Try 'jiggling the wires' to fix oil spill

This will continue for several minutes, until one intrepid guy will push the power button on the TV, restoring both the baseball game and the peace in the living room.

The oil spill in the gulf is kind of like that. You basically have oil leaking out all over the Gulf of Mexico, an area previously made up of water, and no one really knows how to fix it.

"Cover it in a box," said BP while giving off aromas of sleaziness.

"Dump a bunch of hair on it and hope that the oil does less damage when it's furry," said a bunch of people.

"Let's see what the guy from Marion Barber with Wolves' thinks," said a tiny, barely disguised voice from the back of the room. That voice, as it happens, belonged to Kevin Costner.

Costner, the actor best known by people over the age of 30, has come forth with one of the few solutions to this whole thing that may actually work. After the Exxon Valdez spill (prior to the Gulf, the biggest tragedy on the water that Costner didn't direct and star in - insert rimshot noise here) the actor was so moved that he purchased several centrifuges from the government designed to separate oil from water. The government, being fans of spending money no matter the cause, are now buying their centrifuges back at a markup from Costner's company.

But wait. As you're no doubt asking: What do actors know about cleaning up oil spills? Even those as accomplished as Costner, who managed nearly to fake an English accent through almost 12 minutes of "Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves." Shouldn't something this important be left to the stewardship and ingenuity of the Dallas Cowboys?

I'm glad you asked. Former Dallas Cowboys  quarterbacks Troy Aikman and Drew Bledsoe recently held a news conference to hawk their own device for cleaning the gulf, if by "hawk" you mean "made up a bunch of scientific-sounding words about." According to the two noted scientists, their not-at-all-fake-sounding Ozonix machines use "ultrasonic transducers and acoustic cavitation to create millions of micro-bubbles that rapidly transport the oil to the water's surface in a focused containment zone for nonchemical separation."

Goodell improves odds for San Diego

CARLSBAD — Seven years since Paul Tagliabue wondered what the Super Bowl was doing at Qualcomm Stadium and six years since he described San Diego's stadium issue as "urgent," progress can still be measured in teaspoons rather than shovels.

One difference: the NFL now has a commissioner who understands diplomacy and patience.

Roger Goodell appeared at the NFL's rookie symposium Sunday night without insulting his hosts or demanding tribute on behalf of the Chargers. Goodell can be firm where Tagliabue was sometimes flimsy, but he took a soft-sell stance during a brief media interrogation.

"I don't think it is a coincidence that you haven't seen a new stadium that has been approved and built since 2006," Goodell said. "It's a challenge."

Few American enterprises have been better at diverting public dollars to private pockets than the NFL, and fewer still have the temerity to characterize nine-digit subsidies as "public/private partnerships." But as Detroit's auto executives learned upon taking private jets to seek government bailouts, humility is critical in seeking handouts.

Extorting stadium deals through threats to relocate worked wonderfully for the NFL during more prosperous times. In this economy, though, it pays to be solicitous rather than smug. In this town, at this time, having Roger Goodell at the NFL's helm instead of Tagliabue could prove a critical difference.

For all his accomplishments, and as much as he enriched the owners who installed him as Pete Rozelle's successor, Tagliabue became a local pariah on Jan. 24, 2003 when he declared (two days before Super Bowl XXXVII) that, "I'm surprised that we are here this week."

Didn't anyone teach that man manners?

"If it weren't for Alex (Spanos) impressing upon the committee and upon the membership the importance of coming back here from his perspective, I don't think that San Diego would have been on the top of the list of most owners who were considering Super Bowl sites," Tagliabue said. "So I don't think the outlook is promising."

What was generally understood then is painfully apparent now — that there will be no more Super Bowls in San Diego unless the cheap San Diego Chargers jerseys are able to sell a new state-of-the-art stadium. But there are a lot of ways to express that reality without demeaning the host city.

Whether any of that impacted the supply San Diego Chargers jerseys stadium campaign is speculative, but so much of politics is personality that it's hard to imagine any deal getting done with Tagliabue in office. Even now, the wholesale San Diego Chargers jerseys may be hard-pressed to get their latest idea airborne because the NFL's G3 funding mechanism has expired and the prospect of a lockout looms for 2011.

It says here, however, that Goodell improves the odds.

"Whatever role I can play that would be productive, I'm willing to try," he said.

Away from a podium, Goodell speaks softly and introduces himself by name to reporters who have no doubt as to his identity. Maybe it's an act, but it has its charm. Though his time is carefully budgeted by his PR handlers, he manages to appear unhurried.

On the competing stadium initiatives in Los Angeles:

"I think there's a lot more work that needs to be done," he said. "At the end of the day, we're probably at a very early stage. I think it's promising that there are alternatives developing, but there's still a big hurdle to get these (stadiums) financed and built. They are difficult projects to get done."

On the situation in San Diego:

"I think, again, it's a positive development from last week with respect to the community looking for a solution," he said in reference to the city council's authorizing of a redevelopment study. "But these stadiums are very complicated and ... a solution has to be developed that can work for the community and work for the team. And there's really no cookie-cutter here. There are a lot of compelling issues on a local basis and from a team standpoint that have to be considered. They're big developments."

So if the San Francisco 49ers commit $493 million of private money to get a stadium built in Santa Clara, should San Diego expect a similar contribution?

"Why?" Goodell asked. "Look at the 31 (NFL) markets. Every one of the projects, I think, is developed locally. It has its own elements that are driven by community issues. Some need to have more convention facilities. Some are part of broader developments that are important to the city. So I don't think you can assume because it's done in one market (it should happen in another), because they're all significantly different."

The 49ers' project is predicated on the sale of personal seat licenses, a financing option the Chargers say won't work in the smaller San Diego market. It also assumes a league contribution that will need to be negotiated as part of the next collective bargaining agreement with the players association.

Whenever that happens.

"There will be an agreement at some point," Goodell said. "Everyone would like it sooner rather than later. I think it's important that we all get down and get a more productive dialogue. Sometimes these things don't happen until you get closer (to a deadline). That's just the reality."

The same is true of stadium deals. Roger Goodell seems to understand that it pays to stay cool until things get hot.

The Top 10 Chargers Who Need to Make an Impact in 2010

This is a list of some of the players that are really going to be counted on to make plays and help lead the Chargers to their fifth straight playoff appearance.

1. Ryan Mathews- Their first-round draft pick who will be counted on to make an immediate impact in the running game will have a huge chip on his shoulders as he tries to replace one of the greatest Chargers of all time, Ladainian Tomlinson.

 

2. Philip Rivers- He's the starting quarterback and leader of the team. Enough said.

 

3. Nathan Vasher- Filling the second cornerback spot that was left open in the wake of the Antonio Cromartie trade, he will be expected to make an immediate impact in the passing game. That may not be an easy task, however.

 

4. Malcom Floyd- Assuming that Vincent Jackson continues to holdout until Week 10 of the regular season, Floyd will need to step up his game and become more of a factor and a bigger target for Rivers.

 

5. Cam Thomas, Antonio Garay, or Ogemdi Nwagbuo- Someone is going to have to step up and fill the void that his left with the departure of nose tackle Jamal Williams, who left for Denver. My guess is that Thomas will take the majority of that playing time.

 

6. Antonio Gates- With no Jackson in the picture in the near future, Antonio Gates will need to step up his productivity and take some of the pressure off of the young receivers who will be forced into playing time.

 

7. Tra Thomas or whoever takes over during Marcus McNeill's absence- One of the most important spots in football, the left offensive tackle spot will be a glaring hole for the Chargers with McNeill out of the picture. Hopefully Thomas or another young tackle can elevate their game and fill the void effectively.

 

8. Larry English- After being made the Chargers first-round pick in 2009, English was nowhere near as productive as he was expected to be. 2010 is when he will really be expected to live up to that first-round pick billing.

 

9. Darren Sproles- With a rookie starting running back and no Jackson, Sproles will be depended on to fill in for Mathews when the going gets tough and hopefully will aide Rivers as a safety-valve and lightning rod coming out of the backfield on third-downs.

 

10. Nate Kaeding- He needs to make field goals in the playoffs. As simple as that. Missing three out of three field goals during the divisional round of the playoffs is unacceptable, especially for a kicker who only missed three of his thirty five fields during the entire regular season.

 

Honorable Mention: Shawne Merriman- He needs to come back from injuries and return to the old Merriman that left opposing offenses sucking their thumbs.

 

Dolphins turn to Brandon Marshall Plan

The Marshall Plan is in effect in Miami. The strategy does not mean the Dolphins have instantly morphed into the sort of pass-first offense that would make Dan Marino's eyes instantly brighten.

But the springtime acquisition of Brandon Marshall— a Pro Bowler with the Denver Broncos despite his mercurial nature — should energize the offense and give it greater quick-strike efficiency, if not radically alter a run-first blueprint featuring Ricky Williams and Ronnie Brown.

"Even if we still have a run-first mentality, when you add a weapon like that, you have to use him," Miami Dolphins wide receiver Greg Camarillo says. "I hope it gets our spread offense on the field a little bit more."

This is how potentially lethal the addition of Marshall is to the offense: During the last three seasons, 15 Miami wideouts have caught passes. During that span, Marshall amassed more touchdown catches (23) and 100-yard games (10) than all Miami Dolphins wide receivers combined.

POWER RANKINGS: Dolphins could make a push for the top of the league

But the revelation in late May that Marshall had had surgery on his right hip, forcing him to pedal on an exercise bike instead of snag passes during organized team activities, left many wondering about his effectiveness come training camp. He had surgery on the other hip before last season but seemed no worse for wear during the season.

Asked if he would be ready to soon swivel his hips on the dance floor, Marshall laughed and said, "They're fine. Feelin' good."

So is coach Tony Sparano.

In Marshall, the Dolphins possess a dynamic threat for developing third-year quarterback Chad Henne.

The Dolphins have been a plodding team offering little in the way of bolt-from-the-aqua-blue surprise attacks, particularly downfield.

Miami obtained Marshall, 26, in April, parting with two second-round draft picks, then signed him to a four-year, $47.5 million deal that included $24 million guaranteed.

At 6-4, 230 pounds, Marshall is a phenomenal athlete, one of the NFL's most dominant and dangerous playmakers. He is the type of receiver who can take a quick slant and tear into the end zone, or he can challenge defensive backs downfield with his height and leaping prowess.

In three seasons as a Broncos starter, he averaged 102 catches, more than 1,200 yards and nearly eight touchdowns. He is one of five NFL players to catch at least 100 balls for three consecutive seasons.

Marshall's presence will create opportunities for teammates, including Williams and Brown, because teams will have to think twice about committing an eighth defender in the box to stop the run.

"I can definitely help out," Marshall says. "But I am more excited to work with probably one of the best offensive lines and running back tandems in football."

Still, as center Jake Groves says, "Brandon cannot do it by himself. But if he comes in and does what he did in Denver and we keep improving, there's no telling how good we could be offensively."

Marshall thinks he knows.

"When you look at the players we have, the sky is the limit," he says. "One of our goals is to be one of the best offenses in the league. We are capable of being that good."

Last season, the Dolphins' passing offense ranked 27th in touchdowns (15) and 20th in yards (3,170).

"We have been very efficient — even diligent — driving it down the field on long drives, eating up clock," says Sparano, somewhat bemused. "But in our league, the ability to get a quick strike every once in a while is important."

Of course, Marshall also comes to Miami with enough stuff to put Miami International Airport baggage handlers on the league's injury report. During his four seasons in Denver, he was involved in a litany of on-field and off-field issues that required NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell's ultimate involvement, leading to a league suspension in 2008.

The new Dolphin was closely watched for any potential "me-first" indicators upon his first visit to team headquarters in Davie, Fla.

"I happened to be there the first day he walked into our weight room. He introduced himself to every player," Sparano says. "I think that broke the ice and sent a great message to our players."

It's one that leaves "everyone excited," Camarillo says.

"We know what he can do on a football field, but the best part about it is that he has come in and been a class act," he says. "He has pretty much been the ideal teammate so far … happy to be here, a pleasant guy who is excited to learn and meet new teammates. It seems like he is going to be a great teammate."

The Dolphins believe Marshall is maturing, hoping that a return to his Sunshine State roots — Marshall played high school ball in Orlando, then played at Central Florida — and marriage might help him make better decisions.

"My wife (Michi) has played the biggest part in me growing so much in a short period of time," says Marshall, who also credits his agent, Kennard McGuire, and his attorney, Harvey Steinberg, for helping him understand his responsibilities.

The Dolphins realize there is risk, but the franchise believes it is manageable risk worth a potentially off-the-chart reward.

Executive vice president of football operations Bill Parcells has experience dealing with combustible receivers, including Terry Glenn, Keyshawn Johnson and Terrell Owens, so the trade for Marshall did not shock longtime Parcells watchers. Initially, however, Sparano and his boss had reservations. Parcells chatted with Marshall by phone and "was completely on board after watching the film," Sparano says.

"We've done what we felt was our due diligence," Sparano says.

Now it's Marshall's turn to justify the Dolphins' faith in him.

Brown, trying to rebound from foot surgery, perhaps puts it best when he says, "The only thing that can hold back Brandon Marshall is Brandon Marshall."

AROUND THE FIELD IN MIAMI

Quarterback: As a second-year player, Chad Henne hopped off the bench and replaced injured Chad Pennington last season, posting a respectable 7-6 record as a starter. He is the incumbent. Pennington's surgically repaired shoulder leaves his status in question, and he might have to beat out Tyler Thigpen to be the primary backup. Pat White has yet to prove he can do more than take some snaps in the Wildcat formation.

Running back: Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams have extra motivation this season with contract extensions on the line. Brown, arrested and charged with DUI in the offseason, is coming off a broken foot and must try to shake his injury-prone past. He was limping during organized team activities in late May. Enigmatic Williams had a productive 2009 but must prove he can again be relied upon at his age (33). Patrick Cobbs is a key component to the Wildcat.

Wide receiver: The Dolphins finally snagged their franchise wideout when they traded for Brandon Marshall. The formerly disgruntled Denver Broncos star married recently, and perhaps a change in lifestyle and venue will help his ongoing maturation. Greg Camarillo and Brian Hartline will battle to start, too; the former has better hands, the latter produces more yards after the catch. Davone Bess will work from the slot and, like Camarillo and Hartline, should benefit from Marshall's presence.

Tight end: Miami lacks a big-play option here. Anthony Fasano is the starter.

Offensive line: The tackles are set with Pro Bowler Jake Long on the left side and Vernon Carey on the right. The rest of the line is in flux, though Jake Grove likely will start at center. Next to him, newly added guard Richie Incognito— voted by his peers last season as the dirtiest player in the NFL — is expected to add grit to the lineup. Nate Garner, Joe Berger, rookie John Jerry and Donald Thomas will compete for the other guard spot.

Defensive line: "The Big Tuna" (football operations boss Bill Parcells) thinks he hooked a big one in the first round with 302-pound whopper Jared Odrick. He, Phillip Merling and Kendall Langford will primarily rotate at the ends. The NFL slapped an eight-game suspension on nose tackle Jason Ferguson, 35, for violating the performance-enhancing-drug policy. Randy Starks temporarily moves inside, where Paul Soliai saw plenty of snaps last season after Ferguson was hurt.

Linebacker: The Dolphins must find a way to replace 16 combined sacks from departed veterans Joey Porter and Jason Taylor, who has two chances for revenge after signing with the New York Jets. There are lots of linebackers on the roster, including pass rusher Cameron Wake, but the signing of Karlos Dansby to plug the interior next to Channing Crowder was a critical offseason move. On the outside, rookie Koa Misi might make an impact.

Secondary: Regularly torched in 2009 — 234.6 passing yards surrendered a game, 24th in the league — this unit was also plagued by poor tackling. As a result, they ditched free safety Gibril Wilson. Replacing him is a top priority, and rookie Reshad Jones will get a shot. The cornerbacks are promising with Vontae Davis and Sean Smith, backed by Will Allen, who is coming off an injury. Strong safety Yeremiah Bell was a Pro Bowler.

Special teams: The biggest loss is ace returner Ted Ginn Jr., who was traded to the San Francisco 49ers. Kicker Dan Carpenter was a Pro Bowler last season as an injury replacement. Bess and Cobbs serve as return men.

Coaching staff: The key move was adding Mike Nolan as defensive coordinator.

Outlook: Offense might win in the NFL these days, but that did not prevent Parcells and Co. from using seven of eight draft selections on the defensive side. If Henne continues his rapid development under center, the Dolphins could be dangerous on offense with playmaking Marshall on board to enhance the team's formidable rushing attack.

Giants' hopes of defensive improvement rest on Phillips' knee

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- There's been a lot of talk around the New York Giants about the competition between defensive ends Mathias Kiwanuka and Osi Umenyiora, but the burning question with this team doesn't involve them. It centers on safety Kenny Phillips and his comeback from a serious knee injury.

And it should.

 

Kenny Phillips likes to 'let my playing do the talking for me.' (US Presswire)  
It's not just that Phillips' injury was so severe that some people outside the organization described it as career-threatening. It's that the guy is such a valuable member of this defense, such a rock-steady and dependable member of a once intimidating unit, that without him you wonder if the Giants D will be the same again.

I'm serious.

Yeah, I know it added free agents Antrel Rolle and Deon Grant and drafted safety Chad Jones in the third round, but I don't know how they fit in this defense. I know how Phillips does, and the moment he bowed out last season the New York Giants were doomed. In fact, when I called an opposing coach in mid-season to ask what was wrong with these guys the first position he pointed to was safety -- saying the Giants missed the hard-hitting Phillips more than most people realized.

Well, they miss him no more. Phillips is back with the team and was at last week's three-day mini-camp. He looks healthy and says there is nothing he can't do on his surgically repaired knee. For the moment, we'll have to take him at his word because while he ran on the sidelines, he wasn't allowed to join teammates on the field -- standing instead alongside teammates and coaches as they watched play.

But that changes when the Giants return to training camp in August. Phillips is supposed to be cleared for practice then, which means teammates and coaches can start watching him for a change. And it's then, I suggest, we get our first read on this defense and what chances it has for plugging last season's enormous holes.

"So much has been made of getting Kenny Phillips back at full speed," coach Tom Coughlin said after closing down mini-camp, "and I'm very confident -- he is also -- that he will be back. We look forward to it."

They should. They're a different team with him in the lineup. Granted, he suited up for only two games last season, but in those two starts he was a force -- with two interceptions in a Week 2 defeat of Dallas. But then he was sidelined with an arthritic knee condition that ended his season and that, basically, ended the Giants' season with it.

Forced to rely on replacements C.C. Brown and Aaron Rouse, the club floundered, surrendering 40 or more points in three of its last four games and five of its last 11.

Fans wondered what went wrong, and Kenny Phillips was what. He wasn't around. So opposing quarterbacks picked apart the Giants' pass defense as they haven't in years. In the 14 games without Phillips, the Giants were tortured for 379 points -- an average of 27 a game -- with quarterbacks completing 64 percent of their passes for 29 touchdowns, 9 interceptions and a passer rating of 99.75.

Brett Favre and Drew Brees each put up four TDs. Three others, including Carolina's Matt Moore, beat them for three. I think you get the idea. The Giants stunk. Afterward, team president John Mara fumed over his team's self-destruction, saying there was "no excuse" for the Giants' dreadful play the last 11 games. But, yes, there was. Kenny Phillips was absent.

Yeah, I know, sacks were down, the linebacking was awful and stupid mistakes were as widespread as pollen in May. Still, having Phillips patrolling the middle of the field would've made a difference, and the Giants know it.

"Kenny's a playmaker," said cornerback Aaron Ross. "Anytime he's back there, and the ball is in the air you feel like he's going to be there to protect you. Having 'KP' back and healthy is a huge deal."

First things first. He's back. We won't know how healthy he is until August when he intends to return to the field for the first time since last September. Phillips insists there are no problems, saying, "I can run, cut and cover ... everything." Defensive coordinator Perry Fewell the other day said he expects him in the lineup when the Giants show up at their Albany, N.Y., training camp.

Nevertheless, he still must get out there and demonstrate he's the same guy we watched last season -- a task he said he is ready to embrace.

"Do I have something to prove?" he said, repeating a question. "I do: That you can come back from this injury. A lot of people counted me out and said my career was over. I'm only in the league two years, and they're trying to get rid of me. There are a lot of people who say I won't be the same, but I'm going to prove those people wrong.

"When I was back there last year I made a lot of plays, not only in games but in practice, and guys kind of fed off my energy. And it just made us that much better. I think I bring the whole package. I'll be a leader when I have to be, and I'Il speak when I have to speak. Mostly, though, I'll just let my playing do the talking for me."

That sounds like a plan. Now let's see it in action. The Giants can't wait, and can you blame them? Their defense is counting on Phillips now more than ever.