The New York Jets are the winners in the Kris Jenkins sweepstakes.
FOXSports.com has learned that Carolina traded the defensive tackle to the New York Jets for third- and fifth-round draft picks.
Although he has battled weight issues in the past, Jenkins should provide the big-bodied presence at nose tackle the team has sorely lacked since coach Eric Mangini instituted a 3-4 defensive scheme in 2006. Dewayne Robertson, who was manning the spot for New York, seems likely to get traded elsewhere. Robertson is better suited as a penetrating-style tackle in a 4-3 defensive scheme.
Jenkins had 38 tackles and 2.5 sacks last season while starting 15 of 16 games for Carolina. But that wasn’t good enough for the Panthers, who wanted to avoid having to pay Jenkins a $1 million roster bonus due next week.
Damione Lewis, who was re-signed earlier this month, is expected to replace Jenkins in the starting lineup.
FOXSports.com senior NFL writer Alex Marvez weighs in with NFL news and notes every Monday.
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Lane Kiffin knew what he was doing after all.
Raiders media and even some Oakland players kept pushing for Kiffin to give JaMarcus Russell playing time. Kiffin resisted, using his rookie quarterback sparingly through the season’s first 14 games.
Now we know why.
Kiffin described Russell’s performance in Sunday’s 49-11 road loss to Jacksonville as having his “nightmares come true.” Russell was dreadful after entering on Oakland’s third series. He completed just four of 17 passes for 45 yards before leading the Raiders to a touchdown on his final drive against Jaguars reserves. Russell also threw three interceptions trying to force passes into double coverage and lost a fumble.
"That was really my fear," Kiffin said. "I was hoping to make it through the year without that happening. I wanted to get a whole off-season underneath him. Unfortunately, we did get one of those games where he was throwing the ball all over the place and turning it over."
Further compounding problems, the communication device inside Russell’s helmet had failed. But the scoreboard was working, which Kiffin believes added to Russell’s woes. Kiffin said Russell started pushing as the Raiders fell increasingly behind.
"I’m afraid his first interception affected him and he started rolling downhill," Kiffin said. "Instead of getting rid of (the football), he tried to make big plays for us. I talked to him at halftime and told him, 'Let’s take it one series at a time, pretend the score is close and make first downs.'"
Russell’s struggles could be expected, especially against Jacksonville’s staunch defense. Russell hadn’t played this much since his final college bowl game at Louisiana State in January. He missed the entire preseason in an inexcusable contract holdout considering the Raiders had ample time to negotiate a pre-draft deal for the top overall pick.
Such mismanagement forced Kiffin into a difficult balancing act.
Although he’s the NFL’s youngest head coach at age 32, Kiffin was wise beyond his years about how to handle Russell. Kiffin didn’t want to ruin Russell’s confidence by putting him in situations he couldn’t handle. He understood Russell wasn’t a well-polished college quarterback. Rather, Russell was chosen No. 1 because of his physical gifts and long-term potential. There would clearly be a steep learning curve.
But as the Raiders (4-11) faded from the post-season race yet again, Kiffin faced increasing pressure to play Russell with an eye toward 2008.
Russell was eased into action, previously coming off the bench for 28 plays in two December home games. Kiffin also had refused to play Russell on the road. That was for the best in a Dec. 9 game at Green Bay. Russell – who had never played in winter weather -- was so affected by the cold he stood on the sideline wearing a ski mask.
Russell will ultimately need to play in those conditions and such garb must come off. The kid gloves already have, as evidenced by Kiffin sticking with Russell throughout the Jaguars game. Kiffin also said Russell will start Sunday’s season-finale against visiting San Diego.
The Chargers’ blitz-heavy defense will present Russell with just as difficult a test as Jacksonville did. Plus, the Chargers (9-5) probably won’t pull starters as they compete with Pittsburgh (10-5) for the AFC’s No. 3 playoff seed.
Kiffin can only hope Russell’s rough experience Sunday has a positive long-term effect.
"There were a lot of things I had to learn from as far as where to throw the football and knowing when it’s not there," Russell said afterward. "I have to learn to throw it away instead of trying to make big plays.
"Things didn’t go the way we wanted. I have a short-term memory, though."
He will need it.
Alex also will be co-hosting twice this week on Sirius NFL Radio (Channel 124). He will be on from 3 to 7 p.m. Tuesday with FOXSports.com contributor Adam Schein and 1 to 3 p.m. Wednesday with Gil Brandt.
FOXSports.com senior NFL writer Alex Marvez weighs in with NFL news and notes every Monday. Here are his thoughts on the weekend’s games.
Atlanta would haven’t traded Matt Schaub in April had the Falcons known the legal trouble that was about to surround Michael Vick.
In retrospect, the Houston Texans might not have agreed to the deal either.
Sage Rosenfels is proving the Texans already had a quality quarterback on their roster. In place of the injured Schaub, Rosenfels improved to 3-0 as a starter after last Thursday’s 31-13 rout of Denver. Schaub is 4-7 and has an almost identical completion percentage and quarterback rating.
This isn’t what Houston envisioned. The Texans sent two second-round draft choices to Atlanta and flopped 2007 first-round picks for Schaub, who was then signed to a six-year, $48-million contract. While Schaub had his moments when healthy, Rosenfels has looked sharper and fueled Houston’s late-season surge.
Unfortunately for the Falcons, Schaub probably won’t be back on the trade market this off-season. There would be salary-cap ramifications for the Texans, plus Schaub probably wouldn’t command nearly as much in trade value now that teams have seen him play more extensively than when he was in Atlanta as Vick’s seldom-used backup.
The Texans have two realistic options: A) Test the trade market for Rosenfels, who has two years remaining on his contract at a bargain $1.35 million salary each season; B) Bring back both quarterbacks in 2008 and have an open competition for the starting spot.
After five seasons of David Carr, this is a good problem for Houston to have.
Rosenfels’ emergence also goes down as yet another talent miscalculation by Miami, which didn’t make a hard push to re-sign him as an unrestricted free agent in 2006.
What was turning into a lackluster end to the regular season has gotten much ####ier after Sunday losses by Dallas, Pittsburgh and the New York Giants. But the NFL still lacks marquee contests leading into the post-season.
The only Week 16 game between playoff-contending teams is Sunday night’s Washington-Minnesota match-up. The lineup for Week 17 is highlighted by a New England-New York Giants game that should determine whether the Patriots finish with the NFL’s first 16-0 record. Beyond that, every post-season spot may be locked up by then.
The most intriguing games will probably involve playoff seeding. Cleveland (9-5) can still catch Pittsburgh (9-5) in the AFC Central with two victories and one Steelers loss. After being upset Sunday at home by Philadelphia, Dallas (12-2) probably needs to win road contests vs. Carolina and Washington to stave off Green Bay (12-2) and secure the NFC’s top seed. Tampa Bay (9-5) and Seattle (9-5) are jostling for the NFC’s third and fourth slots, although the Seahawks hold the tiebreaker from an earlier victory over the Bucs. Plus, New Orleans (7-7) and Washington (7-7) could still be alive for a wild-card berth if the Giants (9-5) and Vikings (7-6) stumble.
Tampa Bay’s clinching of the NFC South title Sunday was actually secondary to Michael Spurlock returning the first kickoff for a touchdown in franchise history. Spurlock’s 90-yard score ended 31-plus seasons of futility and sparked a 37-3 rout of Atlanta.
“The whole city was ecstatic to see this happen,” said linebacker Derrick Brooks, a 13-year Bucs veteran.
So imagine the anguish if Spurlock’s return was overturned? Falcons interim coach Emmitt Thomas tried to call for a replay review. But by the time Thomas threw his challenge flag and got an official to notice it, the Bucs already had kicked the extra point.
Not only was it his first game as a head coach, Thomas also couldn’t remember the last time he was on the sidelines during a game. Thomas was promoted from secondary coach after Bobby Petrino fled to the University of Arkansas.
Not to say I told you so, but I told you so. I called Miami’s victory against Baltimore two weeks ago in my Monday Musings. The Ravens have too many injuries and entered on a seven-game losing streak (which I also predicted).
Miami coach Cam Cameron made the right call switching from rookie quarterback John Beck to veteran Cleo Lemon. Lemon was sacked five times but didn’t get tricked by Baltimore’s exotic defenses into throwing an interception. Lemon’s stock as an unrestricted free agent in 2008 jumped after his 315-yard passing performance.
<li>By defeating Baltimore, Miami (1-13) has received a respite from jokes surrounding a winless team. One of them about Miami’s quarterback play came last Friday from former kicker Garo Yepremian at a 1972 Dolphins reunion.
“I’ve offered my services as a quarterback but they haven’t taken me up on that,” said Yepremian, whose botched pass almost cost Miami a Super Bowl VII victory over Washington. “I’m very disappointed. The arm is getting better. I’m throwing longer backward passes.”
FOXSports.com senior NFL writer Alex Marvez weighs in with NFL news and notes every Monday. Here are his thoughts on the weekend’s games.
GREENBELT, Md. -- Will New England's hopes for a perfect season soon be blowing in the wind?
We’ll find out after tonight’s game between the visiting Patriots and Baltimore Ravens.
The weather forecast calls for steady winds of 26 miles per hour throughout the game with gusts potentially reaching 50 mph. That could make what would be a mismatch under better conditions a much more competitive contest.
The throw-first Patriots may have to become more conservative with their offensive game plan, which would be fine with Baltimore. The Ravens have the NFL’s third-ranked run defense (77.9-yard average) and New England’s ground game isn’t nearly as dynamic as their passing attack.
Baltimore ranks No. 21 in both rushing and passing offense, but quarterback play is clearly the team's biggest problem. Such a weakness would be diminished if the Ravens can get New England mired in a game where both teams have to play close to the vest.
At this point, weather or sloppy field conditions might be the only thing that can stop the Patriots from going undefeated. Even the NFL’s worst team – Miami – had a chance to upset Pittsburgh last Monday night when Heinz Field turned into a soggy mosh pit.
The Patriots greatly improved their own playing surface by installing FieldTurf in November 2006 when it became clear grass wouldn’t cut it. But if a blizzard hits Gillette Stadium at the wrong time this January, the Patriots may be wishing they didn’t have home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.
Here’s my two-cents on two topics: I’m predicting New England defeats Baltimore in a low-scoring contest – something like 17-13 -- and Miami (0-11) will end its winless ways with a Dec. 16 victory over the Ravens in South Florida. By then, Dolphins running back Jesse Chatman (ankle) should be healthy and rookie quarterback John Beck will have thrown his first touchdown pass (the scoreless streak now stands at 12 quarters). The Ravens (4-7) also could be in complete freefall and getting ready for a coaching change. Brian Billick’s squad already has lost five consecutive games and now plays New England and Indianapolis back-to-back.
Late free safety Sean Taylor is so beloved by the Washington Redskins that both of his lockers are now encased in glass. The Redskins have given such treatment to his lockers at both Fed-Ex Field and the team’s practice headquarters.
The Redskins-Buffalo game on Sunday was clearly all about Taylor – and deservedly so. But overshadowed by the tributes was Buffalo’s continuing resiliency. The Bills started a beat-up defense, a rookie quarterback (Trent Edwards) and a running back (Fred Jackson) from a Division III college (Coe). No matter. They still staged a comeback victory on the road. If Buffalo (6-6) can win its next two games against visiting Miami and Dec. 16 in Cleveland (7-5), a wild-card berth isn’t out of the question. But even if they fall short, Bills coach #### Jauron has done a fantastic job getting maximum effort from a roster that – on paper – shouldn’t be winning games.
I’ll end with this final thought from Redskins tackle Chris Samuels on Taylor’s death.
“We’ve got to get a hold of our youth and our best to lead these kids in the right direction, ” said Samuels, referring to the four defendants between the ages of 17 and 20 charged with Taylor’s killing. “Parents, role models have to do a better job. I’ve got to get out this summer and do some things in the community. I’ve already started my (charity) foundation, getting out in the Southeast and talking to the kids. We just need a lot of people to stand up because this is such a tragedy. Sean didn’t have to die, you know?”
FOXSports.com senior NFL writer Alex Marvez weighs in with NFL news and notes every Monday. Here are his thoughts on the weekend’s games.
Those wondering why teams continue to give repeated chances to troubled-but-talented players should note Tank Johnson’s and Chris Henry’s play in their Sunday returns from NFL suspensions.
Johnson did well as a backup nose tackle in his Dallas debut against the Giants. Nobody should be more thrilled than Jay Ratliff, who can now have his workload reduced. Ratliff risked getting worn down late in the season from increased play with former starter Jason Ferguson on injured reserve.
After his problems in Chicago, Johnson clearly enjoys being out of the spotlight on a squad where players like Terrell Owens and Tony Romo grab the attention.
“It’s not about me personally anymore. It’s about this team,” Johnson said after his three-tackle, one-sack effort. “I am happy to be on a team like this. It’s a good character team.”
As for Henry, Cincinnati’s offense is far better when he’s on the field as a third receiver. A more dangerous deep threat than starters Chad Johnson and T.J. Houshmandzadeh, Henry burned Baltimore’s ailing secondary for a 50-yard reception in a four-catch, 99-yard effort.
Even with their defensive woes, Cincinnati’s 21-7 victory showed the Bengals (3-6) can make a playoff push if Henry stays on the field. To that end, the Bengals should find Henry an alternative form of transportation. Five of his off-field incidents were vehicle-related, including last week’s alleged altercation with a parking attendant. Maybe a helicopter or Ohio River water taxi would keep Henry out of trouble.
Maybe.
Where's McNair?
Lately, I wonder whether I’m really watching Steve McNair or if his head was surgically implanted atop a refrigerator. McNair has so much padding around his ribs that it hurts just to watch him play. The same can be said of Baltimore’s offense, which is why I think time is dwindling on Brian Billick’s days as head coach.
Baltimore’s four victories have come against teams with a combined record of 8-27 and only one remaining opponent (Miami) has a losing mark. The Ravens now play Cleveland, San Diego, New England and Indianapolis before facing the Dolphins. Yikes!
Heck freezes over
The desert froze Sunday in Arizona when Cardinals tight end Leonard Pope caught two touchdown passes. To put in perspective how much Arizona underutilizes the position, Cardinals tight ends haven’t produced more than two scores in an entire (italics) season (close italics) since 2003.
Trouble ahead?
Losing to Arizona (4-5) shows the Detroit Lions are still paper tigers. The Lions (6-3) play much better at home, but the Giants provide a bad match-up entering Sunday’s contest.
Brandon Jacobs, whose 95-yard rushing effort against Dallas was overshadowed by his team’s loss, should have success against Detroit’s suspect run defense. Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo proved (again) that New York’s secondary can be exploited, but Detroit’s Jon Kitna doesn’t have the luxury of playing behind such a standout offensive line.
No whining in Denver
Denver’s release of Simeon Rice last Friday sent a strong message. The Broncos don’t have room for griping players -- especially non-productive ones -- while trying to rebound from a 3-5 start.
In his defense, Rice was still trying to fully recover from major shoulder surgery and never felt comfortable with how the Broncos were using him. Rice would be a better fit in Detroit or Tampa Bay where he could be reunited with one of his former coaches in Rod Marinelli or Jon Gruden.
Make a fuss, McNabb
Donovan McNabb should create a hullabaloo every week. In two games following controversial mid-week statements this season, McNabb has responded with an outstanding performance. The latest came in Sunday’s 33-25 victory over Washington.
Entering the game, McNabb did what most quarterbacks wouldn’t by saying the blame for Philadelphia’s recent offensive woes should be spread among the entire unit. McNabb then played almost flawlessly against the Redskins, completing 20 of 28 passes for 251 yards with four touchdowns and no interceptions. If he continues performing like that, the Eagles would be foolish to trade or release McNabb this off-season.
The woeful NFC West
During a Saturday morning shift on Sirius Satellite Radio, my co-host Howard Balzer provided some perspective about the sorry state of the NFC West. With a St. Louis victory and a Seattle loss tonight to San Francisco, the Rams are just three games out of first place after starting 0-8.
Speaking of the 49ers, I wouldn’t be surprised if San Francisco pulls off the upset. When I was at 49ers camp this preseason, I saw how much respect San Francisco coach Mike Nolan has among his players. There is no better way to show respect for Nolan, whose father #### died on Sunday, than by giving a spirited effort against the Seahawks.
FOXSports.com senior NFL writer Alex Marvez weighs in with NFL news and notes every Monday. Here are some final thoughts on New England’s 24-20 victory over Indianapolis.
So when can we do this again?
Not only did Sunday’s New England-Indianapolis game live up to the pre-game hype, you were left wanting more. The rematch should come in the AFC Championship game.
If it does, here are some things that will be different:
Peyton Manning should have a full complement of targets. Colts coach Tony Dungy said Friday that wide receiver Marvin Harrison (knee) would play if this were the postseason. Dungy was clearly thinking long-term when Harrison was declared inactive.
The in-game loss of rookie wide receiver Anthony Gonzalez (thumb) further crippled Indianapolis’ receiver corps. After rolling up 187 first-half yards, running back Joseph Addai was limited to 49 in the final two quarters. The Patriots also kept wide receiver Reggie Wayne (five catches for 62 yards) in check and took away tight end Dallas Clark (2-15) with frequent use of an extra defensive back. On Indianapolis’ final possession, two of Manning’s three passes were intended for wide receiver Aaron Moorehead and tight end Bryan Fletcher. Neither of those players would be targeted during such a critical time if Harrison and Gonzalez were healthy.
The Patriots will find a way to get outside linebacker Adalius Thomas more involved. New England didn’t give Thomas a five-year, $32 million contract to serve as a situational player. Yet that’s exactly what happened Sunday, as one of the Patriots’ best pass-rushers was barely used. The company line is that New England’s use of a four-man defensive front in its nickel package limited Thomas’ snaps. Conspiracy theorists will believe Thomas ran afoul of Bill Belichick by spending Friday night partying with the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Belichick will show some class. Ok, maybe not. Belichick’s anti-social behavior during post-game handshakes is taking on a life of its own. This time, Belichick gave Dungy a half-hearted handshake before quickly walking off while the Colts coach was trying to tell him something. This might have been Belichick’s way of expressing that he wasn’t happy Dungy gave his two cents on the Spygate scandal. Or maybe Belichick was upset New England didn’t have a chance to run up the score.
Inside the Colts locker room, it was clear Dungy had stressed this wasn’t the postseason and Indianapolis (7-1) still has half a season remaining before the playoffs begin.
"Nobody’s perfect," Colts cornerback Marlin Jackson said. "We’ve just got to learn from this. We’ve got a lot of games left and would like to meet them again."
Patriots quarterback Tom Brady also tried to keep the victory and New England’s perfect start in perspective.
"I can pick about 20 plays out there where we had weaknesses," Brady said. "The thing is we’re 9-0 and it really doesn’t matter. What matters is in January. I think this was a great step in preparation for games down the road."
FOXSports.com senior NFL writer Alex Marvez weighs in with NFL news and notes every Monday. Here are some final tidbits stemming from the league’s first international regular-season game Sunday in London.
They’re successful businessmen in pigskin and pizza respectively, but Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones and Papa John’s President/CEO Nigel Travis share the same belief of how football’s popularity can grow in the United Kingdom.
And it isn’t necessarily through the NFL.
"Arena football could be the way," said the British-born Travis, who now lives in Louisville, Ky. "You need the right product and it takes a long time to do anything, but I think it would build over time."
Like Travis, Jones touted the merits of that gridiron hybrid while attending a global sports economics conference in London preceding Sunday’s New York Giants-Miami Dolphins game. Jones owns the Dallas Desperados of the Arena Football League.
Said Jones: "There are fewer players. There are much less economics involved. You can play in indoor arenas. But you can still get some of the skills of football [like] blocking, tackling and throwing."
Now entering its 20th season, the AFL is still trying to grow beyond being a niche entity in the U.S. The same can be said of the NFL in the United Kingdom. An AFL expansion into Great Britain – which, along with markets in Mexico and Canada, is being discussed internally – could find a receptive audience, especially in the NFL’s offseason. It also would further football’s grass-roots movement in England.
“It’s conceivable that the AFL could be the world's only trans-Atlantic league within the next five years,” an AFL spokesman said.
Jones has an even larger view of arena football’s potential future.
"I’m involved with an arena team for one reason and one reason only," he said. "I thought that it had a chance to be an Olympic event."
Sure that sounds far-fetched. But 10 years ago, who could have imagined the NFL playing a regular-season game overseas?
Don’t be surprised if the NFL returns to London next year with San Francisco as one of the participants. Like the Dan Marino-led Dolphins, the 49ers are popular because the league began airing on British television in the mid-1980s during Joe Montana’s heyday. Sky Sports even aired Sunday’s San Francisco-New Orleans game following the Giants’ 13-10 victory.
Should the NFL again cross the pond, one area that must be addressed is Wembley Stadium’s field condition. The turf, which is groomed for soccer, came up in divots during Sunday’s rain and helped lead to a sloppy game.
"The footing contributed to the inability to make plays on either side," Giants coach Tom Coughlin said Monday. "It’s too bad."
The potential of an NFL expansion franchise in London was bandied about last week, but Jones doesn’t buy it.
"I see no sentiment for expanded franchises in the NFL. None," Jones said. "We aren’t even considering it for Los Angeles. I don’t see that. But as you look down the road and some of the possibilities, playing a regular-season game -- a meaningful game toward getting to the Super Bowl -- I think that’s the way we’re doing it to create interest from time to time."
Playing in London helped a Scotsman. Coughlin said he is sticking with Scottish-born kicker Lawrence Tynes, who connected on one of two field goals and an extra point Sunday. Tynes entered on the hot seat, but Coughlin isn’t inclined to make a change after New York’s 6-2 start.
Attending NFL games in the U.S. gets pricier each year, but they’re still a bargain compared to Sunday’s contest at Wembley. Besides individual tickets priced between $90 and $180, concessions included $10 cheeseburgers, $14 fish-and-chips and large sodas for $5.80. For the average fan, that doesn’t leave much left to purchase $7 pints of ale.
FOXSports.com senior NFL writer Alex Marvez weighs in with NFL news and notes every Monday
FOX Sports announcer Matt Vasgersian gushed Sunday about New York Giants wide receiver Plaxico Burress thriving despite a lingering ankle injury.
“No practice, no problem,” Vasgersian said at least twice during New York’s 33-15 victory.
That concept is a major problem for Bengals coach Marvin Lewis.
T.J. Houshmandzadeh is the NFL’s second-leading receiver (51 catches) and has scored in every game. But Lewis believes Houshmandzadeh would be even more productive if he hadn’t missed extensive practice time earlier this season because of a knee injury.
Lewis pointed to Houshmandzadeh posting a season-high 145 receiving yards October 14 against Kansas City following his first complete week of practice.
“I know players think, ‘As long as I’m good to go Sunday,’” Lewis told me before Sunday’s 38-31 victory over the New York Jets. “But it doesn’t happen that way.
“That’s what I told (Houshmandzadeh): ‘You think because your knee is sore that you’ve got to take every Wednesday off. At the end of the season, you’re going to look back and say, ‘Gosh, I was that close. Maybe if I had been out there on a Wednesday and practiced a certain route, we would have gotten that one ironed out. Maybe the quarterback and the coaches would have felt good about it and the play would have been called more often.’’”
Such candid comments provide insight on the give-and-take between injured players and coaches. Ailing players are often pressured onto the field by coaches who have learned not to feel others’ pain. Some of the NFL’s best wide receivers like Burress, Terrell Owens and Randy Moss also have thrived despite often being on a limited practice schedule.
Yet Lewis’ frustration was understandable after Cincinnati’s 1-4 start. Coaches face challenges formulating game plans without knowing whether an injured player will be available or their projected level of effectiveness. The Bengals also have suffered an inordinate number of injuries. Lewis said only one of the 35 players deactivated for Cincinnati’s first five games was a healthy scratch.
Lewis wonders if outside influences -- presumably agents -- are prompting ####ed-up players to hold back.
“These guys want to do it right,” Lewis said. “But sometimes, they’ve to get over themselves or someone telling them, ‘You know what? Maybe if you’re a little sore, you can hold back a little bit on Wednesday and you’ll be better to go on Sunday.’”
Defeating the Jets couldn’t have come at a better time for Lewis, whose team might have unraveled with a loss.
Beforehand, Lewis spoke about a lack of emotional stability from some players with junior college backgrounds. That includes wide receiver Chad Johnson, who finally toned down his antics Sunday after coming under heavy scrutiny for what was perceived as selfish play (he’ll argue differently).
Lewis also said contract issues have surfaced among some veterans.
“The point we were harping on the whole off-season is you’ve got to let that go,” Lewis said. “You’ve got to play and let the other side of football take care of itself when the time comes. Don’t worry about what’s happening next door to you. There’s still a little of that that goes on.”
Under Lewis, Cincinnati is no longer an NFL laughingstock. But there is a lack of maturity a talented Bengals squad must fix to take the next step.
“They’ve never experienced it before where anybody cared,” Lewis said. “They were just scuffling to get to a spot. Now it’s, ‘Where am I in the big picture of NFL players?’”
Belichick's tricks
Spy-gate may be over (we think), but New England coach Bill Belichick is still trying other tactics for an edge over the opposition.
Even though he wasn’t going to play because o####roin injury, a source said Belichick had running back Lawrence Maroney dress for pre-game warm-ups prior to a 48-27 victory over Dallas. This was done to trick Cowboys coaches and players into thinking they might have to revamp their game plan. Maroney intentionally made several passes by the Dallas bench before leaving and changing to street clothes.
Public disservice
Some more off-beat shenanigans occurred during the Bengals-Jets game as public address announcements were being made while New York’s offense was using a sugar huddle. Under league rules, pre-snap announcements can only be made when an offensive team is formally huddled. Despite several warnings, the problem persisted until NFL executive Ray Anderson called in to end the announcements.
FOXSports.com senior NFL writer Alex Marvez weighs in with NFL news and notes every Monday
* Know why Joey Porter hasn’t made an impact with Miami?
He needs help from three others to beat a left tackle.
Porter’s disastrous 2007 season reached a new low Sunday. He was exposed as a thug by my FOX Sports colleague Jay Glazer, who unveiled a videotape showing Porter and his buddies jumping Cincinnati left tackle Levi Jones at a Las Vegas casino in March. Porter then floundered in a 41-31 loss to Cleveland, tallying a meager four tackles.
Porter ran his mouth beforehand by again picking on Browns tight end Kellen Winslow, who he slurred with a homosexual innuendo last season while playing for Pittsburgh. Winslow finished with five catches for 90 yards and asked reporters afterward, “Did he play today? I didn't see him.”
Before games against Dallas and Oakland, Porter called Cowboys running back Marion Barber “cocky” and guaranteed a win against the Raiders. Barber rushed for two touchdowns in a Cowboys rout, while Oakland cruised to a 35-17 victory. Porter made no impact plays in those games and hasn’t registered a sack in Miami’s 0-6 season.
Still, nothing was as humiliating as Glazer’s expose. Details of the Porter-Jones altercation were fuzzy because of a shoddy police investigation, as the two were reported to have fought in a valet parking area. Porter was fined $1,000 in May after pleading no contest to misdemeanor battery.
The NFL then fined Porter three game checks, which is the equivalent of roughly $141,000. But the punishment would probably have been more severe had the video footage surfaced earlier.
Having landed a five-year, $32 million contract with $20 million guaranteed, Porter is this season’s biggest free-agent bust (although Denver running back Travis Henry is a contender if suspended because of drug issues). Compounding the problem, Miami offered an Adalius Thomas-sized deal even though no other suitors were going to offer the same cash for a fading eight-year veteran.
The only positive from this: The season-finale between Miami and Cincinnati (1-4) now has additional meaning besides being a potential duel for the 2008 draft’s No. 1 pick.
* Another suspect Dolphins free-agent decision was allowing punter Donnie Jones to join St. Louis as a restricted free agent. Jones and San Francisco’s Andy Lee are tied for the NFL lead in gross average at 50.1 yards. Jones also has an impressive net average of 42.0.
In comparison, Miami rookie punter Brandon Fields has averages of 43.0 and 36.3.
“I just think it’s getting a fresh start and having some extra motivation being in a new place with a new staff,” said Jones, who clashed this off-season with Miami’s new kicking coach. “It’s a very good work environment and our special teams coach Al Roberts is a tremendous guy. He lets me go out and do my thing.”
* Dallas Cowboys executive Stephen Jones waited outside the locker room to congratulate New England owner Bob Kraft following the Patriots’ 48-27 victory.
“Y’all taught us a lesson,” Jones said.
A much less classy move came from another Jones. During a Sunday night pay-per-view wrestling match, suspended Tennessee cornerback Adam “Pacman” Jones threw money into the ring to distract his team’s opponent. The move was meant to spoof Jones “making it rain” earlier this year at a Las Vegas strip club.
Considering a club manager was shot and paralyzed later that night after a blow-up with Jones’ entourage, how can anyone think this would be funny?
FOXSports.com senior NFL writer Alex Marvez weighs in with NFL news and notes every Monday
* The severe spine injury suffered by Buffalo tight end Kevin Everett in the season-opener greatly affected one of his teammates.
While not using it as an excuse for his early season struggles, outside linebacker Angelo Crowell said he needed time to block out the memory of Everett getting hurt making a special teams tackle.
"It really slowed me down," Crowell told FOXSports.com. "Linebackers have collisions all the time. What happened weighed on me mentally because I had never thought about those types of injuries. When you play linebacker, you can't think about those types of things."
Crowell returned to form with a team-high 11 tackles in last Sunday's 17-14 upset of the New York Jets. Crowell must play at the same high level Monday night for Buffalo's injury-plagued defense to have any shot at slowing down Dallas.
"Tony Romo is really the key," Crowell said. "We've got to get to the quarterback and rattle him. You can't give him time to throw because with his arm strength and accuracy, he'll pick you apart. As a whole on defense, we're going to have to do the small things right. We have to create turnovers and keep their offense off the field."
* Despite Sunday's 34-3 loss at Washington, Detroit left tackle Jeff Backus doesn't expect this year's team to tank like the 2004 Lions did after a 3-1 start. Such confidence stems from who is -- and isn't -- on Detroit's roster.
"We have a lot of high-character guys who know what to do and how to do it," Backus told FOXSports.com. "We're a different club than what we've been in the past even though we had a handful of big-name guys before. Maybe some of our guys are a little less talented but they give more effort and have more passion. That sometimes outweighs the extras."
Backus singled out wide receiver Mike Furrey as an example while taking a swipe at Charles Rogers and Mike Williams, two top 10 picks who never proved worthy of such lofty draft status. The undrafted Furrey played in two other football leagues (XFL and Arena) and even on defense before last year's 98-catch season.
"We've spent a couple high draft picks on guys who were all-world in college but didn't know how to translate that to the pro game," said Backus, a Lions first-round pick in 2001. "Sometimes you see it not just at wide receiver but with real talented guys where everything comes natural to them. They don't know how to work.
"It's not really their fault but they never had to push themselves to earn a spot. The guys we've got now, most of them never had a big name or were the most talented on their team. They've always had to fight and claw for what they've got."
* Replacing one drug-addled running back with another wouldn't make sense in Denver if Travis Henry is suspended for a positive marijuana test. But a Ricky Williams comeback would make sense in Tampa Bay, which needs depth after losing Cadillac Williams to a major knee injury.
A scenario that makes sense: Miami sends Williams' rights to the Bucs before the October 16 trading deadline. Compensation could be based on whether Williams is reinstated and how much he plays if given the green light to return by commissioner Roger Goodell.
Despite not having played since last fall in Canada, Williams has more upside than any other running back options the Bucs have explored. And considering Miami coach Cam Cameron has shown no signs that he wants Williams on his roster, the Dolphins would be getting something in return for a player likely to get released anyway.
* Speaking of headaches, Dolphins quarterback Trent Green's benching seemed imminent even before suffering another lights-out concussion Sunday against Houston. Green entered this weekend's games leading the NFL in interceptions and had clearly slipped from his heyday in Kansas City. Cleo Lemon (15-of-27 passing for 151 yards and one interception) was decent in relief but should look better when starting next Sunday at Cleveland.
* Is there anyone else who didn't envision Oakland leading the AFC West and New Orleans being winless five weeks into the season?
* Will Tampa Bay wide receiver Michael Clayton and running back Cadillac Williams ever get their acts together?
After promising rookie seasons, both first-round picks had another rough outing in the Buccaneers' 24-3 victory over St. Louis.
Clayton was cussed out on the sideline by coach Jon Gruden during the second quarter after dropping one pass and fumbling on his only reception (the Bucs recovered). Clayton threw some nice downfield blocks, but that alone isn't why the Bucs made him the 15th player chosen in 2004.
Williams wasn't even Tampa Bay's third-best runner Sunday, as backups Michael Pittman and Earnest Graham were more effective. A lost fourth-quarter fumble overshadowed Williams' 12-carry, 46-yard performance.
Although he wouldn't use bruised ribs as an excuse, Williams failed to showcase the same explosive running style that made him the No. 5 overall pick in 2005. The biggest question surrounding Williams coming out of college was whether he could handle the physical punishment inherent in being a feature running back. The answer is becoming obvious, with Williams battling injuries for a second consecutive season.
* San Diego fans panicking after the Chargers' 1-2 start should remember what team president/CEO Dean Spanos told FOXSports.com in August:
"It doesn't matter what your record is -- just get back to the playoffs and win that first game. If you're 9-7 or 8-8 and win that first game, it's better than 14-2 and out. I know everybody is thinking that way. You just don't want to look too far ahead."
Spanos is right, as San Diego's impressive records in 2004 and 2006 didn't translate to postseason victories. But in my two preseason trips to Chargers headquarters, I sensed San Diego players felt the playoffs were a given because of all the talent amassed by general manager A.J. Smith. A second consecutive loss Sunday to Green Bay should bring the Chargers back to earth.
* Oakland should feel encouraged by the play of quarterback Daunte Culpepper, who guided the Raiders to a 26-24 victory over Cleveland. Playing the second half in relief of injured starter Josh McCown, Culpepper led two scoring drives and didn't commit a turnover in an 8-of-14 passing performance.
After the win, Raiders coach Lane Kiffin wouldn't immediately commit to naming a starting quarterback for this Sunday's game against Miami. But I'm hoping Kiffin gives Culpepper the nod, if only to ####e up a game between teams with a combined 1-5 record. Culpepper will want to show Dolphins coach Cam Cameron made a huge mistake when releasing him in July without letting him compete against Trent Green for a starting spot.
*"And with the first pick in the 2008 draft, the Buffalo Bills select ..."
I can already hear those words coming from NFL commissioner Roger Goodell's mouth. The Bills are so decimated by injuries, especially on defense, that I can't see Buffalo winning more than three games. The latest blow was promising rookie linebacker Paul Posluszny suffering a broken forearm in Sunday's 38-7 loss to New England.
Alex Marvez is a Senior NFL Writer for FOXSports.com . He's covered the NFL for 13 seasons as a beat writer and is the president of the Pro Football Writers of America.
