The Tiger Report: 10/01/11

Saturday, October 1, 2011

NFL Players and Coaches remember Mike Heimerdinger

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal on October 1, 2011, 2:23 PM EDT

The passing of long-time NFL assistant Mike Heimerdinger hit the league hard on Saturday morning. ’Dinger was extraordinarily well liked by all the coaches, players, and media members he crossed paths with over the years.

We’ve seen a number of remembrances of Heimerdinger thus far and wanted to pass along some of them.

From Heimerdinger’s former college roommate, Redskins coach Mike Shanahan: ”We lost a very special person and my best friend in Mike Heimerdinger. I know the man upstairs needed a superstar so he took him earlier than we all wanted. His love for his family was unprecedented and I will forever miss him.”

From the Denver Broncos: “The Denver Broncos are heartbroken to learn of Mike Heimerdinger’s passing on Friday night following his courageous battle with cancer. Mike coached for the Broncos during the most successful period in team history, highlighted by the club’s back-to-back World Championship seasons of 1997-98. Known affectionately as Dinger, Mike earned respect and admiration from this franchise and around the NFL for his grit, passion and ‘never-give-up’ attitude.

“He remained close with several members of the organization following his final year with the Broncos in 2007, including some who visited him last week before the team’s game in Tennessee.

“The Broncos extend their deepest sympathies and prayers to Mike’s wife, Kathie, and the rest of his family and friends during this most difficult time.”

Jay Cutler to Jim Wyatt of the Tennessean: “Anyone that crossed paths with Mike grew to love him. I gained so much respect 4 Mike during my time [with him]. I loved the way Mike approached life and how he attacked cancer in that same manner.”

Titans coach Mike Munchak to Jim Wyatt of the Tennessean: “ “My prayers are with his family. Mike was a great football coach. Over the years, we had a great relationship. I learned a lot of football from Mike and I have a number of great memories and experiences that will always be with me. It is just hard to believe his is gone.” It is a sad day for his family and for those who knew him.”

Paul Kuharksy of ESPN.com has a nice piece on Heimerdinger worth checking out.

Peyton Manning to Chris Mortensen of ESPN: “ ”Mike Heimerdinger was a heck of a guy and and a heck of a coach. . . . He was a man’s man, I appreciated his friendship. I am sorry and sad about his passing; he will be missed… prayers are with his family.”

10/1 Updates on this weekends injury report

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal on September 30, 2011, 8:16 PM EDT

I’m back to break down the injury report after Florio pinch-hit for me last week during my daughter’s first night back from the hospital.

Remember, the big injury stories go in the rumor mill. This post is for all the other smaller fun stuff you may have missed.

1. The Falcons list Roddy White (thigh) as questionable, but they did that most of last year too. He’s expected to play. Backup running back Jason Snelling (concussion) is out, which means more work for rookie Jacquizz Rodgers.

2. Atlanta should be able to break out of their passing funk, especially with safetyKam Chancellor (quad) doubtful to play.

3. The Bengals are as healthy as any team. Linebacker Dontay Moch (foot) is their only player that will miss Sunday’s game.

4. Good news for the Bears: Panthers starting cornerback Chris Gamble is doubtful following a concussion.

5. Wideout Earl Bennett (chest) and tackle Gabe Carimi (knee) remain out. Safety Chris Harris (hamstring) is listed as questionable, but Sean Jensen of theChicago Sun-Times says Harris will be out a few more weeks.

6. The Broncos list Champ Bailey (hamstring) and DE Elvis Dumervil(shoulder, calf) as questionable. Dumervil is the safer bet to play. Knowshon Moreno and D.J. Williams should be back for Denver.

7. The Cowboys list Tony Romo (ribs) and Dez Bryant (thigh) as questionable. We know Romo is playing while Bryant is iffy at best after missing practice Friday.

8. The Lions defense will be without LB Justin Durant (concussion) and rookie first rounder Nick Fairley (foot).

9. The Dolphins could get Vontae Davis (hamstring) back at cornerback. It looks like running back Daniel Thomas (hamstring) will miss the game despite a questionable tag.

10. The Chargers will play without starters Antonio Gates (foot) and Quentin Jammer (hamstring). Wideouts Vincent Jackson (abdomen) and Malcom Floyd (groin) should play. Running back Ryan Mathews is ready to roll.

11. Chiefs rookie wideout Jonathan Baldwin (thumb) still hasn’t recovered from his preseason injury. Standout corner Brandon Flowers (ankle) looks like a gametime decision.

12. TE Aaron Hernandez (knee), T Sebastian Vollmer (back), and DE Mike Wright (concussion) are all out for the Patriots again. Albert Haynesworth(back) is among the questionable players, but hasn’t practiced all week. SafetyPatrick Chung (hand) may return.

13. The Saints will be without two offensive line starters: C Olin Kreutz (knee) and T Zach Strief (knee). Marques Colston is expected to return from his collarbone injury. Jonathan Vilma (questionable, knee) is less certain.

14. Aaron Kampman (knee) remains out for the Jaguars. He hasn’t played all year.

15. Cardinals RB Beanie Wells (hamstring) expressed optimism all week that he’d play. He’s questionable, but looks likely to suit up.

16. Hakeem Nicks and Mario Manningham will both line up for the Giants at receiver. Justin Tuck (neck) and Osi Umenyiora (knee) are less predictable. Osi is the better bet of the two.

17. The Steelers are short two offensive linemen. G Doug Legursky (shoulder) and T Jonathan Scott (ankle) are out.

18. Braylon Edwards (knee) remains out for the 49ers. Frank Gore (ankle) and Donte Whitner (hip) should play in some capacity. Gore’s workload could be limited.

19. The Eagles are mostly healthy. Jeremy Maclin (hamstring) and Michael Vick (hand) are both probable.

20. The Rams list Danny Amendola (elbow) as questionable, but no one expects him to play.

21. Lee Evans (ankle) remains out for the Ravens. So is rookie cornerbackJimmy Smith. Torrey Smith will start for Evans.

10/1 Saturday morning one liners

Posted by Josh Alper on October 1, 2011, 8:22 AM EDT

Getty Images

Bills training camp will remain at St. John Fisher College for the next five years.

The Dolphins pass rush hasn’t come togetheras hoped this season.

Patriots CB Leigh Bodden is trying toimprove on his play from the first three weeks.

Jets CB Antonio Cromartie feels 100 percent recovered from his bruised lung.

The Ravens don’t plan to avoid Darrelle Revis on Sunday night.

Bengals QB Andy Dalton needs to make more plays with his feet on third downs.

WR Josh Cribbs is prepared for the Browns to play in cold and wet conditions.

Steelers RB Mewelde Moore makes a lot of plays despite not getting much time.

If Texans QB Matt Schaub throws a touchdown Sunday, he will tie the franchise record with touchdowns in 12 straight games.

Said Colts coach Jim Caldwell of LB Pat Angerer, “One of the things is he’s a very instinctive guy. He’s all over the place, just in terms of his ability to run and tackle. He’s a guy that has a very good feel for the run game, how to stop it, and getting in position to make tackles. I thought he did a real nice job.”

Gene Frenette of the Florida Times-Union wants the Jaguars to get away from the dink-and-dunk offense.

Titans DT Shaun Smith is looking forward to renewing acquaintances with the Browns.

Finding the right mix on defense is a key for the Broncos this weekend.

Chiefs QB Matt Cassel is trying to put last week’s game-ending interceptionbehind him.

Raiders DL Richard Seymour said playing the Patriots holds no special significance for him.

The Chargers are giving some of LB Donald Butler’s responsibilities to Na’il Diggs.

It may be time to accept that Cowboys TE Martellus Bennett is what he is.

Giants S Kenny Phillips thinks he’s made great strides this season.

Eagles CB Nnamdi Asomugha admitted he’s heard the criticism of his play this season.

CB Josh Wilson is becoming more comfortable in the Redskins defense.

The Bears are really missing S Chris Harris’ presence on the defense.

Lions G Dylan Gandy hasn’t shown his teammates his Super Bowl ring yet.

RB Alex Green could see some time in the Packers backfield on Sunday.

Vikings TE Jim Kleinsasser will play his 100th consecutive game this week.

The Falcons have no plans to stop scripting the first 15 plays of their games.

Julius Peppers said that Panthers DE Charles Johnson, his former teammate,is all grown up.

The Saints defense isn’t underestimating Jaguars QB Blaine Gabbert.

Buccaneers T Jeremy Trueblood hasn’t been penalized or given up a sack yet this season.

Said Cardinals WR Larry Fitzgerald of running the no-huddle offense, “It can bea good change of pace for us but I don’t ever want to have to rely on that. We have to be able to run our base offense, things we run every single day.”

The Rams hope this week’s visit from the Redskins brings the end to another losing streak.

49ers coach Jim Harbaugh feels good about his decision to keep the team on east coast time this week.

The Seahawks expect to have FB Michael Robinson back in the mix this weekend.