National Football League News and Rumors
League outs Jimmy Kennedy as 2010 whistleblower, Kennedy denies itMike Florio, profootballtalk.com So much for protecting whistleblowers. The lengthy memorandum issued by the NFL to all teams on Tuesday regarding the re-issued discipline in the Saints bounty scandal identifies former Vikings defensive lineman Jimmy Kennedy as the person who originall… |
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Bradshaw gripes about another quarterbackOct 10, 2012
Mike Florio, profootballtalk.com Hall of Fame quarterback Terry Bradshaw made his bones in broadcasting as a happy-go-lucky sort. Now, he’s not happy. He’s not lucky. And he doesn’t go. Except in the middle of the night. Five or six times. Bradshaw has been ripping modern q… |
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Tonight’s Turning Point is must-see TVOct 10, 2012
Mike Florio, profootballtalk.com Every week, one of the best NFL Films offerings airs exclusively on NBC Sports Network. And you won’t want to miss tonight’s episode of NFL Turning Point. The ultimate turning point came in Indy, where the Colts reversed an 18-point halftime deficit… |
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Cushing says Texans will win Super Bowl without himOct 10, 2012
Mike Florio, profootballtalk.com The hit from Jets guard Matt Slauson on Texans linebacker Brian Cushing has launched plenty of stories, here and elsewhere. Was it legal? Was it clean? Will the NFL change the rules to make it not legal? We’ve yet to hear from the guy who received t… |
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RG3 practices, cleared to play vs. VikingsOct 10, 2012
Associated Press, ESPN.com There was a major sigh of relief at Redskins Park Wednesday when Washington rookie quarterback Robert Griffin III practiced and showed no effects from a mild concussion. |
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Ryan: Sanchez is Jets' starting QB for 'this week'Oct 10, 2012
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) -- Mark Sanchez stood at his locker for 15 minutes and answered every question carefully, making it clear he still believes he's the long-term solution at quarterback for the New York Jets. |
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RGIII cleared to play, back at Redskins practiceOct 10, 2012
ASHBURN, Va. (AP) Robert Griffin III has been cleared to play and is practicing with his Washington Redskins teammates after suffering a mild concussion. |
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Vernon Davis sees difference between Moss and OwensOct 10, 2012
Mike Florio, profootballtalk.com Receiver Terrell Owens and Randy Moss have plenty of detractors. But one NFL player is a big fan of one, and apparently isn’t a fan of the other. 49ers tight end Vernon Davis praised Moss on Wednesday, while in turn taking a bit of a shot at T.O. The … |
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Slauson's block on Cushing under NFL reviewOct 10, 2012
Associated Press, ESPN.com The NFL is reviewing the block by New York Jets guard Matt Slauson that ended the season for Houston Texans star linebacker Brian Cushing because of a knee injury. |
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Michael David Smith, profootballtalk.com Jets guard Matt Slauson has been taken aback by the reaction to his low block from behind on Texans linebacker Brian Cushing on Monday night, which left Cushing with a season-ending knee injury. Slauson says he feels badly for Cushing, but he’s baffled … |
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The weekly PFT coaching hot seatOct 10, 2012
Mike Florio, profootballtalk.com Every week, we identify the NFL coaches who should be feeling heat from something other than the business end of a victory cigar. This week, the list didn’t change much. Largely because none of the guys on the list last week won their games. Except fo… |
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Brandon Jacobs admits frustration at not playing yetOct 10, 2012
Darin Gantt, profootballtalk.com Normally, you’d have to peel Brandon Jacobs off the ceiling for a game like this week’s 49ers-Giants matchup. But because he hasn’t done much to contribute to the effort, the current 49ers and former Giants running back was subdued when asked about … |
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Lions legend Karras dead at 77Oct 10, 2012
DETROIT (AP) Alex Karras was one of the NFL's most feared defensive tackles throughout the 1960s, a player who hounded quarterbacks and bulled past opposing linemen. |
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Mjd, yahoo.com Drew Brees threw a touchdown pass for the 48th straight game on Sunday night against the San Diego Chargers, and his New Orleans Saints triumphed in front of their beloved, persecuted, suspended head coach Sean Payton. It was an evening of joy for the S… |
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Jim Harbaugh wants the 49ers to stay paranoidOct 10, 2012
Josh Alper, profootballtalk.com We got a vintage performance from Tom Coughlin on Wednesday when the coach of the defending Super Bowl champions reached into his well-worn motivational bag of tricks to opine that no one thinks his team can beat the 49ers. Jim Harbaugh has responded wi… |
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Cruz: Salsa dance imitation would be insultOct 10, 2012
Ohm Youngmisuk, ESPN.com Victor Cruz said if Carlos Rogers plans to do another salsa imitation dance, he will consider it an insult. |
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Jacobs Wants to Return Against Former TeamOct 10, 2012
John Branch, nytimes.com Brandon Jacobs has not played for the 49ers yet this season, but wants to get on the field Sunday against the Giants. |
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Chiefs owner Clark Hunt defends his fanbaseOct 10, 2012
Darin Gantt, profootballtalk.com Chiefs right tackle Eric Winston had his say about Chiefs fans Sunday, and stood by it Monday. The guy who signs Winston’s checks weighed in today, defending the bulk of his customers. While Winston raged about the cheers he heard when quarterback Matt … |
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Samer Kalaf, deadspin.com The 2-2 Cowboys are playing the Ravens Sunday, and today Tony Romo had a standard conference call with Baltimore reporters. After some questions about Romo's consistency and such, his phone was somehow disconnected. Did Romo intentionally hang up on the… |
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Josh Alper, profootballtalk.com The Dolphins will be trying to even their record at 3-3 against the Rams this Sunday and they hope to have Reggie Bush playing a big role in that effort. Bush has been slowed down by a knee injury in the last couple of weeks and you’ll get a chance to f… |
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Packers RB Benson on IR, could still returnOct 10, 2012
Associated Press, ESPN.com Packers running back Cedric Benson was placed on injured reserve Wednesday, but designated to return. |
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Owner: Tebow will be with Jets for 3 yearsOct 10, 2012
ESPN.com news services, ESPN.com Jets owner Woody Johnson says backup quarterback Tim Tebow will "be with us for three years," and also backs struggling starter Mark Sanchez. |
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Robert Mathis out 2-3 weeks with a sprained kneeOct 10, 2012
Josh Alper, profootballtalk.com The Colts lost a starting running back for a few weeks when Donald Brown had surgery after tearing cartilage in his knee. He won’t be the only player out of the lineup for some or all of those games. Outside linebacker Robert Mathis is going to be out f… |
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Darin Gantt, profootballtalk.com Packers rookie outside linebacker Nick Perry expected a fine, but not a $15,000 fine. Perry got the huge sanction for last week’s hit on Colts quarterback Andrew Luck, for what appeared to be a facemask-to-shoulder pad shot at the end of a clean run. … |
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Brian McIntyre, yahoo.com If rookies on NFL rosters thought that the days of training camp where they carried pads, fetched snacks, were taped to goalposts or thrown into cold tubs were the end of the rookie hazing they'd experience, they are sorely mistaken. Now that they're ea… |
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Michael David Smith, profootballtalk.com Kansas City fans have taken a lot of criticism this week after some of them cheered when struggling Chiefs quarterback Matt Cassel went down with a concussion on Sunday. Chiefs coach Romeo Crennel says Chiefs fans don’t deserve criticism, but they do de… |
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Mike Florio, profootballtalk.com This morning, Jets owner Woody Johnson made a clear commitment to starting quarterback Mark Sanchez. Johnson also said quarterback Tim Tebow will be with the team for three years, the balance of his rookie deal. This afternoon, coach Rex Ryan indirectl… |
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No Polamalu or Woodley for Steelers Thursday nightOct 10, 2012
Darin Gantt, profootballtalk.com After finally getting a pair of key defenders back last week, the Steelers will be without two this week. The Steelers have ruled safety Troy Polamalu (calf) and linebacker Lamarr Woodley (hamstring) out for Thursday’s game at the Titans, according to t… |
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Reeling Bills lose DE Anderson to hurt kneeOct 10, 2012
Associated Press, ESPN.com Buffalo Bills defensive end Mark Anderson is out indefinitely after hurting his left knee in what becomes the latest blow for a porous defense. |
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Bears prank rookies with fake $38K dinner billOct 10, 2012
Jeff Dickerson, ESPN.com Pay up rookies. That was the message Chicago Bears defensive end Israel Idonije had for first-round pick Shea McClellin and another rookie Tuesday when he handed them a bill for $38,091.91 after a rookie night dinner. |
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Fujita blasts GoodellOct 10, 2012
BEREA, Ohio (AP) Browns linebacker Scott Fujita accused Roger Goodell of abusing his power as commissioner for his handling of the New Orleans Saints' bounty case. |
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Panthers C Kalil, who promised title, put on IROct 10, 2012
Pat Yasinskas, ESPN.com Ryan Kalil, the Carolina Panthers' Pro Bowl center, who took out a full-page ad in The Charlotte Observer to promise fans a championship, won't be going to the Super Bowl. |
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Panthers lose All-Pro center Kalil for rest of yearOct 10, 2012
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) Panthers have announced that Pro Bowl center Ryan Kalil is out for the season after suffering a left foot injury. |
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Thursday Matchup: Steelers at TitansOct 10, 2012
Benjamin Hoffman, nytimes.com Rashard Mendenhall is back, and the Steelers are overjoyed to have him. |
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Bountygate: A Circular, Confusing HistoryOct 10, 2012
Lynn Zinser, nytimes.com If you feel like the N.F.L.'s case against the Saints for a bounty program keeps going around in circles, you are not alone. |
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Bears, coach Smith not discussing extension yetOct 10, 2012
LAKE FOREST, Ill. (AP) General manager Phil Emery says the Chicago Bears have not discussed a contract extension with coach Lovie Smith. |
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Texans sign LB Ruud, cut returner HollidayOct 10, 2012
ESPN.com news services, ESPN.com The Houston Texans have cut return specialist Trindon Holliday and signed linebacker Barrett Rudd in the wake of Brian Cushing's season-ending injury. |
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Josh Alper, profootballtalk.com All those people that Tom Coughlin believes are picking against the Giants this weekend may feel more secure about their decision after a look at the team’s practice report from Wednesday. Seven Giants missed the session, including tight end Martellus B… |
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Brian McIntyre, yahoo.com When a three-member appeals panel vacated the bounty-related suspensions of four current and former players with the New Orleans Saints, linebacker Jonathan Vilma quoted Stewie Griffin by declaring "victory is mine". That victory turned out to… |
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RG3 practicing, cleared to play vs. VikingsOct 10, 2012
Associated Press, ESPN.com There was a major sigh of relief at Redskins Park Wednesday when Washington rookie quarterback Robert Griffin III practiced and showed no effects from a mild concussion. |
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Vick won’t comment on whether he owns a dogOct 10, 2012
Mike Florio, profootballtalk.com If Eagles quarterback Mike Vick owns a dog again, he’s not saying so. Which means he owns a dog again. “I’m here to strictly talk about football,” Vick said Wednesday, via Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer, when asked the “yes” or “… |
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Mjd, yahoo.com It didn't make the ESPN broadcast, but legendary defensive end Mark Gastineau was inducted into the New York Jets Ring of Honor on Monday night. He gave an interesting, meandering and sometimes oddly-enunciated speech at halftime of the Jets loss to the… |
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Plaxico eyeing Bears after injury to WR JefferyOct 10, 2012
Roman Modrowski, ESPN.com If the Chicago Bears are looking for a veteran receiver to replace injured rookie Alshon Jeffery, Plaxico Burress said he would be honored to take their phone call. |
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Josh Alper, profootballtalk.com The Vikings didn’t have wide receiver Jerome Simpson at practice on Wednesday, but they don’t expect to be without him much longer than that. Simpson had an MRI after experiencing weakness in his lower left leg during Sunday’s 30-7 win over the Tita… |
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Darin Gantt, profootballtalk.com Earlier this year, playing against the Lions was your ticket of special teams player of the week honors. Suddenly, you have to play for the Rams. Rams punter Johnny Hekker won NFC special teams player of the week honors, the week after teammate Greg Zue… |
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Randy Starks named AFC defensive player of the weekOct 10, 2012
Darin Gantt, profootballtalk.com Ball skills usually aren’t part of the requirements to play defensive tackle in the NFL. But for Dolphins defensive tackle Randy Starks, it’s become a niche. Starks intercepted his third pass in two seasons in last week’s 17-13 win at Cincinnati, th… |
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Coughlin senses 49ers are heavy favoriteOct 10, 2012
Ohm Youngmisuk, ESPN.com Giants coach Tom Coughlin believes that not many are giving the defending world champions a chance to win an NFC Championship Game rematch in San Francisco on Sunday. |
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He has a reputation for being a great player, and prickly person. One of those is true. Get to know the real Philip Rivers, and you'll see he's not at all what you think, Jim Trotter writes. |
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Josh Alper, profootballtalk.com The Colts will be adding a rookie running back next to their rookie quarterback in the starting lineup for the next few weeks. Interim coach Bruce Arians announced Wednesday that running back Donald Brown underwent knee surgery this week and that he wil… |
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Texans add some veteran LB depth with Barrett RuudOct 10, 2012
Darin Gantt, profootballtalk.com Lacking depth in the middle of their defense with the loss of linebacker Brian Cushing, the Texans signed veteran Barrett Ruud Wednesday, according to John McClain of the Houston Chronicle. Ruud was just released by the Saints, who acquired him in a tra… |
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Matt Cassel hasn’t been cleared yetOct 10, 2012
Josh Alper, profootballtalk.com It’s looking more likely that Brady Quinn will start at quarterback for the Chiefs this weekend. Adam Teicher of the Kansas City Star reports that Matt Cassel has not yet been cleared to return to action after suffering a concussion in last Sunday’s 9… |
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Darin Gantt, profootballtalk.com There’s nothing a coach likes better than telling his players they’re impossible underdogs. It’s harder to sell when you’re the defending Super Bowl champions, but Giants coach Tom Coughlin is sell it anyway. Because the 49ers are on a bit of a ro… |
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NFL great, 'Webster' actor Karras dies at 77Oct 10, 2012
Associated Press, ESPN.com Alex Karras, who gained fame in the NFL as a fearsome defensive lineman and later as an actor, has died. He was 77. |
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Woody Johnson defends Sanchez, plans to keep TebowOct 10, 2012
Mike Florio, profootballtalk.com One thing that has become clear five games into the Tebow experiment is that there’s no way the Jets can keep both Tim Tebow and Mark Sanchez in 2013. Well, that’s clear to everyone but owner Woody Johnson. Appearing Wednesday morning on CNBC’s Squa… |
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Josh Alper, profootballtalk.com We aren’t even at the halfway point of the 2012 season, but the Dolphins are already putting together their plans for the offseason. That was the message owner Stephen Ross sent to team employees at a meeting last month, according to Mike Beradino of th… |
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Jay Cutler says he likes Mike Tice, really he doesOct 10, 2012
Darin Gantt, profootballtalk.com Jay Cutler knows it looks like he doesn’t care for Mike Tice, but according to him, nothing could be further from the truth. Cutler told Sean Jensen of the Chicago Sun-Times that Tice’s background as a player, and the versatility that gives him, bough… |
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Anonymous GM's rip job fires up Lions' RaiolaOct 10, 2012
ESPN.com news services, ESPN.com At 1-3 and last in the NFC North, the Detroit Lions are one of the NFL's biggest early-season disappointments. Now, a rival executive has called them "overrated," a label that isn't sitting well with Detroit's players. |
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Mike Florio, profootballtalk.com Only one thing is clear in the wake of Tuesday’s re-issued bounty suspensions: It won’t be over until it’s over, and it still won’t be over for a long time. Based on public statements we’ve received and private communications in which we’ve … |
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Wednesday morning one-linersOct 10, 2012
Michael David Smith, profootballtalk.com Said Bills LB Nick Barnett of giving up 1,201 yards over the last two games, “The way they were running the ball on us, I’ve never been a part of two weeks like that ever.” Dolphins offensive coordinator Mike Sherman says he hasn’t given his playe… |
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Packers player says “refs are out to get us”Oct 10, 2012
Mike Florio, profootballtalk.com Buried at the very bottom of an article regarding the problem with yellow flags that’s plaguing a team whose fans wear large yellow foam hats is a contention that borders on the outlandish. “It’s definitely on us as players,” an unnamed Packer tol… |
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Darin Gantt, profootballtalk.com Carlos Rogers admires Victor Cruz’s dancing. But he’s not going to back down from doing it himself, even if Cruz takes offense. “I like the dance, actually,” the 49ers cornerback said, via Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee. “I really can’t do… |
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Kenny Britt feeling closer to his old selfOct 10, 2012
Josh Alper, profootballtalk.com It has been a long time since we’ve seen the Kenny Britt whose athleticism made him a game-changing wide receiver for the Titans. A serious knee injury, knee surgery, a suspension and a recent ankle issue have combined to keep Britt either out of the li… |
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Doug Farrar, yahoo.com In 2011, Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers enjoyed one of the best single seasons in NFL history. He completed 343 passes in 502 attempts for a 68.3 completion rate, 4,643 yards, 45 touchdowns, and just six interceptions. The Packers were boun… |
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Cardinals should make a call for Chris JohnsonOct 10, 2012
Mike Florio, profootballtalk.com As more and more teams that don’t have franchise quarterbacks are embracing the combination of stout defense and a potent running game, one of the teams applying that approach has seen its running game decimated by injury. The Cardinals have lost Beanie… |
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Darin Gantt, profootballtalk.com It’s only taken Ben Roethlisberger nine years to do what Terry Bradshaw did in 14. But even though the environment makes it far easier to rack up passing yards than in Bradshaw’s era, Roethlisberger is still honored to be in the same conversation. “… |
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Darin Gantt, profootballtalk.com Adrien Moten’s chance to impress on special teams lasted exactly one week, after replacing starter Brian Rolle. The Eagles have swapped out linebackers for the second week in a row, cutting Moten and signing Jason Williams, according to the Philadelphia… |
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Michael David Smith, profootballtalk.com Titans safety Michael Griffin said last week that he felt like he didn’t know how to play defense in the NFL, because everyone tells you your job is to deliver big hits — right up until the point when the NFL docks your pay for delivering a big hit. W… |
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Jets Tripping Over Feet With TebowOct 10, 2012
Toni Monkovic, nytimes.com As many critics had warned, the Jets haven't been able to find harmony or a consistent role for Tim Tebow. |
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Absurdly premature 2012 playoff picture: Week 5Oct 10, 2012
Mjd, yahoo.com Top AFC seeds: Houston Texans, Baltimore Ravens Other AFC division champs: New England Patriots, Denver Broncos AFC wild cards: Pittsburgh Steelers, San Diego Chargers Top NFC seeds: Atlanta Falcons, San Francisco 49ers Other NFC division champs: Minnes… |
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Terrell Owens is last thing struggling NY Jets need to add to this mix; same goes for Chad Johnson, Plaxico BurressOct 10, 2012
Terrell Owens can rent a billboard in Times Square professing his love for the Jets, he can swear he will not say one derogatory word about Mark Sanchez, he can even promise Woody Johnson he will vote for Mitt Romney, and here’s what the Jets will conti… |
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Are the Detroit Lions Who We Thought They Were?Oct 10, 2012
Earlier this week, Pro Football Weekly ran a fairly rabble-rousing story in which a rival GM made his thoughts known about the surprising start for ... |
