Coming off what was probably the worst game of his National Football League career, Carolina Panthers quarterback Jake Delhomme signed a five-year contract extension today that will most likely keep him in Carolina for the rest of his playing days. The deal is worth $42.5 million, with $20 million guaranteed.
Jake was happy to get this deal done before his contract was up at the end of the 2009 season:
“My wife and I were very happy, but truly, honestly, we’re more excited to know that we can be in Charlotte, North Carolina. That meant the most to us. It’s such a …read more

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Baltimore Ravens safety Ed Reed was a dominant force on the Ravens defense throughout the entire 2008 season. He put together a remarkable season by any standard. What’s even more incredible is that he did it while suffering from a nerve impingement in his neck. Overcoming this adversity earned Ed the admiration of his teammates, and their vote for the Ed Block Courage Award.
Ed is just one of many incredible stories of courage in this year’s class. Minnesota Vikings defensive end Kenechi Udeze was diagnosed with leukemia after the 2007 season. Kenechi received a bone …read more

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Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer is likely out for the rest of the 2008 season while he decides whether to have surgery to repair a “frayed” ligament in his right throwing elbow. Tommy John surgery would repair the problem but doctors have agreed that Carson’s conservative approach to that kind of an operation is ok because the damage is more limited than what Carolina Panthers QB Jake Delhomme suffered a year ago when he had the surgery (successfully I might add). But if Carson continues to throw with that bad elbow this season — it …read more

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Carolina Panthers quarterback Jake Delhomme was back under center during his team’s voluntary minicamp today. It seems like a miraculous recovery considering Jake went through “Tommy John surgery” (doctors replaced the failed ligament in his right elbow with a tendon from his left thigh) just eight months ago. I thought his career was over. But it looks like he’s stronger than ever and Jake is optimistic about his full recovery:
“It felt great. I think mentally I was a little rusty, but that was to be expected. It was good to be out there …read more

Blogcasting the National Football League, Blogcasting the NFL
It’s preseason with a tinge of the playoffs. That will be one of the highlights of a 13-game national television preseason schedule that was announced today by the NFL, along with the complete list of 2008 preseason matchups. All 12 of the 2007 NFL playoff teams will be featured in the national TV games.
It all starts in Canton, OH — site of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. On Sunday night, August 3 on NBC (8:00 PM ET), the Indianapolis Colts will take on the Washington Redskins in the annual Pro Football Hall …read more

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Vinny Testeverde is still alive! And the Carolina Panthers want him on their football team. The Panthers signed the soon-to-be 44-year-old QB to a one-year deal today as a backup to David Carr (who was a backup to the injured Jake Delhomme). The thing is, David’s also banged up. He missed practice today, so Vinny might start Sunday against Arizona after a five-day crash course in the Carolina playbook. Is that nuts? Vinny thought so:
“I’m just surprised that people are still interested in a 44-year old quarterback that hasn’t played in five or …read more

Blogging the National Football League, Blogging the NFL
Carolina Panthers QB Jake Delhomme tested his strained right elbow today at practice and the news isn’t good. There was so much pain in the process that Jake will have to undergo season-ending ligament-replacement surgery. He initially suffered the injury two weeks ago against Atlanta.
Back in July, I predicted that David Carr would take over the starting QB role before the end of the season, but I didn’t think it would happen like this. I feel very bad for Jake and concerned for his future because this is the same injury that …read more

Blogging the National Football League, Blogging the NFL
The National Football League will support October’s National Breast Cancer Awareness Month with national public service announcements, special pregame ceremonies and team community outreach. The NFL has designated this coming weekend of October 7-8 as NFL Breast Cancer Awareness Weekend.
The league will promote breast cancer awareness messages with a number of pregame and in-stadium initiatives:

Team Captains Presentation: Each home team will name honorary team captains from the community, who have been touched by breast cancer or are involved in fighting the disease. Honorary captains will be invited onto the …read more