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POSTED 7:51 p.m. EST; UPDATED 10:20 p.m. EST, November 15, 2006
DEL RIO TO GET DRESSED UP, TOO
As Jaguars coach Jack Del Rio embarks on a seven-game stretch that might force him to wear a suit for a job interview, he'll be breaking in the dress duds during Monday night's home game against the Giants.
The AP reports that Del Rio will join Mike Nolan of the 49ers as the first head coaches to wear a coat and a tie since the league mandated that the field chiefs don clothing provided by the league's official apparel sponsor.
The only open question, as we see it? Whether tailors will be able to fashion for the fireplug-shaped former linebacker a shirt with a 25-inch neck . . . and 25-inch sleeves.
WEDNESDAY NIGHT ONE-LINERS
The Vikings likely have lost FB Tony Richardson for the season with thumb and forearm injuries.
Jets RB Leon Washington says "We're No. 1" on a trading card.
The Rams have placed CB Travis Fisher on IR with a broken right forearm.
Raiders QB Andrew Walter is sorry (that the team ever drafted him).
Cowboys QB Tony Romo is the NFC offensive player of the week; other winners for the weekend include Willie Parker and Devin Hester.
O.J. Simpson. Still an asshole.
The Argos have extended an open invitation to RB Ricky Williams.
L.T. could get to 100 touchdowns in five fewer games than Jim Brown or Emmitt Smith.
Browns QB Charlie Frye (left wrist) is questionable for Sunday's game against the Steelers.
Texans QB David Carr (shoulder) is questionable for Sunday, too.
Saints WR Joe Horn is questionable with a groin injury.
Colts DT Montae Reagor will miss another game following an October automobile accident.
Cowboys WR Terry Glenn is probable with a quad injury that kept him out of Sunday's game at Arizona.
Giants DE Michael Strahan is listed as out for Monday.
The Jags list 23 players as probable or questionable for Monday night.
POSTED 7:37 p.m. EST, November 15, 2006
NOT THE FIRST TICKETS ISSUE WITH THE BROWNS
Though details are still very sketchy regarding the grand jury inquiry in Ohio that is reportedly exploring the manner in which Super Bowl tickets were distributed by one or more members of the Browns organization, this isn't the first time that a member of the club has gotten crossways with the feds over the windfall that can be generated from the private sale of football seats.
Last year, former Browns ticket manager John Tironi pleaded guilty to a scam that entailed Tironi diverting PSLs and tickets from the team's waiting list to a ticket broker. The broker paid Tironi $5,000 a month for the "favors," and the scam netted more than $194,000 over two years.
Tironi received six months of house arrest.
And we wonder whether Tironi, as part of his plea deal, gave up information that has provided the basis for the current investigation.
POSTED 2:16 p.m. EST; UPDATED 5:28 p.m. EST, November 15, 2006
NOLAN WILL WEAR A SUIT
Matt Maiocco of the Santa Rosa Press Democrat reports that the NFL has given 49ers coach Mike Nolan permission to wear a suit on the sidelines. Nolan is expected to don a coat and tie (and, presumably, pants) for the team's November 19 home game against the Seahawks.
But the permission is limited. Nolan reportedly may wear a suit for only two games this season.
"There's a strong chance he'll be wearing a suit for this game," a source close to Nolan said on Tuesday. "But at the end of the day, they still want to sell hats and shirts instead of blazers." Nolan said in 2005 that he prefers to dress like the coaches of yesteryear, including his father Dick Nolan, who wore business attire while taking care of their business.
We understand that Reebok wants its logo to be ubiquitous (thanks, Tiki) on game day. But, really, who in the audience will decide to buy Reebok apparel based on the fact that a middle-aged man is wearing a polo shirt with the Reebok wavy lines thingee on the sleeve?
And what's worse for the overall image of the NFL? A coach in his Sunday best that doesn't double as a billboard for Reebook, or a coach in his Sunday worst, like Bill Belichick and his sweat jersey with the sleeves partially cut off and the red replay flag stuffed in his sock?
Hey, we got no problem with Belichick's choice of attire. But if he's allowed to hobo it up, Nolan should be allowed to spruce it up.
WEDNESDAY LATE AFTERNOON ONE-LINERS
Redskins RB Clinton Portis will be placed on IR.
To a contrite Albert Haynesworth, Dante says: "Once a turd, always a turd."
Steelers S Troy Polamalu is questionable for Sunday with a concussion.
The Jets shifted $1 million of WR Laveranues Coles' pay from 2007 to 2006 in an effort to use up this year's cap space; the Jets still have $4 million in cap room remaining.
The Jets plan to sign WR Jerricho Cotchery to a long-term deal after the 2006 season; he's currently scheduled to earn $460,000 in 2007, the final year of his contract.
L.T. is breaking some of the records set by Hall of Fame RB Jim Brown (who also is the subject of Mike Freeman's new book, which can be purchased by clicking the link in the top right corner of the page . . . yeah, we're shameless . . .).
Prior to Sunday's Chargers-Bengals game, no team had scored 42 points in the second half since 1979, when the Saints beat the Bucs, 42-14.
The Vikings' offense is struggling on third down (and on first and second down, too).
Vikings WR Troy Williamson is quickly becoming a forgotten man in the team's offense, giving way to previously forgotten guys like Bethel Johnson and Billy McMullen.
Why do we have a feeling that OL Fred Weary's version of the events that resulted in him getting tasered might be slightly different than the version offered up by the cops?
Titans coach Jeff Fisher has been fined $12,500 for comments critical of the officials after Sunday's loss to the Ravens.
Titans DT Randy Starks is scheduled to go to trial on December 12 for charges of domestic assault.
Bucs DE Dewayne White helped his stock on Monday night as he prepares to become a free agent in March.
Lions defensive line coach Joe Cullen could soon reach a plea deal as to charges of driving drunk but clothed and driving naked but sober.
Jags OT Khalif Barnes is sorry (that he got caught).
POSTED 12:47 p.m. EST, November 15, 2006
GREEN TO START FOR CHIEFS ON SUNDAY
Jay Glazer of FOXSports.com reports that Trent Green will start at quarterback for the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday, replacing Damon Huard.
'We're going to go with
Huard has been the quarterback since Green suffered a severe concussion in Week One against the Bengals. Last week, Edwards suggested that Huard would keep the job once Green is cleared to play. But after a subpar outing at Miami, which dropped the Chiefs to 5-4, Green has been cleared to play and reinstalled as the starter in a span of less than 24 hours.
POSTED 11:46 a.m. EST; UPDATED 12:40 p.m. EST, November 15, 2006
FEDS INVESTIGATING SUPER BOWL SCALPING?
A league source tells us that the federal authorities in Ohio are thought to be investigating whether Super Bowl tickets were sold at a premium by certain Cleveland Browns officials and, if so, whether taxes were paid on any income generated.
News of a grand jury inquiry surfaced several days ago, in a Yahoo! Sports report regarding the decision of Saints running back Reggie Bush to part ways with marketing agent Mike Ornstein. The Yahoo! story contained a vague reference to grand jury proceedings for which Ornstein had been subpoenaed to testify, and Yahoo! reported that the matter is "related to Ornstein receiving Super Bowl tickets from the Cleveland Browns several years ago in exchange for the use of cars."
The issue, as we understand it, is whether any value over and above the stated price of the tickets was properly regarded as income by the persons who surrendered the tickets. Whether the value was cash or "the use of cars" or a truckload of Cracker Jack, the question is whether someone got something worth more than the face value of the tickets, and whether that someone disclosed the something as income -- and then paid taxes on it.
We're still digging into this one some more in order to find out who the target(s) might be, and whether the feds are exploring this thing in cities other than Cleveland. Though some league insiders think Ornstein is merely a witness and not a target, another league source tells us that Ornstein is indeed a target.
Stay tuned.
MIXED REVIEWS ON ORNSTEIN'S WORK FOR BUSH
Speaking of marketing agent Mike Ornstein and former client Reggie Bush, there's a strong difference of opinion in league circles as to whether Bush should have dumped Ornstein.
Plenty of folks are raving about Ornstein's efforts to help Bush become a superstar in New Orleans, and to parlay Reggie's celebrity into millions of dollars in endorsement money before Bush ever signed an NFL contract.
"Ornstein has done the greatest marketing job for any player who left college and went to the NFL," agent Gary Wichard told us earlier this week. And Wichard knows a thing or two about marketing college players based on celebrity; he represented Brian Bosworth when "The Boz" became a national phenomenon in the late 1980s.
On the other hand, there are folks who think that Ornstein actually kept Bush from making even more off-field money. One source with knowledge of the situation tells us that there were other potential companies that wanted to do business with Reggie, but walked away because Ornstein was involved.
Some people think that the reports of $50 million in advertising contracts has been inflated by Ornstein. Still, it's indisputable that Bush is a prominent fixture with companies like Pepsi and Hummer and adidas and Subway. And the prevailing view in some circles is that Ornstein was a scapegoat for problems that originated with the Bush family's desire to get paid while Reggie was still an amateur.
But shed no tears for Ornstein. He'll still get his fee for the deals he struck, and depending on the terms of his contract with Bush he might even be entitled to a piece of any renewal.
Moving forward, some league insiders are wondering whether football agent Joel Segal will be the next guy to get the shoe. It is widely believed that Ornstein engineered the selection of Segal, and with Ornstein out of the picture Reggie might now be looking for someone else to handle the football side of his business interests.
The new agent, however, will be working for free, unless and until Bush signs a new football contract. But it's a small sacrifice to make for an agency that might be very interested in adding Bush's face to the wall.
POSTED 10:04 a.m. EST, November 15, 2006
THE RETURN OF VINNY T.
We haven't had anything to say regarding the unexpected-but-not-shocking un-retirement of 43-year-old quarterback Vinny Testaverde because we really didn't know what to make of it.
Though there are plenty of potential theories, we think that it's simply a case of having a veteran option available in the event that Tom Brady gets hurt.
Backup Matt Cassel, after all, is only a second-year guy. Then again, Tom Brady was in his second season when Drew Bledsoe's insides blew apart on a sideline hit from Jets linebacker Mo Lewis.
Still, Brady stepped in for a team with low expectations and no real track record of success, but for a couple of Super Bowl appearances that were five and 16 years in the rear-view mirror. So there was little or no pressure on the guy.
If Cassel were to get the call in the stretch run of the 2006 season, the results could be downright Gradkowski-esque.
So we have no reason to doubt the face value of Bill Belichick's position that the move is being made solely to provide the team with late-season insurance against an injury to the Franchise (other than, you know, the fact that you generally can't believe anything that Belichick or any other savvy football coach publicly says).
"When you have an insurance policy, you can't bring a guy in one week and expect him to learn the terminology that quickly -- you have to make the move ahead of time," Belichick said on Tuesday.
We agree. And we suspect that, until Testaverde is up to speed, he'll be the No. 3 guy on game days. But if Brady goes down and there's a week to prepare for the next game, Testaverde will be the guy to lead the team down the stretch.
As a reader pointed out to us last night, if/when Cassel slips behind Testaverde on the depth chart, Vinny will be the fourth Heisman winner who has been standing in line in front of Cassel at some point during his college and pro career.
POSTED 12:01 a.m. EST; UPDATED 12:21 a.m. EST, November 15, 2006
CONGRESS "INTRIGUED" BY NFLN
The Associated Press reports that Congress is taking a look at the plans of the NFL's in-house television network to air regular-season games.
"We're intrigued, to put it mildly," Senator Arlen Specter (R-Pa.) said during hearings held on Tuesday.
The Senate Judiciary Committee is analyzing whether the NFL's plan to air its own games on its own network raises antitrust issues. In our view, the hearings suggest that perhaps Time Warner -- the league's primary adversary in a high-stakes game of cable chicken which soon will boil over when the best game on Thanksgiving isn't available in many markets -- has enough juice in D.C. to make trouble for the NFL.
The hearings first were mentioned earlier in the day by Gregg Easterbook in his TMQ column on ESPN.com's Page 2.
Testifying at the hearing were NFL executive V.P. and general counsel Jeffrey Pash, DirecTV executive V.P. Daniel Fawcett, and Time Warner C.O.O. Landel Hobbs. Easterbrook suggests (and we agree) that the NFL should move quickly to make the Sunday Ticket package available via cable. We also think that the league should bury the hatchet with Time Warner pronto, working out a deal that makes NFLN available to millions of consumers who don't presently get it.
FORTY-NINERS FACING WRATH OF FEINSTEIN?
The NFL isn't alone in its Congressional scrutiny. One of the 32 member clubs, the San Francisco 49ers, could be the trigger for legislation that might be introduced by Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-Cal.) regarding the ability of sports teams to leave their home markets.
Feinstain said on Tuesday that she might introduce a bill requiring local officials to approve of a team's ability to move to another locale, and to retain the name of its former home. She also is considering a bill that would mandate league approval of any move. Currently, NFL rules require the approval of 3/4th of ownership, but no law compels approval.
"You're in San Francisco, you're a San Francisco 49er,'' said Feinstein, who once was the mayor of San Francisco. "You're outside of San Francisco, you're not a San Francisco 49er."
The 49ers announced last week plans to relocate to nearby Santa Clara.
NEW TEN-PACK IS UP
We've got a new ten-pack posted for your reading pleasure, including among other things a look at the misguided (in hindsight) decision of the NFL to incorporate flexible scheduling into only one of the two prime time packages.
The result, in our view? The Monday Night Football franchise will lose its appeal, and its value.
Click here for our takes regarding flex scheduling and nine other issues, including our inside look at Devin Hester's 108-yard touchdown run following a missed field goal, and the latest exploits of Joey Sunshine.
ANOTHER MNF STINKER
Although Monday night's game between the Panthers and the Bucs wasn't nearly as pathetic as the November 6 Raiders-Seahawks get-together, the viewers have spoken.
The most recent Monday night game nudged out Oakland at Seattle as the lowest-rated Monday night game. Ever.
This week's game was off by more than 270,000 households from last week's previous all-time low of 7.587 million homes.
But ESPN continues to whip up the chicken salad. "With a 37 percent increase over ESPN's coverage over last season, Monday Night Football is exceeding our expectations," ESPN spokesman Josh Krulewitz told the AP. "And we're looking forward to an exciting stretch run."
In our view? It's not going to get much better. As we discussed Tuesday night on Sporting News Radio with Jim Talamonti (who was filling in for an under-the-weather Todd Wright), we believe that viewers will gravitate toward NBC's flex-scheduled games over the balance of the season, since the coming Holidays might make it harder to justify setting aside two consecutive nights each week for watching football.
POSTED 5:16 p.m. EST, November 14, 2006
ANOTHER DAY, ANOTHER ARREST
Texans offensive lineman Fred Weary was cuffed and hauled downtown after allegedly resisting arrest on Tuesday, according to KHOU in Houston.
Weary, a third-round draft choice of the Texans in their inaugural season of 2002, was reportedly tasered by police. The incident occurred as part of a routine traffic stop.
Weary has played in eight games this season, starting in five of them. For his career, Weary has played in 44 games, making 24 starts. He currently appears on the team's depth chart as the starting right guard, and the backup at left guard.
POSTED 3:58 p.m. EST; UPDATED 4:32 p.m. EST, November 14, 2006
PATS PUTTING IN FIELD TURF
The New England Patriots have opted to tear up the green beach that turned into a sloppy green sh-t pit during Sunday's loss to the Jets. In its place, the Pats are installing FieldTurf.
Per Patriots Football Weekly, the new surface will be in place prior to the team's November 26 game against the Bears.
Work has already begun to bulldoze the old surface.
Last month, the Boston Herald reported that a synthetic surface would be installed prior to the November 5 game against the Colts. But soon thereafter there were reports that the playing surface cannot be changed in the middle of a season.
Of course, it was more than just a rumor or a quote from an unnamed source. There were stories about such a rule because someone from the league office cited such a rule. On the record.
"A team cannot change its surface during the season," AFC information manager Steve Alic said at the time. "A club must finish the season with the same surface it began with."
Interestingly, Pats president Jonathan Kraft recently said on 890 ESPN Radio in Boston that no such rule exists.
Mike Reiss of the Boston Globe sheds some light on the situation: "The confusion resulted from a recommendation made by the NFL's competition committee that teams couldn't change surfaces during the season, although that recommendation was never converted into league policy."
NFL spokesman Greg Aiello confirms this reality. "There is no such league rule," Aiello told us in an e-mail moments ago. "The Competition Committee back in 1998 expressed its view on it, but it was never adopted as a league rule."
POSTED 8:27 a.m. EST; LAST UPDATED 10:42 a.m. EST, November 14, 2006
DEL RIO IN HOT WATER?
A league source tells us that there's a rumor on the NFL grapevine that coach Jack Del Rio is in "major league trouble" if the Jacksonville Jaguars fail to qualify for the 2006 playoffs.
Jacksonville currently is 5-4, including two losses to the otherwise 1-6 Houston Texans. Last year, the Jags were 12-4.
The team currently is in a three-way tie with the Chiefs and the Jets for the No. 6 seed in the AFC field. The Bengals are a game back at 4-5. Jacksonville holds the head-to-head tiebreaker with the Jets, and the Jaguars finish the regular season at Kansas City.
After several years of struggles to sell out their home stadium, the Jags' success in 2005 prompted a strong demand for tickets. But a reversal this season could quickly result in a return to the days of local blackouts.
The team's most recent stumble, a home defeat to Houston, apparently won't bring a premature end to David Garrard's tenure as the starting quarterback. Instead, Del Rio is taking aim at the team's receivers, who have been dropping more balls than a urologist with sweaty palms. (Yeah, we break that one out a couple of times a year.) Reggie Williams could end up losing playing time to Cortez Hankton, and Matt Jones might be a step or two away from the doghouse after two drops turned into two of Garrard's four interceptions.
Meanwhile, former starter Byron Leftwich got a second opinion from Dr. James Andrews on Monday. Team doctors reportedly told Leftwich that he won't be able to play again this season. Leftwich has said that he thinks he can play.
Our guess? Del Rio is hitching his wagon for the rest of the way to Garrard. And if Garrard doesn't deliver, Del Rio might be coaching linebackers somewhere in 2007, or possibly working as a defensive coordinator.
HOUSE CLEANING COMING IN 'ZONA?
Strong indications currently are that both coach Dennis Green and V.P. of football operations Rod Graves will get the heave-ho from the Arizona Cardinals after the 2006 season.
The Cards have resisted firing Green in the midst of a far-worse-than-expected 1-8 season because, in our opinion, the miserly Bidwills want to reduce the buyout that Green will be owed on a contract that runs through the 2007 season. Though some in the ownership family might be tempted to play high-stakes chicken with Green in the offseason in the hopes that he'll quit, our guess is that the powers-that-be will realize that they'll lose far more than his $2.5 million salary for next season in the form of season ticket renewals if they don't get rid of Green promptly after the final game of the current campaign.
We won't rule out, however, an effort by the Bidwills to fire Green and then withhold his pay for 2007 based on an allegation that he has somehow breached the letter of his contract. The goal would then be to save a few hundred thousand by negotiating a settlement for less than the amount owed to the veteran head coach. Our advice? Just pay the guy to go away.
Regardless of how Green's tenure ends in Arizona, we're not convinced that the team ever will be worth a crap. Like the Detroit Lions, the common link through decades of poor performance is ownership. The Cardinals franchise has had more than 40 coaches in its 87-year history, and none has made it longer than six years.
There has been only one playoff win since the Truman administration, and the Bidwills have owned the team since 1932.
Coincidence? You decide.
Another example of the team's overall ineptitude? They somehow managed to screw up Sunday's halftime tribute to the late Pat Tillman. But at least they've owned up to the gaffe. The following statement appears on the team's official web site: "During the Ring of Honor ceremony for Pat Tillman at halftime of Sunday's game against the Cowboys, the tribute that ran on the stadium’s scoreboard did not operate properly and we sincerely apologize for that. While the technical reasons for those audio problems have been addressed, the bottom line is that we dropped the ball. Our intent was to provide a very special tribute to Pat and in the end we did not do that. We regret that very much."
A link to the tribute is available on the team's site. (And, surprisingly, it works.)
So how does the team move forward? Aside from an ownership change, the best bet for the Bidwills will be to hire a strong G.M., open up the change purse, and then butt out completely. The G.M. then should hire the right coach to bring the team together and make it into a perennial winner.
The thinking is that the Bidwills will want to focus on finding an offensive-minded head coach, in order to maximize the Matt Leinart investment. We've heard Dick Vermeil's name mentioned, and even though he says he's not interested some think that if the team expresses interest in the retired coach of the Eagles, Rams, and Chiefs, Vermeil will reciprocate.
We've also heard that Bears defensive coordinator Ron Rivera and current Cardinals defensive coordinator Clancy Pendergast could be on the list, but both would need to be able to line up a top-notch offensive coordinator.
Some think that Lions offensive coordinator Mike Martz could be considered for the job. Though we doubt that anyone would take a chance on Martz given his reputation as a power-hungry control freak, the Bidwills might become infatuated with his success in the city where the Cardinals used to play.
Then there are the college ranks. Bobby Petrino of the Louisville Cardinals is a possibility, especially in light of what the team's offense has accomplished despite a wave of key injuries in 2006. Rich Rodriguez of West Virginia could be a candidate for the position of offensive coordinator under a defense-oriented head coach; however, Rodriguez's once pass-happy offensive system has evolved into an attack that requires a mobile quarterback.
Despite the past problems with the franchise, we think there's potential. An improved offensive line could help the scoreboard to explode, and the Cardinals have the cap room to be very competitive in the coming free-agent market. The location and the facilities should also help to attract players who can go elsewhere.
And the high draft position could enable the team to trade down with someone who wants Notre Dame quarterback Brady Quinn, Georgia Tech receiver Calvin Johnson, or Oklahoma running back Adrian Peterson (none of whom the Cardinals need). In exchange, the Cardinals would pick up a bunch of extra selections that can be used to beef up the offensive line and the defensive side of the ball.
So, yes, there's reason for optimism in the post-Green/Graves era. But the franchise has to play it right, and the smartest move would be for the Bidwills to get out of the way and let the experts do the job.
RADIO TUESDAY
Coming later today, you can check out the Poobah on Triple X ESPN Radio at 12:10 p.m. EST or so, as he makes a weekly visit with Larry Michael and Bram Weinstein on "Redskins Lunch" (we hope they're not serving pemmican again). At 2:25 p.m. EST, Florio chats with Chris McClain of WFNZ in Charlotte. And at 10:25 p.m. EST, the Poobah makes a weekly pit stop with Todd Wright of Sporting News Radio.
The weekly spot with our pal Steve Duemig of WDAE in Tampa has been bumped to Wednesday, because some guy named Jon Gruden had to move his weekly show from Monday to Tuesday.
Most of the shows stream live on the Internet, so we're happy to provide you with another reason to take another little "break" from your work day.
[UPDATE: We got bumped from Redskins Lunch for Jason Campbell.]
TUESDAY MORNING ONE-LINERS
Falcons DE Patrick Kerney is out for the season with a ruptured right pectoral muscle.
Mark Maske of the Washington Post confirms Jay Glazer's story from Sunday regarding the possibility that tougher steroids testing could be coming.
Titans DT Randy Starks has a court date on Tuesday resulting from an August domestic violence arrest.
Titans WR David Givens (ACL) is done for the season.
The rash of injuries to Giants players is forcing Tom Coughlin to eat his words from his introductory press conference in January 2004.
The Redskins are boo-hooing the fact that they played three teams coming out of their bye weeks this season.
Chiefs TE Tony Gonzalez (shoulder) will miss his first game in seven years.
Joe Namath is proud of the Jets. (Hey, we thought he was on the wagon.)
The Lions don't plan to bench QB Jon Kitna. (The decision might have something to do with the fact that they really don't have anyone else who can, you know, play the position.)
Dolphins RB Ricky Williams says that he "bonded" with his Toronto Argonauts teammates. (Not that there's anything wrong with that.)
The Tuna is forced to come up with someone to replace DE Greg Ellis, who is done for the year with a ruptured Achilles tendon. (On Monday, Parcells suggested that he might try to get Carl Banks to come out of retirement. He was kidding. We think.)
The AJC is pointing fingers at the Falcons' coaching staff.
The Seahawks might get QB Matt Hasselbeck and RB Shaun Alexander back for Sunday's game against the 49ers.
Seahawks OT Sean Locklear is battling a high ankle sprain.
Raiders coach Art Shell might bench QB Andrew Walter after Walter publicly criticized the team's offense.
Meanwhile, Shell continues to allow WR Randy Moss to offer up nuggets like this, regarding his recent spate of dropped passes: "Maybe because I'm unhappy and I'm not too much excited about what's going on. So, my concentration and focus level tend to go down sometimes when I'm in a bad mood. All I can say is if you put me in a good situation and make me happy, man, you get good results." (Randy, we really feel sorry for you and all your money and, you know, your God-given ability that you choose only to use when you're the focus of positive attention.)
Browns coach Romeo Crennel says that defensive coordinator Todd Grantham is a candidate for the Michigan State job. (Many Browns fans might prefer it if Crennel were the candidate.)
X-rays on the hand of Browns QB Charlie Frye were negative.
Vikings WR Travis Taylor says that the NFL has 'fessed up to some bad officiating calls.
Vikings CB Antoine Winfield, on why the team played so much zone defense against the Packers: "We played a lot of zone, thinking that [Brett] Favre was going to throw the interceptions that he usually does." (Hey, 'Toine, way to give Lord Favre some more motivation to torch you guys next month at Lambeau.)
The Bengals shifted the play-calling from QB Carson Palmer back to offensive coordinator Bob Bratkowski during the no-huddle portion of the team's repertoire, and the Bengals gained 545 total yards on the day. (Maybe Bratkowski should call some defensive plays, too.)
Bears coach Lovie Smith remains committed to QB Rex Grossman.
The typically tight-lipped Pats are suddenly chatty.
Eagles coach Andy Reid won't say whether he'll resume calling plays after giving the job to offensive coordinator Marty Morningsomething in the 27-3 win over the Redskins.
POSTED 7:57 p.m. EST, November 13, 2006
CAMPBELL STARTS FOR 'SKINS SUNDAY
Redskins coach Joe Gibbs said on Monday that second-year quarterback Jason Campbell will start on Sunday at quarterback, replacing Mark Brunell.
"We're going to give Jason his opportunity and see if we can be more productive and see if we can get some more answers," Gibbs said.
Gibbs benched Brunell two years ago, when the team had the same record that it now has -- three wins, six losses.
"I was kind of shocked," Campbell said. "It's like when the principal calls you into the office, you get kind of jittery, you don't know what to expect. . . . Basically he told me it's my job. It's my job, and I've got to approach it that way."
POSTED 12:32 p.m. EST; LAST UPDATED 4:41 p.m. EST, November 13, 2006
FORGOTTEN FEARS REALIZED FOR TAZ?
The news that Steelers safety Troy Polamalu suffered a concussion on Sunday likely will cause most fans and media types to shrug. After all, hardly a week goes by that an NFL player with a quickly recognizable name doesn't suffer a blow to the brain box.
But in the case of the Tasmanian Devil, the nasty knock to the noggin that he suffered on Sunday -- which prompted him to nearly tumble off of the bench after being examined by doctors -- is the latest in a troubling string of concussions dating back to his high school career.
Officially, Polamalu has had six concussions. Unofficially, the number is likely higher, possibly in the double digits.
The issue was serious enough to have Polamalu evaluated by a neurological surgeon before selecting him in the first round of the 2003 draft.
Said Steelers director of football operations Kevin Colbert at the time: "Because of the history, you bring him in to get looked at by your specialist; you never know. Once we checked, we were satisfied there was nothing to be concerned with. Players are going to get nicked, especially players who play as hard as he does. I think he'll probably deliver a few more blows than he'll take."
Still, there are medical experts who believe that a history of concussions makes it easier to get more concussions, and that multiple concussions can result in progressively serious symptoms.
With Polamalu signed only through 2007, it's an issue that the Steelers likely will have to revisit in the next year or so, if/when the team is considering whether to break the bank in order to re-sign him.
Meanwhile, we're guessing that Taz was feeling the effects of a concussion when he told the barber to give him the Samoafro that he's sporting in this picture from his days at USC.
MONDAY AFTERNOON ONE-LINERS
The Texans win over the Jaguars was costly; OT Zach Wiegert (ACL) is out for the year and DT Travis Johnson (calf) could be done, too; also injured was QB David Carr (shoulder).
Texans DE Mario Williams is suffering from plantar fasciitis.
Rams LT Orlando Pace is out for the season with a torn triceps.
Redskins RB Clinton Portis will miss at least three or four weeks with a broken bone in his right hand.
The Jags deactivated LT Khalif Barnes for Sunday's game against the Texans due to his weekend arrest for DUI.
Says Pats DT Richard Seymour after the team's loss to the Jets: "They outplayed us and out-coached us."
Seymour also was grumbling about his playing time.
Giants RB Tiki Barber isn't expected to miss any time with a thumb injury.
The Colts are the first team to start consecutive seasons at 9-0. (Unfortunately, they don't give out big gaudy rings covered in diamonds for that specific feat.)
After fumbling early in the second quarter, Pats WR Doug Gabriel spent the rest of the game on the bench.
Gee, who would have ever thought that the Bears might try to run a short field goal out of the end zone?
Chiefs coach Herm Edwards says that QB Trent Green won't be rushed back to the field due to a 10-point offensive performance on Sunday at Miami under backup Damon Huard.
Titans coach Jeff Fisher is gonna have less money in his moustache comb budget: "That was a bad call by the umpire and that's what bothers me. We all saw it. Everybody saw it. The runner is upright and the ball came out. How you get down by contact, I have no idea. I hope they hear me [at the NFL office] in New York because that was field position and we lost by a point."
The November 26 Eagles-Colts game has been moved to Sunday night.
Cards CB Eric Green was benched after getting beat for two touchdown passes against the Cowboys.
Cards WR Larry Fitzgerald left Sunday's game early with some soreness in his hamstring.
Chargers S Marlon McCree has apologized for a hit on Bengals WR T.J. Houshmandzadeh that gave the wideout a concussion.
Redskins S Adam Archuleta was relegated to special teams only on Sunday.
Redskins RB T.J. Duckett sounds way too content about the fact that he doesn't play much.
Lord Favre is 6-2 in his last eight games in a dome.
POSTED 9:57 a.m. EST; LAST UPDATED 11:00 a.m. EST, November 13, 2006
BUSH FIRES ORNSTEIN
Saints running back Reggie Bush has parted ways with marketing agent Mike Ornstein, according to Josh Peter and Jason Cole of Yahoo! Sports.
Although there has been no formal statement from Bush or from Ornstein in this regard, Ornstein reportedly revealed the split when he canceled an order for 120 turkeys that Bush had planned to give to Saints players and team officials for Thanksgiving. Another source confirmed on the condition of anonymity that Bush and Ornstein are no longer working together.
Ornstein hung up the phone on a reporter who was seeking comment on the story, and Bush likewise declined to talk about the situation after his team's game on Sunday in Pittsburgh.
Ornstein helped Bush land more than $50 million in endorsement deals from adidas, Pepsi, Hummer, Subway, and EA Sports. Ornstein also helped curry favor for Bush by quarterbacking an extensive charitable effort in the Crescent City. The moves helped to take the steam out of an embarrassing story that broke in the days before the draft regarding allegations that Bush and his family received benefits while he was still playing college football, and prompted folks in New Orleans to dub the 2005 Heisman winner "Jesus in Cleats."
But Ornstein brought plenty of baggage to the table. He was convicted in 1995 of defrauding the NFL while he was working for the league. And he widely is regarded in league and media circles as a guy with a very short fuse. We'd previously heard that there were some members of Bush's family who were strongly opposed to Ornstein's involvement in his career, and it sounds like those voices finally prevailed.
FEDS INVESTIGATING SUPER BOWL SCALPING?
Buried in the latest Yahoo! Sports story regarding the Reggie Bush imbroglio is a revelation that his former marketing agent, Mike Ornstein, was subpoenaed in September to appear before a grand jury in Ohio. The subpoena reportedly is related to Ornstein's receipt of Super Bowl tickets from the Browns several years ago, in exchange for the use of cars.
We're not quite sure what that means, or how it translates into an actual or potential violation of the law. And it makes us wonder whether the focus of the inquiry is the person who received the tickets -- or the person(s) who gave him the tickets.
The scalping of Super Bowl tickets by NFL owners has long been regarded as one of the league's dirty little secrets. Could it be that the feds in Ohio have caught wind of misuse of the Browns' allotment of seats, and is now looking into whether someone has been breaking the law in connection with the most coveted ticket in all of sports?
Ever since Ornstein's name surfaced as the potential marketing agent for Reggie Bush, we've generally heard that the league generally lets Ornstein do whatever he generally wants because Ornstein generally knows too much information about too many things. Generally speaking. Based on the events that are unfolding in Ohio, the speculation in this regard could be right on the money.
ORNY TO SPILL THE BEANS ON BUSH?
The last question to be addressed in the wake of the news that Reggie Bush and Mike Ornstein are no longer doing business is whether Ornstein is sufficiently pissed off about the manner in which the whole thing fell apart to spill the beans on Bush regarding the benefits he and his family allegedly received while Bush was still playing for USC.
If it can be shown that Ornstein or anyone else gave money or other things of value to Bush or his family while Bush was still playing college football, Bush could be stripped of his Heisman, and the Trojans could be forced to surrender past victories. In theory, the school's 2004 national championship is potentially in jeopardy.
Regardless of whether Ornstein voluntarily chooses to blab (which we think is unlikely), he now has much less of an incentive to conjure up a web of lies to protect Bush if/when the proprietors of New Era Sports & Entertainment file suit against the Bush bunch to recover money paid to the family and other expenses incurred based upon an alleged promise that New Era would represent Reggie. If/when a civil action is filed and if/when Ornstein is put under oath, avoiding a perjury rap might now take precedence over protecting his former star client.
RADIO MONDAY
For anyone interested in hearing the Grand Poobah drone on and on about the weekend that was in the NFL, you'll have three opportunities to be put to sleep on Monday.
First, Florio will drop by AOL's Sports Bloggers Live at 12:05 p.m. EST. The show can be heard live, but also is available for later listening at the SBL home page. Next, Florio will chat with Paul Allen and Jeff Dubay of KFAN in Minneapolis at 12:35 p.m. EST.
Then, at 1:40 p.m. EST Florio will visit with Dino Costa of the Radio Colorado Network.
Listen via your car, via your computer, or via that old-fashioned AM hand-held with the big white ear piece that would be caked with brown wax when you popped the thing out. (Oh, and enjoy your lunch.)
POSTED 6:39 p.m. EST, November 12, 2006
BUCS SHORTHANDED ON DEFENSE
As ESPN prepares to televise a second straight substandard game on Monday night, the 2-6 Tampa Bay Buccaneers will have even less firepower as they attempt to knock off the Carolina Panthers.
According to our friends at PewterReport.com, the Bucs will be missing three defensive starters for their game in Charlotte.
Linebacker Shelton Quarles, defensive end Simeon Rice, and defensive tackle Ellis Wyms did not make the trip with the team, due to their respective injuries. Quarles has a knee injury, Rice has a shoulder injury, and Wyms has an ankle injury.
POSTED 3:02 p.m. EST, November 12, 2006
PORTIS BUSTS HIS HAND
Redskins running back Clinton Portis, who was reportedly expected to be a big part of the game plan against the Eagles, suffered a broken hand early in the game and is not expected to return.
Portis rushed for 25 yards on six carries before suffering the injury.
POSTED 12:42 p.m. EST, November 12, 2006
LEWIS OUT FOR SUNDAY
When Ravens quarterback Steve McNair returns to Nashville for his first game against the team that drafted him in 1995, McNair won't have linebacker Ray Lewis to help get a win.
Lewis had been questionable with a back injury. It's the first game that the two-time NFL defensive player of the year will miss in the 2006 season.
Lewis will be replaced by Mike Smith, a second-year player who was picked in the seventh round of the 2005 draft.
POSTED 12:17 p.m. EST; UPDATED 12:27 p.m. EST, November 12, 2006
LORD FAVRE BEING URGED TO RETURN?
Jay Glazer of FOX Sports reports that Packers coach Mike McCarthy is trying to persuade quarterback Brett Favre to come back for one more year.
"I know what's being said out there and written about it but I'm telling you after watching him first hand that he's part of the solution, not part of the problem,” McCarthy said. "I'd love to have him for one more year."
But McCarthy concedes that he has spoken with G.M. Ted Thompson regarding the importance of Favre making a decision soon after the 2005 season ends.
Our guess? McCarthy knows that asking for a quick decision is likely to force Favre to opt against a return. So McCarthy can say whatever he wants about wanting Favre back -- our guess is that McCarthy wants to get on with the post-Favre era, and that he hopes that asking Favre to make up his mind quickly will be enough to get him to pack it in.
LEWIS LAYS INTO BENGALS
Jay Glazer of FOX Sports reports that Bengals coach Marvin Lewis accused his players of being selfish after last Sunday's game against the Ravens.
According to the sources, Lewis implored his team to "stop worrying about 'me' and stop being so selfish."
The comments to the team came on the same day that receiver Chad Johnson bemoaned the fact that he caught only four passes in the defeat. On the NFL Today on CBS, Johnson said that his primary goal is to help the team win, not generate personal statistics.
If that's the case, maybe Johnson should start leaving those alligator arms in the locker room.
SUNDAY AFTERNOON ONE-LINERS
Cowboys WR Terry Glenn (knee) won't play on Sunday against the Cardinals.
Charley Casserly of CBS thinks that Steelers offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt is the top candidate to replace Bill Cowher, if Cowher retires. (We think that offensive line coach Russ Grimm has the inside track, but what the hell do we know?)
The Jets are going with only two tailbacks on Sunday.
The rain is falling hard in New England.
POSTED 10:53 a.m. EST; LAST UPDATED 11:54 a.m. EST, November 12, 2006
CLINTON'S CAREER CAUGHT IN A RUT
Redskins running back Clinton Portis has suffered through injuries and adjustments to a new offense, which has him on pace for the lowest rushing total of his five-year career.
"If I'm at the bottom of the pile and my ankle's back here and my leg's twisted and somebody else dives on my head just from being a [jerk], it's tough when you got that going on," Portis said, according to the Washington Post. "You're trying to protect [preexisting injuries] and make sure somebody don't grab your ankle, and they shoot at your knees, you know what I'm saying?
Though there are reasons for Portis' reduced output, he knows that folks will interpret his limited reps due to a variety of bumps and bruises, which in turn has made it harder for him to get acclimated to the Al Saunders offense, otherwise.
"Society don't look at it like that," Portis said. "Everybody else says, 'He's just not the same back.' They don't look at the wear and tear over the last two years when I've been asked to carry the load I've been asked to carry, even when I don't have the ball. Those be the most physical times in blocking, so I just throw my body around. I'm going to throw it around as long as I can, and when I can't throw it around no more, you'll know."
The end result for the first half of 2006? "I used to know my number was going to be called, and I go quarters without touching the ball right now. So at the same time you get frustrated, but you have to find a way through it."
In our view, we think that the Redskins' use of Portis is no different than the Falcons' efforts to cram the round peg of Mike Vick's talent into the square hole of the West Coast offense. Yeah, Al Saunders is famous (sort of) for his offensive attack. But the challenge when taking the playbook to a new town is to adapt the offense to the strengths of the players who'll run it.
It could be that Saunders and the 'Skins have gotten the message. ESPN's Sal Paolantonio reports that Portis will be the focal point of the game plan on Sunday against the Eagles, and that fullback Mike Sellers will be used as a lead blocker in the hopes of clearing Philly's linebackers out of the way, allowing Portis to get through to the secondary.
SUNDAY MORNING ONE-LINERS
The Falcons have temporarily dumped S Lance Schulters.
ESPN's NFL Matchup show this week featured some excellent audio of Giants RB Tiki Barber telling QB Eli Manning how to throw a seam route to TE Jeremy Shockey. (Why do we have a feeling that Tiki's going-away party will be more festive than such situations might ordinarily warrant?)
Hey, Wendi Nix of ESPN -- Elmer Fudd called. He wants his hat back.
ESPN's late Sunday morning SportsCenter recycles a visit to Tiki Barber's apartment, in which he uses fancy words like "abode" and "plethora" and essentially confirms that he's a flaming metrosexual.
ESPN's Bob Holtzman says that Bengals coach Marvin Lewis "ripped [the team] pretty good" after last week's loss to the Ravens, and that RB Rudi Johnson thinks the Bengals can run the table.
Bob Smizik of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette makes a good case for the notion that Steelers coach Bill Cowher has lost confidence in his running game.
Michael Irvin still thinks there's only one "r" in the word "frustrated."
Jaws makes up a new word -- "abominal."
Bucs coach Jon Gruden realizes that time could soon be running out on his tenure in Tampa.
Former Titans QB Steve McNair comes home on Sunday.
Chris Mortensen of ESPN says that Cowboys WR Terrell Owens was fined $5,000 for sleeping on the football last Sunday.
Mort also says that the Titans have had zero contact with DT Albert Haynesworth since he was suspended for treating Andre Gurode's face like a hunk of gouda.
Mort says Fat Albert plans to visit with Dr. James Andrews in the hopes of confirming that his ankle doesn't need surgery.
Finally, Mort hints that Texans QB David Carr could be benched.
Coach Tony Dungy of the Colts realizes that the Bills could beat them.
Mike Vaccaro of the New York Post understands why Bill Parcells is tolerating T.O.: Vaccaro thinks that the Tuna has had a portion of his brain removed.
ESPN's Sal Paolantonio says that Redskins WR Santana Moss (hamstring) is expected to play.
Steelers WR Hines Ward is proud of the fact that he gave Broncos S Nick Ferguson a concussion, or two.
The Seahawks have placed DT Marcus Tubbs on injured reserve.
Is Chiefs RB Larry Johnson hitting his stride?
ESPN's Bob Holtzman says that Bengals RB Rudi Johnson will not start on Sunday for disciplinary reasons.
Colts DE Dwight Freeney has 0.5 sacks through eight games.
7-1 or not, there are still questions regarding whether Brian Griese should replace Rex Grossman at quarterback for the Bears.
The Bengals are refusing to call Sunday's home game against the Chargers a "must win" (possibly because they fear that they "won't win").
POSTED 1:23 a.m. EST, November 12, 2006
WEEK TEN FANTASY PICKS AND PUNKS
We're back with another look at the guys to use and the guys to avoid as the fantasy season gets closer and closer to the postseason. As always, the insights come from our pal Charch of Fanball.com.
First, the picks for Week Ten:
Jon Kitna, quarterback, Lions: Quietly having a very good year, Kitna goes against a very bad (with the exception of last week) 49ers defense.
David Garrard, quarterback, Jaguars: Garrard has come on strong now that he's the guy in Jacksonville, and he could have a huge day as the Jags try to reverse a 20-point loss to the Texans from the last game of the Leftwich era.
Anthony Thomas, running back, Bills: With Willis McGahee (ribs) down for a while, Thomas could churn up some big yards against a soft Indy rush defense.
Jamal Lewis, running back, Ravens: The Titans have allowed at least 125 yards rushing in seven games this year, and Lewis has enjoyed a rebirth as coach Brian Billick has gotten more involved in the offense.
Ernest Wilford, wide receiver, Jaguars: Jaguars quarterback David Garrard likes Wilford, who had a big game against the Texans last December when Garrard was the starter.
Donte' Stallworth, wide receiver, Eagles: Stallworth has had two weeks to get his hammy even more healed, and quarterback Donovan McNabb needs to get back on track in a big way after three straight losses.
Next, the guys to avoid this week:
Michael Vick, quarterback, Falcons: The Browns are far softer against the run than against the pass, so look for the Falcons to attack Cleveland on the ground.
Jake Delhomme, quarterback, Panthers: Delhomme has only one touchdown pass in three straight games against Tampa, and Delhomme's overall play has been spotty of late.
Travis Henry, runnng back, Titans: Henry is facing a tough Ravens defense, which allowed its first rushing touchdown in 13 games last week.
Rudi Johnson, running back, Bengals: The Chargers have allowed only one back to top 84 rushing yards this year, and Johnson has surpassed 84 yards rushing only once in the last six weeks.
Muhsin Muhammad, wide receiver, Bears: With Bernard Berrian out, look for Muhammad to get plenty of double coverage. Also, the Giants haven't allowed a receiver to get more than 100 yards since the opening game of the season.
Javon Walker, wide receiver, Broncos: Despite a great game against the Steelers, Walker could get stymied by the Raiders' secondary. They've allowed no more than 89 yards to any receiver, and receiver touchdowns in only three games this year.
POSTED 11:46 p.m. EST, November 11, 2006
MORE DETAILS ON BARNES ARREST
CBS 47 in Jacksonville has obtained some additional details regarding the arrest of Jaguars tackle Khalif Barnes.
Barnes was arrested for driving under the influence after being spotted driving in excess of 100 miles per hour in an area with a maximum speed of 60. He failed a field sobriety test, and Barnes then blew a 0.125 and a 0.121 percent blood alcohol concentration on a breathalyzer.
Although the CBS 47 report says that it's unsure whether Barnes will be disciplined pursuant to the league's Personal Conduct Policy, we can state unequivocally that he won't be. Alcohol-related incidents are addressed under the league's substance abuse policy.
Jaguars cornerback Brian Williams was arrested for DUI earlier this year, and defensive end Bobby McCray recently was arrested for reckless driving.
POSTED 8:52 p.m. EST, November 11, 2006
BARNES BUSTED FOR DUI
Thanks to a tip we received from a reader, and confirmation that we received moments ago from Sgt. Winkler of the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office, Profootballtalk.com has learned that Jaguars starting left tackle Khalif Barnes was arrested on Saturday for DUI.
Barnes is not currently incarcerated.
It's possible that it's not the same Khalif Barnes -- but only if there's another Khalif Barnes who was born on the same day as the Khalif Barnes who plays for the Jaguars.
Barnes was a second-round selection of the Jaguars in the 2005 draft. He started 12 regular-season games as a rookie and has started every game this year.
The Jaguars are scheduled to host the Texans on Sunday. It's unknown whether the arrest will affect Barnes' status for the game. It's also unknown whether the team even knows about the arrest.
POSTED 7:31 p.m. EST; LAST UPDATED 8:52 p.m. EST, November 11, 2006
COWBOYS CUT COLEMAN AFTER DUI ARREST
The Dallas Cowboys have severed ties with veteran defensive back Marcus Coleman after Coleman was arrested on suspicion of driving while intoxicated.
Coleman was arrested on Saturday morning, and was released later in the day.
The 11-year veteran was suspended for the first four games of the season for violation of the substance abuse policy. The Cowboys cut him after he was eligible to return in October, and then re-signed him several days later.
Coleman played in three games this season with the Cowboys. As a vested veteran, Coleman will be eligible to receive the balance of his $810,000 salary as severance pay (if he has not previously received severance pay at any time in his career).
Coleman also could file a grievance against the Cowboys for imposing discipline on him by cutting him for an off-field incident. But since he was signed only through the end of the 2006 season and since he likely is eligible to receive severance pay, there is no real reason for such a claim to be made.
Although Coleman is free to sign with any other team, the arrest might result in a one-year suspension of Coleman, based on his recent four-game suspension. (See Robinson, Koren.)
SATURDAY NIGHT ONE-LINERS
Panthers OL Justin Hartwig is considering season-ending surgery on his groin.
Chargers DE Derreck Robinson has been fined $7,500 for a late hit on Cleveland QB Charlie Frye.
Here's a shocker -- the 49ers might stay in San Fran, after all.
Meanwhile, a California legislator has introduced a bill that would prevent the 49ers from keeping the "San Francisco" name if they move to Santa Clara.
Ravens LB Ray Lewis is questionable with a sore back.
More details on the death of Pat Tillman.
The Vikings and Packers are sniping at each other over cut blocking.
Chiefs QB Damon Huard says that he lobbied Pats coach Bill Belichick to sign QB Dan Marino after Tom Brady was injured in the 2001 AFC Championship Game.
Jets coach Eric Mangini is trying to bury the hatchet with Pats coach Bill Belichick. (Our guess is that Belichick would like to bury it in Mangini's spine.)
We don't care how much extra time Vikings WR Troy Williamson spends catching passes from a JUGS machine; a guy either has good hands or he doesn't. (And Williamson simply doesn't.)
Bill Simmons of ESPN.com's Page 2 kind of sticks it to ESPN colleague Kornholio in a column regarding the bizarre realities of sport.
Paul Zimmerman of SI.com sticks it to Len Pasquarelli of ESPN.com in Dr. Z's most recent mailbag.
A reader advises us that NBC is pimping Sunday night's Bears-Giants game during the NASCAR broadcast by referring to the Bears as "undefeated."
Giants WR Plaxico Burress is listed as probable and most likely will play on Sunday night.
Packers G.M. Ted Thompson on the team's performance during the first half of the season: "I'm okay with it."
The teammates of Steelers CB Ike Taylor don't believe he deserves a demotion.
Redskins WR Santana Moss is listed as probable, but his ability to play will be a game-time decision. (If so, then he really isn't "probable" because "probable" means that there is a "virtual certainty" that the player will be available for normal duty.)
Former Steelers QB Terry Bradshaw, who once called current Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger stupid for riding a motorcycle without a helmet, is now taking up for the big fella.
Steelers LB James Farrior was fined $5,000 for kicking Broncos C Tom Nalen.
Broncos CB Domonique Foxworth was fined $7,500 for an illegal hit on Steelers WR Nate Washington.
Redskins CB Shawn Springs is contemplating a late-career move to safety.
Former Pats WR Stanley Morgan presented WR Troy Brown with a ball commemorating Brown's franchise record in receptions.
Is Pats RB Corey Dillon getting frustrated regarding his lack of touches?
Seahawks QB Matt Hasselbeck (knee) returned to practice on Friday.
Kudos to former Eagles DE Hugh Douglas, for his willingness to ignore the jockocracy and criticize current players on the team.
POSTED 7:54 a.m. EST, November 11, 2006
SALE OF PACMAN'S CAR RAISES EYEBROWS
We've gotten e-mails from several law enforcement types who regard as curious at best the decision of Nashville authorities to auction the Cadillac XLR owned by Pacman Jones and "loaned" to a guy who was arrested as part of a major drug bust in April.
The car is being sold pursuant to the forfeiture provisions of Tennessee law, since the vehicle was implicated in the commission of a crime. In other jurisdictions, the owner of the car can avoid forfeiture by establishing that the owner had no knowledge that the car was being used in the commission of a crime.
We're trying to track down the specifics of Tennessee law in this regard, but it simply doesn't make sense to us that the powers-that-be would sell a $70,000 owned by Jones if Jones was a fully innocent bystander in the process.
Meanwhile, "maurice7523" and "KINGOFCLUBS615" are in a bidding war over the 2004 Cadillac, with the price driven up by $10,000 in only a day or so, to $30,100.
HAYNESWORTH RETURN STILL UP IN THE AIR
Although Titans defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth is eligible to rejoin the team after a five-game suspension on Monday, no final decision has been made as to whether the team will accept him.
The key? According to the Nashville Tennessean, it's whether Haynesworth has done enough to address the anger management problems that caused him to stomp on the face of Cowboys center Andre Gurode on October 1.
"I would imagine if he has done everything that we want him to do then I think we have to think very strongly about [allowing him to return],'' Titans General Manager Floyd Reese said. "I think there are a lot of things involved. . . . We've talked to his people and there are things that he wants to do and things he thinks are important, as we do.''
The Titans will receive a one-week roster exemption for Haynesworth, which means that they'll be permitted to bring him back without automatically cutting someone.
Our suggestion? Get rid of the guy. Sure, he's doing a bunch of stuff in an effort to try to remedy his inexcusable conduct. But the thing about inexcusable conduct is that it's (duh) inexcusable. The consequences should have been more than a five-game suspension, and at a minimum the guy should never wear a Titans helmet again.
STERLING CALLS OUT OCHO STINKO
Sterling Sharpe of NFLN suggests that Bengals receiver Chad Johnson a/k/a Ocho Cinco a/k/a Ocho Stinko has developed a case of alligator arms after getting blown up in Week Two by Brian Russell of the Cleveland Browns.
Relying on three different examples of plays in which Seņor Stinko has short-armed balls in order to protect himself, Sharpe urges Johnson to be willing to take the big hits in order to help turn the team's fortunes around.
Sharpe tried to soft peddle his message, since it's verboten for former players to diss current ones. But Sharpe came as close as we've ever seen any former player to calling a current player a seņorita.
Kudos (for a change) to Sterling.
POSTED 7:09 p.m. EST, November 10, 2006
WARD, WASHINGTON TO GET WHACKED BY LEAGUE, AGAIN?
Earlier on Friday (scroll down for the story), we noted that Steelers receiver Nate Washington received a refund from teammate Hines Ward for a fine imposed by the league after Washington and Ward performed a disturbing post-touchdown dance during the Steelers' Week Seven game against the Falcons.
Washington told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette that Ward paid the $5,000 to Washington after the fine had been deducted from Washington's game check.
But the NFL requires that fines be paid by the player against whom they are imposed. We asked NFL spokesman Greg Aiello if this situation fell within the scope of the league's prohibition, and Aiello informed us that it does.
"This is a no-no that will be reviewed for potential discipline," Aiello told us.
Stay tuned.
POSTED 6:35 p.m. EST, November 10, 2006
LEWIS PLAYS RACE CARD ON McNAIR
Never known to shy away from controversy, Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis has pulled the pin on a pickle of a potential problem by suggesting in an interview with ESPN's Ed Werder that the treatment of quarterback Steve McNair by the Titans was influenced by race.
"I don't ever want to turn it into a black-white issue," Lewis said. "But it would really puzzle me, seriously, if anybody would ever tell Brett Favre . . . if anybody would ever tell Peyton Manning not to walk into the Indianapolis facility."
Um, Ray. The reason that McNair was barred from the team's facility in the offseason was that if McNair had dropped a 45-pound plate on his foot and were unable to play in 2006, the Titans would have been on the hook for his entire $10 million salary. And the reason that he had a $10 million salary is because the Titans decided to give its long-term starting quarterback a contract that, over the years, paid him many millions of dollars.
And the Titans' franchise selected McNair with the third pick of the 1995 draft while white quarterback Kerry Collins was on the board.
What became of Collins? He was the fifth pick in the draft that year, and he has started in just as many Super Bowls as McNair.
Today, Collins is a member of the Titans, languishing on the bench behind Vince Young, who is black.
Then there's Billy Volek, also white. He was the presumptive replacement to McNair who was rendered irrelevant when Young was selected with the third pick in the 2006 draft.
Of course, we can understand why Lewis might think that the Titans are a racist organization, given that they were the first NFL team to take a chance on Warren Moon.
So, Ray, think before you speak. Please. Race had nothing to do with the manner in which the Titans treated McNair, either when he was treated well or when he was treated poorly.
And to anyone who will insist that Lewis wasn't playing the race card because he went out of his way to say that it wasn't about race, wake up and read the full content of his comments. Lewis essentially said, "It's not about race, but white guys wouldn't get treated this way."
POSTED 6:13 p.m. EST, November 10,