NFL FanHouse

Giants Lose Antonio Pierce Indefinitely

FanHouse Newswire — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 08:30:00 EST

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) -- New York Giants linebacker Antonio Pierce is out indefinitely after an MRI exam on Friday surprisingly revealed a bulging disk in his neck.

The Giants said their defensive captain underwent the test in New York and was examined by team physician Dr. Russell Warren and Dr. Frank Camissa, chief of the spinal surgical services at the Hospital for Special Surgery.

The 31-year-old Pierce originally sustained a burner when the Giants played Arizona on Oct. 25. He had very little discomfort until practice this week, when the club's medical staff scheduled the MRI exam.

Giants Lose Antonio Pierce Indefinitely originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Sat, 21 Nov 2009 08:30:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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NFL FanHouse Week 11 Chat

Bruce Ciskie — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 11:00:00 EST

by Bruce Ciskie

Filed under: Browns, Buccaneers, Colts, Lions, Ravens, Saints, NFL Fans, NFL Live Blogging

We still have two unbeatens in the NFL, New Orleans and Indianapolis. The Saints visit Tampa, so they shouldn't be threatened, but the Colts have a doozy of a game at Baltimore. Meanwhile, it's a clash of titans in Detroit, as the 1-8 Lions host 1-8 Cleveland. Join us at 12 PM ET to discuss all the Week 11 NFL action.

NFL FanHouse Week 11 Chat originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Fri, 20 Nov 2009 11:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ricky Williams Runs Wild in Miami Win

FanHouse Newswire — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 23:50:00 EST

by FanHouse Newswire

Filed under: Dolphins, Panthers

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) -- Ricky Williams is 32 and far from done. And even without Ronnie Brown, the once written-off Miami Dolphins are back in the playoff picture.

Williams rushed for 119 yards and scored three touchdowns, and the Dolphins beat the Carolina Panthers 24-17 on Thursday night for their fourth win in six games.

A day after learning Brown is lost for the season, the Dolphins (5-5) continued their surge after an 0-3 start behind Williams. The 2002 NFL rushing champion had a receiving and rushing touchdown in the same game for the first time in his career that includes a couple of lost seasons.

Ricky Williams Runs Wild in Miami Win originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Thu, 19 Nov 2009 23:50:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Stefanie Spielman Passes Away at 42

FanHouse Newswire — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 23:30:00 EST

by FanHouse NewswireCOLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) - Stefanie Spielman, the wife of NFL and Ohio State star Chris Spielman who led a public fight against breast cancer, died Thursday after a lengthy battle with the disease. She was 42.

Stefanie Spielman died at the family's home in Upper Arlington, surrounded by her family, said WBNS radio in Columbus, where Chris Spielman co-hosts a show.

Stefanie Spielman Passes Away at 42 originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Thu, 19 Nov 2009 23:30:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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NFL FanHouse Podcast: The Debut

Chris Burke — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 20:45:00 EST

by Chris Burke

Filed under: NFL Podcast

Fashionably late is better than unfashionably absent.

It's not a pretty motto (you might prefer "It's better late than never"), but it holds true for our NFL FanHouse podcast, which gets off the ground this week. In the inaugural run, Matt Snyder and Chris Burke tackle some pressing Week 10 topics -- like the game-changing spot of the ball on New England's fateful fourth-down play -- and look ahead to several important Week 11 matchups, including Atlanta at the Giants and San Diego at Denver.

Check out the first NFL Podcast after the jump.

NFL FanHouse Podcast: The Debut originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Thu, 19 Nov 2009 20:45:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Childress Has Earned Chance to Finish Job With Vikings

Thomas George — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 18:22:00 EST

by Thomas George

Filed under: Vikings, NFL Coaching

"We made a lot of cultural changes. You don't come in with everything already firm. I thought this would be one of those rare chances. I didn't think I would be like (Bill) Parcells or (Dick) Vermeil where I was going to get multiple chances and shots.''

-- Vikings coach Brad Childress, reflecting on his 2006 hire in Minnesota

Childress Has Earned Chance to Finish Job With Vikings originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Thu, 19 Nov 2009 18:22:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Bears Shun NBC for Sunday Night Game

Matt Snyder — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 17:00:00 EST

by Matt Snyder

Filed under: Chicago Bears, NFC North, NFL Media Watch

As the Chicago Bears look to break a skid which has found them losing four of their last five games, they are apparently not in a very outgoing mood. As NBC gears up for Sunday Night football this week -- which pits the Bears against the Philadelphia Eagles -- they requested "access" to Bears general manager Jerry Angelo, head coach Lovie Smith and quarterback Jay Cutler. The Bears declined.

According to the Chicago Sun-Times, the reason a Bears spokesman gave for the denial is that the team needs to focus on winning games instead of talking to the media.

Bears Shun NBC for Sunday Night Game originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Thu, 19 Nov 2009 17:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Week 11 NFL Picks: Colts Goin' Down

Dave Goldberg — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 14:30:00 EST

by Dave Goldberg

Filed under: NFL Predictions

Let's get right to it: the Indianapolis Colts will lose for the first time this week in Baltimore, where they played for 34 years until the current owners father packed up the moving vans in the middle of one winter night and headed for Indianapolis.

There are numerous reasons I think this, including the emotion and energy the Colts spent in coming back from two 17-point deficits to beat New England last Sunday night. But the main reason I think Indy will lose is that it has a lot less to play for than the Ravens.

The Colts are favored by one point, so the Vegas guys recognize that this isn't a walkover. And they also seem to recognize that Baltimore's rather lackluster effort in Cleveland Sunday night may have had more to do with the dismal opposition than a lack of form.

Week 11 NFL Picks: Colts Goin' Down originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Thu, 19 Nov 2009 14:30:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Winfield Can Afford to Take His Time Coming Back

JJ Cooper — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 13:31:00 EST

by JJ Cooper

Filed under: Vikings, NFC North, NFL Injuries

When you're 8-1, you can afford to be picky.

Antoine Winfield is starting to return to practice after missing three games with a foot injury. But since the Vikings right now have a three-game lead in the NFC North, Winfield can head into the weekend knowing that he doesn't have to rush back before he's ready.

Winfield Can Afford to Take His Time Coming Back originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Thu, 19 Nov 2009 13:31:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Thursday-and-Long: It's Rex Ryan's Party, He Can Cry If He Wants To

Dan Graziano — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 12:00:00 EST

by Dan Graziano

Filed under: NFL Predictions, NFL Analysis, NFL Notebook

Could we all please stop telling Rex Ryan how to live his life? I mean, I think we should stop telling everybody how to live their lives, but we can start with Rex. Poor guy has coached nine games in the NFL and has already been called everything from a breath of fresh air to a blowhard to a crybaby. Yeah, in case you haven't heard the last thing on the Jets' head coach is that he cried during a team meeting Monday morning. The New York Post broke the story, and it became a big deal in New York. Ryan, to his credit, brought of box of tissues to his Wednesday news conference, joked that he'd just scored a sponsorship deal with Kleenex and said, "I'm man enough to be me."

"I'll be true to myself," Ryan said. "I'm always going to be, and I said that from day one. If I don't fit the stereotype of coach-speak or anything else, so be it. I'm always going to be myself."

Can I say I hope Ryan is reading this when I type, "Thank goodness?"

Thursday-and-Long: It's Rex Ryan's Party, He Can Cry If He Wants To originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Thu, 19 Nov 2009 12:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Brian Brohm: Your Newest Buffalo Bill

Will Brinson — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 09:15:00 EST

by Will Brinson

Filed under: Bills, Packers, NFL Quarterbacks

Brian Brohm has left the Packers' practice squad and joined the Buffalo Bills active roster, in a move that seems pretty good for both Brohm and the Bills' organization.

According to the Journal-Sentinel in Milwaukee, the Packers attempted to retain Brohm (he was a second round pick two years ago) to the practice squad, but obviously the former Louisville quarterback preferred the notion of actually having a shot at playing with Buffalo when presented with equal contracts.

Brian Brohm: Your Newest Buffalo Bill originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Thu, 19 Nov 2009 09:15:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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How Might Miami Replace Ronnie Brown?

Chris Burke — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 00:20:00 EST

by Chris Burke

Filed under: Dolphins, NFL Free Agency, NFL Analysis

The Dolphins announced Wednesday that leading running back Ronnie Brown had been placed on injured reserve with a right foot injury, ending his 2009 season. Brown had accumulated 648 yards rushing and eight touchdowns, plus a passing touchdown, and stepped in at the "quarterback" spot in Miami's Wildcat offense.

Miami may be as equipped as any team in the NFL to lose its No. 1 back and still run a consistent offense. Ricky Williams will take over as the team's starter, with guys like Ted Ginn, Jr., and rookie quarterback Pat White capable of picking up extra Wildcat duties. Still, Miami's offense puts a lot of pressure on the running back position -- behind Williams now is second-year guy Lex Hilliard, who has zero NFL carries.

But there are lots of recognizable free agents available, should Miami go that route. A look at some of the possibilities:

How Might Miami Replace Ronnie Brown? originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Thu, 19 Nov 2009 00:20:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Steelers Kick Coverage Team May Break Records ... In a Bad Way

JJ Cooper — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 22:32:00 EST

by JJ Cooper

Filed under: Steelers, AFC North, NFL Analysis

If you're a Steelers fan, you know that the Steelers kick coverage has been putrid, but considering how bad the Steelers coverage teams over the years have been, it's easy to not realize just how rank this year's special teams are. Thankfully, the Football Outsiders are able to give it some perspective.

In the 15 years of stats the FO guys now have data foor, the Steelers are coming up on a very dubious record. The 1995 Bills have the record for the worst kick coverage unit of all time--they are so bad that the difference between them and the second worst team is as much as the difference between the second worst and the 53rd worst unit.

Steelers Kick Coverage Team May Break Records ... In a Bad Way originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Wed, 18 Nov 2009 22:32:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Eagles, Westbrook Wisely Play it Safe

Nancy Gay — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 22:30:00 EST

by Nancy Gay

Filed under: Eagles, Raiders, NFL Injuries, NFL Quarterbacks

The best NFL news on Wednesday was that Brian Westbrook will not play this week. He may be your starting running back in your fantasy league, but the Philadelphia Eagles' all-time leader from scrimmage with 9,711 yards also is a man who is recuperating from two concussions in 20 days.

Right now, Westbrook is not just an NFL star. He is a medical patient.

Thankfully, everyone realizes it's time to focus on Westbrook's health and future well-being, and not how he can help move the chains for the Eagles' offense.

Eagles, Westbrook Wisely Play it Safe originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Wed, 18 Nov 2009 22:30:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Cribbs Says Quinn Called Final Play

Will Brinson — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 20:25:00 EST

by Will Brinson

Filed under: Browns, NFL Injuries, NFL Coaching, NFL Rumors

One could forgive Cleveland wide receiver/return man Josh Cribbs if he was upset with the Browns coaching staff for extending Monday night's game against Baltimore long enough to land him on a stretcher, despite the fact that the Browns were down 16 points with just seconds to play.

But Cribbs, according to the Cleveland Plain-Dealer by way of PFT, has a different account of the final play of the game: the decision to keep the ball alive was made by Brady Quinn (as opposed to head coach Eric Mangini).

Cribbs Says Quinn Called Final Play originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Wed, 18 Nov 2009 20:25:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mike Shanahan a Candidate in Buffalo?

Will Brinson — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 19:45:00 EST

by Will Brinson

Filed under: NFL Coaching, NFL Rumors

Mike Shanahan has been contacted by the Buffalo Bills as a potential candidate to fill the tiny shoes of Dick Jauron, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter -- although the report indicates that Shanahan was not the only candidate contacted.

Among those additionally listed as possibilities are former NC State offensive coordinator and current CFL coach Marc Trestman, as well as Jim Haslett, who simply refuses to disappear from any coaching search, and Giants OC Kevin Gilbride. Schefter did indicate, however, that interim head coach Perry Fewell would be given an "every opportunity" to secure the full-time gig.

Mike Shanahan a Candidate in Buffalo? originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Wed, 18 Nov 2009 19:45:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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LJ Pushes Bengals to Brink of Disaster

Terence Moore — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 19:30:00 EST

by Terence Moore

Filed under: Bengals, AFC North

CINCINNATI -- Now you can add frequently bad actor Larry Johnson to a Cincinnati Bengals locker room already noted for drama.

Yeah, this makes sense.

It actually does, but only to a point.

Starting running back Cedric Benson has an aching hip flexor, and since nobody worth mentioning wanted to sign Johnson, he came this week as a cheap insurance policy for the Bengals. It's just that you have this little thing in sports called "chemistry," and Benson didn't exactly suggest after practice on Wednesday that he would celebrate Johnson's arrival by baking a batch of chocolate chip cookies.

LJ Pushes Bengals to Brink of Disaster originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Wed, 18 Nov 2009 19:30:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Raiders Extend Stadium Lease to 2013

Nancy Gay — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 18:46:00 EST

by Nancy Gay

Filed under: 49ers, Raiders

OAKLAND, Calif. -- The Oakland Raiders have decided they like the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum enough to reach a tentative agreement to remain there through the 2013 season.

The Raiders' lease with the Oakland/Alameda County Coliseum Authority was set to expire at the end of the 2010 season. Considering the city of San Francisco and the South Bay city of Santa Clara have been offering stadium locations and are competing for the 49ers' services, the future home of Al Davis' franchise was very much in question.

While the lease agreement must still be formally approved by the Joint Powers Authority, the City of Oakland, the County of Alameda and the NFL, it's a foregone conclusion that the Raiders -- love 'em or hate 'em -- aren't going anywhere. At least for the time being.

More Coverage: Raiders Finally Bench JaMarcus Russell

Raiders Extend Stadium Lease to 2013 originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Wed, 18 Nov 2009 18:46:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Dirty Dozen: The Mysteries of Rankings

Dave Goldberg — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 18:30:00 EST

by Dave Goldberg

Filed under: NFL Analysis

"Why does the subjective rating of one NFL team compared to another move folks to anger?'' a fan named Aron Galonsky tweeted to Bob Glauber of Newsday this week after another fan had complained vociferously about Bob's rating of New England over Cincinnati.

"I do not know,'' Bob tweeted back.

Very good question and a very good answer. It's an exchange that makes me wonder why we bother to rate teams every week when the NFL, unlike major college football, has playoffs and a Super Bowl. Actually, I sort of know the answer because when I started in the business, an editor told me "people love lists,'' something I've learned on my own over the years.

Which gets me to this week's top and bottom six and, coincidentally, why I might rate New England higher than Cincinnati this week. (I'm still thinking about it as I write this.)

Dirty Dozen: The Mysteries of Rankings originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Wed, 18 Nov 2009 18:30:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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LeBron to the Browns: Why Not? Hundreds of Millions of Reasons

Dave Goldberg — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 16:15:00 EST

by Dave Goldberg

Filed under: Browns

OK, I get it.

Cleveland's Eric Mangini wants to sign LeBron James so he won't have to endanger Joshua Cribbs on the final play of a game that's beyond his reach.

Unless, of course, LeBron pulls a hamstring in the fourth hour of a typical Mangini practice.

I guess that was the idea when Mangini, the coach of the NFL's worst team, said when asked about LeBron: "I think he should come on down.''

LeBron to the Browns: Why Not? Hundreds of Millions of Reasons originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Wed, 18 Nov 2009 16:15:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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