NFL GridIron Gab Daily Digest

Roger Goodell clearly supports awarding Super Bowl XLVIII to the Giants' and Jets' new stadium in 2014, and Patriots owner Robert Kraft will lobby other owners for it, but Steelers owner Dan Rooney has a big problem with playing the most important game of the year in potentially cold and nasty weather.

The vote comes May 24-26 in Dallas. The lobbying starts now.

There is really just one concern for a Super Bowl on Broadway: The weather, obviously.

"I hope it's there, I hope it snows and I hope the Patriots are in the game," Kraft, one the NFL's most influential owners, said Friday. "I think there is some real support for it. I know I personally will lobby anyone I can."

If the Giants and Jets had splurged for another $400 million-$500 million on top of the $1.7 billion they are spending on the new stadium that opens this year, then the vote may have been unanimous because the NFL has a history of rewarding owners who spend their own money and/or cities who help fund the construction of new stadiums with a Super Bowl.

Even though the new Giants-Jets Stadium will have no roof, Goodell gave every indication he's on board. Even though he doesn't have a vote and says he must remain neutral, his endorsement may be the deciding factor.

"I think there are real benefits to the league considering this as an option," Goodell said Friday during his annual state of the league address at the Super Bowl.

"I think the idea of playing in the elements is central to the way the game of football is played. I think being able to do that and celebrate the game of football in the No. 1 market could have tremendous benefits to the league going forward. I think you will see that – I think our two co-chairmen are here, Woody Johnson and Jon Tisch – they will put together a very aggressive bid, one that will demonstrate the value of playing in New York and they will be competing against some great cities also. It will be an interesting vote, but I will stand on the sidelines and watch."

The NFL waived its cold-weather restriction by allowing the Giants and Jets to make a bid. Allowing it to get this far is an indication there is an awful lot of support. Miami, which is hosting its record 10th Super Bowl Sunday, Glendale, Ariz., and either Tampa or Houston are the competition. Here's how the voting works. If one of the four cities does not get 75% of the vote (24 of the 32 owners) on the first ballot, then the city with the lowest vote is out. The same procedure is used for the second ballot. Then, if there is still no winner, the two remaining cities go head-to-head, with the winner decided by simple majority. "I'm personally a big supporter of having the Super Bowl in the new stadium and in New York," Kraft said. "It doesn't matter what the weather is, in my opinion. It's just a great place. A great boost for the city."

The game would be this weekend in four years, or potentially one or two weeks later depending on whether the regular season is expanded to 17 or 18 games. And with this weekend's forecast for snow, a snowy weekend in 2014 is obviously a possibility.Rooney, who is now the United States ambassador to Ireland, says his son Art has his team's vote, but he thinks the weather is a major concern. "Are they going to put a roof on it?" Rooney said.

No, he was told.

"Then they are going to have some trouble," he said. "There are a lot of people who think we should be in a warm climate all the time. The weather would be something you would have to consider."

But some of the most memorable NFL playoff games have been played in adverse conditions: the Ice Bowl game between Dallas and Green Bay; the Snow Bowl game between Oakland and New England and the Inhumanely Frigid Bowl between the Giants and Packers two years ago in minus-23 wind chill.

All great games. "That is true," Rooney said. "It's still cold."

Rooney wouldn't say how the Steelers would ultimately vote. One thing to keep in mind: The Rooney and Mara families are extraordinarily close.

"I am cautiously optimistic that the bid will be viewed by the owners as something exciting and different," Tisch said. "There is an understanding that this is a game that is played in all kinds of weather. It's the history of the game that should be taken into consideration when you think about the game at the new Giants-Jets stadium."

Former Raider Warren Sapp was arrested Saturday following an alleged domestic violence incident at a Miami Beach hotel, police said.

Sapp was charged with one count of misdemeanor domestic battery and is expected to appear before a Miami-Dade County judge Sunday, Miami Beach police spokesman Juan Sanchez said.

Shortly after police officials confirmed the charge NFL Network spokesman Dennis Johnson said in an e-mail to The Associated Press that Sapp—who is an analyst—wouldn't be part of the Super Bowl coverage for Sunday's game between the Indianapolis Colts and New Orleans Saints.

"We have been made aware of the arrest of Warren Sapp by the Miami Beach Police Department," a network statement said. "In light of these circumstances, Warren Sapp will not appear on NFL Network while we review the matter."

The domestic violence allegation was reported around noon Saturday and detectives interviewed Sapp later that day, Sanchez said. The incident occurred early Saturday morning at the Shore Club hotel, according to a police news release.

The victim had a swollen knee and bruises on her neck, according to an arrest affidavit. She told detectives that she was partying with Sapp and her friends at the hotel and asked for his room key when she grew tired. Sapp reportedly woke up the victim a few hours later and they started to argue. She told investigators that Sapp started to choke her and pushed her down on a couch.

From: AP

Here's how you stop Jerry Rice and Emmitt Smith: Put them in the Hall of Fame and watch them break down and cry.

The men who tore apart NFL defenses couldn't handle the emotions Saturday when they were elected to the shrine along with five others.

"They told me 'Don't cry,"' Rice said, his eyes wet with tears. "It meant the world to me, just like winning a Super Bowl. On draft day, I didn't take that for granted. I didn't take this for granted."

A nominee needs 80 percent approval from the 44 media members who vote and Rice and Smith were slam-dunks in their first year of eligibility. Vote totals aren't announced.

"I am just honored … to stand up there with greatness," Rice added.

Smith teared up when speaking about his father and how "I was living his dream."

"We are blessed to achieve this level of greatness together," Smith said, referring to Rice.

They will be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio, on Aug. 7.

Rice and Smith each won three Super Bowls and was the MVP in one of those victories. Smith was the 1993 league MVP, as well.

Rice, the NFL's career receiving and touchdowns leader, and Smith, the top rusher, were joined in the Hall by John Randle, Russ Grimm, Rickey Jackson, Floyd Little and Dick LeBeau. Little and LeBeau were elected as senior committee nominees.

Rice, the perfect receiver for the West Coast offense, played 20 seasons for San Francisco, Oakland and Seattle. He made 1,549 catches for 22,895 yards, had 14 1,000-yard seasons and scored 208 touchdowns.

Smith, among the most durable running backs, rushed for 18,355 yards and 164 touchdowns for Dallas and Arizona.

"This is almost perfect," Smith said. "I don't think even Steven Spielberg could have written a script this nice. So many people said I could not do it. I believed in that little giant inside of me that said I can."

Added Rice, standing shoulder to shoulder with Smith: "It's just like playing in that big game, this is something you think about, and it is happening. I never thought I would go in …. with this guy here.

Steve Young, one of two Hall of Fame quarterbacks who threw to Rice, got the first hug from the new inductee, then said: "They made yards after the catch a stat because of Jerry Rice."

Jackson, a do-everything linebacker with a great burst off the line, finished his 15-season career for New Orleans and San Francisco with 128 sacks. A six-time Pro Bowler, Jackson sparked the first turnaround by the Saints from Aints to contender, in the late 1980s. He helped the Saints to their first division title and playoff berth.

Now, a day before the Saints appear in their first Super Bowl against the Indianapolis Colts, Jackson is Canton-bound. One little glitch: He was introduced as Randy instead of Rickey.

Randle was that rare defensive tackle who was a premier pass rusher. An undrafted free agent out of Texas A&I, Randle had 137 1/2 sacks for Minnesota and Seattle, tied for sixth overall and most for his position, and led the league with 15 1/2 in 1997. He played in seven Pro Bowls.

Grimm, a member of the Washington Redskins' famed Hogs offensive line, won three Super Bowls. A guard, he made four Pro Bowls and was selected to the all-decade team of the 1980s.

The two senior committee inductees did not get enough support from the regular panel of media members when they were eligible.

LeBeau, the current defensive coordinator of the Pittsburgh Steelers, is considered one of pro football's great defensive innovators as a coach. But he was voted in for his outstanding work for the Lions from 1959-72. LeBeau finished with 62 interceptions, second among cornerbacks when he retired.

"They say anything worth having is worth waiting on," LeBeau said. "It has been a long wait. I can't imagine anything else that could be any more rewarding."

Little starred for the Denver Broncos in the AFL and NFL, leading the NFL in rushing in 1971 with 1,133 yards and in touchdowns rushing in 1973 with 12. He waited 30 years to get elected.

"My dad used to take me to games to watch Jerry play," Little joked, cracking up Rice.

"It's been a long journey. This is truly my dream. You can't explain the emotions of the way you feel at this moment."

Quarterbacks:

USA Today Sports Weekly last week had their list of the best All-Time NFL Players never to reach a Super Bowl. Here they are:

1. Dan Fouts
2. Randell Cunningham
3. Warren Moon

Running Backs:

1. Barry Sanders
2. Eric Dickerson
3. Earl Campbell
4. Gale Sayers
5. LaDainian Tomlinson
6. Tony Richardson (Fullback)

Wide Receivers:

1. Cris Carter
2. Wes Chandler
3. Steve Largent
4. Eric Metcalf
5. Sterling Sharpe

Tight Ends:

1. Tony Gonzalez
2. Kellen Winslow

Offensive Line:

1. Tom Banks
2. Bob Brown
3. Joe DeLamielleure
4. Dan Dierdorf
5. Gene Hickerson
6. Kevin Mawae
7. Randall McDaniel
8. Mike Munchak
9. Willie Roaf

Defensive Line

1. Elvin Bethea
2. Chris Doleman
3. Deacon Jones
4. Cortez Kennedy
5. Joe Klecko
6. Merlin Olsen
7. John Randle
8. Lee Roy Selmon
9. Kevin Williams

Linebackers

1. Robert Brazlie
2. Dick Butkus
3. Sam Mills
4. Tommy Nobis
5. Derrick Thomas
6. Zach Thomas
7. Dave Wilcox

Secondary

1. Eric Allen
2. Champ Bailey
3. Lem Barney
4. Kenny Easley
5. Ken Houston
6. Dick LeBeau
7. Ed Reed
8. Roger Wehrli
9. Larry Wilson

Special Teams

1. Mel Gray (KR)
2. Jason Hanson (K)
3. Brian Moorman (P)

We've racked our brain, and here are some other players on offense and kicker-wise that we feel could have made the list, or at least challenged some of the lesser guys to make the list:

QB:

Neil Lomax - Passing leader on a poor Cardinals team, 19th all-time w/ a passer rating of 82.7
Bert Jones – Threw for almost 20,000 career yards and played from 1973 to 1982 with the Colts and Rams, and threw 124 all-time TD's.

Running Backs:

Bo Jackson – While he only played for three seasons, no one ever forgets "Bo Knows Best," while putting up an NFL record 5.4 yards per rush and 16 TD's for the Raiders. What if.
Herschel Walker – Former Heisman Trophy winner best known for being the centerpiece of the deal that started the Cowboys run to three Super Bowls. Played for 11 seasons for the Cowboys, Vikings, Eagles and Giants. Ran for 8,225 and 61 TD's.
Warrick Dunn – The 3-time Pro Bowl selection has run for over 10,000 yards and 49 touchdowns. He's been close with the Falcons, but the sun is setting on a chance to get to the dance.
Curt Warner – Led the AFC in rushing his rookie year for the Seahawks, ended an 8-year career with 6,844 yards and 63 TD's.

Wide Receivers:

Al Toon – A gutsy WR for the Jets, Toon was a first-round pick that pulled in 517 career grabs for 6,605 yards 31 TD's.
Haywood Jefferies – Played for 9 years, 8 with the Oilers in their run-and-shoot days. Has a career 50 TD's and 6,334 yards with 535 catches.
Mike Quick – 9-year Eagles WR who had five pretty good seasons, one year (1983) had 1409 yards with 13 TD's, and in 1985 had a 99-yard TD.
Jimmy Smith – A very good WR with the Jags who had over 12,000 in his career. Never got the credit he deserved.

Tight End:

Ozzie Newsome - Has a ring as a front office member of the Ravens, but deserved to get to a Bowl as "The Wizard of Oz" as a member of the 80's Browns.
Jason Witten – Could still happen as a member of the Cowboys, but if he dosen't make it, his solid numbers (4935 yards and 25 TD's) which will only grow will be wasted.

Kicker:

Gary Anderson – 4-time Pro Bowler and 5-time All-Pro, Anderson had some great years with the Steelers, and Eagles, but no one will forget his "almost" perfect season in 1998 with the Vikings where he was perfect till he missed a makable field goal vs the Falcons in the NFC Title game. It was about as closest as he would come.

Now that one of, if not the most exciting Super Bowl ever is in the books, it's time to take a look back at an interesting topic – the top game-changing touchdowns in Super Bowl history. For sure you will see one that you will remember from the first 43 Super Sundays.

1. Super Bowl XLIII – Ben Roethlisberger goes Magic to Santonio Holmes for a game-winner: 8 plays, 78 yards in 2:02.  The Steelers earned their 6th Super Bowl title as they went downfield and carved the Cards defense after Arizona had taken a 23-20 lead.  Roethlisberger’s pass to Holmes, who toe-tapped his way to an MVP with the catch, remains the best in SB history.

2. Super Bowl XXIII – Joe Montana hits John Taylor with a TD with :34 seconds left: This 92-yard drive was the cement that casted Montana in the Hall of Fame. He calmly and cooly led the Niners down the field and hit Taylor with the 10-yard TD to clinch the 20-16 win. The game was ranked as the best Super Bowl ever on NFL.com back in January of 2006.

3. Super Bowl XVII – John Riggins 43-yard run vs the Dolphins: The "Disel" ran over the Fins on a fourth down play that turned a 17-13 Dolphins lead into a 20-17 lead back to the Skins. It also was the defining moment for the Skins offensive line, as the "Hogs" opened the big hole for Riggins to run right through.

4. Super Bowl XLIII – Plaxico Burress catches a 13-yard score to clinch the win over the Pats: Fresh still in the minds of everyone, not many will forget this memorable TD with :35 seconds left that won the game for the Giants, or better yet the one that put the perfect Pats from close to 19-0 to 18-1.

5. Super Bowl XXXIV – Issac Bruce takes in a 73-yard bomb to be the deciding score over the Titans: Everyone recalls the play that where Mike Jones stopped Kevin Dyson on the 1-yard line to end the game, but it was this bomb from Kurt Warner to Bruce that clinched the game with just about 2 minutes left.

6. Super Bowl XVIII – Jack Squirek picks off Joe Theismann for a 5-yard score to slam the Skins: It was called the "Raider screen" and the silver and black played it to perfection, with Squirek picking it off in the final seconds of the first half to make it a route – 21-3 at the half in a game the Raiders dominated, winning 35-9.

7. Super Bowl XIV – John Stallworth hauls in a 73-yard score to put the Steelers ahead for good: The Steelers, 11.5 point favorites to win their fourth bowl, struggled with the Rams, but this score with 12:59 left in the game put them ahead for good. Facing a 3rd and 8, Terry Bradshaw took the snap, faked a handoff, and then threw a pass to Stallworth, who caught the ball without breaking stride and took it all the way to the end zone, making it 24-19 for the Steelers in an eventual 31-19 win.

8. Super Bowl XXXI – Desmond Howard takes a kickoff 99 yards for a 35-21 Packers lead in their win over the Pats: Howard was a highly touted player out of Michigan, but never lived up to the hype, other than this Super Sunday afternoon. Howard and the Pack were in a fight with the Pats, led by Bill Parcells, and led 27-21 in the third quarter. That's when Howard took the kickoff after a Pats score and put the game away, racing 99 yards to clinch the Pack's third Super Bowl.

9. Super Bowl XL – Antwaan Randle El throws 43 yards to Hines Ward for a finishing TD vs the Hawks: The Steelers could not put the Hawks away, and after an Ike Taylor pick, the Black and Gold were looking for the finishing touches on their fifth Super Bowl. They got it. Taking a pitch from Ben Roethlisberger, Randle El fired a perfect trick pass to Ward, who took it in stride for a score that clinched the 21-10 win for Pittsburgh.