National Football League News and Rumors
Cruz says contract is a “matter of time”Mike Florio, profootballtalk.com Earlier in the season, Giants receiver Victor Cruz said the structure was in place for a new contract, which would compensate the third-year, minimum-salary wideout far more handsomely for his performance. Since then, the deal hasn’t been finalized. “… |
|
|
Cutler listed as probable to play against PackersDec 14, 2012
LAKE FOREST, Ill. (AP) Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler appears ready to play Sunday against the Green Bay Packers. |
|
Sports world shaken by Conn. school tragedyDec 14, 2012
Associated Press, ESPN.com Stars from several different sports took to Twitter on Friday to try and cope with the school shooting in Connecticut, and the NFL asked each of its teams to observe a moment of silence before this weekend's games to pay respect to the victims. |
|
Mike Florio, profootballtalk.com When Bills G.M. Buddy Nix talks about getting a big-time outside receiver, which would allow Stevie Johnson to spend more time operating out of the slot, an obvious question arises. What does Stevie think of that? Stevie, as it turns out, likes it. “To … |
|
|
Michael David Smith, profootballtalk.com Cowboys receiver Dez Bryant has decided to delay surgery on a broken index finger, risking permanent damage, because he says a chance to make the playoffs now is more important than considering what shape his finger might be in for the rest of his life.… |
|
Brian McIntyre, yahoo.com In the wake of the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut on Friday, where a gunman shot and killed 26 people, including 20 children between the age of 5 and 10, the National Football League has asked each stadium to observe a m… |
|
|
Michael David Smith, profootballtalk.com The good news for Broncos linebacker Von Miller is that he wasn’t fined this week. The bad news is that the NFL has fined him so many times already in his two-year career that he could be close to getting suspended if he picks up any more roughing the p… |
|
|
NFC West Could Get WildDec 14, 2012
The 49ers are one of the best teams in the NFL, but they can't shake the Seahawks. Peter King discusses the NFC West race that could get considerably tighter after this weekend's action. |
|
|
Week 15 injury report roundupDec 14, 2012
Josh Alper, profootballtalk.com All through the week we do our best to bring you all the biggest injury news from around the league. Inevitably, a few injuries fall through the cracks and don’t wind up with a spotlight on them at any point. That’s why we’ve got the injury report r… |
|
|
Fleener says Luck is the MVPDec 14, 2012
Mike Florio, profootballtalk.com In 16 days, the 50 Associated Press voters will cast their ballots for a litany of postseason awards. As AP voter Tom Curran told PFT Live earlier this week, the rules essentially are there are no rules. And so when deciding on the Most Valuable Player… |
|
|
No fine for Reggie Nelson’s hit on Dez BryantDec 14, 2012
Josh Alper, profootballtalk.com In the aftermath of the Bengals’ 20-19 loss to the Cowboys, Bengals safety Reggie Nelson was furious about being penalized for a hit that dislodged the ball from Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant’s hands. Nelson complained that he delivered a textbook … |
|
|
Packers expect Matthews to play against BearsDec 14, 2012
Associated Press, ESPN.com The Green Bay Packers expect to have linebacker Clay Matthews back in the lineup Sunday against the Chicago Bears and coach Mike McCarthy couldn't be happier about it. |
|
|
Doug Farrar, yahoo.com There are obviously far more important things to talk and think about on this day of tragedy, but as a follow-up note, we feel obliged to inform you that after he made some patently ridiculous comments on ESPN's "First Take" show regarding Was… |
|
|
Gronk one of 19 questionable PatriotsDec 14, 2012
Mike Florio, profootballtalk.com The Patriots continue their questionable use of the term “questionable” in their injury reports. In advance of Sunday’s game against the 49ers, a whopping 19 members of the team are listed as questionable to play due to injury, including tight end R… |
|
|
Vilma asks judge to accept lawsuit vs. GoodellDec 14, 2012
NEW ORLEANS (AP) -- Jon Vilma urged a federal judge Friday to reject NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell's motion to dismiss the defamation lawsuit filed against him by the Saints linebacker. |
|
|
Bradshaw sidelined for Week 15 duel vs. FalconsDec 14, 2012
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) -- The New York Giants will play a critical game Sunday afternoon against the Atlanta Falcons without their leading rusher. |
|
|
Brian McIntyre, yahoo.com Washington Redskins first round quarterback Robert Griffin was "full participant" in Friday's practice and is listed as "questionable" on the team's final injury report of the week. Griffin has a "mild" sprain of the latera… |
|
|
Josh Alper, profootballtalk.com Seahawks wide receiver Sidney Rice appears to be set to play against the Bills despite battling a foot injury all week, which means he’ll have plenty to talk about when he joins Erik Kuselias for a conversation on Pro Football Talk on NBC Sports Network… |
|
|
Darin Gantt, profootballtalk.com In the wake of the big-picture issues the NFL has faced in successive weekends, more attention has been paid to the programs put in place by the league to protects its players. Less focus, however, has been put on the role of individual responsibility, … |
|
|
Jets' Coples fined $15K for facemask on HenneDec 14, 2012
Associated Press, ESPN.com Jets rookie defensive lineman Quinton Coples has been fined $15,000 by the NFL on Friday for grabbing the facemask of Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Chad Henne. |
|
|
Seahawks' Thurmond (hamstring) out vs. BillsDec 14, 2012
Associated Press, ESPN.com The Seattle Seahawks will be without starting cornerback Walter Thurmond against the Buffalo Bills in Toronto on Sunday. |
|
|
Colts down 2 starting O-linemen vs. TexansDec 14, 2012
Associated Press, ESPN.com Two starting offensive linemen will stay home when the Indianapolis Colts travel to Houston this weekend. |
|
|
Landry won’t give Jets hometown discountDec 14, 2012
Mike Florio, profootballtalk.com In the offseason, the Jets signed safety LaRon Landry to a one-year deal. When the one year ends, he’ll hit the market, thanks to a clause in his contract that prevents the Jets from using the franchise tag. And Landry won’t be giving the Jets a hom… |
|
|
Everson Griffen escapes fine for hit on CutlerDec 14, 2012
Josh Alper, profootballtalk.com On Sunday, Florio opined that Vikings defensive end Everson Griffen had a fine coming his way after he was penalized for unnecessary roughness while sacking Bears quarterback Jay Cutler. Griffen’s teammate Jared Allen was in the process of dragging Cutl… |
|
|
David Wilson bows to pressure, won’t flip any moreDec 14, 2012
Darin Gantt, profootballtalk.com Flip Wilson has flipped his stance. Giants running back David Wilson, who said earlier this week people should “relax” about his signature celebration, said Friday he changed his mind. Wilson said on ESPN he would no longer do a backflip after he scor… |
|
|
Ndamukong Suh not fined for roughing Aaron RodgersDec 14, 2012
Michael David Smith, profootballtalk.com For Lions defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh, it’s news when the NFL doesn’t fine him. So we’ll pass along the news we’ve confirmed with the league office today, which is that Suh was not fined for a hit on Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers on Sunday.… |
|
|
Flipped out: Giants' Wilson done with backflipsDec 14, 2012
Matt Ehalt, ESPN.com David Wilson has flipped his stance on his touchdown celebration. |
|
|
Brian McIntyre, yahoo.com San Francisco 49ers outside linebacker and Defensive Player of the Year candidate Aldon Smith is approaching former New York Giants and current FOX pregame panelist Michael Strahan's single-season record for quarterback sacks. Smith needs just three sac… |
|
|
Michael David Smith, profootballtalk.com Saints tight end Jimmy Graham revealed today that he has been dealing with a wrist injury for the entire season - surprising news because Graham hasn’t been listed on the injury report. The Saints haven’t explained why they weren’t listing him, bu |
|
|
Griffin practices again, questionable for Week 15Dec 14, 2012
ASHBURN, Va. (AP) -- Robert Griffin III practiced for the third straight day on his sprained right knee Friday, albeit again on a limited basis, and is officially listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Cleveland Browns. |
|
|
Report: RG3 hasn’t taken first team reps this weekDec 14, 2012
Josh Alper, profootballtalk.com Redskins coach Mike Shanahan said Friday that quarterback Robert Griffin III has progressed all week and that he was “much better” on Friday, leaving him to be listed as questionable on the final injury report of the week. “We’ll get a chance to e… |
|
|
Giants' Bradshaw (knee/foot) out vs. FalconsDec 14, 2012
Matt Ehalt, ESPN.com New York Giants running back Ahmad Bradshaw (knee/foot) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Atlanta Falcons after missing practice for a straight day. |
|
|
Temple hires Giants assistant as new head coachDec 14, 2012
Darin Gantt, profootballtalk.com Temple has offered its head coaching job to Giants assistant offensive line coach Matt Rhule, according to OwlScoop.com. He was one of two NFL assistants to interview for the job, along with Eagles defensive coordinator (and former Temple safety) Todd B… |
|
Samer Kalaf, deadspin.com The Deadspin NFL Coach Challenge Challenge is a tournament pitting the throwing motions of 20 NFL coaches against one another. More » |
|
|
Browns might cut Trent Richardson’s playing timeDec 14, 2012
Josh Alper, profootballtalk.com The Browns are riding a three-game winning streak into Sunday’s game against the Redskins, but rookie running back Trent Richardson hasn’t been performing quite as well as his team. Richardson is averaging 3.5 yards per carry in those three games and … |
|
|
Aaron Rodgers, photobomberDec 14, 2012
Mike Florio, profootballtalk.com Regardless of what anyone thinks of Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, here’s one thing we know. The guy is hilarious. If you doubt that, consider this: Rodgers is a serial photobomber. Yes, before every game he sneaks into the shot behind the team’… |
|
|
Which TV Market Is Getting Screwed This Sunday? An Analysis Of Week 15 NFL Viewing MapsDec 14, 2012
Reuben Fischer, deadspin.com The NFL's regional programming rules are famously byzantine, but luckily the506.com cuts through the bullshit for you, providing weekly maps that allow us to answer the only question that really matters: Which fans are the most screwed this Sunday? More… |
|
|
Michael David Smith, profootballtalk.com The Broncos are the AFC West champions, just as they were last year. But this year feels a lot different to Denver cornerback Champ Bailey. Bailey said on 102.3 The Ticket that last season, it didn’t feel realistic to have high hopes of winning the Supe… |
|
|
Rob Gronkowski returns to practiceDec 14, 2012
Josh Alper, profootballtalk.com The Patriots had every member of their team eligible to practice taking part in Friday’s session, including tight end Rob Gronkowski. Gronkowski has not practiced since breaking his forearm late in New England’s 59-28 victory over the Colts last month… |
|
|
Source: Bears' Cutler has mild knee sprainDec 14, 2012
ESPNChicago.com, ESPN.com While most of the focus on Jay Cutler was on the neck injury that knocked him out of Sunday's game against the Minnesota Vikings, the knee injury that popped up on the team's injury report turned out to be a mild sprain. |
|
|
Ahmad Bradshaw out for SundayDec 14, 2012
Mike Florio, profootballtalk.com David Wilson had better get ready to do some more backflips. Giants starting tailback Ahmad Bradshaw has been ruled out of Sunday’s game against the Falcons with a knee injury, according to Art Stapleton of the Bergen Record. With Andre Ware on IR and B… |
|
Stuart Miller, nytimes.com Tampa Bay Coach Greg Schiano has proposed doing away with kickoffs to make the game safer. The idea has yet to gain much support. |
|
|
Mike Florio, profootballtalk.com Though the Falcons aren’t yet in danger (grave or otherwise) of blowing the No. 1 seed in the NFC playoffs, they soon could be, if they can’t rebound from an ugly win at Carolina. More importantly, the Falcons could use the pre-postseason boost that c… |
|
|
Cowboys holding off on sending Ratliff to IRDec 14, 2012
Todd Archer, ESPN.com The Dallas Cowboys will not place nose tackle Jay Ratliff on injured reserve until they have to. |
|
|
Darin Gantt, profootballtalk.com The wildcat that so many roared so much about is going out with a whimper. Jets coach Rex Ryan has essentially shelved the wildcat portion of the offense, with Tim Tebow’s rib injury leaving him unable to run it. “It’s not something we practice doin… |
|
|
Michael David Smith, profootballtalk.com As new Browns owner Jimmy Haslam prepares to reshape the team’s front office after the season, we’ve noted that there’s talk of stopping short of firing General Manager Tom Heckert, and instead keeping him on board but taking away his final say auth… |
|
|
John Clayton, ESPN.com Expand the playoffs? It's a question of when, not if, John Clayton writes. |
|
|
ESPN suspends analyst for comments on GriffinDec 14, 2012
After another malodorous chapter of a rancid sports television program, ESPN suspended First Take panelist Rob Parker on Friday following his offensive comments about Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III. "Rob Parker has been suspended until fur… |
|
|
Allen calls idea of expanding playoffs 'stupid'Dec 14, 2012
ESPN.com news services, ESPN.com Minnesota Vikings defensive end Jared Allen is not a fan of the NFL exploring the idea of expanding playoffs |
|
|
Josh Alper, profootballtalk.com We’re on the cusp of another weekend filled with games and one of the biggest is on NBC Sunday night. The 49ers and the Patriots will face off and Matt Maiocco of CSN Bay Area will join Mike Florio on Friday’s PFT Live to talk about the contest. We’… |
|
|
Wide receiver on Buddy Nix’s Christmas list as wellDec 14, 2012
Josh Alper, profootballtalk.com After some hemming and hawing on the question of whether Buffalo needs a new quarterback, Bills General Manager Buddy Nix said Friday that now is the time to trade up in the draft for a quarterback. That’s not the only offensive addition on his wish lis… |
|
|
Brian McIntyre, yahoo.com Nearly two weeks after Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Jovan Belcher shot and killed Kasandra Perkins before taking his own life outside the Chiefs' headquarters, more details of what may have triggered the unspeakable tragedy are beginning to emerge. Acc… |
|
|
Mike Florio, profootballtalk.com The bounty case definitely isn’t over. In a new court filing opposing the efforts of Commissioner Roger Goodell to obtain a dismissal of Saints linebacker Jonathan Vilma’s defamation lawsuit, Vilma takes aim at two key factors: the alleged bounty on… |
|
|
Former Steelers K Jeff Reed wants another chanceDec 14, 2012
Darin Gantt, profootballtalk.com Special teamers are fairly disposable anyway. When they give teams headaches, small issues can become big ones. That has to be at least part of the reason former NFL kicker Jeff Reed’s on the outside today, though the 33-year-old said he wants to come b… |
|
|
Brian McIntyre, yahoo.com New York Giants at Atlanta Falcons The Falcons are in the midst of the most successful period in the organization's history, but have yet to win the playoff game necessary to validate the Mike Smith/Thomas Dimitroff Era. The Giants have won the last fou… |
|
|
With their offense sputtering and their playoff future in doubt, the Ravens changed offensive coordinators this week. Why now? Peter King examines the implications. |
|
|
Terrell Suggs is a game-time decision againDec 14, 2012
Josh Alper, profootballtalk.com Ravens linebacker Terrell Suggs is trying to play through a torn biceps he suffered a couple of weeks ago, but he wasn’t able to answer the bell for last Sunday’s game against the Redskins. It’s unclear whether he’ll be on the field against the Br… |
|
|
Rooney steps down as ambassador to IrelandDec 14, 2012
Associated Press, ESPN.com Pittsburgh Steelers chairman and co-owner Dan Rooney has stepped down as the U.S. ambassador to Ireland, a post he assumed after backing President Barack Obama's presidential campaign despite being a lifelong Republican. |
|
|
Josh Alper, profootballtalk.com Dolphins running back Reggie Bush isn’t going to meet his goal of leading the league in rushing this season and it doesn’t look like he’ll realize his goal of landing a new long-term deal with the Dolphins either. There haven’t been any talks abou… |
|
|
Giovani Bernard entering NFL DraftDec 14, 2012
Darin Gantt, profootballtalk.com Two productive years of college and one ACL injury was enough for University of North Carolina running back Giovani Bernard. Bernard announced Friday he was giving up his final two years of eligibility to enter the NFL Draft, and he could be the top if … |
|
|
Steven Jackson expects he’ll be a Ram in 2013Dec 14, 2012
Josh Alper, profootballtalk.com When word broke that the Rams will allow running back Steven Jackson to void the final year of his contract to become a free agent after this season, it was widely assumed the writing was on the wall for Jackson’s departure from St. Louis. If that turns… |
|
|
Top Basketball Recruit Jabari Parker Is Ideal For BYU, But BYU Isn't Ideal For Him (Or For Any Black Athlete)Dec 14, 2012
Darron Smith, deadspin.com This has been a breakthrough year for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Mitt Romney captured the Republican presidential nomination. Manti Te'o led the Notre Dame football team to an undefeated regular season and a No. 1 ranking. And now … |
|
|
Mike Florio, profootballtalk.com Robert Griffin III has yet to specifically respond to Rob Parker’s bizarre rant regarding RG3”²s refusal to be defined by his race. Griffin’s father, however, has. “He needs to define what ‘one of us’ is,” Robert Griffin Jr. told Jim Corbet… |
|
|
Friday morning one-linersDec 14, 2012
Josh Alper, profootballtalk.com Bills S Da’Norris Searcy has some experience facing Seahawks QB Russell Wilson. LB Kevin Burnett thinks the Dolphins have to be especially careful when facing former teammate Chad Henne. It’s been an easy transition back to the Patriots for WR Deion B… |
|
|
Umenyiora: Falcons OL not as dirty as it used to beDec 14, 2012
Darin Gantt, profootballtalk.com Giants defensive end Osi Umenyiora didn’t know Pat Hill was the Falcons new offensive line coach. But he said he could tell from watching tape things were different. Some accused the Falcons blockers of dirty play last year, and after other teams accus… |
|
|
Kluwe on criticism: “We all get cut eventually”Dec 14, 2012
Darin Gantt, profootballtalk.com Chris Kluwe has become a household name (at least in households where punters are discussed), in part because he’s a football player, but mostly because he’s a football player with opinions. And while one of his coaches said he’s getting tired of Kl… |
|
|
Mike Florio, profootballtalk.com I see what he did there. Linebacker Brian Urlacher has responded to Packers tight end Jermichael Finley, who said that the Bears are better off with the long-time anchor of their defense. “Just like a couple of years ago, I think, he tore his ACL and th… |
|
|
Darin Gantt, profootballtalk.com It wasn’t an inspiring performance, but in these white-flag days in Philadelphia, it was enough. After last night’s 34-13 loss to the Bengals, and after Michael Vick was cleared from his concussion, Eagles coach Andy Reid said he was going to continue… |
|
|
Michael David Smith, profootballtalk.com Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford is having a fine year, with 4,006 yards through 13 games, but his numbers are down from his breakout 2011 season, and the Lions have taken a big step backward as a team. So does that make Stafford’s 2012 a disappointme… |
|
|
Curtis Crabtree, profootballtalk.com Whether it’s his vocal support of same-sex marriage or his campaign to get punter Ray Guy in the Hall of Fame, Minnesota Vikings punter Chris Kluwe isn’t bashful about speaking his mind. It appears as though Kluwe’s antics have finally drawn the cri… |
|
|
Doug Farrar, yahoo.com It was the play that perhaps best typified the Philadelphia Eagles' season, though there were many more to come. With 9:59 left in the first quarter of the Cincinnati Bengals' 34-13 thumping of Andy Reid's team, Eagles punter Mat McBriar set to punt fro… |
|
|
Bengals force 5 turnovers, rout sloppy EaglesDec 14, 2012
Associated Press, ESPN.com Andy Dalton threw one touchdown pass and ran for another score, an opportunistic defense forced five turnovers, and the Cincinnati Bengals beat the Philadelphia Eagles 34-13 on Thursday night. |
|
The Trenchie Awards: Aldon Smith's Decimation of the Miami Dolphins (A Story in 2 GIFs)Dec 14, 2012
In celebration of the NFL's release of the all-22 and end zone film for the 2012 season, each week we'll be bringing you the best in offensive- and de... |
