Post by TheShadow on Jan 7, 2009 5:46:34 GMT -5
www.insidebayarea.com/
Wire services
Defensive back Rod Woodson, defensive linemen Bruce Smith and John Randle and tight end Shannon Sharpe are among the 15 finalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame, the only first-year eligible players to make the final round this year.
Joining them will be two contributors: former commissioner Paul Tagliabue and Buffalo Bills owner Ralph Wilson, as well as two senior nominees selected last August by the Senior Committee: Claude Humphrey and Bob Hayes.
Between four and seven candidates will be elected in the balloting that will take place in Tampa, Fla., on Jan. 31, the day before the Super Bowl. The field was narrowed by the Hall's 44-member board of selectors from 133 to 25 before reducing it to the final 15.
Other finalists were defensive linemen Richard Dent and Cortez Kennedy, linebacker Derrick Thomas, wide receivers Cris Carter and Andre Reed, center Dermontti Dawson and guards Russ Grimm, Bob Kuechenberg and Randall McDaniel.
Woodson played cornerback and safety with Pittsburgh (1987-96), the 49ers (1997), Baltimore (1998-2001) and the Raiders (2002-03).
Dent played for Chicago (1983-93, 1995), the 49ers (1994), Indianapolis (1996) and Philadelphia (1997).
Players with local ties not making the list included Ken Stabler, Ray Guy, Roger Craig, Kevin Greene, Lester Hayes, Charles Haley and Chris Doleman.
Associated Press Offensive Player of the Year: Quarterback Drew Brees won the award despite New Orleans finishing 8-8 and out of the playoffs. Brees passed for 5,069 yards, 15 fewer than Dan Marino's 1984 NFL mark. He earned 22 of 50 votes. Indianapolis quarterback Peyton Manning, the NFL's MVP, and Minnesota running back Adrian Peterson tied for second with nine votes each.
Chargers: Wide receiver Vincent Jackson was arrested on suspicion of drunken driving. He failed sobriety tests shortly after 2 a.m. on state Route 5, said California Highway Patrol Officer Ray Scheidnes. Jackson was on probation for a previous DUI arrest, Highway Patrol Officer Brad Baehr said. General manager A.J. Smith said he was aware of Jackson's "off-the-field issue. We will monitor the situation and have no further comment."
Jets: Owner Woody Johnson met with offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer about the team's coaching vacancy. Assistant head coach/offensive line coach Bill Callahan reportedly will sit down with Johnson today.
Broncos: Longtime Denver offensive coordinator Rick Dennison met with team owner Pat Bowlen after expressing interest in succeeding fired coach Mike Shanahan. The Broncos also spoke with Dallas offensive coordinator Jason Garrett.
Colts: A gun owned by receiver Marvin Harrison was used in an April shooting, but investigators still can't determine who pulled the trigger, Philadelphia's chief prosecutor said.
Lions: Detroit News columnist Rob Parker resigned, two weeks after he was criticized for asking coach Rod Marinelli if he had wished his daughter married a better defensive coordinator.
Wire services
Defensive back Rod Woodson, defensive linemen Bruce Smith and John Randle and tight end Shannon Sharpe are among the 15 finalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame, the only first-year eligible players to make the final round this year.
Joining them will be two contributors: former commissioner Paul Tagliabue and Buffalo Bills owner Ralph Wilson, as well as two senior nominees selected last August by the Senior Committee: Claude Humphrey and Bob Hayes.
Between four and seven candidates will be elected in the balloting that will take place in Tampa, Fla., on Jan. 31, the day before the Super Bowl. The field was narrowed by the Hall's 44-member board of selectors from 133 to 25 before reducing it to the final 15.
Other finalists were defensive linemen Richard Dent and Cortez Kennedy, linebacker Derrick Thomas, wide receivers Cris Carter and Andre Reed, center Dermontti Dawson and guards Russ Grimm, Bob Kuechenberg and Randall McDaniel.
Woodson played cornerback and safety with Pittsburgh (1987-96), the 49ers (1997), Baltimore (1998-2001) and the Raiders (2002-03).
Dent played for Chicago (1983-93, 1995), the 49ers (1994), Indianapolis (1996) and Philadelphia (1997).
Players with local ties not making the list included Ken Stabler, Ray Guy, Roger Craig, Kevin Greene, Lester Hayes, Charles Haley and Chris Doleman.
Associated Press Offensive Player of the Year: Quarterback Drew Brees won the award despite New Orleans finishing 8-8 and out of the playoffs. Brees passed for 5,069 yards, 15 fewer than Dan Marino's 1984 NFL mark. He earned 22 of 50 votes. Indianapolis quarterback Peyton Manning, the NFL's MVP, and Minnesota running back Adrian Peterson tied for second with nine votes each.
Chargers: Wide receiver Vincent Jackson was arrested on suspicion of drunken driving. He failed sobriety tests shortly after 2 a.m. on state Route 5, said California Highway Patrol Officer Ray Scheidnes. Jackson was on probation for a previous DUI arrest, Highway Patrol Officer Brad Baehr said. General manager A.J. Smith said he was aware of Jackson's "off-the-field issue. We will monitor the situation and have no further comment."
Jets: Owner Woody Johnson met with offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer about the team's coaching vacancy. Assistant head coach/offensive line coach Bill Callahan reportedly will sit down with Johnson today.
Broncos: Longtime Denver offensive coordinator Rick Dennison met with team owner Pat Bowlen after expressing interest in succeeding fired coach Mike Shanahan. The Broncos also spoke with Dallas offensive coordinator Jason Garrett.
Colts: A gun owned by receiver Marvin Harrison was used in an April shooting, but investigators still can't determine who pulled the trigger, Philadelphia's chief prosecutor said.
Lions: Detroit News columnist Rob Parker resigned, two weeks after he was criticized for asking coach Rod Marinelli if he had wished his daughter married a better defensive coordinator.