Author: Anthony Stalter (Page 1364 of 1503)

The Raiders finally signed first overall pick JaMarcus Russell, inking the rookie to a six-year, $61 million contract.

Amazingly, the same numbers Russell signed for would have gotten a deal done in April when Oakland selected the quarterback with the top pick and would have avoided the lengthy holdout. However, at that point the Raiders said cash flow problems stemming from stadium issues would prevent the team from giving Russell the money he wanted. In the end, Oakland came through with the cash.

They had to wait to sign the first overall pick because of cash flow problems? I’m sorry, but does that not say Oakland Raiders or what? The only team with worse luck drafting and signing players must be the Minnesota Vikings, who allowed Bryant “Mount” McKinnie to miss the first eight weeks of the 2002 season before finally agreeing to a deal. Not to mention, had the clock expire on them during the 2003 draft and were passed by two teams before finally selecting stud DT Kevin Williams.

Back to Russell, with the way Josh McCown played on Sunday (30 of 40, 313 yards, 2 TDs) it’s doubtful the Raiders rush him on the field. However, if by midseason they’re 0-8, look for Russell to see his first NFL action.

While we’re all excited that football is back for another season, we should take a second to pray for a man who is battling a severe spinal cord injury that could leave him paralyzed.

Bills reserve tight end Kevin Everett lay unconscious on the field Sunday following a helmet-to-helmet hit with one of the Broncos players. Doctors will sedate Everett for a day or two while they try and discover the extent of his injury.

Here’s to Kevin’s health and wishing him nothing but the best medical attention.

Update: ESPN is reporting that Kevin is likely to suffer some permanent paralysis. My heart goes out to him and his family.

According to NY Jets Confidential, the Jets are claiming that the Patriots used someone to steal coaches’ signals during Sunday’s game at the Meadowlands.

According to a Meadowlands source, a member of the Patriots organization, with a credential issued by the team, was spotted by Jets security chief Steve Yarnell shooting near the New York bench.

And according to the stadium source, when questioned by Yarnell, the unnamed individual said that he was put up to it by the Patriots.

The cameraman was reportedly accused by Yarnell of shooting the Jets’ signals that were being sent by the coaches from the sidelines.

No wonder why everyone thinks Bill Belichick is a genius – the bastard has been cheating this whole time! Ever wonder how the Patriots win all the time, despite the obvious lack of superb athletic talent outsite of Tom Brady and Richard Seymour? Well, apparently all the talent is on the sidelines stealing opponents’ signals.

I find it amazing that the Dolphins were accused of stealing Brady’s audible calls last year and now the Jets are claiming that the Patriots did virtually the same thing. Nothing came out of it though and I highly doubt anything comes out of this situation either. Either way, teams better watch out when they play the AFC East, because them boys know how to gather information.

Most impressed with: Adrian Peterson (163 total yards, 1 TD) is going to flourish behind Minny’s o-line. He runs hard, finds positive yardage and flashed major speed on his 60-yard TD reception today…

Least impressed with: For a guy that was so hyped before the season, Steven Jackson (18 carries, 58 yards, two fumbles) looked very sub par against the Panthers. Carolina did a fantastic job keeping him contained and the Rams supposed stout offense looked very mediocre.

Wake up call goes too: anyone who doesn’t think Randy Moss (9 catches, 183 yards, 1 TD) will make a difference in New England. He’s going to keep his mouth shut and play for a ring.

Play of the day: Ellis Hobbs’ 108-yard kickoff return was sweet, although if the Jets’ return team knew how to wrap up, I’d be writing about a different play.

My best advice of the week: don’t fall asleep on Pittsburgh this year. Yeah it was only the Browns, but Ben Roethlisberger looks comfortable again and Mike Tomlin’s defense is downright nasty…

Draft talk (yes, already): Anyone else smell the crap coming from Joey Harrington’s pants as he freaked out every time the Vikings blitzed? Was he that bad? No, but Bobby Petrino has to be dreaming of calling plays for Brian Brohm right about now.

Many applauds to: Matt Schaub to Andre Johnson is pretty…Antonio Gates is just so clutch. Every time Philip Rivers needed a target, Gates was always open…Clinton Portis looks healthy again – he gained 98 yards on a usually dominant Miami front seven…the Packers defense is very underrated – Nick Barnett was a wild man against Philly…

Cheap shots: Sorry Chiefs, but you’ll need more than Larry Johnson this year…give me one player on the Bucs offense that scares you…why can’t defenses defend when LT throws a halfback pass? I know he’s so dangerous, but seriously, teams are still generally fooled when he cocks his arm back to throw…Jon Kitna plays so well at times and absolutely loses his mind at others…