Janikowski Out for Raiders Against Chiefs

When does quantifying something help us learn — and when does it mislead us?

What would it be like to be in the public eye, but also to vanish?

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Rams Rule Out QB Bradford for Game Against Cowboys

Republicans talk tough on immigration, and a record number of illegal immigrants were deported under President Obama.

Her courage opened the way for meaningful progress against sex discrimination in the workplace.

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Giants’ Manning Will Have Little Room for Error Against Aggressive Bills

Then last Sunday the turnover-prone Manning returned in a 36-25 loss to Seattle. He lost a fumble and threw three interceptions, including one that went for a 94-yard touchdown with a little more than a minute left.

The result could have simply been an aberration. Brandon Browner’s long return, for example, came after the ball bounced off the hands of wide receiver Victor Cruz. Take that away and the Giants might have scored and Manning could have finished with four touchdown passes and two interceptions.

But that did not happen, and now, in the Buffalo Bills, the Giants will face the league’s best ball-hawking defense.

The Bills enter Sunday’s game at MetLife Stadium leading the league in takeaways (16), interceptions (12) and turnover margin (11). Their opportunistic defense, which has returned a league-leading three interceptions for touchdowns, picked off both Tom Brady and Michael Vick four times, propelling Buffalo to a 4-1 record and a tie atop the A.F.C. East with the New England Patriots, whom they defeated earlier this season.

Last season, Buffalo was 28th in the N.F.L. with only 11 interceptions. This season, playing out of a base 3-4 defense, the Bills have blitzed only 22 percent of the time. Rather than apply overwhelming pressure, they tend to drop players back into coverage, anticipating mistakes by the offense. The tradeoff is that the Bills give up long drives. They rank 30th in total defense, allowing an average of 421.8 yards per game.

“Pressure teams want to go three-and-out, and these guys are saying, ‘We’ll force a 15-play drive and somewhere in there you’re going to make a mistake,’ ” Giants guard Mitch Petrus said.

According to the Web site Football Outsiders, seven of the Bills’ interceptions have been “unusual circumstance” — deflected passes, passes tipped or bobbled by receivers, or, in one case, a pass thrown in desperation as time expired. In other words, the total could very well be lower.

But the Giants have been susceptible to interceptions off deflections. Coach Tom Coughlin said Friday that it was important that Manning communicate with his receivers.

“It’s got to be decisive,” he said. “So you work very hard to put yourselves in position where you’re not so contested that the ball ends up being tipped.”

The Bills’ defensive philosophy does not pivot on reaching the quarterback. The defense has only four sacks, last in the league. But the Giants maintain that the Bills’ front, led by nose tackle Kyle Williams and the rookie end Marcell Dareus, is tough to handle.

“They may not get the sack, but they get enough pressure on the quarterback and they force quarterbacks into errors,” tackle Kareem McKenzie said.

Expecting opposing quarterbacks to make mistakes is a high-risk strategy. If the offensive line can handle the pressure, the quarterback should have time to pick apart the defense. But two of the league’s best — Brady and Vick — had trouble doing so against a secondary led by safety George Wilson. Now it’s Manning’s turn.

“They’re just aggressive,” Cruz said. “They get to the ball well, they hunt the ball down, they’re trying to strip it, they’re trying to disrupt routes, they’re trying to disrupt timing. When you’re aggressive as much as they are, a lot of big plays will fall into your hands.”

EXTRA POINT

Defensive end Justin Tuck (groin/neck), running back Brandon Jacobs (knee), guard Chris Snee (concussion) and fullback Henry Hynoski (neck) have been ruled out for Sunday. Snee had played in 108 consecutive games, including seven in the playoffs. ... Center David Baas (neck) and long-snapper Zak DeOssie (concussion) are questionable.

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Giants' Fewell Downplays Game Against the Bills

Forget that Fewell was the Bills' interim coach for the final seven games of the 2009 season, or that they passed him over and chose Chan Gailey to become the coach the following season.

The only thing of importance for him is that the Bills (4-1) and their high-powered offense are coming to MetLife Stadium on Sunday to play the Giants (3-2) and Fewell needs to get his inconsistent defense to start communicating better in order to shut them down.

"It's just a game that we have to win," Fewell said Thursday after practice. "I just happen to know those guys on the other side though."

While Fewell didn't admit it outright, he left the impression that he didn't get a fair shot at keeping the head coaching job after posting a 3-4 record in Buffalo.

"It's been two years and whether I did or didn't, I think that's irrelevant," Fewell said. "I'm happy to be where I am now."

Fewell took over as the Giants defensive coordinator last season and the unit rebounded after a dreadful 2009 season, finishing ranked in the top 10 in many categories.

This year has been more of a struggle and injuries have played a big part.

Terrell Thomas, who was the Giants' top cover cornerback, and middle linebacker Jonathan Goff were both lost before the start of the season with knee injuries. Defensive captain Justin Tuck has only played two games because of neck and groin injuries and fellow Pro Bowl defensive end Osi Umenyiora missed the first three games after having arthroscopic in the preseason.

The results aren't surprising. The defense is ranked 20th overall. The run defense has been horrible the past three games, yielding an average of 160 yards and the pass defense has blown coverage after coverage, including a total bust on Charlie Whitehurst's go-ahead touchdown pass to Doug Baldwin late in the fourth quarter of Sunday's 36-25 loss.

On the play, cornerback Aaron Ross and safety Antrel Rolle thought the other was going to take the receiver and no one did.

"It's about communication," Fewell said. "I think we weren't communicating. When you use that form of communication verbally everybody doesn't always get it at the same time. I think I need to do a better job and maybe (put) wristbands on the guys so that everybody knows what the call is. If one person doesn't know then he has to say it to everybody else. I think I can do a better job and help our players if I do that for them."

The Giants had better improve because the Bills have been machinelike on offense. The team is averaging just under 33 points and it has scored at least 20 points in five straight games.

"We're trying to learn how to play together. That's the biggest problem that I think we have right now, learning how to play together," Fewell said. "So yes, my focus is more on us than it is the Buffalo Bills because we have to learn how to complement each other and we don't know how to complement each other at this point in time."

Buffalo has used a balanced offense. Quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick has thrown for 1,233 yards, 10 touchdowns and four interceptions and running back Fred Jackson is third in the NFL with 712 yards from scrimmage.

Fewell has a special feeling for Fitzpatrick. After he took over as coach, he made the Harvard player his starter.

"He looks very comfortable in this offense," Fewell said, noting it's a totally different scheme than he had. "He's making quick decisions. He's getting the ball out extremely fast. His receivers and he are on the same page. He just looks like he's in total control and he knows exactly what they want to do with this offense."

Tuck, who has missed the last two games with neck and groin injuries, was just one of many players who said Fewell has kept an even keel in meetings this week, occasionally offering a little insight into certain Bills players.

"I think it means more to us than it does to him," veteran safety Deon Grant said of Fewell. "He is just going to go out and call his game, but a little better now because we have to get back to playing New York Giants defense.

"We as a defense, we want to get him this victory more than anything."

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Bears going orange for Sunday’s showdown against Packers

The Bears have decided they will wear their alternate orange jerseys Sunday against the Packers.

Also, the announcing crew for the NFC North clash between the Bears and Packers for 3:15 CT at Soldier has been set.

It’s going to be FOX’s top trio of Joe Buck, Troy Aikman, and Pam Oliver.

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Browns Let One Slip Away Against Bengals

After watching the Bengals build a 10-0 lead at the end of the 1st quarter., the Browns gained momentum back before halftime by establishing a 14-13 halftime lead.

The Browns would tack on a FG in the 3rd Qtr., and the score would remain that way until there was less than 6 minutes to go in the 4th Qtr., when Cincinnati’s back-up QB, Bruce Gradkowski, hit rookie WR, A.J. Green, for a 41-yard score that gave the Bengals a 20-17 lead late in the game.

Cincinnati would regain possession of the ball right before the 2:00 warning in the 4th Quarter. Cedric Benson finished off the Browns with a 39-yard scamper to the end zone for his first TD of the game.

Final Score: Bengals 27 – Browns 20

The Pat Shurmur era got off to a rough start against the Bengals. In the 1st Qtr. alone, the Browns new head coached watched his team manage 6 penalties and come-up with just 3 yards of total offense.

Cincinnati, however, took advantage of great field position on their first two drives, and rookie QB, Andy Dalton, surprised a few critics as he led the Bengals to a 10-0 1st Qtr. lead.

After the previous three kickoffs sailed out the end zone, Browns return-man, Joshua Cribbs, decided to finally bring one out. Cribbs’ return gave the Browns excellent field position, setting the offense up on the Cincinnati 42-yard line.

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Rugged Rams lose more than just a game against Eagles

The only thing the Rams were very efficient in during their week 1 game against the Philadelphia Eagles was combining mistakes with injuries.  The Rams lost most reliable receiver Danny Amendola to a potentially serious elbow injury. (UPDATE: Looks like Amendola is now out 8-10 weeks.) Quarterback Sam Bradford left the game with a thumb injury that should allow him to return next week.  Running back Steven Jackson was lost to a quad injury after his first run of the game, a long touchdown run.  Jason Smith was pulled from the game with a reported ankle injury, but he was so ineffective, the injury could have been formulated as an excuse by the Rams coaching staff.  The Rams also lost cornerback Ron Bartell to an injury.

The Rams mistakes on the offensive side stunted any chance the Rams overwhelmed squad could generate.  Rookie tight end Lance Kendricks had two solid gold drops and Brandon Gibson and Greg Salas joined him in the drop parade.  The Rams offensive line, who has been much heralded, played like the overpaid, underperforming side we have seen over the past 2-3 years.  The Eagles have a good defensive line, but the Rams offensive line were pushed back into Bradford on every single pass play and allowed penetration on almost every run play.

The defense had their fair share of mistakes as the Rams failed to cover DeSean Jackson on one play, failed to tackle Mike Vick frequently and allowed Vick to break contain when they were unable to get to him.

The moral of the story here is that the Rams are not as good as the Eagles.  We knew that coming in.  But, the way the Rams lost, with injuries and a bushel of mistakes is hard to swallow.

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Castillo breaks leg against Vikings

Published: September 11th, 2011 | Tags: Mike Tolbert, Luis Castillo, San Diego Chargers, Week 1 injuries 2011

UPDATE: During his postgame session with reporters, Tolbert said he “got rolled up on,” but he didn’t exactly appear concerned. “It’s a part of football put some dirt on it and move on.”

The Chargers lost DE Luis Castillo during Sunday’s victory over the Vikings. Castillo was carted off the sideline and taken to the locker room during the fourth quarter. The San Diego Union reported Sunday night that Castillo suffered a fractured tibia in his left leg. It is unclear if he will be able to return this season.

Meanwhile, running back Mike Tolbert had a monster game with three touchdowns , but his afternoon ended on a negative note.

Tolbert limped off the field late during the fourth quarter, favoring his right leg. He immediately went down to the ground once he reached the sideline, and was later spotted on the trainer’s table, where team trainers were administering tests typically associated with knee injuries. The Chargers made no announcement on his status.

– Frank Tadych

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Stafon Johnson files lawsuit against USC

I was there when Stafon Johnson first spoke publicly after the horrible weight room accident at USC that nearly took his life.

It was inspiring. It was a feel-good moment.

Sigh.

Johnson filed a lawsuit Monday against USC, alleging negligence on behalf of former assistant strength coach Jamie Yanchar and the school for the accident -- a 275-pound bar falling on his throat -- on Sept. 28, 2009.

The story of the incident that has long held sway -- the bar slipped out of Johnson's hand; pure bad luck -- is now different.

"What we say occurred is that the bar was basically knocked out of his hand, causing it to fall on Stafon's neck, almost causing him to die," Johnson's lawyer, Carl Douglas said at a news conference Monday afternoon. "We think for that, those that are responsible should be held responsible for their actions."

Replied USC in a statement:

"USC firmly believes it was not at fault in Stafon Johnson's unfortunate weightlifting accident. We are sorry that Stafon was injured. USC and the entire Trojan Family have been exceptionally supportive of Stafon from the minute the accident occurred. We are disappointed to learn that Stafon has decided to file a lawsuit against USC."

We're not a big fan of lawsuits, but we're not going to judge Johnson. We don't know what happened. We weren't there. He obviously feels wronged. He's suffered plenty. He also went out of his way to say, "This lawsuit does not in any way reduce my love for the cardinal and gold."

Perhaps this will be easy: Multiple witnesses will present the same story, one way or another. But you'd have to doubt that, seeing that things have reached this point. That likely means folks who care about both Johnson and USC will be forced to take sides as they give their take on what happened. You could end up with two Trojans who are friends of Johnson's presenting very different takes.

Or maybe a settlement is reached and things don't get ugly.

That surely would be best for both parties.

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Start Falcons’ White, Turner against Ravens

Published: November 9th, 2010 | | Tags: Baltimore Ravens, Atlanta Falcons, Michael Turner, Roddy White, Steve Wyche, NFL Network Thursday Night Football

Falcons WR Roddy White missed practice on Monday, but told our Steve Wyche that he will be ready to go against the Ravens on Thursday night. That game will be broadcast on NFL Network.

White told Wyche that he sustained a bruised right knee during the first quarter of Sunday’s 27-21 victory over the Buccaneers. Wyche did note that White did not have a noticeable limp on Tuesday.

Start White and RB Michael Turner this week. Turner is a matchup-proof runner, and while the Ravens have held opposing running backs to just over 11 fantasy points per game this season, some runners have had success. Dolphins RB Ronnie Brown was having a nice game last week until Miami fell behind and had to throw the ball. Browns RB Peyton Hillis also smoked the Ravens for 180 total yards and a touchdown in Week 3.

And make sure your lineup is set for that Thursday start.

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