In a competitive - but not hugely talented - Running Back situation in Detroit, Brian Calhoun is making a final effort to secure his place on the roster.
Calhoun has 61 yards on 9 carries, including a big 40yd run. Artoise Pinner is now getting his share of gametime, and looks a damn sight more impressive than Tatum Bell, who managed just 9 yards on 4 carries.
Kevin Smith is projected as the starter in the backfield, with Calhoun, Pinner, Bell and Aveion Cason - who also returns kicks - fighting for the chance to back him up. At the moment, it's looking more and more likely that unless Bell can come up big in the Lions' final Pre-Season game in Buffalo this Thursday, he could be one of the casualties next Saturday.
Saturday 23 August 2008
Merriman's injury 'requires surgey'
Shawne Merriman met with the media earlier to clarify the situation around the knee injury that threatens to derail his - and San Diego's - 2008 season. The three time pro-bowler, entering his fourth season with the Chargers, revealed that he is suffering from not one, but two seperate issues.
A widely circulated report from the team website stated that first and foremost, Merriman is suffering from a torn Posterior Cruciate Ligament. However today, Merriman elaborated, and confirmed that in addition, he has a torn Lateral Collateral Ligament.
- Chargers Linebacker Shawne Merriman
Merriman will likely have surgery in the very near future, but is still seeking opinions on how severe the surgery will need to be to solve the problem - if it can be solved at all.
*Update*
According to ESPN.com, Merriman described the doctors as 'surprised' that he had played with the injury for so long, and also revealed that he has been warned that if he opts to forego surgery and play this year, he will likely suffer a career ending injury.
A widely circulated report from the team website stated that first and foremost, Merriman is suffering from a torn Posterior Cruciate Ligament. However today, Merriman elaborated, and confirmed that in addition, he has a torn Lateral Collateral Ligament.
“The combination makes it kind of difficult,” Merriman said. “It makes your knee feel very unstable. It’s something that I’ve been trying to deal with, hoping it would get better by now.”
- Chargers Linebacker Shawne Merriman
Merriman will likely have surgery in the very near future, but is still seeking opinions on how severe the surgery will need to be to solve the problem - if it can be solved at all.
*Update*
According to ESPN.com, Merriman described the doctors as 'surprised' that he had played with the injury for so long, and also revealed that he has been warned that if he opts to forego surgery and play this year, he will likely suffer a career ending injury.
'He's a kicker - who cares?'
Ever wonder about the standard of analysis we get on Sky for the NFL games they show?
Wonder no more, as we bring you just a tiny fraction of the wonders and unsubstantiated comments that comprise the Sky Sports NFL coverage.
First of all, far be it for us to point out that - even in the Pre-Season - getting a NASCAR journalist (David Tuckman) to be the studio analyst may not be the best idea. Sky might as well have sent Kevin Cadle out into the street and found a random American tourist, such is the token nature of Tuckman's presence.
Not only that, but while analysing the 'ins and outs' of the Denver Broncos, he spouts as much rubbish as you might expect:
- NASCAR-cum-NFL journalist David Tuckman, Sky Sports
Here's a person who might care David: Champ Bailey. If you're unfamiliar with him, let's just say he's not bad - for a Defensive player!!! (WHO CARES ABOUT DEFENCE ANYWAY???)
For the record: Jason Elam kicked 4 (four) game winning field goals for Denver last year.
Wonder no more, as we bring you just a tiny fraction of the wonders and unsubstantiated comments that comprise the Sky Sports NFL coverage.
First of all, far be it for us to point out that - even in the Pre-Season - getting a NASCAR journalist (David Tuckman) to be the studio analyst may not be the best idea. Sky might as well have sent Kevin Cadle out into the street and found a random American tourist, such is the token nature of Tuckman's presence.
Not only that, but while analysing the 'ins and outs' of the Denver Broncos, he spouts as much rubbish as you might expect:
"...and Jason Elam... well he's a kicker - Who cares?!"
- NASCAR-cum-NFL journalist David Tuckman, Sky Sports
Here's a person who might care David: Champ Bailey. If you're unfamiliar with him, let's just say he's not bad - for a Defensive player!!! (WHO CARES ABOUT DEFENCE ANYWAY???)
"He's proven. He's done it for a long time...I'm very concerned."
"When you play for a long time, you understand how important the position is, you lose games when you don't have one."
"There better be a guy who really impresses me when camp rolls around because it'll really, really bother me then,"
- Champ Bailey in March 2008 following Kicker Jason Elam's release
For the record: Jason Elam kicked 4 (four) game winning field goals for Denver last year.
Quinn shows poise in Pre-Season start
Brady Quinn is currently making his first start as a Cleveland Brown - and he's holding up well to the pressure that the Detroit Lions have brought. Quinn is currently 8/14 for 64 yards, and dealt with a fumbled shotgun snap well, throwing to the sidelines once he had the ball under control.
Detroit lead 3-13 midway through the second quarter, and also noteworthy are Rookie RB Kevin Smith's 35yd TD run, Linebacker Ernie Sims' 8 tackles, and QB Jon Kitna's 9/11 passes for 98 yards and no INT's.
Dan Orlovsky, who will now be securely entrenched as the backup QB thanks to Drew Stanton's injury, just threw a pick at the earliest available opportunity - thus marking the first time anyone wished they had Jon Kitna back in their starting lineup.
Detroit lead 3-13 midway through the second quarter, and also noteworthy are Rookie RB Kevin Smith's 35yd TD run, Linebacker Ernie Sims' 8 tackles, and QB Jon Kitna's 9/11 passes for 98 yards and no INT's.
Dan Orlovsky, who will now be securely entrenched as the backup QB thanks to Drew Stanton's injury, just threw a pick at the earliest available opportunity - thus marking the first time anyone wished they had Jon Kitna back in their starting lineup.
Concerns lingering about Manning's knee
Ok Ok, we'll admit, this will completely contradict something posted earlier on the site - but who cares? Not me, and that's the main thing. It's one of the beauties of having more than one opinion contributing to a common cause.
Anyway...
With the 30th August deadline rapidly approaching for teams to cut their rosters down to 53, one interesting question will be what the Colts do at the Quarterback position. Peyton Manning has spent a great deal of time rehabbing his knee after an infected bursa-sac was removed in mid-July. Despite reassurances early in the process that the injury would not mean missing any regular season time, coach Tony Dungy has sounded more coy over the last week.
- Indianapolis Colts Coach, Tony Dungy
As we always say about these kind of statements, the mere consideration of this eventuality means that the team accepts that Manning could actually miss the start of this season. That's not to say that it's a certainty by any means, as you can bet your house on Manning starting if he's even 75% ready to play. The man is as durable as he is talented, but even he concedes that the challenge has been "something totally different than I've ever had to experience."
Next Saturday should give a clear indication of how close Manning is to making the opener. On the roster are four Quarterbacks: Manning, backup Jim Sorgi, former - and in many ways, current - Giant Jared Lorenzen, and Quinn Gray, who started four games for Jacksonville last year. Sorgi has started the pre-season games so far, but has looked far from impressive.
To us, it feels like the Colts are hedging their bets here. The team is usually set with just the two QB's on the roster by this point in the pre-season, and has rarely entertained the prospect of a third, let alone having an open competition for the spot. It all seems like a remarkable coincidence that the Colts would feel the need to do so this year, and if we were gamblers, we'd probably shorten the odds on him missing the opener right now. During the last week, when he was rolled out at practice to sate the press, Manning has looked like exactly what he is: an injured player. The guy can hardly walk, let alone play, and with just two weeks until the team take on Chicago in a rematch of Superbowl XLI, there isn't a great deal of time for Manning to regain confidence in his knee, let alone his team mates.
Manning has not missed a game in his ten years in the league up to this point, but it seems that at least short term, Indy may be forced to consider what life is like without their talisman.
Anyway...
With the 30th August deadline rapidly approaching for teams to cut their rosters down to 53, one interesting question will be what the Colts do at the Quarterback position. Peyton Manning has spent a great deal of time rehabbing his knee after an infected bursa-sac was removed in mid-July. Despite reassurances early in the process that the injury would not mean missing any regular season time, coach Tony Dungy has sounded more coy over the last week.
"Everybody can say, 'Oh, if Peyton Manning isn't playing, the Colts are going to be a .500 team. I don't think anybody here believes that. Is it easier to win without Peyton? No. It's going to be tougher."
- Indianapolis Colts Coach, Tony Dungy
As we always say about these kind of statements, the mere consideration of this eventuality means that the team accepts that Manning could actually miss the start of this season. That's not to say that it's a certainty by any means, as you can bet your house on Manning starting if he's even 75% ready to play. The man is as durable as he is talented, but even he concedes that the challenge has been "something totally different than I've ever had to experience."
Next Saturday should give a clear indication of how close Manning is to making the opener. On the roster are four Quarterbacks: Manning, backup Jim Sorgi, former - and in many ways, current - Giant Jared Lorenzen, and Quinn Gray, who started four games for Jacksonville last year. Sorgi has started the pre-season games so far, but has looked far from impressive.
To us, it feels like the Colts are hedging their bets here. The team is usually set with just the two QB's on the roster by this point in the pre-season, and has rarely entertained the prospect of a third, let alone having an open competition for the spot. It all seems like a remarkable coincidence that the Colts would feel the need to do so this year, and if we were gamblers, we'd probably shorten the odds on him missing the opener right now. During the last week, when he was rolled out at practice to sate the press, Manning has looked like exactly what he is: an injured player. The guy can hardly walk, let alone play, and with just two weeks until the team take on Chicago in a rematch of Superbowl XLI, there isn't a great deal of time for Manning to regain confidence in his knee, let alone his team mates.
Manning has not missed a game in his ten years in the league up to this point, but it seems that at least short term, Indy may be forced to consider what life is like without their talisman.
Football Shorts
J.T. O'Sullivan has won the 49ers QB battle, edging out former no.1 overall draft pick Alex Smith. According to coach Mike Nolan, Smith will not be cut, though it remains to be seen whether Smith will bide his time and hope for O'Sullivan to struggle, or whether he will seek a trade immediately.
Kyle Orton put up a good display against the 49ers on Thursday night. The Bears' new starting Quarterback was 10/17 for 142 yards and threw 2two Touchdowns to Receiver Rashied Davis in a 37-30 loss.
Broncos Centre Tom Nalen underwent Arthroscopic knee surgery on Thursday. The five time Pro-Bowler has been bothered by a persistent knee injury throughout the off-season, and Coach Mike Shanahan did not sound confident when addressing the press: ""If it is serious, at least we've got it done. And we haven't been able to get him back as quickly as we'd like. So, there's something in there."
Green Bay Quarterback Aaron Rodgers was impressive in last night's victory over the Broncos, going 18/22 with no interceptions and a TD. Rodgers described the performance as 'a step forward' for the Packers Offence.
In the same game, Broncos Receiver Brandon Marshall showed why the team will miss him so much during his four game personal conduct suspension, catching a 49yd TD from Jay Cutler.
Steelers Linebacker James Farrior was surprisingly rewarded with a new five year deal, aged 33. With Lawrence Timmons and LaMarr Woodley waiting to step into the Steelers 3-4 scheme, the move was unexpected.
The Patriots have now lost three Pre-Season games, after last night's defeat to Philadelphia. With Tom Brady expected to miss the next game, it seems likely that Matt Guttierez could beat out Matt Cassel for the number two job in New England. Guttierez impressed after replacing Cassel, throwing for more than 200yds and 2 TD's - neither of which Cassel has achieved in his three starts.
The Texans Offence looks good. QB Matt Schaub and receiver Kevin Walter have developed an effective partnership, and Rookie RB Steve Slaton is looking like a steal in the third round of this year's draft. Despite that, the Texans lost by a single point to Dallas - after attempting a 2pt conversion that would have won them the game with just two minutes left.
The Cowboys are starting to get into a rhythm. QB Tony Romo was 15/19 for a touchdown and an interception last night, while Terrell Owens caught four passes for 43yds. Running Back Marion Barber took on the bulk of the workload, rushing 13 times for 75yds and a TD.
Finally, tonight's games:
Cleveland 4:00
Detroit PM ET
NY Giants 7:00
NY Jets PM ET
Kansas City 7:30
Miami PM ET
Jacksonville 7:30
Tampa Bay PM ET
Washington 7:30
Carolina PM ET
New Orleans 7:35
Cincinnati PM ET
Baltimore 8:00
St. Louis PM ET
Pittsburgh 8:00
Minnesota PM ET
Arizona 9:00
Oakland PM ET
Kyle Orton put up a good display against the 49ers on Thursday night. The Bears' new starting Quarterback was 10/17 for 142 yards and threw 2two Touchdowns to Receiver Rashied Davis in a 37-30 loss.
Broncos Centre Tom Nalen underwent Arthroscopic knee surgery on Thursday. The five time Pro-Bowler has been bothered by a persistent knee injury throughout the off-season, and Coach Mike Shanahan did not sound confident when addressing the press: ""If it is serious, at least we've got it done. And we haven't been able to get him back as quickly as we'd like. So, there's something in there."
Green Bay Quarterback Aaron Rodgers was impressive in last night's victory over the Broncos, going 18/22 with no interceptions and a TD. Rodgers described the performance as 'a step forward' for the Packers Offence.
In the same game, Broncos Receiver Brandon Marshall showed why the team will miss him so much during his four game personal conduct suspension, catching a 49yd TD from Jay Cutler.
Steelers Linebacker James Farrior was surprisingly rewarded with a new five year deal, aged 33. With Lawrence Timmons and LaMarr Woodley waiting to step into the Steelers 3-4 scheme, the move was unexpected.
The Patriots have now lost three Pre-Season games, after last night's defeat to Philadelphia. With Tom Brady expected to miss the next game, it seems likely that Matt Guttierez could beat out Matt Cassel for the number two job in New England. Guttierez impressed after replacing Cassel, throwing for more than 200yds and 2 TD's - neither of which Cassel has achieved in his three starts.
The Texans Offence looks good. QB Matt Schaub and receiver Kevin Walter have developed an effective partnership, and Rookie RB Steve Slaton is looking like a steal in the third round of this year's draft. Despite that, the Texans lost by a single point to Dallas - after attempting a 2pt conversion that would have won them the game with just two minutes left.
The Cowboys are starting to get into a rhythm. QB Tony Romo was 15/19 for a touchdown and an interception last night, while Terrell Owens caught four passes for 43yds. Running Back Marion Barber took on the bulk of the workload, rushing 13 times for 75yds and a TD.
Finally, tonight's games:
Cleveland 4:00
Detroit PM ET
NY Giants 7:00
NY Jets PM ET
Kansas City 7:30
Miami PM ET
Jacksonville 7:30
Tampa Bay PM ET
Washington 7:30
Carolina PM ET
New Orleans 7:35
Cincinnati PM ET
Baltimore 8:00
St. Louis PM ET
Pittsburgh 8:00
Minnesota PM ET
Arizona 9:00
Oakland PM ET
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
