Every Thursday Night proCanes.com joins All Canes Radio to bring the latest news on not only current Hurricane football but also proCane news and exclusive interviews with current and former proCanes live from Shake Shack in Coral Gables.

Click here to listen to this week’s show and hear our exclusive interviews with proCanes Richard Giannotti, Kyle Bellamy and World Series Champion Jon Jay. Listen as Giannotti talks about his University of Miami Baseball career, what brought him to the []_[], his travels through the minor leagues and his clothing company bubucheek. Bellamy talks to us about what it was like to change his pitching style, what playing for the White Sox organization is like and his hopes for the coming season. Jay tells us what it’s like to win a World Series, play with Abert Pujols, his favorite memories from his Hurricane days and much more!

The Kansas City Chiefs defensive line lost another young body this season with the news that Allen Bailey was being placed on Injured Reserve in Week 14. This means that the former third round choice will be out for the rest of the 2012 season. In his place, the team has signed linebacker Leon Williams to the team.

As for Williams, he is a familiar face for Romeo Crennel given his time with the Cleveland Browns from 2006-08. The 6'3 linebacker also spent the 2010 season with the Dallas Cowboys. If he sounds familiar, it's because he spent training camp with the Chiefs this summer before being cut.


(sbnation.com)

The Kansas City Chiefs placed defensive lineman Allen Bailey on injured reserve with an ankle injury on Thursday.

Bailey totaled five tackles in 10 games this season, but hasn't played since a loss at Pittsburgh in Week 10.

The Georgia native has compiled 12 tackles in 26 games over the last two years with the Chiefs.


(sacbee.com)

Titans middle linebacker Colin McCarthy returned to practice on Wednesday and is expected to play against the Colts on Sunday.

McCarthy was held out of last Sunday’s game against the Texans with a concussion.

“I feel good, ready to go," McCarthy said.

McCarthy has missed five games with injuries. He was sidelined for four games with a high-ankle sprain.

While last week off gave McCarthy time to rest, he couldn’t say it helped the ankle get a lot better.

“It’s still going to take a while to heal, so I am just dealing with it," McCarthy said. “I just want to get out there and play, and I’m going to do everything I can to try and help this team win.”


(tennessean.com)

While everyone in New England is focusing on Texans defensive lineman J.J. Watt, the good folks in Houston are zeroing in on Patriots defensive lineman Vince Wilfork, who is having another dominant season.

“The thing is, you’ve been seeing it for years,” Texans coach Gary Kubiak said. “He’s very consistent in his play. Bill (Belichick) plays him all over the place, so it’s not like you’re going to know where he’s going to be. He’s a little bit of everywhere, whether it’s the nose, the 3-(technique) or whatever he’s playing. He’s a dominant force in there and has been his whole career. I’ll tell you the thing as a coach just watching film that I really love and respect about his game, he loves to play. He brings a lot of energy to his team. You can tell he’s a leader. When they need big plays, he’s the one leading the way. I just have the utmost respect for him, and it’s a big, big challenge for us upfront.”

Wilfork’s athleticism and versatility have impressed the Texans, just like everyone else the Patriots encounter.

“I think he’s extremely athletic for such a big man,” Kubiak said. “Heck, I just left a special teams meeting and watched him rush a punter. There’s no telling how he’s going to be involved in the game, but he’s a huge factor week in and week out. He plays all over the place, so all of our guys will probably go against him upfront somehow, someway because of the many places that he plays. He’s going to make plays and hopefully at the end of the day, they’re not big, big plays. He’s found a way to cause some big turnovers, too, along the way. He’s a huge factor every week for them. He’s obviously a leader for them and what they do.”


(bostonherald.com)

BEREA, Ohio -- Former Browns quarterback Bernie Kosar said he’s surprised by the strong reaction his interview on a Cleveland radio station Wednesday is eliciting.

Kosar said he was neither inebriated nor medicated as he gave a rambling and, at times, incoherent five-minute interview on WKNR’s The Hooligans show. He became emotional discussing his appearance in NFL Road Tested, a television program spotlighting the Browns on the Travel Channel.

The 49-year-old Kosar said he was in a car in Florida with his 21-year-old daughter as he conducted the interview with host Bruce Hooley.

Audio of the interview is turning up on websites at USA Today, Pro Football Talk and Deadspin.

Kosar does a weekly spot on The Hooligans. At one point in Wednesday’s interview Kosar sounded as if he were sobbing, as he discussed the NFL Road Tested segment in which he’s on the field at Cleveland Browns Stadium during the Nov. 4 game helping honor the family of a 23-year-old solider from Massillon who died in Iraq.

Kosar said he was caught off guard by the question about his appearance and his emotions came flooding back. Road Tested debuted on Tuesday night and he expressed his thoughts using his Twitter account @BernieKosarQB during the show.

“Wow is this emotional,” he wrote. Later he added: “OMG was that Emotional! when we think we have problems?????or aren't happy?????”

In the past, Kosar has spoken about dealing with the effects of concussions he suffered and the pain from post-career surgeries. Kosar said he understands the interview raised concerns with some, but that he feels fine and went to lunch with friends on Thursday.

He plans to attend Sunday’s game, Kosar said. 


(cleveland.com)

Former NFL quarterback Bernie Kosar gave a radio interview this week in Cleveland that has some of his fans expressing concerns about his well-being.

The interview with WKNR is difficult to describe, but if you listen to it, you’ll hear Kosar sounding incoherent and upset, and the hosts cut him off and say, “Why don’t we catch up next week?” Kosar protests and says he wants to keep talking, but he continues to stumble over his words and the interview is ended abruptly.

We’re not sure what was wrong with Kosar, but a number of fans who listened to the interview have expressed concerns about him. Kosar has spoken openly in retirement about problems with his finances, his taxes, his divorce and his family, and he has said he is dealing with physical pain from post-football surgeries, and that he suffered several concussions while playing football.

We’re hoping that the 49-year-old Kosar, who retired in 1996 after a 12-year NFL career, was just not feeling well or having an off day. If he needs help, we hope he gets it.


(profootballtalk.com)

Receiver Andre Johnson was asked after practice Thursday about the importance of Monday’s game at New England.

“You know how big it is?” he said. “(It’s) the biggest game in the history of this franchise. As long as we keep winning, every game is going to get bigger and bigger. When you’ve been somewhere you’ve never been, everything gets bigger.”


(chron.com)

When Sean Taylor went full-speed in practice, that included hitting his Washington Redskins teammates like he did opponents in games. But not tight end Chris Cooley, his friend with whom he talked to every day.

“He never did that to me,” Cooley said. “He would always come up and said: ‘I love you, buddy. I won’t do that to you.’ And I was always thankful.”

Cooley got that respect from Taylor for 3½ seasons. Then, in late November 2007, Taylor was dead after being shot at his South Florida home. The Redskins had to cope with a loss that was far greater than anything they could endure on the field.

“Just the reality that a guy that you’ve been living with in this locker room is no longer here, it was just like a surreal experience,” linebacker Lorenzo Alexander said. “You’re just trying to comprehend all that. That was probably the hardest part: here one day and the next minute gone.”

More than five years after Taylor’s death, the Kansas City Chiefs are in the aftermath of another tragedy after linebacker Jovan Belcher killed his girlfriend last Saturday morning and then drove to the practice facility and killed himself. The differences are many, including the circumstances of each player’s death, but the process of going through death and football is all too common in recent years.

In 2010, Denver Broncos wide receiver Kenny McKinley committed suicide. In 2009, Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Chris Henry fell out of a pickup truck driven by his fiancee and died.

In 2007, Broncos running back Damien Nash died of a heart attack while playing pickup basketball in the offseason, just months after Denver cornerback Darrent Williams was shot and killed in the early morning of New Year's Day.

“Everybody kind of handles it in a different way,” said Mike Shanahan, who coached the Broncos during the deaths of Nash and Williams. “It’s a really, really tough time in an organization when something tragic like that happens. Your heart goes out to them, but everybody will persevere and they’ll work through it.”
Six Redskins players remain from 2007, which became a season dedicated to Taylor. It’s impossible to be around the team and not think about Taylor; his No. 21 is plastered on the guard’s booth that allows entry to Redskins Park.

And while Taylor died five years ago, Cooley said it’s not hard to remember what it was like, especially given the Kansas City tragedy.

“There was nothing to latch on to. There was nothing to think like, ‘I have this.’ It was, I guess, an ‘in awe’ situation. You just keep going,” Cooley said. “You just kept playing football. Everyone has grief and everyone deals with situations differently, and my way to do it is just keep living, doing what I do.”

That’s what the Chiefs were forced to do, playing Sunday at home less than 36 hours after Belcher murdered Kasandra Perkins and then turned a gun on himself. They beat the Carolina Panthers 27-21.

Taylor was shot Nov. 26, 2007, and died of excessive bleeding the next day. The Redskins lost at home to Buffalo on Dec. 2 and traveled for the funeral the following day. On Thursday night, Dec. 6, they beat Chicago behind backup quarterback Todd Collins to start a four-game winning streak that put them in the playoffs.

“I don’t think there’s a right or a wrong answer to it. Personally, getting away from it does help,” Alexander said. “That’s with anything that may be going on with your life, to going out there and just playing and using your teammates to kind of lean on and playing the game that you love kind of gets you away from the situation.

“But obviously, at some point you have to deal with it, whether you’re getting help or talking to a counselor. It relieves the pain temporarily, but at the same time, you’ve still got to address it at some point.”


(washingtontimes.com)

Baltimore Ravens safety Ed Reed said that a number of elements factor into the success that Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III has enjoyed as a rookie. Reed also believes that containing Griffin in the ground game could be nearly impossible.

Griffin ranks among the league leaders in quarterback rating and accuracy. He has thrown 17 touchdowns and only four interceptions, and rushed for another six touchdowns. He owns the NFL rookie record for rushing yards by a quarterback.

“He’s a playmaker and an athlete. He has all the attributes of a quarterback to get the ball to his receivers and also to scramble with that running ability,” Reed said Wednesday in a  conference call.

Reed, an 11th-year veteran and future Hall of Famer, leads the Ravens with four interceptions this season. Asked what he sees in Griffin that has enabled the quarterback to minimize his turnovers, Reed credited Griffin’s mental makeup and the Redskins’ offense.

“He’s pretty precise on getting rid of the ball. [And] he seems to have guys open, that’s the key to it really,” Reed said. “You see him throwing to guys that don’t have tight coverage on them. He’s throwing to open guys for the most part. And when he does throw the ball to guys that are covered, you can see that they’re accurate. He’s an accurate quarterback. And he’s a decision maker. To run the option and those plays, you have to be a good decision maker. … He still has a lot to learn, obviously, but the offensive scheme that they’re running, it helps him out a lot.”

Reed said the Ravens must work to ensure that Griffin doesn’t beat them with his legs, but admitted that isn’t exactly an easy task.


(washingtonpost.com)

Mike Lombardi added a name of his own to the Eagles coaching search. From NFL.com:

If the Eagles fire Andy Reid and can’t get [Chip] Kelly, Lombardi said Carolina Panthers offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski could be a sleeper selection in Philadelphia.

The Panthers set a team record for yards last season, thanks in large part to a standout rookie year out of Cam Newton. That was Chudzinski’s first year on the job. Prior to that he was the tight ends and assistant head coach for the Chargers, where he worked with Antonio Gates. He has also served as an offensive coordinator for the Browns and the University of Miami.

Lombardi also agrees that Kelly is going to be a sought-after coach.

“He’s the prettiest girl in the school,” Lombardi said. “Everyone is going after Chip Kelly because of what he brings uniquely offensively.”

Playboy has an interesting piece on Jon Gruden (I read it for the articles, I swear!). The subject of whether he’ll return to the sidelines is broached:

When asked if her husband is happier broadcasting than he was coaching, Cindy pauses and then says, “Sometimes I think Jon has two monsters on his shoulder. One is go back to coaching, and the other is stay with this, have a nice life with his family. He’ll always have those two monsters.”

Gruden nods, seems to think it over and shrugs. “At least, no matter what happens, I’ll have tape to watch—and a seat at the FFCA.”

The FFCA stands for Fired Football Coaches Association. Gruden has rented a dingy office overlooking  a swamp in Tampa where he can hang out and watch film at all hours (turns out, Gruden is an insomniac). Fired coaches apparently come from all over and use the place almost as a refuge. Pretty good read.

Gruden’s name is always being linked to one team or another. The latest is the Raiders, who quickly shot that rumor down.

As always, you can find all the latest coaching buzz in our special section.


(phillymag.com)

Carolina Panthers TE Greg Olsen (back) was limited in practice Thursday, Dec. 6.






(fantasysp.com)

How he beats you: One of the best safeties in the game, Reed remains an impact player despite playing in his 11th season at the age of 34. The 5-foot-11, 205-pounder has great athleticism to go along with impressive instincts, ball-hawking skills and play-making ability. He has 61 career interceptions and leads Baltimore with four this season.

“Some guys, I think, are born to be football players. I think Ed is that type of guy,” Redskins coach Mike Shanahan said. “… He is a guy who I think is in the film room every day. He knows what is going to happen before it happens. Usually the great players are not only great athletes but great students of the game. And he is a guy that I think is very well prepared and he knows what is going to happen before it happens, which is why he has so many picks.”

How to stop him: Because Reed has seen virtually every passing formation, it will be hard to fool him, but offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan will likely draw up pass routes to take Reed away from the ball. Robert Griffin III must continue his precision passing and sharp recognition of what the defense is doing, and can’t let Reed fool him.

“I’m going to be aware of where he’s at. Like I said, it’s nothing to fear. But he covers a lot of ground. He does a lot of unconventional things. You’ve just got to be aware of where he’s at just like he’s got to be aware of where I am and [running back] Alfred [Morris] and everyone else.”


(washingtonpost.com)

IRVING — The Oakland Raiders snatched Cowboys running back Jamize Olawale off the practice squad Wednesday.

Olawale, a rookie who played at North Texas, has yet to play in an NFL regular-season game. But he did have a strong showing against the Raiders in the preseason, when he rushed for 42 yards on 12 carries. It appears Olawale made an impression on Oakland’s management in the game.

With Olawale gone, the Cowboys added tight end Chase Ford and gave him No. 87. Ford, a Corrigan native, was briefly on Philadelphia’s practice squad before being cut in September. Ford, a rookie, played at the University of Miami.


(dallasnews.com)

Ravens All-Pro middle linebacker Ray Lewis returned to practice today from a surgically repaired torn right triceps, a big step in his comeback from a serious injury.

The former NFL Defensive Player of the Year will need to be activated from the injured reserve-designated to return. The first time he's eligible to play in a game is Dec. 16 against a Denver Broncos offense headlined by quarterback Peyton Manning.

Lewis issued the following statement: “I’m making progress and will practice some today. But, the story shouldn’t be about me right now. We’re playing the Redskins Sunday, and I am not eligible to play. If I can help prepare my team in some way for that game, I will. When I know I will play in a game, or when I play in a game, I will say more then.

"He will not play on Sunday," Ravens coach John Harbaugh said of Sunday's game against the Washington Redskins. "I don't know if he's ready to play physically anyway. This is part of his rehab.

"We'll see how he does. When the time comes for Ray to play, we'll let you know. We're not going to spring it on you. I don't know when it's going to be."
Teammates are excited about Lewis' pending return.

"That's like a blessing," nose guard Terrence Cody said. "You got your captain back, your leader and you just want to see good things for guys like that."

Added defensive end Arthur Jones: "It means a lot, anytime you have a guy like him around the building, it's amazing. Ray Lewis is a guy that has that passion. He's a guy that loves football and he's a guy that didn't come back for the stats. He came back for the passion of football. Why not? Ray Lewis is the man."
The Ravens are 4-2 during Lewis' absence.

"He's Ray Lewis," said Jameel McClain, who has filled in capably at middle linebacker with Lewis sidelined. "Everybody knows how much it means. Whether it adds up to something in the long run, we don't know that yet. Only Ray knows that, but having him here is definitely a plus for all of us.


(baltimoresun.com)

Ray Lewis has let himself go.

Clearly focused on one objective – beating “best friend” Paul Rudd in a Madden rivalry that seems to have no end – Lewis has failed to shave in months and doesn’t even know what time of year it is.

“Is it Christmas?” Rudd asks as the two sit in a poorly-lit room playing the game with only a few Christmas lights and the flickering TV to brighten the atmosphere.

“I don’t know,” responds a glazed-over Lewis, who is sporting an unkempt afro and a scraggly beard resembling that of Moses.

It’s game No. 698 of 1001 between the two in a series of hilarious commercials that launched back in August to promote Madden 13. If you don’t recall the others, I got your back, here you go.

Lewis can’t seem to beat Rudd – ever – and that trend continues into December. This time, his loss was accompanied by a new Christmas tune sung by Rudd:

“You just fa la la la la la la la la lost.”


(baltimoreravens.com)

Green Bay --- There was a shred of good news on the injury front Wednesday. Two of Green Bay's defensive backs are close to being back. Sam Shields is hoping to return this week from his high ankle sprain and Charles Woodson practiced for the first time since breaking his collarbone Oct. 21.

"One-hundred percent right now," Shields said. "I'm ready to roll."

Both Shields and Woodson officially practiced on a "limited" basis Wednesday. Earlier this week, coach Mike McCarthy indicated that the Packers may be targeting a Dec. 16 return for Woodson at Chicago. Shields sounded eager to return this weekend against Detroit. The third-year cornerback has been sidelined since Oct. 14.

In six games, Shields' tackling -- a problem in 2011 -- was improved as he started at cornerback opposite Tramon Williams. Shields had 18 tackles, one interception and three pass break-ups before the injury at Houston. In his absence, rookie Casey Hayward (five interceptions, 16 pass break-ups) and Davon House (22 tackles, five break-ups) have performed well. House has taken on receivers out wide with Hayward in the slot.

After allowing the most passing yards in league history last season, the Packers rank 17th. They're also fifth in opposing passer rating (76.9)

Shields said he's not worried about who will be playing where when he returns.

"I don't really think about that," Shields said. "They've been doing a hell of a job. All I can do is whatever they tell me to do and be ready -- be ready for that opportunity."


(jsonline.com)

Chicago Bears wide receiver Alshon Jeffery and Devin Hester returned to practice Wednesday on a limited basis, a positive sign the offense could get a boost for Sunday’s game at Minnesota.

Jeffery, the rookie second-round draft pick from South Carolina, has missed the previous two games after undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery. Prior to that, a broken right hand sidelined him for four games. But Jeffery was just at the point where it looked like he would be taking the starting job from Hester when he suffered the hand injury on a touchdown reception at Jacksonville Oct. 7.

Hester returned to practice for the first time since suffering a concussion in the victory over the Vikings on Nov. 25. It’s not known if Hester has received full clearance to play this Sunday at the Metrodome, but by practicing Wednesday in the Walter Payton Center, it appears he’s on course.

While the two wideouts were back in action, two more were missing. As expected, Earl Bennett was sidelined with a concussion. Marshall sat with an unknown ailment and it should be noted doctors and trainers did examine one of Marshall’s knees during the loss Sunday at Soldier Field to the Seattle Seahawks.


(chicagotribune.com)

This Date in Miami Hurricanes History…December 5th, 1998.... 
 
Brought to you by the UM Sports Hall of Fame!

UMSHoF member Edgerrin James set school records by rushing 39 times for 299 yards as the University of Miami upset #3 UCLA 49-45 in front of 49,819 fans in the Orange Bowl, ruining the Bruins chances to win the National Championship !







For more information go to UMSportsHallofFame.com

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ASHBURN – Ed Reed has intercepted 61 passes in his 10-plus seasons, the most in the NFL since he was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens out of Miami in 2002. Four of those interceptions have come this season, including one he returned for 34 yards against Pittsburgh last Sunday.

He’ll face a different challenge this weekend when he faces the Washington Redskins and quarterback Robert Griffin III, who has thrown only four interceptions against his 17 touchdown passes during his rookie year.

“I mean, he’s pretty precise [when] he’s getting rid of the ball,” Reed said. “He seems to have guys open. I mean, that’s the key to it, really. You see him throwing the ball to guys that don’t have guys on them – tight coverage, I should say. He’s throwing to open guys, you know? I mean, for the most part.

“And when he does throw to guys that are covered, he’s putting the ball there accurate. He’s an accurate quarterback and a good decision-maker, and to be running the option and making plays the way he’s made plays, you have to be a good decision-maker.”

Griffin ranks sixth in the NFL with a completion percentage of 67.1 and his quarterback rating is third at 104.4. He is tied with New England’s Tom Brady and Pittsburgh’s Ben Roethlisberger for the fewest interceptions thrown amongst quarterbacks with at least nine starts.


(fredricksburg.com)

New Orleans Saints tight end Jimmy Graham has overcome tremendous obstacles his entire life. He accomplished what others said he never would, and he’s not done yet.

“Most people, even people that I knew, laughed in my face when I told them I was going to play football,” said Graham, a former basketball standout for the University of Miami. “I think I’m only going to improve.”  

That attitude, paired with an exceptional drive and work ethic fostered over a lifetime of competitiveness, has allowed Graham to become one of the most dominant tight ends in the National Football League in just his fourth year playing football.  

The former Hurricane played basketball in Coral Gables, Fla. for four seasons. After years of being labeled as the enforcer by his teammates, Graham realized his skill set and attitude might be better suited elsewhere. It was then that he decided to take his talents from the hardwood to the gridiron and he has yet to look back.  

“I was either going to throw you or the ball out of bounds,” said Graham. “How I am competitively and physically, I definitely think I have more of a football mentality. I think the aggression that I have is definitely meant for football.”  

That aggression and competitive nature helped Graham in his only season playing football at the University of Miami. Well after the end of the collegiate season, as the 2010 NFL Draft approached, Graham began to receive attention in ways he hadn’t before.  

“Every analyst on TV said I was the NFL Draft’s biggest risk,” said Graham. “I can remember, literally every day I heard that I was the biggest risk. It was pretty motivating. Sometimes high risk has high reward.”  

For the Saints, the reward has been well worth the risk.  After selecting him in the third round of the 2010 Draft, Graham has appeared in 42 games with 25 starts for the black and gold while racking up 189 receptions for 2,320 yards (12.3 avg.) and 24 touchdowns, the most by a tight end in the NFC since 2010.  

He is the only tight end in franchise history to be named NFC Offensive Player of the Week and the first at the position to earn the honor since 2006.  He was named a Pro Bowl starter in just his second season.

Tight ends coach Terry Malone has worked very closely with Graham since he was drafted. Malone noted that since he arrived, Graham has been eager to learn as much as he can.  

“I think one of things that makes Jimmy Graham very special is that he is a competitive guy and he really has a burning desire to be the best,” said Malone. “He works that way. Since he joined the team, he has always put time into the game and it’s very important to him. When you combine a guy that has his talent with that kind of attitude, then the sky is the limit.”  

Even while continuing to learn the detailed ins-and-outs of the game, Graham has performed exceptionally well. He has relied on his passion, emotion and motivation to ensure that he puts forth his best effort on the field each and every game.  

“I have a fearless attitude,” said Graham. “I am a player that plays with a lot of emotion. I think the fans notice that. I take the game very personally. It’s something that I take a lot of pride in. I always feel that when I step on the field, I have something to prove. To this day, people always call me the basketball player and I feel like I’m out there proving why I should be out there.”  

But after his 2011 season, players and coaches all across the league know that this tight end doesn’t perform like he’s still learning the game.  Graham recorded 99 receptions for 1,310 yards (13.2 avg.) and 11 touchdowns last season while leading the club in all receiving categories.  

He became just the second tight end in history to go for over 1,300 yards in a single season and he also started a streak of six consecutive games where he pulled in a touchdown catch (tied for the second-longest by a tight end since the AFL-NFL merger).

He finished the season ranked No. 14 on the NFL Network’s “Top 100: Players of 2012,” a list voted on by NFL players.  Despite the accolades and praise, Graham still isn’t satisfied.  

“I think there were a lot of missed opportunities last year,” said Graham. “I missed some plays just because I was a young player. Now, I feel like I can recognize things a lot quicker. Hopefully it can allow me to limit those mistakes and capitalize on more opportunities.”

So far this season, even while facing more complicated coverages and double-teams, Graham is tied for the team lead in touchdown (8) with Marques Colst, second in receptions (59) and is third in yards (654).  

Against the then undefeated NFC South opponent Atlanta Falcons on Nov. 11, Graham put forth the best effort of his career when he racked up a career-high 146 yards and tied a career-high with two touchdowns in the Saints win.  

“I think I’ve just scratched the surface as far as my potential,” said the Pro Bowl tight end. “I have more of a football body now. I’ve put on some weight. I know more about defenses and it helps me to recognize certain coverages I want to continue to improve each and every day.”  

His hard work has helped him to hone his skillset but the tight end has also been able to learn from one of the league’s elite quarterbacks, Drew Brees.  Brees has been the signal caller for every game since the former Hurricane was drafted and the quarterback has been able to witness Graham’s passion and desire to be great.  

“The sky is the limit for this guy,” said Brees. “The good thing about him is that he doesn’t necessarily need to be pushed or motivated. He is self-motivated. He is driven. He’s got a fire that burns inside of him.”  

Graham traces that desire well into his past, all the way to his childhood. When faced with many obstacles to overcome, Graham turns toward the upbringing that shaped his attitude and competitiveness.  

“It taught me and it has given me that chip on my shoulder,” said Graham. “My whole life I’ve had to prove myself and battle through things. My whole life I’ve had a chip, it’s just in my personality.”  

Offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael has noticed the passion that Graham plays with on the field.  

“I would say he is a very emotional and passionate player,” said Carmichael. “When he makes a big play he gets excited. He gets excited for his teammates when they make a good play. I think he is a guy who plays with some extra passion, some extra fire.”  

But even with his success to this point, Graham retains the same attitude that he has always had. He strives to be great and will never stop. He remains focused on constant improvement and evaluates his performances with a microscope.  For Graham, there is no excuse to settle.

“Improvement and hard work are the biggest things for me,” said Graham. “I am focused on becoming the best player I can to help this team. I want to help this team win games.”

But, for the tight end, there is some extra motivation every time he steps into the locker room.  

“There are a lot of guys, whenever I look around, that have a ring,” said Graham. “I’m not one of those guys. That’s the ultimate goal, to get a ring. It’s really all I think about, especially when I work out. I am always trying to move towards that goal.”


(neworleanssaints.com)

John Salmons had 12 points, a season-high seven assists and two 3-pointers on 4-of-7 shooting in Wednesday's win. This comes on the heels of five straight single-digit games and we'll need to see more from Salmons going forward before buying into this one




(fantasysp.com)

Offensive Player of the Week:

Greg Olsen: Carolina Panthers TE Greg Olsen who only had one catch on the day was a big one as Olsen's 47-yard score, which tied the game at 7-7 in the first quarter, was the second-longest play of his career, and his best since a 52-yard reception in 2008. Olsen ranks second on the team with 50 catches and 636 yards. He is one of two proCane tight ends with more than 600 receiving yards on the season, joining New Orleans Saints' Pro Bowler Jimmy Graham (654). Olsen this week set a new career high with 636 yard receiving this season.

Honorable Mention: Reggie Wayne: proCane Colts WR Reggie Wayne was held to four catches for 51 yards in the Colts' Week 13 win over the Lions but Wayne extended his NFL record 60 games streak of having 3 or more receptions. Wayne is on pace for 117 catches, 1,541 yards and four touchdowns heading into a matchup with the Titans in Week 14.

Co-Defensive Players of Week:

Ed Reed: proCane Ravens safety Ed Reedplayed a role in two Ravens turnovers, including a key interception in the endzone off Steelers' quarterback Charlie Batch to preserve a late fourth-quarter lead. Reed increased his lead in all-time interception return yardage to 1,541 on the play, returning to Baltimore's 34-yard line. The interception, the 61st of his career, solidified the Reed’s position at No. 10 all-time in the category. Reed also recovered a fumble in the third quarter, the 10th recovery of his career.

Brandon Harris: proCane Houston Texans second-year cornerback was expected to play a key role in Sunday's game against Tennessee - and he delivered. Seeing an increased role due to injuries to usual starters in the secondary, Harris led the team with six tackles. Harris, who drew widespread praise for his performance, was also credited with two pass defenses. Harris will continue to play a key role for the Texans defense as injuries have taken a toll on their secondary.

Honorable Mention: Darryl Sharpton.

Special Teams Player of the Week:

Matt Bosher: proCane Falcons P Matt Bosher continued his great 2nd season and firmly planted himself among the better punters in the league. His performance against the Saints may have been one of the best games of his career. His punting average of 53.2 yards was a career high and his six punts tied a season high. Of those punts four were returned but credit the coverage teams for limiting the Saints to a 15-yard return average. The Saints average starting drive position was their own 25-yard line. Bosher's 47.9 punting average this season is ranked ninth in the league. His 15 fair catches on punts is tied for fourth in the NFL.

Here's an NFL story designed to warm your heart and terrify your wallet. Texans wide receiver Andre Johnson, one of the league's unquestioned good guys, on Tuesday performed what's becoming an annual ritual for him: a Toys "R" Us shopping spree for at-risk youth in Houston.

Johnson's Foundation, the Andre Johnson Charitable Foundation, funded the spree, in which 12 children selected by Child Protective Services had 80 seconds to fill up their carts with as many toys as they could. And oh, could they fill those carts.

"You hear a minute and twenty seconds, and you don't think that's a long time, but you'd be surprised by what these kids can put into their buckets," Johnson said afterward. You can see his gargantuan receipt in the photo at right.

The children, ranging in ages from 8 to 16, have all suffered parental abuse in some form and now live with extended family members. But each child made sure to purchase toys for siblings and other relatives as well.

Johnson's foundation performs several works throughout the year for children in both Houston and Johnson's Miami hometown. But he told the team's website that it's the Toys "R" Us event that he enjoys the most.

"I think it's probably the best one because you get to see the kids really enjoy it," he said. "That's what this season is about.  It's something I look forward to. The kids are happy, they get what they want for Christmas, and that's all that matters."

After the spree, Johnson also joined the Houston Police Department's Blue Santa program to surprise 800 students at Houston's Bastian Elementary School with Christmas presents.

Johnson stressed that he had traveled the path many of these kids were on, and he hoped they could learn from his example: "I grew up in a single-parent home and I was fortunate to achieve my goals," he said. "So, whatever goals you have, just keep them out in front of you, don't let anybody distract you away from them, because there will be distractions that try to detour you away from your goals. That's the biggest thing."


(yahoosports.com)

The Baltimore Ravens are unsure about linebacker Terrell Suggs' status with torn biceps injury but the team expects linebacker Ray Lewis to return to practice Wednesday, a source told ESPN's Ed Werder. Lewis tore his triceps a little over seven weeks ago.

If Lewis can return Dec. 16 against Denver (the first game he's eligible to play) and Suggs is out for an extended period, that's a bad trade-off for the Ravens. Even though Suggs hasn't played like the reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year, he is still more of a playmaker than Lewis at this stage of their careers.

But the Ravens do need Lewis to return as soon as possible. Baltimore was down to reserves Brendon Ayanbadejo and Albert McClellan at inside linebacker with Lewis and Dannell Ellerbe both injured Sunday against Pittsburgh. Without Lewis or Ellerbe in the middle, a below-average run defense is even more vulnerable.

I'm still in a wait-and-see mode with Lewis. There was speculation that he would return to practice last week and he didn't. But if there is an NFL player who can come back from a torn triceps injury in less than two months, it will be Lewis. Few expected Lewis to be playing in the league for 17 years.


(espn.com)

SANTA CLARA -- Frank Gore wore a light brace around his left wrist Tuesday, the result of a stiff-arm he delivered to a tough St. Louis Rams defense over the weekend.

Not to worry, Gore insisted. "I could play right now,'' he said.

There is no indication that the injury is significant and Gore was healthy enough to rack up season-high 23 carries against the Rams. Still, his aches and pains, though, are going to get extra scrutiny at a time when his backup job seems up for grabs.

Jim Harbaugh dropped the latest hint Tuesday second-round pick LaMichael James could get his speedy feet wet soon, perhaps Sunday against the Miami Dolphins at Candlestick Park. Speaking on his weekly KNBR radio show, the 49ers coach said James has "worked hard for an opportunity" and said the rookie's debut is "something that's definitely a possibility."

With No. 2 running back Kendall Hunter out for the season, the 49ers turned Brandon Jacobs against the Rams and the veteran chipped in with four carries for 6 yards.

James could offer more of a game-breaking threat, but Gore said echoed the team's sentiment that the kid still has some learning to do. Gore is doing what he can to get the kid up to speed -- which in this case means getting him to slow down.

Gore said James runs at full-tilt all the time, a no-no in the NFL where running lanes are rare and precious.

"In college, there's a big space. But not here. He has a tough time with that,'' Gore said. "I told him, 'It's not how fast you are. It's about patience and how fast you can get through it.' I told him that he had to let things develop."

There's also the matter of pass protection. James acknowledged Tuesday that he was rarely assigned blitz pickup duty while at Oregon (where he was too busy rushing for 1,805 yards last year). Gore noted that learning how to pass protect is actually two skills -- how to deliver the block and knowing whom to block in the first place.

James said he's trying.

"Obviously, I'm not 230 pounds but I can feel like I can get the job done if I'm scrappy enough,'' the 5-foot-9, 195-pounder said.

James said he hasn't been told whether he'll play Sunday. Until then, he's willing to help however he can, even if that means serving on the scout team during practice.

And if the bell rings this weekend?

"I feel like I can go out there and help the team,'' James said. "Hopefully, I can light a spark."


(mercurynews.com)

HOUSTON (CBS Houston) – With Monday’s news that Texans cornerback Brice McCain had surgery on his fractured foot and was placed on the designated-to-return-IR list, the AFC’s top team turns to 2nd year pro Brandon Harris to fill the void.

After the McCain injury against the Titans, Harris received the first real extended playing time of his career in the secondary, and I thought fared pretty well. According to Pro Football Focus, Harris was targeted 7 times and gave up 4 receptions for 78 yards. The yardage is high, but keep in mind that a bust in coverage on one play allowed Nate Washington to pick up 49 of those yards.

A lot of the talk Monday was about the penalties Harris racked up. In total, he was called for 3 in the game (2 on defense, with an illegal contact and a pass interference). To me, that’s part of the growing pains of a young cornerback. We can’t realistically expect Harris to come in cold and shut down decent NFL receivers.

You could see that Harris played a bit too aggressively in spots, but one thing that stood out to me was his tackling. Harris made 5 tackles on the day. In stark contrast to the disaster against the Jaguars, the Texans were actually able to get receivers on the ground after catches.

Now, Harris is the starter at nickel corner the rest of the way, and that’s a tall order in an NFL full of 3 and 4 receiver sets.

“Harris has been chomping at the bit. He’s been close to getting on the field for a while and has just been kind of the odd man out,” Gary Kubiak said. “Now it’s time. You go from playing zero to playing 59 [Sunday] so it tells you what’s fixing to happen with this young career of his. We’re excited for his opportunity.”

That chance continues next Monday against the Patriots. Harris will see his share of Wes Welker, one of the elite slot WRs the NFL has. The former Miami star was highly regarded enough to be drafted in the 2nd round in 2011, and many Texans fans have been disappointed in how often he’s been listed as inactive. Harris has his big opportunity, and we’ll see how effectively he can replace McCain.


(cbslocal.com)

The Denver Broncos are in the midst of a short week as they prepare to take on the Oakland Raiders on Thursday night. The good news is the Broncos are relatively healthy heading into the matchup with one notable exception. Starting strong side linebacker Wesley Woodyard is unlikely to play due to an ankle injury suffered in the win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

For everyone wondering why the Broncos hung on to DJ Williams despite his off the field issues; this is why. Williams will start if Woodyard can’t go on Thursday night. No one including the Broncos likes the off the field issues with Williams but having him as a backup is a great luxury. Woodyard is having a Pro Bowl caliber season and no one is saying he won’t be missed, but the Broncos defense will be fine with Williams in the starting lineup.

Despite all of his nonsense, Williams is well liked and respected in the locker room and has not been a distraction since returning from his suspension. On the contrary, he has played in any role that he’s been asked to play and has not disrupted the chemistry by demanding that he be inserted into the starting lineup. Williams will get a start this week but it does not appear that he will eventually replace Keith Brooking as many thought, the defense is just playing too well. It would be a mistake to mess with the starting lineup at this late date; unless it is due to injury.

In the long run, Williams will continue to play in certain situations as he has since coming back. For one week though, Williams will be in the starting lineup versus the Raiders and the defense won’t miss a beat.


(rantsports.com)

It was a good sign that Bears kick returner/receiver Devin Hester was out and about Tuesday as he continues to recover from his concussion.

In front of a jubilant crowd of students, Hester presented Calumet PSD 132 with a $10,000 NFL Play 60 grant for health and wellness programming.

"For any Chicago Bear player to come in here and present an award to these guys, it's a big honor," Hester said.

As far as his own health, Hester is taking things one day at a time. He suffered his concussion in the Bears' victory against the Minnesota Vikings on Nov. 25. He sat out the Bears' loss to the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday and hasn't practiced since getting diagnosed with a concussion.

"I'm getting better as the days go," Hester said. "I can't really tell from this point on, but the progress is getting better and better.

"I'm playing it safe, and when the time comes when they clear me, I'll be ready."

Hester said he didn't know how many tests he has left to pass in order to play this week against the Vikings.

"Pretty much all I know is I'm getting better each and every day," Hester said.


(suntimes.com)

NEW ORLEANS -- The latest round of appeal hearings in the NFL's bounty investigation have concluded with appearances by former Minnesota Vikings head coach Brad Childress, Saints assistant head coach Joe Vitt and linebacker Jonathan Vilma.

Vilma said his appearance went well but declined further comment citing a request for confidentiality by former NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue, who has been appointed to oversee the proceedings. There were also several days of witness appearances in Washington, D.C., last week.

The hearings were scheduled to conclude in New Orleans by Tuesday, but ended Monday evening after about 10 hours of testimony from the three witnesses.
Tagliabue had informed attorneys representing all parties that he hoped to rule on the appeals of Vilma, Saints defensive end Will Smith and two other players shortly after the hearings conclude.

A person familiar with the situation says Tagliabue expects to rule by early next week, meaning Vilma and Smith expect to play Sunday against the New York Giants. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because of Tagliabue's directive.

Smith, suspended four games, and Vilma, suspended for the entire current season, are playing while their appeals are pending.

Like Vilma, Childress and Vitt honored Tagliabue's request for confidentiality after their appearances.

As Childress left the downtown law office on Monday he said he had "nothing to add."

Vitt also didn't have much to say, though he spent about five hours at the hearing.

The Saints coach had said previously, including under oath in federal court last summer, that his players never took the field intending to injure an opponent. As he left, Vitt said that testimony "was reiterated."

Vitt said he could not discuss details of the hearing, but added that it was good to see the former commissioner, who he'd met before. Vitt said that they had friendly exchanges, even sharing some old stories.

Vitt then headed back to the Saints' suburban headquarters to catch up on how practice went.

Two former New Orleans players also were banned: Cleveland Browns linebacker Scott Fujita had his suspension reduced to one game, while free-agent defensive lineman Anthony Hargrove has not played in the NFL this season but faces a two-game suspension if he signs with a team.

The NFL has described Vilma and Smith as ringleaders -- and former Saints defensive coordinator Gregg Williams as being in charge -- of a performance pool designed to knock targeted opponents out of games from 2009 to 2011.

The league has sworn statements from Williams and former Saints assistant coach Mike Cerullo -- who testified last week -- saying Vilma offered $10,000 to anyone who knocked quarterback Brett Favre out of the 2010 NFC Championship Game.

Childress had informed the NFL after that game he'd heard from former player Jimmy Kennedy that the Saints had a bounty on Favre. Childress is currently the Cleveland Browns offensive coordinator.

The NFL also has identified Kennedy as one of its witnesses, but Kennedy has said the league is lying about his statements. He added that the league irreparably damaged his reputation by its "shoddy, careless, shameful so-called investigation."

According to the NFL, Kennedy heard about the bounty from Hargrove, who has also denied knowledge of a bounty program.

Tagliabue has insisted that the contents of the appeals process remain private, and all of the hearings have been behind closed doors in private law offices.
Vilma offered a wave and a thumbs-up sign as walked into the downtown New Orleans' law office for Monday's proceedings. Vitt only joked to several reporters that he sees them "in his dreams" and that they should be at Saints' practice instead of the law office.

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell issued the initial suspensions, which also included a full-season ban for Saints head coach Sean Payton.

Lawsuits brought by Vilma and the NFL Players Association to challenge Goodell's handling of the case, including his decision in October to appoint Tagliabue as the arbitrator for the appeals, are pending in federal court in New Orleans.

On Thursday, U.S. District Judge Ginger Berrigan gave the parties until Monday to answer questions about whether the NFL's collective bargaining agreement prevents a commissioner from handing out discipline for legal contact, and whether the CBA's passages about detrimental conduct are "ambiguous, hence unenforceable."

The NFLPA responded Monday afternoon, saying the labor agreement does not give the commissioner authority to punish players for legal hits. The union added that if Tagliabue interprets the agreement otherwise, the provisions pertaining to the commissioner's authority in the CBA would be unenforceable.
In its response to Berrigan's request, the NFL said players were not punished for on-field actions. The league said the players' suspensions resulted from meeting or locker room pledges, rewarding injury-causing hits and lying to NFL investigators about the incentive pool.

In March, the NFL announced that its investigation showed the Saints put together a bounty pool of up to $50,000 to reward game-ending injuries inflicted on opponents. "Knockouts" were worth $1,500 and "cart-offs" $1,000 -- with payments doubled or tripled for the playoffs, the league said.

According to the league, the pay-for-pain program was administered by Williams, with Payton's knowledge. At the time, Williams apologized for his role, saying: "It was a terrible mistake, and we knew it was wrong while we were doing it."

Later that month, Payton became the first head coach suspended by the league for any reason -- banned for all of this season without pay -- and Williams was suspended indefinitely.


(espn.com)

Antrel Rolle believes he knows one way to get the Giants out of their inconsistent ways and steer them toward the playoffs.

Get nasty and stop kissing butts.

“I think we just need to get back to being a little nasty, having a nasty attitude,” Rolle said Tuesday on his weekly WFAN spot. “Don’t do anything that’s out of the line of football, but have a little nasty attitude, get a little bit more dog in us, and go out there and play the game. Play the game physical, play the game tough, play the game hard, and we’ll give hugs and kisses after the game. But while that game is going on, we respect no one. And that’s how the game of football needs to be played.”

Rolle sounded off a day after the Giants blew a huge chance to take command of the NFC East. Instead of seizing control, the Giants made it a three-team race, as their 17-16 loss to the Redskins leaves the Giants at 7-5 and the Redskins and Cowboys both only one game back at 6-6.

Did Rolle make sure to sound this alarm at this precise time? After all, it was almost exactly a year ago, after a loss to the Redskins dropped the Giants to 7-7, when Rolle stood in front of his locker and challenged his teammates to ignore their aches and pains and get on the practice field, to indeed be “All in.’’ That became the rallying cry for the Giants as they won their last two regular-season games and then won four straight in the postseason to capture their second Super Bowl triumph in a four-year span.

Rolle now is sounding a familiar theme, all-but pleading for the Giants to get back to a “dog mentality’’ where they stop giving so much credit to the other team and start pounding away on the opponents.

“Personally, that’s something myself, that’s not anything I’ve been too fond of,” Rolle said. “Do I respect my opponents? I respect them. You know, I’ll give credit when credit’s due. But I’m not gonna kiss anyone’s butt before the game. That’s something that I’m never, ever gonna do as long as I’m playing the game of football.’’

As for the loss to the Redskins, Rolle said “I don’t see enough dog out there on the field. I don’t see enough manhandling out there on the field, and I don’t see us putting opponents away when we know we could.”

Rolle at first said he did not think the Giants got “pushed over’’ by the Redskins but quickly changed his tune.

“At certain times we did,’’ he said. “I think at certain times we did get pushed over. To me, there wasn’t a more important game in the season than that game last night.”


(nypost.com)

When the Kings reacquired John Salmons before last season, management hoped he would be a veteran leader on a roster with many young players.

Salmons had never filled such a role. But now he says he's more comfortable speaking his mind this season.

"Last year was the first team I was like the oldest person on the team," Salmons said after practice Tuesday. "It was a new experience for me. I really didn't want it. I really didn't embrace it."

That's changed this season.

Salmons called a players-only meeting last month after a bad loss to Atlanta. After Saturday's 35-point defeat to the Los Angeles Clippers, Salmons said the players were to blame, not the coaching staff.

"This year, I felt like it was something I had to do, particularly with how the season is going," Salmons said. "Hopefully I can continue to get better at it and we can continue to get better as a team."

Salmons is in his 11th season, the most NBA experience of any King. The only other player with at least 10 seasons is seldom-used forward Travis Outlaw.
Though being more of a leader is still new to him, Salmons is adjusting.

"It's something that I embrace," he said. "By embracing it, I'm starting to enjoy that role."

Kings coach Keith Smart said he noticed a change in Salmons beginning in training camp. When Salmons returned from time off for the birth of his third child, he became more vocal.

"When he came back this year, one thing I noticed was, wow, John is talking a lot more because he didn't talk a lot unless you engaged him," Smart said. "You can see that he's talking more. He's comfortable with where he's at."

Smart doesn't mind Salmons speaking his mind. He welcomes another voice repeating his message.

"It's been good to see he's communicating and talking to the guys and not being afraid to say what he really feels," Smart said. "And that's what we need on this team."

Salmons, Francisco Garcia and Chuck Hayes are the veterans most likely to point out what's going wrong.

"We have veterans, but we want them to be a little more vocal, because coaches can only do so much," Smart said. "You get more out of the words that I'm going to say when one of your teammates say the same thing."

Salmons has stressed accountability to help the Kings turn the season around.

"We're the ones out there on the court," Salmons said. "I feel like this string of losses we've just had, particularly that last one, it's starting to dawn on us that it's on us."


(sacbee.com)

Head Coach Gary Kubiak on how encouraging it was to see ILB Darryl Sharpton step up on Sunday: “It’s very encouraging and I think the biggest thing there is a couple things that took place defensively in the game, getting (NT) Shaun (Cody) back, as I’ve said all along. Cody gave us some versatility inside and took some snaps off some players. We got our pass rush back. We got it from a lot of places. (ILB Darryl) Sharpton took a whole week of practice. He had every rep in practice running our defense. You could see the difference in Sharpton and how he played. (ILB Tim) Dobbins came in and helped and played extremely well in the game. I think a couple things going on right there helped us get back to playing our type of football defensively. I think Sharpton is more comfortable. This is three games he now has under his belt and he’s going to have to be because he’s going to be big going down the stretch here.”


(enterprisenews.com)

It was reported late Sunday that Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Ike Taylor may have suffered fibula injury in the Sunday win over the Baltimore Ravens that could keep him out for 2-6 weeks. Should that indeed be the case the Steelers cornerback situation will obviously change.

Second-year cornerback Cortez Allen replaced Taylor in the base defense and that will be the plan moving forward. Allen had three passes defensed in relief of Taylor, but his pass interference penalty and failed coverage on Anquan Boldin that resulted in a touchdown made his play uneven on the night.

When the Steelers went to their nickel package second-year cornerback Curtis Brown entered the game and played outside on most of his snaps with Allen continuing to play his nickel slot role that he has played all season long. This too is expected to be the plan moving forward.

With Taylor likely to be sidelined indefinitely we will likely see cornerback DeMarcus Van Dyke now dress in his place as the fourth cornerback on gamedays. Van Dyke is regarded generally as an outside corner, so we have likely seen the last of the seldom used dime package at least initially. In the event that they do play dime, Brown very well might be the one to move inside with Van Dyke playing the outside spot in those situations.


(steelersdepot.com)

Safety first.

The NFL has explained ad nauseam that is why the rules have changed so much that we sometimes wonder if the players should just wear flags.

Safety, the league claims, is why it handed a one-game suspension to Baltimore Ravens safety Ed Reed, who ultimately won his appeal for an illegal hit against the Pittsburgh Steelers two weeks ago.

Reed, though, sees right through the NFL's bovine excrement it continues to spew. And after yet another grueling 60 minutes against the arch-rival Steelers on Sunday, Reed was preaching.

"All of a sudden, the NFL is starting to get sued for all the stuff they haven't protected over the years, and they haven't done ... now you want to take it out on us?" Reed said, via Sports Illustrated. "Take it out on yourself. It's easy for them to do the things they're doing, fining us and make us look bad, like we're the bad guy, when we're not.

"If they were really so concerned about the violence and the injuries, players getting hurt, answer this question for me: Why is there Thursday Night Football? We played three games in 17 days. Why is there Thursday Night Football? Come on, man."

Thursday Night Football on NFL Network exists for one reason and one reason only: money. Its very existence highlights a giant flaw in the league's "safety first" mantra. If safety was such a concern for the league, Roger Goodell would never allow his players to play on three days of rest.

Reed understands this, and I, for one, commend him for telling it like it is.


(usatoday.com)

NEW ORLEANS -- The latest round of appeal hearings in the NFL's bounty investigation have concluded with appearances by former Minnesota Vikings head coach Brad Childress, Saints assistant head coach Joe Vitt and linebacker Jonathan Vilma.

Vilma said his appearance went well but declined further comment citing a request for confidentiality by former NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue, who has been appointed to oversee the proceedings. There were also several days of witness appearances in Washington, D.C., last week.

The hearings were scheduled to conclude in New Orleans by Tuesday, but ended Monday evening after about 10 hours of testimony from the three witnesses.
"I think it did go well," Vilma, wearing a gray suit, said as he left a downtown high-rise where Monday's hearing was held. Vilma added that Tagliabue "seems a little bit more receptive" to his version of events than Commissioner Roger Goodell did. The linebacker declined further comment, citing Tagliabue's directive that the parties involved keep details of the hearings confidential.

Tagliabue had informed attorneys representing all parties that he hoped to rule on the appeals of Vilma, Saints defensive end Will Smith and two other players shortly after the hearings conclude.

A person familiar with the situation says Tagliabue expects to rule by early next week, meaning Vilma and Smith expect to play Sunday against the New York Giants. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because of Tagliabue's directive.

Smith, suspended four games, and Vilma, suspended for the entire current season, are playing while their appeals are pending.

Like Vilma, Childress and Vitt honored the Tagliabue's request for confidentiality after their appearances.

As Childress left the downtown law office on Monday he said he had "nothing to add."

Vitt also didn't have much to say, though he spent about five hours at the hearing.

The Saints coach had said previously, including under oath in federal court last summer, that his players never took the field intending to injure an opponent. As he left, Vitt said that testimony "was reiterated."

Vitt said he could not discuss details of the hearing, but added that it was good to see the former commissioner, who he'd met before. Vitt said that they had friendly exchanges, even sharing some old stories.

Vitt then headed back to the Saints' suburban headquarters to catch up on how practice went.

Two former New Orleans players also were banned: Cleveland Browns linebacker Scott Fujita had his suspension reduced to one game, while free-agent defensive lineman Anthony Hargrove has not played in the NFL this season but faces a two-game suspension if he signs with a team.

The NFL has described Vilma and Smith as ringleaders -- and former Saints defensive coordinator Gregg Williams as being in charge -- of a performance pool designed to knock targeted opponents out of games from 2009 to 2011.

The league has sworn statements from Williams and former Saints assistant coach Mike Cerullo -- who testified last week -- saying Vilma offered $10,000 to anyone who knocked quarterback Brett Favre out of the 2010 NFC championship game.

Childress had informed the NFL after that game he'd heard from former player Jimmy Kennedy that the Saints had a bounty on Favre. Childress is currently the Cleveland Browns offensive coordinator.

The NFL also has identified Kennedy as one of its witnesses, but Kennedy has said the league is lying about his statements. He added that the league irreparably damaged his reputation by its "shoddy, careless, shameful so-called investigation."

According to the NFL, Kennedy heard about the bounty from Hargrove, who has also denied knowledge of a bounty program.

Tagliabue has insisted that the contents of the appeals process remain private, and all of the hearings have been behind closed doors in private law offices.

Vilma offered a wave and a thumbs-up sign as walked into the downtown New Orleans' law office for Monday's proceedings. Vitt only joked to several reporters that he sees them "in his dreams" and that they should be at Saints' practice instead of the law office.


(nfl.com)

Chicago Bears coach Lovie Smith usually keeps a lid on injury news on Mondays -- witness last week when he held a press conference without really updating any injuries and then put guard Lance Louis on season-ending injured reserve less than an hour afterward.

So when he offered up nothing new Monday to update the condition of LB Brian Urlacher's hamstring injury, WR Earl Bennett's concussion, CB Tim Jennings' shoulder injury, or other injuries from earlier games, it wasn't surprising.

Smith is hopeful WR Alshon Jeffery returns from arthroscopic knee surgery this week. He was doubtful Sunday and didn't play, but was on the field running prior to the contest. Smith is also hopeful WR Devin Hester can return from a concussion, so he saw no need for the team to go outside the organization and bring in another wide receiver.

"No, we're going to go with the guys we have right now, going to get some guys back this week and we'll be fine," Smith said.

WR Brandon Marshall had mentioned the possibility of signing his friend, Michael Sims-Walker, who made seven TD catches for Jacksonville in 2009 and 2010, but Smith discounted this as the media putting words in Marshall's mouth.

"I think sometimes when you guys ask him about certain guys, you know?" Smith said. "I've got a lot of old buddies and stuff, too. "I think Brandon feels pretty good about the guys that we have here that he is playing with."

Actually, Marshall brought up the topic of new players without being asked, and also suggested moving up WR Joe Anderson from the practice squad.

Bennett's return this week might be more iffy than Hester's, since Hester has had more than a week away. Jay Cutler, DE Shea McClellin and Hester all have had concussions and sat out a game.


(cbssports.com)

First-year candidates Warren Sapp, Michael Strahan, John Lynch, Jonathan Ogden, Larry Allen and Morten Andersen are among the 27 semifinalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2013.

The Hall of Fame's Selection Committee chose the semifinalists for an original list of 127 preliminary nominees. A three-person tie for the final position allowed two extra names to be listed on what normally is a 25-man ballot.

Other semifinalists this year include Steve Atwater, Jerome Bettis, Tim Brown, Cris Carter, Don Coryell, Roger Craig, Terrell Davis, Eddie DeBartolo Jr., Kevin Greene, Charles Haley, Joe Jacoby, Albert Lewis, Karl Mecklenburg, Art Modell, Bill Parcells, Andre Reed, Will Shields, Paul Tagliabue, Steve Tasker, Aeneas Williams and George Young.

In early January, the list of semifinalists will be reduced to 15 modern-era finalists that will join the two previously announced senior nominees -- Curley Culp and Dave Robinson -- to be considered for election.

The Class of 2013, which will consist of between four to seven new members, will be determined at the Selection Committee's annual meeting on Saturday, Feb. 2, 2013 in New Orleans the day before Super Bowl XLVII.


(foxnews.com)

As the currently popular football adage goes, "punters are people, too."

With that in mind, let's take a look at one of the better performances in Thursday's win over the Saints that won't get much mention.

Second-year punter Matt Bosher's early rookie season struggles are a distant memory. Since the later portion of last season through Thursday night, he's firmly planted himself among the better punters in the league. His performance against the Saints may have been one of the best games of his career.

While the defense gets a lot of deserved credit for preventing the Saints from scoring touchdowns after the offense struggled for much of the game, Bosher should get some credit for setting up field position favorable for the Falcons. After a number of three-and-out situations, Bosher continued to take the field and pin the Saints deep.

His punting average of 53.2 yards was a career high and his six punts tied a season high. Of those punts four were returned but credit the coverage teams for limiting the Saints to a 15-yard return average. The Saints average starting drive position was their own 25-yard line.

Bosher's 47.9 punting average this season is ranked ninth in the league. His 15 fair catches on punts is tied for fourth in the NFL.


(atlantafalcons.com)

The New York Giants' defense may be at less than full strength for its Monday night clash with Robert Griffin III.

Safety Kenny Phillips is listed as doubtful for the pivotal NFC East game with a knee injury.

Phillips aggravated an MCL injury that kept him out of six games earlier this season last Sunday night against Green Bay.

Phillips, who went through a limited practice on Saturday, sounded confident all week that he would play against the Redskins. A source said the safety has been moving tentatively in practice.

The Giants on Sunday boarded their charter Amtrak train for their trip to Washington, DC for Monday night’s game against the Redskins and safety Kenny Phillips went along for the ride with his teammates. By making the trip, the Giants are at least holding out hope that Phillips might improve enough to give it a shot.


(espn.com)

Reggie Wayne was held to four catches for 51 yards in the Colts' Week 13 win over the Lions.

Wayne was extremely quiet as Chris Houston was in his shirt most of the day. Andrew Luck was also really erratic for 3 1/2 quarters and threw 26 passes to T.Y. Hilton and Donnie Avery. Wayne ended up with just nine targets. Still, we'd consider it a mere bump in the road. It's a season-low in both catches and yardage for Wayne. He's on pace for 117 catches, 1,541 yards and four touchdowns heading into a plus matchup with the Titans in Week 14.


(rotoworld.com)

New Orleans Saints linebacker Jonathan Vilma took to Twitter on Saturday morning to give a little bit of play-by-play on Friday's bounty appeals hearing in Washington, D.C. His take:

"here's a recap of yesterday's hearing "blah blah blah blah bounty bullsh** still dragging on blah blah blah witchhunt blah blah blah blah"

The hearings continue Monday and Tuesday in New Orleans.


(nola.com)

Greg Olsen made one catch for a 47 yard touchdown, on four targets, Sunday against the Chiefs.

Olsen started the scoring for the Panthers but failed to catch a pass for the remainder of the game. He has been working best downfield, either on outside breaking routes or down the seam, but expect Olsen to put up more than one catch in the coming weeks.


(rotoworld.com)

MIAMI (AP) - Former NFL lineman William Joseph has been sentenced to more than two years in federal prison for his role in a South Florida tax theft ring.

U.S. District Judge Kathleen Williams also ordered Joseph on Friday to pay a $10,800 fine and complete 300 hours of community service after his release from prison. Joseph pleaded guilty in August to aggravated identity theft and theft of government money charges.

Joseph is the third former football player sentenced in the scheme, which involved an FBI undercover check-cashing store in which the men cashed some $500,000 in fraudulent tax refund checks.

Joseph played for the New York Giants and Oakland Raiders. Previously sentenced were former Minnesota Vikings first-round Michael Bennett to 15 months and ex-Syracuse University player Louis Gacheline, who got 28 months.


(kswt.com)

It's debatable whether the Baltimore Ravens need linebacker Ray Lewis to hurry back from his torn triceps injury. They're 4-1 without him and the defense has allowed an NFL-best 14.5 points the past four weeks.

What you can't dispute is Lewis is at his best when running the defense. His experience and film study allows him to anticipate what the offense will run, and Lewis tells his teammates where they should line up. There's a reason why Terrell Suggs refers to Lewis as "The General."

That's why it's timely that Lewis is expected to be back for the Dec. 16 game against the Broncos. Peyton Manning is constantly audibling at the line of scrimmage, and Lewis is perhaps the best defensive player who knows how to counter that. If you've ever watched Lewis versus Manning, they're constantly shouting and signaling before the ball is snapped. It's a very vocal chess match.

Even though the Ravens could wrap up a playoff berth and possibly the division with a win over the Steelers on Sunday, Baltimore still will have a lot to play for in the next month. There is motivation to have Lewis back in the regular season. A veteran team like the Ravens is seeking a top-two seed and a first-round bye. A game against the AFC West-leading Broncos could determine whether the Ravens are playing in the first round or getting a much-needed week off.


(espn.com)

It has been nine long weeks since Kenny Phillips first suffered an MCL injury and he never imagined his right knee would still be a problem. And it’s not just bad luck or chronic knee issues, either.

Phillips said he’s still hurting because “When we started our rehab we didn’t go about it the right way.”

The Giants’ safety wouldn’t get into specifics, nor did he place blame on any one person, but he seemed clearly unhappy about the way his injury has been handled since he first got hurt in a Week 4 game in Philadelphia. He missed the next six games plus the bye week before returning last Sunday night against the Green Bay Packers.

Then he hurt his knee again.

“Yeah, it sucks,” Phillips said. “It’s real frustrating. It seems like it’s always something. But I’ve been able to play through it. This is probably the most I’ve been able to play. I’m trying to bounce back from it. It felt OK. I’m getting better each day.”

Phillips, who was limited in practice on Friday, is pressing to play again on Monday night in Washington and hopes to remain in the lineup the rest of the season. But he’s clearly still hurting and said it’ll likely be that way until the offseason when he can rest.

He had plenty of time to rest before last Sunday night, though, so he definitely didn’t feel like he rushed back onto the field. But something about the way he went about his rehab just didn’t seem to work out.

“When we started our rehab we didn’t go about it the right way, and now here we are, we’re dealing with it right now,” Phillips said. “I don’t want to get into (specifics). It just didn’t work out the way we wanted it to.

Asked if he was angry, Phillips said “I mean, I wouldn’t say I’m mad about it. It is what it is. No one’s perfect. I just think we both felt that something needed to change. We needed to change up the rehab. We just felt like we weren’t doing the right things. 

“So we just switched up and it immediately starting feeling better. So I’m here now. I’m not worried about the games that I missed.”

Phillips said his current injury is “kind of pretty much the same thing” as his previous injury, it just “never was completely how it’s supposed to have been -- I’ll just say it like that. It’s obviously not as serious as the left knee injury he suffered in 2009 which led to career-threatening surgery. He insisted he won’t need any surgery this time.

What he needs is what he can’t have. “The biggest thing is going to be rest,” he said, “and I don’t have time for that right now.”

He added that team doctors have told him “it’s either ‘Don’t play’ or ‘You’ve got to play through some pain.’ I’m just dealing with that right now.”


(nydailynews.com)

BALTIMORE -- Baltimore Ravens safety Ed Reed offered a pointed critique of the NFL on Sunday night, specifically about the way the league has been policing its defensive players.

Speaking after the Ravens' 23-20 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, Reed said the NFL is turning into "powder puff" football and compared commissioner Roger Goodell to a president who doesn't have to answer to Congress and simply can pass whatever laws he pleases.

Reed had his recent one-game suspension for a series of illegal hits overturned on appeal, but the eight-time All Pro feels like the changes in the game are affecting the way he plays.

"It sucks, man," Reed said. "It sucks really bad. It affects me, man. I thought about it coming into this game, cause obviously it happened the last time we played."

Three weeks ago, when the Ravens and Steelers met at Heinz Field, Reed was flagged for a helmet-to-helmet hit on Pittsburgh wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders. The NFL, saying it was taking into account Reed's history as a repeat offender under the league's "defenseless player" policy, said it was suspending him for Baltimore's game against the San Diego Chargers the following week, a decision that would have cost Reed $423,529.

Reed and the NFL Players Association appealed the league's decision, and arbiter Ted Cotrell overturned the suspension and reduced it to a $50,000 fine.
Reed, however, remains angry about the incident. In fact, he went so far as to say he feels like he was being punished for declining when the NFL asked him for a favor, although he wasn't specific about what he was asked to do.

"I feel like (the NFL) was trying to make an example out of a couple of things that happened a week before," Reed said. "I didn't want to do something for the NFL. A little bug told me there was something in the air about that, that they kind of had it out for me. That's bad. I was like, 'If you're not going to support me as a player in your league, in our league, why would you think I was going to come back and wear something on my shoulder pads to support you when you're just fining us?' "

Reed's not the only player to criticize the NFL and Goodell this season. Several Steelers have expressed frustration over what they perceive as Goodell abusing his power under the new collective bargaining agreement. Reed said Sunday he believes the league is trying to promote "powder puff" football.

"It's definitely changing the game," Reed said. "It's become an offensive league. They want more points. They want the physical play out of it, kind of. They want like powder puff to where you can just run around and score points cause that's going to attract the fans. I understand you want to make money, but bending the rules and making the game different, you know, it's only going to make the game worse."

Even though Reed won his appeal, he said he feels as though there aren't enough checks and balances in the system. He compared Goodell to a president who doesn't have to answer to Congress or an opposing party, and simply can pass whatever laws he pleases. Reed also hinted the league is only trying to protect itself against lawsuits.

"All of the sudden the NFL is about to be sued for all the stuff that they haven't protected over the years and they haven't done," Reed said. "Now you want to take it out on us? Nah, take it out on yourself. It's easy for them to do the things they're doing, fining us and make us look bad, like we're the bad guy, when we're not."

Reed said he feels particularly let down by Ray Anderson, the NFL's executive vice president, who helped make the initial decision to fine and suspend him.

"That was crazy for the wording they were using, like malicious," Reed said. "I'm a malicious player. Ray Anderson talking about how I'm a dirty player. After 11 years now I'm a dirty? Serious man? ... It's definitely hurting the game, but they don't care so much about it cause they're going to continue to make their money. If they was really so concerned about the violence and the injuries and players getting hurt, answer this question for me: Why is there 'Thursday Night Football?' We played three games in 17 days (earlier this season)? Why?"


(espn.com)

Jack Magruder of FOXSports.com hears that the Diamondbacks have “made contact” with free agent Aubrey Huff. He’s apparently a target as the club looks for a backup corner infielder.

Huff, who turns 36 next month, batted just .192/.326/.282 with one home run and a .608 OPS in 95 plate appearances with the Giants this past season. He missed a lot of time with a knee injury and also took a brief leave of absence from the team due to anxiety issues. The Giants declined his $10 million club option about a month ago and paid him a $2 million buyout.

Huff’s production has dropped off the table since he was a major contributor on the Giants’ World Series team in 2010, so given his age and health concerns, it’s likely he’ll have to settle for a minor league contract this offseason.


(hardballtalk.com)