National Football League: Wikis

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defunct Christian radio station KPBA was owned by former National Football League tight end Jackie Harris?
during the 1973 Buffalo Bills season, O.J. Simpson set the current single-season National Football League record for average rushing yards per game?
former Michigan Wolverines football player Keith Bostic was elected by his teammates as the toughest guy on the National Football League Houston Oilers defense?
former Michigan Wolverines rushing leader and teammate of Russell Davis, Harlan Huckleby only scored 13 touchdowns in six National Football League seasons, but three were in a single game?
at 5 feet 5 inches tall and 165 pounds, Howard Stevens was one of the smallest players ever in the National Football League?
after retiring from the National Football League, Po James survived being shot six times in a YMCA in Bridgeport, Connecticut?
Toney Douglas and his brother Harry are the sixth pair of brothers to play in the National Basketball Association (NBA) and National Football League (NFL), respectively?
Darren Heitner was a champion Nintendo video game player aged six and then defeated over 400,000 other students at age ten in a US educational poster contest run by the National Football League?
a scripted argument at Royal Rumble 1995 set up a wrestling match between wrestler Bam Bam Bigelow and American football player Lawrence Taylor?
about 12 plays into his NFL career Charles Fisher tore three ligaments in his knee and never played in another game?
former National Football League wide receiver Tai Streets was named after former female figure skater Tai Babilonia?
former fighter pilot Robert V. Whitlow (pictured), although trying to secure an NFL franchise for Phoenix, said the Philadelphia Eagles' plans to relocate to Arizona did not "seem very wise"?
the Dayton Triangles, a traveling team, folded after their 1929 season, losing their final seventeen games as a National Football League franchise by a combined score of 301–22?
the Edmonton Eskimos were reportedly looking to draft either Dimitri Tsoumpas, Samuel Giguère or Keith Shologan with the second pick in the 2008 CFL Draft, but after Shologan and Giguère signed with the NFL, the team traded the pick?
the Electric Company helped O.J. Simpson set several current National Football League records?
the title roles in the 1974 blaxploitation film The Black Six were played by six then-current National Football League stars?
the Buffalo Bills' 2008 home game in their rivalry with the Miami Dolphins was the first National Football League regular-season game played in Canada?
the 2008 New York Giants became the fifth National Football League team to have two players rush for at least 1,000 yards, Brandon Jacobs and Derrick Ward?
investment banker Bill Hambrecht has pledged $2 million to help start an American Football league to compete with the National Football League?
long-time NFL scout Ralph Kohl was considered the top "judge of football flesh" in BLESTO, the scouting combine of the Bears-Lions-Eagles-Steelers Talent Organization?
one of the Roman soldiers in the Mesa Arizona Easter Pageant Jesus the Christ was played by NFL offensive lineman Deuce Lutui?
retired American football player William Fuller is one of the few players in National Football League history to record 100 career quarterback sacks?
Stanley Muirhead helped lead Michigan to a national football championship in 1923 and was a first-team All-NFL player in 1924 for the Dayton Triangles and Cleveland Bulldogs?
Rob Carpenter retired from the National Football League after catching his second touchdown in the 1995 NFL playoffs?
National Football League offensive tackle Jake Long was hospitalized in intensive care for smoke inhalation while in college?
Oregon linebacker Casey Matthews is the son, grandson, brother, and nephew of National Football League players?
quarterbacks Billy Joe Tolliver and David Archer were teammates as backups in the National Football League, but competed against each other as starters in the Canadian Football League?
Alvin Powell was addicted to crack cocaine as a player in the National Football League, but later became a substance abuse counselor?
National Football League All-Pro linebacker and Super Bowl champion Cato June was co-class president, salutatorian and a member of the National Honor Society in high school?
Minnesota's Pudge Wyman scored the first kickoff return for a touchdown, the first blocked punt returned for a touchdown, and the first passing touchdown in the history of the NFL?
American football wide receiver Jaymar Johnson became the first player from Jackson State University to be drafted by the NFL since Sylvester Morris in 2000?
American football player DeWayne Patmon appeared in a few movies after his National Football League career ended?
College Football Hall of Fame center Shorty Des Jardien played in the NFL for the Chicago Tigers and in Major League Baseball for the Cleveland Indians?
Floyd Womack of the NFL's Seattle Seahawks was nicknamed "Pork Chop" because his mother thought he resembled professional wrestler Porkchop Cash?
Angus Goetz played for Buffalo in the National Football League on the weekends while attending medical school at the University of Michigan?
Bill Guckeyson, the first Maryland football player selected in the National Football League's Draft, attended West Point and was later shot down as a fighter pilot in World War II?
Iolas Melitus Huffman reportedly played in every quarter of every Ohio State football game except one from 1918 to 1921 and later played for the Cleveland Indians of the NFL?
Jamie Morris of the Washington Redskins, originally considered too short to be a running back, holds the NFL record for the most rushing attempts in a game with 45?
Lupe Joe Arenas, one of the first Mexican-American football stars, once held the NFL career record with 4,572 kick and punt return yards?
Luv Ya Blue was the term given to a 1970s movement by fans of the Houston Oilers that featured fight songs, pom-pons and other gimmicks more reminiscent of college football than the NFL?
Gaynell Tinsley, a two-time All-American end at LSU, set an NFL record with 675 receiving yards as a rookie in 1937?
Ernie Zampese coached the leading pass offense in the NFL six times in seven years and has been credited with putting the "air" in Air Coryell?
Bob Timberlake, an unsuccessful placekicker for the New York Giants who made only 1 of 15 field goal attempts in his NFL career, was an award-winning quarterback for the Michigan Wolverines before he was drafted in 1965?
Charles Leigh played six seasons as a running back in the National Football League despite never playing college football?
Derrell Palmer, winner of both AAFC and NFL championships with the Cleveland Browns, was called one of the two best defensive tackles he ever coached by Paul Brown?
Earl Morrall was named the NFL's Most Valuable Player in 1968, after replacing the injured Johnny Unitas, and led the Colts into Super Bowl III?
American football defensive tackle O'Brien Schofield, who completed his college career for Wisconsin in 2009, is a cousin of the National Football League veterans Vonnie Holliday and Bobby Engram?

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Encyclopedia

Updated live from Wikipedia, last check: June 03, 2012 17:01 UTC (52 seconds ago)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

"NFL" redirects here. For other leagues using the name "National Football League", see National Football League (disambiguation). For other uses of "NFL", see NFL (disambiguation).

National Football League
Current season or competition: 2010 NFL Season
National Football League
Sport	American Football
Founded	August 20, 1920
Commissioner	Roger Goodell
Inaugural season	1920
No. of teams	32
Country(ies)	United States
Most recent champion(s)	New Orleans Saints (1)
Most championships	Green Bay Packers (12)
TV partner(s)	CBS, Fox, NBC, ESPN, NFL Network
Official website	NFL.com

.The National Football League (NFL) is the highest level of professional American football.^ But the big one is, don't do anything to embarrass the Dallas Cowboys or the National Football League.

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

^ MOUNT PLEASANT - Central Michigan junior All-American receiver/return specialist Antonio Brown will enter the National Football League Draft.

Alltop - Top NFL Football News 9 January 2010 20:28 UTC nfl.alltop.com [Source type: General]

.It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing its name to the National Football League in 1922. The league currently consists of thirty-two teams from the United States.^ After all, playing 16 games in a 32-team league allows two teams to go a few years before seeing each other.

Alltop - Top NFL Football News 9 January 2010 20:28 UTC nfl.alltop.com [Source type: General]

^ MOUNT PLEASANT - Central Michigan junior All-American receiver/return specialist Antonio Brown will enter the National Football League Draft.

Alltop - Top NFL Football News 9 January 2010 20:28 UTC nfl.alltop.com [Source type: General]

.The league is divided evenly into two conferences — the American Football Conference (AFC) and National Football Conference (NFC), and each conference has four divisions that have four teams each.^ I asked each one if he would rather be 2-0 or 0-2 going into the third meeting of the season between two teams.

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

^ The twelve football neophytes, six wide receivers and six defensive backs, will be broken into two teams, overseen by notable former Cowboy coaches and players.

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

^ But the big one is, don't do anything to embarrass the Dallas Cowboys or the National Football League.

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

The NFL is organized as an unincorporated association of its 32 teams.^[1]^[2] .The NFL is by far the best attended domestic sports league in the world by average attendance per game, with 67,509 fans per game in the latest regular season (2009).^ Worst of Awards: 2009 Regular Season .

Alltop - Top NFL Football News 9 January 2010 20:28 UTC nfl.alltop.com [Source type: General]

^ Although the Jaguars overachieved by most accounts, their four-game losing streak to finish the season left a bitter taste in their fans collective mouth’s.

Alltop - Top NFL Football News 9 January 2010 20:28 UTC nfl.alltop.com [Source type: General]

^ NBC is reporting that its Cowboys-Eagles broadcast earned the second-highest overnight rating for a prime time NFL game this season.

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

^[3]

.The regular season is a seventeen-week schedule during which each team plays sixteen games and has one bye week.^ NBC and ESPN are crowing over their ratings for their nighttime "doubleheaders" during the opening week of the NFL season.

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

^ Minnesota had a 8-0 record during the regular season at the Metrodome, but was only 4-4 on the road.

Alltop - Top NFL Football News 9 January 2010 20:28 UTC nfl.alltop.com [Source type: General]

^ The Cowboys have played two games this season on SNF. Those two games vs the Giants (No.

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

.The season currently starts on the Thursday night in the first full week of September (the Thursday after Labor Day) and runs weekly to late December or early January.^ But the Cowboys do move center stage in Week 2 of the season when they host the Giants on NBC's Sunday Night Football.

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

^ Josh McDaniels' first season as Denver coach ended the same way Mike Shanahan's last one did: with a late-season flop and an embarrassing blowout that wasted a strong start and kept the Broncos out of the playoffs.

Alltop - Top NFL Football News 9 January 2010 20:28 UTC nfl.alltop.com [Source type: General]

^ You can be sure that when NBC broadcasts the first regular-season game from the stadium against the Giants on the night of Sept.

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

.At the end of each regular season, six teams from each conference play in the NFL playoffs, a twelve-team single-elimination tournament that culminates with the championship game, known as the Super Bowl.^ Are they still a Super Bowl team?

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

^ Where do the conference's six playoff teams rank by fear factor?

Alltop - Top NFL Football News 9 January 2010 20:28 UTC nfl.alltop.com [Source type: General]

^ E-mail entry The entry "Steelers 35, Cowboys 31" is tagged: NFL Network , Super Bowl III .

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

.This game is held at a pre-selected site which is usually a city that hosts an NFL team.^ The Sports Xchange writes a syndicated column, but uses major reporters from every NFL city to report on his appropriate team.

Alltop - Top NFL Football News 9 January 2010 20:28 UTC nfl.alltop.com [Source type: General]

.Selected all-star players from both the AFC and NFC meet in the Pro Bowl, which in 2010, took place a week prior to the Super Bowl, at Sun Life Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida.^ Spencer NFC defensive player of the week .

Alltop - Top NFL Football News 9 January 2010 20:28 UTC nfl.alltop.com [Source type: General]

^ The Florida Gators product has decided to play in the Under Armour Senior Bowl the last week of January in Mobile, Ala., according to sources.

Alltop - Top NFL Football News 9 January 2010 20:28 UTC nfl.alltop.com [Source type: General]

^ But I do see that Deion Sanders is picking a team from the NFC East to be playing in February Of the Eagles and Cowboys, Sanders says: "One of those two teams will go to the Super Bowl."

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

The current Super Bowl champions are the New Orleans Saints, who defeated the Indianapolis Colts in Super Bowl XLIV 31–17.

1 History
2 Season structure
3 Teams
- 3.1 Current NFL teams
- 3.2 Former NFL teams
4 Media
5 Player contracts and compensation
- 5.1 Salaries
- 5.2 Salary cap
6 NFL Draft
7 Free agency
8 Banned substances policy
9 Video games
10 Commissioners and presidents
11 Main league offices
12 Franchise owners
13 Uniform numbers
14 Awards
- 14.1 Discontinued awards
15 Cheerleading
16 See also
17 References
- 17.1 Notes
- 17.2 Bibliography
18 External links

History

Major leagues in North America
National Football League (NFL)
Major League Baseball (MLB)
National Basketball Association (NBA)
National Hockey League (NHL)

Main article: History of the National Football League

.The history of the National Football League began in 1920, as representatives of several professional American football leagues and independent teams met at a Hupmobile dealership in Canton, Ohio.^ But the big one is, don't do anything to embarrass the Dallas Cowboys or the National Football League.

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

^ MOUNT PLEASANT - Central Michigan junior All-American receiver/return specialist Antonio Brown will enter the National Football League Draft.

Alltop - Top NFL Football News 9 January 2010 20:28 UTC nfl.alltop.com [Source type: General]

.The league they formed, the American Professional Football Conference, would be mostly an informal agreement to play a common schedule and name a champion at the end of each season of play.^ Just popped in on the NBC Sunday Night Football conference call and asked John Madden and Cris Collinsworth who they would rather have QB their team?

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

^ In fact, I'm not sure the Rangers playing a World Series game would out-rate the Cowboys on Sunday Night Football.

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

^ I'm guessing that the Cowboys will be home Week 3 on ESPN. That would almost mirror last season when the Cowboys opened on Fox and then played primetime games on Monday Night Football and Sunday Night Football.

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

.Teams were allowed to play games outside of their league, and membership was fluid in the early years.^ You would expect when these teams play it would be a three-point or seven-point game."

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

^ After all, playing 16 games in a 32-team league allows two teams to go a few years before seeing each other.

Alltop - Top NFL Football News 9 January 2010 20:28 UTC nfl.alltop.com [Source type: General]

^ They are playing great, both teams, in all three phases setting up a big showdown game next Sunday night."

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

.Two years later, the league renamed itself the National Football League.^ After all, playing 16 games in a 32-team league allows two teams to go a few years before seeing each other.

Alltop - Top NFL Football News 9 January 2010 20:28 UTC nfl.alltop.com [Source type: General]

^ But the big one is, don't do anything to embarrass the Dallas Cowboys or the National Football League.

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

^ MOUNT PLEASANT - Central Michigan junior All-American receiver/return specialist Antonio Brown will enter the National Football League Draft.

Alltop - Top NFL Football News 9 January 2010 20:28 UTC nfl.alltop.com [Source type: General]

Only two teams, the Decatur Staleys (now the Chicago Bears) and the Chicago Cardinals (now the Arizona Cardinals) currently in the NFL were members of the league in 1920.

League membership gradually stabilized throughout the 1920s and 1930s as the league adopted progressively more formal organization. .The first official championship game was held in 1933. Though the league stopped signing black players in 1927, the league reintegrated in 1946 following World War II.^ In the NFC, Tony Romo is trying to overcome his previous playoff fate, but the Eagles have to find a way to stop the running game first.

Alltop - Top NFL Football News 9 January 2010 20:28 UTC nfl.alltop.com [Source type: General]

Other changes followed after World War II; the office of league President evolved into the more powerful Commissioner post, mirroring a similar move in Major League Baseball. Teams became more financially viable, the last team folding in 1952. .By 1958, when that season's NFL championship game became known as "The Greatest Game Ever Played", the NFL was on its way to becoming one of the most popular sports leagues in the United States.^ By the way, Aikman agrees with me that it will be the most-watched game of the season to date.

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

^ Although the Jaguars overachieved by most accounts, their four-game losing streak to finish the season left a bitter taste in their fans collective mouth’s.

Alltop - Top NFL Football News 9 January 2010 20:28 UTC nfl.alltop.com [Source type: General]

^ NBC is reporting that its Cowboys-Eagles broadcast earned the second-highest overnight rating for a prime time NFL game this season.

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

.A rival league, known as the American Football League, was founded in 1959. It was highly successful, and forced a merger with the older NFL that resulted in a greatly expanded league and the formation of the Super Bowl, which has become, annually, the most watched sporting event in the United States.^ The Super Bowl halftime show is annually the most-watched musical performance.

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

^ "That's the way it is in this society, especially in Dallas where if you don't win the Super Bowl you can't be successful."

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

^ According to the NFL, 38.4 million folks tuned into to the most-watched NFL regular season game in the last 19 years.

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

.The league continued to expand throughout the 1970s, 80s, and 90s to its current size of 32 teams.^ After all, playing 16 games in a 32-team league allows two teams to go a few years before seeing each other.

Alltop - Top NFL Football News 9 January 2010 20:28 UTC nfl.alltop.com [Source type: General]

A series of labor agreements during the 1990s and increasingly large television contracts has helped keep the league one of the most profitable, as well as the only major sports league in the U.S. since 1990 to avoid a major work stoppage, though this may change if the league cannot reach an agreement for a new labor agreement by 2011.

Season structure

Since 2002, The NFL season features the following schedule:

a 4-game exhibition season (or preseason) running from early August to early September;
a 16-game, 17-week regular season running from September to December or early January; and
a 12-team Single-elimination playoff beginning in January, culminating in the Super Bowl in early February.

.Traditionally, American high school football games are played on Friday, American college football games are played on Saturday, and most NFL games are played on Sunday.^ "I thought they play high school football on Friday nights," Aikman said then.

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

^ NFL Network is dusting off the Cowboys-49ers NFC Championship game played on Jan.

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

^ The NFL Network plans to go wall-to-wall Cowboys before Saturday's Cowboys game against, ugh, ugh, does it really matter?

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

.Because the NFL season is longer than the college football season, the NFL schedules Saturday games and Saturday playoff games outside the college football season.^ NBC is reporting that its Cowboys-Eagles broadcast earned the second-highest overnight rating for a prime time NFL game this season.

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

^ It is significant that a Saturday night game rated higher than NFLN's usual Thursday night game because Thursday is a much more ratings-friendly night than Saturday.

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

^ Just got off the phone with NFL Network, which has Saturday night's Ravens-Cowboys game.

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

.The ABC Television network added Monday Night Football in 1970, and Thursday night NFL games were added in the 1980s.^ What if the NFL and NBC decide that the game belongs on...Thursday night?

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

^ It's wait til next year for Thursday and Monday night football.

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

^ NFL Network is dusting off the Cowboys-49ers NFC Championship game played on Jan.

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

Exhibition season

Main article: National Football League exhibition season

.Following mini-camps in the spring and officially recognized training camp in July–August, NFL teams typically play four exhibition games from early August through early September.^ After all, playing 16 games in a 32-team league allows two teams to go a few years before seeing each other.

Alltop - Top NFL Football News 9 January 2010 20:28 UTC nfl.alltop.com [Source type: General]

^ The guessing game that is NFL pre-draft analysis mercifully ends this afternoon when the business of attempting to restock teams begins in earnest at 3 p.m.

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

^ The Cowboys are eligible to play a fourth Sunday night game on NBC. That would give them six prime-time games (ESPN and NFL Network each have one).

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

.Each team hosts two games of the four.^ After all, playing 16 games in a 32-team league allows two teams to go a few years before seeing each other.

Alltop - Top NFL Football News 9 January 2010 20:28 UTC nfl.alltop.com [Source type: General]

^ "This was a team that put forth no effort, no effort in two very very huge crucial games.

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

^ That doesn't mean there haven't been some memorable games between the two teams, though.

Alltop - Top NFL Football News 9 January 2010 20:28 UTC nfl.alltop.com [Source type: General]

.The exhibition season begins with the Pro Football Hall of Fame Game, so those two teams play five exhibition games each.^ The Cowboys have played two games this season on SNF. Those two games vs the Giants (No.

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

^ There are four or five games a season a team is not emotionally involved.

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

^ In fact, I'm not sure the Rangers playing a World Series game would out-rate the Cowboys on Sunday Night Football.

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

.Historically, the American Bowl(s) were played prior to the NFL scheduling regular season games abroad and those teams faced this similar predicament.^ There are four or five games a season a team is not emotionally involved.

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

^ The Cowboys have played two games this season on SNF. Those two games vs the Giants (No.

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

^ NFL Network is dusting off the Cowboys-49ers NFC Championship game played on Jan.

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

.The games are useful for new players who are not used to playing in front of very large crowds.^ Too many performers, too many combos and too many guys who never played the game.

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

^ Of course, Mr. Michael Strahan used to play for the New York Football Giants.

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

^ The money quote came from a source at one of the networks who said, "We'd want a Cowboys game played at 2 a.m.

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

Management often uses the games to evaluate newly-signed players. .Veteran starters will generally play only for about a quarter of each game to minimize the risk of injury.^ One game can make all the difference in the N.F.L. -- and with that comes self-imposed pressure to play down head injuries, or lie about them.

Alltop - Top NFL Football News 9 January 2010 20:28 UTC nfl.alltop.com [Source type: General]

.Several lawsuits have been brought by fans, against the policy of including exhibition games in season-ticket packages at regular season prices, but none have so far been very successful.^ Although the Jaguars overachieved by most accounts, their four-game losing streak to finish the season left a bitter taste in their fans collective mouth’s.

Alltop - Top NFL Football News 9 January 2010 20:28 UTC nfl.alltop.com [Source type: General]

^ Several reasons: The Ticket, the Cowboys home for the last three seasons, doesn't really need the team.

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

^ You can be sure that when NBC broadcasts the first regular-season game from the stadium against the Giants on the night of Sept.

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

Regular season

A sample scheduling grid, with a single team's (the Browns) schedule highlighted. Under this hypothetical schedule, the Browns would play the teams in blue twice and the teams in yellow once, for a total of sixteen games.

Main article: Regular season (NFL)

.Following the preseason, each of the thirty-two teams embark on a seventeen-week, sixteen-game schedule, with the extra week consisting of a bye to allow teams a rest sometime in the middle of the season (and also to increase television coverage).^ After all, playing 16 games in a 32-team league allows two teams to go a few years before seeing each other.

Alltop - Top NFL Football News 9 January 2010 20:28 UTC nfl.alltop.com [Source type: General]

^ The mock did have three NBC games, two CBS games, one NFLN game, one ESPN game and nine Fox games just like the actual schedule.

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

^ E-mail entry The entry "Openers: Here comes the NFL schedule for at least the first week of the season; Will the JonesMahal host a Sunday night game?"

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

.The regular season currently begins the Thursday evening after Labor Day with a primetime "Kickoff Game" (NBC currently holds broadcast rights for that game).^ It will be broadcast in its entirety Thursday beginning at 9:30 am.

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

^ It should break NBC's record of 23.1 million for last season's Giants-Cowboys game.

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

^ To summarize: The Cowboys season ender at the Eagles is ripe to be moved from a Sunday day game on Fox to a Sunday night game on NBC. Fortunately, that will not affect Cowboys fans going to Texas Stadium.

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

According to the current scheduling structure, the earliest the season could begin is September 4 (as it was in the 2008 season), while the latest would be September 10 (as it was in the 2009 season, due to September 1 falling on a Tuesday). Each of the thirty-two teams' schedules are organized in the following way:

Each team plays the other three teams in its division twice: once at home, and once on the road (six games).
Each team plays the four teams from another division within its own conference once on a rotating three-year cycle: two at home, and two on the road (four games).
Each team plays the four teams from a division in the other conference once on a rotating four-year cycle: two at home, and two on the road (four games).
Each team plays once against the other teams in its conference that finished in the same place in their own divisions as themselves the previous season, not counting the division they were already scheduled to play: one at home, one on the road (two games).

Playoffs

The NFL Playoffs. Each of the four division winners is seeded 1–4 based on their W-L-T records. The two Wild Card teams (labeled Wild Card 1 and 2) are seeded fifth and sixth (with the better of the two having seed 5) regardless of their records compared to the four division winners.

Main article: NFL playoffs

.The season concludes with a twelve-team tournament used to determine the teams to play in the Super Bowl.^ Are they still a Super Bowl team?

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

^ Donovan has played in the playoffs and played in a Super Bowl and I flat out think Andy Reid is a better coach.

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

^ David Tyree, who helped the Giants win a Super Bowl, has carved a niche for himself on the Baltimore Ravens by excelling on special teams.

Alltop - Top NFL Football News 9 January 2010 20:28 UTC nfl.alltop.com [Source type: General]

The tournament brackets are made up of six teams from each of the league's two conferences, the American Football Conference (AFC) and the National Football Conference (NFC), following the end of the 16-game regular season:

The four division champions from each conference (the team in each division with the best regular season won-lost-tied record), which are seeded one through four based on their regular season won-lost-tied record (tie-breaker rules may apply).
Two wild card qualifiers from each conference (those non-division champions with the conference's best record, i.e. the best won-lost-tied percentages, with a series of tie-breaking rules in place in the event that there are teams with the same number of wins and losses^[4]), which are seeded five and six.

.In each conference, the #3 and #6 seeded teams, and the #4 and #5 seeds, face each other during the first round of the playoffs, dubbed the Wild Card Playoffs (the league in recent years has also used the term Wild Card Weekend).^ Wild Card Weekend replays .

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

^ E-mail entry The entry "Wild Card Weekend replays" is tagged: Dallas Cowboys , NFL Network .

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

^ Irvin apparently would take 16-0 and a first-round playoff elimination.

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

.The #1 and #2 seeds from each conference receive a bye in the first round, which entitles these teams to automatically advance to the second round, the Divisional Playoff games, to face the winning teams from the first round.^ "I don't know if winning a playoff game satisfies anybody," Aikman added later.

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

^ In the NFC, Tony Romo is trying to overcome his previous playoff fate, but the Eagles have to find a way to stop the running game first.

Alltop - Top NFL Football News 9 January 2010 20:28 UTC nfl.alltop.com [Source type: General]

^ I thought they were damaged early but seven straight victories later they are more than still alive...They are a team that wins games through adversity.

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

In round two, the highest surviving seed (#1) always plays the lowest surviving seed in their conference. And in any given playoff game, whoever has the higher seed gets the home field advantage (i.e. the game is held at the higher seed's home field).

.The two surviving teams from the Divisional Playoff games meet in Conference Championship games, with the winners of those contests going on to face one another in the Super Bowl in a game located at a neutral venue that is either indoors or in a warm-weather locale.^ Are they still a Super Bowl team?

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

^ The Cowboys have played two games this season on SNF. Those two games vs the Giants (No.

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

^ Said Aikman: "I think he's (Romo) going to win more than one Super Bowl.

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

The designated "home team" alternates year to year between the conferences. .In Super Bowl XLIV, the AFC Champion was the "home" team.^ NFL TEAM FUTURE ODDS TO WIN SUPER BOWL XLIV .

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

^ Jets OT Ferguson added to AFC Pro Bowl team .

Alltop - Top NFL Football News 9 January 2010 20:28 UTC nfl.alltop.com [Source type: General]

^ Kurt Warner produced home run after home run last postseason, including the Super Bowl against a virtual clone of the Packers’ scheme.

Alltop - Top NFL Football News 9 January 2010 20:28 UTC nfl.alltop.com [Source type: General]

Pro Bowl

.The Pro Bowl, the league's all-star game, has been traditionally held on the weekend after the Super Bowl.^ After all, playing 16 games in a 32-team league allows two teams to go a few years before seeing each other.

Alltop - Top NFL Football News 9 January 2010 20:28 UTC nfl.alltop.com [Source type: General]

^ I'm picking Philly to win this game and go all the way to the Super Bowl."

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

^ After all, the Cowboys were labeled "America's Team" in 1979, the tail end of a decade in which they won two Super Bowls.

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

The game was played at various venues before being held at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu, Hawaii for 30 consecutive seasons from 1980 to 2009.

However, the 2010 Pro Bowl was played at Sun Life Stadium, the home stadium of the Miami Dolphins and host site of Super Bowl XLIV, on January 31, the first time ever that the Pro Bowl was played before the championship game. The 2011 and 2012 games will return to Honolulu.

Calendar

.Though the NFL only plays in the late summer, fall, and early winter, the extended offseason often is an event in itself, with the draft, free agency signings, and the announcement of schedules keeping the NFL in the spotlight even during the spring, when virtually no on-field activity is taking place.^ Scout.com > NFL Free Agency .

Alltop - Top NFL Football News 9 January 2010 20:28 UTC nfl.alltop.com [Source type: General]

^ Imagine if the NFL schedule played out this way every week.

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

^ But things change...Of all the great teams that have played in the NFL only two have gone through the regular season undefeated.

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

A typical calendar of league events is as follows, with the dates listed being those for the 2009 NFL season:

February 3 – Pro Football Hall of Fame Game opponents announced.
February 18–24—NFL Scouting Combine: Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, Ind.
February 19—Deadline for Clubs to designate Franchise and Transition players.
February 27—Veteran Free Agency signing period begins.
^ Scout.com > NFL Free Agency .
Alltop - Top NFL Football News 9 January 2010 20:28 UTC nfl.alltop.com [Source type: General]
^ SCI salary cap wizard Ian Whetstone projects the NFL's franchise and transition tag tender amounts for 2010.
Alltop - Top NFL Football News 9 January 2010 20:28 UTC nfl.alltop.com [Source type: General]
^ This being the week that the NFL scouting combine ends, this also could be the week that the Cowboys get around to announcing their move to Dallas-Fort Worth's newest sports station.
Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]
Trading period begins.
March 22–25—NFL Annual Meeting: Dana Point, Calif. Usually accompanied by announcement of scheduling and opponents for first game and opening-weekend night games.
Early April: Teams begin voluntary workouts.
April 14: Rest of schedule announced.
April 25–26 – NFL Draft: New York City.
May 18–20—NFL Spring Meeting: Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
June 28 – July 1—NFL Rookie Symposium, Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.
Mid-July (varies by team)-- Training camps open.
August 8 – Pro Football Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, Canton, Ohio, including Hall of Fame Game.
August 13–17—First full Preseason weekend.
September 1—Roster cutdown from 80 to maximum of 75 players.
September 5—Roster cutdown from 75 to maximum of 53 players.
September 10–14 – Kickoff 2009 Weekend (Week 1 of regular season)
October 25 – International Series game (Wembley Stadium, London, England).
November – Pro Bowl balloting, flexible scheduling for Sunday Night Football and the NFL Network's night game package all begin.
November 26 – Thanksgiving games.
January 3, 2010—End of regular season.
January 9, 2010 – Playoffs begin.
January 24 – AFC Championship Game and NFC Championship Game.
January 31 – Pro Bowl.
February 7 – Super Bowl.

Teams

Current NFL teams

The NFL consists of thirty-two clubs. .Each club is allowed a maximum of fifty-three players on their roster, but they may only dress forty-five to play each week during the regular season.^ NBC and ESPN are crowing over their ratings for their nighttime "doubleheaders" during the opening week of the NFL season.

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

^ NFL owners are meeting at some fancy schmancy California resort where today they will announce the schedule for the opening week of the season.

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

^ But the Cowboys do move center stage in Week 2 of the season when they host the Giants on NBC's Sunday Night Football.

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

.Unlike Major League Baseball, the National Basketball Association and the National Hockey League, the league has no full-time teams in Canada, although the Buffalo Bills play one game per year in Toronto.^ After all, playing 16 games in a 32-team league allows two teams to go a few years before seeing each other.

Alltop - Top NFL Football News 9 January 2010 20:28 UTC nfl.alltop.com [Source type: General]

^ The Cowboys are eligible to play a fourth Sunday night game on NBC. That would give them six prime-time games (ESPN and NFL Network each have one).

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

^ I played this game with several network TV types the other day: We tried to determine if there was another market in the country where the football team was such big TV gold as the Cowboys while the baseball team was as low on the TV totem pole as the Rangers.

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

Most teams are in the eastern half of the United States; seventeen teams are in the Eastern Time Zone and nine others in the Central Time Zone.

Most major metropolitan areas in the United States have an NFL franchise, although Los Angeles, the second-largest metropolitan area in the country, has not hosted an NFL team since 1994.

Further information: History of the National Football League in Los Angeles

The Rams and the Raiders called the Los Angeles area home from 1946–1994 and 1982–1994 respectively. .In 2005, some Saints games were played in San Antonio and Baton Rouge because of Hurricane Katrina.^ Here are the markets scheduled to get the game: Albuquerque, Austin, Dallas, Houston, Memphis, Oklahoma City, Portland, San Antonio, Seattle and Tulsa.

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

^ Easily explainable because Saints fans were tuned in to see who their team would be playing in the NFC title game and when I get a full report, I'm betting that the D-FW ratings dropped in the second half.

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

^ Jason Witten on playing for Bill Parcells: "That was an experience...that I can never forget for some of the things he taught me" but..."I'm glad he's gone because every day was miserable."

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

Also, there is talk of possibly bringing the NFL to Toronto, the largest city of Canada. .The most frequently mentioned team for such a move is the aforementioned Buffalo Bills, who play 90 miles (140 km) south in Buffalo, play some of their games in Toronto's Rogers Centre, and are owned by a man now in his nineties (Ralph Wilson) who has no apparent plans to keep the team in his family upon his death.^ The NFL sent out an e-mail Friday morning announcing NBC had no plans to flex out of its Week 17 15 Sunday night game.

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

^ To recap: I think Jerry Jones, who is a big man on the TV committee and in NFL circles in general, would want to play in a time slot when no other team is playing and he would choose NBC over ESPN because NBC draws lots more eyeballs.

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

^[5]

.The Dallas Cowboys are the highest valued American football franchise, valued at approximately $1.6 billion^[6] and one of the most valuable franchises in all of professional sports worldwide, currently second only to English soccer club Manchester United,^[6] which has an approximate value of $1.8 billion at current exchange rates.^ Dallas Cowboys television ratings .

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

^ Categories: Dallas Cowboys , Television ratings .

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

^ E-mail entry The entry "Cowboys-Redskins remains a SNF affair" is tagged: Dallas Cowboys , NBC , Sunday Night Football .

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

^[7] .(Incidentally, the majority shareholder in United, Malcolm Glazer, also owns an NFL team of his own, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.^ New York Giants at Tampa Bay Buccaneers, noon, Ch.

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

)

Since the 2002 season, the teams have been aligned as follows:

Division	Team	City/Area	Stadium	Founded	Joined	Head Coach
American Football Conference
East	Buffalo Bills	Orchard Park, NY	Ralph Wilson Stadium ¹	1959	1970	Chan Gailey
	Miami Dolphins	Miami Gardens, FL	Sun Life Stadium	1966	1970	Tony Sparano
	New England Patriots	Foxborough, MA	Gillette Stadium	1959	1970	Bill Belichick
	New York Jets	East Rutherford, NJ	Meadowlands Stadium ²	1960	1970	Rex Ryan
North	Baltimore Ravens	Baltimore, MD	M&T Bank Stadium	1996 ³		John Harbaugh
	Cincinnati Bengals	Cincinnati, OH	Paul Brown Stadium	1968	1970	Marvin Lewis
	Cleveland Browns	Cleveland, OH	Cleveland Browns Stadium	1946	1950 ³	Eric Mangini
	Pittsburgh Steelers	Pittsburgh, PA	Heinz Field	1933		Mike Tomlin
South	Houston Texans	Houston, TX	Reliant Stadium	2002		Gary Kubiak
	Indianapolis Colts *	Indianapolis, IN	Lucas Oil Stadium	1953		Jim Caldwell
	Jacksonville Jaguars	Jacksonville, FL	Jacksonville Municipal Stadium	1995		Jack Del Rio
	Tennessee Titans *	Nashville, TN	LP Field	1960	1970	Jeff Fisher
West	Denver Broncos	Denver, CO	Invesco Field at Mile High	1960	1970	Josh McDaniels
	Kansas City Chiefs *	Kansas City, MO	Arrowhead Stadium	1960	1970	Todd Haley
	Oakland Raiders *	Oakland, CA	Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum	1960	1970	Tom Cable
	San Diego Chargers *	San Diego, CA	Qualcomm Stadium	1960	1970	Norv Turner
National Football Conference
East	Dallas Cowboys	Arlington, TX	Cowboys Stadium	1960		Wade Phillips
	New York Giants	East Rutherford, NJ	Meadowlands Stadium ²	1925		Tom Coughlin
	Philadelphia Eagles	Philadelphia, PA	Lincoln Financial Field	1933		Andy Reid
	Washington Redskins *	Landover, MD	FedExField	1932		Mike Shanahan
North	Chicago Bears *	Chicago, IL	Soldier Field	1919	1920	Lovie Smith
	Detroit Lions *	Detroit, MI	Ford Field	1929	1930	Jim Schwartz
	Green Bay Packers	Green Bay, WI	Lambeau Field	1919	1921	Mike McCarthy
	Minnesota Vikings	Minneapolis, MN	Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome	1961		Brad Childress
South	Atlanta Falcons	Atlanta, GA	Georgia Dome	1966		Mike Smith
	Carolina Panthers	Charlotte, NC	Bank of America Stadium	1995		John Fox
	New Orleans Saints	New Orleans, LA	Louisiana Superdome	1967		Sean Payton
	Tampa Bay Buccaneers	Tampa, FL	Raymond James Stadium	1976		Raheem Morris
West	Arizona Cardinals *	Glendale, AZ	University of Phoenix Stadium	1898	1920	Ken Whisenhunt
	St. Louis Rams *	St. Louis, MO	Edward Jones Dome	1936	1937	Steve Spagnuolo
	San Francisco 49ers	CA	Candlestick Park	1946	1950	Mike Singletary
	Seattle Seahawks	Seattle, WA	Qwest Field	1976		Pete Carroll

Chart notes

An asterisk (*) denotes a franchise move. See the respective team articles for more information.

The Buffalo Bills play one regular game each year and one preseason game every two years from 2008–2012 at Rogers Centre in Toronto.
The Jets and Giants will move into Meadowlands Stadium in East Rutherford in 2010.
As the result of a relocation controversy in 1996, the league officially suspended operations of the Cleveland Browns while its players and personnel moved to Baltimore to become a new franchise called the Baltimore Ravens.
^ If they beat the Packers, they have the Redskins and the Raiders coming into Dallas and they are 9-2 with five games remaining and they have the NFC East all wrapped up.
Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]
^ The Cowboys are eligible to play a fourth Sunday night game on NBC. That would give them six prime-time games (ESPN and NFL Network each have one).
Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]
^ As for the folks who have e-mailed to say how wonderful it was for my bride to allow me to go to a Baltimore Colts-New York Jets game at Shea Stadium on our wedding day, I have to say I just don't get it.
Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]
As per an agreement with the two cities, the Ravens are officially regarded as a new 1996 team while the league's official history and records views the Browns as one continuous franchise that began in 1946, suspended operations from 1996–1998, and resumed play in 1999 with new players.

Former NFL teams

Further information: Defunct National Football League franchises

In its earliest years, the NFL was a very unstable and somewhat informal organization. Many teams entered and left the league annually. However, since the acquisition of the All-America Football Conference in 1950, the NFL has shown remarkable stability. The last NFL team to fold was the Dallas Texans in 1952; its remnants were salvaged to form what is now the Indianapolis Colts.

Media

Television

For more details on this topic, see NFL on television.

.The television rights to the NFL are the most lucrative and expensive rights not only of any American sport, but of any American entertainment property.^ Right now, Fox has two games scheduled for its 3:15 window, the most-watched of the NFL week, on Dec.

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

^ Sports Media Watch has kindly compiled this listing of the most-watched NFL broadcasts of the season.

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

.With the fragmentation of audiences due to the increased specialization of broadcast and cable TV networks, sports remain one of the few entertainment properties that not only can guarantee a large and diversified audience, but an audience that will watch in real time.^ Broadcast television outdraws cable every time.

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

^ The Cowboys are eligible to play a fourth Sunday night game on NBC. That would give them six prime-time games (ESPN and NFL Network each have one).

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

^ I should have posted this with my Monday Morning TV autopsy , but it is interesting even if NFL Network remains a rumor to most of you.

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

.Annually, the Super Bowl often ranks among the most watched shows of the year.^ The Super Bowl halftime show is annually the most-watched musical performance.

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

^ Turns out the Cowboys-Redskins Sunday Night Game on NBC was only the third most-watched show of last week.

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

^ More than 148 million viewers in the U.S. watched last year's show.

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

.Four of Nielsen Media Research's top ten programs are Super Bowls.^ E-mail entry The entry "Some planned Cowboys Super Bowl pre-game programming you won't be seeing " is tagged: Dallas Cowboys , Super Bowl 43 .

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

^ Some planned Cowboys Super Bowl pre-game programming you won't be seeing .

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

^ Meanwhile, Steelers' teams of the '70s won four Super Bowls.

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

^[8] .Networks have purchased a share of the broadcasting rights to the NFL as a means of raising the entire network's profile.^ You can find the entire NFL Network schedule here .

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

^ NFL Network may remain a rumor in most parts around here but that doesn't mean it isn't programming.

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

^ If you don't get Channel 33 or NFL Network or even if you do, you enjoy the radio broadcast of Brad Sham and Babe Laufenberg along the Cowboys radio network.

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

^[9] .The Super Bowl is so popular annually that many companies debut elaborate commercials during the game.^ The Super Bowl halftime show is annually the most-watched musical performance.

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

^ I'm picking Philly to win this game and go all the way to the Super Bowl."

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

^ The majesty of a NFL franchise that has not been to a Super Bowl since the 1995 season and has not won a playoff game since 1996 was re-affirmed with the release of the 2009 schedule Tuesday.

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

.Under the current television contracts, which began during the 2006 season, regular season games are broadcast on five networks: CBS, Fox, NBC, ESPN, and the NFL Network.^ I am watching CBS' broadcast of the 1975 Hail Mary Game on NFL Network.

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

^ Is CBS, the network that will televise the game, behind this?

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

^ It should break NBC's record of 23.1 million for last season's Giants-Cowboys game.

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

Regionally shown games are broadcast on Sundays on CBS and Fox, carrying the AFC and NFC teams respectively (the traveling team deciding the broadcast station in the event of inter-Conference games, presumably so that each network can show games from all the stadiums). These games generally air at 1:00 p.m. ET and 4:05 p.m. or 4:15 p.m. .ET. (Due to differences between Eastern and local time, games played in the Pacific and Mountain time zones are never played in the 1:00pm ET time slot.^ The Cowboys are eligible to play a fourth Sunday night game on NBC. That would give them six prime-time games (ESPN and NFL Network each have one).

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

^ Too many performers, too many combos and too many guys who never played the game.

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

^ The only other game Channel 11 could have shown in this time slot is the Cincinnati Bengals-Houston Texans.

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

) Nationally televised games include Sunday night games (shown on NBC), Monday night games (shown on ESPN), the Thursday night NFL Kickoff Game (shown on NBC), the annual Dallas Cowboys and Detroit Lions Thanksgiving Day games (CBS and Fox), and beginning in 2006,all Thursday and Saturday games on the NFL Network, a wholly owned subsidiary of the National Football League.^[10]^[11]

.Additionally, satellite broadcast company DirecTV offers NFL Sunday Ticket, a subscription based package, that allows most Sunday daytime regional games to be watched.^ Turns out the Cowboys-Redskins Sunday Night Game on NBC was only the third most-watched show of last week.

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

^ Aikman and Buck return from the boondocks and the likes of calling a regional noon Falcons-Patriots game to a 3:15pm Sunday slot.

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

^ I'll be watching because the smart editors at the Dallas Morning News dusted me off and assigned me to write a 'Hail Mary Game' story for the Sunday newspaper.

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

^[12]^[13] This package is exclusive to DirecTV in the USA; for subscribers to Dish Network Verizon FiOS and Comcast, the NFL instead offers "RedZone," a less expensive single channel that launched in 2009 and airs "the touchdowns and most important moments during all the Sunday afternoon games."^[14] In Canada, NFL Sunday Ticket is available on a per-provider distribution deal on both cable and satellite.

Radio

.Each NFL team has its own radio network and employs its announcers.^ If you don't get Channel 33 or NFL Network or even if you do, you enjoy the radio broadcast of Brad Sham and Babe Laufenberg along the Cowboys radio network.

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

^ So I'm minding my own business, playing spades on my laptop with a NFL Network studio show droning on in the background.

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

^ Cowher is the hottest coach not currently employed by a NFL team.

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

.Nationally, the NFL is heard on the Westwood One Radio Network, Sports USA Radio Network, the Dial Global-Compass Media Sports Network and in Spanish on Univision Radio.^ Irvin's been using his ESPN Radio show and NFL Network gig as a bully pulpit.

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

^ The Cowboys are eligible to play a fourth Sunday night game on NBC. That would give them six prime-time games (ESPN and NFL Network each have one).

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

^ One of the absolute joys of covering Sports Media is that it allows me to interview people who are even older than me.

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

.Westwood One carries Sunday and Monday Night Football, all Thursday games, two Sunday afternoon contests each week, the Pro Football Hall of Fame Game, and all post-season games, including the Pro Bowl.^ The last two seasons, a Sunday Night home game drew the most homes.

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

^ It's wait til next year for Thursday and Monday night football.

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

^ If I know the NFL, they'll schedule the Cowboys for three games in one week next season _ Monday night, Sunday night and Thursday night on the NFL Network.

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

.Sports USA Radio and Dial Global-Compass each broadcast two Sunday afternoon games every Sunday during the regular season, by agreement with individual teams.^ The Cowboys have played two games this season on SNF. Those two games vs the Giants (No.

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

^ Fox's Sunday afternoon Cowboys-Redskins game easily topped NBC's Sunday night Eagles-Bears in the ratings.

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

^ I asked each one if he would rather be 2-0 or 0-2 going into the third meeting of the season between two teams.

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

^[10] .Univision carries Monday Night games, select games from the New York metro area, and all playoff games.^ The Monday Night game earned a 42.2 rating in Philadelphia compared to a 37.5 rating in Dallas-Fort Worth.

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

^ They handed out the Sports Emmys in New York last night and the winner in the "outstanding post-produced audio/sound "category was...

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

^ Personal aside: I wouldn't miss ESPN's Monday Night game for the world.

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

.The NFL also has a contract with Sirius Satellite Radio, which provides news, analysis, commentary and game coverage for all games, as well as comprehensive coverage of the draft and off-season on its own channel, Sirius NFL Radio.^ They are also getting all dolled up to put on their own pre-game shows.

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

^ E-mail entry The entry "Roy Williams blames Cowboys coaches (See below which Roy Williams we're talking about)" is tagged: Dallas Cowboys , Roy Williams , Sirius XM Satellite Radio .

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

^ NBC is reporting that its Cowboys-Eagles broadcast earned the second-highest overnight rating for a prime time NFL game this season.

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

^[15]

.Internet radio broadcasts of all NFL games are managed through FieldPass, a subscription service.^ NBC is reporting that its Cowboys-Eagles broadcast earned the second-highest overnight rating for a prime time NFL game this season.

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

^ E-mail entry The entry "Public service announcement: Cowboys TV and Radio" is tagged: Cowboys radio network , Dallas Cowboys , NFL Network , Westwood One Radio .

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

^ But things change...Of all the great teams that have played in the NFL only two have gone through the regular season undefeated.

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

.Radio stations are, by rule, prohibited from streaming the games for free from their Web sites; however, there are numerous stations that break this rule.^ However, don't rule out the Tennessee-Indiana game.

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

^ Apparently, there is some arcane, obscure rule that won't allow unlucky NBC to get an NFC game in Week 17.

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

.All 32 teams, plus Westwood One, currently broadcast through FieldPass as of 2009; Dial Global-Compass and Sports USA do not.^ And over the long haul, it's a team sport, and one of the greatest examples of that is what's happened with the Eagles and the Cowboys over the last 10 years.

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

^ But things change...Of all the great teams that have played in the NFL only two have gone through the regular season undefeated.

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

^ III. I know I should have noticed this earlier, but the Steelers are the only team represented on all three broadcast network studio shows.

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

Also, FieldPass broadcasts are not available in Spanish, even though the Internet radio blackout rules apply to Spanish language broadcasts as well.

Internet/new media

.In October 2006 the NFL announced the league would fully operate NFL.com, including the development of the technology, infrastructure and editorial content.^ Indianapolis Colts TOP-SELLING NFL PLAYER JERSEYS (NFLShop.com) (April 1 - October 15, 2008) .

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

Launching its first major redesign since 1999 in August 2007, the site had been previously produced and hosted since 2001 by CBS SportsLine. .It is estimated that the contract cost CBS $120 million over a five year period.^ V. As the camera panned away, do you suppose that Cowher was thinking: "And then I can coach the Cowboys next year for five times what I'm making at CBS and I get to work at The JonesMahal."

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

^ And to top it all off, CBS and Cowher have agreed to a contract extension that will keep him the network's pre-game studio for another year.

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

.Prior to CBS, ESPN.com produced and hosted the NFL site.^ Because NFLN penetration is limited, ESPN will be there to write down the schedules when it hears them on NFLN or sees them on NFL.com and then report them.

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

^ E-mail entry The entry "Inside story: Cowboys and the NFL's network TV partners; bet on NBC for the '09 opener" is tagged: CBS , Dallas Cowboys , ESPN , Fox , NBC .

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

^ Presumably, ESPN will lift the news from NFL Network or NFL.com and then proceed with analysis.

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

^[16]

.Brian Rolapp, senior vice president of NFL digital media and media strategy: “In a rapidly changing digital landscape, bringing NFL.com in-house provides us greater control of our valuable content and enables us to strategically build the site as a media asset.^ I saw this on the Newsday Watchdog sports media site and thought this would bring back memories.

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

Fans can look forward to an even more entertaining, interactive and informative site built upon the expertise of the NFL and its other in-house media outlets such as NFL Network and NFL Films.”

Univision Online, Inc., the interactive subsidiary of Univision Communications Inc., and the NFL announced in January 2008 that they will jointly manage and operate NFLatino.com powered by Univision.com, the official U.S. Spanish-language website of the NFL. NFLatino.com is the only Spanish-language website in the United States to feature NFL video game highlights. .In addition, the website includes live radio broadcasts, up-to-date stats, Hispanic player diaries, Fantasy Football and an insider’s view of all 32 teams.^ The twelve football neophytes, six wide receivers and six defensive backs, will be broken into two teams, overseen by notable former Cowboy coaches and players.

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

^ III. I know I should have noticed this earlier, but the Steelers are the only team represented on all three broadcast network studio shows.

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

^ "It's the worst kept secret in town," one radio insider said about the Cowboys impending slide up the dial.

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

^[17]

.Announced in March 2009, NFL.com received its first-ever Sports Emmy nominations, which earned recognition for its NFL.com LIVE coverage of NFL Network’s Thursday and Saturday Night Football (Outstanding new approaches, coverage) and its Anatomy of a Play, a short-form 360-degree analysis of key plays of the week (Outstanding new approaches, general interest).^ Ditto special Saturday night editions of Thursday Night Football.

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

^ Presumably, ESPN will lift the news from NFL Network or NFL.com and then proceed with analysis.

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

^ That makes it the network's most-watched Saturday night since Feb 6, 1988 when 32.5 million people tuned in.

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

^[18]

.Beginning September 2008, the NFL announced that it would simulcast all NBC Sunday Night Football games on NFL.com, located at nfl.com/snf.^ It will NOT be flexed to NBC for a Sunday night kick.

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

^ SNF history" is tagged: Dallas Cowboys , NBC Sunday Night Football .

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

^ P.S. Could be more entertaining than Sunday night's game on NBC. .

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

.In 2007, they had provided an Emmy-nominated "complementary live broadcast" which included a partial simulcast of the NFL Network's Run to the Playoffs eight game package along with expanded NFL Network analysis.^ If you live anywhere else and do not get NFL Network, you will NOT be able to watch the game.

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

^ NFL TV Game Plan, including picks .

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

^ Continue reading: NFL Network kicks off another season of games which will remain a rumor to most .

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

.The NFL offers a pay service allows fans to watch all NFL regular season, playoff, and Super Bowl games online.^ But regular-season games is all they have won.

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

^ E-mail entry The entry "Steelers 35, Cowboys 31" is tagged: NFL Network , Super Bowl III .

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

^ I had Linn Elliott who was my Super Bowl kicker...the next season the second ball game he comes up to me after missing a kick and he says, 'Coach I just don't have any confidence.'

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

.The service is updated Monday, Wednesday, and Friday and offers full DVR functionality with the ability to watch up to four games at once.^ NFL Network plans to air replays of the four games on Wednesday.

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

^ We can all expect a NFLN news release soon on how this was the most watched game in the network's four-year history.

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

^ Turns out the Cowboys-Packers game was the second-most watched Sunday Night Football game in the brief history of the offering.

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

.The NFL offers a pay service for NFL fans out side United States to watch live all regular season games and the playoffs game live.^ But regular-season games is all they have won.

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

^ If you live anywhere else and do not get NFL Network, you will NOT be able to watch the game.

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

^ NBC is reporting that its Cowboys-Eagles broadcast earned the second-highest overnight rating for a prime time NFL game this season.

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

.Only game not available live is the Super Bowl.^ I'm picking Philly to win this game and go all the way to the Super Bowl."

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

^ The majesty of a NFL franchise that has not been to a Super Bowl since the 1995 season and has not won a playoff game since 1996 was re-affirmed with the release of the 2009 schedule Tuesday.

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

^ That's the final score of Super Bowl XIII. For those with short memories or for those who weren't yet born, the game was plated on Jan.

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

Player contracts and compensation

.NFL players are all members of a union called the National Football League Players Association (NFLPA).^ For another, Jones is powerful member of the NFL TV committee and you can be sure he wants to nation to see his latest invention.

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

^ Is he more important than Jerry Jones, owner of the Dallas Cowboys, powerful member of the NFL broadcast committee and of the league's executive council?

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

^ But the big one is, don't do anything to embarrass the Dallas Cowboys or the National Football League.

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

The NFLPA negotiates the general minimum contract for all players in the league. .This contract is called the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), and it is the central document that governs the negotiation of individual player contracts for all of the league's players.^ It's all about building around individuals first and collecting talent, collecting great players.

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

.The current CBA has been in place since 1993, and was amended in 1998 and again in 2006. The NFL has not had any labor-related work stoppages since the 1987 season, which is much longer than Major League Baseball, the NBA or the NHL.^ The results: NFL Draft, 47 percent; NBA Playoffs, 26 percent; Yankees-Red Sox, 12 percent; NHL Playoffs, 11 percent; NASCAR at Talledega, 4 percent.

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

^ Is he more important than Jerry Jones, owner of the Dallas Cowboys, powerful member of the NFL broadcast committee and of the league's executive council?

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

^ And who better to comment on something so big than the giant World Wide Leader, which has been using Terrell Owens as a pinata since the start of last season.

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

The current CBA was originally scheduled to expire at the end of the 2012 season, but in 2008 the owners exercised their right to opt out of the agreement two years early.^[19]^[20]

Players are tiered into three different levels with regards to their rights to negotiate for contracts:

Players who have been drafted (see below), and have not yet played in their first year, may only negotiate with the team that drafted them.
^ Who doesn't want to see the Patriots playing the undefeated Saints.
Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]
^ They are not going to go out and try to draft a wide receiver and think they are going to get him ready in a year-or-so to go with these other players.
Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]
^ I know its only the exhibition season and first stringers don't see much action but that's just plain silly.
Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]
^[19] If terms cannot be agreed upon, the players' only recourse is to refuse to play ("hold out") until terms can be reached. Players often use the threat of holding out as a means to force the hands of the teams that drafted them. For example, John Elway was drafted by the Baltimore Colts in 1983 but refused to play for them. .He had a fallback option of baseball, as he had played in the New York Yankees organization for two summers while at Stanford.
^ E-mail entry The entry "Yankees in playoffs can't measure up to Cowboys (yawn)" is tagged: ALCS , Dallas Cowboys , New York Yankees , TV Ratings .
Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]
^ New York and San Francisco are two giant TV markets that should have more interest in their home teams.
Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]
^ Do the New York Giants ever play a good team?
Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]
The Colts traded his rights to the Denver Broncos and Elway agreed to play.^[21] Bo Jackson sat out an entire year in 1986, choosing to play baseball in the Kansas City Royals organization rather than play for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the team that had drafted him. He reentered the draft the following year, and was drafted and subsequently signed with the Los Angeles Raiders.^[22]

Players that have played three full seasons in the league, and whose contract has expired are considered "Restricted Free Agents" (see below).^ After all, they've played in the three highest-rated Sunday Night Games of the season.

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

^ "This was a successful partnership for Cumulus over the past three seasons, and we look forward to continuing to work with the Cowboys in the future outside of their play by play broadcasts."

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

They have limited rights to negotiate with any club.^[19]

Players that have played four or more full seasons in the league, and whose contract has expired, are considered "Unrestricted Free Agents"(see below) and have unlimited rights to negotiate with any club.^ I see him making more plays."

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

^ As a consolation prize, I promised to take her to see Jersey Boys , about the greatest singing group to ever come out of New Jersey: The Four Seasons.

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

^ He believes Giant players take last season's Pro Bowl selections more personally.

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

.Teams may name a single player in any given year as a "Franchise Player" (see below), which eliminates much of that player's negotiation rights.^ It talks about how much Chargers players love a certain rolly polly man who is not named Santa Claus.

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

^ It may be time for that phone call from Jerry (Jones) to start seeing if Mike Shanahan wants to come in in the middle of the year to coach this team to get in the playoffs ...

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

.This is a limited right of the team, however, and affects only a small handful of players each year.^ Only one team, however, merits, it's own bracket .

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

^[19]

.In the 2010 season, unless the CBA is extended, the rules will change so that players don't become "Unrestricted Free Agents" until they have played at least six full seasons in the league.^ It sounds like the Cowboys are open-minded, perhaps exploring Shanahan in 2010 if things don't work the way they want next season."

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

^ They lead the league in penalties, they turn the ball over, they have breakdowns in special teams, they just don't play consistently enough in the big games.

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

^ What is the case, and they understand that, is that we are going to be a better football team if we don't make a coaching change.

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

.They will be "Restricted Free Agents" if they have three–five full seasons in the league.^ You can say there are five separate seasons in every one full season.

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

^ If I know the NFL, they'll schedule the Cowboys for three games in one week next season _ Monday night, Sunday night and Thursday night on the NFL Network.

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

^ And whenever they get feeling pretty full of themselves the same old problems come up - three turnovers, five sacks, 10 penalties.

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

Among the items covered in the CBA are:

The league minimum salary
The salary cap
The annual collegiate draft
Rules regarding "free agency"
Waiver rules

Salaries

Years of experience	2006	2007	2008	2009	2010	2011	2012
Minimum Salary for League Year^[23]
0	$275,000	$285,000	$295,000	$310,000	$325,000	$340,000	$355,000
1	$350,000	$360,000	$370,000	$385,000	$400,000	$415,000	$430,000
2	$425,000	$435,000	$445,000	$460,000	$475,000	$490,000	$505,000
3	$500,000	$510,000	$520,000	$535,000	$550,000	$565,000	$580,000
4–6	$585,000	$595,000	$605,000	$620,000	$635,000	$650,000	$665,000
7–9	$710,000	$720,000	$730,000	$745,000	$760,000	$775,000	$790,000
10 +	$810,000	$820,000	$830,000	$845,000	$860,000	$875,000	$890,000

A player's salary, as defined by the CBA, includes any "compensation in money, property, investments, loans or anything else of value to which an NFL player may be awarded" excluding such benefits as insurance and pension. A salary can include an annual pay and a one-time "signing bonus" which is paid in full when the player signs his contract. For the purposes of the salary cap (see below), the signing bonus is prorated over the life of the contract rather than to the year in which the signing bonus is paid.^[23]

.Player contracts are not guaranteed; teams are only required to pay on the contract as long as the player remains a member of the team.^ Maybe that's because only six undefeated teams remain and four of them are Tennessee, Buffalo, Baltimore and Denver.

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

If the player is cut, or quits, for any reason, the balance of the contract is voided and the player receives no further compensation.^[24]

.Among other things, the CBA establishes a minimum salary for its players,^[23] which is stepped-up as a player's years of experience increase.^ They are not going to go out and try to draft a wide receiver and think they are going to get him ready in a year-or-so to go with these other players.

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

Players and their agents may negotiate with clubs for higher salaries, and frequently do.

Salary cap

.The salary cap is defined as the maximum amount that a team may spend on player compensation (see above) in a given season, for all of its players combined.^ After all, how many times do you get a chance to watch a team put the capper on a 0-16 season?

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

^ It may be time for that phone call from Jerry (Jones) to start seeing if Mike Shanahan wants to come in in the middle of the year to coach this team to get in the playoffs ...

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

^ But things change...Of all the great teams that have played in the NFL only two have gone through the regular season undefeated.

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

.Unlike other leagues, for example the NBA (which permits certain exemptions) or Major League Baseball (which has a "soft cap" enforced by "luxury taxes"), the NFL has a "hard cap": an amount no team under any circumstances may exceed.^ She had no pen and paper so she did what any 14-year-old would do under the circumstance.

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

^ In addition to the 16 Cowboys games, NFL Network will also fill in the league's other 240 games on the two-hour show..

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

^ And they kept re-enforcing how important it is for a NFL team to have a quality backup.

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

The NFL also has a so-called "hard floor", a minimum payroll that each team is required to pay regardless of the circumstances.

The NFL salary cap is calculated by the current CBA to be 59.5% of the total projected league revenue for the upcoming year. This number, divided by the number of teams, determines an individual team's maximum salary cap. For 2008, this was approximately $116 million per team.^[25] For 2009, it increased to $127 million.^[26] .As a result of the NFL owners opting out of the CBA two years early, in the absence of a new CBA 2010 will have no salary cap or floor.^ The NFL sent out an e-mail Friday morning announcing NBC had no plans to flex out of its Week 17 15 Sunday night game.

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

^[20]

.Teams and players often find creative ways to fit salaries under the salary cap.^ They've got to find a way to focus that football team.

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

Early in the salary cap era, "signing bonuses" were used to give players a large chunk of money up front, and thus not count in the salary for the bulk of the contract. .This led to a rule whereby all signing bonus are pro-rated equally for each year of the contract.^ Seems "The Fan" has two years remaining on a contract with TMS to broadcast all 38 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races.

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

^ And to top it all off, CBS and Cowher have agreed to a contract extension that will keep him the network's pre-game studio for another year.

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

.Thus if a player receives a $10 million signing bonus for a five-year contract, $2 million per year would count against the salary cap for the life of the contract, even though the full $10 million was paid up front during the first year of the contract.^ After scoring a touchdown in the Cowboys' first three games of the year, rookie Felix Jones was not listed as a rusher or receiver Sunday against the Redskins.

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

^ That's because he says he never would have signed him to a long-term contract in the first place.

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

^ "This season's viewing of HARD KNOCKS episode # 1 (3.1millon total viewers) is up 15% from last season's first episode (2.7 million viewers).

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

^[23]

Player contracts tend to be "back-loaded". This means that the contract is not divided equally among the time period it covers. Instead, the player earns progressively more and more each year. .For instance, a player signing a four-year deal worth $10 million may get paid $1 million the first year, $2 million the second year, $3 million the third year, and $4 million the fourth year.^ By the way there were four pretty good players taken in the first five picks in 1989.

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

If a team cuts this player after the first year, the final three years do not count against the cap. Any signing bonus, however, ceases to be pro-rated, and the entire balance of the bonus counts against the cap in the upcoming season.^[23]

NFL Draft

For more details on this topic, see NFL Draft.

.Each April, each NFL franchise seeks to add new players to its roster through a collegiate draft known as "the NFL Annual Player Selection Meeting", which is more commonly known as the NFL Draft.^ Indianapolis Colts TOP-SELLING NFL PLAYER JERSEYS (NFLShop.com) (April 1 - October 15, 2008) .

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

^ Maybe that's because when he was running the Detroit Lions, Millen made the Texas-ex the seventh player taken in the 2004 NFL draft.

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

^ He believes Giant players take last season's Pro Bowl selections more personally.

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

.Teams are ranked in inverse order based on the previous season's record, with the team having the worst record picking first, and the second-worst picking second, and so on.^ The previous worst was a 31.2 for the season opener at Cleveland.

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

^ They opened the week on MNF and ended it on SNF. Turns out the games ranked first and second for the week in TVLAND. That's an unbelievable daily double.

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

.Regardless of regular season records, the last two picks of each round go to the two teams in the Super Bowl immediately preceding the draft, with the Super Bowl champion picking last.^ Are they still a Super Bowl team?

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

^ It should break NBC's record of 23.1 million for last season's Giants-Cowboys game.

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

^ Said Aikman: "I think he's (Romo) going to win more than one Super Bowl.

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

The draft proceeds for seven rounds. Rounds 1–2 are run on Saturday of draft weekend, rounds 3–7 are run on Sunday. .Teams are given 10 minutes in the first round of the draft, 7 in the second round and 5 in all other rounds.^ They've got eight first-round draft picks on defense.

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

^[27] .If the pick is not made in the allotted time, subsequent teams in the draft may draft before them.^ In years past, the Cowboys made special accommodations for The Ticket, their old home, to be the first to talk to draft picks.

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

^ It may be time for that phone call from Jerry (Jones) to start seeing if Mike Shanahan wants to come in in the middle of the year to coach this team to get in the playoffs ...

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

This happened in 2003 to the Minnesota Vikings.^[28]

Teams have the option of trading away their picks to other teams for different picks, players, cash, or a combination thereof. .While player-for-player trades are rare during the rest of the year (especially in comparison to the other major league sports), trades are far more common on draft day.^ They are not going to go out and try to draft a wide receiver and think they are going to get him ready in a year-or-so to go with these other players.

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

^ I'm not really sure why I'm revealing this to the editors at Sports Day, but I was reminded of this the other day when my phone rang and the voice on the other end said, "Hi, this is Tony Siragusa."

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

In 1989, the Dallas Cowboys traded running back Herschel Walker to the Minnesota Vikings for five veteran players and six draft picks over 3 years. .The Cowboys would use these picks to leverage trades for additional draft picks and veteran players.^ They are not going to go out and try to draft a wide receiver and think they are going to get him ready in a year-or-so to go with these other players.

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

^ Had no Cowboys player touched the loose football, Dallas would have taken possession.

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

^ It was Terry Bradshaw who played the Mother Teresa role, insisting he would not have added additional insult to the Cowboys woeful play.

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

.As a direct result of this trade, they would draft many of the stars who would help them win three Super Bowls in the 1990s, including Emmitt Smith, Russell Maryland, and Darren Woodson.^ Are they still a Super Bowl team?

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

^ Who would have thought he'd beat Parcells to the Super Bowl?

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

^ Said Aikman: "I think he's (Romo) going to win more than one Super Bowl.

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

^[29]

.The first pick in the draft is often taken to be the best overall player in the rookie class.^ He was so monster that a lot of folks, including Mel Kiper, thought he should be the first pick of the 1989 NFL Draft.

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

^ But what he has done with the Lions does not warrant giving up a first and a third (draft pick).

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

^ Maybe that's because when he was running the Detroit Lions, Millen made the Texas-ex the seventh player taken in the 2004 NFL draft.

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

.This may or may not be true, since teams often select players based more on the teams' needs than on the players' overall skills.^ I thought they were damaged early but seven straight victories later they are more than still alive...They are a team that wins games through adversity.

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

^ He believes Giant players take last season's Pro Bowl selections more personally.

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

^ "There's no question that the teams we sent in prior Olympics had more talent than anyone but they couldn't close the deal and that's the case with the Cowboys.

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

Plus, comparing players at different positions is difficult to do. .Still, it is considered a great honor to be a first-round pick, and a greater honor to be the first overall pick.^ They've got eight first-round draft picks on defense.

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

The last pick in the draft is known as Mr. Irrelevant, and is the subject of a dinner in his (dubious) honor in Newport Beach, California.

Drafted players may only negotiate with the team that drafted them (or to another team if their rights were traded away). .The drafting team has one year to sign the player.^ They are not going to go out and try to draft a wide receiver and think they are going to get him ready in a year-or-so to go with these other players.

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

^ And over the long haul, it's a team sport, and one of the greatest examples of that is what's happened with the Eagles and the Cowboys over the last 10 years.

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

^ No one questions T.O.'s individual talent but it is about the team...What Terrell Owens has done is destroy whatever hope the Dallas Cowboy fans or players have of getting to a championship."

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

.If they do not do so, the player may reenter the draft and can be drafted by another team.^ They are not going to go out and try to draft a wide receiver and think they are going to get him ready in a year-or-so to go with these other players.

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

Bo Jackson famously sat out a season in this way.^[22]

Further information: List of NFL first overall draft choices

Free agency

For more details on this topic, see Free Agent#NFL usage.

General

As defined by the Collective Barganing Agreement (CBA), a free agent is any player who is not under contract to any team and thus has fully free rights to negotiate with any other team for new contract terms.^[19]^[30] Free agents are classified into two categories: restricted and unrestricted. Furthermore, a team may "tag" a player as a franchise or transition, which places additional restrictions on that player's ability to negotiate. However, the ability to "tag" is quite limited, and only affects a handful of players each year.

.Free agency in the NFL began with a limited free agency system known as "Plan B Free Agency", which was in effect between the 1989 and 1992 seasons.^ However, if the NFL moves the Cowboys to NBC this season, that could limit their appearances and flexibility next season.

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

Beginning with the 1993 season, "Plan A Free Agency" went into effect.

Restricted free agent

For more details on this topic, see Restricted free agent.

A player who has 3 years of experience is eligible for restricted free agency, whereby his current team has the chance to retain rights to this player by matching the highest offer any other NFL franchise might make to that player. The club can either block a signing or, in essence, force a trade by offering a salary over a certain threshold. In 2006, these thresholds were as follows:

If a club tenders an offer of $685,000 per year for a three year veteran, and $725,000 for a four year veteran, the player's current team has "right of first refusal" over the contract at those terms, and may sign the player at those terms.
If a club tenders an offer of $712,000 or 110% (whichever is greater) of the previous year's salary, then the current club has both "right of first refusal" and rights to a draft pick from the same round (or better) from the signing club.
^ They've got eight first-round draft picks on defense.
Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]
^ They are not going to go out and try to draft a wide receiver and think they are going to get him ready in a year-or-so to go with these other players.
Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]
^ He was so monster that a lot of folks, including Mel Kiper, thought he should be the first pick of the 1989 NFL Draft.
Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]
.Essentially, this means that the new club must forfeit the draft pick to the old club if they wish to sign the player under these terms.
If a club tenders an offer of $1.552 million or 110% (whichever is greater) of the previous year's salary, then the current club has both "right of first refusal"; and rights to the first round draft pick from the signing club.
^ They've got eight first-round draft picks on defense.
Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]
^ They are not going to go out and try to draft a wide receiver and think they are going to get him ready in a year-or-so to go with these other players.
Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]
^ He was so monster that a lot of folks, including Mel Kiper, thought he should be the first pick of the 1989 NFL Draft.
Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]
^[30]

Unrestricted free agent

.A player who has four or more years of experience is eligible for unrestricted free agency, whereby his current team has no guaranteed right to match outside offers to that player.^ Johnson: "This group of players in Dallas are selfish, there's no fear, respect or loyalty and that's what you've got to have to have a championship team.

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

^ ESPN pays the NFL more than $1 billion a year in rights fees.

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

^ No one questions T.O.'s individual talent but it is about the team...What Terrell Owens has done is destroy whatever hope the Dallas Cowboy fans or players have of getting to a championship."

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

This means that players in this category have unlimited rights to negotiate any terms with any team.^[30]

Free agency changes in 2010

.In 2010, unless the CBA is extended, the rules will change so that players don't become "Unrestricted Free Agents" until they have at least six years of experience.^ Here's the rules for Michael Irvin's TV reality show: Candidate must be at least 21 or at least three years out of high school.

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

^ They are not going to go out and try to draft a wide receiver and think they are going to get him ready in a year-or-so to go with these other players.

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

^ What is the case, and they understand that, is that we are going to be a better football team if we don't make a coaching change.

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

.They will be "Restricted Free Agents" if they have three–five years of experience.^ And whenever they get feeling pretty full of themselves the same old problems come up - three turnovers, five sacks, 10 penalties.

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

There will also be limitations imposed on which clubs are allowed to sign free agents. This is part of a set of rule changes written into the CBA designed to encourage the owners and the NFLPA to negotiate a new CBA: the players lose some free agency rights, and the owners lose the salary cap.^[19]

Franchise tag

For more details on this topic, see Franchise tag.

The franchise tag is a designation given to a player by a franchise that guarantees that player a contract the average of the five highest-paid players of that same position in the entire league, or 120% of the player's previous year's salary (whichever is greater) in return for retaining rights to that player for one year. .An NFL franchise may only designate one player a year as having the franchise tag, and may designate the same player for consecutive years.^ Gambling on the NFL? OK only one of these is really shocking.

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

^ Eminem video, which refers to only one NFL quarterback and his lady friend.

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

^ E-mail entry The entry "NFL TV Sked: Only Sunday this final week" is tagged: Dallas Cowboys , NFL TV Schedule .

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

.This has caused some tension between some NFL franchise designees and their respective teams due to the fact that a player designated as a franchise player precludes that player from pursuing large signing bonuses that are common in unrestricted free agency, and also prevents a player from leaving the team, especially when the reasons for leaving are not necessarily financial.^ Johnson: "This group of players in Dallas are selfish, there's no fear, respect or loyalty and that's what you've got to have to have a championship team.

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

^ In fact, it has two franchises in the Big 3 (NFL, MLB, NBA)?

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

.A team may, at their discretion, allow the franchise player to negotiate with other clubs, but if he signs with another club, the first club is entitled to two first round draft picks in compensation.^ They've got eight first-round draft picks on defense.

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

^ NBC's Rodney Harrison may be the first network type to say what a lot of you are thinking: The Cowboys are not a well-coached team .

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

^ They are not going to go out and try to draft a wide receiver and think they are going to get him ready in a year-or-so to go with these other players.

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

^[30]

Banned substances policy

.The NFL banned substances policy has been acclaimed by some^[31] and criticized by others,^[32] but the policy is the longest running in American professional sports, beginning in 1987.^[31] The current policy of the NFL suspends players without pay who test positive for banned substances as it has since 1989: four games for the first offense (a quarter of the regular season), eight games for a second offense (half of the regular season), and 12 months for a third offense.^ I had Linn Elliott who was my Super Bowl kicker...the next season the second ball game he comes up to me after missing a kick and he says, 'Coach I just don't have any confidence.'

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

^ I walked through one of the many unguarded turnstiles found a comfy seat on the 40-yard line and watched the second half of the game.

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

^ NBC is reporting that its Cowboys-Eagles broadcast earned the second-highest overnight rating for a prime time NFL game this season.

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

^[33] .The suspended games may be either regular season games or playoff games.^ You can be sure that when NBC broadcasts the first regular-season game from the stadium against the Giants on the night of Sept.

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

^ According to the NFL, 38.4 million folks tuned into to the most-watched NFL regular season game in the last 19 years.

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

^ Cowboys 35, Redskins 34 in the final game of the 1979 season: "The winner of the game clinched the division and as it turned out the loser was out of the playoffs.

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

^[33]

.In comparison to the policies of Major League Baseball and the National Hockey League, the NFL has long been the most strict.^ Nationally in the 56 major markets, baseball won the night.

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

^ Major League Baseball .

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

While recently MLB and the NHL decided to permanently ban athletes for a third offense, they have long been resistant to such measures, and random testing is in its infancy.^[34]^[35]

.Since the NFL started random, year-round tests and suspending players for banned substances, many more players have been found to be in violation of the policy.^ ESPN pays the NFL more than $1 billion a year in rights fees.

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

By April 2005, 111 NFL players had tested positive for banned substances, and of those 111, the NFL suspended 54.^[32]

A new rule is in the works due to Shawne Merriman. .Starting the 2007 season, the new rule would prohibit any player testing positive for banned substances from being able to play in the Pro Bowl that year.^ I got that chance yesterday when I called 82-year-old Bill Mercer to talk to him about working the Ice Bowl back on New Year's Eve 1967.

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

^ "I think I know a little about playing the position and I think Tony is a special player.

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

^ "I would turn in all three Super Bowl rings and my Hall of Fame bust for one undefeated season."

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

^[36]

Video games

.There have been several football video games based on NFL teams created for various consoles over the years, from 10-Yard Fight and the Tecmo Bowl series for the NES to the more well known Madden series that have been released annually since 1988. The Madden series is named after former coach and football commentator John Madden.^ There is no leadership on this football team.

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

^ Just popped in on the NBC Sunday Night Football conference call and asked John Madden and Cris Collinsworth who they would rather have QB their team?

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

^ Best, sir: I submit there is more national interest in a Cowboys OTA than in a Giants trip to the Super Bowl.

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

Prior to the 2005–2006 football season, other NFL games were produced by competing video game publishers, such as 2K Games and Midway Games. However, in December 2004, Electronic Arts signed a five-year exclusive agreement with the NFL, meaning only Electronic Arts will be permitted to publish games featuring NFL team and player names. .This prompted video game developer Midway Games to release a game in 2005 called Blitz: The League, with fictitious teams and players.^ They lead the league in penalties, they turn the ball over, they have breakdowns in special teams, they just don't play consistently enough in the big games.

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

^ Maybe it should call tonight's game Football Night for America's Team.

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

In February 2008, EA Sports renewed their exclusivity agreement with the league through Super Bowl XLVII in 2013.^[37]

Commissioners and presidents

Temporary Secretary Ralph Hay (1920)
President Jim Thorpe (1920–1921)^[38]
President Joseph Carr (1921–1939)
President Carl Storck (1939–1941)
Commissioner Elmer Layden (1941–1946)
Commissioner Bert Bell (1946–1959)
Interim President Austin Gunsel (1959–1960, following death of Bell)
Commissioner Alvin "Pete" Rozelle (1960–1989)
Commissioner Paul Tagliabue (1989–2006)
Commissioner Roger Goodell (2006–present)

Main league offices

Canton (1920–1921)
Columbus (1921–1941)
Chicago (1941–1946)
Philadelphia (1946–1960)
New York City (AFL, 1960–1969)
New York City (1960–present)

Franchise owners

Main article: List of NFL franchise owners

.Unlike many professional leagues, the NFL forbids corporate owners.^ Is he more important than Jerry Jones, owner of the Dallas Cowboys, powerful member of the NFL broadcast committee and of the league's executive council?

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

.Ownership groups must contain twenty-four or fewer individuals, and at least one partner must hold a thirty percent or greater share of the team.^ No one questions T.O.'s individual talent but it is about the team...What Terrell Owens has done is destroy whatever hope the Dallas Cowboy fans or players have of getting to a championship."

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

.The Green Bay Packers' are an exemption into the current policy, since they have been a publicly owned stock corporation since before the rule was in place.^ If they beat the Packers, they have the Redskins and the Raiders coming into Dallas and they are 9-2 with five games remaining and they have the NFC East all wrapped up.

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

^ Looks like the Emmys on ABC and the shuttering of the House That Ruth Built on ESPN didn't hurt nationwide interest in America's Team and Green Bay's Packers.

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

^ Cowboys-Packers in Dallas: 38.6 Cowboys-Packers in Milwaukee: 41.8 Cowboys-Packers in Green Bay: No overnights available.

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

^[39]

.In recent years, NFL owners and the NFL itself have become politically active, donating millions of dollars to political candidates.^ According to the NFL, 38.4 million folks tuned into to the most-watched NFL regular season game in the last 19 years.

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

^[40]

Uniform numbers

Main article: Uniform number (American football)

.In the NFL, players wear uniform numbers based on the position they play.^ "I think I know a little about playing the position and I think Tony is a special player.

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

^ It should be noted that Spector has been an advocate for Comcast, which like Time Warner, has refused to play ball with the NFL. Yes, Comcast is based in Pennsylvania.

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

The current system was instituted into the league on April 5, 1973,^[41] as a means for fans and officials (referees, linesmen) to more easily identify players on the field by their position. .Players who were already in the league at that date were grandfathered and did not have to change their uniform numbers if they did not conform.^ They've got the players but who's going to stand up in that locker room and hold people accountable?

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

Since that date, players are invariably assigned numbers within the following ranges, based on their primary position:

Quarterbacks, placekickers and punters: 1–19
Wide Receivers: 10–19 and 80–89
Running backs and defensive backs: 20–49
Offensive linemen: 50–79
Linebackers: 50–59 and 90–99, or 40–49 if all are taken
Defensive linemen: 60–79 and 90–99
Tight ends: 80–89, or 40–49

.Prior to 2004, wide receivers were allowed to wear only numbers 80–89.^[42] The NFL changed the rule that year to allow wide receivers to wear numbers 10–19 to allow for the increased number of players at wide receiver and tight end coming into the league.^ The twelve football neophytes, six wide receivers and six defensive backs, will be broken into two teams, overseen by notable former Cowboy coaches and players.

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

^ They are not going to go out and try to draft a wide receiver and think they are going to get him ready in a year-or-so to go with these other players.

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

^ According to the NFL, 38.4 million folks tuned into to the most-watched NFL regular season game in the last 19 years.

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

Linebackers are allowed to wear numbers between 40–49 when all of the numbers 50–59 and 90–99 are taken. Prior to that, players were allowed to wear non-standard numbers only if their team had run out of numbers within the prescribed number range. .Keyshawn Johnson began wearing number 19 in 1996 because the New York Jets had run out of numbers in the 80s.^ They handed out the Sports Emmys in New York last night and the winner in the "outstanding post-produced audio/sound "category was...

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

^ But I think Watchdog is feeling superior because New York's Shea Stadium isn't selling similar goodies.

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

^ The New York tabloids all but had Bill Cowher signed sealed and delivered to coach the New York Jets earlier this week.

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

.Oakland Raider offensive center Jim Otto wore a 00 jersey during most of his career with the AFL team and kept the number after the leagues merged.^ Jim Nantz and Phil Simms will be in town to call the Thanksgiving game against the Oakland Raiders.

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

.Devin Hester is a wide receiver/return specialist for the Chicago Bears but wears number 23 because he was drafted as a cornerback but transferred to wide receiver after his rookie year.^ Devin Hester, Chicago Bears 14.

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

^ They are not going to go out and try to draft a wide receiver and think they are going to get him ready in a year-or-so to go with these other players.

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

^ After scoring a touchdown in the Cowboys' first three games of the year, rookie Felix Jones was not listed as a rusher or receiver Sunday against the Redskins.

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

Occasionally, players will petition the NFL to allow them to wear a number that is not in line with the numbering system. .Brad Van Pelt, a linebacker who entered the NFL in 1973 with the New York Giants, wore number 10 during his eleven seasons with the club, despite not being covered by the grandfather clause.^ New York Giants = $1.18 billion 9.

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

^ That seems to be the verdict from Giants fans in New York after their team's Sunday walk through.

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

^ Plaxico Burress, New York Giants 22.

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

.In 2006, New Orleans Saints running back Reggie Bush petitioned the NFL to let him keep the number 5 which he used at USC.^ New Orleans is sure in love with its Saints.

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

^ Reggie Bush, New Orleans Saints 21.

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

^ But I would like to remind the reason he was there was that he was a pretty fare running back when he let his feet do his talking.

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

His request was later denied.^[43] Former Seattle Seahawks standout Brian Bosworth attempted such a petition in 1987 (to wear his collegiate number of 44 at the linebacker position which he used at the University of Oklahoma), also without success. The Seahawks attempted to get around the rule by listing Bosworth as a safety, but after he wore number 44 for a game against the Kansas City Chiefs, the NFL ruled Bosworth would have to switch back to his original number, 55.

.To aid the officials in spotting certain penalties, such as "illegal formation" or "ineligible receiver", usually only offensive players with numbers 1–49 and 80–89 are allowed to play at the end or back positions or handle the ball in normal game situations.^ Michael Irvin wanted the ball but Michael and Troy Aikman sacrificed numbers to make sure that we won games.

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

^ That's easily the best-ever number for a Sunday Night Football game on NBC. (OK, it's only 3-plus seasons).

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

^ "I think I know a little about playing the position and I think Tony is a special player.

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

.However, a player wearing 50–79 or 90–99 may play in an "eligible" position simply by reporting to the referee that he will be doing so.^ My math skills may be lousy when I'm doing an expense report but I think they are pretty good on this one.

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

^ "I think I know a little about playing the position and I think Tony is a special player.

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

The NFL numbering system is based on a player's primary position. .Any player wearing any number may play at any position on the field at any time, subject to the reporting rules described above.^ "I think I know a little about playing the position and I think Tony is a special player.

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

.It is not uncommon for running backs to line up at wide receiver on certain plays, or even to have a large offensive or defensive lineman play at fullback or tight end in short yardage situations.^ I think he concluded that Miles Austin should remain the "X receiver," the big play outside wide receiver, and the returning Roy Williams be moved to the "Y receiver" and run routes mostly from the slot.

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

^ Even as we walked the streets of Sydney together back in 2000, he was angry about something at the greatest, most well-run sports event I have ever covered.

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

^ He said he saw the CB (Champ Bailey) playing off the ball and thought the perfect call would be a slant to the wide receiver on the "short side" of the field.

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

Also, in preseason games, when teams have expanded rosters, players may wear numbers that are outside of the above rules. .When the final 53-player roster is established, they are reissued numbers within the above guidelines.^ Maybe that's the way it has to be to prepare the longest of long shots for the chance to be the 80th and final player on the Cowboys roster this summer.

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

Awards

Cheerleading

Further information: National Football League Cheerleading

.Almost every NFL team, with the exception of the Pittsburgh Steelers, Cleveland Browns, Green Bay Packers, Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, and New York Giants, is supported by a professional cheerleading squad who attend games and promote the team.^ Do the New York Giants ever play a good team?

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

^ Green Bay at Pittsburgh, 3:15, Ch.

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

^ New York Giants = $1.18 billion 9.

Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]

References

Notes

^ See corporate disclosure statement and statement of facts; Brief of NFL Respondents, in American Needle, Inc v. National Football League, et seq, Supreme Court of the United States, case no. 08-661, filed Jan 21, 2008
^ For example, "The Detroit Lions is a 'Professional' Football team owned by William Clay Ford, Sr., with a membership in the National Football League (NFL), which is an unincorporated association governed by its own constitution and bylaws." Detroit Lions v. National Football League, 41 < MI.4th 624, 629 (2007).
^ http://www.sportingintelligence.com/2010/01/04/nfl-maintains-massive-lead-in-attendance
^ NFL Tie-Breaking Procedures
^ Wawrow, John, Associated Press (October 18, 2007). "Buffalo Bills May Play Game in Toronto". The Washington Post. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/10/19/AR2007101900608.html.
^ ^a ^b Van Riper, Tom (2009). "The world’s most valuable pro sports teams". Forbes.com. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28801975/. Retrieved 2009-01-24.
^ Gage, Jack; P. Maidment (2008-04-30). "The Most Valuable Soccer Teams". Forbes. http://www.forbes.com/2008/04/30/valuable-soccer-teams-biz-soccer08-cx_jg_pm_0430soccer_land.html. Retrieved 2006-09-28.
^ "Nielson's Top 10 Ratings: Top 10 Network Telecasts of All Time". http://www.nielsenmedia.com/ratings/topnetworktelecasts.htm. Retrieved 2007-01-21.
^ "McKenna, Barrie "NBC hoping NFL, Internet will lead comeback", globeandmail.com, retrieved on October 30, 2006". http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20060906.gtnbc06/BNStory/Technology/home. Retrieved 2007-01-21.
^ ^a ^b "NFL TV and Radio Broadcast Partner Schedule, NFL.com". http://www.nfl.com/tvradio. Retrieved 2007-01-21.
^ ""Bryant Gumbel, Cris Collinsworth to announce NFL Network games", NFL News, NFL.com, April 26, 2006". http://www.nfl.com/nflnetwork/story/9398370. Retrieved 2007-01-21.
^ "NFL Sunday Ticket". http://www.directv.com/DTVAPP/global/contentPage.jsp?assetId=900046. Retrieved 2007-01-21.
^ "NFL Sunday Ticket". http://www.nfl.com/ticket. Retrieved 2007-01-21.
^ "NFL RedZone". http://redzonetv.nfl.com/. Retrieved 2009-09-06.
^ "NFL TV and Radio Broadcast Partner Schedule, NFL.com". http://www.nfl.com/tvradio.
^ "NFL Ends Deal With CBS; Opts For DIY Model, PaidContent.org". http://www.paidcontent.org/entry/nfl-ends-deals-deal-with-cbs-opts-for-diy-model/. Retrieved 2006-10-24.
^ "Univision.Com and National Football League Launch the Ultimate NFL Experience for Online Hispanics, Univision.com". http://corporate.univision.com/corp/en/pr/New_York_31012008-2.html. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
^ "NFL Network, NFL Films and NFL.com garner Emmy nominations, NFL.com". http://www.nfl.com/nflnetwork/story?id=09000d5d80732b5f&template=without-video&confirm=true. Retrieved 2008-03-13.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f "Collective Bargaining Agreement Between the NFL Management Council and the NFL Players Association, nflpa.org, As amended March 8, 2006". http://www.nflpa.org/CBA/CBA_Complete.aspx. Retrieved 2007-04-20.
^ ^a ^b "NFL owners opt out of CBA". 2008-05-20. http://www.nfl.com/news/story?id=09000d5d80868b78&template=without-video&confirm=true.
^ "The Life and Football Career of John Elway, johnelway.com". http://www.johnelway.com/bio.aspx. Retrieved 2007-01-21.
^ ^a ^b "Flatter, Ron "Bo knows stardom and disappointment", ESPN.com Classic/Bio, March 6, 2006". http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/classic/bio/news/story?page=Jackson_Bo. Retrieved 2007-01-21.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e "CBA". http://www.nflplayers.com/images/fck/NFL%20COLLECTIVE%20BARGAINING%20AGREEMENT%202006%20-%202012.pdf. Retrieved 2009-07-17.
^ "Salary Cap FAQ, askthecommish.com, retrieved October 30, 2006". http://askthecommish.com/salarycap/faq.asp. Retrieved 2007-01-21.
^ AskTheCommish.com
^ NFLplayers.com
^ ""NFL Draft Basics:Time Limits by Round football.about.com, retrieved November 2, 2006". http://football.about.com/library/weekly/bl_drafttimelimits.htm. Retrieved 2007-01-21.
^ "Black, James C. " Off-season Overview: Minnesota Vikings" May 29, 2003, ESPN.com, retrieved November 2, 2006". http://static.espn.go.com/nfl/overview/vikings2003.html. Retrieved 2007-01-21.
^ ""The Herschel Walker Trade", Scout.com, Retrieved November 2, 2006". http://vikings.scout.com/2/11653.html. Retrieved 2007-01-21.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d "Free Agency 101, askthecommish.com, retrieved November 6, 2006". http://www.askthecommish.com/freeagency/. Retrieved 2007-01-21.
^ ^a ^b NFL's Steroid Policy Gets Kudos on Capitol Hill (washingtonpost.com)
^ ^a ^b NFL Steroid Policy 'Not Perfect', House Committee Praises Tougher Testing Policy, But Still May Act – CBS News
^ ^a ^b NFLPA.org
^ USATODAY.com – MLB, players agree to update drug policy
^ CTV.ca | NHL unveils new drug testing policy
^ TV Station 7/39 KNSD (NBC in San Diego, CA) Broadcast 5:00 AM News on February 8, 2007. (Retrieved from the Global Broadcast Database on 9/17/2008)
^ EA Sports extends NFL deal through 2012 season – Xbox 360 News at GameSpot
^ "1921 Once more, with feeling". Professional Football Researchers Association. http://www.footballresearch.com/articles/frpage.cfm?topic=1921b. Retrieved 2006-10-18.
^ NFL may drop ownership rules, The (Oklahoma City) Journal Record, September 1, 1998
^ Politicians Score Significant Cash From NFL Owners, Coaches and Players, Dave Levinthal, OpenSecrets.org, September 17, 2009
^ "NFL uniform numbering system". http://football.about.com/cs/football101/a/bl_numbersystem.htm. Retrieved 2007-01-21.
^ "2004 NFL Rules changes". http://football.about.com/od/nationalfootballleague/a/04rulechanges.htm. Retrieved 2007-01-21.
^ "Clayton, John "NFL will not change numbering system for Bush", ESPN.com, May 23, 2006". http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2455586. Retrieved 2007-01-21.

Bibliography

2006 NFL Record and Fact Book. Time Inc. Home Entertainment. .ISBN 1-933405-32-5.
Total Football II: The Official Encyclopedia of the National Football League.
^ But the big one is, don't do anything to embarrass the Dallas Cowboys or the National Football League.
Sports Media Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News 2 February 2010 14:17 UTC sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com [Source type: General]
Harper Collins. ISBN 1-933405-32-5.

External links

American football portal

Official NFL website
Official NFL Players Association (labor union) website
Official Super Bowl website
NFL History – Champion and Award Lists
NFL Digest of Rules
ESPN.com's NFL Section
NFL Video at ESPN's Video Archive
NFL Live Stream
Pro Football Reference – Historical stats of every team, player and coach in the NFL
NFL's Economic Model Shows Signs of Strain
Process of game-time decisions will eliminate TV duds, create chaos by Michael Hiestand, USA Today, April 5, 2006 (Last accessed April 5, 2006)
Five NFL teams worth over $1 billion
NFL History study guide, timeline, trivia, multimedia, teacher resources

National Football League seasons

Early era (1920-1969)	1920s: 1920 • 1921 • 1922 • 1923 • 1924 • 1925 • 1926 • 1927 • 1928 • 1929 1930s: 1930 • 1931 • 1932 • 1933 • 1934 • 1935 • 1936 • 1937 • 1938 • 1939 1940s: 1940 • 1941 • 1942 • 1943 • 1944 • 1945 • 1946 • 1947 • 1948 • 1949 1950s: 1950 • 1951 • 1952 • 1953 • 1954 • 1955 • 1956 • 1957 • 1958 • 1959 1960s: 1960 • 1961 • 1962 • 1963 • 1964 • 1965 • 1966 • 1967 • 1968 • 1969

Modern era (1970-present)	1970s: 1970 • 1971 • 1972 • 1973 • 1974 • 1975 • 1976 • 1977 • 1978 • 1979 1980s: 1980 • 1981 • 1982 • 1983 • 1984 • 1985 • 1986 • 1987 • 1988 • 1989 1990s: 1990 • 1991 • 1992 • 1993 • 1994 • 1995 • 1996 • 1997 • 1998 • 1999 2000s: 2000 • 2001 • 2002 • 2003 • 2004 • 2005 • 2006 • 2007 • 2008 • 2009 2010s: 2010 • 2011 • 2012 • 2013 • 2014 • 2015 • 2016 • 2017 • 2018 • 2019

National Football League awards and trophies

Team	Vince Lombardi Trophy · Lamar Hunt Trophy (AFC) · George Halas Trophy (NFC)

Individual	Most Valuable Player · Coach of the Year · Offensive Player of the Year · Defensive Player of the Year · Offensive Rookie of the Year · Defensive Rookie of the Year · Comeback Player of the Year · Walter Payton Man of the Year · "Whizzer" White Man of the Year · Super Bowl MVP · Pro Bowl MVP

One-time only	75th Anniversary All-Time Team (1994) · All-Decade Teams

Defunct	Ed Thorp Memorial Trophy · Brunswick-Balke Collender Cup · NEA NFL Defensive MVP · UPI AFL-AFC Player of the Year · UPI NFC Player of the Year · UPI AFL-AFC Rookie of the Year · UPI NFL-NFC Rookie of the Year · NEA NFL Rookie of the Year Award · AFL All-Star Game MVP

Professional gridiron football leagues in North America

American football	Major: National Football League Minor: United Football League Semi-pro: Central Football League · Midwest Football League · Great Midwest Football League · Colonial Football Alliance · Empire Football League · Florida Football Alliance · Great Lakes Football League · Mid Continental Football League · Mid Ohio Football League · MidStates Football League · Minor League Football Association · New England Football League · North American Football League · Northeastern Football Alliance · Northern Elite Football League · Southern States Football League · Texas United Football League · Oklahoma Metro Football League · United States Football Alliance Women's: Independent Women's Football League · Women's Football Alliance · Women's Spring Football League Defunct national: All-America Football Conference · American Football League (1926) · American Football League (1936–1937) · American Football League (1940–1941) · American Football League (1960–1969) · Continental Football League · United States Football League · World Football League · World League of American Football · XFL Defunct regional: American Association (1936–1941)/American Football League (1946–1950) · American Football League (1934) · American Football League (1938–1939) · American Football League (1944) · Anthracite League · Atlantic Coast Football League · Dixie League · Eastern League of Professional Football · Midwest Football League · National Football League (1902) · New York Pro Football League · Ohio League · Pacific Coast Professional Football League · Regional Football League · Spring Football League · United Football League (1961) Defunct Semi-pro: Hawaii Football League • Seaboard Football League · Virginia-Carolina Football League Defunct women's: National Women's Football Association · Women's Football League · Women's Professional Football League Folded or merged before any games were played: All-American Football League (1998) · All American Football League (2008) · Asia Pacific Football League · International Football Federation · Professional Spring Football League · United National Gridiron League

Canadian football	National: Canadian Football League Evolved from amateur to professional leagues: Interprovincial Rugby Football Union · Western Interprovincial Football Union

Arena/ indoor football	National: Arena Football League · American Indoor Football Association · Indoor Football League Regional: Continental Indoor Football League · Southern Indoor Football League Women's: Lingerie Football League Semi-pro: American Professional Football League · Independent Indoor Football Alliance Defunct: Arena Football League (1987–2008) · af2 · Eastern Indoor Football League · Indoor Football League (1999–2000) · Indoor Professional Football League · Intense Football League · National Indoor Football League · Professional Indoor Football League · United Indoor Football · World Indoor Football League (2007) Folded or merged before any games were played: North American Indoor Football League (2005) · North American Indoor Football League (2007) · World Indoor Football League (1988) · Xtreme Football League

National Football League (2010)
AFC	West	North	South	East
	Denver Broncos	Baltimore Ravens	Houston Texans	Buffalo Bills
	Kansas City Chiefs	Cincinnati Bengals	Indianapolis Colts	Miami Dolphins
	Oakland Raiders	Cleveland Browns	Jacksonville Jaguars	New England Patriots
	San Diego Chargers	Pittsburgh Steelers	Tennessee Titans	New York Jets
NFC	West	North	South	East
	Arizona Cardinals	Chicago Bears	Atlanta Falcons	Dallas Cowboys
	St. Louis Rams	Detroit Lions	Carolina Panthers	New York Giants
	San Francisco 49ers	Green Bay Packers	New Orleans Saints	Philadelphia Eagles
	Seattle Seahawks	Minnesota Vikings	Tampa Bay Buccaneers	Washington Redskins
Seasons (by team) · Playoffs · AFC Championship · NFC Championship · Super Bowl (Champions) · All-Pro · Pro Bowl League Championship History: AFL Championship (1960–1969) · NFL Championship (1920–1969) · One-game playoff · Playoff Bowl
Defunct franchises · Owners · Officials · Stadiums (chronology) · Records (individual, team, Super Bowl) · Hall of Fame · Lore · Nicknames · AFL · Merger · History in Los Angeles, Toronto (Bills Series) · International Series · Europa (World Bowl) · TV · Radio · Management Council · NFLPA · Player conduct · Draft · Training camp · Preseason (Hall of Fame Game, American Bowl) · Kickoff · Monday Night Football · Thanksgiving Classic · Christmas games · Playoff droughts

Simple English

National Football League (NFL)
Current season or competition: 2010 NFL season
Sport	American football
Founded	1920
Commissioner	Roger Goodell
No. of teams	32, divided into two sixteen-team conferences, each of which consists of four four-team divisions.
Country(ies)
Most recent champion(s)	Pittsburgh Steelers
TV partner(s)	CBS, FOX, NBC, ESPN, NFL Network
Official website	NFL.com

The National Football League (also called the NFL) is an American football league. There are 32 teams in the league. The league is a professional league, which means that the players are paid to play and that it is their job. A league is a competition between a number of teams. The teams play other teams, and the results are used to list the teams in order of who is best. The team at the top of the list (called a league table) is the best team and the team at the bottom is the worst team.

1 History of NFL
2 Teams
3 Schedule
- 3.1 Flexible-scheduling
4 Playoffs
5 Other websites

History of NFL

File:Titans

A NFL game between the Tennessee Titans (in blue) and the Houston Texans (in white)

In 1920, an American football league was formed. It was called the American Professional Football Association. In 1921 it changed its name to the National Football League. In 1960 another league was formed, called the American Football League. In 1970 the National Football League and the American Football League joined together so that the teams from each league could play each other. The league called the National Football League changed its name to the National Football Conference (usually called the NFC) and the league called the American Football League changed its name to the American Football Conference (usually called the AFC). The two conferences together are now called the National Football League. People can also call it by the acronym NFL for short.

Teams

Because the U.S. is a big country and it would be hard for teams to travel a long way to play other teams, the teams are separated into smaller regional divisions based on where they are in the country. The teams are separated like this:

Teams in the AFC

Teams in the east

Buffalo Bills (from Buffalo, New York)
Miami Dolphins (from Miami, Florida)
New England Patriots (from Foxborough, Massachusetts)
New York Jets (from East Rutherford, New Jersey)

Teams in the north

Baltimore Ravens (from Baltimore, Maryland)
Cincinnati Bengals (from Cincinnati, Ohio)
Cleveland Browns (from Cleveland, Ohio)
Pittsburgh Steelers (from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania)

Teams in the south

Houston Texans (from Houston, Texas)
Indianapolis Colts (from Indianapolis, Indiana)
Jacksonville Jaguars (from Jacksonville, Florida)
Tennessee Titans (from Nashville, Tennessee)

Teams in the west

Denver Broncos (from Denver, Colorado)
Kansas City Chiefs (from Kansas City, Missouri)
Oakland Raiders (from Oakland, California)
San Diego Chargers (from San Diego, California)

Teams in the NFC

Teams in the east

Dallas Cowboys (from Arlington, Texas)
New York Giants (from East Rutherford, New Jersey)
Philadelphia Eagles (from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)
Washington Redskins (from Landover, Maryland)

Teams in the north

Chicago Bears (from Chicago, Illinois)
Detroit Lions (from Detroit, Michigan)
Green Bay Packers (from Green Bay, Wisconsin)
Minnesota Vikings (from Minneapolis, Minnesota)

Teams in the south

Atlanta Falcons (from Atlanta, Georgia)
Carolina Panthers (from Charlotte, North Carolina)
New Orleans Saints (from New Orleans, Louisiana)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (from Tampa, Florida)

Teams in the west

Arizona Cardinals (from Glendale, Arizona)
St. Louis Rams (from St. Louis, Missouri)
San Francisco 49ers (from San Francisco, California)
Seattle Seahawks (from Seattle, Washington)

Schedule

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The teams in the NFL play games against each other from September to January. This time is called a season. Each team plays 16 games. This is how which games a team will play is chosen:

Each team plays a game against all the other teams in their regional league twice, once at their own stadium (this is called playing "at home") and once at the other team's home stadium (this is called playing "away").
Each team will also play all the teams in another regional league in the same conference (AFC or NFC). They will play two of those teams at home and two of the teams away. The other regional league that they play changes every year. For example, a team in the AFC North will play teams in the AFC South one year, the AFC East the next year, the AFC West the year after that, and then the AFC South again the year after that.
Each team will also play all the teams in one of the regional leagues from the other conference. They will play two of these teams at home and the other two teams away. The regional league from the other conference changes every year too. For example a team in the AFC North will play teams from the NFC North one year, then teams from the NFC South the next year, then teams from the NFC West the next year, then teams from the NFC East the next year, then teams from the NFC North again the next year.
Each team will also play two teams from the same conference in the regional league that they are not already supposed to play against. The teams that they play will be the teams that were about as good as they were last season and finished in the same position in their own regional leagues. For example if we look at a team in the AFC North that finished 3rd out of the 4 teams in the AFC North, if this team is going to play all the teams in the AFC West this year anyway, they will play the teams that finished 3rd in the AFC East and the AFC South.

Flexible-scheduling

Since the 2006 season, the NFL has used a "flexible-scheduling" system for the last seven weeks of the regular season where there is a Sunday night game. The system is designed so that the league has the flexibility in selecting games to air on Sunday night that will feature the current hottest, streaking teams.

Under the system, all Sunday games in the affected weeks will tentatively have the "early" start time of 1 p.m. ET/10 a.m. PT, except those played in the Pacific or Mountain time zones, which will have the tentative start time of 4 p.m. ET/1 p.m. PT. On the Tuesday 12 days before the games, the league will move one game to the prime-time slot, and possibly move one or more 1 p.m. slotted games to the 4 p.m. slot. During the last week of the season, the league could re-schedule games as late as six days before the contests so that as many of the television networks as possible will be able to broadcast a game that has playoff implications.

Playoffs

At the end of every NFL season, the eight teams that finish the season at the top of their leagues and two teams from each conference that were the best teams apart from the eight league winners (these four teams are called Wild Cards) enter a competition to see who is the best team in the whole league. This is called the Playoffs. There are a total of 12 teams in the Playoffs, six from the NFC and six from the AFC. The six teams in each conference are listed in order of how well they played in the season. This is called seeding and it is done to make it easier for the better teams to win. The teams that did not win their leagues (the Wild Cards) are always the fifth and sixth seeds in the list, even if they were better than a team that won a different league.

Wild Card games

In the first part of the playoffs (called Wild Card Weekend) there are four games.

the team that was the sixth best in the AFC plays the team that was the third best in the AFC
the team that was the fifth best in the AFC plays the team that was the fourth best in the AFC
the team that was the sixth best in the NFC plays the team that was the third best in the NFC
the team that was the fifth best in the NFC plays the team that was the fourth best in the NFC

The teams that lose these games are not in the playoffs competition any more. Now there are only 8 teams left.

Division playoffs

In the second part of the playoffs (called the Divisional Playoffs) there are four games.

the lowest seeded team from the AFC that won in the last round plays the best team in the AFC
the other team from the AFC that won in the last round plays the second best team in the AFC
the lowest seeded team from the NFC that won in the last round plays the best team in the NFC
the other team from the NFC that won in the last round plays the second best team in the NFC

The teams that lose these games are not in the playoffs competition any more. Now there are only 4 teams left.

Conference championships

In the third part of the playoffs (called the Conference Championship Games) there are two games.

the two teams from the AFC that won in the last round play each other. The winner is the AFC Champion.
the two teams from the NFC that won in the last round play each other. The winner is the NFC Champion.

Super Bowl

Main page: Super Bowl

The last part of the playoffs is called the Super Bowl. The AFC Champion and the NFC Champion teams play each other to decide who is the best team in the NFL.

Other websites

Retrieved from "http://yak.rapint.com/wiki/National_Football_League"

Categories: National Football League | American football

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Contents

History

Season structure

Exhibition season

Regular season

Playoffs

Pro Bowl

Calendar

Teams

Current NFL teams

Former NFL teams

Media

Television

Radio

Internet/new media

Player contracts and compensation

Salaries

Salary cap

NFL Draft

Free agency

General

Restricted free agent

Unrestricted free agent

Free agency changes in 2010

Franchise tag

Banned substances policy

Video games

Commissioners and presidents

Main league offices

Franchise owners

Uniform numbers

Awards

Discontinued awards

Cheerleading

See also

Regular seasons

Postseasons

Records

Related football leagues

References

Notes

Bibliography

External links

Simple English

Contents

History of NFL

Teams

Schedule

Flexible-scheduling

Playoffs

Wild Card games

Division playoffs

Conference championships

Super Bowl

Other websites

Citable sentences

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