POSTED 8:42 p.m. EST, November 30, 2007

FAVRE WILL PLAY

Packers coach Mike McCarthy declared on Friday that quarterback Brett Favre will play next Sunday against the Raiders, preserving his record streak of consecutive starts by a quarterback.

"We see him playing against Oakland," McCarthy said. "To quote the medical staff:  'His streak is not in danger.'"

Favre injured his throwing elbow and separated his non-throwing shoulder during Thursday night's 37-27 loss to the Cowboys.

POSTED 5:21 p.m. EST, November 30, 2007

CROYLE OUT, HUARD IN  by Michael David Smith

Chiefs quarterback Brodie Croyle will  miss Sunday's game against the Chargers with a bruised back, coach Herm Edwards announced today.

Croyle will be replaced in the starting lineup by Damon Huard, who started the first nine games of the season before being benched in favor of Croyle.

Croyle was hit in the lower back during the first quarter of last week's game against the Raiders. He was able to continue playing, but he has been unable to practice this week.

Huard has completed 62.2 percent of his passes this season, with eight touchdowns and 11 interceptions. Croyle has completed 59.8 percent of his passes, with two touchdowns and two interceptions.

POSTED 3:12 p.m. EST, November 30, 2007

FITZGERALD A GAME-TIME DECISION  by Michael David Smith

Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald has been limited in practice this week with a sore groin, and the injury may keep him out of Sunday's game against the Cleveland Browns.

Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt said today that Fitzgerald will be a game-time decision, the Cardinals' official web site reported.

Fitzgerald has an NFC-leading 75 catches, for 1,060 yards and six touchdowns this season. He said earlier this week that he expected to play Sunday despite the groin injury.

POSTED 1:41 p.m. EST, November 30, 2007

POLICE DETAIN THREE PEOPLE IN TAYLOR CASE  by Michael David Smith

Police have detained three people in the Fort Myers area for questioning in the death of Redskins safety Sean Taylor, the Associated Press is reporting.

"It looks like the police are pursuing extremely good leads," Richard Sharpstein, a friend and attorney for Taylor, told the AP. "It appears that the burglary was exactly as I've always stated, not random, that Sean's house was targeted."

The Miami Herald reports that police have in custody three male suspects, ages 17, 19 and 26, all from the Fort Myers area.

Per the Herald, the men learned of Taylor's house through someone they heard bragging about his wealth.

POSTED 1:11 p.m. EST, November 30, 2007

LITTLE SUPPORT FOR TURLEY IN BEARS' LOCKER ROOM  by Michael David Smith

This week Chiefs tackle Kyle Turley announced that he plans to donate his Week 16 paycheck to the Gridiron Greats program, which helps retired NFL players who have health or financial problems.

Turley said he hopes his fellow NFL players will join him, but based on David Haugh's report in today's Chicago Tribune, it doesn't sound like Turley will get much support in the Windy City.

Linebacker Hunter Hillenmeyer, the Bears' representative to the NFL Players Association, told Haugh, "I'm very sympathetic to the people who are hurt, but to the people who want a handout, shame on them."

Hillenmeyer said he appreciated Turley's efforts, and then added, "But I think it's important for players to remember it's a choice and not an obligation."

Haugh did not find any Bears willing to commit to following Turley's lead.

NFL Players Association Executive Director Gene Upshaw has said that he works for the active players, not the former players. If the players Haugh sought out in the Bears' locker room are a representative sample of the active players, then Upshaw is accurately reflecting the way active players feel about support for retired players.

POSTED 12:17 p.m. EST, November 30, 2007

ALEX SMITH OUT FOR SEASON? by Michael David Smith

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Alex Smith is increasingly looking like he won't be back on the field this season.

Daniel Brown of the Mercury News reports that rest hasn't healed Smith's separated right shoulder, and that doctors will evaluate the shoulder early next week, possibly recommending surgery to reattach ligaments near his collarbone. That surgery would require recovery time of 10 to 12 weeks.

"Obviously, you want to avoid [surgery], but if it had to be done, it's not a huge, huge operation," Smith said, per Brown.

Smith was hurt on September 30 when Seahawks defensive tackle Rocky Bernard sacked him. He returned but played badly four weeks later, and there has been talk ever since that he came back too soon. Smith now says he can't throw a football and feels pain every time he lifts his arm.

The 23-year-old Smith was the first overall pick in the 2005 NFL draft. He has started 30 games for the 49ers, completing 54.4 percent of his passes, with 19 touchdowns and 31 interceptions.

POSTED 10:30 a.m. EST, November 30, 2007

VICK CO-DEFENDANTS SENTENCED by Michael David Smith

U.S. District Judge Henry E. Hudson today sentenced two co-defendants of Falcons quarterback Michael Vick to 18 months and 21 months in federal prison.

Purnell Peace got 18 months and Quanis Phillips got 21 months. Hudson gave Phillips a longer sentence because this is not his first criminal conviction.

"There's simply no doubt what you did to these dogs was a tragedy," Hudson told Peace, per the Virginian-Pilot.

Peace and Phillips both pleaded guilty to federal conspiracy charges related to the dog fighting ring they operated with Vick. Hudson will sentence Vick, who pleaded guilty shortly after his co-defendants did, on December 10.

The Virginian-Pilot quotes Norfolk-based defense attorney Andrew Protogyrou as saying the sentences for Vick's co-defendants may indicate that Vick will get more prison time than has been generally expected.

"You can always use the co-defendants as a yardstick, but keep in mind that the guys who come later usually have the higher sentences," Protogyrou said.

Legal analyst Roger Cossack offered a similar opinion this morning on ESPN First Take.

POSTED 9:05 a.m. EST; UPDATED 9:51 a.m. EST, November 30, 2007

PACKERS EXPECT FAVRE TO BE FINE by Michael David Smith

Packers head coach Mike McCarthy says he does not believe the elbow and shoulder injuries that knocked him out of Thursday night's game in Dallas to keep him out of next Sunday's game against the Raiders.

"I think there's a great chance he will be ready against Oakland," McCarthy said, per the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel.

Favre also told NFL Network, "I think I'll be OK."

Favre said the right elbow injury is similar to one he suffered in 2006, and that since he didn't have to miss a game last season, he doesn't expect to have to miss a game this season. Favre added that his separated left shoulder would not hinder him

POSTED 7:59 a.m. EST, November 30, 2007

TEXANS' PITTS ARRESTED by Michael David Smith

Houston Texans offensive lineman Chester Pitts was arrested on charges of felony evading Thursday evening after leading police on a brief chase through southwest Houston, Lindsay Wise of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Per the report, officers had set up a traffic sting in a neighborhood where residents complained that drivers were making illegal turns. At about 5 p.m., an officer saw Pitts make an illegal turn, flagged him over, and told him why he was being stopped.

"The officer then walks off for a few minutes to finish issuing a citation to another vehicle and observes Pitts leave," said Johanna Abad, spokeswoman for the Houston Police Department, per Wise.

The report said the officer and a supervisor jumped into their patrol cars to pursue Pitts with their emergency lights and sirens blaring, and that Pitts stopped after less than a mile. The officers then contacted the Harris County district attorney's office, which accepted felony evading charges against Pitts.

Pitts was taken to the city jail  in downtown Houston, where he remained late Thursday, Wise reports.
 

POSTED 12:09 a.m. EST, November 30, 2007

FAVRE HAS ELBOW, SHOULDER INJURIES

When Packers quarterback Brett Favre banged up his right elbow on Thursday night, he also separated his left shoulder.

It's the first separated shoulder for Favre in 15 years, and one or both injuries could possibly derail his streak of consecutive starts that dates back to 1992.

The Packers play next on December 9 against the Raiders.

POSTED 10:51 p.m. EST, November 29, 2007

CRAZINESS IN BIG D

Man, it's getting interesting in Dallas.

Leading 27-24, the Cowboys were poised to take a 10-point lead with receiver Terrell Owens catching an east score in the end zone.

But he bobbled it and popped it into the air and it was picked off by Packers cornerback Al Harris.

So the Packers have the ball on their own 20 early in the fourth quarter.

Aaron Rodgers, by the way, looks damn good in relief of Brett Favre.

POSTED 10:13 p.m. EST, November 29, 2007

X-RAYS FOR FAVRE

Packers quarterback Brett Favre had gotten x-rays on his injured throwing arm.

Favre was hurt in the first half of Thursday night's game, and has not returned.

The Cowboys lead, 27-17, early in the third quarter.

POSTED 9:33 p.m. EST, November 29, 2007

FAVRE OUT

Packers quarterback Brett Favre has been knocked out of Thursday nights duel in Dallas with an injury to his right forearm.  His return is questionable.

Aaron Rodgers is in the game in Favre's place.  The Packers trail by the score of 27-10 with more than 9:30 to play in the second quarter.

Favre was injured when he was hit after a blitz.

POSTED 9:15 p.m. EST, November 29, 2007

SHOOTOUT BREWING IN BIG D

After a field goal contest to get the game started, the Packers and Cowboys have racked up three touchdowns on three straight drives, pushing the score to 20-10 with plenty of time to play in the second quarter.

Dallas receiver Terrell Owens is already over the 100-yard mark, and Packers running back Ryan Grant ripped off a long touchdown run.

There's still 13:20 to go until halftime.

POSTED 8:54 p.m. EST, November 29, 2007

COWBOYS LEAD EARLY

The Dallas Cowboys are up 6-3 on the Green Bay Packers in the first quarter of the Thursday night game between these two 10-1 teams.

The game is being aired exclusively on NFL Network.  But NFL.com has live look-ins via the NFL.com/Live companion broadcast, presented by our friends at Sprint.

Both teams are wearing "21" decals on their helmets, in honor of the memory of Sean Taylor.

POSTED 7:14 p.m. EST, November 29, 2007

WOODSON, KGB OUT VS. COWBOYS by Michael David Smith

The Packers will have to take on Tony Romo and Terrell Owens without two of their top defensive players.

Cornerback Charles Woodson and defensive end Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila will miss tonight's Packers-Cowboys showdown. Both were considered game-time decisions, and both were declared out following pregame warmups.

The Packer who will now face the greatest burden is cornerback Al Harris, who needs to have a big game against Owens if the Packers are going to have any chance of shutting down the Cowboys' passing attack.

Woodson suffered a toe injury when he returned a punt 34 yards in the Packers' Thanksgiving game against the Lions. Gbaja-Biamila suffered an ankle injury when he sacked Lions quarterback Jon Kitna and Lions tackle Blaine Saipaia fell on him.

POSTED 6:45 p.m. EST, November 29, 2007

WAS RICKY HURT ON A CHEAP SHOT? by Michael David Smith

Dolphins running back Ricky Williams' comeback ended after just six carries Monday night, when he was knocked on the ground, face down, and Steelers linebacker Lawrence Timmons stepped on his shoulder, tearing his pectoral muscle:

Now some people are asking: Did Timmons do it intentionally?

David J. Neal of the Miami Herald reports that the Dolphins reviewed the tape of Timmons stepping on Williams and decided against any type of formal complaint to the league office because they believe Timmons' step was "just an unfortunate accident."

But Paul Zimmerman of Sports Illustrated isn't buying that explanation. "An absolutely filthy play" is how Zimmerman described it. Zimmerman writes that he re-watched the tape and saw "Timmons deliberately veering off and coming down hard with his left foot to pin Williams to the ground and keep him from recovering the fumble."

Complicating matters is that the footing at Heinz Field was so bad Monday night that it would be easy for a player to step somewhere he didn't mean to step -- or easy for a player to step on another player intentionally and blame the poor footing.

POSTED 3:58 p.m. EST, November 29, 2007

BULGER OUT WITH CONCUSSION by Michael David Smith

Rams coach Scott Linehan said this week that quarterback Marc Bulger, who suffered a concussion on Sunday, will only play this weekend if he passes a neurological exam.

Today the Rams announced on their web site that Bulger will be held out.

“They didn’t clear him," Linehan said.

When asked if Bulger is feeling post-concussion symptoms, Linehan said, “He is, but nothing too dramatic, but enough to where it’s not wise to consider playing him. ... They said he was still experiencing some general symptoms.”

The Rams appear to be, correctly, exercising caution in this case and allowing the medical staff to make the call. The team said Bulger would face another round of neurological tests next week, which will determine whether he plays on December 9 at Cincinnati.

It's hard not to wonder, though, whether the Rams would be this cautious if they were fighting for a playoff spot. It's entirely possible that Bulger himself wouldn't want the team to exercise such caution if he thought he had a chance to lead the team to the playoffs.

When asked if Bulger wants to play, Linehan said, “I’m sure he does.” 

With Bulger out, Gus Frerotte will make his third start of the season.

POSTED 12:37 p.m. EST, November 29, 2007

PATRIOTS BREAKING BOUNTY RULES? by Michael David Smith

We noted earlier this week that the NFL has decided not to take any action against the Green Bay Packers after some defensive backs offered cash rewards to the defensive line for shutting down opposing running backs.

The NFL did, however, remind the Packers that such rewards are against the NFL's rules, which prohibit any form of "bounties." To repeat, the rule in question states:  "Clubs and players are prohibited from offering or accepting bonuses to a player for his or his team's performance against a particular team, a particular opposing player, or players or a particular group of an opposing team."

Now Jarrett Bell of USA Today is reporting that the Patriots are violating the same rule.

According to Bell, the Patriots have a system in place -- instituted by the players, not the coaches -- in which players can be fined for infractions ranging from tardiness to missing assignments.

The money is then put into a pot, and the cash goes to a player who makes a big play in the following game. For defensive players, it's usually the first player to force a turnover.

That was cornerback Asante Samuel in Sunday's game against the Eagles, and defensive end Richard Seymour told Bell, "Asante got a nice little stash."

As Bell notes, that's a violation of league rules. Given the precedent set with the Packers, the Patriots most likely won't face any sort of league discipline, but they will be told to knock it off. 
 

POSTED 9:54 a.m. EST; UPDATED 10:40 a.m. EST, November 29, 2007

SAVAGE HINTS AT HIGH TENDER FOR ANDERSON by Michael David Smith

Browns General Manager Phil Savage says he's leaning toward giving quarterback Derek Anderson the high contract tender of $2.562 million after the season, meaning that a team that wants to acquire Anderson would either have to work out a trade with the Browns or give the Browns first- and third-round draft choices.

"I think we'd be most comfortable with that 1-and-3 scenario rather than doing something less than that," Savage said, per Tony Grossi of the Cleveland Plain Dealer. "Then you have to have a suitor. You've got to have somebody out there that's wanting not only to give up picks but to pay a lot of money. And sometimes that can be a double-dip."

Anderson's contract expires after the season, making him a restricted free agent in 2008. The Browns have found themselves in the surprising situation of having Anderson playing well enough that Cleveland is in the playoff hunt and first-round rookie Brady Quinn is stuck on the bench.

Grossi writes that as Savage plans to negotiate either a new contract for Anderson or a trade, he "holds all the cards in the poker game." But the truth is, Savage isn't in a great situation here.

If Savage trades Anderson or declines to match another team's offer sheet to Anderson, he'd better be completely certain that Quinn is going to be a better quarterback than Anderson. If Anderson goes somewhere else and continues to play well, while Quinn turns out to be a disappointment in Cleveland, Savage will forever be known as the general manager who both failed to recognize the talented quarterback on his roster and saddled his team with a young quarterback who wasn't ready.

On the other hand, if Savage changes course and makes a long-term commitment to Anderson, it will raise the question of why in the world the Browns traded their 2008 first-round pick to get into position to draft Quinn.

The most likely scenario seems to be Anderson signing a one-year offer and playing 2008 for the Browns. That will allow Savage to delay his decision for another year.

Packers CB Al Harris will handle the bulk of the coverage on Cowboys WR Terrell Owens tonight.

Giants WR Plaxico Burress now has a sore knee to go along with his injured ankle.

Eagles coach Andy Reid says there are no moral victories in the NFL.

The Lions have signed Mr. Irrelevant from the practice squad to the active roster.

Bears RB Adrian Peterson says of becoming the starter, "I'm going to go out there and contribute, and get us wins."

Vikings QB Tarvaris Jackson says, "[M]y TV always stays on NFL Network and ESPN.  I just try to stay away from those channels because a lot of bad things are being said about me."

Bucs DE Greg Spires says he's close to returning from a calf injury.

Panthers QB Jake Delhomme says "I feel great" as he rehabs his elbow injury to get ready for 2008.

The Saints are finally back at full strength on the defensive line.

The Falcons and LB Michael Boley are talking about a contract extension.

Seahawks RB Shaun Alexander is getting healthier, but he may have a reduced role in the offense even when he's back to 100 percent.

Cardinals QB Matt Leinart is out for the season with a broken left collarbone, but he was throwing passes with his right arm Wednesday.

Head coach Mike Nolan is pleased with the progress of the offense now that new assistant Ted Tollner has joined the staff.

The Rams will retire the No. 28 jersey of former RB Marshall Faulk.

The Patriots may use Troy Brown on offense, defense and special teams.

The Bills had 11 players miss practice Wednesday.

Miami is running out of healthy running backs.

Asked where he'll be in 2008, Jets QB Chad Pennington said, "I see myself as a starter and I see myself as helping a football team win."

The majority of Steelers players seem to prefer grass instead of Field Turf.

Ravens CB Chris McAlister said Wednesday, "I'm going to push through harder this week than I have in the past just to give me the opportunity to get out there."

Whether or not Browns RB Jamal Lewis will stay in Cleveland in 2008 is up in the air.

The Bengals did not activate RB Chris Perry from the physically unable to perform list, meaning his season is over.

According to Stats LLC, the Colts' receivers have dropped 10.4 percent of Peyton Manning's catchable passes this year.

Says Jaguars DT John Henderson, "I'm not playing good at all."

The Titans are struggling on third-and-1.

Texans offensive coordinator Mike Sherman is juggling two jobs.

The Chargers have benched RT Shane Olivea.

Says Broncos TE Tony Scheffler of his acrobatic touchdown catch Sunday, "A lot of people can say it was luck, but I got my hand on it, saw it all the way down and was able to get it between my legs and squeeze them."

Chiefs QB Brodie Croyle is in obvious pain but won't discuss the nature of his injury.

Raiders coach Lane Kiffin is named as a potential coach at a couple of colleges.
 

POSTED 8:45 a.m. EST, November 29, 2007

GRUDEN LEANING TOWARD MCCOWN by Michael David Smith

Luke McCown appears to have moved ahead of Bruce Gradkowski on the Buccaneers' quarterback depth chart, meaning McCown will start Sunday in New Orleans if Jeff Garcia's back injury doesn't get better.

Roy Cummings of the Tampa Tribune reports that although Buccaneers coach Jon Gruden would say only, "We might not want everybody to know what we're doing," McCown got the bulk of the work with the first team offense at Wednesday's practice.

McCown started four games for the Cleveland Browns in 2004 but has thrown only four regular-season passes since then. Gradkowski started 11 games as a rookie last season in Tampa Bay, and Gruden was said to like his potential. But Gradkowski completed just nine of 19 passes for 106 yards when he took Garcia's place Sunday against the Redskins.

As for Garcia, he doesn't sound like a man who will be ready to play Sunday.

"Right now, I'm not ready to test my back in that sort of way," Garcia said, per Cummings. "I don't think that would be a smart move on my behalf. To go out there and try to run around would create a negative effect instead of a positive one."

POSTED 6:00 a.m. EST; UPDATED 6:20 a.m. EST, November 29, 2007

FRICTION BETWEEN PANTHERS DEFENSE, OFFENSE?

A league source tells us that members of the Carolina Panthers defense were telling members of the New Orleans offense during Sunday's game between the two teams that "[o]ur offense sucks."

News flash -- their defense ain't much better, given that they gave up 31 points.

But even seven points would have been too many when compared to the six that Carolina managed to score against a so-so Saints defense.

The development is the latest piece of evidence to support the growing belief that coach John Fox will get dumped after the season ends, if not sooner.  Here's what the PFTV guys had to say about the situaiton.

NFL.COM GOES "LIVE" AGAIN

As Thursday night's broadcast of the clash of the 10-1 NFC teams approaches, there's still plenty of consternation regarding the fact that the game won't be widely available to cable-only consumers in Wisconsin, Texas, and points elsewhere.

And, setting aside for now the fact that we're not a neutral observer in this matter because of our sponsorship relationship with NFLN, the danger that the league and the cable companies face is that, if they can't solve this dispute on their own, someone else will solve it for them in a manner that pisses both of them off.

Make no mistake about it -- the aftermath of the fact that two huge games will be available only on NFLN and, thus, only in a limited number of homes very well could be that one of the various Congressional committees or subcommittees will hold a hearing, during which the message sent to the parties involved will be that this is their last chance to fix the situation and that, if they don't, it will be fixed for them.

Meanwhile, NFL.com will have a supplemental broadcast of the Packers-Cowboys game on Thursday night, complete with live look-ins, in-game highlights, live in-studio analysis, and other stuff.

On Thanksgiving, NFL.com did the same thing with the Colts-Falcons game, and the live stream was the clearest and crispest we've ever seen. 

So if you don't get NFLN and if you aren't interested in hanging out at the sports bar tonight, you'll at least be able to stay up to date in real time, if you have a computer and an Internet connection.

And we assume that you do, or you wouldn't be reading this.

POSTED 8:54 p.m. EST, November 28, 2007

ANTREL ROLLE SAYS TAYLOR WAS KILLED BY FORMER FRIEND by Michael David Smith

We noted yesterday that there is talk in league circles that Redskins safety Sean Taylor was murdered by a former friend.

Today Cardinals cornerback Antrel Rolle, who has known Taylor since they were small children and who played with Taylor at the University of Miami, said that is his belief.

"This was not the first incident," Rolle said, per the Associated Press. "They've been targeting him for three years now."

"They say it was a burglary. It absolutely was not a burglary," Rolle continued. "Down South, where we're from, there were many people talking to Sean, a lot of jealousy, a lot of angry people.

"Sean, he had a large group of friends, and he no longer hung out with those friends, so you never know where this came from."

Rolle's suspicion seems to contradict what Miami police spokesman Robert Parker said today. Parker said police believe Taylor's killing was "more like a random event," adding, "We have no reason to think this was anything other than a burglary or a robbery involving an intruder."
 

POSTED 5:39 p.m. EST, November 28, 2007

TURLEY DONATES CHECK, BUT WHAT ABOUT NFLPA? by Michael David Smith

Chiefs tackle Kyle Turley is being lauded, rightly, for agreeing to donate $25,000 (approximately one game check, after taxes) to the Gridiron Greats Assistance Fund, which provides assistance to retired NFL players who have had health or financial problems since leaving the game.

Turley is also asking other NFL players to donate all or part of their Week 16 paychecks to the cause.

But Mike Ditka, the Hall of Fame tight end, former head coach and current ESPN analyst, says what is really needed is for the NFL Players Association to step up.

“What Kyle is doing is amazing,” said Ditka, per Randy Covitz of the Kansas City Star. “I want to make it clear that this is absolutely not the responsibility of the active players and this in no way excuses the NFLPA from cleaning up the broken disability and benefits system.”

Ultimately, if the current players want to help retired players, the best way to do so is through electing union representatives who make helping retired players a priority. Donating money to the Gridiron Greats is a generous gesture, but a long-term solution needs to come through an agreement between the players' union and the owners.  

POSTED 3:15 p.m. EST, November 28, 2007

LIONS COACH CALLS DETROIT NEWS REPORT "A LIE" by Michael David Smith

A day after the Lions' Thanksgiving loss to the Packers, Rob Parker of the Detroit News reported that the Lions made rookie wide receiver Calvin Johnson a prominent part of their offensive game plan because owner William Clay Ford Sr. demanded it.

"It should come as no surprise that the Lions finally decided to throw the ball to Calvin Johnson," Parker wrote, citing an unnamed source. "The directive to do so came from the top."

But the Detroit Free Press reports that Lions coach Rod Marinelli vehemently denies that report.

"It's a lie," Marinelli said, per the Free Press. "It's a lie. There's only two other people who talk to Mr. Ford, Matt [Millen] and myself. Lie. Lie."

There have long been reports that Ford leans on his coaches to play highly paid rookies, dating at least to the early 1990s, when he was said to lean on coach Wayne Fontes to play quarterback Andre Ware, the team's 1990 first-round draft pick. But no Lions coach ever has -- and no NFL head coach ever would -- admitted to actually basing his coaching decisions on directives from the owner's box.

POSTED 2:41 p.m. EST, November 28, 2007

ADRIAN WILSON DONE FOR SEASON by Michael David Smith

For the second time this week, the Arizona Cardinals have lost a starter in their secondary to a season-ending injury.

On Monday the Cardinals placed cornerback Eric Green on injured reserve with a torn groin muscle, and today they will place strong safety Adrian Wilson on injured reserve with an Achilles injury, Kent Somers of the Arizona Republic is reporting.

Wilson, who was chosen to his first Pro Bowl last year, has missed the Cardinals' last two games because of heel pain. He got a second opinion from Dr. John Uribe in Miami this week, and Uribe recommended surgery.

Oliver Celestin has started the last two games in Wilson's place.

POSTED 1:44 p.m. EST, November 28, 2007

TRAVIS HENRY DECISION COMING by Michael David Smith

Broncos running back Travis Henry is currently awaiting word on whether or not he will be suspended for a year for his latest violation of the NFL's substance-abuse policy.

And although there have been media reports that the NFL will not rule on Henry's appeal until next week at the earliest, Adam Schefter of NFL Network is reporting that those reports are incorrect, and Henry is likely to learn of his fate within the next 24 hours.

Henry has reportedly tested positive for marijuana, and since Henry has already served a four-game suspension for violating the league's substance-abuse policy, another positive test would result in a yearlong suspension.

Henry has stated that he has not smoked marijuana, and he has provided a hair sample and undergone a polygraph test that both Henry and Broncos coach Mike Shanahan say demonstrate that he's telling the truth. Henry has also attempted to challenge the NFL in court.

But the NFL's rules are clear that urine tests are used to determine violations of the substance-abuse policy, and it seems hard to believe that he could be successful in his appeal.

POSTED 10:33 a.m. EST, November 28, 2007

RACKERS SHOVED NFL FILMS CAMERAMAN by Michael David Smith

Cardinals kicker Neil Rackers had a rough day on the field Sunday, missing a 32-yard field goal in overtime of a game the Cardinals ultimately lost.

And an NFL Films cameraman had a rough day, too, as Rackers shoved his helmet into the man's camera after the game, the Arizona Republic reports. The camera then struck the man in the head, although he did not suffer a serious injury.

Rackers issued a statement apologizing.

"I was obviously very frustrated after the game but that's no excuse for acting like I did," Rackers said. "I've reached out to the gentleman involved to apologize personally and I also want to apologize to the Cardinals organization and fans.

"It was wrong and I'm sorry."

The Cardinals also issued a statement, saying, "Several members of the organization have spoken to the photographer to apologize and let him know that the appropriate measures are being taken."

POSTED 8:48 a.m. EST; UPDATED 10:04 a.m. EST, November 28, 2007

GARCIA CAN'T THROW by Michael David Smith

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jeff Garcia says his back pain is serious enough that he can't throw a football, meaning he is in danger of missing the Buccaneers' game at New Orleans Sunday.

"I'm feeling a little better today; I'm taking some better steps today than yesterday, but I'm not at a point now where I can even throw the ball yet," Garcia said on a Tampa radio show, per Roy Cummings of the Tampa Tribune.

Not being able to throw the ball would seem to be a pretty big problem for a quarterback, but Garcia did add, "I hope to be out there" on Sunday.

Garcia was drilled in the back on the first play of the Bucs' game Sunday against the Redskins. He left for most of the game and was ineffective when he returned briefly late in the game.

If Garcia can't go, either Bruce Gradkowski or Luke McCown will start in his place. Gradkowski replaced Garcia and struggled Sunday, and coach Jon Gruden has indicated he might move McCown ahead of Gradkowski on the depth chart.

The Buccaneers are 7-4 and two games ahead of the Saints in the NFC South. A win at New Orleans would all but clinch the division, giving them a three-game lead and the tiebreaker advantage with four games to go.

WEDNESDAY MORNING ONE-PER-CLUB ONE-LINERS by Michael David Smith

Redskins defensive coordinator Gregg Williams considered Sean Taylor the greatest athlete he coached.

Patriots coach Bill Belichick says he expects a close game against the Ravens; gamblers disagree.

Injuries to Marshawn Lynch and Anthony Thomas will likely force the Bills to start a running back who was living in his mother-in-law's basement not long ago.

Rookie CB Darrelle Revis is one of the Jets' few bright spots this season.

Dolphins rookie RB Lorenzo Booker doesn't know why he's not getting playing time.

The Steelers are dealing with several injuries, but coach Mike Tomlin declared the team "relatively healthy."

Says Browns RB Jamal Lewis, "I love my fullback."

Ravens LT Jonathan Ogden reportedly doesn't like the coaches' play-calling.

The Bengals have lost their leading special teams tackler for the season.

The Colts are throwing more passes to tight ends to make up for the absence of WR Marvin Harrison.

A judge found that Jaguars OT Khalif Barnes did not violate his probation, but the judge told him, "You are not an ordinary citizen. You need to be on your best behavior."

The Titans have been outscored 28-0 in the first quarters of their three-game losing streak.

Says Texans coach Gary Kubiak of QB Matt Schaub, "I think Matt's getting better every week."

Injured Broncos DE Jarvis Moss says he plans to have a big 2008 season.

The Chargers are getting ready to play against the guy who led them in tackles the last five years.

The Chiefs are facing some criticism from fans of Missouri and Kansas who don't think Arrowhead Stadium was properly staffed Saturday.

The Raiders aren't accustomed to winning with an effective running game, as they did Sunday in Kansas City.

Cowboys receivers coach Ray Sherman gave WR Terrell Owens a lecture about avoiding taunting penalties.

Giants QB Eli Manning has problems with passes getting tipped at the line of scrimmage.

Eagles QB A.J. Feeley's teammates are impressed with how he played Sunday.

Packers QB Brett Favre gets so much respect from his opponents that Cowboys coach Wade Phillips jokingly told his players not to ask for Favre's autograph.

A three-game losing streak hasn't changed the fact that the Lions control their own destiny.

The Bears are putting more skill-position players on their kickoff return unit in anticipation of opposing teams kicking short to avoid Devin Hester.

Vikings DT Fred Evans will serve a two-game suspension for violations of the league's personal-conduct policy.

LB Jeremiah Trotter has had so little playing time that you could easily forget he even plays for the Buccaneers.

The Saints have scored touchdowns on a league-best 74.3 percent of their possessions in the red zone.

The Panthers are playing so badly, they're drawing comparisons to the 2001 team that went 1-15.

Falcons G D'Anthony Batiste, who had never played in an NFL game before, found out he was a starter an hour before the Falcons' Thursday game against the Colts.

The Seahawks' defense has only three sacks total in the team's four losses.

Cardinals CB Eric Green is out for the season with a groin injury.

Former 49ers offensive lineman Randy Cross, now a TV analyst, says his old team has talent on defense but that the offense is so bad, the defense can't hold on.

Rams offensive coordinator Greg Olson calls the team's performance in the red zone, "a great source of disappointment and frustration."

POSTED 7:36 a.m. EST, November 28, 2007

STEELERS EXPLAIN SKIPPING ANTHEM by Michael David Smith

The Pittsburgh Steelers have apologized for not playing the national anthem before Monday night's lightning-delayed game against the Miami Dolphins.

Motley Crue lead singer Vince Neil was at Heinz Field but never got the chance to sing.

Karen Price of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports that the Steelers and the NFL jointly made the decision to forgo the anthem when they delayed the game by 25 minutes because of the storms in Pittsburgh.

"Our guys were going to send the singer out to sing immediately after they were sending the teams back on [the field]," said Steelers president Art Rooney II. "I said, 'Well, wait, because there's nobody in the stands. There's no sense in singing it when everybody's standing in the concourse.' So they waited, and the league and the network said, 'Well, now we don't have a window.' "

Some people were offended by skipping "The Star-Spangled Banner."

"It's a shame, if they had to make cuts, that that would be it," American Legion national spokeswoman Ramona Joyce said, per Price. "That's the one thing everyone seems to do in unison at a game."

POSTED 6:03 a.m. EST; UPDATED 6:06 a.m. EST, November 28, 2007

HOLD THE RICE IN INDY

The Indianapolis Colts have cut defensive end Simeon Rice, who spent only two games with the team after being claimed off of waivers from the Broncos.

Rice registered one sack in those two games, but was perceived to be slow and ineffective in pass-rush situations.

So Rice will pass through waivers again.  If unclaimed, he'll become an unrestricted free agent.

The Colts were the only team who made a waiver claim for Rice after he obtained a release from the Broncos.  And given that Rice is playing for the veteran minimum, there's no reason not to make a waiver claim -- if a team is interested in Rice.

He might have to spend the rest of the season in neutral, waiting for a team to develop a need for another pass rusher due to injury.

PFTV LOOKS AT WILD-CARD LOGJAMS

With five games to play, there's a scrum emerging in both the NFC and the AFC for the final playoff spot.

The PFTV guys look at the AFC field here.

And the NFC field, here.

POSTED 5:54 a.m. EST, November 28, 2007

NEW PREZ FOR PACK?

Media reports indicate that the Green Bay Packers have pegged former NFL player and current Northwestern athletic director Mark Murphy as the team's new president.

The move must be approved by the Packers' 45-person board of directors, and the franchise must work out a contract with Murphy.

Murphy spent eight seasons with the Redskins, from 1977 to 1984.  He also has worked for the NFLPA and the Department of Justice.  Before being hired by Northwestern, he served as athletic director at Colgate, his alma mater, from 1992 to 2003.

Murphy obtained an MBA from American University while playing pro football, and he went to law school at Georgetown.

There reportedly were three finalists for the job -- Murphy, Packers V.P. of administration and corporate counsel Jason Weid, and an unidentified candidate.

Murphy has never worked for an NFL team, other than as a player.

It was believed that G.M. Ted Thompson had been lobbying for Titans G.M. Mike Reinfeldt to get the job, primarily since Reinfeldt would be the candidate least likely to impose any changes on the manner in which business is currently done.  But with a 10-1 record in 2007, Thompson probably doesn't have to worry much about a new guy trying to run him off.

Coincidentally, the Packers once had a safety of their own named Mark Murphy.  It's not the same Mark Murphy as the man who is slated to be the next team president.

POSTED 10:46 p.m. EST; UPDATED 10:59 p.m. EST, November 27, 2007

SHOULD NFL AUCTION RIGHTS TO PATS-GIANTS?

Though we're not unbiased in our position regarding the ongoing dispute between NFL Network and the cable companies, by virtue of our sponsorship relationship with the league's in-house television operation, we have an idea that might address some of the short-term issues created by the possibility that the Patriots will be going for the final victory of a perfect regular season during a game carried exclusively by NFLN.

Why not auction off the rights to the game to the broadcast networks?

On one hand, the networks might resent being asked to pay more for the extra game.  On the other hand, they agreed to contracts that allow the NFL to hold back eight games for airing on NFLN. 

So the eight regular-season NFLN contests are separate and apart from the current deals.  And thus the NFL has every right to start the bidding on the rights to show the game.

It would be a win-win-win situation, in our view.  The NFL would avoid an even thornier P.R. problem than Thursday night's battle of 10-1 teams, and would rake in up to $100 million in cold, hard cash for giving the game to NBC, CBS, ABC, FOX, or ESPN.  The networks would have a ratings home run during a stretch with a dearth of original programming due to the writers' strike.  And, most importantly, every NFL fan would have a chance to see the Patriots complete their pursuit of perfection. 

ESPN SHOULD DEMAND A REFUND

ESPN pays $1.1 billion per year for the MNF package.  And that equates to $64.7 million per week.

So ESPN paid $64.7 million for the privilege of presenting Monday night's debacle from Heinz Field.

So what should ESPN due to voice its apparent (and justifiable) displeasure with the fact that the game was played on what appeared to be a moss-covered tar pit? 

If it were our call, we'd demand a full refund.

But this is the same network that tucked its tail when former Commissioner Paul Tagliabue urged it to pull the plug on a fictional pro football series that, as it turns out, was unrealistic only because it was too tame.  Thus, there's no way that ESPN would dare to ask for anything, since to do so might jeopardize its ability to continue to pay $64 million per week for three hours of programming.

The bigger problem here is that NBC might get stuck with another stinker on Sunday night, when the Bengals and the Steelers get together at Heinz Field. 

After Sunday's game, the Steelers go to New England, and return for a regular-season home finale on December 16 against Jacksonville.  We hope that the powers-that-be in Pittsburgh are making plans to install FieldTurf during that two-week absence.  At a bare minimum, they need to use the three-to-four week break before the first home playoff game to fix the problem, once and for all.

POSTED 9:30 p.m. EST; LAST UPDATED 10:15 p.m. EST, November 27, 2007

WAS TAYLOR SLAIN BY A FORMER FRIEND?

There is chatter in league circles that police in Florida initially are exploring whether Redskins safety Sean Taylor was shot by one of his former friends.

This image of police removing a computer from Taylor's home supports the notion that police are exploring the question of whether he was killed by someone he knew.

Then again, it's a fairly obvious starting point.  Random crime happens in random places; when someone's home is invaded for the sole apparent purpose of shooting into the owner's bedroom, logic suggests that there was some prior relationship between criminal and victim.

And if that's the case, maybe now we know why guys like Mike Vick don't make a clean break from guys like Quanis Phillips.  If, as Vick once explained it, there was a promise of some sort made among boyhood friends that if one of them "makes it" they'll all "make it" and if one or more of said friends has exhibited some antisocial tendencies, an abrupt decision to cut the friends off could, in theory, put the one who "makes it" in grave danger.

If there's any truth to this, it's a horrible dilemma for a young man to attempt to resolve.  He can either continue to associate with friends who might be inclined to do things that could get him in trouble.  Or he can turn his back on them and risk being the victim of a murder that won't be solved because no one who knows anything of value will cooperate with the police.

Like so many other problems that are out there, we're good at spotting it but not so good at solving it.  This is one case where we wish that we could.

LEN GOES TOO FAR

Maybe we're not the best folks to be raising this point, given our history with ESPN.com's Len Pasquarelli.  But we're compelled to mention that several readers have expressed dismay to us at the decision of Pasquarelli to pen -- and ESPN.com to post -- an item regarding the football impact of Sean Taylor's death.

Len, why does it matter on the same day the man's life ended?

The fact that Len deemed it appropriate to delve into such matters at a time when the team surely has no regard for the X-and-0 consequences of this tragedy is troubling.

We're not touching any of the issues regarding Sean Taylor other than the fact that his parents lost a son, his daughter lost a father, and the Redskins lost a teammate.  We're also interested, and will comment on, the question of who did this to him.

In fairness to Len, it appears that he was working on an item regarding Taylor's indefinite absence from the lineup on Monday night, at a time when there were signs of hope.  In our view, however, this one should have been scrapped once Sean Taylor's life ended.

FLETCHER TALKS ABOUT TAYLOR

Proving our point that football is that farthest thing from the minds of the Washington Redskins, linebacker London Fletcher perfectly summed up the situation when addressing a question from SI.com regarding the team's ability to get to work on Wednesday in preparation for Sunday's game against the Bills.

"I don't know how we'll do it," Fletcher said.

"I think we're all shocked, saddened," Fletcher said.  "It's senseless.  Senseless and meaningless.  To take a young man's life when he had so much to live for and so much to give . . .  it's just horrible."

Fletcher also talked about his belief that Taylor, in only his fourth NFL season, was a true team leader.  "If we were on the sidelines during practice, he’d run out to take some scout-team reps.  We're getting beat bad in New England, and he's saying in the huddle, 'I don't care what the score is!  Keep playing, keep playing.'  Last week, before Thanksgiving, he's in the trainers' room, getting treatment, he's telling everyone in there to have a great Thanksgiving and enjoy the time with their family.  That's a leader."

POSTED 5:53 p.m. EST, November 27, 2007

PATS PUT COLVIN ON IR by Michael David Smith

The New England Patriots have placed linebacker Rosevelt Colvin on injured reserve.

Colvin, who has started 10 of the Patriots' 11 games this season, left Sunday night's game against the Philadelphia Eagles with a foot injury and did not return.

Colvin has 27 tackles this season and is tied for second on the team with four sacks.

The Patriots have also placed wide receiver Troy Brown on the active roster. The 36-year-old Brown has played his entire NFL career with the Patriots. He started this season on the physically unable to perform list.

POSTED 2:58 p.m. EST, November 27, 2007

RICKY DONE FOR SEASON by Michael David Smith

The Ricky Williams comeback tour lasted one game and six carries.

Tim Graham of the Palm Beach Post reports that Williams' season is over after he suffered a torn chest muscle in Monday night's loss to the Steelers. The injury will require about four months to fully recover, Graham reports.

The injury took place in the second quarter, when Williams was hit, fumbled and fell to the ground and was then stepped on by Steelers linebacker Lawrence Timmons. It was Williams' first game in almost two years, after he was suspended for violations of the league's substance-abuse policy.

"It's just sad," Graham quotes Williams' agent, Leigh Steinberg, saying. "As hard as he's worked. He worked so hard physically to get back into shape and in therapy. He worked so hard for that moment and to have it end this way is sad."

Graham reports that the Dolphins want Williams to rehab the injury at the team's facilities, indicating that they're open to having Williams on the team in 2008. 

POSTED 1:23 p.m. EST, November 27, 2007

BULGER WILL GET NEUROLOGICAL EXAM by Michael David Smith

Whether or not Rams quarterback Marc Bulger can play on Sunday will depend on whether or not he has passed a neurological exam, Rams coach Scott Linehan says.

Bulger suffered a concussion during Sunday's loss to the Seahawks and went to the hospital, where he had a CAT scan and then was examined by a neurosurgeon and released. Steve Korte of the News-Democrat reports that Linehan said Bulger will take a neuropsychological test this week, but only when he's feeling up to it.

"If he is not feeling 100 percent [Tuesday], then we'll wait until Wednesday or Thursday to do the test," Linehan said. "We'll have to wait and see for his status for the game. If everything checks out, there is no reason that he shouldn't be available this week."

Bulger suffered the concussion when he was hit by Seahawks linebacker Leroy Hill in the first quarter Sunday. He stayed in the game for two more offensive series, but Korte reports that Linehan said he knew something was wrong with Bulger when he made a bad decision in throwing a shovel pass to running back Brian Leonard. Leonard wasn't open and the pass was intercepted.

At that point, he was taken out of the game and replaced by Gus Frerotte, who will start if Bulger can't go Sunday.

POSTED 12:33 p.m. EST, November 27, 2007

EXPECT ARTIFICIAL TURF AT HEINZ FIELD by Michael David Smith

All the fallout from last night's mess of a game in Pittsburgh leads to one conclusion: You can expect to see artificial turf at Heinz Field in 2008.

ESPN has spent almost as much time decrying the turf in Pittsburgh last night as it has talking about Sean Taylor.

Even before last night's game, Ed Bouchette of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported that the Steelers were examining the possibility of installing artificial turf after the season.

Per Bouchette, the Steelers knew the surface on their field was in trouble even before last night and didn't feel comfortable covering it with new sod this weekend. Furthermore, the University of Pittsburgh, which also uses Heinz Field, would prefer to play on Field Turf, Bouchette reports.

The surface installed this year at West Virginia University is a new generation of Field Turf called Duraspine, and the Steelers have visited WVU to check out the turf. The price for WVU was $901,152, Bouchette reports, which is a small price for an NFL team to know it won't be playing its home games in muck.

POSTED 11:15 a.m. EST, November 27, 2007

STATE TRIAL SET FOR VICK by Michael David Smith

A judge in Richmond, Va., has scheduled an April 2 trial date for suspended Falcons quarterback Michael Vick on two state felony dog fighting charges, the Associated Press is reporting.

Vick is currently in a jail in Warsaw, Va., awaiting sentencing on the federal conspiracy charges he pleaded guilty to in August.

Vick will be sentenced on the federal charges on December 10. He did not attend today's court session. His lawyer, Lawrence Woodward, requested a jury trial.

The state charges are for beating or killing or causing dogs to fight other dogs, and engaging in or promoting dog fighting. If convicted, Vick could receive up to five years in prison on each charge. Vick's co-defendants also had trial dates set today. Quanis Phillips and Purnell Peace are scheduled to go on trial on March 5, and Tony Taylor is scheduled to go on trial on May 7.
 

POSTED 9:09 a.m. EST; UPDATED 9:45 a.m. EST, November 27, 2007

CBS: BEUERLEIN WAS JUST JOKING by Michael David Smith

Yesterday we noted that CBS commentator Steve Beuerlein said "USC thugs, man" over the air as the camera showed Titans running back and former USC player LenDale White.

Today Jim Wyatt of the Tennessean reports that CBS says Beuerlein was kidding around with play-by-play man Bill Macatee, a USC fan, and didn't know the telecast had returned from a commercial break.

"Steve being a Notre Dame guy and like any two friends who have those allegiances would do, they kid each other about Notre Dame and USC all the time,'' said LeslieAnn Wade, vice president of communications for CBS. "Certainly Steve wishes it wasn't on the air and so does CBS, but that is the explanation.''

The comment came a few minutes after White picked up a personal foul for kneeing Bengals safety Marvin White near the end of the first half.

In the grand scheme of things an announcer could say when he doesn't know the microphone is on, Beurlein's comment wasn't that bad. But it would be wise for all NFL announcers to just assume that every game they work is a three-hour window in which they shouldn't say anything they don't want the world to hear.

TUESDAY MORNING ONE-PER-CLUB ONE-LINERS  by Michael David Smith

Steelers Mike Tomlin said after Monday night's win over the Dolphins, "I think Hines Ward was big. We needed every one of those catches."

Asked for his thoughts about Dolphins QB John Beck last night, NFL quarterback turned radio commentator Boomer Esiason said, "How can you evaluate anybody in these conditions?"

Says Patriots DE Richard Seymour of CB Asante Samuel, "He understands the defense. More importantly, he has the fundamentals and the technique and the footwork that has made him into if not the top corner in the league, definitely 1-2."

Bills QB Trent Edwards will start over J.P. Losman Sunday.

Jets coach Eric Mangini says it's difficult to evaluate QB Kellen Clemens because he isn't getting enough protection from the offensive line.

Asked if he's as healthy as he was in college, Browns TE Kellen Winslow said, "Hell, no. ... I'm not even close, not even close."

Said Ravens LT Jonathan Ogden of playing the Patriots, "I would never admit defeat, but we've got our hands full next week."

Bengals WR T.J. Houshmandzadeh says, "I don't think about leading the league in receptions. If it happens, it happens."

Colts RB Kenton Keith said of missing a blitz and giving up a sack Thursday, "I pretty much chewed myself out. That was my fault."

The Jaguars have lost two tight ends for the season.

Titans S Chris Hope experienced twitching in an arm and a leg after a hard hit Sunday; it's not clear the extent of his injury or when he'll be back.

Texans fans are taking solace in saying that even after his worst game, QB Matt Schaub is better than David Carr.

Chargers DE Luis Castillo is doing more exercises as he recovers from ankle surgery and hopes to return in late December.

The Broncos' special teams had been improving -- until running into Devin Hester.

The Chiefs plan to sign K John Carney today to replace Dave Rayner.

Raiders special teams coverage standout Jarrod Cooper is out for the season with a torn ACL.

Cowboys WR Patrick Crayton practiced for the first time in almost two weeks and says he'll play Thursday against the Packers.

Said Giants QB Eli Manning of his performance against the Vikings, "You treat it like any other loss."

Eagles defensive coordinator Jim Johnson said preventing long passes to Patriots WR Randy Moss was the team's No. 1 goal.

Redskins coach Joe Gibbs says his team has no choice but to try to keep playing through tragedy. 

Packers WR Koren Robinson says he's trying to get his athleticism back after missing a year to a suspension.

The Lions will move Damien Woody to right tackle as they continue to struggle with injuries on the offensive line.

Bears DT Tommie Harris has a groin strain, knee pain and a back problem.

The Vikings still think they have a shot at the playoffs.

Falcons owner Arthur Blank says he talked to coach Bobby Petrino about whether he wants to return to coaching in college and Petrino told him he loves Atlanta and loves the Falcons.

Buccaneers coach Jon Gruden says he doesn't know who will be his starting quarterback Sunday.

Saints coach Sean Payton says he hopes the home fans create "a playoff environment."

Panthers QB Vinny Testaverde is likely to start Sunday against the 49ers.

Seahawks coach Mike Holmgren expects QB Matt Hasselbeck and LB Lofa Tatupu to practice this week despite injuries.

Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt says K Neil Rackers isn't going anywhere despite missing a 32-yard field goal in overtime Sunday.

The 49ers' coaches love what they've seen from rookie LB Patrick Willis.

Rams offensive coordinator Greg Olson wasn't exactly ringing in his endorsement of G Todd Steussie: "He still plays at a higher level than anyone else that we have right now at the right guard position."

POSTED 6:29 a.m. EST, November 27, 2007

REPORT:  TAYLOR PASSES

Various media reports indicate that Redskins safety Sean Taylor has died as a result of a Monday morning shooting.

Citing Taylor family friend Richard Sharpstein, the Associated Press reports that Taylor passed on Tuesday morning.

The news as of Monday night was a bit encouraging, amid reports that Taylor was responsive to a doctor's request to squeeze his hand.  But Taylor's father reportedly told Sharpstein within the hour that Sean did not survive Monday's injuries.

Our thoughts and prayers remain with the Taylor family and the Redskins organization. 

POSTED 10:34 p.m. EST; UPDATED 11:25 p.m. EST, November 26, 2007

EAGLES PUT HIGH PRICE ON McNABB

Adam Schefter of NFL Network reports that the Philadelphia Eagles were contacted before the trade deadline regarding the availability of quarterback Donovan McNabb.

And the requested price was not one, not two, but three first-round draft picks.

Whether the price remains that high after the 2007 season remains to be seen.  If it is, McNabb won't be traded.

Our guess is that the Eagles are aiming high in the hopes of getting the most they can.  And, as the PFTV guys discuss below, the Eagles can't afford to appear interested in moving McNabb, or they'll have no leverage.

The smartest move for the Eagles, in our view, is to auction him off in the offseason, and to take the best deal they can get.

POSTED 10:18 p.m. EST, November 26, 2007

HEINZ FIELD IS A DISGRACE

So I got home from the office with a few minutes left in the first half, and I did a Krameresque head jerk when I saw the condition of Heinz Field, the home of the Pittsburgh Steelers.

With all due respect to the organization, that field is a disgrace.

A league source tells us that players on both sides are upset with the condition of the field, which hosted high school games and USF-Pitt in recent days. 

So why not compel the Steelers to install FieldTurf or some other artificial surface?  The Patriots were required to do it last year, and it has made a huge difference.

Really, the climate north of the Mason-Dixon Line and east of the Mississippi isn't conducive to the maintenance of a first-class grass field.  Given the availability of fake stuff that looks almost as good as the real thing, the NFL needs to step in and require teams like the Steelers to enter the 21st Century.

POSTED 8:18 p.m. EST, November 26, 2007

NO LIVE BLOG TONIGHT

Folks, I've got to apologize to all of you (i.e., all seven of you) who are looking for the Monday night Live Blog. 

I've got a bunch of "day job" stuff going on tonight.

But keep checking for some updates.  I might post a couple of items during the game.

POSTED 7:33 p.m. EST, November 26, 2007

TAYLOR SHOWS RESPONSIVENESS  by Michael David Smith

Redskins Vice President of Football Operations Vinny Cerrato says that Sean Taylor has, for the first time since being shot early this morning, shown signs of progress.

"He was responsive to the doctor's requests to squeeze his hands and showed facial expressions. The doctors were very happy about that," Cerrato said, per Jason La Canfora of the Washington Post. "Two doctors came and told us they were excited about that."

Cerrato said that is welcome news from doctors, who had previously told those who came to the hospital to "hope for a miracle."

At the same time, Taylor's lawyer, Richard Sharpstein, says, "This was a great ray of sunshine, but we're not out of the woods yet. The doctors are still guarded about the diagnosis. Until he comes to and speaks and recognizes people, they are going to be guarded, but this was obviously a very positive sign."

Meanwhile, ESPN's Chris Mortensen reported that Redskins owner Daniel Snyder says doctors are "cautiously optimistic."

POSTED 6:15 p.m. EST, November 26, 2007

GRAVE SITUATION FOR TAYLOR by Michael David Smith

Redskins safety Sean Taylor remains in the intensive care unit at Miami's Jackson Memorial Hospital, about 16 hours after he was shot in his Miami home.

NFL Network's Adam Schefter reported that at two different points during the six hours of surgery Taylor had this morning, he flat lined.

Schefter also reports that Redskins running back Clinton Portis and Vice President of Football Operations Vinny Cerrato were among the members of the organization who flew to Miami with Redskins owner Daniel Snyder.

Redskins coach Joe Gibbs has said he plans to stay in Washington with the team as it prepares for Sunday's game against the Buffalo Bills.

POSTED 4:56 p.m. EST, November 26, 2007

CEDRIC BENSON DONE FOR SEASON by Michael David Smith

Bears running back Cedric Benson is out for the season, coach Lovie Smith confirmed today.

Benson was hurt during the first half of Sunday's game against the Broncos, and Smith would not confirm the exact nature of the injury, other than to say he will have season-ending surgery. It appeared to be a left ankle or lower leg injury.

Benson is expected to have his ankle further examined today.

Adrian Peterson is expected to become the Bears' starter, beginning with Sunday's game against the New York Giants. Rookie Garrett Wolfe, who had three carries for 29 yards Sunday against the Broncos, will be Peterson's backup.

POSTED 4:39 p.m. EST, November 26, 2007

CONFLICTING INFORMATION ON TAYLOR by Michael David Smith

Redskins safety Sean Taylor is in critical condition in a Miami hospital, and there is conflicting information about his prognosis.

Amy Shipley of the Washington Post said on ESPNews this afternoon that "Several family members have told us he's doing alright."

However, Manny Navarro of the Miami Herald reports that family and friends of Taylor told him that the gunshot wound to his femoral artery caused so much blood loss that it has affected his brain, and Taylor is expected to have "a long road back to recovery."

Although at this point everyone is more concerned about Taylor's life than his football career, Navarro reports that sources told him Taylor's playing career is likely over.

NFL Network's Adam Schefter reports that was back in Miami this weekend because he wanted to check in on his home, which was robbed last week, and because he wanted to get a second opinion on his knee from Dr. John Uribe. It is not known whether there is any connection between the incident at his home last week and the shooting early this morning.

Taylor and his longtime girlfriend have a 1-year-old daughter.

POSTED 3:22 p.m. EST, November 26, 2007

TAYLOR "CLINGING TO LIFE" by Michael David Smith

Jason La Canfora of the Washington Post reports that Sean Taylor's lawyer describes the Redskins safety as "clinging to life" after losing massive amounts of blood when he was shot early this morning.

Per the report, attorney Richard Sharpstein, speaking from Miami's Jackson Memorial Hospital, said Taylor is "nonresponsive and unconscious" and the doctors are "worried about a possible brain injury or death."

Sharpstein described Taylor's family and doctors as worrying that Taylor may have lost oxygen to the brain as a result of blood loss from being shot in the femoral artery in the thigh.

"They're waiting to see if he comes to," Sharpstein said. "Right now he's clinging to life and we're all praying he makes it."

POSTED 3:08 p.m. EST, November 26, 2007

TAYLOR MAY HAVE SUFFERED BRAIN DAMAGE by Michael David Smith

The latest details in the Sean Taylor story provide grim news.

The Miami Herald has edited its story, removing a portion in which it was reported that Taylor's attorney, Richard Sharpstein, said Taylor emerged from surgery in better shape. That portion of the story has now been replaced by a paragraph saying that Sharpstein said Taylor "had lost a lot of blood and remained unconscious, possibly jeopardizing his brain."

The Herald has also removed a portion of the story in which Sharpstein said Taylor will likely live.

Per the Herald, paramedics arrived at Taylor's home following a 911 call at approximately 1:45 a.m. today and found him suffering from a gunshot wound to the groin.

POSTED 2:43 p.m. EST, November 26, 2007

LAWYER EXPECTS TAYLOR TO SURVIVE by Michael David Smith

The Miami Herald is reporting that Richard Sharpstein, a lawyer and family friend of Redskins safety Sean Taylor, said Taylor emerged from surgery "in better shape" and is likely to survive after being shot in his home early this morning.

The Herald also reports that this is the third time in a little over a week that Taylor's home has been the target of an attempted burglary. Per the report, Taylor's next-door neighbor says that someone tried to break into Taylor's home last weekend and again earlier this weekend.

It's not clear whether Taylor knows who was trying to break into his home or why, but Sharpstein said, "There were a number of people who were jealous of Sean's success."

Sharpstein previously represented Taylor in a criminal case in which Taylor was accused of waving a gun at people he thought had stolen his all-terrain vehicle. Taylor eventually pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor in that case.

POSTED 2:03 p.m. EST, November 26, 2007

NO PUNISHMENT FOR PACKERS IN BOUNTY CASE by Michael David Smith

Rob Demovsky of the Green Bay Press Gazette reports that the NFL has completed its investigation into the Packers' bounty issue and is not taking any action.

"The club has handled the matter with the players, and the incentive pool has been discontinued," NFL spokesman Greg Aiello tells Demovsky.

It does not appear that the Packers are taking any action, other than reminding the players that bounties are against NFL rules.

The investigation began because some Packers defensive backs offered to pay their teammates on the defensive line $500 apiece if they held Vikings running back Adrian Peterson to less than 100 yards rushing when the teams played on November 11.

Although there is no evidence that the Packers' plan to shut down Peterson involved attempting to hurt him, he did get hurt in the game.

Any type of bounty violates NFL rules. The rule in question states:  "Clubs and players are prohibited from offering or accepting bonuses to a player for his or his team's performance against a particular team, a particular opposing player, or players or a particular group of an opposing team."

POSTED 1:34 p.m. EST, November 26, 2007

COOLEY SAYS TAYLOR IN COMA AFTER SURGERY by Michael David Smith

Redskins tight end Chris Cooley told the media that his teammate, safety Sean Taylor, is in a coma after six hours of surgery today.

Per Jason La Canfora of the Washington Post, Cooley said that the latest update he heard about Taylor's condition was that Taylor spent six hours in surgery after being rushed to the hospital with a gunshot wound and is now in a coma.

"It's a tough thing right now," Cooley said. "I feel for so sorry for Sean and his family."

Cooley said that Santana Moss's mother is at Miami's Jackson Memorial Hospital, where Taylor was taken after he was shot, and that Moss's mom gave the team an update from there. Moss and Taylor both grew up in Miami and played at the University of Miami.

La Canfora reports that Redskins owner Daniel Snyder read a brief statement:

"On behalf of the Redskins, the players and everyone here at the Redskins, our hearts and prayers go out to Sean and his family. Myself and a group of Redskins are on our way to Miami. I really don't have any details other than what everyone else has been reading and reporting ...Our hearts and prayers are with Sean and his family."

POSTED 12:33 p.m. EST, November 26, 2007

PORTIS SAYS TAYLOR "FIGHTING TO HOLD ON" by Michael David Smith

Redskins running back Clinton Portis told the media today that his friend and teammate, Sean Taylor, is "fighting to hold on" after being shot early this morning.

"I've been told he's lost a lot of blood," Portis said, adding that  players have not been assured that Taylor will survive.

Before they played for the Redskins, Portis and Taylor played together at the University of Miami, and they are both Florida natives. When asked whether Taylor lives in a dangerous place, Portis said, "It's not Miami, it's anywhere. This could happen anywhere. For Sean its just an unfortunate situation."

Portis also said Taylor has made changes in his life recently, especially after starting a family.

"Ever since he had his child it was like a new Sean," Portis said.

POSTED 11:55 a.m. EST, November 26, 2007

REPORT: TAYLOR "STABILIZING" by Michael David Smith

Jason La Canfora of the Washington Post reports that a family friend told him Redskins safety Sean Taylor is "stabilizing" after he was shot early this morning.

La Canfora reports that Taylor "lost a substantial amount of blood" after suffering a gunshot wound near the femoral artery in the thigh. Taylor's father, Pedro, is the chief of police in Florida City, Florida, and is with him at the hospital.

The Redskins released a brief statement. Taylor's family has not spoken publicly. La Canfora reports that the Redskins have scheduled a team meeting around noon to update the players on the situation.

Taylor was at his home in South Florida when armed robbers attempted to enter. He is recuperating from a knee sprain and did not attend Sunday's game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, which is not unusual for injured players.

POSTED 11:19 a.m. EST; UPDATED 11:32 a.m. EST, November 26, 2007

MANNING HAS HUGE 2008 CAP NUMBER

We posted earlier on Monday an item regarding Eli Manning's contract, which had two voidable years (2008 and 2009) and a buy-back provision. As a league source tells us, and as Mark Maske of the Washington Post reported at the time, the Giants exercised the buy-back in March 2007.

So, as a result of the buy-back and other tweaks to the rookie deal, the Giants currently are on the hook for $8.45 million in 2008 base salary and $8.5 million in 2009 base salary. Manning's cap number for 2008, we're told, is a whopping $11.4 million. (The cap number would be higher, but there was a "Deion Sanders rule" issue that required the team to take a $700,000 charge earlier in the deal.)

We're also told that Manning's bonus proration will count $3.6 million against the cap in 2008 and $3.6 million against the cap in 2009. Thus, if the Giants were to cut him or trade him before June 1 of 2008, they would carry $7.2 million in dead money in 2008, but save $8.45 million in cash and reduce his cap number by $4 million. A cut or a trade after June 1 (or a pre-June 1 cut that is designated under the CBA as a post-June 1 transaction), would save $8.45 million in cash and $7.6 million in cap space in 2008, but would cost $3.6 million against the cap in 2009.

Bottom line? Even though the Giants have already made the decision to buy back the next two years of the deal, they still face a tough question come 2008: Is Eli worth a cap number of $11.2 million and $8.45 million in salary for one year of football?

MONDAY MORNING ONE-PER-CLUB ONE-LINERS by Michael David Smith

Patriots S Rodney Harrison said after Sunday night's game, "We can't blow everyone out by 30 points or so."

Eagles QB A.J. Feeley blamed himself for the loss to the Patriots.

Steelers LB James Harrison says he doesn't particularly care that he's playing against his old teammate, Joey Porter, tonight.

Dolphins LB Derrick Pope made the trip to Pittsburgh a day after being admitted to the emergency room.

Said Bills LB Angelo Crowell, "Our defense is built on taking away the big play and that's what we didn't do."

So many Jets fans are selling their tickets that even at home games, they're close to getting outnumbered by fans of the other team.

The Browns could finish the season with a positive turnover differential for the first time since 1991.

Bengals QB Carson Palmer had the best single-game completion percentage of his career Sunday.

Said Ravens CB Samari Rolle of returning to the field for the first time since suffering a major seizure on November 2, "Mentally I was fine; now, I've just got to get my body to catch up with my head."

Colts coach Tony Dungy says he's approaching this week as if Sunday's game will determine the division championship.

Jaguars RB Fred Taylor had his first 100-yard rushing day in 14 games.

Says Titans defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz, "Every time we blitzed they were maxing up, and we blitzed a good amount."

Texans WR Andre Johnson said after losing to the Browns Sunday, "You can't assume just because they are the last-ranked defense that you're going to go out and have a field day on them."

Said Chargers TE Antonio Gates of the criticism the team has received, "We all deserve the blame."

Broncos assistant head coach Jim Bates is taking a lot of criticism for the play of the defense.

Chiefs RB Kolby Smith had an impressive debut, but after the game he was upset about the yard he didn't get.

Raiders RB LaMont Jordan was praised for a smart decision on a play where he was supposed to throw a pass but ended up running for a touchdown.

Cowboys coach Wade Phillips is praising the play of CB Jacques Reeves.

Giants QB Eli Manning made the 50th regular-season start of his NFL career yesterday, but he played like a rookie.

Redskins WR Keenan McCardell said of Sunday's loss, "We're better than that."

Said Bears QB Rex Grossman of the game-tying touchdown pass he threw to WR Bernard Berrian, "It was an amazing catch."

Packers coach Mike McCarthy told his players, "All you guys were in Little League" the last time Green Bay won at Dallas; QB Brett Favre reminded him, "Not all the guys."

If the Lions miss the playoffs, the season will be considered a failure.

Said Vikings S Dwight Smith after the win over the Giants, "I don't believe anyone except for the people in this locker room thought we would win this game."

The Falcons may be in the market for a high-priced free agent next off-season.

Said Panthers RB Brad Hoover after failing to convert a fourth down carry Sunday, "It's disappointing; it wasn't even fourth-and-1, it was fourth-and-inches. And we lose yardage ... we've got to get some push. And we didn't get it."

CB Ronde Barber described the Buccaneers' defense as "positively 2001ish."

QB Drew Brees had his first rushing touchdown as a Saint.

After missing what would have been a game-winning field goal, Cardinals K Neil Rackers said, "I got nothing [to say], dude."

MLB Will Witherspoon may be the Rams' most valuable player this season.

QB Trent Dilfer showed veteran leadership for the 49ers Sunday.

The Seahawks got an 89-yard kickoff return touchdown because rookie Josh Wilson made a mistake.
 

POSTED 10:06 a.m. EST, November 26, 2007

SEAN TAYLOR "FIGHTING FOR HIS LIFE"

Redskins safety Sean Taylor has been shot in Florida, a source with knowledge of the situation tells us.  He is in critical condition at a Miami-area hospital and, per the source, is "fighting for his life". 

Taylor spent Sunday night in his Florida home with his girlfriend and infant daughter.  A robbery occurred, and Taylor was shot in the leg by one of the invaders.

The bullet severed his femoral artery.  He currently is in surgery.

Taylor, the fifth overall pick in the 2004 draft, was in Florida to get a second opinion on an injured knee.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to Taylor, his family, and the Redskins organization, and we hope that Taylor will make a full recovery.

POSTED 9:29 a.m. EST, November 26, 2007

STEVE BEUERLEIN DECRIES "USC THUGS" by Michael David Smith

Just before halftime of Sunday's Titans-Bengals game, Cincinnati safety Marvin White and Tennessee running back LenDale White got into a bit of a skirmish, resulting in offsetting personal foul penalties.

CBS went to a commercial shortly thereafter, and when the network came back, the camera focused on White. CBS commentator Steve Beuerlein, who apparently didn't know his microphone was live, could be heard saying, "USC thugs, man":

LenDale White went to USC. Beuerlein went to Notre Dame.

The best part is when Beuerlein's play-by-play partner, Bill Macatee, says, "he'd like to have that brief emotional explosion back." Was he referring to White or Beuerlein?

POSTED 8:09 a.m. EST, November 26, 2007

IS DAVID CARR REALLY THAT CLUELESS? by Michael David Smith

Either Panthers quarterback David Carr has a wry sense of humor that led him to joke about how much the fans hate him after his terrible performance yesterday, or he's incredibly clueless.

Carr started the Panthers' 31-6 loss to the New Orleans Saints in place of the injured Vinny Testaverde, and he had another awful game, completing 10 of 22 passes for 95 yards, with two interceptions. After the game, Carr was asked about the home crowd's reaction.

"It's not like we were purposely trying to not score points," Carr said. "They were chanting 'More' -- that they wanted more points. And we were trying to give it to them."

Um, David? They weren't chanting "More." They were chanting "Moore," as in Matt Moore, the rookie third-string quarterback who came into the game after your coach, John Fox, finally benched you.

We'd like to give Carr the benefit of the doubt and say he was trying to be funny, but that's probably not the case. It's probably just that Carr is as bad at interpreting the fans' cheers as he is at playing quarterback.

POSTED 7:07 a.m. EST, November 26, 2007

CHILDRESS SAFE THROUGH 2008 by Michael David Smith

Sean Jensen of the Pioneer Press reports that after watching his team blow out the Giants Sunday, Vikings owner Zygi Wilf said that coach Brad Childress will "absolutely" be back for the 2008 season.

"There was never a question," Wilf said, making his first public comments about Childress in more than a month. "You need time for a team to coalesce and to get together. This is the ultimate team sport, and everyone has to play their part, and it will take some time. And we're doing it, and everyone is stepping up."

Jensen reports that Wilf said of the 5-6 Vikings, "We're going to get to the playoffs, with this hard work."

Wilf also praised the Vikings' personnel department for the decisions to draft running back Adrian Peterson and wide receiver Sidney Rice, who scored a 60-yard touchdown on the first play of Sunday's game.

"This is an organizational effort, from personnel, to coaches, to players," Wilf said. "Everyone has a part in it, and we all try to do the best we can to help each other."

POSTED 12:34 a.m. EST; UPDATED 12:47 p.m. EST, November 26, 2007

DECISION TIME COMING FOR GIANTS

Coach Tom Coughlin acknowledged on Sunday that he considered the possibility of yanking quarterback Eli Manning once the Giants fell behind the Minnesota Vikings by the score of 41-10.

Coughlin decided against it.  "I just don't like that feeling," Coughlin said.

But the franchise soon faces a much broader question regarding whether Eli Manning is the future of the franchise, short-term or long-term.  The last three years of his rookie contract will void after the 2007 season.  Per a breakdown of the deal posted by ESPN.com's Len Pasquarelli in 2004, the Giants can buy back 2008 and 2009 by paying Eli a $5 million bonus, and by paying him base salaries of $8 million in 2008 and $8.5 million in 2009.

So the Giants have to decide whether to pay Manning $21.5 million for two years of work, or whether to try to work out a long-term extension.

Or whether to let him walk.

The other alternative is to try to trade Eli, either in 2008 or in 2009.  Maybe, for example, his father's former team, the Saints, will be looking for someone to replace Drew Brees in the next couple of years.

Our guess?  If the Giants can stomach the cap numbers tied to Manning for 2008 and 2009, they'll buy back the final two years and make a decision on whether to extend him during or after next season.

But if Eli plans on being the long-term answer in New York, he needs to minimize performances like the one he coughed up on Sunday against one of the worst passing defenses in the NFL.  In a season during which Peyton's kid brother had shown plenty of poise and maturity, that four-interception fiasco might have set him back to square one.

DID SHANAHAN'S HATRED OF THE RAIDERS COST THE BRONCOS?

As the folks in Denver try to figure out why coach Mike Shanahan opted to kick and punt to Devin Hester, who took two to the end zone in Chicago's overtime win over the Broncos, we think we know why it happened.

The Broncos kicked to Hester because the Raiders kicked to Hester.

There's still a high degree of animosity between these two franchises.  Shanahan coached the Raiders in the 1980s, and was abruptly fired during the 1989 season.  Former Raiders de facto G.M. Mike Lombardi now works for the Broncos for free as he tries to get back by Oakland for the 2007 season.  And it's believed that the Raiders are squatting on running backs LaMont Jordan and Dominic Rhodes in part because owner Al Davis doesn't want either of them to land in Denver.

So when Raiders coach Lane Kiffin decided to kick to Hester earlier this month and it worked (even though the Bears won the game), there was no way that Shanahan and the Broncos were going to avoid him. 

In a game that's so complex, sometimes it's pretty simple.

POSTED 12:18 a.m. EST, November 26, 2007

PATS PULL OUT ELEVENTH WIN

Trailing the Philadelphia Eagles in the fourth quarter at home, the New England Patriots did enough to take the lead, and to hold it late, picking up their eleventh win of the season.

The game-turning play came when the Eagles threw for the end zone with roughly four minutes to play and while trailing by three.  As Cris Collinsworth pointed out on the NBC post-game show, the decision to go for the lead at that point made no sense, since it would have left the Pats with more than enough time to re-take it.

The much smarter move, while facing second down and four from the Pats' 29, would have been to continue the drive that started in the shadow of Philly's own end zone and milk as much time off of the clock as possible, culminating in a game-tying field goal or a go-ahead touchdown with as little time as possible for a final New England drive in regulation.

So while the Eagles put up a near-perfect performance on Sunday night, a bone-headed decision derailed what would have been, from the perspective of the point spread, the biggest upset in NFL history.

POSTED 10:43 p.m. EST, November 25, 2007

EAGLES THREATENING UPSET

The Philadelphia Eagles are in the midst of pulling off what could end up being one of the biggest regular-season upsets in NFL history.

A 24-point underdog, the Eagles lead 28-24 with 1:34 remaining in the third quarter.

Even if the Pats win, the Eagles and coach Andy Reid might have supplied the rest of the NFL with a potential blueprint for matching up with the greatest . . . team . . . ever.

POSTED 8:45 p.m. EST; UPDATED 8:58 p.m. EST, November 25, 2007

SHOCKER SO FAR IN NEW ENGLAND

After eight minutes of play, the Patriots and the Eagles are (gasp) tied at seven.

Philly quarterback A.J. Feeley served up a pick-six in the first drive of the game, but then Feeley led the Eagles on an impressive touchdown drive to knot the score.

Even if (when?) the Patriots turn it on and win by 35 or more, the longer that the Eagles can keep this one close, the better the folks in Philadelphia will fee about the growing prospects of Donovan McNabb's departure.

L.J.'S PARTY INVITE

We've gotten our mitts on an image of the Larry Johnson birthday party, which generated images of the injured tailback living it up and reports that he was dancing on his busted foot.

Here it is.

Hey, we don't have a problem with a grown man throwing a birthday party for himself.  (Wait, maybe we do.)  But at a time when the football team that recently paid him a lot of money is shorthanded because he has a foot injury about which the birthday boy won't let the team fully comment, the notion that Johnson was celebrating while his employer is struggling doesn't sit well with us, and it shouldn't sit well with anyone who roots for the Chiefs.

POSTED 3:24 p.m. EST, November 25, 2007

OCHO GOES LOCO

Bengals receiver Chad Johnson, who became the "escape goat" for the struggles of the Cincy franchise earlier this year, has "blowed up" with three touchdown receptions in a rout of the Titans.

Johnson has three scores on twelve catches, with 103 yards.

Still, the Bengals are at 3-7, and need to run the table and hope for a lot of help to have a shot at the playoffs.

POSTED 2:14 p.m. EST, November 25, 2007

GRADKOWSKI LIVES!

With Tamp quarterback Jeff Garcia injured after attempting only one pass against the Redskins, backup Bruce Gradkowski has helped the Bucs to a 16-3 lead.

As of this posting, Gradkowski has completed five of nine passes for 63 yards.

Gradkowski inherited the starting job as a rookie in 2006 after Chris Simms suffered a ruptured spleen.  Gradkowski was a sixth-round pick from Toledo.

POSTED 2:09 p.m. EST, November 25, 2007

BULGER HURT AGAIN

Rams quarterback Marc Bulger has been knocked out of Sunday's game between St. Louis and Seattle, with multiple injuries.

But backup Gus Frerotte has played well in Bulger's place, helping the 2-8 Rams to a 19-7 lead over the division-leading Seahawks.

It's not known whether Bulger can or will return.  The action can be followed right here.

POSTED 12:54 p.m. EST, November 25, 2007

PACMAN PUNCHED HAYNESWORTH?

Jay Glazer of FOX reports that there are conflicting stories about what went down between Titans cornerback Pacman Jones and defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth.

Per Glazer, the pair got into an altercation at Gibson's in Opryland last Saturday night.  The talk apparently began because Jones accused Haynesworth of not having Pacman's back, presumably in connection with the circumstances resulting in Jones' one-year suspension for violation of the Personal Conduct Policy.

Glazer says that Haynesworth claims he fell over a chair and injured his lip, which has been noticeably swollen.  The other version in the locker room is that Jones or someone with him hit Haynesworth in the mouth.

In a roundabout way, Glazer's scoop partially corroborates a tip we got earlier in the week from a reader.  As we heard it, Haynesworth and Jones were jawing, and then separated.  Jones later returned, sucker punched Haynesworth, and fled.

Our tipster also says that the folks at Gibson's have given a videotape of the incident to police.

Of course, that makes us question the entire veracity of the tip, since if there's a videotape involved, Glazer surely would have it.

POSTED 12:45 p.m. EST, November 25, 2007

BIG BEN MET WITH DAVE DUNN

A league source tells us that Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger has met with agent David Dunn, the key cog in the Athletes First agency.  Dunn currently is on suspension, but the rules currently do not prevent him from recruiting.

And a meeting between Dunn and Roethlisberger likewise isn't forbidden, as long as the communications were initiated by the player.

Roethlisberger is represented by Ryan and Bruce Tollner of REP 1 Sports Group.

The eleventh overall pick in the 2004 draft, Roethlisberger is under contract through 2009.

POSTED 11:56 a.m. EST, November 25, 2007

ANOTHER MISSED GAME FOR HAYNESWORTH

Michael Fabiano of NFL.com reports that Titans defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth is inactive for Sunday's game against the Bengals due to a lingering hamstring injury.

For Haynesworth, three missed games have cooled the buzz regarding one of the hottest defensive players in the league.  And that means that his market value come 2008 could be diminished.

There's a school of thought that the Titans have no choice but to sign him to a long-term deal, even though many believe that Haynesworth's performance -- and good behavior -- this year are the result of the fact that he's playing to get paid.

As one league source told us, neither the Titans nor any other team should fall for it.  "Guys rarely change," the source said.  "Cris Carter is the only one in the last 20 years who did."

POSTED 11:47 a.m. EST, November 25, 2007

NO ADRIAN

ESPN's Sal Paolantonio (that freaking network should hire me to do it's P.R. -- except on matters relating to Emmitt) reports that running back Adrian Peterson has been scratched for Sunday's game against the Giants.

Peterson told Paolantonio that the rookie can cut on the injured right knee and has no pain.  But, apparently, coach Brad Childress decided to wait another week.

Why do we think that all of this was orchestrated by Childress to create the appearance that he's being prudent with Peterson -- so that Childress won't be criticized when he plays Peterson next week?

POSTED 11:43 a.m. EST, November 25, 2007

NO VINNY ON SUNDAY

Chris Mortensen of ESPN reports that quarterback Vinny Testaverde's back won't allow him to play on Sunday against the Saints.

Quarterbacking the Panthers will be David Carr or Matt Moore.  Ugh.

Last year, the Saints won the NFC South despite being swept by the Panthers.  This year, Carolina already has beaten New Orleans, in Louisiana.

POSTED 11:25 a.m. EST, November 25, 2007

L.J. IS DISCO STU

Chris Mortensen of ESPN reports that Chiefs running back Larry Johnson, who has missed several games with a busted foot, celebrated his 28th birthday at a party that included some cutting of the rug.

Hey, maybe dancing is part of the rehab plan.  Or maybe L.J. doesn't care if a little lambada aggravates the injury.

Now that he's gotten paid, why should he?

POSTED 11:18 a.m. EST, November 25, 2007

MIKE WILLIAMS IS GROWING

Chris Mortensen of ESPN reports that receiver Mike Williams weighed in at 271 pounds when he signed with the Titans earlier this week.

And that's eleven pounds higher than the scale read after he worked out with the team only two weeks earlier.

At this rate, he'll be pushing 300 by the end of the season.

Mort says that Williams won't play on Sunday, but that he eventually will see time as a tight end/H-back.

POSTED 11:07 a.m. EST, November 25, 2007

INTRIGUE IN THE MEADOWLANDS

ESPN's Sal Paolantonio says that Vikings running back Adrian Peterson is determined to play, and that the team's trainers are taking a long look at Peterson in pregame workouts in an effort to determine whether he's healthy enough to play against the Giants.

Coach Brad Childress reportedly doesn't believe Peterson is ready to go, and Peterson is trying to prove that he can.

Obviously, players always want to play.  The question here is whether Childress will be willing to reel him in, given that Childress needs to continue winning in order to continue to be employed.

POSTED 10:53 a.m. EST, November 25, 2007

SOME GIANTS LOBBYING FOR COUGHLIN

The Soup Nazi no more, Giants coach Tom Coughlin has changed so much this year that some of his players are beginning to quietly lobby for Coughlin to get a contract extension.

Coughlin is signed through 2008.  He received a one-year extension after 2006 to avoid, in our view, the perception that he is a lame duck.  Even though he really was a lame duck.

That could change, if management is listening to the locker room.

POSTED 10:30 a.m. EST, November 25, 2007

POPE OUT OF HOSPITAL

Dolphins linebacker Derrick Pope has been released from a Miami hospital.  But it's still unclear why he was there.  And it's still uncertain whether he'll play on Monday night in Pittsburgh.

Coach Cam Cameron said that the hospitalization wasn't the result of a football injury, and Pope's agent says that it wasn't drug related.

Pope told the Miami Herald that he is "fine."  He is listed as questionable for Monday night's game against the Steelers.

POSTED 7:12 p.m. EST, November 24, 2007

FINS LINEBACKER HOSPITALIZED

The AP reports that Miami Dolphins linebacker Derrick Pope has been hospitalized for undisclosed reasons.

Coach Cam Cameron said that the team didn't know why Pope was in the hospital, and that the organization is "gathering information."

Pope, a fourth-year pro who played at Alabama, has started at outside linebacker for the Fins for the past five games.  He has 10 career starts.

POSTED 3:59 p.m. EST, November 24, 2007

MARTIN BUYING PIECE OF THE FALCONS?

Former Jets running back Curtis Marin has been strongly hinting that he soon will be involved again with an NFL team, this time in an ownership capacity.

Though he won't identify the team of which he eventually will own a chunk, he recently has admitted that he has been regularly traveling between New York, Dallas, Atlanta, and Miami.

Martin's itinerary recently took him back to Atlanta, for Thursday night's game between the Falcons and the Colts.

We got the tip in this regard from a reader, and confirmed it via a source who eyeballed Martin at the game.

Said the source:  "Do you really think a former player as worldly as Martin would be at a Falcons game on Thanksgiving just for the fun of it?"

We still don't understand why it's all such a secret.

POSTED 3:44 p.m. EST, November 24, 2007

TORONTO THINKS THE BILLS ARE COMING by Michael David Smith  

Stephen Brunt of the Toronto-based Globe and Mail reports that Canadian Football League Commissioner Mark Cohon is working on "the beginning of a strategy for co-existence" with the NFL, which increasingly looks like it wants to establish more of a presence in Toronto.

According to Brunt, Cohon is the first CFL commissioner ever to acknowledge the possibility of the NFL playing in Toronto.

"You have an owner in Ralph Wilson in Buffalo who has said, 'When I die, my estate will sell the franchise,' " Cohon said. "You have the Bills interested in marking Toronto as part of their territory. ... So I think there are all of these things lining up that indicate it could happen. I'm not sticking my head in the sand. That would be the worst thing for the CFL commissioner to do. So I think there's a real potential."

Brunt writes that the Bills are "coming to Toronto to play two games a year starting next fall," but no definitive plans along those lines have been announced. 

NFL officials and Bills owner Ralph Wilson have, however, expressed an interest in seeing the Bills play home games in Toronto, which is about 100 miles from Buffalo.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has said that Wilson's proposal to play one home game per season in Toronto for the next five years has been met with general acceptance from Wilson's fellow owners.
 

POSTED 1:34 p.m. EST, November 24, 2007

TESTAVERDE DOWNGRADED TO QUESTIONABLE by Michael David Smith  

Steve Reed of CarolinaGrowl.com reports that Panthers quarterback Vinny Testaverde has been downgraded to questionable for Sunday's game against the New Orleans Saints.

Reed reports that the Panthers say Testaverde's back tightened up after Friday's practice.

The 44-year-old Testaverde will be a game-time decision. If he can't go, Panthers coach John Fox would likely make David Carr the starter, with Matt Moore as the backup.

When Fox named Testaverde the starter this week, he said he thought Testaverde would bring stability to the quarterback position. But the Panthers haven't had any stability this season, as Jake Delhomme suffered a season-ending elbow injury in Week 3, and Carr, who entered the season as Delhomme's backup, has had two concussions and a back injury. Testaverde has previously missed time with an Achilles tendon strain.

The Panthers also added safety Chris Harris to their injury report, listing him as probable with an illness.
 

POSTED 1:15 p.m. EST, November 24, 2007

NGATA, LEWIS FINED by Michael David Smith  

Ravens nose tackle Haloti Ngata and Browns running back Jamal Lewis were fined $5,000 apiece by the NFL for their conduct during the Browns' victory over the Ravens Sunday, the Cleveland Plain Dealer is reporting.

Both players got 15-yard penalties during the game, Ngata for punching Browns tackle Joe Thomas and Lewis for spiking the ball in front of the Ravens' bench.  Thomas said Ngata's punch didn't hurt, and that Ngata accused him of trying to take out Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis at the knees after Lewis recovered a fumble.

"I don't know why he thought that," said Thomas, who was neither penalized on the play nor fined afterward. "I tackled him high."

Browns coach Romeo Crennel said he was pleased that Thomas didn't retaliate against Ngata but disappointed that Lewis taunted his former team.

"Sometimes emotions of the game -- guys get caught up in it and they want to make a statement," Crennel said of Lewis.  "He should have made the statement with more yards rather than a spike."

The Plain-Dealer reports that Browns safety Sean Jones, who was penalized for roughing the passer in the same game, was not fined because a review of the tape revealed that Jones did not lead with his head when he hit Ravens quarterback Kyle Boller.

POSTED 11:40 a.m. EST; UPDATED 11:56 a.m. EST, November 24, 2007

DONOVAN MCNABB OUT SUNDAY by Michael David Smith  

If the Eagles are going to pull off one of the biggest upsets in NFL history Sunday night, they'll have to do it without quarterback Donovan McNabb.

The Eagles announced today that McNabb has been downgraded from doubtful to out for Sunday's game because of ankle and thumb injuries.

A.J. Feeley will make his first start since December of 2004, when he was a Miami Dolphin.  Rookie Kevin Kolb will be the Eagles' No. 2 quarterback for the game.

The Eagles also announced that S Quintin Mikell has been downgraded from doubtful to out.

POSTED 10:40 a.m. EST, November 24, 2007

BAD CALL COST ANTREL ROLLE HISTORY by Michael David Smith  

In the first quarter of Sunday's game against the Bengals, Cardinals cornerback Antrel Rolle picked off a pass and returned it 55 yards for a touchdown.

In the third quarter, Rolle picked off another pass and returned it 54 yards for a touchdown. That tied Rolle for an NFL record, shared with 23 other players, for the most interception return touchdowns in a game.

In the fourth quarter, Rolle picked off a third pass and returned it 71 yards for a touchdown. That would have given him a unique place in NFL history, owning the single-game record for interception return touchdowns in a game all by himself, except that the return was called back because of a personal foul penalty on Cardinals defensive end Antonio Smith.

Now Mike Tulumello of the East Valley Tribune reports that the league has admitted the call against Smith was a mistake.

“They [NFL officials] agreed it should have been a no-call,” Smith said, per Tulumello.

On Rolle's return, Smith was flagged for blocking Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer. NFL rules prohibit defensive players from blocking the quarterback until he tries to play defense, and the officials on the field felt that Palmer had not tried to play defense at the time that Smith blocked him. But Tulumello reports that the league reviewed the play and acknowledged to the Cardinals that Palmer had started playing defense before Smith blocked him.

Because the league thinks the block was within the rules, Smith wasn’t fined.

Rolle doesn't seem too bothered by the missed opportunity to have a unique place in NFL history.

“That’s last week,” Rolle said. “I’ve gone past that point already. I’ve never been too fond of accolades anyway. If I get it, I get it. If I don’t, we live to play another day.”

POSTED 9:53 a.m. EST, November 24, 2007

NO SHENANIGANS ON PATRIOTS' INJURY REPORT? by Michael David Smith  

Since writing this morning about the Patriots' injury report, which makes no mention of defensive lineman Jarvis Green even though Green missed practice this week with an ankle injury, we've received some contrary information.

As Mike Reiss of the Boston Globe reported, Green was listed on the Patriots' Thursday injury report as not participating in practice because of an ankle injury.

But on Friday, Reiss reported that Green was on the practice field, and that the Patriots had perfect attendance for practice, which is why none of the players who missed practice earlier in the week were listed  on the official injury report.

It's still strange that the Patriots, who have listed Tom Brady as probable with a shoulder injury every week for more than three years, would decline to list Green as probable with the ankle injury that kept him out of practice for part of this week.  But Reiss indicates that Green will play Sunday.

POSTED 8:32 a.m. EST, November 24, 2007

MORE INJURY REPORTING SHENANIGANS by Michael David Smith  

The official NFL injury report for this week lists exactly one New England Patriot: Tom Brady, who, as always, is listed as probable with a shoulder injury.

But Patriots defensive lineman Jarvis Green missed two practices this week with an ankle injury.  Shalise Manza Young of the Providence Journal reports that Green is likely to miss Sunday's game against the Eagles, and that linebacker Adalius Thomas, guard Stephen Neal and safety Eugene Wilson have all been limited this week by injuries as well.

Bob Brookover of the Philadelphia Inquirer writes that Patriots coach Bill Belichick "continued to make a mockery of the NFL's injury report policy" with his failure to list Green on the report.  And Brookover is right:  Even if the Journal report is wrong and Green ends up playing Sunday, if he was held out of practice this week, he should be listed on the injury report.

In the wake of former Steelers coach Bill Cowher admitting that he at times lied on the official injury reports, it's time for the league to crack down on teams that fail to properly disclose players' injuries.