Posted by Michael David Smith on October 28, 2011, 2:03 PM EDT
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Texans receiver Andre Johnson is out at least another week.
Houston coach Gary Kubiak said after Friday’s practice that Johnson will not play on Sunday against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Johnson was off to a great start this season, with seven catches in each of the Texans’ first three games, but he went down with a hamstring injury in the Texans’ fourth game and hasn’t played since.
Sunday’s Jaguars-Texans game is a surprisingly big one in the AFC South: If the Jaguars can pull off their second straight upset, they’ll be just a game out of first place in the division.
After the Seahawks shipped Curry to the Raiders, the linebacker's first blood with Oakland came in a24-7 win over the Browns. He played well, and he knows why. Curry said the Browns' offensive line telegraphed, well, EVERYTHING.
"One of the O-linemen from Cleveland, they gave it up every play -- most of the time, I'd say about 70 percent of the time -- whether it was run or pass," Curry told reporters after the game. "They had no clue they were doing it, but I figured it out from just watching the film."
Cleveland's 23rd-ranked offense has played at times as if they're doing just as Curry reported, but Pro Bowl offensive tackle Joe Thomas laughed it off.
"He must be a wizard because after being (in Oakland) one day, he figured it out?" Thomas told The Plain Dealer. "He must be really smart. ... I'm sure if a guy was leaning really far back or really far forward, maybe (he could see it). But for one day? That is very impressive."
Thomas said he and the team rigorously self-scout their line play and would have nabbed any showy tendencies: "If I would have noticed something, we would have taken care of it."
Something the Browns haven't taken care of? The mere 97 points they've scored in six games, tied for fourth-worst in the league with the Seahawks. Consider that the Saints have scattered 239 on the enemy during the same stretch. Hard to pin all those problems on an O-lineman's stance.
Coach Ken Whisenhunt indicated that Beanie Wells' (knee) availability for Week 8 won't be determined until Sunday morning.
Wells made a surprising return to practice Thursday, and he's expected to try to ramp up his activity level on Friday. As was the case a few weeks ago, Beanie is more optimistic than the coaches and the medical staff. His status is still very much in doubt. Oct 28 - 9:09 AM
Sam Bradford (ankle) was held out of practice again on Thursday.
According to NFL Network's Jason LaCanfora, Bradford "continues to look doubtful" for Week 8. The Rams are taking "every precaution" for the 2010 No. 1 overall pick. "Would be pretty surprised if he faced the Saints on that ankle," added LaCanfora. Look for A.J. Feeley to draw a second straight start.
After working with the first-team offense in Thursday's limited practice, Matthew Stafford (ankle) is now expected to start against the Broncos, barring a setback.
"He is improved today over yesterday," said coach Jim Schwartz, "and I think that he’s on a pretty good track right now." Added C Dominic Raiola, "He was sharp today, I thought he was really sharp, throwing the ball around, nice velocity on the ball. It didn't look like anything was bothering him. I'm pretty positive about that." Rotoworld ranks Stafford seventh among fantasy QBs in Week 8.
Posted by Mike Florio on October 28, 2011, 11:06 AM EDT
AP
The Leigh Bodden era in New England abruptly has ended.
A league source with knowledge of the situation advises PFT that the Patriots have released Bodden, an eight-year veteran.
Bodden was in the second season of a four-year, $22 million contract. Per the source, the player and the team decided that the relationship wasn’t working out as planned, and that it was time to move on. He appeared in five games with one start this season.
Bodden has a base salary of $3.9 million in 2011. Since the trade deadline has passed, he’ll be subject to waivers. If claimed, his new team would absorb the balance, which is $2.064 million. (He’ll be paid by the Patriots for Week Eight, even though he has been cut.) If he’s not claimed, Bodden will be entitled to receive the balance of his salary via the termination pay provision of the CBA.
Posted by Michael David Smith on October 28, 2011, 10:06 AM EDT
AP
At Georgia Tech, Lions receiver Calvin Johnson and Broncos receiver Demaryius Thomas were teammates. On Sunday, they’ll be opponents. And Thomas says whether he’s playing with Johnson or against him, he’s always watching closely.
Obviously, Thomas has a long way to go. Johnson is perhaps the best receiver in the NFL, while Thomas has struggled with injuries and caught just 25 passes in the year and a half since the Broncos took him in the first round of the NFL draft.
But Thomas, who arrived at Georgia Tech as a freshman after Johnson was already an established star, says he has internalized a lot of the lessons he heard from Johnson.
“He taught me how to get off press, how to read defenses,” Thomas said. “Coming from high school, I hadn’t played receiver much, so I got with him and I learned a lot from him.”
Johnson is obviously a good role model for a young receiver. But some of the things Johnson does on the field are things that just can’t be taught.
Today is your final chance to enter our NFL Flag giveaway contest! The WINNER will be able to select the NFL Team of their choice, and the flag type as well. All entries must be submitted by Midnight tonight (EST).
Posted by Michael David Smith on October 28, 2011, 6:16 AM EDT
AP
Shortly after making Tim Tebow their starting quarterback, the Broncos traded Brandon Lloyd to the Rams. That was probably a good move, because Lloyd has his doubts about Tebow’s ability.
Asked on ESPN 101 in St. Louis whether Tebow can be a good NFL quarterback, Lloyd said he isn’t so sure.
“I don’t know,” Lloyd said, via SportsRadioInterviews.com. “I think only time will tell with that style of play. I think it is effective last Sunday, but I just don’t know how effective that style can be over the course of long games and playing formidable opponents.”
Asked about Tebow’s mechanics, Lloyd noted that the long windup in Tebow’s throwing motion can mean the ball doesn’t get to the receiver when he’s open.
“Any delay in delivering the ball . . . just throws a monkey wrench into all the time and anything you are trying to accomplish down the field,” Lloyd said.
We’ll see if Lloyd is right about Tebow struggling against “formidable opponents” when the Lions visit Denver on Sunday.
When Lloyd was first put on the trading block I mentioned it was because he didn't support the Tebow move. At that point it only made sense for the team to ship the veteran receiver in the final year of his contract, for something. At the same time, removing a possible thorn in the team's side.
