Nfl Football - Football Betting

2005-11-07T12:52:00.000-08:00

Bears edge reeling Saints to win fourth straight

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) -- The Chicago Bears showed off the depth of their running attack and strengthened their credentials as a serious playoff contender. --football gambling--

The New Orleans Saints knocked starter Thomas Jones from the game in the first half, only to watch Adrian Peterson and Cedric Benson combine for 137 yards and a touchdown on 20 carries in the Bears' 20-17 victory Sunday. --football gambling--

"We get off the plane running the ball," Bears coach Lovie Smith said. "Cedric Benson, Thomas Jones, Adrian Peterson all did a good job ... What can I say about the offensive line I haven't said?" --football gambling--

Robbie Gould made the winning field goal with 6 seconds to go from 28 yards. Kyle Orton set up the clincher with a 22-yard, third-down completion on a sideline route to Muhsin Muhammad at the 10-yard line. That allowed Chicago (5-3) to run the clock down to 10 seconds before lining up for the winning kick. --football gambling--

Saints owner Tom Benson stayed away from Baton Rouge as promised after complaining that security was inadequate to protect him from angry fans. A number of fans stayed away, too. The crowd was announced at 32,637, dwarfed by LSU's 93,000-seat Tiger Stadium. The no-shows were probably glad they didn't come as the Saints (2-7) lost their fifth straight despite playing well in stints. --football gambling--

Chicago, meanwhile, won its fourth straight for the first time since 2001-02, the last time the Bears were playoff bound. Peterson gave the Bears a 17-10 lead in the third quarter on a 6-yard carry after he had run for a slashing 36-yard gain one play earlier. He finished with 58 yards on six carries.--football gambling--

Benson had 79 yards on 14 carries, including a 27-yarder during the Bears' final drive, which began on the Chicago 25 and ate up 4:02. "I never thought there was that much space in the NFL, but there was a lot of it," said Benson, a rookie out of Texas. "It says a lot more for our offensive line. Those guys are consistent, snap after snap. You could say anybody could look good behind those guys."--football gambling--

Orton was 12-of-26 for 137 yards and a touchdown and was intercepted twice. But the Bears ran for 183 yards, with Jones gaining 40 yards on 11 carries before leaving with bruised ribs.
Antowain Smith had 110 yards on 17 carries for the Saints, while Aaron Brooks was 16-of-26 for 170 yards and a touchdown. He threw two interceptions, the second on a desperate heave as time expired.--football gambling--

Although the Saints ran well, they came up short on third-and-1 with under five minutes left, setting up the Bears' decisive drive. "We just cannot seem to get that one little play here and there that gives you a better chance of winning at the end," offensive tackle Wayne Gandy said. "You'd hope you could take that ball with four minutes to go and get a field goal. We created that third-and-one. It wasn't successful." --football gambling--

The Saints' first two possessions got them to or inside the Chicago 20, but they only came away with John Carney's 21-yard field goal, set up by Smith's 42-yard run on their opening drive.
"We talked all week about how we kick field goals instead of scoring touchdowns and we came out and did the same thing," said Saints coach Jim Haslett, who has never been this far below .500 in six seasons as a head coach. --football gambling--

The second drive began on the Chicago 35 after Fred Thomas' interception of a tipped pass.
However, running back Aaron Stecker fumbled on the Chicago 15 and Chris Harris returned it to the New Orleans 38. That was the first of three New Orleans drives that started in Chicago territory after turnovers, none of which yielded points.--football gambling--

The Bears have made a habit of converting turnovers into points lately, and did so seven plays after Harris' fumble return. Orton drilled a 4-yard slant pass to Justin Gage for a 7-3 lead.
New Orleans jumped back ahead 10-7 on a 14-play, 95-yard drive that ended when Brooks hit Donte' Stallworth on a crossing route for a 15-yard score. It was the Saints' first touchdown in more than eight quarters. --football gambling--

Against a Chicago defense that entered the game allowing an average of fewer than 85 yards rushing, the Saints' resurgent ground game surpassed 100 yards by the second quarter.
But Harris' sack on a safety blitz helped Chicago get the ball back with just under two minutes remaining in the second quarter. The Bears then drove from their 31 to the Saints 17, setting up Gould's 35-yard field goal to tie the game at 10 with 22 seconds left in the half.--football gambling--

Game notesGage started for Mark Bradley (knee), who was placed on injured reserve last week. ... Saints TE Ernie Conwell (knee) did not play. Zach Hilton started in his place and dropped potential touchdown pass on New Orleans' first drive. ... Orton's interception was his first in 63 attempts.--football gambling--

2005-10-31T13:42:00.000-08:00

NFL quick hits: Week 8 betting recap
By Shawn Torrey

After two weeks of hiding, the underdog finally decided to make its presence known in Week 8. Although at the end of the day it was the favorites who held a slight 7-6 ATS edge, it does pale in comparison to the 20-8 ATS mark they registered in the past two weeks. -NFL Football-

Home teams held down the fort in 10 of 13 Sunday affairs and went a respectable 8-5 ATS in the process. The under also finished 8-5, coming through on the three lowest totals of the week. -NFL Football-

Every week is a story of its own in the NFL and Week 8 was no different. We witnessed the return of Ted Bruschi, the possible departure of Daunte Culpepper, the Giants blanking of the `Skins, and the Niners upending the Bucs. -NFL Football-

As if all that wasn’t enough, Brett Favre was shockingly stripped of the ball by a fan streaking through a Packer timeout on the sidelines. The event was almost eerily symbolic of the gritty quarterback’s final playoff hopes being stripped from him, as well. -NFL Football-

Yes, another whacky Sunday has come to pass. With that, let’s glimpse at the highlights as they adhere to the sports bettor. -NFL Football-

Minnesota 13 at Carolina 38 (-7 / 45)

The Vikings fell to a miserable 2-5 ATS, and Daunte Culpepper fell to an injury that may have him watching the rest of this disastrous campaign from the sidelines. -NFL Football-

The Panthers covered as the chalk for just a second time in six tries, the first at home. However, the over is quietly cashing in at a 4-0-1 clip in Carolina’s last five. -NFL Football-

Oakland 34 at Tennessee 25 (1 / 47)

What may have looked like a fishy line turned out to be nothing but easy bait as the Raiders picked up their first road victory. After a dismal start to the campaign, Oaktown has now won and covered three of their last four. -NFL Football-

The Raiders are 3-0 SU and ATS when asked to lay points. The Titans are 1-4 ATS in their last five. -NFL Football-

Washington 0 at NY Giants 36 (-1 / 43)

Late bettors steamed Washington and were left with nothing but burnt wallets for their efforts. The Redskins` luck finally changed, and they were flat-out trampled by the G-Men in this contest. Tiki Barber nearly doubled Washington’s offensive performance by himself. -NFL Football-

The Giants improve to 4-1 ATS at home and the `Skins have now fumbled the cash in two of their last three. -NFL Football-

Arizona 13 at Dallas 34 (-9 / 39)

I suppose that if I was to boast about the fact that I started Marion Barber this week in fantasy football, than I’d also have to admit that I actually had little confidence in the Cowboys covering this number. -NFL Football-

With that said, Dallas has not lost against the number in four tries and three straight at home. The Cardinals slipped to a 2-5 ATS for the campaign. -NFL Football-

Chicago 19 at Detroit 13 (-3 / 32 ½)

The Bears are running away with the NFC North. Under bettors are running away with the moneybag, no matter how low the number, collecting in six of seven Chicago games this season. -NFL Football-

Cleveland 16 at Houston 19 (-1 / 37)

The Texans are winless no more. No matter how ugly, Houston got by the hapless Browns and also grabbed the cash for the second time in seven games this season. Not exactly an awesome achievement, but at least it’s something for the Texans’ faithful to cheer about. -NFL Football-

Cheering even louder were Browns fans who have found some resolve in riding the under, which has now appeared in five straight Cleveland games. -NFL Football-

Green Bay 14 at Cincinnati 21 (-9 / 46)

Brett Favre was robbed for five interceptions. Six if you include the one that some crazy fan registered when he stole the ball from Favre’s hand during a fourth-quarter timeout. -NFL Football-

Or maybe that one was a fumble? Regardless, Favre commented that playing through this season sucks. But while it might suck for him, Packers fans find themselves cashing tickets for the fourth time in the last five games. -NFL Football-

Jacksonville 21 at St. Louis 24 (5 / 40 ½)

The money poured in on the Jaguars just prior to kick off. However that cash ended up in the pockets of Rams’ supporters by the time the final whistle blew. -NFL Football-

The RCA Dome must have looked like heaven for over backers here as both teams witnessed their high-scoring streaks continue. The over has now hit in five of six Rams games, and in three straight Jacksonville contests. -NFL Football-

Miami 21 at New Orleans 6 (-2 ½ / 41 ½)

The two-headed monster of Williams and Brown finally appeared for Miami, and the Dolphins ripped the Saints in what was their first true home game. -NFL Football-

On the heels of 188 rushing yards, Miami notched both its first win and cover of the season. Saints backers were left to watch the team go 0-11 on third downs, and ultimately drop the money for the fifth time in eight games. -NFL Football-

Kansas City 20 at San Diego 28 (-5 ½ / 52 ½)

The surging Bolts found a way to hang on for their fourth win in the last six games. They’ve gone 5-1 ATS during that stretch, and the under has now cashed in four straight San Diego contests. -NFL Football-

Oh yes, and L.T. casually tossed his third touchdown pass of the season. No, we’re not joking. -NFL Football-

Philadelphia 21 at Denver 49 (-4 / 43)

The Eagles are in serious danger of becoming extinct in the NFC East as both the Giants and Cowboys were victorious. Philly has now lost two of three games, with the defeats coming by a combined 51 points. They fumbled the coin in all three. -NFL Football-

Denver rebounded from a last-second defeat to the Giants last week and won for the sixth time in seven games. They’re 5-1-1 ATS during that stretch and the over has now cashed in four straight. -NFL Football-

Tampa Bay 10 at San Francisco 15 (10 / 36)

I happily admit that I would have never laid double-digits with the Bucs on the road in this one, but I also humbly admit that I wouldn’t have bet on San Francisco either. -NFL Football-

Sometimes this league just doesn’t make any sense. -NFL Football-

Buffalo 16 at New England 21 (-9 ½ / 44)

For a spell it looked as if the Bills would improve to 3-0 against AFC East opponents. That is until Brady engineered another game-winning drive. -NFL Football-

Despite the loss, Buffalo did remain perfect at 3-0 ATS within the division, and has now cashed in three of four overall. The defending champion Pats fell to 1-3 ATS when asked to lay points. -NFL Football-

Shawn Torrey is a handicapper with Covers Experts.

2005-10-20T22:24:00.000-07:00

--- nfl ---
San Francisco
--- nfl ---
The Niners have suffered another major injury-induced blow with the season-ending loss of ILB Jeff Ulbrich, who tore his left biceps muscle attempting to tackle Colts RB Edgerrin James in the team’s 28-3 loss to Indianapolis in Week Five.

Ulbrich, who fought off the injury to lead both teams with 10 tackles and a forced fumble, was considered by both head coach Mike Nolan and assistant head coach/LB coach Mike Singletary to be the heart and soul of a defense that put forth a very respectable effort against the dangerous Colts. Ulbrich will be replaced by fourth-year player Saleem Rasheed, who has good speed and quickness but has also spent more time in the trainer’s room than the Niners would like.

Like Ulbrich, Rasheed is a serious student of the game, but Singletary would like to see him become more aggressive in his new starting role. It’s worth noting that Ulbrich’s loss made the puzzling trade of LB Jamie Winborn to Jacksonville seem even more poorly timed, also taking into account that OLB Julian Peterson missed most of the last two games with a hamstring injury.

2005-10-10T13:01:00.000-07:00

NFL Preview - Pittsburgh (2-1) At San Diego (2-2)

By Tony Moss, NFL Editor -- The San Diego Chargers served notice of their strength by taking down one of the AFC's 2004 Championship Game participants last week. On Monday night within the electric atmosphere of Qualcomm Stadium, the Bolts will have a chance to whip up on the other one. The Pittsburgh Steelers will be the primetime opponent for a San Diego team that went to New England in Week 4 and ended the Patriots' 21-game home- winning streak in impressive 41-17 fashion. - NFL Football -
Pittsburgh will seek to slow Tomlinson with a linebacking group that includes James Farrior (31 tackles, 1 sack) and Larry Foote (15 tackles) on the inside of the team's 3-4 scheme. Up front, nose tackle Casey Hampton (8 tackles) and ends Aaron Smith (7 tackles) and Kimo von Oelhoffen (5 tackles) will try to slow Tomlinson at the point of attack. But while that group is stable, defending Tomlinson off the edge could be a problem with outside linebackers Joey Porter (9 tackles, 2 sack) and Clark Haggans (17 tackles, 3 sacks) potentially both on the shelf. Porter is considered questionable with a knee injury, and Haggans is out with a groin strain. James Harrison (9 tackles, 2 sacks), who had a sack of Tom Brady in Week 3, will likely fill in for Haggans. - NFL Football -
Charger quarterback Drew Brees (823 yards, 6 TD, 3 INT) has proved that his 2004 Pro Bowl season was no fluke, as the former Purdue standout has compiled a 99.2 passer rating through four games. Brees completed an efficient 19-of-24 passes for 248 yards and two touchdowns against New England, with the scoring strikes going to wideouts Keenan McCardell (18 receptions, 5 TD on the year) and Reche Caldwell (3 receptions, 1 TD). McCardell ended the day with just one catch for 11 yards, while Caldwell had two grabs for 36. Brees' favorite targets in the win were tight end Antonio Gates (18 receptions, 1 TD) and wideout Eric Parker (14 receptions), with Gates catching six balls for 108 yards and Parker netting four grabs for 51 on the day. Brees has been sacked just six times through four contests, and was not dropped at all by the defending Super Bowl champs last week. - NFL Football -
The Steelers, who held New England running back Corey Dillon to 61 yards on 22 carries two weeks ago, currently rank 11th in the league against the run (96.7 yards per game).Marty Schottenheimer's club, which left itself open to "fluke" discussion after opening the season 0-2, has righted its ship by scoring a total of 86 points in back-to-back wins over the Giants and Pats. The Steelers, meanwhile, have had 15 days to lick their wounds since a 23-20 home loss to that very same New England team in Week 3. Bill Cowher and company, who opened the year with dominating performances against Tennessee (34-7) and Houston (27-7), will be looking to gain on division-leading Cincinnati in the AFC North. - NFL Football -

SERIES HISTORY Pittsburgh has an 18-5 edge in its all-time regular season series with San Diego, including four straight victories since a 37-34 Chargers' home win over the Steelers in 1994. The Steelers were 40-24 home winners when the clubs last met, in 2003, and also emerged with a 34-21 triumph in their last trip to San Diego, in 2000. In addition to the regular season series, the teams have met twice in the postseason, with San Diego taking both contests. The Bolts were 31-28 road winners in a 1982 AFC First-Round Playoff and stunned the Steelers, 17-13, on the road in the 1994 AFC Championship. Cowher is 6-2 all-time against San Diego, including the aforementioned 1994 playoff loss. San Diego's Schottenheimer is 9-7 in his career against the Steelers, including an 0-1 record while with the Chargers (2002-05), a 2-4 mark as head coach in Kansas City (1989-98), and 7-2 while at the helm of the Browns (1984-88). Schottenheimer is 2-4 against Cowher all-time, including a win for his Chiefs against the Steelers in a 1993 AFC First-Round Playoff. - NFL Football -

STEELERS OFFENSE VS. CHARGERS DEFENSE The Pittsburgh rushing attack should get a jolt this week, as veterans Jerome Bettis (calf) and Duce Staley (knee) are expected to return at 100 percent against the Chargers. With the duo out during Weeks 1 and 2, former fourth- stringer Willie Parker (327 yards, 2 TD) thrived in the role of lead rusher. Parker was held to 55 yards on 17 carries against the Patriots, however. Staley returned for the New England loss, but did not have a carry. The return of Bettis could mean a reduced role for Verron Haynes (64 rushing yards, 1 TD, 2 receptions), who had two carries and a catch against New England. Fullback Dan Kreider (1 reception) will continue to quietly pave the way for all of the backs. The Steelers went into Sunday's games ranked fifth in the league in rushing offense (140 yards per game). The task of stopping Parker and the Pittsburgh run game will fall to a San Diego defense that entered Week 5 ranked seventh in the league against the rush (91.5 yards per game). The Bolts held New England's Corey Dillon to 63 yards on 14 carries a week ago. Inside linebacker Donnie Edwards (42 tackles, 1 sack, 1 INT) posted a game-high 11 tackles in the win, and fellow ILB Randall Godfrey (22 tackles) chipped in with three. - NFL Football -
Up front, ends Luis Castillo (7 tackles) and Jacques Cesaire (7 tackles) have both been active against the run, and nose tackle Jamal Williams (6 tackles) has provided his usual presence. The trio combined for seven stops in the win over New England. Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (688 passing yards, 6 TD, 0 INT), comes into Week 5 with a glistening 131.8 passer rating, which tops the NFL. After being almost letter-perfect in his first two games of 2005, Roethlisberger completed just 12-of-28 passes in the New England loss. The second-year pro did make those completions count for 218 yards, however, and threw a pair of touchdowns. Both scoring strikes went to wideout Hines Ward (12 receptions, 4 TD), who collected an 85-yard TD catch in the first quarter and helped tie the game with a four-yard grab in the fourth. The perennial Pro Bowler finished the day with four catches for 110 yards, but is listed as questionable for Monday night with a hamstring injury. If Ward can't go or is at less than 100 percent, the pressure will be on fellow receivers Antwaan Randle El (7 receptions, 1 TD) and Cedrick Wilson (6 receptions) to compensate. - NFL Football -

Randle El and Wilson had two catches each in the New England loss. After being sacked just once through the team's first two games, Roethlisberger was dropped four times against the Patriots. Roethlisberger will want to take his shots against a San Diego secondary that is among the least-respected in the league. Chargers cornerbacks Drayton Florence (17 tackles), Quentin Jammer (12 tackles) and Sammy Davis (6 tackles, 1 sack) have all had their struggles in 2005, and are susceptible to the big play. Safeties Terrence Kiel (32 tackles, 1 sack) and Bhawoh Jue (19 tackles, 2 INT) have been more reliable. Kiel had eight tackles in the New England win, and Jue posted his second INT of the year. The Chargers enter Week 5 with 10 sacks on the season, including one from outside linebacker Ben Leber (15 tackles, 2 sacks) against Tom Brady last Sunday. Leber and fellow OLB Steve Foley (15 tackles, 2 sacks) are tied for the team lead in sacks, but Foley is considered questionable for this Sunday due to an abdominal injury. Rookie and first-round draft choice Shawne Merriman (5 tackles), who is still seeking his first sack as a pro, could see some time in Foley's place. San Diego was 26th in the league in passing defense (248.5 yards per game) entering Sunday's games. CHARGERS OFFENSE VS. STEELERS DEFENSE The Steelers defense figures to get a healthy dose of running back LaDainian Tomlinson (450 rushing yards, 9 receptions, 8 TD), who has had back-to-back monster games and is the NFL's current leader in touchdowns. - NFL Football -

Tomlinson carried 25 times for 134 yards and two touchdowns in last week's win over New England, also catching three balls for 34 yards out of the backfield on the day. Tomlinson, who started the season slowly by his standards, now leads the AFC in rushing and is averaging 5.4 yards per rush. Backup Michael Turner (69 rushing yards) spelled Tomlinson with 44 yards on 11 carries last week. Rookie Darren Sproles (41 rushing yards, 2 receptions) carried twice against New England and caught a pass, but is listed as questionable for Monday with an ankle injury. The Chargers are currently second in the NFC in rushing (158.2 yards per game), trailing only the Falcons. Brees will try to pick apart a Pittsburgh secondary that had some trouble stopping Tom Brady in Week 3. Brady completed 31-of-41 passes for 372 yards in the win, also marching the Patriots toward a game-winning field goal with little resistance in the waning moments. Cornerbacks Ike Taylor (29 tackles) and Deshea Townsend (13 tackles, 1 sack) will likely be matched up with McCardell and Parker, and safeties Troy Polamalu (12 tackles, 3 sacks, 1 INT) and Chris Hope (20 tackles, 1 INT) will have to watch Gates over the middle of the field. Pittsburgh had three sacks off of Brady in Week 3, and now has 14 on the year. Polamalu is tied for the team lead with three sacks on the year, and outside linebackers Porter and Harrison have two each. - NFL Football -

The Steelers are giving up 220 passing yards per game, which ranks 20th in the league. OVERALL ANALYSIS Normally, you would have to worry about how the Chargers would follow an impressive win on the road against the defending Super Bowl champs. Luckily for San Diego, the Bolts should have little trouble summoning the necessary emotion in a Monday night game played before a raucous home crowd. With the Steelers banged up a bit at linebacker, Tomlinson and Gates should be able to find their usual holes, and San Diego should be able to move the chains effectively. Roethlisberger should be able to thrive as well, and the Pittsburgh running game will also make its gains, but Ward's shaky injury status could deprive the team of one of its top weapons. That will make a difference in the endgame, as the Chargers are able to make one more big play down the stretch than the Steelers. Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Chargers 27, Steelers 23 - NFL Football -

2005-10-01T16:18:00.000-07:00

TV blackout lifted in San Antonio

NFL.com wire reports

NEW YORK (Sept. 29, 2005) -- The NFL lifted the blackout on the Buffalo-New Orleans game Oct. 2 at the Alamodome, allowing the San Antonio CBS affiliate to carry the contest.

Saints home games in San Antonio against Atlanta on Oct. 16 and Detroit on Dec. 24 also may be televised by the local affiliate, the league announced. The Saints relocated to the Alamodome because of Hurricane Katrina. - NFL Football -

In two weeks, more than 140,000 tickets were sold for the three games in San Antonio. The Saints will play four games in Baton Rouge, La. - NFL Football -

"The NFL would like to congratulate both the New Orleans Saints and the greater San Antonio community for a job well done under very difficult circumstances," NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue said. "To sell more than 140,000 tickets under such extraordinary adversity is a testament to everyone involved." - NFL Football -

2005-09-16T07:36:00.000-07:00

Euro TV network signs deal for NFL coverage

LONDON (Sept. 15, 2005) -- A European television network acquired rights to broadcast NFL games across much of the continent.

The North American Sports Network reached a four-year deal for exclusive NFL rights in 17 countries and shared rights in four others. The agreement begins this season and runs through 2008-09.

In most markets, NASN has the rights to broadcast at least six regular-season games a week, four of them live. The network will show 10 playoff games, the Super Bowl, the Pro Bowl and NFL Europe's championship game. NASN also plans to broadcast at least one hour daily of programming from the NFL Network.

"The NFL's popularity in Europe continues to grow and we believe that NASN's approach complements our strategy to maximize coverage and build our European fan base," said Katie Boes, senior director of international media for the NFL.

The deal includes Austria, Albania, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Estonia, France, Georgia, Germany, Switzerland, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania and Slovakia.

2005-09-06T09:07:00.000-07:00

Football Legend Jerry Rice Retires

(AP) Unwilling to be a bit player with the Broncos, Jerry Rice retired Monday, closing a 20-year career for the most productive receiver in NFL history.

Rice, 42, made his decision over the weekend at home in San Francisco, then returned to Broncos headquarters and met with coach Mike Shanahan. He played 20 NFL seasons.

"This is a happy day," he said. "I think the tears that you see basically is that I have really enjoyed this ride. - NFL Football -

"I'm done. I'm looking forward to the next phase of my life."

Shanahan confirmed what Rice already knew — that he would be a fourth or fifth receiver, at best this season — and Rice confirmed what many figured — that he would rather call it quits than be a bit player with the Broncos.

Rice signed with Denver over the summer, reuniting with Shanahan, who was his offensive coordinator in the 1990s in San Francisco. For Rice, the idea was to play for a coach who was familiar with him and for a team that could help him go out a winner.

Shanahan made it clear he would not promise Rice anything, not even a roster spot. Behind the scenes, though, Shanahan said he knew it would never come down to him having to cut the league's best all-time receiver: He figured if Rice knew it was time to go, he would step aside himself. - NFL Football -

"I've pushed this body for 20 years," Rice said. "I was never a coach potato, I was always working out. I had to prove myself every year.

"A lot of guys here were 3 when I started playing. I think those guys are pretty much amazed that I can still run the way I can run." - NFL Football -

©MMV, The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.

2005-08-30T08:47:00.000-07:00

Anheuser-Busch Eyes Official NFL Beer Sponsorship

Anheuser-Busch Cos. Inc. is negotiating with the National Football League to take the "official beer sponsor" title away from rival Coors Brewing, according to a recent report in USA Today. The NationalFootball League launched a bidding war for the multi-year sponsorship deal, reportedly worth hundreds of millions of dollars.

Golden, Colo.-based Coors has a five-year, $300 million contract signed in 2002 as the league's beer sponsor, which gives it the right to use theNFL shield, playoff and Super Bowl logos in ads and promotional efforts. Coors, a division of Toronto-based Molson Coors Brewing Co. reportedly also is negotiating to renew the contract.

St. Louis-based Anheuser-Busch is the exclusive beer advertiser for the Super Bowl. Its Budweiser and Bud Light brands sponsor 28 of the 32NFL teams. In fact, Budweiser and Bud Light recently kicked off the 2005 football season with custom team-specific packaging in local NFL team markets. All 12 Anheuser-Busch domestic breweries will be involved in the team specific packaging campaign, which will produce more than 78 different packaging combinations on 12 million cases of Budweiser and Bud Light aluminum cans. Team-specific packaging launched this past week in time for the key Labor Day selling period.

“Our investment in team-specific packaging demonstrates our commitment to the dedicated fans and teams of the National Football League,” said Tony Ponturo, vice president, global media and sports marketing for Anheuser-Busch. “Football fans are passionate about and loyal to their favorite team. Our custom packaging with individual team logos helps us tap into the excitement of the upcomingfootball season and reinforce to the fans our support of their team.”

The Bud brand family also will increase its broadcast commitments to include at minimum two ads in every NFL game broadcast this season, plus alcohol beverage category exclusivity on the Super Bowl broadcast for the 18th consecutive season. Additionally, the 2005football promotion includes Bud Light tailgate parties, “Budweiser Fan Zones” and co-branded “Tail Gators.”

“Professional football is an important element in our overall marketing mix, and we will work to enhance our relationship with the teams, fans and networks throughout the season,” said Ponturo. “We have stepped up our activation aroundfootball in 2005 to create excitement during fan-centered activities and to strengthen our position as the preferred beer among football fans.”

Copyright 2005 Convenience Store News

2005-08-24T08:09:00.000-07:00

Michigan boasts 5 active NFL-QBs

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Bo Schembechler thought he had the perfect pitch for Rick Mirer.
The former Michigan coach was recruiting Mirer at the quarterback's Indiana home on a Monday in 1988 – the same night former Wolverines quarterback Jim Harbaugh was making his first NFL start.
What better way for Schembechler to show Mirer that Ann Arbor was the place for him.
"As Bo was sitting in Mirer's living room, Dan Dierdorf, a Michigan man, points out on the air that no Michigan quarterback has thrown an NFL touchdown pass," Jim Harbaugh's father, Jack, recalled. "Bo was taken aback at the time, and didn't really know what to say."
Mirer ended up at Notre Dame and the Wolverines wound up with Elvis Grbac, one of seven Michigan quarterbacks to start in the NFL over the past 17 years.
Three yards and a cloud of dust is not the Wolverines' way anymore. With Tom Brady leading the charge, Michigan's become the new Quarterback U.
In the 1980s, Bernie Kosar and Vinny Testaverde helped earn Miami the moniker of Quarterback U. But since 1988, Michigan has produced the same number of starting NFL quarterbacks as the Hurricanes. - NFL Football -
Five Wolverines quarterbacks are currently on NFL rosters – more than any other school, and three more than Miami – according to the Elias Sports Bureau.
Brady has been the most successful, winning two Super Bowl MVPs with New England. But he had to compete with Dallas' Drew Henson for playing time when he was in college.
"I was so nervous to go out to practice because I was competing every day. I swear to God, I would lose sleep," Brady said. "I'd wake up and check the weather to see how windy it was going to be because I knew I was going out there and throwing. You'd learn valuable lessons about competition, and I approached every day in practice like it really was the game."
Tampa Bay's Brian Griese, Kansas City's Todd Collins and Arizona's John Navarre are the other Michigan QBs in the NFL.
The current quarterback for the nation's winningest college football program has a chance to be its best yet.
Chad Henne tied Grbac's school record with 25 touchdown passes last year when he became the first freshman to start every game at quarterback for Michigan and the first to lead a Big Ten team to a conference title. - NFL Football -
"Our players embraced him and Chad gets most of the credit for that because of the way he handled the pressure of the job and the praise he got for doing it," Michigan coach Lloyd Carr said. "But [quarterbacks coach] Scot Loeffler did a great job of helping him get better every day and [offensive coordinator] Terry Malone did a great job of giving him things he could handle, not overloading him."
Henne estimates he knew less than 50 percent of Michigan's playbook last season when he completed 60 percent of his passes, threw a TD in every game and averaged only one interception per game. - NFL Football -
"They'd give me a play and I'd run the play," he said. "This year, I know why we're going to run the play and what defenses are giving us and what we're going to try to do against it."
It also helps Henne to have plenty of playmakers at his disposal and a solid line providing ample protection.
With the loss of Braylon Edwards, the No. 3 overall NFL draft pick, Henne will spread the ball around to receivers Jason Avant and Steve Breaston and tight ends Tim Massaquoi and Tyler Ecker. And it is not like Michigan has abandoned the running game. Mike Hart led the Big Ten in rushing as a freshman last season. - NFL Football -
"Watch out for Chad, he's going to be real dangerous this year," Hart said. "He'll read a lot of defenses. You won't see him passing to one receiver all the time. You're going to see a lot of receivers getting the ball."
When Schembechler returned Michigan to prominence in the 1970s, quarterbacks didn't throw much. The Wolverines and rival Ohio State dominated the Big Ten with "3 yards and a cloud of dust" game plans.
"Bo started to adapt from an option-based offense to more of a balanced attack when he had John Wangler at QB and Anthony Carter at receiver in the early '80s, and I benefited from that greatly," said Jim Harbaugh, now the head coach at the University of San Diego. "Once quarterbacks saw that they would have a chance to throw the ball, the best started going to Michigan from all over the country." - NFL Football -
While Mirer chose to follow the likes of Joe Montana and Joe Theisman at Notre Dame, Henne was easily wooed by Michigan's new QB legacy.
"With all the tradition, you want to come here," Henne said. "They've produced great quarterbacks, so that was a big factor."

LARRY LAGE The Associated Press

2005-08-15T09:49:00.000-07:00

Ricky Williams' NFL millions virtually gone

Ricky Williams gave many reasons for his decision to return to football.
But one, above all, speaks the loudest: his bank account balance.
The Dolphins running back, who has earned more than $16 million in his five-year NFL career, has a net worth of less than $230,000, according to a review of his financial records found in court documents and state and county records. - NFL Football -
Williams was forced to make his holdings and debts public earlier this year when he was sued for child support by a woman in Hawaii, the mother of one of his three children.
According to a financial affidavit submitted on his behalf on Jan. 11, 2005, he owes nearly $1.1 million, including unpaid child support, agent fees and taxes.
And that does not take into account the $8.6 million that a federal judge said he owes the Dolphins for breach of contract after suddenly announcing his retirement a week before training camp began last season. - NFL Football -
Three weeks ago, after his first practice since returning to the Dolphins, Williams mentioned debt as a reason for playing football again.
"Everyone knows I have three children, so I was looking at my future," he said. "Whether I wanted to go back to school or start a new job, I'd have that settlement chasing me, so I can't say that it didn't play into my decision."
Williams is paying child support for two children in the amount of about $100,000 a year. His other child lives with him. - NFL Football -
Since signing his first contract with the New Orleans Saints in 1999, an incentive-based deal that could have been worth as much as $68 million, his money has evaporated.
As of January, according to the financial affidavit, his assets amounted to $1,321,675, most of that from selling all of his properties. Minus money he owed, his net worth at the time was $228,841. - NFL Football -
Williams' career earnings — even after paying about 40 percent in combined state and federal taxes and 3 percent to 4 percent in fees to agents — would have amounted to more than $8 million, according to estimates from several forensic accountants.
Williams and his agent, Leigh Steinberg, did not respond to repeated interview requests for this story. - NFL Football -
Where did all the money go?
Not into excesses, his friends say. Williams has often said he doesn't value material things. He spent several weeks in the Australian outback, living out of a Volkswagen van. Aside from real estate investments, his most extravagant purchase was a $140,000 1999 Ferrari Modena, according to Florida records. - NFL Football -
But Williams has splurged in the past. He bought paintings, hiring South Florida artist David "Lebo" LeBatard to paint a mural in his son's room. At one point, he owned a motorcycle and six cars, including a Hummer, a Mercedes-Benz S600 and the Ferrari. And he told a newspaper in 2002 that he once cashed a $20,000 check from a paid appearance and went straight to a casino. He said he blew all the money in a half-hour of playing craps.
Friends and business associates say Williams has spent or given away much of his earnings. He donated money to institutions, bought cars and homes for friends and family members, put his two sisters through college and sometimes just wrote checks to help people "get back on their feet," one friend said. - NFL Football -
"Ricky isn't any kind of crazy spender," said Renie Colwell, who ran the San Diego-based Ricky Williams Foundation, a charity for children that has been inactive since Williams' retirement. "He has been very giving, very helpful. Maybe to a fault."

Carlos Frias
Palm Beach Post

2005-08-09T07:54:00.000-07:00

NFL ROUNDUP: Marino savors final fling
Quarterbacks' day at Hall of Fame

CANTON, Ohio -- Dan Marino capped his induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in the best way possible: with a long completion.
He licked his fingers, a trademark of his 17 seasons as the NFL's most prolific quarterback, then turned to one of his favorite receivers, Mark Clayton, in the audience.
"Go deep, Mark," Marino commanded. - NFL Football -
Clayton sauntered up the aisle, turned and latched onto -- what else? -- a perfect spiral.
"Of course, in the end, every quarterback wants one more Sunday with a football in his hands and going deep," Marino said.
Thousands of fans clad in No. 13 Dolphins jerseys shook Fawcett Stadium with cheers, remembering how sweet it was to see Marino throw the ball.
"I'll remember this day for the rest of my life," Marino said. - NFL Football -
Marino joined Steve Young, Fritz Pollard and Benny Friedman in the shrine. Friedman, a two-time All-America quarterback at Michigan, and Pollard were NFL pioneers.
Paying tribute to his western Pennsylvania roots, Marino noted that John Unitas, Joe Namath, Joe Montana and Jim Kelly all came from the region. All are Hall of Famers.
"When I was younger, there's no doubt I thought about being Joe Namath," Marino said, adding that joining them in the Hall "definitely makes an impact on you."
Young suggested it was the first time that only quarterbacks entered the Hall in one class, and he was partly right. Pollard was a running back who sometimes played QB. "I'm proud to be part of this with Dan and the Pollard and Friedman families," Young said.
Although Marino and Young had diverse styles, they both spent years at the top of their game. Marino set NFL marks of 4,967 completions, 8,358 passes, 61,361 yards and 420 touchdowns. His record of 48 TD passes in the 1984 season, when he was MVP, was broken by Peyton Manning last year. - NFL Football -
Pollard was the first black NFL head coach.
Friedman, who died in 1982, probably was the first great pro passer. He made 20 TD throws for the New York Giants in 1929 even though the ball barely resembled the modern football. The record stood for 14 years. - NFL Football -
Carolina: Carolina tight end Freddie Jones retired, ending his eight-year career just four months after signing a free agent contract with the Panthers.
Green Bay: Pro Bowl receiver Javon Walker injured his left hamstring and was held out of the rest of the practice. "I felt something pull when I was running," Walker said, adding that he didn't consider it to be serious. - NFL Football -
Kansas City: All-Pro tight end Tony Gonzalez was at practice after X rays on his injured left foot showed no broken bones.
Minnesota: Quarterback Daunte Culpepper agreed to restructure his contract. The team confirmed Culpepper was getting a raise from the terms of the $102-million, 10-year extension he signed in May 2003. - NFL Football -
Philadelphia: Wide receiver Terrell Owens returned to practice after missing the last two days with inflammation in his left groin.
Dan Marino fires a completion to former Miami teammate Mark Clayton after his induction speech.

FREE PRESS NEWS SERVICES

2005-07-26T06:43:00.000-07:00

Big East football has new look for 2005
After losing prominent teams, conference adds three squads this season

NEWPORT, R.I. -- The Big East has three new teams, two new coaches with NFL experience and a healthier outlook heading into the 2005 football season.
"Two years ago people were telling us we were going out of business," commissioner Mike Tranghese said yesterday at Big East media day. "We were losing our BCS bid, we were going to lose our television contract and we're going to lose all our secondary bowl games.
"I stand here before you two years later -- and none of that is true."
What the Big East has lost is its luster. - NFL Football -
Gone are the schools that turned the Big East into a viable football conference when it was born more than a decade ago. Miami and Virginia Tech took up residence in the Atlantic Coast Conference last year, and Boston College will join those two powerhouses this season.
It was a messy divorce, especially for Boston College, which spent an uncomfortable 2004 season in the league, knowing it was on the way out. Lawyers got involved and there were some real hard feelings. - NFL Football -
Then there was Temple. The league's perennial doormat was given the boot by the Big East before the 2004 season and also played last year as a lame duck.
That's all behind the Big East now. - NFL Football -
The new Big East football conference adds Louisville, Cincinnati and South Florida, who all bolted Conference USA to join a league with automatic entry into the Bowl Championship Series for the foreseeable future. - NFL Football -
The holdovers are Syracuse, Pittsburgh, Rutgers, West Virginia and Connecticut.
It's not the most imposing lineup, but the long-term prospects are at least encouraging.
"I think there are a number of schools that could end up stepping up," South Florida coach Jim Leavitt said. "Do we need that juggernaut? It always helps just of because of the media perception. It certainly doesn't hurt a conference to have those things happen. But what can also help a conference is to have everybody build up and everybody be competitive."
South Florida, located in Tampa, gives the league a much-needed presence in the Sunshine State, with its endless stream of talented players. - NFL Football -
Cincinnati ended the past season with a bowl victory. In fact, Rutgers and USF are the only Big East teams that didn't play in the postseason the past year.
And Louisville walks into the league as the overwhelming favorite to land that coveted BCS bid.
In a poll of media members, the Cardinals (190 points) were picked to finish first, receiving 23 of 24 first-place votes. - NFL Football -
Coach Bobby Petrino will hand over his high-powered offense to sophomore quarterback Brian Brohm, who saw ample time playing behind Stefan LeFors last season. The Cardinals were No. 1 in the nation in scoring (49.8 ppg) and total offense (539.0 ypg) in 2004, finished 11-1 and ranked sixth in the final AP poll.
Pitt (164), with former Dolphins coach Dave Wannstedt now leading his alma mater, was picked second in the conference. - NFL Football -
"I stand here before you two years later -- and none of that is true."
What the Big East has lost is its luster.
Gone are the schools that turned the Big East into a viable football conference when it was born more than a decade ago. Miami and Virginia Tech took up residence in the Atlantic Coast Conference last year, and Boston College will join those two powerhouses this season.
It was a messy divorce, especially for Boston College, which spent an uncomfortable 2004 season in the league, knowing it was on the way out. Lawyers got involved and there were some real hard feelings. - NFL Football -
Then there was Temple. The league's perennial doormat was given the boot by the Big East before the 2004 season and also played last year as a lame duck.
That's all behind the Big East now.
The new Big East football conference adds Louisville, Cincinnati and South Florida, who all bolted Conference USA to join a league with automatic entry into the Bowl Championship Series for the foreseeable future. - NFL Football -
The holdovers are Syracuse, Pittsburgh, Rutgers, West Virginia and Connecticut.
It's not the most imposing lineup, but the long-term prospects are at least encouraging.
"I think there are a number of schools that could end up stepping up," South Florida coach Jim Leavitt said. "Do we need that juggernaut? It always helps just of because of the media perception. It certainly doesn't hurt a conference to have those things happen. But what can also help a conference is to have everybody build up and everybody be competitive."
South Florida, located in Tampa, gives the league a much-needed presence in the Sunshine State, with its endless stream of talented players. - NFL Football -
Cincinnati ended the past season with a bowl victory. In fact, Rutgers and USF are the only Big East teams that didn't play in the postseason the past year.
And Louisville walks into the league as the overwhelming favorite to land that coveted BCS bid.
In a poll of media members, the Cardinals (190 points) were picked to finish first, receiving 23 of 24 first-place votes.
Coach Bobby Petrino will hand over his high-powered offense to sophomore quarterback Brian Brohm, who saw ample time playing behind Stefan LeFors last season. The Cardinals were No. 1 in the nation in scoring (49.8 ppg) and total offense (539.0 ypg) in 2004, finished 11-1 and ranked sixth in the final AP poll. - NFL Football -
Pitt (164), with former Dolphins coach Dave Wannstedt now leading his alma mater, was picked second in the conference.

RALPH D. RUSSO
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

2005-07-18T08:17:00.000-07:00

49ers' Parrish feels 'futbol' aura
Safety in Mexico City to promote October game vs. Cardinals

In seven NFL seasons, Tony Parrish has yet to play in a Super Bowl, and considering the San Francisco 49ers were the NFL's worst team last season, he probably isn't going to enjoy that singular experience anytime soon.
But Friday, Parrish got a small taste of the Super Bowl atmosphere.
The occasion was a news conference in Mexico City to promote the 49ers' game there against the Arizona Cardinals on Oct. 2, the first NFL regular-season game outside the United States.
Assembled before Parrish and the others at the news conference was media from roughly 150 outlets. Parrish, a safety for the 49ers who was among those chosen to kick off the NFL's publicity campaign for the event, expects the game to receive similar media saturation.
"The attention is probably going to rival the Super Bowl," he said.
Or, perhaps, it will be more akin to a key international soccer match.
"It will be a chance to play for a different crowd," Parrish said. "They'll be singing and dancing the whole game. It will be the type of scene we only see when we're watching the World Cup on TV."
Parrish was chosen by the 49ers to represent them at last week's events in Mexico City and Monterrey, Mexico, because his love of travel is well-known in the organization. Niners owner John York also made the trip, as did Cardinals offensive lineman Rolando Cantu, a native of Monterrey.
If the Oct. 2 game proves a success, the NFL in future seasons may play regular-season games in other countries. The inaugural game was awarded to Mexico because of its long-standing football tradition.
Mexico has the largest NFL fan base outside the United States. It also has a national college football league, and the NFL sponsors a flag-football program that reaches 100,000 youths in Mexico.
The NFL has hosted five preseason games in Mexico City, one of which attracted 112,376 fans, a league attendance record. There won't be that many at this year's game because the capacity at reconfigured Azteca Stadium is about 105,000.
"I've never played for that many people," Parrish said.
NOTE: The 49ers will host their Family Day from 11 a.m.- 3 p.m. Saturday at Kezar Stadium. There will be contests, games and appearances by current members and alumni of the team. The first 1,500 fans 15 and under accompanied by an adult who complete a youth football clinic or junior training camp clinic will receive two free tickets to the 49ers' preseason game against Tennessee at Monster Park on Aug. 26. Admission is free.

Roger Phillips, STAFF WRITER

2005-07-11T15:28:00.000-07:00

An editor's reward

One of the flashiest -- though not one of the best -- football coaches in the history of the game, former Houston Oilers and Atlanta Falcons head coach Jerry Glanville, had a penchant for saying out loud what everyone else thought, but was afraid to say. When once he found his job threatened, he was credited with inventing the phrase, "This is the NFL. That stands for 'Not For Long.'"In a sense, newspapers are the NFL, too. Journalism is a lot like law enforcement and teaching -- you don't go into it for the money. That is especially true in the world of small-town newspapers. So when you get an opportunity to move up in the world, you take it.That has happened with one of our own. Next week, Patti Locklear will become the editor of the daily newspaper in Stuttgart, Ark., a small town southeast of Little Rock.
This week I got a letter and newspaper from another Altus Times alumnus, Blair native Jaime Willis, who now covers municipalities for The News Sun, a paper that covers the suburbs south of Cleveland, Ohio.It's always gratifying when eager young reporters move up through the journalistic equivalent of the minor-league baseball system. - NFL Football -
Locklear was at 18 the youngest editor in America when she took over her family's Granite Enterprise. After the newspaper was sold, she came here as our features reporter and photographer. It was a beat for which she was born.Like many of my colleagues, I tend to prefer hard news -- cops stories, courtroom dramas, sniffing out malfeasance in government.
Features are about people, and Patti is first and foremost a people person. I don't know if I've ever known a person as unflappably cheerful as she is. That persevering personality will come in handy as she deals with folks -- generally criminals, politicians and civic boosters -- who aren't always pleased with a newspaper's role in community life.From above there will be the pressure from corporate ownership to keep costs down, to get by with fewer reporters, to patch up antique computers and still put out an award-winning product because a newspaper is, after all, a reflection of its community. - NFL Football -
If there is any advice I can offer Patti as she moves on to the next rung of her career ladder, it is that your only boss is the truth. The truth will be helpful to most. The truth will be hurtful to some, but that cannot matter. People will use their influence like a crowbar to try to pry you away from the truth. Do not let them succeed. It will never be easy, but it will often be fun, especially when your newspaper gets to say out loud what everyone in town is thinking, but is afraid to say. - NFL Football -

Times Like These, by Mike Andrews

2005-07-06T09:16:00.000-07:00

Super Bowl scam left ticket broker $69,000 short, lawsuit says

A Chicago ticket-brokering company was scammed out of dozens of Super Bowl tickets -- and thousands of dollars in profits -- by a Florida man who was buying the tickets from NFL players, a new lawsuit alleges.
Tickets321.com, which filed the suit last week in Cook County Circuit Court, wants a judge to order Authentic Sports Inc. and Bradley and Richard Wells to cough up at least $69,000, which Tickets321.com contends was lost in the deal.
Tickets321.com wired Bradley Wells -- who was acting as a sort of middleman -- $39,000 so he could purchase tickets from pro football players he claimed to know with the Atlanta Falcons and Philadelphia Eagles, the suit says. The tickets were to Super Bowl XXXIX this past winter.
The Eagles were in the Super Bowl. The Falcons were not, but even teams not in the big game can get Super Bowl tickets.
Expected $30,000 profit
The tickets Wells was buying were supposed to go to Tickets321.com so they could be re-sold to the public. Tickets321.com expected to recoup the $39,000 -- and make around $30,000 on top of that.
Wells took the $39,000 -- which was deposited in an account held by Wells' father, Richard, an Indiana resident -- and Bradley Wells went ahead and bought game tickets, the suit claims.
Though the tickets had a face value of about $500 each, players and coaches were charging $1,500 for each ticket, and Tickets321.com was planning to sell them for $2,700 each, the suit claims.
But instead of delivering tickets to Tickets321.com, Wells sold them for as much as $5,000 each, the suit alleges.
David Harpest, an attorney for the ticket-brokering firm, declined comment. But the suit indicated the company tried unsuccessfully to arrange payment plans with Wells.
Denies wrongdoing
In a telephone interview while he was in St. Petersburg, Fla., Wells denied wrongdoing. "We've both been taken for a lot of money by another man," he said. "The individual I knew, who was friends with the players, probably ran off to the islands with our money."
Wells said he did not scam Tickets321.com, but declined to explain bank records indicating he spent the company's money.
Though NFL players and coaches are given the chance to purchase Super Bowl tickets at face value, they must sign an agreement not to re-sell those tickets to others at a higher price.
Even so, Wells said "it's a common thing" for tickets to be scalped by players and coaches, then sold for an even bigger profit by brokers.
Last week, the NFL fined Minnesota Vikings coach Mike Tice $100,000 for scalping his Super Bowl tickets last year, while also slapping $10,000 fines on some of his assistant coaches for the same.

STEVE PATTERSON
Staff Reporter

2005-06-29T12:42:00.000-07:00

Miles balances family, football

Les Miles is approaching the end of his first six months as head football coach at LSU, a job he has discovered is unlike any other.

"I can tell you I believe the fans, the support of LSU is very unique to LSU," Miles said Tuesday, "and I don't think it exists at any other place."

The next six months will show Miles a side of the job he has yet to experience. Saturday nights in Tiger Stadium. Pregame. The many reasons, the tens of thousands of them, that the place was always supposed to be known as Deaf Valley.

As surely as LSU has shaped the former Oklahoma State coach since his introduction as coach of the Tigers on Jan. 3, so has he -- and his family -- begun shaping the program.

Sights and sounds foreign to LSU during previous administrations, most notably the all-business Nick Saban era, marked the days before, during and after the first spring of the Les Miles era. Wives and children of LSU assistant coaches found their way into offices, onto the practice field, for a hello, a hug and a kiss.

By CARL DUBOIS

Nfl Football Schedule

2005-06-22T07:45:00.000-07:00

Dunn honored as Good Guy

Former Seminole's foundation helps single moms afford homes of their own

The house is loaded with everything a family could want: The living room is filled with furniture and other accessories, bedrooms are decorated to the likes of mothers and their children, the kitchen has new appliances, and the refrigerator and pantry are stocked.
No detail has been overlooked. Not even the apple pie on the counter - Warrick Dunn's version of icing on the cake. The home is complete, thanks to Dunn's "Homes for the Holidays" program. And then comes the big surprise: The family gets the keys to the house.
"It's an emotional time," said Dunn, a former Florida State football star who now plays for the Atlanta Falcons. "Most people don't believe that the house is theirs. Once they open the doors and see those goodies, when you see the expressions they have, it's great.
"It's something that I cherish also."
On Monday, Dunn was given the Good Guy Award from The Sporting News. In February, Dunn received the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year award for his humanitarian efforts.
Dunn created a foundation to help single mothers early in his NFL career. Dunn's mother, Betty Smothers, a Baton Rouge, La., police officer and single mother was killed when he was in high school while working off duty.
The Warrick Dunn Foundation has helped defray the costs of homes for 52 single mothers and more than 130 children in Baton Rouge and the two NFL cities in which he's played, Tampa and Atlanta. Dunn's foundation makes $5,000 down payments for single mothers and, with help from corporate sponsors, secures low-interest loans and fills the home with goodies.
Dunn's goal is for house No.53 to be in Tallahassee. The foundation's executive director, Stephanie Waller, said she is working on a proposal with nonprofit groups in Tallahassee with the goal of having a home ready for a family by Christmas.
"We're hoping that this is going to be a long-term relationship," Waller said. "We're hoping to do at least one a year. It's been challenging because the land prices in Tallahassee are so expensive. That's why we're only doing one at this point."
Waller said Dunn is involved in the process from start to finish.
"I consider him really hands-on," Waller said. "He's in constant communication in terms of what is happening with the process. When it comes to the selection, he makes the decision."
The decision to choose Dunn was easy for The Sporting News. Dunn, a tailback, is used to following the lead of offensive linemen, but now other NFL players are taking a page out of Dunn's playbook and creating foundations to help single mothers, too.
"He's right up there at the top (among NFL guys)," said Paul Attner, a senior writer for The Sporting News who created the award seven years ago. "The depth of what he's doing and the meaning that he has in people's lives ... He certainly meets all of those subjective qualifications. He cares. He really cares."

By Bob FerranteDEMOCRAT STAFF WRITER