Snatching a few notes with a one-hand snag (though typing with two hands):
Instead of a call of Heeeeeeap, maybe it should be Cheeeeap. Former Ravens fan favorite Todd Heap reportedly has taken a million-dollar pay cut as he tries to stick with the Cardinals for his 12th NFL season. Heap will make 1.12 million this year, assuming the Cardinals keep him. By the way, in the comments below this item on Pro Football Talk, Heap was praised for how well his tight end avatar performed on the NFL 2K3 video game, just as his possible replacement, Rob Housler, rates high for being great in Madden.
The season hasnt started yet, and Ben Roethlisberger already is banged up. In addition to the rotator cuff tear he revealed last week, the Steelers quarterback tweaked his ankle last week and didnt practice Sunday.
"He's fine," coach Mike Tomlin told the media. "Somebody stepped on his foot. You guys love the Ben updates."
That could be because there are always so many of them.
As he entered the Pro Football Hall of Fame, former Steelers center Dermontti Dawson paid tribute to the man who preceded him, Mike Webster.
I used to observe Mike each day, and saw how he approached every aspect of his game. Mike used to be the first one to the weight room every morning, the first one in the meetings, Dawson said. Mike was a leader, whether he wanted to be or not, because he led by example. I tried to emulate everything Mike did. Mike had a profound impact on my life, and even to this day, I try to be like Mike.
You can hear echoes of that talk from Ravens particularly linebackers when they talk about Ray Lewis. Its a sign of how a great player can pay dividends down the line, even beyond what he does himself on the field.
