FLASHUPDATE WEEK 9 TEAM NOTES/Wednesday, 29 Oct. 2008
Compiled By FlashUpdate Editor Bob Harris
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ARIZONA CARDINALS
According to Arizona Republic staffer Bob McManaman, as much as the
Cardinals believe they can win and get to the playoffs relying mainly on one of
the more prolific passing attacks in the NFL this season, they also know they
need to be able to run the ball.
"Can we? Sure we can," head coach Ken Whisenhunt said Monday, when
asked if his team can get to the postseason solely on the passing game behind
Kurt Warner and the quarterback's array of receivers.
"Do we want to? No. I think, hopefully, it will even itself out as we progress
further. I know we're at the point now where we've got so many passing attempts
and so many yardage passing that it's going to be hard for it to even out, but I do
believe we're going to need to run the ball more."
And McManaman suggests, that's what the Cardinals might do next, starting
Sunday when they visit the St. Louis Rams. After their 27-23 loss at the
Panthers, the Cardinals ranked 29th in the NFL in average rushing yards per
game (81.6) while their passing game (287.7) was rated fourth overall.
Warner isn't going anywhere, but veteran running back Edgerrin James could
see his carries significantly reduced in favor of rookie Tim Hightower, who has
rushed for six touchdowns, three shy of the team's record for first-year players.
Whisenhunt was asked Monday if such a change could take place, and he didn't
mince words.
"I think we've shown we're going to go with the players that give us the best
chance to win," he said. "We did that with the quarterback, we did that at
linebacker, we did that with the offensive line. So if we feel Tim gives us the best
chance to win, then absolutely."
Nothing has been determined, officially, although James on Monday sounded
more than resigned to the fact that his days in Arizona appear numbered when
he said, among other things that he was "put in a position to fail."
"I'd rather not say anything," he added, "because I might get into more trouble."
James, who has rushed 108 times for 380 yards -- an average of 3.5 yards per
carry, let his frustrations spill over last week when he publicly complained about
his role. McManaman reports he met privately with Whisenhunt about some of
those comments and left the meeting feeling his days in Arizona were done.
Hightower, who has 133 yards on 39 carries, didn't want to enter the fray when
asked about possibly becoming the team's new featured back.
"I'm not even thinking about that right now," Hightower said. "Whatever they ask
me to do, I'm ready. I've got a lot more to learn, though, because I'm still making
mistakes, but I can get better, and that's the key word."
Whisenhunt said, based on what he's seen from the rookie, "You have to
consider him" as the possible new featured halfback, although time will tell.
"But yeah," he added, "I feel very comfortable with where Tim is at and what he's
been doing for us and his ability to make plays in this offense. And I don't see
why if we feel necessary for his role to be bigger, that he won't continue to do
well."
Warner, who ranks second in the NFL in passing yards (2,089) behind the Saints'
Drew Brees (2,563), said he can see no reason why Hightower wouldn't be able
to carry the load if he is called upon more often.
"I think he can. I think he's done a great job," Warner said. "He's been mentally
sharp, and he's made a lot of plays for us."
Meanwhile, Whisenhunt certainly gave no indication that he regretted the
decision to highlight receivers Anquan Boldin (nine catches, 63 yards), Larry
Fitzgerald (seven, 115) and Steve Breaston (nine, 91).
"We had 400 yards of offense," said Whisenhunt, who even went for a fake field
goal that failed late in the first half. "We scored 23 points against the No. 3
(scoring) defense in the league. I'll take that any week. Whether we've got to
throw it or whether we can run it.
"Whatever we have got to do, if we're operating the way we operated today,
we're going to win football games and that's what this is all about."
Boldin, returning after his concussion and facial fractures, also pulled in two TD
passes and led the Cardinals in rushing with 30 yards on an end-around.
Boldin reported no problems.
"There are no effects from the injury. I'm fine. ..."
Other notes of interest. ... Warner, 37 and in the last year of his contract, would
like to play a couple of more years. And as Republic staffer Kent Somers
suggested on Wednesday, with a performance this season that could merit him
MVP consideration, he certainly looks like he could.
So far, the Cardinals haven't opened negotiations with Warner's agent, Mark
Bartelstein, although Bartelstein plans to call general manager Rod Graves this
week.
If the two sides come to an agreement, where does that leave Matt Leinart, the
10th overall pick in the 2006 draft?
It's a question Leinart admitted has crossed his mind. But, Leinart said, it's not
something that worries him.
"Obviously I want to play," he said. "I want to play now. I want to play next year
but right now we're winning, and right now we're doing well, and right now, I'm
learning to be a better player."
If Warner signs for two years, Leinart, 25, faces the prospect of being the backup
through the 2010 season, unless the Cardinals try to trade him. Trading a
talented young quarterback would be a difficult decision to make, given Warner's
age.
Leinart isn't stressing about it, saying he believes in the adage that you shouldn't
worry about things you don't control.
"I plan on being the quarterback here for a long time," he said. "That's why I
came here in the first place. I love it here, so nothing has really crossed my mind.
..."
The Cardinals played without their top two tight ends, Leonard Pope and Ben
Patrick, because of injuries. That left Jerame Tuman as the only healthy tight
end. In its short-yardage package, the Cardinals used guard Elton Brown as a
tight end.
The Cardinals didn't use the formation much, however. For most of the second
half, they used four receivers and ran only five times.
According to the Sports Xchange, Pope has a foot/ankle injury and was still
wearing a walking boot on Monday. Patrick hasn't played since suffering a knee
injury on Oct. 5.
With the status of both men still uncertain, the Cardinals on Tuesday signed tight
end Stephen Spach to a one-year contract.
The 6-4, 250-pound Spach appeared in the first two games this season for the
New England Patriots as a reserve before being released on September 15.
And finally. ... Whisenhunt is getting second-guessed for calling a fake field goal
on fourth-and-15 from the Carolina 21. Tuman caught the pass from holder Dirk
Johnson but was tackled five yards short of the first down.
Whisenhunt acknowledged that 15 yards might have been too far but added that
"Dirk could have thrown it a little bit faster."
DEPTH CHART AS OF WEDNESDAY AT 14:00 PT
QB: Kurt Warner, Matt Leinart, Brian St. Pierre
RB: Edgerrin James, Tim Hightower, J.J. Arrington
FB: Tim Castille, Terrelle Smith
WR: Larry Fitzgerald, Anquan Boldin, Steve Breaston, Jerheme Urban, Early
Doucet
TE: Leonard Pope, Ben Patrick, Jerame Tuman, Stephen Spach
PK: Neil Rackers
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ATLANTA FALCONS
As Atlanta Journal-Constitution staffer Carroll Rogers suggested Monday, it
wasn't warm and it wasn't fuzzy as far as homecomings go for Matt Ryan on
Sunday. Philadelphia Pro Bowl defensive end Trent Cole made sure of that.
Cole came unblocked to pound the Falcons rookie quarterback and Philadelphia
native in the chest in the first quarter. Ryan's back hit the turf first, then his
helmet, which drew a penalty flag for unnecessary roughness.
"[Ryan] took a huge hit early in the game and was able to stick it out and play
through a lot of pain," said Falcons receiver Brian Finneran. "He played good.
He was poised, sat in the pocket quite a bit. They brought a lot of pressure
throughout the game. We were in it until the end there."
Ryan finished with 277 yards on 23-of-44 passes against the team he grew up
cheering for. He got his highlight play on a 55-yard touchdown pass to Roddy
White to give the Falcons a 7-0 lead in the first quarter. And he connected with
White for a second touchdown with four minutes left in the game to give the
Falcons one last chance, down 20-14.
Ryan's touchdowns balanced out two interceptions, including one in the end zone
on second-and-goal from the 1-yard line. He was sacked twice, after being
sacked only twice in his previous four games.
He said afterward his back, which trainers had examined on the sideline, was
fine. ...
White had a good day against the Eagles, catching eight passes for 113 yards
and two touchdowns. But he was not happy with his role in the two interceptions
that Ryan threw.
Assante Samuel had the first interception when White was running a deep
square-in route. Lito Sheppard got the second on a fade route from the 1-yard
line.
"Those are both on me," White said. "As a wide receiver, I have to protect the
quarterback on those throws. ..."
Ryan opened the game looking for Finneran on third downs.
In the first quarter, on the Falcons first third down, Finneran caught a slant for
seven yards to pick up the first down.
On the Falcons second series, on third-and-six from Atlanta's 44-yard line, Ryan
found Finneran again for an 8-yard pass on a square-in with Samuel hanging all
over him. ...
It's worth noting that Laurent Robinson was a scratch on Sunday morning
despite practicing all week and being listed as probable on Friday's injury report.
It will be interesting to see how long it takes to work his way back into the rotation
with Finneran and Harry Douglas both playing well. ...
Other notes of interest. ... Michael Turner opened the 2008 season by torching
Detroit for 220 yards, but came back to earth the following week with a 42-yard
day at Tampa Bay. A week later, Turner was on the upswing again with a 104yard outing against Kansas City, yet followed that up with just 56 yards on the
ground at Carolina. In the next game at Green Bay, Turner was super once again
with 121 yards. He was then held to 54 yards by Chicago before the Falcons
headed into their bye week.
Rested, recharged and primed to resume the cycle, Turner seemed destined to
burn up the turf Sunday at Lincoln Financial Field.
The Eagles defense had other ideas.
The Falcons' ground attack went nowhere, amassing just 77 yards on 24 carries.
Turner contributed 58 yards on 17 rushes, had just one carry in the final quarter
with his team trying to play catch-up, and his longest haul of the afternoon went
for 22 yards.
Worth noting: Turner didn't get the ball on a second-and-goal from the Eagles' 1yard line in the third quarter, an opportunity the Falcons squandered when
Ryan's pass was picked off in the end zone by Sheppard.
"I wanted to run it, but I think it was a personnel issue where we couldn't get our
goal-line package in," Turner said.
One factor working against the Falcons was the revolving door at left tackle.
Todd Weiner started the game in place of Sam Baker, who was inactive with a
hip injury. But Weiner went down with an unspecified knee injury in the second
half and was replaced by Quinn Ojinnaka.
While the Falcons running backs seemed to disappear into the line play after
play, head coach Mike Smith saw something entirely different.
"We really were close," he said. The Eagles "did a very good job up front in terms
of putting eight men on the line, [but] I think when we go back and look at [the
film] we're going to see that there were opportunities for some big plays that we
just weren't able to convert. ..."
With Baker already ruled out this week, the Falcons released reserve tight end
Jason Rader on Wednesday to make room for the addition of veteran tackle
Wayne Gandy.
And finally this week. ... The Falcons normally leave on Saturday for their road
games, but will leave on Friday to travel to Oakland for Sunday's game against
the Raiders. "We are going out a day earlier to try and acclimate ourselves to the
West Coast time," Smith said.
DEPTH CHART AS OF WEDNESDAY AT 14:00 PT
QB: Matt Ryan, Chris Redman, D.J. Shockley
RB: Michael Turner, Jerious Norwood, Jason Snelling
FB: Ovie Mughelli
WR: Roddy White, Michael Jenkins, Harry Douglas, Brian Finneran, Laurent
Robinson, Adam Jennings
TE: Ben Hartsock, Justin Peelle
PK: Jason Elam
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BALTIMORE RAVENS
As Associated Press sports writer David Ginsburg pointed out on Monday,
when the Ravens line up in a peculiar formation, or employ a variety of players in
unusual positions, typically it's been on defense.
Recently, however, the offense has been just as crafty.
And, Ginsburg added, "That's saying something for a unit that's been as bland as
a rice cake."
The Ravens ran a few trick plays earlier this season, just to keep things
interesting, before taking it to another level Sunday against the Raiders. Using
two quarterbacks in a single-wing set, Baltimore gained 75 yards in four plays -including a memorable 43-yard completion from backup quarterback Troy Smith
to starter Joe Flacco.
When all was said and done, Baltimore, the Ravens amassed 375 yards and
held the ball nearly 13 minutes longer than the Raiders in a 29-10 rout.
Head coach John Harbaugh and offensive coordinator Cam Cameron installed
the single-wing package months ago in mini-camp, but waited until Week 7 to
unveil it. The Raiders had no idea it was coming.
"That stuff gave us an advantage, and it worked against those guys," Flacco
said. "You see those things put in during practice and you're always just hoping
that they actually get called."
The Ravens still have a few tricks left.
"There's a lot of other things we're practicing that we are going to show as time
goes on," Harbaugh said Monday. "We think we're creative. We think we have a
chance to be an exciting offense; we think we've been that."
"So far, Cam has done an incredible job of game planning," Smith said. "He
keeps coming up with different ways to get guys the ball in certain situations."
Who knows how -- or even if -- the Ravens will use the formation Sunday in
Cleveland?
"We could see using that package every game. I think people that are preparing
to play against us are going to have to be prepared for it every week," Harbaugh
said. "We're just scratching the surface of the things that we have in. That's going
to be a viable part of our offense all the way through."
So is the notion of rotating three running backs.
Willis McGahee, Ray Rice and LeRon McClain have shared the workload, and
there's no telling who will line up in front of them. Defensive tackle Haloti Ngata
was employed as a tight end near the goal line Sunday because, as Ginsburg
suggested, any offensive line can use a guy that's 6-foot-4 and 345 pounds.
Cameron also used McGahee and McClain at wide receiver as well as tight end
Todd Heap.
"The sky's the limit," Smith said. "We haven't even touched the tip of the iceberg
yet."
That kind of switch goes both ways. A few weeks ago, offensive guard Ben
Grubbs lined up as a defensive tackle and Cameron has a formation that uses
members of the defense as wide receivers.
"Cam is amazingly creative in matching personnel to scheme," Harbaugh said.
Some of those ideas may never be used in a game, but it sure keeps things
interesting during practice.
"That kind of stuff makes it more fun for the players. It gets them more involved,"
Harbaugh said.
The Baltimore defense, meanwhile, couldn't be happier about seeing something
new and exciting from the offense.
"It kind of keeps it fresh," linebacker Ray Lewis said. "When we're at practice, we
see where our offense is going. It's kind of exciting when you see a new flavor.
..."
For what it's worth, Harbaugh dubbed the team's two-QB formation "The Suggs
Package." The formation was jokingly named after linebacker Terrell Suggs
endorsed Smith over Flacco twice in a radio interview before backtracking and
saying he merely wanted to see both quarterbacks on the field.
"I meet with Suggs every Tuesday night and he tells me what to run," Cameron
said after the game. ...
"It was a coincidence," Suggs said. "I was misunderstood, but we had it in
anyway. I ain't no offensive coordinator. I ain't no genius."
Meanwhile, Suggs made it clear that he has no problem with Flacco being the
starter.
"I went to him and told him," Suggs said, "that I really don't care who our
quarterback is as long as we're winning. ..."
Other notes of interest. ... Rice had a career-best day, gaining 155 yards of total
offense with a team-high 64 rushing yards on eight carries, a team-high three
receptions for 37 yards and 54 kickoff return yards on two returns.
He had five first downs in the second quarter, finishing with six for the game. His
elusiveness in the open field made Raiders linebackers lose their footing.
The second-round draft pick had a touchdown nullified due to a penalty and
gained 19 yards on an option pitch from Smith. For the season, Rice has 15
receptions for 166 yards to rank second on the team behind wide receiver
Derrick Mason.
"The new thing for me is catching it," Rice said. "Whatever I can do now to help
my team, that's what I'm trying to do. ..."
McGahee moved into fourth place on the team's all-time rushing chart, gaining 58
yards and a touchdown to move up to 1,558 yards and 10 touchdowns for his
career. He moved past Bam Morris (1,511 yards), still ranking behind Jamal
Lewis (7,801), Priest Holmes (2,102) and Chester Taylor (1,599). ...
Meanwhile, Pro Football Weekly suggested on Monday that McGahee will
continue to get the lion's share of carries if he continues to show the
improvement that has marked his play in recent weeks. ...
Demetrius Williams' 70-yard touchdown catch is the second-longest of his
career. He caught a 77-yarder against the Cleveland Browns as a rookie. ...
Unfortunately, it will also be his last touchdown -- at least this season.
Williams was placed on injured reserve Wednesday; he will have season-ending
surgery to repair a bone spur underneath his Achilles' tendon. It's an injury that
Williams has battled since June.
"We tried to work it and hoped that it would improve," Harbaugh said. "It's just not
getting any better."
To fill Williams' roster spot, the Ravens signed receiver Terrance Copper, who
was released Sunday by the New Orleans Saints. As Sun staffer Jamison
Hensley suggested, Copper's strength is more on special teams than as a
receiver.
The Ravens' options to fill Williams' void as the No. 3 receiver are: Return
specialist/receiver Yamon Figurs, who said his knee bruise has improved;
rookies Marcus Smith and Ernie Wheelwright; or Copper.
"We've got a lot of options in there," Harbaugh said. "Whatever guy or
combination of guys give us the best chance will be active and will be playing."
Filling in for Figurs last Sunday, strong safety Jim Leonhard averaged 15.8
yards on four punt returns. His 46-yard return set up McGahee's 1-yard
touchdown run, and a 22-yarder led to a 38-yard field goal by Matt Stover. ...
And finally. ... The primary criticism Harbaugh offered in his post-game remarks
were focused on the Ravens being penalized eight times for 52 yards, including a
combined six from offensive linemen Chris Chester and Jared Gaither with
each player negating a touchdown with a flag. ...
DEPTH CHART AS OF WEDNESDAY AT 14:00 PT
QB: Joe Flacco, Troy Smith, Todd Bouman
RB: Willis McGahee, LeRon McClain, Ray Rice
FB: LeRon McClain, Lorenzo Neal
WR: Derrick Mason, Mark Clayton, Yamon Figurs, Marcus Smith, Ernie
Wheelwright, Terrance Copper
TE: Todd Heap, Daniel Wilcox
PK: Matt Stover
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BUFFALO BILLS
Trent Edwards has gotten a lot of credit for the Bills' five wins this season. On
Sunday, he accepted some of the blame for the Bills' 25-16 loss to the Miami
Dolphins.
"What is frustrating is that we didn't play our best game," Edwards said. "I'd
rather walk off that field today with us playing the best game we can and still
losing that game. I'd feel a lot better right now."
Edwards completed 21 of 35 passes for 227 yards. Decent numbers, to be sure,
but his day was clouded by an interception and two fumbles, one resulting in a
safety. There were also some uncharacteristic errant throws.
As Buffalo News staffer Allen Wilson noted, every quarterback has days like
this. Edwards hasn't had many rough outings in his first two years, but Sunday
was one of them.
"Yeah, I think it is partially that and partially you have to give a lot of credit to the
Miami Dolphins," Edwards told Wilson. "I thought they came out with a great
game plan and executed it from the first snap until the last snap. They were just
ready to play, and I don't know if we were ready to play the entire game. We had
spurts where we were clicking and then there were times where we were making
mistakes."
Many of the mistakes were authored by Edwards.
As Edwards pointed out, the Dolphins' defense made his job tougher. The
Dolphins rushed two or three men and dropped everyone else into coverage.
That left Edwards with few open targets to throw to.
"When there's three or four guys on a route, you can do the math where it's two
guys covering one of our receivers," he said. "It's harder to find guys down the
field when you're only rushing three guys. You've got to go through your reads
and get the ball to the open guy. And when they brought pressure, they really did
a good job of covering up our receivers, our tight ends, our backs."
When the Dolphins brought pressure it was effective, too. Of course, the Bills
gave Miami's pass rush plenty of opportunities. Buffalo was in a lot of passing
situations, facing long yardage because of its inability to get much on first and
second down.
The Bills converted only 4 of 14 third downs. Eight times they faced third-and-5
or longer. Eight times they had to give up possession. Both of the Dolphins'
sacks came on third-and-long.
That's not to say the loss falls solely on Edwards' shoulders. The defense
couldn't stop Miami's passing game and the Bills' offensive line had its struggles,
too.
Meanwhile, Josh Reed is out indefinitely with injuries to his ankle and Achilles'
tendon, leaving the Buffalo Bills minus one of their most reliable third-down
receivers.
Though head coach Dick Jauron wouldn't say today how much time Reed might
miss, it generally takes players two to three weeks to recuperate from such
injuries, depending on their severity. Jauron also didn't indicate which ankle Reed
hurt late in the second quarter on Sunday.
Reed ranks second on the team with 26 catches for 288 yards. He is also second
on the Bills, and tied for 16th in the AFC, with eight catches for 116 yards in thirddown situations. Without Reed, the Bills will have to rely more on slot receiver
Roscoe Parrish and rookie second-round pick James Hardy to play behind
starter Lee Evans.
Losing Reed could hurt the Bills' passing game.
"Josh is obviously a big element to our offense," Edwards said. "He creates
mismatches on those linebackers inside. He's a big third down receiver for us.
That might be part of the reason in the second half that we were not able to keep
the drives alive. ..."
According to Pro Football Weekly, the passing attack has been held back by the
slow development of Hardy. The touted newcomer from Indiana was expected to
break into the starting lineup immediately, but he hasn't shown enough polish to
become even the consistent red-zone threat that most figured the 6-5 newcomer
would be.
And as the Sports Xchange notes, Parrish continues to struggle on offense. He
had just one catch for 3 yards against the Dolphins. But the increased
opportunities created by Reed's absence could lead to more. ...
Other notes of interest. ... Marshawn Lynch still has not come close to rushing
for 100 yards in a game, as he was held to 61 yards on 13 carries. However, his
4.7 average was a season best.
Fred Jackson had 41 yards on 10 carries and had several key gains on Buffalo's
third-quarter touchdown drive. On the flip side, he was stopped three times inside
the 5 in the first quarter, which forced the Bills to kick a field goal. ...
Rookie tight end Derek Fine made his long-awaited debut after missing the first
six games with a thumb injury. He got only a couple of snaps, but he did provide
a key block on Lynch's 8-yard touchdown run in the third quarter.
The Bills and Jauron have agreed to what is believed to be a three-year contract
extension that will tie the head coach to Buffalo through 2011. Jauron was in the
last year of his contract, which is how questions about his future first arose.
When the season started, there were questions about whether Jauron would be
in Buffalo long term. But those questions have dissipated, along with any ideas
that the Bills might not be good enough to compete for the AFC East title.
DEPTH CHART AS OF WEDNESDAY AT 14:00 PT
QB: Trent Edwards, J.P. Losman, Gibran Hamdan
RB: Marshawn Lynch, Fred Jackson, Xavier Omon
FB: Corey McIntyre
WR: Lee Evans, James Hardy, Roscoe Parrish, Justin Jenkins, Josh Reed
TE: Robert Royal, Derek Schouman, Derek Fine
PK: Rian Lindell
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CAROLINA PANTHERS
Steve Smith had just broken two tackles, tiptoed down the sideline and dove into
the end zone for yet another spectacular touchdown to add to his hefty collection.
But when he turned around, none of his Panthers teammates were there to
celebrate with him.
As Associated Press sports writer Mike Cranston noted, even they had doubts
his latest acrobatic play would stand up to a replay review. Yet Smith proved
everybody wrong again Sunday, leaving the Panthers 6-2, alone the atop the
NFC South and thrilled they've overcome Smith's potential season-destroying
sucker-punch in training camp.
"He's done a lot of remarkable things, I know, in my tenure," head coach John
Fox said Monday. "He's extremely competitive and he's very gifted. He comes to
play."
The 65-yard touchdown in Carolina's 27-23 win over Arizona was part of a fivecatch, 117-yard, two-touchdown day for Smith. It was his third straight 100-yard
receiving game, and it left him seventh in the NFL with 613 yards receiving.
Smith has done that in only six games after being suspended for the first two for
breaking teammate Ken Lucas' nose.
The touchdown, which withstood a replay review, was more amazing the more
you watched, and Fox said Monday he couldn't tell if Smith's right heel hit the
sideline or not.
"It looked like it was in the air to me and it never touched anything. I think the
officials concurred," Fox said. "Again, you are not going to catch every little
detail, even with replay. But it was a great effort on Steve's part."
Smith's kept quite a pace since returning from the suspension.
He's caught 33 passes for 613 yards, seventh in the league in yardage, while
playing two fewer games than the guys ahead of him.
But he's fourth in terms of yards per catch (18.3), and on pace to top 1,400 yards.
He's only done that once, evidence of the kind of roll he's on.
Having long ago put to rest any lingering hard feelings from the Smith-Lucas
incident, the Panthers enter their bye week playing like one of the top teams in
the NFC -- and catching the breaks necessary to have a great season as No. 89
keeps making jaw-dropping plays.
"I always apply a lot of pressure to myself," Smith said. "It's outstanding to have
guys on the team that we can count on. We count on each other. ..."
For what it's worth, Sunday's touchdown was the third 65-yard scoring catch by
Smith in his last three games against the Cardinals. Smith caught a 65-yard
touchdown from Jake Delhomme in 2005, another from Vinny Testaverde in
2007 and the third from Delhomme on Sunday.
Other notes of interest. ... DeAngelo Williams, whose 108 yards rushing and
one touchdown on 17 carries helped the Panthers rally to victory Sunday, picked
up 23 of those yards on four plays when the ball was snapped directly to him.
"It was great, because we had an extra blocker -- [Delhomme]," said Williams,
who quickly laughed that notion off.
Delhomme was asked if he expected Williams to start throwing to him out of the
direct-snap formation, which the Panthers have periodically used with Williams in
each of his three seasons.
"I hope," said Delhomme, who lines up very wide and very far out of harm's way
during the play. "We'll see."
It's the emergence of Williams' running – not his potential passing ability – that
has played a pivotal role in the Panthers' spot atop the NFC South standings as
they head into their bye week. Carolina doesn't play again until Nov.9 in Oakland.
Williams has 522 yards this season, on pace to become just the third player in
the franchise's 14 seasons to rush for 1,000 yards (Anthony Johnson, 1,120 in
1996 and Stephen Davis, 1,444 in 2003).
According to the Charlotte Observer, Williams' reliability has now clearly made
him the Panthers' featured back ahead of rookie Jonathan Stewart, who had
eight carries for 10 yards Sunday. ...
According to Rock Hill Herald staffer Darin Gantt, Fox wasn't touching the
question as to which receiver would be the third after the bye. Ostensibly, D.J.
Hackett should be back from his knee injury, but there's no indication he's ready
to replace Dwayne Jarrett, who caught a pair of third-down conversions Sunday.
Asked if Hackett would get his old job back, Fox hemmed and hawed as long as
he could before deciding to not answer the question at all.
"I just don't want to commit to anything because I don't know the answer yet," he
said. "We'll come out and we'll play the best 53 guys or the best 46 on game
day."
Fox said that Jarrett had "definitely improved."
Muhsin Muhammad dropped an easy 5-yard touchdown pass from Delhomme
in the second quarter that would have cut Arizona's lead to 10-7. However, the
Panthers failed to punch it in on the next two plays and eventually settled for a
short field goal by John Kasay.
"In his defense, right when he turned, the ball hits him," Delhomme said of
Muhammad. "He'll catch it nine out of 10 times. I wanted to get rid of him
because they were coming with pressure. We had two other downs to get in and
we didn't get it done. That was disappointing that we couldn't capitalize."
Kasay hit his 374th career field goal on Sunday, eighth most in NFL history (he
passed Jan Stenerud with two Sunday). No. 7 Nick Lowery (383) is next. Kasay
is 16-for-16 this season and needs one more to tie his career-long streak of 22 in
a row.
DEPTH CHART AS OF WEDNESDAY AT 14:00 PT
The Panthers are idle this week due to the NFL bye.
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CHICAGO BEARS
With multiple touchdown passes in four of the Bears' seven games, an
impressive 10-4 TD-interception ratio and a string of 116 pass attempts without a
pick, Kyle Orton deservedly has become the center of attention in the Bears'
surprisingly potent offense.
But in an article published last week, Pro Football Weekly's Dan Arkush
wondered if we haven't been going overboard with praise of Orton.
Arkush went on to note that Orton's eye-opening numbers so far this season are
very much on a par with those of Rex Grossman after seven games in 2006.
And Grossman's shaky staying power under center since then has been welldocumented.
"But the difference between Orton and Grossman is Orton's consistency and the
way he has managed to avoid mistakes," a longtime team insider told Arkush.
"He always seems to realize where the pressure is coming from, and he doesn't
throw the ball up for grabs. He's got a great time clock in his head.
"Every game, he seems to show some kind of improvement in a particular area."
There's one other big difference between the Orton of 2008 and the Grossman of
2006.
"Orton has done more with less," the insider said. "Everybody thought he would
struggle after Brandon Lloyd got injured, but he's actually gotten better, finding
different guys to get the job done.
"The way he has been able to spread the ball around has been key. It has really
helped all the receivers gain confidence, knowing that, if they get open, Orton will
find them."
As Chicago Sun-Times staffer Brad Biggs pointed out last week, the tight ends
have been especially helpful.
When throwing with two tight ends on the field, Orton is 29-for-44 for 371 yards
with four touchdowns and one interception. His passer rating is 113 and he's
averaging 8.4 yards per attempt, both well above his overall numbers.
It doesn't mean all of those passes have been directed to the tight ends, but their
presence on the field helps create what the Bears believe are advantageous
matchups. Desmond Clark and Greg Olsen are deployed in a combination of
ways: As in-line blockers, flexed wide and even in the backfield.
And they are catching the ball well. Only the Dallas Cowboys, with perennial Pro
Bowler Jason Witten, have generated more passing yardage from their tight
ends.
Olsen is tied with Rashied Davis for second on the team with 22 receptions for
296 yards and two touchdowns. Clark has 15 catches for 205 yards and would
have scored against the Vikings had he not fumbled into the end zone at the end
of a 35-yard pass play, a mistake covered by Davis for a touchdown. ...
Orton's increased comfort with offensive coordinator Ron Turner's system also
has been a major plus.
"You can see the confidence the coaches have in him, allowing him to run the
no-huddle on his own, knowing that he'll usually make the right choices," the
insider said.
Orton's arm strength and ability to throw the deep ball have surprised many
observers.
"But he's always had the arm," the insider said. "He had the strongest arm at the
Combine the year he came out. It was just that, on the longer routes, he hadn't
thrown enough deep balls at game speed. It was just a matter of getting his
timing down. ..."
Also of interest. ... With Orton averaging 301 passing yards in the last three
games and proving he can lead the team to victory when the running game isn't
particularly productive, opponents might begin to adjust. And as Biggs
suggested, fewer eight-man fronts would mean more running lanes for Matt
Forte, who is eighth in the NFL with 515 yards but has averaged fewer than
three yards per carry in the last five games.
"They obviously know that we like to run the ball, so they roll a safety down and
put more people in the box," Forte said. "But that opens up passing options also.
[Defenses] will have to do something. I don't know what they're going to try to do,
but they're going to have to try to stop both of us."
The difference between Forte and Cedric Benson, when the former first-round
draft pick was putting up pedestrian running numbers, is still immense. Forte is
playing a big role in the passing game; the New Orleans Saints' Reggie Bush is
the only back with more receptions than Forte, who has 29 catches for 223 yards
and two touchdowns.
With Bush out at least a month after knee surgery, Forte should pass him soon.
"There are more ways to contribute to the offense than running the ball," Forte
said. "You can pass-block, which I have been doing, and catch the ball. There
are other ways that I can contribute to the offense. Production counts."
Worth noting: Forte has six touchdowns (four rushing and two receiving), four
more than any other Bear. ...
Kevin Jones got 10 of his 32 caries this season in Week 5 against his former
team, Detroit, which is also this week's opponent. ...
On the injury front. ... Chicago Tribune staffer Vaughn McClure reports that
Lloyd had his left knee wrapped in ice as he walked to his locker, a cold reminder
that he's not quite 100 percent. Even so, he's feeling better. Much better.
And Lloyd indicated he's just about ready to return from his injury that has cost
him three games.
When? Perhaps against Detroit this weekend?
"No idea," said Lloyd. "I feel more confidence every morning that I get up on it,"
he said. "So there's a possibility. ..."
And finally. ... According to PFW, one of the biggest surprises on the Bears so far
this season has been the emergence of second-year halfback Garrett Wolfe as
a flat-out stud on special teams.
According to the Sports Xchange, Wolfe, whose role in the offense has been
reduced (nine carries, 53 yards, no receptions), leads the Bears with 12 specialteams tackles.
"It's really kind of shocking considering how little he had played on special teams
before this season," a team insider told PFW. "Last year they tried him there, and
it was clear his heart wasn't in it. But this year he was told it was something he
had to do to solidify a roster spot, and he hasn't missed a tackle in kick
coverage."
DEPTH CHART AS OF WEDNESDAY AT 14:00 PT
QB: Kyle Orton, Rex Grossman, Caleb Hanie
RB: Matt Forte, Kevin Jones, Garrett Wolfe, Adrian Peterson
FB: Jason McKie
WR: Brandon Lloyd, Devin Hester, Rashied Davis, Marty Booker, Earl Bennett
TE: Greg Olsen, Desmond Clark, Kellen Davis
PK: Robbie Gould
=========================
=========================
CINCINNATI BENGALS
Carson Palmer, having finished his pre-game workout, despite the fact he would
not play Sunday, said a report by ESPN last Friday night that he will not play the
rest of the season is false.
"That's not true. I don't know where he (ESPN's Chris Mortensen) got it,"
Palmer told Cincinnati Enquirer staffer Mark Curnutte before Sunday's game. "I
just found it out last night (Saturday)."
Palmer has an inflamed elbow. He missed his fourth game in eight starts. Ryan
Fitzpatrick made his fourth start Sunday in place of Palmer for the Bengals in
their 35-6 loss to the Texans.
Mortensen, citing unnamed sources, reported Palmer had ligament damage in
the right elbow, his throwing arm. Head coach Marvin Lewis, on the field at
Reliant Stadium, also said the Mortensen report was not true.
On Friday, following practice, Lewis told reporters Palmer would likely not play
against Jacksonville Nov. 2 before the bye week Nov. 9. The soonest Palmer
would play is Nov. 16 at home against the Eagles -- a fact Lewis reiterated again
on Monday.
"The timeline on Carson remains the same," Lewis said in his day-after press
conference. "He'll continue to follow the program of rehab. He will not throw on
the (practice) field this week. He is doing great. At some point, (doctors will)
evaluate him a little further.
"Carson wants to play. And as soon as he can get to that point and can progress
back into throwing on the field, then we'll have a better indication."
Palmer said after Sunday's loss that he would try to come back after the bye.
"It most likely looks like they are going to look at it after the bye, evaluate it and
see where we are from there," he said. "I'm just in the process of rehabbing. And
doing everything the training staff tells me to do to get me healthy. I'll be able to
play when this thing gets healed up."
He is not throwing.
"No, no throwing," Palmer said. "I've just been rehabbing and doing all footballrelated exercises. ..."
The bottom line? Palmer will be sidelined for a fourth straight game this Sunday - and the fifth in six weeks -- ranking him among this year's major Fantasy
disappointments. ...
Other notes of interest. ... Chad Ocho Cinco's first-quarter reception for 6 yards
against the Texans gives him 100 games in a row with at least one catch. Ocho
Cinco had five receptions for 44 yards in Sunday's loss and has 32 catches for
312 yards over eight games.
T.J. Houshmandzadeh had eight more receptions for 54 yards, putting him on
pace for 108 receptions and 1,024 yards for the season. He has three
touchdowns in the first eight games.
Cedric Benson, a standout at the University of Texas, came home Sunday as
the Bengals starter and ran 13 times for 49 yards. He was eight for 41 in the first
half.
Former starter Chris Perry, for the second game in a row, did not have a rushing
attempt.
Benson has a 3.3-yard average on 41 carries. ...
According to the Sports Xchange, the Bengals offensive line has played poorly all
season, but it was better Sunday. In allowing one sack to Houston, the line has
allowed 27 sacks in eight games, 10 more than the franchise-record low of 17 in
all of the 2007 season.
Fitzpatrick, starting for Palmer for the fourth time threw two interceptions and lost
a fumble for the fourth time (one in each game). The longest pass completion
was 14 yards, and the Bengals did not get into the end zone. ...
Glenn Holt's shoulder sprain was the only other major injury sustained in the
Houston loss. Lewis said he'd see how Holt felt Wednesday and Thursday. The
coach expects tight end Ben Utecht to be back this week after sitting out the
Houston game.
On Wednesday, the Bengals signed fullback J.D. Runnels to the practice squad.
The move comes with Reagan Mauia (hamstring) on injured reserve.
DEPTH CHART AS OF WEDNESDAY AT 14:00 PT
QB: Ryan Fitzpatrick, Jordan Palmer, Carson Palmer
RB: Cedric Benson, Kenny Watson, Chris Perry
FB: Daniel Coats
WR: T.J. Houshmandzadeh, Chad Ocho Cinco, Chris Henry, Antonio Chatman,
Jerome Simpson, Glenn Holt, Andre Caldwell
TE: Reginald Kelly, Ben Utecht
PK: Shayne Graham
=========================
=========================
CLEVELAND BROWNS
According to the Associated Press, Kellen Winslow didn't utter a word about
staph infections or suspensions. After a contentious, confusing week laced with
suspicion, innuendo and dueling statements, the Pro Bowl tight end returned to
the Browns on Monday eager to restart his disrupted season.
"I'm ready to move on and just play football," he said.
Winslow and the Browns appear to have made a truce, albeit a tenuous one.
Suspended one game last week by the club, which later rescinded its penalty,
Winslow rejoined his teammates one day after the Browns won for the second
time this season without him.
Winslow spoke briefly in front of his locker before heading to a team meeting.
The 25-year-old said he has worked out his differences with Browns general
manager Phil Savage and owner Randy Lerner.
"They knew where I was coming from and I understood where they were coming
from, so it is all worked out," he said. "I am just excited to get back to playing
football, doing what I love to do. I just really see this as a challenge, so I am
going to meet it."
Winslow was banned from the team's facility last week by the Browns, who
suspended him for criticizing the team's handling of his three-day hospitalization
at the Cleveland Clinic with a staph infection. After initially agreeing with the team
to keep his illness concealed, Winslow revealed he had staph following a loss at
Washington last week.
Two days later, the Browns suspended the outspoken Winslow one game without
pay for disparaging comments and behavior toward the organization. Winslow
insists he was coming forward to protect the health of his teammates. He has
had staph twice and is one of at least six known Cleveland players to contract
staph since 2005.
Winslow appealed the suspension, which was dropped late Saturday night after
the Browns reportedly learned Winslow had received text messages from a
member of Cleveland's media relations staff who told him not to reveal he had
staph.
After Sunday's 23-17 win in Jacksonville, Savage downplayed the importance of
the text messages and said he and Winslow's agent, Drew Rosenhaus, had
been working toward a settlement since Thursday.
Savage also suggested Winslow had been hospitalized for something other than
staph and the club was trying to protect the player's privacy.
"If there's going to be disclosure, there's got to be full disclosure," Savage said
outside Cleveland's locker room in Jacksonville. "We were trying to do the right
thing by him and his family."
Savage was asked why Winslow had been hospitalized.
"I don't know," said Savage. "I think it's all in a gray area right now. You can ask
him (Winslow)."
Before head coach Romeo Crennel's news conference Monday, an agitated
Savage came into the team's media room to discuss his post-game comments.
"Once and for all, Kellen's illness was determined to be a staph infection,"
Savage said tersely. "He had been in the hospital for two or three days; it takes a
couple days to figure out what something is. Secondly, there was no secondary
illness. Thirdly, he is in the building, he has worked out and the team meets at 1
o'clock.
"That's the end of the story. It is over with, OK? There is no secondary illness.
Staph infection. Everybody's got it, right?"
Later, Crennel said he was happy to have Winslow back and the star had
returned with a good attitude.
"I've spoken with him and he wants to be a Brown," Crennel said. "I think that
he's going to come out and he's going to give us a good effort and a good
performance."
The Browns are 2-0 without Winslow, who was released from the hospital the
day before their Oct. 13 upset of the New York Giants. On Sunday, backup tight
end Steve Heiden led the club with 73 yards receiving, picking up 51 on a fourthand-1 catch to set up Cleveland's second touchdown.
Heiden also played well in the win over New York, making five catches for 59
yards as the Browns stunned the defending Super Bowl champions 35-14.
Crennel was effusive in praising Heiden, who had a career-high 43 receptions in
2005 when Winslow missed the season following a motorcycle accident.
"He is an all-around tight end, tremendous teammate and when you call on him
to do something, he does whatever you call on him to do," Crennel said. "If that is
to be the starter, he is the starter. If that's to be the No. 2 guy, then he's the No. 2
guy and he's always for the team, always for the Browns.
"That is the kind of attitude a coach likes on his team. We have to build on that
and move forward with that."
Crennel chuckled when asked if Heiden would take Winslow's starting spot.
"We're going to work Kellen in and I'll say this: Don't be surprised if Kellen is the
starter," Crennel said. "I'm not saying he's the starter, but don't be surprised if
he's the starter. ..."
For what it's worth: Heiden's season numbers aren't far off Winslow's, even
though he has mainly been a blocker almost exclusively in games Winslow has
played.
Winslow has 21 catches for 187 yards and a touchdown. Heiden has 10 catches
for 151 yards and a near-touchdown.
No. 3 tight end Darnell Dinkins has added three catches for 31 yards, all with
Winslow out.
In fact, the offense has been most effective this season without Winslow.
He missed the Giants game with the illness; without him, the Browns gained 454
yards and hammered the defending Super Bowl champs 35-7.
Against Jacksonville, the offense had 212 yards at halftime and the team was
leading 17-7.
In five full games with Winslow playing, the Browns gained an average of 215.6
yards. The Browns finished with 327 yards, getting the big ones when they
needed them.
"That was the thing," Heiden said, "when we needed them. ..."
Other notes of interest. ... As the Sports Xchange noted, Derek Anderson hit
some big plays and played a more confident game in the win over Jacksonville.
Anderson threw for 246 yards and had two completions longer than 50 yards. It's
almost starting to look as if the team's offensive failures were less Anderson's
problems than those of his receivers.
Receiver Syndric Steptoe showed he is growing -- and better-suited to be a
fourth receiver in the offense. Steptoe made a nifty run after the catch on a
perfect Anderson pass in the second half, turning a medium-range gain into a 53yarder that set up the Browns for first-and-goal.
The XChange also suggested that Donte' Stallworth's presence has made a
difference to the Browns offense, as teams have to respect him. His return from
injury has coincided with improved offensive play, which does not seem a
coincidence.
Unfortunately, the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports that Stallworth aggravated his
quad muscle and was limited in Wednesday's practice. He is expected to play but
the situation bears watching. ...
Jamal Lewis again had another strong game, running for 81 yards on 20 carries.
The Xchange added: "Lewis sets a professional standard his teammates would
be wise to emulate. ..."
Fullback Lawrence Vickers left Sunday's game with an ankle injury but returned.
He should play this week. ...
One last note. ... ESPN.com's James Walker reports that Joe Jurevicius will be
out for the remainder of the 2008 season. Crennel said during his weekly news
conference that the team is preparing to make an announcement on Jurevicius
soon, and the coach hinted that it was "generally not good."
The Browns have until Tuesday to take Jurevicius off the physically-unable-toperform list or deactivate him for the season. Jurevicius had routine knee surgery
in the offseason but contracted a staph infection that set back his timetable to
return.
"It's 99 percent sure that he is done for the season," a source told Walker.
It is unknown if Jurevicius will retire or attempt a comeback next year. The 11year veteran said this would be his final season, but he still has one year
remaining on his contract.
DEPTH CHART AS OF WEDNESDAY AT 14:00 PT
QB: Derek Anderson, Brady Quinn, Ken Dorsey
RB: Jamal Lewis, Jerome Harrison, Jason Wright
FB: Lawrence Vickers
WR: Braylon Edwards, Donte' Stallworth, Syndric Steptoe, Joshua Cribbs, Joe
Jurevicius
TE: Kellen Winslow, Steve Heiden, Darnell Dinkins, Martin Rucker
PK: Phil Dawson
=========================
=========================
DALLAS COWBOYS
Even on a rare "victory Monday," the Dallas Cowboys found themselves inching
toward controversy. At quarterback, no less.
As the Associated Press reported, head coach Wade Phillips opened the door
by hesitating on whether backup Brad Johnson will remain the starter Sunday
against the New York Giants in what should be the final game Tony Romo
misses because of a broken pinkie finger on his throwing hand.
The only other quarterback on the roster is Brooks Bollinger.
How could Johnson lose the job despite guiding Dallas to a win over divisionleading Tampa Bay?
Well, he guided the offense to only 172 yards, the fewest ever in a game the
Cowboys won, and he wasn't even close on some throws to open receivers.
A high-ranking team source told ESPN's Ed Werder the Cowboys will "probably"
have Johnson start against the defending Super Bowl champion New York
Giants on Sunday. But the same source told Werder that Johnson's obvious
limitations within the offense might prompt Phillips and his staff to consider other
options, including Bollinger.
In the two games with Johnson starting for Romo, none of the Cowboys' top
three wide receivers or tight end Jason Witten has a reception for 20 or more
yards. With Johnson in the lineup, Owens has just seven catches for 64 yards,
Patrick Crayton four for 43 and newly acquired Roy Williams two for 10 yards.
Witten has seven receptions for 52 yards. Williams is the only player among
those mentioned with a touchdown catch (which he pulled in against the Bucs).
When asked at his Monday news conference if Johnson would remain the
starting quarterback for the Giants game, Phillips said, "I would expect that."
Moments earlier the coach said, "Brad won the game [Sunday] and that's the
most important thing."
Johnson is the only Cowboys player with a Super Bowl ring and the Cowboys
were attracted to his experience, intelligence and reputation for being someone
who could manage the game and avoid sacks and turnovers. Johnson has three
interceptions and been sacked six times in his two starts.
The daunting challenge of playing the Giants' defense on the road is another
reason for the Cowboys to discuss replacing Johnson. With the Giants leading
the NFL in sacks, Johnson's inability to escape the pass rush becomes an
additional liability.
Bollinger's mobility could be important against the Giants, who sacked Steelers
quarterback Ben Roethlisberger five times and intercepted four of his passes in
Sunday's 21-14 victory. The Giants have a league-high 26 sacks.
It might be worth noting at this point owner Jerry Jones suggested on his weekly
radio show that Johnson's ability to protect the ball and manage the game trumps
Bollinger's mobility.
"Even in this day and time, you can win games with field position and no
turnovers," Jones said. "You trade that off against being really limited in what you
can do downfield, being maybe limited in your accuracy and certainly limited in
your mobility. Then you've got to pick your poison.
"So I think the real question here is what is our best way to win. My gut is our
best way to win is to not turn the ball over, as opposed to go out there and try to
create more offense."
Nonetheless, SI.com insider Peter King wrote on Monday: "If Bollinger doesn't
get into the game against the Giants, I'll be surprised. Johnson's trying like heck,
but he doesn't have much left. ..."
For the record: Bollinger has started 10 games in his six-year career, nine with
the New York Jets in 2005 and one last year for the Minnesota Vikings. The
Vikings cut him after he went 6-of-18 for 62 yards in a loss to Dallas in the
preseason finale, and the Cowboys signed him a few weeks later.
He was the emergency quarterback the first seven games, moving up to No. 2 on
Sunday, but has yet to take the field.
Other notes of interest. ... According to the Dallas Morning News, Witten has a
broken rib but he hopes to play Sunday against the Giants.
Phillips said on Monday he did not know the full extent of Witten's injury but he
was told there is a chance Witten could play against the Giants.
Witten suffered the injury Sunday against Tampa Bay and attempted to return to
the game in the second half but played only one series. If Witten cannot play, it
would be just the second game he has missed because of injury in his career. He
missed one game as a rookie because of a broken jaw.
It would also severely hurt an offense that has struggled the last two weeks.
Without Witten, rookie Martellus Bennett and Tony Curtis would have to fill in.
According to DallasCowboys.com insider Mickey Spagnola, Witten said it hurts
to even breath and he sounded doubtful he would even try to practice, saying he
would probably "take it easy" on Wednesday.
"We'll see today, I don't know if I can practice or not, we'll just try and see where
we're at, at the end of the week," Witten said before the team heads out to
practice later this afternoon. "Every time you breathe you feel it, I've never had
anything like this before."
There will be some suggesting Witten can wear a flak jacket or place a rib pad on
the spot where his ribs is cracked, but as Witten says, "The damage already is
done," and while the padding might protect him from further damage, there is
little the trainers can do other than, as he says, "doctor it up" to alleviate the pain.
According to Spagnola, it was obvious while walking down the hallway with
Witten the simple act of turning his head to talk, or any time he had to turn his
torso was causing him some discomfort.
"We'll just try to let it calm down a little bit and see if we can rally it up later in the
week," Witten said.
Stay tuned. I'll have more on Witten's status as the week progresses (keep an
eye on the Late-Breaking Updates section starting early Thursday). ...
Meanwhile, Bennett had a season-high three catches for 21 yards against the
Buccaneers.
"Martellus did some things in the game," Phillips said. "He's a talented player that
made a big first down for us and blocked pretty well. He's utilizing his athletic
ability and that's important."
Witten owners might want to keep Bennett in mind if it comes down to an
emergency roster move later this week. ...
Halfway through his first season as a starting tailback, Marion Barber is on pace
for more than 1,200 yards, which would be the most by a Cowboy since Emmitt
Smith had 1,203 yards in 2000.
On Sunday, he carried 25 times for 71 yards, the second-most allowed by Tampa
Bay this season.
"Marion Barber is a terrific player with terrific heart," Phillips said. "He personifies
our team, I think. He's a great example of that."
Barber has 153 carries for 611 yards in eight games, which is already the
second-most carries and third-most yards that he has had in a season. On
Sunday, he came up with two fourth-down conversions while lined up as a
fullback in front of rookie Tashard Choice.
Barber also led the Cowboys with six catches for 29 yards, marking the second
time in three games he has led the team as a pass catcher. ...
Williams' touchdown catch was his first contribution to the Cowboys. He did not
have a catch last week in his first game since being acquired in a deadline-day
trade Oct. 14.
"I felt a difference in pre-game, and all the way throughout the week," Williams
said. "Coach took care of us in practice. The captains came up to the team and
said, 'Play with energy.' Playing in St. Louis, it was kind of dull, a false chattering
in the locker room. Today, it was legit."
Williams caught two passes. His first catch, on the first play of the second
quarter, went for 8 yards. He had another catch later that would have been for 7
but was nullified because the Cowboys accepted a defensive pass-interference
penalty.
But the penalty set up the field position that led to Williams' touchdown catch
and, ultimately, to his first win of the season. The Lions were 0-5 when he was
traded.
"This is our fifth win here, but it's my first win in 2008," he said. "It's just a great
feeling to get it here, at Texas Stadium, in front of the home crowd."
DEPTH CHART AS OF WEDNESDAY AT 14:00 PT
QB: Brad Johnson, Brooks Bollinger, Tony Romo
RB: Marion Barber, Tashard Choice, Felix Jones
FB: Deon Anderson
WR: Terrell Owens, Roy Williams, Patrick Crayton, Miles Austin, Isaiah Stanback
TE: Jason Witten, Martellus Bennett, Tony Curtis
PK: Nick Folk
=========================
=========================
DENVER BRONCOS
The Broncos returned from a four-day hiatus to hit the practice field Monday
facing nine games and major questions about an offense that led the league in
scoring in a 3-0 start but finds itself averaging 14.8 points during a 1-3 stretch.
Meanwhile, linebacker Boss Bailey will miss the remainder of the season and
cornerback Champ Bailey will miss at least a month and likely more because of
a groin injury head coach Mike Shanahan has termed "severe."
According to Rocky Mountain News beat writer Jeff Legwold, those injuries
might force the offense to fuel whatever the team can do during the final nine
weeks of the regular season.
"We know it's going to be important for us to produce," tight end Daniel Graham
said.
"Whether it's offense or defense, you have to pick the team up when you have
the chance or when it's needed."
Jay Cutler, even as the Broncos were roaring down the fast lane to start the
season, predicted defenses would adjust some, offering, "We're going to get
game planned pretty hard," even before the team's rough stretch began.
For the most part, Legwold notes that defenses have gone to an approach that
puts more players in coverage, backing away from the line of scrimmage.
It has forced Cutler to be patient, the kind of challenge most defensive
coordinators like to give a young quarterback as the short, underneath routes are
what have been most available.
Those defenses also have formed a crowd around receiver Brandon Marshall,
Cutler's favorite target, and with injuries to receiver Brandon Stokley
(concussion) and tight end Tony Scheffler (groin), those defenses have had little
reasons to change their tactics.
"(Marshall) is our playmaker," Stokley said. "We have to get him the ball as much
as we can.
"But we also have to be able to move it around some, too, so (defenses) have to
play us honest. They're not always playing us honest right now."
Scheffler has not played the past two games, and Stokley left the game against
Jacksonville in the second quarter and did not play last week in New England.
As a result, Marshall doesn't have a touchdown catch in the past three games
and has not had a third-down reception in the slightly more than six quarters
since Stokley was injured.
The Broncos also have turned over the ball 13 times in the past four games, with
eight lost fumbles and five interceptions from Cutler.
"It's just a challenge each week," Cutler said. "We go in with a lot of things, a lot
of plays, a lot of different situations each week so we can try to adjust in a hurry if
we have to.
"We know we have to get the points every time we have a chance, especially
early in games; our mistakes are hurting us."
The Broncos have run the ball more than 26 times in only one game this season,
the regular-season opener in Oakland, and do not have a rushing touchdown in
the past four games.
Selvin Young has missed a game because of a groin injury, Michael Pittman
has rib and neck injuries and rookie Ryan Torain has only started practicing
again after suffering a fracture just above his left elbow during training camp.
Torain figures to play Sunday against Miami and likely will get increasingly more
carries as the second half of the season progresses.
As News staffer Lee Rasizer notes, there are expectations galore for Torain as
he prepares for his possible NFL debut on Nov. 2.
That's to be expected after his head coach favorably compared him in training
camp to Terrell Davis' and called him "one of the most gifted running backs I've
been around for a long time."
But consider this: Torain has yet to participate in even a pre-season contest. And
there's a huge difference in the speed of the game from training camp practices,
where the fifth-round pick did look like a possible starter, to a real NFL Sunday.
Whatever the case, running more effectively is vital.
"We have to run the ball better no matter how we line up," Pittman said. "You run
the ball, they can't come after your quarterback and they can't drop everybody in
coverage. So no matter how we do it, we have to run it."
Added Cutler: "I feel good about the adjustments we can make once we see what
we're going to get. (Quarterbacks coach Jeremy Bates) has done a great job
with that. We can do the things we need to, it's just about seeing how they line up
against us and dealing with it without making mistakes.
"We have to be more sound, me included. The points are there. We have to just
go get them."
Other notes of interest. ... Stokley came back to practice Monday after the bye
week. He could return this week. The same goes for Scheffler and Young -although you'll want to watch for more in coming days before making any final
decisions on any of the team's walking wounded, including Pittman and Torain.
The Broncos on Monday signed three players, including free-agent wide receiver
Chad Jackson. The Broncos also signed offensive tackle Matt Murphy and
elevated cornerback Josh Bell to the active roster off their practice squad.
Jackson was a second-round pick of the New England Patriots in 2006 whose
career was plagued by injuries. He was waived by team at the end of preseason.
In 14 career games with the Patriots, Jackson had 13 receptions for 152 yards
and three touchdowns.
Also. ... Darrell Hackney was moved up from the practice squad to replace No. 2
QB Patrick Ramsey, who was placed on IR after injuring an elbow against New
England.
According to Pro Football Weekly, Hackney, a second-year veteran, may have a
good arm, but he's not prepared to lead the offense -- a worrisome prospect
given the Broncos' habit of carrying just two QBs on their active roster.
DEPTH CHART AS OF WEDNESDAY AT 14:00 PT
QB: Jay Cutler, Darrell Hackney
RB: Michael Pittman, Ryan Torain, Andre Hall, Selvin Young
FB: Peyton Hillis
WR: Brandon Marshall, Eddie Royal, Brandon Stokley, Darrell Jackson, Glenn
Martinez, Chad Jackson
TE: Daniel Graham, Tony Scheffler, Nate Jackson
PK: Matt Prater
=========================
=========================
DETROIT LIONS
The Lions wanted to get the ball more often to wide receiver Calvin Johnson,
who was averaging four catches per game. And they tried some things in
Sunday's 25-17 loss to Washington.
Still, Johnson finished with four catches for 57 yards, hounded by cornerback
Carlos Rogers, with help from safety LaRon Landry. He also ran a reverse for 7
yards.
"We were very conscious trying to move him around and get him away from
certain coverages," head coach Rod Marinelli said. "We did some things with
him, hopefully to try to get him the ball and try to create some matchups for him."
Johnson lined up in the backfield twice. The second time, in the fourth quarter,
Johnson ran left, caught the ball, eluded three Redskins and dove for a 17-yard
touchdown.
"That second time we ran it, it allowed me to get outside the linebacker to catch
the ball and make my way into the end zone," Johnson said.
The failure to better utilize Johnson has the locals in a bit of an uproar.
Detroit Free Press columnist Drew Sharp expressed the frustration well when he
wrote on Tuesday: "Why is offensive coordinator Jim Colletto still employed right
now?
"Is it really too much to ask for a game plan that better incorporates Calvin
Johnson? It's inexcusable that he only touched the ball five times. ..."
"It doesn't make sense almost exclusively using Johnson as a downfield threat
when you have a novice quarterback executing a low-risk game plan of mostly
safe, short passes underneath the coverage.
"A masters' degree from Lombardi College isn't required to figure out that Colletto
should make it easier for Dan Orlovsky to get the ball into Johnson's hands as
much as possible. Let him use his size and speed in creating space and -- yes,
making positive plays. ..."
Like the above-mentioned touchdown scored while lined up in the backfield.
Sharp wondered why Detroit used that formation only twice.
"That's dumb coaching," Sharp wrote.
Sharp went on suggest that Colletto must do everything that forces defenses to
pay more attention to Johnson, the only serious threat in the Lions' arsenal, while
still not putting Orlovsky in situations over his head.
Instead, Colletto has only made it easier for the opposition in the absence of Roy
Williams.
According to Sharp, some Washington players were overheard after the game
commenting about the ease with which they neutralized the Lions' offense.
"It's real frustrating because we got ourselves in a good situation today and just
failed to execute in the second half," Johnson said. "I had a penalty there and we
just some mishaps in the second half and weren't able to get the ball down the
field. ..."
That apparently won't change any time soon.
With the Lions 0-7, people are clamoring for quarterback Drew Stanton, hoping
to see what the local kid can do. Stanton went to a suburban Detroit high school
and Michigan State. The Lions drafted him in the second round last year.
But Marinelli said he would not play Stanton just so the Lions can evaluate him
for the future. He said he would play him only if Orlovsky is injured or if he feels
Stanton is better than Orlovsky, based on practices and games.
As the Sports Xchange noted, Marinelli doesn't believe in giving out playing time
based on draft status and Stanton is still getting up to speed.
Stanton went on injured reserve after only three days of training camp last year,
had his mechanics altered for the second time in two years in the offseason, and
played only two exhibitions this year before suffering a thumb injury. He went
through his first regular-season NFL practice only about a month ago and has
gotten only about 20 percent of the reps the past two weeks.
Asked if he was confident Stanton would start a game this season, Marinelli said:
"I couldn't say that right now, sometime during the season. It's this week. We're
working on this week."
Orlovsky, a fifth-round pick in 2005, is coming off his first three NFL starts. He did
not turn over the ball in those games, and the Lions had a chance to win each.
But there is plenty of room for improvement.
If Orlovsky improves and the Lions win, Marinelli likely will stick with him. But if
Orlovsky doesn't improve and the Lions continue to lose, that could give him
reason to turn to Stanton, who will have had more practice time by then. ...
Or. ... Daunte Culpepper visited the Lions Tuesday morning and has initiated
contract negotiations following a workout. According to ESPN.com insider John
Clayton, talks are in the beginning stage and Culpepper has not made any
salary demands.
Culpepper left the Lions' facility without agreeing to a contract, but he indicated
that he will stay in contact with the team. In case you haven't been following
along, Culpepper, who announced last week he was coming out of retirement,
cancelled a visit with the Chiefs on Tuesday. He apparently views the situation in
Detroit as being a better opportunity.
Culpepper labeled his workout with the Lions a good one.
In an article published Wednesday, MLive.com's Tom Kowalski suggested the
interest in Culpepper might make sense if coaches plan work Stanton into the
mix slowly. Rather than throwing him immediately into the fray, Kowalski
suggests it might make more sense for Stanton, who has missed the majority of
time over the last two training camps, to come in for a series or two in the second
half and see how he does.
If Stanton comes in and plays well -- Kowalski believes it could even happen this
week in Chicago -- then you give him another couple of series in the next game.
That progression could continue until the coaches believe he's ready to start.
And if Stanton comes in and it's clear that he's not ready to start? If it's obvious
that he either hasn't had enough preparation yet -- or that the coaches don't think
he's talented enough?
That's where Culpepper might come in. ... It's certainly a viable theory. ...
Other notes of interest. ... Running back Rudi Johnson started and scored an
11-yard touchdown against Washington, but he had only 10 yards on seven
carries otherwise.
Rookie Kevin Smith had only four carries for 12 yards, though he also caught
seven passes for 50 yards. The Lions' second-longest run was a 10-yard brokenplay scramble by Orlovsky. ...
Tight end Casey Fitzsimmons suffered bruised organs and damaged cartilage
when he took a knee in the ribs Sunday against Washington. He couldn't breathe
without pain Monday, but he still hopes to protect his ribs and play Sunday at
Chicago.
Starting fullback Jerome Felton suffered a high ankle sprain Sunday. He could
miss this week and maybe one more.
DEPTH CHART AS OF WEDNESDAY AT 14:00 PT
QB: Dan Orlovsky, Drew Stanton
RB: Rudi Johnson, Kevin Smith
FB: Moran Norris, Jerome Felton
WR: Calvin Johnson, Shaun McDonald, Mike Furrey, Brandon Middleton
TE: Michael Gaines, Casey Fitzsimmons
PK: Jason Hanson
=========================
=========================
GREEN BAY PACKERS
As Green Bay Press Gazette staffer Pete Dougherty suggested over the
weekend, Aaron Rodgers has made a good first impression on the NFL.
But Dougherty was quick to add there remain questions about whether the
Packers are complete enough on offense to prevail in what figures to be a close
race in the NFC North Division.
Three NFC scouts who have studied the NFC North this year all pointed to the
running game as the Packers' greatest weakness after seven games in the 2008
season.
"Where I think they're going to struggle as they go along is if they don't start
running the ball," a scout told Dougherty.
In an overview of the Packers, the scouts agreed Rodgers is their best offensive
player. One of the scouts said his only concern with Rodgers was durability,
which Rodgers has answered so far by starting all seven games, including the
last three with a sore throwing shoulder.
"His ability to stay alive and make plays is his biggest strength," one scout said.
"His arm strength is a plus. And he's got some guys who once they catch it can
make things happen, which always helps."
However, one scout also cited the absence of Brett Favre as the biggest reason
the Packers' run game has underperformed.
The Packers rank No. 22 in the NFL in rushing yards, No. 25 in average yards
per rush, and halfback Ryan Grant is averaging 3.4 yards a carry, down
significantly from 5.1 yards last year.
The other two scouts agreed to some degree that defenses' fear of Favre caused
them to slant game plans and more heavily to stopping him last year.
The third scout said declining run blocking by aging tackles Chad Clifton (he's
32) and Mark Tauscher (he's 31) and inconsistencies with interior blockers
Daryn Colledge, Jason Spitz and Scott Wells were at least as responsible for
the run game's problems.
"I've been impressed with the way (Rodgers) has played and certainly like the
added dimension of his mobility, something Brett didn't have," the scout said.
"But just because it was Brett Favre, people always thought you have to defend
the pass because this guy can throw it from anywhere at anytime to anybody.
Just that concept of defending Brett Favre instead of defending a passing game,
they were always conscious of that. You don't know quite what you're getting.
"Rodgers is more disciplined with the offense and will take his shots and certainly
throws a nice deep ball. So he can hurt you. It's just a matter of him developing a
reputation -- I don't think it will be that of a gunslinger, but he'll have a reputation
before it's all said and done of being a quality quarterback."
All three scouts rated the Packers' receiving corps, led by Greg Jennings and
Donald Driver, as a major asset, along with Rodgers. ... Hard to argue that
point. ...
Meanwhile, in a column published Monday, Press Gazette staffer Mike
Vandermuse advised readers that Grant is capable of breaking out after a
sluggish start.
Grant's production is down considerably from last season. Most alarming is his
drop in average from 5.1 yards per carry in 2007 to 3.4 this year. He also has
caught only four passes for 8 yards this season after grabbing 30 for 145 yards
last year. Theories abound for the slide, but the biggest factor was his absence
from training camp due to a holdout and hamstring injury.
Vandermuse added: "Hysterical claims that Grant simply isn't that good and will
never live up to his new contract are premature. ..."
Vandermuse also believe the return of James Jones will give the receiving corps
a big boost.
The more weapons Aaron Rodgers has at his disposal, the better the offense will
be. When at his best, Jones can make an impact. As the No. 3 receiver, he will
take pressure off Jennings and Driver and give head coach Mike McCarthy
more play-calling options.
Jones has been bothered by a lingering knee injury and has just five catches for
38 yards this season after a 676-yard rookie campaign. Early indications are
Jones will return -- meaning all five wideouts on the roster will finally be healthy.
Jones practiced Monday and said his knee passed the test.
"I ran full speed," Jones said. "Tested it out and exploded, it felt good. Hopefully
I'll wake up with no soreness or anything like that."
If McCarthy opts to activate all five, he could bring back the five-receiver package
he used so well last year for a handful of plays a game to stretch defenses and
force favorable matchups in the passing game.
"It's a great package," Driver said Monday. "If we ran it, there's no five (defensive
backs) in the National Football League that can stop us."
According to Dougherty, that's especially true with second-round draft pick Jordy
Nelson coming on recently.
The five-receiver package could be a way for McCarthy to maximize his depth at
the position, which might be the team's strongest top to bottom. Because of the
injury to Jones, who came into the season as the No. 3 receiver, Nelson has
played regularly in the rotation, sometimes as a third receiver, sometimes as a
fourth. There are occasional packages where he's one of two receivers on the
field.
Nelson ranks third in receptions (16) among Packers wide receivers, with 15 of
those coming in the last five games. Jennings (37) and Driver (29) are the
Packers' two leading receivers overall, and Ruvell Martin has five receptions -he missed the second and third games because of a broken finger.
The greatest downside is that package leaves only the five offensive linemen to
protect Rodgers, so Rodgers and the linemen have no margin for error on blitz
pickups and hot reads.
However, it makes it harder for the defense to disguise blitzes.
The five-wide set seems like a great way to loosen things up for Grant.
DEPTH CHART AS OF WEDNESDAY AT 14:00 PT
QB: Aaron Rodgers, Matt Flynn, Brian Brohm
RB: Ryan Grant, Brandon Jackson, DeShawn Wynn
FB: Korey Hall, John Kuhn
WR: Donald Driver, Greg Jennings, James Jones, Jordy Nelson, Ruvell Martin
TE: Donald Lee, Tory Humphrey, Jermichael Finley
PK: Mason Crosby
=========================
=========================
HOUSTON TEXANS
For the first time in franchise history, the Texans won three consecutive games,
beating the Cincinnati Bengals 35-6. It was a banner day for the Texans' offense.
Matt Schaub completed 24-of-28 passes for 280 yards and three touchdowns
while his primary partner in crime, Andre Johnson, continued to make
mincemeat of opposing corners.
In his past four starts, Schaub has thrown for 1,233 yards, nine touchdowns and
two interceptions.
And as HoustonTexans.com staffer Brooke Bentley noted, Johnson capped his
fabulous October with 143 receiving yards to give him 593 yards for the month.
His 41 catches this month were the second-most by an NFL receiver in October
since the AFL-NFL merger in 1970. Eric Moulds caught 42 in October, 2000.
Johnson's 593 yards were the fifth-most by an NFL receiver in October since
1970. He leads the league with 56 catches for 772 yards and a 110.3 average
per game.
That would translate to 164 catches and 2,372 receiving yards for a full season.
As SI.com's Peter King wrote on Monday: "This just in: You've got to mention
Johnson with Randy Moss (who had his 800th catch Sunday) and Larry
Fitzgerald among the elite wideouts."
Against Cincinnati, Johnson took several hard hits to the head, but that didn't
stop him from making spectacular catches over the middle and up the sidelines.
"No. 80 is playing as good as I've ever seen a wide receiver play," head coach
Gary Kubiak said. "I've been around some good ones -- Jerry Rice in San
Francisco and Rod Smith in Denver. He wants the ball. He makes plays after the
catch. He took a pounding (against the Bengals) and popped right back up.
"Defenses are doing things to try to take him away, but we're really moving him
around. He responds to the mental pressure we put on him to get open. He's just
doing a great job."
"He's special, and we're not even halfway there yet. I'm just very proud of him.
He started leading this team the minute we walked out of Tennessee with his
play and he hasn't stopped."
Thanks in large part to the Schaub-Johnson connection, the Texans are
averaging 410 yards of total offense over the last five games.
"I think it's the best football we've played since I've been here," Johnson said.
"It's fun. It's a lot of fun because we know what we can be. ..."
But as Houston Chronicle beat writer John McClain noted Tuesday, defeating
Detroit and Cincinnati, which are a combined 0-15, at Reliant Stadium is one
thing, but winning at Minnesota is something else.
If the Texans are going to extend their winning streak to four games, expect them
to rely heavily on the passing game Sunday.
The Vikings (3-4) like to run and stop the run. They ranked first in both statistics
last season. They rank eighth in rushing (128.4 yards) this season, and they're
second in run defense (70.7). ...
Other notes of interest. ... Kevin Walter showed the Bengals what they've
missed out on since he left Cincinnati in 2006 to sign with Houston. In his first
game against his former team, Walter grabbed five passes for 70 yards and two
touchdowns.
"I was in Cincinnati for three years and I still have good relationships with all
those guys," Walter said. "It was good to see those guys today, but most of all it
was good to get a win."
Walter entered the game with extra motivation and perhaps a little too much
adrenaline, getting called for a false start on the first play of the Texans' first
series.
"He was really pumped before the game," Johnson. "That's why he had that
offsides, probably. I was telling him to calm down, and he goes, ‘Oh, whatever. I'll
look out for you.'"
The two scores gave Walter five touchdowns for the season, and he proved to
everyone on the field how valuable he has become as a Texans starter.
"I'm excited for him," Kubiak said. "Here's a kid that (former general manager)
Charley (Casserly) and I were able to get a couple of years back. He didn't ask
for anything.
"We probably should have started him that first year, and now he played against
his old team and made some big plays like that. I know that's special. I saw some
of their players go up to him after the game. I can imagine how much they
respect him of the way he goes about his business. ..."
Wide receiver Jacoby Jones returned a punt 73 yards for a touchdown following
Cincinnati's opening drive. It was Jones' second punt return for touchdown of the
year, tying him with New Orleans running back Reggie Bush for the most punt
returns for a touchdown this season.
King called Jones' return "the single-most impressive special-teams play of
Sunday's action."
Steve Slaton scored his fifth rushing touchdown of the season when he scored
from 20 yards out in the fourth quarter. The rookie running back has scored six
touchdowns this season, which puts him in second place all-time among Texans
rookies. Running back Domanick Williams scored eight touchdowns as a rookie
in 2003.
Ahman Green, who has been oft-injured in his brief Texans career, left again
Sunday with what he called "a cramp in my leg, my left leg. Other than that," he
said, "I'm good. I just have to get treatment and get ready for Minnesota."
Green carried nine times for 41 yards with a long run of 11. ...
In a related note, the Texans released running back Darius Walker last Saturday
and promoted Ryan Moats from the practice squad.
And finally. ... Andre' Davis will continue to miss time following finger surgery;
could miss 2-3 more weeks. Tight end Joel Dreessen sprained his jaw during
the game Sunday, but is not expected to be limited this week. He is expected to
play Sunday at Minnesota.
DEPTH CHART AS OF WEDNESDAY AT 14:00 PT
QB: Matt Schaub, Sage Rosenfels
RB: Steve Slaton, Ahman Green, Ryan Moats
FB: Vonta Leach, Cecil Sapp
WR: Andre Johnson, Kevin Walter, David Anderson, Jacoby Jones, Andre' Davis
TE: Owen Daniels, Joel Dreessen, Mark Bruener
PK: Kris Brown
=========================
=========================
INDIANAPOLIS COLTS
According to Associated Press sports writer Will Graves, Peyton Manning isn't
ready to surrender the AFC South to the unbeaten Titans. As for his coach, well,
even the optimist in Tony Dungy knows the momentum -- and the math -- are
against the Indianapolis Colts after Monday night's 31-21 loss to the NFL's
hottest team.
"In the grand scheme of things, winning the division is going to be tough to do,"
he said.
The defeat dropped the five-time defending division champions four games
behind unbeaten Tennessee and left Indianapolis (3-4) in an unfamiliar position:
at the bottom of the division looking up. Way up.
It's a view the Colts have enjoyed much of the decade. For years the tipped balls,
big plays and even bigger stops have belonged to the Colts.
As Graves suggested, not anymore.
The Colts will have to draw from that past if they want to pull themselves out their
current funk. The last time they were below .500 after seven games was 1998.
Back then, Manning was a rookie trying to prove himself on a rebuilding team
while Dungy was leading a renaissance in Tampa Bay.
A decade later, a renaissance isn't necessary. But Manning thinks an attitude
makeover might be in order.
"I hope we play a little ticked off," Manning said. "There's a healthy way to be
angry and try to bounce back and do something about it."
Being healthy -- angry or otherwise -- would help.
Running back Joseph Addai, who missed his second straight game with a
hamstring injury, was among those watching from the sideline Monday night.
Still, the Colts had their chances.
Tied late in the third quarter, they went for it on fourth-and-1 near midfield only to
have Dominic Rhodes dropped for a loss. Trailing by three early in the fourth
quarter, they went for it again on fourth-and-2 at the Tennessee 34. Manning's
pass to Marvin Harrison was knocked down.
In a physical, bruising game that the Colts needed to win, they let too many
opportunities slip away. Tight end Dallas Clark, who caught both of Manning's
touchdown passes, called the difference between winning and losing in the NFL
the finest in sports.
"It's what makes this game so great," said Clark. "When you're on the other end
of it, it makes it awful."
The schedule offers little relief.
The Colts host surging New England on Sunday and travel to Pittsburgh and San
Diego before Thanksgiving. They won't get another shot at the Titans until the
season finale. By then, the division title may have been sewn up for weeks.
Not that the Colts can afford to dwell on it.
"We've got to realize that there's a lot of season left," Clark said. ...
Looking for positives? How about Clark finally hitting pay dirt?
As Indianapolis Star beat man Mike Chappell noted, Clark caught 11 touchdown
passes last season, a career high and franchise record for a tight end.
He came up with his first this season in the first quarter when he pulled in a 10yarder from Peyton Manning. It marked the first first-quarter touchdown allowed
by the Tennessee defense in the past 10 games.
Clark added to his total in the third quarter, working down the right seam and
catching a 19-yard TD from Manning.
Otherwise, not much for Fantasy owners to hang their hats on here. Harrison
was limited to one catch for 12 yards while Reggie Wayne finished with just
three receptions for 29 yards. Rhodes led the Colts with eight catches for 39
yards. ...
For what it's worth. ... Pro Football Weekly reports there's a growing sentiment
around Indianapolis that Harrison will be given his walking papers in the
offseason. The Colts' perennial Pro Bowler simply hasn't been the same
explosive force since coming back from his bursa sac (knee) problems of 2007,
and PFW believes the club will be reluctant to shell out the more than $13 million
he's due in 2009.
The problem with cutting him is the Colts' lack of an established third receiver
who could be plugged into coordinator Tom Moore's spread offense. ...
Also according to Chappell, The Colts' ever-changing offensive line changed yet
another time in Tennessee.
Tony Ugoh, who missed the past four games with a groin injury, returned to his
normal left tackle spot. That moved Charlie Johnson, who filled in for Ugoh
during his absence, back to left guard and sent rookie Jamey Richard to the
bench.
It marked the Colts' fourth different starting O-line combination in the first seven
games. The only player to start all seven games at the same spot has been right
tackle Ryan Diem.
The latest combination was effective. Although pressured on occasion, Manning
wasn't sacked. And Rhodes finished with 70 yards on 17 carries.
Based on what we've seen to date this season, it's hard to imagine Addai -- even
if he returns at full speed this week -- suddenly being much more productive.
That said, Dungy told the Boston media on Wednesday he expected Addai to
practice Wednesday and barring any unforeseen setbacks, play Sunday.
Those interested, however, will want to keep an eye on this week's Late-Breaking
Updates for more as the week progresses. ...
Also worth noting. ... Colts president Bill Polian responded Tuesday evening to
comments made by former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Steve Young
regarding the health of Manning.
Young, a member of ESPN's "Monday Night Football" pre-game and postgame show crew, questioned whether Manning was still having health issues.
"I know that Steve Young mentioned that on the broadcast or postgame show
[Monday] night. I just want to put an end to that speculation. There's no one in
the game I respect more than Steve Young. And I understand that observation is
a good thing. But people can be right and wrong in observations," Polian said
during his weekly radio show.
"But I can assure that Peyton is not hurt. He has no injuries to speak of. There's
nothing wrong with his arm. There's nothing wrong with his knee. So to put those
kinds of conjecture to rest, he has not appeared on the injury list and won't
because he doesn't have an injury.
"We made some throws [Monday] night that we'd rather have back, I'm sure. It
had nothing to do with injury."
Worth noting: Fellow ESPN analyst Trent Dilfer agrees with Young.
DEPTH CHART AS OF WEDNESDAY AT 14:00 PT
QB: Peyton Manning, Jim Sorgi, Josh Betts
RB: Joseph Addai, Dominic Rhodes, Clifford Dawson, Chad Simpson
WR: Reggie Wayne, Marvin Harrison, Anthony Gonzalez, Roy Hall, Pierre
Garcon
TE: Dallas Clark, Jacob Tamme, Tom Santi, Gijon Robinson
PK: Adam Vinatieri
=========================
=========================
JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS
Quarterback David Garrard passed for a season-high 283 yards (third-most of
his career) and receiver Matt Jones tied his career-high with eight catches for
117 yards and a touchdown in the Jaguars' 23-17 loss to the Browns on Sunday.
"I thought we had it today," Garrard said after the game. "I really thought were
going to pull it out."
As Florida Times-Union staffer Michael C. Wright noted, Jones has caught at
least five passes in six of the first seven games, including back-to-back games
with at least seven catches. Currently appealing a possible three-game
suspension for violating the league's drug policy, Jones nearly hauled in a gamewinning TD on the next-to-last play.
"It was a tough loss. We know we can play a lot better than we did," Jones said.
"We had a chance [at the end]. [Garrard] threw a great ball. We've just got to
make that play."
As of Wednesday, Jones still hadn't heard from the NFL in response to his
appeal of a three-game suspension for violating the league's drug policy. He was
hoping to hear something Tuesday but in this case no news is probably good
news. ...
Meanwhile, Orlando Sentinel staffer Jim Nasella reports the loss to Cleveland
left the team trying to plug holes in a variety of areas and head coach Jack Del
Rio frustrated as he seeks answers.
"It's almost like putting your finger in a dike and there's a leak somewhere else,"
Del Rio said Monday. "Consistency is the key right now."
Del Rio singled out the offensive line for what he called a lack of surge that is
hampering the running game (the team's calling card).
Any belief that the Jaguars would exploit Cleveland's 26th-ranked run defense
was squashed by nose tackle Shaun Rogers, who often shed blocks from center
Brad Meester to blow up plays.
It didn't matter whether it was Fred Taylor (eight carries, 24 yards) or Maurice
Drew (12 carries, 29 yards) because there was no room on designed run plays.
"We remain committed to the running game," he said, "but I don't feel like we're
changing the line of scrimmage enough and we're not creating enough space for
our backs."
Against the Browns, the Jaguars managed just 113 yards rushing, 59 on
scrambles from Garrard. "When I'm talking about running the ball and being
committed to it, I'm talking about running the ball well," Del Rio said.
"I'm not committed to running the ball 40 times for 2 yards. We need to be
committed to running the ball well and we need a surge in order to do that."
That won't get any easier going forward. Del Rio said guard Chris Naeole
probably is lost for the season because he faces surgery after breaking his hand
in pregame warm-ups Sunday.
"Most likely he's out for the year," Del Rio said. "He worked so hard to get himself
back. We were going to start him and he breaks it in pregame warm-ups. It's a
shame."
Del Rio couldn't confirm that kicker Josh Scobee broke his wrist against
Cleveland.
"I've not heard that," he said. "I know he was going to get an MRI or X-ray or
something. He's got something he's getting examined, I don't know if it's a wrist
or a hand, but nothing with his feet."
WR Mike Walker has been battling a knee infection but is expected back this
week against Cincinnati, Del Rio said. Walker has missed the last two games. ...
Taylor still is searching for the 11,000-yard mark in rushing. He needed just 43
yards against Cleveland but gained only 24, leaving himself 19 to go. Taylor now
ranks 21st in NFL history for the most attempts (2,365). He surpassed Jim Brown
on Sunday. ...
Garrard has thrown 150 consecutive passes without an interception. ...
Scobee had a potential game-tying, 38-yard field-goal try blocked, snapping his
streak of 11 consecutive made field goals. It didn't lead to any Cleveland points,
but the blocked kick stalled momentum.
DEPTH CHART AS OF WEDNESDAY AT 14:00 PT
QB: David Garrard, Cleo Lemon
RB: Fred Taylor, Maurice Jones-Drew, Montell Owens, Chauncey Washington
FB: Greg Jones
WR: Matt Jones, Reggie Williams, Jerry Porter, Mike Walker, Dennis Northcutt,
Troy Williamson
TE: Marcedes Lewis, Greg Estandia, Richard Angulo, George Wrighster
PK: Josh Scobee
=========================
=========================
KANSAS CITY CHIEFS
Larry Johnson, already facing possible suspension by the NFL, was charged
Monday with simple assault for spitting his drink in a woman's face. Several
hours later, the Chiefs indicated the two-time Pro Bowl running back would not
play for the foreseeable future.
A person familiar with the situation told Associated Press sports writer Doug
Tucker that Johnson would meet with league officials in New York on Tuesday.
NFL Network insider Adam Schefter confirmed a meeting with commissioner
Roger Goodell did indeed take place.
Johnson also faces a Dec. 4 court date for another incident that occurred last
February when he allegedly pushed a woman's face in another Kansas City
nightspot.
This most recent alleged incident at a Kansas City nightspot on Oct. 10, marks
the fourth time in five years Johnson has been accused of assaulting a woman.
He was deactivated for the past two games for breaking team rules. And even
though Johnson was on the practice field Wednesday, don't look for him to be
there Sunday.
In a written statement Monday, Chiefs president and general manager Carl
Peterson left little doubt the team's highest-paid player would be absent again
this week regardless of what action the league might take.
"The case with Larry Johnson has been and continues to be in the hands of the
NFL office in New York," Peterson said in statement. "We will defer further
comment on the matter until that process has run its due course and the league
has concluded its own independent investigation.
"As we have previously indicated, it is in the best interest of both Larry and the
Chiefs that Larry focuses his attention on addressing his personal issues. At
present, we do not believe Larry can contribute to our team on the field until
those issues are resolved."
As Tucker noted, all the incidents involving the former Penn State star have had
three things in common: Anger, alcohol and women. Johnson said last week he
would be "seeking help to get better as far as getting my life on track …"
Johnson appeared briefly before the media last week and apologized for his
behavior.
"This is the first time in my life I actually had to stand up, I mean actually woke up
and kind of be disgusted with myself and disgusted as far as the way my life and
my career is heading right now," he said.
He concluded by saying, "In times of darkness, you've got to look for the light and
that's what I plan on doing, regardless of what suspensions and fines are being
handed down. I will take them as sincerely as they give them out."
In 2005 and 2006, Johnson was one of the best running backs in the NFL. He
went to the Pro Bowl after rushing for more than 1,750 yards in each season.
After a training camp holdout in 2007, he was rewarded with a contract that
guaranteed a team-record $19 million. But he was injured the last half of the
2007 season and has been inconsistent so far this year for the Chiefs (1-6).
In Kansas City's lone victory, he rushed for 198 yards against Denver on Sept.
28, the most in the AFC this season.
It should be noted that a growing number of observers are speculating that
Johnson has played his last game this season.
Even if he draws a suspension similar to Denver receiver Brandon Marshall's (a
three-game suspension that was cut back to two games based on Marshall's
willingness to meet certain stipulations), ESPN.com's Michael Smith has
suggested that team officials -- using their ability to reclaim bonus money as a
carrot -- will try to convince Johnson to focus on getting help for his problems
before returning. ...
And that's not necessarily a good thing.
Johnson's second consecutive deactivation had a noticeable impact against the
Jets, especially when Kansas City tried to run out some clock and couldn't in the
final five minutes.
Jamaal Charles' 25-yard run was the biggest part of the mere 80 yards rushing,
and it was costly, as Charles went out with an ankle injury and didn't return. The
team has characterized his injury as a high ankle sprain so Fantasy owners
shouldn't get their hopes up about his availability this week.
Nor should they expect Kolby Smith to suddenly emerge as a realistic threat. ...
Other notes of interest. ... According to Kansas City Star staffer Adam Teicher,
as Kansas City's attempts to lure Daunte Culpepper went by the wayside, the 16 Chiefs are at least feeling a little better about Tyler Thigpen.
Shifting into a quasi-spread offense with some occasional no-huddle that bore
some resemblance to what Thigpen played at tiny Coastal Carolina, the Chiefs
put their No. 3 quarterback in enough of a comfort zone that he statistically
outdueled future Hall of Famer Brett Favre.
Thigpen entered the Jets game having completed 42 percent of his passes with
two touchdowns and four interceptions. His passer rating of 44.3 was the lowest
among the 34 NFL quarterbacks with enough pass attempts to be ranked.
Against the Jets, Thigpen was 25 of 36 (69 percent) with two touchdowns and no
interceptions. His passer rating was 110.9, which is higher than that of the NFL's
season leader, Philip Rivers of San Diego.
Favre got the only statistical edge that matters to a quarterback -- the W in the
Jets 28-24 victory over the double-digit underdog Chiefs -- but Thigpen was
productive enough.
In just his second NFL start, Thigpen hit his first 10 passes for 121 yards,
including a 19-yard touchdown toss to Tony Gonzalez. He was 15 of 20 at
halftime, with his last throw going for an 11-yard touchdown to Mark Bradley that
tied the game at 14 just seconds before intermission.
Although they couldn't finish the Jets, Thigpen and the mini-spread were a ray of
sunshine on the Chiefs' gloomy quarterback picture.
And though the Chiefs tried unsuccessfully to talk Culpepper out of retirement
this week, there is now hope that Thigpen can be a suitable hand on the wheel
until a more experienced replacement comes along. ...
Rookie tight end Brad Cottam, who hadn't caught a pass until Sunday, hauled in
four against the Jets. Dwayne Bowe and Gonzalez each had six catches, and
Bowe surpassed 100 yards for the first time this season.
Gonzalez had one of the Chiefs' two TD catches. Bradley, signed by the Chiefs
earlier in the season after his release by the Bears, had the other.
The Chiefs were desperate for receiving options other than Bowe and Gonzalez
to emerge. Devard Darling, who had been starting at wide receiver, entered the
game with just five catches.
"We have some pieces now where we can spread the ball evenly, get Dwayne
Bowe the ball when he's one-on-one and get Tony Gonzalez the ball when he's
one-on-one," Bradley said.
That should leave a few passes for Bradley.
"It was fun today going up and down the field like we did," Bradley said. "I'm not a
selfish guy."
Gonzalez started his 165th consecutive game, moving past former center Tim
Grunhard for the third-highest total in Chiefs history. Gonzalez also extended his
receptions streak to 122 consecutive games. Gonzalez needs nine receptions to
enter the top 10 all time.
Bowe's 102-yard performance was a season high, and his 36-yard reception from
Thigpen was his longest of the season. Bowe needs 23 catches to pass Andre
Rison and Priest Holmes for the Chiefs player with the most receptions in his
first two seasons.
DEPTH CHART AS OF WEDNESDAY AT 14:00 PT
QB: Tyler Thigpen, Ingle Martin, Quinn Gray
RB: Kolby Smith, Jamaal Charles, Dantrell Savage, Larry Johnson
FB: Mike Cox
WR: Dwayne Bowe, Mark Bradley, Devard Darling, Will Franklin, Jeff Webb,
Marques Hagans
TE: Tony Gonzalez, Brad Cottam
PK: Connor Barth
=========================
=========================
MIAMI DOLPHINS
As Associated Press sports writer Antonio Gonzalez noted on Monday, in a
short professional career filled with disappointments, Ted Ginn had plenty of
reasons to be in good spirits this week.
He shed some of that "draft bust" stamp that has plagued his stay with the
Dolphins, catching seven passes for a career-high 175 yards in Miami's 25-16
win against Buffalo on Sunday.
"It was different," Ginn said. "It was more of an enjoyment."
According to the Sports Xchange, head coach Tony Sparano said Ginn's
breakout day had to do with "carpe diem," seizing the moment.
While the plan was to be aggressive on both sides of the ball, and the first play
was a go route to Ginn that clicked for 46 yards, Sparano credited Ginn for
fighting for every ball and for wanting to succeed.
Ginn finished with the most receiving yards in a single day since Chris
Chambers had 238 yards against the Bills on Dec. 24, 2005. Chambers and
Ginn were both coached by Ted Ginn Sr. in high school in Cleveland.
"You certainly can't get the ball if you're not handed the ball," Sparano said of
Ginn not realizing his potential because he hasn't been given a lot of
opportunities. "A back you can kind of force-feed the issue. ... A receiver it's a
little bit different. The coverage dictates what could happen. Then I think he
seized the moment (Sunday). All of a sudden when it hit right early in the game, it
hit right coverage-wise. The call and the coverage matched. That could've very
easily gone to the reverse side of the field; the first play of the game could've
easily gone to [Greg] Camarillo.
"Once that happened, the cushion got a little softer out there. He ran by (the
defender) once. He stuttered and made a comeback on him. He owned the
cushion (Sunday) and seized the moment. Ted made the most of that situation."
The Xchange went on to note that Ginn has been criticized for not living up to his
billing as the ninth overall selection in the 2007 draft, but many observers believe
part of his problem was not being given enough opportunities downfield.
Also, his quarterbacks last year were aging Trent Green, ineffective Cleo
Lemon and rattled rookie John Beck. Now, he's got the calm, cool, collected
and accurate Chad Pennington slinging him the ball.
"Ted already has something that you can't coach, and I know that I don't have,
and that's speed," Pennington said of his growing comfort level with Ginn. "When
you can put toughness and speed together, you've got a really good combination.
This was a step for him and a step for our passing game. Hopefully we can get
better with it."
Ginn had 20 catches for 177 yards in the first six games before nearly doubling
his reception yards Sunday. It helped that he was going against gimpy-kneed
cornerback Terrence McGee.
Ginn still hasn't had a touchdown this season.
"I'm a football player, and this is what I need to do. Every time a ball comes my
way, I told myself I was going to come down with it. I knew what I was going
against. I just wanted to go out and execute," Ginn said. ...
No doubt Ginn had a great game. I'd like to see another before I get too excited,
though. ...
Other notes of interest. ... Pennington threw for 314 yards, the sixth 300-yard
passing game of his career and his first since Dec. 17, 2006, when he tossed for
a career-high 339 yards in the Jets' 26-13 win at Minnesota. When he has thrown
for 300 or more yards in a game, his teams are 5-1.
"Whatever it takes to win, that's my motto," Pennington said. "If it means that I
need to make 10 good run checks and get us into 10 good running plays, that's
what I'm up for. If it means that I've got to step up back in there and move around
and make some plays, that's part of being a quarterback.
"It's not about touchdowns and stats, it's about getting your team in the end zone
and winning the football game."
South Florida Sun-Sentinel staffer Omar Kelly seems to agree.
As Kelly suggested Monday, "There's nothing sexy about Chad Pennington's
game."
His arm isn't the strongest and he doesn't have the most nimble feet. But the
Dolphins' starting quarterback continues to find ways to move this offense.
But Pennington led the offense to scores on five of 10 drives (the 11th
possession ended with a kneel-down as the clock hit zero) against the Bills. He
was sacked just once despite facing plenty of pressure, and he didn't commit a
turnover for the fourth game this season.
"He brings a calming presence to our team," said Camarillo, who contributed five
receptions for 35 yards.
With a 117.9 passer rating, Pennington has put together a rating of 100.0 or
better in four of the past five games. In addition, his 2-yard touchdown pass to
tight end Anthony Fasano marked the fourth game in a row in which he has
thrown a touchdown pass.
This was the sixth 300-yard passing game of Pennington's career. His team is
now 5-1 when he has thrown for 300 or more yards.
Also worth noting: SI.com's Peter King points out that Miami has had 16
touchdown drives in its seven games this year. On those 16 drives, Pennington
has completed 88.9 percent of his passes (56 of 63).
Despite his steady play, Pennington still isn't pleased with the way he's
performing.
"I've got a lot I want to work on with being crisp with my reads," said Pennington,
who is converting 69.3 percent of his passes. "It's one thing to be able to do it
one game, or two games. But I'm looking for consistent performance every week.
..."
As Palm Beach Post staff writer Brian Biggane noted, the Dolphins all but
ignored their Wildcat formation Sunday, using it just six times for 35 yards. But
the scheme continued to evolve.
The new wrinkle this week was a direct snap to Ricky Williams, who ran around
left end for 5 yards to the 3 late in the third quarter. On the following play,
Williams took a handoff, started left and cut back for a touchdown.
Guard Justin Smiley sounded just as satisfied Miami didn't stick with it any more
than it did. The Dolphins have been criticized for winning with a gimmick, and
Sunday proved they could win by more conventional means.
"We'll put that one to bed," Smiley said. "Everybody's been talking about the
Wildcat and what did we run it, three or four times? That isn't what won the
game. We ran the ball good at times; we had some good screen plays, stuff like
that. Just keep executing and we'll be fine. ..."
One last note. ... Receiver Brandon London, who had been restricted to special
teams play, finally got in the base offense and had a 6-yard reception in the first
quarter for the first catch of his career.
DEPTH CHART AS OF WEDNESDAY AT 14:00 PT
QB: Chad Pennington, Chad Henne, John Beck
RB: Ronnie Brown, Ricky Williams, Patrick Cobbs
FB: Lousaka Polite, Casey Cramer
WR: Ted Ginn, Greg Camarillo, Davone Bess, Brandon London, Ernest Wilford,
Derek Hagan
TE: Anthony Fasano, David Martin
PK: Dan Carpenter
=========================
=========================
MINNESOTA VIKINGS
According to the Sports Xchange, there is still plenty of improvement to be made
in the team's passing attack, but the Vikings have posed a bigger threat in the
passing game since veteran Gus Frerotte replaced Tarvaris Jackson at
quarterback in Week 3.
Frerotte's ability to remain patient and find open receivers has been key. He has
developed a nice chemistry with receiver Bernard Berrian, who was signed as a
free agent during the offseason. Berrian has 28 receptions, second on the team
to Bobby Wade's 30, for a team-leading 517 yards and three touchdowns.
All have come in the past three games.
The fact that Frerotte can establish Berrian as a consistent deep threat is good
news for an offense that is looking to loosen things up for Pro Bowl running back
Adrian Peterson.
Frerotte also has shown confidence in tight end Visanthe Shiancoe, who has
had problems holding onto the football in the past. Shiancoe has caught 13
passes for three touchdowns with Frerotte as his quarterback.
Shiancoe is finally providing the kind of production the Vikings envisioned after
signing him last offseason to a five-year, $18.2 million contract that includes $7
million in guarantees.
"I think he gets more and more comfortable," head coach Brad Childress said.
"You see his opportunities around the ball increase. The more he does, the more
you're looking to create things for him to do. I don't think that he's thinking
anywhere near as much as he had to last year, and you can see some of his
God-given ability."
Shiancoe's talent was overshadowed by ill-timed dropped passes last season,
when he caught 27 passes for 323 yards and one touchdown. He dropped three
potential touchdown passes, drawing the ire of a fans who expected more from a
big-money free agent.
The criticism intensified after Shiancoe dropped three passes in the first three
games this season. He's been reliable since. According to Pro Football Weekly,
team official feel he's catching the ball better and not overthinking things.
He might not be an every-game weapon, but Shiancoe is starting to come along.
..
Meanwhile, the biggest weakness in the passing attack lies in the fact that at 37,
Frerotte has little mobility and already has been sacked 13 times. This isn't all the
fault of the offensive line.
Frerotte also has two more interceptions than touchdown passes (7-5) and threw
four picks in his last game before the bye week at Chicago.
Other issues?
When Peterson is going to break a few more long runs? Why can't Peterson be
more patient? Is Peterson's early-season hamstring injury still bothering him?
The Xchange notes there have been plenty of questions about the second-year
star but the bottom line is that he continues to produce.
Peterson is among the NFL's leading rushers this season with 684 yards on 151
carries and also has five touchdowns. He has rushed for more than 100 yards in
four of seven games this season, including the past two. He had a season-long
54-yard touchdown run to account for a good portion of his yardage in a 121-yard
effort in the Vikings' loss to Chicago just before the bye week.
Veteran Chester Taylor continues to get opportunities on the field in third-down
situations but this clearly is Peterson's job.
Peterson did suffer a hamstring injury in Week 2 against the Colts, he still rushed
for a season-high 160 yards in that loss, but he has not missed any time this
season. The coaching staff continues to work with him on being a patient runner
and staying behind his blocks instead of free-lancing at times.
Nonetheless, it's hard to tell a runner as good as Peterson not to do what comes
naturally. ...
On the injury front. ... Tight end Garrett Mills suffered a leg injury in the Vikings'
loss at Chicago before the bye. His status should become clearer Wednesday
when the team begins full preparations for Sunday's game against Houston.
Receiver Sidney Rice had a week off to rest the sprained posterior cruciate
ligament in his right knee. Rice was injured in Week 2 and had missed three of
five games. He has only three receptions this season.
But the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports that Rice expects to play Sunday
against the Houston Texans and said his knee feels close to 100 percent. Rice
spent the bye week in the Twins Cities so he could get daily treatment at Winter
Park, and he looked "live-legged" during a workout Monday, according to
Childress.
"Two weeks of rest doesn't hurt something like that [injury]," Childress said. "I
think he's six weeks post-injury right now. ... He has a little bit more energy than
he is used to having."
Rice's presence is especially useful in the red zone, which has been a problem
area for the Vikings this season. The Vikings rank 31st in the NFL in red-zone
efficiency, scoring only six touchdowns in 20 chances. Rice's height (6-4) makes
him an attractive target inside the 20 because he can use his size to go over
defenders, especially on fade routes.
And finally. ... Frerotte and John David Booty were the only quarterbacks on the
field Monday as the Vikings returned to work after their bye week.
Jackson received an excused absence so he could spend time with his son,
Tarvaris II, who had a medical issue, according to Childress. Childress did not go
into detail. Jackson has family ties in the Alabama and Mississippi areas and was
in the South on Monday.
DEPTH CHART AS OF WEDNESDAY AT 14:00 PT
QB: Gus Frerotte, Tarvaris Jackson, John David Booty
RB: Adrian Peterson, Chester Taylor, Maurice Hicks
FB: Naufahu Tahi, Jeff Dugan
WR: Bernard Berrian, Bobby Wade, Sidney Rice, Aundrae Allison, Robert
Ferguson
TE: Visanthe Shiancoe, Jim Kleinsasser, Garrett Mills
PK: Ryan Longwell
=========================
=========================
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
As Associated Press sports writer Howard Ulman reported it, "Matt Cassel
lofted a very Brady-like pass just over the defender and into the arms of Kevin
Faulk at the edge of the end zone.
"The placement was perfect. The touchdown capped a Patriots comeback. The
quarterback did what his teammates knew he could do. ..."
"Matt's arm's always been great and he's extremely accurate," fullback Heath
Evans said Monday, the day after a 23-16 win over the St. Louis Rams. "It's just
been him getting more comfortable with everybody around him and more
comfortable with the play calling."
Cassel's skills, hidden from public view for seven seasons as a backup who
never started with Southern California or New England, are now on display. In
seven games since Tom Brady sustained a season-ending knee injury in the
opener, Cassel has gotten more consistent.
After compiling his lowest passer rating of the season in a 30-10 loss at San
Diego, he had two solid games.
He was the AFC offensive player of the week for his performance in a 41-7 rout
of the Denver Broncos -- three touchdowns, no interceptions and a 75 percent
completion rate. Then he threw for a career-high 267 yards against St. Louis, the
last 15 coming on his scoring pass to Faulk.
"He's just growing in front of our eyes," receiver Kelley Washington told Ulman.
Like Brady, Cassel was cool as the Patriots completed their comeback from a 1613 deficit in the final nine minutes Sunday.
"I really wasn't worried about the situation other than the fact that I knew we had
to score," he said. "I wasn't trying to press."
The Patriots are 5-2 and back in first place in the AFC East, tied with Buffalo.
Ulman reminded readers that in Brady's first two seasons as a starter, the Pats
were 3-4 after seven games.
Brady has 28 comeback victories in seven seasons in games in which the
Patriots trailed or were tied in the fourth quarter. Sunday's was Cassel's first, but
he did go 4-for-4 for 49 yards on the decisive drive.
"We work on those things every week," head coach Bill Belichick said. "It is
great that Matt did that. I hope we are not in that situation every week though."
Cassel succeeded Sunday despite a rash of injuries to key offensive players.
Running backs Sammy Morris, LaMont Jordan and Laurence Maroney and
starting right tackle Nick Kaczur were sidelined. Regular right guard Stephen
Neal saw limited action in his second game after missing the first five following
shoulder and knee injuries.
Cassel showed an ability to run when his protection broke down or he didn't spot
open receivers.
"Matt saved us on a few of those," Belichick said. "He ran three or four times
where he scrambled out and got positive yards. So those were plays that could
have potentially been losses, balls that weren't thrown."
Cassel picked up 22 yards on seven carries and has rushed for 81 yards this
season. Brady's best for a full season was 110 in 2002.
"Matt is really progressing in all areas," Belichick said, "his decision-making, his
read in coverages, his pocket presence."
Indeed, Cassel completed 22 of 37 passes for one touchdown against the Rams.
He threw two interceptions, but intended receiver Wes Welker fell down on one
of them. And his sacks were down to three from a total of six against Denver.
He's also getting more comfortable with receivers Welker and Randy Moss.
"Being comfortable in this game is huge," Evans said. "The more you play the
better understanding you have of everything around you, from what your
receivers are doing to what the coaches are calling.
"Bill tells every player here, ‘You wouldn't be here if I didn't have sheer
confidence in you.' Obviously, Bill's seen something in Matt for four years that
maybe other people didn't. ..."
Imagine that. ...
Other notes of interest. ... With Maroney (who is on season-ending IR), Morris
and Jordan sidelined by injuries, Faulk made the most of his opportunity as the
featured back. He carried the ball 13 times for 60 yards and caught four passes
for 47 yards, including the above-mentioned game-winning 15-yard touchdown,
against the Rams.
"One-handed catches, blitz pickups, diving catches, great runs, some of the best
balance and best feet you've ever seen," Evans said of Faulk. "He might be the
most complete back in this league. His patience on the draw, you put me in
there, you might get 2 yards, he gets 13 or 14 yards.
"There's not enough you can say about him -- he's done it at a high level."
Faulk, Evans and rookie free agent BenJarvus Green-Ellis were available for
duty against the Rams. Green-Ellis had limited success, though his best run
came on a 2-yard surge for a touchdown in which he fought through the initial hit.
But Faulk knew going in that he would be shouldering much of the load and was
up to the task. One would have to go back to a 42-15 win in Cleveland on Dec. 5,
2004 to find the last time Faulk carried the ball 13 times.
"I think that's what you come in for," said Faulk, who entered the game with just
23 carries on the season. "You don't have a lot of opportunities sometimes, but
the thing is, you always have to be ready because you don't know when the
situation is going to come up. The situation came up (Sunday) where we were
down to three running backs and we had to carry the load."
While some teams wouldn't have been able to withstand the season-ending
injuries to Brady or Maroney, Faulk said the Pats' 5-2 record is a tribute to the
entire organization.
"Well, that's why your team has backups," Faulk said. "The coaches have
confidence in them to do the job and that's what we have to do no matter what
happens. ..."
Let's hope so. ... Morris (knee) could be out for at least three weeks, according to
various published reports. Jordan reportedly suffered a setback with his injured
calf last Wednesday
According to Boston Globe staffer Mike Reiss, Morris expressed frustration
Tuesday that he is sidelined after gaining a career-high 138 yards against the
Broncos Oct. 20, but he indicated his knee injury will not threaten the rest of his
season.
Morris declined to detail his injury or place a timetable on his return, instead
using the words often spoken by Belichick regarding injured players.
"Bill describes it [as] day to day and that's how I describe it. I'll be back ASAP,"
he said. "It's dealing with the unfortunate part of the game and I'm working my
way back."
Belichick did not reveal Tuesday whether Morris or Jordan would be ready for
action Sunday at Indianapolis, but the Globe reported that Jordan was on the
field for the start of Wednesday's practice -- a session held indoors with players
in shells (light shoulder pads) and sweatpants.
But the pace of the drills was high during the time media members were present.
... Stay tuned. More on Jordan (and Morris) as the week progresses (those
interested should watch for Late-Breaking Updates).
DEPTH CHART AS OF WEDNESDAY AT 14:00 PT
QB: Matt Cassel, Kevin O'Connell
RB: Kevin Faulk, BenJarvus Green-Ellis, LaMont Jordan, Sammy Morris
FB: Heath Evans
WR: Randy Moss, Wes Welker, Jabar Gaffney, Kelley Washington, Sam Aiken
TE: Dave Thomas, Ben Watson
PK: Stephen Gostkowski
=========================
=========================
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS
Deuce McAllister told reporters he was not surprised to learn of his inclusion on
a list of players who reportedly tested positive for a drug on the NFL's list of
banned substances.
McAllister also insisted he tried to play by the rules in wake of the Saints' 37-32
victory over the San Diego Chargers on Sunday at Wembley Stadium.
"My initial reaction to it, we've been kinda going through this process for a while,
you guys just found out about it," McAllister said. "But we've been going through
this process for a while. Whatever happens, that's what's going to happen.
"We've hired counsel, he's going to do his job. He'll put a case together but
whatever the NFL rules, that's what it will be."
The New Orleans Times-Picayune reported Saturday that McAllister and Saints
defensive ends Will Smith and Charles Grant had tested positive for
Bumetanide, a drug which can mask the presence of other substances, including
steroids.
Head coach Sean Payton declined comment and said the NFL will deal with the
issue.
"It's a league policy. Its not a club's position to comment on," Payton said. "I think
the league will handle it and they're the ones that will make the comment in
regards to it."
Under the league's policy regarding anabolic steroids and related substances, a
first violation typically results in a four-game suspension, although it can vary
depending on circumstances.
McAllister, 29, suffered a torn ACL last season -- his second major knee injury
with the team. Due to an injury to running back Reggie Bush, he was the main
option in the backfield against the Chargers, rushing for 55 yards and a
touchdown and hauling in four receptions for 30 yards.
However, McAllister sounded almost resigned to the fact that he faces a leaguemandated punishment.
"The biggest thing is you really hate to put yourself in a situation like this because
you want to play by the rules, not only these eight years I've been in the league
but four years in college, four years of high school you always try to play by the
rules," McAllister said. "I don't know how much you guys know, but my counsel,
he will put something together.
"Whatever happens, happens."
The good news?
The Saints players' appeal, in which they have decided to band together and
appeal as one, is set for the middle of November, meaning those of you relying
on McAllister for depth (or heaven forbid, for actual production) have time to
come up with a backup plan. ...
Meanwhile, Pro Football Weekly's Dan Parr reports that team insiders say the
earliest date for Bush's return is likely Nov. 24 -- a Monday-night tilt against the
Packers. If he remains on schedule, Bush will miss only three games, given this
week's bye.
Bush suffered the knee injury in Week 7 during a punt return. The third-year
veteran underwent surgery Oct. 20 in Birmingham, Ala. This type of surgery is
common but there is an added level of concern about Bush, since he's the focal
point of New Orleans' offense.
Bush is the only player in the league with at least 250 yards each as a receiver,
rusher and punt returner.
The unsettling truth for Bush is that knee injuries will be a constant danger for
him, and after a certain number of them, the duration of his career will be
threatened. This is Bush's second knee injury in less than a year -- he suffered a
partially torn posterior cruciate ligament last season, which caused him to miss
the final four games.
Parr notes that few running backs his size (203 pounds) are asked to handle
such a large workload, and he's constantly exposed to a harsh beating, which
inevitably leads to injuries.
Payton has made an effort to utilize Bush less on inside runs, and Bush makes a
point in his running style to avoid tacklers.
However, he needs to continue working on that aspect of his game. Hard hits are
unavoidable in football, but he'll have to do all he can to minimize the number of
those he allows his vulnerable frame to sustain. ...
Even with Bush remaining at home, Drew Brees threw at will against the
Chargers, connecting on 30 of 41 passes for 339 yards with three touchdowns
and no interceptions. He wasn't sacked and was rarely hurried, which helped him
finish with a passer rating of 121.9 against his former team.
As usual, Brees distributed the ball well, hitting eight different receivers.
With tight end Jeremy Shockey held to just one catch for 6 yards, the bulk of the
passes went to tight end Billy Miller (seven catches for 82 yards) and receiver
Lance Moore (six catches for 90 yards) against the Chargers.
Neither man was expected to be major contributors when the season began.
Marques Colston had his first catches since thumb surgery, finishing with two
catches for 56 yards. According to PFW, it may have appeared as though the
Saints rushed Colston back to the lineup too quickly but that's not actually the
case.
Colston is completely healed from the thumb injury that kept him out of five
games but it's taking him longer than anyone anticipated to get used to playing at
regular game speed. ...
McAllister, fullback Mike Karney, receiver Devery Henderson, tight end Mark
Campbell and Moore each scored one touchdown.
McAllister's score was the 51st of his career. The touchdown moved him past
Joe Horn and into second place on the club's all-time list. McAllister and Horn
had been tied for second since McAllister scored on a 1-yard plunge against the
San Francisco 49ers on Sept. 28.
McAllister has 46 rushing scores, four receiving touchdowns and one on a fumble
and is now just three TDs away from becoming the team's all-time leader. Former
running back Dalton Hilliard had 53 from 1986 to 1993.
With 306 points, McAllister is now tied with Horn for second place behind
Hilliard's 318 points among non-kickers in Saints' history. ...
As the Sports Xchange pointed out, David Patten, who returned to practice last
week after missing three games with a groin injury, did not play against the
Chargers. It'll be interesting to see if Patten can work his way back into the mix
ahead of Moore after the bye.
And finally. ... The Saints released place-kicker Tyler Mehlhaff on Tuesday,
leaving the team to spend its bye week trying to fill the position for a third time
this season.
Mehlhaff, who the Saints drafted last spring but cut after training camp, was
brought back to replace injured kicker Martin Gramatica in Week 6. In three
games since, Mehlhaff was 3-of-4 on field goals and 9-of-10 on extra points. He
missed an extra point in London.
The Saints have had five different kickers on their active roster during the past
three seasons, the others being Olindo Mare, Billy Cundiff and John Carney.
Carney, now 44, has been kicking for the New York Giants this season but could
be released with Lawrence Tynes no longer injured.
DEPTH CHART AS OF WEDNESDAY AT 14:00 PT
The Saints are idle this week due to the NFL bye.
=========================
=========================
NEW YORK GIANTS
As New York Daily News sports writer Ralph Vacchiano noted, Plaxico
Burress found his way back into Tom Coughlin's doghouse, only this time he
didn't seem to know he was doing it.
Burress was benched for the first 18-1/2 minutes of his first game against his old
team Sunday because he missed a mandatory treatment for his injured neck on
Saturday morning. But Burress said his neck was actually feeling good after
Friday's practice, and he had no idea he needed to report for treatment on
Saturday, too.
"I practiced on Friday and I felt fine, and I had treatment Friday at the stadium,"
Burress said. "After practice I thought I was in the clear. I felt good. I guess I was
supposed to be in to get treatment. (Coughlin) told me Sunday. But I practiced on
Friday and felt pretty good. I got a lot of reps at practice.
"I guess I was supposed to be at treatment. I didn't make it."
That misunderstanding might have been enough to save most players the
embarrassment of a benching, but Burress has run afoul of Coughlin's rules too
often to get the benefit of the doubt. This was the third time in his three-plus
seasons with the Giants that he was punished for violating team rules with a loss
of playing time, including his two-week suspension earlier this year.
Between team fines, league fines and loss of pay, Burress has already been
docked $204,000 of his $2 million salary this season -- and those are just the
penalties that have been made public. Clearly there have been more, and it's
increasingly obvious that the coach and the team's No.1 receiver are engaging in
an ugly war.
"It's just a bad situation all around," said receiver Amani Toomer. "We want him
out there, but we do have team rules. Everything that happened was how it had
to happen. It's not a good situation for the whole team."
Burress said that when Coughlin informed him of his punishment, he was only
told that he wasn't going to start. He ended up sitting out three full series, and
didn't enter the game until there was 11:27 left in the second quarter.
He finished with three receptions for 15 yards and once forced the Giants into a
timeout because he didn't know his position in a called formation. ...
This latest incident came after a week in which Burress was fined $45,000 by the
NFL for, among other things, verbally abusing an official, and one week after he
was caught on camera cursing at Coughlin. It appears to be a growing problem,
though it's one Giants management doesn't seem to want to discuss.
Asked about the Burress situation, GM Jerry Reese said only "There's nothing to
say about Plax." And Coughlin first stood behind a short pre-game statement
issued through the team's PR department, before adding that he's disappointed
Burress has pushed him this far.
"I'm always disappointed," Coughlin said. "You're a member of the team. You've
got to follow the regulations and rules of the team."
"I think he's learned that our team is counting on him," Toomer said. "Hopefully
we'll put this whole situation behind us."
Don't bet on it. ...
It's worth noting, Eli Manning has steadfastly shown his support for Burress but
the Sports Xchange points out the signal caller's all-out support appears to be
wavering.
"It happens," he said. "We don't like it but we're going to move on and [Domenik]
Hixon started for us and made some good plays. We want Plax out there, but we
aren't going to make a big deal about it. We just go about our business."
Hixon only caught one pass as the starter at split end but blocked well on three
occasions. ...
As New York Post staffer Paul Schwartz reported, Steelers coach Mike Tomlin
won a key replay challenge early in the second quarter on what first was ruled a
1-yard touchdown run for Brandon Jacobs.
After checking out the replay, referee Bill Carollo determined Jacobs' elbow was
down at the one-half yard line. On the next play, Jacobs was stopped for no gain
by safety Ryan Clark and linebacker Larry Foote, as the offensive line got
almost no push but Jacobs tried to reach out with his right arm to get the ball
across the goal line. Coughlin challenged the call. He lost.
Jacobs thought he scored both times and wasn't happy with the officiating.
"I'm in all day long, every day, whatever you want to call it, I was in," Jacobs said.
"I guess they couldn't get the right angle and ended up making the ruling stand.
We were playing against 11 people and, what, 16 people, to be honest with you.
We overcame the adversity and won the game. ..."
According to the Xchange, Manning knew he'd be penalized for delay of game
when he called back-to-back timeouts in the fourth quarter.
"The play we had called just wasn't going to work," Manning explained. "I tried to
audible to something, it was loud, it was too big of a play, not everybody on the
same page. I thought it's better off taking the penalty and trying again on fourth
and seven."
On the next play, Manning hit Toomer for 30 yards.
Manning wasn't sacked by the Steelers, who left the game stuck on 25 sacks for
the season. He has been dropped only six times now in seven games, lending
credence to his claim that the Giants' offensive line is the best in the league.
Kevin Boss caught four passes, bringing his season total to 10, but two of them
have gone for TDs and Sunday he caught the game-winner, a 2-yard flip from
Manning with 3:07 remaining in the game to provide the final score.
"I was so open I was afraid I'd stumble coming out of the pattern," he said.
For what it's worth, Pro Football Weekly advised readers on Monday that
coaches don't mind if Boss doesn't catch that many passes if he continues to
block the way he has the past few weeks. Boss sprung Jacobs on his longest run
of the game against the 49ers and continues to get high marks for his
improvement in this area.
DEPTH CHART AS OF WEDNESDAY AT 14:00 PT
QB: Eli Manning, David Carr
RB: Brandon Jacobs, Derrick Ward, Ahmad Bradshaw, Reuben Droughns
FB: Madison Hedgecock
WR: Plaxico Burress, Amani Toomer, Steve Smith, Mario Manningham, Sinorice
Moss
TE: Kevin Boss, Michael Matthews, Darcy Johnson
PK: John Carney, Lawrence Tynes
=========================
=========================
NEW YORK JETS
As SI.com insider Don Banks put it Sunday night: "Brett Favre's at it again.
Does any other NFL quarterback keep both teams in the game at all times quite
like No. 4?"
Favre threw three more picks against the Chiefs -- all of them being of the
forehead-slapping variety -- and is tied for the NFL-lead with 11 in seven games
(San Francisco's J.T. O'Sullivan also has 11).
Kansas City's defense entered the game with just three interceptions all season.
Favre also had two more touchdown passes, including the game-winning 15yarder to Laveranues Coles with 1:05 remaining, boosting his season total to 15
in that department.
Banks reminded readers that last year, when we were treated to all those stories
about Favre's new-found focus on taking care of the football, he had just 15
interceptions to go with his 28 touchdown passes for Green Bay.
But we've seen this Favre before, and Banks suggests it's a primary reason the
Packers felt driven to part ways with their living legend this summer in favor of
Aaron Rodgers.
If you're scoring at home, both the Jets and Packers are 4-3 through seven
games, but Rodgers' 12 touchdown passes and just four interceptions are the
ratio you're looking for at quarterback. Not 15 to 11.
Banks went on to suggest the Jets must know by now that this is the deal they
bargained for in August. New York's up one week and down the next, and its
rollercoaster ride has pretty much mirrored Favre's uneven performances. ...
Other notes of interest. ... According to New York Daily News sports writer Rich
Cimini, it was fitting that Leon Washington enjoyed the best game of his career
with Herman Edwards on the opposite sideline.
In 2006, the Jets drafted Washington with the compensation pick they received
from the Chiefs for signing Edwards.
"I guess it was a good trade this week," Washington said after Sunday's win.
Washington almost single-handedly saved the Jets from an embarrassing defeat,
figuring prominently in all four touchdowns. Whenever something went wrong for
the Jets, Washington made a momentum-changing play.
"That's kind of been my role since I got here -- small guy, (small) stature, big
heart, spark player," Washington said.
His day:
-0 lead with an 18-yard reception, a one-handed catch,
on a screen from Favre. It was the Jets' first touchdown on an opening drive
since Dec.2, 2007 against the Dolphins.
-yard run, the longest of his career, to make it 147.
the Jets' third touchdown, a 1-yard plunge by Thomas Jones, with
a pivotal third-down catch.
-yard punt return, to the Chiefs' 46, set up the game-winning TD.
Washington's only hiccups were a dropped pass and a false-start penalty.
Meanwhile, Cimini suggests that Jones (14 for 54 yards) was under-utilized, as
coordinator Marty Schottenheimer decided to attack the league's worst run
defense by passing.
Jesse Chatman got five touches, but he was placed on injured reserve Tuesday.
Chatman injured his left knee Sunday and left the locker room on crutches.
Chatman, who signed with the Jets as a free agent in March, missed the first four
games after being suspended without pay for violating the league's steroids and
related substances policy. Chatman said he tested for a diuretic -- "something I
never even heard of" -- that could be used as a masking agent.
He had 8 yards on five carries, two receptions for 5 yards and five special teams
tackles in three games.
Also placed on IR Tuesday was rookie quarterback Erik Ainge, who has an
injured right foot. The Jets still have three quarterbacks on their roster with Favre,
Kellen Clemens and Brett Ratliff. ...
Rookie tight end Dustin Keller made his first career start after Chris Baker was
taken into the locker room before the game. Baker was listed as questionable
with a back injury but wasn't able to play even though he was in uniform.
Baker said "something came up" Thursday in practice, but he still expected to
play. But, in the pregame warmups, it became "too painful."
Teams are required to report injuries, but the Jets didn't note Baker's hip injury
on the injury report; he was listed with an old back injury.
Without Baker and Bubba Franks (inactive/hip), the Jets were almost depleted
at tight end. Guard Rob Turner serving as the No.2 tight end.
"It made it difficult" to run the ball, head coach Eric Mangini said. ...
Coles played well for a man coming off a concussion sustained at Oakland one
week earlier. It was believed to be his third concussion in the last 22 months.
"As we talked about through the course of the week, we've been as thorough as
we can possibly can be," Mangini said, defending the Jets' decision to have
Coles play. "Even after he was cleared, we brought in another specialist to
reconfirm it so we had another layer on this. It was an independent specialist to
make sure any decision we're making about a player's safety is a good decision
for the player and the organization."
As for the concussion issue, he said, "The organization does everything they
possibly can from what I understand, and as a player, all I can do is listen to
them. They deal with it all. I just take all the tests, and if they come back to me
and say, 'OK, you're fine, you can play,' or then they say, 'You can't play,' that's
the way we approach it. I don't think the doctors would lead me to believe I can
play when I can't."
Added Mangini: "I think the touchdown with one minute left was a great indication
of how he came through. ..."
Coles and Jerricho Cotchery both were both dealing with injury issues, yet they
exhibited toughness as they made clutch plays throughout the game. Coles
started with a drop, but he finished with seven catches for 64 yards.
Cotchery, playing with a bum shoulder, was the unsung hero, showing up with
key grabs in the intermediate range.
Meanwhile, Pro Football Weekly suggests the importance of the Jets' trading
back into the first round to grab Keller has been highlighted by the injuries the
club has suffered at the tight end and wide receiver positions.
Sources close to the club tell PFW the rookie has carried himself with an air of
confidence as far back as mini-camp and OTAs and has the full respect of his
teammates and coaches.
DEPTH CHART AS OF WEDNESDAY AT 14:00 PT
QB: Brett Favre, Kellen Clemens, Brett Ratliff, Erik Ainge
RB: Thomas Jones, Leon Washington, Jesse Chatman
FB: Tony Richardson
WR: Jerricho Cotchery, Laveranues Coles, Chansi Stuckey, Brad Smith, David
Clowney, Wallace Wright
TE: Chris Baker, Dustin Keller, Bubba Franks
PK: Jay Feely, Mike Nugent
=========================
=========================
OAKLAND RAIDERS
As the Sports Xchange noted, Darren McFadden, after saying emphatically
during the week he would be good to go against Baltimore, was inactive for the
first time this season because of turf toe on his right foot.
McFadden was limited during practice, and there was some confusion as to his
status going in, as a Raiders spokesman said he was probable but the official
designation for the league was questionable.
"It was just one of those game-time decisions," McFadden said. "It wasn't as
good as I thought it would be, so we just decided not to go. Getting out there,
pushing off of it is hard, and you don't want to go halfway."
McFadden hasn't been the same since incurring the injury in Week 2, when he
gained 164 yards against the Chiefs.
"We went through walk-through (Saturday), we felt like it was fine and ready to
go," said interim head coach Tom Cable. "Then (McFadden) woke up this
morning with a lot of soreness and stiffness. ... If he did play, we're just going to
worsen the injury. So I made the decision to sit him."
McFadden injured his right big toe Sept. 14 in Kansas City when he ran for a
season-high 164 yards and a touchdown. McFadden has run for 131 yards and
no touchdowns in four games since.
The Raiders' offense has been limited without a healthy McFadden. The team
had plans to use him at quarterback and wide receiver to create matchup
problems for defenses.
"We could have used him," said quarterback JaMarcus Russell. "There were
some plays in the plan that we had."
Cable wasn't blaming McFadden's absence for the Raiders' anemic performance.
"I'm not sure Darren McFadden or anyone else would have mattered," Cable
said. "We just got whipped at the line of scrimmage in the first half."
Adding to the blocking issues, fullback Justin Griffith will need knee surgery and
is out for the year. The Raiders signed fullback Jason Davis on Tuesday after
placing Griffith on the injured reserve list.
Davis had been on the practice squad for the Chicago Bears before the Raiders
signed him to help replace Griffith.
Griffith has a torn ACL, an injury he sustained a couple of plays before scoring on
a 2-yard touchdown pass from Russell, with Cable saying it "gave way" on the
touchdown.
With Oren O'Neal already lost for the season, Luke Lawton is the only true
fullback on the roster. Michael Bush has the size of a fullback, but was less than
thrilled when Lane Kiffin ran him out of that position occasionally during practice.
Cable said moving Bush to fullback may not be an option because of
McFadden's on-going toe problems. ...
One last note on McFadden: The Xchange suggests the rookie was held out in
Baltimore in order to make sure he'll be ready for action this week. Those
interested will want to keep an eye out for Late-Breaking Update, however, as
the week progresses. ...
Other notes of interest. ... Russell was able to make some big throws downfield
on occasion in the second half against the Ravens totaling 192 of his 228 yards
passing, including the 2-yard touchdown pass to Griffith.
Also included was a 60-yard rainbow to Chaz Schilens. He also had one
interception and nearly had two others late in the game. Russell was sacked four
times as the Raiders had their worst game of the season in terms of pass
protection.
Javon Walker had two receptions for 28 yards. He has two or fewer receptions
in five of the six games in which he has been active.
And finally. ... According to Pro Football Weekly, Cable hasn't helped or hurt his
cause much in his first few weeks on the job. It's clear that the players are behind
him, and close observers have been most impressed by his willingness to admit
when he's wrong about a coaching decision.
DEPTH CHART AS OF WEDNESDAY AT 14:00 PT
QB: JaMarcus Russell, Andrew Walter, Marques Tuiasosopo
RB: Justin Fargas, Darren McFadden, Michael Bush
FB: Luke Lawton, Jason Davis
WR: Javon Walker, Chaz Schilens, Ronald Curry, Ashley Lelie, Johnnie Lee
Higgins, Todd Watkins
TE: Zach Miller, Tony Stewart, John Madsen
PK: Sebastian Janikowski
=========================
=========================
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES
As Philadelphia Inquirer staff writer Ray Parrillo framed it Monday: "In a whathave-you-done-for-me-lately business, most of what Brian Westbrook has been
doing this season is rehabilitating injuries. ..."
Parrillo went on to remind readers there was the sprained ankle, which kept him
out of the game against the Bears, and then the fractured ribs, which occurred on
the first possession of the Redskins game and sidelined him for the 49ers game.
Until Sunday, Westbrook had played little more than two games while healthy
and the result had been an Eagles offense that's performed mostly in fits and
starts.
There were no fits and starts against the Falcons.
Westbrook scored on touchdown runs of 16 and 39 yards while amassing a
career-high 167 yards on the ground and catching six passes for 42 yards.
It was his 18th 100-yard rushing game, leaving him behind only Wilbert
Montgomery (26) and Hall of Famer Steve Van Buren (19) in Eagles history.
Westbrook became the third running back in team history to surpass 5,000 yards,
joining Montgomery (6,538) and Van Buren (5,860). His 209 yards from
scrimmage was his third-highest total, shy of the personal best of 221 he had last
season against Detroit.
Most important, Westbrook alleviated concerns about his health by looking quick
as ever, which means the Eagles should officially be considered a dangerous
team. As Parrillo suggested, we saw the Westbrook of last season, when he was
the best all-around running back in the NFL.
"It feels good to be back," he said. "My ankle held up pretty well. My ribs held up
pretty well. Things went well for me."
Westbrook stretched the Eagles' lead to 17-7 with a tough 16-yard run, breaking
free from Lawyer Milloy after the physical Falcons safety appeared to have him
wrapped up. On his 39-yard TD, which cinched the game in the final two minutes
of the fourth quarter, Westbrook simply outraced the Atlanta secondary.
"I felt good," Westbrook said. "Coach gave me some opportunities. We saw
some things on tape we thought we could take advantage of and we did a good
job executing those things."
Showing he still had so much fuel remaining in his tank late in the game after not
playing for three weeks, Westbrook even surprised head coach Andy Reid. Reid
said he thought Westbrook was getting weary and wanted to rest him at the end.
But Westbrook would have none of it.
"He wanted to stay in," Reid said. "He wanted the football, so we gave it to him."
In fact, Westbrook was stronger in the second half, when he gained 104 yards on
12 carries.
"Nothing he does amazes me," cornerback Sheldon Brown said of Westbrook.
I'd recommend Fantasy owners remember that any time the have doubts about
inserting him into their starting lineups -- even when he's coming off injuries. ...
Other notes of interest. ... According to Wilmington News Journal staffer Geoff
Mosher, Donovan McNabb, a recovering scrambler, showed glimpses of his
former life -- even if they were just brief.
His 12-yard scramble in the second quarter not only marked his longest run of
the season but also set up another pivotal run -- McNabb's 3-yard touchdown run
on the rarely used quarterback draw.
"I think he feels better. He's coming off the chest [injury], and it was very tender
there for a couple of weeks," Reid said after Sunday's win. "He was able to get
more involved and move the ball with his legs."
Later, Reid added, "It was just a matter if it was there. He's healthy, it was there,
and he took it."
McNabb rushed for a season-high 25 yards, scored his first rushing touchdown in
more than two years and became the eighth quarterback in NFL history to
accumulate 3,000 career rushing yards.
Westbrook said McNabb's threat to run keeps defenses honest.
"It makes a difference, all the difference in the world when you have a guy back
there with the arm that Donovan has, but also the ability to scramble, to make
plays when there's no receivers open," he said. ...
Kevin Curtis caught three passes for 45 yards in his 2008 debut. Curtis, who
underwent sports hernia surgery Aug. 21, said: "It's been a long wait."
He was glad to get a decent number of snaps to work off the rust, after starting
alongside DeSean Jackson. Reggie Brown was inactive with the groin injury
that also kept him from playing 2 weeks previously in San Francisco.
"Right now, everything's sore," said Curtis, who added that playing a game and
getting hit was "a different kind of work" than rehabbing an injury. ...
On Monday, Reid said Curtis's body responded favorably to his first game of the
season, despite Curtis playing more snaps than Reid had intended.
"He had too many snaps out there. He had 60 snaps, or whatever it was, so he
got plenty of work," Reid said. "I wasn't counting on that going into the game, but
he was feeling pretty good. ..."
Reid also said L.J. Smith had sustained a concussion and "is feeling better
today." Reid said Smith would probably "be able to answer the bell" -- which
means play Sunday against Seattle -- but he couldn't be certain.
"We just have to see as the week goes on and then how much practice time he
gets and all that," Reid said. "I can't tell you that right now, we'll just have to play
it by ear."
Reid said Brown likely will participate fully in practice this week and be ready to
play Sunday against the Seattle Seahawks. Brown has only played in three
games this season. He missed the first two games of the year with a hamstring
injury.
McNabb got poked in the eye during Sunday's win over Atlanta but didn't miss
any time and is expected to be fine.
Wide receiver Jason Avant sustained a trapezius muscle strain -- an area in the
upper back -- and is struggling to lift his arms. Reid said Avant should be able to
practice this week.
And finally. ... Reid became the 37th head coach in NFL history with 100 wins,
and he's the 22nd coach to earn those 100 victories with one team. As SI.com's
Don Banks suggested, "Not bad for a guy who elicited questions of "Andy who?"
when Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie introduced him."
DEPTH CHART AS OF WEDNESDAY AT 14:00 PT
QB: Donovan McNabb, Kevin Kolb, A.J. Feeley
RB: Brian Westbrook, Correll Buckhalter, Lorenzo Booker
FB: Kyle Eckel
WR: Kevin Curtis, DeSean Jackson, Reggie Brown, Hank Baskett, Greg Lewis,
Jason Avant
TE: L.J. Smith, Brent Celek, Matt Schobel
PK: David Akers
=========================
=========================
PITTSBURGH STEELERS
The Steelers won't further punish wide receiver Santonio Holmes for being
charged last week with a marijuana-related offense and plan to start him Monday
night in Washington.
Holmes, who led the NFL in yards-per-catch last season, was benched for the
Steelers' 21-14 loss Sunday to the New York Giants and was not in uniform. He
was allowed to return to the team after speaking to his teammates and issuing a
public apology on Monday.
The NFL could punish Holmes once his case is resolved, but head coach Mike
Tomlin said there will be no additional action taken by the team. Tomlin did not
say if Holmes was fined, although Associated Press sports writer Alan Robinson
suggests he likely was.
Holmes, a third-year player out of Ohio State, was charged with a misdemeanor
count of possession of a small amount of marijuana following a police stop
Thursday. Holmes has a preliminary hearing before a Pittsburgh district judge on
Nov. 24.
"As a football team and an organization, in terms of our view of the situation,
we've laid it to bed," Tomlin said Tuesday. "Satisfactory action has been taken
from our standpoint. ... For us, we're moving forward."
Tomlin doesn't care if the NFL players' union is unhappy the Steelers chose to
effectively suspend Holmes for an issue that is covered by the NFL's substance
abuse policy.
"I'm not concerned about their view whether we chose to activate him," Tomlin
said. "We've got 53 men on the team. We chose to activate 45 for a particular
game. That's what we chose to do and move forward."
The Steelers never said before the Giants' game that Holmes was suspended,
instead handling the matter by deactivating him.
Holmes' absence hurt the Steelers' offense during a game in which, except for a
65-yard touchdown pass to Nate Washington on Pittsburgh's first play of the
second half, Ben Roethlisberger did not complete a pass to a wide receiver
longer than 14 yards.
Roethlisberger was under a heavy pass rush and was sacked five times, pushing
his season total to 23 -- third most in the league.
As a result, Roethlisberger is dealing again with a sore right shoulder -- he was
diagnosed several weeks ago with a slight separation -- and may officially return
to the team's injury list Wednesday.
Roethlisberger may not practice Wednesday or Thursday because the Steelers
have an extra day to prepare for the Monday night game.
"Same thing, right shoulder," Tomlin said of Roethlisberger's injury. "That's going
to continue to be week to week. It was better last week because he rarely got hit
(Oct. 19) versus the Bengals. He got hit a few times on Sunday. We'll see how he
feels when he comes in here on Wednesday."
Roethlisberger's 44.8 completion percentage was the fourth lowest of his career,
trailing only two games of 42.9 percent -- against New England in 2005 and in
the Super Bowl against Detroit in February 2006 -- and a 43.8 effort against
Detroit on Jan. 1, 2006.
"Obviously, you miss Santonio and what he brings," Roethlisberger said.
Holmes led all NFL receivers last season with 18.2 yards per catch on 52
receptions. He had 22 catches for 360 yards and a touchdown this season. ...
With Holmes out, rookie Limas Sweed played more than he has all season and
finished with three catches for 28 yards. ...
Meanwhile, running back Willie Parker, who has missed the last four games with
a left knee sprain, worked out Tuesday and Tomlin said he was encouraged by
what he saw.
The coach did not, however, say whether Parker will be healthy enough to play
against the Redskins. And the truth is, with Mewelde Moore playing so well,
there certainly isn't any reason to rush Parker back into the lineup. ...
Stay tuned. I'll undoubtedly have more on both Roethlisberger and Parker in the
Late-Breaking Updates section in coming days.
DEPTH CHART AS OF WEDNESDAY AT 14:00 PT
QB: Ben Roethlisberger, Byron Leftwich, Dennis Dixon
RB: Willie Parker, Mewelde Moore, Najeh Davenport, Gary Russell
FB: Carey Davis, Sean McHugh
WR: Hines Ward, Santonio Holmes, Nate Washington, Limas Sweed, Dallas
Baker
TE: Heath Miller, Matt Spaeth
PK: Jeff Reed
=========================
=========================
ST. LOUIS RAMS
Steven Jackson, who has been hampered by a strained right quadriceps, likely
will return to the field this weekend, interim coach Jim Haslett said on Monday.
After his best game of the season -- a 160-yard, three-touchdown performance in
a 34-14 upset of the Dallas Cowboys two weeks ago -- Jackson missed Sunday's
contest against the New England Patriots.
"Steven should be ready to go this week," Haslett said. "He looked good today
and he was questionable yesterday and we thought it was best for him to sit out
and get him ready for this game."
Jackson made good on Haslett's optimism on Wednesday, when the star tailback
took about a third of the snaps with the first team, prompting St. Louis PostDispatch staffer Bill Coats to suggest it looks as if Jackson will be full-go Sunday
when the Arizona Cardinals visit the Edward Jones Dome.
The 6-2, 231-pound Jackson has posted three consecutive 1,000-yard seasons
and is well on his way to a fourth. In six games, he has rushed for 508 yards and
four scores, adding 25 receptions for 259 yards.
Jackson missed four games last season with a partial groin tear and held out of
training camp in a contract dispute this summer before signing a six-year, $49.3
million deal that made him the NFL's highest-paid running back.
Those interested will want to keep an eye out for more on Jackson when LateBreaking Updates commence early Thursday. I'm expecting the news to be
positive, but his progress still bears watching. ...
Meanwhile, Haslett defended quarterback Marc Bulger's performance in the
team's 23-16 loss to the New England Patriots on Sunday.
According to Belleville News-Democrat staffer Steve Korte, Bulger has taken
some heat from fans on the radio talk shows for his play in the fourth quarter.
"The two people who take the most heat on a football team are the head coach
and the quarterback, and that's the way it is going to be," Haslett said.
"That comes with the game and the territory, and I think Marc understands that,
and I surely understand it. I don't think Marc was as bad as people want to make
him out to be because we lost the game. I thought Marc did some good things
yesterday."
Bulger completed 18 of 34 passes for 301 yards -- his first game with more than
200 passing yards this season -- against the Patriots.
Bulger's quarterback rating was 128.2 through three quarters. His overall rating
for the game dropped to 80.6 after he completed six of his 15 passes for 69
yards and one interception in the fourth quarter.
"I thought Marc played OK," Haslett said. "He didn't have a lot of time. It was hard
to step up at times. Marc will be fine. He has a young group of receivers out
there, they're kind of learning each other. They missed a couple of (hot reads).
We did some things where if we had some veterans in there they probably
wouldn't have happened. We got ourselves in situations where it was third-andlong too many times against that team."
On the interception that sealed the Rams' fate with 1:08 left to play, Haslett said
receiver Donnie Avery ran his route too close to intended receiver Keenan
Burton and Bulger was forced to get rid of the ball rather than take a sack on the
third-and-15 play.
It looked like Avery was wide open on the play, but that was after the ball was in
the air and his defender had peeled off to triple-team Burton.
"It wasn't the greatest route and it was an interception," Haslett said. "They had
three guys over the top of the two."
Haslett said his pass protection could have been better. The Patriots sacked
Bulger four times. ...
In a related note. ... The Rams believe they have a pair of playmakers for the
long haul in Avery and Burton.
As Coats suggested Monday, Avery, a second-round draft pick, has already
earned the playmaker tag and Burton, a fourth-rounder, might just be on the
cusp.
The two combined for eight receptions and 204 yards -- a gaudy 25.5-yard
average per catch -- in New England. Bulger, who hadn't even had a 200-yard
passing game this season, threw for 301 Sunday.
His 69-yard touchdown pass to Avery was the longest pass play of Bulger's NFL
career.
Avery established career highs in catches (six) and yards (163). For the season,
he has 21 receptions for a team-high 347 yards -- and he has put those up in just
four games. He missed the opener with a knee injury and played only sparingly in
Week 2.
Since then, Avery has had ample opportunity to show off the speed that made
him the fastest wideout at this year's scouting combine. As SI.com insider Peter
King wrote on Monday: "Watch him run. He looks like his feet barely touch the
ground."
A few weeks ago, Bulger said he had to adjust to Avery's speed. That project is
perking right along.
"I think he's starting to learn me and I'm starting to learn what he does good and
the things that suit him," Bulger said. "He could be really good."
Avery has taken over the No. 2 wideout spot that belonged to Isaac Bruce
before he was released and signed with San Francisco. The youngster insisted
that he isn't intimidated at jumping into the role of a likely Hall of Famer. "I'm not
worried about any of that; I can't compare myself to him," Avery said. "I'm just
trying to make plays. That's it."
Comparatively speaking, Burton's stats paled when put up next to Avery's.
Burton had two catches, but they produced 41 yards. In addition to the big thirddown grab, he picked up 27 yards on a toss across the middle. Like Avery,
Burton was stalled by injuries early in the season.
But he's beginning to find a rhythm, he said, and he credits veteran Torry Holt
with helping him to adapt.
"I always look for confirmation from him, because he's done it so much and done
it so well for so long," Burton said. "It's just great to be around him, to watch him
and to grow with him."
Count Holt as a fan of the newcomers.
"Donnie and Keenan both are scratching the surface," Holt told Coats. "I'm really
excited and really impressed with the way they've come along thus far. They
have a lot of stuff being thrown at them, and they're handling it very well.
"I'm proud of those two guys."
Other notes of interest. ... Antonio Pittman says he always prepares as if he's
starting. And that's a good thing. Because when he walked into the visitors'
locker room Sunday following pregame warmup, Pittman saw Jackson icing his
injured right thigh muscle.
"About that time, I knew I was ready to go," Pittman said.
"I thought (Pittman) did well," Haslett said. "He ran hard. Hung onto the ball. He'll
be tired tomorrow."
Pittman, who had only 39 NFL career carries before Sunday, carried 19 times.
Three of those carries produced first downs, including a 2-yard gain on fourth
and 1 from the St. Louis 41 on the opening series of the game.
Pittman rushed for 83 yards, easily a career high, and also caught three passes
for 22 yards. His per-carry average was 4.4 yards, which is better than Jackson's
season average of 4.2 yards. ...
A few final notes. ... The Sports Xchange reports that tight end Joe Klopfenstein
has been playing with a bad wrist and now has a torn ligament. He is expected to
continue playing with either a cast or a brace to protect the injury. ...
Receiver Drew Bennett hasn't played since injuring his foot in the first quarter of
the season opener against the Eagles. Bennett is getting closer to returning and
will begin running this week.
And last but not least. ... The Rams sent a videotape of Sunday's game to the
NFL office, the Post-Dispatch reported Tuesday. According to the report, the
tapes highlight plays the Rams believe should have resulted in penalties against
the Patriots.
The Rams were penalized 12 times for 63 yards. The Patriots were called for
only one penalty, which St. Louis declined.
Through seven games, New England has been flagged for just 22 penalties, the
lowest total in the league.
Haslett admitted that he is not sure what will be accomplished by sending the
tape to the league.
"It doesn't help," he said. "It just lets them know you know."
DEPTH CHART AS OF WEDNESDAY AT 14:00 PT
QB: Marc Bulger, Trent Green, Brock Berlin
RB: Steven Jackson, Antonio Pittman, Travis Minor, Kenneth Darby
FB: Richard Owens, Dan Kreider
WR: Torry Holt, Donnie Avery, Keenan Burton, Dante Hall, Dane Looker, Drew
Bennett
TE: Joe Klopfenstein, Anthony Becht, Daniel Fells
PK: Josh Brown
=========================
=========================
SAN DIEGO CHARGERS
As San Diego Union-Tribune staffer Kevin Acee framed it: "A journey of 11,000
miles and 11 days has ended, a season of almosts has reached its midway point.
"In magnificent and monstrous Wembley Stadium, made up to resemble a Saints
home game, in front of 83,226 fans, on a muddied pitch in the cool London air,
the Chargers battled to make another game close.
"But, again, they lost, for the fifth time. This time it was 37-32 to the New Orleans
Saints. ..."
The Chargers had Monday's 13-hour flight and a bye week to think about how to
do that.
They were called for more penalties Sunday than they had been in almost 10
years, many of which hurt their own promising drives or greatly helped the Saints
to points.
"Those self-inflicted wounds, they kill you," quarterback Philip Rivers said.
Rivers threw for 185 yards in the final period but was intercepted at the New
Orleans' 10 with a little more than a minute to play. The Chargers would get the
ball back with one second remaining, their final play a Hail Mary that was batted
to the turf shy of the end zone.
"As much as we were able to overcome and give ourselves a chance, you've got
to finish," said receiver Vincent Jackson, who dropped a potential go-ahead TD
pass early in the third quarter. "That seems to be our Achilles' heel."
But the news wasn't all bad -- certainly not from a Fantasy perspective. ... Just
like LaDainian Tomlinson requested, the Chargers were stubborn with the run
yesterday, at least until it didn't make sense to be so.
And true to his word, Tomlinson appeared healthy, as he came through big in his
first game since meeting with head coach Norv Turner and asking that the
Chargers run more.
"We got a good flow," said Tomlinson, who ran 10 times for 85 yards in the first
half and finished with 105 yards on 19 carries, his rushes dropping off in the
second half as the Chargers faced a big deficit.
"That was nice," center Nick Hardwick said. "We were cooking a little bit there
until we couldn't. We got after it, got aggressive, sticking on blocks."
Entering Sunday, Tomlinson had run just 123 times, fewest through seven
games in his career.
In his meeting with Turner, Tomlinson assured the coach his big toe was fine.
Tomlinson also expressed his frustration at the Chargers for not being committed
to the run.
While Sunday was just the second time since 2003 that the Chargers lost a game
in which Tomlinson rushed for 100 yards, there was reason to be pleased as
Tomlinson showed consistently his old flash and dash in getting extra yards by
beating defenders.
"I'm pretty much back healthy," Tomlinson said. "And I felt like I was running
good tonight."
Said Turner: "Obviously, LT was explosive. He made some big-time runs."
Tight end Antonio Gates, coming off two weeks of not missing a practice, was
getting his old separation from defenders yesterday – never more clearly than on
successive plays in the second quarter when he ran away from Usama Young
for a 30-yard reception and a 12-yard reception for a touchdown.
"I feel great," said Gates, bothered by hip and toe injuries this season. "I knew
coming into this game I was good. Everything has changed. There's a sense of
confidence."
Still, the bye definitely comes at a good time. Tomlinson said he will not practice
this week and then return to full weeks of practice, something he's done just once
since spraining his big toe in the opener.
Many veterans likely will work lightly or not at all this week.
The Chargers also need to regroup and to his credit, Turner took a big step on
Tuesday when he fired defensive coordinator Ted Cottrell. Turner replaced him
with inside linebackers coach Ron Rivera, a Super Bowl winner with the Chicago
Bears in 1985. Rivera will have the bye week to figure out why the Chargers
have underperformed.
It's safe to say the offense feels like it's done it's part. Only one of their losses
has been by more than a touchdown, that by nine points. All together, their five
losses have come by a combined 24 points.
The Chargers will come back to play 1-6 Kansas City, one of five home games in
the final eight. Nothing could possibly have sounded better to them at this point.
...
A few final notes. ... Chris Chambers contributed in his return to the lineup after
missing two games. He finished with five catches for 47 yards while Craig Davis
was sidelined again by a groin injury. The team hopes he can go after the bye.
Still, as Pro Football Weekly notes, Malcom Floyd, who might have the best
hands on the team, has made the most of his opportunity with Chambers and
Davis out. In his two games starting in place of Chambers, Floyd registered
seven catches for 140 yards and two TDs, making some very difficult grabs along
the way.
Davis certainly won't move back in ahead of him. ...
Jacob Hester continues to fight for playing time. The Sports Xchange reminded
readers the Chargers surrendered a second-round pick in 2009 to move up and
draft Hester in last year's third round. The move seems unlikely to pay off this
year.
DEPTH CHART AS OF WEDNESDAY AT 14:00 PT
The Chargers are idle this week due to the NFL bye.
=========================
=========================
SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS
According to Associated Press sports writer Greg Beacham, Mike Singletary
realizes a public apology for his team's poor play and his postgame trashing of
tight end Vernon Davis were the most memorable highlights of the San
Francisco 49ers' season.
Just don't expect the interim coach's next post-game news conference to be as
entertaining as his animated debut.
"Maybe I'll drink a little more water," Singletary said Monday. "Maybe I'll breathe
a little bit."
After a day to cool down from the 49ers' 34-13 loss to Seattle, Singletary was
ready to have a calm discussion with Davis, whose reaction to a personal-foul
penalty drove Singletary to banish the tight end from the field.
"Vernon is not a problem guy," Singletary said. "Vernon just forgets sometimes
that the team is more important."
Singletary also made a bold move late Monday, naming Shaun Hill his starting
quarterback for the Niners' next game at Arizona on Nov. 10. The new coach
benched struggling starter J.T. O'Sullivan shortly before halftime Sunday in
favor of Hill, who will have two full weeks to prepare for his third career start.
But Singletary won't attack San Francisco's myriad problems by changing his
style, which got wide public attention Sunday for the first time since the Hall of
Fame linebacker retired after the 1992 season.
According to Beacham, that's good news for 49ers fans who thought Singletary's
frank, creative assessments of the 49ers' shortcomings were a welcome change
for a franchise that's been among the NFL's dullest outposts for the last halfdecade under Dennis Erickson and Mike Nolan.
"I don't talk a whole lot, but when I am talking, I do know what I feel, and I do
know what I want to say," Singletary said. "I don't ever want to come in there and
be a philosopher, an analytical (person). That's not who I am. What you see now
is what I am, and that's not going to change any time soon."
It certainly doesn't look like Singletary will lose the fervor that made him a wellpaid motivational speaker before he got into coaching, but he hopes his team will
give him much less reason to be furious when they return from their bye week.
He got an early jump on fixing those problems by yanking O'Sullivan, who has
thrown 11 interceptions and fumbled 11 times in his 7 1/2 games as the 49ers'
starter. His familiarity with Mike Martz' offense didn't trump Hill's steady ball
security and game management any longer.
"When you look at J.T.'s capabilities and the arm strength and all of those things,
you'd say, ‘Hey, maybe that guy gives us the best chance to win,"' Singletary
said. "But if you look around the league, there are guys that are very talented,
very smart. ... But they can't play quarterback. J.T. has done a good job. He's just
been inconsistent."
Singletary hasn't decided whether Davis will be back in his starting lineup after
their sideline blowup. Davis got a questionable personal-foul penalty for tapping
Seattle's Brian Russell on the facemask after a third-quarter catch, but
Singletary got really steamed after Davis feigned indifference at Singletary when
he was yanked off the field.
"He's not the kind of guy that is a distraction on the team," Singletary added.
"(Sunday) was somewhat of a distraction, but everybody knows Vernon. They
know full well who Vernon is, and I did what I had to do so that he wouldn't be so
much of a distraction."
Davis is a well-known hothead who frequently gets into scraps with teammates
during practice, yet he's usually calm and repentant the moment he removes his
helmet.
Singletary didn't care, ordering Davis to sit on the bench and then sending him to
the showers at the next timeout.
"I didn't expect him to come at me the way he did," Davis said Monday. "I guess
that's his way of coaching."
Davis and Singletary finally had a talk Monday afternoon, although Davis said he
mostly listened. Davis said he also didn't talk back on the field to Singletary, who
suggested Davis wasn't a team player during his news conference.
"I know that I'm a team guy," Davis said. "I asked him about the comment he
made. He basically said he didn't mean that. ... I'd never do anything to hurt my
teammates or put them in trouble. It's about the team, and when you're playing
this game, we've really got to lean on each other."
Singletary knows Davis possesses a measure of passion the Niners coach
showed during his playing days with the Chicago Bears, but without the mental
awareness that made Singletary among the best to ever play his position.
"Vernon is not a guy who doesn't come to practice," Singletary said. "You have to
tell Vernon, ‘That's enough. Don't hurt the guy. That's your teammate.' He works
his tail off. You don't have a problem with Vernon that way. What you have a
problem with is with some of the decisions he makes at crucial times."
It'll be interesting to see if Singletary's approach helps Davis cut down on the bad
decisions. ...
Meanwhile, if the 49ers were not heading into their bye week, the injuries they
sustained in Sunday's loss to Seattle might be more troublesome. As it is, this
reeling team does not play again until two weeks from tonight in Arizona.
Tight end Delanie Walker left the game with an injured elbow in the second
quarter. With him went San Francisco's best receiving option at tight end; Walker
had a 53-yard catch-and-run in the first quarter, the longest reception of his
career.
Return man Allen Rossum injured his hamstring in the third quarter, and wide
receiver Arnaz Battle hurt his right foot in the fourth period. Neither player
returned. There was no immediate word on the conditions of any injured players.
...
Other notes of interest. ... Where the 49ers would be without running back Frank
Gore is not something the team would care to ponder. Against the Seahawks,
Gore had the ball in his hands 25 times and produced 159 yards. He rushed 18
times for 94 yards for a 5.2-yard average and caught seven passes for 65, with a
long gainer of 24.
For the season, Gore has 940 yards from scrimmage on 629 yards rushing and
311 receiving.
His play -- and Singeltary's hard-nosed approach and willingness to let Martz
know who is in charge (see the O'Sullivan demotion) -- are something Fantasy
owners look forward too come Week 10.
DEPTH CHART AS OF WEDNESDAY AT 14:00 PT
The 49ers are idle this week due to the NFL bye.
=========================
=========================
SEATTLE SEAHAWKS
Matt Hasselbeck said Tuesday a doctor has not cleared him to play because of
a leg problem stemming from bulging disk in his back.
Hasselbeck told KIRO Radio he does not need surgery. He said he failed tests in
Los Angeles and was unable to walk on his heels. He says there's no pain in his
back or right leg, just a "dead leg" feeling.
"Just got a weakness in my leg," he said. "Because of the disk issue in my back
that nerve is shutting off the muscles that are supposed to work in your leg."
He plans to keep working on strength and conditioning and is confident he'll get
better.
"Most of it is just frustration, mental and trying to stay positive, and just realizing,
hey, it's going to be all right," he told KIRO. "There are far worse things."
It appears Hasselbeck will miss his fourth consecutive game when the Seahawks
play the Eagles Sunday in Seattle.
Backup Seneca Wallace is preparing for another start. He completed 15 of 25
passes for 222 yards and a touchdown and did not turn the ball over in a 34-13
win over the 49ers Sunday. A week earlier, he went 12-for-23 for just 73 yards
with an interception in a loss at Tampa Bay.
Hasselbeck has been out since hyperextending his knee Oct. 5 and continuing to
play two more quarters in the 44-6 loss at the New York Giants. ...
Meanwhile, wide receiver Deion Branch is likely to be out again after some
confusion over what the team thought was a bruised heel. The former Super
Bowl MVP has played in just one half of a game since reconstructive knee
surgery last February.
Koren Robinson and Bobby Engram will continue to serve as the starting
wideouts in Branch's absence -- but who knows? Maybe fullback Leonard
Weaver should split wide on occasion. ...
After all, Weaver was responsible for a pair of touchdown catches, one of 43
yards and one of 62, in San Francisco.
According to Seattle Times reporter Jose' Miguel Romero, Weaver, a fourthyear fullback, is a humble guy. He's an ordained minister who is fond of singing
gospel and Christian rhythm and blues. And he happens to pack a vicious stiffarm once known as The Baptism.
No need for that stiff-arm Sunday.
Weaver used his speed -- pretty good for a 242-pound fullback -- to outrun 49ers
defenders on his touchdowns. He also made sure to acknowledge -- in true
Weaver fashion -- the blocking from Robinson that helped him score.
Lest Weaver think that he'll be moved to his college position, tight end, or
somewhere else where he can get the ball on a more regular basis, he was quick
to point out that blocking is still his No. 1 job.
"Coach [Mike] Holmgren lets me know that every day," Weaver said.
"He does the dirty work," Holmgren said. "When those guys that are unselfish get
a chance to touch the ball and have some fun, I feel that much better. When he
does get a chance, it doesn't surprise me, really. ..."
Still, as Seattle Post-Intelligencer beat writer Clare Farnsworth noted, since
1970, only four running backs had had two TD receptions of 43-plus yards in one
game -- San Diego's Don Woods (1974), Buffalo's Joe Cribbs (1981),
Cleveland's Eric Metcalf (1992) and Miami's Patrick Cobbs (this season).
Weaver became the fifth, and the first fullback. ...
Engram had eight catches in his first game back from injury three games ago. He
had just one over the next two games.
Engram caught three balls for 40 yards Sunday as the Seahawks looked to get
him going early. The first two passes of the game from Wallace were to Engram,
the first one going for 21 yards.
"Bobby's a veteran, been around a long time and he knows the offense, and
that's one of the guys we kind of lean on when things are going good," Wallace
said. "That's one of things that we tried to do, is get him the ball and for him to
make plays for us, and he did that."
Engram said the offense wanted to come out more aggressive. He dropped a
first-quarter pass that he dived for on third down, and the Seahawks had to kick a
field goal.
"Did well," Engram said. "Left some plays on the field but I was pleased that we
kind of went at the defense a little bit more. ..."
The Seahawks gained only 39 rushing yards on 28 carries, their lowest game
total of the season. Weaver said the 49ers were stacking the box, or committing
eight men to stopping the run, and that had an effect.
"They just had us off balance a little bit," Wallace reasoned. "Different looks and
us missing a couple of things, but it's nothing that we can't fix."
DEPTH CHART AS OF WEDNESDAY AT 14:00 PT
QB: Seneca Wallace, Charles Frye, Matt Hasselbeck
RB: Julius Jones, Maurice Morris, T.J. Duckett
FB: Leonard Weaver, Owen Schmitt
WR: Koren Robinson, Bobby Engram, Keary Colbert, Jordan Kent, Deion Branch
TE: John Carlson, Jeb Putzier, Will Heller
PK: Olindo Mare, Brandon Coutu
=========================
=========================
TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS
As St. Petersburg Times staffer Stephen F. Holder suggested Tuesday, if
touchdowns were awarded for reaching the red zone, the Bucs might have lit up
the scoreboard Sunday.
Unfortunately, six points are earned only by reaching the end zone, and the Bucs'
shortcomings in scoring position were frustrating and frequent for them.
Three times the Bucs marched past the Cowboys 20-yard line, and Tampa Bay
came away with six points -- and nothing on their final, frantic possession that
ended at the Dallas 18.
"We focus on the red zone more than any time," head coach Jon Gruden said.
"It's not (about) focusing on the red zone. It's about getting it done down there
and we have had chances to make some plays. ... Third down and 1, you are at
the (18-) yard line, it is our No. 1 short yardage play and we got stuffed."
Gruden was referring to a situation with 11:44 left in the first quarter where
Earnest Graham was dropped for no gain, forcing the Bucs to kick a 36-yard
field goal.
On their next possession, Jeff Garcia was penalized for an illegal forward pass,
putting the Bucs in a third-and-14 dilemma at the Dallas 18. That set up a 36yard field goal.
The failures had players searching and had Gruden looking in the mirror Monday.
"There are also some instances where we've got to do a better job," Gruden said.
"Third down and 1 on the opening possession, we've got to convert that play.
There are a couple other situations throughout the year that we just haven't
cashed in on. We haven't done it, we haven't gotten it done. As a play-caller and
an offensive coach, at times you've got take responsibility for it. ..."
In a semi-related note. ... The Tampa Tribune notes that Joey Galloway was
finally back, commanding everyone's attention. Almost.
Garcia certainly didn't see him streaking toward the end zone when it counted the
most.
Galloway, returning to the lineup after missing five games with a sprained foot,
said he broke free and Cowboys defender Alan Ball fell down. The Bucs had a
fourth-and-5 from the Dallas 18-yard line. Had Garcia noticed Galloway -- and
simply shot-putted the ball in his direction -- the Bucs would have had a dramatic
victory.
Wide receiver Ike Hilliard and Graham also appeared to be open on the fourthdown play.
"I thought my better option was to find one of my hook routes, get the first down
and move the chains," said Garcia, who threw incomplete to tight end Jerramy
Stevens, ending the drive with 19 seconds remaining. "It was pretty tight. If I
missed that opportunity to Galloway, it's unfortunate for us. Those are things we
can't afford to do."
Galloway, who had three receptions for 38 yards, also broke open on a deep
first-half route, but Garcia overthrew him.
"It felt good playing again," Galloway said. "The itch has always been there, but
sometimes, injuries get in the way of that. I didn't play very much today, but I feel
healthy. Hopefully, I'll get some more playing time."
It may be in a different role. Antonio Bryant (seven catches for 46 yards) has
emerged as Garcia's go-to receiver. Galloway found himself lining up in the slot
position occasionally.
"Joey is a threat every time he steps on the field," Bucs receiver Michael
Clayton said. "Defenses have to respect him. When he was in there, we could
see some things opening up underneath. He really stretches the defense. Just
his presence changes everything."
"We definitely have weapons on this team," Garcia said. "It's a matter of giving
them those opportunities."
Other notes of interest. ... Running back Clifton Smith made his NFL debut as
the primary kick and punt returner. He showed there are signs of hope for the
return game, even though coaches have moved on from rookie Dexter Jackson.
But Smith committed a big no-no by fumbling the opening kickoff of the second
half. Still, Gruden seemed willing to take an objective look.
"I thought he was decisive," Gruden said. "I thought he caught the ball well. I
thought he was north and south."
Jackson has averaged 23.4 yards on kickoff returns and 4.9 on punt returns this
season. Smith had five punt returns for 82 yards (16.4 average) along with three
kickoff returns for 62 yards (20.7 average). Smith returned his first punt for 20
yards, Tampa Bay's longest this season.
He also had one reception for 13 yards. ...
Tight end Alex Smith's 34-yard reception in the second half was a career-long.
Smith leads Bucs tight ends with 17 receptions for 216 yards and two
touchdowns. ...
According to the Sports Xchange, Matt Bryant is now 2-of-9 in career field goal
attempts over 50 yards. ...
On the injury front. ... Warrick Dunn, who has a pinched nerve in his neck, had
just one rushing attempt in the game. Hilliard played one week after sustaining a
concussion against Seattle. He finished with three catches for 23 yards. ...
"(Dunn) played, but clearly wasn't himself," Gruden said. "I love that guy. What
he and Ike Hilliard did yesterday for our team, our fans and this organization
speaks volumes. Their presence means a lot. Their performance means a lot.
Hopefully they have a good week of practice and hopefully they feel much better
and can perform to the standard that they're capable of performing from a health
standpoint. They will.
"Those are two good players. We need them down the stretch."
Fullback B.J. Askew has a hamstring strain and will be questionable for
Sunday's game at Kansas City.
DEPTH CHART AS OF WEDNESDAY AT 14:00 PT
QB: Jeff Garcia, Brian Griese, Luke McCown, Josh Johnson
RB: Earnest Graham, Warrick Dunn, Michael Bennett, Carnell Williams
FB: Jameel Cook, B.J. Askew
WR: Antonio Bryant, Joey Galloway, Ike Hilliard, Michael Clayton, Maurice
Stovall, Dexter Jackson
TE: Alex Smith, Jerramy Stevens, John Gilmore
PK: Matt Bryant
=========================
=========================
TENNESSEE TITANS
As the Sports Xchange suggested Tuesday, the Tennessee Titans can't hide
anymore.
Their low profile, one that came even with a 6-0 start, is completely gone after
their 31-21 shellacking of the Indianapolis Colts on Monday Night Football.
The victory not only put the Titans in the national conscious as they continue as
the NFL's lone unbeaten team, but also all but handed Tennessee its first AFC
South crown since 2002.
Barring a complete collapse, the Titans should clinch the division title with ease
as they now own a four-game lead, plus a victory over each of their division
rivals. Houston, Jacksonville and now Indianapolis all stand 3-4, and watching
the Titans disappear over the horizon.
The changing of the guard in the AFC South became all but complete during a
stretch of just under 15 minutes in the second half Monday night, as Tennessee
quickly turned a 14-6 deficit into a decisive victory by scoring 25 consecutive
points.
The Titans did it unconventional ways both on offense and defense.
Defensively, the Titans did not record a single sack, but came up big at the right
time, stopping Indy twice on fourth downs in the final quarter and picking off
Peyton Manning twice, both times by safety Chris Hope.
On the other side of the ball. ... The Colts were determined to bottle up
Tennessee's running game, holding the Titans to just 88 yards and keeping
Chris Johnson to just 77 yards on the ground, even using an extra linebacker
set inviting Kerry Collins to try and beat them through the air.
And beat them he did, completing 24 of 37 passes for 193 yards. Collins had
neither an interception nor a sack in the game, as Tennessee methodically
moved downfield utilizing a short passing game that had a long gain of just 23
yards on the night.
Collins did have a number of dropped passes but he never got flustered.
"We knew coming in it would be a battle," Collins said. "These two teams know
each other so well and we were trading punches in the first half. But we made
some adjustments and were able to come out and make some plays in the
second half."
According to the Nashville Tennessean, Alge Crumpler didn't like what he saw
and heard in the locker room at halftime. Tennessee was trailing 7-6.
"I don't want to say it was somber in there, but it was calm," Crumpler said.
"Monday Night Football is not about that. It's about going all out and being
excited. We played on a national stage."
Crumpler finished with four catches for 35 yards. He had nine catches through
the first six games.
"I was just focusing on keeping our energy level up," he said. "The word [head
coach Jeff] Fisher used all week was 'confidence. ..."'
As the Sports Xchange noted, LenDale White continues to have a nose for the
end zone. Despite having just 13 yards on 10 carries, White managed two
touchdowns Monday night and now has an NFL-leading 10 scores in seven
games.
The Titans have scored 30 or more points in four of their last five games. They
remain the NFL's best scoring defense with 87 points allowed, 23 fewer than both
Pittsburgh and Baltimore (110), and lead the league in turnover differential.
And finally. ... For the second consecutive season, kicker Rob Bironas missed
out on setting a franchise record for consecutive field goals.
His 43-yard attempt sailed wide left with 11:19 remaining in the second quarter,
forcing him to settle for tying Al Del Greco's record of 20 consecutive field goals,
set during the 1998-99 seasons.
Bironas tied the record with field goals of 34 and 44 yards during the first half.
Last season, Bironas made 19 consecutive field goals before missing a 53-yard
attempt Dec. 2 against Houston.
DEPTH CHART AS OF WEDNESDAY AT 14:00 PT
QB: Kerry Collins, Vince Young
RB: Chris Johnson, LenDale White, Chris Henry, Quinton Ganther
FB: Ahmard Hall
WR: Justin Gage, Justin McCareins, Brandon Jones, Lavelle Hawkins, Paul
Williams, Chris Davis
TE: Alge Crumpler, Bo Scaife, Dwayne Blakley, Craig Stevens
PK: Rob Bironas
=========================
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WASHINGTON REDSKINS
As Washington Times staffer David Elfin noted, Clinton Portis' day began with
a pair of 17-yard runs. It finished with a 31-yard run that gave him a record-tying
fifth straight 120-yard game and a gimpy left ankle.
In between, Portis jawed with his coach and averaged fewer than 3 yards a carry.
But the NFL's leading rusher still hit midseason with monstrous totals after he
helped spur the Redskins to a come-from-behind 25-17 victory over the winless
Detroit Lions.
"It was a grind-it-out day," Portis said. "Things started great and finished great.
Anytime you can get that and wind up with a win, it's a good day."
It didn't appear that way in the second quarter. The Redskins coaches had
inserted backup Shaun Alexander on first-and-10 at the Washington 11
because Portis had an equipment problem. With that fixed and the second
quarter starting, Portis expected to go back in, but when that didn't happen, he
snapped at head coach Jim Zorn. The coach responded in turn. Portis did go in
on third-and-10 and gained 8 yards on a draw.
"I take it personally, and I shouldn't have," Portis said of the "miscommunication"
with Zorn. "I've got to be accountable to my teammates. It was blown out of
proportion. [Zorn] was excited, and I was excited."
Said Zorn: "In my mind, Shaun is in there until Clinton goes to [running backs
coach Stump Mitchell] or Stump comes to me and says Clinton's ready to play.
I'm calling the game based on who's in there, so he misunderstood the situation.
We had a sweet exchange of words. It was the heat of the game. He explained
what happened. I explained what my deal was. We talked about it at halftime. I
talked about it in front of the team at halftime."
Portis hurt his ankle on his final carry, which left him with 126 yards and set up
Shaun Suisham's game-sealing field goal.
"I thought my knee went, so I kind of jumped and rolled my ankle," Portis said.
"My ankle was already tweaked, so there was a sharp pain for a second, and I
had to let it calm down. It's going to hurt, but I'll be ready for the game Monday
[against Pittsburgh]."
Portis' second career run of five straight games with at least 120 yards -- he did
so in his final four games with Denver in 2003 and his Washington debut in 2004
-- equaled a mark held by Hall of Famer O.J. Simpson, who accomplished the
feat in 1973 and 1975. Portis has 696 yards on 122 carries (5.7-yard average)
during this streak and a league-leading 944 yards on 187 carries this season.
Thanks in large part to Portis, Washington is 6-2. The Redskins last had six
victories at this point through their schedule in the 2000 season. But Portis isn't
the only one getting it done.
The consistency of quarterback Jason Campbell has been key in the first six
victories. On Sunday, Campbell was outstanding against the Lions, whose pass
defense ranks among the worst in the league.
He completed 23 of 28 passes for 328 yards and a touchdown. He established a
personal-best 127.4 passer rating, benefiting from Zorn's approach of "just taking
what the defense gives us," Campbell said. "If it's the passing game, we go with
it. If it's the running game, we go with that. We just have to be prepared for all
scenarios and every situation."
In addition to scoring on an 80-yard punt return in the fourth quarter, Santana
Moss had a season-high nine receptions (with another touchdown) in his third
game this season with at least 140 yards receiving. "Santana is the type of guy
that can spark our team, spark our offense," said tight end Chris Cooley, who
had six receptions for 74 yards. "We need that, we need that every week, from
him. He's a great team guy, he knows what he brings to us, and what he does is
huge. Both of those plays were so big. That's why we won this game."
Moss improved to second in the league in touchdown catches (five), fifth in
receiving yards (658) and eighth in catches (42).
With primary punt returner Antwaan Randle El continuing to struggle against
Detroit (he averaged 4.8 yards on four returns), the Redskins turned to Moss on
special teams. The touchdown was Moss' third on a punt return in his career. He
last accomplished the feat against the San Diego Chargers in the 2002 season
while he was a member of the New York Jets.
"I'll be honest with you, and this is nothing against Randle El, but when I see
Santana back to return a punt, I feel like there's a chance he's gone," Cooley
said. "He's just a major threat, and you see what he meant to us today.
"This is my fifth year here, and I haven't [previously] been part of a 6-2 team. But
now, we have to look at it like we're starting all over again. ..."
Despite playing without injured Pro Bowl left tackle Chris Samuels,
Washington's top offensive lineman, the Redskins had 439 total yards on
offense. Suisham made four field goals, including three of at least 42 yards. His
42-yarder with 1 minute 56 seconds remaining in the game capped the scoring.
It was Moss, however, whose performance had the biggest impact on the
Redskins' ability to avoid the Week 6 letdown they experienced in a two-point
loss to the then-winless St. Louis Rams.
The bad news? The Skins are beat up.
As noted above, Portis has a sprained ankle and was already nursing a sore hip,
but Zorn said he is likely to play against the Steelers.
The two most pressing injuries might be those to Moss and Samuels. Zorn said
Monday that Moss has a "tight" hamstring that he strained slightly late Sunday.
"He's got to wait," Zorn said. "Fortunately, we have an extra day, and we'll see at
the end of this week how he feels."
I'll be watching closely; those interested will want to follow along in the LateBreaking Updates section.
DEPTH CHART AS OF WEDNESDAY AT 14:00 PT
QB: Jason Campbell, Todd Collins, Colt Brennan
RB: Clinton Portis, Rock Cartwright, Shaun Alexander, Ladell Betts
FB: Mike Sellers, Nehemiah Broughton
WR: Santana Moss, Antwaan Randle El, James Thrash, Devin Thomas, Malcolm
Kelly
TE: Chris Cooley, Fred Davis, Todd Yoder
PK: Shaun Suisham
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