Rams’ Bradford a game-time decision vs. Cowboys

NFL.com Staff | Tags: Sam Bradford, A.J. Feeley, Brandon Lloyd, St. Louis Rams, Steven Jackson

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After sustaining a high-ankle sprain last week, Rams quarterback Sam Bradford has sat out practice the past two days and is a game-time decision for Sunday at Dallas. If he can’t go, it will be A.J. Feeley taking the snaps for St. Louis, but unless you are hurting in the worst way for a quarterback, he’s best left on the waiver wire. The bigger issue is what happens to newly-acquired receiver Brandon Lloyd.

The hope had been that Lloyd would provide a boost for Bradford and the rest of the flagging Rams offense. That hope may be on hold for another week or two as the team’s franchise quarterback recovers. Expect Dallas to load the box against Steven Jackson and force the Rams to beat them through the air. Likewise, the rest of St. Louis’ receivers are big red flags against a Dallas defense that will likely be on the attack.  They were a risky play even if Bradford was healthy. If he’s hobbled or out, avoid any Rams altogether.

– Marcas Grant

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Titans made decision easy for Hasselbeck

Published: September 21st, 2011 | Tags: Matt Hasselbeck, Around the League, Fran Charles, Seattle Seahawks, Tennessee Titans

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Sometimes it’s nice just to be wanted. Just ask Matt Hasselbeck.

After 10 seasons as the starter in Seattle, Hasselbeck joined the Titans as a free agent during the offseason to serve as the bridge at quarterback to first-round pick Jake Locker. Hasselbeck says his logic was pretty simple.

“People ask, ‘Why Tennessee?’ Well, I didn’t have a ton of options,” Hasselbeck  This is really the team that came after me, the team that wanted me. If felt good to be wanted. It’s a good fit. What I feel like I can bring to a team is what I feel like they’re looking for here. … I think it’s a great opportunity in this division to do something special.”

In hindsight, it might be the best decision Hasselbeck didn’t have to make. With Peyton Manning currently out of the picture in Indianapolis and rookie Blaine Gabbert getting the call in Jacksonville, the Titans could be in the mix in the AFC South when all is said and done.

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OU 'not surprised' by Pac-12 decision

Oklahoma president David Boren released a statement on Tuesday night in response to the Pac-12's announcement that it would not expand.

"We were not surprised by the Pac 12's decision to not expand at this time. Even though we had decided not to apply for membership this year, we have developed a positive relationship with the leadership of the conference and we have kept them informed of the progress we've been making to gain agreement from the Big 12 for changes which will make the conference more stable in the future. Conference stability has been our first goal and we look forward to achieving that goal through continued membership in the Big 12 Conference."

Oklahoma went out of its way to make it clear that it did not apply for membership for the Pac-12, regardless of whether or not it had the intention to do so.

I wouldn't take the last sentence as an unequivocal commitment to the Big 12, but it would seem now, with no other realistic option, that's where the Sooners are clearly focused.

A wild day, no doubt. Just another one in the shifting landscape (or is it?) of college sports.

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La Canfora: Decision on McDaniels ‘not locked in’

Published: November 30th, 2010 | Tags: Josh McDaniels, Denver Broncos, Jason La Canfora

NFL Network insider Jason La Canfora updates the situation in Denver, noting the final five weeks of the season will play a role in coach Josh McDaniels‘ future, which “is not locked in.”

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More on the the Wrigley decision

I just got off the phone with Illinois team spokesman Kent Brown, who filled me in on how the last-minute Wrigley Field decision came about. Big Ten commissioner Jim Delany called a teleconference Thursday with the head coaches and athletic directors from both Northwestern and Illinois to discuss player safety at Wrigley after mounting concern about the East end zone. They discussed potential options for the field and the rules then made the final determination in a conference call Friday morning.According to Brown, "The Big Ten was made aware of a rule that says it needs to be 12 feet from the back of the end zone to the barrier. That, along with the eye test after seeing the pictures, started the conversation, and it became apparent everybody felt that are there some things we can do to ensure there wouldn't be a problem with it."Illinois officials, including coach Ron Zookk, visited Wrigley Field in August and had the "assumption that the field would fit." But when some athletics department staff went to Wrigley last week and brought back some pictures of the field layout, "There was a little bit of concern," Brown said.Asked about the rule regarding the spacing behind the end zone, Brown said, "As the visiting team in this particular game, we're not really involved in game operations. There is a bit of a natural assumption when we signed off and said we'd love to play there and we were told that the field fits. I don't know that anybody looks up that rule until you see [actual the field layout]."
I'm running out to the airport to fly to Detroit, but I'll have more on the Wrigley situation throughout the day. Also check out ESPNChicago.com for coverage.

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Draft Day 2011 Could Bring Tough Choices, Surprise Decision for Seattle

The final seconds tick off the clock. Beads of sweat trickle down your face as you shuffle through your notes. All around you, phones ring and voices fight to be heard. You’re moments away from making Seattle’s first pick in the 2011 National Football League Draft and you’ve decided the team’s going to invest in a quarterback and the options at the position are plenty.

There’s Jake Locker. He’s the local product who has captured the hearts of many. Standing at 6-foot-3, 230-pounds, his physical tools are well known. He’s more mobile than most at the position and has a strong arm. His competitiveness has never been in doubt despite playing for one of the country’s worst college football teams over the past few years.

There’s also the downside to the Husky. He’s an erratic passer and, because of his mobility and competitiveness, he’s been banged up more than you’d like for someone his age.

What about Ryan Mallet? Not many quarterbacks come in the form of a 6-foot-6, 238-pound gunslinger. He’s spent two years in the SEC – a conference everybody knows is among the best if not the best in terms of competition. In the conference, he’s not only shown that he can play, but play well. His completion percentage (67.3) has jumped roughly 12 percentage points in his second season at Arkansas and is approaching 70 percent.

He’s not all that mobile, though, but is that something you need from your quarterback?

How about a dark horse? Someone that can play with the best of them and that can be had with your pick or possibly a later one if you trade back a few spots and pick up an additional selection or two in the process?

Enter Cam Newton.

In his first year starting in the SEC, Newton’s put himself front and center among the nation’s top quarterbacks and has built a strong portfolio towards winning the Heisman Trophy. His completion percentage (68.2) is better than Mallet’s and, with 1,297 rushing yards on 6.3 yards per carry and 17 rushing touchdowns, is as much a threat on the ground as he is via the air.

With all the hype also comes a serious question mark.

The alleged pay-for-play recruitment scandal has dragged Auburn’s signal caller through the mud. Did he or people associated with him take money? Did he or people associated with him even ask for money? How will this situation affect his maturity and decision making on and off the field at the next level of the sport?

With the final seconds waning quicker than they should, you call together the team’s decision makers for one last go-over of opinions and the final decision is made.

Now all that is left is to turn in the card to the commissioner and welcome in the next generation of Seahawks football.

Can’t get enough NFLGridironGab?  Follow SeahawksGab Editor Devon Heinen on Twitter at http://twitter.com/DevonHeinen.

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