tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-770380532593090562010-02-08T15:08:20.886-05:00NFL blog from The Sports Xchange, the most trusted source of teams and professionals for the past 20 years. With writers on the scene with every team, get the hottest NFL news and insight. Get it here. Get it fast.TSXhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18124362587767391493noreply@blogger.comBlogger89125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77038053259309056.post-31152181256310011022010-02-08T10:36:00.000-05:002010-02-08T15:08:21.061-05:00

From Section 252, Row 3 in Joe Roby/Pro Player/Dolphin/Land Shark/Sun Life Stadium…   The pre-game inactive list was just released, and Colts DE Dwight Freeney and CB Jerraud Powers ARE NOT on it. That doesn’t mean they’ll start Super Bowl XLIV, but it does mean the team believes they will be able to play some kind of role.   Freeney has not practiced since suffering a third-degree sprain

TSXhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18124362587767391493noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77038053259309056.post-1194654220273094572010-01-04T12:29:00.001-05:002010-01-04T12:29:44.588-05:00

There are no official records kept for this sort of thing, but the Redskins barely waited 12 hours after their regular-season finale to kick coach Jim Zorn to the door.   The official announcement came at 7:41 a.m. ET Monday morning. The Redskins didn’t finish their game Sunday until after 7 p.m., and then had to travel cross-country. Which means Zorn barely had time to get his feet on the

TSXhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18124362587767391493noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77038053259309056.post-6852711298526323002009-12-14T21:03:00.001-05:002009-12-14T21:03:42.776-05:00

   There are a few hints when a coach knows a player has suffered a major injury.    He won’t talk about it, or worse, talks about the value of his replacement. But Lions coach Jim Schwartz came up with a new one Monday when he said running back Kevin Smith “got it bad.”    He was referring to the knee injury Smith suffered on Sunday. What we do know is Smith is done for the season. What we

TSXhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18124362587767391493noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77038053259309056.post-61264045096010415142009-12-14T20:53:00.001-05:002009-12-14T20:53:57.027-05:00

   Buccaneers general manager Mark Dominik already has his eyes on Nebraska defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh.    Either Tampa Bay or St. Louis figures to have the first overall pick, and Dominik expects Suh to be at the top of many draft boards.    "The only thing that worries me is living up to the hype," Dominik said. "If he gets six sacks as a rookie playing defensive tackle, someone's going

TSXhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18124362587767391493noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77038053259309056.post-301701849952877302009-12-14T19:21:00.000-05:002009-12-14T19:22:01.713-05:00

   Raiders quarterback Bruce Gradkowski has injuries to both knees that are expected to sideline him Sunday, although coach Tom Cable said on Monday that he wouldn’t know Gradkowski’s status until midweek.    Even if he somehow managed to play, Gradkowski would lose some effectiveness because his mobility was key behind the Raiders’ crumbling offensive line. Oakland gave up eight sacks against

TSXhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18124362587767391493noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77038053259309056.post-44482028649001109392009-12-14T19:17:00.001-05:002009-12-14T19:17:32.967-05:00

   The Falcons lost wide receiver Brian Finneran for the season to a torn posterior cruciate ligament in his left knee that isn’t expected to require surgery. In his place, the team will look to Marty Booker to produce behind Roddy White and Michael Jenkins.    --The Sports Xchange  

TSXhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18124362587767391493noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77038053259309056.post-48547300345287623012009-12-14T17:45:00.001-05:002009-12-14T17:45:02.501-05:00

   Jets coach Rex Ryan said rookie quarterback Mark Sanchez will return to practice this week, although he’s still not sure who will start against Atlanta on Sunday. Kellen Clemens started against Tampa Bay in Week 14 with Sanchez sidelined by a sprained posterior collateral ligament in his right knee.  

TSXhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18124362587767391493noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77038053259309056.post-41202088379645166712009-12-14T17:42:00.001-05:002009-12-14T17:42:49.398-05:00

   Titans quarterback Vince Young has a “mild” hamstring strain, according to coach Jeff Fisher. Young’s status is day-to-day as Tennessee prepares for Sunday’s game against the Dolphins.    Young was injured during a career-long 44-yard run against St. Louis. It’s that mobility that has been so critical to the turnaround in the Titans’ season since Young took over the job in the seventh game.

TSXhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18124362587767391493noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77038053259309056.post-56874921548858011762009-12-14T17:36:00.000-05:002009-12-14T17:37:00.380-05:00

   Second-round pick Darcel McBath is out for the remainder of the season with a broken arm suffered Sunday, according to The Associated Press. A special teams standout as a rookie, McBath was injured while filling in when Renaldo Hill left with an ankle injury. Denver signed Vernon Fox, who was released during final roster cuts.  

TSXhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18124362587767391493noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77038053259309056.post-54908747711630144392009-12-14T17:23:00.001-05:002009-12-14T17:23:04.560-05:00

   Steelers strong safety Troy Polamalu has missed eight full games and parts of two others with ligament issues in his left knee, but said he wants to play at least one more game this season even if Pittsburgh is eliminated from playoff contention.    “I’m a football player. I’m not a coach, I’m not a cheerleader,” Polamalu told The Associated Press. “What I love to do is play football and be

TSXhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18124362587767391493noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77038053259309056.post-10891315092469255892009-12-14T17:19:00.009-05:002009-12-14T17:19:57.964-05:00

   Explosive rookie wide receiver Percy Harvin sat out Minnesota’s victory over Cincinnati on Sunday as he continues to battle migraines, and the team isn’t sure if he’ll be ready to play next Sunday.    “That’s a thing that none of us have a great feel for,” coach Brad Childress said. “They are so wide-ranging and people report different things. It’s different for different people. As coaches

TSXhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18124362587767391493noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77038053259309056.post-66626817034015772062009-12-14T17:19:00.007-05:002009-12-14T17:19:43.299-05:00

   Redskins wide receiver Antwaan Randle El is averaging just 3.9 yards on 15 punt returns, including three fumbles.    "I'm surprised the way it has turned out with Antwaan because I really do trust him in there," said coach Jim Zorn, who said he might use Devin Thomas as well as usual fill-in Santana Moss in that capacity.    --The Sports Xchange    

TSXhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18124362587767391493noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77038053259309056.post-77921506824202522592009-12-14T17:19:00.005-05:002009-12-14T17:19:27.779-05:00

   Cowboys coach Wade Phillips said outside linebacker DeMarcus Ware is out of the hospital and there is “a possibility” he could play at New Orleans on Saturday night. Ware left the field on a stretcher Sunday after suffering a strained neck in the fourth quarter against San Diego. He was released from a local hospital Sunday night and came to the team facility Monday, although he did not talk

TSXhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18124362587767391493noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77038053259309056.post-89229948689439962352009-12-14T17:19:00.003-05:002009-12-14T17:19:17.074-05:00

   Colts coach Jim Caldwell has admitted his focus is on preparing his team for the postseason and not on chasing a perfect record. Indianapolis has already clinched home-field advantage, but Caldwell isn’t ready to start resting starters just yet with division rival Jacksonville next on the schedule.    "I just want to kind of set the record straight so that we can move on," Caldwell said. "

TSXhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18124362587767391493noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77038053259309056.post-15208384170833952662009-12-14T17:19:00.001-05:002009-12-14T17:19:05.144-05:00

   Bills wide receiver Terrell Owens seemed genuinely happy for Brandon Marshall after the Denver receiver broke Owens' NFL record for most receptions in a game on Sunday. Owens set the mark with 20 catches for the 49ers in a 2000 game against the Bears, and Marshall had 21 against the Colts.    "No more deserving of a guy than he is," Owens said of Marshall. "He's just been a hard worker.

TSXhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18124362587767391493noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77038053259309056.post-58355297775377465032009-12-14T17:18:00.005-05:002009-12-14T17:18:49.591-05:00

   Defensive end Julius Peppers is likely playing his final three games in a Panthers uniform. Just don’t expect him to tell you so.    Peppers asked to be traded last offseason and begrudgingly returned to play for the one-year, $14 million franchise tender. But it would cost Carolina more than $2 million per game to franchise him next season, and Peppers is unlikely to sign a long-term deal

TSXhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18124362587767391493noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77038053259309056.post-6100929458664996352009-12-14T17:18:00.003-05:002009-12-14T17:18:29.343-05:00

   The Giants have given up 147 points over their past five games, but coach Tom Coughlin is standing by first-year defensive coordinator Bill Sheridan. Coughlin said the gameplans Sheridan is installing should be working.    “I look at that as I follow through the entire practice week and study the concepts that we’re having to defend and knowing full well what we expect to do there,” said

TSXhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18124362587767391493noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77038053259309056.post-39100036306373194362009-12-14T17:18:00.001-05:002009-12-14T17:18:15.775-05:00

   DeSean Jackson’s electric return to the Eagles on Sunday night overshadowed rookie Jeremy Maclin leaving on a cart. He’ll miss at least one game after tearing the plantar fascia in his foot, and the Eagles are looking into potentially adding a wide receiver with Kevin Curtis’ return date uncertain. Curtis practiced last week, but still hasn’t played since Week 2.    "There's a chance we do,

TSXhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18124362587767391493noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77038053259309056.post-56604143497789471382009-12-03T13:34:00.001-05:002009-12-03T13:34:56.108-05:00

   Running back Brian Westbrook and wide receiver DeSean Jackson won’t play in the Eagles’ critical home game Sunday against Atlanta.    Clinton Portis will miss his third consecutive game for Washington, while reserve running back D.J. Ware won’t be available for the Giants’ injury-riddled ground game as they face division-rival Dallas in a must-win game.    Browns safety Brodney Pool’s NFL

TSXhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18124362587767391493noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77038053259309056.post-39821280713460632032009-10-01T16:55:00.001-04:002009-10-01T16:55:31.434-04:00

When the Saints placed left tackle Jammal Brown on injured reserve this week, they felt relatively good about their depth at the position thanks to the early-season play of Jermon Bushrod and Zach Strief. Now Bushrod, who has started all three games protecting quarterback Drew Brees’ blind side, is sidelined by an ankle injury.   Strief is a fourth-year veteran who has played in 44 career

TSXhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18124362587767391493noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77038053259309056.post-10807150942665621832009-09-14T13:02:00.001-04:002009-09-14T13:02:46.547-04:00

LB Derrick Brooks has already been contacted by the Bears, who lost Brian Urlacher for the season, according to ESPN.com. Brooks and Bears coach Lovie Smith were together in Tampa Bay, and Brooks would be able to pick up the scheme quickly. The question is how Brooks' arrival would shake up the linebacking corps. Brooks isn't big enough to play in the middle, meaning Lance Briggs would likely

TSXhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18124362587767391493noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77038053259309056.post-47044120333903018662009-08-31T22:43:00.000-04:002009-08-31T22:49:01.842-04:00

   As NFL teams work to trim their rosters to 53 players by Saturday, the Philadelphia Eagles have a decision to make regarding quarterback Michael Vick.    Commissioner Roger Goodell has yet to give an indication of when Vick will be officially reinstated and permitted to play in the regular season. As terms of Vick’s conditional reinstatement, Goodell said a decision will be made by the

TSXhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18124362587767391493noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77038053259309056.post-58205119871778977052009-08-20T23:09:00.003-04:002009-08-20T23:19:59.390-04:00

With Bengals WR Chad Ochocinco converting an extra point and kicking off Thursday night, he's inching close to territory where he can go soccer style and be known simply as "Ochocinco."Good thing for coach Marvin Lewis that his star wideout didn't pull a groin while trying to tweet during his follow through. Sure, there's some validity to the argument of keeping the preseason fun, but Lewis can't

TSXhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18124362587767391493noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77038053259309056.post-59345276226890213112009-08-20T21:06:00.002-04:002009-08-20T21:14:49.966-04:00

All reports indicate the ankle injury that forced Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger to leave practice on a cart Thursday isn’t serious. But it had to put a lump in the throat of Kevin Colbert.The Steelers’ Director of Football Operations is taking a major gamble by heading into the season with precious little reliable depth behind Big Ben. Byron Leftwich fled town for an opportunity to compete for a

TSXhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18124362587767391493noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77038053259309056.post-51563344195685399222009-08-18T22:37:00.001-04:002009-08-20T21:07:30.456-04:00

   The reasons behind Brett Favre not signing with the Vikings in July are moot for the on-field product Minnesota will roll out for the regular-season opener.    The bottom line is Favre will be wearing No. 4 – which was stripped from now-fourth-string John David Booty upon Favre’s signing – as the Vikings’ starting quarterback.    Favre’s arrival immediately vaulted the Vikings to among the

TSXhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18124362587767391493noreply@blogger.com0