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Bowlen (l) Talked This Week With Elway
About The HOFer Joining Franchise |
In Denver, Woody Paige reports Broncos Owner Pat Bowlen and Pro Football HOFer John Elway "did have dinner on Monday evening just hours" after the team fired coach Josh McDaniels, and they "discussed the possibility of Elway joining the Broncos on a full-time basis." Broncos COO Joe Ellis said he has had "two very good conversations with John." Ellis added, "I know he genuinely is very passionate about helping the Broncos and Pat in any way he can." But Elway said, "I don't know what the situation is right now, and where Pat's going" (DENVER POST, 12/9).
TALKIN' BROADWAY: In Miami, Jeff Darlington reports Dolphins Owner Stephen Ross has arranged for the team to "travel to New York a day early" in advance of Sunday's game against the Jets so that his team can see the Broadway production of "Lombardi." The Dolphins will "practice at the Giants' training facility Friday afternoon before the show." Ross' initiative is "certainly unprecedented," as owners typically "leave travel arrangements up to the coach" (MIAMI HERALD, 12/9). Giants President & CEO John Mara, Jr., an Associate Producer of "Lombardi," said Ross "mentioned to me he might want to bring the team up early so he could take them over to see the show." Mara: "I remember joking with him, 'Good luck selling that to your vice president of football operations.'" However, Bill Parcells stepped down from that role in September, so "Ross was able to arrange the theater outing" (South Florida SUN-SENTINEL, 12/9).
WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT: ESPN.com's Pat Yasinskas wrote Panthers Owner Jerry Richardson's letter to Bank of America Stadium PSL owners was "long overdue in a season in which the Panthers have totally fallen apart." He does not "come out and offer a detailed explanation of where the franchise is going in the future, but he admits the league’s labor uncertainty is an issue." Yasinskas: "More importantly, he says pretty strongly that he’s committed to spending money and putting a good product on the field in the future. ... Glad to see Richardson finally reach out to his fans" (ESPN.com, 12/8).
