Mike Goodson taken to hospital after head to head collision

Posted by Mike Florio on August 7, 2012, 7:55 PM EDT

AP

Raiders running back Mike Goodson is being taken to a local hospital after suffering a helmet-to-helmet hit during training-camp practice, according to multiple reports.

Following the collision with linebacker Phillip Wheeler, Goodson was immobilized and placed into an ambulance, standard procedure in situations like this.

Goodson reportedly has movement in his extremities.

Traded from Carolina in the offseason, Goodson and Taiwan Jones are the primary backups to Darren McFadden.  The injury could intensify speculation that the Raiders may pursue veteran tailback Cedric Benson.

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Three NFC Teams That May Have Turned the Corner

The NFL is, by nature, a very unpredictable league. This makes the games that much more exciting, as a team can come from nowhere and have a very strong season. Turnarounds like the Dolphins had from 2007 to 2008, where they improved their record from 1-15 to 11-5, keep fans of every market interested no matter how bleak things may look. Just last year, the Giants started 6-6 before rallying over the next four games to make the playoffs and win the Super Bowl.

This year, expectations are high for several teams. The Giants will obviously look to repeat, and mainstays such as the Saints, 49ers and Packers will try to make it back to the top of the pile. There are several teams, though, who might just surpass all of them. These are three NFC teams that didn't even make the playoffs last year - but have a legitimate shot to win it all this year.

Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles become a bit of a media punching bag last season after Vince Young remarked that they were a Dream Team in the making. To an extent, this was actually true. The individual pieces were all there: The team had made stellar acquisitions in Nnamdi Asomugha and Dominique Rodgers-Comartie, and they were adding their new weapons to an arsenal that already included LeSean McCoy and DeSean Jackson. Michael Vick was also coming off of a very impressive 2010 campaign, although injuries ended up as an issue.

For the 2012 Eagles, the issue isn't talent. They have plenty of individual pieces. The goal will be to make those pieces work well together and actually resemble a team. McCoy is a great running back and Asomugha is a great corner, but the chemistry was missing on offense and defense. The team has a head coach with plenty of experience in Andy Reid, although the recent passing away of his son may impact his ability to stay focused and lead his team. If the Eagles find their center, they could be a team that nobody wants to play against.

Chicago Bears
It's almost not fair to have to mention the Bears in the context of teams that failed to make the 2011 playoffs. After all, they were 7-3 on November 20. Then, Jay Cutler went down for the season. Under the direction of reserves Josh McCown and Caleb Hanie, the Bears sputtered to an 8-8 finish and didn't make the postseason.

For this year's Bears, the story will be different. Not only have they brought back the players who were key to their strong start in 2011, but they've also upgraded in many areas. Matt Forte has been re-signed, and he won't have to carry the running game, either, as the Bears signed former Raiders running back Michael Bush to help with the workload. The team also traded for Dolphins receiver Brandon Marshall, reuniting Jay Cutler with one of his favorite targets from his days in Denver. Barring any significant injuries, these Bears look poised to do some serious damage. If they don't win the division, it won't be for a lack of being an elite team - it will only be because they happen to play in the same division as the Packers.

Dallas Cowboys
As it turns out, the Eagles aren't the only NFC East team that was loaded with talent but under-performed in 2011. The Dallas Cowboys have a similar story: Swelling with talent, the team just never managed to find a groove last season. This year looks to be different. A major issue with last year's Cowboys is that the running game had question marks around it. It was the first season that the team tried to use Felix Jones as a feature back, and he proved that his size was too limiting for him to be relied on every down. Although Jones is an explosive runner who seems like he can pick up ten yards on any given play, the durability isn't there. This season, DeMarco Murray looks as though he'll carry most of the load. He's an impressive runner, and increased attention by the offense on him, as well as a developing Dez Bryant, should assure the team some more consistency. As long as Tony Romo holds up his end of the bargain, the Cowboys will once again be a competitive team in 2012.

What's really exciting to consider is that these aren't the only teams that could come out of nowhere this year. The Falcons made the playoffs last year, but at 10-6 actually had a down year. They have Super Bowl potential. If Cam Newton can improve at all on his rookie campaign, one has to believe that the Panthers might also be a surprise team in the conference. With so many talented rosters, NFC teams aren't going to be able to take a minute off if this year.

Take a look at my 2012 AFC surprise teams.

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Three AFC Teams That May Have Turned the Corner

Predicting the AFC can be a mundane task. The Patriots, Ravens and Steelers are sure to make the playoffs. Barring some miracle, the Broncos will likely win the AFC West and join the other four. That leaves two spots up for grabs, though, and someone has to take them. These are the three AFC teams that are most likely to make a turnaround from not being in the playoffs to winning a few games and making some noise.

New York Jets
After making it to the AFC Championship in the two years prior, an 8-8 finish for the Jets was something of a surprise. It may have also served as a wake-up call to quarterback Mark Sanchez and the rest of the team; a harsh reminder that all the talent in the world can't make up for dysfunctional relationships within the locker room.

The most visible change for the team, and one that few people will stop talking about until well after the season is over, is the acquisition of Tim Tebow. Although the organization has stated that he wasn't brought in to play quarterback, Mark Sanchez has to realize the immense pressure that's building. For a quarterback who seems to have failed to play to his potential during his short career, the threat - no matter how real it is - of losing his job should jump start his game and, by extension, the rest of the Jets. They're not going to win the AFC East this year, but they have enough talent to sneak in as a Wild Card and put together a run.

Tennessee Titans
Fate seems to be conspiring in the Titans favor for this season, at least as far as the AFC South is concerned. The Indianapolis Colts have torn up their roster and will be in all-out rebuilding mode during the season, so the old guard is gone. The Houston Texans, despite having Matt Schaub back from injury, are already dealing with an injury to wide receiver Andre Johnson.

Coupled with this is the fact that the Titans weren't a weak team last year by any measure: They finished 9-7 despite losing their top wide receiver, Kenny Britt, to a season-ending ACL and MCL injury. Although he's currently on the PUP list, he should return at some point and give the Titans offense a boost. More importantly, Chris Johnson will be back with a full training camp under his belt. Fans will remember that the All-Pro running back held out until just ten days before last year's regular season began, and the on-field results were on par for expectations from a player with such little preparation. 2012 should see the return of CJ2K, and the potential of a deep run from the Titans.

San Diego Chargers
The Chargers make this list almost by default. They finished 8-8 last year, the same record as the Oakland Raiders. The difference between the Chargers and the Raiders is that while both teams lost talent, the Chargers seem better equipped to deal with the losses. The Raiders lost a key player in Michael Bush and several other pieces, but seem content to rely on Darren McFadden. McFadden was one of the best backs in the league last year, but he comes with a high risk of injury. At least in San Diego, the team has Philip Rivers leading the way. In a clutch situation, he's one of the best passers in the game and will give the Chargers a chance to win as long as they can keep the games close.

Honestly, though, there are a number of teams with the same potential to surprise as the Chargers. If McFadden stays healthy, that team might be Oakland. Miami might capitalize on the foundation it started last year and end up claiming a Wild Card berth, and Indianapolis might find itself competitive already if Andrew Luck's training camp performances can translate at all to the regular season. Overall, though, the AFC looks a little more concrete than the NFC. Then again, this is the NFL - parity reigns supreme, and the only way to know who will be a contender is to wait until the games are already over.

NFC fans can check out my surprise picks for 2012.

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Tuesday morning one-liners

Posted by Josh Alper on August 7, 2012, 8:31 AM EDT

AP

Bills starters won’t see much time in Thursday’s preseason opener.

Home improvements are the first order of business after Dolphins P Brandon Fields‘ contract extension.

Patriots QB Brian Hoyer hopes to shineduring his preseason playing time.

Said Jets QB Mark Sanchez of the team’s younger receivers, “Maybe slow it down a little bit, try and bring those guys along, give them a little tag here and there remind them of stuff after the play after a series or so. But at some point, we’ve got to go full speed. You can’t baby them.”

DT Haloti Ngata looked good at Ravens practice, but T Bryant McKinniedidn’t.

Brandon Tate is listed as the starting receiver opposite A.J. Green on the first Bengals depth chart.

The Browns altered their Tuesday schedule so some coaches and executives can attend Garrett Reid’s funeral.

Young cornerbacks are learning on the job with the Steelers.

Texans CB Kareem Jackson is getting tutored by veteran teammate Jonathan Joseph.

CB Jerraud Powers has taken on more leadership duties at Colts camp.

Gene Frenette of the Florida Times-Union thinks the Jaguars gave in to get WRJustin Blackmon signed.

Titans WR Kendall Wright was fine after an awkward landing during practice.

Broncos rookie RB Ronnie Hillman has been slowed by a hamstring injury.

The Chiefs want more from their return game this season.

P Marquette King is getting a chance to show his stuff while the Raiders wait for PShane Lechler’s full recovery from a knee injury.

LB Jarret Johnson has brought a new toughness to the Chargers.

Cowboys RB Felix Jones knows this could be his final year in Dallas.

Giants rookie TE Adrien Robinson is having a problem with dropped passes.

Mat McBriar has the early lead on the Eagles punting job.

G Chris Chester sprained his ankle at Redskins practice.

Bears WR Dane Sanzenbacher has earned some praise from QB Jay Cutler.

RB Kevin Smith is getting plenty of opportunities to show the Lions what he can do on the field.

Home cooking helped Packers LB Jamari Lattimore put on weight before a move to inside linebacker.

S Harrison Smith and DE/LB Everson Griffin saw time with the Vikings first team defense on Monday.

The Falcons passing offense looked good in the team’s joint practice with the Titans.

The Panthers are taking a cautious path with WR David Gettis.

The Saints waived CB Laron Scott, who made a special teams blunder on Sunday night, and G Scott Winnewisser, and signed WR Kevin Hardy and LB Ramon Humber.

LB Lavonte David is picking up the Buccaneers defense quickly.

The status of running backs Beanie Wells and Ryan Williams is a big questionfor the Cardinals this week.

The Rams are looking healthier in the secondary.

49ers S Cory Nelms was granted an early exit from practice to watch girlfriend T’erea Brown compete in the semifinals of the 400 meter hurdles in London.

Jerry Brewer of the Seattle Times calls the Seahawks’ decision to sign WR Terrell Owens a dangerous move.

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