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POSTED 10:12 p.m. EST, November 7, 2007

SHACK ON THIN ICE IN JACKSONVILLE?

The recents arrest of two Jaguars players in separate incidents on the same day, and the strong reaction from owner Wayne Weaver, has prompted a buzz in league circles regarding the potential fate of V.P. of player personnel James "Shack" Harris.

As the scuttlebutt goes, Harris could be out the door soon, since he's the one ultimately responsible for acquiring players.

Here's what Weaver had to say in the wake of the arrests: "I am disgusted with the irresponsible behavior that some of our players have demonstrated. They are embarrassing themselves, our organization, and their peers. Anytime there is alcohol involved and being out in early morning hours shows a lack of respect for the code of conduct we expect from everyone in the Jaguars organization. These players will face significant discipline and that discipline will be more severe for repeat violators. Players are and will be subject to fines, loss of game checks and not playing in our games."

Each of the recently busted players, offensive tackle Richard Collier and linebacker Justin Durant, have been suspended for two games by the organization.

In all, six Jaguars players have been arrested since we launched our Turd Watch game on the day after Super Bowl XLI.

As a league source observed: "They are almost as bad character-wise as the Bengals. If you go through it, they have had as many if not more incidents. I wonder why [Shack Harris and Bengals coach Marvin Lewis] are so willing to take such big risk when it comes to adding players. It is not like the evidence is not there. Every team in the league was aware that Durant, for instance, had some auxiliary issues. Same thing with [Khalif] Barnes. Why bother? It is just a matter of time before the owner uses all of the transgressions as proof that changes should be made."

POSTED 8:42 p.m. EST; UPDATED 9:04 p.m. EST, November 7, 2007

STILL NO WORD ON L.J.'S FOOT

A league source tells us that the Chiefs still don't know the extent of the injury to the foot of running back Larry Johnson.

Per the source, the foot is still swollen, and that's preventing the doctors from making a definitive diagnosis or offering up a prognosis.

We're told that it's obvious that Johnson won't play this week. Beyond that, Johnson's status is unclear.

Johnson injured the foot during the Chiefs' loss to the Packers.

Also, look for Johnson to be fined soon for using a prop during a touchdown celebration. After taking a swing pass and maneuvering into the end zone on Sunday, Johnson was handed a large Chiefs flag, which he planted into the turf.

POLIAN DECRIES DISREPUTABLE WEB SITES (AND I'M GLAD WE'RE NOT ONE OF THEM)

Colts president and G.M. Bill Polian has addressed on the team's official web site the controversy that arose regarding the strange audio phenomenon that could be heard during the broadcast of Sunday's game between the Patriots and the Colts.

Here is the relevant portion of the question and answer session.

Q: Can you comment on the allegations that the Colts artificially piped-in crowd noise at the RCA Dome Sunday?

A: I'm not sure that [Patriots Head] Coach [Bill] Belichick had any comments about crowd noise. There were a number of comments made on what I would call disreputable websites [Monday] morning. We reacted to it because we felt like it was an affront to our fans and to the integrity of our organization. I will read you a statement we issued earlier Monday. It says the following: 'In reference to questions regarding the audio transmission of yesterday's game, please refer to the following statement from the NFL: CBS has informed us that the unusual audio moment heard by fans during the Patriots-Colts game was the result of tape feedback in the CBS production truck and was isolated to the CBS broadcast. It was in no way related to any sound within the stadium and could not be heard in the stadium. We close with the following sentence: We trust this will put an end to the ridiculous and unfounded accusations that the Colts artificially enhanced crowd noise at the RCA Dome in any way.'

Q: Where do people come up with these ideas?

A: I have no idea. These are people who in many respects just have axes to grind and have no responsibility for what they write. They simply write innuendo and rumor and garbage and then it gets picked up in the mainstream media. The unfortunate part of blogs these days is that if something completely unfounded, something completely untrue – as is the case here – is in a blog, then someone in the mainstream media can pick it up and they use the excuse, 'Well, it was in a blog. So it was news, and we have to follow it.' Well, you can follow this until the cows come home and there's nothing to find. We didn't do anything.

Hmmm. Where do people come up these ideas? Let's see, Bill. The Colts have been suspected in the past of pumping fake crowd noise into the RCA Dome. The Steelers accused the team of doing so two years ago. And, clearly, there was a bizarre sound glitch on Sunday. Were disreputable web sites supposed to ignore it?

And, actually, the phenomenon was first explained by the author of a certain disreputable web site in an item published on a somewhat reputable web site known as SportingNews.com. Here's what the author of said disreputable web site said:

"In the past, teams that have visited the RCA Dome have questioned whether the Colts pipe in artificial crowd noise in an effort to disrupt the road team's offense. Though the Colts have denied any such chicanery (thanks, Tiki), the suspicions remain.

"And the suspicions will only grow stronger after Sunday's game against New England. During the first play of the fourth quarter, the noise from the crowd contained a strange effect. It almost sounded like my kid was working the 'Whammy Bar' while playing Guitar Hero.

"We don't know whether that noise could be heard in the stadium, but it was obvious on CBS' broadcast. And it invites speculation as to whether the Colts are indeed piping in phony music -- and whether there was a malfunction of some sort on Sunday that offered proof of it."

It was a fair question to raise, in light of the history of suspicions and given the odd noises from Sunday's game. And, amazingly, a certain disreputable web site with an alleged ax to grind nevertheless found a way to demonstrate some semblance of objectivity by later posting (and embracing) an explanation from a recording industry expert who swears that the sound was not the result of any efforts by the Colts to artificially increase the decibel levels in the dome.

POSTED 6:00 p.m. EST, November 7, 2007

MICROFRACTURE FOR VILMA?

Tom Rock of Newsday reports that Jets linebacker Jonathan Vilma could be having microfracture surgery on his injured knee.

But the story is a bit deceptive. Rock obtains input from a surgeon who isn't treating Vilma, and who is making his conclusion based solely on the fact that the Jets placed Vilma on injured reserve with more than half of the season to play.

The title of the article -- "Vilma could need 2 years to recover" -- is also misleading. The doctor merely said what most NFL observers have come to realize: "[I]t takes about a year to fully rehab from it and usually it's not until the second year that they're back to their old self."

POSTED 5:44 p.m. EST, November 7, 2007

FALCONS' BABINEAUX CLEARED OF ANIMAL CRUELTY by Michael David Smith

Charges have been dropped against the other Atlanta Falcon who was accused of a disturbing act of violence against a dog.

Defensive tackle Jonathan Babineaux had been charged with felony animal cruelty in the death of a pit bull that belonged to his girlfriend, but today Gwinnett County District Attorney Danny Porter dismissed that charge.

Pat McDonough, Babineaux's attorney, said Babineaux acted in self-defense when an aggressive dog attacked him and his 5-month-old daughter.

"This was a clear case of self-defense," McDonough said. "The dog had a history of violence. ... Jonathan and his family did everything in their power to make this dog part of their family."

Babineaux pronounced himself "just happy the whole situation is over with."

After the charges were brought against Babineaux, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals urged Falcons owner Arthur Blank to suspend him. McDonough said the pressure on the Falcons to dump Babineaux grew when Michael Vick was charged and pleaded guilty to felony charges related to dog fighting.

POSTED 4:53 p.m. EST, November 7, 2007

TESTAVERDE LIKELY TO START SUNDAY by Michael David Smith

It's sounding like Vinny Testaverde will be back at quarterback for the Panthers Sunday.

Testaverde was back on the practice field today, while David Carr sat out with a concussion. Although Panthers coach John Fox wouldn't say who will start Sunday against the Falcons, if Testaverde has healed sufficiently from the Achilles' tendon injury he suffered October 28 against Indianapolis that he can practice, it stands to reason that he can play.

"I thought both he and Matt Moore looked good," Fox said. "It was a good practice. It was well executed."

Testaverde, who turns 44 next week, played fairly well when forced into duty because of injuries to Carr and Jake Delhomme, who is out for the season with an elbow injury. Moore is inexperienced and has only been with the Panthers since the beginning of the regular season, after the Cowboys cut him at the end of the preseason.

In addition to Carr, other injured Panthers who missed practice included wide receiver Keary Colbert, tackle Jordan Gross and center Justin Hartwig. Fox said he gave wide receiver Steve Smith the day off, but that Smith is not injured.

POSTED 3:57 p.m. EST, November 7, 2007

MCNABB: IT'S NOT ALL MY FAULT by Michael David Smith

Seeming perhaps a little too defensive, Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb today said at his weekly press conference that he shouldn't get all the blame for the Eagles' 3-5 record.

"It's easy to blame the quarterback when the team loses, but I'm definitely not the whole reason why we lost these games," McNabb said, per the team's official web site. "I can definitely help -- yes I can -- but I [shouldn't get the full] blame for everything that goes on around here."

Those comments could be perceived as a dig at his teammates -- the logical extension of saying he's not the whole reason the Eagles lost five games is that some of his teammates also deserve blame.

Obviously, everyone knows that football is a team sport, and that it's never all the quarterback's fault when a team falls short of expectations. And since everyone knows that, McNabb would be better off leaving it unsaid, as saying it makes him come across as desperate to deflect criticism.

Earlier this week, Eagles coach Andy Reid was questioned about whether McNabb could be benched in favor of rookie Kevin Kolb, and although Reid said he supported McNabb, he added that "nothing is guaranteed."

When asked about that today, McNabb said, "I'm prepared to be the guy who can go out there and help us win games."

POSTED 3:16 p.m. EST, November 7, 2007

FOX DENIES THAT SIRAGUSA PULLED A KINCHEN

In response to an earlier report in this space indicating that sideline reporter Tony Siragusa apparently said "that's gay" in response to an image of a man dressed as an angel during Sunday's Redskins-Jets game, FOX has contacted us to deny that Siragusa uttered such a statement.

FOX Sports spokesman Dan Bell sent us the following e-mail explaining the company's position:

"I enjoy your website and read it frequently. Regarding the story below, I had to email you today and let you know that Tony did not say 'That's gay' during the Redskins/Jets game.

"He said 'There's Kenny,' referring to play-by-play announcer Kenny Albert. I ask you to please listen again closely to that segment. I did over 20 times and I am completely confident that is exactly what he said.

"As you mentioned in your column, we take these accusations very seriously."

We appreciate the clarification, and I'll be firing up the DVR again tonight to listen to it a few more times. I'll do so with an open mind, and if on further review I conclude that he said, "There's Kenny," I'll say so.

Meanwhile, I've asked Bell to explore the possibility of posting the clip on YouTube, so that PFT Planet can make its own decision as to what was said.

POSTED 3:03 p.m. EST, November 7, 2007

CHRIS HENRY IN TROUBLE, AGAIN?

Recently, the other Chris Henry made waves amid news that he is facing in a four-game suspension for violation of the policy against anabolic steroids and related substances. After months of relative calm, the original Chris Henry might be jumping back into the fray.

Henry, the Bengals receiver who was suspended for the first eight games of the 2007 season, is facing accusations of "menacing" and "harassment" in connection with an alleged attempt to park his car for free.

Henry alleged went chest to chest with a valet parking attendant, and said, "F--k you. . . . F--k this. . . . Don't you know who I am?"

No arrest has been made, and there's a chance that nothing will come of this. And if it's all a fabrication or an exaggeration, Henry had better get used to it -- his past behavior makes him a target for this kind of stuff.

POSTED 1:22 p.m. EST, November 7, 2007

POINDEXTER WINS RE-ELECTION by Michael David Smith

Gerald Poindexter, the prosecutor in Surry County, Virginia who has been criticized for his handling of the Michael Vick case, won re-election yesterday.

But the Virginian-Pilot reports that although Poindexter's was the only name on the ballot, his victory was far from a landslide.

Poindexter got 1,657 votes, or 58.5 percent of the total. Another 1,173 votes, or 41.4 percent, went to a write-in candidate. A former commonwealth's attorney in Hanover County, Ed Vaughn, ran a write-in campaign after deciding to get into the race too late to get his name on the ballot.

We don't claim to be expert political analysts around here, but when an incumbent is the only person on the ballot and still can't manage to win 60 percent of the vote, that's a pretty good sign that a lot of people in Surry County don't think he's doing a very good job.

Poindexter has been the commonwealth's attorney in Surry since 1995. He was criticized for dragging his feet when the Vick case first came to light, and for frequently making confusing, contradictory public statements about it. Vick was indicted on state felony charges in Surry County in September, after pleading guilty to federal charges.

POSTED 11:57 a.m. EST, November 7, 2007

SURGERY TODAY FOR VILMA by Michael David Smith

Tom Rock of Newsday reports that Jets linebacker Jonathan Vilma will undergo knee surgery today, and Rock quotes one orthopedic surgeon as saying it could be two years before Vilma is fully recovered.

Although the Jets and Vilma have been characteristically quiet about Vilma's injury (before he was put on injured reserve, Vilma and Jets coach Eric Mangini disagreed publicly about whether he was injured at all), Rock quotes Dr. Johnny Benjamin, chief of orthopedic surgery at Indian River Medical Center in Vero Beach, Fla., as saying that the little bit that has been made public indicates that Vilma will require either micro fracture surgery or the insertion of a bio-absorbable screw into the knee to hold the ligament to the bone.

"Athletes who have those do quite well," Benjamin said, per Rock, "but it takes about a year to fully rehab from it and usually it's not until the second year that they're back to their old self."

Of course, no doctor who has actually seen Vilma's knee is speaking about it publicly. Mangini wouldn't speculate on when Vilma will return, and Vilma's agent, Mitch Frankel, says doctors expect a full recovery.

Vilma has one year remaining on the five-year contract he signed as the Jets' first-round pick in 2004. He's a much better fit in the 4-3 defense run by his first coach, Herm Edwards, than he is in the 3-4 defense run by Mangini. That means both the Jets and Vilma might be interested in an off-season trade, which means both sides will want other teams to think his knee will be just fine.

POSTED 11:16 a.m. EST, November 7, 2007

PATS PEEVED AT OPIE & ANTHONY

The Boston Herald reports that the New England Patriots are upset by Tuesday's phony rumor aired on the Opie & Anthony show that quarterback Tom Brady is facing a four-game suspension for failing a drug test.

The fake rumors was part of the show's "Make Stuff Up Tuesday." But that, in our view, doesn't excuse it.

While we always fire off a string of phony stories on April 1 of each year, we take great pains to ensure that the false information doesn't put any of the parties involved in a negative light. It's one thing to say that Barry Sanders is coming out of retirement or that Nick Saban has quit the Dolphins to go work for a second-tier college football program (oh wait that one was true). It's quite another to pin the specter of drug abuse on a guy who has never been tied to drug use.

But, apparently, the Pats aren't going to make a big stink about it because they just want it to go away.

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

The Patriots released TE Marcellus Rivers Tuesday.

Bills QB Trent Edwards will still not be ready to practice today because of a sprained wrist.

The Jets released S Rashad Washington, who committed several costly penalties in recent games.

Says Dolphins coach Cam Cameron, "I've got to do a better job of making sure we eliminate penalties."

Steelers DE Aaron Smith could return Sunday from a sprained knee.

Browns QB Derek Anderson has been sacked only seven times in seven starts; Charlie Frye was sacked five times in the first half in the Browns' opener.

Ravens coach Brian Billick says TE Todd Heap has "rounded the corner" with his hamstring injury.

Bengals RB Chris Perry has been medically cleared to practice for the first time since breaking his ankle almost a year ago.

The Colts have the worst punt coverage in the league.

The Titans have signed DT Demetrin Veal. [Editor's note: I think I had that once at Applebee's.]

Jaguars P Adam Podlesh claims he ran a 4.41-second 40-yard dash in college.

Texans CB Dunta Robinson is holding off on knee surgery while he awaits a second opinion from Dr. James Andrews.

Asked about the play of Chiefs QB Damon Huard, coach Herm Edwards didn't rule out benching him, but added, "There are a lot of things we need to do better, and it's not just the quarterback."

The Chargers' defense will need to be better against Colts RB Joseph Addai than it was against Vikings RB Adrian Peterson.

As badly as the Broncos have played lately, there's a good chance they'll be tied for first place in the AFC West by Sunday night.

Says Raiders coach Lane Kiffin of QB JaMarcus Russell, "We're going to play him when we think he's ready to play and when he can help us win."

The Cowboys like the way rookie WR Isaiah Stanback performed in his first game as a kick returner.

Is it time to label Giants WR Sinorice Moss a bust?

Says Redskins coach Joe Gibbs of rookie S LaRon Landry, "He's what we thought we were going after in the draft."

Eagles coach Andy Reid says he has no plans to bench any players, at quarterback or any other position.

Deion Sanders thinks the Packers have the best cornerback tandem in the NFL.

Lions coach Rod Marinelli gave the players the day off Monday, but many showed up anyway.

Says Vikings WR Bobby Wade of teammate Sidney Rice, "Sidney is progressing, I think, better than any rookie [receiver] I've seen."

If there's any reason for the Bears to be optimistic about the second half of the season, it's that the schedule gets easier.

Falcons GM Rich McKay gets a lot of the blame for the team's lousy season.

They're only a half-game out of first place, and yet the Panthers look like a team without much hope for the rest of the season.

The Saints will see their old coach, Jim Haslett, when they take on the Rams Sunday.

Tampa Bay DE Kevin Carter says of teammate Gaines Adams, "He's improving every week. He listens, he works his butt off."

Seahawks coach Mike Holmgren's assessment of the team at the halfway point: "It's now an eight-game season. . . . We're OK, but we've got to fix this if we want to really do something."

The Cardinals signed OT Brandon Torrey to the practice squad and released QB Matt Baker from the practice squad.

If the 49ers had the 2005 draft to do over again, would they still choose QB Alex Smith first overall?

The Rams are juggling their roster after placing DE Leonard Little on injured reserve.

POSTED 9:56 a.m. EST, November 7, 2007

GOOSE PULLS A KINCHEN?

Last year, ESPN yanked college football analyst Brian Kinchen, a former NFL player who said that something was "kind of gay" during a game broadcast.

This year, FOX's Tony Siragusa has apparently committed a similar on-air faux pas.

It happened during Sunday's Redskins-Jets game, with 9:23 remaining in the third quarter. Returning from a commercial break, the FOX cameras showed images of a couple of waving kids who apparently were at the game with some of Siragusa's family members. (Previously, there had been banter about the presence of Siragusa's brother at the game.)

So play-by-plan man Kenny Albert says over the shot of the children, "Another look at the Siragusa section. Tony did you pay for those tickets?"

Goose says, "Yeah, I did. I did."

The camera then cuts to an image of a man sitting elsewhere in the stands, and he's wearing some sort of an angel costume, with a wig of long white hair.

And then Goose says, softly but audibly, "That's gay."

(We need to thank the reader who pointed this out. It took a while to find it on the DVR, but find it we did earlier this morning.)

So what should FOX do? Regardless of whether the comment merits termination, it reflects an unacceptable level of stupidity and a lack of restraint. Then again, Siragusa doesn't exactly strike us as a master of discretion, and the folks at FOX kind of knew what they were getting when they opted to put him on the air.

Siragusa's shtick is that he does what he wants to do. Unlike every other man that appears on one of these network football broadcasts, Goose never, ever wears a jacket or a tie. He says what he wants, when he wants, how he wants. (Kind of like, say, Don Imus.) Some people like Siragusa's work if for no reason other than it's different from what everyone else who covers the game does.

But this isn't his first brush with controversy, either.

Three years ago, Siragusa apparently intimated that he thinks quarterback Joey Harrington is gay. "I thought he was a little bit too overconfident," Siragusa said of a pregame meeting with Harrington, who at the time played for the Lions. "Just a different kind of guy. Not a meat-and-potato guy but a very sophisticated man. That's as much as I can go into right now."

Last year, Siragusa was at the center of a childish prank that was played on a Panthers fan, who supposedly won a car during a game aired by FOX. "The car is coming in right now," Siragusa said to the winning fan. "Here it comes. Beautiful. It's white. It's a Porsche."

And then Siragusa handed the guy a toy car.

Among those not amused was FOX Sports chairman David Hill, who personally delivered to the fan the keys to a real Ford F-150 pickup truck.

"I take the reputation of FOX Sports very seriously and I don't want it to be sullied," Hill said.

And that's just the stuff we know about. With a guy like Goose, there's always a chance that there are plenty of behind-the-scenes stories involving details that could constitute violations of one or more company polices.

So regardless of whether Goose's most recent remark would be enough standing alone to get him the Brian Kinchen treatment, the fact remains that Siragusa has a history of saying and doing stupid things on the air -- and there's a chance that he might have crossed the line for the last time.

POSTED 9:08 a.m. EST, November 7, 2007

LAKE SPILLS THE BEANS ON BUSH

Jason Cole and Charles Robinson of Yahoo! Sports report that New Era Sports & Entertainment co-founder Lloyd Lake met on Tuesday with NCAA representatives in connection with an ongoing investigation into whether Bush and/or his parents received benefits while Bush was still eligible to play college football.

If it's determined that Bush or his parents (or both) were getting paid while Bush was playing for USC, Bush could be retroactively declared ineligible, which could force him to surrender the 2005 Heisman Trophy.

Also, USC could be compelled to forfeit games in 2004 and/or 2005. In turn, USC could lose its 2004 national championship.

And it all would happen over a measly $291,600.

Rather than settling with Lake, Bush has opted to hunker down. And now that Lake has met with the NCAA, the real damage might already have been done.

Bizarrely, Bush already has bought off Lake's partner, Michael Michaels, who reportedly received between $200,000 and $300,000 in exchange for an agreement not to talk to anyone (NCAA included) about the situation.

So if Bush settled with one, why didn't he settle with both?

Indeed, the settlement with Michaels is worthless absent a settlement with Lake. The confidentiality provision won't insulate Michaels from testifying in the Lake lawsuit, and the NCAA will (or at least should) do everything in its power to get all of the transcripts of the various depositions that will be taken -- and to sit in the front row of the gallery at trial.

I've been practicing law for more than 16 years, and I've seen too many cases where a lawyer's ongoing decisions are tainted by a desire to justify bad advice that was previously given. Here, the Bushes should have been urged to make all of this go away before April of 2006, when it first hit the fan. Since then, there have been more opportunities to fix the situation, but the lawyer for Bush and his parents (David Cornwell) has opted for defiance, hurling unfounded accusations of extortion and stirring up an FBI investigation of Lake and Michaels that died quickly on the vine.

Now that Lake has met with the NCAA, it might be too late to make this right. Since Reggie has refused to give his side of the story to the NCAA, the NCAA is justified in ignoring anything Bush and his lawyers might say or do to denigrate Lake, and in accepting Lake's version of the events as true and correct.

Meanwhile, Uncle Rico should think about clearing some space on the mantle for the trinket that he soon could be putting there.

POSTED 8:38 a.m. EST; UPDATED 8:50 a.m. EST, November 7, 2007

BILLICK IN THE BALANCE?

Not too long ago, we heard on the NFL grapevine that (to our surprise) Ravens coach Brian Billick would have one more year to demonstrate that he has the competence to continue as a head coach.

We're now hearing rumblings in the wake of Monday night's 38-7 debacle in daBurgh, which wasn't nearly as close as the final score suggests, that Billick could be gone after the season if the team doesn't get back on track and make the playoffs.

Few people, if anyone, know what owner Steve Bisciotti ultimately will do. The belief in league circles is that Bisciotti kept Billick after the 2005 season because Bisciotti feared that he wouldn't find anyone better than Billick to take his place. So, in our view, that analysis will always apply to the question of whether Bisciotti brings Billick back for yet another season.

Another factor in this regard could be whether and to what extent Billick made the decision to cut quarterback Derek Anderson, who is now flourishing in the town that the Ravens used to call home, for the team that the Ravens used to be. It's ironic, to say the least, that the Ravens' chronic inability under Billick to acquire and to develop a high-end quarterback has included a decision to discard a player who is turning into one before our eyes.

Then again, there's no guarantee that Anderson would have developed under Billick. And that could be the real problem here. Maybe the failure of quarterbacking play during Billick's tenure hasn't been the fault of the string of quarterbacks, but of the coach. Maybe Billick is a genius at figuring out how to make the O's run rings around the X's on a chalkboard, but a nincompoop when it comes to translating his genius to the guy pulling the trigger.

Regardless, it's becoming more and more obvious that change is necessary in Baltimore. Last season, Billick rose to the challenge after firing offensive coordinator Jim Fassel. This year, Billick has faded badly as the guy calling the plays, and that could be enough to get the Ravens to move on.

PFT UNVEILS ITS MIDSEASON AWARDS

Now that we've passed the nine-week mark of the 2007 season, it's time to hand out the electronic hardware in a broad array of categories on both sides of the ball, and beyond.

The full list of 42 winners (and losers) is right here.

The one thing we didn't do is name an MVP. The PFTV guys have narrowed it down for you. Watch the following clip, and then send us your thoughts on who the MVP should be. We'll announce the winner on Friday.

POSTED 11:01 p.m. EST; UPDATED 11:25 p.m. EST, November 6, 2007

SHULA GIVES PATS MORE MOTIVATION TO GO 19-0

In a recent Ten-Pack entry for SportingNews.com, yours truly suggested (with all due respect and discretion) that the 1972 Dolphins need to shut up.

As ESPN's Sal Paolantonio points out in compelling fashion in his new book, The Paolantonio Report, the '72 Fins are among the most overrated Super Bowl teams of all time. Yeah, they were 17-0. But their opponents were slightly above average at best, and the Miami victories provided scant evidence of dominance.

But their desire to be the only NFL team to ever make it through an entire season without a loss or a tie is obvious. It's so obvious that the coach of the team is already trying to lay the foundation for an argument that a 19-0 record for the 2007 Patriots shouldn't count.

"The Spygate thing has diminished what they've accomplished. You would hate to have that attached to your accomplishments. They've got it," Shula told the New York Daily News. "[Coach Bill] Belichick was fined $500,000, the team was fined $250,00 and they lost a first-round draft choice. That tells you the seriousness or significance of what they found."

As to his contention that an asterisk should be placed next to the Pats' perfect season (if/when it happens), Shula said, "I don't know how people can't agree with that."

We don't agree with it, Don. Though we believe that the evidence of videotaped defensive signals (and the widespread rumors it spawned regarding more nefarious forms of cheating) puts a cloud over the team's past accomplishments (including its three Super Bowl wins), any past cheating means nothing in 2007. The incriminating tape was confiscated at halftime of the first game of the season, against a team that knows that the Patriots were videotaping defensive signals. Surely, it wasn't a factor in Week One.

Nor should it be a factor in any of the other game played this year. Only a complete ignoramus (and Mike Tice no longer is an NFL head coach) would square off against the Pats in 2007 while using defensive signals or any other signals that might have been recorded by New England in the past.

So we think Shula is way off base on this one. And we also think that his decision to tee off on the team that presents the biggest threat to the feats of the '72 Fins will serve only to give the Patriots extra motivation to finish the job.

UPDATE: A reader points out that the Dolphins were nailed by the league for tampering in connection with the hiring of Shula to be their head coach in 1970. The penalty was a first-round draft pick. So if the head coach of the team that went 17-0 two years later was hired through improper means, shouldn't the team's accomplishments with said coach carry an asterisk, too?

TOUGHEST TEST FOR PATS MIGHT COME IN WEEK SEVENTEEN

Speaking of the Patriots and their quest for perfection, the schedule has a couple of potentially significant hurdles. There's a Monday night game in Baltimore on December 3, followed by a visit from the Steelers on December 9.

But the biggest threat to perfection could come in Week Seventeen, when the Pats return to the place where the Spygate scandal was spawned for a game against the Giants.

And while the Patriots would have home-field advantage for the AFC playoffs clinched at 15-0, the Giants could very well need a win to improve their playoff position.

Here's more on the subject from the guys from PFTV.

And here's the kicker. The Pats-Giants game will be played on Saturday, December 29. Only on NFL Network.

You know what that means. For folks not in Boston or New York, you'll need to have NFLN in order to enjoy the game in the comfort of your own igloo.

Don't like it? We don't blame you. As always, you can make your voices heard by clicking the links at the left side of the top of the page.

POSTED 10:05 p.m. EST, November 6, 2007

ALLEGATIONS AGAINST COLTS WON'T DIE

A day after the Indianapolis Colts called suspicions of enhanced crowd noise "ridiculous and unfounded" and (as we hear it) G.M. Bill Polian chastised the media during a radio appearance for giving credence to the claims of "disreputable blog sites" (i.e., us), a photojournalist for WBZ-TV claims that a security guard at the RCA Dome admitted that the Colts pump in artificial crowd noise.

Specifically, Bryan Foley shared with WCBS-TV this conversation that he had with the unnamed security guard: "I asked him, 'Do you go home at night with a headache? Because it's early in the first quarter and my head is already hurting. He said, 'I don't know if you know this, but they actually pick up the crowd noise and pump it back through the P.A."

So the question of whether the odd sound phenomenon heard on television broadcasts when the Patriots had the ball early in the fourth quarter was the result of a CBS equipment error doesn't mean that the Colts don't use artificial crowd noise.

POSTED 9:31 p.m. EST, November 6, 2007

NO EARLY REINSTATEMENT FOR PACMAN

In a move that should surprise no one who has been following this story, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has said that he will not be reducing the one-year suspension imposed on Titans cornerback Pacman Jones.

When issuing his decision in April, Goodell said that he would review the situation after ten games. At Jones' request, the two men met last week in New York.

Though Jones hasn't gotten in any new off-field trouble (yet) since April, he has yet to escape jeopardy for pending felony charges in Georgia and in Las Vegas. In fact, his situation in Vegas had gotten worse since the suspension was imposed.

Moreover, Jones made a mockery of the situation by attempting to become a pro wrestler during his suspension. The Titans ultimately filed suit to prevent him from engaging in any wrestling.

Jones will be eligible to re-join the Titans when they commence their 2008 offseason workouts. The bigger question is whether the Titans want him, and whether they'd be able to trade him to another team that is willing to give the No. 6 overall pick in the 2005 draft a second chance. However, we can't imagine anyone taking a chance on him until all pending legal issues are resolved.

Meanwhile, the PFTV guys sound off on the development.

POSTED 6:22 p.m. EST; UPDATED 6:25 p.m. EST, November 6, 2007

L.J. DONE FOR THE YEAR?

FOX 31 in Denver reports that Chiefs running back Larry Johnson is out for the year.

The report contains no wiggle room; it states as an item of hard news that L.J. is done.

Per the report, the news that Johnson has a broken bone in his foot was confirmed "by a source within the Chiefs organization with direct knowledge of the situation."

The Chiefs are 4-4 and tied for the lead in the AFC West. They host the 3-5 Broncos on Sunday.

UPDATE: A source with knowledge of the situation tells us that tests are not complete, and the team does not yet know the extent of the injury. For now, the unofficial position seems to be the team is unable to make any judgment about Johnson's availability beyond this week.

POSTED 6:12 p.m. EST, November 6, 2007

VIKES DUST OFF DETMER

A week after laughing off the possibility of signing a washed-up, unemployed quarterback to prop up a pathetic depth chart at the position, the Vikings have signed . . . a washed-up, unemployed quarterback to prop up a pathetic depth chart at the position.

Specifically, the Vikings have added Koy Detmer, a former Eagles backup who eventually was re-signed to the team in 2006 not because he can play quarterback effectively but because he's a competent holder.

Detmer, 34, has a career passer rating of 61.2. The guy whom coach Brad Childress publicly dissed last week, Jeff George, is five years older -- and has a career passer rating of 80.4.

So when Vikings coach Brad Childress was asked whether George is on the downside of his career and said, "Downside would probably be -- I think -- kind," couldn't Childress have said the same thing about Detmer?

Look, we're not saying that the Vikings definitely should have signed George. But why not bring the guy in for a look-see? We've always referred to George as having an arm by NASA and a body by Lego. Even if he has lost a little speed off of the fastball, he likely can still bring the heat with the best of them. And it's not as if approaching his 40th birthday would have made him significantly slower or less mobile.

Really, what better way to make a defense pay for crowding the line of scrimmage to stop Adrian Peterson than to have George take a three-step drop and rifling the ball to receivers in single coverage?

Of course, it can never happen now, given that Childress opted to gratuitously -- and foolishly -- dismiss the possibility of kicking the tires on a guy who very well could be much more capable of getting the job done than the guy whom Childress opted to sign.

POSTED 5:43 p.m. EST, November 6, 2007

JENNINGS DONE IN SAN FRAN

Though many league insiders and observers are skeptical about whether 49ers left tackle Jonas Jennings was placed on injured reserve because he actually has an injury that prevents him from playing or because the team decided he was a pain in the butt and didn't want to give him the freedom that he likely craves, a league source tells us that Jennings is legitimately injured -- but that Jennings' days with the team are over.

Per the source, the team is happy to get Jennings out of the locker room.

Jennings was signed to a seven-year, $36 million in 2005. He has played in only 21 of 40 games due to injury and, in Week Five of the 2007 season, he missed a game due to still-undisclosed personal reasons.

Last week, former Niners safety Ronnie Lott ripped Jennings on KNBR for being a "disruptive force" in the organization.

Because the 2006 Collective Bargaining Agreement removed the right of NFL teams to send players home with pay, the Niners' only ability to rid themselves of Jennings for the rest of the year without cutting him was to put him on IR. Though we presume that Jennings could challenge the injured reserve designation, he likely is content to get the balance of his 2007 base salary of $3.65 million and then hit the market again in 2008.

Signed through 2011, Jennings is due to make base salaries of $3.45 million, $4.2 million, $4.3 million, and $5.15 million over the next four seasons. In theory, he could be traded. But he likely would want more money from a new team, which could prevent a deal from getting done.

POSTED 5:08 p.m. EST, November 6, 2007

BENTLEY WON'T BE BACK THIS YEAR

The Cleveland Browns announced on Tuesday that center LeCharles Bentley will remain on the physically unable to perform list for the balance of the 2007 season. The earliest that he'll play, then, is 2008.

Because his initial injury occurred in 2006, Bentley won't be eligible for the PUP list next season. Instead, he'd go on the non-football injury list if he cannot pass a physical at the outset of next year's training camp.

The fact that Bentley won't play at all in 2007 could rekindle the team's consternation regarding Bentley's decision not to have surgery on the new patellar tendon that was placed in his knee after rupturing the original tendon on the first day of training camp in 2006. The new tendon was damaged by a staph infection, and Bentley was considering having a new one inserted. If he had opted for that approach, he would have potentially been ready to go with a fresh tendon in 2008.

As it now stands, Bentley has still missed all of 2007, and if/when he plays again it will be with a damaged tendon.

Bentley was a big-money acquisition of the Browns on the first day of free agency in 2006. At some point, the team is likely to cut the cord on Bentley, if he can't return to the field. He is scheduled to earn base salaries of $2.4 million, $3.4 million, $5.9 million, and $5.9 million from 2008 through 2011, respectively.

POSTED 4:57 p.m. EST; UPDATED 5:26 p.m. EST, November 6, 2007

STROUD SUSPENSION TAKES EFFECT

The NFL has announced that the four-game suspension imposed on Jaguars defensive tackle Marcus Stroud will become effective immediately.

Stroud will be eligible to return the day after the team's December 3 game at Indianapolis.

We previously wrote that Stroud would be able to return for the Colts game, based on reports that Stroud was considering abandoning his appeal so that he could get back in time to face Indy. As it turns out, however, Stroud would have had to cry "uncle" before Sunday's game against the Saints in order to get back in time. We apologize for the error.

Unlike the substance-abuse policy, which entails various lesser forms of discipline before a four-game suspension, the policy on anabolic steroids and related substances triggers an automatic four-game suspension for an initial violation.

POSTED 4:46 p.m. EST, November 6, 2007

MORGAN HEADS TO IR

For the second straight season, Panthers middle linebacker Dan Morgan has landed on injured reserve.

This time around, however, it has nothing to do with his chronic case of bumpus-on-the-nogginus. Instead, it's the result of an Achilles' tendon injury that has not healed despite several week of rest.

Morgan has not played since Week Three.

"It's obviously disappointing and frustrating for Dan, and it's disappointing for us too," Panthers G.M. Marty Hurney said, according to the Charlotte Observer. "He tried to rehabilitate it for six weeks with no significant improvement, so he decided to undergo surgery."

The Panthers have signed fullback Biller Latsko from their practice squad to replace Morgan on the roster. The vacancy on the practice squad was filled by former UCLA quarterback Drew Olson.

POSTED 2:43 p.m. EST, November 6, 2007

LARRY JOHNSON UNLIKELY TO PLAY SUNDAY by Michael David Smith

Chiefs coach Herm Edwards said today that he expects running back Larry Johnson to miss Sunday’s game against the Broncos.

“It will be difficult for him to play this week,” Edwards said, per Randy Covitz of the Kansas City Star. “He’s got a swollen foot … that’s not good.”

Covitz reports that Johnson will continue to be evaluated, and he might miss more than just this weekend's game.

With Johnson out, Priest Holmes is expected to make his first start since October 30, 2005, the day that Shawne Merriman drilled him with a brutal hit that caused a head and neck injury that could have been career ending. Rookie fifth-round pick Kolby Smith, who has never carried the ball in an NFL game, will back up Holmes. The Chiefs might be wishing right now that they hadn't traded Michael Bennett, who started the year as Johnson's backup, to Tampa Bay.

The good news for the Chiefs is that the Broncos rank last in the NFL in rushing yards allowed per game.

POSTED 1:51 p.m. EST, November 6, 2007

CHARGERS' CASTILLO OUT SIX WEEKS by Michael David Smith

San Diego Chargers defensive end Luis Castillo had surgery Monday to repair a torn tendon in his ankle suffered during Sunday's loss to the Minnesota Vikings. The team says he'll miss six weeks and is targeting Christmas Eve against the Broncos as his return date.

The injury to Castillo is a serious blow to the Chargers' defense as San Diego prepares for Sunday's game against the Colts. Jacques Cesaire will start in Castillo's place, and that represents a significant drop-off in talent.

Castillo is a good player, but this is the second straight season that he has missed significant time with an ankle injury. He also suffered a serious elbow injury in 2004, his senior season at Northwestern. He then tested positive for a banned supplement prior to being drafted in 2005, and he sent a letter to all 32 teams saying he took the supplement in an effort to help him train for the combine while recovering from that elbow injury.

Castillo is on the cover of the Spanish language version of Madden '08. Perhaps that version has a curse associated with it as well.

POSTED 12:46 p.m. EST, November 6, 2007

JAGUARS SUSPEND DURANT, COLLIER by Michael David Smith

Vito Stellino of the Jacksonville Times-Union reports that Jaguars coach Jack Del Rio has suspended linebacker Justin Durant and offensive lineman Richard Collier for Sunday's game against the Titans.

Both players were arrested -- in separate incidents -- early Saturday morning. Neither player made the trip to New Orleans for the Jaguars' game against the Saints, and the Titans game will constitute the second game of a two-game suspension for each player.

"We have talked through this thing and want to make sure we send the message where the guys understand this type of behavior isn't going to be tolerated in Jacksonville," Del Rio said. "We need to get this thing tightened up."

Del Rio also said both Durant and Collier will be fined an undisclosed amount, as will offensive tackle Khalif Barnes, who sat out the first half Sunday after being late on Saturday. Barnes has had multiple off-field problems, and when reporters asked Del Rio why he keeps putting up with Barnes, the coach answered, "I evaluate all the time. If we determine a guy can't be trusted and isn't dependable, at some point, we're going to do the best to replace him."

The harshest words came from Jaguars owner Wayne Weaver, who issued a statement saying he was "disgusted with the irresponsible behavior that some of our players have demonstrated." Maybe Weaver is sick of looking at the PFT Turd Watch and seeing the Jaguars always at or near the top of the standings.

POSTED 10:37 a.m. EST; LAST UPDATED 11:10 a.m. EST, November 6, 2007

GET OUT OF JAIL FREE CARD FOR DUNN, BRANION?

Liz Mullen of the Sports Business Journal reported on Monday that Andrew Kessler recently jumped from CAA to Athletes First.

On the surface, the move isn't all that significant. Kessler is a 27-year-old agent who is working his way up the ladder in the ultra-competitive agent business. "He came highly recommended by many teams and others in the industry and we are glad to have him aboard for both his negotiating experience and recruiting abilities," said Brian Murphy of Athletes First in an e-mail that he sent to me on November 1. (Yeah, we had the story and we sat on it. Like the idiots that we are.)

But the implications are huge for guys like David Dunn and Joby Branion of Athletes First, whose faces previously occupied the bull's-eye of the NFLPA's agent dartboard.

Dunn is currently serving an 18-month suspension for conduct that came to light in his litigation with Leigh Steinberg. Dunn also is being investigated, we believe, for violating the terms of the suspension via suspected efforts to recruit new clients and to continue to actively represent existing clients when he otherwise should be disconnected from the business.

Branion also has been suspended for a year due to the alleged violation of NFLPA agent regulations in connection with a potential move by 49ers tight end Vernon Davis to Athletes First. The Branion suspension is pending on appeal.

And Kessler is the son of Jeffrey Kessler, the primary outside counsel for the NFLPA. It was Kessler, for example, who insisted on strong language in the latest CBA protecting players against sweeping bonus forfeitures and paid suspensions. Kessler also handles most of the significant grievances, such as the T.O. fiasco from November 2005.

As we hear it, Kessler and NFLPA general counsel Richard Berthelsen are very close friends. Berthelsen, as we also hear it, is the guy who primarily has been responsible for the aggressive pursuit of Dunn and Branion.

Though none of this means that Dunn and Branion will be able to avoid discipline that already has been imposed, league insiders believe that it potentially throws a wrench into any plans to pursue further charges against Dunn, Branion, or any other Athletes First agents. Like any prosecutorial body, the NFLPA has a wide swath of discretion, and can (if it so chooses) focus on disciplining certain agents and likewise ignore the potential misconduct of other agents.

So the word on the street is that, once the current problems experienced by Dunn and Branion are resolved, the agents at Athletes First will be as immune from scrutiny as CAA's Tom Condon (who represents NFLPA executive director Gene Upshaw) has been.

Or will they? Maybe the real plan is that, if enough of the other agents get suspended into the next decade, Andrew Kessler can take the place over.

Either way, it's another example of the tentacles that can -- and that do -- affect the manner in which justice is dispensed by the NFLPA to the exclusive pool of persons who have the ability to negotiate NFL contracts.

CLARIFYING THE RECENT CAP DEADLINE

There's been some confusion in the media (due in part to a report posted in this space on Monday) regarding a supposed Tuesday deadline for contract extensions that utilize 2007 cap room as salary or as bonus allocation.

So we went to the ultimate source to get the accurate information.

NFL spokesman Greg Aiello told me via e-mail this morning that the deadline relates only to the manner in which salary increases are treated. Prior to the deadline, any base salary increase would be counted only against the 2007 cap. After the deadline, the increase is prorated as if it were a signing bonus.

Aiello also said that the deadline was Monday at 4:00 p.m. So it has already passed.

Thus, if the Pats were to extend the contract of receiver Randy Moss beyond the 2007 season, any increase to his 2007 base salary aimed at chewing up 2007 cap room would only partially count against the 2007 cap. Prior to Monday at 4:00 p.m., any 2007 salary increase would have counted only against the 2007 cap.

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

Asked about LB James Harrison, Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said, "He played a spectacular game; it speaks for itself."

The Baltimore Sun quotes Ravens CB Derrick Martin saying, "I played like [crap]."

Patriots coach Bill Belichick says RB Corey Dillon isn't in the team's plans.

NBC moving Bills-Patriots to prime time means John Madden will go to Buffalo for the first time since 1996. [Editor's note: They're already working overtime to prepare enough wings.]

Add Dan Marino to the list of people who think it's time for the Dolphins to get a look at rookie QB John Beck.

Former Jets WR Wayne Chrebet urged current Jets WR Laveranues Coles not to rush back onto the field after suffering a concussion.

ESPN will air a profile of Browns TE Kellen Winslow tonight that will include reading the love letters he wrote to his wife when they were 13 years old. [Editor's note: "My Dearest Darling, I'm a f--kin' soldier."]

When asked who's to blame for the Bengals' 2-6 record, coach Marvin Lewis said, "We've got enough ability here, enough talent here, players and coaches alike, to be better than where we are, so that's my fault."

The Colts could be without five key players when they take on the Chargers Sunday.

The Titans hope to have RB Chris Brown back from a sprained ankle before they lose RB Chris Henry to a four-game suspension.

Jaguars coach Jack Del Rio says Paul Spicer is the only defensive lineman who's doing a good enough job pressuring opposing quarterbacks.

Texans head coach Gary Kubiak and offensive coordinator Mike Sherman have both been mentioned in connection with the head coaching job at Texas A&M; Kubiak says he's not going anywhere, and Sherman won't comment.

Says Chargers LB Shawne Merriman of Sunday's loss to the Vikings, "When I watched the film I was almost sick."

Chiefs RB Larry Johnson underwent an MRI Monday, but the team isn't saying how serious his injury is.

Says Raiders coach Lane Kiffin of K Sebastian Janikowski just missing a 64-yard field goal attempt, "I'm sure he's going to break the record some day."

As the Broncos continue to slide, is Mike Shanahan's job on the line?

Says Cowboys WR Terrell Owens of a play on which the Eagles ran a cornerback blitz and Owens ran directly into the spot vacated by it for a 45-yard touchdown, "I don't know why they did it, but it didn't work."

Giants WR Plaxico Burress continues to miss practice with an ankle injury.

Redskins coach Joe Gibbs says WR Brandon Lloyd is still in the team's plans.

When asked if Donovan McNabb would be his quarterback for the rest of the season, Eagles coach Andy Reid said, "We'll see how things go here. I'm not going to put that out publicly."

The Packers signed TE Donald Lee to a four-year, $11.88 million contract extension just under the wire.

Lions K Jason Hanson is glad he's no longer hearing comments from fans like, "Nice kick. Your team stinks."

Bears CB Nathan Vasher might get back on the field Sunday after missing the last five games.

The team that scoffed at the notion of signing QB Jeff George will bring in QB Chris Weinke for a workout today.

Said Buccaneers coach Jon Gruden of rookie DE Gaines Adams' first start, "I thought he did some good things. We're going to need a lot more from him."

When asked if QB Matt Moore is ready to start, Panthers coach John Fox said, "It depends on how you define 'ready'."

Saints coach Sean Payton has no plans to replace K Olindo Mare.

Says Falcons coach Bobby Petrino of DE John Abraham, "He puts a great deal of pressure on the other teams' offense. You see them game planning with the protection with their running backs and he's still able to get pressure."

Seahawks coach Mike Holmgren says he needs to call more passes.

Cardinals WR Anquan Boldin thinks some of his teammates are "not paying attention to detail."

The 49ers have placed LT Jonas Jennings on injured reserve.

The Rams have signed S Hank Milligan.

POSTED 9:04 a.m. EST; LAST UPDATED 10:03 p.m. EST, November 6, 2007

AUDIO GLITCH CAUSED BY CBS USING FAKE CROWD NOISE?

CBS has taken the blame for the skipping sound in the crowd noise early in the fourth quarter of Sunday's Pats-Colts game. Some folks believe that the audio glitch was a direct result of attempts by CBS to add crowd noises to the broadcast.

The audio of the incident is right here.

As Chris Mortensen of ESPN mentioned during Monday NFL Countdown prior to the Ravens-Steelers game, some networks have been known to enhance their productions by adding their own canned crowd noise.

We've heard from several sound experts over the past day, and our research confirms that one of them is actually a big wheel in the music and television industry. Here's what said unnamed sound expert had to say about the phenomenon, without prompting:

"The sound was a glitch a digital playback machine, which was providing additional crowd noise to be piped into the broadcast to cover for the crowd's quiet spots, or to enhance the 'up' feeling on a big play. Multiple types of demeanor or 'feels' are available to be triggered, to properly match the game's mood. It does not replace the live crowd, but is used for enhancement. The machine (computer, actually) had a brain fart. It happens."

The problem, as the source pointed out, is that CBS doesn't want to admit that it essentially does in our living rooms what the Colts have been accused of doing at the stadium -- artificially manipulating the live sound.

Still, there are questions as to whether the odd sound effect could be heard in the stadium. Several readers have raised the possibility of checking the radio broadcasts of the game. The fact that the audio of the radio broadcast isn't already saturating the Internet tells us that the phenomenon probably can't be heard in the radio feed. (Still, a reader says that comedian Lenny Clark, who was at the game, insisted this morning on WEEI radio in Boston that he heard the vibrating crowd noise while at the game.)

Our source is nevertheless convinced that the sound could be heard only on television.

"Here's how you can tell it was broadcast only and not in the stadium," the source said. "If you listen closely, there is zero ambience (echo/reverb) on the glitch. It's tight and present, like a skipping CD. If that audio glitched and was in the stadium PA, the repeats would be smeared and much less distinct. The repeat would have it's own echo and ambient sound. It does not. So it was not. For sure. It happened in the broadcast truck. And the dude at the audio console was freaking out, I'll guarantee you. Been there, done that. Not fun."

So it looks like the Colts aren't cheating. Apparently, CBS is.

OPIE AND ANTHONY SPREADING A PHONY BRADY RUMOR?

Several readers are reporting to us that the Opie & Anthony radio show is reporting that Pats quarterback Tom Brady failed a drug test.

We don't buy it at all, and if there's a joke buried in there somewhere, we don't get it.

It sounds like they're just trying to gratuitously stir the pot. If Brady had failed a drug test, Opie & Anthony wouldn't be the ones breaking the news.

UPDATE: Other readers are telling us that Opie & Anthony do something like this every Tuesday, and it's all fake. We suggest that they report next week that Terry Bradshaw is dead.

STEVE YOUNG NEEDS A PIECE

As captured by the official PFT Palm Trēo 755p (available exclusively from Sprint), the image pasted below of Steve Young from Monday night's ESPN pregame festivities reveals that the Hall of Famer is currently opting to rearrange the hair that he still has in an effort to cover up the spots where it ain't.

When using this approach on television, there are two things to keep in mind. First, you need to have enough hair to cover the spots where the hair isn't. Second, you need to refrain from allowing the camera to capture an image of the hole in the corn field.

Steve, lose the vanity. You're not on television because you're pretty, but because you've got useful, intelligent things to say. Usually.

ESPN DISSES THE NATIONAL ANTHEM

One of the most troubling images from Monday night was the sight of Emmitt Smith, Steve Young, and Stu Scott making their game predictions while someone in the background was butchering the melody of the National Anthem, almost as badly as Emmitt would likely butcher its lyrics.

Here's the video, which was harvested by our friends at Awful Announcing.

So how in the world does this happen? We know that the show must go on and that specific time constraints apply, but how in the world did ESPN and the folks at Heinz Field not get together to ensure that Bristol wouldn't be making a toss to the remote desk during the one moment in each major sporting event when we honor the way of life that allows us to enjoy these pastimes as a free and self-governing people?

The burden to avoid such outcomes is, as we see it, on ESPN, since the network that wants to have live shots from the home team's stadium is the entity that is disrupting the pre-existing routine at the venue. Though we like a lot of the people at ESPN and generally respect their work, stuff like this is beyond embarrassing for everyone at the network.

POSTED 8:05 p.m. EST, November 5, 2007

GREEN CLUMSILY CLARIFIES REMARKS

In response to our mention of comments from the son of former Vikings coach Dennis Green regarding the use of canned crowd noise by the Vikes in the 1990s, Sean Jensen of the St. Paul Pioneer Press has contacted Jeremy Green for more information.

"I've been to 60 some games [at the Metrodome]," Green said. "My opinion is, they pipe in crowd noise. I'm not saying I have factual information, or documents, or that my dad ever told me that."

Please.

The initial comments from Jeremy Green sure don't read like opinion, and Green's relationship with the head coach at the time puts him in a great situation to know the facts.

The mere fact that Green would try to backpedal in such lame fashion tells us all we need to know.

POSTED 6:59 p.m. EST, November 5, 2007

COWBOYS ACTIVATE TANK JOHNSON by Michael David Smith

Tank Johnson, the defensive tackle whose career appeared to be in jeopardy this summer after his off-field problems got him suspended by the NFL and cut by the Bears, is close to getting back on the field.

The Cowboys added Johnson to the 53-man roster today after the league took him off the suspended list, with the Cowboys' Sunday night game against the Eagles representing the final game of his eight-game suspension. Coach Wade Phillips said Johnson will play Sunday against the Giants.

"He will be part of our rotation," Phillips said. "I think he'll help us."

Johnson has been practicing with the Cowboys for two weeks, learning to play the nose in Phillips' 3-4 defense. All of his previous experience is as a 4-3 tackle.

Johnson spent two months in jail during the off-season and was suspended for eight games in June. At that time he vowed to become a model citizen, but the Bears cut him a few weeks later after he was pulled over at 3:30 a.m.

Dallas made room on its roster by placing rookie fullback Deon Anderson, who suffered a torn rotator cuff against the Eagles, on injured reserve.

POSTED 5:22 p.m. EST, November 5, 2007

LEONARD LITTLE LIKELY DONE FOR SEASON by Michael David Smith

Steve Korte of the Belleville News-Democrat reports that Rams defensive end Leonard Little will likely be placed on injured reserve at the recommendation of a foot specialist he saw during the team’s bye week.

“The doctor said it wouldn’t heal on its own, and it wasn’t going to feel any better if I did come back and try to play,’’ Little said.

Korte reports that Dr. Robert Anderson told Little that the torn ligament in his foot would not improve without surgery, although Little hasn’t scheduled surgery yet. Little said he'll have to rehab the toe for four months after the surgery.

Little said he took a painkilling shot and some pain pills before the Rams’ game against the Seattle Seahawks on Oct. 21, but that the pain in his foot was still too much for him to play.

Little has just one sack this year -- and that's the play on which he injured his foot.

POSTED 4:59 p.m. EST, November 5, 2007

CUTLER INJURY NOT SERIOUS by Michael David Smith

An MRI today revealed that the leg injury suffered by Broncos quarterback Jay Cutler Sunday is not serious, and Broncos coach Mike Shanahan didn't rule him out for Sunday's game against the Chiefs.

"There's no stress fracture," Shanahan said. "He's a little sore. ... We'll see how sore it is. We'll see how he feels on Wednesday."

Cutler injured his lower left leg in Detroit on Sunday when he was sacked in the second quarter. He was carted to the locker room, then watched the second half from the sideline. Patrick Ramsey played, and played badly, for the rest of the game.

Unless they're certain Cutler can play Sunday, the Broncos will likely sign a quarterback this week. Cutler and Ramsey are the only quarterbacks on the roster, and wide receiver Rod Smith, who would ordinarily be the emergency third-string quarterback, is out for the season with a hip injury.

So desperate are the Broncos for a third quarterback that long snapper Mike Leach warmed up on the sideline during Sunday's game and would have taken snaps if Ramsey had gone down. The Broncos do have a quarterback, Darrell Hackney, on their practice squad, but they would have to move someone else if they wanted to add Hackney to the 53-man roster.

POSTED 4:28 p.m. EST, November 5, 2007

DOLPHINS STICK WITH CLEO LEMON by Michael David Smith

As the Miami Dolphins come off their bye and prepare to play the Buffalo Bills Sunday, coach Cam Cameron announced today that Cleo Lemon will remain the Dolphins' starting quarterback for at least another week.

There has been a great deal of speculation that rookie John Beck, the Dolphins' second-round draft pick, would take over the job for the 0-8 Dolphins, who have started Lemon since Trent Green was lost for the season with a concussion.

"We have two guys who don't have a lot of experience," Cameron said. "We're going to need them both."

When they chose Beck with the 40th pick in this year's draft, it was the highest the Dolphins had chosen a quarterback since they took Dan Marino in the first round in 1983, and there's talk that Dolphins owner Wayne Huizenga would like to see what Beck can do this year.

It makes sense that Huizenga would want to know what his team's long-term future looks like at the game's most important position, but it's also understandable that Cameron doesn't want to go down in history as the first coach to lead a team to an 0-16 record. If Cameron just wants to win a game, the more experienced Lemon gives him a better chance than Beck.

POSTED 2:24 p.m. EST, November 5, 2007

CBS TAKES BLAME FOR SOUND GLITCH

Adam Schefter of NFL Network reports that CBS has taken responsibility for the bizarre sound glitch that has prompted speculation that the Colts were caught red-handed in the act of piping phony crowd noise into the RCA Dome.

Per Schefter, the vibrating sound as the Pats were driving at the start of the fourth quarter was the result of tape feedback in the CBS production truck. Schefter says that the sound could not be heard in the stadium.

We've spoken to some radio folks who also believe that the phenomenon was not the result of a glitch during the use of artificial crowd noise.

Oh well. Controversy is a lot juicier. But even when the truth isn't sexy, we've still got to respect it.

POSTED 2:08 p.m. EST, November 5, 2007

JONATHAN KRAFT ACCUSES COLTS OF CHEATING

Jason Cole of Yahoo! Sports reports that Patriots president Jonathan Kraft, the son of owner Bob Kraft, has accused the Colts of pumping artificial crowd noise into the RCA Dome during Sunday's game between the Patriots and the Colts.

Per Cole, the younger Kraft approached NFL V.P. of Security Milt Ahlerich after Kraft and his parents emerged from the team's locker room after the game. Jonathan Kraft reportedly was angry, and he told Ahlerich that the matter needs to be explored.

Coincidentally, Ahlerich confiscated the videotape of defensive signals made by the Patriots during a Week One win over the Jets.

Earlier on Monday, NFL spokesman Greg Aiello told us that the league is looking into the matter. He reiterated the comments to Cole, adding that "[i]t may just be the TV feed from CBS, but we're checking it out."

POSTED 1:32 p.m. EST, November 5, 2007

GREEN'S SON SAYS VIKES USED TO PUMP IN CROWD NOISE

In a stunning admission that could make it even harder for former Vikings and Cardinals head coach Dennis Green to ever return to the NFL, Green's son said during an ESPN.com chat on Monday that the Vikings used to pump in crowd noise in the 1990s.

Jeremy Green, a former scout who has been with ESPN.com for several years, was asked, "[D]o you believe the allegations about pumping in crowd noise? Have you heard the "skip"?

Green's answer? "I don't doubt it. The Vikings used to do it in the 90's when they had very good foootball [sic] teams."

It is, without question, cheating. It impairs the opposing offense on every play -- and makes key plays with plenty of genuine crowd noise even more challenging.

Nearly two years ago, Commissioner Paul Tagliabue issued a warning that any such shenanigans could result in the forfeiture of draft picks.

Hopefully for the Vikings, the statute of limitations is less than 10 years.

As to the Colts, three members of the current coaching staff worked for Green in Minnesota, including head coach Tony Dungy, offensive coordinator Tom Moore, and defensive line coach John Teerlinck.

As the league source who pointed out Green's comments to us said, "The Commish ain't gonna like this."

POSTED 12:45 p.m. EST; UPDATED 12:55 p.m. EST, November 5, 2007

PATS WERE WITHOUT COACH-TO-QUARTERBACK SYSTEM

New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick said on Monday that his team didn't have the benefit of the coach-to-quarterback radio system for much of Sunday's game against the Colts.

Per Mike Reiss of the Boston Globe, Belichick said that the problems were unusual, and that the situation forced the Pats to use hand signals in order to communicate with quarterback Tom Brady.

The development is filled of irony, since the Pats have in the past been accused of causing similar problems in their home stadium.

With that said, there's no evidence that the Colts had anything to do with it.

T.O. TO GET IN TROUBLE FOR TOUCHDOWN TOWEL?

We've noticed recently that Cowboys receiver Terrell Owens has a habit of waving around his "Touchdown Towel" after scoring. It's an item that Owens sells on his personal web site.

But, as far as we can tell, Owens' item isn't an officially-licensed NFL product. And thus he should not be wearing it or displaying it during games.

NFL spokesman Greg Aiello tells us that the league is looking into the situation. In all fairness to the league's sponsors and to other players who have been fined in the past for such conduct, Owens should be prevented from showing the thing off.

It's no different than the hat for an unauthorized water product that Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher wore at the Super Bowl media day, for which Urlacher was fined $100,000. And it's likewise no different than the headbands that Bears quarterback Jim McMahon wore in 1985.

POSTED 12:19 p.m. EST, November 5, 2007

DEADLINE FOR USING 2007 CAP ROOM COMING

In past years, teams had until the middle of December to complete contracts aimed at taking advantage of the current year's excess cap room.

But the deadline has since been moved into early November. This year, teams have only until 4:00 p.m. EST on Tuesday to execute deals with salaries that count against the 2007 cap, or that contain signing bonus money that is prorated to include a charge in the 2007 cap year.

So what will teams do with any cap room that might remain after Tuesday? It's not a "use it or lose it" scenario. Instead, teams can re-do contracts with players to contain "likely to be earned" incentives in 2007 that, as a practical matter, won't be earned. Then, when the incentive isn't reached, the cap room will carry over to the next season.

And while the NFLPA generally doesn't like the practice of teams carrying over cap room, we doubt that the union will complain after Tuesday, since the alternative will be that the money doesn't get used at all.

POSTED 10:32 a.m. EST; UPDATED 10:50 a.m. EST, November 5, 2007

LEAGUE LOOKING INTO CROWD NOISE PHENOMENON AT RCA DOME

NFL spokesman Greg Aiello tells us that the league is looking into the strange audio phenomenon that occurred near the start of the fourth quarter on Sunday between the Patriots at the Colts.

As explained by some Internet hack on SportingNews.com, the crowd noise made a strange vibrating sound (and then got considerably quieter) in the middle of a New England offensive play.

The audio is right here. (And to prove that we didn't doctor it, the same phenomenon can be heard at the 2:23 mark of the highlight package on NFL.com.)

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

Steelers offensive coordinator Bruce Arians says Ravens S Ed Reed is better than Steelers S Troy Polamalu.

In previous meetings, the Ravens' defense has shut down Steelers RB Willie Parker.

As long as the Eagles keep losing, the questions of whether Andy Reid's family problems are a distraction will keep coming.

Cowboys WR Terrell Owens was named a team captain last week, and he said of his younger teammates, "These guys look to me for some guidance." [Editor's note: Except when figuring out how to take their pain medications.]

Colts LB Gary Brackett said after the loss to the Patriots, "It's Week Nine. We've got a lot of football to play. We're fine."

Contrary to reports that he would be an integral part of Bill Belichick's defensive game plan against the Colts, Patriots LB Adalius Thomas hardly got on the field Sunday; when asked why he said, "I'll let you ask Bill that."

Redskins G Pete Kendall had an especially good game in beating the team that traded him away before the season.

Says Giants GM Jerry Reese of LT David Diehl, "Is he the premier left tackle? Maybe not. But is he a solid left tackle? There's no question he is."

Packers CB Charles Woodson was called for four penalties against the Chiefs, but he says that won't change the way he plays.

Lions WR Roy Williams said after Sunday's win, "You have to name us with the elite teams in the NFC."

The decision of Vikings coach Brad Childress to try a 57-yard field goal just before halftime -- a field goal Antonio Cromartie returned for the longest play in NFL history -- was the only thing that kept the Vikings' win over the Chargers close for much of the second half.

The Bears need WR Bernard Berrian to make more big plays over the second half of the season.

Says Saints QB Drew Brees, "I feel like things are really starting to come together."

Panthers QB David Carr was sacked seven times Sunday and said after the game, "I was a little dizzy."

Buccaneers TE Alex Smith played Sunday, but his injured ankle is still bothering him.

Falcons RB Warrick Dunn had his first 100-yard game of the season.

Seahawks WR Bobby Engram had a career-high 14 catches in Sunday's loss.

After Sunday's loss to the Falcons, 49ers coach Mike Nolan seems to be feeling more heat.

Cardinals QB Kurt Warner said after Sunday's loss, "I'm disgusted. I'm embarrassed. I'm way too good a football player to be part of something we just did out there on the field."

Rams coach Scott Linehan doesn't want to hear about the possibility of going 0-16.

He's not the NFL's best rookie running back, but Bills RB Marshawn Lynch is becoming a triple threat.

The Jets' 1-8 start matches their worst record through nine games in franchise history.

Dolphins GM Randy Mueller claims the team has a talented crop of rookies on the roster.

Browns TE Kellen Winslow had tears streaming down his face as he said after Sunday's win, "We fought as a team and we deserved this."

Bengals RB Rudi Johnson returned from a hamstring injury Sunday but had just nine carries for 11 yards.

Jaguars G Chris Naeole may be lost for the season after suffering a knee injury Sunday.

The Titans continue to win by dominating on defense and playing just well enough to get by on offense.

After Texans RB Ahman Green was forced out of the game with a knee injury, Ron Dayne stepped in with 122 rushing yards.

Broncos CB Dre Bly tackled his former teammate, Lions WR Roy Williams, for a loss of eight yards Sunday, but Williams wasn't impressed, saying, "He didn't hit me. He just laid in front of me, and I kind of slid backwards."

Said Chiefs S Jarrad Page, "As a defense, we feel like we lost the game."

Chargers RB LaDainian Tomlinson rushed for 256 fewer yards than Vikings RB Adrian Peterson.

Said Raiders coach Lane Kiffin of rookie QB JaMarcus Russell, "I think about playing JaMarcus all the time. I thought about playing him when we were down 14."

POSTED 9:12 a.m. EST; UPDATED 10:13 a.m. EST, November 5, 2007

CUTLER WILL HAVE MRI ON MONDAY

Early rumors regarding the possibility that Broncos quarterback Jay Cutler has a broken ankle apparently were a bit off the mark.

But even though X-rays didn't reveal a broken bone, Cutler will have an MRI on Monday. And he had admitted that he's nervous about the possibility of a broken bone.

"[T]here could be a hairline [fracture] in there," Cutler said, according to the Rocky Mountain News. "We'll have to see. Hopefully, it's just a bruise and I'll be able to go next week."

And the Cutler injury is another example of the Broncos playing games with the in-game injury report. On Monday, safety John Lynch's return from a neck injury was listed as probable, even after he took off his pads and watched the game in street clothes. On Sunday, Cutler was listed by the team as questionable to re-enter the game due to a lower-leg contusion.

WE RELUCTANTLY TAKE ISSUE WITH THE KING OF ALL NFL MEDIA

Let me start this one off by saying that I really like Peter King of Sports Illustrated and SI.com and HBO and NBC and it would be easier to just list the media companies with which he's not affiliated. He has been a friend and supporter of the site, and for that we'll always be grateful.

But it looks like Pete took a subtle shot at us in his latest MMQB column regarding our criticism of the Tony Romo deal.

Here's what he had to say: "I've read in some quarters that Tony Romo's contract is not a fair deal for Romo, and he got shortchanged. That is beyond absurd. It is absurd poppycock. The deal is more than fair to Romo, and it's also a good deal for Dallas. It's a classic win-win contract."

Since we didn't see any other criticism of the Romo deal and since we know that King visits the site, we'll presume he was referring to us. And we're okay with that.

But we also disagree with him. Strongly.

Cowboys owner/G.M. Jerry Jones told King that Jones worked off of the contract paid to Rams quarterback Marc Bulger at the outset of training camp. King then compares the pre-2007 stats of Bulger to Romo's pre-contract numbers to support the notion that Bulger and Romo are indeed comparable.

But are they? We don't think so.

Bulger had a winning percentage of .600 before the 2007 train wreck commenced for his Rams. Romo's was .706 entering Sunday night. (It's now .722 after the win over the Eagles.)

Bulger also had a passer rating of 91.3, which has dipped to 88.8 since the start of the 2007 season. Romo was at 95.6 for his career, and moved it to 97.3 with Sunday night's victory.

Plus, there's a lot more buzz surrounding Romo. He makes things happen outside of the pocket. He takes risks, and more often than not makes plays. Bulger is viewed as a slow-footed, injury-prone guy whose best days might be behind him, and who doesn't possess the intangibles necessary to become a truly elite quarterback.

As a league source who has a lot more experience valuing players and negotiating contracts than King and yours truly combined told me last week, Romo is indeed viewed as a significantly more valuable commodity in league circles. The source believes that most teams would give up Bulger and a first-rounder for Romo, without hesitation.

And we doubt that many teams would give up Romo for Bulger and a first-round pick.

The real problem, as we see it, is that Romo and Bulger are represented by the same firm. So if CAA had taken the position as to Romo that the starting point shouldn't have been the Bulger contract but, say, the Mike Vick contract or the Carson Palmer contract, Bulger might have wondered why his agents didn't do the same thing for him.

So Jones (who has no incentive to perpetuate the notion that Romo got rooked) astutely locked onto the Bulger deal, and the agents couldn't take the position that Romo should get a lot more without either implicitly taking the position that one of their clients is a much better player than their other client, or without implicitly admitting that they should have gotten more from the Rams for Bulger.

The reality? If Romo had been represented by agents who didn't feel compelled to work off of the Bulger deal, Romo could have (and likely would have) done better.

Let's play it out from that perspective. If Romo was represented by Joel Segal and if Jerry Jones had called Segal up and said, "Let's start off of the Bulger deal," Segal might have said, "Hold on a minute. My client is a hell of a lot better than Bulger. And I got $37 million guaranteed for Mike Vick more than a year before the salary cap went haywire in 2006. So we're using Vick's deal as the starting point."

If that had happened, Jones' only other option would have been to use the franchise tag on Romo. And with plenty of teams searching for a proven commodity at the position, someone would have ponied up two first-round picks and a poison-pill offer sheet for a crack at Romo. So Jones would have had to use the exclusive version of the franchise tag, which would have cost $14 million guaranteed in 2008. And that number would have moved to more than $16 million guaranteed in 2009.

And Romo would have had his $30 million guaranteed, in only two more seasons. And that would have been $1.5 million more than the actual value of the guaranteed money that he received under his seven-year Marc Bulger-based deal.

If the question is whether a player who went undrafted out of Eastern Illinois and who later signed a seven-year, $69 million contract has been treated fairly, then most people earning far less than $10 million per year would say, "Hell yes."

But if the question is whether Romo got what the market for high-end quarterbacks currently dictates in light of the leverage that was available to him, the only reasonable answer is, "Hell no."

POSTED 8:40 a.m. EST, November 5, 2007

L.J. HAS BAD ANKLE

Lost in the hype and the hoopla of Sunday's historic day in the NFL is that the guy who used to hold the single-season touchdown record could be close to returning to action as a starter.

Specifically, Chiefs running back Priest Holmes could be ascending to the starting role after starter, and Holmes' successor as every-down back, Larry Johnson suffered an ankle injury in Sunday's loss to the Packers.

Johnson suffered the injury in the fourth quarter, and left the field on a cart. He was on crutches after the game.

"He couldn’t put any weight on his foot coming off the field," coach Herm Edwards said. "That's never good. We'll just wait until the week progresses and see what happens."

The Chiefs host the Broncos on Sunday.

Johnson finished with 53 yards on 19 carries, with a touchdown. He also caught two passes for 42 yards and another score.

He also might want to get his checkbook ready, given that he planted a Chiefs' flag in the end zone after scoring in the second half. Props are forbidden, and he'll likely be fined $7,500.

POSTED 7:06 a.m. EST; UPDATED 8:30 a.m. EST, November 5, 2007

JOHNSON MAKES TRIP HOME WITH BENGALS

Bengals receiver Chad Johnson was released from a Buffalo-area hospital on Sunday after being checked out for a neck injury.

Johnson was able to join his teammates and travel back to Cincinnati following the 33-21 loss.

The injury occurred when Johnson was caught between two Bills defenders with 1:53 to play in the game. Johnson was placed on a stretcher and then loaded into an ambulance. The first ambulance broke down while leaving the stadium, requiring a second ambulance to be used.

UPDATE: Says a reader, "Doctors checked out his head, and found nothing."

POSTED 10:04 p.m. EST, November 4, 2007

CROWD NOISE SKIPS AT COLTS GAME?

It's a subject that will be addressed more fully in some Internet hack's Ten-Pack of Week Nine observations for SportingNews.com.

For now, we'll mention only that there are renewed question as to whether the Colts are pumping fake crowd noise into their home games.

Click here for a listen, and stay tuned for more from SportingNews.com.

POSTED 8:30 p.m. EST, November 4, 2007

PETERSON THE ALL-TIME SINGLE-GAME RUSHING KING

On a day that was dominated by Pats-Colts round one, there were a couple of significant developments on Sunday. And both of them came in the same game.

First, Chargers defensive back Antonio Cromartie authored the longest play in NFL history, returning a missed field goal 110 yards for a touchdown on the last play of the first half. (Officially it was ruled as 109 yards. But it looked as close to 110 yards as any play could be.)

Then, Vikings rookie running back Adrian Peterson exploded in the second half, ultimately breaking the NFL single-game rushing record, extending it by one yard to 296.

The mark previously had been held by Jamal Lewis, who rushed for 295 yards against the Browns as a member of the Ravens.

There also could have been more history made on Sunday. Raiders kicker Sebastian Janikowski shtoinked a 64-yard field goal attempt off of an upright. Though 64 yards would have been good enough for an all-time record, the thing would have easily cleared from 70.

Video of the close-but-no-cigar play can be seen right here.

POSTED 4:08 p.m. EST, November 4, 2007

JOHNSON TAKEN OFF ON A STRETCHER

Bengals receiver Chad Johnson has been removed on a stretcher from Cincinnati's game against the Bills.

The injury occurred with 1:59 to play in a game that Buffalo leads, 33-21.

Johnson had three catches for 48 yards at the time of his injury.

POSTED 4:02 p.m. EST, November 4, 2007

PETERSON RUNS ROUGHSHOD OVER BOLTS

Just when it started to look like his romp over the Bears from three weeks ago was an aberration, Vikings rookie running back Adrian Peterson has exploded against the San Diego Chargers.

He is now the first rookie in NFL history to notch two 200-yard rushing games, and he has 251 stripes with more than seven minutes to play.

As Greg Gumbel of CBS said moments ago, "300 is within reach."

Peterson might not get it today. But he eventually will.

POSTED 3:29 p.m. EST, November 4, 2007

HARRISON, UGOH, KEIAHO OUT

The Colts have submitted their list of inactive players -- and three stand out.

Receiver Marvin Harrison, left tackle Tony Ugoh, and linebacker Freddie Keiaho.

Harrison will be replaced by rookie Anthony Gonzalez. Ugoh, another rookie, will be replaced by Charles Johnson.

Keiaho is the replacement for Cato June, the weak side linebacker who signed with Tampa in the offseason. In the Cover Two system, the weak side linebacker can become a star, since the defense is designed for him to run free and make tackles.

For the Pats, tight end Ben Watson (ankle) and linebacker Mike Vrabel (shoulder) are both active, despite being listed as questionable. Starting free safety Eugene Wilson was downgraded to out on Saturday.

POSTED 3:22 p.m. EST, November 4, 2007

CUTLER HAS BROKEN ANKLE?

Early word on the NFL grapevine regarding Broncos quarterback Jay Cutler is that the second-year pro suffered a broken ankle on Sunday against the Lions.

Cutler suffered the injury while being sacked early in the second quarter. He was replaced by Patrick Ramsey.

The Broncos trail the Lions by a whopping 30 points in the third quarter.

POSTED 2:42 p.m. EST, November 4, 2007

CROMARTIE GOES 110 YARDS

Fielding a 58-yard field goal try that fell inches short of the cross bar, Chargers defensive back Antonio Cromartie went all the way to the other end zone for a score against the Vikings at the end of the first half.

The play apparently is being scored as an NFL-record 109-yard return, but Cromartie's back foot was an inch or two from the back of the end zone, and the ball was actually beyond the end line as Cromartie reeled it in.

It's the third touchdown in two weeks for Cromartie, who registered two touchdowns on defense last weekend against the Texans.

So the same field on which the longest running play in league history occurred 24 years ago now has seen the longest play of any kind in NFL history. The Vikings were on the positive side of neither event.

Maybe that'll be enough to get the Metrodome torn down -- and maybe it'll also be enough to get Minnesota coach Brad Childress fired.

POSTED 2:37 p.m. EST, November 4, 2007

SCARY MOMENT FOR TARVARIS JACKSON

Vikings quarterback Tarvaris Jackson suffered a head injury while being tackled late in the first half of Sunday's game against the Chargers.

With the game tied 7-7 and the Vikings trying to score more points before intermission, Jackson pulled the ball down and ran. He initially didn't move after hitting the ground, with his right arm and hand fixed in an awkward position.

Eventually, he sat up and rode off on a cart. Brooks Bollinger replaced him.

On the first snap, Bollinger was sacked quickly. On the next snap, center Matt Birk sent the bail sailing over Bollinger's left shoulder as the quarterback was looking away. Though a penalty on the Chargers wiped it out the ensuing loss of yardage, a voice could be plainly heard yelling, "This ain't Eden Prairie High School!"

POSTED 12:56 p.m. EST; UPDATED 1:15 p.m. EST, November 4, 2007

NO REINSTATEMENT FOR RICKY?

Chris Mortensen of ESPN reports that Dolphins running back Ricky Williams is not likely to be reinstated in conjunction with his second try at getting back in after a one-year suspension.

Per Mort, there is a difference of opinion between the league's doctors and the doctors who treat Ricky for social anxiety disorder. The specific nature of the dispute isn't known.

The Fins likely prefer that Williams not be reinstated during the 2007 season, since the team would then have to decide whether to welcome him back or cut him loose. If he is reinstated in the 2008 offseason, the Dolphins could try to trade him.

PFTV LOOKS AT WHETHER TITANS WOULD BE BETTER OFF WITH COLLINS

When we saw the numbers generated by Titans quarterback Vince Young on his first drive against the Panthers -- four passes, four completions, 22 yards, two rushes, 19 yards, and a touchdown, we realized that we forgot to post the final PFTV segment of the week.

It asks whether the Titans would be better off in 2007 with Uncle Rico on the bench.

Here it is. If Young keeps it up today, please don't watch it.

POSTED 12:35 p.m. EST; UPDATED 12:49 p.m. EST, November 4, 2007

KOREN WILL PLAY

Jay Glazer of FOX reports that Packers receiver Koren Robinson will play on Sunday, which will be his first game action in more than a year.

Robinson, per Glazer, will return kicks and get some reps on offense.

And Robinson realizes that he's down to his last chance. In fact, Robinson told Glazer that if Robinson screws up again, he should be banned -- and never permitted to return.

EMMITT ADDS ANOTHER WORD TO HIS DICTIONARY

After 90 minutes without further expanding his growing lexicon of non-English language, ESPN's Emmitt Smith offered up a new use for a term that doesn't mean what he apparently thinks it means.

Talking about the Colts' defensive backs, Emmitt said, "They do a very good job of flying around on the football field and carousing the football carrier."

Um, we think he meant to say "corralling." Unless he intended to convey the notion that the defensive backs' strategy for stopping opposing offenses is to get the players drunk.

POSTED 12:17 p.m. EST, November 4, 2007

GORE OUT FOR SUNDAY

ESPN's Chris Mortensen reports that 49ers running back Frank Gore will not play on Sunday with a lingering ankle injury.

Gore was injured two weeks ago against the Giants, but played last weekend.

Maurice Hicks and Michael Robinson will get the carries in San Fran's sluggish offense.

POSTED 12:13 p.m. EST; UPDATED 12:22 p.m. EDT, November 4, 2007

NO REINSTATEMENT FOR PACMAN

Jay Glazer of FOX reports that Titans cornerback Pacman Jones will not be reinstated before the end of the season.

Specifically, the chrome-domed Glazer said that Jones has "about as much a chance as I have to regrow hair."

Glazer explained that Jones simply hasn't done what he needed to do to have his one-year suspension reduced. For example, Jones recently threw dollar bills in another wrestler's face, mocking the "make it rain" routine that contributed to the one-year suspension.

Besides, the Titans surely don't want him to be reinstated before the end of the season, since the Titans presumably are hoping to try to trade him in the offseason.

UPDATE: Charley Casserly of CBS confirms that Jones met with Commissioner Roger Goodell on Friday. But Casserly explains (as we have in the past) that the fact that formal charges were filed against Jones in Las Vegas after his suspension was imposed makes it even less likely that he'll be reinstated. Reports published at the time Jones was suspended suggest that Jones would not be reinstated this year unless the Vegas situation is resolved in his favor. If anything, the situation has gotten worse.

POSTED 12:03 p.m. EST, November 4, 2007

COLES, LYNCH, TESTAVERDE AMONG THE EARLY INACTIVES

Our friends at NFL.com have posted the list of inactive players for some of the early Sunday games.

Out for Sunday are Jets receiver Laveranues Coles, Broncos safety John Lynch, Panthers quarterback Vinny Testaverde.

Bengals running back Rudi Johnson is active, and will share reps on Sunday with Kenny Watson, who likely will start.

The full list is right here.

POSTED 11:58 a.m. EST, November 4, 2007

STROUD TO ABANDON APPEAL TO GET BACK FOR COLTS?

Chris Mortensen of ESPN reports that Jaguars defensive tackle Marcus Stroud is likely to abandon his appeal of a four-game suspension for violation of the policy on steroids and related substances so that Stroud will be back for the December 2 rematch against the Colts.

Stroud could have opted to keep the appeal alive for another week, so that he'd be available for next week's showdown with the Titans.

It's a tough call, since there's no way Stroud can be available for both games. We'd make a final decision after Sunday; if the Colts lose and the Jags win, we'd take the suspension sooner rather than later. If the Colts win and the Jags lose, we'd focus on boxing out the Titans for a wild-card spot.

POSTED 11:52 a.m. EST, November 4, 2007

ALVAREZ TO NEBRASKA?

We interrupt our ongoing coverage of all things NFL to share some rumors we're hearing about a college program currently led by a former NFL head coach.

In Nebraska, one-time Raiders coach Bill Callahan is certain to get fired. And there has been plenty of speculation that Nebraska alum Barry Alvarez will take the job. Alvarez retired as head coach at Wisconsin after the 2005 season.

As our sources hear it, it's more than speculation -- it's a real possibility.

And the Nebraska opening is one of many college gigs that soon will be available, and that could attract the attention of guys currently working in the NFL.

POSTED 11:46 p.m. EST, November 4, 2007

NO DISCIPLINARY ACTION FOR REID

Chris Mortensen of ESPN reports that Eagles coach Andy Reid won't be subject to discipline under the Personal Conduct Policy for the struggles of his sons, even though Commissioner Roger Goodell told Falcons quarterback Mike Vick in April, "People living in your house and people on your property is your responsibility."

Mort also reports that a player would likewise not face discipline under the Personal Conduct Policy if his children were in a similar mess as the one that Reid's oldest two kids face. But the separate question, as we see it, is whether the presence under the player's roof of various controlled substances that might have been obtained illegally could trigger scrutiny under the substance-abuse policy, even if there's no evidence that the player used them.

Besides, we don't understand how the highlighted statement above doesn't apply to a head coach, especially since non-players are supposedly held to a higher standard. We think that the league should take a look at what Reid knew and when he knew it -- especially since sons Garrett and Britt presumably were at the team's facility from time to time, and possibly were doing things there that they shouldn't have been doing.

POSTED 11:30 a.m. EST, November 4, 2007

HARRISON STILL UP IN THE AIR

Ed Werder of ESPN reports that Colts receiver Marvin Harrison still might miss the greatest . . . game . . . ever due to a lingering knee problem.

Werder says that coach Tony Dungy is holding his card close to the vest on this one. If Harrison plays, his role is likely to be limited.

And he'll be dealing with the knee problem for the rest of the year, at a minimum.

POSTED 11:27 a.m. EST, November 4, 2007

WATSON IS LIKELY TO PLAY

Sal Paolantonio of ESPN reports that Pats tight end Benjamin Watson is likely to play, despite an ankle injury.

Watson was hurt against the Cowboys three weeks ago, and is listed as questionable for Sunday.

Paolantonio also reports that New England coach Bill Belichick is more intense than usual, if that's possible. He reportedly has been telling the players, "Are you tired of getting your butts kicked by the Colts?"

POSTED 7:17 a.m. EST, November 4, 2007

BUSH COMPLAINT AVOIDS CALIFORNIA AGENT LAW

We've gotten our mitts on a copy of the complaint that was filed on October 30 against Reggie Bush and his parents in San Diego County Superior Court. Though the Bush camp had been prepared to attack the claims that Lloyd Lake gave money to Bush and his parents based on the Miller-Ayala Athlete Agent Act, the legal filing deftly avoids any allegation that money was given to Bush and/or his parents in anticipation of Bush hiring Lloyd Lake and New Era Sports & Entertainment to represent Reggie.

The gist of the complaint is that Reggie Bush, Denise Griffin, and Lamar Griffin formed a partnership aimed at borrowing money from Lake, Michael Michaels, and New Era, with an express representation that the money would be repaid. Paragraph 17 of the complaint alleges that Reggie Bush reaffirmed in writing on January 14, 2006 a commitment to repay the money.

At paragraph 14, the complaint alleges that Bush and family "expressly stated, in a meeting with Plaintiff and New Era Sports in October, 2004, and again in November, 2004, that they have fallen on hard times financially and required immediate and significant financial assistance to support their respective lifestyles."

Paragraph 14 also alleges that the repayment obligation would be deferred until Bush and his parents could afford to pay the money back -- i.e., once Reggie started getting paid as a professional.

Most importantly, paragraph 14 contains a bizarre allegation that Bush and his parents expressly agreed not to borrow or accept money from anyone else without notifying Lake in advance. In paragraph 16, the complaint alleges that Bush and his parents secretly received payments from an unnamed person in October 2005, and concealed these payments from Lake.

Though the name of the person making the payments is not mentioned in the complaint, this presumably is a reference to the Yahoo! Sports report benefits were received by Bush and his parents from Mike Ornstein, who ultimately was hired to handle Bush's marketing efforts.

The brontosaurus in the half-bathroom on this one is the fact that Lake and Michaels were giving Bush and the Griffins money and other benefits in anticipation of the fact that the money would be repaid -- and that new revenue would be earned via fees for representing Reggie's interests once he joined the NFL.

Lake doesn't mention this reality because it could potentially poison his lawsuit from the outset. Bush and his legal team, we'd been told, were going to try to get the case thrown out from the outset based on an argument that any alleged payments made to Bush and to the Griffins were made in violation of the Miller-Ayala Athlete Agent Act. This could have short-circuited the case before the commencement of the discovery period, during which time Reggie Bush will be placed under oath and questioned about every last cent that he might have received while still eligible to play college football.

As it stands, it'll be much harder for Bush and the defendants to get the case pitched before hard questions have to be answered. Sure, there likely will be a challenge to whether Lake has standing to seek money that was ostensibly paid by New Era, especially since between $200,000 and $300,000 reportedly have been repaid to Michael Michaels. But the facts as to how much of the money came from Lake and how much of it came from New Era can't be sorted out without the development of the facts.

And the only way to develop the facts is to start taking depositions.

If we were calling the shots on this one for Reggie, we'd strongly consider advising him to not answer the complaint and to take a default judgment. Since Lake is only looking for $291,600, interest, and litigation costs, we'd be inclined to let the process play itself out without Bush's involvement -- and then to write the check for the final amount. At this point, it's the only way to avoid a requirement that Reggie testify about what he did and didn't receive from Lake, and from others.

How much more than $291,600 could the judgment be? Even if the bill is $1 million, it's a small price to pay from Reggie's ever-growing fortune in order to avoid the public embarrassment and disgrace that would arise from the eventual declaration that Reggie had made himself ineligible as early as October 2004, which would potentially require him to box up the Heisman and send it to Vince Young -- and which also could compel USC to lose retroactively the 2004 national championship.

POSTED 9:37 p.m. EDT; UPDATED 9:43 p.m. EDT, November 3, 2007

TWO PATS DEFENDERS DOWNGRADED TO OUT

The New England have downgraded two defensive players from questionable to out for Sunday's greatest . . . game . . . ever. Starting free safety Eugene Wilson won't play due to an ankle injury. Reserve linebacker Eric Alexander will miss the game with a knee injury.

Neither player participated in practice at any point this week.

The move likely was a result of the fact that neither Wilson nor Alexander accompanied the team to Indianapolis for Sunday's game. Otherwise, the Pats surely would have continued to list them as questionable for as long as possible.

The decision to downgrade Wilson and Alexander implies that the other players listed as questionable made the trip, and possibly will play. The other players listed as questionable this week are linebacker Mike Vrabel, tight end Benjamin Watson, and safety Mel Mitchell.

Also on the injury report is quarterback Tom Brady, who has been listed as probable with a shoulder injury in every game for as long as we can remember.

LIVE BLOG COMING TOMORROW

How can we not do a Live Blog of the biggest regular-season game in NFL history?

We'll get things rolling by 4:00 p.m. EST, and we'll be tracking every move made on the field, every word uttered in the booth, and every comment from every reader who sees fit to send one in.

We're tempted to continue the Live Blog through the Cowboys-Eagles game. But even though my aspiration is to someday die at the keyboard, I don't want that someday to be, you know, tomorrow.

POSTED 5:41 p.m. EDT; UPDATED 5:45 p.m. EDT, November 3, 2007

TWO JAGS BUSTED, IN SEPARATE INCIDENTS

The "days without an arrest" counter has nudged back into double digits, and now it's time to set it back to zero.

Two members of the Jacksonville Jaguars were arrested early Saturday, according to the Florida Times-Union.

Second-year offensive tackle Richard Collier and rookie linebacker Justin Durant were busted in separate incidents. Collier was arrested for DUI, and Durant was charged with resisting arrest without violence.

Collier, per the Times-Union, is still in jail. Durant was a second-round draft pick in 2007. Both players did not accompany the team for its road trip to New Orleans.

COLLIER SUSPENDED

A league source tells us that the Jaguars already have suspended offensive tackle Richard Collier in the wake of his Saturday morning DUI arrest. However, rookie linebacker Justin Durant, a second-round pick in the draft who was busted in a separate incident, has not yet been suspended.

POSTED 4:58 p.m. EDT, November 3, 2007

PACKERS CAP SHENANIGANS THE CAUSE OF THE GOODELL MEMO?

Several readers have been trying to help us figure out the catalyst for the Friday memo from NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell requiring all owners to submit a weekly statement in which they expressly state that they authorize any new contracts or renegotiations, and that they have read the documents.

Some of our readers thought that the e-mail might have been caused by the Antonio Bryant situation. Bryant has sued the league to block the imposition of discipline under the substance-abuse policy, and the paperwork and media reports suggest that Bryant was and/or is poised to sign with another team. But since the new procedure applies only to new contracts and not to mere negotiations, the Bryant case most likely isn't the reason for the change.

A couple of other readers have raised a much more intriguing possibility. Bob McGinn of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel recently reported that, on October 23, the Green Bay Packers recently signed tight end Ryan Krause from their practice squad. His one-year contract with a prorated base salary of $510,000 also included a $4 million "likely to be earned" incentive that kicks in only if Krause blocks more than six punts over the balance of the season.

It would be quite an impressive feat, especially since Krause doesn't play on the punt block team.

Because these types of incentives are characterized under the CBA as "likely to be earned," the cap charge applied when the deal was signed. If/when Krause doesn't earn the incentive, the money gets pushed into the next cap year.

It's a fairly common device. Earlier this year, the Vikings used the tactic to push $13.2 million in 2007 cap money into 2008 when extending the contract of defensive tackle Pat Williams.

But the NFL Players Association isn't keen on the practice, since it essentially takes money out of the pockets of the players and pushes it into a future cap year. "What you don't want is all that money taken out of the pool for other players who might get contract extensions during the season," a union source told Jason Cole of Yahoo! Sports in September.

Our guess? After the Krause contract was reported, the union went bonkos. The league office looked into the situation, and Packers president Bob Harlan (since there's no specific owner of the publicly-held team) said that he didn't know that the front office had pulled of the cap maneuver. So, as a result, the league office has decided to intercept any future efforts by owners to rely upon the "I don't know nothing" defense by requiring all of them to affirmatively state that they are aware of any new contracts, and that they have read them.

POSTED 2:13 p.m. EDT, November 3, 2007

FINES LEVIED FOR QUARTERBACK HITS

Week Eight's games resulted in multiple fines against defenders who banged around quarterbacks.

Panthers defensive tackle Kris Jenkins was fined $7,500 for driving the right shoulder of Colts quarterback Peyton Manning into the ground late in the third quarter of Indy's 31-7 win over Carolina. Jenkins was flagged on the play for roughing the passer.

Also, Chargers cornerback Drayton Florence was fined $15,000 for a helmet-to-helmet shot against Texans quarterback Matt Schaub, which gave Schaub a concussion and will knock him out of Sunday's game against the Raiders.

Finally, Eagles defensive end Juqua Thomas was fined $7,500 for pulling the facemask of Vikings quarterback Kelly Holcomb and ramming his head into the ground. Thomas did not draw a penalty. Several other fines were levied for other violent acts beyond the scope of the rules in that same game.

POSTED 1:58 p.m. EDT, November 3, 2007

GORE IS A GAME-TIME DECISION

The question of whether 49ers running back Frank Gore will play on Sunday will be resolved at game time. He was a limited participant in practice all week.

Gore sprained an ankle two Sundays ago against the Giants. He played last week against the Saints, rushing for 41 yards.

Gore has only 435 yards rushing for the full season, and three touchdowns.

POSTED 10:50 a.m. EDT, November 3, 2007

COMMISH E-MAIL ON CONTRACTS CAUSES CONFUSION

A league source tells us that NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell circulated via e-mail on Friday a requirement that all owners submit on a weekly basis a signed authorization as to any contracts or renegotiations into which their teams entered during the preceding seven days.

Some league insiders are troubled by the administrative burden that this will create, especially in cities where the owner is not constantly in the same building as the folks who are working out the contracts.

But the bigger question being asked is, "Why?" What would prompt the Commish to direct all 32 teams to create documentation verifying that the owner has reviewed the contracts and has authorized them to be signed?

The only conclusion that we've been able to draw is that one or more owners fear that contracts are being finalized without their knowledge or approval, and that these owners -- one or more than one -- have lobbied the Commissioner to create a system that prevents this from happening.

If that's the case, it's a sad commentary on the ability of the owner(s) in question to control his (or, in St. Louis, her) own operation. Why not simply implement an in-house rule mandating that all contracts come through the owner's office -- and threatening consequences if there is a failure to comply?

Then again, it's possible that the owner(s) in question don't want to risk creating an internal problem by laying down the law. By persuading the league office to promulgate a rule that applies across the board, the owner(s) who wanted the change are insulated from any friction.

POSTED 9:40 a.m. EDT, November 3, 2007

SOME NOT SURPRISED BY HENRY SUSPENSION

A league source tells us that some league insiders are not surprised by the news that Titans rookie running back Chris Henry has been suspended four games for violation of the policy on anabolic steroids and related substances.

There were warning signs of a potential problem, the source said. "He posted some of the better combine numbers ever after having a fairly mediocre college career," the source said. "People in league circles were somewhat incredulous that he could post the times he did. He became one of the annual workout warriors who elevated his draft status."

Though the source doesn't know whether Henry's workout numbers were pharmaceutically enhanced, news of the suspension is prompting him and others to wonder whether there's a connection.

Henry was the 50th overall selection in the 2007 draft, and the fourth running back taken.

POSTED 9:28 a.m. EDT; LAST UPDATED 9:45 a.m. EDT, November 3, 2007

BIG SHOW SUGGESTS TIME OFF FOR REID

Seahawks coach Mike Holmgren, who was a mentor for Eagles coach Andy Reid in the 1990s, believes that Reid should strongly consider stepping aside in light of the current disarray in his family.

"If that situation comes up in anybody's family, I would think you would have to take a hard look at taking time off, of doing something to try and salvage the thing," Holmgren said, according to the Associated Press.

Reid has stubbornly insisted that he won't step aside during the season. But we think that, once the 2007 season ends, Reid will indeed step aside -- whether he wants to or not.

We also think that Reid will be nudged, either by the league or by the Eagles. At a time when the NFL's image is taking a seemingly endless series of body blows due to the criminal conduct of players, the portrait of the Reid household that was presented on Thursday by Judge Steven O'Neill could prompt some to believe that players are having problems because their coaches are so obsessed with getting ready to win football games that they don't pay enough attention to whether their families, or their players, are complying with the law.

Ironically, however, the Eagles are one of a handful of teams who have had no criminal arrests or convictions since we launched the Turd Watch game on the Monday after the Super Bowl.

But that doesn't change the fact that Reid's apparent failure to take control of his household has created a string of embarrassments for the Eagles and the league, due to the chronic misbehavior of Reid's oldest two sons.

And while it's easy to say that Reid has no responsibility -- legal, moral, or otherwise -- for the actions of adult men who share his name and lineage, the fact remains that (as Judge O'Neill disclosed on Thursday) the boys were heavily medicated in response to sports injuries suffered when they were youths, and that they both were permitted to fall into the grips of addiction under Reid's roof. At a certain point, shouldn't Reid have said to them, "You've got two choices: Get clean or get out."

After all, there are three younger Reid children in that same house, and they have been exposed to the examples set by their brothers. They also probably knew more about what Garrett and Britt were up to than their parents did.

WILL EAGLES BE INSPIRED TO WIN?

We've previously heard that the Philadelphia Eagles have found extra motivation via their desire to rally around embattled coach Andy Reid. If so, it could be a long night for the Dallas Cowboys when the two teams get together at Lincoln Financial Field on Sunday night for the nightcap to the greatest . . . game . . . ever.

But, at a certain point, the players will grow weary of the situation, finding it to be more of a drain on their mental preparations than a source for enhanced desire to win.

The reality, as we see it, is that Reid's fate is in their hands. If the team falls apart, the pressure from the media (with the exception of Mini-Reid) and the fans will be too intense to ignore. If the franchise pulls together and leapfrogs its way to a playoff berth, all might be forgiven.

Even then, there's a chance that media and fans will argue that the Eagles could have done even better if Reid wasn't distracted.

Such criticism and scrutiny might be unfair, but it goes with the territory in an industry that likes to perpetuate the notion of 18-hour days and unrelenting focus on preparing for each weekend's opponent. If there's a coach who can't give that same degree of attention to the job and if his team is perceived to be underachieving, the obvious conclusion (right or wrong) is that the team's struggles arise directly from the limitations on the coach's ability to grind as hard as his 31 peers.

UPDATE: Wow. I just saw a report from ESPN's Sal Paolantonio, during which two players (running back Correll Buckhalter and cornerback Sheldon Brown) openly bemoaned the fact that players would be suspended if their houses were full of drugs. So while the players might have previously felt bad for their coach, the latest revelations might have been enough to prompt them to begin to emotionally disconnect from the boss. Also, Paolantonio wrapped his report by saying that Reid told his assistants, "No matter what, I'm staying on the job for the rest of the season." In our view, Paolantonio's implicit message to the audience was that, after the season, all bets are off.

PFTV ASKS WHETHER THE SAINTS ARE BACK

In another PFTV segment from the past week, Florio and Brocato look at whether the New Orleans Saints have regained contender status with a three-game winning streak that followed an 0-4 start.

Here it is.

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