National Football League News and Rumors
Wrestler John Cena will serve as Jets’ honorary captainMike Florio, profootballtalk.com The line between pro football and pro wrestling will further be blurred on Sunday. That’s when WWE star John Cena serves as the honorary captain of the Jets before Sunday’s game against the Colts, according to Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News. … |
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Ex-Raider Smith must stand trial for 4 murdersOct 12, 2012
Associated Press, ESPN.com A Los Angeles County judge on Friday ordered that Anthony Wayne Smith, a defensive lineman who played for eight years in the 1990s for the NFL's Oakland and Los Angeles Raiders, must stand trial for four murders. |
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Michael David Smith, profootballtalk.com Jerry Jones’s new stadium is big and fancy, but it doesn’t necessarily give the Cowboys much of a home-field advantage. That’s the word from Hall of Fame former Cowboys quarterback Troy Aikman, who says he doesn’t think Dallas fans are the type to… |
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Report: Mendenhall's Achilles injury not seriousOct 12, 2012
ESPN.com news services, ESPN.com The Achilles injury Pittsburgh Steelers running back Rashard Mendenhall suffered in Thursday night's loss to the Tennessee Titans is minor, a person who has spoken to the player told NFL.com on Friday. |
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Michael David Smith, profootballtalk.com After going 15-1 last season, the Packers are off to a 2-3 start this season, making them one of the NFL’s most disappointing teams. But Green Bay coach Mike McCarthy better not hear anyone talking about panicking. Asked at his press conference whether … |
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Police investigate, close crash case involving SuhOct 12, 2012
DEARBORN, Mich. (AP) -- Police in a Detroit suburb say they have closed their investigation into a traffic accident involving Detroit Lions defensive lineman Ndamukong Suh (ehn-DAHM'-uh-kehn soo). |
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Saints players appeal new bounty-gate penaltiesOct 12, 2012
NEW ORLEANS (AP) -- All four players punished in the NFL's bounty investigation have filed appeals with the league. People familiar with the situation say the players have asked Commissioner Roger Goodell to remove himself as arbitrator because they do … |
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Michael David Smith, profootballtalk.com Colts defensive end Cory Redding picked up a costly unnecessary roughness penalty for a hit on Packers running back Cedric Benson on Sunday, and he wasn’t happy about it. He’s not happy about it after being fined, either. Redding has been fined $7,875… |
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Jets place Revis on IR; ACL surgery next weekOct 12, 2012
Jane McManus, ESPN.com Coach Rex Ryan said that Darrelle Revis will have surgery on his torn ACL next Thursday and that the Jets will place the cornerback on season-ending injured reserve. |
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Week Six injury report roundupOct 12, 2012
Josh Alper, profootballtalk.com We cover all of the biggest injury stories throughout the week and on Friday, but feel free to use this as a one-stop shop to catch up on those posts and any other names worth mentioning that we’ll throw in here every Friday. Bills at Cardinals The Bill… |
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Jim Harbaugh Is A Crazy PersonOct 12, 2012
Jack Dickey, deadspin.com On Thursday, Giants offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride expressed some moderate displeasure with the technique of Niners defensive end Justin Smith. Smith is one big part of the Niners' stellar front seven-he clears space for the run-stopping linebacke |
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Matt Forte talks with Shutdown Corner about the Bears’ hot start, his teammates and algebra classOct 12, 2012
Maggie Hendricks, yahoo.com CHICAGO -- The Chicago Bears are on a bye this week, but Pro Bowl running back Matt Forte stayed in town to visit with students at Tilden High School on the city's South Side. As a part of Duracell's #TrustYourPower campaign, Forte surprised the student… |
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Brian McIntyre, yahoo.com Washington Redskins first round quarterback Robert Griffin practiced fully on Friday and is expected to play against the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday. Griffin suffered a concussion in last week's loss to the Atlanta Falcons. Wide receiver Pierre Garcon (… |
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Nicks practices for Giants, may play vs. NinersOct 12, 2012
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) -- New York Giants wide receiver Hakeem Nicks has practiced for the second straight day and there is a chance he will play Sunday against the San Francisco 49ers in a rematch of the NFC title game. |
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Titans S Griffin ($21k) headlines Week 5 finesOct 12, 2012
Associated Press, ESPN.com Tennessee Titans safety Michael Griffin has been fined $21,000 by the NFL for his helmet-to-helmet hit on Vikings wide receiver Michael Jenkins. |
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Michael David Smith, profootballtalk.com One of the biggest plays of Sunday night’s Chargers-Saints game came when Saints quarterback Drew Brees threw an interception that Chargers linebacker Demorrio Williams returned for a touchdown - only to have the touchdown called back on a roughing th |
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Michael David Smith, profootballtalk.com The Monday night battle for first place in the AFC West will not be blacked out. The Chargers announced today that their upcoming home game against the Broncos will be shown on local television. However, the game is not a sellout: The team said some tic… |
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Josh Alper, profootballtalk.com Pro Football Talk on NBC Sports Network will be getting a jump on Sunday with a pair of players from the AFC North on Friday afternoon. Erik Kuselias will speak with Ravens wide receiver Torrey Smith ahead of this weekend’s date with the Cowboys. Smithâ… |
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Dre Kirkpatrick is close to making his debutOct 12, 2012
Josh Alper, profootballtalk.com The Bengals secondary has gotten healthier in the last couple of weeks, but they still haven’t been able to see what first-round pick Dre Kirkpatrick can do in a game. Kirkpatrick hurt his knee before training camp and then aggravated the injury in camp… |
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Everson Griffen rejoins Vikings, will play SundayOct 12, 2012
Mike Florio, profootballtalk.com On Wednesday, the mother of Vikings defensive end Everson Griffen died suddenly while visiting Griffen in Minnesota. On Friday, Griffen rejoined the team - and he is expected to play on Sunday. “He said he felt like this is what his mom would want h |
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Jets expect TE Keller, WR Hill to play vs. ColtsOct 12, 2012
Jane McManus, ESPN.com New York Jets tight end Dustin Keller is expected to play Sunday against the visiting Indianapolis Colts after missing each game since Week 1 with a hamstring injury. |
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David Roher, deadspin.com Mike Tomlin iced the kicker twice last night, but with an unfortunate twist: First, he called a timeout on his own kicker, Shaun Suisham, who proceeded to miss a 54-yarder. Then he stopped the Titans' Rob Bironas just as he was about to attempt the game… |
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College coaches wanted to make J.J. Watt an OTOct 12, 2012
Darin Gantt, profootballtalk.com J.J. Watt has become one of the dominant defensive linemen in the NFL. But if his coaches at Central Michigan would have had their way, he’d be playing offense. According to 49ers left tackle Joe Staley, the Chippewas wanted to convert Watt from tight e… |
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Lions have no update on Jahvid BestOct 12, 2012
Michael David Smith, profootballtalk.com If today is the day that doctors clear Lions running back Jahvid Best to return to the field after a year off following two concussions, the Lions aren’t letting on. Although Best expressed optimism that he could be cleared today, Lions coach Jim Schwar… |
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Haden ready to return after suspensionOct 12, 2012
Associated Press, ESPN.com With a selfish act, Joe Haden damaged more than his reputation. |
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Darin Gantt, profootballtalk.com The Cowboys know they’ll have three starters back in the lineup at Baltimore Sunday, and are awaiting word on a fourth. Nose tackle Jay Ratliff (ankle), defensive end Kenyon Coleman (knee) and center Phil Costa (back) were all listed as probable, accord… |
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Cowboys' Spencer may miss extended timeOct 12, 2012
Todd Archer, ESPN.com Anthony Spencer's pectoral strain could keep him out of a second straight game and defensive coordinator Rob Ryan isn't so sure the Cowboys' outside linebacker will be able to play anytime soon. |
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Jets offense looking healthier ahead of Colts gameOct 12, 2012
Josh Alper, profootballtalk.com The Jets have been rolling with a rather ragtag group of receiving options since Santonio Holmes was lost for the season, but things are looking a little better in that department heading into Week Six. Tight end Dustin Keller and wide receiver Stephen … |
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League doesn’t fine Harrison SmithOct 12, 2012
Mike Florio, profootballtalk.com Last month, Pats coach Bill Belichick was fined $50,000 for grabbing an official by the arm after a game. Now, Vikings safety Harrison Smith has been fined nothing for shoving an official during a game. The league office tells PFT that Smith, who was e… |
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For many 49ers, the bitterness toward Giants remainsOct 12, 2012
Darin Gantt, profootballtalk.com Kyle Williams isn’t the only 49ers player who looks at this week’s game with the Giants as a chance at redemption. From top to bottom of the 49ers roster, there’s a pain that came with last year’s loss in the NFC Championship Game that they can’… |
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Josh Alper, profootballtalk.com Anyone familiar with the film The Program likely remembers that James Caan, playing a college football coach, had Omar Epps, playing a fumble-prone freshman running back in love with Halle Berry, carry a football around campus with him so that he could … |
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Mike Florio, profootballtalk.com Defensive players are beginning to revolt against the NFL’s protection of the knees of quarterbacks, at the expense of the knees of other players. Vikings defensive end Jared Allen thinks it shouldn’t be that way. And he made his point in reference … |
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Greg Jennings ruled out for Sunday’s trip to HoustonOct 12, 2012
Darin Gantt, profootballtalk.com We mentioned earlier today that Packers wide receiver Greg Jennings wasn’t making positive noises when asked if he’d play this week. Now we know why. The Packers have officially ruled Jennings out for Sunday night’s game at Houston, according to Jas… |
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Bucs go with ticketless ticketsOct 12, 2012
Mike Florio, profootballtalk.com The team that hasn’t had to print an abundance of tickets lately could soon have to print none. The Buccaneers have become the first team to use paperless ticketing, with tickets purchased via a smartphone - and the phone then scanned upon entry to th |
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Doug Farrar, yahoo.com The season-ending knee injury suffered by Houston Texans linebacker Brian Cushing in the first half of Houston's 23-17 Monday night win over the New York Jets has spun more outrage than the NFL would like. In a league culture that preaches player safety… |
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Bengals Cheerleader Who Humped High School Student: "We Still Haven't Been On Our First Date Yet"Oct 12, 2012
Dom Cosentino, deadspin.com Now that all that messy business of sleeping with one of her former students is behind her, Sarah Jones and that former student are ready to consummate their relationship, perhaps by having dinner and seeing a movie. More » |
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Barry Petchesky, deadspin.com Drew Stanton was a Jet for all of a week. He signed to be the backup to Mark Sanchez, but other events intervened. Peyton Manning decided on the Broncos, so Tim Tebow became expendable. The Jets traded for Tebow, at a not-insignificant cost in both draf… |
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Josh Alper, profootballtalk.com Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez’s bags are packed, but Bill Belichick isn’t saying whether Hernandez is ready to go. Anyone familiar with the Patriots coach won’t be surprised to hear that Belichick offered very little insight into Hernandez’s … |
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Judy Battista, nytimes.com Judy Battista, the N.F.L. reporter for The Times, answers questions from readers. |
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Browns could be down 2 defensive startersOct 12, 2012
Associated Press, ESPN.com Browns defensive starters Ahtyba Rubin and Scott Fujita both missed practice and may sit out Sunday's game against Cincinnati. |
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Bears players rally to support widow of slain fanOct 12, 2012
Darin Gantt, profootballtalk.com The widow of a slain Bears fan killed in Jacksonville last weekend has been overwhelmed by the outpouring of support from the community, and from the Bears. Several players have reached out to support the family, and tight end Kellen Davis has organized… |
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Dennis Dillon: Week 6 Spotlight: Packers-TexansOct 12, 2012
The Texans have cemented themselves as Super Bowl contenders. How will they fare against the Packers, expected contenders who are just 2-3? Dennis Dillon breaks it down. |
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Sources: Appeals aim for Goodell's recusalOct 12, 2012
Ed Werder, ESPN.com New Orleans Saints linebacker Jonathan Vilma has filed his appeal of the season-long suspension with an intriguing strategy. |
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Declining? Ray Lewis says 'keep watching'Oct 12, 2012
Calvin Watkins, ESPN.com Baltimore Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis -- a 13-time Pro Bowler and one of the NFL's all-time great linebackers -- was asked if he still has "it." |
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Officiating talk on today’s PFT LiveOct 12, 2012
Michael David Smith, profootballtalk.com The replacement refs are gone, but questions about the officiating remain. So it’s a good thing we’ve got former NFL official and NBC officiating consultant Jim Daopoulos on call. Daopoulos will join Mike Florio once again on Pro Football Talk Live to… |
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Colts quickly lose waivers dibsOct 12, 2012
Mike Florio, profootballtalk.com One of the few benefits of a disastrous season, apart from getting the first pick in the draft, is the fact that the worst team in the league has the first crack at every player who is waived, through the day after the Super Bowl through the third week … |
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With Jeffery out, Bears won’t be adding a wideoutOct 12, 2012
Mike Florio, profootballtalk.com The Chicago Bears won’t have rookie wideout Alshon Jeffery for at least a couple of weeks, thanks to a broken bone in his hand. But that doesn’t mean they’ll be adding any receivers to replace him. G.M. Phil Emery says that no free-agent wideouts … |
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Brian McIntyre, yahoo.com Last week, Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Michael Vick created a stir when he tweeted what appeared to be a Rockwellian picture of himself playing on his iPad while his daughter studied at the kitchen table. The stir occurred when people noticed a box … |
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Khan hints at more overseas games for JaguarsOct 12, 2012
Mike Florio, profootballtalk.com With Jaguars owner Shahid Khan promoting the team’s impending annual trips to London, Khan has suggested that more games could be played by the Jaguars in London based on how well the team is received from 2013 through 2016. “In the course of the next… |
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49ers' Rogers won't imitate Cruz's TD danceOct 12, 2012
Mike Mazzeo, ESPN.com Carlos Rogers won't be doing any salsa dancing on the field Sunday. |
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Michael David Smith, profootballtalk.com Not a week goes by without an NFL player posting something stupid on Twitter. This week it’s Patriots linebacker Brandon Spikes‘ turn. Spikes took to Twitter on Wednesday and posted what appears to be a joke stolen from British comedian Jack Whitehall… |
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Darin Gantt, profootballtalk.com When Cowboys fullback Lawrence Vickers, hardly a future Hall of Famer, fired back at Ray Lewis earlier this week, it underscored what has become evident at times this season. Ray Lewis isn’t necessarily Ray Lewis anymore. The Ravens middle linebacker is… |
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Darin Gantt, profootballtalk.com Cardinals linebacker Sam Acho was just going to hang out with a former teammate, quarterback Rich Bartel, Wednesday night. Instead, he got to meet a pair of former Presidents. Acho was able to drag Bartel along when, at the invitation he wide receiver L… |
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Ben Roethlisberger Is Not ImpressedOct 12, 2012
Timothy Burke, deadspin.com Tennessee upset Pittsburgh last night in a Thursday Night Football game full of exciting field goals and the sort of play that led most viewers to seek out more compelling sports TV on TBS or TNT. A last-second field goal by Rob Bironas-his fourth of th |
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Larry Foote: We aren’t strong mentallyOct 12, 2012
Josh Alper, profootballtalk.com The Steelers blew a seven-point lead in the fourth quarter against a Titans team that made a habit out of getting blown out in the first five weeks of the season. It’s their third road loss in three road games this season to teams that have gone a combi… |
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Mario Williams finally lands on injury reportOct 12, 2012
Mike Florio, profootballtalk.com In a move that serves only to highlight the team’s failure to disclose Mario Williams‘ wrist injury at any point during the first five weeks of the regular season, the Bills have disclosed Mario Williams’ wrist injury on both injury reports released… |
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Friday morning one-linersOct 12, 2012
Josh Alper, profootballtalk.com Bills RB Tashard Choice tried to rally his teammates with a speech following last week’s loss. It looks like WR Jabar Gaffney will play for the Dolphins this Sunday. Moving Rob Ninkovich to defensive end has worked out well for the Patriots. Jets RB Sho… |
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Finley reiterates lack of chemistry with RodgersOct 12, 2012
Mike Florio, profootballtalk.com Things aren’t going well this year for the Packers, and it’s creating frustration. Which is leading to guys saying things that maybe they shouldn’t be saying. The latest guy to let his frustration become verbalized is tight end Jermichael Finley.… |
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Stanton says Jets offered him a chance, pre-TebowOct 12, 2012
Darin Gantt, profootballtalk.com The Jets coaches continue to back Mark Sanchez, even as their owner talks about keeping Tim Tebow long-term. But the guy the Jets initially brought in to backup Sanchez said he was told he’d get a chance to start if Sanchez struggled this year. “Had M… |
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Darin Gantt, profootballtalk.com The Titans needed it as a group. But quarterback Matt Hasselbeck needed a comeback win like Thursday’s over the Steelers for his own reasons. After losing the starting job to Jake Locker in camp, and then playing poorly in relief, the 37-year-old Hassel… |
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Michael David Smith, profootballtalk.com When Titans running back Chris Johnson got off to a brutal start this season, he said he’s only as good as Tennessee’s offensive line. So it’s only fair that after a good game Thursday night against the Steelers, Johnson praised the line. Johnson, w… |
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The Titans survived the Steelers 26-23 largely behind the veteran heroics of Matt Hasselbeck. The 37-year-old proved that age is just a number -- and it's all relative, writes Chris Burke. |
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Brian McIntyre, yahoo.com At 1-4 entering Thursday night's game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Tennessee Titans needed a win to keep any realistic hopes they had for making the postseason alive. Thanks to 290 yards passing from Matt Hasselbeck, 91 yards rushing from Chris… |
