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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.  

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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."

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.)

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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.

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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.

 

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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.

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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."

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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.

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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.

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.

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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.

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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. 

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.)

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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?

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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.  

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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

 

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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.

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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.

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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. 

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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."

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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.

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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."  

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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.

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.

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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.

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"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 (scrol