Indianapolis Colts two-time Pro Bowl safety Bob Sanders is headed to injured reserve. He tore his Herculean left bicep against the San Francisco 49ers last weekend, just one game after he made his season debut from an offseason knee injury. That means his 2009 season (just three tackles and one interception) is over and the Colts will be without one of the best free safeties in the National Football League to bolster their defensive secondary.
To further exacerbate matters, the Colts also places starting cornerback Marlin Jackson on IR. And CB Kelvin Hayden will be sidelined for the next three to …read more

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Buffalo Bills receiver Terrell Owens will continue to wear the only number he has ever worn in his NFL career — number 81 — even though prior to his arrival in Buffalo, that number belonged to receiver James Hardy. Apparently, the Bills went to James and asked him if he cared. And even though I don’t think it really mattered if he cared or not, there didn’t seem to be any resistance about giving the number to T.O. Some media are trying to make a big deal out of this because T.O. didn’t actually ask …read more

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Marvin Harrison can’t find common ground with the Indianapolis Colts, so he wants to be released by the team. The two sides were “trying” to restructure a deal, but there is no agreement — except to disagree. Colts president Bill Polian acknowledged yesterday that it’s a tricky situation, but I disagree. And Mr. Polian is probably just being respectful to one of the game’s all-time great receivers. I don’t think it’s tricky at all. As important as Marvin has been to the Colts over his 13 years there, his numbers have been declining (only 20 …read more

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Uncommon: Finding Your Path to Significance
by Tony Dungy with Nathan Whitaker, 260 pages, $24.99
Tyndale House Publishers | CoachDungy.com
Just a couple weeks after announcing his retirement from the coaching ranks of the National Football League, former Indianapolis Colts head coach Tony Dungy has a new book — Uncommon: Finding Your Path to Significance — in stores today. I received my review copy last week and went cover-to-cover right away. I can enthusiastically say it’s the most uplifting, down-to-earth life lesson book I’ve ever read. And I’ve read my fair share.
You probably remember coach Dungy’s first book, …read more

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There’s a rather disturbing story about Marvin Harrison in the new ESPN Magazine (01.26.09). I’ve always admired Marvin for his stellar play and the way he performed his job. Who hasn’t? He and Peyton Manning hold the record for most receptions between a quarterback and receiver with 956. All the while, Marvin has seemed like a good guy — quiet and unassuming. He’s a lunch pail kind of player. He comes to work, does his job (well, I might add) and goes home. In this era of overpaid, high maintenance, loud mouth, prima donna receivers, …read more

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My sources tell me that because of coach Tony Dungy’s retirement announcement a couple days ago, his publisher is moving the release date of his new book, Uncommon, up from February 17 to January 27. My review copy is on its way so I’ll have a post on that with my thoughts before it hits stores.

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Indianapolis Colts head coach Tony Dungy announced his retirement from the National Football League today. I was saddened — but not shocked — to hear the news earlier this afternoon that the Colts had scheduled a 5 p.m. presser. I anticipated what was coming. I didn’t feel it would do coach Dungy justice to pull quotes from a transcript, so here’s the whole thing.
Coach Dungy has always been one of my favorite NFL coaches and he’s been an inspiration to me in my own life. I greatly respect who he is as a person and …read more

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Adam “Pacman” Jones appeared on ESPN’s “Outside the Lines” this morning, being interviewed by Stephen A. Smith. He had a similar interview with CBS Sports’ James Brown yesterday and said he expected to be employed by an NFL team next season — maybe even with the Dallas Cowboys. I think Adam is being extremely optimistic. Unless the Oakland Raiders come calling, I don’t think any other team is that nuts for a pretty average, troublemaking cornerback/kick returner. Maybe the UFL is interested?

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Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning was named the National Football League’s Most Valuable Player today. It was a landslide win as Peyton received 32 votes, well ahead of Miami Dolphins quarterback Chad Pennington and Atlanta Falcons running back Michael Turner, who received four votes each. It was Peyton’s third time to win the NFL’s highest individual honor. Only N.Y. Jets quarterback Brett Favre has won as many league MVP honors. As usual, Peyton had the right words to graciously capture the moment:
“I know it’s an individual award, but … truly, in my opinion, a team …read more

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Even though the Dallas Cowboys are in danger of missing the playoffs in a season they were favored (by many) to go to the Super Bowl, team owner Jerry Jones said today his coaching staff has job security. And he was obviously tired of answering questions about it:
“The coaches are in place. I’ve said that. How can I be any clearer? Look, I’ve said that our coaching staff, as far as I’m concerned, is in place. I just want to make the statement rather than answer questions, because your questions imply certain things that I …read more