This is the November 21, 2012 news archive. View today's NFL news and rumors.

National Football League News and Rumors

It's feast or famine for NY Jets, who need to use Thanksgiving matchup with New England Patriots to kick-start a winning streak

nydailynews.com

As a result of being one step above incompetent the first 10 games of the season, the Jets have left themselves with virtually no margin for error over the final six games.

Curtis Crabtree, profootballtalk.com

Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Arrelious Benn’s 2012 season could be a coming to a premature end. According to Mike Garafolo of the USA Today, Benn could be headed to season-ending injured reserve. Benn did not practice with the Buccaneers on Wednes…

ESPN.com news services, ESPN.com

Colin Kaepernick will take all the first-team reps for the San Francisco 49ers this week, Alex Smith told ESPN Wednesday night. Smith told ESPN that coach Jim Harbaugh informed the two quarterbacks of the practice split on Wednesday.

Mike Florio, profootballtalk.com

There are two types of teams in the NFL.  Those with franchise quarterbacks, and those looking for franchise quarterbacks. Since franchise quarterbacks rarely are available via free agency, the only place to find one is to draft him and hope he becomes …

Mike Florio, profootballtalk.com

Yes, 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh reportedly has informed Alex Smith that Colin Kaepernick will be the starting quarterback on Sunday against the Saints. It was the right decision, and it was the right time to make it. Smith has played well under Harbaugh’s…

ESPN.com news services, ESPN.com

49ers coach Jim Harbaugh told Alex Smith that Colin Kaepernick will start Sunday against the New Orleans Saints, according to a Sports Illustrated report. Harbaugh's decision is not based on health, according to the report.

Doug Farrar, yahoo.com

After San Francisco 49ers backup quarterback Colin Kaepernick put on quite the show against the Chicago Bears on Monday night, opening up the team's formerly conservative passing game with several accurate long throws, head coach Jim Harbaugh said that …

Curtis Crabtree, profootballtalk.com

The Seattle Seahawks promoted wide receiver Charly Martin from the practice squad to the active roster to take the place of safety Winston Guy. Guy was suspended four games on Tuesday for violating the league’s performance-enhancing drug policy. Martin …

Mike Florio, profootballtalk.com

The Chargers plan to get in on the Black Friday action, with a 15-percent reduction on all merchandise available at the team’s online store the day after Thanksgiving. As Eric Wolff of U-T San Diego explains, the team’s announcement of the sale on its…

Mike Florio, profootballtalk.com

With a trio of games starting early Thursday, we posted the PFT Week 12 picks a day early. We also devoted a segment of PFT Live to the picks on which MDS and yours truly disagree.  Now that MDS has cut the deficit to four games, he can close the gap en…

Doug Farrar, yahoo.com

Houston Texans at Detroit Lions The Texans' usually excellent defense got a major wake-up call last Sunday, when they allowed 37 points to a Jacksonville Jaguars offense that had not scored more than 23 points all season. That Chad Henne replaced Blaine…

ESPN.com news services, ESPN.com

Buffalo Bills cornerback Leodis McKelvin was fined $75 for interfering with a flight crew, according to a report by WIVB.com in Buffalo.

Mike Florio, profootballtalk.com

Ravens safety Ed Reed’s one game suspension for an illegal hit on a defenseless receiver was cut to $50,000 on appeal.  Browns safety T.J. Ward has been fined half that amount, prior to appeal, for a hit on Cowboys wideout Kevin Ogletree. Like Reed, Wa…

nydailynews.com

There was no question that the rattle factor was there the last time that the Giants played the Packers. The Giants not only defeated the Packers, who were 15-1 heading into that NFC divisional playoff game at Lambeau Field last January, they beat them …

Brian McIntyre, yahoo.com

We begin our mid-week NFL injury roundup with the three Thanksgiving Day games. Houston Texans nose tackle Shaun Cody (back/ribs), cornerback Johnathan Joseph (hamstring) and linebacker Tim Dobbins (shoulder) and No. 2 running back Ben Tate (hamstring) …

Associated Press, ESPN.com

Falcons linebacker Sean Weatherspoon hopes to be cleared to play after practicing on Wednesday for the first time in three weeks.

Mike Florio, profootballtalk.com

Last month, 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh attributed questions regarding quarterback Alex Smith’s confidence to “gobble gobble turkey,” which he said means “gobble gobble turkey from jive turkey gobblers.” Though that metaphor would be better suited …

Associated Press, ESPN.com

Alex Smith is supportive of Colin Kaepernick's success, even if the second-year pro takes Smith's starting job as 49ers quarterback.

Mike Florio, profootballtalk.com

Last week, there was optimism that Packers running back Cedric Benson could return to practice this week, six weeks after his placement on revocable IR.  This week, there isn’t as much. Benson said he could still undergo surgery, which at this stage of…

Michael David Smith, profootballtalk.com

Cowboys defensive coordinator Rob Ryan has spent the last three days putting together a game plan for Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III, and he says it all comes down to playing physical football. Ryan said that when he prepares his defenses to pl…

Darin Gantt, profootballtalk.com

Raiders quarterback Carson Palmer knows he’s going to get booed when he returns to Cincinnati for the first time since threatening to retire and being traded. But he said simply that he thought his Bengals career had run its course, and it was time to m…

Jeff Dickerson, ESPN.com

Chicago Bears starting left guard Chilo Rachal has left the team for personal reasons and has been placed on the reserve/left squad list, the team announced.

Josh Alper, profootballtalk.com

The Cardinals’ six-game losing streak started with Kevin Kolb at quarterback and continued with John Skelton under center. Arizona is hoping the third man is the charm. Coach Ken Whisenhunt announced Wednesday that Ryan Lindley will be the starting quar…

Josh Alper, profootballtalk.com

Before the Vikings started practice on Wednesday, wide receiver Percy Harvin said that he would be on the field with his teammates. That didn’t turn out to be the case. Harvin didn’t participate in the workout and the Vikings will have to try again on…

Todd Archer, ESPN.com

Undrafted rookie Lance Dunbar might be the Dallas Cowboys' starting running back Thursday against the Washington Redskins with DeMarco Murray and Felix Jones listed as doubtful and questionable, respectively, for the game.

Associated Press, ESPN.com

Now that Greg Jennings is back to practice, playing in a game might not be too far behind.

Josh Alper, profootballtalk.com

The Lions and Texans released their injury reports for Thursday’s game on Wednesday and they pretty much line up with what we expected. Lions tackle Jeff Backus is doubtful to play after missing the entire abbreviated week of practice with a hamstring i…

Darin Gantt, profootballtalk.com

Even though 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh opened the door for speculation about his quarterback situation, that doesn’t mean Alex Smith is upset about it. Harbaugh has stopped short of declaring a starter since Colin Kapernick’s precocious starting debut M…

Josh Alper, profootballtalk.com

Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan is coming off one of the worst games of his professional career thanks to five interceptions against the Cardinals last weekend. We’ll find out how Ryan plans to put that game in the rearview mirror when he joins Russ Thale…

Mike Florio, profootballtalk.com

There’s nothing like the arrival of a veteran receiver to help speed the healing of a young receiver’s ankle. A day after the Steelers signed Plaxico Burress, Antonio Brown practiced for the first time since spraining an ankle 17 days ago. Brown, the …

Michael David Smith, profootballtalk.com

Rob Gronkowski isn’t the only important player the Patriots will be missing when they take on the Jets Thursday night. The Patriots confirmed today that not only is Gronkowski out for the Thanksgiving AFC East battle, but guard Logan Mankins and defensi…

Michael C. Wright, ESPN.com

The Chicago Bears cleared Jay Cutler to practice Wednesday in a limited capacity, but per the NFL's concussion protocol, he'll still need to be cleared by an independent neurologist to play Sunday against the Minnesota Vikings at Soldier Field.

Josh Alper, profootballtalk.com

The Packers held their first practice of the week on Wednesday, but linebacker Clay Matthews wasn’t able to join the team on the field. Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel reports that coach Mike McCarthy said that Matthews is doubtful to …

Brian McIntyre, yahoo.com

Even with the Pittsburgh Steelers down to 37-year-old Charlie Batch and newly signed Brian Hoyer at the quarterback position, few are giving the 2-8 Cleveland Browns much of a chance to upset the 6-4 Steelers this Sunday at Cleveland Browns Stadium. The…

Mike Florio, profootballtalk.com

The day after Thanksgiving has created an ugly tradition of guerilla shopping.  Dubbed Black Friday years ago by retail workers who dreaded the experience and now spun by management types to mean that it helps honest businesses get “in the black,” it…

Associated Press, ESPN.com

A former Baylor basketball player has been sentenced to 18 months in federal prison for trying to extort $1 million from Washington Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III.

Darin Gantt, profootballtalk.com

The Bears were without Jay Cutler Monday night, but even if he was there, he might not have been for long. After watching his group allow six sacks to the 49ers, Bears offensive coordinator Mike Tice didn’t rule out lineup changes. But mostly, he said t…

Michael David Smith, profootballtalk.com

The news is mixed on the injury front for the Cowboys heading into Thursday’s game against the Redskins. Running back Felix Jones, left tackle Tyron Smith and defensive tackle Jay Ratliff are all listed as questionable. For Smith in particular, that’s…

CNNSI.com

PHILADELPHIA (AP) Michael Vick and LeSean McCoy aren't practicing because of concussions and their status for Philadelphia's game against Carolina on Monday night is uncertain.

Tim MacMahon, ESPN.com

In the midst of what might be a breakout month on the field, Dallas Cowboys receiver Dez Bryant opened up about his heavily scrutinized personal life Wednesday afternoon.

CNNSI.com

The better team doesn't always win in the NFL. So, can the Texans overcome many things working against them to beat the Lions on Thanksgiving? See what Peter King thinks.

Associated Press, ESPN.com

Plaxico Burress is ready to get back to work with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Darin Gantt, profootballtalk.com

Plaxico Burress might be in a familiar setting, but the offense is brand new. So the newest-old Steelers wide receiver knows he has to dive into offensive coordinator Todd Haley’s playbook if he’s going to make any kind of splash with Antonio Brown an…

Mike Florio, profootballtalk.com

Four years ago, as the Jets imploded from 8-3 to 9-7, owner Woody Johnson declared that both G.M. Mike Tannenbaum and coach Eric Mangini would return. The day after the season ended, Mangini was fired. Now that the Jets are careening toward another seas…

Josh Alper, profootballtalk.com

The return of Fred Jackson to practice on Wednesday raised the question of which running back the Bills would start against the Colts this Sunday. Coach Chan Gailey answered it and the answer is one that will bring a smile to the face of anyone who’s be…

Associated Press, ESPN.com

Willis McGahee has been placed on recallable injured reserve by the AFC West-leading Denver Broncos.

Doug Farrar, yahoo.com

For the second time in his rookie season, Washington Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III was named the NFL's Offensive Player of the Week after a four-touchdown performance against the Philadelphia Eagles last Sunday. Griffin completed an amazing 14…

Mike Florio, profootballtalk.com

For the first time ever, a prime-time NFL game will be televised by a major broadcast network on Thanksgiving night.  For the first time ever, that game also will be available over the Internet. The Sunday Night Football Extra feature will once again be…

Mike Florio, profootballtalk.com

The current calendar year started with the Steelers and offensive coordinator Bruce Arians parting ways.  The Steelers said that Arians had retired. If Arians did indeed retire, his post-career equivalent of handing out carts at Wal-Mart has worked out …

Darin Gantt, profootballtalk.com

The Falcons are apparently getting a boost to their defense when they need it the most. According to D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal Constitution, Falcons linebacker Sean Weatherspoon is returning to practice today, and said he plans to play…

Greg Garber, ESPN.com

Here's how the rookie quarterbacks of 2012 are making an instant impact

CNNSI.com

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) Brady Quinn is getting another shot on the Kansas City Chiefs' quarterback merry-go-round.

CNNSI.com

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) Buffalo Bills running back Fred Jackson has been cleared to play at Indianapolis this weekend after passing a series of NFL-mandated concussion tests.

Brian McIntyre, yahoo.com

The Jacksonville Jaguars announced that quarterback Blaine Gabbert has been placed on season-ending injured reserve with a right forearm injury he sustained in the first quarter of last Sunday's 43-37 overtime loss to the Houston Texans. In addition to …

Associated Press, ESPN.com

The Arizona Cardinals have activated Beanie Wells from the NFL's new injured/designated to return list, clearing the way for the running back to play Sunday against St. Louis.

Mike Florio, profootballtalk.com

When former NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue convenes the appeal hearing in the bounty case, two key witnesses will be required to attend and testify. According to the Associated Press, a document sent by Tagliabue to the parties directs the NFL to produ…

Stuart Miller, nytimes.com

Backup quarterbacks -- and in some cases, third-stringers -- came to the fore after injuries to a bunch of starters, but the odds are almost always stacked against them.

Darin Gantt, profootballtalk.com

Von Miller might have lost the league sack lead this week, but he did win AFC defensive player of the week honors. Miller had three sacks and two forced fumbles in the Broncos’ 30-23 win over the Chargers. He now has 13 sacks on the season, and it took …

Josh Alper, profootballtalk.com

Bears quarterback Jay Cutler met the media on Wednesday and answered the question that everyone was waiting to ask out of the way right up front. “I don’t know. We’ll see,” Cutler said, via Sean Jensen of the Chicago Sun-Times. Cutler said that he…

Brian McIntyre, yahoo.com

The Denver Broncos will be without running back Willis McGahee for the remainder of the season as Jay Glazer of FOXSports.com reports the 30-year-old will be placed on season-ending injured reserve due to a torn medial collateral ligament and compressio…

Josh Alper, profootballtalk.com

The Steelers may be running low on quarterbacks, but they got an offensive lineman back at practice on Wednesday. Guard David DeCastro, their first-round pick in April, has been cleared to return to practice. DeCastro has been out since tearing his MCL …

Associated Press, ESPN.com

The Jacksonville Jaguars have placed quarterback Blaine Gabbert and receiver Laurent Robinson on injured reserve, ending their season.

Associated Press, ESPN.com

Former NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue has advised league officials and players implicated in the NFL's bounty probe that he plans to complete all hearings by Dec. 4 and make a ruling shortly after.

Josh Alper, profootballtalk.com

Only one man has ever thrown for more yards in an NFL game than the 527 that Texans quarterback Matt Schaub threw for last Sunday, which is all the explanation you need for why he has been named the AFC offensive player of the week. Schaub’s day landed …

Darin Gantt, profootballtalk.com

The surprise isn’t that 49ers pass-rusher Aldon Smith won NFC defensive player of the week honors. The surprise would have been if anyone else was even considered. Smith had 5.5 sacks Monday against the Bears, giving him a league-high 15 on the season. …

Josh Alper, profootballtalk.com

There aren’t many people talking up the Lions as a playoff team, but they aren’t technically out of the running at 4-6 heading into Week 12. As Carlos Monarrez of the Detroit Free Press points out, the Lions made it to the playoffs in 1997 after start…

Darin Gantt, profootballtalk.com

Once Darrelle Revis was lost for the season, Antonio Cromartie became the Jets best cornerback by default. But a conversation with Revis prior to the injury convinced Cromartie he needed to grow up anyway. “It shouldn’t have taken for Revis to go down…

Mike Florio, profootballtalk.com

For years, NFL coaches have used injury as cover for playing the guys they want to play.  It was, for example, the “100 percent rule” that kept Vikings quarterback Brad Johnson on the bench indefinitely in 1998 while Randall Cunningham was having a s…

Michael David Smith, profootballtalk.com

We’ve noted a few times this season that speculation about Jon Gruden leaving the Monday Night Football booth to return to coaching could make for some delicate situations at ESPN. We’ve seen another example of that today. According to Deadspin, ESPN.…

PFT’s Week 12 picks

Nov 21, 2012

Mike Florio, profootballtalk.com

The good news is that I went 10-4 last week, thanks to every overtime game falling the way I’d pick them.  The bad news is that MDS went 13-1, chopping my seven-game lead down to four. The worst news, potentially, is that we disagree on four games this…

ESPN.com news services, ESPN.com

Ed Reed is thankful his one-game suspension for his hit on the Steelers' Emmanuel Sanders last Sunday was overturned on appeal but he's not happy that he still has to pay a $50,000 fine.

Darin Gantt, profootballtalk.com

Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan can only pretend to have a plan on how to deal with this week. Having never thrown more than three interceptions in a game, bouncing back from last week’s five is something he has no background with. “You can’t worry ab…

Josh Alper, profootballtalk.com

When the Eagles drafted defensive end Vinny Curry in the second round of April’s draft, the pick was widely hailed as a case of the rich getting richer at defensive end. Curry was expected to be a pass rushing option behind Jason Babin and Trent Cole, b…

Joe Brescia, nytimes.com

The former Jets quarterback said that if the Jets continued to struggle, they should give Tim Tebow a chance to start.

Mike Florio, profootballtalk.com

As we prepare to take stock of the things for which we’re thankful, we also need to remember those who are currently facing serious challenges.  In NFL circles, few challenges are more daunting than the one currently confronting Browns executive V.P. B…

ESPN.com news services, ESPN.com

Tight end Kyle Miller has been awarded off waivers to the Miami Dolphins, and they waived receiver Jabar Gaffney.

Darin Gantt, profootballtalk.com

It’s no surprise that Bill Parcells would defend Bill Belichick - he taught him everything he knows. But Parcells, as well as all-time special teamer Steve Tasker, defended the use of Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski on the extra point team, even tho

Josh Alper, profootballtalk.com

Ravens safety Ed Reed won his appeal of a one-game suspension handed down by the NFL for a pattern of illegal hits and will be fined $50,000 instead of missing a game and a game check for a lot more than $50,000. Reed wasn’t thrilled about the developme…

Darin Gantt, profootballtalk.com

The Eagles, continuing a trend of firing people who aren’t necessarily the problem, have gotten rid of their PR man. Apparently Juan Castillo couldn’t be fired again, so they dispatched senior vice president of communications Rob Zeiger Tuesday, acco…

Darin Gantt, profootballtalk.com

With a one-game lead in a division that has underperformed from top to bottom, the Giants could likely secure a playoff berth with a 10-6 record. But Giants safety Antrel Rolle’s looking at the toughest part of the schedule, and suggesting that winning …

Darin Gantt, profootballtalk.com

After spending last week trying to sniff out anonymous sources, and defending themselves from accusations that the clown car was beginning to role again, the Jets are on a different track this week. Coach Rex Ryan was notably humble early in the week, a…

Mike Florio, profootballtalk.com

When I first stumbled across the story from Rob Reischel of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, I thought it was from last month.  It turns out the item was from Tuesday, even though the quotes were from last week. Yes, Packers tight end Jermichael Finley o…

Michael David Smith, profootballtalk.com

Bills players and coaches donated more than $40,000 to help feed more than 900 families this Thanksgiving. The Dolphins like what they’re getting from return man Marcus Thigpen. Said Patriots coach Bill Belichick of the difficulty of playing Jets CB Ant…

Brian Burke, nytimes.com

The Giants' offense, led by Eli Manning, peaked in Week 5 against Cleveland and has been in a relatively consistent decline since, but don't blame arm fatigue.

Curtis Crabtree, profootballtalk.com

Second-year cornerback Anthony Gaitor is closing in on a return for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Gaitor will resume practicing with the Buccaneers on Wednesday according to the team’s official site after being forced to miss the last six weeks while on inj…

Curtis Crabtree, profootballtalk.com

The University of California-Berkeley made the decision Tuesday to part ways with head coach Jeff Tedford after 11 years of Tedford walking the sidelines for the Golden Bears. And Green Bay Packers quarterback and Cal alum Aaron Rodgers isn’t the least …