By Len Pasquarelli
The Sports Xchange/CBSSports.com
Sep. 2, 2010

While rumors swirl that the Arizona Cardinals have been attempting to attract a trade partner for quarterback Matt Leinart, league sources told The Sports Xchange on Thursday that the four-year veteran and his representatives have been granted permission to seek potential suitors for a deal.

But a quick survey of the several franchises rumored to have an interest in Leinart indicated that none has heard from anyone representing him.

Matt Leinart has been competing with Derek Anderson for the starting job. (AP) Leinarts agent, Tom Condon, on Thursday declined to address his clients future, either with the Cardinals specifically or in the league in general.

It is not unusual for a franchise attempting to trade a player to grant permission for the player or his agents to test the market themselves. The team, though, still has the prerogative to accept trade conditions, if they are worked out.

It is unclear, if indeed the Cardinals are attempting to trade Leinart, as some reports have indicated, exactly what they are seeking in return for the 04 Heisman Trophy winner. That uncertainty involving an asking price might be one possible hurdle facing Leinart and his representatives.

The reported that Leinart is expected to participate in Thursday nights preseason finale against Washington.

The 10th overall choice in the 2006 draft, Leinart started 11 games at a rookie. But the former Southern Cal star lost the starting job to Kurt Warner the following year, and has only six starts since. With the retirement of Warner this spring, Leinart was favored to win the starting spot. But his play has been spotty in preseason, and five-year veteran Derek Anderson, added in the offseason after the former Cleveland starter was released by the Browns, seems the favorite to open the year.

Leinart, 27, is scheduled to earn a $2.485 million base salary this season. His base salary for 2011 is $7.364 million and he is due a $5.5 million roster bonus on the first day of the league year.

As a vested veteran, if Leinart is released, his contract would be terminated immediately. He is not subjected to waivers but would be an unrestricted free agent.

Sources said that the Cardinals have not approached Leinart about a possible pay cut.

Posted on September 3rd, 2010 by admin
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CBSSport Ben Roethlisbergers first big gain of the season may occur weeks before he returns to the field.

His six-game suspension for violating the leagues personal conduct policy likely will be shortened to four games by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell after the two meet in New York on Friday. The meeting will take place about 12 hours after the quarterback plays in the Steelers final preseason game, completing 4 of 6 passes for 39 yards against the Carolina Panthers in Pittsburgh.

The league plans to review Roethlisbergers behavior since he was accused of sexually assaulting a Georgia college student following a night of drinking in a Milledgeville, Ga., bar on March 5. Once it was determined six weeks later that Roethlisberger would not be charged by Georgia authorities, Goodell suspended Roethlisberger for the start of the season and ordered him to undergo an extensive evaluation.

If Roethlisberger followed the leagues guidelines and stayed out of trouble, Goodell said he would consider cutting the suspension to four games. While Roethlisberger is likely to contend that his conduct has been exemplary and the penalty should be cut even further, perhaps to three games, NFL officials have emphasized that Goodells initial ruling specified a punishment of at least four games.

Steelers president Art Rooney II is expected to accompany Roethlisberger to the meeting. Goodells ruling was made in consultation with Rooney and the Steelers, who were angered by the two-time Super Bowl quarterbacks behavior and would have punished him if the league hadnt.

Goodells office has kept in frequent contact with the Steelers ownership and is expected to announce shortly after the meeting whether the suspension will be shortened.

Roethlisberger was encouraged last month when Goodell said he was going “above and beyond” what the league asked him. The quarterback spent considerable time during training camp interacting with fans, working at charitable and youth functions and appearing at childrens hospitals.

“Im very encouraged by what hes doing,” Goodell said at Steelers training camp Aug. 5. “He hasnt just done what hes been told to do, I think hes worked hard to really try to improve and focus on himself and understand what hes been through and what hes going to do differently going forward. I think thats a very positive thing.”

Asked what the league still needs to see, Goodell said, “Hes got to work through the program thats designed for him to help him. A lot of that is confidential, but hes done it and hes done it with enthusiasm. I think thats a good thing.”

Steelers teammate Hines Ward said Goodell will quickly realize hes seeing a much different Roethlisberger from the one he did a few months ago. Roethlisberger has acknowledged getting caught up in the “Big Ben” persona of an entitled pro athlete who felt society owed him favors for being a sports celebrity.

“For many years, people didnt know what was really going on with Ben,” Ward said. “Hes opening up to guys, hes being more personal. I think he really understands the situation. Hes definitely working on it. He knows you cant take football and all the things youve been blessed with for granted.”

Roethlisberger is the first player suspended by Goodell under the personal conduct policy who was not arrested, charged with or convicted of a crime. However, Goodell said in April the policy allows him to impose such a penalty when the NFLs integrity and reputation are at stake.

For now, the quarterback is not eligible to play again until Oct. 31 at New Orleans. But he could be back by the Oct. 17 home game against Cleveland if the punishment is cut to four games. The Steelers bye occurs the previous week, so Roethlisberger would have two weeks of practice going into that game.

Roethlisberger cannot practice once his suspension begins Friday. He plans to work with a California-based quarterbacks coach, George Whitfield, and hell throw to some free-agent receivers who are looking for work in the league.

Roethlisberger also is being sued in Nevada by a woman who says he sexually assaulted her there in 2008. No charges were brought in that case, and it did not figure in the NFLs suspension.

Posted on September 3rd, 2010 by admin
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CBSSports. The Arizona Cardinals have signed Pro Bowl defensive tackle Darnell Dockett to a four-year, $48 million contract extension with $30 million guaranteed.

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Dockett had two years left on his previous contract, so the new deal keeps him under contract through the 2015 season. A third-round draft pick out of Florida State in 2004, Dockett has developed into one of the best at his position entering his seventh NFL season as the high-spirited leader of the Arizona defense.

He had a career-high nine sacks in the 2008 regular season. His seven sacks last season were the most for an NFL defensive tackle. Docketts three sacks against the Pittsburgh Steelers two seasons ago tied Reggie Whites Super Bowl record.

Dockett has started 81 consecutive games going into this season.

Posted on September 2nd, 2010 by admin
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CBSSports. The NFL will move umpires back to their old spots during the final five minutes of Thursdays preseason games.

Previously they were in the old spot for only the final two minutes of each half.

NFL spokesman Corry Rush confirmed the adjustment Wednesday.

League officials decided to move umpires from the old spot, in the middle of the defense, to behind the deepest running back for safety reasons. But Peyton Manning complained about the switch after being called twice for illegal snaps when the umpire couldnt get into position quickly enough last week at Green Bay.

The NFL will again re-evaluate the new policy after this weeks preseason finales. The change could become permanent when the regular season starts.

Posted on September 2nd, 2010 by admin
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The Carolina Panthers travel to Heinz Field this weekend to take on the Pittsburgh Steelers in the NFL preseason finale for both teams, and as week four of exhibition play goes, this is the last dress rehearsal before the games do matter. Carolina earned their first win this past Saturday against the Tennessee Titans 15-7, after combining for that many points in consecutive losses to open their preseason schedule against the Baltimore Ravens and New York Jets. On the other hand, Pittsburgh won their first two games of exhibition play before losing to the Denver Broncos week three. Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger will get on the field for some reps with the starting offense one more time before taking a seat for at leastthe first four games of the regular season to serve his suspension.

NFL Betting: Carolina Panthers @ Pittsburgh Steelers

Why To Bet On The Panthers?

Despite playing well, neither Matt Moore or college football betting star Jimmy Clausen have thrown for a touchdown this preseason, a trend that the Panthers would undoubtedly hope to see end before next weeks regular season debut against the New York Giants. DeAngelo Williams has managed just 3.6 yards per carry during exhibition play, but should only get in for one series if any, and is largely not a factor for this contest. Clausen will get an extended look, and will try to show head coach John Fox and his staff that he is ready to contribute immediately as a football betting rookie.

Why To Bet On The Steelers?

The Steelers have shown a bit of an edge during this preseason, perhaps angered by the prognosticators that have them once again taking a back seat to the Ravens and Cincinnati Bengals in the AFC North. Roethlisberger is expected to get in at least a couple of quarters of work, the final game action he will see before sitting down with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell on Friday to discuss whether his six-game suspension will be reduced down to four. Pittsburgh head coach Mike Tomlin is expected to rest or give limited snaps to the majority of his starters, but this is a deep and talented roster that should come to play in front of its home crowd. Dennis Dixon and Byron Leftwich have both shown flashes in exhibition play. Look for Dixon to impress as he proves to Tomlin that he is more than capable of backing up Leftwich once the season begins.

How The Game Will Play Out?

he Panthers offense has looked stagnant through exhibition play, and when you consider that the most explosive playmaker on a roster that lacks depth will not see much time, its difficult to project Carolina putting up much points against a Steelers defense. All three Pittsburgh quarterbacks will likely see time, and when you consider how important these snaps are to all three for different reasons, its reasonable to think that they will do good things.

Panthers Steelers Betting Pick: Steelers

Posted on September 1st, 2010 by admin
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The New York Jets touch down at Lincoln Financial Field this Thursday to take on the Philadelphia Eagles in a match up of teams expected to contend in their respective conferences this season. While the Jets completed a major personnel overhaul a year ago, the Eagles are in the midst of a more subtle one in 2010, which includes replacing the most winning quarterback in the NFC over the past decade. With Kevin Kolb taking Donovan McNabbs starting spot for Philadelphia, head coach Andy Reid is hoping his team will have as much success in year one of their transition as the Jets did when they went all the way to the AFC Championship game last season.

NFL Betting: New York Jets @ Philadelphia Eagles

Why To Bet On The Jets?

After an improbable finish to a season in which the Jets offense sputtered for most of the year, former NCAA football betting star Mark Sanchez and company have reverted back to their old ways this preseason, including last weekends 16-11 loss at home to the Washington Redskins. Sanchez threw for just 139 yards, including one touchdown and one interception as the Jets offense managed only a field goal up until the midway point of the fourth quarter. The New York offense has been on a decline for three straight weeks now, a problem that head coach Rex Ryan would like to fix before the following weeks regular season debut against the Baltimore Ravens.

Why To Bet On The Eagles?

Kolb posted a passer rating of 39.2, was sacked four times, and threw an interception against the Kansas City Chiefs, not exactly a confidence boost for a fan base that has unreasonable expectations for its quarterbacks. The 26-year old will need to be better in the time he sees against the Jets, as week one of the regular season is against the high-flying Green Bay Packers. Michael Vick should see some extended action against New York, and looks better with every appearance he makes. The defense still has some question marks to answer after allowing both the Chiefs and Jacksonville Jaguars to reach 17 or more points, and will need to prove themselves against a Jets offense that has stalled in recent weeks.

How The Game Will Play Out?

The Jets have struggled on offense so far this preseason, and will be going against an Eagles defense that has suffered just the same. Most of the skills positions have already been determined for both teams, so this game will serve as more of a final run through. As far as the starters are concerned the Jets may have the edge, but given the limited time that they are expected to be on the field, the quality depth the Eagles boast, and the fact that they are playing at home will give Philadelphia the football Sports picks for the exhibition finale.

Jets Eagles Betting Pick: Eagles

Posted on September 1st, 2010 by admin
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CBSSports.com wi The New England Patriots lost a key player Tuesday when Leigh Bodden, their best cornerback, was placed on injured reserve.

Bodden, who led the Patriots with five interceptions last season, went on the season-ending list with a shoulder injury. He had been bothered by a knee injury earlier in training camp and returned to practice last week. He played in Thursday nights 36-35 exhibition loss to the St. Louis Rams.

The Patriots did not say which shoulder Bodden injured.

New England got down to the 75-player roster limit by Tuesdays deadline by releasing defensive back Terrence Johnson and placing three other players on injured reserve: safety Josh Barrett (shoulder), defensive back Brett Lockett (chest) and defensive lineman Darryl Richard (foot).

The loss of Bodden could thrust first-round draft pick Devin McCourty from Rutgers into a starting spot. The other first stringer is expected to be Darius Butler, a second-round pick last year from Connecticut.

Bodden joined the Patriots before the 2009 season as a free agent after five seasons with the Browns and one with the Lions. He started 14 of the 15 games he played, returned one interception for a 53-yard touchdown, forced a fumble and recovered another.

He tied a team record with three interceptions in a 31-14 win over the Jets on Nov. 22.

The Patriots picked up Barrett on waivers from the Broncos on Aug. 6. Lockett played primarily on special teams after being claimed off waivers from Cleveland last Sept. 7. Richard, a seventh-round draft choice last year, spent the season on the practice squad. Johnson is a rookie free agent from California (Pa.) University.

Posted on September 1st, 2010 by admin
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CBSSpor Former New York Giants Super Bowl star Plaxico Burress has come up short in his bid for work release during his two-year prison sentence in a gun case, a denial that could keep him behind bars until at least next spring, prison officials said Tuesday.

The state Department of Correctional Services said the nature of his November 2008 crime merited turning down his request for a work furlough, which would have let him spend some portion of his time free and working. Burress can appeal the decision but otherwise cant reapply for a work furlough until June 6, 2011, the date he comes up for potential full release if he gets time off for good behavior.

“The serious and negative impact illegal guns have on the community coupled with [the] dangerous nature of the weapon discharging in a public place renders him unsuitable for work release,” the agency said.

Burress lawyer, Benjamin Brafman, didnt immediately return a telephone call seeking comment Tuesday.

For now, the wide receiver remains in protective custody, because of his notoriety, at a prison in the central New York community of Oneida.

The work release request was Burress second since he started serving his sentence la less than 2 percent of the nearly 27,000 applications received last year were granted, New York prison system spokeswoman Linda Foglia said.

Burress, 33, pleaded guilty last year to attempted criminal possession of a weapon.

The case began when Burress went to the Latin Quarter nightclub with a .40-caliber gun tucked into the waistband of his track pants. He later said he was concerned for his safety because a teammate had been held up at gunpoint days before.

The weapon slipped down Burress leg and fired, injuring his right thigh. Prosecutors said the bullet narrowly missed a security guard.

The gun wasnt licensed in New York or New Jersey, where Burress was living, and his Florida concealed-weapons permit had expired. He also failed to report the incident to authorities.

The prison system hasnt released any letters written to officials about Burress latest work release attempt, but the Manhattan district attorneys office said it had opposed his request.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has ruled that Burress would be reinstated and eligible to sign with a team upon completing his sentence. But the NFL is facing uncertainty about its 2011 season, with the possibility of a lockout looming if players and owners cant agree on a new contract. The current contract expires after this season.

Giants general manager Jerry Reese has said the team will keep its options open with Burress, who caught the winning touchdown for the Giants over the New England Patriots in the final minute of the 2008 Super Bowl. And some of his former teammates seem ready to welcome him back: Halfback Brandon Jacobs went to training camp one day this summer sporting a custom-made T-shirt saying “Free 17 Let Him Ball Out,” a reference to Burress No. 17 jersey.

Burress has had a satisfactory record in prison, with one “misbehavior report” that cost him a week of phone privileges and 30 days of recreation privileges, Foglia said. A corrections officer said Burress had lied last November about having permission to use the phone to call his lawyer at a time when calls arent permitted, the report shows.

Burress also has completed an anger management program behind bars, Foglia said.

Posted on September 1st, 2010 by admin
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CBSSports.com
Aug. 30, 2010

Brett Favre already is getting injections into his troubled left ankle, is reporting.

SI’s Peter King reports that the Minnesota Vikings quarterback is getting injections of a lubricant to keep the ankle in playing shape.

King reported that Favre went into the locker room after logging eight series Saturday against the Seattle Seahawks, where he had an injection he described as “like a grease fitting.”

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Favre has had three surgeries on the injured ankle, most recently on May 22 by Dr. James Andrews. A bone spur had returned when Favre was examined by Dr. Andrews a month ago.

The Vikings and Favre plan to manage the pain the spur brings, but Favre told SI he doesn’t think he will take anything stronger than Motrin.

When asked about his ankle holding up for the entire season, Favre wasn t sure.

“I dont know. I have no idea, really,” he said. “My ankle just seems to get easier to sprain. I know everyone thinks the New Orleans game [the NFC Championship Game] killed me, but it was bad before then. Now well see if I can make it. My minds telling me one thing, but my bodys telling me something else.

Posted on August 31st, 2010 by admin
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CBSSp Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger will meet with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell after the teams final preseason game to see if his suspension will be reduced from six games to four.

NFL spokesman Greg Aiello confirmed a report by Fox Sports on Sunday night that the two will meet soon but he declined to say when or where the meeting would take place.

“The commissioner has stated that he would make his decision prior to the start of the regular season and that he would meet with Ben again as part of the process,” Aiello told The Associated Press.

Roethlisberger was suspended for six games after being accused of sexually assaulting a Georgia college student in March. He was not criminally charged in the case.

If Roethlisbergers suspension is reduced to four games, hell be back for their game against Cleveland on Oct. 17.

Otherwise, he wouldnt be back until the Steelers play at New Orleans on Halloween night.

Either way, the Steelers will know before their opener against Atlanta on Sept. 12 how long theyll be without their two-time Super Bowl winning QB.

Roethlisberger didnt play very long in the Steelers game at Denver on Sunday night, giving way to Dennis Dixon after taking 11 snaps in the first quarter.

Roethlisberger was 4 for 6 for 67 yards, including a 47-yarder to Mike Wallace.

After he was pulled, Dixon got his first significant playing time with the starters. Dixon has started only one NFL game, and he is expected to be Byron Leftwichs backup when the season starts and Roethlisbergers suspension begins.

Posted on August 30th, 2010 by admin
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