Former NFL WR and Olympic gold medalist Willie Gault will turn 50 in September. He runs a 4.40 40. To put that in perspective, if he ran at the 2010 Combine, he would have been tied for 5th with the fasted time.

He also thinks he can still play at the NFL level.

In a new article by Jeff Pearlman for Sports Illustrated, Willie talks about his fitness regime. “I might have an oatmeal raisin cookie once in a while, but I don’t live to eat. I eat to live. I treat my body like a temple, because it’s the only one I have, and I want to use it as long as possible.”

About his speed? “Chris Johnson is faster, Reggie Bush too. But save for those two and maybe two or three others, I’m right there.”

On the NFL? “I know the idea of a 50-year-old in the NFL is crazy. I know it’s improbable. But speed is speed.”

Let the Raiders jokes commence…

As if coming back from a torn ACL/MCL wasn’t hard enough for Wes Welker, we now know the Patriots WR will be rehabbing TWO serious injuries.

Confirmed by the Boston Herald, Welker suffered a torn rotator cuff at an unknown time last season. It is also unclear how we injured the shoulder or what shoulder suffered the damage.

So now in addition to the unfortunate mess his knee is in right now, the NFL’s leading reciever looks doubtful to see the field much, if at all, in 2010.

I’m pretty much a purist. I have my season ticket, get my tailgate on, grab a drink and some munchies on the way to my seat, then proceed to stand and scream for four full quarters. I tend not to care about technology with my football when I’m at the game. This Kangaroo III, however, could make me change my ways.

Here’s what the Dolphins said today about their continued and expanded service with “Game Day Vision”  in their press release:

Game Day Vision is complimentary to all members of the Dolphins Season Ticket Family. You receive the unit at the beginning of the season, bring it to every home game and be able to keep the units as long as you are a Season Ticket Member. Game Day Vision, is a wireless hand-held device manufactured exclusively for the Miami Dolphins. The device gives you never-before-seen freedom in shaping your sports fan experience. You will be able to access live video feeds, replays and highlights, angle cams that get you close to the action, intense audio feeds that bring you behind the scenes, sports stats and scorecards updated in real-time and much more.

So when they won’t show that play again up on the big screen because it’s too controversial, or the game is stopped and we don’t know why because the ref’s mic is jacked up, all the answers would now be ours! Have any of you Dolphin fans used this thing? I want to know!

Security! It sure costs a lot of money. The good folks of Arlington, in Tarrant County, couldn’t be happier they are hosting Super Bowl XLV. About the costs that come along with that honor? Not so much. However, the Texas state controller and other officials got together and decided to earmark over $31 Million dollars for those security costs, getting local taxpayers off the hook.

Texas has a Major Events Trust Fund that estimates revenue generated by out-of-towners during events like the Super Bowl. They target sales, hotels, car rentals and good ole’ alcohol. By their estimate, the funds they’ve set aside should be easily offset by future revenue.

Cowboy legend Roger Staubach chairs the local Super Bowl host committee and assured the locals that “the taxpayers won’t be hurt on this.”

Before Mark Duper and Mark Clayton, there was Nat Moore. Nat spent all 13 years of his NFL career with the Dolphins and was their most prolific WR. Since his retirement in 1986, this former NFL “Man of the Year” has dedicated his time to working with youth in the Miami-Dade community. His efforts led to the establishment The Nat Moore Foundation in 1998.

Since 2006, Nat has worked with the Dolphins to manage alumni and youth activities. Today, the Dolphins promoted Nat Moore to Vice President/Senior Adviser. It’s a great thing to see good people rewarded. Bravo, Nat. Congratulations.

While Packers GM Ted Thompson hasn’t spent much on others in free-agency thus far, he has made it a priority to lock up his own. Today, he hammered out extensions with two key defensive players.

Free safety Nick Collins has agreed to a three-year extension with the Packers worth $23.4 million ($14 million in the first season).

Nose tackle Ryan Pickett, previously the team’s franchise player, will receive a four-year extension for $28 million ($10 million guaranteed).

Both Collins and Pickett played exceptionally well last season, even during the transition from a 4-3 defense to a 3-4. Collins has intercepted 13 passes the last two seasons, while Pickett is the key cog to their run defense.

The red herring of the trial is, “who leaked the test results?” It shouldn’t matter, as the leaking of the results don’t make the results different. But ok, we’ll play along. While the Pat and Kevin “Williams Wall” have already punched holes in this angle by admitting they told the wife, the friend, the coach, and others, leaving plenty of avenues for the test results to escape, the prosecution moved forward by putting Viking HC Brad Childress on the stand. Prosecuting attorney Peter Ginsberg asked Childress if he leaked the results. Childress replied, “Absolutely not,” the coach said. “That’s so anti-me.” After a bit more questioning, Ginsberg asked the most important question of the day, “Who is your quarterback going to be next year?” No, he didn’t answer the question.

While I don’t really care if Pat and Kevin are suspended or not, I do care about the outcome of this case as it will greatly impact drug testing in sports. MLB, the NBA and the NHL have each filed reports with the court supporting the NFL. A ruling in favor of Williams and Williams will cause major headaches in the already muddled realm of PED and drug testing; NOT what professional sports needs right now.

Judge Gary Larson has advised both sides not to expect a verdict until early or mid May.

A study conducted by the NFL’s Injury and Safety Panel was presented to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons today. The study showed that ACL (anterior cruciate ligament)  injuries are 88% higher in games played on FieldTurf than they are on natural grass playing fields. Ankle and other lower body injuries also occur in higher frequency on the manufactured substance.

An interesting twist to the story is that the chairman of the NFL pane is Dr. Elliott Hershman, who just so happens to be the Jets’ team orthopedist. The new Jets/Giants stadium is planned to install FieldTurf. If Dr. Hershman doesn’t protest against this product, knowing it puts the players he’s paid to care for at risk, would that not be negligence?

The President of FieldTurf, Eric Dalier, was not very happy with the findings, citing a FieldTurf sponsored study showing that college athletes experienced less injuries on their product. Not that I don’t trust product sponsored studies, but I don’t.

Even though RB Clinton Portis has been cleared to return to action, it didn’t mean Washington wouldn’t bring in competition for his job; and now they have.

The Redskins have come to terms on a three-year contract with running back Larry Johnson, the ex-Chief and Bengal. NFL Network’s Jason La Confora reports the deal is worth a maximum of $12 million.

While the 30-year old Johnson isn’t a franchise back by any means, he’ll provide depth behind a (very) questionable Portis and allow Washington to focus on filling other needs in free-agency and the draft. I still strongly suspect they’ll pickup a young back as LJ showed nothing in Cincinnati last season, except little speed and no breakaway ability.

UPDATE: In a team statement, coach Mike Shannahan had this to say about LJ:

Shanahan: “Larry is a physical runner who will be a great addition.”

The Jets recently took a CB from the Chargers, dealing for Antonio Cromartie. Now, the Chargers have signed one of New York’s recent castaways.

CB Donald Strickland has reached an agreement on a two-year contract with the San Diego Chargers. Terms of the deal aren’t available at this time.

Strickland, who signed with the Jets last offseason after spending some time with the 49ers and Colts, was cut by New York after an up-and-down season that saw Strick miss a chunk of time due to injuries. I imagine he’ll be playing nickel CB in San Diego, the position that suits him best.