NFL GridIron Gab Daily Digest

After a weekend where there just coincidentally happened to be more ‘devstating hits’ as the NFL would like to call them, than any other weekend in recent memory, the NFL has decided to crack down on defensive players who lay down these big hits.

 The league announced earlier this week that they will be now potentially suspending players, who even are first-time offenders, for making an unnecessary hit that may be a little too hard.

 While no suspensions were handed out this week, what about the next, or the week after that? With defensive players already chiming in and stating that this totally changes the game, and while they may not change the way they play, it favors the offensive side of the game yet again.

 Let’s face it, while the NFL does want to decrease the amount of head injuries in the league, and increase the safety for players, this also benefits the offense in a huge way now. After the NFL made their statement this week, how many players do you think will have in the back of their heads the fact that they might be suspended a game for making a tackle on a receiver coming across the middle? Now because of this statement, players like Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker James Harrison are considering retirement because he does not know if he is able to play at the same high level that won him the 2008 Defensive Player of the Year. 

Think of it this way. If a game-breaking wide receiver who is famous for gaining numerous yards after the catch, such as the Miami Dolphins Brandon Marshall is going across the middle of the field,  would you really expect a linebacker, cornerback, or safety to pull up to not hit him hard enough to possibly draw a fine? That same big hit could be the difference between the receiver breaking the tackle and running for a touchdown, or just getting a 5 yard gain.

 The players view the game of football as war. They take risks, and live and die by the risks that they take. Their teammates are like their brothers, and when it comes to winning, or saving a touchdown, they will knock the opponents lights out everytime. It’s just that simple. Dolphins linebacker Channing Crowder seems to agree with me as well; “When I drop back in coverage and I see a receiver running a crossing route and I’m about to break on him and hit him I’m not going to think about, ‘Well let me turn my shoulder or let me aim at his torso.’  I’m just looking to knock the hell out of him.”

 What Crowder said above is how I want my middle linebackers, as well as all of my defensive players to think. It should be no holds barred out their when the players are hitting with their bodies. While I agree with the NFL’s rules on helmet-to-helmet hits, I think that a player should be able to hit an opponent as hard as they can when defending against the pass.

 These guys in the league have been trained since the pee-wee leagues to hit how they have been hitting, with their shoulders. While helmet-to-helmet hits still happen in the league every so often, really there is nothing you can do from preventing them from ever happening again. The fact of the matter is that not only helmet to helmet contact and ‘devastating hits’ happen time to time, and big hits usually occur once or twice per game. So how can the NFL afford to suspend or even fine players for doing their jobs?

 The fact of the matter is that offensive and defensive players are so physical and athletic in the current time period that sometimes big hits are necessary just to get them down. So as I retract to my defensive players “just doing their jobs” when laying the big hits, can the NFL really keep their suspensions up? Can they expect players to tone down their game and intensity level enough to play the game the way the league wants it to, as they try to make the game more appealing for the fans, and move the game to a more high-scoring event?

 I agree that concussions are dangerous for players, especially at the speed that the game is played at today. But keep in mind that every player that signs a contract to play in the NFL also signs a ‘waiver’ of sorts that serves as an agreement in which the player recognizes the risks he is taking by playing the game of football. The players know that they could be seriously injured if one thing goes wrong. The players know that concussions are a seemingly regularity in todays game. Believe me, they know the risks. So why make the players tone down their game, when everyone has been playing the game like this for as long as football has existed?

 As I leave you, look at some of the quotes from some of the leagues players already, not even two full days removed from the announcement that the league would suspend players for big hits. It’s a wonder that Baltimore Ravens feared linebacker has not spoken out rashly on the subject yet.

 ”If they’re going to keep making us go more and more and more like a feminine sport, we’re going to wear pink every game, not just on the breast cancer months”-Channing Crowder, Miami Dolphins linebacker

 ”Garbage man is going to stink after he gets off work, right? Because he deals with garbage all day, you play football, you have a damn chance to get hit in the head. You’re going to get a concussion because you have on a helmet and people can get you with a helmet. If you don’t want to get hit in the head, don’t play football.”- Crowder

The Colts injury woes just keep coming, as not only has the team lost TE Dallas Clark, but now it looks like running back Joseph Addai is going to miss several weeks with a shoulder injury.

NFL.com’s Jason LaCanfora reports that Addai was hurt early in the fourth quarter of the Colts’ 27-24 victory Sunday at Washington, taking a hard hit from Redskins linebacker London Fletcher and fumbling on the play.

Addai said Wednesday that he has a nerve injury in his left shoulder and isn’t sure if he’ll be ready to play against his hometown Houston Texans on November 1st in a rematch from the season opener which was won by the Texans in Houston.

The Colts will continue to gather information, and Addai will seek a second opinion on the injured shoulder while he rests. The team is in its bye week.

Addai has 406 yards and three scores on 93 carries this season. Addai gained more than 1,000 yards in his first two NFL seasons, then dipped to 544 in 2008, when hamstring and shoulder injuries limited him to 12 games. He rushed for 828 yards in 15 games last season.

Donald Brown has missed the last three weeks with an injury, and now with Addai out, the team may have to turn to former Michigan back Mike Hart, who scored the final TD of the teams win over the Chiefs two weeks back.

Clark is instrumental to Peyton, Colts aerial attack

It’s being reported by ESPN.com that Dallas could be out indefinitely with a hand/wrist injury.

Clark is believed to get a second and likely a third voice before the Colts completely decide how long he will be sidelined, a league source said.

The Colts believe they’ll have the definitive word on Clark’s injury and absence by Thursday, regardless of what the third opinion says, ESPN senior NFL analyst Chris Mortensen reported. Surgery is being discussed.

“He’s being evaluated,” Colts coach Jim Caldwell said Wednesday when asked about the former Iowa Hawkeye’s injury.

Big loss for the Colts offense.  Good thing Peyton has an abundance of weapons to overcome this latest blow.

Cardinals WR Steve Breaston should return in time for Sunday’s game in Seattle

2010 SEASON RECORDS:

Cardinals: 3-2, 1st in NFC West (tied with Seattle); Last Week: bye

Seahawks: 3-2, 1st in NFC West (tied with Arizona); Last Week: W @ CHI, 23-20

GAMETIME:

Sunday, October 24, 4:05 p.m. EST, Qwest Field, Seattle, WA

BATTLE OF THE BIRDS:

Feathers will fly when the Cardinals migrate north to crash the Seahawks' nest in this NFC West match up.  The victor will take sole possession of first place and early dominance in the wide-open division.

The Seahawks must feel pretty good about their season so far.  After a nice draft, Pete Carol has done about as well as can be expected in his first five games as the Seahawks' top guy.  He's guided Seattle to a 3-2 record and with the team's road win against a previously 4-1 Bears' team, the Hawks are now tied with the Cardinals for first place in the division.

SEATTLE'S ROLLER COASTER SEASON:

Though Seattle is feeling good at the moment, it's been a week to week, up and down ride for Seattle with sudden drops following every rising swell of confidence.

The Seahawks got off to a great start against San Francisco, pulling what was believed to be a major upset at the time.  Well, the 49ers would lose their next four games casting doubt on the merit of the Hawks' victory.

Next, the Seahawks go to Denver and get dismantled, which perhaps isn't so terrible considering the Broncos are a tough team to play when they're at home.

In Week 3, Pete Carol saw his troops hand the Chargers a 27-20 loss, which was also considered an upset at the time.  Subsequently, the Chargers have fallen to 2-4 with their latest loss to the Raiders, again casting doubt on exactly what kind of team Seattle will be for the remainder of the season.

The Rams handed the Seahawks an embarrassing 20-3 loss in St. Louis in Week 6, but in true roller coaster fashion, the Hawks put it together against Chicago, which brings Seattle to their most important adversary to date, the Arizona Cardinals.

CARDINALS'  SEASON IS ALSO A THRILL RIDE:

Arizona's roller coaster may be reaching a crest with Max Hall generating some excitement and establishing a degree of continuity in the offense.  In addition, wide receivers Steve Breaston and Early Doucet will be back shortly, if not this Sunday.  Further, veteran inside linebacker Gerald Hayes is expected to make his season debut in limited action this week.  Finally, the Cardinals are no doubt buzzing from their upset over the Saints in Week 5 and have rested sore bodies during the Week 6 bye.

MAX HALL VS. THE TWELFTH MAN

Statistically, the Seahawks have had slightly more success than the Cardinals.  The most stark difference, however, is Seattle's run stopping compared to the Cardinals.  The Seahawks rank 2nd in the NFL in run defense, allowing only 70.4 yards per game.

Such a staunch run defense could present problems for the Cardinals, particularly Max Hall.  Without a healthy run game, it could be up to Hall to put the Seahawks away on the road, which is a tough assignment even for a veteran quarterback.  The factor of the twelfth man cannot be under emphasized.  Qwest Field is an extremely hostile environment, especially so for a rookie.  Hall, however, has shown that he is no ordinary rookie.  He's already flashed the composure and confidence of a quarterback far beyond his experience level.  If there's a rookie quarterback you want leading your team into Seattle, it's Max Hall.

HAWKS DEFENSE IS WEAK THROUGH THE AIR:

As strong as Seattle is against the run, the Seahawks are as weak against the pass.  They rank 30th in the NFL in passing defense, allowing a whopping 290.8 yards per game.  It would be a daunting task for Hall to win the game for the Cardinals solely through the air, but only two teams have allowed more passing yards per game than the Hawks and that must be an encouraging thought for Ken Whisenhunt and his quarterback.

THE JEKYLL AND HYDE CARDINALS DEFENSE:

A lot will be decided by which defense shows up for the Cardinals on Sunday.  If it's the defense that allowed 41 points against both the Chargers and Falcons, the Cards will be in for a long day.  If, however, the ball hawking, touchdown scoring defense rears its head, as it did against the New Orleans Saints, the Cardinals obviously stand an excellent chance at grabbing sole possession of first place.

Beyond the obvious division standing implications, this game is an identity game for the defense.  It's an opportunity to build off of its inspired Week 5 effort, which forced four turnovers against a normally very ball security conscious Saints team.  In addition, it's a chance to shed the liability stigma and establish a new identity; a team strength rather than weakness.

CARDS' OFFENSE NEEDS TO PULL ITS WEIGHT:

The offense desperately needs to score some touchdowns as it has scored only five of the Cards' ten touchdowns this season.  The other five TDs are by the defense (two by Kerry Rhodes and one by DRC), Stephens-Howling's kick-off return, and of course Levi Brown's fumblerooksi.  Hall is yet to throw a touchdown, though he's only started one game and saw limited action in San Diego.  It would be nice for Hall to get one through the air to build his confidence, but the Cards will take them any way they can get them.

FRIGHTENING OFFENSIVE STATS:

Here are some of the hard cold facts regarding how poorly the Cards' offense has played to date.

• Larry Fitzgerald is yet to break the 100 yards receiving mark this year, hasn't record a double digits reception game, and only has two receiving touchdowns.

• Beanie Wells hasn't scored a touchdown, though he did miss significant time.

• The Cards haven't had a pass play gain more than 35 yards and have had only one rush longer than 24 yards (Tim Hightower's 80-yard touchdown run in Atlanta).

• The Cardinals' offense ranks 31st in the NFL in yards per game (240).

• The offense has converted an embarrassing 18 of 61 third down attempts for a terrible 29% conversion rate.

Clearly, the Cardinals must get their offense back on track whether or not the defensive play carries over from the Saints game.  The addition of Breaston and Doucet to the lineup, if they both return, should provide Max Hall with some fresh options.

Cardinals' Week 7 Depth Chart / Injury Report:

Legend: * = probable, ^ = questionable, ` = doubtful, FP = full practice, LP = limited practice, DNP = did not practice

Offense:

WR1 – Larry Fitzgerald, ^Early Doucet [groin], Max Komar, Onrea Jones

LT – Levi Brown, Jeremy Bridges

LG – Alan Faneca, Rex Hadnot

C – Lyle Sendlein, Ben Claxton, Rex Hadnot

RG – Deuce Lutui, Rex Hadnot

RT – Brandon Keith, Jeremy Bridges

TE – Ben Patrick, Stephen Spach, Jim Dray

WR2 – *Steve Breaston [knee], Stephen Williams, Andre Roberts

QB – Max Hall, Derek Anderson, John Skelton

RB – Tim Hightower, Beanie Wells, Jason Wright, LaRod Stephens-Howling

FB – Reagan Maui'a

Defense: 3-4 Base

DE – Calais Campbell, ^Kenny Iwebema [knee]

NT – Bryan Robinson, Gabe Watson, Dan Williams

DT – Darnell Dockett, ^Alan Branch [shoulder]

ROLB – Joey Porter

RILB – Paris Lenon, Reggie Walker

LILB – Daryl Washington, Reggie Walker

LOLB – Clark Haggans, Will Davis

RCB – Greg Toler, Trumaine McBride, A.J. Jefferson

LCB – Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, Michael Adams, Brandon McDonald

SS – Adrian Wilson, `Matt Ware [ankle], Hamza Abdullah

FS – Kerry Rhodes, Rashad Johnson

Seahawks' Week 7 Depth Chart / Injury Report:

Offense:

WR1 – Deon Butler, Brandon Stokley

LT – Russell Okung, Breno Giacomini

LG – Ben Hamilton, Chester Pitts

C – Chris Spencer, Evan Dietrich-Smith

RG – Stacy Andrews, Mike Gibson, Mansfield Wrotto

RT – Sean Locklear, Tyler Polumbus

WR2 – Mike Williams, Golden Tate, Ben Obomanu

TE – John Carlson, Chris Baker, Cameron Morrah, Anthony McCoy

QB – Matt Hasselbeck, Charlie Whitehurst

RB – Justin Forsett, Leon Washington, Marshawn Lynch

Defense: 4-3 Base

LDE – Chris Clemons, Raheem Brock, Dexter Davis

LDT – Brandon Mebane, Kentwan Balmer

RDT – Colin Cole, Junior Siavii

RDE – Red Bryant, E.J. Wilson

WSLB – Aaron Curry, Matt McCoy

MLB – Lofa Tatupu

SSLB – David Hawthorne, Will Herring, Leroy Hill

LCB – *Marcus Trufant (ankle), Roy Lewis, Kennard Cox

SS – Lawyer Milloy

FS – Earl Thomas, Kam Chancellor

RCB – ^Kelly Jennings (hamstring), Walter Thurmond, Nate Ness

Head to Head Match Ups Since 2001:

The Cardinals have an 8-8 record since 2001.

Arizona has not lost to Seattle since 2007.

The last time Arizona lost in Seattle was in 2005.

• Nov 15, 2009: ARI 31, SEA 20

• Oct 18, 2009: ARI 27, @ SEA 3

• Dec 28, 2008: ARI 34, SEA 21

• Nov 16, 2008: ARI 26, @ SEA 20

• Dec 9, 2007: ARI 21, @ SEA 42

• Sep 16, 2007: ARI 23, SEA 20

• Dec 10, 2006: ARI 27, SEA 21

• Sep 17, 2006: ARI 10, @ SEA 21

• Nov 6, 2005: ARI 19, SEA 33

• Sep 25, 2005: ARI 12, @ SEA 37

• Dec 26, 2004: ARI 21, @ SEA 24

• Oct 24, 2004: ARI 25, SEA 17

• Dec 21, 2003: ARI 10, @ SEA 28

• Sep 14, 2003: ARI 0, SEA 38

• Nov 10, 2002: ARI 6, SEA 27

• Sep 15, 2002: ARI 24, @ SEA 13

AccuScore Projections:

Seahawks are a 65% favorite to the Cardinals 35% underdog.

Average Scores: Seahawks – 24.8, Cardinals – 19.3

Cardinals vs. Seahawks Rankings:

TEAM OFFENSE PER GAME AVERAGES

Total Yards

ARI  240.0

SEA 292.0

Yards Passing

ARI (30th)       152.6

SEA (21st)       206.6

Yards Rushing

ARI (29th)      87.4

SEA (30th)       85.8

TEAM DEFENSE PER GAME AVERAGES

Yards Allowed

ARI  382.0

SEA 361.2

Passing Yards Allowed

ARI (26th)       241.2

SEA (30th)       290.8

Rushing Yards Allowed

ARI (29th)       140.8

SEA (2nd)       70.4

Game Trends:

• The Cardinals are 1-2 on the road.

• The Seahawks are 2-0 at home.

• The Cardinals are 1-2 as the underdog.

• The Cardinals are 0-2 as the away underdog.

• The Seahawks are 0-2 as the favorite.

• The Seahawks have not been a home favorite this year.

Seahawks' 2010 Season Outlook:

Seattle should be right there with the Cardinals battling for the lead in the NFC West.  In terms of bragging rights within the division, this is the most important game so far.  The winner of this contest will of course take control of the NFC West with one quarter of the season already in the books.  The Hawks, therefore, have taken the 49ers' place as the team that poses the greatest threat to take the NFC West crown from the Cardinals.

The next few weeks should determine a lot, as the Cardinals and Seahawks will square off twice during that period.  After this week, Seattle will face the Raiders in Oakland and the Giants at home before traveling to Arizona in Week 10

Jclombardi highlights Packers headlines.

Guest senior writer jclombardi @ http://lombardiave.com

Williams Elevates Game: After surprising everyone to make the team in 2007, Williams moved his way up on special teams and then as the dime and nickel corner. Last season, he filled in for Harris, who was lost for the season with a knee injury. With Harris out for the first six weeks of this season, as well, Williams has been Green Bay’s best and most reliable cornerback – even if his exceptional play has been, once again, buried under the problems of another struggling 3-3 Packers team. With Harris returning this week to practice, Williams is focused on getting the Packers back to winning. ”We’ve got so much other stuff going on around here,” Williams said. “The only thing with Al is when he comes back, he’s just going to make the team better.”

Rodgers must find ways to win games: Here we are six games into 2010, and Aaron Rodgers, who also is six games into his third season as the Packers' starting quarterback, isn't playing well. The Packers are 3-3, and his passer rating is 87.9 points, which ranks No. 13 in the NFL. Clearly, nobody's kicking around the idea of benching Rodgers, but he's been far from the potential MVP candidate who looked so dominant in the preseason. He's directing an offense that bears most of the responsibility for the Packers' three defeats. It hasn't been anything like the machine that finished last season No. 3 in the NFL in points scored and No. 6 in yards. There's also the issue of Rodgers' poor record in games decided by four points or less. Three of those losses were this year, including in overtime to Washington and Miami, games in which the Packers had the ball with the chance to win in sudden death. So what's going on with the player who went to his first Pro Bowl last year?

Rookie OL Bryan Bulaga: There's a lot of really good guys on this team. T.J. Lang has been great, Josh Sitton. 'Cliff' (Chad Clifton) and 'Tausch' (Mark Tauscher) have been great. Everyone, really. I don't know how it was with A-Rod and Brett. I don't know. But I heard it wasn't great. It wasn't great, and with Cliff, it's nothing like that. He brings me in to help me out, rather than not telling me anything. And outside of meetings and the locker room, he's a good guy. He takes care of me. If I have any questions, he helps me out. I try to instill confidence in me. When I make mistakes on the field, I'm willing to admit them, learn from them and move on. I'm not making excuses for myself. I never will. When you interview me, you'll see I'm not that kind of guy. I don't like to evaluate what I do, I leave that to the coaches. I just go about my business. I'm accountable, I work hard, and I hope people have confidence in me. Because if I'm in there, it's because they think I can do the job and do it well. I was a communication major, so if football hadn't worked out, I would've wanted to do something in media. And coaching, too, that would be another thing I would've liked to have done. Before games, I'm not uptight. I like to talk. I'm relaxed. But here, it's a very relaxed atmosphere. Every guy has his own space, they can do what they want. When my career is over, I'd like people to say that Bryan Bulaga was a great player for this organization. He contributed a lot, he did a lot of great things for the organization and the community. That's what I hope. I don't like to put long-term predictions out there. I take it one year at a time. I don't like to look too far ahead.

Wednesday injury report:

• All three players from the PUP list were at practice.
• CB Al Harris appears to be the most ready to play. He was in on snaps almost immediately.
• S Atari Bigby seemed to be in more of a reserved role, not quite going full speed. He might not be activated for this game, but he was in the mix and it could happen.
• RB James Starks looked like a guy just acquired by the Packers. He was going through very basic drills with RB coach Edgar Bennett.
• LB Brandon Chillar (shoulder) appeared to go full and will be ready to play barring any setbacks.
• RT Mark Tauscher (shoulder) returned to practice but was very limited.
• LB Clay Matthews (hamstring), S NIck Collins (knee), LT Chad Clifton (knees), CB Charles Woodson (toe), DE Mike Neal (shoulder), LB A.J. Hawk (groin) was in jogthroughs only.
• WR Donald Driver (thigh) and DE Ryan Pickett (ankle) watched practice.

Panthers wide out Steve Smith is back, and the Panthers sure do need it. According to the Gaston Gazette, Smith was back on the practice field today, and had full participation in practice today and is expected to play Sunday.

The Panthers will take on the 49ers Sunday in Charlotte. Smith has been out since suffering a high ankle sprain suffered in Week 4.

"I love to play, but I have to be healthy," Smith said. "I feel like I'm healthy. I'm out of the boot and I don't have much pain so I'm able to move around. So I feel good."

Now we shall see if Matt Moore, who will be back under center Sunday for the Panthers, can finally get the ball to him and get the Panthers some points.

 

This picture summed up the Jags mentality against the Titans on Monday Night

1. New York Jets (1) – Mark Sanchez got his bad game, interceptions out of the way early.  Rex Ryan’s club is not lacking anything, especially not swagger.  I’m confident this has been the most impressive team through six weeks.  Just as confident LaDainian Tomlinson is the MVP of the NFL so far.  He can do no wrong.

2. New York Giants (4) – An all New York Super Bowl?  Can it wait two years?  Ahmad Bradshaw is running like a world-beater.  Brandon Jacobs is back to his old self.  Eli is making me change my stance on him.  Where’s the love for Tom Coughlin?

3. Indianapolis Colts (6) – Peyton’s offense went on the road to Washington and made a solid Jim Haslett defense look like a Junior Varisty High School defense.  Addai, Hart have revived the run game.  Manning makes his slot receivers look like Hall of Famers, week in and week out.  I’m not down on the defense, actually, I think they have the pieces in place to be good enough to win it all.

4. New Orleans Saints (14) - Chris Ivory is the next Ronnie Brown.  You get Reggie and Pierre back soon, and all of a sudden you possess a three-headed monster similar to the Giants in ‘08.  Drew Brees is spot-on, Darren Sharper is returning; Super Bowl hangover is over.  As long as the defense generates takeaways, this team should return to the NFC title game. 

5. Pittsburgh Steelers (3) – What a difference a QB makes.  Offense runs so much smoother.  Rashard Mendenhall has not missed a beat.  The D is not letting up either.  Mike Wallace is a touchdown machine.  Heath Miller and Hines Ward are now relevant again in the pass game.  Can’t find weaknesses.  Just don’t know if the offense can have with the best of the best.

6. Tennessee Titans (5) – Defense is punishing.  Chris Johnson never goes down on first contact.  This could be the toughest team in the NFL.  I love their physical play.  Receivers are stepping their game up.  I can’t wait until they face the Colts.  Two sharp contrasts in styles.

7. New England Patriots (9) - Danny Woodhead, Deion Branch, Patrick Chung; the list goes on.  Unsung heroes continue to rise and shine.  Tom Brady is still under center center.  Bill Belichick is still roaming the sidelines.  This team is going nowhere without Randy Moss.  I like how the defense, run games are steadily improving.  Big win over Baltimore.

8. Baltimore Ravens (2) - Ed Reed is soon to return.  Flacco look really good in New England.  Run game has to get more consistent.  Everything is in place for a rematch with the Colts in the Playoffs.  Haloti Ngata never ceases to amaze.

9. Philadelphia Eagles (8) - Kolb to Maclin is a winner.  It has to be Sunday in Tennessee.  I want to see how Kolb performs under pressure.  We shall see against the NFL’s top sack producing club.  I will be shocked if they beat the Titans on the road.  Defense made waves against Atlanta.  Very underrated.   

10. Minnesota Vikings (13) – We are seeing a more focused team, that is starting to tap into its potential.  With that said, they have to beat the Packers in Lambeau to convince me they are fully ready to enter into serious contention status.  Still waiting for the defensive line to show up. 

11. Kansas City Chiefs (15) - So now the pass game shows up.  That happens, and the defense falls apart in Houston.  Still, they have proven to me they are a legitimate team that can win any given Sunday.  However, can they reach the next level?  Jamaal Charles has to be that guy to put them over the top.  We will shall it soon.

12. Houston Texans (18) - Even though they beat the Chiefs, I still have my doubts and concerns about their pass defense.  Mario Williams has to do more period.  Schaub to Andre got back on track.  You know Foster is the real deal.  Now you add Ward to the potential MVP in the backfield equation.  Yet, the question marks in the secondary remain.  Not as steady as the Chiefs, but just as dynamic, if not more dynamic.     

13. Green Bay Packers (12) – Aaron Rodgers continues to impress me,game after game.  Greg Jennings finally arrived on set.  The question still abounds: Can they win a big game on the big stage?  This Sunday night will tell me a lot about the Packers.  Almost a must-win for both them and the Vikings. 

14. Atlanta Falcons (11) – I guess the “NFC’s best team” hype was unwarranted.  Bad loss, yet, I’m not buying into the loss ruining their season, just yet that is.  Signs of things to come?  Cincinnati is heading into the Georgia Dome, hungry after a Bye week.  I want to see how the Falcons respond after a crushing loss.

15. Washington Redskins (7) – The defense’s performance against the Indy run game was mind-boggling.  Not only that, but the offense’s inept decision making was just as startling.  Donovan’s play has been staggering -I can’t figure him out.  Despite the loss, the team has found their starting running back/money maker in Ryan Torain. 

16. Miami Dolphins (25) – This team showed me something in Green Bay.  To win that game in overtime after surrendering a lead late in the 4th quarter was a revelation.  I believe if they can yield as much points as they did to Green Bay this Sunday at home against Pittsburgh -they win.  If they beat the Steelers, now we’re talking.  I don’t know whether or not I should buy into the ‘Phins just yet.  Big-time rebound after losing two prime time games at home within the division. 

17. Cincinnati Bengals (19) - The stage is set.  On the road against Atlanta.  A win would make fans forget about the past two losses.  This team is too talented and tough to be under .500.  I have a hunch they play like the way they did against Baltimore in Week 2 against the Dirty Birds this Sunday.  They have to win this game.  Can’t lose a third straight and fall to 2-4 in a loaded AFC.  If they drop this game they are as good as done.  

18. St. Louis Rams (27) - Danario has the physical tools, skill set to become a #1 WR.  Sam Bradford looked good again, nothing new.  Steven Jackson is putting up big numbers.  Defense is stout at times.  I like this team to win the NFC West if the 49ers don’t go “LL Cool J on us” and ”call it a comeback”.

19. Denver Broncos (22) – Knowshon is back in the mix.  We can finally see some balance in the Mile High city.  So close to beating the Jets.  One pass interference call away on a 4th down.  I think they are a player in the AFC West.  Kyle Orton just makes plays.  Tim Tebow!

20. Chicago Bears (10) – Same problems exist.  Forte has to get more involved, some way, some how.  Defense got lit up by Matt Hasselbeck.  Julius was shutdown by a rookie.  Still in first place.  Lance Briggs is missed.  The receivers have big-play potential after the catch.  Time to shorten the routes, seven-step drops, Martz.

21. Dallas Cowboys (17) – A little bit of discipline goes a long way.  Could have used some on Sunday.  Thought they had the game if they had some against Minnesota.  Monday night at home against the division rival Giants -can the situation to go 360 get any better?  Time is now.  You have to run it against the Giants front line.  If the game gets into a shootout Romo may not last.  They have found something special in Dez Bryant. 

22. Arizona Cardinals (26) – I have a feeling Chris Wells is going to turn it up a notch following the Bye.  They need to him to team up with Hightower on the ground to form a 1-2 punch.  Larry Fitzgerald has been rather quiet.  Steve Breaston is one of the most underappreciated players in the game today.  He should return this week.  His value goes beyond the box score.

23. Seattle Seahawks (28) – They beat up and battered the Bears.  And it was on the road too.  Justin Forsett has to be more incorporated into the offense.  Golden Tate has been a disappointment.  Deon Butler looks like a good slot receiver.

24. San Francisco 49ers (29) – Alex Smith is a good QB.  I’m convinced of this.  He has a strong supporting cast to make him an above-average QB.  Defense has to force more turnovers.  Frank Gore enjoyed his best game against Oakland.  More Gore.

25. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (16) – Bright future, however, not ready to contend with the big boys this season.

26. Detroit Lions (23) - Matthew Stafford.  Calvin Johnson is going to erupt.  I can see this team finishing the year around .500.  Defensive line play gives hope for the defense as a whole.

27. San Diego Chargers (20) - Things are not falling their way.  Philip Rivers is crying for help, and a new coach.  Have to blame someone, right?  Where’s the winning attitude away from home?

28. Oakland Raiders (24) - Kyle Boller might start this week.  Could be the most frustrating team in the NFL. 

29. Jacksonville Jaguars (21) - Its display Monday night against Titans was sad.  Maurice Jones-Drew isn’t the same.

30. Cleveland Browns (30) – Colt McCoy looked like a real QB, actually, an NFL starting QB -and that was against the NFL’s best defense at their place.  Kudos.

31. Carolina Panthers (31) – Good chance this week against the 49ers.  With Matt Moore?  This team shouldn’t be winless.  They are way too talented.

32. Buffalo Bills (32) – They will win more than one game this season.  Guaranteed.

 

 

Tuesday night we reported how the NFL was cashing in on photos on the hits from Sunday’s game that drew fines of $150,000 on three players. Today the NFL quickly said ’sorry’ for the error, and pulled the photos from NFL.com.

Pictures of hits by Patriots cornerback Brandon Meriweather and Steelers linebacker James Harrison, which resulted in fines of $50,000 and $75,000, respectively, were made available by an outside vendor that used an automated process, the league said.

"We regret mistake," NFL spokesman Greg Aiello tweeted Wednesday. "Those photos will be removed ASAP & we will ensure no photos of illegal plays r available again."

Harrison said in a radio interview on Wednesday in reference to the photos that “I guess they want to get their money on the front end and the back end.”

“We regret the mistake,” the NFL said in a statement. “The photos have been taken down and we will ensure that no photos of illegal plays will be available again.”

Let me begin this by sharing with you a comment by a reader from another site regarding the new NFL rule concerning hits. This is what he posted:

Frank says:

"As concerns the new rules concerning hits, I think the league has gone too far. I agree with Matt Millen though he could not say what was on his mind because it wouldn.t be politcally correct. People are influencing the game who don't know what the game intaills (women) and the game will eventually be destroyed. Everything seems to be changed when ever they give their imput concerning what men do or have. Just as in the case of locker rooms with the Ines case. If thing are equal men should be allowed in the womens locker room as well. or no one should be allowed in any locker room."

Now I usually don't even waste time or energy on such ignorance as exhibited by this person, but his comment disturbed me, even more than it offended me, in large part because this fellow was far from being alone in his ludicrous assumption that somehow, women are behind the NFL's new rule regarding unnecessary roughness.

And to further state that women don't know what the game entails and that we are destroying the game, only shows that this guy's disdain for women has clearly clouded his judgment, along with that of all who agree with his theory. For him or anyone else to think that women could possibly influence the decisions of the NFL–a fiercely male-dominated industry–is about as ridiculous a notion as any I've ever heard.

As football fans, we can all appreciate a good, hard-hitting game. After all, those "train wrecks" are what we look for on replay reels week after week. And as a woman, I do understand that football is a violent game in which players are not only trained to hit as hard as they can, but they are expected to do it or look for another line of work. I accept that because football has been around a lot longer than I have.

When I came to know anything about it, it was all about the toughest of the tough exerting their will in order to win–and the rules are quite a bit more relaxed now than they were back then. It was my personal choice to become a fan of something those less-enthusiastic than I have often termed "barbaric" and all that it entails. Football has never been a sport for the squirmish (male or female) and it never will be.

These new rules are being put in place to protect the lives of the players, not to pacify some phantom group of women somewhere who want to turn football into a "wimpy" sport. By looking out for its players upon implementing these rules, the NFL is protecting the integrity of the game by showing that it will not condone malicious intent aimed against any of its players.

For those who prefer to dredge up what football used to be like in terms of physicality and toughness, I'd suggest examining the health of a player from that era to see how his health faired after his NFL career was over. I'd be willing to bet that the majority of those players would've preferred to do things differently had they known then what they know now. It's just like with anything else, with the passage of time comes knowledge. Those long-term football-related injuries of the game's pioneers are what has prompted the league to take the actions it has up to this point.

I'd be less than honest if I said I'm not awed by the mere sight and sound of those hard hits when I see them on highlights after the game. Heck–I love 'em! It wouldn't be football if you didn't have those. In fact, I'll go a little further in saying I don't think it's fair to the players to train them to play a certain way then punish them for doing so. On that order, I can understand all the discontent surrounding this newest and other such rules aimed at protecting players. What protects some limits others.

Still and all, I would hope that no one in his or her right mind would wish a life-threatening or life-altering injury on anyone just to win a game. It should never be that serious. Now I want you to hear me loud and clear when I say that I'm just as passionate about the game of football as my husband, my son, and my brothers are and I have been so my whole life.

I'm all for hard hitting, smash-mouth style of play on the field. But don't accuse me of trying to destroy the game I love so dearly because I care more about what happens to the players (no matter who they play for) than I do about being able to have bragging rights. Winning is great, but human life is sacred. Some men somewhere have had to feel the same way or else the rules would've never changed.

The Saints made a surprising move on Wednesday, dumping linebacker Clint Ingram on the day he was supposed to come off the PUP (physically unable to perform) list. Ingram was coming back off a knee injury, and Monday Sean Payton said Ingram was expected to begin practicing today.

GM Mickey Loomis said the team made the move because Ingram wasn't going to be ready to help the Saints this year. Ingram had suffered the injury while with Jacksonville, but the Saints took a chance on him as a possible replacement for Scott Fujita, who signed with Cleveland.

Now with Ingram out of the way, the team will stick with Jo-Lonn Dunbar and Danny Clark at the position.