Michael Vick gave Cam Newton advice

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Panthers rookie quarterback Cam Newton says when he picked up the phone, he was surprised to hear Michael Vick on the other end.

He says the Philadelphia quarterback gave him advice last week on what he thought Newton needs to do.

Newton, the No. 1 pick in the NFL draft, says "whatever he says right now is golden."

He says Vick has been in this situation and that he idolizes the former Virginia Tech star who was the top pick in the 2001 draft.

Vick wasn't thrown into the fire as a rookie the way Newton will be Sunday, when Carolina opens against the Arizona Cardinals, but he has seen -- and overcome -- his share of adversity.
 
Would loved to have heard that conversation .............. Advice on HOW NOT to get caught, HOW to live a better life in prison ......... HOW did he get his phone number? "Hi Operator, do you have a listing for a Cam Newton?" Maybe they just talked about the MILLIONS they are making. "They delivered my Bugatti last week." .......... "I be gonna get one to, what is it?"

Pro Football Hall of Fame’s statement regarding cancellation of NFL/Hall of Fame Game

While the Pro Football Hall of Fame is disappointed by the news that the NFL/Hall of Fame Game will not be played, we appreciate the effort that was made on our behalf by the league and players right up until the last minute.

Although the game is an important part of the 10-day, 18-event Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Festival, it is important to remember that the most important event is the Enshrinement Ceremony which will be held on Saturday night August 6 as scheduled.

Obviously, the loss of this year’s game will have a significant adverse economic impact on the Hall of Fame and the Canton community. We believe, however, that the long-term stability this new agreement will provide will be beneficial not only to the league and the players, but to the fans and the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Recent Comments

The players and the owners should be ashamed. They both had plenty of time to get the CBA agreed upon and sign in time to save the HOF game. I'm attending for the 1st and probably the last time. I feel sorry for the inductees. The game on Sunday would have been a fitting end to a HOF career. You selfish b------s!!!!

I was afraid of this game being cancelled by the NFL. I had purchased game tickets even before the teams were announced. Then when they announced the Rams were playing, I was ecstatic. I've been going to Canton every other year since 2001 for just the Enshrinment Ceremony and the game. With the economy still being slow it doesn't make sense to fly from Miami just to go to the Ceremony. I'm very upset, but that's life. I was looking forward to seeing the Rams play and greeting Marshall and his friends from the Greatest Show on Turf. Oh well, congratulations to all, and especially to Marshall Faulk. Go Rams!!!

We have been attending Enshrinement weekend for many years. After months of eagerly waiting to see our Chicago Bears play in the HOF game, we are devastated by the news. For that reason, this will be our last Enshrinement. Shame on  the NFL, the owners and the players, all of whom forgot about the game... they only thought about their wallets.

Will Pryor Enter NFL Supplemental Draft in July?

By Zachary D. Rymer


These last couple months have been a long, bumpy road for Ohio State quarterback Terrelle Pryor. And unfortunately, he has nobody to blame but himself.

In case you need to get caught up, it was revealed several months ago that Pryor and several other Ohio State players traded memorabilia for tattoos, and that head coach Jim Tressel had covered for them. Initially, that led to suspensions for all involved parties, but things have gotten progressively worse.

At the outset, Pryor could have chosen to declare for the 2011 NFL Draft. Instead, he promised Tressel he would return for his senior season. As it turned out, Tressel resigned on Monday. As if that wasn't bad enough, it is now being investigated whether or not Pryor has also received cars and other benefits.

Needless to say, Pryor's tenure at Ohio State has taken a turn for the worse. However, these is a way for him to escape.

The draft has already taken place, but the word from ESPN's Adam Schefter is that the NFL lockout will not necessarily cancel the supplemental draft. If there are applicants, it will be held in July.

So far, there haven't been any applicants, and no deadline has been set for interested players to apply.

"If there is one, the supplemental draft would be held mid-to-late July, no later than 10 days before the first training camp opens," said an optimistic league official.

The supplementary draft was implemented in 1977. It is designed to accommodate players who didn't declare for the NFL Draft in time and for those who couldn't because they were facing disciplinary issues. Naturally, Pryor belongs in the latter group.

As for how the supplemental draft works, teams are free to make a "bid" on a player. These bids are the round they would take the player in if they were in the draft. If one team bids a seventh-round pick, and another bids a fifth-round pick, the second team would win the player but would then forfeit its fifth-round pick in the following year's draft.

If Pryor wants of out Ohio State, this is his ticket. It may not be the Radio City Music Hall, but at least it will get him away from Columbus. And better yet, he'll get paid.

Now that Tressel is gone, don't be surprised if Pryor chooses to pursue this opportunity

Interview with a NFL out of work Football Player

Hi, you're Mad Dog Masurki, can I just call you Mad.

Sure Baby

What type of work are you looking for?

I be wantin sumpthin in management.

What is your experience?

I be in the NFL now for bout six years, I be a runnin back.

Oh, Ok, what about salary requirements?

I be makin 12 million dollars a year.

OK, what about your education.

I be havin a degree, a BS or BE or sumpin, from The Ohio State University, an then when I be donatin sum money to the school they give me a doctor of sumptin too.

What are you qualified to do?

Well, I can run 'n juke some, got good speed, du a good 20, little slower in the 100 and I can press 200 an i be good hittin holes in the line.

What do you think you offer us here at IBM, what is your knowledge and what are your skills in regards to the internet, or manufacturing skills?

What do IBM mean?

Internatonal Business Machines.

OH, I thought it mean I BEE MEAN, can you call down and have them bring my Rolls around to the door, sorry man.

NFL Getting Serious TINC News

An emergency meeting of the National Football League officials, owners and players was called Sunday afternoon to address some of the issues facing the league. Helmet to helmet tackling, excessive celebrating, players running in to officials and conduct off field, were just a few of the many problems facing the league this year.

We could only speculate what was being discussed behind the closed door meeting, but during several "potty" breaks some of the agenda was disclosed by meeting members in their haste to reach the few bathrooms on the thirteenth floor of the building where the meetings were being held.

One major area of concern pertained to the helmet to helmet contact that has resulted in so many concussions and neck injuries. Apparently the one suggestions that seemed the most practical was to do away with the present helmets and issue leather helmets to all players. It was felt that by doing this, no player would want to go head to head, if the outcome could be serious injury for both players involved in the collision. One linebacker was quoted as saying,"Hey, I ain't gonna try to hit nobody real hard if all I got on my head for protection is one a them old leather things. I am just gonna do like in the old days and tackle some guy and not try to break his neck, OK?.

After last Sunday's injury to the member of the "chain gang" in New Orleans, starting in two weeks, to give all the stadiums time to make arrangements, chain gangs and sideline officials will use the first two rows of the stadium, and use laser activated markers to mark the progress on the field.

It was decided, too, that chaperons will be hired and trained by the league to accompany all players when they are outside of their homes or apartments.

Drinking of alcoholic beverages during the pre-season and regular season will be strictly prohibited for all players.

It will be against league policy to originate and send any pornographic material through the mail or via email. No nude photographs will be taken for any reason.

League officials further decreed that no active roster player can be in the presence of any female, wives, mothers and legitimate children excluded. They later amended this to include "illegitimate children."

It was also rumored that the league had been contacted by a member of Al Kaida, who requested that no Muslims be allowed to attend games as long as "pigskins" were used on the field of play.

Owners also have been contacted in regards to their contracting with Arthur Murray to instruct those players who feel they have to "dance" after a successful play. Those same players have the option of wearing appropriate team colored tights for their dances.

Official results of the meeting will be disclosed at a later date.

Mangini Head Coach of the Browns .. back to where he started

I think this is a neat story, from ball boy to head coach, dreams do come true.

Eric Mangini was named the 12th full-time head coach in the history of the Cleveland Browns franchise on January 8, 2009.

For Mangini, it marked a return to his NFL roots, having kicked off his tenure in the league as a ball boy and an intern in the Browns’ public relations department in 1994. His tireless work ethic was just as evident in that first year as it is today, a quality that led then-head coach Bill Belichick to add Mangini to the team’s coaching staff in 1995.

In his 14 years of NFL coaching experience, Mangini has been a part of six teams that qualified for the playoffs, including five that captured division crowns and three that came away with the Lombardi Trophy as Super Bowl champions.