The Tiger Report: 12/13/11

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Video: Bill Romanowski delivers an epic rant

by Tom Lorenzo | 10:11 pm, December 12th, 2011 -SportsGrid

Former NFL player Bill Romanowski is really getting a good feel of this whole commentator thing. After the Raiders got blown out by the Packers this weekend, Romanowksi followed up head coach Hue Jackson’s press conference on Monday afternoon with an epic rant complaining about the Raiders lack of, let’s call it, tenacity.

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Adrian Peterson should return this weekend

Vikings coach Leslie Frazier said Monday that he expects Adrian Peterson (ankle) to play in Week 15 against the Saints.

Frazier said Peterson was "very close" to playing Sunday against the Lions. Peterson will end up missing three games with a high ankle sprain, and should be at or near 100 percent after the extended layoff. Toby Gerhart will resume clear-cut backup duties. Percy Harvin will continue to be featured in Minnesota's passing game with Michael Jenkins on injured reserve. Dec 12 - 1:38 PM

Source: Tom Pelissero on Twitter

Patriots, Ravens and Steelers on the verge of clinching

Posted by Michael David Smith on December 13, 2011, 12:10 PM EST

The Houston Texans are the only AFC team that has clinched a spot in the playoffs. By the end of Week 15, three other AFC teams may join them.

The NFL has released the playoff scenarios for Week 15, with the Patriots, Ravens and Steelers all having a chance to clinch.

For New England it’s simple: Beat the Broncos on Sunday and they clinch the AFC East. Even if the Patriots lose to the Broncos, they’d clinch the AFC East if the Jets lose to the Eagles. And even if the Patriots lose to the Broncos and the Jets beat the Eagles, the Patriots could still clinch at least an AFC wild card spot if the Bengals, Raiders and Titans all lost.

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Carson Palmer struggling in Oakland

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal on December 13, 2011, 11:37 AM EST

The Raiders offense is different with Carson Palmer, but it hasn’t been appreciably better yet.

The team is 3-3 with Palmer under center. It was 4-2 with Jason Campbell. Palmer has struggled with interceptions and a roster that is a lot more banged up than it was when Campbell was playing.

Still, it’s hard to ignore Palmer has 13 interceptions already to go with nine touchdowns. Campbell only threw two intereceptions to go with six touchdowns. It was a lower risk offense with Campbell because Darren McFadden was healthy.

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James Harrison suspended for one game

Posted by Mike Florio on December 13, 2011, 10:53 AM EST

Getty Images

For the first time since the league has placed increased emphasis on player safety arising from illegal in-game hits, a player with a history of illegal in-game hits has been suspended.

The NFL has suspended Steelers linebackerJames Harrison one game for his helmet-to-face hit on Browns quarterback Colt McCoy. The league announced the decision this morning, moments after it was reported by Adam Schefter of ESPN.

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Playoff Picture - Week 15

2011 NFL Regular Season Schedule: Week 15

Week 15
Thu, Dec 15	Time (ET)	Stadium/Tickets	Network	DIRECTV	SIRIUS	Westwood One	Game Access
JAC @ ATL	8:20 PM	Georgia Dome Tickets	NFLN		92 (JAC) 93 (ATL)	Radio	Game Center Listen \| Watch
Sat, Dec 17	Time (ET)	Stadium/Tickets	Network	DIRECTV	SIRIUS	Westwood One	Game Access
DAL @ TB	8:20 PM	Raymond James Stadium Tickets	NFLN		92 (DAL) 93 (TB)	Radio	Game Center Listen \| Watch
Sun, Dec 18	Time (ET)	Stadium/Tickets	Network	DIRECTV	SIRIUS	Westwood One	Game Access
CIN @ STL	1:00 PM	Edward Jones Dome Tickets	CBS	704	91 (CIN) 138 (STL)		Game Center Listen \| Watch
GB @ KC	1:00 PM	Arrowhead Stadium Tickets	FOX	711	86 (GB) 137 (KC)		Game Center Listen \| Watch
SEA @ CHI	1:00 PM	Soldier Field Tickets	FOX	708	139 (SEA) 93 (CHI)		Game Center Listen \| Watch
TEN @ IND	1:00 PM	Lucas Oil Stadium Tickets	CBS	706	112 (TEN) 128 (IND)		Game Center Listen \| Watch
WAS @ NYG	1:00 PM	MetLife Stadium Tickets	FOX	707	134 (WAS) 94 (NYG)		Game Center Listen \| Watch
CAR @ HOU	1:00 PM	Reliant Stadium Tickets	FOX	710	136 (CAR) 113 (HOU)		Game Center Listen \| Watch
NO @ MIN	1:00 PM	Mall of America Field Tickets	FOX	709	92 (NO) 106 (MIN)		Game Center Listen \| Watch
MIA @ BUF	1:00 PM	Ralph Wilson Stadium Tickets	CBS	705	85 (MIA) 104 (BUF)		Game Center Listen \| Watch
DET @ OAK	4:05 PM	O.co Coliseum Tickets	FOX	712	135 (DET) 92 (OAK)		Game Center Listen \| Watch
CLE @ ARI	4:15 PM	University of Phoenix Stadium Tickets	CBS	713	91 (CLE) 93 (ARI)		Game Center Listen \| Watch
NE @ DEN	4:15 PM	Sports Authority Field at Mile High Tickets	CBS	714	86 (NE) 94 (DEN)		Game Center Listen \| Watch
NYJ @ PHI	4:15 PM	Lincoln Financial Field Tickets	CBS	715	85 (NYJ) 132 (PHI)		Game Center Listen \| Watch
BAL @ SD	8:20 PM	Qualcomm Stadium Tickets	NBC		92 (BAL) 93 (SD)	Radio	Game Center Listen \| Watch
Mon, Dec 19	Time (ET)	Stadium/Tickets	Network	DIRECTV	SIRIUS	Westwood One	Game Access
PIT @ SF	8:30 PM	Candlestick Park Tickets	ESPN		92 (PIT) 93 (SF)	Radio	Game Center Listen \| Watch

Jets place Jim Leonhard on injured reserve

Posted by Mike Florio on December 12, 2011, 7:42 PM EST

Last December, the Jets suddenly and abruptly lost safety Jim Leonhard for the rest of the season, days before a 45-3 blowout loss to the Patriots.

This year, the Jets lost Leonhard again, during a 37-10 blowout win over the Chiefs.

The Jets placed Leonhard on injured reserve today. Leonhard has a torn patellar tendon. He suffered the injury while being tackled after making an interception on Sunday.

In 2010, the Jets eventually made the adjustment to the absence of Leonhard. They’ll need to make it quickly in 2011, or they may not make it to the playoffs.

Seahawks just keep winning

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal on December 12, 2011, 11:44 PM EST

Doug Baldwin, Ben Obomanu, Roderick Hood

The Seahawks don’t play aesthetically pleasing football, but they are growing more effective. Here’s what we learned during their 30-13 win over the Rams:

1. I’ve said it before, but this Seahawks team is better than last year’s playoff group. They have won four of five games to reach 6-7 because they know how to win ugly.

The defense presents a lot of problems and they can run the ball with Marshawn Lynch. (He had 115 yards and a score.) That’s more than a lot of teams have to offer.

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