The Fifth Down: Hank Williams Offers a Rebuttal in Song

October 12

Are the Buffalo Bills really that good? Are the Indianapolis Colts really that bad? Judy Battista, the N.F.L. reporter for The Times, will answer readers' questions this week.

October 12

If Tim Tebow does well, the Broncos will prosper, and that's good news for all. For Denver management, failure would also have its benefits.

October 12

The Giants' defense seemed unprepared for Seattle's up-tempo, quick-striking passing attack, leading to perhaps the biggest upset of the week.

October 11

Hank Williams Jr. posted a song on YouTube criticizing ESPN for dismissing him from "Monday Night Football."

October 11

Arizona will be the site of the Super Bowl in 2015.

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Falcons CB Williams inactive vs. Packers

Six Atlanta Falcons starters that were listed as questionable for Saturday’s NFC Divisional game against the Green Bay Packers are active. All six practiced fully on Friday.

Defensive end John Abraham (groin), defensive tackle Jonathan Babineaux (shoulder), safety Thomas DeCoud (ankle), linebacker Curtis Lofton (knee), center Todd McClure (ankle) and wide receiver Roddy White (knee) have all been cleared to play.

Cornerback Brian Williams, the lone Falcons player listed as doubtful, is inactive. Williams is battling a knee injury that kept him out of practice all week.

For the Packers, safety Atari Bigby (groin) and fullback Korey Hall (knee), both listed as questionable in Friday’s injury report, are inactive.

Offensive lineman Jason Spitz (calf), listed as questionable after not participating all week, is active.

The Packers announced Saturday that fullback Quinn Johnson will start in place of Hall and linebacker Erik Walden will fill in for the inactive Frank Zombo.

Packers
S Atari Bigby
FB Korey Hall
QB Graham Harrell
RB Dimitri Nance
DB Josh Gordy
LB Frank Zombo
G Evan Dietrich-Smith
G Nick McDonald

Falcons
DB Brian Williams
LB Spencer Adkins
T Garrett Reynolds
G Mike Johnson
DE Lawrence Sidbury
DT Trey Lewis
QB John Parker Wilson

The Associated Press contributed to this report

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Houston Places Leading Sacker Mario Williams on IR

The Texans placed a couple guys on IR Wednesday, but the biggest name of the bunch was DE Mario Williams, who led the team with 8.5 sacks and 19 hits on the QB this season.

Guard Mike Brisiel and receiver David Anderson joined Williams on on injured reserve. Williams also had 10 tackles for loss, but had been playing with a sports hernia. Because Williams started on the left side and moved to the right side in passing situations, defensive ends Mark Anderson (three sacks) and Tim Jamison will get a lot of playing time.

The Texans are expected to sign veteran defensive end Jarvis Green to take Williams’ spot on the roster.

Brisiel (shoulder) will be replaced at right guard by Antoine Caldwell. Anderson’s loss means rookie receiver Dorin Dickerson might be active for the last three games against Tennessee, Denver and Jacksonville.

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Hogs' D.J. Williams wins Mackey Award

Arkansas' D.J. Williams was named Thursday as the recipient of the 2010 John Mackey Award, which is presented annually to the top tight end in college football.

Williams is the Hogs' first winner of the Mackey Award. He leads Arkansas with 49 catches and has totaled 589 receiving yards and four touchdowns this season. He's also the active NCAA career leader in catches (147) and receiving yards (1,817).

The John Mackey Award lists nine NFL players as alumni, including Dallas Clark, Kellen Winslow II, Heath Miller and Aaron Hernandez.

Williams, a senior, was also honored with the Disney Spirit Award as college football's most inspirational player.

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Bucs WR Williams could be gametime call

Published: December 9th, 2010 | Tags: Arrelious Benn, Mike Williams, Raheem Morris

Mike Williams has been one of the best rookies in fantasy football this season, so when he misses practice it’s certainly noteworthy. That was the case on Thursday, as he sat out of drills due to a bum knee.

“He’s got a sore knee, has been fighting through it for a couple weeks,” Buccaneers coach Raheem Morris told the St. Petersburg Times. “He’s a tough guy, he goes out and he plays, right now it’s little bit sore, just got to get him to tomorrow, and see what he can do tomorrow. Get him through Saturday, see what he can do Saturday and hopefully get him in the game.”

Williams, who is on pace to finish with better than 1,000 yards, could be a game-time decision to face the Redskins. If he is active, it will be hard to bench the rookie despite the threat of rainy weather at FedEx Field.

In the event that Williams is declared inactive, fellow rookie Arrelious Benn would see a spike in value for owners in deeper leagues.

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Seahawks’ Mike Williams out with foot injury

Published: November 21st, 2010 | | Tags: Mike Williams, Seattle Seahawks, Week 11 injuries 2010

Late during their blowout loss to the Saints, the Seahawks announced WR Mike Williams wouldn’t return due to a left foot injury.

Williams has had an amazing season after working his way back to the NFL, so here’s hoping it’s not a serious injury that would derail his comeback. He has six receptions for 109 yards against the Saints, both team highs.

Williams did leave the game briefly during the first quarter with what appeared to be some sort of left leg injury. Following a 68-yard reception down the sideline from Matt Hasselbeck, Williams’ left foot was caught underneath the defender as he was brought down. Williams did return to play most of the game, but it could be that play contributed to the injury that forced him out later in the game.

The Seahawks also lost CB Marcus Trufant (head) and DE Kentwan Balmer (facial laceration) to injuries during the first half.

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Redskins RB Williams could start again

Published: November 18th, 2010 | | Tags: Clinton Portis, Ryan Torain, Keiland Williams

A report on TBD.com suggests that Ryan Torain (hamstring) “doesn’t appear likely” to play in Week 11. He was unable to practice on Thursday.

With Clinton Portis (groin) also at less than 100 percent, it looks like Keliand Williams is destined to see a featured role against the Titans. He’s coming off a huge performance against the Eagles, posting 31.90 fantasy points on NFL.com, so he’s a viable flex option in most leagues against the Titans.

A free agent in close to 95 percent of NFL.com leagues, Williams should be a hot name on the waiver wire.

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Buccaneer WR Mike Williams arrested on a DUI charge

Danny Valentine and Ileana Morales of the St. Petersburg Times report Bucs standout rookie wide receiver Mike Williams was arrested on a DUI charge early Friday, Hillsborough County Jail records show.

Williams, 23, was arrested about 2:48 a.m. near Highway 301 and Causeway Boulevard, according to jail records. He was booked at 4:44 a.m. and released after posting $500 bail at 8:04 a.m.

Williams was driving a black Cadillac 57 mph in a 45 mph zone and weaving between lanes, said Larry McKinnon, Hillsborough County Sheriff’s spokesman.

Two tests found his blood-alcohol level at .065 and .061, records show, below the limit of .08 set by state law.

But Williams failed a field sobriety test, McKinnon said. A urine test was conducted and results are pending, he said. A urine test is done if a deputy suspects a driver is impaired by a substance other than alcohol, McKinnon said.

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Panthers’ Williams to IR, Goodson to start

Published: November 17th, 2010 | | Tags: Carolina Panthers, Jonathan Stewart, DeAngelo Williams, Tony Pike, Jimmy Clausen, Steve Smith South, Tyrell Sutton

The Panthers have placed RB DeAngelo Williams on the IR, and Mike Goodson is expected to start this week vs. the Baltimore Ravens. RBs Jonathan Stewart (concussion) and Tyrell Sutton (ankle) missed practice on Wednesday.

Not an ideal matchup for Goodson, who rushed for 100 yards against the Buccaneers last week. Goodson, however, is a good grab and stash guy off the waiver wire.

QB Jimmy Clausen also did not practice on Wednesday, and the team could turn to QB Tony Pike. That thing you see sinking out there … that’s WR Steve Smith‘s remaining value.

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Panthers place RB Williams on IR; set to name Pike the starter at QB Sunday

It was an active day for the Panthers, as first they put running back DeAngelo Williams on injured reserve, ending his season with a foot injury, and also they are reported to be on the verge of starting rookie QB Tony Pike for Sunday’s matchup with the big bad Ravens.

Darin Gantt of the Charlotte Observer reports that Pike will get the nod to start, this after the team suffered yet another injury when rookie QB Jimmy Clausen recieved a concussion Sunday in the latest Panther loss in Tampa

QB Brian St. Pierre, who was promoted from the practice squad Tuesday, is another option, but Gantt says that Pike is the man – “Unless he gets hit by a bus.”

Pike was a sixth-round pick out of Cincinnati, and he only narrowly beat out current street free agent Hunter Cantwell for a roster spot in Panthers camp.

He’ll get a quick education when he goes up against Ray Lewis and the Ravens on Sunday in Baltimore.

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