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NFL News and Notes Week 1

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(@mvbski)
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Falcons star TE Crumpler ailing
September 6, 2007

Associated Press

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. (AP) -- Rod Coleman and Chris Crocker are unlikely to play in the season opener this weekend at Minnesota.

Four-time Pro Bowl tight end Alge Crumpler might miss his first game since December 2004.

And if those concerns weren't enough, Atlanta Falcons coach Bobby Petrino said Thursday he's is still unsure if the Falcons will sign a third quarterback by Sunday morning.

Joey Harrington and Chris Redman are 1-2 on the depth chart, but the indefinite suspension of Michael Vick and D.J. Shockley's season-ending knee injury has left Atlanta with only practice squad quarterback Casey Bramlet as an alternative.

Petrino still hasn't made a decision, but if Harrington and Redman were injured and the Falcons hadn't designated an emergency quarterback before kickoff, Petrino would use running back Warrick Dunn.

"He would be the one," Petrino said.

Not since 1992, when he was a senior at Catholic High School in Baton Rouge, has Dunn played quarterback.

"I guess you'd have to ... get a couple of shotgun snaps, teach them how to do that and draw up a little single-wing or something in case you ever had the problem where two quarterbacks went down in the same game," Petrino said. "I'm a little concerned about having to take time out to do that."

Redman, who underwent back surgery twice after playing his final game in 2003, has durability issues, but rather than worry too much about hypothetical situations, Petrino has more pressing concerns.

Regarding Crocker, the Falcons believe Jimmy Williams can fill in adequately at free safety. Unfortunately, Crumpler, a four-time Pro Bowl player, and Coleman, a 2005 selection, are essentially irreplaceable.

Since the start of '04, Crumpler leads NFL tight ends with an average of 14.4 yards per catch. Dwayne Blakley would start if Crumpler isn't able.

Coleman's 44.5 sacks are tops among the league's interior defensive linemen since the start of '03.

Petrino hopes Crumpler can return to practice on Friday, but Coleman, who had blood drained from his surgically repaired quadriceps this week, could need more time to rehab.

"If we're going to err about Rod, we're going to err on the side of caution," Petrino said. "We have to make sure he is ready for the rest of the season."

Coleman was limited in practice Wednesday. After getting hurt while riding a personal watercraft in late April, Coleman missed training camp and the preseason.

He has practiced occasionally over the last month, but never long enough to reclaim his starting job alongside right end John Abraham and nose tackle Grady Jackson.

Jonathan Babineaux, a second-round draft pick from 2005, will start in Coleman's place against the Vikings.

Williams, a second-round pick last year, switched from cornerback to safety after Petrino hired Mike Zimmer as defensive coordinator. Both coaches liked what they saw of Williams in the preseason finale, and they believe he's improved significantly in reading formations and understanding how to disrupt receivers coming across the middle of the field.

"I expect Jimmy to continue to get better," Zimmer said. "He didn't play that good in the (third preseason) game. He was much more physical (in the fourth game). He lined up better, and hopefully we can get him to react on those things fast. "

Behind Jackson and Babineaux at defensive tackle, the Falcons will rely on rookie Trey Lewis, a sixth-round pick from Washburn University, and former Dallas practice squad player Montavious Stanley, who played for Petrino at Louisville.

 
Posted : September 7, 2007 8:14 am
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Cowboys WR Glenn not ready for season
September 6th, 2007

Irving, TX (Sports Network) - Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Terry Glenn will miss at least two more weeks as he continues to recover from knee surgery.

Glenn had a cyst removed from his right knee on August 1 and missed the entire preseason.

Glenn, 33, is entering his fifth season in Dallas. Las year, he hauled in 70 catches for 1,047 yards and six touchdowns. For his career, Glenn has amassed 593 receptions for 8,823 yards and 44 touchdowns in 136 games with Dallas, Green Bay and New England.

Four-year veteran Patrick Crayton is expected to see most of the time in place of Glenn.

 
Posted : September 7, 2007 8:18 am
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Guard Icognito, wideout Bennett questionable for Rams' opener against Panthers
September 7, 2007

ST. LOUIS (AP) -St. Louis Rams offensive guard Richie Incognito was listed as questionable Friday for the season opener against the Panthers on Sunday with a high ankle sprain that has limited him in practice this week.

Incognito has been hobbled for 2 1/2 weeks and said earlier in the week that the team believes the injury needs four weeks to heal. Wide receiver Drew Bennett also is questionable with a quadriceps injury and has had limited work this week.

Coach Scott Linehan said both would be game-time decisions.

``We haven't decided, we put them down as questionable,'' Linehan said. ``That's certainly where I think they are.''

Claude Terrell, who missed all of last season with a wrist injury, is the likely replacement for Incognito at right guard. The Rams could elevate Marques Hagans, a former quarterback who was on the practice squad last year, or Dane Looker if Bennett is not ready at the third wide receiver spot.

Incognito, a third-round pick in 2005, is part of a youth movement on the offensive line. He started every game last year at three positions, both guards and center, but hasn't played since the second preseason game.

Bennett signed a six-year free agent deal in the offseason after catching 46 passes for a 16-yard average and three touchdowns last year in Tennessee.

Terrell made 10 starts at guard in 2005, the most by a Rams rookie offensive lineman since Tom Newberry made 14 starts at left guard in 1986. He was placed on injured reserve before the opener last year and fell out of favor because he did not participate in the team's offseason training program.

Linehan said the Rams would carry eight linemen if Incognito can't go, which would leave the Rams short-handed elsewhere.

Reserve defensive end Victor Adeyanju also is questionable for Sunday after twisting a knee during special teams work Wednesday and getting limited work Friday. Adeyanju made nine starts as a rookie last year after the release of Anthony Hargrove and is the backup to James Hall this year.

 
Posted : September 7, 2007 4:45 pm
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STRAHAN: I'M READY TO PLAY

September 8, 2007 -- He knows getting hit and knocked down and double-teamed and smacked around is completely different than what he has put his body through the past six weeks, but Michael Strahan yesterday declared himself ready to play in tomorrow night's season-opener in Dallas.

"I feel good enough right now, yes," Strahan said.

Officially, the Giants will wait until today to reveal the plan, but there's no way Strahan won't be on the field at Texas Stadium, lined up at left defensive end. He'll probably even start the game and then share the snaps with Justin Tuck.

"I know my mindset, I want to play. If I play, I'm thinking I can probably play every play," said Strahan, who Monday ended a 36-day holdout. "But yeah, it can be limited, put you in there in certain spots and certain situations and I'm pretty sure that might be the case if I play."

The testing ground for Strahan consisted of four full practices, plus today's walk-through prior to the Giants boarding their charter flight to Dallas.

"It is just going to be a question of whether or not we feel like it has been enough," Tom Coughlin said.

The greatest concern is what hasn't been seen out of Strahan.

"It is also in the back of your mind the idea that there really hasn't been much contact for him," Coughlin said.

Strahan, 35, is coming off a serious mid-foot sprain, but he said that injury is completely healed.

"I feel I'm healthy, energy level is there, soreness isn't really there at all," he said. "I've been working hard in case I came back and it's paid off. The game's a whole different thing, getting banged up, but you won't know unless you go do it.

"Training camp definitely helps; the more you practice generally the better you get. At this point in my career I can go off of experience and just desire and enjoying the game, that's what I have to lean on right now. As long as I contribute, that's the biggest thing. You don't want to be out there and not contribute. I would love to play. Trust me, to play in this game would be a really, really big deal and hopefully a morale boost and hopefully it transcends into a win."

With Strahan in action, of the 22 starters the Giants expected to put on the field there's a slim chance only one, cornerback Sam Madison, won't make it because of a pulled hamstring. Madison made it through the week of practice and is listed as probable but the Giants must be wary, as Madison is 33 and last year came back too quickly from a hamstring problem and exacerbated the injury.

"If the medical people say that he can go, that he is ready, and he concurs then I don't see any reason to be overly cautious about it," Coughlin said.

Timing might be on the side of the Giants, as the Cowboys are hurting. Defensive end Greg Ellis, trying to come back from a torn Achilles tendon he suffered last November, is out because of bursitis in his heel. Veteran receiver Terry Glenn is out with a knee injury and will be replaced by Patrick Crayton. Cornerback Terence Newman (questionable)has a foot problem that has kept him out of practice and most likely out of the game, meaning career backup Jacques Reeves will make his second start in four years.

"I don't know about that," said receiver Plaxico Burress, believing the Cowboys are resorting to subterfuge. "Terence is going to play, trust me, he'll play. I'm not that gullible."

Burress, slowed by a sprained ankle and back spasms that kept him out of the bulk of training camp and all four preseason games, said he heard that some in Dallas believe he might be too hobbled to play.

"Whoever's saying I'm not playing," he said, "keep wishing."

nypost.com

 
Posted : September 8, 2007 7:50 pm
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Samuel's status up in the air

FOXBOROUGH - He ended his holdout nearly two weeks ago, but will Patriots cornerback Asante Samuel be ready to play in tomorrow's season opener against the Jets?

"I guess we'll have to wait and see until Sunday," Samuel said yesterday. "I don't know if I'm going to play, how much I'm going to play. I'm just going out practicing and working hard."

Samuel, who signed the one-year franchise tender and reported Aug. 27, maintained that he stayed in shape during the holdout by working out at home, but coach Bill Belichick rejected the notion that the left cornerback is back up to speed.

"Do I think in one week he is where others are in six weeks? No," Belichick said. "That would be totally unrealistic."

Samuel agreed that he is not in perfect football condition.

"I feel all right," he said. "I'm in late. I have a lot of catching up to do, but I feel pretty good.

"There is a difference between working out - just running and conditioning and doing all those things - than being on the field and going against another team when they're doing the two-minute offense or something like that. It's a little different."

Samuel is not on the active roster, as the Patriots were given an exemption because of his late reporting date. If Samuel is to play tomorrow, he must be activated by 4 p.m. today. No additional cuts would have to be made because Rodney Harrison doesn't count against the roster limit while he serves his four-game suspension.

Even if Samuel is active tomorrow, he might not start at his familiar spot, where Randall Gay has practiced for most of the preseason. Samuel would not share specifics of how practice has gone - even remaining tight-lipped when asked if he had picked off any passes - but assured the crowd of media at his locker that he was working hard.

"I go out there and prepare like I always normally prepare," Samuel said. "I'm trying to do a little catching up, being that I came in a little late."

If Samuel is not active tomorrow, expect to see Gay starting opposite Ellis Hobbs, with rookie Brandon Meriweather and 12th-year veteran Tory James as backups.

Samuel's absence, or limited role, would make the secondary even thinner as it copes with the loss of Harrison. James Sanders is the likely replacement at strong safety, with Meriweather, Gay, and second-year man Willie Andrews able to play safety as well, especially when the team puts three safeties on the field for dime coverage.

With Samuel and Harrison missing big chunks of time, the secondary has been in flux in the preseason, but Hobbs said the defensive backs are prepared nonetheless.

"That's what's so special about this team," Hobbs said. "No matter what guys we lose around here, we always have guys who are ready and willing to jump in. We practice not just where we normally play our position, but we prepare for the next guy going down, to practice at the next position."

If Samuel does play tomorrow, he'll have a chance to reprise one of his finest moments of last season, which came the last time these teams met. Samuel swiped a Chad Pennington pass in the fourth quarter and took it 36 yards to the end zone to seal a 37-16 win in the first round of the playoffs. But the cornerback said that game has no bearing on tomorrow, despite any fond memories.

"It's a new year, a new situation," Samuel said. "You never know what's going to happen."

The same can be said for Samuel's status.

globe.com.

 
Posted : September 8, 2007 7:51 pm
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Eagles TE Smith questionable vs. Packers
September 8, 2007

Associated Press

PHILADELPHIA (AP) -- Tight end L.J. Smith was downgraded to questionable for Philadelphia's opener at Green Bay following the team's walkthrough Saturday.

Smith had been bothered by a groin injury that forced him to sit out all the preseason games and kept him off the field most of training camp. He practiced this week and had been listed as probable for Sunday's game against the Packers.

If Smith can't play, veteran Matt Schobel and rookie Brent Celek would fill in. Celek, a fifth-round pick, led the team with 13 receptions for 143 yards in the preseason. Schobel had five catches for 103 yards.

"I'm working hard to get back on the field, but your body is going to tell you when it's ready," Smith said after Friday's practice. "If I can't go out there and be efficient when I'm out there then what's the point of going out there."

Smith had surgery for a sports hernia on May 31, then injured his groin early in camp. It's an important season for Smith, who enters the final year of a contract. He caught 50 passes for 611 yards and five touchdowns last year.

While Smith's status is uncertain, the offense should get All-Pro guard Shawn Andrews back after he missed the entire preseason with an ankle injury. And, quarterback Donovan McNabb will start his first regular-season game since tearing a knee ligament in Week 11 last year. A.J. Feeley is expected to be the backup, despite having surgery on his hand last week.

On the other side, defensive end Jevon Kearse was hampered by a shoulder injury during the week, but is expected to see his first action in a meaningful game since going down with a knee injury in Week 2 last year.

 
Posted : September 8, 2007 7:58 pm
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Jags' LB Ingram sidelined for Week 1
September 7, 2007

Associated Press

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) -- The Jacksonville Jaguars will be without starting linebacker Clint Ingram in the season opener against Tennessee.

Ingram, a second-year pro from Oklahoma, sprained his ankle in the preseason opener at Miami on Aug. 11 and has practiced sparingly since. He was ruled out Friday. Either Pat Thomas or rookie Justin Durant will start in his place.

Thomas hasn't started a game in his two seasons and spent most of last year on injured reserve. Durant, the three-time Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference defensive player of the year, was a second-round pick from Hampton.

Center Brad Meester (ankle), defensive tackle Tony McDaniel (knee) and defensive end Kenny Pettway (quadriceps) also were ruled out for the opener.

Defensive end Brent Hawkins (illness), defensive end Reggie Hayward (Achilles' tendon), defensive tackle John Henderson (shoulder), and guard Chris Naeole (knee) were listed as probable.

 
Posted : September 8, 2007 7:59 pm
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NFL cheat sheet: Week 1

Atlanta Falcons at Minnesota Vikings (-3)

Why Falcons cover: Atlanta has covered in two of its last three meetings with Minnesota. The Vikings set club records for fewest touchdown passes (13) and first downs (272) last season.

Why Vikings cover: For the first time since 2003 the Falcons open the season without QB Michael Vick – for reasons we all know. The underachieving Joey Harrington, who posted a 68.2 passer rating for Miami last season, takes over.

Total (35 ½): Under is 8-1 in Falcons last nine games.

Carolina Panthers at St. Louis Rams (-1)

Why Panthers cover: They beat St. Louis 15-0 last season, sacking quarterback Marc Bulger seven times and rushing for a team-record 242 yards. The Rams ranked 13th in the NFC with an average 23.8 points allowed per game last season.

Why Rams cover: Ranked third in the NFC with 247.6 passing yards per game last season. Facing a Carolina side that scored only one touchdown in preseason.

Total (42 ½): Over is 4-1 in the last five games between these teams.

Denver Broncos (-3) at Buffalo Bills

Why Broncos cover: Denver seeks its fifth straight victory over the Bills – a team they haven’t lost to in 13 seasons. The Broncos offense added running back Travis Henry, who rushed for 1,211 yards in 14 games for Tennessee in 2006.

Why Bills covers: J.P. Losman completed 62.5 percent of his passes for 3,051 yards with 19 touchdowns in his first season as the Bills full-time starter. They’ll be looking for an even better return from their 2004 first-round draft pick this season.

Total (37): Over is 5-0 in the Broncos' last five games as a favorite.

Kansas City Chiefs at Houston Texans (-3)

Why Chiefs cover: The Kansas offense boasts running back Larry Johnson, who set franchise running records in each of the last two seasons. Houston's lost four straight home openers and been outscored 87-31 in their last two home games against the Chiefs.

Why Texans cover: Houston added QB Matt Schaub and running back Ahman Green in the postseason, giving its struggling offense a big boost. Green earned a combined 1,439 yards last year.

Total (37 ½): Under is 4-1 in both teams' last five games.

Miami Dolphins at Washington Redskins (-3)

Why Dolphins cover: They replaced Daunte Culpepper with QB Trent Green, who threw for 1,342 yards, seven TDs and nine interceptions in eight starts for the Chiefs last season. The Miami defense ranked fourth in the NFL in yards allowed last season (288.9) and fifth in points (17.7).

Why Redskins cover: Washington made Jason Campbell starting QB and he should combine well with wide receiver Santana Moss and tight end Chris Cooley. Moss has managed 16.2 yards per reception in his career, while Cooley had a team-high 57 catches last season for 734 yards and six touchdowns.

Total (34 ½): Under is 5-1 in the Dolphins' last 6 games overall.

New England Patriots (-6) at New York Jets

Why Patriots cover: The Patriots added power, pace and experience to their offense in the postseason when they signed wide receivers Donte' Stallworth and Wes Welker, and former All-Pro Randy Moss. The Pats have won six consecutive road games against the Jets by a combined score of 160-84.

Why Jets cover: New England’s defense starts the season without two important players – Rodney Harrison and Richard Seymour. That’s good news for a Jets offense bolstered by the offseason arrival of running back Thomas Jones from the Bears.

Total (40 ½): Over is 5-1 in Patriots last six games.

Philadelphia Eagles (-3) at Green Bay Packers

Why Eagles cover: Philadelphia won last season’s meeting between the teams 31-9, holding the Packers scoreless in the second half. Eagles QB Donovan McNabb threw for 950 yards and eight touchdowns in his last three starts against Green Bay.

Why Packers cover: The Packers own a very strong defense, with two of the best cornerbacks in football – Al Harris and Charles Woodson – as well as a deep defensive line led by Nick Barnett and A.J. Hawk.

Total (42 ½): Under is 5-1 in the last 6 meetings between these teams.

Pittsburgh Steelers (-4 ½) at Cleveland Browns

Why Steelers cover: The Steelers are 4-1 against the spread (ATS) in their last five games and have won four straight season openers. They are also 7-1 all-time at Cleveland Browns Stadium.

Why Browns cover: Cleveland added more depth to its roster in the offseason. Jamal Lewis – who gained 1,132 yards in 2006 with Baltimore – is set to bolster last season’s second-worst rushing offense (83.4 yards per game).

Total (37): Under is 9-2 in Browns last 11 games in September.

Tennessee Titans at Jacksonville Jaguars (-7)

Why Titans cover: The Titans are 7-1 ATS in their last 8 games. Tennessee will start with QB Vince Young on Sunday and he led the Titans to a 6-1 finish to last season.

Why Jaguars cover: Tennessee allowed a league-high 378.9 total yards per game in 2006. The Jaguars are 8-0 ATS in their last eight opening-week games.

Total (38): Over is 4-0 in Jaguars last four games.

Chicago Bears at San Diego Chargers (-6)

Why Bears cover: The Bears won their first seven games in 2006, launching them into a 13-3 season that culminated with a trip to the Super Bowl. Chicago has come out on top in its last five meetings with the Chargers, covering the spread on every occasion.

Why Chargers cover: They are 6-1 ATS in their last seven games as a home favorite. San Diego had one of the top offenses in the league last season, averaging an NFL-high 30.8 points per game.

Total (42 ½): Over is 9-4 in Chargers' last 13 games overall.

Detroit Lions at Oakland Raiders (-2 ½)

Why Lions cover: Oakland’s offense was one of the poorest in the NFL last season, with the lowest average yards (246.2) and points (10.5) per game while conceding a league-high 46 turnovers.

Why Raiders cover: While their offense struggled, the Raiders defense was solid, allowing the third-fewest yards per game (284.8) in 2006. Oakland is 6-3 against the Lions and has won four of the last five meetings. They have won all four meetings when hosting Detroit.

Total (39): Under is 5-1 in Raiders' last six home games.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Seattle Seahawks (-5 ½)

Why Buccaneers cover: The Bucs are 1-6-1 ATS in their last eight games versus NFC opposition. They have not beaten the Seahawks, or covered the spread against them, since 1999.

Why Seahawks cover: Both quarterback Matt Hasselbeck and running back Shaun Alexander are fit after injury-plagued seasons in 2006. Seattle will be hoping a healthy Hassebeck can return to the form he showed in 2005 when he posted a career-high 98.2 passer rating while leading the team to a 13-3 record.

Total (41): The under is 4-0 in the last four meetings between these teams.

New York Giants at Dallas Cowboys (-6)

Why Giants cover: The Giants are 5-1-1 ATS in their last seven versus NFC East teams, while the Cowboys are 1-4 ATS in their last five season-opening games.

Why Cowboys cover: Dallas returns 10 offensive starters from the group that scored the third-most points in the NFL last season, with the only change being the addition of the talented Leonard Davis at right guard.

Total (44): Over is 9-2-1 in the Giants' last 12 road games.

Baltimore Ravens at Cincinnati Bengals (-2 ½)

Why Ravens cover: The Ravens are a team built around solid defense, allowing only 264.1 yards and 11.6 points per game in 2006. Their offense also received a boost with the arrival of running back Willis McGahee from Buffalo.

Why Bengals cover: Quarterback Carlson Palmer recovered from knee surgery to throw for a career-high 4,035 yards, with 28 touchdowns last season. More of the same is expected in 2007. The Bengals are 6-0 ATS in their last six games in September and have won four of the last five against the Ravens.

Total (40): The under is 4-0 in the Bengals' last four meetings as the favorite, and 6-2 in the Ravens' last eight games overall.

Arizona Cardinals at San Francisco 49ers (-3)

Why Cardinals cover: The Cardinals are 6-1 ATS in their last seven games and have won the last four meetings with the 49ers, covering the spread in three of those wins.

Why 49ers cover: San Francisco is 6-1 ATS in its last seven versus NFC West opponents. The 49ers strengthened their offense by acquiring wide receivers Darrell Jackson and Ashley Lelie, and tight end Vernon Davis in the offseason.

Total (45): Over is 6-1 in these teams' last seven meetings.

Covers.com

 
Posted : September 9, 2007 9:08 am
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