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The NFL's highest rated quarterback is...

...Vinny Testaverde.

Going 2-for-3 (for 29 yards) on passing attempts with one touchdown, Testaverde's passer rating is a robust 137.5.

Obviously, the 20-year veteran doesn't qualify for any kind of award given that he appeared in three games and completed two passes, but it's a pretty funny stat anyway.

For the record, Peyton Manning (rating: 101.0) had the highest mark among regular quarterbacks.

Props to patsfans.com for the heads up.

shalise

Posted by Shalise Manza Young  at 7:05 PM | Permalink | Comments 0

Harrison OUT

Hey all --

The Patriots just announced their first injury report of the week, and Rodney Harrison is listed as out with the injury to his right knee.

The rest of the list:
Questionable: WR Bam Childress (ankle), FB Heath Evans (shin), TE Benjamin Watson (knee)

Probable: QB Tom Brady (right shoulder), CB Ellis Hobbs (wrist), DL Richard Seymour (elbow), LB Mike Vrabel (back)

There are a lot of players not on the list from last week, most notably Vince Wilfork, but only one addition -- Evans. Brady, Hobbs and Seymour did not miss any portion of practice according to the report.

shalise

Posted by Shalise Manza Young  at 3:56 PM | Permalink | Comments 0

Tippett Hall finalist

Hey all --

Former Pats linebacker Andre Tippett has just been named one of 17 finalists for this year's Pro Football Hall of Fame induction class.

We'll have more in a bit.

shalise

Posted by Shalise Manza Young  at 3:24 PM | Permalink | Comments 0

Chargers: Tickets only for SoCal residents

San Diego apparently is taking the same tack as the Bears, and allowed only purchasers with Southern California ZIP codes to buy tickets to Sunday's game with New England.

While the argument could be made that this prevented embattled ticket company Stub Hub to buy tickets (and then legally scalp them), it also conveniently, disallows, say, New England residents from buying them as well.

shalise

Posted by Shalise Manza Young  at 1:52 PM | Permalink | Comments 0

Harrison wins Ed Block Courage Award

Per the Patriots:

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. - Rodney Harrison has been selected by his Patriots teammates to receive the 2006 Ed Block Courage Award. The honor is bestowed annually upon the player who, according to his teammates, best exemplifies the principles of courage and sportsmanship while also serving as a source of inspiration. Harrison and award winners from 31 other teams will be honored at the 28th Annual Ed Block Courage Awards Banquet in Baltimore in March.

Harrison, a captain of the defensive backfield since joining the Patriots as a free agent in 2003, is one of New England’s most spirited leaders on and off the field. The NFL’s all-time leader in sacks by a defensive back was targeting a third consecutive trip to the Super Bowl when he was injured in Week 3 of the 2005 season. The then 12-year veteran tore ligaments in his knee, ending his season and threatening his career, but he immediately vowed to recover and return to the field. Throughout his 10-month rehabilitation, Harrison remained a visible presence at the Patriots’ facility and a leader and confidant to his teammates.

Harrison returned to the field, ahead of schedule, during the 2006 preseason. He started and collected eight tackles against the Buffalo Bills in the Patriots’ 2006 season opener, and started the next seven games before suffering a shoulder injury in Week 9. Again, Harrison committed himself to rehabilitation, and returned in Week 16 to help the Patriots clinch a fourth consecutive AFC East championship with a victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars. In his first year back from his knee injury, Harrison started 10 games on a defense that broke a franchise record for points allowed (14.81 ppg).

Harrison, a two-time Pro Bowler, signed with the Patriots in 2003 after nine years with the San Diego Chargers. In 13 NFL seasons, the 6-foot-1-inch, 220-pound safety has recorded 1,099 tackles (844 solo), 28.5 sacks, 32 interceptions, 106 passes defensed, 13 forced fumbles and seven fumble recoveries. He is the only player in NFL history to record at least 25 career sacks and at least 30 career interceptions.

The award is named for Ed Block, a longtime head trainer for the Baltimore Colts and a respected humanitarian dedicated to helping children. Recipients are often players who have overcome devastating injuries or tragedies in their personal lives to return to top-level competition in the NFL.

Officially formulated in 1986, the Ed Block Courage Award Foundation is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization that is sanctioned by the NFL and the Professional Football Athletic Trainers Society (PFATS). The Foundation is committed to heightening awareness of the plight of abused children in cities throughout the league. Proceeds from the annual Courage Awards event benefit the Foundation’s Courage House National Support Network For Kids.

Posted by Shalise Manza Young  at 1:44 PM | Permalink | Comments 0

Practice peek

Hey all --

Just in from practice, which is being held inside the Dana Farber Fieldhouse. Not spotted during the print media access portion were Rodney Harrison or Heath Evans.

The players were in full pads, and Pierre Woods is your practice player of the week.

shalise

Posted by Shalise Manza Young  at 1:16 PM | Permalink | Comments 0

This just in: the Chargers are good

Hey all --

Just wrapped up what was likely the longest press conference of the season with Bill Belichick, and he can't say enough good things about San Diego. From coach Marty Schottenheimer and his 200-plus regular-season wins, to the running game, which he noted isn't just LaDainian Tomlinson, to the defense and special teams, Belichick had plenty to say.

Now, we know that he says things like that about every team -- even the Texans and Lions -- but it's also easy to tell when he means it.

One interesting question was about Antonio Gates, and how teams scout or view a player like him (and New England's Stephen Neal) who didn't play college football. Belichick said he first looks for athleticism and intelligence, and said that how long you spend trying to develop the player depends on how you see him fitting into your team in the future. If you can project him as a big contributor, then it's worth the two or three years it might take to develop him into an NFL player; if he might be just a bit player, it probably isn't.

As for Rodney Harrison and his chances of suiting up, Belichick just said the team will release its injury report after practice.

We'll be back after practice.

shalise

Posted by Shalise Manza Young  at 11:10 AM | Permalink | Comments 0