Category: NFL (Page 1235 of 1282)

Here’s the Monday night update on Big Ben:

Roethlisberger remained in serious but stable condition following seven hours surgery that ended at approximately 9 p.m. ET, according to Dr. Daniel Pituch, Chief of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at Mercy Hospital. His condition is not expected to change throughout the evening, Pituch said at a news conference.

“He suffered multiple facial fractures,” Pituch said. “All of the fractures were successfully repaired. His brain, spine, chest and abdomen appear to be without serious injury. And there are no other confirmed injuries at this time.”

WTAE TV in Pittsburgh is reporting that Steelers’ QB Ben Roethlisberger was involved in a motorcycle accident. He’s been taken to the hospital and, according to ESPN’s John Clayton, the injuries do not appear to be life threatening.

A witness told Channel 4 Action News that Roethlisberger went over the handlebars, hit the windshield of another vehicle and then hit the ground.

The witness said she saw the accident and went over to help but did not recognize Roethlisberger. When she asked him what his name was, she said he replied, “Ben.”

The woman added that Roethlisberger asked her a series of questions, including where he was and what state he was in. He attempted to stand up but the woman said she encouraged him not to move until paramedics arrived.

Roethlisberger was not wearing a helmet, according to the Tribune-Review. In the past, he has publicly said he prefers to ride helmetless, which is legal in Pennsylvania.

I certainly hope that Big Ben makes it through this accident, but after the Jay Williams and Kellen Winslow injuries, I don’t know why any professional athlete would ride a motorcycle. There are two kinds of motorcycle riders – 1) those that have been in an accident and 2) those that will get into an accident. Why risk your career for something like that?

UPDATE: 4:05 ET

From ESPN:

Pittsburgh media outlets reported that Roethlisberger was in surgery for a broken jaw. The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, citing a police source, reported Roethlisberger also broke his left sinus cavity, suffered a 9-inch laceration to the back of his head, lost teeth and has knee injuries from hitting the pavement. A plastic surgeon has been called in, the source said.

Although it is early into offseason workouts and minicamps, Marcus Vick has impressed the Miami Dolphins coaching and personal staff with his athleticism. Although, his playmaking abilities have not come at the quarterback position, where Vick played while at Virginia Tech.

Dolphins head coach Nick Saban has already taken a liking to Vick’s speed and overall athleticism. It has been Marcus’ pass catching abilities, however, that is keeping him in Miami’s minicamps.

“I’m sure the multiple roles may not totally enhance his development as a receiver,” Saban said, “but he really only spends about two periods every day with the quarterbacks. The rest of the time, he’s with the receivers, and we’re pleased with the progress he’s made.”

Vick is also being looked at as a punt returner, although he hasn’t shown great form while getting under the kicks. Too many times it appears that Vick is catching the ball out in front of his body, as opposed to squaring up underneath the ball to return it.

His size also has come into question, which is why he is spending less time behind center and more time going over the middle. Listed at 6’0”, Vick is getting lost in the shuffle of an NFL pocket, but the team hasn’t completely ruled him out of being a quarterback.

I for one have never been a fan of converting a quarterback to a wide receiver, or any other position for that matter. It just never seems to work, unless it is a rare case like Matt Jones of the Jaguars who found a little bit of success last year as a rookie.

However, with Vick making next to nothing while being tried out in minicamps, this is a risk worth taking. If he doesn’t pan out or gets into trouble again, the Dolphins have no real investment in him.

If he turns into a decent third receiver option or gadget player, then Miami reaps all the benefits of Vick not being drafted in April.

After seven 1,000 yard rushing seasons, seven Pro Bowls and 38 100-yard games, your body starts thinking of other ways to better its time. At 33, Marshall Faulk is seriously contemplating retirement after 12 seasons in the NFL.

Faulk has decided to skip the Rams final minicamp this weekend in an effort to make a decision on whether or not his knees are strong enough to play this season.

Faulk had surgery on both of his knees this offseason in effort to clean out some of the cartilage that gets built up throughout the season. This isn’t the first time that he has done such a procedure, but new head coach Scott Linehan isn’t too optimistic that Faulk will return for another season.

“Guys that have played at such a high level for so many years and have taken so many hits, sometimes it starts to wear you down a little bit,” Linehan said. “He’s trying to figure out how he can manage it.”

Faulk, the 2000 NFL MVP, is ninth on the career rushing list with 12,279 yards, 34 yards behind Jim Brown. But he had a career-low 292 yards rushing last year and made only one start, in the season finale when Steven Jackson was out with a hip pointer.

It is always hard to watch a great player and one of the overall good guys in the NFL retire before he is ready. Of course at 33, Faulk is getting past his prime for a runningback, but he has given fans something to be in awe about for a very long time.