Ex-Bronco Henry signs plea deal in cocaine case
NEW YORK – The Dallas Cowboys will open their new $1.1 billion stadium in a nationally televised Sunday night game against the New York Giants on Sept. 20.
The NFL released its complete 2009 regular-season schedule Tuesday. The always-popular Cowboys led all teams with six scheduled nationally televised games, even without Terrell Owens.
Reigning Super Bowl champion Pittsburgh meets division rival Baltimore twice in five weeks late in the season after they faced off in the AFC title game. They play Nov. 29 and Dec. 27.
On Oct. 11, the Patriots take on Denver and former offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, now the Broncos’ coach. New England renews its rivalry with the Colts on Nov. 15.
The NFL had already announced the opening weekend’s prime-time games. The Steelers begin their title defense Thursday, Sept. 10, against the Titans, who had the league’s best record in 2008 and beat the Steelers 31-14 in the 15th game of the season.
The first Monday night game features the Patriots – in what they hope is Tom Brady’s return – against the Bills, in Owens’ debut.
The Bears, with new quarterback Jay Cutler, are among the teams with five nationally televised games.
It was McDaniels’ pursuit of then-Patriots quarterback Matt Cassel that led to Cutler’s fallout with the Broncos. McDaniels will face Cassel when Denver plays the Chiefs on Dec. 6 and Jan. 3.
Henry signs plea deal
BILLINGS, Mont. – Former NFL player Travis Henry has signed a plea deal with prosecutors in which he admits to a single cocaine conspiracy charge in exchange for two other charges being dropped.
Under a plea deal filed with the court Tuesday, the 30-year-old Henry will admit to conspiracy to possess at least 11 pounds of cocaine with intent to distribute the drug.
If U.S. District Judge Richard Cebull accepts the plea, Henry faces a mandatory minimum 10 years to life in prison, $4 million fine and at least five years of supervised release.Henry was cut by the Denver Broncos in June after playing one season of a four-year, $22.5 million contract.
In the government’s offer of proof in his drug case, federal authorities quote an informant who described Henry as the “money guy” in the cocaine conspiracy.