National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast
The Tampa Bay Bucs went nuts today, releasing five veteran players in a move that made a firm commitment to the team’s younger players. Linebacker Derrick Brooks, receivers Joey Galloway and Ike Hilliard, running back Warrick Dunn and linebacker Cato June were all sent packing. Only Cato is under 30-years-old. And sure, I can accept that the Bucs want to go in a different direction. But when a team loses not only good players but also good people — some of the best in the entire National Football League — it’s hard to imagine it …read more

National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast
Running For My Life: My Journey in the Game of Football and Beyond
by Warrick Dunn and Don Yaeger, 288 pages, $25.95
If you’re looking for a last-minute Christmas/holiday gift idea, I suggest the great new book by Tampa Bay Bucs running back Warrick Dunn — Running For My Life. I received my review copy from Harper Collins a few weeks ago and I can tell you it’s a very inspiring, uplifting and eye-opening read.
Warrick is truly one of the good guys in the National Football League. It’s pretty well-known what he does for families through his …read more

National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast
Tampa Bay Bucs running back Earnest Graham, who leads the team in rushing yards and touchdowns, might be finished for the 2008 season with an ankle injury. Earnest was hurt on his only carry in yesterday’s 19-13 win over the Minnesota Vikings, limping off after landing awkwardly when he was tackled after a 3-yard gain. Bucs head coach Jon Gruden was not optimistic during his presser today:
“I believe Earnest Graham’s ankle looks to be a serious injury and his status for the rest of the season is very much in question right now. It doesn’t …read more

National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast
After spending more than a year in rehab following a gruesome knee injury early last season, Tampa Bay Bucs running back Cadillac Williams is back on the team’s active roster. The Bucs made the expected move today, activating Cadillac from the Reserve/Physically Unable to Perform List to their 53-man roster. To make room, the Bucs released veteran running back Michael Bennett, who was quickly claimed by the San Diego Chargers (see note below). Cadillac was thrilled to be back at practice:
“I’ve put in a lot of work. I’m just excited. In these next few weeks …read more

Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images for PLAYERS,INC
Blogcasting the National Football League, Blogcasting the NFL
As part of the festivities surrounding the 2008 NFL PLAYERS Gala featuring the JB (James Brown) Awards in Washington D.C., players from around the National Football League joined local Special Olympics athletes for a football clinic yesterday morning. The clinic featured more than 75 local Special Olympics athletes participating alongside NFL player-honorees in five friendly, non-contact football stations. The players interacted with the athletes and helped demonstrate a variety of offensive and defensive skills, including passing, receiving, and kicking. At the conclusion of the clinic, athletes took …read more

Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images for NFL PLAYERS
Blogcasting the National Football League, Blogcasting the NFL
Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Warrick Dunn was presented with the 42nd annual Byron “Whizzer” White Award, the NFL Players Association’s (NFLPA) highest honor, yesterday at the NFL PLAYERS Gala featuring the JB Awards in Washington, D.C. Warrick was one of several NFL players honored by James Brown, host of “THE NFL TODAY” on CBS, along with “THE NFL TODAY” analyst and former Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Bill Cowher.
The event, which recognized NFL players for their individual contributions to their communities, raised nearly $1 million, the …read more

Getty Images
Blogcasting the National Football League, Blogcasting the NFL
Former San Diego Chargers RB Michael Turner doesn’t have to play the backup role anymore. Michael signed a six-year, $34.5 million contract (with $15 million guaranteed) to be the number one running back for the Atlanta Falcons today. This will be a perfect fit for new ATL head coach Mike Smith’s hard-nosed, run-first offense. Michael will team with speedster Jerious Norwood in the Falcons’ backfield to instantly give the Falcons some much-needed playmaking ability. Falcons GM Thomas Dimitroff said:
“We are pleased to be able to add a very talented running back and …read more

It went virtually unnoticed by the mainstream media, but Atlanta Falcons RB Warrick Dunn passed the 10,000-yard milestone in the team’s 31-13 loss to the Indianapolis Colts yesterday. Warrick was only the 22nd player to rush for 10,000 career yards. Earlier this season, Jax RB Fred Taylor was the 21st.
It’s been an otherwise uneventful season in the ATL — Warrick has 513 yards with three TDs and the Falcons have dropped out of the playoff race with a 3-8 record. But in recognizing this achievement, I have to say Warrick has silenced the critics who said he was too …read more