Former Patriots fullback Mosi Tatupu Passes Away

Former Patriots fullback Mosi Tatupu passed away yesterday at 54. Tatupu is one of the most popular players in New England Patriots history known for his inspired special teams play. Hospital spokeswoman Ashley O’Brien of the Sturdy Memorial Hospital in Attleboro said, Tatupu died Tuesday, however the hospital could not disclose a cause of death.

Tatupu started his NFL career 1978 after the Patriots drafted him in the eight round. He played 13 of his 14 NFL seasons with Patriots, wrapping up his career with the Los Angeles Rams in 1991. He was selected to the 1986 Pro Bowl as a special teams player. Tatupu was also the father of Seahawks linebacker Lofa Tatupu.

Via YahooSports

Steelers expected to use franchise tag on Hampton

INDIANAPOLIS -- The Steelers might be concerned about having an unhappy Pro Bowl nose tackle on their roster next season. But, apparently, they are more concerned about making sure they at least have a nose tackle.

The Steelers are trying to work out a long-term deal to keep Casey Hampton from becoming an unrestricted free agent, but they will use the franchise tag on the five-time Pro Bowl selection if they can't, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette has learned.

The Steelers have until Thursday to place the franchise tag on Hampton, a designation that would keep him with the team for at least one more season and guarantee him the average salary of the top five defensive tackles in the National Football League. In 2009, that average was $7,003,000, according to the NFL Players Association -- a figure not much more than the $6,652,000 Hampton counted against the salary cap last year.

The Steelers then could attempt to sign the 10-year veteran to a long-term contract, much like they did last season when they named left tackle Max Starks their franchise player and eventually signed him to a four-year, $26.3 million contract that included a $10 million signing bonus.

Hampton, who will be 33 in September, has indicated to the Steelers that he does not want to have the franchise tag placed on him. But the Steelers do not want to lose him because he is still a productive player -- he was named to his fourth consecutive Pro Bowl this season -- and they do not have a young replacement behind him.

If the Steelers place the franchise tag on him, such a move likely would impact what they do in the NFL draft, a process that begins Thursday, when the NFL Scouting Combine gets under way at Lucas Oil Stadium, home of the Indianapolis Colts. With no immediate need for a nose tackle -- arguably the most important position in the 3-4 defense -- the Steelers might decide to use the 18th overall pick to select an inside linebacker who would eventually replace James Farrior, who turned 35 in January.

Hampton will be in the final year of a five-year, $22.75 million contract he signed in 2005. The Steelers could elect to put the exclusive franchise tag on him, which would prohibit him from negotiating with other teams. Or they could deem him a non-exclusive franchise player, which means he could negotiate with other teams and the Steelers would receive two first-round picks in return if he signed elsewhere and they did not match the offer.

Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10055/1038123-66.stm#ixzz0gVf3EZ5a

Texans extend Kubiak's contract

HOUSTON -Houston Texans owner Bob McNair watched with admiration as the New Orleans Saints celebrated their first Super Bowl victory.

McNair is confident that Gary Kubiak will lead the Texans to one very soon.

The Texans announced Wednesday that Kubiak has signed a contract extension that runs through the 2012 season, a vote of confidence after the team finished 9-7 — the first winning record in the franchise's eight-year history.

"We have a foundation in place," McNair said. "We don't have to go out and establish the foundation, which is what we've been doing the last eight years. We've got some outstanding players, and we just have to keep building on that.

"In evaluating where we were and looking at our coaching situation," McNair added, "I believe Gary can take us to the Super Bowl."

Houston is 31-33 in Kubiak's four seasons, though the team is still seeking its first playoff berth. The 48-year-old Kubiak took over the Texans in January 2006 after the team finished 2-14. His original contract was due to expire after the 2010 season.

"Bob has taken a hard look at where we were four years ago and where we are today and with that, made the decision that we're heading in the right direction," Kubiak said. "I want to finish what I started. We still have a long way to go, but I'm enjoying the work, I'm enjoying the challenge."

McNair admitted he was disappointed that the team missed the playoffs again last season. But he said the team has showed "a lot of progress" under Kubiak and he wanted to maintain continuity by keeping him in charge.

"The most disruptive thing you can do is go in every two or three years and change your coaching staff," McNair said. "When you do that, the new coach might have different schemes that he wants to employ and all of a sudden, the players you have don't fit that scheme. It just sets you back several years."

The Texans ranked fourth in total offense last season (383 yards per game), but assistant head coach Alex Gibbs left for Seattle and offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan went to join his father, Mike, in Washington.

Kubiak hired former Denver offensive coordinator Rick Dennison to replace Shanahan and former Atlanta offensive coordinator Greg Knapp to become Houston's quarterbacks coach. Dennison worked on the Broncos' staff during Kubiak's 11 years as Denver's offensive coordinator, and Knapp coached Houston quarterback Matt Schaub for three seasons with the Falcons.

Both Dennison and Knapp are also signed through the 2012 season.

"We have strengthened our coaching staff," McNair said. "I'm pleased we were able to finalize our contractual negotiations with Gary and with our coaches, so everybody will be on the same timeline. That makes everyone feel very good about the situation."

McNair said the Texans need to bolster their offensive and defensive lines and their depth at running back before next season.

Houston ranked 30th in rushing last season (92 yards per game), ahead of only Indianapolis and San Diego. Both those teams won their divisions, but Kubiak said the Texans need a stronger running game to complement their high-powered passing attack.

"We can go out there and throw it with anybody in the business. I don't think that's what's best for our team in the long run," Kubiak said. "We've got to be more dominant late in games. Some games we lost, it was because we couldn't hang onto the football late in those games. It's very important in the development of our team, taking the next step. It wasn't good enough last year."

The Texans have 15 unrestricted free agents, including cornerback Dunta Robinson, offensive lineman Chester Pitts and receiver Kevin Walter. McNair said there's no rush to re-sign any of the players, since free agency doesn't begin until March 5.

"A lot of what we do will be dependent on who we might sign from free agency, and who we get in the draft and what our needs are," McNair said. "We won't look at that until later."

McNair said he would prefer to continue replenishing his roster with draft picks. He said free agents are riskier investments.

"We believe you have to build through the draft and we will continue to do that," McNair said.

Source fanhouse.com

Tracy Porter picks off Peyton Manning pass video

Watch how Tracy Porter intercepted the pass of Peyton Manning, make a run and an easy touch down that sealed the game for them. Saints won 31-17 against the Colts. Saints has won its first ever Super Bowl title in almost 43 years.

Saints win Super Bowl, 31-17 over Colts

Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints became Super Bowl champions after rallying to beat Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts 31-17 on Sunday in one of the NFL’s most thrilling title games.

Brees equaled a Super Bowl record with 32 completions, the last a 2-yard slant to Jeremy Shockey for the winning points with 5:42 remaining. The Pro Bowl quarterback was chosen Super Bowl most valuable player.

New Orleans’ lowly ranked defense made several key stops, an onside kick sparked their second-half comeback, and Tracy Porter’s 74-yard interception return on a pass from Manning, of all people, clinched it.

Manning gave chase, but fell awkwardly as the cornerback zipped by. The four-time NFL MVP forlornly walked to the sideline as the Big Easy celebrations began. Who would have thought the biggest mistake of the game would have come from Manning?

An NFL embarrassment for much of their 43 years, the Saints’ football renaissance, led by Brees and coach Sean Payton, climaxed with Shockey’s touchdown and Lance Moore’s 2-point conversion catch—which Payton challenged and won after Moore was ruled down at the 1.

Porter’s pick, just as dramatic as his interception of Brett Favre’s pass at the end of the National Football Conference title game that forced overtime, was the game’s only turnover. It’s one Manning will forever regret.

The Saints won three postseason games this winter after winning only two in the previous 42 years. They beat Arizona, Minnesota and Indianapolis (16-3)—all division winners—for their first title, scoring 107 points and allowing only 59.

The championship came 4 1/2 years after Hurricane Katrina ravaged New Orleans, making the Saints nomads for the 2005 season. There even was some doubt they would return, but the NFL refused to abandon the Big Easy. The Superdome was rebuilt and the Saints won the NFC South in 2006, their first season with Brees and Payton.

That was the season Manning won his only Super Bowl. He had the Colts in front for much of this one, but New Orleans’ league-leading offense, which scored 510 points this season, outscored Indy 31-7 after falling behind 10-0.

Before many of the 74,059 fans got settled following the Who’s halftime show, Garrett Hartley’s onside kick was touched by the Colts’ Hank Baskett, then recovered by Chris Reis at the New Orleans 42.

Looking like the NFL’s most potent offense, the Saints seized the opportunity to take their first lead. It came on Pierre Thomas’ brilliant 16-yard run with a screen pass, capped by a dive into the end zone.

Manning simply shrugged, found Dallas Clark for 45 yards on a 76-yard drive, and Joseph Addai used a spin move a figure skater would envy to score from the 4.

Hartley, the hero of the NFC title game with his 40-yard field goal in OT, made a 47-yarder later in the third period. After Matt Stover was wide left on a 51-yarder early in the final quarter, Brees led the biggest drive in Saints history.

Manning looked sharp on the Colts’ first two series, taking them 53 yards to a 38-yard field goal by Stover, at 42 the oldest player in Super Bowl history. Then Manning led a 96-yard, 11-play drive that looked almost routine, even though it tied the longest march in a Super Bowl. Addai rushed for 53 yards on the series, and Manning found Pierre Garcon behind backup cornerback Osama Young for the 19-yard score on third down.

New Orleans couldn’t match that, but did get a 46-yard field goal by Hartley to make it 10-3. Brees was sacked on third down by All-Pro defensive end Dwight Freeney, who sure looked frisky despite ligament damage in his right ankle that made his availability uncertain for two weeks.

Then Indy’s defense, ranked 18th during the season but staunch in the playoffs, really showed some power. After the Saints marched 71 yards, including 40 yards on two receptions by Marques Colston, New Orleans had third-and-goal at the 1. Mike Bell slipped running right behind All-Pro guard Jahri Evans, and Thomas was stacked up at the line by Gary Brackett and Clint Sessions on fourth down.

But the Colts went against type and ran three times, leaving 35 seconds for the league’s most prolific offense to get in position for Hartley’s 44-yard field goal and a more manageable 10-6 halftime deficit.

From YahooSports

Watch Super Bowl 44 (2010) live stream online

Watch Indianapolis Colts vs New Orleans Saints 2010 live in the Super Bowl XLIV game. Colts will try for their second title in four years at Miami in Sunday's match up with the Saints who will make its first Super Bowl appearance. Indianapolis Colts won its first championship three years ago against South Florida 29-17. The win was led by Peyton Manning who will face the team that once quarterbacked by his father and Manning will try to led the Colts once again to its victory. However, the task would not be that easy as he has to outduel Drew Brees who has became the hero of the Saints fan.

New Orleans Saints will try to win its very first Super Bowl title and they are counting Drew Brees to deliver its first championship. Brees remains an icon in the area after leading the Boilermakers’ revival a decade ago.

Colts win 41-10 against the Saints in their last meeting in Sept. 6, 2007. Can Saints win its first ever Super Bowl title? Who will win? Just find out on February 7, 2010 on CBS as they airs the Super Bowl XLIV live stream Colts vs Saints 2010 game. Super Bowl 44 Colts vs Saints game time will start 6:25 pm EST at Miami Gardens, Florida.

Cowboys vs Eagles - NFL NFC Wild Card Playoff mattch 2010

On their recent postseason histories, Philadelphia always appear to have a convincing edge over the Dallas. But on last weekend's game against the Eagles for the NFC East title, it's the Cowboys who have all the advantages over the Eagles. Watch Dallas Cowboys and Philadelphia Eagles as they square off in Dallas Stadium for the NFC Wild Card playoff match in NFL Playoffs 2010. Cowboys look to end its 13-year drought without a playoff victory Saturday against the Eagles. Eagles, meanwhile, lost a chance to earn a first-round bye after 24-0 loss Sunday but they will try to to end the Eagles dominance over them this season in the postseason. Eagles won the NFC title game in 1981 to reach its first Super Bowl while Dallas won divisional-round matchups en route to Super Bowl titles in 1993 and 1996. Who will win? Find it out on NBC as it airs the NFC wild card payoffs match 2010 live stream. Cowboys vs Eagles game time will start 8:00 pm EST Sat Jan 9, 2010.

Alabama back on top in final AP poll

After winning the BCS Championship, Alabama Crimson Tide was voted No. 1 in The Associated Press poll early Friday, earning its seventh AP title. Alabama won 37-21 against Texas in their 2010 BCS Championship game, their first national title since Gene Stallings coached it to the pinnacle in 1992. Texas is No.2, Florida was third and Boise State who is the only other unbeaten team was the fourth placer.

Alabama win BCS Championship, beat no. 2 Texas

The sure thing was looking shaky for Alabama.

Hanging onto a precarious three-point lead and with momentum on the other side, linebacker Eryk Anders made sure the championship wouldn’t slip away.

Anders forced a fumble on his blindside sack of Texas backup quarterback Garrett Gilbert with 3:02 left Thursday night to help the top-ranked Crimson Tide hold on for a 37-21 victory in the BCS title game—a win that figured to be much easier when Alabama knocked out Colt McCoy early in the first quarter.

With McCoy on the sideline nursing a shoulder injury, the Tide rolled to a 24-6 lead at halftime, the final touchdown coming when lineman Marcell Dareus picked off a shovel pass and returned it 28 yards for the score late in the second quarter.

The second half figured to be a laugher with Gilbert in the game—a freshman who was Texas’ “quarterback of the future” but had thrown only 26 college passes.

The kid almost did it, though.

He threw two touchdown passes to All-American Jordan Shipley to trim the deficit to 24-21 with 6:15 left, and after an Alabama punt, he had the ball at the 7-yard line, 93 yards away from one of the most improbable comeback stories in the history of the game.

But after an Alabama holding penalty moved the ball to the 17, Gilbert dropped back to pass and got rocked by Anders, a senior who plays in the shadow of All-Americans Terrence Cody and Rolando McClain. The ball went flying and Courtney Upshaw recovered.

Three plays later, Heisman Trophy winner Mark Ingram surged into the end zone from the 1 for the 10-point lead. A few minutes later, after Gilbert’s third interception of the night, Trent Richardson scored his second touchdown to make it 37-21.

Then the party began. Glory came back to one of the country’s most storied programs, the football factory that Bear Bryant built, courtesy of Nick Saban, who resurrected this team in the short span of three seasons.

Source: YahooSports

Ravens get another shot at Patriots

Last time this team met, New England won, 27-21, at home on Oct. 4. The Ravens were marching toward a potential game-winning drive when Mark Clayton dropped an easy first-down catch to effectively end the game. It served as Baltimore's first loss after a torrid start. Ravens starting LT Jared Gaither was carted off with a neck injury that appeared very serious at the time, and ended up keeping him out several weeks. The Patriots won despite being outrushed, allowing more yards and converting just four third downs. The loss was indicative of many for the Ravens this season, as they committed nine penalties for 85 yards.

In this coming playoff game, the Patriots hope rookie Julian Edelman can replace the departed Welker, who was lost to a knee injury on Sunday. But without Welker's underneath presence the Ravens can devote more double coverage to Randy Moss, a huge factor for their struggling secondary. Baltimore has the league's best run defense, and the Patriots are a pass-heavy team, so Tom Brady's attempts figure to be up.

Ravens should banged up Brady if they want to have a higher percentage of winning. Brady is playing through painful finger and rib injuries and is not very mobile to begin with. The Ravens need defensive tackles Haloti Ngata and Kelly Gregg to collapse the interior pocket, with Terrell Suggs cleaning things up off the edge. Suggs created a touchdown with a sack of Brady in the first meeting. If Brady has enough time to pick out second and third options in the pocket, Baltimore's weak corners will get burned and take penalties.

This game will be more about Ray Rice than Ray Lewis. Rice is elusive in space, is the fulcrum of the Baltimore's offense and is a matchup nightmare. He is young QB Joe Flacco's favorite option and will have to have a big game for Baltimore to win. New England's top defensive linemen, Ty Warren and Vince Wilfork, have been banged up, and the Ravens could be in good position to win the game at the point of attack. Flacco has stumbled in the fourth quarter and in the red zone, and asking him to do too much might backfire.

Source: NFL.com

Eagles Vs Cowboys Highlights NFL Week 17 2010

Shanahan agrees to coach Redskins

Mike Shanahan agreed Tuesday night to become the Washington Redskins’ next coach, according to multiple reports.

The Denver Post reported on its Web site that Shanahan received a five-year deal from the Redskins, who fired Jim Zorn following a 4-12 season. Shanahan won two Super Bowls in 14 seasons with Denver but was fired a year ago after the Broncos missed the playoffs for the third straight season.

Shanahan will be Washington’s seventh coach since Dan Snyder bought the team in 1999. He is expected to be introduced at a news conference Wednesday afternoon.
Redskins general manager Bruce Allen was hired last month, but Shanahan will have the final authority on football decisions, according to ESPN.com.

Zorn went 12-20 over two seasons, but he lost 18 of his last 24 games after a 6-2 start in 2008. The Redskins struggled early despite a weak schedule this season and finished with their worst record since 1994.

While the Redskins awaited official word about their future coach, Clinton Portis(notes) went about rehashing the past—including his thoughts on quarterback Jason Campbell’s(notes) leadership skills.

During his weekly appearance on a local radio station, Portis talked about what it’s like to play for Shanahan—something the running back did for two seasons with the Broncos—and what it’s like to play with Campbell.

Asked on ESPN980 why Campbell was a team captain and he wasn’t, Portis replied: “I wonder the same thing. It’s no disrespect to Jason, but everybody in that locker room will tell you—you will never see Jason mad, you will never see Jason’s tempo change.”

Portis continued: “(He’s) going to give you everything (he’s) got. But as a leader … it was always, ‘Jason couldn’t take control of the huddle,’ or ‘He didn’t do this’ or ‘He didn’t do that.’ That wasn’t Jason’s character. … I think Jason, you can’t place so much on somebody who’s not ready for that situation. I think Jason has enough trouble in getting the plays in and worrying about this, compared to controlling the huddle.”

Portis told ESPN980 Campbell isn’t the type of player who would go to a coach and say, “‘Well, we need to do this or we need to do that,’ or ‘This is how the players want it.”’

Campbell responded by criticizing Portis’ work ethic, saying “there’s a reason guys don’t get selected as captains.”

“For those things to be said, questioning my character and questioning my leadership, I think that’s not the way to go, especially when you’re supposed to be a team guy,” Campbell told the Washington Post in a telephone interview. “Is that being a good teammate? If that’s the case, why is no one questioning my leadership and everyone is questioning his work ethic?”

It’s quite possible neither player will be with the Redskins next season.

Campbell can become a free agent. Portis missed the last half of the season after getting a concussion against Atlanta on Nov. 8, and he’ll turn 29 in September.

Portis also took exception to comments made by some teammates Monday about a lack of discipline this season and preferential treatment given to some players.

“Don’t wait for the season over to say that’s what the problem was. They could’ve came out and addressed those players and tried to stop it,” Portis told the radio station. “But you wait until the season’s over—and then it’s like a tell-all book came out.”

Although other players didn’t call out Portis specifically, he said before Campbell’s comments: “You would think out of everything that came out, probably the first name that come to mind would be me. I never missed curfew. I ain’t never left the hotel. I never did any of that. I think the only thing we did, there was a group of us that set up and played poker, and they broke that game up at 11 o’clock.”

As for Shanahan, Portis described the coach as “the perfect guy for the job” and a “straight shooter.”

“If you’re doing the stuff you’re supposed to be doing, you’re fine with him,” Portis told the radio station. “If you’re not, no matter how much you’re getting paid, he’s going to get you up out of there.”

Source: YahooSports