1.
Miracle at the Meadowlands
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It is considered miraculous because the Giants were ahead and could easily have run out the final seconds, they had the ball and the Eagles had no timeouts left. Everyone watching expected quarterback Joe Pisarcik to take one more snap and kneel with the ball, thus running out the clock, instead, he botched an attempt to hand off the football to fullback Larry Csonka. Edwards picked up the ball and ran 26 yards for the winning score. It was the first meeting between the rivals that season. The Eagles were in place in the NFC East, behind the Dallas Cowboys and Washington Redskins. The teams went into the game in similar situations, but heading in different directions, given the similarity of their records, it was likely the outcome would have playoff implications, since the first tie-breaker for a wild card spot is the head-to-head record. Going into the game, the Giants were 5–6, a three-game losing streak on the road had made the teams playoff prospects much dimmer since midseason. However, a win at home against the favored Eagles could, despite the teams storied past, the Giants had not played in the postseason since 1963 and had managed only two winning seasons since then. Although they were the fourth oldest franchise, they were almost a non-entity in the post-merger NFL. The move to New Jersey in 1976 had alienated some longtime fans, Fans had never gone this long without a contender, but while they were growing restless, they were still forgiving. The two managed team operations closely, but feuded so bitterly with each other that at one point a partition had to be erected between their seats in the owners box. The effects of this uncertainty and instability at the highest managerial level affected the teams play and it was not lost on fans that players and coaches who had once been in the Giants fold were now enjoying or had enjoyed great success elsewhere. The team also had passed over future stars for less able players in the annual draft, but all this was for naught. The week before the game, players, particularly on offense, had complained to reporters about the teams assistant coaches, head coach John McVay was popular with them. He had taken over the team in the middle of the 1976 season after Bill Arnsparger was fired and improved morale while adding talented players to the team, however, the players were not so enthusiastic about many of the longtime friends he had hired as assistants. The players felt the assistant coaches were uninterested in helping younger players develop, as an example, they pointed out that the season before, none of the teams three quarterbacks had had any previous NFL experience, yet no quarterback coach had been hired. They also noted one of the few coaches who seemed to care, Jerry Wampfler. Offensive coordinator Bob Gibson was the most frequent target of complaints and he had taken to the relatively nascent practice of calling all the plays from the upstairs press box
2.
2010 Philadelphia Eagles season
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The 2010 Philadelphia Eagles season was the 78th season for the team in the National Football League, who looked to improve on their 11–5 record from 2009. They finished with a 10–6 record, but lost to the eventual Super Bowl champion Green Bay Packers in the Wild Card playoffs, for head coach Andy Reid, this was his 12th season as the coach of the Eagles. The Eagles played all of their games at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia. The off-season saw a significant roster overhaul as Donovan McNabb and Brian Westbrook, the former was traded to Washington and the latter cut from the roster and signed by San Francisco as a backup. Despite the losses of McNabb and Westbrook, Football Outsiders calculates that the 2010 Eagles had the third-best rushing attack of any team from 1993–2010. On January 11,2010, general manager Tom Heckert was hired by the Cleveland Browns in the same position, the team also fired strength and conditioning coach Mike Wolf and assistant strength and conditioning coach Jay Merlino. On January 20, the Browns hired Director of Pro Personnel Jon Sandusky as their Director of Player Personnel and they also hired college/pro scout John Spytek as a personnel executive. On January 25, special assistant to the defense Brian Stewart left to take the defensive coordinator job with the University of Houston, on January 27, the Eagles promoted Barry Rubin from strength and conditioning assistant coach to head strength and conditioning coach. They also hired Ken Croner as their assistant strength and conditioning coach, on January 29, vice president of player personnel Howie Roseman was promoted to general manager to replace Heckert. On February 3, the Eagles hired former Buffalo Bills head coach Dick Jauron as a senior assistant and they also promoted director of college scouting Ryan Grigson to director of player personnel and assistant director of pro personnel Louis Riddick to director of pro personnel. Anthony Patch was named assistant director of scouting, Andy Speyer was named southwest regional scout. The Eagles also promoted defensive quality control coach Mike Caldwell to assistant linebackers coach, on February 4, the Eagles hired former Browns general manager Phil Savage as a player personnel consultant for the 2010 NFL Draft. On April 1, the team extended President Joe Banners contract through 2013 and promoted Senior Vice President, on May 27, the Eagles hired Daniel Jeremiah, who was a scout for the Browns and Baltimore Ravens, as a scout for the West Coast region. On March 8, wide receiver Reggie Brown was traded to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in exchange for a 6th round draft pick in the 2011 NFL Draft. On March 16, defensive end Chris Clemons and a 2010 fourth-round draft pick were traded to the Seattle Seahawks in exchange for defensive end Darryl Tapp. On April 2, cornerback Sheldon Brown and linebacker Chris Gocong were traded to the Cleveland Browns in exchange for 2010 fourth- and fifth-round draft picks, Hall was later waived on July 28. On April 4, the Eagles traded quarterback Donovan McNabb to the Washington Redskins for a pick in 2010. On July 30, the Eagles traded linebacker Joe Mays to the Broncos in exchange for running back J. J. Arrington, on August 30, the Eagles traded sixth-round draft pick fullback Charles Scott to the Arizona Cardinals in exchange for sixth-round draft pick cornerback Jorrick Calvin
3.
2010 New York Giants season
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The 2010 New York Giants season was the 86th season for the team in the National Football League and the teams inaugural season in New Meadowlands Stadium. The Giants were looking to improve on their 8–8 finish in 2009, although New York was able to improve on their record and finish 10–6, the team was eliminated from postseason contention on the regular seasons final day. The Giants dedicated their 2010 season to the memory of Bob Sheppard, the public address announcer from 1956 to 2005. With the upcoming uncapped season in the NFL, several Giants players who expected to become unrestricted free agents will be restricted free agents, the first move of the team in the offseason was to renew some of the contracts of players who were on the practice squad. Also in the beginning of the offseason the team signed three new players, defensive back Courtney Brown, fullback Jerome Johnson and kicker Sam Swank, Swank will provide competition for Lawrence Tynes, the regular kicker of the team. On January 19 the team added tight end Carson Butler who was signed after being dismissed by the Cincinnati Bengals, the Giants continued to add players when on February 8 the team was awarded offensive tackle Herb Taylor via waivers. They released starting inside linebacker and defensive team captain Antonio Pierce on February 11, the team began to offer tenders to their restricted free agents in late February when all of them with the exception of cornerback Kevin Dockery and tight end Darcy Johnson were offered them. Following the signing of Rolle the team waived safeties Aaron Rouse, in early March the Giants lost their backup quarterback David Carr to the San Francisco 49ers and veteran defensive tackle Fred Robbins to the St. Louis Rams. On March 9 the team signed quarterback Jim Sorgi to a one-year deal, Sorgi was the backup for Eli Mannings brother, Peyton, in Indianapolis since 2004 and was released in early March. On March 18 the Giants signed Australian punter Jy Bond, on March 22 the team lost another two players to the St. Louis Rams, tight end Darcy Johnson and cornerback Kevin Dockery signed with the team. On April 1, punter Jeff Feagles signed a deal with the Giants making this his 7th season with the Giants. On the same day the Giants signed free-agent safety Deon Grant, on April 30, punter Jeff Feagles retired from the NFL as one of the greatest punters ever only after a month after renewing his contract. After the Rookie Minicamp, on early May, the Giants signed undrafted linebacker Micah Johnson to fill the 80-men roster for the offseason, on May 7 the team released undrafted quarterback Dominic Randolph and signed Riley Skinner to the spot as the fourth quarterback on the roster. On June 11 the team signed their first rookie, the safety Chad Jones, to open space in the roster the team released the kicker Sam Swank. After finishing the 2009 season with an 8–8 record, the Giants hold the 15th selection in the 2010 NFL Draft, the team wasnt awarded with any compensatory pick for the past offseason. In the first round of the Draft, after seeing his top targets being picked by other teams, in the second day of the Draft the Giants bolstered even more his defensive line by drafting defensive tackle Linval Joseph with the 46th pick in the second round. Then in the round, with the pick 76 the Giants drafted safety Chad Jones. In the third and final day of the Draft the team drafted four players, in the fourth round the Giants drafted linebacker Phillip Dillard, supplying the biggest need in the team after the departure of Antonio Pierce
4.
Andy Reid
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Andrew Walter Reid is an American football coach who is the current head coach for the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League. Reid was previously the coach of the Philadelphia Eagles, a position he held from 1999 to 2012. From 2001 to 2012, he was also the Eagles executive vice president of football operations and he led the Eagles to five National Football Conference championship games, including four consecutive appearances from 2001-2004, and one Super Bowl appearance in 2004. Reid was fired by Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie following the 2012 season, Reid played college football at Brigham Young University. Born in Los Angeles, California, Reid attended John Marshall High School, in 1971 Reid appeared live on Monday Night Football during the Punt, Pass, and Kick competition. Reid played offensive tackle at Glendale Community College in Glendale, California, Reid played offensive tackle at Brigham Young University from 1978 to 1980. After graduating from BYU in 1981, he spent one year as an assistant on the schools football coaching staff. Reid was hired as an assistant coach by the Green Bay Packers in 1992, Reid was named the Packers quarterbacks coach in 1997, the season after the Packers won Super Bowl XXXI. During this time, he worked under head coach Mike Holmgren, the quality of Reids work with the Packers attracted considerable notice throughout the league, leading to his being hired as the head coach of the Eagles on January 11,1999. At the time, many in the media in Philadelphia criticized the hiring, citing the availability of other candidates who had past records of success as head coaches. It was noted that Reid had never been a coordinator or defensive coordinator at the time of the hiring. In 2001, Reid was named vice president of football operations of the Eagles. Although the Eagles have had someone with the title of general manager since 2005, the Eagles in 1998, then under coach Ray Rhodes, finished in a three-way tie for the NFLs worst record at 3-13, which gave the team the 2nd overall pick. The Eagles hired Reid as their coach in 1999. The team drafted dual-threat quarterback Donovan McNabb with the 2nd overall pick and they improved their record by two games in 1999 to finish at 5-11. In 2000 the Eagles posted an 11-5 regular-season record and won their first playoff game since the 1995 season, the 2004 team was the second NFC East squad to defeat all of its division rivals twice during the same regular season. The 2004 Eagles clinched the NFC 1st seed with a 13-1 record, after 3 straight NFC Championship losses, the team beat the Falcons 27-10 and made it to Super Bowl XXXIX but fell to the New England Patriots 24-21 in the final minutes. The 2005 season was difficult for Reid, as he was unprepared to deal with wide receiver Terrell Owens flamboyant persona, a couple of weeks later quarterback Donovan McNabb suffered a season-ending injury, leaving the Eagles without the services of two of their star players
5.
Tom Coughlin
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Thomas Richard Coughlin is the executive vice president of football operations for the Jacksonville Jaguars of the National Football League. He was the coach for the New York Giants for 12 seasons. He led the Giants to victory in Super Bowl XLII and Super Bowl XLVI, Coughlin was also the inaugural head coach of the Jaguars, serving from 1995 to 2002 and leading the team to two AFC Championship Games. Coughlin attended Syracuse University, where he played halfback for the Syracuse Orange football team and he was teammates with Larry Csonka and Floyd Little. In 1967, he set the schools single-season pass receiving record, Jim Boeheim was his residence advisor during Coughlins senior year at Syracuse. Coughlin was mentored by Bill Parcells while Coughlin was wide receivers coach, like his mentor, Coughlin is known as a stern disciplinarian and for his meticulous attention to detail, earning him the nickname Colonel Coughlin. Coughlins first head coaching job was at the Rochester Institute of Technology from 1970–1973 and he then returned to his alma mater where he was eventually promoted to offensive coordinator, a position he also held at Boston College where he coached Doug Flutie. He returned to the staff after his stint at the Rochester Institute of Technology, Coughlins second stint started in 1974, and ended in 1980. He left the level to become a wide receivers coach in the NFL for the Philadelphia Eagles. While at New York, he was an assistant to Bill Parcells, after the 1990 season, Coughlin returned to Boston College to take on his second job as a head coach. In three seasons at Boston College, he turned the program into a consistent winner, Coughlins tenure was capped with a 41–39 victory over #1 ranked Notre Dame in 1993, the first time Boston College defeated Notre Dame. Coughlins success at Boston College led to his subsequent hiring as the first head coach of the NFLs expansion Jacksonville Jaguars, in eight seasons at Jacksonville, he helmed the most successful expansion team in league history. During Coughlins tenure, the Jaguars made four consecutive playoff appearances and he was named NFL Coach of the Year by United Press International. However, in appearances in the championship game, the Jaguars were defeated, in 1996 by the New England Patriots. Coughlins Jaguars won 49 regular season games in his first five years as head coach, but the Jaguars record for the next three years was only 19–29, and after a 6–10 finish in 2002, Coughlin was fired by owner Wayne Weaver. He finished his career in Jacksonville with a 68–60 regular season record. In 2011, Weaver said when looking back on his tenure as owner, after being out of football in 2003, Coughlin was hired to replace Jim Fassel as head coach of the New York Giants in January 2004. He inherited a team that finished 4–12 in 2003, as Coughlin took over, the Giants were trying to put together a trade for the first pick in the draft
6.
MetLife Stadium
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MetLife Stadium is an American sports stadium located in East Rutherford, New Jersey. It is part of the Meadowlands Sports Complex and serves as the stadium for two National Football League franchises, the New York Jets and the New York Giants. The stadium opened as New Meadowlands Stadium in 2010, in 2011, MetLife, an insurance company based in New York City, acquired the naming rights to the stadium. At a construction cost of approximately $1.6 billion, it is the most expensive ever built and is the second-largest stadium in the NFL in terms of seating capacity. MetLife Stadium is the only NFL stadium shared by two clubs, as Giants Stadium approached 30 years of age, it was becoming one of the older stadiums in the NFL. The Jets, who had been the tenants at the stadium, sought to have their own stadium built in Manhattan proper. Originally intended to be the 85, 000-seat main stadium for New Yorks bid for the 2012 Summer Olympics, however, the West Side Stadium would have required significant public funding, which collapsed in 2005. The Jets then entered into a partnership with the Giants to build a new stadium in which the two teams would be equal partners. This idea originated at the Allianz Arena in Munich, Germany, unlike Giants Stadium, MetLife Stadium can easily be converted from a Giants game to a Jets game or vice versa, within a matter of hours. The total linear length of louvers is exactly 50,000 meters or 163,681 feet, front row 50 yard line seats are 46 feet away from the sideline, which is the shortest distance of all NFL stadiums. To change the field decorations, two 4-person crews take appx,18 hours using forklifts and other machinery to remove the 40 sections of FieldTurf which make up the teams respective endzones. Unlike most NFL stadiums, the NFLs logo is painted at midfield, instead of the logo of one of the teams, also shortening the transition time. The replaceable team logos at midfield were removed in August 2010, unlike a number of other new NFL venues, MetLife Stadium does not have a roof, as proposals to include a roof failed, over a dispute for funding. Thus, indoor events such as the Final Four cannot be held at the facility,20 giant high-definition-ready light emitting diode pylons, located at the north and east entrances, display videos of the team currently in-house. The pylons measure approximately 54 feet high by 20 feet wide, inside, are four 30 feet by 116 feet high definition video displays, and hang from each corner of the upper deck. The new stadium has seating for 82,500 people, including 10,005 club seats and approximately 218 luxury suites, MetLife Stadium includes a total of four locker rooms, one each for the Giants and Jets, as well as 2 for visiting teams. The home teams have locker rooms on opposite ends of the stadium with a locker room adjacent to it. The two teams formed the New Meadowlands Stadium Company, LLC, a 50/50 joint venture, to build and operate the stadium
7.
East Rutherford, New Jersey
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East Rutherford is a borough in Bergen County, New Jersey, United States. It is an suburb of New York City, located 7 miles west of Midtown Manhattan. Under the terms of an act of the New Jersey Legislature on April 17,1889, the new township took its name from a spring in the community. On March 28,1894, the Borough of East Rutherford was created, based on the results of a referendum held the previous day, while there was no change in its borders, the name and form of government were changed. The borough was the second formed during the Boroughitis phenomenon then sweeping through Bergen County, East Rutherford is the home of the Meadowlands Sports Complex, which includes Meadowlands Arena and MetLife Stadium, and was previously the location of Giants Stadium. MetLife Stadium is home of the New York Giants and New York Jets of the National Football League and hosted Super Bowl XLVIII, Giants Stadium, which hosted the Giants and Jets until 2009, was also the original home of the New York Red Bulls of Major League Soccer. East Rutherford is the municipality with fewer than 10,000 residents to have been home to five professional sports teams simultaneously. The borough is the site of the American Dream Meadowlands project, if it were to be completed it would be the second largest mall in the state behind the Westfield Garden State Plaza. According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough had an area of 4.052 square miles. The Passaic River is the boundary, and the Hackensack River is the eastern boundary. The area in which East Rutherford is located is the valley of the Passaic, carlton Hill is an unincorporated community located within the township. As of the census of 2010, there were 8,913 people,3,792 households, the population density was 2,403.2 per square mile. There were 4,018 housing units at a density of 1,083.4 per square mile. [[Hispanic |Hispanic or Latino of any race were 17. 54% of the population,33. 5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11. 6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.35 and the family size was 3.06. In the borough, the population was out with 18. 1% under the age of 18,8. 6% from 18 to 24,33. 2% from 25 to 44,26. 6% from 45 to 64. The median age was 37.8 years, for every 100 females there were 93.0 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and old there were 92.5 males, the Census Bureaus 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that median household income was $62,471 and the median family income was $71,357
8.
Official (American football)
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In American football, an official is a person who has responsibility in enforcing the rules and maintaining the order of the game. During professional and most college games, seven officials operate on the field. Beginning in 2015, Division I college football conferences are using eight game officials, College games outside the Division I level use six or seven officials. Arena football, high school football, and other levels of football have other officiating systems, High school football played under the National Federation of State High School Associations rules typically use five officials for varsity and 3,4, or 5 for non-varsity games. Because the referee is responsible for the supervision of the game. American football officials generally use the equipment, Whistle Used to signal a reminder to players that the ball is dead. Penalty marker or flag A bright-yellow-colored flag that is thrown on the field toward or at the spot of a foul, for fouls where the spot is unimportant, such as fouls which occur at the snap or during a dead ball, the flag is typically thrown vertically. The flag is wrapped around a weight, such as sand or beans, so that it can be thrown with some distance and accuracy and to ensure it remains in place, Officials typically carry a second flag in case there are multiple fouls on a play. Officials who run out of flags when they see multiple fouls on a play may drop their hat or a bag instead. Bean bag Used to mark various spots that are not fouls, for example, a bean bag is used to mark the spot of a fumble or the spot where a player caught a punt. It is typically colored white, blue, black, or orange, depending on the league, college conference, level of play. Unlike penalty flags, bean bags may be tossed to a parallel to the nearest yard line. Down indicator A specially designed wristband that is used to remind officials of the current down and it has an elastic loop attached to it that is wrapped around the fingers. Usually, officials put the loop around their index finger when it is first down, the finger when it is second down. Some officials, especially umpires, may use a second indicator to keep track of where the ball was placed between the hash marks before the play. This is important when the ball is re-spotted after a pass or a foul. Game data card and pencil Officials write down important administrative information, such as the winner of the coin toss, team timeouts. Game data cards can be paper or reusable plastic
9.
John Parry (American football official)
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John Parry is an American football official in the National Football League since the 2000 NFL season. Parry officiated Super Bowl XLI in 2007 as a judge on the crew headed by referee Tony Corrente. Following this game, he was promoted to referee for the 2007 NFL season following the retirement of Bill Vinovich due to health issues, Parry is a native of Michigan City, Indiana and a graduate of Michigan City Rogers High School. Currently, Parry is a resident of Akron, Ohio, he is also an associate Financial Advisor for Ameriprise Financial in suburban Tallmadge and his father, Dave Parry, was the Supervisor of Officials for the Big Ten Conference, and the side judge in Super Bowl XVII. Parry was the referee of Super Bowl XLVI, which was held February 5,2012 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis and this was his second Super Bowl as an official, and first as referee. Parry worked the Patriots-Eagles preseason game in 2014 and part of his crew, serving as head linesman, was one of the first female NFL officials, Parry was the referee of the 2015 Pro Bowl
10.
Fox NFL
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Fox NFL is the branding used for broadcasts of National Football League games produced by Fox Sports and televised on the Fox Broadcasting Company. Game coverage is usually preceded by the pre-game shows Fox NFL Kickoff, the latter two shows feature the same studio hosts and analysts for both programs, who also contribute to the former. In weeks when Fox airs a doubleheader, the late broadcast airs under the brand Americas Game of the Week. The network aired its inaugural NFL game telecast on August 12,1994, though Fox was growing rapidly as a network, and had established itself as a presence, it was still not considered a major competitor to the Big Three broadcast networks. To this end, Fox had bid aggressively for football broadcast rights almost from the start and it notably passed on the United States Football League, which had hoped to move to fall in 1986, the same time Fox was to debut, and was seeking a broadcast contract. Fox made an offer to the National Football League to acquire the Monday Night Football contract for the same amount ABC that had been paying to carry the package, about US$1.3 billion at the time. However, the NFL, in part because Fox had not established itself as a major network, Sunday afternoon timeslot in spring is filled by Fox NASCAR from NASCAR Cup Series. The NFC was considered the more desirable due to its presence in most of the largest U. S. markets, such as New York City, Chicago. Indeed, Fox was still a player in 1993, not yet considered on par with CBS, NBC and ABC. The network already had offbeat hits such as The Simpsons, Married, with Children and Beverly Hills,90210 on its schedule. The vast resources that Rupert Murdoch had allowed the network to grow quickly, primarily to the detriment of CBS, Fox was also able to procure Pat Summerall and John Madden to be its lead broadcast team, a capacity they had been serving for CBS. Terry Bradshaw, who was previously co-host of The NFL Today, was added to serve as the shows lead analyst. In the summer of 1994, SF Broadcasting purchased four stations from Burnham Broadcasting, in the NFC markets affected by the deals, Fox gained VHF affiliates in eight primary markets and three satellite markets, adding to the three that the network had before the deal. The new affiliates in St. Louis and Greensboro switched shortly before the Rams relocated from Los Angeles, besides giving the network leverage in attracting new affiliates, the rights gave Fox many new viewers and a platform for advertising its other shows. Foxs acquisition of the National Football Conference contract severely affected CBS, beyond losing a marquee sporting event and some of its key talent, CBS had hoped to replace the NFL with National Hockey League rights, but Fox then promptly outbid CBS for those as well. CBS began rebuilding itself after the network took the AFC television contract from NBC in 1998, Foxs acquisition of National Football League television rights was a watershed event not only for the network, but for the NFL as well. Not only was it the event that placed Fox on a par with the Big Three broadcast networks, but it also ushered in an era of growth for the NFL, Fox used the slogan Same Game, New Attitude to promote its new NFL package. The networks pre-game show, Fox NFL Sunday focused more on entertainment and it also used parabolic microphones to include the sounds of the stands and of the on-field action
11.
Joe Buck
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Joseph Francis Joe Buck is an American sportscaster and the son of sportscaster Jack Buck. He has won numerous Sports Emmy Awards for his work with Fox Sports, including his roles as lead announcer for the networks National Football League. Since 1996, he has served as the announcer for the World Series, each year. Buck was born in St. Petersburg, Florida and raised in the St. Louis area and he began his broadcasting career in 1989 while he was an undergraduate at Indiana University Bloomington. Buck called play-by-play for the then-Louisville Redbirds, a minor league affiliate of the Cardinals, in 1991, he did reporting for St Louis CBS affiliate KMOV. Also, in 1991 Buck began broadcasting for the Cardinals on local television and KMOX Radio, in the 1992–93 season, he was the play-by-play voice for University of Missouri basketball broadcasts. Buck continued to call Cardinals games after being hired by Fox Sports, initially with his father on KMOX and later on FSN Midwest television. As his network duties increased, however, his local workload shrank and this marked the first time since 1960 that a member of the Buck family was not part of the teams broadcasting crew. In 1994, Buck was hired by Fox, and at the age of 25 became the youngest man ever to announce a regular slate of National Football League games on network television. In 1996, he was named Foxs lead play-by-play voice for Major League Baseball, teaming with Tim McCarver, who had previously worked with his father on CBS. That year, he became the youngest man to do a national broadcast for a World Series, surpassing Sean McDonough, McDonough had replaced Jack Buck as CBS lead baseball play-by-play man after he was fired in late 1991. On September 8,1998 Buck called Mark McGwires 62nd home run that broke Roger Maris single-season record, the game was nationally televised live in prime time on Fox. It was a rarity for a nationally televised regular season game to not be aired on cable since the end of the Monday/Thursday Night Baseball era on ABC in 1989. This was the phrase with which Jack Buck had famously called Kirby Pucketts home run off Braves pitcher Charlie Leibrandt which ended Game 6 of the 1991 World Series. The similarity of both the call and the situation resulted in mentions on national news broadcasts. Another notable Red Sox game in the ALCS was in 2013, the Red Sox were trailing 5–1 in the bottom of the eighth inning, with the bases loaded with David Ortiz at-bat. Ortiz hit a grand slam off Tigers closer Joaquín Benoit. His call, Hard hit into right, back at the wall, and then he calls, TIE GAME. as the ball flies over Torii Hunter, Buck is currently paired with John Smoltz as his color analyst, and Ken Rosenthal and Erin Andrews are the field reporters
12.
Troy Aikman
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Troy Kenneth Aikman is a former American football quarterback who played for the Dallas Cowboys in the National Football League. The number one draft pick in 1989, Aikman played twelve consecutive seasons as quarterback with the Cowboys. Currently he works as a sportscaster for the Fox network. Aikman was born on November 21,1966 and he grew up in Cerritos, California. At the age of 12, Aikmans family moved to Henryetta, Oklahoma, where he played football at Henryetta High School, where he would earn All-State honors. The New York Mets offered Aikman a contract out of high school, in 1984, he became the first freshman to start at quarterback for Oklahoma since World War II. On October 19, Miamis Jerome Brown broke through the line, sacked Aikman on the Sooner 29-yard line. Aikman, who had six of eight passing for 131 yards. Switzer and offensive coordinator Jim Donnan were forced to back to the wishbone offense under freshman quarterback Jamelle Holieway. The team went on to win the 1985 National Championship, with Holieway established as the starting quarterback at OU, Aikman decided to transfer to UCLA. Barry Switzer oversaw Aikmans transfer to UCLA, a program under Terry Donahue that was conducive to a passing quarterback. He had to sit out one year due to transfer rules. As a junior, he earned the Pac-10 Offensive Player of the Year, Aikman led the Bruins to a 10–2 record and the 1987 Aloha Bowl, where they beat the Florida Gators 20-16. As a senior, Aikman won the 1988 Davey OBrien Award as the top quarterback. UCLA matched the total from the previous season under Aikman, going 10-2 and losing only to USC. The 1988 season culminated with a 17-3 Bruins victory over the Arkansas Razorbacks in the 1989 Cotton Bowl Classic, Aikman finished his career as the number two career passing leader in UCLA history. In 2008, he was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame, on November 28,2014, UCLA retired his #8 jersey at Half time against Stanford University. Aikman was the first overall pick in the 1989 NFL Draft, on February 25,1989, new owner Jerry Jones fired Landry and replaced him with Jimmy Johnson
13.
Pam Oliver
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Pamela Donielle Oliver is an American sportscaster known for her work on the sidelines for various National Basketball Association and National Football League games. Oliver was born in Dallas, Texas, with her father being in the United States Air Force, Oliver and her family moved several times during her childhood, Texas, Michigan, Washington, California and Florida. Instead of watching childrens shows, Oliver preferred watching sports, as a teenager, Oliver lived in Niceville, Florida, where she attended Niceville High School. In high school, Oliver excelled in tennis, basketball, and track, after graduating, Oliver enrolled at Florida A&M University, where she continued her track endeavors, becoming a college All-American in both the 400-meter and the mile relay. Oliver earned a degree in broadcast journalism and graduated in 1984. Oliver began her career at WALB in Albany, Georgia in 1985 as a news reporter. The next year, Oliver moved to WAAY-TV in Huntsville, Alabama, after that stop, Oliver moved to WIVB-TV in Buffalo, New York in 1988. Two years later in 1990, Oliver moved to WTVT in Tampa, Florida, Oliver moved to KHOU-TV in Houston, where she continued to be a sports anchor. In 1993, Oliver joined the television network ESPN. In 1995, Oliver joined Fox Sports, where she worked as a reporter with the networks number-one broadcast team, Pat Summerall. In 2005, Oliver joined TNT as a reporter for their NBA Playoffs coverage. On July 14,2014, it was announced that the 2014 NFL season would be Olivers last as an NFL sideline reporter and she would be moved to the networks #2 NFL broadcasting team, while Erin Andrews would take over as sideline reporter on the #1 crew. In early 2015, Fox extended Olivers sideline reporting job with the #2 team through the 2016 season, outstanding Woman in Journalism, Ebony Pam Oliver at the Internet Movie Database
14.
2010 NFL season
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The 2010 NFL season was the 91st regular season of the National Football League. Tom Brady, quarterback of the New England Patriots, was named MVP for the 2010 season, in Super Bowl XLV, the Leagues championship game played at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas, the Green Bay Packers defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers 31–25 to win their fourth Super Bowl. Spoiling the Steelers chance for a 7th title, one week later, the Seahawks dethroned the defending champion New Orleans Saints in the Wild Card round, to become the first ever sub.500 playoff team to win a postseason game. In 2008, the New England Patriots and New York Jets each had to make trips to all four of the aforementioned West Coast teams. Specifically, those traveling to Oakland will now also play at Denver. For teams scheduled to play the NFC West, those traveling to San Francisco will also go to Arizona, for the 2010 season, the intraconference and interconference matchups are, The entire 2010 regular-season schedule was unveiled at 7,00 pm EDT on Tuesday, April 20. Additionally, schedule release shows aired on both the NFL Network and as a SportsCenter special on ESPN2. The Pro Football Hall of Fame Game was held on Sunday, August 8,2010 at 8,00 pm EDT on NBC, with the Dallas Cowboys defeating the Cincinnati Bengals, 16–7 at Fawcett Stadium in Canton, Ohio. The remainder of the preseason game matchups were announced March 31,2010, highlights, among others, include the New York Giants and New York Jets facing off in the first-ever game at New Meadowlands Stadium on ESPN. The preseason game in the Bills Toronto Series featured the host Bills defeating the Indianapolis Colts in Toronto on Thursday, exact dates and times for most games were announced in April, shortly after the regular season games were announced. On March 15,2010, the NFL announced that both the New York Giants and New York Jets will play at home during the weekend to open New Meadowlands Stadium. The Giants played on Sunday with a 1 pm EDT kickoff against the Carolina Panthers, the game started at 9,15 pm Kansas City time. While the Indianapolis Colts and New Orleans Saints had both started the year before 13–0, on October 10, the Kansas City Chiefs became the last team to lose, losing to the Colts 19–9. It would mark the first time that no NFL team reached 4–0 since 1970, when the Detroit Lions, Denver Broncos, the 2010 season featured one International Series game, played at Wembley Stadium in London. The teams for this game were confirmed on January 15,2010, with the San Francisco 49ers playing host to the Denver Broncos on October 31,2010, the 49ers won 24–16, scoring 21 points in the 4th quarter. CBS televised this game on a basis, as the Broncos were the visiting team. On the same day that the Broncos and 49ers played in London and this game was televised opposite Game Four of the World Series on Fox, a practice the league had traditionally avoided. The Saints won this game 20–10, the Thanksgiving games took place on Thursday, November 25,2010, with the Detroit Lions falling to the visiting New England Patriots, 45–24
15.
DeSean Jackson
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DeSean William Jackson is an American football wide receiver for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the National Football League. He played college football for the University of California, Berkeley and he was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in the second round of the 2008 NFL Draft, and played for the Washington Redskins for three seasons after his departure from the Eagles. Jackson was born in Los Angeles, California and grew up in the Crenshaw neighborhood of Los Angeles and he attended Long Beach Polytechnic High School, the same high school as future Philadelphia Eagles teammate Winston Justice and many other current NFL players. He became one of the top wide receiver recruits in the nation and he was named the 2004 Glenn Davis Award winner by the Los Angeles Times as Southern Californias player of the year. He also ran track and played baseball and was scouted by both the Tampa Bay Rays and Philadelphia Phillies in his senior year, in track, he was timed at 10.5 seconds in the 100 meters. Jackson caught 60 passes for 1,075 yards for 15 touchdowns his senior year and he committed to the football program at the University of California, Berkeley under Coach Jeff Tedford, making his announcement on Southern Californias FSN West. Jackson waited until the deadline to choose between scholarship offers for California and the University of Southern California, Jackson attended the University of California, where he played for the California Golden Bears football team from 2005 to 2007. Wearing the number 1, in his first collegiate game against Sacramento State in 2005, throughout his freshman season, Jackson picked up 38 receptions for 601 yards along with seven touchdowns, eclipsing the 100-yard mark three times. In the 2005 Las Vegas Bowl game against BYU, Jackson tallied 130 yards, Jackson was also expected to play for Cals baseball team but, due to the success of his freshman football season, he chose to focus exclusively on football. Coming into his sophomore year with high expectations, Jackson displayed more of his talent and playmaking ability, tallying 1,060 receiving yards, Jackson also returned four punts for touchdowns. He earned first-team All-Pac-10 honors as both a punt returner and a wide receiver. com as a punt returner, Jackson also captured the inaugural Randy Moss Award as the top returner in the nation. In one of only two California losses in Pac-10 play, Jackson had a 95-yard punt return for a touchdown against Arizona, Jackson entered his junior season being considered a Heisman Trophy candidate. His season began promisingly, with a 77-yard punt return for a touchdown against Tennessee in the game of the season. Against eleventh-ranked Oregon, he caught 11 passes for 161 yards, Jackson finished the 2007 season with 65 catches for 762 yards, and scored six touchdowns as a receiver. Jackson was named an All-American as a return specialist and he also missed the first quarter of the 2007 Armed Forces Bowl for violating undisclosed team rules. Jackson left Cal following the 2007 season, declaring for the 2008 NFL Draft and he departed holding Pac-10 records for punts returned for a touchdown both in a season and in a career. Jackson ranks third all-time at California for receiving yards with 2,423, Jackson finished with 52 career plays of 20 yards or more, making up 23 percent of his 226 touches. Going to the 2008 NFL Draft, Jackson was considered one of the top 10 wide receivers available in a class with many talented wide outs
16.
Super Bowl XLV
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The Packers defeated the Steelers by the score of 31–25. The game was played on February 6,2011, at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas, the first time the Super Bowl was played in the Dallas–Fort Worth area. The Packers entered their fifth Super Bowl in team history, and became the first number 6-seeded team in the NFC to compete in the Super Bowl, the Steelers finished the regular season with a 12–4 record, and advanced to a league-tying 8th Super Bowl appearance. Green Bay dominated most of the first half of Super Bowl XLV, but the Packers answered with Mason Crosbys 23-yard field goal with 2,07 remaining, and then prevented the Steelers from scoring on their final drive of the game. Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers was named Super Bowl MVP, completing 24 of 39 passes for 304 yards, the broadcast of Super Bowl XLV on Fox averaged about 111 million viewers, breaking the record for the most-watched program in American television history. The games attendance was 103,219, just short of the Super Bowl record 103,985 set in Super Bowl XIV at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, the halftime show featured the American hip hop group The Black Eyed Peas, with additional performances by Usher and Slash. Three NFL cities presented bids for the game, In January 2007, Super Bowl VI MVP Roger Staubach was named chairman of the North Texas Super Bowl Bid Committee, the bid gathered the support of the cities of Arlington and Dallas. On January 31,2007, the city of Indianapolis, led by Colts owner Jim Irsay and Indianapolis Mayor Bart Peterson, the site would have been Lucas Oil Stadium, which opened in 2008. They were eventually awarded Super Bowl XLVI, on February 21,2007, the Glendale City Council came to a consensus to prepare a bid to host Super Bowl XLV. University of Phoenix Stadium was already scheduled to host Super Bowl XLII in 2008, NFL owners voted to select the North Texas site on May 22,2007. The Pittsburgh Steelers finished the 2010 season with a 12–4 record and they earned the AFC North division title, and the second seed in the AFC and advanced to their 8th Super Bowl, tying the Dallas Cowboys record of most Super Bowl appearances. He also rushed for 176 yards and two touchdowns, the teams top receiver was Mike Wallace who caught 60 passes for 1,257 yards and 10 touchdowns, giving him a 21 yards per catch average. Other reliable options included 13-year veteran Hines Ward, the Steelers all-time leading receiver, halfback Rashard Mendenhall was the teams leading rusher, gaining 1,273 yards and 13 touchdowns while also catching 23 passes. The line was led by rookie center Maurkice Pouncey, the Steelers only pro bowl selection on offense, however, Pouncey was injured in the AFC championship game and would be inactive for Super Bowl XLV. The Steelers had one of the top defenses, leading the NFL in sacks. The line was anchored by pro bowl end Brett Keisel, the Steelers also had four excellent linebackers, LaMarr Woodley, James Harrison, James Farrior, and Lawrence Timmons. For the third year, Woodley and Harrison each recorded at least 10 sacks. Woodley also forced three fumbles and Harrison forced six, Farrior had 109 total tackles and six sacks
17.
2010 Green Bay Packers season
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The 2010 Green Bay Packers season was the 91st season in the National Football League for the Packers and the 92nd season for the team overall. All six of their regular season losses were by a combined 20 points and they entered the playoffs as the NFCs sixth seed. The Packers defeated the Steelers 31–25 to win their fourth Super Bowl, the Packers offense ranked ninth in yards per game, tenth in total points, & fifth in passing yards. The defense ranked fifth in yards allowed and finished second in fewest points allowed, sacks, after finishing the 2009 season with an 11–5 record, the Packers held the 23rd selection in the 2010 NFL Draft. With the pick they selected Offensive tackle Bryan Bulaga from Iowa, on the second day of the draft, with pick 2–56 the Packers selected Defensive end Mike Neal from Purdue. The Packers then traded picks 3–86 and 4–122 to the Philadelphia Eagles for pick 3–71, with pick 3–71, the Packers selected Safety Morgan Burnett from Georgia Tech. On the third and final day of the draft, with pick 5–154 the Packers selected Tight end Andrew Quarless from Penn State, with their compensatory selection pick 5–169, the Packers selected Offensive guard Marshall Newhouse from Texas Christian. In the sixth round with pick 6–193, the Packers selected Running back James Starks from Buffalo and their final selection of the draft came when the Packers selected Defensive end C. J. Wilson of East Carolina with pick 7–230. The Packers were awarded a 5th round pick for their loss of DT Colin Cole in the 2009 free agency period, during the 2010 NFL Draft, The Packers traded picks 3–86 and 4–122 to the Philadelphia Eagles for pick 3–71. Following the 2010 NFL Draft, the Packers signed 11 undrafted free agents and they were, On May 3, the Packers signed wide receiver Shawn Gore, safety Anthony Levine and nose tackle Aleric Mullins after they attended a minicamp on a tryout basis. On March 9, former Indianapolis Colts WR Charles Dillon was signed to a contract, on March 16, former Australian Football League P Chris Bryan was signed to a contract. On April 26, S Charlie Peprah was signed to a contract, on May 20, QB Graham Harrell was signed to a contract. On Aug 5, WR Jason Chery was signed to a contract, on Aug 10, LB Maurice Simpkins was signed to a contract. On May 12, G Stanley Daniels was released, on March 5, S Matt Giordano and DE Michael Montgomery were released. On March 7, the Jacksonville Jaguars signed DE Aaron Kampman to a contract, on April 26, LB Jeremy Thompson was released. On April 26, TE Devin Frischknecht was released, on May 20, QB Chris Pizzotti was released. On June 18, CB Trevor Ford, S Khalil Jones, LB Tim Knicky, on July 30, LB John Russell was released. On August 28, WR Shawn Gore was released
18.
Michael Vick
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Michael Dwayne Vick is a former American football quarterback who played 13 seasons in the National Football League, primarily with the Atlanta Falcons and the Philadelphia Eagles. He played college football at Virginia Tech and was selected by the Falcons as the first overall pick in the 2001 NFL Draft. During his six years with the Falcons, Vick was regarded as having transformed the quarterback position with his abilities and was named to three Pro Bowls. He holds the record for the most career rushing yards by a quarterback, Vicks NFL career came to a halt in 2007 after he plead guilty for his involvement in a dog fighting ring and spent 21 months in federal prison. His arrest and subsequent conviction garnered Vick notoriety with the general public and he was released by the Falcons shortly before leaving prison. After serving his sentence, Vick signed with the Eagles in 2009, in his final two seasons, Vick played for the New York Jets and Pittsburgh Steelers for one year each, primarily as a backup. He officially retired in 2017 after spending the entirety of the 2016 season in free agency, Vick was born in Newport News, Virginia as the second of four children to Brenda Vick and Michael Boddie, then unmarried teenagers. His mother worked two jobs, obtained financial assistance and had help from her parents, while his father worked long hours in the shipyards as a sandblaster and spray-painter. They were married when Michael was about five years old, the family lived in the Ridley Circle Homes, a public housing project in a financially depressed and crime-ridden neighborhood located in the East End section of the port city. Local residents interviewed in a 2007 newspaper article in the Richmond Times-Dispatch noted that not much changed nearly a decade after Vick left. One resident said that there was drug dealing, drive-by shootings, and other killings in the neighborhood, and suggested that sports were a way out, boddies employment required much travel, but he taught football skills to his two sons at an early age. Vick was only three years old when his father, nicknamed Bullet for his speed during his own playing days, Michael subsequently taught his younger brother Marcus Vick. As he grew up, Vick, went by the nickname Ookie, and learned football from Aaron Brooks. Vick and Brooks spent a lot of time at the local Boys, Sports kept me off the streets, Vick told Sporting News magazine in an interview published April 9,2001. It kept me from getting into what was going on, the bad stuff, lots of guys I knew have had bad problems. Vick first came to prominence while at Homer L. Ferguson High School in Newport News, as a freshman, he impressed many with his athletic ability, he threw for over 400 yards in a game that year. Ferguson High School was closed in 1996 as part of a Newport News Public Schools building modernization program, Vick, as a sophomore, and coach Tommy Reamon both moved to Warwick High School. Vick was a starter for the Warwick Raiders
19.
Corey Webster
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Corey Jonas Webster is a former American football cornerback who played for the New York Giants. He was drafted by the Giants in the round of the 2005 NFL Draft. He played college football at Louisiana State University, Webster attended St. James High School in St. James, Louisiana and was a two sport star in both football and basketball. He was an all state quarterback wearing jersey #1 for the Wildcats football team and he was recruited as a wide receiver coming out of high school but was later asked to play cornerback at LSU by then coach Nick Saban. After catching 7 passes for 74 yards as a true freshman and he would end his college career with 16 interceptions, be named as a 1st Team All-American twice, and was a 1st Team All-SEC selection 3 times. As a Junior in 2003, he finished 2nd in the SEC with 25 pass breakups and had 17 as a Sophomore in 2002 and he was a key part of the New York Giants defense from 2005 to 2013, playing most games as a starting cornerback. Groin and ankle injuries ended his 2013 season after four games. In 2007, Webster was limited to special duty or even inactive after starting the first few weeks after what was seen as a widely poor performance in the Giants opening weeks of the season. Later on in the season, he had a game against the Buffalo Bills in week 16. He had an interception and a touchdown against the Bills, in the Wild Card Playoff game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, he intercepted Jeff Garcia in the end zone. He also recovered a fumble by Buccaneers returner Micheal Spurlock at the beginning of the second half and this turnover set up a Giant field goal. In the NFC divisional Playoff game, he came up with near shutdown defense on All-Pro Terrell Owens and he also made what turned out to be the game-winning interception against the Green Bay Packers in the NFC Championship game, sending the Giants to Super Bowl XLII. This turned out to be Brett Favres last pass as a Packer, in Super Bowl XLII, Webster provided a huge performance through the first three quarters. But, he back to deflect a pass from Tom Brady to Randy Moss on the next drive to prevent the Patriots from scoring. On December 14,2008, the New York Giants gave him a 5-year $43.5 million deal with $20 million guaranteed, during the Giants opening home game against the Redskins on September 13,2009, Webster was involved in an altercation with Redskins wide receiver Santana Moss. Both players were penalized for Unsportsmanlike Conduct, Webster had a career-high six interceptions during the 2011 regular season. Webster helped the Giants beat the Patriots for the time in five years in Super Bowl XLVI by a score of 21-17. He defended 1 pass and recorded a tackle, Webster had a career-high 58 tackles during the 2012 regular season
20.
Moise Fokou
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Moise Fokou is a Cameroon-born American football linebacker who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in the round of the 2009 NFL Draft. He played college football at Maryland and Frostburg State, Fokou has also played for the Indianapolis Colts, Tennessee Titans, and New Orleans Saints. Fokou was born in Cameroon to parents Jean-Marie and Louise Takougne, in 1990, his parents moved to Rockville, Maryland. His brother, Achille Kolla, played as a back for Catholic. There, during his year in 2003, he was named an All-IAC. He was also named the conference most valuable player, in 2008, Fokou took the citizenship test after three years on the waiting list. In 2004, Fokou attended Frostburg State University, on the football team, he saw action in all ten games and recorded the second-most tackles on the team with 70. He had 5.5 tackles for loss,1.5 sacks, in 2005, Fokou transferred to the University of Maryland, where he was required by NCAA rules to sit out for one season. He was twice named the team defensive player of the week prior to the games against Virginia. In 2006, he played in all 13 games as a reserve Will linebacker behind Erin Henderson and he recorded 21 tackles and tied for fifth in the Atlantic Coast Conference in forced fumbles with 0.18 per game. In 2007, Fokou started all 13 games at the Sam linebacker position and he ranked third on the team with 84 tackles including 7.0 for loss. Fokou also forced one fumble and recorded one interception, in 2008, he saw action in all 13 games, including 12 starts, as a Sam linebacker. He recorded 77 total tackles, including 41 solo and 12.0 for loss, five sacks, Fokou led the team in sacks and ranked fifth in total tackles. He accounted for the most sacks by a Maryland linebacker since Shawne Merriman in 2004, Fokou played in the 2009 Under Armour Senior Bowl as a member of the South squad. He also participated in the 2009 NFL Combine, the NFL Draft Scout assessed him as the 31st-ranked out of 195 outside linebacker prospects for the 2009 NFL Draft. Fokou was selected in the round by the Philadelphia Eagles as the 230th overall pick in the 2009 NFL Draft. He played all 16 games and won the starting strong-side linebacker job for the four games
21.
Eli Manning
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Elisha Nelson Manning is an American football quarterback for the New York Giants of the National Football League. He played college football at the University of Mississippi and he is the son of former NFL quarterback Archie Manning and the younger brother of former NFL quarterback Peyton Manning. Manning holds Giants franchise records for most passing yards, touchdown passes, and completed passes in a career, and he led the Giants to victory in Super Bowls XLII and XLVI, defeating the New England Patriots in both games. Manning was named Most Valuable Player in each Super Bowl, becoming one of five players to have multiple Super Bowl MVP awards, Manning is the active iron man for consecutive starts by a quarterback. Manning is one of four quarterbacks in NFL history with at least 45,000 career yards,300 touchdowns, four Pro Bowl appearances and he is the eighth all-time leader in passing yards, and seventh in passing touchdowns. Though lacking the consistent statistical prowess of his brother, Manning is known for his performances both in the clutch and in the postseason. During his years with the Rebels at Ole Miss, Manning set or tied 45 single-game, season and his career numbers include 10,119 passing yards,81 touchdown passes, and a passer rating of 137.7. He led the Rebels to a 10-3 record and a 31-28 SBC Cotton Bowl Classic victory over the Oklahoma State Cowboys in 2003 and he was invited to play in the 2004 Senior Bowl, but chose not to play. Manning graduated from the University of Mississippi with a degree in marketing, with Manning being the most coveted player in the draft, it appeared that the Chargers intentions were to draft him first overall. However, Manning stated publicly that he would refuse to play for the Chargers if drafted by them and he signed a six-year US$45 million contract with the New York Giants. Manning was one of four quarterbacks taken in the first round of the 2004 NFL Draft along with Ben Roethlisberger, Philip Rivers, Manning, Roethlisberger, and Rivers have all been voted to the Pro Bowl since becoming starters. Until 2013, Roethlisberger and Manning had not produced a season with a losing record and they have been compared favorably to the Quarterback class of 1983, which included Hall of Fame quarterbacks Dan Marino, John Elway, and Jim Kelly. Manning made his first career regular season start against the Atlanta Falcons at Giants Stadium on November 21,2004, following 2004, Warner left the Giants, and Eli was named the starter for 2005. Manning led the Giants to a 2-0 record with victories against the Cardinals and Saints, San Diego defeated the Giants, 45-23, but Eli displayed what may have been his most impressive performance of his young career, going 24-41 for 352 yards and two touchdowns. Following his performance at San Diego, Manning returned home to throw for almost 300 yards, two games later, he led a last-minute drive against the Denver Broncos to secure a 24-23 victory for the Giants. The drive culminated in a touchdown to Amani Toomer with five seconds remaining. Two weeks later, Manning overcame a weak first half at San Francisco to help his team secure their first official road victory of the season, 24–6. Manning finished among the top five quarterbacks in passing yards and touchdown passes, while leading an offense that finished third in the NFL in scoring with a total of 422 points
22.
Mario Manningham
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Mario Cashmere Manningham is a former American football wide receiver. He was drafted by the New York Giants in the round of the 2008 NFL Draft. After receiving few opportunities in his year, Manningham caught 18 touchdown passes the following three seasons, as well as three postseason touchdowns during the Giants 2011-12 playoff run. Manningham later signed with the San Francisco 49ers and played two seasons with the team and he re-signed with the Giants on March 18,2014. He played college football at Michigan, Manningham finished 2006 with a total 38 receptions 703 yards and nine touchdowns. He was named Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week two weeks in a row, first against Notre Dame and then against Wisconsin, during the sixth game of the season against Michigan State, Manningham injured his knee and underwent arthroscopic knee surgery on October 10. Manningham made his first game appearance after the injury as a wide receiver on November 4 against Ball State. Manningham had a total of 72 receptions for 1,174 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2007, after the 2007 season, Manningham opted to forgo his eligibility for his senior year in 2008 and entered the NFL Draft. He finished his career at Michigan with 137 receptions for 2,310 yards and 27 touchdowns and those marks placed him ninth, fifth, and fourth, respectively, in school history. Manningham had reportedly been removed from multiple teams draft boards due to alleged marijuana use in college, Mario denied testing positive initially, then sent a letter to all 32 teams admitting he lied. Manningham claims he failed two tests at Michigan. Bob McGinn of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel reported that Manningham scored a 6 out of 50 on the Wonderlic exam and this along with several other problems caused his draft value to drop. Manningham was selected in the round of the 2008 NFL Draft by the New York Giants. During rookie training camp, Manningham noted that he looked forward to playing with fellow former Michigan Wolverine Amani Toomer, Manningham signed a four-year deal worth up to $2.3 million. Manningham made his first reception on October 5,2008 in a game against the Seattle Seahawks which the Giants won by a score of 44-6, Manningham worked on his punt return abilities and competed for the punt returner spot in 2009. Manningham kicked off the 2009 season by catching three passes for 58 yards and an en route to the Giants 23-17 win over the Washington Redskins. He followed this up by catching 10 passes for 150 yards, Manningham became the starting wide receiver opposite Steve Smith after fellow receiver Domenik Hixon was injured in a week 2 game against the Dallas Cowboys. On February 5,2012, Manningham made a catch in the quarter of Super Bowl XLVI to set up the win against the Patriots
23.
Quintin Mikell
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Quintin Perry Mikell is a former American football safety who played for eleven seasons in the National Football League. After playing college football for Boise State University, he was signed by the Philadelphia Eagles as a free agent in 2003. He played for the Eagles for eight seasons, the St. Louis Rams for two seasons, and the Carolina Panthers for one season and he is now Director of Player Engagement for the Philadelphia Eagles. Mikell played high school football for the Willamette Wolverines in Eugene and he also played basketball and ran track. His younger brother Darrian played AAU basketball for the Trotters, quintins youngest brother, Devyn, is a top ranked track & field recruit in Indiana. Mikell attended the Boise State University, and played for the Boise State Broncos football team and he finished his career ranked second on the schools all-time tackles list. After being undrafted in the 2003 NFL Draft, Mikell signed with the Philadelphia Eagles and he has posted a team-leading 108 special teams tackles since joining the Eagles, including a career-high 35 in 2006. As such, Mikell has been voted by his teammates as the Eagles special teams MVP in 2005 and 2006, on defense, Mikell replaced the injured Sean Considine as the starting strong safety in 2007 and remained in that role through 2010. The play helped the Eagles preserve a 7-6 lead at halftime, Mikell was a backup safety behind Pro Bowlers Michael Lewis and Brian Dawkins for the 2004 NFC Championship team and played in Super Bowl XXXIX. It was the first time in Eagles history that a field goal was returned for a touchdown. In a Christmas Day win at Dallas in 2006, Mikell propelled the Eagles with a key tackle for loss of running back Marion Barber on fourth down to finish off a goal-line stand. On February 27,2007, Mikell inked a contract with the Eagles. On January 9,2009, Mikell was voted as a member of the 2008 NFL All-Pro Second-Team Defense, Mikell was named to the 2010 Pro Bowl after Adrian Wilson got hurt and Roman Harper could not play due to the Saints making it to Super Bowl XLIV. Mikell was signed by the St. Louis Rams on July 29,2011, the team released him on March 11,2013. Mikell was signed by the Carolina Panthers on September 2,2013 to a one-year contract, safety Haruki Nakamura was placed on injured reserve to open up spot on the 53-man roster. Mikell was expected to compete for the job at strong safety. Mikell returned to his native New Orleans, Louisiana, after Hurricane Katrina for the first time on October 13,2006 and he was heartbroken by the vast devastation and conditions of disaster still remaining at his grandmothers home and in her neighborhood one year after the hurricane. Philadelphia NBC10 profiled his visit on an October 14,2006, quintin Mikell on Twitter Philadelphia Eagles bio
24.
Rocky Bernard
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Robert Rocky Eugene Bernard, Jr. is a former American football defensive tackle who was drafted by the Seattle Seahawks in the fifth round of the 2002 NFL Draft. He played college football at Texas A&M. Bernard was drafted by the Seahawks in the 5th round of the 2002 NFL Draft, Bernard amassed a total of forty-two tackles in the 2005 season. On August 30,2008, the National Football League suspended Bernard for the Seahawks 2008 season opener for violating the personal conduct policy. Bernard was arrested in April on investigation of domestic violence and he allegedly punched his ex-girlfriend in the forehead. He lost $235,000 in salary for the suspension, on February 28,2009, Bernard signed a four-year, $16 million contract with the New York Giants. The deal contains $6.9 million guaranteed, including a $5 million signing bonus, Bernard was released on July 28,2011. He was re-signed by the Giants on August 4 and he earned a Super Bowl ring when the Giants defeated the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLVI. Following the season, he became a free agent
25.
David Akers
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David Roy Akers is a former American football placekicker. He played college football at Louisville, and was signed by the Atlanta Falcons as a free agent in 1997. Akers also played for the Carolina Panthers, Washington Redskins, Berlin Thunder, Philadelphia Eagles, San Francisco 49ers and he was selected for the Pro Bowl six times in his career and was at one point tied for the longest field goal in NFL history. Akers attended Tates Creek High School in Lexington, Kentucky, Akers attended college at the University of Louisville and played for the Louisville Cardinals football team. During his four-year college career, Akers kicked a school-record 36 field goals, between 1997 and 1998, as an undrafted free agent, Akers spent time trying to make the team with the Atlanta Falcons and Carolina Panthers. Akers was signed by the Washington Redskins in 1998 and played in one game for them and he was waived by the Redskins during the 1999 season. After Washington cut Akers, the Philadelphia Eagles claimed him off waivers, a solid season with the Berlin Thunder helped him earn the kicking job for the Eagles in 2000. Akers proved to be one of the biggest special teams surprises in all of the NFL that season and he made 29 out of 33 field goals, and had a team-record 121 points. Akers earned the NFC Special Teams Player of the Month award in November 2000 and he made the Pro Bowl for the first time in 2001 as he went 26-for-31, making a team-record seventeen consecutive field goals during the season. Akers best statistical season was 2002 when he connected on 30 of 34 field goals, scored a team-record 133 points and he got fewer chances in 2003, but still made 24 of 29 field goals. 4% field goal percentage, and he made his third Pro Bowl. Injuries finally got to Akers in 2005 when he tore the hamstring in his leg during the opening kickoff against the Oakland Raiders on September 25,2005. He missed the four games and finished the season 16 for 22. In 2006, Akers was injury-free, but made only 18 of 23 attempts, on December 7,2008, Akers kicked a 51-yard field goal at Giants Stadium, his longest of the season. In the same game he had two field goals blocked, one of which was returned for a touchdown, at the end of the 2008 regular season, Akers again set the team single-season scoring record with an NFC-best 144 points. He connected on 33 of 40 field goals, his best percentage since 2004, on January 11,2009, Akers kicked three field goals in three attempts during a divisional playoff win over the New York Giants. The second of these set an NFL record for field goals without a miss during the postseason. Akers eventually ran his streak to a record 19 consecutive postseason field goal conversions, Akers currently has thirty-five total postseason field goal conversions. Akers was selected to the 2010 Pro Bowl, his fourth and he was also named to the NFL All-Decade Team for the 2000s
26.
Ahmad Bradshaw
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Ahmad Bradshaw is an American football running back who is a free agent. He was drafted in the round of the 2007 NFL Draft by the New York Giants. He played college football at Marshall and he is a two-time Super Bowl champion, winning Super Bowls XLII and XLVI as a member of the New York Giants, defeating the New England Patriots in both Super Bowls. He was the leading rusher in each game, becoming one of eight running backs in NFL history to be the leading rusher in two Super Bowls. Ahmad Bradshaw was born in Bluefield, Virginia to Diana Davis and James Bradshaw and he was ranked as the #7 player in Virginia and the #28 cornerback prospect in the country by Rivals. com. He earned All-Virginia honors and was named VHSL AA Player of the Year, Bradshaw was also on the Graham High track & field team, where he competed as a sprinter and jumper. In sprints, he recorded times of 6.75 seconds in the 55 metres and 11.34 seconds in the 100 meters, in jumping events, he got a personal-best leap of 1.80 meters in the high jump. He then enrolled at Marshall University, with the Thundering Herd, Bradshaw only had 462 yards and three touchdowns in his freshman season in 2004, but also totaled 187 yards receiving on 14 receptions for two touchdowns. He missed two games that season, the Georgia and Miami games, due to an ankle sprain sustained during a fourth quarter performance at Ohio State. He also recorded nine punt returns for 108 yards and 15 kick returns for 322 yards as a freshman, Bradshaw rushed for a then career-high 145 yards, including a 77-yard touchdown run, in just eight first half carries against Western Michigan. His other signature performance of the season came against Kansas State University, Bradshaw rushed for 997 yards and totaled 1,382 all-purpose yards en route to becoming a second-team All-Conference USA selection as a sophomore in 2005. He was the leading rusher and receiver as well. In the season-opener against William and Mary, Bradshaw rushed for 72 yards and a touchdown with 73 yards and he rushed for 99 yards and a touchdown in the loss to #3 Virginia Tech. Bradshaws best performance came against East Carolina, when he rushed for a season and he added a season-long 56-yard run against ECU as well. Bradshaws best season of his career came as a junior in 2006, when he totaled 1,523 yards rushing, for 19 touchdowns. He was eighth in the nation in rushing yardage and tied for third in rushing touchdowns, in the Herds second game of the season against Hofstra, Bradshaw ran for 152 yards and four touchdowns. Against the University of Central Florida, he ran for 181 yards, bradshaws first out of two 200-yard games of the season came two weeks later against the University of Alabama-Birmingham, when he rushed for 242 yards and two touchdowns. His best game of the season and his career came against UTEP, Bradshaw was in contention for Conference USA Player of the Year and earned first-team All-Conference USA honors
27.
Kevin Boss
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Kevin Antonio Boss is a former American football tight end. He was drafted in the round of the 2007 NFL Draft by the New York Giants out of Western Oregon University. Boss has also played for the Oakland Raiders and Kansas City Chiefs, before enrolling at Western Oregon University, Boss played varsity level football at Philomath High School, becoming a stand-out tight end. For his accolades in football, he played in the Oregon Shrine East-West Football Game in Baker City, Boss also took part in basketball, playing center. As a junior, Boss was awarded second-team All-League honors, then as a senior, his team won the state title game, picking up honorable mention All-State and All-League first-team accolades as well. As a junior, Boss proved a multi-sport athlete for the Wolves, continuing his football, as a tight end, he started all team games, registering 39 receptions for 506 yards and five touchdowns on the field earning first-team All-GNAC and All-Region accolades. On the basketball court he averaged 2.4 points and 2.0 rebounds a contest in 26 games, in 2005, Boss finished second on the team with a career-high 53 receptions for 621 yards and eight touchdowns. On the basketball court, Boss averaged 3.5 ppg, pulled down 90 rebounds, known to teammates and Coaches as Kev-Bo, Boss started 31 of 33 games in which he played. He ended his career with 134 receptions for 1,590 yards and 19 touchdowns. He was also credited with five tackles, recovering a pair of fumbles. Boss graduated as an education major, with a minor in business. Boss then declared eligible for the 2007 NFL Draft. Boss was drafted in the round of the 2007 NFL Draft by the New York Giants and was the second player ever drafted out of Western Oregon. Boss made his first career catch on November 11,2007 and he soon took over for an injured Jeremy Shockey as the starting tight end and brought in nine passes and two touchdowns to end the regular season. In the Giants first postseason game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Boss went on to gain two more receptions in the Divisional and Conference rounds of the playoffs against the Dallas Cowboys and the Green Bay Packers respectively. Boss and his team went on to Super Bowl XLII in Glendale, Arizona. Boss only caught one reception, but took his opportunity and sprinted for a 45-yard gain that would set up a five-yard touchdown pass. It was the longest play from scrimmage in the game, the Giants would go on to defeat the Patriots 17-14
28.
Lawrence Tynes
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Lawrence James Henry Tynes is a Scottish-born former American football placekicker. After playing soccer for Milton High School a coach suggested he try out for the team as a kicker. He played college football at Troy and was signed by the Kansas City Chiefs as a free agent in 2001. After four seasons in Kansas City, he was traded to the Giants in 2007, four years later, he kicked another overtime field goal against the San Francisco 49ers in the 2011–12 NFC Championship Game, which qualified the Giants for Super Bowl XLVI. He has experienced his best success in New York, winning two Super Bowl championships in 2007 and 2011, winning against the New England Patriots in both games, Tynes is the only player in NFL history to have two overtime game-winning field goals in the playoffs. Tynes kicked the longest post-season field goal in Lambeau Field post-season history in the 2007 NFC Championship Game and he then kicked a 31-yard field goal in overtime in the NFC Championship game to advance the New York Giants to Super Bowl XLVI in 2011. Signed as a free agent, Tynes spent the first two seasons with the Chiefs but only on their practice squad. Tynes spent a period of time with the Claymores of NFL Europe during 2002. After his departure from the Claymores, Tynes signed for the Renegades organization in the Canadian Football League, Tynes re-signed for the Chiefs and was ready to be the next full-time kicker for the team. During the 2004 season, he converted 17 field goals out of 23 opportunities, in 2005, he made 27 field goals out of 33 opportunities. In 2006, he made 24 field goals out of 31 opportunities, tyness first year with the Giants worked well as he converted 27 field goals out of 32 opportunities in the 2007 season. Tynes got his first career championship ring as the Giants would eventually defeat the potentially-perfect New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLII, Tynes was limited to only two games during the 2008 season due to a torn meniscus that was bothering him since training camp. He still made one goal before undergoing season-ending knee surgery. During his absence, John Carney replaced him as the new kicker for the season, during the 2009 season, Tynes converted 27 field goals out of 32 opportunities. Playing 15 games of the season, Tynes made 19 field goals out of 23 opportunities. In 2011, Tynes converted 19 field goals out of 24 opportunities, during the NFC Championship game against the San Francisco 49ers, Tynes kicked another walk-off field goal in overtime to win the game, 20–17. Tynes got his championship title as the Giants won Super Bowl XLVI against the Patriots. In the 2012 season, Tynes made a career-high 33 field goals out of 39 opportunities, on July 17,2013, the Buccaneers acquired Tynes after Connor Barth suffered a season-ending torn Achilles tendon
29.
Jeremy Maclin
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Jeremy Maclin is an American football wide receiver for the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League. He played college football at Missouri, where he was a two-time consensus All-American, Maclin was born in Kirkwood, Missouri. He attended Kirkwood High School in Kirkwood, Missouri from 2002 to 2006, Maclin attended the University of Missouri, where he played on coach Gary Pinkels Missouri Tigers football team from 2006 to 2008. He played as a receiver, punt and kick return specialist for the Missouri Tigers in 2007 and 2008. He holds the NCAA freshman record for most all-purpose yards in a single season, Maclin was named as a consensus first-team All-American as a wide receiver and as an All-Purpose player. Maclin, paired with Heisman Trophy finalist quarterback Chase Daniel led the Missouri Tigers to a 12-2 record, Maclin also gained All-America selections on various other teams as a kick returner. He finished his All-American season with 80 receptions and 16 touchdowns, Maclin began his second season with the Tigers with high expectations and possible consideration for the Heisman Trophy. In the Tigers’ season-opener against the Illinois Fighting Illini, he returned a kickoff for a touchdown and he had 4 receptions for 31 yards and a touchdown. The next game, against Southeast Missouri State, Maclin caught only 2 passes for 20 yards, Maclin was also involved in a trick play, however, in which quarterback Chase Daniel lined up at wide receiver and Maclin lined up at quarterback. Maclin threw a lateral to Daniel, who threw down field for a touchdown, Maclin recorded 6 receptions for 172 yards and 3 touchdowns against Nevada. He led all of football in all-purpose yards per game with 202.36. He had 1,260 receiving,1,010 kickoff return,293 rushing and he was named to the Associated Press All-American as a wide receiver, and he was once again named to the first-team as the All-Purpose player. Maclin was a pick in 2007 for the same position as a freshman. Weatherspoon’s efforts were unsuccessful, and on January 9,2009, crabtree also suffered a broken bone in his left foot prohibiting him from working out at the NFL Combine. Maclin’s personal best in the 40-yard dash was 4.31 seconds, but he wanted to lower that to 4.29 seconds in the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis.34 seconds and 4.4 seconds that morning. He ran the 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine in 4.45 sec. but the earlier unofficial times conflicted with other reports said he ran the dash first in 4.34 seconds. After originally believing he had to get an MRI on his left knee. He also had a right hip because of the fall
30.
Kenny Phillips
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Kenneth Phillips is a former American football safety. He was drafted by the New York Giants 31st overall in the 2008 NFL Draft and he played college football at the University of Miami. He was also a member of the Philadelphia Eagles and New Orleans Saints, Phillips attended Miami Carol City Senior High in Miami, Florida where he played safety. As a senior in 2004, played safety and finished with 84 tackles, six interceptions. Phillips intercepted 16 passes during his school career. He also played in the prestigious U. S. Army All-American Bowl, in 2004, Phillips was the nations top safety prospect and USA Today Defensive Player of the Year. Phillips was a Parade All-American and was selected to the PrepStar Top 100 Dream Team and he was rated the nations No.1 safety prospect by leading college recruiting magazines Rivals and Scout and the No.12 and No.10 overall prospect by Rivals and Scout respectively. He was considered the No.1 prospect in Dade County by The Miami Herald, Phillips chose to attend the University of Miami over Tennessee, Florida State and North Carolina State. In his freshman year, Phillips was named to the All-ACC Freshman Team after starting 11 games at free safety and he ranked third on the team with 67 tackles, recovered two fumbles, broke up four passes and recorded one interception. Phillips interception came against the Clemson Tigers in triple overtime and sealed the win for the Hurricanes, as a sophomore, Phillips was named to the All-ACC 1st Team and 2nd team All-American by Rivals. com. He started 10 games out of 10 at strong safety, missing three games due to a torn ACL. He ranked fourth on the team in tackles with 54 total, broke up 6 passes, Phillips earned ACC Defensive Back of the Week honors for his play against Duke in which he tied a University of Miami record with three interceptions in one game. Phillips was also named to the 2006 All-ACC Academic Football Team, as a junior, Phillips was named to the All-ACC 1st Team for a second straight year, and 2nd team All-American for a second straight year. He started 12 games out of 12 at safety, Phillips ranked second on the team with a career high 83 tackles, made 6.5 tackles for loss, forced three fumbles, broke up 5 passes, and intercepted 2 passes. After the season, Phillips declared for the NFL draft, Phillips was drafted in the first round by the New York Giants in the 2008 NFL Draft. Many experts claimed there were no safeties in the draft worth a 1st-round pick, aside from Phillips, as expected, prior to the draft, The Sporting News compared Phillips to Deon Grant. Phillips was expected to compete for the vacant free safety position left by Gibril Wilson, Phillips stated his goals with the Giants in his first season are to come in, learn and try to make a statement. On July 22, Phillips agreed to a contract worth up to $11.15 million
31.
Hakeem Nicks
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Hakeem Amir Nicks is an American football wide receiver who is currently a free agent. He played college football at North Carolina, and was drafted by the New York Giants in the first round of the 2009 NFL Draft, Nicks has also played for the Indianapolis Colts. Hakeem Nicks was born in Charlotte, North Carolina, playing football there, he was rated as one of the Top 10 Players in North Carolina by SuperPrep and Rivals. com. He was also named the Charlotte Observer Offensive Player of the Year and was selected to the North Carolina Associated Press All-State team. He never lost a game in school, and completed his senior year with MVP honors at the 4-AA state championship game. In the game, he posted eight catches for 205 yards and he posted 93 catches for 1,819 yards and 20 touchdowns in his senior year. Nicks is the son of Rob Nicks, Jr. and Lisa Mason and he has two brothers, Anwar and Aleef, and a daughter named Harmony. During his freshman season, Nicks started all 11 games in which he played, Nicks led the team and set UNC single-season records for receptions and receiving yards by a freshman. Ranked third in the ACC in receiving yards per game and eighth in receptions per game, Nicks improved dramatically in his sophomore season, setting a single-season school record with 74 catches for 958 receiving yards along with five touchdowns. His single-season receiving yards were the third most in school history, Nicks finished second in the ACC with 79.8 receiving yards per game and third with 6.17 catches per game. Has made at least one catch in 22 of 23 games played, Nicks was honored as a First-team All-ACC selection at wide receiver. By the completion of his Junior season, Nicks set 14 school records at UNC, including receptions, career receiving yards. During his last season, Nicks tallied 68 catches for school records of 1,222 yards and 12 touchdowns, the 68 receptions tied for third most in a season in school history. Nicks led the ACC and ranked 12th nationally with 94.0 receiving yards per game, Nicks caught at least one pass in 26 straight games and had a catch in 35 of 36 career games. He set the UNC single-season receiving yardage record and became North Carolinas first 1, one of his other catches in that game was offered a candidate for the Greatest Catch of the Year. Four years after he had left North Carolina, Nicks was found guilty of fraud during the 2008 school year. His record setting season will remain in the guide. Nicks was found to have received some jewelry and money during his years at Carolina, butch Davis, Nicks coach at North Carolina, went even further, comparing him to Hall of Famer Michael Irvin
32.
Brent Celek
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Brent Steven Celek is an American football tight end for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Eagles in the round of the 2007 NFL Draft. He played college football at Cincinnati, Celek played high school football at La Salle High School in Cincinnati, Ohio. He was named first-team all-district as both a junior and senior and he set a school record after catching a pass for 89 yards. He also lettered in track two years in the put and discus. Celek played college football for the Cincinnati Bearcats, the first year head coach Rick Minter. He won the UC Claude Rost Award and was a second-team All-Big East Conference selection, after not being invited to the 2007 NFL Scouting Combine, Celek was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in the fifth round of the 2007 NFL Draft. He signed a contract with the team on May 30,2007. In 2008, Celek set franchise records for yards in a game with 131 in week 9 and he caught two touchdowns in a game against the Arizona Cardinals, and his 19 catches during the 2008-09 NFL playoffs were the third most in NFL history for a tight end. Celek became the tight end for the Eagles after L. J. Smith departed via free agency to the Baltimore Ravens in 2009. The league chose not to penalize Celek, but stated that any future incident will be punished, Celek signed six-year contract extension on December 1,2009, that keeps him under contract as an Eagle until after the 2016 season. On December 27,2009 in week 16 against the Denver Broncos, Celek made four catches for 121 yards and his 47-yard touchdown catch was the longest of his career. After having a year with 76 catches,971 yards and eight touchdowns. His 76 catches are the most in history for a tight end. However,11 year starting quarterback Donovan McNabb was traded, in the 2010 season, Celek caught 42 passes for 511 yards and 4 touchdowns, including a then career-long 65-yard touchdown against the New York Giants in Week 15. Celek ended the season with 811 receiving yards, as quarterback Michael Vicks favorite target and he was one of three Eagle offensive players to start all 16 games, along with right tackle Todd Herremans and rookie center Jason Kelce. During the offseason, Celek was involved in a DUI car accident and he was the passenger of the car. Celek finished the season with 57 receptions for 684 yards and one touchdown, there was much anticipation going into the season due to the Eagles hiring of Chip Kelly to replace longtime head coach Andy Reid
33.
Riley Cooper
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Riley Cooper is an American football wide receiver who is currently a free agent. He played college football for the University of Florida, where he was a member of two BCS National Championship teams and he was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in the fifth round of the 2010 NFL Draft. Cooper was born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, the son of Larry and he grew up in Clearwater, Florida, where he attended Clearwater Central Catholic High School and played high school football and baseball for the Central Catholic Marauders. Cooper was a three-time all-county selection, received honors as Looka wide receiver and free safety after his junior and senior seasons. Rivals. com ranked him as the tenth-best athlete in the 2006 college football signing class, Cooper was drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies in the 15th round of the 2006 Major League Baseball Draft. He did not sign with the Phillies because he chose to attend the University of Florida to play football, Coopers younger sister, Lindsey, also attended the University of Florida, where she played for the Florida Gators womens soccer team. Cooper accepted a scholarship to attend the University of Florida in Gainesville, Florida. During his freshman season in 2006, Cooper served as the gunner on special teams and he established a then-career-high with three receptions in the romp over Western Carolina. Cooper was nominated SEC Freshman of the Week following his performance and he was the first Gator freshman wide receiver to have three touchdown catches in a game since Jabar Gaffney accomplished the feat in 2000. Cooper saw action in Floridas triumphs over Alabama, Tennessee and Kentucky and he made collegiate debut with one reception for 10 yards against Central Florida. Cooper gained 92 yards on four receptions, three of which went for touchdowns, on the season, as a sophomore, Cooper appeared in 10 games during the year with two starts in home contests against Tennessee and Auburn. He missed games against Georgia and Vanderbilt as a result of a broken finger suffered in the first quarter at Kentucky and he dressed but did not compete in the Capital One Bowl against Michigan, which the Gators lost. Cooper hauled in a career-high and team-best four catches for 122 yards, Cooper caught eight passes, gaining 182 yards and scoring two total touchdowns in 2007. Cooper appeared in fourteen games for the Gators in his season, starting all. He hauled in a key touchdown, along with a season-high 51-yard reception and he totaled 28 yards on two receptions in the BCS National Championship Game, including a crucial 17-yard catch on 3rd-and-12. Cooper amassed 261 total yards on 18 receptions, three of which were touchdowns, Cooper totaled 961 yards on 51 receptions, with nine touchdowns and an average of 18.8 yards per catch. Cooper was drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies out of school in the 15th round of the 2006 MLB Draft. Cooper passed on the contract and played baseball for the Florida Gators baseball team as an outfielder
34.
Chase Blackburn
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Chase Wyatt Blackburn is a former American football linebacker and currently a special teams assistant for the Carolina Panthers of the National Football League. He was signed by the New York Giants as a free agent in 2005. He won two Super Bowl titles with the Giants, both against the New England Patriots and he played college football at Akron. Blackburn attended Marysville High School in Marysville, Ohio and was a letterman in football and basketball, in football, as a senior, he led his team to a 13–1 record and the 2001 Ohio High School Football Division II State Seminifinals. He finished with 320 career tackles, Blackburn was a three-year starter at the University of Akron, playing both linebacker and defensive end. He started 34 of 45 games in which he played and finished his career with 293 tackles,11 sacks,38.5 tackles for losses. He started all 11 games as a senior and finished with 71 tackles,5 sacks and 8.5 tackles for losses playing the bandit – a hybrid between the linebacker and defensive end positions and he was named All-MAC linebacker as a junior. Blackburn measured 63 and 245 pounds, at the Akron Pro Day, Blackburn ran a 4.69 40-yard dash. An undrafted rookie for the New York Giants in 2005, Blackburn spent most of the season as a backup linebacker, in Super Bowl XLII, Blackburn had a costly penalty on a punt return as he was the extra man on the field on a 12-man-on-the-field penalty. After the play, New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick challenged the play that the Giants had 12 men on the field, the penalty resulted in a first down, but the Patriots did not score on that drive after a failed 4th down conversion. As a result, the Giants improved their position by 20 yards. The Giants went on to win the game, for 2010, he was elected as a team captain by his teammates, representing special teams. After the season, he became a free agent. He was re-signed on November 29,2011, in Week 13 in a game against the Packers, Blackburn recorded an interception against Aaron Rodgers in his own end. In the fourth quarter of Super Bowl XLVI, Blackburn recorded an interception against Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, the play was vital to winning the Super Bowl. Blackburn agreed to a contract with the Carolina Panthers on March 27,2013. Blackburn played a part in Carolinas defense in 2013, complementing Thomas Davis and Luke Kuechly with 33 tackles and 2 stuffs in the regular season, on March 10,2015 Blackburn became a free agent. During the off season before the 2016 season, Blackburn was brought in as a special teams coaching intern, on August 14,2016, Blackburn was promoted to the special teams assistant to special teams coordinator Thomas McGaughey
35.
DJ Ware
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Danny DJ Ware is an American football running back. He was signed by the Tennessee Titans as a free agent in 2007. He played college football at Georgia, Ware earned two Super Bowl rings with the New York Giants in Super Bowl XLII and Super Bowl XLVI, both against the New England Patriots. He has also been a member of the New York Jets, Ware attended Rockmart High School, home of the Fighting Yellow Jackets, while collecting various honors. He attended Hargrave Military Academy for one year and lettered in football, for the Tigers, he posted 56 rushing attempts for 653 yards and four touchdowns. Ware played running back for the University of Georgia from 2003–2006 and was a key part of the 2005 Georgia Bulldogs team that finished 10-3 and he began his career by redshirting in 2003. In 2004, Georgias starting running back Kregg Lumpkin went down with an injury in August. Ware had to step into the role on September 3,2004 against Georgia Southern. Ware responded by rushing 18 times for 135 yards as Georgia got past the Georgia Southern Eagles, 48-28. For all of 2004, he rushed for a team-leading 692 yards and 4 touchdowns on 138 carries as he helped the Bulldogs complete a 10-2 season, Ware totaled 492 rushing yards in 2005 and finished with 302 yards rushing and three touchdowns in 2006 for UGA. In his career with Georgia, Ware rushed 314 times in three seasons for 1,486 yards and eight touchdowns while collecting 28 receptions for 357 yards with two scores in 28 games. As a member of the New York Giants in 2010, Ware ran for 73 yards on 20 rushes while collecting seven receptions out of the backfield for 67 yards in 14 games. Ware also totaled 73 rushing yards off 13 attempts and had three catches for 15 yards in 2009. In his career with the Giants, Ware has rushed 81 times for 324 yards, Ware was released by the Giants on August 31,2012 during the final cuts. After spending a season with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, he was released on April 4,2013 to make room for Darrelle Revis, official website Georgia Bulldogs bio Tampa Bay Buccaneers bio
36.
David Diehl
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David Diehl is a former American football offensive lineman who played his entire career with the New York Giants of the National Football League. He was the Giants starting left guard on two Super Bowl championship teams, beating the New England Patriots in both games and he played college football for the University of Illinois. The Giants selected him in the round of the 2003 NFL Draft. Diehl was born in Chicago, Illinois on September 15,1980 and he is of Croatian descent on his mothers side, and of German descent on his fathers side. When he was younger Diehl and his family frequently visited local Croatian churches and he strengthened his Croatian-American ties after he moved to New Jersey, where the local Croatian community often have him as a visitor. He has the Croatian coat of arms as well as “neuništiv”, Diehl attended Brother Rice High School in Chicago, where he starred in football, wrestling, and track teams. He also attended St. Linus Grammar school in Oak Lawn, Diehl attended the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where he played for the Illinois Fighting Illini football team. He became a second-team All-Big Ten Conference selection as a senior in 2002, recipient of the Wright Commitment to Excellence Award, presented to the Illinois player who has dedicated himself to academic excellence despite obstacles faced during his collegiate career. Started every game at left guard, registering 91 knockdowns for an offense that featured its first 1, 000-yard rusher and 1. In 2001, saw action at guard and tackle. Registered 56 knockdowns as he participated in 385 plays for an offense that gained 5,041 yards as the line allowed only 16 quarterback sacks, in 2000, was valuable reserve, seeing action in every game at right guard. Made 15 knockdowns as he participated in 43 plays, in 1999, Played in 6 games on the field goal and extra point protection units. Redshirted as a freshman in 1998, Diehl was drafted by the Giants in the fifth round of the 2003 NFL Draft with the 160th overall selection. In his rookie season, Diehl started all 16 games, becoming the first Giants rookie to do so since Mark Bavaro in 1985. That season, Tiki Barber rushed for a franchise-record 1,860 yards, and Eli Manning passed for 3,762 yards, the Giants signed Diehl to a six-year, $31 million contract in May 2008. At the end of the 2009 season, Diehl was elected to the 2010 Pro Bowl as a Super Bowl Participant replacement, Diehl moved from left tackle to right tackle following the release of Rich Seubert and Shaun OHara and the signing of David Baas. He had started every game of his NFL career until 2010, on August 21,2013, the New York Giants announced that Diehl will undergo surgery to repair his injured right thumb. The recovery time was expected to be six weeks
37.
Terrell Thomas
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Terrell Thomas is a former American football cornerback. He played college football at USC and he was drafted by the New York Giants in the second round of the 2008 NFL Draft. Thomas prepped at Rancho Cucamonga High School, received a scholarship offer from Oregon State and labeled one of the most athletic players in the state after his Sophomore Year. As a junior, he racked up 78 tackles,5 interceptions had 15 catches for 250 yards and 6 touchdowns, received All Baseline League honors for the 2nd year in a row. As a senior, he had 300 yards receiving to go with 5 touchdowns, rushed for 1300 yards and had 16 rushing touchdowns. Added 600 yards returning for a total of 2200 yards of total offense, on the defensive side of the ball he had 115 tackles,7 deflections,4 forced fumbles and 1 fumble recovery. He was named leagues MVP and Area Offensive Player of the year and he was selected to the 2002 Super Prep All-American team, All CIF Division II first team, Tom Lemming All-West, LA Times All-Inland Empire FIrst Team and Press Telegrams Best in the West First Team. Thomas played college football at the University of Southern California under head coach Pete Carroll and he was named a 2007 third team preseason All-American. He was also named to the 2007 Jim Thorpe Award Watch List, as a senior at USC in 2007, he had 57 passes thrown his way, allowing only 29. 8% of those passes to be completed. He gave up 17 catches for 149 yards and 1 touchdown, on average he gave up 8.76 yards per catch and gave up an outstanding 2.61 yards per pass attempt. He also had 4 interceptions and was voted to his second straight All-Pac-10 2nd Team, prior to the start of 2007 spring drills and he returned to start all 13 games and again received All-Pac-10 2nd-team recognition. Thomas ranked 9th on the squad with 45 tackles and had a sack with 4.5 stops for losses and he forced 3 fumbles, recovered another and batted away 7 passes, he also gained 44 yards on 4 interception returns. He was the member and leader of the secondary that held Brady Quinn to his lowest college completion percentage in a November 2006 game. He was a coaches and Rivals. com second team all Pac-10 in 2006 and he finished with 5 solo tackles and a pass break-up. Thomas reclaimed his right cornerback job in 2006, earning All-Pac-10 Conference 2nd-team honors and he ranked 7th on the team with 50 tackles and had 3 sacks for losses of 32 yards. He added 2 fumble recoveries, including 1 he returned for a touchdown and he also intercepted 2 passes and deflected 12 others. Thomas was drafted by the New York Giants in the round of the 2008 NFL Draft. Thomas was the 63rd overall pick of the draft and the pick of the second round
38.
Trevor Laws
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Trevor David Laws is a former American football defensive tackle. After playing college football for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, he was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in the round of the 2008 NFL Draft. He played for the Eagles for four seasons from 2008 to 2011, Laws was born in Burnsville, Minnesota, and played high school football and wrestled at Apple Valley High School in Apple Valley, Minnesota. In football, Laws played fullback, linebacker, and defensive lineman, Laws was named Minnesotas Gatorade Player of the Year and was a 1st team ESPN. com All-American. In wrestling, he led his team to three state championships in his sophomore, junior, and senior years. During his junior year, he had a record of 49-0. He was a three-time All-American in wrestling, at Notre Dame, Laws was a roommate of future Eagles teammate Victor Abiamiri. In 2007, Laws led the Fighting Irish with 4.0 sacks and 112 tackles and he had the most tackles by a defensive lineman in the major college ranks in 2007. Laws was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in the round of the 2008 NFL Draft. In his rookie year, he played in all 16 games and he also made four tackles in the playoffs. In 2009, Laws played in 11 games and made 10 tackles, the St. Louis Rams signed Laws to a one-year contract on April 11,2012. Laws spent the entire 2012 season on the Rams injured reserve list, Laws has two brothers, both of whom attended the University of Minnesota. Laws majored in marketing at the University of Notre Dame, official website Trevor Laws on Twitter Philadelphia Eagles bio Notre Dame Fighting Irish football bio
39.
Zak DeOssie
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Zackary Robert DeOssie is an American football long snapper for the New York Giants of the National Football League. He played college football for Brown University, and was drafted by the Giants in the round of the 2007 NFL Draft. He was a two-time Pro Bowl selection as a long snapper, DeOssie has earned two Super Bowl rings with the Giants in Super Bowl XLII and Super Bowl XLVI. He is the son of former NFL linebacker Steve DeOssie, the two hold the distinction of being the only duo to win Super Bowls with the same franchise. DeOssie attended Phillips Academy Andover in Massachusetts where he was named to the All-New England Prep Team and he also lettered in basketball and captained both the varsity basketball and football teams during his senior year. He was a two-time I-AA All-American at Brown and was twice among the finalists for the Buck Buchanan Award, as a senior in 2006, was a First-team All-America by The NFL Draft Report, earning 3rd-team honors from the Associated Press. The prior year, as a sophomore, he was a First-Team All-Ivy selection and he made 98 tackles and intercepted a pass. DeOssie became the first player in Browns history to be invited to NFL Combine in 2007 and was the only Ivy league player invited that season and his 4. 58-second 40-yard dash was eighth-fastest among all linebackers - a factor that significantly boosted his draft stock. His 26 repetitions of 225 pounds on the press was the fifth-best for a linebacker. He had a 34½ vertical leap, a 102 broad jump, a 4.00 in the shuttle. DeOssie was selected in the round of the 2007 NFL Draft by the New York Giants. He mostly played on teams during his rookie season, taking over as the long snapper when starter Ryan Kuehl was placed on injured reserve midway through the year. He finished with six tackles for the season as the Giants won Super Bowl XLII, DeOssie played an extended role on defense in 2008 after Mathias Kiwanuka moved from outside linebacker to defensive end. He continued to share the long snapping duties with Jay Alford and was chosen by Philadelphia Eagles head coach Andy Reid as a player in the 2009 Pro Bowl. In 2008, DeOssie played in all 16 games and the NFC Divisional Playoff Game against Philadelphia and he served as the long snapper and finished 3rd on the team in special team tackles with 13. For the 2011 season, he, was selected as the teams captain. On January 22,2012, the Giants won the National Conference title with a win against the San Francisco 49ers on a field goal breaking the 17-17 tie. They defeated the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLVI in Indianapolis, on September 2,2012, he was chosen as one of the three captains for the Giants
40.
Matt Dodge
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Matthew Matt Dean Dodge is a former American football punter. He was drafted by the New York Giants in the round of the 2010 NFL draft. Dodge was born in Morehead City, North Carolina, where he played at West Carteret High School before attending Appalachian State University and he later transferred to East Carolina University. Dodge was projected to be drafted in the round or signed as an undrafted free agent prior to the 2010 NFL Draft. Dodge was drafted by the New York Giants in the round of the 2010 NFL Draft to replace long-time Giants punter Jeff Feagles. Dodge officially beat out Jy Bond for the job on June 21 when Bond was waived from the team. Dodge was signed to a contract on June 23. Dodges first professional punt was blocked in a Monday night preseason game against the New York Jets, shortly after the winning touchdown, Dodge was strongly criticized by his head coach, Tom Coughlin, for failing to punt the ball out-of-bounds. On September 3,2011, Dodge was released from the Giants, the team had signed former New York Jet Steve Weatherford to compete with Dodge for the punting position and Dodge failed to win the job. New York Giants bio East Carolina Pirates bio
41.
Conversion (gridiron football)
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Attempts at a try or convert are scrimmage plays, with the ball initially placed at any point between the hash marks, at the option of the team making the attempt. The yard line that attempts are made from depends on the league, if the try or convert is scored by kicking the ball through the uprights, the team gets an additional one point for their touchdown, bringing their total for that score from six points to seven. If two points are needed or desired, a two-point conversion may be attempted by running or passing from scrimmage, a successful touchdown conversion brings the scores total to eight. Exceptions, including cases where the forces a turnover during a conversion attempt. One thing that sets the try apart from other plays in the NFL is that, apart from the actual points, ordinary statistics are not recorded on the try as they would be on a regular scrimmage play. For example, on December 4,2016, Eric Berry of the Kansas City Chiefs made an interception on a try, however, because it occurred on a try, Berry did not get statistical credit for the 99 yards of return yardage. Nor would a player ever be credited with passing, rushing, the try/convert is among the oldest parts of the game of gridiron football and dates to its rugby roots. The related term conversion is used in both rugby union and rugby league to refer to extra points scored by kicking the ball through the posts after a try has been scored. By the start of the 20th century, touchdowns had become more important, by this time the point value for the after-touchdown kick had reduced to its current one-point value while the touchdown was now worth five. Although a successful kick is worth one point, missed or blocked attempts can decide the outcome of the game. On November 11,1979, the New York Jets lost to the Buffalo Bills 14-12 – the difference coming from two missed extra points by place kicker Toni Linhart. Linhart, who had been cut earlier in the 1979 season by the Baltimore Colts and was signed by the Jets to fill in for the injured Pat Leahy, never played another game in the NFL. In the 2016 AFC Championship Game, New England Patriots placekicker Stephen Gostkowski missed a point in the first quarter. The Patriots were forced to go for two when they scored a late in the fourth quarter. The two-point try was intercepted, putting the Broncos in Super Bowl 50 with a 20–18 victory, in American high school football, the play is over once the ball becomes dead or the defense takes possession. In many other levels of football, including the CFL, NFL, and American college football and this allows the defense to return the ball to the opponents end zone for two points and also allows for a one-point safety. Two states, Texas and Massachusetts, play high school football under NCAA rules, in American high school and college football, the line of scrimmage is the three-yard line. In Canadian football, the runs during a conversion attempt except during the last three minutes of each half
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Eastern Time Zone
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Places that use Eastern Standard Time when observing standard time are 5 hours behind Coordinated Universal Time. Eastern Daylight Time, when observing daylight saving time DST is 4 hours behind Coordinated Universal Time, in the northern parts of the time zone, on the second Sunday in March, at 2,00 a. m. EST, clocks are advanced to 3,00 a. m. EDT leaving a one-hour gap, on the first Sunday in November, at 2,00 a. m. EDT, clocks are moved back to 1,00 a. m, southern parts of the zone do not observe daylight saving time. The Uniform Time Act of 1966 ruled that daylight saving time would run from the last Sunday of April until the last Sunday in October in the United States, the act was amended to make the first Sunday in April the beginning of daylight saving time as of 1987. The Energy Policy Act of 2005 extended daylight saving time in the United States beginning in 2007. So local times change at 2,00 a. m. EST to 3,00 a. m. EDT on the second Sunday in March, in Canada, the time changes as it does in the United States. However, a handful of communities unofficially observe Eastern Time because they are part of the Columbus, Georgia metropolitan area – Phenix City, Smiths Station, Lanett, and Valley. Florida, All of Florida is in the Eastern Time zone except for the portion of the Florida Panhandle west of the Apalachicola River, as the Eastern–Central zone boundary approaches the Gulf of Mexico, it follows the Bay/Gulf county line. Indiana, All of Indiana observes Eastern Time except for six counties in the Chicago metropolitan area. Kentucky, Roughly, the half of the state, including all of metropolitan Louisville, is in the Eastern Time Zone. Historically the entire state observed Central Time, when daylight saving time was first introduced, the Lower Peninsula remained on DST after it formally ended, effectively re-aligning itself into the Eastern Time Zone. The Upper Peninsula continued to observe Central Time until 1972, when all, Tennessee, Most of the eastern third of Tennessee is legally on Eastern Time. Eastern Time is also used somewhat as a de facto official time for all of the United States, since it includes the capital and the largest city. Major professional sports leagues also post all game times in Eastern time, for example, a game time between two teams from Pacific Time Zone will still be posted in Eastern time. Most cable television and national broadcast networks advertise airing times in Eastern time, national broadcast networks generally have two primary feeds, an eastern feed for Eastern and Central time zones, and a tape-delayed western feed for the Pacific Time Zone. The prime time is set on Eastern and Pacific at 8,00 p. m. with the Central time zone stations receiving the eastern feed at 7,00 p. m. local time. Mountain Time Zone stations receive a separate feed at 7,00 p. m. local time, as Arizona does not observe daylight saving time, during the summer months, it has its own feed at 7,00 p. m. local time
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Coordinated Universal Time
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Coordinated Universal Time, abbreviated to UTC, is the primary time standard by which the world regulates clocks and time. It is within about 1 second of mean time at 0° longitude. It is one of closely related successors to Greenwich Mean Time. For most purposes, UTC is considered interchangeable with GMT, the first Coordinated Universal Time was informally adopted on 1 January 1960. This change also adopted leap seconds to simplify future adjustments, a number of proposals have been made to replace UTC with a new system that would eliminate leap seconds, but no consensus has yet been reached. Leap seconds are inserted as necessary to keep UTC within 0.9 seconds of universal time, see the Current number of leap seconds section for the number of leap seconds inserted to date. The official abbreviation for Coordinated Universal Time is UTC and this abbreviation arose from a desire by the International Telecommunication Union and the International Astronomical Union to use the same abbreviation in all languages. English speakers originally proposed CUT, while French speakers proposed TUC, the compromise that emerged was UTC, which conforms to the pattern for the abbreviations of the variants of Universal Time. Time zones around the world are expressed using positive or negative offsets from UTC, the westernmost time zone uses UTC−12, being twelve hours behind UTC, the easternmost time zone, theoretically, uses UTC+12, being twelve hours ahead of UTC. In 1995, the nation of Kiribati moved those of its atolls in the Line Islands from UTC-10 to UTC+14 so that the country would all be on the same day. UTC is used in internet and World Wide Web standards. The Network Time Protocol, designed to synchronise the clocks of computers over the internet, computer servers, online services and other entities that rely on having a universally accepted time use UTC as it is more specific than GMT. If only limited precision is needed, clients can obtain the current UTC from a number of official internet UTC servers, for sub-microsecond precision, clients can obtain the time from satellite signals. UTC is also the standard used in aviation, e. g. for flight plans. Weather forecasts and maps all use UTC to avoid confusion about time zones, the International Space Station also uses UTC as a time standard. Amateur radio operators often schedule their radio contacts in UTC, because transmissions on some frequencies can be picked up by many time zones, UTC is also used in digital tachographs used on large goods vehicles under EU and AETR rules. UTC divides time into days, hours, minutes and seconds, days are conventionally identified using the Gregorian calendar, but Julian day numbers can also be used. Each day contains 24 hours and each hour contains 60 minutes, the number of seconds in a minute is usually 60, but with an occasional leap second, it may be 61 or 59 instead
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Touchdown
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A touchdown is a means of scoring in both American and Canadian football. Whether running, passing, returning a kickoff or punt, or recovering a turnover, to score a touchdown, one team must take the football into the opposite end zone. The touchdown is scored the instant the ball crosses the plane of the line while in possession of a player whose team is trying to score in that end zone. The play is dead and the scores the moment the ball crosses the goal line in possession of a player. The slightest part of the ball being over the line is sufficient for a touchdown to score. However, only the ball counts, not a players helmet, foot, touching one of the pylons at either end of the goal line with the ball constitutes breaking the plane as well. Touchdowns are usually scored by the offense by running or passing the ball, however, the defense can also score a touchdown if they have recovered a fumble or made an interception and return it to the opposing end zone. Special teams can score a touchdown on a kickoff or punt return, in short, any play in which a player legally carries the ball across the goal line scores a touchdown, and the manner in which he gained possession is inconsequential. A touchdown is worth six points, the scoring team is also awarded the opportunity for an extra point or a two-point conversion. Afterwards, the team scored the touchdown kicks off to the opposing team. This rule was changed to the iteration in 1889. If the teammate could fair catch the ball, he could follow with a try for goal from the spot of the catch, the governing rule at the time read, A match shall be decided by a majority of touchdowns. A goal shall be equal to four touchdowns, but in the case of a tie, in 1881, the rules were modified so that a goal kicked from a touchdown took precedence over a goal kicked from the field in breaking ties. In 1882, four touchdowns were determined to take precedence over a goal kicked from the field, two safeties were equivalent to a touchdown. In 1883, points were introduced to football, and a touchdown counted as four points, a goal after a touchdown also counted as four points. In 1889, the provision requiring the ball to actually be touched to the ground was removed, a touchdown was now scored by possessing the ball beyond the goal line. In 1897, the touchdown scored five points, and the goal after touchdown added another point, in 1900, the definition of touchdown was changed to include situations where the ball becomes dead on or above the goal line. In 1912, the value of a touchdown was increased to six points, the end zone was also added
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Merrill Reese
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Merrill Alan Reese is an American sports radio announcer best known for his role as the play-by-play radio announcer for the Philadelphia Eagles on SportsRadio 94.1 WIP-FM. He has been the voice of the Eagles since 1977, Reese is a graduate of Temple University earning a bachelors degree in Communications and Broadcasting. While in college, he learned his craft by doing play-by-play over the radio station. At WRTI, Reese also had a show every Wednesday afternoon where he spun 45-rpm records from his own personal collection. After college and a stint in the United States Navy, Reese set out to obtain his first paid broadcasting gig auditioning at WCOJ in Coatesville, Pennsylvania and WPAZ in Pottstown, Pennsylvania. Reese eventually landed a job in Philadelphia as a newscaster and sportscaster at WHAT, after a few years he moved on to WIP as a backup for that stations Sports Director, Charlie Swift, who did drive-time sportscasts and Philadelphia Eagles play-by-play. While Swift was vacationing, Reese began doing the pre-game and post-game shows for the Eagles on WIP and he became the voice of the Eagles in the middle of the 1977 season after Swift committed suicide. Herb Adderly took over the commentary for the remainder of the season. He is the longest-serving current play-by-play announcer in the NFL, Reeses current broadcast partner is former Eagles wide receiver Mike Quick, who joined Reese in the booth in 1998. Aside from Swift and Adderly, Reese has previously joined in the booth by Jim Barniak, Bill Bergey. In addition to his radio coverage of the Eagles, Reese hosts The WIP Coachs Show the day after Eagles games with the Eagles head coach, Eagles players. Reese is co-owner of 1490 WBCB in Levittown, Pennsylvania, a Bucks County suburb north of Philadelphia, Reeses autobiography, Its Gooooood. was published in 1998. The title is a reference is to his distinctive and well recognized field goal call and his wife Cynthia was a former sixth grade science teacher at Keith Valley Middle School in Horsham, Pennsylvania, a Philadelphia suburb. His son Nolan has been an assistant editor of such films as Avatar and his daughter Ida is a graphic designer. Reeses mother was also a teacher at Robert E. Lamberton School in Overbrook Park and her love of musical theater was passed onto many of her students
