That's right the company that made the greatest pullover jackets in the world during the 90's is making a comeback.

Iconix, the company who bought Starter from Nike, has signed it's first endorsement deal with an athlete since they filed for bankruptcy 10 years ago. Quarterback Tony Romo signed a lucrative deal with Starter to be featured on advertising and point-of-purchase materials.

Starter can't use any Cowboys logos, but they are selling plenty of blue and white gear with Romo featured on the front. They have also made a pair of on field shoes for Romo, however the Starter star logo will have to be covered up due to NFL uniform rules. 

One big advantage for the company that they may or may not have planned on is all the paparazzi that shoot photos of Romo and pop-star girlfriend Jessica Simpson. If Romo is wearing his starter apparel out in public like he claims he does, the company will get plenty of free publicity. Smart move if you ask me.

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The NFL season is months away, but the news never stops. Here's a look at some of the latest headlines...

COWBOYS CUT ELLIS (Dallas Morning News)
Dallas released Greg Ellis, the team's first-round draft pick in 1998.  A week ago, Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones signaled the end of Ellis' time in Dallas when he said the linebacker was free to seek a trade. Because of Ellis' $4.15 million base salary and $1.5 million completion bonus, as well as the belief that he would be cut soon, a trade was not likely...MORE

AGENT: YOUNG HAS NOT ASKED FOR TRADE (Nashville City Paper)
Vince Young’s agent says the quarterback has no desire to be traded from the Tennessee Titans. Young, who told Baltimore television station WMAR earlier this week that he is focused on winning back the starting job in Tennessee, but that if that doesn’t happen, that he would be ready to move on. Major Adams, who represents Young, said his client has not asked for a trade, nor does he have any desire to be moved away from the Titans...MORE

LEAGUE WON'T PUNISH MARSHALL (Denver Post)
Issues remain for Brandon Marshall, but he no longer has to worry about a possible NFL suspension. The NFL notified Marshall's agent, Kennard McGuire, by letter Tuesday that the Broncos' receiver would not be suspended or disciplined because of his March 1 arrest. In that incident, Marshall and his fiancee, Michi Nogami, were charged with disorderly conduct after an argument in the Atlanta area. A court judge dismissed the case the next day...MORE

HARRISON OFFICIALLY RETIRES (New York Daily News)
Patriots safety Rodney Harrison officially announced his retirement and hire by NBC Sports. Harrison will join the "Football Night in America" cast, replacing Jerome Bettis, who will not return. Former Colts' head coach Tony Dungy is also expected to join a cast that already includes Bob Costas, Keith Olbermann, Dan Patrick, and Tiki Barber. Former Bengal Cris Collinsworth has left the studio team to replace John Madden as the color analyst...MORE

RAMS INTERESTED IN VICK (National Football Post)
Assuming he gets reinstated by commissioner Roger Goddell, the Rams have "genuine interest" in quarterback Michael Vick, according to Michael Lombardi. "If (commissioner Roger Goodell) reinstates him, look for (the Rams) to actively pursue him," Lombardi writes. "It makes sense, a new coach with an older quarterback (Marc Bulger) who hasn’t played well. Playing in a dome on carpet would highlight Vick’s speed and athleticism."...MORE

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The NFL released it's full schedule on Tuesday night. To nobody's surprise the Bengals were left out of prime time.

Bengals Schedule - Regular Season
Sun., Sept. 13, DENVER, 1 p.m
Sun., Sept. 20, at Green Bay, 1 p.m.
Sun., Sept. 27, PITTSBURGH, 1 p.m.
Sun., Oct. 4, at Cleveland, 1 p.m.
Sun., Oct. 11, at Baltimore, 1 p.m.
Sun., Oct. 18, HOUSTON, 1 p.m.
Sun., Oct. 25, CHICAGO, 1 p.m.
Sun., Nov. 1, -- BYE---
Sun., Nov. 8, BALTIMORE, 1 p.m.
Sun., Nov. 15, at Pittsburgh, 1 p.m.
Sun., Nov. 22, at Oakland*, 4:15 p.m.
Sun., Nov. 29, CLEVELAND*, 1 p.m.
Sun., Dec. 6, DETROIT*, 1 p.m.
Sun., Dec. 13, at Minnesota*, 1 p.m.
Sun., Dec. 20, at San Diego*, 4:05 p.m.
Sun., Dec. 27, KANSAS CITY*, 1 p.m.
Sun., Jan. 3, at N.Y. Jets*, 1 p.m

An asterisk (*) denotes a game subject to flexible scheduling.

OTHER HIGHLIGHTS
The Dallas Cowboys will open their new $1.1 billion stadium in a nationally televised Sunday night game against the New York Giants on Sept. 20.

The NFL released its complete 2009 regular-season schedule Tuesday. The always-popular Cowboys lead all teams with six scheduled nationally televised games, even without Terrell Owens.

Reigning Super Bowl champion Pittsburgh meets division rival Baltimore twice in five weeks late in the season after they faced off in the AFC title game. They play Nov. 29 and Dec. 27.

On Oct. 11, the Patriots take on Denver and former offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, now the Broncos' coach. New England renews its rivalry with the Colts on Nov. 15.


LINKS
--Strength Of Schedule
--10 Must See Games
--Complete Schedule

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The Cowboys cut Terrell Owens on Thursday. Here are a few teams for whom sigining the troubled wideout may actually make sense...

BALTIMORE RAVENS - The team desperately needs a playmaker on offense. Derrick Mason has been adequate and Mark Clayton has shown flashes, but Owens would give them a weapon that would change opponents game plans and may prevent teams from stacking the box. Joe Flacco is young, but has a strong arm and can get the ball to him often. The added plus is with Ray Lewis in the fold to keep him in check, Owens may actually shut up and play football.

JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS - The Jaguars haven't had a Pro Bowl caliber wideout since Jimmy Smith was in his prime and the team has tried too many times going the cheap route with washed up veterans. Owens could help Jacksonville get over the hump or he could finally lead to the end of Jack Del Rio's era as the team's head coach.

MIAMI DOLPHINS - Bill Parcells didn't stick around long enough in Dallas to have to deal with the T.O. mess too much, but he knows first hand what it is all about. If he can overlook the baggage, the team's president could opt to add Owens to a group of talented young wideouts and give Miami a pretty formidable passing attack. Still, if T.O. didn't like Jeff Garcia, Donovan McNabb, or Tony Romo, he may go crazy with Chad Pennington throwing him the ball.

OAKLAND RAIDERS - The Javon Walker experiment blew up (as expected) in Al Davis' face. Now, the mentally insane Davis could covet Owens. It would be the ulimate payback to Owens for being such a punk to have to finish his career in the Black Hole.

TENNESSEE TITANS - Don't kid ourself, I do like Justin Gage...if he was my No. 3 wideout maybe. No team has a greater need for an elite receiver than Owens. However, Jeff Fisher will likely take a note from the Eagles and Cowboys and avoid selling his soul to the devil in attempt to get that elusive Super Bowl ring.

NFL terrell owens, cowboys, ravens, jaguars, dolphins, raiders, titans

Let's check out some of the latest headlines from Around The NFL:

COWBOYS CUT OWENS (Dallas Morning News)
Wide receiver Terrell Owens, whose future with the Dallas Cowboys has been in question since the off-season began, was cut late Wednesday night, according to a source. Owner and general manager Jerry Jones hinted at Owens' return at a news conference two weeks ago but never definitively said Owens would be back for the 2009 season. Last week at the NFL scouting combine, Jones said the media caught his "drift" about Owens' return but did not elaborate...MORE

LEWIS RE-SIGNS WITH RAVENS (Baltimore Sun)
Ray Lewis, 33, is expected to sign a three-year, $22 million deal with the Ravens, according to multiple sources. The second player ever drafted by the Ravens, Lewis instantly became the centerpiece of the fledgling franchise and developed into one of the best middle linebackers in NFL history. His fiery leadership proved pivotal in building the Ravens from a relocated team in 1996 to Super Bowl champions in 2000...MORE

CARDS, WARNER FINALLY AGREE ON DEAL (Arizona Republic)
After a month of speculation between quarterback Kurt Warner and the Arizona Cardinals, the two parties finally agreed Wednesday morning on a two-year, $23 million contract, including a $15 million signing bonus and salaries of $4 million each year. Including the first year's salary, $19 million of the deal is guaranteed...MORE

HOLT ASK FOR TRADE FROM RAMS (St. Louis Post-Dispatch)
Realizing he no longer fits in the team’s plans, seven-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Torry Holt has asked for his release from the Rams, league sources told the Post-Dispatch on Wednesday. The Rams have been shopping Holt, 32, on the trade market, but so far there have been no takers. Holt is due a $1.25 million roster bonus on March 17, so it’s unlikely he will be a Ram beyond then...MORE

L.T. NOT WILLING TO TAKE PAY CUT (ProFootballTalk.com)
LaDainian Tomlinson doesn’t want to reduce his $6.725 million base salary for 2009, and the team doesn’t want to pay him that amount. So even if it means that L.T. will take even less from someone else than San Diego’s best offer on a reduced contract, the mere fact that he’d be taking less — and making less than Darren Sproles, who’s getting $6.621 million — might be enough to get him to force the team to trade or cut Tomlinson...MORE

BENGALS TO SIGN O'SULLIVAN (NFL.com)
Quarterback signings heated up Wednesday and it is likely to continue Thursday. The Bengals are expected to reach agreement with former 49ers starting quarterback J.T. O’Sullivan, who would take the place of Ryan Fitzpatrick, who signed with Buffalo...MORE

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Michael Vick is a long way from returning to the NFL, heck he still has about five months to go in prison. Still, the talk of what is NFL future holds has been popular blog and sports talk radio show fodder for weeks now.

The chatter began a couple of weeks back when the Falcons announced a desire to trade the rights to the imprisoned signal caller.

Many teams in need of quarterbacks have already come out and said no thanks - the Jets, Vikings, and 49ers to name a few. Begging the question if he is indeed reinstated by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell where might he land.

For starters, there is no way the Falcons are going to trade him, the market simply is not there. That means he will most likely become waiver wire fodder.

No team has come out and said they are interested in, but that hasn't stop the speculation of where he might go. Jason Cole of Yahoo! Sports stated his case in an in-depth look at Vick's situation:

"As one NFL personnel exec put it last week, “You better have big [guts] to do this because if you take him and he screws up again, your career is probably done, too.” That certainly would be the case with the majority of executives in the NFL. Some executives, such as Bill Polian in Indianapolis or Ozzie Newsome in Baltimore, could survive a fiasco with Vick, but don’t expect either of them to take him.

The more likely scenario is that a team with strong owner influence will take a shot. Furthermore, some cities (New York and Philadelphia for example) simply wouldn’t accept Vick. Clubs needing stadium initiatives to pass (San Francisco, San Diego and Minnesota) will likely pass. And while this is purely speculative based on past personnel moves, that leaves only a few obvious candidates among the daring and desperate: Oakland, Dallas or Cincinnati."

All three teams have big money wrapped in quarterbacks, but I agree with the assesment. Mike Brown fits the bill. The guy is known for second, third, and fourth chances and has proven time and time again he is an idiot.

The thing is I wouldn't be opposed to it. The Bengals need a backup and with the questions surrounding Palmer's health, I would rather have Vick (and the baggage) than another season or Ryan Fitzpatrick.  In addition, Vick could be implemented in a "Wildcat" style of offense and his mobility could be a plus behind a subpar offensive line. Don't laugh, it could happen.  If nothing else the Bengals would definitely have a secert weapon in the annual visit to the Dawg Pound!

NFL bengals, cowboys, raiders, michael vick, ryan fitzpatrick, carson palmer, dawg pound, mike brown

Let's check out some of the latest headlines from around the league...

HOUSMANDZADEH INTERESTED IN PHILLY (from Philadelphia Inquirer)
Pending free agent wide receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh had some interesting things to say about the Eagles yesterday during an interview with Mike Missanelli on ESPN 950. Houshmandzadeh, considered the top free-agent receiver on the market, said he could potentially be interested in playing in Philadelphia. "If the Eagles are interested in me, let's put it like this. If they'll be interested in me, I'll be interested in them," he said when asked if the Eagles would be his top choice...MORE

PATS READY TO TAG CASSEL (from Boston Globe)
The question no longer seems to be if the Patriots will designate quarterback Matt Cassel their franchise player, but when. It could come as early as today. NFL teams can use the franchise tag - which helps retain top players and limits a player's ability to fully experience free agency - on one player today through Feb. 19...MORE

JAMES ALREADY OUT IN ARIZONA (from ProFootballTalk.com)
In an interview on Dan Patrick’s radio show, Dan Bickley of the Arizona Republic and XTRA Sports 910 said in no uncertain terms that Cardinals running back Edgerrin James is already gone. Bickley said that James didn’t return to Arizona with the team, and that he fully expects James not to be back in 2009. James is entering the final year of his contract, at a base salary of $5 million...MORE

CABLE OFFICIALLY RAIDERS' COACH, FINALLY (from Sacramento Bee)
The method wasn't conventional. Interview for head coach of the Raiders. Recruit assistant coaches. Then watch those assistant coaches get hired before you. But that's how Tom Cable became the 17th head coach of the Raiders. Cable was introduced at the team's training facility Wednesday after "interim" was removed from his title Tuesday...MORE

GONZO WILLING TO SEE WHAT HAPPENS IN KC (from FoxSports.com)
In an exclusive interview with FOXSports.com, Gonzalez said that a Yahoo.com story published Wednesday morning misrepresented his stance toward the organization. Gonzalez said he is amenable to returning for a 13th NFL season in Kansas City and won't know whether he will ask for a trade until seeing what personnel and coaching moves the franchise makes this offseason...MORE

NO REUNION FOR REEVES, COWBOYS (from San Antonio Express-News)
There will be no reunion for Dan Reeves and the Dallas Cowboys. Reeves, 65, who played and coached for the Cowboys, had been at the team's facility this week in anticipation of joining the organization in some capacity. But the team said Wednesday night that wasn't happening...MORE

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PRO-FOOTBALL FACE-OFF: Dan Clasgens and Chad Brendel break down the big game and talk everything NFL.

Let's take a look at some of the latest headlines from around the NFL...

WARD SAYS HE WON'T MISS SUPER BOWL (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)
Hines Ward treated the questions yesterday as if he were boring down on an unsuspecting safety. He will play in the Super Bowl. It was not a prediction but a blood oath. "I have two weeks to prepare for the Super Bowl and I won't miss the Super Bowl," Ward told wave after wave of similar questions...MORE

COACH, CARDS ADDED RIGHT PIECES (Arizona Republic)
Second-year coach Ken Whisenhunt has been applauded for making all the right moves, from hiring a solid coaching staff, letting offensive coordinator Todd Haley take over the play-calling responsibilities, and putting his faith in Kurt Warner. But he also had to assemble a strong supporting cast of football players, and in that regard, perhaps Whisenhunt hasn't received nearly enough credit as the Cardinals prepare to face the Steelers in Super Bowl XLIII...MORE

BRADY DOING 'REALLY WELL' (Boston Globe)
While avoiding specifics and not providing a timetable to return from his left knee injury, Patriots quarterback Tom Brady was a guest on a Toronto sports radio station yesterday and said his rehabilitation was "going really well." Brady told Fan 590, "Anyone who has come back from injuries that require surgery, it's just a process," "There are some good days, some bad days, and you just have to keep plugging through them. That's life. Things come up and you just have to focus your energy and attention on all the positive things that you can gain. It tests you in a lot of ways. I'm excited about the process, I'm excited about the work." ...MORE

COWBOYS' ROMO VOWS TO BE BETTER LEADER (Dallas Morning News)
Tony Romo wants to win a Super Bowl badly, is still bothered by missing the playoffs three weeks after the season ended and said his leadership approach will be different in 2009. Since the Cowboys' season ended with a 44-6 loss on Dec. 28 at Philadelphia, Romo had remained silent with the local media. That is until Wednesday night when he broke the silenece...MORE

RAIDERS CONTINUE THEIR COACHING SEARCH (Contra Costa Times)
The Raiders interviewed Al Saunders for their offensive coordinator vacancy Wednesday and former Seattle Seahawks defensive line coach Dwaine Board for a similar position with the Raiders. Saunders was the offensive coordinator for the St. Louis Rams last season, but he is expected to be jettisoned by new Rams coach Steve Spagnuolo. He has coached in the NFL the past 26 seasons...MORE

RYAN TRYING TO KEEP SCHOTTENHEIMER (NFL.com)
With their head coach in place, the New York Jets are getting closer to lifting off with the ever-important position of offensive coordinator. If Rex Ryan cannot convince offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer to stay with New York, he then plans to hire Bengals quarterbacks coach Ken Zampese as Schottenheimer’s replacement. Under that scenario, the Jets’ coaching braintrust would have a lineage of coaching success stories. Buddy Ryan, Rex’s father, was a longtime standout coach, and Ernie Zampese, Ken’s father, was a noted offensive mind...MORE

NFL steelers, cardinals, patriots, cowboys, raiders, jets, hines ward, kurt warner, tom brady, tony romo, al saunders, dwaine board, rex ryan, brian schottenheimer, ken zampese

Just a few observations from the final Sunday of NFL regular season action:

• DETROIT FIRST EVER TO GO 0-16 - The Lions did it! We finally have an 0-16 team. One year after we witnessed our first 16-0 team ever, we now have an 0-16 team as the Lions lost in Green Bay 31-21. The Lions haven't won since Dec. 23, 2007, actually, when they beat the Kansas City Chiefs. And Green Bay is where this woeful streak began at the end of last season. Since then, the Lions have lost 17 straight and been outscored 551-281.
  
  
• PENNINGTON GETS LAST LAUGH - I am a big Brett Favre fan and I really do think that I saw him play his last game ever today. Still, I was rooting for Pennington to come back to the Meadowlands and claim the division title in front of the fans that were so happy to replace him with the future Hall of Famer to start the season. The bonus came with Miami's win also eliminating the Patriots from the playoffs for the first time since 2002. Tony Romo proves once again that he can't handle the pressure of a big game.
  
  
• COWBOYS SUFFFER WORST LOSS IN FRANCHISE HISTORY - After both the Bucs and Bears blew their chances to put pressure on the Cowboys, the Eagles learned just before the kickoff of their game that a win over Dallas would give them the NFC's final playoff berth. The Eagles embarassed the Dallas Cowboys, who I've said all year long is the league's most overrated team. They proved it on Sunday as they lost 44-6 with their season on the line.
  
  
• BLOWING IT DOWN THE STRETCH - If you look at the four teams that missed out on the playoffs on Sunday that at one point looked like a lock - the Cowboys, Bears, Bucs, and Jets - you see one consistent trend. Disappointing finishes. Over the last five weeks of the season the teams mentioned above went 6-14. Enough said. I don't think Lovie Smith or Jon Gruden are going anywhere, but it wouldn't surprise me to see the ax come down with any of these teams.
  
  
• RESTING STARTERS NOT A BAD IDEA - I am not a big fan of how it robs me of a good week of fantasy football, but you can't argue with coaches that sit their players with the playofs in hand. Mike Tomlin is wishing he would have pulled the plug on Ben Roethlisberger before he got knocked out of the game with a concussion. The look on Tomlin's face when his franchise quarterback was on the turf for nearly ten minutes said it all. Big Ben suffered a concussion and should be alright in two weeks when the Steelers next play.
  
  
• FALCONS, RAVENS RIDE THEIR ROOKIE QB'S - Nothing is more impressive than the 1-15 turnaroud Miami had to win the AFC East. Still, I couldn't end this blog post without mentioning how amazed I am that both Matt Ryan and Joe Flacco led the Falcons and Ravens to wildcard berths respectively. I didn't give either team much of a chance to compete this year, especially with rookie quarterbacks. I don't expect either team to go too deep into the playoffs, but I learned my lesson and won't take them for granted either. Both teams are very much capabale of beating their first round opponents next.

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The fantasy playoffs either started last week for you or are likely getting ready to kick off in Week 15. Either way a microscope gets place on decisions like at no other point of the season. My best advice, don't sweat it.

Really, the situation is out of your control and the best you can do is make an educated guess. However, all too often I see fantasy owners do things out of the oridnary as they look for any edge they can get. That's not a bad thing, but don't let it blind your judgment. Just last week I had a guy insisting inside one of our live chats that him starting J.P. Losman in a dome or Donovan McNabb against the Giants in 40 MPH winds.  Weather needs to be considered, but only as a deciding factor not the sole reason.

Here are some more interesting dilemmas you may be looking at this week...

SAINTS' OFFENSE IN THE WINDY CITY
Last week Pierre Thomas and Reggie Bush both porved to be valuable for fantasy owners in a high-scoring affair inside the dome against the Falcons and Drew Brees and his stable of receivers always make logical plays. However, this week the Saints travel to Chicago for a Thursday night showdown with the Bears. We all remember the Saints' offense dismal showing in the NFC Championship game two years ago and something tells me their offense isn't built for a December game at Solider Field. At this point, there is only a 10% chance of snow but it is going to be cold. The Bears' D is actually better against the run than the pass and that could be good news for Drew Brees, who's still a must play regardless of his match-up at this point. Bush is likely to get some catches out of the backfield and Thomas could get a short-yardage score, but neither back will put up high rushing totals. Colston and Moore are always capable of putting some numbers, but neither is a lock and both could be sat for a better match-up.

STEELERS VS. RAVENS
Unless it's the defense I am staying clear of all players in this match-up. As good as the Steelers and Ravens have played this one is going to be a physical affair. Ben Roethlisberger doesn't look 100% to me and he'll struggle with the Ravens' pressure. No way does rookie Joe Flacco get the call in this enviroment with your playoff livelihood on the line. The Ravens' backfield is a mess, but LeRon McClain could be argued for a RB3. Pittsburhg's backfield is frustrating. Mewelde Moore is running the best, but Willie Parker is still getting carries and Gary Russell is coming in at the goalline. Stay away from the situation altogether at this point. Hines Ward, Santanio Holmes, and Derrick Mason have each had their moments this year, but rolling the dice on any of them producing in these circumstances is not recommended.

WILL THE REAL DOMINIC HIXON PLEASE STEP UP?
There is been so much hype surrounding Dominic Hixon since Plaxico Burress and this point the jury is still out on the Giants' wideout. I wasn't expecting much last week against Philly in blistery condiditions, but Hixon still was within inches of a huge catch. I like his upside and I am expecting the game in Dallas on Sunday night to have more offense than what we've been seeing. Hixon is a great WR3 and has great upside against a Cowboys' secondary that has a tendency to get beat deep. I am playing him in my PPR format as my FLEX player this week and recommend that you do the same.

CAN ROMO BOUNCE BACK, SHOULD BARBER START?
While on the topic of Sunday night's big game in Dallas, let's talk about the Cowboys. I hope you listened last week when I said sit Tony Romo. He was dreadful against Pittsburgh, finishing with just 1 TD and 4 turnovers. He's not going to blow it up this week, but I definitely expect a bounce back and consider him a solid starting option against the Giants. The G-Men have been tough on defense and have only allowed 13.2 points per game to fantasy QB's, but I look for the Cowboys to have much more success through the air this time around. The running game is a different situation altogether. Marion Barber is likely going to be a game-time decision again and even if he comes back he's battling a toe and calf injury and with the way rookie Tashard Choice has performed seeing the two split carries would not be hard to imagine. Should Barber be ruled out, Choice is a low-end RB2 option and worth a look as a flex. 

Fantasy Football saints, giants, cowboys, steelers, ravens, drew brees, pierre thomas, reggie bush, marques colston, lance moore, mewelde moore, willie parker, ben roethlisberger, gary russell, santonio holmes.hines ward, leron mcclain, joe flacco, derrick mason, dominic hixon, tony romo, tashard choice, marion barber