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Quarterbacks Andrew Luck and Robert Griffin III went head-to-head in the race for the Heisman Trophy last season. Then they competed to be the No. 1 pick in the NFL draft. On Saturday, for the first time, they will meet on a football field.
Luck, the No. 1 pick and two-time Heisman runner-up, will lead the Indianapolis Colts in an exhibition against the host Washington Redskins and Griffin, the No. 2 selection and the Heisman Trophy winner. The game will be shown on the NFL Network at 1 p.m.
Both players realize they will be linked for years to come.
"I think you realize that's sort of the nature of the beast, nature of playing quarterback, nature of being drafted one, two, at any position in any sport," Luck said. "I don't speak for him, but I'm sure he feels the same way. It's not too hard not to get too caught up in it. I have much bigger things to worry about."
Said Griffin: "I definitely look forward to playing the guy throughout my career," he said. "I think it will be exciting matchups every time we face each other."
Seahawks 44, Chiefs 14: Rookie quarterback Russell Wilson staked his claim to Seattle's starting job, throwing for 185 yards and two touchdowns in an exhibition victory in Kansas City, Mo.
Wilson is competing with Matt Flynn, who was held out of the game because of a sore elbow.
Read More: NFL: Andrew Luck, Robert Griffin III going head-to-head - San Jose Mercury News
Luck, the No. 1 pick and two-time Heisman runner-up, will lead the Indianapolis Colts in an exhibition against the host Washington Redskins and Griffin, the No. 2 selection and the Heisman Trophy winner. The game will be shown on the NFL Network at 1 p.m.
Both players realize they will be linked for years to come.
"I think you realize that's sort of the nature of the beast, nature of playing quarterback, nature of being drafted one, two, at any position in any sport," Luck said. "I don't speak for him, but I'm sure he feels the same way. It's not too hard not to get too caught up in it. I have much bigger things to worry about."
Said Griffin: "I definitely look forward to playing the guy throughout my career," he said. "I think it will be exciting matchups every time we face each other."
Seahawks 44, Chiefs 14: Rookie quarterback Russell Wilson staked his claim to Seattle's starting job, throwing for 185 yards and two touchdowns in an exhibition victory in Kansas City, Mo.
Wilson is competing with Matt Flynn, who was held out of the game because of a sore elbow.
Read More: NFL: Andrew Luck, Robert Griffin III going head-to-head - San Jose Mercury News
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Never has a Browns season during the last 10 years been anticipated more than the one beginning on the second Sunday in September.
The team has new hope with a new running back in Trent Richardson, who is racing to rehab from knee surgery. They have a new quarterback in Brandon Weeden and a new boss in Jimmy Haslam III, who promises to be a hands-on aggressive owner.
The fate of team president Mike Holmgren, General Manager Tom Heckert and head coach Pat Shurmur will ultimately be decided by Haslam. Everything the Browns do until the season ends Dec. 30 in Pittsburgh will affect that pending decision.
“We’ve got to listen, learn and observe and in football you either win or lose, so there’s not a question,” Haslam said on Aug. 3, the day he was introduced as the new owner. “We’ll see how we do. I think over time, these guys will be successful.”
Read More: NFL INSIDER: New owner, new hope for 2012 Browns - morningjournal-com
The team has new hope with a new running back in Trent Richardson, who is racing to rehab from knee surgery. They have a new quarterback in Brandon Weeden and a new boss in Jimmy Haslam III, who promises to be a hands-on aggressive owner.
The fate of team president Mike Holmgren, General Manager Tom Heckert and head coach Pat Shurmur will ultimately be decided by Haslam. Everything the Browns do until the season ends Dec. 30 in Pittsburgh will affect that pending decision.
“We’ve got to listen, learn and observe and in football you either win or lose, so there’s not a question,” Haslam said on Aug. 3, the day he was introduced as the new owner. “We’ll see how we do. I think over time, these guys will be successful.”
Read More: NFL INSIDER: New owner, new hope for 2012 Browns - morningjournal-com
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The Seattle Seahawks have handed rookie Russell Wilson the responsibility of starting the new campaign as their quarterback after announcing they had traded Tavaris Jackson to the Buffalo Bills on Sunday (Monday, PHL time).
Jackson started 14 games for the team last season as they finished 7-9 but the Seahawks made it clear they would adopt a new offensive strategy when they acquired free agent Matt Flynn in March and drafted Wilson during the off-season.
The Bills will send Seattle an undisclosed draft pick as part of the deal.
"Because of our situation and the opportunity with the guys that we have, he [Jackson] deserves a chance to be playing," Seahawks coach Pete Carroll told reporters.
"Buffalo came after him and I hope it's a good thing for him."
Seizing his opportunity, Wilson has emerged as the Seahawks' top signal-caller and will start the regular season opener against the Arizona Cardinals in Glendale on September 9.
A dynamic runner and passer, Wilson was given the start in Seattle's 44-14 preseason game win over Kansas City on Friday - with Flynn sitting out due to a sore elbow - throwing for 185 yards and two touchdowns.
"It's been a very exciting competition that's gone on, and Russell has taken full advantage of his opportunities and done everything we could ask for on the field," Carroll said.
Read More: NFL: Wilson to start for Seahawks after QB Jackson joins Bills | Sports | GMA News Online | The Go-To Site for Filipinos Everywhere
Jackson started 14 games for the team last season as they finished 7-9 but the Seahawks made it clear they would adopt a new offensive strategy when they acquired free agent Matt Flynn in March and drafted Wilson during the off-season.
The Bills will send Seattle an undisclosed draft pick as part of the deal.
"Because of our situation and the opportunity with the guys that we have, he [Jackson] deserves a chance to be playing," Seahawks coach Pete Carroll told reporters.
"Buffalo came after him and I hope it's a good thing for him."
Seizing his opportunity, Wilson has emerged as the Seahawks' top signal-caller and will start the regular season opener against the Arizona Cardinals in Glendale on September 9.
A dynamic runner and passer, Wilson was given the start in Seattle's 44-14 preseason game win over Kansas City on Friday - with Flynn sitting out due to a sore elbow - throwing for 185 yards and two touchdowns.
"It's been a very exciting competition that's gone on, and Russell has taken full advantage of his opportunities and done everything we could ask for on the field," Carroll said.
Read More: NFL: Wilson to start for Seahawks after QB Jackson joins Bills | Sports | GMA News Online | The Go-To Site for Filipinos Everywhere
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The New York Giants won the NFC East title – and the Super Bowl – last season, but they're still trailing on the odds list to claim that division crown once again in 2012.
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The Giants posted a 9-7 record in 2011, putting them one game up on both the Philadelphia Eagles and the Dallas Cowboys – who both disappointed their supporters with 8-8 marks that saw them miss the playoffs.
New York then went on to roll through the postseason, topping Tom Brady and the Patriots in the Super Bowl. Still, they're only pegged as the second-favorite at +200 odds to win the NFC East division title in 2012 at Bovada.
It's the Eagles at +140 who are the favorites, with Philadelphia looking to make up for their 2011 campaign when they were early-season chalk only to put up middling results before ending the year on a four-game winning streak.
Philly, though, has to be concerned about the health of starting quarterback Michael Vick, who has already been banged up a couple times during the exhibition schedule. Eagles coach Andy Reid expects Vick to be ready to play when the season starts in two weeks.
The Cowboys are at +260 odds to win the NFC East title this year, after they lost their last two games last season to blow their shot at a playoff berth. Cowboys tight end Jason Witten (spleen) is questionable to be ready for Week 1 of the season.
The Washington Redskins are then the division's long shots at +800 odds to claim that crown. Washington went just 5-11 last season, but with rookie quarterback Robert Griffin III now on board there's renewed optimism surrounding the franchise for this year.
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The Giants posted a 9-7 record in 2011, putting them one game up on both the Philadelphia Eagles and the Dallas Cowboys – who both disappointed their supporters with 8-8 marks that saw them miss the playoffs.
New York then went on to roll through the postseason, topping Tom Brady and the Patriots in the Super Bowl. Still, they're only pegged as the second-favorite at +200 odds to win the NFC East division title in 2012 at Bovada.
It's the Eagles at +140 who are the favorites, with Philadelphia looking to make up for their 2011 campaign when they were early-season chalk only to put up middling results before ending the year on a four-game winning streak.
Philly, though, has to be concerned about the health of starting quarterback Michael Vick, who has already been banged up a couple times during the exhibition schedule. Eagles coach Andy Reid expects Vick to be ready to play when the season starts in two weeks.
The Cowboys are at +260 odds to win the NFC East title this year, after they lost their last two games last season to blow their shot at a playoff berth. Cowboys tight end Jason Witten (spleen) is questionable to be ready for Week 1 of the season.
The Washington Redskins are then the division's long shots at +800 odds to claim that crown. Washington went just 5-11 last season, but with rookie quarterback Robert Griffin III now on board there's renewed optimism surrounding the franchise for this year.
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Tom Brady and the New England Patriots ran away with the AFC East division title last season, and they're the favorites on the NFL futures at Bovada to claim that crown once again this year.
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The Patriots went 13-3 in 2011, winning the AFC East title by five games over the New York Jets (who ended the campaign on a three-game losing streak) and seven games over the Miami Dolphins and the Buffalo Bills – who both ended up with 6-10 marks.
And pushing the Patriots to that record last year was their explosive offense, which put up a conference-high 513 points over their 16 games; the San Diego Chargers were the only other AFC team to even crack 400 points on the year.
That has the Patriots as the -400 favorites on the NFL odds at Bovada to win the AFC East title in 2012, as they look to return to the playoffs and avenge their loss in last year's Super Bowl to the New York Giants.
The Jets and Bills are then both at +600, with New York adding some intrigue to their offseason when they brought in Tim Tebow to back up incumbent quarterback Mark Sanchez – who has been rapidly losing the faith of Jets fans.
Buffalo surprised in the offseason when they were able to sign star defensive end Mario Williams as a free agent. The Bills allowed an AFC-high 434 points last year, but they're hoping Williams' insertion into the lineup allows them to improve greatly in that area.
It's then the Dolphins as the +1500 long shot on the odds to win the AFC East at Bovada; Miami has named rookie quarterback Ryan Tannehill as their starter for the season.
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The Patriots went 13-3 in 2011, winning the AFC East title by five games over the New York Jets (who ended the campaign on a three-game losing streak) and seven games over the Miami Dolphins and the Buffalo Bills – who both ended up with 6-10 marks.
And pushing the Patriots to that record last year was their explosive offense, which put up a conference-high 513 points over their 16 games; the San Diego Chargers were the only other AFC team to even crack 400 points on the year.
That has the Patriots as the -400 favorites on the NFL odds at Bovada to win the AFC East title in 2012, as they look to return to the playoffs and avenge their loss in last year's Super Bowl to the New York Giants.
The Jets and Bills are then both at +600, with New York adding some intrigue to their offseason when they brought in Tim Tebow to back up incumbent quarterback Mark Sanchez – who has been rapidly losing the faith of Jets fans.
Buffalo surprised in the offseason when they were able to sign star defensive end Mario Williams as a free agent. The Bills allowed an AFC-high 434 points last year, but they're hoping Williams' insertion into the lineup allows them to improve greatly in that area.
It's then the Dolphins as the +1500 long shot on the odds to win the AFC East at Bovada; Miami has named rookie quarterback Ryan Tannehill as their starter for the season.
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The San Francisco 49ers had no trouble winning the NFC West title last season, ending up five games ahead of the second-place Arizona Cardinals in the division and posting the second-best record in the entire NFC at 13-3.
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It's not surprising, then, that the Niners are pegged as the big -250 favorites on the NFL futures at Bovada to claim the NFC West again in 2012. San Francisco scored the most points in the division last year (380) and allowed the least points (229) in the entire NFC.
San Francisco then went on to beat the New Orleans Saints in the Divisional Round of the playoffs, then lost 20-17 at home to the New York Giants in the NFC Championship Game.
The Seattle Seahawks are then second at +400 on the odds to win the NFC West title, after they went just 7-9 last year to finish six games back of the 13-win Niners. Russell Wilson has won the Seahawks' starting QB job, beating out Matt Flynn in their preseason battle.
The Cardinals were 8-8 last season and sit third at +750 odds to win the NFC West division in 2012, putting them ahead of only the +800 St. Louis Rams. Arizona has also been staging a quarterback battle this preseason, with last year's starter Kevin Kolb trying to beat out John Skelton for the gig.
The Rams had a league-low two wins last season, scoring just 193 points while giving up 407 points – which gave them the worst differential in the entire league at -214 points. St. Louis is hoping that starting QB Sam Bradford can take a big step forward this season.
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It's not surprising, then, that the Niners are pegged as the big -250 favorites on the NFL futures at Bovada to claim the NFC West again in 2012. San Francisco scored the most points in the division last year (380) and allowed the least points (229) in the entire NFC.
San Francisco then went on to beat the New Orleans Saints in the Divisional Round of the playoffs, then lost 20-17 at home to the New York Giants in the NFC Championship Game.
The Seattle Seahawks are then second at +400 on the odds to win the NFC West title, after they went just 7-9 last year to finish six games back of the 13-win Niners. Russell Wilson has won the Seahawks' starting QB job, beating out Matt Flynn in their preseason battle.
The Cardinals were 8-8 last season and sit third at +750 odds to win the NFC West division in 2012, putting them ahead of only the +800 St. Louis Rams. Arizona has also been staging a quarterback battle this preseason, with last year's starter Kevin Kolb trying to beat out John Skelton for the gig.
The Rams had a league-low two wins last season, scoring just 193 points while giving up 407 points – which gave them the worst differential in the entire league at -214 points. St. Louis is hoping that starting QB Sam Bradford can take a big step forward this season.
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The Denver Broncos backed their way into the playoffs last season, losing their last three games of the year but still managing to win a tiebreaker to claim the AFC West title.
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And that was with Tim Tebow as their starting quarterback. The Broncos made the biggest splash of the offseason when they brought in former Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning to be their starter, sending Tebow out of town in the process.
Manning will be looking to recapture his old Pro Bowl form this year and get the Broncos back to the playoffs – which they made last year with just an 8-8 record. On the odds to win the AFC West division title at Bovada the Broncos are pegged as the +140 favorites.
That puts them just ahead of the +225 San Diego Chargers, who were also 8-8 last season but lost the division title on a tiebreaker – and ended up missing the playoffs altogether. San Diego will be missing running back Ryan Matthews (collarbone) to start the season.
It's then the Kansas City Chiefs at +300 on the odds to win the AFC West title at Bovada, with the Oakland Raiders last on the list at +450 odds. The Chiefs finished in the division basement last year with a 7-9 record, while the Raiders ended up 8-8 but also lost the AFC West crown on the tiebreaker with the Broncos and ended up missing the playoffs.
The Chiefs scored a conference-low 212 points last season, while the Raiders lost four of their last five games last season and allowed the second-most points in the AFC (433).
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And that was with Tim Tebow as their starting quarterback. The Broncos made the biggest splash of the offseason when they brought in former Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning to be their starter, sending Tebow out of town in the process.
Manning will be looking to recapture his old Pro Bowl form this year and get the Broncos back to the playoffs – which they made last year with just an 8-8 record. On the odds to win the AFC West division title at Bovada the Broncos are pegged as the +140 favorites.
That puts them just ahead of the +225 San Diego Chargers, who were also 8-8 last season but lost the division title on a tiebreaker – and ended up missing the playoffs altogether. San Diego will be missing running back Ryan Matthews (collarbone) to start the season.
It's then the Kansas City Chiefs at +300 on the odds to win the AFC West title at Bovada, with the Oakland Raiders last on the list at +450 odds. The Chiefs finished in the division basement last year with a 7-9 record, while the Raiders ended up 8-8 but also lost the AFC West crown on the tiebreaker with the Broncos and ended up missing the playoffs.
The Chiefs scored a conference-low 212 points last season, while the Raiders lost four of their last five games last season and allowed the second-most points in the AFC (433).
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With the labor dispute between the NFL and locked-out referees in a deep freeze, the league has informed teams it will open the regular season next week with replacement officials.
Coaches, players and fans, brace yourselves.
This could get interesting, with the 136 replacements who have worked the preseason games to mixed reviews — and with some high-profile gaffes — set to call the real games. "They're replacements for a reason," Denver Broncos cornerback Champ Bailey told USA TODAY Sports. "It could get out of hand."
How long the replacements will remain is unclear but could hinge on whether controversial calls spark outrage.
NFL officials have been locked out since early June.
"It's a huge difference, man. They missed a lot of calls," Washington Redskins wide receiver Josh Morgan told USA TODAY Sports after Wednesday's preseason game.
In a memo sent to teams, obtained by USA TODAY Sports, NFL executive vice president Ray Anderson told clubs talks remained deadlocked, with the league remaining in contact with federal mediators.
Read More: NFL to use replacement officials for Week 1
Coaches, players and fans, brace yourselves.
This could get interesting, with the 136 replacements who have worked the preseason games to mixed reviews — and with some high-profile gaffes — set to call the real games. "They're replacements for a reason," Denver Broncos cornerback Champ Bailey told USA TODAY Sports. "It could get out of hand."
How long the replacements will remain is unclear but could hinge on whether controversial calls spark outrage.
NFL officials have been locked out since early June.
"It's a huge difference, man. They missed a lot of calls," Washington Redskins wide receiver Josh Morgan told USA TODAY Sports after Wednesday's preseason game.
In a memo sent to teams, obtained by USA TODAY Sports, NFL executive vice president Ray Anderson told clubs talks remained deadlocked, with the league remaining in contact with federal mediators.
Read More: NFL to use replacement officials for Week 1
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Drew Brees led all National Football League quarterbacks in total passing yards last season, and he's the favorite to be the leader in that category once again in 2012 as the prop bets for passing yards, rushing yards, and receiving yards are rolled out by Bovada.
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Brees threw for a NFL record 5,476 yards for the New Orleans Saints last season, with Tom Brady of the New England Patriots second at 5,235 yards and Matthew Stafford of the Detroit Lions third at 5,038 yards.
That has Brees as the 9/2 favorite on the NFL props at Bovada to lead the NFL in passing yards again in 2012, with Brady just behind him on that odds list at 19/4. Stafford is fourth at 13/2, with the Green Bay Packers' Aaron Rodgers sitting third at 11/2 – Rodgers was fifth in passing yards last season with 4,643, but played just 15 games.
The Chargers' Philip Rivers (4,624 yards in 2011) is then at 9/1, with the Giants' Eli Manning (4,933) at 12/1 along with the Broncos' Peyton Manning – who missed all of 2011.
The Jaguars' Maurice Jones-Drew led the NFL with 1,606 rushing yards last season, but his contract holdout has him listed fifth at 9/1 on that prop right now. Instead it's Houston's Arian Foster as the 4/1 favorite; Foster rushed for 1,224 yards over 13 games in 2011.
The Titans' Chris Johnson, who had 1,047 rushing yards in an off-year in 2011, is at 7/1 odds, with the Ravens' Ray Rice pegged at 15/2 on that prop wager; Rice was second only to Jones-Drew with 1,364 rushing yards last season. The Raiders' Darren McFadden (614 yards in seven games in 2011) is then listed at 8/1.
Finally, the Lions' Calvin Johnson is the 7/2 favorite to pick up the most receiving yards in the NFL once again in 2012 – he led the league in that category with 1,681 last season.
The Texans' Andre Johnson, the Bears' Brandon Marshall and the Cardinals' Larry Fitzgerald are all then set at 10/1 on those prop odds; Johnson had 492 receiving yards in seven games last year, while Marshall had 1,214, and Fitzgerald had 1,411.
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Brees threw for a NFL record 5,476 yards for the New Orleans Saints last season, with Tom Brady of the New England Patriots second at 5,235 yards and Matthew Stafford of the Detroit Lions third at 5,038 yards.
That has Brees as the 9/2 favorite on the NFL props at Bovada to lead the NFL in passing yards again in 2012, with Brady just behind him on that odds list at 19/4. Stafford is fourth at 13/2, with the Green Bay Packers' Aaron Rodgers sitting third at 11/2 – Rodgers was fifth in passing yards last season with 4,643, but played just 15 games.
The Chargers' Philip Rivers (4,624 yards in 2011) is then at 9/1, with the Giants' Eli Manning (4,933) at 12/1 along with the Broncos' Peyton Manning – who missed all of 2011.
The Jaguars' Maurice Jones-Drew led the NFL with 1,606 rushing yards last season, but his contract holdout has him listed fifth at 9/1 on that prop right now. Instead it's Houston's Arian Foster as the 4/1 favorite; Foster rushed for 1,224 yards over 13 games in 2011.
The Titans' Chris Johnson, who had 1,047 rushing yards in an off-year in 2011, is at 7/1 odds, with the Ravens' Ray Rice pegged at 15/2 on that prop wager; Rice was second only to Jones-Drew with 1,364 rushing yards last season. The Raiders' Darren McFadden (614 yards in seven games in 2011) is then listed at 8/1.
Finally, the Lions' Calvin Johnson is the 7/2 favorite to pick up the most receiving yards in the NFL once again in 2012 – he led the league in that category with 1,681 last season.
The Texans' Andre Johnson, the Bears' Brandon Marshall and the Cardinals' Larry Fitzgerald are all then set at 10/1 on those prop odds; Johnson had 492 receiving yards in seven games last year, while Marshall had 1,214, and Fitzgerald had 1,411.
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Andrew Luck, Robert Griffin III and Trent Richardson went 1-2-3 in this year's National Football League entry draft, and they're also the top three players on the current Bovada odds to win the league's Offensive Rookie of the Year award in 2012.
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Luck, the new starting quarterback for the Indianapolis Colts who was the top pick in the draft, leads the way at 9/4 on those prop odds at Bovada, and he'll be tasked with replacing Indianapolis legend Peyton Manning for the franchise this season. The Stanford product hasn't looked out of place on the NFL gridiron so far in the preseason.
Griffin III is next at 4/1 odds, and he's also entering the season as a rookie starting quarterback – but with the Washington Redskins there's no legend to replace. Griffin III has been up and down in the preseason but did manage to beat out Luck for the Heisman Trophy with Baylor last year.
Richardson was the third pick in the draft and finished third in last year's Heisman voting, and the running back is expected to carry a heavy load for the Cleveland Browns this season – if his knee can hold up. Richardson had a knee scope in the preseason and could see a limited workload in the opening weeks of the year. He's at 6/1 to win the ROY award.
Jaguars wide receiver Justin Blackmon and Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson are then both at 10/1 on the odds to win the NFL's Offensive Rookie of the Year award, while Browns quarterback Brandon Weeden and Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill are back at 18/1.
On the other side of the ball, Panthers linebacker Luke Kuechly is the 9/2 favorite on the odds at Bovada to win the league's Defensive Rookie of the Year award this season; Kuechly was the ninth-overall selection out of Boston College at this year's draft.
Patriots defensive end Chandler Jones (6/1), Cowboys defensive back Morris Claiborne (8/1), Ravens linebacker Courtney Upshaw (10/1), and Chargers defensive end Melvin Ingram (10/1) are the other top contenders to win that award on the current odds.
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Luck, the new starting quarterback for the Indianapolis Colts who was the top pick in the draft, leads the way at 9/4 on those prop odds at Bovada, and he'll be tasked with replacing Indianapolis legend Peyton Manning for the franchise this season. The Stanford product hasn't looked out of place on the NFL gridiron so far in the preseason.
Griffin III is next at 4/1 odds, and he's also entering the season as a rookie starting quarterback – but with the Washington Redskins there's no legend to replace. Griffin III has been up and down in the preseason but did manage to beat out Luck for the Heisman Trophy with Baylor last year.
Richardson was the third pick in the draft and finished third in last year's Heisman voting, and the running back is expected to carry a heavy load for the Cleveland Browns this season – if his knee can hold up. Richardson had a knee scope in the preseason and could see a limited workload in the opening weeks of the year. He's at 6/1 to win the ROY award.
Jaguars wide receiver Justin Blackmon and Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson are then both at 10/1 on the odds to win the NFL's Offensive Rookie of the Year award, while Browns quarterback Brandon Weeden and Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill are back at 18/1.
On the other side of the ball, Panthers linebacker Luke Kuechly is the 9/2 favorite on the odds at Bovada to win the league's Defensive Rookie of the Year award this season; Kuechly was the ninth-overall selection out of Boston College at this year's draft.
Patriots defensive end Chandler Jones (6/1), Cowboys defensive back Morris Claiborne (8/1), Ravens linebacker Courtney Upshaw (10/1), and Chargers defensive end Melvin Ingram (10/1) are the other top contenders to win that award on the current odds.
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The NFL and its on-field officials' union began negotiating again Friday, hoping to end the lockout that resulted in replacement officials working the preseason.
The league locked out the NFL Referees Association in early June, then hired replacements, whose work in exhibition games has been heavily criticized.
There even was some optimism surrounding Friday's talks, as Michael Arnold, lead negotiator for the officials, said in a statement: "Reports on the economic gap between the NFL and NFLRA are inaccurate."
League spokesman Greg Aiello said that statement was accurate.
Earlier this week, NFL executive Ray Anderson said the regular season would open with replacement officials and that the league was prepared to use them "as much ... as necessary" afterward.
But the NFL has seen and heard the problems the replacements have had this summer, something that tests the integrity of the sport.
In 2001, the NFL used replacements for the first week of the regular season before a contract was finalized. The speed of the game and the amount of time starters are on the field increase exponentially for real games, making the replacements' task more challenging.
Anderson, the NFL's executive vice president of football operations, told the clubs in a memo Wednesday that the replacements will work "as much of the regular season as necessary," adding that training with each crew will continue.
With talks reopening for the first time in more than a month, the regular officials could be back to work before the Cowboys visit the Giants on Wednesday night to open the schedule.
Arnold said, "Ongoing negotiations with the NFL will be conducted in a confidential and professional manner."
The league and the NFL Players Association began meeting to end their lockout last year in a similar fashion after a lengthy stalemate. But the league and players weren't up against as tight a deadline as the NFL is with the officials.
Read more: NFL, officials' union resume talks to end lockout - NFL - SI-com
The league locked out the NFL Referees Association in early June, then hired replacements, whose work in exhibition games has been heavily criticized.
There even was some optimism surrounding Friday's talks, as Michael Arnold, lead negotiator for the officials, said in a statement: "Reports on the economic gap between the NFL and NFLRA are inaccurate."
League spokesman Greg Aiello said that statement was accurate.
Earlier this week, NFL executive Ray Anderson said the regular season would open with replacement officials and that the league was prepared to use them "as much ... as necessary" afterward.
But the NFL has seen and heard the problems the replacements have had this summer, something that tests the integrity of the sport.
In 2001, the NFL used replacements for the first week of the regular season before a contract was finalized. The speed of the game and the amount of time starters are on the field increase exponentially for real games, making the replacements' task more challenging.
Anderson, the NFL's executive vice president of football operations, told the clubs in a memo Wednesday that the replacements will work "as much of the regular season as necessary," adding that training with each crew will continue.
With talks reopening for the first time in more than a month, the regular officials could be back to work before the Cowboys visit the Giants on Wednesday night to open the schedule.
Arnold said, "Ongoing negotiations with the NFL will be conducted in a confidential and professional manner."
The league and the NFL Players Association began meeting to end their lockout last year in a similar fashion after a lengthy stalemate. But the league and players weren't up against as tight a deadline as the NFL is with the officials.
Read more: NFL, officials' union resume talks to end lockout - NFL - SI-com
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Negotiations between the N.F.L. and its locked-out officials broke off Saturday morning, all but ensuring that replacement referees would work at least the first week of the regular season, which starts Wednesday. No further talks were scheduled. One official briefed on the negotiations said Saturday afternoon that there was “no chance” a deal could be done in time to get regular officials on the field for Week 1. “We are proceeding with the replacement officials,” the league said in a statement.
The last-ditch talks lasted three days, prompted by an N.F.L. memo to teams last week saying that it planned to use replacements for Week 1. A league official briefed on the negotiations said Commissioner Roger Goodell initiated the discussions, which included some economic improvements that the teams were prepared to make to reach an agreement before the start of the regular season.
The officials, the person said, accepted those parameters before Saturday’s meeting but at the meeting backed off from the numbers the league believed they had agreed to. “The officials apparently think we cannot play football without them,” the person said.
The standoff involves disputes over compensation, pensions and a league proposal to add more officials to give it more flexibility to replace those who it believes are underperforming.
The officials have been locked out since early June, and these talks were the first since late July.
Read More: www-nytimes-com/2012/09/02/sports/football/nfl-football-roundup-html
The last-ditch talks lasted three days, prompted by an N.F.L. memo to teams last week saying that it planned to use replacements for Week 1. A league official briefed on the negotiations said Commissioner Roger Goodell initiated the discussions, which included some economic improvements that the teams were prepared to make to reach an agreement before the start of the regular season.
The officials, the person said, accepted those parameters before Saturday’s meeting but at the meeting backed off from the numbers the league believed they had agreed to. “The officials apparently think we cannot play football without them,” the person said.
The standoff involves disputes over compensation, pensions and a league proposal to add more officials to give it more flexibility to replace those who it believes are underperforming.
The officials have been locked out since early June, and these talks were the first since late July.
Read More: www-nytimes-com/2012/09/02/sports/football/nfl-football-roundup-html
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After a replay review last week, the announcement came that a call had been upheld so Tampa Bay and Washington prepared to play on.
Wait. The officials weren't quite ready.
"We'll look at it one more time," replacement referee Jim Core told the crowd, the teams and the television audience.
Delays could be a common theme for NFL games once the regular season begins this week, and there are bigger concerns than that.
With no agreement with its locked-out referee union in sight, the league is planning to use replacements for at least the first week of the season. The new crews have seemed to work hard, but a seamless adjustment is impossible in such a short time. Many of the replacements are going from supervising small college games to policing the sport's best athletes in front of deafening 75,000-strong crowds.
This all but promises more of the officiating mistakes that have punctuated otherwise-unimportant exhibition games. The questions -- Can they keep the game safe? Can they keep up with the speed? Will they avoid game-changing errors? -- will keep coming until the NFL and the regular refs reach a new collective bargaining agreement.
Read More: Officials union says NFL in 'misinformation campaign'
Wait. The officials weren't quite ready.
"We'll look at it one more time," replacement referee Jim Core told the crowd, the teams and the television audience.
Delays could be a common theme for NFL games once the regular season begins this week, and there are bigger concerns than that.
With no agreement with its locked-out referee union in sight, the league is planning to use replacements for at least the first week of the season. The new crews have seemed to work hard, but a seamless adjustment is impossible in such a short time. Many of the replacements are going from supervising small college games to policing the sport's best athletes in front of deafening 75,000-strong crowds.
This all but promises more of the officiating mistakes that have punctuated otherwise-unimportant exhibition games. The questions -- Can they keep the game safe? Can they keep up with the speed? Will they avoid game-changing errors? -- will keep coming until the NFL and the regular refs reach a new collective bargaining agreement.
Read More: Officials union says NFL in 'misinformation campaign'
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Aaron Rodgers was the landslide winner of the NFL's MVP award last season, and he tops the odds at Bovada to claim that accolade once again this year as the league gets ready for its first games of the season this week.
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The Green Bay Packers quarterback threw for 4,643 odds for his 15-1 team last season, with 45 touchdown passes and just six interceptions. That performance landed him 48 of the 50 first-place votes for the MVP award; he's at 11/2 odds at Bovada for the repeat.
Patriots quarterback Tom Brady won his second NFL MVP award in 2010, and he's at 6/1 odds for this season. Brady threw for 5,235 yards for New England last season with 39 touchdown strikes and 12 interceptions.
Drew Brees, who picked up the other two first-place votes in the MVP race in 2011, is then at 15/2 on those NFL prop odds at Bovada, with the New Orleans Saints quarterback looking for his first-ever MVP award. Brees passed for 5,476 yards last season with 46 TDs and 14 interceptions.
Peyton Manning is then at 10/1 odds, with the new quarterback for the Denver Broncos a four-time winner of the award; Manning was the MVP in 2003, 2004, 2008, and 2009.
Eagles quarterback Michael Vick is then at 12/1, followed by Texans running back Arian Foster and Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford at 15/1. Giants quarterback Eli Manning and Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson are both pegged at 18/1
A wide receiver hasn't won the NFL MVP since Jerry Rice claimed the award back in 1987.
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The Green Bay Packers quarterback threw for 4,643 odds for his 15-1 team last season, with 45 touchdown passes and just six interceptions. That performance landed him 48 of the 50 first-place votes for the MVP award; he's at 11/2 odds at Bovada for the repeat.
Patriots quarterback Tom Brady won his second NFL MVP award in 2010, and he's at 6/1 odds for this season. Brady threw for 5,235 yards for New England last season with 39 touchdown strikes and 12 interceptions.
Drew Brees, who picked up the other two first-place votes in the MVP race in 2011, is then at 15/2 on those NFL prop odds at Bovada, with the New Orleans Saints quarterback looking for his first-ever MVP award. Brees passed for 5,476 yards last season with 46 TDs and 14 interceptions.
Peyton Manning is then at 10/1 odds, with the new quarterback for the Denver Broncos a four-time winner of the award; Manning was the MVP in 2003, 2004, 2008, and 2009.
Eagles quarterback Michael Vick is then at 12/1, followed by Texans running back Arian Foster and Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford at 15/1. Giants quarterback Eli Manning and Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson are both pegged at 18/1
A wide receiver hasn't won the NFL MVP since Jerry Rice claimed the award back in 1987.
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The Green Bay Packers led the National Football League in victories with 15 last season, so it comes as no surprise that they're tied for the top OVER/UNDER win total for 2012.
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The Packers are tied with the Patriots with an OVER/UNDER win total of 12, which is tops on that list at Bovada. Tom Brady and company put up the most wins in the AFC last season with 13, with both teams riding strong offenses to those big victory totals.
The second tier then has six teams sitting with a wins OVER/UNDER of 10 – the Ravens, Steelers, Texans, Saints, Eagles, and 49ers. Of those half-dozen teams the Saints and 49ers both had 13 wins last season, while the Ravens and Steelers had 12 each as they finished in a tie atop the AFC North. The Texans put up 10 wins in 2012, while the Eagles underachieved with just eight wins.
The Bears, who went 8-8 last year, are then at 9.5 wins on the NFL props at Bovada for 2012, putting them just ahead of the Falcons, Lions, Chargers, Giants, and Broncos at nine wins. The Giants won nine times last year en route to a Super Bowl championship, while the Broncos won eight times last year en route to acquiring Peyton Manning.
The lowest win totals on the board for this season are held by the Colts and Jaguars (at 5.5 each), and the Browns, who have a listed OVER/UNDER of just five victories. The Browns won four games in the 2011 season.
As well, the Patriots lead the way on the odds to make the playoffs at Bovada, as they're listed at -900 on the 'Yes' side of that prop bet. The Packers and Texans are both pegged at -600 odds to make the playoffs, followed by the 49ers at -250 odds.
The Browns and Jaguars are the longshots at +1000 each on the odds to make the playoffs in 2012, although Jacksonville's situation improved slightly over the weekend with the news that star running back Maurice Jones-Drew had finally reported to the team's camp.
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The Packers are tied with the Patriots with an OVER/UNDER win total of 12, which is tops on that list at Bovada. Tom Brady and company put up the most wins in the AFC last season with 13, with both teams riding strong offenses to those big victory totals.
The second tier then has six teams sitting with a wins OVER/UNDER of 10 – the Ravens, Steelers, Texans, Saints, Eagles, and 49ers. Of those half-dozen teams the Saints and 49ers both had 13 wins last season, while the Ravens and Steelers had 12 each as they finished in a tie atop the AFC North. The Texans put up 10 wins in 2012, while the Eagles underachieved with just eight wins.
The Bears, who went 8-8 last year, are then at 9.5 wins on the NFL props at Bovada for 2012, putting them just ahead of the Falcons, Lions, Chargers, Giants, and Broncos at nine wins. The Giants won nine times last year en route to a Super Bowl championship, while the Broncos won eight times last year en route to acquiring Peyton Manning.
The lowest win totals on the board for this season are held by the Colts and Jaguars (at 5.5 each), and the Browns, who have a listed OVER/UNDER of just five victories. The Browns won four games in the 2011 season.
As well, the Patriots lead the way on the odds to make the playoffs at Bovada, as they're listed at -900 on the 'Yes' side of that prop bet. The Packers and Texans are both pegged at -600 odds to make the playoffs, followed by the 49ers at -250 odds.
The Browns and Jaguars are the longshots at +1000 each on the odds to make the playoffs in 2012, although Jacksonville's situation improved slightly over the weekend with the news that star running back Maurice Jones-Drew had finally reported to the team's camp.
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Expected to be two of the top teams in the NFC this season, the Green Bay Packers and the San Francisco 49ers will get their seasons started in Wisconsin late on Sunday afternoon in one of the highlight matchups of Week 1 of the NFL betting calendar. Green Bay is a 5.5-point favorite at Bovada.
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The Packers and Niners combined for 28 wins last season, with Green Bay a league-best 15-1 (11-5 ATS) and San Francisco not far behind at 13-3 (11-4-1 ATS). Neither team, though, had the playoff success they wanted – they both got knocked out by the Giants.
Green Bay and San Francisco last met in December 2010, when the Packers rolled to a 34-16 win as a 9-point home favorite. That was the Packers' eighth consecutive win over the Niners, and they were 6-1-1 ATS in that span. The OVER has paid out in their last three matchups for totals bettors on the NFL lines at Bovada.
Earlier in the day the New England Patriots will kick off their season in Tennessee against the Titans, with the Pats coming off a 13-3 (9-6-1 ATS) campaign and the Titans posting a middling mark of 9-7 (6-9-1 ATS) in 2011.
The last meeting between New England and Tennessee was an epic blowout – the Patriots won 59-0 at home and covered the 9-point spread many times over in an October 2009 matchup. The Titans have lost each of their last four games against New England.
Sunday night then offers up the Pittsburgh Steelers at the Denver Broncos, with the Broncos winning their most recent meeting 29-23 in overtime in last year's playoffs behind Tim Tebow. Peyton Manning takes over as the Broncos' starting QB for this season.
The Broncos were 8-8 (7-8-1 ATS) last season, while the Steelers were 12-4 (7-9 ATS). The OVER has paid out in four of the last five games between these two AFC teams.
On the Super Bowl futures at Bovada heading into the season the Patriots are at 11/2, with the Packers at 6/1, the Niners at 9/1, the Steelers at 14/1, and the Broncos at 15/1. The Titans are the longshot of those half-dozen teams at 65/1 odds to win the championship.
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The Packers and Niners combined for 28 wins last season, with Green Bay a league-best 15-1 (11-5 ATS) and San Francisco not far behind at 13-3 (11-4-1 ATS). Neither team, though, had the playoff success they wanted – they both got knocked out by the Giants.
Green Bay and San Francisco last met in December 2010, when the Packers rolled to a 34-16 win as a 9-point home favorite. That was the Packers' eighth consecutive win over the Niners, and they were 6-1-1 ATS in that span. The OVER has paid out in their last three matchups for totals bettors on the NFL lines at Bovada.
Earlier in the day the New England Patriots will kick off their season in Tennessee against the Titans, with the Pats coming off a 13-3 (9-6-1 ATS) campaign and the Titans posting a middling mark of 9-7 (6-9-1 ATS) in 2011.
The last meeting between New England and Tennessee was an epic blowout – the Patriots won 59-0 at home and covered the 9-point spread many times over in an October 2009 matchup. The Titans have lost each of their last four games against New England.
Sunday night then offers up the Pittsburgh Steelers at the Denver Broncos, with the Broncos winning their most recent meeting 29-23 in overtime in last year's playoffs behind Tim Tebow. Peyton Manning takes over as the Broncos' starting QB for this season.
The Broncos were 8-8 (7-8-1 ATS) last season, while the Steelers were 12-4 (7-9 ATS). The OVER has paid out in four of the last five games between these two AFC teams.
On the Super Bowl futures at Bovada heading into the season the Patriots are at 11/2, with the Packers at 6/1, the Niners at 9/1, the Steelers at 14/1, and the Broncos at 15/1. The Titans are the longshot of those half-dozen teams at 65/1 odds to win the championship.
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U.S. professional football players are four times more likely to get Alzheimer's disease and Lou Gehrig's disease than the general population, researchers say.
The study, published in the medical journal Neurology, found the NFL players were three times more likely to have neurodegenerative diseases than the general population.
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, a division of the Centers for Disease Control, had been tracking a group of nearly 3,500 retired NFL players who were in the league from 1959 to 1988 for heart attack risk, CNN reported.
For the current study, the researchers examined the neurological outcomes of the players by specifically evaluating the autopsies of 334 players.
"We looked at all the death certificates, and Parkinson's, Alzheimer's and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or Lou Gehrig's disease, had significant contribution to the death," study co-author Elliot Lehman said in a statement.
The authors found among the 334 players, seven died from Alzheimer's and another seven from ALS. The average age of the players who died was age 57.
The numbers might seem small, but Lehman said: "These are generally rare diseases, especially at the younger age. Even when looking at the general population, you're generally going to have small numbers."
Read more: NFL players more likely to get Alzheimer's - UPI-com
The study, published in the medical journal Neurology, found the NFL players were three times more likely to have neurodegenerative diseases than the general population.
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, a division of the Centers for Disease Control, had been tracking a group of nearly 3,500 retired NFL players who were in the league from 1959 to 1988 for heart attack risk, CNN reported.
For the current study, the researchers examined the neurological outcomes of the players by specifically evaluating the autopsies of 334 players.
"We looked at all the death certificates, and Parkinson's, Alzheimer's and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or Lou Gehrig's disease, had significant contribution to the death," study co-author Elliot Lehman said in a statement.
The authors found among the 334 players, seven died from Alzheimer's and another seven from ALS. The average age of the players who died was age 57.
The numbers might seem small, but Lehman said: "These are generally rare diseases, especially at the younger age. Even when looking at the general population, you're generally going to have small numbers."
Read more: NFL players more likely to get Alzheimer's - UPI-com
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The days of lugging around 500-page playbooks and stacks of DVDs are over for half of the players in the NFL.
Their teams have gone digital, replacing the old-fashioned thick paper playbooks with iPads that put everything from X's and O's to notifications, scouting reports and video cut-ups at their fingertips.
"Technology is taking over the world and we're just trying to keep up with it," Green Bay Packers backup quarterback Graham Harrell said.
The number of teams using iPads for playbooks and game film has increased this season from two to 14. In the NFC, the Bears, Cardinals, Cowboys, Lions, Packers, Panthers, Redskins and Seahawks are using the tablets as are the Bengals, Broncos, Chargers, Colts, Dolphins and Ravens in the AFC.
Other teams, such as the Chiefs, Titans and Saints, are using iPads for some things but haven't completely abandoned three-ring binders, and the Bills are considering switching over next year, when the NFL makes game film available in high definition, coach Chan Gailey said.
The Ravens and Buccaneers were the first teams to go digital last year, although Tampa Bay returned to the traditional playbooks this season under a new coaching staff.
The top model iPads that feature 64 gigabytes of data and retail for $829 each are loaded with about $700 worth of programming, and most teams issue them to roughly 120 players, coaches, scouts and other personnel. That works out to roughly $180,000 per team.
Read More: NFL starting to ditch old paper playbooks - Boston-com
Their teams have gone digital, replacing the old-fashioned thick paper playbooks with iPads that put everything from X's and O's to notifications, scouting reports and video cut-ups at their fingertips.
"Technology is taking over the world and we're just trying to keep up with it," Green Bay Packers backup quarterback Graham Harrell said.
The number of teams using iPads for playbooks and game film has increased this season from two to 14. In the NFC, the Bears, Cardinals, Cowboys, Lions, Packers, Panthers, Redskins and Seahawks are using the tablets as are the Bengals, Broncos, Chargers, Colts, Dolphins and Ravens in the AFC.
Other teams, such as the Chiefs, Titans and Saints, are using iPads for some things but haven't completely abandoned three-ring binders, and the Bills are considering switching over next year, when the NFL makes game film available in high definition, coach Chan Gailey said.
The Ravens and Buccaneers were the first teams to go digital last year, although Tampa Bay returned to the traditional playbooks this season under a new coaching staff.
The top model iPads that feature 64 gigabytes of data and retail for $829 each are loaded with about $700 worth of programming, and most teams issue them to roughly 120 players, coaches, scouts and other personnel. That works out to roughly $180,000 per team.
Read More: NFL starting to ditch old paper playbooks - Boston-com
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One thing the NFL hopes everyone notices is the youth wave, particularly behind center where 10 starting quarterbacks are in either their first of second pro seasons.
Something the league doesn't want anyone focusing on as the 2012 season begins: the replacement officials.
When top draftees Andrew Luck of Indianapolis and Robert Griffin III of Washington make their NFL debuts Sunday, they will do so with newcomers carrying the whistles. The league locked out the NFL Referees Association in June after the on-field officials' contract expired, and negotiations have gone nowhere.
So official from the lower levels of the college game, arena ball and even the Lingerie Football League will be throwing the flags this week.
"Regardless, we've got to go out there and execute and take it out of their hands," Chargers All-Pro safety Eric Weddle says. "Let's go out and play good football, execute at a high level and then they won't be in position to throw flags and make judgment calls."
Guys like Luck, RG3, Trent Richardson and Morris Claiborne won't notice any difference in the officiating because they're rookies. Indeed, Richardson, the star running back from Alabama, is one of 15 rookies who made the Browns — possibly the main reason Cleveland came in 32nd and last in the AP Pro32 power rankings.
"It's emotional as far as me being in the NFL," said Richardson, who had arthroscopic left knee surgery on Aug. 9 but will likely start. "But as far as being a football player, I am always going to be a football player in my head. Football is football wherever it goes, I just can't wait."
Read more: Are you ready for some NFL 2012? - SFGate
Something the league doesn't want anyone focusing on as the 2012 season begins: the replacement officials.
When top draftees Andrew Luck of Indianapolis and Robert Griffin III of Washington make their NFL debuts Sunday, they will do so with newcomers carrying the whistles. The league locked out the NFL Referees Association in June after the on-field officials' contract expired, and negotiations have gone nowhere.
So official from the lower levels of the college game, arena ball and even the Lingerie Football League will be throwing the flags this week.
"Regardless, we've got to go out there and execute and take it out of their hands," Chargers All-Pro safety Eric Weddle says. "Let's go out and play good football, execute at a high level and then they won't be in position to throw flags and make judgment calls."
Guys like Luck, RG3, Trent Richardson and Morris Claiborne won't notice any difference in the officiating because they're rookies. Indeed, Richardson, the star running back from Alabama, is one of 15 rookies who made the Browns — possibly the main reason Cleveland came in 32nd and last in the AP Pro32 power rankings.
"It's emotional as far as me being in the NFL," said Richardson, who had arthroscopic left knee surgery on Aug. 9 but will likely start. "But as far as being a football player, I am always going to be a football player in my head. Football is football wherever it goes, I just can't wait."
Read more: Are you ready for some NFL 2012? - SFGate
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The Eagles said Van Buren died Thursday in Lancaster, Pa., of pneumonia. The former LSU star, nicknamed "Wham-Bam" for his quick and punishing running style, joined the Eagles in 1944 as a first-round pick. He led the NFL in rushing four times and finished his eight-year career with 5,860 yards rushing and 77 TDs.
The five-time All-Pro player was selected to the NFL's 75th Anniversary Team in 1994, and was the first Eagles player elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
"I've seen them all -- Jim Thorpe, Red Grange, Bronko Nagurski," Greasy Neale, Van Buren's coach with the Eagles, told the Philadelphia Daily News in 1957, "but he's the greatest."
The 6-foot-1, 200-pound back sustained a leg injury in training camp before the 1952 season and retired as the NFL's career rushing leader. The Eagles later retired his No. 15.
"On the field and off, as a player, a leader and a man, Steve Van Buren embodied the finest characteristics of our city and our sport," said Jeffrey Lurie, the Eagles' chairman and CEO. "He was a friend and an inspiration to generations of fans, and the model of what an Eagle should be."
Read More: Philadelphia Eagles Hall of Famer Steve Van Buren dies at 91 - ESPN