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| The Chiefs want to see more of Tyler Thigpen before making a long-term decision on the second-year player as the team’s backup quarterback, according to the Kansas City Star. Thigpen played the entire second half Saturday, completing 16 of 27 passes with a touchdown. He also threw an interception, which was thrown high and tipped by receiver Bobby Sippio, but then returned for a touchdown. Thigpen also overthrew a handful of passes to open receivers before he found Sergiori Joachim in the end zone with 15 seconds to play. |
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| Eli Manning, QB, New York Giants | Sunday 8/17, 11:26 PM CT |
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| New York Giants quaterback Eli Manning will probably play into the second quarter when the New York Giants face the Cleveland Browns in their second preseason game Monday night, according to ESPN. |
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| Hines Ward, WR, Pittsburgh Steelers | Sunday 8/17, 11:23 PM CT |
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| Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Hines Ward did not practice on Saturday after suffering a twisted ankle during the team's preseason game against the Buffalo Bills on Thursday, according to ESPN. |
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| St. Louis offensive guard Brandon Gorin will be placed on injured reserve with a shoulder injury sustained in the preseason opener at Tennessee, according to the Associated Press. |
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| As the intrigue surrounding the practices for the San Francisco 49ers intensifies and more questions focus on the indecision at the quarterback position, coach Mike Nolan has begun feeling the pressure, though he has yet to indicate which player he would prefer to have behind center on Week 1, according to Pro Football Talk. “[T]here’s been no decision,” Nolan said Sunday during a media conference call. “ As soon as we do, I’ll offer it, but right now we don’t. As soon as we watch the film, grade it, and our guys are getting more involved in Chicago and we’ll go from there. No decisions. Nothing to announce.” |
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| As we announced earlier, Detroit rookie Kevin Smith got the start at tailback for the Lions in preseason actin against Cincinnati this evening, but that did not translate into much work. Smith ended with just four carries for 19 yards, 16 of which came on one run. |
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| The smooth travels for Aaron Rodgers came to an end on Saturday night, completing nine of 16 passes for 58 yards and sacked four times by San Francisco in a devastating 34-6 loss, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. San Francisco’s complex defense, which regularly shifts from a 3-4 front to a 4-3 front in an attempt to create indecision in blocking assignments, got the upper hand on Rodgers. According to offensive coordinator Joe Philbin, Rodgers audibled out of a number of running plays. Often he found nothing downfield. His hesitation made him look like a backup quarterback who hadn’t played in a long time and often he read the pass rush incorrectly, thinking he had time to pump and reload when he didn’t. |
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| Buffalo Bills tight end Derek Schouman missed practice Sunday and is out indefinitely with a strained left knee, all but ending his chance to win the starting job out of training camp, according to SLAM Sports. |
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| While the Cardinals progress through the preseason standing by Matt Leinart as their likely starting quarterback, the competition of last year is starting to come to fruition once again as veteran Kurt Warner is starting to garner support from members of the team as the man who should be starting behind center, according to AZCentral.com. |
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| Kyle Orton, QB, Chicago Bears | Sunday 8/17, 9:23 PM CT |
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| After starting Kyle Orton against the Chiefs and Rex Grossman versus the Seahawks, Bears coach Lovie Smith has yet to announce which quarterback will open Thursday night's preseason game against the San Francisco 49ers at Soldier Field, according to the team's official website. “We’ll evaluate all of that,” Smith said following Saturday night’s 29-26 overtime loss in Seattle. “We had made a decision how we were going to start the first two games and that’s about as far as we’ve gone. We’ll let you know on everything else.” |
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| The Bills report rookie wideout James Hardy continues to battle discomfort in his hamstring, according to the team's official website. He was excused from practice today as a result and will be monitored moving forward. |
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| With Ahman Green out for another two weeks with a groin injury, the Texans have signed veteran running back Marcel Shipp to add more experience and depth to the backfield, according to the Houston Chronicle. |
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| Patriots second-year defensive back Brandon Meriweather went down with an apparent leg injury with 6:55 remaining in the first quarter of tonight's preseason matchup with Tampa Bay, according to the Providence Journal. |
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| Texans head coach Gary Kubiak spoke to the media on Sunday with Houston’s 31-27 win over the New Orleans Saints in the books and the team preparing to face the Dallas Cowboys on Friday at Texas Stadium, and one of the high points of the conversation came when the discussion turned to rookie rusher Steve Slaton , according to the team's official website. |
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| Orpheus Roye, DE, Pittsburgh Steelers | Sunday 8/17, 7:41 PM CT |
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| The Steelers have signed one of their former defensive ends, free agent Orpheus Roye, and he joined the squad for their final practice at Saint Vincent College today, according to the Pittsburgh Post Gazette. |
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| Rookie tailback Kevin Smith was announced as the starting tailback for Sunday night's exhibition game against the Cincinnati Bengals, according to the Detroit News. |
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| Tailback Rudi Johnson, expected to play tonight against the Lions in the second preseason game, was a late scratch for the Bengals, according to Cincinnati.com. Chris Perry will start in his place. |
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| St. Louis Rams guard Mark Setterstrom injured his left knee in a preseason game against the San Diego Chargers on Saturday and could miss the rest of the season, according to the Kansas City Star. Setterstrom, a seventh-round pick of the Rams in 2006, was carted off the field in the second half, and though the timetable of his return is not known, head coach Scott Linehan believed he could have fractured his patella, which would keep the 24-year-old out the remainder of the year. |
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| Ocho Cinco took a fall today as the Bengals progress through the preseason. Cincinnati receiver Chad Johnson landed awkwardly while trying to make a catch in the first quarter against Detroit on Sunday night, then left the game to have his left shoulder treated, according to the Associated Press. |
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| Brett Favre feels like he belongs with the Jets, according to the AP. The ex-Packer said, "It’s like starting all over again. I had some feelings that I haven’t felt in 17 years. Ten days ago, I was doing yard work. I felt like I’m a Jet, I do. Believe me, I feel very comfortable here. The guys have been great. They’ve welcomed me. I feel like I’m here for a reason. As I’ve told the guys, ‘I’m here for one reason, to help you win.’ I’ll do whatever that takes and I hope it works out."
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| Miles Austin has sustained a sprained MCL in his knee, according to DallasCowboys.com. |
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| Kevin Huntley has been released by the Steelers, according to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Huntley was claimed off waivers last Tuesday, but he failed his physical.
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| Jon Dekker, TE, Pittsburgh Steelers | Sunday 8/17, 2:30 PM CT |
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| Jon Dekker will miss the entire 2008 season due to a torn ACL in his right knee, according to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Dekker has been placed on the waived/injured list and the Steelers signed tight end Lee Vickers.
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| Larry Foote, LB, Pittsburgh Steelers | Sunday 8/17, 2:26 PM CT |
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| Larry Foote is being pushed by Lawrence Timmons at right inside linebacker, but the Pittsburgh Tribune Review believes Foote remains the favorite for the job. |
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| Shawn Andrews commented on his depression and described himself as being "lost" and "alone," according to the Philadelphia Inquirer. Andrews said, "My mentor, who I have known for nine years and never opened up to, he basically came to my house. I was in my room talking to people and thinking. They were very concerned. I was on the edge. Things weren't going well. I felt I must open up before it's too late." He never admitted to considering suicide but added, "I won't say that I contemplated suicide, but I had some very, in my mind, unrealistic thoughts about a lot of things. I was really lost and just really felt there was no outlet."
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| The Mercury News states that J.T. O'Sullivan will be the 49ers' starting quarterback for Week 1. He did not perform great against the Packers but was good enough. Coach Mike Nolan said, "It reinforces what I thought about him, and that's real key." Alex Smith did not do much with his 12 passing attempts, and Shaun Hill was limited to five passes. Nolan is officially yet to choose his opening day starter. |
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| Steve Smith, WR, New York Giants | Sunday 8/17, 1:58 PM CT |
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| Steve Smith is not expected to play Monday against the Browns due to a hamstring ailment, according to Giants.com. |
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| Reggie Brown, WR, Philadelphia Eagles | Sunday 8/17, 1:50 PM CT |
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| The Eagles' team website indicates that Reggie Brown could miss a few days of action due to his strained hamstring. |
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| Second-round rookie Quentin Groves started in place of the injured Reggie Hayward (sore hamstring) against the Dolphins, but failed to make an impact, according to the Florida Times-Union. He didn't register any tackles and was unable to pressure quarterback Chad Pennington. Groves was consistently blocked by five-year veteran Vernon Casey. |
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| ProFootballTall.com states that Tarvaris Jackson sustained a sprained MCL during battle with the Ravens. |
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| Ernie Sims, LB, Detroit Lions | Sunday 8/17, 1:18 PM CT |
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| Ernie Sims is ready to take the next step for the Lions' defense, according to MLive.com. Sims said, "There's always more to learn (in the Tampa-2 defense). I'm better, but not all the way. I'm always learning every day. New things are always going to come up. It's one thing to know the defense, but offenses change, too, different schemes happen." He was overlooked for the Pro Bowl last season with 134 tackles (97 solo) and three forced fumbles), but said, "I'll take it as it goes. I'm not going to complain about it, I'm going to go out there and do my job and hope somebody will recognize it."
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| Leroy Hill, LB, Seattle Seahawks | Sunday 8/17, 1:11 PM CT |
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| LeRoy Hill led the defense in Saturday's 29-26 preseason win over the Bears, according to the News Tribune. He racked up four solo tackles, with a sack and an interception. Hill said, "We consider ourselves a play-making defense. Obviously that’s what John Marshall, (defensive coordinator) wants us to do. And it shows we’re in the right position to make plays. It’s a preseason game and everything, but it shows where we are at." |
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| John Carlson had a tough outing against the Bears Saturday, as he was flagged for three penalties (two false starts and a holding call), according to the News Tribune. The rookie tight end said, "False starts are always a lack of concentration. I don’t have any excuse for it. It’s my fault. It’s something that I need to improve upon and make sure it doesn’t happen again." He had one catch for eight yards.
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| Sean Locklear has sprained his left knee during preseason battle against Chicago, and will miss the remainder of the preseason, according to the News Tribune. |
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| Selvin Young was effective in Saturday's preseason win over Dallas as he rushed for 36 yards on nine carries, according to the Denver Post. He also caught one pass, but for a three-yard loss. |
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| Jonathan Vilma, who is recovering from knee surgery, played the entire first half Saturday against the Texans, according to the Biloxi Sun Herald. Vilma took all the snaps at middle linebacker with the first-team defense and tallied two total tackles. He said there were no issues regarding his knee, and added, "It felt good being out there. It was good to get out there and play with my teammates. That was very exciting. I guess I just have to go from here."
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| Antonio Gates, who is recovering from a surgically repaired toe, ran about 20 routes before the Chargers preseason game against the Rams and is feeling closer to normal again, according to the San Diego Union-Tribune. quarterback Philip Rivers said, "He looked really good. That's encouraging for us." |
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| Derek Anderson had a strong training camp as the Browns' starting quarterback, according to the Akron Beacon-Journal. Anderson displayed great chemistry with Braylon Edwards before the receiver cut his foot a week ago. Anderson also relied on tight end Winslow and seems to be developing good rhythm with Donte' Stallworth. Anderson's mechanics looked improved, with his biggest weakness his lack of touch on swing passes to the running backs. Coach Romeo Crennel said, "He's more comfortable with the system, with the players who surround him; that allows him to be better. He knows he's the guy in charge and he knows the system. He's been improving ever since camp started."
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| Matt Forte, RB, Chicago Bears | Sunday 8/17, 10:55 AM CT |
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| Matt Forte struggled behind a poor offensive line as he only mustered 17 rushing yards on seven carries against Seattle Saturday, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. He only ran 25 yards on seven times in his previous outing against the Chiefs as well. |
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| Brian Brohm, QB, Green Bay Packers | Sunday 8/17, 10:44 AM CT |
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| Brian Brohm failed to impress in Saturday's preseason game against the 49ers, as he only completed 4-of-9 passes for 33 yards. Fellow rookie Matt Flynn had better accuracy as he completed 5-of-6 passes for 33 yards. |
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| Brodie Croyle was unimpressive in Saturday's exhibition game against the Cardinals, according to the KC Star. He only completed 7-of-13 passes for 38 yards, with no touchdowns or interceptions. |
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| Glenn Dorsey, DT, Kansas City Chiefs | Sunday 8/17, 10:06 AM CT |
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| Glenn Dorsey was a game-time decision for Saturday's game against the Cardinals due to his ailing knee, but he ultimately got the green light and worked a handful of snaps, according to the KC Star. He made his preseason debut as a starting defensive tackle and said, "I’m making good progress. It’s feeling good. It was good to finally get out there in that environment. It took a couple of plays to get warmed up. You’ve got to see the type of guy you’re playing against. I think I made some progress, though. It’s not even sore. I look forward to getting more playing time next week."
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| Jerod Mayo, LB, New England Patriots | Sunday 8/17, 9:51 AM CT |
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| Jerod Mayo has passed Victor Hobson on the Patriots' depth chart at the starting weakside spot at inside linebacker, according to the Boston Herald. |
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| Ray Rice, RB, Baltimore Ravens | Sunday 8/17, 9:04 AM CT |
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| Ray Rice broke loose for 77 rushing yards and a score on eight carries against Minnesota Saturday, but coach John Harbaugh made it clear that there is no running back controversy, according to the Carroll County Times. Harbaugh said, "When Willis is healthy and ready to go, he’s our starter, but both those guys will play."
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| Joe Flacco, QB, Baltimore Ravens | Sunday 8/17, 8:58 AM CT |
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| Joe Flacco did not fare well in his preseason debut but has climbed back into the competition for the starting spot at quarterback with a solid performance against Minnesota Saturday, according to the Carroll County Times. Flacco led the team with 74 passing yards, while completing 10-of-15 attempts. Kyle Boller completed 8-of-12 passes for only 40 yards, and Troy Smith went 3-for-5 with 25 yards and an interception. |
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| Chris Houston has missed the Falcons' first two preseason contests due to a dislocated left shoulder, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. |
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| DeDe Dorsey, RB, Cincinnati Bengals | Sunday 8/17, 8:36 AM CT |
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| DeDe Dorsey has been dealing with a hamstring ailment, but is expected to play Sunday against Detroit, according to the Cincinnati Enquirer. |
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| Keith Rivers led the Bengals with seven tackles in his preseason debut against Green Bay, but promises to be sharper in Sunday's game against Detroit, according to the Cincinnati Enquirer. He was unaware he led the team in tackles and said, "I didn't feel like I was as sharp as I should have been. I should do better. I don't like to get yelled at. I try to do my job the best I can."
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| Deshea Townsend retains his starting spot at cornerback, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. He has held off Bryant McFadden, who will serve in the No. 3 role. |
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| Chris Brown saw his first action of the preseason but struggled against the Saints, as he only mustered 18 yards on nine carries, according to the Houston Chronicle. His longest carry was only five yards. |
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| Antonio Pittman had a strong outing against the Chargers, as he rushed nine times for 67 yards, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. He had runs of 14,15, and 18 yards, all on one drive. He also caught one pass for six yards. |
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| Josh Morgan, WR, San Francisco 49ers | Sunday 8/17, 7:42 AM CT |
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| Josh Morgan led the 49ers' receiving corps with five grabs for 114 yards and a score in Saturday's 34-6 win over the Packers. His touchdown covered 59-yards, and was delivered by J.T. O'Sullivan. |
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| Javon Walker is considered to be the No. 1 receiver for the Raiders, but coach Lane Kiffin commented that he needs to start earning his title, according to the SF Chronicle. Walker was given a six-year deal worth $55 million and Kiffin did not feel he played up to the contract on Friday against Tennessee. Walker did not register a catch, and dropped a pass he should have hauled in. Kiffin said, "There's a couple of balls there that we would have liked him to come up with. That's discouraging because he was paid an awful lot of money, paid like one of the top five receivers in the NFL. We need him to make those plays."
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| Jared Allen, DE, Minnesota Vikings | Sunday 8/17, 7:03 AM CT |
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| Jared Allen registered two sacks in Saturday's preseason game against the Ravens, according to the Star Tribune. He almost notched a third sack, but Tarvaris Jackson got out of Allen's grasp and ran for 18 yards. |
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| Bernard Berrian sat out Saturday's preseason game due to a toe injury, according to the Star Tribune. |
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