Nov

20

Browns Coach Mangini Says Cribbs Expected to Play Sunday

Filed Under Cleveland Browns, Injuries | 1 Comment

Despite the obvious issues with the play that knocked him out, there appears to be some good news about the outcome of the hit on Josh Cribbs from Monday night. Today, coach Eric Mangini said he expects Cribbs to play when the Browns go against the Lions on Sunday.

Cribbs was strapped to a backboard and carted off the field after the last play of the Browns’ 16-0 loss to Baltimore on Monday night. He was briefly hospitalized with a possible neck injury and concussion. “I anticipate Josh playing all of the roles he normally plays this week,” Mangini said.

Mangini says all of the measures taken with Cribbs were precautionary and that all the tests came back negative. Cribbs remains listed as questionable on Thursday’s injury report.

Nov

20

Week 11 Preview: Buffalo at Jacksonville

Filed Under Buffalo Bills, Jacksonville Jaguars | Leave a Comment

jags
I’m not sure if you’ve heard or not, but it’s been anything but calm or quiet around One Bills Drive this week.

Quick recap of this past week’s events. Last Sunday, the Bills were trounced by the Titans, 41-17, giving up 24 points in the fourth quarter. Two days later, Bills owner Ralph Wilson Jr. pulled the plug on Dick Jauron, firing the beleaguered coach after 3 ½ seasons. Wilson tabbed defensive coordinator Perry Fewell to be the team’s interim head coach for the remainder of the season. On Wednesday, Fewell backed Jauron’s original plan for this week and announced the team will start backup quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick over maligned starter Trent Edwards.

Amid all the hoopla surrounding the Bills’ busy week, Buffalo will square off against an AFC South opponent for the second straight week, the surging Jacksonville Jaguars. The scenarios coming into this game aren’t much different than last game. The Bills will be on the road, facing a surging team with a dynamic, scary running back. Last week the Titans had won two straight and found their third win in a row over the Bills, while running back Chris Johnson racked up 232 total yards and two touchdowns. On Sunday, the Jaguars aim for their third straight win and hope to do so on the shoulders of running back Maurice Jones-Drew.

Needless to say, if nothing else this should be fun to see if or how the Bills can function in disarray. Jauron had zero effect on the offense, despite having players at wide receiver (Terrell Owens, Lee Evans) and running back (Fred Jackson, Marshawn Lynch). Now Fewell inherits an offense ranked 29th in the NFL.

Buffalo turns, or I should say re-turns, back to Fitzpatrick in an attempt to right the ship. The backup out of Harvard guided the Bills to wins over the Jets and the Panthers in consecutive road games, but lost to the Texans in his last start. Fitzpatrick must find a way, any way, to generate some resemblance of offense. The Bills are averaging fewer than 16 points per game this season, while failing to reach 300 yards of total offense in eight of their past nine games.

Defensively, Fewell has done a lot with very little, thanks to a constant march of players to the infirmary or the injured reserve. Buffalo ranks 9th in the pass defense, but run defense continues to be a problem and through nine games, there’s no evidence to point to the contrary for the rest of this season. The Bills rank dead last in rushing in the NFL. They couldn’t stop the Saints’ Pierre Thomas or the Browns’ Jamal Lewis. They had problems with Miami’s tandem of Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams. They were shredded by the Jets’ Thomas Jones and torched by the Titans’ Chris Johnson. Now MJD get his turn to wet his whistle.

Jacksonville (5-4) enters Sunday’s contest with the league’s 6th ranked rushing attack led by Jones-Drew, who ranks fourth in the NFL in rushing with 860 yards. Jones-Drew leads the NFL with 12 rushing touchdowns, seven of which have come in Jacksonville’s last four games. It’s been over a month (Oct.11th at Seattle) since Jones-Drew has been kept out of the end zone. MJD has been a workhorse for the Jags the past few weeks, carrying the rock 33, 29, and 24 times in three of the past four games. His lone single digit carry came against the Titans when he had only eight carries, but rushed for 177 yards.

The Jaguars have won three of their last four games since starting 2-3 this season. Jacksonville is 4-2 versus the AFC and 3-1 at home with wins over Tennessee, St. Louis and Kansas City. It’s been an all-or-nothing season for the Jaguars; either they’ve won close or lost big. Aside from their 14-12 opening season loss at Indianapolis, their other three losses were by 14, 41 and 17 points. In their five wins, Jacksonville dished out a beat down just once, beating the Titans by 20. Their other four wins have come by seven points or less: Jacksonville beat Houston by seven, St. Louis by three, Kansas City by three and the New York Jets by two.

Missing from the lineup on Sunday for Jacksonville could be two of their best defensive players, safety Rashean Mathis and linebacker Justin Durant. Both were injured in last week’s win over the Jets; Mathis suffered a groin injury and Durant suffered a mild concussion.

On the Bills’ injury front, the offensive line continues to be a game of musical chairs. Left tackle Demetrius Bell suffered a knee injury in last week’s loss to Tennessee, possibly sidelining him for a couple of weeks. That means rookie Andy Levitre will make his NFL debut at left tackle on Sunday. Defensive tackle Kyle Williams (knee) and linebacker Keith Ellison (quad) will be out Sunday, as both players continue to battle injuries. Cornerback Ashton Youbouty is out Sunday as well after suffering a high ankle sprain last week and fellow cornerback Terrence McGee is working his way back from minor knee surgery he had during the bye week. His status remains questionable. It looks like safety Donte Whitner is ready to return from a high ankle sprain.

What the Bills should do: That seems to be the million dollar question these days. Fewell inherits an offensive mess from Jauron and as Fitzpatrick goes, so will the offense. Look for the Bills to attempt to generate a balance of pass and run, but don’t be surprised if they lean on the running game to relieve the pressure on Fitzpatrick starting on the road.

What the Jaguars should do: I said it last week and it stands this week: Duh! Run the ball. Jacksonville has one of the best backs in football, so it’ll come as a surprise to no one if Jones-Drew is featured in the both the rushing and passing attack. With the Bills battling injuries in the secondary, that means rookie corner Ellis Lankster could be matched up against Jags leading receiver Mike Sims-Walker. Look for the Jaguars to mix in play action to take some deep shots down the field.

Prediction: Jaguars 24, Bills 17. I don’t believe the Bills will roll over and play dead for the Jaguars, despite the distracting week it’s been for the Bills. I think they’ll play hard for interim coach Perry Fewell and keep this thing close. However, the Bills have been horrible against the run this year and they’re facing another difficult challenge in Maurice Jones-Drew. Look for MJD to avenge last year’s 6 carry, 17 yard outing in the loss to the Bills and guide the Jaguars to their third straight win for the first time in two years.

Nov

20

Brown To Undergo Surgery Friday

Filed Under Injuries, Miami Dolphins | Leave a Comment

Ronnie Brown

Although the recovery time hasn’t been established as of yet, one thing is for certain: Miami Dolphins running back Ronnie Brown has opted to undergo surgery to repair a Lisfranc fracture in his right foot, according to a pair of sources; the procedure will take place on Friday (today).

As previously mentioned, the recovery time is unclear; however, it is believed that he should be ready to go well before next season.

Nov

20

Big Night for Ricky Williams Leads Dolphins to 24-17 Win Over Panthers

Filed Under Carolina Panthers, Miami Dolphins | 3 Comments

dolphins
The Dolphins were hoping Thursday night for a prime time effort from running back Ricky Williams, taking the place of the injured Ronnie Brown. They got more than they probably thought they would from their back, as Williams scored three times and rushed for 119 yards as the Dolphins moved to 5-5 with a 24-17 win.

Williams caught a 14-yard TD from Chad Henne in the second quarter to put Miami up 7-3, then ran in a one-yard run to make it 14-3 with :57 seconds left in the first half. Then with Miami holding to a 17-14 lead with less than four minutes left, Williams broke through a hole and went 46 yards for a clinching score to make it 24-14.

He ran hard all night, and overall the Dolphins run game put up 154 yards on 31 carries, a 5.0 yards per carry average. Henne was 17-for-29 for 172 yards with a score and a QB rating of 87.1. Panthers QB Jake Delhomme, who threw a TD to Steve Smith to make it 17-14 with 5:18 left, was 19-for-42 for 227 yards with a TD and a pick.

Delhomme was also under pressure a great deal from the Dolphins front four and their linebackers. He was sacked four times for minus 26 yards, and even on the last hail mary of the game was under pressure and just heaved the ball towards the end zone which was knocked down.

Carolina was led by a big night on the ground by DeAngelo Williams, who though being dinged was able to rush for 122 yards on just 13 carries, a 9.4 yards per carry average, which included a 50-yard run. Carolina ran for 182 yards, but were unable to get those sustained drives as they did vs Atlanta a week ago.

The Panthers fall to 4-6 on the season, and it was considered to be a must win for the club if they wanted to be a force for a wild card in the NFC. They still have games left against the 6-3 Pats, 8-1 Vikings and 9-0 Saints.

For the Dolphins, they are back to .500 after they started the season 0-3 and then 3-5. They get set to play at Buffalo a week from Sunday at 1pm.

Nov

19

Childress Receives Extension From Vikings

Filed Under Minnesota Vikings, Off The Field News | 1 Comment

As was reported earlier today by NFL Gridiron Gab’s Matt Loede, Minnesota Vikings head coach Brad Childress was mulling over a contract extension offered by the team. What was a possibility has become a reality as the Associated Press is reporting that Childress has indeed been signed by the team to a contract extension.

Terms of the deal were not available as of this post, but ESPN earlier reported that the extension would keep Childress in Minnesota through the 2013 season.

Nov

19

Panther Running Backs Williams and Stewart Both Active vs Dolphins

Filed Under Carolina Panthers, Injuries, Miami Dolphins | Leave a Comment

Both Panther running backs DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart are active against Miami despite nagging injuries.

Williams missed practice Wednesday with a sore left knee. Stewart was held out a day earlier with a sore left Achilles’ tendon. Both were listed as questionable for Thursday’s game.

The Panthers were without reserve defensive end Charles Johnson (pectoral), fullback Brad Hoover (ankle) and safety Charles Godfrey (ankle).

Dolphins left guard Justin Smiley (shoulder) was active, but he was replaced in the starting lineup by Nate Garner. Reserve safety Tyrone Culver was active despite being questionable with an ankle injury.

Dolphins tight end Anthony Fasano (hip) missed his second straight game.

Nov

19

Looking More Like Simms to Start at QB for Broncos Sunday

Filed Under Denver Broncos, Injuries | Leave a Comment

Sunday’s AFC West showdown is critical for the Broncos in plenty of ways, and now it looks as if the Broncos will go at it with a backup QB. Chris Simms was taking snaps with the Broncos’ starters again Thursday.

That makes it increasingly likely that Simms will start against San Diego on Sunday in place of Kyle Orton, who sprained his left ankle last week against Washington.

Coach Josh McDaniels said Orton was feeling better, but Simms was the one under center during the portion of practice open to the media Thursday.

Simms hasn’t started a game since September 2006, when he played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and was battered so badly by the Carolina Panthers that he needed emergency surgery to remove his spleen.

Nov

19

Redskins RB Portis Out for Sundays Showdown with Dallas

Filed Under Injuries, Washington Redskins | Leave a Comment

For the second straight week, the Redskins will be without running back Clinton Portis, as he has again been ruled out with a concussion. Coach Jim Zorn on Thursday ruled Portis out for Sunday’s game at Dallas.

Portis has not been able to practice since he was injured in a helmet-to-helmet hit against Atlanta. Ladell Betts is set to start for Portis for the second consecutive week.

Zorn says defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth remains a game-time decision with a sprained left ankle. The coach says Haynesworth is “coming along” and that the ankle’s swelling is starting to go down.

Nov

19

Minnesota’s Childress Going Over a Contract Extension

Filed Under Minnesota Vikings | 3 Comments


Just months ago Vikings coach Brad Childress was on the hot seat. Now he is reviewing an offer from the team on a contract extension. Childress spoke briefly to reporters after practice Thursday, but did not say an agreement has been reached. He said there was a document waiting on his desk that he intended to look over. His current deal runs through 2010.

Citing an unidentified source, ESPN.com reported that the extension would keep Childress in Minnesota through the 2013 season. Childress was hired in 2006 by owner Zygi Wilf, and the Vikings have improved each year under his watch. They went 6-10 in 2006, 8-8 in 2007 and 10-6 with an NFC North title last season.

With Brett Favre at the helm, the Vikings are 8-1 and battling with the undefeated Saints for the top seed in the NFC.

Nov

19

Vikings Stadium Talk Takes A Step Backwards

Filed Under Minnesota Vikings, Off The Field News | Leave a Comment

The Metropolitan Sports Facilities Commission’s most recent proposal to the Minnesota Vikings was met with an angry reaction.  They had essentially put forth a proposal to extend the Vikings’ lease on the Metrodome which expires in 2011.

The Commission’s intentions were to propose a friendly solution to the Vikings’ stadium woes.  Vikings spokesperson, Lester Bagley, said that the proposal was basically taken as an insult by the Wilfs and their organization.

“The lease extension issue is a non-starter,” Bagley told Jay Weiner of minnpost.com. “Our ownership is outraged for the sports commission to advance a proposal that they know is completely unacceptable to the Vikings.”

“We’ve been negotiating in good faith to resolve this issue to get some short-term expense relief. Then, without the simple courtesy of a phone call or a heads-up they drop this radical proposal on us … Our owners are making significant investments in this team and building support and a winning team . . . The commission’s action leaves us even more concerned about our long-term prospects here.”

“We’re the last remaining tenant. We expect to be treated with some level of respect, and I guess we’ll have to continue to wait. The Wilfs are landlords. You don’t do this to a tenant whose lease is up.”

The nitty-gritty details of getting a new stadium are not exactly fun to wade through, nor are they entertaining enough to hash through on this blog.  But what this boils down to is the Commission will vote on whether or not to actually make this proposal to the Vikings.  The vote will take place on Thursday.

For more information on the stadium drive, visit Minnesota Momentum and Save The Vikes.

I recently received an email from Cory Merrifield, the Founder of Save The Vikes.  He wanted me to pass along to all of you that “On Thursday, December 3rd from 2-6 SavetheVikes.org and a few other Vikings fan’s groups will be hosting a fan gathering at the Capitol to show support of the stadium issue and the urgent need for State leaders to work with the team to find a solution. I will send you more details later this week, but if you can ask people to mark their calendar now for that date and make arrangements to make it out at 2, or after work, that would be greatly appreciated!”

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