6-15-11: Bird Droppings - Lockout Updates

Time for some updates on the Lockout as it looks like the end is near, although there is word that the talks "almost blew up" yesterday.

There is also an article from an Eagles player who compared Kolb to Brady, a look back at a kicker who is most famous for the injury he suffered while celebrating after making a Field Goal, a gag order on Fitz, and much more.

Looking At The Linebackers
Young players like Schofield, Washington must make impact

Cardinals' Sam Acho is an all-around good guy - ArizonaSports.com
Under intangibles in the Arizona Cardinals' draft report on Texas linebacker Sam Acho had to be the words: "All around great guy". That's because he not only excelled on the field as a Longhorn, but in the classroom as well, earning a double major in business and marketing. Not to mention he also makes yearly medical mission trips to his parent's homeland of Nigeria. On Tuesday the Big 12 solidify that notion as they awarded Acho with the 2010-11 Sportsperson of the Year award.

Cardinals have important decisions after lockout lifted - ArizonaSports.com
The Arizona Cardinals, like many other NFL teams around the league, will be pressed to quickly fill holes on their roster when the lockout is lifted. The lockout could be over in mid-July leaving teams with only two weeks of free agency and trades. For the Cardinals, it's obvious finding a new starting quarterback is the team's number one priority.

Kevin Kolb the second coming of Tom Brady? - ArizonaSports.com
The Arizona Cardinals are interested in Tom Brady. Well, not really, but they are likely to pursue a younger version of the future Hall of Fame QB once the lockout is lifted, at least according to Eagles defensive end Trent Cole.

Fitz won't talk Kolb due to 'gag order' - ArizonaSports.com
You can talk to Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald during the lockout, just don't ask him about any specific players his team may acquire. After receiving a tweet from Adam Schefter that informed him one Philadelphia Eagle thinks Kevin Kolb will be the next Tom Brady, Fitzgerald responded with an elaborate ‘no comment'.

Word From the Birds Blog - Revisionist History: Gramatica’s Giant leap
"And so it ends, not with a bang, but without a kicker." Whenever I think back to the infamous Bill Gramatica-blows-out-his-knee game, that’s the line I remember – the lead to the column of my co-worker at the time, Scott Bordow. The play itself – which came after Gramatica booted a 42-yard field goal and then celebrated in the first quarter in New York against the Giants – has become a punchline. It’s funny though, because I remember that game for so many reasons, and Gramatica was just one.

What's up with . . . Garth Jax
An interview with the former Cardinals Linebacker

Arizona Sports News:

San Francisco Giants hold off Arizona Diamondacks to keep NL West lead
Cody Ross had a two-run double and scored on a double steal in the fifth inning to help San Francisco build a five-run lead, then the Giants held on for a 6-5 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Tuesday night to stay atop the NL West. The Giants took advantage of an off-kilter Josh Collmenter (4-2) to lead 5-0 after five innings, but starter Matt Cain (6-4) nearly gave it all back over the next two.

Steve Nash: I want to play three years - ArizonaSports.com
The Phoenix Suns may want to keep Steve Nash in purple and orange for the remainder of his career, but does he want to stay in the Valley? We don't know exactly. What we do know is just how long Nash envisions said career lasting. In an interview with AM New York, Nash laid out his ideal path to retirement.

NFL News:

Freeman: Some believe deal could come "within a matter of days" | ProFootballTalk
Well ,the good news keeps getting better. Just as I was prepared to write an item predicting that a new labor deal will be announced on June 30, our good friend Mike Freeman of CBSSports.com has reported that some of the parties in the negotiations believe an agreement could be reached "within a matter of days." Freeman also reports that 80 to 85 percent of the next labor deal has been negotiated, and that the entire process has become very cordial, with smiles, handshakes, and smalltalk.

An agreement in principle will be the first step toward a new CBA | ProFootballTalk
As the NFL and the NFLPA* continue to negotiate with the goal of finally striking a deal (and keep in mind there’s no deal until there’s a deal), several of you have asked for more information on how an agreement would translate to a new Collective Bargaining Agreement. Several of you who apparently are suffering from insomnia. Here’s a step-by-step look at everything that would need to happen, which unfortunately does not include the cutting of any holes in any boxes.

End to NFL lockout may be mere weeks away - ArizonaSports.com
The NFL lockout, which has frustrated and turned away so many fans, may be nearing an end. "Sources characterize the owners and players as being in a ‘deal-making mode,'" Ron Wolfley said on KTAR Sports 620's Doug and Wolf. "This is great news. I think a long-term deal is imminent."

Lockout: Talks 'almost blew up' Tuesday, source says - ESPN
At a time when many are waiting for and anticipating a labor deal, there was a time Tuesday when talks clearly regressed. One person close to the talks even went so far as to say, "This almost blew up yesterday."

Report: NFL eyes risque ad using Chicago Bears player Major Wright - ESPN Chicago
The NFL is investigating the role of Chicago Bears safety Major Wright and other players in the promotion of an adult film event in Miami, according to an ABC TV report in Chicago.

Broken tackles: Lynch, Forsett lead the way - NFC West Blog - ESPN
Football Outsiders' stats for broken tackles raise all sorts of questions regarding NFC West running backs.

Brett Favre is done, but "I can throw the ball as well as ever" | ProFootballTalk
Brett Favre says he’s really, truly done playing football. But he wants to make clear that if he wanted to keep playing, he could. "I can still throw the ball as well as I ever have. No question about that," Favre told the Sun Herald today at his football camp. But what Favre can’t handle anymore is the wear and tear on his body that an NFL season is sure to bring.

How Terrelle Pryor projects for NFC West - NFC West Blog - ESPN
Thoughts and questions after former Ohio State quarterback Terrelle Pryor and agent Drew Rosenhaus issued statements Tuesday:

Al Michaels thinks two teams will be in L.A. | ProFootballTalk
Although nearly 50 percent of you think the NFL shouldn’t return to Los Angeles and fewer than 40 percent believe it should (if you want to try to move the needle, you can still vote), it’s inevitable in our view that the NFL will be back. One fairly well-known L.A. resident believes that a new stadium will eventually host two teams.

Terrelle Pryor apologizes, will enter supplemental draft - ESPN
Terrelle Pryor ended his silence Tuesday -- for exactly 97 seconds.

Tucker: A four-point plan for ending the lockout - ESPN
This four-point proposal -- in which the players give up money so the game can expand -- is one way to end the lockout, Ross Tucker writes in his latest mailbag.

Kansas City Chiefs TE Leonard Pope saves boy, 6, from drowning - ESPN
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Leonard Pope, whose nickname is Champ, lived up to the moniker last weekend when he saved a 6-year-old boy from drowning in a swimming pool.