The Tiger Report: 09/11/11

Sunday, September 11, 2011

Cam Newton ties Stafford's rookie passing record

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal on September 11, 2011, 7:59 PM EDT

Getty Images

It’s not often that the starting quarterback for the losing team is the biggest story in a game. But Cam Newton authored a debut unlike any the NFL has seen before.

The Panthers lost 28-21 in Arizona Sunday when Newton’s magic ran out. He completed a pass that came one yard shortof a first down near the goal line with under two minutes left. Before that setback, Newton racked up 422 passing yards with two touchdowns and an interception. He also leaped for a running score near the goal line.

The passing yards set an all-time record for a rookie quarterback debut, besting Peyton Manning’s former mark. Newton showed that he can make any throw. His aggressiveness largely paid off, he handled the blitz surprisingly well, and he didn’t look to run too quickly. He also knew where to throw the ball: Steve Smith caught eight passes for 178 yards and two scores.

Newton wasn’t the only quarterback or rookie in the game with an impressive debut. Kevin Kolb was more efficient than Newton, completing 18-of-27 passes for 309 yards and two touchdowns. While Cardinals rookie cornerback Patrick Peterson got beaten by Steve Smith a few times, Peterson also made the decisive play in the game.

Peterson’s 89-yard punt return was the difference . Not a bad debut for him either.

This was perhaps the game of the day, one that we recommend watching when the NFL Network inevitably replays it later in the week.

It was the type of game that should inspire plenty of optimism in Arizona, but we suspect Panthers fans will be just as excited. They have found their quarterback.

I was excited to see this performance by Cam, where he tied Matthew Stafford's mark of 422 yards passing. It showed that he can certainly be more than just another athlete under center, but a real quarterback. His upside is promising and something Panther fans can be hopeful about. Let's see how he develops through the season. He will experience plenty of peaks and valleys, it is inevitable for a rookie on a bad team. However let's not anoint him yet.

Injuries mount for Chargers

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal on September 11, 2011, 9:28 PM EDT

San Diego suffered a costly victory on Sunday night.

We told you that Chargers kicker Nate Kaeding has a torn ACL. Agent David Canter wrote on Twitter that defensive end Luis Castillo will miss the season.

Canter doesn’t represent Castillo, but he does represent two members of the Chargers defense. We contacted Canter for more information and he said Castillo has a fractured leg.

We haven’t been able to confirm the injury, but it meshes with other reports. Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune said Castillo’s injury did not look good and he left the stadium on a cart with a huge brace.

UPDATE: Acee confirms Castillo has a fractured tibia. The severity of the break will determine the recovery timeline. Sometimes players are able to return from that injury.

Ron Rivera calls Beason's situation "Dire"

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal on September 11, 2011, 8:32 PM EDT

The early signs are not encouraging for Panthers defensive leader Jon Beason following his injury Sunday.

Coach Ron Rivera called the situation “dire” after Beason left the game on a cart. Beason underwent “minor” Achilles surgery a few weeks ago before quickly returning to the field.

PFT can report that Beason will undergo an MRI on his Achilles Monday. Steve Reed of the Gaston Gazette said Beason would be out a “significant” amount of time.

Beason signed a huge contract extension in August. He’s one of the best middle linebackers in football and possibly Carolina’s best player.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

McNabb throws for 39 yards in season opener

Posted by Michael David Smith on September 11, 2011, 7:30 PM EDT

Donovan McNabb made his first start as a Minnesota Viking on Sunday in San Diego. And there’s no way to sugarcoat it: He stunk up the joint.

McNabb deserves most of the blame for the Vikings’ 24-17 loss to the Chargers. His first pass as a Viking was intercepted, a turnover that set up the Chargers’ first touchdown, and he didn’t get much better after that. McNabb finished the game completing 7-of-16 passes for a whopping 39 passing yards.

Yes, 39 passing yards. For an entire game.

McNabb’s miserable outing is particularly disappointing for Minnesota fans because the game was there for the taking. Percy Harvin returned the opening kickoff 103 yards for a touchdown to give the Vikings an early lead, and Adrian Peterson averaged better than six yards a carry against the Chargers’ defense, picking up 98 yards on 16 carries.

For the Chargers, the victory was led by quarterback Phillip Rivers, who completed 33 of 48 passes for 335 yards, and by fullback Mike Tolbert, who plowed through the Vikings’ defense for 93 total yards and scored all three San Diego touchdowns, two through the air and one on the ground.

For the Vikings, all we can say is the Christian Ponder era can’t get here soon enough.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Jon Beason carted off the field after ankle injury

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal on September 11, 2011, 6:32 PM EDT

Getty Images

Panthers Jon Beason has barely practiced over the last six weeks because of an Achilles tendon injury.

After a minor procedure, the Panthers seemed to rush him back to the field for the season opener. Now Beason is out again after being carted off the field with an ankle injury Sunday.

It didn’t look great, but we know how hard it is to tell the severity of an injury at first glance. Either way, the Panthers will be without their defensive leader for the rest of Sunday’s game and possibly much longer.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Buccaneers among teams that violated lockout rules

Posted by Mike Florio on September 11, 2011, 6:50 PM EDT

Throughout the lockout, it appeared that the NFL wouldn’t take any action to address what likely was rampant contact between teams and players during the lockout.

Charley Casserly of CBS reported earlier today that the NFL is investigating several teams for impermissible contact with players. Specifically, Casserly said that the Buccaneers are one of those teams.

A source with knowledge of the situation tells PFT that the Bucs were caught via phone records reflecting that seven calls were placed to players, three of which registered at a minute or less.

One call, the source explains, was made by coach Raheem Morris to tight end Kellen Winslow to congratulate him on the birth of a child. In another call, Morris called former Bucs linebacker Niko Koutovides.

The Bucs have not yet been informed of the specific punishment. During the lockout, it was reported that any coach who violates the prohibition against lockout contact will be fired with cause, which means without pay.

If anyone thinks the Bucs will fire Raheem Morris with cause, we suggest not holding your breath. Or any other bodily function.

Kevin Walter suffers broken shoulder in win over Colts

Posted by Mike Florio on September 11, 2011, 5:35 PM EDT

The news wasn’t all good for the Texans today.

Per a league source, receiver Kevin Walter suffered a broken shoulder during Sunday’s win over the Colts, and he is expected to miss 10-12 weeks.

Walter has been the primary complement to Andre Johnson in Houston for the past four years, starting all but three games. The injury bumps up Jacoby Jones and newcomer Bryant Johnson.

Buffalo Bills shock the Chiefs

Posted by Josh Alper on September 11, 2011, 4:12 PM EDT

Getty Images

Todd Haley made a controversial choice to scale down the Chiefs training camp this season and after Week One you’re welcome to wonder if that wasn’t a big mistake.

The Chiefs were dreadful in all phases of the game against the Bills and got blown out as a result. They fumbled the opening kickoff, turned the ball over twice more on offense and watched Ryan Fitzpatrick shred their defense all afternoon. Some of that was due to the knee injury that knocked Eric Berry out of the game in the first quarter, but the rest of the Chiefs defender don’t have any easy excuses for allowing Fred Jackson to gash them for 112 yards.

Fitzpatrick finished 17-of-26 for 208 yards and four touchdowns. Two of the scoring tosses went to tight end Scott Chandler, a heretofore unknown cog in the Buffalo offensive machine. Donald Jones and Stevie Johnson also caught scores as the Bills looked very comfortable playing Chan Gailey’s open offensive style. They even got C.J. Spiller, the 2010 first rounder who underwhelmed as a rookie, into the mix. He scored his first career rushing touchdown in the fourth quarter as the Bills poured it on after a Matt Cassel interception.

If there was a disappointment, it was that big free agent acquisition Brad Smith was mostly an afterthought. He ran three times for six yards and threw a pick on his lone pass attempt. It is hard to blame Gailey for relying on Fitzpatrick given the way things went for the Bills on Sunday, though.

There seemed to be a premonition among Chiefs fans that nothing good was going to happen on Sunday. Arrowhead Stadium never filled up and it was essentially empty once the fourth quarter rolled around. For a stadium revered for its home field advantage, that’s very troubling.

The dismal opener will only serve to feed the perception that Haley is sitting on an increasingly toasty seat in Kansas City. The fact that the loss came to Gailey probably makes it even worse. Gailey, fired by Haley as offensive coordinator two years ago, seemed to relish being on top of a huge rout. Smith’s interception came on a deep pass down the middle with less than five minutes to play, which indicates he didn’t mind running up the score a bit.

Ravens roll past rival Steelers

Posted by Mike Florio on September 11, 2011, 4:19 PM EDT

Getty Images

The Ravens and Steelers typically play close, hard-fought, grind-it-out games.

Not today.

The Ravens beat the Steelers by 28 points, via a 35-7 outcome that does much more than hold serve in the home-and-home series. Instead, it puts the Steelers and ther rest of the AFC North on notice that the Ravens don’t plan to play road games in the playoffs this year.

Joe Flacco completed 17 of 29 passes for 224 yards and three touchdowns. Ray Rice rushed for 107 yards, and he scored two touchdowns.

The Ravens’ defense forced seven turnovers — three interceptions and four fumbles. Two of the fumbles came from Ben Roethsliberger, giving him a Delhommian five turnovers.

Though there’s still a long way to go, the Ravens surely hope this game sets the tone for 2011. If it does, a 28-point win over the defending conference champion could make it hard for the next conference champion to be any team other than the Ravens.

Rams lose several to injuries, including Bradford

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal on September 11, 2011, 4:22 PM EDT

The Rams’ long list of injuries keeps going from bad to worse.

After losing running back Steven Jackson, wideout Danny Amendola, and cornerback Ronald Bartell to injury, the Rams watched their franchise quarterback Sam Bradford head to the locker room for x-rays on his right finger, according to Ashley Fox of ESPN. A.J. Feeley finished out the game for the Rams.

Oh, and by the way: The Rams lost to the Eagles 31-13. Ouch.

Andy Dalton leaves game with wrist injury

Posted by Mike Florio on September 11, 2011, 3:15 PM EDT

In the preseason, Andy Dalton got his welcome to the NFL moment from Lions defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh. That time, however, he didn’t suffer an injury.

On Sunday, the former TCU standout was formally welcomed to the league by former Baylor defensive tackle Phil Taylor.

Dalton has left the game with a wrist injury. Bruce Gradkowski is in, and he has completed two of five passes for seven yards.

Broncos will rotate Moreno and McGahee

Willis McGahee Willis McGahee #23 of the Denver Broncos celebrates his touchdown during the preseason game against the Seattle Seahawks at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on August 27, 2011 in Denver, Colorado.

Offensive coordinator Mike McCoy says the Broncos will use an even timeshare in the backfield that could become a hot-hand situation if Knowshon Moreno or Willis McGahee plays well early in the game.

The Denver Post refers to the situation as "troubling news to fantasy football players everywhere." Said McCoy, "If someone is in there playing and they're on a roll, then they're going to stay in. When they need to come out, then they're going to come out. ... We're going to roll them." The good news for Moreno is that he's a much more effective runner than McGahee. Particularly in PPR leagues, we'd lean toward starting Moreno as an RB2 against Oakland.

Source: Denver Post

Jason Witten lands contract extension with Cowboys

Jason Witten - TE - Cowboys

According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, the Cowboys are set to sign Jason Witten to an five-year, $37 million contract extension that includes $19 million guaranteed.

Witten is set to make $3.641 million plus a $1 million roster bonus in 2012, and this extension will keep him in a Cowboys uniform through 2017. The contract is comparable to the one signed by Antonio Gates last July, with one less year and slightly less guaranteed money. A Jason Garrett favorite and consummate professional, Witten should have no trouble living up to this contract if he can stay healthy. Now 29, this will be the last big payday he sees.

Source: Adam Schefter on Twitter

Kyle Vanden Bosch will play today against the Bucs

Kyle Vanden Bosch - DL - Lions

Lions RE Kyle Vanden Bosch (shoulder) will play Sunday against the Buccaneers.

Vanden Bosch missed the last two preseason games and multiple practices, but was on the record as saying he would have been active had it been the regular season. He'll serve as a key cog in one of the NFL's most intimidating defensive fronts.

Source: Lions 101

Schefter: Arian Foster is unlikely to play today

According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, Arian Foster (questionable, hamstring) is unlikely to play Sunday against the Colts.

We'll know Foster's status for sure when inactive lists get released around 11:30 ET, so consider this an early warning. As it stands, Derrick Ward will draw the start and rotate with Ben Tate on early downs, with Steve Slaton possibly seeing time as a third-down back. Tate is the most talented of the trio and the one worth owning as Foster's handcuff in fantasy leagues, though we'd avoid starting anyone in Houston's backfield this week if possible.

Source: Adam Schefter on Twitter

Saints insist they are not interested in Randy Moss

Posted by Mike Florio on September 10, 2011, 9:50 PM EDT

File picture of wide receiver Randy Moss, who is retiring, according to his agent on Monday

Reuters

Earlier today, the folks at WWL-TV in New Orleans reported that receiver Randy Moss is a “player of interest” for the Saints. WWL also reported, citing several unnamed sources, that Moss visited the Saints’ facility on Saturday.

Tonight, Saints spokesman Greg Bensel told PFT by phone that the WWL report isn’t accurate, on either count. Per Bensel, the Saints aren’t interested in Moss, and Moss didn’t visit the team’s facility today.

It was fairly simple for PFT to get the team’s response. I know Bensel, I sent Bensel an email, he called me, and we talked. Total time investment? Two minutes, 54 seconds.

So why in the heck didn’t WWL-TV do the same thing before publishing the report? Indeed, there’s not even an indication in the story that WWL-TV eventried to contact Bensel or anyone else with the Saints.

For a television station in the city in which the Saints play, the failure to mention the team’s position on such a story — or to possibly even try to get it — is the kind of thing that can do irreparable damage to the station’s relationship with the organization.

UPDATE (9:54 p.m. ET): Saint’s G.M. Mickey Loomis separately told ESPN’s Adam Schefter that the Saints aren’t interested in Moss. “There is absolutely no truth to it,” Loomis said. “It’s a made-up story, irresponsible reporting. There’s zero to it.”

The Tiger Report

Pages

Sunday, September 11, 2011

Cam Newton ties Stafford's rookie passing record

Injuries mount for Chargers

Ron Rivera calls Beason's situation "Dire"

McNabb throws for 39 yards in season opener

Jon Beason carted off the field after ankle injury

Buccaneers among teams that violated lockout rules

Kevin Walter suffers broken shoulder in win over Colts

Buffalo Bills shock the Chiefs

Ravens roll past rival Steelers

Rams lose several to injuries, including Bradford

Andy Dalton leaves game with wrist injury

Broncos will rotate Moreno and McGahee

Jason Witten lands contract extension with Cowboys

Kyle Vanden Bosch will play today against the Bucs

Schefter: Arian Foster is unlikely to play today

Saints insist they are not interested in Randy Moss

wibiya widget