Colts to keep Manning on active roster
October 31, 2011
Peyton Manning watches preseason action.(AP)
INDIANAPOLIS (AP)—The Indianapolis Colts will keep Peyton Manning(notes) on theactive roster so he can practice later this season, though it remains unlikelyManning will play in a regular-season game.
Bill Polian, the team’s vice chairman, told radio listeners Monday nightthat he would not necessarily want Manning playing behind their banged-upoffensive line. Injuries have decimated the line, forcing the Colts to insertthree new starters and move a fourth starter since opening day.
The only player who has started in the same place every week is Pro Bowlcenter Jeff Saturday(notes).
And with an 0-8 mark, it doesn’t look like the Colts will be making aplayoff run.
But Polian wants Manning to practice so he can determine whether he’srecovered from September’s neck surgery.
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Turf toe has Cards’ Kolb in walking boot
October 31, 2011
TEMPE, Ariz. (AP)—Arizona quarterback Kevin Kolb(notes) had his right foot in awalking boot on Monday to protect a turf toe injury and said he had “no idea”whether he would be able to play in next Sunday’s home game against the St.Louis Rams.
Kolb was injured early in Sunday’s 30-27 loss at Baltimore but stayed in thegame.
“I did some things to help with the pain a little bit,” he said, “thenjust tried to gut it out and try to come up with a victory.”
If Kolb can’t go, second-year pro John Skelton(notes) probably would get the start.Skelton started four games late last season. A turf toe occurs when the toe isjammed severely, stretching the ligaments.
Kolb said he has had the injury before but not “near this severe.”
Kolb said his initial plans are to work to reduce the swelling and pain,“then as the week goes on give it more and more movement and see what my bodyallows me to do.”
Kolb, who ran for a first down late in the game, said the injury didn’taffect his mobility so much as it did the velocity of his passes, since hepushes off with his right foot.
“A lot of your power comes from that side of your foot,” Kolb said, “onthat leg. When I had to take off and run I didn’t feel it or anything. Itprobably was just nagging a little bit but nothing to throw me off my game.”
Consecutive games against two of the best defenses in the NFL, Pittsburghand Baltimore, has left Arizona’s offense a bit battered. Rookie AnthonySherman(notes), the team’s only fullback, has turf toe on his left foot. Running backBeanie Wells(notes) is playing with a sore knee.
Kolb has been sacked 24 time in seven games. The pressure he faced Sundaywas his most severe yet. Of course, since it was Baltimore, that shouldn’t besurprising.
“They run a tough scheme and bring them from a lot of different places.You’ve got to step up in there and block them,” coach Ken Whisenhunt said. “Wehave to get the ball out quicker in some situations. We had opportunities tomake them pay yesterday a couple of times, but we weren’t as efficient as weneeded to be from a protection standpoint or from getting the ball out. That’salways tough.
“When you add in the noise, knowing your guys are going to be late off theball, giving them the advantage, it is really a tough situation. I don’t thinkpeople appreciate how difficult that is. That’s why they’re a good defense andthey’re a tough team to play there.”
It was Arizona’s fourth loss by four points or fewer, and this one wasespecially hard to take. The Cardinals, big underdogs, took advantage of twoturnovers to score 14 points and take an early 24-3 lead only to see the Ravensrun off 24 straight to go on top 27-24. Still, Arizona tied it at 27-27 beforegiving up a late drive that resulted in a last-second 25-yard field goal byBilly Cundiff(notes) to give Baltimore the win.
There’s not a lot for the fans to cheer about, and that has led to concernthe game against the Rams won’t be a sellout. The Cardinals have sold out everyhome game since University of Phoenix Stadium opened in 2006.
“We’re working hard to try to make sure we’re taking care of business, andwe haven’t done that,” Whisenhunt said. “It’s been a tough stretch for ourfans, I understand that, and we’re working hard to try to get that fixed.Hopefully, they’ll continue to support us. We’ve had a number of exciting gamesthere and they’ve been a big part of that. All I can tell you is that we’regoing to have more there, and we sure would appreciate the support.”
After Sunday’s game, Arizona plays three in a row on the road, where theyhave lost 11 straight dating to the 2010 season opener at St. Louis.
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Broncos’ Fox sticking with Tebow for now
October 31, 2011
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP)—Tim Tebow(notes) wasn’t sacked Monday.
One day after giving his embattled young quarterback a less than ringingendorsement following a humiliating 45-10 loss at home to the Lions, Broncoscoach John Fox said he’s sticking with Tebow.
“For this week, yes,” Fox said.
Tebow said he doesn’t feel as though he’s on a week-to-week basis but thathe’s not one to fret about the future anyway.
“It’s just take it one day at a time, consistently trying to get better andnot focusing too far in the future,” Tebow told The Associated Press. “Today’sthe day I’ve got to improve and that’s kind of the focus.”
By not committing to him beyond Sunday’s game at Oakland, Fox made it clearthat Tebow has to quickly improve as a pocket passer to retain his startingstatus in Denver.
“I think at the end of the day, we’ve got to see if he can improve and getbetter in the passing game,” Fox said.
Since supplanting Kyle Orton(notes) at halftime against San Diego on Oct. 9, Tebowhas completed 46 percent of his passes (35 for 76) and been sacked 13 times.
“I think we definitely need to improve. I think we will,” Tebow said.“Just the timing and getting in and out of the right plays and being moreconsistent. … Every day I’m just coming in here and trying to get better andimproving and whatever they ask I’m going to do.”
Tebow, who pulled out a stunning win at Miami two weeks ago in his firststart this season despite playing poorly for most of the game, said he feels asthough the coaching staff still has his back.
“I think they have confidence in me, but more than anything, I’ve got tohave confidence in myself and my teammates around me and at the end of the daythat’s what matters,” Tebow said.
He insisted his confidence wasn’t rattled by the Lions’ landslide.
“We did some good things and improved on some things,” Tebow suggested.“It wasn’t all bad, it just didn’t necessarily look that way. But that’s thething about it, it’s never as bad as it seems, it’s never as good as it seems.”
The Broncos had eight possessions of three plays or fewer Sunday, turned itover once on downs and three times on takeaways, two of which were returned fortouchdowns. Tebow was sacked seven times and his only TD toss came after theLions had built a 42-point lead while razzing him with imitations of hisprayerful pose that’s become an online sensation.
“We knew he was a scrambling quarterback,” Lions linebacker StephenTulloch(notes) said. “We knew he was going to try to get out of the pocket and try tokeep plays alive and we did a good job just executing. He’s a young player. He’sgot a lot to learn as a player. Take nothing from him, he’s a winner, he finds away to win. He just needs to clean up some things in his pass game, but thattakes time.”
The Broncos tried to adapt to Tebow’s unconventional skill set, spreadingout the offense and speeding up the tempo, even sprinkling in some option-readplays, but nothing seemed to work very well.
The Lions crowded the line of scrimmage and used Tulloch as a spy to keepthe second-year scrambler from running. They blitzed him on more than 50 percentof his dropbacks, pushing the pocket and containing the edge with a disciplinedpass rush.
Lions cornerback Chris Houston(notes), who returned an interception 100 yards for atouchdown, revealed Detroit’s game plan was to stack the box and make Tebow tryto beat them with his arm.
“We just wanted to make him be a quarterback today,” Houston said afterthe game. “… He’s an athlete, he’s no Tom Brady(notes) or Peyton Manning(notes) or nothinglike that. Or Michael Vick(notes) or nothing like that. He’s got a long ways to go asfar as being a quarterback, but he’s a hard worker.”
Tebow didn’t make quick decisions or quick throws, and his long, loopingthrowing motion led to a strip by defensive end Cliff Anvil, who scooped up thefumbled football and scored a touchdown.
Tebow’s quarterback rating this season is 75.1, almost identical to the 75.7rating that cost Orton his starting job during the team’s 1-4 start.
If Tebow loses the gig, too, the Broncos might not go back to Orton butcould give Brady Quinn(notes) his first shot under center since his arrival two yearsago from Cleveland in the Peyton Hillis(notes) trade.
“You know, really, in this business all things are possible,” Fox said.“And Brady’s a guy that we acquired before I got here, but he’s shown flashesin our practice and (preseason) games, so right now we’re in the process offinding out who the quarterback is and we’ll leave it at that.”
Fox said he trusts Tebow will learn from his mistakes and get better.
“He’s competitive by nature, and I think he’ll respond just fine,” Foxsaid.
The task only gets tougher for Tebow. The Broncos play four of their nextfive games on the road and six of the remaining nine games are against teamsthat employ the 3-4 defensive scheme that’s given him fits as he tries torecognize where the fourth rusher is coming from.
First things first. Tebow said he doesn’t feel as though he’s on a shortleash and is content to let tomorrow take care of itself.
“I feel like each week I’m going to take the game plan and do the best Ican with it and keep improving with it and take my weaknesses and try to makethem strengths,” he said.
Notes: RB Willis McGahee(notes) said he’ll test his surgically-repaired right handthis week in hopes he can return to action after missing Sunday’s game. He gothurt at Miami two weeks ago when his right hand got stuck in a defender’s facemask, drawing an infraction that cost him a $7,500 fine, which he said he’sappealing.
Follow AP Pro Football Writer Arnie Melendrez Stapleton on Twitter:http://twitter.com/arniestapleton
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Munchak: Johnson remains Titans’ starter
October 31, 2011
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP)—Tennessee coach Mike Munchak is doing his best todefuse a potential running back controversy.
Munchak made it clear Monday that Chris Johnson remains the Titans’ starter,and he said he sees the running back working harder than ever in a situationwhere his contract extension created high expectations.
Backup Javon Ringer(notes) will continue to play with the number of carries decidedduring each game.
Either way, the Titans still must fix the NFL’s worst running game.
The challenge is the offense looks better with Ringer, who looks strongerand faster than the man who had led the NFL in yards rushing between 2008 and2010.
The pressure to get CJ running only increases each week, and the Titans(4-3) host Cincinnati (5-2) on Sunday.
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Cardinals QB Kolb in walking boot
October 31, 2011
TEMPE, Ariz. (AP)—Arizona quarterback Kevin Kolb(notes) had his right foot in awalking boot on Monday to protect a turf toe injury and said he had “no idea”whether he would be able to play in next Sunday’s home game against the St.Louis Rams.
Kolb was injured early in Sunday’s 30-27 loss at Baltimore but stayed in thegame and, in his words, “just tried to gut it out.” He was sacked aseason-high six times in the Cardinals’ sixth consecutive loss.
If Kolb can’t go, second-year pro John Skelton(notes) probably would get the start.Skelton started four games late last season.
With the Rams and Cardinals matching 1-6 records, Arizona’s 58-game homesellout streak could be in jeopardy.
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Raiders plan to work out Houshmandzadeh
October 31, 2011
ALAMEDA, Calif. (AP)—The Oakland Raiders returned from their bye week onMonday by signing former Pro Bowl cornerback Lito Sheppard(notes) and are planning aworkout for former Pro Bowl receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh(notes).
Houshmandzadeh played in Cincinnati with new Raiders quarterback CarsonPalmer(notes) and was coached by current Raiders head coach Hue Jackson, but has beenout of the league so far this season.
Houshmandzadeh had been working out with Palmer in Southern Californiabefore the Raiders traded for the quarterback two weeks ago. Houshmandzadeh willwork out for Oakland on Tuesday.
Jackson said the decision to look at Houshmandzadeh had been in the worksfor a while and did not have to do with getting a receiver who had workedpreviously with Palmer.
“What I need to do is find out what he is,” Jackson said. “I’m going todo everything I can to improve our football team. I mean, he may not be what heonce was. He may be what he once was. But I get the opportunity to see him, andsee him up close and personal and go from there.”
Houshmandzadeh was at his best with the Bengals with Palmer, catching acareer-high 112 passes for 1,143 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2007. Afteraveraging 89 catches, for 1,012 yards and seven touchdowns over a five-year spanin Cincinnati, Houshmandzadeh struggled the past two seasons in Seattle andBaltimore.
He had only 30 catches for 398 yards and three touchdowns with the Ravenslast season and had a key drop late in a playoff loss to Pittsburgh. No onepicked him up this offseason but the Raiders are ready to take a look to see ifhe can regain his old form.
“He’s a born leader,” said safety Chinedum Ndukwe(notes), who played withHoushmandzadeh in Cincinnati. “He’s a competitor. He gets open. You can’treally explain it. He might not be the fastest guy, he might not look like thegreatest athlete but he gets it done. In the slot, I don’t think there’s anybetter in the league in the slot.”
The Raiders had an open spot on their roster this week and used it onSheppard. He spent time in training camp with the Raiders and played in thefinal exhibition game before being cut. He had not caught on with any other teamand was brought back by the Raiders, who have two cornerbacks banged up in ChrisJohnson and Chimdi Chekwa(notes).
Sheppard worked out for a handful of teams over the last few months,including the Raiders a few weeks ago.
“I’ve been preparing as if it was going to happen that next day each day,”Sheppard said. “But it was a relief because I felt like I was doing a prettygood job here and I kind of couldn’t understand it (being released) but thenthey called me back so they appreciated some of what I was doing so that was abig help.”
Sheppard is a former Pro Bowler but started only two games for Minnesotalast season. He started nine games for the New York Jets in 2009 and three forPhiladelphia the previous season. He had been a starter for the Eagles beforethat, intercepting 14 passes from 2004 to 2006.
His coverage numbers have dropped in recent years, according to STATS LLC.Sheppard allowed quarterbacks to complete 58 percent of their passes in hisdirection the past three seasons with 10 touchdowns, two interceptions and a97.6 quarterback rating. In his first five seasons, Sheppard allowed opponentsto catch 56.7 percent of their passes with 11 TDs, 17 interceptions and a 72.3rating.
“He was somebody that I always watched, especially when I was a rookie,”Raiders cornerback Stanford Routt(notes) said. “He has always had good feet, goodinstincts and for someone that is undersized, he plays much bigger than hissize. He is definitely someone that helps the secondary out physically as wellas from a mental aspect.”
The Raiders officially took the past four days off, but the receivers workedwith Palmer on their own to build up some rapport with the new quarterback.Receiver Jacoby Ford(notes) said that work helped improve the timing of the passinggame, which Jackson said was evident at practice
“I thought he looked really sharp today,” Jackson said. “He did somereally good things today. He really has a grasp of what we’re trying toaccomplish. I think when I heard of what those guys did on those two days,spending time together really showed out here.”
Notes: RB Darren McFadden(notes) (foot) did not practice and Jackson had noinformation on what his status would be for this week. … MLB Rolando McClain(notes)(ankle) and K Sebastian Janikowski(notes) (hamstring) were among the other players whodid not practice.
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Vikes discussing suspended Cook’s future
October 31, 2011
EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. (AP)—The Minnesota Vikings are discussing suspendedcornerback Chris Cook’s(notes) future.
Coach Leslie Frazier said he’d be meeting Monday afternoon with teamofficials to “see which direction we’re going to be heading” with Cook, whowas charged last week with felony domestic assault for allegedly trying tostrangle his girlfriend. Frazier sidestepped a question at his news conferenceabout whether Cook could be released. The coach said only, “We’ve got a lot ofthings to talk about.”
Related content Chris Cook photo gallery
The Vikings have their bye this week, but Frazier said “all indicationsare” cornerback Antoine Winfield(notes) will be back from a neck injury to play GreenBay on Nov. 14. Winfield has missed four games. He said “without a doubt”he’ll be on the field against the Packers.
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Rams QB Bradford begins working out
October 31, 2011
ST. LOUIS (AP)—One day after the Rams picked up their first victory of theseason, more good news may be on the way: Sam Bradford(notes) began to exercise Monday.
Bradford is no longer wearing a protective boot on his left ankle. Hesustained a high ankle sprain two weeks ago in a loss at Green Bay. Thequarterback did not play last week against Dallas and missed the Rams’ stunning31-21 upset of New Orleans on Sunday that improved St. Louis to 1-6.
“He did some strengthening exercises this morning,” Spagnuolo said. “He’smoving around a little bit. I don’t know that we’ll get him on Wednesday (forpractice), but we’ll slowly work him in there. He’s about the same right now.
“He’ll be day to day and we’ll see where we are after Wednesday.”
“He’s getting there,” Spagnuolo said. “This thing, these high anklesprains, you never know.”
Spagnuolo acknowledged the win over the Saints was a milestone for his club,but cautioned against putting too much emphasis on it. Certainly, it is aconfidence builder for the Rams.
“What’s nice is you’ve been saying certain things to the football team allthe way through this rough patch and what we thought they were capable of, and Ithink the players felt the same way,” Spagnuolo said. “This is a little bit ofthe proof in the pudding, so to speak. Hopefully, you build on that. That’s thehope.
“I will be cautioning the guys to the fact that many people on the surfacelooked at the schedule and said this was the gantlet, these seven games. Well,it’s not going to get any easier. If you fall into the `we’re through the toughpart and away we go,’ then we’re in trouble.”
The overall record of the Rams’ first seven opponents is 31-19. The recordfor the next four foes is 7-21. St. Louis is at Arizona this Sunday and thentravels to Cleveland before coming home with two games in November againstSeattle and Arizona.
“This Arizona team we’re getting ready to play is going to be as tough achallenge as any of the seven we’ve already played. I really believe it,”Spagnuolo said.
Steven Jackson scored two touchdowns in his first 100-yard rushing game inthree seasons. Jackson had 159 yards on 25 carries.
Backup quarterback A.J. Feeley(notes), starting for the second straight week inplace of Bradford, threw his first touchdown pass in four years.
Young players stepped up for the Rams in the victory. Darian Stewart(notes)returned an interception for the clinching touchdown late in the fourth quarter,the team’s first defensive score in more than two seasons. Rookie Robert Quinn(notes),the team’s No. 1 draft pick, blocked a punt to set up one score and had a sack.
“I’m tremendously proud of the team,” Spagnuolo said. “I thought theyfought hard. There’s still plenty of work to do. We’re certainly not blinded bythe fact it’s just one win. It was a good football team we played and it was agood win, but we still got a lot of work to do.”
NOTES: Starting CB Justin King(notes) (groin) was inactive Sunday after beinglisted as questionable. He will practice Wednesday. … WR Mark Clayton(notes) still isbothered by an Achilles tendon injury but he is out of the protective boot hewas wearing. …OT Jason Smith(notes) and DT Darell Scott(notes) both will be out Wednesday.Both have not been cleared since sustaining concussions.
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Steelers ready for payback vs. Ravens
October 31, 2011
PITTSBURGH (AP)—Ryan Clark(notes) remembers the dancing. And the jawing. And theseemingly countless celebrations.
Did the way the Baltimore Ravens enjoyed their 35-7 mauling of the Steelersin the season opener bother the veteran safety? Of course.
Then again, there’s not much Clark could do about it.
“People can throw parties when you can’t stop them from scoring, and wecouldn’t stop them from scoring,” Clark said. “They can dance all they want.”
The Steelers turned the beatdown and the ensuing obituaries written from thecritics about who gleefully detailed how the defending champions were “old,slow and … over” into a rallying cry.
“That was y’all writing us off,” Clark said. “We felt like we had a badone. We lost to a good team.”
Funny, Clark said, the Steelers didn’t look old, slow or over while knockingoff Tom Brady(notes) and the New England Patriots 25-17 on Sunday to set up a rematchthe Ravens next weekend.
And they haven’t lost much since.
The team that looked uninspired at best and ill-prepared at worst during anightmarish opening month of the season is now the only team in the AFC with a6-2 record.
It’s the fifth straight year the Steelers have started 6-2. And they actedlike they’ve been there before even after beating Brady for the first time since2004.
There were no bold proclamations even after limiting the NFL’s top offenseto a paltry 213 yards. The Steelers don’t do proclamations.
Sure, exacting a bit of revenge on Brady for all the times he’s crushed thefranchise’s hopes was nice. It’ll mean nothing if they can’t back it up againstthe Ravens (5-2).
It’s why wide receiver Mike Wallace(notes) opted to spend his Sunday night indoorsrather than bask in one of the franchise’s biggest regular season victories inyears.
“I’m not going out,” Wallace said afterward. “I’m going home right nowand lock it. I’m ready for next week. I don’t care about nothing else.”
Neither do his teammates, though the Steelers could be without a couple ofvital parts against the Ravens.
Linebacker LaMarr Woodley(notes) was scheduled to undergo an MRI exam on thestrained hamstring that cut his two-sack day short. Woodley sat out the fourthquarter but insisted he would be good to go on Sunday night.
“It was one of those sit now so I don’t miss three or four week things,”Woodley said.
The status of wide receiver Hines Ward(notes) (ankle) and linebacker James Farrior(notes)(back) is also unclear. Both sat out against the Patriots, as did linebackerJames Harrison(notes), who missed his fourth straight game while recovering from afractured right orbital bone.
Harrison hinted he would return in time to play the Ravens, and the Steelerscould use him if Farrior and Woodley can’t go.
Then again, considering the way the patchwork defense has held its own sofar, maybe the Steelers can get by without them.
At one point in the fourth quarter, Lawrence Timmons(notes) was the only normalstarting linebacker on the field, and he was playing out of position at outsidelinebacker as Harrison’s replacement.
Pittsburgh survived anyway. If reserve linebackers Larry Foote(notes) and ChrisCarter weren’t making plays, then young defensive linemen Ziggy Hood(notes), CameronHeyward(notes) and Steve McClendon were spelling veterans like Brett Keisel(notes) and stillproviding enough pressure to make the normally unflappable Brady antsy.
“Those kids have been playing amazing ball for us,” Keisel said. “I can’tsay enough about Ziggy and Steve and Cameron coming in and playing winningfootball. We have a great tradition on the line and we expect those guys to stepin and play ball and they’ve done that.”
The defense that struggled stopping the Ravens on Sept. 11 is now rankedsecond in the league in yards allowed, right behind the Ravens.
It’s where the Steelers expected to be all along. The biggest makeover inthe last seven weeks has come on the other side of the ball.
The offensive that couldn’t block the Ravens, couldn’t hold onto the balland mustered little fight while turning it over seven times suddenly looks aspotent as quarterback Ben Roethlisberger(notes) promised weeks ago.
Roethlisberger lit up the Patriots for 365 yards passing and two touchdowns,completing 36 of 50 passes and helping the Steelers convert 10 of 16third-downs. He hit nine different receivers and save for a second quarterinterception rarely forced the ball into tight spaces.
“It definitely gives us momentum,” wide receiver Antonio Brown(notes) said. “Weneed to continue to get better, continue to go to work on some plays we left outthere. There are some things we could do better.”
Three times the Steelers pushed inside the New England 20 only to settle fora Shaun Suisham(notes) field goal instead of a touchdown. Those kinds of opportunitiescannot be missed against the Ravens and the Steelers know it.
“We’ve got to keep pressing,” Wallace said.
The Steelers don’t know how to do otherwise. They didn’t panic after gettingcrushed in the opener. They just went back to work. It’s what they do.
“We just want to keep flying under the radar,” Clark said.
Can a team that beats New England and Baltimore in consecutive weeks dothat?
“I hope so,” he said.
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Bengals get 2-day exemption on RB Benson
October 31, 2011
CINCINNATI (AP)—The Bengals got a two-day roster exemption for runningback Cedric Benson(notes), who is coming off a suspension for violating the NFL’sconduct policy.
Benson is allowed to be with the team until Wednesday without being added tothe 53-man roster. Cincinnati will have to take someone off the roster to open aspot for Benson, who leads the team in rushing with 458 yards on 117 carries.
The league suspended him for a game in Seattle on Sunday because of his twomisdemeanor assault cases in Texas that were settled before the season began.Bernard Scott(notes) filled in and ran for 76 yards in a 34-12 win over the Seahawks.
Benson could play Sunday in Tennessee (4-3).
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