After deciding not to re-sign longtime placekicker Matt Stover in the off season, the placekicking competition came down to current kicker Steven Hauschka and rookie Graham Gano during Training camp this summer. Hauschka was sort of the incumbent, having kicked a 50+ yarder in 2008 as Stover's sidekick, while Gano was the Lou Groza Award winner, given to college football's best kicker. Gano made 24 of 26 kicks for Florida State University in 2008, a pressure packed stage every week in the ACC and the rest of their tough national schedule.

While it appeared that Gano had the stronger leg and was outkicking Hauschka in Training Camp, that did not necessarily translate into the pre season games, where Gano only made one of three attempts while Hauschka had more attempts and converted most of his chances. However, just like Training Camp is not the pre season, the pre season is not the regular season. Hauschka has proven that he cannot handle the pressure since the opening game of the season when he missed a 41 yarder that set the tone for his poor season. At the same time, where has Graham Gano gone since his release?

Graham hooked up with the Las Vegas Locos of the United Football League. The Locos are in the UFL's Championship Game on November 27th and then along with the rest of the UFL, those players will be free to sign with any NFL team that contacts them. However, the Ravens probably won't wait until then, much less another week, before signing someone else to take Hauschka's place. Gano has had a stellar season with Las Vegas, converting nine of eleven FG attempts, with a long of 53 yards , including three FG's in their 16-10 semi-final victory to put  them in the Championship Game.

While it's probably too late to grab him at this point of the season, it definitely is obvious to me that the Ravens made the wrong choice at the end of Training Camp and never really gave Gano a fair shot to win the job in the pre season. However, if the team's next kicker doesn't make a huge difference, I just wanted to let them know here that Gano will be available shortly. Hint, hint.

NOTE: Graham returned my email to him, and you can see his response toward the end of the comments below. Last night, his Las Vegas Locos defeated the New York Sentinels 41-7 in the final regular season UFL game and Gano was 2 for 2 in FG's and made all five of his XP's.Las Vegas plays in the UFL Championship Game next week and then all UFL players may sign with any NFL team that contacts them. Are you listening Ozzie...?

 

WHAT TO LOOK FOR – WEEK 11

 

SUCCESS ON THE ROAD:  Four teams have started the 2009 season with 4-0 road records: Arizona, Cincinnati, Indianapolis and New Orleans.  All four of those clubs are in first place in their respective divisions and each will put its undefeated road record on the line in Week 11.

 

This Sunday, the Cardinals visit St. Louis, the Colts travel to Baltimore, the Bengals head to Oakland and the Saints will take a trip across the Gulf to face Tampa Bay.

 

If all four 4-0 teams win, 2009 will be the first season in history in which four clubs started 5-0 on the road.  If three of the four win, this season will tie for the most 5-0 road teams ever, which has occurred three times in NFL annals (1983, 2001, 2007).

 

-- NFL --

 

DRIVE TIME UPDATE:  Sustaining drives on offense has long been an indicator of NFL success.  When an offense, in the immortal words of Hank Stram, "matriculates the ball down the field," it helps the team win the field-position battle, gives the defense a rest, and, most importantly, can lead to points.

 

This year, the top five NFL offenses in yards per drive have a combined record of 36-9 (.800).  Four of those five teams currently sit atop their respective divisions – Indianapolis, New England, New Orleans, and Dallas.

 

The NFL’s two remaining undefeated teams, the Colts (36.8 yards per drive) and Saints (35.2), rank first and third in the category.

 

The top NFL offenses in average yards per drive in 2009:

 

TEAM	AVG. YARDS PER DRIVE	RECORD
Indianapolis Colts*	36.8	9-0
New England Patriots*	36.4	6-3
New Orleans Saints*	35.2	9-0
Dallas Cowboys*	34.7	6-3
Pittsburgh Steelers	33.4	6-3
* Division leader

 

-- NFL --

 

HANDY RANDY:  New England Patriots wide receiver RANDY MOSS leads the NFL with 891 receiving yards this season.  With 109 yards this Sunday against the Jets, Moss can join JERRY RICE as the only players in NFL history with 10 1,000- yard receiving seasons.

 

Currently in his 12th season, Moss has reached the 1,000-yard mark nine times, while Rice recorded 14 1,000-yard seasons in his 20-year career.

 

The players with the most 1,000-yard receiving seasons in NFL history:

 

PLAYER	SEASONS WITH 1,000 REC. YARDS	NO. OF 1,000-YARD SEASONS
Jerry Rice	SF: 1986-1996, 1998; Oak.: 2001-02	14
Randy Moss*	Min.: 1998-2003; Oak.: 2005; NE: 2007-08	9
Terrell Owens*	SF: 1998, 2000-03; Phi.: 2004; Dal.: 2006-08	9
Tim Brown	L.A./Oak.: 1993-2001	9
Jimmy Smith	Jax.: 1996-2002, 2004-05	9
* Active

 

MOSS GOES LONG:  Moss scored twice against the Colts this past Sunday, including a 63-yard touchdown catch.  Moss has 27 scrimmage touchdowns (rushing or receiving) of 50 yards or more, which ties him for second on the all-time list with Pro Football Hall of Famer LANCE ALWORTH.

 

With a 50-yard touchdown catch or run this week against the Jets, Moss will take sole possession of second place.  JERRY RICE, who scored 36 such touchdowns in his career, is the all-time leader.

 

Buffalo Bills wide receiver TERRELL OWENS ranks fifth on the list and can tie Hall of Famer LENNY MOORE (25) for fourth place with a 50-yard score against the Jaguars in Week 11.

 

The players with the most 50-yard touchdowns from scrimmage (rushing or receiving) in NFL history:

 

PLAYER	50-YARD TDs
Jerry Rice	36
Randy Moss*	27
Lance Alworth	27
Lenny Moore	25
Terrell Owens*	24
* Active

 

-- NFL --

 

BE-WARE OF DE MARCUS:  Dallas Cowboys linebacker DE MARCUS WARE has registered a sack in six consecutive games against the Washington Redskins, which ties him for the longest active streak in the NFL.

 

Ware will put that streak on the line in Week 11 when the Cowboys host the Redskins in a key NFC East game.

 

The players with the longest current streaks of consecutive games with a sack against a team:

 

PLAYER	OPPONENT	STREAK
DeMarcus Ware	Redskins	6
Chike Okeafor	Cardinals	6
John Abraham	Buccaneers	5
Patrick Kerney	49ers	5
Many tied		4

 

-- NFL --

 

WHAT A CATCH:  Since joining the New England Patriots in 2007, wide receiver WES WELKER has 287 receptions in his first 39 games with the club.  Welker’s total already ranks as the most catches by any player in his first 40 games with a new team (rookies and veterans) in NFL history.

 

Welker, who is tied for second in the NFL with 64 receptions this season, can extend his record when he plays in his 40th game with New England as the Patriots host the Jets on Sunday.

 

The players with the most receptions in their first 40 games with a new team (rookies and veterans):

 

PLAYER	TEAM	RECEPTIONS
WR Wes Welker	Patriots	287*
WR Lionel Taylor	Broncos	269
WR Anquan Boldin	Cardinals	259
WR Terance Mathis	Falcons	239
RB Marshall Faulk	Rams	228
WR Tom Fears	Rams	228
* Through 39 games

 

-- NFL --

 

COLT COMBO:  Through nine games this season, wide receiver REGGIE WAYNE (69) and tight end DALLAS CLARK (64) of the Indianapolis Colts have combined for 133 receptions.  If Wayne and Clark combine for at least four catches this Sunday against the Ravens, they will have the most receptions by a pair of teammates in the first 10 games of a season in NFL history.

 

The 1964 Chicago Bears tandem of wide receiver JOHNNY MORRIS (77) and Pro Football Hall of Fame tight end MIKE DITKA (59) currently shares the record of 136 combined catches through the first 10 games of a season with the 1995 Detroit Lions wide receiver duo of HERMAN MOORE (73) and BRETT PERRIMAN (63).

 

The most combined receptions by teammates in the first 10 games of a season in NFL history:

 

TEAM	PLAYERS (RECEPTIONS)	COMBINED REC.
1964 Chicago Bears	WR Johnny Morris (77) & TE Mike Ditka (59)	136
1995 Detroit Lions	WR Herman Moore (73) & WR Brett Perriman (63)	136
2007 Cincinnati Bengals	WR T.J. Houshmandzadeh (76) & WR Chad Ochocinco (59)	135
1994 Minnesota Vikings	WR Cris Carter (77) & WR Jake Reed (58)	135
2007 New England Patriots	WR Randy Moss (66) & WR Wes Welker (68)	134
2009 Indianapolis Colts	WR Reggie Wayne (69) & TE Dallas Clark (64)	133*
* Through 9 games

 

If both Clark and Wayne maintain their current pace, they will amass 235 combined receptions in 2009, which would be the most by any pair of teammates in NFL history.  Wayne is on pace for 122 catches, while Clark projects to 113.

 

The most combined receptions by teammates in a season in NFL history:

 

TEAM	PLAYERS (RECEPTIONS)	COMBINED REC.
1995 Detroit Lions	WR Herman Moore (123) & WR Brett Perriman (108)	231
2007 New England Patriots	WR Wes Welker (112) & WR Randy Moss (98)	210
1995 San Francisco 49ers	WR Jerry Rice (122) & RB Derek Loville (87)	209
1994 Minnesota Vikings	WR Cris Carter (122) & WR Jake Reed (85)	207
2001 Jacksonville Jaguars	WR Jimmy Smith (112) & WR Keenan McCardell (93)	205
2005 Arizona Cardinals	WR Larry Fitzgerald (103) & WR Anquan Boldin (102)	205
2007 Cincinnati Bengals	WR T.J. Houshmandzadeh (112) & WR Chad Ochocinco (93)	205
2009 Indianapolis Colts	WR Reggie Wayne (122*) & TE Dallas Clark (113*)	235*
* Projected

From the NFL, here are the Players of the Week for week 10 in the NFL 2009 season. First up is the AFC and the NFC follows after the 'Jump.'

 

COLTS QB PEYTON MANNING, CHIEFS S MIKE BROWN &

BENGALS KR-RB BERNARD SCOTT NAMED AFC PLAYERS OF WEEK

10

Quarterback PEYTON MANNING of the Indianapolis Colts, safety MIKE BROWN of the Kansas City Chiefs and rookie kick returner-running back BERNARD SCOTT of the Cincinnati Bengals are the AFC Offensive, Defensive and Special Teams Players of the Week for games played the 10th week of the 2009 season (November 12, 15-16), the NFL announced today.

OFFENSE: QB PEYTON MANNING, INDIANAPOLIS COLTS

• Manning completed 28 of 44 passes (63.6 percent) for 327 yards with four touchdowns versus two interceptions and a 97.4 passer rating in a 35-34 win over the New England Patriots. 
• With four touchdowns against the Patriots, Manning now has 20 touchdown passes on the year, his 12th consecutive 20-touchdown pass season, tying BRETT FAVRE for the most all-time.
• He has won 13 consecutive games when passing for 300 yards, tying Y.A. TITTLE for the third-most consecutive wins when reaching the 300-yard passing mark.
• Through Week 10, Manning leads the NFL in completions (249), passing yards (2,872) and touchdowns (20).
• Manning helped the Colts become the first team in NFL history to start 9-0 three times in a five-year span. 
• In his 12th season from Tennessee, Manning has 20 career Player of the Week Awards, most since the award originated in 1984.  He most recently won the award in 2008 (Week 16).

 

DEFENSE: S MIKE BROWN, KANSAS CITY CHIEFS

• In a 16-10 win against the Raiders, Brown posted a career-high two interceptions, including a game-clinching INT with :38 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter.
• He recorded his first interception of the game with 11:23 remaining in the fourth quarter, picking off Raiders quarterback BRUCE GRADKOWSKI at the 50-yard line.
• The veteran safety sealed a Chiefs’ victory with 38 seconds to play when he intercepted Gradkowski’s pass on Kansas City’s 10-yard line.
• Through Week 10, Brown has totaled 47 tackles, one sack, two interceptions, four passes defensed and one fumble recovery.
• In his 10th year from Nebraska, this is Brown’s third career Player of the Week award.  He previously won the award twice with the Chicago Bears in 2001 (Weeks 8 and 12).  He is the first Chiefs defensive player to win the award since linebacker DERRICK JOHNSON in 2008 (Week 4).

 

SPECIAL TEAMS: KR-RB BERNARD SCOTT, CINCINNATI BENGALS

• In a battle for first place in the AFC North, Scott scored on a 96-yard kick return-touchdown to help lead the Bengals to a 18-12 win against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
• His KR-TD was the team’s first since GLENN HOLT posted a 100-yard kick return-touchdown at Buffalo (11/4/07).
• Scott’s score was the only touchdown of the game by either team.
• He totaled five kick returns for 206 return yards (41.2 average), the third-most by a Bengal in a game in franchise history.
• In his rookie year from Abilene Christian, this is Scott’s first Player of the Week award.  He is the first Bengal to win Special Teams Player of the Week since kick returner-wide receiver TAB PERRY in 2005 (Week 13).

2009 AFC PLAYERS OF THE WEEK

 

	Offense	Defense	Special Teams
Wk 1	QB Tom Brady, New England	LB David Harris, N.Y. Jets	K Jeff Reed, Pittsburgh
Wk 2	QB Matt Schaub, Houston	DE Antwan Odom, Cincinnati	K Rian Lindell, Buffalo
Wk 3	RB Maurice Jones-Drew, Jacksonville	LB Brendon Ayanbadejo, Baltimore	LB Jason Trusnik, N.Y. Jets
Wk 4	RB Rashard Mendenhall, Pittsburgh	CB Champ Bailey, Denver	KR-WR Jacoby Jones, Houston
Wk 5	QB Kyle Orton, Denver	LB James Harrison, Pittsburgh	P Dave Zastudil, Cleveland
Wk 6	QB Tom Brady, New England	LB Brian Cushing, Houston	KR-PR-WR Eddie Royal, Denver
Wk 7	QB Carson Palmer, Cincinnati	S Brandon Meriweather, New England	P Brian Moorman, Buffalo
Wk 8	RB Chris Johnson, Tennessee	LB Brian Cushing, Houston	WR-KR Ted Ginn, Jr., Miami
Wk 9	TE Dallas Clark, Indianapolis	S Tyrone Carter, Pittsburgh	K Stephen Gostkowski, New England
Wk 10	QB Peyton Manning, Indianapolis	S Mike Brown, Kansas City	KR-RB Bernard Scott, Cincinnati

 

Other nominees for AFC Offensive Player of Week 10 were:

• Kansas City running back JAAMAL CHARLES, who rushed for a season-high 103 yards (5.7 average) on 18 attempts with one touchdown.
• Tennessee running back CHRIS JOHNSON, who rushed for 132 yards (5.1 average) on 26 attempts with two touchdowns and recorded nine receptions for 100 receiving yards (11.1 average) in a 41-17 win over Buffalo.
• Jacksonville running back MAURICE JONES-DREW, who rushed for 123 yards (5.1 average) on 24 attempts with one touchdown in a 24-22 win over the New York Jets.
• Denver wide receiver BRANDON MARSHALL, who had five catches for a season-high 134 receiving yards (26.8 average) with two touchdowns in a 27-17 loss to the Washington Redskins.
• San Diego running back LA DAINIAN TOMLINSON, who rushed for a season-high 96 yards (4.0 average) on 24 attempts with two touchdowns in a 31-23 win over the Eagles .
• Indianapolis wide receiver REGGIE WAYNE, who recorded 10 receptions for 126 yards (12.6 average) with two touchdowns.
• Miami running back RICKY WILLIAMS, who gained 102 rushing yards (5.1 average) on 20 carries in a 25-23 win over Tampa Bay.

 

Other nominees for AFC Defensive Player of Week 10 were:

• Buffalo rookie safety JAIRUS BYRD, who registered his eighth interception of the season against Tennessee.  Byrd has an interception in five consecutive games and is one of only two players since 1970 with an interception in five consecutive games in their first season in the NFL.  The other was Kansas City’s ERIC HARRIS in 1980 (six in a row).
• Indianapolis defensive end ROBERT MATHIS, who registered eight tackles, two sacks, one forced fumble and one pass defensed.

 

Other nominee for AFC Special Teams Player of Week 10 was:

• Kansas City punter DUSTIN COLQUITT, who punted six times for 283 yards (47.2 average) with four punts inside the 20-yard line.

Continue reading this post »

That the Ravens play the Colts the same weekend that "The Blind Side" is released as a movie?

 

For those of you who have not read the book, it ends with a reporter interviewing Dwight Freeney (a few years ago when he was viewed as the best pass rushing defensive end in the league) and telling him that Michael Oher had proclaimed, "I could take Dwight Freeney right now." Freeney kind of smiles and shakes it off but the reporter then gives a description of Oher's career (only has been playing since senior year of high school, best LT prospect in years, etc.) and Freeney stops smiling and asks:

"What's his name again?"

"Michael Oher"

"You tell Michael Oher I'll be waiting for him."

 

Coincidence? I think not!

 

I am pretty excited even though Gaither will go up against Freeney most of the time, Oher should have a few shots at him. I also doubt that the exchange between Freeney and the reporter will be in the movie, as well as a lot of the stuff about the evolution of the pass rush and left tackle, which is a huge part of the book. Michael's story is great in itself though so it could be pretty good.

As part of SB Nation, we work together each week to put in our own Power Rankings by each team's representative to come up with an average ranking for every team in the NFL. Click here to see what we came up with, including the surprising ranking of your Baltimore Ravens (actually higher than even I had them).

Starting with tonight's Thursday Night Football game and followed by the Indianapolis Colts at our Baltimore Ravens, here are the NFL capsules about the key games of the weekend. The rest of the games follow these first two after the jump.

WEEK 11 – THURSDAY NIGHT, NOVEMBER 19, 2009

MIAMI DOLPHINS (4-5) AT CAROLINA PANTHERS (4-5)

SERIES

	DOLPHINS	PANTHERS
SERIES LEADER	3-0
STREAKS	Past 3
COACHES VS. OPP.	Sparano: 0-0	Fox: 0-1
LAST WEEK	W 25-23 vs. Buccaneers	W 28-19 vs. Falcons
LAST GAME	9/25/05: Panthers 24 at Dolphins 27.  Miami S Lance Schulters intercepts pass with 1:51 remaining to set up Dolphins K Olindo Mare’s game-winning FG with 4 seconds left.
LAST GAME AT SITE	11/15/98: Dolphins 13, Panthers 9.  Miami limits Carolina to 210 total yards as Dolphins S Brian Walker intercepts Panthers QB Steve Beuerlein twice.
BROADCAST	NFLN (8:20 PM ET): Bob Papa, Matt Millen. Westwood One Radio: Ian Eagle, Boomer Esiason, Laura Okmin (Field reporter).  SIRIUS: 124 (WW1), 126 (Mia.), 125 (Car.).  XM: 124 (WW1), 103 (Mia.), 102 (Car.).

STATS

PASSING	Henne: 110-189-1,165-5-4-76.3	Delhomme: 145-245-1,658-7-13-67.0
RUSHING	R. Williams: 105-558-5.3-6	D. Williams: 168-860 (3C)-5.1-7 (3C)
RECEIVING	Bess: 40-334-8.4-0	S. Smith: 38-512-13.5-3
OFFENSE	316.2	331.2
TAKE/GIVE	-1	-7
DEFENSE	337.0	314.6
SACKS	Taylor: 5.5	Peppers: 7
INTs	V. Davis (R): 2	Marshall, S. Martin (R): 3
PUNTING	Fields: 45.8	Baker: 45.8
KICKING	Carpenter: 68 (3C) (23/24 PAT; 15/16 FG)	Kasay: 44 (20/20 PAT; 8/12 FG)

NOTES

DOLPHINS: Have won 4 of past 6 vs. NFC…QB CHAD HENNE is 4-2 as starter & has completed 100 of 170 passes (58.8 pct.) for 1,073 yards with 5 TDs vs. 3 INTs…RB RICKY WILLIAMS gained season-high 102 rush yards last week.  Williams has 21 100-yard rush games w/Miami, most by any Dolphin.  Has 3 100-yard rush games vs. Panthers in 6 career meetings…Since ’08, WR DAVONE BESS leads team w/94 receptions…Rookie TE KORY SPERRY posted 1st career TD rec. in 1st NFL game last week…LB JASON TAYLOR has 2 sacks in 3 games vs. Car.  Taylor (126) needs 1 sack to surpass DERRICK THOMAS (126.5) for 11th-most sacks all-time…DE RANDY STARKS (4.5) needs 0.5 sack to surpass career-high of 4.5 as rookie in ’04…KR-WR TED GINN JR. ranks 1st in AFC & 3rd in NFL w/29.4 KR avg. & is tied for league-high w/2 KR-TDs…PANTHERS: QB JAKE DELHOMME passed for 285 yards & 3 TDs in only start vs. Mia.  Has won 4 of past 5 vs. AFC.  Had 115.8 rating last week.  In career as starter (incl. playoffs), when Delhomme has 110+ rating, team is 18-1 (.947)…RB DE ANGELO WILLIAMS aims for 5th in row vs. AFC with rush TD.  Has rushed for 440 yards (110 per game) & 5 TDs in past 4 vs. AFC.  Has rushed for 832 yards (118.9 per game) & 10 TDs in past 7 in Nov.  Has rushed for 640 yards (128 per game) & 5 TDs in past 5.  RB JONATHAN STEWART has 12 rush TDs in 13 career home games (incl. playoffs) & had 2 TDs last week…WR STEVE SMITH had 11 catches for 170 yards (15.5 avg.) & 3 TDs in last meeting.  Had 2 TDs last week.  WR MUHSIN MUHAMMAD had 30-yard TD in last game vs. Mia. (11/5/06 with Chi.)…DE JULIUS PEPPERS has 21.5 sacks in past 23.  Rookie S SHERROD MARTIN had INT last week & has 3 INTs in past 3.  CB RICHARD MARSHALL has INT in 2 of past 3.

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2009

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (9-0) AT BALTIMORE RAVENS (5-4)

SERIES

	COLTS	RAVENS
SERIES LEADER	6-2
STREAKS	Past 5
COACHES VS. OPP.	Caldwell: 0-0	Harbaugh: 0-1
LAST WEEK	W 35-34 vs. Patriots	W 16-0 at Browns
LAST GAME	10/12/08: Ravens 3 at Colts 31.  Indianapolis QB Peyton Manning throws 3 1st-half TD passes, incl. 2 to WR Marvin Harrison (67, 5), as Colts jump out to 24-0 lead.
LAST GAME AT SITE	12/9/07: Colts 44, Ravens 20.  Manning passes for 4 TDs as Colts score 37 1st-half points to clinch 6th consecutive postseason berth.
BROADCAST	CBS (1:00 PM ET): Greg Gumbel, Dan Dierdorf.  SIRIUS: 121 (Ind.), 129 (Bal.).  XM: 107 (Ind.).

STATS

PASSING	Manning: 249-357-2,872 (1L)-20 (1L)-7-104.2 (1C)	Flacco: 196-300-2,199-12-7-90.7
RUSHING	Addai: 126-440-3.5-6	Rice: 128-662-5.2-6
RECEIVING	Wayne: 69 (1L)-879 (2L)-12.7-8 (T1L)	Rice (RB): 49-451-9.2-1
OFFENSE	401.1 (3L)	348.9
TAKE/GIVE	+7 (2C)	+4 (3C)
DEFENSE	322.7	302.8
SACKS	Freeney: 9.5 (3L)	J. Johnson: 6
INTs	Bethea: 3	Landry: 3
PUNTING	McAfee (R): 44.6	Koch: 45.3
KICKING	Stover: 31 (13/13 PAT; 6/6 FG)	---

NOTES

COLTS: Have won franchise-record 18 consecutive regular-season games & can surpass 2003-04 Patriots for 2nd-longest such streak in NFL history…Incl. postseason, team seeks 7th consecutive win vs. Ravens…In past 6 (incl. playoffs) vs. Ravens, QB PEYTON MANNING has completed 118 of 184 passes (64.1 pct.) for 1,477 yards with 11 TDs vs. 3 INTs & 102.1 passer rating.  Has 8 300-yard passing games in 9 contests in ’09.  Colts have won 13 consecutive games when Manning passes for 300+ yards…RB JOSEPH ADDAI scored 3 TDs in last game at Bal. (2 rush, 1 rec.)… Last week, WR REGGIE WAYNE posted 4th 100-yard rec. game of season & 3rd game w/10+ rec…TE DALLAS CLARK (320) is tied with HOFer JOHN MACKEY for most career rec. by TE in club history.  Clark (3,850) needs 150 rec. yards to become 2nd Colts TE with 4,000 (Mackey, 5,126)…DE DWIGHT FREENEY has 5 sacks in 4 road games in ’09...DE ROBERT MATHIS tied career high w/3 sacks in last game vs. Ravens.  Mathis aims for 5th consecutive game with at least 0.5 sack & has 4 sacks in past 4…RAVENS: In 4 games at home in ’09, QB JOE FLACCO is 3-1 & has completed 93 of 134 yards (69.4 pct.) for 1,010 yards with 6 TDs vs. 3 INTs & 96.9 passer rating.  Flacco (12) needs 3 TD passes to surpass 14 as rookie last year…RB RAY RICE aims for 7th consecutive game w/100+ total yards.  Rice seeks 5th consecutive game with rush TD.  RB WILLIS MC GAHEE (2,114) surpassed PRIEST HOLMES (2,102) for 2nd on Ravens all-time list…WR DERRICK MASON is averaging 14.7 yards per catch in ’09…WR MARK CLAYTON (2,954) needs 46 receiving yards to reach 3,000 career…LB RAY LEWIS (35.5 sacks, 28 INTs) needs 2 INTs to become 1st player in NFL history w/35 sacks & 30 INTs…LB JARRET JOHNSON has career-high 6 sacks in ’09…S DAWAN LANDRY had 48-yard INT-TD return last week…CB CHRIS CARR posted 1st INT w/Ravens last week.

Continue reading this post »

Reportedly, the "undisclosed" amount of the fine on Brady Quinn for his cheap and illegal hit that has knocked out Terrell Suggs for at least the next two games (and maybe more) is $10,000. I'm not too sure why the amount of the fine was not disclosed, as it was public when Ray Lewis was fined $25,000 for the hit on Chad OchoCinco. Speaking of that comparison, why was Ray fined $25K for a hit that the player popped right back up on while Brady's was only $10K for a hit that injured a player's knees? Do they extend the quarterback's protection to his wallet as well?

What do you all think of this?

Poll

Do you think the reported $10,000 fine for Brady Quinn's hit on Terrell Suggs compared to Ray Lewis' hit on Chad Ochocinco that drew a $25,000 fine is a fair amount for Quinn?

• Fair enough, it gets the message across.
• Not fair, it should be more or at least equal to Ray's fine.

  38 votes | Results

From the NFL and NFL.com, first up is the AFC and the NFC follows after the 'Jump.'

      AFC NEWS ‘N’ NOTES

QUARTERBACKS-RECEIVERS SHARE UNIQUE BOND

Chemistry between a quarterback and receiver is mandatory for NFL passing attacks dependent on timing and precision.

"Every receiver and quarterback have a couple of routes that they do best, the routes they can complete in their sleep," says newly-acquired New York Jets wide receiver BRAYLON EDWARDS, who is developing a connection with rookie quarterback MARK SANCHEZ.

NFL Network analyst and Pro Football Hall of Fame wide receiver MICHAEL IRVIN says that comfort level is built around a common desire to win.

"The quarterback and receiver relationship begins with the mindset of winning football games," says Irvin, who shared a strong chemistry with former Dallas Cowboys quarterback and Pro Football Hall of Famer TROY AIKMAN.  "You have to start on that same base and the primary goal is always winning."

Quarterback PEYTON MANNING and wide receiver REGGIE WAYNE of the Indianapolis Colts have formed one of the NFL’s most dynamic duos.  The tandem leads the NFL in receptions and touchdowns among active quarterback-receiver combinations.  Manning says that developing confidence, timing and chemistry with a receiver is not instantly attainable. 

"It takes years to get true timing down," says Manning.  "Every route is going to have something a little different to it and something you can study on film.  You try to work as hard as you can in the offseason and in practices and in preseason to try to get that comfort level like you had it.  I learn about them.  They might learn about me.  That’s why every practice, every walkthrough and every meeting is valuable.  You can't just take it for granted."

The most completions/receptions among active quarterback-receiver duos:

QUARTERBACK-RECEIVER DUOS	TEAM	COMPLETIONS/RECEPTIONS
Peyton Manning-Reggie Wayne	Indianapolis Colts	637
Carson Palmer-Chad Ochocinco	Cincinnati Bengals	412
Jake Delhomme-Steve Smith	Carolina Panthers	400
Ben Roethlisberger-Hines Ward	Pittsburgh Steelers	386
Donovan McNabb-Brian Westbrook	Philadelphia Eagles	352

 

Following are the most touchdowns among active quarterback-receiver duos:

QUARTERBACK-RECEIVER DUOS	TEAM	TOUCHDOWNS
Peyton Manning-Reggie Wayne	Indianapolis Colts	59
Jake Delhomme-Steve Smith	Carolina Panthers	40
Carson Palmer-Chad Ochocinco	Cincinnati Bengals	36
Kurt Warner-Larry Fitzgerald	Arizona Cardinals	35
Ben Roethlisberger-Hines Ward	Pittsburgh Steelers	34
Peyton Manning-Dallas Clark	Indianapolis Colts	34

 

Houston Texans Pro Bowl wide receiver ANDRE JOHNSON hopes that his synergy with quarterback MATT SCHAUB will continue to develop.  Johnson is currently third in the league in receiving yards (800) while Schaub ranks third in the NFL with 2,653 passing yards.  Johnson says the learning process between him and his quarterback started immediately after Schaub signed with the Texans in 2007.

"Since the day he got here, we’ve just been communicating a lot," says Johnson.  "We talk about everything we see on the field.  I have a bond with him."

San Diego Chargers All-Star quarterback PHILIP RIVERS certainly recognizes the importance of a connection with his top two pass-catching options, Pro Bowl tight end ANTONIO GATES and wide receiver VINCENT JACKSON.  The duo of Jackson and Gates has combined for 92 receptions, 1,400 receiving yards and nine touchdowns this season.

"I think it’s huge," says Rivers.  "It takes great schemes, X’s and O’s, and many other things to make a pass game work. Aside from pass protection, chemistry is probably the most crucial factor."  

"Here, we have a bunch of guys, who have a great feel for the game," Rivers continues.  "That always helps, but we also have a lot of time on the practice field and in our meetings that allows us to be on the same page."

Continue reading this post »

I HAVE BEEN WONDERING FOR 10 WEEKS WHY THE RAVENS ARENT UP TO LAST YEARS PERFORMANCES.THE STAT I SAW MONDAY NITE SHOWS THE PASSING GAME IS USED MORE THAN THE RUNNING GAME. THATS THE OPPOSITE OF WHAT WE HAVE SEEN THE TWO PREVIOUS SEASONS. THEY SHOULD GO BACK TO USING THE RUN MORE. ALSO GET RID OF CAM CAMERON, HE RUINED THE DOLPHINS, IS THAT WE WANT HERE ? I DONT THINK SO, THE GUYS A LOSER.

     FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

      11/17/09

      http://twitter.com/NFLFootballInfo

TWO 9-0 TEAMS FOR THIRD TIME IN NFL HISTORY;

DIVISION LEADERS SHOWING WHAT A 

DIFFERENCE  A YEAR MAKES

As the NFL season rolls into Week 11, there are still two undefeated teams.  The two unbeatens – the Indianapolis Colts and New Orleans Saints – form just the third pair in NFL history to start a season 9-0, joining the 1934 Detroit Lions and Chicago Bears and the 1990 New York Giants and San Francisco 49ers. 

To get to 9-0, Indianapolis needed a come-from-behind victory over the New England Patriots on Sunday night.  Trailing by 17 points in the fourth quarter, the Colts scored three touchdowns in the final period to pull out a stunning 35-34 victory.  Indianapolis quarterback PEYTON MANNING threw four touchdowns on the night, including the game-winner to REGGIE WAYNE with 13 seconds remaining. 

"Reggie called the last play," says Manning.  "He kept fighting through and made an extended catch.  Maybe not his best catch ever, but it sure was timely."

The Colts, who are 9-0 for the third time in the past five years, have won a franchise-record 18 consecutive regular-season games, tied with the 2003-04 Patriots for the second-longest streak in NFL history. 

"We can’t be any better," says Indianapolis head coach JIM CALDWELL about the team’s 9-0 record.  "But the fact of the matter is, there’s still a lot of work to be done."

New Orleans, who visits Tampa Bay this Sunday, improved to 9-0 for the first time in franchise history with a 28-23 win at St. Louis.  The Saints, who were 4-5 at this time last season, are one of three 2009 division leaders – Cincinnati (7-2 in 2009; 1-8 in 2008) and Dallas (6-3; 5-4) – who were in last place after Week 10 a year ago. 

The nine 2009 division leaders (Denver and San Diego are tied for first in the AFC West) are a combined 63-18 (.778) through Week 10, 22 wins better than their records from a year ago at this time (41-40, .506). 

The Bengals completed a sweep of the defending Super Bowl champion Pittsburgh Steelers last week to vault into first place in the AFC North. Cincinnati is now 4-0 against division rivals Pittsburgh and Baltimore, the two teams that met in the AFC Championship Game.  The Bengals are just the third team in the Super Bowl era to go 4-0 against the reigning Conference Championship Game participants (1967 Raiders vs. Buf/KC and 2006 Chargers vs. Den/Pit/Sea). 

"The Steelers and Ravens have been the cornerstones of the league the last few years," says Bengals cornerback JOHNATHAN JOSEPH.  "We want to make our presence felt as well."

Some of the headline games in Week 11: 

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (9-0) at BALTIMORE RAVENS (5-4) (Sunday, CBS, 1:00 PM ET)           

 

The Colts have won 18 consecutive games, tied for the second-longest streak in NFL history (New England, 2003-04).  But head coach JIM CALDWELL is looking forward, not back. 

 

"If you take a peak in the rearview mirror, there are some teams that are behind us, but not far behind us," says Caldwell.  "So we better make certain that we stay on our toes and continue to try and get better.  All we have to do is look down the road to next Sunday and see who we’re playing.  It’s an outstanding team in Baltimore.  It’s going to be a tough battle."

 

That outstanding team in Baltimore is coming off a 16-0 road win at Cleveland on Monday night.  

 

"Anytime you’re in the NFL and you get a shutout, it’s big," says Ravens linebacker RAY LEWIS.

 

Baltimore is gearing up for a tough series that will see them host the Colts and Steelers before traveling to Green Bay.

 

"This upcoming three-game stretch is probably everything for our season," says Ravens head coach JOHN HARBAUGH.

 

The Colts have won six in a row against the Ravens, including a 15-6 win in the 2006 Divisional Playoffs en route to Indianapolis’ Super Bowl XLI victory. 

MIAMI DOLPHINS (4-5) at CAROLINA PANTHERS (4-5) (Thursday, NFLN, 8:20 PM ET)           

 

"These two teams are clawing their way back into the playoff picture," says NFL Network’s BOB PAPA, who will call the game on Thursday night.  "It’s power running versus power running."

 

It will be a matchup of two of the league’s best rush teams as the Panthers (156.6 yards per game) are third in the NFL and the Dolphins (156.2) rank fourth.  Carolina’s attack will showcase DE ANGELO WILLIAMS (860 yards, 7 TDs) and JONATHAN STEWART (466 yards, 6 TDs) while Miami’s offense will feature RONNIE BROWN (648 yards, 8 TDs) and

 

******************************************************************************************************************************************

NFL FACTOID

There are nine quarterbacks – BRETT FAVRE, DREW BREES, PEYTON MANNING, AARON RODGERS, TOM BRADY, MATT SCHAUB, PHILIP RIVERS, BEN ROETHLISBERGER, DONOVAN MC NABB – with a passer rating of at least 95.0, the most through the first 10 weeks of a season since 1970. 

******************************************************************************************************************************************

RICKY WILLIAMS (558 yards, 6 TDs).  The Panthers and Dolphins are the only teams in the NFL to each feature two running backs with at least 450 yards and five rushing touchdowns. 

 

Both teams were division winners last year and are looking to get back to the postseason after slow starts.  The Dolphins and Panthers have each won four of their past six games after 0-3 starts. 

 

"We were 1-3 in the first quarter and 2-2 in the second," says Carolina head coach JOHN FOX.  "The upside of that is there is room for improvement.  There is no question to get better we’ve got to take a one game at a time approach.  We’ve got a lot of season left.  We’ll define where the body of work is after 16 games."

 

SAN DIEGO CHARGERS (6-3) at DENVER BRONCOS (6-3) (Sunday, CBS, 4:15 PM ET)     

 

First place in the AFC West is on the line when these two division rivals meet on Sunday. 

 

The streaking Chargers, who will play the 1,000th game in franchise history (including preseason and postseason), have won four in a row, including last week’s 31-23 win over Philadelphia. 

 

"We didn’t know it would happen like this or this fast," says San Diego quarterback PHILIP RIVERS, "but we believed we could get ourselves back into the division race.  There is a lot of football left and there is no telling where things can go, but it’s nice to put together a string of wins and play better football.  Denver will be a tough test and we’ll put together a great week at practice and look forward to it."

 

Denver has stumbled after a 6-0 start, but head coach JOSH MC DANIELS knows his team is still in good position at 6-3 and tied for first place. 

 

"We’re 6-3 and playing San Diego, who is also 6-3," says McDaniels, whose club defeated the Chargers 34-23 in Week 6.  "It’s a huge division game at home.  I don’t know why we wouldn’t like to be in this situation.  We need to fix the problems and play good football from here on out, starting this week against a great team coming from San Diego in our division."

 

TENNESSEE TITANS (3-6) at HOUSTON TEXANS (5-4) (Monday, ESPN, 8:30 PM ET)     

 

"Monday Night Football is very big," says Houston wide receiver ANDRE JOHNSON, who ranks third in the NFL with 800 receiving yards.  "Everybody is watching.  This is a real big game and it will be a test for us."

 

The Texans, coming off a Week 10 bye, will look to slow down the red-hot Titans, who have won three in a row and have averaged 35.0 points per game in their three victories, all started by quarterback VINCE YOUNG.  Running back CHRIS JOHNSON, who became the second player in team history with 100 yards receiving and 100 yards rushing in a game last week, leads the NFL with 1,091 yards.  He is the third player in NFL history (Pro Football Hall of Famer JIM BROWN and ADRIAN PETERSON) to rush for at least 1,000 yards and average 6.4 yards per carry in his team’s first nine games. 

 

"My confidence level is high right now," says Johnson.  "We’ve won three in a row, and like I said earlier, our goal has been to try and go 10-0 in these last games (after the team’s 0-6 start)."

 

"It’s all about the next game," says Titans head coach JEFF FISHER about the team’s winning streak.  "We just have to keep it going."

 

2009 NFL STANDINGS

 

American Football Conference

East Division
Team	W	L	T	Pct	PF	PA	Home	Away	Conf	Div	Streak
New England Patriots	6	3	0	.667	259	150	5-0-0	1-3-0	4-3-0	2-1-0	Lost 1
Miami Dolphins	4	5	0	.444	218	227	3-2-0	1-3-0	3-3-0	3-1-0	Won 1
New York Jets	4	5	0	.444	199	158	2-3-0	2-2-0	4-4-0	1-3-0	Lost 2
Buffalo Bills	3	6	0	.333	140	210	1-3-0	2-3-0	1-5-0	1-2-0	Lost 2
West Division
Team	W	L	T	Pct	PF	PA	Home	Away	Conf	Div	Streak
Denver Broncos	6	3	0	.667	167	151	3-1-0	3-2-0	5-2-0	2-0-0	Lost 3
San Diego Chargers	6	3	0	.667	237	202	3-2-0	3-1-0	4-3-0	3-1-0	Won 4
Kansas City Chiefs	2	7	0	.222	142	215	0-4-0	2-3-0	1-4-0	1-2-0	Won 1
Oakland Raiders	2	7	0	.222	88	217	1-4-0	1-3-0	1-6-0	1-4-0	Lost 3
North Division
Team	W	L	T	Pct	PF	PA	Home	Away	Conf	Div	Streak
Cincinnati Bengals	7	2	0	.778	198	147	3-2-0	4-0-0	5-2-0	5-0-0	Won 3
Pittsburgh Steelers	6	3	0	.667	207	157	4-1-0	2-2-0	4-2-0	1-2-0	Lost 1
Baltimore Ravens	5	4	0	.556	222	154	3-1-0	2-3-0	5-3-0	2-2-0	Won 1
Cleveland Browns	1	8	0	.111	78	225	0-4-0	1-4-0	1-5-0	0-4-0	Lost 4
South Division
Team	W	L	T	Pct	PF	PA	Home	Away	Conf	Div	Streak
Indianapolis Colts	9	0	0	1.000	252	142	5-0-0	4-0-0	5-0-0	3-0-0	Won 9
Jacksonville Jaguars	5	4	0	.556	181	220	3-1-0	2-3-0	4-2-0	2-2-0	Won 2
Houston Texans	5	4	0	.556	215	188	2-2-0	3-2-0	4-3-0	1-2-0	Lost 1
Tennessee Titans	3	6	0	.333	189	255	2-2-0	1-4-0	2-6-0	1-3-0	Won 3

 

National Football Conference

East Division
Team	W	L	T	Pct	PF	PA	Home	Away	Conf	Div	Streak
Dallas Cowboys	6	3	0	.667	224	169	3-1-0	3-2-0	5-2-0	1-1-0	Lost 1
Philadelphia Eagles	5	4	0	.556	242	184	3-2-0	2-2-0	4-2-0	2-1-0	Lost 2
New York Giants	5	4	0	.556	232	204	2-2-0	3-2-0	3-3-0	2-1-0	Lost 4
Washington Redskins	3	6	0	.333	140	171	3-2-0	0-4-0	2-5-0	0-2-0	Won 1
West Division
Team	W	L	T	Pct	PF	PA	Home	Away	Conf	Div	Streak
Arizona Cardinals	6	3	0	.667	229	184	2-3-0	4-0-0	4-2-0	2-1-0	Won 2
San Francisco 49ers	4	5	0	.444	184	180	3-2-0	1-3-0	4-2-0	3-0-0	Won 1
Seattle Seahawks	3	6	0	.333	187	198	3-2-0	0-4-0	2-5-0	1-3-0	Lost 1
St. Louis Rams	1	8	0	.111	100	249	0-4-0	1-4-0	1-6-0	0-2-0	Lost 1
North Division
Team	W	L	T	Pct	PF	PA	Home	Away	Conf	Div	Streak
Minnesota Vikings	8	1	0	.889	271	184	4-0-0	4-1-0	6-0-0	4-0-0	Won 2
Green Bay Packers	5	4	0	.556	232	179	3-2-0	2-2-0	4-3-0	2-2-0	Won 1
Chicago Bears	4	5	0	.444	186	201	3-1-0	1-4-0	2-4-0	1-1-0	Lost 2
Detroit Lions	1	8	0	.111	143	264	1-3-0	0-5-0	1-7-0	0-4-0	Lost 6
South Division
Team	W	L	T	Pct	PF	PA	Home	Away	Conf	Div	Streak
New Orleans Saints	9	0	0	1.000	331	197	5-0-0	4-0-0	6-0-0	2-0-0	Won 9
Atlanta Falcons	5	4	0	.556	221	194	4-0-0	1-4-0	4-3-0	1-2-0	Lost 1
Carolina Panthers	4	5	0	.444	176	215	2-2-0	2-3-0	4-4-0	2-2-0	Won 1
Tampa Bay Buccaneers	1	8	0	.111	157	256	1-4-0	0-4-0	1-5-0	0-1-0	Lost 1

  

LAST WEEK’S RESULTS (NOVEMBER 12, 15-16)

Byes: Houston, NY Giants

 

Thursday, November 12	Sunday, November 15, cont’d
SAN FRANCISCO 10, Chicago 6	WASHINGTON 27, Denver 17
	Kansas City 16, OAKLAND 10
Sunday, November 15	ARIZONA 31, Seattle 20
CAROLINA 28, Atlanta 19	GREEN BAY 17, Dallas 7
MIAMI 25, Tampa Bay 23	SAN DIEGO 31, Philadelphia 23
MINNESOTA 27, Detroit 10	INDIANAPOLIS 35, New England 34
Jacksonville 24, N.Y. JETS 22
Cincinnati 18, PITTSBURGH 12	Monday, November 16
New Orleans 28, ST. LOUIS 23	Baltimore 16, CLEVELAND 0
TENNESSEE 41, Buffalo 17

 

2009 WEEK 11 SCHEDULE (NOVEMBER 19, 22-23)

(All times local)

 

Thursday, November 19	Sunday, November 22, cont’d
Miami at Carolina, 8:20 PM (NFLN)	Atlanta at N.Y. Giants, 1:00 PM
	New Orleans at Tampa Bay, 1:00 PM
Sunday, November 22	Arizona at St. Louis, 3:05 PM
Indianapolis at Baltimore, 1:00 PM	San Diego at Denver, 2:15 PM
Washington at Dallas, 12:00 PM	N.Y. Jets at New England, 4:15 PM
Cleveland at Detroit, 1:00 PM	Cincinnati at Oakland, 1:15
San Francisco at Green Bay, 12:00 PM	Philadelphia at Chicago, 7:20 PM (NBC)
Buffalo at Jacksonville, 1:00 PM
Pittsburgh at Kansas City, 12:00 PM	Monday, November 23
Seattle at Minnesota,12:00 PM	Tennessee at Houston, 7:30 PM (ESPN)