Bears sign kicker Gould to extension through 2013

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Robbie Gould became the highest paid kicker, agreeing to a five-year, $15.5 million contract extension with the Chicago Bears that includes a $4.25 million signing bonus on Monday. The deal runs through 2013.I'm excited about the contract I signed," Gould, who had a year left on his contract, said during a conference call with reporters. "I'm excited to be a Bear. ... This is definitely a win-win on both ends." Gould has made 84 of 99 field-goal attempts and 99 of 100 PATs with the Bears. He hit 31 of 36 field-goal attempts last season and made the Pro Bowl after the 2006 season, when he scored 143 points. Gould hit a game-winning 49-yarder in overtime to send the Bears past Seattle in the playoff opener following the 2005 season. Chicago went on to the Super Bowl. His new deal trumps the five-year, $14.2 million contract Josh Brown signed with St. Louis on March 1. "He obviously helped to set another standard, and I'm very happy he got his deal done, which helped me in order to set my parameters and work on getting a deal done with Chicago," Gould said. Gould was an undrafted free agent out of Penn State in 2005. He first signed with New England, then spent time with Baltimore before going to the Bears in October of that year. "It gives undrafted free agents an opportunity to step back and say, 'I can make it' and 'One day I can get to that point where I can get a new contract,"' Gould said. "You're just looking to get an opportunity, and it made my hungry. I knew that when I was cut from two teams that I would eventually get an opportunity. Would I have ever thought that I would have lasted this long with the Chicago Bears? Probably not, because it was supposed to be a week-to-week deal that turned out to be, hopefully, a long career in Chicago."

National Lampoon Sports Minute (Or So)

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The National Lampoon Sports Minute (Or So) is a weekly short that mocks everything sport. Created by Steve Hofstetter and written by a staff of comedians, the Minute is syndicated weekly by 169 radio stations, 25 newspapers, and 15 websites.

Ozzie Flips out on Media

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Bears' Benson arrested on intoxicated boating charge

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Chicago Bears running back Cedric Benson failed a sobriety test while operating a 30-foot boat, then resisted arrest before being hit with pepper spray and dragged ashore by officers. Benson faces charges of boating while intoxicated and resisting arrest after the incident Saturday night on Lake Travis, Travis County Sheriff's Department spokesman Roger Wade said. Benson was released from jail early Sunday on a $14,500 bond. A call to Benson's agent was not immediately returned.Benson was operating the boat with 15 passengers aboard when he was stopped by a Lower Colorado River Authority officer for a random safety inspection. He failed a field sobriety test on the officer's boat and was uncooperative when the officer tried to take him ashore, the authority said. "When Benson did not pass the test, he presented himself as a threat to the officer and argued about whether or not he would be taken to land to have a follow-up field sobriety test performed on land and refused to put on a life jacket," the authority said in a statement. The officer had to use pepper spray to subdue Benson. He then refused to leave the officer's boat and authorities had to drag him to a car to be taken to the Travis County jail, the authority said. Chicago coach Lovie Smith said he's still trying to figure out exactly what happened. "I haven't had a chance to speak with Cedric yet, but any time we're talking about one of our players getting arrested you're disappointed in it," Smith said Sunday at the end of the Bears' three-day rookie minicamp in Lake Forest, Ill. Bears officials said general manager Jerry Angelo was out of town Sunday and unavailable to comment. Benson has had legal problems before. He was sentenced to eight days in jail in 2003 for a misdemeanor trespassing charge after forcing his way into an apartment to look for a reported stolen TV. In 2002, misdemeanor drug and alcohol charges against him were dropped. Benson rushed for more than 5,500 yards and 64 touchdowns at the University of Texas, going for 1,000 yards in four straight seasons. The 25-year-old has done little since the Bears took him with the fourth pick of the 2005 draft. As a rookie he couldn't beat out Thomas Jones and rushed for 272 yards in nine games. He was more effective the next season while sharing time with Jones, going for six touchdowns and 647 yards. Last year, Benson took over as the featured back after Jones was traded away. He rushed for 674 yards, four touchdowns and 3.4 yards a carry before going on injured reserve in November. In three years with the Bears, Benson has rushed for 1,593 yards and 10 touchdowns, averaging 3.8 yards a carry. He's also missed 13 games.

Draft Losers: What were these teams thinking?

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worst sports music video EVER

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and I love the niners

Seahawks give Tatupu new $42 million deal

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When the Seahawks were trying to draft overlooked Lofa Tatupu three years ago out of Southern California, they couldn't reach him. He was in a beach house -- and out of reception area for the family's cell phones, the only numbers the middle linebacker had given Seattle."Do you want to play football or what?" Seahawks coach Mike Holmgren growled when he finally talked to Tatupu that day. Now, after three Pro Bowl seasons, the Seahawks have gone from not being able to get a hold of Tatupu to not wanting to ever get rid of him. Tatupu and the four-time defending NFC West champions agreed on Friday to a $42 million contract extension that could keep him as the leader of Seattle's defense through 2015. It also keeps Tatupu from becoming a free agent after the 2009 season. "This isn't just Good Friday. It's great Friday," Tatupu told Seahawks president Tim Ruskell upon finalizing the contract. The deal reworks the final two years on the original contract he signed after being selected in the second round out of USC in 2005, plus six more years worth a potential $42 million. Fletcher Smith, Tatupu's agent, said the deal includes about $18 million in guaranteed money from 2008 to 2010 and is similar in structure to the $50 million, nine-year contract Chicago Bears star middle linebacker Brian Urlacher singed in 2003, also three years into his career. Tatupu is due $27 million from 2010-12. Not bad for the sixth linebacker taken in '05 because he was supposedly too slow and too short. Last season he became the second player in Seahawks' history to be named to the Pro Bowl in each of his first three years. "He has gone way over what anyone could expect from a guy who has played in the league as long as he has," Holmgren said. Anyone, that is, except Tatupu. "I think I've exceeded a lot of people's expectations, but not my own," he said with his mother, Linnea, and his girlfriend of six years, Rachel Marcott, sitting a few feet to his right. The Seahawks were already pressed against their salary cap for 2008. Ruskell said it took Tatupu's defensive mates Patrick Kerney, Deon Grant, Jordan Babineaux and Craig Terrell restructuring their contracts to get the new deal done for the defense's beloved signal caller. "I owe them a dinner, to say the least," Tatupu said, laughing. As for the one Seahawk who may most need to restructure his contract to remain with the team, running back Shaun Alexander remains in a wait-and-see mode. Jim Steiner, agent for the 2005 league MVP who has faded to the cusp of losing his job after two injury filled and ineffective seasons, said Friday he and the Seahawks are continuing to discuss what might be next for the 30-year-old. In the last month Seattle has signed free agent running backs Julius Jones and T.J. Duckett, while Alexander and perennial backup Maurice Morris remain on the roster. Two weeks ago Steiner said he was to meet with the team to see what may be next for his client. "There have been no decisions as of now," Steiner said by telephone Friday. If he doesn't accept reduced pay, Seattle could cut Alexander June 1 and spread the $6.9 million salary cap hit over two years. They could waive him before June 1 and swallow all that money this year. Or they could try to trade a runner who's value has never been lower immediately following his least productive season as a starter. When asked for a best guess on where Alexander might play in 2008, Steiner said, "I'm not into the guessing game." Ruskell said the team remains in constant talks with Alexander and has been forthright since last season ended on its plans to upgrade what was one of the league's worst running games. "We are still in the process of going through that," Ruskell said when asked what options the team has with Alexander. "I don't know that you ever have too many running backs," Ruskell said. "And I don't know that we are in that situation. "There has been no status change on anybody. We're still filtering through that." Ruskell did acknowledge the sensitivity of demoting the league MVP and record holder for touchdowns from two seasons ago. Alexander was the franchise's centerpiece when Seattle gave him a $62 million, eight-year contract just 24 months ago. "We're very cognizant of that. And Shaun has been kept abreast of everything we've done along the way," Ruskell said. Alexander's current situation is a cold reminder that in the what-have-you-done-for-me -latelyNFL, Friday's feel-good pronouncements cannot be guaranteed. "This essentially makes him a Seahawk for life," Ruskell said of a deal that could last past when Tatupu turns 33. "I'm going to end my career with the Seahawks," Tatupu said. Maybe.

A Question for Baseball Fans: What is the best Baseball movie of all time in your opinion?

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From A League of Their Own to A Field of Dreams to 61, which Baseball movie is the best in your opinion. Be sure to give your reason why.

Cowboys and Titans are engaged in trading talks,sending Pacman to Dallas.

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What do you think???

Green Bay Packers

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Now that Brett Favre has retired, I think there is going to be alot of changes as well action take place, even before the draft. For instance, look at Bubba Franks. Just yesterday it was announced that he, too has left the pack. Who is next to go?

HOW GOOD ARE THE GREEN BAY PACKERS BE GOOD WITHOUT BRETT FARVE

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Jets spend more: Add Bubba Franks

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No. 3 UCLA shocks Cal on Shipp's circus shot that shouldnt have counted

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Rex grossman and Orton are the 2 prime candidates to compete for the Bears starting quaterback position . What a pair !

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Ravens agree to terms with free agent Ayanbadejo

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The Baltimore Ravens agreed to terms Thursday with Brendon Ayanbadejo, a special teams star who played for the Chicago Bears. Ayanbadejo agreed to a four-year contract worth $4.9 million, including a $1.9 million signing bonus, and will sign the deal next week, Ravens officials said. Ayanbadejo, 31, chose the Ravens over the New York Jets in part because of the opportunity to be a backup inside linebacker in addition to his duties in kick coverage.

Marty Booker back to where he started.

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The Chicago Sun-Times reports Booker agreed to terms on a two-year contract with the Chicago Bears Tuesday night, adding credibility to a depth chart at wide receiver that had been decimated by the release of Muhsin Muhammad and the loss of Bernard Berrian in free agency.

Free Agent and Trade insiders

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Favre tells Packers he's retiring, will he show up some where else?

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Bears trade backup QB Griese to Buccaneers

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Details of the trade were not immediately known, but several reports said Griese was acquired for a late-round draft pick.

Luis Castillo Defensive End For the chargers to blog from Afghanistan

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Three NFL players who excel on the field and in the community will continue an NFL-USO tradition initiated more than 40 years ago when they embark on a week-long visit to U.S. troops at military bases throughout the Persian Gulf. Chargers defensive end Luis Castillo, Bears defensive tackle Tommie Harris and Panthers defensive end Mike Rucker will travel to meet and greet the troops in the annual renewal of the NFL-USO program. Castillo will regularly check in with Chargers.com to provide updates on his journey and share stories of how the soldiers’ stories are impacting him. The blog entries will also be translated and posted on the Chargers’ official Spanish website. In the past four decades, NFL stars such as Terry Bradshaw, Dick Butkus, Larry Csonka, Howie Long, Don Meredith, Mike Singletary and Gene Upshaw have visited troops on NFL-USO tours in such locations as Afghanistan, Bosnia, Iraq, Japan, Korea, Kuwait and Somalia. San Diego’s own Hank Bauer has been on an NFL-USO tour. In 1966, the NFL teamed with the USO and became the first sports organization to send a group of players to Vietnam and other parts of Asia, demonstrating the league’s support for America’s troops. Last year, NFL players Alge Crumpler, Shelton Quarles, Will Shields And Benjamin Watson traveled to Iraq and met with service members to provide a valued morale boost. Players on the 2008 NFL-USO tour will be joined by Sports Illustrated writer Peter King.