The Tiger Report: 09/23/11

Friday, September 23, 2011

Ray Lewis: Orlando Brown was one of the greatest men I knew

Posted by Michael David Smith on September 23, 2011, 3:37 PM EDT

Getty Images

The news that former Ravens and Browns tackle Orlando Brown has died at the age of 40 hit many of his former teammates and coaches hard today, and Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis eloquently explained what Brown meant to him.

“I just saw him a few days ago,” Lewis said today, in comments distributed by the Ravens. “He’s one of the greatest men I know – really a gentle giant away from the game. He was the original Raven. He set the tone for how we were going to play tough and physical, backing down from no opponent. When you heard his voice on the field, you knew things were going to be all right. He would say: ‘Keep playing. Keep fighting. Do it for us. Do it for your teammates. Lew, Lew, keep it up!’ I can almost hear that voice right now. And, oh, how he loved his sons. They lost a great father. So sad, just so sad.”

Brown had spent some time mentoring Ravens tackle Ramon Harewood, who said, “I am at a loss right now. When I think of Zeus, I just have to smile. He was always there to pick you up on a bad day and always had a smile on his face. He was a gentle giant and always seemed to be able to put anyone around him in a good mood.”

Patriots coach Bill Belichick, who signed Brown as an undrafted rookie in Cleveland in 1993, released a statement saying, “Orlando improved as a player as much as anyone I have ever seen, as he went from being a defensive lineman at South Carolina State to becoming one of the game’s top offensive tackles.”

Said Ravens safety Ed Reed, “Sadness, this is a sad day. Zeus was a fire-starter. His energy – he would get us going at practices, in training camp and games. How he loved to play football.”

Update on Peyton Hillis

Associated Press via ESPN.com

BEREA, Ohio -- Browns running back Peyton Hillis wasn't feeling well and was sent home by the team before practice Friday to get rest.

Coach Pat Shurmur said Hillis felt sick when he arrived at the training facility. He added that the star running back's absence had nothing to do with any other injuries.

AFC North blog

ESPN.com's Jamison Hensley writes about all things AFC North in his division blog.

• Blog network: NFL Nation

Shurmur believes Hillis will be available Sunday, when the Browns (1-1) host the Miami Dolphins(0-2).

"Whatever it is, we don't feel like it will affect him on Sunday," Shurmur said. "We felt the best course of action was to just send him home and give him the best opportunity to get as much rest and fluids as we could."

With Hillis out, Montario Hardesty got the majority of plays with Cleveland's starting offense.

At the start of Thursday's practice, Hillis appeared to injure himself during a drill but stayed on the field for the remainder of the workout and reported no problems afterward.

Hillis had a breakout season for the Browns in 2010, rushing for 1,177 yards and 11 touchdowns. He is in negotiations for a contract extension with the Browns. On Thursday, Hillis said he wouldn't let the talks impact his play.

Hillis scored two touchdowns last week in Cleveland's win at Indianapolis.

Nick Fairley is finally practicing

Posted by Michael David Smith on September 23, 2011, 2:10 PM EDT

Nick Fairley, Martin Mayhew, Jim Schwartz

For the first time since suffering a foot injury at the start of training camp, Lions defensive tackle Nick Fairley participated in practice today.

But while that’s obviously a good sign for the Lions’ first-round draft pick, coach Jim Schwartz cautioned against becoming overly optimistic about it.

“It’s the first step,” Schwartz said. “[He's] still got a long way to go, but there’s steps along the way and this is one of them.”

Schwartz said Fairley has been an active participant in the meeting room and has done as much conditioning work as he could while nursing his surgically repaired foot.

“He’d been doing a lot of stuff on the side and doing a lot of lifting and conditioning,” he said. “Actually putting a helmet back on – he doesn’t even have any stickers on his helmet [yet]. It’s just part of the process.”

And the Lions will just wait until the process is over, and this year’s first-round pick is taking his place alongside last year’s first-round pick, Ndamukong Suh, on what they hope is developing into one of the best defensive lines in football.

Former Raven, Orlando Brown passed away at the age of 40

Posted by Mike Florio on September 23, 2011, 1:32 PM EDT

Getty Images

Orlando Brown, a mammoth offensive tackle who appeared in 129 games with the Browns and Ravens, has died. The Ravens announced his passing on Friday.

Brown was 40.

Six-feet, seven-inches and 360 pounds, Brown was nicknamed “Zeus.” And referee Jeff Triplette got a taste of Brown’s lightning bolts in 1999, after Triplette inadvertently hit Brown in the eye with the business end of a penalty flag. The small bean bag made its way into the opening in Brown’s facemask, prompting Brown to shove Triplette to the ground. Brown later filed a $200 million lawsuit, alleging that the injury ended his career.

In 2003, he made an unlikely comeback, rejoining the Ravens and starting 34 games over three seasons. In all, he played for the Browns from 1993 through 1995, the Ravens from 1996 through 1998 (after the moved from Cleveland), the Browns in 1999, and the Ravens from 2003 through 2005.

“He was a beast on the field and a great friend off it,” Ravens linebacker Terrell Suggs said. “It’s a shame he had to leave us so young.”

We send our condolences to Brown’s family, teammates, and friends.

It is strange how things happen. I was watching a replay of a game a few nights ago and I saw a ref toss a flag into a player. It brought me back to '99 when Brown got hit in the face with that flag. His response wasn't appropriate but it still made me chuckle after all these years. I am sorry to hear of his passing. Our condolences to his family and friends.

Peyton Hillis missed practice today

Peyton Hillis - RB - Browns

Peyton Hillis missed Browns practice Friday for undisclosed reasons.

Hillis isn't known to be injured, so this may just be an absence for personal reasons. Check back later this afternoon for an update on his status.

Source: Mary Kay Cabot on Twitter

Dez and Felix return to practice in Dallas

Felix Jones and Dez Bryant - Cowboys

Felix Jones (shoulder) and Dez Bryant (Quad) both returned to Cowboys practice on Friday.

Tony Romo is missing from the beginning of practice, but is still tentatively expected to give it a go Monday night. Both Jones and Bryant should get in two practices this week, putting them on track to start. Rotoworld matchups guru Evan Silva recommends sitting Jones in Week 3 with the possibility of a timeshare as well as in-game aggravation.

Source: Calvin Watkins on Twitter

TTR's Week 3 Roundup

For your one stop shopping convenience here is our week 3 roundup:

TTR's Week 3 Picks (all 16 games)
TTR's Week 3 - Start Em Sit Em
TTR's Week 3 - Fantasy Football Mailbag (We answer your questions!)
TTR's Week 3 - The Game Within the Game (Individual Matchups to Watch)

Get the 411 and don't get left behind!

TTR's The Game Within the Game - Week 3

TTR's Game Within the Game - Week 3

Trent Williams was brought to Washington for exactly this purpose. To protect his quarterback from sack machines like DeMarcus Ware. Williams rebounded from a poor week one performance against Jason Pierre-Paul allowing two sacks, but he was solid against the Cardinals. However his biggest challenge so far is this week. DeMarcus Ware is off to a red hot start with 4 sacks already and he will be primed to go against the hated rivals. Ware recorded two sacks last year against Trent Williams, so this could be a prime matchup to watch this Sunday.

Mike Williams is trying to get back on track for the Bucs offense after his zero production game last week. This week his challenge might not exactly get any easier against Brent Grimes. The Atlanta pass defense has not played particularly well yet this year, but Grimes is out to prove that he was a legitimate Pro Bowl selection last year. The 5'-10" corner gives away size in this battle with the 6'-2" receiver. Regardless of how well Grimes plays, expect Williams to get a lot of targets this week.

Sam Bradford and the Rams have not lived up the expectations just yet. Their offense is expected to be explosive and put up tons of points with Bradford under center and McDaniels on the sideline. Well it hasn't clicked yet, in the red zone. The Rams are however moving the ball up and down the field very well. In Monday Night's game we saw the Bradford execute the no huddle offense very well and we should expect that up temp style of play to continue. Ray Lewis is still one of the best linebackers in the game and while his body defies all logic and reason, it is his mind that makes him a football assassin. The chess match between these two should be a classic worth watching.

15+GIANTS+FAYTOK.JPG

Antrell Rolle's mouth has written a pretty large check, that he better hope is butt can cash. I would love to see this matchup, and in all reality, it probably won't really play out that way. Rolle is a safety, and unless the Eagles dial up ways to isolate DeSean Jackson on him, they probably won't be singled up very often. But I do hope that it happens more than I expect. Rolle is a good safety, but there is no way he can consistently cover Jackson solo. DeSean is barely covered by corner's who are better athletes than Rolle. Either way, this one should be on your radar.

Darnell Docket: Be smart, but don't be a punk!

Posted by Michael David Smith on September 23, 2011, 11:30 AM EDT

Getty Images

After the Cardinals were called for 10 penalties on Sunday — and the Redskins were called for only one — there’s been a lot of talk in Arizona this week about how mental mistakes cost the Cardinals in their 23-22 loss.

Cardinals defensive tackle Darnell Dockett, however, says that the Cardinals can’t be so concerned about avoiding penalties that they lose their toughness.

“We just have to be smart,” Dockett said. “I always emphasize to my team, ‘Don’t never be a punk. If somebody do something to you, you do something back.’ If you just continue to let them do it, then you’re going to have a long day.”

So Dockett thinks that retaliating when someone takes a shot at you is fine. You’ve just got to do it in a way that won’t result in a penalty.

“We’re not going to let nobody just push us in the helmet, push in the back, step on our hands and do crazy stuff,” Dockett said. “You have to respond sometimes but also you got to be smart about it.”

Be smart, but don’t be a punk. Words to live by.

The only retaliation that should ever occur is the legal stuff between the whistles. This extra-curricular stuff is garbage. If you want to show a team or player that you are not going to take any crap, then smack em in the mouth during the play. Don't wait until after the play is dead and take a cheap shot and hurt your team.

Trust me, nobody thinks Ray Lewis is a punk, and you don't catch him getting his team penalized after the play is over.

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

Obama to honor the '85 Bears with a trip to the White House

Posted by Michael David Smith on September 23, 2011, 9:05 AM EDT

Getty Images

President Obama has decided to honor the 1985 Bears at the White House this year, more than a quarter century after the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster prevented them from visiting the Reagan White House. Coach Mike Ditka says he’s happy for the recognition, but one player on that team will be badly missed.

“The shame about this thing is that Walter won’t be there,” Ditka said today on ESPN Radio. “That’s the shame of this thing.”

Walter Payton, the star running back and spiritual leader of the ’85 Bears, died in 1999 at the age of 45.

Ditka, who in 2004 considered running against Obama in the Illinois senate race, said he’s excited to have his great team honored by the president.

“I’ll be happy to go — I’m excited to go, the Bears are excited to go,” Ditka said. “It’s going to be a nice deal to be recognized and have the country say, these guys were good football players — these old guys were pretty good.”

Those guys were very good, and it’s great that they’ll finally be honored. But Ditka is right: It’s a shame that the greatest of them all is no longer with us.

David Nelson is the Bills slot receiver now

David Nelson will be the Bills' full-time slot receiver going forward.

With Roscoe Parrish (ankle) and Marcus Easley (heart) out for the season and Stevie Johnson (groin) hobbled, it's turning into a perfect storm for Nelson. The slot receiver in a Chan Gailey offense is a heavily targeted position and Nelson has excellent red-zone skills at 6'5/220. There's major breakout potential here, starting this Sunday with a plus matchup against the Patriots. Sep 21 - 8:41 AM

Source: ESPN.com

Dez Bryant's is steal dealing with a quad injury

Dez Bryant Dez Bryant #88 of the Dallas Cowboys runs a 62 yard punt return for a touchdown against the Chicago Bears at Cowboys Stadium on September 19, 2010 in Arlington, Texas.

According to David Moore of the Dallas Morning News, Dez Bryant's thigh injury was "a little more serious" than the Cowboys initially believed.

Most quad injuries are to the outside of the thigh whereas Bryant's is on the inside, just above the knee. "I think the location of it is factoring into it," said Moore, "but they're hopeful he'll be able to play on Monday night." Coach Jason Garrett called Bryant day-to-day, hoping the contusion will "loosen up" in the next couple of days. "I think it's gotten better as the days have gone by," said Garrett. Sep 22 - 7:08 PM

Source: Chris Wesseling on Twitter

Donald Jones continues to earn a bigger role in the Bills offense

Donald Jones - WR - Bills

Donald Jones Donald Jones #19 of the Buffalo Bills protects the football from James Farrior #51 of the Pittsburgh Steelers at Ralph Wilson Stadium at Ralph Wilson Stadium on November 28, 2010 in Orchard Park, New York. Pittsburgh won 19-16 in overtime.

Coach Chan Gailey expects No. 2 receiver WR Donald Jones to "continue to be a bigger and bigger part of our offense."

"He's a very good football player," said Gailey, "and I think going to be a very good football player for a long time here." Jones' role will expand with Roscoe Parrish and Marcus Easley out for the season, but he's behind slot receiver David Nelson in the competition for targets in Gailey's offense. With more fantasy upside, Nelson is the better waiver pickup this week.

Source: Buffalo News

CT scan reveals that Romo's lung has healed

Report: CT scan shows Romo's lung has healed

According to ESPN Dallas, Thursday's CT scan revealed that a small puncture in Tony Romo's lung has healed.

"Everything is on go as we would hoped it would be and expected it to be relative to his lung status," owner/GM Jerry Jones said. "That still doesn't necessarily mean he's going to play Monday night, but still that's on go." Romo has thrown a few passes, but he's yet to practice this week. Backup Jon Kitna has said that he fully expects Romo to play against the Redskins, likely with a Kevlar vest and a painkilling injection.

Source: ESPN Dallas

The Tiger Report

Pages

Friday, September 23, 2011

Ray Lewis: Orlando Brown was one of the greatest men I knew

Update on Peyton Hillis

AFC North blog

Nick Fairley is finally practicing

Former Raven, Orlando Brown passed away at the age of 40

Peyton Hillis missed practice today

Dez and Felix return to practice in Dallas

TTR's Week 3 Roundup

TTR's The Game Within the Game - Week 3

Darnell Docket: Be smart, but don't be a punk!

Obama to honor the '85 Bears with a trip to the White House

David Nelson is the Bills slot receiver now

Dez Bryant's is steal dealing with a quad injury

Donald Jones continues to earn a bigger role in the Bills offense

CT scan reveals that Romo's lung has healed

wibiya widget