Author: Anthony Stalter (Page 1302 of 1503)

According to the Atlanta Journal Constitution, the Falcons will not be able to recoup the $20 million paid in roster bonuses to jailed quarterback Michael Vick.

A special master ruled in October that the Falcons were entitled to recover the bonuses. The Falcons argued that Vick used proceeds from a contract he signed in 2004 to finance his illicit activities.

But U.S. District Judge David Doty of Minneapolis ruled that the Falcons’ recovering the bonus money would violate the NFL collective bargaining agreement. The agreement does not allow signing bonuses to be forfeited for years a player has already performed.

The Falcons probably weren’t going to get back all of the $20 million anyway, but many figured they would have at least recovered three or four million. So the football gods look down on the Atlanta Falcons again and laugh. Not only do they still need a quarterback (I say that with all due respect to Chris Redman, Joey Harrington and Byron Leftwich, of course), but also won’t receive any cap relief in order to maybe pursue one.

At least Vick can use some of the $20 million to pay back Wachovia Bank for the $1.08 million he borrowed to open up a wine and spirits restaurant.

Update: Check that, Vick is now on the hook for $3.75 million.

For how much crap Eli Manning has taken over the years, he deserves this moment:

Giants 17, Patriots 14

1. It took Peyton Manning nine tries to win a Super Bowl. It only took Eli Manning four and he had fewer weapons at his disposal. The media shouldn’t skimp giving Eli credit throughout this week, because he certainly deserved it for what he did this season. He stayed calm under fire the entire game and never seemed rattled, which has been his MO throughout his short career. He proved doubters wrong and while he wasn’t overly impressive, he was steady and efficient.

2. The Giants proved tonight what a fierce pass rush could do for a defense. Michael Strahan, Justin Tuck and the rest of New York’s front seven dominated a usually stout Patriots’ offensive line. Tom Brady was constantly under fire and often looked for check downs instead of going down field. It was clear he was keying on the Giants’ pressure instead of just feeling it out and reacting to it. Not that I’m telling any professional athlete to retire, but is there a better time for Strahan to hang up the cleats? What a game he had.

3. Not to take anything away from the Giants, because their defense was unbelievable, but this was the worst the Patriots played all season. They were going for a perfect season and they appeared to lack emotion, energy and were completely lethargic overall. Dare I say it – they looked unprepared, too. From the first Giants’ field goal on their opening drive to Plaxico Burress’ game-winning touchdown, they completely outplayed the Patriots. The G-Men had an answer for everything the Patriots did, which is a testament to Tom Coughlin, Steve Spagnuolo and the rest of New York’s coaching staff. Spagnuolo might have earned himself the Redskins’ head coaching job with the way he had his defense prepared tonight.

4. If it weren’t for Wes Welker, the Pats might not have scored double-digit points. Every time New England needed a big play, Welker got open and fought for first downs. He outplayed Brady, Randy Moss, Laurence Maroney and the entire Patriot offensive line. Without him, Bill Belichick and Josh McDaniel’s brilliant offense wouldn’t have even scored 14 points. And how about the block Welker threw to spring a screen pass for a first down in the first half? He was the Patriots offense.

5. Is it just me or was Rodney Harrison brutal tonight? He whiffed on a chance to recover a fumble in the first half and then he had poor position on a jump ball that gave the Giants new life on their game-winning touchdown drive. David Tyree made a hell of a catch, but Manning threw a duck and Harrison needs to knock that ball down anyway he can.

According to ESPN via an unnamed source, the Patriots videotaped the Rams a day before Super Bowl XXXVI.

According to the report, an unnamed source close to the team during the 2001 season said that following the Patriots’ walkthrough at the Louisiana Superdome, a member of the team’s video staff stayed behind and taped the Rams’ walkthrough — a non-contact, no-pads practice at reduced speed in which a team goes through its plays.

The cameraman was not asked to identify himself or produce a press pass and rode the media shuttle back to the Patriots’ hotel after it was over, a source told the Herald. It is not known what became of the tape afterwards, or whether the cameraman made the tape on his own initiative or at someone else’s instruction, according to the report.

This is a little too convenient for me. Why is this just coming out a day before Super Bowl XVII? Obviously I wasn’t there and therefore don’t have any idea if the story is true or not, but come on – how long ago was spygate? And just now ESPN is stumbling upon this information? Seems like they’re fishing for a story.

Giants’ wide receiver Plaxico Burress has officially been listed as questionable for Super Bowl XLII.

Wide receiver Plaxico Burress *(ankle/knee) missed practice for the third straight day and is listed as questionable on the team’s official injury report.

Also, defensive end Osi Umenyiora sat out today with a thigh injury. He’s listed as probable.

Where’s all the media coverage on this ala when Tom Brady walked into Giselle Bundchen’s apartment with a limp? Plax is arguably the Giants’ best offensive player and thus far, none of the major media outlets are covering it. What’s the deal?

And before anyone says it – yes, I know there’s no comparison between Tom Brady and Plaxico Burress when it comes to media attention. But is it too much to ask for a little consistency?