People.com reports that the long time hollywood coupling of Cowboys QB Tony Romo and recording artist Jessica Simpson may have come to an end.

Here’s what people reports:

Tony Romo broke up with Jessica Simpson on Thursday, the night before her 29th birthday, a source close to the pop star tells PEOPLE.

“She is heartbroken,” says the source. “She loves Tony. But it’s been difficult lately. He’s busy with his career and she’s getting ready to shoot her show (The Price of Beauty). They decided to part ways.”

The Dallas Cowboys quarterback fueled breakup rumors when he showed up with about 14 friends at the Hollywood hotspot MyHouse on Friday night without the birthday girl, a source tells PEOPLE.

“He had quite a few girls stop by his dance floor table,” says an onlooker. “Romo was sipping Grey Goose and having a fun time with the boys.”

Simpson’s rep had no comment. Romo’s rep could not be reached for comment.

Simpson had planned to throw a Barbie and Ken-themed party for her birthday, but it fell through, according to a message she wrote on her Twitter page Saturday. “Barbie party didn’t happen, but I turned 29 and feel like I am on top of the world yelling I LOVE GETTING OLDER!” she wrote.

On Saturday night, Romo spoke to a group of well-heeled sports memorabilia collectors at the Los Angeles Sports Museum of Los Angeles. He “blushed” when a woman asked about his relationship with Jessica Simpson, according to the L.A. Daily News.

The source close to Simpson is sad that the longtime couple broke up. “They were good together for along time,” says the source. “But I guess it wasn’t meant to be.”

Although Simpson’s heart might be broken, she seems to remain hopeful about love. On Sunday, she Tweeted, “Everyone needs to know that hope floats … grab the strings and pull it back to you.” Three hours later, she wrote, “Falling asleep with my mom and the dogs. Please lord give all of my beautiful fans, friends, enemies, and family rest. Bring all of us peace.”

Wow and we actually were really starting to like these two as a couple…oh well.

“The Taking of Pelham 123,” starring Denzel Washington and John Travolta, is slated to hit theatres nationwide Friday, but we have some amazing still shots from the action packed film. These new images from Tony Scott’s upcoming remake, show  Denzel Washington as a regular, behind the desk NYC dispatcher who must attempt to thwart John Travolta’s hostage-taking gang in the subway. It’s a tough job, but who better than Walter Gabe (Denzel Washington) to do it.

Here’s a trailer for the move:

Images in this article are not the property of Excess Magazine. Please be aware
that copyright may exist for these images and should not be sold or wrongfully used to imply
that it is ones work if it does not truly belong to you. Excess Magazine bears no right nor liability.

As Vick is preparing to be released from prison to enter home confinement, ESPN highlights what’s next for Vick

The agent for Michael Vick said Tuesday that the quarterback “will place football on the back burner” during his immediate home confinement and that there are no meetings scheduled with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell to discuss reinstatement for the 2009 season.

“Michael’s looking forward to reacquainting himself with his family, his fiancée, Kiafa, his children and his mom,” Joel Segal, Vick’s agent, said. “When he gets home, that’s his priority, along with reinserting himself into society and being a positive influence in his community. This is going to be a special time for him, just being around family.”

Segal said Vick has not formally hired a trainer but added, “At the appropriate time, he will hire one. Football will happen. But right now, it’s not his priority. It’s one day at a time.”

Segal confirmed he has had talks with the league office during Vick’s incarceration, but that it was more “about keeping open the line of communication. There’s nothing set with the commissioner and, as I said, Michael’s focus right now is on family.”

Vick, who is serving an indefinite suspension imposed by Goodell, clearly wants an opportunity to play this season, Segal confirmed.

“It’s just not appropriate for that to be the first priority in his life and he has told me that himself,” Segal said. “However, he’s paid his debt to society and like every American who has made mistakes, even criminal mistakes, he deserves a second chance. He realizes the severity of his mistakes.”

At the NFL owners meetings Tuesday in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., Goodell said he will not make any decision on Vick until his full sentence runs its course.

Goodell has said that he wants Vick to demonstrate remorse for his actions in order to be reinstated. Asked what Vick must do to demonstrate remorse, he said: “I think that’s going to be up to Michael. Michael is going to have to demonstrate to the public and the fans … what he’s learned [during his imprisonment].”

Segal declined to comment on whether Vick would speak publicly once he reaches his home, but sources have said it is likely the quarterback — whose rights are still held by the Atlanta Falcons — will have something to say, possibly by Friday.

“One thing Michael has told me is that he knows action speaks louder than words right now,” Segal said. “He knows that no matter what he says, he just can’t talk the talk. He’s got to walk to walk and first and foremost, he wants to do that with family, then the community. He is going to focus on those priorities and do the right thing.”

Segal declined to reveal the exact time of Vick’s release from federal prison in Leavenworth, Kan. He is expected to be released within 24 hours to home confinement through July 20, when he will no longer be under federal custody.

ESPN has learned federal marshals have confirmed to a former federal Vick prosecutor that Vick is still on track to return to Hampton, Va., on Wednesday.

Vick is funding a portion of his plane flight home. He will then be required to report to probation within 72 hours of his return and will be supervised out of the Norfolk, Va., probation office.

Goodell said he has yet to speak with former Indianapolis Colts coach Tony Dungy about Dungy’s recent visit with Vick, saying they have traded phone calls but have yet to reach each other directly.

“I’ve never been shy about input from others if it can help,” Goodell added when asked whether character references for Vick would inform his decision. “If someone’s got information, I welcome it.”

Chris Mortensen is a senior NFL analyst for ESPN. ESPN.com senior NFL writer Len Pasquarelli contributed to this report.

On Thursday when the Superbowl Champion Pittsburgh Steelers are scheduled to meet the President of the United States, a gesture of congratulations usually shown to all of the major sports winners, they will do so without star linebacker James Harrison. It’s not because he’s hurt or that he had a prior obligation. No not at all. Harrison’s reasoning…”I don’t feel the need to actually go,” he said of the visit with President Obama. “I don’t feel like it’s that big a deal to me. If you want to see the Pittsburgh Steelers, invite us when we don’t win the Super Bowl,” he told Pittsburgh’s WTAE-TV. “So as far as I’m concerned he would have invited Arizona if they had won.”

WHAT! Is this guy insane?  It doesn’t matter if you voted for him or not (not that we know who he voted for), but this is a neutral gesture honoring a tremendous Super bowl victory by the Pittsburgh Steelers and for him to act as if meeting the President is something he should take for granted, make me question whether he is really serious? He must really think very highly of himself if he thinks he gains by skipping out on the President.

MY OPINION: I wouldn’t care if George Bush was still President, if the Commander-In-Chief extends you an invitation to the White House to honor your achievement….YOU GO! No if ands or buts about it. But I guess Mr. Harrison feels the same way the officials at Arizona State felt when deciding not to honor Obama with a degree for speaking that their commencement…that the President of the United States and leader of the free world has an insufficient body of work.

ESPN is reporting on the possible return of Brett Favre…again:

The health of quarterback Brett Favre‘s throwing arm appears to be a pivotal factor in whether he comes out of retirement to play for the Minnesota Vikings.

A source close to the situation told ESPN’s Jeremy Schaap on Friday that X-rays of Favre’s right shoulder — he has pain resulting from a torn biceps tendon — have been sent to the Vikings and that the X-rays are in the process of being evaluated. If it is determined by Favre’s and the Vikings’ medical people that he needs anything less than “major” surgery on his shoulder, Favre will unretire to play for the Vikings, the source said.

If “major” surgery is necessary, Favre will remain retired, the source said.

The news comes one day after Yahoo! Sports reported that the 39-year-old Favre told Vikings coach Brad Childress he would remain retired.

Bus Cook, Favre’s agent, told ESPN’s Rachel Nichols on Friday that he did not know of any X-rays being sent to Minnesota.

Cook did leave a door open to Favre playing for the Vikings saying he would expect “to have a conversation about how badly they wanted him and what kind of contract and terms we were talking about.” But, “so far, that hasn’t happened.”

“Brett would have to be mentally ready to go play, physically ready to go play and want to go play, and I’m not sure all three of those things are there right now.” Cook said.

To play a 19th NFL season, Cook said, “Brett would have to be mentally ready to go play, physically ready to go play and want to go play, and I’m not sure all three of those things are there right now.”

Favre wanted to play for the Vikings last season, but the Green Bay Packers specifically eliminated their NFC North rivals as a destination when they negotiated the trade that sent Favre to the Jets last August.

Although Favre said he would not play in 2009, the Jets released him after drafting Mark Sanchez in the first round in April. Favre could see the Vikings as the opportunity to fulfill the goal he was deprived of last season — winning a Super Bowl.

The two have been a hot topic in the past two weeks. There were reports earlier this week that Childress planned to meet with Favre at the player’s Mississippi home to try to talk him into coming to the team. Cook told ESPN and another reporter on Thursday that Favre “is retired’” and he doesn’t know of any phone conversation or meeting with Childress.

Then came Yahoo!’s report saying Favre informed Childress he would not play in the coming season.

Cook said Thursday that he spoke to Favre, who never mentioned any telephone conversation with Childress. Cook also added that he knew of no plans for Favre to address the Vikings situation publicly, as suggested in a Yahoo! Sports report.

Vikings officials have declined comment to The Associated Press.

According to Schaap’s source, Favre is motivated to continue his career, in part due to his disdain for Packers management, and he is eager to play again in the NFC North, where he would have the chance to exact a measure of revenge against the franchise he spent 16 seasons with.

Cook, however, continued to leave a door open to Favre playing for the Vikings, saying that if or when Favre is ready or interested in joining the franchise, Cook would expect “to have a conversation about how badly they [Minnesota] wanted him and what kind of contract and terms we were talking about.”

“So far, that hasn’t happened yet,” Cook told Nichols.

By NFL Analyst Mel Kiper, ESPN

It took two days, but the NFL draft is over and now is the fun part, as
every team’s fans get to see their new players try on the jersey and
hopefully report to camp on time. Let’s take a look at my grades for
each team’s draft.

Green Bay Packers: GRADE: A
I
love what this team did to solidify its shaky defense in the first two
picks alone, with the selection of two excellent players in defensive
tackle B.J. Raji and outside linebacker Clay Matthews. Tackle T.J. Lang was a good pickup for the offensive line, while Quinn Johnson could be a bruising lead fullback in the league. Sixth-round pick Brandon Underwood could make this team and give the Packers depth as a backup.

New York Jets: GRADE: A-
The motto of the Jets’ draft was quality over quantity. Mark Sanchez‘s
selection made this team’s draft because he’s a franchise-maker. New
coach Rex Ryan likes his defense, so the organization felt it could
focus on the offense in his first draft. The Jets picked up Iowa
running back Shonn Greene, who will fit into the rotation with Leon Washington and Thomas Jones. Guard Matthew Slauson was an OK pick in the sixth round, but the key to this draft is up top with Greene and Sanchez.

Arizona Cardinals: GRADE: B+
Chris Wells
was a major acquisition for the Cardinals in the first round of this
draft. He was a bargain for a team that was in dire need of a running
back to rotate in with second-year back Tim Hightower. Wells gives this
team the home run threat that the running game was sorely lacking last
season. In addition to Wells, I liked the Cody Brown
pick in the second round because he should be a good 3-4 rushing end in
the Cardinals’ system. Bringing in LSU offensive lineman Herman Johnson in the fifth round and Illinois defensive end Will Davis
in the sixth were good pickups for this organization. While I thought
Johnson was a bit overrated, he is huge and will give the line a big
presence when he’s on the field.

Buffalo Bills: GRADE: B+
Aaron Maybin was the pass-rusher this team needed to anchor the defensive line. On the other side of the line, the selections of center Eric Wood and guard Andrew Levitre
in the second round were excellent picks. Wood is a very good center
and Levitre very well may be the best guard in this draft. Also, Jairus Byrd’s ball skills could help him become a very good nickelback in this league. They got the tight end they needed in Shawn Nelson
to give this offense another weapon. The reason this team didn’t
receive an A is because it didn’t get a right or a left tackle, which I
thought was a need with the trade of offensive tackle Jason Peters.
Houston Texans: GRADE: B+
This was a very productive draft, as the Texans’ first five picks (Brian Cushing, Connor Barwin, Antoine Caldwell, Glover Quin and Anthony Hill) will all contribute quickly. These are solid football players and I really like the Barwin pick. Look for sixth-rounder Brice McCain and seventh-round selection Troy Nolan to also compete for playing time.

To continue reading please visit ESPN here

We are bringing you live coverage of the draft pick by pick

“The Detroit Lions completed a contract agreement last night with the Matthew Stafford, a precursor to making the University of Georgia quarterback the top overall selection in today’s NFL draft.

A source said the six-year deal includes $41.7 million guaranteed and a maximum value, including possible incentives, of about $78 million.

The Lions also considered Baylor left tackle Jason Smith and Wake Forest linebacker Aaron Curry and negotiated with them, but settled on Stafford as their top target in recent days. Detroit lacked a franchise quarterback as it attempts to rebuild a team that had the first 0-16 record in league history last season, and Stafford’s strong arm and quick mind have many NFL talent evaluators convinced that he’ll be a Pro Bowl quarterback someday.

The top overall selection in last year’s NFL draft, left tackle Jake Long, signed a five-year, $57.5 million contract with the Miami Dolphins that included $30 million guaranteed. Quarterback Matt Ryan, chosen third overall last year by the Atlanta Falcons, signed a six-year, $72 million deal that included $34.75 million guaranteed.

Lions officials had seemed intent upon having a contract done with the top pick before the 4 p.m. start of the draft today at Radio City Music Hall in New York, and the club reportedly had a backup deal in place with Curry in case there was a breakdown in the Stafford negotiations.

The Lions’ brain trust of President Tom Lewand, new general manager Martin Mayhew, and rookie head coach Jim Schwartz acknowledged in recent months that the club could not afford to botch this selection.

“When you build a team, you want to build long-term and you want to build through the draft,” Schwartz said at the NFL scouting combine. “I learned some lessons from Tennessee [as the Titans' defensive coordinator] when we turned it around from 4-12 and 5-11. . . . Those were good lessons learned.”

Smith is a candidate to go second overall to the St. Louis Rams, who released left tackle Orlando Pace earlier this offseason. The Kansas City Chiefs have the third pick, and there were indications yesterday that they perhaps were considering taking Louisiana State defensive end Tyson Jackson over Curry if Stafford and Smith are gone.

WASHINGTON — For the first time in its storied — some say cursed — history, the cover of EA Sports’ “Madden NFL” video game will feature two cover athletes: Pittsburgh Steelers safety Troy Polamalu and Arizona Cardinals receiver Larry Fitzgerald.

“Being on the cover of ‘Madden’ is a real honor,” Fitzgerald said Friday after Electronic Arts made the announcement. “And sharing it with a talent like Troy is really special.”

The shared cover of “Madden NFL 10,” which arrives in stores Aug. 14, has something for everyone: Polamalu is a defensive AFC player and Fitzgerald an offensive NFC player.

EA Sports senior product manager Anthony Stevenson called the two Pro Bowlers “exemplary examples of the epic battle between offense and defense in the NFL.”

To continue reading please visit ESPN here

When you think of football legends many names may come to mind. But the one that really stands out is the legendary coach and broadcast analyst John Madden. For more Sundays and Mondays than one can remember, he has been the voice of football even broadcasting what now was his last game in the Super Bowl between Arizona and Pittsburgh

“You know at some point you have to do this — I got to that point,” Madden said on his Bay Area radio show Thursday. “The thing that made it hard is not because I’m second guessing, ‘is it the right decision?’ But I enjoyed it so damn much.”

“I enjoyed the game and the players and the coaches and the film and the travel and everything.”

Cris Collinsworth will replace Madden, moving over from the network’s studio show, NBC Sports chief Dick Ebersol said. Collinsworth filled in when Madden took a game off last October.

Ebersol called Madden “absolutely the best sports broadcaster who ever lived.”

Here’s what ESPN had to say on the Legend

Well it has finally happened. The New York Football Giants have severed ties with its troubled WR Plaxico Burress enlight of him and his attourneys still not able to reach a plea deals stemming from his gun charges  when Burress accidentally  shot himself in the leg  in a Manhattan nightclub Nov. 29.

Burress was in court this past week but his case was adjourned to June 15. There has been speculation that the Giants were highly upset by Drew Rosenhaus, Burress’ agents, decision to send a email throughout the league indicating that Burress could have been had via trade a couple months back.

The delay in ending the court case this week also appeared to play a role in the Giants’ decision.

“I am an optimist, and I believe most situations can be worked out,” general manager Jerry Reese said in announcing the decision. “We hung in there as long as we could in hopes that there could be a resolution to this situation other than the decision we made today to release Plaxico.

“It wasn’t to be, so now we have to move on. Like everybody else here, we want nothing but the best for Plaxico, and we are appreciative of the contributions he made to this franchise.”

The Giants are now in search for a big play wide receivers as the ones currently on the roster have shown flashes but not lived up to it. There have been talks that the Giants will either heat up trade talks for Cleveland WR Braylon Edwards or Cardinals WR Anquan Boldin or maybe even Chad Johnson. They can also make a deal to move up in the draft if they feel they can get a WR like Michael Crabtree.

Drew Rosenhaus nor Plaxico Burres have yet to release a statement.

QB Jay Cutler was recently traded to the Chicago Bears. The Broncos received two 1st round draft picks (2009 and 2010) and Kyle Orton in return.

Why should Bears fans be happy?
The Bears, finally, are dealing with the one problem that keeps them from getting over the hump: Lack of consistent performance from the quarterback position. Since the mid 80s, a revolving door of quarterbacks have come in and out of the bears franchise. For 20 years they’ve tried to win with every position adequately filled EXCEPT a quarterback. I guess they finally realized this doesn’t work….good for them. In Jay Cutler, the Bears get a young, healthy, Pro-bowl quarterback. Cutler has been puting up monstrous numbers and hasn’t shown any signs of slowing down. His numbers from last season alone would have set franchise records for the Bears in nearly every statistical category. I know Jay is happy. If being McDaniel free isn’t eough, he now has the solid defense he always wanted to back him up. I understand Jay Cutler has some personality issues. I also hear Kyle Orton is well respected in the Bears locker room; However, lets face facts people….Kyle Orton is never taking your team to the next level….Jay Cutler could. Great trade for Chicago.

Why should the Broncos be happy?
Don’t cry yourselves to sleep just yet Broncos fans. A new and brighter day will come. You guys have an extra 1st round pick this year and next year. Sure, McDaniel can use one of those other draft picks to fill the void at quarterback. He’ll use his Patriot esq. coaching to shape a new young QB into a star. That will all happen. But, those extra draft picks will also be used to fix Denver’s main problem….the problem thats been plaguing them for the past 15 years or so….DEFENSE. Denver will draft some top notch Defensive Linemen that will make them a competitive playoff team in the years to come. The Jay Cutler trade has really just forced this team into a rebuilding effort that was necessary anyway…now they have the tools to do it successfully. Great trade for Denver.

Even QB Mark Sanchez is happy…his stock has risen considerably. He was projected to be drafted 17th and now he’ll go anywhere between 4th and 12th…we’re talking millions of dollars here… Denver has the 12th pick and they’ll take him if he’s still around. Draft experts think he might NOT be. AFC teams with earlier picks are now considering picking Sanchez just so Denver can’t….pretty good chess move. Either way Sanchez will be ecstatic.

The Cutler-McDaniel drama started ugly, but at least there was a happy ending…

So who isn’t happy about the Denver-Chicago Trade?….
49ERS FANS!!!….Why can’t my 49ers make a move for a Pro-bowl quarterback??!! I like Singletary as coach, but Shaun Hill is probably not going to make us a competitive play-off team again….at least Mike Vick maybe???..come on guys…Make a move…PLEASE!

(sigh)
-Steve

After weeks of hostility between Cutler and new Broncos coach McDaniels, a deal has been made sending Jay Cutler & a 5th round pick to the Chicago Bears in exchange for quarterback Kyle Orton and first-round picks in 2009 (18th overall) and 2010, along with a third-round pick (84th overall) in 2009. Some are already saying that the bears gave up way to much.

Heres a statment from ESPN on what the Bears front office had to say:

“I don’t have any concerns,” Bears general manager Jerry Angelo said. “[Coach Lovie Smith] and I talked about that. We did, like a lot of people who were interested in Jay, a lot of work going back to not just when he was with Denver [but] but going back to his days at Vanderbilt.”

DANA POINT, Calif. — More games that count, perhaps as early as August 2011? That’s exactly what NFL commissioner Roger Goodell wants.

There are several hurdles before the league can expand its regular season from 16 to 17 or 18 games. Among them is reaching a new collective bargaining agreement with the players’ union.

Still, the commissioner hopes to present a proposal to the owners in May after the matter was discussed at length this week at the owners meetings.

“It’s possible that we could vote in May, but we want to have core discussions on this,” Goodell said Wednesday. “Anytime you have change, there is some reluctance. But it’s clear we don’t need four preseason games anymore.”

To Read more on this story check ESPN.com here

By John Clayton, ESPN.com

It didn’t take long for T.O. to find a new home.

Terrell Owens has agreed to a one-year, $6.5 million deal with the Buffalo Bills, according to a source.

“I’m leaving America’s team [for] North America’s team,” Owens said at a news conference in Buffalo on Saturday.

The entire contract is guaranteed, the source said.

The Bills will be Owens’ fourth team, after starting with San Francisco, bouncing to Philadelphia — where he helped the Eagles get to a Super Bowl — and Dallas.

“I must move on, and it’s another beginning for me,” Owens said. “If I can be that extra added piece to get them to the playoffs, then that’s what I’m here for. I looked at the defensive side of ball and offensive side of the ball, and these guys have all the pieces.”

Owens visited the Bills on Saturday. He was released by the Dallas Cowboys late Wednesday.

For the complete article please visit ESPN here

3/4: ESPN cited anonymous sources Wednesday night in saying that the Cowboys have decided to cut the receiver, ridding them of a big locker-room distraction but also absorbing a big hit on their salary cap.

The team did not immediately have a comment. A spokesman for Owens said he hadn’t heard the news, and that Owens was traveling and could not immediately be reached. His agent, Drew Rosenhaus, also did not immediately return a call.

First of all, I’m not sure that it should happen. Getting rid of the unnecessary drama that Terrell Owens produces may not offset the missing production his release late Wednesday night will command.

Roy Williams? Ten games and 198 yards receiving? Cowboys fans have to hope that was a fluke, not a sign of things to come.

But mainly, I didn’t think Owens would get released because it meant Cowboys owner Jerry Jones admitting defeat. And he doesn’t like to do that when it’s not absolutely necessary.

But three years of Owens, a bunch of yards, a bunch of TDs and no playoff victories? Then a release?

That is a definite admission of defeat.

Here is what ESPN is saying:

The Dallas Cowboys have released controversial wide receiver Terrell Owens, sources told ESPN’s Michael Smith late Wednesday.

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones did not deny the team is discussing the possible release of Owens in late February. Owen’s future was discussed in meetings Wednesday, but Jones had not made a final decision when most people left the building, a souce at Valley Ranch told ESPN.com’s Matt Mosley.

“There are several decisions on our roster we have to look at,” Jones said in February. “This is the time of year we do that. I’m not trying to be trite, but as you all know we’re evaluating players in college, we’re evaluating free agents and we’re evaluating our own roster. This is an ongoing thing, not any different than this time last year.”

The team did not immediately have a comment. A spokesman for Owens said he hadn’t heard the news, and that Owens was traveling and could not immediately be reached, the Associated Press reported.

The Cowboys paid Owens a $12 million signing bonus just last year, included as part of a new four-year, $34 million deal. Dallas will take a roughly $9 million salary cap hit with the release of Owens.

*To Read more on the T.O. release, visit ESPN here

ESPN contributed to the factual stats contained in this post.

Defensive lineman Corey Smith, who played with the Detroit Lions last season (left) & Oakland Raiders linebacker Marquis Cooper (right)

CLEARWATER, Fla. — After three days of combing 24,000 miles of ocean, the Coast Guard on Tuesday stopped searching for two NFL players and a third man lost in rough, chilly Gulf of Mexico waters off the Florida coast.

Oakland Raiders linebacker Marquis Cooper, free-agent defensive lineman Corey Smith, who played with the Detroit Lions last season, and former South Florida player William Bleakley, had been missing since Saturday when their boat capsized during a fishing trip.

Bleakley’s father said he thought the Coast Guard did everything it could and that his expectations lowered after only one survivor was found Monday, nearly two days after the four friends were knocked out of their 21-foot boat.

“I think they were not to be found,” Robert Bleakley said.

Coast Guard Capt. Timothy Close said officials were sure that if there were any more survivors, they would have been found.

Crews did rescue Bleakley’s former South Florida teammate, 24-year-old Nick Schuyler, who managed to stay with the boat.

Scott Miller, a friend of the college teammates, said Schuyler told him that on the first night, a chopper shone a light right above them and that later on, as they continued to drift, he could even see lights from the shore.

It was Bleakley who swam underneath to retrieve three life jackets he could find, along with a cushion, a groggy Schuyler told Miller from a Tampa hospital. Bleakley used the cushion and the other men wore the jackets, Miller said.

But the waves were powerful, and after Cooper and Smith got separated from the boat, the college teammates tried to hang on.

“He said basically that Will helped him keep going,” Schuyler told Miller, who said he had known Bleakley since the sixth grade. “The waves were just so much. They never got a break.”

**To continue reading this article please visit ESPN here.

Patriots Quarterback Tom Brady and top Victoria’s Secret supermodel Giselle Bündchen got married in a low key private ceremony in Santa Monica, Calif. on Thursday.

Brady,31, and Bündchen, 28, were wed shortly before 6pm at a church in Santa Monica. Bündchen donned a beautiful dress designed by Dolce & Gabbana.

This is the 1st marriage for both of them although Brady has a 1 year old son with his ex-girlfriend.

The longtime Tennessee Titans defensive tackle agreed to a seven-year deal worth approximately $100 million early Friday morning. The Redskins, known for their expediency in such matters, wasted no time scheduling a 5 p.m. news conference for their latest marquee signing.

The deal, which was reached hours after he became a free agent, includes $41 million in guarantees. During the first 13 months of the contract, Haynesworth will earn approximately $32 million. The deal would top the contract of Minnesota Vikings defensive end Jared Allen, the current top-paid defensive player, who received $32 million guaranteed as part of a six-year deal that averages $12.2 million per season, the Post said.

Haynesworth, one of the more highly coveted free agents on the market, led the Tennessee Titans with a career-high 8 1/2 sacks last season. He also had 75 tackles, 22 quarterback pressures, seven tackles for a loss and forced a team-high four fumbles.

The Redskins also reached an agreement Friday morning to keep cornerback DeAngelo Hall, and made him one of the highest paid cornerbacks in football. Hall accepted a six-year $54 million deal that included $22.5 million in guarantees, giving the 25-year-old cornerback his second big payday in as many years.

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RICHMOND, Va. — Imprisoned NFL star Michael Vick will be allowed to serve the last two months of his sentence under home confinement because there is no room at a halfway house for him, a government official told The Associated Press Thursday.

Vick is serving a 23-month sentence at the federal penitentiary in Leavenworth, Kan., after pleading guilty to bankrolling a dogfighting operation at a home he owned in eastern Virginia’s Surry County. He also admitted to participating in the killing of several underperforming dogs.

Vick’s lawyers have said they expected him to be moved any day into a halfway house in Newport News. But because of a lack of space, Vick will be released instead to his home in nearby Hampton at some point on or after May 21, said the official, who has knowledge of the case but requested anonymity because the individual was not authorized to discuss the matter publicly.

“We are aware of reports regarding the release of Michael Vick,” Vick attorneys Billy Martin and Lawrence Woodward said in a written statement. “As his attorneys we understand and respect that there is a process that the Bureau of Prisons follows therefore it is not appropriate for us comment at this time.”

To continue reading this article, please click here
Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has voluntarily taken a significant 20% pay cut of his $11 million salary , as the reeling economy has caused for layoffs around the country and around the league. NFL sources confirm that the league has trimmed its staff of 1,100 by 15% in which 169 jobs were either bought out , laid off, or other method.

“All of us understand that it will continue to take collective sacrifice to get through this challenging economic environment, but these and other steps by our office and clubs will enable us to be more efficient and better positioned for future growth,” league spokesman Greg Aiello said.

The NFL has also frozen salaries of league staff for 2009  in addition to reducing expenses by 20% and reducing playoff ticket prices by 10%.

The league’s other concern is its contracts with advertisers.  With the auto industry being hit hard during the crisis they are weary of ad sales with the sports biggest advertisers. Ratings were high last season so they hope to retain their advertisers at the same level.

Three-quarters of teams in the NFL are said to be freezing ticket prices at 2008 levels to aid fans wallets.

Now only if the players would only be so noble to do the same.

*ESPN Facts & Numbers were used in this report.

After just one season with the New York Jets, future Hall Of Famer Bret Farvre is retiring and this time he says he means it!

The 39-year-old quarterback retired again Wednesday and insisted he won’t look back. Well, at least for now.

“I have no reason to wonder why you would be so skeptical,” Favre said Wednesday with a slight chuckle after announcing he was leaving the game after 18 record-setting seasons.

I have family and friends who are like, ‘All right, Brett. Is this the real deal?” Favre said during a conference call. “To me, it is. It is. Believe me. It’s been a wonderful career, I couldn’t ask for anything more. It was worth a shot for me to go to New York. I wish I could’ve played better down the stretch. I didn’t.

“It’s time to leave.”

“Emotionally, I’m OK with it,” said Favre, who said he spent the day on his bulldozer and doing yard work on the grounds at his home in Kiln, Miss. “I really felt like it was time. Obviously, the circumstances last year were a lot different. Physically, if I felt better, we may not be having this conversation, but I think that’s more than anything the writing on the wall.”

The Jets will receive the Green Bay Packers 7th round draft pick as part of the trade agreement if Farvre retired after one year. Bret leaves the Jets with questions at quarterback with Kellen Clemens being most likely the starter next year unless the Jets make a move in the draft for a QB. It is believed they may go after USC QB Mark Sanchez with the 17th pick.

If this this really is the last we’ll see of Farvre on the football field, he parts his famed career with a onslaught of records, including career touchdown passes (464), completions (5,720), yards passing (65,127), regular-season victories (169) and interceptions (310).

*ESPN stats & facts contributed to this report.