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Titans owner Bud Adams has announced that it’s time to let Vince Young go and for the franchise to find its next quarterback, reports ESPN.
The Titans released a statement Wednesday night in which Adams said Young won’t be on the team’s roster next season, but he’s still evaluating the coaching staff.
“We have two critical decisions to make, the direction of the coaching staff and the future at the quarterback position. They are separate issues to me and will be dealt with separately,” Adams said.
Adams is the owner who wanted Young drafted No. 3 overall out of Texas in 2006 and said on draft day that “VY is my guy.” But even as his general manager and senior executive vice president were traveling to Houston to meet with him Monday, the 88-year-old owner decided Young no longer is the quarterback for his franchise.
Young is 30-17 in five NFL seasons, but only 13-14 against teams finishing a season .500 or better. He’s also battled questions about his work ethic, leadership and injuries. He suffered a season-ending thumb injury on his right hand Nov. 21, tossed his shoulder pads into the stands and told off coach Jeff Fisher in front of the locker room before storming out.
The 27-year-old quarterback told The Tennessean of Nashville that he was a little bitter, but wished Adams and Fisher well and thanked them for giving him a chance to win the Super Bowl. He also said he had nothing against Fisher, though he never felt as if the coach trusted him.
“Things happen for a reason. I tried my best to win a Super Bowl for them. I tried my hardest, I really did,” Young said, according to The Tennessean. “I just wish coach Fisher would have trusted me a little bit more. That was the only issue there.
“I like Jeff Fisher as a person, as a coach and everything. I just didn’t feel like he trusted me,” Young added, according to The Tennessean. “In the five years I was there … I feel like he was continuing to treat me like I was a young man when I’d really grown up a whole lot. I just didn’t feel like I had the trust and the love that any other quarterback around the league had. I was always looking over my shoulder. I didn’t feel like I was his guy the whole way.”
Young later tweeted his thanks to Nashville and Titans fans.
“I look forward to a new beginning and bringing my talents to a new team,” Young wrote.
The quarterback is due a roster bonus of $4.25 million in March and an $8.5 million salary for 2011.
The New York Jets have suspended Sal Alosi indefinitely after the team got “new information” that the strength and conditioning coach “instructed” five players to stand in a wall before he tripped Dolphins player Nolan Carroll on Sunday. Jets general manager Mike Tannenbaum announced the punishment after Alosi was suspended for the rest of the season and fined $25,000 on Monday. “Over the last day as we continued our investigation we discovered some new information,” Tannenbaum said. “The players at the Miami game were in structed by Sal to stand where they were forcing the gunner in the game to run around them. Based on that new information we’ve suspended Sal indefinitely, pending further review.”
This isn’t the first time that Alosi has ordered play ers to line up, according to a player who was in the line. “We’ve been doing that since the beginning of the year, standing right there. Sunday was not the first time that we’d been doing that,” Jets tight end Jeff Cumberland said. “I mean, throughout the season you know things are going to happen but you never expect this to happen.” Cumberland said that Alosi wasn’t explicit in explaining what the players were doing. “He never really just gave a reason,” Cumberland said. “He just said during punt return, ‘You just stand right here by this line, everybody just stand right here.’ There wasn’t really a reason why. But we kinda figured just in case somebody ran over here.”
Tannenbaum said that as soon as the team learned the new inf ormation, the Jets contacted NFL vice president of football operations Ray Anderson. “They support this initial decision that we presented to them,” Tannenbaum said. “The league is going to look into this as well, as well they should. Once we get all the information we’ll make a final determination.” Tannenbaum was clear in what happened. “Specifically when Miami was punting they were asked to stand there by him,” he said.
Tannenbaum said Alosi acted alone, that he wasn’t told by anyone in the organization to instruct players to stand in a line. Addressing the media Monday, Alosi claimed he wasn’t instructed by anyone to create a human wall. Cumberland backed that stance when asked if anyone else asked him to stand in the line. “Just Sal,” he said. Tannenbaum and coach Rex Ryan both insisted Monday that the players aren’t coached to do that.
New York Jets head coach Rex Ryan and GM Mike Tannenbaum talking during practice at the teams training facility. Tannenbaum said the team looked at the game film of the play and “ it looked to me like it was unusual for them to be standing that way.” The Jets interviewed the players who were standing near Alosi, but will not take any action against them. “This is just about Sal,” Tannenbaum said.
Could Alosi be fired for the move? “All options are certainly on the table we’re going to complete the review and get all the information,” Tannenbaum said. “[Special teams coach] Mike Westhoff was not involved, Rex Ryan was not involved, but we just want to be thorough and get all the information.” But he also said that he ‘s noticed that the Jets aren’t the only teams lining up on the sidelines during punts. The Patriots engage in similar tactics, he said. “A number of teams do it,” Westhoff said. “There is a pretty go od team up north that lines their whole defense up when they do it, so it’s something that just kind of happened.”
Asked if he’s saying the Patriots line up players to impede punt coverage teams, Westhoff elaborated: “Well, if you watch them, their defense when the opponents’ punt team is out there, they’re up there pretty close to the line, so it looks like they are trying to do it. Now are they doing anything illegal? Are they tripping anybody, heck no. I’m not saying that. That’s not the point. But, yeah, they’re lined up there. Is it making a difference? I don’t know. I really don’t know, because to tell you the truth, before this happened I never really looked at anybody’s sideline in all my years.”
Former Miami Dolphins linebacker Zach Thomas had accused the Jets Tuesday of deliberately forming a wall on their sideline to influence the Dolphins’ gunner. Thomas was part of a growing faction that believes Alosi wasn’t acting alone. “They had to be ordered to stand there because they’re foot to foot,” Thomas said Tuesday on Miami radio station WQAM. “There’s four of them, side to side — five of them, I mean — on the edge of the coaches’ zone. They’re only out there to restrict the space of the gunner.
“But there’s more to it because I’m telling you, the only thing [Alosi] did wrong was intentionally put that knee out there. If he just stood there, there would never have been a problem, even if the guy got tripped. But there’s more to this. He was ordered to stand there. No one is foot to foot on the sideline in the coaches’ box.” There was a six-man line, starting with Alosi and defensive lineman Marcus Dixon (inactive). It’s believed the other four also were inactive players. They were in a tight formation, almost like soccer players preparing to defend a direct kick. Their toes were right up against the boundary, with Alosi positioned in the corner of the coaches’ box.
Carroll, meanwhile said Wednesday that he has found it difficult to get away from replays of the tripping episode. He said he has seen the replay on TV more times than he can count. The contact of the trip did cause a muscle spasm in Carroll’s right leg, which he broke last year, but he later returned to the game. The Dolphins reserve said he has received lots of text messages and phone calls from concerned friends in the wake of the incident
By now you know that Michael Vick will be the starting quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles this Sunday against Jacksonville.
“I was surprised,” Vick said. “But at the same time, I’m grateful for the opportunity and very humbled by the opportunity.”
The decision to start Vick over Kevin Kolb by head coach coach Andy Reid, after he had originally stated that Kolb would be the starter, is causing some to question whether Reid was honest with the media and Kolb to begin with.
“If I’m the bad guy, I’m OK with that,” Reid said. “I think it’s important the players know I’m going to do what I think is right for them. How I’m perceived outside of them, that’s not my concern.”
Kevin Kolb, the now benched QB, says Reid has been straight with him.
“I want to be out there, but Andy always does what he feels is best for the team and so far to this point he’s done what’s best for my career, and I trust him,” Kolb said. “I still have faith it’ll work out here.”
Reid flatly denied suggestions by conspiracy theorists that someone higher up in the organization told him to start Vick.
“There was nobody that influenced this call,” Reid said. “I made the decision, and then I clued in the other people involved with it.”
With Vick leading the way, the Eagles have scored 62 points in six quarters. Kolb and the rest of the offense were awful in the first half of a 27-20 loss to Green Bay in Week 1. Vick came in after Kolb got hurt, threw for 175 yards and one touchdown and ran for 103 yards, nearly rallying the Eagles from a 17-point deficit.
Then Vick was spectacular in a 35-32 win at Detroit. He had 284 yards passing and two TDs, ran for 37 yards and had to escape a relentless blitz throughout the game.
Though Reid denied it, Vick’s remarkable ability to escape pressure could be a factor in this switch because Philadelphia’s offensive line is struggling. Kolb is less mobile and putting him behind a poor line right now could be dangerous since he’s already sustained one concussion.
In just two days, Kolb went from starter to someone who could be on the trading block. There were reports that Cleveland already inquired about Kolb, and Reid wouldn’t commit to him being in Philly beyond the Oct. 19 trade deadline.
September 16th and 17th will be the Sixth Annual African American Prostate Cancer Disparity Summit hosted by the Prostate Health Education Network, Inc. (PHEN) in Washington D.C. This year’s summit focuses on enhancing partnerships with churches in the fight against prostate cancer.
The summit plans to fight against the saying “when America has a cold, African Americans have pneumonia” but in the context of prostate cancer. According to PHEN, Black men are diagnosed with prostate cancer at a rate 60% higher, and die from the disease at a rate 150% higher than all other men, which is the largest racial disparity for any type of cancer.
In response, PHEN is looking towards outreach efforts with Black churches nationwide on their main session September 17th during the Congressional Black Caucus Annual Legislative Conference at the Washington Convention Center. This is an effort that is based on the high numbers that came to PHEN’s first annual “Father’s Day Rally Against Prostate Cancer” this year, which was partnered with hundreds of churches across the country.
Attending the summit will be congressional leaders, as well as leaders from the National and Progressive Baptist Conventions and the African Methodist Episcopal Church. Also expected to be there is Reverend Roosevelt Grier, former pro football player and prostate cancer survivor, along with survivor and R&B singer Charlie Wilson as a singing act.
“Our communities need to become the most knowledgeable to eliminate the prostate cancer crisis,” PHEN president and founder Thomas Farrington says. “Working in partnership with churches, in combination with our national survivor network and internet educational tools, PHEN will be able to reach into most Black communities in the country,” he adds.
The entire summit is free and open to the public. Prostate cancer survivors, church and community leaders and medical professionals are encouraged to attend. PHEN is a Boston-based, 501(c)3 nonprofit organization founded in 2003 by Thomas A. Farrington, a prostate cancer survivor, and author of the books “Battling the Killer Within,” and “Battling The Killer Within and Winning.”
He’s a got a hit reality show, but he can’t get a football gig to save his life. Terrell Owens, a.k.a. T.O, says he can’t understand why no football team has signed him. His last team, The Buffalo Bills, only kept him for a year. Owens has had previous stops with the Cowboys, Eagles and 49ers. He has a rep as troublemaker, but he has never been disciplined by the NFL for off field conduct. His reality show is currently in its second season. The T.O. Show airs Sundays at 10pm on VH1.
At one time in his career, he was known as the best defensive player in NFL history, but now a grand jury has indicted him on a rape charge. One time NFL Great Lawrence Taylor says he’s innocent of charges of rape and sexual abuse. The indictment follows his early May arrest after being found with a 16-year old girl. The girl was paid $300 to have sex with Taylor. Taylor was charge with patronizing a prostitute and endangering the welfare of a child. Taylor arraignment is July 13th. What a fall from grace it has been for Taylor. He rebounded from his scandalous drug past after appearing on Dancing With The Stars. Now, he faces jail time.
Remember the simple pleasures of life:
Listen to your favorite music every day.
Always have flowers on the table.
On the weekends, take off your watch and forget about the time.
Take a nap.
Each week bake some cookies, bread, or pie. Try even if you’ve never done so before.
Surprise a loved-one or friend with an unexpected gift.
Put an inspirational quote somewhere where you can see it everyday.
Never miss an opportunity to have fun.
Never miss a parade.
Buy a box of crayons and color some pictures with a child.
Read a child a story.
Give people plenty of well-deserved compliments.
Try to save a quarter every day. You’ll be surprised about how much you’ll save within a short time. Spend it on a rainy day.
Keep a journal where you can explore your thoughts and feelings.
Give someone special a kiss and hug.
Call three friends and plan to get together with them.
Get out the camera and take some silly photos of yourself and a friend. Don’t be afraid to dress up.
Go outside and enjoy the beauty of nature.
Buy a gift for a child.
Go to the pet store and play with the kittens and puppies.
Read your favorite love poem and escape to romantic dreams.
Buy a book and some fresh flowers.
Visit a museum or art gallery.
Do something different.
Never forget that miracles happen every day.
Think something positive about yourself every day.
Think something positive about the other people in your life every day.
ENJOY YOUR HOLIDAY WEEKEND BLOGGERS!
Three Teachers Mock Black History Month with Rodman, RuPaul and O.J. Black History Month has truly come to a close…and with what three white male teachers would call a “bang.” The school, which is 90% latino, was putting on a Black History Month parade where the children would carry pictures of famous African Americans. Well the bang those teachers were trying to make was in the form of Dennis Rodman (basketball player gone wild), RuPaul (drag queen of all drag queens), and O.J. Simpson (football player done lost his damn mind…acquitted of murdering his wife and her friend, yet still manages to land in jail for armed robbery). It appears that the teachers little jokey joke blew up in their faces. But, the only explosion was their jobs going up in flames. According to the Associated Press, the teachers have been removed from the classroom. But if the NAACP’s Los Angeles chapter president, Leon Jenkins, has anything to say about it, they will be fired. It all happened Friday at Wadsworth Avenue Elementary School in South Los Angeles. One of the parents, Sharon Tinson, told AP she was shocked to see O.J., but she “just laughed.” She has two daughters that attend the school. She also said, “Simpson, like Rodman, was a great athlete before falling from grace. RuPaul simply has an alternative lifestyle, she added.
Carl Eller and the Retired Players Association will address the state of the NFL from retired player’s unique perspectives on a vintage rail car as a symbolic gesture. The event will be located at the Union Pacific Railroad, 2112 E. Randol Mill Road, Arlington, Texas. This event will be open to the public and will be telecast worldwide via USteam.
The title of the press conference will be “The Future of the NFL”. Eller will passionately address young NFL players and the public. Eller’s address promises to fully educate non-players and player alike about the ramifications of Collective Bargaining Agreements. “Super Bowl XLV will be the last game played under the current Collective Bargaining Agreement,” explains Eller. “I want to address the public to educate and inform. We chose to host this address on The Union Pacific which is a highly symbolic venue because it reminds us of the significance of the past, and the role it plays in this year’s Super Bowl.”
According to Eller and the RPA, this analogy can be applied directly to the plight of the retired players and their messages of reform the NFL and the NFLPA. Eller, a former Minnesota Viking Defensive End and Pro Football Hall of Famer, is a staunch advocate for players, aspiring, current and retired.
“Current players, including rookies in this years’ draft have no idea of what is at stake in the negotiations. They risk losing billions of dollars at the bargaining table. This of course will affect the current players, who will soon be, retired players,” explains Eller.
The highlight of the presentation will be the announcement of the Retired Players Association’s heath care program SecuriCare, a national network of clinics and hospitals in pending partnerships with the Mayo Clinic, Johns Hopkins Hospital and Scripps Clinics. This network has collective assets that will bring billions of dollars of medical care and technology to the retired players to help with health issues that retired players continue to suffer from.
The Retired Players Association has already helped hundreds of retired players with severe and debilitating medical problems and is now rolling the program out to retired players nationally. SecuriCare will provide the retired NFL players a cohesive, easy-to-use, network of thousands of expertly trained and skilled medical professionals. This will create a prestigious health care network which is quite possibly the world’s best health care plan and is far superior to anything provided thus far by the NFL or the NFLPA.