Midseason All Yahoo Sports Team

From Yahoo Sports –

As teams were preparing to report for training camp this summer, Arizona Cardinals general manager Rod Graves played the prophet. Waxing philosophically about an offseason filled with tragedy and tumult, Graves suggested the NFL would once again revive itself with irresistible storylines.

“That’s the beauty of this game,” Graves said. “You can go through so much negativity, but the healing process only takes a few weeks, and everyone is excited again. It’s always that way. Some teams will surprise people. Some young guys will come out of nowhere. Once the games start, everyone will be (celebrating) the players and teams and coaches that make the NFL what it is.”

One look at the midseason All-Yahoo! team reveals an abundance of those storylines, from the race toward the record books by Tom Brady and Adrian Peterson, to the newfound stardom of Braylon Edwards and Wes Welker, to troubled veterans Albert Haynesworth and Jared Allen having the best seasons of their careers.

While this year’s midseason team is predictably talented, keep these criteria in mind when looking over the list:

• The team includes the best talent at each general position. In other words, the list features our picks for the league’s two best tackles. Not the best left tackle and best right tackle.

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• The team features a 4-3 defense, but some players such as 3-4 nose tackles qualify as defensive tackles.

• To reflect the NFL’s trend toward more spread sets and pass attempts, the offense carries three wide receivers and one running back rather than two of each.

With those facts in mind, here is the midseason All-Yahoo! Team.

OFFENSE

Quarterback: Tom Brady, New England Patriots
Is there any doubt? With 33 touchdowns, four interceptions, a 73.2 completion percentage and a 131.8 quarterback rating, Brady is well on his way to the greatest quarterback season in history. Like the difference between the Patriots and the rest of the NFL, Brady is light years ahead of other quarterbacks this season.

Honorable mention: Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh Steelers
Roethlisberger has finally found his total comfort zone as a passer in coordinator Bruce Arians’ offense, and he’s calling the line protections, too.

Running back: Adrian Peterson, Minnesota Vikings
He already owns the NFL’s single-game rushing mark with 296 yards against San Diego. And with 1,036 yards through eight games, he’s on pace to shatter Eric Dickerson’s rookie rushing mark of 1,808 yards. What’s most amazing: He’s averaging an eyelash under 20 carries per game.

Honorable mention: Brian Westbrook, Philadelphia Eagles
He’s got 1,036 yards rushing and receiving and six touchdowns in only seven games. He’s the best multi-dimensional back in the NFL this season.

Wide receiver: Randy Moss, New England Patriots; Braylon Edwards, Cleveland Browns; T.J. Houshmandzadeh, Cincinnati Bengals
Moss’ numbers speak for themselves. He’s making a run at two of Jerry Rice’s coveted single-season records: most touchdown receptions (22) and most receiving yards (1,848). Edwards has cut down on his drops and become one of the best playmaking wideouts in the league. With 10 touchdown catches, Houshmandzadeh has become a terror in the red zone, and taken the reins from Chad Johnson as Cincinnati’s go-to guy.

Honorable mention: Wes Welker, New England Patriots
On pace for 1,300 yards and 14 touchdowns, Welker is the perfect complement to Moss from the slot. And his versatility in the return game makes him invaluable to the Patriots.

Tight end: Antonio Gates, San Diego Chargers
The AFC has a plethora of super talented tight ends, but Gates’ combination of strength, speed and smarts makes him the most difficult to cover. And he can block, to boot. He’ll be Philip Rivers’ most dependable No. 1 passing option for years to come.

Honorable mention: Kellen Winslow, Cleveland Browns
Winslow’s NFL-leading 657 receiving yards, 15.6 per reception average, and wide receiver-esque athleticism give him the nod over Dallas Clark, Jason Witten, and Tony Gonzalez.

Tackles: Walter Jones, Seattle Seahawks; Matt Light, New England Patriots
With apologies to Jonathan Ogden, Jones has been the best left tackle in the NFL for three years. Despite Shaun Alexander’s diminishing skill level, Jones remains the best – and most balanced – at his position. Light is the kind of nimble-footed tackle that makes or breaks a West Coast offense.

Honorable mention: Bryant McKinnie, Minnesota Vikings
McKinnie is finally living up to the hype he had coming out of the University of Miami. He’s got the same devastating physical abilities of Jones, although he’s not as technically proficient.

Guards: Steve Hutchinson, Minnesota Vikings; Shawn Andrews, Philadelphia Eagles
After a one-year period of adjustment with a new team, Hutchinson has returned to his perch as the best guard in the NFL. It’s not a coincidence that Shaun Alexander hasn’t been the same since he left Seattle, or that Adrian Peterson is flourishing behind Hutchinson. Andrews is the best run-blocking guard in the NFL under 25.

Honorable mention: Eric Steinbach, Cleveland Browns
The loss of Steinbach is one of the reasons Cincinnati’s line is falling apart. He’s well-rounded, and when the Browns need to get tough rushing yards in the red zone, they are running behind Steinbach.

Center: Jeff Saturday, Indianapolis Colts
Saturday is arguably the smartest center in the league, rarely making mistakes as he helps sort out all Peyton Manning’s adjustments at the line of scrimmage. He’s been Manning’s most consistent offensive lineman for eight years and carries a nasty demeanor most centers lack.

Honorable mention: Andre Gurode, Dallas Cowboys
Gurode has become the steadying force in the middle of an underrated Dallas offensive line.

DEFENSE

Defensive tackles: Albert Haynesworth, Tennessee Titans; Darnell Dockett, Arizona Cardinals
Haynesworth is playing out of his mind in his contract year. His troubles have been well-documented, but with five sacks and 30 tackles, he has anchored an overachieving Tennessee defense. Dockett is one of the NFL’s league leaders in sacks this season with eight, and has been a consistent force of chaos for opposing offensive lines.

Honorable mention: Haloti Ngata, Baltimore Ravens
At 23 years old, the massive 340 pound Ngata is already one of the best run-stuffing nose tackles in the NFL. He’s an indispensable interior force that frees up players like Ray Lewis and Bart Scott.

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Defensive ends: Aaron Kampman, Green Bay Packers; Jared Allen, Kansas City Chiefs
Kampman is on pace for 18 sacks and might be the most underrated defensive player in the NFC. He’s the pressure player who makes life easier for Al Harris and Charles Woodson. Allen is having the best season of his career in a contract year, with 8½ sacks and 30 tackles in only six games. He’s the best player on an up-and-coming Kansas City defense.

Honorable mention: Trent Cole, Philadelphia Eagles
Darren Howard and Jevon Kearse are making the big bucks, but Cole has been Philadelphia’s best defensive end by far. He’s on pace for 18 sacks and is athletic enough to stand up against the run, too.

Linebackers: Mike Vrabel, New England Patriots; Julian Peterson, Seattle Seahawks; Barrett Ruud, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Vrabel (8½ sacks, 47 tackles, 5 forced fumbles) and Peterson (7 sacks, 47 tackles, 4 forced fumbles) are ideal disruptive forces at outside linebacker. Vrabel has taken over for Bruschi as the playmaking cog for the Patriots, while Peterson is looking like his Pro Bowl self again. Ruud is a prototypical tackling machine at middle linebacker. He gets overlooked for not being overly athletic, but he’s consistent and fills holes with the best of them.

Honorable mention: James Harrison, Pittsburgh Steelers
Ever wonder why you don’t hear anyone in Pittsburgh complaining about the defection of Joey Porter? It’s because of this guy.

Cornerbacks: Asante Samuel, New England Patriots; Kelvin Hayden, Indianapolis Colts
Samuel has developed into one of the best cover corners in the NFL, and the Patriots are going to pay him like it this offseason. Hayden has added a physical presence to the Colts secondary, and isn’t shy about helping in run support.

Honorable mention: Ike Taylor, Pittsburgh Steelers
Taylor still drops interceptions from time to time. However, he’s motivated again and is nearing the level that made him one of the NFL’s best young corners during Pittsburgh’s Super Bowl run.

Safeties: Bob Sanders, Indianapolis Colts; Sean Taylor, Washington Redskins
Pound for pound, Sanders was the best defensive player in the league over the first half. When healthy, he is as important to that defense as Dwight Freeney. Sean Taylor takes a few too many chances for the kill shot, but he is sufficient in coverage and many players say there isn’t a more feared free safety in the league.

Honorable mention: Ed Reed, Baltimore Ravens
Reed is tied with Taylor for the NFL lead with five interceptions. The Ravens’ struggles aside, Reed remains one of the best defensive players in football.

SPECIAL TEAMS

Kicker: Kris Brown, Houston Texans
Tennessee’s Rob Bironas had the monster game of the season, but Brown has been consistent all season long. He’s 18-of-20 on field goal attempts this season, and one of those misses was blocked. Most impressive, he’s converted all three of his attempts from beyond 50 yards.

Punter: Shane Lechler, Oakland Raiders
Lechler is averaging a ridiculous 50.3 gross yards per punt, and a league-leading 43.9 net. He has repeatedly bailed out an incompetent offense and given Oakland’s defense manageable field position.

Kick returner: Leon Washington, New York Jets
It takes someone special to wrestle this spot from Chicago’s Devin Hester, and Washington has been exactly that, returning three kicks for touchdowns in only 25 attempts. His 33.5 yard per return average leads the NFL.

Punt returner: Devin Hester, Chicago Bears
Hester is easily the most feared returner in the league, and he’s managed an absurd 19.6 yards on his 20 returns. Eight of his 20 returns have gone for 20 yards or more, including a pair of touchdowns.

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Green Bay Packers Max McGee Dies

I found this Wikipedia Article to be interesting.

More Michael Vick News

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — A federal judge placed tighter restrictions on Michael Vick on Wednesday after he tested positive for marijuana.

Because of the result, U.S. District Judge Henry Hudson placed special conditions on Vick’s release, including restricting him to his home between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. and ordering him to submit to random drug testing.

The urine sample was submitted Sept. 13, according to a document by a federal probation officer that was filed in U.S. District Court on Wednesday.

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NFL Retirees VS. The Union

WASHINGTON — Aging NFL retirees told Congress yesterday that playing professional football left them with broken bodies, brain damage and empty bank accounts. Lawmakers said they may get involved if a better pension and disability system isn’t created.

Former NFL players told a sympathetic House Judiciary subcommittee tales of multiple surgeries, dementia and homelessness, all while trying to fight through the red tape of the National Football League and the NFL Players Association’s disability system.

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The league and the players association said pensions are improving and there’s no need for Congress to step in.

Curt Marsh, a Raider from 1981-87, described a leg amputation, more than 30 surgeries and multiple doctor visits before he was approved for disability payments. Brent Boyd, a Viking from 1980-86, talked about bouts of homelessness as a single father and brain damage he blames on concussions from his football days.

Mike Webster, the Hall of Fame Steelers center who suffered from mental illness that was widely attributed to head injuries, died homeless in 2002, his lawyer told the committee.

The players from the ’50s, ’60s and ’70s laid the groundwork for the popularity of the NFL, a billion-dollar industry, and should be treated better, lawmakers said. “Perhaps there ought to be a legal solution,” Rep. Chris Cannon (R-Utah) said.

But the NFL and the union told lawmakers that pensions for older players are on the rise. Last week, they agreed to allow any former player who qualified as disabled under the Social Security system to be considered as disabled under the NFL-NFLPA system.

Retired players have been openly critical of the NFL and the union over the amount of money older retirees get from a $1.1-billion fund set aside for disability and pensions. The league says $126 million a year goes into pension and post-career disability benefits for retired players and their families. The accounts pay $60 million a year to those players, $20 million of it for disability payments. But only 317 of more than 10,000 eligible players are getting disability payments from that fund, officials said.

“It’s right versus wrong,” said Hall of Famer Mike Ditka, a former player and coach. “It’s do the ethical thing or do the wrong thing. So far, they’ve chosen to do the wrong thing.”

Lawmakers zeroed in on the fact that the union represents only active players, not retired players. But the union and the NFL owners decide who sits on the panels that decide whether retired players get disability payments.

“We have a group that should be protected, but is not being protected,” Rep. Tom Feeney (R-Fla.) said.

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Culpepper Injured In Car Crash

MIAMI (AP) — Miami Dolphins quarterback Daunte Culpepper slightly bruised his nonthrowing hand in a two-car accident.

“I am fine,” Culpepper said in an e-mail to The Associated Press on Thursday.

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Culpepper said the vintage Chevrolet car he was driving was rear-ended by another motorist late Wednesday night on a South Florida highway. He said the top of his left hand was bruised and he got X-rays as a precaution.

“The real problem is that the guy damaged my 1975 convertible Caprice Classic,” Culpepper said.

According to the Florida Highway Patrol, the accident happened at 10:13 p.m. on the Sawgrass Expressway. Culpepper told officers on the scene that he’d pulled over to the side of the rain-slicked road because he thought the car had a mechanical problem. He then pulled back onto the highway, telling officers he was using his emergency flashers.

The driver of the other vehicle, Gary Wolfe of Coral Springs, Fla., told the FHP that Culpepper was not using his flashers and was traveling too slowly. Charges may be pending and the investigation is continuing, officials said.

“We’ve spoken to Daunte and he assured us he was fine,” Dolphins spokesman Harvey Greene said.

Culpepper was Miami’s starting quarterback for the first four games of the 2006 season, before the Dolphins shut him down because of his ongoing knee problems. Culpepper needed reconstructive surgery after tearing knee ligaments while playing for the Minnesota Vikings in 2005, then was traded to the Dolphins after that season.

His rehab from the knee injury is ongoing, but he was cleared to resume football workouts earlier this month.

Culpepper has asked the Dolphins to release him from his contract so he can compete to be a starting quarterback elsewhere this season. The Dolphins have told Culpepper that they want to trade him, and last week acquired Trent Green who’s almost certain to be this year’s starting quarterback from the Kansas City Chiefs in exchange for a draft pick.

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Daunte Culpepper and The Miami Dolphins

MIAMI (TICKER) — Daunte Culpepper took another step toward leaving the Miami Dolphins for good on Friday.

Escorted off the practice field by a member of the club’s security staff, Culpepper said he would not agree to a trade.

While he will not accept a trade, Culpepper likely will be released in the coming days.

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“I will not agree to any trade,” the three-time Pro Bowl quarterback told the Miami Herald. “I definitely expect to be released.”

It already has been a whirlwind week for Culpepper, who was told by the Dolphins that they were going “in another direction” at quarterback after the club acquired Trent Green from the Kansas City Chiefs on Wednesday.

Culpepper showed up at the Dolphins minicamp practice Friday. According to a report in the Miami Herald, Culpepper said the Dolphins told him during a meeting in front of the whole team he had no future with the team and would not be able to practice with the team, other than individual drills.

Culpepper left the field midway through the practice, escorted by Stu Weinstein, the Dolphins security chief.

Acquired from the Minnesota Vikings, Culpepper’s first season in South Beach in 2006 was riddled by injuries, as he was limited to five games due to knee problems suffered while still in the “Twin Cities”. The former Central Florida standout underwent reconstructive surgery on the knee midway through the 2005 campaign.

Culpepper now will join the likes of Jay Fiedler, Gus Frerotte and Joey Harrington as signal-callers who could not overcome the shadow left by Hall of Famer Dan Marino.

Miami Dolphins vs NY Giants at Wembley Stadium

LONDON — The first regular season NFL game outside North America is shaping up as a hot ticket.

The first 40,000 tickets for the Oct. 28 game between the Miami Dolphins and New York Giants at the new Wembley Stadium sold in 90 minutes Wednesday.

“The speed in which such a large number of tickets were snapped up … demonstrates the great excitement and appetite for the game in this country,” said Alistair Kirkwood, managing director of NFL UK. “We know that the last few tickets available in this first batch will be gone very soon.”

The first batch of tickets went to fans in Britain and the rest of Europe selected randomly from registered ticket requests.

Sales in the United States to Giants and Dolphins fans are expected to begin within a week. Further tickets will be released to fans in Britain next month.

About 10,000 fans are expected to travel from the United States, a fraction of the anticipated sellout crowd of 90,000.

Prices range from about $90 (euro66.50) to $180 (euro133), using a pricing structure similar to this weekend’s FA Cup final between Manchester United and Chelsea.

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