Kraven Moorehead

DANA POINT, Calif. -- More games that count, perhaps as early as August 2011? That's exactly what NFL commissioner Roger Goodell wants.

There are several hurdles before the league can expand its regular season from 16 to 17 or 18 games. Among them is reaching a new collective bargaining agreement with the players' union.

Still, the commissioner hopes to present a proposal to the owners in May after the matter was discussed at length this week at the owners meetings.

Continue reading "Goodell eyes season of 17-18 games" »

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Patriots won't pay for Flutie's drop-kick ball

Wire services
Jan. 30, 2006 12:00 AM

Stacey James, New England Patriots executive director of media relations, couldn't understand why his phone calls were not returned, until a fax showed up on his desk last Monday morning that made it all clear.

Ever since Doug Flutie's drop kick split the uprights on New Year's Day, the Patriots had searched for the football.

The Pro Football Hall of Fame called James seeking the ball. But because the Patriots had lined up before Flutie's kick as if it were a play from scrimmage, the net was not raised behind the goalposts, so the ball went into the stands and the waiting arms of a fan who shall remain anonymous at the Patriots' insistence. advertisement

James told the Hall he wasn't sure he could find the football. The team reviewed film to try to locate the lucky fan but came up empty - until James got a phone message from someone purporting to have the ball or at least know where it was. James left several messages in return but the caller didn't reply until the morning of Jan. 23, when a fax arrived from a lawyer.

According to the fax, the law office represents Mr. X, "who is in possession of the football recently drop-kicked by Doug Flutie. . . . My client understands that the New England Patriots may have an interest in purchasing that historic football."

Then came the fan's terms and conditions, as written by the lawyer:

"1. Payment of $100,000 on delivery of the football.

"2. A guarantee of eight season tickets for 25 years in the end zone (preferably sections 142 or 143). The season tickets will be paid for annually by my client at the then-going price for season tickets. The Patriots would not be expected to pay for the tickets.

"3. Delivery by the Patriots to my client, sometime in September 2006, of a Tom Brady Patriots football jersey signed by all the team members as of the beginning of the next football season."

The lawyer's letter goes on to explain that his client "has had a number of offers for the football already, but he is a real Patriot fan and would prefer to see that historic football wind up in the Patriots' possession."

The Kraft family, which owns the team, chose to ignore the whole matter. As someone in the organization said Friday: "I hope he enjoys the football."

Posted by Kraven Moorehead at 09:30 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Patriots Report
Paraphrased New England Patriots news and opinions all in one place for those who just don't have the time to find it all themselves.

Wednesday, January 11, 2006
10 count'em 10 reasons why you should have confidence in the Pats @ Denver

The Patriots are all saying the right things. It's tough to win at Denver because the team is good, not because of the altitude. If you listen to Belichick talk about the Broncos you'd think THEY were the 2 time defending Super Bowl Champions. Yes, they are a GOOD all around team, but they certainly can - and will be beat this Saturday night. Here's a look at 10 reasons why.

1- 3 of Denver's TD's in wk 6 were set up by the 3 big plays, two bombs and a long run. Belichick's not going to let 3 long plays happen this time around.

2- The 2 long passes and one TD pass were 'defended' by Starks. He's gone.

3- The writers in Denver proclaimed the wk 6 game as Plummer's best in his 3 seasons with the Broncos. Do you think he's likely to repeat that?

4- In wk 6 the D was without Seymour, Bruschi, Hobbs and Hawkins.

5- Chad Brown and Beisel were the Middle LB's. In watching the replay of the game last night, it was blatently obvious how out of position those two guys got themselves on running plays. They overpursued, and the Denver RB just cut back to where they should have been. Conversely,
re-watching last wks game, Beisel did better, but Vrabel was always in position, never letting an O lineman get to him, and filling the running lanes. Fred Taylor had 24 yds rushing.

6- In wk 6 the O was without Mankins (who was ejected in the 1st) Brown, Faulk and Dillon.

7- In wk 6 WITHOUT all those O players, the pats averaged 4.7 yds/carry and Brady threw for 300 yds.

8- The Pats with Brady are 6-0 when facing a team for the 2nd time in a season when the team beat them the first time around. They learn from their mistakes and correct them. I can give you the details on all six if you need them.

9- As one-sided as the wk 6 game was, the Pats were one drive away from tying the game. On that final drive, the Pats went 3 and out because of a drop from Branch and a drop from Givens. Both would have been for first downs. Brady has shown that he is VERY capable of 4th quarter comebacks, wouldn't you agree? Maybe they could have tied or even won the game without the drops.

10- The Broncos are good, but it appears that their schedule just all fell into place for them this season. Here's week1-16, you decide. They lost @ Miami, beat SD at home, (LT got the ball only 17 times) beat KC at home, (good win) won @ J'ville (they're real good) Scraped by Wash at home by 2, beat a depleted NE team at home, lost @ the Giants, beat up a beat up Eagles team
at home, won at shitty Oakland, beat the Jets at home, won at Dallas by 3 (the game the Dallas kicker missed all the FG's and got cut the next day) Lost @ KC, beat baltimore at home (they suck) won @ Buff (Bills were already thinking about tee times at that point in the season) Beat Oakland again, Won @ SD the week after SD was eliminated from the playoffs.
From where I'm standing, I'm not terribly impressed.

I'll give you one more reason, just in case the first 10 reasons aren't enough for you. Mike Shannahan has NEVER won a playoff game without a guy named Elway.

I hope this makes you feel better about Saturday night. I have no doubts at all that the Pats win this game, it's just a matter of figuring out by how much.

Posted by Kraven Moorehead at 11:08 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

3 New Orleans police officers plead not guilty to hitting man
Lawyer: Victim was not drunk
By Paul Simao, Reuters | October 11, 2005

NEW ORLEANS -- Three New Orleans police officers pleaded not guilty yesterday to beating up a 64-year-old man and roughing up a journalist in another blow to a department already under fire for its performance in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.
Two officers, identified as Lance Schilling and Robert Evangelist, were charged with battery in connection with the arrest of Robert Davis on Saturday outside a bar in the French Quarter.

Officer S.M. Smith was accused of roughing up a producer for Associated Press Television News.

A video shot by APTN showed an officer punching Davis in the head several times as he apparently resisted and a group of officers subsequently dragging Davis to the ground.

The tape showed Davis being punched again and bleeding on the sidewalk. An officer identified as Smith then approached the APTN producer and ordered an end to the filming, jabbing him in the stomach when he presented media credentials.

Davis was arrested for public intoxication, resisting arrest, and other charges after the encounter. Schilling, Evangelist, and Smith were arrested Sunday and suspended without pay. They were released yesterday on bail.

Davis's lawyer, Joseph Bruno, told the Associated Press that his client was not drunk and put up no resistance as he was being struck.

''I don't think that when a person is getting beat up there's a whole lot of thought. It's survival. You don't have a whole lot of time to think when you're being pummeled," Bruno told AP.

Bruno told AP his client suffered fractures to his cheek and eye socket, and scrapes and bruises, but was expected to recover.

Posted by Kraven Moorehead at 08:54 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Cypriot soldiers disciplined for sex party on Green Line Thursday September 29, 05:18 PM
Click to enlarge photo
NICOSIA (AFP) - Greek Cypriot soldiers involved in a wild sex party at a guard post on the divided Mediterranean islands Green Line were banished to remote corners of the country as punishment.

Politics daily said up to 10 army recruits were involved in an all-night romp in the Nicosia sector of the no-man's land with a mother-of-three who had them queuing up for more.

"The soldiers formed an orderly line outside the room waiting to have sex one-by-one. At one point two soldiers came along to serve food, even they didnt leave unsatisfied," it said.

Although the woman happily went through the ranks, from lowly privates to the officer in charge, military top brass frowned on her escapades.

The troops were undone when one of the participants decided to capture the moment with his mobile phone and forwarded the video images to fellow recruits.

Army chiefs got wind of what was going on and an internal inquiry was launched.

Those involved were disciplined and had time added on to their length of service, which is 24 months for conscripts, Politis said.

The Greek Cypriot national guard declined to comment on the report.

Posted by Kraven Moorehead at 10:14 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

PATRIOTS 30, RAIDERS 20
Defending turf
Patriots take Raiders' best shot and prevail
By Jerome Solomon, Globe Staff | September 9, 2005

FOXBOROUGH -- The New England Patriots claim they are not out to make history, just first downs.
They maintain they focus more on getting their clutches on opposing quarterbacks than on another Lombardi Trophy.

They even say reaching a goal no other National Football League team has achieved -- a third consecutive Super Bowl championship -- is secondary to reaching the goal line.

Whether they admit it or not, the lofty, albeit unspoken, aspirations are going to make the first downs, tackles, and touchdowns more difficult.

The Oakland Raiders demonstrated as much last night, but the two-time defending Super Bowl champions displayed their standard resilience, toppling the feisty visitors, 30-20, in the 2005 season opener.

The Patriots recorded their 21st straight victory at Gillette Stadium, a streak that extends to late in the 2002 season, and it marked the 100th career win for coach Bill Belichick.

In many ways it came in a fashion similar to so many wondrous wins the previous four seasons -- efficient, opportunistic offense, and dominant defense when it mattered. But it also came with some distinct differences from how the Patriots rolled to the championship last year. Namely, a blocked extra point and punt, and the defense giving up the longest play it has allowed in more than five years.

About all that did was keep the boisterous sellout crowd from having a game-long celebration on the night the team's championship banner from Super Bowl XXXIX was unveiled.

''It was a nice way to start out the season, with a victory," Belichick said. ''We kind of stumbled around on a few things tonight that are going to catch up with us if we don't get 'em fixed."

The Patriots found one fix in this one, junking their 3-4 defensive set for a time to go with a 4-3 alignment, with Jarvis Green joining Richard Seymour, Ty Warren, and Vince Wilfork up front. The resulting pressure on Raiders quarterback Kerry Collins served to keep him from getting the ball to wideout Randy Moss, who burned the Patriots twice for long gains in the first half and finished with five receptions for 130 yards and a touchdown.

The Patriots' defense was particularly stout in the third quarter, when it held the Raiders to 34 yards. Oakland had five possessions in the period, but was 0 for 4 on third downs, and turned the ball over with an interception.

''We knew we had to pressure the quarterback -- knock him off a spot," Wilfork said, who came down with the interception at a key point.

Leading, 17-14, New England took over the field position battle early in the third quarter by downing a pair of Josh Miller punts at the Oakland 4.

Posted by Kraven Moorehead at 10:35 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Hole-in-one sailed over two time zones
A Norwegian golfer playing on a course in Sweden managed to nail a hole-in-one that landed in Finland. That must set some sort of Nordic record.
A Norwegian golfer landed a hole-in-one he won't soon forget.
Odd Marthinussen from the Harstad Golf Club in northern Norway was on holiday with his wife Turid earlier this week in Haparanda, Sweden. It was while playing on a local course that the improbable occurred.

Marthinussen teed off from the 14th hole (par 3, 115 meters) and his ball ended up soaring over the border, which cuts across the green. It took four seconds for the ball to land on the green and roll right into the cup.

But since the 14th's hole is technically in Finland, it's also in a time zone one hour ahead of Sweden's. That meant it actually took one hour and four seconds before Marthinussen's drive plopped into the cup.

Marthinussen said he has played golf for eight years but this was his first hole-in-one. It was duly registered n both countries.

Posted by Kraven Moorehead at 09:36 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Hole-in-one sailed over two time zones
A Norwegian golfer playing on a course in Sweden managed to nail a hole-in-one that landed in Finland. That must set some sort of Nordic record.
A Norwegian golfer landed a hole-in-one he won't soon forget.
Odd Marthinussen from the Harstad Golf Club in northern Norway was on holiday with his wife Turid earlier this week in Haparanda, Sweden. It was while playing on a local course that the improbable occurred.

Marthinussen teed off from the 14th hole (par 3, 115 meters) and his ball ended up soaring over the border, which cuts across the green. It took four seconds for the ball to land on the green and roll right into the cup.

But since the 14th's hole is technically in Finland, it's also in a time zone one hour ahead of Sweden's. That meant it actually took one hour and four seconds before Marthinussen's drive plopped into the cup.

Marthinussen said he has played golf for eight years but this was his first hole-in-one. It was duly registered n both countries.

Posted by Kraven Moorehead at 09:36 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Lions show interest in Law
May 11, 2005

Former Patriots cornerback Ty Law spent the day visiting with Detroit Lions coach Steve Mariucci and general manager Matt Millen at their Allen Park, Mich., facility. Law, who broke his left foot in October and had surgery to repair ligament damage in the foot in January, has been running straight ahead while rehabbing and is a few weeks away from cutting.

Law also has received interest from the Miami Dolphins, New York Jets, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Indianapolis Colts. There was no immediate word on the Lions' intentions, but, according to a team source, Law had a very good visit and showed enough physically for Detroit to make a decision.

Posted by Kraven Moorehead at 09:28 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Lions show interest in Law
May 11, 2005

Former Patriots cornerback Ty Law spent the day visiting with Detroit Lions coach Steve Mariucci and general manager Matt Millen at their Allen Park, Mich., facility. Law, who broke his left foot in October and had surgery to repair ligament damage in the foot in January, has been running straight ahead while rehabbing and is a few weeks away from cutting.

Law also has received interest from the Miami Dolphins, New York Jets, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Indianapolis Colts. There was no immediate word on the Lions' intentions, but, according to a team source, Law had a very good visit and showed enough physically for Detroit to make a decision.

Posted by Kraven Moorehead at 09:28 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

CELTICS 103, TIMBERWOLVES 100
Celtics find .500 a satisfying number
Perseverance pays off as Pierce sets the pace
By Peter May, Globe Staff | February 7, 2005

MINNEAPOLIS -- It was impossible not to notice the vast emotional gulf between teams with exactly the same records. The 24-24 Boston Celtics left the Target Center feeling confident, proud, and together. The 24-24 Minnesota Timberwolves left the same building with a hangdog look, wondering what is happening to what was supposed to be another special season.

"It's amazing," Celtics coach Doc Rivers said yesterday after his team had taken a 103-100 victory over the Wolves to pull to .500 for the first time since Nov. 21. "We're at .500 and ecstatic. They're at .500 and think the world is crumbling around them. It really isn't for them. And we want to do better. It's been a struggle. It's been a climb. And now we have to protect that number."

The Celtics finally hit the .500 mark after missing on their last three chances, all on the road, all against quality teams. They were on the road again this time, but the Timberwolves are in the middle of an absolutely brutal streak and do not rate as a quality opponent. Not now, anyway. Yesterday's loss was their fifth in a row, their longest skid in three years, and Paul Pierce (32 points) took notice during a break in the action that a lot of the energy in the Target Center was missing.

Posted by Kraven Moorehead at 11:37 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

CELTICS 103, TIMBERWOLVES 100
Celtics find .500 a satisfying number
Perseverance pays off as Pierce sets the pace
By Peter May, Globe Staff | February 7, 2005

MINNEAPOLIS -- It was impossible not to notice the vast emotional gulf between teams with exactly the same records. The 24-24 Boston Celtics left the Target Center feeling confident, proud, and together. The 24-24 Minnesota Timberwolves left the same building with a hangdog look, wondering what is happening to what was supposed to be another special season.

"It's amazing," Celtics coach Doc Rivers said yesterday after his team had taken a 103-100 victory over the Wolves to pull to .500 for the first time since Nov. 21. "We're at .500 and ecstatic. They're at .500 and think the world is crumbling around them. It really isn't for them. And we want to do better. It's been a struggle. It's been a climb. And now we have to protect that number."

The Celtics finally hit the .500 mark after missing on their last three chances, all on the road, all against quality teams. They were on the road again this time, but the Timberwolves are in the middle of an absolutely brutal streak and do not rate as a quality opponent. Not now, anyway. Yesterday's loss was their fifth in a row, their longest skid in three years, and Paul Pierce (32 points) took notice during a break in the action that a lot of the energy in the Target Center was missing.

Posted by Kraven Moorehead at 11:37 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

CELTICS 103, TIMBERWOLVES 100
Celtics find .500 a satisfying number
Perseverance pays off as Pierce sets the pace
By Peter May, Globe Staff | February 7, 2005

MINNEAPOLIS -- It was impossible not to notice the vast emotional gulf between teams with exactly the same records. The 24-24 Boston Celtics left the Target Center feeling confident, proud, and together. The 24-24 Minnesota Timberwolves left the same building with a hangdog look, wondering what is happening to what was supposed to be another special season.

"It's amazing," Celtics coach Doc Rivers said yesterday after his team had taken a 103-100 victory over the Wolves to pull to .500 for the first time since Nov. 21. "We're at .500 and ecstatic. They're at .500 and think the world is crumbling around them. It really isn't for them. And we want to do better. It's been a struggle. It's been a climb. And now we have to protect that number."

The Celtics finally hit the .500 mark after missing on their last three chances, all on the road, all against quality teams. They were on the road again this time, but the Timberwolves are in the middle of an absolutely brutal streak and do not rate as a quality opponent. Not now, anyway. Yesterday's loss was their fifth in a row, their longest skid in three years, and Paul Pierce (32 points) took notice during a break in the action that a lot of the energy in the Target Center was missing.

Posted by Kraven Moorehead at 11:37 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Without a doubt, they're the best
By Bob Ryan, Globe Columnist | February 7, 2005

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Could there possibly be any more doubts?

The best team in football has just concluded a grueling three-week exam period in which it faced three completely different challenges from three very good football teams. You can make a case -- in fact, I'm going to -- that this was the most difficult postseason task ever presented to a team attempting to win a Super Bowl.

The grades? A-plus, A-plus, and A-minus. The scores? 20-3, 41-27, and, finally, 24-21. Yup, for the third time in four years the Patriots have become the champions of the known football universe with a 3-point victory. But 3 or 30, it doesn't matter. The idea is to score more points than the other guys, and no team this century has found the weekly formula to do just that better than the New England Patriots.

Think about it: The New England Patriots are the unquestioned Team of the Century.

They are now in the enviable position of being able to judge championships. The first was, obviously, sweet. The second was vindicating and harrowing. But this one demanded a level of overall excellence that should make everyone involved feel incredibly proud. For what the Patriots have done in defeating these three particular teams in four weeks is nothing short of awe-inspiring.

"Indianapolis, we all know what kind of a team they are," said Bill Belichick. "Pittsburgh was the best team in the AFC all year. Philadelphia went wire-to-wire all year. I can't think of three tougher teams in my experience in the postseason."

This was a Patriots season unlike any other. After getting off to a 6-0 start, the entire season was threatened by the devastation of the secondary, forcing Belichick and his defensive staff to start improvising with players and schemes that made them the talk of both the NFL and the world of football in general. The brain trust had to make do with a converted wide receiver, a converted linebacker, and assorted people from the waiver wire. They kept winning and they made it look easy.

It was not.

The secondary nightmare continued right through last night, when starting free safety Eugene Wilson broke his arm while performing special teams duty late in the second quarter. This vaulted rookie Dexter Reid, a fourth-round pick from North Carolina, into the lineup. Were there scary moments? Oh, yes. Greg Lewis beat him for a touchdown pass in the fourth period, but the only thing that mattered was that he wasn't beaten more. He was good enough to get the job done, and on this team, Getting The Job Done is the only criterion for maintaining employment.

But it wasn't easy, and finding a way to compete with the personnel at hand may have been the toughest challenge of Belichick's coaching career.

Posted by Kraven Moorehead at 11:35 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Without a doubt, they're the best
By Bob Ryan, Globe Columnist | February 7, 2005

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Could there possibly be any more doubts?

The best team in football has just concluded a grueling three-week exam period in which it faced three completely different challenges from three very good football teams. You can make a case -- in fact, I'm going to -- that this was the most difficult postseason task ever presented to a team attempting to win a Super Bowl.

The grades? A-plus, A-plus, and A-minus. The scores? 20-3, 41-27, and, finally, 24-21. Yup, for the third time in four years the Patriots have become the champions of the known football universe with a 3-point victory. But 3 or 30, it doesn't matter. The idea is to score more points than the other guys, and no team this century has found the weekly formula to do just that better than the New England Patriots.

Think about it: The New England Patriots are the unquestioned Team of the Century.

They are now in the enviable position of being able to judge championships. The first was, obviously, sweet. The second was vindicating and harrowing. But this one demanded a level of overall excellence that should make everyone involved feel incredibly proud. For what the Patriots have done in defeating these three particular teams in four weeks is nothing short of awe-inspiring.

"Indianapolis, we all know what kind of a team they are," said Bill Belichick. "Pittsburgh was the best team in the AFC all year. Philadelphia went wire-to-wire all year. I can't think of three tougher teams in my experience in the postseason."

This was a Patriots season unlike any other. After getting off to a 6-0 start, the entire season was threatened by the devastation of the secondary, forcing Belichick and his defensive staff to start improvising with players and schemes that made them the talk of both the NFL and the world of football in general. The brain trust had to make do with a converted wide receiver, a converted linebacker, and assorted people from the waiver wire. They kept winning and they made it look easy.

It was not.

The secondary nightmare continued right through last night, when starting free safety Eugene Wilson broke his arm while performing special teams duty late in the second quarter. This vaulted rookie Dexter Reid, a fourth-round pick from North Carolina, into the lineup. Were there scary moments? Oh, yes. Greg Lewis beat him for a touchdown pass in the fourth period, but the only thing that mattered was that he wasn't beaten more. He was good enough to get the job done, and on this team, Getting The Job Done is the only criterion for maintaining employment.

But it wasn't easy, and finding a way to compete with the personnel at hand may have been the toughest challenge of Belichick's coaching career.

Posted by Kraven Moorehead at 11:35 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Without a doubt, they're the best
By Bob Ryan, Globe Columnist | February 7, 2005

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Could there possibly be any more doubts?

The best team in football has just concluded a grueling three-week exam period in which it faced three completely different challenges from three very good football teams. You can make a case -- in fact, I'm going to -- that this was the most difficult postseason task ever presented to a team attempting to win a Super Bowl.

The grades? A-plus, A-plus, and A-minus. The scores? 20-3, 41-27, and, finally, 24-21. Yup, for the third time in four years the Patriots have become the champions of the known football universe with a 3-point victory. But 3 or 30, it doesn't matter. The idea is to score more points than the other guys, and no team this century has found the weekly formula to do just that better than the New England Patriots.

Think about it: The New England Patriots are the unquestioned Team of the Century.

They are now in the enviable position of being able to judge championships. The first was, obviously, sweet. The second was vindicating and harrowing. But this one demanded a level of overall excellence that should make everyone involved feel incredibly proud. For what the Patriots have done in defeating these three particular teams in four weeks is nothing short of awe-inspiring.

"Indianapolis, we all know what kind of a team they are," said Bill Belichick. "Pittsburgh was the best team in the AFC all year. Philadelphia went wire-to-wire all year. I can't think of three tougher teams in my experience in the postseason."

This was a Patriots season unlike any other. After getting off to a 6-0 start, the entire season was threatened by the devastation of the secondary, forcing Belichick and his defensive staff to start improvising with players and schemes that made them the talk of both the NFL and the world of football in general. The brain trust had to make do with a converted wide receiver, a converted linebacker, and assorted people from the waiver wire. They kept winning and they made it look easy.

It was not.

The secondary nightmare continued right through last night, when starting free safety Eugene Wilson broke his arm while performing special teams duty late in the second quarter. This vaulted rookie Dexter Reid, a fourth-round pick from North Carolina, into the lineup. Were there scary moments? Oh, yes. Greg Lewis beat him for a touchdown pass in the fourth period, but the only thing that mattered was that he wasn't beaten more. He was good enough to get the job done, and on this team, Getting The Job Done is the only criterion for maintaining employment.

But it wasn't easy, and finding a way to compete with the personnel at hand may have been the toughest challenge of Belichick's coaching career.

Posted by Kraven Moorehead at 11:35 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Slick moves by Belichick
He reacts to wet conditions
By Nick Cafardo, Globe Staff | February 1, 2005

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Bill Belichick likened the Bartram Trail High School field the Patriots practiced on yesterday to an ice rink. The coach said he was so concerned about the conditions that he held out Richard Seymour entirely and held back several players from their normal rotation. Also, linebacker Ted Johnson missed practice with a tight leg.

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The field was wet from rain Saturday, and the weather was unseasonably cool yesterday.

"It's slick," said Belichick. "We're not even going full speed and guys are falling all over the place."

At last year's Super Bowl in Houston, Belichick pulled the team out of its practice field and moved it to a different site. Asked if he would do it again, Belichick said, "Hopefully things will be better out here."

The NFL invested more than $250,000 in a new drainage system and new grass for the field.

Seymour, who injured his knee Dec. 26, did light work on the side, hit a sled, and did one-on-one drills with practice squad offensive lineman Billy Yates.

"After I saw the field, there was no way I was going to put him out there today, throw him out there when everyone was slipping and sliding around," Belichick said.

"We didn't put everybody out there today; that is really more for Wednesday. Some of the guys out there are guys that we wanted to get reps, that normally wouldn't get that many, just to cover us on depth."

Belichick said before last week's AFC Championship game that he hoped Seymour could play situationally, but that never materialized. Seymour has told associates that he will play in the Super Bowl.

Belichick said of his status, "If Rich is healthy, he'll play."

Continue reading "slick Billy" »

Posted by Kraven Moorehead at 12:25 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Slick moves by Belichick
He reacts to wet conditions
By Nick Cafardo, Globe Staff | February 1, 2005

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Bill Belichick likened the Bartram Trail High School field the Patriots practiced on yesterday to an ice rink. The coach said he was so concerned about the conditions that he held out Richard Seymour entirely and held back several players from their normal rotation. Also, linebacker Ted Johnson missed practice with a tight leg.

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The field was wet from rain Saturday, and the weather was unseasonably cool yesterday.

"It's slick," said Belichick. "We're not even going full speed and guys are falling all over the place."

At last year's Super Bowl in Houston, Belichick pulled the team out of its practice field and moved it to a different site. Asked if he would do it again, Belichick said, "Hopefully things will be better out here."

The NFL invested more than $250,000 in a new drainage system and new grass for the field.

Seymour, who injured his knee Dec. 26, did light work on the side, hit a sled, and did one-on-one drills with practice squad offensive lineman Billy Yates.

"After I saw the field, there was no way I was going to put him out there today, throw him out there when everyone was slipping and sliding around," Belichick said.

"We didn't put everybody out there today; that is really more for Wednesday. Some of the guys out there are guys that we wanted to get reps, that normally wouldn't get that many, just to cover us on depth."

Belichick said before last week's AFC Championship game that he hoped Seymour could play situationally, but that never materialized. Seymour has told associates that he will play in the Super Bowl.

Belichick said of his status, "If Rich is healthy, he'll play."

Continue reading "slick Billy" »

Posted by Kraven Moorehead at 12:25 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Slick moves by Belichick
He reacts to wet conditions
By Nick Cafardo, Globe Staff | February 1, 2005

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Bill Belichick likened the Bartram Trail High School field the Patriots practiced on yesterday to an ice rink. The coach said he was so concerned about the conditions that he held out Richard Seymour entirely and held back several players from their normal rotation. Also, linebacker Ted Johnson missed practice with a tight leg.

ADVERTISEMENT

The field was wet from rain Saturday, and the weather was unseasonably cool yesterday.

"It's slick," said Belichick. "We're not even going full speed and guys are falling all over the place."

At last year's Super Bowl in Houston, Belichick pulled the team out of its practice field and moved it to a different site. Asked if he would do it again, Belichick said, "Hopefully things will be better out here."

The NFL invested more than $250,000 in a new drainage system and new grass for the field.

Seymour, who injured his knee Dec. 26, did light work on the side, hit a sled, and did one-on-one drills with practice squad offensive lineman Billy Yates.

"After I saw the field, there was no way I was going to put him out there today, throw him out there when everyone was slipping and sliding around," Belichick said.

"We didn't put everybody out there today; that is really more for Wednesday. Some of the guys out there are guys that we wanted to get reps, that normally wouldn't get that many, just to cover us on depth."

Belichick said before last week's AFC Championship game that he hoped Seymour could play situationally, but that never materialized. Seymour has told associates that he will play in the Super Bowl.

Belichick said of his status, "If Rich is healthy, he'll play."

Continue reading "slick Billy" »

Posted by Kraven Moorehead at 12:25 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

From the rink, to the ring
Scandalous skater Tonya Harding tries to fight off her past in new arena
By Stan Grossfeld, Globe Staff | January 26, 2005

ESSINGTON, Pa. -- Tonya Harding has a migraine. She's been sick for months with bronchitis and the flu. Now she has to meet the press to promote her upcoming celebrity boxing match. Interview rules are set by the promoter and Harding's new manager, who is also her godmother. There are to be absolutely no questions about Nancy Kerrigan. A reporter from Philadelphia introduces himself, and his first question is about Kerrigan.

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"I'm going to stop you right there," says Harding. "That was 11 years ago."

Harding, 35, looks totally different from the 110-pound figure skater she once was. She still has the piercing blue eyes but her 5-foot-1-inch frame is bulked up more than her listed 125 pounds. Her biceps look like telephone poles and she is dressed in a black Everlast warmup suit. She is slated to box Brittney Drake, 25, of the Women's Extreme Wrestling Federation, whose website lists her as 5-6, 120 pounds. It will be Drake's boxing debut, and win, lose, or draw, she will be at her waitress job the next morning $1,000 richer. Harding's fee is undisclosed.

Posted by Kraven Moorehead at 11:21 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

From the rink, to the ring
Scandalous skater Tonya Harding tries to fight off her past in new arena
By Stan Grossfeld, Globe Staff | January 26, 2005

ESSINGTON, Pa. -- Tonya Harding has a migraine. She's been sick for months with bronchitis and the flu. Now she has to meet the press to promote her upcoming celebrity boxing match. Interview rules are set by the promoter and Harding's new manager, who is also her godmother. There are to be absolutely no questions about Nancy Kerrigan. A reporter from Philadelphia introduces himself, and his first question is about Kerrigan.

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"I'm going to stop you right there," says Harding. "That was 11 years ago."

Harding, 35, looks totally different from the 110-pound figure skater she once was. She still has the piercing blue eyes but her 5-foot-1-inch frame is bulked up more than her listed 125 pounds. Her biceps look like telephone poles and she is dressed in a black Everlast warmup suit. She is slated to box Brittney Drake, 25, of the Women's Extreme Wrestling Federation, whose website lists her as 5-6, 120 pounds. It will be Drake's boxing debut, and win, lose, or draw, she will be at her waitress job the next morning $1,000 richer. Harding's fee is undisclosed.

Posted by Kraven Moorehead at 11:21 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

From the rink, to the ring
Scandalous skater Tonya Harding tries to fight off her past in new arena
By Stan Grossfeld, Globe Staff | January 26, 2005

ESSINGTON, Pa. -- Tonya Harding has a migraine. She's been sick for months with bronchitis and the flu. Now she has to meet the press to promote her upcoming celebrity boxing match. Interview rules are set by the promoter and Harding's new manager, who is also her godmother. There are to be absolutely no questions about Nancy Kerrigan. A reporter from Philadelphia introduces himself, and his first question is about Kerrigan.

ADVERTISEMENT

"I'm going to stop you right there," says Harding. "That was 11 years ago."

Harding, 35, looks totally different from the 110-pound figure skater she once was. She still has the piercing blue eyes but her 5-foot-1-inch frame is bulked up more than her listed 125 pounds. Her biceps look like telephone poles and she is dressed in a black Everlast warmup suit. She is slated to box Brittney Drake, 25, of the Women's Extreme Wrestling Federation, whose website lists her as 5-6, 120 pounds. It will be Drake's boxing debut, and win, lose, or draw, she will be at her waitress job the next morning $1,000 richer. Harding's fee is undisclosed.

Posted by Kraven Moorehead at 11:21 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

A nice recovery by Brady
January 26, 2005

Patriots quarterback Tom Brady reportedly was very sick the night before he helped make the Pittsburgh Steelers look ill in the AFC Championship game.

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According to this week's Sports Illustrated, Brady had a 103-degree fever Saturday night and took intravenous fluids in his left -- non-throwing -- arm while battling chills in his hotel room.

Sunday, with the temperature at Pittsburgh's Heinz Field 11 degrees, Brady went 14 for 21 for 207 yards and threw for two touchdowns with no interceptions to lead New England to a 41-27 victory and its third Super Bowl appearance in four years.

The opposing signal-caller, Steelers rookie Ben Roethlisberger, said yesterday he broke a couple of toes on his right foot during the game.

Roethlisberger said he believes he was hurt while stumbling on a 13-yard run late in the first half, and he refused to blame the injury for his less-than stellar play

Posted by Kraven Moorehead at 11:21 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

A nice recovery by Brady
January 26, 2005

Patriots quarterback Tom Brady reportedly was very sick the night before he helped make the Pittsburgh Steelers look ill in the AFC Championship game.

ADVERTISEMENT

According to this week's Sports Illustrated, Brady had a 103-degree fever Saturday night and took intravenous fluids in his left -- non-throwing -- arm while battling chills in his hotel room.

Sunday, with the temperature at Pittsburgh's Heinz Field 11 degrees, Brady went 14 for 21 for 207 yards and threw for two touchdowns with no interceptions to lead New England to a 41-27 victory and its third Super Bowl appearance in four years.

The opposing signal-caller, Steelers rookie Ben Roethlisberger, said yesterday he broke a couple of toes on his right foot during the game.

Roethlisberger said he believes he was hurt while stumbling on a 13-yard run late in the first half, and he refused to blame the injury for his less-than stellar play

Posted by Kraven Moorehead at 11:21 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

A nice recovery by Brady
January 26, 2005

Patriots quarterback Tom Brady reportedly was very sick the night before he helped make the Pittsburgh Steelers look ill in the AFC Championship game.

ADVERTISEMENT

According to this week's Sports Illustrated, Brady had a 103-degree fever Saturday night and took intravenous fluids in his left -- non-throwing -- arm while battling chills in his hotel room.

Sunday, with the temperature at Pittsburgh's Heinz Field 11 degrees, Brady went 14 for 21 for 207 yards and threw for two touchdowns with no interceptions to lead New England to a 41-27 victory and its third Super Bowl appearance in four years.

The opposing signal-caller, Steelers rookie Ben Roethlisberger, said yesterday he broke a couple of toes on his right foot during the game.

Roethlisberger said he believes he was hurt while stumbling on a 13-yard run late in the first half, and he refused to blame the injury for his less-than stellar play

Posted by Kraven Moorehead at 11:21 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)