NFL's pain killer has risks, and players don't care

Posted by Mike Florio on January 24, 2012, 7:39 PM EST

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In an intriguing feature included in tonight’s new Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel (HBO, 10:oo p.m. ET/PT), Andrea Kremer explores the NFL’s “magic potion” that “masks pain from head to toe.”

The wonder drug goes by the name of Toradol.  It’s not a narcotic, it’s not addictive, it’s legal to use.

And plenty of players are using it.

Former NFL center Jeremy Newberry tells Kremer that, when he played for the 49ers, players lined up for a dose of Toradol before games.  “I’ve seen lines of 20 or 30 of them standing there waiting for a shot,” Newberry.

Is Jim Harbaugh a sore loser?

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal on January 24, 2012, 10:26 AM EST

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Jim Harbaugh is very likely to win NFL Coach of the Year when the league announces its awards on Super Bowl eve. He deserves the award.

That doesn’t mean Harbaugh is above a little criticism in San Francisco for how he’s handled the aftermath of the 49ers loss Sunday.

Harbaugh’s invocation of the tuck rule was the most headline-worthy moment from his media session Monday, but we wanted to mention an odd exchange that ended the press conference.  Harbaugh was asked how he spent his time after the game. Harbaugh giggled.

Peyton say Colts organization is not a good place for healing

Posted by Mike Florio on January 24, 2012, 9:35 AM EST

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In a lengthy interview containing plenty of content, context, and clues about the future of the Colts current franchise quarterback,Peyton Manning makes it abundantly clear to Bob Kravitz of the Indianapolis Star that now isn’t the best time to be an employee of the team.

“I’m not in a very good place for healing, let’s say that,’’ Manning said, regarding the team’s facility.  “It’s not a real good environment down there right now, to say the least.  Everybody’s walking around on eggshells.  I don’t recognize our building right now.  There’s such complete and total change.’’

That explanation implies that Manning is still healing.  Which means he isn’t healthy.  And it also means he’s necessarily frustrated by the fact that he has to try to get healthy in the midst of revolutionary change.

Bruce Arians never told why Steelers canned him

Posted by Michael David Smith on January 24, 2012, 8:49 AM EST

AP

Former Steelers offensive coordinator Bruce Arians has confirmed that the “retirement” the team announced last week was actually a departure forced by the team. And he says Ben Roethlisberger is not pleased.

Arians says Steelers owner Art Rooney II didn’t offer him a contract for the 2012 season and wouldn’t tell him why.

“I can’t answer that question,” Arians told the York Daily Record. “Only the people there can. That’s the business. I know the job we did as a staff. I don’t have any regrets.”

NFL Jersey buyers should wait until April

Posted by Mike Florio on January 24, 2012, 7:23 AM EST

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We write this item not to create problems for our friends at the NFL.  But our loyalty lies primarily to the millions (and, amazingly, there really are millions) who rely on us for information about the sport they love.

If you love the NFL enough to plunk down some jack for a jersey, replica or official, you probably should wait three months.

In April 2012, Nike takes over the apparel contract from Reebok.  And on the day that the switch was announced in October 2010, Nike Brand president Charlie Denson told Darren Rovell of CNBC that significant adjustments are coming.

Jim Harbaugh compares non-fumble to the tuck rule

Posted by Mike Florio on January 23, 2012, 10:36 PM EST

Reuters

Sixteen years ago, 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh saw a berth in the Super Bowl evaporate after teammate Quentin Coryatt failed to secure a pass from Steelers quarterback Neil O’Donnell that hit Coryatt right in the stomach.  On Sunday, another near miss on a turnover helped keep the former Colts quarterback’s team from getting back to Indianapolis.

Giants running back Ahmad Bradshaw caught a short pass late in regulation, and he immediately was pushed backward.  Before he hit the ground, the ball came out.  And the 49ers recovered.

Jerry Jones slams Romo

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal on January 23, 2012, 7:08 PM EST

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Cowboys owner/coach/spokesman/G.M. Jerry Jones was asked Monday at the Senior Bowl about the success of the Super Bowl-bound New York Giants.

In Jones’ estimation, the biggest differencebetween the Cowboys and the Giants is simple:Eli Manning. Ouch.

Mike Sherman set for second interview with Bucs

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal on January 23, 2012, 7:34 PM EST

AP

The Bucs are ready to move forward after Oregon coach Chip Kelly changed his mind and backed out of possibly becoming their next head coach.

Tampa has interviewed almost a dozen coaches and they are ready to make a second round of interviews.

Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times reports that Mike Shermanwill be the first coach with a chance to make a second impression. The former coach of the Packers and Texans A & M was one of the first men to meet with the Bucs about their vacant head coaching position.

Stroud indicates there will be other “finalists” that meet with the Bucs for a second interview.

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