Art Shell - Raiders Head Coach Points To "Character Assassination" Problem In Organization

The person who did this could be a combination of people in the organization, not just one.

I write this -- and do more so -- because I have been told by several people that the way to rise in the Raiders organization is via character assassination. I don't write this with glee, but with sadness. It's good for Art to point this problem out in the open. It needs to go away.

Moreover, Amy Trask, who's the CEO, needs to really pay attention to this complaint and alter the Raiders climate, as this crit has been active for much of the time under her watch. I like Amy a lot, but this cultural problem must go away.

It's not a problem at the Intern level of the organization, but it exists for those who want to stay in the system and advance. It's a virus that can -- and has -- weakened the Raiders organization's structure.

Shell lashes out at unnamed critic within Raiders camp
Associated Press and ESPN

ALAMEDA, Calif. -- The Oakland Raiders' soap opera season took another strange turn Wednesday when coach Art Shell accused a member of the organization of trying to undermine the coaching staff and rooting against the team.

Shell did not name the person, but he said it was not a coach or a player. He said the person has been calling media members around the country and criticizing coaches.

"I'm a fighter," Shell said. "I sit back and I watch things happen and then it gets to the point where you cross the line. That line has been crossed and I won't sit back and allow it to happen anymore."

Shell's latest comments came in response to questions about his decision Tuesday to demote Tom Walsh from his role of offensive coordinator to tight ends coach and replace him with John Shoop.

"When you root against me, you're rooting against the Raiders," Shell said. "When you root against Tom Walsh, you're rooting against the Raiders. And for someone to do that is unconscionable. It's unconscionable. It's detestable and I think it's an outrage."

The drama is the latest for a lost season in which star receiver Randy Moss has gone on the radio nearly every week with criticisms of the team and receiver Jerry Porter was suspended for insubordination after clashing with the coaching staff.

"How can you accept a paycheck from somebody that's given you a job and given you an opportunity to try to excel in life, and then turn around and call your cronies around the league and it gets back to me and I'm tired of it," Shell said.

Shell said the "character assassination" began soon after he was hired in February to begin his second stint as Raiders coach. He said the attacks have also been directed at owner Al Davis.

The internal strife is reminiscent of Shell's first stint as Raiders coach, which ended after the 1994 season when he believed he was being undermined by one of his assistants, Mike White, who ended up replacing Shell.

Shell went on to work as an assistant coach in Kansas City and Atlanta and never saw those sorts of problems.

"It shouldn't be like that," Shell said. "Every organization should be here on the same page, from the bottom up, from the groundskeeper on up. Everybody should be on the same page, trying to do the right things, trying to help this organization win. I went to Kansas City, that's the way it was. It was like that. Every individual was on board. Atlanta, every individual was on board. And it should be like that here."

But it hasn't been since Porter made public his trade demands and criticisms of the coaching staff at the start of training camp. Porter was inactive the first four games of the season despite leading the team in receptions a year ago and then was suspended for two games for insubordination after getting kicked out of practice.

Some players publicly questioned Shell's handling of the Porter situation, especially since the offense was struggling without him.

Moss went on his radio show days before the season opener complaining that things are "fishy" around the Raiders. He's also suggested that he would be better off if the team traded him and blamed his many dropped passes on being unhappy with the situation.

Oakland (2-9) has scored a league-low 132 points this year and is assured of a fourth straight losing season for the first time in franchise history.

The Raiders were last in the league in passing offense and total offense, 21st in rushing offense, and have allowed a league-high 53 sacks.

Walsh had come under criticism because he had been out of the NFL since 1994 and spent the past seven years running a bed and breakfast and serving as mayor of Swan Valley, Idaho.

Shell said it was very difficult to demote his friend.

"You have to be patient," Shell said. "I'm a very patient man so I'll take my time always before I make a rash decision. I felt at this time the decision needed to be made. It was very hard, very hard for me to do because I have a lot of respect for Tom Walsh. Tom Walsh has taken a lot, a lot of abuse from a lot of people and that has disappointed me."

Copyright 2006 by The Associated Press

NFL INJURY REPORT / NFL STREAK OF 400-YARD PASSING GAMES AT FOUR WEEKS - NFLMedia.com

FOR USE AS DESIRED
NFL-PER-13 11/29/06

LEAGUE STREAK OF 400-YARD PASSING GAMES AT FOUR WEEKS

An NFL quarterback has passed for more than 400 yards in four consecutive weeks and with another such performance in Week 13, the active string will tie the longest stretch in league history. The past four weeks have seen the following quarterbacks surpass the 400-yard mark, respectively:

Pittsburgh's BEN ROETHLISBERGER (433, Week 9), Cincinnati's CARSON PALMER (440, Week 10), New
Orleans' DREW BREES (510, Week 11), and Arizona rookie MATT LEINART (405, Week 12).

The record of five consecutive weeks with a 400-yard passer was achieved in 1986 during Weeks 8-12, a list that includes two Pro Football Hall of Famers in DAN MARINO and JOE MONTANA. The 1986 list: JAY SCHROEDER (420, Washington, Week 8); TOMMY KRAMER (490, Minnesota, Week 9); KEN O'BRIEN (431, N.Y. Jets, Week 9); BERNIE KOSAR (401, Cleveland, Week 10); Marino (404, Miami, Week 11); Montana (441, San Francisco, Week 11), and Kosar (414, Cleveland, Week 12).
4=1

Following is a list of quarterback injuries for Week 13 Games:
Jacksonville Jaguars Out Byron Leftwich (Ankle)
Miami Dolphins Out Daunte Culpepper (Knee)
Green Bay Packers Probable Brett Favre (Right Elbow)
New England Patriots Probable Tom Brady (Right Shoulder)
New York Jets Probable Chad Pennington (Calf)
Philadelphia Eagles Probable Jeff Garcia (Right Forearm)
Pittsburgh Steelers Probable Ben Roethlisberger (Chest)
Seattle Seahawks Probable Matt Hasselbeck (Left Hand)
St. Louis Rams ms Probable Marc Bulger (Ribs)
Following is a list of injured players for Week 13 Games:
BALTIMORE RAVENS AT CINCINNATI BENGALS on Thursday
Baltimore Ravens
OUT DT Justin Bannan (Toe); LB Dan Cody (Knee)
QUESTIONABLE TE Todd Heap (Back); RB Jamal Lewis (Foot); LB Adalius
Thomas (Ankle); G Keydrick Vincent (Hip); TE Daniel Wilcox
(Thigh)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
TUES Justin Bannan; Dan Cody; Todd Heap; Jamal Lewis; Adalius
Thomas; Keydrick Vincent; Daniel Wilcox
WED Justin Bannan; Dan Cody; Todd Heap; Jamal Lewis; Adalius
Thomas; Keydrick Vincent; Daniel Wilcox
Cincinnati Bengals
OUT T Levi Jones (Knee); G Bobbie Williams (Appendix)
DOUBTFUL DT John Thornton (Knee)
QUESTIONABLE C Rich Braham (Knee); CB Deltha O'Neal (Shoulder); TE Tony
Stewart (Hip); WR Kelley Washington (Hamstring)
PROBABLE DT Sam Adams (Knee); LB Brian Simmons (Neck)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
TUES Levi Jones; Bobbie Williams; John Thornton; Rich Braham;
Deltha O'Neal; Tony Stewart; Kelley Washington; Sam Adams
WED Levi Jones; Bobbie Williams; John Thornton; Rich Braham;
Deltha O'Neal
MINNESOTA VIKINGS AT CHICAGO BEARS
Minnesota Vikings
QUESTIONABLE G Steve Hutchinson (Knee); CB Cedric Griffin (Neck); G Artis
Hicks (Ankle); T Marcus Johnson (Foot); TE Jermaine Wiggins
(Knee); RB Chester Taylor (Wrist); DT Pat Williams (Knee)
PROBABLE S Dwight Smith (Shoulder); LB Napoleon Harris (Wrist); WR
Marcus Robinson (Ankle)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED Steve Hutchinson; Cedric Griffin; Artis Hicks; Marcus Johnson;
Jermaine Wiggins; Chester Taylor; Pat Williams; Dwight Smith;
Napoleon Harris; Marcus Robinson
Chicago Bears
DOUBTFUL LB Leon Joe (Hamstring)
QUESTIONABLE S Todd Johnson (Ankle)
PROBABLE RB Thomas Jones (Groin)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED Leon Joe; Todd Johnson; Thomas Jones
NEW YORK JETS AT GREEN BAY PACKERS
New York Jets
QUESTIONABLE RB B.J. Askew (Foot); CB David Barrett (Hip); WR Tim Dwight
(Thigh); RB Cedric Houston (Knee); DT Rashad Moore (Hand);
S Eric Smith (Foot); DE Bryan Thomas (Shoulder)
PROBABLE RB Kevan Barlow (Calf); LB Matt Chatham (Foot); WR Jerricho
Cotchery (Chest); CB Andre Dyson (Neck); G Pete Kendall
(Knee); WR Justin McCareins (Foot); QB Chad Pennington
(Calf); DT Dewayne Robertson (Foot)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED B.J. Askew; David Barrett; Tim Dwight; Cedric Houston; Rashad
Moore; Eric Smith; Bryan Thomas
Green Bay Packers
DOUBTFUL T Mark Tauscher (Groin); LB Ben Taylor (Hamstring); S Nick
Collins (Hamstring)
QUESTIONABLE TE David Martin (Ribs); RB P.J. Pope (Hamstring); LB Nick
Barnett (Hand)
PROBABLE QB Brett Favre (Right Elbow); DT Cullen Jenkins (Illness); CB
Charles Woodson (Shoulder); T Chad Clifton (Hamstring); RB
Ahman Green (Knee)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED Practice Not Complete
SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS AT NEW ORLEANS SAINTS
San Francisco 49ers
QUESTIONABLE T Jonas Jennings (Ankle); CB Shawntae Spencer (Ankle); RB
Frank Gore (Shin)
PROBABLE LB Jeff Ulbrich (Thumb)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED Jonas Jennings; Shawntae Spencer; Frank Gore
New Orleans Saints
OUT TE Ernie Conwell (Knee)
QUESTIONABLE WR Marques Colston (Ankle); LB Mark Simoneau (Hand); WR
Joe Horn (Groin); DE Will Smith (Knee); RB Aaron Stecker
(Ankle)
PROBABLE CB Fred Thomas (Thumb); S Bryan Scott (Foot)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED Ernie Conwell; Marques Colston; Mark Simoneau; Joe Horn; Will
Smith
ARIZONA CARDINALS AT ST. LOUIS RAMS
Arizona Cardinals
DOUBTFUL DT Kendrick Clancy (Ankle)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED Kendrick Clancy
St. Louis Rams
OUT DE Victor Adeyanju (Forearm); LB Isaiah Kacyvenski
(Concussion)
QUESTIONABLE RB Paul Smith (Hamstring); G Adam Timmerman (Ribs)
PROBABLE QB Marc Bulger (Ribs); CB Tye Hill (Thigh); G Richie Incognito
(Foot); DT Claude Wroten (Hamstring)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED Victor Adeyanju; Isaiah Kacyvenski
INDIANAPOLIS COLTS AT TENNESSEE TITANS
Indianapolis Colts
OUT TE Dallas Clark (Knee); DT Montae Reagor (Head)
QUESTIONABLE DT Raheem Brock (Chest); T Ryan Diem (Abdomen); LB Gilbert
Gardner (Rib); S Bob Sanders (Knee); WR Brandon Stokley
(Knee); CB Nicholas Harper (Groin); LB Keith O'Neil (Ankle); CB
Antoine Bethea (Shoulder); TE Ben Utecht (Knee)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED Dallas Clark; Montae Reagor; Ryan Diem; Gilbert Gardner;
Nicholas Harper; Keith O'Neil; Antoine Bethea
Tennessee Titans
OUT DE Antwan Odom (Knee)
QUESTIONABLE RB LenDale White (Hip); DE Travis LaBoy (Concussion); DE
Josh Savage (Hamstring); TE Bo Scaife (Quadricep); DT
Robaire Smith (Hamstring)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED Antwan Odom; LenDale White; Josh Savage; Robaire Smith
SAN DIEGO CHARGERS AT BUFFALO BILLS
San Diego Chargers
QUESTIONABLE DE Derreck Robinson (Foot); RB Michael Turner (Hamstring);
LB Shaun Phillips (Calf); S Marlon McCree (Calf); WR Keenan
McCardell (Calf); LB Randall Godfrey (Hamstring); DE Luis
Castillo (Ankle); G Kris Dielman (Ankle)
PROBABLE WR Malcom Floyd (Ankle); DT Jamal Williams (Ankle); S
Bhawoh Jue (Knee)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED Practice Not Complete
Buffalo Bills
QUESTIONABLE LB Keith Ellison (Knee); WR Josh Reed (Kidney)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED All Players Participated
KANSAS CITY CHIEFS AT CLEVELAND BROWNS
Kansas City Chiefs
OUT DT James Reed (Groin); T Kevin Sampson (Back)
PROBABLE TE Tony Gonzalez (Shoulder); LB Derrick Johnson (Ankle)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED James Reed; Kevin Sampson; Tony Gonzalez
Cleveland Browns
DOUBTFUL DE Orpheus Roye (Knee)
QUESTIONABLE CB Leigh Bodden (Ankle); DE Nick Eason (Ankle); RB Reuben
Droughns (Foot); LB Mason Unck (Groin); TE Kellen Winslow
(Knee); LB Willie McGinest (Pectoral); S Justin Hamilton (Back);
S Brian Russell (Elbow)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED Orpheus Roye; Leigh Bodden; Nick Eason; Reuben Droughns;
Mason Unck; Kellen Winslow; Justin Hamilton
JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS AT MIAMI DOLPHINS
Jacksonville Jaguars
OUT QB Byron Leftwich (Ankle)
DOUBTFUL CB Terry Cousin (Groin)
QUESTIONABLE RB Montell Owens (Shoulder); S Nick Sorensen (Hamstring); CB
Brian Williams (Hamstring)
PROBABLE LB Jorge Cordova (Hamstring); P Chris Hanson (Left
Hamstring); LB Clint Ingram (Shoulder); LB Kenneth Pettway
(Groin); LB Daryl Smith (Shoulder); DT Marcus Stroud (Ankle);
RB Derrick Wimbush (Ankle); TE George Wrighster (Head); CB
Ahmad Carroll (Groin); G Vincent Manuwai (Wrist); WR Cortez
Hankton (Hamstring)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED Byron Leftwich; Montell Owens; Nick Sorensen; Brian Williams;
Marcus Stroud; Vincent Manuwai
Miami Dolphins
OUT RB Ronnie Brown (Hand); QB Daunte Culpepper (Knee); G
Jeno James (Knee)
DOUBTFUL CB Michael Lehan (Nose)
QUESTIONABLE LB Keith Newman (Shoulder); S Travares Tillman (Hand); CB
Will Allen (Groin)
PROBABLE CB Eddie Jackson (Hamstring); DT Keith Traylor (Knee)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED Ronnie Brown; Daunte Culpepper; Jeno James; Michael Lehan
DETROIT LIONS AT NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
Detroit Lions
QUESTIONABLE DT Shaun Rogers (Knee); WR Devale Ellis (Shoulder); T Rex
Tucker (Knee)
PROBABLE WR Corey Bradford (Illness); DT Tyoka Jackson (Foot)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED Shaun Rogers; Rex Tucker; Corey Bradford; Tyoka Jackson
New England Patriots
OUT S Rodney Harrison (Shoulder)
QUESTIONABLE TE Daniel Graham (Ankle); CB Ellis Hobbs (Wrist); LB Corey
Mays (Hamstring); CB Chad Scott (Groin); S Eugene Wilson
(Hamstring); T Ryan O'Callaghan (Neck)
PROBABLE QB Tom Brady (Right Shoulder); DE Richard Seymour (Elbow)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED Rodney Harrison; Daniel Graham; Ellis Hobbs; Corey Mays;
Chad Scott; Eugene Wilson; Ryan O'Callaghan
ATLANTA FALCONS AT WASHINGTON REDSKINS
Atlanta Falcons
OUT CB Jason Webster (Groin)
QUESTIONABLE CB Jimmy Williams (Ankle)
PROBABLE DE John Abraham (Groin); DT Grady Jackson (Knee)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED Jason Webster; John Abraham; Grady Jackson
Washington Redskins
QUESTIONABLE LB Khary Campbell (Hamstring); S Troy Vincent (Hamstring);
WR David Patten (Hamstring); T Jon Jansen (Calf)
PROBABLE RB Mike Sellers (Shoulder)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED Khary Campbell; Troy Vincent; David Patten; Jon Jansen; Mike
Sellers
HOUSTON TEXANS AT OAKLAND RAIDERS
Houston Texans
DOUBTFUL DT Thomas Johnson (Hamstring)
PROBABLE DE Antwan Peek (Knee); DE Anthony Weaver (Knee); DE Mario
Williams (Foot); RB Jameel Cook (Knee)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED Thomas Johnson; Mario Williams; Jameel Cook
Oakland Raiders
OUT T Robert Gallery (Elbow); RB LaMont Jordan (Knee)
DOUBTFUL WR Jerry Porter (Hip)
QUESTIONABLE LB Isaiah Ekejiuba (Foot); K Sebastian Janikowski (Back); G
Barry Sims (Abdomen)
PROBABLE LB Robert Thomas (Heel)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED Practice Not Complete
TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS AT PITTSBURGH STEELERS
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
QUESTIONABLE S Will Allen (Ankle); CB Juran Bolden (Shin); RB Michael
Pittman (Hamstring); LB Shelton Quarles (Knee); TE Alex Smith
(Ankle); DT Ellis Wyms (Ankle)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED Michael Pittman; Alex Smith
Pittsburgh Steelers
OUT S Troy Polamalu (Knee); WR Hines Ward (Knee)
QUESTIONABLE WR Willie Reid (Foot)
PROBABLE LB James Harrison (Ankle); C Jeff Hartings (Knee); WR Sean
Morey (Toe); LB Joey Porter (Elbow); QB Ben Roethlisberger
(Chest); CB Ivan Taylor (Concussion); LB Clark Haggans (Hip)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED Troy Polamalu; Hines Ward; Jeff Hartings; Clark Haggans
DALLAS COWBOYS AT NEW YORK GIANTS
Dallas Cowboys No injuries to report.
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED All Players Participated
New York Giants
OUT T Luke Petitgout (Fibula)
DOUBTFUL DE Michael Strahan (Foot)
QUESTIONABLE LB Carlos Emmons (Groin); CB Sam Madison (Hamstring); WR
Sinorice Moss (Quadricep); LB Brandon Short (Quadricep); DE
Osi Umenyiora (Hip Flexor); CB Corey Webster (Toe); S Gibril
Wilson (Shoulder)
PROBABLE LB Antonio Pierce (Knee)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED Luke Petitgout; Michael Strahan; Carlos Emmons; Corey
Webster; Gibril Wilson; Antonio Pierce
SEATTLE SEAHAWKS AT DENVER BRONCOS
Seattle Seahawks
OUT C Robbie Tobeck (Hip)
DOUBTFUL LB D.D. Lewis (Toe)
QUESTIONABLE T Sean Locklear (Ankle); TE Itula Mili (Concussion); DT Rocky
Bernard (Foot)
PROBABLE WR Darrell Jackson (Knee); QB Matt Hasselbeck (Left Hand);
WR Bobby Engram (Illness)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED Practice Not Complete
Denver Broncos
QUESTIONABLE T Adam Meadows (Hamstring); TE Chad Mustard (Shoulder)
PROBABLE S Hamza Abdullah (Hip); RB Tatum Bell (Toe); CB Darrent
Williams (Shoulder); WR Javon Walker (Foot); LB Al Wilson
(Thumb)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED Practice Not Complete
CAROLINA PANTHERS AT PHILADELPHIA EAGLES on Monday
Carolina Panthers
QUESTIONABLE RB DeShaun Foster (Elbow); G Mike Wahle (Shoulder); LB Na'il
Diggs (Chest)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED Mike Wahle; Na'il Diggs
Philadelphia Eagles
QUESTIONABLE LB Shawn Barber (Knee)
PROBABLE QB Jeff Garcia (Right Forearm); G Todd Herremans (Finger);
CB William James (Knee); T Jon Runyan (Hamstring); LB Matt
McCoy (Shoulder); LB Jason Short (Ankle); WR Donte'
Stallworth (Hamstring); RB Brian Westbrook (Knee)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED Practice Not Conducted

Wally Matthews: New York Giants On Path of Self-Destruction

Wallace Matthews
Maybe this is as good as Eli gets
November 29, 2006

In the three seasons since the Giants traded away their future in order to rewrite their GM's past, we have seen Ben Roethlisberger win a Super Bowl, Philip Rivers develop into a Pro Bowl-caliber quarterback, Tony Romo throw five touchdown passes in a game and Vince Young play like a seasoned veteran after only five pro starts.

Either those guys are ahead of schedule or Eli Manning is way, way behind.

In an era in which the learning curve for quarterbacks seems to be accelerated, Manning's career is stuck decidedly in neutral and may be slipping into reverse.

He is the one who was born and bred to be a quarterback. He is the one with the pedigree. He is the one whose father would have been great and whose brother has been for a long time. Roethlisberger, Rivers and even Young were gambles, but Eli Manning, Archie's kid and Peyton's brother, couldn't miss.

Except so far, he has.

He was expected to develop into one of the best quarterbacks in the game, but now, three years and 34 starts into his pro career, it always feels as if Eli Manning is the second-best quarterback on the field.

Why?

This week, there was no shortage of scapegoats in the Giants' locker room to deflect attention from what is becoming an elephant in the room. The quarterback around whom they expected to build a franchise is instead helping to drag it down.

The Giants traded Rivers along with three other draft picks - one of whom became star linebacker Shawne Merriman - to get Manning. We were told this would be a franchise-changing move, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, the kind of bold pick with which a GM could cement his legacy and a team could secure its future.

Judging by Manning's current performance, so much for outgoing GM Ernie Accorsi's legacy and so long to the Giants' future.

It is one thing to be outplayed by big brother Peyton, quite another to be owned by the Rex Grossmans and David Garrards of the league. And when Vince Young reminds you of everything you once expected to see in Manning, it is time to start worrying.

It makes you wonder what Accorsi saw in Manning aside from the name, and his own bitter history. Somehow, he convinced himself that to let Manning slip away would be repeating the heartbreak of allowing John Elway to strong-arm the Baltimore Colts when Accorsi was their GM in 1983.

By throwing draft picks at the Chargers to get Manning, Accorsi thought he was correcting a mistake that had haunted him for more than 20 years. Instead, it looks as if he has only compounded it.

You will have to wait awhile for the official explanation, because right now, Accorsi is not talking about Eli Manning. He wouldn't come to the phone yesterday to answer the most basic question there is regarding Eli, which is, "When exactly will he get here?"

The answer, of course, is long after Accorsi is gone. If ever.

And it's not as if he hasn't been surrounded by a strong supporting cast. This isn't Archie Manning, soldiering on with a succession of miserable Saints teams, or Peyton Manning, being asked to rescue a woeful Colts squad, or even Phil Simms, whose leading receiver his rookie year, Earnest Gray, had all of 28 catches.

Eli's got Tiki Barber, one of the best all-purpose backs in the league, and Jeremy Shockey, a stud when healthy, and Plaxico Burress, whose astonishing athleticism has saved Manning numerous times this year, at least in those moments when Burress feels like playing. The loss of tackle Luke Petitgout, Manning's blindside protector, hasn't helped, but still Manning has been sacked just 20 times in 11 games.

Really, there is no outside excuse for Manning's lack of production. He has no one to blame but himself for constantly throwing behind receivers, or forgetting Shockey is even on the team until three quarters of the game have dribbled away, or flipping the ball blindly into double and triple coverage, as he did at the end of the Giants' 24-21 loss to the Titans. Defensive backs seem to read him a lot more easily than he reads them.

And yet, in a way that monumental collapse was the best thing that could have happened to Eli Manning. By the time we all got done blaming Burress, blaming Tom Coughlin, blaming and absolving Mathias Kiwanuka, it was easy to overlook the frightening realization that, even allowing him a slow learning curve, Eli is not gradually getting better, but progressively worse.

For three years now, the Giants have been assuring us, "Eli's coming."

But that raises another, even more disturbing question.

What if he's already arrived?

Note: I never used to give Mr. Matthews his just due until i heard him on the air a few times. Still, he's more of a boxing Guy then a football guy,......but he has the take on this. It could take Eli a long time to get over this.....He might be with another team by the time he does get over it. NY is a tough town and Giant fans are the most critical as well as the smartest fans in all of Pro Football.

Super Bowl XXXIX - Vlog Of My First Day In Detroit

This is a video of my first day in Detroit for the Super Bowl. It started at 5 AM with a flight out of Oakland, through Chicago with my friend Colleen, and to the Motor City. Then I got a rental car and drove from the airport to my hotel in Warren, Michigan. There, I changed clothes and went into the city and to the parties. I finally wound up at the EA Sports party, then on the way back to the hotel, stopped to look at a neighborhood of what appeared to be show homes in the backdrop of Ford Field, where the game was played that Sunday.

Jets OL Jones Arrested for DWI near Team HQ

This is Priceless see my commentary at the end!

From the AP sportswire.....
Police charge Jets offensive lineman Jones with DWI
By FRANK ELTMAN, Associated Press Writer
November 28, 2006

GARDEN CITY, N.Y. (AP) -- New York Jets offensive lineman Adrian Jones apologized to the team and his family Tuesday, three days after being charged with driving while intoxicated.

Jones, 25, was fined $20,000 by the team and will be monitored by the NFL as a result of being a first-time offender of the league's substance abuse policy.

Jones was arrested at about 4:45 a.m. Saturday after he was stopped by police on on Merrick Avenue near Hempstead Turnpike -- about a mile from the team's training facility -- for allegedly driving slowly and making an unsafe lane change, said Eric Phillips, a spokesman for Nassau County District Attorney Kathleen Rice.

He was charged with driving while intoxicated and had his license suspended after refusing to take a blood-alcohol test at central testing, Phillips said. A preliminary field sobriety test when Jones was arrested revealed a blood-alcohol reading of 0.22, police said. After being released by a judge on Saturday morning, Jones was ordered to return to court on Dec. 15.

In a police complaint, Jones told officers he had been in an accident about 20 minutes earlier; the front end of his Chrysler 300 was damaged and smoke was emanating from under the hood. Nassau County police didn't immediately have information about the traffic accident, although a spokesman noted that if both parties agreed to settle the issue privately, police might not have been called.

Jones, in his third season with the Jets, was on the inactive list and didn't play in Sunday's 26-11 victory over the Houston Texans. Coach Eric Mangini said Monday it was a "just a coaching decision."

"I apologized to my family, my teammates and my coaches for my behavior," Jones said in a statement issued Tuesday. "I used poor judgment and will be held accountable for it."

An attorney for Jones did not immediately return a telephone call Tuesday seeking further comment.

The Jets said in a statement the team was "extremely disappointed Adrian would put himself in this situation, and we take these allegations very seriously. ... Adrian has apologized to his teammates, the organization and the fans, accepting full responsibility for his actions and the consequences that follow."

Jones, a 6-5, 296-pound lineman from the University of Kansas, was drafted by the Jets in 2004. He has played both left and right tackle positions.

On Thanksgiving weekend 1999, Jones suffered a serious head injury when his car blew a tire and rolled. He spent three days in the intensive care unit at Wichita's Wesley Medical Center. Alcohol was not a factor in that accident, officials said.

Jones was returning to Lawrence, Kan., from his home in Dallas with his brother Christopher and Jayhawks teammate Derick Miller. Jones, who had just removed his seat belt to take off his sweater at the time of the accident, was thrown from the car and landed headfirst.

Jones' brother and teammate had only minor injuries.


Now you know i have something to say about this right?? It just so happens that that intersection is one of the busiest on all of long Island. Besides being close to the Jets HQ and Hofstra university, the Nassau Colusiem, the County Community college, County Medical Center, County Jail, and 2 major shopping centers are all in the vicinity, as well as a Police station and a Firehouse. Smart move to be driving erratically there at close to 5 am on any day. I know the area well....it's all of 7 mins from where i live, and i'm there at least 2 times a week because that's where my mother in law lives. So now we know why Mangini Benched Jones Sunday!

Raiders OC Tom Walsh Replaced By John Shoop - Who Is Target Of FireJohnShoop.com

The Oakland Raiders just fired their offensive coordinator Tom Walsh, but replaced him with John Shoop, currently the Raiders' tight end's coach, but formerly the offensive coordinator for the Chicago Bears.

Shoop was the target of a campaign and website called "Fire John Shoop" at http://www.firejohnshoop.com/ According to the website, Shoop was quoted as saying "I don't care if we had gotten shut out. I don't care if we wouldn't have gained a yard, I promise you … there's going to be the same plays in the future."

Wow.

The site continues...

"John Shoop is a fantastic Offensive Coordinator. By fantastic, I mean horrible. He couldn't move the football against a high school team.

John Shoop has wanted to coach football since he was in 7th grade. Like all boys his age he imagined his team losing game after game because his offense was about as daring as The Cowardly Lion. Just think of the comedy potential if John Shoop was the Detroit Lions Offensive Coordinator. And just think of how much better the Bears would be if that were the case. Depressing, isn't it?

John graduated from the University of the South (Sewanee) in 1991, where he played quarterback for 4 seasons. Sewanee athletic records are hard to come by, but I'd be surprised if Shoop ever completed a pass longer than 20 yards. Do you want to be the Bears next offensive coordinator? Become an athletic prospect at Sewanee or whatever they call themselves. Make sure to tell them that you know John Shoop.

Shoop learned a lot at Sewanee, saying, "Those are the lessons I learned at Sewanee. Work and care are the only two things you can control.” I'm not sure what that means, but it's clear that John is wrong. If the Bears care more than the other team, and work harder, then maybe Shoop is calling bad plays. It's also Shoop's fault if they don't care more than the other team and don't work hard.

After leaving Sewanee, Shoop spent 4 seasons working as a volunteer and graduate assistant for bad college teams (Dartmouth and Vanderbilt) before becoming the offensive quality control coach and later quarterbacks coach for a bad NFL team. Since January 22, 2001, Shoop has been the Offensive Coordinator of the Chicago Bears. I think the question here is, where is the Bears offensive quality control coach on this one? In fact, the quality control coach is Charlie Coiner, who is much more qualified than John Shoop, but this is firejohnshoop.com, not firejohnshoophirecharliecoiner.com. Sorry, Charlie."

The website also has a message board, which has a thread entitled "The Raiders must want to suck."

Also I found this quote on the website: "John Shoop is the worst Offensive Coordinator in the history of the NFL."
~ ~ Michael Wilbon, Washington Post. I can't find the actual quote, but it may be contained in a post article that was not web archived at the time.

Basically, the "crit" against Shoop is that he calls "run after the catch" pass plays but such that the catch may be for 3 yards on 3rd and 16 yards for a first down. To me, that's a much milder issue that the entire set of problems brought on by Tom Walsh. But still, the one person who really understands the modern passing game -- Cinncinati Bengals Offensive Coordinator Hue Jackson -- works for the Cinncinati Bengals as receivers coach, his prize student Chad Johnson breakiing club yardage records and putting in a Jerry-Rice-like performance.

San Diego Charger Cornerback Cletis Gordon Suspected of DUI - A Lot Of California DUI Arrests.

Wow, a lot of DUI stops in California. Antonio Bryant, Mel Gibson, the list goes on. I wonder if this guy's claim about the California police and DUI's is true? To see the post, click on the title of this post.

Police stop cornerback Cletis Gordon on DUI suspicion

SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE
1:21 p.m. November 27, 2006

SAN DIEGO – San Diego Charger cornerback Cletis Gordon was arrested by San Diego police early Monday morning in the city's Gaslamp Quarter on suspicion of drunk driving.
An officer on patrol pulled Gordon over at 6th and J Streets at 1:59 a.m. after witnessing what he considered to be erratic driving, police said.

Gordon, 23, was taken to downtown police headquarters where he was processed and then to jail. He was released after posting bail.

Gordon, who was undrafted out of Jackson State, has not played this season because of a wrist injury.

He is the fifth Charger to have a run-in with the law this year.

“We are all disappointed,” general manager A.J. Smith said. “We'll let the legal system run its course. It will be discussed and handled internally.”

Coach Marty Schottenheimer said, “I think we need to wait until all the facts are brought out. He was brought in. y understanding is he did the test and it was below the number. I don't know. We'll have to wait and see.”

Linebacker Shaun Phillips was arrested last April on suspicion of obstructing or resisting an officer after an altercation downtown.

The same month, linebacker Steve Foley was arrested after involvement in a fight with three officers in University City. The District Attorney's office declined to file charges.

Foley was shot by an off-duty Coronado police officer in Poway Sept. 3after the officer stopped him on suspicion of erratic driving.
Cornerback Markus Curry was arrested in October on Interstate 805 in National City in connection with a domestic violence case.

Safety Terrence Kiel was arrested in September on charges involving the trafficking of prescription drugs.

Meanwhile, linebacker Shawne Merriman just finished serving a four-game suspension for violation of the National Football League rule regarding steroid use.

Colts 45, Eagles 21; Rookie RB Joseph Addai Scores Four TD's - AP

This was an amazing performance by a rookie running back who's definitely quicker than Dommick Rhodes and could have had 200 yards had he not shared the running duties with Rhodes. But that written, it's good to have the "one-two" punch.

Joseph Addai (four TDs) leads Colts past Eagles

INDIANAPOLIS (Nov. 26, 2006) -- Indianapolis opened the season with a precarious chase of perfection through the air. They were finally grounded -- and on Sunday night, Joseph Addai took off running.

Against a strong Philadelphia defense, the running back slashed and powered his way to a career-high 171 yards, setting a franchise rookie record by scoring four touchdowns in the Colts' 45-21 rout of the Eagles.

For Indianapolis (10-1), it was a refreshing change from Peyton Manning's weekly rescue missions. The Colts were the last unbeaten team before a loss to the Cowboys last week, and their big rebound means a chance to clinch a fourth consecutive AFC South title with a victory next week at Tennessee.

Against the Eagles, the two-time MVP mostly was a spectator. Instead, Addai was the one making offense look easy, with his slashing runs, quick burst and overpowering style eating up chunks of yardage on nearly all 24 carries.

To Addai, it wasn't enough.

"A lot of running backs come in and do good the first year and after that they go into the tank," he said. "I've got to become more consistent."

Addai, who entered this week as the top rookie runner in the NFL, had 91 yards rushing and three touchdowns in the first half to tie a Colts' rookie record for scores, first set by Billy Vessels in 1956.

He also caught two passes for 37 yards, giving him 208 total yards.

Addai's four touchdowns tied an NFL rookie record for rushing scores in one game; he shares that mark with eight other players. He also broke a franchise record for points scored by a rookie in a game -- the previous high was 18, reached in 1956, 1994 and 1996.

"I think it started way back in camp, just learning little key things," Addai said. "That's what you have to do as a rookie is work on the small things and you'll do pretty good."

Manning finished 14-for-20 for 183 yards with one touchdown and one interception, but broke yet another record.

His first completion, a 17-yarder to Reggie Wayne on the game's opening series, made Manning the fastest player in league history to 3,000. The two-time MVP achieved the feat in 139 games, breaking a record previously shared by Dan Marino and Drew Bledsoe of 146, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.

He finished the night with 3,013 completions but was more content with the victory.

"Guys were disappointed after last week," Manning said. "You always want to get a win and get that taste out of your mouth."

In contrast, the Eagles (5-6) did little right.

From a poor early decision to challenge Wayne's one-handed, 38-yard catch to a botched double-pass that was picked off by Nick Harper to David Akers' missed 36-yard field goal, the game was filled with mistakes -- and few could be attributed to the absence of quarterback Donovan McNabb, who is out for the season with a torn knee ligament.


In the first half alone, Joseph Addai rushed for 91 yards and three touchdowns.
The first time Philadelphia did score, on L.J. Smith 's 1-yard TD catch with 1:19 left in the half, it left Manning too much time and he closed out the first half by setting up Adam Vinatieri's 44-yard field goal.

"We just didn't make the plays out there," Eagles coach Andy Reid said. "I'm going to step up and tell you it starts with us, as coaches, and I've got to continue to take a close look at that and make sure we're putting the right guys in the right positions."

Jeff Garcia, McNabb's replacement, was 19-for-23 for 140 yards with two TDs before leaving with a strained right forearm. Brian Westbrook rushed 20 times for 124 yards, becoming the first Eagles since Wilbert Montgomery in 1981 with three consecutive 100-yard games, it was little solace.

"It's a situation where we've got to be methodical with the football," Garcia said. "In a situation like that, we just didn't do enough."

Manning got started quickly. He led Indy on a 79-yard opening drive, capped by Addai's 15-yard run to make it 7-0.

Addai followed that with a 10-yard run on the first play of the second quarter to give Indy a 14-0 lead, then extended the margin to 21-0 when he made two terrific cuts on another 15-yard run.

Philadelphia finally answered on Smith's TD catch, but the Colts got a 44-yard field goal as time expired to make it 24-7 at the half.

The second half wasn't much better for Philly. Indianapolis forced a quick punt and Manning led the Colts on an 89-yard drive, capped by a 15-yard TD pass to Reggie Wayne for a 31-7 lead.

Addai sealed it with a 4-yard TD run late that gave Indy a 38-21 lead.

"We rode the hot hand a little bit," Tony Dungy said. "We actually ran the ball this game probably more than we have in a while, so people got a chance to see what he can do. ... He knows he's a good back, and he just wants to come in here and fit in, and he's done that very well."

GAME NOTES:

Tight end Dallas Clark limped into the locker room moments before halftime with a sprained right knee. The Colts gave no further update.
Philadelphia defensive tackle Brodrick Bunkley was inactive after missing the team flight Nov. 25.
The Eagles have not won in Indianapolis since December 1993.
Colts right tackle Ryan Diem left the game during the first quarter with a back muscle injury and did not return.
McNabb is scheduled to have surgery Nov. 28 in Alabama.

AP NEWS
The Associated Press News Service

NYPD Cops Shoot Black Unarmed Groom In Car After Bachelor Party 50 Times; No Explaination - AP

What is our society coming to? This is absolutely disguisting and sick. It should not be allowed to occur in America, let alone anywhere else. The cops not only killed the man, but almost knocked off people nearby with the rain of bullets -- and he and they were not armed!

Updated: 11:39 AM EST
IM This E-mail This

Groom Fatally Shot by Police Outside Strip Club
Vigil Planned for Man Gunned Down Hours Before He Was to Wed
By ADAM GOLDMAN, AP

NEW YORK (Nov. 26) - Sean Bell and his fiancee had already shared a high school romance, then two children. In the early hours of what was to be their wedding day, their reception hall lay waiting, covered in satin and adorned with balloons.

But the ceremony never arrived Saturday, after police shot 50 rounds at the groom's car as he drove away from his bachelor party, killing the 23-year-old just hours before he was set to walk down the aisle.

The hail of gunfire at a car full of unarmed men drew a furious outcry from family members and community leaders, including the Rev. Al Sharpton. Two passengers, who had been celebrating with the groom at a strip club, were also injured; one was struck by at least 11 bullets.

The officers' shots struck the men's car 21 times after the vehicle rammed into an undercover officer and hit an unmarked NYPD minivan. Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly said Saturday night it was too early to say whether the shooting was justified.

The wild gunfire hit nearby homes and shattered windows at a train station, though no residents were injured.

Police thought one of the men in the car might have had a gun. But investigators found no weapons. It was unclear what prompted police to open fire, Kelly said.

On Sunday morning, a few hours before a planned noon vigil for the victims, Sharpton told ABC's "Good Morning America" that the volume of shots fired alone raised questions about the police's actions.

"How does one justify 50 shots at unarmed men?" Sharpton asked.

Also Sunday, the group 100 Blacks in Law Enforcement Who Care said it is issuing a vote of no confidence in Kelly over the shooting. It is also calling for the removal of the chief of the Organized Crime Control Bureau, Anthony Izzo, who it says created the undercover unit involved in the incident.

Additionally, the group wants a re-examination of what it says is a policy that allows officers from the organized crime control unit to consume alcohol on the job. "Who knows whether or not that was a factor in this particular shooting?" said Marq Claxton, a retired police detective and one of the founders of the group.
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A police spokeswoman did not immediately offer comment on the group's demands Sunday.

Kelly said the incident stemmed from an undercover operation inside the strip club in the Jamaica section of Queens. Seven officers in plain clothes were investigating the Kalua Cabaret; five of them were involved in the shooting.

According to Kelly, the groom was involved in a verbal dispute outside the club after 4 a.m. One of his friends made a reference to a gun.

An undercover officer walked closely behind Bell and his friends as they headed for their car. As he walked toward the front of the vehicle, they drove forward - striking him and a nearby undercover police vehicle.

The officer who had followed the group on foot was apparently the first to open fire, Kelly said. That officer had served on the force for five years. One 12-year veteran fired his weapon 31 times, emptying two full magazines, Kelly said.

It was the first time any of the officers, who all carried 9 mm handguns, had been involved in a shooting, Kelly said.

At some point, Bell backed his car up onto the sidewalk, hitting a building gate. He then drove forward, striking the police vehicle a second time, Kelly said.

It was unclear whether the shooters had identified themselves as police, Kelly said.

Kelly's account of the events was based on statements made by witnesses and the two officers who did not shoot their weapons. Police could not question the other officers because the district attorney must first complete an investigation, Kelly said.

The groom was driving. Joseph Guzman, 31, was in the front passenger's seat and was shot at least 11 times. Trent Benefield, 23, who was in the back seat, was hit three times. Both men were taken to Mary Immaculate Hospital, where Guzman was listed in critical condition and Benefield was in stable condition.

Kelly said there may have been a fourth person in the car who fled the scene.

Three officers, including the officer hit by the car, were treated and released. Another detective remained hospitalized for hypertension, Kelly said.

Abraham Kamara, 38, who lives a few blocks from where the shooting occurred, said he was getting ready for work at about 4 a.m. when he heard bursts of gunfire.

"First it was like four shots," he said. "And then it was like pop-pop-pop like 12 times."

Kelly said undercover officers were inside the club to document illicit activity. With one more violation the club would be shut down, Kelly said.

He said the establishment, next to an auto-body repair shop on a gritty block across from a Long Island Rail Road station, had a "chronic history of narcotics, prostitution and weapons complaints" and had been closed by authorities for three months last year.

Sharpton said Bell and his fiancee had two children, a 3-year-old and a 5-month-old.

Robert Porter, who identified himself as Bell's first cousin, said he was supposed to be a DJ at the wedding. He said about 250 people were invited to the ceremony and were flying in from all over the country. He said his cousin wasn't the type to confront police and that he was "on the straight-and-narrow."

"I can't really express myself. It's a numb feeling," Porter said. "I still don't want to believe it, a beautiful day like this, and he was going to have a beautiful wedding, he was going to live forever with his wife and children. And this happened."

This isn't the first time the NYPD has come under scrutiny over police-involved shootings.

In 1999, police killed Amadou Diallo, an unarmed West African immigrant who was shot 19 times in the Bronx. The four officers in that case were acquitted of criminal charges.

And in 2003, Ousmane Zongo was shot to death during a police raid. The 43-year-old, a native of the western African country of Burkina Faso, repaired art and musical instruments in Manhattan. He was hit four times, twice in the back.

Associated Press Writers Jennifer Peltz, Tom Hays and Cristian Salazar contributed to this report.

Amanda Congdon - "Dance Across America" Is Silly Fun

This is a down right silly vlog. But for some reason I can't put my finger on, I liked it. The music is kitch, and so is the whole concept, but it works at what I presume it's supposed to do -- catch your attention for a moment.

Check it out...

Click To Play

Lincoln Mark 9 - The Car Ford Must Build To Save The Lincoln Brand

Over the past 10 years, Ford Motor Company has ruined the Lincoln brand simply by robbing it of its identity forged over 40 years. Lincolns were always luxury cars and not trucks or SUVs. Yet in its unreasonable march to have an SUV for every taste Ford wrecked Lincoln and paid less attention to its signature brands the Town Car and the Mark series.

These cars were the backbone of Lincoln for years. Bill Ford may say that they don't do well in focus groups, but I counter that Ford took the passion out of them. That has transfered to Mercedes and BMW, and if they can make cars that stir the soul, why can't Ford make a Lincoln that shakes the blood.

A Lincoln like the Mark 9 Concept car. A car introduced in 2001 that Ford still has not made. No wonder observers are betting on Ford's demise; they don't roll the dice and make cars like this. This would -- with the proper marketing -- save Ford and reclaim Lincolns's position as a luxury brand against Cadillac.

Jim Mora Sr. Is Off-Base: Is This Because Michael Vick's Black?

Recently, Jim Mora Sr. made a comment that Michael Vick was a "coach killer." I really think that's an off-base statement, and I've got to wonder to what degree Michael Vick's skin color has to do with this. I mean if Mora Sr. was the coach of the Falcons, would he have started, let alone draft Vick?

I say no.

I state this based on a lot of drive-time hours spent listening to the elder Mora on Fox. One day, Mora said that he'd routinely hire any coach with an Italian last name. He did say this, went on and on about it, and I fumed. I was thinking "I guess that's a weird way of saying he'd never give a young black head coach a chance."

Wow.

So I immediately formed the view that the elder Mora may have a race issue that clouds how he sees NFL talent, including Michael Vick. Mr. Mora, I've got news, the problem with the Falcons passing game rests in the design of the passing game, not in Michael Vick.

I was just watching the NFL Network's telecast replay of the Falcons / Ravens game of last Sunday. I noticed that the passes called by Mora Junior's staff -- Greg Knapp -- were all five or seven step drops or play action. No three step drops. None of the quick passes to receivers who are standing on the line of scrminage. Nothing to take the pressure off the Falcons offensive line. Nothing.

The passes were the same one's I've seen the Falcons run game after game -- in other words, they're predictable.

So when the passing pocket collapsed, as did happen often, Vick was forced to run.

This is bad coaching in action. The Falcons are great at designing running plays for Vick, but terrible -- and I mean just bad -- at creating a great passing system.

And Michael Vick gets blamed for a problem that would have given backup Matt Schaub a separated shoulder.

Geez.

The Falcons need to fix their passing game, before it's too late.

Jim Mora Says Michael Vick Is A "Coach Killer" - AP

I will comment on this in a separate post, but here's the news. I think Jim Sr's way off base here.

Vick 'speechless' after coach's father rips him
Falcons rally around Vick after elder Mora calls QB a 'coach killer'

Chris Gardner / AP
Falcons quarterback Michael Vick has struggled in the last three games. Earlier this week, Jim Mora's father labeled Vick as a "coach killer" on his radio show.

Updated: 2:02 p.m. AKT Nov 22, 2006

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. - The Atlanta Falcons closed ranks around embattled quarterback Michael Vick, who was clearly stunned by reports that Jim Mora’s father referred to No. 7 as a “coach killer.”

Vick said Wednesday that he shut off his cell phone because he was getting so many calls about comments made by Mora’s father, a former NFL coach who shares the same name with his son.

“Honestly, I don’t even know what to say,” Vick said. “I think it was inappropriate. But, hey, when you’re commentating, I guess you’ve got a right to say what you want to say. I just keep playing football. At the same time, it’s crazy.”

Earlier this week, during his show on Fox Sports Radio, the elder Mora agreed with the co-host’s description of Vick as a “coach killer.”

“It worries me a little bit because my son is the head coach down there,” Mora added. “But he’s a great athlete, my son likes him a lot, he’s a good kid. But he’s not a passer. And you need a passer at quarterback to be successful consistently in the National Football League. And he ain’t getting it done in that category.”

The younger Mora said he’s spoken with his father about the statement — “he regrets it” — and went to great lengths to show that he’s still got faith in his quarterback, despite a three-game losing streak that has severely hurt the Falcons’ playoff hopes.

Jason Calacanis Ponders His Next Gig After AOL

Jason Calacanis -- pictured here at the UC Berkeley Haas School of Business -- the man credited with putting New York City's growing digital media industry on the map of popular culture and who sold his network of weblogs to AOL for $25 million, is pondering his next job having quit AOL just over a week ago.

On his blog, Jason lists the following possibilities:

1. Weblogs, Inc. of Podcasting
2. Weblogs, Inc of Video
3. Run NickDenton.net: all Nick Denton news all the time.
4. Become a professional poker player.
5. Buy CNET/Become CEO of CNET (no offer has been made--really)
6. Buy an ailing newspaper, reinvent.
6. Become a VC
7. Put 100% of my energy into CalacanisCast/JasonNation
8. Take a job at a Hollywood agency and start over in the movie business
9. Do a media roll-up (i.e. buy 20 small to medium-sized media properties and take get them to scale)
10. Partner with Peter Rojas and start a gadget company (i.e. a non-DRM, wifi enabled, Mp3/Media player)
You guys have any ideas?

If you do visit his blog, which you can do by clicking on the link to it from this post..

Ticketmaster Sells $500 New England Patriots Tickets, Yet Not Being Sued

Yep. That's right. The New England Patriots are suing StubHub, which isn't a ticket brokerage but an exchange and does have below face tickets posted for many events, for allowing the sale of high priced tickets for up to and over $500.

Well, Ticketmaster has tickets for the Chicago Bears' visit to New England for $500, but you want to know why the New England Patriots aren't suing them?

Because they benefit from it. Check out this link to the proof with a click on this sentence.

This lawsuit should be thrown out of court. Ticketmaster's probably behind the scenes pulling the chains of unknowning Boston fans who want lower ticket prices, yet don't know what to do.

The simple fact is that Ticketmaster's own online system is getting the sales tar beaten out of it by StubHub's and Ticketmaster can't stand it. Ticketmaster wants to be the only ticket brokerage and seeing StubHub, which is not a brokerage but a simple market exchange online, as a threat to its survival.

Folks, don't be fooled by the Patriots or Ticketmaster in this lawsuit, they're not trying to do the fans a favor at all. At least that's my reasoned and experienced view.

New England Patriots Sue StubHub - Profootballtalk.com's Latest Report

Profootballtalk.com may have rolled up it's sleaves -- and it does this well -- but it totally misdiagosed the entire matter of the New England Patriots' lawsuit against StubHub. First of all, and this shows just how dumb the lawsuit is, StubHub can't "induce" a season ticket holder to scalp. In no ad material does StubHub encourage any ticket poster to do this. So if the Pat's lawsuit focuses on this idea, it's wrongheaded.

Second, Profootballtalk.com claims that 30 tickets per game sold at StubHub's sites are fake -- but that's not StubHub's fault as many ticket brokers are guilty of selling fraudulent tickets and try to use StubHub to do this; Stubhub's the only company that actually does have a money-back guarantee to protect this. Ticketmaster has no such program, which brings me to Ticketmaster.

Ticketmaster is a true ticket brokerage, period. They've even told high-priced secondary ticket market tickets to Presidential inuagurations. But why isn't Ticketmaster, which sells nothing but at or over face value tickets, being sued? Because it has a contractual relationship with the New England Patriots. For example, Ticketmaster has tickets for the upcoming Patriots / Bears game for up to $500, far in access of the face value for the ticket. Why isn't Ticketmaster the focus of the lawsuit? Well, because the site where the tickets are sold belongs to Ticketmaster and the New England Patriots.

Check it out for yourself. If one know's what to look for, what appeared to be a lawsuit based on the idea of stopping ticket scalping, turns out to be a tool to clear the competition for Ticketmaster, leaving them to jack up prices.

Nice.

Here's Profootballtalk.com..

MORE ON PATS' SCALPING SUIT

We've rolled up our sleeves and tracked down some more information regarding the lawsuit filed on Tuesday by the New England Patriots against online ticket scalping company StubHub.

Okay, actually the stuff kind of fell into our laps but, hey, we take what we can get.

The action, as we understand it, isn't an effort by the team to attack the near-universal and long-standing practice of people selling tickets to sporting events for value greater than the price printed on the thing. Whether it's a guy with a computer or a laminated piece of cardboard with "I NEED TICKETS" in block letters, someone always will be looking to make a buck (or a few hundred) via the re-selling of seats.

The Patriots are focusing on a more specific dynamic -- the focused efforts of StubHub to induce season-ticket holders to engage in activities that violate their individual agreements with the franchise.

Put simply, the folks who have secured the ability to buy tickets to all Patriots home games agree not to re-sell the tickets at an increased price. For individuals who can't use their tickets to a given game, the team maintains a waiting list of folks who can acquire the tickets at face value, plus a relatively small service charge from Ticketmaster.

StubHub, we're told, was placed on notice of these contractual rights and responsibilities, yet has continued to induce season ticket holders to breach their agreements via specific advertisements in publications like the Boston Globe, which ads contain messages like "Are you a Patriots season-ticket holder who can't sell your tickets?"

The prevalence of the advertising efforts caused the organization to become concerned that the franchise is condoning the practice. The other problem is that some of the tickets bought and sold through StubHub are counterfeit. Per a source with knowledge of the situation, roughly 30 tickets per game purchased via StubHub end up being phony. And although StubHub eventually refunds the money, the consumers typically must jump through multiple hoops to make it happen.

Thus, one of the claims in the lawsuit is that StubHub has tortiously interfered with the team's relationship with its season-ticket holders, and the primary goal is to get the company to stop the practice. Any damages recovered will go to the Patriots Charitable Foundation, not to the team itself.

With all that said, the decision of the Patriots to pursue the action against StubHub creates a real risk that the media will begin to scrutinize more carefully the involvement of teams in the scalping of tickets -- including the widespread manner in which some teams turn profits on the sale of Super Bowl seats. But it appears that StubHub backed the Patriots into a corner on this one, and it should prompt any NFL team that maintains a relationship with StubHub to re-examine the wisdom of dealing with a company that might have provoked a course of action that, depending on how the dominoes fall, could eventually make it harder to realize those late January windfalls.

New England Patriots Win Super Bowl XXXVIII - Video Of Wining Field Goal; Reaction

I was at this Super Bowl as this happened. Here someone's video of Adam Viniateri's kick giving the New England Patriots the win over the Carolina Panthers in a dramatic game.

Monte Poole - Oakland Tribune Columnist On Randy Moss and Raiders

Marriage between Moss and Raiders just won't work
Column by Monte Poole
Article Last Updated:11/22/2006 08:08:46 AM PST

THEY LIKE to throw the deep pass, so they obtained theleague's superior deep threat.
They embrace the notion of baggage and talent in a single package, so they acquired a touchdown machine with a renegade reputation.
They needed a new start, he needed a new start, and it just made sense, given their apparent compatibility, that they become partners and begin their sprint toward prosperity.
The Raiders' decision 20 months ago to marry Randy Moss was, theoretically, conceived in the lap of logic, a practically perfect match of player and system. Nowhere in the NFL was there a man whose talents better fit his team's schemes and concepts than Randy and the Raiders.
Now, 26 games later, there is no avoiding the evidence branding this union an abject failure. Raiders-Moss has been downright catastrophic, leaving both parties grotesquely disfigured, ruined for the foreseeable future.
Moss came here to collect another 40 or 50 touchdowns, revive a sagging franchise and put an exclamation point on a Hall of Fame career.
Moss will, in all likelihood, leave town at age 30, with signs of midcareer burnout, wondering ifhis highway to Canton was sabotaged by his brief and joyless stay behind the eye patch.
Remember how Moss was welcomed to Oakland after the trade? He arrived at Oakland International, was whisked into a limo and received a police escort to Raiders headquarters.
It was an entrance fit for a savior or a king. Insofar as Moss was generally considered NFL royalty, it was a conspicuous manifestation of the value the team placed in its newest member.
The Raiders had made a bold move, doing whatever was necessary to make themselves matter again, creating significant buzz around the city and the league. The Raider Nation was ecstatic.
Since that day, however, they have won six games, while losing 20. It is the most pathetic 26-game stretch of the 431/2 years they have spent under the spell of Al Davis.
Moreover, Moss has become irrelevant.
He has been, in Oakland, an acutely unexceptional wide receiver. Once drawn to the end zone like a flower to the sun, Moss rarely finds the place and doesn't always look comfortable when he does. His Pro Bowl status is practically rusted over.
As this season has slogged along, Randy's focus has turned foggy, his hands have hardened, and his passion has turned to apathy. It's as if he has cloned the most despised athletic characteristics of so many other talents who came and went, having dumped a pile of unfulfilled promise across local hopes.
Do the names Billy Owens, Rickey Dudley, Jeff George, Ruben Sierra or J.J. Stokes mean anything?
Seeing Moss jog to a stop, arms passively at his sides, witnessing Kansas City safety Jarrad Page intercept Aaron Brooks' pass — intended for Moss — in the end zone Sunday was merely the latest sign of Randy's disgust with his employer.
Even before that, though, you couldn't pitch a dart in the dark without hitting a flashing red light of his displeasure here.
Just last Friday Moss asked, rather politely, to be sent elsewhere, anywhere.
Four days before that, he conceded his formerly reliable hands have become a liability, saying it may be the result of his unhappiness here.
A few weeks before that, he implied knowledge of why the Raiders aren't able to finish off even average opponents — but kept his thoughts to himself.
It was last month when he asked a simple question, the essence of which was: Since the Raiders aren't doing what they can to win, why should I?
It was Moss, you may recall, who warned us during summer that some "fishy" stuff was going on with the Raiders.
After eight losses in 10 games, the fish is old and stinking and visible to the world.
Raiders-Moss wasn't a predictable disaster on the order of Bobby and Whitney, Britney and K-Fed, or O.J. and Fox News. But the result is the same, an ugly breakup to which both parties contributed.
The Raiders should have known what everybody else knew about Moss, that he requires considerable maintenance and does his best work under optimum conditions. That, they have not provided. Not even close.
Yet for a while, Moss was the model teammate, praised for his selflessness, his humor, his efforts to generate esprit de corps.
What did that get him? The man who scored 91 touchdowns in 109 games in Minnesota has scored 11 in 26 games in Oakland. The dynamic tandem of Moss and Jerry Porter never quite materialized.
So this has been a slow erosion of Randy's already fragile mental toughness. As things have splintered and frayed and fractured around him, Moss clearly became demoralized, giving up on his team and, by extension, himself.
No wonder he wants out. It is the best thing for him and for the Raiders. Both parties, easy targets for critics, need to see if they can recapture what they once possessed.
On New Year's Eve night, after the their last game, the Raiders should vow to move Moss. Such an act would acknowledge the obvious: Sometimes marriages seemingly made in heaven sink to a substantially lower place.
Monte Poole can be reached at (510) 208-6461 or by e-mail at mpoole@angnewspapers.com.

Donovan McNabb Out; Terrell Owens Doens't Care - ESPN

Torn ACL ends McNabb's year; swelling delays surgery - ESPN

Associated Press

PHILADELPHIA -- Donovan McNabb tore a ligament in his right knee and will miss the rest of the season, the third time in five years the Eagles will finish a campaign without their hard-luck quarterback.

No sympathy from T.O.

IRVING, Texas -- Donovan McNabb shouldn't expect a "Get well soon" text message from Terrell Owens.
"Absolutely not," Owens said Tuesday.

But, T.O., don't you remember McNabb sending you one following your reported suicide attempt that turned out to be an accidental overdose?

"I'm not even going there, dude," Owens said, laughing and shaking his head. "I wouldn't even make up a story like that. It's not even worth it. Just not even worth it."

Although McNabb has said he reached out to Owens following his brief hospital stint in September, Owens has maintained he never received anything from McNabb.

The mixup or media ploy -- depending on whose side you're on -- only added to the bitter feelings between the former Philadelphia teammates whose friendship dissolved oh-so-publicly.

McNabb was rolling to his right and was bumped out of bounds after throwing an incomplete pass Sunday when he grabbed his leg in pain early in the second quarter of Philadelphia's 31-13 loss to the Titans.

He was immediately tended to by trainers, carted off the field and later taken to a hospital. The Eagles said McNabb, a five-time Pro Bowl selection in the midst of a possible career year, tore his anterior cruciate ligament.

"That's normally an eight-month-to-a-year injury," Eagles coach Andy Reid said, "so he's done for the year."

According to reports on the Eagles Web site, McNabb was examined by Dr. James Andrews in Birmingham, Ala., on Monday. The famed orthopedic surgeon concluded that swelling in the knee would prevent immediate surgery.

McNabb was officially placed on injured reserve Tuesday. Linebacker Torrance Daniels was promoted from the practice squad to take McNabb's roster spot. Quarterback Omar Jacobs was signed to the practice squad.

McNabb will work with Eagles staff for the next two to three weeks to reduce swelling. Philadelphia head athletic trainer Rick Burkholder updated McNabb's condition on Monday, saying the quarterback also suffered minor meniscus damage.

"[McNabb] accepts that injuries are part of the game. He is disappointed, I know," Burkholder told philadelphiaeagles.com. "The last thing I said to him last night when he was leaving was, 'We'll get you right,' and he said, 'We've got to get these guys right.' His concern was his teammates more than him at the time. I don't think any of us expect anything less out of Donovan."

While Burkholder acknowledged that the recovery time for this kind of injury is almost a year, he also said, "Some depends on what happens when they get in there and look around to see whether there is any other damage."

McNabb came into Sunday's game tied with Peyton Manning for the league lead with 18 touchdown passes and was second in the league with 2,569 yards passing.

Titans defensive end Kyle Vanden Bosch, who bumped McNabb out of bounds on the play, said he was trying to get a hand in the quarterback's face as he was trying to get off the pass.

"I really feel bad for him," Vanden Bosch said. "You know I never play with the intent to get anybody hurt and I've been through two ACL injuries myself and you know my thoughts and prayers go out to him."

McNabb was replaced in the lineup by Jeff Garcia, who finished the game 26-for-48 for 189 yards and threw a touchdown pass to L.J. Smith.

"You never think he's not going to get up and come back on the field," Garcia said. "He's a great player and he was having a great year. And he is a leader on this team and he will be missed in many ways."

Donovan McNabb injured his right knee early in the second quarter against the Titans.
The Eagles fell to 5-5 with the loss, but Reid said he would expect the team to bounce back.

"He's a great player," Reid said. But "we can still win football games with the guys that we have."

McNabb missed the final seven games last season with a sports hernia and Philadelphia finished 6-10, a frustrating follow-up to the Eagles' Super Bowl run. McNabb also sat out the final six regular-season games of the 2002 season with a broken ankle before returning for the playoffs.

The Eagles were 2-5 with Mike McMahon filling in for McNabb last season and went 5-1 with Koy Detmer and A.J. Feeley starting the last six games in '02.

McNabb was 6-for-13 for 78 yards and threw an interception in the end zone before leaving the game.

Reid said he would determine later whether Garcia would start in place of McNabb against Indianapolis next week. Feeley was re-signed by the Eagles in the preseason and is the team's third quarterback.

Copyright 2006 by The Associated Press

Dallas Cowboys 38 - Tampa Bay 10, Ok Coach Parcells, I Was Wrong

When Dallas Cowboys Head Coach Billl Parcells Benched Drew Bledsoe for Tony Romo, I thought he'd lost it. Ok. I was wrong. Romo's catching on fast with a Thanksgiving Day record five TD passes. Now I think the Cowboys real test will be when they face the NY Giants, because I think they have their number with that defense. We will see if Dallas makes the right adjustments.

Nov. 23, 2006, 10:53PM
Romo lifts Cowboys over Bucs 38-10

By JAIME ARON AP Sports Writer
© 2006 The Associated Press

IRVING, Texas — For a three-play stretch Thursday, Tony Romo looked like a guy making only his fifth start after 3 1/2 years on the bench.

He threw low and inside on what could've been a long touchdown pass to Terry Glenn. On the next snap, he held the ball too long and got sacked. Then he came up short on a deep ball to a wide-open Terrell Owens.

He hardly misfired again.

Romo went on to throw five touchdown passes, tying a Dallas Cowboys record and leading them to an easy 38-10 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

"I thought it was Aikman out there," Tampa Bay coach Jon Gruden said.

Well, there was one difference: Troy Aikman needed overtime for the only five-TD game of his career. And Roger Staubach, the other Hall of Fame quarterback for the Cowboys, never did it.

While it's tough to lump Romo in with those guys at this point in his career, it is no longer "ludicrous" to consider him being Pro Bowl-caliber, as coach Bill Parcells said earlier this week.

The Cowboys are 7-4, with a half-game lead in the NFC East and the second-most wins in the conference behind Chicago (9-1), and Romo is a major reason for it.

He's 4-1 as a starter, with three straight wins. In the previous two, he outplayed Peyton Manning as Dallas handed Indianapolis its first loss and he earned NFC offensive player of the week honors for his performance against Arizona.

This time, Romo was 22-of-29 for 306 yards, with a stretch of 13 straight completions. He went 9-of-10 in the second half, making him 29-of-31 after halftime over his last three games.

"The sky is the limit for the guy," said Terrell Owens, who for all his antics knows a thing or two about quarterbacks, having played with Steve Young in San Francisco and Donovan McNabb in Philadelphia. "He's poised back there in the pocket. He makes things happen on the run. He makes great decisions and he's managing the game. He's exceeding expectations right now."

The Buccaneers (3-8) continue living down to their expectations.

After opening the game with an 80-yard touchdown drive, Tampa Bay crossed midfield only once more to lose for the fourth time in five games. Joey Galloway caught three passes for 71 yards in his first game against the Cowboys since they traded him for Keyshawn Johnson, but two of the catches and 59 of the yards came on that opening series.

Romo responded to the early 7-0 deficit by leading Dallas to five touchdowns in a span of six drives. He was at his best right around halftime _ with a 74-yard drive during a 2-minute drill that made it 21-10 at the break, then opening the third quarter with an 82-yard drive that featured a 45-yard pass to Glenn.

Romo's passer rating was 148.9, an incompletion or two from being perfect. Considering he came in 0.5 behind Manning for No. 1 in that category, Peyton is going to need one heck of a game this weekend or the new league leader is going to be Romo, an undrafted former Division I-AA MVP from Eastern Illinois who spent the first six games this season backing up Drew Bledsoe.

"He's managing the game well. And that's what he's supposed to do," Parcells said. "He's a football guy and he's interested in playing well. But we've got a ways to go here. So put the anointing oil away, OK?"

Tell that to the fans who chanted "Ro-mo! Ro-mo!" during Fox's postgame show. Or to the fans who hung his name in the Ring of Honor during warmups; it was taken down before kickoff.

"It'll be the last time they take it down," Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said eagerly in the giddy winning locker room.

Romo caught a glimpse of the sign. After denying he saw it, he broke into a smile and called it "pretty funny."

Then came a big dose of humility from a player known more for his confidence.

"That is an injustice to those guys," he said. "Every single one of them have had unbelievable careers. That's something you aspire to one day. If I could play another 15 years, maybe. ... I got things I still have to work on and get better at. Believe me, I haven't arrived yet, by any means."

Parcells keeps saying he's waiting to see how Romo bounces back from a bad game. He's going to have to wait at least 10 days, when Dallas plays on the road against the New York Giants, the first team that Romo will go against a second time. The first meaningful action of his career was against them _ only a month ago Thursday.

At 7-4, the Cowboys have the same record they had coming out of last year's Thanksgiving game. Led by Bledsoe, they won only two more games and missed the playoffs.

Parcells said things are different this time because Dallas lost on the holiday last year. He's also starting to reveal his optimism for this club.

"I think we're going to be in it here for a little while," Parcells said.

Glenn caught Romo's first two TD passes, of 30 and 2 yards. Marion Barber III caught the next two, giving him an NFC-best 11 touchdowns.

The record-tying fifth went to Owens and he capped it in holiday style by depositing the ball into one of the Salvation Army red kettles being used as a prop for the charity's annual holiday fundraising campaign.

"That was my donation," T.O. said. "I hope it's as much as the fine."

Notes:@ The Cowboys hadn't scored a first-quarter touchdown in seven games until Romo's first TD. ... Tampa Bay quarterback Bruce Gradkowski went 10-of-20 for 120 yards with two interceptions. ... LB Derrick Brooks set a Tampa Bay record by starting his 184th game. The mark had been held by OT Paul Gruber. ... This was the ninth time a Cowboys QB threw five TD passes. The last was by Aikman in OT in the 1999 opener; the last in regulation was Danny White in 1983.

Jake Plummer Says Broncos Coach Mike Shanahan Has Not Told Him He Was Benched

Just now on NFL Network, Jake Plummer has said he wasn't told he was benched in favor of rookie Jay Cutler. Stay tuned.

Denny Green - Arizona Cardinals Not Firing Green Now

NFL

Cardinals deny they've decided to fire Green

November 23, 2006

PHOENIX -- The rumor mill is churning about who Arizona Cardinals coach Dennis Green's replacement will be, even though the team says Green has not been fired.

The Cardinals on Wednesday denied an Internet report that owner Bill Bidwill had decided to fire Green at the end of the season and wants to hire former Lions and 49ers coach Steve Mariucci, the Arizona Republic reported.

A report on HallofFameMagazine.com, citing well-placed NFL sources, claimed the decision to replace Green was made the day after his well-documented explosion following his team's Monday night collapse against the Bears. The site reported the team has held preliminary talks with Mariucci--which Mariucci reportedly denied to a "mutual friend," saying that he's focusing on his work for the NFL Network.

The Cardinals likely wouldn't move that quickly should they decide to fire Green, the Arizona Republic reported. NFL rules require them to interview a minority candidate and Bidwill is known as stickler for following league rules, the paper writes.

NFL WEEK 12 INJURY REPORT -- WEDNESDAY

FOR USE AS DESIRED
NFL-PER-12A 11/22/06
4=1
WEEK 12 INJURY REPORT -- WEDNESDAY
Jacksonville Jaguars Out Byron Leftwich (Ankle)
Miami Dolphins Out Daunte Culpepper (Knee)
Green Bay Packers Questionable Brett Favre (Right Elbow)
Houston Texans Probable David Carr (Right Shoulder)
New England Patriots Probable Tom Brady (Right Shoulder)
New York Jets Probable Chad Pennington (Calf)
Seattle Seahawks Probable Matt Hasselbeck (Knee)
MIAMI DOLPHINS AT DETROIT LIONS on Thursday
Miami Dolphins
OUT QB Daunte Culpepper (Knee); G Jeno James (Knee); S
Travares Tillman (Hand)
QUESTIONABLE CB Will Allen (Groin)
PROBABLE RB Ronnie Brown (Groin); DT Keith Traylor (Knee); WR Wes
Welker (Ankle); CB Michael Lehan (Nose); LB Channing
Crowder (Hip); DE David Bowens (Ankle); TE Randy McMichael
(Shoulder)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
TUES Daunte Culpepper; Jeno James; Travares Tillman; Will Allen
WED No Practice Conducted
Detroit Lions
DOUBTFUL DT Shaun Cody (Toe)
QUESTIONABLE G Blaine Saipaia (Chest); RB Kevin Jones (Ankle); WR Eddie
Drummond (Concussion); WR Devale Ellis (Shoulder); S Kenoy
Kennedy (Ankle)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
TUES Shaun Cody; Kevin Jones; Eddie Drummond; Devale Ellis
WED Shaun Cody; Kevin Jones; Eddie Drummond; Devale Ellis
TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS AT DALLAS COWBOYS on Thursday
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
OUT DE Simeon Rice (Shoulder)
DOUBTFUL TE Alex Smith (Ankle); DT Ellis Wyms (Ankle)
QUESTIONABLE TE Dave Moore (Illness); RB Michael Pittman (Shoulder); LB
Shelton Quarles (Knee); CB Juran Bolden (Shin); T Anthony
Davis (Ankle)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
TUES Simeon Rice; Alex Smith; Ellis Wyms
WED Simeon Rice; Alex Smith; Ellis Wyms
Dallas Cowboys
No Injuries to Report
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
TUES All Players Participated
WED All Players Participated
DENVER BRONCOS AT KANSAS CITY CHIEFS on Thursday
Denver Broncos
OUT S Nick Ferguson (Knee)
QUESTIONABLE RB Mike Bell (Thigh); RB Tatum Bell (Toe); G Cooper Carlisle
(Back); DE Kenard Lang (Knee); WR Brandon Marshall (Ankle);
WR Rod Smith (Ankle); CB Darrent Williams (Shoulder)
PROBABLE DE Patrick Chukwurah (Hamstring); RB Kyle Johnson (Ankle);
RB Cedric Cobbs (Ankle); LB Al Wilson (Thumb)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
TUES Nick Ferguson; Cooper Carlisle; Kenard Lang; Brandon Marshall;
Rod Smith; Darrent Williams
WED Nick Ferguson; Cooper Carlisle
Kansas City Chiefs
OUT T Kevin Sampson (Foot)
QUESTIONABLE TE Tony Gonzalez (Shoulder); LB Derrick Johnson (Ankle)
PROBABLE DE Tamba Hali (Hip); G Brian Waters (Knee)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
TUES Kevin Sampson; Tony Gonzalez
WED No Practice Conducted
ARIZONA CARDINALS AT MINNESOTA VIKINGS
Arizona Cardinals
OUT DE Bert Berry (Triceps)
PROBABLE TE Fred Wakefield (Groin); P Scott Player (Groin)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED Bert Berry; Fred Wakefield; Scott Player
THURS Practice Not Complete
Minnesota Vikings
QUESTIONABLE CB Cedric Griffin (Neck); G Artis Hicks (Ankle); T Marcus
Johnson (Ankle)
PROBABLE RB Chester Taylor (Neck); DT Pat Williams (Knee); LB
Dontarrious Thomas (Hamstring); CB Antoine Winfield
(Concussion); DE Jayme Mitchell (Shoulder); LB Napoleon
Harris (Wrist); WR Marcus Robinson (Back);
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED Marcus Robinson; Napoleon Harris; Cedric Griffin; Artis Hicks;
Marcus Johnson; Chester Taylor; Pat Williams’ Dontarrious
Thomas; Antoine Winfield; Jayme Mitchell
SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS AT ST. LOUIS RAMS
San Francisco 49ers
QUESTIONABLE T Jonas Jennings (Ankle); CB Shawntae Spencer (Ankle)
PROBABLE WR Arnaz Battle (Hand); LB Jeff Ulbrich (Thumb)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED Jonas Jennings; Shawntae Spencer; Arnaz Battle
St. Louis Rams
QUESTIONABLE G Adam Timmerman (Ribs); RB Paul Smith (Hamstring)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED Adam Timmerman; Paul Smith
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS AT ATLANTA FALCONS
New Orleans Saints
QUESTIONABLE WR Marques Colston (Ankle); TE Ernie Conwell (Knee); RB
Aaron Stecker (Ankle); CB Fred Thomas (Thumb); S Bryan Scott
(Foot); WR Terrance Copper (Knee)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED Marques Colston; Aaron Stecker; Fred Thomas; Bryan Scott
Atlanta Falcons
OUT CB Jason Webster (Groin)
QUESTIONABLE DT Grady Jackson (Knee); T Todd Weiner (Knee); CB Jimmy
Williams (Ankle); DT Jonathan Babineaux (Foot); DE John
Abraham (Groin)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED Jason Webster; Grady Jackson; Todd Weiner; Jimmy Williams;
Jonathan Babineaux
PITTSBURGH STEELERS AT BALTIMORE RAVENS
Pittsburgh Steelers
DOUBTFUL WR Willie Reid (Foot)
QUESTIONABLE RB Najeh Davenport (Groin); WR Hines Ward (Knee)
PROBABLE LB Clark Haggans (Quadricep); LB James Harrison (Ankle); C
Jeff Hartings (Knee); CB Deshea Townsend (Ankle)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED Willie Reid; Najeh Davenport; Hines Ward; Deshea Townsend
Baltimore Ravens
QUESTIONABLE LB Ray Lewis (Back); G Keydrick Vincent (Thigh); TE Daniel
Wilcox (Thigh); LB Adalius Thomas (Ankle)
PROBABLE S Ed Reed (Knee)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED Ray Lewis; Keydrick Vincent; Daniel Wilcox
JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS AT BUFFALO BILLS
Jacksonville Jaguars
OUT S Donovin Darius (Ankle (on IR)); QB Byron Leftwich (Ankle)
DOUBTFUL CB Terry Cousin (Groin)
QUESTIONABLE WR Cortez Hankton (Hamstring); WR Ernest Wilford (Ankle); CB
Brian Williams (Hamstring)
PROBABLE LB Jorge Cordova (Hamstring); P Chris Hanson (Left
Hamstring); TE George Wrighster (Shoulder); DT John
Henderson (Hamstring); LB Clint Ingram (Shoulder); CB
Rashean Mathis (Ankle); LB Kenneth Pettway (Groin); S Nick
Sorensen (Calf); DT Marcus Stroud (Ankle); RB Fred Taylor
(Groin); RB Derrick Wimbush (Ankle)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED Donovin Darius; Byron Leftwich; Terry Cousin; Cortez Hankton;
Ernest Wilford; Brian Williams; Chris Hanson
Buffalo Bills
DOUBTFUL LB Keith Ellison (Knee)
QUESTIONABLE RB Willis McGahee (Ribs); WR Josh Reed (Kidney)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED Keith Ellison
CINCINNATI BENGALS AT CLEVELAND BROWNS
Cincinnati Bengals
OUT C Rich Braham (Knee); G Bobbie Williams (Appendix)
DOUBTFUL WR Kelley Washington (Hamstring)
QUESTIONABLE CB Deltha O'Neal (Shoulder); CB Keiwan Ratliff (Ribs); LB Brian
Simmons (Neck); T Levi Jones (Knee); S Dexter Jackson
(Achilles)
PROBABLE WR T.J. Houshmandzadeh (Ribs); RB Jeremi Johnson (Toe);
DT Sam Adams (Knee); T Willie Anderson (Shoulder); DT John
Thornton (Knee)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED Rich Braham; Bobbie Williams; Kelley Washington; Deltha
O'Neal; Keiwan Ratliff; Brian Simmons; Levi Jones; Jeremi
Johnson; Sam Adams; Willie Anderson; John Thornton
Cleveland Browns
QUESTIONABLE TE Kellen Winslow (Knee); LB Leon Williams (Ankle); DT Ted
Washington (Elbow); S Brian Russell (Elbow); LB Willie
McGinest (Ankle); S Justin Hamilton (Back); WR Braylon
Edwards (Forearm); CB Leigh Bodden (Ankle); G Cosey
Coleman (Foot); RB Reuben Droughns (Foot)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED Brian Russell; Willie McGinest; Justin Hamilton; Leigh Bodden
HOUSTON TEXANS AT NEW YORK JETS
Houston Texans
DOUBTFUL DE Antwan Peek (Knee)
PROBABLE QB David Carr (Right Shoulder); RB Jameel Cook (Knee); WR
Andre Johnson (Thigh); LB DaShon Polk (Knee); T Ephraim
Salaam (Ankle); DE Anthony Weaver (Knee); DE Mario Williams
(Foot)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED Antwan Peek; Jameel Cook; Andre Johnson
New York Jets
QUESTIONABLE RB B.J. Askew (Foot); CB David Barrett (Hip); CB Andre Dyson
(Neck); RB Cedric Houston (Knee)
PROBABLE RB Kevan Barlow (Calf); LB Matt Chatham (Foot); WR Tim
Dwight (Thigh); G Pete Kendall (Knee); WR Justin McCareins
(Foot); DT Rashad Moore (Hand); QB Chad Pennington (Calf)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED B.J. Askew; David Barrett; Andre Dyson; Cedric Houston; Tim
Dwight
CAROLINA PANTHERS AT WASHINGTON REDSKINS
Carolina Panthers
OUT C Justin Hartwig (Groin)
QUESTIONABLE CB Ken Lucas (Thigh); RB DeShaun Foster (Elbow); G Mike
Wahle (Shoulder)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED Justin Hartwig; Ken Lucas; DeShaun Foster
Washington Redskins
DOUBTFUL WR David Patten (Hamstring)
QUESTIONABLE S Troy Vincent (Hamstring); WR Santana Moss (Hamstring)
PROBABLE DE Phillip Daniels (Wrist); T Jon Jansen (Calf); T Chris Samuels
(Knee); C Casey Rabach (Shoulder)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED David Patten; Troy Vincent; Santana Moss; Phillip Daniels; Jon
Jansen; Chris Samuels; Casey Rabach
OAKLAND RAIDERS AT SAN DIEGO CHARGERS
Oakland Raiders
OUT T Robert Gallery (Elbow); RB LaMont Jordan (Knee)
DOUBTFUL LB Isaiah Ekejiuba (Foot); WR Jerry Porter (Hip)
QUESTIONABLE G Barry Sims (Abdomen)
PROBABLE DE Derrick Burgess (Back); LB Robert Thomas (Heel)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED Practice Not Complete
NEW YORK GIANTS AT TENNESSEE TITANS
New York Giants
OUT T Luke Petitgout (Fibula)
DOUBTFUL CB Sam Madison (Hamstring); DE Michael Strahan (Foot)
QUESTIONABLE DT Barry Cofield (Groin); WR Sinorice Moss (Quadricep); LB
Brandon Short (Quadricep); DE Osi Umenyiora (Hip Flexor)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED Practice Not Complete
Tennessee Titans
OUT DE Antwan Odom (Knee); TE Ben Troupe (Foot)
QUESTIONABLE CB Reynaldo Hill (Ankle); DE Travis LaBoy (Concussion); DE
Josh Savage (Hamstring); CB Andre Woolfolk (Ankle); TE Ben
Hartsock (Hamstring)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED Antwan Odom; Ben Troupe; Travis LaBoy; Josh Savage; Andre
Woolfolk
CHICAGO BEARS AT NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
Chicago Bears
QUESTIONABLE CB Dante Wesley (Knee)
PROBABLE TE Desmond Clark (Foot); RB Thomas Jones (Groin)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED Desmond Clark; Thomas Jones
New England Patriots
OUT S Rodney Harrison (Shoulder)
QUESTIONABLE TE Daniel Graham (Ankle); CB Ellis Hobbs (Wrist); LB Corey
Mays (Hamstring); P Josh Miller (Shoulder); CB Asante Samuel
(Knee); CB Chad Scott (Groin); TE David Thomas (Groin); S
Eugene Wilson (Hamstring)
PROBABLE DE Richard Seymour (Elbow); QB Tom Brady (Right Shoulder)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
TUES Rodney Harrison; Daniel Graham; Ellis Hobbs; Corey Mays; Josh
Miller; Asante Samuel; Chad Scott; David Thomas; Eugene
Wilson
WED Rodney Harrison; Daniel Graham; Ellis Hobbs; Corey Mays; Josh
Miller; Asante Samuel; Chad Scott; David Thomas; Eugene
Wilson
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES AT INDIANAPOLIS COLTS
Philadelphia Eagles
DOUBTFUL LB Shawn Barber (Knee)
QUESTIONABLE CB William James (Knee); LB Jason Short (Ankle)
PROBABLE RB Brian Westbrook (Knee); LB Matt McCoy (Shoulder)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED Shawn Barber; Jason Short; CB William James
Indianapolis Colts
OUT DT Montae Reagor (Head)
QUESTIONABLE S Bob Sanders (Knee); WR Brandon Stokley (Knee); LB Rocky
Boiman (Upper Arm); LB Gary Brackett (Hamstring); G Dylan
Gandy (Low Back); LB Gilbert Gardner (Rib); CB Matt Giordano
(Calf); CB Nicholas Harper (Hip); LB Freddy Keiaho (Shoulder);
G Ryan Lilja (Knee); LB Keith O'Neil (Ankle)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED Montae Reagor; Bob Sanders; Brandon Stokley; Gilbert Gardner;
Matt Giordano; Nicholas Harper; Keith O'Neil
GREEN BAY PACKERS AT SEATTLE SEAHAWKS on Monday
Green Bay Packers
DOUBTFUL CB Will Blackmon (Rib); LB Nick Barnett (Hand); T Mark
Tauscher (Groin); LB Ben Taylor (Hamstring)
QUESTIONABLE CB Charles Woodson (Shoulder); RB Brandon Miree (Elbow);
LB Tracy White (Knee); DT Cullen Jenkins (Ankle); TE David
Martin (Ribs); RB Vernand Morency (Back); QB Brett Favre
(Right Elbow)
PROBABLE RB Ahman Green (Knee)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED Will Blackmon; Nick Barnett; Mark Tauscher; Ben Taylor; Charles
Woodson; Cullen Jenkins; David Martin; Vernand Morency; Brett
Favre; Ahman Green
Seattle Seahawks
OUT LB D.D. Lewis (Toe)
DOUBTFUL RB Josh Parry (Foot)
QUESTIONABLE DT Rocky Bernard (Foot); T Sean Locklear (Ankle); C Robbie
Tobeck (Hip)
PROBABLE WR Bobby Engram (Illness); QB Matt Hasselbeck (Knee)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED Practice Not Complete

NFL WEEK 12 INJURY REPORT -- TUESDAY

FOR USE AS DESIRED
NFL-PER-12 11/21/06
WEEK 12 INJURY REPORT -- TUESDAY
Miami Dolphins Out Daunte Culpepper r (Knee)
MIAMI DOLPHINS AT DETROIT LIONS on Thursday
Miami Dolphins
OUT QB Daunte Culpepper (Knee); G Jeno James (Knee); S
Travares Tillman (Hand)
QUESTIONABLE CB Will Allen (Groin)
PROBABLE RB Ronnie Brown (Groin); DT Keith Traylor (Knee); WR Wes
Welker (Ankle); CB Michael Lehan (Nose); LB Channing
Crowder (Hip); DE David Bowens (Ankle); TE Randy McMichael
(Shoulder)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
TUES Daunte Culpepper; Jeno James; Travares Tillman; Will Allen
Detroit Lions
DOUBTFUL DT Shaun Cody (Toe)
QUESTIONABLE G Blaine Saipaia (Chest); RB Kevin Jones (Ankle); WR Eddie
Drummond (Concussion); WR Devale Ellis (Shoulder)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
TUES Shaun Cody; Kevin Jones; Eddie Drummond; Devale Ellis
TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS AT DALLAS COWBOYS on Thursday
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
DOUBTFUL DE Simeon Rice (Shoulder)
QUESTIONABLE CB Juran Bolden (Shin); T Anthony Davis (Ankle); TE Dave
Moore (Illness); RB Michael Pittman (Shoulder); LB Shelton
Quarles (Knee); TE Alex Smith (Ankle); DT Ellis Wyms (Ankle)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
TUES Simeon Rice; Juran Bolden; Dave Moore; Shelton Quarles; Alex
Smith; Ellis Wyms
Dallas Cowboys
No Injuries to Report
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
TUES All Players Participated
DENVER BRONCOS AT KANSAS CITY CHIEFS on Thursday
Denver Broncos
OUT S Nick Ferguson (Knee)
QUESTIONABLE RB Mike Bell (Thigh); RB Tatum Bell (Toe); G Cooper Carlisle
(Back); DE Kenard Lang (Knee); WR Brandon Marshall (Ankle);
WR Rod Smith (Ankle); CB Darrent Williams (Shoulder)
PROBABLE DE Patrick Chukwurah (Hamstring); RB Kyle Johnson (Ankle);
RB Cedric Cobbs (Ankle); LB Al Wilson (Thumb)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
TUES Practice Not Complete
Kansas City Chiefs
OUT T Kevin Sampson (Foot)
QUESTIONABLE TE Tony Gonzalez (Shoulder); LB Derrick Johnson (Ankle)
PROBABLE DE Tamba Hali (Hip); G Brian Waters (Knee)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
TUES Kevin Sampson; Tony Gonzalez