News for the day 11/29/08

The End of the Croom Era New York Times, United States - for the Times when Sylvester Croom was introduced as the first black head football coach in the Southeastern Conference. ...

Bus carrying Washington high school football team overturns USA Today -SEATTLE (AP) — A charter bus carrying a high school football team overturned Friday in a four-vehicle collision on Interstate 5 south of Seattle, ...

DIVISION 1 FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP Rockford rams Lake Orion Detroit Free Press, United States - BY CHRIS LAU • FREE PRESS SPORTS WRITER • The Rams capitalized on several Lake Orion mistakes to win, 26-14, and earned a third state ...

Big 12 South going down to the wire in football Houston Chronicle, United States - By JOSEPH DUARTE Copyright 2008 Houston Chronicle Texas Tech head coach Mike Leach is suddenly a big fan of the Oklahoma State Cowboys. ...

Does anyone out there believe in the magic of Notre Dame football? Chicago Sun-Times, United States - By Kyle Koster Charlie Weis and Notre Dame travel to Los Angeles tonight to take on ...

Weber State football: Wildcats have point to make Deseret News, UT - Weber State head football coach Ron McBride had a message for his players following the Wildcats' costly home loss to Eastern Washington in their ...

Salem-News.Com
Oregon at Oregon State College Football Prediction Point-Spreads.com, FL - Matt Foust is having an unbelieveable college football season; he is 57-45-1 on the year and his clients are up +708.31 units. Matt has a guaranteed side ...

Romo's hot start dooms Seahawks, leads Boys to third straight win
Doug Pensinger / Getty Images Tight end Jason Witten fought through a rib injury to have a big game for the Cowboys. IRVING, Texas -- The Dallas Cowboys are ready for December. On the verge of collapse just a few weeks ago, Tony Romo, DeMarcus Ware and the...

Pats' Seymour practices, hopes to play vs. Steelers
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- Let's get physical has long been the mantra of the Pittsburgh Steelers, who have annually featured a stout defense and strong running game in earning a spot near the top of the AFC. The Steelers' penchant for physical play extends to their quarterback,...

RB Williams a solid start vs. Packers, E. Manning a risk in Week 13
Stephen Dunn/Getty Images Panthers running back DeAngelo Williams is having the best fantasy season of his entire NFL career. Start of the Week Team Player Analysis Carolina Panthers DeAngelo Williams Williams, who ranks sixth in the NFL in rushing yards,...

Favre leads hottest team in great fantasy matchup vs. Broncos
Note: Standard fantasy scoring is used -- six points for a rush/rec TD, one point per 10 yards rush/rec. Titans at Lions Green Light: LenDale White has struggled lately, but he and Chris Johnson should run all over the Lions' 32nd-ranked run defense. Bo Scaife has...

NFL PLAY 60: The NFL Movement For An Active Generation
National Football League New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees shows kids the techniques of football. --> As families gather for the holidays, join the NFL in helping make the next generation of youth, the most active and healthy. Our goal is...

Colts safety Sanders to miss game against Browns
Bob Sanders, S Indianapolis Colts 2008 Statistics: Games: 4 Tackles: 28 INT: 1 INDIANAPOLIS -- Indianapolis Colts safety Bob Sanders will miss Sunday's game in Cleveland against the Browns because of his ailing right knee. Last season's...

Giants' Burress released from hospital after accidental shooting
Plaxico Burress accidentally shot himslef in the right thigh and spent a night in the hospital, another dramatic turn in a tumultuous season for the New York Giants star receiver. The Giants said the shooting happened Friday night and he was released from the hospital on...

McNabb, Eagles get back on track by stuffing Cardinals at home
Nick Laham / Getty Images Eagles QB Donovan McNabb has thrown for at least four touchdowns eleven times in his career. PHILADELPHIA -- Donovan McNabb got pulled for Kevin Kolb again. This time, he earned a seat on the bench with a superb performance instead of...

Titans rebound to thrash Lions on Thanksgiving Day
Duane Burleson / Associated Press LenDale White scored two TDs -- improving his season total to 13 -- as Tennessee crushed Detroit on Thanksgiving. DETROIT -- Chris Johnson was untouched on a short run to the outside and a long gain up the middle. The two...

Forte voted Diet Pepsi Rookie of the Week
Voters on NFL.com and via Sprint wireless service have made their choice. Chicago Bears running back Matt Forte is the Diet Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Week for games played on Nov. 20-24. Forte rushed for 132 yards and two touchdowns on 20 attempts, averaging 6.6 yards per carry, as...

Mangini voted Motorola Coach of the Week
New York Jets head coach Eric Mangini is the Motorola Coach of the Week for games played from Nov. 20-24. Mangini and the Jets handed the Tennessee Titans their first loss of the season with a 34-13 win in Tennessee. QB Brett Favre completed 25 of 32 passes for 224 yards and...

Bengals place offensive linemen Whitworth, Kooistra on IR
CINCINNATI -- The Cincinnati Bengals placed guard Andrew Whitworth and guard/offensive tackle Scott Kooistra on injured reserve Friday and signed two players. Both players were hurt in the Nov. 16 game against Philadelphia, Whitworth with an ankle injury and Kooistra with a...

Browns' Quinn still considering options on broken finger
BEREA, Ohio -- Browns quarterback Brady Quinn is still deciding whether to have surgery on his damaged right index finger. He didn't get much help making up his mind while passing the turkey and mashed potatoes around the Thanksgiving table. "I don't have a bunch of...

DBs Jammer, Tinoisamoa have increasing value in IDP leagues
You know the drill by now. With a berth in the fantasy playoffs or a possible postseason seed at stake, the waiver wire is as important as ever. Here's your list of defensive players that can help you in Week 13. Quentin Jammer, CB, Chargers - The Chargers...

Bills' Royal, Greer ruled out against San Francisco
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. -- Bills starting tight end Robert Royal and starting cornerback Jabari Greer won't play because of injuries when Buffalo hosts the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday. Jabari Greer, CB Buffalo Bills 2008 Statistics: Tackles: 37 Pass Def.:...

Abraham promises to play vs. Chargers; Brooking questionable
No worries for John Abraham, even though the Falcons' three-time Pro Bowl defensive end didn't return after sustaining a mild concussion in last week's win over Carolina. Despite being listed as questionable on the injury report, Abraham promises to be in the lineup...

MRI tests reveal no significant damage for Cowboys' Ware, Barber
IRVING, Texas -- Injured Dallas linebacker DeMarcus Ware and running back Marion Barber underwent MRI exams on Friday which revealed no significant damage a day after both were injured in the Cowboys' Thanksgiving Day win over Seattle. An MRI exam on Ware's...

Steelers' Parker practices, but status remains uncertain
PITTSBURGH -- Steelers running back Willie Parker practiced for the second successive day Friday despite left knee inflammation and could play Sunday at New England. Parker is listed as questionable; Steelers players who practice on the Friday before games usually play. ...

Texans QB Schaub on the mend, could play against Jags
HOUSTON -- Matt Schaub returned to practice this week and Houston Texans coach Gary Kubiak said there's a chance he could play Monday night against Jacksonville. Schaub has missed the past three games after injuring his left knee against Minnesota. The team first said he would...

Texans QB Schaub on the mend, could play against Jags
HOUSTON -- Matt Schaub returned to practice this week and Houston Texans coach Gary Kubiak said there's a chance he could play Monday night against Jacksonville. Schaub has missed the past three games after injuring his left knee against Minnesota. The team first said he would...

Week 13 will show sweeps are hard to come by on the road
10 hot topics for Week 13 Week 13 is big for rematch games and last week taught us something about the situation. A record total of 837 points were scored in Week 12, but that mark may not stand for long. While Donovan McNabb responded to being benched with a ...

Portis misses practice again; Giants declare WR Burress out
Nov. 30-Dec. 1 Team Injuries/Analysis Atlanta Falcons Injuries: OUT -- T Sam Baker (hip, back), WR Laurent Robinson (hamstring); QUESTIONABLE -- DE John Abraham (neck), T Todd Weiner (knee), LB Keith Brooking (knee), K Jason Elam (left hip), WR Brian Finneran (hamstring), DT...

Reed voted the Week 12 GMC Sierra Defensive Player of the Week
Ravens safety Ed Reed is the GMC Sierra Defensive Player of the Week for games played on Nov. 13-17. Reed was selected from among five finalists by voters on NFL.com/gmc. The other finalists were cornerback Ronde Barber of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, linebacker Lance Briggs of...

Relive the best games played on Thanksgiving through the years
Doug Benc / Getty Images Colts QB Peyton Manning threw a career-high six touchdowns against the Lions on Thanksgiving Day in 2004. Since the Akron Pros defeated the Canton Bulldogs 7-0 in 1920, the NFL has been playing on Thanksgiving Day. The 1922...

New stadiums are pulling out all the stops
Dallas Cowboys The Cowboys' new stadium, set to open next season, has been designed to maximize the fans' overall experience. Take a quick spin around the web site devoted to the Dallas Cowboys' new stadium, and you can't help but be overwhelmed by...

Roundup of Friday's IHSA football championship Chicago Tribune, United States - AP CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - The Illinois High School Association state championship football games wrapped up for Classes 1A-4A at Memorial Stadium Friday night. ...

Burnt Hills football trails after first quarter Albany Times Union, NY - By JAMES ALLEN, Staff writer SYRACUSE - After the opening quarter, Sweet Home (12-0) leads Burnt Hills 21-7 in the Class A state championship football game ...

Kiffin to Become Tennessee’s Football Coach, News Sentinel Says Bloomberg - Lane Kiffin agreed to become football coach for the University of Tennessee, less than two months after being fired as coach of the ...

Miami-Ohio coach Montgomery resigns - Oxford, OH (Sports Network) - Miami-Ohio head football coach Shane Montgomery resigned Saturday after four seasons at the helm. The RedHawks struggled to a ...

News for the Day 11/27/08

In Detroit, Tradition Takes a Hike Washington Post, United States - Certainly not at Ford Field, where the lowly Lions of the National Football League offer their fans scant refuge from the economic storm. ...

ESPN-BCS Marriage Might End Up Hurting Football Washington Post, United States - There also is Thursday-Friday coverage of The Masters and US Open, "Monday Night Football", a significant schedule of Major League Baseball, NBA, NHL, ...

Coach loved football and his players Chicago Tribune, United States - By Joan Giangrasse Kates Special to the Tribune Paul Raffaelli long ago earned the love and respect of his Fenwick High School football players. ...

Ute football: Whittingham would like playoff Salt Lake Tribune, United States - By Lya Wodraska As often happens this time of year, several coaches and national critics are calling for a college football playoff system. ...

Weber football: Wildcats find a happy heart Salt Lake Tribune, United States - They went on to tear off one of the best football seasons in school history, winning the Big Sky title and qualifying for the Football Championship ...

College football: Rivalries and doomsday scenarios Salt Lake Tribune, United States - By Lya Wodraska There are several rivalry games with conference and bowl implications this weekend, but none are going to get the attention of the one held ...

Football: D.J. Morgan and coach talk about Taft's victory Los Angeles Times, CA - Taft beat San Fernando, 40-17, in the Valley Mud Bowl -- I mean, the City Section Championship Division quarterfinals -- on Wednesday night, ...

Big Ten football season review DetNews.com, MI - As another Big Ten regular season ends, it's time to look at the best, worst and most entertaining people and moments of the season. ...

Pro Football Hall of Fame announces 25 modern-day semifinalists Pro Football Weekly, IL - By PFW staff The Pro Football Hall of Fame has announced the 25 semifinalists for the Class of 2009. Included are four first-year eligible players — John ...

Mr. College Football Atlanta Journal Constitution, USA - All of you are passionate about the game of college football. That is why this blog works so well. We can argue about who’s right or wrong, but there is no ...

Fantasy football picks for Week 13 Dallas Morning News, TX - You don't need me advising you to start Drew Brees and Anquan Boldin, or to steer clear of Trent Green and Earnest Wilford. So I'll spare you the obvious ...

Sports Briefing College Football No. 15 Ball State Reaches 12-0 New York Times, United States - By AP MiQuale Lewis ran for three touchdowns, and Nate Davis threw for a touchdown and ran for another Tuesday night to keep No. ...

Utah Utes, BYU football: should have solid recruiting classes Deseret News, UT - By Dick Harmon The Utes and Cougars should continue to dominate the Mountain West Conference in the quality of recruits when national letters of intent are ...

Siedlecki announces retirementBoston Globe, United States - 8 hours agoBy John Powers Jack Siedlecki retired yesterday after a dozen years as Yale's head football coach, accepting a position as an assistant athletic director at ...

Two football-playing brothers at Needham say hard times have made ... Boston Globe, United States - (Matthew J. Lee/Globe Staff) Doug Morgan (left), 18, a senior fullback on Needham High School's football team, keeps an eye on his brother, Zach, 17, ...

High school football Finals preview DetNews.com, MI - "Seven players off of last year's team are playing college football somewhere. We did have more talent last year, but we have an experienced line. ...

College football playoffs aren't a new idea Los Angeles Times, CA - They were also a pretty good time to start a college football playoff, if you asked one prominent member of the coaching community. Radio host Vin Smith, ...

USU football: Former Aggie center stage in coaching drama Deseret News, UT - By Jared Eborn The rumor mill surrounding Utah State's football coaching vacancy has centered on a small group of potential replacements for Brent Guy. ...

All-area football Homestead's Harris named player of year Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, WI - Last year, he was named the state's defensive player of the year by the Wisconsin Football Coaches' Association after the Highlanders lost to Arrowhead in ...

Prep Notebook Bonney Lake football coach Jeff Gardner resigns Seattle Times, United States - Jeff Gardner, who started the Bonney Lake football program when the high school opened in 2005, has resigned as head coach. By Sandy Ringer Jeff Gardner, ...

Fantasy Football: Week 13 Connecticut Post, CT - It appears we are heading into the final days of Donovan McNabb's tenure in Philadelphia. The franchise quarterback was pulled from last Sunday's game ...

2008 Saginaw News Football Dream Team MLive.com, MI - The first-year Carrollton High School football coach worked wonders with the Cavaliers, leading the team to its first playoff appearance and its first ...

Excerpts from this week's Longhorn football chat Austin American-Statesman, TX - Alan: Sometimes I feel like Mack would even take a knee in a video football game. Q: Is the situation with Mack and Will as the HC in waiting as rosy as it ...

For some, football will be main course on Thanksgiving Austin American-Statesman, TX - By Ricardo Gándara For the first time in more than a decade, University of Texas football is complicating Thanksgiving today, which means diehard Longhorn ...

SouthtownStar/Pepsi Football Player of the Year Southtown Star, IL - Jordan Lynch, of Mount Carmel High School, is the 2008 SouthtownStar Football Player of the Year. But at Mount Carmel, with its famed option attack, ...

Pac-10 Football: Not everyone backs OSU Seattle Times, United States - In Corvallis, you've got this cuddly story — one-time perennially losing football program on the brink of the Rose Bowl — and who could resist it? ...

Thanksgiving and football enjoy a bountiful marriage Palm Beach Post, United States - and lots of football (the only conceivable explanation for why, year after year, we stomach the wretched Detroit Lions). A recent survey revealed that while ...

Excerpts from this week's Aggie football chat Austin American-Statesman, TX - Excerpts from this week's Aggie football live chat hosted by Statesman beat writer Randy Riggs on his blog, The 12th Word at Texas A&M. ...

Marc Narducci: Making Thanksgiving football memories Philadelphia Inquirer, It certainly will, especially since McDevitt may not play football at the next level. He is also a top lacrosse talent, the brother of former Penn Charter ...

College Football No. 1 Alabama needs a breakthrough Seattle Times, United States - It's the topic Alabama players can't escape. The top-ranked Crimson Tide's fans want to know when Alabama will reclaim the state. Six consecutive losses to. ...

Busy time with prep football, Griffins and turkey The Grand Rapids Press - MLive.com, MI - We have Thanksgiving today, Griffins home games Friday and Saturday, and, of course, the state high school football championships at Ford Field. ...

Prep Football Notebook Ferris seeking cracks in Spartans' armor Seattle Times, United States - Coaches at Ferris of Spokane will stick with their strengths after seeing no apparent weaknesses in their semifinal opponent, top-ranked Skyline. ...

Iowa all-state football teams have local flavor Quad City Times, IA - By Times staff DES MOINES — The Iowa Newspaper Association announced its 2008 All-State Football ...

Pack football: Pulling for Nevada? Then root against these teams Carson Times, NV - By Dan Hinxman Coach Chris Ault's proclamation Monday that he would recommend the Nevada football team turn down a ...

Day of thanks is more than just turkey and football Lancaster Eagle Gazette, OH -Football games will be viewed by millions, but it's not just about football. More than 200 years ago the first president of the US, with the urging of ...

Football rivalry will get personal when brothers face off Eagle Tribune, MA - Kenny and Kyle Kobierski grew up in the North Andover Booster Club Youth Football system, which means they learned one important thing: You must beat ...

OLE MISS FOOTBALL NEWS - 11/27/08 MrSEC, Knoxville - The sports editor of The Oxford Eagle believes Ole Miss will definitely land a Cotton Bowl bid with a win tomorrow over Mississippi State. ...

Football Player of the Year: Arundel's versatile Lemon gets best ... Annapolis Capital, MD - "Any progression he's made between his junior year and senior year, you can really attribute it to the fact he dedicated himself to football," said Sean ...

College football coaches are on the hot seat Omaha World-Herald, NE - He had led the Lobos to five bowl appearances in seven seasons since 2002 — and he had the most football victories in school history. ...

Ohio State football Offensive line back where it wants to be Columbus Dispatch, OH - "We just ran our basic scheme, old-school Ohio State football," Rehring said. But it begged the question: What took everybody so long to get back on the ...

UW Football Report: TCU coach Gary Patterson isn't a candidate ... Seattle Times, United States - TCU football coach Gary Patterson was on Washington's list of candidates but there is "no interest on his part," the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reported. ...

2008 Advocate Football Coach of the Year: Randy Baughman The Newark Advocate, OH Said senior Drew Ryan: "He knows when to talk football and have a good time. At practice, he can be yelling one minute and 10 minutes later, he's telling a ...

Quick Take: Cardinals (7-4) at Eagles (5-5-1)
Jim McIsaac / Getty Images Eagles running back Brian Westbrook has struggled in recent weeks. Last meeting The host Cardinals defeated the Eagles, 27-21, in 2005. Streaks The former NFC East rivals have split their only two meetings since 2002....

Vick pleads guilty, could speed release from prison
SUSSEX, Va. -- Former NFL quarterback Michael Vick pleaded guilty Tuesday to a state dogfighting charge, a move that could make him eligible to leave prison early and potentially speed up a return to pro football. Vick, 28, arrived wearing wrist and ankle shackles with his gray...

New York, New York: Rankings have a Big Apple feel
This is how the NFL's 32 teams stack up after Week 12: In the hunt Teams that look good enough to be among the 12 playoff qualifiers, but not based on conference. Rank Team Record Prv. Comment 1. New York Giants 10-1 2 They've long made the argument to be on top,...

Colts back as contender, but road to Super Bowl won't be easy
Lenny Ignelzi / Associated Press Adam Vinatieri's 51-yard boot set up the Colts for a late-season march toward the playoffs. Once again, the Colts force us to pay attention to them. And not the same way we did when they were 3-4 and seemingly headed nowhere.

Struggling Eagles host Cardinals team on brink of playoff berth
It's no time to celebrate for Donovan McNabb and the Philadelphia Eagles. An unpleasant Thanksgiving in Philadelphia could await McNabb, two days after his birthday and four days after being benched for the first time in his career, if he struggles again and the...

Steelers' Parker questionable for Patriots
PITTSBURGH -- The Pittsburgh Steelers, unable to get their running game going recently without Willie Parker, may not have Parker or four other starters for Sunday's key AFC game at New England. Defensive end Brett Keisel could miss three games with a sprained medial...
Nov 26, 2008
AFC-best Titans looking for bounce-back game against Lions
The Tennessee Titans are looking to rebound from a loss for the first time this year. Rose in bed of weeds The one bright spot to the cruelty of this callous Lions season? A new star is emerging and fans will finally get a chance to take a look, writes Thomas George. More ...

Falcons' Turner proving hard to take down, even harder to ignore
Matthew Stockman / Getty Images Falcons running back Michael Turner is one of the league's toughest players to take down. The decision said everything. With Jason Elam already running onto the field, Falcons coach Mike Smith called his kicker back to...

Quick Take: Chiefs (1-10) at Raiders (3-8)
Doug Pensinger / Getty Images The Raiders will look to pound the ball against the struggling Chiefs defense. Last meeting Darren McFadden rushed for 164 yards and a touchdown to lead the Raiders past the Chiefs, 23-8, in Week 2. Streaks The Chiefs...

Cowboys hope to boost playoff hopes against stumbling Seahawks
With Tony Romo returning to form and getting in sync with Terrell Owens, the Dallas Cowboys appear to be putting their mid-season slump long behind them. Romo and Owens look to lead the Cowboys to their third straight victory and boost their playoff hopes when they host the...

Retirement can wait for Warner, who has some unfinished business
Jeff Robinson / Associated Press MVP candidate Kurt Warner has the Cardinals on the verge of their first division title in 33 years. TEMPE, Ariz. -- When Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner takes the same field as Donovan McNabb Thursday night in Philadelphia, he...

Browns' Quinn to miss last five games with broken finger
BEREA, Ohio -- Brady Quinn's opportunity came and went in a hurry. He waited his whole life to make the NFL and then 1½ years more for his first start for the Cleveland Browns. And then, it was gone -- a three-and-out more painful than any before. Brady Quinn,...

Light, Crowder fined $15K each by NFL but avoid suspensions
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- Matt Light of the New England Patriots and Channing Crowder of the Miami Dolphins were fined $15,000 apiece by the NFL on Wednesday for what the league called "a verbal and physical altercation" last Sunday. Neither will be suspended, the...

New stadiums are pulling out all the stops
Dallas Cowboys The Cowboys' new stadium, set to open next season, has been designed to maximize the fans' overall experience. Take a quick spin around the web site devoted to the Dallas Cowboys' new stadium, and you can't help but be overwhelmed by...

Bills look to salvage playoff hopes against Niners
The Buffalo Bills have some swagger back on offense, but now they need to keep it going in order to boost their playoff hopes. That shouldn't be much of a problem against the lowly San Francisco 49ers. After snapping a four-game losing streak with their best offensive...

A look at what's ahead in Week 13
12:30 p.m. ET, CBS (Thurs.) Tennessee at Detroit Matchup Storyline Did you know? Series leader: Titans, 6-3. Streaks: The Titans have won four of the last five matchups against the Lions, including a 24-19 win in the most recent matchup on Jan. 2, 2005. While this...

Polamalu vs. Cassel among the big battles in Week 13
Getty Images Patriots QB Matt Cassel has been on fire, but he faces his toughest challenge yet against Troy Polamalu and the Steelers. Here are some key matchups to watch for Week 13: Chicago LB Lance Briggs vs. Minnesota RB Adrian Peterson ...

Manly House of Football: Awkward playoff potential
It was hard to watch the Saints knock the playoff stuffing out of the Packers and shake the nagging thought: "How the hell do the Chargers tell Drew Brees to pack his bags?!" Nothing against Phillip Rivers, but you compound that decision with the switch from Marty Schottenheimer...

Turner leads playoff-contending Falcons into clash with former team
Michael Turner made the most of limited opportunities with the San Diego Chargers. Now, nobody's getting the ball more often than LaDainian Tomlinson's former backup. The Atlanta Falcons, one of the NFL's top rushing teams thanks to Turner, look to at least keep...

Colts look for fifth straight win against struggling Browns
The Indianapolis Colts appear to have saved their season with four straight nail-biting victories. The Cleveland Browns' year just keeps getting worse. The Browns will be without quarterback Brady Quinn for the rest of the season, which means Derek Anderson will start Sunday...

Understudies become stars in Giants' off-Broadway hit
It would hardly be a stretch of the imagination to state that many New York Giants season ticket holders also attend Broadway shows along Manhattan's Great White Way. Giants 37, Cardinals 29 NFL Films takes you inside the sights and sounds from the...

Porter apologizes, says incident blown out of proportion
DAVIE, Fla. -- Miami Dolphins linebacker Joey Porter apologized Wednesday for not leaving the field during Sunday's game against New England, but said the incident was blown out of proportion. The NFL sack leader would not leave the game as Dolphins first-year coach Tony...

Foot injury could sideline Fletcher for first time in his career
ASHBURN, Va. -- London Fletcher was one of three Redskins defensive starters unable to practice Wednesday because of foot injuries, putting the middle linebacker's streak of 130 consecutive NFL starts in jeopardy. Fletcher sprained his foot in last week's 20-17...

Giants 37, Cardinals 29
Game capsule Manning leads Giants in desert Eli Manning insists he never flashed back to his previous game in Glendale. Everyone who watched him Sunday must have. Manning threw for three touchdowns in his return to the scene of his Super Bowl MVP performance and the New...

Bears, Vikings square off for first place in the NFC North
If the Minnesota Vikings learned anything from their last matchup with the Chicago Bears, it may be that they should stick with the rushing attack. When the Bears visit the Metrodome on Sunday night with first place in the NFC North at stake, it seems likely they will get a big dose...

Tynes asks president to commute brother's sentence
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- Placekicker Lawrence Tynes of the Super Bowl champion New York Giants has asked the Bush administration to commute a lengthy sentence given to his brother for distributing marijuana. Tynes, who kicked the winning field goal in the NFC title game in...

Bengals' Johnson, Lewis ready to move on
CINCINNATI -- Asked if he has learned anything from his benching for a verbal altercation with a Cincinnati Bengals coach, receiver Chad Johnson thought for a few seconds before barely smiling and giving a one-word answer. Chad Johnson, WR Cincinnati Bengals ...

Anatomy of a Play: Fine line between stupid and spectacular
The Jets are now the team to beat in the AFC. If you disagree, you should take a look at their last two performances, each an impressive road win over a playoff contender. In two wins against the 7-4 Patriots and 10-1 Titans, the Jets rushed for 165 yards per game and had a...

Bills safety Whitner back at practice, could return against 49ers
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. -- Strong safety Donte Whitner returned to practice Wednesday, creating the chance the Buffalo Bills' defensive leader will be ready to play against San Francisco this weekend. Coach Dick Jauron said he'll have a better idea of Whitner's status...

Anatomy of a Play: Slowing down Cards' dynamic passing game
Statistically, the Arizona Cardinals have one of the best passing offenses in NFL history and Kurt Warner is one of two quarterbacks this season (New Orleans' Drew Brees is the other) who are on pace to break Dan Marino's NFL single-season passing record of 5,084 yards.

Harris, Smith return to practice for Jets after injuries
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- New York Jets linebacker David Harris and safety Eric Smith both returned to practice Wednesday for the first time since suffering injuries last month. Sterling Sharpe chat "I like [the Jets'] chances the rest of the way. I like how they play.

Bears cornerback Vasher out indefinitely with fractured hand
LAKE FOREST, Ill. -- Chicago Bears defensive back Nathan Vasher has a fractured right hand and will miss Sunday night's game against the Minnesota Vikings when the teams meet for first place in the NFC North. Vasher, who'd missed three games earlier this season with...

RB Williams a solid start vs. Packers, E. Manning a risk in Week 13
Stephen Dunn/Getty Images Panthers running back DeAngelo Williams is having the best fantasy season of his entire NFL career. Start of the Week Team Player Analysis Carolina Panthers DeAngelo Williams Williams, who ranks sixth in the NFL in rushing yards,...

Cassel growing confidence, but faces tough test as Pats host Steelers
The subject of criticism earlier this season as he attempted to fill the shoes of the reigning NFL MVP, Matt Cassel has been anything but a liability for the New England Patriots lately. Still, he hasn't seen anything like the Pittsburgh Steelers defense. Four downs ...

Raiders running game seeks to end Chiefs' domination in Oakland
Oakland has been dominated at home by the Kansas City Chiefs in recent years, partly because it has had a tough time gaining yards on the ground. Running the ball, however, is one of the few things the Raiders have been able to do well this season. Fan feedback Is Tyler...

Favre leads hottest team in great fantasy matchup vs. Broncos
Note: Standard fantasy scoring is used -- six points for a rush/rec TD, one point per 10 yards rush/rec. Titans at Lions Green Light: LenDale White has struggled lately, but he and Chris Johnson should run all over the Lions' 32nd-ranked run defense. Bo Scaife has...
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Bills injured DE Schobel resumes light workouts
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. -- Defensive end Aaron Schobel is on track to return within three weeks after the Buffalo Bills' top pass-rusher began light workouts to test his injured left foot this week, The Associated Press has learned. Aaron Schobel, DE Buffalo Bills ...

Lions may be winless, but they possess one of NFL's best
Domenic Centofanti / Getty Images While the Lions have struggled, Calvin Johnson is having a breakout season. A cruelty of this callous 0-11 Detroit Lions season was the setup. The Lions were a buoyant 4-0 in preseason games. They even toppled the defending...

Titans RB Johnson should rebound with some nice matchups
Good Matchups Chris Johnson, RB, Titans: Johnson had been a non-factor in fantasy the last three weeks. He had just 118 yards rushing and no touchdowns over that stretch. Look for this to change in his next two matchups, as he faces ever fantasy owners' favorite defense, the Lions...

Role players adding spice to Saints' already-zesty gumbo
Tony Gutierrez / Associated Press Extra effort has helped the diminutive Lance Moore make his mark in the NFL. Fresh off New Orleans capping an NFL-record week for scoring (837 points) with a 51-29 victory over Green Bay on Monday night, the Saints acknowledged...

News for the 11/18/08

Sports of The Times Sorry, Mr. Obama, College Football Isn’t Sensible New York Times, United States - By GEORGE VECSEY Still seeking change, President-elect Barack Obama has come out squarely in favor of an eight-team playoff system for college football, ...

Utah State football: Search to replace Guy begins Deseret News, UT - By Jared Eborn LOGAN — Faced with the daunting task of rebuilding a floundering Utah State football team, Brent Guy has pounded plenty of nails and worked ...

Football Draws Viewers New York Times, United States - Nielsen’s overnight estimates show NBC’s broadcast was the second-highest-rated “Sunday Night Football” game this season (final numbers are expected ...

Woman Arrested for Stabbing 5 at High School Football Game Melee FOXNews - A 21-year-old woman is in custody after authorities say she stabbed five people during a fight at a high school football game. Melanie Vanessa Mitchell was ...

Should President-elect Obama concern himself with an NCAA bowl ... Baltimore Sun, United States - the First Fan wants to pick up the phone and tell college football's pooh-bahs that he supports a national championship game, more power to him. ...

Behind the curtain at NFL Films, 'where football was born' USA Today - From magazine covers to comic books, to football cards to perhaps the world's largest collection of football games in an area that Sabol named "The Board ...

The year of change for LI football Newsday, NY - This is the year of change in Long Island football. This is really unique and unexpected. For the first time in the 17-year history of the Long Island ...

Edina's Anders Lee is Star Tribune's Metro Football Player of the Year Minneapolis Star Tribune, MN - Those who have perceived Edina's Anders Lee as an elite hockey player who dabbled in football might have to rethink their evaluation. ...

McNabb thought there's no tying in football San Jose Mercury News, USA - By John Ryan "I never knew in the professional ranks it would end that way. I hate to see what would happen in the Super Bowl and in the playoffs," Donovan ...

Harbaugh committed to staying at Stanford; Gerhart might leave San Jose Mercury News, "I felt like that's what a Stanford degree and playing college football and stuff was worth to me," said Gerhart, who is on pace to graduate with a degree ...

Are you rowdy for some football? Buffalo News, United States - By Gene Warner So who has the rowdiest fans in the National Football League? Buffalo Bills fans were stung last month when the Wall Street Journal said the ...

Utah football: Victory could send Utes to Orange, Sugar Salt Lake Tribune, United States - By Lya Wodraska While the BYU Cougars seem destined for another trip to the Las Vegas Bowl regardless of who wins Saturday's showdown with Utah in ...

Rolex Watches Awarded to College Football Players at the ... MarketWatch - The prestigious Davey O'Brien award, named after the famed TCU (Texas Christian University) football player, includes a $10000 tuition scholarship and a ...

Chapel Hill High, Family Mourn Football Star’s Death MyNC.com, NC - By Lauren Hills, NBC17, 12 hours, 38 minutes ago The mother of the Chapel Hill High School football player who died in a weekend hit-and-run accident is ...

Foster Named Missouri Valley Football Conference Offensive Lineman ... NDSU Bison Athletics, ND - North Dakota State offensive guard Ryan Foster was named Missouri Valley Football Conference Offensive Lineman of the Week. The announcement was made Monday ...

Cousins Cleared by AFL to Play Football After Drug ScandalBloomberg -(Bloomberg) -- Australian Football League premiership player and recovering drug addict Ben Cousins was cleared to return to play in 2009, ...

Tampa Bay Bucs' debt to John Lynch is also to Bill Walsh Tampabay.com, FL - In the current community of Buccaneers football, Lynch was the earliest settler. The first guy to wander into, and somehow thrive, in what was once the ...

Prep football: Top linemen to square off in 4A final Salt Lake Tribune, United States - of the most-talented matchups in the state. "They are both great football players, both great competitors. It's going to be a great battle," Thomas said.

HList looks back at football weekend Gazette Online, IA - "It's a beautiful Big Ten football weather day." It wasn't so lovely to Michigan fans. Most fled their stadium long before the game ended. ...

Savor Minnesota-Iowa football rivalry like fine swine Minneapolis Star Tribune, MN - The Minnesota-Iowa football game used to bring out the worst in players and fans, until the states' governors and a prize hog named Floyd calmed racial ...

Duane Davis ousted as football coach at Gulf Shores Press-Register - al.com, AL - By JOSH BEAN Gulf Shores football coach Duane Davis has been fired — less than two weeks after the Dolphins made their first playoff appearance in school ...

Northern Illinois vs Kent State College Football Predictions Sports-Odds.com, FL - Northern Illinois vs Kent State College Football Predictions: The Huskies (5-5) are on a two game losing streak after a loss last week to Central Michigan ...

Youth football coach accused of bullying Waukegan News Sun, IL - COM GURNEE -- Two Warren Township youth football teams will play for the championship title in their weight classes when the season winds up this weekend. ...

WAC notebook: Guy out as Utah State's head football coach Carson Times, NV - By Dan Hinxman • dhinxman@rgj.com • November 18, 2008 Brent Guy confirmed Monday that his tenure as Utah State football coach has come to an end. ...

College football: Syracuse fires Robinson as coach Chicago Tribune, United States - Greg Robinson was fired Sunday with Syracuse nearing the end of a fourth straight dismal season under his leadership. Robinson, who will coach the ...

Top prospect quits football for motorcycle school Atlanta Journal Constitution, USA - One of Florida’s top college prospects has decided to quit football and enroll in motorcycle ...

Central Michigan vs Ball State Football Betting Odds & Spread BetFirms, IA - For those of you looking to do a little NCAA football betting this week, the oddsmakers have Ball State 7 point favorites over the Chippewas at ...

Northern Iowa Football: Panthers dismiss Gray, Williams from team .. .DesMoinesRegister.com, IA - Northern Iowa football coach Mark Farley said Monday that leading wide receivers Johnny Gray and Victor Williams have been dismissed from the team. ...UPDATE: Gray, Williams dismissed from UNI football team Waterloo

How Texas Tech-Oklahoma game impacts Missouri football St. Louis Post-Dispatch, United States - By Vahe Gregorian Between having a bye week, the Kansas menace lurking before the Big 12 title game and a confounding scenario in the Big 12 South, ...

City politics and football could mixSun newspapers, FL - 4 hours agoThe more I think of it, I equate being a head coach of an NFL football team to serving as a city commissioner. Both play important roles in the economy. ...

Singletary among nominees for Motorola NFL Coach of the Week
Eric Mangini of the New York Jets, Mike McCarthy of the Green Bay Packers and Mike Singletary of the San Francisco 49ers are the finalists for the Motorola NFL Coach of the Week for games played Nov. 13-16. Voting will take place until 11 a.m. ET on Friday with the winner...

Can't-Miss Plays of Week 11
Rare feet It's a Can't-Miss Plays first, but noteworthy nonetheless, as Ravens kicker Matt Stover sets a new NFL record with 372 consecutive successful PATs. Watch Clip ???? Game Highlights ???? Game Center ???? Photos Right man, right...

Injury-ravaged Broncos ride rookie RB Hillis past host Falcons
Kevin C. Cox / Getty Images Peyton??Hillis became the 10th rookie to start at least one game at running back under Mike Shanahan. ATLANTA -- The Denver Broncos have come up with all sorts of ways to deal with their injuries, from starting a player on both sides of...

Dunn, Keller among fantasy players to target for Week 12
Al Bello/Getty Images Jets rookie tight end Dustin??Keller has been a big source of points for fantasy leaguers in recent weeks. Here's a quick look at 10 players to target off the waiver wire as we head into Week 12 of the fantasy season. Deion...
Michael Fabiano

Reed's boot secures Steelers' ugly win over Chargers
Gregory Shamus / Getty Images James??Harrison's sack in the first half led to the Steelers' first points of the game. PITTSBURGH -- There's never been a game like this in NFL history. The bizarre 11-10 final score was fitting because the Chargers...

Cowboys get their leader back, return to playoff race with win
Paul Sakuma / Associated Press Tony??Romo's return helped the Cowboys snap a three-game road losing streak. LANDOVER. Md. -- Tony Romo's post-victory press conference late Sunday night needed to come to an end. The jovial Cowboys quarterback didn't want...
Steve Wyche

Referee says officials errantly voided Steelers TD
PITTSBURGH -- The first 11-10 game in NFL history shouldn't have ended that way, referee Scott Green said after a last-minute touchdown was errantly taken away from the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday. The officiating mistake didn't affect the outcome since the Steelers...

Vote for the best photo of Week 11
?? Just in time Keith Srakocic / Associated Press Steelers safety Troy Polamalu intercepts a pass by Chargers QB Philip Rivers right before it hits the ground. All wrapped up G. Newman Lowrance / Getty Images Saints TE Jeremy Shockey runs out of...

Steelers rediscover the ground game, while Giants expose Ravens
Week 11 had its own personality to say the least. We had a tie, the return of Tony Romo, Brett Favre making the Jets' front office look like a group of geniuses, seven division games, a statement game by the world champions, four teams with more than 200 yards rushing, a couple...
Pat Kirwan

Nominees for FedEx Air & Ground Players of the Week
Quarterbacks Kerry Collins of the Tennessee Titans, Peyton Manning of the Indianapolis Colts and Kurt Warner of the Arizona Cardinals are the finalists for the FedEx Air NFL Player of the Week honors for games played on November 16-17, while running backs Ryan Grant of the Green Bay...

Several key performers help Dallas save its season
Jim McIsaac / Getty Images Cornerback Terence Newman played a key role in the Cowboys' win Sunday night against Washington. Week 11 had something for everyone -- win, lose??? or tie. It started Thursday night with the Jets-Patriots overtime game on...
Gil Brandt

Patriots prepare for second look at 'Wildcat' offense
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- Patriots coach Bill Belichick is preparing his team for another look at the Dolphins' unusual "Wildcat" offense. Anatomy of a Play Jim Rogash / Getty Images NFL Films' Greg Cosell breaks down how the Dolphins' new...

Vote now for the GMC Sierra Defensive Player of the Week
Jets linebacker Eric Barton, Titans defensive back Chris Carr, Steelers linebacker James Harrison, Panthers defensive end Julius Peppers and Giants cornerback Aaron Ross are the nominees for GMC Sierra Defensive Player of the Week for games played on Nov. 13-17. Fans can vote for...
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Slaton among five finalists for Diet Pepsi Rookie of the Week
Tight end Dustin Keller of the New York Jets, fullback/linebacker Spencer Larsen of the Denver Broncos, cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie of the Arizona Cardinals, running back Steve Slaton of the Houston Texans and running back Jonathan Stewart of the Carolina Panthers are...

Vikings' Kevin and Pat Williams to meet with NFL
NEW YORK -- Minnesota Vikings defensive linemen Kevin and Pat Williams were to meet with NFL officials to appeal their suspensions after testing positive for a weight-loss diuretic considered a masking agent for steroids. The hearing was to be followed Tuesday by...

Boldin, Fitzgerald thriving in a season of failed wide receivers
Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images Cardinals wide receiver Anquan Boldin has been one of the hottest players in fantasy football since Week 8. A number of prominent fantasy wide receivers have been unreliable and unproductive this season. Randy Moss has been...
Michael Fabiano

Ginn a tonic: Emerging receiver a real boost for Dolphins
Marc Serota / Getty Images Ted??Ginn Jr. has two touchdowns in the Dolphins' last two games. Miami's remarkable rise from 1-15 to thus far a 6-4 record helps put the screws to other struggling franchises around the league. It increases the heat in...
Thomas George

Graham's injury opens the door for this year's "Earnest Graham"
With Sunday's games in the books, here's a brief list of the most significant depth chart changes affecting fantasy leagues: TAMPA BAY RB Rising: Warrick Dunn. Falling: Earnest Graham. Graham suffered an ankle injury on his first carry Sunday, paving the way for a game-high...
Kenn Ruby

Tie? What tie? Players getting education on NFL rules
PHILADELPHIA -- Tie? What tie? Thanks to Donovan McNabb, players around the league now must know there doesn't have to be a winner or loser in every regular-season game. Yes, there are ties in the NFL. They just don't happen too often. A day after the Philadelphia...

NFL explains ruling at end of Chargers-Steelers game
The NFL released a statement Monday explaining the ending of the San Diego-Pittsburgh game. On the final play of Sunday's game between the Chargers and Steelers, Pittsburgh safety Troy Polamalu returned a loose ball 12 yards for a defensive touchdown. After an...

News of the Day 11/14/08

2 WVU football players charged with battery The Associated Press — Two West Virginia football players have been charged with battery stemming from an early morning incident at a Morgantown bar in late October. ...

Decline in black coaches concerns Willingham The Associated Press - Willingham, the Huskies' football coach who has been fired effective at the end of the season, Romar, the men's basketball coach, and women's basketball ...

Prep Notebook UW to induct Meadowdale football coach Mark Stewart Seattle Times, United States - By Seattle Times staff; Seattle Times staff Mark Stewart, Meadowdale High School football coach and a former University of Washington linebacker, ...

UNCC kicks off move to launch football Bizjournals.com, NC - UNC Charlotte’s board of trustees on Thursday unanimously approved Chancellor Phil Dubois’ recommendation to add a football program. ...

College Football Texas Tech at the Top? Michael Lewis Isn't Surprised New York Times, United States - 19 hours ago1 ranking in college football, wowing everyone with a high-scoring innovative offense along the way. Three years ago, Michael Lewis saw this storm coming ...

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PLAYOFFS: Power program Atlanta Journal Constitution, USA - The football teams were good but never a factor in the state playoffs. Herron wasn’t looking to leave Oconee County but found an envelope from Camden on his ...

Five college football hot spots Minneapolis Star Tribune, MN - Texas Tech and Texas are currently No. 2 and No. 4 in the AP poll, and TCU is checking in at 15. Combined record: 28-2. You've got Oklahoma at No. ...

INSIDE COLLEGE FOOTBALL SI.com - Of more importance to ESPN is the fact that college football in general is enjoying unprecedented popularity. Over the past few years, ESPN's family of ...

Star football player learns to be a winner Houston Chronicle, United States - Really, the coach was just trying to round up enough kids to field a football team. It was August, the month that school begins, and Dotson — like a lot of ...

This week's top High School football games Arizona Republic, AZ - If the Class 2A bracketing were different, many believe this might have been the title game. Instead, it's a premier quarterfinal game. ...

Florida State Football Team Involved In Brawl With Black ... FanIQ, CA - Pretty much every year something utterly ridiculous happens on that campus involving the football team. Meanwhile, good 'ol boy Bobby Bowden simply says "Aw ...

Football.Taman still GM, for today Ottawa Citizen, Canada - As part of the club's continuing shuffling of their football operations department, and one day after Doug Berry was relieved of his head-coaching duties, ...

Work just starting for 49ers football CharlotteObserver.com, NC - By Ron Green Jr. It is one thing to approve the creation of a football program at UNC Charlotte, which the school's board of trustees did Thursday morning. ...

College football's dirty little secret Gatorsports.com, FL - By Pat Dooley Now that we're down to four, it has come up again this week — college football's dirty little secret. It's not really a secret because it's ...

Inmate testifies former University of Oklahoma football player ... NewsOK.com, OK --A federal inmate testified Thursday that former University of Oklahoma football player Adrian Cooper "blindsided" him at an El Reno prison camp, ...

Hawaii to showcase football talent Honolulu Advertiser, HI - at Aloha Stadium, said the state's growing football reputation on the Mainland makes this an ideal place for a new event. The Hawai'i/Polynesia-Mainland ...

News for the 11/11/08

Kurt Warner: (NFL) Veterans Day honoree Chicago Sun-Times, United States - There's an acronym in the state of Arizona that has characterized professional football in the state since 1988 when the team made the move from St. Louis ...

Ohio College Football Insider Trading Markets (press release), CA - With daylight becoming scarcer, it's standard procedure for Otterbein football practices to be shifted from the practice field to Memorial Stadium to use ...

UCLA Football Has Better Days Ahead Bleacher Report, CA - I have been a UCLA football fan for a long time, and I have seen the disappointment throughout all the years, like UCLA's 52-7 loss to Arizona while being ...

North Dakota State Football Makes First Trip to Missouri State On ... NDSU Bison Athletics, ND - 25-ranked North Dakota State University (5-4, 3-3 Valley Football) is scheduled to travel to Springfield, Mo., to play Missouri State University (3-6, ...

Two King football players nominated as Connecticut Football Player ... Norwalk Plus Magazine - Both Kevin and Silas have led the Vikings football team this year to unprecedented heights, including a perfect regular season record thus far of 8-0. ...

49ers QB Hill takes the national stage on 'Monday Night Football' San Jose Mercury News, USA - By Daniel Brown Shaun Hill has such a low profile that he isn't even always the most famous person at the Shaun Hill Football Camp. ...

2008-09 College Football Bowls Preview and Trends BetUs.com, Canada - by BetUS Staff Sports betting fanatics are just a few short weeks away from the beginning of the college football bowl season, and BetUS Sportsbook has ...

2 dead in argument over Ala.-LSU football game The Associated Press - (AP) — Authorities say an argument over Saturday's Alabama-LSU football game led to the shooting deaths of a couple at a home in southern Alabama. ...

FVSU Football Coach Resigns Today's MGT, GA - Monday, Fort Valley State University announced the immediate resignation of head football coach Deondri Clark. Clark served as head coach of the Wildcats ...

Search is on for ECU's next head football coach Ada Evening News, OK - Kurt Nichols was out as football coach. Thanks for the effort, Kurt. Time to move on. The announcement by the ECU administration was just a formality. ...

Football Players: Staying Active May Lower Health Risks For Large ... Science Daily — The larger body size of professional football players doesn’t increase risk of cardiovascular disease or atherosclerosis after they retire, ...

Florida, South Carolina enter ESPN class rankings - Football ... ESPN - By Tom Luginbill This edition of our top recruiting classes features two newcomers to the rankings, both from the SEC. The Florida Gators and South Carolina ...

NCAA Football Picks - Ball State Cardinals vs Miami of Ohio RedhawksFootball Picks, Canada - The 14th-ranked Cardinals are one of the nation's five undefeated teams in the Football Bowl Subdivision looking for a chance at a BCS bowl berth. ...

Football Team Receives Votes In This Week’s AFCA Coaches’ Poll Southern Connecticut State University Athletics, CT - The Southern Connecticut State University football team has received votes in this week’s American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) Coaches’ poll. ...

College Football Crimson Tide rolling through "revenge tour "Seattle Times, United States - No. 1 Alabama's road to a perfect regular season seems paved in crimson and white. The next two opponents are Auburn and Mississippi State. ...

Move over, Big Ten: MAC football has arrived MLive.com, MI - Is it crazy to think that Mid-American Conference football teams are better than the Big Ten from top to bottom this year? Tell me any Big Ten coach who ...

New Deal for Keith Olbermann New York Times, United States - Mr. Olbermann, a former sports anchor, will remain on “Countdown” and as a co-host of NBC’s “Football Night in America.” A network news release said he ...

Police Arrest Smyrna High School Football Star NewsChannel5.com, TN - A Smyrna High School football star was arrested after a disturbing picture led police to a weapons bust! Investigators said reports of a photo showing a ...

SPORTS: Four Area Teams Make Top 10 In Final Football Poll NewsTalk 94.3, Kentucky - LOUISVILLE, KY - With the state playoffs starting on Friday, four area teams are ranked in the final Kentucky Associated Press high school football poll. ...

Tim Tebow's college football's closest thing to Tom Brady. :: Sam ... SI.com - We have a sneaking suspicion that you, like us, spend most of Saturday watching college football, and then most of Sunday watching the NFL. ...

Change We Still Need: A College Football Playoff Washington Post, United States - Of course, what brings this to mind is not only the start of the season -- Dick Vitale's voice is already ringing in our collective ears -- but the football ...

COLLEGE FOOTBALL REPORT: Volunteers look for a quarterback Atlanta Journal Constitution, USA - AP After poor quarterback play contributed heavily to Tennessee’s seventh loss of the season, coach Phillip Fulmer plans to give a closer look to ...

Ute football: Johnson a finalist in QB award Salt Lake Tribune, United States - By Lya Wodraska Performances such as leading the Utes on three game-winning drives this season and setting the school record for wins by a starting ...

Football Outsiders reports on the emergence of Arizona Cardinals ... ESPN -By Bill Barwell AP Photo/Tom Gannam Tim Hightower has replaces veteran Edgerrin James as the Cardinals' feature back. Hightower leads the team with seven ...

Monon Bell is "Small College Football at its Finest": Newspaper DePauw University, IN - Greencastle, Ind. - "This is small college football at its finest. Wabash vs. DePauw. It's the purest form of a rivalry," reports ...

College Football and Feeling the Pain of a Late-Season Loss Bleacher Report, CA - Over the past few years, college football has changed. There are no longer those "unbeatable" teams that crush every team in their way on the way to a 12-0 ...

Ignore the optimists: The Chiefs are still a very bad football team Kansas City Star, MO - Has given up the fifth most points in the National Football League and has scored the fourth fewest. __ Has a second-string quarterback in Tyler Thigpen, ...

Prep football, Week 9: St. Francis beats Harbor to complete ... San Jose Mercury News, USA - And you could see on the injured player's face he wouldn't have cared if he had to spend all night on St. Francis High's football field, where history was ...

Peterson, Vikings proving offensive balance is the key to success
Tom Olmscheid / Associated Press With a league-leading 1,015 rushing yards, Adrian Peterson is on pace to eclipse his total from last season (1,341). Adrian Peterson sat at his locker cutting tape from his body after a Week 3 loss at Tennessee. He had fumbled... Thomas George

An impressive streak ends for Tennessee, but the winning continues
Week 10 had six division games, and I reminded our readers that head coaches consider division games on the road the toughest assignments. Two young quarterbacks continue to impress -- in fact, combined with first-year head coaches they are continuing to defy logic. Who are the...
Pat Kirwan

NFL rescinds fine against Randy Moss
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- The NFL has rescinded a $20,000 fine levied against New England Patriots receiver Randy Moss for his comments about officiating. The fine was withdrawn by Ray Anderson, the league's vice president of operations, after a review, league spokesman Greg Aiello...

Respond to Commissioner Goodell's live chat
Among the thousands of questions submitted to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell during his live chat Wednesday afternoon, many fans wanted to know his take on restructuring the 20-game season format by decreasing the number of preseason games and increasing the number of regular-season games...

With running game absent, Collins leads unbeaten Titans past Bears
Jonathan Ferrey / Getty Images Kerry Collins proved to a Bears team intent on stopping the run that he could beat them through the air as well. CHICAGO -- LenDale White and Chris Johnson were on their way to history -- the wrong kind, because they were running...

Vikings end losing streak to Packers, pull into tie for NFC North lead
Stephen Dunn / Getty Images Vikings RB Adrian??Peterson ran for 192 yards, the third-best rushing performance of his career. MINNEAPOLIS -- Adrian Peterson was fired up as always, so determined to beat Green Bay he stormed to the sideline at one point in the...

Thigpen continues to shine for Chiefs; Hasselbeck set to return
Al Bello/Getty Images Seahawks quarterback Matt Hasselbeck has thrown for 656 yards and two touchdowns in four games this season. Here's a quick look at 10 players to target off the waiver wire as we head into Week 11 of the fantasy season. Bobby...
Michael Fabiano

Quick Take: Panthers get road win vs. Raiders
Jed Jacobsohn / Getty Images DeAngelo Williams ran for a career-high 140 yards on 19 carries. It was over when ... John Kasay ended a 31-minute Panthers scoring drought with a 32-yard field goal, which gave Carolina an 11-point lead with 1:54 remaining. ...

Worst to first? Falcons turning the tables in the NFC South
Dave Martin / Associated Press Saints quarterback Drew Brees threw three interceptions while under pressure by a swarming Falcons defense. ATLANTA -- The image is inescapable. In the first major event in New Orleans since Hurricane Katrina hit the city in 2006,...
Steve Wyche

Man pleads not guilty in shooting of Jaguars' Collier
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- A man charged in the shooting of Jacksonville Jaguars offensive lineman Richard Collier is pleading not guilty at his arraignment. Tyrone Romaro Hartsfield stood silently as public defender Ann Finnell pleaded not guilty Monday to charges of attempted murder...

NFC South showdown moved due to flexible scheduling
The final Week 12 NFL schedule was announced on Monday with the originally scheduled Indianapolis at San Diego Sunday night game on NBC remaining in place. The only game time change is the Carolina at Atlanta game on Sunday, Nov. 23 moving from 1 p.m. ET to 4:15 p.m. ET on FOX.

Bengals' Palmer to miss fifth straight game with elbow injury
CINCINNATI -- With seven games left, there's no indication that Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer will play in any of them. The Bengals acknowledged on Monday that Palmer will miss his fifth straight game because of an injured passing elbow. Ryan Fitzpatrick will...

Finalists named for FedEx Air & Ground Players of the Week
Quarterbacks Kurt Warner of the Arizona Cardinals, Jay Cutler of the Denver Broncos and Peyton Manning of the Indianapolis Colts are the finalists for the FedEx Air NFL Player of the Week honors for games played on November 9-10, while running backs Thomas Jones of the New York Jets,...

Vote: Best photo of Week 10?
?? Hands on Rick Stewart / Getty Images Colts WR Reggie Wayne makes a catch for a first down in the fourth quarter against the Steelers. Tripped up Michael Dwyer / Associated Press New England Patriots kick returner Ellis Hobbs (27) is tripped up...

Sprained knee could keep Portis out of Week 11 showdown
ASHBURN, Va. -- Washington Redskins running back Clinton Portis is unable to practice because of a sprained knee, and coach Jim Zorn says the running back is "50-50" for Sunday night's game against the Dallas Cowboys. Portis bruised his knee on the final play of...

Royal among finalists for Diet Pepsi Rookie of the Week
Running back BenJarvus Green-Ellis of the New England Patriots, quarterback Joe Flacco of the Baltimore Ravens, tackle Jake Long of the Miami Dolphins, Wide reciever Eddie Royal of the Denver Broncos and quarterback Matt Ryan of the Atlanta Falcons are the finalists for Diet Pepsi...

Vote now for the GMC Sierra Defensive Player of the Week
Dolphins safety Yeremiah Bell, Jets safety Abram Elam, Colts defensive end Dwight Freeney, Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis and Panthers defensive end Julius Peppers are the nominees for GMC Sierra Defensive Player of the Week for games played on Nov. 6-10. Fans can vote for one of...

Race for this year's playoffs features several newcomers
Chris McGrath / Getty Images Eli Manning completed 12 passes for 130 yards and two TDs before Donovan McNabb's first completion Sunday night. If you like scoring, then you loved Week 10. In 13 games played, there were 607 points scored -- an average of 46.6...
Gil Brandt

Packers' Barnett out for season with knee injury
GREEN BAY, Wis. -- Middle linebacker Nick Barnett will miss the rest of the season after tearing a right knee ligament in the Green Bay??Packers' loss at Minnesota on Sunday. NFL Replay will re-air the Minnesota??Vikings' 28-27 win over the Green Bay Packers...

Broncos place Torain on IR, sign another running back
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- Next in line in the Denver Broncos' battered backfield is free agent Alex Haynes, who signed with the team Monday after rookie Ryan Torain was placed on injured reserve. "I've been blessed. A lot of guys out on the streets that are pretty good...

News of the day 11/5/08

Iowa football facilities project gets $10 million Chicago Tribune, United States - AP IOWA CITY, Iowa - The University of Iowa has announced that two Iowans have each pledged $5 million for the renovation and expansion of football ...

No surprise here: Ron Prince is out as K-State's football coach Kansas City Star, MO - Prince's teams are a mediocre 16-18 in two-plus seasons, following years of outstanding football squads under former coach Bill Snyder. ...

Two Cents: College football's 10 toughest jobs Tampabay.com, FL - By Tom Jones, Times Staff Writer Phillip Fulmer has been the football coach at Tennessee for 17 seasons. He has won nearly 100 more games than he has lost ...

Utah football: Thursday's game the biggest in Utes history Salt Lake Tribune, United States - By Lya Wodraska With apologies to the Utah-BYU rivalry and all its great moments and passion the series elicits, there has never been a more important home ...

College Football Wagering - N. Illinois Huskies vs. Ball State ... BetUs.com, Canada - College football bettors could not rejoice along side black and red clad fans however, as the Huskies failed to cover the 7-point college football betting ...

Take 10: What’s Georgia’s best high school football region? Atlanta Journal Constitution, USA - By Glenn LaFollette Conference pride always seems to be a big thing these days in college football. ...

Virginia Union football coach Richardson ousted SportingNews.com - (AP) — Virginia Union has announced it will not renew the contract of football coach Greg Richardson. The Division II school announced the move Tuesday ...

Weber football: McBride will coach through 2012 Salt Lake Tribune, United States - By Maggie Thach Ron McBride, the head football coach at Weber State, has accepted a new four-year contract to coach the Wildcats through the 2012 season. ...

UConn football: Brown a semifinalist for Maxwell Award Norwich Bulletin, CT - By JOE PEREZ UConn’s football team may not receive much respect on the national level, but its redshirt junior tailback is. Donald Brown, the nation’s ...

Toledo football coach resigns after 3 losing years The Associated Press - TOLEDO, Ohio (AP) — Toledo football coach Tom Amstutz is resigning. The university said Monday that Amstutz (AM'-stuht-s) will step down at the end of the ...

Mount Vernon Football Playoff Preview Mount Vernon Gazette, VA - X Factor: Both of these teams play grind-it-out, hard-nosed football, meaning there should be plenty of hitting, especially with two running quarterbacks, ...

Rich Rodriguez challenges University of Michigan football players MLive.com, MI - by By John Heuser The Ann Arbor News With his football team reeling, first-year University of Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez issued a challenge to the ...

Howell prepares for another familiar football playoff foe MLive.com, MI - So far, the playoffs are strikingly similar to the regular season for the Howell High School football team. ...

Baylor Bears are feeling good about football progress Fort Worth Star Telegram, TX - And no one is more enthused about the direction of the football program than Ian McCaw, Baylor’s director of athletics. “By my measuring stick, our football ...

Football Player named Homecoming Queen WIS, SC - LANCASTER, SC (WIS)- For the first time in Lancaster High School history, a football player has been named homecoming queen. Anna Funderburk, a senior who ...

OU, BYU in talks for football matchup in Dallas Tulsa World, OK - By JOHN E. HOOVER World Sports Writer Oklahoma and BYU are reportedly in discussions to play a football game next season at the new home of the Dallas ...

My Profile: Bill Curry, Georgia State football coach SportingNews.com - Suffice it to say I'd like to help build one more great football program that requires excellence in every area of every player's life -- academic, ...

Losing seasons, declining attendance raise questions about SDSU ... San Diego Union Tribune, United States - San Diego State football, which in the early '90s drew more than 50000 for some games, now at times draws fewer than 20000 and is ignored by much of the ...

Northwestern vs Ohio State Football Predictions & Odds Locksmith Sports Picks, IA - At the beginning of the 2008 college football season, who would have thought that the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Northwestern Wildcats would have identical ...

College football: Prince out at Kansas State The Daily Advertiser, LA - Ron Prince, the head football coach at Kansas State, is expected to announce his resignation later this afternoon, according to The Kansas City Star. ...

Brewster Named Semifinalist for Coaching Award Gophersports.com, MN - Maxwell Football Club President, Ron Jaworski, announced the 2008 Semifinalists for the 72nd Maxwell Award for the Collegiate Player of the Year, ...

Wednesday Butch Davis Quotes Pack Pride - “This is a very, very good Georgia Tech football team. They’ve had some very impressive wins. Certainly they played well in a big win over Florida State ...

Fire breaks out after Md. football tailgating party FireRescue1, CA - By Dave Statter LANDOVER, Md. — There was a Monday night fireball outside of the stadium where Monday Night Football was being played. ...

MOAC announces all-conference football selections Marion Star, OH - ... Lutz of Ridgedale, who each led a pair of conference statistical categories, head the All-Mid Ohio Athletic Conference football squads announced today. ...

Week 11 College Football Predictions Bleacher Report, CA - LSU fans still hate Nick Saban for leaving them only to return to college football—at their hated rivals. This is particularly true as ‘Bama is ranked first ...

PMS football results Romeo Observer, MI - The Powell Middle School seventh grade football team saw a 22-8 victory over Romeo Middle School in the annual friendship game held Tuesday, Oct. 28. ...

Eisenhower football falls to Lake Orion High in first round C&G Newspapers, MI - By Brad D. Bates LAKE ORION — A Utica Eisenhower football team that started the season 0-3 probably didn’t think it would still be playing come playoff time ...

Lehigh University football coach Andy Coen talks about the ... The Express Times - LehighValleyLive.com, PA - Check out our conversation below and come back here for more Lehigh University football coverage, including live blogging from Saturday's game against ...

Cincinnati at West Virginia Football Odds & Predictions Locksmith Sports Picks, IA - A pair of 6-2 teams meet on Saturday as the West Virginia Mountaineers host the Cincinnati Bearcats in a crucial Big East game for both teams. ...

Alabama Crimson Tide vs. LSU Tigers College Football Betting Odds Gambling911.com, FL - LSU Tigers college football game was one of the most bet on early in the week. This mid-afternoon Saturday game opened with Alabama as a -2 ½ road favorite. ...

Football Players of The Week Modesto Bee, CA - With Pitman's season on the line, the junior delivered his biggest game of the season to lead the Pride past Los Banos 34-28 in a Central California ...

Seven picks returned for scores? That's impressive
Doug Pensinger / Getty Images Will??Allen returns an interception for a first-quarter score against the Broncos. This past week in the NFL, two things happened that caused me to look a little deeper as to what might be going on around the league. The...
Pat Kirwan

Super Bowl hero Tyree placed on injured reserve by Giants
EAST RUTHERFPORD, N.J. -- New York Giants Super Bowl hero David Tyree will miss the rest of the season. Tyree, who made " The Catch" in New York's Super Bowl victory over the Patriots in February, was placed on injured reserve by the Giants on Wednesday due to a...

Quick Take: Giants (7-1) at Eagles (5-3)
Craig Jones / Getty Images Giants RB Derrick Ward could be an X-factor in this key NFC East matchup. Last meeting Eli Manning passed for 219 yards and a touchdown in the Giants' 16-13 win last December. Streaks The Giants have won five of the...

Why the Dolphins are a legitimate playoff contender
Doug Pensinger / Getty Images Ronnie??Brown is just one a number of difference-making weapons in Miami's offense. After winning at Denver on Sunday, Dolphins players and coaches went to a place that an organization headed by the master...
Vic Carucci

Quick Take: 49ers (2-6) at Cardinals (5-3)
Streeter Lecka / Getty Images Qyarterback Kurt Warner has posted an 8-1 record against the 49ers during his career. Last meeting Kurt Warner threw for 197 yards and a touchdown and Edgerrin James rushed for 100 yards as Arizona controlled the clock to defeat...

Quick Take: Rams (2-6) at Jets (5-3)
Elsa / Getty Images The Jets want to pressure St. Louis' Marc Bulger and force him into mistakes. Last meeting Marc Bulger passed for 450 yards and three touchdowns to lead the Rams past the Jets, 32-29, in Week 17 of the 2005 season. Streaks ...

Quick Take: Titans (8-0) at Bears (5-3)
Doug Benc / Getty Images The steady hand of Kerry Collins has led the Titans to an 8-0 record. Last meeting In 2004, the Bears forced a Titans safety in overtime and recorded a 19-17 win on the road. Streaks Chicago has won the last three meetings...

Quinn makes debut at QB for Browns vs. slumping Broncos
Romeo Crennel waited as long a he could, but the Cleveland Browns coach felt he had to change his team's direction -- and as a result, finally changed quarterbacks. Brady Quinn will make his much-anticipated debut as a starter when Cleveland hosts the Denver Broncos on...

Raiders cut ties with Hall after eight games
ALAMEDA, Calif. -- DeAngelo Hall's disappointing stint with the Oakland Raiders came to an early finish. The Raiders waived Hall on Wednesday, less than eight months after they traded for the former Pro Bowl cornerback and gave him a $70 million contract. Baldinger chat...

Rodgers a solid start vs. Vikings; Jets RB Jones a nice option
Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images Aaron Rodgers has established himself as one of the best quarterbacks in fantasy football this season. Which quarterback should I start from Aaron Rodgers and Matt Ryan? -- J. Wanser, San Diego, Calif. Michael Fabiano: Ryan...
Michael Fabiano

Quick Take: Patriots (5-3) at Bills (5-3)
Jim Rogash / Getty Images Patriots LB Jerod Mayo is making a case for defensive rookie of the year. Last meeting In Week 11 last season, Tom Brady threw five touchdown passes -- four to Randy Moss -- as the Patriots scored on seven of their eight possessions...

Quick Take: Ravens (5-3) at Texans (3-5)
Harry How / Getty Images The Texans won four of the five games Sage Rosenfels started for them last season. Last meeting Matt Stover's 38-yard field goal with 10 seconds remaining gave the Ravens a 16-15 home win in 2005. Streaks The Ravens have...

Shoulder sprain could keep Vikings DE Allen out vs. Packers
EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. -- Minnesota Vikings defensive end Jared Allen says a sprained right shoulder could keep him from playing Sunday against the Green Bay Packers. Jared Allen, DE Minnesota Vikings 2008 Statistics: Tackles: 25 Sacks: 7 Forced fumbles:...

Shoulder sprain could keep Vikings DE Allen out vs. Packers
EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. -- Minnesota Vikings defensive end Jared Allen says a sprained right shoulder could keep him from playing Sunday against the Green Bay Packers. Jared Allen, DE Minnesota Vikings 2008 Statistics: Tackles: 25 Sacks: 7 Forced fumbles:...

Quick Take: Panthers (6-2) at Raiders (2-6)
Craig Jones / Getty Images Panthers QB Jake Delhomme is completing nearly 61 percent of his passes this season. Last meeting Sebastian Janikowski kicked the decisive field goal with six seconds remaining in the fourth quarter to give Oakland a 27-24 victory...

Respond to Commissioner Goodell's live chat
Among the thousands of questions submitted to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell during his live chat Wednesday afternoon, many fans wanted to know his take on the possibility of extending the regular season by one or two games and/or shortening the preseason. "We are doing a lot...

Anatomy of a Play: Titans run to win
Anatomy of a Play John Russell / Associated Press NFL Films' Greg Cosell breaks down a three-play sequence for a Titans touchdown against the Packers, which was started by a long run by LenDale White. More ... Anatomy of a Play extras: ?? Haynesworth in pass...

Hasselbeck to return next week vs. Arizona
RENTON, Wash. -- The Seahawks expect quarterback Matt Hasselbeck to return against first-place Arizona on Nov. 16. He will miss his fifth consecutive game on Sunday at Miami while he slowly gets back into playing shape this week. Coach Mike Holmgren said Wednesday that...

Rosenfels and Quinn can elevate your quarterback woes
Week 9 of the NFL season turned out plenty of key injuries and role changes, so this should be an active week on the waiver wire. Here are my suggestions on who to target. Sage Rosenfels, QB, Texans. If the Cowboys are the team that has the biggest dropoff from their...
Mark Stopa

Cowboys' Romo optimistic in return for bye-week practice
IRVING, Texas --Tony Romo was back under center at practice Wednesday, once again zipping passes to Terrell Owens. Expect him to be doing so the next time the Dallas Cowboys play, too. Romo's return from a broken pinkie on his throwing hand is coming along...

Tomlinson owns Chiefs; Beware the Manning brothers in Week 10
Donald Miralle/Getty Images LaDainian Tomlinson did struggle earlier this season, but he'll return to the superstar back of old in Week 10. Start of the Week Team Player Analysis San Diego Chargers LaDainian Tomlinson Running back Fantasy...
Michael Fabiano

A look at what's ahead in Week 10
8:15 p.m. ET, NFL Network (Thurs.) Denver at Cleveland Matchup Storyline Did you know? Series leader: Broncos, 16-5, including three memorable victories over the Browns in AFC Championship games. Streaks: The Broncos have won the last seven matchups, including a 17-7 win...

Game of the Week: Titans-Packers
NFL Game of the Week: Titans 19, Packers 16 (OT) Remember the Titans: The remake NFL Films Any sports fan worth his salted peanuts has a soft spot for Remember the Titans, the warm-and-fuzzy film about the charismatic football coach at a Virginia high school.

The season of the unheralded quarterback continues in fantasy land
Matt Sullivan/Getty Images Joe Flacco threw for 248 yards against the Cleveland Browns and has scored four touchdowns in his last two starts. Let's start off the week with a little fantasy football trivia. What did fantasy stars Jay Cutler, Eli Manning and...
Michael Fabiano

Redskins to give team honor to Taylor posthumously
ASHBURN, Va. -- Sean Taylor will be inducted into the Washington Redskins Ring of Fame this month, following the first anniversary of his death. Taylor will be honored during a pregame ceremony before the home game against the New York Giants on Nov. 30. He died at age 24 on
?NFL Game Extra? provides special features for eight key matchups
NEW YORK -- Verizon broadband and NFL Network are giving hard-core football fans access to the virtual broadcast booth, enabling them to customize their NFL viewing experience for eight highly anticipated games and giving them access to a variety of other game-enhancing features.

Torain in line for increased carries; RB Jackson a question mark
Byes: Cincinnati, Dallas, Tampa Bay, Washington. Thursday, Nov. 6 Team Injuries/Analysis Cleveland??Browns Injuries: DOUBTFUL G Eric Steinbach (ribs), RB Lawrence Vickers (ankle); QUESTIONABLE -- TE Darnell Dinkins (hamstring), DT Shaun Rogers (ribs), DE Corey...
Michael Fabiano

Emerging Flacco has Ravens on three-game winning streak
Matt Sullivan / Getty Images Ravens rookie quarterback Joe??Flacco has quietly led his team on a three-game winning streak. The most telling sign of how far Joe Flacco has come since he was given the reins to Baltimore's offense in Week 1 came with 5:31 remaining...

NFL.com featuring live look-ins on NFL Network games
NFL.com Live: Thursday Night Football presented by Sprint, the Sports Emmy-nominated online companion to NFL Network's game broadcasts, is back for a second season. This Thursday night's game between the Denver Broncos and Cleveland Browns on NFL Network at 8 p.m. ET will...

NFC South will provide some favorable matchups in coming weeks
Good Matchups Marques Colston, WR, Saints: Colston returned in Week 8 against San Diego and caught two passes for 56 yards in the win. The top-10 fantasy receiver has just five catches all season because of injuries. Look for him to make up for lost time in his next two matchups, against...
Kyle Fisher

Browns hand off to Quinn Thursday night
CLEVELAND -- Ready or not, here comes Brady Quinn. "Knock wood, I hope the guy doesn't fall on his face," Browns coach Romeo Crennel said. How's that for confidence? Following another strange few days in Cleveland, where football freakishness...

When it comes to film study, coaches have entered the digital age
As ancient artifacts go, the 1970s-era Kodak Analyst 16mm film projector sitting on the counter in the Eagles' video room doesn't exactly compare with a 2,800-year-old Assyrian treasure, but it is a powerful symbol of NFL days gone by. "We turn it on every once in...
Michael Bradley

Culpepper might start for Lions five days after signing
ALLEN PARK, Mich. --The Detroit Lions tried to be coy about how much Daunte Culpepper practiced Wednesday and whether their new quarterback will play just days after signing. In the locker room, though, it seemed obvious Culpepper is expected to make his Lions debut against...

Streaking Panthers take on struggling Raiders
Coach John Fox can only hope his Carolina Panthers play as well in their final eight games of the season as they did through the first eight. The Panthers look to start the second half the same way they ended the first, aiming for a third straight victory Sunday in a road...

Del Rio dismisses LB Peterson over undisclosed incident
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -The Jacksonville Jaguars had a much different feel to their locker room Wednesday. There was no one playing dominoes, no one blaring music and no one watching television. There was no Mike Peterson, either. Coach Jack Del Rio sent the middle...