| Not getting the emails yet? - Just enter your email in the box to the left and hit enter. Yahoo will send you a confirmation email. Simply hit the reply button to this email and you will start getting the emails like everyone else. |
Email Update 7/12/02 Volume 3 Issue # 28
IN THIS ISSUE
1. Falcons Sign Willie Jackson
2. Fred Edelstein Going to Jail
3. Levens Signs with Philadelphia
4. Eagles Sign Brian Westbrook
5. James Gets Speeding Ticket
6. No Love for Lions in Vegas
7. Vikings Chemistry Improved
Lots of news today, so let's get to it:
/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/
Falcons Sign Willie Jackson
The Atlanta Falcons today announced the signing of WR Willie Jackson,
a eight-year NFL veteran who spent the past two seasons with division
rival New Orleans. Terms of the contract were not disclosed by the
team. The team also announced the release of wide receiver Jeff
Graham, who was signed as a free agent on April 26.
Jackson, 6-1, 212 pounds, was originally drafted out of Florida by
the Dallas Cowboys in the fourth round of the 1994 NFL Draft. One
year later Jackson was drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the
1995 expansion draft, which was used to stock the Carolina and
Jacksonville rosters. After spending three years in Jacksonville,
Jackson was released on the final cutdown day in 1998 and
subsequently signed with Cincinnati where he spent the next two years
before signing with New Orleans as an unrestricted free agent in 2000.
"We're excited about having him here," Head Coach Dan Reeves said
following Friday's Mini Camp practice. "He had a great year last
year, and he gives us a chance to upgrade our receivers."
The Gainesville, Fla., product has compiled an impressive pro resume
over his 101-game career (38 starts) that includes 259 receptions for
3,384 yards (13.1 avg.) and 23 touchdowns. He has also returned 178
kickoffs for 2,338 yards (13.1 avg.).
Jackson is coming off his best season as a pro in 2001, establishing
career highs in both receptions (81) and receiving yards (1,046) to
go along with five touchdown receptions. Jackson, who finished
seventh in the NFC in receptions, 11th in receiving yards and tied
for second in third-down receptions (28), teamed with teammate Joe
Horn (1,265 yards) last season to give the Saints their first 1,000-
yard receiving tandem in team history. In addition, Jackson caught at
least two passes in all 16 games and caught five or more passes eight
times. Included in Jackson's standout season was a performance at
San Francisco in which he set career single-game bests in receptions
(11), receiving yards (167) and long reception (63 yards).
After coming over to New Orleans as an unrestricted free agent in
2000, Jackson finished second on the team with 37 receptions for 523
yards and a career-best six touchdowns in helping lead the Saints to
the NFC Western Division title and their first playoff victory in
team history. Jackson collected 399 of his 523 yards and all six
touchdown receptions after becoming a starter midway through the
season. He also led the team with six receptions for 142 yards and
tied an NFL single-game playoff record with three touchdown
receptions in the Saints' Wild Card victory over the St. Louis
Rams.
Jackson, whose younger brother Terry is a fullback with the San
Francisco 49ers, spent the first year of his pro career in Dallas,
making the Cowboys' opening day roster in 1994 after ranking
third in preseason with seven catches for 76 yards. He was listed as
a weekly inactive for all 16 games and both postseason contests.
After being left unprotected by the Cowboys in the 1995 NFL Expansion
Draft, Jackson was selected by Jacksonville, where he made an
immediate impact, leading the inaugural Jaguars team in receptions
(53), yards (589) and touchdowns (five), despite playing in only 14
games, starting 10 of them.
In 1996 Jackson played in all 16 games, starting two of them, and
finished second on the team in touchdowns with three and fourth in
receiving yards with 486. Jackson had 33 catches for the year in
helping lead the Jaguars to the AFC Championship game where they fell
to the New England Patriots.
Jackson, 30, played in all 16 games with one start in 1997, appearing
primarily as a third wide receiver behind Jimmy Smith and Keenan
McCardell. He concluded the season with 17 catches for 206 yards and
a pair of touchdown catches.
After being waived by Jacksonville just prior to the start of the
1998 season, Jackson signed with Cincinnati as a free agent and
played in only eight games. He averaged 23.6 yards per catch on seven
receptions (165 yards) in his first season with the Bengals. One year
later Jackson came back to play in all 16 games and finished third on
the team in receptions with 31 for 369 yards and two touchdowns.
Jackson, who holds a degree in telecommunications, left the
University of Florida ranked No. 2 all-time in both receptions (162)
and yards (2,172). A three-year starter, Jackson led the SEC as a
junior with 62 catches for 772 yards and was named first-team All-SEC
and an honorable-mention All-American.
[[[[[[[[[[ OUR VIEW ]]]]]]]]]]
Look for Jackson to rise to the top of the WR depth chart in Atlanta
before the season starts. Brian Finneran is expected to beat out
Shawn Jefferson for the other spot. The addition of Willie Jackson
should go a long way towards giving Michael Vick the tools he needs
to be successful in the NFL.
/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/
Fred Edelstein Going to Jail
Clipped from the article at Philly.com:
Fred Edelstein, the editor and publisher of a weekly newsletter
covering the NFL, was sentenced yesterday to 21 months in federal
prison.
Edelstein's investment scheme conned investors, including former
Eagles linebacker Bill Bergey, out of nearly $600,000.
The 50-year-old publisher of Fred Edelstein's Pro Football Insider
pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in Philadelphia to defrauding
eight people out of $589,000. He was ordered to make full
restitution, $120,000 of which must be paid within the five-year
probation period after his release from prison.
Prosecutors said that between 1994 and 1999, Edelstein claimed he had
a high-profit investment that involved such sports luminaries as
Edward DeBartolo, former owner of the San Francisco 49ers; Carmen
Policy, president of the Cleveland Browns; and sports agent Leigh
Steinberg.
Prosecutors said the FBI interviewed all three, who admitted knowing
Edelstein but said they did not know he was using them to front his
scheme. Prosecutors said Edelstein used the money from investors to
pay his own bills.
Edelstein, of Elkins Park, was ordered to turn himself in to
authorities on Aug. 9.
[[[[[[[[[[ OUR VIEW ]]]]]]]]]]
I am guessing this means the newsletter is cancelled then?
/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/
Levens Signs with Philadelphia
The Philadelphia Eagles gained experience and security in the
backfield on Friday, with ESPN.com learning that the team has reached
a contract agreement with unrestricted free agent tailback Dorsey
Levens, an eight-year veteran who had previously played his entire
career with the Green Bay Packers.
League sources confirmed that Levens, 32, will sign a one-year
contract. Details of the contract were not immediately available but
the deal is believed to include an incentives package that would
reward Levens for reaching certain performance benchmarks.
"I was excited to get the deal done," Levens said. "The Eagles are
certainly a Super Bowl contender and that was very important to me. I
want to help them win a championship."
Levens likely will serve as the top backup to starter Duce Staley.
The Eagles have been without an experienced backup since second-year
veteran Correll Buckhalter, who might have competed for the starting
job in training camp, sustained a season-ending knee injury in a mini-
camp earlier this spring.
Third-round draft choice Brian Westbrook of Villanova and free agent
journeyman Rod Smart -- better known as "He Hate Me" from the ill-
fated XFL -- spent the spring as the backups to Staley.
"I still have a lot of gas left in the tank," Levens said. "I know
that offense really well and feel that I can fit in nicely with the
group of running backs the Eagles have."
About two months ago Levens met with Eagles coach Andy Reid, with
whom he worked in Green Bay, and underwent a physical exam. The
Eagles did not make a contract offer to Levens at the time and
instead considered all their options.
But negotiations heated up on Tuesday, when agent Hadley Engelhard
spoke with team president Joe Banner and personnel director Tom
Heckert, and the two sides spent the past few days bridging the gap
in their respective bargaining postures. The main sticking point was
over the incentives package.
The transition to the Eagles offense should be a seamless one for
Levens, who played in a similar design with the Packers, and who
already understands much of the terminology.
"I know what he can do," Reid said. "He knows this offense very well.
He can run and is also a good pass-catcher. We want to bring him in
and create some added depth at the running back position."
A former Georgia Tech standout, Levens was selected by the Packers in
the fifth round of the 1994 draft. During his eight seasons in Green
Bay, he appeared in 102 games and was a starter in 53 of them.
Because of injuries, however, Levens started just 24 contests over
the past four seasons, 14 of those in 1999.
Levens twice rushed for over 1,000 yards -- a career-best 1,435 yards
in 1997, when he was chosen for the Pro Bowl, and 1,034 yards in
1999 -- in his Green Bay tenure. In the last two seasons, he was
relegated to backup status as Packers tailback Ahman Green emerged as
one of the NFL's brightest young runners. Levens played in 15 games
in 2001 but started only one, rushing for 165 yards on 44 carries.
For his career, Levens has 3,937 rushing yards and 28 touchdowns on
1,006 carries. He also has 271 receptions for 2,079 yards and 16
touchdowns.
[[[[[[[[[[ OUR VIEW ]]]]]]]]]]
We always thought Levens would be a good fit in Philadelphia and was
surprised this did not happen sooner when Correll Buckhalter went
down. He should take over the #2 RB duties behind Duce Staley this
season.
/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/
Eagles Sign Brian Westbrook
Clipped from the Philadelphia Enquirer"
Versatile Brian Westbrook, who is expected to enhance both the
Eagles' running and passing attacks this season, signed a three-year
contract yesterday.
Financial terms were not disclosed for the third-round draft choice
from Villanova. Westbrook was the 91st pick overall in the NFL draft
in April.
The 5-foot-9, 200-pound running back, who set an NCAA record for all-
purpose career yards, is expected help the Eagles on more than one
front.
Initially, the coaching staff had expected Westbrook to play on
special teams and be a third-down back.
But with running back Correll Buckhalter out for the season with a
knee injury suffered in the team's first post-draft minicamp, the 22-
year-old Westbrook could become backup to Duce Staley.
"He can reach top-end speed very quickly, along with having lateral
quickness," Eagles coach Andy Reid said. "That's different than the
backs that we have.
"He catches the ball very well out of the backfield. To have two
backs who can do that very well, as Duce and Westbrook do, that's a
nice thing to have."
Westbrook twice was named Atlantic Ten offensive player of the year
at Villanova, where he set an NCAA all-divisions record with 9,885
career all-purpose yards. He was the NCAA Division I-AA player of the
year last season.
Westbrook rushed for 1,603 yards, caught 59 passes for 658 yards, and
scored 29 touchdowns for the Wildcats last season.
In 46 career games, he scored 84 TDs, carried the ball 725 times for
4,499 yards (6.2 average), caught 219 passes for 2,639 yards, and
gained 2,433 yards with four TDs on kickoff returns.
[[[[[[[[[[ OUR VIEW ]]]]]]]]]]
Obviously the Eagles also remain high on the youngster to get him
signed early. The Dorsey Levens signing will likely affect his
playing time this season though. We see the depth chart as Duce
Staley, Dorsey Levens, Brian Westbrook.
/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/
James Gets Speeding Ticket
Clipped from the Indianapolis Star:
Edgerrin James, running back for the Indianapolis Colts, has been
ordered to appear in traffic court July 23 in Collier County (Fla.)
on a citation alleging he was driving 111 mph in a 60-mph zone.
James, driving a black Mercedes Benz, was stopped on the afternoon of
May 8 in his hometown of Immokalee, Fla.
Traffic Magistrate Larry Pivacek will preside at James' court
appearance and will decide what fines and other penalties will be
involved if the Colts back is found guilty.
Tina Osceola, public information officer for the Collier County
Sheriff's Department, said Thursday no details of the citation were
available. She said that the narrative often provided on the ticket
by the officer involved was in this case omitted.
According to records uncovered by the Fort Myers (Fla.) News-Press,
James has been involved in other traffic infractions. In July 1999,
he paid a speeding fine of $273. He has received four other citations
since 1997 -- passing in a no-pass zone, careless driving, failing to
stop at a stop sign and not carrying his driver's license with him.
James, who is scheduled to report to Colts training camp on July 28,
could not be reached for comment Thursday.
[[[[[[[[[[ OUR VIEW ]]]]]]]]]]
I am glad to at least see that the NFL RBs talk to each other in the
off-season. Not to be out-done by the Ricky Williams speeding
ticket, Edgerrin was able to clock 111. This could be good news
though in that his leg appeared fine as he floored the gas pedal. We
desperately need the training camps to open up here.
/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/
No Love for Lions in Vegas
Clipped from the Detnews.com:
It is never too early to have a betting line on NFL games, and the
sports book at the Imperial Palace in Las Vegas has a full lineup
that includes lines on the opening-week games.
For example, the Dolphins are favored by 8 1/2 points over the
Lions. Bettors already are leaning toward the Dolphins because when
the line opened, the Dolphins were favored by 7 1/2.
Here are some NFL point spreads offered by Jay Kornegay, director
of the Imperial Palace sports book:
Odds to win Super Bowl
Top six: St. Louis, 7-2; Pittsburgh, 8-1; Philadelphia, 10-1;
Green Bay, 10-1; Tampa Bay, 12-1; Oakland, 12-1. Defending champs:
New England, 20-1.
Bottom five: Houston, 200-1; Carolina, 100-1; Arizona, 80-1;
Detroit, 80-1; Cincinnati, 70-1.
Notable: The Chicago Bears are the best team of 2001 that nobody
believes in. They won the NFC Central with a 13-3 record and are 30-
1.
Odds to win the NFC
Top five: St. Louis, 9-5; Philadelphia, 9-2; Green Bay, 5-1; Tampa
Bay, 7-1; San Francisco, 10-1.
Bottom five: Carolina, 50-1; Arizona, 40-1; Detroit, 40-1; Dallas,
35-1; New Orleans, 30-1.
Odds to win the AFC
Top five: Pittsburgh, 3-1; Indianapolis, 13-2; Oakland, 13-2;
Miami, 7-1; Denver, 8-1.
Bottom six: Houston, 100-1; Cincinnati, 35-1; Jacksonville, 30-1;
Baltimore, 30-1; San Diego, 25-1; Kansas City, 25-1.
Something to consider: Based on the odds, the NFC is considered
the stronger conference, even though the AFC has won four of the last
five Super Bowls. Only the Rams of the 1999 season have broken the
string of Denver (twice) Baltimore and New England.
Four of the top five choices to win the Super Bowl are from the
NFC, but the Rams are heavy favorites to win the conference title.
The road to San Diego, and Super Bowl XXXVII, leads through the arch
in St. Louis.
Favorites to win the divisions
NFC North: Green Bay, 5-8
NFC East: Philadelphia, 5-9.
NFC South: Tampa Bay, 5-12.
NFC West: St. Louis, 2-5.
AFC North: Pittsburgh, 1-3.
AFC East: Miami, 13-10.
AFC South: Indianapolis, 5-8.
AFC West: Oakland, even.
Odd-ities: Even though the Bengals rate ahead of the Lions in odds
to win the Super Bowl -- 70-1 for Cincy vs. 80-1 for the Lions -- the
Lions are rated a better bet to win their division. They are 6-1, and
the Bengals are 7-1 in the AFC North. That's because division
favorite Pittsburgh is a stronger favorite than Green Bay in the NFC
North.
In the AFC South, no team had a winning record in 2001. The Colts,
transplanted from the AFC East, and Jacksonville, from the AFC
Central, were 6-10. The Titans, from the AFC Central, were 7-9.
Houston is an expansion franchise.
Total victories
The Rams, obviously, have the highest total victories in this
category. Their total is 11 1/2, and bettors have to lay even money
to win $100 on the over and $130 to win $100 on the under.
Green Bay's total is 10. Bettors have to risk $180 to win $100 on
the over and $100 to win $140 on the under.
The Lions' total is six. A $100 wager on the over wins $115. A
$145 wager on the under wins $100.
[[[[[[[[[[ OUR VIEW ]]]]]]]]]]
Did Vegas somehow miss the fact that the Lions got Az-Zahir Hakim?
OK who are we kidding...They are going to struggle this year.
/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/
Vikings Chemistry Improved
Vikings tight end Byron Chamberlain spent last week vacationing in
the Bahamas with Terrell Davis, the Denver Broncos' running back who
happens to be his best friend. They did a lot of talking. They talked
about their days together as Broncos teammates. They talked about why
Denver won two Super Bowls. They talked about it taking more than
talent to win Super Bowls.
"The biggest reason we won two Super Bowls was our team was so close.
Guys were tight," Chamberlain said. "Nobody played for themselves.
You played for the guy next to you."
Last season, Chamberlain saw how the other half lives. He joined a
Vikings team that was more than slightly dysfunctional. Cliques
divided players, and that fostered resentment and bickering. Without
mentioning any names, let's just say ol' No. 80 wasn't nearly as
popular as he wanted people to believe.
While the Broncos' two Super Bowl teams had a chemistry that worked,
the Vikings had the kind of chemistry you get if you mix ammonia and
bleach. (If you've never mixed ammonia and bleach, don't. You won't
like the outcome.)
"Guys wanted to get done with practice or the weight room and get out
of here," Chamberlain said. "All the years I've been involved in
athletics, whenever I've seen a locker room in disarray or there were
factions, that team was never successful. I live in Los Angeles in
the offseason. When Kobe and Shaq didn't get along, the Lakers
weren't successful. When they got together, the team got on a roll
and they've won three championships because of it."
With two weeks left before the opening of training camp � if
you're scoring, it's July 26 � Chamberlain is psyched about how
the
Vikings are behaving and how their chemistry now is non-toxic.
"I see the biggest difference from last year," he said. "Guys want to
be in the locker room. There's a closer bond. We have a lot of new
guys, but the guys who've been brought in have personalities that
mesh. There's a certain amount of trust level you have to have with
teammates, and it exists here.
"During offseason workouts, there are more players than there have
ever been. New players have been made to feel comfortable. People are
reaching out. At the first minicamp, there was so much enthusiasm,"
Chamberlain said. "Guys are anxious to play ball and have fun."
A lot of that has to do with Mike Tice, who became the Vikings' head
coach after Denny Green hit the high road. Chamberlain calls Tice "a
great leader," and he's not just kissing up. He really believes it.
And after having played for Mike Shanahan, who's no slouch in the
leadership department, Chamberlain knows a little something about
coaches who can bring out the best in a team.
"There's a new energy this year. Mike's personality has rubbed off on
the team," Chamberlain said. "He's got a mix of sternness and
discipline, but he also knows how to loosen the reins and give guys
some slack. There are intangibles this team has that are no
comparison to last year. There's the chemistry, the leadership, the
enthusiasm. Those are the type of things you have to have to build a
Super Bowl team."
Which, by the way, Chamberlain believes Tice has constructed. The
defense reeked last year, but Chamberlain is excited over the
addition of defensive players such as Kenny Mixon and Lorenzo Bromell
up front and Corey Chavous and Ronnie Bradford in the secondary.
"This defense will be tremendous," Chamberlain said. "This team is
just as talented as any team I've been on. It can compete for a Super
Bowl championship."
That remains to be seen. But it sure won't hurt if team chemistry
truly has improved.
[[[[[[[[[[ OUR VIEW ]]]]]]]]]]
The Cris Carter theme has been coming up lately. I guess he wan't the
team player we all thought he was. Whether or not that is true or
not, it is helpful to have a team rally around something. It's early
and all teams are super positive, but we believe Chamberlain when he
says that it feels different under Coach Tice. Half of the battle is
believing you are the best. Moss and Culpepper could be headed for a
very special season here if the defense plays a lot better.
/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/
That's going to do it here guys,
David Dodds
Missed an issue? Email Update Archives