ProFootballTalk.com

JACKSON IS STILL A BILL

Mike Florio — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 01:23:19 +0000

Despite rampant rumors and speculation that running back Fred Jackson’s absence from the Bills’ online roster and depth chart arises from the fact that he has been traded to the Chiefs as part of a package that will bring tight end Tony Gonzalez to Buffalo, Bills V.P. of Communications Scott Berchtold tells us that Jackson’s [...]

WHERE’S FRED JACKSON?

Mike Florio — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 00:56:27 +0000

A couple of readers have pointed out to us that the official online roster of the Buffalo Bills doesn’t include running back Fred Jackson. Jackson also doesn’t show up on the depth chart. We’re trying to find out what Jackson’s status currently is. Some are speculating that he has been traded, possibly as part of a package [...]

PORTER WANTS AN “APOLOGY” FROM THE LEAGUE

Mike Florio — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 00:13:16 +0000

The Texans have distributed post-game quotes from their stirring last-second win over the Dolphins. The excerpts include comments from Miami linebacker Joey Porter regarding a critical call by referee Ed Hochuli during the game-winning drive. Porter believed he caused Texans quarterback Matt Schaub to fumble the ball. Hochuli ruled that it was an incomplete pass, and the [...]

CRAZY FINISH IN THE DESERT

Mike Florio — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 23:53:48 +0000

And just like that, two of the teams from the strongest division in the NFL are felled by two teams from the weakest. Three hours after the Rams shocked the Redskins at home with a late field goal, the Cardinals sent the Cowboys packing at their home away from home with a blocked punt on the first [...]

TIME OUT TACTIC BLOWS UP FOR CARDINALS

Mike Florio — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 23:38:49 +0000

As Cowboys kicker Nick Folk tried a 52-yard field goal to force overtime in Arizona, the ball was blocked. Game over, right? Wrong. Cards coach Ken Whisenhunt had played the late time out card, killing the play an instant before it began. And so, on the Mulligan, Folks nailed the kick, knotting the score at 24 all — and [...]

PORTER POPS OFF ABOUT HOCHULI

Mike Florio — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 23:32:49 +0000

Though we’ve yet to see the quotes, a media source tells us that Dolphins linebacker Joey Porter popped off after Sunday’s loss to the Texans regarding a call that was made during the drive that led to the game-winning points for the Texans. Porter believes that a play ruled by referee Ed Hoculi to be an [...]

MARONEY OUT FOR SUNDAY NIGHT

Mike Florio — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 23:23:11 +0000

At a time when questions are swirling about the overall status of Patriots running back Laurence Maroney, the one-time first-round pick won’t get a chance on Sunday night to prove that he’s OK. Maroney is among the inactive players for Sunday night’s game at San Diego. He had been listed as questionable with a shoulder injury. Sammy [...]

FIELD GOAL REVIEW RAISES QUESTIONS IN SAN FRAN

Mike Florio — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 23:15:04 +0000

After last year’s bizarre finish to regulation in a game between the Browns and the Ravens, the NFL revised its rules to permit replay of field goal attempts. And the new twist in the rules was used during Sunday’s game between the Eagles and the 49ers. But replay review of a field goal try that gave the Eagles a 27-26 lead with [...]

WARRICK IS FAR FROM DONE

Mike Florio — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 22:03:46 +0000

During a year when many thought that running back Warrick Dunn, who returned to Tampa after six seasons in Atlanta, wouldn’t see the field as much as he used to, Dunn contributed significantly to Tampa’s stunning 27-3 win over the previously 4-1 Panthers. Dunn carried the ball 22 times for 115 yards. He added 18 yards [...]

SPRINT DOESN’T FLINCH DURING TOUGH ECONOMIC TIMES

Mike Florio — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 22:00:47 +0000

For months, our friends at Sprint have faced a wide array of internal and external challenges, and they’ve stood firm and resolute in the face of them. So what’s a little global financial crisis? Sprint quietly has been recovering from its struggles, with drastically improved customer service, revolutionary pricing plans, the hottest new phone of the year [...]

GREAT FINISHES FOR FOUR EARLY GAMES

Mike Florio — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 20:22:14 +0000

For everyone who purchased the DirecTV Sunday Ticket package, today is the day that made the investment worth every penny. Four games featured late come-from-behind wins, which could only be properly enjoyed via the Sunday Ticket Game Mix in HD. In the lower left corner of the screen, the Bears recovered from a questionable non-call of pass interference in [...]

SAINTS SHRED RAIDERS

Mike Florio — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 19:59:33 +0000

The Tom Cable era has begun in Oakland. They might have done better with Larry the Cable Guy calling the plays. (”Git ‘r done, on two.”) The Saints blasted the Raiders, 34-3, only six days after New Orleans lost a heartbreaker at home to the Vikings. Drew Brees completed 26 of 30 passes for 320 yards and three [...]

RAMS SHOCKING THE ‘SKINS

Mike Florio — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 19:36:50 +0000

After spotting Washington seven points early in the game, the St. Louis Rams have roared into the lead. Despite being two-touchdown underdogs, the Rams currently hold a six-point edge over the Redskins, 16-10. The Rams’ performance has been fueled by a defensive touchdown, courtesy of a fumble by offensive lineman Pete Kendall, who caught a batted ball late in [...]

FALCONS BREAK OUT THE WILDCAT

Mike Florio — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 19:29:27 +0000

And the copycatting continues. A week after the Pats used a direct snap to Kevin Faulk to score a key touchdown against the 49ers, the Falcons have used the Wildcat formation during Sunday’s game against the Bears. On a play early in the third quarter, the Falcons snapped the ball directly to running back Jerious Norwood, who then took off for a [...]

WINSLOW OUT OF THE HOSPITAL

Mike Florio — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 18:56:29 +0000

Browns tight end Kellen Winslow has been released from the Cleveland Clinic following a three-night stay due to an infection. The Browns officially have downgraded Winslow from questionable to doubtful for Monday night’s game against the Giants. Adam Schefter of NFLN reported earlier in the day that Winslow won’t play. Rumor has it that Kellen was experiencing some swellin’ [...]

BRAD, BACK ON THE HOT SEAT

Mike Florio — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 18:53:20 +0000

Six days after the Saints gift-wrapped a Monday night win for the Vikings, Minnesota coach Brad Childress could be right back on the hot seat. The Vikings trail the woeful Lions by eight points, 10-2, in the third quarter. Minnesota has the better of the play for most of the first half, but could muster only two [...]

PEYTON MANNING HAD TWO KNEE SURGERIES

Michael David Smith — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 18:44:56 +0000

Colts quarterback Peyton Manning missed training camp and the preseason after having knee surgery. But it turns out he actually had two knee surgeries. During the CBS broadcast of the Colts’ game today, Phil Simms and Jim Nantz reported that Manning told them that an infection set in after the first surgery. As a result, he needed [...]

JANIKOWSKI MISSES A 59-YARDER

Michael David Smith — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 18:25:03 +0000

The Oakland Raiders have changed head coaches, but they haven’t changed their tendency to try long field goals. With 11 seconds remaining in the first half of today’s game at New Orleans, new Raiders coach Tom Cable sent out Sebastian Janikowski to try a 59-yard field goal. It missed, wide left. He had previously missed [...]

DAN ORLOVSKY THINKS HE’S PLAYING CANADIAN FOOTBALL

Michael David Smith — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 18:00:36 +0000

In the first quarter of today’s Lions-Vikings game, the Lions faced third-and-10 from their own 1-yard line. When Lions quarterback Dan Orlovsky got the snap, he dropped back to pass. Way, way back. So far back that when he rolled out, he didn’t realize that he had stepped over the end line, that he was outside [...]

PEYTON MANNING ON A ROLL

Michael David Smith — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 17:41:19 +0000

The Ravens’ defense has looked this season like the Ravens’ defense of old, while Peyton Manning and Marvin Harrison have looked this season like they’re growing old. But that’s not how it looks in the early going as the Ravens visit Indianapolis. Manning hit Harrison for a 67-yard touchdown deep along the right sideline in the first [...]

TURNOVER TROUBLE TORTURES TEXANS

Michael David Smith — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 17:30:39 +0000

Last weekend Houston Texans quarterback Sage Rosenfels had three turnovers in the final five minutes of the game. Today Houston Texans quarterback Matt Schaub had two turnovers in the first eight minutes of the game. The Texans’ first drive ended when Shaub was intercepted by Dolphins linebacker Akin Ayodele. The Texans’ second drive ended when Schaub was [...]

FAVRE OFF TO WILD START

Michael David Smith — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 17:22:13 +0000

It’s been an eventful first few minutes for Brett Favre. On the third play of the Jets’ game against the Bengals, Favre dropped back to pass and was drilled by Cincinnati defensive end Antwan Odom. Favre fumbled and Bengals defensive back Chinedum Ndukwe picked it up and ran 15 yards for a touchdown. On the ensuing possession, [...]

RAIDERS SHOPPING FARGAS, BUSH

Mike Florio — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 16:59:39 +0000

Charley Casserly of CBS reports that the Oakland Raiders are willing to trade either Justin Fargas or Michael Bush. With Darren McFadden proving to be a legitimate NFL player, the Raiders don’t need three tailbacks. Casserly says that Bush is the more likely to be moved. Bush and Fargas are both under contract through 2010. Fargas has higher base salaries, [...]

FRYE EXPECTED TO START FOR SEAHAWKS

Mike Florio — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 16:51:10 +0000

More than a year after being exiled from Cleveland after squandering his opportunity as the opening-day starter, quarterback Charlie Frye has resurfaced. Frye is expected to start for the Seahawks, due to injuries to Matt Hasselbeck and Seneca Wallace. The Seahawks host the Packers in one of Sunday’s late games.

RAIDERS-SAINTS INACTIVES

Mike Florio — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 16:42:28 +0000

Michael Fabiano of NFL.com has the inactives for Sunday’s game between the Raiders and the Saints. Here they are. Raiders inactives: QB Marques Tuiasosopo (3rd), WR Todd Watkins, DB Rashad Baker, DE Derrick Burgess, T James Marten, C John Wade, TE Ben Troupe. TE John Madsen. Saints: QB Joey Harrington (3rd), WR Marques Coltson, DB Aaron Glenn, S [...]

BENGALS-JETS INACTIVES

Mike Florio — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 16:39:26 +0000

Here are the inactives for the Bengals-Jets game, from Michael Fabiano of NFL.com. Bengals inactives: QB Carson Palmer (3rd), K Shayne Graham, SS Dexter Jackson, LB Corey Mays, WR Andre Caldwell, WR Jerome Simpson, DT John Thornton, DT Jason Shirley. Jets inactives: QB Brett Ratliff (3rd), QB Erik Ainge, K Mike Nugent, WR David Clowney, CB Justin [...]

RAMS-REDSKINS INACTIVES

Mike Florio — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 16:38:00 +0000

Michael Fabiano of NFL.com has the inactives for Sunday’s game between the Rams and the Redskins. Here they are. Rams inactives: QB Brock Berlin (3rd), WR Keenan Burton, CB Tye Hill, RB Antonio Pittman, G Roy Schuening, T John Greco, WR Drew Bennett, WR Dane Looker. Redskins inactives: QB Colt Brennan (3rd), WR Malcolm Kelly, DB Justin Hamilton, FS [...]

CHIEFS SHOPPING L.J., TOO

Mike Florio — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 16:36:36 +0000

At a time when the Chiefs are actively talking to other teams about a trade of tight end Tony Gonzalez, Jay Glazer of FOX reports that they also are shopping running back Larry Johnson. It’d be a wise move to move L.J., as we pointed out in last week’s Ten-Pack for SportingNews.com. Really, who needs a [...]

GONZALEZ WANTS OUT

Mike Florio — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 16:30:24 +0000

There have been reports that the Chiefs are talking to other teams about a trade of tight end Tony Gonzalez. Jay Glazer of FOX reports that Gonzalez has asked to be traded to a Super Bowl contender. Per Glazer, Gonzalez wants to play for a team like the Giants. Glazer says that the Chiefs initially wanted a [...]

PANTHERS-BUCS INACTIVES

Mike Florio — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 16:20:43 +0000

Here are the inactives for Sunday’s game between 4-1 Carolina and 3-2 Tampa, courtesy of Michael Fabiano of NFL.com. Panthers inactives: QB Matt Moore (3rd), WR D.J. Hackett, DB Quinton Teal, LB James Anderson, C Ryan Kalil, T Jeff Otah, WR Kenneth Moore, DT Darwin Walker. Buccaneers inactives: QB Josh Johnson (3rd), QB Brian Griese, FB B.J. [...]

RAVENS-COLTS INACTIVES

Mike Florio — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 16:14:20 +0000

Here are the inactives for Sunday’s game between the 2-2 Ravens and 2-2 Colts, from Michael Fabiano of NFL.com. Ravens inactives: QB Troy Smith (3rd), CB Samari Rolle, S Dawan Landry, DB Fabian Washington, T David Hale, T Adam Terry, WR Marcus Smith, DT Lamar Divens. Colts inactives: S Bob Sanders, CB Kelvin Hayden, LB Buster Davis, [...]

BEARS-FALCONS INACTIVES

Mike Florio — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 16:10:58 +0000

Michael Fabiano of NFL.com has the inactives for the Week Six game between the 3-2 Bears and 3-2 Falcons. Here they are. Bears inactives: QB Caleb Hanie (3rd), CB Nathan Vasher, LB Nick Roach, G Dan Buenning, T Chris Williams, DT Matt Toeaina, WR Brandon Lloyd, NT Anthony Adams. Falcons inactives: QB D.J. Shockley (3rd), WR Laurent Robinson, [...]

DOLPHINS-TEXANS INACTIVES

Mike Florio — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 16:07:57 +0000

Michael Fabiano of NFL.com has the inactives for Sunday’s game between the 2-2 Dolphins and 0-4 Texans. Dolphins inactives: QB John Beck (3rd), WR Ernest Wilford, G Shawn Murphy, DE Lionel Dotson, T Nate Garner, T Kirk Barton, WR Derek Hagan, DE Rodrique Wright. Texans inactives: RB Chris Taylor, FS Dominique Barber, LB Xavier Adibi, G Kasey [...]

COLSTON WANTED TO PLAY

Mike Florio — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 16:04:22 +0000

Here’s why Saints receiver Marques Colston isn’t playing today, against the Raiders. As of Friday, Colston was ready to go and planned on playing. He has taken many reps in the nickel and dime packages during practice, and he was led to believe that he’d play in those formations on Sunday. But further review of the status [...]

COLSTON OUT FOR SUNDAY

Mike Florio — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 15:58:00 +0000

Despite reports from us and NFL Network that receiver Marques Colston would play on Sunday, Colston is an unexpected scratch for Sunday’s game against the Raiders, according to Michael Fabiano of NFL.com. We’re trying to find out what happened on this one, because as of Friday we were told in no uncertain terms by a source [...]

REPORT: HAZ KEEPS THE JOB IF HE WINS SIX GAMES

Mike Florio — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 15:53:19 +0000

Adam Schefter of NFL Network reports that Rams coach Jim Haslett will keep his job beyond the 2008 season if he wins six of the team’s 12 remaining games. That’s good news for Haslett, but potentially bad news for the Rams. NFL spokesman Greg Aiello recently told us that, while the Rooney Rule does not apply [...]

LIONS-VIKINGS INACTIVES

Mike Florio — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 15:44:19 +0000

Michael Fabiano of NFL.com has the list of inactive players for Sunday’s game between the Lions and the Vikings. Here they are. Lions inactives: QB Drew Henson (3rd), QB Jon Kitna, LB Gilbert Gardner, G Stephen Peterman, DT Damion Cook, DT Andre Fluellen, DE Ikaika Alama-Francis, DE Landon Cohen. Vikings inactives: QB John David Booty (3rd), WR Sidney [...]

BENGALS SIT GRAHAM, PALMER

Mike Florio — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 15:41:39 +0000

To no surprise, Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer will miss Sunday’s game against the Jets with a lingering elbow problem. According to Adam Schefter of NFLN, Carson will be the No. 3 quarterback behind Ryan Fitzpatrick and Jordan Palmer, Carson’s little brother. Also out for the Bengals on Sunday will be kicker Shayne Graham, who is injured. The [...]

RUUD WILL GO FOR BUCS

Mike Florio — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 15:36:58 +0000

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers won’t have quarterback Brian Griese or receiver Joey Galloway for their showdown with the Panthers for first place in the NFC South. But the Bucs will have linebacker Barrett Ruud, according to Adam Schefter of NFLN. Ruud had been listed as questionable with a knee injury.

RODDY WILL GO

Mike Florio — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 15:27:18 +0000

Falcons receiver Roddy White, who suffered a concussion as a result of a collision during practice on Wednesday, is active for Sunday’s game against the Bears, and will start. The report on White’s status comes courtesy of Adam Schefter of NFLN. White had been listed as questionable. He emerged as the team’s top wideout in 2007, and [...]

PACMAN APOLOGIZES, VOWS NO MORE TROUBLE

Michael David Smith — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 15:12:06 +0000

Cowboys cornerback Adam “Pacman” Jones hasn’t spoken publicly about last week’s incident in a hotel restroom, but he has spoken to his teammates. Ed Werder of ESPN reports that Jones gathered his Cowboys teammates after their last full practice of the week to say he was sorry. Per Werder, Jones addressed all the players — without the [...]

WINSLOW OUT MONDAY NIGHT

Michael David Smith — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 14:49:26 +0000

Browns tight end Kellen Winslow is listed as questionable for Monday night’s game against the Giants, but Adam Schefter of NFL Network reports that in reality, he’s definitely not going to play. Steve Heiden will start at tight end in Winslow’s place tomorrow. Winslow has been out the last four days, and no one in Cleveland is [...]

GOODELL COULD SUSPEND PACMAN THIS WEEK

Michael David Smith — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 14:10:04 +0000

Despite Cowboys owner Jerry Jones’ contention that such talk is “ridiculous,” a suspension for cornerback Adam “Pacman” Jones could come this week. Adam Schefter of NFL Network reports that NFL commissioner Roger Goodell is studying the facts surrounding Pacman’s fight in a hotel restroom last week, and a suspension is still a possibility. Schefter notes that when [...]

JON KITNA OUT, LIONS ACTIVATE HENSON

Michael David Smith — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 13:00:00 +0000

Lions quarterback Jon Kitna won’t play today at Minnesota after suffering a back injury last week against the Bears. Tom Kowalski of MLive.com reports that the Lions have downgraded Kitna from doubtful to out. It’s not known if Kitna made the trip to Minneapolis, but if he did, he’ll be watching the game in street clothes. The [...]

MARONEY IN A FUNK

Mike Florio — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 12:10:13 +0000

Patriots running back Laurence Maroney hasn’t been himself recently, and no one really knows why. “I have my issues,” he said, according to the Boston Herald. “There are reasons. I’d rather not speak about them. But there are reasons.” For the season, Maroney has gained only 93 yards rushing. He averages a measly, Bush-like 3.3 yards per carry. Eyebrows [...]

COMMISH GIVES REFS A PEP TALK

Mike Florio — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 03:04:32 +0000

Peter King of SI.com reports that Commissioner Roger Goodell gave his 17 game referees a pep talk on Friday afternoon. Citing a source close to the officials, King reports that Goodell essentially said the following: “Mistakes are going to happen. Don’t let mistakes shake your confidence. Don’t beat yourselves up over them. . . . You [...]

CHIEFS WANT A THIRD-ROUNDER FOR GONZALEZ

Mike Florio — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 02:41:05 +0000

We heard last night of a report out of Kansas City linking Chiefs tight end Tony Gonzalez to the Giants. We investigated the matter, and confirmed that, indeed, something is up. Along with the Giants, the Bills, Eagles, and Packers are interested in the veteran Pro Bowler, who recently set the career receiving yardage record at [...]

FCC SIDES WITH NFL NETWORK OVER COMCAST

Michael David Smith — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 22:10:12 +0000

The latest round in NFL Network’s battle with Comcast goes to the NFL. The Federal Communications Commission has sided with the league, saying Comcast should carry NFL Network on its digital cable package. The FCC ruled in a decision it handed down Friday that Comcast discriminated against NFL Network by saying it would only carry it on [...]

MANGINI PAYS TRIBUTE TO FAVRE WITH SON’S MIDDLE NAME

Michael David Smith — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 19:00:18 +0000

The wife of Jets coach Eric Mangini gave birth to their third son Friday, and his middle name is Brett. No, it’s no coincidence: Mangini says the middle name of baby Zack Brett Mangini is a tribute to his new quarterback, Brett Favre. Mangini told Favre over the summer that if he came out of retirement [...]

LIONS’ RAIOLA: “I WAS EMBARRASSED TO BE OUT THERE”

Michael David Smith — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 18:02:12 +0000

The Lions aren’t sure who will start at quarterback tomorrow at Minnesota, but they are sure about one thing: They won’t ask their quarterback to run the no-huddle offense. Lions offensive coordinator Jim Colletto called the decision to run the no-huddle last Sunday against the Bears “a mistake,” and he said the team won’t run it [...]