http://www.sportsnipe.com NFL news headlines from all sources http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/949882/video-nfl-week-9-preview.html The Bengals shut out Derrick Mason last time. The Ravens have to alter that, Mason says on the Week 9 preview with Erik Kramer. NFL News From Everywhere http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/949881/7-points-dont-pin-slump-on-giants-defense.html The defense is feeling the heat, but turnovers have been the real culprit for the slumping Giants recently, Ed Thompson says. NFL News From Everywhere http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/949880/schein-picks-week-9.html The bandwagons for the Cowboys and Eagles are filling up fast. But Adam Schein can only join one with his Week 9 picks. NFL News From Everywhere http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/949877/fox-nfl-pregame-show-to-be-aired-from-afghanistan.html The Fox NFL pregame show will be broadcast from a military installation in Afghanistan on Sunday. NFL News From Everywhere http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/949874/lovie-was-very-candid-regarding-benson.html When Bengals coach Marvin Lewis inquired about Cedric Benson, it doesn't sound like Lovie Smith gave the RB a ringing endorsement. NFL News From Everywhere http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/949548/brady-dismisses-cries-preferential-treatment.html Posted by ESPN.com's Tim Graham Boston Globe reporter Albert Breer caught up with Tom Brady on Friday, and the New England Patriots quarterback scoffed at the notion he gets special treatment from officials.  Brady  Porter Miami Dolphins outside linebacker Joey Porter alleged Thursday that Brady gets courtesy calls because he's such a big star and suffered a season-ending knee injury last year. "No, I don't think so," Brady told Breer. "You may get more calls [for roughing the passer this year than in the past]. I don't know. I don't think I've ever influenced a call. I think the ref calls what he sees. I don't think I've ever influenced a call. "The refs we have are very good. If they make a call on that, great. If they don't, that's fine." This year, the NFL is enforcing what has come to be known as the Brady Rule, which prevents defenders for lunging helmet- or shoulder-first at a quarterback's legs. In a six-point victory over the Baltimore Ravens in Week 4, linebackers Ray Lewis and Terrell Suggs wailed about one call in particular. Brady gestured theatrically that he had been hit in the knee right before referee Ron Winter threw the flag on Suggs. Instead of third-and-10, the Patriots had a first down on what turned out to be a touchdown drive. "I don't think about [the rules] very often," Brady said. "We're standing back there, trying to make the plays. You can't think about it. And we're not the only ones. Rules are in place that protect the quarterback, protect the kicker, protect defenseless receivers, defensive linemen on cut blocks. I just don't see it as a quarterback issue. We're just the ones holding the ball, so it's pretty visible when it happens. "We're all kind of in the same boat there, especially if you run outside the pocket. They find ways to protect receivers, and they should. You can't just go and knock the crap out of the kicker. We all play by the rules. If you’re flagged, you deal with it, and find a way to not let it happen again." NFL News From Everywhere http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/949547/nyt-week-9-nfl-matchups.html This week's Tanier-penned New York Times NFL preview reveals the true and all-powerful nature of the 1972 Dolphins, wonders how much a Philly fan can hate, and speculates on which Cardinals team will show up this week. NFL News From Everywhere http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/949343/onceover-week-9.html by Knox BardeenFiled under: NFL PredictionsWith attention spans dwindling, we forgo full game-by-game previews to give you the essentials you need to know about every contest this glorious NFL weekend. We call it The Once-Over. The Early Games Green Bay (4-3) at Tampa Bay (0-7): After being handed an emotional loss last week by Brett Favre and the Minnesota Vikings, the Packers could sure use a break on their schedule. They've already enjoyed their bye week, but a game against Tampa Bay is almost as good. Aaron Rodgers should have plenty of time to throw the ball as only two teams have fewer sacks than the Buccaneers.Josh Freeman, Tampa's quarterback of the future, has finally had his number called and is now the starting quarterback for the Buccaneers. Green Bay is ranked 7th in passing yards allowed, so Freeman might find his first game as a starter an unpleasant experience. Pick: Green Bay The Once-Over: Week 9 originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Sat, 07 Nov 2009 10:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments NFL News From Everywhere http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/949066/yankees-done-pressures-really-on-giants-now.html by Dan GrazianoFiled under: Giants, NFL Quarterbacks, NFL AnalysisIt's not that the Giants' three-game losing streak has gone unnoticed. It's just that, with all the excitement over everything the Yankees have been up to, New York sports fans have had other things on their minds. Yes, they're aware, vaguely, that the Giants' defense hasn't been able to stop the Saints, Cardinals or Eagles the past three weeks. And they have seen a headline or two about Eli Manning suddenly looking much more mortal than his contract and his championship pedigree say he should. But the panic meter hasn't moved too much over all of this, because New York is still one of the few American towns in which football can take a backseat to baseball. And for the past few weeks, for very good reason, New York has been a baseball town.That all changes this weekend. The San Diego Chargers hit town -- another dynamic offense surely licking its chops over a take its turn at the Giants' battered ego and secondary. If the Giants lose again, they're looking at a 5-4 record heading into their bye week, which would mean two solid weeks of tabloid and talk show debate on the issue of "What's Wrong With the Giants?"With Yankees Done, Pressure's Really on the Giants Now originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Sat, 07 Nov 2009 09:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments NFL News From Everywhere http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/948262/what-happened-to-power-divisions.html To find the most competitive climate in the NFL, look to the North, not East. NFL News From Everywhere http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/948261/eagles-cowboys-playing-for-first-in-nfc-east.html They have played each other with both a Super Bowl and a playoff spot at stake. There was the "Bounty Bowl,” Emmitt Smith getting stuffed, Eagles fans cheering for a motionless Michael Irvin, and Terrell Owens stoking controversy for each side. Dallas and Philadelphia have lined up against each other 99 times in games that have forged one of the most heated rivalries in the NFL. Somehow it seems fitting the 100th meeting would have something significant on the line. NFL News From Everywhere http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/948260/pft-snyder-asks-haynesworth-how-we-win.html PFT: Redskins defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth says owner Daniel Snyder desperately wants to win and talks to him frequently about it. NFL News From Everywhere http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/947149/what-has-edge-left-behind.html A lot of questions came through the Season Pass Chat today about Justin Forsett. Of course, this was prompted by the team?s release of Edgerrin James earlier this week. Blind logic would suggest that Forsett will assume the No. 2 role behind Julius Jones and immediately have fantasy value. I?m not so sure. Some facts on Forsett, a seventh-round pick out of Cal in 2008: * He is 5-foot-8 and 194 pounds. Also known as half the size of Brandon Jacobs. * As a rookie, he was waived and signed to practice squads throughout the season. That?s never a good sign. * The Seahawks didn?t trust Forsett to be their No. 2 back earlier in the season, signing two washed up backs in T.J. Duckett and Edge. The point is, I?m not sure the Seahawks see Forsett as more than a strict third-down back. He can clearly excel in that role, will get a few more touches going forward and have some deeeeep PPR value, but look for Louis Rankin to fill Edgerrin?s old role. Yes, we?re talking about that big 5-7 carry per game role. Rankin is a nice fit for the zone blocking scheme of the Seahawks and he may have more of a chance to eventually have fantasy value down the line. Of course, with the Seahawks? offensive line playing the way it is, none of their backs have much of a chance. Regardless, we?ll get a good look on Sunday as the hapless Lions are in town, meaning plenty of opportunities for the Seahawks to run the ball. NFL News From Everywhere http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/947090/anthony-gonzalez-sigh.html I use the word "sigh” way too much. And I don't mean I exhale loudly a lot. I enjoy using the actual word, sigh, to express my emotions often. For example: My car broke down on the Walt Whitman Bridge and I had to have a cop literally bumper car me across it. Sigh. ... I have to go to my girlfriend's friend's wedding in New York during an NFL weekend. Sigh. ... I had Lou Williams on my fantasy hoops bench and started Brandon Jennings tonight. Sigh. Friday's news about Anthony Gonzalez caused an extra loud sigh to come out of my mouth. I used a fifth-round pick on him in a couple leagues and have been stashing him despite some shallow rosters. I saw some late-season and fantasy playoff value in him. Forget that. Gonzalez had a setback in practice recently, had a scope on his knee and has probably won't be back to his normal self by year's end, according to beat writer Phillip B. Wilson. Sigh. Gonzalez was not a bad fifth-round pick. It just didn't work out. And that's the definition of sigh. Just an unfortunate turn of events that are really out of our control. Austin Collie has 24 catches and four touchdowns in his last four games and is a solid PPR option down the stretch. NFL News From Everywhere http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/947089/breakdown-all-starts-end.html This week's Gameday animation in the Washington Post details how the Falcons use Tony Gonzalez on inside routes to create favorable matchups for their deep and outside targets. read more NFL News From Everywhere http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/947088/tom-brady-ive-never-influenced-call.html by Chris BurkeFiled under: Dolphins, PatriotsCoincidence or not, after Tom Brady missed almost all of the 2008 season after a low hit tore the Patriots star's left MCL and ACL, the NFL's Competition Committee made clear that it would enforce more strictly a rule preventing defenders from tackling quarterbacks at or below the knee. It was affectionately dubbed "The Brady Rule" by folks outside the league office. And the Patriots have benefitted from the increased focus on QB protection, with their opponents picking up five roughing the passer penalties in seven games. One, in particular, raised some eyebrows -- in New England's Week 4 win over Baltimore, Ravens linebacker Terrell Suggs gently brushed Brady's knee, and Brady gestured back at referee Ron Winter, and a flag came flying. Winter might have thrown the flag regardless of Brady's reaction -- it is in the rule book, after all, though the rule states that forcible contact must me made -- but, nonetheless, the anti-Brady folk out there used it as evidence that Brady gets whatever he wants from officials.Tom Brady: I've Never 'Influenced a Call' originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Fri, 06 Nov 2009 23:20:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments NFL News From Everywhere http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/947087/pft-nfl-wanted-chiefs-to-fine-lj-only-10k-for-slur.html NFL News From Everywhere http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/946510/seahawks-wr-houshmandzadeh-shocked-at-comments-about-wanting-ball-more.html ESPN reports about T.J. Houshmandzadeh being shocked about the reaction from his recent comments about not getting the ball enough in Seattle: Outspoken wide receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh is “shocked” with the fuss being made in his first Seahawks season over his angry gestures and comments about not getting the ball enough. Last weekend in Dallas, he angrily gestured toward Matt Hasselbeck to throw the ball with more loft immediately after he tried to zing a ball to the tightly guarded receiver near the Cowboys’ goal line in the first quarter. “Man, I’ve been doing that my whole career. “Guys from Cincinnati texted me and told me they were surprised it took me until Game 7 to do it,” Houshmandzadeh said of his stomping and griping. “Whether I was right or wrong — which, you know, [I was] probably wrong — it was just the competitor in me. I didn’t mean no harm by it. I was just upset by the course of the game, which I would hope everybody is. People express themselves differently, obviously, but it never got this much attention before. I’m shocked,” he said. NFL News From Everywhere http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/946509/week-9-preview-detroit-at-seattle.html There are only a few things that could make the Seattle Seahawks happy right now. 1.) Fast forwarding till April for the NFL Draft. 2.) Waking up and finding out that their 2-5 season that's been filled with injuries has just been a bad dream. 3.) A matchup against the St. Louis Rams, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers or the Detroit Lions. Thankfully, the Seahawks get one of those scenarios to play out this weekend when they play host against the hapless 1-6 Detroit Lions. The Lions are coming off an embarrassing 17-10 loss at home against the St. Louis Rams. In that game, the Lions' offensive line was penalized 40 yards for three holding penalties and two false start infractions. Without superstar Calvin Johnson, the team's wide receivers failed to record a catch until the fourth quarter when Bryant Johnson hauled in the team's only two receptions from the wide receiver position. Defensively, Detroit failed to bring down St. Louis quarterback Marc Bulger for a sack. This is surprising because Bulger's offensive line had allowed the veteran quarterback to get sacked 16 times through the team's seven games leading up to the road contest in Detroit. What's worse than the lack of sacks in the game for the Lions is that missed tackles allowed Rams running back Steven Jackson to run wild throughout the entire game, especially during the fourth quarter when Jackson broke loose for ground gains of 10, 11, 17 and 25 yards. If you just look at those things, you can't help but think that this weekend's matchup against the Lions spells a blowout win for Seattle. This year, the Lions rank 27TH in the league in passing yards allowed per game with 251.9. In total, the Lions have given up 18 scoring strikes through the air compared to intercepting just five passes. In two career games against the Lions, Seattle quarterback Matt Hasselbeck completed 46 of 58 passing attempts for 417 yards and one touchdown through the air. No interceptions. Plus, 30 yards on 15 carries. On the other side of the ball, David Hawthorne should be primed to have a big game. He has held his own so far in replacement of injured middle linebacker Lofa Tatupu. Tatupu's out for the year with a torn pectoral muscle. In Week Eight at Dallas, Hawthorne recorded Seattle's only two sacks and defensive forced fumble against the Cowboys. Look for Hawthorne's productivity to continue this week, as the Lions' quarterbacks have been sacked 24 times this season. Seattle will get out to an early lead Sunday at Qwest Field and won't look back due in large part to Calvin Johnson most liking missing his third game in a row for the Lions with a knee injury. Seattle 28, Detroit 3. NFL News From Everywhere http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/946508/packers-look-to-get-more-playing-time-first-round-pick-bj-raji.html The Packers have been waiting all season for their top pick, B.J. Raji, to live up to his first round status. While their other first round pick, Clay Matthews Jr., has been excellent, Raji has battled injury and the rustiness resulting from his hold out. He missed the first two games of the year due to that ankle injury and has seen only limited playing time since. However, he may finally get his chance to show his improvement this week. Ryan Pickett, Johnny Jolly, and Cullen Jenkins will remain the defensive line starters, but as the season progresses, look for the Packers to use a deeper rotation to keep those guys fresh. Raji will play a larger role. After looking slow and weak in his first two games, big B.J. had a great game against Cleveland, registering two solo tackles and a great push against the Browns' line. Then he looked solid against the Vikings despite a fine worthy facemask penaly. Raji discussed his improvement this week, "Yeah, and now I'm really starting to understand the defense. I've been more spectating and watching and learning than playing. So now, I'm getting my chance, and hopefully, I take advantage of it.” He also thinks that he has most of his power back. Let's hope that this $18 million man will prove that he was worth the holdout as he gets more significant playing time. NFL News From Everywhere http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/946507/broncos-ink-former-pats-cb-ty-law.html Defensive back Ty Law has agreed to terms on a deal with the Broncos. Kevin Poston, Law's agent, confirmed the news Friday in an e-mail to The Associated Press. The agreement came after Denver's media availability and a Broncos spokesman said the team had no comment. Law is expected to sign the deal Saturday, pending the passing of his physical. He may even make it out to practice as the Broncos (6-1) prepare to host the Pittsburgh Steelers on Monday night. The 35-year-old Law, a five-time Pro Bowl selection, will fit right in with veterans Champ Bailey, Andre' Goodman, Brian Dawkins and Renaldo Hill, all in their 30s. Law becomes the latest former New England player to reunite with Broncos coach Josh McDaniels, who spent his previous eight seasons as an assistant with the Patriots. A first-round pick by New England in 1995, Law helped the Patriots to three Super Bowl titles. He played for the New York Jets last season. The Broncos have been relatively quiet on the free-agent front so far during the season, making just their second move. Last week, Denver signed 16-year veteran punter Mitch Berger in place of Brett Kern. Berger got off to a rusty start, averaging 38.4 yards on eight punts in a loss to the Baltimore Ravens last weekend. NFL News From Everywhere http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/946246/ross-tucker-week-9-viewers-guide-mail.html Houston-Indianapolis could be the biggest game in the Texans' franchise history, writes Ross Tucker. Plus, more Sunday storylines. NFL News From Everywhere http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/945783/packers-rodgers-driver-probable-for-bucs-game.html Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers and receiver Donald Driver practiced Friday and are probable for Sunday's game at Tampa Bay. Rodgers suffered a sprained toe in last Sunday's 38-26 loss to the Minnesota Vikings and has been coping with a sprain in his other foot the past few weeks. Coach Mike McCarthy said Rodgers was able to do everything in practice Friday and didn't have limited mobility. The coach said Driver had a good practice after treatment for a neck injury. NFL News From Everywhere http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/945721/steelersbroncos-ready-for-huge-afc-showdown.html Big match-up this week for the Steelers against the AFC West leading Denver Broncos. This game has always been interesting, let’s look at the history of this game in the last 15 years: 1997: (Home) W 35-24 1997: (Home) L 21-24 (AFC Championship) 2003: (Away) L 14-17 2005: (Away) W 34-17 (AFC Championship) 2006: (Home) L 20-31 2007: (Away) L 28-31 So it’s safe to say that in recent memory, Pittsburgh has had problems with this team, for a variety of reasons that go across both the Cowher and Tomlin eras and involve quarterbacks named Tomczak, Maddox, Stewart, Roethlisberger, Elway, Plummer, and Cutler, and two meetings in the AFC Championship game, with each team ruining the dreams of the other on their home field. But the days of Jake the Snake and Elway are over, hello Kyle Orton. And the only figure that was there the whole time (Mike Shanahan) has been let go in favor of a new regime under Josh McDaniels. So far this year, the Broncos defense has really shown up as dominant, and they are currently 2nd overall in points allowed, 1st overall in yards allowed (8th against the pass, 3rd against the run). This is Pittsburgh Steeler Territory for defense. What Denver has managed to do, with a new system, is hold teams and pass the ball. Their one loss, last week against Balitmore (this is yet another week in which Pittsburgh gets a team coming off a match-up against the Ravens) had the Ravens swarming, stopping Denver on all but 3 third downs, playing well against the pass, holding Orton with no TDs. The Steelers two weeks ago against Brett “He’s Just Having Fun Out There!!!” Favre didn’t necessarily stop the passing attack (Favre had 300+ yards and hit 10 different targets) but they kept him from scoring and obviously the interception and fumble returns were the difference in the game. The Steelers were okay against the run, but not by any means stingy as one would want (Peterson had a decent game, but he was more effective as a check-down, ask Willie Gay). The Broncos were not able to run effectively against Baltimore, who in turn were able to run more effectively than most teams, getting 84 yards on 23 carries, against Denver. Hey that’s nearly 4 yards per carry. Rashard Mendenhall has established himself at this point as the man, and so it will become very important to set up the Steelers passing attack with him having an effective game. C’mon, O-Line. Two weeks ago, Minnesota sacked Big Ben 4 times. The passing game in the second half was mostly stifled–Minnesota had the ball for most of the game. If the Steelers O has troubles, is it possible to lean on the defense for another game? Sure. It worked last year all the time. But that’s a heart attack waiting to happen. The Steelers have not been as good as usual against the pass. This has a lot to do with the pass rush on the quarterback. Ryan Clark is wounded. Aaron Smith is out. Orton has a good line, fast athletic receivers, but he’s not Fran Tarkenton. I put my importance on this game on the Steelers pass rush. Somehow I think James Harrison is gonna get held a lot. The Denver Defense is at the top of the league in sacks (so is Pittsburgh). Every point will be important. I see this game tight until the 4th quarter. NFL News From Everywhere http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/945720/week-9-preview-baltimore-at-cincinnati.html In the backroom of a shady saloon just on the edge of town, the Ravens await. They sit there hunkered over a card-table with a half-bottle of cheap rum and an old, shaggy dog named Cleveland, curled up and sleeping at their feet. They’ve been there since daybreak and they say they ain’t leavin’ til the Bengals give ‘em another chance. On Sunday they’ll get their wish, but once again, might live to regret it. Baltimore is still bitter about what happened last time. Cincinnati caught them by surprise and it took a month for the Ravens to recover. They rediscovered their hot hand last week on the way to pounding Denver 30-9, and now they’re ready for revenge. Cincinnati is ready too. After completing their best win in years, the Bengals enjoyed a relaxing few days away from football and recuperated their damaged bodies. Now they ride back into town, healthier and more prepared than they’ve been all season, eager to keep the Ravens in their place: behind them in the standings. The game plan is becoming redundant against these kinds of teams; spread out the wide-receivers, exploit the middle of the field against zone coverages, run hand-offs outside of the tackles to Cedric Benson, throw early to set up the run late. All of these efforts are designed to soften the hard edges of the Ravens defensive front seven. They’re still a tough team to run on (fourth in the league), but the Bengals smashed them to bits with the run in their first meeting. If Cincinnati can protect Carson Palmer and the passing-game gets moving early on, Benson and the offensive line will find life easier in the second half and wind down the clock while sustaining long drives. Let’s face it; after last week, the Bengals offense appears that it cannot be defended in any one particular way. Palmer is back to playing at an elite level, Benson has demonstrated a blend of speed and power that now has him ranked among the league’s best runners, and the team is suddenly faced with a glut of quality offensive linemen; opponents can’t repel firepower of that magnitude! The Ravens freaked out Bronco quarterback, Kyle Orton, early in the game last week by sending heavy pressure on blitzes which caused the scruffy signal-caller to scramble around and lose his composure. Still fueled by their hostility toward Palmer and the Bengals, I would expect Baltimore to cut loose and come after our golden boy with hatchets and spears all day on blitz-packages. The theory makes sense; Palmer will eat any defense alive if he’s allowed time in the pocket to hang back and find open guys, and after their recent success with the blitz, there’s no reason to think Ray Lewis and his band of lunatics won’t go nuts at the mere sight of No. 9. He’s a marked man pursued by nasty renegades, bent on finishing the job and escaping with a win. Therefore, something as basic as the screen-pass could lead the Ravens right into Cincinnati’s trap. Like an experienced matador, Palmer could invite the all-out blitz, wait for its raging eyes to come into sight, and at the last second side-step the violent encounter and dump off the screen to Benson with both an open field and a wall of blockers to work with. Voila! If the Ravens pick up on the screen, yet continue to send additional blitzers, quick-outs to the Bengal receivers would force Baltimore’s corners to make open-field tackles—something they’ve struggled doing throughout the season. Once Palmer and the Bengals find success in the short-passing game in the face of the blitz, the Ravens will be forced to back off from sending all that pressure, and Cedric Benson will have room to operate on the ground. At this point in time, it’s up to the Bengals to stop themselves on offense because opposing defenses aren’t rising to the challenge. If they can come close to matching the success they had against the Bears, the Ravens will have little chance of slowing Cincinnati down and winning the game. On defense, nothing has changed since the last meeting between these two; stop Ray Rice first and Todd Heap second. Leave their receivers alone in one-on-one coverage, our corners can handle it. Keep the defensive line stretched out and contain Rice between the hash-marks. Play a shallow zone to keep Heap from finding space alone in the flats, and when the Bengals do blitz, send linebackers and safeties up the middle to flush Joe Flacco out of the pocket and make plays with his legs. Cincinnati did a decent job containing Rice on the ground in Week 5, but missed a tackle to allow the big play on a screen pass; that can’t happen again this week. The newest version of the NFL running back—squat and meaty, compact and hard to tackle—has plagued the Bengals defense more than the league’s traditional backs. Two smallish, quicker runners, Rice and Houston’s Steve Slaton, have had the biggest impact in games against Cincinnati so far. That’s why stopping Rice, and not worrying about Willis McGahee or the trio of mediocre receivers, remains the defense’s top priority. There is little reason to worry about the Bengals this week. Sure the Ravens are always a formidable group of roughnecks that seem consistently hellbent on pulverizing anything in sight. Sure they take pleasure in making Sundays a brutal affair where only the gruffest survive and often times bully their way into wins and playoffs. Sure they’re dressed like a bruise, but the team they so eagerly await at that rickety card table in the dingy hole-in-the-wall on the outskirts of town will not be out-muscled. They won’t be intimidated or shaken from their game-plan. They will take their seat opposite from these goons, stare them in the eye, and beat them for their pile once again. Bengals 17, Ravens 0 NFL News From Everywhere http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/945719/check-out-new-80steescom-nfl-gear.html Christmas is closing in faster than you think, and now at 80sTees.com, they have great new NFL Gear for your favorite NFL fan for this holiday season! At 80sTees.com, you can get great vintage NFL Gear – like T-shirts, and now they even have sweaters for those cold November and December games as well! Today here on NFLGridironGab.com, we’re going to be giving away three of 80sTees.com vintage NFL t-shirts! We have XL’s of the Packers, Chargers, and Vikings! All you have to do is email the following trivia answer to matt@NFLGridironGab.com. Here is our question: How many receivers caught at least 100 passes in the 1995 NFL Season? Good luck, and again, check out all the great NFL Gear 80sTees.com! NFL News From Everywhere http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/945718/colts-place-both-cb-jackson-safety-bob-sanders-on-ir.html The Colts are still rolling along at 7-0, but let’s just say that going undefeated for much longer is going to be a lot tougher as some big name players were put on the shelf Friday. The team today placed CB Marlin Jackson and strong safety Bob Sanders on injured reserve, ending each of their seasons. Jackson, who missed the second half of the 2008 season after injuring his right knee during practice, suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury to his left knee during a non-contact drill Wednesday. He had been rehabbing the knee after he was hurt against Seattle on October 4th. Sanders, a two-time Pro Bowler, tore his left bicep against the 49ers last weekend and will need surgery. The shame of it is he had just gotten back in the lineup two weeks ago. He had missed all of training camp and the first five games of the year after undergoing offseason knee surgery. He has missed 40 of 87 games during his injury-plagued, six-year NFL career. Indianapolis' other veteran cornerback, Kelvin Hayden, is also expected to be sidelined for the next three to four weeks after he suffered a sprained knee during the 18-14 win over San Francisco. Hayden is not expected to undergo surgery. "Not real sure (how long Hayden will be out),” coach Jim Caldwell said. "We're kind of looking at probably a three to four week window.” NFL News From Everywhere http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/945717/basics-vikings-simply-need-to-tackle-better.html If only running backs not named Adrian Peterson stood perfectly still and acted like a tackling dummy.  Then life would be easier on Vikings linebacker Chad Greenway who supposedly leads the league in missed tackles. The stat is not officially kept, but I've heard that STATS, inc has him as the leader in missed tackles from multiple outlets.  He is, however, sixth in the league in solo tackles made which is a big accomplishment. I noticed that Troy Aikman made numerous references to Greenway playing Pro Bowl quality football this year, and this struck me as slightly off because I had noticed his tendency to whiff on the ball carrier. Missed tackles are a big problem for the Vikings this year, and many big plays could've been less damaging if they did a better job of wrapping up.  The Vikings can take comfort in knowing that they are not alone in this respect, and that NFL tackling is at an all time low according to many league sources. For an explanation, check out this article which outlines why the quality of tackling has declined so greatly in the NFL.  I found it to be an interesting read, and it also made me feel somewhat better that the Vikings are not alone in this struggle. That being said, I really hope they get their act together in the second half and start bashing some skulls and playing some hard hitting defense. NFL News From Everywhere http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/945716/tj-houshmandzadeh-shocked-by-seattle-seahawks-reactions-to-antics.html T.J. Houshmandzadeh says he's "shocked" with the fuss Seattle's making over him. NFL News From Everywhere http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/945715/pro-bowl-defensive-back-law-broncos-agree-to-terms.html Defensive back Ty Law has agreed to terms on a deal with the Denver Broncos. NFL News From Everywhere http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/945714/broncos-reach-deal-5time-pro-bowl-cb-law.html Defensive back Ty Law has agreed to terms on a deal with the Denver Broncos. Carl Poston, one of Law's agents, confirmed the news Friday to The Associated Press. The agreement came after Denver's media availability and a Broncos spokesman said the team had no comment. The 35-year-old Law, a perennial Pro Bowl selection, will fit right in with veterans Champ Bailey, Andre' Goodman, Brian Dawkins and Renaldo Hill, all in their 30s. NFL News From Everywhere http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/945713/video-marvez-on-elirivers-showdown.html Eli Manning and Philip Rivers swapped teams on draft day in 2004. Now, Alex Marvez wonders which will go down as the better QB. NFL News From Everywhere http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/945712/expro-bowler-law-agrees-to-deal-broncos.html ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) -- Defensive back Ty Law has agreed to terms on a deal with the Denver Broncos. NFL News From Everywhere http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/945711/trouble-in-indy-jackson-sanders-out-for-season.html INDIANAPOLIS (AP) -- The Indianapolis Colts suddenly have some serious holes in the secondary: Cornerback Marlin Jackson and strong safety Bob Sanders are both gone for the season. NFL News From Everywhere http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/945710/colts-injuries-mount-as-jackson-sanders-land-on-ir.html The Indianapolis Colts suddenly have some serious injury issues in the defensive secondary. NFL News From Everywhere http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/945501/john-harbaugh-cowboys-are-everything-thats-wrong-nfl.html by Josh AlperFiled under: Cowboys, Eagles, NFC EastOn the eve of a Sunday night NFC East showdown in Philadelphia, the Cowboys have gotten some bulletin board material via a comparison of their franchise and the Eagles. Strangely enough, the inflammatory statements weren't made by anyone with current ties to the Eagles, but by Ravens head coach John Harbaugh. Harbaugh, a former Eagles assistant, was asked for a new book what made the Eagles more successful than the Cowboys over the last 10 years. Matt Mosley of ESPN.com shares the answer.John Harbaugh: Cowboys Are Everything That's Wrong With the NFL originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Fri, 06 Nov 2009 17:15:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments NFL News From Everywhere http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/945500/green-bay-packers-johnny-jolly-al-harris-bj-raji-fined-5000-each.html Packers Johnny Jolly, Al Harris and rookie B.J. Raji have been fined $5,000 each by the NFL for actions in last Sunday's loss to the Vikings. NFL News From Everywhere http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/945499/miami-dolphins-joey-porter-on-new-england-patriots-tom-brady-he-got-his-own-rules.html Joey Porter, never shy with an opinion, thinks that Tom Brady has an extra advantage every week: his own special set of rules. NFL News From Everywhere http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/945498/houshmandzadeh-shocked-by-fuss-from-seattle.html RENTON, Wash. (AP) -- T.J. Houshmandzadeh says he's "shocked" with the fuss Seattle's making over him. NFL News From Everywhere http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/945270/jaguars-again-nfls-lone-blackout.html by Chris BurkeFiled under: NFL Media WatchDespite a still-struggling economy and a league that's unusually top-heavy this season, the NFL continues to -- somehow, some way -- sellout the majority of its games. With the news Friday afternoon that Cincinnati had sold enough tickets its matchup with Baltimore to air on local TV, that left the floundering Jaguars as the only team blacked out for Week 9. It's the fourth time in four home games that Jacksonville has failed (by a large margin) to reach a sellout, and the third week this season that every home team but the Jaguars has avoided a local TV blackout. Rather remarkably, only three teams thus far -- Jacksonville, Detroit and Oakland -- have been blacked out.Jaguars Again NFL's Lone Blackout originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Fri, 06 Nov 2009 16:52:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments NFL News From Everywhere http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/945269/detroit-lions-coach-jim-schwartz-hopes-receiver-calvin-johnson-rnuning-back-kevin-smith-will-play.html Lions coach Jim Schwartz says he's optimistic that wide receiver Calvin Johnson and running back Kevin Smith will play Sunday at Seattle. NFL News From Everywhere http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/945268/new-york-giants-safety-aaron-rouse-to-replace-struggling-cc-brown.html Riding a three-game losing streak, the New York Giants decided Friday to insert Aaron Rouse into the starting lineup at safety for Sunday's game against the San Diego Chargers. NFL News From Everywhere http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/945267/miami-dolphins-linebacker-channing-crowder-nose-tackle-jason-ferguson-doubtful.html Dolphins linebacker Channing Crowder and nose tackle Jason Ferguson are listed as doubtful for Sunday's game against the Patriots. NFL News From Everywhere http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/945266/green-bay-packers-quarterback-aaron-rodgers-receiver-donald-driver-probable.html Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers and receiver Donald Driver practiced Friday and are probably for Sunday's game at Tampa Bay. NFL News From Everywhere http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/945265/lions-skill-stars-johnson-smith-may-be-back-sunday.html Detroit Lions coach Jim Schwartz said Friday he's optimistic that wide receiver Calvin Johnson and running back Kevin Smith will play Sunday at Seattle. NFL News From Everywhere http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/945264/defenders-fined-5k.html Green Bay Packers Johnny Jolly, Al Harris and rookie B.J. Raji have been fined $5,000 each by the NFL for actions in last Sunday's loss to Minnesota. NFL News From Everywhere http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/945263/packs-rodgers-driver-probable.html Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers and receiver Donald Driver practiced Friday and are probable for Sunday's game at Tampa Bay. NFL News From Everywhere http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/945262/pats-cut-simmons.html The New England Patriots released veteran guard Kendall Simmons on Fridayy. NFL News From Everywhere http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/945261/fins-crowder-ferguson-doubtful.html Miami Dolphins linebacker Channing Crowder and nose tackle Jason Ferguson are listed as doubtful for Sunday's game against the New England Patriots. NFL News From Everywhere http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/945260/dolphins-likely-without-starting-lb-nt-vs-patriots.html Miami Dolphins linebacker Channing Crowder and nose tackle Jason Ferguson are listed as doubtful for Sunday's game against the New England Patriots. Both have been limited in practice this week, including Friday. Crowder missed last week's win against the New York Jets with a left shoulder injury, and Ferguson has an elbow injury. Reggie Torbor would again replace Crowder in the lineup. Torbor tied for the team high with seven tackles against the Jets. NFL News From Everywhere