Pair fined for hits to Orton - The Denver Post
Two 49ers linebackers were fined Friday for hits on Broncos quarterback Kyle Orton in San Francisco's victory Sunday in London.
Fantasy Spotlight: The time to trade Orton is now - The Denver Post
I picked up Broncos QB Kyle Orton off the waiver wire after his hot start earlier this year, but now I'm worried about him getting benched. Should I try to trade him away, or hold him for the fantasy playoffs?
Final Word: AFC West - AFC West Blog - ESPN
The race for first place in the AFC West starts on the ground. The best way to win in the NFL is with the running game and that is being proven in the AFC West. Division-leading Kansas City (5-2) is leading the NFL in rushing with 190.4 yards per game. No team has averaged that many yards on the ground for an entire season since New England in 1978.
Final Word: AFC East - AFC East Blog - ESPN
The Jets want Mark Sanchez to stop pouting. To force Sanchez into acting as regal as a franchise quarterback should, offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer and backup quarterback Mark Brunell have been fining Sanchez for undesirable body language. This sounds like "Romper Room" stuff. Remember when the Jets color-coded Sanchez's play-call wristband last year? Schottenheimer suggested the fines are enacted for fun, but the team obviously felt something needed to be done. Perhaps the fines will help Sanchez refrain from whining to officials, gesturing to his receivers over drops or haggling with pizzeria employees over 59-cent dipping sauces.
Final Word: AFC North - AFC North Blog - ESPN
Bye-week success: Two AFC North teams are coming off byes, and statistically that bodes well for the Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns. Baltimore coach John Harbaugh is 2-0 in his career following the bye week, and Browns coach Eric Mangini is 3-1. Both clubs will have tough home games Sunday: the Ravens play the Miami Dolphins and Cleveland faces the New England Patriots.
Final Word: AFC South - AFC South Blog - ESPN
Canceling out Rivers: The odds are good that San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers, who’s got record passing yardage through eight games, will be able to move the ball against Houston’s porous pass defense. Rivers should succeed even with injuries at receiver and to Antonio Gates, who's doubtful. The Texans' best defense might just be a big offensive day for Houston, too. Matt Schaub was shaky last week, especially in the first half. He needs to carry the Texans and match Rivers.
Final Word: NFC East - NFC East Blog - ESPN
The Eagles have to account for Dwight Freeney at all times. The Indianapolis Colts' All-Pro defensive end can absolutely take over a game, and that's why Eagles coach Andy Reid better make sure left tackle Jason Peters has some help a lot of the time. Peters has been a major disappointment for the Eagles the past two seasons, but maybe he'll display all that talent that he's rumored to have in this game. Scout-teamer Pannel Egboh has been playing the role of Freeney in practices this week. Left guard Todd Herremans told me Thursday that Egboh had really worked hard to pick up some of Freeney's moves, but it's a little difficult because he's 5 inches taller than the Colts' defensive end.
Final Word: NFC West - NFC West Blog - ESPN
Home sweet home. The Arizona Cardinals' Larry Fitzgerald will be making his second NFL appearance at the Metrodome, where he served as a Vikings ball boy growing up in Minnesota. Fitzgerald's only previous NFL game at the Metrodome proved memorable. He caught 11 passes for 172 yards during a 2006 defeat featuring 824 yards of total offense between the teams. For all the Cardinals' struggles this season, they did amass 396 yards against Tampa Bay in Week 8. The Vikings have zero sacks while allowing 755 yards passing over their past three games. They have six sacks all season. Fitzgerald might find there's yardage to be had against this defense.
Final Word: NFC North - NFC North Blog - ESPN
Bring earplugs. That's usually the advice to opponents who arrive at the Metrodome. This weekend, however, Minnesota Vikings coach Brad Childress might want to join in. At the very least, there is a rabid and vocal minority of Vikings fans whose discontent is running deep following Childress' decision to waive receiver Randy Moss. Sunday, we'll find out how widespread their displeasure is. Two years ago, fans rained down chants of "Fire Childress" during a sloppy victory over the Detroit Lions. At least in the early going Sunday, the Vikings face the possibility of a toxic atmosphere that offers little home-field advantage. It's nothing that a few early touchdowns couldn't eradicate, but remember this: The Vikings have scored only 21 points in the first quarter of their seven games this season.
Final Word: NFC South - NFC South Blog - ESPN
Matchup of the week. People with the Falcons will tell you Roddy White has been the NFL’s best wide receiver this season. People with the Buccaneers will tell you Aqib Talib is one of the NFL’s best cornerbacks. These two will go head to head continually on Sunday when the Bucs and Falcons play at the Georgia Dome. The Bucs use Talib on the opposing team’s best receiver, no matter where he lines up, and that will make for a great individual battle. But this one has the potential for being entertaining in more than just a physical way. Talib and White are extremely competitive and two of the more talkative and animated players in the game. Just because a play ends, don’t stop watching these two. The real entertainment could come between plays.
Source: Zygi Wilf considered firing Brad Childress over Randy Moss move - ESPN
Randy Moss did not appear on waivers for 24 hours because Vikings owner Zygi Wilf was furious about being circumvented by coach Brad Childress. The owner considered retaining Moss and firing Childress, according to a team source.
Jerry Jones: Wade Phillips is Cowboys coach for rest of year - ESPN Dallas
Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has said he doesn't want to make an in-season coaching change, and then when the team fell to 1-6 he hinted at changes. Now, he's making it clear.
Philadelpia Eagles expect DeSean Jackson back to face Colts - ESPN
Pro Bowl wide receiver DeSean Jackson is expected to start and return punts when the Philadelphia Eagles (4-3) host the Indianapolis Colts (5-2) on Sunday.
Indianapolis Colts' Anthony Gonzalez out of lineup with PCL injury - ESPN
The Indianapolis Colts could be down at least eight players for Sunday's game against the Philadelphia Eagles, including wide receiver Anthony Gonzalez, who could be out for several weeks with a PCL injury.
San Diego Chargers' Antonio Gates doubtful vs. Houston Texans - ESPN
San Diego Chargers tight end Antonio Gates' toe injury worsened this week and he's doubtful for Sunday's game against the Houston Texans.
Jonathan Stewart in line to start in Panthers' backfield - ESPN
Jonathan Stewart is likely to get his second straight start at running back for the Carolina Panthers with DeAngelo Williams still sidelined with a sprained left foot.
New Orleans Saints' Reggie Saints' Bush likely one week away from return - ESPN
New Orleans Saints halfback Reggie Bush moved a little closer to his return from a broken bone in his right leg, but it appears he might have to wait until after the Saints' bye week.
New England Patriots' Myron Pryor, Gary Guyton fined for hits on Brett Favre - ESPN Boston
The NFL's crackdown on illegal hits continued this week with several prominent players receiving fines for hits to the head or neck area of defenseless players.
Oakland Raiders' Nnamdi Asomugha, Zach Miller doubtful vs. Kansas City Chiefs - ESPN
Oakland Raiders cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha and tight end Zach Miller are doubtful for Sunday's showdown against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Oakland Raiders sell out divisional showdown vs. Kansas City Chiefs - ESPN
The Oakland Raiders have sold out Sunday's AFC West showdown against Kansas City to avoid a 12th straight local blackout.
Arizona Cardinals' Beanie Wells says he'll play despite allergic reaction - ESPN
Arizona Cardinals running back Beanie Wells told reporters on Friday that he will play Sunday against the Vikings in Minnesota.
Week 9 NFL tip sheet | National Football Post
Time to look ahead to the Week 9 action in the NFL. Personnel to watch, my top 10 teams, game plan notes and picks for the entire slate of games.
Troy Polamalu thinks NFL has too much power | National Football Post
Pittsburgh Steelers star safety Troy Polamalu thinks the NFL has gone way too far.
Friday new$ and note$ | National Football Post
The difference between guaranteed amounts of NBA and NFL contracts is on stark display recently with new contracts for the NBA players Mike Conley, Joakim Noah and Al Horford. Conley re-upped with the Grizzlies for $45 million over five years; Noah and Horford did the same five years with the Bulls and Hawks for $60 million each.
Robert Gallery, Rolando McClain fined $7,500 apiece | National Football Post
The NFL has issued a pair of $7,500 fines to Oakland Raiders rookie middle linebacker Rolando McClain and veteran offensive guard Robert Gallery.
NFL.com news: Week 9 offers chance for teams with something to prove
With high-profile names like Donovan McNabb and Randy Moss on a bye, that gives us a chance to appreciate this week's action without distraction.
NFL.com news: Optimistic coach Mangini working hard to rebuild Browns
Eric Mangini went through it seven times as Jets coach, and now he gets an eighth shot, as Browns coach on this occasion.
NFL.com news: Colts WR Collie, RB Hart listed as questionable against Eagles
The banged up Indianapolis Colts may be getting one of Peyton Manning's favorite targets back on the field in time for Sunday's matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles.
NFL.com news: Colledge, Matthews among Packers on the mend for 'Boys game
The Green Bay Packers will likely have guard Daryn Colledge in the lineup Sunday against the Dallas Cowboys. He has been nursing a back injury and did not practice Friday but was listed as probable on the team's final injury report.
NFL.com news: Ankle injury likely to keep 'Hawks LT Okung off the field vs. Giants
Making his first NFL start, Seattle quarterback Charlie Whitehurst had better be acutely aware of what's happening behind him come Sunday.
Josh Freeman, Buccaneers ignore skeptics; Raiders-Chiefs huge - Peter King - SI.com
Two things I never thought I'd see in Week 9 of the 2010 NFL season:
Minnesota restaurant turns tables on Randy Moss - NFL - SI.com
A restaurant whose food was sharply criticized by Randy Moss is giving the former Minnesota Vikings receiver something to chew on.
Huge change for Shawne Merriman going from San Diego to Buffalo - Jeff Pearlman - SI.com
Twenty-five years have passed, yet when his memories uproot him from his perfectly pleasant existence as a Phoenix-based salesman and send him back to a darker, windier, colder place, Bruce Mathison still feels the chill.
Wildcat vanishing from Dolphins' offense - NFL - Yahoo! Sports
The Wildcat offense has undergone a vanishing act this season.
McNabb mess validates Eagles' bold move - NFL - Yahoo! Sports
The last time we convened to partake in our consecrated Friday ritual, I presented 11 coaches who might soon be dispossessed of their headsets. In the days which followed, plenty of readers and NFL front-office executives alike suggested I should have made it a dirty dozen.