As of now it’s unclear how long it will take for the Lions’
first-round selection to get back on the gridiron, but Friday’s practice was
certainly a step in the right direction according to head coach Jim
Schwartz. Said Schartz, [Fairley's] still got a long way to go, but there’s
steps along the way and this was one of them?. He added that the former
Auburn University standout has been an active participant in the meeting
room and has gotten back into lifting and conditioning regularly.

Defensive Coordinator Gunther Cunningham exuded similar enthusiasm.
“He’s been busting his tail to get back out there, and we can’t wait til he
does. My hope as a football coach is to get him out there and get him ready
to roll, ’cause I think he’s pretty good”.

Fairley, winner of the Lombardi Award last season as the nation’s best
college lineman, should crack the Lions’ 8-man d-line rotation as soon as
he’s healthy. Since his selection back in April, fans have been frothing
over the possibility of a fearsome Suh-Fairley tandem at DT, one that will
immediately rate as one of the league’s best.

By Peter Wardell

Welcome to my blog! This is only my first posting so bare with me. Here I will be sharing new trends in fashion, my thoughts on new hot singles, some behind the scenes looks at how celebrities choose their attire and anything having to do with SHOES!! Seriously, I have an obsession with shoes…300 pairs and counting.

The ESPYS always bring out the top talent but that does not always correlate to well dressed. Each year you get to see the good, the bad, and the ugly of an athlete’s style. While sometimes we have to blame this on the stylist, I tend to hold the athlete responsible because they are actually wearing it. Here at Swag Tag we don’t like to bash too much so here’s a few of the “good” looks from the ESPYS.

The Gentlemen:

Amare Stoudemire – my vote for BEST DRESSED. He took the classic tuxedo look but made it more casual by adding a retro hip-hop feel with the thick gold chain.

Shawn Marion -  a great summer look. Given that the ESPYS are in mid-summer in LA you can never go wrong with the white pants and a big face watch! Loafers are FLY!

Blake Griffin – a little more traditional. Blake has a nice 3-piece suit, but added some color and flare with the tie. Not bad for a rookie.

Brian Wilson- screaming personality…need I say more? What a great outfit for a bachelor party!

The Ladies:

Serena Williams – WOW! Show off those curves!! That’s a nice color.

Emmanuelle Chirque – She is gorgeous. Is that leather? I like how those shoes make it pop.

Swag Out

Douglas Sanders

Shannon Sharpe entered the NFL in 1990 as the Denver Broncos seventh-round selection (192nd overall) out of Savannah State. His career spanned 14 years, Broncos (12 seasons) Ravens (2 seasons).  He is the NFL’s all-time leader in receptions (815) and yards (10,060) by a tight end, eclipsing Hall of Famer Ozzie Newsome during the 2001 season. He is the NFL’s all-time leader in touchdowns (62) and 50-catch seasons (11) by a tight end. Sharpe was voted to eight Pro Bowls (1992-98, 2001), as well as the NFL’s All-Decade team for the 1990s (first team). Sharpe is one of only four tight ends in the NFL annals to post more than one 1,000-yard receiving season (1994, 1,010 yards; 1996, 1,062 yards; 1997, 1,107 yards) and one of four to amass 6,000 receiving yards. He produced 19 career 100-yard games and a Denver Broncos franchise-record seven straight 50-catch seasons (1992-98) during which he was selected to seven straight Pro Bowls.

A three-time Super Bowl champion, back-to-back with the Broncos (1997, 1998) and the Ravens (2000), Sharpe holds the NFL record for most receptions in a post-season contest (13) along with Kellen Winslow (1981) and Thurman Thomas (1989). He also holds the NFL post-season record for longest reception, a 96-yard catch-and-run for a touchdown at Oakland in the 2000 AFC Championship Game (1/14/01). Sharpe played in 12 post-season contests as a Bronco – all starts – and ranks No. 1 in franchise playoff history in receptions (47) and No. 3 in receiving yards (505).

Sharpe was more than the numbers. He was a brash showman with an unrelenting work ethic and an unwavering desire to win, a combination as confounding to onlookers as his abilities were to opposing defenses.  His peers and fans adored him because he played the game with love, courage and tenacity.  Few athletes in the history of sports are remembered for their enthusiasm, character, and unselfish nature.  These are among the many gifts he gave the game.

A gentleman with integrity and a great sense of humor, Shannon is known to have a wonderful heart both on and off the field.  Known as a leader by example, Shannon answers the call as a role model for the youth of today. Shannon is now enjoying his career as a commentator for CBS Sports, NFL Today Show and SIRIUS NFL Radio, “Movin the Chains”.  His experience and outspoken insight is lifting television and radio to new levels.

Accolades

Class of 2011 Professional Football Hall of Famer

Named to the NFL 1990’s All-Decade Team

8 Time Pro Bowl Selection

All-Time Leader Among TE’s in receptions and receiving yards

Considered by many to be the Greatest Tight End of All-Time

Brief Resume

Television & Radio:

Co Host and Analyst CBS NFL Today Show

Co Host NFL Radio “Moving the Chains”

Co –ESPN Sports Profiles

Journalism:

NFL.com weekly columns, Dime Sports Fantasy Football weekly columns

Tim was selected by the Los Angeles Raiders with the 6th overall pick of the 1988 NFL Draft. He spent sixteen years with the Raiders, during which he established himself as one of the League’s most prolific wide receivers. His fame and success with the Raider’s organization earned him the title, Mr. Raider.

Tim is happily married and has four children. Tim Brown is heavily involved in the “9-1-1 for Kids” program which teaches children emergency preparedness. He is also an ambassador to the President’s Physical Fitness Council on Behalf of Reebok. Currently Tim is starting a NASCAR racing team as part of their Drive for Diversity program.

Accolades

9 time Pro Bowl selection

1987 Heisman Trophy winner

1987 Walter Camp Award winner

NFL 1990s All Decade Team

Holds the NFL rookie-season record for most combined yards gained, with 2,317 yards.

Holds the following team records with the Oakland raiders: Touchdowns scored (100), Receiving (14,734 yards), Punt return (3,272 yards)

1988- 1st round draft pick to the Raiders

Caught his 1,000th reception in a win against the New York Jets, joining only Jerry Rice and Cris Carter.

Brief Resume

Fox Sports Network NFL Analyst- alongside co-hosts Tim reviewed weekend match-ups, broke down film, highlighted players and gave insight to key  injuries throughout the season.

Comcast’s Pro Football Now- Tim joined host Ron Burke in providing entertaining insight and perspective on everything from individual match-ups and key injuries, to off the field rumors and controversies.

ESPN - In 2010 Tim joined the ESPN cast as a College Footbal Color Commentator. Tim looks forward to continuing this role for the 2011 Season.

News America

Various Superbowl Broadcasts

QVC- co-host on Sunday NFL Countdown.

CBS – Radio Host “Tuesdays with Tim”

Marcus ended his illustrious career as the NFL’s all-time leader on several prestigious lists.  He played more games (222), rushed for more touchdowns (123), and caught more passes than any other running back in his era.  The former MVP of Super Bowl XVIII and NFL Rookie of the Year was inducted into the Hall of Fame on August 3, 2003.

Marcus Allen began his NFL career in 1982 and played 16 years with both the Oakland Raiders and the Kansas City Chiefs.  During that time he gained 12,243 yards rushing, 5,411 yards receiving, and scored 145 total touchdowns.  At the time of his retirement he was the only player in NFL history with over 10,000 yards rushing and 5,000 yards receiving.  He also set the NFL single season record in 1985 for combined yards rushing and receiving with 2,314.  A six time Pro Bowl selection, Marcus Allen was a crowd favorite who always played the game with courage, tenacity, and class.

During his college career at USC, Marcus Allen caught the attention of a nation.  While playing for the Trojans he became the first college player to rush for 2,000 yards in a single season in 1981.  During that season he also scored a record 22 rushing touchdowns and set 13 other NCAA records.  He was awarded the coveted Heisman Trophy for his accomplishments that same year.

Even now, Marcus Allen’s career continues to impress fans of both the college and professional level.  He is arguably the best goal line runner to have ever played the game.  A true Hall of Famer, his career on the field was the stuff of legends and he continues to live up to his reputation as an All-Star even in retirement.

Accolades

Super Bowl XVIII MVP

1981 Heisman Trophy Winner

1982 NFL Rookie of the Year

1982 Offensive Rookie of the Year

1985 NFL MVP/Player of the Year

1985 NFL Offensive MVP/Player of the Year

1993 Comeback Player of the Year

NFL Touchdown Leader: 1982, 1984

NFL Rushing Leader: 1985, 1993

NFL Scoring Leader: 1982

All-Pro: 1982, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1993

Inducted into the professional & collegiate football halls of fame.

First Player in history to total 10,000 rushing yards & 5,000 receiving yards for a career.

Sporting News Top 100 Greatest Football Players Ever

He began his professional football career with the NFL in 1996 when he was tapped by the San Francisco 49ers in the third round as the 89th pick overall. He quickly became a valuable contributing player with his obvious talents and made the Pro Bowl four years in a row.

In 2004 he went to the Philadelphia Eagles.  Owens played some great games that year as a member of a revitalized Eagles team which, after 20 years of trying, went to the Super Bowl.  In March 2006 he signed on with the Dallas Cowboys. After a year with the Buffalo Bills Terrell signed with the Cincinnati Bengals.

No Terrell Owens biography would be complete without mention of his great work ethic and professionalism.  He trains constantly and maintains a superb physique, and is considered by many to be one of the best wide receivers playing football today.

Terrell just completed his 15th season in the NFL and began taping the 2^nd season of the T.O. Show which airs on VH1.  Terrell has more than 700,000 followers on Twitter and is active in other social media outlets.

Terrell is very relevant in today’s pop-culture and is dedicated to helping the less fortunate.  His charity work includes The Terrell Owens Catch a Dream Foundation, a non profit organization created to erase hunger and the lack of basic daily needs from households.  As the Spokesperson for The Food Bank of Western New York Terrell challenged consumers to donate $.81 cents and companies to donate $81 to reach a goal of providing 700,000 meals a month for one year.  He also has his own T.O. Toasted Oats cereal to benefit the underprivileged.

Terrell is a major advocate to finding a cure and treatment of Alzheimer’s and recently received the Alzheimer’s Association’s first Young Champions Award for raising awareness in the fight against the disease.

Accolades

-6 time pro bowl selection.

-Averaged one touchdown per game in 2001, 2004 and 2007

-Holds NFL record for being the first and only player to score a touchdown against 32 NFL teams.

-Has had eight 1,000 yard seasons, including five consecutive (2000–2004)

-Holds NFL record 20 receptions in a single game against the Bears

-Reached 100 catches in only 14 games in 2002

-Led League in receiving touchdowns in 2001, 2002 and 2006

-Tied for 2nd all-time in receiving touchdowns.

-Set the Cowboys single-season record for receiving touchdowns with his 15th of the season on December 22, 2007 against the Carolina Panthers.

-Has 131 total touchdowns (130 receiving), 13,070 receiving yards, 882 receptions, and 164 rushing yards

For Payton, the run capped a four-year span in which he has presided over the most prolific offense in the NFL in three-of-his four seasons at the helm. Twice he has guided the Saints to the NFC championship game (2006 and 2009), with the Saints breaking through to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl following the 2009 regular season. With a career regular-season coaching record of 38-26 (.594 winning percentage), Payton owns the second-most wins in team history and owns a career-mark in the postseason of 4-1 (.800 – also a franchise best record).

In 2009 Payton guided the Saints to the team’s second NFC South title in his four seasons (2006) with a record of 13-3. Along the way the Saints set a franchise-record for most wins in a season (13) and the longest winning streak in team history (also 13 games). Payton once gain was named as the top head coach in the NFL by numerous media outlets and recognized football chapters, including by the NFL Alumni Association, the Kansas City Committee of 101 Coach of the Year and the Maxwell Club’s prestigious Greasy Neal Award as the top professional coach of the year.

Payton was also recognized by similar outlets in just his rookie season as a head coach in 2006 following the success of the team during his inaugural foray into the head coaching ranks.

In 2009, the Saints ranked as the National Football League’s number one ranked offense (sixth in rushing and fourth in passing) for the second consecutive season and the third time in four seasons. The Saints set team records in scoring (510), and touchdowns (64) under Payton’s watch and battled through the postseason with victories over the Arizona Cardinals (divisional round) and Minnesota Vikings (NFC Championship game) en route to Super Bowl XLIV.

In 2008, the Saints ranked No. 1 in the NFL in total offense for only the second time in club history – duplicating the feat achieved in 2006, Payton’s first season with the team. With Payton serving as play-caller, last season the Saints set team records for points (463), total yards (6,571), net passing yards (4,977), touchdowns (57) and first downs (354).

Also in 2008, New Orleans defeated playoff teams Atlanta and San Diego – with the victory over the Chargers coming in the NFL International Series in London. The Saints also tied a team record for single-game scoring in a 51-29 win over Green Bay.

In 2007, the Saints endured injuries and a slow start, but put together a four-game winning streak to get back into playoff contention. New Orleans finished No. 4 in the NFL in total offense while also holding nine opponents to 17 points or fewer.

Payton scrapped the traditional timetable for rebuilding an NFL club in 2006. In his opening season as a head coach, the Saints jumped out to a 3-0 record – a first in team history and equaling the team’s win total from the previous year – and clinched the NFC South title before the regular season finale. New Orleans led the NFL in total offense and advanced to the NFC Championship for the first time.

When 2006 came to a close, Payton was voted the Coach of the Year by the Associated Press, Pro Football Weekly/Pro Football Writers of America, The Sporting News and the Maxwell Club.

Payton was hired as the 14th head coach in Saints history on Jan. 18, 2006 after being a member of the Dallas Cowboys staff since 2003. In 2009 he enters his 13th season in the NFL and 21st in coaching.

Sean Payton is a well rounded individual with a heart for motivating others and a strong desire to lead. Sean Payton is an icon in today’s NFL and is on track to attain even more success on the football field. As Coach Payton is an icon the game of football he is also a hero in the community and positively impacts lives daily.

HONORS/AWARDS: 2009: NFL Alumni Coach of the Year, Maxwell Club Greasy Neal Award (Professional Coach of the Year), Kansas City Committee of 101 NFC Coach of the Year. 2006: Coach of the Year by The Associated Press, Pro Football Weekly/Pro Football Writers of America Coach of the Year, The Sporting News Coach of the Year, Maxwell Club Greasy Neal Award (Professional Coach of the Year).

PLAYING CAREER: Eastern Illinois, 1982-86; Chicago Bruisers (Arena Football League), 1987; Ottawa Rough Riders (CFL), 1987; Chicago Bears, 1987.

COACHING CAREER: San Diego State, 1988-89; Indiana State, 1990-91; San Diego State, 1992-93; Miami (Ohio), 1994-95; Illinois, 1996; Philadelphia Eagles, 1997-98; New York Giants, 1999-2002; Dallas Cowboys, 2003-05; New Orleans Saints (head coach), 2006-.

In June 2010 Coach Payton Released a Book at #8 on NY Times Best Seller List. Home Team: Coaching the Saints and New Orleans Back to Life (written with Ellis Henican)

In 2010, he became the 2nd player from Auburn to win the Lombardi Award. Coached by Lombardi winner and former Auburn player Tracy Rocker, Fairley is the first player to win the Lombardi and be coached by a winner of the award.

During the 2011 BCS National Championship Game against the Oregon Ducks, Fairley had five tackles, three behind the line of scrimmage, a sack and a forced fumble earning the defensive player of the game award. The 6-foot-5, 298-pound All-American defensive tackle also led the Southeastern Conference with 24 tackles for a loss and had a school-record 11.5 sacks. Nick earned the nickname “The Beast” at Auburn with play that was both dominating and, at times, rough. He fully intends to keep the nickname in the NFL; “Of course, that’s a name that I want to keep in the NFL,” he said. “I’m looking forward to going to the NFL and trying to dominate for a couple of years.”