this is why i love bski
f'n awesome
Thanks bro 😉
Bills place CB Webster on injured reserve
democratandchronicle.com
(September 13, 2007) — ORCHARD PARK – The Buffalo Bills placed cornerback Jason Webster on injured reserve today and signed linebacker Leon Joe.
Webster suffered a broken forearm in Sunday’s 15-14 loss to the Denver Broncos.
Joe, who will wear No. 59, is entering his fourth NFL season. He has spent the last two full seasons with the Chicago Bears. He split time between the Bears and Arizona Cardinals during his rookie season in 2004.
Joe, 25, was cut by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sept. 2 and released by the Chicago Bears on Aug. 28.
Glenn has 2nd knee surgery in 6 weeks
Associated Press
Dallas Cowboys receiver Terry Glenn had arthroscopic surgery on his right knee for the second time in six weeks Thursday.
Glenn reinjured his knee last week when he tried to return to practice for the first time since the initial surgery Aug. 1 to remove a cyst. That was a week into training camp.
"This gives Terry a chance to play this season," Cowboys spokesman Rich Dalrymple said. "He will do everything he can to get on the field this year."
Still, the team said there is no timetable for Glenn's return.
The latest operation was done in Columbus, Ohio, by Dr. Christopher Kaeding, the orthopedic surgeon for Ohio State, Glenn's alma mater. Kaeding removed loose cartilage from the knee.
Dalrymple said Glenn, the 33-year-old receiver in his 12th NFL season, may still need a more extensive microfracture procedure in the future.
Glenn is coming off consecutive 1,000-yard receiving seasons with the Cowboys, his third NFL team. He also played for New England (1996-2001) and Green Bay (2002).
Pats, Belichick fined, lose draft picks for spying
New York, NY (Sports Network) - New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick has been fined the maximum of $500,000 by the league for the use of equipment to videotape an opposing team's offensive or defensive signals it was announced late Thursday night.
In addition, commissioner Roger Goodell also notified the Patriots that they would forfeit their own first-round draft choice in 2008 if they reach the playoffs, or their own second-round and third-round picks if they do not qualify for the playoffs. The club was also fined $250,000.
This stems from Sunday's 38-14 win over the New York Jets at the Meadowlands when an employee of the Patriots was caught filming the Jets' sideline and had the video equipment confiscated.
"This episode represents a calculated and deliberate attempt to avoid longstanding rules designed to encourage fair play and promote honest competition on the playing field," commissioner Goodell wrote in a letter to the Patriots.
Goodell also considered suspending Belichick, but the NFL will closely review and monitor the Patriots' coaching video program, effective immediately.
"I specifically considered whether to impose a suspension on coach Belichick," commissioner Goodell wrote. "I have determined not to do so, largely because I believe that the discipline I am imposing of a maximum fine and forfeiture of a first-round draft choice, or multiple draft choices, is in fact more significant and long-lasting, and therefore more effective, than a suspension."
NFL policy states that "no video recording devices of any kind are permitted to be in use in the coaches' booth, on the field, or in the locker room during the game" and that all video shooting locations for club coaching purposes "must be enclosed on all sides with a roof overhead."
It was determined by Goodell that Patriots ownership was unaware of Belichick's action, but determined that penalties should be imposed on the club because "Coach Belichick not only serves as the head coach but also has substantial control over all aspects of New England's football operations. His actions and decisions are properly attributed to the club."
On Wednesday, Belichick released a statement addressing the situation.
"Earlier this week, I spoke with Commissioner [Roger] Goodell about a videotaping procedure during last Sunday's game and my interpretation of the rules. At this point, we have not been notified of the league's ruling. Although it remains a league matter, I want to apologize to everyone who has been affected, most of all ownership, staff and players. Following the league's decision, I will have further comment."
It was also reported earlier this week that this wasn't the first time the Pats were caught doing this.
Packers' Morency, Jennings still in doubt for Giants game
ASSOCIATED PRESS
GREEN BAY, Wis.-- Hoping to get back two injured starters on offense this week, the Green Bay Packers got some discouraging news on Thursday.
Running back Vernand Morency's knee injury flared up, and wide receiver Greg Jennings still had some soreness in his hamstring. The lingering injury issues left both players' availability in doubt going into the Packers' road game against the New York Giants on Sunday.
Packers coach Mike McCarthy said Morency, who hurt his knee on the first day of training camp and was inactive for the season opener last Sunday, will be listed questionable going into Sunday.
''It's very unfortunate for Vernand, but that's where we are,'' McCarthy said. ''We're kind of at that last hurdle, and just based off the doctor's opinion, we want to (wait) until he's 100 percent, no soreness, before we move forward.''
Jennings' availability also is up in the air after hurting his hamstring late last week and missing the opener.
''He looked really good yesterday, but he was a little sore today,'' McCarthy said.
If Jennings can play, he'll add another dimension to the Packers' offense.
If not, they'll be facing depth issues in the passing game.
No. 1 receiver Donald Driver is coming off a foot sprain, but played Sunday and has not been listed on the Packers' injury report this week. But Jennings is still sore, and backup receiver Carlyle Holiday didn't practice on Thursday because of a knee injury.
The Packers also added starting tight end Donald Lee to their injury report on Thursday. Lee was limited in practice because of a knee injury, leaving the Packers with only one tight end in practice, Bubba Franks.
If Jennings and Holiday can't play, the Packers would be down to Driver, rookie James Jones and second-year player Ruvell Martin as their healthy receivers.
''You're one play away from being out of some personnel groups, and that's what you try to avoid in game planning,'' McCarthy said. ''That's the reality of where we would be. We'd have some backup plans.''
Holiday's injury also puts the Packers in a potential problem at quarterback. The Packers kept only Brett Favre and Aaron Rodgers on the roster. Holiday, a former college quarterback at Notre Dame, is the Packers' emergency quarterback.
But with Favre expected to extend his quarterback-record starts streak to 239 on Sunday - 259 including playoff games - that's not as major a concern.
''Brett's played more games than anyone in history, so I'm going to play the odds there,'' McCarthy said. ''But the wide receiver depth is a concern as we move into tomorrow's practice.''
Morency, the Packers' projected starter after veteran Ahman Green signed a free-agent contract with the Houston Texans in the offseason, only recently had returned to limited participation in practice.
Morency participated in nearly all of the practice on Wednesday, only to have the injury flare up. He sat out most of the portion of practice that was open to the media on Thursday, and was listed as having limited participation in practice on the Packers' injury report.
''It's tough,'' Morency said. ''You definitely want to be out there with your teammates and fight and claw. The only thing I can do is rehab and do what I can do to get better.''
Hill out indefinitely with back injury
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
Rams officials have confirmed that cornerback Tye Hill has suffered a back injury that will sideline him indefinitely.
Hill apparently suffered the injury near the end of practice Thursday.
Under coach Scott Linehan, practices are closed to the media after the first 30 minutes. But during the open locker room session with the media after practice Thursday, Hill was seen walking around and talking to teammates, and appeared to be in no pain.
The injury apparently is similar to an injury suffered by wide receiver Dane Looker, involving smaller bones in the bottom of the back. Looker missed one preseason game with the injury and was limited in a second.
But Hill plays every play on defense, and Looker is a part-time receiver and holder on extra points.
Lenny Walls probably starts in Hill's place Sunday against San Francisco, with rookie Jonathan Wade moving into the slot as the nickel back.
But as of Friday morning, the Rams have only three healthy cornerbacks on their roster. Fakhir Brown is one game into a four-game suspension for violating the league's substance-abuse policy.
Cowboys determine linebacker Greg Ellis isn't ready to play against Miami
September 14, 2007
IRVING, Texas (AP) -Dallas Cowboys linebacker Greg Ellis won't make his season debut Sunday at Miami.
Ellis returned to practice on a limited basis this week after an extended rehabilitation from a torn left Achilles' tendon. Coach Wade Phillips said Friday that Ellis hasn't had a setback but hasn't made enough progress to play.
Phillips said cornerback Terence Newman, who also returned to practice this week, will be a game-time decision. Newman hasn't played since the first preseason game because of a slight tear in tissue on the base of his foot.
Ellis tore his left Achilles' tendon in a game in November. He came out for the opening workout of training camp July 25 before he felt pain in the foot and left the field.
Seahawks Alexander will play Sunday at Arizona despite cast on sprained wrist
September 14, 2007
KIRKLAND, Wash. (AP) -Shaun Alexander bobbled a short pass from Matt Hasselbeck in practice - and it was the best thing Mike Holmgren saw all day.
``I'm glad that happened,'' the Seahawks coach yelled across the field Friday to his star running back.
Holmgren was happy Alexander was getting to test the usefulness of the soft, padded cast he was wearing over his left wrist, halfway up his forearm. One day after Alexander was playfully coy about what the injury was or whether he was even wearing a cast, Holmgren said the 2005 league MVP sprained his wrist while running for 105 yards and a touchdown in last week's win over Tampa Bay.
``We're being real careful with that,'' Holmgren said after a light practice in which Alexander clowned around with teammates while participating fully with the first-team offense. ``He feels really good about playing with that thing. He feels better.
``And so they are going to rig something up during the game to allow him to play'' Sunday at Arizona, he said.
Alexander has a good reason to play through the injury this week. In 10 games against the Cardinals, he has 962 yards rushing and 15 touchdowns. Both are his most against any team.
The Seahawks have been wanting to throw more passes to Alexander this season, to reduce the receiving load on 36-year-old fullback Mack Strong and to make the offense tougher to defend. Alexander had a career-high 59 receptions in 2002, his first full season as Seattle's feature back, but has had 15 and 12 catches in each of the last two seasons. But he had problems with dropped passes in the preseason with two healthy hands, and then dropped another in the opener last week.
``I told him, 'Heck, maybe we'll put a cast on the other hand and things will get better, I don't know,'' Holmgren joked.
``He's limited slightly with that thing,'' Holmgren said of the bulbous, taped cast that stops about midway up Alexander's thumb. ``It's different, let me put it that way, so he's got to get used to it. I think it does affect him, certainly.''
Seattle's play-caller expects Alexander to be limited Sunday - and indefinitely beyond that, since the coach said he didn't know how long Alexander will have to wear the cast.
``Anytime a running back or receiver has to wear one of those, it's different,'' Holmgren said.
Leonard Weaver, an undrafted free agent in 2005 and Alvin Pearman, acquired in a trade from Jacksonville earlier this month, will get more opportunities in passing situations with Alexander limited.
Alexander severely bruised his foot in last season's opener. After playing on it for two more games, the foot became cracked, causing him to miss six games and rush for just 896 yards in the regular season. It was the first season under 1,000 yards since he became Seattle's feature back in 2001.
The Seahawks say his foot may still have a small crack, but Alexander was unlimited in practices throughout minicamps and training camp.
Vikings RB Chester Taylor questionable for Sunday's game in Detroit
September 14, 2007
EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. (AP) -Minnesota Vikings running back Chester Taylor was listed Friday as questionable for Sunday's game at Detroit, due to a bruised hip that limited his participation in practice all week.
Taylor was hurt in the first quarter of the season opener against Atlanta, and rookie Adrian Peterson took over. Coach Brad Childress said the decision on Taylor's status would not be made until shortly before kickoff against the Lions after coaches and trainers watch him warming up on the field before the game.
``Just kind of incremental progress. Sometimes those things get better as they go. He's done everything he can to put himself in position, so we'll see. We'll leave it up to him,'' Childress said.
Taylor, who was raised in the Detroit area, will have a difficult decision to make with dozens of friends and family expected to attend the game.
``If I felt like I'm good to go, I'm going to go, but I'm still taking it day by day right now,'' he said.
Culpepper likely to start for Raiders
September 14th, 2007
Oakland, CA (Sports Network) - With Oakland quarterback Josh McCown listed as doubtful for Sunday's game at Denver, the Raiders are expected to start Daunte Culpepper under center.
McCown sprained his right foot last Sunday versus Detroit and was unable to finish practice on Friday, meaning the Raiders are expected to go with Culpepper on Sunday.
McCown also injured his right index finger and suffered a sprained foot last Sunday, when the Lions coughed up a 17-point lead but rallied to beat the Raiders, 36-21, at McAfee Coliseum.
McCown, who got the nod over Culpepper, went 30-of-40 for 313 yards with two touchdowns and two picks against his former team.
Feeley has second surgery for broken hand
September 14th, 2007
Philadelphia, PA (Sports Network) - Philadelphia Eagles backup quarterback A.J. Feeley underwent a second surgery Friday to repair a broken bone in his left hand.
Feeley had the first surgery on August 31 after breaking the third metacarpal bone in his non-throwing hand during the Eagles' preseason finale a night earlier.
His hand began to swell this week. Doctors felt the screws that were implanted came loose.
Feeley, the primary backup for starter Donovan McNabb, is questionable for Monday night's Week 2 game against the Washington Redskins at Lincoln Financial Field. If Feeley is unable to play, the Eagles would be left with rookie Kevin Kolb as the primary backup.
Manning, Umenyiora practice
September 14th, 2007
East Rutherford, NJ (Sports Network) - The New York Giants got a boost on Friday, as both quarterback Eli Manning and defensive end Osi Umenyiora practiced in preparation for Sunday's game against Green Bay.
Head coach Tom Coughlin declined to say whether either player would play versus the Packers.
"He seemed to throw the ball pretty well," Coughlin said of Manning. "If you really watch closely he did the smart thing. He loosened up pretty good and started to get into the velocity throws a little bit later on. He has actually thrown the ball on the side pretty well, even from day one."
Manning suffered a contusion to the AC joint in his right shoulder during New York's 45-35 loss to Dallas on Sunday night. He threw for 312 yards with four touchdowns and an interception on 28- of-41 attempts before leaving in the fourth quarter with the injury.
Umenyiora has an irritated lateral meniscus in his left knee, an injury that forced him out of last week's loss to the Cowboys as well.
"Osi practiced and appeared to do pretty well," Coughlin said. "But we'll see. These things are all based, of course, after they do work, how are they going to come back?"
The Giants will be without starting running back Brandon Jacobs on Sunday, as he is out with a sprained MCL in his right knee
Buccaneers: Caddy hopes to play Sunday
Cadillac Williams will be a game-time call on Sunday. He was able to take part in a limited practice on Thursday, according to the St. Petersberg Times. "I'll go out and try it on Sunday, fly around and bump around," Williams said. "It feels real good."
Vikings: It's up to Taylor whether he'll play
Whether Chester Taylor will suit up and play Sunday against the Lions will be his decision. "Sometimes those things get better as they go," Childress told the St. Paul Pioneer Press. "He's done everything he can to put himself in the position, so we'll see. We'll leave it up to him."
Packers: Morency ruled out for Week 2
Vernand Morency has been ruled out for Sunday's contest.
Eagles: Smith to see limited snaps Sunday
L.J. Smith is expected to play again in Week 2. However, offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg indicated that the tight end would see a limited amount of plays as he works his way back from hernia surgery, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer.
Bears: Rookie Olsen might make debut
It appears that Greg Olsen might see his first NFL action on Sunday. "He has made progress each day," coach Lovie Smith told the Chicago Tribune. "He should be available for us."
Raiders: McCown likely out, Culpepper in
Josh McCown is listed as doubtful for Sunday's game due to his foot and finger injuries. Coach Lane Kiffin said Friday that the injuries are expected to keep McCown from playing in Week 2, according to the Contra Costa Times.
Colts: Keiaho unlikely to suit up Sunday
Freddie Keiaho is not expected to play on Sunday. "My sense is we'll probably hold him out," coach Tony Dungy said, according to the Indianapolis Star. "He could play, but I think wisdom would probably be . . . to hold him out and see if we can get him well."
Dolphins: Chatman cleared to play on Sunday
Jesse Chatman is healthy enough to play on Sunday, according to the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.
Ravens: McNair says he's a game-time call
Steve McNair said he will be a game-time call on Sunday due to his strained groin. "If I can go out there and still be able to move and not alter my mechanics, I'm going to play. If I can't, I just can't," McNair told the Baltimore Sun. "That's something we'll know in a couple of days."
Giants' Manning might sit; Favre rolls on
September 15, 2007
Associated Press
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) -- While the Green Bay Packers have been guessing whether quarterback Eli Manning will be playing against them this weekend, the New York Giants have never had a doubt about whom they will be facing.
It's been a given in Green Bay since the third game of the 1992 season. Play the Packers and you go against Brett Favre.
Favre will start his 239th straight game and play in his 241st consecutive overall on Sunday when the Packers (1-0) play the Giants (0-1) in what could be New York's first game without Manning as its starter since the middle of the 2004 season.
Manning, who bruised his right shoulder against Dallas in a 45-35 loss, took some snaps with the first-team offense for the first time on Friday. He had been restricted to throwing on the sidelines earlier in the week.
Coach Tom Coughlin said Manning's playing status will be a game-time decision.
Jared Lorenzen, who grew up idolizing Favre, will make his first NFL start if Manning can't go.
If Manning doesn't play, it also will end the NFL's fourth-longest active streak for consecutive regular-season starts by a quarterback at 40. That's 199 less than Favre's current run, or more than 12 seasons worth of action.
"People say, 'What is the secret?"' Favre said of NFL's third-longest streak for consecutive starts. "Well, there is no secret. I think there are several factors, luck being a big part of that, maybe the biggest factor. If you play long enough, you figure at some point something is going to keep you out of the game: flu, sprained ankle, broken bone, whatever."
Fortunately for the Packers, Favre has avoided the major injury or he has had the mental toughness to play through injuries, including a broken thumb on his throwing hand, that might have sidelined others.
"I think probably the thing that impresses me the most throughout it is that I have played in every game, but I have played at a high enough level and have competed at a level week in and week out where I have never been questioned," Favre said. "I know that I can look in the mirror every time that I have played and say I gave it my all. I played with passion -- maybe didn't play great every time, but played with passion -- and was competitive."
With Manning having one of his best games as a pro, and the Giants offense was very competitive in the season opener. He threw for 312 yards and four touchdowns, including three to Plaxico Burress.
While he has had limited work, Manning said he would be ready to go if the doctors cleared him. If not, "J-Load" gets the call.
Lorenzen has little experience other than preseason. He had two quarterback sneaks in the 2006 season and threw three passes on the Giants' final series against Dallas.
"Jared will be fine," Manning said. "He knows what he is doing. He has been here long enough. But we will see how it goes on Sunday."
Green Bay defensive end Aaron Kampman said the Packers are preparing for the Giants' offense, not a particular quarterback.
"Everyone has a flavor, but you can't adjust an offense that much based off of one guy," Kampman said. "That's a flavor. It's not an entire system or an entire schematic thing. It's more of a flavor of a guy."
Lorenzen expects the Giants to establish their running back with Derrick Ward filling in for the injured Brandon Jacobs (knee) and to spread the ball out among Burress, Amani Toomer and tight end Jeremy Shockey.
Green Bay might be a little handicapped in the secondary with cornerback Al Harris playing with a hyperextended right elbow.
"I hope I get every pass," Harris said when asked if he might be a target for the Giants' quarterback.
Favre and the offense struggled in a 16-13 win over the Eagles last weekend. The offense was limited to 215 yards and 10 first downs. Green Bay got 10 points off Eagles' turnovers on punt returns.
Playing the Giants might wake up the Packers' offense. New York gave up a league-worst 478 yards in its loss to the Cowboys.
"We can't talk about wins, but we can guarantee a better defensive performance," Giants middle linebacker Antonio Pierce said. "We can't do anything but get better than last week, hopefully."
Favre should be familiar with the Giants' defense, which is run by former Eagles assistant Steve Spagnuolo. New York might be a little short-handed with defensive end Osi Umenyiora's status uncertain because of a knee injury sustained in the first quarter last week.
If the Packers win, it will give them their first 2-0 start since they opened the 2001 season with three straight victories. It would also allow Favre to surpass John Elway for all-time wins by a quarterback at 149.
"I think you know how I feel about being labeled with the wins and losses," Favre said. "But if they're going to do it, I'm glad I have a lot more wins than losses. But yeah, that means a lot."