Steelers DL Aaron Smith out for season

Steelers veteran defensive end Aaron Smith has been placed on injured reserve, the team announced on Saturday.

Smith has missed the last two weeks, and was ruled out for Sunday’s game clash the Cardinals, with a foot injury.

The 35-year-old Smith has struggled with injuries the last three seasons, with shoulder, triceps and this year’s foot injury limited him to just 15 games.

Rookie defensive lineman Corbin Bryant has been signed off the practice squad to take Smith’s place on the 53-man roster.

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Smith Runs Oklahoma State Over Texas 38-26

Smith went 30 and 74 yards for scores and Justin Gilbert returned the third quarter kickoff 100 yards for a touchdown. Gilbert tied the Oklahoma State (6-0, 3-0 Big 12) school record for career kickoff TD returns with four.

Fozzy Whittaker had a 100-yard touchdown return on the ensuing kickoff for Texas, but the Longhorns (4-2, 1-2) never led and lost for the sixth time in their last 10 home games.

Oklahoma State's Brandon Weeden passed for 218 yards with a touchdown to Justin Blackmon.

Texas freshman quarterback David Ash got his first career start and took every snap in the loss after rotating with sophomore Case McCoy the previous three weeks.

Ash was 22 of 39 passing for 139 yards with no touchdowns and two turnovers. The second came on a fumble with 4:34 to play that killed Texas' last chance to rally.

Malcolm Brown ran for 135 yards and two touchdowns for the Longhorns.

Smith's touchdowns were surprising for how easy they were.

The first came in the second quarter on fourth-and-inches when he ran off left tackle. There was no defender to meet him at the line of scrimmage and he coasted to the end zone.

The second came in the third quarter and put the Cowboys ahead 38-24. Smith ran straight up the middle and Texas linebackers Keenan Robinson and Jordan Hicks got washed out of the play, leaving no defender within 10 yards with a chance to tackle him.

Oklahoma State, which had lost 12 in a row to the Longhorns, now have consecutive wins in Austin. A scheduling quirk in the Big 12 put the Cowboys on the road against Texas two years in a row.

Weeden, the second-leading passer in the nation, struggled to find his rhythm for most of the game, but clicked with Blackmon in the second quarter.

Blackmon had a 16-yard catch on fourth down to keep a drive alive, then grabbed a 15-yard TD on the next play when he caught the ball at the 3 and carried Texas cornerback Carrington Byndom into the end zone.

Smith's first touchdown put OSU up 21-10 and the Cowboys seemed primed to put the game away at the start of the third.

Gilbert took the kickoff five yards deep in the end zone, zipped through a seam near the 30 and raced past the defense for a 28-10 lead. Gilbert tied the school record set by Perrish Cox for career kick return TDs.

The Cowboys had only a few seconds to get comfortable with the lead. Whittaker, who returned a kickoff 100 yards for a touchdown the previous week against Oklahoma, matched Gilbert's TD to keep Texas in the game at 28-17.

Texas was building momentum when Brown scored his second touchdown to cut the lead to 28-24.

Texas ran the so-called "Statue of Liberty" play where Ash took the snap and faked a throw to his right while tucking the ball low behind his back. Brown grabbed it, scampered to his left and tiptoed on the sideline for the touchdown. The play call by first-year offensive coordinator Bryan Harsin was similar to the one used by Boise State to beat Oklahoma in the 2007 Fiesta Bowl.

Oklahoma State answered with a 22-yard field goal by Quinn Sharp before Smith ripped off his second long TD.

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Lovie Smith and Jerry Angelo Would Rather Be Fired Than Sign Randy Moss

This is not about the 10-year drought the Bears have had with no 1000-yard receiver. This is about 2011.

There is an undeniable divide between the offensive mentalities of the undefeated teams celebrating at the top of the NFC North – the Lions and Packers – and those of the sputtering, confused weaklings in the basement: the Vikings and Bears.

The Lions and Packers were already packing more firepower than their former Central rivals. However, these past few years, they have not ceased adding dynamic playmakers. The Lions have added Nate Burleson, Maurice Stovall, Tony Scheffler, Brandon Pettigrew, Rashied Davis and Titus Young in the last 3 seasons despite having one of the best receivers in the game, Calvin Johnson. The Packers have added Jordy Nelson, Randall Cobb, James Starks and Jermichael Finley despite being already fully loaded.

The Bears have given up on several receivers who have joined Percy Harvin to make a rather meek Minnesota receiving corps.

The Bears corps is even worse. The NFL is a passing league. The rules are contoured that way, the corner crop coming from college is consistently inferior to the tight end and receiver crop, and the quarterbacks are turning the back shoulder throw into an art form.

The truth is: you need a 1000-yard receiver to win a Super Bowl. I have said repeatedly that getting to a Super Bowl was the worst thing that could have happened to the Bears in 2006. It kept Lovie around and – surprise – that is the only team in the last 5 seasons to make a Super Bowl without a 1000-yard receiver.

Even the Super Bowl teams that are so evolved to spread the ball out when a defense takes away their top threat have had 1000-yard receivers (Marques Colston’s 1074-yard, 2009 season). Plaxico Burress of the Super Bowl XLII-winning Giants couldn’t even practice he was so injured, yet he still had 1025 yards along with 12 TD’s.

I know that having deficiencies in other areas has prohibited these teams from adding too many players but many of these receivers are either slow but physical or fast but diminutive. To keep up with the James Joneses, teams gotta keep getting guys who win match-ups, those “when-you-absolutely-gotta-have-a-play” playmakers.

And, now, Adam Schefter reported that Randy Moss is interested in the Bears. Moss has 10 career TDs in his 8 wins and 6 losses against Da Bears in his career. In 14 games against Chicago, he has 86 catches for 1155 yards.

As awful as last season was for Moss, many believed that fueled him to work extra hard this off-season. As awful as it was, he caught as many TDs last season as the Bears’ two top receivers, Knox and Hester each did.

So, here it is. Another year, another lack of top target, another lack of reason for coordinators to not relentlessly blitz Jay Cutler.

A strong locker room will be able to stay focused with Randy Moss there. The truth is, the Bears have a tough schedule in which four of the next six opponents are 3-1 or 4-0 and that doesn’t include a difficult road test against the Eagles. A motivated playmaker like Moss would cover many holes. If they won’t add Moss, I wish they’d add a strong, physical red-zone receiver like T.J. Houshmandzadeh. Show the fans you care or at least show that you want to stay employed, Jerry Angelo and Lovie Smith.

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Rams lose WR Amendola; RT Smith questionable

Published: September 11th, 2011 | Tags: Danny Amendola, Jason Smith, Ron Bartell, St. Louis Rams, Week 1 injuries 2011

UPDATE: It turns out Amendola’s injury was serious, but it’s an elbow injury. The Rams announced Amendola suffered a dislocated left elbow and he won’t return to the game. His season could be in jeopardy.

—

It’s been a tough day on the injury front for the Rams. Already without RB Steven Jackson for most of Sunday’s game against the Eagles, the Rams lost another top weapon when WR Danny Amendola left during the fourth quarter with what appears to be a serious injury.

Amendola came down hard following a 6-yard reception on the Rams’ first drive of the quarter, and left the field under his own power but was holding his left wrist close to his body, a sure sign of a shoulder injury.

Ron Bartell also left the game midway through the fourth quarter after getting hit in the head/neck area while trying to shed a block. He went immediately to the bench area.

The Rams also announced RT Jason Smith left the game with a left ankle injury and his return was questionable. He was replaced by Adam Goldberg.

– Frank Tadych

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Jets’ Ellis, Smith active for AFC title game

Published: January 23rd, 2011 | Tags: Aaron Smith, AFC Championship game inactives, Brad Smith, New York Jets, Pittsburgh Steelers, Shaun Ellis

Jets coach Rex Ryan said Friday that those starters listed as questionable on the injury report would be ready to go against the Steelers. He was true to his word.

Jets CB Drew Coleman (knee), DE Shaun Ellis (knee), safety James Ihedigbo (knee, ankle) and WR/KR Brad Smith (groin), all deemed questionable Friday, will be active for Sunday’s AFC Championship Game.

Smith, the Jets’ dynamic kick returner, sat out last Sunday’s 28-21 divisional playoff victory over the Patriots.

For the second consecutive week, FB John Conner and DE Vernon Gholston were kept off New York’s active roster.

As expected, Steelers DE Aaron Smith was inactive as he continue to recover from a triceps injury.

Full inactives list:

Jets
Kellen Clemens (No. 3 QB)
FB John Conner
DE Vernon Gholston
DT Jarron Gilbert
TE Matthew Mulligan
TE Jeff Cumberland
WR Patrick Turner
DE Marcus Dixon

Steelers
Charlie Batch (No. 3 QB)
S Will Allen
RB Jonathan Dwyer
CB Crezdon Butler
OT Chris Scott
OT Tony Hills
DE Steve McLendon
DE Aaron Smith

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Steelers’ Smith out, Ravens’ Birk in for Round 3

Published: January 15th, 2011 | Tags: AFC Divisional Playoffs, Baltimore Ravens, Pittsburgh Steelers

Steelers Pro Bowl safety Troy Polamalu, who has been dealing with an ankle injury, is active for the AFC Divisional showdown with the rival Baltimore Ravens Saturday, as expected. Polamalu was a full participant in practice for the first time Thursday and was listed as probable on the team’s final injury report. He missed games in Weeks 15 and 16 while dealing with ankle and Achilles injuries, but he returned in Week 17 to face the Cleveland Browns.

Cornerback Bryant McFadden (abdomen) participated fully in Friday’s practice and is set to go as well.

Steelers DE Aaron Smith wasn’t ready to come back from a triceps injury he suffered in Week 7 and has been ruled out.

For the Ravens, center Matt Birk missed a two days of practice this week while dealing with a knee injury but will be active. He was listed as questionable, along with cornerback Chris Carr (thigh), who will also suit up after being limited in practice this week.

Safety Tom Zbikowski has been ruled out with a back injury.

Ravens
WR/KR David Reed
S Tom Zbikowski
LB Jason Phillips
DT Arthur Jones
G Bryan Mattison
TE Davon Drew
TE Dennis Pitta
DT Lamar Divens

Steelers
Charlie Batch (No. 3 QB)
RB Jonathan Dwyer
DB Crezdon Butler
OT Chris Scott
OT Tony Hills
DT Steve McLendon
DE Aaron Smith
LB Jason Worlids

The Associated Press contributed to this report

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WR/KR Smith out for Jets; CB Coleman active

Published: January 16th, 2011 | Tags: AFC Divisional Playoffs, Brad Smith, Drew Coleman, New England Patriots, New York Jets

The Jets won’t have WR/KR/Wildcat QB Brad Smith for Sunday’s divisional-round showdown with the Patriots because of a groin injury he suffered during last week’s wild-card victory over the Colts. Antonio Cromartie is expected to replace Smith on returns.

Jets backup CB Drew Coleman is active. He was listed as questionable after injuring his knee during Thursday’s practice.

Full inactives list:

Jets
Kellen Clemens (No. 3 QB)
WR/KR Brad Smith
FB John Conner
DE Vernon Gholston
DT Jarron Gilbert
TE Matt Mulligan
TE Jeff Cumberland
DT Marcus Dixon

Patriots
RB Fred Taylor
G Rich Ohrnberger
OT Mark LeVoir
WR Taylor Price
DT Myron Pryor
RB Thomas Clayton
DB Tony Carter
LB Marques Murrell

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Niners make change: Alex Smith in for Troy Smith

Published: December 26th, 2010 | Tags: Troy Smith, Alex Smith, Mike Singletary, San Francisco 49ers

With their season on the line Sunday in St. Louis, tensions are running high for the 49ers. It has all led to coach Mike Singletary pulling QB Troy Smith for Alex Smith during the fourth quarter, hoping to pull out a season-extending win over the Rams.

The 49ers need wins in their final two games to punch their postseason ticket, and Singletary made the decision early last week to go back to Troy Smith as his starter over Alex Smith. That hasn’t quite worked out, though, as the Rams hold a 22-17 third-quarter lead and Troy Smith isn’t having the best of days, fumbling a shotgun snap in the end zone for a safety and throwing a fourth-quarter interception to a wide-open A.J. Otogwe (who plays for the Rams).

Following the pick, Singletary and Smith had a heated exchange on the sideline. There’s no way of knowing what was being said, but clearly, Smith wasn’t happy. Ted Ginn Jr. tried his best to play good Samaritan, somehow thinking Troy Smith could use a towel to the face.

If Singletary went over to Troy Smith with the intention of pulling him for Alex Smith, it didn’t happen immediately. But after three more series of Troy Smith, Singletary made the change.

We can’t wait for Singletary’s postgame explanation for going back to Alex Smith, whom he decided shouldn’t be the starter just days earlier.

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49′ers DT Justin Smith Tossed for Making Contact with Official

It’s already been a tough night for the Niners, as they trail the Chargers 17-0 at halftime. It’s also been a tough night for defensive tackle Justin Smith, who was tossed from the game for making contact with an official after a play.

Smith was tossed early in the second quarter after a brief argument between the DT and at least one Chargers player at the San Diego 8-yard line. Smith appeared to shove away umpire Garth DeFelice while the official attempted to keep Smith out of the dispute, and DeFelice immediately threw a flag.

San Francisco linebacker Travis LaBoy made the tackle on the play, but also left with a knee injury.

The ejection of Smith, who has started 153 straight games, occurred shortly after San Diego’s defense stopped the 49ers on fourth down inside the 1, maintaining the Chargers’ 7-0 lead.

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Fantasy owners could get Nicks, Smith back

Published: December 9th, 2010 | Tags: Eli Manning, Hakeem Nicks, Mario Manningham, Steve Smith

Tom Rock of Newsday wrote on his Twitter page that Hakeem Nicks (leg) and Steve Smith (pectoral) both practiced Thursday and are “looking good for Sunday.”

That would be great news for fantasy owners, as the postseason starts in most traditional leagues.

The Vikings have allowed the ninth-most fantasy points to wide receivers, so Nicks and Smith would instantly become starters if neither has playing-time limitations in the contest. In a best-case scenario where both players starts, Eli Manning would also be a much more attractive option.

Of course, the full return of Nicks and Smith would limit the appeal of Mario Manningham.

Be sure to check NFL.com’s inactives report on Sunday morning for definitive news on the Giants wide receivers and all the injured players for Week 14.

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A Final Shot for Alex Smith at QB for the Niners

So, yesterday Mike Singletary announced that Alex Smith would be the starting quarterback against the Seattle Seahawks this coming Sunday. My first thought: Freakin’ BS, Are you kidding me? Even now, I don’t understand the logic behind the move. Then again, Singletary is the head coach of the team and he is supposed to do what he thinks is best for the team and that is why he gets paid millions to do this. However, I completely disagree with this decision and firmly believe that Troy gives us as good a shot-if not better-as Alex does to win our games down the stretch.

This is what Singletary about Alex getting the starting nod:

We felt at this time, Alex with his experience and all of the other things, he would give us the best chance to win at this particular time, at this time of the year. Still very confident in what Troy has been able to do and would not rule out at any point in time him playing again. Right now it’s just a matter of looking where we are in the season and the opportunity we have before us.

While Troy Smith has not played lights out in his time as a starter, I don’

t think that Alex is so far ahead of him in his knowledge of the playbook and gives the Niners that much a greater chance of winning games this time of the year. In my eyes, Troy has had greater command of the offense, and the guys have rallied around him and I think that that is something to be valued in the last quarter of the season. Clearly, Singletary doesn’t think so. Anyways, Singletary has left the door open and made it known that he reserves the right to change his mind and possibly go back to Troy at some point.

Alex has played seven games against the Seattle Seahawks, and his numbers in those games have not been spectacular by any means.  He won two of his games against the Seahawks and below are his numbers against the team:

*Alex also has 2 rushing TD’s against the Seahawks.

Now, let’s take a look on how Alex has fared in December:

*Alex’s record in December is 5-8, and has run for a TD in said month.

Those numbers do not impress me by any means. But, it would not be fair to frown upon Alex’s numbers without looking at Troy’s numbers, both against the Seahawks, and in the month of December. So, here we go:

Against Seahawks

*Troy won his only game against Seattle.

In December

*Troy is 4-4 in December. He also has two rushing TDs in that month.

For you fans who support Singletary’s decision to go with Alex, you will point out that Alex has played in more games, and therefore Troy’s sample size is not large enough to measure his success against Alex’s down the stretch. You guys can also point out that Troy benefited from playing with a superb defense in his time with the Baltimore Ravens. I say, true and true, but when the numbers are adjusted, you will quickly realize that Troy would fit better not only this weekend against the Seahawks, but also in this last month of the season. Again, that is by no means scientific, but you have to give him the benefit of the doubt. And, I will not cease to say that the guys rally around Troy more that they do around Alex. That cannot be ignored in this crucial stretch for Singletary and the Niners.

I hope that Singletary proves me wrong and Alex surprises us all and takes us to the playoffs. I am no prognosticator but I do not see this working out. In my opinion, this stretch, however long it is, will be a farewell to Alex as the starting quarterback of the once-proud San Francisco 49ers.

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WRs Smith, Nicks could return for fantasy playoffs

Published: December 1st, 2010 | Tags: Hakeem Nicks, Ahmad Bradshaw, Brandon Jacobs, Hakeem Nicks, New York Giants, Steve Smith North, Tom Coughlin

The Giants could be getting more help at receiver: Steve Smith was reportedly running routes at practice Wednesday, according to coach Tom Coughlin, and WR Hakeem Nicks told reporters that he wants to return soon, maybe as soon as Week 14 vs. the Vikings. These returns would coincide with the heart of the fantasy playoffs.

And that is obviously good news.

The duo would have a favorable matchup against the Vikings in Week 14 and then face the Eagles and Packers down the stretch.

Coughlin also reiterated that RB Brandon Jacobs will be the starter this week against the Redskins but that Ahmad Bradshaw will remain in the mix. Both have a great matchup and should be seen as flex starters.

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