If the the Colts can get their offensive line issues worked out, they could play spoiler to a lot of teams this year.
Curtis Painter has looked good in the few times he has been able to actually plant and throw. Also of note, rookie running back Delone Carter out of Syracuse looks much more explosive than Joseph Addai. I expect him to get more and more opportunities as the year goes on.
Defensively speaking, the Colts are not great, but they are much better than advertised.
Monday, October 3, 2011
Andre Johnson could miss up to a few weeks
Posted by Michael David Smith on October 3, 2011, 7:06 PM EDT
When Texans receiver Andre Johnson fell to the turf without getting touched on Sunday, there were fears that he might have suffered a serious knee injury. Texans fans breathed a sigh of relief when it turned out that Johnson actually suffered a hamstring injury, but there’s no word yet on how serious it is.
“We’re still in the evaluation process,” Texans coach Gary Kubiak said today. “We’re going to get a couple of different opinions over the next couple of days. Obviously, it’s a big concern going forward. We have to do what’s best for Andre. He’s going to miss some time. Right now, I don’t know if that’s three or four days or a few weeks.”
Losing Johnson for any amount of time would be costly for the Texans, who play the Raiders on Sunday. Kubiak said Jacoby Jones would start and Bryant Johnsonand David Anderson would get more playing time if Andre Johnson is out, but he acknowledged that no one else on the roster is capable of doing what Andre Johnson does.
“You don’t replace Andre Johnson,” Kubiak said. “Others have to pick it up the way they did Sunday. If he’s going to miss some time, the other players will really have to stick up.”
Why Calvin Johnson can set an NFL record on Monday Night Football
Article first published as Why Calvin Johnson Can Set an NFL Record on Monday Night Football on Technorati.
Calvin Johnson came into this season facing doubters in some circles throughout and around the
league.
A lot of the criticism that Megatron has received I believe are for two reasons. The first being that he has not put up the pure numbers that some other receivers have in terms of receptions and yards.
The second is the lack of wins that the Lions have had during CJ's career. I have always believed that those were unfair judgements because of the lack of stability at the QB position in Detroit. Fortunately with a healthy Matthew Stafford under center we are finally seeing Megatron getting the opportunity to realize his potential. With that being said, Megatron is only the second receiver in history to score 2 TDs in 4 consecutive games and a chance for a 5th.
This coming week will be Detroit's first Monday Night Football appearance in 10 years and they will be facing the rival Bears. The Bears are an interesting team sitting at 2-2. They beat the underachieving Falcons and the upstart Panthers, but lost soundly to the Saints and Packers. The Bears normally pose a formidable defense, but are they still that team? When looking at the numbers, I was surprised to find that Chicago is 29th in pass defense this year. They are allowing 66.7% passing with 7 touchdowns and 17 passes of 20 or more yards equating to a 95.3 passer rating.
This weekend’s match up will primarily have Tim Jennings covering Calvin Johnson. Tim Jennings will undoubtedly get help over the top from Chris Harris, but the match up still goes to Calvin. Calvin is listed at 6'5 235, while Jennings is listed at 5'8 185lbs. The Bears could move the 6'1 Zackary Bowman into the lineup this weekend just for this match up. But even Bowman lost the battle last year against Megatron, despite the failure by the officials. Regardless of who plays, Megatron's chances look very good to etch his name into the record books this weekend, and help move the Lions to 5-0.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Dolphins linebacker challenges reporter to "put on some pads, homeboy"
Posted by Michael David Smith on October 3, 2011, 5:10 PM EDT
Dolphins linebacker Kevin Burnett lashed out at a reporter in the locker room following Sunday’s loss to the Chargers, questioning the reporter’s coverage of the team, and the reporter’s manhood.
Tom Krasovic, a San Diego-based freelance writer who covered the Dolphins-Chargers game for the Miami Herald, wrote that during his own interview with Burnett, Burnett began addressing another reporter in the area.
“I don’t know how you want to talk to me, homeboy,” Burnett said to the reporter, whose name Krasovic says he doesn’t know. “If you’ve got something to say, come at me like a man, homeboy. Don’t hide behind no computer.”
A Dolphins official tried to break up the confrontation, but Burnett wasn’t done.
“Hey, if you want to see if I can tackle, you put on some pads, homeboy,” Burnett said. “Don’t get mad. Why you’re going to criticize the team in your own hometown, boy? You’re supposed to support the home team.”
It’s not clear exactly what the reporter had written to set Burnett off, but it’s safe to say Burnett’s response was ridiculous. Reporters aren’t “supposed to support the home team.” They’re supposed to write accurately about the home team. And in Miami, the home team is 0-4. Burnett would be wise to focus on remedying the Dolphins’ record, and stop worrying about what reporters are saying about him.
Hank Williams Jr. pulled from Monday Night Football for Obama comments
Posted by Michael David Smith on October 3, 2011, 6:08 PM EDT
Hank Williams Jr. will not ask you if you’re ready for some football tonight.
Instead, ESPN announced on Monday afternoon that the famous “Are You Ready for Some Football?” intro will not be part of tonight’s Monday Night Football broadcast after Williams made comments likening President Obama to Adolf Hitler.
“While Hank Williams, Jr. is not an ESPN employee, we recognize that he is closely linked to our company through the open to Monday Night Football,” the network said in a statement. “We are extremely disappointed with his comments, and as a result we have decided to pull the open from tonight’s telecast.”
ESPN’s decision not to use the pre-taped Williams opening before tonight’s Colts-Buccaneers game comes after Williams said on Fox News Channel that House Speaker John Boehner should not have played golf with Obama because, “That would be like Hitler playing golf with Netanyahu. Not hardly. In the shape this country is in?”
When Brian Kilmeade of Fox News said he didn’t understand the analogy, Williams replied, “I’m glad you don’t brother, because a lot of people do. They’re the enemy . . . Obama! And Biden! Are you kidding? The Three Stooges.”
Williams has performed the theme song for Monday Night Football, which is based on his 1984 song “All My Rowdy Friends Are Coming Over Tonight,” for more than two decades.
2011 NFL Regular Season Schedule: Week 5
| Week 5 | ||||||||
| Sun, Oct 09 | Time (ET) | Stadium/Tickets | Network | DIRECTV | SIRIUS | Westwood One | Game Access | |
| NO @ CAR | 1:00 PM | Bank of America Stadium Tickets | FOX | 708 | 91 (NO) 134 (CAR) | Game Center Listen | Watch | ||
| OAK @ HOU | 1:00 PM | Reliant Stadium Tickets | CBS | 705 | 139 (OAK) 93 (HOU) | Game Center Listen | Watch | ||
| ARI @ MIN | 1:00 PM | Mall of America Field Tickets | FOX | 710 | 138 (ARI) 106 (MIN) | Game Center Listen | Watch | ||
| KC @ IND | 1:00 PM | Lucas Oil Stadium Tickets | CBS | 706 | 137 (KC) 94 (IND) | Game Center Listen | Watch | ||
| SEA @ NYG | 1:00 PM | MetLife Stadium Tickets | FOX | 711 | 148 (SEA) 85 (NYG) | Game Center Listen | Watch | ||
| PHI @ BUF | 1:00 PM | Ralph Wilson Stadium Tickets | FOX | 709 | 86 (PHI) 113 (BUF) | Game Center Listen | Watch | ||
| CIN @ JAC | 1:00 PM | EverBank Field Tickets | CBS | 707 | 128 (CIN) 112 (JAC) | Game Center Listen | Watch | ||
| TEN @ PIT | 1:00 PM | Heinz Field Tickets | CBS | 704 | 117 (TEN) 92 (PIT) | Game Center Listen | Watch | ||
| TB @ SF | 4:05 PM | Candlestick Park Tickets | FOX | 712 | 136 (TB) 92 (SF) | Game Center Listen | Watch | ||
| NYJ @ NE | 4:15 PM | Gillette Stadium Tickets | CBS | 714 | 86 (NYJ) 93 (NE) | Game Center Listen | Watch | ||
| SD @ DEN | 4:15 PM | Sports Authority Field at Mile High Tickets | CBS | 713 | 85 (SD) 94 (DEN) | Game Center Listen | Watch | ||
| GB @ ATL | 8:20 PM | Georgia Dome Tickets | NBC | 92 (GB) 93 (ATL) | Game Center Listen | Watch | |||
| Mon, Oct 10 | Time (ET) | Stadium/Tickets | Network | DIRECTV | SIRIUS | Westwood One | Game Access | |
| CHI @ DET | 8:30 PM | Ford Field Tickets | ESPN | 92 (CHI) 93 (DET) | Game Center Listen | Watch | |||
Todd Haley loves it when his players yell at him
Posted by Gregg Rosenthal on October 3, 2011, 2:24 PM EDT
If the Vikings offense pulled off their fourth quarter drive on Sunday, the sideline argument earlier in the game between Chiefs coach Todd Haley and quarterback Matt Cassel would be played up as a negative.
Instead, it’s being seen as a turning point. Cassel stuck up for himself before fullback Le’Ron McClain separated the quarterback and coach. (Here’s video of the incident.)
“I seem to respond well when I’m pushed,” Cassel said via Sam Mellinger of theKansas City Star. “When my back is up against the wall.”
Cassel completed 15-of-22 passes after the screaming for 202 yards and a score. Haley seems to embrace the philosophy, encouraging those around him to yell right back at him.
“Hey,” Haley says, “I love it.”
For the first two weeks of the season, the Chiefs looked like the worst team in football. The last two weeks they have just looked like another mediocre squad with a limited passing game.
That’s progress, but we suspect we’ll see a few more arguments between Cassel and Haley before this season is over.
Roddy White has been dealing with thigh injury since preseason
Roddy White - WR - Falcons
Roddy White has been bothered by a deep thigh bruise since the preseason.
White hasn't missed any games, but hasn't been practicing in full. He's averaging just 6.5 catches for 75.5 yards with one touchdown through four weeks. "As long as I'm out there, I expect to play at a high level," White said. "Hurt or not hurt, it really doesn't matter." White has still recorded 28 targets in the last two weeks combined. There's plenty of room for him to improve.
Roethlisberger's in walking boot
Ben Roethlisberger - QB - Steelers
Ben Roethlisberger's left foot is sprained, not broken, sources tell ESPN's Chris Mortensen.
There was fear Sunday night that Big Ben had a fracture, but a Monday MRI showed only a sprain. Still, his status for Sunday's game against the Titans is unclear. Roethlisberger is dealing with swelling and his foot was in a walking boot last night. He has just three touchdown passes through four games.
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