NFL News: Pro Sports Daily

Dolphins' Ronnie Brown to have surgery Friday

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November 20

Miami Herald

"Dolphins running back Ronnie Brown has decided to undergo surgery to repair a Lisfranc fracture in his right foot, two sources told The Miami Herald. The surgery will be performed Friday. Brown traveled with the team to Charlotte as a way to get a final medical opinion from Dr. Bob Anderson, a renowned foot expert who is based in the city. The appointment Thursday went as good as it could, according to a source. Brown will remain in Charlotte, and Anderson will perform the procedure. Although Anderson provided enough information to cause Brown to choose surgery over electing to let the injury heal naturally, that does not mean it was considered bad news. Brown had already been leaning ..."

Zorn says Portis 'very doubtful' to play

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November 20

Washington Post

"Coach Jim Zorn stopped short of ruling Clinton Portis out for Sunday's game at Dallas, but he said the Redskins' star running back is "very doubtful" to play. "But I don't want to count him out," Zorn said Wednesday after practice. Portis wasn't present at practice and is at risk of missing his second game since suffering a concussion - the second of his career -- on Nov. 8 in Atlanta. Zorn said Portis worked out early Wednesday morning -- to get "a little sweat going," Zorn said -- and Portis experienced some blurriness. Portis attended the weekly team meeting but left Redskins Park to visit a Washington doctor and missed the running backs' position meeting. Zorn laid out a timeline that ..."

Bengals running back Benson unlikely to play against Raiders

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November 20

Cincinnati Enquirer

"Running back Cedric Benson did not practice for a second straight day and is unlikely to play Sunday at Oakland. That means Larry Johnson's timetable to be somewhat comfortable with the playbook is accelerated. "It's a new offense and they have to get comfortable with trusting me to step in there," said Johnson, who celebrated his 30th birthday Thursday. "The plays are the same handing off and right now the exchange has been pretty good between Carson (Palmer) and myself.""

Ochocinco is in JaMarcus Russell's corner

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November 20

Contra Costa Times

"Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Chad Ochocinco has a well-earned reputation for speaking his mind. He said Thursday that benched Raiders quarterback JaMarcus Russell is a victim of his supporting cast. "Man, JaMarcus is extremely good," Ochocinco said in a conference call with Bay Area media. "You have to remember, a quarterback can only be as good as his supporting cast. Case closed. Always. It will always be that way. Always." Ochocinco said New England's Tom Brady or Indianapolis' Peyton Manning would be struggling just as much as Russell in Oakland's offense, which is ranked 31st in terms of yards and points per game. It doesn't help Russell that he is playing for his second head ..."

Vikings reward Childress with two-year contract extension

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November 20

St. Paul Pioneer Press

"Vikings coach Brad Childress is finally enjoying the fruits of his labor. "The plum job," as he referred to the Vikings' vacancy in January 2006, is ripe. At least for him. Childress on Thursday night signed a contract extension with the Vikings. Terms of the deal were not announced, but ESPN reported he was signed through the 2013 season and would make between $4 million and $5 million annually. Mike Holmgren was believed to be the league's highest-paid head coach, making $8 million a year before leaving the Seattle Seahawks after the 2008 season. "My family and I are very fortunate to be a part of the Minnesota Vikings organization," Childress said in a statement. "I value the ..."

Orton misses second straight practice

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November 20

Colorado Springs Gazette

"Denver Broncos quarterback Kyle Orton was a no-show at practice for the second straight day. Orton was not present for the portion of practice that is open to the media. Orton has a sprained left ankle, and has one more chance to practice this week. The Broncos have a practice on Friday, which is their final practice before Sunday's game. Usually Friday's practice is the lightest of the week. Most players don't play if they haven't practiced during the week, but McDaniels said he has no set rule on whether someone can play after not practicing. The Broncos are not giving up hope that Orton can play Sunday. The winner of the Broncos-Chargers game will be in sole possession of first place in ..."

Kreutz back practicing; streak safe

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November 20

Chicago Sun-Times

"Veteran center Olin Kreutz returned to practice Thursday and participated fully after missing two days, making it likely he will run his streak of consecutive games started to 112 on Sunday night against the Philadelphia Eagles. Kreutz has missed one game since the start of the 2001 season, after an appendectomy in 2002. With the Bears' line still trying to come together, it's important to have him in place against a defense such as the Eagles', which blitzes from so many angles. The starter since 1999, Kreutz has seen his share of struggles, and no center in the NFL has worked with as many quarterbacks in that span. But Kreutz isn't one to cast blame elsewhere. ''We have to perform ..."

Familiar Gonzalez report: He's still 'close' to returning

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November 20

Indianapolis Star

"As Anthony Gonzalez has discovered, being "close" to returning from a knee injury isn't close enough. The Indianapolis Colts receiver insisted Thursday afternoon that he's on track and close to rejoining the offense after undergoing arthroscopic surgery on his right knee earlier this month. The procedure was deemed necessary after Gonzalez aggravated an injury to the same knee during the rehabilitation process. He first injured the knee in the season opener. "I felt like I was close the last time," Gonzalez said. "So in that sense, it's a little hard to say. I do feel the 'scope I had helped a lot. Now it's just a matter of getting a little flexibility back and all my strength back. "But I ..."

Source: Childress, Vikings agree

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November 19

ESPN.com

"The Minnesota Vikings reached a contract extension with Brad Childress that will keep the coach with the team through the 2013 season, a source told ESPN.com Thursday. Financial terms weren't immediately available but it is believed to be between $4 million and $5 million a year, the source said. In 2006, Childress signed a five-year, $10 million contract, which was scheduled to expire after the 2010 season."

Another season ends abruptly for Miami Dolphins' Ronnie Brown

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November 19

Miami Herald

"Dolphins running back Ronnie Brown limped his way onto a jet bound for Charlotte, N.C., with the rest of his teammates Wednesday afternoon -- but this trip had nothing to do with any last-minute hope he might play Thursday night against the Carolina Panthers. Far from it. Instead, it's much worse: Brown is done for the season. The team made the crushing but unavoidable decision Wednesday to place its best player on injured reserve, a move resulting from the belief that Brown sustained a Lisfranc fracture in the midsection of his right foot, two sources told The Miami Herald. Brown, who was having the best season of his career, was injured during the third quarter of Sunday's 25-23 victory ..."

Big names are in play for Bills' coaching search

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November 19

Buffalo News

"The Buffalo Bills intend to do a comprehensive search for a new head coach and will consider all options — even mega-coaches such as Mike Shanahan and Bill Cowher — according to team and league sources. They also already have told interim head coach Perry Fewell that the remainder of the season amounts to a seven-week interview for him, and he will be assured of getting a formal interview with the Bills after the season ends. It's expected any other assistant coach on the current staff who wants an interview will get one, as well. Speculation season on the future leadership of the Bills began in earnest Wednesday, a day after the team fired Dick Jauron after 3½ seasons as coach. The Bills ..."

Polamalu told to keep quiet about injury

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November 19

Pittsburgh Tribune Review

"Safety Troy Polamalu, who did not practice Wednesday, was not permitted to speak to the media about his injured left knee. Spokesman Dave Lockett informed the media that questions about Polamalu's injury would not be answered by Polamalu, who attended practice wearing a cumbersome brace on his leg that stretched from his shin to the middle of his calf. • Put Ryan Clark down as one player who wouldn't have been very happy if his coach went for it on a fourth-and-2 in their own territory late in the game, like New England's Bill Belichick did Sunday against the Colts. "Our guys would've been extremely (mad)," Clark said. "We all have a little bit of an ego defensively. But when said he guys ..."

Doctors say Westbrook is doing better

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November 19

Philadelphia Inquirer

"Doctors examining Eagles running back Brian Westbrook said yesterday that Westbrook's concussion symptoms had improved significantly over the last three days, according to a statement issued by the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. "We are very encouraged by Brian's progress, we believe that he has an excellent prognosis, and we expect a full recovery," read a statement attributed to Drs. Joseph Maroon and Michael Collins. "We developed a comprehensive physical rehab plan for Brian, and we will repeat the detailed testing in the next two to three weeks." A UPMC spokesperson could not be reached for comment last night, so it was unclear how the doctors define "full recovery." In ..."

Panthers' Stewart, Williams questionable for Thursday

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November 19

Charlotte Observer

"Carolina Panthers running backs Jonathan Stewart and DeAngelo Williams are both listed as questionable for Thursday's matchup against the Miami Dolphins. Stewart (achilles) missed practice on Monday and Tuesday before practicing in full on Wednesday. Williams (knee) showed up on the injury report Wednesday as a non-participant in practice. Williams has rushed for 860 yards and seven TDs on 168 carries in nine games this year for the 4-5 Panthers. Stewart has carried the ball 98 times for 466 yards and six touchdowns this season."

Brady Quinn still struggling to move on; QB is fined for hit, apologizes yet again

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November 19

Cleveland Plain Dealer

"Brady Quinn reported to work Wednesday with the image of his illegal hit on Baltimore linebacker Terrell Suggs still in his mind and a letter from the NFL reminding him of it. The league fined Quinn for the hit on Suggs, which came after he threw an interception to cornerback Chris Carr in the 16-0 loss to Baltimore on Monday night. Suggs may miss several games with an injury to his right knee. ESPN.com reported the fine was $10,000. The hit and injury to Suggs was the lowest point of what may have been the worst game of Quinn's playing career at any level. In the five NFL games Quinn has started and finished, Monday night's produced lows in completions (13), passing yards (99) and passer ..."

Browns would welcome LeBron

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November 19

Akron Beacon Journal

"Last season, Cavaliers star LeBron James played out his football fantasies in an insurance commercial that had him clad in a No. 23 Browns jersey. Members of the struggling Browns are now willing to make that a reality. ''I think he should come on down,'' Browns coach Eric Mangini said Wednesday. ''I know he's pretty busy right now, but if he wants to give it a shot . . . the guy's gifted, gifted athletically, he's competitive, he's tough. I'm sure whatever he applied himself to, he'd probably be good in baseball, or soccer or or swimming. The guy's a freak athletically.'' After watching the Browns fall 16-0 to the Baltimore Ravens on Monday Night Football, James suggested he could help ..."

Antoine Winfield '85 percent' sure he'll return to Vikings' secondary on Sunday

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November 19

St. Paul Pioneer Press

"Vikings Pro Bowl cornerback Antoine Winfield bounced off the practice field Wednesday, upbeat after his best workout in a month. Winfield didn't know what to think after what he believed to be an ankle injury suffered Oct. 18 against the Baltimore Ravens turned out to be more serious. He and the team have declined to address the specifics — a fractured right foot — but Winfield said Wednesday that the timing of the "freak injury" wasn't so bad, after all. "It's the perfect timing," said Winfield, who estimates there's an 85 percent chance he will play Sunday against the Seattle Seahawks. "I'm glad it happened now instead of Week 14 and miss the playoff run." More important, the Vikings are ..."

Raiders bench ineffective JaMarcus Russell

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November 19

Oakland Tribune

"The JaMarcus Russell era officially is on hold. Coach Tom Cable said Wednesday that Bruce Gradkowski has replaced Russell as the Raiders' full-time starting quarterback. Russell now is the No. 2, ahead of Charlie Frye. "It was an easy decision, because I feel the responsibility for this football team to give them the best chance to succeed," Cable said. Russell was unavailable for comment before and after practice. He said Sunday that he supports Cable whether or not he is the starter. Cable said he has been patient with Russell, cognizant that the Raiders start two rookie wide receivers and were without running back Darren McFadden and left guard Robert Gallery for a large chunk of the ..."

Minnesota Vikings coach Brad Childress close to contract extension, reports say

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November 19

St. Paul Pioneer Press

"Vikings coach Brad Childress is close to being rewarded with a contract extension, according to reports. CBSSports.com, ESPN.com and NFL.com reported Wednesday the extension would be done soon but weren't specific. NFL.com reported the multiyear extension likely would be announced before the playoffs. The CBSSports.com report was written by Clark Judge, who reported essentially the same thing Oct. 20. He reported Nov. 10 that the talks had slowed; apparently they've heated up again. CBSSports.com reported that Childress is paid $2 million annually, making him the lowest-paid coach in the NFC North Division, but his salary could be doubled with the new deal."

Ravens Linebacker Suggs Out, Replaced By Rookie Kruger

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November 19

New York Times

"Baltimore Ravens linebacker Terrell Suggs, one of the NFL's best pass rushers, has been ruled out of Sunday's game against the Indianapolis Colts because of a knee injury, the team said on Wednesday. The three-times Pro Bowler suffered the injury when Cleveland Browns quarterback Brady Quinn struck him with an illegal low block during Baltimore's 16-0 win on Monday."

Buffalo signs Brohm

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November 19

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

"Quarterback Brian Brohm is no longer a member of the Green Bay Packers' organization. And this time that was his choice. On the practice squad since being cut by the Packers at the final roster trim before the regular season, Brohm was signed Wednesday night by the Buffalo Bills to their active roster, a source said. The Packers had an open roster spot after waiving wide receiver Jake Allen and attempted to retain Brohm by offering the same two-year deal as the Bills did. But in the end, the Packers' second-round pick in 2008 thought it best to go to a team searching for a quarterback, not stay on one that has its long-term answer at the position in Aaron Rodgers. Brohm also gets a chance ..."

Browns wrongly received a fourth timeout prior to Josh Cribbs' injury

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November 19

Cleveland Plain Dealer

"The injury to Josh Cribbs on the last play of the Browns' game against Baltimore would never have happened if not for a screwup by the game officials. The Browns called four timeouts in the second half and were awarded all four. Mike Pereira, head of NFL officials, admitted the blunder in his weekly appearance on NFL Network. The Browns called timeouts with 3:24 left in the third quarter, 3:35 left in the fourth quarter and then with 3:29 left. At that point, the Cleveland Browns Stadium scoreboard erroneously showed they had one timeout left."

Favre clarifies 'best team' remark

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November 19

Minneapolis Star Tribune

"Brett Favre ruffled some feathers east of the Twin Cities earlier this season when he called the Vikings the "best team I've ever been on." That comment, not surprisingly, didn't sit well with Packers fans and members of the 1996 Super Bowl-winning team. Favre heard the criticism, but he said he doesn't feel any vindication now that the Vikings are 8-1 and considered a legitimate Super Bowl contender. Favre said it's no different from when he predicted big things for the Packers in 2007 after the team went 8-8 the previous season. "Everybody thought I was crazy, and then we went 13-3 [in 2007]," Favre said Wednesday. "I believed it. I believe that about this team. Is it the '96 team? No. ..."

Shaun Rogers won't confirm or deny interest in Lions

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November 19

Detroit Free Press

"Shaun Rogers returns to Detroit on Sunday with the Browns. But does the Pro Bowl defensive tackle wish he could play for the Lions again -- not against them -- even though he wanted out two years ago? That was the word in August. After former Browns defensive tackle Shaun Smith signed with the Lions, he said Rogers had spoken highly of the guys in the locker room and the staff at team headquarters in Allen Park. "He wishes he could come back here now," said Smith, who was cut Sept. 5. "He misses it. Come on. You've been here your whole career, and you see the talent they're bringing in." So is it true? Rogers rarely spoke to Detroit reporters as a Lion, at least toward the end of his ..."

New York Jets rookie QB Mark Sanchez explains his Sunday script

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November 19

New York Daily News

"Mark Sanchez wryly smiled and paused as he looked out at the crowd of reporters. "Do you guys want to start or do you want me to start?" Sanchez asked Wednesday as reporters laughed. The rookie quarterback started his weekly Wednesday press conference with a jab at himself and his Sunday postgame press conference in which he opened by rattling off thoughts on the game while reading hand-written notes. Sanchez explained in more detail why he started his postgame session in unorthodox fashion and admitted that it backfired even though his intentions were good. "I answer the questions and you guys ask the questions," Sanchez said. "That's the rule. I'm not here to do your job, just like ..."

Ryan Fitzpatrick is the new starting QB for the Bills

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November 19

Buffalo News

"Ryan Fitzpatrick is excited about getting another shot to start at quarterback for the Buffalo Bills. His receivers seem genuinely excited about him taking over again. And Trent Edwards' chances to ever become "The Man" in Buffalo appear all but over. Interim head coach Perry Fewell on Wednesday announced his decision to start Fitzpatrick when the Bills face the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday. "I'm certainly just looking forward to Jacksonville right now, but this is my opportunity to step in and try to get the team some wins," Fitzpatrick said. "If you look, we've struggled on offense all year long, but the situation isn't one where we don't have the talent, because we do." Edwards gives ..."

Redskins' Rogers expected to start vs. Cowboys

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November 19

Washington Times

"Washington Redskins cornerback Carlos Rogers practiced with the first-team defense Wednesday and is expected to start Sunday, a week after he was benched in a win over the Denver Broncos. "To me, if you're any type of fighter, you're going to respond and fight, and I think that's what he's going to do," secondary coach Jerry Gray said. "The guy has too much talent and too much athletic ability and too much fight not to be on the football field." Rogers' day against Denver ended after he was beaten for a 40-yard touchdown reception by Brandon Marshall, who used a double move similar to one used by Philadelphia's DeSean Jackson in Week 7. Rogers sat out the final 54 snaps. Before practice at ..."

Former Jaguars player Jimmy Smith sentenced to 18 months probation

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November 19

Jacksonville Times-Union

"Relieved his legal ordeal is all but behind him, former Jaguar Jimmy Smith looked forward Wednesday to what he calls his new career: helping kids avoid the drug dependency that snared him. "That's my job for the rest of my life," Smith told the Times-Union after pleading guilty to felony crack cocaine possession and three misdemeanors. "If I can help one kid from going down the path that I did, it will all be worth it." Pursuant to a plea agreement with the State Attorney's Office, Smith, 40, was sentenced to 18 months' probation, including six months' house arrest. He must submit to random drug testing, meet weekly with a drug counselor, perform 100 hours of community service and not ..."