NFL Player news

[PhillyPhreak54]

Sapp insists food was tampered with on road trips
Associated Press

ALAMEDA, Calif. -- Warren Sapp is a very picky eater.

The Oakland Raiders' defensive tackle refuses to eat out on team trips for fear of getting sick, and he's not talking about the rare case of food poisoning.

Sapp insisted Wednesday his food was tampered with during his nine-year tenure in Tampa Bay from 1995-2003.

"You get your food poisoned," Sapp said at Raiders headquarters. "They don't want you out there on Sunday. You don't think about it. It just got crazy."

He pointed specifically to three incidents: Before the NFC Championship Game in Philadelphia at the end of the 2002 season, which the Bucs won en route to the Super Bowl title; before a divisional playoff game at Green Bay in January 1998; and at New Orleans, where the Bucs played a game during the 1998 season.

"I know it's real, especially in Philly, come on," said Sapp, long an unpopular figure in the NFL for his play and his mouth.

Sapp's comments caught Raiders coach Art Shell by surprise.

"That's the first I ever heard of it," said Shell, who spent five years working for the NFL before the Raiders hired him again in February. "Even being in the league office, I never heard that. That's scary."

Although San Diego Chargers receiver Keenan McCardell said he didn't know of any specific incidents of food poisoning involving Sapp, he understands Sapp's concerns.

"I know what Warren's talking about," said McCardell, teammates with Sapp for his final two seasons in Tampa Bay. "If you were Warren, a lot of people may target you. ... When I was in Jacksonville, Tom [Coughlin] said, 'Don't eat anything outside of what we're served as a team.'"

During his time with Tampa Bay, Sapp even went so far as to book two hotel rooms -- one under an alias -- so he could order room service and not worry about his food.

Sapp, who turns 34 next month, said he requested bottles of water with the cap still on.

"You have to, though," Sapp said of being cautious. "It's either that or feel bad."

For example, Sapp said that about a month after the Bucs won the Super Bowl, he and a friend traveled from Philadelphia to New York to watch Michael Jordan in his retirement tour at Madison Square Garden. First, they had dinner in Philadelphia, trading plates at the restaurant after their orders came. Then, Sapp said, his friend repeatedly threw up all the way to New York.

Sapp, who joined the Raiders before the 2004 season, said he has not had food poisoning after leaving Tampa Bay.

"I've been good out here on the West Coast," he said. "I guess they're more liberal out here."

Copyright 2006 by The Associated Press

[PhillyPhreak54]

Vanderjerk cut; that little sonofabitch Gramatica signed

I hate the Gramatica familia.

[PoopyfaceMcGee]

The skins will probably sign Vanderjagtoff.

[ice grillin you]

vanderjagt is one of those guys that a change of scenery will end his career...kinda like boniol...i can see him being out of the league in three years and in that time him having been cut by like three or four different teams

[PoopyfaceMcGee]

It's not as if you said that before he was showing signs of falling off, though.

[rjs246]

vanderjagt is one of those guys that a change of scenery will end his career...kinda like boniol...i can see him being out of the league in three years and in that time him having been cut by like three or four different teams

I was thinking about the fact that you called this the other day. Well done, nerdface.

[ice grillin you]

why thanks penis breath

[rjs246]

Oh snap.

[methdeez]

This dude is always hilarous:


By DJ Gallo
Special to Page 2

Pittsburgh's reign as NFL champion all but ended Sunday thanks to a 27-0 stomping by the Ravens. At 4-7, all that's left is another week or two and some fancy mathematics to make it official.

But what has caused such a quick and dramatic decline? The last two seasons the Steelers were a combined 31-7 (including the playoffs). Now, with virtually the same personnel, they are just two games behind in the race for the No. 1 overall pick in April's draft.

Not surprisingly, there are many reasons.

Coaching. So Bill Cowher decided to retire after the Super Bowl. That's fine. I understand. But the Steelers should have hired a replacement. It's nice they're trying to honor their legendary coach this season by placing a cardboard cutout of Cowher on the sidelines in memoriam, but the team has obviously suffered because of it. And, really, the cardboard-cutout Cowher is not a very good representation of the man who stalked the Steelers' sideline for 14 years. It is expressionless. It has no passion. It is unaffected by what happens on the field. And heck -- the Steelers could have at least hooked up a $10 garden hose to the cardboard Cowher's mouth with some duct tape so they could make it spit sometimes, you know? A little effort would be nice.


Nick Laham/Getty Images
Obviously, the cardboard coach hasn't been teaching proper blocking schemes to Pittsburgh's line.
Ben Roethlisberger. Roethlisberger made playing quarterback in the NFL look easy during his first two seasons. This year? Not so much. What's worse is that it is unclear why he's struggling. And while I hate to resort to clichés and conventional wisdom, you almost wonder if an old, well-known football saying applies here: "It's tough to play well when you've been hit by a car, had abdominal surgery and been the recipient of a concussion all within a few months." Of course, another well-known saying could be at play here, too: "Act like a tool in a Fathead commercial and karma will get you."

Leadership. Jerome Bettis' on-field performance last season was overrated. But the Steelers miss Bettis' presence in the locker room. He led them with his physical style of play. He led them emotionally. And he led them to the postgame spread, often leaving no food for anyone else. That kept his teammates slim, fit and hungry -- all elements Pittsburgh is lacking this season.

Defense. Pittsburgh befuddled opponents last season with its trademark zone blitz defense, regularly overwhelming and confusing opposing quarterbacks with pressure coming from all directions. But apparently the Steelers decided to change things up this season -- the idea being that other teams would prepare all offseason for that sort of pressure and be ready for it. So now when the Steelers blitz they simply run right at the opponent's line and dance around for five seconds or so, never bothering to reach the quarterback. And while this is no doubt confusing to watch, it has been much less effective than last year's scheme.

Offensive line. As much as the Steelers have struggled this year, they have had success throwing screen passes to running back Willie Parker. This is because Pittsburgh's offensive linemen practice blocking for a screen pass on almost every play by regularly allowing opposing defenders to run right past them.

Special teams. Kick returners Ricardo Colclough and Santonio Holmes almost single-handedly lost the Steelers several games this season with their inability to catch or secure the football. The position has been solidified ever since Najeh Davenport was given the kick returning duties, however. But anyone familiar with Davenport's background won't be surprised if he suddenly is exposed and drops one on the carpet.

Motivation. The Steelers organization spent 26 years going after "One for the thumb." So there was bound to be a bit of a letdown after that goal was finally achieved. Plus, where is the next one supposed to go? On the other thumb? Or do you start on the pinkie and finish with the thumb? And if it's the pinkie, how do you get 53 football players motivated by a pinkie ring? And if you are able to get them motivated by a pinkie ring, haven't they all lost already? Until the Steelers can answer these important questions they will continue to flounder.

Headlines ...

Donovan McNabb's absence too much for Eagles' defense to overcome

Jim Mora Sr.: "Inability to get players to reach their potential also a coach killer"

Eli Manning bounces back by playing major role in dramatic fourth-quarter comeback

Giants motivated to let Tiki Barber begin his exciting new career as soon as possible

Marcus Vick says he will counsel his brother on how to behave

Things I Thought I Thought While Wondering What Michael Vick Was Pointing At ...

1. Just as many predicted, the Chicago Bears gave us a good reading on what kind of team they are against the Patriots. They played New England tough but lost, meaning they are more or less the Jets, Bills or Dolphins -- a competitive but deeply flawed AFC team. And that has to be pretty exciting for the Bears, because being as good as a deeply flawed AFC team should make them almost unstoppable come playoff time in the NFC.


Don Lansu/WireImage.com
Seriously, Bears fans, it's BRIAN GRIESE!
2. The Bears have the most loyal fans in all of football. I know this because many of them want Brian Griese to replace Rex Grossman at quarterback. How does that make them loyal? Well, had they ever watched anyone other than the Bears play, they would have seen that Brian Griese at quarterback is not something a fan should wish for.

3. New England's brand-new synthetic field looked great. Only one problem, though: Where is Tom Brady's goat supposed to graze now? If he is forced to send it away to some farm during the season, I doubt he'll be able to move past that emotionally. As much as he loves football and winning championships, those GQ photos showed he loves that precious little goat even more.

4. How dominant was Baltimore's defense? It made so many plays behind the line of scrimmage that by the second half, Ray Lewis lost interest in jumping on top of the pile and then leaping off and celebrating as though he made the play. I think that makes it the most amazing defensive performance ever.

5. I didn't find Michael Vick's apology to Falcons fans all that sincere. He seemed much more sincere while doing the bird flipping than in apologizing for the bird flipping. And Vick should realize this isn't going to go away immediately. That's why I think he needs to apologize again. And I'd suggest something along these lines:

"To all Falcons fans: I wish I didn't have anything to apologize for. But my actions were caught on film, so I must. Please know that I appreciate your support. I am fully aware that if I played for the Braves or Hawks there probably wouldn't even be anyone in the stands for me to give the finger to. I see the fans as part of the team. Honestly, I do. In fact, I regularly give the finger to my receivers. But at least they deserve it. I hope you will understand that my actions came out of frustration. I have a deep burning inside me that sometimes causes me to explode in anger. This deep burning is often accompanied by itching. Please stick by me and this team as we try to get through this. I realize this is my sixth year in the league, but I remain one of the most dynamic players in the game -- one always on the verge of breaking out -- and I can promise you that I will stay as such for many years into the future until I am in my mid-30s and have finally been converted into a third-down back and emergency quarterback. Then, when I am a role player, getting flipped off by me won't seem like such a big deal. Sincerely, Michael Vick."

[methdeez]

More from dj:
Desperate Philadelphia fans hold parade to celebrate Ryan Howard's MVP win
The City of Philadelphia, without a major league sports championship since the Sixers won it all in 1983, has scheduled a parade tomorrow morning to celebrate Ryan Howard's selection as National League MVP.
"This is what the people of Philadelphia have been waiting for for over 20 years," said Mayor John Street. "We are champions again. Well, officially, Ryan Howard is. And I suppose he's not a champion per se, because the Cardinals are the champions, but he is believed to be the most valuable player in the entire National League. So that's pretty good."
City and team officials believe more than one million fans will show up for the parade, which will wind through downtown and then end at Citizens Bank Park.
"Philadelphians are dying to celebrate something. Anything. So this will be an outlet for all of their pent up celebratory energy," said Mayor Street. "Plus, we've announced that the parade will conclude with a mob-style beating of the Eagles and Flyers that everyone is invited to take part in. So we'll probably have well over a million people show up just for that."

[QB Eagles]

Thanks for that "NFL Player news".

[methdeez]

Fine. Cut and paste and start a new thread.
farg face.

[ice grillin you]

STRAHAN TO PLAX: YOU QUIT
By PAUL SCHWARTZ

November 29, 2006 -- Giants defensive end Michael Strahan has come down hard on receiver Plaxico Burress for his lack of effort in Sunday's 24-21 loss to the Titans.

Burress failed to run hard on an overthrown pass from Eli Manning in the fourth quarter that was intercepted by cornerback Pacman Jones. Burress then made a half-hearted attempt at tackling Jones, who easily escaped for a 26-yard return.

"It's a shame, because Plaxico is a great player and a good guy to be around, but at the same time you're judged by your actions on the field and you can't give up, you can't quit, because you're not quitting on yourself, you're quitting on us," Strahan said Monday on his weekly WFAN appearance. "We work too hard all together to have that type of stuff happen, and Plaxico is one of the guys who works hard.

"I don't quite understand what his motivation is, or what his lack of motivation is in those type of situations. I'm pretty sure I'm going to try to see what it is and try to see if I can talk to him about it.

"He's too great of a player to have people look at him and think he's a quitter. Don't be labeled as a guy who's a sometimes player, I-play-when-I-want-to type of attitude. He's too good for that."

[Quasimoto]

Just read that igy. 

Giants are done.  Cowboys will win the division and make a hard push in the playoffs.  farg.

[QB Eagles]

Never seen a team with so much infighting. Coughlin's lost all control.