Wednesday morning one-liners

Posted by Michael David Smith on October 31, 2012, 8:42 AM EDT

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Former Lions and Bills LB Chris Spielman will be profiled on NFL Network’s A Football Life tonight.

The Dolphins are getting big performances from their defensive tackles.

Patriots QB Tom Brady says his offensive line did “a phenomenal job” protecting him against the Rams.

Although he’s primarily a defensive coach, Rex Ryan may ultimately be judged on how he handles the quarterback situation.

The Ravens can’t afford a letdown this week against the Browns.

Cincinnati LB Vincent Rey says the Bengals were the only team interested in himafter he went undrafted following a college career at Duke.

Browns RB Trent Richardson is currently on pace for a 940-yard rookie season.

The Steelers don’t know if they’ll have S Ryan Clark or LB LaMarr Woodley on Sunday against the Giants.

The Texans have a clear path to home-field advantage in the AFC playoffs.

For the Colts’ offense, protecting QB Andrew Luck from Dolphins DE Cameron Wake will be a top priority on Sunday.

Jaguars coach Mike Mularkey says he’s not thinking about trades and didn’t even know the trade deadline had been moved from Tuesday to Thursday until reporters told him.

Titans MLB Colin McCarthy is still not back at full speed from a Week One high ankle sprain.

Says Broncos WR Brandon Stokley of QB Peyton Manning, “Almost every time he plays, he does something you’ll remember. I’ve been saying all along he looks the same to me, and I don’t think there’s any doubt what he brings.”

Chiefs QB Matt Cassel says of playing Thursday night in San Diego, “We’re familiar with San Diego, and they’re familiar with us. It will be a great atmosphere, it will be a nationally televised game at night, and everyone is excited in this locker room.”

Chargers WR Eddie Royal is hoping to get a bigger role on special teams.

Raiders QB Terrelle Pryor is volunteering his time working with students at a local middle school.

The Cowboys could try to add depth at inside linebacker or receiver before the trade deadline.

The Giants need more of a pass rush from DEs Justin Tuck and Osi Umenyiora.

The Eagles’ average starting field position has been the 24.9-yard line, ranking them 31st in the league.

The Redskins will wear throwback uniforms this Sunday. (And they won’t be anywhere near as ugly as the throwbacks the Redskins saw in Pittsburgh last Sunday.)

The Bears’ offense misses WR Johnny Knox, who has been out since suffering a serious back injury last season.

Said Lions CB Jonte Green, a sixth-round rookie who has been forced to start the last two games because of injuries to other cornerbacks, “We’ve just got to keep playing no matter who’s out there. We lost some guys to injuries, and some guys stepped up.”

Packers defensive coordinator Dom Capers sees “significant improvement” in the team’s pass rush.

Fran Tarkenton has some words of encouragement for Vikings fans.

Falcons coach Mike Smith praised the effort of RB Jacquizz Rodgers, who broke off a big run in addition to playing well in the passing game and on special teams.

Panthers K Justin Medlock, who has a black father and a white mother, says people make an issue of his race: “I get it all the time. Sometimes on the field you can hear them while I’m warming up. You can hear the wide receivers saying ‘Oh! That’s a black kicker.’”

The Saints’ defense got outsmarted by Broncos QB Peyton Manning.

The Buccaneers are 0-5 all-time in Oakland.

Said Cardinals QB John Skelton of the team having nine rushes for seven yards on Monday night, “The reason we abandoned the run game was because we couldn’t do it.”

The 49ers are getting a six-day break during their bye week.

Seahawks coach Pete Carroll says there’s no doubt in anyone’s mind in the Seattle locker room that the team is heading in the right direction.

Cruz, Giants have agreed to the framework of a new deal

Posted by Josh Alper on October 31, 2012, 8:37 AM EDT

AP

Giants wide receiver Victor Cruz seems to move as quickly in contract talks as he does when he gets behind a defense with the ball in his hands.

One day after saying that contract talks were moving in the right direction, Cruz said during an interview on WFAN that his camp and the Giants have agreed to the structure of a deal that will keep him with the team for years to come.

“From what I hear, they’ve just agreed on the structure right now,” Cruz said. “And that’s all I’m at liberty to say.”

With a salary of $540,000, Cruz is probably the biggest bargain in all of football. His desire to get a new deal done now has been spun as a desire not to hold out this offseason, which is probably less true than the risk that he blows out his knee this Sunday and finds that he doesn’t get the financial reward he’s earned for the Giants over the last two seasons.

Either way, it doesn’t appear that there’s going to be much need to keep spinning things for too much longer. One of the more logical contract extensions in the league looks like it is close to being signed, sealed and delivered.

Vick to remain the starter in Philly, for now

Posted by Mike Florio on October 30, 2012, 8:24 PM EDT

AP

If Eagles coach Andy Reid has decided to switch from Mike Vick to Nick Foles at quarterback, Reid hasn’t told anyone else yet.

As pointed out earlier today by Zach Berman of the Philadelphia Inquirer, the Eagles released an updated depth chart on Tuesday.  It showed that Vick is still the starter.

Also, Jeff McLane of the Inquirer reported that neither Vick nor Foles have been informed of a change at the position.

Still, Hurricane Sandy has sheltered Reid from meeting with the media.  When he does, it’s likely that a clear, truthful answer will be provided.  Owner Jeffrey Lurie made it clear after the 2011 season that he expects Reid to be candid and forthcoming, explaining that a habit of saying things that may not have been the truth were aimed at protecting players.  Regardless of whether there was a benevolence to the B.S., Reid likely won’t be saying one thing and doing another.

The question becomes how candid he will be.  Will he admit that he considered a change?  Will he say that a change is still possible?  Will he address whether Vick could be benched at halftime, like Donovan McNabb was during a game against the Ravens in November 2008?

Giving Foles a crack at playing away from Lincoln Financial Field makes sense.  Then again, as Peter King pointed out during a visit to The Dan Patrick Show on Tuesday, using Foles under circumstances in the Superdome that likely would require use of a silent count may not be ideal.

Of course, there’s nothing ideal right now about the Eagles.  Reuben Frank of CSNPhilly.com attributes the struggles to a troubling lack of leadership.  Regardless of what’s causing them, the struggles need to stop soon, or there will be major changes soon after the season ends.  If not sooner.

Bucs place Carl Nicks on IR

Posted by Darin Gantt on October 30, 2012, 4:17 PM EDT

AP

The Buccaneers’ offseason shopping spree took another hit Tuesday, when the team announced that guard Carl Nicks was going on injured reserve with a toe injury.

Nicks has been dealing with the injury all season, but apparently had a recent setback.

The team announced they’ve promoted guard Roger Allen from the practice squad to replace him.

Nicks was part of the Bucs’ splash in the early hours of free agency, along with cornerback Eric Wright, who is facing a suspension for failing a test for Adderall. They’re probably encasing wide receiver Vincent Jackson, the other big buy, in bubble wrap as we speak.

Lions acquire Mike Thomas from Jacksonville

The Detroit Lions made a minor deal before Thursday's trading deadline, acquiring speedy wide receiver Mike Thomas from the Jacksonville Jaguars. The terms of the deal are still unknown.

The 5-foot-8, 198-pound Thomas had a career year for the Jaguars in 2010, catching 66 passes for 820 yards and four touchdowns. 

His production slid in 2011 with rookie quarterback Blaine Gabbert at the helm. Thomas has only caught 12 passes this season for 80 yards.  

Thomas works primary out of the slot. He can be a downfield threat or pick up yardage after the catch working short routes underneath. He's also considered an exceptional blocker despite his smaller frame.

Thomas has been the Jaguars' primary punt returner the past four seasons. He averaged better than 10 yards per return, including a 78-yard touchdown, in 2010. He hasn't been used on kickoffs much since his rookie year in 2009. 

Detroit kick returner Stefan Logan has been under fire in recent weeks after three fumbles. 

To clear room on the roster, the Lions released cornerback Justin Miller.

Bryant McKinnie says report of strip club bill is bogus

Posted by Michael David Smith on October 30, 2012, 11:50 AM EDT

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Ravens offensive tackle Bryant McKinnie says the first he heard that he’s being sued for $375,000 in strip club bills was when he read about it this morning, and he says the owner of the strip club is someone who has repeatedly tried to get money out of him.

“I got no papers, I was never served,” McKinnie told theBaltimore Sun. “I just called my lawyer about this because this is a bogus story. I just read the article. He was working at those places and he’s tried to borrow money from me. People can put anything out there. What strip club gives you a $375,000 tab? It just sounds stupid to me. I’ve never heard of this in my life. This is bogus to me. For it to be even reported is stupid to me.”

The lawsuit claims that McKinnie ran up tabs at strip clubs owned by the plaintiff, Charles “Pop” Young, and that McKinnie promised in writing to pay his bill in full and then broke that promise. But McKinnie says no strip club would let a customer have that kind of bill.

“You could never run up a tab like that,” McKinnie said. “For somebody like that to say something like this, they figure if they go to the media that you’ll pay them, I guess. I would never pay this guy because what he’s saying isn’t true. I just found out about this morning when people started texting me. This is the least of my worries.”

It’s definitely true that McKinnie has greater financial worries: His wages are already being garnished because he failed to pay back a $4.5 million loan he took out during last year’s lockout. If McKinnie is telling the truth when he says this lawsuit is just an unwarranted attempt to get money out of a professional athlete, the financially strapped McKinnie would seem to be a bad athlete to go after.

Stokley raising his children (Thomas and Decker) right

Posted by Michael David Smith on October 30, 2012, 10:41 AM EDT

AP

Broncos receiver Brandon Stokley says he provided a little veteran leadership during Sunday night’s win over the Saints, preventing teammates Demaryius Thomas and Eric Decker from a touchdown celebration that would have drawn a penalty flag.

Thomas scored a touchdown in the third quarter and tossed the ball to Decker, who stood under the goal post and was about to toss the ball back up in the air, where Thomas could grab it for an alley-oop dunk over the crossbar. But it’s a 15-yard penalty in the NFL for players to engage in coordinated touchdown celebrations, so when Stokley realized what Decker and Thomas were about to do, he ran behind Decker and stole the ball from him, cutting their celebration short.

The 36-year-old Stokley said the 25-year-old Decker and the 24-year-old Thomas were upset with him. But Stokley thinks part of the reason he’s on the Broncos is to be the mature one in the receiving corps.

“I mean, they were mad at me on the sideline for stopping them,” Stokley told Mike Klis of the Denver Post. “It’s tough being a dad sometimes, you know?”

Four years ago, Stokley did something similar when he stopped then-teammate Brandon Marshall from picking up a celebration penalty, and Stokley said he takes a little credit for helping to mentor Marshall, just as he’s now doing with Thomas and Decker.

“He’s doing great on his own,” Stokley said of Marshall. “Now, I’ve got these other two knuckleheads I’ve got to mold. These kids, nowadays. You’ve got to put them in timeout.”

And if putting them in timeout saves the Broncos 15 yards, Stokley is willing to be the bad guy. Which makes him a good leader.

Bryant McKinnie sued for $375,000 in strip club bills

Posted by Michael David Smith on October 30, 2012, 7:09 AM EDT

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Ravens offensive tackle Bryant McKinnie is being sued by the owner of several Miami strip clubs for racking up bills at the establishments and failing to pay them.

NBCMiami.com reports that strip club owner Charles “Pop” Young filed a lawsuit against McKinnie in Miami-Dade Circuit Court Monday afternoon. Young says McKinnie ran up bills at strip clubs Young owned between February of 2009 and September of 2010, and that Young now wants McKinnie to pay up. According to Young, the total McKinnie owes is $375,000.

McKinnie has a history of financial problems. He took out a loan for $4.5 million to get him through last year’s lockout, and the Ravens are currently garnishing half of his net wages to pay back the company that made him the loan. The lockout didn’t cancel any games and therefore the lockout didn’t cost any players any game checks, so if McKinnie’s financial situation was so precarious that the mere possibility of losing a paycheck had him scrambling to find a loan during the lockout, he’s in bad shape.

McKinnie has made tens of millions of dollars during his NFL career, but the Ravens cut his salary before this season, and with his wages already being garnished, he may not have $375,000 to his name.

Video: Dashon Goldson blows up Early Doucet

Posted by Darin Gantt on October 30, 2012, 7:51 AM EDT

A year ago, 49ers safety Dashon Goldsonfought with Cardinals wide receiver Early Doucet, was ejected and fined $25,000.

Last night, he got the best kind of revenge.

Goldson put the punctuation on the 49ers’ 24-3 win with a savage, clean shot on Doucet to break up a pass in the fourth quarter.

“Vince Lombardi would be proud,” 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh said of Goldson’s hit, via Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com.

“That’s a compliment,” Goldson said. “It was a hard, clean hit, and that’s something to be proud of. I’m proud of it. And I’m happy for that guy that he’s OK and he got back in the game.”

The Cards as a whole never really got back into the game, and became the fourth 49ers opponent this year to leave without a touchdown, and managed just seven rushing yards.

“We are for real,” 49ers cornerback Carlos Rogers said. “Our thing is just to continue to get better and continue to play week-in and week-out.”

With Goldson doling out old-school hits, and the 49ers keeping people from doing anything on the ground, their chances are getting better each week.

Eagles expected to bench Vick

Posted by Mike Florio on October 29, 2012, 3:24 PM EDT

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If Howard Eskin’s report of the impending Vick-for-Nick switch in Philly is accurate, it’s not something that just popped into coach Andy Reid’s head in recent days.

A source with knowledge of the dynamics in Philly over the past two seasons believes firmly that Reid has been considering benching Vick since the middle of last season, when the Eagles slumped to a 3-6 start.  Reid was hoping, we’re told, that former backup Vince Young would play well enough during a three-game injury absence from Vick to justify doing to Vick what Reid did to Kevin Kolb in 2010.

Young didn’t.

Regardless of when or if Vick gets benched, it’s now becoming a foregone conclusion that Vick won’t be back in 2013, especially at a salary of $15.5 million.

And for those of you asking whether the Eagles would trade Vick, given the two-day extension to the trade deadline, here’s a great point raised by a source with direct knowledge of the situation:  “Who would trade for him?”

That’s a great question.  The Vikings arguably could use him, but they’re tied to 2011 first-rounder Christian Ponder.  (Besides, we think Joe Webb is a much better Plan B.  And a better Plan A.)

Of all of the potential contenders, only the Cardinal would potentially be interested in Vick.  And that’s still unlikely.

So look for Vick to finish the season with Philly, unless the Eagles decide to simply cut him.  If they don’t cut him during the season, they’ll surely cut him right after the Super Bowl.

Top Rushing Tandems In The NFL

The NFL has quickly turned into a passing league. If your team doesn't have a franchise quarterback, your team is most likely going to be watching the playoffs from home. However, there are some teams that run the ball quite well. Which teams have the best running back tandems in the league?

C.J Spiller and Fred Jackson Are Historically Good

Fred Jackson ran for over 900 yards in only nine games last season. This season, he is averaging 3.7 yards per carry. That may seem below average, but that is mostly due to a recent injury that has been nagging him this season. In his last game against Tennessee, he averaged 7.9 yards per carry. If he is completely healthy, recent history suggests that he can easily hit an average of five yards per carry or more. 

C.J Spiller has been electric all season. Through seven games, he is averaging 7.3 yards per carry. While that number is impressive, it is actually down from his season high of 10 yards per carry that he was averaging earlier in the season. If he continues to average more than seven yards a carry through the rest of the season, he will have one of the all-time best averages per carry in NFL history. He will be in a category with the likes of Jim Brown and other great running backs. 

Alfred Morris And RGIII Set The Pace In Washington 

Alfred Morris was a sixth round pick by the Redskins in the 2012 draft. So far this season, he has rushed for 717 yards. Morris has averaged 4.7 yards per carry with five touchdowns. For a sixth round pick, he has certainly surpassed expectations. What is even more amazing is that he was in a crowded backfield with the likes of Roy Helu and Evan Royster. His emergence shows that he will be a force for years to come. 

RGIII was the higher profile pick among the two leading rushers in Washington. However, it is surprising that he would be among the top rushers in the league. Quarterbacks are typically known for their ability to pass the ball. RGIII has rushed for 476 yards with an average of almost seven yards per carry. He has also added six touchdowns on the ground. He has certainly been a great pickup for anyone who has him on their fantasy team.

Houston Can Run The Ball With Authority

There is no question that Adrian Foster is among the best running backs in the league. While he is only averaging around four yards a carry, he is a threat to break a big run at any time. Foster is also a great option out of the backfield to catch a pass or two as well. Foster has nine touchdowns on the ground and one through the air. 

Ben Tate is another running back that the Texans like to put on the field when Foster needs a rest. The good news for the Texans is that Tate would be a quality starting running back in the NFL if Arian Foster wasn't his teammate. While Tate is also averaging close to four yards a carry, he is instrumental in helping the Texans control the clock and tire out opposing defenses. Tate and Foster are one of the biggest reasons why the Texans are 6-1 this season.

When it comes to running the ball, there are some teams that can do it better than others. The Bills, Redskins and Texans are three teams that can hurt you on the ground. While there are other teams that have a great runner on their roster, only these teams can legitimately beat you with more than one rushing option. 

Be sure to check out my other unit rankings for 2012: Defensive Line | Secondaries | Linebacking | Offensive Line | Wide Receiving

Jim Brown praises Trent Richardson

 Jamison Hensley - ESPN

Rookie running back Trent Richardson did more than win Sunday's game for the Browns. He also won over his biggest critic. 

Following the Browns' 7-6 victory over the Chargers, Hall of Fame running back Jim Brown went to Richardson's locker, where they reportedly posed for photographs and exchanged telephone numbers. No one would've expected a scene like this six months ago, when Brown called Richardson "ordinary" after the Browns selected him with the third overall pick.

"That's my partner, man," Brown said, via The Plain Dealer. "He's done everything I thought he should do. He never took anything I said the wrong way. He's interested in his family. He's interested in this team. And he's willing to make sacrifices because really, he's hurt more than you think he is right now." 

Brown was right that Richardson never took the criticism the wrong way. But what Brown should have said Sunday was: he was wrong in his original assessment of Richardson. 

My theory is Brown wouldn't have liked anyone that the Browns drafted in the first round that day. He was still upset at Mike Holmgren and the organization for being dismissed as a special adviser a couple of years ago. 

Brown did the right thing in reaching out to Richardson on Sunday. Richardson gained a career-high 122 yards and scored the game's only touchdown. He did all of this with a rib cartilage injury. He deserved everyone's respect for that performance, including Brown's. 

It was a good moment for the greatest running back in Browns history to endorse a player who is key to the team's future. This just should've happened six months ago.

Saints defense having historically bad season

Posted by Darin Gantt on October 29, 2012, 7:49 AM EDT

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The Saints are used to putting up big numbers.

But they’re used to doing it with their offense, not a defense that’s leaking at historic levels.

Jeff Duncan of the New Orleans Times-Picayune details the avalanche of evidence that the Saints defense might be one of the worst ever.

The gave up 530 yards to the Broncos in last night’s loss, pushing their season total to 3,323 for the season.

That’s 474.7 per game, more than 50 yards per game worse than the merely awful Bills’ 424.1 average (which is only slightly worse than the Saints season-low of 421 allowed to the Packers in Week Four).

No team in league history has allowed as many yards to start the season as the Saints have en route to a 2-5 start, and they’ve given up at least 400 yards every week, and at least 500 in three of the past five.

So not only are they bad, but they’re getting worse. As Duncan points out, this isn’t a problem of scheme, rather a lack of players that are capable of tackling people, or even getting close enough to them to try.

Violating injury report rules could cost teams draft picks

Posted by Mike Florio on October 28, 2012, 7:04 PM EDT

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With thee teams being fined $20,000 each in recent weeks for failing to disclose injuries in compliance with league rules, the penalty for the first offense isn’t much more than, given the value of NFL franchises, a parking ticket.

If teams become repeat offenders, however, the price will go up.

NFL spokesman Greg Aiello tells PFT that, if the Bills (as to defensive end Mario Williams), Redskins (as to quarterback Robert Griffin III), or Ravens (as to safety Ed Reed) commit further violations, the fines will increase.  Aiello also didn’t rule out the possibility of draft picks being stripped.

Aiello called it “unlikely,” but “multiple offenses of a very serious nature” could result in a team losing draft picks.

In the end, only the threat of lost draft picks will prompt teams to completely comply with the rules.  Fines will be viewed simply as a cost of doing business the way the teams want to do business — especially when the January 2012 comments from former Saints defensive coordinator Greg Williams make clear the fact that teams will target injured players for further injury.

Vikings place Chris Cook on IR

Posted by Darin Gantt on October 26, 2012, 3:20 PM EDT

Reuters

The Vikings announced that cornerback Chris Cook was being placed on injured reserve, with the designated for return tag.

Cook broke his wrist in last night’s loss to the Buccaneers, but they obviously think he can be back in a few months.

That means he could come back later this year, in time to play the regular season finale or in the playoffs.

Unlike the Jaguars with linebacker Daryl Smith, there’s actually a chance the Vikings might have a playoff game.

Patriots place Ras-I Dowling on IR, again

Posted by Darin Gantt on October 26, 2012, 2:39 PM EDT

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Patriots cornerback Ras-I Dowling came into the NFL with talent, but a long record of injuries.

That has not changed now that he’s in the league.

Dowling was placed on injured reserve with what the Patriots called a thigh injury, ending his season.

In two years, the former second-round pick (33rd overall) has played eight games, with two starts. He landed on IR last year after two games, and played in just five games his final year at Virginia.

Aaron Hernandez will not play against the Rams

Posted by Josh Alper on October 26, 2012, 10:58 AM EDT

AP

According to a report from Albert Breer of NFL.com, Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez will have to satisfy himself with the fish and chips selection in Boston rather than sampling one of the staples of British cuisine in London.

Breer reports that Hernandez did not accompany the Patriots to London for Sunday’s game against the Rams. Hernandez was listed as limited in practice on Wednesday before missing Thursday’s practice, the same kind of pattern the Pats have been following since Hernandez returned from the ankle sprain that kept him out of three games already this season. This report would suggest that Hernandez’s absence on Thursday wasn’t just about maintenance and could signal he’s suffered a setback.

There wasn’t much talk about a great risk that he’d miss this week’s game, but, if the report proves true, the Patriots must have felt that the combination of travel and game would not work out well for the tight end. Hernandez will have two weeks until the Patriots’ next game if he doesn’t play against the Rams, which could be enough time for him to fully heal and be at 100 percent for the second half of the season.

Without Hernandez, the Patriots will rely more on Rob Gronkowski to produce plays from the tight end spot. He continues to be limited in practice because of a hip issue this week, but that didn’t stop him from scoring twice against the Jets last Sunday.

Doug Martin powers Bucs past Vikings

Posted by Mike Florio on October 25, 2012, 11:48 PM EDT

Reuters

For a rookie, there’s nothing like a nationally-televised game to create an opportunity for attention.  A rookie who seizes that chance suddenly earns the name recognition of a proven veteran.

Buccaneers running back Doug Martin did just that on Thursday night.

Martin rushed for 135 yards and a touchdown, and he added 79 through the air in a 36-17 winover the Vikings in Minnesota.  The first-round pick’s 64-yard sprint with a screen pass on the first drive of the third quarter extended a 10-point lead to 27-10, and the Vikings never got within 13 after that — despite the foolish decision of Bucs left tackle Donald Penn to enrage defensive end Jared Allen by ripping off his helmet and putting a gash on the bridge of his nose.

The momentum was temporary, with a third-down sack on the next play from Allen generating a din that disappeared quickly once the Vikings got the ball back.  The team simply doesn’t have much on offense beyond Adrian Peterson andPercy Harvin, and life for the 5-3 team is about to get a lot more difficult.  With a trip to Seattle and a home game against the Lions before a bye that will lead to a six-game stretch of Bears, Packers, Bears, Rams, Texans, Packers, that 5-2 start could easily translate to a 6-10 finish.

For Tampa, it was the first road win since their last visit to the Metrodome, in September 2011.  It also lifts the Buccaneers to 3-4 on the season, putting them in the chase for a wild-card berth.

And it gives them a critical head-to-head tiebreaker against the Vikings, if the Vikings somehow don’t play like they did tonight for the rest of the season.

Friday morning one-liners

Posted by Josh Alper on October 26, 2012, 8:26 AM EDT

Reuters

QB Tarvaris Jackson talks about the trade thatmade him a member of the Bills.

P Brandon Fields could give the Dolphins a Pro Bowl representative this year.

Patriots DT Vince Wilfork doesn’t care about style points if his team wins.

Rookie DE Quinton Coples is playing more than the Jets originally planned.

Rookie DT DeAngelo Tyson was grateful for his chance to get into the Ravens lineup.

Bengals coach Marvin Lewis taught 450 women about football as part of a fundraiser for his charitable organization.

Browns offensive coordinator Brad Childress says his play calling won’t be any different in the event RB Trent Richardson doesn’t play.

With the Steelers and Pitt at home and Bruce Springsteen in town, hotel rooms are tough to come by in Pittsburgh.

Texans defensive coordinator Wade Phillips gets some credit for the team’s big sack total.

A look at how some former Colts have fared since leaving the team.

Some numbers that paint the Jaguars as the worst team in the league.

Can Titans RB Chris Johnson seize a chance against another weak run defense?

Mark Kiszla of the Denver Post thinks the Broncos linebackers have shown the team doesn’t need D.J. Williams back.

The Chiefs hope RB Peyton Hillis‘ return boosts their run game.

Raiders K Sebastian Janikowski has typically kicked well at Arrowhead Stadium.

Chargers defensive coordinator John Pagano was able to visit his brother Chuck during the bye week.

The Cowboys expect TE Jason Witten to be a bigger factor than he was in the first game against the Giants.

Giants OL David Diehl would like to start, but he’ll settle for whatever the team has for him.

The Eagles may have to replace G Danny Watkins in the lineup on Sunday.

No one has ever had LB London Fletcher on their roster and needed to implement a plan to replace him for a game, but the Redskins are still making one.

Bears CB Tim Jennings is looking forward to matching up with Panthers WR Steve Smith.

CB Drayton Florence plans to return to Lions practice next week.

Packers coach Mike McCarthy said DT B.J. Raji looked like his old self at Thursday’s practice.

Chip Scoggins of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune thinks fans were justified in booingthe Vikings offense Thursday night.

Falcons QB Matt Ryan is working to cut down on interceptions.

Rookie LB Luke Kuechly has been a rare bright spot this Panthers season.

The Saints are heading to Denver on Friday, a day before they normally travel for road trips.

Said Buccaneers TE Dallas Clark of RB Doug Martin, “He’s special. He’s only going to get better, and he is fun to block for, that’s for sure.”

The Cardinals are relishing their renewal of hostilities with the 49ers.

Rams RB Steven Jackson is a seasoned world traveler.

The 49ers could boost their sack totals on Monday night.

Seahawks QB Russell Wilson wants to bring his play from home with him when he goes on the road.

Rodgers-Cromartie defends Castillo

Posted by Mike Florio on October 25, 2012, 3:51 PM EDT

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The dismissal of defensive coordinator Juan Castillo has triggered a belated (. . . wait for it) schism in the Philly locker room as to the question of whether Castillo deserved the blame for blown leads and overall bad performances.

On Wednesday, defensive end Brandon Graham dumped on the now-dumped Castillo.  On Thursday, cornerback Domonique Rodgers-Cromartie came to Castillo’s defense.

“Of course that’s what you’re going to say when things tend to go bad, you’re going to pinpoint someone,” Rodgers-Cromartie said, via CSNPhilly.com.  “I don’t feel that way. You look at statistics, shoot, we’re still in the top of the running.  I can’t do nothing about it.  But I didn’t see no problems.”

Technically, this means he did see problems.  His point is that he didn’t.

“I feel like every man should be accountable for [himself],” Rodgers-Cromartie explained.  “I learned from early in life any time things go wrong it’s easy to say, ‘He did this, he did that’ instead of saying, ‘I did this, I did that.’  Whatever the case may be I ain’t got no say-so over none of that.”

Again, technically, he’s saying he actually had say-so.  His point is that he doesn’t.

Rodgers-Cromartie actually has praised for Castillo, the long-time offensive line coach who was fired in his second year running the team’s defense.  “He changed my game,” Rodgers-Cromartie said.  “He brought me to a press corner.  He’s one of them guys that will take the time with you to let you understand the weaknesses in your game and keep you after practice and make you work on it.”

So what about the comments from guys like Graham?

“That’s their own opinion,” Rodgers-Cromartie said. “I can’t do nothing about that.”

Technically . . . oh, never mind.  We get the point.

The broader point is that players in the locker room may disagree as to why the defense is struggling.  If the struggling continues they may be looking to point fingers, or possibly worried about whether fingers will be pointed at them.