Friday, October 5, 2007

[GSP] Groundspeak Weekly Notification

This is an automated message from Groundspeak LoBot Mailer

Hello from Groundspeak! This is your weekly geocaching.com update from
Groundspeak for 9/27/2007 to 10/4/2007

--------------
In This Issue
--------------

I. 2007 Jeep 4x4 Geocaching Challenge Photo Contest Update
II. Geocaching in the News (3 Articles)
III. Upcoming "Mega" Events (1 Event)
IV. Upcoming Events (10 Events)
V. Recently Published Geocaches (9 Caches)


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I. 2007 Jeep 4x4 Geocaching Challenge Photo Contest Update
-----------------------------------------------------------

Voting for the 2007 Jeep 4x4 Geocaching Challenge September Travel Bug
photos has begun. September's photo goal was "Only in a Jeep". Support
your fellow geocachers by visiting the photo gallery and nominating
your favorite.

http://jeep.geocaching.com/photos/

The photo goal for November is "What is your definition of Freedom?".
Learn more at http://jeep.geocaching.com.


----------------------------------------
II. Geocaching in the News (3 Articles)
----------------------------------------

1. What a cache
Publication: Burlington County Times (Willingboro, NJ)
Posted: Sunday, September 30, 2007
http://www.phillyburbs.com/pb-dyn/news/112-09302007-1416102.html

2. Techie Treasure Hunting
Publication: The Daily News Record (Harrisonburg, VA)
Posted: Monday, October 01, 2007
http://www.rocktownweekly.com/skyline_details.php?AID=12425&sub=Double Click

3. Middle 10/3 Cachers and Stashers
Publication: Cape May County Herald (Cape May County, NJ)
Posted: Monday, October 01, 2007
http://www.capemaycountyherald.com/article/10192-middle-10-3-cachers-and-stashers


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III. Upcoming "Mega" Events (1 Event)
--------------------------------------

1. Midwest GeoBash 2008 (Mega-Event Cache) (GC154HT)
Location: Indiana, United States (440.1mi E (708.2km E))
Date: 8/7/2008 by Midwest Geobash

http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_details.aspx?guid=7caee4b0-27d9-4e6b-8fcf-2abc49452d8f

--------------------------------
IV. Upcoming Events (10 Events)
--------------------------------


1. Breakfast at the Moose (Event Cache) (GCRYM1)
Location: Nebraska, United States (116.9mi W (188.2km W))
Date: 10/6/2007 by McGator

http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_details.aspx?guid=f0e939fe-5f8f-4bac-b817-ce2f88a2c9f7

2. GeocoinFest Multi Event (MOKAN) (Event Cache) (GC14YQG)
Location: Kansas, United States (196.9mi S (316.8km S))
Date: 10/6/2007 by larry739

http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_details.aspx?guid=84d26ab1-9b95-4044-97ae-4c94dcf5d637

3. Manning's Geocaching Adventure (Event Cache) (GC162X3)
Location: Iowa, United States (70.4mi W (113.3km W))
Date: 10/7/2007 by The NVG

http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_details.aspx?guid=851b2457-58a6-4903-b2d3-499706f93a17

4. Geocache the Bluffs (Event Cache) (GC12Z19)
Location: Iowa, United States (113.3mi W (182.3km W))
Date: 10/12/2007 by Spothors

http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_details.aspx?guid=b00f7b52-abf5-4529-b0f6-b2b0b4cdaed3

5. Central Iowa Geo Breakfast for October (Event Cache) (GC15TE4)
Location: Iowa, United States (13mi W (21km W))
Date: 10/13/2007 by Team Gamsci

http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_details.aspx?guid=df0d8a77-d877-491a-95bd-a24870b45446

6. Newton Hills Fall Event '07 (Event Cache) (GC15VNY)
Location: South Dakota, United States (182.3mi NW (293.3km NW))
Date: 10/13/2007 by EasternSDGeocaching

http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_details.aspx?guid=cef426b9-b9dd-4976-a02b-842d49481cb9

7. 1st Annual Night At The Pizza Ranch (Event Cache) (GC1563E)
Location: Iowa, United States (152.6mi NW (245.6km NW))
Date: 10/20/2007 by tacoboy

http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_details.aspx?guid=c2b2b39c-edb8-4b4f-bb48-4da20146efe6

8. Last Hoorah - 2007 (Event Cache) (GC15PA6)
Location: Iowa, United States (96.2mi NE (154.9km NE))
Date: 10/20/2007 by Muffkin42 X 2

http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_details.aspx?guid=32f45112-de0e-4c4f-8e1e-2f64da9d46c6

9. Tailgate At The Grudge (Event Cache) (GC15W3F)
Location: Iowa, United States (116.6mi E (187.7km E))
Date: 10/21/2007 by madkaw

http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_details.aspx?guid=8d7f55af-7994-43c3-bcb3-a992b5046064

10. Bugs, Bites and Conversation (Event Cache) (GC16BV6)
Location: Minnesota, United States (179.1mi N (288.3km N))
Date: 10/25/2007 by ArcherDragoon

http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_details.aspx?guid=c64fd5e2-2e28-494d-a49f-3eb9f809e447


-------------------------------------------
V. Recently Published Geocaches (9 Caches)
-------------------------------------------

1. CAN I PARK HERE??????????????????????????????????? (Traditional
Cache) (GC16DEQ)
Location: Iowa, United States (4.1mi N (6.6km N))
Date: 10/3/2007 by BLOODLUST

http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_details.aspx?guid=6ccce127-666f-4a4d-a957-a87699049bee

2. I SPY-WITH MY BLOODSHOT EYE-SOMETHING BLUE (Traditional Cache) (GC16DCN)
Location: Iowa, United States (4.2mi N (6.7km N))
Date: 10/3/2007 by BLOODLUST

http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_details.aspx?guid=bb999c5c-26ea-4edb-b098-11b1827e1421

3. IS K-MART RUNNING A SPECIAL 2NITE? (Traditional Cache) (GC16DET)
Location: Iowa, United States (4.3mi N (6.9km N))
Date: 10/3/2007 by BLOODLUST

http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_details.aspx?guid=634fe19a-a9ee-4efa-b0a2-75ecbbbd848d

4. George Beard 2 (Traditional Cache) (GC16ACA)
Location: Iowa, United States (4.7mi SE (7.5km SE))
Date: 9/29/2007 by runewell

http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_details.aspx?guid=e11beb28-dc9b-4a8b-9bf4-d2783faaa4f3

5. Silver Rover, Silver Rover,Send the NVG Right Over (Traditional
Cache) (GC16E6R)
Location: Iowa, United States (5.5mi E (8.8km E))
Date: 10/4/2007 by The NVG

http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_details.aspx?guid=f882bdd1-c692-4b62-ad38-5e2128b79b29

6. City Jewel Eight (Traditional Cache) (GC16A23)
Location: Iowa, United States (6.3mi E (10.2km E))
Date: 9/29/2007 by ddCustomFittedBras

http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_details.aspx?guid=74795fc0-b8ae-45f1-bd52-053751ac046a

7. Rittgers Rock (Traditional Cache) (GC16BQX)
Location: Iowa, United States (7.8mi NE (12.6km NE))
Date: 10/1/2007 by The NVG

http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_details.aspx?guid=d3bdc91b-9dcd-4b15-ae96-e42de6b7467b

8. Est. 1882 (Traditional Cache) (GC16A8D)
Location: Iowa, United States (32.8mi NW (52.8km NW))
Date: 9/29/2007 by teymay02

http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_details.aspx?guid=28dba31e-73e7-4cd3-afbe-252c08efb159

9. Birefringence (Unknown Cache) (GC16C88)
Location: Iowa, United States (93.7mi NE (150.9km NE))
Date: 10/3/2007 by Iowa Tom

http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_details.aspx?guid=a5fa6afe-bcc0-42eb-8e76-d06a25efe95d

###

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Wednesday, October 3, 2007

Inside Valley Ranch for Wednesday Oct 03, 2007




Inside Valley Ranch

Ellis' health is key to Cowboys' hopes

09:05 PM CDT on Tuesday, October 2, 2007


• E-mail

Greg Ellis makes the Cowboys' defense better when he's on the field, which was pretty easy to see in the Cowboys' win over St. Louis on Sunday.

For Dallas to become an elite defense that can contain offenses like those of New England and Indianapolis, the Cowboys need Ellis to play at a high level because he makes everyone else better. He forces teams to pick whether to help on his side or DeMarcus' Ware's side because each is capable of beating one-on-one blocking.

He makes Jacques Reeves and the rest of the secondary better because he improves the pass rush. And he'll eventually make the run defense better as his health improves and he gains more stamina. At 265 pounds, he can hold the point of attack against the run.

More important, the rest of the players on defense have confidence that he will make a big play at winning time because they've seen him do it on numerous occasions.

He had 1 ½ sacks in his first game this season as he continues to recover from a ruptured Achilles' tendon suffered last November. The Cowboys hope he will continue improving physically and peak right around the start of the playoffs. They're going to need him to be a difference-maker by the end of the season.

So much of winning in the NFL is mental that teams need every edge they can get. Ellis gives the Cowboys an edge.

COWBOYS Q&A

Q. I know this is crazy worry and paranoia, but will Jason Garrett jump next year and be somebody's head coach? Does Jerry Jones have contractual authority to deny him to move up? I was hoping he would succeed Wade Wilson, who I also don't want to leave soon.

Janice Johnson, Bowie, Md.

TAYLOR: I understand your worry, but you should think about Garrett and his personal goals more than the Cowboys' long-term success. Every assistant coach dreams of being a head coach, I'm sure Garrett is no different. But it's important that if he leaves, he goes to a stable organization that gives him a chance to be successful. He's a smart guy, so he knows all of this. Jones doesn't have contractual authority to deny him an opportunity to be a head coach, nor should he. Jones will probably gave him a significant raise in the off-season, but if the right job comes along, Garrett should take it.

• • •

Q. What made Tony Romo an undrafted rookie?

Sergio Seixas, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

TAYLOR: A lot of factors probably contributed to Romo's not being drafted. He's only 6-2. Most teams want a quarterback who's at least 6-4 because it helps them see over the offensive and defensive lines and reduces the odds that their passes will be knocked down at the line of scrimmage. He also played at a Division 1-AA school, so there were some questions about the competitive level. He's answered all of those questions and done a great job of working hard and improving each year.

• • •

Q. Should the Cowboys try to sign another receiver since Terry Glenn might not play this year? It seems to me that we need another go-to receiver other than Terrell Owens and Jason Witten. I'm just not sure we can count on Patrick Crayton and Sam Hurd to fill the gap. What do you think?

James Dickens

TAYLOR: It seems to me that Crayton and Hurd have done a pretty good job of filling for Terry Glenn, who surpassed the 1,000-yard mark each of the last two years. Neither is in Glenn's class, but they have enough ability to make his loss a little less painful. Crayton had been effective this season before Sunday, when he caught seven passes for 184 yards and two touchdowns. Hurd has taken advantage of his few opportunities, as well. I can't see signing another receiver except as an insurance policy.

• • •

Q. I think it's ironic that the defense spent all of training camp talking about how much better off it would be without Bill Parcells, but it appears to be the offense that has really benefited. Do Romo and the receivers feel that they were shackled in the previous offense, or that the scheme was bad?

Dorian Jung

TAYLOR: That's a good question. The Cowboys finished fourth in the NFL in points scored last season, so it wasn't as if they didn't have offense last year. The difference, I think, is that Jason Garrett is a lot more aggressive than Bill Parcells allowed Tony Sparano to be as a play-caller. Just look at the way the Cowboys approached the playoff game with Seattle last year. Although injuries had crippled the Seahawks' secondary, Parcells opted not to attack their weakness. The Cowboys still should've won, but had they been more aggressive, the game probably would've never come down to a field goal at the end.

• • •

Q. My question is regarding the salary cap and the signing of Tony Romo. I know the Cowboys want to get him signed up. I also know that the Cowboys are also about $13 million under the cap. Can the Cowboys sign Romo to a new contract that will pay him about $10 million for the rest of this year and allow relief in seasons to come?

Daniel Winkelman, St. Louis

TAYLOR: The Cowboys have plenty of room under the cap to accommodate Romo's new contract whenever it gets done. It will not be a problem this year or any other year in the near future.

• • •

Q. We saw Jerry Jones lock up Roy Williams, Bradie James and Jason Witten before they became free agents. Which current players, other than the obvious in Tony Romo, do you feel Jones should sign to long-term extensions?

Marco Terrazzano

TAYLOR: That's another good question. I would say Patrick Crayton, who will be a free agent at the end of the season, should get a good deal as a quality role player. As I like to say, every good team has tough, versatile players like Crayton on it. Nose tackle Jay Ratliff is another guy who will need to get paid when the time is right. The jury is still out on Chris Canty and Marcus Spears. Terence Newman will get paid, when the time is right, but it's going to be a tough negotiation because he'll be 30 and his body is already showing some signs of breaking down.

• • •

Q. Why was the torn biceps a season-ending injury for Jason Ferguson? I remember Ken Norton Jr. played at least a portion of the season with a torn biceps in the early '90s. Was Ferguson's tear more severe, or is it just more important for a nose tackle to have full use of his arms than a middle linebacker?

Jeff Whelchel, Amarillo

TAYLOR: You use your arms a lot more as a defensive tackle than as a linebacker in addition to having to put your hands on the ground for every play. It was also a severe tear that required surgery to repair. Remember, every injury is unique, just as everyone's ability to heal is unique. That's why it's hard to compare injuries and recovery rates.

• • •

Q. It struck me with the loss of Ferguson that Dallas seems to give up on players who can help. There are others like Skyler Green, who's returning punts and a backup receiver for the Bengals. Here are others we let get away: Scott Fujita, Michael Myers and Ebenezer Ekuban.

Why is this?

Chris Kline, Ashe County, N.C.

TAYLOR: Chris, in this era of free agency, you can't keep everybody. More important, none of those guys you mentioned is or has ever been a difference-maker. They were replaceable then and they're replaceable now.

• • •

Q. Is Kosier one of the more under-rated offensive linemen on this team? Week in and week out, he just does his job. Never gets penalties. I think he was definitely a good pick-up for us. Your thoughts?

Mark Canello, Windsor Locks, Conn.

TAYLOR: Kosier is a good, solid player. Everyone on the team can't be a star. You need some guys like Kosier, Crayton, Akin Ayodele, Bradie James and Anthony Henry who show up every Sunday, do what they're supposed to do and go home while the stars like Tony Romo, Jason Witten, Terrell Owens and DeMarcus Ware get all of the accolades.



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Tuesday, October 2, 2007

Fwd: [AllEars(r) Weekly Newsletter] Disney Cruise Line: A Cast Member in Training, Part

Hello Thomas!
Here's your copy of the latest ALL EARS(r) Weekly newsletter,
per your subscription request! Enjoy!
Deb Wills, Editor-in-Chief


ALL EARS(R) Weekly Newsletter

Sharing the Magic Worldwide

Walt Disney World News and Information

October 2, 2007 Issue #419

Established September 1999 Library of Congress ISSN: 1533-0753

----------------------------------------------------------------

Welcome to ALL EARS(R), a weekly electronic newsletter about
Walt Disney World, affiliated with Deb's Unofficial Walt Disney
World Information Guide. http://allearsnet.com

This newsletter is available by subscription only -- you're
receiving this newsletter because you subscribed, or because a
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unsubscribe, please scroll to the bottom of this newsletter
and follow the appropriate links or send an email message with
UNSUBSCRIBE in the subject line to: unsubscribe@allearsnet.com


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THIS ISSUE SPONSORED BY:

MouseFanTravel.com
Authorized MouseFest 2007 Travel Services Provider

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Special Offer - Walt Disney World(R) Resort
Select Nov/Dec dates from $59* per night
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Book your vacation package or cruise with us by October 31, 2007
& we'll
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----------------------------------------------------------------

Here's what you'll find in this issue:

Feature Article: Disney Cruise Line: A Cast Member in Training,
Part VI

Tips of the Week: Ideas for Strollers; Tusker House Now
Accepting Reservations; Special Dining at Hoop-Dee-Doo

News Bites: Epcot's 25th Celebration; 2008 Dreams Giveaway and
Catalog; Resort Pool Closings; Rehab News; DCL Podcasts;
On-board Check-in for DCL

ALL EARS(R) Hears -- LETTERS FROM OUR READERS!

FROM OUR EARS TO YOUR EYES! What's New on AllEarsNet.com?

Mousy Mindbogglers: Brain-teasing Riddles about WDW! Enjoy the
issue!

Deb Wills, Editor-in-Chief

----------------------------------------------------------------

FEATURE ARTICLE

Disney Cruise Line:
A Cast Member in Training
Part VI


by Kim Button
ALL EARS(R) Guest Columnist

In my last article, I talked about how hard it was to disembark
a cruise line ship when you re working as a crew member. Though
it was always nice to be able to step off the ship and onto dry
land, there were plenty of reasons why crew members wanted to
stay onboard. After all, as a Disney Cruise Line crew member,
the Wonder or Magic is literally your home for six months, and
your fellow crew members become your extended family.

Just like cruise line guests are excited and eager to enjoy the
deck parties, cocktail evenings and other occasions to have fun
and celebrate, the crew members are anxious for events of their
own. While it is fun to work a party as a crew member, you're
still expected to serve the guests and be professional. Let's
face it, crew members need time to themselves when they're not
serving the fruity frozen drink of the day, dancing the electric
slide or wearing the requisite shorts with a hem two inches
above your knee caps. That's where the crew pool comes in.

Some guests are aware of the Disney Cruise Line crew member pool
which is located at the bow of the ship. You might have seen it
from the guest decks and wondered, "How do I get to that pool?
There's hardly anyone there!" or you might have heard about it
during DCL trivia contests. The crew pool is literally one of
the few places where crew members can just hang out and be
themselves, without fear of acting improperly in front of
guests.

During the day, crew members can work on their tan, take a swim,
or just socialize in the open air and sunshine. At night, the
crew pool transforms itself into party central. This is where
the crew members gather to have drinks, talk about their day and
socialize. It's essentially just like any bar you'd go to after
a long day of work or during a night out on the town. Crew
parties last until the wee hours of the night, and sometimes
they actually have a theme, like a costume night.

When it was raining or the winds were just too rough, crew
parties were held inside. There was one common crew area, beside
the crew mess, where many crew activities took place. It was
generally just a meeting room, filled with seats and booths.
This is where we had crew training during our orientation
onboard the ship. However, at night, crew members gather here to
watch movies, have impromptu parties and generally just gather
with friends. Since crew rooms are so small and there are few
places available anywhere on the ship where crew members can
congregate outside of guest contact, these were essentially the
places to be seen.

Occasionally, crew members were allowed to "take over" guest
areas. The Cruise Staff and Children's Programming Department
routinely had parties in the area that used to be the ESPN Club
the night before members of our staff left the ship at the end
of their contract. Since this occurred quite frequently, we
could easily have gatherings in the Club late in the evening on
the nights before disembarkation when guests were busy packing
their suitcases and weren't staying in the clubs too late.

We were also fortunate to be able to take over the Spa late one
night. We weren't able to enjoy spa services, but we could
utilize the steam showers and saunas. At that point, a full size
shower was definitely a luxury experience.

Crew members could go to the spa for discounted services or
haircuts, but it still wasn't cheap. For hair cuts and personal
grooming supplies, most crew members tried to get to Wal-Mart,
Walgreens or the mall when we were in our home port. Thankfully,
there is a transportation service just for crew members that
allowed us to get into the city and run our errands without
needing to hire a taxi. The crew buses service all cruise lines,
and are essentially shuttle buses that have scheduled pick up
times at the most popular spots that crew members frequent.
Without the crew shuttles, it would have been much more
difficult to get into town since very few crew members have
cars.

Time in port is also when crew members try to get in contact
with their family. Since most crew members are not from the
U.S., it's a challenge for them to find and use international
calling cards on the public pay phones that are banked outside
of the crew disembarkation point. Have you ever noticed the
lines of crew members standing around pay phones at ports of
call? This is the only time that we were able to really talk to
our families, and the nuances of trying to use international
calling cards are extremely frustrating. Remember, we have very
little time off the ship so being patient and trying to figure
out the phones while the time clock is ticking is extremely
annoying. I was reduced to tears more than once just trying to
get a phone call to go through to my family in the U.S. from a
pay phone in the Bahamas or Mexico. In fact, there's a pay phone
in Cozumel that took quite a "beating" during my frustration in
trying to make an international phone call. (I never did
succeed.)

Of course, if you have a cell phone you can use it while in
port... in theory. Though I had a cell phone, it wouldn't pick
up reception on most parts of the ship while in port. I walked
the decks endlessly trying to get a signal. Though reception was
a bit better while we were sailing out of port, I was usually
working during that time and couldn't make any calls. So, in
order to stay in touch with my family and hear their voices, I
either had to take a crew shuttle into town so I could get phone
reception and call them around 7 or 8 a.m. (thankfully my family
was in the same time zone that I was), or use the static-filled
public phones in ports of call while other crew members were
standing in line behind me anxiously awaiting their turn on the
phone.

Staying in touch with family members is one of the hardest parts
about working onboard a cruise line. In my next article, I'll
share stories of the trials and tribulations of receiving mail,
meeting up with family members, and just trying to stay in
contact with the rest of the world.

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

RELATED LINKS:

Read Kim's first article in the series at:
http://allearsnet.com/cruise/issue389.htm
Part II is at:http://allearsnet.com/cruise/issue393.htm
Part III is at: http://allearsnet.com/cruise/issue398.htm
Part IV is at:http://allearsnet.com/cruise/issue404.htm
Part V is at: http://www.allearsnet.com/cruise/issue412.htm

]

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

Kimberly Button is the author of The Disney Queue Line Survival
Guidebook. For more information, to read an excerpt, and to sign
up for a monthly newsletter featuring Disney-themed activities,
visit www.disneysurvivalguide.com

Purchase Kim's book via: http://allearsnet.com/store.htm#2

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----------------------------------------------------------------


TIPS OF THE WEEK!


Mary Ellen shares a few tips for stroller users: Bring a
clamp-on type umbrella. We were able to bend ours around to keep
our toddler shaded at all times. We saw many strollers with
canopies where the kids were still directly in the sun. Also,
buy clear, 39-gallon garbage bags. They are cheap, and cover an
umbrella stroller nicely. Also you can carry two or three in a
small bag and just throw them out when you are done. Finally, if
your umbrella stroller doesn't have a basket, consider a bag
that will snap on. Snaps are important so you can swing the bag
around to the seat so the stroller doesn't flip over when you
leave it. Ours was quilted, which helped keep our drink bottles
insulated in the pockets. It also was able to stay on when you
folded the stroller up too.

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

Cathy B. comments: I just called 407-WDW-DINE and I was able to
make a dining reservation for an upcoming trip, December 16, at
Tusker House. They were taking reservations for the new
character breakfast buffet and lunch/dinner non-character
buffet. The lunch buffet will cost $23.99/adult and $12.99/child
3-9. (They said they were still unable to make reservations for
Yak & Yeti.)

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

Michelle Buchecker says: Even if you are not a fan of food on
the bone, don't let that stop you from going to the Hoop-Dee-Doo
Revue. I let our hotel concierge know my aversion to food on the
bone and he called over to Hoop-Dee-Doo. When we arrived I was
served one of the most tender, juicy and well-seasoned boneless,
skinless chicken breasts I have ever had. Great also for those
watching their weight. The restaurant requests that you let them
know at least 12 hours in advance. Enjoy the show!

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

Submit your Tip of the Week to: allearsnet@yahoo.com

And don't forget to check our searchable database of reader tips
http://allearsnet.com/rta/tips.php

----------------------------------------------------------------


NEWS BITES


Epcot Celebrates 25 Years on October 1, 2007. The park was
buzzing with a re-dedication ceremony, limited merchandise,
talks with Marty Sklar, a special IllumiNations finale, and a
new exhibit in Innoventions (slated to be open until the end of
2007). Deb Wills and LindaMac are blogging about their
experiences over at BlogCentral:
http://allearsnet.com/blogs/


-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

Since Disney's "Year of a Million Dreams"has been extended into
next year, new "money-can't-buy" Disney dream prizes have been
announced for the 2008 Disney Dreams Giveaway. In addition to
continuing to hand out such "dreams" as Dream FASTPASS badges,
special viewing for parades, Disney shopping sprees, and Dream
Mouse Ears or Pin and Lanyard sets, the prizes include:

-- A chance for guests to spend the night inside Disneyland in
Walt's Dream Suite. Using architectural renderings that Walt
Disney himself commissioned for an in-park, family retreat that
was never completed, Disneyland Resort is creating a lavish new
guest suite in the park s New Orleans Square. Beginning Jan. 31,
2008 -- and continuing most nights throughout the year - a
different winner will be chosen through a random process to
bring up to five guests to live Walt's dream and spend that
night in the Disneyland Dream Suite inside Disneyland Park.

-- A private day at Disney's tropical island paradise, Castaway
Cay.

-- A New Year's Eve night stay inside Cinderella Castle Suite at
Walt Disney World Resort.

-- A trip to the "High School Musical 3" film premiere for two
winners and up to three guests each. One prize includes a VIP
vacation to Disneyland Resort in California and the other
features a VIP vacation to Walt Disney World Resort in Florida
where the music and excitement of "High School Musical" comes to
life in high-energy shows.

-- Become Disney's Grand Marshal Around the Globe. One winner
and up to three guests will be sent on a 15-day whirlwind tour
of four Disney destinations -- Disneyland Resort, Walt Disney
World Resort, Hong Kong Disneyland and Disneyland Resort Paris.
At each stop on the magical journey, the winner will serve as
Honorary Grand Marshal of Disney's daily parade.

These prizes and more are featured in an online catalog known as
the Disney Dreams Catalog, which can be found at
www.DisneyParks.com/DreamCatalog.

The full press release can be found here:
http://allearsnet.com/news/hnews.htm#100107

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

REHABS:

Snow White's Scary Adventures will be closed for refurbishment
January 28 February 15, 2008.

Splash Mountain will be closed for refurbishment from January 1
to February 15, 2008.

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

RESORT POOL CLOSINGS -- Cooler weather means it's time for
maintenance on the Disney resort pools:

The Uzima Pool Slide at Animal Kingdom Lodge will be closed
October 8-19, 2007. Note that only the slide will be closed --
the pool itself will stay open.

The Yacht Club's "Quiet" Pool will be closed from October 22 to
November 29, 2007. The Beach Club's "Quiet" Pool will be closed
December 3-21, 2007. As an alternative, guests can use the Dunes
Cove pool at the Beach Club Villas, or Stormalong Bay.

The Caribbean Beach Resort's Barbados Village Pool will be
closed for refurbishment October 22-24, 2007. The main pool
located at Old Port Royale will then be closed for refurbishment
from January 7 to mid-September 2008. The resort has six other
non-feature pools at each of the "islands" within the resort,
that will be open during this timeframe. Small child-sized pool
slides will be temporarily added to the pools at the Jamaica
Village and Barbados Village.

The Jaguar Slide at Coronado Springs Resort's Dig Site will be
closed on November 26. Only the slide will be closed; the pool
will remain open.

The Wilderness Swimmin' Pool at Fort Wilderness will be closed
November 26 and 27. Meadow Swimmin' Pool will be partially
closed November 28 and 30 while its deck is cleaned; however the
pool will remain open.

The pools at Pop Century will stagger the days their decks are
cleaned. During these dates, decks will partially close, but the
pools will remain open:
-- Bowling Pin Pool: December 3 and 4
-- Computer Pool: December 5 and 6
-- Hippy Dippy Pool December 10 and 11

Port Orleans Riverside's "Quiet" Pool at Alligator Bayou will be
closed on December 17 and 18; all other pools at the resort will
remain open.

Hidden Springs Pool at the Villas at the Wilderness Lodge will
be closed October 8 - November 21. The feature pool at
Wilderness Lodge will be open during this refurbishment.

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

The seasonal program Campfire on de' Bayou is offered October
through February only on Sunday and Thursday nights, 6:30 - 8
p.m., at Port Orleans Resort (weather permitting). Cast members
read stories about the resort and have guest sing-alongs at the
campfire site located behind the Fishin' Hole at Ol' Man Island.
No reservations are necessary. The price for s'more kits is
$5.25 (tax included).

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

Disney Cruise Line now offers short video podcasts that showcase
the unique experiences Disney offers on a cruise vacation,
providing guests in-depth, portable information on specific
areas of Disney Cruise Line. Each episode is hosted by family
travel expert Emily Kaufman, also known as The Travel Mom, who
offers tips for parents looking to take a cruise vacation.
Interested guests can find all of the videos on
www.disneycruise.com. In addition to watching episodes on the
website or downloading them directly to their computer or video
iPod, you can also share episodes with friends and family via
email.

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

Beginning this fall, Disney Cruise Line will introduce Onboard
Airline Check-In, a new service that enables qualified guests to
check-in for their post-cruise flights while on board the Disney
Magic or Disney Wonder, eliminating the need to do so at Orlando
International Airport. Guests participating in Onboard Airline
Check-In will not have to collect their luggage upon
debarkation, since checked luggage will be transported directly
from the ship to the guest's flight. While on the cruise,
guests' boarding passes will be delivered to their staterooms
the day prior to disembarkation. Upon the ship's return to Port
Canaveral, participating guests can proceed directly to Customs
and then to Orlando International Airport where they bypass
check-in and continue straight to airport security and on to
their assigned departure gate. To take advantage of this
service, guests will need to meet certain requirements and be
booked on a domestic flight on one of the seven participating
air carriers: AirTran Airways, Alaska Airlines, American
Airlines, Continental Airlines, Delta Airlines, Northwest
Airlines, or United Airlines/Ted. Eligible guests will be able
to enroll for Onboard Airline Check-in by completing
pre-registration information received at Orlando International
Airport or one of the Disney Cruise Line Hospitality Desks at
the Walt Disney World Resort and turning it in during check-in
at Port Canaveral.

----------------------------------------------------------------


ALL EARS(R) HEARS

EDITOR'S NOTE: Items we run in ALL EARS(R) HEARS are from emails
we receive from our readers, and are not necessarily confirmed
announcements from the Walt Disney Company. We run these items
merely as points of interest; they often contain speculation or
hearsay. If we are not able to confirm a piece of information we
receive from a reader by the time we go to press, we may publish
it in the ALL EARS(R) HEARS section to get feedback from others
as to whether the item has any foundation. For factual
information that has been confirmed or published by the Walt
Disney Company, please refer to our NEWS BITES section, which
generally runs above this section.

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

... The AllEars(R) team would like to extend a special thank you
to everyone who stopped by and said hello to us this past
weekend, as well as to those who braved the heat and humidity
during our Food and Wine stroll. You helped make our trip a
magical one!

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

... from Angela, NC: We saw the new High School Musical 2:
School's Out! show/parade at the Studios on its opening day. It
was really good. They come out on a float and have dancers all
around. They start off at the front gates, park in the center
(by Mickey's Hat) and then go back to the front area. They get
children up to dance with them throughout the show. Since I
wasn't timing the show my guess is that it lasted about 20 to 30
minutes. My advice is to get as close to the front as you can if
you want your children to get up there and dance. You will see
most of the area's blocked off, but as soon as the float parks
they take down the ropes and let you move up close to the
staging area.

EDITOR'S NOTE: The show is actually about 25 minutes long,
according to AllEars(R) Researcher Kenny. If you get to the Hat
about 20 minutes before the show starts, talk to the cast
members in the dark green costumes, who should be able to tell
you where you need to be before the float arrives. The morning
shows are crowded, but the afternoon shows (those after the
parade) are less crowded, making it easier to get good vantage
points with less wait time.

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

... from Marsha Emch: We just came back from the Grand Floridian
PhotoPass session (20-30 minutes with a private PhotoPass
photographer) and were told that they plan to expand this
service to "all of the hotels," if it is successful. The next
one scheduled for a trial is the Polynesian PhotoPass in 2008.

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

... from Mary Ellen: We used Kids Nite Out on September 16 at
Old Key West resort. Our sitter was Diane. She was great. I was
very, very nervous and ready to back out, but when she arrived
she completely set me and my husband at ease. She clicked right
away with my 3 1/2-year-old daughter. My daughter could have
cared less when we left. She brought plenty of activities to
keep a busy child happy. She checked in with us before we had a
chance to check in with her. She kept a diary of all that they
did while we were gone so that we would know. My daughter didn't
want her to leave, they had a blast. I would definitely use this
service again and would request Diane again!

http://allearsnet.com/pl/childfaq.htm

Do you have experiences to share about either Disney's Kid Clubs
or other in-room child care services? Drop us a note via our
feedback form:

http://allearsnet.com/forms/feedback.htm

----------------------------------------------------------------

MOUSY MINDBOGGLERS
Sponsored by

http://www.dvcbyresale.com/

Think you know Walt Disney World inside and out? This ALL EARS
(R) feature is designed to stump WDW enthusiasts.

Here is another batch of "Written Hidden Mickeys" by Guest
Mindboggler Bret Sohl. Somewhere in each of the following
statements is a Disney-related term, character name or
attraction. The letters are in order and are not jumbled up.

EXAMPLES:

1. Always alloW ALTernates when planning your day at Disney.
(The "Hidden Mickey" in this sentence is WALT.)

2. I have a coMIC KEYpad for my computer. (The "Hidden Mickey"
in this sentence is MICKEY.)

Got it? Then here are Bret's Written Hidden Mickeys! HINT:
Sometimes the sentence is a clue as to what the Hidden Mickey
is!

1. In the battle of the beasts I'm backing the king of the
jungle!

2. I had a scary dream that I met an evil Raja far away in a
distant land.

3. I think I will take Latin this year in school.

4. So far I have met Peter and the Captain and Wendy. Let's meet
them all!

Do you know the answers? PLEASE, please read our rules
carefully:

1) You must be an ALL EARS(R) subscriber. 2) You must be 18
years of age or older. 3) Only ONE entry per subscriber.
Multiple entries will result in disqualification. 4) All entries
become the exclusive property of ALL EARS(R) and will not be
acknowledged or returned. 5) Only ONE winner per household. If
you've previously won a Mousy Mindboggler snowglobe, please do
not enter again. Your entry will be disqualified. 6) Void where
prohibited.

Our complete Mousy Mindboggler rules can be found at
http://allearsnet.com/ae/mbrules.htm

TO ENTER: Send your guesses IN THE SUBJECT LINE of an email
message to: mmindboggler@yahoo.com

NOTE: If your answers do not fit in the subject line, you may
send them in the body of the email, but please do this ONLY if
your answers will not fit on the subject line.

DEADLINE: Send your guesses in NO LATER THAN 11:59 p.m.
(Eastern), Sunday, October 7, 2007. One email will be chosen at
random from the correct answers.

The winner of this week's Mousy Mindboggler will receive a
beautiful Disney snowglobe courtesy of Shontell Crawford and
http://www.dvcbyresale.com/

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

The solution to LAST WEEK'S Mousy Mindboggler:

If you're a fan of television game shows you may recognize the
"Before and After" concept. We give the descriptions of two
Disney-related terms (restaurant, shop, attraction, parade,
event, etc.) that have a common word in the middle. The solution
is a new, combined Disney-related term.

For example:

One of Epcot's newest thrill rides +

one of WDW's favorite roller coasters in the dark =

Mission: SPACE Mountain. (Mission:SPACE + Space Mountain)

Last week, Guest Mindboggler Heather submitted a BEFORE AND
AFTER challenge:

Hemingway would have loved the pizza here

+

A mode of transport to the Magic Kingdom that gets you there in
high gear

= ?????

SOLUTION:

Sassagoula Pizza Express

+

Express Monorail

=

Sassagoula Pizza EXPRESS Monorail

Congratulations to Harry W. of Ohio, whose email was chosen from
only 39 submitted with the correct answer this week. (Yes, it
was a bit of a challenge this week!) Harry will receive a
beautiful Disney snowglobe courtesy of Shontell Crawford and
http://www.dvcbyresale.com/ -- a perfect year-round reminder of
the Disney Magic!

Many thanks to all of you for playing!

----------------------------------------------------------------


PHOTO OF THE WEEK

A simple magical touch of the hand can make a little girl's
dream come true, as portrayed in this week's photo, submitted by
Jennifer Siwula of Arlington, Virginia.

http://allearsnet.com/pw/pw.htm

Do YOU have a wonderful photograph that captures the Magic of
Walt Disney World? Send it to us and it could be chosen as our
Photo of the Week! Each week we'll select one photograph that we
think best conveys that extra sprinkling of pixie dust, and
display it for all our readers to see. Send us your favorite
memories and let's see what "develops!"

http://allearsnet.com/pw/pw.htm#guidelines

----------------------------------------------------------------

FROM OUR EARS TO YOUR EYES!
WHAT'S NEW ON ALLEARSNET.COM?

The 2008 Epcot International Food & Wine Festival has begun!
Reviews of several opening weekend events, with some photos:

Cheese Tastings by Jack Spence:
http://allearsnet.com/tp/ep/fw07/fw07_cheese.htm

The Cook, The Book and The Bottle by Jack Spence:
http://allearsnet.com/tp/ep/fw07/cbb.htm

Food & Wine Pairing in France by Gloria:
http://allearsnet.com/tp/ep/fw07/fw07_pair.htm

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

A new suite is being built at Disneyland for the 2008 Disney
Dreams Giveaway. Read the press release here:

http://allearsnet.com/dlr/news/hnews_dl.htm#dl100107d

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

Disneyland Resort recently raised ticket prices. AllEars(R)
Disneyland Correspondent Laura Gilbreath updated the Disneyland
Ticket FAQ here:

http://allearsnet.com/dlr/tp/tkt.htm

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

This week at All Ears(R) Blog Central:
http://www.allearsnet.com/blogs/

Linda Mac writes about the dedication ceremony for the new
National Treasures exhibit in the American Adventure and her
experiences at Epcot's 25th Celebration:
http://allearsnet.com/blogs/lindamac/

Deb Wills blogs about her experiences at Epcot's Celebration 25:
http://allearsnet.com/blogs/debwills/

Disneyland Correspondent Laura Gilbreath reveals just how many
sweet teeth she has as she talks about Halloween treats at
Disneyland Resort:
http://allearsnet.com/blogs/lauragilbreath/

Picture This! Barrie, Scott and Lisa share their latest photo
tips:
http://www.allearsnet.com/blogs/photoblog/

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

Need an answer? Then read Anita Answer! This week Anita answers
questions all about Epcot, in honor of the park's 25th
anniversary: the Fountain of Nations Dedication Ceremony; the
Experimental "City" or "Community" of Tomorrow; countries
originally slated for World Showcase; Mission: SPACE standing or
sitting; greenhouse boat ride in Epcot; and EPCOT Center's
opening date.

http://allearsnet.com/aa/anita.htm

----------------------------------------------------------------

FEATURED SITES

2007 Unofficial Guidebook to Walt Disney World

Our website has more than 100 stress-free touring plans for all
four Disney parks, for parents, seniors and adults.
Use code AEN1002T for 20% off the one-year subscription of
$7.95.
(AllEars(R) Readers pay $6.36.)

Free samples at www.TouringPlans.com

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

"Guide to the Magic for Kids" is here!

It's a guidebook, souvenir photo book, sticker book, journal and
more!
For kids and kids at heart.
Special AllEars(R) offer $25 - FREE SHIPPING

http://www.guidetothemagic.com/shoppingaenspecialoffer.htm
----------------------------------------------------------------

ALL EARS(R) Archives: ALL EARS(R) feature articles through
September 4, 2007, have been archived. If you want to receive
the rest of the ALL EARS(R) news and other juicy bits of timely
WDW information, you must be a subscriber! Why not sign up now?
http://allearsnet.com/ae/ae.htm

----------------------------------------------------------------

Copyright - Disclaimer - Reprint - Contact

(C)1999-2007, All Rights Reserved. RYI Enterprises, LLC.

RYI Enterprises, LLC owns and operates AllEarsNet.com, which
comprises Deb's Unofficial Walt Disney World Information Guide
and the ALL EARS(R) weekly newsletter(allearsnet.com), and
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AllEarsNet.com and ALL EARS(R) are not affiliated with,
authorized or endorsed by, or in any way officially connected
with, The Walt Disney Company, Disney Enterprises, Inc., or any
of their affiliates. For official Disney information, visit
http://www.disney.com

Editor-in-Chief: Deb Wills
Senior Editor: Debra Martin Koma

For questions on general Walt Disney World planning info that
appears on this site, send a query using our feedback form:
http://allearsnet.com/forms/feedback.htm

For advertising and other business-related issues contact:
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Fwd: DallasNews.com From The 50 on Tuesday Oct 02, 2007




From The 50

AFC South rises to top of NFL

12:02 PM CDT on Tuesday, October 2, 2007


• E-mail

In a league driven by parity, you need about a month to sort out the haves from the have-nots in a given NFL season.

But with defending division champions Chicago, Philadelphia and San Diego all at 1-3 and New Orleans floundering at 0-3, I admit I'm still trying to get a handle on the have-nots in 2007.

But I know the haves – the AFC South. Almost overnight it's become the best division in football.

Indianapolis is the defending Super Bowl champion and Houston, Jacksonville and Tennessee are all bearing the fruits of recent youth movements. The Colts are 4-0, the Jaguars and Titans both 2-1 and the Texans 2-2.

The Colts have the best quarterback in the NFL in Peyton Manning and the Titans the best young quarterback in Vince Young. The AFC South currently has three defenses in the top 11 – No. 4 Jacksonville, No. 9 Tennessee and No. 11 Indianapolis – and the Texans aren't far behind at No. 14.

The AFC South features Tennessee's Vince Young, the NFL's top young quarterback.
AP
The AFC South features Tennessee's Vince Young, the NFL's top young quarterback.

On paper, the AFC South is stout. But on the field is where the South has separated itself from the rest. Through the first month of the season, the South has posted a league-best 10-4 record. This division is 4-1 versus the NFC, 6-1 on the road and 7-1 outside the division.

Don't be surprised if both AFC wild cards come out of the South this season. The NFL went to a two wild-card format in 1978 and seven times a division produced three playoff teams in the 1980s. The NFL went to three wild cards in 1990 and a single division produced three playoff teams 14 times in that format.

But since 2002 when the NFL realigned and created four division with only two wild cards, a single division has produced three wild cards only once – the NFC East in 2006 when the Eagles, Cowboys and Giants all advanced.

Don't be surprised if the AFC South claims three playoff spots in 2007. This division is loaded. Not only does the South have four of the best teams in the AFC, it has four of the better teams in the NFL.

Here's a list of the divisions that have produced three or more playoff teams in a season:

Year Division Teams
2006 NFC East 3 – Philadelphia, Dallas, NY Giants
2001 AFC East 3 – New England, Miami, NY Jets
2001 NFC Central 3 – Chicago, Green Bay, Tampa Bay
1999 AFC East 3 – Indianapolis, Buffalo, Miami
1999 NFC Central 3 – Tampa Bay, Minnesota, Detroit
1998 AFC East 4 – NY Jets, Miami, Buffalo, New England
1997 NFC Central 4 – Green Bay, Tampa Bay, Detroit, Minnesota
1996 AFC East 3 – New England, Buffalo, Indianapolis
1995 AFC East 3 – Buffalo, Indianapolis, Miami
1994 NFC Central 4 – Minnesota, Detroit, Green Bay, Chicago
1993 AFC West 3 – Kansas City, LA Raiders, Denver
1993 NFC Central 3 – Detroit, Minnesota, Green Bay
1992 NFC East 3 – Dallas, Philadelphia, Washington
1991 AFC West 3 – Denver, Kansas City, LA Raiders
1990 NFC East 3 – NY Giants, Philadelphia, Washington
1989 AFC Central 3 – Cleveland, Houston, Pittsburgh
1988 AFC Central 3 – Cleveland, Cincinnati, Houston
1985 AFC East 3 – Miami, NY Jets, New England
1984 AFC West 3 – Denver, Seattle LA Raiders
1983 AFC West 3 – LA Raiders, Seattle, Denver
1981 AFC East 3 – Miami, NY Jets, Buffalo
1981 NFC East 3 – Dallas, Philadelphia, NY Giants
Teams in bold won the Super Bowl.

Now, here's my impression of the NFL as we make the first scheduling turn into October:

If the SuperBowl were played tomorrow

Let's switch it up this week and go with the Cowboys and Colts. The defending Super Bowl champions would have a definite advantage in big-game experience over the Cowboys. The Colts have won seven playoff games since the Cowboys last won in the postseason in 1996. Even the Arizona Cardinals have won a playoff game more recently than the Cowboys.

The Darren McFadden Derby

The winless St. Louis Rams are 29th in the NFL in offense, 24th in defense and currently without five starters because of injury. The Rams are 0-4 and in a funk. But there's a problem looming down the road. The Rams already have long-term financial commitments in Pro Bowl quarterback Marc Bulger and running back Steven Jackson. That likely would knock Louisville quarterback Brian Brohm and Arkansas running back Darren McFadden out of consideration if St. Louis winds up with that first overall pick in the 2008 draft. Then that choice would seemingly go to the highest bidder.

Commish for a day

Just a pet peeve of mine: I'd eliminate the option of kicking the extra point. Make teams run or throw for the extra point after touchdowns. If there's anything routine in football, it's the conversion kick. League-wide, NFL teams converted 564 of 571 extra-point kicks in 2006. Kicking is boring. The less of it in NFL games, the better. There'd be more twists and turns strategically if every conversion is by land or air.

Goose 101

Wonder why the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are alone atop the NFC South? They aren't beating themselves. Quarterback Jeff Garcia has not thrown an interception in 90 passes this season and the Bucs lost only four fumbles in September. Garcia has a personal streak of 110 consecutive passes without an interception dating to last December. If you don't beat yourself, you can win games in the NFL. Here's a look at the league's top six teams in the giveaway/takeaway ratio:

Team Ratio W-L
Indianapolis Plus-7 4-0
Dallas Plus-7 4-0
Seattle Plus-5 3-1
Tampa Bay Plus-4 3-1
Green Bay Plus-3 4-0
Pittsburgh Plus-3 3-1

Trivia question

Who was the last player to intercept Garcia? Answer below.

Looking back at my weekend in Indianapolis

The Colts will have a new home in 2008, moving across the street from the RCA Dome into Lucas Oil Stadium. The shell of the stadium is about two-thirds built. There will be a retractable roof and a glass wall facing the downtown skyline. The new stadium looks like Reliant Stadium in Houston but has an exterior with a fieldhouse feel that the NBA Pacers have at their home a couple of blocks away at Conseco.

Looking ahead at my weekend in Pittsburgh

I've got tickets in Dallas on Friday night for the Stars' NHL home opener against the Boston Bruins. I'm tempted to go to the Ducks-Penguins game on Saturday night when I'm in Pittsburgh as well. It'd be a nice warmup for Seahawks-Steelers on Sunday. I always thought it was neat that all three of Pittsburgh's pro teams have the same color scheme – black and gold.

Rising stock

Dwayne Bowe, WR, Kansas City. Wide receiver Calvin Johnson ran a 4.35 for NFL talent evaluators last winter. That's why he went to Detroit on the second overall pick of the 2007 draft. Wide receiver Ted Ginn ran a 4.38. That's why he went to the Miami Dolphins on the ninth overall pick. Bowe ran a 4.51, which is why he slid all the way to the Kansas City Chiefs at No. 23. Measurables get a player drafted in April – but ability gets him on the field in September. Despite a lack of perceived speed, Bowe has emerged as the best wideout in a deep receiver class. He has scored a touchdown in each of his first three NFL starts for the Chiefs, and propelled KC to a 30-16 upset of San Diego last weekend with an eight-catch, 164-yard performance that included a 51-yard touchdown. He broke the club record for receiving yards by a rookie set 47 years ago by Johnny Robinson in the inaugural season of the franchise (130 yards vs. Buffalo). The 164 yards were also the most by a KC receiver in a game since 1998 when Derrick Alexander slapped 178 yards on San Diego.

Falling stock

Cedric Benson, HB, Chicago . The Bears felt they were stifling 2005 first-round draft pick Cedric Benson by having him split the carries at halfback with Thomas Jones over the last two seasons. Expecting Benson to blossom in 2007, the Bears traded away Jones in the off-season. But Benson's coming-out party has not materialized. He's struggled along with the rest of his 1-3 teammates. He did rush for 101 yards in Chicago's only victory over Kansas City in Week 2. But he has been held to 50 yards or less with a fumble in each of the three losses. Patience is wearing thin. Last week, the Bears started working in third-round draft pick Garrett Wolfe, giving him his first carries of the season.

Around the Ranch

The Cowboys rank first in the NFL in scoring, second in offense and fifth in both passing and rushing. But the most impressive offensive statistic to me is the time of possession. With Tony Romo, the Cowboys will always be considered a passing team – yet Dallas leads the NFC in time of possession at 32 minutes, 47 seconds per game. That's almost 1:45 longer than the Cowboys held onto the ball in games last season. If you have the ball, the other team doesn't – and you can't score without the ball. Four AFC teams have held onto the ball longer than the Cowboys, though: New England (34:25), Baltimore (33:54), Pittsburgh (33:49) and Tennessee (33:25).

Factoid

Atlanta's Joey Harrington threw two touchdown passes to wide receiver Michael Jenkins last weekend. He gets the ball to his wide receivers, something his predecessor, Mike Vick, failed to do. Jenkins became the first Atlanta wide receiver to catch two TD passes in a game since Halloween of 2004 when Peerless Price caught a pair from Vick against Denver. That was 44 games ago. Vick threw only eight TD passes to his wideouts last season. Harrington has thrown three to his wides in the last two weeks.

From the wallet

If I'm buying an NFL ticket this week, here's how I spend my money:

Luxury box, Tampa Bay at Indianapolis . The Buccaneers fired Tony Dungy after the 2001 season despite three consecutive playoff appearances because the Glazer family didn't believe he could take them to the next plateau. The Colts quickly snapped up Dungy and he has since coached them to five consecutive seasons of 10-plus wins. That translates into five consecutive playoff seasons, two AFC title game appearances and a Super Bowl championship in 2006. In his one previous game against the Bucs – a Monday nighter in Tampa in 2003 – the Colts became the only team in NFL history to rally from a 21-point deficit in the final four minutes of regulation for a 38-35 victory. Dungy gets another shot against his old team Sunday. The matchup has added spice in that both teams lead their divisions. The Colts sit atop the AFC South at 4-0, the Bucs atop the NFC South at 3-1.

Club seat, Seattle at Pittsburgh . This is the only other game this weekend that pits two division leaders. The Steelers lead the AFC North at 3-1 and the Seahawks the NFC West also at 3-1. This matchup has added spice in that it's a rematch of the 2006 Super Bowl won by the Steelers, 21-10.

Downstairs on the 50, Jacksonville at Kansas City. Neither the Jaguars and Chiefs lead divisions, but both bring two-game winning streaks into Arrowhead Stadium on Sunday. The Jaguars are 2-1 and coming off their bye. The Chiefs are 2-2 and coming off a road upset against San Diego. Both teams are going to run the ball and play defense. The Chiefs enter the game with the NFL's third-ranked defense and the Jaguars are No. 4. The Chiefs will batter the Jacksonville front with Larry Johnson, and the Jaguars will attack the Kansas City front with Fred Taylor and Maurice Jones-Drew.

The game I've got circled on my calendar

Green Bay at Dallas, Nov. 29. The last remaining unbeatens in the NFC are the Packers and Cowboys, both at 4-0. Any chance they could both still be unbeaten two months from now? The Packers have three toughies on the road before then at Denver, Kansas City and Detroit. The Cowboys play the Patriots at home before then plus Philadelphia and the New York Giants on the road.

Yellow flags

The last guy the Cowboys want to see Monday night in Buffalo is referee Walt Anderson. In every game Anderson and his crew officiated in September, the home team won. The NFL has 17 officiating crews, and the Anderson crew was the only one that went 4-0 with home teams last month. The Cowboys will not be seeing Anderson on Monday, though. He officiated the Dallas-St. Louis game last weekend. The NFL does not assign officials to the same team on back-to-back weekends.

Book review

Greatest Team Ever, by Norm Hitzges and Ron St. Angelo. Hitzges, who has been a sports talk show host forever in Dallas, makes the case in this coffee table book that the 1991-95 Cowboys were the greatest dynasty ever. He's not alone in that thought.

In the book's foreward, Pat Summerall backs up Hitzges. Summerall either played against or provided TV commentary for all the game's great dynasties: the 1950s Browns, 1960s Packers, 1970s Steelers, 1980s 49ers and 2000s Patriots. "The chore of labeling any one of these incredible clubs as 'the best' approaches impossibility," Summerall writes. "But of those dynasties over the last 50 years, I have to go with the Dallas Cowboys as the best of them all. They had it all … and then some."

Troy Aikman and coach Jimmy Johnson celebrated the Cowboys' victory over Buffalo in Super Bowl XXVIII.
AP
Troy Aikman and coach Jimmy Johnson celebrated the Cowboys' victory over Buffalo in Super Bowl XXVIII.

Hitzges supplies a series of vignettes of the dynasty's critical moments from 1991 through 1995, and the photography of St. Angelo is on display throughout the book in vibrant color. St. Angelo was the team photographer for decades and had inside access, which he obviously put to good use over the years. The photos alone make the book a great keepsake for any football fan.

But Hitzges' argument of "greatest ever" makes the book attractive for the Cowboys fan. He bases his stand on the number of victories, playoff victories and Pro Bowls. Across the board, the Cowboys were tops of all the dynasties.

Hitzges also points out that if NFL free agency had not come along in 1993 and the Cowboys could have kept all their players like the previous dynasties, America's Team might have pushed their greatness out even further. But losing a Ken Norton, Russell Maryland, Mark Stepnoski, Dixon Edwards, Tony Casillas and others in free agency chipped away at the quality and depth of the roster.

It's a quick read. I read it on the plane last Saturday on the way to Indianapolis. You'll appreciate the candor of such players as Troy Aikman, Daryl Johnston, Charles Haley, Nate Newton, Stepnoski and James Washington.

I covered the Cowboys from 1990-91 when Jimmy Johnson was building them into a great team. I've long believed the 1992 Cowboys to be the greatest Super Bowl champion ever. They were young, deep, talented, fast and played the game with a swagger.

We all wonder how long the Cowboys could have kept their dynasty afloat if: a) Johnson and Jerry Jones could have gotten along; and b) free agency not arrived on the NFL landscape. As far as dynasties, though, I still favor the Lombardi Packers, who won five NFL titles in seven years with 10 Hall of Famers.

Draft Watch: wide receivers

Wide receiver Early Doucet caught 59 passes and scored 10 touchdowns for LSU in 2006. That doesn't strike me as anything special – until you consider his circumstances. Doucet was sharing the workload on the flank with two 2007 first-round draft picks, Dwayne Bowe (Kansas City) and Craig Davis (San Diego). In the final college game for Bowe and Davis – the 2007 Sugar Bowl – it was Doucet who lit up Notre Dame with eight catches and 115 yards. His name shows up on the draft board in 2008 and he could be the third first-round wideout produced by the Tigers in two years.

Here's a list of the top 10 senior wide receiver NFL draft prospects heading into the fall:

Player School Ht. Wt.
Limas Sweed Texas 6-4½ 219
Adarius Bowman Oklahoma State 6-3 220
Early Doucet LSU 6-0 211
Dorien Bryant Purdue 5-10 172
Donnie Avery Houston 5-11 183
Marcus Monk Arkansas 6-5 217
Andre Caldwell Florida 6-0 203
D.J. Hall Alabama 6-2 189
Harry Douglas Louisville 5-11 169
Paul Hubbard Wisconsin 6-3 217

The betting line

The NFL started incorporating byes into the schedule last weekend, so there were only 14 games on the card for Week 4. Underdogs won eight of them outright. Kansas City became the first double-digit underdog this season to win outright – and also the first double-digit underdog to win on the road. The Chiefs were 11½-point underdogs at San Diego but smoked the Chargers, 30-16. Oakland was the only other underdog to win on the road last weekend, toppling winless Miami.

Trivia answer

Cowboys cornerback Anthony Henry intercepted Garcia's final pass of the first quarter on Christmas Day 2006.

Two-minute drill

■ We're only a month into the season and already six teams are down to their second option at quarterback: Buffalo, Carolina, Chicago, Cleveland, Minnesota and Oakland. Baltimore and the New York Jets also started backups in games in September. A ninth team is likely to make a switch this week because of a separated shoulder suffered by Alex Smith. San Francisco will go with Trent Dilfer against the team he led to a Super Bowl championship in 2000, the Baltimore Ravens.

■ The NFL schedule-maker certainly did the Kansas City Chiefs no favors. The league started the Chiefs off with three of their first four games on the road. Now Kansas City's next two games – Jacksonville and Cincinnati – are against teams coming off byes.

■ What's impressive about the 4-0 start by the Colts is that all four victories came against teams that sat atop their divisions at game time. New Orleans was 0-0, Tennessee 1-0, Houston 2-0 and Denver 2-1. The Colts play a fifth consecutive first-place team Sunday against 3-1 Tampa Bay.

■ The Carolina Panthers don't mind playing on the road. These days they welcome it. The Panthers are 2-2 with two losses at home and two victories on the road.

■ The Eagles gained 190 yards the other night against the New York Giants. But they were penalized 15 times for 132 yards and sacked 12 times for 62 yards. That left them 4 yards in the hole. You're not going to win many games with yardage on the negative side of the ledger.

Final thought

The Chargers are reeling at 1-3. They've lost their identity both on offense and defense. If I were coach Norv Turner, I'd revert to what made the Chargers a great team in 2006. I'd give the ball to LaDainian Tomlinson again and again and again this weekend in Denver.

He's the best player in the NFL. The more he touches the ball, the better player he becomes – and the better team the Chargers become. He has run the ball 17, 18, 20 and 22 times in San Diego's first four games this season. I'd make sure he gets 30 handoffs and maybe another five passes Sunday. For the Chargers to get back on track, Tomlinson needs to get back on track.



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