NFL quick hits: Week 9 betting recap
By Shawn Torrey
Mon, Nov 7, 2005

You might remember that we dubbed Week 6 of the schedule, “The Square Affair” when the favorites combined to go 10-3-1 ATS. With that in mind, it’s only fair that we call Week 9, “The Sequel.” --football gambling--

Books have to be feeling the pain as the chalk teams prevailed for the third time in the past four weeks. A quick run back through previous editions of this column shows the favorites bringing home the cash at a mind-boggling 27-13-1 ATS over the past four weeks. --football gambling--

We should mention that the past two Monday Nighters are not included in that total since we changed the publishing time of this piece to Monday mornings. Regardless, without getting nit-picky, that’s one heck of a haul for anyone who would be silly enough to blindly bet the favorites. --football gambling--

Road favorites covered as many as eight games this week depending upon your line, and overall the homers finished just 4-8-1 ATS. There was no distinct advantage for totals players as the under finished with a slight 7-6 edge. --football gambling--

Hang in there underdog bettors, the big payday is coming. Atlanta 17 at Miami 10 (1 / 40) Since nobody seems willing to give Vick the credit that he says he deserves, we’ll gladly step to the mic. The noted scrambler stayed home in this one and tossed for a season-high 228 yards. More importantly, the Falcons improved to 5-1 (4-2 ATS) in their last six contests. --football gambling--

The Dolphins dropped the cash for the fourth time in five games. Oakland 23 at Kansas City 27 (-4 ½ / 51 ½). --football gambling--

Why do they kick meaningless extra points when there is no time left remaining on the clock? Well, as far as we can tell it’s merely to give bettors chest pains. Whether you were on the side or total in this one, we’re willing to bet that you were frantically counting pointspreads in your head as time expired. We’re also guessing that you were again reminded to always get the best number. --football gambling--

Houston 14 at Jacksonville 21 (-13 / 36 ½) --football gambling--Jacksonville didn’t make life very easy for fans, and bettors alike on Sunday as it took 14 fourth-quarter points to gain victory over the one-win Texans. The slow start had Jags supporters chewing on chalk from the word go. --football gambling--

Tennessee 14 at Cleveland 20 (-3 / 37) --football gambling--The Browns now have more wins to their credit than eight other teams in the league and the Titans are included in that list. Technically that means that the Browns are the ninth-worst, which isn’t bad considering they lost to the Texans last week. --football gambling--

The under is now an 7-1 when the Browns hit the field, but unexplainably the posted total has actually gotten higher in each of Cleveland’s last three games. Go figure. --football gambling--Cincinnati 21 at Baltimore 9 (3 / 36) --football gambling--

The Bengals racked up 329 yards on the Ravens, and racked the cash for the fourth time in five road games this season. They pushed in the other. The under improved to 3-0 in the Bengals’ last three, and 3-0 when they tackle a divisional foe. The Ravens failed to score more than 10 points for the fourth time this year, and the under improved to 6-2 in Baltimore games. --football gambling--

Carolina 34 at Tampa Bay 14 (pk / 37) Let’s keep it simple. The Bucs finally faced a talented opponent, and they flat-out got their butts kicked. The win was the Panthers fifth in a row (3-2 ATS), and the over has now hit in six straight Carolina games. The Bucs lost for the second straight time since their bye week and are now just 1-5 ATS over their last six games. --football gambling--

San Diego 31 at NY Jets 26 (6 / 41) Chargers supporters fell victim to the ‘backdoor cover’ after looking like they were going to cover this spread by double-digits. Brooks Bollinger was the unlikely hero for New York bettors, leading a charge that didn’t fall short by much. --football gambling--

The 26 points is the most that the Jets have put up all season. The over has now cashed in three straight Jets contests and this result snapped a four-game under streak, and three-game ATS run for the Bolts. --football gambling--

Detroit 14 at Minnesota 27 (-2 / 38) --football gambling--The Vikings went to bat for steam bettors who had this line moving fast prior to kick-off, easily collecting the coin with a 13-point win. Oddly enough they did it without their best player and quarterback Culpepper, reinforcing they fact that sometimes things go unexplained in this league. --football gambling--
Minnesota has quietly won and covered three in a row at home and has pulled into a second place tie in the NFC North with the Lions. --football gambling--

NY Giants 24 at San Francisco 6 (11 / 43) --football gambling--
The Giants picked up their first road win of the campaign and improved their current win streak to three. So long as Eli Manning stays far away from San Diego, this team will do just fine. Seattle 33 at Arizona 19 (5 / 43) --football gambling--Remind us again why Dennis Green decided to go with Kurt Warner, or was that brilliant idea kept a secret? --football gambling--

The Seahawks are in cruise control and enjoy a 5-2 ATS run, while over bettors are benefiting from a 5-1 streak. --football gambling--

Chicago 20 New Orleans 17 (3 / 34) --football gambling--Chicago may have been guilty of playing to the level of its competition here, but ultimately couldn’t help but win its fourth in a row against the lowly Saints. New Orleans has recorded just one win since a season-opening victory over Carolina. --football gambling--The over cashed in a Bears game for just the second time this season- the first since Week 2 of the schedule. --football gambling--

Pittsburgh 20 at Green Bay 10 (3 ½ / 38) --football gambling--Has anyone seen Favre’s mo-jo? --football gambling--The Packers had ample opportunity to go up early in this one, but bad teams tend to squander those chances. The Pack did just that and they are a bad team. Green Bay hasn’t cracked the 20-point plateau in three weeks, and the under is 3-0 in those games. --football gambling--

Philadelphia 10 at Washington 17 (3 / 38 ½) --football gambling--

Note to Andy Reid: Umm, you`re allowed to run the ball inside the other team’s five-yard line with less than two minutes left and the game on the line. In fact, some would even say it’s encouraged. --football gambling--

Note to T.O.: Under the safe assumption that you’ll never read this article, I feel compelled to say that you’re an idiot. The Eagles dropped their fourth in a row against the number and matched their season-low points total. The Skins are now 5-2 ATS in their last seven and 3-1 ATS at home. --football gambling--Share your thoughts on this article in the Covers posting forum.--football gambling--

Bolts backup Chiefs again
By Tom Shanahan, Chargers.com
Sunday, October 30, 2005


On a day the Chargers desperately needed a win, they found themselves forced to rely on as many as four backups to replace injured defensive starters and two backups to fill in for starters in the offensive line. -NFL Football-

But if you’re thinking the Chargers’ 28-20 win Sunday over the Kansas City Chiefs was something new – the Bolts weren’t tested this way last year when they remained relatively injury free – you’re forgetting the last time these teams met at Qualcomm Stadium. -NFL Football-

A year ago, with the playoff picture already determined, Chargers coach Marty Schottenheimer opted to rest Drew Brees, LaDainian Tomlinson, Antonio Gates and Keenan McCardell, yet the Bolts still beat the Chiefs, 24-17, in the regular-season finale. -NFL Football-

“The last game last season we had starters who didn’t play against the Chiefs, and guys stepped up,” said Donnie Edwards, the Chargers’ 10th-year inside linebacker who shared the team lead with 11 tackles. “I think this was a continuation of last year. When one guy goes down the next guy has to step up. Marty has talked about that for a long time.” -NFL Football-

The Chargers opened the game with third-year inside linebacker Stephen Cooper and second-year outside linebacker Shaun Phillips making their first starts this year because of injuries to Randall Godfrey and Steve Foley, respectively. -NFL Football-

In addition, third-year cornerback Sammy Davis (11 tackles) was starting in place of Drayton Florence for the third time this year and former free agent Clinton Hart (four tackles and a pass defended) had to finish the game at strong safety when starter Terrence Kiel went down with an injury. -NFL Football-

“That tells you these guys were prepared,” Godfrey said. “Coop came in and did a great job and Shaun Phillips played outstanding. Anytime you have a group of young guys come in and we don’t miss a step, my hat is off to them. They were well prepared, and that’s good coaching.” -NFL Football-

Cooper finished the game with eight tackles and was credited with a half-sack. Phillips had two tackles while applying pressure throughout the afternoon, recovering a fumble and delivering a big hit worthy of highlight films that sent Kansas City running back Priest Holmes to the sideline. -NFL Football-

“Since I came to San Diego, I’ve prepared for every game as if I’m going to start,” Phillips said. “You never know when a guy might go down and I have to be prepared. I’ve played in big situations before – they’ve used me on third down in fourth quarter – and I’ve been a starter all my life, so I’m always prepared.” -NFL Football-

Cooper and Phillips were playing alongside rookie outside linebacker Shawne Merriman, who had two sacks and five tackles while making his second straight start. -NFL Football-

“We talk everyday, whether we’re starting or not,” Merriman said. “We’re always talking and trying to help each other become better players. That’s what good teams do.” -NFL Football-

On the offensive side of the ball, former free agent Bob Hallen made his second straight start in place of Nick Hardwick at center and Leander Jordan came on to replace left tackle Roman Oben (foot injury) late in the first half for the remainder of the game. -NFL Football-

“When someone new is in there, you have to help them along as best you can,” said right guard Mike Goff, an eighth-year veteran. “You need to do double duty – your job and help them with their job. That’s what good O-lines.” -NFL Football-

McCardell said the backups were just waiting for an opportunity to show what they can do. -NFL Football-

“We showed how deep we are,” McCardell said. “It gets tougher every week, because every week you’re getting nicked.” -NFL Football-

The NFL Loses A Giant

Owner Praised For Contributions

October 26, 2005

By JOHN ALTAVILLA, Courant Staff Writer

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- What distinguished a life Wellington Mara lived so well was his ability to influence corporate giants as well as third string Giants. He charmed both with the same unassuming flair. -NFL Football-

His friends and employees, his family and competitors say he touched their lives without leaving a smudge. So when Giants coach Tom Coughlin walks by his boss' office today the emptiness will be more than palpable. -NFL Football-

"It's very difficult for me right now to think about the New York Giants without Wellington Mara sitting in that office every day," Coughlin said. "One day before he went into the hospital I knew he was in the office, so I went down to see him. We talked back and forth and maybe a minute or two into the conversation, he said, `Well Tom, you better get back to work.' Back down the hall he sent me. -NFL Football-

"We knew he was ill, but you're afraid of this day." -NFL Football-

Wellington Timothy Mara, the patriarchal Hall of Fame owner of the Giants who influenced the growth of the NFL into a national institution, died Tuesday from cancer at his home in Rye, N.Y. He was 89. -NFL Football-

"The NFL can never be the same," said Giants general manager Ernie Accorsi. "He saw the first game ever played by this franchise. He shaped nearly every rule and philosophy we have in our league today. Most of all, he was the moral conscience of the NFL." -NFL Football-

Mara, the son of an Irish bookmaker who bought the Giants for $500 in 1925, grew to be a powerful figure for a team worth $806 million, according to Forbes Magazine. -NFL Football-

"The NFL would not be the NFL that it grew into without Wellington's influence," said Frank Gifford, the Giants Hall of Fame running back. "When the league got its first television contract, he realized it had to be equally distributed so everybody could be competitive. Even though the Giants had the largest television market, he said the money should be distributed equally. They knew it was better for football and the future of football by sharing the money equally." -NFL Football-

His wife, Ann, his 11 children and their spouses and many of his 40 grandchildren surrounded Mara when he passed away at 9:26 a.m. A funeral Mass will be Friday at 10 a.m. at St. Patrick's Cathedral in Manhattan. -NFL Football-

Mara, elected to the Hall of Fame in 1997, suffered from skin cancer for most of the last 25 years, enduring many surgeries before May 10 when cancerous lymph nodes were removed. -NFL Football-

He had been in failing health since the surgery, which prevented him from attending training camp in Albany - one of his favorite pastimes - or any games this season. He did make a brief appearance at the team's minicamp in June, defying doctor's orders. -NFL Football-

Mara's presence on the sideline during practice - sitting on a folding chair or golf cart - or the locker room - always in a tie and jacket - had long been considered a calming influence. -NFL Football-

"One of the things I miss the most this year is [not] seeing him at every practice, sitting on that golf chair he always had," running back Tiki Barber said. "There was always a certain level of accountability, even in practice, because we always knew he was watching us. And after games, you'd walk into the locker room and he'd be standing right there to shake your hand, win or lose." -NFL Football-

Following Sunday's come-from-behind 24-23 victory over the Broncos, the Giants, told before the game of Mara's failing health by Coughlin, formed a tight circle in the locker room and chanted his nickname, "Duke, Duke, Duke" in tribute. -NFL Football-

"My father told me the name came from the Duke of Wellington," Mara once said. "My father said the Duke of Wellington was a great fighting Irishman. The name didn't bother me. I preferred it to Wellington." -NFL Football-

Although he spent many years as the team's general manager, Mara opposed interfering with the work of his staff once he passed the responsibility on to George Young and Accorsi. -NFL Football-

"He was a man of extraordinary character, integrity and decency," said Ravens owner Art Modell, Mara's friend of 45 years. "He was a kind man who rarely spoke in anger, never used profanity and was never untoward to anyone. Personally, this is very, very sad. ... We have lost a giant." -NFL Football-

Mara, a devout Catholic, was set in his ways. Team policy often mirrored his personal views, which is why the Giants do not have cheerleaders. -NFL Football-

Learning The Business

Mara was born Aug. 14, 1916, in New York City. Many of his childhood memories revolved around football, but baseball was a big part his early life, too. -NFL Football-

"I remember as a kid I was taken down to the Yankees dugout and introduced to Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig, which was a big thrill, of course," Mara said this year. "It was in Yankee Stadium, so I know it was after 1923. I remember one day my mother and father took me for a drive. It was a Sunday. And we went to see Yankee Stadium being completed. Then we went up to see my father's new golf club, which was Winged Foot. Both opened in 1923. I would say it was 1924 or '25 that I got to meet Ruth and Gehrig." -NFL Football-

Mara graduated from Loyola High School before attending Fordham, where he was a classmate of Vince Lombardi, and earned his degree in 1937. His older brother, Jack, also attended Fordham, but it was Wellington who showed the most interest in learning the family business of football from his father, Tim. -NFL Football-

Wellington was 9 when the Giants played their first home game in October 1925 against the Frankford Yellow Jackets, a 14-0 loss. But the game made a big impression. -NFL Football-

"My father wanted me to go to law school because my brother Jack had gone," Mara said. "After I had graduated from college I asked my father if I could take a year off [before law school] and work with the football team, since I had skipped a year ahead when I was in grammar school. Twelve years later he said, `I guess you're not going to law school.' -NFL Football-

"When I first was around the team, it was like they were all my big brothers, then my contemporaries. Pretty soon, I was like their father. Now I'm their grandfather." -NFL Football-

Wellington would walk the sideline alongside his father at the Polo Grounds, where the team played its home games until moving to Yankee Stadium in 1956, often shivering in the cold. Because of that, one of the time-tested traditions of the team was born. -NFL Football-

Because of the objections of Wellington's mother, concerned about her son's susceptibility to colds, his father moved the team to the sideline where the sun routinely shined in early afternoon. And to this day, the Giants stand on the sunniest sideline of Giants Stadium. -NFL Football-

In 1930, Tim Mara turned ownership of the franchise over to Jack and Wellington, who was 14, primarily to protect the team from creditors. Jack Mara served as president until his death in 1965 at which time his son, Tim, took over. -NFL Football-

"When Jack died, I had to try to keep one foot in each door, and I don't think I did a very good job of it," Mara said. -NFL Football-

As a result, the relationship between the Maras, whose income has mostly been generated by the franchise, was often acrimonious. They feuded for more than a decade, especially during the 18-year period (1963-80) during which the Giants failed to make the playoffs. In 1987 it got so bad Wellington had Venetian blinds installed between the two owners' luxury suites. Tim responded by erecting wood paneling. The two hosted separate parties after the Giants won the Super Bowl after the 1986 season and again after the 1990 season. -NFL Football-

It was Tim Mara's cancer diagnosis in 1991 that prompted him to sell his interest in the team. Robert Tisch bought Tim's 50 percent stake for $150 million. -NFL Football-

A Man Of Many Titles

Mara was involved in just about every aspect of the team. His first job was as a ball boy at training camp, a tradition many of his sons and grandsons have carried on. -NFL Football-

Even as a college student, Mara made a significant contribution when he drafted and signed future Hall of Famer Tuffy Leemans in 1936. -NFL Football-

"If I'm remembered for nothing else, I'd like to be remembered for discovering Tuffy Leemans," Mara once said. -NFL Football-

Eventually he moved up to scouting and the front office, where he served as general manager during the 1950s and 1960s. During his life, the Giants won 18 divisional titles and six championships, including two Super Bowls. -NFL Football-

Mara also made trades that brought stars such as Y.A. Tittle, Andy Robustelli and Del Shofner to New York. His drafting of Gifford and Roosevelt Brown, another future Hall of Famer, further molded the Giants into a dominant team. -NFL Football-

Mara's only time away from the team was during World War II when he served in the Atlantic and Pacific corridors with the Navy. -NFL Football-

Mara served the NFL on many ownership committees. In 1971-77 he was chairman of the executive committee of the NFL's management council, the league's labor arm. He was voted president of the NFC in 1984, succeeding George Halas after his death. It was primarily upon his suggestion that NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue canceled league games following the Sept. 11 attacks in 2001. -NFL Football-

"Wellington Mara represented the heart and soul of the NFL," Tagliabue said. "He was a man of deep conviction who stood as a beacon of integrity. His passions were many - his family and faith, the Giants, the NFL and his community." -NFL Football-

NFL owners postponed three days of meetings scheduled that were to begin today in Kansas City, Mo., after learning of Mara's death. -NFL Football-

Woman sues Smith, alleging sexual assault
October 18, 2005
-- NFL --
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- A woman who contends Vikings running back Onterrio Smith sexually assaulted her last year has sued the player. -- NFL --
The 21-year-old woman is not identified in the lawsuit filed last week, for fear of retaliation, said her attorney, Lori Peterson.-- NFL --
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The woman, who lives in the Twin Cities, says she was injured and humiliated and is seeking $150,000 in damages.-- NFL --
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The lawsuit claims she suffers from a lifelong illness and her physician describes her as an ``individual with disabilities.'' She has a form of mental impairment stemming from fetal alcohol syndrome. -- NFL --
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Police reports indicate the woman met Smith through a friend, who was in an adjacent room in the Eden Prairie apartment during the alleged assault.-- NFL ---- NFL --
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The lawsuit mentions that a second Vikings player was involved in the attack, but that player is not identified because he ``met his legal obligations,'' Peterson said.-- NFL --
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Police in Eden Prairie, the Minneapolis suburb where the Vikings practice, investigated the rape report but no charges were filed. -- NFL --
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Smith was notified of the lawsuit May 18 and has not responded, according to Peterson. Smith's agent did not immediately return a call Tuesday. -- NFL --
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Smith was suspended for the season weeks after he was caught at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport with several vials of dried urine and ``The Original Whizzinator,'' which is marketed as a way to beat drug tests.
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Behind veterans, Jets hand Bucs first loss

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (Oct. 9, 2005) -- More than anything, Vinny Testaverde wanted to make his teammates believe in him.

He did that and more Sunday. The 41-year-old Jets quarterback looked comfortable in the pocket, guiding two scoring drives and getting rousing cheers in helping the Jets beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 14-12. - NFL Football -

Two weeks ago, Testaverde was on his couch in Long Island watching starter Chad Pennington and backup Jay Fiedler go down within minutes. He phoned coach Herman Edwards to offer his services. Now Testaverde has given his team a renewed confidence, and perhaps saved the season from ruin. - NFL Football -

"My goal was to get the guys to believe in me, so we can get the season turned around," Testaverde said. "I think they believe in me. I believe in them."

Going into the game, the Jets (2-3) had one win and were on their fourth quarterback of the season. The offense was in a shambles. A year that started with so much promise was on the brink of disaster. But Testaverde took command the moment he stepped on the field.

The Meadowlands crowd welcomed him back with a standing ovation.

"It sent chills through me," Testaverde said. "I wish I could express how I felt. I had goosebumps all over when I went out on the field." - NFL Football -

Testaverde finished 13 of 19 for 163 yards with an interception, but got plenty of help. Curtis Martin rushed for his first two touchdowns of the season, and the defense harassed Brian Griese and the rest of the Bucs (4-1).

Tampa Bay played without injured running back Carnell "Cadillac" Williams because of foot and hamstring injuries, and could never generate anything offensively. Michael Pittman, who filled in for Williams, finished with 13 carries for 46 yards, while Griese was 27 of 42 for 226 yards with an interception. - NFL Football -

The Jets had three sacks and limited Tampa Bay to 285 yards despite 71 plays. That averages to 4 yards a play.

Tampa Bay was 2 of 14 on third down and also committed 12 penalties for 87 yards. Matt Bryant was the lone bright spot with four field goals (35, 36, 43, 30). - NFL Football -

"They got after us early," Bucs coach Jon Gruden said. "We had sacks in our first five or six passes. That will knock any quarterback out of rhythm."

Still, the Bucs had a chance in the end. They forced the Jets to punt with 1 minute remaining but ran out of time trying to get into field-goal range.

The day might have been meant for Testaverde, in his second stint after his first ended following the 2003 season. He spent last year in Dallas, but was out of football for nearly nine months before putting on the familiar green and white. - NFL Football -

"He made a couple of good throws for a guy who has been home eating potato chips," Bucs cornerback Ronde Barber said.

It took a while for the Jets to take their first lead of the game. On the first possession of the second half, Testaverde expertly led the Jets down the field, going 3 for 3 for 32 yards on the series.

But it wasn't easy. The Jets went for it on fourth-and-goal from the 1. Martin plunged in to put the Jets up 14-9. Martin finished with 59 yards on 23 carries.

The lone miscue of the day for Testaverde nearly cost the Jets. Barber intercepted a hurried Testaverde in the fourth quarter, and Tampa Bay converted the turnover into points when Bryant kicked a 30-yard field goal with 4 minutes remaining. - NFL Football -

But that was as close as it would get.

Early on, the Jets failed to give Testaverde much help. Two interceptions were called back because of penalties, including one late in the second quarter.

New York capitalized on its lone takeaway in the first half, but there were some fireworks. After Ty Law returned an interception 43 yards to the Bucs 8, Martin carried for 3 yards. That's when Kevin Mawae and Barber got into a heated exchange; Barber swung at Mawae but inadvertently hit umpire Butch Hannah in the eye. - NFL Football -

Rather than getting ejected, Barber was given a 15-yard personal foul penalty. The Jets scored one play later, when Martin ran from 2 yards.

Now the Jets hope to use the victory for momentum for the rest of the season.

"It's a big win for us after what we went through the last couple weeks," receiver Wayne Chrebet said. "It's a step in the right direction."

Notes: Jets backup running back Derrick Blaylock (broken foot) is out for the season. The Buccaneers announced no new injuries, but Gruden said Williams will be questionable heading into next week's game against Miami. ... Former Jets tight end Anthony Becht had two catches for 6 yards for Tampa Bay. - NFL Football -

© 2005, NFL Enterprises LLC.

NFL to randomly test players with steroid prescriptions

WASHINGTON (AFP) - American football players who reportedly had steroid prescriptions filled by a physician will be subject to random steroid testing.

The punishment for the players who were involved with South Carolina doctor James Shortt will be equal to what players who test positive for steroids would receive and follows a NationalFootball League investigation into the matter.

"Every player who was part of the league investigation is being tested up to 24 times a year, which is the most important element of putting an end to this,"NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue told the Washington Post.

"That's why we've not had repeat offenders. That's as important or more important than the discipline.

"We have a very good program. If anyone is dumb enough to subject themselves to 24 tests a year, they're stupid."

Citing an unnamed legaue source, the Post reported that fewer than 10 players over a four-year span used banned substances obtained from Shortt.

None of the players linked to Shortt, who now faces charges distributing steroids and human growth hormones, have ever tested positive in anNFL steroid test nor have they been fined or suspended, the Post reported.

NFL first-time offenders for steroids are banned for four games without pay.

A CBS News report on "60 Minutes" in March identified those who filled steroid prescriptions as Carolina Panthers punter Todd Sauerbrun, center Jeff Mitchell and tackle Todd Steussie.

Steussie now plays for Tampa Bay. Sauerbrun now plays for Denver.

Others linked to Shortt in other reports include defensive end John Milem, blocker Kevin Donnalley and tight end Wesley Walls.

But the Post, citing unnamed sources, said he believed that only Mitchell, Sauerbrun and Steussie were subject to the random tests.

Both Tagliabue and NFL Players Association boss Gene Upshaw said there was no sign of a wider problem with steroids. Tagliabue said the Panthers had no connection with the steroid prescriptions.

"It was basically the abuse of testosterone or other things that showed the limitations of testing," Tagliabue said. "It was not a failure of the program. It was the intrinsic limitations of testing that enabled them to go under the radar."

Copyright © 2005 Agence France Presse. All rights reserved. The information contained in the AFP News report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without the prior written authority of Agence France Presse.

Alamodome is a savior for the NFL's displaced Saints

W. Scott Bailey

Sports View took to task a certain Express-News columnist back in May.

We nicknamed him Demolition Man after he contributed a piece suggesting that the Alamodome was an "economic folly" and should be leveled. - NFL Football -

Demolition Man's bold analysis of the 65,000-seat indoor stadium included the conclusion that the notion of NFL football in the Alamodome was a "ridiculous fantasy" that will "never come true." - NFL Football -

This is as good a time as any to offer a couple of important points.

The first: Columnists, including yours truly, are expected to fire from the hip with thoughts and opinions which can often be unpopular to many. The second: All of us have had moments in our careers when we wish we could erase something we wrote in the past.

I wonder if the news that the NFL is coming to the Alamodome -- albeit for three regular season games at this point -- represents one of those moments for the Demolition Man and other critics who have uttered similar words in disparaging the Alamodome and those who built it.

High praise

One person who no doubt cringed when he read that piece by Demolition Man is Alamodome Director Mike Abington. - NFL Football -

It was Abington who stood quietly in the bowels of the Alamodome, in a nondescript meeting room, when a tired New Orleans Saints owner Tom Benson announced that San Antonio and its 12-year-old stadium would host three of his team's regular season games.

The confirmation was historic -- for San Antonio, the Saints and for the NFL.

On Oct. 2, Oct. 16 and Dec. 24, the Saints will play "home" games against the Buffalo Bills, Atlanta Falcons and Detroit Lions, respectively. Those Alamodome contests are a result of the destruction Hurricane Katrina inflicted on Louisiana -- including New Orleans and the Saints' Superdome home. - NFL Football -

While some local leaders embraced the made-for-media moment, Abington settled into the background. There were likely some mixed emotions.

"That's home," says Abington about his native Louisiana, ripped apart in so many ways by Katrina. "Those are my people."

© 2005 American City Business Journals Inc.