McDaniels Fined for taping practice

The NFL fined the Denver Broncos and coach Josh McDaniels $50,000 each after an employee violated the league's integrity-of-the-game policy by videotaping a six-minute portion of the San Francisco 49ers' Oct. 30 practice at Wembley Stadium in London.

The Broncos and NFL made the announcement Saturday, nearly one month after the 49ers' 24-16 victory over the Broncos on Oct. 31

The Broncos informed the NFL that team video director Steve Scarnecchia took the video and presented it that day to McDaniels, who declined to view it. However, McDaniels was fined because he failed to report the incident as required by league policy.

"I apologize for not promptly reporting the improper conduct of our video director before our game against the 49ers in London," McDaniel said in a statement released by the Broncos. "The actions of this individual are in no way representative of the values and integrity held by myself, our players and coaches, and the entire Denver Broncos organization.

"I understand the punishment from the National Football League and support its commitment to the integrity of the game. We have addressed the situation internally to assure that nothing like this happens again."

The Broncos also were fined because they are responsible for their employees' actions.

"The Denver Broncos and I, as the qwner, believe in the integrity of the National Football League and fair competition and do not, in any way, condone this type of behavior," Broncos owner Pat Bowlen said in a statement. "The fact that an employee of the Denver Broncos would take such action is personally disappointing to me. I apologize to all affected by this incident. ...

"This incident cuts into the trust and respect our fans, our ticket holders, our community and our fellow competitors have for our organization. That is why the Denver Broncos, upon learning of this violation, immediately investigated this matter and reported the incident to the league.

The Broncos terminated Scarnecchia's employment for cause. Also, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell notified Scarnecchia that, as a repeat violator of league rules relating to the integrity of the game, he will be the subject of a hearing to determine whether or not he should be barred from the league.

Scarnecchia and McDaniels previously worked for the New England Patriots, who were found to have videotaped New York Jets coaches sending in signals during a game four years ago. The NFL bans such videotaping and issued $750,000 in fines against the Patriots and coach Bill Belichick. The Patriots also were stripped of their 2008 first-round draft pick.

Scarnecchia worked for the Patriots between 2001 and 2005. McDaniels, who worked in New England from 2001 to 2009, hired Scarnecchia in Denver shortly after becoming the Broncos' coach 22 months ago.

After conducting an internal review, Broncos executives contacted the NFL office on Nov. 12 and requested a meeting to report the apparent violation. On the morning of Nov. 16, Broncos executives, including owner Pat Bowlen, met with NFL staff in New York to disclose Scarnecchia's actions.The league found that Broncos executives were made aware of the videotaping on Nov. 8, after the team's return from London.

Based on the report, NFL Security promptly began an investigation, which included interviews of Broncos personnel in Denver on Nov. 18 and 19. NFL Security also arranged for a forensic analysis of the laptop computers used by the video department, which confirmed that the practice had been recorded. NFL Security retained the tape.

"The San Francisco 49ers organization is aware of the results of the league's investigation involving the Denver Broncos," the 49ers said Saturday in a statement. "The situation has been addressed by the NFL, therefore, the team will not be commenting any further."

The fines are the latest embarrassment for a Broncos team that has lost 15 of 20 games for the first time since 1971 and 1972. The Broncos were blown out 59-14 by the archrival Oakland Raiders last month in what many consider the worst home loss in the team's 51-year history.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

2 Auburn vs 11 Alabama - Iron Bowl, 28-27 Auburn

Happy black Friday everyone, I hope everyone is enjoying their thanksgiving. I am very intrigued to see what happens this year at the Iron Bowl. A match-up between two supreme teams, #2 Auburn vs #11 Alabama. Alabama was last years national champion and Auburn, the team that looks to win a National Championship this year. Auburn won the toss and choses to defer to Alabama, for Alabama to be successful today Julio Jones and Greg McElroy have to get off to a good start. Alabama is surprisly doing very well passing the ball on the first drive. Mark Ingram scores on Alabama's first drive with a 9 yard touchdown. Auburn has not looked like the #2 team in the nation thus far(1st quarter 11:40).



Auburn first drive was a three and out it seems that Nick Saban has coached up his defense for a amazing stand this afternoon. Again, Juilo Jones  shows out against a Auburn secondary that cannot cover him. He scores for Alabama.( 2rec,77yards, and 1 TD),Alabama leads 14-0. Lets see how the Tigers respond being down 14-0 on the next drive. This Alabama defense looks like its been preparing for Newton all year and delivers 2 sacks on the drive. Auburn finally wakes up with a sack on McElroy by Nick Fairley but receives a penalty for celebration. Once again a good defensive drive is stalled by a bad secondary and Alabama scores another touchdown, this time by Darius Hanks. Alabama now leads 21-0 all in the 1st quarter. Greg McElroy(10/10,156yds,2TD) is having the game of his life against this secondary. This Alabama defense is really putting up a shutout to this Auburn offense and its Hesiman hopeful Cam Newton, three consecutive three and outs.(Start of the Second quarter)




Auburn finally makes a heads up play and pokes the ball out of the hand of Mark Ingram. Hopefully Cam Newton can do something on the next drive as the momentum is trying to swing Auburns way. The Auburn offense finally earns a first down on the day but the drive is cut short because of the inconsist  play of the offense and the good play of the Alabama defense. Alabama defense has Cam Newton in a 3rd and 9 situation with 5:49 in the 2nd quarter. They convert on downs with the arm of Cam Newton. Newton uses that arm again to score a touchdown to Blake  with  5:08 left in the quarter, the score is now 21-7, Alabama. The Auburn offense must have realized that running on Alabama's sure tackling defense was not going to work and has decided to go to the air with 4 pass plays on the drive.


The Alabama offense is making the Auburn defense look division II as they are about to score on a drive to take us into halftime. Auburn's Nick Fairley makes an amazing play by forcing a fumble on Greg McElroy with 54sec left in the 2nd quarter. This play came when Alabama's offense was on the Auburn's 8 yard line. It is remarkable how the Alabama defense is playing to day as they force another sack to end the half. Courtney Upshaw has  3 sacks to end the half. Cam Newton has struggled in the first half against a well coached defense. His first half stats were 9 rushing attempts with -10 yards even though he had an okay half throwing the ball, 5/10 97 yards and 1 TD. He has to run the ball to stop the Alabama defense from blitzing all game long. Here are my first half MVP's on offense and defense
Offense
-Alabama Greg McElroy(19/23,335yds,2TD)
-Alabama Julio Jones(7 rec, 174 yds, 1TD)
Defense
-Alabama Courtney Upshaw(3 sacks)
-Auburn Nick Fairley (2 sacks, 1 forced fumble)
   Fairley has kept Auburn in the game and is Auburn's best defensive player




To open the 3rd quarter Cam Newton responds with a 70 yard touchdown pass to Terrell Zachary. The Alabama defense might be misjudging Newton's throwing potential as he scores on the opening drive for Auburn. Now we have a game 14-24 14:04 in the 3rd quarter.Auburn puts on an impressive defensive stand on the first 3 plays of the drive with a 4th and 1 possession Alabama decides to go for it and gets it. The drive is stalled by an Auburn defense stand, they stop Alabama on a 3rd and 10 at the Alabama 50. Although the Auburn defense has been playing well to open up the second half the Alabama defense is still relentless in its pursuit of Cam Newton and they hold Auburn to another 3 and out.


Since this second half has started Auburn's defense has been very impressive considering how well Alabama's offense has been playing. Auburn's defense again holds Alabama to another 3 and out. If the Auburn Tigers want to win this game it will be on the arm of Cam Newton. Auburn has finally gotten their offense moving with the help of Newton. They utilized the hurry up offense to confuse the Alabama defense. Auburn was successful in using a combination of passing and running plays. Auburn scores again with a 1 yard TD with 4:25 left in the 3rd quarter there was a key 46 yards in a combination plays by Onterio McCalebb. Auburn holds Alabama for another 3 and out. A key special teams play by Alabama in the punt return might spark the momentum to swing back Alabama's way. A fumbled recovered by Alabama defense on punt return swings the momentum back. Nevertheless Auburn's defense holds Alabama to a field goal.





Auburn has the ball with a chance to tie up the game in the 4th quarter. The Auburn offense has looked completely different in the second half with 166 total yards. As the fourth quarter begins I am excited to see if Alabama will continue to lay down in the second half or will Auburn make a run. On Auburn's next possession they move the ball 7 yards and come up with a problem on 4th down, go for it and keep the momentum of the game or punt it and lose a chance to tie the game. They go for it on 4th down and get it because of Newton's arm, he throws a 9 yard dart to Darin Adams. Auburn has tied the game with a pass to Phillp Lutzenkirchen. Newton might be Heisman worthy after all after bringing the Tigers back from a 24 point hole.





Alabama responds with a with a pretty good drive to eat up the clock. There was a corner blitz that brought Greg McElroy down with a injury. Alabama special teams shanks a punt and gives Auburn and Newton good field position. McElroy has been called out of the game and now Alabama's defense looks to bring the game home. Auburn is still trying to run the ball with 3:33 left in the 4th and gets a 4th and inches call with 3:20 left. They get in with a quarterback sneak as Newton rolls over the Alabama defensive line. As a 2nd and 12 on this drive approaches they give it off again to McCalebb and does not make it to the line of scrimmage.Auburn does not get a first down on a running play on 3rd and 9 with 1:01 left in the 4th. Alabama regains the ball with a chance to win the game. They replace McElroy with Aj McCarron, I think Alabama might want to start praying. Alabama's offense has been very lackluster in the second have and has showed it with the final drive of the game, 2 drops and 1 batted ball.





All in all, I was very impressed with the performance of Cam Newton. He showed a lot of composer in the win today. He had 3 touchdown passes and I think a lot of Heisman voter were not expecting this type of game from Newton. Enjoy your weekend Auburn.....