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Sunday, October 31, 2010

Home games for Lions, Chargers will be blacked out Sunday

Two NFL teams announced local television blackouts for Sunday's games.

Neither the Detroit Lions' game against the Washington Redskins, nor the San Diego Chargers' meeting with the Tennessee Titans will be shown in their respective home markets.

A Lions spokesman said 8,500 tickets remained available as of Thursday afternoon. The Lions had sold out their first two home games this season.

The Chargers announced that more 8,000 general tickets and club seats were available. This will be San Diego's third blackout in four games this season.

The NFL's long-standing policy requires all games not sold out 72 hours before kickoff to be blacked out in the local market. This includes all signals within a 75-mile radius of the stadium and those areas whose television signal reaches within that 75-mile zone. The league's policy affects all telecasts, including cable and satellite.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.


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NFL head official: Miami fumble call right, Vikings non-TD not


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Saints RB Thomas using crutches, unsure about injury status

Pierre Thomas hobbled into the New Orleans Saints' locker room on crutches Thursday, keeping weight off his sprained left ankle and sounding perplexed about why his recovery is going so much slower than he'd hoped.

"I really don't know what's the whole problem. Everybody keeps saying it's a sprain or maybe a little tear there," Thomas said. "I don't know for sure if that's true. I'm hearing so many different stories. I don't know what to believe."

With Pierre Thomas in line to miss another start, both Chris Ivory and Ladell Betts should be avoided in the Saints' tough matchup with the Steel Curtain. More ...

Thomas, the Saints' leading rusher in 2009, accounted for 280 total yards from scrimmage and one rushing touchdown in the first three games of this season. His injury occurred while he was being tackled late in the fourth quarter of a Week 3 overtime loss to the Atlanta Falcons. Thomas returned for the extra period in that game and gained 23 yards on a screen.

Thomas even returned to practice on a limited basis three days before New Orleans' Week 4 loss at Arizona.

At that time, Saints coach Sean Payton sounded optimistic that Thomas was close to returning when he spoke about the possibility of both the running back and safety Roman Harper (then slowed by a hamstring pull) playing in the Cardinals game.

"They were limited, but they got work today, and both of them are progressing quickly," Payton said then, adding that the players would be game-time decisions that week.

Thomas hasn't practiced since, though he seemed to be making progress Wednesday when he was present for the portion of practice open to reporters, participated in the team stretch and did some light jogging.

During the open portion of practice Thursday, however, Thomas was nowhere to be seen.

"All I'm thinking about is just trying to get healthy, just trying to get better," Thomas said. "I was told to stay off my foot. So that's why I'm in the crutches and in the boot. They told me to take a little pressure off, be on crutches for a little while just see how it does."

Thomas said he hasn't been given a timetable on his return, but he doesn't fault the doctors and trainers who have diagnosed and treated the injury.

"I'm not upset with anybody -- no person. I'm upset with my injury," Thomas said. "It's taking too long."

Fellow running back Reggie Bush also didn't practice Thursday as he continues to recover from a broken bone in his lower right leg. It's highly unlikely that Bush will return this week, a league source told NFL Network insider Jason La Canfora on Wednesday.

"Both with him and Pierre, there's a little bit of wait and see," Payton said Thursday. "They'd have to do something more than what we've seen these first two days (of practice this week). In Pierre's case, we put him in a walking boot to take some of the pressure off after his workouts leading up to this week, trying to rest it. So it will be unlikely that he gets to practice, and then with Reggie, we'll just monitor him again. We'll list the game status (Friday)."

There were signs of the Saints getting healthier on defense. Starting cornerbacks Jabari Greer (left shoulder) and Tracy Porter (left knee) both practiced Thursday on a limited basis, as did linebacker Scott Shanle.

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Greer was injured during the Saints' Week 6 victory at Tampa Bay. Porter had arthroscopic surgery to repair his left lateral meniscus after injuring himself in Week 4. Shanle has missed two games since pulling his left hamstring.

Porter said he felt "pretty good," but he wasn't yet sure if he'd play Sunday.

"I'd like to," Porter said. "But I want to be smart, just as my coaches and my trainers want to be smart with me as well. If they don't feel it's the right time, they're going to hold me out. But if they tell me I can go, I'm definitely going to be happy and excited about that."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.


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Titans WR Britt claims he was falsely accused in bar brawl

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Titans wide receiver Kenny Britt denies throwing a punch during a fight in a downtown Nashville nightclub last week.

Britt said Thursday that he was falsely accused by 26-year-old Harold Pointer, who told police the receiver joined in a fight and struck him several times during an altercation at the Karma Lounge nightclub in the early hours of Oct. 22. A police investigation into misdemeanor assault remains open.

"We probably had some words throughout the time we were there, and probably the person that did touch him was probably with me, and he probably thought so, and now he's falsely accusing me," Britt said. "That's what happens in my life.

"I told the police. I'm telling the police, I'm telling you, and everybody out there that's accusing me (and saying) that I touched him," he added.

Nashville attorney William Stover is representing Pointer and said his client stands behind the information he gave police.

"There were several witnesses to this incident, and the police report account of the incident substantiates what Mr. Pointer has stated publically," Stover said.

Britt told Titans coach Jeff Fisher that he was trying to break up the fight between Pointer and 29-year-old Bradford Miser. Britt was benched by Fisher for the first quarter of the Titans' 37-19 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles, but the receiver went on to catch seven passes for 225 yards and three touchdowns.

On Thursday, Britt said he wasn't involved at all in the fight and didn't know what Pointer looked like.

"I was definitely at the club. I was definitely having a good time," Britt said. "I'm 22 years old. I'm going to go out and try and have some fun and try to live like I'm 22 years old and not be an old man."

Fisher, who has indicated he might punish Britt further after gathering more information about the incident, said he hopes to have the matter wrapped up by Friday.

Tennessee plays at San Diego on Sunday.

Notes: QB Vince Young, who sprained his left knee and ankle during the Titans' Oct. 18 win at Jacksonville, participated in a second consecutive full practice Thursday. ... Backup QB Kerry Collins (finger), CB Ryan Mouton (hamstring), DT Tony Brown (knee) and LB Jamie Winborn (shoulder) didn't practice.

Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press


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Cardinals will welcome back Breaston, consider two LBs, too

TEMPE, Ariz. -- Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt said there is no doubt that wide receiver Steve Breaston will play Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Breaston had expected to return last weekend in Seattle, but he was held out because of the wet conditions. He has missed three games following arthroscopic knee surgery.

Whisenhunt also said Thursday that he is considering activating inside linebacker Gerald Hayes and rookie outside linebacker O'Brien Schofield. Both have been out all season, Hayes following back surgery and Schofield after reconstructive knee surgery.

Starting outside linebacker Clark Haggans hasn't practiced this week because of a groin injury. If Haggans can't play, his replacement would be second-year pro Will Davis, who played 24 snaps in relief in Arizona's 22-10 loss at Seattle.

"I've been preparing every week the same way, like I'm one play away," said Davis, a 2009 sixth-round draft pick out of Illinois.

Breaston said he was tired of talking about his injury situation but, nice guy that he is, did so anyway.

"It's tough, but it comes with the game," he said of missing so much time. "I was looking forward to being back last week, so that's disappointing. I just want to play some football again."

Breaston was injured at Atlanta in the second game of the season, but he tried to play through it the following week against the Oakland Raiders. That's when the decision was made to scope the knee.

"It's sore, but that's expected," Breaston said. "I felt good out there running. I'm getting my speed up, getting my burst together. I'm really ready to play on Sunday."

Breaston has 132 catches for more than 1,700 yards the past two seasons and has been sorely missed by an Arizona offense that ranks last in the NFL and has an undrafted rookie, Max Hall, at quarterback.

"You've got a veteran guy that's made a lot of big plays for us that you have confidence in," Whisenhunt said. "I know Max got a number of reps with Steve in camp, so there's a comfort factor there. It's always good when you have a player like Steve come back. That can only help us."

Hayes and Schofield started practicing just last week. If either is activated, it would require a roster move.

Hayes is a four-year starter who had been on the physically unable to perform list.

"We're working him in," Whisenhunt said. "He's got a couple of packages that he's playing in, and I think he's pretty close to being ready to go."

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Schofield, who had 12 sacks as a senior at Illinois, was considered among the top players at his position in college, but he blew out his left knee while practicing for the Senior Bowl. The Cardinals selected him in the fourth round, knowing they would have to wait for the knee to heal.

Schofield said he believed he might miss the entire season.

"But they gave me an opportunity to come out there and practice, and I was like, 'Man, it felt good,'" he said. "I got hit on the knee a couple of times, and I kind of paused and thought about it -- 'OK, no pain.' Everything feels good."

Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press


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Saturday, October 30, 2010

Rams RB Jackson ready to go vs. Panthers after finger surgery

ST. LOUIS -- Steven Jackson had surgery Monday for a broken ring finger on his left hand. No big deal: The Rams' running back usually carries the ball in his right hand anyway.

Jackson said Thursday that he will play Sunday when the Carolina Panthers (1-5) visit the Rams (3-4).

"Absolutely, I will definitely be out there Sunday," said Jackson, who had two pins inserted into the finger. "The surgery went fine. Everything went well. It's unfortunate it had to happen. It's on the left hand, so it's not a big deal as if it was my right hand."

Despite missing practice, Steven Jackson should still suit up and is a strong start against a struggling Panthers defense. No reason to panic as of yet. More ...

The pins will be in Jackson's hand for six to eight weeks. Jackson didn't practice Wednesday or Thursday. He said he might work out Friday.

"I don't see why not," Jackson said about practicing Friday. "First thing, we want to make sure infection doesn't happen. Pain is going to occur. That's something we're not trying to avoid. That's not something we're thinking won't happen. Pain will be part of the game Sunday."

Playing with pain or an injury is nothing new for Jackson.

Earlier this season, Jackson sustained a groin injury against the Washington Redskins in Week 3 and wore extra padding in the next two games before healing. Last season, he played with a sore back.

That Jackson plans to play doesn't surprise Rams guard Jacob Bell.

"He's like Brett Favre, man," Bell said. "You got to count in him until he's out. Nothing really stops the guy."

Jackson is a big part of the St. Louis offense.

Jackson became the Rams' all-time leading rusher Sunday at Tampa Bay, where he had his third consecutive 100-yard game, finishing with 110 yards on 22 carries. He moved ahead of Hall of Famer Eric Dickerson when he gained three yards early in the second quarter. Dickerson gained 7,245 yards for the Rams from 1983 to 1987. Jackson stands at 7,324.

Jackson's 617 rushing yards this season rank fourth in the NFL and second in the NFC behind Minnesota's Adrian Peterson (684).

Jackson will look at some different protections for his hand.

"We're going to experiment with a couple of different things," Jackson said. "It will be some sort of soft cast to protect the ring finger. It won't be a club. Something that's functional that will allow me carry the ball, catch the ball and hold the ball. We'll play around with it. We'll see what we come up with."

Rams coach Steve Spagnuolo said he believes Jackson will be able to work around the injury.

"I'm sure it's not going all that comfortable having to put something on you and lug a football around and try to shed blockers," Spagnuolo said. "He's dealt with injuries before, so we'll be optimistic."

Offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur said not practicing this week shouldn't affect Jackson's ability Sunday.

"I guess I've learned that we keep practicing and coaching, and on Sunday, we see who's there," Shurmur said. "Steven has displayed an ability to play extremely well with limited practice. So, that's kind of the approach we're taking at this point."

Shurmur noted that Jackson can play with pain. It won't change any plays Shurmur might want to call for his big back.

"With a warrior-type player like Steven, it's not as much of a concern as it would be a player who's dealing with his first injury," Shurmur said.

Jackson said he'll do his best regardless.

"Just like with any injury, you've got to perform at the level you can," Jackson said.

Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press


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No Clark, no Collie, no problem: Colts ready for Texans

INDIANAPOLIS -- Peyton Manning sees the Colts' injuries at wide receiver as merely another challenge to overcome.

Jacob Tamme heads into his second career start at tight end in place of Dallas Clark, and undrafted free agent Blair White is expected to see more playing time while subbing for Austin Collie when the Colts host the Houston Texans on Monday night.

Clark has been lost for the season with a wrist injury, and Collie will miss the game after undergoing surgery on his right thumb.

Manning expressed confidence Thursday when asked about his depleted group of pass-catchers.

"I really look forward to seeing where we are in this game," the quarterback said. "We'll get better each game with some of the new guys that are going to be playing in different spots. It's an exciting opportunity for these guys."

Wide receiver Anthony Gonzalez is expected to be available after missing four of the past five games with a sprained right ankle, but running back Joseph Addai is considered day to day with a nerve injury in his left shoulder and didn't practice Thursday. Wide receiver Pierre Garcon sat out with a hamstring injury, and the team's top wideout, Reggie Wayne, was limited with a hamstring injury.

At one point, Manning removed "injuries" from his vocabulary.

"It's not something that ... you can just keep drowning yourself with that word," he said. "We have to move on with the guys that are playing."

Even through all the injuries this season, Manning, a four-time MVP, has been dominant. He leads the NFL with a 103.4 passer rating and is tied for third with 13 touchdown passes.

"That one weapon that's going to take all them snaps is pretty good," Texans coach Gary Kubiak said.

Dallas Clark doesn't receive as much publicity as some of his teammates, but the Colts will have a difficult time replacing what he brought to the offense, Bucky Brooks writes. More ...

Center Jeff Saturday said the team takes great pride in its depth.

"It's something that we've built ourselves on here," he said. "Tamme's going to have to step in and do well, Gonzo's going to have to come back and be what he can be. Blair White, anybody. Next guy up has got to step up and meet the challenge. I've got faith in those guys."

There's no time to ease the youngsters into the lineup. The Colts are 0-2 in the AFC South and would have difficulty winning the division with another loss. The Texans and the Colts, both 4-2, are a half-game behind the Tennessee Titans for the division lead.

The Colts acknowledge that losing Clark affects their game plan. Clark's speed and pass-catching skills often have created mismatches and forced defenses to play with additional defensive backs.

"He certainly created some opportunities for us," Colts coach Jim Caldwell said. "Anytime you see a guy in his position catch 100 balls (last year), obviously, he's an integral part of what we do. He's been able to force teams to adjust what they want to do from a defensive standpoint in terms of personnel. Losing Dallas certainly is a bit of a blow to us."

Tamme, a special-teams standout who has six catches in his career and none this season, said his preparation has been similar to other weeks.

"Obviously, there's a few more reps, but mentally, no different," he said. "I think I'm prepared pretty good. Dallas does a good job of getting all of us prepared to play. I've been prepared to play every week. I'll prepare the same way."

White has made six catches for 66 yards this season. He was called up from the practice squad in Week 3 and caught three passes for 27 yards and one touchdown in a win over the Denver Broncos.

Garcon said the Colts expect anyone who plays to produce.

"We're not really making an adjustment based on the people that we're missing, we're making an adjustment on the defense that we're playing against," he said. "It's real simple. Just be where you're supposed to be at the time you're supposed to be there -- and make the plays."

Saturday knows the Texans don't feel sorry for the Colts.

"Obviously, losing those guys hurts, but you've got to continue to find ways to win," he said. "They ain't calling any games off."

Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press


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Bengals QB Palmer rests hip, should be ready Sunday

Carson Palmer sat out practice to rest an injured hip, but Cincinnati Bengals coach Marvin Lewis expects his quarterback to be ready for Sunday's game against the Miami Dolphins, the team's official website reported.

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Jordan Palmer and Dan LeFevour split the snaps in practice Thursday, according to The Cincinnati Enquirer.

Also sitting out practice were cornerbacks Leon Hall (hamstring) and Morgan Trent (knee), and safeties Chinedum Ndukwe (knee) and Roy Williams (knee).

Linebacker Brandon Johnson (knee), cornerback Johnathan Joseph (ankle), wide receiver Terrell Owens (hand) and linebacker Keith Rivers (foot) were limited.


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Will Favre play? 'Wouldn't put anything past me,' QB says

The signs of progress are small but noticeable for Brett Favre.

Favre missed his second consecutive day of practice Thursday for the Minnesota Vikings, but he walked around the facility without the oversized boot that had been protecting an injury that is putting his NFL-record 291 consecutive-starts streak in jeopardy.

The 41-year-old quarterback limped through the locker room with a heavy wrap on his ankle, which was injured during Sunday night's loss to the Green Bay Packers.

Asked if he thought he could play this weekend against the New England Patriots, Favre said: "I wouldn't put anything past me, to be honest with you."

One day earlier, the quarterback had lobbied to start.

Favre has a stress fracture in his left ankle as well as an avulsion fracture -- in which a bone fragment is torn away from the bone at the tendon or ligament -- in his left heel. He consulted with the doctors who performed surgery on his ankle this summer, to get him ready for a 20th NFL season, and was told that the injury wouldn't worsen by playing on it.

"He's been a little better every day," Vikings coach Brad Childress said Thursday. "Whether it's good enough to play in an NFL football game remains to be seen. Just have to take it a day at a time."

Vikings offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell said he would be surprised if Favre doesn't start.

"Surprising would probably be a good word," Bevell said during his weekly news conference. "He's never not been out there, so it would probably be a surprise.

"I was there (in Green Bay), and he broke the thumb. Immediately, the doctor said, 'Hey, we've got to pin it, and you're going to be out six to eight weeks.' In his mind, he said, 'Well, wait a minute, I just played really well.' We didn't know it was broken. He said, 'I'm going to give it a shot.' He played with that as well. It would surprise me if he wasn't able to be out there."

Favre's current injury presents a different set of problems, specifically with his mobility in the pocket.

"The thing that's kept (Favre) playing for so long is his ability, similar to Tom Brady, being able to have that innate feel in the pocket," Bevell said. "He feels the pressure, he can slide, he can step up. It doesn't have to be huge movements of escaping the pocket, it's just being able to have that feel and still be able to stick your foot in the ground and to step up and step to the side and have that type of mobility."

Favre was still in pain as he hobbled around Thursday -- he was looking for a size 15 shoe for his left foot; he normally wears a 14 -- but that's nothing new for the NFL's version of Iron Man. Favre has played in 315 consecutive games, including playoffs, by far the longest streak in league history.

"That's legendary, honestly," Vikings tight end Visanthe Shiancoe said. "Let's be real: 291 games straight. First thing that comes to my mind is, of course, I'm a little jealous. That's something that wows me as well.

"I'm pretty sure it's important to him. But I know that the team's welfare is more important to him. I'm pretty sure he'll make the best decision for the team."

Friday appears to be a big day for Favre's chances to play Sunday against the Patriots. He said Wednesday he hoped to get out on the practice field at least on a limited basis by Friday. The team will issue the final injury report of the week for him Friday afternoon, declaring him out, doubtful or probable to play.

"It's going to take the sky to fall for him not to go out there," Shiancoe said.

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If Favre cannot play, Tarvaris Jackson would step in for his first start since a divisional playoff loss to the Philadelphia Eagles at the end of the 2008 season.

It has been a trying season for Favre. He already has thrown more interceptions (10) than he did all of last season (7) and has a 68.0 passer rating, which ranks 30th in the league -- above only Arizona's Derek Anderson and Carolina's Matt Moore and Jimmy Clausen.

Off the field, Favre is the subject of an NFL investigation into allegations that he sent inappropriate messages to a New York Jets employee when both worked for the team in 2008. Favre has spoken to league officials about the matter, but the woman who allegedly received the messages has not.

Jenn Sterger's manager, Phil Reese, said Thursday that she hasn't met with league investigators. Reese didn't say if any meetings with the league are planned but that "she is strongly considering it and is leaning towards it."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.


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Giants place DE Kiwanuka on injured reserve with neck injury

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- Defensive end Mathias Kiwanuka's season is over, and there is a chance his career with the New York Giants could be at an end, too.

The Giants placed the five-year veteran on injured reserve Thursday with a herniated cervical disk after waiting more than a month to see if rest would fix his neck.

With Kiwanuka's contract up after this season, it's unknown if the Giants are willing to re-sign a player with a neck problem.

"It's painful for us to go this route with Kiwi, but we've exhausted all of our options," Giants general manager Jerry Reese said. "What's most important is for him to get healthy. We're praying and hopeful that by next fall he will be back at 100 percent and playing for the New York Giants."

Kiwanuka was having an outstanding season, with four sacks in the first three games. He was diagnosed with a cervical disk problem before the Giants played the Chicago Bears early this month and missed the past four games.

"We held out hope as long as we could," Giants coach Tom Coughlin said. "Finally, by consensus, the doctors came to this decision. You have to make the right choice, and the decision was made that he could not play again this season. My concern is for Mathias. He loves the game, he loves to play, he's proven his versatility this year beyond any question."

This is the second major injury for Kiwanuka, the Giants' first-round draft pick in 2006. He broke his left leg in November 2007, the season the Giants beat the previously New England Patriots to win the Super Bowl.

"Like I said before, I felt like, given enough time, I could've made it back this season, but it's the nature of the business," Kiwanuka said. "The Giants had to move on, and I had to be OK with it. Regardless of what happens to me as an individual, I'm definitely still going to work with the Giants' organization throughout the term of my contract. I know this team is going to be successful, so I'm excited to watch it."

Kiwanuka, who said he isn't in pain, hopes to avoid surgery.

"The consensus is that if I take the proper amount of time off, there is a very good chance that it'll heal on its own," he said. "That's what the goal is right now. If it doesn't happen, we'll cross that bridge when we get to it. Regardless of whether or not it requires surgery, I'll still be back by the opening of training camp."

Defensive back and return specialist Will Blackmon was signed to take Kiwanuka's place on the roster. He spent the past four seasons with the Green Bay Packers.

Blackmon was Kiwanuka's roommate during their senior season at Boston College. The two had dinner Wednesday night.

"It's tough, because we were a couple of weeks away from playing together again," Kiwanuka said. "He got his papers from Green Bay, I was excited and heard there was a chance that he might come here, so I've been talking him up around the locker room. Man, he's a great player."

The Giants' return game has struggled this season with Darius Reynaud handling most of the kicks. Blackmon worked out for the team Wednesday.

"We expect him to get into the mix quickly on special teams," Reese said. "He has experience and production as a return specialist and cover specialist. He also has played both safety and corner, which gives us some flexibility there as well."

Blackmon played three games last season before suffering a season-ending knee injury Oct. 5 at Minnesota. He was in camp with the Packers this summer, but the sides reached an injury settlement Sept. 5.

Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press


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Redskins DT Haynesworth likes playing in nickel, not 3-4 defense

ASHBURN, Va. -- It's unusual to hear a professional athlete say he's not good enough. That's how far Albert Haynesworth has sunk to keep from playing nose tackle in the Washington Redskins' 3-4 defense.

"I'm not good enough to play the 3-4," Haynesworth said Thursday.

The player whose stated goal is to become the greatest defensive lineman in NFL history held his first midweek question-and-answer session this season, and it was hardly a coincidence that it took place after his best game since he signed with the Redskins last year. He had his first sack since 2009 and made a key goal-line stop in Sunday's 17-14 victory over the Chicago Bears.

"Now that we've changed some of the things that I do, it's helped a lot," Haynesworth said. "I don't have to think as much on the field -- I can just go out and play."

Nearing the halfway point of the season, Haynesworth has settled into a role as a part-time player, happy not to be a regular part of the team's "Okie" run packages. He's not the starting nose tackle -- as was envisioned when the Redskins switched to the 3-4 scheme this season -- and instead is playing mostly in nickel packages as a "three-technique" tackle, the role he had during much of his seven seasons with the Tennessee Titans.

"We just kept working at the Okie, and I wasn't coming along to be able to be the starter in that stuff," Haynesworth said. "And I was like, 'Hey, let's focus on the stuff that I know, and you'll see a lot more production out of me."'

It was Haynesworth's aversion to the 3-4 that led to months of offseason drama. The Redskins offered to released him if he didn't take his $21 million contract bonus on April 1, but he accepted the money. He later asked to be traded, skipped offseason practices, needed 10 days to pass a training-camp conditioning test, traded verbal volleys with new coach Mike Shanahan and was well behind in learning the new scheme.

In fact, Haynesworth never caught up. And it doesn't sound as if he wants to.

"We've got a guy in front of me who can play the 3-4 better than I can, so whatever helps the team," Haynesworth said. "I do get to play the nickel, and I play well in that, so that's when you see me in there."

Defensive coordinator Jim Haslett said there came a point when the defense had to punt.

"Trying to get him to do the 3-4 stuff was trying to get a square peg into a round hole," Haslett said. "We tried to force the issue, and it hasn't worked out the way that we would like. I still think he can do it because he's a good athlete and he is athletic and smart and tough enough to do it."

Haslett estimated he has called the Okie formation 35 percent of the time this season, but that's because the Redskins have played such pass-happy teams as the Green Bay Packers and Indianapolis Colts.

"He can do anything he wants to do -- he's just got to want to do it," Haslett said. "It's more of a mindset than anything."

Doesn't he want to be a starter?

"I would like to start and start playing like I used to ... but right now I'm fine with it," he said.

Haynesworth has missed three of seven games this season, including back-to-back games after the death of his half brother. Teammates point out the huge impact he can make if he's playing regularly -- even if it's mostly in the nickel.

"So much has happened the first part of the season," defensive lineman Vonnie Holliday said. "He's gone through an emotional roller-coaster, the tragedy with his family, coming into a bad situation through training camp and so many things. So many distractions, but it seems like now his focus is there, he's had some time to grow in this defense and learn the technique.

"He's just going to continue to grow in this scheme. Who knows? Maybe one day he will like it."

So what does Haynesworth have as his goal for the rest of the season?

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"Keep playing and help the teammates, and make plays and I guess get noticed more," he said, "so people will say I'm not a bust or whatever."

Does he think he'll be with the Redskins next season?

"I don't know. I have no clue," he said. "Right now, if I just keep playing, I'm going to be somewhere."

Once the session was done, Haynesworth was asked if he'll speak again next week.

"What is this? Week 8?" he said as he walked away from the podium. "I'll see you at Week 16."

Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press


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Conference call with all officials will address recent mistakes

The NFL has scheduled a conference call with every member of every officiating team, FOX Sports' Jay Glazer reported Thursday on NFL Network's "NFL Total Access."

An officiating source told Glazer that the purpose of Friday's call is to give a pep talk and clean up mistakes by officials. Sources say having all the officials involved in the call is rare, if not unprecedented.

The conference call comes on the heels of two high-profile officiating decisions in Week 7.

Late in Sunday's game between the Steelers and Dolphins, Pittsburgh quarterback Ben Roethlisberger scrambled out of the pocket and lunged for the end zone. The ball was knocked loose right around the goal line, but the officials ruled that Roethlisberger had scored a touchdown.

A Dolphins player emerged from the ensuing end-zone pileup with the football. When the ball was determined on replay to have come out before Roethlisberger reached the goal line, Miami believed it had a touchback. But since officials initially ruled that Roethlisberger had scored a touchdown, they didn't bother to see who recovered the ball, because it technically was no longer in play.

Pittsburgh was awarded the ball on the Miami 1-yard line and went on to kick a go-ahead field goal and hold on for a 23-22 victory.

The second controversy came in the Sunday night matchup between the Vikings and Green Bay Packers, when Minnesota tight end Visanthe Shiancoe made a diving grab in the end zone and appeared to secure the ball as he rolled onto his back. Officials ruled the play a touchdown but overturned the call on review. Minnesota settled for a field goal and lost 28-24.

Vikings coach Brad Childress publicly criticized the officiating in the game, then was fined $35,000 by the NFL.

Carl Johnson, the NFL's vice president of officiating, wasn't happy about the reversal of the Shiancoe catch.

"We wish the ruling on the field would have stood as a completed catch," Johnson said on Wednesday's "NFL Total Access."

League spokesman Greg Aiello tweeted a statement later Thursday, downplaying the implied meaning of the call.

"It's a routine part of Carl Johnson's expanded communications program for officiating," he wrote. "It's a follow up to their preseason clinic. There will be another conference call near the end of the season before the playoffs. It is like team meetings."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.


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Staubach, Aikman lament Cowboys' struggles this season

ARLINGTON, Texas -- Exactly 100 days before the Super Bowl, Roger Staubach and Troy Aikman aren't expecting their old team to make it.

They can hardly believe it, either.

"To be done before you get out of the month of October is pretty shocking," Aikman said.

Like many fans, the Hall of Fame quarterbacks expected big things from the Dallas Cowboys this season. They also had more than the usual reasons to root for their old team: Staubach is the chairman and Aikman the vice-chair of the Super Bowl host committee. Aikman also is broadcasting the game for Fox.

But Dallas is 1-5, closer to earning the top pick in the draft than a berth in the playoffs. And the Cowboys just lost quarterback Tony Romo to a broken left collarbone.

So instead of becoming the first team to play the Super Bowl in their home stadium, the Cowboys appear ready to join the worst records of the Jerry Jones era: 1-15 in Aikman's rookie year and 5-11 in Aikman's final season and each of the next two years.

"I thought we would be more 5-1 than 1-5," Staubach said. "I still feel we can be a respectful team the rest of the year. But we have put ourselves in a hole."

Both spoke Thursday at a luncheon at Cowboys Stadium celebrating the countdown to the Super Bowl. Jones took part, too, and the owner said he's hopeful the new starting quarterback, 38-year-old Jon Kitna, can lead a turnaround.

"I felt better when (Romo) was healthy and was able to give us what he has to win these games," Jones said. "On the other hand, I'm not about to dismiss the opportunity here with Kitna. That'd be nuts. Plus, I think he gives us a much better chance than to have the mentality that we don't have a chance to win a lot of ballgames."

Romo doesn't need surgery, just six to eight weeks for the bone to heal. Jones said it's too early to say whether or not Romo will play again this season.

"The faster he heals, the better I like (the chances)," Jones said. "We have to see what the circumstances are at that time. We have to see how well we are playing."

Jones brought up a saying that he often heard from his college coaches: "They remember what you do in November." His point was that even "if we don't have an opportunity to be in the playoffs, we want to be playing good."

Aikman can commiserate with Romo -- he broke his left collarbone in 1998. Aikman missed five games, plus a bye week, then returned to lead the Cowboys to a division title.

"It was my non-throwing shoulder, so you'd kind of think that you could go out and play as long as you can tolerate the pain," he said. "But I couldn't throw the ball. I couldn't open up my left shoulder at all to make a throw. And then you certainly are at risk in the pocket of injuring it even further."

Aikman isn't ruling out a few more starts for Romo.

"If you're healthy and you're told that you're capable of playing and the medical staff signs off on it, to me, you play because that's what you are paid to do," Aikman said. "But I'm not the one paying bills and writing the checks, so it's easy for me to say that."

Staubach said he's available to play if things don't work out with Kitna. Although he's 68, Staubach was known as Captain Comeback.

"I have offered to play quarterback on Sunday," Staubach said. "My arm is in good shape. I think I can help them without Tony out there. I don't know Kitna. He's a nice guy, though. But he's about my age, isn't he? He is a veteran good quarterback, but I'm a veteran quarterback, too. ... I want the Cowboys to get back on track. If I could help, I would get out there and do it."

How about you, Troy?

"The way they're protecting these quarterbacks, I think I could play now," said Aikman, one month shy of 44 -- and just a few years older than Brett Favre. "I've always said: If I didn't have to get hit, physically, I think I could play. And they're not letting the quarterbacks get hit, so I think I could do it."

Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press


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Friday, October 29, 2010

Williams misses practice again, further hurting Panthers' offense

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- A year ago, Carolina Panthers running backs DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart had a catchy nickname and a new website, and they became the first teammates in NFL history each to rush for more than 1,100 yards.

This year, there's little to celebrate. The Panthers are 1-5, both backs are struggling, and now Williams is hurt, too.

Double Trouble has become troubled.

Williams, who missed practice for the second consecutive day Thursday because of a sore foot, has managed just 361 yards on 87 carries with one touchdown. Stewart has fared even worse with just 148 yards on 50 carries and one score.

Last season, they each averaged more than 5 yards per carry, combining for 2,250 yards and 17 touchdowns for the league's third-best rushing attack.

This year, there has been little talk of website subscriptions and Double Trouble T-shirts.

"Instead of building up frustration, you've got to believe in the guys in front of us, that eventually things will start opening up the way they are supposed to," Stewart said.

There are plenty of reasons why neither player has looked explosive.

The Panthers' running game has been bogged down by eight-man fronts, a struggling and banged-up offensive line, a new fullback learning on the job and a passing game that has featured horrible quarterback play and failed to earn the respect of opponents.

Now the Panthers face the prospect of not having Williams, a 2009 Pro Bowl selection, for Sunday's game at St. Louis. Williams hasn't talked to reporters this week.

That would leave Stewart and Mike Goodson in the backfield against the Rams.

"Eventually, if you keep pounding, keep pounding, it will open," Stewart insisted. "Keep knocking on the door and eventually it will open up."

Even in the Panthers' first victory of the season last Sunday against the San Francisco 49ers, the running game played a minimal role. Williams had 44 yards on 19 carries and lost a fumble before hobbling off in the final minute. Stewart had 29 yards on 14 carries.

It has left the Panthers with the NFL's 23rd-ranked rushing offense, and neither Williams nor Stewart has a 100-yard game.

"This game is a lot easier when the opponent is one dimensional," coach John Fox said.

That had been the Panthers' plight in the first five games. Quarterbacks Matt Moore and Jimmy Clausen combined for nine interceptions and four lost fumbles, and no receiver stepped into the No. 2 role behind Steve Smith. It allowed teams to stack the line of scrimmage with eight or nine defenders to stop the run.

"We've seen eight-man boxes before, and we've been able to run against them," center Ryan Kalil said.

Not this year. A revamped offensive line has struggled to open holes after right guard Keydrick Vincent wasn't re-signed, and right tackle Jeff Otah has been sidelined all season because of a knee injury.

The Panthers benched right guard Mackenzy Bernadeau last week, moving Geoff Schwartz there and putting Garry Williams in Schwartz's old spot at right tackle. They will keep that lineup against the Rams.

Carolina also lost stalwart fullback Brad Hoover, who was released during the offseason youth movement. Second-year pro Tony Fiammetta has taken over, but he's still learning to be a lead blocker in the NFL.

There have been key mistakes by the backs, too.

Williams' longest run was a 39-yard touchdown on a cutback against New Orleans. He tried the same thing again as the Panthers were driving late against the Saints, but he was brought down for a 4-yard loss, helping to knock Carolina out of field-goal range in a 16-14 loss.

Stewart, who barely practiced the past two years because of an Achilles' tendon problem, hasn't taken advantage of being healthy after offseason surgery.

Stewart, who said he feels well physically, is "hopeful" last Sunday's success in the passing game will unclog the line of scrimmage. Moore threw for a career-high 308 yards in his return as a starter, and rookie David Gettis caught eight passes for 125 yards and his first two NFL touchdowns.

"Everyone knows we have two great running backs, really three including Mike Goodson," Gettis said. "Everybody is going to focus on the run. It's our jobs as receivers and quarterbacks and linemen blocking to make plays downfield and kind of loosen up the box.

"Give them a chance to make plays, because that is our strength in the offense."

Notes: LB Thomas Davis, who remains on the physically unable to perform list, is still hoping to return this season after his second major knee surgery in a year. "I'm still trying to make the Tampa game (Nov. 14)," Davis said. "That's my goal." ... DE Tyler Brayton returned to practice Thursday, one day after his wife gave birth to a baby girl. ... WR Devin Thomas (groin) was limited in practice.

Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press


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Jaguars QB Garrard expects to be cleared to play at Dallas

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- The "cloud coverage" has cleared, and quarterback David Garrard is ready to return for the Jaguars.

Almost.

Garrard still has to pass post-concussion tests Tuesday to be cleared to practice and play for the Jaguars (3-4).

"Once I pass those, then everything will be good," Garrard said.

Speaking for the first time since he sustained his concussion last Monday night against the Tennessee Titans, Garrard said he failed the NFL-mandated tests Friday.

"It was really just a cloud coverage thing," he said. "It wasn't partly cloudy. It wasn't semi-cloudy. It was a total cloud coverage. But now I feel great. I feel like my normal self. But we're going to be smart and make sure that it's not you just got over the clouds but they're still back there lingering or something."

Garrard sustained a concussion when Titans linebacker Will Witherspoon drove him to the ground during the second quarter of the 30-3 loss, the worst home defeat in Jaguars history.

The next day was "just awful," Garrard said. He was sensitive to light and noise, but he never vomited. His focus, demeanor and speech were "really slowed down."

Garrard started feeling better Saturday and even worked out Sunday and Monday.

"It was a terrible experience to go through," Garrard said. "It was a tough experience to go through, but hopefully it doesn't happen again."

Jaguars coach Jack Del Rio made it clear Monday that Garrard will start Sunday's game at Dallas if he passes his tests.

"As long as he remembers snap counts and how to play football," Del Rio said.

Backup Todd Bouman, signed early last week, completed 18 of 34 passes for 222 yards in Sunday's 42-20 loss at Kansas City. Bouman had two touchdown passes and two interceptions, but he received strong reviews from Del Rio and teammates. Even Garrard was impressed.

"I thought it was awesome the way he started out the game, the way he was energized," Garrard said. "He looked like a kid out there for a 38-year-old man. He had fun. Things just didn't work out for him there toward the end. Those are things that as an offensive group we're going to have to overcome. Teams are going to have turnovers, but you've got to be able to overcome them and go down and make a score, and we didn't do that."

Garrard has been inconsistent all season. He has eight TD passes and an interception in three wins, and one score and six turnovers in three losses. He has been sacked 12 times, with nine of them coming in the losses.

Still, Garrard insisted he won't change the way he plays following the first concussion of his NFL career.

"I'm still going to be David Garrard," he said. "I'm going to play the way that I play. I can't alter my game. I don't know how I would alter it. I'm going to be as physical as I still can, but also be smart, too, knowing that I can have a concussion, I can be susceptible to a concussion."

Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press


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Browns cut RB Davis, claim Clayton off waivers from Pats

BEREA, Ohio -- Unhappy with his role and little playing time, running back James Davis has been let go by the Cleveland Browns.

According to The Plain Dealer, the seldom-used Davis was waived Monday by the Browns, who once had high hopes for the 2009 draft pick. The team didn't confirm the move or that it has been awarded running back Thomas Clayton off waivers from the New England Patriots.

On his Twitter account, Davis, who had four carries for 9 yards this season, indicated he was gone.

"Finally was granted with my wish," he wrote.

Despite the Browns needing another running back after rookie Montario Hardesty suffered a season-ending knee injury and veteran Jerome Harrison was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles, Davis was inactive for three of the past four games.

His agent told newspaper that Davis didn't ask to be waived. Bob Hunter also told the paper he was surprised the Browns didn't use Davis more.

Davis played in two games as a rookie before suffering a season-ending shoulder injury during practice.

Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press


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NFL executive VP praises players for Sunday's clean play

NEW YORK -- One week after they drew heavy fines for illegal hits, James Harrison and Brandon Meriweather were praised by the NFL for clean play in Sunday's victories.

Ray Anderson, the league's executive vice president of football operations, told The Associated Press on Monday that Meriweather and Harrison "heeded our emphasis" on eliminating fouls and deserve to be lauded. So do others, Anderson said, after no flags were thrown for illegal hits to defenseless players in the 13 games.

Harrison was fined $75,000 and Meriweather $50,000 for hits to defenseless opponents last week, when the NFL announced it would begin suspending players for such tackles.

"We like to think we're off to a good start in terms of the new emphasis and the recognition that we are going to play aggressively but well within the rules," Anderson said. "It's a good start."

"Brandon Meriweather, specifically, last week we were appropriately calling him out and chastising him," Anderson added. "Yesterday in the Patriots' game at San Diego, Meriweather made two very tenacious, effective and legal hits in similar situations. But you could see it, he lowered the target area, blasted the opponent with his shoulder. He adapted, showing it can be done. It is appropriate to praise him for the tough play."

Patriots coach Bill Belichick was surprised to hear about Anderson's praise.

"I think that would be a first for me," Belichick said Monday. "The officials are now evaluating the players and their performance. No, I mean that's great."

Belichick then paused several seconds before adding: "I can't tell you how much that means to me, really," drawing laughter from a room full of reporters.

Anderson also mentioned Harrison, who skipped one day of practice last week and said he contemplated retirement rather than change how he plays. But Harrison played cleanly in a win at Miami, particularly on a play in which Dolphins running back Ronnie Brown already was being hit by Steelers linebacker Larry Foote.

"There certainly was one play, on a hit on a running back, that James Harrison may have taken a shot at the running back going down, and Harrison let up," Anderson said. "I think he acknowledged he let up when had a chance to put his head and helmet in there. I applaud James for restraining himself."

Harrison recalled the play and how he pulled up near Brown when he realized it would be a high hit.

"Other than one play, I was fine," Harrison said. "I wasn't trying to send a message (by playing cleanly). There was no extra motivation for this or any other game. I was just out there playing the game the way that I've been taught to play it since I was 10 years old."

Harrison still seemed to believe the crackdown stemmed from the press coverage of the previous weekend's flagrant tackles.

"Maybe if that was the only one that happened," Harrison said of his hit on Cleveland Browns wide receiver Mohamed Massaquoi that drew the hefty fine, "it wouldn't have transpired the way it did. But there were three or four other hits. It caused a real media storm, and I guess they felt they had to do something and they got everybody."


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This week, they probably won't get anyone, judging by Anderson's comments.

One hit that was questioned came in the Tennessee Titans' victory over the Philadelphia Eagles. Titans running back Chris Johnson was headed down the right sideline when he was slammed helmet-to-helmet by Eagles linebacker Ernie Sims. No flag was thrown -- correctly.

Anderson explained that Johnson was a runner with the ball heading downfield and was anything but a defenseless player. Sims' hit was well within the rules.

"It's never been an intention to legislate all helmet-to-helmet hits out of the game," said Anderson, a member of the NFL's competition committee and one of the league's loudest voices about player safety. "We just are trying to make sure when a player is in a defenseless situation, he is not hit in the head or neck area."

Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press


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Rams say RB Jackson day to day after surgery on left ring finger

Steven Jackson set the St. Louis Rams' franchise rushing record over the weekend -- despite playing with a broken finger.

Rams coach Steve Spagnuolo said the running back had surgery on his left ring finger Monday. The Rams said two pins were put into the finger, and Jackson's status for this Sunday's home game against the Carolina Panthers was unknown.

"Yes, I had surgery on my ring finger but I shouldn't miss a beat," Jackson wrote on his Twitter page. "I'm not married so I'm covered there too."

Jackson sustained the injury last Sunday during the Rams' 18-17 road loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He rushed for 110 yards, his third consecutive game over the century mark, and passed Eric Dickerson to become the Rams' all-time rushing leader.

"He didn't think it was a big deal," Spagnuolo said of Jackson's reaction to the injury. "He kept playing. ... He's going to be sore. Hopefully, he'll be able to play this week. We'll know more after he gets through it. ... He's just a warrior. He goes out and plays, and we find out later on there's a crack in there."

Jackson's 617 rushing yards rank fourth in the NFL this season and second in the NFC behind Minnesota's Adrian Peterson (684). In his six seasons with the Rams, Jackson has 7,324 yards.

"Wonderful, wonderful thing for him, for this organization, for all the guys along the way that have blocked for him," Spagnuolo said of Jackson breaking the Rams' rushing record. "Hopefully there's a lot more yards to come."

Still, the Rams continued their trend of losing games on the road with Sunday's loss, struggling again in the second half.

The Rams, who have lost six consecutive road games and have one win in their last 16 road games, led 17-6 at halftime but were unable to score again. St. Louis hasn't scored a touchdown in the second half of its last three games and has been outscored 46-3 in the final two quarters during that stretch.

"It's not one thing," Spagnuolo said. "I told the guys in there, 'Don't be deep-thinking this thing.' Should we have won the game 17-12, we would have won it because we would have made one or two plays somewhere in there. That's how close it came down to and there wouldn't be as big of questions.

"Do we have to get better in the second half? Yeah. But we looked at everything this morning: It is scheme? Calls? Did they make any major adjustments? I don't think so, a couple little tweaks here and there. It's a tackle here. It's a completed pass there. It's just simple football stuff."

The Rams will be without safety James Butler against the Panthers after he suffered a knee injury Sunday, Spagnuolo said. The team worked out veteran cornerback Ralph Brown on Monday, a league source told NFL Network insider Jason La Canfora.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.


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Jags' Britton to undergo season-ending surgery on shoulder

The Jacksonville Jaguars' 25th-ranked offense just took another hit.

An MRI exam on right tackle Eben Britton's shoulder Monday revealed a torn labrum, and the second-year pro will have season-ending shoulder surgery.

Britton underwent X-rays and wore a sling on the shoulder after the Jaguars' 42-20 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday.

Britton dislocated his shoulder during the second quarter, popped it back in place himself and returned to the game. He dislocated it again on the next series. This time, he couldn't get it back in place without help from team doctors.

Britton said he believes "the damage was done at that point."

Tests Monday revealed the extent of the injury, and Britton plans to have surgery soon. Jaguars coach Jack Del Rio said if Britton has surgery, he likely would be lost for the season.

Jordan Black, a seventh-year veteran, will replace Britton in the lineup beginning Sunday at Dallas.

Britton has started 22 games for the Jaguars over the past two seasons. His absence is a tangible loss for an offensive line that already lacks depth.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.


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As 49ers arrive in London, QB Smith nurses injured shoulder

LONDON -- San Francisco 49ers quarterback Alex Smith spent Monday morning at a London hospital having his injured left shoulder examined, and he is still waiting to hear if he will be able to play Sunday against the Denver Broncos at Wembley Stadium.

The 49ers (1-6) flew to London from Charlotte, where they blew a late lead and lost to the Carolina Panthers 23-20. Smith was injured on a third-quarter sack and still had his non-throwing arm in a sling Monday afternoon.

"It's all right. Could be better," Smith said after arriving at the team's hotel outside London from the hospital.

Smith completed 9 of 19 passes for 129 yards with one touchdown and no turnovers. He was hurt when a mix-up on protection allowed Charles Johnson to come in and tackle him on the blind side, driving his shoulder into the turf.

Smith was still in pain and hadn't slept much since the team flew to London overnight. As far as playing against the Broncos, the quarterback said he had no idea.

"I'm still waiting to hear from the doctors," he said.

San Francisco coach Mike Singletary also was in the dark about Smith's status.

"I'm not a doctor, so we'll have to wait and see," he said.

The 49ers and Broncos are playing in the fourth regular-season game in the British capital. The three previous games were sellouts, and this one is expected to be as well.

For Singletary, though, the trip is about making his struggling team better.

"For us, it's a nice chance to get away and regroup, rethink," Singletary said. "It really works to be a bonus for us. It really gives us a chance to kind of get away from the hustle and bustle of the NFL, to come over and kind of think through some things, look at maybe some changes we need to make."

Although Singletary wouldn't be specific on what changes were needed, the 49ers led by seven points until the Panthers tied the score with 1:59 to go. Less than a minute later, backup quarterback David Carr threw an interception that set up Carolina's winning field goal.

"We're going to figure it out this week. It's important for us to continue to try and put the pieces in place that gives us a chance to get over the edge," Singletary said. "We still have a chance to have a good season and accomplish some of the goals that we wanted to accomplish at the beginning of the season."

Linebacker Patrick Willis said the team still has a chance to win the NFC West, since the first-place Seattle Seahawks are just 4-2.

The first step toward that goal is to put Sunday's loss behind.

"Right now we still got to put closure to the game we played yesterday," Willis said. "Hopefully us coming over ahead of time will get us acclimated ... get our bodies ready to play a good football game."

The Broncos aren't due to arrive until Friday, giving them less time to get accustomed to the city and the surroundings.

"We know this a business trip, but at the same time, we have a younger football team, and I wanted our guys to come and get a taste of the culture, a little bit of that, and at the same time get a feel for the environment and the weather and the whole nine yards," Singletary said. "And just be settled by the time the game starts."

And be ready to play another team that has been struggling -- the Broncos fell to 2-5 after losing 59-14 to the visiting Oakland Raiders on Sunday.

"We can't let that loss (to the Panthers) get to us," 49ers tight end Vernon Davis said. "We have to keep moving forward, keep our heads up and do what we have to do."

Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press


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Thursday, October 28, 2010

Revis' hamstring back to full strength as Jets plan for Packers

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- Darrelle Revis is ready to shut down receivers -- and questions about his balky left hamstring.

The New York Jets' All-Pro cornerback declared himself healthy Monday after using the bye-week break to rehabilitate it at the team's facility.

"It felt great today," Revis said after a light practice. "Now I can settle in and just play football. I'm 100 percent."

Revis said he'll be able to play unimpeded in the Jets' next game at home against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday.

"I'm ready to go," he said. "I'll be there Sunday. We did everything we could this week. This week worked out for me to stay here and get all the treatment I needed to get."

Revis missed two games after straining the hamstring, was very sore when he returned against the Minnesota Vikings two weeks ago and still wasn't completely healthy last week against the Denver Broncos.

"He was moving around great today," Jets coach Rex Ryan said. "I think we're going to see Darrelle at 100 percent, so that's exciting for me."


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Revis received treatment on the hamstring and went through running drills and defensive backs drills during last week's six-day break. He said he had no swelling in the hamstring or any complications.

"I was here all week, just trying to get back and get this hamstring right," he said. "We did a couple of running drills, DB drills when I was here last week. We've been doing everything. I've been running."

Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press


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Brees, struggling Saints insist they aren't in panic mode

METAIRIE, La. -- Drew Brees still smells greatness in the New Orleans Saints' locker room, even though they stunk up the Louisiana Superdome during their most recent performance against the struggling Cleveland Browns.

"We're all in the midst of trying to put our finger on what exactly is going on," Brees said Monday, one day after the Saints dropped to 4-3 with a stunning 30-17 loss to the Browns. "We know the type of team we have. We know the type of work ethic we have. The effort is there. Guys want to win. Guys want to be great."

Last season, the Saints wore T-shirts around the locker room that read, "smell greatness," a motto derived from a motivational speech they received from San Francisco 49ers Hall of Fame safety Ronnie Lott. The Saints won their first 13 games in 2009, lost just three all season and won their first Super Bowl.

In 2010, the Saints have vacillated from super (a 31-6 road victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers), to so-so (close wins over the struggling Carolina Panthers and San Francisco 49ers) to plain sloppy (turnover-filled losses to the Browns and Arizona Cardinals).

Brees, who threw 11 interceptions all of last season, already has 10 in this campaign, tying him with Minnesota's Brett Favre for the NFL lead in that category entering Monday night's Dallas Cowboys-New York Giants game.

Against Cleveland, Brees' passes were intercepted four times, tying a career high for one game, and two were returned for touchdowns by linebacker David Bowens. Brees also was sacked three times by the Browns, and the Saints were penalized seven times for 98 yards, too.

Brees also threw three interceptions during a 30-20 loss at Arizona.

Coach Sean Payton said Brees' turnovers, as well as the lack of interceptions by New Orleans' defense, are symptomatic of the Saints not jumping out to big leads as they did so often last season.

"Certainly your chances of turning the ball over from an interception go up if you're playing come-from-behind football," Payton said, pointing out that teams are often forced to throw more when trailing. "It gets back to being in a position where you're playing with a lead, playing with balance. As soon as you become one-dimensional, it becomes more difficult."

At the same time, Payton said, opposing offenses have had an easier time calling conservative plays and protecting the football, limiting takeaways by a Saints defense that was among the best in the league in that category last season.

"The way we practice and the effort we give, I think the turnovers will come," Payton said. "The difference this season clearly is that there haven't been many cases or series or quarters where we've played with a lead of above a score compared to a year ago. When (a team has a two-score lead), the defense has more opportunities to rush the passer and the opposition is one-dimensional."

On paper, New Orleans' defense appears to be one of the bright spots on the team, ranking fourth overall in yards allowed per game, compared to 25th last season. All-Pro safety Darren Sharper, who on Sunday played his first game since having offseason knee surgery, said using such stats to judge the Saints' defense can be tricky.

"Now we're top-five, but we haven't created as many turnovers as last year, so is the defense better than last year, or is the defense worse?" he asked.

"We don't worry about stats," Sharper continued. "Getting takeaways is what we pride ourselves on doing and that's the biggest factor in changing the makeup of a game and whether or not you win or you lose."

Brees said the whole team was mindful of how hard it can be to defend a title, and how often recent NFL champions have faltered the following season, a phenomenon often referred to as the "Super Bowl hangover."

The Saints never underestimated how hard it would be to maintain last season's excellence. They're simply disappointed they have struggled to play well consistently through the first seven weeks. It only gets harder this week, with the Pittsburgh Steelers (5-1) visiting Sunday night.

"We're never going to panic, but there's definitely a sense of urgency," Brees said. "We just have to really focus on the details -- not letting anything slide, from being on time to meetings, from what you're doing in the film room, what you're doing in the weight room, what you're doing in the training room, taking care of your body. Just don't let a single thing slide. Make sure you're accountable to one another. That's what everybody's preaching right now."

Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press


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Haynesworth shows flashes of former dominance vs. Bears

ASHBURN, Va. -- Albert Haynesworth bullrushed offensive lineman Chris Williams into quarterback Jay Cutler, knocking the two Chicago Bears players down like dominoes. Now that's an awesome way to get a sack.

Haynesworth also jumped over an offensive lineman to grab Cutler at the 1-yard line, maintaining a strong grip as the quarterback reached to get the ball over the goal line for what appeared to be a touchdown. Redskins linebacker London Fletcher knocked the ball loose and recovered what was ruled a fumble -- and Bears coach Lovie Smith didn't challenge the ruling -- creating a huge turnaround play in a game decided by three points.

Haynesworth has mostly been a distraction and a disappointment since signing with the Washington Redskins last season. Imagine the possibilities if he keeps playing the way he did in Sunday's 17-14 victory over the Bears.

"It would be like Christmas Day, so to speak, getting the gift that you've always wanted," Fletcher said Monday. "That's the reason they brought Albert in here, because of how dominant he can be."

It has been all too easy to pick on Haynesworth and fellow well-paid teammate DeAngelo Hall lately, but, at least for a day, they looked like players worthy of big investments. Haynesworth was disruptive down low, and Hall tied an NFL single-game record with four interceptions as the defense rescued a sputtering offense and moved the Redskins (4-3) back above .500.

"Albert played exceptionally well," said Redskins coach Mike Shanahan, uttering four words that have been hard to come by this season. "It's the best that he's played, obviously, this season. But looking at film from last year, I think it's the best game he's played since he's been here."

The story is a familiar one. Haynesworth didn't want to play for the Redskins this season because they were switching to a 3-4 defense. He skipped a mandatory minicamp, asked for a trade, needed 10 days to pass a training-camp conditioning test and swapped frosty verbal volleys with Shanahan throughout the preseason.

Off the field, the two-time All-Pro has dealt with at least three lawsuits and other legal issues. He recently missed a game after his half brother died in a motorcycle accident, then wasn't allowed to play in the following game -- last week's loss to the Indianapolis Colts -- because Shanahan didn't deem him physically and mentally ready to play again.

"2010 has been the worst year of my life," Haynesworth said after Sunday's game, "so I just want to kind of get it over with and keep playing, hopefully."

From an emotional standpoint, Haynesworth spoke of how he was inspired by the memory of his half brother. From a strategic standpoint, he said the Redskins made his job simpler by taking him out of run-defense packages. Less thinking equals more production -- at least by Haynesworth's reckoning.

"When you have a lot to think about in football, a player's going to play slow," Haynesworth said. "Now that they took me out of the (run-defense) stuff and I can just play the nickel stuff and the stuff that I'm used to, I have a lot less to think about and go -- and just play the game."

Even so, Haynesworth couldn't resist another latent jab at Shanahan, saying the coach should have played him against the Colts.

"I would have loved to play. I played the Colts for seven years, twice a year, so I probably knew the Colts better than anybody on the team," said Haynesworth, referencing his tenure with the AFC South's Tennessee Titans. "But it was his decision."

Shanahan said Haynesworth won't be used solely as a pass-rush specialist with a seven-year, $100 million contract. The coach said Haynesworth played 33 snaps against the Bears -- about half of the defensive plays -- and fared well against both the run and pass.

"He played hard," Shanahan said. "We expect that type of effort out of him."

As for Hall, the four interceptions were a landmark day in a season in which he has allowed too many completions and been slowed by a sore back. It's hardly a coincidence that the Redskins matched their win total (four) from last season on the same day they matched their takeaway total (17) from 2009.

Still, after Sunday's game, Cutler wasn't backing down on Hall, saying: "I still think if we had to play him tomorrow, I'd go after him every time."

Hall responded by appearing on ESPN on Monday and saying that Cutler doesn't "really understand ... the game of football."

"For him to feel like he can come at me right now, it might be a quarterback being a quarterback," Hall said. "But obviously it didn't work out."

Notes: Redskins FB Mike Sellers was wearing a walking boot after the game. Shanahan said Sellers had an injury on the "bottom of the foot" and would be evaluated Wednesday. ... The Redskins planned to have Stephon Heyer alternate series with Jammal Brown at right tackle, but Heyer sprained his ankle early in the game. Shanahan said Brown still doesn't have full range of motion from last season's hip injury. ... S Kareem Moore is receiving limited playing time because of a sore right knee. He sprained the knee earlier this season. ... Shanahan said there's a chance RB Clinton Portis could return in two weeks after the bye, but it's not certain if he would reclaim the starting job from Ryan Torain. ... RB Chad Simpson, who tweaked a hamstring in practice last week, might return to practice Wednesday.

Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press


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Bucs release veteran TE Stevens after drug arrest

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers released backup tight end Jerramy Stevens on Monday, two days after he was arrested and charged with possessing marijuana.

Stevens didn't play in Sunday's 18-17 Bucs victory over the St. Louis Rams.

The Bucs filled the open roster spot by promoting rookie tight end Ryan Purvis from the practice squad. Purvis, who went undrafted out of Boston College, caught five passes for 69 yards and a touchdown in four preseason games.

Stevens was pulled over in his Ford pickup truck on Saturday at 7:05 a.m. for loud music, Tampa police spokeswoman Andrea Davis said Sunday in a news release. The officer said he smelled marijuana inside the vehicle and found 38 grams, or 1 1/3 ounce, of marijuana.

Stevens, 30, was taken to jail and charged with possession of marijuana with intent to sell and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Stevens previously was convicted of drunken driving in 2007 and pleaded guilty to reckless driving in 2003.

Stevens signed with the Bucs in 2007 after spending the first five years of his career with the Seattle Seahawks. The former first-round draft pick had 15 receptions for 130 yards and one touchdown last season and has 202 catches for 2,217 yards and 22 scores in his career.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.


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Favre unsure of status after re-injuring ankle vs. Packers

GREEN BAY, Wis. -- Vikings quarterback Brett Favre struggled to walk through the locker room and to and from his postgame news conference after re-injuring his surgically repaired left ankle in Sunday’s 28-24 loss to the Green Bay Packers. He said he knows by the time he gets off the plane back in Minneapolis, it would be “pretty bad.”

As for his playing status next week against the New England Patriots in Foxborough, Mass., Favre said, “Who knows? I hope I do. If I can play but not be effective, then it’s not worth playing. I hope I use good judgment. So, we’ll see. I’m not a spring chicken any more. I don’t heal as quickly.”

He went on.

“I know the heart’s in the right place, though,” he said.

Favre said he injured his ankle while being hit on a third-quarter interception by Packers’ linebacker A.J. Hawk –- one of three interceptions. Favre did not wear any type of walking boot or other support after the game. However, he could not put any pressure on his left ankle as he tried to walk down steps from a stage following his news conference.

The 41-year-old quarterback lit up his former team in two games last season, including a four-touchdown performance at Lambeau Field.

Favre wasn't nearly as effective on Sunday night, though his fourth-quarter pass to Percy Harvin nearly capped a dramatic comeback. The play, originally ruled a touchdown, was overturned after an official review.

In addition to his ankle issue, Favre has dealt with tendinitis in his right elbow this season. Favre has started in 291 consecutive games, an NFL record for quarterbacks.


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Panthers RB Williams has sprained foot, considered day to day

Carolina Panthers running back DeAngelo Williams sprained a foot during the victory over the San Francisco 49ers and is considered day to day, coach John Fox said Monday.

Williams was injured Sunday during the second half of the Panthers' 23-20 win, their first of the season. He finished the game with season highs in carries (19) and receptions (four).

Williams has 361 rushing yards in six games this season. He ran for 1,117 and 1,515 yards, respectively, last season and in 2008.


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Colts will sign free agent Kapinos to punt vs. Texans, agent says

The Colts will sign free-agent punter Jeremy Kapinos on Monday, agent Rob Roche told The Indianapolis Star.

Kapinos' signing comes on the heels of the team's one-game suspension of starting punter Pat McAfee.

McAfee was arrested for public intoxication on Oct. 20. Police said McAfee took a pre-dawn swim in a city canal and told them, "I am drunk," as he tried to explain why he was sopping wet in the Broad Ripple neighborhood, a trendy area known for its nightlife.

Kapinos, in his fourth NFL season out of Penn State, spent time with the New York Jets in 2007 and the Green Bay Packers from 2008 to 2009. He was the Packers' starter last season, averaging 43.8 yards on 66 punts.

The Colts (4-2), coming off their bye week, are preparing for their AFC South rematch with the Houston Texans (4-2) at Lucas Oil Stadium on Monday night. The Texans won the first meeting, 34-24, in the Sept. 12 season opener in Houston.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.


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Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Dolphins still steaming about controversial loss to Steelers

DAVIE, Fla. -- Upon further review, the officiating crew in Sunday's Miami Dolphins-Pittsburgh Steelers contest made only one mistake on the game's pivotal play.

That's small consolation to the Dolphins, who believe they were robbed of a win, which instead turned into a 23-22 loss.

"For the game to end like that and us to get the raw end of a deal, it hurts," Miami safety Yeremiah Bell said.

The Dolphins (3-3) were angry because an erroneous touchdown call by the head linesman might have cost them the game. Miami linebacker Ikaika Alama-Francis emerged from an end-zone pile with the ball lost by Pittsburgh quarterback Ben Roethlisberger with 2:30 left.

A replay review determined that Roethlisberger's touchdown was instead a fumble at the half-yard line, but because the video didn't provide clear evidence as to which team recovered the ball, the Steelers kept it and kicked the winning field goal on the next play.

Because the touchdown was overturned, only the video review could determine which team recovered the fumble. Any ruling on the field as to which team recovered was irrelevant, because the play is considered over when a touchdown signal is given, and the officials don't continue to officiate.

Regarding the fumble recovery, conclusive video evidence is required.

"There must be a clear recovery by the defense in order to reverse to a touchback," the league's Instant Replay Manual says. "If there is a pileup and you can't see who recovered the ball, or a long delay with players stopping before the ball is recovered, the offense retains possession."

Various Steelers players claimed that Roethlisberger, offensive tackle Jonathan Scott or guard Doug Legursky recovered the ball. The Dolphins all said it was Francis.

If the linesman hadn't signaled a touchdown, the scrum would have determined possession.


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Dolphins quarterback Chad Pennington argued that the linesman shouldn't have been so quick to signal a touchdown. That way, the officials on the field would have determined who recovered the ball.

"If it looked like the ball was loose, play it out," Pennington said. "Don't throw your hands up in the air, especially in the last two stinking minutes of the game."

Coach Tony Sparano said the Dolphins wrote the NFL requesting an explanation, but he expects nothing to change. And he noted many other factors contributed to the defeat.

"The thing I'm most frustrated about is just that we got close against a good football team in that situation and didn't finish," he said.

The Dolphins repeatedly squandered chances to score touchdowns, instead settling five times for field goals. They again were plagued by mistakes in kick coverage and pass coverage. Even after the disputed call, they had a chance to come back but gained just 4 yards in an ugly four-play sequence, losing the ball on downs.

As a result, the Dolphins dropped their fifth game in a row at home, a streak that dates to last season. They're the first team since the 1982 St. Louis Cardinals to start a season 0-3 at home and 3-0 on the road, according to STATS LLC.

The good news: The Dolphins are on the road this Sunday -- at Cincinnati.

Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press


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Bears' Smith on Cutler's fumble: 'I should've thrown the red flag'

Chicago Bears coach Lovie Smith told reporters Monday that he regrets not challenging a second-half play that was ruled a fumble by his team in Sunday's 17-14 loss to the Washington Redskins.

With the Bears leading 14-10 in the third quarter, Smith failed to call for a replay when Cutler fumbled the ball while trying to dive over from the 1-yard line on a quarterback sneak. Sideline views after the game indicated that Cutler put the ball over the goal line when he reached out before fumbling it, but Smith said assistants in the coaching box had no real conclusive camera angle immediately after the play.

Smith also said he believed his defense would force Washington to punt from near its goal line.

Still, Smith admitted a mistake.

"I should have thrown the red flag on the 1-yard fumble down by the end zone," Smith said. "Yes, I should have, looking at it, of course, in hindsight. ... I understand the reasons why, but that was a critical play in the game. I need to be able to make that call."

Smith had exhausted a timeout one play prior with a failed challenge on wide receiver Earl Bennett's reception that was ruled on the field to be down at the 1-yard line and not in the end zone. The Bears have lost 12 of their last 15 replay challenges.

The fumble was one of five turnovers for the Bears. It was a brutal outing for Cutler, who passed for 281 yards but was pressured all game and threw four interceptions to the same player -- Redskins cornerback DeAngelo Hall.

Hall tied an NFL single-game record with the four picks, and he ran one back 92 yards for a touchdown.

For the third consecutive year, the Bears have bogged down following a good start, and now they're looking for answers and a chance to get healthy.

"I think the bye week is coming at a great time for us, period," Smith said. "We've lost three out of four games, but at the same time, we've been able to see the type of football team we can be, which is a very good football team."

Chicago started 2008 at 5-3 before fading to 9-7 and missing the playoffs and last year started 3-1 before losing six of its next seven. The Bears began this season 4-1, but they have lost two consecutive home games to NFC teams largely because of a turnover- and sack-prone offense.

"This isn't a very hard sport to figure out," center Olin Kreutz said. "It's just hard to do, and we're having a hard time doing it right now."

The offensive line drew most of the fire earlier in the season, but after the loss to Washington, quarterback Jay Cutler and Smith had plenty of issues that needed to be addressed.

Cutler took the blame for the four interceptions he threw Sunday.

"Jay, of course, would like to have some of those throws back," Smith said Monday. "There are so many things that all of us would like to do differently."

Until the Washington game, the real problem for Cutler had been getting sacked. He had thrown just three interceptions before Sunday's loss.

The Bears allowed four sacks Sunday, an improvement over six against the Seattle Seahawks and nine against the New York Giants. Yet Chicago leads the NFL with 31 allowed, 20 more than its own defense has managed against opponents. The Bears also have converted just 17.9 percent of their third-down plays (15-for-84), last in the league.


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Amid the struggles, Smith saw some positives in a five-series stint that included 270 yards gained and 16 first downs.

"We weren't able to get points on the board, and it's always about points," Smith said.

The team should be healthier when it plays the Buffalo Bills on Nov. 7. Linebacker Lance Briggs is expected to be over an ankle injury that caused him to miss one game and most of Sunday's loss. Also, safety Major Wright should be back from a pulled hamstring.

Guard Edwin Williams suffered a back injury and had to be replaced Sunday. For the next game, the line could take on another look because guard Roberto Garza likely will be back from arthroscopic knee surgery, which leaves the Bears pondering whether to move guard Chris Williams back to left tackle or put him at another position or even the bench.

"We're still in a good position," nose tackle Anthony Adams said. "We're 4-3, we still haven't played Minnesota, we have to play Green Bay one more time and Detroit one more time. So we can still make a run at this thing. It's not over for us at all."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.


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Cards QB Hall healing from 'Hawks beating, could play Sunday

Arizona Cardinals rookie quarterback Max Hall experienced "concussion-like symptoms" during Sunday's 22-10 loss to the Seattle Seahawks, but he is feeling better Monday, according to a league source.

The early prognosis is that Hall, who was named the Cardinals' starter in place of veteran Derek Anderson in Week 5, should be ready to go against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday, barring any setbacks.

Hall still needs to pass the tests required by the NFL after a blindside sack knocked him out of Sunday's game in Seattle with a concussion.

Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt said that if the rookie is cleared, he will be the starter against Tampa Bay, his poor performance in the 22-10 loss to the Seahawks notwithstanding.

"We can't make too much of what happened yesterday," Whisenhunt said at his Monday news conference. "He's a rookie quarterback. We can't lose sight of that. You know that you're going to have some things that you have to go through the first time. This is his first start on the road in a tough environment, and it didn't go very well. But what I've seen of Max, he'll bounce back and he'll improve."

Whisenhunt said he is looking to simplify Arizona's game plan in hopes that Hall can return to the freewheeling form that impressed the coaching staff during the preseason.

"We ran a bunch of plays that we ran in camp that we were familiar with and we executed them well," Whisenhunt said. "We're going to go back to a little bit of that. Hopefully that will help us be more efficient."

Hall was knocked out in the third quarter of last Sunday's game, the result of a hard but legal sack by Seahawks defensive end Chris Clemons. Hall was blindsided, and he fumbled the ball at the Arizona 11-yard line, setting up one of Olindo Mare's five field goals.

Hall wasn't in the Cardinals' locker room when reporters were there Monday.

After the game, Hall said he was "a little woozy" and "a little nauseous" after the play.

"But I'll be OK," he said.

Hall struggled with his grip on the ball in the wet weather, leading Whisenhunt to suggest the quarterback might want to try gloves.

"It was tough. At times, it was really wet. But, it's no excuse," Hall said. "You still have to be able to execute. We were running the ball well. But we kept having turnovers and mistakes. It is hard to win when you do that."

Anderson, who started in Arizona's first four games, relieved Hall and directed the Cardinals to their only touchdown, but he was erratic, as is his custom. Anderson was 8-of-17 passing for 96 yards.

Wide receiver Steve Breaston was kept out of the game because of the wet conditions, Whisenhunt said. Breaston has missed three games while recovering from arthroscopic knee surgery. The Cardinals expect him back against the Bucs.

Arizona's offense has scored two touchdowns in the last three games, and one of those was a 2-yard return of Hall's fumble by offensive tackle Levi Brown. The team hasn't had a passing touchdown since Week 3.


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Again, the Cardinals had trouble taking advantage of Larry Fitzgerald's talent. Arizona threw to him 10 times Sunday, but Fitzgerald caught just three for 30 yards.

"Really, the quarterback play has been inconsistent," Whisenhunt said. "We've missed opportunities, and that's what hurt us, and obviously when we do get something going we've turned the ball over."

The Cardinals had five turnovers, four of them fumbles. Tim Hightower, who lost two fumbles in the season opener, lost another one at the end of a 28-yard run that gave the Seahawks the ball at their 28-yard line. Hightower gained 59 yards in six attempts, but he didn't carry the ball again.

Whisenhunt praised his defense for keeping the Cardinals close despite the turnovers. Seattle's only touchdown in seven red-zone trips came after Andre Roberts' muffed punt gave the Seahawks the ball at the Arizona 2-yard line. The Cardinals sacked Matt Hasselbeck five times, two by Alan Branch.

But it wasn't enough to overcome Arizona's punchless offense and the many mistakes.

The Cardinals (3-3) weren't about to concede that the Seahawks (4-2) are the best team in the NFC West.

"A game like that, we killed ourselves," running back Beanie Wells said. "We've got to give them credit. They're a good team, but I definitely don't think they are better than us."

The teams have a rematch in Arizona on Nov. 14.

The Associated Press contributed to this report


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With Ryans out for season, Texans move LB Cushing to middle

HOUSTON -- The Texans are turning to Brian Cushing to solve their crisis at middle linebacker.

Coach Gary Kubiak said Monday that Cushing will take over the position for DeMeco Ryans, who's out for the season after rupturing his left Achilles tendon in the Texans' 35-31 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs on Oct. 17. Cushing has started at outside linebacker since the Texans drafted him last year.

"We thought that was the best thing for our team," Kubiak said of moving Cushing to the middle. "We want him to lead the defense, take over the defense. That's where we're going."

The Texans had a bye last week, giving Kubiak time to consider options for replacing Ryans, who has played in two Pro Bowls. Kubiak felt most confident moving Cushing to the middle, even though he has started in just two games this season after serving a four-game suspension for violating the NFL's policy on banned substances.

The Texans (4-2) play at AFC South rival Indianapolis (4-2) on Monday night.

"I'm just doing what they want me to do," Cushing said. "I'm excited about the new opportunity. With DeMeco down, somebody had to step up. Coach asked me, and I'm more than willing to do it."

Cushing was the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year last season after making 133 tackles, including four sacks, and intercepting four passes. He was a first-round draft pick out of USC, where he played mostly outside linebacker, but he practiced at the middle spot behind starter Rey Maualuga, who's now a Cincinnati Bengal.

"I've just got to lock in a little bit more," Cushing said. "I'm going to have to be the quarterback of the defense, and I'm fine doing that."

When Ryans was hurt against the Chiefs, Zac Diles moved from the weak side to play the middle, and second-year pro David Nixon was pressed into action to fill Diles' spot. The Texans waived Nixon last week, and Kubiak said Monday that he wasn't comfortable with Diles playing in the middle.

Three other linebackers -- Kevin Bentley, Xavier Adibi and Darryl Sharpton -- were inactive for the Chiefs' game with injuries. Bentley (knee) and Sharpton (ankle) were two candidates to replace Ryans, and both practiced Monday.

Bentley has backed up Ryans for three years and was surprised by Kubiak's decision. Bentley still will have a starting role, taking over Cushing's position and backing him up at middle linebacker.

"I feel like I'm a leader, and I can lead from anywhere on the field," Bentley said. "I'm not worried about being disappointed. What I am worried about is how I'm going to step up and play and make sure I do my job to the best of my ability."

Ryans underwent surgery Friday, and Cushing said he has talked to his injured teammate about the specifics of playing middle linebacker. Cushing said there's not much difference between the middle spot and the outside position, but Bentley laughed at that notion.

"There's a lot more thinking, when now you're the guy getting everybody lined up," Bentley said. "You're responsible for all 11, not just yourself. You've got 10 other guys -- you've got to make sure they're lined up, you're lined up and then make plays."

Cushing believes he's ready. He put himself through rigorous physical training during his four-game suspension to keep himself in football shape, then used the bye week to brush up on the Texans' playbook.

"I think he can jump right in and get it done," defensive end Antonio Smith said. "I've got confidence that he can handle it. You see what he can do on the field, and the mike linebacker, for his type of motor and energy and (ability) running sideline-to-sideline, it's kind of like the best position for him to play."

Notes: The Texans signed free-agent LB Stanford Keglar and DT Damione Lewis. Houston also moved rookie DT Malcolm Sheppard from the practice squad to the regular roster and signed DE Tim Jamison to the practice squad. The Texans waived former University of Texas NT Frank Okam. ... Adibi sat out Monday's workout. Kubiak hopes Adibi will return to practice Thursday.

Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press


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Giants rough up Romo, Cowboys to seize control of NFC East

ARLINGTON, Texas -- Tony Romo threw the pass, then didn't have a chance. Michael Boley was coming right at him, unblocked and going full speed.

The hit was so hard that when Romo landed on his left shoulder, Boley heard him "let out a little scream." All Romo remembers was how much trouble he had breathing.


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It was probably the last gasp for the 2010 Dallas Cowboys, too.

Romo fractured his left clavicle on the play, turning the Cowboys' promising start in Monday night's game against the New York Giants into yet another loss. Dallas went through a funk after losing its quarterback, and Eli Manning took advantage, powering New York from a 13-point deficit to a 41-35 victory that put the Giants a full game ahead in the NFC East and tied for the most wins in the conference.

Manning led New York (5-2) on five consecutive scoring drives over the middle two quarters, posting 31 points. He bounced back from interceptions on his first two drives of the night to match his career best with four touchdown passes, Brandon Jacobs ran 30 yards for a touchdown and Lawrence Tynes kicked a career-best 53-yard field goal, just some of the Giants' many highlights.

"The way we started the game tonight, to be able to come back from that and show the mental toughness was big," Giants coach Tom Coughlin said.

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said he was told Romo would miss about 6 to 8 weeks. More tests that are scheduled for Tuesday should help set a timetable. But it might not matter much. Dallas is 1-5, so there might not be any reason to rush back. The 1970 Cincinnati Bengals are the only 1-5 team ever to make the playoffs.

"I'm staying optimistic," Romo said. "This football team has a lot of high-character guys, a lot of competitive individuals who aren't going to give in to a tough situation."

Tough? Put it this way: The historically woebegone Texas Rangers could win more games in October and November than the five-time Super Bowl champion Cowboys. And with the Super Bowl coming to Cowboys Stadium in February, it's all but certain the host team won't be playing. Worse still, this once-promising season is now linked to 1989 -- the year Jones bought the team, Jimmy Johnson took over as coach and the Cowboys went 1-15; that was the last time Dallas started 1-5. At least back then everyone knew the team was lousy.

"There are a lot of teams in this league that have had to step in and do a different direction at quarterback," Jones said. "We've got to be able to play without Romo."

This was the fourth consecutive win for the Giants. The really stunning number is five; that's how many quarterbacks they have injured this season.

Even in a week where the NFL is scrutinizing hard hits, Boley didn't draw a flag. It was a clean play, just a textbook example of a hard hit.

"The guard didn't see me," the linebacker said. "I came in scot-free. ... I didn't think he (Romo) was going to lay down. I thought it was a normal hit. After I got up and started running, I looked back and saw he was down."

X-rays showed the break before halftime. Romo was back on the sideline for the second half, his arm in a sling and covered by a jacket. He wore a headset and tried encouraging teammates, but there wasn't much to cheer.

The Cowboys actually were ahead just 10-7 when Romo left, but they stretched the lead to 20-7. Then came New York's scoring flurry, which sent home much of the crowd by the middle of the third quarter and prompted chants of "Let's go Rangers!"

The Giants already were ahead by the time Romo's injury was diagnosed.

Dallas backup Jon Kitna hadn't played since Oct. 5, 2008, when he was part of Detroit's winless season. Whether it was the long layoff, being 38 or both, he sure looked rusty.

Kitna's first and third passes were tipped. The next time he dropped back, he was sacked for a 10-yard loss, forcing Dallas to punt from its own end zone. The Giants took advantage of the short field to score the go-ahead touchdown. Kitna's next pass was fumbled by Jason Witten, setting up Tynes' long field goal. It got so bad that there was a mock cheer when Kitna completed a pass for a first down early in fourth quarter. He finished 16-of-33 passing for 187 yards.

"It just took him a while to get going," Cowboys coach Wade Phillips said. "Once he did, it gave us a chance."

Kitna ended up throwing two touchdown passes to rookie Dez Bryant in the final 3:17, but Dallas failed to recover onside kicks after each. New York got another field goal from Tynes after the first, then ran out the clock after the second.

Manning was 25-of-35 passing for 306 yards. This was the fourth time he had thrown four TD passes.

Hakeem Nicks caught nine passes for 108 yards and two touchdowns. Steve Smith caught nine passes for 101 yards and one touchdown. Mario Manningham had the other TD catch.

Ahmad Bradshaw ran 24 times for 126 yards. Jacobs had 75 yards on 12 carries for the Giants.

The craziest part about this game was how many things the Cowboys did right: A club that had just four takeaways all season snatched five. A special teams group that was known for giving up big plays made a huge one -- a 93-yard punt return for a touchdown by Bryant. The Cowboys drew just five penalties.

But they also went 0 for 10 on third downs. And Romo wasn't the only guy lost to injury. Defensive end Jason Hatcher and left guard Montrae Holland hurt groins. Holland already was filling in for injured starter Kyle Kosier, so the Cowboys had to go with Phil Costa, a rookie free agent who made his NFL debut.

Romo had thrown every pass by a Cowboys quarterback since Nov. 16, 2008, when he returned from a broken pinkie on his throwing hand that cost him three games. He set the franchise record for passing yards in a season last year, making the Pro Bowl for the third time. In his brief action Monday night, he broke his own team record by throwing for a touchdown in his 18th consecutive game. He was 5-of-7 passing for 39 yards.

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The Cowboys pulled out the stops this week to try turning things around. Jones gave an encouraging speech Monday, officials worked practices on Wednesday and Thursday, and Hall of Famers Bob Lilly and Tony Dorsett were honorary captains for this game. (Hours earlier, Dorsett called the team "a bunch of underachievers.") They drummed up some loud applause by showing clips of the World Series-bound Rangers, then cutting to team icon Nolan Ryan in the stands.

Ryan's team beat the New York Yankees in Arlington last weekend. The Giants can take some measure of revenge back to New York.

Notes: The Giants are 2-0 at Cowboys Stadium. ... Manning is 20-4 as a starter in October, the best among all Super Bowl-era quarterbacks (minimum 20 starts). ... Bryant had four catches for 54 yards and two touchdowns, plus the long punt return. "Dez is a spectacular player," Phillips said.

Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press


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