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POSTED 10:02 p.m. EDT, September 23, 2007

HALL BEAT UP IN FALCONS LOCKER ROOM?

There are uncorroborated rumors making the rounds that Falcons cornerback DeAngelo Hall was beat up, presumably by one or more teammates, following a Falcons loss that was fueled in part by Hall's inability to control his emotions.

After being flagged for a total of 67 yards on a second-half drive that the Panthers used to tie the game, Hall got into a sideline confrontation with coach Bobby Petrino.

We don't know for sure whether Hall was indeed roughed up or otherwise accosted by teammates after the game, but it wouldn't surprise us to find out that the rumor is true. Hall is a brash and outspoken member of the organization, and his Virginia Tech ties to Mike Vick probably have prompted some in the locker room to view him differently in the wake of Vick's legal troubles. Today's actions would have potentially been enough to get a frustrated Falcon to convert hostile feelings toward Hall into action.

POSTED 9:19 p.m. EDT; UPDATED 9:25 p.m. EDT, September 23, 2007

WARD SUFFERS LEG INJURY

The status of Steelers receiver Hines Ward is cloaked in mystery after he made an early exit from Sunday's win over the 49ers with what is reported to be a bruised leg bone.

Per the AP, Ward suffered the injury after getting hit by San Fran safety Mark Roman. Ward let the game and did not return, but the team did not announce his injury until after the game ended.

Ward was seen in the team's locker room in street clothes during the fourth quarter, and left with two minutes remaining in the game without talking to reporters.

Doctors reportedly were seen showing X-rays to team officials, but it's not known what the X-rays reveal. It's also not known whether Ward hurt his left leg, or his right leg.

"There will be further tests and we'll have more information on that area later on," coach Mike Tomlin said.

NEW TEN-PACK IS UP

As many of who might have noticed by now, the Ten-Pack feature that I used to post every Tuesday or Wednesday now appears every Sunday on SportingNews.com.

The first part of this week's edition is up. You can read it right here. (But then come right back here after you're done.)

Among the takes is a look at arguably the biggest gaffe of Emmitt Smith's highlight reel of misspeak on ESPN.

POSTED 8:02 p.m. EDT, September 23, 2007

HUARD ALMOST GOT BENCHED

During the 2007 preseason, the starting quarterback job in Kansas City was Brodie Croyle's to lose.

And lost it he did.

But, per Jay Glazer of FOX, Croyle almost got another chance to lose the job on Sunday. Glazer reports that Chiefs coach Herm Edwards was pondering the possibility of benching Damon Huard if his performance didn't improve in the second half of Sunday's win over the Vikings.

Huard's performance indeed improved, and Croyle will remain No. 2, at least for another week.

For the day, Huard completed 20 of 29 passes for 206 yards and a touchdown, to rookie receiver Dwayne Bowe.

POSTED 6:09 p.m. EDT, September 23, 2007

CULPEPPER MAKES HIS RAIDERS DEBUT

Quarterback Daunte Culpepper is getting his first action as a member of the Oakland Raiders.

The move wasn't the result of a benching of starter Josh McCown. Instead, McCown suffered an injury to his left foot/ankle in the first half. McCown returned after a brief appearance by Culpepper. Since the beginning of the second half, it has been all Culpepper for the Raiders.

McCown completed six of 12 passes for 108 yards and a touchdown. He suffered a right foot injury late in a Week One loss to the Lions

POSTED 3:59 p.m. EDT, September 23, 2007

FAVRE TIES MARINO

With a touchdown pass that put the Packers ahead of the Chargers late in the game, quarterback Brett Favre matched Dan Marino's record of 420 career touchdown passes.

Favre will likely break the record next weekend, in Minnesota.

It's a great accomplishment for a guy who has played in every game since the early stages of the 1992 season.

POSTED 3:53 p.m. EDT, September 23, 2007

BRENDA'S HUBBY STILL HAVE SOME LIFE IN HIM

Replacing an injured Matt Leinart, Cards quarterback Kurt Warner is turning the clock back against one of the best defenses in the NFL.

Leading the Cardinals back from a 20-3 deficit, Arizona now trails by only three points, thanks to two touchdown passes from Warner to Anquan Boldin.

And, as of this posting, the Cardinals have the ball and are in Baltimore territory.

POSTED 3:44 p.m. EDT, September 23, 2007

TWO MORE TOUCHDOWNS FOR MOSS

Pats receiver Randy Moss is already making the most of his stint with the Pats and quarterback Tom Brady.

After a slow start on Sunday, Moss has five catches for 115 yards, and two touchdowns.

That gives him 22 catches for 405 yards and five touchdowns in three games. And it projects to 117 catches for 2,160 yards and 26 touchdowns. As to yardage and receiving touchdowns, both would be NFL records.

POSTED 3:33 p.m. EDT, September 23, 2007

WHITE LIGHTNING STRIKES IN PHILLY

Eagles receiver Kevin Curtis, who signed with Philly as a free agent in March after being courted by the Detroit Lions, is blowing up in his third game with a new team.

Curtis currently has 10 catches for 216 yards and three touchdowns. He tied an NFL record with 205 yards in the first half of Sunday's game.

On Monday Night Football, quarterback Donovan McNabb introduced Curtis as "White Lightning," one day before comments from McNabb regarding the criticism of black quarterbacks sparked a controversy.

POSTED 3:25 p.m. EDT, September 23. 2007

NOT MANY CLOSE GAMES SO FAR

The early games for Week Three won't be inducing much nail-biting.

Of the nine games that kicked off at 1:00 p.m. EDT, the point difference is currently 10 or more.

So keep an eye on Chargers-Packers, Rams-Bucs, and Vikings-Chiefs down the stretch.

POSTED 2:18 p.m. EDT; UPDATED 2:47 p.m. EDT, September 23, 2007

LOSMAN OUT FOR BILLS

Bills quarterback J.P. Losman was knocked out of his team's game at New England on the first drive of the game. Losman suffered an apparent leg injury.

On his last play, Losman was hit by Pats defender Ellis Hobbs, and fumbled the ball. It was recovered by New England defensive end Jarvis Green.

The injury apparently came two plays earlier, however, when Pats defensive tackle Vince Wilfork pulled a von Oelhoffen, drawing a roughing the passer penalty. A fine is likely coming.

Rookie Trent Edward replaced Losman. The third-round draft pick from Stanford is, as of 2:15 p.m. EDT, four of seven for 55 yards. He led the Bills to a touchdown, and they led the game, 7-3. Since then, however, the Pats woke up -- and lead 17-7 at the half.

RANDOM OBSERVATIONS FROM THE EARLY GAMES

We got a decent response from last week's mid-afternoon looks at the early games. So, what the heck? Let's do it again.

Lions receiver Calvin Johnson is out with a back injury in Detroit's game against the Brazilian soccer team.

Cardinals-Ravens isn't available in HD on DirecTV, making it a little bit harder to read Brian Billick's lips as he barks out various profanities.

The Niners are feeding tight end Vernon "the Predator" Davis after he went to coach Mike Nolan during the week and asked for the ball. The former Maryland Terrapin's longest gain came from a screen pass that gave him a chance to show off his blazing speed.

Steelers KR Allen Rossum justified the trade for him just before the start of the season by taking one to the rectangle while the home team was trailing 3-0.

On one play, Lions QB Jon Kitna lined up in the slot for a moment before going back under center. Either Mike Martz has a new wrinkle in the playbook or Kitna sill has a concussion.

Bills linebacker Paul Posluzny suffered a broken arm against the Pats.

Vikings receiver/punt returner Bobby Wade runs like he's moving in slow motion.

Chiefs defensive end Jared Allen is a freaking beast. If he can stay sober until March, he's gonna make a lot of beer money.

Steelers cornerback Bryant McFadden made a great save of a punt at the goal line against the 49ers.

Jets KR Leon Washington took a kick return to the house, and gave no one the finger in the process.

Lions receiver Roy Williams was carrying the ball like it was a freshly-baked potato during a long catch and run; at one point, Williams lifted the ball with one hand over an Eagles defender who was trying to tackle him.

Matt Vasgersian called Sidney Rice "Simeon Rice."

Later, Vasgersian said that six penatly flags and three challenges flags thrown in the first half of the Chiefs-Vikings game made the field look like "a national holiday in Spain."

Eagles tackle Jon Runyan punched a helmetless Dewayne White in the head/neck, but no flag was thrown.

Vikes corner Antoine Winfield did an Indiana Jones-style slide under a falling Crazy Joe Davola to tackle Chiefs tailback Michael Bennett.

A former Steelers coach who works for CBS is almost as bad at reading highlights as is a former Steelers quarterback who works for FOX.

Chargers QB Philip Rivers completed 16 of his first 17 passes, but L.T. is still in an early-season funk.

Rams QB Marc Bulger is struggling against the Bucs.

The Colts are in a tight one with the Texans, whose offense is showing the loss of Andre Johnson.

POSTED 12:42 p.m. EDT; UPDATED 12:51 p.m. EDT, September 23, 2007

PLAX WILL PLAY

Jay Glazer of FOX reports that Giants receiver Plaxico Burress will play with an ankle injury.

Other notes from Glazer include that Eagles running back Brian Westbrook will play, Eagles safety Brian Dawkins won't play, and the injury suffered by Vikings quarterback Tarvaris Jackson could linger, if Kelly Holcomb can get it done in Jackson's absence.

WHY DOES ESPN EVEN BOTHER WITH FANTASY COVERAGE?

The segment with the ears-for-radio guy on ESPN's Sunday NFL Countdown has been airing roughly 25 minutes before the start of the early games.

But with a two-hour pregame show, why hold that information for so long? By 12:35 p.m. EDT, most fantasy owners have made their decisions and locked in their rosters.

Maybe ESPN has opted to wait until then to entice the most viewers possible to watch. But if ESPN were hoping to lure and hold audience based on fantasy info, wouldn't they bleed it out over the full 120 minutes, like they do with the scoops from Chris Mortensen?

Our only conclusion is that ESPN really doesn't care about covering fantasy football, but throws in a perfunctory (thanks, Tiki) fantasy segment on the back end of the show so that they'll have some street cred with the fantasy geeks.

Hey, at least the guy who does the ESPN fantasy thing has figured out how to pronounce "Edgerrin."

POSTED 12:20 p.m. EDT, September 23, 2007

CHAD WILL START FOR JETS

Chris Mortensen of ESPN reports that quarterback Chad Pennington will start for the Jets on Sunday, despite a high ankle sprain.

But Mort hints that a controversy could be emerging, given that the team was happy with the performance of Kellen Clemens last week against the Ravens.

As to the other New York team, Mort says that receiver Plaxico Burress, who also has an ankle injury, continues to be a game-time decision.

POSTED 12:14 p.m. EDT, September 23, 2007

REX ON A SHORT LEASH?

Jay Glazer of FOX reports that, if Bears quarterback Rex Grossman plays poorly on Sunday night against the Cowboys, he could be benched next week at Detroit, or the following week at Green Bay.

Grossman was inconsistent a year ago. This year, he's been consistently bad.

If Grossman gets benched, the starter would be Brian Griese.

The Bears don't have a bye until Week Nine, which means that there won't be a two-week opportunity to get Griese ready until early November 8.

POSTED 12:08 p.m. EDT, September 23, 2007

HOLCOMB TO START FOR THE VIKINGS

Jud Zulgad of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports that quarterback Kelly Holcomb will start on Sunday against the Chiefs. Starter Tarvaris Jackson will be the No. 3 quarterback.

Zulgad also reports that running back Chester Taylor will be inactive for the second consecutive week.

POSTED 12:04 p.m. EDT, September 23, 2007

MAKE YOUR PICKS FOR THE PFT PICKS CHALLENGE

There's still time to make your picks for the PFT Pick Challenge, since we now don't lock out the ability to make picks until at least 30 minutes before the game.

So click here and make your picks. (Or register first, if you haven't yet. If take 30 seconds.)

Prizes are available. And you could get the satisfaction of kicking my butt -- all of my picks, by the way, are posted in the place where you make your picks.

POSTED 11:58 a.m. EDT, September 23, 2007

TEXANS HOPE TO GET TO MANNING WITHOUT BLITZING

Ed Werder of ESPN reports that the Houston Texans hope to put pressure on Colts quarterback Peyton Manning without having to blitz, which would allow the team to keep seven men in coverage.

The job falls to a defensive line that features first-rounders Mario Williams and Amobi Okoye.

Werder also reports that running back Ron Dayne won't play for the Texans on Sunday. So if you have Ron Dayne in your fantasy starting lineup, you might want to pull him out. (And you should also consider finding another hobby, unless you're in a league with Emmitt Smith, Britney Spears, and Charles Nelson Reilly, whose ability to be successful in fantasy football is limited by the fact that he's, you know, not alive.)

POSTED 11:45 a.m. EDT, September 23, 2007

IN-GAME CONCUSSIONS CONTINUE TO BE A PROBLEM

ESPN's Chris Mortensen addressed during Sunday NFL Countdown the handling of players with concussions. As to whether the Lions should have allowed quarterback Jon Kitna to re-enter the game after he suffered a concussion against the Vikings, Mort says that the team doctors believed that the symptoms were gone.

But how closely did they check? The conversation could have gone like this:

Q: "Jon, are you lightheaded or do you have a headache?"

A: "If I say 'no' can I play?"

Q: "Sure."

A: "Okay, then yes."

Q: "Don't you mean 'no'?"

A: "Nice to meet you."

The issue of concussions isn't supposed to be funny, but it is. Primarily because it's so ridiculous. And, given Mort's comments regarding the experiences last weekend of Dolphins linebacker Zach Thomas, the best way for a player to ensure that he won't get yanked is to simply avoid the doctors altogether.

Mort reports that Thomas simply didn't interact much with the doctors, so no one knew he had a concussion. So he was able to keep playing.

The message to the NFL is clear -- it's time to take real steps to keep players with concussions from re-entering the game. To get there, the league apparently must first come up with a way to identify who they are.

POSTED 11:12 a.m. EDT; UPDATED 11:36 a.m. EDT, September 23, 2007

EMMITT'S SHOW PREP IS SHOWING

We're officially calling on ESPN to immediately sever ties with Emmitt Smith.

We've unofficially suggested over the past few weeks that Emmitt is unfit for the job, but his latest gaffe is one of the worst we've ever seen.

Asked during a spot on Sunday morning's SportsCenter which of the 0-2 teams that was the most likely to fall to 0-3, Emmitt Smith picked . . . the Chargers.

The Chargers. It's can't be the Chargers. Because the Chargers are 1-1.

(Disclaimer: We didn't catch it live, but we've been flooded with e-mails about it.)

ESPN -- the all-time leading rusher in the NFL is embarrassing you, arguably more than anyone else ever has on camera. Dump him. Now.

And if you're not prepared to fire him, start firing off the memos reminding him that this job requires him to do something more than to merely show up and shoot the breeze. He needs to actually be following the sport.

Including, for example, knowing which of the teams haven't won a game, especially when you most likely know you're going to be asked a question of which of the winless teams will remain winless.

UPDATE: ESPN has actually posted the video of this dreadful gaffe. Please, look away. If you can.

PFT MEDIA FANTASY CHALLENGE GETS INTERESTING

There were shouts of joy from various members of the PFT Media Fantasy Challenge when yours truly took it on the chin last week from Adam Schefter of NFLN, given the widespread belief that I rigged the player draft in the League Manager system that was provided to us at no charge by NFL.com.

For the record, I have surrendered all records relating to the fantasy draft to the Commissioner of the League, who has destroyed the materials. (Oh, and the Commissioner of the League is, well, me.)

Last week, Schefter schwapped me by 15 points, 94-79. Elsewhere, Tom Curran of NBCSports.com trumped Paul Allen of KFAN, Sean Jensen of the St. Paul Pioneer Press took down Michael Fabiano of NFL.com, 102-89, and Dave Richard of CBSSports.com thumped Jeffri Chadiha of ESPN.com (who went with Brandon Jacobs as a starting running back . . . doh!), 107-63.

Nancy Gay of the San Francisco Chronicle squeezed out a one-point win over Seth Wickersham of ESPN The Magazine, 67-66. Adam Schein of Sirius NFL Radio pounded Mike Freeman of CBSSports.com, 108-81. Gregg Rosenthal of Rotoworld.com, with the highest point total of the second straight week, conquered Adam Caplan of Scout.com, 119-95. And Todd Wright of Sporting News Radio handled Eddie George of FSN, 92-71.

This week, yours truly takes on George. (If he wins, he gets to take over the site for a week; If I win, I get a certain trophy with the old guy making an awkward stiff arm that would never really work on impact, since his center of gravity is way out in front of his legs.) Also, Fabiano faces Gay; Wickersham takes on Richard; Chadiha squares off against Allen.

Two of the three Adams -- Schein and Schefter -- have each put up one of their monogrammed sweaters on the outcome of their game. And it's Freeman against Caplan, Rosenthal against Wright, and Curran versus Jensen.

POSTED 10:51 a.m. EDT; UPDATED 11:00 a.m. EDT, September 23, 2007

BROWN, GEORGE DISAGREE WITH DONOVAN

On FSN's Pro Football Preview, former NFL players Tim Brown and Eddie George both expressed disagreement with Donovan McNabb's much-publicized comments regarding criticism of black quarterbacks versus criticism of white quarterbacks.

"I totally disagree with that comment," George said.

"I think it's because of the market that he's in that he might feel that way. They don't respect anybody in Philadelphia. Not Santa Claus, Charles Barkley, Allen Iverson. It goes on and on."

CAMPBELL ON IR . . . WHO CARES?

One of the top stories currently on the ESPN.com NFL page declares that the Lions have placed tight end Dan Campbell on injured reserve due to an elbow injury that he suffered in the team's Week Two win over the Vikings.

Do the Lions even use a tight end? It seems like, on pretty much every play, the Lions have four receivers on the field.

Sure, the lack of a starting tight end potentially hurts the running game. On the rare occasions on which the Lions run the ball. Through two weeks, the Lions have run for only 164 yards -- and have passed for 682.

POSTED 7:59 p.m. EDT; LAST UPDATED 11:11 p.m. EDT, September 22, 2007

RAIDERS CUT TRAVIS TAYLOR by Michael David Smith

Adam Schefter of NFL Network is reporting that the Oakland Raiders have released wide receiver Travis Taylor.

Taylor was brought in this year, in part, to make up for the departure of Randy Moss. In fact, replacing Moss has become a regular feature of Taylor's career; that is also why the Minnesota Vikings acquired Taylor in 2005.

Taylor was thought to be a favorite of Raiders owner Al Davis, but he didn't seem to have much of a role to play in coach Lane Kiffin's offense. He was inactive for the Week One loss to the Lions and played but didn't catch a pass in the Week Two loss to the Broncos.

As a vested veteran, Taylor's 2007 salary became potentially guaranteed when he was on the opening day roster, so the Raiders are still on the hook financially, if Taylor opts to take the balance of his base salary as his one-time termination pay.

The Baltimore Ravens took Taylor with the 10th overall pick of the 2000 draft. Although he's never lived up to those lofty expectations, he's just 29 years old and is likely to find a job somewhere else, most likely with a team that suffers a string of injuries at wide receiver.

WEEK TWO KORDOZA LINE REPORT

After two full weeks of action, let's take a look at the quarterbacks who currently reside on the wrong side of the career passer rating of 70.7 generated by Kordell Stewart. It's the unofficial line of demarcation between the so-so and the bad quarterbacks.

The guys who make the list are, from highest to lowest: Alex Smith, 69.1; Donovan McNabb, 68.8; J.P. Losman 68.3; Josh McCown, 68.0; Damon Huard 66.5; Drew Brees, 66.4; Jason Campbell, 66.3; Matt Leinart, 66.2; Steve McNair, 63.7; Kellen Clemens, 60.2; Rex Grossman, 55.1; Tarvaris Jackson, 40.0.

At the other end of the spectrum are Tom Brady, 134.2; Tony Romo, 119.3; Jeff Garcia, 116.8; Jake Delhomme, 112.2; and Matt Schaub, 111.4.

POSTED 1:33 p.m. EDT, September 22, 2007

MORE TROUBLE FOR BARRET ROBBINS by Michael David Smith

Former Raiders center Barret Robbins is facing extradition to Florida after a warrant was issued for a probation violation, but the Miami-Dade state attorney's office said authorities have been unable to find him.

It's just the latest in a string of legal and personal problems for Robbins, who was selected to the Pro Bowl in 2002 but is best known for going AWOL just before the Raiders played in Super Bowl XXXVII.

Robbins' probation stems from a 2005 incident in which he fought with police officers answering a burglary call. Robbins was shot three times during that incident. As part of his plea agreement, Robbins was ordered to continue treatment for bipolar disorder, but authorities have reportedly learned that he has stopped treatment after returning to his native Texas.

Robbins stayed with the Raiders after the Super Bowl and was their starting center the next season, but he was released in 2004, shortly after it was revealed that he had tested positive for the steroid THG.

POSTED 11:25 a.m. EDT, September 22, 2007

EX-COWBOYS DON'T LIKE TANK SIGNING by Michael David Smith

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has taken some criticism this week for his decision to sign defensive tackle Tank Johnson, who is currently serving an eight-game NFL suspension.

But the criticism hasn't just come from sports writers. Two members of the media who were also key players on the Cowboys' 1990s Super Bowl teams have come out against the decision to sign Johnson.

"I think Jerry Jones has made a huge mistake, because this is not about giving a guy a second chance," former Cowboys fullback Daryl "Moose" Johnston said on his Sirius NFL Radio show. "This is just about doing anything you can to win a championship, which is fine when you do it with integrity and ethics. And this decision lacks integrity, and it lacks ethics."

And Hall of Fame former Cowboys quarterback (and current Fox analyst) Troy Aikman said signing Johnson sends the wrong message and suggests that Jones values winning more than character.

That accusation was often lobbed at Jones when Aikman and Johnston were on the team (though not because of anything Aikman or Johnston did). Then, in the late '90s, Jones promised to clean up the Cowboys' image. Now that it's been more than a decade since the Cowboys won a playoff game, maybe Jones thinks a clean image isn't worth it if it goes hand in hand with a losing football team.

POSTED 10:03 a.m. EDT, September 22, 2007

VINCE YOUNG FINED $7,500 by Michael David Smith

Jim Wyatt of the Tennessean reports that the NFL has fined Titans quarterback Vince Young $7,500 for throwing the ball at Colts defensive back Kelvin Hayden Sunday.

Young was flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct on the play, earning the Titans a 15-yard penalty. Although Young hasn't commented about the fine, he said of the penalty after the game that he was just reacting to Hayden hitting him out of bounds.

"Things happen," Young said. "They're always going to flag the second guy. They caught me in the act and that's why they flagged me. That's the ref's game, they're going to do what they have do to call a good game.''

Colts safety Bob Sanders was among a handful of Indianapolis players who said Young spent a good portion of the game talking trash and making hand gestures at their sideline.

"I didn't think that was smart on his part," Sanders said. "He was running around talking and clapping and chanting. I'm like, 'Look, we're hitting you. Are you serious? You're going to start acting like that?' "

Young has had a good start to his NFL career and has the potential to become one of the league's big stars, but it's time for him to learn how to conduct himself as a professional quarterback. Hitting a teammate in the helmet with your throwing hand, getting benched for preseason games for leaving the team hotel and getting 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalties aren't the ways NFL quarterbacks are supposed to conduct themselves. Titans coach Jeff Fisher has no doubt told Young that this week.

POSTED 8:38 a.m. EDT, September 22, 2007

JONES TO PLAY SUNDAY?

As another member of the Philadelphia Eagles (tight end L.J. Smith) will miss action on Sunday, their opponents from Motown could be getting a relatively significant player back.

Kevin Jones, out since last season with a Lisfranc injury, hopes to make his return in a game that will be played close to his hometown.

"I'm really optimistic. I'm excited," Lions coach Rod Marinelli said Friday, according to the Detroit Free Press. "I feel good about it. We'll wait and see. Each morning is a new adventure."

One of the unknowns is swelling, and Jones will wear a compression sock when the team flies to Philly on Saturday. But if the foot looks good, Jones could give the running game a kick in the butt.

"It only makes us better," quarterback Jon Kitna said. "We're a better football team with the option of having him in the backfield, too. He was a dynamic player for us last year in a really tough situation."

Jones has purchased 35 tickets for his first pro game in Philadelphia. If he can play and if the Lions can drop the Eagles to 0-3, Jones might not ever be able to return.

SATURDAY MORNING ONE-LINERS

Ohio State coach Jim Tressel isn't worried about foes stealing signs. (Hey, when you've got the best players money can buy, you can just tell the other team what defense you're running.)

From the "Sometimes It's Hard To Convey Sarcasm In Writing" file, Falcons quarterback Joey Harrington has never been criticized.

Here's a look at the other 10 guys who help Devin Hester take it to the rectangle.

Rick Herrin of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram lists five ways to stop Hester.

From the "Now We Know How This Guy Managed To Overdose On Pain Pills" file, Cowboys receiver Terrell Owens still doesn't understand how a rule that says "don't use the ball as a prop when celebrating a touchdown" triggered a fine after he . . . used the ball as a prop when celebrating a touchdown.

Cowboys TE Jason Witten was fined $5,000 for a crackback block against the Fins.

Chargers QB Charlie Whitehurst returns to the field where his dad, David, helped set up the overwhelming sense of gratitude that Packers fans experienced when Brett Favre arrived.

Now that the Bears have cleared out quarterbacks coach Wade Wilson, QB Rex Grossman has really blossomed. (Okay, it was easy to convey sarcasm that time.)

Due to linebacker injuries, the Bengals could be playing a lot of nickel and dime on Sunday.

The Jags aren't calling DT John Henderon's concussion a concussion -- which in Jack Del Rio/Mike Tice logic means that there's no way that they can ever be accused of pressuring Henderson to return too early from a concussion.

Bucs QB Jeff Garcia isn't bashful about telling coach Jon Gruden that they need to call a different play.

The guys in the PFT Media Fantasy Challenge are starting to call each other out in their own writings.

Should the woman who blew a slam-dunk murder prosecution be calling the guy who beat the rap "stupid"?

Is it any surprise that former NFL players are starting to blame their own bad behavior on their pro football careers?

Though this picture is a few days old, it's probably a good thing that the Jags aren't playing at home this week:

Here's a look at the next great NFL running back -- if he can take the pounding.

Giants WR Plaxico Burress (ankle) will be a game-time decision.

The Jets have added LB Jonathan Vilma and RB Leon Washington to special teams.

Bears LB Brian Urlacher skipped practice on Friday with back soreness, but is listed as probable (i.e., virtually certain to play) on Sunday.

Cowboys QB Tony Romo, on why he wasn't drafted: "Probably because I [stunk]. I mean, I really wasn't all that good."

The son of former NFL RB/KR David Palmer is in hot water.

Former NFL OT Mike Pearson nearly lost part of a finger in Canada.

If it wasn't for the Giants, would Tiki Barber have anything to talk about?

Eagles QB Donovan McNabb didn't wear a knee brace at practice on Friday.

POSTED 10:17 p.m. EDT, September 21, 2007

CHILDRESS MUM ON SUNDAY STARTER

With No. 1 quarterback Tarvaris Jackson listed as doubtful with a groin injury, Vikings coach Brad Childress won't disclose the name of the starter for Sunday's game at Kansas City. Even to his team.

Jackson hasn't practice as all this week, and probably has less than the 25 percent chance of playing that the "doubtful" label implies. So it comes down to either Brooks Bollinger or Kelly Holcomb.

"I don't see the upside of putting it out there," Childress said on Friday. We assume/hope/pray that when Childress talks about "putting it out there," he's referring only to the question of whether he should name his starting quarterback before Sunday.

If he is, we feel compelled to point out that the two possible starters are . . . Brooks Bollinger and Kelly Holcomb. Not Montana and Young. Or Unitas and Morrall. The Vikings' options are closer to Abbott and Costello than to any of the great 1-2 punches of days gone by.

So we suspect that Herm Edwards and his staff won't be losing any sleep over the next couple of nights trying to figure out which of the two journeymen will be dropping the ball onto the grass, or throwing it into the guts of the guys with the red jerseys.

The Vikings, by the way, haven't won in Kansas City since 1974, and Sunday's game will be only their fourth trip to Arrowhead ever.

POSTED 6:21 p.m. EDT, September 21, 2007

FRIDAY INJURY REPORT

It's the weekly doubtful/questionable/probable routine. (And it's probably doubtful that you'll derive any entertainment from this questionable offering.)

Cardinals: C Al Johnson (knee) is out; DT Alan Branch (hand) is questionable.

Ravens: DT Trevor Pryce (wrist) and OT Jonathan Ogden (toe) are out; TE Daniel Wilcox (ankle) is doubtful; RB Justin Green (thigh) and CB Samari Rolle (illness) are questionable; T Jared Gaither (knee), CB Corey Ivy (thigh), QB Steve McNair (groin), CB David Pittman (ankle), S Gerome Sapp (foot), LB Gary Stills (knee), and TE Quinn Sypniewski (neck) are probable.

Bills: DE Ryan Denney (foot), LB Keith Ellison (ankle), and LB Coy Wire (knee) are out; WR Sam Aiken (groin), G Brad Butler (shoulder), CB Terrence McGee (ribs), and CB Ashton Youboty (hip) are questionable; WR Josh Reed (thigh) is probable.

Patriots: G Steve Neal (shoulder), WR Donte' Stallworth (knee), WR Kelley Washington (hamstring), S Eugene Wilson (ankle), and G Billy Yates (shoulder) are questionable; QB Tom Brady (right shoulder) is probable.

Panthers: LB Adam Seward (calf) is doubtful; S Deke Cooper (thigh) and DE Stanley McClover (thigh) are questionable.

Falcons: TE Dwayne Blakley (pectoral) and DT Roderick Coleman (knee) are out; T Wayne Gandy (hamstring) is questionable; DE John Abraham (quadricep), S Chris Crocker (knee), and WR Laurent Robinson (hamstring) are probable.

Bengals: LB Rashad Jeanty (shin), S Ethan Kilmer (knee), and WR Tab Perry (hamstring) are out; LB Ahmad Brooks (groin), C Eric Ghiaciuc (thumb), and LB Lemar Marshall (groin) are doubtful; T Willie Anderson (foot), WR Antonio Chatman (hamstring), and S Nedu Ndukwe (hamstring) are questionable; WR T.J. Houshmandzadeh (knee), S Dexter Jackson (back), CB Deltha O'Neal (knee), DE Bryan Robinson (foot), and DE Frostee Rucker (hamstring) are probable.

Seahawks: WR D.J. Hackett (ankle) and TE Bennie Joppru (ankle) are out; RB Maurice Morris (hip) and WR Ben Obomanu (hamstring) are doubtful; LB Kevin Bentley (back) is questionable; RB Shaun Alexander (wrist) and T Sean Locklear (knee) are probable.

Browns: LB Willie McGinest (back) is out; S Gary Baxter (knees) and P Dave Zastudil (back) are doubtful; S Mike Adams (wrist), CB Leigh Bodden (groin), S Brodney Pool (concussion), and G Isaac Sowells (personal) are questionable; LB Antwan Peek (foot) is probable.

Raiders: LB Isaiah Ekejiuba (foot) is out; RB Oren O'Neal (hamstring) and LB Robert Thomas (hamstring) are doubtful; DE Derrick Burgess (calf), C Jeremy Newberry (hamstring), and CB Duane Starks (groin) are questionable; RB LaMont Jordan (back) and QB Josh McCown (foot) are probable.

Lions: TE Dan Campbell (elbow), LB Anthony Cannon (quadricep), and RB T.J. Duckett (ankle) are out; DE Kalimba Edwards (ankle) and RB Kevin Jones (foot) are questionable; T Jeff Backus (knee) and DT Shaun Rogers (knee) are probable.

Eagles: TE L.J. Smith (groin) is out; CB Lito Sheppard (knee) is doubtful; S Brian Dawkins (neck) and RB Brian Westbrook (knee) are questionable; K David Akers (left quadricep), WR Hank Baskett (back), S Sean Considine (knee), WR Kevin Curtis (quadricep), QB A.J. Feeley (left hand), DE Jevon Kearse (shoulder), and T Tra Thomas (back) are probable.

Colts: TE Dallas Clark (neck), T Ryan Diem (neck), and LB Rob Morris (abdomen) are questionable.

Texans: WR Andre Johnson (knee) is out; CB Fred Bennett (thigh), DE Earl Cochran (knee), and RB Ron Dayne (chest) are questionable; RB Ahman Green (knee) and DE Ndukwe Kalu (hand) are probable.

Jaguars: C Brad Meester (ankle) and K Josh Scobee (right quadricep) are out; DT John Henderson (head) is questionable; TE Greg Estandia (illness), LB Clint Ingram (ankle), WR Matt Jones (heel), DT Tony McDaniel (knee), G Chris Naeole (back), and CB Brian Williams (ankle) are probable.

Broncos: S Hamza Abdullah (hip), G Ben Hamilton (concussion), and T Ryan Harris (back) are out; TE Stephen Alexander (calf) and CB Domonique Foxworth (ankle) are questionable; CB Dre' Bly (shoulder) is probable.

Dolphins: S Donovin Darius (calf) and LB Zach Thomas (concussion) are out; QB Trent Green (ankle) and G Rex Hadnot (shoulder) are probable.

Jets: WR Jerricho Cotchery (shoulder), CB Andre Dyson (foot), G Brandon Moore (shoulder), QB Chad Pennington (ankle), DT Dewayne Robertson (knee), and S Eric Smith (thigh) are questionable; CB David Barrett (thigh), LB David Bowens (hand), RB Thomas Jones (calf), TE Joe Kowalewski (shoulder), and RB Stacy Tutt (foot) are probable.

Vikings: QB Tarvaris Jackson (groin) is doubtful; S Darren Sharper (hip), S Dwight Smith (hamstring), RB Chester Taylor (hip), and WR Troy Williamson (hamstring) are questionable; S Mike Doss (calf) is probable.

Chiefs: WR Eddie Kennison (hamstring) is out; S Jon McGraw (hamstring) and T Damion McIntosh (knee) are probable.

Giants: RB Brandon Jacobs (knee) and WR Steve Smith (shoulder) are out; WR Plaxico Burress (ankle) is questionable; CB Kevin Dockery (ankle), QB Jared Lorenzen (ankle), WR David Tyree (wrist), and LB Gerris Wilkinson (knee) are probable.

Redskins: G Randy Thomas (triceps) is out; S Vernon Fox (groin) and CB Fred Smoot (hamstring) are questionable; DE Phillip Daniels (foot) is probable.

Chargers: WR Eric Parker (toe) is out; LB Matt Wilhelm (calf) is doubtful; T Shane Olivea (back) is questionable; LB Stephen Cooper (neck) and S Clinton Hart (hamstring) are probable.

Packers: DE Mike Montgomery (knee) is out; RB Vernand Morency (knee) is doubtful; LB Desmond Bishop (shoulder) is questionable; T Chad Clifton (ankle), TE Bubba Franks (knee), CB Al Harris (back), DE Cullen Jenkins (wrist), WR Greg Jennings (hamstring), DT Johnny Jolly (heel), WR James Jones (hamstring), DE Aaron Kampman (rib), T Tony Moll (neck), S Aaron Rouse (hamstring), G Jason Spitz (calf), DT Corey Williams (ankle), and CB Charles Woodson (hip) are probable.

49ers: LB Manny Lawson (knee) is out; WR Jason Hill (hamstring) is questionable; TE Billy Bajema (ankle), WR Arnaz Battle (groin), C Eric Heitmann (ankle), WR Darrell Jackson (back), and S Michael Lewis (ribs) are probable.

Steelers: TE Matt Spaeth (quadricep) is out.

Rams: CB Tye Hill (back) is out; G Richie Incognito (ankle) is doubtful; LB Pisa Tinoisamoa (ankle) is questionable; QB Marc Bulger (ribs) and G Claude Terrell (thigh) are probable.

Buccaneers: DE Patrick Chukwurah (knee), WR Ike Hilliard (ankle), and CB Brian Kelly (groin) are questionable.

Cowboys: LB Greg Ellis (Achilles) and WR Terry Glenn (knee) are out; CB Terence Newman (foot) is questionable; RB Oliver Hoyte (neck) is probable.

Bears: DE Alex Brown (ankle), C Olin Kreutz (ankle), P Brad Maynard (groin), and LB Brian Urlacher (back) are probable.

Titans: TE Casey Cramer (hamstring) is out; CB Cortland Finnegan (hamstring) and P Craig Hentrich (back) are questionable; C Kevin Mawae (knee) is probable.

Saints: S Jay Bellamy (ankle) is out; DT Kendrick Clancy (toe) is questionable; S Josh Bullocks (knee) is probable.

POSTED 3:53 p.m. EDT; LAST UPDATED 5:25 p.m. EDT, September 21, 2007

UPSHAW, VINCENT FINALLY VISIT EVERETT

Nearly two weeks after Bills tight end Kevin Everett suffered a life-threatening spinal injury and more than a week after NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell visited with Everett, NFLPA executive director Gene Upshaw and president Troy Vincent checked in on Everett in Buffalo.

Upshaw and Vincent made the trip a day before Everett was moved to Texas, where his rehab will continue -- and where he could be walking again soon.

Though it's better that Upshaw and Vincent visited Everett late than never at all, it was a massive P.R. blunder (we believe) for Upshaw and Vincent to wait for so long, especially at a time when the NFLPA is being criticized by many for not doing enough to care for former players who suffer from injuries sustained on the field.

Then again, perhaps it wasn't much of a blunder because there wasn't nearly as much criticism of Upshaw as there should have been.

As to Vincent, the fact that more than 10 days passed is particularly surprising, since as of last year at this time Vincent and Everett were teammates.

And it's not as if Vincent has anything else to do. Vincent hasn't gotten a sniff from any of the 32 NFL teams, prompting some to question how Vincent can continue to be the president of the NFLPA when he's not even in the NFL.

Per the NFLPA Constitution, however, Vincent can be the president as long as he is still an active member. And he can be an active member even without being under contract with a team, as long as he is "actively seeking employment as a professional football player."

Surely, however, the process of "actively seeking employment as a professional football player" will end. Some believe that Vincent's process of "actively seeking employment as a professional football player" won't terminate until he is in a position to succeed Upshaw.

MORE FRIDAY AFTERNOON ONE-LINERS

The Black Hole is blacked out for the first time this season.

Since the 1990 season, a total of 18 teams that started 0-2 made it to the playoffs; that's an average of roughly one per year.

Some Internet hack writes for SportingNews.com that the Cowboys could finally get payback for 1985.

To the chagrin of fantasy owners, the Cowboys are still splitting reps between Julius Jones and Marion Barber.

Packers WR James Jones has a hamstring injury.

Packers coach Mike McCarthy won't say whether seventh-round rookie RB DeShawn Wynn will supplant second-round rookie RB Brandon Jackson as the starter.

In response to a suggestion from coach Jack Del Rio that WR Matt Jones is too laid back, Jones essentially yawned.

Lions RB Kevin Jones expects to play on Sunday.

Colts QB Peyton Manning has a 119.3 career passer rating against the Texans, with 25 touchdowns and only four interceptions in 10 games.

Texans coach Gary Kubiak says the worst-case scenario for WR Andre Johnson is that he'll miss five weeks. (Where have we heard that number before?)

ESPN's Sal Paolantonio nails it regarding the whole McNabb situation in Philly.

Colts S Bob Sanders is getting Thursdays off to ensure that he'll be available when needed.

Jags K John Carney was the oldest guy in the NFL -- for a week or so.

The Vikings are getting some motivation for Sunday's game with the Chiefs from something K.C. DL Turk McBride said during HBO's Hard Knocks series.

POSTED 1:12 p.m. EDT; UPDATED 1:55 p.m. EDT, September 21, 2007

THOMAS COULD MISS SUNDAY WITH CONCUSSION

Dolphins linebacker Zach Thomas wasn't diagnosed with a concussion during of after the team's Week Two game against the Cowboys. But after experiencing some symptoms consistent with a case of bumpus-on-the-nogginus, Thomas is being tested for a concussion.

And he could miss Sunday's game against the Jets.

"In a lot of cases, the player wants to play," coach Cam Cameron said. "Sometimes you've just got to take a deep breath, and sometimes it's tough. You know what it means to lose a player like Zach Thomas. But there is a lot bigger picture out there that you are accountable to."

Amen, Cam. If only more coaches could think so clearly about the subject when guys get their "bell rung" during games.

As to Thomas, he didn't miss a snap against the Cowboys, but felt "a little lightheaded" after the game. He was experiencing migraines on Wednesday, one of the classic post-concussion effects.

If Thomas can't play, Channing Crowder would likely slide to the middle, and Donnie Spragan would start on the outside.

FRIDAY AFTERNOON ONE-LINERS

Falcons WR Roddy White is finally making an impact.

Cards rookie DT Alan Branch (hand) practiced Thursday and could make his debut on Sunday.

Even though he admitted that he was criticizing the officials, Ravens coach Brian Billick won't be fined for criticizing the officials.

The Bills are huge underdogs for their Sunday visit to Gillette Stadium.

Despite three drops on Sunday, Panthers QB Jame Delhomme plans to keep throwing the ball to WR Keary Colbert.

Panthers OL Jeremy Bridges expects to start after serving a two-game team-imposed suspension arising from a July arrest.

With the Bears switch to man coverage against T.O.?

The Bengals realize that they need to contain Seahawks RB Shaun Alexander. (And hopefully they realize that they didn't contain Jamal Lewis.)

POSTED 11:16 a.m. EDT; LAST UPDATED 12:05 p.m. EDT, September 21, 2007

VIRGINIA CHARGES AGAINST VICK WILL BE DELAYED

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports that Surry County, Virginia prosecutor Gerald Poindexter apparently will not be pursuing state-level charges against suspended Falcons quarterback Mike Vick when a grand jury convenes on September 25.

Poindexter said on Thursday that he likely we will wait until after Vick is sentenced on federal conspiracy charges in December, because at that point Poindexter will be in a better position to obtain some of the evidence that the feds collected.

Regardless of whether Poindexter proceeds now or later, he apparently will be proceeding.

"There will be state prosecution," Poindexter said. (Given some of his past inconsistencies, however, we wouldn't be surprised to read next week that he has decided to punt.)

Though it's prudent for Poindexter to get as much evidence as he can relating to the things that the feds found on Vick's property, Poindexter can get an indictment on charges of gambling, dog fighting, and cruelty to animals merely by making a bunch of copies of the "summary of facts" that Vick signed last month, and distributing them to the grand jurors.

So why not proceed? Vick has admitted to actions that violate several provisions of Virginia law. What's he gonna do, plead not guilty?

TAKE THAT, PEYTON

We mentioned a couple of weeks ago the new Sprint game called Manning's Mind. It's a trivia challenge that pits the user against Peyton Manning, with the outcomes of "plays" on offense and defense determined by whether the user correctly answers a question multiple-choice question about the NFL.

We tried it out at the time, and liked it a lot. Earlier this morning, I played a full game . . . and tattooed my initials on Manning's forehead.

Final score? 40-6.

Want a crack of your own at the Super Bowl MVP? Click here to get started.

By the way, you don't have to be a Sprint customer to play, and it's completely free.

But if you're not a Sprint customer, what's the deal? It's time to ch-ch-ch-change it. Right now. Sprint supports the NFL like no other wireless provider, and Sprint is the official telecommunications partner of your favorite NFL-related web sites, ProFootballTalk.com and NFL.com.

So dump that other phone and get a Sprint phone. Now. Click the ads on this page for more info.

And then go to ManningsMind.com and take another piece out of Peyton's posterior.

WASTE YOUR WORKDAY WITH PFTV

Okay, instead of posting the weekly PFTV segments in one-at-a-time chunks this weeks, we're putting them all up right now. Watch as many (or as few) as you'd like.

But at least watch some of them, if for no reason other than to check out Joe Brocato's Father Flanagan look.

Besides, it's Friday afternoon. What else are you gonna do, work?

PFTV PREVIEW: COLTS-TEXANS

PFTV PREVIEW: CHARGERS-PACKERS

PFTV PREVIEW: COWBOYS-BEARS

PFTV PREVIEW: TITANS-SAINTS

PFTV LOOKS AT THE McNABB MESS

POSTED 10:04 a.m. EDT, September 21, 2007

CHREBET SPEAKS OUT AGAINST KITNA RETURN

Former Jets receiver Wayne Chrebet, whose career was cut short by a string of concussions, doesn't like the fact that Lions quarterback Jon Kitna was allowed to return to the field on Sunday after suffering one of his own.

"I don't think it was right," Chrebet said on Thursday, according to the New York Times. "I saw his eyes on the sideline and I know that look because I've seen it on my eyes and other players'. I disagree with what they did. I'm sure he wanted to go back in, and I'm sure he told them that. But I think they have to look at the best interest of the player."

We agree. For injuries sustained during games, there's no mechanism in place to protect the player from the team, or from himself. When a player suffers, for example, an offseason knee injury, it's easy for him to seek a second opinion as to whether he needs surgery. When a player gets hurt during one of those 16 three-hour chunks of time that carry great significance to the team, the coaching staff, and the player, there's no opportunity or incentive for the player to receive, or attempt to receive, a truly neutral assessment.

The coach wants the player to play. The player wants the player to play. The team doctor wants to continue to be the team doctor. So no one is going to stand in the way. (And, if anyone asks any tough questions later about why the player ended up back on the field, they can blame it on God.)

So that's why we continue to believe that the NFL needs to put in place at every game a neurologist who has the power to keep a player out of a game if he has suffered a concussion. And there should be little or no ambiguity in this regard; if a player has had a concussion during a game, he should not be allowed to return.

And while the worst-case scenario is that a player with a concussion will end up being hospitalized (or worse) if he takes another strong knock to the noggin after being permitted to return, it's hard not to wonder whether the Chrebets and Al Toons of the world, who have been knocked of the sport prematurely due to a series of concussions, ended up unable to continue to play because of the effects of getting a second concussion while playing in a game during which an initial concussions had been suffered.

We genuinely believe that Commissioner Roger Goodell wants to protect the players from the effects of repeated brain injuries. But whistle-blower policies and portable brain scanners will only go so far. At some point, the league needs to grant to a truly independent doctor the power to yank a player from the game.

FREE FANTASY CONTENT AVAILABLE FOR YOUR PERUSAL

In the event that you don't notice any of the stuff we type about the top of the Rumor Mill, we'll take this opportunity to tell you that renowned fantasy guru Matt Pitzer (whose work you might have seen in other publications much larger that this one) has submitted his start 'em/sit 'em/think about 'em breakdown for Week Three.

And there's also a new Week Three Fantasy Podcast, featuring the boss man and Gregg Rosenthal of Rotoworld.com.

We'll be posting the new fantasy rankings later in the day, too.

And remember to obey the box pasted below.

POSTED 10:46 p.m. EDT, September 20, 2007

RESOLUTION TO PATS SCANDAL HAS A STRANGE FEEL

Okay, so the NFL has received from the Patriots all materials related to the videotaping of defensive signals, and has destroyed them. The matter apparently is closed.

In all candor and with all due respect, however, something about this doesn't feel right. The destroyed materials had no real value, since any head coach or defensive coordinator who ever had played against the Belichick-led Pats would have surely revamped his defensive signals before facing them again. Even with the materials destroyed, any coach who would assume that a team that cheated in the first place by making the tapes wouldn't cheat by squirreling away a copy of the destroyed tapes doesn't deserve to have a job in the league.

But what of the ongoing rumors of other transgressions, such as the placement of microphones on defensive linemen? NFL spokesman Greg Aiello told the AP, "We have no evidence to support that claim."

That's fine. No sanctions can ever be imposed on a matter of this nature without evidence. The real question, though, is what the league is doing, if anything, to search for such evidence.

Over the weekend, former Oakland receiver Tim Brown said on FSN's Pro Football Preview that an audiotape was sent to the the Raiders in 2002 containing clear sounds of quarterback Rich Gannon calling out audibles and adjustments during the teams' epic 2001 divisional playoff game. On Sunday, Gannon reiterated the contention while calling the Raiders-Broncos game for CBS.

It sure sounds like the early stages of "evidence to support that claim."

Still, we can't blame the NFL for closing the book on this one quickly. The league has no greater incentive to fully investigate the potential depths of the Patriots' rabbit hole than the Falcons had to insist on an archaeological excursion at Michael Vick's property.

In these situations, nothing good can come of finding something bad.

Gregg Easterbook of ESPN.com addressed the potential ramifications of this scandal in his most recent Tuesday Morning Quarterback column, in a compelling look at a P.R. problem that could bring about a reduction in the league's popularity.

And that's why the best outcome might be to find a way to move on/move out regarding the whole cheating thing without screwing up what has become a very, very good thing for a lot of people. Us included.

We don't bust our butts on this site because we dislike the NFL and want to see its fan base shrink. I vividly remember as a kid being irritated by the notion that baseball was America's pastime, and being elated when it became clear that the NFL was the new king of the hill. But despite all of that, there's still a little voice in our guts telling us it's only right for the truth to come out (whatever it might be), and that even if the proof creates a short-term embarrassment the long-term interests of the sport will be vindicated.

So in the absence of a governmental body that has jurisdiction to poke its nose into these affairs, the onus falls on the "real" media to start turning stones in order to determine whether the skeletons in the closet have any meat on their bones. If there's anything to the whispers that resonated through the grapevine last week, there undoubtedly will be at least one former employee of the Patriots who no longer works in the NFL and has no aspiration to return -- and who has enough first-hand knowledge to make this story about something more than a guy with a video camera recording images that are in plain view of everyone during an NFL game.

Whether the "real" media is engaged in any such efforts remains to be seen.

POSTED 3:05 p.m. EDT; UPDATED 4:21 p.m. EDT, September 20, 2007

TAYLOR SUGGESTS THAT HE'S BEING TARGETED FOR TESTING

In an interview with Jarrett Bell of USA Today, Dolphins defensive end Jason Taylor says that, since he spoke out publicly regarding linebacker Shawne Merriman's eligibility for honors at the end of a season in which Merriman missed 25 percent of the games due to a suspension for violation of the NFL's steroid's policy, Taylor has been visited frequently by the urine collection dude.

"Since I made those comments, I've been tested more than ever," Taylor told Bell. "It's supposed to be random, but I guess that computer has a star on it, next to my name. I guess they want to make sure I practice what I preach."

Though it's not clear from the context, it could be that Taylor's tongue was visiting the area of his cheek when he made these remarks, which on the surface are fairly inflammatory in nature. Because it otherwise sounds like he doesn't have a problem with the whole testing thing.

"There's a need to keep the game clean and also to protect people's health," Taylor said. "And at the end of the day, it's against the law."

Players who no history of positive tests are subject to up to six random tests during the offseason. Then, an annual non-random test is imposed at the outset of training camp. After that, 10 players per team are selected randomly for testing during each week during the regular season and the postseason.

Taylor was tested four times during the 2007 offseason.

Earlier this year, Taylor questioned whether Merriman should be permitted to play in the Pro Bowl. "You really shouldn't be able to fail a test like that and play in this league, to begin with," Taylor said. "To make the Pro Bowl and all the other awards, I think you're walking a fine line of sending the wrong message.

"A performance-enhancing drug is, obviously, what it is. You enhance your performance by doing that. You fail that test, I think it's not right. It's against the rules and ultimately I think it's sending the wrong message to the youth in America and the people who look at this game not only as entertainment but also to learn lessons from it."

THURSDAY AFTERNOON ONE-LINERS

Ravens QB Steve McNair opted not to address the comments of Donovan McNabb regarding criticism of quarterbacks based on race.

Because Redskins G Randy Thomas (triceps) will miss only 10-12 weeks after surgery, he won't be placed on IR.

If Jets coach Eric Mangini is concerned about the fallout of his perceived role in the Pats' spying scandal, he's keeping it under wraps: "I feel very comfortable with the situation."

With starting QB Tarvaris Jackson nursing a groin injury, Kelly Holcomb and Brooks Bollinger split the reps with the first team at Vikings practice on Wednesday.

Rams RB Steven Jackson apologized to his teammates for going bonkos on the sidelines at the end of the latest loss.

Nearly four years after the fact, former Giants coach Jim Fassel responded to Tom Coughlin's suggestion that Fassel was too soft with the team. (Compared to the Soup Nazi, however, who isn't too soft?)

Jets LB Jonathan Vilma says that his team doesn't call out phony snap counts.

Coach Mike Nolan described 49ers LB Manny Lawson's knee injury from practice on Wednesday as a tweak; it ended up being a torn ACL.

Niners TE Vernon Davis is crying for the ball.

Jets QB Chad Pennington (ankle) says he's ready to return to the starting lineup on Sunday.

Giants CB Aaron Ross, a 2007 first-rounder, could be starting on Sunday.

POSTED 2:33 p.m. EDT, September 20, 2007

LAWSON DONE FOR THE YEAR

When his name appeared on Wednesday's injury report (scroll down), we'd assumed that 49ers linebacker Manny Lawson was limited in practice due to a pre-existing knee injury.

As it turns out, he injured the knee during practice -- and tore his ACL in the process.

Matt Maiocco of the Santa Rosa Press Democrat report that Lawson is done for the year. Lawson was one of three N.C. State defensive linemen selected in round one of the 2006 draft, along with Mario Williams (Texans) and John McCargo (Bills).

Hannibal Navies and Parys Haralson are the primary candidates to replace Lawson on Sunday at Pittsburgh.

POSTED 12:21 p.m. EDT, September 20, 2007

VINCE YOUNG CHIMES IN ON McNABB MESS

Another of the five other African-American starting quarterbacks in the NFL has chimed in on Donovan McNabb's recent comments regarding the differences in criticism of white quarterbacks and black ones.

And, whether Titans quarterback Vince Young intended it or not, we get the feeling that he's telling McNabb to quit whining.

"I really feel like myself, black or white quarterbacks, we all go through something because that is the life of a quarterback,'' Young said Wednesday, according to the Nashville Tennessean. "You have to be able to handle all the pressure and you have to be able to handle the losses and you have to be able to handle the media saying this about you.

"If you can't handle it, then you have to get off that position and go play something else."

Possible translation: "Donovan, you're not handling the pressure very well. Maybe you should be a tight end."

POSTED 12:00 p.m. EDT, September 20, 2007

'SKINS QUARTERBACK DISAGREES WITH DONOVAN

In the two days since Donovan McNabb's controversial views regarding black and white quarterbacks were first revealed, few (i.e., no) players have spoken out in support of him. (If we've missed anyone who has, let us know.)

And of the five other starting quarterbacks in the NFL who are black, one of them has expressed disagreement with Donovan's remarks.

"Early in my career in college, I felt like people looked at me differently and expected a lot more," said Redskins quarterback Jason Campbell, according to the Washington Times. "I felt I had to do a little extra. At that point, I did feel that way. I don't feel that way now in the NFL.

"That's his opinion, and as an African-American quarterback, I have to support other African-American quarterbacks," Campbell added. "But it's something I can't get caught up in. I look at all quarterbacks as the same. I support every guy who's playing the position.

"It's the hardest position to play in professional sports, and you get graded differently than any other position on the field. Nine times out of 10 the ball is in your hands, so everybody is watching you. Since you're in the spotlight, the mistakes get recognized. You need thick skin and a short memory."

Though we agree with Campbell's sentiments, we're a bit troubled by his statement that he has to "support other African-American quarterbacks." Is there some unwritten rule that African-Americans should support other African-Americans because they're African-Americans, regardless of what the person they're blindly supporting says, does, or believes?

And, if there is such a rule, is the failure to follow that rule the type of "black-on-black crime" that Terrell Owens allegedly committed against McNabb in 2005?

We're not qualified to attempt to engage in an in-depth study on the state of race relations in the U.S. But, as we see it, God made us all different colors and shapes to see if we could get past those superficial differences and love each other the way He loves all of us. With that said, we think there should be no presumptions of support for any race, creed, or heritage from folks who share the same characteristics.

Martin Luther King, Jr.'s dream wasn't that all people of his race would support each other no matter what they say or do; his dream was merely that his children would "one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character."

We believe that Reverend King would say (and very well might have said) that this concept applies in both directions, and that unconditional support by African-Americans of other African-Americans simply because they are African-Americans runs contrary to his vision of a truly color blind society.

That ends our sociology lesson for today. We'll now go back to making up more NFL rumors.

POSTED 10:29 a.m. EDT; LAST UPDATED 10:53 a.m. EDT, September 20, 2007

JOHNSON IS EXPECTED TO MISS FIVE WEEKS

Although the injured knee of Texans receiver Andre Johnson is scheduled to be re-examined on Friday, the current scuttlebutt is that he'll miss five weeks.

We're not saying he'll miss five weeks -- we're only saying that that's the scuttlebutt. (It's the same thing as Mort saying that his report about Eli Manning missing a month wasn't wrong because his sources truly thought he would miss a month, but in this case we're disclosing that fact before, not after, the story is proven to be wr-wr-wr-wr-bullcaacaa.)

If he misses five weeks, he'll be back for the October 28 game at San Diego.

MORE ON T.O.'S FINE

Several readers have complained to us about the $7,500 fine imposed on Cowboys receiver Terrell Owens for his touchdown celebration against the Dolphins. After scoring, Owens stood up against the goal post and pretended to film the Miami sideline, with the ball as the camera and his hand as the crank.

But, folks, the rule couldn't be any more clear. If you use the ball as a prop, you get fined.

And the fact that there's a fine doesn't mean that a player can't be creative. Guys can still use the ball as a prop; they simply have to be willing to pay the fiddler.

Of course, the consequence for Owens could be more significant than for other players. As a couple of reader have pointed out, Owens now has only 24,992,500 reasons to live.

"REFER A FRIEND" IS ACTIVE

I just made my picks for the Week Three PFT Picks Challenge (my thumb is sore from flipping that coin 16 times), and it looks like our "Refer A Friend" program is running. So when you make your own picks for Week Three (scroll down for more on this), look for the link at the top of the page that invites you to refer a friend (if, you know, you have any) to the game.

Each successful referral makes you eligible for the free online 2008 fantasy draft guide and season pass package from our friends at Rotoworld.com.

And, by the way, my picks for this weekend are the Eagles over the Lions, the Jets over the Dolphins, the Pats over the Bills, the Ravens over the Cardinals, the Rams over the Bucs, the Steelers over the Niners, the Colts over the Texans, the Chargers over the Packers, the Chiefs over the Vikings, the Raiders over the Browns, the Broncos over the Jags, the Bengals over the Seahawks, the Giants over the Redskins, the Panthers over the Falcons, the Cowboys over the Bears, and the Titans over the Saints. Beat that, motherhubbard.

POSTED 9:08 a.m. EDT; LAST UPDATED 10:14 a.m. EDT, September 20, 2007

FITZGERALD EYEBALLING ARIZONA EXIT?

Only two regular-season games into the Ken Whisenhunt era, rumors already are flying receiver Larry Fitzgerald is looking to leave the Cardinals when his rookie contract ends.

Fitzgerald, as the rumor goes, is not a big fan of Whisenhunt's run-based offense, and for good reason. Fitzgerald currently is averaging only five catches and 53.5 yards per game, which puts him on pace for 80 receptions and 856 receiving yards for the season. He currently has no receiving touchdowns in 2007.

There's no indication that Fitzgerald, the No. 3 overall pick in the 2004 draft, plans to try to force his way out prematurely. Based on the escalators in his rookie contract, there was speculation when it was signed that the Cardinals would likely have to extend the deal after four seasons. Since this is Fitzgerald's fourth season, and given that it's hard to justify two highly-paid wideouts (Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin) if the offense doesn't take full advantage of both of their skills, it could be time for the Cardinals to think about trading Fitzgerald.

One potential destination would be Minnesota, given that Fitzgerald is a native of Minneapolis and worked as a ball boy during the days of Cris Carter and Randy Moss. Though plenty of folks are murmuring about the Vikes possibly sniffing around Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb, we think it makes more sense for the Vikes try to bring Fitzgerald home.

Especially if the team wants to sell out the Metrodome on a regular basis.

TANNENBAUM THE TRUE SPY SCANDAL INSTIGATOR?

At a time when Jets coach Eric Mangini is getting plenty of criticism in league circles for blowing the whistle on the Patriots' use of video cameras to capture signals from opponents' defensive coaches, some league insiders are talking about the role of Jets G.M. Mike Tannenbaum in the Bill Belichick brouhaha.

As one well-connected league source told us, the thinking is that Jets video director Steve Scarnecchia alerted Tannenbaum to the fact that Pats employee Matt Estrella was videotaping defensive signals. Tannenbaum, as the theory goes, then called NFL Security.

The source also told us Tannenbaum was later seen chewing out Estrella in one of the tunnels beneath the stadium, in the presence of NFL Security.

We don't know whether any of this is accurate, but if it is it makes sense. Scarnecchia is a former employee of the Patriots' video department (his dad, by the way, is the Pats' offensive line coach and assistant head coach). Steve Scarnecchia, like Mangini, likely had prior knowledge of the practices. So maybe, just maybe, Mangini isn't guilty of squealing -- and maybe he's being unfairly painted in league and media circles as a rat.

Of course, this doesn't explain why the initial reports of the Pats' video practices didn't surface until the season after Mangini left the team. But it potentially fits with the notion that Mangini didn't intend for the Patriots to get caught.

But what of the fact that Mangini allowed multiple coaches to communicate defensive signals in plain view of the Pats' sideline, almost creating the impression that the Jets were inviting the Pats to ? It could be Mangini realizes that videotaping defensive signals for use in future games is virtually useless.

It also could be that Mangini is smart enough to change the defensive signals before every game against the Patriots.

MAKE YOUR WEEK THREE PFT PICK CHALLENGE PICKS

The PFT Picks Challenge is rolling, and more and more members of PFT Planet are signing up to play.

And why not? It's free (completely), it's fun (especially when you get more right than me), and you can win stuff.

Here's how it works. Each week, you make your picks. You don't have to play every week, but playing every week is the best way to max out your total entries in the season-ending drawing for the grand prize of two tickets to the Football Game of Some Significance that will be played in Glendale, Arizona on the first Sunday in February 2008. The tickets have been made available to us at face value by our friends at NFL.com, who also will be supplying to the winner and a guest invitations to NFL.com events in the days leading up to said Football Game of Some Significance.

Every correct pick that you make is another entry into the grand-prize drawing. So if you play every week and get an average of eight games correct, that's 136 total tickets in the drawing for the tickets.

Weekly prizes are awarded based on three categories. First, it's the "Meathead of Fathead?" game, where everyone who gets more total game picks correct than yours truly (it's not hard to do) is eligible for a randomized drawing. The winner of the drawing gets a free Fathead product.

In Week One, I got nine out of 15 right. In Week Two, I think I was a measly 6-10. (I'm having trouble remembering because I'm trying to block it out.) Also, we're in the process of tweaking the program so that my picks will show up as soon as I have made them. (And I'll be making them in a few minutes from this posting.)

Next, the folks with the highest total number of correct picks per week will be entered into a separate drawing, the winner of which will receive a free one-year subscription to Sporting News. (Until our "refer a friend" game is up and running the winner of that drawing also will receive a free online 2008 fantasy draft guide and season pass package from our friends at Rotoworld.com.)

Also, beginning in Week Two, every contestant who correctly predicts the outcome of the Steelers game (this week, its 49ers at Steelers) will be entered into an additional drawing, and the winner will get a free copy of the The Bus: My Life In And Out Of A Helmet. The books have been made available to us at no charge by Jerome Bettis and by Doubleday Books.

So click this link, and make your picks for Week Three.

POSTED 8:32 a.m. EDT, September 20, 2007

HENRY'S STORY DOESN'T HOLD WATER

In response to our Wednesday night item regarding the stolen rental car found in the possession of Bengals receiver Chris Henry, several readers with knowledge of the car-rental industry have shared with us information that points directly to the conclusion that Henry didn't tell the police the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.

Companies that rent cars need to have the cars in order to rent them. (That's about all I know regarding economics.) By reporting a car that has not been returned, and is not being paid for, as stolen, the rental-car company necessarily will deprive itself of the car even longer, since the stolen car (once recovered) gets caught up in the machinery of the justice system.

So, as we've been told, reporting the car stolen is a last-resort option that's used only after multiple attempts have been made to get the car back by, for example, placing multiple phone calls to the person who rented the car.

Really, is it good business to immediately report as stolen a rented car that wasn't returned exactly on the day it was supposed to be returned? For any company that hopes to have its customers remain customers, it makes sense to ask semi-politely for the car before, you know, calling the cops.

And for those of you who have a better memory than me, Henry is not the guy to whom we referred in this blurb from May 14, 2007:

"A source in Cincy has tipped us off to a situation that, if not soon rectified, could result in the arrest of yet another member of the local football team/home for wayward men.

"Per the source, a player rented a car in late March for one week. He has yet to bring it back. He hasn't called to extend the rental.

"The bill is currently over $3,000, and eventually the car will be reported as stolen."

So, apparently, this is a hobby for sorts for a couple of Bengals player.

POSTED 11:28 p.m. EDT, September 19, 2007

FAVRE SURPRISED BY KITNA CONCUSSION COMEBACK

We previously haven't addressed the assertion by Lions quarterback Jon Kitna that his concussion was cured as a result of a miracle from Above because, well, the contention is too freakin' stupid for us to waste our time on.

First of all, it presumes that God actually cares about the outcome of sporting events, and that His (or Her) will on Sunday was that the Lions should be victorious. Not, mind you, by allowing chronic NFL failure J.T. O'Sullivan to reach unprecedented heights of performance, but by waving His (or Her) hand and clearing out the cobwebs in Kitan's brainbox.

Second, if God is giving out miracles on a Sunday afternoon, aren't there bigger problems in the world than whether a skinhead-looking guy who throws a ball for a living needs a quick tune-up from the Almighty in order to finish a football game?

Third, giving any credence to Kitna's contention that his ability to play was the result of a miracle undermines ongoing efforts to ensure that players who have suffered concussions won't be allowed to return to the field until they are ready. At a time when players now have the ability to blow the whistles on efforts by coaches to push them back into the fray prematurely, teams now have a new tactic for cajoling concussed quarterbacks.

All they have to do is suggest that there's been another Festivus miracle.

But now, thankfully, quarterback Brett Favre has addressed the situation, openly questioning the fact that Kitna was permitted to return.

"I have to admit I'm a little bit surprised in today's game, with the huge emphasis on concussions, that he was allowed to go back into the game," Favre said on Wednesday. "Now, maybe later on in the game they maybe determined it wasn't a concussion. I don't know. I'm not going to speculate."

Favre, noting that he likely has "had concussions and never really knew it" talked about one of his own experiences from 2004.

"When the cobwebs started going away a little bit," Favre said, "I was on the sidelines and the offense was on the field. Two plays later, I ran on the field. It was fourth down, which I didn't know. Threw a pass, threw a touchdown. Never played the rest of the game."

He didn't return because the doctors wouldn't let him return.

"I was mad at them," Favre said. "Wanted to play. Felt like I could have. The next day I argued with them, said, 'You made a mistake, I should have played.' But I understand where they're coming from."

As we've recently said, the only way to properly deal with the issue of game-day concussions is to assign a truly independent doctor to every NFL game, and to give that person the full ability and discretion to evaluate players who have suffered head injuries, and to decide when or if they can return. This will protect players from their teams and, more importantly, from themselves.

POSTED 10:57 p.m. EDT, September 19, 2007

McNABB CONTINUES TO FOCUS ON HBO COMMENTS

On the same day that Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb clumsily attempted to address his remarks from a controversial interview on HBO's Real Sports, McNabb has further tried to clarify his comments via a posting on his Yardbarker blog.

In an entry dated September 20 and pointed out to the media via a mass e-mail from his personal publicist Rich Burg (a former Eagles employee who left under bad circumstances), McNabb says that he has "no apologies" for what he said. And then he proceeds to try to change what he said: "Black quarterbacks have to deal with different things than white quarterbacks. If you don't think that's true than you are naïve. Peyton, Tom and Carson to name a few, have never been asked what it's like to be a white quarterback. They probably have not been told that they should have scrambled more. I bet Fran Tarkenton, Steve Young, Jake Plummer, and Doug Flutie have never been told by a member of any racial consciousness organization that they don't play the quarterback position white enough."

Fine. But, again, that's not what McNabb originally said. He told HBO that Manning and Palmer don't get criticized as much as black quarterbacks are criticized. Now, he's saying something completely different, ignoring his statement that white quarterbacks don't get criticized as much as black quarterbacks -- possibly because he has realized that the media and fans are equal opportunity critics.

"I would love to live in a world where race is not an issue," McNabb added. "But it is. I did not ask HBO to interview me but I did consent. I did not bring up the topic of race but I didn't back down from it either. This interview was supposed to be about how my career has been surrounded by controversy and how my upbringing has shaped the way I have dealt with it. Unfortunately, the interview itself has created yet another controversy."

Donovan, the interview created controversy not based on the questions asked, but based on the answers given. You spoke recklessly, without considering all of the facts. You've apparently since realized that you were wrong. But instead of merely saying so, you're trying to change what you said into something that you didn't say.

It's old. And we've lost interest. As Tiki Barber recently said regarding Eli Manning (a white quarterback who has been criticized relentlessly), you're paid to play quarterback, not to talk.

POSTED 10:01 p.m. EDT; UPDATED 10:35 p.m. EDT, September 19, 2007

OWENS FINED FOR CAMERA CELEBRATION

I knew it the moment John Fricke and Lincoln Kennedy mentioned it during a FOX Sports Radio spot on Sunday evening. Because Terrell Owens used the football as the camera for his post-touchdown taping of the Dolphins' sideline, Owens would be hit with a $7,500 fine.

And the league has done so.

"I was just having fun," Owens said. "It's like you can't do nothing anymore. It's like they're trying to find any way to take fun out of the game. I'm kind of limited right now in what I can do.

"It wasn't even the fact that I used the goal post as a prop," he said. "They said I used the ball. Man, next thing, we're going to be playing rugby. Can't even use the football for nothing anymore."

Apparently, the fact that ball can't be used as a prop is news to Owens. It shouldn't be. The rule is clear, and the change was well-publicized.

Besides, he shouldn't be crying too much over the $7,500 fine. He should have gotten another one a week ago for taunting Giants safety Gibril Wilson.

WEDNESDAY INJURY REPORT HIGHLIGHTS

Another Wednesday means another look at the disclosures and subtle prevarications (thanks, Tiki) of the first official injury report of the week.

Cardinals: C Al Johnson (knee) is out; DT Alan Branch (hand) did not practice.

Ravens: DT Trevor Pryce (wrist) is out; OT Jonathan Ogden (toe) was a limited participant in practice.

Bills: LB Keith Ellison (ankle) and LB Coy Wire (knee) are out; CB Terrence McGee (ribs) did not practice; CB Ashton Youbouty (hip) was limited in practice; WR Josh Reed (thigh) fully practiced.

Patriots: S Eugene Wilson (ankle) and G Billy Yates (shoulder) did not practice; QB Tom Brady (right shoulder), G Steve Neal (shoulder), and WR Kelley Washington (hamstring) were limited in practice.

Panthers: S Deke Cooper (thigh) was limited in practice.

Falcons: DT Roderick Coleman (knee) is out; T Wayne Gandy (hamstring) did not practice; S Chris Crocker (knee) and CB DeAngelo Hall (ankle) were limited in practice.

Bengals: WR Tab Perry (hamstring) is out; LB Ahmad Brooks (groin), WR T.J. Houshmandzadeh (knee), S Dexter Jackson (back), and LB Lemar Marshall (groin) did not practice; C Eric Ghiaciuc (thumb), and DE Bryan Robinson (foot) were limited in practice; T Willie Anderson (foot), WR Antonio Chatman (hamstring), DE Frostee Rucker (hamstring) fully participated in practice.

Seahawks: Practice was not complete.

Browns: CB Leigh Bodden (groin), LB Willie McGinest (back), LB Antwan Peek (foot), and S Brodney Pool (concussion) did not practice; S Gary Baxter (knees) and P Dave Zastudil (back) were limited in practice.

Raiders: LB Isaiah Ekejiuba (foot) is out; DE Derrick Burgess (calf), RB LaMont Jordan (back), and C Jeremy Newberry (hamstring) did not practice; QB Josh McCown (foot) was limited in practice.

Lions: TE Dan Campbell (elbow) and RB T.J. Duckett (ankle) did not practice; DE Kalimba Edwards (ankle), RB Kevin Jones (foot), and DT Shaun Rogers (knee) were limited in practice.

Eagles: S Sean Considine (knee), S Brian Dawkins (neck), CB Lito Sheppard (knee), TE L.J. Smith (groin), T Tra Thomas (back), and RB Brian Westbrook (knee) did not practice.

Colts: TE Dallas Clark (neck), T Ryan Diem (neck), T Charlie Johnson (knee), LB Rob Morris (abdomen), and TE Ben Utecht (rib) did not practice.

Texans: RB Ron Dayne (chest), WR Andre Johnson (knee), and DE Ndukwe Kalu (hand) did not practice; RB Ahman Green (knee) were limited in practice.

Jaguars: DT John Henderson (head), WR Matt Jones (heel), C Brad Meester (ankle), G Chris Naeole (back), and K Josh Scobee (right quadricep) did not practice.

Broncos: Practice was not complete.

Dolphins: LB Zach Thomas (migraine) did not practice; S Donovin Darius (calf) and G Rex Hadnot (shoulder) did not practice.

Jets: WR Jerricho Cotchery (shoulder), CB Andre Dyson (foot), G Brandon Moore (shoulder), QB Chad Pennington (ankle), DT Dewayne Robertson (knee), and S Eric Smith (thigh) were limited in practice; CB David Barrett (thigh), LB David Bowens (hand), and RB Thomas Jones (calf) fully participated in practice.

Vikings: QB Tarvaris Jackson (groin), S Darren Sharper (hip), and S Dwight Smith (hamstring) did not practice; RB Tony Richardson (forearm), RB Chester Taylor (hip), and WR Troy Williamson (hamstring) were limited in practice.

Chiefs: WR Eddie Kennison (hamstring) is out; T Damion McIntosh (knee) and S Greg Wesley (knee) did not practice.

Giants: RB Brandon Jacobs (knee) and WR Steve Smith (shoulder) are out; WR Plaxico Burress (ankle) did not practice; QB Jared Lorenzen (ankle) was limited in practice.

Redskins: Practice was not complete.

Chargers: Practice was not complete.

Packers: TE Bubba Franks (knee), CB Al Harris (back), WR Greg Jennings (hamstring), DT Corey Williams (ankle), and CB Charles Woodson (hip) did not practice; T Chad Clifton (ankle), DE Cullen Jenkins (wrist), DE Aaron Kampman (rib), and RB Vernand Morency (knee) did not practice.

49ers: G Larry Allen (team decision), WR Arnaz Battle (groin), RB Frank Gore (team decision), CB Walt Harris (team decision), C Eric Heitmann (ankle), WR Darrell Jackson (back), CB Michael Lewis (ribs), and DE Bryant Young (team decision) did not practice; TE Billy Bajema (ankle) and LB Manny Lawson (knee) were limited in practice.

Steelers: RB Najeh Davenport (hamstring), G Kendall Simmons (shoulder), and TE Matt Spaeth (quadricep) did not practice; LB Marquis Cooper (hamstring) was limited in practice.

Rams: CB Tye Hill (back) and G Richie Incognito (ankle) did not practice; LB Pisa Tinoisamoa (ankle) was limited in practice; QB Marc Bulger (ribs) and G Claude Terrell (thigh) fully participated in practice.

Buccaneers: DE Patrick Chukwurah (knee), WR Joey Galloway (team decision), CB Brian Kelly (groin), and T Luke Petitgout (team decision) were limited in practice.

Cowboys: WR Terry Glenn (knee) is out; LB Greg Ellis (Achilles) did not practice; CB Terence Newman (foot) was limited in practice.

Bears: DE Alex Brown (ankle), G Ruben Brown (shoulder), DT Tommie Harris (hamstring), C Olin Kreutz (ankle), and CB Ricky Manning (back) did not practice; P Brad Maynard (groin) was limited in practice; TE Greg Olsen (knee) fully participated in practice.

Titans: Practice was not complete.

Saints: S Jay Bellamy (ankle), DT Kendrick Clancy (toe), C Jonathan Goodwin (back), and RB Deuce McAllister (knee) did not practice.

POSTED 9:25 p.m. EDT, September 19, 2007

VICTIM OF UNSOLVED MURDER LINKED TO BAD NEWZ KENNELS

WVEC-TV reports that a man killed several months ago might have had ties to Mike Vick's now-defunct Bad Newz Kennels.

On April 17, only days before police uncovered the dog-fighting operation on Vick's Surry County, Virginia property, Roy Thomas Melton, Jr. was found shot to death in his home. That same day, police found more than 30 pitbulls on his property.

Per WVEC, "authorities believe Melton either supplied dogs to Bad Newz Kennels, or helped train dogs for the organization."

The report isn't clear as to whether Melton was killed before or after the dogs were found on his property. If his death came later, it's not unreasonable to explore whether one or more of the members of Bad Newz Kennels feared that Melton might give up information about Bad Newz Kennels in order to get a better deal for himself.

Let's be clear on this point. There's no proof of any connection between Melton's death and anyone associated with Bad Newz Kennels. But if Vick and company were killing dogs in cold blood, the notion that they would murder a human who might upset the apple cart isn't far-fetched.

POSTED 9:12 p.m. EDT, September 19, 2007

STOLEN CAR FOUND AT HENRY'S HOUSE

WLWT-TV reports that police have found at the home of Bengals receiver Chris Henry a car that had been reported stolen by a rental-car company.

Henry claims that his own car had been stolen, and that he had rented a car to replace it. He says he thought that his insurance company was paying for the rental car, and that he made no payments.

Given Henry's history, we're not inclined to believe him. As we understand the car-rental industry, companies will eventually report unreturned as stolen -- but will first try once or twice to call the person who rented the car.

Then again, we're not sure how Henry was allowed to take the car without paying for it or without giving them his credit card numbers.

It's presently unknown whether Henry will be charged with any crime. He is serving an eight-game suspension due to multiple past transgressions.

POSTED 3:49 p.m. EDT; UPDATED 4:56 p.m. EDT, September 19, 2007

McNABB FACES THE MUSIC OVER HIS HBO REMARKS

At his weekly press conference, Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb got an earful of questions from members of the media who wanted him to explain his now-infamous remarks from HBO's Real Sports regarding McNabb's belief that the media heaps more criticism upon black quarterbacks than on white quarterbacks.

Here's how it's being described on the Eagles' web site, by Justin Kunkel: "Nearly all of McNabb's 11-minute press conference was a verbal volley between the quarterback and members of the media who were trying to pin down exactly what McNabb meant in the interview. He said at one point that he feels he was asked questions that would not be asked of white quarterbacks in the same situation, a statement that seemed to bother many members of the media in attendance."

Kunkel also writes that "McNabb would not provide specifics as to what questions black quarterbacks are asked that white quarterbacks are not."

Yeah. Because he can't.

And it seems that the team is stepping away from McNabb on this one. Case in point -- the Eagles' P.R. staff included every question, and every answer from McNabb, in an e-mail sent out to members of the media.

All 19 questions and answers can be read right here.

Our guess? McNabb's days in Philly are numbered. We used to think he'd be gone after the 2007 season; we now think there's an outside chance that he gets traded within the next month.

WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON ONE-LINERS

The Texans have dumped QB Jared Zabransky from the practice squad.

Panthers WR Steve Smith, on his soft spot for chick flicks: "I don't like movies where everybody [curses] and the punch lines are bad." (Should Smith ever be using the term "punch" when talking about watching a film?)

Bill TE Kevin Everett might continue his rehab in Texas.

Is Steelers RB Willie Parker tempting fate if he carries the ball more than 370 times this year?

How did O.J. make bail if his money is supposed to go to Fred Goldman?

Liz Mullen of the Sports Business Journal reports that UFL Commissioner Michael Huyghue has given up his NFLPA certification.

In one breath, Cowboys DT Tank Johnson says, "I know I'm not a risk," and in another he says, "I'm going to make mistakes."

The Ravens have added LB Nick Griesen.

POSTED 3:00 p.m. EDT, September 19, 2007

ANDRE WON'T PLAY AGAINST THE COLTS

Texans receiver Andre Johnson, who has re-emerged as one of the top receivers in the league after only two games with quarterback Matt Schaub, most likely will miss the early-season showdown with the Colts on Sunday.

"I mean as it looks right now, you look at me right now, no I wouldn't be out there on Sunday," Johnson said, according to the AP.

"I'm taking it day-by-day, week-by-week, and doing everything I can to strengthen my leg so I can be back," he said.

Without Johnson, Jacoby Jones or Kevin Walter will take his place in the starting lineup.

POSTED 1:28 p.m. EDT, September 19, 2007

A BOW-TIE WEARING BENGAL

Len Pasquarelli of ESPN.com reports that the Cincinnati Bengals have signed free-agent linebacker Dhani Jones.

It's Jones' first foray into the AFC. He previously played for the Giants and Eagles. He was cut by the Eagles in the offseason, and he later signed with the Saints. However, the Saints cut him prior to the start of the regular season.

Jones should be able to embrace the team culture, given that he was arrested in 2006 for dancing in a South Beach street. But he apparently has changed. In a January 6, 2007 entry on his web site, Jones said, "The one thing I'm not doing is partying. I'm over that. I used to do that. Now, I just want to concentrate on the job at hand."

The only problem is that, since he gave up partying, he can't avoid getting cut. It's quite a conundrum. It's almost sufficiently vexing to prompt a guy to don a bow tie and pretend to be engaged in serious thought about it.

POSTED 12:07 p.m. EDT, September 19, 2007

TIME FOR JACKSON TO SIT?

In the wake of Donovan McNabb's suggestion that black quarterbacks receive more criticism than white quarterbacks, one of the six African-American starting quarterbacks is the target of a media-suggested benching.

Jim Souhan of the Minneapolis Star Tribune contends that Tarvaris Jackson, a second-round rookie in 2006, isn't ready to play, and that Kelly Holcomb should get the nod.

It's hard not to agree with Souhan. Jackson threw four interceptions in Sunday's loss at Detroit. The performance caused his passer rating for the season to plummet to 40.0.

The problem is that the Vikings otherwise have the tools to contend. The offensive line is solid, the running game is above-average, the defense has generated one more touchdown than the offense. Throw in an established guy like, say, Donovan McNabb, and the Vikings suddenly are one of the best teams in the conference.

Holcomb might soon be getting a chance to play, but not because of any decision to yank Jackson. A groin injury suffered late in Sunday's loss has left him hobbled.

The question then will be whether Jackson's groin will remain injured (even if it really has healed), if Holcomb can light it up like he did several years ago in Cleveland.

The challenge for coach Brad Childress is to realize that the NFC is nearly as evenly-matched as a coin flip between identical twins, and that he could take his team several steps forward if he can find a way to get Jackson to take a seat.

POSTED 9:43 a.m. EDT; LAST UPDATED 11:30 a.m. EDT, September 19, 2007

HINES IN HOT WATER?

Steelers receiver Hines Ward faces accusations in a civil lawsuit that he participated in the siphoning of roughly $1.5 million from a Pittsburgh business that he jointly owns.

According to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, Nicholas Lettieri, who owns the Locker Room Bar and Grille with Ward and Kimberly Pitts, claims that Pitts, her husband, and Ward failed to deposit cash receipts into company accounts, pocketing $1 million in profits. Lettieri also alleges that Ward and the Pittseses kept $500,000 in insurance proceeds.

"We don't know where the money went," said Lettieri's attorney, Bruce Fox, told the Tribune-Review. "There's been a lot of money drained from the business."

The dispute arose in the wake of a lawsuit that the company filed last week against Lettieri after he allegedly removed the remaining $19,000 from the company's bank accounts. Either in defending against the lawsuit or by asserting a so-called "counterclaim" against the company, Lettieri has voiced his contentions regarding the $1.5 million in missing moolah.

Given that the restaurant/bar opened in December 2005, it's hard to imagine that $1 million in profits already have been realized. Then again, the markup on food and drinks can be pretty significant, and we suspect that Steelers fans would patronize any business owned by the MVP of Super Bowl XL, even if he was selling corned beef from an outhouse.

OUR FIRST POWER RANKINGS OF THE SEASON ARE UP

Posted for your perusal is our first crack at the 2007 Power Rankings. We could say we didn't do it after Week One because it's too hard to make any conclusions after only one game, but the truth is that we just didn't get around to it.

Willing Spirit 1, Weak Flesh 0.

But the game is now tied, because we sucked it up last night and put together a top-to-bottom list of where we currently see each and every team.

It's all right here.

WEDNESDAY MORNING ONE-LINERS

Pats S Rodney Harrison reportedly got his first shipment of HGH two weeks before the Patriots faced Dr. Shortt's science experiments in the Super Bowl.

S Ray Ventrone continues to ping-pong between the Jets and Pats.

Pats WR Bam Childress, who played L.T. last week in practice, is making $150,000 as a member of the practice squad, twice the league minimum.

QB Byron Leftwich won't wear No. 7 in Atlanta. (But maybe he'll wear No. 32.)

A "well-known athlete in Massachusetts" reportedly received HGH from a company that will pay a $10.5 million fine.

The Colts and the Raiders are using a portable brain scanner at games. (In Indy, they're trying to retrofit one of the whirlpool tubs in the event Peyton Manning ever gets an in-game head injury.)

Redskins G Randy Thomas will undergo surgery on Wednesday to repair his torn left triceps; OT Jason Fabini will replace him.

Steelers LB James Harrison might play on Sunday despite suffering a neck injury against the Bills.

Was QB Donovan McNabb's improvement late in Monday night's game a sign that the rust is gone?

The Eagles have announced that they've brought back S/KR J.R. Reed.

Young quarterbacks are taking over the league.

Rich Cimini's newest source apparently is Fireman Ed.

It's easier for a turd to get a second chance when the G.M. and the owner are the same person.

The Giants currently have as many players on IR as Travis Henry has children. (We assume that the Giants are the more likely of the two to break the tie before the end of the football season, but you never know.)

Steve Serby of the New York Post has a great rebuttal to Donovan McNabb.

The Jets might add DB Atrell Hawkins, given the injury to Justin Miller.

49ers QB Alex Smith is a Halo geek.

Could Bears QB Rex Grossman be getting the hook?

The Seahawks signed DB Jordan Babineaux to a five-year, $17 million deal.

It sure sounds like Falcons owner Arthur Blank twisted G.M. Rich McKay's arm to sign Byron Leftwich.

POSTED 9:03 a.m. EDT, September 19, 2007

DISABILITY SYSTEM WILL BE FIXED, ONE WAY OR THE OTHER

Whenever Congress gets involved in a topic relating to professional sports, those who are the subject of the scrutiny ask privately (and sometimes publicly) whether there are more important things that our legislators should be doing.

This question overlooks the facts that, in our society, professional sports are important. Boys and men (and some girls and women -- we're an equal opportunity Internet rag) routinely begin their perusal of the newspaper by heading straight for the sports section.

Who really cares about whether Iran might have a nuclear bomb when there are two full pages of NFL game stats to be consumed?

And while Congress has to date resisted the temptation to declare that the importance of pro sports to our culture requires extensive federal oversight, the folks who make the laws know how to pretend that they'll get involved in the process whenever it's necessary to nudge the sports leagues in the right direction.

Case in point -- a couple of years ago, Congress needed merely to suggest the possibility of passing comprehensive drug-testing legislation to get baseball to take the issue of performance-enhancing substances more seriously.

This time around, Congress is eyeballing the NFL's system for providing benefits to former players who seek disability benefits. And the message is clear: "If you don't fix it, we will."

"It seems to me the league is dropping the ball, no pun intended," Senator John Kerry said at Tuesday's hearing that featured a Who's Who of NFL power players. "My hope is that the league will get its act together."

(Meanwhile, no one was Tasered in the wake of Kerry's remarks. Although Mike Ditka might be tempted to give it a try in an effort to put a little "Iron" back in his name.)

Do we think that there will be legislation? No. Because the mere possibility of an external remedy being forced onto the NFL and the NFLPA will prompt them to make meaningful changes to the manner in which former players who truly deserves financial assistance due to the lingering effects of their injuries receive that compensation.

POSTED 8:56 p.m. EDT; LAST UPDATED 9:33 p.m. EDT, September 18, 2007

IS THIS MANGINI'S LAST NFL JOB?

As the dust continues to settle regarding last week's storm of controversy regarding the Patriots spying scandal, more and more folks in league circles are talking about the strong possibility that Jets coach Eric Mangini will find it very difficult to be hired by any other NFL team.

Selena Roberts of the New York Times addressed this point on Tuesday, and we've heard similar thoughts from multiple league insiders.

As a matter of principle, Mangini has violated the code of silence. As a matter of practicality, Mangini has shown that he cannot be trusted.

If, as plenty of league insiders privately will acknowledge, there are many tactics utilized by teams that violate one or more league rules, who would ever trust Mangini with the state secrets if he'll be willing to blow the whistle after he leaves?

The reality, however, is that Mangini has likely learned his lesson, and that he knows that he has pulled the trigger on a one-shot pistol. But this doesn't change the fact that no NFL executive could justify taking the risk that Mangini might offer up a sequel.

Meanwhile, Mangini might have problems keeping the job he currently has. As one league insider opined on Tuesday:

"The biggest issue that Mangini faces is that his team absolutely stinks. One of the problems with being a surprise team is that you can't surprise anyone anymore. They won't win more than six games this year. The Ravens tried to hand the game to the Jets after dominating for three quarters and the Jets refused to take it. The offensive line is awful, the defensive line is terrible, the running back is old, the wideouts drop passes, and the secondary is beat up. The Patriots will win that division by five or six games, easy. That, more than anything, is going to put heat on Mangini."

So it could be that Mangini will eventually have to seek refuge in the college game. If, that is, he can find a program that has no secrets that it would rather not have the NCAA find out about.

Well, maybe the UFL will be hiring.

SPEAKING OF THE UFL . . . .

One very good thing about having so many readers who are smarter than me (it really don't take much) is that I often get the benefit of their ideas and observations.

And, fortunately, I'm at least smart enough to know when to use them.

A couple of readers pointed out on Tuesday perhaps the most intriguing aspect of the UFL's decision to hire sports agent Michael Huyghue to serve as its first Commissioner.

Huyghue represents Pacman Jones. Jones currently is serving a one-year suspension. The NFL's Commissioner hasn't been too liberal with the granting of reinstatement requests. So, in the event that Pacman can't get back into the NFL come 2008, will he seek refuge in the UFL?

The only glitch here is that the Titans continue to hold his rights, and likewise have the ability to prevent him from playing football for anyone else, unless and until the Titans release him. In theory, Jones could "retire" from the NFL, but the Titans still might have recourse if Jones tries to "unretire" with a different league.

Regardless, the connection between Huyghue and Jones indicates that the situation should be monitored.

SOME LOVE FOR PFT

We get more favorable mentions in the "real" media than ever before (and still plenty that would be regarded as unfavorable), and we usually don't mention them in this space. But we really liked (more than usual) what Rick Maese of the Baltimore Sun had to say about the site on Sunday. So we'll copy and paste it right here:

"After just one week of football, Mike Florio declared in The Sporting News last week that Billick belongs on the hot seat this season. Florio runs ProFootballTalk.com, one of the most popular and influential NFL blogs, read by team executives and fans alike."

That's all. Thanks for indulging our exercise in egomania.

THE SI ARTICLE THAT WASNT

While we're talking about ourselves and not about football, we can finally mention that PFT was almost the subject of a Sports Illustrated article in 2006. Former SI scribe Nunyo Demasio told me not to tell anyone. And so I didn't.

Other than the 150 or so family members and friends who thought I was delusional, lying, or both when the article never graced the pages of the magazine.

In a recent interview with our friends (and we mean that in the genuine "we really like them" way, not in the sarcastic "we hate those bastards" vein) at The Big Lead, Demasio had this to say while describing the blogs he reads:

"For the NFL, it's Pro Footballtalk.com, the most influential NFL blog anywhere -- to the chagrin of many in the MSM. . . . Last year, I actually went to West Virginia to visit the founder, Mike Florio, for a short SI piece. It didn't run at the time because we were waiting for a hook. Or maybe my story stunk. Anyway, I consider the site the Drudge Report of the NFL. Florio is an interesting guy -- an employment lawyer who hasn't been on a plane since 1997. It says something about the state of sports media that Florio can have such an impact -- for better or worse. I mean last year, media-phobic Nick Saban declined an invitation from President Bush -- before his approval rating was almost nil -- yet had a sitdown with Florio. Bizarre."

POSTED 8:36 p.m. EDT, September 18, 2007

LEFTWICH GETS $7 MILLION DEAL

Adam Schefter of NFL Network and Jay Glazer of FOXSports.com report that the two-year deal signed by quarterback Byron Leftwich with the Falcons is worth up $7 million.

Per Schefter, Leftwich will receive $2.35 million in base salary in 2007, and $2.5 million in 2008. The deal includes no signing bonus; an option bonus of $1.15 million is payable in 2008, along with a $1 million escalator.

Essentially, it's a one-year, $2.35 million deal with a team option for year two.

The deal can easily fit within the team's salary cap, given that a credit of $6 million was acquired when Michael Vick's salary for the season was wiped off of the books.

POSTED 6:01 p.m. EDT, September 18, 2007

TANK CURRENTLY ELIGIBLE FOR WEEK TEN RETURN

Defensive tackle Tank Johnson was suspended for eight games. His suspension was being reduced one week at a time; it was already down to six. If he had not signed with the Cowboys (or any other team that had a bye on or before Week Eight), he could have returned for Week Nine. But now that he has signed with the Cowboys (who have a bye week in Week Eight), he must miss a total of eight games -- and thus he can't return until after the Cowboys' eighth game, which comes in Week Nine.

Per NFL spokesman Greg Aiello, Johnson is eligible to return only after his team's eighth game.

So why didn't the Cowboys wait until after Week Eight to sign him? That way, they would have had him for up to nine games.

The most likely explanation is that owner/G.M. Jerry Jones simply wanted to get the deal done, before (for example) another team lost a starting defensive tackle to injury and offered Johnson more money that what the Cowboys informally had agreed to pay.

The simple reality is that, without a signed contract, the Cowboys had no rights to Johnson, and Johnson's agent could have shopped the offer for the next six weeks, waiting for someone to offer more money.

Which then could have been used to squeeze more money out of the Cowboys.

Finally, don't forget that Johnson's suspension could be reduced to six games. Though most presumed after he was stopped in Arizona on suspicion of DUI that any chance of an early return had disappeared, Johnson has since kept his nose clean. Surely, Johnson and Jones will at least try to get him reinstated sooner rather than later.

POSTED 5:06 p.m. EDT, September 18, 2007

LEAGUE SAYS NO AUTHORIZED COPIES OF TAPE WERE MADE

The question of how the tape made by the Patriots in violation of league rules landed in the possession of FOX's Jay Glazer is becoming almost as intriguing as the original story itself.

On Sunday, I reported for SportingNews.com that "several copies of the tape were made because several people outside of the league office -- such as members of the Competition Committee -- needed to see it."

On Monday, Jason Cole of Yahoo! Sports reported that the NFL was considering whether to investigate the manner in which the tape got into Glazer's hands, and that Commissioner Roger Goodell is "exceptionally angry" about the fact that the tape was leaked.

Earlier today, we wrote a blurb about Cole's item, and in it we ran a link to my SportingNews.com item regarding the report that several copies of the tape were made.

But NFL spokesman Greg Aiello now says that no "authorized" copies of the tape were released by the league office, either to the Competition Committee or to anyone else. "We do not know how Glazer obtained it," Aiello said. "It should not have happened."

If that's accurate, then the leak either came after the tape arrived at the league office -- or before. If, as we suggested earlier in the day, someone at the Meadowlands copied the thing, then Glazer could have gotten his hands on it without getting it from the league office.

POSTED 4:49 p.m. EDT, September 18, 2007

TANK SIGNS WITH THE 'BOYS

Adam Schefter of NFL Network reports that the Cowboys have signed free-agent defensive tackle Tank Johnson to a two-year deal.

Johnson currently is serving an eight-game suspension for violation of the Personal Conduct Policy. He has received credit for two of those games, even though he was not on any team's roster. Such an approach is now standard in the NFL, even though it was widely believed in the media that a suspended player had to be on a team in order to serve a suspension.

Johnson served time in prison during the offseason for violation of probation arising from a prior guilty plea. The Bears cut him in June after he was pulled over for suspicion of DUI.

In Dallas, Johnson could play nose tackle or defensive end (or both) in the team's 3-4 defense.

POSTED 4:37 p.m. EDT, September 18, 2007

HUYGHUE HEADING TO UFL

Liz Mullen of the Sports Business Journal reported on Monday that NFL agent Michael Huyghue has been named the first Commissioner of the UFL, a new pro football league that could begin playing games as early as 2008.

We recently mentioned in this space rumors to that effect.

This means that Huyghue will have to stop serving as an NFL player agent, given NFLPA rules preventing certified contract advisers from "[h]olding or seeking to hold, either directly or indirectly, a financial interest in any professional football club or in any other business entity when such investment could create an actual conflict of interest or the appearance of a conflict of interest in the representation of NFL players." And Huyghue realizes that he can no longer be involved in the "day-to-day operations of his sports agency."

But we think it goes farther than that. We think he needs to turn in his agent card, and act at most in an Eddie DeBartolo-type of capacity.

Even then, we're not sure that it should be permissible for Huyghue to maintain any ties to the NFL. His job as the Commissioner of the UFL is to make the league competitive with the NFL; how can he be truly doing that if part of his time is spent running an agency that derives revenue from NFL teams? Ideally, the UFL would like to see the NFL diminish in wealth and popularity. But that would hurt Huygue's interests in his sports agency, since he is paid based on what his clients earn, and his clients are paid based on how much money the NFL generates.

And that is a classic, textbook conflict of interest.

The mere fact that the folks calling the shots at the UFL didn't demand that Huyghue immediately drop any interest in a business that relies upon NFL money makes us wonder whether the brains behind the new league truly "get it," and it makes us think that the UFL will be nothing more than a short-term curiosity that spends most of its fleeting existence trying clumsily to get out of its own way.

POSTED 3:25 p.m. EDT, September 18, 2007

FALCONS SIGN LEFTWICH

Adam Schefter of NFL Network reports that the Atlanta Falcons have signed free-agent quarterback Byron Leftwich to a two-year deal. Terms are not yet available.

Leftwich was abruptly dumped by the Jaguars on September 1, one day after announcing that he'd be cut or traded. The Ravens showed some interest in the seventh overall pick in the 2003 draft, but talks reportedly broke down after roughly 3.5 hours of negotiation.

In Atlanta, Leftwich could find himself playing sooner rather than later. Joey Harrington has been so-so so far, and the Falcons will want to figure out whether Leftwich can be the guy before the team positions itself to land Brian Brohm of Louisville, who was mentored until last season by new Falcons coach Bobby Petrino.

POSTED 1:27 p.m. EDT, September 18, 2007

BELICHICK, PATS PISSED OFF

Though there still could be some more consequences down the road from last week's spy scandal, the controversy that arose last week -- and the media scrutiny that it caused -- has had a significant effect on the franchise.

As one league insider explained it on Monday afternoon, "[Coach Bill] Belichick is pissed, and he wants to go undefeated."

After trashing two of the other five 2006 AFC playoff teams by the identical score of 38-14 on consecutive Sundays, the Patriots clearly have the talent to run the table. A storm of accusations arising from past tactics is giving Belichick all the incentive that he needs to aim for a 16-0, and all the ammo he'd require to get the troops appropriately motivated.

The on-field leader of the troops already is on board with the chip-on-the-shoulder routine, as evidenced by his Monday comments on WEEI radio in Boston. According to the Boston Herald, quarterback Tom Brady lashed out at the critics, calling any suggestion that he received advance information "absurd."

"By no means am I sitting here getting plays and getting defenses and checking plays based on defenses that I'm getting. That's completely absurd," Brady said. "If that was the case, I think that's just ridiculous. You know, I hear other players, based on what I've heard on television, that 'Brady's getting defenses.' I'm saying, 'That's just ridiculous.'

"But like I said, we pick our battles, and the ones that we are most capable of fighting are the ones we play. Rather than respond with words, we respond through actions. It was a long week because you hear this, but at the same time, people will see."

Apart from the possibility that the Pats will ride the "us against the world" train long enough to bogart the bubbly from the members of the 1972 Dolphins, we think that Belichick or Brady or someone needs to explain exactly what the purpose of videotaping the defensive signals was, if Brady is telling the truth.

Then again, it could be that Brady was only ever told what plays to run and/or which defenders to watch for; such an approach prevents players from knowing too much about the shenanigans, and helps to perpetuate within the locker room the notion that the coaches are super-geniuses.

POSTED 1:03 p.m. EDT, September 18, 2007

MILLER TIME OVER FOR JETS

The Newark Star Ledger reports that Jets cornerback Justin Miller is done for the year after suffering ligament damage in his right knee.

The injury occurred while the Pro Bowl kick returner was returning a kick during Sunday's 20-13 loss to the Ravens.

"It's as serious as it can get," a person with knowledge of the situation told Dave Hutchinson of the Star-Ledger.

Leon Washington, Brad Smith, and Wallace Wright are the primary candidates to assume Miller's duties on special teams.

POSTED 11:18 a.m. EDT, September 18, 2007

McNABB SAYS BLACK QUARTERBACKS ARE CRITICIZED MORE

Nearly four years ago (has it been that long?), Rush Limbaugh sparked a tape-delayed firestorm by commenting on race from his "Voice of the Fan" perch on ESPN's Sunday NFL Countdown. "I think what we've had here is a little social concern in the NFL. The media has been very desirous that a black quarterback do well,'' Limbaugh said. "There is a little hope invested in [Eagles quarterback Donovan] McNabb, and he got a lot of credit for the performance of this team that he didn't deserve. The defense carried this team."

There was no immediate reaction to the comments, but once the media focused on them the story mushroomed into a full-blown brouhaha that prompted Limbaugh to resign before the next show.

Said McNabb at the time: "It's sad that you've got to go to skin color. I thought we were through with that whole deal."

Apparently, we're not. (Especially in light of the fact that McNabb referred to receiver Kevin Curtis as "White Lightning" while introducing the team's starting offense on Monday night.)

McNabb now says that African-American quarterbacks are under extra pressure to succeed. "There's not that many African-American quarterbacks, so we have to do a little bit extra," McNabb said in an HBO Real Sports interview that will air on Tuesday night. "Because the percentage of us playing this position, which people didn't want us to play . . . is low, so we do a little extra."

Asked whether white quarterbacks like Peyton Manning and Carson Palmer are criticized by the media as much as their black counterparts, McNabb said, "They don't get criticized as much as we do. They don't."

Donovan, are you talking about the same media that recognized the significance of Limbaugh's words and pushed the story that wasn't a story until the media made it one?

Currently, there are only six starting quarterbacks in the NFL who are African-American: Steve McNair of the Ravens, David Garrard of the Jaguars, Vince Young of the Titans, Jason Campbell of the Redskins, Tarvaris Jackson of the Vikings, and McNabb. (Daunte Culpepper of the Raiders could soon be No. 7; if he isn't JaMarcus Russell eventually will be.)

With six out of 32, that's less than 20 percent of the total starting quarterback jobs. So McNabb is right -- the percentage is low.

But are black quarterbacks criticized more heavily because of race? Or are quarterbacks criticized based only on their performances? Rex Grossman of the Bears is white, and he's currently one of the most heavily-criticized quarterbacks in the game. Chad Pennington of the Jets suffered a lower leg injury in Week One, and the Meadowlands crowd erupted in cheers.

In contrast, Peyton Manning and Steve McNair were named co-MVPs of the NFL in 2003, as the result of a vote conducted by the media.

So we don't buy Donovan's contention, and we think that he's indirectly hoping to stave off the looming decision of his team to part ways with him and to give the ball to Kevin Kolb, who is white. Or, alternatively, McNabb wants to be able to blame his eventual demotion/departure not on skills and abilities, but on skin color.

But if McNabb truly believes that black quarterbacks endure more criticism, he needs to do more than throw around accusations based on his own feelings. He needs facts.

Otherwise, his words are no different than Limbaugh's.

POSTED 10:17 a.m. EDT, September 18, 2007

BILLICK COMPLAINTS JUST THE BEGINNING FOR MANGINI?

A league source opined to us on Tuesday morning that the recent comments of Ravens coach Brian Billick are "only the beginning" of the backlash that Jets head coach Eric Mangini will face after blowing the whistle on his former employer, the New England Patriots.

On Monday, Billick claimed that Jets defensive players illegal simulated the snap count, causing three illegal procedure penalties in Sunday's game between New York and Baltimore.

Some folks in league circles are troubled by the notion that Mangini violated the code of silence among coaches, doing so not because it was "the right thing to do," but because he thought he could gain a competitive advantage by pointing out a competitive advantage that he previously used to his own advantage, culminating in the head-coaching position he now holds.

If, some believe, Mangini believed that it was wrong to videotape defensive signals, he should have taken a stand when he was working for the Patriots.

So, as a result, anything that the Jets do that technically constitutes "cheating" will likely now be the subject of public complaints from other coaches.

With that said, guys like Billick should pick their battles carefully. Things that happen as part of the action on the field are extremely different, in our view, from secretly (or, as in the case of the Patriots, blatantly) videotaping defensive signals. As to the former, guys in black and white uniforms are in place to police possible rules violations. So if the Jets are calling out phony snap counts in an effort to rattle the Ravens' young offensive linemen, the game officials need to be flagging it.

It's no different, in our estimation, than holding or pass interference or anything else that happens on the field. It's only a penalty if a penalty is called, and guys surely get away with stuff in each and every game that is played.

Still, the message to Mangini is clear. He hurled a boulder in a cul-de-sac of glass houses. He can now expect plenty of rocks to come flying his way from the neighbors.

POSTED 9:22 a.m. EDT; UPDATED 9:44 a.m. EDT, September 18, 2007

LEAGUE MIGHT INVESTIGATE LEAK OF TAPE TO FOX

Jason Cole of Yahoo! Sports reports that the NFL might investigate the manner in which the tape confiscated on September 9 from Pats employee Matt Estrella was released to Jay Glazer of FOX.

Two unnamed sources leaked to Cole that the leak to Glazer might be explored by the league office.

"It should not have happened and we are very disappointed about it," NFL spokesman Greg Aiello told Cole regarding the leak of the tape. "But it does not impact what we are doing."

Cole also reports that Commissioner Roger Goodell was "exceptionally angry" about the leak.

"This is the kind of thing where [Patriots owner Robert] Kraft looks at us and says, 'All you guys do is favor the Jets,'" the source told Cole. "This kind of stuff puts us in a bad position."

It also creates a perception problem for Goodell, given that his wife is FOX News Channel anchor Jane Skinner. More than a few PFT readers have speculated that the league office intentionally leaked the tape to Mrs. Goodell's employer. But as some Internet hack wrote in his Week Two Ten-Pack for SportingNews.com, the tape didn't come from the league office: "[S]everal copies of the tape were made because several people outside of the league office -- such as members of the Competition Committee -- needed to see it. Once the thing exited the exclusive possession of the league office and got into the hands of folks at multiple teams, it became much harder to keep the tape under wraps."

So if there's an investigation, the NFL needs to look not only at folks in the league office who had access to the tape, but also at anyone with any team that got the thing -- such as, for example, Pats nemesis Bill Polian, the president and G.M. of the Colts, who likely saw it given his status as a member of the Competition Committee. (We're not saying that Polian leaked the tape; we're only saying that any investigation should be broad enough to include him and any other persons outside of the league office who might have had access to the tape, and who might have had a motive to make the Pats look bad by letting the tape migrate to the media.)

We also think that the league should look upstream on this one. It's presumed that the camera and tape were immediately but into a box that was hermetically (thanks, Tiki) sealed and sent to Park Avenue. But what if someone in the Meadowlands made a copy of the thing before it was bagged and tagged?

Regardless of how it turns out, it makes for an interesting subplot to one of the most compelling NFL stories in years.

SPEAKING OF FOX NEWS . . . .

We've learned over the years (and re-learned it with Matt Hasselbeck's recent experiences) that politics has no place in sports. But, regardless of one's views in that realm, the absence of sports guy turned news guy turned sports guy and news guy Keith Olbermann from NBC's Football Night in America due to an emergency appendectomy (as a reader pointed out, is there any other kind?) deprived us of an opportunity to probe for any hint of tension between Olbermann and Commissioner Roger Goodell, who was interviewed during the most recent show.

Goodell's wife works for FOX News, and Olbermann is an extremely vocal critic of FOX News. He's more than a critic, actually. His disdain for FOX News borders on an obsession. It seems, well, unhealthy at times. . . . Hmmm. . . . Maybe I should move on (or move out).

Anyway, we assume that everyone would have been professional and civil, and all that crap. But it would have been fun to observe the vibes between Goodell and Olbermann, and to read between the lines of any questions posed by Olbermann, or responses provided by Goodell.

POSTED 8:32 a.m. EDT; LAST UPDATED 9:04 a.m. EDT, September 18, 2007

TANK, 'BOYS ALREADY HAVE A DEAL IN PRINCIPLE?

We've picked up a tip that we've got no reason (yet) to not believe that the Dallas Cowboys and defensive tackle Tank Johnson (or is it Williams?) already have an agreement in principle on a contract.

Given, however, that Johnson currently is serving his eight-week suspension despite not being on a team, it would make more sense for Johnson to wait until after Week Eight to formalize the transaction, since it would allow him to play in nine games with the Cowboys, who are on a bye during Week Eight.

Speaking of suspended players, guys who are back or eligible to come back now that Week Two has ended include Chiefs defensive end Jared Allen, Panthers guard Jeremy Bridges, free-agent receiver Antonio Bryant, and free-agent linebacker A.J. Nicholson.

UPDATE: Ed Werder of ESPN.com reports that Johnson expects to play for the Cowboys after serving his suspension. "I'm here to work some things out. I'm looking here for a fresh start," Johnson told Werder from the hotel where the Cowboys play their home games.

SECOND UPDATE: A few readers have pointed out something we should have realized -- the Cowboys play the Bears this weekend. So why not bring Tank in to pick his brain on the same day that coaches are hitting high gear in the preparation of a game plan?

SIMPSON'S BIGGER PROBLEM THE IRS?

Though we're reluctant to say much about the latest criminal case involving Hall of Fame running back O.J. Simpson, we've heard some stuff on the grapevine regarding his situation, and how his most recent arrest came to be.

Simpson is charged with various offenses relating to an effort to, as he explains it, recover stolen sports memorabilia that belongs to him. The rumor in league circles is that Simpson has been selling memorabilia through third parties, who then pay Simpson under the table.

The goal, as we understand it, was to circumvent the multi-million-dollar judgment that Simpson still owes to the families of the two people that a jury in a civil case found that he killed. (Dan Abrams of MSNBC hinted at this on the Today show this morning, noting that the family of Ron Goldman already has commenced an effort to take possession of the property in question.)

The problem, however, is that such transactions also avoid the tax laws.

So regardless of what happens with those Las Vegas charges, Simpson can count on the IRS taking a long look at the situation, and to come down on him hard if there is clear evidence that, while trying to avoid Ron Goldman's father, Simpson also has been evading our Uncle Sam.

If this is true (and we don't know at this point whether it is), then Simpson really is an idiot. Folks throughout the country are convinced that he killed his ex-wife and Ron Goldman. So police and prosecutors easily can justify any and all efforts to put him where they believe he already should be. Thus, Simpson should have been steering clear of any and all situations in which anyone could potentially argue that he was breaking the law.

Then again, since Simpson already got away with murder, he probably thinks he can get away with anything.

POSTED 12:00 a.m. EDT; UPDATED 12:14 a.m. EDT, September 18, 2007

TANK TO VISIT COWBOYS

The Dallas Morning News reports that free-agent defensive tackle Tank Johnson will visit the Cowboys.

The 'Boys lost nose tackle Jason Ferguson for the season in Week One. Johnson is serving an eight-game suspension. As we reported last week, Johnson is getting credit toward his suspension, even though he's not currently on an NFL team.

Since the Cowboys have a bye in Week Eight, they presumably could get Johnson for the last nine games of the year, if they sign him after Week Eight is completed.

Johnson's sole experience as a pro comes in the 4-3 defense. He possibly would play both tackle and end in the 3-4.

FINE COMING FOR BILLICK?

One of the things we noticed in the item penned on Monday night by MDS about the allegations of Ravens coach Brian Billick against the Jets is that Billick's comments regarding the officiating in the game could draw a fine.

Though he didn't refer to any calls as "chicken sh-t," as former Saints coach Jim Haslett did in 2005, criticism is criticism, and Billick's comments seem to be enough to result in a $10,000 donation by Billick to the charity of Roger Goodell's choice.

"I have a hard time understanding that the team that was playing so well and dominating had so many penalties and the other team had only two," Billick said.

In 2005, Redskins coach Joe Gibbs was slapped with a $10,000 fine after merely referring to a couple of "mystery calls."

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