TWO NATIONAL TV GAMES AND FINAL ROSTER CUTS

Patriots at Giants and Redskins at Cardinals
will air live on NFL Network

It’s the final week of the preseason and young players around the league know this is their time to shine.

With final NFL roster cuts to 53 players this Saturday, this week’s games are a last chance for many players to make their team’s roster. The starters are basically set throughout the league as are the key backup positions. It’s the “bubble” players who are out to impress.

“The young guys in the NFL, they know this is their game,” says ESPN analyst and former NFL head coach HERM EDWARDS. “It’s real important for a young player and a rookie trying to make a team.”

For many of these young players, they know this is their last opportunity to impress.

“Whatever happens, I’ll just take it in stride,” says New York Giants rookie wide receiver VICTOR CRUZ, an undrafted free agent who leads the NFL this preseason with 251 receiving yards and four touchdowns. “I want to continue to get better. I want to prove I belong in the league and move forward.”

Cruz had one of the breakout games of the 2010 preseason, hauling in six passes for 145 yards and three touchdowns in Week 1.

“I hope it helps a lot,” says Cruz about the impact that game has on his chances of making the Giants. “But I have no control over the final decision. Those guys on top make it. I’m just on the field making plays and running around.”

Cruz and the Giants will be showcased on national TV this week when they host the New England Patriots (Thursday, NFLN, 7:00 PM ET) in a rematch of Super Bowl XLII, won by the Giants 17-14.

The second game of NFL Network’s Thursday night doubleheader will feature the Washington Redskins visiting the Arizona Cardinals (10:00 PM ET).

Heading into the fourth and final preseason game with the final cutdown looming, Redskins head coach MIKE SHANAHAN knows the opportunity is still there for guys to make the club.

“If you are still here, you have an opportunity to make this football team,” says Shanahan. “You are here for a reason so don’t count yourself out. Take advantage of every opportunity. A lot goes into the final equation.”


WINNING IS A HABIT: Thirty-three of the 44 Super Bowl champions (75 percent) finished the preseason with a winning percentage of at least .500.

Since 2000, the 10 Super Bowl champions have combined for a 26-14 (.650) preseason record during their championship seasons.

Special League Meeting News Conference
Atlanta, GA – August 25, 2010

Good afternoon. You obviously know about the Rams transaction which we completed this morning. We had a number of other reports. The most significant discussion of the day that we had was the enhanced season and restructuring our season from 16 and 4 to 18 and 2. There was overwhelming support for the concept and that we want to continue to address a variety of issues. We are putting together a specific proposal, which the negotiating team will provide to the union’s negotiating team. There is tremendous support for it. All of the questions and almost all of the discussions are focused on how do we do it in a way that’s fan friendly? How does it make sense for our fans? As we’ve all said and the clubs have gotten the same reaction, the fans want less preseason and more regular season. But we want to understand the impact of whether we’re playing cold-weather games in January or we’re playing hot-weather games in early September. Those are all issues that we want to continue to focus on and talk with all of our partners -- the players, our business partners. Most importantly, how do we keep the game strong, which is good for our fans and what we want for our fans.

Do you have the right to unilaterally impose the enhanced season and did you not because of sensitivities with the players?
As you know, in the Collective Bargaining Agreement we have the right to go to 22 games. The ownership does not think that’s the right step to take. We want to do this the right way and make it good for everyone, including the players, our fans, and the game in general. From our standpoint, we think we’ve moved this concept along. There’s a tremendous amount of momentum for it. We think it’s the right step to take. But we want to do that with our partners, including the players.

On expanding OTAs and other training to prepare for the season:
It’s got to be a comprehensive solution. That’s why we’re taking the necessary steps here and taking the time to address the concept and all of the aspects of this that will make it successful. That’s our focus. How do we make this successful for everybody? But we had a lot of discussion on the Competition Committee analysis about offseason training, what we would do with rosters, what we would do with injured reserved rules. All of those things would allow us the ability to do this correctly.

On Stan Kroenke:
The good news is he’s been an NFL owner and he’s been around the NFL since 1993 when I first met him in the expansion process. He’s had tremendous experience in other sports, which I think is a plus. He has a tremendous commitment to football and the NFL. One of the issues we always focus on is having our owners focus on football. That’s what Stan will be doing. He will be focused more on football. We think that’s a positive for the NFL and most importantly for the fans of St. Louis.

On transfer of Kroenke’s Denver teams to others:
We spent an awful lot of time on this over the last few months. Stan’s a man of his word. I believe all parties are going to work to make sure it comes off the way we all discussed it.

On comprehensive proposal to union, how will it be different than previous discussions?
What we’ve done to date is show all the analysis that we have shared with the ownership. We have shared all of that with the players from the first negotiation session in June 2009 to the more recent discussion in June and obviously the negotiating session of just 10 days ago. Right now we have to get more specific about what exactly we are talking about, how we think it can be successful and work with the players to make sure it’s done the right way.

Do you think the players will buy into this idea?
I do because I think there are a lot of benefits to the players. We understand the player health and safety issue. They’ve identified the issues in our discussions that they’re concerned with. We are aware of all of those. And we want to make sure we address them appropriately.

Will the enhanced season be adopted for the 2011 season?
I think it depends on when we reach a broader agreement on the Collective Bargaining Agreement. It takes a great deal of planning and there are a lot of decisions that need to be made, not to mention stadiums and Super Bowls and everything. So, every day that goes by it gets harder to implement in 2011. I think the reality is we’re focused more on 2012 at this point.

On extra revenue from TV partners:
We’ve discussed the concept with the networks just like we’ve discussed it with our other partners -- how it will work, what makes sense. They are on board with that and they understand it and I think they think it’s a positive also for the game.

Is there a timeline for a vote on the enhanced season to happen in order for it to be in the new CBA?
No. We’d like to do it in the context of the Collective Bargaining Agreement. At some point we’ll need to move forward. We have a good opportunity here to do something that is good for all parties and make this a smart decision for everyone.

Are there any negative voices against an enhanced season?
I’ve made the points before that I think the fans have spoken very loudly. They want less preseason and more regular season. I think the game has changed and the way we prepare our players. I don’t think four preseason games are necessary from a football standpoint for the game. This is an opportunity for us to take this labor agreement and some other opportunities here and do some good things for the game and for the fans, and create a platform that’s going to benefit the league for several years going forward. That’s how we’re looking at this.

On financial gain for players with enhanced season:
If we’re all smart about this, there will be an opportunity to grow the revenue. It will be better received by everybody. That’s where the potential is for all of us. That’s what we have to use as an opportunity for the players and the owners to reach a new labor agreement and the fans to continue to get great quality football and more of it that they find meaningful.

Is there general agreement on the concept from the owners and now it’s just working out the details?
All of the questions were really focused on what is best from a fan perspective. Our clubs rightfully are focused on how their fans will react. So if you are in a cold-weather city, how will they react to games in January? Or if you are in a hot-weather city, how will you react to games in September or late August. The start of when you would go into that is of particular importance. The second would be the quality of the game. Making sure that we maintain the quality of the game. The safety of our players. Those are all the focus of the discussion that we’ve had today and over the past couple of years.

How much of the focus was on what is best for the players?
A significant portion of it. There’s an opportunity here to do something that’s great for the players in the context of this.

On expansion of rosters:
It obviously was discussed today and is something that will be discussed and will be part of the proposal being made to the union.

Have any decisions related to roster size and injured reserve been made?
No.

Are the CBA negotiations the most challenging things you’ve had to face?
Every one in front of you is bigger than the one you went over. The hurdles keep getting bigger. I look at this as an opportunity. I look at this as an opportunity to create an agreement that’s going to be good for the players, good for the game and take our league to another level. There are lots of opportunities to do that. That’s why we have to sit down at the table and get that agreement so we can all move on and continue to provide the kind of game our fans expect.

How would you characterize the negotiations?
People ask me all the time and I say I don’t characterize the negotiations. I don’t. I don’t think there’s any need to do that. They are on-going discussions. I believe both parties want to reach an agreement. I think both parties will get to an agreement. It’s just a matter of when. There’s still time to do that without any disruptions. That’s our goal. That’s our objective. So we have to work hard to get there.

Could enhanced season be a big tool in reaching an agreement?
Anything we can do to improve on the quality of what we’re doing helps. If it grows the game, that should help also in a negotiation. If there’s an opportunity, and you mentioned rosters before, if there’s an opportunity to increase rosters, that’s a good thing in today’s environment that we’re creating more jobs. Not many unions can say that. That’s a positive. If we can create greater revenue, that means more compensation for the players. They will be the biggest beneficiary from that. That’s also a good thing. I think there are a lot of positives that can come out of it. I do think it will help us address some of the issues that we are facing. That has to be done in the context of the Collective Bargaining Agreement.

On NFLPA telling sponsors the Group Licensing Agreement will expire in early March:
I’m not aware and I wasn’t aware of it until you mentioned it.

On increasing former player benefits:
When I talk to players I’ve heard that a lot over the last couple of years. We have made it very clear that benefits for retired players is something that we think needs to be addressed in the context of the Collective Bargaining Agreement. We have made changes in advance of that in some of the medical programs we offer to our former players. But we need to do more.

On the skill of listening:
I just believe in that. I think the first time you think you have all the answers you’re in trouble. I think you often have to take positions, put concepts out and you’re hopefully thoughtful about that. I’m a big believer in the third concept. Someone may have concept A and someone may come with concept B, but quite frequently it is concept C after discussion and people look at it from different perspectives. I think that’s what we are trying to do here. Be reasonable. Be fair. Try to find the right kind of agreement that will allow everyone to benefit. It doesn’t work if one side benefits and the other does not.

On timeline for making a proposal to the union on an enhanced season:
I don’t. I think rather quickly though.

On coaches’ sentiment about enhanced season:
With anybody, you have to go through all the dialogue and try to understand the positives and negatives and how the game is changing. I’m a big believer, and I hear it from coaches all the time, that the game is changing now. And it’s changing and we’re not. That’s why I think we need to look forward now and do things necessary to keep our game competitive, keep the quality up, and make sure we keep the focus on the fans. I think our coaches understand that. I just spoke to a coach yesterday about it and spent some time on it. Every time I speak to a coach I raise it and get their perspective on it. That’s healthy for us. At some point we’ll be able to come to a better conclusion and solution that works for all.

On more dual practices where teams visit each other if you reduce the number of preseason games:
I think it’s probably fair to assume that you’ll see a little bit more than that. At least with rookies or first-year players.

Beyond enhanced season, what were other issues discussed today?
There was a report from the negotiating team on the status of negotiations. We also talked about our in-stadium efforts to make sure that our experience in the stadium is a positive one. The kind of technology we are bringing into stadiums. All 32 teams will have NFL RedZone available on the scoreboards and in the stadiums this season. We spent a fair amount of time talking about player health and safety on football, the changes we’ve made and the focus we’ve had making sure our players understand the use of the best helmets. I made the point that I think there’s a real cultural change happening in the NFL, which is a positive thing.

If an agreement is not reached by March, when do you have to make a decision about the 2011 season in terms of a lockout?
There’s so much time between now and then and there’s so much opportunity for us to get these issues resolved. I ‘m going to be focused on getting them resolved between now and then. That’s what’s most critical for us. We have a great season ahead of us and that will be the focus -- football in 2010.

HIGHLIGHT WEEK 3 OF NFL PRESEASON

It’s Week 3 of the NFL preseason and the schedule features one stadium opening and five national TV games.

On Friday night, August 27, the Kansas City Chiefs will host the Philadelphia Eagles at New Arrowhead Stadium.

Completed in three years, the stadium renovations will allow the Chiefs to preserve the great tradition of the franchise while also providing their fans with one of the best gameday experiences in the NFL.

“Our vision for the New Arrowhead was ‘new body, same soul,’” says Chiefs chairman CLARK HUNT. “We wanted to give our fans all of the amenities of a brand-new, first-class venue while preserving the iconic elements of the stadium. I am delighted to say that we exceeded my loftiest expectations, and we are extremely proud to show our fans the results.”

Among the amenities New Arrowhead has to offer are wider concourses, an increased number of restroom facilities and a variety of new concession and merchandise options, all of which were designed so fans miss as little action as possible. The venue also features state-of-the-art video and sound systems so fans can experience the game like never before. As fans approach the stadium plaza gates, they will be greeted by large LED video display boards. Once inside the seating bowl, fans will be drawn to the new football-shaped video screens and ribbon boards, which will provide instant replays, statistics and other information.

“For our family, Arrowhead is also a special place because of what it meant to my father, LAMAR,” says Clark Hunt. “This stadium was born out of his vision for the sport of pro football in Mid-America and his passion for the Chiefs. And, by his own account, it was his favorite place on Earth.”

The national TV slate for Week 3 of the preseason kicks off at Lambeau Field when the Green Bay Packers host the AFC champion Indianapolis Colts (Thursday, ESPN, 8:00 PM ET) in a matchup between two 2009 playoff teams.

Two of the game’s elite quarterbacks will take the field – Indianapolis’ PEYTON MANNING and Green Bay’s AARON RODGERS. Last season, Manning won his fourth AP NFL Most Valuable Player award, passing for 4,500 yards, 33 touchdowns and a 99.9 passer rating to lead the Colts to a league-best 14-2 record. Rodgers, who was selected to the Pro Bowl, passed for 4,434 yards with 30 TDs and a 103.2 rating and guided the Packers to the postseason.

“Of all the times that I can remember over the past 30 years, this might be the most skilled group of quarterbacks that I’ve seen at one time,” says NFL Network analyst MATT MILLEN about the quality of the QB position across the league. “It doesn’t all come down to the quarterback, but this is a quarterback-driven league.”

Rodgers has been particularly sharp so far this preseason, completing 20 of 24 passes (83.3 percent) for 275 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions for a 154.0 passer rating.

“Aaron has been excellent,” says Packers head coach MIKE MC CARTHY. “He has been sharp and he’s doing all of the little things that are necessary to continue to spread the ball around and keep our offense in good looks. He’s doing an excellent job.”


WINNING IS A HABIT: The past 16 Super Bowl winners have a combined preseason record of 42-24 (.636) in their Super Bowl winning seasons.


The other four national TV games in Week 3 of the NFL preseason:

SAN DIEGO at NEW ORLEANS
(Friday, CBS, 8:00 PM ET)
Another contest between two 2009 playoff teams as the AFC West champion Chargers visit the Super Bowl champion Saints.

For Super Bowl XLIV MVP DREW BREES, it will be another opportunity to face his former team (2001-05). The Chargers boast a Pro Bowl quarterback of their own in PHILIP RIVERS, who led the AFC with a 104.4 passer rating last year.

Last week, the Saints defeated the Houston Texans 38-20 playing at home in the Superdome for the first time since the NFC Championship Game.

“It was good to get a win,” says New Orleans head coach SEAN PAYTON. “There are still a lot of things we’ve got to work on, but fortunately, we’ve still got a lot of time left.”

The Chargers have been pleased this preseason with the play of rookie running back RYAN MATHEWS, who was the 12th overall pick in the 2010 NFL Draft out of Fresno State.

“Ryan is our lead guy and he’s been impressive,” says San Diego head coach NORV TURNER. “He was good last week and he was better this week.”


CLEVELAND at DETROIT
(Saturday, NFLN, 5:00 PM ET)
Two up-and-coming young teams will take the field in Detroit on Saturday.

The Lions defeated the Broncos 25-20 last week in Denver. Rookie running back JAHVID BEST led the offense, rushing for 49 yards on eight carries (6.1 avg.) and adding two receptions for 10 yards.

“It’s going great,” says Detroit quarterback MATTHEW STAFFORD of the team’s chemistry. “Hopefully we just keep building on this. It’s still preseason and hopefully we can get better.”

Led by new quarterback JAKE DELHOMME, the Browns are looking forward to the 2010 season. Among Delhomme’s most versatile weapons is JOSHUA CRIBBS, who has been making strides at the wide receiver position. Cribbs, already one of the most dangerous returners in the league, amassed 2,510 all-purpose yards last season, the fifth-most in a single season in NFL history.

“Any time he touches the ball, regardless of what distance he gets it at, he’s a vertical threat,” says Browns head coach ERIC MANGINI about Cribbs. “Once the ball is in Josh’s hands in space, it goes from a catch to a kick return.”


DALLAS at HOUSTON
(Saturday, CBS, 8:00 PM ET)
It will be a Lone Star State showdown on Saturday night at Houston’s Reliant Stadium.

“We’re going up against an excellent team,” says Texans head coach GARY KUBIAK about this week’s contest against the Cowboys.

Both teams feature an All-Star quarterback-wide receiver combination.

Dallas quarterback TONY ROMO passed for an NFC-best 4,483 yards last year and wide receiver MILES AUSTIN hauled in a career-high 81 catches for 1,320 yards and 11 touchdowns.

For Houston, Pro Bowl MVP quarterback MATT SCHAUB led the league with 4,770 yards and wide receiver ANDRE JOHNSON had 101 catches for an NFL-high 1,569 yards.


PITTSBURGH at DENVER
(Sunday, FOX, 8:00 PM ET)
The week concludes with a Sunday night game featuring two AFC rivals.

“We are going to go out and get a lot of work, game play and see what we really have,” says Steelers wide receiver MIKE WALLACE about this game. Last week, Wallace had a 68-yard touchdown reception in Pittsburgh’s 24-17 win at the New York Giants.

The Broncos got a fine receiving performance of their own last week as JABAR GAFFNEY recorded six catches for 98 yards.

“He’s underrated in his playmaking skills,” says Denver quarterback KYLE ORTON about Gaffney. “He made a lot of really nice catches in tight coverage. He’s certainly one of our most dependable players on offense.”

Posted on Thursday, August 26 2010

Rank Teams Current Value ($mil) 1-Yr Value Change (%) Debt/Value (%) Revenue ($mil) Operating Income ($mil)

1 Dallas Cowboys 1,805 9 11 420 143.3
2 Washington Redskins 1,550 0 15 353 103.7
3 New England Patriots 1,367 0 20 318 66.5
4 New York Giants 1,182 0 55 241 2.1
5 Houston Texans 1,171 2 17 272 36.5
6 New York Jets 1,144 -2 66 238 7.6
7 Philadelphia Eagles 1,119 0 16 260 34.7
8 Baltimore Ravens 1,073 -1 25 255 44.9
9 Chicago Bears 1,067 -1 9 254 37.3
10 Denver Broncos 1,049 -3 14 250 22.0
11 Indianapolis Colts 1,040 1 4 248 43.2
12 Carolina Panthers 1,037 -1 18 247 15.0
13 Tampa Bay Buccaneers 1,032 -5 14 246 56.1
14 Green Bay Packers 1,018 0 2 242 9.8
15 Cleveland Browns 1,015 -2 15 242 36.1
16 Miami Dolphins 1,011 0 40 247 -7.7
17 Pittsburgh Steelers 996 -2 25 243 17.9
18 Tennessee Titans 994 -1 13 242 23.3
19 Seattle Seahawks 989 0 12 241 34.0
20 Kansas City Chiefs 965 -6 14 235 47.8
21 New Orleans Saints 955 1 13 245 36.7
22 San Francisco 49ers 925 6 14 226 21.0
23 Arizona Cardinals 919 -2 16 236 28.1
24 San Diego Chargers 907 -1 14 233 24.7
25 Cincinnati Bengals 905 -5 11 232 49.4
26 Atlanta Falcons 831 -3 33 231 34.5
27 Detroit Lions 817 -6 43 210 -2.9
28 Buffalo Bills 799 -12 16 228 28.2
29 St Louis Rams 779 -15 8 223 29.0
30 Minnesota Vikings 774 -7 36 221 17.9
31 Oakland Raiders 758 -5 7 217 2.2
32 Jacksonville Jaguars 725 -16 17 220 25.9

Revenues and operating income are for 2009 season. Value of team based on current stadium deal (unless new stadium is pending) without deduction for debt (other than stadium debt). Debt/Value includes stadium debt. Revenue is net of stadium revenues used for debt payments. Operating Income is earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization.
(source Forbes.com)

SAN LUIS -- El comité de finanzas de la NFL aprobó de forma unánime la oferta de Stan Kroenke para comprar el 60% restante de los Rams de San Luis.

El vocero de la liga, Greg Aiello, dijo el martes a la AP que el comisionado Roger Goodell le avisó a los equipos sobre la decisión del comité.

Los dueños votarán sobre la venta el miércoles en Atlanta. Ese será el tema principal de la reunión, en la que también se discutirá la posibilidad de aumentar la temporada regular a 18 partidos y los planes para la primera semana de la campaña.

Kroenke ya es dueño del 40% de los Rams. El empresario de 63 años intenta comprar las otras acciones que son propiedad de Chip Rosenbloom y su hermana Lucía Rodríguez.

CBA Questions & Answers Attached To This Release

Q. When can players start being signed in the 2010 free agency signing period?
A. Beginning at 12:01 AM ET on Friday, March 5.

Q. What are the categories of free agency?
A. Players are either "restricted" or "unrestricted" free agents. Within the categories are also "transition" and "franchise" players.

Q. What is the time period for free agency signings this year?
A. For restricted free agents, from March 5 to April 15. For unrestricted free agents who have received the June 1 tender from their prior Club, from March 5 to July 22 (or the first scheduled day of the first NFL training camp, whichever is later). For franchise players, from March 5 until the Tuesday after the 10th week of the regular-season (November 16). If he does not sign by November 16, he must sit out the season. There are no transition player designations this year.

Q. What is the difference between a restricted free agent and an unrestricted free agent?
A. In the 2010 League Year, players become restricted free agents when they complete three, four or five accrued seasons and their contract expires. Unrestricted free agents have completed six or more accrued seasons. An unrestricted free agent is free to sign with any club with no compensation owed to his old club.

Q. What constitutes an "accrued season?"
A. Six or more regular-season games on a club's active/inactive, reserved-injured or "physically unable to perform" lists.

Q. Other than accrued seasons, what determines a restricted free agent?
A. He has received a "qualifying" offer (a salary level predetermined by the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the league and its players) from his old club. He can negotiate with any club through April 15. If the restricted free agent accepts an offer sheet from a new club, his old club can match the offer and retain him because it has the "right of first refusal." If the old club does not match the offer, it can possibly receive draft-choice compensation depending on the amount of its qualifying offer. If an offer sheet is not executed, and the player receives the June 1 tender from his old club, the player’s rights revert exclusively to his old club on June 1.

Q. What determines an unrestricted free agent?
A. A player with six or more accrued seasons whose contract has expired. He is free to sign with any club, with no compensation owed to his old club, through July 22 (or the first scheduled day of the first NFL training camp, whichever is later). At that point, his rights revert to his old club if it made a "tender" offer (110 percent of last year's salary) to him by June 1. His old club then has until the Tuesday after the 10th week of the season (November 16) to sign him. If he does not sign by November 16, he must sit out the season. If no tender is offered by June 1, the player can be signed by any club at any time throughout the season.

Q. What determines a transition player?
A. A transition player must be offered a minimum of the average of the top 10 salaries of the prior season at the player’s position or 120 percent of the player’s prior year’s salary, whichever is greater. A transition player designation gives the club a first-refusal right to match within seven days an offer sheet given to the player by another club after his contract expires. If the club matches, it retains the player. If it does not match, it receives no draft pick compensation from that club. In 2010, a club may designate a franchise player or a transition player in lieu of a franchise player, as well as one additional transition player.

Q. What determines a franchise player?
A. The salary level offer by a player's club determines what type of franchise player he is. An "exclusive" franchise player -- not free to sign with another club -- is offered a minimum of the average of the top five salaries at the player's position for the current year as of April 15, or 120 percent of the player's previous year's salary, or the average of the top five salaries at his position as of the end of last season -- whichever of the three is greater. If a player is offered a minimum of the average of the top five salaries of last season at his position, or 120 percent of the player’s previous year’s salary, he becomes a “non-exclusive” franchise player and can negotiate with other clubs. His old club can match a new club's offer, or receive two first-round draft choices if it decides not to match.

Q. Can a club decide to withdraw its franchise or transition designations on a player?
A. Yes

Q. Can a club then use them on other players?
A. Not in the 2010 season. A club can withdraw its franchise or transition designations and the player then automatically becomes an unrestricted free agent either immediately or when his contract expires.


CBA-RELATED QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

Q. When does the CBA expire should there be no extension to the agreement?
A. In March of 2011.

Q. Will there be a college draft in 2011?
A. Yes.

Q. What is the “Final League Year” in the current agreement?
A. The “Final League Year” is the term used in the CBA to refer to the last year of the agreement, which is 2010. The 2010 League Year begins on March 5.

Q. What are the differences between the “Final League Year” and any other “League Year?”
A. The principal differences are that in the “Final League Year” there is no salary cap and there are substantial additional restrictions on player free agency and reductions in player benefits.

Q. Are current player benefits affected in the Final League Year?
A. We expect the amount of current player benefits to decline in the Final League Year. The union agreed that in the Final League Year, clubs would be relieved of obligations regarding numerous benefit programs. Examples include second career savings (401K), player annuity, health reimbursement arrangement, severance pay and performance-based pay. The total league-wide contributions to such plans in 2009, the last capped year, were in excess of $335 million or more than $10 million per club.

Q. Are retired player benefits affected in the Final League Year?
A. Commissioner Goodell has stated in a letter to the NFL Alumni Association Board of Directors that there will be no reduction in pension or disability payments to retired players during the Final League Year (2010). Since at least the fall of 2007, NFL owners have consistently agreed and planned that they will not reduce the funding for pension or disability benefits for retired players, nor will they change qualifications on payments to players under the 88 Plan during the Final League Year.

Q. What determines an unrestricted free agent in the Final League Year (2010)?
A. In capped seasons, a player whose contract has expired becomes an unrestricted free agent if he has four or more accrued seasons. In the Final League Year (2010), a player whose contract has expired becomes an unrestricted free agent only if he has six or more accrued seasons. An unrestricted free agent is free to sign with any club with no compensation owed to his old club.

Q. What determines whether a player is a restricted free agent in the “Final League Year?”
A. In capped seasons, a player whose contract expires becomes a restricted free agent if he has three accrued seasons. In the Final League Year (2010), a player whose contract expires becomes a restricted free agent if he has three, four or five accrued seasons.

Q. In addition to the right to designate a franchise (or transition) player each capped year, can clubs designate additional players in the Final League Year?
A. Yes, one additional player can be tagged. In capped years, a club may designate a franchise player or a transition player in lieu of a franchise player. In the Final League Year (2010), the above rule also applies, however, a club may also designate one additional transition player. A transition player must be offered a minimum of the average of the top 10 salaries of the prior season at the player’s position or 120 percent of the player’s prior year’s salary, whichever is greater. A transition player designation gives the club a first-refusal right to match within seven days an offer sheet given to the player by another club after his contract expires. If the club matches, it retains the player. If it does not match, it receives no draft pick compensation from that club.

Q. What is the Final Eight Plan?
A. During the Final League Year, the eight clubs that make the Divisional Playoffs in the previous season have additional restrictions that limit their ability to sign unrestricted free agents from other clubs. In general, the four clubs participating in the championship games are limited in the number of unrestricted free agents that they may sign; the limit is determined by the number of their own unrestricted free agents signing with other clubs. They cannot sign any UFAs unless one of theirs is signed by another team.

For the four clubs that lost in the Divisional Playoffs, in addition to having the ability to sign unrestricted free agents based on the number of their own unrestricted free agents signing with other clubs, they may also sign players based on specific financial parameters. Those four only will be permitted to sign one unrestricted free agent for $5,807,475 million or more in year one of the contract, plus the number of their UFAs who sign with another team. They also can sign any unrestricted free agents for no more than $3,861,823 million in year one of the contract with limitations on the per year increases.

In the case of all final eight teams, the first year salary of UFAs they sign to replace those lost cannot exceed the first year salary of the player lost with limitations on the per year increases.

Q. Is there an Entering Player Pool in the Final League Year?
A. Yes. The CBA provides that the league has the right to keep the rookie pool in the Final League Year.

Q. Is there a Minimum Team Salary in the Final League Year?
A. There is no Minimum Team Salary in the Final League Year.

Q. Are there individual player minimum salaries in the Final League Year?
A. Yes, but they rise at a rate somewhat slower than player minimum salaries rise in capped years.

Q. Do any player contract rules from capped years remain in place for the Final League Year?
A. Yes. Some rules like the “30% increase rule” are still in effect in the Final League Year for player contracts signed in capped years. That rule restricts salary increases from 2009 to 2010 and beyond. For example: a player with a $500,000 salary in 2009 would be limited to annual salary increases of $150,000 ($500,000 x 30%) beginning in 2010.

FanSnap.com, which analyzes ticket prices on the Internet, has taken a look at what impact Brett Favre has had on tickets for Minnesota Vikings' games. This article is written by Don Walker and appeared in The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
To put it mildly, it has had a huge impact.

Since Favre un-retired, demand for Vikings tickets on the ticket market has jumped by an average of more than $50 per ticket to home games.

And, again, one of the more in-demand games is the match with the Green Bay Packers. Average price for that game: $230.

As for the Vikings at Green Bay game, the average price is $466. It was $403 before Favre decided to play again.

This article is written by Don Walker and appeared in The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently launched a page on its website entitled “Partnering to help take concussions out of play” to provide information on concussion prevention, recognition and treatment. The CDC also reached out to more than 40,000 organizations and individuals to deliver a similar message.

“As the fall sports season kicks off, we encourage you to take this opportunity to talk with your coaches, parents, athletes, and others about concussions in all sports and the steps to take to help prevent, recognize, and respond to this serious injury,” the CDC wrote to those 40,000, which includes the organization’s ‘Heads Up’ sports medical partners. “We can help athletes of all ages stay active and healthy by knowing the facts about concussions and when it is safe for athletes to return to play.”

The CDC website features a new NFL locker room poster (above right) stressing the importance of recognizing a concussion, taking time to recover, and not returning to play too soon. The poster was developed by the NFL’s Head, Neck and Spine Medical Committee, the NFL Players Association, the CDC, the Professional Football Athletic Trainers Society, and the NFL Physicians Society.

For more concussion-related information from the CDC, click here.

NFL RELEASES TICKET INFORMATION FOR 2011 PRO BOWL SLATED
FOR SUNDAY, JAN. 30 IN HAWAII

The NFL regular season will kick off next month, but fans in Hawaii and on the mainland are already thinking Pro Bowl.

The NFL announced today ticket information for the 2011 Pro Bowl and established the first-ever Pro Bowl Fan Registry.

The Pro Bowl, which returns to Hawaii after a successful event in South Florida, will be played at Honolulu’s Aloha Stadium a week before Super Bowl XLV on Sunday, January 30.

Those fans who are “Pro Bowl season ticket holders” will receive from the NFL renewal notices in mid-September.

Fans who have not purchased Pro Bowl tickets in the past may register on http://app.edialog.nfl.com/probowl/ and will have first access to purchase tickets to the 2011 game. Registered fans will have the opportunity to purchase tickets beginning late November before the general public sale.

Fans also may purchase Pro Bowl packages including game and event tickets right now through NFL On Location, the NFL’s official source for event experiences and hospitality. Fans may visit www.nflonlocation.com to book their packages.

Any remaining tickets will go on sale in early December and will be available through ticketmaster.com.

“The many fans who contacted our office looking to purchase tickets provided the impetus for the first Pro Bowl Fan Registry,” said FRANK SUPOVITZ, the NFL’s senior vice president of events. “The state of Hawaii has embraced the Pro Bowl and NFL players for more than 30 years and we are already witnessing the passion of fans there and the mainland for the return of the game and surrounding events. The Pro Bowl continues to grow.”

The Pro Bowl’s return to Hawaii, where it had been held consecutively from 1980 to 2009, is part of a two-year agreement between the NFL and the state of Hawaii to play the 2011 and 2012 games there.

The decision to play the NFL’s All-Star Game the week before the Super Bowl for the second consecutive year follows a significant increase in viewership for the 2010 Pro Bowl, the first Pro Bowl to precede the Super Bowl.

The 2010 Pro Bowl on ESPN was the most-watched All-Star event in any sport this year, topping MLB, NBA, and NHL viewership. The Pro Bowl was watched by an average of 12.3 million viewers, the most for a Pro Bowl since 2000 (13.2 million viewers) and a 40 percent increase from the 2009 game (8.8 million viewers). The game at Sun Life Stadium in South Florida also attracted the largest Pro Bowl attendance (70,697) in 50 years.

The 2011 Pro Bowl game will be televised live by FOX. FOX also will televise Super Bowl XLV a week later on Sunday, February 6 from Cowboys Stadium in North Texas.

SOMETIMES MISUNDERSTOOD

Nineteen years ago (1991) the third-quarterback rule was instituted to enable teams to have an emergency quarterback available who was not on the 45-man game-day active roster, since many teams, for strategic purposes, only carried two quarterbacks on their game-day roster.

Everybody thinks they understand the NFL’s “third-quarterback” rule. Here it is:

The rule states that if a third quarterback is inserted before the fourth quarter, a team’s first two quarterbacks cannot be used for the remainder of the game at any position.

Another aspect of the rule is sometimes misunderstood. It is a coach’s decision as to whether a third quarterback will be used.

The active quarterbacks do not have to be injured for a team to use its third quarterback.

Having continuity under center and in the front office are some of the key ingredients to an organization’s success on the field.

Over the past 10 years, four NFL teams have posted a winning percentage of .600 or
better – led by the INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (115-45, .719). The Colts’ 115 wins set an NFL record for the most wins in a single decade in league history, topping the 114 wins
by the San Francisco 49ers of the 1990s. During that span, three-time AP Most Valuable
Player PEYTON MANNING (right), has started every game at quarterback for the team,
leading the Colts to a victory in Super Bowl XLI and a berth in Super Bowl XLIV.

“The most wins in a decade is really something,” says Colts President BILL POLIAN. “To
think you can win more games in a decade than the legendary San Francisco 49ers, coached by BILL WALSH, I almost can’t come to grips with that.

“To think you have eclipsed a record that that great team – with JOE MONTANA and JERRY RICE and STEVE YOUNG and all of those players – set is absolutely amazing. I almost can’t get my arms around it, but it’s a monumental achievement and one I hope people in Indianapolis will remember for a long, long time.”

The teams with the best regular-season records over the past 10 years (2000-09):

TEAM W L T PCT. PLAYOFF BERTHS SUPER BOWL BERTHS SUPER BOWL WINS

Indianapolis, 115, 45, 0, .719, 9, 2, 1
New England, 112, 48, 0, .700, 7, 4, 3
Pittsburgh, 103, 56, 1, .647, 6, 2, 2
Philadelphia, 103, 56, 1, .647, 8, 1, 0
Green Bay, 95, 65, 0, .594, 6, 0, 0

The KANSAS CITY CHIEFS will open renovated NEW ARROWHEAD STADIUM in primetime when
the club hosts the division rival San Diego Chargers on Monday, September 13 (10:15 PM ET) as the nightcap of ESPN’s Monday Night Football Kickoff Weekend doubleheader.

Completed in three years, the stadium renovations will allow the Chiefs to preserve the great tradition of the franchise while also providing their fans with one of the best gameday experiences in the NFL.

Widely recognized as one of the most intimidating venues for visiting teams, the renovations will enhance the legendary gameday atmosphere Chiefs players and fans are accustomed to enjoying. In addition to maintaining its iconic swooping sculptural form
and keeping all seats close to the field, the New Arrowhead Stadium will remain one of the loudest facilities in the NFL, preserving the club’s famous home-field advantage.

What will be new for fans is the impressive array of amenities the renovated stadium has to offer. That includes wider concourses, an increased number of restroom facilities and a variety of new concession and merchandise options, all of which were designed so fans miss as little action as possible.

Also, the renovated stadium features state-of-the-art video and sound systems so fans can experience the game like never before. As fans approach the stadium plaza gates, they will be greeted by large LED video display boards featuring gameday excitement and information. Once inside the seating bowl, fans will be drawn to the new football-shaped video screens and ribbon boards, which will provide instant replays, statistics and other information.

“Arrowhead is the home to the best fans in the NFL,” says Chiefs Chairman CLARK HUNT. “Chiefs fans are knowledgeable, passionate, loyal and – most importantly – loud. To Chiefs fans, Arrowhead is much more than a stadium, it’s an experience, and we think the New Arrowhead will help enhance that experience for our fans.”

In addition, the renovated stadium also honors the great history of the Chiefs. The Founder’s Plaza, which pays tribute to Chiefs founder and longtime owner LAMAR HUNT, and the Hall of Honors, which celebrates the club’s great teams and players, will help
keep the franchise’s proud legacy alive.

“For our family, Arrowhead is also a special place because of what it meant to my father, Lamar,” says Clark Hunt. “This stadium was born out of his vision for the sport of pro football in Mid-America and his passion for the Chiefs. And, by his own account, it was his favorite place on Earth.”

New Arrowhead Stadium will help ensure future generations of Chiefs fans will be able to embrace the team’s rich tradition.

According to an article in the St. Petersburg Times this weekend, the draw that fans have toward Tim Tebow can be measured in his marketability. He is the third-most influential athlete in America, behind Tiger Woods and LeBron James, according to E-Poll Market research. This article is written by Francine King and appeared in The Florida Times-Union.

The market experts called Tebow’s Q rating, which measures a celebrity’s overall popularity and appeal, “unprecedented.”

I see the evidence of this every time I check the page view numbers for a Tebow-related item on Jacksonville.com. They are consistently the most-read sports items on the website.

For every Tebow-weary reader who complains about why we’re covering an athlete who’s halfway across the country, there are a handful of Tebow addicts who want to soak up every bit of Tebow news they can.

The truth is, no matter how far away Tebow goes, he’ll always be a Jacksonville native and former Florida Gator, which would be grounds for following his professional career, even if he were just an athlete of average interest.

Tebow is anything but.

As popular as he is, though, even Tebow won’t stay marketable for long as a third-string quarterback. The market experts quoted in the St. Pete Times story give him one to two years to ensure his current level of influence continues long term.

Whatever Tebow-weary fans think of his chances to extend that period of influence as a starting quarterback, they better brace themselves. He’s not going anywhere anytime soon.

This article is written by Francine King and appeared in The Florida Times-Union.

BILLS HOST COLTS IN TORONTO.
GIANTS PLAY FIRST HOME GAME AT NEW MEADOWLANDS STADIUM


NFL CELEBRATES 90TH BIRTHDAY ON FRIDAY, AUGUST 20

It’s Week 2 of the NFL preseason and the schedule is full of excitement.

Among the highlights are the Buffalo Bills hosting the Indianapolis Colts at the Rogers Centre in Toronto and the New York Giants’ first home game at New Meadowlands Stadium.

Kicking off the week on Thursday, August 19 at 7:30 PM ET is the latest installment of the Bills Toronto Series, a plan that calls for the Bills to play a regular-season game in Toronto each year from 2008-2012 and preseason games in 2008, 2010 and 2012.

“We are excited to play at the Rogers Centre,” says Buffalo owner RALPH WILSON, “and continue our regionalization efforts with the Bills Toronto Series.”

This contest against the Colts will mark the first of two games in Toronto this year as the Bills will host the Chicago Bears in the regular season on November 7.

“We are very excited to once again welcome the Buffalo Bills to the Rogers Centre,” says PAUL BEESTON, president and CEO of Rogers Sports and Entertainment. “A strong opponent like the AFC champion Indianapolis Colts should provide an exciting matchup for Toronto to see the new-look Bills under the direction of head coach CHAN GAILEY.”

On Saturday, August 21 (NFL Network, 7:00 PM ET), the Giants will host the Pittsburgh Steelers in their first home game at the new stadium. Last week, the Giants, who were the visiting team, defeated the New York Jets 31-16 as the facility’s two tenants met in the first ever football game at New Meadowlands Stadium.

“The stadium was great,” says Giants safety ANTREL ROLLE, who set up the game’s first touchdown by returning an interception 59 yards to the one-yard line. “It was a great atmosphere and it will be a great place to play. I’m glad that the New York Giants came out with the first victory in the new stadium. We’re definitely happy about that.”

Undrafted rookie wide receiver VICTOR CRUZ, who hails from nearby Patterson, New Jersey and played collegiately at Massachusetts, introduced himself to the NFL by hauling in six catches for 145 yards and three touchdowns (64, 34 and five yards).

“I just wanted to come in and work hard,” says Cruz. “Growing up, watching the Giants and seeing blue all my life, I feel like I’m dreaming right now.”


Some of the other highlight games in Week 2 of the NFL preseason:

NEW ENGLAND at ATLANTA
(Thursday, FOX, 8:00 PM ET)
Two of the game’s elite quarterbacks – New England’s TOM BRADY and Atlanta’s MATT RYAN – will square off in the Georgia Dome before a national TV audience on Thursday night.

Entering his third season, Ryan has led the Falcons to back-to-back winning seasons for the first time in franchise history. The young quarterback spent the offseason watching film on some of the league’s best at the position, including New England’s Brady.

“I learned several things about the game and about my own game during my film work,” says Ryan, “but I was mostly impressed with the patience under fire exhibited by PEYTON MANNING and Tom Brady.”

Both teams opened the preseason with victories in Week 1. The Patriots defeated the defending champion New Orleans Saints 27-24 and the Falcons knocked off the Kansas City Chiefs 20-10.

“This is all about establishing an attitude every time we step on the field,” says New England tight end ALGE CRUMPLER. “Regardless of who we are playing or what the circumstances are, if we play together as a team, good things will happen.”


MINNESOTA at SAN FRANCISCO
(Sunday, NBC, 8:00 PM ET)
The 49ers will host the Vikings on Sunday night in a matchup between two teams with high hopes entering 2010.

The game will feature two of the game’s finest running backs – Minnesota’s ADRIAN PETERSON and San Francisco’s FRANK GORE.

Both players were selected to the Pro Bowl last season. Peterson rushed for 1,383 yards and 18 touchdowns, joining Pro Football Hall of Famers EARL CAMPBELL and BARRY SANDERS as the only players to rush for at least 1,300 yards and 10 touchdowns in each of their first three seasons. Gore rushed for 1,120 yards and became the first 49er to rush for at least 1,000 yards in four consecutive seasons. He also scored a career-best 13 total touchdowns (10 rushing, three receiving).

The teams are both coming off victories in Week 1. The Vikings won 28-7 at St. Louis and the 49ers defeated the Colts 37-17 in Indianapolis.

“Overall, I thought our guys did a pretty decent job,” San Francisco head coach MIKE SINGLETARY said about the team’s performance in Week 1. “We’re on the right road, but we have a long way to go.”


ARIZONA at TENNESSEE
(Monday, ESPN, 8:00 PM ET)
It will be a rematch of one of 2009’s most exciting games.

Last year in Week 12, the Titans defeated the Cardinals 20-17 when quarterback VINCE YOUNG threw a game-winning 10-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver KENNY BRITT as time expired. Young drove the Titans 99 yards on 18 plays in the final 2:37 and passed for a career-high 387 yards.

“We’ve had some tremendous finishes around here, but I can’t remember one like that,” exclaimed Tennessee head coach JEFF FISHER after the game. “Just a tremendous finish.”

Young, who was the third overall pick in the 2006 NFL Draft, will face another first-round selection from that same year in Arizona quarterback MATT LEINART (No. 10). Young has defeated Leinart in each of their past two meetings in dramatic fashion – last year’s contest and the 2006 Rose Bowl, when Young scored on a fourth-and-five run from the eight-yard line in the fourth quarter to lead his Texas Longhorns past Leinart’s USC Trojans.


HAPPY BIRTHDAY NFL
The NFL will celebrate its 90th birthday on Friday, August 20.

On August 20, 1920, in the Jordan and Hupmobile auto showroom in Canton, Ohio, the National Football League was born. Four independent professional football teams – the Akron Pros, Canton Bulldogs, Cleveland Indians, and Dayton Triangles – met to discuss the mounting problems facing the pro game, including rising salaries, the signing of college players while still in school and players moving from team to team. The solution was to form a league. They called it the American Professional Football Conference.

On September 17, another meeting was held with more teams and the league’s name was changed again to the American Professional Football Association (it was eventually changed to the National Football League on June 24, 1922). Jim Thorpe was also elected APFA president at the same meeting. A membership fee of $100 per team was charged to give the appearance of respectability, but no team ever paid it. Scheduling was left up to the teams during that first season, and there were wide variations, both in the overall number of games played and in the number played against APFA member teams.

The first game featuring an APFA team was played on September 26. A crowd of 800 watched the Rock Island Independents defeat the St. Paul Ideals 48-0 at Rock Island’s Douglas Park. A week later on October 3, the first game featuring two APFA teams took place between the Dayton Triangles and the Columbus Panhandles at Triangle Park in Dayton. Dayton won 14-0. The same day, Rock Island defeated the Muncie Flyers.

PARADE TO CELEBRATE NEW ORLEANS SAINTS
SUPER BOWL XLIV CHAMPIONSHIP
& CITY OF NEW ORLEANS

For the first time in NFL Kickoff history and in the spirit of New Orleans, the NFL will host a parade to ring in its 91st season and celebrate the New Orleans Saints Super Bowl XLIV championship.

THE KREWE OF NFL KICKOFF PARADE travels through the heart of the French Quarter, stepping off at 5:00 p.m. (CT) on Esplanade Ave. and North Peters, heading downtown on Decatur and North Peters crossing Canal St. to Tchoupitoulas and ending at Julia Street.

Fans may line up along the parade route to be a part of the celebration. Fans may check www.nfl.com/kickoff for the most up-to-date information about the parade and festivities.

There will be specialty NFL floats and throws (beads) in the parade. The Krewe of NFL Kickoff Parade will feature Blaine Kern Studios signature floats, the area’s finest marching bands, local residents, local chefs and former NFL greats from around the league.


The floats of The Krewe Of NFL Kickoff Parade include:

· Rex Streetcar Float, a New Orleans-themed float celebrating that night’s match-up between the Saints and the Minnesota Vikings.

· Lombardi Riverboat Float commemorating the Saints Super Bowl XLIV championship.

· Smokey Mary Train featuring local kids who are part of the NFL’s PLAY 60 campaign, committed to making the next generation of youth the most active and healthy.

· NFL sponsors EA SPORTS, VISA, Snickers and Pepsi also will have floats celebrating Kickoff.


The Krewe of NFL Kickoff Parade kicks off "NFL OPENING KICKOFF 2010 PRESENTED BY EA SPORTS,” the NFL’s ninth annual football and music festival. NFL Opening Kickoff 2010 will be televised live, from 7:30-8:30 PM (ET)/6:30-7:30 PM (CT) on NBC and NFL Network, leading up to the season opener between the Saints and the Minnesota Vikings at the Superdome (NBC, Westwood One Radio Sports, 8:30 PM ET).

This is the seventh consecutive year the NFL has saluted the Super Bowl champions with the opening game in their stadium on a Thursday in primetime.

NFL OPENING KICKOFF 2010 is an NFL NETWORK PRODUCTION and will be executive produced by RICKY KIRSHNER, the Executive Producer of the Super Bowl pregame and halftime shows and directed by GREGG GELFAND.

AND IT’S ALREADY GOT A SUPER BOWL!

The NEW YORK GIANTS and NEW YORK JETS will debut the NFL’s newest stadium this year – 82,500-seat NEW MEADOWLANDS STADIUM. And before it opens, it already knows what it will host four years from now – Super Bowl XLVIII in 2014, which NFL owners awarded at the 2010 NFL Spring Meeting.

Covering 13.5 acres, New Meadowlands Stadium – the only current facility to house two NFL teams – offers an impressive array of amenities. Among other luxuries, the stadium features four massive HD video display boards, wider concourses, a myriad of food and shopping options, and the closest seats to the action in the entire NFL.

Also, the exterior of the stadium bowl, comprised of louvers and lights, will have the capability to change colors to reflect the home teams’ colors on gameday. When the Giants are home, the stadium will be illuminated in blue; when the Jets are home, the exterior of the stadium will be green.

In addition, the new facility is one of the most environmentally-friendly venues in all of sports. Constructed partially with recycled steel, New Meadowlands Stadium will use 30 percent less energy and 25 percent less water than the old stadium. Fans will also have the opportunity to do their part, with additional recycling bins in the stadium and parking lots and the completion of a new rail line that will allow up to 10,000 fans to ride to the facility on gamedays.

More than anything, the new stadium is a source of pride for both Giants and Jets fans.
“With this stadium, we think that those on the field, and in the stands, will have the greatest place to play and watch the game in the country,” says Giants President and CEO JOHN MARA. “It will be an extraordinary facility with a stadium design that will
reward our fans for their enthusiasm, support and loyalty.”

“Every aspect of a Sunday at the stadium will be radically different before fans even step foot inside,” says Jets Chairman and CEO WOODY JOHNSON. “Once at the stadium, fans will enjoy enhanced tailgating opportunities and a new plaza filled with
activities for fans of all ages.”

The Giants and Jets have certainly done their part to bring a world-class facility to their fans in the Meadowlands. Here is a look at the new facility, by the numbers:

• 46 feet: Distance from sideline to front row seats on the 50 yard line
• 118 feet: Width of the four large video display boards
• 800: Number of concession stands
• 1,350: Number of restroom fixtures located throughout the stadium
• 2,018: Number of HD monitors throughout the stadium
• 2,200 feet: Length of ribbon board that circles the interior bowl
• 16,720 square feet: area of scoreboard at new stadium (as compared to 2,784 at Giants Stadium)
• 27,500: Number of parking spaces (as compared to 25,500 at Giants Stadium)
• 2 million square feet: area of the new stadium (as compared to 900,000 square feet at Giants Stadium)
• XLVIII: Number of the Super Bowl to be played there in 2014

NFL owners voted at the Annual Meeting in March to amend overtime rules for the postseason to a MODIFIED SUDDEN DEATH format. Teams will now have the opportunity to possess the ball at least once in the extra period unless the team that receives the overtime kickoff scores a touchdown on its first possession.

“We felt this year’s proposal gave us the opportunity to make a pretty good rule even better for the players,” says Atlanta Falcons President and Co-Chairman of the NFL Competition Committee RICH MC KAY (left). “I really believe the more you talk about the issue, the more you understand the statistics, the more you say there must be a change.”

The sudden-death overtime system that has been in place since 1974 will still be used for preseason and regular-season NFL games.

Here’s a look at the NFL’s overtime procedures:

PRESEASON & REGULAR SEASON – SUDDEN DEATH
The sudden death system of determining the winner shall prevail when the score is tied at the end of regulation playing time of preseason and regular-season NFL games. The
team scoring first during overtime play shall be the winner and the game automatically ends upon any score (by safety, field goal, or touchdown) or when a score is awarded by the Referee for a palpably unfair act.

• At the end of regulation time, the Referee will immediately toss a coin at the center of the field in accordance with rules pertaining to the usual pregame toss. The captain of the visiting team will call the toss prior to the coin being flipped.

• Following a three-minute intermission after the end of the regulation game, play will continue for one 15- minute period or until there is a score. Each team has two time-outs. General timing provisions that apply for the fourth quarter will prevail. The try is not attempted if a touchdown is scored. Disqualified players are not
allowed to return.

• Instant Replay: No challenges. Reviews to be initiated by the replay assistant.


POSTSEASON – MODIFIED SUDDEN DEATH
The modified sudden death system of determining the winner shall prevail when the score is tied at the end of regulation playing time of postseason NFL games. The system guarantees each team a possession or the opportunity to possess, unless the team that receives the opening kickoff scores a touchdown on its initial possession.

• At the end of regulation time, the Referee will immediately toss a coin at the center of the field in accordance with rules pertaining to the usual pregame
toss. The captain of the visiting team will call the toss prior to the coin being flipped.

• Following a three-minute intermission after the end of the regulation game, play will be continued in 15- minute periods until a winner is declared. Each team must possess or have the opportunity to possess the ball unless the team that has the ball first scores a touchdown on its initial possession. Play continues in sudden death until a winner is determined, and the game automatically ends upon any score (by safety, field goal, or touchdown) or when a score is awarded by the Referee for a palpably unfair act. Each team has three time-outs per half and all general timing
provisions apply as during a regular game. The try is not attempted if a touchdown is scored. Disqualified players are not allowed to return.

• Instant Replay: No challenges. Reviews to be initiated by the replay assistant.


Key Definitions:
Possession
Actual possession of the ball with complete control. The defense gains possession when it catches, intercepts, or recovers a loose ball.

Opportunity to possess
The opportunity to possess occurs only during kicking plays. A kickoff is an opportunity to possess for the receiving team. If the kicking team legally recovers the kick, the receiving team is considered to have had its opportunity. A punt or a field goal that crosses the line of scrimmage and is muffed by the receiving team is considered to be an opportunity to possess for the receivers. Normal touching rules by the kicking team apply.

In addition to a new modified sudden-death overtime format for postseason games (see next page), a number of other playing-rules changes were adopted by the NFL clubs at the Annual Meeting in March.
The primary focus of those changes was enhancing player safety.
“We want to make the game safer both for the player getting hit and the player doing the hitting,” says NFL Executive Vice President of Football Operations RAY ANDERSON (right).

Following are the 2010 changes:

UNNECESSARY ROUGHNESS
Existing unnecessary roughness rules have been standardized and protection for defenseless players has been expanded, including additional safeguards for defenseless players who have just completed a catch from blows to the head or neck by an opponent who launches, and long snappers.
“We wanted to make sure we have consistent language that lines up for all categories of players and expand the protection that applies to those players,” says Atlanta Falcons President and Co-Chairman of the NFL Competition Committee RICH MC KAY.
All unnecessary roughness violations result in a 15-yard penalty.

HELMET REMOVAL
If a ball carrier’s helmet comes off during a play, the ball will immediately be blown dead.
“We watched some tape where players are running in the field of play without helmets,” says McKay. “In our mind that is not a safe situation.”

DEAD BALL FOULS
If there is a dead ball personal foul by either team following the end of the second or fourth quarter, the penalty yardage will now be enforced on the second-half kickoff, or the kickoff in overtime.

INSTANT REPLAY
Two adjustments were made to instant replay procedures in the interest of competitive fairness:
- If there is not an on-field ruling that a ball strikes a video board, guide wire, sky cam or any other object, the replay assistant may now initiate a booth review, even if the event occurs prior to the two-minute warning.
- If a replay review inside of one minute of either half results in the on-field ruling being reversed and the correct ruling would not have stopped the game clock, then there will be a 10-second runoff before the ball is put back in play.

JERSEY NUMBERS
In addition to numbers 60-79 and 90-99, defensive linemen are now permitted to wear numbers 50-59. Also, players who change positions are no longer required to switch jersey numbers if the change is from an ineligible position to another ineligible position (e.g. center to offensive guard) or from an eligible position to another
eligible position (e.g. running back to wide receiver).

FAIR CATCH MUFFS
The penalty yardage for interference when a kicking team player attempts to catch a muffed kick has been eliminated. A penalty for unnecessary roughness, if applicable, would not be affected.

There will also be points of emphasis on several existing rules this season (although the rules themselves have not changed):
- Good sportsmanship will continue to be emphasized. The use of abusive, threatening or insulting language or gestures directed at an opponent or an opponent’s bench is considered taunting and will result in a 15-yard penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct. Game officials will pay particular attention to in-the-face taunting of opponents.
- All rules that encourage player safety will continue to be strictly enforced, including unnecessary roughness, chop blocks, clipping and illegal blocks below the waist on changes of possession. The focus will be on eliminating these tactics from
the game.

There will also be one change in mechanics for NFL officials:
- The initial position of NFL umpires will now be in the offensive backfield opposite the referee for all plays except for field goals, extra point tries and inside the two-minute warning of the second and fourth quarters. The most important factor in considering this move was the safety of the umpire.

SEVEN GAMES ON NATIONAL TV

NEW MEADOWLANDS STADIUM OPENS MONDAY NIGHT WITH GIANTS FACING JETS

Everybody’s playing!

All 32 NFL clubs will hit the field this week as the first full slate of NFL preseason action takes place, bookended by nationally televised games on ESPN on Thursday and Monday nights and five nationally televised games on Friday, Saturday and Sunday on NFL Network.

“The preseason is an important time for us to evaluate players," says head coach SEAN PAYTON of the Super Bowl XLIV champion New Orleans Saints. “We have a lot of players that we need to see in live action, so number one is evaluation. The number two thing is that it’s the first chance we get to play a game against another opponent. That carries a lot of weight."

A look at a few of the matchups in Preseason Week 1:

NEW YORK GIANTS AT NEW YORK JETS
(Monday, ESPN, 8:00 PM ET)
New Meadowlands Stadium will host its first football game when the stadium’s two tenants – the New York Giants and New York Jets – face one another on Monday night, August 16 on ESPN.

Covering 13.5 acres, the 82,500-seat stadium is the only current facility to house two NFL teams. It offers an impressive array of amenities, including four massive HD video display boards, wider concourses, a myriad of food and shopping options, and the closest seats to the action in the entire NFL. The exterior of the stadium bowl, comprised of louvers and lights, will have the capability to change colors to reflect the home teams’ colors on gameday.

“With this stadium, we think that those on the field, and in the stands, will have the greatest place to play and watch the game in the country," says Giants President and CEO JOHN MARA. “It will be an extraordinary facility with a stadium design that will reward our fans for their enthusiasm, support and loyalty."

“Every aspect of a Sunday at the stadium will be radically different before fans even step foot inside," says Jets Chairman and CEO WOODY JOHNSON. “Once at the stadium, fans will enjoy enhanced tailgating opportunities and a new plaza filled with activities for fans of all ages."

The Giants and Jets will meet for the 42nd consecutive preseason. Last season, the Jets, who advanced to the AFC Championship Game, defeated the Giants 27-25.

This year’s contest will feature the New York debuts of several players from both teams, including the Jets’ LA DAINIAN TOMLINSON, SANTONIO HOLMES, ANTONIO CROMARTIE and JASON TAYLOR and the Giants’ ANTREL ROLLE and KEITH BULLUCK.

“I always wanted to live in New York and have the opportunity to play on this wonderful stage," says Tomlinson. “Obviously, now I have the opportunity and I’m excited about it."


CAROLINA at BALTIMORE
(Thursday, ESPN, 8:00 PM ET)
ESPN’s preseason schedule will kick off on Thursday night, August 12, when the Baltimore Ravens host the Carolina Panthers in a contest featuring two teams that love to pound the ball on the ground.

Last year, the Panthers led the NFC and ranked third in the NFL averaging 156.1 rushing yards per game. Led by running backs JONATHAN STEWART (1,133 yards) and All-Star DE ANGELO WILLIAMS (1,117), the team became the first in NFL history with two 1,100-yard rushers in the same season.

“There are a lot of football teams in the National Football League that would love to have the luxury that we have," says Williams. “Having two guys puts pressure on defenses and keeps them from knowing what to expect. The ability to keep defenses on their heels is something everyone wants."

The Ravens, who finished 9-7 and advanced to the AFC Divisional Playoffs a year ago, have also enjoyed success using multiple running backs. In 2009, Pro Bowl running back RAY RICE rushed for a career-high 1,339 yards and WILLIS MC GAHEE led the club with 12 rushing touchdowns. Led by All-Star fullback LE’RON MC CLAIN’s blocking, the Ravens ranked fifth in the NFL with 137.5 rushing yards per game.

“Willis, Le’Ron and I are not identical runners," says Rice. “We can all do things but we’re different. The more good guys you have, the better it is."


NEW ORLEANS at NEW ENGLAND
(Thursday, 7:30 PM ET)
The New Orleans Saints take the field for the first time as Super Bowl champions when they visit the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on Thursday.

“Each year you always look to improve," says Payton about the upcoming 2010 season. “There are benchmarks you look to accomplish and certainly all of us want to win another Super Bowl title. Those are goals that you set. You set those for your team. You also recognize how difficult the challenge is, especially having gone through that experience in the playoffs and Super Bowl. The goal is always to win."

Success has been no stranger to the Patriots, who won the AFC East last year. The club has won 112 regular-season games since 2000, the second-most in the NFL, and leads the league with four Super Bowl berths and three Super Bowl championships in the past decade.

“The Patriots are one of the teams of the decade," says Saints quarterback DREW BREES. “They’ve won three Super Bowls and they’ve been to the playoffs just about every year. Some would say they’re a dynasty. That’s the type of organization that we’re aspiring to be. We want to be a championship contender every year."


BUFFALO AT WASHINGTON
(Friday, NFL Network, 7:30 PM ET)
Head coach MIKE SHANAHAN and quarterback DONOVAN MC NABB will make their Redskins debuts on Friday night when Washington hosts the Buffalo Bills at FedExField.

“I’m looking forward to getting started, that’s for sure," says Shanahan. “After being here for over six months and putting a football team together, you’ve got the draft, you’ve got free agency, evaluating your own football team, you’re always waiting for the season. And now it's time to go."

For Buffalo, it will mark the first game as a Bill for head coach CHAN GAILEY.

“He’s won everywhere he’s been, and there’s a good chance he’ll do it again," says Buffalo general manager BUDDY NIX of Gailey. “This guy is the guy to get us back to winning and get us where we want to go."


AMONG OTHER INTERESTING GAMES THIS WEEK:

TAMPA BAY at MIAMI
(Saturday, NFL Network, 7:00 PM ET)
DT GERALD MC COY, the No. 3 overall pick in the 2010 draft, will see his first NFL action as part of the Bucs defense, facing off against a Miami offense led by QB CHAD HENNE and WR BRANDON MARSHALL, who was acquired via trade this offseason.


TENNESSEE at SEATTLE
(Saturday, NFL Network, 10:00 PM ET)
PETE CARROLL returns to the NFL sidelines as Seahawks head coach, hosting QB VINCE YOUNG and the Tennessee Titans, who won eight of their last 10 games to close out the 2009 season.


SAN FRANCISCO at INDIANAPOLIS
(Sunday, NFL Network, 1:00 PM ET)
MIKE SINGLETARY and JIM CALDWELL begin their sophomore seasons with their respective teams. Singletary’s 49ers feature a talented defense including All-Star LB PATRICK WILLIS and rookie S TAYLOR MAYS, while four-time AP NFL MVP QB PEYTON MANNING begins his 13th season with the defending AFC champion Colts.


DENVER at CINCINNATI
(Sunday, NFL Network, 7:00 PM ET)
Broncos head coach JOSH MC DANIELS will continue to evaluate his trio of young QBs as KYLE ORTON, BRADY QUINN and rookie TIM TEBOW battle for a starting job against the Bengals defense (fourth in the NFL in 2009).


HALL OF FAME GAME PARTICIPANTS GO FROM AUGUST TO JANUARY: At least one of the teams to play in the Pro Football Hall of Fame Game has made the playoffs in eight of the past nine seasons, starting with both the St. Louis Rams and Miami Dolphins in 2001.

TO CELEBRATE START OF THE NFL SEASON AND
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS SUPER BOWL CHAMPIONSHIP

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 9

SHOW TO FEATURE PERFORMANCES BY
DAVE MATTHEWS BAND AND TAYLOR SWIFT


NBC/NFL Network Special On Sept. 9, 7:30-8:30 p.m. ET

Precedes The 2010 NFL Kickoff Game:
MINNESOTA VIKINGS vs. NEW ORLEANS SAINTS

It’s time to get Back To Football as the NFL begins its 91st season with a celebration in its special pregame show, "NFL OPENING KICKOFF 2010 PRESENTED BY EA SPORTS” – 7:30 PM ET Thursday, September 9. DAVE MATTHEWS BAND and TAYLOR SWIFT are scheduled to perform.

There will be simulcast coverage of the 60-minute pregame show which will air from 7:30 – 8:30 PM ET on NBC and NFL Network. The live pregame broadcast also will be available via NFL Mobile only from Verizon.

The performances are part of the celebration to kick off the 2010 season and to honor the Super Bowl champion New Orleans Saints and the city of New Orleans.

The show leads into the season opener between the Saints and the Minnesota Vikings at the Superdome (NBC, Westwood One Radio Sports, 8:30 PM ET).

The NBC show will feature performances by Grammy Award winning artists Dave Matthews Band and Taylor Swift and will be broadcast live from Jackson Square. More concert details including information on how the public can have a chance to join the live audience at Jackson Square will be announced shortly.

This is the seventh consecutive year the NFL has saluted the Super Bowl champions with the opening game in their stadium on a Thursday in primetime.

NFL OPENING KICKOFF 2010 will be executive produced by RICKY KIRSCHNER, the Executive Producer of the Super Bowl pregame and halftime shows and directed by GREGG GELFAND.

In addition to presenting sponsor EA SPORTS, top tier sponsors for the NFL’s Kickoff platform include Coors Light, GMC, Pepsi, Snickers, Verizon, and Visa and associate sponsor Gatorade.


HISTORY OF NFL OPENING KICKOFF EVENTS

DATE, LOCATION, NETWORK, TALENT, GAME

9/5/2002
Times Square, New York
CBS, MTV, VH1 and ESPN
Bon Jovi, Enrique Iglesias, Alicia Keys, Eve, Cast of Broadway musical Rent with Joey Fatone of NSYNC
San Francisco at NY Giants (ESPN)

9/4/2003
The National Mall, Washington, DC
ABC
Aerosmith, Mary J. Blige, Aretha Franklin, Britney Spears, Good Charlotte
NY Jets at Washington (ESPN)

9/9/2004
Gillette Stadium, New England/ Metropolitan Park, Jacksonville
ABC
Boston Pops, Mary J. Blige, Destiny’s Child, Elton John, Toby Keith, Lenny Kravitz (NE); Jessica Simpson (Jax.)
Indianapolis at New England (ABC)

9/8/2005
Gillette Stadium, New England/ Los Angeles Coliseum, LA/Detroit
ABC
Green Day, Santana, Michelle Branch, Ozzy Osbourne, Trisha Yearwood (NE); Kanye West, Maroon 5, Good Charlotte, Rihanna (LA); Rolling Stones (taped from Detroit)
Oakland at New England (ABC)

9/7/2006
Heinz Field, Pittsburgh/Miami
NBC
Rascal Flatts, Martina McBride (Pitt.); Diddy, Cassie, Yung Joc, Tego Calderon (Miami)
Miami at Pittsburgh (NBC)

9/6/2007
RCA Dome, Indianapolis
NBC, NFLN
John Mellencamp, Faith Hill, Kelly Clarkson, Hinder, Keyshia Cole, Voices of Unity Youth Choir
New Orleans at Indianapolis (NBC)

9/4/2008
Columbus Circle, New York City
NFLN, NBC
Natasha Bedingfield, Keith Urban, Usher
Washington at New York Giants (NBC)

9/10/2009
Heinz Field, Pittsburgh
NFLN, NBC
Tim McGraw, The Black Eyed Peas
Tennessee at Pittsburgh (NBC)

9/9/2010
Superdome, New Orleans
NFLN, NBC
Dave Matthews Band, Taylor Swift
Minnesota at New Orleans (NBC)

Flag Football Game Featuring NFL Legends & Hollywood Stars to Air on NBC Sunday, August 8 at 7 PM ET.

Madden NFL 11 on Sale Tuesday, August 10.

Before the Dallas Cowboys and Cincinnati Bengals meet in the Pro Football Hall of Fame game to kick off the 2010 NFL preseason, EA SPORTS, NFL and NBC get fans back to football with the second annual EA SPORTS Madden NFL 11 Pigskin Pro-Am on Sunday, August 8 at 7:00 pm ET on NBC.

NFL legends join forces with Hollywood celebrities in this exciting, action-packed, high-scoring flag football game, complete with last-second drama. The Pigskin Pro-Am took place in Malibu, California on Thursday, July 22.

Fans can tune in to see “Montana-To-Rice” one more time, when Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback JOE MONTANA leads The Gamers with member of the Hall of Fame class of 2010 JERRY RICE as well as “Access Hollywood’s” correspondent MARIA MENOUNOS as she takes home the game’s coveted Most Valuable Player (MVP) award. On the other side of the ball, Super Bowl XXXIV MVP KURT WARNER, Hall of Fame DB ROD WOODSON and host of NBC’s “Last Comic Standing” CRAIG ROBINSON are a few of the stars that make up The Famers squad. [Full team rosters below]

The Pigskin Pro-Am is part of the launch of EA SPORTS Madden NFL 11, which goes on sale August 10.

Some highlights from the game:

The Famers QB Kurt Warner returns to the field just months after announcing his retirement. Can he top his performance in Super Bowl XLIII or his 2009 Playoff run in this year’s Pigskin Pro-Am?

The Gamers’ Jerry Rice takes it to the house and returns a “kickoff” 40-yards for a touchdown.

The Gamers’ Maria Menounos records five receptions for 55 yards, one touchdown, has one sack and two tackles.

The Famers’ JAMES VAN DER BEEK channels Jonathon “Mox” Moxon with six receptions for 71 yards and three touchdowns, and adds six tackles.

Down a score, The Famers’ Rod Woodson picks off Gamers QB Joe Montana allowing The Famers to drive down and score with less than 20 seconds left to take their first lead of the day.

In the final seconds of the game, The Gamers get inside the 10-yard line on a pass to Deion Sanders and time seemingly expires… but Coach TONY GONZALEZ calls a timeout and The Gamers get one more play. Tune in to see if Montana has one more classic game-winning drive left in him.

Full Team Rosters:

THE GAMERS
Quinton Aaron (Actor – Michael Oher in “The Blind Side”)
Marcus Allen
Shannon Elizabeth (Actress, Model)
Joe Manganiello (Actor -- Werewolf Alcide Herveaux on HBO’s “True Blood”)
Ryan McPartlin (Actor – Chuck)
Maria Menounos (Actress/Journalist – Correspondent for “Access Hollywood”)
Joe Montana
Jerry Rice
Deion Sanders, Captain
Tony Gonzalez, Coach


THE FAMERS
Ashlan Gorse (Correspondent for E!)
Michael Irvin
Stacy Keibler (Actress/Former Pro Wrestler)
Jesse Plemons (Actor – Landry Clarke on NBC’s “Friday Night Lights”)
Craig Robinson (Actor/Comedian – Host of NBC’s “Last Comic Standing”)
Shannon Sharpe, Captain
James Van Der Beek (Actor)
Kurt Warner
Rod Woodson
Terrell Owens, Coach

This will be a season of celebration for several NFL franchises. The season also will serve as a remembrance for individuals who have left a lasting legacy with a team.
Below are patches and logos that have been created by teams to honor their history or celebrate events this season:

























TEAM/EVENT PATCH/DECAL

Buffalo Bills
Bills “Toronto Series” patch.

Chicago Bears
The team will honor the “Monsters of the Midway” championship teams from the 1940s with throwback jerseys.

Chicago Bears
Memorial helmet decal for Gaines Adams.

Dallas Cowboys
The team will wear its 50th anniversary patch throughout the 2010 season.

Denver/San Francisco
NFL “International Series” patch.

Green Bay Packers
The team will honor its 1929 NFL champions with a re-creation of their uniform.

Minnesota Vikings
The team will wear a 50th season patch throughout the 2010 season.

National Football League
All teams will wear a pink ribbon decal on their helmets to support Breast Cancer
Awareness Month in October.

National Football League
NFL game officials will wear a memorial patch on their hats for late back judge Bob
Lawing.

New Orleans Saints
The team will wear a Super Bowl champions patch on Kickoff Weekend.

New York Giants
The team will celebrate the inaugural season of the New Meadowlands Stadium.

New York Jets
The team will celebrate the inaugural season of the New Meadowlands Stadium.

Philadelphia Eagles
The team will celebrate the 50th anniversary of its 1960 NFL championship team on
September 12 against Green Bay.