‘The Incredible Bulk’ Comes Clean on “Inside the NFL”

Some things are better off never said. When former first round bust Tony Mandarich admitted on Showtime’s “Inside the NFL” that he used anabolic steroids, it was the equivalent of Tommy Lee saying that he smoked marijuana.

It just so happens that the ex-Packer and Colt is making the rounds promoting his autobiography, “My Dirty Little Secrets - Steroids, Alcohol and God.” Nothing like using that magic word when looking for attention.

“I used them,” said Mandarich on the weekly program. “This is the first time I ever said it. If I would have come out and said it, I think it would have affected a lot of other people that were doing the same things.” (more…)

The New York Dragons will be holding a press conference today at 1:45 p.m. ET at the Sports Museum of America to unveil the franchise’s new logo, team colors and helmet as well as introduce the new Dragons’ Advisory Board. The board includes New York Jets Safety Kerry Rhodes and New York Giants Linebacker Danny Clark.

This will be the first opportunity to meet the key members of the new New York Dragons ownership and management team, including new managing partner Steven Silva and new chief operating officer Tim Kelly. Dragons head coach Weylan Harding and All-Arena defensive back Billy Parker will also be in attendance.

The New York Jets have re-signed P Ben Graham and waived WR Marcus Henry. The announcement was made by Jets General Manager Mike Tannenbaum.

Graham (6-5, 235/Deakin (Australia)/Geelong/Victoria Australia) originally signed with the Jets as a free agent in 2005, and was waived on Sept. 16. He has appeared in 49 career games for the Jets, averaging 43.7 yards on 222 punts for 9,704 yards, with 24 touchbacks and 67 inside the 20-yard line. He played Australian Football professionally for the Geelong Football Club for 12 seasons before joining the Jets.

Henry (6-4, 207/Kansas/Lawton, OK) was the Jets sixth-round draft pick (171st overall) in the 2008 NFL Draft. Inactive for the first two games, Henry finished his collegiate career with 104 receptions for 1,598 yards and 13 touchdowns in 46 games.

Injury update: Punter Reggie Hodges (left thigh) has been downgraded to out for the game at SD, 9/22.

The New York Jets, the New York City Department of Education, and Lime Connect (Lime), an organization that connects people with disabilities for employment, will launch “Be a Champion”, a citywide essay writing contest for middle and high school students with disabilities tomorrow, September 16, at 12.30 PM at J.H.S. 167 in Manhattan. In the essays students will reflect on concepts of achievement and success as they move to complete their secondary education and prepare for the challenges of the life beyond high school.

WHAT: Launch of “Be a Champion” Essay Writing Contest

WHO: NY Jets player Tony Richardson, Lime’s Founder Rich Donovan, DOE Deputy Chancellor Dr. Marcia Lyles, J.H.S. Principal Jennifer Rhen, teachers, and students.

WHEN: Tuesday, September 16, 2008

TIME: 12:30 PM

WHERE: J.H.S. 167 Robert F. Wagner

220 East 76 St., Manhattan
(School library)

Losing Star QB for Season Will Effect Entire Conference

Where it used to be the New England Patriots and then everyone else in the AFC, the season-ending knee injury suffered by quarterback Tom Brady in the first quarter of the season opener has changed everything. The team that was the preseason favorite to win it all will have to defend their conference title without their field general.

No matter how good a head coach Bill Belichik may be, losing the reigning league MVP may be more than even he can overcome. No slight against Matt Cassel, but he will be making his first start since high school come this Sunday on the road against the Jets.

The former back-up nearly found himself on the unemployment line following a dismal performance in the Pats’ four exhibition losses. Now he is being asked to step in for a team that went 16-0 last season.

Cassel was able to lead the team to a 17-10 home win over the Kansas City Chiefs after taking over for Brady. Under normal circumstances, New England would have dominated a weaker opponent like the rebuilding Chiefs. They barely hung on and if that is any indication of what is in store, first place in the AFC East will not be for long.

“I would still consider them the favorite,” Jet linebacker Eric Barton said in response to a question posed to him about the Pats and the Super Bowl. “Absolutely. I think the last time they were in a situation like this they won the Super Bowl,” he continued, reflecting on the time Brady took over for an injured Drew Bledsoe on September 23, 2001 and promptly led 14-point underdog New England to a shocking victory over the St. Louis Rams in Super Bowl XXXVI.

Brett Favre agreed with Barton’s assessment. “I think the Patriots are the team to beat until proven otherwise,” the veteran quarterback said. “They have dominated this division as well as this league for a long time.”

From one QB to another, Favre isn’t buying into what people are saying about the Pats being lost without their marquee player in the lineup, but did acknowledge there will be a difference. “Matt Cassel played great the other day when he came in,” he said. “They assume he will do that. Tom Brady is Tom Brady. So that does give us a better chance.”

According to Jets head coach Eric Mangini, the new starter has enough weapons around him to carry the load. “It’s a very efficient offense,” he said. “Matt will do an excellent job for them. He’s been there a long time. I was there when he got there.

“He’s very similar to what I’ve experienced with a lot of the quarterbacks in terms of the way he approaches things, how disciplined he is and how much he studies. He’s got a strong arm. He can make plays with his feet. I think he’ll do a really, really good job.”

Heading into the season, most of the experts were putting New England, Indianapolis and San Diego at the top of the heap. Both the Colts and Chargers lost at home in Week 1 to underdog NFC teams.

An interesting campaign just got a lot more interesting. How all of this plays out is anyone’s guess at this early juncture, but no Brady can make for a very different season than what has been considered the ‘norm’ for New England.

The New York Jets have signed eight players to the practice squad. The announcement was made by Jets General Manager Mike Tannenbaum.

All eight of the players spent time with the team during training camp.

WR Larry Brackins, (6-4, 221/Pearl River CC/Dothan, AL)
RB Jehuu Caulcrick, (6-0, 254/Michigan State/Findley Lake, NY)
OL Stanley Daniels, (6-4, 320/Washington/San Diego, CA)
DB James Ihedigbo, (6-1, 202/Massachusetts/Amherst, MA)
OL Matt McChesney, (6-4, 307/Colorado/Santa Cruz, CA)
DE Ropati Pitoitua, (6-8, 290/Washington State/Spanaway, WA)
WR Paul Raymond, (5-10, 185/Brown, Miami, FL)
LB Brandon Renkart, (6-2, 236/Rutgers, Piscataway, NJ)

Purple People Eaters Look to Take a Wide-Open Division in Transition

With the start of NFL training camps, Between the Uprights will bring you a team-by-team breakdown of all 32 clubs vying for the Lombardi Trophy on February 1, 2009 in Tampa Bay. We will start with the NFC East and work our way around the league.

The NFC North will be a very different looking division from only a year ago when the Green Bay Packers led the way with a 13-3 record. The 2007 Minnesota Vikings may have finished second at .500, but added the league’s sack leader and hope that quarterback Tarvaris Jackson will take the next step and lead the team to the playoffs, which they have missed since 200.

A strong backfield will go a long way in making that a reality, and adding wide receiver Bernard Berrian will make their offense well-rounded. On the other side of the ball, the Williamses and Jared Allen form a formidable group, which may be able to dominate the division. (more…)

Big Blue Looks to Avoid Super Bowl Hangover

With the start of NFL training camps, Between the Uprights will bring you a team-by-team breakdown of all 32 clubs vying for the Lombardi Trophy on February 1, 2009 in Tampa Bay. We will start with the NFC East and work our way around the league.

This time, they won’t be able to sneak up on anyone. The Patriots are still shaking their heads that the Giants were able to defeat them in Super Bowl XLII. No one saw that coming, even the Giants themselves.

The team did fine in the post-Tiki Barber era, and will have to become acclimated with losing another steady veteran with the retirement of Michael Strahan. Both may have been controversial, but brought it to the field every Sunday. Strahan will be more difficult to replace than Barber was.

Eli Manning won the respect that he longed for, and may have gained the confidence to put him in the upper echelons of NFL quarterbacks. The offense will be similar to last year’s, the only major difference being tight end Jeremy Shockey’s absence. With the team surviving the stretch run with rookie Kevin Boss, general manager Jerry Reese felt comfortable moving the Pro Bowler to New Orleans in exchange for draft choices. (more…)

While Trade was a No-Brainer, Let’s Not Anoint Him Broadway Just Yet

You can’t go home again. That old saying rang true when Brett Favre had the door to Green Bay slammed in his face. The same place where he used to walk on water – and the Frozen Tundra – at first tried to be subtle in telling the grizzled veteran quarterback that they were all better off if he stayed away. But Favre wouldn’t accept that and forced a trade, one that even he called “unique” and surprising.

Perhaps the most unlikely of suitors were the Jets, and that’s exactly how this thing played out. When Favre was introduced during a hurried press conference in Cleveland, he, general manager Mike Tannenbaum and team owner Woody Johnson all appeared as if they stayed at the biggest party of the summer too late – exhausted, but glad that they did it.

“Did I ever think that this scenario would present itself?” Favre asked himself. “No.” That may be attributed to the fact that the legendary signal-caller would have preferred staying a Packer or being dealt within the NFC North. Neither was in the cards, so he finds himself in New York…er, New Jersey. (more…)

America’s Team Should Expect More Games from Pacman

With the start of NFL training camps, Between the Uprights will bring you a team-by-team breakdown of all 32 clubs vying for the Lombardi Trophy on February 1, 2009 in Tampa Bay. We will start with the NFC East and work our way around the league.

Coming off a 13-3 season and a division championship, the Dallas Cowboys spent the offseason wondering what could have been following a tough playoff loss in Big D versus the eventual-Super Bowl champion New York Giants. The tears from T.O. may become a familiar sight with the addition of Adam ‘Pacman’ Jones, the much-maligned cornerback late of the Tennessee Titans, who was reinstated by the league following a one-year suspension.

Is he talented? No question, but his off-the-field problems outweigh any good he may do between the white lines. With T.O and ‘don’t call me Pacman’ Jones around, it may be a race to see who could cause more commotion once the hugs and kisses and non-pressure of the preseason ceases. (more…)