- The Lions are taking steps to lock up this year’s undefeated 1-0 squad. They have started with punter Nick Harris, who signed a five-year contract extension worth $8.5 million. The deal keeps him in Detroit through 2012. The 29-year-old has career averages of 41.5 yards (gross) and 36.1 yards (net) on 485 punts. He also holds for Jason Hanson on extra points and field goals. [ESPN]
- Running back Kevin Jones is hoping to return before the Lions’ sixth game of the season on 21 October against Tampa Bay. Jones broke his foot towards the end of last season, and originally was expected to miss the entire 2007 season. The Lions chose to keep Jones off of the PUP list, allowing him to return early if he is ready for battle — still, Tatum Bell and TJ Duckett appeared to keep things under control in Week One. One wonders whether the Lions truly are expecting to keep three starting-caliber running backs on the roster… [ESPN]
- Joey Harrington might be embracing his second chance, but the league is still no friend to the Lions draft bust. While the Lions had more than Harrington to blame for their woes, I for one feel a certain warmth in my heart knowing that ousting Joey Blue Skies from the D was the right decision. Harrington’s debut in an Atlanta Falcons’ system that was supposedly more tailored towards his abilities was less than stellar. In fact, good old Joey threw two picks and no touchdowns. He went 23/32 for 199 yards passing. The Falcons lost 24-3 to the hated Vikings. [NFL Game Center]
- This just in, the New England Patriots are a bunch of cheaters. Maybe their players are no more in on the shenanigans than players from any other NFL franchise, but after their videotaping of the Jets coaching staff to steal signals, the NFL has fined the team $250,000, fined head coach Bill Belichick $500,000, and ordered the team to give up either a first, second, or third round draft pick, depending on how the team fares in the playoffs. Sports Illustrated mentions the headsets of the Lions coaching staff “coincidentally” going out on two offensive drives, as well as Rod Marinelli busting the Pats for taping the coaches twice in the same game. Surprise, this morning while I was reading the SI NFL Preview issue (3 September 2007) during some downtime in my English class, Peyton Manning also noticed the Pats doing their unlicensed taping. Turn to page 78, right at the top of the left column. Peyton Manning on stealing signals:
I constantly think about teams stealing our signals. I know New England films me when we’re up there. I know Mike Shanahan has tried. I tell our backup quarterbacks in the preseason, ‘Don’t signal the receivers…’
At this point it looks as though the Patriots have more wiretapping and video surveillance than Homeland Security.
- Charles Rogers went north in hopes of finding a gig in the CFL. He worked out for the NFL’s Chiefs and ran a 4.83 in the 40 — three of the defensive linemen from that team can run a 4.8. Rogers ran a 4.38 at the 2003 NFL Combine. I suppose in Canada there is a least a shot that marijuana could be legalized in time for his sure-to-be illustrious career in the land of 50-yard deep endzones. [Deadspin]
- Detroit-native Jerome Bettis claims to have faked an injury in Steelers camp back in 2000 to avoid getting cut by the team. Interesting enough, but nothing I have an issue with — it ended up with Pittsburgh winning Super Bowl XL in the Bus’ hometown, so all the better. [ESPN]
September 13, 2007...10:18 pm
Gridiron: Lions Extend Harris Through 2012
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