A crowd of mostly black people are hanging out outside late at night, probably because a night club just let out and they're waiting on cabs, and the cops show up and start throwing anyone of a particular skin color into the paddy wagon.

The charges against Holmes were dropped a few months later. I highly suspect these charges against Keith won't stick, either. There's nothing to see here, Colts fans. Move along.

Was Kenton Keith Arrested for Being Black? originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Mon, 21 Apr 2008 14:30:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Colts Love Delaware QB Joe Flacco

Michael David Smith — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 08:11:00 EST

Filed under: Colts, NFL Draft, Indianapolis

Two sources say the Indianapolis Colts think very highly of Delaware quarterback Joe Flacco and would strongly consider taking him with their first pick in the draft, which is the 59th overall, if he's still available.

That might sound ridiculous, seeing as the Colts have a guy named Peyton Manning, but I've now heard it from two people with knowledge of the situation. Apparently the Colts view Flacco as the quarterback with the best upside in the draft, and they think he could develop into an excellent backup to Manning and eventually his successor.

That said, I don't think it's going to happen. I think Flacco will be off the board by the time the 59th pick rolls around, I don't think the Colts would trade up for any quarterback, and I think in the very unlikely chance that he's still available with the 59th pick, it's possible that a player who's higher on the Colts' board will still be available as well. But the Colts' interest is, if nothing else, a reminder of why the draft is so unpredictable and therefore so fun.

Colts Love Delaware QB Joe Flacco originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Mon, 21 Apr 2008 08:11:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Colts Sign Matt Giordano, NFL's Fastest Man

Michael David Smith — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 12:20:00 EST

Filed under: Colts, NFL Video, Indianapolis

The Indianapolis Colts have re-signed Matt Giordano, a safety whom most football fans have probably never heard of, but who I think is the NFL's fastest player. Take a look at the acceleration he shows in this video:

That was an interception that Giordano turned into an 83-yard touchdown in the Colts' opener against the Saints last season, and once he broke into the open field, no one even got close to him. And Giordano almost caught Devin Hester from behind in the Super Bowl. If you can gain ground on Hester, you're ridiculously fast.

Giordano's 40-yard dash times coming out of Cal in 2005 were good but not great, but on the field, I haven't seen a faster player in the NFL in the last couple of years.

No contract details have been released, but Giordano is believed to have signed the one-year, $927,000 tender offer the Colts gave him as a restricted free agent.

Colts Sign Matt Giordano, NFL's Fastest Man originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Sat, 12 Apr 2008 12:20:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Colts' Draft to Show Marvin Harrison's Future

Michael David Smith — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 06:45:00 EST

Filed under: Colts, Indianapolis

The Indianapolis Colts spent the entire 2007 season insisting that wide receiver Marvin Harrison's knee was just fine, even though it wasn't. Harrison ended up playing in just five regular-season games, and then the Colts put him on the field in the playoffs when he wasn't ready, and his costly fumble is one of the reasons they were upset by the Chargers.

So what does that mean about the future of Harrison? Adam Schefter writes at NFL.com (via PFT) that the Colts may show everyone on draft day whether they think Harrison has any gas left in the tank. According to Schefter, the Colts have had visits recently with wide receivers Mario Manningham of Michigan and Early Doucet of LSU, and if they use their second-round pick (they don't have a first-round pick) on one of those receivers, they're coming close to saying they think Harrison is done.

Harrison has had a great career, but he turns 36 in August, and 36-year-olds coming off by far their worst career seasons don't often bounce back. We may never see another 1,000-yard season from Harrison.

Colts' Draft to Show Marvin Harrison's Future originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Fri, 11 Apr 2008 06:45:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Tony Dungy Praises Barack Obama, Who Says, 'I Will Still Be Rooting for the Bears'

Michael David Smith — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 11:29:00 EST

Filed under: Colts, Indianapolis

Although Indianapolis Colts coach Tony Dungy has never, to the best of my knowledge, declared an affiliation with a political party, endorsed a candidate or donated money to a campaign, he's generally thought of as a conservative. Dungy has been criticized for supporting the anti-gay Indiana Family Institute and he has said that if he had a gay player, he'd tell him what the Bible says about homosexuality.

But Dungy also says he thinks highly of Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama. When Obama made a recent appearance on an Indianapolis radio station, the hosts played a recorded clip from Dungy saying:

"Senator Obama, this is Tony Dungy from the Indianapolis Colts, just welcoming you to the Indianapolis airwaves. I missed you when you were at Plainfield and hopefully I get a chance to see you the next time you come to town. I just want you to know how much I respect you and how much we appreciate your campaign."

Said Obama in response, "Tony Dungy is one of the classiest guys in sports. For you guys to have done that, that just made my day. I really appreciate it. I think he's just an outstanding coach and as you guys know has built an outstanding organization." He then added, "I will still be rooting for the Bears."

Tony Dungy Praises Barack Obama, Who Says, 'I Will Still Be Rooting for the Bears' originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Tue, 01 Apr 2008 11:29:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

NFL Schedules Colts-Bears, Raiders-Broncos in Prime Time Week 1

Michael David Smith — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 13:59:00 EST

Filed under: Bears, Broncos, Colts, Raiders, Chicago, Denver, Indianapolis, Oakland

The NFL has now released the full slate of four prime time Week 1 games for the 2008 season, with a Super Bowl XLI rematch on the first Sunday night of the season and an AFC West rivalry game to conclude kickoff weekend.

The first Sunday night prime time game will be the Chicago Bears at the Indianapolis Colts, September 7 at 8:15 Eastern on NBC. In addition to being a rematch of the 2007 Super Bowl and yet another national television appearance for Peyton Manning, it will be the first regular-season game at the Colts' new Lucas Oil Stadium.

The second game of the Week 1 Monday Night doubleheader will be the Denver Broncos at the Oakland Raiders. The game will begin at 10:15 p.m. Eastern on September 8, meaning Oakland and Denver fans will actually get to see their team start a Monday night game after they're home from work, but East Coast fans who have to work Tuesday morning can plan to skip it.

The previously announced Week 1 prime time games are Redskins at Giants to start the season on Thursday, September 4 and Vikings at Packers on Monday, September 8.

NFL Schedules Colts-Bears, Raiders-Broncos in Prime Time Week 1 originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Mon, 31 Mar 2008 13:59:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments