Author: Anthony Stalter (Page 315 of 1503)

      Matthew Stafford not being ruled out against Vikings

      September 22, 2010 /
      Injured Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford stands on the field before the start of their NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles in Detroit, Michigan September 19, 2010. REUTERS/Rebecca Cook (UNITED STATES - Tags: SPORT FOOTBALL)

      In somewhat surprising news, Lions’ head coach Jim Schwartz wouldn’t rule out Matthew Stafford (shoulder injury) for Sunday’s game against he Vikings.

      Of course, Schwartz isn’t above playing mind games with the media when it comes to injuries, so this could just be a ploy to throw the Vikings off. (Not that they’re paying much attention anyway while trying to decided whether or not to trade for Vincent Jackson.)

      Stafford sprained the AC joint in his throwing shoulder and was originally expected to miss 4-6 weeks. But there was a report out of Detroit last Tuesday that said Stafford may only miss 1-2 weeks, which is why Schwartz’s deceptiveness is interesting.

      Still, Stafford missed practice today and if isn’t able to practice Thursday or Friday, don’t expect him to play on Sunday. Shaun Hill is likely to start under center for the Lions for the second straight week.

      External Sports, NFL

      Chargers reject Vikings’ offer for Vincent Jackson, want extra pick

      September 22, 2010 /
      SAN DIEGO - JANUARY 17: Wide receiver Vincent Jackson #83 of the San Diego Chargers stiff-arms cornerback Darrelle Revis #24 of the New York Jets during AFC Divisional Playoff Game at Qualcomm Stadium on January 17, 2010 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Robert Laberge/Getty Images)

      According to Yahoo’s Jason Cole, the Chargers have rejected the Vikings’ offer of a second round pick and a conditional pick in 2011 for receiver Vincent Jackson. San Diego reportedly wants a second and a third round selection for V-Jax.

      The Chargers may ultimately get little or nothing for Jackson if he, his agents and the team that eventually signs him has their way. The indication from two sources is that Jackson may structure a long-term contract with another team that includes very little money in the first year, a key component for how compensatory draft picks are determined.

      Both Chargers general manager A.J. Smith and agent Neil Schwartz, who represents Jackson, declined to discuss the situation.

      All three sources were pessimistic about a deal getting done with either the Vikings or an unidentified team that is willing to sign Jackson to a long-term deal. The Chargers have until 4 p.m. ET on Wednesday to trade Jackson so that he can play by the fifth game of the season with a team that acquires him.

      Only the Vikings could leave me wanting to put my hand in an electric saw rather than talk about the same topic over and over and over again. (Ahem – BRETT FAVRE, ahem. Sorry…got something caught in my throat.)

      After another dismal effort by Lord Favre and Minnesota’s offense on Sunday, I wrote about how the Vikings may just want to trade for V-Jax and get the situation over. Click here to check out my thoughts on the subject.

      External Sports, NFL

      NFL suspends Duane Brown four games for PEDs

      September 21, 2010 /
      HOUSTON - NOVEMBER 09: Tackle Duane Brown #76 of the Houston Texans during play against the Baltimore Ravens at Reliant Stadium on November 9, 2008 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

      According to the Houston Chronicle, the NFL has suspended Texans’ left tackle Duane Brown four games for violating the league’s policy on performance enhancing drugs.

      If Brown had filed an appeal, he could have continued to play until commissioner Roger Goodell made a ruling.

      “After reviewing the appeal process and speaking with legal counsel, I have decided not to appeal my suspension,” Brown said. “I understand the rules and accept my punishment. I vow to learn from this mistake and be a better player and teammate because of it.”

      Brown was the team’s first-round draft choice in 2008. He was mentored that season by Salaam, who had helped mentor Charles Spencer in 2006.

      “We are disappointed that Duane Brown has been suspended,” general manager Rick Smith said in a statement. “This is a significant blow to our team. Our players have to understand that they are responsible for what goes into their bodies and that they take risks anytime they use a supplement not approved by the NFL.

      “Our head athletic trainer (Geoff Kaplan), head strength and conditioning coach (Derek Smith) as well as our team nutritionist (Roberta Anding) have had many meetings and presentations constantly reminding our players about the dangers of the supplement industry and risks associated with taking non-approved products.

      It’s never a good time for a team to lose its starting left tackle, but this is especially bad timing for the Texans with DeMarcus Ware and the Cowboys coming to town. Dallas has played like a bowl of cooked baby diapers the past two weeks, but Ware could have a field day playing against Brown’s backup, Rashad Butler.

      This is highly disappointing news for a team coming off two big wins in the first two weeks of the season. It’s good to see Brown take responsibility for his actions, but his selfish act could really hurt Houston over the next four games.

      External Sports, NFL

      If Vikings really want V-Jax, now is the time to trade for him

      September 21, 2010 /
      SAN DIEGO, CA - JANUARY 3: Wide Receiver Vincent Jackson of the San Diego Chargers watches from the sidelines during the Washington Redskins v San Diego Chargers NFL Game on January 3, 2010 at Quolcomm Stadium in San Diego, California. The Chargers won 23-20. (Photo by Donald Miralle/Getty Images)

      If they want to acquire Vincent Jackson from the Chargers without having him sit out his full suspension, then the clock is ticking for the Vikings.

      With the uncertainty of Sidney Rice’s playing status this year, Minnesota needs a receiver, which is why they’re considering trading for the disgruntled San Diego wideout. But as the Minneapolis Star-Tribune points out, if V-Jax isn’t traded by 3PM ET on Wednesday, he has to sit out the full six games of his suspension.

      The Vikings play the Matthew Stafford-less Lions this Sunday, so it stands to reason that they’ll pick up their first win of the year. (If they don’t, then forget about Jackson because the Vikes would be a bigger mess than originally thought.) After the Detroit game, they have a bye in Week 4 and are at the Jets in Week 5 and home against the Cowboys in Week 6 before they travel to Green Bay in Week 7 and New England in Week 8.

      The Vikings should beat the Lions and could beat the Jets and Cowboys with their current roster, but if they acquire Jackson now, he would be available for both of those games. Why not allow him to play in two games in Brad Childress’ offense before taking on the Packers and Patriots?

      Do the Vikings have to acquire Jackson now? No, they don’t have to do anything. But their offense has been a hot mess the past two weeks and if they don’t want to fall further behind the Packers and Bears in the division, they may want to just get the deal done for V-Jax now.

      External Sports, NFL

      Reid making the right choice to go with Vick over Kolb

      September 21, 2010 /
      DETROIT - SEPTEMBER 19: Michael Vick of the Philadelphia Eagles calls the play in the huddle during the third quarter of the game against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on September 19, 2010 in Detroit, Michigan. The Eagles defeated the Lions 35-32. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images)

      Had Andy Reid stuck with Kevin Kolb as his starting quarterback, he would have mainly done so because a) he drafted him and b) he didn’t want to play the role of fool for benching the man tabbed to replace Donovan McNabb just three weeks into the season.

      And had Reid stuck with Kolb as his starting quarterback, he would have been making the wrong decision.

      In two outings this year, Michael Vick has completed 63.8 percent of his passes for 459 yards with three touchdowns and zero interceptions. He holds a QB Rating of 105.5 and has also rushed 18 times for 140 yards with no fumbles.

      He’s only played in two games, but those are Pro Bowl-type numbers. That’s why Reid’s decision to stick with Vick as his starter was the right choice, even though Kolb was named the starter in preseason and is essentially losing his job because of an injury.

      Had Vick showed signs of inconsistency or had been reckless with the football (which wasn’t uncommon for him in Atlanta), Reid would have been justified for sticking with Kolb. But with how well Vick played against the Packers and Lions, this was really an easy decision for a head coach in a tough spot.

      That said, winning is the only thing that matters from here on out. If Vick looks like a disaster over the next three weeks (ESPN’s Chris Mortensen is reporting that this is a permanent move by Reid – not an injury-related matter tied to the concussion Kolb suffered two weeks ago), then nobody should hold it against Reid for going back to Kolb. But as of right now, right this second, the Philly head coach is making the right move.

      External Sports, NFL

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