Bucs RB Graham likely done for season
Tampa, FL (Sports Network) - Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Earnest Graham is likely done for the season with a right ankle injury suffered in Sunday's 19-13 win over the Minnesota Vikings.
Bucs head coach Jon Gruden addressed the injury in a Monday press conference.
"Graham's ankle looks to be a serious injury and his status for the rest of the season is very much in question," Gruden said. "His season could be in jeopardy right now. I'm just very disappointed for our guy. He's done so much for us here. He's a key reason why we are where we are."
The five-year veteran was hurt on his first carry of the game and had to be helped to the sideline. After being attended to by trainers, he was taken to the locker room for further examination. He had also been nursing a knee injury in the week leading up to the game.
"He just landed awkwardly in a pile and it's unfortunate," Gruden added.
The injury means former first-round draft pick Carnell "Cadillac" Williams, who was activated off the physically unable to perform list early last week, will most likely see extended time at the running back position.
Williams has not played an NFL game since September 30, 2007 when he suffered a torn patellar tendon in a contest against Carolina. He returned to practice late last month after an arduous recovery and rehab.
To make room for Williams on the active roster, the Bucs released running back Michael Bennett last week. He was quickly claimed by the San Diego Chargers.
"I don't live in hindsight," Gruden said, addressing the sudden need for another back. "You've got an injury -- you've got to respond to it. We'll bring in some other backs that we like."
Graham and Warrick Dunn had split the running back duties to this point. Graham leads the team with 563 yards and four touchdowns, while Dunn has chipped in 476 yards and one score. Both are averaging more than four yards per carry.
Copyright (c) 2008 Reflex Publishing, Inc. and The Sports Network. All rights reserved
NFL rescinds fine on Patriots WR Moss
Foxboro, MA (Sports Network) - The National Football League has reportedly withdrawn the fine levied last week against New England Patriots wide receiver Randy Moss.
According to the Patriots' web site, NFL vice president of football operations Ray Anderson reversed the league's position on Monday.
Moss had been fined $20,000 for comments made about the officiating in the Colts' 18-15 win in Indianapolis two Sundays ago. Following the loss, the veteran wideout publicly criticized several calls made in the contest.
Moss played in this past Sunday's 20-10 win over the Buffalo Bills, picking up five catches for 53 yards. For the season, the 31-year-old has 43 receptions for 589 yards and four touchdowns.
(c)2008 The Sports Network. All Rights Reserved.
Jackson, Sanders, Manning notes
Here's more stuff from Colts central today and yesterday. I'm in catch-up mode because there's plenty to write about. I supply Colts notes to a pool of NFL writers who share insights on their teams. Here's my contribution this week:
FREAK INJURY AGAIN -- Just when the Colts thought they would be a bit more healthy, they take another hit, and it's serious. As has been reported, Colts coach Tony Dungy said today that starting cornerback Marlin Jackson is likely done for the season with a right knee injury. Jackson joins cornerback Kelvin Hayden and safety Bob Sanders in the freak injury classification. Jackson was running and stopped in the middle of practice and his knee suffered "significant" damage, Dungy said, that will probably require surgery. It's been reported elsewhere that Jackson tore two ligaments, including the dreaded ACL. Hayden needed meniscus surgery after he stepped in a soft spot at Reliant Stadium in Houston. He's back this week, just when they need him most. Sanders is also back after he suffered a high ankle sprain. He says he was just running along at the Metrodome against the Vikings in Week 2 and it just happened, without contact. Sanders also had a knee scoped while he was out. The Colts (3-4) have had their share of injuries of late - everybody has noticed quarterback Peyton Manning isn't himself after undergoing two surgeries on his left knee just before the season started. Dungy on Jackson's injury: "The injury was kind of a freak thing. It was in, really, a no-contact situation, even, and did some significant damage to his knee. I'm not exactly sure, but it is probably going to involve some surgery. I think he might get a second opinion, but right now, he's definitely going to be out for a while. We're considering our choices. Most likely, we're going to put him on I.R. and try to sign another D.B., but that's still to be determined." A short time later, when we were permitted to watch the first 20 minutes of practice as is the routine, we saw cornerback Keiwan Ratliff on the field. He's twice been cut this season in roster moves necessitated to bolster other depleted positions. We expect to hear in the next hour or so that the I.R. move has been made and Ratliff was signed.
SANDERS BACK -- The Colts at least get back some of their swagger with Sanders, the NFL's reigning Defensive Player of the Year, who pronounced himself ready today. "I feel good," he said. Asked if he will be eased back in, he said, "You just never know, depending on how many reps you get, you try to get as much as you can in practice and get that game speed and see how you're conditioned, but we'll see how I feel. If they want to pull me here and there, you just have to go with it." Sanders knows the routine. The oft-injured defender has had to come back from lengthy stints of inactivity throughout his career, most recently in 2006, when he came back in the postseason and led the Colts' strong defensive run to a Super Bowl victory. I asked him if this rehab was different than before. "I feel good. I always try to make sure that I'm closer to 100 percent. When I get back out there, I don't want to hurt the team," he said. "Right now, I definitely feel good. Practice was good yesterday and I look forward to playing this weekend and having a good game and getting back to what I do." He said he didn't have any hesitation in practice. "I feel good about it," he said. He praised safety Melvin Bullitt, who played well while Sanders was out. "Not surprised at all. Melvin is definitely a great player. He's done a lot of good things for us. We've definitely got to get him on the field and keep him on the field if we can. He did an excellent job."
MANNING SLUMP -- As most have witnessed, the franchise quarterback is not yet himself. He's missed on throws, missing short on some deep balls and late on hitting other receivers. His passer rating of 79.0 is the lowest it's been since his rookie year. Dungy conceded his quarterback is in a bit of a slump, based on current numbers compared to what we have come to expect from the two-time NFL MVP. When asked about a slump, Manning said, "I think we're 3-4. I don't really know how that really applies to football. In baseball, it applies. If you haven't had a hit in 50 at-bats, I guess that's a slump. But in football, like I said, we did some good things the other night on offense. We had some good drives and got down there a few other times and just weren't able to finish the drive off. That's what it is right now." When asked about Steve Young's speculation that Manning is still hurt, he said, "No, that's not the case. Although, if I was I probably wouldn't tell you. But, that's not the case. It's certainly not an excuse. It's something I'd never use as an excuse. We just need to play better. I need to play better. Everybody needs to step it up a little bit and be a little sharper. That's not going to guarantee you anything because we are playing a tough team this week, but that's the short and sweet of it, I think."
That's all, for now, folks.
Copyright (c)2008 IndyStar.com. All rights reserved
Pro Football Hall of Famer Gene Hickerson, 73, dies
BEREA Gene Hickerson, the Cleveland Browns Hall of Fame right guard whose blocking helped Jim Brown, Leroy Kelly and Bobby Mitchell make the shrine, died after a long illness. He was 73.
Hall of Fame spokesman Joe Horrigan confirmed Hickerson's death. He said Hickerson's son, Bob, received a phone call from the care facility in Olmsted Falls, Ohio, where his father was under care on Monday morning.
Hickerson was Brown's personal bodyguard on the field, clearing the way for No. 32, who called Hickerson "the greatest downfield blocker in the history of pro football." When Hickerson was inducted into the hall in 2007, Brown, Kelly and Mitchell pushed Hickerson's wheelchair onto the stage in Fawcett Stadium.
"He was a great friend of mine, as well as a great protector of mine," Brown said in a statement released by the Browns. "He was a tremendous guard, a tremendous pulling guard, but also an outstanding individual.
"We all eventually leave this earth at some time, but I am so glad he was able to leave with his dignity and with the recognition from all of us - his former teammates, the fans and writers - who wanted him to go into the Hall of Fame after waiting so long for that honor.
"I truly respected him as a player and as a human being."
At 6-foot-3, 248 pounds, Hickerson was small by today's gargantuan NFL standards. A sixth-round draft pick from Mississippi, he used his superior speed and quickness to beat defensive linemen off the ball. Hickerson was voted to six straight Pro Bowls and was chosen for the league's All-Decade team of the 1960s.
The Browns never had a losing record during his 15 years with them.
However, following his retirement in 1973 at 38, Hickerson's achievements went mostly unrecognized for decades. He was constantly overlooked for enshrinement in Canton, an omission that bothered him greatly, but one he never mentioned publicly.
"Gene never said much but I know it really bothered him. He would usually make a joke about it, though," teammate Bobby Franklin said. "Somebody would ask Gene, 'When are you going to get to the Hall of Fame?' And Gene would say, 'I'm going to drive down there tomorrow."'
Finally in 2007, he was elected for induction in a class with Michael Irvin, Thurman Thomas, Charlie Sanders, Bruce Matthews and Roger Wehrli.
None of the other Hall of Famers had to wait as long as Hickerson, who sadly, by the time of the ceremony was in failing health and stricken with Alzheimer's disease.
"Everyone associated with the Cleveland Browns is saddened by the loss of Gene Hickerson," Browns coach Romeo Crennel said. "His tenacity as a blocker and toughness as a player epitomized what it means to be a Cleveland Brown."
The Browns selected Hickerson in the same draft where they made Brown first selection. Hickerson played behind former Steelers coach Chuck Noll for one season before taking over as a starter in 1959. He broke his leg in the 1961 preseason opener and then re-broke the leg later in that season while standing on the sideline.
After sitting out two games in 1962, Hickerson played in 165 straight before retiring.
Funeral arrangements are incomplete for Hickerson, who was born on Feb. 15, 1935 in Trenton, Tenn.
(c) 2008 The Repository
Kircus a no-show at hearing; arrest warrant issued
CENTENNIAL, Colo. -- An arrest warrant has been issued for former Denver Broncos wide receiver David Kircus after he failed to show up for a court hearing.
The hearing was scheduled for Friday. District attorney's spokeswoman Kathleen Walsh says Kircus' attorney was there but Kircus was not.
Kircus pleaded not guilty to a felony assault charge stemming from a fight at a party in suburban Denver in May 2007.
Friday's hearing was rescheduled for Oct. 17. His trial is scheduled to begin Oct. 20.If convicted, Kircus could be sentenced to 5 to 16 years in prison.
Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press
Henry rejoins Bengals, could play in Dallas
CINCINNATI -- Receiver Chris Henry rejoined the Cincinnati Bengals in practice Wednesday, an uncomfortable reminder that the owner and the head coach are not on the same page on major decisions.
Both were watching.
Owner Mike Brown crossed a downtown street to the team's practice field -- part of his daily routine -- for Henry's first workout since he served a four-game suspension for misconduct. Brown released Henry after his fifth arrest last April, then made a stunning about-face and brought him back over the objections of coach Marvin Lewis.
They're all together again, trying to get an 0-4 team its first win.
Henry had to sit out the first four games because of his latest violation of the NFL's conduct policy. The Bengals have a one-week roster waiver allowing Henry to practice without being added to the active roster. He worked out with the scout team on Wednesday, playing the part of Dallas receiver Terrell Owens against the Bengals' starting defense.
"Everyone seems like they're real happy to see me back and ready for me to be back out there, making plays like I do," Henry said. "It feels good to be out there working with my team and trying to get my stuff together. I felt real good out there. I'm just trying to show the coaches that I'm ready to go as soon as they give me a call."
Lewis said the team will decide later in the week whether Henry plays Sunday in Dallas, a move that would reunite him with another troubled player from West Virginia. Henry and cornerback Adam "Pacman" Jones were drafted in 2005 and got into so much trouble individually that they were a catalyst behind commissioner Roger Goodell's crackdown.
The former Mountaineers teammates have talked about their potential reunion.
"Just a little competition thing, you know," Henry said. "That's all."
Henry has been arrested five times since the Bengals drafted them, though the latest charges were dropped over the summer when his assault trial ended in a hung jury. Jones, acquired by Dallas in April, has been arrested six times and involved in a dozen incidents requiring police intervention since Tennessee drafted him in the first round in 2005.
Jones was suspended for all of last season. Henry was suspended for the first eight games last season, then the first four this season.
"I've talked to Chris several times," Jones said. "I know he's happy to be back on the field. I know he was kind of down. I told him to keep his head up. Me and Chris have been talking since.
"When I was suspended my whole year, I talked to him a lot. Me and Chris are best of friends. He made some bad decisions, he had to deal with the consequences, same that I did."
Offensive coordinator Bob Bratkowski was impressed with how Henry looked in practice Wednesday. The receiver wasn't allowed to work out with the team for the past four weeks, but stayed in shape by catching passes from former University of Cincinnati quarterback Gino Guidugli.
"Chris looked like he was in excellent shape and he's been working extremely hard," Bratkowski said. "You can always tell with Chris where he's at when you watch him, because it usually takes him awhile. You can tell he's been working very hard because he looked very good today."
Both Bratkowski and Lewis said it's likely that running back Cedric Benson will play in a reserve role against the Cowboys. The Bengals signed Benson to a one-year contract on Tuesday because they didn't have a fully healthy running back.
Starter Chris Perry was limited in practice Wednesday because of a sore hamstring, which the team hadn't previously revealed. Reserve Kenny Watson sat out practice with an injured hamstring. DeDe Dorsey went on the injured reserve list Tuesday with a hamstring injury.
Benson was released by the Bears following two offseason arrests in Texas involving alcohol, but the cases were dropped when grand juries chose not to indict last week.
"It probably helped a lot," Benson said. "I don't know if it was the deciding factor. I think when push really came to shove, some team would make a move. I'm sure it eased a lot of teams' minds."
The Bengals were getting him ready to play at least part of the game on Sunday.
"You can't get him ready to do everything, but you can give him set things and say, 'OK, if something happens to Chris, here's what we're going to do with you," Bratkowski said.
Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press
Philip Rivers emerges as top fantasy QB
Somehow, the guy who was supposed to be perfecting the art of the handoff this season has emerged as the top quarterback in fantasy football.
After three games, San Diego's Philip Rivers leads the league with nine touchdowns -- three times as many as Peyton Manning or Ben Roethlisberger, and nine times as many as Carson Palmer. He's thrown a TD pass in 10 straight games and has 19 in the past nine.
The question now is whether Rivers, more than likely drafted as a fantasy backup, can keep it up consistently enough to remain a starter. Two factors suggest he can.
First, every defense facing the Chargers of course keys on 2006 MVP and TD machine LaDainian Tomlinson. As long as they're geared toward shutting LT down, somebody's open downfield. And unlike past years, Rivers is more seasoned and has more sure-handed targets.
The other thing in favor of his continued dominance is the collapse of the Chargers defense, which has allowed the most TD passes in the NFL and second-most passing yardage. With everyone easily throwing on the Shawne Merriman-less unit, the Chargers can no longer sit on a lead with dozens of handoffs.
As you fondly recall the Air Coryell days, here's a look at some players to start in Week 4, some to avoid, and a handful of long shots who just may pan out:
QUARTERBACKS:
A SAFE BET
-Don't sweat Donovan McNabb's bruised chest. He wouldn't miss a date with a Chicago defense that was just carved up by Brian Griese, of all people. And if Brian Westbrook's limited, McNabb will be throwing even more.
-Carson Palmer actually looked a little quarterbackish last week, but don't expect another 96-point game like that Cincy-Cleveland shootout last year. The battle for the first win in Ohio looks more like a 9-6 game, but it is a rare chance to extract some points from Palmer.
-Speaking of guys who were really good a few years ago, Carolina's Jake Delhomme should finally get reacquainted with Steve Smith against Atlanta. The Falcons have lost nine of 10 away from home, and they weren't really competitive in their lone road visit to a decent team this year.
-Washington's Jason Campbell faces a scary Dallas defense, but Campbell has run the offense masterfully the past two weeks. And funny things tend to happen in Redskins-Cowboys games.
-San Francisco's J.T. O'Sullivan, fresh off dissecting the defenseless Lions, gets more easy on-the-job training. The Saints don't sack anybody and allow tons of yardage.
TAKE A SHOT
-So far there is no real evidence indicating Oakland's JaMarcus Russell can play much. But for somebody needing a QB in the bye week, he may be good for a garbage time score or two against the lousy Chargers defense.
BACK AWAY SLOWLY AND NOBODY GETS HURT
Please, in the name of Moses Moreno, don't start these guys:
-It's another good week to bench Roethlisberger. Not because the Ravens rank No. 1 against the pass -- that's a deceiving stat because they've faced wretched offenses -- but because he's just not healthy enough to bank on for an entire game.
-Jacksonville's David Garrard is about due for a decent game, but resist starting him because there's no need to try this week. The Texans can't stop the run, and the Jags just remembered how to do that.
-If you're looking for a bye-week long shot it might be tempting to roll the dice on the Chief of the week against the Broncos' NFL-worst pass defense. It's the slightly more capable Damon Huard this week, but is he really that much better than Tyler Thigpen?
Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press
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