Jim Turner spent 16 seasons in the NFL, seven with the Jets and nine with the Broncos. He kicked in two Super Bowls, helping the Jets make history by upending the Colts in Super Bowl III and not getting much action in a 27-10 loss to Dallas nine years later. He was a straight-on kicker in an era where soccer-style kickers were just beginning to become the norm. His best years were 1968 and 1969, right around his first Super Bowl, hitting 66 of 93 field goals in the two years combined. He steps into one and watches it float all the way to the four-yard line.
The Giants showed the Jets a thing or two about erasing 17-point deficits. They did the same thing, and actually won their game.
How did you feel about Johnny Damon joining the enemy? That's probably how Bill Belichick feels about Eric Mangini.
When someone like Willie McGinest went so long with restructured contracts, and now wants to cash in at this point in his career, you might say you can't blame him. But he still has fans who want to see him help his team win.
Dolphin fans still think it's their birthright to see their team contend for a Super Bowl title. It's been 32 years, and soon figures to be 33.
Meanwhile, let's start taking Buffalo a little more seriously, shall we?
Don't be shocked if you see Jake Cutler start for the Broncos in Foxborough Sunday night.
The presumptive NFC Champion Carolina Panthers are now 0-2.
Geek of the week: If Roy Williams were a Patriot, he'd be cut two seconds after that stupid guarantee of a win hit the papers. The Lion receiver may not have singularly helped his team lose big to Da Bears, but it was still as boneheaded as it gets.
Brett Favre will die with his boots on. And with a football in his right hand. You won't take either away from him.
Unless the Patriot linebacker corps shows that it is finally over Ted Johnson, a base 4-3 looks like a pretty good way to go right now.
Herman Edwards may need sobbing lessons from his predecessor, Dick Vermeil. Crying may work better than throwing nutties at the podium.
Too bad I didn't live in Philadelphia in the mid-1970s. That open tryout? I am so there.
That said, Vince Papale has his own distinct NFL legacy safe and secure, and a nice movie to make it set in concrete.
Derrick Blaylock is not the answer to Curtis Martin. Kevan Barlow is at least a wild guess.
After two games, both Laurence Maroney and Corey Dillon are on a pace to eclipse 1200 yards rushing. It's early, but it's worth filing in the memory banks.
Oh, and how about balancing the two? Dillon has 153 yards rushing. Maroney has 151.
Time for the Jason Campbell show to begin in Washington.
Fifteen days after an appendectomy? Ben Roethlisberger was one abdominal hit away from a massive internal injury which could have been fatal. He could have waited to come back. Even if Charlie Batch started, a shutout is still a shutout.
Back to school: Troy Smith, not Brady Quinn, is the best quarterback in the nation right now.
Mario Williams was drafted specifically to deal with Peyton Manning. Let's see, Peyton was 26 of 38, 400 yards, three touchdowns, 129.3 passer rating.
On the other hand, David Carr was 22 of 26, 219 yards and three touchdowns, and a passer rating of 140.2. So, Williams held Manning down while Carr out-pointed Manning by just under 11 rating points. Yup, Mr. Casserly, you were dead on.
Who cares if Carr was sacked four times and his team lost, 43-24. Williams must have had Manning sweating bullets.
In the end, it may not matter, at least right off the bat. D'Brickashaw Ferguson, who was this writer's choice as the Texans' top pick, had all he could handle in Richard Seymour on Sunday.
There are simply some players who can play for only one coach. For Terry Glenn's sake, let's hope he and the Big Tuna leave the game together.
3-4 or 4-3? Let 'em keep guessing, Coach Belichick.
Baltimore followed up its 27-point explosion with 26 against the woebegone Raiders. 26 against a team with zero quarterbacking? The Raiders are this bad?
Sure, Steve McNair is a big improvement from Kyle Boller, but McNair's numbers don't reach out and grab you.
Meanwhile, at McNair's old flop, you have David Givens with five catches for 54 yards catching balls from quarterbacks with passer ratings of 58.8 and 26.9. Maybe Givens' new palatial home (assuming that's one of the first things he got upon arriving in Nashville) will make up for the extreme downgrade in team talent.
Remember him: Long before there was a Stephen Neal, this fair city of Bakersfield gave the NFL a defensive back named Louis Wright. He played JUCO football for the Renegades up at Bakersfield College (if you mention BC out here, that's what they think you mean), then went on to San Jose State and Arizona State. He played all 12 of his NFL seasons with the Denver Broncos, from 1975 to 1986. He would not put up glittering interception totals (only 26 in his career), but he was a solid player and starter for the Broncos. He would play in two Super Bowls (XII and XXI), losing both. The latter Super Bowl would be his last pro game, as he retired at the age of 33. He was a card-carrying member of the Orange Crush defense. You might think of Tom Jackson before you think of Louis Wright, but Wright was a mainstay of the great Bronco teams of his day.
So far, things look good in San Diego with Philip Rivers and without Drew Brees.
Looks like Deion Branch will play his first Seattle game this weekend. It's perfectly okay to not wish him well.
Why is it that the Patriots always seem to play the Broncos every year? You might as well move them to the AFC East.
Oh, well. We get them in Foxborough this time. At least that helps.
More News Headlines:
Patriots’ Maye an Upgrade for Brown? – ‘He Can Make Any Throw’
By: Ian LogueDrake Maye's talent and vision could unlock A.J. Brown's potential, making him an upgrade over Stefon Diggs for the Patriots in 2026.
Patriots News 06-07, The Patriots Quickly Overhauled The Roster
By: Steve BalestrieriExamining the Patriots' rapid roster overhaul, Christian Gonzalez's contract holdout, A.J. Brown's offensive impact, and key trade rumors.
GEORGE: What Do The Patriots Really Have In Brown?
By: Bob GeorgeThe Patriots' trade for A.J. Brown from the Eagles sparks questions about the crowded wide receiver room, potential roster cuts, and Brown's role.
MORSE: Brown 1st Day, Open Patriots OTA Practice, Raymond Berry Passes Away
By: Mark MorsePatriots' AJ Brown shines at OTAs, Drake Maye impresses, and Christian Gonzalez's contract dispute continues. Raymond Berry passes away at 93.
McDaniels Praises Rookie Caleb Lomu’s Versatility, ‘Awesome Kid’
By: Ian LoguePatriots rookie Caleb Lomu receives high praise from Josh McDaniels for his versatility and 'awesome kid' attitude, addressing a key offensive line need.
