Julio Jones Signs Contract With Falcons

Wide Receiver Julio Jones, the 6th overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft and a native of Foley, has signed a 4 year deal with the Atlanta Falcons.  Here is the article from Al.com: 

Julio Jones gets $16.2 million over four years from Falcons, according to report

By Don Kausler Jr.

With a contract in the hands that helped him set receiving records at Alabama, Julio Jones is on his way to training camp with the Atlanta Falcons.
Jones signed a four-year contract worth a guaranteed $16.2 million on Thursday, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, and then the first-round draft choice was able to attend a team meeting.
For full article: 

Reggie Bush Continues Traditon Of Saints Heisman Trophy Running Backs Leaving To Play For Dolphins

Here is the Times Picayune's Jeff Duncan on the Reggie Bush Trade To Miami:

In Miami, Reggie Bush will get what he wants most: The ball and the spotlight

The New Orleans Saints pulled off a major coup in the wee hours of Thursday morning by trading Reggie Bush to Miami.

John McCusker/The Times-PicayuneReggie Bush's price was too much for the New Orleans Saints, so he was dealt to Miami.

The deal is a win-win for the Saints, even if they lost a key part of their offense.
And make no mistake, Bush, for all of his shortcomings, was a critical weapon in Sean Payton's high-octane attack. The Saints offense will be different without Bush. It'll still be potent. But it won't be nearly as versatile.
For full article go to:  http://www.nola.com/saints/index.ssf/2011/07/bush_column.html

Training Camp, Sweet Training Camp For Pensacola's NFL Players

Sitton, local stars back to NFL

By Bob Heist The  Pensacola News Journal
"As a player, we've been up in the air over this whole thing, really, since March," said Sitton, the starting right guard for the reigning Super Bowl champion Packers. "It's been a long process, probably a little bit too drawn out, but now it's time to go back to work.
"For me personally, I had a good vacation, but this was too long. Playing football is what I do and I'm really glad we're getting back to that."
For full article go to:  http://www.pnj.com/article/20110726/SPORTS/107260308/Sitton-local-stars-back-NFL?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|Sports

Gulf Breeze's Doug Baldwin Signs With Seahawks

From The Pensacola News Journal

What a ride for Doug Baldwin: From Gulf Breeze to the Seattle Seahawks

By Bob Heist

"I remember growing up and knowing Derrick Brooks and Emmitt Smith came from Pensacola, Florida," Baldwin said. "That was all I wanted to do — to be just like them. I remember being 8 years old and envisioned myself being 25, 26 and wanting a young kid growing up to be like Doug Baldwin.
"Obviously, I'm not like Derrick Brooks and Emmitt Smith right now, but this is the first step to living a dream that they helped to create for me."
For full article go to:  http://www.pnj.com/article/20110727/SPORTS/107270334/What-ride-Doug-Baldwin-From-Gulf-Breeze-Seattle-Seahawks?odyssey=mod_sectionstories

Favre Comeback Just A Rumor According To Bus Cook

Agent: Talk of Favre’s return is ‘speculation’

ASSOCIATED PRESS

HATTIESBURG -- Brett Favre’s agent says talk of his client attempting another NFL comeback is just “speculation.”
Bus Cook said on Monday morning that Favre hasn’t talked to him about any sort of comeback and to his knowledge, Favre “hasn’t talked to anybody else about a comeback” either.
Read more: http://www.sunherald.com/2011/07/25/3299134/agent-talk-of-favres-return-is.html#ixzz1TD1Rg0UX

Marshall Faulk Honored Alongside Former High School Coach At New Orleans Sports Hall Of Fame Induction

On the same night that Marshall Faulk is inducted into the Allstate Sugar Bowl Greater New Orleans Sports Hall of Fame, his former coach at Carver High School, Wayne Reese received the coveted Eddie Robinson Award.  During Faulk's speech he gives special tribute to the influence that Coach Reese had upon him. 
Below is the text of Faulk's speech from the article published in The Times Picayune.

Marshall Faulk proud to take stage with his former high school coach, Wayne Reese

By Chris Abshire, The Times-Picayune NOLA.com

"At the time, what was asked of me as a football player, I had no idea," Faulk said. "The sacrifice, making me play different positions, him teaching me the game -- I thought he was just trying to keep me out of trouble by having me come up to Carver at 6 (a.m.) or 7 every morning to clean the boiler room or work out. But I learned that's what it takes to make it in life. So Coach Reese, thank you. I'll forever be indebted to you."
For full article go to:  http://www.nola.com/saints/index.ssf/2011/07/marshall_faulk_honored_by_home.html

Kevin Faulk Discusses Impact Of NFL Lockout

In the following article from the Lafayette Advertiser, Carencro, LA native and and former LSU great RB Kevin Faulk, who is entering his 13th season with the New England Patriots, discusses the challenges of trying to overcome his torn ACL injury without having access to team trainers during the NFL lockout.  Faulk also points to the positives of building team unity through the player organized workouts.

Faulk facing questions as well

In his 13th season as an NFL running back, Kevin Faulk has pretty much seen it all.

The scenario he's currently returning to, however, is new even for a veteran like Faulk.

The former Carencro High and LSU star migrated north again this weekend awaiting the start of the NFL season with the New England Patriots with more than one question mark in his mind.

To continue reading go to:  http://www.theadvertiser.com/article/20110724/SPORTS/107240336/Faulk-facing-questions-well

Eli Manning's Special Cause: The Blair E. Batson Children's Hospital

The following article from the Clarion Ledger provides an excellent account of how The Blair E. Batson Children's Hospital in Jackson has benefitted greatly from Eli Manning's dedication and special interest.

Eli Manning works magic for children's hospital

By Billy Watkins
The photograph is on Archie and Olivia Manning's refrigerator in their Oxford condominium.
It shows their youngest son, Eli Manning -- then a star quarterback at Ole Miss - during one of the traditional pregame team walks through The Grove. He is holding the hand of a little girl, who looks to be about 4 years old.
"Yeah, I do remember that," says Eli, the 30-year-old quarterback of the National Football League's New York Giants. "We were about to cross the street and head into the complex when the little girl just walked up beside me. Her mom was out in front, trying to get a picture of us ... and all of a sudden the little girl just reached up her hand toward me. So I reached out and held it as we walked."
To continue reading go to:  http://www.clarionledger.com/article/20110724/FEAT/107240330/Eli-Manning-works-magic-children-s-hospital?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|Home|p

Free Agents Sharper and Harper Discuss Their Situation At Co-Hosted Football Camp

From The Times Picayune:

Darren Sharper, Roman Harper waiting to see if they'll remain New Orleans Saints

Published: Thursday, July 21, 2011, 5:59 AM

By Hunter Paniagua, The Times-Picayune NOLA.com

Darren Sharper and Roman Harper wore the same gray T-shirt Wednesday at the Sharper-Harper Football Camp, an event they host together.

Whether the two players will wear the same uniform in 2011 remains to be seen.

Both will become free agents when the NFL lockout ends, which, according to reports, could happen as soon as Friday. When that happens, the players will have decisions to make regarding where they play next season.

For full article go to:  http://www.nola.com/saints/index.ssf/2011/07/safeties_harper_sharper_waitin.html

Colts Owner Jim Irsay Confident Peyton Manning Will Be Ready For Season

Owner: Peyton Manning will be OK

Associated Press
Jim Irsay isn't worried about Peyton Manning's health yet.
He's just not entirely sure when Manning will start throwing to his teammates. The Colts' owner told reporters Thursday in Atlanta he doesn't expect offseason neck surgery to prevent Indianapolis' franchise player from playing at his usually high level.
"My sense is that he's doing well," Irsay said at the league's owner meetings. "We've been through (his neck) surgery before. So I anticipate him being ready."
To continue reading on ESPN.Com go to:  http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/6790436/jim-irsay-indianapolis-colts-not-fretting-peyton-manning-health