Fiery Westhoff rebuilding Jets' special teams unit
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05/28/2010 - FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) -Mike Westhoff is trying to rebuild the New York Jets' special teams unit after losing several key players, including the kicker, long snapper and special teams ace. Westhoff tells The Associated Press he is probably facing the biggest challenge of all the Jets' coaches this season. Still, the 62-year-old special teams coordinator insists he's confident his unit will again be one of the league's best. The biggest question Westhoff faces might be whether Nick Folk will be able to replace kicker Jay Feely, who signed with Arizona. There's also the issue of whether untested Tanner Purdum can take over for the reliable James Dearth as the long snapper. Westhoff also says wide receiver David Clowney is being groomed as the team's gunner.Copyright © 2005 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. The information contained in the AP News report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press.
<< Many early entries will likely go undrafted
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) -A record wave of college basketball players have left school early for the chance to get paid by the NBA - despite the league's uncertain labor situation.For some, like Kentucky's John Wall and Ohio State's Evan Turner, it's p
<< Hurricanes agree to one-year deal with Tlusty
Raleigh, NC (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Carolina Hurricanes have agreed to terms
with forward Jiri Tlusty on a one-year contract worth $500,000.
Tlusty was acquired by the Hurricanes from Toronto last December in exchange
for the rights to
<< UConn basketball charged with eight violations
Storrs, CT (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The University of Connecticut has received a
notice of allegations from the NCAA in regard to possible recruiting
violations in the men's basketball program.
UConn officials and the NCAA have be
<< Carmona, Indians open road series in the Bronx
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The last time Fausto Carmona stepped on the mound at new
Yankee Stadium, the Indians' offense erupted in a record-tying performance.
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hurler
<< Blue Jays, Orioles set to begin stretch of divisional games
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Already 18 games out of first place in the American League
East, the Baltimore Orioles can at least try to have some fun by shaking up
the standings with 12 straight matchups against their division opponents.
The Orioles w
Four comprise 2010 Hall of Fame class >>
Saratoga Springs, NY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Former Horses of the Year Point Given
and Azeri, along with Best Pal and retired jockey Randy Romero, have been
elected to the National Museum of Racing's Hall of Fame. The four will be
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AL Central: Cleveland a target for jokesters >>
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League and boasts the lowest attendance totals in all of baseball, you're
bound to be the butt of a few jokes.
That seems be the case for the Cleveland Indians, wh
Astros place Norris on DL >>
Cincinnati, OH (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - One day after announcing that Bud Norris
will miss his next scheduled start, the Houston Astros placed the right-hander
on the 15-day disabled list with bursitis and biceps tendinitis in his right
arm.
Hurricanes agree to terms with D Harrison >>
Raleigh, NC (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Carolina Hurricanes announced Friday an
agreement with defenseman Jay Harrison on a one-year, $500,000 contract.
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Lahm named Germany's captain for World Cup >>
Berlin, Germany (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Defender Philipp Lahm was named captain of
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taking over the role from
Problem with Bears?
Chicago, IL - New Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler and star linebacker Brian Urlacher shot down reports of a rift, saying they're simply not true.
"There's nothing between us," Cutler said Thursday, when he reported to training camp. "I just want to put that to rest. There never has been anything between us."
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Urlacher added: "I never said what I was quoted as saying and that's it. I have a lot of respect for Jay. I think Jay knows that."
Former Bears receiver Bobby Wade caused a stir when he told Minneapolis radio station KFAN-AM that Urlacher used a profanity while questioning Cutler's manhood during a conversation in Las Vegas last weekend. Wade, who now plays for the Vikings, said Urlacher used a profane version of the word "wimp" during the interview that had to be edited out.
go radio station WSCR-AM also reported that Urlacher had to be restrained from confronting Cutler during organized team activities.
"I wouldn't go face-to-face with Brian, anyway," Cutler said. "No, that's never happened. I've hung out with Brian away from the facility numerous times and we've always gotten along."
Urlacher, noting he was limited by a groin injury, denied the reports in an interview with the Chicago Tribune and did it again when he reported to camp.
"I didn't practice this summer, so I don't know how I would fight the guy if I didn't practice," Urlacher said. "We have no problems. I'm excited about football starting. I'm excited to have him as our quarterback."
Why would Wade say that?
"I don't know," Urlacher said. "Maybe he's jealous because we have a good quarterback now."
Cutler said the first he heard of any friction was when he got a call from Urlacher to clear the air. Urlacher, however, said he had already taken several calls from teammates wondering if the reports were true when Cutler phoned.
"He called me and I said, What's up (expletive), what are you doing?'" a grinning Urlacher said, uttering the same word he allegedly used with Wade. "It's so dumb to me that this even got to this point, but it did and then here we are."
better place after going 9-7 and missing the playoffs for the second straight year. They have a franchise quarterback for the first time in decades after acquiring Cutler in an offseason trade with Denver. But there are questions about his attitude following a fallout with Broncos management and new coach Josh McDaniels.
His critics include former Bears coach Mike Ditka and former Indianapolis and Tampa Bay coach Tony Dungy, one of Smith's mentors. Smith, however, said Cutler has been a model teammate so far while denying any animosity with Urlacher.
"There's no issue with Jay and Brian, except Brian and Jay are both excited about being teammates for our club this year," coach Lovie Smith said. "No more than that. We can't spend a whole lot of time on something that isn't true. I have talked to the players. Whenever something comes out, you have to address it, but it's a non-issue."
In some ways, Cutler is getting a second chance in Chicago, an opportunity to repair his reputation.
Smith said another quarterback - Michael Vick - deserves one, although he doesn't see it happening with the Bears, who lack an experienced backup. The former Atlanta Falcons star, who served a 23-month sentence for running a dogfighting ring, said Thursday he is getting close to signing with a pro football team.
"A second chance, like everyone in society who has paid their debt to society," Smith said. "He deserves a second chance. As far as we're concerned, we like this team that we have right now."
Particularly the new quarterback.
"Me and Brian have been on a good relationship since I've been here, and I expect it to continue that way," Cutler said.
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